quicker than I thought

Look what showed up at work on Friday!

I have spent the past 2 days uploading my CD's and am amazed at how much this holds. As the iPod states, I have a ton of showtunes on there, not to mention Neil Diamond and the Xanadu soundtrack. Yes, my music taste is about as cheesy as it gets.

I haven't completely ignored my knitting. The Dublin Bay socks are about 4 inches away from the toe. I also started on the left front of Lara. It took a little bit for me to realize that the part I thought was the front was actually the back. Nothing gets by me.

Hubby is out in the garage as I type cutting dowels for my warping board for Dye-o-rama. I am a little nervous with him using a saw since we have been to the ER 2 times in the past year for his cutting his finger. I am excited thought to get to dying some self striping yarn. If only KnitPicks orders came as quickly as the iPod.

What a difference a Skein makes

I noticed about half way through the cuff of my second sock that the stripes are different than the first sock. I don't know why I expected it to turn out the same. They are hand-painted yarns no some Walmart, mass produced POS. I am sure no one else will notice. It started to annoy me but then I got over it and realized that the character of handmade items comes in the little imperfections and details. Is it because I am knitting a pair that I think they should match? The little imperfections/mistakes I made in sweaters or scarves never seemed to bother me.

iPod update: According to the Fed-Ex tracker, I should get my iPod Monday morning.

$300 poorer and can't wait

Yes, I finally did it last night. I bought a 30GB white iPod with "Lynn's iPod- Warning: Contains Showtunes" engraved on the back. (god, I am a geek). Anyway it should be here sometime next week and I cannot wait. It will be perfect for the planes trips to Tahoe and Vegas and as hubby mentioned to me, it opens up a new realm of gifts for birthdays and xmas. I guess he was implying that I am hard to shop for.

Update: I just check my email and the iPod is shipping today! It said shipping time is 5 days via FedEx. So I am thinking Monday it will show up. I better get my cd's ready and iTunes downloaded.

I knit for a bit last night during American Idol, which by the way was one of the worst ones I have seen. The heel has been started on the last sock and a few more rows got done on Lara. Tonight? Buying a new stove, weighing in, and moving stuff in the office so the guy installing the gas tomorrow can get to the hot water heater. Looks like it might be a light knitting night.

Another Sign-up

Instead of doing a bigger Secret Pal exchange over the summer, I have decided to do 2 smaller ones. The One Skein SP and now the Dye-o-rama! I have made me KnitPicks order and am taunting my hubby to make a warping board for self-striping yarn. I am so excited to try something other than my usual dump-the-kool-aid-in-the-pan technique.

I managed to get some good knitting time in last night. I worked about 3" on the second sock and divided for the front and back on Lara. Getting over the 32 rows of stockinette hump was a big accomplishment and helped me feel more inspired to get working on it.

I am seriously thinking about getting an iPod. My mom would get an educator discount so I could get a 30GB for about $250. I have this fear that after I buy one it will either be discontinued or a new version will come out a month later. That happened when I got my Mac. I bought a beige G3 and was so excited. Two months later the G4s and iMacs came out. Although I should point out that I still have my beige 8GB G3 and use it occasionally. There I go over-analyzing--Bite the bullet and join the 21st century.

Princess and Pink

I finished my first Dublin Bay sock last night! I am so happy my algebra worked and the sock fits me perfectly. I have already caston for the second adn hope to get a good start on it tonight. And just to show that I cannot have too much sock yarn, I ordered 3 skiens of the dye-your-own wool from Knitpicks. I really want to try soem self-striping socks.

I tried to relive my youth and bought this at Target the other day. They are Disney princess game pieces that "magically appear in water". I was suckered in by the so ugly they are cute factor.

First your poor the mixture into a bowl of water which of course turns pink and bubbles. Oooooooooo! Then as the bubbles stop you can see your princesses at the bottom of the bowl. Ahhhhhhhhh!

A quick rinse and voila! I was lucky and got 3 instead of the usual 2 princesses. Aurora and Sleeping Beauty (aren't they the same-not according to the box) and Cinderella.

I put them in my office at home on a shelf with my Greg and Marcia bobbleheads. Insert nerd joke here.

Favorite thing

These Dublin Bay socks have got to be one the most enjoyable things I ahve knit in a long time. I LOVE the Vera colorway in Lorna's Laces and while at first I had a hard time justifing $20 pair of socks, I now see why so many people love this yarn. The Fiber Gallery is having a sale this weekend, maybe I will pick more up then.

If you look closely you can see my math notes on the side of the instructions. Cross my fingers- Everything has worked out size-wise. I cannot wait to get these done and wear them someplace other than around the house. I am now a sock convert.

Mrs. Carlson would be so proud

Mrs. Carlson, my 7th grade math teacher, would be so proud of me. I have used so much algebra resizing the Dublin Bay socks I feel like I should have a degree in finding "x". Instead on casting on 72 st, I cast on 60 so I need to find the ratio for each increase/decrease.

18 n
--- = --- 72n=18(60) n= 1080/72 n=15
72 60

Too make this even more impressive to Mrs. Carlson, I am doing this longhand and showing my work. I guess I earned my gold star today- that is until I find some mistake I made 10 rows after the fact but that hasn't happened yet.

Clap for her

Yes I have been watching too my Isaac Mizrahi. Clapotis is finished! I think this will be good for the summer. It is my 3rd one and I think I might take a longer break before being sucked into the Clapotis pattern again. The straight rows got pretty boring but I wear these the most out of anything I have knit. Here are the specs:

Clapotis from Knitty

Yarn: Gossamer from Knit Picks in Caribbean

Needles: Denise size 6

Here is the best part. This is how much yarn I was left with. Perfect!

Torn between two lovers...

I have always loved baseball. I was an avid Braves fan in middle and high school watching their games everyday on TBS while doing my homework after school. My brother loved the Twins so in 1991 when they played each other in the World Series, the house was in turmoil. I even had a poster of John Smoltz and Tom Glavin in my dorm room in college. Why then am I cursing Little League this year? Last night, while eating dinner at 9pm after a 2.5 hour game in cold, windy weather, all I could think about was getting Clapotis done and how much less knitting time I have because of the game. I enjoy the games while I am there and like watching my step-son play but I have to admit I am wishing for more rainouts and don't like getting home that late. Baseball has found an unlikely competition in a couple of needles and yarn.

Torn between 2 lovers- Feeling like a fool- Loving both of you is breaking all the rules....
( you can thank me later for getting that song stuck in your head)

almost there

I have really busted out the Clapotis over the past couple of days. I am on the last couple of repeats for the decreasing and could be done sometime tomorrow. We have little league tonight so I won't have too much knitting time. Of course, if it is rained out, I will be off to PurlyGirls to knit tonight.
I think 3 projects are too much for me keep a handle on. I hate having unfinished projects lying around for more than a month. I was so ready to push Clappy aside but now the end is in sight.

Looks like I have 2 trips to add to my (short) list this summer. I will be going to Lake Tahoe in June to play hostess/Julie from Love Boat for a VIP party and I just got approval for the casino marketing conference in Vegas in July!

Roll Call

It's Easter. Hubby is at work, Step-son is at his mom's, parents are vacationing in Napa so I am home alone for the day. Prime knitting time. I stuck in "Casino" and knit away. I got about 8 straight row repeats done on Clapotis...

I have also restarted the Dublin Bay socks and the fit much better.

Lara is also moving along.

I forgot to mention my great buys I foudn on Friday. Not yarn related but I went to Nordstrom rack and got a dress for $6, Lucky jeans for $12, a skirt for $7 and a pair of Dansko sandals for $60. I love it when I find a bargin and it is even better when 1) hubby find half of them for me and 2) they are things I will actually wear.

Not Quite ready for my close up

Last night I was already to take a couple pics of my Dublin Bay sock. I was about half way done with the gusset when I tried it one and realized that it was just too big. I could easily grab an inch or so extra around the cuff and it felt loose all over. What's a girl to do? The other 2 pairs of socks I have knit have been too big as well. I recalulated to patterns and frogged the entire thing. Back to square one. I am just about done with the ribbing on sock 1 version 2.

Dip in the pool

I am happy to report that the more I have knit on these socks the more the pooling has discipated. I think my next yarn will be a self-striping one. The anxiety I get when I think my yarn is pooling is ridiculous. I will post a picture soon.

We are driving to Olympia to around rush hour to see step-son Spring Break camp's program. I am anticipating a 1-2 hour ride in the car. Lara is coming with me so maybe I can get a few rows or inches done on the stockinette.

Productive!

Last night was productive in many ways. First, we played craps which is my favorite game. I bought in for $40 and walked out with $208! That is great for me since I only have about $15 on the table at a time. Hubby bought in for $40 and left with $145. Not a bad night. On the way home, I was already spending the extra cash in my head. Practical -pay credit card or buy 4 sq.ft. of Corian for the kitchen or a new microwave/fan insert- vs. Fun -iPod nano, clothes, new hair color/cut- I have no idea.

After that, I came home and cast on for the socks with Lorna Laces. Even though I had to start twice, I have about 1.5" done so far. There is pooling happening. Do I restart and knit with alternate skeins? Question of the day...

I'm Lovin' It!

I cannot express how much I love this colorway-Vera, coincidentally my Grandma's name. I have never bought Lorna's Laces and thought I would give it a try. I am hoping to cast on for a pair a socks tonight but dinner and craps (the game not the body function) may put a stop to that.

Last night I knit Lara back to the point where and frogged and then some. Mindless stockinette, perfect for when you are having a beer and talking.

I see major knitting time this weekend. On Sunday (easter), Hubby is working, Step-son is at his mom's and my parents are out of town. Quiet movie time for me!

8 rows forward, 8 rows back

I should really learn from my mistakes and not knit when 1) I have had 2 glasses of wine and 2) it is after 10pm. Last night I finished the first arm on Lara and started increases for the body. "cast on 10 stitches at the beginning of the next 8 rows"- I finish my 8th row and count. Hmmm-I am 8 stitches short. That is what happens when you only cast on 9 stitches on each row. By 11pm I was frogging 8 rows and starting all over again. Do you just love the feeling of knitting something over again??

What a 'pane!

Today I finally sat down and lined my Counterpane bag. I have to say that I really like it but am not sure when I would use it. Another project bag, I guess. Maybe I will use it for vacations this summer.

Counterpane Bag from Handknit Holidays
Yarn: TLC Amore in Surf and Turf
Needles: Size 8

Overall it has been a relaxing day. I am sore from the run yesterday so of course I need to recoup with knitting and tv. I watched a couple episodes of Moonlighting on DVD while working on Clapotis but also did some vacuuming, laundry and went to the grocery store. I keep forgetting I have Friday off. Amazing that a company that runs 4 casinos will give you Good Friday off but I will take it.

Energized and broke

So Carrie from PurlyGirls invited me to run around Greenlake with her and a couple of friends today. It has been a while since I have ran - much less ran 3.2 miles. I started out ok doing intervals of 5 minutes running and 1 minute walking. About half way through I was only walking but I have to say I felt pretty energized afterward.

Energized enough to buy some yarn. I stopped at the Fiber Gallery and picked up some Lam's Pride Bulky for the felted bag in One Skein, 40" #1 circular needles and some Lorna's Laces sock yarn.
Of course they are in the same color scheme.I don't know what is up with my projects having to coordinate. First it was the lavendar sweater and the purple/pink socks. Now look at what I am working on. It is not intentional and I don't wear anything together. I think I just get in a rut.

After yarn shopping came Whole Foods where I spent $100 on beer, wine and gerneral stuff. Nothing for an actual meal. Next stop. Mighty-O donuts. All I can say is YUM!!

FYI- Hubby took a new pic of the sockettes. Check it out!

Are my pictures that bad?

I just got a call from my husband at work. He just looked at my blog and was embarrassed by the Sockettes picture I had taken. Not the knitting but at my legs. He said they look like they belong to a 60yo woman who is retaining water. I have to agree. Not my best photography. He offered to take a new one. So look for that. Maybe he can sex it up like Knit and Tonic's flash your stash pic.

What is in your knitting bag?

Stacia is asking everyone what is their knitting bag. Here's mine:

Clapotis project in Knitpicks Gossamer
Clapotis pattern
Lara in Cotton-ease
2 Skeins of Cotton-ease
"It's Clinic Bonus Time" bag filled with stitch markers, stitch holders, measuring tape, scrap yarn, pen, scissors and other stuff
Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk Pattern book borrowed from Jessica
Denise needles set and 40" and 52" cords
Pair of Loopy socks
WW Chocolate Mint 2pt bar
Hair Clip

In other news: We just opened our "I'm Gonna Get You Sucka" Netflix envelope to find "Interracial Sorority House". Not quite the same movie.

Sockettes and Lara

Here is a pic of the finished Sockettes. Note the loverly pooling effect on the sock on the left. These are only my second pair of socks and will be great for keeping for notoriously cold feet warm at home.

Pattern: Sockettes
Yarn: Knit Picks Sock Garden in Pansy
Needles: Size 2 Magic Loop

I also started Lara and am finished with the ribbing on the first sleeve. I know the Cotton-ease isn't quite as luxurious as Alpaca Silk but I am feeling really good about using something from my stash and it will be a good sweater for Spring/Summer.

Goldilocks and the 3 yarns...

After my post yesterday, I took another look at my stash. I actually have yarn for 3 sweaters- knitpicks palette, an unknown recycled yarn(URY) and cotton-ease. I really want to use up my stash so I started gauging. Palette was to thin. URY was too fuzzy and wrong gauge. Cotton-ease came out jst about perfect. I was at 17.5 st/in vs 18 st/in. I have heard that Debbie Bliss patterns are notoriously big. I would normally be a medium(38") but 44" bust seems huge. A small is 40" so I am tempted to make that one plus if you add in the 1/2 stitch I am off in my gauge, the small will be a bit bigger. Has anyone had this experience with Lara or a DB pattern?

Much needed day off

After working 7 days and 4 VIP parties, I took yesterday off. i have not been able to recoup from the lost hour of sleep and while yesterday helped, I was still out like a light last night.

I got some knitting done and got some inspiration too. My cupcake is knit but not sewn together. The sockettes were finished up last night at PurlyGirls and talk about major pooling of colors. Clapotis is still there. I have contemplated frogging it and making the tank top from One Skein with the yarn but it looks like the largest size won't fit across "my shelf", "the girl/twins" or whatever you want to call them.

Jessica brought the pattern for the Lara sweater to PurlyGirls last night and I felt inspired to knit it until I got home to realized that I don't have enough of one type of yarn to knit it. My whole stash and nothing. I just bought some yarn and cannot justify another purchase until I use what I have. Be prepared for alot of One Skein items here. After that I am focusing on project yarn purchases and not buying 1 of something just because it is on sale or looks nice but has no function.

Sunday, Sunday

How did you spend your Sunday morning? Mine was at Best Buy waiting in line with the rest of the nerd herd for an Xbox 360 and not even for my own personal use but for a promotion at work. $1000 later, I have 2 sitting in my house and a 10yo step-son drooling over them. After 2 VIP parties yesterday, one more tonight and this morning's shopping trip, I think I deserve a day off. Maybe I will ask about not going in tomorrow.

My knitting insipration has come back. I didn't want to start a big project since I ordered One Skein and I knew I would want to start something from that as soon as I got it. So Friday night, I started some sockettes. I finished one yesterday morning. Then around 11am, the mailman came. ONE SKEIN!!!! and my knitpicks yarn a day late to be flashed. Just as I had feared the sockettes were flung by the wayside and this was started.

What a perfect way to use up odds and ends. There are so many projects I want to make in this. Sockettes, I will try not to neglect you for too long.