Knitting One Skein at a Time...

While I was Sleeping

2007-12-18T07:47:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone, if there still is an everyone, I apologize for my lack of updates and other bloggy things. I had a bit of a knitting rough patch, where I haven't felt the angels singing, or the birds chirping, or the light dawning on any project at all. Nothing I have looked at has made me go I NEED TO KNIT YOU NOW! Well until this week anyway. I've been trying to do other things, such as monkey socks (one down one to go, currently in a corner), my niece's pinwheel sweater (sweater complete, one sleeve done, another to go, also in the corner. THis needs to be finished by next week obviously, so this weekend I'll force myself to complete it), a Chevron Scarf (also hibernating), and then over the weekend the otherworldy light hit the summit that is my new project, the famed Central Park Hoodie.

Interweave press just released an updated copy of this pattern with extended sizes for those of us who don't look exactly like Katherine Heigl (who knits btw). I have seen the pattern before and loved it but I thought I had to locate a magazine that was over a year old and we all know how that can be. So when I received an e-mail from knitting daily that they had the pattern for sale I was all over it. So I purchased it and then began to ponder which yarn to use. Most people on Ravelry seem to be using Malabrigo, Peace Fleece, Debbie Bliss, or Tahki Donegal Tweed all of which are a little rich for my wallet at this particular time of year. So this weekend my cousin, sister and I took a little drive to Salem, Ma and stopped into the cutest yarn shop, Seed Stitch Fine Yarn (great staff, friendly, helpful and warm) and I looked for the yarn that I would use. I roamed the tweed and the blends and the alpaca and wool when out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of the most beautiful yarn. OHHH the COLOR!!! It is soo deep burgandy/purple that it almost looks black but you know it isnt quite black. I walked up to the shelf and pulled it out of its home and to my surprise it was Cascade 220, which as we all know is much more easy on the wallet. Its a colorway called Galaxy (#4006, for those wondering) and I fell in love. They only had a few skeins left, so I bought them of course, and purchased the rest online (i'm not too concerned about lot # really) . Ok so here's a picture for you all, the color is difficult to photograph, so this is the closest I could get to true color at the moment. I will try again soon.

Also for a quick project and great little Christmas/Hanukah/whatever else there is to celebrate this time of year present, check out this ingenious idea for a knit bangle by a fellow Ravelry member, Mimsie. When I read the linked post I could hardly believe that these bracelets were selling for 175 Euro! I actually am making some for friends and family for Christmas and so far have one done (ahehe) but they are quick and easy. Here's a pic of the one I have finished.

FIA Swap Arrival!

2007-11-02T08:42:00.000-04:00

I received my Fall Into autumn swap Package today and want to send a huge thank you to Cheryl W.! She was a great spoiler and sent me such a lovely package. She was attentive and sent em the funniest e-cards that on more than one occasion started my day off great. and people she gave me craisons, she is now my new best friend! The soap is on its way and I can't wait to receive it!

Without further adieu,..

Cheryl is not a big on Halloween and instead opted to theme her package around Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Having an aunt who is a breast cancer survivor the thought was very much appreciated. She also sent me a DVD on how to knit socks on 2 Circs!!!!! Yes I am slow in that department but I can't wait to learn. I got a Knitted Lacy Round Dishcloth by Rhonda White knit in the ever elusive, at least in the northeast, Peaches and Cream! She also included a ball of it and the rumor is true! Peaches & Cream is much, much softer than Sugar & Cream. Enclosed was also a pattern for the "Infamous" Daryl Waltrip Cloth by Rhonda White. In keeping with the pink theme Cheryl purchased 2 balls of Karabella's Aurora 8 in none other than pink! (my two year old niece has claimed it as her own and in the words of a toddler said "Oh, Auntie so soft! Mine? No for me! Oh so squishy! She also claimed the chocolate but she shared so it was all good.)

Joan, if you are reading this, I think Cheryl was trying to tell me something about Entrelac'tober. I'm guessing Entrelac is in my future and with these spiffy stitch markers I'll be less likely to foul it up. Although, I make no promises. I will attempt it though.

In case you are all not aware, my beloved Red Sox won the World Series!! I lived through parade hell on Tuesday, I mean seriously people, you stand outside for 5-6 hours, they roll by you in ten minutes, you scream WOOOOOO! and then go home. Hardly worth it, IMO. I did it the first time the Patriots won the Superbowl in 2001, never again, I shook for 3 hours after i got home, but then again it was February in Boston. I was young and stupid.

For now I leave you with the most beautiful butterfly I have ever seen. I bet you didn't know you could find butterflies in Boston in October.

But watch her fly...

Oh, and never tell a butterfly her antennae are lopsided. they do give the dirtiest looks

I blame the Red Sox..

2007-10-26T13:09:00.000-04:00

For not actually blogging about anything in particular for quite sometime. As many of you may be aware ,the glory that is the Boston Red Sox are in the World Series. And since the said team composes a legitimate portion of my DNA and inhabits a quarter of my soul it is reasonable that I be M.I.A. for the month of October. Right? But today is an off day, and you all have my undivided attention (we are up 2-0 in the series ::cackles maniacally::) So here is what I have been up to.

A.) Pinwheel Sweater from Elann.com for my niece, The Divine Miss B. (X-Mas pressie)

B.) Birthday present to me, 4 skeins of Scout's Swag. ZuluKnitty, Power Couples, Rosalie, and Orchids (in That order)

C.) The Tilted Duster from the Fall 2007 Interweave Knits (its finished but I havent taken pic of it yet, so this will do for now)

This is the first time I've ever seamed something sweater like. Nora herself gave me some tips on how to do it ( God Bless Ravelry!) and it came out well, not perfect but well. I think I need to add a couple of those hook and eye buttons to make it lie right. I don't have the graceful swan neck of the IK model or Audrey Hepburn. In fact I have a short neck (I am happy I actually have some neck lol), but this causes the collar to lie a little weird. So I think once I add those, the collar will fit the way its supposed to. If anyone else has any suggestions I would appreciate them.

Finally I am working on some Monkey socks by Cookie A. I am using the Pfefferminz Prinz from Wollmeise that I showed you in an earlier post. Such pretty yarn and the pattern is quite nice too.

Speaking of sock patterns my friend (blogger buddy is more accurate) John/Yarnballboogie has just published a a killer sock pattern called Stalkers, Its a really pretty pattern. Go check it out and support the poor boy. A man can not live off yarn alone!

Ok, I need to get back to work. I hope everyone is having a pleasant day.

EDIT: Upon returning home i found this in my mailbox. Yeah, that's right a Grand Jury notice. Oh how the god's must be smiling down on me. It's actually kind of exciting, but 16 days!!!! Knowing my luck Whitey Bulger will be caught in between now and then. Oh well I must do my civic duty. Work is going to love this!

Go Sox!

FIA TOPIC OF THE WEEK # 4 & 5

2007-10-17T08:21:00.000-04:00

Ok I'm a little behind in the Topic of the week department so I will be posting two at the same time. I hope that is cool with the powers that be.

Topic 4 had to do with our stash of needles. I have completed my set of knitpicks harmony options, regular straight some DPNS and circs. Also my new KnitPicks Sock Set.

Topic 5: Now that it is getting cooler here, it makes me think of apple picking and hay rides. Are you the type that likes to go to participate in all the fall festivities like apple picking, pumpkins, decorating for the fall, hay rides, baking fall goodies, etc. or do you just sit and count the days till Thanksgiving/Christmas/Hanukkah?

I love Halloween. I attended school in Salem, Ma so you may be able to garner what Halloween means in MA. I love going apple picking and pumpkin picking, buying fresh squeezed cider, hot toddy's (wink wink), apple cider donuts, carving the pumpkins, baking the pumpkin seeds in the oven and salting them. DELICIOUS! I also usually pick the turned leaves and mail them to my friends all over the country. I'm running late this year on that as the trees havent even started to turn yet! Fall is the best time of year!

FIA Officially Swapped..

2007-10-16T19:43:00.000-04:00

My swap spoilee, Betty H , received her package and was as excited to receive it as I was to put it together for her. It literally made quite a trip, from Boston all the way to Hawaii! Betty particularly loved the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, UK Edition I picked up on my recent travels. I love my copy and knew a fellow Potter fan would love to have one also and to my great pleasure she did. Betty has posted pics on her blog. Please check it out!

My FIA spoiler has done a great job keeping in touch, she sends me funny e-cards that crack me up, and drops by my blog and leaves messages and I can't wait for the package to arrive!

The Yarn God's Have Smiled Upon Wollmeise!

2007-10-12T14:07:00.000-04:00

OMG! I am just going to post the pictures they speak for themselves! Look at the color concentration and vivacity of this yarn and almost 600yds per skein. Claudia you are fantastic!

Look at how cute its all wrapped up and she includes a mini skein of yarn, which is beautiful as well!

Poison No. 5 (Dark)

Pfefferminz Prinz (Dark)

I have conquered the machine..

2007-10-09T06:54:00.000-04:00

Well sort of. A few months back I purchased a sewing machine with the expectation that I would be taking classes at a nearby high school starting Sept 24Th. Needless to say, in typical fashion my best laid plans tend to have a way of not working out and after attending said high school three times in two weeks without an instructor showing up, we were informed that the class was cancelled. Sweet! So I decided to be a tad proactive and do it myself. So I bought a pattern, a little fabric, Sewing for Dummies and voila, this is the fruit of two days labor....uh just turn your head sideways, lol!

On the whole it turned out quite well and I am proud of myself. The sleeves were supposed to have and elastic band but my little girl (my niece, not mine, but my baby nonetheless) does not like things stuck to her and I could envision her pulling at them so I just hemmed the cuff and left it. It may be a little big for her but she grows like a weed and is due for another growth spurt so it should fit well shortly. I can't wait to see her in it. When she puts it on I'll take pics, so that you all my see the cuteness that is Miss B!

Wollmeise.....

2007-10-03T09:47:00.000-04:00

OK, I am officially obsessed with the colorway Poison Nr. 5. Has anybody out there in my little blog readership ever used Wollmeise? I have heard wonderful things about it, and have seen first hand (well via Ravelry) the loveliness of the sock they make. Is it worth ordering from Germany? Is there anything you prefer over Wollmeise that is readily available in the states?

Here are some pics of my favorite colorways from Wollmeise

Poison Nr. 5

UPDATE: OK so this has become my second favorite

Spice Market

Raku-Regenbogen (picture from the Loopy-Ewe Ravelry Page) Doesn't it remind you of fall?

There's more. Oh, so not good for my bank account. I'm going to have to not look. Let me know what you guys think...

OOoOo Boy....

Fall Into Autumn Question of the Week!

2007-10-03T07:53:00.000-04:00

Are there any recipes you especially enjoy having in the Fall? Any foods that are seasonal that you especially enjoy?

I really enjoy stuffed vegetables , such as peppers and zucchini. There are a couple of ways my family in particular makes them. If they are going to be a side item with a meal then we usually stuff them with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, bread crumbs, chives, garlic, grated pecorino romano, chopped sharp provalone cheese, chopped parsely and a seeded and deveined jalepeno (optional). Bake until vegetables are cooked through.

If the vegetable is the main dinner item with a salad or some rice then we stuff them with ground turkey (cooked), chopped vegetables of your choice ( usually carrots, celery, black olives, the pepper tops, or zucchini middles, a can of diced tomatos, salt and pepper to taste, top with grated cheese and mozzarella and bake until done

If anyone wants measurements I will have to consult the mother, I don't measure I eyeball it.

9/28/07

2007-09-28T23:44:00.001-04:00

What my boys gave me for my birthday... Ya that's right the AL East!

I am loved...

2007-09-26T22:57:00.000-04:00

I received the best kind of pre-birthday birthday gift ever! YARN GLORIOUS YARN!!! and Harmony Cable Needles (oh yeah baby). My knitting partner in crime, my cousin and friend Andrea and hubby Barry too, presented me with a big ole bag filled with....(drum roll please)

Andi, thank you so much for everything. I want you to know how much I do enjoy our Wednesday's together, knitting, bitching, gossiping and watching Ghosthunters with the lights off, even when it gets ooky. The fact that you are my family doesn't take away from our friendship. I have plenty of people I'm related to that I do not like, you are fortunate enough to not be one of them (hahahaha). Before I begin to blather, thank you again and know that to the ten people that probably read this blog you are now considered a fantastic friend ( I mean c'mon she got me yarn and sticks!).

Topic of the Week/ Fall into Autumn

2007-09-24T22:42:00.000-04:00

TOPIC OF THE WEEK:

Autumn has now officially begun here in the States!! What is your favorite thing about Autumn/Fall? Why?

I'm not sure I have one favorite thing about autumn. I love when the leaves start to change, and they have this burst of color and then fall gracefully to the ground. I love how crisp and clean the air smells and feels. I love the smell of the ocean in the morning which is always enhanced on cooler days. I love going apple and pumpkin picking, and I look forward to taking my 2 yr old niece this year. She will have so much fun, fresh apple cider, apple cider donuts, fresh apples and hay rides, its going to be a blast. This October is also my parents 30th Wedding Anniversary and I can't wait to surprise them with their gift from my sister and I (we are sending them away for a week at the Inns at Mills Falls in Meredith, NH). This autumn I am also hoping for a puppy for my birthday (which is this Friday, mark your calendars) and the animal shelter is actually getting a shipment of puppies in on thee day. Its been three years since my beloved Mish died and I am ready for a new pup. Hopefully, it will happen. If not, its ok, it just wasnt meant to be. I think that sums it up for now. If I think of anything else, there is always an edit button.

FIA Topic of the Week

2007-09-18T10:56:00.000-04:00

TOPIC OF THE WEEK

When you knit or crochet dishclothes, washclothes or face clothes, what do you use? I use a pattern, some yarn and a couple of pointy sticks

What size needle or hook? Whatever the pattern calls fo, usually a 7

Wood? what type? Metal? Plastic? A specific Brand? I like wood. I have never been a fan of metal and I only used plastic (Denise Interchangeables) because of my dislike of metal. Knitpicks harmony's however have stolen my heart.

Why do you love that needle or hook so much? Please see my review of the harmony's below for a complete reason for my love

Is there one you are dying to try? I really would love to try to knit socks on two circulars, or magic loop. Eventually I'll get around to getting some of the knitpicks harmony's circs in the little sizes.

Is there a particular yarn you love and use all the time for clothes? What is so special about it? I love Alpaca for clothes. It has the same warmth as wool, without the itchiness and it wicks the moisture away so u don't get too hot while wearing it. It soo soft.

Knit Picks Harmony Options Review

2007-09-17T07:53:00.000-04:00

What else can I say but I am in LOOOOVE! These needles are quite honestly the most perfect I have ever knit with. My previous set of interchangeable circulars were from Denise and there is just no comparison. The harmony's chords have no memory, while the hard plastic of the Denise set takes a while to break in while you are knitting. The tips of the Denise are adaquate yet stumpy and the Harmony's have a point that is fantastic for any kind of knitting. There is very little drag on the surface of the Harmony needle, it is very smooth and provides a little grip for slippery yarns. The joins on this set are virtually non-exisitent and I have not once needed to stop knitting to push my stitches over the joins like I have to do with my set of Denise needles and there has not been any snagging. As far as the wood itself, it is very hard with no give like bamboo or even other hard wood needles I have used, which I appreciate. I actually feel like I can knit and not worry about applying too much pressure when I have to do P2tog tbl, etc, which gives you a certain confidence not only in this set but in your knitting technique itself. I also know many were worried about the the colors on the needles. It is actually quite muted compared to what they show on the knitpicks website and you don't really notice the color while knitting since what you focus on is the stitch itself.

I am a convert. I will never use my Denise needles again, once I stock up on everything harmony. I must get the longer chords, the sock needle kit, the cable needle set etc. This, granted, will take some time, but with a birthday coming up in the next few weeks I may be able to make my big purchase earlier than planned. If you can do it, do not hesitate to snap these up, I can't recommend them enough.

I've Got Options!

2007-09-15T16:51:00.000-04:00

I received my Harmony Options set from KnitPicks this morning and they are BEAUTIFUL! They are much more muted then the colors that they show online and yet still maintain the smooth, pointed loveliness of the the original options set. A lot of people have been wondering about these so I took some close-ups of the colors, the tips, and the joins. I haven't cast on yet for want of a project, but I think I will christen my harmony's (ies?) with my dishcloth swap project, which Ravelry's vast pattern vaults have been aiding in. I think I have it narrowed down to 3-4 patterns.

Here are the pics

In Football Related News..

2007-09-11T20:22:00.001-04:00

My Patriot's are being called cheaters. Does it upset me that they taped signals? Yes, the Patriot's have been known for their class, team attitude and this really is a slap in the face to the organization and its fan base. In the scheme of things does it matter? No. Do the Patriots need to steal signals to win? Definitely not. Have you seen this team. They are nasty. Am I surprised that cheating occurs in the NFL? How can I be when EVERY team does it. More than one playbook has gone missing. Signals while not meant to be stolen are and frequently, which is why each team has a series signal callers, that way the other team, hopefully, doesn't find the real one. They steal them in baseball, they steal them in basketball, they steal them in football etc etc etc. If this weren't the culture of sports, then there would be no need for coaches in the NFL to hold clipboards up to their mouths when relaying signals and calls to their QBs, pitchers and catchers would talk on the mound freely without holding their gloves to their faces, and scouts wouldn't be allowed into games with their binoculars and notebooks.

Why the big deal you ask?
1. It's the New England Patriots. The NFL has prided itself on bringing parity to the league, where any and every team has a chance to be a Superbowl Champion. The Patriots have bucked this trend and found a way to win year after year, three Superbowl's in 4 years. Now they can't possible be this good and this smart. They must be cheating. Let's blame the signal stealing(!) for the Jet's game. You know the signals that were confiscated that no one got to look at but is suddenly the reason the Jets lost Sunday's game, ya those signals. Let's not blame the 108 yd kickoff return for a touchdown, missed tackles, poor game plan, or the triple coverage on Randy Moss that still ended up in a touchdown (triple coverage on 1 player, and the Patriots are the ones stealing signals?), the missed tackles, or the fact that no one could get near Brady with a 40 foot poll.

2. The Patriots aren't the Colts. Doesn't everyone just love a Peyton Manning commercial?

3. The new NFL Commissioner wants to show the league he wears the pants and carries a big cup. Who better to come down on then the Patriots, the league's elite?

In matter's of the real world cheating like this would go against everything I believe in, however at the end of the day the NFL doesn't dictate policy, send troops to war, raise taxes or legislate. What they do is provide about 16 hours a week of entertainment for the hard working Americans that tune in each week.

In essence this outrage is bullshit (pardon my french). Get over it. It happens everywhere. Fine the Patriots and get it over with. This has been a widespread occurrence for years in the NFL so save the faux outrage. I just want to watch football and be happy. See you in Arizona for the Patriots 4Th Superbowl celebration!

Dishcloth Swap Topic One

2007-09-10T20:58:00.000-04:00

Topic: Now that in some geographic locations the weather is starting to turn cooler, do you change the type of yarn(s) you knit/crochet with? If so, what do you now knit/crochet with instead and why? If not, why do you not switch and what do you knit/crochet with?

The easy answer is yes. I started the summer knitting with wool and soon realized its a try to avoid kind of thing. My hands started to get sweaty and I would get flashes. Yes, flashes. I'm too young for flashes! I started to switch to cottons and linens and evertyhing has been great. However I must say if I am indoors knitting and the central air is on, bring on the wool/alpaca.

Now that is has started to simmer down in Boston I cast on for the Tilted Duster, which is featured on the cover of the Fall 2007 Interweave Knits. I am suing the featured yarn, Berocco Peruvia in Chipotle. I am actually knitting the skirt part.

That's all for now. Ravelry is calling me.

RAVELING!!!!!

2007-09-08T16:18:00.000-04:00

WOOT!!! WOOT!!!

"I've got a golden ticket" You know this song from the Original Willy Wonka? That has been streaming through my head all morning since I received my Ravelry invite this morning!!! I signed up in June and finally made it in. I am so excited. I have so much to do. This is going to be a major time suck and I am thrilled. I found John ( YarnBallBoogie ) and Scout. I joined a Red Sox Nation group, a Harry Potter one and the Boston Yarn Party.

Ok for anyone who would like to friend me my ID is SheWhoKnits.

OOoOOO I dont know if ya'll have seen the new Knitpicks Harmony Options needles but I couldn't resist and bought them this morning. They are pretty. I just hope there is no snagging where the wood meets the nickel. We'll see. If they snag, they go back. Hopefully they'll be perfect.

I'm off to go a-raveling

Dishcloth Swap Questionnaire...Thanks Joan!

2007-09-02T20:24:00.000-04:00

1. Do you knit or crochet? I am a knitter, for some reason crochet and I do not work well together

How long have you been doing it? I have been knitting a little over a year now

2. Have you made dishcloths before? It was one of my very first projects actually. Since then, they have been my #1 go to gift

Do you use them yourself, give them as gifts, or both? Both, never for dishes though. Just facecloths

3. What's your favorite cotton to make cloths from? I've used 100% cotton and hemp blends.

What cotton would you like to try that you haven't before ? Bamboo

4. If you knit, do you prefer circular or straight needles? straights for a small project and I use my Denise interchangeable's for just about everything else

For all, do you prefer wooden, metal, or plastic needles? I prefer wood for most projects

5. What are your favorite colors? PURPLES and red and greens

Any colors you don't like much? not really

6. What do you like best about Autumn?I live in New England Autumn is THEE season for everything wonderful... Apple picking, the weather cools , changing leaves, crisp mornings, Halloween.

7. Pies: Pumpkin? Apple? Pecan? All of em? Pumpkin

8. When you were a kid, were you the one who couldn't wait to get started with school , or the one who overslept on the 1st day? I couldn't wait! I LOVED school.

9. Do you celebrate Halloween? (The real key here guys is especially knowing if you have an aversion to the holiday or little goodies/decorations associated with it, given the time frame of the swap) I live in MA, Went to school for a time in Salem, Ma. I live in Halloween Central, USA. Love it!

10. If you had to choose just 3 edible 'goodies' to eat for a full year, what 3 would you choose? Chocolate, toasted almonds and craisons

11. Do you have any pets? Kids? Husbands who seem like kids? ;)
No pets, would like to get another dog someday. No children of my own, but I have a two year old niece, who is the love of my life and no husband (yay for me, lol)

12. If you were to describe a particular yarn that shares traits of your personality, what would it be and why? Alpaca. It's not what it seems to be. To look at it you would think it to be itchy like wool can be but then you get it close to you , you find its soft, warm and comforting.

13. Do you use your cloths mostly for dishcloths, or as facecloths? Facecloths

14. Favorite Fall Holiday: Halloween or Thanksgiving and why? (Feel free to share another fall memory if you do not celebrate either of these holidays) Thanksgiving for obvious edible reasons, lol. For some reason Thanksgiving is the only holiday that makes you feel like "home" without a price tag attached.

15. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should know about? Allergy free!

Now what do I do???

2007-08-20T22:05:00.000-04:00

This is the question I was left with after all my purchases of the last few weeks arrived. The first thing to arrive were the drop spindles, which I purchased off of eBay.

These were rendered useless due to the roving not arriving. So they sat in a drawer unused and screaming for attention.

The second thing to arrive was the sewing machine I told you all about in the previous post. So of course I now need to know how to use it, lol. Hence this....

Finally the roving arrived. I bought this on Etsy. Its rather fluffy and foreboding all at the same time. I think the puff is laughing at me and mocking me at my venture. It may win, or I may twist the shit out of it and make it conform to my every whim...muahahahaha

UPDATE: I tried to spin a little and have no idea if I am doing it right. It looks okay right now but seriously does that ever really mean anything? If anyone out there is a spinner. Tips, tricks, well detailed instruction would be most welcome. This is what it looks like so far

where hast thou been...

2007-08-14T19:46:00.001-04:00

To be perfectly honest, I haven't been knitting much. I feel like the only thing I have been working on is socks and while there is quite an array of very fun and very pretty patterns and yarns, I have lost interest. Maybe if I ever learn to knit on two circs i can bang out two at a time and it won't feel as tedious.

I have purchased a sewing machine also. This past Saturday and Sunday was a sales tax free weekend in MA, so I splurged and bought a Singer 7462. I saved $40 (woOt wOoT) It seems to be rated quite highly. If anyone happens to stumble on this blog and actually stays long enough to read this, and you own one, tell me what you think of it. My niece just turned 2 years old and I figured I could make her some clothes, costumes for dress-up and pj's for short money. I'm sure you all know how much it costs to keep kids in clothes that fit them longer than a month. I picked up a couple of patterns too. I got this one from McCall's and this one from Simplicity. So once I learn how to actually turn the machine on I will be making a plethora of cuteness for this one:

Don't let the angelic face and squishy cheeks fool you, she keeps her horns under her headband

My second purchase of the weekend was a drop spindle and some roving. I got the drop spindles off of eBay for $8 and 4oz. of roving off of Etsy. We'll see how this goes. I got some great advice from John/YarnBallBoogie on drop spindles and what he finds works the easiest and produces consistent yarn, top whorl or bottom. He's a great help if anyone needs advice on just about anything yarn and knitting, and I'm sure a whole host of other subjects.

So that ends tonights segment of Knitting One Skein at a Time, if any viewers have advice, questions or comments please feel free to leave it in the space provided.

Good Night

Tick, Tock goes the Ravelry Clock

2007-08-01T11:13:00.000-04:00

You signed up on June 27, 2007
You are #11294 on the list.
3702 people are ahead of you in line.
10792 people are behind you in line.
33% of the list has been invited so far

Based on the estimated 1200 invites per week it, looks like I have roughly three weeks left before my invite arrives. I am having a really bad case of the green envy over everyone who is having a ball using it. ;/

Dammit, I hate waiting.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2007-07-22T22:36:00.000-04:00

Perfect! Absolutely perfect!

(The exception is the epilogue; complete rubbish. No details, too short, too much guess work on who was who's kid. What happened to Luna, what does Harry do for a living or Ron and Hermione, who became Minister of Magic or Headmaster at Hogwarts??? The only one we are sure of is Neville, but we saw that coming.)

Congratulations Jo on a job well done and thank you for the last ten years and the most amazing literary journey I have truly ever been on!

YES!!!! and no :( the last of Harry Potter

2007-07-21T02:59:00.001-04:00

BEFORE 12:01

AFTER 12:15, yes i got home that quickly

AND NOW AT 3:00 am 112pgs finished. I need sleep for the impending marathon. PS I finished the 2nd pair of Horcrux socks. They are also attached to a pair of excited legs. Eventually I'll finish my pair, ohhh and Mike's too

Scout's Swag=Best yarn pOrn

2007-07-16T21:44:00.000-04:00

The pictures say it all...

Horcrux Redux

2007-07-14T21:43:00.000-04:00

ok i've started the second set of horcrux socks. I am using the scout's swag yarn

I may quite actually be along further had I not felt the need to paint my room this weekend. Well let me clarify. When I first moved into my house I decided after a visit to Home Depot that I needed to have Ralph Lauren Paint in the Suede Faux Finish. Yeah, that was a lot of fricken work! So I decided about a week ago I wanted to add an accent wall because i was sick of looking at the same color. Here's a pic of my work, let me know what u think of it..Check out the orbs too, cool I got me some ghosties!

Hey, where'd they go?

2007-07-13T07:08:00.000-04:00

Good News! I finished the second Horcrux sock. Bad news, they didn't stick around long enough for me to take a picture for you all. They quite literally ran out the front door last night attached to some legs. But thoe legs were so excited how could i refuse???

On to the second pair. I am trying to decide between using the scouts swag or using the lorna laces. i shall have to think on it ....

Yarn PoRn and surprises!

2007-07-09T21:24:00.000-04:00

the Lorna Laces is due to Joan flaunting her beautiful Horcrux socks in my face ....

and last but certainly not least is my first installment of Scout's Swag in the Needles on Fire colorway. It suffered a minor mishap prior to shipping where my skein got mixed up with a skein that belonged to a lovely woman in Texas. With a little help from Scout, Ms. Texas and I sent eachother the right skeins. When I received my skein today I had a little surprise from her...She made me some stitch markers that she thought would look great with my colorway from Scout. Enjoy the pics!

Horcruxing

2007-07-08T22:13:00.001-04:00

One down, one to go. I am actually quite impressed with how this colorway turned out. Yes, I amaze myself. TooT TooT!

All ready for a Harry POtter filled two weeks! We are going to see the Order of the Phoenix on Wednesday at Showcase Cinema, than we are going to see it Friday at IMAX where the last 25 minutes are in 3-D.

Then of course Midnight Magic on the 20th for the release of Deathly Hallows.

In other Harry Potter related news, Jo rowling did an interview on " Friday Night with Jonathan Ross" Jo Rowling did in fact confirm that more than two will die in the new book. In fact she quite literally called it a blood bath. I am purchasing Kleenex at Cosco as a result of this information.

Horcruxes, Hallows and Me

2007-07-06T23:58:00.000-04:00

Have I mentioned that I love Harry Potter? Have I mentioned that Hermione Granger is a lot like myself? Have I mentioned that I will have to be placed on anti-depressants in about 2 weeks time?

The past ten years have been quite a ride and I am anxious yet excited, yet reluctant to see the journey end. J.K. Rowling will inhabit the same stage as some of the greatest writers in history but with a unique distinction. She has taken millions of children who do not lack entertainment (such as video games, sports, movies etc) and made each of them want to read, to want to go on this journey with Harry, Hermione and Ron, not because their teachers want them to but because they want to.

Most children pick up a book and the first thing they do is see how many pages it is; as if that is the destination and not what is in between page 1 and page 279. With Jo's books they are excited when they see it is over 800 pages long and even that's not enough. I always seem to be disappointed when I close the final page on a long awaited school year at Hogwarts not because I am disappointed in the book, far from it, I just wish I had more to read. I wish I could just keep going along for the ride. Now, with the arrival of the 7th and final school year, I won't be left wanting more and it is devastating quite frankly.

I think its amazing how publisher's label books. Harry Potter is found in the children's section. I find it amusing. My friends and I were having this conversation just the other day and we all agreed, tell me if you do too, that for a child to read this series at say 11 years old the thing that keeps them reading is the adventure and the whimsy, its almost a superficial kind of love. But there is so much more to it than that. There is politics and the media. There is strength and weakness. Family, what it is and who it consists of. Faith (blind or otherwise). Love of course. Hate must always be there as a contrast to love. Good vs. evil. In short Jo's series encompass everything that makes us human and allows us to see all aspects, all sides of this "war" if we want to.

I found myself feeling bad for Voldie the other day. Why would I do that you may ask? I think everything comes back to his mother (how Freudian I hear you say, but stay with me on this). He always perceived his mother as weak because she died after giving birth to him. His father therefore had to be the great man naturally. When Dumbledore visited Tom at the orphanage and informed him that he (Tom) was a wizard, young Tom assumed it was his father who was the wizard, his mother the weak muggle. Turned out to be quite the opposite. His mother chose to die, instead of living. Chose death instead of her son. How devastating that realization must have been. I may be giving Voldemort the credit of being more human than he ever really was but I can't help but feel bad for him. He then makes it his life's work to make sure he never dies (horcruxes and all). He hears of the prophecy regarding he and Harry/Neville (chooses Harry) and decides Harry must die at the ripe old age of 2. Fast forward to Godric's Hollow. James Potter is dead. Voldie is advancing on Lily and Harry and he witnesses what a mother would do for their child. He tells her she need not die ( for what reason I hope we find out in 7). She chooses to die in order to save her son and Voldemort's mother refused to live long enough to hold him, let alone love him. It's all very tragic if you think of it that way. I am not sure what I feel pity, sympathy, some twisted understanding. I guess in the end its all about choices, how we make them, the reasons we make them (selfish or selfless) and the aftermath.

::Sighs::

2 more weeks. In the meantime, in case you forgot, this is a knitting blog and I have started on one pair of Horcrux socks. I have a total of three pair to make in time for the midnight release party.

I've gotten to the heel flap. I am using size 2 dpn's and self- dyed yarn.

Happy 4th of July!!!

2007-07-04T08:12:00.001-04:00

Fireworks over Boston!

SoOoOO Fricken' Cute

2007-06-26T22:13:00.001-04:00

Babies...what is it about them that can suddenly make your very content womb feel sullen and empty? The fluffy cheeks. the chubby toes, the giggles, the smell, that look on their face when they figure something out for the very first time. Or is it the way you fall completely in love the moment they are placed in your arms and realize there is nothing you wouldn't do, no one you wouldn't kill ( j/k, well maybe) for them.

You would think that based on the above paragraph that I have quite the brood. Alas, I do not. Not even one. Not even a twinkle in the sky. I do however have a niece (2yrs) who is my absolute joy in life. Maybe I can get her to sit still for a minute this week and have her pose for you all.

On to the knitting and what spurred my biological clock to start clanging, not that I have even neared the 30 yr mark yet, but its clanging determinedly. My sister will be attending a baby shower this weekend for a friend of hers and as I am the resident knitter in the house the booties fell to me. I used Christine's Baby Bootie pattern and some yarn that I had dyed myself in purples and blues, size 2 needles, etc. As the lucky woman is having a girl I stayed away from pink. There is nothing worse than women who only dress their female offspring in pink a majority of the time. I mean its cute for a while but lets be serious people there is nothing wrong with a little girl wearing blue or green or red.

Anywho one bootie, down another one to go

Dye-ing to name this colorway....

2007-06-22T14:14:00.000-04:00

I have no idea what to name it. After three days of being an insomniac ( all I want to do is sleep, is that too much to ask? no really is it?) I decided to just stop lying in bed waiting for sleep to overtake me and dye me some yarn. I mean seriously what else is there to do at 5am??

So if anyone who visits my page has any ideas on a name for this colorway please share...

Sahara is not just a desert...

2007-06-21T22:02:00.001-04:00

It is also my very first knit sweater. I recently found this pattern when I stumbled on the Sexy Knitters Club blog. Normally, I am not the type of person to say "hey I'm sexy, why dont I join" but the patterns were so fantastic and the people seem to be great also, so i joined. I had a hell of a time with the provisional cast on. It completely didn't work the way its supposed to, however I perservered and am stronger for it, at least thats what I'll keep telling myself. Here are some picks on my progress

TA DAH!!!!

2007-06-16T17:45:00.000-04:00

Luna is complete...Could that bind off possibly taken any longer??? I did an extra repeat and am not totally sure its as big as I wanted it to be, but we'll see. the elann KAL has been a blast and after a short shawl break I think I will go for the sun-ray shawl in the alpaca hyacinth colorway.

As for now I will catch up on the Hogwarts hats for the Charmed Knits KAL. I am Working on SLytherin right now, then I'll pop out some Gryffindors. Only a month untill Deathly Hallows! I AM SOOOOO EXCITED.

OK I'm getting off track here is my Luna blocked and currently drying

THe Moth begins to take Flight...

2007-06-07T09:24:00.000-04:00

AHHHH the ease and fluidity of a well thought out pattern is magical... There is some kind of zen that takes over when knitting the Luna Moth Shawl, SK did a fantastic job. I have made it to the final charted repeat, but I believe I will add one to two more repeats (recommendation from fellow knitter and Vermont native Joan, who is my shawl guru, giving great advice). The KP shine has been great to work with, soft, no splitting, and has a lovely drape to it.

I have also increased my stash by 5 skeins (woot! woot!) I ordered Pure Alpaca in Hyacinth from elann.com ! I love LOVE LOVE the color and can't wait to shawl-ize it (thinking the sun-ray or something, we'll see)

As I have been on a yarn kick lately I have decided to dye my own yarn, not always of course, but for holidays and occasions where the color combos are person specific. I tried the kool-aid dye technique, which I must say overjoyed me in a childlike way. Kool-aid is magical and won't rot my teeth with this use (aren't you proud mamma?) For the Kool-Aid skein I used a skein of knitpicks.com bare sock yarn and 3 packages of fruit punch and 3 packages of orange kool-aid. I call this Sangria

Then I decided I should graduate from Kool-Aid to jacquard dye (yes, after dying one skein only). I used a mix of purple and blue (and KP bare sock yarn) in this one and have called it Blueberry.

Luna Moth

2007-05-24T11:12:00.000-04:00

Ah the joys of the provisional cast-on. Brilliant idea, pain in the rear to figure out. However i persevered and successfully cast on the Luna Moth Shawl for the elann KAL (button to right). Its actually amazing to me how these positive and negative spaces come together to create beautiful pieces of wearable art. Those that design them are demi-gods in my book. I can knit what others have created, I don't think i'll ever be able to be the creator. Birth might actually be easier (haven't tried that out yet either).

Here is my progess after on repeat. I will update as it comes along.

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What to do..what to do........hmmmm

2007-05-17T11:43:00.000-04:00

Let's see. Candle Flame shawl...done. Felted tote bag...soon to be done after a dip into the washing machine. What shall I do next?!?!?

I swore that I would never pick up another shawl again, but so many have caught my eye and I think I deserve something that I knit, ya know what I mean. I have been knitting for about 9 months now and have nothing to show for it except the wonky scarf that was my first project (strictly garter stitch, so uneventful and blah). Everything else has been Christmas gifts, birthdays gifts, mother's day gifts, stolen socks (tricksy family). I've run the gamut... scarves, shawl, hats, blankets, socks, bags, fair-isle, lace yadda yadda yadda and yet have nothing but the wonky scarf.

I ordered a whole bunch of yarn, some Cascade 220 for the Warm Woollies KAL for Charmed Knits. I also ordered about 10 skeins of Coral Shine from KnitPicks for a shawl of my choosing. We'll see what happens. Anyone have any suggestions for my next project???

FINALLY!!!! and with no time to spare...

2007-05-11T17:26:00.000-04:00

The Candle Flame Shawl is finally complete. I felt as if I were running the Boston Marathon and I kept seeing the mile markers ticking off to the finish line, but the finish line was no where in sight. Well ok, so I may have a flare for the dramatic because anyone who knows me knows I would never, ever, and I do mean ever, run the Boston Marathon. Marathon Monday means a day off of work and an 11 o'clock Red Sox game. ;D

But I digress. I have soaked and blocked the shawl and just in time. I have a very busy weekend ahead of me. Before I post the pictures, I wanted to tell you all that I have joined the Charmed Knits knit-a-long (Button to the right). I encourage anyone who reads this to join. All the hats go to Warm Woolies, a non-profit organization whose volunteers knit warm clothing for poverty-stricken children who would otherwise suffer from cold. Their mission is to provide the very neediest children with wool sweaters, vests, hats, mittens, and slippers. So please if you like Harry Potter, or even if you don't, join; you're keeping children who would otherwise be cold during the winter months warm, and that's something to be proud of.

Up in Flames

2007-05-07T13:51:00.000-04:00

Welcome everyone to my little patch of internet earth. I am relatively new to the world of knitting and have been admiring so many of your blogs that I have decided to start my own. Currently I am working on my first lace project, the Candle Flame Shawl from Knitpicks. It will be my first knit piece for my mother, and hopefully, will be in time for Mother's Day. I make no promises on that. It seems to be taking forever. I am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I am a perpetual screw up and have had to rip back on it, repeatedly. However, this latest run is going quite well. I have just about 50 inches with another 20" to go, which will hopefully be done before this Friday , so that I may soak, block, dry and wrap in time for Sunday.

Here is how long it is thus far...

Close up of the pattern....

Here's to hoping I get it finished in time... As an aside does anyone who has knit this before find that three skeins the pattern calls for a bit much? I got about 30 inches off of one skein. I think I'll stop at 2 skeins and call it a day. Wish me luck!