Done but now what?

I finished the Circular Shrug last night but realizes after trying it on that the boob coverage is a little less than what I need. Bascially the bottom of the shrug runs right over the middle of my boobs. Not to mention that there is too much room in the back. Not a cute look. So I came up with an idea to fix that. Instead of closing the front, I could wear it open and then gather that extra in the back and lace a ribbon through it like a corset. It might work. Just need to get the ribbon.

I have cast-on for 1 of the 2 flower washclothes I am making for stocking stuffers. Something without ribbing? That is a welcome change.

My Physical Therapist has ordered me to go to the gym and work on my legs. Apparently my inner left leg and outer right leg are really weak. 10-15 minutes on the bike and about 4 different weight machines, streches and massage. Being forced to go sure makes more of a difference than going on my own accord. I actually feel guilty if I don't go, that has never happened before.

As promised.......

IMG_4384
Originally uploaded by lynnknits.

the updated shrug picture. I am thinking I can get this done this weekend. I am planning on wearing it to Thanksgiving dinner so that leaves plenty of time. I just need to spend more time on Twisty Turns and I am set.

Rib it!

Last night, I finished the body portion of the circular shrug and started the last ribbed edge. I took a picture but forgot to download it and now I have knit another 1" since then so I will try again tonight.

A couple of weeks ago, I put myself on a Yarn Diet until I lose 8 lbs. We after 2 weeks- I weight the same. This week is crack down week. I think because I have so much in my stash, the thought of not being able to buy more hasn't hit me. By this time next week, I hope to report a loss.

14 innings and 5 hours later

What a game last night! 14 innings! Why would a girl from Seattle care about a WS between Chicago and Houston, you may ask? I love the underdogs. The Atlanta Braves were my favorite team in the 80's- Dale Murphy, Ron Gant, Terry Foster, Rapheal Belliard, Bruce Benedict- I could go on. Once they started winning more and more games and becoming the token team in the World Series. I lost interest so this world series has been great. No Yankees and 2 teams eager to win. If only the commentators would shut up.

2" left to go on the body of the circular shrug! You would think with 5 hours of baseball I would have knit up a storm but no. I hope to get those 2" done tonight during the game.

Sit and Knit

I fell like I have finally broken through the ribbing hell I was in. I really like the circular shrug but the 20" section of ribbing was killing me. Last night, I felt like I finally made progress. I worked on it for the majority of Purly Girls and have it the 16" mark.

Whoever selects the jury pool must really like me. I got a summons in June but it was rescheduled for early Jan. Now I just got another summons for another court that would begin in November. My mothier-in-law works for the courts and told me that you can only serve once in a six month period. I wrote the court about my already scheduled jury duty so we will see what they have to say.

Finally feeling 100%

After a week and a half of being blah, I finally feel up to par. Althought this weekend knocked me out. Friday, hubby surprised me with dinner and a hockey game. (We had never been.) It was a real exercise in letting go of control for me. He told me that the game started at 7pm and here it was at 5:45 and we are driving to dinner. I get so anal about getting to events early, it was really hard not to suggest maybe eating someplace closer to the game, etc... Everything worked out and it was great. Thanks honey.

Saturday I woke up and headed to the gym. I have been told by my physical therapist to ride the bike for 15 minutes and then do some streches for my hip bursitis. Did that and then headed to the grocery store. I got back home and was so sore and stiff that I took a shower and spent the rest of the day on the couch. Knitting time was good. My hips and back are sore to the touch like a bruise.

Sunday we went shopping and had the sports marathon of Seahawks and the World Series game. Both had great last minute winning plays. I hit 100 rows on Twisty Turns! Only 500 left and got more done on the Shrug. The cocktail monkey bag is drying after going through the wash and it stinks! We could figure out what it was. It smells like sour milk. Hopefully a couple hours by the fire cured that.

Purly Girls tonight and I and ready to go!

"I'm tired...so very tired"

Ok. I am not that tired but I think of Madeline Kahn in Blazing Saddles everytime I am. I didn't get to knit too much last night since I fell asleep watching CSI. Why is it that that show used to keep me on the edge of my seat and now I fall asleep during it? Am I getting old? Pretty soon, I will be eating dinner at 3pm.

Even though it is 3 months away, people are starting to ask what I want for Xmas and my b-day (which happens to be on Xmas). I cannot think of a thing. I wanted this but bought it for myself. Yarn is always good but I have to think of something else. Tony Orlando and Dawn 3-DVD set? Sure! You can never hear "Knock 3 Times" enough but really I need to get thinking.

I have signed up for my first SP round- Knitty Board's Holiday SP. I am really excited about it!

Progress and oddballs

The circular shrug and Twisty Turns are moving along. I started watching "Monster-in-Law" last night while the hubby was in Portland buying a Powerball ticket (no winner) and getting a beer. I could not get through the first 45 minutes and turned it off. J-Lo might have a nice ass but she bugs the hell out of me. So after much channel surfing, I found "The Color Purple". I have never seen it and even though it wasn't over until midnight, I watched it all and love it. Much better choice for the night.

I realized the other day that I do not have enough yarn to finish the shrug. I had bought 2 skeins of Simply Soft at Micheal's and was making a stop at Joann's that day so I thought I would pick some up. No dye lot- so I found the violet yarn and bought one. Last night, I was ready to start the next skein. I looked at the 2 I had and noticed something. one was 7 oz., the other was 6 oz. Crap! They are both worsted weight, 4ply, Violet but the colors numbers were different. Double Crap! To my tired eyes they looked the same but why would they sell the same yarn in 7 oz and 6 oz skeins?

Not Much Knitting

Last night was a weird night. I just didn't feel like knitting much. I did a couple of rows on the shrug but that was it. Ho-hum night but this morning I woke up and worked a few more rows on Twisty Turns- up to 60 rows out of 600!

I got a call from my husband this morning who wants to fly to Portland with a friend after work and buy a Powerball ticket, have dinner and fly back. Good thing he works for an airline and flys for free. Since I really hate to fly, it doesn't sound like fun to me but for $350 million, he can do it! He will be back at 10:30 so more knitting time for me. I am really ready to knit today.

Much Better

I am feeling much better today after a relaxing night of knitting and watching a movie ("Die, Mommie, Die!) and part of the NLCS. I got another good 2-3 inches done on the Circular Shrug and about 6 more rows on Twisty Turns, hardly a dent in the 600+ rows I need.

Sunday night while having dinner at my parent's house, my dad cut himself trying to pry apart frozen Gnocchi 2 seconds after my mom had told him to be careful. We asked if he needed stitches but he said no. As we were driving home at about 9pm, we were taking guesses as to what time my dad would finally confess that he need to go to the dr. I thought 10, hubby thought 11. Well, I called yesterday to check-up on him. He had made an appointment for the AM to get stitches. Why didn't he want to go the night before? Because he didn't want to ruin dinner! Only my dad!

Under the Weather

It is amazing how much knitting I get done when I fell like crap. I have had a cold since Friday and felt like doing nothing but sitting at home on Fri. night and Sat. Needless to say, the needles were working overtime. I have finished knitting the Cocktail Monkey bag (which I have vowed never to make again) and just need to wash, line and trim it. My Circular Shrug is coming along but my progress on Twisty Turns has been slow. No Purly Girls tonight for me. Behind feeling sick, I have my step-son's pants to hem-the excitement never ends!

I watched "13 Going on 30" which was cute but a little rushed in tying up the ends. In case you are wondering, yes, I am 6-12 months behind in my movies. I used to be right on top of it but since my hubby and I can never agree on what to see, we don't go to the theatre to see them and usually wait until they are on tv.

Woo Hoo

My KnitPicks ordered arrived today: 7 skeins Wool of the Andes in Hollyberry for Twisting Turns from Scarf Style, 6 skeins Wool of the Andes in Chestnut for either the Celtic Braid Scarf from Wraps, Scarves and Shawls(?) or another mini sweater and 2 skeins of Suri Dream in Ocean for the Spider Web Caplet from SnB Nation. Since I bought this before my yarn diet, does it count? Not to me! I started Twisty Turns last night (project #3 on the needles). If I had actually read ahead on the pattern, I would have realized that I need to knit over 600 rows!!! Yes, they are only 48 stitches across but I am invisioning a "Like Water for Chocolate" piece that follows behind me for miles as I knit. First things first, get the Cocktail Monkey bag done for the Nov. B-day.

Progress

shrug
Originally uploaded by lynnknits.

I have done about 3 inches on the Circular Shrug. I am afraid that with this and the Twisty Turns wrap, I will be on ribbing overload. So to remedy that I started the Cocktail Monkey bag this morning. It is for my step-son's friend's b-day in Nov. I remember the hemp being a little harder to work with but this morning I got 4 inches done on the bottom panel.

I have added progress bars to the sidebar. This way I can keep track of where I need to be on projects. Nothing like some motivation!

Yarn Diet

I have gained almost 10 lbs in the past 2 years. In an effort to get my ass in gear, I am putting myself on a yarn diet. I have been trying, be it half-ass, to lose the weight but now I need extra incentive. So- NO MORE YARN until I say goodbye at least 8lbs. It starts today. I will keep you updated on the progress.

New Project

I couldn't wait for my yarn to show up anymore so yesterday I found this to knit. It seems most people on Craftster are using Caron Simply Soft so with little money to spend, I thought I would give it a try. I am about and inch into it and so far so good. I spent time finishing the stash-busting hat for my husband while watching Amazing Race. I have to keep my projects to 2 at a time.

Has anyone else noticed how boring this edition of Amazing Race is? Usually I am into it and this one does not hold my interest. There is no team I really hate, expect for maybe the family where the dad is in charge because that is what the Bible says, but they are already off the show. Are they ever going to leave the States? I was thinking maybe having kids on the show prevents them from travelling so much. I am really hoping for the All-Star edition of the show.

Still Waiting.....

While I am semi-patiently waiting for my KnitPicks order. I have made a scarf based on the Rainbow Scarf in Last Minute Knitted Gifts and started a hat last night. This lack of yarn for a larger project had made me want to start a tons of small projects at the same time. I bought some hemp today for another Cocktail Monkey bag and some yarn for a retro bolero and also decided that I am going to make some flower washclothes for stocking stuffers. That order better come before I decide to make Willie Warmers for every male I know.

Craps!

This weekend we learn how to play craps and got hooked. I, of course, lost $20 my first time out but later we turned $60 into $180 and used that money to pay for our meals/fun in Canada. Of course we pick the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend to go there and pick Costco out of all places to stop-just to see if they have anything different. Then we stopped by the liquor store on the way home and that was packed too. We are thinking of going back to Canada at Xmas time for some shopping.

This morning, I finally got to tell someone how a really felt about them and let me tell you, as blunt and upfront as I was, it was the best feeling. A weight has lifted (Although, I wanted to say more). Sometimes being a bitch feels great! Woo Hoo!

Knitting News: Ok, not much got done this weekend. I started a stash-busting scarf and am still patiently waiting for my KnitPicks order.

Off to Canada

We are heading off to Canada tomorrow. Partly for work, partly for fun. I hope to hit a LUSH store even though one opened nearby.

I have started on my last skein for the Entrelac Scarf. I had thought about frogging it. It is a lttle wider than I would wear and may turn out short. I am hoping to finish it tonight or on the drive tomorrow.

My KnitPicks order is far from being delivered. In case you order from them, you can get a SmartPost number on the order status page on the site. That is a Fed EX related tracking number. I called Fed EX and they ship the package to a Post Office distribution center. From there it goes USPS. The CS person gave me a USPS tracking number and the package has still not left the center in Cali. Looks like next week before I get it.

Finished at last

Here is a picture of my finished Hourglass Sweater. It is the first thing I have knit that fits me well and it only took 3 froggings. I was worried I was going to run out of brown so I added the lavender stripes. I think I am going to wear it to work tomorrow.

Entrelac is looking better. Some mistakes are still there but I figure it is my "Where's Waldo?" ascpect of the scarf. Find the mistakes. I am not sure if it is going to be long enough so I contemplating a button to secure it. It is a bit wider than I would like but I am not in the mood to start over with fewer stitches.

I am patiently waiting for my KnitPicks order so I can start a wrap from Wrap Style. I realize I place the order on Sunday, but it has shipped and hopefully will be on my doorstep soon.

Entrelac mishap

I am knitting away on the Entrlac scarf last night and having 7th grade flashbacks watching License to Drive ( oh, the Coreys). Suddenly I realize that my scarf is turning towards the left. Why- you may ask? Oh, maybe it is because I didn't make some of the side triangles on the left hand side. I frogged down about 3 inches and start over, this time making sure I actually followed the instructions.

Our annoying neighbors have moved out but our next door neighbors have taken their place. Apparently, the house was rented to a single mom but for the past few weeks there have been 6 cars parked there every night and into the morning and since 6 cars won't fit in the driveway the leftovers are spilling into the street infront of our house. More specifically, right in front of our driveway. There are 4-5 guys who appear to be living there now with the original renter. (Hubby thinks we have the town bicycle living next door) Two dogs have also magically appeared in their backyard, barking through the night and keeping us up. Last night, we called the house owner and told him about our concerns. He was surprised about the cars and the dogs and also told us that they are 60 days past due on their rent. Hmmm.... Time to kick them out? He is getting on it today. I guess it pays to be a squeeky wheel.

Goldilocks and the 3 necklines

Hubby and son went on a cub scout camp-out Sat-Sun which meant had some good knitting time planned. That was until my parents called with an extra ticket to the M's game and a promise of dinner at Etta's, where my brother works. The game was dead. It must only be the die-hards left because there must have been about 15,000 people there, maybe. It was almost felt wierd to be there with so little people. Etta's was great. Knowing someone on the inside meant 3 free appetizers. YUM!!! We ordered an early dinner and dessert and I was home by 8.

Time to knit. I have the yoke left on the Hourglass sweater and finished it as written. When I tried it on, it was way too big. (Jennifer Beals flashback again). Instead of ripping it out, I decided to pick up stiches and do some more decreases. I kept knitting and at 1AM tried it on again but this time I could not get it over my head. Too small. I contemplated fixing it then but decided to go to bed before I made a bad thing worse. Sunday AM I got up and ripped out both the second set of decreases and the inital neckline and started decreases as instructed, add about 5 more rounds. I did an I-cord Bind-off instead of the turned under hem. Finally, it fit!!!!
Time for something a little less size based. I started an Entrelac scarf last night and ordered some yarn for a wrap from Wrap Style.