I have this little feller hopping up and down ourside our front window - either he's courting himself or defending his territory against that Other bird in the window. Crazy, I tell ya. Apparently, he's not hurting himself - he keeps coming back no matter what we do!
ETA - We put up a window decal - he was just at it all the time! From what I know about birds, and cardinals, I'm pretty sure he thinks he's defending his "territory" - but Damn! I don't want him to hurt himself. So far, he hasn't been back since the decal went up. We don't have a cat - and the dogs don't seem to phase him in the least. He's been very determined up until now!! He doesn't seem to be hurting himself - but I don't want to take that chance!
Although I don’t think I set any World Records here, this is a record knit for me. That teeny ball next to them – that’s what I had left – and it’s really not that bad – it’s probably almost an ounce but it won’t even register on my scale. I shouldn’t have doubted I would have enough – but when you do patterning like this, I tend to think it eats up more yarn than the average pattern. Oh! Another fun fact – these are sized for a womans “small” but they fit my size 10’s fine – they have a lot of give and I’m glad I didn’t add a repeat after all.
Pattern: Child’s First Sock In Shell Pattern by Nancy Bush from Knitting Vintage Socks
Yarn: Sophie’s Toes in Weekend Getaway
Needles: US 1’s
Started: June 21, 2007
Finished: June 26, 2007
Whew! Now, my big dilemma – what sock patterns do I want to take with me to knit on vacation? Best make up my mind soon, as we leave in a little over a day. While I was photgraphing this pair, I just happened to count the other handknit socks in my drawer and I’m impressed to say I’ve got 15 pair – three of which have their “dates” missing – but I know they’re around here somewhere! Probably stuck to someone’s t-shirt, or sweatpants – or in someone’s room – I”m not saying who – it could be anyone. It could be me, in fact. But if I wasn’t so busy not packing, I’d be tearing things apart around here, looking for them.
I do know the Shoalwater Shawl, Chevron Scarf and Josephine are coming with me – just have to decide on a sock. No problem if I don’t, there are at least three yarns shops I’m sure I could scrape something up in if I can’t make my mind up here…….And I have to remember to leave room to bring yarn home with me!
So, I’ll be back, and hopefully with some finished knits to show for it!
By habit and obsession I am a Knitter/Spinner and dare I say crocheter – but one of my other pursuits is amatuer Photography. DH took me all the way to Greenbrook yesterday just so I could get a new lens for my Canon – because the kit lens that I’ve been using for nearly two years, basically sucks ass, and I’ve done way more than a reasonable person could expect with it. Of course, when we came home, I had to run around trying it out – and the sun was blaring like the fire of a thousand suns – and that is not so great for taking photo’s. Stoopid sun. Anywho, that’s when you start to walk around in the shade and scrounge for some decent shots. I like the way this came out – it’s interesting light and shadows just appeals to me. Plus my Aunt has, ahem, requested that I start making more of an appearance on my photography site – so, Poo, this one’s for you!
Managed to finish up the first Child’s Sock late last night – once you start on those last rows, you just can’t put the sock down. I weighed the skein before I started and we weighed in at 102 g. I’m really concerned about the yardage on this one. I now have used 44 g for the first sock – or so my scale says. The ball is weighing in at 57 g. So, theoretically – I should have plenty of yarn, yes? Yeah, that’s what i’m going to go with. I shall cast on the second today – but it’s packing days for vacation – and I don’t think I’ll get much done on it before we leave – but I’m sure I’ll come back with a finished sock. I best pack up another pair to bring. It amazes me how one pair can take a week – and yet another – 3 months. I really like this pattern, it’s easy to semi-memorize, it’s fun, it seems to grow fast even though it’s knit on 1’s – really a pleasure to knit.
And of course, since there is packing to be done, the weather has gone and got distincly Sauna-like. I hope it’s cooler up north!
….And had a great time, as usual. I’m so glad I’m a part of this Knitting Group. What a group of the nicest ladies. We had a smaller group today – but still there were 5 of us and Leslie dropped by with her son and a friend to say hello – it was good to see her, since she missed last meeting and the yarn crawl. Beth brought along her sister, who is not a knitter, but seemed very content just to sit and chat with us. Even one of the staff at Pan??ra, a young guy, came over to ask was I knitting a sock, a former girlfriend of his had taught him to knit. We usually get one or two people who straggle over and just start to talk to one or all of us about knitting – it’s nice to have the interest. I’m so glad Jeanne started this group up – it’s really nice to sit and see what everyone else it up to, and share idea’s and advice.And because I had to get that middle finger off the top of my page – there is the sock I’m working on right now. The colors aren’t too far off, but the lighting is just not good right now. I’m doing a nice job of rotating my projects – worked on the Shoalwater shawl a bit this morning – save the sock and scarf for TV knitting and pull out Josephine every other day or so – I plan on getting a lot done on her over vacation and hopefully will have a ready to block knit when I get home. It’s a really beautiful day today – it’s not too hot, in fact, I wore Icarus out for the first time today to knitting group. The boys have been working on the camper while I was gone – which is nice. I’ll have to start the packing of the important things – food, linens and what not in the next few days. This time next week – I’ll be vacationing with my family! For a really well written essay on Family Camping – go visit What Housework and scroll down to read Jessie’s wonderfully written piece – it really struck a note with me!
A bit fragile and dependent on your friends, you’re not nearly as hostile as you seem.
You are balanced, easy to get along with, and quite serious.
However, you can get angry and fed up with those around you. And you aren’t afraid to show it!You get along well with: The Index FingerStay away from: The Pinky
Although, I beg to differ on the “fragile” thing. Really. Yanked this from Lorena. Which explains why we get along.
Oh, and by the way – we are experiencing in our town, quite the building explosion. We now have an “Active Adult Community” going in, downtown by the railroad tracks. I guess they’d better be active, ifn’ they’re going to be dodging those trains. And not for anything, but when was the last time you drove by one of these construction projects and saw a sign like “Loungeville…….a brand new Lazy Ass Adult Community”????
If you do see one, please, snap a photo and send it my way!
Why, what have we here? Two ball’s of Koigu? What could I possibly do with these two balls of beautiful yarn?
I could start another Chevron Scarf!!! Holy Moly – I think I’m addicted. No sooner did I cast off the first scarf, put it in the wool soak and wound these two balls to start another. I’ve even got another planned, too. Is there a Chevron intervention group? Should I be worried. It’s not like I’m not getting anything else done.
For instance. Since Jeanne thinks her fiber room is at my house – ahem – after I moved up my fabric stash today and weeded through everything, I found the perfect fabric to recover the disgusting cushions that were hiding behind the big ole blanket I had draped over the chair. And that dark blanket was bringing the room down. So I whipped up new covers – and I do mean whip. These aren’t fancy by any means. Just plain ole stitched up covers, no piping etc. But they do the trick, brighten up that chair and it’s ready to rock (pun intended) and be comfy for any visiting knitters I have.
While I was folding fabric, stitching covers and working on the scarf, I got to listening to this new to me podcast – KnitWit – Rantings of a Rabid Knitter. Have you ever? Funny as hell. I really enjoy listening to Carry – she’s very refreshing. Her podcasts aren’t too long either, so you can fit in quite a few even if you don’t have that much time.
I’ve also had a bit more time to play around on Ravelry – I’ve even entered some projects and they’ve made it incredibly easy to upload your photo’s from flickr – and since I’m an flickridiot, this is very, very cool to me. I’m “dropstitchknittr” over there and if you friend me, I’ll friend you back! It’s really a great site – the navigation is so easy and self explanatory, the features are just amazing – and I’m really enjoying entering in the projects I’ve just finished/just started. I can’t wait to get to enter in some stash – once it’s all been located and centralized for processing, that is. It will be a drawer by drawer process once I get going, and that will make it easier. From what I read yesterday, they’re going to be working on the site full time which will hopefully speed up the time frame that it will be available to everyone. They’ve done a wonderful job and it’s a great resource for knitters. You can find their blog here and read what they’re up to.
And Props to Laurie for finding that killer Lexie Barnes bag for me!
And I stumbled across this while reading my blogs today and ended up ordering one of these row counter bracelets from CrimsonOrchid on etsy. It will probably come in extremely handy (get it) when I’m camping and somebody moves my row counter off the camp table. Ahem. Very cool idea and I can’t wait to get it.
Remember that Lexie Barnes bag I just won on Thursday? Cathi, all the way over in Ireland, packaged that up and mailed it out to me on Friday. It arrived Yesterday. Monday. As in two days after she mailed it. Two. From Ireland. Ahem. USPS? Can I ask why something takes 10 days First Class to get from NJ to MD but something alllllll the way from Ireland? Amazing. Needless to say, I’m thrilled with it. It is big. It is perfect for camping. I don’t have to worry about it getting all smutzed up, because it’s just wipe clean easy. No blechy plastic smell either – it’s just a nice, quality bag – thanks Cathi!! And considering Mercury is in retrograde right now, and nothing mechanical seems to be working as it should – I’ve had to upload all of these photo’s twice – I’m really impressed with the postal speed right now.
It’s not nearly packed, but it will be. Our camping trip is fast approaching! I can’t wait – we totally skipped vacation last year and we are all actually really looking forward to getting away as a family.
The Blob. Or, the beginnings of the Shoalwater Shawl. The yarn is just wonderful to work with – Claudia Silk Lace – and the color is just amazingly deep – this photo is a tad off – morning light not great today – and now that my deck is gone and I have to use the porch – sigh. It’s just not the same. But once the patio is in, I’ll be back to my good photog spot.
In the meantime – for a truly Breathtaking Shawl, please go see Miss Alice Faye and the stunning masterpiece she’s completed – words just won’t do it justice.
Have you seen Jeanne’s fresh off the needles Lutea? It’s just lovely. Really has me itching to grab that cotton ease I have in the stash and cast on. But that would be against my PMP – Project Management Plan. In case you’re not familar with that term – let me ‘esplain. No. Let me sum up. In order to keep my projects somewhat under control, and based on my compulsive need to cast on anything lately, I’ve decided I can have as many projects going as long as they meet the following criteria. There can be only one “type” of project going at any given time. One sweater. One scarf. One pair of socks. One tank top. You see where this is going. If I stick to the Rule Of One, I somehow feel the guilt drain away, and I’m ok with it. So casting on for Lutea right now, when Josephine (a tank top) is still on the needles would be a direct violation of PMP. I think this system could catch on, so spread the word.
If you’d like a chance to win this pin, or one of the many, many other prizes people have donated, click on over to Claudia’s MS Ride and make a donation. You can check out all the other prizes over at Claudia’s Blog, too. Hurry on up, there’s still time!!
Well, I’m glad to say I’ve another FO to add to the list – and wardrobe. My Sailor’s Rib Socks are done, done, Done!!!
Started – April 10, 2007
Finished – June 17, 2007 – long time knitting these.
Yarn – Regia Silk
Pattern – Sailors Ribbing, a Five Stitch Pattern from Charlene Schurch’s More Sensational Knitted Socks. I have both of her sock books and although I think the first one is easier to follow then the second, you really can’t go wrong with either one of her books. Loads of patterns, and more importantly many choices on how to knit them up. She really covers it all.
And with every FO, there is always something that ends up in the frog pond – no?
Good bye, dear Deck. You’ve been good to us.
My DH and DS’s celebrated Father’s Day this year by doing some family demolishion. In preparation for a patio we will be getting installed – hopefully sooner rather than later, because – let’s face it, that’s a big drop down from the slider and those step, however ingenius of my older DS – are just an accident waiting for me to happen. I will use the small porch to reach ground level – thankyouverymuch. I know our boys are mostly grown – but it was such an eye-opener to see them working their asses off with their Dad – I seem to have two ways of thinking about them now – little wee babies, and these men they are now. What a contrast! Of course I remember all the middle stuff – it’s just gone so fast! I kept them in cool drinks and also did the repairing of the camper “holes” from the uninvited guest we had over the winter – bastid mice. And I snuck in enough knitting time in my studio to finish the socks. I was also able to maintain my schedule of the “movage” by cleaning out the antique dresser in preparation of moving my fabric stash up – which seems to get smaller when I am looking at the antique dresser, but then exponetially larger as I’m standing downstairs actually LOOKING at it. Hmmm. I may have to condense things a bit. I do tend to oversave every scrap of fabric and I might need to rethink that. But spending time in the studio, knitting, or sewing the curtains for the camper – listening to the newest podcast that Jeanne recommended to me – Lixie Knits it - well, I really can’t complain about much!
My aim this week – other than tracking down the mason to pin down a patio installation date – finish my first Chevron scarf – and I do mean first – I’ve got at least two more in the que!
What’s a knitter to do with a 20% off coupon for one of their favorite yarn stores???
No Sheep For you, 4 Skeins of Claudia Handpainted for another Chevron Scarf – New straight 5’s for the, ahem, sat upon ones. and some stitch markers for lace.
As luck would have it, Jeanne was able to work her flex day today, so this afternoon we moseyed on over to The Cracker Barrel for lunch and headed on over to the Wooly Lamb. I really enjoy that store – even though they didn’t have the needles I originally wanted – it’s hard not to find something to buy there, especially with a 20% off coupon!!! Jeanne and I were within .35 cents of each other, spending wise – how funny is that!
And then, because I’ve been telling her for weeks – I taught Jeanne to crochet!! And she looks happy about it, too! No cussing, magic loop style even! I’m impressed, she caught on so fast and her stitches are very nice and even. Plus we got to hang out in the “studio” and it was nice. I can see spending a lot of time in this room with my friends.
A little more eye candy – this is my very special new Posy Sock Sack from Nana Sadie Rose!!!!! Sallee makes the most amazing bags, and once I saw these wonderful Sock Sacks, I had to have one. It’s the perfect size to tote around that pair of socks in progress and I can see myself using this constantly. This one has butterflies and dragonflies on it, wonderful pockets on the inside and it’s just perfect. Sallee makes these and many more bags at her site, so go take a look around – the quality, workwomanship and artistry that goes into her bags is just amazing.
Look at this amazing button!!!! Thanks so much Sallee – I truely love it!
What a great way to start the weekend – hope you all have a good one – and Happy Father’s Day to all those Dads out there!!
Part of my “work” today – be jeweled shawl pins – in the shop soon!
And because I know Rox is dying to see this picture………
Laurie at MD…………she looks happy, no? I told Laurie I had a bad photo of her from MD that I was gonna post to repay her kindness to Me and Jeanne – but I couldn’t do it.
Today was busy. First, I won this on ebay!!!! In the Baja fabric. I’m tooo stinkin excited about it – first, because I really, really wanted this bag and second because I really, really wanted this bag!! I won! I won! I WON!
Ok, then while coasting on the high one only gets from winning an auction, I programmed the Nav system in the car and off I went to IKea – for the first time ever in my life. No kidding. Never been. It was awe inspiring to say the least. I purchased a new chair (in beech with natural alme cushion) for my studio and 4 containers for the big shelf units in the room. Then Fathers Day shopping for the DH, then food shopping. After unpacking and putting away all the foodstuffs, there was lunching with the DS2 and then we put my new chair together. This is what is getting him out of snapping my brittany 5 needles which were in use on the Chevron scarf. sigh. Now, I must buy another pair of needles. sigh. Anyway, I spent the time after than doing a bit more organizing in my room, and making all those pins. Whew. I think I’ll sit back and do a bit of knitting on the Shoalwater shawl – since I can’t knit on the scarf right now, ahem.
And, I’ve had my invite to Ravelry since last Thursday, and I’ve been able to enter a little bit in, but not as much as I’d like to. I may just have to closet myself into my studio, and have at it!
Posted by Christianne 
Posted by Christianne 
Posted by Christianne 
