Redheaded Knitting Woman

More things said at my house

2007-11-24T10:06:00.000-05:00

(From the 8 yo, said with the attitude of a 16 yo whose father just turned down a request to borrow the car or some such nonsense)
*sighs deeply* "I wish I knew how to purl."

"Don't use your sister as a weapon"

2007-11-05T17:13:00.000-05:00

Another bit of mama wisdom imparted to the troops today.

Don't laugh when you're eating a Butterfingers

2007-11-05T14:44:00.001-05:00

Snorting peanut brittle sucks.
Hey y'all (the occasional person who reads this junk). I'm actually knitting a lot more now working full-time than I was when I was home all day. I think that it's that I covet that knitting time so much my speed has improved, really. I'm almost done with the skirt on my Tilted Duster, even though I had to rip the whole thing apart (it was done, save the collar) and re-knit it all. I love this sweater, and I'm really looking forward to wearing it. I have a few other things in the queue, so click on over to Ravelry and add me as a friend. I'll be your friend, I promise.
I'm just not so good with writing.

Nothing like stating the obvious, Jules

2007-06-27T09:54:00.001-04:00

Just heard from my kitchen....the sounds of children playing nicely together....at last.
Enter oldest DD, almost 8. Younger brothers agree to her wish to go in the sprinkler first, rather than use the spray hose to cool each other off.

"You two are the best brothers in the world. In fact, you're my ONLY brothers in the world."
Kind of narrows the competition down, don'tcha think?

Bad blogger and a meme

2007-06-26T07:37:00.000-04:00

I can't say that I haven't really had the time to blog, but I just have nothing to write about. Not about knitting, at least. I'm spending my time in so many different and wonderful ways, but the knitting has stalled out, for a little while at least.
In the meantime, here's a meme I snagged just because it looked fun.

Your Name: Amy
1. Famous Singer/Band: Herb Alpert.....Aaliyah
1.a. Famous Song: Amie...
2. 4 letter word: Arse....can I say that?
3. Street: Amsterdam
4. Color: almond
5. Gifts/Presents: apple
6. Vehicle: Audi
7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: a
8. Boy Name: Andrew
9. Girl Name: Amelia
10. Movie Title: Alien
11. Drink: apple juice?
12. Occupation: astronaut
13. Celebrity: Angelina Jolie (first name) Dan Ackroyd (last name)
14. Magazine: Astronomy
15. U.S. City: Anaheim
16. Pro Sports Teams: A's (Oakland)
18. Reason for Being Late for Work: angst
19. Something You Throw Away: apple peels
20. Things You Shout: AAAARRRRGH!!!!!!!
21. Cartoon Character: Archie

5 Minutes for Dyson

2007-04-03T16:14:00.000-04:00

This rocks. I'm a sucker for a new vacuum cleaner though, no pun intended.

Poor, sweet, neglected Blog

2007-02-26T07:40:00.000-05:00

I miss you, I do. I've just been so busy lately. I know, I've been reading other blogs, I know. I know I should have posted, but I didn't know what to say. Yes, I promise I'll make more of an effort this time. Love you too, Bloggy.

How do you people do it? I can't seem to find time for much of anything now that I'm working again. Much of my online time is spent reading other people's blogs, which speaks volumes of my personality, really. I'm trying to spend less time online, more time knitting, in order to rival Mamma's and Lara's finished object lists. How do you women do it? I'm currently working on my Nantucket Jacket, in Karabella Aurora 8, color "Cabernet". It's a very pretty red wine color. I've finished the back, and am halfway done with the right front courtesy of some knitting time during the Academy Awards last night. I was able to stay up until the darn thing was almost over because we have a snow day today. I'll be knitting more today too, as I don't think I'll get out of my pajamas. I have such a long list of wanna-knits in the queue though, so I've been trying to organize my stash (and the rest of my house....not a strong point for me as I'm a bit artsy-abstract) in order to maximize its potential.

On the sinus front: No surgery yet. I've seen an ENT and an allergist who are going to try to fix most of my issues medically first. I'm actually beginning to breathe a bit freer, although I have to go back for allergy testing tomorrow. (I had the original testing last week, but because I had taken an antihistamine a couple of days before, the result wasn't as strong as she had hoped. I'll be stuck again at 9:30, a half hour before I go in to teach) So four meds later, I may have a chance at breathing again. Maybe.

I have no new pictures for you, although I have finished a few things since we last spoke. One pair of socks, totally done, in my favorite Bearfoot ever, Wild Raspberry. It's even more beautiful in person. I actually blocked my pumpkin Shetland Triangle and wore it to school. Love it. I think I may need blocking wires though, as the pinning doesn't do it for me. I'm too much of a perfectionist to deal with the slightly uneven edges. I am done with the back of Michael's Na Craga sweater, and have delayed casting on for the front because of the sheer weight of the project on my weak little wrists. It will get done, dear, I promise. We may just be gray or bald by then.
I saw Heather's Ramblin' Rose cardigan in spice and fell hard. It's so pretty in one color. May have to dive into the stash for that....or wait until I can deplete my stash enough to justify a purchase of yarn in that exact color. It's so beautiful. I went to the store Saturday to purchase Stefanie's new book, but they weren't expecting any in any time soon, so I picked up the copy of KnitScene that has the Central Park Hoodie in it, because of Cara's. I may have to give in and order those Beaverslide cards. Just to look, of course. I also picked up two Karabella patterns, KK183 and KK203 . Perhaps I can find something in there for these. I then went home and promptly ordered Fitted Knits. I've been in love with Stefanie's style for a long time as it appeals to the artist in me, but her construction is so well-laid out and simple, really, that her designs make knitting extra enjoyable. I was (and to some extent, still am) a thrift shop/quirky piece/bohemian dresser when I was in college. Sometimes it worked, sometimes not. I remember wearing those long flowing skirts before they were cool. I still hang on to a patchwork vest that my seventh grade teacher self doesn't get to wear very often. It has buttons on it that are replicas of Tibetan coins. Love that thing. I'm the kind of girl who has been waiting for legwarmers to come back into acceptable chic as I had many pairs as a younger gal. I'm so looking forward to digging into this book. Of course, my Forecast has been languishing for awhile now. In a vivid peacock blue/teal, it promises to be one of my most flattering colored sweaters. The problem is that I tried to knit the sleeves in the round to save time and I can't get the joins between the needles to look even in the garter stitch. One sleeve knit and needing to be ripped. The up side is that when that baby has sleeves, it's ready for a quick dip and some buttons, which I've already purchased and they're fab!
There's so much I've wanted to tell you blog. I'll call you back later.

Just heard at my house

2007-01-03T16:40:00.000-05:00

5 1/2 yo Monkey Boy is talking to himself....
"I'm so bored. I wish my teeth would fall out."

Happy Third Birthday, Bobo

2007-01-02T16:11:00.000-05:00

My New Year's Resolution.

2007-01-02T15:55:00.000-05:00

In the year 2007 I resolve to:
Learn how to dismantle land mines.

Get your resolution here.

Ho ho ho, ha ha ha.

2006-12-26T11:38:00.000-05:00

Does anyone remember that song they used to play on the radio around Halloween time when we were little kids? You know the one---"They're coming to take me away, ha ha..." That's what came to mind when I re-read my title up there.
Benjamin's had a puke-y bug for four days now, beginning on Saturday. It's not agressive as most stomach bugs usually are, which is what has me concerned. He goes twelve hours or so without throwing up and then there it is again. We're all wiped out tired, to say the least. Funny how he's the only one who got it. Hoping he's the last to get it.

Christmas felt weird this year, partially perhaps because of the vomit and all, but partially for some other reason, unknown, really. I'm not sure why I'm feeling funky right now, but I am. I hope this week off will get our batteries chargin' again.
And no more hurling, kid.

ZZZZZZZZZ...., or Why the Stinkin' Zithromax Did Nothing For Me

2006-12-14T16:09:00.000-05:00

Two months, antibiotics, and a CAT scan later, it has been determined that I have not only a severely deviated septum but a rather large nasal polyp on the side opposite of the deviation. 2.5 cm by 1.5 cm, to be exact. "There is also significant blockages in the Something or Other Sinuses and a general thickening of the mucosa signifying chronic sinusitis."
Hmmm.... you think?
The doctor recommended that ugly sinus surgery ( you know, the one with three miles of nasal packing? Yup, that's the one) and suggested a referral to an ENT...but with my new position at the school I can't afford to be out now, so I pleaded her down to two weeks of amoxicillin and Rhinocort. Yay.

It wasn't until two days later when I was thinking about knitting and looking over a pattern (Didn't get to pick up the needles yet, though) that I realized that 2.5 cm is a freaking inch. I have an inch long polyp (hate that word, ick) in my nose. Ew.
Don't hate me after my nose job, now, y'all.

Bah humbug.

2006-12-14T08:35:00.000-05:00

I posted too early and then blogger wouldn't let me back in to edit.
I was just talking about the fact that I have little time to knit right now. Long story short, I just accepted a position as the preschool teacher at a local Christian school. My older children are in second grade and kindergarten, and the littler two are in with me. It's a big change from what we've been doing, but I really felt it was a good move for us.
Oh, and I'm teaching 7th and 8th grade Literature, Grammar, and Composition. Can't forget about that. Sublime to ridiculous, she says. They're a lot of fun.
Sorry I've been scarce. I haven't knit a stitch in three weeks, if you can believe it. I'm asleep on the couch at 9...

Finishing, slowly

2006-11-24T13:39:00.000-05:00

I'm still sick as a dog. I have an appointment with the doc this afternoon for that sinus infection or whatever I've had since we went to CA. Yes, it's been that long. I actually fell asleep on the couch last night at 6 pm and woke up at (yes, I did) midnight, whereupon I went to bed and slept until 6 this morning. I slept through the kids playing, I slept through bath time, I slept through bed time, and they usually put up a stink for Mike if I'm not there for bedtime. So hopefully this woman can figure out why a Z-pack and Nasonex can't do the trick.
In knitting news, though, I have made some headway, finally. I finished 'Sideways Spencer' and am almost done with the front of hub's 'Na Craga'. Such a fun knit.
Pics to come later when I have time...hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

You can't finish everything in one afternoon.

2006-11-14T14:30:00.000-05:00

For your viewing pleasure....my UFOs. Brought to you by my former LYS and the cutest kids on the planet.

There's Beth, from DB Junior Knits.

There's Dancin' Daisies from the Fall '04 IK.

There's Forecast, by Stephanie Japel for Knitty.

There's Sideways Spencer, again from Fall '04 IK. No photo because Photobucket is currently killing me. This is my closest to FO, needing only buttons and a good blocking.

I've got a wrap cardigan from Vogue Spring '04, I think, inspired by Mamma's

But it's in Woolease, and I hate to knit with WE. Don't ask me why I bought 15 skeins last week when it was on sale at Joann.

I've also begun DH's sweater, Na Craga, only to find out that I screwed up the center cable. That will bug me, so I stopped and planned to restart.

The problem? I've misplaced the pattern. Pooh.

Here's a sleeve from a Drops Alpaca design. I got bored.

Don't ask me why the pics are so big. I have no freaking idea. I've resized them in photobucket three times and they're supposedly small, but freakishly large here.

Lacevember Q&A #2

2006-11-13T13:31:00.000-05:00

What are your ideal lace making conditions?

ie. Do you prefer to knit with a cuppa coffe nearby? Music, lighting, favorite chair?

IN THE TOILET. THE POTTY. THE BATHROOM. THE WC. WATER CLOSET, IF YOU WILL.

WHY?

(wait for it)

Because that's the only place that I can think straight and get a bit of time to knit.

I'm kidding, really. No, really.
I usually knit at night after everyone's in bed and hub is watching football or what have you.

Another reason to move to CA

2006-11-13T08:34:00.000-05:00

Not that I needed one.......

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The West Your accent is the lowest common denominator of American speech. Unless you're a SoCal surfer, no one thinks you have an accent. And really, you may not even be from the West at all, you could easily be from Florida or one of those big Southern cities like Dallas or Atlanta.
The Midland
Boston
North Central
The Inland North
Philadelphia
The South
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes

The Infamous Lacevember Questionnaire

2006-11-06T13:03:00.000-05:00

My answers may surprise some, and then again perhaps not.

The knitting questions, or the usual suspects

How long have you been knitting? I have been knitting on and off since I was seven. I suppose I didn't get really serious about it again until about three years ago.

How did you learn to knit? My Grandma taught me!

Favorite thing about knitting? Can I choose one thing? There are so many things. I suppose that the connection I have to thousands of other knitters, past, present, and future.

How long have you been knitting lace? About a year.

Favorite thing about knitting lace. My favorite thing is that with a basic knit and purl, thrown together with a couple of YOs and decreases you can create something *fantastic*.

The yarn questions, or flash your stash -I'll flash ya later.

Favorite lace yarn? I like a fingering weight or heavier. I'm still not using laceweight despite its heavy presence in my stash.

variegated or solids for shawls? I love the variegateds and am really drawn to them in the skein, but I'd have to say solids for the shawls.

Favorite lace color? Red. Hands down.

Technique, or show us your skillz

Circs or straights? I only knit on circs, with the exception of DPNs for socks and mittens.

Favorite lace knitting trick? Trying to knit lace in the middle of four children eating chocolate frosted donuts and watching 'Cars'.

Lifelines? If so with what? Nope. I knit commando.

Fancy blocking wires, or just sewing pins stuck in your carpet? I really want blocking wires. That being said, I'm about to try the method that Stephanie described in one of her posts. The one with the thread run through the straight part of the shawl. Look it up.

Pattern, or can you follow directions

shawls or lacey items? Shawls.

triangle, rectangle, or circular shawls? Triangular.

Charts or printed instructions? I used to be a printed instruction gal but now I think in charts. I'm flexible that way.

Favorite lace you've knit? I can't pick just one. I really like the Flower Basket shawl, but that Shetland Triangle is so easy and repeats itself well. I also like Faina's scarf, but I only completed half of it and have to rip it out and start over in a new yarn.

Favorite lace you want to knit? I'm looking for one.

Just Fun, yup that's right, just for fun

Favorite jelly belly flavor? Strawberry daquiri. Who am I kidding? I get together all the fruity looking ones and throw a handful in my mouth at one time.

Tell me everything you know about Eric the Red..... I resemble that remark.

Coke, classic or with lime? Bring on the lime, bub.

Holiday carols, sing along, or wish they would be banned from all public airwaves? Sing along of course! I'm a singer!

What is the definition of irony? It's the opposite of wrinkly.

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop? The world may never know!

Why is my cat always puking in front of my son's bedroom door? That's your problem, Amy. I'm done with puke.

What is your superhero power? Intercepting the brain waves of three children who are daring each other to __________________ (fill in the blank) and diverting them just in time.

If the laundry is 9 foot by 11 foot (just dreaming, that's a big laundry room), and the walls are 8 feet tall, and you are going to tile the entire room in tiles that are 3 inches by 5 inches, what color should those tiles be? Pink, of course.

What's for dinner tonight? Depends on whether or not my husband has the stomach flu by then. If not, then we're up for homemade spaghetti and meatballs.

What is clogging my children's bathtub drain? A Buzz Lightyear toothbrush, two matchbox cars, a Barbie shoe and a Binky.

Murphy's Law, or Why I Never Will Let My Husband Out of My Sight Again

2006-11-03T09:36:00.000-05:00

Two words, folks.
Power Puking.
Hub has been in Las Vegas this week for business.
I took the monkeys trick or treating by myself. Took them to my Bible Study by myself. If it had just been them puking, I could have handled it by myself.
But no, it was ME.
Now I can count on one hand (three fingers, people) the number of times I missed school as a kid due to the stomach bug. Now that I have four kids, it's inevitable that I get it once a year.
But I've never been this sick before. I didn't realize it was possible.
I don't even want to knit.
Two of the four were sick alongside me, and my super-gracious lovely MIL came up to take care of the other two while I slept and ran to the bathroom yesterday.
This is how sick I was:
I've been waiting for the new IWK to come in the mailbox and have made an audible sigh at the mailman three days in a row this week as it wasn't here.
Yesterday, it came.
And it sat, untouched.
I thought I was going to die.
Hurry home, babe. Fly safely. We need you here.

Wrote a song about it....here it go

2006-10-31T13:47:00.000-05:00

Imagine me, that person who looks semi-dignified on occasion, for a minute if you will.
Now imagine me, running through the house, singing at the top of my voice,
"I'm so proud of Benjamin,
'cause he pooped in the potty and not in his pants!!!!!!
I'm so proud of Benjamin,
'cause he pooped in the potty and not on McQueen!"

If you're a potty training parent of boy(s), you'll get the Cars movie reference in that last bit.
Only three days until Big Papa comes home. Not that I'm counting.

I'm almost extinct....give me some candy.

2006-10-31T12:29:00.000-05:00

Hub left this morning for a four day trip for work.
To Las Vegas.
Can I say that I'm just a bit, um, meh, about this?
"But I'm in meetings for two days," he protests.
"Didn't you just get off the phone with the golf course confirmation, though?" I ask.
"Um, yeah, but we only have time to play 9," he says.

I leave you with this. Pictures of my four trick or treating monkeys to follow tomorrow if I remember to take pictures.

I am a real person

2006-10-27T12:20:00.000-04:00

I spent the whole morning thinking about how little of myself I've shared here. Part of that is because I had no camera with which to share anything, and part is because I don't know how much is appropriate, really. That thin line between what I'm knitting and how crazy our life is here. I can show you the sweater I'm knitting for the boy, but can I show the journey it took to get there? Do I show the baby ripping it out while she giggles? Can I show another photo of my boys using #15s for swords? How about my two year old, pantless, sitting on the floor and 'pedalling' my spinning wheel?
It's insane, people, to homeschool with four children. Insane. Some days we have history of knitting, complete with sheep discussion and the Knifty Knitter. We watch mom draft a bit ( but not spin, as the brake on my wheel disintegrated and the new one isn't working well) and then it all breaks down. Most days are a bit of Math and History and teaching the five year old to read. It takes a couple of hours and is mostly chaos, but I guess it works.
So, dear reader (I've always wanted to say that, but I really do mean it) I leave you with two pictures. One is of myself, so you can see that I'm a real person. You have no idea how many of these I took of myself so as not to have a double chin or crossed eyes. The other photograph is of my morning, all wrapped up.
Have a great day.

Rhinebeck, or what I missed

2006-10-24T08:46:00.000-04:00

Before I begin, I would like to say that next year, I'm sneaking off under cover of darkness before anyone realizes that I'm gone, and I will make it to the Fold booth before there's only two skeins of Socks that Rock in Olivenite left. And yes, I did arrive at 11 am but those knitters are tenacious, man. Tenacious.
To sum it up....
I have few pictures. My friend and I got a bit of a late start, but not a big deal, I thought. We brought three of our eight children, thinking that they'd be excited to see sheep and wool. Because we home educate said children, we thought it would be a fun little field trip for the girls and lots of fibery luxury goodness for us.
We were so naive.
This child

Turned into this child

and whined the whole way to NY. As did her seatmates.

I was informed later that my partner in crimes of wool and alpaca doesn't really like crowds and felt overwhelmed with all of the people there.

I just wanted to shop. I wanted to meet up. I wanted to wallow in Grafton batts.

From afar, I saw several bloggers that I 'know'.

This is what I got, and it was in the last fifteen minutes because I couldn't go home emptyhanded. It's Brooks Farm Duet, and three skeins of wool/silk fingering weight from Spirit Trail Fibers.

I've been sniffling over other blog posts but so far people have been fairly merciful to me.

YAY!

2006-10-20T10:04:00.000-04:00

Mommy finally got her camera running.
Just in time for Rhinebeck.
Check back for the haul shots on Monday.

And just to be silly

2006-10-18T17:13:00.000-04:00

A meme I spotted elsewhere. I always got a good chuckle out of this type of thing as a kid. I suppose I haven't grown much in that area.

The Name Game

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: ( pet and current street name)

Fish Baldwin

2. YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME: (grandfather/grandmother on your moms side, your favorite candy)

Ruth Cadbury Mini Eggs (Now that's catchy)

3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of last name, first three letters of your middle name)

H Eli

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)

Brown Alpaca

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)

Elizabeth Westbrook

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 2 letters of mom's maiden name and first 3 letters of the town you grew up in.)

Harambewes

7. SUPERHERO NAME: ("The", your favorite color, favorite drink)

The Caramel Machiatto (although I'm leaning heavily towards the Pumpkin Spiced Latte these days)

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first name of both your grandfathers)

Harry Clifford

9. FUTURISTIC NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne and the name of your favorite shoes)

Michael Flip Flops. (And no, they're not my favorite shoes, but I couldn't pick one. I'm not a flip flop type of girl unless I'm getting a pedicure.)
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother/father's middle name )

Eldred Edward. How's that for weird. Guess whose name is whose :)

That dent in my forehead?

2006-10-18T10:33:00.000-04:00

There's something about homeschooling that is remarkably like herding sheep. I once heard someone say that sheep are the dumbest of the animals, and I would hardly compare my children to them in that regard, but they repeatedly do not listen to the voice of their shepherd and go off on tangents all day long. I love these kids but I have to say I'm getting tired of beating my head up and down on my desk here. Add to the mix a teething, clingy baby and I have to say that the hair on the back of my neck is beginning to stand up. Breathe in, breathe out. Serenity now.
I haven't had time to get that camera up and running, so I'll leave you with a teaser of what's to come.

Evelyn Clark's Shetland Triangle
My second FBS, which is at 75% completion
Stephanie Japel's Forecast
Bonne Marie's Cutaway
Annie Modesitt's Sideways Spencer, sans acceptable buttons
and several other projects in various stages of completion

Blog, Interrupted

2006-10-16T15:55:00.000-04:00

It's been a crazy summer, and now Autumn as well. I don't think I stopped much to knit, let alone write about it. I also had the disadvantage of not owning a digital camera, so uploading progress shots was daunting at best, not happenin' at worst. I decided to take a break based on the fact that I had nothing good to report.
But that's all changed.
Hub works for a major auto dealer that happens to reward its employees from time to time and we just spent a lovely weekend in Laguna, CA. We were gifted each night with clever, thoughtful gifts, such as a relaxation basket with Land's End robes and a Jack Johnson CD, a gorgeous painting of our resort by a local artist, and....
a digital camera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just in time for Rhinebeck and everything. Yippee for yay!
SO....I now have no excuse for not updating anything as I can just take the pic and upload it right away. I'm so the opposite of anything technically gifted, so it may take a day for me to get ready, but I'll be there.
I can't imagine that anyone who used to even read me is still around, but if you are, hey. I missed you guys.

Another Meme and a few rows ripped

2006-06-15T13:49:00.000-04:00

Spotted at three sites today:
Please leave a one-word comment that you think best describes me — it can only be one word long. Then copy and paste this into your blog so that I may leave a word about you.

And why is it that when you're knitting along, chugging, really, and you feel so proud of yourself, as in "Hey! I underSTAND these cables! I luuurrrve this pattern. It's so easy, I could probably knit you a car cover instead of a sweater. What's a few more rows?" is exactly when you realize that six rows back you wove left instead of right and now you have to pull the stinkin' thing back out because you can't figure out how to ladder down and fix the stupid woven basketweave cabled thing. Dang.

Gee, that lasted all of a week.

2006-06-08T08:11:00.000-04:00

I admit to finishing the socks for MIL. If you don't count the grafting of the toe on sock #2. I really don't dislike grafting, unlike many knitters, but I was so tired of looking at said sock I just had to throw them back into the bag. I will finish that prior to the weekend in hopes of giving them to her on Sunday.
And it wasn't the vest that got me, either. It was Eunny's take on the male Aran sweater that kept me coming back to her blog day after day.
So, I've cast on for Na Craga for DH. Let's see how long this relationship lasts.

Accountability

2006-05-24T14:39:00.000-04:00

It's been said that in order to undo the damage caused by one negative comment, one must give (insert number here, from 5-10) positive comments. Interesting, you may say, but what about the knitting?
I've decided that in order to justify the purchase of one new pattern and/or yarn for said pattern, I must finish five UFOs first.
My list, if you will:
1. Socks for MIL for Christmas. Yes, I know it's May. Did I mention that the littlest Monkey was born the week before the holiday? 75% done, should be finished tonight.
2. 'Beth' Sweater for the Monkey Princess. One sleeve, plus assembly and the knitted collar edging.
3. 'Dancin' Daisies' sweater, also for the MP. One sleeve remaining, plus assembly and embroidery.
4. 'Sideways Spencer', for me. In need of the button band and the finishing.
5. 'Cascading Leaves Socks' begun on the way to Rhinebeck in October. One down, one to go.

And so you have it. I will not even allow myself to swatch with the Merino Style I have (in the wrong colors, of course, but it's a swatch, people) until my list is done. And that kills me, of course, but I need to get these done before the MP is 15.

The best laid plans

2006-05-19T06:53:00.000-04:00

It's been a crazy week around here at Casa de Redhead. The Monkey Bobo has been sick going on two weeks now and I haven't been able to get out to the gym in as much time because I cannot bring him to their childcare program. So we've been going a bit stir crazy with all this rain. Princess has a major book fair at her school with which I've been assisting. Add into that four T ball games and our regular life and stir vigorously.
So, I said to myself yesterday upon seeing that the rain was supposed to recommence today, "Self...set up the wheel tomorrow during nap time as I'm getting a little antsy over all the laceweight I've been seeing spun lately." I still have a ton of fiber from NYS&W to spin up.
And how did I respond to my request, you may ask?

By slamming my index finger in the walk-in cooler at Princess' school while putting cupcakes away. Blood blister, no spinnee for you. I can still knit, but as it's right on the beginning of the knuckle below the pad of my finger drafting would kill. Yes, I already tried.

So today will be spent dreaming up some new projects and finishing up the Gable, perhaps swatching for what's next,not that I know what that is yet.

Triage mode

2006-05-17T07:23:00.000-04:00

Little knitting content. I'm knitting the Green Gable of Zephyr Style fame, and I think it will be too big, as I've knit the medium. Pooh. Knitting content over.
I keep reading blogs. I shouldn't. There are so many wonderfully talented knitters out there, that is not to be contested. What kills me is how wonderfully witty, coherent and funny they all are. It's almost like that's me, in my head, but the moment I attempt to write anything it looks like this:

aweuro;uaoweiru;oikawjfgozidfpjjdflvkdxlkfgjp. Uiuodfjgordiufjgotdfjg.
Hee haw, funny.

Perhaps it is my lack of sleep for the past few nights because of the 2 year old Chunky Monkey's fever and subsequent croup. Perhaps it is because I'm getting older. Perhaps it's because I have four children and my brain cells are already cranking at full-tilt. Dunno.

It's been said that contrary to popular belief, women with children actually think more clearly and use more of their brains than they did prior to having their children. I know there are a lot of moms out there who would just say, "Pbbbtttthppptt."

Please remember our friend

2006-04-25T13:42:00.000-04:00

Mamma in your thoughts and prayers at this time when she's just lost her Mom.
~A

Bad blogger, bad, bad....

2006-03-08T13:39:00.000-05:00

I apologize to the two people who read my blog for not updating in over a month. I've been quite busy at home with the four monkeys, you see, and although I'm still knitting, I'm not so good at posting about it.
Although I'm not a scarf knitter, I've finished two in the past two weeks. I'm still in awe of all of these mothers-who-knit who have 32 finished projects a month. It's just not happening here.
Ah, the baby calls. I just wanted to let you know I'm still alive.

Sick

2006-01-22T12:05:00.000-05:00

Thumbelina and I are both sniffly. She's sleeping like a champ at night, but during the day, not so much. I feel like I'm trying to keep my head above water, literally. I pop online for three minutes here, two there and check blogs that I read to see if they're updated, and then she's up and screaming so I have to stand up and hold her over my shoulder, just like I did with Princess when she was colicky.
So obviously, I still have one and one quarter sleeves done, and not much else.
Oh, and I chopped my hair off yesterday, and it's now styled in what the Princess has termed, "Crazy Red Mommy Hair." She thinks it's cool.

One sleeve down

2006-01-16T11:07:00.000-05:00

Two inches done on the other one. I wanted to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel so instead of casting on for the body of the cardigan, I started with the sleeves.
Is that so wrong?
Love the Knitpicks Elegance. It knits like a dream, shows detail evenly...cables look great. Love it. Hope it washes decently.
The baby calls....

I Ain't as Good as I Once Was

2006-01-11T09:53:00.000-05:00

That yarn came and it's beautiful, people. THe grass green is lovely, more of an avocado really, and not at all vomitrocious. The Shine is a very pretty purply rose pink, and the Andean Silk in Sangria, well, I had purchased some for my SP awhile back and was craving it for months now. It knits like a dream, but unfortunately, I don't.
Why is it that the simplest of patterns is kicking my hiney right now? Baby Thumbelina's sleeping up to 5 hours at night, so I have no excuse...must be my hormones returning to normal...yeah, that's it. I started the corset and put it aside after frogging it three times because I didn't read the chart. I just kind of set off doing what I thought the chart read, and then realized that I was supposed to repeat row 1 for rows 3 and 5 as well...duh. I then must have missed a YO on row 5 because row 6 was short a stitch, or so I thought. I frogged, reknit, and realized I was counting wrong. Nice.
So. I started the cardigan in alpaca without glitter, here in the Elegance, and it's lovely. Good thing there's a lot of stockinette. It will give my brain time to heal.

Waiting on yarn...

2006-01-06T13:25:00.000-05:00

While my dear mother was visiting this past week, she offered to go with me to the LYS and buy me birthday yarn. Yes, my birthday isn't until the end of the month, but it was the shared experience of shopping for the birthday yarn that we wanted.
As usual, however, this store didn't have enough of the Suri Merino I wanted for my Drops Cardigan with Glitter, so I was foiled. Mom ended up writing me a check and I ordered some goodies from KnitPicks instead. I bought two hanks of merino laceweight in Vineyard, some Andean Silk in Sangria for the Silk Corset, and I went with Elegance in lettuce (I think that's what it was) for the alpaca cardigan with glitter. I'm hoping it's not too evil a green, although I can usually wear the most putrid of green shades due to my hair and pink complexion. I just can't wear much of anything else.
I also picked up some Shine in Orchid, which is a color I don't ordinarily wear but I thought it was lovely. I hope it's fairly true to the website and catalog (wishful thinking, I know) as I sat here with both looking back and forth trying to make the decision. I'm making a lace camisole from the Spring '05 Vogue that was originally written for Anny Blatt's Kampur Silk~at $19 a skein. If it doesn't work out I'll be using it for Picovoli or something.
Can't wait to see my UPS man.

Put this in the "Things I should not be allowed to do" file

2006-01-04T13:56:00.000-05:00

This goes in that category, certainly.
While wrestling the boys up the stairs for naps today, I thought I'd be clever ("'My, what a multi-tasker that Knitting Woman is'...I can hear them now!", I thought) and start the sterilize cycle for the bottles. I also put a pan of hot water on the stove to boil as I'm really new to this formula thing and I'm not sure whether I have to boil it first or not....anyway, that was the problem.
Multi-tasking. What ever made us think we had to do more than one thing at a time anyway? Isn't the world rushed enough? I feel so horrible that I'm contributing to that.
Turns out I'm not very good at it anyway. I got up to change the baby's diaper and smelled a funny smell. I peeked in on Bobo, who always has to poop three seconds before he falls asleep, and sure enough, he had 'llluck', as he calls it.
But no. That wasn't the smell. I flew down the stairs, dreading the thought of my rangetop in flames.
Yes, I boiled my dern pan dry. Amazing that I didn't catch the kitchen on fire, really, as I'm about as air-headed as I can be right now.
Somebody save me from myself.

December 16, 2005

2005-12-31T20:21:00.000-05:00

I went from this:

to this:

I cannot believe you're two weeks old already, little precious.

And the one we worried the most about, the One who's still just a baby himself, our little Bobo...how has he reacted to Princess Thumbelina of Quite-a-lot?
You tell me.

Llamaface...

2005-12-15T12:06:00.000-05:00

Being the knitter that I am, I just love that Emperor's New Groove, but anyway...
I swatched for the Alpaca Cardigan with glitter today in three different yarns, just to get a handle on what gauge should look like, and I've come to the conclusion that I must be a very tight knitter. I never thought that before, but somehow, I'm getting 26-28 stitches on the size 4 needles (the pattern requires 23st/4") in every DK weight I swatched with. So why am I smiling? Perhaps it is because the Andean Silk I wanted to use for this is actually a worsted weight, so I can fudge the gauge a bit, or perhaps it's just insane pregnancy hormones.
***Crunch!!!***
The world may never know.

A watched pot never boils...

2005-12-14T20:04:00.000-05:00

as my mother used to say. And a watched overdue mama may never labor...that's my own right there. I had a lot of great contractions this morning, and off and on throughout the day, but nothing at the moment. We walked miles in the mall, so I'm praying that things just get started on their own tonight. The midwife who delivered #1 and #3 is on tomorrow all day, so it would be *wonderful* if she could be there for this baby. That's what I'm hoping at least.

No baby yet

2005-12-12T13:22:00.000-05:00

Thanks for everyone who checked in on me, but nope, still no baby. Went to the hospital on Friday during the snow storm (as most of you know)and I was only dilated a bit past two, so I walked for two hours (even climbed nine stories' worth of stairwells) and my contractions promptly took a break. THIS IS MY FOURTH BABY, UTERUS.....get to going already.
And what's adding insult to injury (injury being getting my membranes stripped this morning. Again.) is that every friend I had due in Nov/Dec/Jan has either already had their baby or will by the end of the week, thanks to the magic of scheduled inductions and sections. I really would prefer to labor and push out a baby, thank-you-very-much but the thought of another c-section when you consider that my child would have been outside of my body for the past week makes me a little misty. And I'm not the crying type. Logically, I know that I've gone into labor spontaneously twice, (had the section with Monkeyboy) but my irrational side wonders if I'll have to call Guinness about a record...either that or my hips will both dislocate.
On a more positive note, I reported knitting a hat to help the baby to realize she needs to get here. I've knit one every night since Thursday, although yesterday's had to be frogged and re-knit, so I have three hats, one UFO which will be frogged again this afternoon and re-knit in another yarn tonight. I was using Suri Merino, which is a lovely yarn (and I may use this for the Cardigan with Glitter, although I haven't swatched with it yet...can you say "incredible drape"?) but not right for a hat with little patterning. I thought I had cast on few enough stitches, but apparently the Suri thinks I'm knitting for a nine year-old. I have to go pick up fundraiser stuff tonight so I may stop over at Fabric Place on the way home. I have a sudden compulsion to knit everyone a Christmas Stocking.

AAAARGH...aka "What is wrong with me?"

2005-12-08T07:55:00.000-05:00

I've had my butt kicked by a hat. Not just any hat, mind you, but Kate Gilbert's Shining Star hat. Lovely pattern, simple repeats, should be able to kick it out in an evening, no? No.
I've tried every solution (including Emily Oecker's circular beginning, yes) to cast on for a top down hat (did I mention how cute and SIMPLE it is, really?) and I cannot keep the needles straight, or I drop one on the floor and cannot bend over myself to pick it up, or it pulls to one side and looks wonky. Sigh. I suppose I'm going to have to spend nap time figuring the pattern out backwards to bind off at the crown. Which ticks me off because I thought that this hat would be DONE by now, but I'm a knitting loser this week.
I did knit a little skull cap out of some baby alpaca that Lauren sent me during SP4, so I guess her wee baby head won't be cold, but that's not the point. The Shining star is just so much cuter.
Can I have this baby yet?

Lucy, you have some 'splainin' to do

2005-12-07T13:48:00.000-05:00

Don't know why that popped into my head, really. Just weird things running through there lately anyhow.
I'm still pregnant. My mother called yesterday and asked if I had had a baby yet. My own mother. I know that there's a little "under the microscope" feeling one gets at the end of a pregnancy, but my Mom? People calling you, just checking with morbid curiousity to see if you're still swollen or if you've literally popped open...you're-so-big-can-you-fit-any-more-in-there-are-you-sure-it's-not-twins-your-back-must-be-killing-you type thing. Bah.
I dreamt of knitting last night. Sitting around with some of my favorite knitbloggers, people I've never met in person and some that I have. I think I need to hit the S&B tonight as it could be my last for awhile and I haven't been since before Thanksgiving.
And special thanks to Mamma, whose tribute to her own creative children perked up *this* bedraggled Mama today. I really needed that.

And I'm still knitting

2005-12-03T13:44:00.000-05:00

Not much sleep last night, but no contractions yet either. I'm still here. And yet, I'm feeling "in-a-rut-ish". I have Christmas socks that need knitting, and yet for no good reason whatsoever, I cast on for another Ribby Cardi with the Tree Bark Melange Paton's merino....Hub's sweater yarn. He saw me knitting it and asked, "OOOH~what pattern is that?" and I hunkered down behind my needles, hung my head in shame and said..."it's a woman's sweater pattern." The defeat in his eyes made me take pity on him, and so, I've decided that the Ribby was just a, what-do-you-call-it-now, um, ploy...yes, a total sham devised by me to fool the poor dear into thinking I wasn't Christmas knitting for him this year. I left Ribby on the needles and yesterday afternoon cast on for Lucky, from Knitty's Man Issue. Why didn't I realize that mistake-rib still takes as long as a regular 2X2 rib, what with all the purling and such? Oh well, at least it's mindless, and he has no clue.

Take 3

2005-12-01T19:35:00.000-05:00

Good thing they're so darn cute.

Sometime, you just need a good Ballpark Frank

2005-11-29T18:28:00.000-05:00

I know I'm losing it when I'm blogging about hot dogs, but oh well. Purchased a package of nitrite-free, filler-free 'dogs from Trader Joes this week, thinking that they'd be healthier and less of a junk food to the kids, and that at least I wouldn't be brining the latest babe (need to think of a good pseudonym for her too, now that I think of it) in chemical soup. Too bad that they tasted as funky as they did. Like I said, sometimes you shouldn't mess with preservative perfection.
I'm searching for the perfect "back-to-my-body" knit. I have about ten things I'd like to start, but then I get frightened that perhaps *this* body is it and that the size S I'd knit would fit around my forearm, and I chicken out.
Off to swatch again...it's about the largest piece I can focus on at one time.

I know an old lady who swallowed an octopus

2005-11-28T14:35:00.000-05:00

That's how I'm feeling at the moment. 1cm dilated, no more. For those of you not in the know, that's typical for me. Two weeks left.

On a cheerier note, I believe that Mamma has persuaded me to knit this:

By the time this distracted Mama gets it done, I may actually be able to wear it. I've only gained 32 lbs with this babe (as opposed to the 40+ I usually pack on) so perhaps it will be easier to ditch and I'll be back in my jeans- my JEANS!- in a few months' time.

Off to check the stash and oogle yarn...

Elvis has left the building

2005-11-27T21:56:00.000-05:00

This is the last of a series of just,well, really tired posts. Look at that, I almost typed, "tured". Real nice.
You see, I'm 38 weeks pregnant. OK, not until Tuesday, but still, I'm rounding up. My belly is so why shouldn't I? Anyhow (sometimes I type 'anyhoo' and then I realize I *hate* it when I hear someone use that word. Hate it.) I'm just about checked out of my life at this point waiting for this babe to arrive. I feel like I'm going through the motions, just getting through the day, because honestly, I'm just plain beat. As you know, there are three other little ones under four feet tall in this house and it's a perpetual motion machine around here. Sorry to sound like such a bummer, but I'm just going to go stick my head in the sand until December 13th. Or later, as each child has been 'late' by 3, 2, and 4 days, respectively. I always thought that that number was supposed to go down with each pregnancy (as labor is *supposed* to be shorter each time as well. My first was 12 hours, the third was about 8. Guess that works) but somehow someone forgot to tell my body it's okay to have a baby anytime after the docs give the 'all clear' signal.
So we're waiting. And I'm driving everyone crazy.
And I'm trying to knit, but I'm just being plain stupid and making ill-timed mistakes, and then realizing that it takes more brain RAM than I possess to rip out half of a Conwy sock to fix the third row of cabling and then get back into it. LL on size 1s should be banned from gestating women, I swear.
MIL's Christmas socks in Bearfoot are more than halfway done, and I'm quite pleased. Since we wear the same size, I knit hers to be the same length as mine, and they *do* fit me, so I'm crossing my fingers that somehow my feet just appear to be the size of a small dinghy and in fact, are not.
Two weeks left.

The waiting is the hardest part

2005-11-22T14:19:00.000-05:00

Two weeks, 6 days, and some-how-ever-many-hours. Until my due date. Which I always pass. But it would be nice to have a baby on THanksgiving, wouldn't it? My grandfather was born on Thanksgiving and they always teased him that they got two turkeys that year. I'm just not feeling myself lately, I guess. No serious contractions yet, just that "Who the heck is talking out of my mouth?" feeling again. It's like I cannot make normal conversation anymore....sheesh.

Knitting....I'm absolutely addicted to Bearfoot. I went to the LYS this morning and bought two more skeins, one for Mom, one for MIL (neither of whom read this blog, so pbbbttthhhpptt~you'll both be sur-pri-ised!) and I'm trying to figure out which patterns to use. MIL was very gracious this week and stayed for us for three days while DH was in Toronto (just in case, dear. You never know what might happen) and Mom's coming up for two weeks once this little bambina actually gets here. I was thinking Christmas, but I may just give them early if she makes her appearance sooner. I really like a slightly lacey pattern, sans cabling if I can help it for the bulk factor. I must say that my favorite socks of all time (and I've knit five pair so far!) were Sockbug's RIver Rapids Socks. The pattern is easy to memorize (although I changed the number of knit-around rows to 4 instead of 3 as it elongated the pattern. Unlike what Hub says, it wasn't *ahem* a mistake. Cough, cough.
I'm still plugging ahead on Hub's Conwy socks, which are beautiful, but so slow going on the LL and size 1s that I can't seem to really concentrate on what repeat I'm on, etc. When I get motivated I'll break out the notebook and really go to work. But the wooly mohair is calling to be wound into a lovely ball....must...not...keep...for...myself.
Anyone up for a game of guess when this baby's coming?

We're getting there

2005-11-11T10:01:00.000-05:00

First, Happy Veteran's day to everyone. I'm so thankful for your contribution to the freedom of our country and my personal safety. Words are not enough, but thank you.

Today, I'm starting to feel better. The princess is home from school today, as is the monkey boy. And they're actually getting along...should I say that? Don't want to jinx myself. I actually slept about 1/2 hour longer than I usually do because they were cuddled together reading books this morning. Yay! I have no idea what happened between yesterday and today, but hallelujah.

Second River Rapids sock is almost done. Like if I get off the computer now at 10:05, it should be finished by lunchtime done. I think that I have a second "if I could only knit with one yarn for the rest of my life, I would choose this" yarn, and that is Mountain Colors Bearfoot. The color, the hand, the froggability without showing frogginess, *sigh*. Aurora 8, you're still tops in my book too.

That leads to Hub's socks. I think I may just veg out and knit these in plain stockinette. Boring, I know, but he'd prefer it, and it would get me a quick "kudos" from him, as I've only ever finished one project from him. We have a running joke that he will get a sweater one day. I started one for him while we were dating, and grew to hate LB Woolease and then became a better knitter and my gauge changed, and well, it's just a big basket of frogged goodness now. That's almost ten years of promised sweater angst. I started another sweater for him this fall, but I don't like the yarn for the project, and I'm thinking that my DH's tendency to wear his clothes in a full throttle way might just preclude the use of Paton's Merino. I see a big bark-green pilled mess, and that ain't good, folks. I'm thinking perhaps something in a cotton blend or a superwash may just work better. I'm just not knitting sweaters right now, as I'm sock-addicted.

Off to try to grab a shower while the kids are camping in Monkeyboy's room, and then, sock-love.

Son of a knitblogger

2005-11-09T14:15:00.000-05:00

Silly, I know. Little Bobo, our youngest as yet, is finally over the croup. His sister, the Princess, is still hacking upon rising every morning, although she seems no worse for the wear. Their chunky, pregnant Mama, on the other hand, has finally succumbed to the beginning of Cold Season. I've been trying to get to bed early, and therefore have knit very little. I'm halfway done with the second of the River Rapids socks, but other than that I have little ambition. Dear Hub keeps asking when HIS socks will be started. I haven't the heart to tell him that I need to finish another Cascading leaves first, nevermind the two sleeves for Princess' sweaters (which she may need this week as it's finally getting colder here).
I really, really want to go to ABC tonight and knit, but my head is feeling not-so-good. Perhaps another early night might just ward off the full-blown ick. I can hope, at least.

I haven't slept a wink

2005-10-31T14:41:00.000-05:00

I have the Beatles rolling through my head at the moment. Just about all there is in there right now.
Socktober Update:
One finished pair of Retro Rib Socks in Knitpicks' Sock in Redwood. No photographs as the camera would not cooperate that day. I'm still not thrilled with the finished(read:fuzzy) product, but they're soooo soft. Very nice on the feet.
One sock: Sockbug's River Rapids in Mountain Colors Bearfoot. Color, Lupine.
Quite a lovely color, with much more blue than I've ever used before. No pictures of the sock, but I have to say that this pattern is one I'll make again. With the Bearfoot, of course.
I also finished sock one of the Cascading Leaves, shown in the below post.
Bad girl that I am, I cast on for Nancy Bush's Conwy socks in Cherry Tree Hill Supersock, colorway Indian Summer. Note to self: Socks on #1s are not as fun as socks on #2s.
And I keep typing 'sicks'. Agh. Probably because we had to take Bobo to the E.R. at 1 am Sunday morning for the croup. Earned himself a shot of epinephrine and a neb treatment. Three kids with croup all in the same week. Here's hoping that the Princess will come home healthy enough tonight for the massive costume parade and candy fest that is Halloween in our neighborhood...

Houston, we have socks

2005-10-27T07:52:00.000-04:00

This is the Cascading socks from the Townsend socks KAL on Yahoo. Forgive me for not linking, but I'll come back and fix that later.
Happy day, happy day.

Your Post Title here

2005-10-26T17:34:00.000-04:00

I'm too tired to think of one. The littlest chunjy monkey has been up before 5 am every morning this week. THen, my phone line went kaflooey sometime between the hours of 3 am and 6 am yesterday. I can't seem to upload any of my sock pictures and I NEED A BREAK from the crazy monkeys. Harumph. Not to mention that I had to rip out *two* socks because they weren't turning out the way I wanted, then had to rip back 2 inches of the Cascading Leaves toe because I (how did I do this again) dropped a stitch in the first toe decrease row and it LADDERED (gasp) back down to the instep. Did that toe twice. This afternoon I spilled my drink (non-alcoholic for you jokesters) all over Hub's Socks that Rock yarn, preventing me from casting on for him....again. Bah.
And to top it off, I have to miss SnB tonight because I volunteered to paint a castle for the Book fair at the Princess' school.

Koigu, take me away.........

Socks and now more socks

2005-10-18T13:12:00.000-04:00

Socktober Update:
I finally finished the Retro Rib Socks, and even got to wear them once already. I have to say I'm quite disappointed with the Knitpicks sock yarn for these, as after one wearing they're fuzzy and the stitch definition isn't great. If I'd have been thinking more clearly I would have saved it for a simple stockinette pair, but they're still a bit too fuzz-ball-ish to wear anywhere other than around the house. Pity.
On to more socks. I joined the Townsend socks KAL over at Yahoo Groups and am almost finished with sock #1 of the Cascading Leaves pattern, in Cherry Tree Hill Supersock something-or-other rose. I *love* this yarn and the pattern was easy enough and repetitive enough for a pregnant woman to start in the car on the way to Rhinebeck. Nice. Now I'm looking for a sock pattern for Hub to make of the Obsidian Socks that Rock that I purchased while in NY...

What every Amy Needs

2005-10-17T14:36:00.000-04:00

I had to laugh today.
Via Wendy, just google "Your name here needs" and post the best 10 you find.

10. Amy needs help.
09. Amy needs to touch up her roots.
08. Amy needs a good topic for her film.
07. Amy needs help for life. (I guess I'm getting desperate here!)
06. Amy needs a new pair of shoes. (I like that idea.)
05. Amy needs to either wake up or start getting some extra will-power.
04. According to doctors, Amy needs to drop about 25 pounds. (This will happen in about two months, according to Amy)
03. Amy needs to come to the office to sign checks.
02. Amy needs some therapy, if you ask me.
01. Similarly, at the very least, Amy needs to be in "time out."

Enjoy.

Self-Inflicted Disaster, Part One

2005-10-14T13:32:00.000-04:00

Didja ever do something that you just *knew* you shouldn't do, but everyone else was doing it, so that made it OK?
While I'm fully aware that this is not the first grade, I went ahead and jumped off the bridge, just like my mother warned me that I would someday do "if everyone else does it too."
I washed my Klaralund in the washing machine.
On gentle.
With a bit of gentle shampoo.
And I waited on it hand and foot, and when it started to spin too fast for my taste, I pulled her out of there.

And I'm not happy.

I guess I should find the good ol' sweater piller (de-piller? Pillerizer?) and go to work, because she's looking a bit bedraggled. Why, oh, why for the love of all that's Noro did I wash her in the washing machine?
Because it worked for everyone else, and I had heard about how the fabric improved, and how the stitches took up some and fit so much better afterward.
Mine's just a big fuzz ball that's misshapen and sad.

And so am I.

Spencer and SnB

2005-10-13T10:39:00.000-04:00

First, the main body of Spencer is done, minus blocking. Have to run downstairs and grab the tape measure because I'm going to have to beat this thing into submission to get it to the measurements, I think. My gauge swatch was right on, and everything measured correctly as I was knitting, so I'm praying and crossing my fingers that it's the stretchy boing-iness of this yarn (Aurora 8) that is making me doubt myself. Maybe I'm just chunkier.
SnB last night was quite fun. I haven't been since they started meeting on Wed. nights, but it was the break and night out I really needed. I got a lot done and met Chris, Karen, Karen, Kathleen, and Audrey's friend, Pat, I believe. Seems like a great group.
Anyway, Spencer. I didn't really want to wet block it because that seriously cuts into my finishing time, but I'm beginning to think that I don't have a choice. I'll let ya know.

Ripped and torn

2005-10-12T08:24:00.000-04:00

So I ripped out 30 rows of SS last night and managed to actually fo the first increase section the right way. Torn? Yes, I'm torn about whether or not I really want to make the big push to finish before Rhinebeck or take my time and enjoy the finishing of this sweater. Once the body knitting is done, I'll have to block that piece and do the edging, plus the applied I-cord. Not really that big a deal, but the seaming? I'm such a seaming procrastinator. OK, I'm just a procrastinator. Not a very lovely trait, but especially ugly when it comes to churning out FOs.
I'll be going to our local SnB tonight and the current plan is to just crank the thing out and get 'er done.
Off to take the Monkey to school and get yet another blood draw-fun is.

A different kind of sweater curse

2005-10-11T19:20:00.000-04:00

Ever feel like the piece you've been working on *forever* has a mind and soul of its own, and that it just HATES you? I mean, I know that needles can feel that way (see this post about Boyd via Neglecting My Kids) but a sweater? Come on.
Today, however, I've been convinced. Bonne Marie wrote about having to frog Spencer after realizing that the cables in the front didn't match. Not only did I read her complete notes prior to casting on last Spring, but I made the same mistake. Duh. The problem is that I had already started the right sleeve by the time I even LOOKED to see if I had committed that error. Oh well, not *that* big a deal, right?
Wrong.
I then read the instructions to "Decrease one stitch at each end of needle every other row 6 times) as "Decrease one stitch at end of needle every other row" and instead of stopping, kept right on knitting, even though it didn't look possible that this sleeve was made to go along with the first. Think Abbott and Costello, folks.
And I thought that I could just match that baby up, block her out and finish her in time for this weekend. Hah.

More fun on size 1s...dpns that is.

2005-10-11T14:03:00.000-04:00

It's Socktober!
I can't figure out which sock I want to knit...but I'm thinking it just may be Kristi's Spearfish sock, in the Cherry Tree Hill Old Rose.

Happy Columbus Day, y'all.

2005-10-10T13:52:00.000-04:00

I'm sure I'll be making something lovely and Italian for dinner tonight, just for the holiday, you know.
Her Royal Highness and the Monkeyboy have the day off from school, so we took a little fieldy trip to Fabric Place to return some yarn and pick up some size 11 dpns for a very lovely gifty that Wendy sent to me this morning. I also picked up some Cascade 220 on sale (it's 2/$10 right now, yay) and got some fabric for a project for HRH's school.
It's a rainy day, and we're to have a full week of this to follow. SHould be exciting when the CT river overflows on Wednesday. Doomsdayers, beware.
Will try to get some knitting done this afternoon when the Bug and Monkey are napping.

One down

2005-10-08T11:18:00.000-04:00

I'm knitting socks, as I mentioned. Retro Rib Socks, by Evelyn Clark, to be more precise. I've started many socks in the past, just to chicken out about heel-way through, but I'm done with half of this pair, kitchener stitch and all. I don't know what the big deal is about kitchener stitch~it's so logical and really easy. Freaked myself out over nothing. I can't wait to finish this next one so I can wear them. Ok, I really just want to start the next pair, which I think will be Amble from the Six Sox along. I purchased two skeins of Cherry Tree Hill Yarn's Supersock in Old Rose and Indian Summer, and I'm just waiting to use them...yum. I must say though, I've never had more difficulty in winding a skein than I did yesterday afternoon...the skeins looked great prior to trying to wind but they were really quite tangly and I ended up having to roll the other end into a ball and weave it back through to untangle and finally, yes, wind. Maybe it's just me.
Rain here all week long, so hopefully we'll have some extra cozy knitting time.

I'm officially banned

2005-10-04T20:19:00.000-04:00

from starting a big new project for myself. At nearly 7 months pregnant, there's no way I'll finish a maternity-type sweater in time, and there's no point sobbing in my cheerios over the fact that I can't fit into one of Jenna Adorno's adorable little patterns. So I'm knitting socks. I'm hoping to have the first pair done by Rhinebeck weekend so I can wear my Birkenstocks with my lovely redwood socks. I can't imagine walking around all day in anything else, considering the amount of weight I've already gained with this little one.

I've also decided on no holiday knitting for this year. There's only a couple of non-blood-relations who appreciate the time and effort I have spent in past years and, well, my due date is December 13th, so I'm just nottagonnadoit. Feels really good to say.

I had the best of intentions

2005-09-30T14:08:00.000-04:00

Story of my life. I'm just a bad blogger. I've had five total posts since April. Five. Add to that the fact that I have no digital camera and you get the most boring knitting blog that ever surfaced. Pooh on me.
I've had a re-growing interest in resurrecting this thing in the past week or so, so perhaps I'll be back. Like my UFOs, it seems I work in phases (although frogging seems to be my hobby of late rather than knitting, unfortunately). It is quite difficult to knit something in a size 34" when you're packing an extra 30 lbs and your chest is so ginormous that 34" seems more like the half circumference of your burgeoning belly. I notice that there was a Belly Along a year or so ago....I may just be willing to restart that if there are enough takers. Of course by the time I finish a project, I'll be back to a chest measurement of 34".
I'm having a serious case of the knitting blahs. I see things every day that I would *love* to knit, but then I cast on and realize that six inches of stockinette on a size 4 needle is just, well, too much stockinette for me to handle right now. I cast on for three different projects this week, all of which have been relegated to the Pond. And yet, I have two sweaters for the girl that are lacking only a sleeve before they can be called complete. Somebody stop me.
Off to find the next frogging lesson...until tomorrow, mmmwwwwwaaaaah.

I am merino wool

2005-08-08T12:27:00.000-04:00

No surprise here. Via Rachel's blog, another Quizilla masterpiece. I am merino wool.
You are Merino Wool.
You are very easygoing and sweet. People like to
keep you close because you are so softhearted.
You love to be comfortable and warm from your
head to your toes.

What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Quite fun, and quite true.
More UFOs than I can shake two sticks at here, which I cannot understand as my computer time has been severely limited (just look at this blog). Dunno. I have a bad case of second sleeve syndrome, contributing to one unfinished Debbie Bliss sweater for the 6 year old and Kristen Nicholas' "Dancin' Daisies", also for said child. I need to just finish the darn things and get them sewn together. Soon. Like before she's fifteen.

Hum da dee dum, hum da dee dum

2005-07-15T07:28:00.000-04:00

I'm still knitting. Amazing that it would take me almost a month to post again, but so much has happened in one month that it doesn't seem that long! We were on vacation for a week, the kids had some mysterious stomach bug (that mom and dad eventually caught too) for almost five days, and then my computer has been down for a week and I'm on temp service here. I know that the days don't all add up, but add to that one midway-through-pregnancy-brain and there you have it.
I just placed a nice order for some yarn for a couple of sweaters for Princess J and a few goodies for my poor, neglected SP. See above reasons for said neglecting. Should be here in three business days and I can't wait! I'm hoping to have the Beth sweater from Debbie Bliss' "Junior Knits" completed in that time...wishful thinking. I love that book as it really spans the ages of my kiddos.
Speaking of kiddos, I have an ultrasound on Monday to see what particular variety of baby we're expecting......

Baycation, baybee

2005-06-07T10:41:00.000-04:00

Whew. I need it, too. We're off for five days to Whistler, BC for some R&R. My mother in law is staying with the kids....I hope she eats her Wheaties this week.
What to knit? That's still the question of the hour. We're taking a helicopter tour of a glacier and I'm knitting a little cap to wear as it can get cold up there. I think I'll finish before tonight, which again leaves me wondering what to bring. I'm bringing Spencer, for the ride to the resort from the airport, and I've just about settled on the Flower Basket Shawl from the same Fall IK, which saves some book space for some sock yarn and a little pattern or something.
See you Monday!

Green clouds are parting, y'all

2005-06-01T15:28:00.000-04:00

Breathe in, breathe out. Not so ick constantly anymore, so I bit the bullet and decided to update. Again, not much knitting content. Hub and I decided to go to NYC last weekend sans kids and he went to the Yanks game (yes, they lost 17-1, ew.) and I trucked it down from Times Square to School Products to check out their marvelous selection of goodies. Cashmere, yes, but I wasn't feeling it as much as I was the baby camel, so I picked up two skeins in charcoal. Just lovely. I also picked up some laceweight yak/merino, again in charcoal. It just called my name. They put out gorgeous knitted, washed samples so you can get a good idea of how your finished products will feel once the spinning oil is removed. Like buttah, let me tell you. Well worth the walk.
The weekend prior I went to
WEBS and purchased a wonderful Lendrum double treadle. So *that's* why Amy's not knitting as much. Aha. Amassing lovely custom yarn for socks and such. Yay! I'm smacking myself for not grabbing up a bag of alpaca fleece when I had the chance. FIL says that the owner of his farm throws away the fleece from their sheep when they're shearing them. Excuse me? You want to give me fleece from your sheep? Why, thank you dear FIL. Fiber for me :)
I also have a little digital camera in my new phone so once I make the hike back to the store to get the adapter I will have pics. Maybe people will read my blog now. I know I want to see goodies when I'm blogging around.

Bleck-o-rama

2005-04-29T11:43:00.000-04:00

I apologize for no knitting content. I've simply been too nauseous/tired to knit. I've skipped two sit and knits because of it, and I'm hoping it gets better soon.
I ripped out all of the Sideways Spencer after starting and re-starting it five times. Many thanks to Annie Modesitt for clarifying her pattern on her website. This pregnant brain just can't understand more than a stockinette scarf right now, and perhaps even that's pushing it.

Spring Knitty has Sprung, Y'all

2005-04-07T14:31:00.000-04:00

I'm just so excited to report that the new Spring Issue is up!!! Of course, if you're a knitter, you probably already know that. If you didn't, you're probably not a knitter and you don't care :)

I have to make the Via Diagonale bag, and I've only made a few handbags in my lifetime. Compulsion, I tell you. Must...make...Wendy's...bag. Ay.

Now to figure out what winter knits to put on hold while I begin fresh. Ah, spring.

Sunshine on my shoulder makes me happy

2005-03-31T10:34:00.000-05:00

Can I even just tell you how wonderful this beautiful weather makes me feel? Ay!!!!!!
I'm just loving the sun and the kids had a wonderful time yesterday playing outside. Here comes Spring, Hallelujah!
I figured out how to paragraph now, so WATCH OUT!!!! I'm also talking about getting a digital camera so y'all can see I'm not fibbin' when I talk about what's on the needles. OK, so I'm paranoid.
SIL's Tempting is almost done. I *love* that Cashmerino and I wish I had another project waiting in the wings to make from it. I bought some cotton/acrylic blend to make one for myself, in PINK . Aren't you surprised?
Mom and grandma's scarves are coming along well, albeit a bit slowly. I tried to get a few rows in on Mom's as the kids played yesterday, but mohair and fresh spring mud don't mix well, so In The Bag it went. There's always later today.
I've got quite a few project ideas for this spring and summer. Hopefully this will be the first year that I've knit nearly every night all year round, instead of stopping when the weather hits that anti-knitting temperature. Like I said, lots of cotton and plant fiber projects in the works.
I'm so fickle.

Da da da da, da da da da

2005-03-25T12:10:00.000-05:00

Picture me singing "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega. Got that song in your head? Good. I dare you to get rid of it. Agh! I'm knitting again after a four day hiatus. Was in IL last week and knit a bit on the plane, but I was so busy working the conference (Hearts at Home) that I didn't get much done during the time I was there. I'm making 'Tempting' for SIL for her birthday. I'm using the AC Moore cashmerino and I just love it. I had never been to an AC Moore prior to yesterday and I was really impressed by the amount of natural fibers that they carry in comparison to say, ahem, joann fabrics. I got some variegated mohair for scarves for Grandma and Mom for their birthdays, a week and a half late. Not like they live in NC or anything and can use mohair all year round. I'm such a bad planner.

The wait is over, Folksies

2005-03-08T10:39:00.000-05:00

For me. But not for you, alas, as I still have no digital camera. So you cannot see the loveliness that is my Handpainted Yarn. Trust me that it is bee-you-tee-ful and a dream to knit with. You have to, because there's no more in stock over there. Try WEBS and look under 'Malabrigo'. You'll pay more, but hey, addiction is addiction.

Everybody calls me Duckie

2005-03-07T13:26:00.000-05:00

Try watching the Wiggles' Cold Spaghetti Western and not having that song stick in your head. Now watch it three times in the same week. Kids are finally healthy, yay! My knitting has become stagnant again and I'm bored. Still waiting for my Handpainted Yarn order. Marcos emailed me that it was mailed on the first, so I'm anxiously awaiting it. This stuff is seriously addictive. I've always been a variegated fan, and I just love knitting with this yarn. I have sweaters for the children dancing in my head, although at this late date they won't be for Easter. I'd like to get some spring photos out of them though. My children all resemble their father (Italian, blue eyes, although the boys have green and brown) so I've chosen various blue shades for them. The girl and I went on a date Saturday for Mommy and me day. We shopped, we ate lunch (and chocolate cake with truffle sauce) and then we got our hair cut together. It was her first professional cut and she loooooved the shampoo. Can't blame her as that's my favorite part too. She looks just like Shirley Temple when it's wet but begged me to blow it out straight for church yesterday. Five going on fifteen, if you ask me. We had such a wonderful time. Sorry that I can't figure out how to make paragraph breaks in this format. I know, it drives me crazy too.

Nothing new to report

2005-02-23T10:26:00.000-05:00

Because we've been sick for three weeks! Yuck! I'm heading off to the doc today to see if I have bronchitis. As an asthmatic, it seems the cold always migrates to my chest. The littlest boy has been quite sick the past two weeks, with an overlap of a few days each to his older siblings. I always manage to pick up everything they have. Not much knitting news, although I ordered some more from handpaintedyarn.com so we'll soon see that. I'm hoping that their version of laceweight is sock-able. And did I mention that my Mommy is here? She came all the way up just because she knows how sick I've been and has been such a saint helping me with the wee ones. Yay!

Happy Birthday to me!

2005-01-31T13:43:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's today. And yes, it is my 30th.
Michael was sweet enough to throw me a little partay on Saturday. We had a nifty little time. Some of his co-workers chipped in to get me a gift certificate....for yarn. Yep, it's gone already.
I got: 1 skein of CE Tigress to make a quick poncho on size 50 needles (done in about two hours)
4 skeins of CE Premiere to make that twisty short row scarf in Scarf Style~Pam Allen
9 skeins of Silk Garden in that lovely red colorway (I'm too lazy to look up the color)
2 skeins of Lopi in eggplant to supplement my Banff
Scarf Style, by Pam Allen

I'm feeling seriously attention deficit with all the projects a'workin.
Think I'll go eat another piece of Tiramisu cake.

PS...I've been trying to get my Haloscan thingie up here, but Blogger hasn't been my friend lately.

I've been knitting....and ripping...

2005-01-18T16:35:00.000-05:00

...and I've just been too busy to blog. I thought I would have some pictures up of this winter's projects, but it just hasn't happened yet. So, picture with me, if you will, a lovely Silk Garden #213 Klaralund *here* and the beginnings and dribs and drabs of my undulating stash over *here*.
Let's see. I knit about five inches into the back of my Ribby Cardi and realized that I probably should have made the next larger size, so I ripped that out. I cast on and knit the ribbing for the Gansey in the Old Way, from the last IWK, and realized that it was much too stretchy and wasn't going to have that nice, firm rib shape. Ripped that out. Found out that there really is a 10.75 needle for Simply Marilyn. Found out that I didn't have one. Cast on for Libby Baker's Belle Epoque with Jo Sharp Rare Comfort kid mohair....I wanted so desperately for it to work, but alas, even though it knits to gauge, the crocus bud pattern is totally MIA in the fuzziness. Ripped it out. Or should I say that it sits, waiting for me to rip it out, because I'm scared to frog mohair. I think that yarn is destined for something else, and soon, because I love it so much. I am scouting out more yarn for Belle Epoque~I love that pattern and I really want to knit it!
Purchased some laceweight from KnitPicks for some unspecified shawls for several upcoming birthdays....there's quite a few of you, so no one will know exactly who I'm talking about.
Oh yes. I had purchased some Cascade 220 Quattro for a sweater that I really just don't want to knit. Exactly half of that yarn is perfect for an Irish Hiking scarf, so that's what it's destined to be. For me. Perhaps the other half is already earmarked for you.....

From the top-down

2005-01-04T19:31:00.000-05:00

I can't believe my little babe is one! The boy had a birthday on Sunday, which he wasn't especially able to enjoy due to the sniffles...aw, don't worry. We're having cake and ice cream with the family on Saturday. It just doesn't seem possible that a whole year could have passed. I remember driving to the hospital (OK~my husband drove) at 1 in the morning praying that I was going to be at least 3 cm so I wouldn't have to pack it up and go home....again. Yes, I have had three children, so you'd think I'd know, but for some reason this time, the third visit was the charm. Babe was born that morning....and now he's almost walking. *Sniff, sniff*
As for the knitting, well, I'm going full bore on this top down raglan. I never made one quite this way before and it's fairly mindless and fun. I dyed the yarn with cherry and grape Kool-aid, and I'm liking the random patterning.
Cast on and knit the first few rows of Belle Epoque the other night. I'm having a difficult time seeing what the crocus bud pattern will become. The Jo Sharp mohair is quite furry, albeit gorgeous, and I'm not getting much stitch definition. I'm trying to figure out whether or not to save it for another project, but I really dread frogging the mohair. Eek. What to do.....
I returned the yarn for the Kyoto KAL...don't even ask me what I was thinking when I ordered it. Move on. I'll find something before say, June. In returning that mess, I thought again about the ChicKnits Ribby Cardi, and so I ordered some Paton's Classic merino in pink and brown. With that, plus swatching for several other projects, I should keep busy. Not to mention I have a birthday cake to construct for Saturday......

It's been a long, long time

2004-12-30T20:10:00.000-05:00

I know, it's been a couple of *cough, cough* months since I posted anything. I'll admit it. I'm html-challenged. Come on! I'm almost thirty, so the internet was virtually new when I was in college, and I've been an at-home mommy-type for 5 1/2 years now. Please don't point out that there are several years missing there because I know that. We didn't even have a computer until 3 years ago and (stamps foot) I'm not left-brained enough to figure out the html for myself. So there.

Knitty.com

2004-10-25T08:37:00.000-04:00

I have to admit, I'm a newbie to Knitty.com, but I'm already a big fan. THat sounds so cheesy. Anyhow, I'm about halfway through Clapotis and I just love it. Not quite sure what I think of the yarn, but hey. I'm using Artful Yarns 'Fable', which is a pima cotton/silk blend. Very pretty yarn in and of itself, and it's knitting quite smoothly, but I'm not quite sure about the color.....

Ok, this is hardly me

2004-10-20T20:20:00.000-04:00

I just took a little knitting quiz (yeah, like Quizilla is a reliable quiz, right?) and this is what they came up with for me:

You appear to be a Knitting Goddess.You are constantly giving and are unconcerned with
reward, you simply want others to love knitting
as much as you do. If someone wants to knit
miles of novelty yarns, you are there for them.
If someone wants to learn short row shaping,
you can help. There are no taboos in knitting,
only opportunities to grow. Everyone should
have friend like you around if they want to
learn to knit, and there's a good chance that
your passion has rubbed off on a few others.http://marniemaclean.com

What Kind of Knitter Are You?
brought to you by Need to go knit some more simple baby hats and find a good pattern to settle into for the winter.

Well, I'm finally here!

2004-10-20T14:06:00.000-04:00

For a non-inspired non-techie like me (does that even make sense?) this set-up was relatively painless...glad to finally get "out here" and blog about something that I cannot imagine many people finding interesting....my knitting and my family!