Must Keep Knitting

2010-03-31T07:04:00.000-07:00

Does this still work?

2006-10-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

Goodbye Blogger! Please look for me at http://www.mustkeepknitting.typepad.com I'll be there.

2006-07-19T18:46:00.000-07:00

WooHoo! The post worked. Well, I've been away a very long while. I got bogged down in how long it takes me to post sometimes, because I use dial-up service, and pictures take a long time, etc. I want to try this again, because I have gained so much support and joy from the other blogs I have read.
So this photo? Well, that's a couple of eggs, of course. One normal sized, and one very largo. Courtesy of a couple of our chickens. Knitting pictures will have to wait until I find the camera, see what's on it, and take some fresh pictures. I haven't been blogging, but I have definitely been knitting. And gathering eggs. It's a full life.

2006-07-19T18:40:00.000-07:00

Will blogger let me make a post?! Let's see, shall we? I would like to start blogging again, as I have already said. Unfortunately, the last time I said it, and tried to publish my post, it disappeared into the blogger abyss. I'll try this much, and if it works, I'll go from there.

2006-01-27T19:06:00.000-08:00

Progress! I am making some progress. Actually even more than these show. I just can't seem to manage to remember to do photos during daylight hours. My diet is going moderately well. I am trying. I finished Shiloh's knee socks. Too cute. They are made from knitpicks sockgarden in "new england foliage". Toe up, hourglass heel, 3x1 rib top, with a bit of leg shaping and 1x1 rib at the tippy top. Very fun and fast.
Also, I finished yet another pair of socks from the famous "six pair at once" adventure. Who am I kidding: I have at least that many going now, I just haven't gathered photographic evidence. Very dark pic here, sorry. These are made from woolease. These are the first socks I've done in a really long time with the standard heel flap. I just thought I should give it a go, to see how it was now that I am better at picking up stitches, etc. It was really fun, I find I have a much greater appreciation for it now. In fact, I've been pouring over the library copy of "Folk Socks", which I now must own. And I have, well, let's just say, more socks going with that heel. Oh, I referred to Nancy Lindberg's "Knit to Fit Ankle or Calf Socks" pattern on this one. This is an excellent sock construction pattern. It's a great intro to sock knitting, and a good reference for sock design. I like these socks because I can save them for occasions when I need quiet, polite (bland) socks, yet the large gauge meant I didn't get completely bored before they finished. I did 3x1 rib on this one too. Siri at http://www.knittingiris.typepad.com once mentioned that this was her sort of "standard" top, and I had never used it before. I've used it a few times now and like it. I do find that I have to be conscious to bind off more loosely than normal for some reason, but that's okay. That was one of the many lessons learned on Long Skinny Sock.
I am trying to stay the course. I will go now, as I have delusions of finishing Keith's amber socks for a surprise Valentine's day gift. Did I mention he wears a size 12 or 13 shoe?

2006-01-14T19:38:00.000-08:00

I'm on A Diet! A project diet, that is. I call it the 2 for 1 diet. For each two projects I complete, I am allowed to start one new one. Until things get under control or I binge. I decided this last night. I was adamant and enthusiastic all morning. The first project to be completed will be Shiloh's knee socks ( I have one done) and then probably the woolease socks that at the 1 1/2 socks stage. The first project to start after that is to be Keith's amber socks. I've used this diet before, and it works pretty well, because I have to choose my new projects carefully. Once they are started, there are no more new ones until two more projects are finito. It is flexible: I can work on any or all of my different knits whenever. As long as two somethings get done.
But you know what came in the mail today? The happy trails sock yarn. The siren song that left me crashed upon the rocks. Poor, innocent Shiloh. I said (speaking to Keith) "I'm starting your socks." Shiloh said "my second knee sock!!", very excitedly. Me: "um, well, yes, I have your sock started too." Okay, so I did a little amber socks swatching, but now I am decidedly back on the wagon. I have to get the knee socks done before I consider cheating again.
Another funny bit about the new yarn. Not so much funny haha, more like funny "oh crap". I got seven rather that eight skeins. I am short one. I don't know if I ordered wrong or it was written down wrong. All I can say is I meant to order two "fleece". So I need to order another. More shipping. Remember yesterday, how I was listing the cost of stopping by the library? Add this on. So, here's the question: Do I just order the one skein I need, and pay $4.50 shipping on a $5.75 ball of yarn, or do I order some other yarn (to make the shipping less of a percentage) that I had planned on ordering later, when I had squirreled away more cash? Well, the good news is that I called, and she (Nancy Bush!) is going to set aside the one in the dye lot, until I call to order more. I looove the yarn. Pictures and details next time. Right now, I have a sock to work on, and a movie to watch.

2006-01-12T19:27:00.000-08:00

Some Of What I've Been Up To: Here are some of the socks that I started when I had the insane idea of working on 6 different pair of socks at the same time. Don't get me wrong: insane yes, but I have not changed my behavior. I still have atleast that many pair going now. What is happening to me? I have enough Cash Iroha stockpiled to do my hourglass sweater, and still it's all socks. Anyway, let's see here. On the left you see the pair of socks that I love, and that almost sent me over the edge. These two socks represent three socks knitted. You mean you can't see the first? Well, it's there, ripped and reknitted into the third. But oh, I do LOVE that colorway. It's Steinbache Wolle Strapez Ringel. I did a 3X1 rib top. And why buy new jeans when I can spend the money on sock yarn? On the right are my Christmas socks. Yes, they were done in time for all Christmas parties. Funny, I hated doing the toe reinforcement. After I finished the second one, I noticed that I did not bother going near as far with it on the first one. But it's pure merino, and I just don't have much faith in the durability of these babies. They will now go in the drawer until next Christmas. Made from Knitpicks sock garden hollyberry, with a GS rib top. Next, we have gobs of koolaid microwave dyed wool. The dark Burgundy color at the back is regia (white) dyed with 2 black cherry, 1 grape per skein. These are going to be socks (Surprise!), "gentlemen's shooting stockings" from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. Well, so, I might as well tell you. So, I have looked at this book many times at work. It has grown on me. So, in an effort to be good, I stop by the library to see if they have it. They don't. But I check out Folk Socks and Knitting On the Road, neither one of which have I ever been totally smitten with. But, they too grew on me. So, the next thing I know, I'm ordering (guess!) more sock yarn. From Nancy Bush. Enough to do Finnish socks for me and Amber socks for Keith. (He said he really liked them, and did not immediately strike down the whole ordering idea, so I acted quickly.) And then so, at work the next day, I of course bought the vintage socks book, AND 3 skeins of Jawoll to make these:
These are the Evening Stockings. Oh, knee socks. Oh joy! I picked a more practical color for me. This pattern is such a pleasure. And the shooting socks are next.
So let's review: In an attempt to save money, I ended up buying a book, 3 skeins of Jawoll, 8 skeins of wooly west happy trails, and 2 skeins of regia. Beware the innocent public library. So, there's 4 more pair of socks waiting on me. There's more going on. But I think I'm getting a little embarrassed.
Did I mention that Shiloh actually asked me to make her some kneesocks? Be still my heart. So I must go. She is so impatient for them that I have to finish one tonight or she is going to make me bind it off tomorrow, however short it is. But, this is only 48 stitches and I only have 3 inches to go. Someday I will begin to reveal the shameful amount of yarn, knitting books and roving I got for Christmas.

2006-01-09T19:40:00.000-08:00

Ah, the Vest! Pretty nice huh? Yeah, too bad it fits my body, instead of my husband's. After all, it was supposed to be for him. Just for clarity, Keith is 6 foot, and like maybe 175 pounds. So, I bought the fleece, washed it, carded it, spun it. I knitted my swatch. I made the vest. See the slightly big leap here? From swatch to entire vest, knit on a 24" needle, and never smoothing the baby out and rechecking my freaking gauge? Yeah. Well, it was meant to be a Christmas surprise that I got it done. And I did, working madly. Well, it turned out to be quite a surprise for me too. I did not see this one coming. This vest was so meant for him, in my heart, that for quite a while I could not deal with the tiny bit of finishing. It just lay there, dejected, in the trunk of the car. Well, I've moved on. This vest is so comfy. And it does fit me perfectly. Keith swears I did it subconsciously on purpose. So, details: the wool is a lovely coopworth-Maine island cross, that I got at work. (If anyone is interested, I think we still have some.) Very soft. In fact, as I carried Shiloh up to the house from the little creek that we play in, and that she fell in that day, even bare legged, she swore it wasn't itchy. (It was crazy warm that day, and she did have on pants, until she soaked them falling in. Please don't think I'm a bad mom.) The basis of the pattern is from Nancy Lindberg's "Family of Vests". I have done my version of this vest 5-6 times now, and I love the ease of it. My main changes are that I knit it in the round to the armholes, and that I do a much more gradual decrease, and fewer decreases overall, in the front. I love that the neck and armholes have GS edging knit as you go. The finishing on this takes 10 minutes. It's looking like Keith's vest is going to be out of Donegal Tweed. Isn't life funny.

2006-01-06T20:28:00.000-08:00

I'm Back... December was an odd month for me in ways I can figure out, and in some ways I can't . The thing with blogging, I can't knit and type. Anyway, I am trying again. Maybe there is someone out there who might still find my existence. I think I need to live in southern Italy or Mexico, or someplace equally sunny. Italy...Better yarn. Part of my absence I'll leave as nonexistence. Part of it I'll explain as I have the energy. First of all it started because I was having major problems with my blog host. Hopefully that is over. Then, I think I had a semi-serious knitting crisis. I stalled out after the full-skein sock that I had to rip. I will actually finish that pair tonight. People talk about second sock syndrome--how about THIRD sock syndrome?! Actually, I've been cranking on this one because I'm so psyched to finally get to wear them tomorrow.. In fact, I think I'm going to finish them now. I'll get back on the photos soon. Maybe tomorrow I can photograph the vest I made for Keith for Christmas...I'll save the details of that disaster until my socks are on my feet.

2005-12-01T16:48:00.000-08:00

Knitting Aimlessly: It would seem that my knitting foibles of last week have somehow managed to leave me dead in the water. I have been knitting, but what? I'm not sure. Well, (and I know the picture focus is not focused-I'll try again later) I do have 1 1/2 tiny thumbless baby mittens knit. Very sweet little fair isle deal. The pattern is out of Favorite Mittens, and I used knitpicks Palette and Jamieson and Smith. It seems like an unholy union, but they are happy together. (Sometimes I become conscious of how esoteric my knitspeak is, but that is why I blog. So I don't have to gabble on with only the pantry listening.) And 3 pair of booties. Two pair for the dolls and one pair for an as yet undecided "real" baby. As you can see, one of the doll booties is already AWOL. The yarn for the doll booties came from Target. Yes, Target. Target yarn. Wow. And the real ones are made from cashmerino. Now that's more like it. The pattern is my slight adaptation from the book Knits from the Heart by Kristin Spurkland. The only change I made is that instead of breaking the yarn (twice per boot) I just 1) made them one color and 2) knitted around to the new beginning of round. But they are very fast to do, stay on (dolls) well, and can use up bits of stash. It think the pattern is fairly learned after 6 booties.
And now hopefully, I am getting my focus back. It dawned on me that the Christmas socks needed to be worked on if they are to be worn this Christmas. I turned the heel while watching a movie that I have seen way too many times. Then I started the top with the lovely GS rib from Sensational Knitted Socks. It's just the right amount of interest balanced with ease/speed/brainlessness that I need to actually get these done. Basically, it's a K2P2 rib, alternated with a straight round. Very effective. I love that book. In fact I just found out about a new KAL, for this book. I will try to link it tomorrow or so, but tonight I don't have the strength to remember how to do it. Please keep in mind that until last summer, the last computer we had purchased was in approximately 1990. It obviously has been in retirement for several years now. It's a steep learning curve. Anyway, oh, hey, I DID IT! I think. Hurrah.
Okay, and there's some mitten attempts going. A bit of gauge wankiness. I think I'm getting too experimental to realistically expect success every time. But I think the mittens I'm working on now will fit Keith. Or maybe, like, some cold-handed mountain gorilla.
We went to our local hands on science museum this afternoon. Keith got to come too, which was a real treat because the girls got to each do what they wanted to do, for how long they wanted to do it. Iva got to climb to the tippy top of the two story grapevine, which she doesn't usually do because Shiloh will only go so high, and Iva wants moral support up really high. This thing is so cool. I'll take pictures next time we are there. It has giant leaf shaped climbing tiers, carpet covered, and the whole thing is enclosed in cable netting, so it's totally safe. The local winery sponsored it, so it's a grapevine, yah? The large local homeschool group happened to be there too, so I reconnected a little with them. All in all a good day, even if I didn't get an A+ at the dentist. Now, I must get back to the socks.

2005-11-25T13:27:00.000-08:00

Inspiration and Vexation: Just when one gets a bit cocky as a knitter, the universe makes sure it bites said knitter in the arse. So, I should definitely beware when, after say a sock class, I make comments like "why can't they do the figure 8 cast on? I do it all the time, and I didn't have anyone to show me how to do it." Time for humble pie. So, this wonderfully long sock that I finished is just a scunch too snug (like 4 stitches). I thought I would try it a little bit narrower. I pulled one of those "it'll be okay" deals each time I tried it on. It is not okay. There is, apparently, a reason I always have made my socks the size I have always made them. Because that's the way I like them to fit, that's why. So, this FO is a finished, fantastic, f****ed, and about to be frogged object. But, I did accomplish something I always wanted to do: I used an entire skein for one sock. Another lesson learned: I don't like my socks that tall. Love that Humble pie, another slice please. So, below is my new most favorite book. Mittens. Oh, how fickle am I? But seriously, this is a re-release of two previous books by Robin Hansen, and is totally cool. This is a collection of traditional mittens from Maine and the Northeast coast. These folks know how to make warm mittens. My first mitten(s) are so exciting. The first one went slow because there were several new techniques I had to work through, as well as some instructions that I feel could have been a bit more clearly written, and a bit of wonky math. Nevertheless, I am totally HONKED on this book. I'm a sucker for ethnic knitting, and mittens hold the same lure (I'm learning) as do socks. Short but sweet (sometimes bittersweet) and tons of variety. Plus, the potential to bust stash backlog. So, of course the second mitten went much faster, since I knew what I was doing, right? Huh, that's funny how the decreases at the fingertip didn't work out the same as the first one. But it looks okay, keep moving. Let's crank out the thumb so I can start another pair. OH holy mittens so that's why. I had put two too many stitches on my thumb waste yarn. Just two stitches. But see how the thumb is? Those brilliant stripes perfectly branching off the main? I could fudge it or rip it. What would you do? What would the old ladies in Maine do? (Or the young ladies, as an old lady would never have made this goof) I had to sleep on it. Rip it, rip it good. I am stuffed on pie, thanks much. 4 sock stitches + 2 mitten stitches = a lot of extra knitting opportunity. We all have learning to do. And between the annoying skinny sock and the mitten affair, all those six pair of socks are sitting dejected. I had not touched a sock since Tuesday. Until last night. After being jilted by the striped mitten, I went home to the comfort of my familiar sock. I started the second of the pair of the one above. I don't have the nerve to rip the first one until I knit the second one. Then at least if things fall apart, I still have a pair (be it ever so imperfect). I love knitting.

2005-11-20T18:10:00.000-08:00

What Is This Insanity? Yes, that's right. You are seeing that I have 6, SIX socks started at the same time. It's so shameful. My other projects are looking at me accusingly from my dusty knitting basket/heap. In fact, I actually pulled the needles out of one sock to start the "Christmas" sock. I want to have them done by December 10, my extended family''s party day. The sock from which I filched the needles is a cotton/wool blend, so they are really spring/summer socks, so can wait. But still, it says something that I have enough small double points to have 5 socks on the needles.
So what do we have here? At the top, the cream, is woolease. A cuff down, with 3x1 ribbing, with a traditional heel flap from Nancy Lindberg's sock pattern. I decided I wanted to do a heel flap just for fun. Next, clockwise, is my FAVE: Steinbach Wolle Sport. This sock is almost done, toe-up, with 3x1 rib, and I am determined to use the entire skein. Next is debbie bliss baby cashmerino in red, knitpicks dancing, in hoedown (I think), then Knitpicks sockgarden in Hollyberry. This is the first pure merino (ie no nylon) sock I've done for me. It's very soft but I don't think too durable. But I just hope it';ll make it through Christmas. I used a new toe start on this one, so that was fun. Then finally, the green is knitpicks essentials in grass, toe-up, using a beaded rib from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. That book is largely responsible for this sockiness. I've always done socks, but now I'm seeing them sort of like shawls, but on a smaller, less expensive scale. And I actually where these everyday, unlike all my shawls. My head is swimming with pattern choices for the tops of all these socks. And what lies ahead? Well these, among others. Here is my new, long awaited Mountain Colors bearfoot (the little ball in the front) in "mountain tango". Behind it are two more Steinbach Wolle aktiv effekt, colors 07 and 08. I know at some point I'll go back to my standard no brainer sock that I always do, but right now I'm giddy with sock schemes. That little foot on the right is Shiloh's, with her newest socks on.
SO, I noticed that for some reason my settings got switched (it wasn't me--it couldn't have been..) and would not allow comments for awhile. Got that fixed now, I think.
IN other news, no more fish have died. I've had enough pet death this year. Olee, our 18yo crotchety male cat (he took pride, I think, in his crotchetiness, so it's no insult). Then Ginger cat disappeared. So sad, she was only about 10. Then Swimmy and 2 zebra danios (fish). And then Jake. Ugh. But, looked at another direction, we still have Miss Biddie, 13yo kitty, PJ, 8yo toughcat, Elly, 8yo doggy, plus the two new cats: Cleo, 3yo and Fern, 4 months. Plus fish. And 25 hens. What are we, the funny farm? It's not funny. Socks, fur, and eggs. That's us. Off I go to sock land.

2005-11-18T20:49:00.000-08:00

Goodbye Old Friend. Jake has been part of our family since before our kids were born. He was never anything but a good dog. Kind, intelligent, so patient, and an old soul always. Stoic until the end, when even he could no longer hide the pain he suffered from a degenerative spinal disease. I'm so sorry that I could not do more for him, because he did so much for me. There are a lot of great dogs in the world, but there will never be one exactly like Jake. I am so glad we crossed paths so many years ago, and that I was given the chance to show him that life could be better than he had known up to that point. This picture was taken just a couple weeks ago, when there were still warm days when he could let the sun bake away some of his aches. Elly is in the background. Jake and she were best friends of course. Our loss is great, but tempered by knowing that Jake is not hurting anymore. Although his life had changed over the years, as our lives changed, he had a great doggy life. Lots of sun, plenty of deer chasing (or rabbit, or whatever other imaginary animal he could smell the track of as an excuse to go running through our woods), love, treats, people to bark at, and one big daddy (Keith) for his entire life from 6 months (when we got him). So, goodbye Jake. And thankyou so much.

2005-11-09T18:31:00.000-08:00

This Is a Hard One For Me: For months and months now (maybe a year!) Shiloh has been in nap transition. Her need for a nap doesn't really catch up with her until around 3:00 or 4:00pm. If she naps then, she wakes up an hour or two later, then is ready to stay up until 12:00 or 1:00. If she doesn't nap then, by 5 or 6 it's so awful. She's exhausted and cranky and so sensitive (as I would be if someone was telling me I couldn't go to sleep). But I need to keep her up until atleast 7 or she still doesn't sleep through. I try soothing her. I try comforting her, distracting her. I'm not into trying to convince her she's not feeling what she's feeling, but I also am trying to keep her even-keeled. Meanwhile Iva has needs too at this time of day. She's a little tired too, plus it's dinner. Interestingly, once we get past this tough period, that is once it is, say 7:00, she gets her second wind and might stay up playing happily until 9:00. We've managed thus far, but I am amazed that it's lasted so long. I mean, it was really different and easier with Iva so this is a new experience for me. But I'm worried that I'm implanting in Shiloh this precedent to ignore her body's messages (ie "You're sleepy") , and I feel like it is a real point of conflict between us, even if I am trying to be supportive. The thing is, her staying up until 1:00am just will not work for our family. It's not just that I want her to go to bed at a "proper" bedtime or something. And maybe for some families it would present no problem. But I really need this evening space to get myself recharged for the next day. It is my quiet down time, and regular solitude is essential for me. When I don't get it, I can definitely tell a difference in my ability to parent creatively and patiently the next day. This time of year Keith is only working two jobs, instead his spring/summer three/four (depending on whether you consider running a plant nursery and doing farmer's market as one or two jobs.) Oh, wait, I forgot he is doing a part-time construction job 2 days a week now. Add in another job. He doesn't get any space for himself either. But I'm talking space from the little ones, so that I can be a good mom. It is really the only non-kid space I get, except for 7 hours at work once a week. But that's not my time either, in the sense of getting myself grounded. So it's a toughy. I'm not trying to bitch too much about how busy we are, I'm just trying to explain that I've tried to convince myself that maybe I should just let her stay up with me, which sometimes I do. But that is just not sustainable for us right now. I've tried making quiet time earlier in the day, like around 1:00 (or even 2 or 3 when I can tell she's really tired) and encourage her to take a nap then. She just hangs on and fights it. Amazing. She's such a beautiful person, so unwilling to miss a second of this exciting world. I feel so sad for her when she's so sleepy and I'm telling her "you can't go to sleep right now". Any ideas?

2005-11-06T17:10:00.000-08:00

Where Have I Been? Well, I'll say it has something to do with this hen. That's my story, and I'm sticking with it. This, by the way, is Orangejuice, and she is a silver-laced Wyandotte. And, actually, in the background is Careful (directly behind OJ's head), who is an araucania, and Twin (to the left). Twin is one of two Twins, of course, so named because there are only so many silverlaced wyandottes in a flock that are distinct enough to tell apart. Although Iva knows which Twin is which, based on their behavior. We have twentysome hens and they are totally cool. We also always have about 11 dozen eggs in our fridge at all times. Along with my yarn stash, these eggs will secure my future when the new Eggyarn economy comes to pass.
Swimmy Lookout the betta is dead. He looked great yesterday, as far as we can all recall, but this morning he looked as if someone had dissolved 80% of his fins. I felt really sorry for him, he looked pretty miserable. So in that sense, the death is a relief. I kept saying "poor Swimmy" and Iva said "he's not poor Swimmy now, Mommy, because he's dead."
I taught my first classes at work this weekend. It was so great. Class #1 was drop spindling. Class #2 was a topdown sweater. Everyone had a good time I think. Except maybe the couple people who had to swatch about 6 times each (no kidding) because they really had no guess as to where their gauge was at. But everyone left with atleast a start of a sweater. I'm curious to see what comes back in two weeks. The drop spindling was awesome. Five people getting revved up about spindling. Hopefully they will stick with it and come back in for more help when they need it. Plus, being at work on a different day, I got to see a couple friends that I don't see often. It's nice to have someone to talk Sock with who is as enthusiastic as me.
A journey North is on our Horizon. Are you ready for that Andy? Hopefully it'll happen, AND I'll get to scope out some yarn shops in southern Wisconsin.
Gotta go. I think I here Orangejuice coming.

2005-10-31T12:13:00.000-08:00

A Couple of Socks, But Not a Pair. I managed to polish off these two socks just under the wire for Socktoberfest. I'm so happy with both of them. The shorty top is the sockotta #621. The other is Trekking XXL #100. Both are toe up, on size US1.5. Shorty top is over 72 stitches and Trekking is over 60 stitches. I'm wearing the Trekking sock, mated with another, previously knit sock. Guess I get that from Shiloh. Socktoberfest was amazing. So many knitters making such beautiful socks! Well, the ladybugs are definitely back today. I took some pictures, but it's hard to capture full effect. I'm going to add to this post tonight, but I did want to get these socks up today. Now I must go see Iva's pretend pet baby frog. PM addition: I live in a land of socks and ladybugs and massive amounts of laundry and tiny plastic toys. I so dislike plastic toys. We totally avoided them for so long, and yet once you just crack the door, WHAM, in flies the plastic. We definitely avoid the worst ones. Oh, who am I kidding, they are all gross. I guess at some point alternative becomes conservative. I've been told I am very conservative because we don't have TV (just some videos). And I guess I am conservative because I think those "bratz" dolls are offensive in about 67 different ways. If you don't know what I'm talking about, there is probably an entire aisle of them at your local department store. Now there are "baby bratz". Ugh. I can't even go into it. My kids like playmobil toys. We're pretty careful to choose the bucolic ones. Although K needed a small Viking set. But some of the pieces are tiny. I'm talking cups that are 3/8" tall, etc. So I am constantly accidentally kicking whatever is left out (and it's plenty) across the wood floor as I am walking around knitting socks, vacuuming ladybugs, doing laundry, and picking up toys. Maybe I should vacuum up the toys, ladybugs and the laundry and just knit more socks. I think I'll do that. Later.

2005-10-31T11:57:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween! Collages brought to you by Iva and Shiloh.

2005-10-31T01:18:00.000-08:00

What a Big Day! My day was crazy long and pretty great. Yesterday the girls and I decided we would have a "party" (term used very loosely) today to celebrate Halloween. Our house, with us and my folks (that is, mom and dad). Bear in mind, yesterday I'm tired because S was up a lot the night before with a stuffy nose. My house is a wreck. And Target is all out of gummi worms for the decided on cupcakes. Thank goodness for gummi fish and FINGERS! So this morning, both girls are a bit snotty and fussy. K carves pumpkins with them, then we do a little Halloween craft project. I panic at this point because lunch (ie party) is in an hour, the kids still aren't ready to go on cruise control, and I can't find my kitchen table under the debris of life. Okay, calm down. I finally eat. Food for me is often a forgotten and annoying necessity. I love food, but lately it's just one more thing, you know? Anyway, the girls and I make the cupcakes, and the icing. (Sidenote: this is our favorite icing: Organic whip cream, whipped with maybe 2T of powdered sugar. And in this case, orange food coloring :( They love it and we pile it on thick.) Meanwhile, K goes to my cousin's house to pick up a great couch and big stuffed chair, and tons of hand-me-downs for Iva. Dinner goes well.
The furniture couldn't come in because the ladybugs emerged today. This is a weird and awful phenomenon specific to our county, apparently. They are not real ladybugs, but some invasive knockoff. They stink terribly and bite. And when they emerge, there are hundreds of thousands of them in the air, in your hair, crawling all over your house, in your nose. K did a fair amount of swearing at them today. I would show you a photo, but they make it so miserable, you just stay in til they are done doing their thing. Maybe if they are at it tomorrow, I'll be braver. Anyway, the couch is in now and so nice compared to our old futon. Plus I and S strung the 3 big bags of hand-me-downs across the living room. House still a wreck.
Swimmy the fish is living large in his new mansion. And attacking his reflection repeatedly, now that he is not lethargic from cold. Tomorrow we are to get some other (non-betta) fish to add, but there is a chance he'll go after there if he is "evil" as the fish-lady said. The saga continues. He's freaking me out a bit. What was I thinking? I'm a passivist with a hyper aggressive fish.
BUT, this sock is done. I'll get a done pic tomorrow, as well as the done Trekking sock. I just finished binding it off while I waited for the photo to be loaded again. Since somehow I made it disappear. I'm so good at this. Socktoberfest is almost over, and I have so many more socks I'm anxious to do. But I also have a fair number of other projects that have been in a holding pattern the past couple of weeks. Once I finished these two pair, I'll probably shift focus a bit. Or atleast expand my focus. Is that possible?
Iva keeps waking up. Man, she hates a stuffy nose. I'm done. It's been a long interesting day.

2005-10-28T22:08:00.000-07:00

Ooh, I Love the Sunshine! I finally got some pictures yesterday before the sun wandered off again. So, let's see. First, obviously, still learning to use the camera. Okay, so on the bottom left is one of my (many) started Socktoberfest socks. It is not done. See its umbilical cord off to motherskein on the left. The yarn is Trekking XXL color 100, and the heel is reinforced with Stahlwolle Socka. Above on the right is my small but growing pile of cash iroha for my Hourglass sweater. I can't believe I have resisted the urge to start it but I am completely sock-sumed. But I am totally excited about making this sweater with this oh so luscious yarn. I tried to convince myself to do it in something less expensive, but the little swatch that I did kept following me around saying "yessss, but feel me." I will get to it. Apparently my plan is to stockpile sock yarn until civilization collapses, at which time I will build my empire. As witnessed by the top left photo. Let me digress here for a second just to say that the sockyarn photo was supposed to be below here. I loaded the picture after I had been writing, but it went to the top and bumped the sock picture down. I cannot figure how to move it or even get rid of it. So I guess that's the last photo I'll post tonight. Okay, back to the yarn. So here is a collection of stuff that came to me this week. It was ordered on a day that I could not get enough space from the girls. Man, Shiloh is so going through some separation anxiety right now. Anyway, I decided that that is just how life is right now, that I should realize that someday she might more space from me than I like. And that until then, I should order more yarn. Makes total sense, right? Mmm...so, Knitpicks. My first taste of these particular yarns. I got Essentials in fawn, pumpkin, grass, and just one skein of black (for heel reinforcing). The green stripey one is Parade in forest. I can't get enough of this type of yarn. And Sock Landscapes in New England Foliage, Sock Garden in Hollyberry. Also I got one skein of palette to see how it looks. I LOVE Jamieson and Smith, but it's price keeps creeping up. The palette looks pretty good. The pure merino sock garden and landscapes are for special occasion socks for me. I'm way too hard on my socks to wear them too much. The solids are for trying out some of the great patterns in Sensational Knitted Socks. Okay, the computer is against me tonight (Why should tonight be any different?). I think my font size is going to be wacky. But I'm getting too tired to even try to care.
Real quick: Shiloh's socks on the last post were made from knitpicks color your own sockweight merino. She and Iva each dyed their own skein with Koolaid. I'll get Iva's on here eventually. And I think I have enough left over form the two skeins to make myself a pair. Although I'm not sure I want koolaid socks. The pattern is my standard toe-up at maybe 7 st/inch on size 2's. The top is from SKS, the lacy rib pattern. I really liked it, and will do it again on solid yarn for a much better effect. The funny things are: 1) they are already felting on the bottom from her little busy feet in shoes. And 2) she's decided she likes to wear one at a time, paired with a speckled regia sock from last season. The color tones match. Right on. I LOVE that my kids prefer my socks far above all others. Okay, well, there are still socks to be knitted.

2005-10-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

Look At Those Little Feet! These sweet little Shiloh feet have on them my first official Socktoberfest socks. Iva's are completed too, but they were started way before October. The day and the clouds did not cooperate with my big outdoor photo shoot plans. So maybe tomorrow.
Our little betta fish consumed a large chunk of our day. Despite the promise of the distracted salesclerk that bettas do great at room temperature, I have found out since that this is not so much true. Well, maybe if I lived in Jamaica. Now there's an idea...and perhaps not much more expensive than setting up a proper aquarium for our $4 friend. Anyhoo, I have found myself keeping the woodstove stoked not for our comfort, but for his. This is not sustainable. So, do I let him be lethargic, become ill, die, and say "well, that didn't work", or do I spend another $70 for the little guy. Hmm.... I'm hoping the goodwill store might provide a miracle .
The girls and I, in our fruitless pursuit for fish comfort, went to town today. It was pretty good. But (and I do this too often) I get so annoyed with myself when I waste the best part of their day in town. The afternoon was rocky after Shiloh had one of her famous 3 minute naps (because then we get home) in the car. Then a good evening after she decided to "spend the night" with mom and dad. I quote because she has yet to actually do it. She's trying, but right now it's more like spend the evening. Dad pointed out that she's like the chickens. Coming home to roost. She and Iva had a huge time circling toys in a catalog for their Christmas lists.
Keith's home from work. Rare quality time together. We'll spend it watching a silly movie. And knitting.

2005-10-25T20:33:00.000-07:00

Look What Followed Me Home: More yarn of course. And a digital camera, finally. But that was actually last night, when Shiloh and I went on a late night cookie (eh, I mean grocery) run. The instruction manual, however, was more complex than a physics text, so only tonight am I getting around to taking pictures. I am tempted to post zillions of pictures, but will wait until there is sunshine.
Nevertheless, there is yarn. Sockotta color 621, which is knitting up even more beautifully than I thought it would. You maybe can see the little nub of a sock toe behind the other skein. On the left we have a skein of araucania nature wool. Three more skeins of this and I willhave enough for the as yet undecided sweater, although it will probably be the hourglass from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Not in the picture (I will wait for lighting) are 4 more skeins of cash iroha, destined to become take one of same said sweater (I am in love with that sweater). I am bringing home the iroha bit by bit, so I won't catch on to how expensive this sweater is going to be. All in all a very good yarn day.
It's late. I worked today. Now it's time to knit socks and veg. More pictures forthcoming. HURRAH

2005-10-22T18:10:00.000-07:00

This day has been a long one, after a long one yesterday. Not bad long, just long. Two days in a row when S very much needed a nap, so had one, and then stayed up soo late. Like, Mommy-can't-handle-it-because-I-need-my-space late. I mean, I usually can reset myself, accept the reality, and look at her sweetness and realize she will grow up too soon. That usually works for a while, but then when she stays up really late, I just get weary. Last night was a weary night. Tonight they both stayed up, but not nearly as late (therefore I can post).
I can't for the life of me remember yesterday. I'm sure we did some things. Oh yeah, we moved the big chicken tractor to a totally new spot. Then DH, I and I moved the 17 chickens, one by one to the new spot. That was fun. Especially catching the last, very fast one with I.
Today, I got a box of goodies in the mail: KNITTING BOOKS! I succumbed (again sadly) to one of those 4 books 4 bucks book clubs. So I got, (a camera would be great here): Knitting Over the Edge, Scarf Style, Simple Socks, and Sensational Knitted Socks. I'm most excited about that last one. SKS is one of those books that I had glanced at, but it didn't seem llike much until I really started looking at it. Socks-all sizes, all gauges, toe up, top down, 4 dpn, 5 dpn, or 2 circulars. It's all there. (I'm such a knitting geek). Now, I pretty much have my sock pattern that I do over and over in it's various sizes, but what I'm jazzed about in this book is that it's divided into chapters, 4 stitch paterns, 5 stitch, 6, etc, plus a bit of fair isle, mosaic, etc. That's what I can work with for a long time. I'm burning out a bit on pure stockinette. (Non-knitters out there bear with me--it's just who I am.) I was so excited, I found a pattern to do the top of S's koolaid dyed sock, (I just turned the heal last night) because I couldn't wait to do a whole foot of another one before starting. The koolaid variagation hides a bit of the pattern, but S is happy with it, and I'm happy to do it. (camera would be really nice here). And as I hoped, even with lots of purling, YO's, and K2togs, it seemed to go fast because it was interesting.
Aside from the books, only sold 3 hats today at farmer's market. So much for my wild yarn buying binge plans. But there's next week.
So the excitement of this evening, besides riviting knitting stories, is the fish. The girls and I got a fish. That'll teach DH to drop us off at Petsmart when he has to go to the hardware. We had planned on two goldfish, but instead we brought home one beta: Swimmy Lookout. That's his name. You can safely allow a 3 yo and a 6 yo to name your fish. Low risk. Apparently goldfish are "dirty" fish, and beta are much cleaner. But you can only have one or they will fight each other. Clean and mean. I feel a little sorry for the lonely bugger though. And I'm still hoping to find a couple clean, well mannered goldfish someday.
Man though, hampsters and ginuee pigs are cute. Help me, small pets are a slippery slope. Right Andy? Did I mention we adopted a cat and a kitten two weeks ago? Maybe Noah is one of my ancestors. Well, clearly he is.
It's late, the girls are asleep, so there are socks to be knitted. And a hundred other projects. Socks, I just love 'em.

2005-10-20T18:51:00.000-07:00

Of Hats and a Camera, and Still More Yarn...
I've been to the LYS again today. Not where I work, the other one. Trader? Perhaps, but they have different yarn. But couple this with the fact that I do not get that nice little discount I'm accustomed to, and let's just say I almost fell over when it was time to pay. So I have to sell at least four hats at the farmers market this weekend just to cover the sins of the day. Nevermind all the other yarn I had planned on getting with hat money earned. Visualize hats being sold. The weekend looks to be cool and clear--good hat selling weather. Only two more Saturdays to make my fortune, then the season is over.
This was a great day. The girls and I hit the library for the first time in forever. Which means I got the Consumer Reports Digital Camera Article. I may actually have pictures in a day or two. Then peach smoothies for the girls and a Cafe au Lait for me, and we slowly meandered to the aforementioned LYS. I managed to stay patient, even when one smoothie crashed to the sidewalk. My parenting skills are amazing when yarn is involved. I can't really think of too many examples of when yarn is involved with parenting....Anyway, we got there and there were toys! Yay! I shopped quickly, finished, and they were still playing. I shopped more. Blame the toys for the sum of money spent. Then briefly to the book store, until I realized we had 6 minutes to get back to the car (3 blocks away) before we were ripe for a ticket. And "look mommy, it's raining." But we made it. Then to the wild bird supply store (mildly stressful but still fun), a stop at the coop for a cookie and then home. Why do those 59 cent cookies always end up costing me $40?
I let the girls watch 2 kids documentaries from the library since it was rainy. I tried to simultaneously work on my Socktoberfest socks and the hats. I turned half a short-row heel, the going was slow because I am (for the first time) reinforcing the heel with another strand of sock yarn. So when I'm knitting 3 together, I'm really knitting 6 strands on size 1.5 needles. But I really think the heels will wear so much better. I really want to get some pictures of these in progress. And yet the hats loom. I finished a green one, and will finish another thistle one tonight. The thistle is Gusto 10, all the others up to now have been plymouth Yukon. I definitely prefer the Yukon. But the color is so nice. One of my scores today.
So, today I ended up with 4 skeins of Gusto, sage colored Kidsilk Haze, and blood red Kid Seta, both slated for more airy scarves from Last Minute Knitted Gifts (so good), Heirloom Jigsaw (more sock yarn of course), and a beautiful slightly variegated dark blue alpaca for another project from LMKG, (Top secret Christmas gift). All and all a good day.

2005-10-19T22:15:00.000-07:00

Great. So here I am on the internet. Hello to anyone who is out there, finding me. I have been inspired to create this blog. Thinking about doing it. What was the final event that spurred me on? The chance to participate in Lolly's Socktoberfest and show my socks. Of course, this means that tomorrow I have to get a camera. And learn how to use it, and how to post pictures. Anything to be kntting socks with 300 other knitters. We'll see how this goes.