Another one...

It never ends. I signed up for another swap. Nevermind. Finances came into play.

K.I.S.S.

pink3
Originally uploaded by lynnknits.

As we were carving pumpkins Sunday night, I kept reciting the mantra "Keep it Simple, Stupid" (K.I.S.S.) It was the big saying in my graphic design classes and I thought it applied perfectly to pumpkin carving. Little did I realize that lurking in the knitting bag was another project waiting to be K.I.S.S.'ed.

Last night at Purly Girls, I knit, almost too quietly, on my sock. Then it hit me. The yarn is so great that the pattern is a distraction. After some consulting, it was quickly frogged and restarted as a K.I.S.S. stockinette sock that is a vast improvement from the patterend sock. I knew the money spend on a second degree would not go to waste! Thanks to graphic design classes, I will have a gorgeous pair of socks.

More cotton?

It is official. I am on a dishcloth tear. I knit 2 yesterday and could not leave the house this morning without adding some cotton to my knitting bag for tonight. Funny thing is that I never use the dishcloths. There is something about a semi-wet towel sitting next to sink, ripe for bacteria that turns me off but if I ever chagne my mind, I have 4 washcloths waiting for me to use and 8 balls of cotton ready to be made into more. These will most likely be gifts. They are addicting though and great for that immediate gratification knitting.

say cheese

My pictures suck. There is no way around it but if I want to show my projects, I have to muddle through (and maybe take a photography class). Anyway, I was with little motivation this weekend. I did go through my stash and organize it in a spreadsheet. Now I know exactly how much of each yarn I have. That feels good!

I have finished another ballband washrag. Reminds me of Neopolitan ice cream. I also worked a bit on the sock. I am feeling a future case of SSS with this one. I love the pattern but an afraid it will be too small for other people to wear. I may just type it up anyway once I am done.
Looking through the stitch books from the library has made me put one on my Christmas/B-day list. There are so many stitches I see that would be great of stash-busting scarves.

every 3 hours

I have met with a new trainer at the gym and he suggests eating every 3 hours. I can't belive how hard it is. Yesterday, I was full 3 hours after lunch but had a small snack anyway. That doesn't seem right. Other days I am starving an hour after. I am also meeting with him on Sunday for a hour to set up a workout plan and calendar. I really need the jump start.

Still loving the socks but I don't want to post a pic until they are done. I woke up last night thinking about the heel flap and how to set it up. I usually do half the stitches for the flap but what if it end up being mid-repeat? How does that work? Total number of stitches is 56 and the pattern is 8 stitches. Half is 28 which would be 4 stitches into the last repeat. I will look in Sensational Knitted socks for help. I am thinking that "prior planning prevents piss poor performance" should have been applied here.

Tattoo and stash

Last night it happened. Hubby got his tattoo and I was completely fasinated by the process. I brought knitting with me since it was going to take a couple of hours but I ended up watching intensely instead. Coming from an art/graphic design background, I was in awe by art that cannot be erased or deleted and re-saved. Amazing. Of course, we didn't bring the camera but I will have a pic for you soon. Edited to include pic

I also started my 2nd pair of socks for October. I usually knit 2 at a time but since I am trying to make my own pattern, I am starting with one this time. I really like it so far.

I realized I treat my stash like we treat the wines we buy. The nice ones are either saved for a special occasion or sit collecting dust because we don't want to waste it on a non-specatular meal. We decided to start drinking and enjoying those wines. We can always buy more. Same with the stash. I grabbed some great sock yarn I got from an SP to start the socks. I love the color so much that I was afraid to use it. No more! I am now enjoying it and can't wait to get these socks on my feet.

Hot Sock Swap Package

Big thank you to Janel! I got my Hot Socks secret pal gift today and it is perfect for the cooler weather. 2 packages of tea- Regualr and Herbal Chai (yum!), Sunflower Bubble Bath, a yarn holder for knitting on the go and some Trekking in a great fall color. Perfect! Thanks again Janel, you rock!

Guilty Pleasure Wednesday

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

I admit it, I love Jay and Silent Bob. Bathroom humor? Yes, but is there really anything wrong with that? We have all the Kevin Smith movies and you can bet that when Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back is on TV (esp. late night Comedy Central or Encore) I will watch it. Something about Mark Hamill as C*ckKnocker and Carrie Fisher as a nun that cracks me up plus there is that geeky Star Wars side of me that loves it. There are so many blatent cameos and references to past Kevin Smith movies that it ties them all together. There is something simple but intellegent about Jay and Silent Bob and I have to admire anyone who can weed out any un-needed chatter and make the only words he says cut to the chase.

And then there was one...

Not only are the Jaywalkers done, so is the bag for my Knit Sock Kit pal. That leaves just one item on the needles and it is one that I am not too excited about so last night, I moved on. I have 2 stitch books from the library and am itching to design my own pair of socks. I started a sock but ended up frogging it when the lacel side panel was too big. I am going to try again tonight.

Hubyy also "surprised" me yesterday but taking everything off our bathroom walls to paint. The painting get delayed because of a dry wall issue but everything should be up and running by the end of the week. It is amazing how getting away from my morning routine can really throw me for a loop.

Have another round!

Here they are- the beer inspired socks. I would have like a bit more of the darker colors but overall, I think the yarn turned out well. Here are the stats:

Jaywalkers

Yarn: KnitPicks Bare dyed with Wilton's

Needles: Size 1 circ

I finished!

The beer inspired socks are done! I will try to get a pic tonight after work. That left me with only one WIP- the pink hat, which is still untouched. I signed up as an angel for the Knit Sock Kit Swap and am started a bag for that yesterday. It should be a quick 1-2 day project but I got sidelined last night after I burned my fingers while boiling sweet potatoes. Hopefully I can finish it tomorrow.

We spent yesterday watching football and bad movies- Just Like Heaven and Red Eye. Heaven was the typical Romantic Comedy (am I just to cynical for these) and Red Eye left alot of unanswered questions. Plus when you watch any movie taking place in a plane with someone who works on them, you get to hear every little detail about the plane and discrepancy in the movie. I guess it would be like watching Casino or Vegas Vacation with me. Love you honey!

Another addition to the weekend, I signed myself up to host a Partylite party at work. Note: I don't really burn candles at home but the 2 glasses of wine I had at a co-workers party suckered me in. Anyone interested in some over-priced candles?

Socks

Socktober hasn't been very eventful for me despite my high hopes at the beginning of the month. I have taken a few sock firsts this month- wearing my handknit sock in public and even wearing them to work! I will finish this pair of beer-inspired socks, most likely this weekend. I really like how the yarn is working with the pattern but I don't think you can go wrong with Jaywalkers.

I got a stitch book from the library yesterday and it is definetly circa 1984 but as I was thumbing through the pages, I came across this model. Does anyone else think this is Andi McDowell?

Tattoo you

So last night was supposed to be the big tatto night for Hubby. Appt was at 5:30pm on Capitol Hill, usually about a 30 min drive from our house. We didn't count on rain in Seattle mixed with a freeway full of bad drivers. Even so, we left about 4:15. At 5:45, we walked into the tattoo place. Yes, an hour and a half later! Nervous and irritated, hubby walked up to the counter only to be told that the tatoo artist didn't have enough time to do the tattoo now because we were late. We are hardly ever late to anything, in fact, we are usually annoyingly early. Of course the one time we are late, we are SOL. So hubby rescheduled for next Wed (last thing you want is a pissed off tattoo artist rushing your tattoo so she can catch the bus!) Hopefully there won't be any rain that day. Needless to say, we stopped to have a beer.

I had a bath last night with a bath bomb from LUSH. Surprise to me, it was grey and full of glitter. Not only does step-son's bathroom smell like flowers but there was a glittery grey ring around the tub and our couch and bed and my towel and pj's are full of sparkles. Fabulous!

Jaywalkers are moving along. I have finished the gusset and started the foot this morning. My foot is pretty small so I could get these done by the weekend. Next up for socks: Butterfly pattern, i think...

Cold Feets and cold beer

The turn in the weather may have boosted my sock knitting interest. Last night I only worked a few rounds, distracted by the "emergency" Soap Sack that step-son wanted and Dancing with the Stars. This morning before work, I knit 8 rounds! I am so glad step-son like to have the extra 1/2 hour to read before we head off to school, gives me extra knitting time.

Tonight, we'll see. Hubby is getting a tattoo (I actully can't wait to watch) and then we are going out for a beer at Elysian. Which brings me to this. The other night I noticed how much of my life revolves around beer. Mondays before PurlyGirls, I head to BottleWorks to buy a couple bottle (this week it was 6) of good beer at hubby's request. After that, I have a beer at the bar before knitting and then every night, we split at least one of the beers I bought (last night it was 2 big bottles). We are going to have a beer tonight and on Friday, we are head to Pacific Rim to try their pumpkin beer ( my 5th pumpkin beer of the year!). Does anyone else plan their drinking out like that? Scary!

Guilty Pleasure Wednesday

Ok. This one is really a no-brainer. ABBA. 70's clothes, up beat music, bad marriages. Enough said. Enjoy!

You can always get what you want...

Where is my Socktober inspiration? In my head, I was making a big dent in my sock yarn stash. In reality, I have finished 1/2 a pair in so far and Jaywalkers at that- a pretty quick pattern. I am looking up patterns to use for my other 17 skeins of sock yarn but I have no drive to actually knit them. Could I be developing knitter's ADD?

Time for a Quickie

I was a bit unmotivated last night as far as WIPs go, so I made a quick washcloth at PurlyGirls. These are going to be the perfect stocking stuffers and very quick to do.

I also had a knitting dream/nightmare last night. I had a black Lion Brand MicroSpun Irish Hiking Scarf that for some reason I loved. I wore it to PurlyGirls and all of a sudden found white specks on it that kept growing. Jessica to me they were the J Hook worms and I had to get rid of my knitting bag, stash and amy other projects that came in contact with it. THE HORROR!!!!! I think I had a bit too much CSI and knitting going on last night.

2 FO's

Finally pictures!

I finished 12:01 this weekend. It is still drying but here's the pic and details.

12:01 from Magknits
Yarn: Cascase 220
Needles: size 13

A bit late i know but here is my finished Sunrise Circle Jacket!

Sunrise Circle Jacket from IK Spring '06
Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in Amethyst Heather
Needles: Size 8

Sorry no pics

I got home last night wanted to knit so bad that I didn't think of taking any pictures for my blog but here are some updates. 12:01 is so much fun. I have finished the orange section and am ready to go with the stem area and handles except I don't think I have size 13 DPNs. Slight problem there. Another trip to Joann's in my future.

Jaywalkers are going too. I knit on those this morning and I really like how the yarn is working with the pattern.

I sent off my Hot Socks Swap package this morning with some Lorna's Laces that were really hard to give away. (again no pics, sorry but trust me, if you like pink and lavendar they rock!)

I am thinking about giving my MIL a magic yarn ball for her birthday using some cotton and a dishcloth pattern. Now I am on the hunt for small items to hid inside.

Here is a total aside: At work, I get faxes/emails from people looking to book their bands. Today I got one from the promotor of The Jets. Who knew they were still touring after 20 years? He also promotes Missing Persons, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Starship. Nice!

2 and a half months

My Christmas/Birthday list has started!

sock yarn scraps

I have developed quite a collection of sock yarn scraps. I am toying with a few ideas to use them up: make the world's ugliest pair of mis matched, multi-yarn sock, knit a scarf or hat by knitting it together with a worsted weight. I think I may have asked it before but what is your favorite cure for too-many sock-yarn-scraps-itis?

Guilty Pleasure Wednesday

80's action movies

Testosterone time. I have 2 brothers which meant lots of action flicks at our house growing up. I have seen them all. Commando, Red Dawn, Cobra, Kickboxer, Bloodsport, American Ninja, Red Heat, Rambo, Blind Fury, Universal Soldier, Marked for Death. Arnold, Jean-Claude, Sly, Steven, Dolph- I have seen them all in their oil-up, one-liner glory. I have to admit that deep down in my
pro-gun control, democratic self, I actually like these movies. I don't watch them often but once a year or so, I don't mind watching a little shoot-them-up action. Sure the plots are all the some (revenge for a loved one's death/kidnapping), and the accents are way too thick but if Hubby is going to watch Die Hard, I will be right there on the couch with him.

Thank you Jaywalker!

Finally! My beer inspired socks have taken some shape. I made progress last night at Purly Girls. These are soo much better than the other trys. I think I will give the basketweave pattern another go but most likely with a solid.


I also worked on 12:01 which I started last week. This a easy knit and I love it so far. The picture doesn't really show off the shape but it is amazing how much it already looks like a pumpkin. This will be great for Thanksgiving.

ETA: If you read my sidebar and progress on my current projects, you may have seen that the trellis scarf has been sidelined. After about 15 rows, I am trying to decided it I should frog and used another lace pattern. I will let you know...

The saga continues...

Hopefully third time is a charm on these socks. I didn't really knit much this weekend (see next paragraph) but I did sit down last night with the beer inspired socks which were changed to a basketweave pattern. I knit some rows and tried them on. Too big and the pattern wasn't showing up very well with the yarn. Frogged again. Now, I am going with Jaywalkers. Done them before and I know they fit. Socktoberfest is turing into- Let's-try-the-finish-this-one-pair -fest. I should make some progress tonight.

The weekend was full of food. Saturday we headed to Oktoberfest. Dance the polka, ate wiennerschnitzel, drank beer, watched some hammerschlagen. Sunday was worse. After a very successful yoga class, we drove about an hour to Oysterfest where we ate oysters as fritters, raw, BBQ and other seafood, drank beer and tasted wine. On the drive back, I fell asleep and woke up to my husband driving us to a casino. Played a bit but left after losing. Then we headed to a local winery. Tasted more wine and bought some. Headed home via the ferry and went to sushi for dinner. Yes, it was the day of raw seafood and alcohol. We were thinking that if we got sick, we would not be able to pin-point the cause but I am here today so everything must have been safe.

Ever have one of those knitting days?

So yesterday morning, I had some issues with the Willow Bud pattern and undid the 10 stitches of the pattern I had done. All day yesterday, I thought of what pattern I was going to do instead. After dinner, I sat down and found a eyelet rib pattern and started. By row 3, I was so mixed up- not by the pattern but by the 2 glasses of wine I had. Bad move. I ended up frogging the whole thing and started over from the beginning, this time with a basketweave pattern. While watching CSI, I knit the top of the cuff.

I got up this morning, energized to continue on the rib, sat down and realized my k2, p2 rib was off that the end of the needles. Yes, I had a section of knit4 on one end and purl 4 on the other. Wonderful! Did I frog? No, I started in with the corrected pattern figuring that the mistake was really just some added character for the sock. Proof that it is handmade, right?

change of plans

So no more Willow pattern socks. After half a row of P3Tog, K3Tog, P3Tog all in the same three stitches, I couldn't take it and was envisioning days on end of cursing this pattern. So tonight I will move on with another pattern.

Socktober Socks #1

Last night, I finished my Dublin Bay Socks. Excuse the odd picture. I really need to buy some blockers. Anyway, here's the info:

Dublin Bay Socks from Mossy Cottage Knits
Yarn: Socks That Rock in Metamorphic (thanks Amy!)
Size 1 Addi needles in Magic Loop

Next up: Beer inspired socks using the Willow Bud pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks. I think the willow buds could be mistaken for hops!

Socktober questions and answers

When did you start making socks? March 2006

Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? Taught myself with help from the web

What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time? Loopy socks from KnitPicks (minus the loops) that I have not worn

What would you have done differently? Measured my foot, used smaller needles

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed? Trekking, STR, Lorna's Laces, Knitpicks Memories

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method? Magic Loop all the way

Which kind of heel do you prefer? flap

How many pairs have you made? About 8

Knitting news: I an decreasing the toe on my STR Dublin Bay socks today. Should be done tonight. I spent 2 hours sewing the toggles on Sunrise last night and actually wore it to work this morning even though it is in the mid-60's today. Can't wait to start 12:01!

Guilty Pleasure Wednesday...a little early

Three's Company

Tuesday night meant 3 things to me as a kid; Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley and Three's Company- the triple threat on ABC. I am sure half the jokes were totally lost on a six year old but I felt like I was getting away with something by being able to watch this show.

I found myself watching 2 episodes of Three's Company the other day and again tonight. Once in a while TVLand plays a marathon and yep, I am there too. Sure, Chrissy gets annoying with the snort/laugh and Cindy was a bad replacement but the double entendres and misunderstandings make up for it. Even though it is 30 years old, but give me Three's Company over Two and a Half Men any day.

BTW: Keep an eye out for the episode where they try to hide a puppy from the Ropers. Rumor has it John Ritter has nothing on under his robe and a little something pops out to say hi.

Gang's all here

Here's an update on my projects: Sunrise Circle Jacket fits great. I have bought the clasp and just need to sew them on. Today would have been the perfect day to wear it but damn my procrastinating self.

Dublin Bay socks are coming along. I finished the gussets last night and am in the home stretch.

I started the pink hat and got lot done at Purly Girls last night. I am not sure how long this will be to have to wrap around my neck but I do know I have a ways to go.

I also made a small purchase yesterday. Hubby came to pick me up for lunch and had read my post about 12:01. He had printed out the pattern and was going to buy the yarn but couldn't find 220 at Joann's or Michael's. So he told me to go the store after work and get the yarn. (reason #1442 why I love him).

12:01

This makes me want to buy orange yarn!

Weekend knitting

I went for some fairly easy projects this weekend. I finished 2 wash clothes (yes, they are addicting). Sunrise Circle Jacket is all finished except for the toggles but I may be doing clasps instead. I also started the pink hat and actually went through my stash to find other yarn for some stripes. It has been a while since I knit a hat in the round and I forgot how calming just plain knitting can be.

Socktoberfest is here and I have turned the heel on the STR socks. I am excited to knit up the beer yarn but am going to finish these first since I only have 1 pair of size 1 circs.

Sorry- not to many pics since everything is packed up for Purly Girls tonight. I will take some tonight to share.