Ack!

I just wrote down all the projects that I am accumulating...I'm gathering at least 4 per month, but I'm not turning them out quite that fast. Here's my list from January through March:
January:

• Panta (headband)-completed
• Socks (first pair-wild stripes)-completed
• Elephant (for a friend's son)-completed
• Purple sweater
• Baby blanket (see above elephant)

February:

• SockapalOOOza socks
• Jaywalker socks
• Mohair sweater (at least I ordered the other yarn to go with this one...)
• Baby sweater (see above blanket and elephant)

March:

• Elephant (for woman at work in soroity colors)
• Cigar gloves (second pair for my brother)
• Psychotic tomatoes
• Cheez-It

I also can't forget that there's a woman at work who's pregnant, and I promised her a blanket, sweater, hat and booties for her little one. Fortunately, she's not due until late September. Ok, it's official...no one else can get pregnant or request anything from me! The request line is closed! Maybe I can get some serious knitting and crocheting done between now and the summer. I just will have to start skipping meals and showers, knitting at work, and not clean anything. Sure...this can work...maybe I won't skip the showers.

Tuesday

Well, here it is, Tuesday. I think I found the pattern I'm going to use for my Sockapaloooza pal. I think I'm going to go with this one. I like the idea of the lace and sock combined. I think I'm going to set aside all my other projects and start on all the ones for others right now. I have to start (and finish) another pair of Cigar gloves for my brother, the Sockapaloooza socks need to get started, and then there's that crocheted elephant for the woman at work who's going to actually pay me $20 for it. I'm just trying to decide what to get started on first. Nothing has been started for any of these, and my sweater keeps calling my name. Both sweaters do. They're lonely. My Jaywalker socks are also calling my name. Hmmm...ok...I need a plan. If I do one Sockapalooza sock, then a Cigar glove, then the elephant, and then another sock and the other glove, that should last me for a good 5 weeks. Each one should (in theory) only take a week. So, that puts me into April. If I'm really slick, I might be able to crank out my purple sweater by Easter. I'm not counting on it, and I wouldn't put money on it, but it's possible. I'll just have to focus more on knitting in the evenings. So, here's to the first Sockapaloooza sock!

Wonderful Weekend

I had a fan-tabulous weekend! I was treated to a class at a LYS with Annie Modesitt! She is a fabulous teacher, and I would highly recommend her classes to anyone. I got all inspired again to knit and to increase my knitting knowledge and experience. She has a terrific sense of humor, and is such a warm and wonderful person!

I still have to find a pattern that will do the sock yarn justice for my Sockapaloooza pal. While I'm scouring the 'net, I'm continuing to knit on the purple sweater and my Jaywalker socks.

In good news, I was offered MONEY for an elephant. It's a special order (she wants it red and white), but it's $20 for me! Woot!

More later...I promise!

The terrible, horrible, no good, very bad blogger

That would be me. I keep thinking I'm going to have time to post something here, and I just don't make the time. Anyway, I found some more pictures, and I thought I'd share.

This is the elusive purple sweater I keep talking about. I don't know how much you can tell from the picture, but it was the Soft Focus pattern from Big Knits, whose co-author Dawn French is one of my favorite British actresses.

This afghan is crocheted, and it's a pattern that apparently Coats and Clark don't print anymore. It went out of print almost as fast as it was in print. My mother-in-law picked the pattern for me, and I made this afghan for my mom's parents for Christmas last year (2005).

As for the podcasts, I have downloaded several. The ones currently on my iPod are About Time, KnitCast, Cast On, Knitting News Cast, For the Love of Fiber, KnitWit, Musings of a peaceful knitter, Pointy Sticks, Secret Knitting, and the Mosh Knit. I know, it sounds like a lot, and I guess maybe it is. I've only really listened to KnitCast, because I just found all the others.

Woot! Again!

Well, I finished filing my taxes, later than I wanted, but still before the deadline. We get a nice chunk of change back. I'm also downloading stuff on to my iPod (brand new, with video capability) and waiting for 24 to start. The pictures I wanted to download are taking too long, so I'll take them to work with me and upload them tomorrow. I think it's due to the iPod downloading so much stuff. Oh well...podcasts rock!

Sockapaloooza update and other schtuff

Well, I finally received the order from Knitpicks on Friday. The colors are beautiful. Now I just have to find a pattern for my sock pal that will show off the beauty of the yarn. I also ordered some of the Wool of the Andes for a sweater. You remember the mohair and wool sweater I wanted to create? I now have the wool, and the mohair. I resisted temptation this weekend to cast on yet another sweater and try to finish the two things that are currently on the needles. If I don't resist, I'll have 10 projects going, and I won't be making any progress on any of them.

I did cast on for my purple sweater, and I found pictures proving that at one point, I did finish the sweater. I don't have any of me wearing it, but I'm working on a different style, and providing that I finish it timely, I'll do pictures of that on. I'm still plugging away on the Jaywalkers, and maybe I'll upload some pictures of those tonight as well as the start of the new sweater.

I have pictures to post, but I didn't bring them to work with me. Fortunately for you, ;) I have lots to download on my new iPod tonight, and I can post while I'm downloading. I have several podcasts that I want, and I just have to download them onto the iPod and listen to my heart's content. I also need to copy some CDs on it, and I figure that will last me a good long while with 30 GB. Of course, I'll probably fill it up before I realize it.

Time flies...

when you're really not that busy! Man, I feel like it's been ages. Maybe it has been. There are still more baby reports coming in...no worries for me...yet. As much as I'd love to have a little one, I know that all the work I do for others will never be reciprocated. I don't do it for that, obviously, otherwise I wouldn't do it at all. It just saddens me that there are so few people that I know that are crafters. I need to expand my friendship circle, and get to know some knitters. =0) They know what those hand-made gifts mean, and I think only someone who does it can TRULY appreciate the time and love it takes.

I ordered sock yarn on Saturday for my Sockapaloooza pal. I'm hoping to be able to be pattern searching later this week, and see what the yarn says to me. I always obey the yarn. It's easier that way. =0)

Pictures should be coming later this week as well. I did finally get those pictures from Wal-Mart, and only one roll really came out. The other was old and faded. I think I was in middle school when I shot that roll. Aahh...those were the days. I could go home from school, do homework, get a snack and go outside and play. Having summers off was the best.

More baby presents!!!!

And no, it's not for me (I'm not pregnant). Well, there's a friend at work who just told us this morning that she's expecting. You know what that means!!!! More baby knitting! Her mom crochets, so I'm the one to knit her baby up a storm! I opened my big mouth and promised a layette set...you know, hat, sweater, booties, and blankie. Good thing I decided I wanted to do the Hoover blanket from Knitty.com (the pattern is here). Now I'll just find a sweater, hat and bootie pattern that I like. I don't expect to out-compete Grandma; just spoil the kid. There's nothing wrong with spoiling a child...as long as it's not yours...that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

More toys might follow as well...I have a whole book of knitted toys, and I might just have to pull that out and start knitting up a toy storm. Of course, I should probably finish the other projects I've started. I'm sure my friend would like for her son to get his blanket and sweater BEFORE he's too old to enjoy them (he's about 3 weeks now, and if I hurry, he'll have his blanket in another week, and maybe 2 for his sweater).

I AM going to get those pictures this weekend that I dropped off at Wal-Mart about 3 weeks ago. I SWEAR. I have it on my list. I'm going tomorrow, some time. I promise...no really.

It's been so long...

I can't believe I haven't posted again this week! How horrible is that?! In any event, the Jaywalker is coming along nicely. I'm making them a little smaller than I made the last pair, and I'm reading the directions VERY CAREFULLY. I have found that to be my biggest problem...I try to do too much too soon without the directions. Maybe I can take pictures tonight and post them.

Cedric is finally going to his new home tonight! The afghan and sweater will be following soon, but for now, it's just Cedric the elephant. I'm excited to see my friend's little boy. I'm sure he's absolutely adorable. Perhaps I should grab the camera and take some pictures to post of him and his sister (I'll have to ask mom first about the posting).

I'm wearing my first pair of socks today. I love these things. They're warm, comfy, and all around great. I never have to worry about my feet being cold.

I should be ordering some more sock yarn tomorrow...if all goes well. I need to get cracking on my Sockapaloooza pal's gift!

Decisions, decisions...

As you can sort of tell from this picture (sorry about the fuzziness), these are the two colors I was thinking of combining together for a sweater. The mauve on the left is mohair, and the brown on the right is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Maple Syrup. They look like a better color combination in reality...when they're not all out of focus. I just haven't decided if I should do the bottom out of the brown and the top out of the mohair, or combine them. I guess another swatch is needed.

Here come some pics of first knitting projects...mostly scarves...
This was my first knitting attempt EVER...I would not recommend chenille to beginners.

This scarf was my second knitting adventure. I finished the first one in Utah, and had to go get more yarn! I grabbed a skein of Jiffy Thick & Quick from a local JoAnn's, and decided to do the scarf pattern that was on the package.

This scarf was for my brother. He saw the pattern on Knitty, and wanted one to go with his leather jacket. He thought it would be fun to dress like Mick Jagger sometimes. Of course, my brother is a LOT better looking than Mick Jagger (IMHO).

This last picture is one of the afghan I knitted for my grandmother (how backwards is that?!), and she LOVES it. She wraps up in it every night and watches TV. You gotta love making something that they use.


And once again, my photo taking skills are at their best in this shot. Here's the Debbie Bliss that I wanted to make a sweater out of, and then realized the style I liked wouldn't look that great on me. So, now it's gone back into the stash. I'm trying to decide if I should leave it there for a while, or put it to good use. Any ideas?

So much knitting...so little time...back to the needles!

We Are the Champions, My Friends...

I am victorious! I have finally completed BOTH socks! Woot!

Are you ready for more pictures? Here's one to prove that yes, I WILL wear them.

Please ignore the shoes under the bed, and the fact that a box spring is my backdrop. Here's one more shot...

How exciting! Tomorrow (if I remember) there are some other things that I will post, and maybe I'll drop by Wal-Mart and pick up my two rolls of film. One's so old, I don't even remember what is on it. I'm not even sure if there ARE pictures on it. It was only 12 exposures, and it went in one of those REALLY old cameras...the ones that were really flat. Who knows what will be on it...with me, there's no telling, but I'm hoping that they put the pictures on a CD so that I can upload them easily. If not, we'll have to do it the old fashioned way, with the scanner. Fortunately, the CD burner is in the computer with the scanner, so that should make it easier.

I have another pair of socks to make for me, and I'm going to try doing the Jaywalker socks. I know, it's one of those cyber-knitting world crazes, like the Clapotis, but hey, I didn't join in that one, so I'm joining in where I can. See? I CAN play well with others...sometimes. =0)

Sock update...the originals

Well, here are the pictures I promised! (I know I'm a day late, but I'm a dollar short too!)

Isn't he adorable? His name is Cedric, and he's crocheted (I know...this is a knitting blog, but sometimes the hands need a break). There's more...

This is the first FO of the new year:

It's Panta...just a cool headband that the pattern was floating around on the 'net for.

Check it out!!!! It's almost done! I had some good knitting time in the car on the way home yesterday, and it went really fast. I'm just hoping there'll be enough left to finish! It's a couple of rows different, but they're close enough to match for me! I'm so excited.

Now, as for the Sockapaloooza, I was searching online for sock patterns, and of course, Knitty was one of the first places I checked. I like their patterns...they're usually innovative and a great knit. But, I didn't quite find what I was looking for; at least I don't think I did. I might need to play around with some patterns first.

There was a funeral today for a man who worked at my company, and it got me thinking about a pattern for something like that. I don't know that I'm going to do funeral socks, but something somber may spring forth from my brain. It might be a sweater or a scarf or something. I never met him, but there was a definite air of sadness lingering around the office. It makes you ponder the meaning of life, and specifically, the meaning of your life. It also makes you wonder what your funeral will be like. Maybe I'll create something and request that people wear something like it to my funeral. I can do that, right? Perhaps he just needs to have a tribute done.

Once I decide on a pattern for my secret sock pal, I'll have to see what needs to be done about ordering some yarn. The colorways from Knit Picks are beautiful, and most definitely reasonably priced.

Heel trouble

Argh...I had problems with the heel on the second sock, but I think I got it fixed. The biggest problem was there was an extra stitch! I was able to figure out that it came from the needle at the last stitch getting caught on the one below it, so there were two stitches from the same column of stitches. I hate it when that happens. In any case, I'm hoping to have good knitting time this weekend, since we're headed to visit my in-laws. There's not much to do up there, except read and knit.

Here's funny for you...my hubby has just finished the catalog of our books...and this weekend, his mom is giving us more. We're also probably going to spend some time with a friend of his.

I still have to get the pictures from Wal-Mart, and take pictures of the cute elephant. The second needs pictures too. Hopefully I can take all the necessary pictures this weekend, and if we get home in time, I can post them on Sunday. We should be back in time...we have to be home for the Superbowl. That is more good knitting time. =0)

Waiting on Wal-Mart

I'm waiting on Wal-Mart for my pictures. Their one hour photo isn't exactly one hour...more like 4 hours. There was also a roll I had to send off, so I'm waiting to get it back as well. The elephant for my friend's lovely son is almost done...he just needs a trunk. There will be pictures.

Oh, good news! First, our building doesn't have to re-piped after all. That means no moving the whole apartment upside down for 3 days. Second, hubby's power supply finally arrived. Here's a side note: DON'T use UPS to send packages. They suck. Long story short- hubby had to go to the distribution center to get it and waited for 2 hours. They never came by our place. Hopefully, pictures can go up at home instead of work now. I haven't ordered a new computer yet. I should, but I'm waiting. On what, I'm not sure, other than money.

Another week down...

Man! What a week. I went from being not busy at all to pretty busy at work, and here I am at not very busy at all again. I found out Tuesday night, after I posted, that a friend of mine was induced yesterday (Thursday). You know what that means! Socks go on the back burner, and baby stuff comes to the front! I'm working on an adorable elephant for her son, and he'll get a sweater and afghan like his sister did too. I have to get the yarn for his afghan, but I have the yarn for everything else. I usually crochet baby items for friends, and knit for myself and family. I don't know that I've ever knit anything for anyone else. Wait...I have...Cigar gloves for my brother and an afghan for my grandmother. Whatever I make I usually do give away to family or friends. I have found that it's rare a friend who truly appreciates the handmade items a crafter can provide. They're not usually that expensive (depending on the yarn of course) and they take more time than anything. People don't appreciate time like they used to. If it doesn't come from a store, they don't really understand it.

Someone asked about the $250 computer...try www.tigerdirect.com. It's good to know people in the IT world who shop frequently for new stuff, or refurbished stuff.

I have pictures to take to Wal-Mart this weekend...maybe I'll be able to post some of them!

As promised...

More pictures!!!!

Here's the finished sock...I'm not happy with the toe grafting, but I'm going to leave it and do the second one the same way. Why, you ask, would someone who is a perfectionist leave something they don't like? Well, one, I'm tired of messing with this sock, particularly the toe part (I had to graft that sucker 3 times!) and two, I've already started on the second one...see?

That was this morning's progress...there's about another half inch to three-quarters added, since I worked on it during lunch. My goal is to finish it this week...I would like to be working on it through Saturday, and then finish it and start on another project. And I have oh, so many! I'm going to start on my purple sweater...the one I completed and then took out. I didn't take any pictures of it, but I can assure you I will this time! I'm trying to complete one project a month, give or take. January's project is socks; February's will be that sweater, and I also have a baby blanket to do in February. If the sweater goes into March, that's ok. I should still be able to finish it before the weather heats up too much to wear it (it's acrylic and it gets uber hot). I put all the projects on my Palm Pilot (I'm being very digital these days - go figure) and I have them through May, I believe. There might be several more pairs of socks done this year. I have a skein of Magic Stripes that needs knitting, and oh! There's also a pair of kid socks in my future! I bought a one skein-er at a LYS, and thought I'd do anklet socks with it! I hope there's enough. If not, I might do something funky with it, but what I haven't decided. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Well, I should go clean now...besides, this computer's uber slow. I found a great one for $250; I just don't have $250 right now. Someone want to give me $250 for a new computer?! I'll be more than happy to take your money! =0) Just kidding! In a couple of months (or sooner I hope) I'll be able to order it. It just takes some time (and not traveling). I don't think people realize how much money it takes to travel around here. Gas is so expensive, and so is food. Oh well...hopefully another progress report tomorrow (with pictures)!

One down...

and one to go! I completed the first sock this afternoon during lunch. I was hoping to finish it over the weekend, but found it was too long, so I had to do some reconstructive surgery on it. When I tried to put the stitches back on the US3 needles, it didn't want to go. Since I was in Birmingham visiting friends, I had to wait to come home and get my US2's. The stitches went on easily today, and I used grafting to sew up the toes. I don't think I like it, but it was a good beginning for me. The grafting takes a lot of concentration though...NEVER attempt grafting while watching a movie you haven't seen before. You lose your place a lot.

Someone asked what yarn I was using for my socks...it's Fortissima Colori Socka Color. I think it's in color # 9074, and to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't have chosen that color for myself (a secret pal sent it to me) but I LOVE it. The more I see it, the better I like it. I have found that when other people choose things for me, they hardly ever pick out something that I would (sometimes I'm just too practical) and I usually love it. The yarn is 75% wool, and 25% polyamide (whatever that is). I think they'll be lovely and warm.

I'm hoping to post some pictures tomorrow; long story short, I have to be careful what I do at work now, and so I'll have to take pictures at home, load them on the computer at work (since this one won't handle it, I think) and then email them to myself, check email at home, and post from here. It'll only be until I get a new computer (that's in the works...I found a good deal and just need to order it).

I found it!!!!

I found the digital camera on Wednesday night...yay me! It was hiding in a bag that was in a bag in my closet (I have weird ways of carrying things and putting things away sometimes). But, I have this:

This is my first sock attempt ever! Woot! But wait, there's more...

And here's the other skein for the second sock by itself....

I found that the second skein starts differently, so I'm waiting to finish this first one to see how much is left over. The good news is, the pictures are what the sock looked like Wednesday night...I started the toe shaping last night, so I can definitely have the first one done by tonight (since I have a 3 hour road trip ahead of me, and I think I can catch enough daylight to finish it). If I can borrow a computer at our friends' house, I might upload more pics there of the finished sock! Woot! I'm all kinds of excited. I'm even thinking of joining a Sockapoloooza! Woot! =0)

Making progress...

on socks at least. I have about half the foot done on the first one. I spent two hours watching American Idol and knitting. Tonight I'm tearing apart the apartment looking for our digital camera. My hubby is convinced that it's there...I'm not so sure. However, I will scavange the whole place tonight. I'm really stressing over this whole camera thing. I hope and pray that it will turn up.

As for the socks, they are going well. Last night I had to tink them a little...I found some places where I didn't quite catch all the yarn and there was a little snag. I took that stitch off the needles (making sure the other stitches didn't fall off!) and removed all the stitches down to where it wasn't completely caught. Then I took a crochet hook and put the stitches back up the rows. I'm running to the store at lunch, so I'll pick up a disposable camera, in case I can't find the digital one tonight, and take pictures. I should be able to get them developed over the weekend, and I can post some pictures on Monday.

Failing miserably

But at least I tried. I was trying to get the buttons to appear for Southern Bloggers and for Knitting Blogs, but I can't get the code right. If anyone knows how, and would care to share their HTML wisdom with me, I would greatly appreciate it. If not, then I'm bound to what I can scavenge from the net and various and sundry books. Until then, it'll just have to be as is. Maybe this weekend I can pry some HTML knowledge out of one of our friends.

I'm still working on the socks, and not making a whole lot of progress. By this weekend, I would love to finish the first sock, and maybe find the digital camera that has been lost in the sea of holidays and post a picture. Yet one more promise of pictures...one that is close to being fulfilled, but something always manages to go awry. IF I find the camera, pictures WILL go up! If I can't, then I'll pull out an old school camera and take pictures...soon.