Lost in Indiana -- non Knitting post, almost

You know what the problem with being lost in Indiana is? The whole damn state looks like every other part of the damn state! Red barn, cows, corn, cute white farm house. It all looks the same.

My sister wanted me to take her to our parents house. My parents live about 60 miles due south of me, and my sister lives 40 miles due east. It never occured to me that my sister didn't know how to get to mom and dad's from her house, and I sure didn't know how to get there. But, Indiana has that lovely grid state road system, and I knew that I wanted to be on SR 16. Too bad there were 8 billion detors. But we did get there, eventually.

Anyway, I went to my mom's house for Mother's Day. She was pleased with her dishcloths. While she admits that they would be wonderful dishcloths, she isn't sure she can use them as dishcloths.


Dad made us all lunch, which was really nice. Grilled hamburgers, yum oh!


Here are my niece Jessica and her brother Jimmy. I call them Booger and Snot (Jimmy is Booger).

I made my sister a red pair of Sweet Mary Jane's for her birthday. I forgot to take a picture then, so here they are now.


I took several pictures of my mom, but she really hates having her photo taken, so you all will have to look over dad's shoulder to get a glimpse of her. She is a wonderful mother, and I am a lucky daughter. Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Dishcloth Blitz and a Sock

Thought I would share a bit of my version of Jen's tradmarked "Mother's Day Dishcloth Blitz."

The Love to Knit Dishcloths book was on sale at Wally World (Wal-Mart) for $2, and that is what helped me to decide to do a Dishcloth Blitz (TM).

The heart motifs do not show up well on the two blue ones or the neutral one, but the pattern book has about a dozen patterns for dishcloths with hearts on them. Pretty cool for mom!

I started a new sock last week during Tony's audition at IUSB. He wants to be a Music major in school, so getting accepted is only half of his worries.

It is done in Fortissima Colori I bought the yarn a while back on sale at Erica's in South Bend. I don't know why I waited so long to make the sock. I LOVE it!

Hey, I am here!

Thought I would do a short post to let you all know that I am alive and well. I have been working a lot the past few days, and I have even been doing real teaching! I will be with the same students for a whole week this week. It is very exciting. The Lit 10 class is reading Julius Caesar, which is great for a Shakespeare nut like me.

I am knitting. I have decided to do Jen's trademark "Mother's Day Dishcloth Blitz." I got started this Saturday, and I already have 6 done. The 7th is coming along well.

Well, I have to actually PLAN A LESSON! Can you tell I am happy about this week? See ya all soon.

The Ugly Sock

Not much to say about these really. They are made from an old ball of Lion Brand Magic Stripes I had in my stash. The color is called Jelly Bean, and it is really ugLEE. I was more concerned with technique then beauty. They are really great socks; I am just not sure if I can wear them out of the house!

Hey, that is 2 FO this week! Go me!

Bad blogger, Bad

Yes, I know! You are all asking, "where the hell have you been?" I don't have a good answer. Working, sleeping, and farting on the sofa! I have been very dull the past week. Nothing much going on.

I did get my new copy of Big Girl Knits! I am totally jazzed about that. Started a Yahoo group for people working on patterns from the book.

The only knitting I have been doing is socks. Socks, socks, and socks. The yellow and pink stripped pair is a little stretch because I took them off for the photo. They were made with Strapaz Cotton Effects. The crazy strip pair, well, they are ugly. I was more concerned with

technique then the color. They are made with a ball of Magic Stripes from Lion Brand. It is not a bad sock yarn, but it sure does come in some ugLEE colors. The purple pair is Trekking. It is a very fine yarn that I am doing on size 1 DPNs. The yarn is fussy, so they are taking a long time.
I guess that is it for now. I'll try and post more regularly.

Day of relaxing fun

Yesterday, Steph dropped by to get her needle rolls and tote. In exchange, I got a FABULOUS massage! I really needed one too. For those of you who don't know, I work as a substitute teacher, and I do a great deal of work at my local high school with special needs students. It is very stressful at times. Steph really worked out all the kinks, and I feel really good.

We then spent the day shopping. No really great deals were found, but it was nice to get out of the house and have some fun. The weather was GREAT.

We went to Barnes and Noble and drooled over Big Girl Knits. It is $30 at B&N and $18.90 on Amazon, so we are waiting for the mail to bring us our copies. I still HIGHLY suggest this book. It is funny and fantastic! The book tells you the sweaters won't make you look skinny, but they will make you look GOOD!

I have knitting ADD at the moment. I don't even want to think about all the WIPs I have around the house. Is it too much when you have a project sitting on the back of the toilet? Do I need help?

I got a new shipment (12 Lamb's Pride Bulky off eBay for $55). My daughter's boyfriend has informed me that the first step is admitting I have a problem! :)

Stash, socks, and book

Isn't pretty? My stash, somewhat knit down, and now, it is totally organized. My mom gave me lots and lots of these plastic storage bins yesterday (I have about 10 more in the living room). I knew that I was going to have to clean up the mess that is my stash with them.

Not only did I store things away in these bins, but I also numbered each one. Then I created a spreadsheet in Excel that tells me EXACTLY what is in each bin. No more creating a huge mess to find that odd skein of Wool-ease, or the missing Lamb's Pride! I just check the spreadsheet (the computer is about five feet from my stash) and find what I have and where it is located. Easy peasy. Let's just hope I can stick to it!

I know I posted about my yarn binge a while back. Thought you might like to see what $40 will get you on eBay. All the new pretty sock yarns! Enough for 7 pairs of socks. I am pretty pleased with this deal.

This last picture is of a book I got over the weekend. I was never interested in paying $12.95 for Hip Knits, but when I saw it for $5.99, I picked it up. There are some sweaters I wouldn't mind making, but I am glad I didn't pay full price.

Well, that is all for now. Hope you all had a Hoppy Easter!

Book Review -- Big Girl Knits

I am just so excited about this book; I don't know where to begin! Big Girl Knits is a FANTASTIC pattern book, no frumpy, dumpy, shapeless, unflattering sweaters! Many designers seem to think that big girls just want to cover their bodies, or the styles are just plain and drab. It never seems to occur to designers that big girls want to look pretty, sexy, and fabulous. There are no boring stockinet drop shoulder sweaters in this book.

Big Girl Knits is full of wonderful designs that flatter the 3 B's (boobs, bellys, and butts)! The styles are fresh, pretty, and feminine. These sweaters have shape and texture. There is a section that discusses common body *issues* and how to deal with those issues in a flattering way. (Suz, there is a sock pattern in the book that addresses your sock frustrations). Sizes are generous as well *up to a 4x!

One word of caution, the patterns in this book use LOTS of shaping to create the flattering fits. Knitters will need to be completely comfortable with increases, decreases, and textured stitches.

I know several knitters who need to run out and buy this book! You will be glad you did.

Because I am too tried from sewing needle rolls to write a real post!

You're the 'classic' brands. You use lots of 'just
wool'. Technique may be very important to you,
as opposed to a yarn that does all the work.


What brand of yarn are you? (Knitting)
brought to you by Quizilla

Yarn HO

Sly is getting much better at the whole airbrush thing. I think this tee totally ROCKS!

I am working on needle rolls to sell at the Piddleloop (not piddlePOOP). So, I am a little behind on the knitting. Keep an eye out for how much sewing I get done!

Sewing for Knitters

So, I have been sewing up accessories for knitters all weekend. My friend Steph is a new knitter, and a fantastic massage therapist. So, we are trading a massage for some knitting accessories that I make. Seems like a fair deal to me.

Jen has been asking me to sell some of the accessories in her on-line store. I made a dpn roll for her a while back that she just loves. While making Steph's accessories, I was also calculating cost and time involved in making the rolls in order to price them to sell. My first needle rolls can be seen on my website, but I am posting pictures of what I made for Steph.

This first shot is of a tote that I made. I am not sure I will be selling these, but if there is a lot of interest, I will. This one is about 15' by 12', with a 5' by 7 ' decorative pocket. The bag is also lined in the same pink used for the pocket. I have made a couple of these in the past. I use mine all the time to carry projects in (I have a large collection of project bags). Great for Stitch n' Bitch meetings.

Here is the DPN roll I made for Steph. It is also the perfect size for crochet hooks. This one is just a little smaller than the rolls I plan to sell (8 pockets vs. 10). There is a ribbon tie and a flap to keep all needles or hooks tucked in safe.

This is the roll with the flap closed.

The outside of the DPN roll, I love the little flowers!

The GINORMOUS needle roll. I make them roughly 15' x 25' with 16 pockets! This bad boy will hold a full set of needles, and it is portable (just roll it up and toss it in a tote). There is no loosing needles with this guy. Also, it is easy to tell which size needle I am getting because I place them in the roll in order of size. No guess work!


Here is an inside view to show off all the room, and the cute fabric Steph chose!

Please, let me know what you think! Would you be willing to buy these? Thanks!

The yarn binge

Okay, time for me to fess up. I have bought yarn, and I don't mean a skein. I have purchased enough sock yarn to make SEVEN pairs of socks! I have no will power. I should be banned from eBay. How could I resist, seven pairs of hand knit socks, all for the bargain price of $45!

So, here is the tally of what I knit before I fell off the wagon.

1 sweater (it was for my niece, but it doesn't fit)
7 hats for Dulaan (Steph says charity knitting counts double, so I am claiming 14)
"I Skinned the Muppets" throw (I should post a picture, but it is so UGLY)
Finished sweater for Cindy
3 pairs of Wee Sockies
1 pair of Bell Lace Socks

Started but not finished:

Sly's Denim Style sweater
My Wool-ease sweater
Galway vest for me
2 pairs socks for me
Mr. Dangly (contest winner)
Fairy doll

Started and frogged to re-start soon:

We Call Them Pirates
Skulls of Fury

In addition, I have found a new knitter in need of a stash, so I gave Steph around 18 skeins of yarn to help her build a stash.

So, I guess I wasn't too bad. Just a little bad.

Sorry, no photos today. I spent all day knitting needle rolls and dpn/crochet hook rolls. I'll post pictures tomorrow. I am kinda beat now.

Updates

I have been a bad blogger. I just couldn't think of anything to write about. There has been so little progress on knitting, mostly because I have started about 100 new projects. I just seem to keep starting things and finishing nothing. Anyway, I do have some new stuff to show off, even if it is mostly not done.


First, two days worth of "We Call Them Pirates," which some of you may remember won the contest. It is made out of Modadea Sassy Stripes and some red Bernat Hot Sox. Both were purchased way back on clearance somewhere or other. Both have been in my *sock* drawer for a while (sock drawer here means a place I keep sock yarn, not actual socks).

I had to wait to start it because I didn't have a size 3 16 inch circ. I waited and indulged in an Addi Turbo. I am glad I waited. Love the needle!

Then I had to wait for Erin to show me how the heck to do the cast on! Actually, she didn't show me, she did it for me. I am so ashamed of myself. I wasn't getting my head around it.

I got to this point, and my gauge is just too tight. I don't want to buy a larger Addi (I am not made of money!), so I have to frog the whole thing and cast on enough stitches to include another panel of skulls. Sigh, this is the second cool skull thing I have had to frog.

The worst part is, I am going to have to figure out how to cast it on all on my own now!

These I am pretty proud of, if I do say so myself. They are "Wee Sockies" (you have to imagine me saying that in the WORST groundskeeper Willie voice you have ever heard). I always wondered what the heck I was going to do with those dozens of small balls I had left over after making a pair of socks. Then, Tara had a baby, and I knew the answer! Wee Sockies for babies! I'll work through a few more pairs, then post a pattern.

Here is the start to a lovely vest from some Galway I purchased for $20 on eBay. It is a vest because I don't have enough for sleeves!

The two pairs of socks I am working on are progressing. Slowly! The Wool-ease and Denim Style sweaters are inching along too.

Tomorrow, how I binged on the yarn diet!

Knitting Book Review

I am catching up on all my knitting after my female and cold issues, so I have no new photos to show you today.

I did, however, want to discuss a new book full of knitting patterns. Classics Knits for Real Woman is a new book from a couple of Rowan designers. The fact that the authors normally design for Rowan should be a hint about this book.

First, the patterns in this book are BORING! They are plain, drab, and frumpy. "Classic knits" do not have to look like something a church lady would wear. Rather, I was hoping for simple, tailored styles with a bit more sophistication, rather than a collection of drab sweaters that I could knit up without a pattern.

Second issue I have with this book, each sweater is made with $300 of yarn. Now, I know how to substitute yarns. I do it all the time, but not every kniter out there is comfortable with making adjustments to patterns.

Third, and the biggest issue I have, the "sizes" in this book are 36 - 46! While some of the sweaters are designed to have a *relaxed* fit, with finished measurements of 50 inches, these styles are not for *plus size* woman. That lovely drape in the picture will not be there on a woman with a 50 inch chest since the pattern was a relaxed 46! Simply put, yes, you may find something to fit you in this book, but your fit will be different than the photo, and frankly, while it may fit your body, it won't suit your figure. In addition, a 50 inch chest only accommodate a 2x (and not well). There is NOTHING in this book for a 3x or higher!

I was totally disappointed with this book. I am eagerly waiting for Big Girl Knits to come out. I believe that book will address these issues.

Sickie poo socks

Well, after the craptacular week last week, my body has decided that a good old fashioned cold would be good this week. My head is spinning, nose running, and throat hurting. Other than that I am fine. Since I haven't had too much energy this week, the only thing I have bee working on is socks. Socks are great to work on when lying in bed. I have one pair by the bed, and the other by the computer. Since I have been home from work, I have been lucky to IM Jen in the UK the past two days. I work on the socks while chatting with her.

The *blue* pair is actually purple Trekking. I am doing this on two circs I got from Erin. She never wants to use them again. Actually, she came to a Stitch n Bitch meeting and slammed them on the table and said she would never make socks with them again. Since the needles were Audi's, I thought I would give it a whorl. I don't mind the method, but I don't think I'll be giving up my DPNs anytime soon.

The yellow pair is a lovely spring sock made from Stapaz Cotton Effects (45% Cotton, 40% superwash wool, and nylon: I may have the figures wrong), so they'll be nice for Spring and summer.

Thinking has not been working for me this week, so both pairs are rather plain st st. I like to do the self-striping socks in st st anyway. Shows off the yarn best.

Okay, here is my official count for the yarn diet:

1 pink sweater
6 hats for Dulaan
1 I skinned a load of Muppets afghan (long story)
1 finished WIP sweater for Cindy
1 pair of Bell Lace Socks

So, 10 items done!

Still working on:

1 Denim Style Sweater for Sly
1 Wool-ease Sweater for me
1 more pair of Bell Lace Socks (with personal corrections from published pattern)
and the 2 socks you see in the pic.

Things I haven't touched in a LONG time:

World's Ugliest Shawl
Stranded Afghan

Well, I think that is all for now. I am kinda pooped again anyway.

Craptacular Week

Frankly, my week has been just plain, shitty (okay, now someone go and report me to my boss)!

I started my period this week, which is always SO much fun for me. I know most woman dis-like their periods, but mine have been a gruesome experience for me since I started having them. Frankly, the only good thing about having PCOS is that I have very few.

Bloating, check!
Headache, check!
Cramps, check!

So, everything I started knitting this week, I frogged this week. I have nothing to show you, so THERE!

I'll be back to my pleasant self next week. I am taking a nap now.

The good, the bad, and the ugly

I have had to frog something while on the yarn diet. This really really sucks. I started the Skull Socks of Fury, (Sly was bothering me to make sure I posted the link to the pattern for Mrs. Snake) and they were looking fantastic. I was totally pleased with how they were turning out. I used a left over half skein of Lamb's Pride in purple, and a skein in black. My DD loved the socks, and I thought, great, I have enough yarn for two pairs. Then, along about the heel turn, disaster!

Fair isle can get a little tight. All that carrying of extra yarn. One can not help but pull at it a bit too much. Well, the socks are just a bit too tight. Actually, I can't get them over my heel at all. My daughter can't either. So, time to frog! Damn. The problem should be taken care of by a bigger needle and a looser hand. But the socks looked so cool, I wanted you all to see them.

After that stunning defeat (can you tell I am just a little bitter?), I cast on the Bell Lace Socks with Wool-ease. I used one of my last balls of a discontinued color that I just love. The first sock turned out great. I love it, and the pattern is a piece of cake to do. They are even Birk approved (that means I can wear them with my Birkenstocks).

I spent the weekend helping my mother move. They have sold their house in Valpo and bought a smaller, easier to care for place down on Lake Shafer. Well, the new house has an electric dryer, so mom had to give up her four-year-old-oversized-quiet running Maytag gas dryer. And since these things normally come in pairs, I am now the proud owner of a dryer that I DIDN'T find on the side of the road and its washer mate. Yes, folks, you read that right. For the last four years, I have been using a dryer that I found on the side of the road, during a snowstorm no less.

That was until mom gave me this lovely new set. Please note that my laundry room is really just an old pantry. It is a pain in the tookucs doing laundry in there. But at least I am doing it in style now.

Another bit of good news. MY CAR COMES HOME TODAY!!!!! I am really very happy :) about this. I hate not being able to just jump in the car and drive off. Six months is a long time. But, looks like everything is all fixed, and the new engine is doing great. So, look for me to be running around on a street near you soon.

Okay, I KNOW I promised to post the new pattern. I just haven't taken the time to re-knit the pattern to make sure I know what I did. Soon, soon.

Lots and lots of photos of stupid stuff

Today's photo-plooza will begin with my dog sleeping. I really don't know why he sleeps this way. Guess he wants the world to know he's a man. But, there is my sweet, and rather stupid, dog Buddy. He is a cutie pie.

Next up, a really stupid picture of my son, Tony. Hard to believe he is all grown up and off to Ball State in the fall. He got his acceptance letter last week, so now he seems to think it is okay to loose his ever-lovein' mind. He really is a great kid, just goofy as hell.

Not to be out done by her little brother, Michelle is making stupid faces for your viewing enjoyment. Now, this is a fine example of a real-live, hard-working adult here! What a ding dong.
So, here is how I spend most of my time. Sitting on my comfy sofa knitting something or other.

There you are folks, 5, count 'em, FIVE hats for the Dulaan project. All 100% wool. All made with bits of scraps that I was saving in my stash for goodness only knows what. While a couple of these hats are sorta ugly, I think several are actually pretty nice. Also, since they are all wool, they will keep some little child very warm. You may recongnise several balls of Noro in there. I finally know what to do with all those little balls left over after making Sweet Mary Janes.

Here are Sly's new Wool-ease Sport weight socks. I am really disappointed to here that Lion Brand has made the rather stupid mistake of discontinuing this great product. One ball will produce several very nice pairs of socks. I am sure they need to get rid of all their useful products to make room for more sucky Fun Fur lines.

Last photo, a lovely, old pine armoire that my mother gave me. Isn't just fantastic? It is very useful too. One side is for hanging clothes, the other has shelves. Actually, both sides have hanging rods, and the shelves seem to be a newer addition to the piece. I am sure this was a wardrobe for someone way back when houses didn't have closets.

Anyway, I am going to work up a couple more coffee cup cozies just to make sure I understand my notes. I'll post the pattern in a day or two.

Post, but no pics!

I was so going to post pics of all the stuff I have done. You saw the pink sweater; well, now there are 5 wool hats for Dulaan (Erin, I have found a use for all the little bits of Noro!), a pair of Wool-ease sportweight socks for Sly, and a coffee cup cozy (for which I will have a pattern for you all). I even took a photo of my new-old armoire just to show off. Then the batteries to my camera died. I can't find the battery charger. Sly has it hidden somewhere I am sure. So, pics tomorrow. For those of you keeping track, I have 7 out of 20 projects done. I am not counting the cozy; it's small. The sweaters are moving along nicely.

And the winner is .....

We Call Them pirates Suggested by The Scattered Gemini. She will receive a knitter's grab bag filled with all sorts of nifty items to play with.

There was a second place winner as well (with an equally cool grab bag)

Mr. Dangly (okay, that name is just DIRTY), suggested by Teresa

The winners should contact me at mollyknitssweaters AT yahoo DOT com to make arrangements to ship prizes. Check back to see my progress on these very fun projects.

To all of you, thank you for your suggestions. There was a world of inspiration, and it was difficult to pick just two winners. I may be running another contest soon, so try again.

Tomorrow, I will share all the wool hats I have made for Dulaan.

Knitting Updates

I want to start off by saying "thank you" to all of you who have entered my contest so far. You guys have some really wonderful ideas, and it is going to be tough to pick a winner.

As many of you know, I am a bargain shopper. I find deals and deep discounts all over. I have been going through my stash of stuff bought-so-cheap-it-was-damn-near-free, and I have come up with two gift bags for prizes in the contest. There will be a first and second place winner. I think I can come up with some stuff for a third place winner as well. So, tell your friends and keep sending those ideas. The little bags will have care lables, decorative tape measures, knitting note cards, yarn, one has a small cross stitch kit, and other assorted goodies.

On to knitting updates. The first, near finished, yarn diet project is this sweet (it'll give ya a toothache) sweater I designed for my niece Jessica (or snot butt as I call her). It is made from some of my bargain bin yarn, so it was like $2.50 to make. I still need to figure out what kind of color I want to put on it, but you get the general idea.

The boarder is garter stitch, and the hearts are done fair isle with another garter stitch row to frame the fair isle design. The sleeve were done with the same technique, and it will be a V neck when done. The yarn is Fashion Knit which is an acrylic yarn treated with aloe to make it softer. Not a bad little yarn.

I cast on this next sweater yesterday for Sly. It is a pretty easy pattern, and I like the Denim Style yarn, stonewash color. It should be nice with jeans. Sly is a big guy, so this will use up lots of stash yarn, and take a while. But, that is okay. Sly is a good guy! ;)

This last update is the sweater I started before the Knitting Olympics. I finished the front as a kind of "training" for the KO. I am up to the arm holes on the back (or front, they are the same). It is a long, big tunic style sweater that should be great for everyday wear and jeans. It is made in Wool-ease, Pine color.

Well, that is all for now. Enjoy my nerdy quiz results below!

Proving Once Again that I am a NERD!

You scored as Enterprise D (Star Trek). You have high ideals and know in your heart that humanity will continue to evolve in a better people. No matter what may happen, you have faith in human beings. A rare quality. Now if only the Borg would quit assimilating people. Enterprise D (Star Trek) 94% Deep Space Nine (Star Trek) 88% Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica) 75% Babylon 5 (Babylon 5) 75% Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda) 75% SG-1 (Stargate) 75% Serenity (Firefly) 75% Moya (Farscape) 75% Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) 63% Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix) 56% FBI's X-Files Division (The X-Files) 31% Bebop (Cowboy Bebop) 25% Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile II: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? (pics) created with QuizFarm.com

Happy Birthday Tony

Today is my Son Tony's 18th birthday, so I officially have no more babies. This pic was taken in May before prom. The girl is my daughter Michelle (they didn't go to prom together, they had dates, but who wants to see them?)

Any way, just want to wish my Baby Boy a happy birthday, and acknowledge the wonderful young woman who is my daughter. It is a privilege to be your mother.

CONTEST

So, I am sitting here trying to dream up all sorts of wonderful things to knit while I am on my Yarn Diet (I NEED to buy yarn), and I just don't know what to do next. 20 things is a lot of knitting. So, I thought it would be fun to have a little "Pick Lesa's Next Project" contest. The winner will get a knitter's goody bag (with a tape measure, care labels, very cool lint paper, and a ball of yarn plus anything else I can think of).

Basically, I want you all to inspire me to create something wonderful.

Rules:

1. I will not buy new yarn to make anything. My stash is huge, and I have more than enough for sweaters, hats, scarves, mittens, and socks. But, any pattern that uses special or novelty yarn may be out of the running before I start. Worsted, DK, Bulky, and sock yarns are all in my stash in ample supply, so yarn weight is too much of an issue.

2. While I'll consider buying a book, any patterns in books are subject to availability. Please feel free to suggest things in books, but something really wonderful that I don't have access to may hurt your chances of winning. Same goes for magazines, but I do have YEARS worth of Family Circle Easy Knitting, most of the Creative Knitting, Knit It, and Knit1 if you would like to suggest something from these, you should be fine.

3. I would really like to see something new, different, or just plain strange. The out of the ordinary will appeal to me.

4. I am a plus size woman, so patterns in smaller sizes my get over looked if my daughter doesn't like them.

5. You may enter as often as you wish. Please make all suggestions as comments. Please, check to make sure that your suggestions has not been submitted. In the case of double submissions of the same pattern, the first poster will win.

6. I will pick the winner on March 10, 2006.

7. It is possible that a 2nd and 3rd place winners could be added if there are lots of things I want to make.

Good Luck, I can't wait to see what you all come up with!

Tomorrow I should be done with the icky sweet sweater I designed for my niece. It'll give you all a toothache!

Gold Medal

Me in the sweater and Yarn Diet

Well, here I am in my Knitting Olympics sweater. I am very happy with how it turned out, but I still need to go and buy the right size buttons. I just didn't have any in my stash of buttons that would work.

Anyway, moving on to my next knitting project, I have decided I am going on the Yarn Diet. My stash is just GINORMOUS. I don't even buy yarn because I need it anymore, I buy it because it is there. So, I vow to not buy yarn until I have completed 20 projects. In addition to my yarn diet, I have decided to do something productive with the money I would normally spend on yarn. Therefore, I vow to put $10 from each paycheck into my savings account and give $10 to charity while on the Yarn Diet.

While this list is not necessarily the stuff I will be making on the yarn diet, it does represent the yarn that I have stashed away that I actually have stuff in mind for. Very scary stuff here:

1. Finish Wool-ease Sweater for me
2. Finish Michelle sweater
3. Sweater for Jess
4. Design one sweater (lace up sleeves and back) Wool-ease sportweight
5. Pie shawl
6. several pairs of mittens and hats for Dulaan
7. Galway vest
8. Hermione Hat
9. Yet another HP scarf
10. Sweater for Sly
11. dozens of pairs of Wool-ease sportweight socks
12. Skull scarf
13. River Rapids Socks
14. Water Bottle Sling in Knit Wit
15. Dublin Bay Socks
16. Alpaca Sweater
17. Blue Galway Sweater
18. Oh, let's be honest, I have enough yarn for at least 5 more socks, so let's say one more pair of generic socks.
19. Been meaning to make that Homespun Cape
20. Cable Sweater with Thick n Quick (cuz I know I have enough)

So, I will be busy for a while knitting down my stash. I also plan to have a new pattern up this week, so look for that.

Oh, and Mrs. Snake (who works with Sly and I met last Friday), the name of that book is The Knitter's Companion.

DONE DONE DONE

There it is; in all its glory. My Knitting Olympics sweater. I love it. It needs a light blocking, and I don't have the right size buttons on hand, but it is all done. Ends weaved in and everything. I'll post pics of me wearing it, as soon as I rest a bit and take a shower. I didn't want there to be any doubt that I was done on time! Yeah me!

American Idol and the Endless Sleeve

I am finishing up on the cardi for the Knitting Olympics. I have decided that sleeves are evil, and I am making a vest next! I am half way through the second sleeve and I hope to join the whole damn thing together tomorrow. Then on Saturday, I hope to do the button band and finish the sweater up. Yeah, the huckleberry color is lovely, but I am sick of looking at it right now. Anyway, I'll post pictures tomorrow. I can't find the camera now.

It has been an American Idol week for me (since curling is all in the afternoon, nice job to the Swedish Woman's Team). For those of you who don't know, I really love American Idol. It is just a thing in our house. The kids ask us to tape it when they are at work. My SIL called after the show last night to discuss what happened with Sly. She lives in Ocala Fl! I have my faves for this year. Chris, the bald, is HOT. Little Paris is a cutie pie, and there are some very talented people in this year's pack. Can't wait to see what unfolds. These two hour shows really take up a great deal of my TV viewing time. I missed some Mythbusters last night. Oh well, I can catch it on Sunday. Off to knit and watch the American Idol results show.

Curling

Okay, it is now official, I have lost my effing mind! I have been sitting around here for the past few DAYS obsessed with CURLING! I don't even know what this game is all about. I just know that they slide rocks on ice. I do not understand one thing about it, but I am totally fascinated with it. I am sure that I need psychiatric care. It isn't even a real sport. It is the game of shuffleboard with a bit of housekeeping tossed into the mix.

Anyway, I have FINALLY cast on for the second sleeve of my Knitting Olympics sweater. Sleeves are a bit of a sore spot with me. I take longer to do them then the rest of the sweaters. I think I resent sleeves, why I do not know. But, there you have it. It has taken me FOUR days to make ONE sleeve. Pray that I don't take so long with the second sleeve. I may be jeopardizing my gold medal! ;)

Meme

I am pacing myself on the KO sweater. So, for your reading pleasure, a MEME, that I liberated from Erin.

4 jobs I've had:
1. Substitute teacher
2. part-time English Professor
3. Para-professional
4. writing tutor

4 movies I can watch over and over: (James Bond movies go without saying)
1. Moonstruck
2. Anything with Anthony Hopkins in it
3. The Adventures of Robin Hood with Errol Flynn
4. The Fifth Element (don't ask)

4 TV shows I love to watch:

1. Mythbusters
2. House
3. American Idol
4. Something on PBS, lot of Brit Coms

4 places I have lived:
1. Three Oaks Michigan
2. Ocala Florida
3. Lexington Kentucky
4. Millington Tennessee
5. LaPorte Indiana
6. Jacksonville Florida
7. New Buffalo Michigan
8. Niles Michigan
9. Michigan City Indiana
I could go on an on, but I won't.

4 places I have been on holiday:
1. Orlando, FL
2. New York, New York
3. Stratford Canada
4. Green Bay Wisconson

4 of my favorite dishes:
1. Pizza
2. Chicken and dumplings
3. My mom's chocolate chip cookies (and ONLY my mom's)
4. I would seriously hurt someone for my grandmother's fried chicken. She passed away 8 years ago, so this is no idle threat. I would hurt someone for that, and to see her again.

4 websites I visit daily:
1. Yahoo mail
2. Mugglenet
3. My credit union's site
4. various forms of want ads

4 places I would rather be right now:
1. Anywhere in the UK
2. Someplace tropical and secluded
3. in bed snuggled beside Sly
4. Talking to my grandmother

4 bloggers I am tagging:
Not tagging anyone, do it if you like, or don't! :P

KO progress report and eBay deals

My Knitting Olympics project is going very well. Either I did a fantastic job modifying the pattern to make it easy, or I under estimated my ability to knit fast. The body of my cardi is completely done, and I started on the first sleeve last night! I can't believe that I have so much done. Now, I did have Monday and Tuesday off, so I had oodles of knitting time. I also put a lot of thought into this so the project wouldn't be too much for me to do in two weeks. I am using a chunky yarn, knitting in one piece, and focusing only on this sweater (rather than 6 0r 7 things at once). Granted, there are several WIPs that are not getting done, but this cardi is! I think I'll add to my challenge by finishing my "training" sweater, which was a sweater I started to see if I could get a significant amount of work done in a short time.

The challenge I gave myself was to finish a sweater in two weeks. I have made sweaters before, but I just don't finish in less than two months. The thing is, I want to knit EVERYTHING, so I get easily distracted by a pretty new pattern. I think it is the knitting equivalent of ADD. Anyway, here is a picture of what I have done.

I also wanted to share a butt load of new goodies from eBay. First, 5 balls of Galway Highland Heather color 719 (purple).


Next, 11 balls of Galway in a nice royal blue.


So, count them folks, 16 balls of Galway for $55! Oh yeah!

Here is some discontinued Lion Brand Imagine, in Cerise (French for Cherry). Imagine was discontinued a while back. It is a nice acrylic mohair blend.

The last picture I have is another vintage knitting tote. Cheap and cute, what more could you want?

Cheese Filled Valentine

Update and New Bag

Isn't this the most AWESOME knitting bag ever!? Sly did this for me today on the reverse of the "Knit for Brains" bag that he did for me the other day. I had the concept, but Sly really had all the creative juices flowing with this design.

What I love most about this bag is that it is NOT something that I would ever find in a shop. I was *Goth* before *Goth* had a name, so this is totally a ME design. Takes me back to my days of wearing all black and sitting in the back of the class reading a paperback book. I related to Ally's character in The Breakfast Club. She was a "proto-Goth." Actually, I have gone to work in head to toe black velvet with bell sleeves in the past four weeks, so I may still be a bit of a Goth! ;) Too bad I have developed a rather serious allergy to make-up over the years. I do miss my black eye-liner and deep purple eyeshadow.

Here is another, more detailed, view.

There are plans for several more tee-shirt and bag designs, and we have been discussing prices for those interested in purchasing either.

As for my Knitting Olympics project, it is coming along very well. I am halfway up the back, which is more than I thought I would have done at this time. All is going well, and I am very pleased with the results.

Tomorrow, pics of eBay bargains! :)

Olympics Update

Well, after a disastrous start, I am finally making progress on my Knitting Olympics sweater. Remember, I am working on the sweater in one piece (to avoid evil seeming), so I think I have got quite a lot done. You can also see the picture from Knit It! of the pattern I adapted for this project.

I hope the rest of you are doing well on your Olympics projects. :)

GRRRRRR

Okay, I'll admit it, I am stupid!

I was just sitting back admiring all the work that I had gotten done for my Knitting Olympics sweaters. I was so proud. I had modified the pattern to be knit in one piece so I wouldn't have to do all sorts of evil seeming. I was using a beautiful chunky yarn, so the work would get done faster. All was going well.

Then I remembered the ONE thing I forgot. I had decided NOT to do the 2x pattern because I just don't need a finished chest measurement of 57 inches. Last week, I noticed that the 1x pattern was an ample 52 inches, and I was going to make that. BUT, when I modified the pattern, I modified the 2x numbers! Grrrrrrrr. Now I have to RECAST ON!!!!! I am already behind on the first damn day!

I should just make the 2x, but I am concerned about running out of yarn, and since this is a discontinued color, I'll NEVER finish if I run out of yarn. What have I gotten myself into?

Knit for Brains

So, Sly was in an airbrush mood yesterday. I have a new WIP bag. I think it is pretty cute.

Basically, I am still marking time until tomorrow when I can cast on for the Knitting Olympics. I am working on the Wool-ease sweater. I have finished the back, and I am now half way done with the front. I can't wait to get started on my cardi. I just hope that I am able to get it done in two weeks. Since the least amount of time I have spent on a sweater is more like two months, this is a challenge. It's not that I can't knit fast. It is more that I want to knit EVERYTHING, so I knit 9 projects at once. Not a good way to get things done in a timely fashion. I am great with the small stuff. I finish small stuff!

See you tomorrow with an Olympics report. Do I have to wait until the opening ceremonies? I can't just wake up and start? I'll wait, but I won't like it!

New Sweater

So, I am sitting here dying, I mean literally DYING to work on my knitting Olympics sweater, but I can't. I have been working on the world's ugliest shawl for a couple of days (I'll post more on that latter), and it is so bad that I just had to do something else. So, I cast on this "Great Tunic" from 25 Gorgeous Sweaters for the Brand-New Knitter. I am doing it out of Lion Brand Wool-ease in Pine (black and green variegated). I really love it, and since I cast on yesterday morning, it is going pretty fast.

I just finished reading Knit One Kill Two by Maggie Sefton. Ann loaned me the book to read. It was the perfect thing to take to work to read during the down times (Subs get a lot of those)

The book is part of the knitting fad that has spilled over into woman's fiction. The plot is pretty predictable, but it is a good fun read for knitters. Kelly Flynn is a Washington D.C. accountant whose life is a dull routine. When her beloved aunt is killed, Kelly returns to her Colorado home to settle affairs. Of course, there are questions about the murder that need answers. As Kelly struggles to find her Aunt Helen's killer, she struggles to learn to knit. In the process, she makes friends and discovers what has been missing from her life. Coffee, rolls, and yarns run through out the story. At the end of the book there are two beginner patterns (for a scarf and a vest), and a recipe for cinnamon rolls. In general, a fun enjoyable read.

Sly is yelling at the TV. Superbowl Sunday is his Christmas. He is having a ball, but it is rather loud. Think I'll go and watch the commercials and work on my new sweater.

Just a Quiz so I have a blog entry

You are "turbo" charged.
Fast moving and classy, you get things done with
power and grace. Your expensive tastes can be
deceiving, since what you really value is
quality and efficiency. As you're careening
around those corners in life, finishing a dozen
knitted objects each month, stop and smell the
roses. Don't miss the beauty of process!


What kind of knitting needles are you?
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