Another Knitting Blog

2008-02-29T17:24:00.000-08:00

I was in the kitchen when I turned around and saw this

Could it have been this that he was so eager to see?

Dan kept asking to go to the park 2 times today, once in the afternoon, and then again with Jack got out of school. I should have done that, because it was so nice and sunny and around 49 degrees out.

I didn't want to go 2 times, so I told him to wait till his brother got out to school. And of course, as soon as school got out today, it clouded up and started raining a few minutes after we got to the park.

How to be annoyed and laugh at the same time

2008-02-29T13:25:00.001-08:00

Jackson(6yo): You're not making me and Mama happy

Danny(4yo): I'm making me happy

Starting Over

2008-02-28T12:58:00.000-08:00

I seem to forget that I even have a blog.

Today I am going to basically start over here. I'm not going to delete any of my old posts, cuz I've done that before and regret not having those to look back on.

I'm not going to put any rules for myself here. No 'post everyday/week/month' type thing, no 'only family/knitting/pictures' type thing either. I think that might be part of the reason I don't keep this updated. I'm not sure where I want to go with this, so just don't do anything at all.

Today I started a couple of project 365's.

I am going to be taking a picture of my knitting everyday. Even if I hadn't made any progress on anything, I've got plenty of WIP.

I also started Project 365. I'm hoping this will get me to take more pictures and I'll start to learn a bit more as I go about taking good pictures. I know I don't have a great camera, it's pretty old by digital camera standards, but it's what I have to work with and it does work.
And I'm going to start taking a picture of the boys everyday. Doing whatever, just as long as they are both in the picture.

This is the one that I'll love going back and looking at. You never really notice them growing each day, but when you go back a couple of months, there is such a huge difference.
It'll also help me chronicle each day's events. Let us look back and go 'Oh yeah, we did ____ that day'

And hopefully a side effect of this will be me keeping the place alittle bit cleaner, since I don't want a mess to be shown in public.

2007-11-01T14:04:00.000-07:00

Hope Everyone had a good Halloween!

2007-10-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

I'm not very good at keeping this thing updated, and I get so annoyed when other bloggers don't update everyday. Hypicritcal much?

Knitting wise, I do update my Ravelry.

I have been knitting socks. Halloween socks.

Mine:

I am now working on Dan's:

I've casted on for the second sock, so hopefully he'll have a pair by this weekend and i can start on his brothers.

I knitted a hat out of the Manos my One Skein Pal sent me. I tried and tried to knit up Greenery but after trying 5 times, it just wasn't ment to be. I do plan on knitting this hat one day, but maybe in an easier yarn.

I started on the Moderne Log Cabin Blanket from Mason-Dixon Knitting in plain old Read Heart, but no pictures yet. I got about 1/2 way done with I desided to start over with the center square bigger. I want this to fit our queen bed.

I've also been slowly workin on Branching Out in the yarn I dyed using Kool-Aid. I love this pattern, and try to knit 1 repeat a week. I think I'll use it as a christmas gift, but unknown for who yet.

And still plugging away at Wimbledon. I'm not to far from finishing it.

I've been going to the Wednesday Knitting group (Eastside Stitchers) I love this group. I had to miss it lastnight because I had to pick Kevin up at the airport.
That's it for knitting. Every once in awhile, I'll for a week without knitting anything.

On a personal note:
Still looking for a job. I had an interview at Staples yesterday, and I am to come back on Saturday to talk to the District manager. Might work in the copy center. I would really like to work at starbucks, but we'll see how this goes and I can still apply at SB.

Kevin just got back from Chicago. Was strange to not have him around. But we did alright. Tonight Jack's school has a Costume party tonight.

2 weeks ago, I spent the weekend cleaning our place. Did the Fly Lady Crisis Cleaning and it worked well. I've been able to keep it up these last 2 weeks as well. Makes everyone happier I think. I just feel werid. I don't have all this junk and mess around me, so I don't know what to do with myself. Before I could come up with tons of stuff to do instead of cleaning, the procastination master here. Now that there's nothing to procastinat, I feel bored, like I've got nothing to do.

I haven't been able to wear my wedding rings lately. I developed an allergy to the metal in my rings awhile ago, and I've been coating the insides with clear nail polish. I lost the nail polish and the old coat has worn down. I can't even wear them for a little bit, after an hour, my finger gets all ichy and red.

Dishcloth anyone?

2007-08-20T15:08:00.000-07:00

The one that started it all:
For my SIL for her birthday. She loves blue.
For my MIL, just because she's awesome. She loves purple. unknown, I just love the color combo. I think I'll give it to a friend.

Feather & Fan Dishcloth by Linda Smith from Dishcloth Boutique All in Lily Sugar 'n Cream

What to do next

2007-08-17T12:18:00.001-07:00

So with Sockapalooooza Four over and done with, I've been getting some other stuff done that was promised.

Lace-Edged Women's Hat by Julie Hentz from Head Huggers
In LionBrand Microspun in Blush.

My SIL's mother has cancer again, so she had asked me to knit her mum up a hat. She picked out the pattern.
I hate knitting with this yarn, so splinty, but I loved the color and the feel. Microspun is so soft and silky. Worth it. Took me 3 days to knit this up, since allot of life stuff happened in those days (got laid off)

Then I got to work on a hat my brother asked for awhile ago.

So we now have Mario, Luigi and Wario.

This was based off the Topi by Jennifer Tallapaneni from Knitty, Spring 2006
I used some LionBrand Cotton I had in the stash I had planned on using to make a sunflower washcloth for my SIL one day. Have pleanty left over for the washcloth.

So now that I have these items done and given, what should I work on now? I've got 3 WIP that need to be finished....and they are:

My mum's clogs. I am almost finished with these. Just have to knit up the 2nd sole and bumper. I haven't done this because it requires me to wind up the yarn from a skein, and I don't a swift, so it's a pain in the butt.

then there are the socks:

meh, I don't think I like knitting 2 socks at once, and I have converted to Magic Loop for all round knitting. I'm at the guesset on these, so really shouldn't take long to finish. I've desided to give these to my Sister when they are finished.

Embossed Leaves by Mona Schmidt from Favorite Socks in Trekking (XXL)

and last but not least

Wimbledon by Alison Hansel from MagKnits, July 2006
This has the most work that needs to be done. I started this so long ago, it would be nice to have it finished, but I know the others would take less time.

Not sure which I should pick up next. I want these done before I start anything new.

What to do, what to do.

OMG

2007-08-10T01:02:00.000-07:00

I was at work when Kevin messaged me that a package arrived for me. I got all excited because I figured it was either the Kindergarden info for Jackson or it was my sockapalooza package.
Kevin said it wasn't from a school, so I knew.
It was so hard to sit at work for several more hours.

Now normally, when I get home, the 1st thing I do is go and check on the boys. Give them kisses or cuddle them. Oh no, not tonight. Went straight for the back room. The boys won't know, they're sleeping.

I almost cried when I opened up my box.

1st there was this

The silver package has a sticky note on it that reads:

Open, Savor, & Refridgerate.
Knitter's Emergency Kit

and in it?

This:

Chocolate from inside Union Station in DC.

And look at these:

Koigu KPPPM, Embossed Leaves Socks.
Funny thing is, I was knitting this pattern up for myself, but it's been put on the back burner. I had already changed my mind and was going to give the ones I was knitting to my mother or sister whenever they were finished.
I'm so happy with these. I Love the color, the feel, the look....everything about them.

But what made me almost cry?

You see that pink and green?
This is yarn that I have been wanting since I started knitting 2 years ago. The colors...OMG, the colors. Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Knit Happens.

Liz how did you know? I mean, I go months without posting on here, yet you got the one yarn that I have been wanting above all others.
Wow.

I want to knit this up now, but I don't either. It' so beautiful. I keep petting it, smelling it, rubbing it against my face.
I'm so giddy, I don't think I can go to sleep.

Sockapalooza 4 socks are done

2007-08-09T13:44:00.001-07:00

So, I had thought my pal said she didn't like lace. But as I was reading her blog, she had been knitting lace socks, so I went and got my pals info again, and there was NOTHING there about not likeing lace. I don't know what I thought I had read.

Snowflake Lace Socks from Magknits by Melanie Berney.
LOVE this pattern. Love Love Love Love LOVE this pattern.

Knitted this Magic Loop style on size 2 (3.00 mm) 32"
Knit Picks Bare in Superwash

Soaking in warm water
Mixing the Dye Chartreuse, Yellow Sun and Sky Blue Done, hanging out to dry
Close up

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

2007-05-26T11:50:00.000-07:00

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

You appear to be a Knitting Adventurer. You are through those knitting growing pains and feeling more adventurous. You can follow a standard pattern if it's not too complicated and know where to go to get help. Maybe you've started to experiment with different fibers and you might be eyeing a book with a cool technique you've never tried. Perhaps you prefer to stick to other people's patterns but you are trying to challenge yourself more. Regardless of your preference, you are continually trying to grow as a knitter, and as well you should since your non-knitting friends are probably dropping some serious hints, these days.http://marniemaclean.com
Take this quiz!

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

I agree with this, I love learning new things. That would have to be on the top of the list of reasons I like to knit.

Pattern found, but color?

2007-05-22T12:29:00.000-07:00

I found the pattern I'm going to use for my Sock Pal.

Little Child's Sock (links to an image on flickr) from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush.

My pal doesn't like lace, and I don't want to do plain stockinette stitch.

I plan on dying the yarn for my sock pal. She loves color, so I can do whatever I want.

So, should I do a solid color? Different shades of the same color? Multi colors?

Which colors?

This is the problem with not giving any specifics. I'm guilty of this for my pal. I said to do whatever. I guess for me, I sort of want my pal to use her/his favorite colors. Sort of putting their mark on the socks they knit for me.

And just so it's not a pictureless entry:

Danny Jan'07

Update on Embossed Leaves

2007-05-15T11:16:00.000-07:00

I am now starting the 3rd repeat on the leg.

These are not for my sock pal, but for myself. I've saved this yarn (Trekking XXL color 107) for just this pattern.

Knit on 2 circulars. These needles were giving to me by my Sockapaloooza pal from last year. I still wear the socks she knitted me all the time. I wear them about 2-3 times a week (they get washed as soon as I take them off)

1st Foray into Coloring

2007-05-15T11:03:00.000-07:00

Knit Picks Bare - Merino Wool Fingering Weight
3 Packs Cherry Kool Aid
2 Packs Strawberry Kool Aid

Growing

2007-04-14T19:40:00.000-07:00

Boys got haircuts today, and Jack lost his 1st tooth!

Bacon Wrapped, Stuffed Chicken Breasts

2007-04-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

Recipe

changes: no walnuts, used Feta instead of goatcheese

Sooo yummy, will make it again

what i've been up to

2007-04-12T15:49:00.000-07:00

Link filled update

2006-07-06T20:59:00.000-07:00

Still no pictures.

I am almost done with Kajta. However the person I was making it for when on bed rest and I won't see her for a couple of months. By them, her little girl will have outgrown it.

I'm still trying to finish that second sock for my mom, but not going so well. I kept getting a head ache on the bus today when I pulled it out to knit on it. I see my mom on Saturday, and I don't think I can knit up a sock in 2 days. I'm only at the end of the cuff so far.

I need to get the yarn for the Wimbledon for my MIL's birthday. And I think I'll start in on a scarf for the Think Pink. I'm thinking of doing the
Wavy. I did 2 of them from Christmas presents last year. I've got some nice Pink Cascade 220 that will be perfect for it.

2006-07-03T14:18:00.000-07:00

Again, no pictures, no update

the computer had to be rebuilt, and the camera software never got reinstalled and now the camera cord has been moved to the imac so I have to wait for hubby to upload the pictures on his computer so I can transfer them over to mine.

I've got updates on knitting, just don't have the time.

I did the felted tote from One skein and couple of wash cloths for my mom, she moves into her new place at the end of the month, and then a sock for her, working on the other, and did a baby boldo, again from One Skein and am now working on Katja from knitty. Almost done with that. Then I plan on working on Winbledon from my MIL's birthday in August.

I'll do a better post later, or this will never get up.

Sockapalooozer no more!

2006-05-30T22:12:00.000-07:00

Here they are. All wrapped up and on their way. Hopefully, Jennifer will get them by the end of the week.

Think Pink

2006-05-28T15:20:00.000-07:00

The socks are finished. I've got them all wrapped up and in a box ready to ship on Tuesday. I'll be sending some extra stuff for being so late. I feel so rotten for taking so long in finishing these. I'm not sure I will join the next one. I know it's far off, and it wasn't really the part of knitting the socks. It's just that I am such a horrible procrastinator.

With that being said, I've just joined this

I figure I can get at least 1 pink scarf knitted up by Sept. My best friend's mother died this last year to breast cancer. Wanda was such a tough woman, I never really thought she'd die from cancer. I always thought she'd beat it. The worse part for me was that I couldn't be there to give Nance a hug and cry with her.

Sockapaloooza Socks received

2006-05-18T13:05:00.000-07:00

I received my socks yesterday but was at work, so wasn't able to open them up till this morning.

I LOVE them. They are perfect.

Check 'em out

The color is perfect, and the length of the leg and cuff are perfect. I don't want to take these off.

All the socks I've knitted (2 full pairs and 1/2 of another) have been for someone else. I think my next pair will have to be for me, these are wonderful!

Thank you so much Diane, these are everything I had hoped for.

Knitting To Do

2006-05-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

1. FINISH Sockpaloooza Sock!!!
2. Baby Bolero in Heather Blue
3. MIL Mother's Day Socks
4. Mom Mother's Day Socks (or bag)
5. FIL Birthday Socks
6. Dozen Cupcakes for niece
7. Bag for MIL
8. My stargazer lily socks

And some unrelated pictures (2 year old throwing fit)

Joining

2006-04-27T00:53:00.000-07:00

I'm not to sure I want to get started in all the joining along in a bunch of exchanges. I'm doing the sockaploooza, I've done the Dishcloth exchange, and now I've gone and joined the One Skein Secret Pal exchange.

I couldn't help it, it's such a cute button, and I wanted it on my blog

Pixie

2006-04-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

Sockapaloooza Cuff's Done

2006-04-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

I'm knitting them up at the same time. I can't afford to get second sock syndrome here. Only a couple of weeks to go, and with being sick, kids and work, I don't want to risk it.

I decided to do my own design. I really wanted to do something that I didn't have to think to much for, and following a pattern would have been perfect. But all the ones I wanted to do were a bit complicated. I want something pretty, but not complicated. So I'm doing a mock cable pattern.

I am thinking for the heel, I'll do the traditional heel flap, but want to do a line of mock cables down the center of the heel, but unknown how to do that with the sl1, k1 heel. Got a few days to figure that one I suppose.

I want to learn the magic loop/knitting 2 on the same circular needle, but don't really have the money right now to go out and get one. We just got 6 tickets for Day out with Thomas for $114. That hurt.

Baby Bolero completed

2006-04-17T12:58:00.000-07:00

The Front

The Back

I think I need to work on my Yarn Overs. They never seem to be as big as they should.

Yarn: Cascade 220 - threw away the band, no idea the color)
Pattern: Baby Bolero from One Skein
Notes: I didn't get gage, but it's close enough. It calls for 18 sts per 4", and I got 20 sts per 4". I also didn't do it in the order it is written. I knitted up one sleeve, seamed it in, then did the edging and then did the last sleeve. I was impatience to see it with the edging. I hate it curling up.
With this pattern I learned: Provisional cast on, Backstitch, and mattress stitch. I LOVE learning new things!

Sock Yarn!

2006-04-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

My Knit Picks order came in today!

Clockwise from top - Sock Garden in Hydrangea, Sock Garden in Star Gazer Lily and Simple Stripes in Sweettart

This one is for my sockpal. Isn't it prudy? She said "My favorite colors are purple, blues, greens." It doesn't have any greens or blues, but it's all shades of purple and some pinks

Now I have to choose a pattern. I've got 2 weeks to knit them up, and I really want to do Pomatomus from Knitty. The ones I've seen on other's blogs are so pretty, but I don't want to do anything to complicated yet, since this will be my 2nd pair of socks knitted (don't really count jacks socks, they were small)
Or maybe I'll just do a mock cable pattern for it. I need to finish my Baby Boldro from One Skein. Just have to seam up the last sleeve, I already did the edging.

Diagnosis

2006-04-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

Moderate obstructive sleep apnea, chronic, ICSD code: 327.23 severe in frequency but with only mild desaturations.

Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) is 53.5
AHI supine: 38.7
AHI REM: 31.0

The explanation of Terms says:

AHI: apena-hypopnea index; number of times you stopped breathing per hour of lseep
Partial and complete cessations of breathing have the same health effects.
(Sleep apnea is mild 5-15, moderate 15-30 and severe if >30)

So my AHI is 53.5, which according to the explanation is severe, but they diagnosised me as Moderate.

Well, either way, it's been diagnosised and now we can work on fixing this and getting me some REAL sleep!

Move UP, not DOWN

2006-04-12T23:49:00.000-07:00

Okay, seriously. What is wrong with me?

I was just reading in the Yarn Harlots new book about gage.

It was written out for me.

If I want less stiches per inch, then move UP in the needles, NOT DOWN.

When will my mind not be so muddled with all the tiredness?

I totally blame it on that. I am so tired all the time, doesn't feel like I get any sleep, I feel as if I am in a fog all the time.

That sleep study better show something is up and how to fix it!

Baby Bolero

2006-04-12T20:39:00.000-07:00

I'm currently working on this:

It's from One Skein. I'm going to do 2 of them, one in each color. Cascade 220 from my stash (x-mas gifts)

Let me tell you, the cast on....*sigh*

I did it over 10 times, and it turns out I did it right from the beginning. It just didn't look right till after a few rows were knitted.

These will be for co-workers babies. One is already here, and the other is due in June/July.

I took the heathered blue with me for my sleep study on Monday night. Of course, I didn't bring the stitch holders, measuring tape or anything other than the needles, yarn and pattern. I'm not the most organized person.

I just measured what I had knitted already, and I was getting 20 st per 4", and I should be getting 18 sts. So I ripped it out and switched down a size in needles.

I'm so excited. This will be my 1st sweater type thing I've knitted.

Oh yeah, check out our newest family member. Peanut named him 'Bloo'

He really likes Nugget.

Nugget and I were 'dancing' (2 year old in mamma's arms spinning around to Jazz) in the living room this morning and Bloo was swimming about like he was dancing with us.

Long time

2006-04-04T17:56:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to log in for about a week now, but couldn't remember my log in or my password. I tried the whole send-me-my-login-thing, but I guess I have several blogs on here over the years, and this one isn't listed with my hotmail address. Must be my gmail, which I check once every 6 months.

It's a good thing I just remember the login out of the blue though, cuz I was about to quit and start a new one.

So onto the update.....

I did finish my socks in time, barely. My MIL wears them, which I think is way cool!

I knitted 1 red sock for Peanut, but still working on the second. Got a bad case of SSS.

**Update**

Finished his socks. Will take a picture later

**end Update**

I just finished the Felted Bucket Hat in a rosy Pink in Cascade 220. I'm loving it.

I tried my hand at Intarsa. I tried to knit up a Benie had in Duke colors with a big D on the front and Duke on the side. It's alright, but not what I was going for. I did the math wrong for the gage, and it turned out to be a wee bit to big. Which was fixed by seaming it up.

I'd better post this or it will never get posted.

I'll update later with a bit more

Almost done!

2006-02-26T08:51:00.000-08:00

according to the Yarn Harlots count down timer, I've got 2 hours and 5 mins left.

I'm on the toe decresses for the 2nd sock. So just a few more rows and grafting and I am done!!

I'm at work, so I can't post any pictures till tonight.

I was up till 12:30 last night knitting in bed, knowing I had to get up early for work. Blah

1 down, 1 to go

2006-02-19T09:24:00.000-08:00

The first sock is DONE!!!

Pictures to come

You are Merino Wool.You are very easygoing and sweet. People like to
keep you close because you are so
softhearted. You love to be comfortable and
warm from your head to your toes.

What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by

For you babe

2006-02-14T16:52:00.000-08:00

2006 Knitting Olympics Day's 1-3

2006-02-13T08:48:00.000-08:00

The Start of Friday

The end of Day 1

The end of Day 2

The end of Day 3

Some of the problems I had:
These were suppose to be for my husband, however I made them to small. How is that possible? Well...
#1. I didn't do a swatch
#2. I didn't use the right yarn the pattern called for
#3. He's a big guy
So now they are gonna be mine. He wanted crew sock length, and I had already started on the heel flap before trying them on him, so I wasn't about to go back and frog it cuz I was doing the slip 1, knit 1 heel and I haven't had the greatest luck with frogging that and pick it back up again.

Other problems:
I started out using the pattern for the Tech Guys socks. It called for sport weight, but I was using fingering weight. But I didn't bother to swatch and wasn't really 'worried' so I just casted on for the large size man - 60 sts

Everything was going good until when it came to turn the heel. I read the patterns instructions for The short-row heel, went 'huh?' and switched over to the Original Pattern for the yarn. Problem is, I had 60 stitches, and their pattern called for 56. Not a big deal if you've knitted a pair of socks before, but I haven't. I didn't have any idea how any of this worked or where things lay.
It took some trial and error, but I figured it out!

I'm on my way to finishing my 1st sock!!!

I can't believe I turned the heel!!

Commenting

2006-02-07T13:21:00.000-08:00

I'm noticing that I have started commenting on other blogs. Typically I just read and don't comment, mostly cuz what I have to say has been said about 10 times already.

So, if you start getting comments from me, it's a good indication that I've been reading you for awhile. And if no comment, I'm probadly reading anyway, you just get allot of comments and I don't want to repeat what is already said.

Dishcloths

2006-02-06T11:49:00.000-08:00

I joined a Dishcloth KAL yahoo group last month. I really like it and I needed some motivation to knit up some dishcloths.

Here are a few that I've been working on.

This was this months Theme KAL, I really liked it. I might knit up another one and give it to my MIL and maybe another to send to my Great Great Aunt....mmmm.

We are also doing an exchange, which I really like. My person has her kitchen colors listed as Teal and Plum, so this was the closest colored yarn I could find. I love the color and how it turned out. I did the Mock Cable pattern, which uses allot of yarn. I don't have much left, so I'm gonna have to go and get another ball of it so I can make myself one.

I also made one for my MIL, who is awesome and requested one.

She's English (well, she's been here for over 30 years, but she still has the accent, so I still consider her English) and drinks tea, so I thought this was perfect.

Well, gotta to, the boys lunch is on the stove.

Pattern for Amy Bag

2006-02-03T12:30:00.000-08:00

Please forgive me if I didn't explain anything correctly. I've never written a pattern before and I didn't take notes when I knitted this up. I've only been knitting for 5 months.

Materials
2 skeins of Cascade 220
For a longer strap, another skein will be needed

1 16-Inch Circular 10-1/2 Needles
1 set 10-1/2 double point Needles

1 Stitch Marker
Tapestry needle

I didn’t do a gauge, sorry

I started with the bottom of the bag, picked up stitches for the sides and then knitted in the round, bound off the front, knitted up the handle, then did the flap.

Bottom of Bag
CO 56 sts.

Knit 34 rows in garter st.

Pick up 16 sts on the left edge of the bottom, then pick up 56 sts on the cast on edge, then pick up another 16 sts on the last side.
(Total stitches – 144)

Sides
Place marker and join picked up sts and begin working in the round.

Knit 64 rows (in stockinette st)

At marker, Bind Off 56 sts
Place next 16 st on DPN
K54 sts
Place last 16 st on DPN

Leave 56 sts on circular needle, you will come back and knit the flap after the Handle

Handle

On the side where your yarn is still attached, knit 16 sts in St st (knit right side, purl wrong side) until it’s at the length you want.

Unfortunately, I did not measure or count my rows, so this will be based off of what you want. Keep in mind, you need to save enough yarn to knit your flap. So unless you have a 3rd skein of yarn, don’t make it too long.

When you get to your desired length, use kitchener st (grafting, or weaving) to graft these 16 sts to the other 16 sts on other side of bag.

Flap

Rows 1-57: Stockinette st (knit right side, purl wrong side)
Rows 58-62: Garter st
Row 63: Bind Off

I did a I-cord for the loop and attached to the middle of the end of the flap.

Weave in ends.

Felt
I had to felt this 2 times to get it to the size I wanted. Please, keep checking so it doesn’t get to small.

Block
I used the 5th Harry Potter book (wraped in a plastic bag) to block the bag.
Don’t be afraid to pull and stretch to fit.

Pull and pin flap of bag to match the width of the bag.

Let dry.

Notes:
I used a felted join, so there were not many ends to weave in.

Abbreviations

Kitchener st (grafting), Felted Join, Knitting in the Round and Picking Up Stichtes

2006-01-30T20:10:00.000-08:00

Four movies you would watch over and over:
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (I’ll count that as one too)
Jumping Jack Flash
Bio-Dome
Army of Darkness

Four places you have lived:
Porterville, CA
Issaquah, WA
Seattle, WA
Bellevue, WA

Four TV shows you love to watch:
CSI
Without A Trace
Criminal Minds
Firefly

Four places you have been on vacation:
Rockaway Beach, OR
Disneyland
Disneyworld
Maui, HI (high school field trip)

Four websites you visit daily:
MSN
Google
Comics
Launch

Four of your favorite foods:
Orange Chicken (LOVE you Chinese food)
KFC Honey BBQ Wings WITH Bones
Baked Garlic & Herb Chicken
Chicken Bacon Ranch Sub from Subway

Four places you would rather be right now:
Home in bed cuddling with Jackson
Sitting on the couch at home knitting and watching a movie
Relaxing in a Hot Tub
Game night at Barbs

Four bloggers you are tagging:

Barb
Dee Jay
Katie
Angie

Amy's Bag is Finished

2006-01-30T14:29:00.000-08:00

The Finished bag.

I used 2 skeins of Cascade 220. I had maybe 3 inches of yarn left.
1 of dark purple, the other in a light purple.

I would have done it all in the dark, but didn't plan on it taking so much yarn.

I LOVED making this. I'm so proud of myself.

AND I found the perfect button:

I had to felt it twice to get it down to the size I had wanted.

the first felt:

the second felt:

Sill Working on the Christmas Knitting

2006-01-30T09:31:00.000-08:00

I don't update much because I don't want to unless I have a picture. And it takes me forever to actually get around to uploading the pictures to the computer....Hence the reason why there are such huge gaps in entries.

however, my needles have been busy.

my last project finished in 2005 was this:

Winter Femme by Diana. I used Lionbrand Wool-Ease in Rose Heather. This was part of the Christmas present for my baby sister.

I started it Christmas eve night, right before bed (just did the ribbing) and the rest of it was done on Christmas day. I wasn't able to get it done by the time my sister left that night. I finish did about an hour later.

This was my 1st cable project and I LOVE it. I love the way Diana writes her patterns, with little check boxes for each row and very easy to read.

But I don't think my sister will like the way it points up, so I'm going to frog back the very top and do a bunch of decreases to flatten it out a bit...So this isn't really done.

But isn't the cables super cute? I LOVE just looking at it.

Another Christmas present I finally finished is the scarf for my brother:

Wavy from knitty

I used Wool-Ease again. I can't remember the name of the color. It's an olive green.
This turned out soo soft.

This took forever because I was working on my SIL's wavy at the same time, but then just concentrated on this one to finish it. It's very long and I love the way it turned out.

This one is for my SIL. I figured I've give them matching scarves since they got married this last year. My brother looks really good in the green and it matches his eyes. And this blue is her favorite color.

Isn't that the prettiest blue you've ever seen? I'm on the 7th repeat of 9. So I'm almost done with it.

and last but not least, I designed a felted bag for my other SIL's birthday (a few weeks late).

I have felted it again since this picture. It's now the perfect size, big enough to put a Harry Potter book in it (that's what I used to block it). I need to add a button and I really need to get a sweater shaver (I think that is what it's called), cuz it's super fuzzy.

I'll post a picture and talk about how proud of this I am later when it's all finished.

Signing Up for Socks

2006-01-24T08:59:00.000-08:00

well, even though I haven't yet knitted a pair of socks, I've joined the sockapalooza AND am part of the USA Socks Team for the Knitting Olympics.

The 2006 Knitting Olympics

2006-01-16T12:28:00.000-08:00

Eligibility: Any knitter who, embracing the "Citius, Alitius Fortius" ideal, would like to challenge themselves while embracing the Olympic spirit, and is just whacked enough to play along with me.

Concept: You must cast on a project during the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics (Feb 10)- and finish before the Olympic flame goes out (Feb 26). That's 16 days.

Rules:
1. The project must be a challenge for you to complete in 16 days.
2. There are no rules about what a challenge would be. Like the real Olympics, there are many areas to compete in. If you are a new knitter, then a garter stitch baby sweater might do...If you are experienced, well. I've already considered Torino. Use your own conscience.
3. While this is intended to be somewhat difficult (like the Olympics) it is not intended to ruin your life. Don't set yourself up for failure. (Olympic athletes may cry, but they do not whine pitifully, sob and threaten members of their family with pointed sticks because they haven't slept in five days. ) This is intended to (like the Olympics) require some measure of sacrifice, and be difficult, but it should be possible to attain.
4. No casting on before the flame is lit.
5. Finish before the flame goes out.
6. You may swatch before the games. (I consider this "training.")

OMG, I can't believe I'm gonna do this.

My Challenge will be a pair of Socks.

I am so scared, you have no idea how intimidated I am by knitting socks

Weekly Goals

2006-01-07T17:45:00.000-08:00

Goals for this week:

Knitting:
Finish Green Wavy and Blue Wavy
Finish Bag for Amy

Life:
Showered and Dressed before 10am
Take boys to Indoor Play at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center
Work full 40 hours
Cook planned dinners
attempt 1 workout this week
Check out apartment gym

2 years ago.....

2005-12-20T08:45:00.000-08:00

He came into our lives.

Little Nugget

In need of a mate

2005-12-13T14:50:00.000-08:00

1st Set of Christmas Gifts DONE

2005-12-13T14:46:00.000-08:00

clockwise from left:
Scarf in homespun for BIL
Scarf in homespun for SIL
Baby Booties for Nephew
Rose Hat for Niece

These Booties Are Made For Walking.....

2005-12-07T18:52:00.000-08:00

And that's just what they'll do

One of these days, these booties are gonna walk all over you.

Stuipd Jessica Simpson, adding a pig call to such a great song.

Deception

2005-12-06T14:59:00.000-08:00

They are NEVER this calm. Within seconds of this picture being taken, Dan was up and running. Jack is the sick one, and he's super whiny when he's not sleeping

Working on the Booties

2005-12-06T14:44:00.000-08:00

I've been working on Baby booties.

I forgot my stitch markers so I used some paper clips at work. Had to use my #5 double points as stitch holders too. So I was a bit unprepared for making them the other day. At least I had my needles and yarn!

Pictures of finished booties on the way

Linkage

2005-12-04T11:17:00.001-08:00

I don't have any pictures to post with this entry, since I'm at work and haven't uploaded the latest pictures.

I finished my niece's hat. I am so proud of it! I didn't use a pattern and got it the right size without doing a swatch. I used some Microspun I had bought awhile ago, and did a little rose at the top of it that I found in Knitting Over The Edge

Was very easy to make and it made it more girly.

I had picked up the Tea and Sympathy Shawl I've been working on for my SIL that I haven't knitted on for awhile.
Kevin and I were watching The Land of the Dead last night (not scary, just gory) and I decided to try and finish this thing, when I started making some stupid mistakes.

I know this pattern inside and out, since I've done 3 of them already. But I didn't increase when I should have and in the middle of a normal knit row, I did the wrap yarn over bit. So I'm just gonna frog the whole thing and make one of the Spiral Scarfs I had made my sister for her Birthday.

I left that at home and will work on that tonight (hopefully) but for now I brought the yarn and pattern for the Baby Booties I'm making my Nephew Mateo. They are the cute little blue runners on the cover.

So, can you tell that I figured out the neat little button for linking?

Birthday knitting

2005-12-01T12:30:00.000-08:00

Sucks to have a birthday in December. My little sister's birthday is on the 8th, so I knitted her up this really cute scarf.

I used Lion Brand Wool Ease in Rose Heather. The pattern called for homespun *shudder* and the moonlight mohair.

I think I might knit me one of these. So easy and cute.

The Pattern

SNOW!!!

2005-12-01T12:16:00.000-08:00

We've actually got snow today! I didn't believe we would, we rarely do when they say we will. It's getting really white out there too!

Look how big those snow flakes are!!

It's even more white now. This was just in the 1st 10 mins of it coming down

The sock

2005-11-16T11:02:00.000-08:00

I had started working a sock for Kevin. My first sock!

This is as far as I had gotten on it, about 1/2 way up the heel flap. (had actually gotten to the end of it, but dropped a stitch that I could pick up so I ended up frogging 1/2 way down)

I had put this down when I started working on the pumpkin hats and never picked it back up till Monday.

I ended up frogging the whole thing and starting over.

This time I am doing a 2x2 rib, and I LOVE the way it's turning out.

This is the easy part. Once I get past this, I have no idea what to do, I have directions, but just nervous. Socks intimidate me. I just have to remember to take it one stitch at a time.

Trying to knit with little ones running around is not a good thing. I noticed that I had done 4 purls on the last row. Now I'm tinking back, which sucks so much!

My knitting goals for this year was to be able knit a hat and a pair of socks....I've already done hats, so now I've got to get the socks done.
Next year will be a sweater. But I'm not near as nervous about a sweater as I am about socks.

Mario Hat

2005-11-15T14:21:00.000-08:00

Finished Jack's 'Mario' hat Sunday night.

Now, it looks nothing like Mario Bros. Hat, but since it's red, it's good enough for Jack.

This is what it looked like before felting.

The look on his face cracks me up everytime I look at it. He was so excited about it being done.

When I was felting it, he was telling me every 5 mins to check the wash.

He wouldn't go to sleep Sunday night until I put it by his bed.

Here is a front view of the hat after felting.

Here it is from the top.
All I have to do now is find a white piece of cloth and cut a circle and sew it on the front and then sew in a M in the middle of the white.

What 'Happy' looks like

2005-11-09T16:32:00.000-08:00

CHEEEEEEEEESE

Here it is

2005-11-09T14:06:00.000-08:00

It's done

It's done, and Christmas List

2005-11-08T12:18:00.000-08:00

I finished the HP scarf yesterday instead of going over to the new place and hanging stuff. But I have a finished scarf!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOOOOVE IT!!!

I'll have to post a picture later. After I took a picture of it, the batteries went out, so they are charging as I write.

I'm gonna make a list of what I want to knit for Christmas gifts:
Red and Bold - Have pattern AND Yarn

Jack: Mario Hat
SIL: Winter Femme
BIL: Winter Femme
Younger SIL: Fingerless Gloves/Wrist Warmers
FIL: Fuzzy Feet
Barb: Pink Leg Warmers
SIL: Blue Scarf
Brother: Green Scarf

I know that there are more things, but it's left open as I think/remember them.
I can't start on any of these till at least next week. I've packed up all my yarn and such and am going to take it over to the new place this afternoon so that I am not tempted to knit instead of pack.

Jack(and Dan) In The Box

2005-11-07T11:15:00.000-08:00

I've got 8 more rows to do and then the fringe!

I'll have a picture of it tomorrow.

I want to finish it today, but I've got to get some packing done. Which is next to impossible with the boys here.

This is what I ended up packing....

I want it done NOW!

2005-11-05T10:27:00.000-08:00

ugh. Don't get me wrong, I love the way the Harry Potter scarf is coming out, but it's taking FOREVER!!

I've realized that I am a product knitter. I want the finished product.

I've got 8/10 Red and 7.5/9 Yellow done.

I'm not gonna bother taking a picture of it, since it looks the same.

But I will post a picture.

The boys on Thursday morning, as we were leaving to drop Jack off at pre-school.

Yeah, Halloween is over and yet the decorations were still out. I just packed them away tonight.

Pumpkin Hats (FO)

2005-11-02T12:33:00.000-08:00

These things. I loved the idea, and I wanted to make one for both the boys and one for me.

The 1st one I made I followed the pattern. It turned out to be newborn size. Which was fine, I just gave it to a friend of my MIL who has a new grand-daughter.

Then I made one for Dan, then one for Jack, then my brother wanted one for his birthday. His took forever, cuz I was making it adult sized. ALLOT more work. But they turned out super cute when I added a leaf to the top.

I made these with good ol Red Heart acrylic yarn, and have enough left over for another one. Needless to say, that will be sitting in my stash for awhile.

Kevin's Socks (WIP)

2005-11-02T12:23:00.000-08:00

I've been reading Stephanie and getting inspired to knit some socks. Also, Kevin keeps asking me when I'm going to knit something useful.

This is as far as I've gotten, and I started back in august.

I'm on the heal flap of the 1st sock. I'm a bit intimidated by them. My goal in knitting was to be able to knit a pair of socks and a hat by the end of the year. I did the hat part already... So I've got to get back to work on these. After the HP scarf.

Mom's Shawl (FO)

2005-11-02T12:04:00.000-08:00

FO [Finished Object]

So this is the
Tea and Sympathy Shawl from Lion Brand that I made for my Mom's birthday.

I wish I got a better picture of the color. It's a nice olive/forest green with some burnt orange mixed in. Perfect Fall color. And since My mom's birthday was in the middle of Oct and her favorite color is green, it worked out just fine. I finished this back in August and still haven't given it to her. I haven't seen her. But that's a whole other story.

This was the 1st project I did from a pattern. I am quickly learning that even though something looks complicated, it's very easy if you just take it one stitch [from the pattern] at a time.

However, I would like to point out that Homespun sucks to knit with. I didn't realize how much till I started knitting with better stuff.

Jackson's Scarf (FO)

2005-11-02T11:55:00.000-08:00

This is one of my 1st projects. Jackson wanted me to knit him a scarf after he saw my 1st project. (I gave it to my Great Great Aunt before I took a picture)

Jack has yet to wear it, but he was happy with it. This picture doesn't really show the true color and you can barely make out the basket weave.

This is a much better picture. This is the true color and a better view of basket weave.

I did this one my own, before I realized that there was a 'basket weave' or how to do it. I saw a picture of a scarf like this and I was able to work it out.
I had done my first project in a seed stitch, so I understood the difference the knit and purl stitch did. I was pretty dang proud of myself, till I started to pay more attention to patterns and such, then I realized that it's a really simple, common type of thing. I'm still proud that I figure it out on my own.

Harry Potter Scarf (WIP)

2005-11-02T11:10:00.000-08:00

WIP [Work In Progress]

This is what I have been working on for the last week or so. I kept putting it on the back burner cuz I thought the movie didn't come out till around Christmas. Then about 2 weeks ago, I saw a preview for the movie on TV and saw it's actually coming out on Nov. 18th.

It is a really simple thing to knit, but it takes forever.

Want to see how long it is so far?

And it's only a little over 1/2 way!

When it is finished, it will be have 10 of the Red color blocks.

72 stitches per row
22 rows per color

let me put out the old calculator....

That works out to 30,096 stitches.

I had entertained the idea of knitting this again for someone, but forget it. Takes way to long and I have allot of other stuff I need to start on.

Just Starting

2005-11-01T11:18:00.000-08:00

I started knitting around august.

So far I've knitted:
1 Seed Stitch Scarf with loops at ends
3 Tea and Sympathy Shawls
1 kid size basket weave scarf
1 pair of Ruby Slipper Booties
4 Pumpkin Hats (lets just say I am DONE with doing Pumpkin hats for awhile

on the needles:
1st pair of socks (lion brand magic stripes) - For Husband
another Tea and Sympathy Shawl- for SIL
1st ever Felted project, Mario Hat - for 4 year old son
Harry Potter Scarf - for Me, Me, Me!! my first thing for myself

plans:
Winter Femme (from d-made.com) hats for SIL and her family (2 adults, 1 toddler and 1 newborn) (lion brand Wool Ease, Blue, Rose Heather)
Hot Pink Leg warmers for friend (Barb) (Bernat Sox, hot pink)
some type of thin long scarf for other SIL (red Lion Brand Micro Spun)
fingerless gloves - for me!, in the leftover Harry potter yarn I have (Bernat Satin, Crimson/Sunshine)

When I get back, I'll have to post pictures AND do some links since the kids are in the tub right now