Ed

Magazine Review: Oct/Nov 2011 Issue of Knitting Today!

2011-09-19T08:49:00.000-05:00

The October/November 2011 issue of Knitting Today! came out this past week and I love it! There are so many great patterns in here. Everything from quick holiday-themed items like the Haunted House & Candy Corn Pillows by Monica Rodriquez Fuertes to beautiful, wearable basics like the Grace Sweater by Deborah Newton. The very first things that I'm casting-on for, though, are the Pup & Puss Bags by Noreen Crone-Findley. They're super cute and I know that Robert and Venetia will love them!

Since this is their holiday issue, Knitting Today! has a Countdown to the Holidays section where they give you porject ideas for each of the 3 months leading up to the Holidays. Most of these projects are very do-able. (Like 3 months for the Gift Box Blanket by Bobbi Anderson and 2 months for the All Wrapped-Up Scarf by Sarah Wilson.) However, I don't know a single knitter who would knit a family's worth of mix-and-match hats and scarves in the month before the holidays (All in the Family Set by Jamie Strong). The patterns in the set are very pretty and knit with chunky yarn, but I still think that I would have to start that sort of gift project in July if I actually wanted to have it finished by December.

There really are just so many great projects in this magazine that I want to make. Almost all of them recommend some sort of Red Heart yarn so I'll be making lots of substitutions, but the patterns are still very nice for holiday knitting. Some of the other ones that I'll be casting-on in short order are:

Vroom Vroom Set by Jodi Lewanda
Baby Lamb Booties by Noreen Crone-Findlay
Sugar Plumb Stockings by Pam Kee
Advent Calendar by Brenda K. Anderson
Twinkle Table Runner by Katherine Vaughan
Sweet Treats by Monica Rodriquez Fuertes
And someday I am going to buy all the yarn for the Alphabet Monkey Blanket by Melanie Fraser that's being published as a series in the magazine this year. It's just too cute not to make (even if it is intarsia) and I know just the little person that I'm going to send it to when it's done!

Every knitting magazine has product reviews/recommendations. Knitting Today! does too, but they also have Charity Knitting recommendations each issue which I think is wonderful. Sometimes it's so easy to focus on all the new toys that we want that it's hard to think about how we can be using these tools and skills to help others. Knitting Today! gives you an overview of the organization, their goals and how you can help. This issue the focus is on making scarves for the athletes of the Special Olympics. "Handmade scarves donated as a result of the 2012 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project will be a symbol of unity, support, compassion and empowerment, as the Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families, volunteers and supporters wear them with pride in knowing they have become part of the Special Olympics family." (Taken from the 2012 Special Olympics Scarf Project page.) As someone who has had family members participate in the SO for a number of years, I can assure you that this is a wonderful organization that helps people of all ages feel good about what they can do while making friends and having lots of fun. I encourage everyone to make at least one scarf for this charity because the recipients truly do enjoy these events and a handmade reminder is something that they can use for years to come.

^_^

Yarn Review: Dream In Color Starry

2011-09-16T10:06:00.000-05:00

I was part of the Dream In Color Club for 6 months this past year and Starry in the Honeymoon color-way was our yarn for February. I loved it as soon as I saw it, but wasn't sure if I really wanted to knit the pattern that came with it or if I should make something else. So I decided to let it marinate in the stash for awhile. After the frustrations with my Devon Socks, I decided that I just needed something pretty that was simple, but fun. So, I went for the brightest thing in my stash... This beautiful, hot-pink, sparkly, Barbie-esque yarn!

The picture doesn't show it as well, but there is a slight tonal variation to the pink which gives this yarn a depth and lets the super bright pink work. Without that, this yarn would definitely give off a plastic-y, acrylic vibe because of the brightness of the color and the metallic strands. The yarn doesn't have that cheap feel like most yarns with metallic do. It's super squishy and wonderful and I can't wait to finish the shawl pattern so that I can wrap it around me. I have a feeling that this is going to be one of my favorite scarves just because the yarn is so wonderful!

I did notice that the yarn can be a bit thick and thin in places. It isn't enough to notice in the finished project, but you can see it while knitting with the yarn. Also, even though the yarn is super-wash and promoted as "Sock Weight" on the ball band, I would shy away from making socks that will be worn quite a bit just because there is no nylon content in the fiber mix.

All in all, though, I think that I've found a new yarn that I'm going to need in every color I can get my hands on! I just love it so much!!

^_^

Time-Out

2011-09-15T09:32:00.000-05:00

Normally, I'm pretty good about always intending to finish a project completely once I've found it as a UFO in my stash pile. I almost never have to put a project aside because it's too frustrating. They usually just get shoved aside because something that seems more exciting comes along.

Durring our move at the end of June, I found all sorts of projects that I had completely forgotten about. One, in particular, was a pair of socks from Cookie A's first book "Sock Innovation". I love the yarn that I was using because it's soft & has bright colors in gradual color changes. The pattern that I picked for my first Cookie A. sock is called "Devon". This pattern is what I would imagine you would get if you made argyle a texture instead of a color-work technique.

I haven't worked much with charts or lace (never lace in the round) and this pattern had 5 separate charts for the lace. After a few issues with getting going on the first sock I finished most of it then, apparently, it was absorbed back into the stash when I was one repeat away from starting the toe. And that's where it's been languishing since February. When I found it and realized that I was so close, I started back in on it and didn't have any problems with finishing it up in a day or so.

Thinking that I had this whole charted-lace-in-the-round-thing down, I cast-on the second sock and got to work on the ribbing. I made it all the way to starting the first chart and was a couple of rounds into it when I realized that the ribbing didn't match with the pattern. After looking closer, I realized that I worked the chart for the cuff backwards and was working the lace pattern in the opposite direction. So, rather than confuse myself further, I just ripped out the whole thing and started over.

This time I made it all the way through the first few rounds of the gussets before I noticed the mistake. I'm not sure how, but somewhere along the process of starting the chart for the top of the foot and shaping the gussets I messed-up the patterning. Severely. I tried dropping down and re-working the pattern a few different ways, but I just couldn't get it to sit right. So, I ripped it out again out of frustration.

I'm putting this project in time-out for a bit and maybe I'll pick it back up in another six months or so when I've forgotten why I banished it. Hopefully, I won't make the same mistakes again and will just be able to enjoy knitting it rather than being super frustrated. Maybe I'll find some easier lace knitting to work on in the meantime...

^_^

Pattern for Eddy Bear is up!!

2011-07-27T21:36:00.000-05:00

Eddy Bear

By: EdwardRad

Eddy is an energetic little fellow who loves to scamper through the forest playing with his friends all day long. He’s always getting in and out of mischief so keep a close eye on him. Make him today, he’s perfect for little hands and sneaking into your backpack for an adventure!!

Book Review

2010-10-17T11:07:00.001-05:00

Northfield: A Western Story by Johnny D. Boggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love the writing style! Each chapter is told from a different person's perspective. Sometimes they overlap so that you really get a feel for what happened in, before, and after the James/Younger gang attempted to rob the bank in Northfield, MN. The book is short enough to hold your attention throughout, but had enough details to make you feel like the author was there doing interviews of everyone involved. All in all it was very well researched and set out in a very readable and enjoyable manner.

(Also, Jesse James' jump at the Palisades in SD was mentioned in first person, which was super exciting!! Lame, I know, but I've been there lots and it just makes me happy. Like it's part of my life story to or something...) ^_^

Shoe Addicts Anonymous by Beth Harbison

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was kind of like if you mashed "The Friday Night Knitting Club" and "The Devil Wears Prada" (the book, not the movie) together and then put a shoe-fetish twist to the whole thing.

It was definitely a fluff book and was pretty enjoyable until you got to the last few chapters where it felt super rushed and poorly executed. These chapters just felt like the author didn't spend as much time with the exit details as she did with introducing the characters and their plot-lines. I was left with the unsatisfied feeling of having been promised a nice, original ending and instead getting a bunch of bad cliches thrown together quickly and poorly just to wrap things up for the publishers.

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If you get your own copy of "Northfield: A Western Story" by Johnny D. Boggs or "Shoe Addicts Anonymous" by Beth Harbison, tell me what you thought of it/them. I'd love to discuss these books with someone!

Book Review

2010-10-08T13:03:00.000-05:00

The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was kind of slow going at the beginning, but it did pick-up and get pretty exciting at times. The biggest problem was that there were so many different storylines going that some of them got somewhat repetitive after awhile. That, in turn, kinda killed the mood.

The writing style the authors used in this book was very reminiscent of my experience with Stephen King's "Under the Dome". I liked it, it had it's slow times and its quick times, the characters were well written and connected logically with each other. "The Strain" wasn't as gory as Stephen King, but it wasn't a fluffy vampire story by any means.

The twist that the authors put on vampire-ism was pretty neat and makes it seem scientifically possible. (Yeah, it's still a pretty good stretch, but it's more believable than some theories.) There's still some aspects of the story that were left open and I'm hoping that they will be addressed in the next two books and not just dropped. With as thorough as the authors have been with everything else in this book, though, I'm not too worried and am kind of looking forward to the next book in the trilogy: "The Fall".

(P.S. Setrakain really reminds me of an older Van Helsing.)

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Frustrated

2010-10-07T12:39:00.001-05:00

So, I'm slightly irritated right now. When I was making Charlie, my favorite crochet hook snapped in half. It was an Addi, so it wasn't the cheapest hook that I could find. You would think that they would have just continued the metal through the core of the handle to prevent something like this. (Like they do with the good sets of knives.) -_-

All Sorts of New Stuff!!

2010-10-06T13:09:00.004-05:00

I'm so super psyched!! I spent a good portion of yesterday updating my blog and generally geeking-out with it. There are still a few things that I want to tweek, but it's eons better than it was and I love it.

Yesterday was a day of accomplishing things. I got most of the living-room-mess gone through, found my deep cleaning book (Yes, I do have a book on how to clean. The peanut gallery can remain silent, thank you. Dan has already pointed out how sad it is that I need one.), bought household stuff, groceries, and some Christmas, Birthday (literally), and Halloween gifts. Also, I tackled the kitchen and am half-way through with getting it thoroughly scoured. Those dust bunnies didn't know what hit them!

While I was out shopping, I stopped by a few craft stores because they were having sales. You have to check out the sales, right? Jo-Ann's didn't have much for yarn (no surprise there) but I made a huge find at Michaels:

STITCH NATION by Debbie Stoller!!

(In the perfect shade of orange, no less...)

I bought one ball of "Full o' Sheep" in the Clementine colorway. "Full o' Sheep" is an Aran weight, 100% Peruvian Wool. This means that it's a hand-wash only yarn, but it's so buttery and delicious that I don't care!! The spin on it kind of reminds me of Brown Sheep's Lambs Pride Worsted. The yarn does tend to shed a bit if you have to frog/tink back so I'm thinking that it will have a high-pill-factor in garments. (Or anything else that will have a decent amount of friction, for that matter.) This yarn is so soft and lovely, though, that I'm seriously thinking about getting enough to make a sweater for myself out of it.

Until I have the money saved up for that, though... (At about $5 per ball, weighing in at 155 yards, I'm gonna need about 10 balls to make the sweater that I want.) I had to at least try out the yarn that I have, right? So, I made an Amigurumi Happy Pumpkin. His name is Charlie, and he's too amazing for that leaf. (Besides, the leaf kinda makes him look like an apple...)

Dear Old El Paso,

2010-10-05T12:47:00.002-05:00

Why did you change your mild enchilada sauce recipe? It now tastes gross and smells even worse reheated. These enchiladas were my fall-back recipe that everyone loved and that tasted amazing. Now what am I supposed to make when I don't really feel like cooking?

I suppose that I could look at this as a way for me to be cooking healthier at home. I'm pretty sure that a pound of hamburger and 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese isn't the best dinner ever. (No, we didn't eat it all in one sitting, but still...)

I guess that I'm now on a quest to find another enchilada recipe that Dan will eat...

Thoughts

2010-10-04T12:22:00.007-05:00

So, our apartment is disgusting. Everything, but our bedroom needs cleaning because we hit it so hard in there the other day that it just kind of exploded into the rest of the apartment. I've got a few hours today so I'm gonna try to do some power cleaning. If anyone wants some free crap, I'll be happy to share.

Yesterday, I opened at the store and have decided that the extra-caffeine gas station coffee is a life saver. Sure, it doesn't taste that great, but, what do you expect from a gas station? I just gets me going enough that I don't feel like a zombie for the rest of the day. Which is really helpful when you're trying to convince people to buy stuff from you and give you their e-mail.

I'm kinda thinking about getting a new e-mail, myself, due to all the spam. However, I'm not quite sure that I've convinced myself that it's worth it. Where do you draw the line on who is acceptable to share your e-mail with and who isn't? Because I guarantee you that the moment you release the new one anywhere online, even if it's just in a post, some spy-ware engine will pick it up and sell it to someone else. That someone else, in turn, will spam the hell out of your nice, shiny, new e-mail account. So is it really even worth it?

Last night I saw The Social Network with a few friends and it was pretty good. Mark is such a super-dick to everyone, but it did make me want to totally geek out and get into web-design again. I have been thinking for a few months now that I want to do a make-over on the blog because it's not really what I want anymore. Besides, coding is just so amazing to me. It's kind of like magic, and I love it.

On the reading front...

The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan.

So far, I rate it: Meh.

The authors will start with a neat idea, but they focus so freakin' much on details that are irrelevant to the storyline that you really get pulled out of what's actually going on. Also, can we please not have anymore beginnings? I've never read an author who liked to start a new story so much. The first 50-ish pages were nothing but intros to various storylines and the next 50 pages were nothing but a pointless over-exaggeration of an eclipse. Other than the fact that, apparently, everyone in New York was creeped-out by this five-minute event, I can't understand why this emphasis is needed. There was one event that occurred during the eclipse that was key to the storyline, but it didn't need 50 pages of covering everybody else in the entire city. Put simply: the first 1/3 of the book has been pretty boring.

Now that I'm past that part, though, the story is progressing at a pretty good clip. I'm wondering if the interludes with Abraham's story are written by one of the authors and the rest of the book is by the other author. These parts tend to hold my interest more and keep me turning pages. The writing style just feels different and isn't so chopped-up with technicalities.

Book Review: Super Sad True Love Story

2010-09-29T13:01:00.000-05:00

Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one of those books that you can just live in.

I love that the characters are so real. It isn't some sappy love story about a tragic pair of star-crossed lovers. You could pass these people on the street. They're just normal individuals living there lives and you, the reader, are just along for the ride for a few months.

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Book Review: Mockingjay

2010-09-07T16:57:00.000-05:00

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Page 379. The discussion between Plutarch and Katniss. This is what earns Mockingjay 3 stars instead of more. Suzanne Collins, you're a better writer than this. In the future, please don't degrade your readers by spoon-feeding us what to take away from your work.

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Book Review

2010-06-14T23:44:00.001-05:00

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephenie Meyer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
For being just another way to make a few more pennies off the Twilight Series, this book really isn't too bad. I'm glad that it was short, though. It would have gotten somewhat boring if it had been a full-length book since you know the ending from the get go.

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What's (New) On My Needles: Ashley's Baby Blanket

2010-04-02T09:05:00.005-05:00

I've finally started work on Ashley's Baby Blanket. The original pattern is free from The Running Yarn. As written, the blanket is large and worked in intarsia. I wanted to have it a bit more portable (and baby-sized), though. So I'm making it with 3x3 blocks using double knitting to avoid having a wrong side.

The method that I'm using involves carrying both colors of yarn across while you knit a 1x1 ribbing. Color A is used for the knit stitches and Color B is used for the Purl stitches. The nice thing about this method is that when you wnat to add a design to the pattern, all you have to do is reverse which color is used for which stitch. (Example: Color B will be used for the knit stitches and Color A will now be used for the Purls.) If you are following a graph for the image, keep in mind that each block on the graph will actually be 2 stitches (one knit and one purl) so that you get the same image on both sides of your fabric.

I had some hesitation with using the double knitting method for this blanket because the fabric it produces can get very dense and I had also been told that this is a very tedious form of knitting. However, I've found that I really love this technique. Watching the double-sided fabric emerge from the needles is still just as thrilling to me as when I started and, in my opinion, the fabric is a nice thickness for a blanket. If I was planning on making a reversible sweater with this method, though, I would definitely use a yarn of a thinner weight (think sport or fingering).

As far as I'm concerned, though, double knitting will probably be my choice for any color-work projects that I attempt in the future. It's much less fiddly than Intarsia and Fair-Isle and it produces no wrong side. (For whatever reason, having a wrong side on a knitted object really really bothers me.)

Ashley is due in about a week, so I doubt that the blanket will be done before the baby is here. Hopefully, though, I'll have it ready shortly thereafter. Right now I'm just really hoping that the doctor is right and that it is a girl. ^_^

Book Review: Under The Dome

2010-03-13T01:15:00.002-06:00

Under the Dome by Stephen King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book!! This was my first experience with reading a Stephen King. (If his other books are just as good, I'm hooked!) While listening to the audio-book, I was constantly amazed at the amount of detail that was included in every aspect of life under the dome. Everything from the eco-system, to nuclear missiles, to lists of extensive biblical quotations was researched very thoroughly to create a truer sense of what it would have been like had a dome actually descended on a small farm town.

Stephen King had an extensive cast of characters to personalize and orchestrate, he did so amazingly well. All the main characters were well developed, of course, but I loved that even the side characters had their own lives and traits that rounded the story to include perspectives from every person trapped in Chester's Mill. The ending certainly held no twist (in my opinion), but I think that it was better that way. This book really was one that had a pretty obvious beginning and ending, but the way that you got from one to the other was what made it so very enjoyable.

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Hat #4

2010-02-20T01:12:00.002-06:00

033 2-19-10, originally uploaded by EdwardRad.

Hat #4 for the 2010 Ravelympics!!

Hat #3

2010-02-18T13:21:00.002-06:00

Hat #3, originally uploaded by EdwardRad.

Hat #3 for the 2010 Ravelympics!!

Hat #02

2010-02-17T21:43:00.002-06:00

Hat #02, originally uploaded by EdwardRad.

Hat #2 for the 2010 Ravelympics!!

Hat #1

2010-02-17T18:37:00.003-06:00

Hat #1 for the 2010 Ravelympics!!

Merecedes Christmas Socks 2009

2010-01-07T23:10:00.003-06:00

Merecedes Christmas Socks 2009, originally uploaded by EdwardRad.

A little late, but better than never. Here's the second sock about 1/2 done.

Still Alice, Now In Cheap Format!

2010-01-07T00:33:00.001-06:00

Still Alice, Now In Cheap Format!, originally uploaded by EdwardRad.

I am super excited about this book! The Trade paperback version has been out for awhile now, but I just can't justify spending $15 on a paperback book when I know that it'll be destroyed by the time I'm done with it. Enter: the new Mass Market version available for $7.99 + employee discount!! That, I can handle parting with for a paperback.

Still Alice is about a lady (Alice) who gets Alzheimer's disease and how it affects her life. Unlike other books, though, the story is told from the perspective of the person who has Alzheimer's instead of the view of those around her. Here's a quote from the back cover:

"Alice Howland is proud of the life she worked so hard to build. At fifty years old, she's a cognitive psychology professor at Harvard and a world-renowned expert in linguistics with a successful husband and three grown children. When she becomes increasingly disoriented and forgetful, a tragic diagnosis changes her life - and her relationship with her family and the world - forever.

At once beautiful and terrifying, Still Alice is a moving and vivid depiction of life with early onset Alzheimer's disease that is as compelling as A Beautiful Mind and as unforgettable as Ordinary People."

This book has been used in lots of the local book groups and in the past I've had good luck trusting their picks. Lets hope that this one is just as good. ^_^

Bugs and Fungi!! O.O

2010-01-06T01:55:00.001-06:00

Bugs and Fungi!! O.O, originally uploaded by EdwardRad.

A few weeks ago, I bought this cute little mini-poinsettia for $0.50 at the grocery store along with a larger red one thinking that it would be a lot of fun to try my hand at taking care of plants. (I have never once had a plant live for very long after I got a hold of it.)

Things were going great until I noticed that the soil around the plant was molding. Not the plant itself, just the dirt. Also, we started to get all these little flying bugs in our apartment that seem to love my plants. The same thing had happened a few months ago (the mold, not the bugs) when I was going to grow an herb garden and once I put the plants on the deck, the mold went away. Unfortunately, right now the average temp is right around 0 degrees (F) so putting it outside isn't an option unless I want to kill the whole thing. So, today I hauled my little guy over to my local plant doctor (aka: Mom). She can fix any plant no matter how close it is to dying, so I left Petey (that's what I named my plant) in her care and tomorrow I'll be bringing Petunia (my large red poinsettia) over as well.

Hopefully, they'll get to come back home soon. I want to make sure that they're all better before I try to take them on by myself again, though. I have no faith at all in my own gardening abilities. -_-

Dog On It

2010-01-05T01:47:00.001-06:00

Dog On It, originally uploaded by EdwardRad.

This is a super awesome book!! I started reading it a couple days ago intending to read 3 chapters a day (I'm not ambitious, they're really short) but today I got sucked right in and am now about half-way done with it. Originally, I had recommended it to my aunt and cousin to read because some of my co-workers had recommended it to me. I kept putting off reading it until my aunt sent it home with me because she just adored it. Now I'm seeing why everyone liked it so much. The story is told from the dog's (Chet's) perspective so any tense bits get broken up by his either getting distracted or sleepy. You would think that key plot points would be skipped by relating the story this way, but they aren't, you just don't have to read all the technical details about what's going on. This is a great quick read if you're looking for something light and humorous. A nice little bonus is that it was just released in paperback so it's perfect for reading groups and tucking inside your knitting bag. ^_^

Ooops, PomPom Socks

2010-01-03T17:20:00.001-06:00

So, I meant to make these for my sister for Christmas. However, the yarn changed my gauge enough that instead of fitting her 9-year-old feet, they fit my 23-year-old feet... Don't worry, I'm almost done with the pair for her. ^_^

Book Review: Plum Pudding Murder

2009-11-19T12:44:00.000-06:00

Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Last February, when I started working at Barnes & Noble "Cream Puff Murder" (Hannah Swensen Mystery, Book 11) had just been released and we had it everywhere in the store. The cover was so pretty that I kept meaning to read it, but never took the plunge. Then, we got in the newest addition to the series and I had to pick it up. The series just looked like a nice fun entry into the mystery genre. I mean, really, even if the story itself hadn't been that great, you at least got all the fun recipes that the book is loaded with. Win, win, right?

I'm really glad that I picked up Plum Pudding Murder and I'm planning on getting the other books in the series soon. The bite-sized chapters make these easy to read books perfect to pick-up and breeze through while I'm on break at work or if I just have a few minutes here and there. Some of the lines that the characters use seem corny at times and slightly unrealistic for any actual person to use, but they really seem to fit Joanne Fluke's writing style so they don't feel too out of place.

All in all, I really enjoyed this as a nice break from some of the more serious reading that I've been doing lately and will be recommending the series to anyone who loves baking, coffee, and needs a quick break from time to time.

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Book Review: Dracula

2009-11-18T12:01:00.000-06:00

Dracula by Bram Stoker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I'm kind of sad that it took me so long to read this classic. I really enjoyed it and I loved how it was written in the form of diaries and journals from the different characters. This made it so that you really got to know the characters personally without being told straight-out. This also provided several views of some of the same occurrences, but through different eyes so you could pick out facts that the first narrator may have missed.I really loved this book and have been urging everyone that I know to read it. ^_^

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Book Review: Knitting the Threads of Time

2009-11-18T11:28:00.001-06:00

Knitting the Threads of Time: Casting Back to the Heart of Our Craft by Nora Murphy

My rating: 1 of 5 stars
I actually just had to call it quits on this book. I couldn't stand reading it anymore because of the author's voice and personal views that are constantly re-hashed over and over throughout.

Nora Murphy did her homework on the history of textiles, but the way that she twines actual history with how she perceives the craft of knitting drove me crazy. Apparently, we have very different interpretations of the craft and the world around us and I just couldn't stand to pick up the book after the chapter about how much she enjoys and respects her period. Sorry, but I just don't get enjoyment out of reading about how she can link her monthly cycle to knitting and it's history. No thank you.

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Book Review: The Last Song

2009-10-30T16:53:00.001-05:00

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I actually really enjoyed this book which is something that I can't say about Sparks' other books that I've read. The unique method that is used to narrate the story kept things interesting and easily gave you a look into each character's mind. Immediately after finishing this book I thought of three different people who would love it so I'll probably be snatching up a few copies to give as Christmas gifts this year.

The story is very touching and easy to read, without being at all mushy (which is a huge plus in my book). I highly recommend this to anyone who has, is, or knows a teenager going through that rough time when it seems so important to rebel in order to establish your place in the world and create your own voice. This is a wonderful book about growing up and how what is and isn't said and done affects people other than just yourself.

I love it!! ^_^

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Book Review

2009-10-04T23:00:00.000-05:00

Tale of Two Cities, A by Charles Dickens

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love the classics, they've been around this long for a good reason. A Tale of Two Cities is one that you hear of your whole life, but it's never discussed in great detail. Even the movies and shows that play off of the title rarely follow the actual vein that this book is written in.

At times, Dickens is hard to follow because of his long, flowery introductions of characters or scenes. Once you get to who or what he's talking about, it's much easier to follow the plot and imagine what he's just described, though. I highly recommend that everyone should read this book for no other reason than to see what things were like for both the upper and lower classes during the French Revolution. Books like this are wonderful history lessons and really bring the time periods to life.

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Another Book Review

2009-09-29T18:49:00.001-05:00

The Lace Makers of Glenmara by Heather Barbieri

My rating: 1 of 5 stars
This was one of the few books that I had to quit after reading three quarters of. The character development, and story were poorly constructed and, in my opinion, the writing-style was juvenile at best. Everything was rushed and lacked the detail that could have at least made it readable. In short, a complete waste of time and energy. Not a book that I will ever recommend for anyone.

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Book Review

2009-09-28T11:21:00.002-05:00

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is one of those books that I've always meant to read, but I just never made the time for it. I got the audio-book, though, and have been listening to it while I clean and run errands. It really is a wonderful book that follows the journeys of the four March girls as they grow from children into women.

I really love the way that the book is written. Each chapter is it's own mini-story, but they all connect to form the big picture. The characters are very easy to relate to and I found myself loving them more and more the further I got. Also, there are a plethora of life lessons to learn from the little women's trials and triumphs. Even though this book was written over 100 years ago, the morals that the author included in it are very much still valid. I think that this book would be a great benefit to anyone who reads it because the good nature, kindnesss, and put-others-first attitude that the characters personify is very infectious and you can't help but be absorbed with wanting to be just as good.

View all my reviews >>

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
The last 1/3 was very similar to the first 1/3 in that I couldn't wait to get through it because it was super boring. I kept hoping that there would be more experiences similar to the middle of the book, but no. It really just felt like the beginning and the end was just there as filler. Not a book that I would recommend buying, but it wouldn't hurt to borrow it from a friend or the library.

View all my reviews >>

Want Some Free Knit Picks Zephyr Knitting Needles?

2009-08-17T21:43:00.003-05:00

Ok, here's a head's up for everyone on a great contest that's going on over at www.thingsmomslike.com:

Knit Picks is letting them giveaway a whole set of the new Zephyr Options knitting needles (retailing at $45)!! These are super cool needles that are made from lightweight acrylic so they're smoother (read quicker) than wood, but not as heavy as metal making those large knitting projects even more enjoyable. Since they're part of the Options line, that means that you get pretty much any size/length circular needle you could wish for in one nice little kit which makes this a great set to take with you on trips. Plus, these needles just look so super cool that you'll automatically earn bonus points from all your knitting buddies. ^_-

Find out more on entering the contest at Things Mom's Like and learn more about the Zephyr Options Interchangeable Knitting Needles as well as all the other wonderful products that Knit Picks has to offer at www.knitpicks.com.

Meet Ted...

2009-08-13T23:51:00.002-05:00

I finally finished Ted at knitting tonight by making a rule that I could not work on my spinning until he was complete. I think that he turned out rather cute, don't you? Originally he was being made for one of Tina's boys, but I don't know if I'll be able to give him up. It just makes me happy to see him sitting on the trunk in my living room next to my favorite knitting spot.

On Sunday I fell in love with spinning. Nadiah and I went to a spinning group and were re-introduced to this fun craft. My "yarn" from Sunday sparked an idea for a fun series of projects that I'll fill you in on in the next few weeks as I get more pieces. I will tell you, however, that they are adorable and the second one in the series will be "Spumoni"...

Finally, a cute flower that I found in the grocery store parking lot tonight.

A Quickie...

2009-08-01T23:03:00.004-05:00

Sorry that I haven't been very active lately, I've been super busy with everything. So, here are the highlights:

This has basically been our summer around here: cold and cloudy. I really don't mind it, though, it's actually been kind of a nice change from our usual summer humidity. (I really really heart this pic, too and am super proud of it.)

Dan surprised me last week with a dozen roses for no reason other than the fact that I love roses. I think that I'll keep him around for awhile longer. ^_^

Pieces of stuffed animals with pins holding them together makes for a semi-morbid look at the status on these projects. (Elephant Panda) I'm super close to being done, just procrastinating on the actual sewing part.

This is a new knitting project: another baby blanket. However, this is for my friend Cathy who is expecting a baby girl in September. It's the Ruffled Blanket from Susan B. Anderson's Itty-Bitty Nursery.

Yay For Pictures!!

2009-07-13T23:08:00.002-05:00

I finally found the time to unload the pics from my camera and get them uploaded into a post for everyone...

First off is the finished pair of Spring Forward socks done in Sunshine Yarns' May Flowers colorway:

Originally, I started these for the Sunshine Yarns Spring KAL in April, but then life happened and they took a bit longer than expected. I love the way that they turned out, though, and have worn them a couple of times already and they're super comfy. I was worried that I had made the second one too big width-wise, but once they're on, you can't tell at all. I'm definitely investing in more of Dani's sock yarn, though. She's got awesome colors and the yarns that I already have are super squishy and delicious!!

Next are the finished March Socks (only a couple of months late...)

I love the colors in these, but the yarn is pilling really badly along the sole and heels of the socks. I'm sure that If I would just invest in a lint shaver it would help tremendously, but there are just so many more important things to buy right now. (Like that yummy new sock yarn that Athena's just got in last week... I promise that it looks exactly like a lilac bush and really needs to come home with me soon.) ^_^

Finally, Connor's Baby Blanket is still in the works:

I do have the last ball of yarn for it, though, and only have a few rows left to go on it so I should be binding-off tonight. I'll take pics of the finished (and blocked) product later this week. Also, I'm super close to finishing the Elephant for Connor's older brother, I just need to get more yarn... Who knew that one elephant would take over a skein of Red Heart?! I'm thinking that I'll just start on a Panda Bear for Connor's other brother at knitting tomorrow, though. Hopefully, I won't run out of yarn while I'm making that...

Babies!!

2009-07-06T12:31:00.003-05:00

Pretty much every person that I know is having a baby right now. So, I decided that I should start making some baby stuff and have started by making the Big Bad Baby Blanket from Debbie Stoller's Stitch & Bitch. This is going to be for Tina's new baby, Connor, who was born a couple of weeks ago. So far I'm really liking mindless knitting aspect of it, because it's going really fast and I don't really need to pay attention to it. (Which was great because we watched Scarface last night so I got about 3 hours of knitting done while watching.)

Connor's Baby Blanket

I have finished the socks for the Sunshine Yarns Spring KAL (finally), and my tension was much looser on the second sock so it's a bit bigger than the first one. I'm now trying to decided if I'll just keep it as is or if I'm going to pull it out and start over. Either way, I've learned why I really need to keep working on a pair of socks and not just let them sit for a few months before finishing them.

Also, I did find my camera. It was being sneaky and hiding behind my computer monitor... -_-

Resurection??

2009-06-28T18:51:00.002-05:00

I'm going to attempt to make a return to blogging now that my life has slowed a bit. I don't have any pics to upload mainly because I just need these first couple posts after my hiatus to be simple. Start small, right?

I finished my March Socks (I promise that I'll post pics) a while ago and have been busy working on my project for the Sunshine Yarns Spring KAL. Yes, I do realize that I've slightly missed the deadline (April 30) for this Knit-A-Long. The pattern and the yarn is super fun, though, so I'm just enjoying making my socks. ^_^

I've been doing alot of reading for work lately, so I'm thinking that I'll start to include them in my posts. Don't worry, though, I won't give away any spoilers.

The other day I finished reading "The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane" by Katherine Howe. It was good, but not quite as good as I had hoped. It reminded me of "Garden Spells" by Sarah Addison Allen. A fun, quick read.

The Socks Have Been Gifted!!

2009-04-03T12:56:00.005-05:00

The shorty socks were finished yesterday and given to Michelle last night. (This is a pic of the second sock on its journey to the first which was already with Michelle.) I'm so excited that the stripes on them matched up. (Completely by accident!!) I'll finish sizing the pattern and should have it posted soon.

Day 5

After finishing Michelle's socks, I cast-on for my March Socks a month late. (Ooops!) The good news is, though, that after a fiddly beginning, they have been going really quickly. These are being worked toe-up on Conjoined Creations' Flat Feet and I absolutely adore them!! I am so happy to see them getting all stripy and it's so much fun to see where the next color will fall. (Yes, I am very easily entertained...) ^_^

Day 6

Don'ts...

2009-04-01T23:50:00.003-05:00

Today was a day of don'ts for me. My response to doing anything was, "I don't really want to..." So, I didn't do very much aside from cleaning my kitchen and reading a bit. Then I went to work, got in a great mood and worked on Michelle's socks during break.

As a result of my lethargy today, the sock hasn't grown very much at all...

Day 4

*Sorry for the crappy lighting. Small apartment late at night and all.

I'm Terrible At Keeping Secrets...

2009-03-31T23:49:00.003-05:00

I really am, you know. I've only been working on Michelle's socks for three days and I was already busting at the seams to tell her about them. (Not to mention the fact that I've been blogging about them and have told pretty much everyone except her that I was making them.) So, tonight at knitting I passed around the completed sock and when it got to her and she was petting it, I let her know that it was hers to keep. She was so excited to get handmade socks, which made me feel wonderful.

Michelle, (for those who don't know) has decided to take a job in Boston and will be leaving any day now. I'm so very glad that I've gotten to spend so much time with her and I'm very jealous of that new knitting group that she's going to. She's the type of person who can make your day better just by walking into the room. We'll still talk on Ravelry and Twitter, I wanted to send something special with her, though. I've never given away any of my handmade socks and I knew that she would appreciate them so the green and brown Mini Moochi Shorty Socks are hers.

Now, I just need to finish the second one by Thursday...

Day 3

Knitting On Break...

2009-03-30T23:19:00.005-05:00

Day 2:

I've been making some headway on these, however, they don't feel like they're going fast enough. I really need to start being more focused...

Watch It Grow...

2009-03-29T19:43:00.005-05:00

I've decided that I am horrible at taking pictures of my WIPs until they're finished. That leaves me with only finished project pictures, which are nice, but I really like looking at other knitter's WIP pictures. So, to combat that, I'm going to take a picture of whatever I'm working on each day and post it. (Yeah, yeah, I know I'm jumping on the 365 bandwagon...)

Here's day 1:

Also, I have pictures of my finished S&S Socks. I adore them!! ^_^

Secrets...

2009-03-29T00:53:00.002-05:00

I'm super excited because today when I was on break at work, I cast-on for a new top-secret project. Since I don't know who is reading the blog, I can't say anything here, but I will have an update by Wed.

Squeee!!

Also, I finished my Sense & Sensibility Socks last night!! However, since I had to work today, I have no decent pics. I promise to post them tomorrow, though.

^_^

And Now... A Pattern!!

2009-03-26T00:08:00.011-05:00

I really enjoyed making this and will probably be making more in the future. This one was made out of some SWTC "Amaizing" corn-fiber yarn that I had in my stash. I really want to try making it in Knit Picks' CotLin yarn, though, for myself. From what I've heard, the CotLin would be great for some nice shower cloths and would show-off the stitches well. I really want to try the Sprout, Pomegranate, Planetarium, and Blackberry colors. ^_^

Mom's Shower Cloth

The main stitch pattern that I used in this cloth was one that I learned while making my Sense and Sensibility socks and is a variation of Eye-Of-Partrige. I modified it so that you could make use of the purl-bump pattern that appeared on the inside of the socks because I really thought both sides looked nice and deserved some attention.

There are a couple of techniques worth explaining before you begin your knitting...
Sl 1 YiF: Bring your yarn to the front of your work and slip the next stitch knit-wise. Bring the yarn to the back of your work before continuing to the next stitch.
SL 1 YiB: Bring your yarn to the back of your work and slip the next stitch knit-wise. Bring the yarn to the front of your work before continuing to the next stitch.

Pattern:
Cast-on 54 stitches. Knit 6 rows in garter stitch.

Begin stitch pattern:
Row 1: Knit 3, *K 1, Sl 1 YiF (repeat from * 12 times), *Purl 1, Sl 1 YiB (repeat from * 12 times), K 3.
Row 2: K 3, K 24, P 24, K 3.
Row 3: K 3, *Sl 1 YiF, K 1 (repeat from * 12 times), *Sl 1 YiB, P 1 (repeat from * 12 times), K 3.
Row 4: K 3, K 24, P 24, K 3.
Continue in pattern for 11 repeats.

Begin next stitch pattern:
Row 1: K 3, *P 1, Sl 1 YiB (repeat from * 12 times), *K 1, Sl 1 YiF (repeat from * 12 times), K 3.
Row 2: K 3, P 24, K 24, K 3.
Row 3: K 3, *Sl 1 YiB, P 1 (repeat from * 12 times), *Sl 1 YiF, K 1 (repeat from * 12 times), K 3.
Row 4: K 3, P 24, K 24, K 3.
Continue in pattern for 10 repeats plus rows 1-3.

Knit 6 rows in garter stitch. Bind off and weave in ends.

Finally, some pictures...

2009-03-25T12:57:00.004-05:00

These pictures (1 & 2) show-off the color much much better, but I wanted to get some pics before I gave the cloth away to my mom. However, the weather hasn't been cooperating for out-door pics so I had to settle for these.

I'll be adding the pattern to this post later tonight.

Something New of My Own Design

2009-03-21T13:42:00.003-05:00

Interested???

Here's a hint: It's made of corn.

^_^

*Actual content coming soon (and patterns!!)*

Update Coming

2009-03-16T01:07:00.002-05:00

Sorry that there has been so little activity lately. I decided that I was spending far too much time surfing around online and wasn't doing anything of much importance so I've been trying to limit my time at the computer. Unfortunately, that means that I haven't been very good about updating the blog. However, I have lots of pics and stories of new projects that I'm going to be posting tomorrow.

Have a good night,

Ed ^_^

New Socks = Love!!

2009-02-22T22:39:00.007-06:00

Yay!! My February Socks are now complete!

Here is what they look like all knit up and awaiting seaming.

These are what made this pair of socks so easy to work on everywhere: 6" Size 0 (US) DPNs with a couple of tiny rubber-bands wrapped around one end. Kind of a set of do-it-yourself mini straight needles.

I didn't encounter may problems with this pattern, but I do have a couple corrections:

Page 101, under "Upper Toe", step 3 should say:
3) Rep rows 1 & 2 until 14 (14, 16, 16, 18, 18) sts rem.

Page 102, under "Gusset Heel", step 2 should say:
2) Row 1 (RS): (star) sl 1, k1 (star), rep from (star) to (star) across

Page 103, under "Lower Toe", step 3 should say:
3) Rep rows 1 & 2 until 14 (14, 16, 16, 18, 18) sts rem.

Note:
The corrections to pages 101 & 103 are meant as clarification to the somewhat confusing directions. You're working over an even number of stitches and are instructed to use a 2-stitch decrease every-other row. For certain sizes, though, you are expected to reach an odd number of stitches before you switch to decreasing every row. I've just changed the stitch count to better mirror with the increased decreases in step 6 of the same sections.

Also, these corrections are of my own design and have yet to be approved by Laura Chau. Please be sure to check her official errata page for her corrections.

I've started another new project:

It looks very similar to another recent project, no? This one isn't for me, though. My mom's poor dog, Jaques, has been affected very much by they're recent move and is (in my opinion) in need of some comforting. Jaques is a tiny-toy-poodle who is about 8 years old and has only ever lived in one place since we got him. He is very much a home-body, who is content to just laze about on a pillow or someone's coat all day without the need for any attention. This all changed with the move. To me, he seems like he is very confussed and lost at the new place. He is always attached to somebody as though he doesn't want to be left alone in this strange new world of his.

I resolved to knit him a bed. Jaques loves to burrow and make little nests in whatever he is lying in. It needed to be something that could move around and allow for his "nesting", but wouldn't take up much space in the laundry room (aka: Jaques' room). Also, it had to be in a neutral color to placate my dad. I didn't want to spend a ton on the yarn since the bed will be for the dog and who knows what he'll do with it, so I'm using a ball of Caron One Pound on size 5 needles and just knitting around and around. I wanted it to be in the round because he should be less likely to snag his nails in the stitches with all the purl bumps inside the tube. It's kinda slow-going, but I don't mind all the knit stitches because I can watch movies at the same time very easily. I'll post the pattern once I have it finished.

I've got one last highlight for today (overdue, though, it is):

A pic of Chantel's Scarf

Re-evaluating the situation

2009-02-20T10:53:00.003-06:00

I really need to get back to just two projects on the needles at one time. I've been trying to have 3-4 projects going at once, but it just ends with me getting stressed about my knitting. Not my goal. I always get so excited about each new project, but as I work my way around all the ones I have going, I slowly loose my enthusiasm for them. At that point, my knitting just becomes a chore. Something that I have to do that isn't even remotely fun. If I only have one project to work on at home and another to carry with me, I can see more progress and it's much more satisfying.

Another thought occurred to me this week: I suck at gift knitting.

I just recently was able to remember to buy a gift bag for Karen's Scarf. This particular gift was promised back in December & has actually been completed and sitting in my living room since February 9th. That's 10 days of me forgetting to put it in a gift bag and drop it by the store she works at. Soon, I swear it will be gifted soon.

Also, my dad's washcloth is back in time-out because 1.) I have many other projects that I would rather be working on, and 2.) I officially hate it. This time, I really don't have a good reason for hating it. I think that it has just crossed me one too many times in the past. I've finally gotten all the kinks worked-out in the chart (I think) and can work on it fairly smoothly. I really shouldn't have any problems with finishing it, right? No. Now, I only want to glare at it and make it burst into flames so I don't feel compelled to continue on.

Only good karma is being knit into this gift. -_-

Good Times

2009-02-10T23:46:00.004-06:00

I am so super excited!!! At knitting tonight, Teresa (sp?) surprised me with an early birthday gift of roving and a drop spindle from herself and Rita. I've been wanting to try spinning ever since Rita had a demo for us at Athena's a few months back, but I just wasn't sure where to start. There are so many different kinds of spindles and types of roving out there, it was pretty overwhelming. I can't wait till tomorrow to play with everything. (I'm too tired to try anything new tonight.)

Also, I finished sewing the seams on my first February Sock tonight at B&N. Knitting socks flat is really a leap of faith. When you're knitting them in the round (whether toe-up or top-down) you can at least try them on as you go. By just knitting them flat, you really have no clue as to whether they will actually fit you or not until that last seam is in. I tried mine on as soon as I got home and all I can say is this:

Love.

This sock actually turned-out quite a bit better than my January Socks did. I managed to make my heel flap correctly. (I realized as I was starting the heel flap on this sock that I did the ones on my January Socks wrong. You do not, in fact, slip every-other stitch on each row, only on the right-side rows.) The pieces of the foot lined-up nicely as I was seaming them. I adore the way the stripes worked-out and, basically, these socks are going to be on my most-worn list.

(Sorry for the lack of pics. I'll post some soon.) ^_^

One Down, Nine To Go

2009-02-09T00:08:00.006-06:00

On top of my Year-of-Socks project, I want to get rid of all the UFOs that are clogging-up my living room. (We have a very small apartment, I can't afford to have 1/5 of my living room covered in unfinished projects and half-attempted-ideas.) I've just finished the first of the nine projects that I found:

Karen's Scarf

Next on the agenda for finishing is the hand-made portion of my dad's Christmas present. (Here is the drama surrounding this gift.) I ended-up just giving him the assortment of natural bar soaps that I had bought at the craft show last fall with the promise that he would get the bath cloth once I wasn't quite as mad at it. I think that a little over a month is a good enough length of time to make it sit in time-out...

Dad's 2008 Christmas Gift

I was finally able to get some decent pics of my yarn and the beginnings of my Just Enough Ruffles scarf (Laura Chau). At first, I wasn't sure if I liked the stripes, but now I'm glad that I kept at it. I love the colors together and the stripes are looking better and better as I work the short rows on the scarf. (I am using 3 skeins of the tan for the scarf, but the 3rd was already wound into a ball and being used to start the scarf when I took the pic.)

Plymouth Yarn Royal Llama Silk
Colorways: 1829 (tan) & 1841 (blue)

Close-up of the first few rows on my scarf.

The scarf thus far.

My February Socks have been moving right along. (Honestly, quite a bit quicker than I intended, I'm currently about 3 days ahead of schedule on them.) They're the most handy take-along project that I have, so it's hard not to always have them with me at my knit groups and my parents' house. The striping on these is turning-out very nicely so I'm glad that Michelle convinced me to keep working on them. When I thought that it might be a self-striping yarn, I almost switched to a more random colorway. Rita assured me, though, that this colorway was never intended to be self-striping and that I just lucked-out. I'm so happy with how they're looking, I just hope that they fit.

The front 1/2 of sock #1 is complete!!

The heel-flap, up close and personal.

The view from the back.

We had a fun adventure the other day. (By we, I mean my parents, myself, and my two youngest siblings.) As we were driving around town looking at houses (something that I'm sure you all do), we drove past the first house I lived in. Well, we drove past the lot, rather. Unfortunately, we believe that the people who bought it from us were making meth in the house. A couple years back, the house was torn down and the lot has just been sitting with a driveway and garage surrounded by trees since.

Recently, the lot was put-up for sale and I desperately wish that Dan and I could buy it. I always loved that house and neighborhood. Even if the original house is gone, I would still like to move back to where I grew-up. (Yes, I do still live in the same city, but this is different.) I'm normally not one to get super emotional, but driving past the old place still makes me sad. It made it even worse when my dad pulled in the driveway and we got out to look at the mark that I had left by the garage when I was one...

Crazy Busy!! (but lots of fun...)

2009-02-02T22:43:00.005-06:00

We had an amazing day at Athena’s yesterday!! They had their 2nd annual Yarn Tasting and I loved it. The whole idea behind it is to let everyone sample little “tastes” of different fibers that we may not normally try.

This year the line-up included:

Qiviuk (gold) - 28 yards
Possum (Green) - 33 yards
Handpaint Linen Lace (Orange/Yellow/Green) - 36 yards
Traboajos (Brown/Red/Green/Orange) - 24 yards
Creative Focus Silk (Pink) - 20 yards
Wagtail 2ply (Orange) - 55 yards
Silky Merino (Brown) - 23 yards
Jelly (Raspberry) - 26 yards
Along with a pair of size 5, 5” Rosewood double points and a sample of wool wash.

Also, this year they included patterns to make either a hat, gauntlets or a moebius scarf out of the samples. I chose the hat because I love it to death and think that it’s amazing!! (Photo of different the tastes shamelessly stolen from Athena's Flickr.)

Finally, I have pics of the completed January Socks. (Forgive the strangeness, it was somewhere around 2 am when I decided to have a photo-shoot with them...)

Just Enough Ruffles by Laura Chau is the first KAL that we’re doing in the Laura Chau Designs Group on Ravelry & it started on Feb 1, 2009. I got started a day late on this because yesterday was completely crazy busy. I’ve got the cast-on, though. Sadly, no pics of the 200 stitch cast-on... but I did have pics of the lovely yarn that I'll be using for it until I looked at them and realized how horrible they were. Maybe tomorrow...

I did, however, get started on my February Socks right on time and I love the way that they are looking!! I'm wondering, though, if this colorway is supposed to be a self-striping yarn because of the striping/pooling that I'm getting. I'll have to ask Rita to find out for sure. Either way, though, I love this colorway for this month.

I am still trying to get into this type of sock. Normally, I wouldn't knit my socks flat because I love just going round and round in stockinette but I really wanted to try a bunch of different types of socks with this year long project. So, I'm knitting socks flat and them seaming them. The pattern itself is written well, I'm just not a fan of the back-and-forth stockinette (I would much rather be using my little 9" sock-circs).

Laura does do a really good job of explaining the hows and whys of this type of sock which is really nice. (Like why you need to cast-on more stitches for a sock knit flat than you would for a sock knit in the round.)

Yet another Ribbed-For-Her-Pleasure Scarf (Debbie Stoller) is in the works. After seeing me make everyone else scarves for Christmas, Karen (an ex-coworker/friend) asked if I could make one for her, too. She picked my favorite colorway, so how could I say no?

More Stash Organization

2009-01-31T21:32:00.005-06:00

The sun never did fully come out yesterday, but I decided to take some pics during mid-day anyway. I don't think that they turned-out too horribly...

Stash

Baby Bee: Sweet Delight Baby
Colorway: Frolic Ombre
Using for October Socks

Crystal Palace Yarns: Mini Moch i
Colorway: #103
Using for June Socks

Baby Bee: Sweet Delight Baby
Colorway: Ladybug Ombre
Using for April Socks

Sunshine Yarns: Soft Sock Yarn
Colorway: Bitterroot
Using for July Socks

South West Trading Company: Tofutsies
Colorway: #854
Using for September Socks

Also, my January Socks are all finished!! I'll post pics of the totally complete ones once I get them loaded onto my computer. Until then, though, you'll have to just look at the "almost there" socks...

(I'm sorry about the bad lighting. As I told you, the sun never really came out yesterday.)

Ok, Now I'm Excited

2009-01-30T12:22:00.002-06:00

Rita at Castle Fibers just announced that she’s starting a new line of yarns called R.I.P. and I need to get the Scab colorway for my December Socks!!

It would be so perfect!!

Come Out Sun

2009-01-30T11:57:00.001-06:00

I'm really hoping that the sun will cooperate with me today and come out soon so that I can get some more pics taken. I spent last night figuring out which yarns I want for each month of socks. I've just got 4 months left to pick-up yarn for, so I don't think that I'm doing too badly. The July and September socks may switch places, though. To me, bright green lace socks seem far more appropriate to knit in the summer than in the fall.

Hopefully, I'll be back later with actual pics and more content.

^_^

Winter Buddy Pattern

2009-01-27T22:38:00.004-06:00

I just used some worsted-weight Red Heart that I had on-hand for this cute little Snow-person. Worked in the round in single crochet, it’s a very quick project and is great for beginners or last minute gifting.

You can also use a baggie filled with sand as part of the stuffing for the Bottom Snowball and he becomes a very festive doorman. (I suggest staying away from fillings like beans and rice because they can attract bugs over the years.)

Note: I sewed the buttons onto my snowman after I had finished making him. If you want, you can sew the buttons on prior to stuffing the individual snowballs. (I just like doing the accessorizing last.)

Pattern:

Bottom Snowball

R1: (Using the Magic Ring Method) Work 6 Single Crochets. (6 SC)

R2: Work 2 SC in each SC around. (12 SC)

R3: (SC in next SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(18 sts)

R4: (SC in next 2 SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(24 sts)

R5: (SC in next 3 SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(30 sts)

R6: (SC in next 4 SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(36 sts)

R7: (SC in next 5 SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(42 sts)

R8: (SC in next 6 SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(48 sts)

R9: (SC in next 7 SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(54 sts)

R10: (SC in next 8 SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(60 sts)

R11 - R13: Work even in SC. (60 sts)

R14: (SC in each of next 8 SC, decrease 1 SC) 6 times.
(54 sts)

R15: (SC in each of next 7 SC, dec 1 SC) 6 times.
(48 sts)

R16: (SC in each of next 6 SC, dec 1 SC) 6 times.
(42 sts)

R17: (SC in each of next 5 SC, dec 1 SC) 6 times.
(36 sts)

Fasten off (leaving enough of a tail to sew on Middle Snowball) and tuck-in loose ends. Stuff with fiber-fill, set aside.

Middle Snowball

R1: (Using the Magic Ring Method) Work 6 Single Crochets. (6 SC)

R2: Work 2 SC in each SC around. (12 SC)

R3: (SC in next SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(18 sts)

R4: (SC in next 2 SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(24 sts)

R5: (SC in next 3 SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(30 sts)

R6: (SC in next 4 SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(36 sts)

R7: (SC in next 5 SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(42 sts)

R8: (SC in next 6 SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(48 sts)

R9 - R12: Work even in SC. (48 sts)

R13: (SC in each of next 6 SC, dec 1 SC) 6 times.
(42 sts)

R14: (SC in each of next 5 SC, dec 1 SC) 6 times.
(36 sts)

R15: (SC in each of next 4 SC, dec 1 SC) 6 times.
(30 sts)

R16: (SC in each of next 3 SC, dec 1 SC) 6 times.
(24 sts)

R17: (SC in each of next 2 SC, dec 1 SC) 6 times.
(18 sts)

Fasten off (leaving enough of a tail to sew on Head) and tuck-in loose ends. Stuff with fiber-fill, attach to Bottom Snowball, set aside.

Head

R1: (Using the Magic Ring Method) Work 6 Single Crochets in contrast color. (6 SC)

R2: Work 2 SC in each SC around. (12 SC)

R3: (SC in next SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(18 sts)

R4: (SC in next 2 SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(24 sts)

R5: (SC in next 3 SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(30 sts)

R6: (SC in next 4 SC, 2 SC in next SC) 6 times.
(36 sts)

R7 - R11: (Switch to main color.) Work even in SC. (36 sts)

R12: (SC in each of next 4 SC, dec 1 SC) 6 times.
(30 sts)

R13: (SC in each of next 3 SC, dec 1 SC) 6 times.
(24 sts)

R14: (SC in each of next 2 SC, dec 1 SC) 6 times.
(18 sts)

R15: (SC in next SC, dec 1 SC) 6 times.
(12 sts)

R16: (dec 1 SC) 6 times.
(6 sts)

Stuff with fiber-fill, thread yarn through remaining 6 SC and pull tight to close hole. Make a small pom-pom & attach to the center of the “hat”. Attach Head to the Middle Snowball, weave in ends, set aside.

(I just embroidered a brim onto the “hat” by overlapping basic stitches along the color change until they bumped-out and gave a bit of a lip.)

Scarf

R1: Ch 70. Fasten off, cut yarn leaving a 3 inch tail. (70 sts)

R2: SC into each ch. Fasten off, cut yarn leaving a 3 inch tail. (70 sts)

R3: SC into each ch. Fasten off, cut yarn leaving a 3 inch tail. (70 sts)

Add fringe to scarf ends, trim to 1.5”. Tie onto Snowman.

Finishing

Determine button alignment and sew onto Snowman.

Ta-Da!! Now you have a cute little winter buddy.

^_^

Trying to get all caught up...

2009-01-27T16:04:00.004-06:00

Right now my knitting obsession is threatening to take over our little apartment so I need to make an honest attempt to organize everything before something gets either destroyed or spilled on. I almost had a heart attack when my dad's washcloth was nearly drenched in tea last night because I was trying to avoid stepping on a bag of afghan squares. So, I decided that in the next few days I'm going to focus on getting all of my yarn and projects entered both here and on Ravelry and then safely packed away so that I don't go crazy.

Projects:

January Socks - I decided to make at least one pair of socks each month this year out of Laura Chau's book, "Teach Yourself Visually Sock Knitting". (Which, just so happens to have 12 different sock patterns.) I love the things that Laura designs and have been meaning to try my hand at socks for awhile now so this is the perfect way to force myself to finally get going. The first pair is the Basic Top-Down Sock Pattern and I've just completed my first sock this morning!! It's just a wee bit snug width-wise so I think that i'll go up a size for my next pair of socks, but keep the lengths the same.

Finished Winter Buddy - I've been putting off taking pics of my finished snowman and I have no idea why. I'm so glad that I found these buttons at Walmart, though. I think that I paid all of $1.50 for a nice big pack of them in black and white. They work very nicely in place of coal, don't they?

Stash:

Regia: Bamboo Color
Colorway: #1065
Using for January Socks

Castle Fibers: Castle's Royal Sock Yarn
Colorway: Christmas Candy Canes
Using for Febuary Socks

Castle Fibers: Yarn(scapes)
Colorway: SD Sunset
I haven't decided which month this will be used for, yet.

Conjoined Creations: Flat Feet
Each flat is unique so there is no colorway
Using for March Socks

Quick Update

2009-01-25T22:34:00.011-06:00

I've been super busy since Christmas and have had some issues logging into my blog on my new computer so here's a quick re-cap:

I made baked apples.

We went to Deadwood.

I worked on my mom's Christmas scarf.

It snowed in Deadwood.

We drove home.

I started making a Snowman of my own design.
(I'll post the pattern as soon as I write it.)

I watched a beautiful sunset on the way to knit-night at Athena's.

I finished my mom's scarf.

I made Merecedes' fingerless gloves.

I liked them so much that I made a pair for Cathy.

Whew! I still have more, too, but those pics are on my phone and I don't feel like sending them to my e-mail at the moment. I'll hopefully have more updates (with pics) tomorrow, but now I have to go to bed because Dan is tired and has to work early.

Nighty night,

^_^

It is now 2:20 AM...

2008-12-24T02:20:00.005-06:00

... and I am tired, hungry, sore and crabby.

Our evening got off to a great start when our toilet overflowed all over the bathroom so much that we had to use most of our towels to be able to catch it before it ran down the vent. This resulted in the bathroom floor needing to be mopped. I decided that if the whole floor was getting mopped, then the rest of the bathroom should be tidied a bit, too. So, most of my evening was devoted to scrubbing the shower, tub, sink, mirror and pretty much everything else in the room while washing the toilet-water towels.

By the time that was finished (midnight), I was in no way ready to go to sleep (Dan had been sleeping for 2 1/2 hours already). So, I decided that I should take advantage of the peace and quiet to attempt to figure-out where I had gone wrong on my dad's lace bath cloth. I really should have gone to bed... or at least should have been mindlessly knitting row upon row of 2x2 ribbing on Merecedes scarf while watching a movie and dozing on the couch. Oh, no. I decided that I needed to work on the dang lace pattern that I've been having issues with since the cast-on.

This was a very bad idea.

I was almost 1/2 done with the whole thing when I picked it up tonight, but now look at it:

Yes, after all my hard work and hours upon hours of attempting to wrestle the pattern into something real, I frogged the whole darn thing and started over.

It was a lot harder to do this than you may realize. I had never had to frog an entire project because of an issue that I couldn't fix. I'm sure that tomorrow I'll wake-up, look at the pattern realize what I did wrong, and curse my hasty decision. At this point, though, frogging seemed the only logical reason with tomorrow being Christmas Eve and the other Christmas projects that I still have to work on sitting in bags by my bedroom door. That pattern had been giving me problems from the get-go, so maybe this is for the better.

We'll see what happens in the morning once I have a clear head.

Have I been busy!!

2008-12-22T23:26:00.003-06:00

Oof, I thought that I would be able to get on here more, but I've just been so busy with Christmas knitting that I really haven't done anything else. I've only got my sister's and dad's to finish and then I have to start my mom's if I have time. I do have another gift for her, though, so if her's isn't finished by Christmas, it may be a New Year's gift. She'll still love it, right?

I started and finished Robert's Christmas Scarf last week and I just love how it turned-out!! Tomorrow I'm going to try to get some pictures of it before I wrap it up. This is one that I just improvised after I got the yarn. Originally, I thought that I could get away with just a simple blue (#0133) garter-stitch scarf for him, but I just didn't like how it was turning-out. So that idea was ripped-out and replaced with a simple checkerboard pattern of knits and purls for the body of the scarf... then I ran out of yarn. Back to the yarn store I went and bought the same yarn (Plymouth Yarn - Jelli Beenz) in red (#1386). I switched to a double seed stitch for the last 16 rows then took out the blue cast-on stitches so that I could work the same design in red on that end. I finished the whole thing with fringe in the red and few blue scraps that I had left and it's just perfect for little Mr. Robert.

^_^

(I promise I'll post pictures and a pattern as soon as possible.)

Yay for Yarn!!

2008-12-14T17:12:00.005-06:00

I'm so excited to get this up and going. I've been wanting to start a blog for awhile now and finally took the time to get it done. Yay!!

Now onto the projects...

I've been working on my Tech Squares Afghan for a few months now and am nearing the end. I love the way that everything is turning out & can't wait to snuggle in it. Yesterday in class Lisa was amazing and gave me the extra ball of Malibrigo that she had left over from her Afghan and it's the most lovely shade of teal. I am so going to make it into a wonderful lacy scarf as soon as possible.

I just got the best yarn ever for Robert's Christmas present and am going to make a simple garter-stitch scarf with auto-I-Cord on the edges. He'll love it because it's Thomas-Blue and has lots of other colored flecks in it.

Sorry for the lack of pictures, I'll hopefully be getting either a new camera or we'll find the disk to ours soon. Until then, I'll just have to be good at describing.

^_^