Monday, October 30, 2006

okay

On a lighter note, I got my prize for knitting the 500th pair of Jaywalkers last week! Grumperina sent me the most beautiful Lorna's Laces. The color is Pale Pink, and it is the most perfect color of pink I have ever seen. I am so excited to find a pattern that will do this yarn justice.
After laughing maniacally while ripping out that last sock I was working on in Lana Grossa, I started a new pair this weekend. I'm using my solid turqouise Cherry Tree Hill to make the Child's French Sock from "Knitting Vintage Socks" by Nancy Bush. The pattern is working out beautifully, and it is my most complicated sock to date. I have only messed up twice so far (knock on wood), and both times, I have been patient enough to frog back and fix the mistake quickly.
There's nothing more satisfying than knitting a sock that fits in a pattern that works perfectly.

non-knitters

I picked up a copy of Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's "Knitting Rules!" yesterday, and while I love the book, there's one major point I disagree with her on. I'm not too far into the book, but I've noticed she keeps saying time and time again that "anyone can knit". She says at one point that if you can dress yourself, you can knit.
I don't really think this is true. Maybe I'm a snob, but I think it takes someting special to really be able to knit. I don't think just anyone can knit - just like not everyone can paint or rebuild an entire engine. I don't know what it takes exactly, but it has to be something beyond a human brain and two hands.
When I learned how to knit, I taught myself, and that worked for me. I know a lot of knitters take classes or learn from friends or family (I've taught a few). If you're looking at just knowing how to make a knit and a purl stitch, then yes, I guess it does just take a brain and two hands. I don't really consider these people "knitters" though. To me, being a knitter entails a certain passion for knitting, not just letting it be something you "learned a while back and gave up on".
I don't really know what I'm talking about anymore, but the point is, the idea that anyone can knit really bugged me. I don't think it's really correct to say to someone, "Oh, you can knit if you can dress yourself!". No! It's not that simple.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

better

I am about to give up on these socks. It pains me to do so, but it pains me even more to work on the damn things.
Part of what added to this was a package I received today... my yarn from Michael, my boy.

love


Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Rainbow. I smile whenever I look at it.
Beautiful yarn.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

ouch

I started a pair of socks with my Lana Grossa yarn...and wow,this stuff kills my hands. My fingers start burning because the yarn isn't soft and it's cool here, so every inch of skin on my body starts drying up. This is not a good thing. I am determined to finish these though, and I will reward myself with some of my wonderful, soft yarn.
This is the colorway and yarn I am using:


I'll try to take a wip picture tonight. I'm making these babies reeeeeally short compared to what I had planned.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

no way

Wow! I somehow managed to win something, and something that really means a lot to me at that. I submitted the 500th pair of Jaywalkers to Grumperina's gallery, and I get sock yarn for knitting a pair of socks that I love. How awesome is that? I also have 2 skeins of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock in Flourite and Sherbert coming to me at some point, and a KnitPicks order of sock yarn on its way to me. To celebrate all of this goodness, I did nothing other than cast on for a new pair of socks. I have my gauge all worked out and I'm ready to go.

In lamer news, I really busted up my big toenail this evening, cleaning up after dinner. I rewarded myself for not passing out by using my new spa set from Target, mostly just the "hair mud mask". Gross. It smells fine, but I don't think I'll purposefully be putting mud in my newly shampooed hair again any time soon.

Sunday, October 15, 2006

finished jaywalkers

Lorinda, my Secret Pal 9 hostess, asked us to talk about our favorite FO so far. Well, mine just happens to be my first pair of Jaywalkers, fresh off the needles this week! I loved this pattern so much. It was so simple but gave such a great result. The socks fit me great, and I wore them all day yesterday. This pair has definetly gotten me addicted to Cherry Tree Hill. Without further ado, the picture:
jaywalkers


I am to the heel on my grandma's first sock, made of the lavendar Cascade Fixation. This yarn is interesting to me. I thought it would be hard to keep gauge with the elastic content, but the sock is going great, and so quick. I am doing just plain stockinette for this one, with a ribbed cuff and a short row heel. Nothing like trying out a new technique.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

20 days remain

The office is holding its annual chocolate-free October contest. Whoever is left at the end of October splits $500. So far, only Sue has been knocked out, so we're up to $62.50 each. Last year I didn't even participate, but this year...I couldn't help it when I thought of all the yarn I could buy. Mark, Ken and Hunter will be easy to knock out, which would bring us to $100 each. I am also trying to sabotage Doran, but he's pretty strong willed about chocolate already.
I am to the toe of my second jaywalker, and I expect to finish it tomorrow. I would crank it out tonight, but I have to study for my government midterm. I have decided I'm not a fan of professor Brands. He has us reading through James Adams' presidency in the book, but he's not even through the revolution in lecture. He doesn't speak to us directly, but rather as a blob, and up until Tuesday, we had no idea who the TA's were because he never bothered to introduce them. And! He's not even here for the week of the midterm! Ugh.

Saturday, October 07, 2006

addicted

First, and of course foremost, hook 'em! We beat OU for the second year in a row today, and I couldn't be any prouder of Colt McCoy.

Second, I ventured to Bluebonnet Yarn Shoppe today with my mom, and I think between them and Hill Country Weavers, I'm pretty much covered for immediate yarn desires in the Austin area. I got some Artyarns Ultra Merino in a green/purple combo that reminds me of grapes, but more muted.

To demonstrate my growing addiction to sock yarns, I have uploaded (and notated) the following image:
sock yarn stash

(Click on it to see the other sizes, including the version with notes.)

Other than rooting for my school and buying yarn, I got a new digital camera on sale today, and you can thank it for the overload of pictures you will soon experience.
In closing, the puppy is really big, the kitten loves me, and Emo is the best cat ever.

Friday, October 06, 2006

Secret Pal 9 Questions

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love Noro (Kureyon, Silk Garden mostly), Cherry Tree Hill supersock, Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, anything alpaca or wool. I like animal fibers the best, but I'm not completely opposed to acryllic, as long as it's soft.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I just got a beautiful needle holder that somehow holds everything. It's silk, white and teal, with embroidery, and I love it.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I taught myself how to knit over the summer of 2005. I caught on pretty quick, and I'd say I'm somwhere between intermediate and advanced. The only thing I haven't really done is colorwork. I'll be diving into that pretty soon though.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I like 'clean' smells that aren't too powdery or flowery. Examples: anything with "rain" or "air" in the name or citrus smells.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I have several sweet teeth. :) I like Toblerone quite a bit, and I have a weak spot for tangy, sour things, including sour punch straws and smarties.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I am working on cross-stitch, but I don't really like it so far. I journal and paint occasionally. I don't spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
My musical tastes are pretty random. I like classics, such as John Lennon, the Beatles, Bill Withers and Ella Fitzgerald; some indie bands, such as the Shins, the Postal Service, Rilo Kiley, and old Belle & Sebastian; and finally, weird things like the Hello Dolly Soundtrack and Threepenny Opera. My computer and car stereo can both play cds.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
My absolute favorite is pink. I like it enough to have a hot pink car. I love every color though, and I like changing things up colorwise between projects.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with my boyfriend, Michael, my two cats, Emo and Audrey (both brown tabbies, 5 years and 4 months, respectively), and our ever-growing black lab puppy, Topper (5 months).

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves, and occasionally mittens if I can find them. I don't do hats or ponchos, especially ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I am developing a great love affair with the sock.

13. What are you knitting right now?
A pair of jaywalkers (almost done! must...keep...going!)

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I love it.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I like bamboo and aluminum needles best, Clovers are my favorites. I like circulars and straights both.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No. I'm hoping for one this christmas though.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
This is embarassing...I have a Picovoli tee on the needles that has been sitting in my knitting basket since July.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Shoes and yarn.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I want to get a pair of Addi Naturas at some point, but I don't know what size or length. I don't have any knitting magazine subscriptions.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I'm about to start learning colorwork.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes! I'm a straight-up size 9 (US womens). I can take actualy measurements if you need me to.

23. When is your birthday? September 12

Thursday, October 05, 2006

socks

I got my Cascade fixation in the mail yesterday from Simply Sock Yarn Company and both colors are exactly what I wanted. I hid them on the shoe shelf in our closet, not from Michael, but from the puppy, who is still convinced most things are toys.
I turned the heel on my second Jaywalker last night, so I am just chugging away at the gusset decreases before I can speed down the foot. I have so many socks I want to knit, but I am making myself finish this pair first.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

better

Today is a lot better, less stressful, and more enjoyable. My classics midterm went okay I think. There were a few curveballs he threw at us, but for the most part, I knew what I was talking about.
I am eagerly awaiting more yarn in the mail. I need to find my card reader so I can upload pictures of knitting and yarn. There is a sock yarn explosion happening in my stash right now.
Also, my cats are in love:

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

classics

I just want to smash my printer right now because I am supposed to work on memorizing a map of ancient greece but this stupid thing keeps printing everything backwards and I just want to climb into a big comfy chair and work on a sock.

well...

He mentioned the book again.