Sunday, February 22, 2015
Little Things Mean a Lot!
It's only a matter of time before the spring fundraisers start, and I want to be ready.
These little tea toters use smallish (15 g or so) amounts of worsted weight cotton yarn, a cute button, and about 45 minutes of knitting and finishing time.
With a tea bag or two tucked inside, they make a nice gift to tuck into a birthday card if you are so inclined.
Some leftover (from the last decade) Fun Fur and a couple hours yielded a fuzzy hat for The Girl Who Is Into Hats.
 |
| That Girl With Her Hat |
Labels: charity, children's things, Purple Warrior Princess, silliness
Monday, February 16, 2015
Just Like Eloise Wore
At the height of the cold war, this delightful moppet travels to Moscow in the aptly titled book Eloise in Moscow. I was making something a little special for the Purple Warrior Princess when I realized it looks a whole lot like the hat that Eloise wore.
And so, we will call this the Russian hat and hope that it keeps PWP as toasty as Eloise's kept her.
Labels: baby grands, children's things, silliness
Sunday, February 01, 2015
Monster Pants Finito!
Seeing photos on Facebook of scarf-bombed landscapes, I decided to cast on some Bernat Soy leftovers and make a scarf to leave for someone who might need it.
Bernat Soy is discontinued blend of soy fiber and ack. It's soft and drapey, so it should be good for wrap around the face and neck.
I have 2 full skeins and some bits and pieces. Should be enough.
And the Monster Pants (see previous post) are finished! Yay!!
This is the front.
And here is the business end.
Weather permitting, they'll go out in the mail on Monday or Tuesday.
I will probably make another pair as a fair entry. But for right now, I need to concentrate on other stuff.
Labels: baby grands, children's things, silliness
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Special Request
Of course, I replied "Mammo's on it!" Then, I had to find out if the request was for a Sesame Street-type monster (Elmo or Cookie or maybe even Oscar), or what I term a Crazy Monster (with oogly eyes and ver' vicious teeth).
Crazy Monster it is! And the very day I finished my last project (a shawl that hasn't yet been blocked (film at 11; patience, Grasshopper!), I cast on a pair of Crazy Monster longies (that's an EZ term--see Knitter's Almanac). Colors as shown in the photo: deep royal blue, bright blue, lime green, sunflower yellow, plus red for the ver' vicious mouth and white for the ver' vicious teeth.
The butt is finished. I am ready to start the legs.
Labels: baby girl, baby things, silliness
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Brain Dead
I am off for the week, trying to use up vacation days that I will lose otherwise.
That's allowed me to assess my annual yarn output and to discover that I am coming up alarmingly short of FOs!
Which led me to a desire, no, a need, to complete some very small projects.
Witness the booties and dish/facecloth to the left. There were 2 more face cloths completed, but they are already in the hands of the USPS, so no pictures.
End of the year also forced my organizational skills to kick in. I sorted through several years of accumulated knitting/crochet magazines and leaflets and discovered these beauties (Mon Tricot, I think) from the 70s and 80s.
They, also, are in the hands of USPS, winging their way to Kentucky, where I hope they amuse my friend, who, I hope, will not recreate. . .
And as we were setting the table for Christmas dinner, I opened the drawer where we keep the napkins and discovered
Dave
at least I think that's his name.
He, too, is in the hands of the USPS. . .
Edited to add: that Minion is Not Dave; he's Stuart!
How could I get that wrong??
Labels: baby things, FOs, silliness, stash busting
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Walk This Way
These days, I am walking for my health, and though my mile is still 18 minutes, it's getting faster (slowly, if that makes any sense at all).
My path is not flat. We live close to the highest point in our small town, which means that while the walk out may be downhill, the walk back is not.
This morning I watched squirrel races as I walked on the paved area near our elementary school. (Click to embiggen so you can see one of the racers.)
And a few days ago while walking at lunchtime near where I work, I spotted these.
I'm pretty sure they won't flower or go to seed (seem to be a bit "seedy" already, though).
Labels: current events, getting healthy, silliness
Friday, January 03, 2014
Cold Turkey
No, not talking about leftovers.
Two days ago, I decided that Farmville was sucking way too much of my time.
So I quit.
I am not even twitching.
Two days ago, I decided that Farmville was sucking way too much of my time.
So I quit.
I am not even twitching.
Labels: minor rants, silliness
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Dear Bree
Dear Bree,
Here's the thing.
I can certainly understand going out clubbing. I can understand flirting. I can understand liking that cute guy who bought you the Apple Martinis, but when he asked you for your phone number, and you decided you had second thoughts . . .
Why the heck did you give him my phone number?
He's calling every night when the bars close. That would be 2 in the ay-em.
Thanks.
Sheepie
Here's the thing.
I can certainly understand going out clubbing. I can understand flirting. I can understand liking that cute guy who bought you the Apple Martinis, but when he asked you for your phone number, and you decided you had second thoughts . . .
Why the heck did you give him my phone number?
He's calling every night when the bars close. That would be 2 in the ay-em.
Thanks.
Sheepie
Labels: current events, silliness
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Do the Math
I am one of those Crazy Math People.
Some of you noticed in a previous post how I managed to rationalizethrowing in the towel stopping the knitting on my throw at 56" (plus border) by Doing The Math. I have carried that even further today.
Exhibit A:
Another project in the partially completed stage. (No, it isn't a sweater. At least not in the conventional sense.)
I have completed the set-up section (need another at the other end) and 3 pattern repeats(2 more needed).
A round (90 stitches) takes me a hair under 3 minutes to complete. Each pattern repeat is 20 rounds. The end section is 17 rounds.
That means I have (57 more rounds X 3 minutes)/60 minutes in an hour or just under 3 hours of knitting time (plus some i-cord, but that requires no concentration on my part). Definitely doable and certainly a lot less than the 436 hours I would estimate still needs to be done as I try to read tiny chart or my knitting or both while squinting and surfing ::coff::
Exhibit B:
My Red Scarf
I am using the Twin Rib Pattern found here because I wanted something mindless (it's relative) but classy, unisex, and non-rolling.
Scarves need to be 60" long. I am at 31" right now (more than halfway done--YES!).
Again, timing 1 row (2 minutes or thereabouts) and the number of rows per inch (7.5 or 15 for 2") tells me that I have miles to go before I sleep a little less than 7.5 hours of (relatively) mindless knitting before I can call this one finished, a fair entry, and a gift to a young man or woman who could use a pat on the back and a (gentle) shove in the right direction.
Not nearly as frustrating as thinking "only 3 more years and I'll be done."
Math--it saves the day.
And in somewhat related news, we stopped at Borders yesterday. I didn't even wander back to where the knitting books are shelved.
Shot my entire "extra cash" on 2 British knitting magazines (each came with a bonus). They are expensive compared to the domestic mags on the rack (besides, I already subscribe to the ones I want), but the designs often have an edge that is refreshing.
I doubt that I will be making anything following the patterns exactly, but I will be inspired, I am sure.
Message to "cornflower": The penguin pattern is an adaptation of a pattern in this oop Jean Greenhowe book, I believe. It's here somewhere, I know not where for sure, so cannot confirm.
Some of you noticed in a previous post how I managed to rationalize
Exhibit A:
Another project in the partially completed stage. (No, it isn't a sweater. At least not in the conventional sense.)I have completed the set-up section (need another at the other end) and 3 pattern repeats(2 more needed).
A round (90 stitches) takes me a hair under 3 minutes to complete. Each pattern repeat is 20 rounds. The end section is 17 rounds.
That means I have (57 more rounds X 3 minutes)/60 minutes in an hour or just under 3 hours of knitting time (plus some i-cord, but that requires no concentration on my part). Definitely doable and certainly a lot less than the 436 hours I would estimate still needs to be done as I try to read tiny chart or my knitting or both while squinting and surfing ::coff::
Exhibit B:
My Red ScarfI am using the Twin Rib Pattern found here because I wanted something mindless (it's relative) but classy, unisex, and non-rolling.
Scarves need to be 60" long. I am at 31" right now (more than halfway done--YES!).
Again, timing 1 row (2 minutes or thereabouts) and the number of rows per inch (7.5 or 15 for 2") tells me that I have
Not nearly as frustrating as thinking "only 3 more years and I'll be done."
Math--it saves the day.
And in somewhat related news, we stopped at Borders yesterday. I didn't even wander back to where the knitting books are shelved.Shot my entire "extra cash" on 2 British knitting magazines (each came with a bonus). They are expensive compared to the domestic mags on the rack (besides, I already subscribe to the ones I want), but the designs often have an edge that is refreshing.
I doubt that I will be making anything following the patterns exactly, but I will be inspired, I am sure.
Message to "cornflower": The penguin pattern is an adaptation of a pattern in this oop Jean Greenhowe book, I believe. It's here somewhere, I know not where for sure, so cannot confirm.
Labels: fair entries, magazines, silliness
Thursday, December 18, 2008
D.O.C.
I should have worn this Habit shirt, (two people suggested it would be sort of cool) but I wound up wearing normal business attire instead. It was the right decision!
Seven hours of my life that I will never get back, though I was able to cross another thing off my Bucket ListTM.
Today, I visited not one, but two state prisons!
The first was by mistake (we took a wrong turn), but the guy at the desk set us straight, gave us a map, and we were on our way again. Apparently we are not the first to make this mistake. Who knew that there were two state prisons in the same county? Certainly not MapQuest!
On the way out we passed a tractor trailer with a decal: Big House Industries. I guess it's what replaced stamping license plates! Photos are not permitted. (Nor are cell phones, drugs of any kind, nor weapons.)
We made it to the right place with minutes to spare. Only to sit and wait, first 30 minutes in the outer waiting area, then 2 hours in the inner.
We (some folks that I work with, but who are not coworkers, if you get my drift) were there for a parole hearing. I cannot go into details. I do not know the outcome. I can say that the prisoner was clearly not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Probably because knives are not permitted.
My wait to testify (the sum of which, besides stating my name, employer, and position, was to say, "No, that is not permitted") was eye-opening.
We were instructed to wait in a section of the visitors' room that was cordoned off from where the actual prisoners and their actual visitors were, well, visiting. It was nothing like they show on TV! Prisoners and their families are permitted to touch, hug, kiss hello. There is a children's playroom (for children and visitors--prisoners are not permitted to enter), tables, vending machines (no outside food, but lots of choices of snacks and meals--for a fee, provided by the visitors--and a microwave to warm up pizza and hot wings and such), reasonably comfortable chairs, a cabinet full of board games suitable for kids and adults.
Granted, this facility is relatively new.
The visitors looked just like ordinary people you would see in the grocery store.
There were a number of small children and at least 2 infants visiting. That was sad. Then there were periodic announcements that those with "photo tickets" could proceed to the Christmas tree for photos. That was very sad. Imagine the album five years down the road: "Oh, that was the Christmas that Uncle Billy was in The Big House." I'm pretty sure these won't end up on Christmas cards!
Important! The thing that I really, really need to stress, though, is that prison garb is not orange. The Parole Officer that was with us said that she thinks only one state still uses orange, and as far as she knows, the black and white horizontal stripes are a thing of the past everywhere. I am really glad that I just found this out as those stripes and that ugly orange were the only thing that stood between me and homicide quite a few times when my kids were teens.
In Pennsylvania, prisoners wear stylish brown jumsuits that zip up the front. The short-sleeve ones have a very chic yellow band at the edge. There are also long sleeve ones without the yellow trim. Outerwear is a fashionable brown corduroy barn coat. The only downside that I could see was the large, white "D.O.C. " on the back of the jumpsuits. Well, that and the $5 white canvas slip-ons. Trustees wear 2-piece white suits and leather shoes. They have "D.O.C." in black on their backs. I could so wear those brown ones!
And though I could not knit in the waiting room (see explanation of Things Not Permitted, above), I was able to get in a fair amount of knitting on the way there and back, since I was the backseat passenger. I figure about 17 "small squares'" worth on the Tiny Prince's woobie. So the day wasn't totally wasted!
Labels: current events, silliness
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Well, That Didn't Last Long
Selfish Sundays, what a concept.
Too bad it won't work!
I mean, it's not like I didn't try (oh, for about 18 minutes) but the Other Half is craving a new Wallaby himself, and I am sad to say, Janice, that the yarn he selected is the dark, dark, dark. . . you guessed it: Magpie. I'll leave you my Starmores instead. And my grandmother's jewelry. That should about make up for it. Almost.
The thing is, we are swapping. He'll get the new navy blue Wallaby, and I'll get his old one, Brown Sheep worsted weight in Mill Blue (which is more of a lavender than a blue) so I'm sort of getting "something for me" even if it isn't brand new (or a color I would have picked for myself).
In the meantime, I suddenly realized that the Tiny Prince does not have a woobie
I mean, he's barely 1, but a kid needs a woobie!
So I dragged out the odd ball bag and started to scumble him up a blankie of the sort that is so very ugly that no one would ever consider stealing it.
The concept isn't new. In fact, it's in the genes. The Younger Kid requested a hat of exactly that sort back in high school. For wrestling. By the time he graduated, I had made dozens of those "ugly beanies," one for each member of the team, the coach, the coach's kids, and on and on.
In drawing, scumbling is used to describe a random, scribbled texture, with figure-eight and concave shapes used to create a spiky texture, rather than the common circular scribble. In knitting and crochet, it's also called "free form" where the creator makes a sort of random shape, then adds to a side, then adds again and again in inceasingly random bits until it is the size or shape needed (or until the fibre artiste runs out of wooly bits).
In this case, I'm using odd bits of ack, actually, my "scrap bag" that the Tiny Prince plays with when he comes to visit Mammo. It really is odds and ends of all sorts of former projects. Nothing he can hurt, and the makings of the ultimate cast iron woobie.
It's not truly free form, but all mitered squares and rectangles, based on multiples of 8.
Right now, it's the size of a doll's blanket. I expect that by the time I see him again (at the end of January), it will be "just right," to quote Goldilocks.
Unless I run out of fibery stuff. And they stop making Red Heart.
Too bad it won't work!
I mean, it's not like I didn't try (oh, for about 18 minutes) but the Other Half is craving a new Wallaby himself, and I am sad to say, Janice, that the yarn he selected is the dark, dark, dark. . . you guessed it: Magpie. I'll leave you my Starmores instead. And my grandmother's jewelry. That should about make up for it. Almost.
The thing is, we are swapping. He'll get the new navy blue Wallaby, and I'll get his old one, Brown Sheep worsted weight in Mill Blue (which is more of a lavender than a blue) so I'm sort of getting "something for me" even if it isn't brand new (or a color I would have picked for myself).
In the meantime, I suddenly realized that the Tiny Prince does not have a woobie
I mean, he's barely 1, but a kid needs a woobie!
So I dragged out the odd ball bag and started to scumble him up a blankie of the sort that is so very ugly that no one would ever consider stealing it.
The concept isn't new. In fact, it's in the genes. The Younger Kid requested a hat of exactly that sort back in high school. For wrestling. By the time he graduated, I had made dozens of those "ugly beanies," one for each member of the team, the coach, the coach's kids, and on and on.
In drawing, scumbling is used to describe a random, scribbled texture, with figure-eight and concave shapes used to create a spiky texture, rather than the common circular scribble. In knitting and crochet, it's also called "free form" where the creator makes a sort of random shape, then adds to a side, then adds again and again in inceasingly random bits until it is the size or shape needed (or until the fibre artiste runs out of wooly bits).
In this case, I'm using odd bits of ack, actually, my "scrap bag" that the Tiny Prince plays with when he comes to visit Mammo. It really is odds and ends of all sorts of former projects. Nothing he can hurt, and the makings of the ultimate cast iron woobie.
It's not truly free form, but all mitered squares and rectangles, based on multiples of 8.
Right now, it's the size of a doll's blanket. I expect that by the time I see him again (at the end of January), it will be "just right," to quote Goldilocks.
Unless I run out of fibery stuff. And they stop making Red Heart.
Labels: baby things, current events, silliness
Saturday, December 13, 2008
I Am Honored!
Amy presented me with this prestigious blog award!The Spreader of Love award rules are:
1. Post a copy on your blog
2. Mention who gave you the award
3. Pass the award on to 6 others. I choose the following:
Rabbitch, but who else?
Steph
Janine
Dez
Jaya
Mary
because each, in her own way, spreads the love to me personally or to the world in general.
4. Leave a message on their blog letting them know the honor has been bestowed upon them.
Okay, I'll get right on that part!
A Proclamation:
Tis now the season for Selfish Knitting. I believe I will declare 2009 to be the Year of Selfish Sundays.
The Rules (because it's all about the Rules): No knitting on Sunday unless I first knit upon something that is for me, myself and I, alone. No wooly afghan for the family room, no baby booties for charity, no Ship Support beanies or slippers, and absolutely no gift knitting of any kind until I have first put forth the effort on something that I alone will use or wear! Period.
The possible contender for my selfish endeavor:
Several years ago, I made a swap (on Knitswap) for this luscious Royal Blue Wooly Goodness.
It's put up in three ginormous hanks weighing 19, 15, and 18 ounces respectively. The seller assured me that there was enough to make a sweater.
Well, yeh! That's more than 3 pounds of wool. I could slipcover the Prius!
Last night, I put the first hank on the swift and started balling it up.
I will admit that I wondered how in the holyhell I was going to ball it on my normal size winder.
I should not have worried! Whether the yarn is degrading, or it was that way to start, there were numerous breaks in the hank, so my winder was in no danger. At. All.
I'm using the smaller balls to swatch.I'm not sure I like the wavy edge that's forming on my swatch. That's the nature of a thick and thin like this one.
I'm getting roughly 5 stitches/inch on size 8s. The two patterns I am considering (both Oat Couture, both from Elann.com) are knit at that gauge. One is a fairly conservative cardigan, knit on the diagonal (GU411-SouthSlope Cardigan). The other is a little more casual (EK709-West Side Raglan).
So, will you be a Selfish Sally in 2009? Join me. You're worth it!
ETA: Wait, wait! Wallaby!!!
Labels: big people clothes, current events, silliness
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
I'm On a Mission
Couple of times a year, I take a planned break from the work-world and stay at home. I do not SOMA (sit on my @ss), though. Oh, no. This is a planned Cleaning Break.
Yep, every 6 months (or so), I clean my house, whether it needs it or not!
It needs it!
Truth be told, I planned to take the whole week, but work-life interfered and so, I went in yesterday, but the rest of this week is mine, mine, mine!
This morning, I woke to yet another deary pre-winter Pennsylvania day.
(I will add as an aside, that it is the spring that keeps us here--that and needing to have an income for a few more years, thank you, Wall Street. We are not skiers or snowboarders. We do not like winter weather!)
And it is cold yet again today. It never hit freezing (0 C or 32 F for those keeping track). The weather person (we have a "gal") promises that tomorrow will be warm (near 60) but rainy. We will save errands for warm. Rain trumps ice.
The rhododendron outside the front door is an indicator of just how cold it is. The tighter the leaves roll, the colder the temperature.
That's what 25 looks like. In the sun. Next to a warmish brick wall. Yesterday, the leaves looked like sticks.
So, today is the ideal day to check out my cleaning supplies, add to my shopping list if there's anything in short supply, and print out my List TM.
I am obsessive. I keep a cleaning list on my computer.
Room by room, it guides me through the boring tasks that need to be done once in a while--like wiping the jelly prints off the cabinet knobs. Yes. Yes, it is.
And one by one, I will cross those tasks off the list.
I have been known to add the occasional tasks that aren't needed every Cleaning Vacation TM (like finishing two sweaters and taking Princess Sparky to the vet).
It feels good to cross them off.
Please note that the first item on the list is: Make List.
One task accomplished!
So I sat to eat my breakfast: decaff coffee and a gingerbread muffin (yum) from the Amish bakery at the fairgrounds, and looked over the comics (I'll catch up on the rest later).
Our local paper is part of the Tribune family. Tribune's filed for bancruptcy. We are shocked (not).
First, the pages got smaller, then the Editorial page went away, the comics were downsized by half, and Dear Abby became a 1-letter column.
Surprised by this latest turn of events. No, not really.
Yep, every 6 months (or so), I clean my house, whether it needs it or not!
It needs it!
Truth be told, I planned to take the whole week, but work-life interfered and so, I went in yesterday, but the rest of this week is mine, mine, mine!
This morning, I woke to yet another deary pre-winter Pennsylvania day.
(I will add as an aside, that it is the spring that keeps us here--that and needing to have an income for a few more years, thank you, Wall Street. We are not skiers or snowboarders. We do not like winter weather!)
And it is cold yet again today. It never hit freezing (0 C or 32 F for those keeping track). The weather person (we have a "gal") promises that tomorrow will be warm (near 60) but rainy. We will save errands for warm. Rain trumps ice.
The rhododendron outside the front door is an indicator of just how cold it is. The tighter the leaves roll, the colder the temperature.
That's what 25 looks like. In the sun. Next to a warmish brick wall. Yesterday, the leaves looked like sticks.
So, today is the ideal day to check out my cleaning supplies, add to my shopping list if there's anything in short supply, and print out my List TM.
I am obsessive. I keep a cleaning list on my computer.
Room by room, it guides me through the boring tasks that need to be done once in a while--like wiping the jelly prints off the cabinet knobs. Yes. Yes, it is.
And one by one, I will cross those tasks off the list.
I have been known to add the occasional tasks that aren't needed every Cleaning Vacation TM (like finishing two sweaters and taking Princess Sparky to the vet).
It feels good to cross them off.
Please note that the first item on the list is: Make List.
One task accomplished!
So I sat to eat my breakfast: decaff coffee and a gingerbread muffin (yum) from the Amish bakery at the fairgrounds, and looked over the comics (I'll catch up on the rest later).
Our local paper is part of the Tribune family. Tribune's filed for bancruptcy. We are shocked (not).
First, the pages got smaller, then the Editorial page went away, the comics were downsized by half, and Dear Abby became a 1-letter column.
Surprised by this latest turn of events. No, not really.
Labels: current events, silliness
Saturday, November 08, 2008
A Change is Coming
It's a very good thing that I didn't commit to posting every day in November! And taht's all I'm saying about that.
Nearly a week post-election, I am still digesting results.
I am still mulling over the comment made by my contact at another non-profit that provides food to needy folks. We have a limited number of boxes of food that we can provide to low income senior citizens (1225 for everyone in a 6-county area--there is a waiting list of over 200). Her agency is one of the distribution sites. They continue to register people, despite the waiting list, which is how the program has to function--we are expected to distribute 100% a month every month.
When she complained that "there shouldn't be a waiting list. Everyone who needs a box should get one every time," I agreed, commiserated even, then pointed out that the current administration has zeroed this program (Commodity Supplemental Food Program) in its last three proposed budgets. (Our national association has fought vigorously to restore funding--and succeeded!)
Then she turned on me! and told be that the Clinton administration is responsible for all of the mess in the welfare system.
Folks, it's time to get over it! And move forward.
Nearly a week post-election, I am still digesting results.
I am still mulling over the comment made by my contact at another non-profit that provides food to needy folks. We have a limited number of boxes of food that we can provide to low income senior citizens (1225 for everyone in a 6-county area--there is a waiting list of over 200). Her agency is one of the distribution sites. They continue to register people, despite the waiting list, which is how the program has to function--we are expected to distribute 100% a month every month.
When she complained that "there shouldn't be a waiting list. Everyone who needs a box should get one every time," I agreed, commiserated even, then pointed out that the current administration has zeroed this program (Commodity Supplemental Food Program) in its last three proposed budgets. (Our national association has fought vigorously to restore funding--and succeeded!)
Then she turned on me! and told be that the Clinton administration is responsible for all of the mess in the welfare system.
Folks, it's time to get over it! And move forward.
Labels: current events, silliness
Sunday, October 26, 2008
You Asked For It!
Because Sheila wanted to know the extent of the Stash Enhancement eXperience that I confessed in yesterday's post, I present a sampling.
So, a sampling is in the photo, but the spread sheet does not lie (and I have been knitting from these acquisitions, too!)
Here's what's new: Sort of from the left, Cherry Tree Hill Possum Lace (2), Summer Sock (3) and Orenberg Lace (just 1), Encore DK (4 each of 3 colors), and worsted (5 or so of a couple colors), Red Heart Baby Soft (3--almost a pound, they are big skeins), a bunch of Di-ve Zenith (12 balls total), Adriafil Knitcol )4 of those), and Fibranatura Baby Merino (the stuff the Growly sweater was knit from) in an array of baby shades (9 balls), some Dale Free Style (6) and Baby Ull (18), LB Magic Stripes (4 of those, planned for a sweater--Johnny at the Berroco site), Nashua Wooly Stripes (5), Rowan Magpie (10 in a very dark, dark navy--Janice gets these if I die before I can knit them up), the Puno and Ultra Alpaca for the current sweaters, and the Full Bag Lots: Elann Superwash Bamboo (seconds) in Eggplant and Cedar, and Ironstone Herb Garden (2 bags each).
Seeing the current state of the economy, I am really glad that I stocked up when I did! Otherwise, the next 5 to 10 years would be bleak indeed, knit-wise!
I am thinking that I might get rid of or use up the Online Linie Summertime. Picture of it knit up here. I have a full bag of grenadine (orangey-red) nearly full bag of marine (navy blue) and several balls of yellow.
I'll entertain suggestions in the comments.
So, a sampling is in the photo, but the spread sheet does not lie (and I have been knitting from these acquisitions, too!)
Here's what's new: Sort of from the left, Cherry Tree Hill Possum Lace (2), Summer Sock (3) and Orenberg Lace (just 1), Encore DK (4 each of 3 colors), and worsted (5 or so of a couple colors), Red Heart Baby Soft (3--almost a pound, they are big skeins), a bunch of Di-ve Zenith (12 balls total), Adriafil Knitcol )4 of those), and Fibranatura Baby Merino (the stuff the Growly sweater was knit from) in an array of baby shades (9 balls), some Dale Free Style (6) and Baby Ull (18), LB Magic Stripes (4 of those, planned for a sweater--Johnny at the Berroco site), Nashua Wooly Stripes (5), Rowan Magpie (10 in a very dark, dark navy--Janice gets these if I die before I can knit them up), the Puno and Ultra Alpaca for the current sweaters, and the Full Bag Lots: Elann Superwash Bamboo (seconds) in Eggplant and Cedar, and Ironstone Herb Garden (2 bags each).
Seeing the current state of the economy, I am really glad that I stocked up when I did! Otherwise, the next 5 to 10 years would be bleak indeed, knit-wise!
I am thinking that I might get rid of or use up the Online Linie Summertime. Picture of it knit up here. I have a full bag of grenadine (orangey-red) nearly full bag of marine (navy blue) and several balls of yellow.
I'll entertain suggestions in the comments.
Labels: current events, silliness, yarn diet
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
What We Have In Common
Here's what I have in common with Joe the Plumber:
I don't have a plumber's license either.
I don't have a plumber's license either.
Labels: current events, silliness
Saturday, October 11, 2008
No Knitting Content
There'll be knitting stuff tomorrow (assuming I survive, but that's another story).
Okay, so I was noodling around google (nevermind what I was looking for) and stumbled onto this (and if you think getting back there was easy, think again).
Having raised two high school athletes, I thought I was up on my sports regs. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that skates are required footgear for ice hockey and that, while shoes are required for most sports, it seems both basketball and field hockey can be played barefoot!
And it appears that only baseball players may wear Underoos beneath their uniforms!
You learn something new every day!
Okay, so I was noodling around google (nevermind what I was looking for) and stumbled onto this (and if you think getting back there was easy, think again).
Having raised two high school athletes, I thought I was up on my sports regs. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that skates are required footgear for ice hockey and that, while shoes are required for most sports, it seems both basketball and field hockey can be played barefoot!
And it appears that only baseball players may wear Underoos beneath their uniforms!
You learn something new every day!
Labels: silliness
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Don't Touch
I am not a touchy-feelie sort of person. Never have been. I tolerate, but don't especially enjoy, most body contact, especially with strangers. I don't like being in crowded places. And I really despise when people move into my personal space and touch me while they are talking.
I just want to say "hands off!" (but usually, I restrain myself and don't shout it out loud).
::well, I feel better having shared that:: Do you think I am strange?
It's Funday. The day after Catterday. I am feeling a little rested, despite having fielded a couple calls from the alarm company. I will need to hop in the car and do the driving thing later on. Then I will stop and get my hair trimmed. It's a party a minute around here!
Mittnz Update: Jakki finished and mailed a pair of mittnz to the reservation. You can see a picture of them here.
The mailing deadline is fast approaching. If you would like to share photos of your completed Mittnz before you drop them in the mail, email them to me (abmcmanus *at* verizon *dot* net--you know what to do to make that address work!)
I'll put them here, and put your name in the hat if you mailed 8 pairs or more.
Prizes? Did someone say "prizes?"
There are books and accessories and yarny goodness and patterns. You do not want to miss out!
I just want to say "hands off!" (but usually, I restrain myself and don't shout it out loud).
::well, I feel better having shared that:: Do you think I am strange?
It's Funday. The day after Catterday. I am feeling a little rested, despite having fielded a couple calls from the alarm company. I will need to hop in the car and do the driving thing later on. Then I will stop and get my hair trimmed. It's a party a minute around here!
Mittnz Update: Jakki finished and mailed a pair of mittnz to the reservation. You can see a picture of them here.
The mailing deadline is fast approaching. If you would like to share photos of your completed Mittnz before you drop them in the mail, email them to me (abmcmanus *at* verizon *dot* net--you know what to do to make that address work!)
I'll put them here, and put your name in the hat if you mailed 8 pairs or more.
Prizes? Did someone say "prizes?"
There are books and accessories and yarny goodness and patterns. You do not want to miss out!
Labels: current events, mittnz, silliness
Friday, September 05, 2008
Where Did The Week Go?
If I said that I have had the week from hell, would you believe me?
It's like everyone I come in contact with has taken a "stupid" pill.
Last week, someone stuffed paper towels down the men's room toilet which caused a back-up into the ladies' room. The plumbers got it snaked ($600) but broke the ladies' room toilet in the process (another $700). It's an old building with funky plumbing. What can I say? (If I ever find out who did it, he's dead!)
And that was just the tip of the iceberg.
Since I don't usually talk about "work stuff" here, I won't break with tradition and spill all; let's talk about knitting instead!
Here's a photo of the current car project:
Car Project= one that requires little or no looking. These are both garter stitch "log cabin" style baby blankies for the current Blanket Blitz for Cheyenne River Reservation.
The recipe is simple. Cast on some stitches. I started with about 10 if I remember correctly(tThe yellow and green center squares).
*Knit every row until it's as long as you want or until you nearly run out of yarn. Bind off. Using another color (or the same one), with right side facing, pick up and knit 1 stitch for every "valley" along the left side of the bit you just completed, or when the time comes, one stitch for every stitch. **Knit back and forth some more. Repeat from * to ** until it's as big as you want it. Add an edging all the way around using the same method, but use the same color on all 4 sides. (I plan to do this with both of them. I have a pristine skein of light blue and another of pink that I plan to use for this. I might add acontrasting I-cord border, too.)
I am aiming for a finished size of 40" square. The blue and yellow one is currently 32" X 36" and too hot and heavy to knit in the car. The pink and purple one is 16" X 18" and still travels with me. They should both be finished by the end of the month.
Here's what's happening to the "bits and bobs" that are left from the bigger blankets.
Mitered squares and center-out squares, all knitted, though in the photo, some of them look a bit like crocheted grannies.
All of the yarn in these projects is various brands of acrylic something or other. Worsted weight.
I've already started planning next year's fair entries (shut up!) and would actually start the actual knitting if I could only find my copy of Domino Knitting.
I've also started planning the Christmas Knitting but have hit a road block. The yarn I planned to use for one of the sweaters won't be enough no matter how I stretch it. ::sigh:: Plus I am still deciding on a pattern. And I can't find the other yarn I bought with a specific project in mind, though I do have that pattern.
Would someone like to come here and help me find my sanity?
It's like everyone I come in contact with has taken a "stupid" pill.
Last week, someone stuffed paper towels down the men's room toilet which caused a back-up into the ladies' room. The plumbers got it snaked ($600) but broke the ladies' room toilet in the process (another $700). It's an old building with funky plumbing. What can I say? (If I ever find out who did it, he's dead!)
And that was just the tip of the iceberg.
Since I don't usually talk about "work stuff" here, I won't break with tradition and spill all; let's talk about knitting instead!
Here's a photo of the current car project:
Car Project= one that requires little or no looking. These are both garter stitch "log cabin" style baby blankies for the current Blanket Blitz for Cheyenne River Reservation.
The recipe is simple. Cast on some stitches. I started with about 10 if I remember correctly(tThe yellow and green center squares).
*Knit every row until it's as long as you want or until you nearly run out of yarn. Bind off. Using another color (or the same one), with right side facing, pick up and knit 1 stitch for every "valley" along the left side of the bit you just completed, or when the time comes, one stitch for every stitch. **Knit back and forth some more. Repeat from * to ** until it's as big as you want it. Add an edging all the way around using the same method, but use the same color on all 4 sides. (I plan to do this with both of them. I have a pristine skein of light blue and another of pink that I plan to use for this. I might add acontrasting I-cord border, too.)
I am aiming for a finished size of 40" square. The blue and yellow one is currently 32" X 36" and too hot and heavy to knit in the car. The pink and purple one is 16" X 18" and still travels with me. They should both be finished by the end of the month.
Here's what's happening to the "bits and bobs" that are left from the bigger blankets.
Mitered squares and center-out squares, all knitted, though in the photo, some of them look a bit like crocheted grannies.
All of the yarn in these projects is various brands of acrylic something or other. Worsted weight.
I've already started planning next year's fair entries (shut up!) and would actually start the actual knitting if I could only find my copy of Domino Knitting.
I've also started planning the Christmas Knitting but have hit a road block. The yarn I planned to use for one of the sweaters won't be enough no matter how I stretch it. ::sigh:: Plus I am still deciding on a pattern. And I can't find the other yarn I bought with a specific project in mind, though I do have that pattern.
Would someone like to come here and help me find my sanity?
Labels: baby things, charity, Cheyenne River, fair entries, silliness
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The FSM Has a Sense of Humor
Saturdays are for shopping at the farmers market (see many previous postings) and people watching. It never ceases to amaze the Other Half that people dress the way that they do.
Now, I will grant you that we don't get dressed "up" to shop. I was wearing a clean (but not pressed) pair of jeans. a polo shirt, and sandals. He had on khakis and clogs and a polo shirt. But my mercifullordinheavenabove, the outfits!
Of course, the woman we saw at The Tree on the way home. . .
I can only hope that she doesn't own a mirror, because if she does, she would have No Excuse At All. Clearly, this was the first time in years that she could get her Skinny Jeans zipped. Not muffin top. But the whole damned 3 dollar loaf (see photo--demitasse and sandwich cookies for scale)!
If your butt is still a size 22, it's not a good idea to squeeze it into size 12. Even if the zipper closes! (I would have Kineared, but I feared for my life.)
Moving right along.
Bear Claw is finished.
The particulars are posted way back this time last year. Yarn is Elann Sock It To Me! and Cervinia Calzetteria sock weight wool/nylon blend held double. All 4 colors are No Longer Available.
Size 5 and 8 needles. Finished size, about 40" square.
The original pattern also finishes to 40", but it calls for Koigu solids held single and size 0 and 2 needles. It also has 9 blocks.
And here's looking at: How to fix a mis-twist
Isolate the errant stitches.
I use 5" or 6" double-pointed sock needles in the same size as the piece is being knitted. The needle is shown here only for illustration purposes. There is no real reason to transfer the stitches to another needle at this point.
Note that I have isolated only one twist (4 stitches) of this 8 stitch cable.
Now, the scary part.
Pull the needle out of the stitches and frog the stitches down to the wrong-way twist. Remove the twisted row carefully, keeping the strands of yarn in order.
Correct the twist. I find it easier to use a short dpn than a long cable needle. (translate: I was too lazy to look for my short birdwing cable needle).
Re-knit each row using the strands of yarn that are being held at the back.
This can be a frustratingly slow process. If you discover the mis-twist sooner, rather than later, it may be less time-consuming to frog and reknit.
Next, I repeated the process on the other half of the cable.
Then I repeated again on the other cable. (Yes, there are two. Yes, I mis-twisted on both.)
I forged on and have added the contrasting yarn where the afterthought heel will go.
Now, I will grant you that we don't get dressed "up" to shop. I was wearing a clean (but not pressed) pair of jeans. a polo shirt, and sandals. He had on khakis and clogs and a polo shirt. But my mercifullordinheavenabove, the outfits!
Of course, the woman we saw at The Tree on the way home. . .I can only hope that she doesn't own a mirror, because if she does, she would have No Excuse At All. Clearly, this was the first time in years that she could get her Skinny Jeans zipped. Not muffin top. But the whole damned 3 dollar loaf (see photo--demitasse and sandwich cookies for scale)!
If your butt is still a size 22, it's not a good idea to squeeze it into size 12. Even if the zipper closes! (I would have Kineared, but I feared for my life.)
Moving right along.
Bear Claw is finished.
The particulars are posted way back this time last year. Yarn is Elann Sock It To Me! and Cervinia Calzetteria sock weight wool/nylon blend held double. All 4 colors are No Longer Available.
Size 5 and 8 needles. Finished size, about 40" square.
The original pattern also finishes to 40", but it calls for Koigu solids held single and size 0 and 2 needles. It also has 9 blocks.
And here's looking at: How to fix a mis-twist
Isolate the errant stitches.
I use 5" or 6" double-pointed sock needles in the same size as the piece is being knitted. The needle is shown here only for illustration purposes. There is no real reason to transfer the stitches to another needle at this point.
Note that I have isolated only one twist (4 stitches) of this 8 stitch cable.
Now, the scary part.
Pull the needle out of the stitches and frog the stitches down to the wrong-way twist. Remove the twisted row carefully, keeping the strands of yarn in order.
Correct the twist. I find it easier to use a short dpn than a long cable needle. (translate: I was too lazy to look for my short birdwing cable needle).
Re-knit each row using the strands of yarn that are being held at the back.
This can be a frustratingly slow process. If you discover the mis-twist sooner, rather than later, it may be less time-consuming to frog and reknit.
Next, I repeated the process on the other half of the cable.
Then I repeated again on the other cable. (Yes, there are two. Yes, I mis-twisted on both.)
I forged on and have added the contrasting yarn where the afterthought heel will go.
Labels: fair entries, silliness
![[HeettheFeet20083.jpg]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRH_T42wVcDuEXnRRcJTi8Xx0pZMjwaEvKKUYxkKGb3RbfVJvbBKJaplnruL4Y1lQGy9LWjb2KhOsPi10kdPRppP6_O47YprEco3m4iD3JMmT1o-7Hc6zuCWJT-0gxesUCp_H/s1600/HeettheFeet20083.jpg)
![[mittnz2008buttin.jpg]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkbBquqYIEHAWQxsnQtaptULuJ-jj-mlpdjbffH9r1n1liR1r8yRRkXMgJLBxbeo0x3w2wU_gLhjFzrxzKrMmVgUGSqAzkP89jlWOA04Xhr2pWmVGIDgt8VGWAK-FZMfwB6j6/s1600/mittnz2008buttin.jpg)
![[heet2009-1.jpg]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SiW5ds26X6RV2guuohZ5nCdtljV9Pj8cVQCebCBg8EYaQR_DXHlIgLihx-5ddowYTS8hM11_JCwqlbN0qLGhUHjIsea9xw5v9tu4Cdnn0dHCRU5NXLAN-VH_o7jT1WW3w74R_w/s320/heet2009-1.jpg)
![[mittnz 2009 button.jpg]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuGtaAayAUpfk3b8FnVyyIvB5jI1YxPMmcN2M9PyQo9MfDK9JVxgFz2z7rLFuGjebz7CBV-frRyUYMXFzFLmwtP_xmCwd9HEgKylZaZwzwfSV8xTZ5a6vayaG0oEbFxgjYFTa5w/s320/mittnz+2009+button.jpg)