Creating order out of chaos one stitch at a time. (Am I talking about my stash or the universe?...you figure it out.)
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Will be back....
Friday, December 22, 2006
Baby Blanket Pattern Update and Recipe Review
- They tend to be on the oily side, so use aluminum foil cupcake cups.
- Cook for less time, like 5 minutes less.
- Fill cups till they are about a 1/2 inch to the edge of the cup.
- Be sure that the baking soda and vinegar begin to react (alot of surface contact) and then gently fold it into the batter. This is to make the cupcakes lighter and fluffier.
- Sprinkle top with crushed candy canes or other holiday sprinkles.
Oh crud. I think I may have discovered, on this rainy day, that our bathroom window is leaking. Please, everyone pray with me that it is not leaking. I do not need this right before Xmas, and days of rain in the forecast. You KNOW the builder is not going to send anyone out here to fix it.
Here is a pic of the progress on the Bob's Meadowlark Socks. Sorry the pic is so dark. Rainy day and sucky flash I guess.
The baby blanket pattern: I am trying to get it turned into a .pdf file. So it is done, just trying to get DH to convert it for me. :)
If I don't post again before the holiday, Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Snikky, snikky, snikky....
I am at the same time totally bummed that my Sundara Yarn Petals Collection has not arrived yet. Don't get me wrong, I totally understand the situation. It is just that I am afraid someone may take any boxes that are delivered if I am out all day or travelling. My neighbor has not been the best at picking up my mail AND my packages, even when I warn her that I am expecting packages. Oh, well...just keep your fingers crossed. I have only just joined the club, so I am anxiously awaiting my first delivery of her gorgeous yarn!
And I need to finish writing up the pattern for Samantha's Baby Blanket. I kept the blanket a few extra days in order to try to figure out everything that I did (No, I did not keep copious notes for once! Shocker!) have all sorts of hideous scrawled notes on a piece of paper from trying to reconstruct the pattern. I will try to post it tomorrow after I write it up all nicely.
I have been having so much fun listening to knitting podcasts while driving around running errands. I really love Lime N Violet. They make me feel like I am back in NY or TX sitting around with some wacky best girlfriends, where no topic is off limits as long as it is treated to a huge dose of humor. Thanks ladies for making me feel at home away from home....
Speaking of Texas, I am totally geeking out over the washcloth pattern that my DH's coworker found for me. It is a Texas Longhorns one, so y'all know I am going to be searching for some dark orange Peaches N Cream for this one. Please, let me know if you have ever seen any Sugar N Cream or like brands in a burnt orange. I would love you forever for the help!!!! Maybe I just need to get off my butt and head over to Hobby Lobby and AC Moore to find some. But I honestly don't recall seeing any. I just searched on google and apparently there is a color called pumpkin, so I am going to have to look for it. Joann.com carries it, so if I am desperate, I can order it. But I would hate to order $5 worth of yarn just to incur $5 shipping or something. Yuck.
I have picked up work again on the Bob's Meadowlarks. Will post pics later.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Things are kinda crazy....
DH and I went to Charlotte over the weekend where he bought me a new 80GB video iPod. Yippee! Keep in mind that it really is my only Christmas present, because with all of the accessories it rang up to a pretty steep price. I am one of those seemingly rare women who love to get technology gifts, and I even play with more gadgets than my husband who is an IT manager. Now I just need time to start subscribing to all of the knitting podcasts! And I can watch them while on the treadmill at the gym. YAYAYAYAY!!! With all of the iPod playing in the last 24 hours, I have not been doing quite as much knitting.
Another wacky thing is that I am 90% sure I will start learning Aikido. It is something I have wanted to do for at least 10 years, and now I have an opportunity to do it. I hope it really helps me in many ways.
And I have joined the Knitting Help Forum's Sockentine Swap. I am thinking of using my Claudia Handpainted for my partner, but it is not Superwash. Perhaps I will need to go yarn shopping in Atlanta while I am down that way next week just to get the right colors and Superwash merino for her. Oh, sockentine, I bet you wonder what you are going to get from me?! Bwahahaha!
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Christmas Meme
1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? Egg nog, hot chocolate the rest of the year.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrapped. The anticipation is half the fun.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Being a child born in the early 70s...color color and more color. The bigger the bulbs the better!
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No.
5. When do you put your decorations up? Usually second week of December indoors, Thanksgiving outdoors (when the weather is better here). We don't take them down indoors until middle of January, because my mom used to recognize the Orthodox Calendar for Christmas, too.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Sweet potato casserole.
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Getting Christmas presents from my Baba.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Probably 7. Don't remember.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Not until I was a teenager did my family do this.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Of course, the tacky ornaments we all make in childhood, gold garland, colored lights, glass balls, and various theme ornaments (like bears, or college teams). I love the trees that reflect the family's life.
11. Snow! Love it or dread it? I love it. Grew up in Alaska.
12. Can you ice skate? Yes, love it. I spent most of my weekends on the ice as a kid.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Can't remember one. Probably my bicycles.
14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? Slowing down and spending relaxing time with my family. I don't like to over schedule the holiday.
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Any kind of cookie!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Traditional Polish food and cookies.
17. What tops your tree? A gold star, only because I can't find anything but tacky-looking angels the last few years. Maybe I will just make one!
18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving. I tend to be a good gift giver, as a friend recently told me. :) Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. In fact, I usually tend to give at least one gift early, as I am too excited to wait to give gifts to others.
19. What is your favorite Christmas song? I can't pick one...Silver bells, Little Drummer Boy, and Do You See What I See? I HATE Santa Baby and Jingle Bell Rock, and that Beatles song because they are overplayed here locally.
20. Candy canes? YES. Good in your tea.
21. Favorite Christmas movie? Charlie Brown Christmas (see child o' the 70s.)
22. What do you leave for Santa? Cookies and milk.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Put the baby to bed!
Needle: Size 13 Clover Bamboo 36" Circs
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Power of the Z-pack
Tuesday morning I finished my mommy's Christmas present. Yes, I am 33 and am not too ashamed to say "mommy." :) Here it is:
Mohair Boucle Scarf
Pattern: My own (CO 24 stitches, K2P2 until desired length)
Yarn: Kid Mohair Boucle in "Lily Pond" Colorway ( Sport Wt, 250 Yards, One Skein)
Source: Koenig Farm & Spinnery, www.koenigfarm.com
Needle: Size 10 1/2 Clover Bamboo 24" Circs
I snapped the picture yesterday, and it is already in the mail on its way to Alaska. Now I need to finish the baby blanket. I have maybe 4 inches left on it to finish. Then weaving in everything.
I think I am going to go lay down now with a cup of tea. Time to dig out that new box of Organic Passion Plum that I love so much. It tastes like blueberries, plums and cinnamon to me. Maybe if I get perky later in the week I will share my reviews of some cookie and cupcake recipes.
Oh, I almost forgot...in response to the questions in the comments:
- Yes, I have tried Chicken Soup, and regrettably, it is just not enough. I think I have been living mostly on soup these last few weeks. :)
- The Guild Xmas Party was fun. The food was catered the same as last year, so it was delicious. But, I missed the gift exchange. I would have still donated money and knitted gear to charity AND done the gift exchange. Oh well.
Also, I have requested to join Sockentine's exchange on the Knitting Help forum. Hopefully I will be accepted and maybe I can get around to knitting some lovely beaded socks or something for that.
Monday, December 11, 2006
I am sick of being sick!
Tonight is our SC Knitting Guild Christmas Party. I knitted two preemie hats on Saturday morning for the charity hat admission fee. With being sick, I am not as perky to do anything, let alone knit or set up Christmas trees or write Christmas cards. I tried to rest this weekend to beat this cold, but it did not seem to help.
I decided to have my little teddy bear, Snowball, model one of the hats for us. :)
I forgot to say, if you are stopping by my blog, please take time to leave a comment! I would love to read it, as I am a new blogger.
Friday, December 08, 2006
In support of poor graduate students...
Read this link here. And help out if you are another blogger.
Philosopher's Wool = Super Nice
Samantha's Baby Blanket
Pattern: TBA
Yarn: Berocco Hush (Color #6303) and Lullaby (Color #4303)
Source: Yarns Forever
Needle: Size 13 Clover Bamboo 36" Circs
I promise, promise, promise to post a nice picture of the blob when it is finished with the ribbon woven around the sides of it. I just wanted to take a picture that did not give away TOO much, as my friend checks out my blog and I only want to assure her it is getting done yet not ruin the surprise! The baby blanket is of my own pattern. Maybe I will post that when I am done! It uses Berocco Hush and Lullaby.
Oh, and I forgot to say her baby was born one month early (last friday) so now I am behind! AHHHHH! I thought I was doing fine on Christmas and baby knitting until that day. :) Oh well, you can only plan life so much.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Go UF! and Atlanta Yarn Shop Reviews
I stopped by 3 knitting stores in Atlanta. I had to limit the visits because we did not get going on this part of the trip until noon on Sunday. Bless all of those that are open on Sundays!
Why Knot Knit - A yarn shop in Buckhead. They were fairly friendly, and had a good selection of Cascade 220, Manos Del Urguay, Mission Falls, Mountain Colors, Debble Bliss and other yarns. Check out there website for a complete list. Very beautiful shop. I will keep them in mind the next time I am in the area and finally get around to purchasing some Manos for a Knitty pattern.
Knitch - A new store near Druid Hills. Okay, this store has an amazing selection of Cascade 220 in oodles of colors. It also has alot of high quality yarns and some local or artisan yarns. The clientele and staff were very nice. They even serve a special coffee blend created for their store. Plenty of room to sit and knit. I will go back. I purchased some Claudia Hand Painted Sock Yarn in the Santa Fe Colorway.
Dear "Knitting Blogs Group Two"
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Oi! So behind and the bestest day in my world...
Today is the bestest day in the world because it is my birthday! I can say this because I do not have any kids yet (and their birthdays would supercede mine), and I get presents! Yeeeeee!
So far, my knitting-related presents are:
- 3 books of Fair Isle Knitting (Fair Isle Sweaters Simplified, The Art of Fair Isle Knitting, Traditional Fair Isle Knitting)
- 1 Philosopher's Wool Kit: Tradition in Peacock Colorway (has not arrived yet)
My husband does go overboard, but he loves to spoil me. All of these books were recommended by Beth Walker, my fair isle instructor at Stitches, and so far I am really enjoying The Art of Fair Isle Knitting.
I have finished two pairs of fetching gloves. Haven't blocked them yet. One pair is for someone special....can you guess who you are?
I changed the fetching pattern by adding an extra 5 rows and cable round at the finger tips, and an extra five rows at the thumb. I also did not do the picot bind off because I did not like how it really belled out from my fingers with the soft alpaca yarn. So I just did a plain bind off in pattern, ensuring to try to keep it a little tight so that the finished fabric would stay closer to the hand.
I have started on my mom's Christmas scarf, which is going to be just like the one I knit earlier for my MIL, except it will be in a different colorway. I will post pics later....time to go out for a Birthday Dinner!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
My first toe-ups KAL
Pattern: Widdershins, http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTwiddershins.html
Yarn: Brown Sheep Company Wildfoote Sock Yarn, Colorway Symphony (SY-600)
Source: Yarns Forever
Needle: Size 1 Clover Bamboo DPNs
And I will start on the sockamaniac socks as well (soon), in an Aran Twist pattern by Deby Lake.
Meanwhile, this morning, I casted on for another pair of Fetching, as a Christmas present for a friend.
Monday, November 13, 2006
How I spent my weekend....
Pattern: My own (CO 24 stitches, K2P2 until desired length)
Yarn: Kid Mohair Boucle in "Confetti" Colorway ( Sport Wt, 250 Yards, One Skein)
Source: Koenig Farm & Spinnery, www.koenigfarm.com
Needle: Size 10 1/2 Clover Bamboo 24" Circs
Friday, November 10, 2006
Time for some project pics
Your moment of zen.....
Now go make a cuppa tea and take a few deep breaths!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Stitches East Review
Classes:
I took three classes while there.
- Learn to Love Intarsia with Sally Melville - A+ Class. Sally is friendly, personable and teaches many useful techniques in a short amount of time. These techniques are useful for intarsia as well as other types of projects. This would be a good class to supplement your reading of her third book, The Knitting Experience: Book 3: Color (The Knitting Experience), before you have tried to tackle any of the projects in it. Those in the class who had already done some of her projects in the book STILL learned how to better accomplish the techniques. This was my best class at Stitches.
- Fair Isle Knitting with Beth Walker-O'Brien - A Class. Beth was great, made you feel like you were being taught by a friend. She is also friendly, personable and made sure that she moved all around the classroom to help everyone. She demonstrated techniques from many locations in the classroom, as well as to small groups. Everyone in the class had practiced knitting in the hand they are not used to knitting in well before the class, so we were able to move at a fast clip. (I highly recommend doing this by knitting a few washcloths, like the "Back to School" free patterns on Knitty.com using inexpensive Sugar N' Cream yarn. You will be respected and much liked by your classmates for being prepared AND you will get more out of the class by already mastering this.) She shared her contact info with everyone, so that we could email her at anytime with questions. Be advised that she is getting divorced, so that you can find her under her maiden name Beth Walker at future Stitches events.
- Intarsia without Fear with Edie Eckman - B Class. I thought this was a good class until I took Sally Melville's. Edie will teach you a few traditional techniques with humor and patience, while Sally Melville will teach you many more techniques.
Food - Either plan on eating great french fries and greasy food at the concession stand, eat at the great pubs across the street, or pack your own lunch. I did the latter two choices. Also, Starbucks is located on the third floor, so be sure to hit that for caffeine-assisted learning!
This is obvious, but budget plenty o money for your purchases, and bring a list of what you wish to see and buy. The Market is a great opportunity for you to see all of those cool yarns and gadgets you have heard about but can't find locally. The list also helps you stay on budget! I found extra yarn money by cashing in my coin jar before the trip. (Don't laugh, it works!$60 worth! Thats 3 skeins of sock yarn!)
My Stitches East purchases:
- Socks That Rock by Blue Moon Fiber Arts - I bought 4 colorways of the lightweight 100% Superwash Merino Sock Yarn: Lucy, Fred Flinstone, Metamorphic, Blue Brick Wall (a gift for a friend). I also bought one colorway of their Seduction Sock Yarn, which is 50% Merino and 50% Tencel, in Nodding Violet. I also bought three of their sock patterns: Central Air, Cedar Creek Socks, and Lavender and Lace. If anyone has worked any of these patterns, please let me know your thoughts.
- Tiny Toes by Interlacements - I bought one colorway #402 Taiga. It is a variegated green colorway.
Super Socks & Baby by Tess Yarns - I bought a colorway with greens, blues and purples, but since it did not come with a label, I do not know what it is called. I am guessing that it is the Rainforest colorway.
Sunflower Kit by Decadent Fibers - this is a needle felting "recipe" for me to make sunflowers to decorate my house.
A "K2TOG" magnet from ModernYarn - I find this romantic, like my husband and I knitting our two lives together....okay a touch of gooshiness, sorry. Moving on....
Even though this is my birthday month and had a birthday present budget set for Stitches from my DH, I had to limit my purchases, as I had gone to SAFF the weekend before and spent way too much there. I will share my purchases from that in a separate post!