No more every day, but I'll try to do better...

I'll have some finished project posts for you in the next couple of days. I started Se's mittens before the Debbie Stoller thing friday night and finished them this evening. I actually did the 2nd mitten in one day. Pretty awesome.

Well I didn't win in the contest for NaBloPoMo, but that's nothing new, I used all of that kind of luck up when I was a kid. It was still a great experience, and quite the challenge. I'm going to try to post more than I used to, but I'm not going to do that everyday thing, no way. I have way to much knitting to do.

Speaking of knitting to be done, I was going to do a toe up design for my m-i-l for the holidays but I changed my mind and I'm going to do a top down instead. I just don't have the time to commit to a new technique right now with all the holiday knits that need to be done.

Well I'm off to bed, see ya all real soon.

Just a run down of the evening...

So when T got home this evening, I got ready and went out to do some me time. Being as I'm not very good at me time yet, I went and got some dinner and than went over to my friend Rachel's house to help unpack. Some day I'll get it figured out, but I feel bad that I couldn't help her actually move, so I've been going to her place when I'm able to get out alone and helping pack her things or unpack as it so happens. Her new home is so nice and her loft is wonderfully cozy and warm. I can't wait until she gets some chairs to sit in, so we can really relax in there.

I got the second mitten started, worked on Gran's scarf some and in general just helped Rachel out where I could. We moved some things around and I'm sure will have to move some again to get it just right. I'm even going to give her a TV stand so we can knit and watch movies up there, of course I have to okay it with the hubby first and make sure it hasn't disappeared from the garage, we'll have to see how that all works out.

Tomorrow is to be a long day, off to the in-laws, T has things to do in the morning so I'm sure I wont get much help until the afternoon. Hopefully I'll get a chance to knit some, I really need to get knitting in every day if I'm even going to get a fraction of my list done. My biggest goals are to get the mittens and bears done for the kids, the scarf for Gran, the socks for m-i-l and the mitts for f-i-l. The kids scarves aren't dire, they have plenty to bundle up in and my mom's stuff has to wait until I find the yarn and all of T's stuff is definitely at the end of the list.

Before dinner this evening, I did what most that know me would be surprised about... I had a book spiral bound. I had a hard time watching them cut and punch my book, but I'm happy it was done. Selbuvotter (also here) was getting hard to knit from because it wouldn't stay open and now I've got no problem with that, it's awesome.

Well I should rest for the busy day ahead. Hope you all have a great day tomorrow, and those that are in the US please have a safe and happy thanksgiving.

Froggin' it.... I'll show you...

Another on the wire post. Today was a long one but at the same time when I look back it actually flew by. Got up with the kids, did the whole routine, wound some yarn, payed some bills, received some yarn in the mail. Completely finished one mitten and played with the munchkins.

This afternoon Courtney and her daughter "Peanut" stopped by and played with Ju and Se, the tweedles were down for naps, their craziness was a bit on the mellow side today but still they are 2. Peanut and my monkeys had a great time running around and playing like crazy. I invited Courtney and Peanut to stay for dinner but the playing so hard finally one out and the lil' one was wearin' down, so they went home. It was great to see the kids play and to see Courtney out and about. We decided we should definately do it again sometime.

This evening after dinner and bedtime, I watched my shows and taped the ones required by hubby and knit. I worked on my socks, and frogged the second sock. The pattern got messed up somewhere and couldn't find the right place to start again. So I frogged the whole sock and will start it again after I get this one up to date. I have until Thursday to get caught up, than it's more mittens.

Speaking of mittens, a lady on Ravelry had a whole bunch of Wool-Ease on major discount, for sale from her stash and the colors would work great for the munchkins. So I'm buying it off of her, it's going to be a mitten chrismahanaquanzayuleica this year for the munchkins and if I have time little mini teddies to match. Cross your fingers for me.

So in ending I'm going to add some pics of my first ever stranded mitten. (Ju is my lovely model in the first pic :) )

PS I opened my Harmony tips and oh my goodness they are impeccably smooth, yum, I can't wait to try them out.

L&V, mittens, and craziness,

So another crazy day in the life of me and mine. The children are stubborn, especially Ra lately, oye friggin' vay! T had his things to do and now is off doing it, being its that time of the year again. I was tired all day because of being up late to take care of some things and getting up early when my hubby woke me up at his normal time he gets up, ugh, 4:30a is way too early.

So as the children were being insane I decided to make a pair of mittens from Selbuvotter, I know I was supposed to be working on the socks. But I need something small and quick, so I'm making toddler mittens for one of my nieces, probably the youngest, since I still owe her a pair of mittens. I'm having a great time stranding I hope they work out, I may make multiple pairs for all the little ones, nieces first.

Well I'm going to go back to working on the mittens, and tomorrow I'm going to listen to L&V again, because the children totally upsetted my listening today.

Ooo, yarn...

* Orange Crayon, * Green Crayon, * Yellow Crayon, Pink Crayon, Red Crayon, Purple Crayon, Blue Crayon, Lily Pad Multi Essential, Pumpkin Gloss, Nickel Plated 16in Circular Needle Size 0 (2.0mm), Peat Cadena, Wood Needle Tips Size 8 (5.0mm)

* indicates they are discontinuing


This would be the order that is hopefully coming from KnitPicks soon. I plan to knit a blanket as a gift with the crayon; the Lily Pad Essential is for a gift for my dad; the Peat Cadena is for my f-i-l for a gift; and the needles are always needed (the 8s were to try out the wood, and the 0s were an accident :D); and the Gloss is for my hopefully stranded pair of fingerless mitts.

Knit Night was good, I met a new person, Marge, very cool. And we talked about everything under the sun. I got one repeat done on one sock and almost done with one repeat on the other than I'll do the rest of my repeats on one than the other. After that its the heel flaps and I'll be all caught up. No knit night next week and after that holiday party decisions need to be made.

Well I'm off, in more ways than one.

Monkey Movie Mania ....

The children have learned the wonder of TV, quite well, it's a treat when they are being good. And daddy bought them and me Shrek 3, so they are very excited to see it tomorrow. We've been on a Shrek kick lately and it's been driving me a bit batty watching the same two movies over and over the last few weeks. It will be nice to add to the repertoire.

While watching Kitchen Nightmares this evening I made a knitted version of one of these, I plan to felt it soon and than we'll know if it works. I didn't have any elastic so I'm going to add that afterwards, and I didn't do any beads because I don't have any, It's something I'll have to look into.

I still need to get some pics of my new Calorimetry to show you all. And I need to download my pics of T's new hat on to Flickr! for Ravelry, and so I can post it here. I may end up felting the Calorimetry a little because it still seems too big even on Size 5 US needles. Do any of you know if the stretch will still sort of be there if I only felt it a little?

I have at the very least 1 large pan of lasagna to bake tomorrow and possibly my version of a pot pie for dinner tomorrow, we'll see how things work out. I also realized I need to at the very least scan if not type up some of my favorite recipes in case I lose them. My meatloaf recipe is missing and I thought I had lost my lasagna recipe, so it may not be a bad idea.

Well not much to talk about, I worked on my Nov Mystery Socks some more today and I'm hoping I've got them all figured out, 3.25 repeats on one sock to go and 3.6 repeats on the other one. More tomorrow and hopefully some pics.

Another late night talk with me...

So I'm definately on a late night strike, I just seem to have trouble sleeping lately, don't know if it's the moon or my coming period or just day to day craziness but it helped get some knitting done tonight.

I worked on my Nov Mystery Socks, both cuffs are done and the first row of the second clue (leg of the sock), I plan to work on the pattern tomorrow, doing one repeat on one sock and than doing the same to the other. I'm now knitting them both on separate magic loop needles, I did the cuff on dpns. I'm loving the look of this pattern and can't wait to get them done so I can wear them. This is great fun, and my first time hopefully finishing a pair for the sock-a-long.

I also want to make myself a couple of sets of these. They are so cool, I just need to figure out a knitted version, but it shouldn't be too tough. I have some ideas I'm going to try out real soon.

I was also surfing the web and found some really neat needle holders and thought, I could make those, shoot I have a bunch of fat quarters I originally was going to make into a quilt that would work great. Now I just need to do it. I also found these really cool dpn holders that I'm now going to have to sew up.

Well off to bed I go, see you all tomorrow.

PS I officially finished my Calorimetry, I sewed on the button today.

It's very loud today.....

So today has been a day, lots of yelling and screaming (not all bad) but very loud. The tweedels are extra whiny today, I'm figuring they may be growing. Last night I think, no I swear, Se said "Whasthat" just like that. it was awesome and T missed it.

I'm nervous about doing the next part of my Mystery Sock there seems to be a lot of confusion, I'm going to be sure to put in a life line for the cuff. I'm going to switch to magic loop for the leg of the sock because I have the needles for it and I can actually do both socks on their own needles. Should be interesting :D.

I also want to knit another project but I have so many to do that I'm a bit overwhelmed as to where to start. I think I may dig out my calorimetry, although I could also start the mitts for my mom. I still don't know what socks to knit for my m-i-l, I'm going to have to measure her this weekend. Of course, getting her to stay still long enough to do this is near impossible but fingers crossed.

Tonight is my Shire's Business Meeting, and than off to knitting and I'm going to bring my spinning wheel and maybe even get a lesson. We'll see if I do this or not but I'll try. I also need to get the ingredients for a pie, of course I have no idea what I'm making yet, that's my next goal before I leave. So I'm off to do that and listen to my tweedles whiny away, oye I've got a headache.

Free Rice....

For Each word you get right, they donate 10 grains of rice to those in need, to end world hunger.

It's kind of fun and you get to help someone out, how cool is that.

I finished the fingerless mitts for my friend last night and woven in the ends today. I'll take pictures and post them soon. The yarn was a lot like a pencil roving, I could probably buy a ball and re-spin it. It actually split on me near the end, it pulled apart just like roving. You know now that I think about it, I may just do that.

I'm now in the process of deciding what to go forward with next.

• Fetching or similar for my mom
• Mystery socks for me
• Socks for m-i-l
• Calorimetry for me
• Calorimetry Repurposed for T in orange
• Tam for my mom
• Lace Scarf for my mom
• Cabled Scarf for Gran
• Scarves for Tweedels (Ro and Ra)
• Socks for Hubby
• Something for f-i-l
• Tie for my dad
• Itty-Bitty-Bears for the kids
• Shawl for sis

Most of this I would like to do before Xmas but I'm in serious doubt, for one I'm not working on the shawl until after the holidays. The socks for hubby are unlikely as well. Mom's scarf will be after I do the mitts and hat, for sure, and that leaves still a whole lot to do.

I guess that means I should get my butt (hands) knitting, and this will really be fun when I go to the dentist after Thanksgiving, yippie.

What am I going to say.....

So I'm going to write about the start of the mystery sock for the SKA group on Ravelry. I'm really liking the pattern but I'm hating my cast on and I might frog it and start over, it was too loose a cast on and left it kind of yucky looking. I'm thinking on it, at least it isn't too tight, maybe when it stretches it will look better. I'll probably cast on a second sock and see how it looks and if I still don't like the first one I'll then frog and reknit.

On another note, I'm also in need of working and finishing the latest pair of fetchings, I'm just kind of getting bored with the pattern, I think it's just that I've knit 2 pairs and I'm on my third. I was going to knit my mom a pair too, but I may do something different.

I'm supposed to get to go out and about today, but we'll see what happens, I'm thinking a coffee shop and some quite knitting is in order. Here's hoping.

Also, don't forget to change your clocks back one hour if you live in a place that does that. It's that time of year again.

I'm alive and I have FOs

Okay, I'm still not quite up to par from the weekend but I'm alive and "well". I've been pretty busy with Ren faire and family life. I've got two finished objects for you so hopefully that will appease the need for a long blog, I'm too tired to write too much, sorry.

Pattern: Fetching
Source: Knitty
Materials: Knit Picks Andean Silk | 55% Super Fine Alpaca, 23% Silk, 22% Merino Wool
Source: Purchased for this Purpose
Color: Pitch | Color Number: 23516 | Lot Number: 1491
Needles: US 6 (4.00 mm)( Knitpicks 24" Options circulars)
Started: September 17, 2007 (?) | Finished: September 21, 2007

These were gifted to my boss at the Renaissance Faire, Slugger.

Pattern: Tessellating Lace Socks
Source: Test Knit for someone from Ravelry
Materials: Knit Picks Essential Tweed | 65% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon, 10% Donegal
Source: Stash
Color: Flint | Color Number: 23861 | Lot Number: 4470
Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)( Knitpicks 32" Fixed circulars)
Started: July 26, 2007 | Finished: October 3, 2007

These will be a gift for the Holidays to come.

Update

So the monkeys are all down early today, they're all growing and grumpy and this mommy can only take so much. I'm also a little grumpy, dreaming too much, not enough sleep. Just one of those full moon nights. Had a friend from Ren Faire over for dinner, T and our guest got along well, good conversation was had. I made meatloaf with corn side and quick drop biscuits, mmmm. Want to buy more yarn really badly, but I'm holding back at least for the moment. I need to get some money into savings first. And I really want my kid tattoo.

I've been listening to a lot of Lime & Violet, I'm on March 2007 right now. I'm enjoying the podcast a lot and think you should all listen as well.

I've been knitting on the second sock, I've turned the heel and I'm working the instep now. I hope to be done by the end of next week. (I'm working on realistic goals)

Well, I should get to that.

Test Knitting Part 4

Very nice pattern must get working on the second one. I did most of this last night at Fiber Night with some ladies at G's house. It was nice to be kid free for awhile and to hang with Rach. We watched some Schoolhouse Rock! (it was the 30th Anniversary edition) and than Henry V. Good times. And I almost finished the sock, came home, took care of Se and went to bed. This morning when breakfast was happening I finished the toe (like 4 rounds) and kitchenered during nap time. And now it's done. Yea!!! Now to avoid the SSS

Test Knitting Part 3

This is before Fiber Night at G's, I'll be leaving in a little bit, here's hoping I finish.

Test Knitting Part 2

Well I'm done with the the chart and all looks good to me. I'm off to the heel. I decided to just do the two repeats of the pattern, one with the written out instructions and one with the chart. They fit well because I have big calves. I'm really loving this pattern and will definitely use again. I hope Kat is happy with how it is all turning out. I have to go email her now, I was lazy with the flickr and didn't size down my photos, so now I'm already at my download limit for the month because of the stash and my indecisiveness. (ooo, a $1.00 word)

Test Knitting Part 1

So I've been a wicked fast for me knitter lately, I started this on Thursday after knitting group and I'm done with the ribbing and one full pattern repeat. I'm test knitting this for someone I met on Ravelry, next up the chart instead of the written out instructions.

I'm using KnitPicks Essential Tweed in Flint.

Fate...

So a couple of weeks ago, T let me get out of the house and go to a spinning gathering at Color Crossing. The gathering was a different day, I was mis-informed, so shopping had to still happen. I bought a skein of Tofutsies in a lovely green and white color, I'm thinking knee highs, maybe knee high monkeys. Well even though the skein looks small it can actually get two socks from one ball, but I figured not two knee highs.

Fast forward...

Last night I went to the lace chart class at the Yarnery and I got a 10% off my next purchase, well I had to get something it was only good for a week. I know I'll get another ball of Tofutsies, but what dye lot, shit! Look at two different balls, eh, this one looks good.

Fast forward again...

I was just sitting here and thought I should check the dye lots, yup that's right, they are exactly the same. Freaky is all I can say. Now I don't know how the dye lots work on this yarn and if the whole market gets the same one but at the store I didn't see the dye lot number and thought they were like some acrylics and just all the same, but obviously not. Damn Lucky is all I have to say and I have some Monkeys to make.

A whole jumble of things

I finished my first pair of adult socks ever this morning, they are wonderful. Not by any means perfect, but none the less wonderful. I'll have pics when my Hubby comes home with the camera, it's of course in the van with him at work. They need a good washing anyway, I'm going to have to look up the directions for Sockotta.

I some how missed the coming out of the newest Kushiel Legacy book, so I promptly looked at the library website, no where in the system, so I purchased a discounted one off of Amazon. Now I probably shouldn't have because we just dropped just under $100 on books at B&N in Maplewood, one book for each girl, three for me (one knitting), and four for the hubby, oye. Anyway I should thank Julie for being so kind as to let me know that it was out on her blog, I need to stay up on these things you know.

T was gone last week, he seems to have had a good time, lots of good camp time. He said he wished the fighting had some things different but the time he spent in camp was great. I wish I could have gone but the monkeys aren't big enough and there is no convincing T that he maybe should wait until the kids are older instead of leaving me home with them from Tuesday thru Saturday. But whatever.

T got home and a 1/2 hour later I was off to go see Pirates at the theatre, I went to the 11:30p showing and got home by 4:15a, my friend Rach and I chatted for over an hour after the movie, it was great, but we need to find better times to have chat marathons. :D

Oh and let me swoon, yummy on the Johnny Depp is delicious.

And just for those who would like to know, this is the knitting book that I got yesterday.

Friday, Saturday, shopping, accosted

So we've been having a busy weekend and it's only half over. My hubby took Friday off so week could work on the house and we actually did. We painted trim, the corners in the 2nd kids room and worked on some garden stuff. Ju got some peat moss in her eye and had to be coddled for half the day, I can understand the hurt but she would giggle and then all of a sudden if you wanted her to do something, scream, cry, whine, grr. Anywho, then Jacque and Rachel came over, we did dinner and burned things (I just found out today we probably shouldn't have because of the dryness but we had a hose right there and watered around our off the ground fire pit). Then T got a call from his cousin Bill and he and Jacque went out to the "metropolis" of Hammond and had a few down at the bar.

Today, we slept in, or I should say T did and I attempted and failed. I messed around with the kids. T got up helped a little and than off to Menards/Fleet Farm again for things he forgot the day before, and he still forgot some things I picked up late tonight (or should I say yesterday since its past midnight, nah haven't been to bed yet still Saturday in my head). T cut some trim to put in the room only to not have enough painted and/or painted properly, argh. I did some grocery shopping in the town over, came home, had to run back I had forgotten the charcoal for the grill. Came back home again and made my first batch of potato salad, and if I don't say so myself, it wasn't too bad. The potatoes were a little over done, but what can I say, I kept getting distracted by children. After dinner we played outside for a bit to really wear the kids out and Ju got to watch the end of Godzilla, she told Matthew Broderick's character to stay away from Godzilla, I believe her words were, "Get back", I'll have to ask T. Super Cute, she is talking so much now. When she was done with that she gave kisses and went to bed, I don't know what T did because I left.

I got to leave the house by myself. I know you may need to sit down after that one. I ran over to Woodbury, near where I go for knit night on Thursdays, I went to see if the new yarn shop was open but it wasn't and then I went to Borders to drool all over books. I purchased Knitting Vintage Socks for myself, The Knitter's Companion for my sister as a going away gift (more about that in a minute), a book for Ju and the crew on words, definitions, and pictures all together, and a couple blank books. Then one round on the sock since I'm a putz and had spent all my time debating what book to buy since the ones I really wanted weren't there. Over heard some crazy discussions while knitting said round. It went something like this:

Bleached Blonde High Schooler (BBHS): "I just realized the other day that I'm not the center of the universe." [this is to her friend]

Some other rather load chatter from across the room and just so you all know I was completely across the cafe when she was speaking of this.

Up stands two cute young girls to leave (not the two HS that are talking). One leaves, the other gets up to go talk to BBHS, we'll call her Super Christian Girl (SCG).

SCG: "Hi, I'm ___ I just wanted to ask you, are you Christian. Because I saw you smile at me when I walked in and just new that you were."

BBHS: "Yes" and than she gets really quiet and I can't really hear the conversation, which is fine with me. I know it was something about school, church, and names but other than that just garble.

SCG leaves, I smile nicely when she makes eye contact, out stage left/front of the store.

BBHS and friend get up and talk about what just happened giggling.

I get up to wrap said sister's gift, I was thinking of doing this while they chatted.

I'm wrapping, thinking I'm free and clear, when SCG and friend come back in to ask who, ME.

SCG: "Are you Christian?" blah blah (something else can't quite remember)

Me: "Nope, I was when I was younger though" (Dumbass shut up, this is to myself)

SCG: "What were you?"

Me: "Lutheran but I don't do Church anymore"

SCG: "Oh, I was Lutheran but now I'm Episcopalian" then something about going to her church and my interest, I'm not listening very well because I'm trying to find an out.

Me: "No thanks, I don't think so"

SCG: "Oh, well I'll pray for you"

Me: "Uh, thanks." (thought, yeah um just don't, too polite to say that)

SCG and friend really leave and I damn near run to the car so I'm not accosted again.

Now don't get me wrong, you believe what ever you want to believe, but I don't want to know. I keep mine to me and you keep yours to you and we'll be great, shoot I'm not even going to say what my beliefs are here because none of you probably care and I'd rather talk about knitting but I need to get this off my chest. Oye friggin' vay. I just seem to attract the extremes of a crowd, this isn't my first time someone has tried to get me to go to church, and when in the hell did smiling start equaling being Christian, I mean really can't I just be nice. I don't get it. And it isn't just Christians other religious groups and even political groups have tried to sway me, I guess I'm just too stubborn.

After Borders I did a quick run to Walley World and then came home, I really dislike it when the move things around, you can't just get in and out quickly, you have to search. And Borders and Walley World moved things around on me, grrr.

Anywho, tomorrow's another busy one, I'm supposed to get to sleep in, we'll see. Then T goes to do his working out and than off to my 'rents for a going away party for the sis. I can't believe it but I'm going to kind of miss her, especially the free babysitting :D.

Chat with you later, oh and I may be adding a pic link thing to my sidebar with the books on knitting I own and/or would like to own.

Things recently purchased . . . .

Lil' Monster sign for the house(How appropriate, eh)


Thrumkin Dolls for the kids


Sock Knitting Bag for me


I also ran to Joann's yesterday and purchased a carrier for my sewing machine.