Melanie's Knitting

SPELL CHECK

2006-10-29T11:16:00.000-05:00

Hey, Melanie... Ever heard of spell check.

http://melanieknits.wordpress.com.

Thanks for pointing out the error guys!

stupid blogger

2006-10-28T12:49:00.000-04:00

I'm fed up.

I'm moving.

http://www.melanieknits.wordpress.com

Please come visit me.

test

2006-10-28T11:07:00.000-04:00

can anybody see this?

MIA

2006-10-28T09:39:00.001-04:00

My camera cord is missing. Which is a shame. I have lots of pictures to share... Erin's socks which I've started, but am almost certain I'll have to restart. (I think they're too wide.) I also have pictures of my black sea hat which is very near completion. I am one ball into Jenny's baby blanket. I am getting ready to attach the arms to the body of my pink sweater. And I need to upload better grey cardigan pictures. Oh well. At least once my camera cord surfaces I'll have enough post material to last for a while.

Until then, I leave you with this...

MIA

2006-10-28T09:39:00.000-04:00

Affair

2006-10-24T20:25:00.000-04:00

I'm having an affair. With this. (which doesn't look near as neat as grumperina's.) I hope to have it completed within the next day or two. It certainly is cold outside!

I needed a break from the sleeves on DPNs. :-)

Finished Object -- Grey Cardigan

2006-10-22T09:35:00.000-04:00

It is done. I will get a better picture and add it to this post this week sometime.
Until then... here is the same picture from right below.

Here are the stats.

What: Grey Raglan Cardigan from Ann Bud's Book of Sweater Patterns. I thoroughly enjoy this book. And am certain I'll use it again. It has EVERY size you can imagine in it. I do wish it had shaping included in the patterns, but I'll just have to get brave and try my own shaping on the next one.
Started: Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Finished: Saturday, October 21, 2006
Yarn: Cascade 220- a little more than 5 skeins. I really like this yarn and can't wait to use it again. It is VERY VERY warm. Slightly scratchy next to the skin, but not intolerable.
Needles: size 7 addis- 24" & size 7 bamboo DPNs for sleeves.
Lesson: It is my first completed garmet. I see that my finishing skills need practice, but am quite satisfied being as it's my first one. I even wore the sweater all day yesterday and I'm certain that I will wear it often. That, to me, is considered a success. The amount of satisfaction I had when I held it up after it's full completion was absolutely overwhelming. I think I have turned into a garmet knitter.
Recipient: Me.
Knitting Time: 23 hours 5 minutes
Pattern Changes: I changed the sleeves. There is no increasing, as I like my sleeves to either be belled or straight. My shoulders are not very big so I didn't want it pooching.

Well, what do you think?

BY THE WAY....

2006-10-21T12:48:00.000-04:00

Lookie here!

Stats and more pictures to come. You have NO idea how many tries it took to get THIS crappy picture.

YAY. First sweater completed!

Reinbeck and Sleeves

2006-10-21T09:28:00.000-04:00

The sleeves for the hourglass sweater are coming right along. I am just above the elbows. I can't wait to see what this yarn looks like after a good blocking. It's a bit wrinkled (for lack of a better word) right now.

I have been completely ignoring my 2nd October goal of starting on Erin's Knee High socks. I've certainly been thinking about them though. I'd love to knit them both at the same time on two circs, but am thinking that with the amount of yarn I need vs what I have that I should really knit them toe up. I've never done that either. So we're looking at two new methods. That's a little intimidating to me. So I picked up two sets of size 2 DPNs and I think I'll use MJ's method of knitting them at the same time. Toe up. I need to start those this weekend while the little guy is at his dad's. So hopefully I'll have progress to show you later besides the same pink sweater! :-)

Everyone going to Rhinebeck: Have SOOO much fun. Buy lots of yarn, take lots of pictures. Even though I've never gone I have such a great time reading about everyone elses adventures there. It's some of my favorite blog reading.

I need to find a local knitter who will travel with me next year! :-) Maybe I should start going to knit at nights at the lys. At least until school begins next semester and my time is not my own.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Hourglass & Roxy

2006-10-19T21:01:00.000-04:00

Progress on Hourglass:

Sleeves are coming right along. Trying to do both of them at the same time so that when they're done, they're done.

The raglan cardi has two new botton bands and a collar. All that's left to do is attach the bottons and sew the arm pits. I hope to debut it Monday at work. :-)

Does this look comfortable to you?

Home Sweet Home Shawl

2006-10-18T14:50:00.000-04:00

The shawl has been blocked and the ends have been woven in.

Here is the completed shawl before blocking:

And after blocking:

It still amazes me what blocking does for knitting. Especially lace. This home sweet home shawl is especially meaningful to me. It's sitting in my new home. The home I had waited a long time for. The home that is truly mine.

Anyway, here are the stats:

What: Home Sweet Home Shawl
Started: Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Finished: Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Yarn: Sock Memories in fly fishing. 5.5 skeins; I really like this yarn and can't wait to use it again.
Needles: size 5 clover bamboo
Lesson: First sucessful lace project. YAY!!! I'm ready to try lace weight yarn again. I really got a lot of fundementals down with knitting this lace project.
Recipient: Mine. All Mine.
Knitting Time: 35 Hours and 54 minutes. So roughly 36 hours.
Pattern Changes. I did 28 repeates instead of 35 as written. I'm tiny. It didn't need to be as long as it was written for.

I love being wrong

2006-10-14T10:59:00.000-04:00

How beautiful is this?

It sewed up beautifully. I made it up to the yoke, so before I couldstart the sleeves I needed to find out what I was doing. turning the hem seemed like an impossibility but I tried it anyway. It hangs beautifully.

Also some news on my raglan cardi.

I managed to finish both of the button bands.

Then to my absolute horror I realized I had miscounted and the 2nd and 3rd button were 3 stitches too close together! RIIPPPP...

The side with the button holes took me 1 hour to knit. The plain side took me 45 minutes. I have only ripped out the side with the button holes, but I think I'm going to redo both sides. I think I needed to pick up two more stitches than I did. One at the top and one at the bottom.

I also started Jenny's Baby's blanket.

Knitted Hems

2006-10-10T20:11:00.000-04:00

Anybody done any of these before? Sucesses? Failures? I'm starting to doubt my choice for following the pattern for my new sweater. I know you can unravel from the beginning and knit downwards... I'm wondering if I could be 2nd guessing myself too soon, though?

I'm knitting with mohair and it is knitting up incredibly airy and thin. I love the way it looks, but am wondering how much the stitching from turning the hem will show. I'm also a few days behind on the yarn harlot's blog and noticed her whole speech on rolled hems needing to be knit with smaller needles to keep from flaring. I wonder if the rolled hem is too much for this light yarn. Maybe a seed stitch would be better? Could I snip the cast on edge unravel to my purl round and then knit about an inch of seed instead. Will the "columns" line up correctly?

Pictures....

I actually love knitting with this yarn SOOO much that if it weren't mohair I'd just rip it all and start over with a better "border." But seeing as it's mohair and won't unravel well, I'd like to unravel as little as possible.

Thoughts?

I need to quit my day job

2006-10-09T20:35:00.000-04:00

... so that I can stay home all day and knit. I've decided this is the only way I'm going to get ANYTHING accomplished EVER!

I took two days of last Thursday & Friday. It was the first two days I've actually scheduled off since I started there December 19th of last year! Any days that I've missed thus far have been due to illness (either myself or Zander). And usually those have just been half days. I always managed to work something out.

Anyway, that's how I was able to get so much knitting accomplished this past weekend. I made the one goal of not doing ANYTHING while off work. Of course, I did do a few things. Grochery shopping, running errands, spending a day with Zander, cleaning, laundry. But every other moment was consumed by knitting and watching movies. I even refused to leave my house and go out with my best friend. I wasn't budging!!! I was knitting damnit!

Anyway, I managed to get the button band and buttons sewn onto my cardigan yesterday. (2 hours of knitting time!) Next is the collar. A lovely lady at my LYS showed me how to do a single(?) chrochet around the collar, but upon further discussion we decided a shallow knit ribbed collar would be the way to go. I think it will still be open enough, but will add a little more stability and shape. Maybe I'll get to that tomorrow. I'm not feeling like struggling with picking up stitches tonight.

I showed you that yarn that I bought for my friend's baby blanket the other day. I asked her today to make sure when she was due. 8 more weeks! I thought it was a Christmas baby! I have less time than I thought. I have 5 balls to knit in 8 weeks, which is .625 balls a week. I'd better get busy. The good news is that it's a bulky yarn (knit on size 15 needles) so it should go pretty quickly.

I also did a bit more unpacking tonight. I'm actually mostly unpacked. It seems to be the craft stuff that remains behind in boxes. I came across all my DMC floss. When Nick & I were married if I needed to go out of the house (but didn't have much money to spend-- which was ALWAYS the case) then I'd run up to walmart or A.C. Moore and grab a few dollars worth of embroidery floss to add to the collection. I'd really like to have all of them. I even have a spreadsheet with all the colors on it and how many I have (or don't have) with all of them. I'm such a dork!

Anyway, enough of my inchoerent rambling. I need to get back to knitting.

New Projects

2006-10-07T17:40:00.000-04:00

So I casted off the home sweet home shawl. It still looks like a hunk of tangled yarn, so I'll block it before posting more pictures. So one sweater is blocking waiting for it's collar and button bands. So since I feel like I've casted off a whole bunch of projects. (okay 1 and a half) that I needed to get things to start 2 more. HA!

Look at the haul from today.

The 4 hanks of blues on the left and the blue chibi is for my secret pal. I might share more about that later, but we'll keep a bit of mystery to it for now.

The blue at the top right is plymouth yarn's "Heaven." It's 100% nylon, but is sooo soft and machine washable. It's going to be a blanket for a girl at work who's expecting in December.

The pink is Kitten Mohair by SandesGarn. I felt like I needed pink in my stash. Of course, it's not really IN my stash as I've already cast on for the hourglass sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts.

So, regarding the post below... what about an icord collar for the cardigan... just give it a finished edge? Or maybe a crocheted edge would be more suiting? Of course, I don't know how to crochet, but I have heard that that collars can be crocheted on? Ha ha, am I an idiot... I have no idea, but I just keep looking at it on the floor as it's drying and I just love the neck the way it is.

PICTURES PICTURES!!!

2006-10-06T19:38:00.000-04:00

First...

Here's the cardi as of now:

Yeah, the picture is blurry-- deal with it. It was quite hard getting a picture without a flash in a bathroom with no window.

At first I was going to do a long fold over collar in 2x2 rib. But I really like how open the neck is. What can I do with the collar to keep it open and casual like it is?

Next thing I need your help/advice with:

BUTTONS:

Blue to add some color? or celtic knots to add some personality?

HELP HELP HELP! I am SOOO psyched to finish this cardi and don't want it sitting forever.

Oh, as a side note, look at the little fun things I bought to paint for Zander. I'm going to hang them on his bedroom door.

Dead Battery & major accomplishments

2006-10-05T18:42:00.000-04:00

My digital camera's battery died about a week ago, and it took me this long to find the charger for it. (It's charging now, so still no pictures-- you'll just have to take my word for it.)

Not only did I finish 1 sleeve for my cardigan this week, but I also finished the second, got them attached to the body and have started the raglan shaping. It's so exciting. This may be my first completed sweater!

I am going to the Sheep and Wool Festival this weekend. :-) Oddly enough I don't see "yarn" booths listed in the crafts area, but certainly there will be yarn there, right?! I certainly hope so!

Anyway, I'll be sure to post pictures of the cardigan right after my camera battery is done charging.

Secret Pal 9

2006-10-03T22:10:00.000-04:00

It's secret pal 9 time. I've signed up and am PSYCHED about finding out who I'll be spoiling! :-) Here are my answers. Please let me know, dear secret pal, if you'd like to know anything else.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I LOVE WOOL! wool/cotton blends are also nice. I don't do red heart acrylic. Ever.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
My DPNs are stored in a pencil box. My circulars are stored here:

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learned to knit in childhood. Young childhood. I put it down. Pick it up for a while when I was 16. Put it back down again. Picked it up December of 2004. Unfortunately life got away from me for a bit this summer... but I'm back :-)

I'd consider myself an intermediate knitter.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
If I want a book I buy it.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I don't do vanilla and I don't do food flavored stuff. I like fresh scents like peppermint, melon, linens, etc.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Chocolate. I like English toffee and chocolate, shortbread.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Cross Stitch. I've tried my hand at spinning. I have tons of unspun fiber though... I doubt I need anymore.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I have an Ipod. I love almost all kinds of music.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Blues and Browns. I don't like red much. I love neutral colors and I feel like I need some pink in my stash.

10. What is your family situation?
My son, dog and I live together in a little, homy 2 bedroom apartment complete with a beautiful fireplace.

Do you have any pets?
Dog. Roxy.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Scarves, hats, mittens, Yup! Ponchos, no. I'm dieing for a pair of fair isle mittens.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I don't have a favorite. Whatever I feel like knitting. :-)

13. What are you knitting right now?
Right now I have socks, a shawl, 2 cardigans, and clapotis on the needles.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course. I've always wanted a hand knit gift, because I'd know how much time and effort and love went into making it. Especially a lace shawl or something fair isled. It'd be well loved.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circulars. Addis or Clover Bamboo are my favorite/preferred needles.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Clapotis. March 2005.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
CHRISTMAS!!!

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn. My son collects hotwheels... I find myself checking them out for cool ones that he might not have.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don't have any subscriptions. I don't really cheat myself when it comes to knitting. If I have the money I spend it. I do want to expand my selection of addi needles. And I'm kind of interested in trying the knit pick needles.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Fair isle.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
YES! from heel to toe= 9.5"; around the ankle= 8"-- I'm quite picky about the toes on socks. I've made several pair with the "decrease every other row" toes. But they're too pointy and they annoy the crap out of me. I like to decrease my toes ever single row so that they're flatter across the front.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
May 26.

**As a side note... I love love love Knitpicks. I think their yarns are beautiful for such a fantastic price.

***As a 2nd side note... I am dieing to one day make the Irish Diamond Shawl from Folk Shawls. Seen here. and here. (In this link it's the green one... first shawl shown. and oh yeah, here. It takes A LOT of yarn. 2,200 yards at a gauge of 16 stitches and 24 rows= 4". Of course, I am a VERY petite person, so getting gauge wouldn't be essential... I could certainly use a SMALLER one and be just fine.

October Goals

2006-10-01T11:50:00.000-04:00

September Goals:
1. Get halfway through The Home Sweet Home Shawl. Done.
2. Finish my cami socks. Done.

October Goals:
1. Finish Home Sweet Home Shawl. That's 7 repeats, which will take me roughly 9 hours.
2. Start Erin's *tall* socks
3. Finish one sleeve on grey cardigan.

This week was Zander's third birthday, so not much knitting was accomplished. I did get about 3 hours into a sleeve for my cardigan, but then decided it was about 3" too big. Rip. I think I shall go cast on for it again. Wish me luck.

Mittens, Shawls, and Storage

2006-09-23T17:54:00.000-04:00

Possible yarn for the mittens. I am going to try and use stash yarn so what about these color combinations? Any suggestions?

We all know I love brown and blue so I was thinking maybe the tan and bright blue or the light blue and dark brown. Yay? Nay?

Here's an udate on the shawl. I've just finished the 24th repeat. I don't think I'm going to get it done before my mom leaves for Hawaii, but I'm am itching to complete it so that I can move onto other things!

It is about 24" wide and 50" long at this point. Blocking is going to do WONDERS for this shawl.
I am knitting from two skeins of yarn to help with pooling but when I see it on a computer screen I can see that it's not really helping much. I suppose the pooling could be worse. I hate that about verigated yarn!

When I lived at my parents house I had beautiful shelving built into my closet. It made for perfect yarn storage. I am not as fortunate at the apartment. Right now I've got 2 boxes and one large knitting bag full of yarn. I intend to get some see through rubbermaid containers for my yarn this weekend. When thinking of containers and north star mittens and double pointed needles I thought of my mess of DPN's and got a lightbulb. I'm probably not the only one that's ever had this idea, but look how beautifully it works:

Next step is to buy some of those teeny plastic rubberbands to rubberband the sizes together. BRILIIANT!

Didn't realize I had so many DPNs either. Also found a 40" size 0 and a 24" size 9 addi. YAY!!!

Totally Distracted

2006-09-20T19:24:00.000-04:00

Must resist swatching for these:

Example 1

Example 2

These are the North Star Mittens from the book "Knit Mittens."

Are they cute or what?! It'd be a great first fair isle project, it'd be something portable, and it'd use stash yarn.

Who am I kidding. I'm totally justifying them. I think I'll leave my mittens book open on my coffee table to make me move my butt a little faster on my home sweet home shawl.

Goals. Done

2006-09-19T20:37:00.000-04:00

I've accomplished my goals for the month. I am on the 21st repeat of the home sweet home shawl. I'm actually trying to finish it so my mom can take it to Hawaii next tuesday. I realize that the chances of this are slim (I have approximately 16 hours of knitting left to do in 7 days.) I will keep plugging along on it to see if I can do it, but no expectations are being made.

I am not going to show any pictures of it since:
1) It looks the same as it did last time, just bigger
and 2) it will look like I've gotten more accomplished if I don't show as many pictures :-)

Thanks to MJ for giving me an answer to my question about 2 socks on 2 circs. I also found this webpage.

I will hopefully start those at the end of the month or early next month.

Also, several of you have asked through comments and e-mails about my personal life since I haven't been posting. There's lots to share... some things better than others, and I will get everybody back in the loop, but I figure that will be a post for one night when there's no knitting content and I feel like getting into it.

I'm wasting time.
... back to the shawl.

Thomas and Cammy Socks

2006-09-16T20:24:00.000-04:00

Today Zander and I went to see Thomas the Train and take a ride in it. Here's us in the train:

Look how big he's getting. :-)

I also finished my socks on the way up there.

It was my first time doing the short row heels, and I really like them except I ended up with small holes on both feet by the gussets. Anybody know how to fix that?

I also learned that I need to keep better notes of my knitting. The right foot (which I completed first) I decreased on every row at the toe, instead of every other row. The left foot I decreased every other row. It had been so long since I had finished the first sock (end of may) that I didn't remember or notice that I had done that. So now the right foot fits better than the left.
Lesson learned.

Stats:
What: Cammy Striped Socks
Started: Early May 2006
Completed: Saturday, September 16, 2006
Yarn: Bernat sock yarn.
Needles: US2 addis, 40"
Lesson: See Above
Recipient: Me me me me.
Knitting time: I have no idea... I didn't time this project.
Now what? My home sweet home shawl.

My sis informed me the other night that she would like a pair of socks. No problem, I say. Bright colors she requests. No problem again I say. "I want to wear them when I'm riding." By riding, she means while riding her horse. Do you know those boots are below the knee boots!? They're tall!!!

So I got the Socks on Two Circs book and 600 yards of Paton's kroy in Color 54701, Krazy Stripes.

So, I was really hoping this socks on two circs book would also tell you how to do two socks at one time. I guess it would be similar to knitting two sleeves at one time? Just cast on for one sock, then get another ball of yarn to cast on for another sock? Someone help. I got the last 3 balls of their yarn in this color so I'd really like to be able to knit them both at the same time so that they are the exact same size and so that if I run out of yarn I'll run out at the same place and be able to substitute another yarn at the bottom of both toes. Make sense?

Man. Knee high socks... That's ambitious. I'm crazy!
I will still find time to finish at least one of my cardigans that I have on the needles at some point this year. I'm determined!!!

As the Heel Turns

2006-09-11T21:04:00.000-04:00

Okay, so that's corney... I'm reaching with the creativity tonight.

But the heel has been turned. A Finished Object might be in my near future.

yay. When I was at my mom's house today I forgot to pick up my grey cardigan. Maybe I'll swing by there on my way home from work tomorrow and pick it up because I'm really looking forward to getting back on that and getting it ready for fall wearing.

On the September 11th note-- am I the only one that doesn't want to watch this stuff on TV today? I guess it sounds inconsiderate, or maybe it's just that I'm in that generation. I remember CLEARLY every moment of my day on September 11, 2001. It's all very fresh. I don't need hyped up news casts (or movies) to remind me. Am I the only one that feels this way? Am I a bitch?

September Goals

2006-09-10T13:12:00.000-04:00

So, I know that I'm a little late in the month to be making goals, but this should get me back into the swing of things.
Last month that I did goals: March.

My Goals the were:
1. Get to the arm hole decreases on the grey cardigan. DONE.
2. Cast on only one project this month (it can be socks or maybe the home sweet home shawl- something to break up the monotony of stockinette stitch.) DONE.
3. Make a little progress on an old UFO. I have no idea if I did this. Probably not.

There are only 2 goals this month.

1. Get halfway through The Home Sweet Home Shawl. There are 34 repeats in the pattern. I am currently working on the 14th repeat. I need to get through the 17th repeate to reach that goal.

2. Finish my cami socks.

I am using Allison's method of turning a heel. (Found here.)

It's a bit tricky and this attempt will be my 3rd attempt. Okay, it's not the the technique itself is tricky, it's just that interuptions can not happen or the heel turning will also not happen. Since Zander is at his dad's for several more hours I will try to knock it out. These socks are tall, and make me think of fall. I'll be able to wear my mid-calf boots with them. So it's time to "get er done."

If I get those two goals accomplished I'd like to work some more on my grey cardigan. Last seen here:

The body is done until the sleeves are completed. Then it will be time for the raglan shaping the collar and the button bands. The pattern is from THIS book and is being done using Cascade 220.

We'll see how it goes.

Weak Pathetic Progress

2006-09-09T11:27:00.000-04:00

Here we go... since I picked up the knitting a week ago this is what I've manage to accomplish.

Last time I posted a picture of it it looked like this:

It doesn't look like too much, but if you look closely at the first picture in the middle of the rows at the bottom you can sort of see the little houses that are created with the lace.

I really like the pattern, it's challenging enough to keep me interested but yet simple enough that I can watch TV while knitting. And lace with sock weight yarn is much easier to keep track of. I'm not sure how I feel about the yarn. (Memories from Knit picks. Color Fly Fishing.)

I do like the yarn... it's pleasant to knit with and blue greens and browns are definitly my favorite. They will match well in my house, but varigated yarn for lace probably wasn't the most brilliant idea.

Oh well. I think it will still look stunning drapped across the back of my couch. (IF i ever get it done.) There are 34 repeats of 14 rows, and each repeat takes me about 1 hour and 5 minutes. I'm about 11 repeats in and I just don't feel like it will ever end.

Another Quick update

2006-09-06T21:15:00.000-04:00

Thanks for all the comments! It's great to be back... just wanted to pop in and tell you all that I'll be commenting back soon. I also just got my camera cord back from my friend Sara today, so tomorrow (i hope) will be pictures.

Well, I've got to get knitting if I want anything to show! HA HA.

Thanks again for the warm welcome (back.)

Back Again

2006-09-04T18:27:00.000-04:00

I'm still here. Well, not here, here on blogspot. But I'm still here. A lot has happened since May when I posted last.

Namely, the biggest thing, I finally moved back out of my parents home. I'm all settled in my new apartment (pictures to come) and Zander is adjusting well.

It's hard to believe that he'll be 3 in just a few short weeks. His speech is getting much better. He was finally "diagnosed" with a speech disorder. Developmental Apraxia of speech. For a mother this is a good feeling and a bad feeling. Speech is hard for him. It may be an ongoing feeling. But it's also nice to know exactly what the problem is. And it's comforting to know that I'm not a bad mom because I couldn't teach my son to talk. He's now singing lots of songs, stringing 2,3, and 4 words together. Can count to 15 (after that he starts making things up). He knows all his colors, and shapes, and most animals and their sounds.

I started knitting again too. Nothing too exciting to show you, but I did pull out the "Home Sweet Home" shawl again. And I still have the cammy socks on the needles. After knitting for several hours on the shawl I'm itching to start a new project. I think it's the cold(er) weather we got this week that really got me back in the knitting swing. Anyway, just wanted to pop in and say HI. I'll get some pictures loaded shortly. Hope everyone has been doing well... I'm looking forward to catching up on all the blogs I've been missing out on.

A Blessing In Disguise

2006-05-23T18:54:00.000-04:00

There have been points in my divorce when I think, "yeah, this is happening for a reason." And there are other points where I've been thinking, "Why? Why me?" But neither feeling has led me to the point I'm at now. "yes, this IS where I'm supposed to be. And I LOVE it."

Of the most exciting things to happen in the recent past is a boy. I had not, up until about a month ago, been ready to date. Boys were nice. And nice to look at, and I had a few minor crushes, but nothing I wanted to pursue. But upon spending Derby weekend with my sister and some friends I stayed up late into the night talking to a nice boy. A boy who had made it clear to me he was hanging around for the long haul. I met him mid-february at my sister's 21st birthday. We became instant friends and spent a weekend or two a month hanging out. Anyway, here he is... just for a visual picture.

Dimples. Do you see the dimples?

Anyway, he just graduated from UK with a major in finance (yum, i love money). He put himself through school with no financial help, loans, grants, etc. He owns his own home, and his truck. He works two jobs, and is incredibly motivated.

Just to drive home the fact that I think he's absolutely "swell." I had a bit of a medical problem down in Lexington this weekend, and he drove all the way back up to Florence with me (1.5 hours) to take me to the doctor. He then called me at 4am the next two days to make sure that I had taken my 4am dose of medication. He was fantastic. I was afraid to tell anyone about this problem (I haven't even told my mom) and was so pleased that I could be un-embarassed and supported by someone that, in the grand scheme of things, I don't know so well.

My job has been amazing. I almost went and crossed out job and put career. I feel so comfortable there. I feel like I'm needed and that I'm serving a purpose. I work with the best people. My department is so supportive, so helpful, and absolutely so much like a unit or a team that my head spins sometimes. I wouldn't leave that job for any other job that offered me under 6 figures.

My son is growing so fast I can hardly keep myself from doing double takes

My Normal Day

2006-05-15T22:41:00.000-04:00

I like to take a step back now and then and kind of re-evaluate where I'm at. And it's just in my nature to be serious about things, but I keep thinking... there's got to be something humorous or something that I should be laughing about. Like my daily routine.

Get up, generally to the sound of FOG HORN alarm clock-- not the normal pulse type alarm clock. No, "Beep beep beep." No, my alarm clock works it's way into my dream EVERY MORNING. "beep Beep BEep BEEp BEEP beep Beep BEep BEEp BEEP beep Beep BEep BEEp BEEP beep Beep BEep BEEp BEEP beep Beep BEep BEEp BEEP." Yes, it grows louder. When aquiring this alarm clock I thought, "how nice. It will ease me awake." But hours after I wake up I hear it growing louder in my ears. Or maybe that's my head I hear it in. (That might be a topic for some other time.)

After I get out of bed it's a mad dash to get the dog upstairs and out the front door before she pees in the house. She's just one of those creatures that upon standing up must IMMEADIATELY relieve herself. And let's not lie... I do not move very quickly early in the morning. Please allow me one caffinated beverage before expecting me to function. Upon getting the dog back into the house I generally have a GROUCHY son to get out of bed. I try not to get angry. He comes by his grouchiness honestly. (From his father, of course.) After a struggle ensuses with a "normal" two year old to get dressed, eat breakfast and get in the car I get to go to work. Some mornings I drop Zander off at school early and head to the office because I think "I'd rather deal with work crap than child crap right now." But really, what am I thinking?

One of my not so fun jobs at work is to call accounts that have left pieces of necessary information off their orders. Let's pretend I work in the culinary field for a moment. If someone wants me to make them cookies, it means they need to provide me with all the ingredients. So let's take cookies back down to basics. Cookies have 4 basic ingredients: Flour, Sugar, Fat, and Eggs. So, how am I going to make cookies when you only give me THREE ingredients? By the end of the day, I'm tired of asking people for the 4th ingredient. And people, I know you're tired of me calling you EVERY day asking for the same thing on every single job you submit. So, please, do me a favor. Do your job correctly and throughly. I WILL call you about it. It is NOT saving time. It is, in fact, WASTING time. Yours and mine. And I've begun to think that my time is more precious than yours since you have NO interest in helping the situation. And to the fellow workers of these morons...if it is one associate who is not filling out the orders correctly, please take a moment and tell them what I really feel like saying, "ARE YOU GETTING IT YET? IS THIS COMPLICATED OR DID YOU JUST FAIL TO BE GIFTED WITH A SINGLE WORKING BRAIN CELL?"

I had a co-worker walk up to my desk today, and while I was on the phone listening to my voicemail messages interupt me and say, "This is for Amy. Where should I put it?" Obviously I was having very much a MONDAY, because I couldn't help but respond: "Um, on Amy's desk?" I mean, maybe she was asking, "Will you let Amy know that I'm leaving this for her?" Or maybe she meant to say, "This needs Amy's attention, but would you like to take care of it so that I can have it back to get my job done?" Etc. But she didn't ask for that. She asked "where should I put it?" Did I miss something? Did there suddenly happen to be TWO Amy's in a department that consists of 4 people? Granted, I know that when I moved to that department I took Amy's desk, and I know that this is very odd to some people, but after 4 weeks you think they'd realize that Amy's desk has moved about 4 feet away. Maybe the big 8x10 framed picture of her baby girl should give it away?

Then I have moments where it becomse necessary that I interact with the ex. (Like starting now since he has just moved back into town.) He had Zander over the weekend and through much arguing we determined that he would drop off Zander's bag at my work. Except he won't give me the car seat. Okay, so technically the car seat is his, but he fails to realize that I gave him the one out of my car, and that the spare is in my mother's car. I get off work at 5:30. The daycare closes at 6. Realistically I NEVER get out of work at 530. Not even if I try!! So there is no way I can leave work, drive home, get the car seat and get back to daycare before his school closes.

There are moments when I think "he's really not such a bad guy... why are you so negative towards him and the situation?" Then there are moments like this that make me think, "OH SHIT. Now I remember." What an immature little brat.

I could go on and on... but we've made it to 10am in a normal day, so I feel like maybe that's enough for today.

(did I distract you away from the knitting? Since there is- of course- none to show you I was hoping you'd forget why you stopped here. Did it work?)

Gifties

2006-05-08T20:47:00.000-04:00

Since I don't have that much knitting progress to share I thought I'd share something else.

Look what Kris sent me. Isn't she the best. I love my blue chibi.

Thanks again Kris! What a sweet thing.

That's all from here. Short and sweet.

She Still Knits...

2006-04-30T11:16:00.000-04:00

... on occassion.

Here is the home sweet home shawl I've been working on. Besides a sock, I have been truly loyal to it.

Even though I am knitting from two balls of yarn I am noticing pooling in the pictures. (I didn't notice it until I took the pictures.) So I guess I'll throw in a third ball to use. I am still enjoying this pattern. It is hard to see because of the lace, but it actually makes little houses. It is quite a charming pattern.

I haven't shown my little guy lately, so I thought I'd take a moment to do that.

Here he is on Easter.

Well, I got a promotion about a week ago! :-) To what is called the "SunRX" department. It's a desk job with NORMAL hours. I work from 9-530 (We won't mention that I haven't left at 530 yet... we'll let that overtime thing just slip by. ha ha) as opposed to the 11-830 shift I was working. It's so beautiful and "normal" that I don't know what to do with myself.

Zander got tubes last week, it has done wonders for his speech and hearing already. I'm quite thrilled about it. Of course, we are now going through a major "no" phase... which is just absouletly like running nails down a chalk board. I've had enough with him saying it.

I'm still at my folks house. All the sudden school got busy, zander had his pre operation appointments, nick was planning to come in town and the whole promotion thing happened. I am definitly ready to go but am now beginning to think of buying a condo as opposing to throwing money away on rent. There are some really neat/inexpensive condos, and since the money for the down payment is in the bank, there's no reason to do otherwise, right?

How is everybody else doing?

Somewhere Out There

2006-04-12T10:27:00.000-04:00

Hello strangers!

I appologize for my long disappearance. I assure you I am still breathing, and that all limbs are attached.

Things have been ~~crazy~~ (well, in a more accurate term: ape, barmy, batty, berserk, bonkers, cracked, crazed, cuckoo, daft, delirious, demented, deranged, dingy, dippy, erratic, flaky, flipped, flipped out, freaked out, fruity, haywire, idiotic, insane, kooky, lunatic, mad, maniacal, mental, nuts, nutty, potty, psycho, screwy, silly, touched, unbalanced, unglued, unhinged, unzipped, wacky, whacko) here.

Some things have been good. Some bad. There have been some family problems that dated back a few weeks ago, that pushed my butt into apartment hunting mode. My family is okay. They're all also alive and well, with all limbs attached, but the realization hit me that I'm 24 (okay, well, almost 24) living at home and trying to raise a child. I will never move on with my life until I MOVE OUT. The days I feel like I'm floating through life were starting to accumulate. I had nothing to be proud of except for my job (and that doesn't say much because the company is starting to have a hard time-- nothing to be TOO concerned about though). I need to move out. My goal at the beginning of my divorce was to be moved out by my 24th birthday. It is rapidly approaching. I still intend to have this be the case. And actually, I intend to be moved out by May 1st, if not sooner.

So that's that.
The next crazy thing has been Zander. And those with children (and especially those who are single moms) will know, there is never a dull or slow moment. Zander had his 4th ear infection in a relatively short period about a month ago, and so off to an Ear Nose, Throat specialist he went. Without a pause or a doubt the doctor recommended tubes. Those will be put in Monday the 24th.

While all this was happening I was beginning the stages of speech therapy with Zander. State funded programs are such a pain in my ass! 4 "pre" meetings, 5 weeks of phone calls and chaos have produced Zander's first "session" in which his speech therapist warned me would be "observing" him interact more than actually teaching him words. At this rate the kid has already learned 4 new words. HELLLOOOO. anybody home?!

Then there is school.. only 2 more weeks, which leaves for a paper and an exam which are now consuming my time. I have decided to take the summer off and enjoy myself, give myself a pat on the back for a job well done and a successful school year. And I will also be taking time to play with Zander and get him potty trained. It will also give me time to figure out how in the HELL I'm going to afford school next semester while living out on my own. ha!

So, as far as the knitting goes. Yes, I've been doing it. No, not every day. I can (usually) crank out 3-4 hours of knitting on the weekend. Most weekdays I don't even touch the knitting. Which leaves for very little to blog about. I have no pictures to show, but there has been quite a bit of progress made on the home sweet home shawl since the last time I posted it. I hope to finish it up upon moving into my apartment, as there are no words better in the world than "home sweet home."

Grey's Anatomy

2006-04-02T22:04:00.000-04:00

Knitting & celibacy are key topics on Grey's Anatomy tonight.

Okay, so I know I TOTALLY haven't posted in over a week and I know this is a shitty post-- actually it shouldn't even post... but just so you all know-- I AM alive.

-- and knitting a bit.

My Childless Week

2006-03-21T09:12:00.000-05:00

There was actually not much knitting done during my childless week last week. I did however do too much drinking, and a stayed out a little too late every night. But it was nice. To not have to find a babysitter or inconvience a family member is such a good feeling that I was truly able to relax and have fun with my friends.

The exchange of Zander from Mommy to Daddy went better than I could have imagined. Zander was excited to see his father (although painfully shy) and the excitement Nick portrayed almost put me in tears. Okay, I did tear up-- I had to walk away for a minute and fiddle with zander's suitcases until I could collect myself.

Nick was great about calling and telling me what Zander had been up to, how he was sleeping, etc. Zander was having so much fun that he didn't even want to be bothered with talking to me on the phone until Thursday.

As we all know, friday was St. Patty's Day. My sister and our friends lived it up at Jack Quinn's Irish Pub in Covington, Kentucky. What a good time!

Um, yeah, that's water in my cup. You got it!

I wonder if we realized we were holding our drinks up like that. Dorks.

That's me, Chris, my sister (Erin), and her boyfriend Sean.-- Our friend Chris played the bagpipes at the pub. He was amazing. And his shirt won first prize in my book: "I'm the Irishman your mother warned you about."

Then, as far as knitting. I cast off my river lace stole. No, I didn't finish it. I grew bored of it. It was a lace project. I felt semi- successful at it. The reason I say semi is because I found several mistakes while stretching it out and admiring it this week that I decided. "Okay, lesson learned." And cast off. I will block it and then maybe put it in a picture frame to display in my apartment. (Come on apartment... we need an apartment.)

I made very little progress of my sweater. The first sleeve is underway still. I'm not even an inch into it. I hate 2x2 ribbing on DPNs, so as soon as I get past that part it will hopefully be smooth sailing.

Finally, after casting off the lace "stole" I cast back on for the home sweet home memories shawl from Knitpicks. With sock weight yarn and size 5 needles this project should be a little easier to detect mistakes while still giving me practice with lace techniques.

That's all from here.

Back To Knitting

2006-03-12T21:24:00.000-05:00

Thanks for letting me vent yesterday... back to the real world.

I HAVE ARM PITS:

And Zander had to help by taking a few pictures. Here is my budding photographer. Toes complimentary.

So I cast on for the first sleeve (knit in the round) but decided to work on my river lace stole for a few days so I can meet another of my March goals.
No pictures yet, but I will hopefully have more time to post (and knit) this week since I'll be childless.

Every day is a new bend in the road

2006-03-11T23:39:00.000-05:00

The one thing I've learned about divorce is that no day is going to be the same. Some days you're independent and your day runs like a well oiled machine. Other days you're angry, confused, frustrated, sad, overwhelmed.

Lately I've been wondering how I'm even keeping my sanity. I'm doing too much. Way too much. I work too many hours. I go to school. I have built up a social life, started a few new social beginnings. I am raising a determined, stubborn two year old man. And I'm learning to be a single mom. I feel I have just started mastering this ARTFORM of single parenthood. And I feel like I'm doing a good job. My little guy knows that I love him. I love him with the strength of two people. I give him the guidance, support, and attention that he needs to thrive. I was just at the stage of getting past "where is the father? Why doesn't he call? why doesn't he see little Z?" And I was starting to say, "He doesn't need two parents to thrive. He just needs lots of love."

Suddenly I am just 2 short days away from handing over the most important thing in my life for 6 days to his father who has suddenly decided after 7 months that he needs to see his son. My internal battle is raging. I have never felt so lost and so confused by anything in my entire life. More so than the confusing decision I made to divorce him, or the decision I made to move on with my life, or the decision I made to be the best mom and dad that I could be.

I have been both parents. It has been a very long seven months. And I can be selfish about if I want, but truth of the matter is that Zander has a father. And if his father wants to see him he has that right. Zander should have a relationship with his father. But part of me wants to shelter him-- wrap my arms around him and refuse to let him out of my sight. How long until the next time the ex will visit? How long until the next phone call? Will this be my life in a vicious cycle of wanting what is best for my child, while trying to guard him (without making his decisions for him). Will Zander be mad at me if this becomes a vicious cycle and I let it continue on for years? Will Zander be mad at me if one day I decide to break this cycle and end their relationship? What is the right answer?

And besides drinking a lot of beer and jack and coke next week how will I get through six days without my little boy?

Just to make myself feel better

2006-03-05T12:28:00.000-05:00

That's about 9.5-10" of the cardi. I know it's not much to look at, but since I'm no longer feeling ill (thank you for the well wishes) I knew I had to post what little progress I've made since the last time I posted pictures about 1.5 weeks ago. The stockinette stitch is beginning to bore me. I'm lucky really. I had a strong urge to cast on again for the Home Sweet Home Shawl (I originally bought the yarn and pattern from Knitpicks, but can no longer find it on their site) but the first 20 rows are all knit, so I figured I'd keep plugging along on the sweater. I still have my river lace stole to work on... I just ripped back to a lifeline and put it back on the needles (a semi challenging feat) so I need to make sure I picked up all the stitches before I start plugging away on that again. But anyway, point being, there's about to be a temporary project change since the stock. st. is beginning to bore me. (like we didn't know that was coming.)

I'm off to go buy a new keyboard for my laptop since zander managed to rip off the "S" and "Z" keys. (Don't even ask how I'm getting them to type. I don't want to talk about it!

March Goals

2006-03-03T10:29:00.000-05:00

February Goals:
1. Finish Scott's Scarf before February 10th. DONE.
2. Pick a project and swatch before the knitting olympics begin. DONE.
3. Knit & complete the winter olympics project. DONE.
4. Complete the sleeves for the Classic Cardigan. NOT DONE. Sweater is MIA.

March Goals:
1. Get to the arm hole decreases on the grey cardigan.
2. Cast on only one project this month (it can be socks or maybe the home sweet home shawl- something to break up the monotony of stockinette stitch.)
3. Make a little progress on an old UFO.

That's all. I've been down with the flu this week. No knitting to report and no interesting news.

Oh yeah, besides this: Nick was served with Divorce papers this week. My joy was pretty much there until he informed me that he's not signing them, that he doesn't agree with the child support payments and he doesn't agree with the child custody arrangements. I say, when you grow up and actually CALL your son on occassion (That does mean more than once every few months) then you have the right to ask for some form of custody. Until then buzz off.

Happy march. May you bring lots of sunshine and a successful child support/custody hearing at the end of the month. Moving up and on.

Cardigan

2006-02-23T23:19:00.000-05:00

I want to try and post pictures of the cardigan as often as posssible to motivate myself to keep working on it.

Long week at work... cycle count for inventory is tomorrow... so once I put everything back on the shelf that i just took off the shelf (someone please explain the logic to me in that one) on monday then I'll (hopefully) have more time to knit. Zander is going down to his grandma's for a night this weekend so hopefully I"ll have a few hours sunday morning before he comes back home to knit.

Cardigan:
I'm thinking about another 1" or so of ribbing and I'll start the stockinette body.

Wish me luck

2006-02-21T22:25:00.000-05:00

Here it is... the next sweater attempt. By goly I'd better get this one done... as I have way too many balls of yarn dedicated to "sweaters" to mess this up.

My crappy sweater drawing and notes. Not anywhere near as cute as Eunny's. ;o)

I know I'll get bored with the stockinette so I'll try to get one more project that's a little more challenging, whether it be fair isle socks or lace so that I have something to keep my sanity.

On a personal note, I haven't talked about my divorce lately. I'm pretty sure the ex no longer reads this blog, but even if he does, this is nothing he doesn't know.
Today was the last day I could have him served to keep my (3rd attempted) court date for custody and child support. He has again managed to avoid getting served. This doesn't shock me. I am no longer suprised by his "moves." And I certainly have been pretty successful in not letting it bother me. There is nothing I can do. It is out of my hands. As far as I understand it the JAG on base is upset with him as THE EX is clearly avoiding him. That has to be making THE EX's life a living hell to avoid the JAG. THE JAG FOR GOD'S SAKE. THE EX probably feels like a snake in the corner. It must suck to have to work that HARD to hide. What a way to live life.

My uncle once fired a guy for not pulling his weight. After my uncle fired this guy (we'll call him Bob) Bob's friend came up to my uncle and said, "I'm glad you let Bob go. He told me a few days that he had managed to hide in the John for 3 hours in one day." When my uncle told me this I laughed. It's much harder to hide from your boss and from your work than it is to just DO IT. And I guess if THE EX is happy then so be it.
I'm just happy at this point with knowing that I'm kicking ass at work and am (hopefully) working my way towards an employee of the month award. I'm happy knowing that I'm chipping away at my degree. I'm happy knowing that my son is growing and glowing and that he loves me with the strength of the two parents I'm being. I'm happy with my meditation (knitting) and I'm happy with simple conversations with cute boys.

I'm studying Zen right now in my philsophy class... it's really hitting me hard in the interest category. I think I will do some independent study on it eventually. Until then... I leave you with this:

"When you expect something, when you aim at something, right there you dilute your energy; you split your energy, you split your attention and it becomes more than the place of yin and yang. You do not only divide, but you create the problem."
- Taizan Maezumi

"If you understand, things are just as they are... If you do not understand, things are just as they are...."
- Zen Saying

"If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?"
- Dogen Zenji

Socks and Socks and Fair Isle Socks

2006-02-20T21:15:00.000-05:00

So I casted on for the brown socks, got about 2cm done and realized that yarn (Regia 4ply) should be knit on size US 0. Not the US1 I was using. So I took that as a sign that I needed to put the in progress Lorna's Laces socks on the circular and finish those.

No pictures, because this morning I noticed a hold right on the bottom of the heel. No idea how it got there and no, I don't want to talk about it. So I ripped out my entire days work from yesterday and began again at the heel turn.

I'm working on a gauge swatch for my cascade 220 cardigan. I think I'll just make it a simple ribbed/stockinette sweater, no shaping or anything fantastic. It will be a raglan which is very flattering on my shape so we'll let that be the draw. :o)

Finally, fair isle socks.

I bought a few balls of 2 colors of sock yarn that are discontinued at my LYS this weekend (I don't remember the name of the yarn) but anyway, I got 2 colors and figured that would be a great dive into fair isle knitting in the round. Now I need a pattern. Can someone suggest a good 2 color fair isle pattern for socks. I could probably go back and get a 3rd color if need be.
Help, anyone?

Day 8- Kicked Knitting Olympic Ass

2006-02-18T17:59:00.000-05:00

Done.

Fraternal Twin Socks. They look like they're too big for her in this picture... I think it was the way she was holding her feet.

Zander helps model.

This is how much yarn I had left over. Scary. Not as scary as some people have been at the end of a project... but still scary.

Stats:
What: Olympic Socks
Started: Friday, February 10th, 2006
Completed: Saturday February 18th, 2006
Yarn: Regia 6 ply, color # _____
Needles: US2 addis, 40"
Lesson: Magic Loop
Recipient: Mom.
Knitting time: Between 12-14 hours. I wasn't really good about timing this project.

Now what? My new regia socks. I would like to get one done before the end of the olympics. It is not my olympic goal, but it'd be nice. I'd also like to get my gallery updated before then.

Day 7- Temptation

2006-02-17T23:12:00.000-05:00

MUST. RESIST. URGE. TO. CAST. ON. WITH....Yummy.

That's my 6 skeins of Casscade 220 for my next project, 2 balls of Regia 4 ply in color # , and a US 1 40" addi. I read somewhere that Addi size 1 is equivilant to a US 1.5. But the mm is the same (2.5) so could someone clear that up for me? Because I should TOTALLY finish my lorna's laces anklet (#2 of 2)

But In all honesty... it will be really hard. I should tell myself... it is JUST an anklet, and that I only wear a size 7, so my feet aren't that big. It should go quickly.

By the way. Ask me what purpose there was in me buying 2 more balls of regia anyway? I have AT LEAST 6 balls in the closet (and two sock books on the way from Amazon.) If you haven't knit with it yet though, please do... it's rather soft for being only 5 dollars each.

Oh yeah, and the olympic socks? I totally didn't take a picture today and I'm way too lazy to get out of the comfort of my bed to do it... so just pretend I did. I'm hoping I can finish the sock by the time girls night begins on Sunday night. That way, I can knit on something different while we watch movies eat junk food and bitch about work. At least there are lots of cute guys we can talk about. :o) And I'm hoping maybe I can punch the desire in one of those three to want to learn to knit. I could totally use a knitting buddy around here.

As a closure... here is a picture the little Z-man took Wednesday. He was trying to take a picture of me knitting. :o)

He obviously has my camera skills. Can't win them all, can we?

Day 6- Recipient Change

2006-02-16T20:55:00.000-05:00

So these socks WERE for me. They were a little big. I was okay with that. Big roomy socks for my boots. Can't beat that. Then my mom tried them on. They fit perfectly. Hmph. Guess they're not for me. I'm going to pick up a US 1 40" addi tomorrow on my way to work, so I can start another pair of socks. Besides, a reason to buy more needles. Yeah, twist my arm. :o)

So, I'm getting close to completion:

Add about an inch to that... this picture was taken this morning before the sun was even up.

So anyway, I'm thinking about my next project(s) now.

I bought 6 skeins of casscade 220 in a light grey last week. That's enough for YET ANOTHER sweater. I'm making a cardigan. Probably raglan, and simple. I need a grey cardigan to wear over shirts to work (I never know if it will be hot or cold) and I NEED to knit a sweater from beginning to end to justify the thousands of yards of yarn in my closet designated to sweaters. I'm also going to knit another pair of socks with the magic loop method. I have lorna's laces socks to complete. Maybe I'll switch those from my DPNs to magic loop. Have I mentioned how much I love the magic loop method yet??

Day 5- Challenge or No Challenge

2006-02-15T20:06:00.000-05:00

Here is the second cuff a few hours ago.

I just started the heel flap about an hour ago.. I hope to turn the heel before I go to bed.

I started wondering a few days ago if this was truly a challenge or not. Whether I wimped out. So I started looking back.

Normally I only make time to knit for about 20-30 minutes a day, and now that I'm a working, single mom, and student I don't think much of it if a day goes by where I don't knit. But I am making a conscious effort to knit every day. And it's WONDERFUL!

And I decided I'm also challenging myself because I learned a new method. Magic Loop. So this was definitly a challenge and I shouldn't feel back that I stepped up up the plate and am kicking some OLYMPIC ASS!!!

By the way, thanks everybody for the wrist wishes. It is doing better, although still weak. I've been taking it easy, being consicious of how I am moving my wrist. I've been bracing it at work as I'm constantly working with my hands so I think that is helping.

Day 4- On the Road to Success

2006-02-14T13:08:00.000-05:00

One down, one to go.

Day 3- Taking it easy

2006-02-13T21:24:00.000-05:00

Not too much typing... wrist is still hurting which was made worse by working in the shipping department today and dealing with inventory. I will be working in shipping on Tuesday & Friday also... so i will be taking it easy with the knitting this week. This is not a big deal (I don't think) as this is my progress:

I have started the toe decreases. I probably have about 10 more rows/rounds to do.

I think I can mangage that this week and still stay on target. MUST GET GOLD OLYMPIC BUTTON!

Have I mentioned I LOVE the magic loop method??

Goodnight.

P.S. Thanks for the comments about my wrist. I refuse to STOP knitting, but I will take it easy and I will wear the brace they gave me at work today to use in the shipping department and i will take anti-inflamitories. I'll pray for the best and hope that it goes away on it's own. :o)

Day 2- Knitter Down!

2006-02-12T19:19:00.000-05:00

Here was progress at 12:00pm today. I really wanted to get a natural light photo to show off the colors of this yarn, because last night's picture was crappy.

So here:

I love that it's so much easier to try on socks when knitting with the magic loop method. And, I just LOVE the magic loop method in general. I was a little nervous about the heel flap, turning the heel, and the gusset, but it went smoothly.

I am encountering a slight problem though. My left wrist has begun hurting. Badly. Is it because I knit for so long yesterday and quite a while today, or is this the beginning of a bigger problem? It hurts right where the hand meets the arm, on the top, in the center. I took an aleve. It didn't help. So what do I do? I swear NO ONE better say "stop knitting!" Do I wear a brace? put heat? ice? someone who has experience with this please help.

Anyway, I feel good about where I am. I don't get much time to knit on the weekends, so if I finish up this sock this week, and get past the gusset on the 2nd sock next weekend then that will give me the final weekend to finish in case anything shocking happens (like overtime. Oh wait... overtime isn't shocking. The lack of overtime would be shocking.)

Hope everyone else is doing well on their quest!

Day 1 -- Knitting Olympics

2006-02-11T20:22:00.000-05:00

Well, I cast on for my socks last night at 9:45, and knit until lights out at 10pm. At 8:30 tonight this is what I have.

I tried to start at the same place on both skeins but the difference in the two is actually terrifying. But seeing as they are socks I'll continue on. I cast on with the socks on the right last night, and worked on them for quite a while today. I then when to Knit On to pick up some addis I had ordered. I ended up getting talked into (quite easily) learning the magic loop method. The shop owner asked if I was participating in the Knitting Olympics. It still amazes me how huge the internet knitting community is. Anyway, I told her I was, and that I was doing a pair of socks. she asked if I had tried the magic loop method... nuff said... I walked out with a 40" size 2 addi and the magic loop book published by fiber trends. Good stuff. I also walked out with two 24" addis-- size 7 and 9. Oh yeah, and 6 skeins of cascade 220 in grey. I don't want to talk about that. ;o)

So anyway, you can see that I am not doing the cable and rib socks as originially planned. I couldn't get gauge. So I just cast on with a simple 2x1 rib. It's still a challenge... especially if the sock that is being knit with the magic loops continues to unimpress me with it's striping. We'll see.

I hope to be able to update daily with at least a picture... we'll also see how that goes.

On Your Mark... Get Set...

2006-02-10T08:16:00.000-05:00

[don't go yet.]

Well, right in the nick of time I have choosen my olympics project. Not a vest and not the twisty turns wrap... but instead....

SOCKS. Just. Like. These.

From Fall 2005 Interweave Knits. Question... do I do them in bright green or bright blue?

I will swatch tonight when I get home from work (or maybe this morning before I go) and cast on tonight when the olympics start. I figure most socks take me between 12-16 hours to knit, which is about 1 hour a day for the next 16 days. That will be a challenge for me, but yet, not so much of a challenge that I'm scared to even start. We'll see.

And Look... just like me to wait until the last minute.... BUTTONS:

Good luck everyone... the race is on.

The scarf

2006-02-07T23:02:00.000-05:00

The scarf: (And the recipient isn't so bad either, no?)

okay, so I know you can barely see the scarf. Just pretend. He's rather handsome, no?

yay.

By the way. He likes the scarf. On the way out he said, "it's kind of itchy." on the way back in he said, "I appreciate the itchyness for the warmth." SCORE. He APPRECIATES wool. What more could I ask for.

Finished Object Report

2006-02-06T09:45:00.000-05:00

I finished Scott's Scarf.

Scott's Scarf:

Started: Tuesday January 17th
Finished: Sunday February 5th
Yarn: Woold of the Andes, Coal, 4.5 skeins
Needles: Size 7, 16"
Finished Demensions: 63" long
Pattern: Irish Hiking Scarf
Knitting Time: 14 hours

I'll see if he'll let me take a picture with it on tomorrow when he's back at work.

By the way. Note that it took 19 days to complete this, and 14 hours of knitting. I knit about 490 yards in that time. This would make a good estimate as to what would be a good challenge for me for the Olympics. I am quite simply running out of time. I swatched for the vest last night. My gauge is 3.5 stitches to the inch. My Ann Budd book has sweater patterns for 3 & 4 stitches to the inch... not 3.5. I am wondering if I can bump it up and size, knit as written and then the end product will be smaller. I am also wondering if I have a pattern that is straight down on the sides if I can make it have NO ease and be fitted or if I actually need to work in waist shapping. What do you guys think? I really really really want to do a garmet next, but a sweater is just SOOO out of the question.

Opinions please.

I found a picture of Zander from February 5, 2005. Look how much he's changed:

February Goals

2006-02-04T13:29:00.000-05:00

May I just take a moment to say I TOTALLY bombed January.

January Goals:

1. Finish Pismo Hat. NOT DONE
2. Complete River Lace Stole. NOT DONE
3. Finish January's Block Of The Month. NOT DONE. I've actually lost my december block, start of january's block and yarn. GREAT!
4. Cast on for the right front or sleeves of the Classic Cardigan. Remember that? DONE. I did cast on for the sleeves... I am about half way done with them.
5. Do a swatch for the Rowanspun yarn. DONE.

I, much like Kris, had an insane work month this month and really had to cut back on the knitting. There have been many days where I (unfortunately) have not knit a stitch. I am looking forward to getting back into some sort of routine and knitting every day, even if it's only for 15-20 minutes. Some progress is better than no progress.

February Goals:
1. Finish Scott's Scarf before February 10th. He tried it on yesterday at work, I had 10 more inches to knit... I'm hoping to maybe get it done this weekend.
2. Pick a project and swatch before the knitting olympics begin.
3. Knit & complete the winter olympics project.
4. Complete the sleeves for the Classic Cardigan.

I have so much yarn ready for big projects (like sweaters) that I really need to get one complete before I start any other big projects. So once I complete the classic cardigan things should get a little more interesting.

I've decided to also not do the twisty turns for the olympics as I'd have to alter that pattern as well. I'm still really leaning towards the Vest in Knit Picks Sierra. I have the book by Ann Budd: The knitter's handy book of sweater patterns, and don't think it would be too hard to modify the set in sleeves sweater to become a fitted vest. If this is the case I need to knit the front and back in 7 days each, which leaves me two days of seaming/finishing/error correcting. I see miles of stockinette in my near future.

Also to come in just a few short days.... My One Year Blog Anniversary. EXCITING!!!

Alive...

2006-01-31T22:40:00.000-05:00

I'm alive and kicking... just a lot going on in the melting pot and not a lot of knitting going on. Gotta finish the scarf in 11 days.

Will be back shortly with a real post!

2006-01-27T10:53:00.000-05:00

A Really Good ~~Ride~~ Wind.

I had promised to make the pismo hat awhile back for the ex (before the split) and even after we broke I decided I'd make it. Because, after all, it was a promise, and he said he still really wanted it.

As many of you remember Zander lovingly ripped it off my needles not to long ago.

It has been sitting in my closet. But in the interest of moving up and moving on I had a really
good wind yesterday.

This is before.

After:

Ahhh, much better. Moving up and moving on! Peace.

Dummy Dummy Dummy

2006-01-25T07:15:00.001-05:00

This week at work has been trying. There are so many orders in house, that, for the 3rd week in a row, they're talking of working on Saturday. This is not such a big deal. I take the overtime hours gladly, if I can, but it makes for the regular work week to be sooo much more hectic. I'm working in the office this week. Helping out with callbacks (correcting mistakes that customers made, unavailable products, problems with their orders, etc.) Most people are quite nice, but there are some that are just out of this world rude, and it makes me wonder how they get up and survive each day.

So anyway, with the work week being crazy so far, I've kind of become ditzy and tired. I managed to forget about the sock exachange over at Allison's blog. The sign-ups were yesterday. I had been looking forward to them for a long time. Oh well.

In Knitting.... looks like the Twisty Turns has won hands down. Kris mentioned that doing math can be potentially disheartening (especially on a time crunch) and I think she's right... except the smallest size for the twisty turns in 36." HA! I'm 32." But I think (I haven't looked at the pattern yet) I can just shorten it. But it looks like that's what I'll be doing. Thanks everyone!!! And thanks Kara for offering to help on the math with the vest later. I think I'll take you up on that offer. :-)

I have been working on THE SCARF almost exclusively. It's been really good tension releasing, as this week has been filled with not fun "EX" things. He felt the need to tell me/brag to me about his first two "Sexual encounters" since the split. Yes, you read that correctly! What kind of inhumane man would do something like that? In a way, it's a good thing. It killed whatever feelings may have been leftover. As I type this I get nauseous just thinking of him. I swear karma will catch up to him one day. And for now, that's enough. And since he's resorted to sleeping around, I am looking forward to my custody hearing more and more everyday to do automatic childsupport withdrawls from his paycheck... at this rate, he will father more children at the end of the year.

Ugh. Can you believe people like this exist and that we are so blinded by them?!

By the way, Ex, as I know you read this... Could you please (for the 50th time) send my jewelry.
And maybe your son's christmas gifts too.

::DISGUSTED::

Olympic Help Please

2006-01-22T21:15:00.000-05:00

Okay, so, here's the scarf so far. Black. Cables. No Natural Light. Take what you can get:

Okay, so I'm about 1/3 of the way done with the scarf. "Are We There Yet?"

So now, I need your help. My olympic choices are daunting. I started trying to redo the math for Allison's "Leftover" vest, but couldn't quite figure it out. So here are my options, please tell me what you think...

FUDGE the pattern. Decrease when I think I should decrease, increase when I think I should increase. This may be okay considering the vest is knit in the round and I can easily try it on through the whole thing. Until the arm holes anyway. I have no idea how to split it and knit the armhole and neck decreases w/o a pattern. So should I brave it, or do one of these options??

Make it in green?

This is 8 skeins of wool of the andes in fern. I'm almost positive I can match gauge with this yarn.

Order a color like gray or something more suited for a vest than green when I order more WOA for the rest of the boy's scarf.

Skip the vest and make the Twisty Turns wrap from Wrap Style in this:

What do you guys think??
Help Please.

Knitting Olympics

2006-01-21T22:09:00.000-05:00

I have signed up for the Olympics. Kara stopped by and told me that she was knitting lace for The olympics. What a brave woman! Not in 16 days. No thanks. I'm so inspired by those that want to/are going to knit sweaters in 16 days. I want to knit something useful, and something that I can wear, but I KNOW I can not complete a sweater in 16 days. I can, however, (I think) knit a VEST. I have Sierra from knitpicks in burgundy that would make a nice fitted vest. And it's a bulky yarn, so it will be semi-quick for this knitter that has NO time. I think I'll swatch tomorrow. I'm going to make "Leftovers." Except the gauge is different and I won't be doing stripes. So that is why I will swatch: I will be doing some altering and will have to have a chance to sit down and do that math first. Yay.
I will need to get The Boy's scarf done yet, and I would be SOOO happy if I could finish the classic cardigan before I started the vest. I'll take one miracle at a time, but I'd even be please just to have all the pieces done, or maybe even just the sleeves done before the start of the olympics.

Among other good news... I have set up a new e-mail address. It will be a while before I get everything transfered over, and so I will publish the e-mail addy only then as I want to get caught up. I'm still in contact with Gmail to discover what happened (like I don't know what my lovely ex did) and I'm hoping I can get my address book info out of them at the very least. I'm glad it happened in a way, because things in the divorce are about to get really ugly in the next few weeks/months. And I have now changed my passwords to something no-one could guess. I guess that was the smart thing to do anyway, and maybe in a way I asked for it. It amazes me how much trust we put in people that we shouldn't.

Isn't divorce grand?

Personal Post

2006-01-20T20:41:00.000-05:00

So, I started the scarf for The Boy. He is quite excited about it. It's fantastic. He actually asks me questions about my knitting. When he got in my car today there was a sock in the cup holder and a sock in the glove compartment and he was like, "Socks everywhere! What else do you knit?" He asked me what kind of things could be knit in the summer, and how long I've been knitting. I think he knows it's important to me and that's why he questions it. He also asks questions about the divorce. Which I like, because I had a BAD week with it this week and on Thursday when I went into work discovering that The EX had not been served due to a faulty address (to make a long story short) I was needing to vent. He was SOOO fantastic. He looked up all the phone numbers to the CT Sub Base that I could possibly need to get him served.

It's all taken care of, but needless to say it's been quite a week and my custody hearing has to be rescheduled and I have to pay (again) to have him served (again.) It's frustrating.

I think I'm going to do The Yarn Harlot's Olympic challenge, if I can get the scarf done in time... but I don't know what to do, so I'm off to look at the list of the participating and see if I can get inspired.

Happy Friday!

Scarf?

2006-01-17T08:15:00.000-05:00

So I was talking to The Boy yesterday... he asked what I do for ME since I'm a single mom who works more than full time, and goes to school. I said, "I knit." He replied, "interesting, will you make me something?"

Um, maybe, like what? I was waiting for him to say "a sweater." BWAH HA HA HA.

"A scarf," He says simply.

So, a scarf is a completely harmless project right? I could totally just knit it because I don't have like 10 other projects on the needles, or on the to-do list. No broken hearts come from scarves, right?

Right?

(By the way... my gmail account disappeared. I don't know if it's gmail or the ex. Could somebody be so kind as to send me a gmail invite to Myates AT sola DOT com?? Anyone else having problems with gmail? It says my user name doesn't exist. Did he delete it? And so yeah, knitting chick gals... if you need me in the next day or two you'll have to e-mail me at the above address until I get it sorted out.)

MORE???

2006-01-15T16:33:00.000-05:00

You better believe it.

This was my find on Elann.com. CHEAP, good wool.

13 balls. Enough to make *the* sweater in Vintage Knits. Too bad my swatch is over by 3/4 of a stitch. No seriously. It's supposed to be 16 sts=4." I got 16.75 stitches to 4." What would you do in this situation. It has cables on it. Would that help or hurt the swatch vs. real size of sweater?

So, um, do you think I need to go on a yarn diet?

Don't answer until I show you what I got yesterday. Maybe I'll post that tomorrow.

So, um, the boy. Yeah, we definitly went out for a few drinks on Thursday night, and dinner Friday. EH HEM. Cute! ;-)

And There's More To Come....

2006-01-11T21:14:00.000-05:00

Lookie what I got TODAY!

10 balls of Jaeger Aran Shetland in burgundy. I sold some stuff on ebay awhile back so I turned around and spent it on yarn. I think I'll make a seamless raglan out of it. Or maybe if I can get gauge I'll make one of the sweaters from my calmer collection. We'll see..... first I'll finish the sleeves of my classic cardigan.

I think I'm getting sick. Sniffles, congestion, sore throat. Weeee. It's been rainy and warm here so it's screwing with everybody. I finally got set up on the computers at work (with e-mail and a username/password.) According to "the boy" I already have an e-mail. I'll check it tomorrow. What a sweet guy. I love how everyone's made me feel so at home there. I feel so lucky. :-)

I leave you with a picture of my innocent looking dog, Roxy.

Good Things Come...

2006-01-09T21:34:00.000-05:00

... To those that wait.

Like this:

A few of you may remember a few months back my fantastic Secret Pal sent me a whole bunch of unspun fibers. Among it was Angora (which I forgot I was allergic too) so I sent it to Dan who got to keep it in exchange for spinning up these fibers. Remember now?

(not the stuff on the left)

The middle one in the above picture is the stuff in the right. Dan thought he "messed it up" so he sent the other stuff you see there... 3 ply fingering weight handspun. browns and blues... does he know me or does he know me???

okay, yes, I'm aware that the picture is blurry, thanks. But since I'm rarely at home, uninterupted, during daylight hours you'll get what you can take damnit. Be thankful you're getting pictures.

Anyway, so that's what I got. He did an absolutely fabulous job, the blue has already demanded to be knit up, so I may have to squeeze in a quickie project... maybe some wrist warmers... or litte wrist cuffs... the other two I'm not sure about... but I'll find a use for both of them... and hey.... I have a swift and ball winder now, so I'm all good.

On the Melting Pot Front....
I am just simply amazing myself. I always knew I was a hard worker, I've been offered return positions at every job I've had, and people praise my good work ethic (I'm not bragging, really.) But it still comes as a shock to me every day when I have a new "lead" or "supervisor" tell me they'd love to have me work in their department. I was hired in as a temp for a woman on maternity leave in the customer care center. Upon her return I was to be moved to inventory where I would remain... but the buzz has been "Mel, they'll offer you Tonya's job when she leaves... would you take it?" (That's in customer care.) And in Shipping they were short handed Friday and Saturday, so I helped. I was told by the supervisor there to let him know if I ever wanted to work back in shipping full time. Tonight the lead of 2nd shift in the finishing department pulls me over. "Would you like to work here? I could really use a hard worker." Now, finishing work is just that... the final step in preparing the "goods" we offer. It's "lab" work. hands on, technical stuff. No frilly desk job here. I just really like my split shift that I work. First shift is 8-430, 2nd shift is 4-1230. I work 1130-8. AND... I get the shift differential pay (which is 10%) since it's not first shift.

The job he wants me for is 2nd shift. I really don't want to work second shift. But I also know that I really need to be there, in finishing, if I want to learn about this particular field. It's a great place to advance quickly. And most people in a leadership role have worked in the lab.

He has a meeting with the director of operations tomorrow at 3. I have until then to decide. What would you do? tell him no, you like your hours? Tell him yes, you'll switch to 2nd shift? or 3rd, tell him you would really like to work in that department but would like to maintain your hours? I'm leaning towards the 3rd. I mean, he approached me, he asked me, he obviously thinks I'd be a good worker (which I am), so shouldn't I let them haggle over the hours. I mean, (without bragging) isn't it quite obvious that I'm a hard worker and will be successful wherever I go? PLEASE SAY YES. Please say that's what I should do. I mean, even if they don't approve those hours it's not like I don't have anything to fall back on, right?

2 steps forward 4 steps back

2006-01-08T19:51:00.000-05:00

So I got nothing accomplished in knitting this weekend. Well, I completed one repeate of my river stole, but upon doing the second row in the next repeat I goofed. I put it down, becuase I really don't have the heart to rip back to my last lifeline, 2 repeats before. Maybe I can pick it up this week, when I'm (HA HA) more refreshed.

So then I decided I'd work on the sleeves to my classic cardigan. Wound two balls of yarn as I'll knit both sleeves at once, but then couldn't find the pattern. So much for that idea. So today I decided I'd complete the pismo hat to get it off my mind.

Look what Zander did.

No needles, dropped stitches and a headache. I was so mad I couldn't even look at him. I don't think I'll ever be able to get it back on the needles. For those not familiar with the pattern it is k1,p1 ribbing. Any tips on how to get it back on the needles???
For now, I've put it on the top shelf in my closet. It is a "Dead" project to me, and I will not consider it a UFO. Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to either attempt to fix it or frog it.

So that's my luck. Then I decided I'd cast on for the second sock of my pair of lorna's laces. I got about 30 minutes of knitting done on it and decided I was SOOOO over that pattern. I don't like it. I don't really like the way it looks all THAT much and size 1 needles??? Not today.

So as a final attempt to do something successful I cast on for a swatch of my rowanspun. Here's the result. This is on size 3 needles.

See how "holey" it is?
No? How about now?

This stuff is DEFINITLY NOT sweater yarn. With that said though.... I LOVE this stuff. it is light and airy and will become a shawl. If and when I finish the one I have started and the one I want to do next... but a sweater? Not so much. There is no way I'm bumping down to size 1 needles to make this yarn look semi substantial. What a bummer.

Lucky for me though, I have three shipments of yarn coming. 1 is from Ebay- I bought myself some yarn when I sold some stuff I didn't need anymore. the 2nd is from Elann. I bought it last night. I worked 6 hours of overtime and the overtime pay went to ME. And finally, some handspun yarn from Dan. Pictures to come of that... so anyway, my january goals are complete flops, but I'm glad to report that I am saying SCREW it to almost all my projects on the needles and I am going to cast on for a sweater when my yarn comes. SO THERE!

**Update: I found my pattern. I'm more organized than I thought. Go figure I should look with all my other pattern booklets. DUH.

If you know nothing....

2006-01-05T09:30:00.000-05:00

... then know who you are.

I'm not the smartest person in the world. I don't claim to be, I don't really want to be, but I certainly am not going to tell people that I'm not if they think that I am. I won't lie, but I won't divulge either.

So since everyone at work seems to think so highly of my ability I won't say a word, not one single word. Perhaps I've just been lucky thus far. Perhaps my work ethic is helping me out. But I have permanant positions available in Shipping, customer service, and inventory in the Melting Pot.

I don't know where I'm going to work yet. I'm thinking shipping. Even though it's not the most exciting job, it is fast paced, it's not a boring desk job, you don't deal with whining customers and it's not in the lab so I won't get dirty. But it's close to the lab. And close to the cute boy. Even though I realize that a relationship won't devlop with said cute boy I can still enjoy looking at him. Yummy.

Anyway, knitting. The River Stole is the only thing I really have any desire to work on right now, and since it's lace it's not the most exciting thing to look at. So I'll get more creative with my photography for the next few weeks.

That is the picture of the sweater from Vintage Knits that just makes me drool. Yummy.

I'm off to knit. I just put in 6.5 hours of overtime today, Zander is at his grandma's in Lexington for the night, and so I'm going to knit. I'm thinking I may cast on for the sleeves of the classic cardigan tonight. We'll see.

I HEART Lace

2006-01-02T21:43:00.000-05:00

I love lace. I love lace. Have I mentioned that I love lace? Look at what I did this weekend.

Can you see what movie that is behind me? It's hard to see, I know... but if you can recognize the character you'll know what movie(s) it is. I got all 3 of them for Christmas, so I've had lots of _____ _____ to watch.

Anyway here's a "Better" picture of the lace currently.

It is moving along nicely an I'm having sooo much fun watching this ugly puddle of green FUZZ develop between my fingers! :-) The only problem? There are 28 repeats in this shawl. One repeat is the distance between my two lifelines. One repeat is taking me between 1 hour and 9 minutes and 1 hour and 11 minutes. At this rate I could be done at the end of the month, but would not have had time to work on anything else. And as we know from yesterday's post I have other stuff planned for this month.

We'll see what happens. I won't push myself to complete it this month now, but would like to get at least 1/2 way done.

Well, today was a holiday from work and I dropped Zander off at school so that I could get some very important things accomplished (Like knitting.) So this morning I ran to the mall up the road to exchange some things I had gotten from mom for christmas. The first was 1000 Sweaters. I had had it on my wishlist for some time now, but was Sadly dissapointed by it. The first problem was the sizing. The smallest size listed was a 36." Sometimes I can wear a 34" but most of the time I need a 32." The second problem was that all sweaters were knit with and given directions for 1 gauge of yarn. So forget branching out. If you want to make the sweaters in that book you need to be using something the same gauge as Rowan's Wool Cotton.
Aside from those two complaints it was a very nice book with lots of great ideas and inspiration. But the size thing really won me over. It went back. The other book I got that went back was Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Now, the only reason this book went back was because it was a duplicate gift.
I LOVE the patterns in it, and can't wait to make some... or at least flip through it on occasion to inspire myself!

So what did I get??
Vintage Knits and Ann Budd's Sweater Patterns book. In Vintage knits I LOVE Salina (the picture on the cover). When I looked at it in person I knew I needed that sweater. Along with the following one. (I can't remember the name it-- and am too lazy to walk across the room to find out.)

Anyway, the purchse of these two books definitly adds some projects to the "to do" list.

January Goals and TO DO list

2006-01-01T16:11:00.000-05:00

December Goals Part II:
1. Finish Dad's second sock by Christmas. This is probably most of what I'll be working on for the next week. Done.
2. Get to the decreases in the pismo hat. Done. I got there this morning (technically not december, but I'm still counting it.)
3. Work on (and get some progress) on an old unfinished object. Done. I finished the Beat Knit Shrug. Just have to seam it.
4. Start the lace stole (if and only if I complete 1-3). Sorta done. I completed #'s 1-3, but I actually started the stole earlier than "planned." Oh well, it all got done.
5. Fix Uncle Dick's sock by Christmas. Done.

January Goals:

1. Finish Pismo Hat.
2. Complete River Lace Stole.
3. Finish January's Block Of The Month.
4. Cast on for the right front or sleeves of the Classic Cardigan. Remember that?
5. Do a swatch for the Rowanspun yarn.

Anyway, here is the beatknit shrug blocking. I'm not sure that this is going to fit although I have gauge perfectly and followed the pattern exactly I'm worried the sleeves may be too short. And since it's knit in one long piece there was nothing I could do about it by the time I started suspecting a problem. We'll see.

Look. I have a helper:

Look what he wound:

Just kidding. But really, that's my rowanspun. 10 skeins (only 9 are pictured) in Squirrel. I'm hoping to make a sweater out of it. There is 1620 yards there. I hope it's enough as it's really a thin yarn. I'll do my swatch and find out. If it's not enough I'll make a vest out of it.

This is more for me, than for you, but this is a tenative list of what I'd like to knit this year. Subject to modifications and change, of course. In no particular order:
1. Cable & Ribbed Socks- Interweave Knits Fall 2005
2. Leaf Socks- Interweave Knits Winter 2005
3. Twisty Turns- wrap from Wrap Style
4. Blue Caplet- from Wrap Style
5. Finish my OLD green sweater. Longest WIP. I only have 1/2 a sleeve and seaming to do.
6. Finish Classic Cardigan.
7. Knit the Hourglass sweater (from Last minute knitted gifts) or do a seamless raglan.
8. Finish Lorna's laces socks. One is complete, the other has not been started.
9. Shaped Denim Jacket by Debbie Bliss in the Celtic Knits Book. This would probably be a project for next fall, because I'm not quite there yet.
10. Knit a Vest.
11. Knit Air.

I leave you with a picture of Aunt Erin, the munchkin, and I from last night.

2006

2005-12-31T20:36:00.000-05:00

Okay, so everyone is discussing their "next" year in knitting. I'm excited to report that this will be my 2nd year of knitting, which should bring some fun experiences as they will no longer be "newbie" knittings! :-)

I completed enough projects to equal 1 finished object every 2 weeks. That's pretty darn good. Since I'm working full time and now a single mother I don't expect that my finished object number will increase, but I do expect that my quality will improve.

I only have a few goals... they're pretty much done on the fly, by the seat of my pants, after a few drinks.

In 2006 I will:

1. Complete 3 sweaters.
2. Design one of my own patterns. Even if it's something simple and I never publish it.
3. Complete a sucessful lace project.
4. Don't have more than 4 projects on the needles at any one time. Period. I am out of control right now. That's what January's goals will be all about. Finishing projects so I can be caught up to go on with my new year.

Happy new year all. I wish for you as many margaritas as I'm having. And I hope they're as good a quality as the ones I'm having too!

DRINKUP!

***Update***
It is 12:22 am, now officially 2006. Please note the lack of personal goals, ambitions, and new year's resolutions. Right now, in my personal life I feel that I'm too unstable to make those sorts of predictions promises to myself. Who knows if I'll be able to keep them. Each day is different. Some days are so easy I wonder how I thought I ever loved the ex. Then there are some days that think "What was I thinking?" And I know my true feelings lie somewhere in the middle. I still love him. Not the person he IS, but the person I know he can be, and the person I know he wants to be. There are things about him that I hope don't change. But those things are almost insignificant personality quirks and traits that don't really matter in the scheme of things. I try to tell myself everyday that just because I'm a single mother doesn't make me undesireable. Just because I've been through *stuff* (for a lack of a better word) doesn't mean I need to treat all men like they are going to hurt me.

This also means that I can try to be optimistic, but ALSO means that I shouldn't expect that I won't have down days or days when things just seem HARD. And that is okay. I should expect those days, be prepared to endure them just as much as I need to be prepared to say, Enough is enough, today will be a good day. I like these quotes, shamelessly taken from other bloggers:
"I am resolving to embrace what is, to be content" (Moth Heaven)
And...
"When love ends it changes you. Who knows what the changed you will look like or sound like in twelve months time? Who knows what circumstance and happenstance may forever alter?
Just like getting married.
He was just a guy I met one day." (Crazy Aunt Purl)

And if nothing else I can say that I don't regret it. Not for an instant. Not for the heartache, not for the tears, not for the way it changed my life in a way that can never be "fixed." And I don't just say this because "I have a child." I mean, yes, zander is important... but leaving him aside, I would have done this, and I wouldn't regret it even IF I didn't have him. And so for ME, I can say, I don't regret it. I don't regret talking to HIM that day, I don't regret moving to CT and giving up MY dreams to support someone else's. I don't regret anything, because there were some absolutely fantastic moments, and there were some unbelieveable laughs, good times, and good feelings.

I believe in Karma. I believe in Fate. If I hadn't done the things I did I wouldn't be where I was today. And sometimes the view from my paren'ts home is a little gloomy, but let me just tell you about the view from my cubicle, and let me just mention the handsome man who has started to spark something inside of me that I was sure would never be sparked by any man other than my ex. And no, it's not love, and no, it's not infatuation. It's just attraction. As simple as that. I haven't felt that jolt in my stomach in YEARS. And even though, for some strange reason, it feels like I am betraying my ex, it feels good to look across and see him smile at me, or touch my back as he passes through the small aisleways, or the way he greets me when I come in every morning.

I go in everyday, and NO ONE knows the kind of depressed and empty feelings I have at night as I'm waiting for sleep to collect me. Some people are amazed at the lifestyle I lead and the positive outlook I have. I could consider this fooling them, or I could consider it me. I am capable of being that way, I am capable of finding happiness in small moments or tokens, and so I will try to find as many of those moments as I can.

My goal for 2006?
Embrace what is. Be content. Smile. And maybe go on a date.

Being A Bitch

2005-12-30T20:51:00.000-05:00

When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a bitch.

When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch.

When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts or do things my own way, they call me a bitch.

Being a bitch means I won’t compromise what’s in my heart.

It means I live my life MY way. It means I won’t allow anyone to step on me.

When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak up against it, I am defined as a bitch.

The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone’s maid, or when I act a little selfish.

It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won’t become anyone else’s idea of what they think I “should” be.

I am outspoken, opinionated and determined. By God, I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that!
So try to stomp on me, try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me.

You won’t succeed. And if that makes me a bitch, so be it.I embrace the title and am proud to bear it.
Being In Total Control of Herself

Beautiful Intelligent Talented Charming Hell of a Woman

Isn't that something?

By the way... did you know some common English phrases for Brits?

Courtesy of D, the brit, from work:
Jumper= sweater
Pants= Drawers or underwear. So be careful complimenting a brit's pants.
"Knock You Up"= To come by your house... get it, knock, pick you up.
"Blimey"= If you were to say this with an English accent it sounds much like "blow me."

Oh gosh, these guys at work KILL ME! What did I do before them?

The Melting Pot's Meltdown

2005-12-29T21:42:00.000-05:00

Only 1 more workday until the end of the year. This has caused a TON of chaos in the melting pot. Thing are crazy... there are lots of last minute orders. The product we produce has a turn around time of at least 3-5 days due to the individualized attention each job recieves. So explain to me why people (who know this) wait until the last minute to put in an order and then want it "expidited." Um, yeah, everyone wants their order expidited. Yours doesn't get it!

But with that said, I still love my job. I love the people I work with. Today I took "T" a bottle of Diet Pepsi, because that's his favorite drink, and he's been working 14 hours everyday, and so I thought he could use a little pick-me up. There's a British guy who is just adorable who was the first person who made me feel at home. He's in a department of 3 people and he's the only one that's been here this week. He'll get a hot cup of coffee tomorrow. Then there's another adorable woman who I work directly with. She had a dentist appointment today that caused her to miss work. She was soooo nervous about the appointment. I think she needs a candy bar tomorrow. I feel so good about this job. I feel so wonderful and so suppported and so fantastically guided that it's all I can do to not hug each and every one of these guys and girls on my way in and out of the building. I LOVE MY JOB! :-)

I've even started sharing some of the details of my personal life with people at work. And usually it's to those that have been there, done that. And some of them are close to me in age, and that makes me feel so darn good. And I see men that light up when talking about their children. And one guy that works out in the lab has been through a divorce and has a 4 year old girl and he has his complete shared custody of his child. There are men out there that care, that do the right things, and that think only of their children and families and of bettering their lives. They don't relish in pettiness or bounce child support checks. They would never not talk to their children on Christmas, no matter how "HARD" it is to hear their voice. Being surrounded by these people make me realize that it's okay to have standards, and I don't have to change them, or make excuses for people that don't meet those standards. And when it comes to my son's standards they can NEVER EVER EVER be too high.

I welcome the new year with open arms. Goodbye past mistakes. I'm glad to have learned from you, and I hope that because of you I can grow as a person... as a mother, and as a woman. And for my ex: In the year to come I only wish for you one thing: Karma. May it be as good as it should be, and as bad as it probably will be. And may you learn and grow from it.

Yum

2005-12-27T21:34:00.000-05:00

For Christmas I got:

Andean Silk in Cornflower

Shine in River

Sock Memories in Fly Fishing.
(Please see last post for links to this yarn. I'm too lazy.)
Also, note the ball wound center pull balls above. YAY! I have 10 skeins of Rowanspun I needed to wind that I was too lazy to do by hand. No problems now.

Anyway,
There are so many projects on the needles right now and so many I want to start. So I am FORCING myself to work for 30 minutes on an "old" project before I can work on one of my two newer projects (the home sweet home shawl or the river stole).

Today I worked on the Beat Knit Shrug:

It doesn't look like much, but posting a picture keeps me honest. :-)

And here is Zander and is Grandma. He is trying on his Aunt Erin's Down vest in this picture.

Materialism

2005-12-26T13:16:00.000-05:00

Since I got married almost 3 years ago Christmas was never a big thing in our home. We set up the tree and "HE" would put up Christmas lights outside, but we never really got into the gift thing because we were so broke. We'd come home for Christmas but the gifts our parents and others got us really just made us feel bad that we couldn't give anything to each other or to them. I remember feeling depressed. I was sure this Christmas would be hard as well. It was. But not nearly as hard as I thought it would be. And part of that reason could be because of all the COOL things I was able to get AND give. And if that makes me materialistic then so F'ing be it! My christmas was filled with LOTS of natural fibers! :-) No pictures yet, but I'm thinking I might add them later if I get the chance.

First, I got a cashmere sweater. I always said that one day when I was rich I'd own a cashmere sweater. Well, I got one. And it's beautiful, and all day yesterday I said, "Nothing can go wrong, I am wearing cashmere."

Second, I got a swift and ball winder. Weeee!!!!! First thing I wound was my Sock Memories in color Fly Fishing for my Home sweet home shawl.

But I also go 8 skeins of Andean Silk in Cornflower for a caplet from Wrap Style.

But that certainly isn't all. I got Shine in River for The leaf Bolero shrug. Although, upon closer inspection of the pattern, I can see that I will be altering the sleeves in the pattern slightly. Is it me or is the shoulder completely big and the wrists completely small and short???

And finally, I got two books: 1,000 sweaters & Last minute knitted gifts.

Aside from that I got a few sweaters and jogging suits, and Zander MADE OUT LIKE A BANDIT. I don't know what in God's name I'm going to do with all of the new toys in this house. They certainly won't fit in my apartment!

Anyway, I completely cheated my monthly goals as I started my sock memories shawl, and I haven't finished my other two goals of getting to the decreases in the pismo hate and/or making progress on an UFO.

But I think January is going to be filled with finishing projects and not starting A SINGLE new one. Hopefully my desire to get the few projects waiting in the wings started will push me to finish a few old projects. (Like the pismo hat, clapotis, lorna's laces socks, brown cardigan, river stole, beat knit shrug, etc.) I'm not saying I'll finish (or even attempt) to finish all of those, but those are all projects around my house in various stages of completion. That's scary!!!

Hope everyone else made out well, I'm constantly checking bloglines in hopes of reading about what other knitters "Scored!"

Beginnings & Endings

2005-12-24T16:03:00.000-05:00

I finished fixing Uncle Dick's Sock this morning.

Except I was so excited when I was done I wrapped it right up and didn't take a picture.
Take my word for it. It's done:

I will take my camera tomorrow and get a picture of him wearing them. And maybe Michelle too, as I made her those blue striped socks a while back.

We had Christmas over on Aunt Peggy's side last night. Marilyn, Tracy, and Aunt Peggy all loved their scarves. (No Camera, no pictures.)

Look what Aunt Peggy and Uncle Ron gave me for Christmas:
I can't imagine, but I guess they think I'm stressed and going through hard times. ha ha ha.
That book is awesome. I think I will share pieces from it on occassion. There are some entries about mothers going through divorces.

Speaking of said divorce. I ran into a child support payment issue late this week (it is straightened out and I did get my money) but until it was straightened out I needed something to keep my mind off of it.
I cheated my goals:

Of course, it's lace and doesn't look like much, but I'm doing FANTASTIC. No messups, no rips, etc. It looks great, and it will look great in my new apartment and I'm so happy that it's going well. I'm about 5 rows into the actual ripple lace area, and have successfully completed the beginning set up (which is most of what you see.) I love this pattern. Right now I'm reading it written out. I'm wondering if I should brave the chart.

New beginnings, and endings are welcome. Let's bring in the new year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!

The Melting Pot

2005-12-21T21:07:00.000-05:00

Okay, so the job I have is at a large international company. We deal in something to assist one of the senses... so I was trying to come up with some charming name about that "sense," but couldn't. Today, it dawned on me. I work smack dab in the middle of the MELTING POT. There is a guy from London, another couple (married) from England, a woman from Yugoslavia, a young woman from Bosnia, another male from Australia. One of the supervisors is a homosexual man, we've got african americans, arab americans, boring little whites like myself. So yeah, many of you are thinking "yeah, so, lots of places are like that." You don't understand. I'm in Kentucky. Land of the free and the hillbillies. I love seeing something different. There are so many different types of people. So when the Director of Operations asked me how I liked my job tonight I wasn't afraid to answer him b/c he's one of the two head honchos, I was able to be enthusiastic and honest and tell him I LOVE IT. No really. I HEART it. I heart the people. I heart the area of business. I love providing people with a product that will better their quality of life. I know that it's new and so that it might be exciting because of that, and maybe it is. But it's like everywhere I look I see an opportunity of growth (for me personally, for me as a professional.) It's more promise than I've ever seen or known in MY life.

What could be better. How else could I possibly end my year on a higher note?
I must go to bed. I have a binder 200+ pages of stuff to learn for my new career path. I will be studying tomorrow. :-)

I hope to post again before the holidays, but if I don't I certainly hope everyone has a super happy holiday/christmas/hanauka/kwanza/new years, etc.

AMEN!

Christmas Knitting Done

2005-12-21T09:48:00.000-05:00

I finished Dad's socks. They're obviously too big for me, but here they are:

This will probably by my last Finished Object of the year, which means, in my first full year of knitting, I've sucessfully completed 31 projects. Not too bad. Speaking of Finished Objects... I need to update the gallery-- I'll do that after the holidays.

But here are the stats for this one:
Started: Sunday November 6th, 2005
Finished: Wednesday December 21st, 2005
Yarn: Patons Classic Wool- Black- a little more than 1 skein
Needles: size 7 DPNs
Pattern: Cast on 44; 2x2 ribbin for 2"; leg 8"
Knitting Time: 7 hours total, 3.5 hours per sock.
Lesson: none

So what's next? Still need to fix uncle Dick's socks, but can't seem to locate them at the moment, and then I have this:

This pismo hat. The stitches look a little wonky. This wool hat will definitly need a good blocking after it's done to even out the columns of stitches. I am about 3.25" into the hat, and have to reach 5" before I start decreasing. The idea of 1.75 more inches of k1,p1 ribbing isn't the most appealing thing, but I'd love to get this hat done. Maybe I'll make my #3 goal (Work on and get some progress on an old unfinished object.)to finish the pismo hat. We'll see how I feel about it once I get going on it again!

Back to knitting!

Can you taste it?

2005-12-20T09:39:00.000-05:00

Christmas is so close I can taste it. 5 short SHORT days. These are close too though:

I hope to get them finished tomorrow. Then I'll fix Uncle Dick's socks so I can wrap them up to REGIVE them for Christmas. I gave them to him the first time in October for his birthday, but when his dog chewed a hole in them he sent them back to me for a fix. I think that merits giving them again as a gift, don't you? (Don't worry, I have something else for him too.)

So I started my job yesterday. I have been searching for a cute clever name to call my job. You know how snowball calls her job the paper mines? I need something like this. I certainly don't want to state the name of my company for privacy/job security reasons.

Anyway, Speaking of snowball. May I just take a moment to say how her and Crazy Aunt Purl are just like my tour guides of divorce. Although most of the things I learn from them are depressing-- like how child custody will be a battle for years to come, or how I will not want to celebrate christmas or other such things even a year after the mark of the beginning of the divorce, it's still nice to get a real, not fuzzy view so that I'm prepared. The only thing I haven't been prepared for is to continue to get my heart ripped out time after time after time with the soon-to-be-ex (who, by the way, has been reading this- and so to protect his very last shred of dignity or WHATEVER, will from this point on be referred to as the ex... or whatever other fun term I can coin up, and I'm sure I can come up with a few!) Anyway, I'm a little distracted today. What was I saying? Oh, right, getting my heart ripped out. I almost forgot! OR. SOMETHING.

I continue to think "you know, he has no reason to lie to me anymore- there is no point in him lieing, so I should probably just belive him." Seriously, I realize how stupid that sounds. Seriously. But I guess that's just part of learning to no be vulnerable anymore. But it's like I can continue to catch him in lie after lie after lie, and I guess that's just something I'm going to have to wise up to. I've been trying so hard to be civil for the sake of our son, but I think I'm getting screwed by doing that. I'm not at the point where it's like, "You know what N.? I don't give two shits that you think child support is too high. While you're in the process of trying to decide if you're going to FLY down to Kentucky, pick up zander, rent a car, drive to Tennessee and go to a football game I'm trying to figure out how in the hell I'm going to put diapers on my child's rear end since I will have 3 weeks until I receive my first paycheck from my new job." Must be nice to have the money to fly and rent a vehicle. He makes a fair point in stating that his housing allowance and tax deductions will not be the same next year with the divorce, and that he will be making less money, and he got a re-enlistment bonus which upped his income, but, let's see, how do I say this polietly, um, oh yeah: "WHO FUCKING CARES. WHEN YOUR INCOME CHANGES 15% YOU CAN PAY FOR THE COURT COSTS TO ADJUST CHILD SUPPORT. Oh yeah, and by the way, while I'm ranting and raving, may I just take this moment to say, you are not getting our son every other week when you move down here.... and not because I'm selfish, mean, or a bitch (which I may be) but because I know your motives for this would only be to change the child support amount."
Whew I feel better. And oh yes, soon-to-be-ex. I'm glad you've found someone else. I hope she enjoys the jewelry, and I certainly would like to put a wager on how long until she finds out what a jerk you are. Good luck to you. Rot in hell.

And, thanks for letting me vent. Comments are not necessary. I am not looking for sympathy, I'm just using this blog as my personal therapist. It's much cheaper and is about all that I can afford. I'm off to induldge in some retail therapy!!! I deserve it!

My Swell Secret Pal

2005-12-19T10:21:00.000-05:00

Look what I got from my secret pal:

I also got some stitch markers and a cute little christmas elf statue (not shown.) I opened up those stitch markers and threw them right into my notions bag. There are also three stitch holders, in different sizes. Look at the tiny one:

I am thinking this tiny one might come in handy when working the heel flap on socks. I hate how the two needles holding the instep stitches are always in my way. Thanks pal!

I also got 4 skeins of alpaca in brown and blue. Does she know me or does she KNOW me! I'm thinking I'll do a striped scarf or mittens with it. We'll see what sparks my interest. Until then. I'll just pet it when I go into my stash closet! :-)

Anyway, The elf was put on display on the mantel. I was so delighted to receive it, b/c all of my christmas stuff was left in CT with the soon-to-be ex. I will probably receive some of the stuff back next year when he moves to Ohio, but I'm not sure how much of it will bring back memories that I'd rather not relive.

Anyway, speaking of new beginnings:

I have had a cracing to pick up cross stitch again, but haven't been able to find my stuff from the move, so I bought this very cheap kit the day after thanksgiving. I started it on Sunday the 4th. This is about 30 minutes of string division and 20 minutes of stitching. I hope to work on it about 1 hour per week so that I can hang it in my apartment when I get it. I thought the "explore" statement at the bottom was perfect for me. It will be my mantra.

New Jobs, Socks, and Divorces

2005-12-19T09:23:00.000-05:00

Today is the day. I start my new job. I'm not too worried about it. For 2 months I will be working in customer care covering for a woman on maternity leave. Thereafter Iwill be moved to inventory, which will be my *permanant* position. I say permant in astricks because it is a large company and I intend to kick some major ass and run through the ladder.

Socks. I'm about 1 hour away from completely dad's second sock. Christmas delivery is probable.

Finally, divorces... I got a copy of the petition papers I signed on wednesday. Attached to it is a letter that states there is a hearing next month. When I was at the attorney's office on wednesday I speciffically asked what the next step was. While running through what would happen next she only mentioned a hearing at the end of the divorce process. WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT. And I heard a stat that stated only 8% trust attorneys. I can't image.
UGH.

December Goals- Part II

2005-12-17T14:28:00.000-05:00

December Goals Part 1:
1. Complete the first of Dad's Socks. No really. I MUST THIS TIME. DONE.
2. Finish Tracy's Multi-directional scarf. DONE.
3. Start Aunt Peggy's Scarf. DONE. Start and finished it.
4. Work on the jaywalker socks. Done. Although I hate squeezing this yarn onto size 0 needles... I may go back up to size ones and put only 5 stitches in between each repeat, so that they're smaller around the leg. We'll see. Right now they're being ignored... it's too close to the holidays.
5. Start December's Block of the Month Block. Done. I'm about 2" into it.

December Goals Part II:
1. Finish Dad's second sock by Christmas. This is probably most of what I'll be working on for the next week.
2. Get to the decreases in the pismo hat.
3. Work on (and get some progress) on an old unfinished object.
4. Start the lace stole (if and only if I complete 1-3).
5. Fix Uncle Dick's sock by Christmas.

And the best news of all as far as goals go: I have a job at the place I interviewed last week. I start on Monday. I accomplished my personal goal of having landed a job before Christmas. WEEEE.

Bad Or Good

2005-12-13T10:44:00.000-05:00

You guys are going to begin to think I am bipolar. Good day then bad day, good day then bad day.

Today, we present good day:

I got the job I interviewed for on Friday. Complete with benefits, good pay, a TWO minute drive (yes you heard that right) from my folk's home. 2nd shift hours are less than perfect, but the pay is increased because of it. I am dropping down to one class next semester so that I can focus and get adjusted.
I need to get school done, but I also need to be a mom and keep my sanity.

Anyway, on the knitting front:

Aunt Peggy's Scarf is completed. yay.

Dishclothes with Erin's name to match her BRIGHT red kitchen. the 2nd one has since been complete. It's also an "E."

Next up?
This for Erin in pink and black debbie bliss merino DK

Reactions

2005-12-10T21:36:00.000-05:00

Last night I drove Zander down to his Grandma Linda's in Lexington. A whole weekend to myself... what could be better? Well, a whole weekend to myself where I didn't have an exam to finish and another to prepare for. And well, a whole weekend to myself where Grandma Linda didn't call at 10:30 the next morning. So I hear my cell phone ringing and when I look at the display my heart drops. I know something is wrong. Linda tells me, "He is covered in a rash." This is not a COMPLETE shock to me, as Friday night I saw his cheeks getting kind of pink, but I attributed that to the kid thing where they take their sleeve, run it under their runny nose and then across their cheeks. Lovely. Kids are just so lovely.

Well, a few hours later when Linda arrived at the house I realized he truely was covered in a rash. If I hadn't been so worried about him I would have snapped a picture. Off to Urgent Care (Again). Let me just remind you that I was at the doctor LAST thursday for an ear infection visit. I then took him to the doctor THIS thursday for his 2 year well baby check up, and his flu shot. (Can I just take a moment to pause and tell you that I do NOT enjoy going to doctor's and that I am SOOO over it.) So, none the less, I felt like I was just going to loose it on the way to the doctor this afternoon. I know that Zander is feeling MUCH worse than I am... but I want to take the time to pity myself and say, IT SUCKS FOR ME TOO! I'm the one that has to hold him down when they take blood for lead tests, give flu shots in the leg, take blood for mono tests, and give shots in the BUTT to counter-react the allergic reaction he was having. Yes, allergic reaction. This kid has had IT ALL in the last few months. Let's re-cap. Sinus infection, broncitis, stomach virus, ear infection and now, he is allergic to Amoxicillan. Which is ironic, because he was on the ninth day of his ten day schedule. Guess his body really fought the reaction. Nice try little buddy. So now we're on ANOTHER anti-biotic to continue fighting the ear infection. Another 5 days. Plus we're on benadryl to get rid of the rash. Then after that is over his pediatrician suggested trying a child's claritin for the sniffles/cough/sneezing he hasn't seem to have gotten over in 2 months. My history is a strong one for allergies. Doc says he has a feeling he takes after his mother. And it's a little early for children to show signs of allergies, but he said he's willing to bet he'll be allergic to most of the things I am. YAY.
Doc also says it's time to get testing done on for his speech. Yay again. I'll be sure to do that in my free time. I mean, all the free time I have in between missed work, and doctors, and pharmacy waits, and silly parenting classes I have to take for 2 nights at 3 hours each in January. At the inexpensive cost of $50.00 Yes, please, tell me how to be a parent. Because for 2 years I have done it primarily on my own, and now I'm raising my son, dealing with 5 different illnesses in 44 days, along with pursing a degree in pre-law and working. But really, Boone county Kentucky, could I please pay you to tell me how to raise my son that so that I may get a divorce from my cheating, lieing, filthy, lazy bastard husband?

I had a job interview yesterday. It went well. It lasted for 1.5 hours. I met the head honcho, which I can only imagine to be a big thing. The only problem? It's a 2nd shift job. Zander's daycare closes at 6, I wouldn't get off until 8. Mom has so generously offered to help, but it's just not right. Maybe that'd be okay for a few months, but that is her free time, and I don't want to take that away with making her raise my son. So I asked Nick, "What will your hours be when you transfer here?" "9-6" he replies. In my mind I'm thinking, "Okay, so I could pick Zander up from daycare at 5:50 (that would be my "lunch hour") and I could drop him off at Nick's and then pick him back up on my way home. Since Nick claims that he wants to see Zander every day what could be better? 2 hours every night. Well, nick's response to knowing that he couldn't get there to pick Zander up on time is, "Can't your mom get him?"

Yes, sure Nick, because she's the one that fathered this child...she's the one that brought him into the world, she's the one that said, "it will all be okay." Um, no. So it looks like even if I got the opportunity to do this job I would have to turn it down. Which is a darn shame because it's only 1$ less an hour than I want, it's 5 minutes from my folk's house, it's a large company which gives great opportunity for advancement, and best of all, they have paid holidays, vacations and BENEFITS.

Some days it's just not even worth getting up.

Tuesday's Shopping

2005-12-07T12:45:00.000-05:00

Shopping? Sure, everyone's doing it. It's the holidays. Shopping for others. Some knitter May even be buying yarn. But the yarn they're buying is most likely For. The. Holidays.

Not me. I had a few hours in between work and my "Block of the Month meething," so I went to Knit On first.

I got:

size 0 5" long needles... the jaywalkers are bothering me on the long needles. I had a pair of plymouth double pointed bamboos that I had gifted to Kris. I didn't think I liked the shorter needles because they tickled the insides of my hands... but I think it's just plymouth's length. but "sock" double pointed needles are fantastic. If you look in the picture you can see the needles... on my jaywalker socks. Yes, that's all the farther they are... I am about 4 rows past the ribbing. Hopefully I can work on them some tomorrow so that I can post for the KAL update on Friday.

I also got this Merino Oro lace weight yarn. It's so soft. It was a PAIN for the woman to wind... I ended up telling her to cut it at one point b/c it got so tangled. She spent probably 30 minutes winding the yarn. Anyway, see the fiber trends pattern at the top? It's this.
I love River from Rowan, but I don't really want to buy an entire rowan book for that pattern. So this is similiar. I saw it and thought that looks like a great "first lace" project. (Let's not think about how many "First Lace" projects I've attempted. I'm immune.... I can't hear you. Lace? What's lace? I think I'll try it. For the FIRST time.)

The crochet hook is to make this. And I don't even know how to crochet. ha ha. But those things are so cute!

Then, if that wasn't enough, I went to knit wits for the monthly block of the month meeting. I resisted browsing or buying... until I was leaving... then Janet (the owner) told me that the new interweave knits magazine was out. I had mentioned earlier amongst other knitters how I loved the patterns in the fall issue and that there were 2 sweaters in there I hoped to make someday. DAMN IT. So I picked it up and began thumbing through it.

LOOK. AT. THE. SOCKS.
I must make them. Need to get some sock yarn. Solid sock yarn. (If you don't have the magazine yet I will take a picture of the pattern I'm speaking of later.) I'm short on time now.

Then I also scored a pattern for a pair of wrist warmers. I am working in a warehouse right now and it is cold... gloves don't work because you are constantly taking them on and off to write, flip pages, type on the computer, etc... but wrist warmers... yes, they will actually serve a purpose... keep the palms, tops of my hands, and wrists toasty warm.

So... I must finish Aunt Peggy's Scarf and Dad's sock (2nd sock) and then I may cast on my shawl. I will also cast on the wrist warmers. Even though they don't really fit into the schedule this month it will be nice to have them. They are a necessity at the moment.

Then I went home. And I worked on Aunt Peggy's Scarf:

The pattern is just a simple drop stitch. I'm on the second ball of yarn, but am starting to get bored... which is what I wanted to avoid. The problem is that black wasn't going to let a few of the patterns snow up, and the other patterns were not made for fuzzy yarn. And this yarn is FUZZY:

Anyway, I guess that's all from me now. I have 2 exams within the next week... one is a take home to be distributed today and the other is an in class exam next wednesday. So I will be sparse until then... unless of course I'm stalling on studying and decide to make a post or two, ha ha.
Hopefully I'll be able to stay on track and will have lots of knitting studying get done, maybe like dad's second sock.

A personal post

2005-12-06T21:51:00.000-05:00

Just a quick personal note, I'm excited so I had to stop by and brag to somebody....

First, the bad news: I am no longer working at the real estate agency. The ending there was pretty bad, and I'm astounded at their lack of professionalism-- my maturity level was much higher than theirs and I was the "part time employee." But I'm still upset about it, so I won't go into details... BUT... I'm lucky to have a family that owns a business where I can be employeed if need be. So I'm working there again right now... ANYWAY... good news:

the good news is that I got a call from a company today (a large internationally based company) that has a building RIGHT down the road from my parents home. I had sent a resume to them a few months ago. They weren't hiring, but I just sent them a resume in hopes that they'd maybe file it. They did! :-) And they called. And I'm going to call them back tomorrow! YIPPIE!!!! This could be such a HUGE opportunity for me if I could get in. Even if I worked from the bottom. A large company leaves so much room for growth. And they're SOOO close.... that could mean no more rush hour traffic going into cincinnati in the morning and back into kentucky in the afternoon... etc.
YAY!

Why I Knit For Others

2005-12-05T18:28:00.000-05:00

I was sitting on the couch last night (knitting, of course) and was just minding my own business, mom came out from her room and put her feet up on the table. I saw this:

Those are my 2nd pair of socks... my mom wears them all the time. And everytime she does, I smile. It made me suddenly glad that I had bored myself for much of the morning finishing this:

Dad's first sock. I've never had anyone REQUEST for me to knit them something. Except for my dad. He wants these socks. He will have these socks. He will have them on Christmas Morning. :-)

Look what else is done:

Bad lighting in that picture. He's a better picture. A close up:

I will be happy to see Tracy in this scarf. By the way... thank you all SOOO much for your opinions on the scarf for my aunt peggy. Unfortuantely NONE of them worked. This yarn was just too fuzzy. But I really didn't want to do stockinette or garter. So I'll show you what I came up with....
.... Next time.

Opinions Please

2005-12-04T09:04:00.000-05:00

Going to cast on Aunt Peggy's Christmas Scarf today. I love this phenomenal Brushed Alpaca.

Which pattern should I do?

The Berry Stitch?

Staggered Eyelets:

Diagonal Crossed Stitch:

Feather & Fan:

OR... the zigzag scarf (pattern here)

Thanks for the help/input!

Meme

2005-12-03T21:47:00.000-05:00

TEN random things you might not know about me.
1. I like my "undergarments" to be fun happy colors. (That was probably a little TOO much for #1.)
2. I don't like colored Christmas Lights. Only white ones.
3. I like Christmas shopping even though I hate crowds and am claustophobic (sp).
4. I drink 4 diet pepsis a day.
5. I have a "crush" on someone. That sounds SOOO fifth grade, but that's totally what it is.
6. My favorite sport in gym was badmitton.
7. I despise getting up in the morning.
8. I have naturally curly hair.
9. I like chocolate.
10. I don't like having enemies. Even people that don't deserve an ounce of my respect or kindness often receive it.

NINE places I’ve visited:
1. Colorado
2. St. Louis
3. New Orleans
4. Florida
5. St. Kitts
6. St. Thomas
7. San Juan
8. Dale Hollow TN
9. Boston
10. Connecticut.
*That is so lame... furthest out of the country I've been is the outlying islands.

8 Ways to Win My Heart:
1. Flowers
2. Hugs
3. Compliments
4. Yarn- lots of wool.
5. Money
6. Attention given to Zander.
7. A listening Ear & a mouth that gives educated/honest advice.
8. Chocolate.
9. Make me laugh. Really. Laugh.
10. Don't make me cry.

7 Things I Want to Do Before I Die:
1. Win the lottery.
2. Write a book.
3. Take an Alaskan Cruise.
4. Be a SUCCESSFUL single mother.
5. Get my degree.
6. Take some photography classes.
7. Get a tattoo.

6 Things I'm Afraid Of:
1. Forgiving things that shouldn't be forgiven.
2. Passing up something good because of something bad that has happened in my past.
3. Being poor.
4. Failing as a mother.
5. Bugs with more than 4 legs.
6. Small Spaces.

5 Things I Don't like:
1. Divorces. (well, I want the divorce, I just don't like going through it.)
2. Uncomfortable shoes, clothes, or shorts.
3. Being Poor.
4. Being tired at 8pm.
5. Professionals that are unprofessional.

4 Ways to Turn Me Off:
1. Lie.
2. Tell me things about myself that I don't ask to know.
3. Be egotistical.
4. Be unprofessional.

3 Things I do Everyday:
1. Battle with Zander to go to daycare. (okay, so that's only M-F... but it feels like EVERYDAY.)
2. Dream about things that will be.
3. Think about the divorce.

2 Things that make me happy:
1. Zander.
2. Child Support Payments.

1 Thing on my mind right now:
That's a secret, I can't tell you that.

Multi-Directional Knitting

2005-12-03T15:44:00.000-05:00

I've been working on this for about a week (I hope to get it done today and blocked tomorrow) but have yet to show a picture of it.

This is knit using pattern from the Multi-Directional Group, plymouth Outback wool in color 996, and size 8 needles. I love how it's turning out. 2 more triangles and I'll be ready to do the final right triangle and block it. How fun is that?

My mom is working on her block of the month and has learned (like I did) that manos yarn is very "sticky" and bamboos make for some challenging knitting. I think I have her almost talked into a LYS run tonight. ;-)

That's all for now. I'm back to knitting while Zander is busy with Grandpa.

December Goals

2005-12-01T14:21:00.000-05:00

I swung over to Kris' blog, and saw that (oh crap) it's December 1st. Time for goals.

November Goals Part II:
1. Start and Complete first 13" square for BLOCK OF THE MONTH CLUB. Done.
2. Finish Bell Sleeve Shrug. Not Done. Time Warped.
3. Work on Dad's Socks. WORK ON THEM. WORK ON THEM. Done. I am about to turn the heel. Dad asked me, "When do I get a pair of socks?" So I must get them done by Christmas.

Which leads me to:

December Goals Part I:
1. Complete the first of Dad's Socks. No really. I MUST THIS TIME.
2. Finish Tracy's Multi-directional scarf.
3. Start Aunt Peggy's Scarf.
4. Work on the jaywalker socks.
5. Start December's Block of the Month Block

In other news I let my boss know today that the job wasn't going to work out, but offered to stay until she found someone else and/or a few days after that until the new person felt comfortable. Then a few hours later Zander's school called. They say, He has a fever, can I come pick him up. Needless to say with the stress I am under right now I completely let the director have it. I said, "I know you're not letting this happen on purpose, but what is going on? This is the 3rd time in 1.5 months that I've been called to come pick him up. He was fine this morning." She said, "I understand." I said, "No, I don't think you do. I now have to leave work, won't get paid, have to pick zander up, take him to the doctor and still pay like he's attending your school." I continued, "I think I will hang up the phone now and come get him before I say anything I might regret, but please understand that something HAS to be done about this." She was silent on the other end. I cried the entire 45 minute drive to pick him up. As a side note, even though I've picked him up from school 3 times he's been sick 4 times. In 6 weeks. Is this normal??? Is there something I'm doing wrong? Is it something the school is doing wrong? I seriously CAN NOT afford to do this anymore. I understand that when you get that many kids together and there are that many toys and hands in the mouth, etc, it happens. What I don't understand is why I have to pay for days when Zander is sick. It's enough that I'm missing work and pissing a boss off, isn't it? I should get a $31.00 refund, or not have to pay for the days he doesn't use. Simple as that. Don't punish me for my child being sick. AND... if they didn't impliment that silly policy then people wouldn't bring their sick children to work with the mentality of "I'm paying for this, they're going to use it."
[reluctantly climbing down off my soap box.]

Anyway, then I call Nick. He has been telling me he's not giving me what the state says is fair child support based on our incomes unless a judge tells him that's what he has to pay. He did come close to it in his offerings, and then says, "And really Melanie, let me know if you need extra money, or something happens or whatever. I'll help you out getting your apartment or whatever Zander needs." So I call him this afternoon. Am going to have to buy anti-biotics, missed 1/2 day of work-- will probably miss tomorrow... and this is after last week when I got the virus zander brought home and missed one day because I was throwing up. This is also after the holiday week in which I didn't work thursday or friday. When I tell him that Zander is sick again and I had to leave work he said, "What do you want me to do about it?" I simply hung up the phone.
It's over. Well, it's been over, but I mean all polietness is over and all thinking that this can be resolved in a [gasp] adult like manner. I'm tired of being the grown up.
I will not be nice and I will not except a penny less than I deserve. If need be I will take it to court and let the judge decide. I have tried being nice, I have tried being friendly. I have listened to him beg for other chances and have offered to be there for him. I can't do it anymore. If the kentucky child support table says I should be getting $*** a month then that's what I'm going to put in the paper work, and if he wants to take it to court then we'll take it to court. I am just SOOOO over it.

Anyway, just remember... there are always things to be positive about. Like this.

Snow! :-)

Reminiscing

2005-11-28T21:16:00.000-05:00

All these knitter's blogs say the same things today... "Back to work." Everyone is nagging about going back to work after a long weekend... I LOVE IT. For once, I'm more optimistic than everyone else. I felt so refreshed when I woke up this morning. Normally my alarm goes off at 4:15 am, and I turn it off. I get a SECOND alarm that jolts me out of bed at 4:30. This morning when I woke up at 4:15 I turned off both alarms. Granted I didn't get right out of bed. Instead I gathered thoughts and mentally prepared myself for the day.

Granted, I had a crappy "divorce" day, but really. I felt rather rested and ready to go back to work. Weird I know.

I have had a hard time keeping my eyes open past 8pm every night, but the last few nights have been great. I think I'm finally getting hang of this working 9 hours and coming home to deal with "household" stuff thing. This is "normal" life and I'm really quite happy with my adjustment thus far.

Okay, so yeah, maybe it's still the pumpkin pie talking... Maybe tomorrow or Wednesday I'll be back to my grumpy, mostly negative side. But I hope not.

Anyway, Nick had requested a few pictures of Zander today, so tonight I sat down and composed an e-mail from Zander to his family, complete with pictures. I am posting this a lot for me, so it's on file and I can look back and see where he was in his life November 2005. But I do know that a lot of you genuinely care about my little rugrat and what he's up to so here goes:

Zander's First E-mail:
"Dear Daddy, Great Grandma Huddle, Grandma Linda, Grandma Sherrie, Uncle Craig, Aunt Erin, Aunt Leslie & Uncle Dick, Cousins Connie & Ryan, Tracy, Marilyn, Claira, and Ava:

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving. I sure did. I got to sit at the "adult" table on a big boy chair and eat whatever I wanted. I especially favored Aunt Leslie's yummy stuffing. After dinner she made Mississippi Mud Cake and I got to lick the beater. I also got a full sippy cup of coke even though Grandma Donna said I wasn't allowed to have it. I love when I get yummy treats like that! It sure did make me bounce off the walls.
You can see my yummy beater licking extravaganza with these pictures:

I also got to get in the holiday spirit this weekend when Mommy took me to see the trains at Devou Park. In the picture I am controling my very own train... it drove away from me and back towards me. I thought that was really cool.

I could also make the train whistles blow by pushing the big red button as seen in picture:

There was also a brio train room which I LOVED.

As for those of you who don't get to see me very often I am getting much bigger. I grow a little bit more and more everyday. At least that's what my mommy says. She also says I hurt her back alot. :-) I am also starting to talk a little more each and every day. I now say the following words, "hi, bye bye, dada, woof woof, moo, tweet tweet, buzz buzz, choo choo, honk honk, meow, thank you" and my newest two words: "Juice and ball." Every day my mommy works with me on making "M" sounds which I still have a hard time with. I'm getting closer to saying "mama and more." But right now they come out as "Ba ba and BAAAA." But mom thinks this is better than saying dada for EVERYTHING! ;-)

I am going to "School" 5 days a week now, for about 10 hours a day. My mom wakes me up at 545 and we have to leave the house by 615, and I am really good about it even though that is really early in the morning!!! I am a very good boy there, and according to teacher Sara, the reason my mommy can never find me when she comes to get me is because I am such a well behaved boy that all the teachers fight over who gets to take me for afternoon activities. That makes my mommy proud. The teachers also say that I really "go with the flow." which makes mommy happy that she has finally found a trait we share. Well, that and our expensive tastes in shoes! ;-)

But it's not ALL peaches & cream... I am DEFINITLY a 2 year old, and have several temper tantrums every night after school. Grandma Donna and mommy think it is due to the fact that I hold my feelings in all day at school, and they think I have the urge to release them at home. Sometimes it makes mommy really grouchy when I scream, and some days she is able to just let it roll off her shoulders and chalk it up to the terrible twos. I do better if my evenings are very organized, scheduled, and regimented. Sometimes this is possible, but if laundry, errands, or other things need to be done I get frustrated if attention isn't given ALL to me.

My favorite toys these days are anything with wheels, (my hotwheels and my thomas the trains), my little people, little touch leap pad, and books. I will now sit through most books, but my favorites are definitly "hands hands fingers thumb," "Mister Brown can moo," And "Stop Train Stop." Thank you Ryan for passing along Stop Train Stop, it is my favorite book right now... and much to mommy's dismay she usually reads it AT LEAST 5 times a day. And when we're only together about 5 hours a day, she thinks that's an awful lot of times!

Mommy keeps trying to teach me who santa clause is but I'm just not sure I get it. Like Dr. Phil says, "you either get it or you don't." And I just don't get it. But I'm sure I'll GET IT on Christmas morning when I see all those presents under my christmas tree.

I got to help grandma Donna and grandpa Jim set up the christmas tree yesterday which was a lot of fun (for me.) Finally after many times of touching the ornaments I wasn't supposed to I got put on the bad boy chair for a few minutes. I really don't like that chair, but it really does make me shape up. Every time I sit on it I have to stay there until Mommy comes back and gets me. Sometimes it's a LONG time. Before I'm allowed to get off the chair I have to tell mommy that I'll be a good boy, and give her a hug and kiss. I am usually good for about a half an hour after that.

Well, I think that's all the news from me now. I'm glad I was able to take this time to catch everyone up, but as for now... I have to go back to chasing Zoey, and mommy has to chase me and tell me no.

I love & miss everyone and can't wait to see you all!
Zander"

Oh yeah, and in knitting news... I've started and am halfway done with Tracy's multi-dementional scarf. I will try to do 2 more repeats tomorrow, and on thursday I'll try to do the final "real" triangle and then the ending "right angle triangle" so that I can have a blocking party this weekend. Pics (of knitting) to come.

November Block Completed

2005-11-26T09:42:00.000-05:00

So I finished the first "block of the month" block.

closeup of the simple stitch motif:

[I'm sure you realize that the yarn is not that washed out and that the color is very rich and bold. I am never home and settled during daylight anymore, so the pictures have been flash forced which equals shitty pictures.]

Anyway, the block is not hard. Just took 3 hours. I can't remember the exact gauge at the moment, but most of the gals are using size 9 needles and getting 13" blocks (which is what they're supposed to be doing.) I used a size 8 needle and got a 14" block. WTF? I'm certainly not bumping down to a size 7, as it's tight enough on size 8s. I normally knit RIGHT on gauge. Not sure if it's this weirdly spun yarn or what?
You may also notice the slight bit of pooling that began to take place. I had to knit off both ends of the skein to break that up... it was slightly annoying to do, but looks great in the end.

So once that was finished I picked up my jaywalker socks again. I had made a little boo boo the last time I worked on it (while waiting in the doctor's office when I had broncitis) and when I tried to fix it on Thanksgiving I made it SOOO much worse... the yarn frayed when I put it back on the needles and I couldn't get the right stitches on the right needles, so the zigzagging was not lining up. Frustration ensued. I ripped. And ripped and ripped. Now I'm back to a ball of yarn and 30 minutes of knitting on the ribbing. Oh well.

I don't want to post a picture because I don't want to be depressed. ;-)

Have a great rest of the weekend.

I Wanna Play Too

2005-11-23T15:26:00.000-05:00

Look what I stumbled across:

Anyone that's wanted to knit these socks should play too!
Remember mine?

That's where they still are... but come the end of this block of the month block I will begin them again! WEEEEE. I love knit alongs... nothing like a knitterly kick in the butt.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

All Done

2005-11-21T18:45:00.000-05:00

You know when a child first starts talking and they're all excited about saying the simple words such as "no" "mama" "juice" "all done?" Well, that's me today. ALL DONE:

Hopefully it will get shipped to warm the world (along with a hat, lots of fabric, some yarn, and some needles) this week.

So technically since I finished this last night I could move onto the blue (which won't be blue for me) sholder cozy. But instead, I'm focusing on my goals, and I started my November block of the month square. No pictures yet. It's a small project so I'll just post it when it's done.

Happy Thanksgiving week.
What are you thankful for?

Hmmm.....

2005-11-20T09:14:00.000-05:00

Kathy made a good point in my comments last post. Things are hard. I'm not the only one that is tired when she comes home from work, I'm not the only one that wishes she had more time, and I'm CERTAINLY not the only one that wishes she had more money. So I need to stop throwing myself pity parties and start fixing it! There are some things that are out of my control (Zander's health.) He will have to build up an immunity, and I've heard these bouts of illness can last anywhere from a few months to a year. I'll hope that it's just through the holidays. I can thank my lucky stars that my mom has a flexible job, and is able to help out with retrieving him from school when he's sick, and I'm also lucky that I work for a temp agency and so if I am at a job that is not understanding or family oriented I can easily be switched to another job. Speaking of another job... I really can't stand the one I'm at. I've done it for a week. Is two weeks enough to make an educated decision, should I stick with it through the holidays as to not add even more stress to my life? What would you do? Let me just add that I'm not making enough money to support Zander and myself, and I drove 600+ miles this week commuting. So add the wear and tear... am I being blind returning to this job realizing that I'm putting most of it right back into the gas tank, car, and daycare?

So, on the knitting front, seeing as this is a knitting blog.... I got to the halfway point of my shrug

and realized I am bored of stockinette. I have WAY too many projects on the needles.

Each card represents a project. This is where I list all my stats... date started, date completed, yarn, needles, pattern, and then on the back I list my minutes knit and add them up at the end. The yellow blanket seen in the left side of the picture is the big dishcloth blanket for warm the world. I put my shrug aside, and decided to finish the baby blanket.

Then I think I'll move onto something more exciting. Something for me. And it is NOT allowed to be stockinette. I'm thinking maybe this:

with these buttons:

they're shiny and silver, so they're hard to photograph.

Even though (yes, I'm insane) this looks really fun!

By the way... these are both from Wrap Style. I ended up ordering the book, and although there are some REALLY ugly ponchos in it there are also quite a few things I think i would knit and wear. And there is a totally beautiful shawl in it it. It's smaller in size so I may try and tackle that upon inheriting or purchasing more lace weight.

Yesterday Hancock's had a 50% off sale so I picked up a few things for my knitting chicks holiday swap and spent $5.00 on a magnetic board. I figured I could buy the stand and the magnifying piece as I got the money. That board will be great for holding patterns and keeping my place. I haven't had much luck with the post it note idea... I always ~~lose it~~ catch zander ripping the post it note off. Anyway, enough for now. On a positive note I'm looking forward to the long weekend next week and getting some knitting time in, and hopefully some more blog posting and reading done. I'm am seriously behind in bloglines! ;-)

Life Without....

2005-11-18T20:04:00.000-05:00

Life without a job left me more time to knit... Life without a child would leave me TONS of time (and energy) to knit. Zander is sick again. This is the 3rd "incidence" of unhealthiness since he has started daycare. (That was only a month ago.) I'm beginning to get angry but I'm not sure whom I'm angry at. If Zander doesn't go to school I still have to pay as if he is going every single day. If I don't go to work I don't get paid. If I take him to the doctor I have to pay for it, and if I'm at the doctor it generally means I'm not working and zander's not in school... It is SOOOO expensive for him to be sick. I feel like I'm trying so hard to get ahead and make a better life for Zander and I, but yet I can't even keep my head above water. It is extremely frustrating and has been making me want to throw in the towel.... but then I got this in the mail and all was well:

Thanks soooo much Christine! They were well worth the wait!

Those are size 8's.. Which were immediately taken from the package after the photographing of that picture and inserted into my shrug. I have no picture of this shrug as I am not settling for the crappy one I took yesterday. I may just wait until it's done to show any pictures at all. Okay, well, maybe here is a little bit of it:

And finally, here is the yarn I will be using in my block of the month blanket....manos del Uruguay. (I totally butchered the spelling of that.)

Okay, yeah, my entries suck lately... I promise to make them a little more amusing... I just need to find my groove with this whole working thing... Is there something wrong with the fact that I leave the house when it's dark and don't come home until it's dark? Is there something wrong that I'm looking at the clock at 8:15 pm thinking, "okay it's time for bed?"
I need to get a life!

November Goals Part II

2005-11-15T20:07:00.000-05:00

Okay, So, here's a recap of Part I:
November Goals- Part I:
1. Complete 1 of Dad's Socks. NOT DONE.
2. Complete 1 of another sock-- either the lorna's laces or jaywalker socks. DONE.
3. Get to 75% done with the Warm the World Blanket. DONE.
4. Complete Left front of Classic Cardigan. DONE.
5. GET DONNA'S ONE SKEIN WONDER DONE. MOST IMPORTANT! DONE.

Okay, so I completely lost interest in dad's socks. I think they have been demoted to christmas gifts... I have worked on them several times this month (I'm about 3" into the cuff) but when he comes home I have to put them away... that makes for hard knitting when they can't see it. :0(

I also finished Roxy's Dog sweater. I followed the directions exactly, but it didn't quite match up right when seaming. It still sorta fits her, so I'll get a picture this weekend and post it next week.

Anyway, Part II?
1. Start and Complete first 13" square for BLOCK OF THE MONTH CLUB.
2. Finish Bell Sleeve Shrug.
3. Work on Dad's Socks. WORK ON THEM. WORK ON THEM.

So weak... but I've learned that at night after I work 9 hours, add in 45 minutes driving time (each way) dinner, and bed time routine, that there isn't much time or energy... I'm taking it easy this month.

I'll post pictures soon.

Wraps

2005-11-12T15:00:00.000-05:00

Has anyone seen the book "Wrap Style?"
Seen here:
http://tinyurl.com/dtv5b

I like the look of wraps and capelets, but not so much a fan of the poncho. One of the reviews said there were too many ponchos. Is the book a waste? I think they would be great to have to throw over your shoulders at the office.

Speaking of office... the first day was a little overwhelming... I'm not sure if it's the job I'm looking for or not... I'll give it a few weeks and make an educated decision. AHHHH, that's the beauty of temp agencies... if you don't like it, you don't have to stay.

I have finished the back of Roxy's sweater... I'm off to knit some more until Zander comes home... hopefully I can get the front done today and seam tomorrow.

Enjoy your weekend!

Corney or Not?

2005-11-10T06:24:00.000-05:00

Well, while I'm trying to decide about what my ~~next~~ first (sucessful) lace project will be, and while I save up the money for yarn (Roxy is getting spade today... bye bye money) I have cast on for this. I will be knitting 2. One for Roxy and one for mom's dog, zoey. I know there are those that think dog sweaters are corney... I can be one of them... but I think it actually serves a purpose... when you think about a chihuahua they are actually not made for cold climates. This poor dog convulses with shivers everytime it's below 40. I hope that this sweater will serve an actuall purpose. Anyway, we shall see.

Here it is, being knit with left over caron's simply soft from Kari's baby blanket.

On a personal note.... I GOT THE JOB! I start tomorrow. Weeee.... wish me luck.

Conquering Lace

2005-11-08T19:07:00.000-05:00

Okay, I don't know if you could actually consider this "conquering" lace. But it's much better than my past attempts. This is 3 swatches:

This is the Birch lace. I LOVE IT. Not in this yarn, but I just love the stitch.

Fan & Feather

And Diamond Leaf. That one is pretty cool too. The picture is there to show what it is supposed to look like. This yarn is a little hard to tell. And these pictures are pretty bad. The swatches are lying on the bathroom floor. Why? Because for some unknown reason it is where Zander wanted to play with his cars tonight.

He is rolling his cars into the sink. Great fun. My butt really hurt after sitting on that tile watching him play with his cars for 30 minutes.

Anyway, back to knitting... that is my excuse for the lousy photos.... but I was so excited about my success that I couldn't wait to post them. So, what is my problem with the past attempts of lace? Was it the lace weight yarn? If yes, maybe I should get some sock weight yarn from knitpicks to do my next lace project?
I also read on the yahoo group "lace for all seasons" that someone said a beginner problem is trying to use needles that are too big. They recommend going down to a size 2 or 3 with the lace weight yarn... anyone else have any thoughts on this?

I am getting ready to cast on sweaters for Zoey and Roxy this week so I'm not TOO worried about it. Am also working on Dad's Birthday socks... need to get the first one done before the 15th! And the 2nd one needs to be done before his birthday on the 30th!!

Happy Knitting

Long Arm Quilting

2005-11-07T17:44:00.000-05:00

I know this is a knitting blog. But I also know that many knitters are also other "crafters." So for those knitters that are also quilters check out this baby!

The Hinterberg Voyager 17. Mom got it on Friday. It took two coats (and two days) of stain, and then hours upon hours of assembly. This picture was taken last night before Desperate Housewives... the "horns" of the machine, the light, stylus, etc, had not been added yet. They were this morning when I got up at 6am. I'll get a picture later. Not bad, eh?

Anyway, among personal news... I think I may have a "REAL (not working with mother and father) job. I'll know for sure in the next day or two. It's at a Realtor's. Doing bankrupcy stuff. Great training for the legal field.
Cross your fingers for me.

That's all. Happy Monday.