My bags are packed, I'm ready to go

We leave for vacation in T-minus 24 hours. And yes. The knitting is packed.

I'm taking all my current WIPs, and the yarn for them, plus the yarn for the Log Cabin Blanket. But I needed some "just in case" yarn. You know. In case I manage to finish all my current projects. (Really. I can hear you. Stop laughing.)


Yarn for the cute felted sheep.


Yarn for Ene's scarf, Cabled footies from One Skein, Koigu for Jaywalkers and footies, a fresh ball of Trekking, Regia surf for "just in case" socks, and yarn for Branching Out.


My patterns are mostly gathered. I just need to grab some needles and I'll be ready to go!


I'll try to post from the road, but I don't know if we'll have access. If we don't I'll see you in about a week!

ETA: I am such a wanker! I keep forgetting to mention Jen's plan to "Read What You Have" for the month of July. No library books. No borrowed books. Read what's already on your shelf. Can we do it? Maybe. Especially if we ignore the two library books I've already started and won't be able to finish by tomorrow. But aside from them, I'm in! I've got tons of books just begging to be read. Off to chose some for the trip.

State of the Lace

My lace relay team has been quiet this week with trip preparations, but progress has been made since the start of the race.


Feather & Fan sock, Leaf Lace, Baltic Sea Stole, Pink Blob


Feather & Fan hasn't seen any action in about two weeks. Hopefully she'll get some in on the trip. Leaf Lace has been neglected since her trip to the playground. She's pouting in the corner. Baltic Sea Stole has seen a bit of progress in the past few days, but is waiting for ball #2 to be cast on for more progress. And the pink blob is progressing nicely. That's really all I can say about it.



I've been doing a bit of sock knitting this week - getting two socks through the gusset. I need mindless in-the-dark knitting for the car ride (we're driving overnight), so I thought two stockinette socks would be just the ticket. Hopefully both of these will be done soon, but both are first socks, so there's one to go for each.

I've been neglecting my KALs in my attempt to finish up one more thing before we leave. I will be casting on for my purple socks on Saturday no matter what - FO or no FO. They'll be my first pair for the Summer of Socks KAL.

They're not the only thing that I'm taking on our trip. But I must go pack - we leave in less than 48 hours!

Last chance to sign up for the Christmas in July swap! Anybody? Anybody? Bueller?

Ah ha! Another FO for the month!

I'm very excited for two reasons - I've written my first pattern and I'm teaching my first class!

The class is a beginning knitting class designed for kiddos 8-12, and right now we have two kids (one boy!) and one adult (who wants to learn to make something felted). I wanted to make a simple project that wasn't a scarf and only used one skein of yarn to cut down on cost.

I'll publish the pattern here after I teach the class, but here's the item before and after felting.



My sample is living at the store now until my class. I'm really excited - class starts in just a few weeks!

Jumping on the bandwagon

I find it very amusing that Stephanie commented on my last post that I should start a Log Cabin Blanket. 'Cause that's what I've been planning to do!

I wanted to make a blanket for The Girl for some time now (I plan on it being a Christmas gift), but I couldn't decide on a pattern. Mitered squares? Ripples? Log Cabin? During the JoAnn's sale last weekend I grabbed two more skeins of yarn with my 40% coupons (yep. I use them for the big $2.89 purchases).

I tried to draw out the pattern with the colors I had, but I couldn't get a good feel for how it would look with only initials for the color placement. Time to dig out the colored pencils!

The more I played with this design the more I enjoyed it. I like how it looks like little paths through the blanket. The colors in my drawing are not accurate to the yarn colors, so here you go.

I am however not looking forward to the heat of knitting a blanket during Texas summers, so we'll see how long my motivation lasts!

I'm resisting casting on right now with every fiber of my being (haha! - fiber!). I really want to finish up one more thing before we leave for our trip, so I'm trying to keep focus.

If you want to destroy my sweater

Gauge. Struck. Again.

In my fit of starteritis a few weeks back I started 3 sweaters - NBAT, Picovoli and Kyoto. NBAT got ripped a few days later due to gague issues. Picovoli followed this week - too small. This is the final picture of her. She shall live again.

Last weekend I needed something mindless to take to the movies with us, and all of my socks were at points where I could not take them. So I decided to restart the inside out sweater (remember that one? The one that I ripped out the entire back of a few weeks ago because it was too small?), with size 8 needles.

Yep. Too big. Damn it.

After the sweater tragedies, I decided that I needed a time out. I had really wanted to work on sweaters this summer so that I would have new ones to wear in the fall. But it just doesn't seem to be in the cards. I know, I should stop and measure for gauge. But when I'm tired and grouchy, and need some immediate knitting satisfication, I don't take the time. So, until the current craziness of life is over (one more week baby!), I will not start anything new.

I was also inspired to try to finish things up when I realized that my last FO was way back in May. So I took the project nearest completion (OK, second closest), and worked on it exclusively. And I have my first FO for the month! Woot!



Pattern: K3P1 ribbing over 68 stitches.
Yarn: Knitpicks Sock somethingorother, Gladiolous
Needles: Chiagoo sz 2 bamboo DPNs. (LOVE THESE!)
Mods: n/a
Dates: Late April-June 25.
Thoughts: Love this yarn, love these needles, I just get bored of the ribbing. That's why I only have one pair of ribbed socks!
Best part? These are a Christmas gift done 6 months early! Woo Hoo!

I'm hoping to have one more FO this week to finish up the month - we'll see!

Don't forget to sign up for the Christmas in July swap!

Christmas in July?

I'll admit it. I am a huge dork. I love Christmas. I love the decorations, the music, the presents (giving and receiving), and the snow (not that we get any of that here!).
This morning, as I was waiting for the coffee to brew, I had a wee little thought. It is almost July. Christmas in July. Hmmmmmmm. Sounds like a swap to me! But we won't just stop at Christmas - we'll thrown in any winter holiday you celebrate!

Here's the details:

1. Sign ups will begin immediately, and end on Wednesday June 28 at midnight CST.

2. Please don't sign up unless you really want to swap!

3. You must contact your pal when you've sent your package and when you've received it. You must also contact me, so that I can keep track of y'all!

4. Packages should contain at least one "Christmassy/Hanukkahy/Winter Solsticey" thing - an ornament, lights, any decorations, etc., and anything else you'd like to include (hmmm, yarn?).

5. Packages must also include something you make - it can be anything and does not have to be holiday related.

6. This is a low-key swap - let's keep it around $30ish.

7. Matches will be made by June 30, and packages must be mailed by July 30.

Please let me know if you have questions! You can sign up by emailing me at christmasinjulyswap AT gmail DOT com. Please include your name, address, email address and blog (if you've got one).

Let's celebrate!

ETA: More information can be found here.

Early morning Treks

So the Trekking 100 sock and I have been up early lately, taking our walks before it gets too hot out. This week we were out early enough to watch the sun come up over downtown.




(Damn it's hard to take pictures of the sun!)

I can't tell you how much I love that this view is from my neighborhood. Unfortunately, I can't afford to live where I could wake up to this every day unless I was out walking. (Yes, we live on the "cheap" side of the neighborhood).

Sadly, our walks have stopped for a bit. I've been running most mornings and I really can't knit and run (sadly). But the running is good. I can feel myself getting stronger. I can run further each day between walking breaks than I could the day before. I'm loving it. Mostly I'm enjoying the chance to be alone, just me and the pavement and my ipod. I know there was some Nike ad a few years back about running and the road, and this is it for me.

I don't know what my weight has grown to (and I don't want to know, as it might depress me so much that I might never run again), so I've decided to set another measure of success for myself. I'm going to measure myself at key areas (tummy, hips, thighs), and hope to lose inches.

I've also decided I need a little reward. I've got several skirts that are just a bit too tight, or that I can't quite pull the zipper up in. I really want to be able to wear these again. So I'm going to pick one, and when it fits, I get a present! What present you ask? Well, yarn, of course, but not just any yarn. I've got a swell running partner, and he has asked to be included. So my prize to myself is a skein of Socks that Rock in Prove it All Night*. Bruce's request.

My socks are looking forward to their trip to Colorado that is rapidly approaching, where they will do lots of trekking to make up for their lack of such right now. Oh, and I'm going to have to pack the running shoes now. Can't lose my motivation!

*Provided of course, that I can find any by the time I get to my goal!

Mmmmm. Yarn.

Yep. I've been so good, holding off buying new yarn. Until this weekend.

Jen started my demise with her mention that she *might* order yarn from Elann. Hmmm. Perhaps a skein of Regia could sneak in so I wouldn't have to spend $5.50 shipping one ball of sock yarn. Yep. Cannot wait to knit this up. Love the colors and the stripes it will make.


And then I *might* have had to stop by one of the LYSs to grab another ball of Calmer for NBAT (which has not be restarted yet), and they *might* have still had all of their yarn on sale, and they *might* have had just enough of the yarn called for in the pattern in the color that I love. I *might* have had to have it.


Shall become this. Love it.

Finally, my mom-in-law took me to the new LYS (Yarns Ewenique) for my mother's day gift.

I haven't decided what it shall become yet, but it will be pretty. And it *might* join the lace relay team, if I can get some things off the needles first.

While at the store, they mentioned that the patterns I had been wanting had come in. So freaking cute!

I think the hedgehog pattern is the best use of fun fur I've seen in a long time. And the sheep are just adorable.

Sadly, all of this will be waiting in the wings for a while (except for maybe the sheep because I *might* not be able to resist them), until I finish some things up. I'm resisting. Can't you tell?

I got answers!

Yes. I couldn't help it. I had to join another swap. I joined Scout's Knit Sock Kit Swap. Yep. I'm a joiner. (And possibly a sucker, but that's a story for another day). So here are my answers for my swap pal!

What are your favorite colors? Pinks, orange, green and blue

Are you a new sock knitter? How long have you been knitting socks? I've been knitting socks for about 15 months.

Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn? I've knit more pairs in multicolored yarn, but I think solid looks really nice with the right pattern.

What fibers do you prefer in sock yarn? Wool & wool blends

Where do you usually knit socks? Everywhere!

How do you usually carry/store small projects? I have some small tote bags, and of course, the lovely ziploc.

What are your favorite sock knitting patterns? I really enjoyed the jaywalker pattern, and I'm loving the feather and fan pattern. I loved the p-word socks I knit for my sockapaloooza pal too.

What are your favorite sock knitting techniques? I've only done cuff down, heel flap socks.

What new techniques would you like to try? I'd like to try toe up, but I haven't been successful with that in the past.

Do you prefer circulars or dpns for sock knitting? I've only used DPNs and I have no desire to learn another way. What can I say, I'm boring.

What are some of your favorite yarns? I love me some Trekking. Lorna's Laces & Koigu are very nice as well.

What yarn do you totally covet? Socks that Rock. Along with the 1 million other sock knitters out there.

Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object? Hmmmm, I suppose some fancy fair isle pattern.

Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)? I really like my Susan Bates DPNs, but recently I've discovered Chiagoo bamboo needles (the 5 inch ones) and I love them.

If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be? Boring, basic wool.

Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack? I love chocolate, but it's not mailable here in the summer. I love strawberry Starbursts and cherry pull & peel Twizzlers.

What’s your favorite animal? Elephant.

Do you have pets? What are their species/names/ages? I've got three dogs - Miles 1 1/2, Cassidy 7 & Rocky 13/14; and one cat - Cocoa 3.

If you were a color what color would you be? Pink.

Describe your favorite shirt (yours or someone else’s).. Black short sleeved 't' with a slight v-neck.

What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature? The ocean.

Tell me the best quote you’ve ever heard or read. "You have to laugh at yourself, because you'll cry your eyes out if you don't."

Do you have a wishlist? Yep - on Amazon.


Sorry to bore the rest of you! :) More excitement to come this week, including everybody's favorite- new yarn!

A trip to the playground

Recently Leaf Lace has been driving me nuts, demanding wanting a chance to get out of the house. So, to shut her up appease her, I took her with us to the playground today. She had a great time.


On the slide


On the "shakey" bridge


On the monkey bars


On the swings


And on the merry-go-round

Hopefully that'll shut her up for a while, as some of the other lace knitting has elbowed it's way to the front of the relay team for the time being.

And hopefully this one will count for the contest, as I forgot to leave a comment to enter last time. Damn!

L

is for Labrador (of course!)

What's in your wallet notions bag?

I think this "meme" went around blogland sometime early last year (I think I was barely reading blogs then), but I wanted to show off my "new" notions bag, so I thought I'd turn it into a meme!


I've actually got two notions kits - a travel one (that is always in my purse with my current WIP - usually a sock), and a "big" home one. The little one contains all my essentials (except my folding scissors which I can't find!). I've got a tape measure, a row counter, a pen, some stitch markers, a cable needle, and my Chibi.


My "big" kit contains many of the same items - stitch markers, row counter, point protectors, stitch holders, crochet hooks, tape measure, pen, note pad (I cannot throw anything that is somewhat usable away. I've had this for over 10 years. But it's the perfect size for my knitting kit!), scissors, needle holders and pompom makers. Whew!



I'm really excited due to a new purchase - a little pill holder that I found at Michaels for $1!. It is perfect for my three different kinds of stitch markers. I also have a cute little Mary Englebreit box that my momma got me - perfect for my "fancy" stitch markers.


And finally, a (horribly fuzzy) picture of my notions bag - blue for June! I finally outgrew my cute little ladybug notions holder, and this is a great size - large but not huge, has three inside pockets, love the color. Oh, and I think I found out why it was at the great Vera Bradley sale.


So, what's in your wallet notions bag? Tag, you're it!

State of the Sock(s)

There has (sadly) been little sock knitting this month. Aside from the Trekking sock which has gone on several car rides, the other socks have seen little to no action.


The blue sock is Cherry Tree Hill in the Feather & Fan pattern. This is it's second incarnation, as the first (on sz 2 needles) was way too big. It has been restarted (barely) on 1.5s. We'll see how this works out.

The second That 70s Sock was finally started on Saturday, after the first had sat mateless for several weeks. It's a gift, with lots of time to finish, so we'll see how soon it gets done.

The plain green sock at the bottom is for the hubbo. It is still waiting for the stitches to be picked up along the gusset - where it has been for about 3 weeks (at least).

It's driving me nuts not to cast on for another sock, but when would I have time to knit it?


Ever have a really crappy series of days? I'm in the midst of some, and I won't bore you with the details (work crap), but I decided yesterday that perhaps it would make me feel better to cast on as many projects as I could (ie: had yarn and needles for). Of course, this works a bit like retail therapy - makes you feel good for a little while, but inevitably will have cast-on remorse in the morning. I held off and worked a bit on Leaf Lace, which I had to force myself to put down to leave for work this morning. I think, if I can keep working on it, I might end June with one thing finished.

I did cheer myself up by stealing picking these sunflowers from behind the tennis courts on Monday. Aren't they pretty? So summery.


Oh - and I do have more than three pairs of shoes - I only have 3 pairs of tennis shoes.

And Cocoa sends you all licks of love for your sweet comments, and asked me tell you that she's working on an alternative to the lack of thumbs. We'll keep you posted as things develop.

Not a whole heck of a lot

Life is pretty unexciting here. Back to the daily grind. Blech. Missing my knitting time. And desperately wanting to read more of my current book. For today, all I've got to tell you is that I spent time last night ripping NBAT, due to, surprise, surprise - gauge issues. The pattern gauge is 19 st/in and I was in the neighborhood of 23 st/in. RIP. Will cast on again with sz 9 needles, and this time I'll swatch. Lesson learned (again).

I do have one lousy little picture for you - my stash enhancement from last week. Two skeins of Regia Cotton Surf (yum), and one of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted (yum yum) which will become the cabled footies from One Skein for my One Skein Secret Pal. I'm dying to cast on with the Regia and the only thing stopping me is that I want to use bamboo needles, and all of mine are in use. Perhaps I need to buy a new set on Thursday night at the yarn store?



Oh, and it was already muggy this morning when I went walking. I'm going to try going earlier tomorrow to avoid it. All of our grass is dead. The creek at school is dried up. How many more years do I have to live in Texas?

And for your funny bit - one of my kiddos needed help on the potty today, and when I asked what was wrong, he told me he "couldn't reach between his biscuits*" to wipe. I almost died laughing.

*By biscuits does he mean buns? Perhaps he created this word because he associated it with other bread products? Who knows, but it's hysterical.

Ready to run (or walk)

So I splurged this weekend during a visit to TJMaxx (one of the best stores ever!), and bought myself some new sneakers. Heck - they were only $35, and I desperately need new shoes. Besides the terrible blister causing shoes, my other pair is on its last legs - almost no tread on the bottom and wearing through the toe. I just want them to make it through Colorado this summer and then they'll be remanded to the garage to be yard shoes.

Speaking of my blister - it is SO. MUCH. BETTER. I found the miracle worker - Dr. Scholl's Blister Pads (something like that). I was just going to buy some moleskin and pad the area around the blister so that it wouldn't be rubbed, but these are great. They have a small pad to relieve the pressure (which works SO well that I NEVER felt my blister even wearing tennis shoes for 11 hours each day), and has medicine inside to help heal the blister. After 3 days I didn't need to wear them anymore. 3 DAYS. Miracle. My feet are so happy, and so glad to be back on the trail!

Unfortunately, during the blister healing process, I didn't run or walk, so the only way my Trekking socks have grown is during car rides with hubbo driving. Hey, it's still movement, right? Miles and I did take a run/walk on Saturday, and we're looking forward to some more this week. It's so nice to go out early (6:15ish) when it's not hot yet and the sun is still waking up. With my ipod and great episodes of knitting podcasts to listen to, it's fun for all!

Perhaps this weekend we can take a real trek!

In which Cocoa takes up knitting

My suspicions that Cocoa had been reading Chaos while I've been at work have been confirmed. One morning this week, while I sat next to her, she discovered an empty knitting needle.


Hmmm, I wonder what mom uses this for?



Is it alive?



If I could just pick it up - damn my lack of opposable thumbs!



Perhaps mom won't notice that it's missing if I just sit on it for a while and then I can carry it off when she's not paying attention.

She did try to carry it off, but I didn't get a picture of that. Maybe next time. I think her lack of opposable thumbs will make it difficult for her to learn to knit, but I'm sure stranger things have happened.

What new projects?

So yeah. Those choices I gave you? I might have cast on for all three this week.


Kyoto.




NBAT.




Picovoli.


And yep. No time to knit them, but I decided I needed them NOW, so at least there are stitches on my needles! Stay tuned for more exciting developments.

The 3 B's

I forgot three important Amazing Lace team members.


Beer.



Basketball.



And boys (which sadly, I do not have, as they would not pose with the lace. Rest assured, they are integral members of the team).

We've been watching LOTS of basketball around here since our Dallas Mavericks are in the NBA playoffs. It has become testosterone central around here. The lace is really helping me balance out the estrogen ratio.

The lace and I are getting along swimmingly (touch wood), and are having tons of fun. Our only regret is that I've been brain dead most of this week, so we haven't had a date since Sunday. Lace asked me if she was grounded yesterday, so to reassure her, I took her out for some (crappy) pictures.






We're hoping to reconnect on Sunday again.

Oh, and all the great progress I thought I was making? Yeah. Until I saw that the recommended number of repeats for a large shawl with laceweight yarn was 45! I think I'm on 7. It's going to be a long race.

Whoops! I forgot to remind y'all Fort Worthians to come Knit in Public with us tomorrow! Details here!

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

I'm alive - I guess that's good! Sorry for the days between posts - when summer school starts I forget that the only way I have time to blog is if I do it while the coffee is brewing. Let's sum up with a quick run through of the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

Good: Today is Thursday. That means tomorrow is Friday.

Bad: Today is only Thursday.

Ugly: After Friday I still have three more weeks of summer school.

Good: Fanny won the contest! My K is for Kent!

Bad: I have no good pictures of him, and frankly, no desire to take any.

Ugly: I still haven't mailed Fanny her package. Maybe tomorrow?

Good: I got yarn in the mail on Monday!

Bad: I have no picture of it.

Ugly: And no time to knit it.

Good: We're going to Colorado for a week after summer school!

Bad: We're leaving right after I finish tearing down on the last day - at 7 or 8 pm.

Ugly: When we get back I'll only have 3 weeks until teachers report back. Where does the summer go?

Good: I'm teaching a kiddo knitting class this summer for my new LYS.

Bad: I don't have the sample done yet.

Ugly: I really don't like the yarn I'm using for it (Lamb's Pride) as it sheds all over me and is a bit too scratchy for my taste.

Good: Hubbo and I bought Tennis racquets on Sunday so we can get some exercise and spend time together.

Bad: My arm is sore.

Ugly: After he drug me out of bed at 6 am yesterday to play, when I walked in the door from working ten hours (and commuting 45 minutes each way) last night, his first words weren't "Hi honey," they were "wanna go play?"

Good: I'm loving the Leaf Lace Shawl.

Bad: I haven't touched it since Sunday.

Ugly: I think at that rate it's going to take me five lifetimes to finish.


I think that sums up the goings-on around here. I'll try to take some pictures for next time. Finally, let me ask you a qustion IN the spirit of needing something easy to knit that wasn't a sock, I *may* have cast on for a new project. Did I cast on for Kyoto, NBAT, or Picovoli?

Perfect Strangers

Remember that show? About the two grown men who lived together? Hmmm, a little creepy now that I think about it.

Anywho, we had a VIV* here yesterday, accompanied by her manslave chauffer, and sweet ride. Who could it be now?

Remember way back in March when I went to Boston? Well, I was supposed to get to meet up with a fellow blogger, but due to circumstances beyond my control (my sister's flight arrival time), I had to cancel. I was saddened by my loss.

Fast forward a few weeks, and who happens to be driving through Texas on their cross-country road trip? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

That's right! Ms. Navy Doctor herself - Theresa!

She & Billy ('cause really, I feel like he's more of a Billy than a Bill), made a pit stop on their long trek through Texas and came to see us! We had a delightful time showing them around the Fort - a quick jaunt through the museums and downtown, and on to the Stockyards ('cause what's a visit to Fort Worth, "Where the West Begins" without a visit to the part of town that started it all?).

We saw a lot of a few cows.











They "drive the herd" twice a day for all the tourists. We could have had our picture taken on a longhorn as well, but there was a line, and well, it was hot.

After a lovely lunch of Mexican food (besides barbeque, what else would you eat in Texas?), and a quick jaunt to the yarn store (of course), and some time chilling at the house we sent them on their way across Texas, in search of Odessa, en route to Tuscon and then, finally, San Diego.

All this time together, and what do I have pictures of on my camera? Cows.











We had a great time - I drug the hubby along (so Billy wouldn't have to suffer through any more knitting conversations), and I think the boys had as much fun as we did! We did get Billy into the yarn store, but sadly, he did not learn to knit. Not enough time!

While there was knitting (in the backseat of the car we both worked away on our socks whilst the men drove us around), and some talk of knitting, we actually (and probably to the great relief of the men) didn't talk about the knitting all that much. It's so interesting how one little thing can bring people together, but not be the focal point of a conversation/day/friendship.

I have to admit - the hubbo was giving me grief for inviting a "perfect stranger" over to my house. "What if she's a serial killer?" he asked. "But she's a knitter!" "Yeah, well, she could poke our eyes out with double pointeds!"

Happily, we now rest firm in our knowledge that Terri (as her family calls her - so cute!) and Billy are NOT serial killers. Whew! (Or maybe they are and we were lucky to escape.....naw!).

Sadly, I had to send her on her way to bigger and brighter things. It's a double edged sword, this meeting strangers. On one side, just getting to meet your "blogging friends" is a treat (and proof for your husband that you really aren't just making it all up!), but then, when you have a good time with them, it sucks that they won't be at knitting group on Tuesday night. That you can't just hang out whenever. Ah well. Perhaps a trip to San Diego is in order next summer!


*VIV - Very Important Visitor
Go bug Theresa - I know she's got more pictures than I do!
And don't forget to vote! C'mon - I see the 55 of you in my bloglines, and while a know a few of you already know the answer, you can't all know it! You're missing out on some fab yarn!