07/13/2006
You old blockhead.
This is the scene at my dining room table. I am blocking 3 (count 'em, 3!!!) FO's as we speak. Wrap tank in Plum Patina Cotton Fleece. Somewhat Cowl in Olivette Cotton Fleece. One Skein Wonder in Rue and Truffle Cotton Fleece. Anybody see a theme here? Time for an intervention. I mean, really. Someone needs to cut me off of the Cotton Fleece. STAT. Remember the last FO? The halter top. What did I knit it with? Cotton Fleece, people. What else am I working on? Orangina. In Cotton Fine. Which is like switching from Lamb's Pride Burly Spun to Lamb's Pride Worsted. Not that different.
So, I am thinking that it would be fun to do a stitch marker swap. Any takers???? Let me know. I'll set it up.
17:33 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
06/17/2006
this is ridiculous!
I can't believe how long it has been since my last post. Inexcusable. Now, granted, life was REALLY crazy at the end of the school year for me, but that is still no excuse...
I have been busy, though. Unfortunately, I've not been busy with the Somewhat Cowl. I'm really not motivated to finish this item at this time. Literally, all I have to do is sew down the collar and I. Can't. Do. It.
Here's the rundown of what I've done instead:
I read Skinny Dip (by Carl Hiaasen) for a book club.
I started another one skein wonder. Cotton Fleece, Rue and Truffle. The ribbing will be in Truffle. 
I finished the Preteen Girl Dream Halter (Cotton Fleece, some victorian pink or something, with Stacy Charles Poppy), which may be too short. I'm thinking that if I get a thin orange cotton halter, I can layer like the middle schoolers do, which will solve all problems. 
I've started Orangina. Cotton Fine, truffle. Can you tell that A) I love Brown Sheep Cotton, and B) I need someone to make me stop using brown? 
01:50 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
05/14/2006
I've got the ADD...
... and can't a) slow down long enough to blog, and b) stay with one project long enough to complete.
So while I've been gone, I've been working on the Somewhat Cowl. It is Somewhat Completed, but still needs to be Somewhat Blocked and Tamed. 
I tacked the collar inside, and HATED it. It looked pretty wonky. I think after I block it, I may tack it down flipped over like a turtleneck. That seems to work better with the yarn I chose (Cotton Fleece in Olivette)
So last week I received some terrific Trekking XXL in the mail from Tam, my April Colorswap pal. I've decided to use it for the Jaywalker. Here's how it looks so far: 
I was sitting at my LYS yesterday working away, and all of a sudden my yarn gypsy ADD kicked in. I dropped my sock and started this: 
It is going to be the PreTeen Dream Vacation Halter. It looks like cotton candy and bubblegum ice cream. It is a little bit Pink Panther, and a lot Florida yard flamingo. It will have about 3 inches of 1x1 ribbing all the way around, and then turn stockinette in the front, but remain ribbed in the back. I'm using Cotton Fleece in Tea Rose, and some Stacy Charles Pansy in Reds (although it is more pinks and oranges). It makes me want to paint my toenails and chew some hubba bubba. Can't wait. TOTAL impulse purchase/project. Oh well. It is almost summer.
By the way, here's an action shot of the finished Hourglass. I love this sweater. I've been whining about the unseasonably cool spring we're having (it's been in the 40's more than once in the past 2 weeks!), but it did give me one last opportunity to wear wool without looking ridiculous... 
20:51 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (8) | Email this
04/18/2006
Planet Dog and the Colorswap Questionnaire...
First of all, some funny dog pics from the weekend... 
Zoe snuggling with her Loofa dog.
A dog's eye view of the world...
And now for the questionnaire.
These are always fun to fill out...
Are you crafty? I'd like to think so!! I have a craft room and everything!!
Would you enjoy things like: Buttons, ribbons and
embellishments? I definitely enjoy these things, but often forget to incorporate them into my projects.
Do you dye your own wool? I have done some Koolaid dyeing, but not extensively.
Do you like to scrapbook or make homemade cards? I like making my own cards.
What are your favorite scents? Lavender, warm vanilla sugar, brown sugar and fig, pumpkin
Do you like stationary and cards? Yes!! The funkier the better!
Do you like to sew or embroider items? Embroider--no. Sewing?? I've been eyeing the Amy Butler swing bag pattern, and I'm leaning towards buying and sewing it! So, eventually, I probably will begin to sew!
Do you like beads? I like beads, but don't use them very often.
What kind of candy do you like? Dark chocolate with peanut butter, real red swedish fish--like from the bins in the candy store.
Do you like hand lotions or soaps? lotion, yes.
Do you like to wear costume jewelry? Necklace,
earrings, bracelets etc. I love funky jewelry. My ears tend to flare up with fun earrings, but bracelets and necklaces are definitely fun!
Do you like to make/or use stitch markers? I TOTALLY use them, and have made a few as well. I am in love with the sushi stitch markers on amyville.com
Do you collect anything? weinerdogs
Do you have any allergies?: Smoke, food, fiber, pets,
etc. nope!
Do you have any hobbies? knitting, knitting, and knitting.
Do you like scented or unscented candles? scented!
Are you a fiber snob? um, yes.
Do you like to play cards or board games? YES, YES, YES!!!
Do you like neon colors, pastel, light or medium
ranges in the color of the month? any green (other than the heinous 80's neon) is great with me!
Do you like kitchen magnets or key rings? yes! again, the funkier the better!
Do you like picture frames? yes!!
22:45 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
04/14/2006
Orangetastic, and other stories...
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a finished object. Well, maybe. I may be completely anal retentive and re-sew down the neckband, because it may slant just a smidge. We'll see how it looks once I block it. But other than that? I. Love. This. Sweater. I love the yarn. Who knew that the orange would have hints of red and fuschia in it? Who knew that it would be so soft and cozy? Who knew that the shaping would hit each of my curves in EXACTLY the right place? I tried it on for the boyfriend, pre-3 needle BO, and his words, or word I guess, was "Wow."
I really enjoyed knitting this, because it was the PERFECT in-the-car knit for our weekend drive to Columbus, Ohio. Can't wait to wear it. But, considering the, as our weather man so eloquently put it, un-seasosnably warm weather that we are experiencing, it appears that waiting is what I will have to do. Nobody wants to wear long sleeves, ESPECIALLY wool ones, when it is 82 degrees outside...
I'm so proud of myself with this sweater, because I didn't cheat. At all. Well, maybe a little. I didn't start my next project, the Somewhat Cowl, until all that was left of the Orangetastic Hourglass was weaving in ends. For me, such an impressive feat. I am a little weirded out, however, that I am knitting Cotton Fleece on size 4's. Ick. I guess we'll see how it goes...
So, yet again, upon returning from the kennel, the girldog got sick. Violently sick. In the form of some real stinky diarrhea. And what was REAL shitty (pun TOTALLY intended) about it is this: as I'm cleaning it up with my little hand held spot steamer, the piece of crap (again, totally intentional use of wordplay) springs a leak in the tank. And the shitty water (literally) got sucked into the fan, which then sprayed it all back at me. And all over the clothes that were on the ground, waiting to be put away. So, I had to throw (literally) it in the trash, shower AGAIN, and make my way to Hell-mart (you might know it as Wal-Mart) and purchase another steam cleaner. On the bright side, this one works much better. Also on the bright side, it pays to be a worry wart with this dog. Last Christmas, she ate some turkey and got sick, and the vet gave me some stuff to put on her food. When I called freaking out yesterday, they said she had Colitis, and I could medicate her with the stuff I already had! So I dodged a vet bill on THAT one... YESSSS! So, after a day of being completely pathetic, she is back in action, chewing on her tag. 
Had a very lucrative day at the LYS... Brought in 2 projects that needed to be fixed. Both had been bound off, ends woven in, etc. One, too small. 
One, too big. 
The way "Too Small" was solved went something like this:
Me: Hey, look at this. It is too small.
Sandi, the Yarn Goddess: Try it on, because I think it will actually fit you.
Me: Look, it is tiny.
STYG: You are retarded. Block it a smidge bigger and it will fit you.
Problem: solved.
As far as Too Big is concerned, we simply ripped back a few inches on the strap. Yay. Two pink projects: done and done.
Also during my visit... Picked up some materials for the next few projects: 
The Cotton Fleece (Rue and Truffle) is going to be a striped One Skein Wonder. The Cotton Fine (Truffle. Hello, my name is Amanda and I am addicted to the color brown.) is going to be Orangina. I also ordered some Cascade 128 to make Starsky. I can't WAIT to start knitting with that--it is SO soft!
To end what is quite possibly the longest post ever written, I thought I'd share a little gift I brought back from Ohio for y'all--boyfriend's sister in law's recipe. I ate almost 2/3 of the pan. It is glorious.
Super delicious hot wings without the mess recipe:
1 brick cream cheese
1 cup thick bleu cheese dressing--like T. Marzetti's is a good one***
1/2-1 cup hot sauce (we had it with 1/2 cup--I'd probably kick it up to 3/4 myself, but I tend to be on the semi-hot side of mild when it comes to spice)
2 small shredded chicken breasts
grated cheddar cheese
-preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-combine cream cheese, dressing, and hot sauce.
-mix in shredded chicken.
-bake 15-20 minutes to heat through.
-sprinkle with cheddar cheese and return to oven for 5 minutes.
-serve hot with tortilla chips.
Holy crap, is this good.
***Now, don't be intimidated by the bleu cheese. I, personally, am an active hater of the stuff. If I know it is in something, I generally refuse to go near it. This time, I had the good sense to try the dip first, and THEN ask what the ingredients were. And I continued to eat. And eat. And eat. So fear not. This is good shit. I promise.
16:40 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
04/03/2006
Jam packed (and how I beat the SSS)
So I made it through 28 parent teacher conferences. How did I celebrate? One word- Whirlyball. 
For more information on this terrific sport, visit www.whirlyball.com. I knew I would have fun, but this was serious fun overload. And I have the bruises to prove it.
Saturday morning, after about 3 hours of sleep, I got up and wanted to knit. And even though this
was OH SO TEMPTING, I resisted and finished the Embossed Leaves socks. Done and done.
Here's Zoe showing her approval... 
I absolutely love these socks, although they are a smidge big for me. I think they may be more slippers than socks to wear in shoes. We'll see.
Since I'd finished the socks, I rewarded myself by beginning the Hourglass. Finally. I've been wanting to knit it since I first saw it in Last Minute Knitted Gifts last spring. 
I decided to do a contrasting edge. I don't love being a big fat copycat, but it was too great an idea to pass up. Here's a pic of the inside. 
I think it could be a bit neater, so I may rip it out and re-do the hem. I more or less threw it together because I wanted to make sure I'd like it before I got too far in.
So what is next? Besides finishing my Wobbly Circles tote (which I am determined not to do until April 15), I'm planning on doing some Jaywalking in a groovy pink varigated, and Orangina with Brown Sheep Cotton Fine in truffle. I also have some Cotton Fleece in Olivette that I might make the Somewhat Cowl out of, and then I have some more in Willow that I'm thinking might need to be the Ribby Shell from chicknits. I'm also trying to decide what I want to use to make Starsky... because I MUST have that sweater...
In the oven right now??? Yummy tart from Miss Ashley at doggedknits.com. Can't wait to dig into that...
01:40 Posted in Knitting , Leisure , weinerdogs and whatnot | Permalink | Comments (5) | Email this
03/25/2006
hodge-podge
So here it is: Embossed Leaves Sock #1... 
Here is all of the yarn left from skein 1:
I'm about 3" into sock #2. I can't believe I might actually finish both socks within a month--usually I get the second sock syndrome and it either takes me 2 months to start #2, or it just never happens!! Anyone have a sling and some icy hot?? I MIGHT have just sprained my arm patting myself on the back...
The other project I'm working on right now is this lovely earwarmer with some leftover Noro Silk Garden-the original project (hurry up spring armwarmers) is about 3/4 of the way done...
My two great purchases of the week... these marvelous art supplies:
The Prismacolor pencils are my FAVORITE thing. I can't wait to get those suckers sharp and start using them!...and this GREAT spring purse.
I absolutely HAD to have it...Goals for the week:
1)get the leg of sock #2 started.
2)start postcard for April Project Spectrum Postcard Swap
3)cast on for Hourglass Sweater....
16:02 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
03/18/2006
Oh so lame... (or addicted to Sex)
It has been EONS since my last post... Life has been way too busy. Cheerleading banquet PLUS standardized achievement tests this week. My life has not been my own in quite some time.
In knitting news... I'm working on the first of the embossed leaves sock. Lets just say I LOVE this pattern. LOVE the stitch pattern. LOVE LOVE LOVE the Koigu. Oh dear lord, do I love the Koigu...
I'm also half done with the Wobbly Circles Tote from Spring IK. I joined a KAL after I'd started it, and I had PLANNED on waiting, but couldn't stop...
I'm addicted to Sex. In the City, that is. My great friend Liz has decided that it is imperative that I watch all of the seasons in order to be able to better navigate my world. So it has started. We watched season 1 on DVD. Awesome. Then we needed our next fix, and all that was available was VHS. VHS??? Are you f'ing kidding me? So you mean I have to either watch credits or fast forward??? What the f? So my new routine since this has started has been: Hit snooze at 5:10. Get up (or maybe hit snooze) at 5:18. Feed the dog, and start the kettle. 5:25-Pour the water and some MARVELOUS Caribou Espresso Roast beans into the French Press (my new best friend--how could I have not known about this for so long? I don't even know where my coffee pot IS anymore!!!). 5:29-curl up on the couch with the dog, my knitting, my coffee and an episode of the Sex. 6:00-flip on the news and SWEAR that I'll get up as soon as I see the weather for the day. 6:05-just one more row. 6:15-holy crap, if I don't get in the shower now, I will be late for work.
Needless to say, my new and not so much improved arrival time at school is REALLY pushing the envelope...
It has been SO cold here--I really want to knit a Panta, but can't get to the friggin pattern. Help! Anybody!! Please???!?!?
15:15 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
02/23/2006
no bloggie long time
Good LORD it has been a while since my last post.
So the divorce is final. The bastard got the white kitchenaid mixer. But it was replaced by... 
the Cook for the Cure pink mixer. I LOVE her. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.
Valentine's Day was AMAZING. Flowers at school, flowers at home, a trail of rose petals and candy hearts up to my room...
Been knitting, too. Here are pics of my two recent FO's. I finished the Clapotis last Saturday. 
I used a great Koigu KPPPM. It is a little smaller than I'd like, but I think I could probably block the shit out of it and end up with a decent sized piece. I also finished a GREAT raglan V neck out of Smile by Reynolds. It is cozy and terrific! 
So now I am working on the wobbly circles tote from the spring IK. I'm using Lamb's Pride Bulky, so this sucker looks like it is gonna end up HUGE.
01:30 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this
12/29/2005
The mystique of the steek...
So I spent my day steeking my fair isle cardigan. I. Swear. To. God. I thought I'd have a heart attack when we started cutting. 
But miracle of miracles, it worked!!! And I started working on the button band... 
Here's a sneak peak at the fun twist inside of the button band... 
Obviously the other edge is still a WIP... 
but it should be done tomorrow! Yay me!
And here is a pic of my finally completed Jim Jones Kool-Aid sweater... 
Here's a close up of the ribbing... I love it! 
Take a look at the cool loot that my SP sent!! Love the dog paper! Love the needles! Love it all! 
And finally... The best Christmas gift--Mr. Wonderful found me the gift of all gifts!!! 
Some lovely weinerdog bling. Who knew such an item existed?? Leave it to him to locate it and wrap it up for me!!! What a keeper!
05:50 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this