Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Spring Has Her Little Finger In My Pudding

Hey! It's been awhile. After the 2KCBW blog week, it's hard to keep up again. Maybe if it went all year??? (yep dreaming) I love writing to topics and have given this some thought. I think I want  to theme write all year. Knitting will always be a part of my blog, but I want to venture into other places that I have always shied away from. (sounds dark and mysterious) Knowing me, it ain't gonna happen (lol), but thinking (Ive been told) expands the mind and brings the horizons of the world closer. I want to be closer to the world. Spring has a way of rising the nature of awareness and making new ideas and curiosities grow. (why I love Spring) The draw back; Spring's not forking over any dollars, so I'll just be thinking and expanding in front of the computer. -smiles- (6 on one hand 1/2 dozen on the other)

Last entry I was the victim of rudeness at a deli store. It's been closed each time I attempted to go. I don't know if its closing early or its been closed all day ( I can only go late evening hours), but maybe I wasn't the only one who received the digital treatment and something happened. Or, could it be my torpedo blog of truth was read and lit fires around the Internet and the deed of rude was presented at the foot of the owner and appropriate action was taken?! (it could happen, right?!?! lol)  I think too much time has gone by, but if necessity deems I have to enter that store once more, I will not yield to rudeness again! (stern look with shaking fist raised high) (whoa, I think I had a "Gone With The Wind"  moment! heh heh)

I've decided on a yellow afterthought heel and toe. Finding the correct yellow sock yarn is a needle in the haystack. You cannot go by the pictures on the computer and after the mustard yellow skein I received, (yes the picture to your right is actually much darker, hence the search) I've decided to ask the seller first if its truly yellow or yellow gold. I was assured by the seller on etsy this time, so we shall see. The by part of my search for yellow yarn, is that I'm beginning to really like yellow/yellow gold yarn. It's amazing how one drifts to certain colors in a lifetime. Before yellow, I was obsessed with burgandyish/dark red colorways. Now I've flipped to yellow (I'm sensing that Spring might have her little finger in the tishka pudding) Could be I need tangible sunshine in my life. Mine is not to question why, mine is just to buy, buy, buy! Yellow rules! (for now) -smiles- tootles!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Where Is The Common Courtesy???

I an wondering if I am wrong about my feelings or just old fashioned?  What I'm about to write doesn't feel wrong to me, but maybe its generational. I live in Philadelphia and in the center city district on 13th Street between Market and Chestnut Streets, there is a small grocery store/ deli named Nelson. I rarely go to this store because I feel their prices are too high, but every now and then, I take the expense. Last night I went into this store and behind the counter no less than three people were on their cell phones, texting, gaming or whatever. This I don't have a problem with. The problem was when I tried to purchase a few items. First they kept me waiting, then without asking if I wanted anything else, started to ring up my items, but the straw people,was she never put her cell phone down. She kept texting or calling or whatever to the point of making me wait for her to finish her phone entries (yep, plural). I felt she was rude and wrong in her actions. Where was the common courtesy? And putting a smile on bad customer service, doesn't make it all better or all right. I would love to address this incident to the owner, but instincts tells me that she may be a relation to the owner, and that my complaints will get swept under the bridge. Should I let it go, chalk it up to the times and just avoid the place altogether? Or should I quietly try and find the owners and explain what's going on? Decisions, decisions...

My beloved book store, Borders (that is going out of business) slashed all magazines to 40% off. I made off with a arm full of knitting magazines!! Yea! Love those magazines and now I wait patiently for the knitting books to get to that point too. Right now they are slashed to 20%, but talking to one of the employees, they have 3 to 4 weeks left, I would prefer if they could stay, but nothing is constant anymore.

r

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Summer Is Trying To Muscle Into Spring

Spring needs to fight back now! Summer muscled its way into spring and produce a balmy summery day (there was actual humidity) I need more time before the craziness of summer arrives permanently, Illegal street bikes roared down the streets, while the young and tweeny broke the sound barrier with their eternal chattering about nothing. (this I know being a tweeny once)(sorry elders of that time.how I have learned!) I love the spring, and summers days mixed with terrible storms (the weather divas have intoned) are messing with my season. Ok that was the weather rant portion of this blog -smiles-

Now for something totally different. I'm making more socks, yeah! And ripping some back, boo. Doing the free Raverly pattern, Jeck, which is a super easy pattern to memorize, but I have to determine if I will do an afterthought heel or the basic sock heel for the blue and definitely have to rip the orange back to the cuff and drop needle size down to either ones or zeros. The fabric wasn't dense enough for nbr 2 (hee hee)(yeah, I'm still a kid in so many ways!) Though I hate to rip back, its a necessary part of knitting. I accept that, i just don't like it,

I found this huge pencil case that doubles for a project bag for socks. Our city's Border is closing or has closed by now and I got this on sale. I'm crossing my fingers that it hasn't closed yet and I can get the other one I left behind. It's absolutely a perfect sock project bag.
 My blue socks I'm working on. Making the leg 7 1/2 inches long before I do the heel. Deborah Norville Serenity sock yarn colorway Sapphire. The yellow really stands out on these socks so I'm thinking yellow heel & toe?? Might be really pretty.
Love the stretchy cuff, but the fabric is too loose. Use Knit Picks Felici Matador. Brighter than I would have thought, but I will be happy to wear them.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

2KCBWDAY7: YOUR KNITTING AND CROCHET TIME





Day seven: 3rd April. Your knitting and crochet time.

Write about your typical crafting time. When it is that you are likely to craft – alone or in more social environments, when watching TV or whilst taking bus journeys. What items do you like to surround yourself with whilst you twirl your hook like a majorette’s baton or work those needles like a skilled set of samurai swords. Do you always have snacks to hand, or are you a strictly ‘no crumbs near my yarn!’ kind of knitter.


My favorite knitting time are mornings. I am fresh, awake (esp after coffee), and ready to zoom. During working days, I knit riding to and from work, but I get the most done at work. The lighting is better, I can spread out my items and things that confused me at night, seem clearer in the morning. It's also my fix that mistake and what where you thinking time. I also use the morning to pre read patterns that I might knit next just to see if there isn't a little surprise in the pattern, and to decide if I really want to make it. Lately I've been doing swatches (yes, I'm growing up, abit), but not the 4x4 size. What I'm about to say may cause severe reactions to a certain group of people, but I'm going to say it. I HATE SWATCHING. Just let patterns be the luck of the draw and be done with it. Ut-oh I think I hear screams and the rendering of garments, and the sounds of fainting bodies everywhere. Designers down!  Designers down!! lol

I mostly knit alone, at night, in front of the computer with hot coffee or a hot chocolate, surf the web, listen to my favorite John Legend CD (Evolver), and knit with the clear implications that I'll have to repair it in the morning. But sometimes I knit it right and that's a bonus for me. (I'm not sure but I think Ive defined crazy) lol

All in all, it's been a pleasure writing about the topics and reading other crafter's blogs. I am amaze at the versatility and the common ground we all share. My favorite subject was the "TIDY" issue. It's was so good to know I was not alone in my wild kingdom of yarn.

Eskimimi thank you so much for making this an annual event and the interesting topics you found for us to write about. I look forward to your creativity next year and thank you again for your massive effort on our behalf.

Friday, April 1, 2011

2KCBWDAY6: SOMETHING TO ASPIRE TOO




Day six: 2nd April. Something to aspire to.Is there a pattern or skill that you don’t yet feel ready to tackle but which you hope to (or think you can only dream of) tackling in the future, near or distant? Is there a skill or project that makes your mind boggle at the sheer time, dedication and mastery of the craft? Maybe the skill or pattern is one that you don’t even personally want to make but can stand back and admire those that do. Maybe it is something you think you will never be bothered to actually make bu can admire the result of those that have.



Estonian Shawls. I look at the beauty, grace and ethereal quality of those shawls and they run chills up and down the envy part my spine. My aspirations are to one day knit an Estonian Shawl with matching delicate gloves. My biggest obstacle are charts. Hieroglyphics are easier to understand, but I am trying to better myself in that area. Recently purchased a book, "How To Read Charts", by JC Brier (I think that's her name, don't really remember, book at work) and it has good tips and tricks on chart reading.

Once I conquer charts and what to do with a double yarn over when you're not dropping it completely off the needles, I would have solved part of the skills needed for that shawl. There was a lace drawstring purse, a Knit Picks pattern, that drove me up the wall because I couldn't figure out that to do with the double yarn overs on the return row. That item is currently residing in my time out endless pit for uncooperative knitted items. I believe in tough love. Maybe now that little wayward lace piece is rehabliltated enough to go into my "I hate you, I hate you" basket and from there, knitted freedom. It may be getting a reprieve since I have more wisdom and to patience. -smiles-

I will, someday, do the Estonian, and then, modern interpretive dancing!! lol

Thursday, March 31, 2011

2KCBWDAY5: NOW FOR SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT




Day Five: 1st April. And now for something completely differentThis is an experimental blogging day to try and push your creativity in blogging to the same level that you perhaps push your creativity in the items you create.
There are no rules of a topic to blog about (though some suggestions are given below) but this post should look at a different way to present content on your blog. .



PS: Yes, it is April Fool’s Day, so have fun with the post.





STICKS AND STRINGS AND OTHER THINGS


Mr Stick said to his String
What's with all that bling bling bling?
Sparkles running up and down
Makes you look just like a clown

Mrs String was hurt by this
What's your problem, Mr Stick?
Can't a girl just shine and primp
Without making me feel limp?

Mr Sticks just crossed his limbs
Mrs String tried to hug him
He kept pushing her away
But she had much more to say

When we are in rhythm, dear
Things get done and socks appear
Hats and gloves and scarves divine
Cowls and warmers make us shine

Now and then I bling bling bling
That's the nature of my string
Oh stop being in a snit
Come here Sticky, and let's knit!


Hope this make you smile.



Thanks to everyone who commented on my blog for day4. Your comments meant the world to me. Thank you so, so much.








Wednesday, March 30, 2011

2KCBWDAY4: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?



Whatever happened to your __________?



Write about the fate of a past knitting project. Whether it be something that you crocheted or knitted for yourself or to give to another person. An item that lives with you or something which you sent off to charity.
There are a lot of different aspects to look at when looking back at a knitting project and it can make for interesting blogging, as much of the time we blog about items recently completed, new and freshly completed. It is not so often that we look back at what has happened to these items after they have been around for a while.
How has one of your past knits lived up to wear. Maybe an item has become lost. Maybe you spent weeks knitting your giant-footed dad a pair of socks in bright pink and green stripes which the then ‘lost’. If you have knit items to donate to a good cause, you could reflect on the was in which you hope that item is still doing good for it’s owner or the cause it was made to support.

This subject bought unexpected tears to my eyes. I am reflecting on my first sweater. Even though I have said that I will be making my first sweater this year, it will be my first "correct" sweater that I am committed to doing.

This is the story of a best friend and a sweater. In my younger days I never had a clue as to what to give anyone for Christmas. I really didn't have that much money and I wanted to give something that was special. I decided to make my friend a sweater.  remember it was a simple pattern with three half cables on the front in a vee formation. I had never done cables, pick up stitches, ribbing or seaming, but I was determined to produce a sweater. I remember night after night I sat in my straight back kitchen
chair and knitted for hours at a time. There was never a thought of I couldn't do it. It was knit and purl and I knew how to do both. I learned, in that sweater, how to be patient, how to read instructions, how to keep tears off the garment and to take deep breathes and calm myself when I messed up. I had awful panic attacks, but there was joy too because it was going to a best friend. I know it took me two months to make because it was late in the fall season when I got the idea for the gift. I finished it Christmas Eve, wrapped it up and presented to my friend on Christmas Day. I will never forget the look in her eyes when she saw that sweater. It was a look of sheer wonder, shock and appreciation and it made my Christmas. I was so proud of my accomplishment. A few months later I asked her why she never wore the sweater and she said she was waiting for a special occasion. She told me beauty like that needs a beautiful occasion. I bought that and never asked again. My dear friend passed away in 1999 and I have thought of her ofter over the years but until this subject came up I had forgotten about that sparkly grey sweater I had made for her. Knowing what I know now, she was being so kind to me. I never heard of a gauge swatch and I'm pretty sure it was way too small for her. Thinking back on those days, I'm pretty sure she probably couldn't get it over her head, and if she could, the seaming would have scratched her skin (I only knew running stitch at that time and I didn't have a delicate hand.)
She knew what that sweater meant to me to make for her. I never found out
what happened to that little gray sweater, but the memory of my friend and
her everlasting kindness has once again bubbled to the surface and has made
me ache at her absence. I am hoping that sweater has found her in heaven
and now fits perfectly.

2KCBWDAY3: TIDY MIND, TIDY STITCHES

Day Three: 30th March. Tidy mind, tidy stitches.






How do you keep your yarn wrangling organised? It seems like an easy to answer question at first, but in fact organisation exists on many levels. Maybe you are truly not organised at all, in which case I am personally daring you to try and photograph your stash in whatever locations you can find the individual skeins. However, if you are organised, blog about an aspect of that organisation process, whether that be a particularly neat and tidy knitting bag, a decorative display of your crochet hooks, your organised stash or your project and stash pages on Ravelry


Tidy...hmmm I use to know the meaning of that word.lol One time this year I tried to organize my stash.




I gave up and let those that werent capture, run free.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

2KCBWDay 2: SKILL +1UP




Skill + 1UP – 2KCBWDAY2


Look back over your last year of projects and compare where you are in terms of skill and knowledge of your craft to this time last year. Have you learned any new skills or forms of knitting/crochet (can you crochet cable stitches now where you didn’t even know such things existed last year? Have you recently put a foot in the tiled world of entrelac? Had you even picked up a pair of needles or crochet hook this time last year?.



Many things have changed for me with my knitting adventures. I kick less items to the side in frustration, I have learned patience in finding and repairing simple errors, but the greatest skill  I have achieved, is wisdom. Just a year ago, there were so many patterns that I couldn't figure out or that intimidated me, but just a year later, I understand the impossible and am not afraid to try. Have I knitted those patterns yet? No, but the fear of them has been removed. Now all I need is time to do them!
 The one tangible skill set I have acquired is sock knitting! I finished my first pair of socks this month and have already started on a second pair.

Monday, March 28, 2011

A Tale of Two Yarms 2KCBWDAY1

I love the smell of yarn in the morning! I am a yarn snob with acrylic tendencies. -smiles- In other words, I just love modern yarn. Learning to knit when I was younger any yarn I was able to purchase or plead was gold to me. However acrylic yarns at that time had the ability to squeak and even at that time, I didn't think yarn should squeak! In my later years I picked up the craft again and was amazed at the variety of yarns, the softness and skinny yarns! I found real wool, and with that discovery, the seeds of snobbery were planted. Wool escalated into alpaca, which drove me to cashmere and I ventured into unknown fibers like silk, sea cell and, I got milk! Did I leave acrylic behind???  Heck no, cause all yarns have a place. I wouldn't use cashmere for a rug or a dog bed, but I can use acrylic yarn for those items and replace the "finer" yarns with "finer" acrylic and her infinite blends.  The tale of two yarns;  the yarn that began the knitting journey and the stash that sprung from that love!


Sunday, March 27, 2011

Crap! I've been Rip Van Winkled!!!

Shaking off the "Zzz" and getting back to blogging. Haven't had that umpf lately in anything I do, but the days are getting longer and it's time to blog. I'm ashamed to admit I haven't finished anything but a pair of socks and now have that darn sock bug! Like I need other sicknesses in my life. (lately Ive been cruising fiber batts and giving spindles a come hither wink, started dreaming about weaving and wondering if I have the right weft -smiles-) It's enough just to get knitting done. I like knitting, but somehow the finishing part got lost in there somewhere. Looks like I need more discipline, or more interesting yarns to inspire, resolutions be darn!! (u knew that was coming, right?? lol)

Knit n Crochet week blogging will start this Monday, March 28th (also my youngest daughter's birthday), and I didn't have a clue until StephCuddles tweeted me. (yep I'm tweeting too....I'm up people, I'm awake!)
Seems like a grand opportunity to really get back into a daily blogging routine, to finally give the winter blahs a good shake off and to tell spring to pump up the temp abit. (here it's like winter, the sequel)

Did a few activities, like going to the flow show and really enjoying the beautiful displays but egad! the people. Trying to navigate through that crowd was like being born over and over again. It was a tight  squeeze and I wanted to cry!! lol

Maryland's Sheep and Wool Festival is coming up soon and I'm trying to decide if I can go. (work has been beastly and I am its overtime b---h!) Making future plans for weekend events are pipe dreams at best for the moment. Ive never been and would really like to go. Lets hope I can get away.

Here's a picture of my first socks and I leave you with this, "Never give up and you will have socks"

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Not Exactly Computer Friendly

If you're wondering about the large size avatar on the previous post, it's because I was trying to enlarge my little blogger picture and somehow or another I took the animation out of the little picture and posted a large size one. I don't know how I did this and now I believe in that little saying, "If it's not broke, don't fix it"  Wisdom seems to always come with giant mess up (well for me the 5th mess up usually kicks in wisdom)(I was born hard headed -smiles-)

The epic stash herding  is still in effect. It's gonna take me a few days 'cause I keep stopping and saying, "Hey, I forgot I had that!" and then move to the computer to see what patterns might be nice for it. I'm looking to finish by the spring 'cause I keep getting distracted by yarn. It's a lovely vicious cycle, and I am in its vortex, baby!! (help me....lol)

Winter is in full effect here. We are in the grips of bitter cold, impending snow and more bitter cold. Folks are getting tired of the snow, ice and cold but I look at it this way;  "It's winter people, get over it!!" Also dressing warmly like a sane person might make it easier to bear the cold. I look at people who think hoodies and long johns are enough to deal with the winter's chill and I think, Frostbite Victims Walkin' news at 11. My favorite thing this winter...100% wool hiking socks. No, I did not knit them and yes yes yes they are sooooo warm on the feet. Picked them up at I Goldberg's, a store that sells hiking, camping, military stuff etc... I no longer have cold feet and they keep me warm even in sneakers (my footwear of choice)   I highly recommend for those folks who must endure extended time outdoors and do not want to wear boots.
Gonna get me some hot chocolate and then I'm gonna hit the road. I ain't scared of no stinkin' cold!!! (smiles)
Meez 3D avatar avatars games

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Stash from H E Double Hockey Sticks!

It's time to tame my stash. One of my yarn babies was upset and tried to trip
me as I walked out the door this morning. I'm still trying to figure out how it
got there, but I was really tired last nite and when I'm that groggy, anything
can happen and apparently my yarn went rouge. I have yarn everywhere and
my latest trip -smiles- has opened my eyes and now, I'm into herding my stash
into clear plastic tubs.Well, that's the first step. After I do that, then its sorting
them into wool. wool blends, cotton, acrylic, good acrylic -grin- and mystery.
(who doesn't have mystery yarn...its a requirement of all yarn crafters!)

After the yarn organization and large quantities of wine, then I tackle the tools
of the trade. I'm afraid that if I get everything together, I'll have no reason to
buy knitting thingees ever again. Ok that statement was just to make me seem
redeemed in your eyes, we all know Imma gonna buy, but only when I
finished a project. I see mass quantities of dish cloths in my future...lol

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

KIP...Was I Ever That Dorky???

Today, I decided to visit Joann's Craft Store and pick up some yarn. The hat I'm working on, The Rocka Beanie, ran out of the yarn, Paton's FX Kroy Sock yarn, I was using. (yes, I'm blaming it on the hat, it should have said something) Anyhoo, I was lucky enough to find the same dye lot and of course bought more yarn than I was suppose to. (It was on sale, I had forgotten about my resolution and it was on sale..Hey whatever...smiles)

Riding back to my abode, I notice a woman knitting on the bus. I knew immediately she was a newbie and I had to smile to myself and wonder if I looked that dorky in the beginning. She had the longest pair of straight needles that I've ever seen and she was knitting one of those furry multicolor boa/scarf that was the rage a few years ago. Not ragging on the scarf, its your choice. but when she was knitting, she looked like she was rowing a boat. The funny part was the way people kept looking at her. I'm guessing,
by the looks on most folks face, that knitting required awesome biceps.
If we were in a boat, we'd be in London by now.

It's funny how you grow in a craft. I started out with those knitting oars -smiles- and now I prefer circulars over straights any day. I still prefer dpns over 2 circs, but the fact that I can use 2 circs is amazing. This year I will learn toe up socks and hopefully 2 toe up on circs. I also have more gloves on my agenda this year, and color work mittens, cowls and of course that sweater. (was that a sweat bead???)

Knitting is my adventure this year. This is the year of knitting fearless for me.
I'm out of the cocoon baby, and spreading my wings!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Well, I've made it to another year in tack and I am grateful. I love that fresh, new year scent of hope in the air as I embark on my knitting adventures. I have very few resolutions this year, and I really hope to keep them all.

1. Try something different in knitting.
     Doing the same stuff over and over again may be putting me in a rut.

2. Get over purling (I hate to purl) either change the method of purling
    or just suck it up and do it!

3. Do the sweater. Been shying away from big projects but StephCuddle
    has made me soooo jealous with her beautiful sweaters that I am going
    to bite the bullet and do one this year.
    (OK for those folks that really know me, stop snickering)

4. Tackle the "I hate you, I hate you" basket; learn, repair and finish.

5. Stash control. That one gives me the woollies, ;) but I have to control my
    rampant acquirement of yarn. Finish a project, then buy yarn.
    Exceptions: All the Stitches and sheep and wool events, (yep, I'm sneaky)
    and any luxury yarn that is half off. (I'm human people!)

I am trying to push myself to improving my knitting skill set,
to conquer start-itis, to organize my equipment and to fly.
One of these things are not like the other. -smiles-

Again, Happy New Year Knitting!!!