Yippee! I'll need socks, too! We had a freeze overnight, though it's now up to 39 deg F.
I had lofty aspirations to get up early & go shopping. I hate shopping. [If I'd buy a lottery ticket - I keep forgetting to do that - and WIN, I'd hired a personal shopper who would shop for everything except my clothes and my yarn.] Until then, I have to do my own shopping. I hate shopping even worse on weekends. So...the plan was to go early. But, I couldn't get out of bed. After this week back at work [Sept. is our busiest time of the year], I was absolutely shattered by last evening.
Missed my departure for early shopping before the crowds arrive, so I made a pot of coffee [1/2 decaf, 1/2 caf] and started catching up on other bloggers. I could do this all day.
But, it's Mother Hubbard's Cupboard out in my kitchen AND I'm out of laundry detergent. So, I've gotta go shopping. Feel the dread? I'm not agoraphobic, I just don't like crowds...not even small city, Midwestern crowds! When I have to queue up with my shopping cart [trolley, buggy] to get to the oatmeal, I could scream.
OTN: The beginning of sock 2 of the Move Your F@nny pair. Ooh, that could be what I knit during The Game today. Uh-Oh - gotta get going so I can get back before kickoff.
ALSO: the 2nd slipper of a pair for CIC. Using double stranded worsted Wool of the Andes - left over from the BSJ.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Finished Baby Surprise Jacket
Hmmm...I need to get the manual out and learn how to take better digital photos -- these are too dark.This was my first BSJ and it turned out surprisingly well. Especially since I've never seen a real one in person.
The back - before closing the seam. EZ's directions say to "weave" the seam closed. Or something like that. So I just did a whip stitch type of closure. However, I've seen several photos online where the seams were crocheted. I like the look of that, so if I ever do another, I'll try it.
I thought the sleeves looked too short. I found some photos online where cuffs had been added. So, I picked up stitches from the cast on edges and did 2 inches of k2, p2.Also did one row of crochet around the neck. If there's a next time, I'd do either a collar, or an I-cord trim around the neck.
Need to add buttons. Not sure if I'll keep this first one, for the heck of it, or pass it on to a charity.
Pattern: Elizabeth Zimmermann's BSJ [from the Knitting Workshop book]
Yarn: KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in Evergreen, Holly Berry, and Redwood Forest; also Patons Natural Wool.
Needle: 29" circular Size 4
Modification: added the cuffs
What I Did on My Summer Vacation
Some year I'd like to have one of those vacations where people "don't do anything." Maybe I could rent a cabin or a camper for a week. Take a book and all my knitting supplies along. And just sit and read/knit. A little hiking each day would be OK, too.
My vacations tend to be Drive There & Back, Go, See, Do. Busy, busy, busy. Not too restful. But, they ARE fun, enjoyable, and much too short!
It's 802 miles from my house to my sister's. We drove it in one day and I always think about the pioneers who took months to cross the same distance. What would they think of I-80?!
It ended up that I drove the entire way out as DD1 drove my brother's car while he napped. [He worked in Illinois until 1 a.m. then drove 100 miles to his home-for-one-more-week-before-he-moves-to-Illinois, slept for a few hours, then drove 2.5 hours to meet us along I-80. Interestingly, he arrived just a few minutes after we got to the convenience stop.] Dang, Nebraska goes on forever. And then there's Cheyenne. Wind was from the north so we got the full effect of the refineries. What a stink! Cheyenne is where I saw a plane crash a few years ago. Luckily, the only one I've ever seen. Unluckily, there were two fatalities.
We arrived at my sister's before dark. I used to live only a few miles from her place, so I could have easily driven there after dark, but DD1 & I wanted to see the sun set behind the mtns. [Well, technically, from that close, one sees the sun set behind the foothills.] Impressive non-the-less, especially when we now see it set behind cornfields. Just not the same effect.
My sister-from-So.Carolina was already there. [Good to see ya, Pud!] Didn't really do a whole lot on Friday - we were all tuckered out from our travels. But, while Bro took samples of his home brew to Boulder, and mother stayed in, the rest of us took a short drive into the foothills - to the Rock. [That one I *thought* DD1 and I could hike to ... we'll do it next time.] Had BeauJo's pizza for supper. [Worth the 802 mile drive, let me tell ya!]
On Saturday, my sister-who-now-lives-in So. Cal. and family came up for a visit. On Sunday we all went to Denver for the open house reception for newly wedded nephew & new niece-in-law. We were there about 5 hours altogether. What fun! Saw lots of family/ friends/ acquaintances, including a "girl" I used to babysit for when I was a teenager. Her mom was there, too, and we talked long about genealogy - she recently got into it and she's hooked. It was so much fun comparing notes, sharing tips, etc.
Bro drove home on Monday. And us girls & DD1 drove up into the mtns. - west about 45 miles. It rained and I wondered if we went far enough, could we get into snow? Nobody wanted to check it out, so we went back to my sister's using a different, but very scenic, route. *If* I'd win the lottery, I have two places picked out for new homes. [They tell me I'd have a better chance of winning, if I'd start buying tickets. Ya think?] The place that won my heart has a few drawbacks: 1) I'd have to haul in all the water, 2) I could be snowed in for months, and 3) I wouldn't have highspeed internet - and satellite TV might be tricky with those Rockies in the way.
OK - so the place out on the plains with the fantastic panorama view would be the winner...if I won. I wonder if BeauJo's delivers out there?
On Tuesday we drove back to Denver. Mom met some old-time friends for lunch in Arvada, DD1 went to the Denver Art Museum. [Not at all handicapped friendly. "Doesn't she have her OWN wheelchair?" No, she broke her leg. She just has crutches. I'm leaving her here for four hours, so she'll need a wheelchair. ...We did get a wheelchair for her with only a small bit of hassle.] My sisters & I went to the genealogy section of the DPL - not too fruitful a search, but it convinced me that, yes, I do want to rejoin the NEGHS for the online databases access.
We drove back home on Wednesday and got a late enough start that it was dark a couple hours before arriving home. But, like I said, it was a busy week, but full of family, friends, and fun. Everyone arrived safely back at LAX, John Wayne Int., and ATL, and those driving also had good trips home. PTL!
And, I knit on the Baby Surprise Jacket. But, not in the car.
My vacations tend to be Drive There & Back, Go, See, Do. Busy, busy, busy. Not too restful. But, they ARE fun, enjoyable, and much too short!
It's 802 miles from my house to my sister's. We drove it in one day and I always think about the pioneers who took months to cross the same distance. What would they think of I-80?!
It ended up that I drove the entire way out as DD1 drove my brother's car while he napped. [He worked in Illinois until 1 a.m. then drove 100 miles to his home-for-one-more-week-before-he-moves-to-Illinois, slept for a few hours, then drove 2.5 hours to meet us along I-80. Interestingly, he arrived just a few minutes after we got to the convenience stop.] Dang, Nebraska goes on forever. And then there's Cheyenne. Wind was from the north so we got the full effect of the refineries. What a stink! Cheyenne is where I saw a plane crash a few years ago. Luckily, the only one I've ever seen. Unluckily, there were two fatalities.
We arrived at my sister's before dark. I used to live only a few miles from her place, so I could have easily driven there after dark, but DD1 & I wanted to see the sun set behind the mtns. [Well, technically, from that close, one sees the sun set behind the foothills.] Impressive non-the-less, especially when we now see it set behind cornfields. Just not the same effect.
My sister-from-So.Carolina was already there. [Good to see ya, Pud!] Didn't really do a whole lot on Friday - we were all tuckered out from our travels. But, while Bro took samples of his home brew to Boulder, and mother stayed in, the rest of us took a short drive into the foothills - to the Rock. [That one I *thought* DD1 and I could hike to ... we'll do it next time.] Had BeauJo's pizza for supper. [Worth the 802 mile drive, let me tell ya!]
On Saturday, my sister-who-now-lives-in So. Cal. and family came up for a visit. On Sunday we all went to Denver for the open house reception for newly wedded nephew & new niece-in-law. We were there about 5 hours altogether. What fun! Saw lots of family/ friends/ acquaintances, including a "girl" I used to babysit for when I was a teenager. Her mom was there, too, and we talked long about genealogy - she recently got into it and she's hooked. It was so much fun comparing notes, sharing tips, etc.
Bro drove home on Monday. And us girls & DD1 drove up into the mtns. - west about 45 miles. It rained and I wondered if we went far enough, could we get into snow? Nobody wanted to check it out, so we went back to my sister's using a different, but very scenic, route. *If* I'd win the lottery, I have two places picked out for new homes. [They tell me I'd have a better chance of winning, if I'd start buying tickets. Ya think?] The place that won my heart has a few drawbacks: 1) I'd have to haul in all the water, 2) I could be snowed in for months, and 3) I wouldn't have highspeed internet - and satellite TV might be tricky with those Rockies in the way.
OK - so the place out on the plains with the fantastic panorama view would be the winner...if I won. I wonder if BeauJo's delivers out there?
On Tuesday we drove back to Denver. Mom met some old-time friends for lunch in Arvada, DD1 went to the Denver Art Museum. [Not at all handicapped friendly. "Doesn't she have her OWN wheelchair?" No, she broke her leg. She just has crutches. I'm leaving her here for four hours, so she'll need a wheelchair. ...We did get a wheelchair for her with only a small bit of hassle.] My sisters & I went to the genealogy section of the DPL - not too fruitful a search, but it convinced me that, yes, I do want to rejoin the NEGHS for the online databases access.
We drove back home on Wednesday and got a late enough start that it was dark a couple hours before arriving home. But, like I said, it was a busy week, but full of family, friends, and fun. Everyone arrived safely back at LAX, John Wayne Int., and ATL, and those driving also had good trips home. PTL!
And, I knit on the Baby Surprise Jacket. But, not in the car.
Back from Vacation
The past 12 days have been heavenly. Busy, but oh-so-nice! Don't get me wrong. I really do like my job. But, I have to admit that I'm not truly anxious to get back to it. The next three weeks at work will be very busy, plus my "performance evaluation" is scheduled during that time. I do a good job, but my boss "has to" include some negative comments ... so I have something to improve upon during the following year. Odd, but that's how the system works there.
But, I can come home each evening and knit! The new CIC project [that runs till the end of the month] is for little kids socks. [I thought that's what we were doing for the summer.] So, I think I can use the four pair I have completed and knit more to send! Fun, relaxing, and miles from work! Hey, knitting on the little kids' socks is a mini-vacation in itself! Knitting, movies, football, baseball -- and woohoo! -- it's not long before hockey season starts. All adds up to R&R!
But, I can come home each evening and knit! The new CIC project [that runs till the end of the month] is for little kids socks. [I thought that's what we were doing for the summer.] So, I think I can use the four pair I have completed and knit more to send! Fun, relaxing, and miles from work! Hey, knitting on the little kids' socks is a mini-vacation in itself! Knitting, movies, football, baseball -- and woohoo! -- it's not long before hockey season starts. All adds up to R&R!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
August Socks, or Where DOES the time go?
I last posted a week ago? Seems like a few days ago...or a few months ago. Too darned busy these days. But the little bit of knitting I have time for is such a respite!
My "August socks" will not be done this month. They'll be my October socks, with luck. However I do have official August sock contributions for SAM4! Earlier in the month I knit 3 pair of little kids socks for CIC (and a pair in July.) Here's the photo. KnitPicks Wool of the Andes (worsted) and size 5 (i think) dpns.
I still have to pack for my vacation -- leaving dark & early tomorrow and driving straight through. Can't wait to get back to the mountains. These cornfields leave a lot to be desired :-)
I'm taking the Baby Surprise Jacket along, but not setting any goals about finishing it while I'm gone. I'll be staying at my sister's (just 3 miles from my old place) - and I plan to visit my previous workplace on Friday. Fun! I recently discovered, by accident that a former co-worker is on staff with Interweave Press. Now That's exciting!!!
DD1 is going along -- and the ortho surgeon said today -- NO weight on that leg - it's not healed yet! Bad bones due to her life long lactose intolerance. So he's got her on 1500 mg Calcium a day and now 50,000 IU of Vit D twice a week!!!!!!! She can drive though, thank goodness!
My "August socks" will not be done this month. They'll be my October socks, with luck. However I do have official August sock contributions for SAM4! Earlier in the month I knit 3 pair of little kids socks for CIC (and a pair in July.) Here's the photo. KnitPicks Wool of the Andes (worsted) and size 5 (i think) dpns.
I still have to pack for my vacation -- leaving dark & early tomorrow and driving straight through. Can't wait to get back to the mountains. These cornfields leave a lot to be desired :-)I'm taking the Baby Surprise Jacket along, but not setting any goals about finishing it while I'm gone. I'll be staying at my sister's (just 3 miles from my old place) - and I plan to visit my previous workplace on Friday. Fun! I recently discovered, by accident that a former co-worker is on staff with Interweave Press. Now That's exciting!!!
DD1 is going along -- and the ortho surgeon said today -- NO weight on that leg - it's not healed yet! Bad bones due to her life long lactose intolerance. So he's got her on 1500 mg Calcium a day and now 50,000 IU of Vit D twice a week!!!!!!! She can drive though, thank goodness!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Surprise!
...as in Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket! I kept looking at yarn in the tote I keep in my bedroom. Kept thinking, "This would be great for a BSJ. One of these days. If I ever get around to it." Then I got EZ's Knitting Workshop from the library. I studied the page with the pattern....there HAS to be more to it than this. Right?
Couldn't help it. I had to cast on. I'm nearly down to the 90 stitches. I'm thinking maybe the pattern in the book IS all there is to it.
I've been warned before to just follow the pattern and don't analyze it. I'm trying! Here's a look at the project - took the photo just minutes ago....
Couldn't help it. I had to cast on. I'm nearly down to the 90 stitches. I'm thinking maybe the pattern in the book IS all there is to it.
I've been warned before to just follow the pattern and don't analyze it. I'm trying! Here's a look at the project - took the photo just minutes ago....
Move Your F@nny update
One almost done - just need to kitchener. The second sock is OTN, but I started another project. Couldn't help it. Here's a photo of the first MYF sock. 
Sport's 4 years old!
He's getting to be such a big little man! The party was last weekend and I took loads of photos, but I'll only post a few :-)
And here's Buster the little brother
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Note to Self
I knit the "Move Your F@nny" socks for Mother. Before beginning the toe section, I tried one of the socks on to see how they fit. A bit too snug for my wider feet. So, when I started the pair I'm currently working on for myself, I decided to cast on four extra stitches. That sounded reasonable. I just needed a little more width to the sock.
The original pattern says to CO 62 - an even number.
I added four stitches to make 66 - also an even number.
I didn't find it odd to be knitting 33 instep and 33 sole stitches until I started working on the short row toes. Major DUH moment. I'm doing short row toes - I really should have an even number of stitches. No wonder I had such a #%@* time with the heel...my stitch count was always [what I thought] off. Very odd that I didn't realized WHY I was having a problem. [Can't blame drugs or alcohol. Maybe listening to Harry Potter on cd? Yeah, that's my excuse.]
So last night [while listening to HP6 on cd -- and occassionally nodding off] I got to the end of the toe & turned the corner. Might be able to finish the first sock today. Maybe not. I've got to go shopping - It's Sport's 4th bd today and I haven't bought anything for him yet. I know what I'm going to get - just have to go.... His party isn't till supper time - so I've got plenty of time. I'm trying to wait out the monsoon rains we're getting this morning!
The note to myself: do 2nd sock the same as the first, this time. BUT...make a big notation on the pattern to, if I ever do this one again for myself, CO68 stitches -- or use size 2 needles instead of 1.5???
The original pattern says to CO 62 - an even number.
I added four stitches to make 66 - also an even number.
I didn't find it odd to be knitting 33 instep and 33 sole stitches until I started working on the short row toes. Major DUH moment. I'm doing short row toes - I really should have an even number of stitches. No wonder I had such a #%@* time with the heel...my stitch count was always [what I thought] off. Very odd that I didn't realized WHY I was having a problem. [Can't blame drugs or alcohol. Maybe listening to Harry Potter on cd? Yeah, that's my excuse.]
So last night [while listening to HP6 on cd -- and occassionally nodding off] I got to the end of the toe & turned the corner. Might be able to finish the first sock today. Maybe not. I've got to go shopping - It's Sport's 4th bd today and I haven't bought anything for him yet. I know what I'm going to get - just have to go.... His party isn't till supper time - so I've got plenty of time. I'm trying to wait out the monsoon rains we're getting this morning!
The note to myself: do 2nd sock the same as the first, this time. BUT...make a big notation on the pattern to, if I ever do this one again for myself, CO68 stitches -- or use size 2 needles instead of 1.5???
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Pre-K
As mentioned previously - I've been sidetracked. When I've been knitting, it's been on little kid's socks. Here's proof. I'll kitchener the toes on the weekend and post a new photo & specs.Now I'm back to MY Move Your F@nny socks (still on first sock...but nearing the toe part.) Also trying to finish up the last six audio-cds of Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince.
16850 - 0
I did it. I got on the Ravelry list & I checked immediately to see my status. Ha! 16850 ahead of me and 0 behind. Good Lord.
Oh, well. I'm really hoping I'll get my invite sometime in December when I'll have a couple weeks off work (or is that wishful thinking - to think it will be that soon?)
Oh, well. I'm really hoping I'll get my invite sometime in December when I'll have a couple weeks off work (or is that wishful thinking - to think it will be that soon?)
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
F@nny's not Moving & Knitting with Black
I laid my "Move Your F@nny" [in TOFUtsies] down over the weekend to work on CIC socks for little kids. I'm only in the middle of the instep/arch ribbing on the first one - and this is my August sock -- so I need to get back to it. The pattern is a quick knit, tho. , so I should be OK. My sudden panic came from looking at the calendar and realizing that I want to finish them BEFORE I head West on vacation in a couple weeks.
I'm side-tracked by CIC socks. They're so much fun -- and really quick done in worsted yarn. But, what-was-I-thinking when I CO with black? I wanted to use up a bit of left-over cranberry colored yarn - and I thought "Stripes! White-cranberry-white - hmmm... guess the main color will be black."
My eyes are too old [and too tired after work] to deal with black yarn. Maybe a black stripe or two sometime, but not the whole sock -- no matter how small it is!
I'm side-tracked by CIC socks. They're so much fun -- and really quick done in worsted yarn. But, what-was-I-thinking when I CO with black? I wanted to use up a bit of left-over cranberry colored yarn - and I thought "Stripes! White-cranberry-white - hmmm... guess the main color will be black."
My eyes are too old [and too tired after work] to deal with black yarn. Maybe a black stripe or two sometime, but not the whole sock -- no matter how small it is!
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Weekend Update - OTN
After I finished Mom's "Move Your F@nny" socks, I started a pair for me using that ball of TOFUtsies I bought a few months ago. The heel [and toe] drive me nuts. No. Wrong. How do I do that strike through feature?
It's my perfectionism that drives me nuts. I frogged the first sock [heel] I don't know HOW many times before I got it to suit me. First time the slipped stitches were much too loose. Last evening I missed a sl st or two. Can't watch Monk and do knitting that I have to pay attention to!
It's my perfectionism that drives me nuts. I frogged the first sock [heel] I don't know HOW many times before I got it to suit me. First time the slipped stitches were much too loose. Last evening I missed a sl st or two. Can't watch Monk and do knitting that I have to pay attention to!
August Socks
Pattern: Move Your F@nny (from Socktopia)
Yarn: TOFUtsies #790
Needles: Crystal Palace bamboo size 2.5 mm [1.5 US]
Knit for: Me!
Modifications: To accommodate my wide feet -- CO 66 st, instead of 62. Worked heel on 33 st, thus a couple more rows needed to get to the turn. But that should work out fine for my feet. I'll have to see when I get to the toe if I want to do extra rows or have the toe a few stitches wider than the pattern calls for.
Meanwhile, I'm also working on some CIC little kids socks. No photos yet, I'll do another pair or two and then get a group shot.
Weekend Update - Grandsons
They're so much fun! And growing quickly! On Thursday evening I went for a walk with DDs 2&3 & my grandsons. Well, the boys actually rode their bikes [with training wheels.] Buster does very well on his little bike and only tipped over twice [off the sidewalk & onto grass.] Sport stopped at the end of each block and waited for us to catch up.
While the daughters walked 6 laps at the Junior High track, I took the boys to a park at the elementary school "next door." Here are a few photos:
Buster with a chocolate mug
Sport demonstrating how tuff he is
Weekend Update - Genealogy
During the past week I transferred data on a few more individuals from my old database to the new one. Slow going. But...I'm glad I'm doing it this way -- cleaner database in the end.
Also [while doing work related research online] came across reference to a gen. journal published in Maryland. I only know of one family of ancestors who lived in Colonial Maryland, but thought - what the heck, I'll check the index. Lo & Behold, I found a citation to an article that looks promising, so I requested the article and I'm waiting for it to arrive. Not holding my breath, tho, that there will be any new revelation [or new ancestors]...but, I keep hoping!
Also [while doing work related research online] came across reference to a gen. journal published in Maryland. I only know of one family of ancestors who lived in Colonial Maryland, but thought - what the heck, I'll check the index. Lo & Behold, I found a citation to an article that looks promising, so I requested the article and I'm waiting for it to arrive. Not holding my breath, tho, that there will be any new revelation [or new ancestors]...but, I keep hoping!
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