Ambition

So, I'm wondering how ambitious it is of me to ponder doing (and by doing I mean finishing totally) at least one project a month for 2006. It can be socks, scarves, afghans, etc., and the whole project doesn't have to be completely done from CO to finishing in a month's time span, but I would like to have a project to add each month to the completed list.

Some of my other recent knitting ponderings:
-I'm going to rip out Knitted Stripes, double up that yarn, and do a ripple afghan with the three colours instead. That was the pattern I had PLANNED to do originally, but put off because I felt the ripple had to be done with chunky weight in order to knit up quickly. For some reason I didn't consider doubling it and using, oh, say, size 13 needles on it. I think that will work out well.
-Jaywalkers have been ripped out and I will re-CO tomorrow. They were too small even though I tried them on several times. Oh well. I want them done right! Remind me of that! Zari on the KR forums is also working on these socks, so maybe she can help keep me on track.
-I really really want to do a sweater this year. I actually CO tonight for a generic top-down raglan. I want to do something cute like Ribby or Tubey, but maybe I should try something mega-simple first. Besides, I don't have the yarn for those yet anyway.
-I am going to do the Danica scarf. I am going to pick two WotA colours and CO for it as soon as the rest of my yarn gets here. I really want to learn that and it looks like it could be semi-instant gratification - you could just do a square and feel like you accomplished something.
-I really want to do a Fair Isle or other multi-coloured-yarns project again. I want to work on that two-handed weaving method and get my tension right.

Oops...

So for some reason I just recently saw a pic of Ene's Scarf from the Scarf Style book. In fact, to give credit where credit is due, I saw it on Renocat's blog when I went to look at her near-completed Ribby Cardi. Now, one would think that a project named "Ene's Scarf" would be a scarf, but no, it's a beautiful lace shawl that I just happen to have enough Turquoise Splendor Shimmer to make. So I went ahead and ordered Scarf Style, and, to get my $30 free shipping, A Gathering of Lace as well. And now I want to make a Ribby Cardi, too. I don't have the proper yarn for the Cardi (or Knitty's Tubey), but I do think the Violet Shine would work well for the Ribby Shell. I went ahead and bought both patterns anyway. And I found another off-the-shoulder sweater free pattern on Elann.com that I think the River Shine would look good as. No more knitting spending for a while!

Tempting...

Knitty.com has done it to me again! Just when I finally get my to-do list somewhat whittled down, they publish a new issue with some totally cute patterns. I'm particularly in love with Tempting II (after having loved the first Tempting, though I haven't made it yet), and Danica (the entrelac scarf). The scarf would be great for some of the WotA, and I think I have enough Shine to do a variation of the Temptings (I think I like II better. The belt look is more me than the ribbon.) I also seriously love Tubey. So cute, and totally something I would wear! I'm really hoping to find a good pattern to show off the Shadow or Alpaca Cloud yarns, though, anyone have any ideas? Lacy scarves/shawls/stoles?

Twas the week after Christmas...

and I have YARN! Serious yarn! As in, I will not have to buy yarn for the next year and a half because I got so much yarn! KnitPicks is probably having to restock right now! I got (the condensed version):
30 skeins of Wool of the Andes (3 skeins each of ten different colours!)
6 skeins of Simple Stripes (2 skeins each of three different colours)
2 skeins of Parade (Blues)
4 skeins of Dancing (2 each of Swing and Jig)
2 skeins of Sock Garden (Morning Glory)
4 skeins of Sock Landscapes (2 each of Cape Cod and Spring Prairie)
2 skeins of Shadow (Lost Lake)
2 skeins of Alpaca Cloud (droool...1 each of Stream and Tide Pool)
3 skeins of Shimmer (1 Morning Mist and 2 Turquoise Splendor)
12 skeins of Shine (6 each of Violet and River)

If anyone has any project suggestions, I'm all ears! I want to make some gorgeous stuff with this!

And, a Christmas present to myself was finishing my Sockotta Socks! I used the tapestry needle bind off, and learned the hard way to not pull the yarn too tightly with that one. And I couldn't figure a good way to weave the ends in at the cuff, so they did get knotted (erk!). But I wore them all day yesterday when I was travelling (three airports in seven hours...sigh...) and they held up! Now I'm starting a pair of Jaywalker Socks with the KnitPicks Dancing Jig. I can't believe the colours! They are SO FUN!

Project Specs on the Sockottas:

Pattern Source: 2 Socks on Magic Loop
Yarn: Plymouth Sockotta #502 (purple/blue/gray/jaquard self striping)
Needles: 32" size 2 circular (Susan Bates)
Date started: approx. Oct. 24, 2005
Date completed: Dec. 25, 2005
Notes:
-like the pattern and colours
-the yarn is rather stiff and hurts the fingers after knitting for a while with it. It's comfy on the feet, though, and I think it will soften up after washing a couple times.
-used the YO heel from the Christmas stocking pattern and it worked fairly well, although I got off the stripes somewhere with it, so I don't think I have both heels done exactly the same
-first sock heel increased until there are 24sts unworked on both sides
-the YO includes purling the first st. This st is NOT counted with the rest of the purled stitches
-CO 68sts
-tapestry needle BO, don't think I did it completely correctly, note to leave plenty of slack between sts or else when you try to put the socks on, the yarn will break due to strain

Christmas is coming...

I have all but one mitten done out of my Christmas knitting. I should be working on it now, actually, instead of getting caught up on the KR Forums and typing this. But oh well. I'll felt this pair at my parents' tomorrow night, hopefully without my mom finding them, but if she does, I'll explain the process to her. She'll either be really interested in it or not interested at all in it, but she will definitely enjoy the thought of handmade mittens! Still have to finish Bubby for Gift Elf. I'm probably a terrible gift elf. She'll get it after Christmas. I'm going to take the mittens, Bubby, and the Sockotta socks with me to my parents'. I doubt I'll get much knitting done there, but I do have all that airplane time, and all of them are fairly close to completion.

I got a phone call from my friend Matt, whose son Ethan was the recipient of the Scallop Baby Afghan I made a while back. He said that (for some reason) they just recently got it, but he and Misti (Ethan's mom) both love it and the baby himself has been sleeping with it since it showed up. That warms the heart, the picture of a little one curled up nice and warm in a New York winter because of something I made.

And I needed that news, particulary on the day I got the message, because:

The opera is kicking my ass. After coming home in rants the past week, I finally had to break down, put my foot down, and say "No, I am not coming in to run rehearsals for the first two shows. I am not contracted to work on those shows. I am not getting paid anything extra to do any work on those two shows. I have already rehearsed two full operas. I am not spending more of my time and energy to start a third one, much less a fourth one, even if they are just being reblocked. That's why you hired another stage manager, remember?" It went over surprisingly well. Of course, as Steve pointed out, what were they going to do? Fire me for not doing work that wasn't my job and they weren't paying me for? If they try, I'm gladly leaving, and I'm taking my books with me. That includes all of the paperwork I've generated. All of the blocking notes. All the props lists. All the scene change choreography. All of it.

So now I have just over a week mostly off before tech starts because the other two shows are in rehearsal. I'm suddenly feeling much more confident and energized about it. I can now do this again. It's a nice feeling. And I'll get knitting time again. After Christmas, so it will all be for ME! Muha!

Steve and I are doing Christmas tonight! Yay! I get to finally give him Pasha! And a few other odds and ends, of course =) We're going to have a nice chicken dinner, including pumpkin pie, Christmas music, and presents. And relaxation. Which reminds me, I have to wrap the last of his presents and go to the grocery store.

After I finish this row...really...

wah

God. I'm. Busy.

have had no time to knit in the past ten days. going through withdrawl. Show is getting to me. SM'ing now. No ASMs. Covering rehearsals for other SM, as well. Going nuts. They'd better make it worth it. Bastards.

To Do List

Pasha is done. Will probably do another one and try to felt it. This one isn't terrible, but I wouldn't mind getting more yarn and trying again. No spare cash atm, though. Will post pics later.

Started the ribbing for the cuff of the Sockotta socks. Hopefully they'll be done soon.

Will knit the felted mittens over the holiday. Worsted wool on size 10 needles shouldn't take long.

Working on Gift Elf's project. Should be done soon, it's very small. Had to restart it, though. My preferred method of working in the round inside out doesn't work with this particular pattern. Oh well.

are we there yet?

So Pasha pieces are done. Took me probably two evenings total. Pieces are outside blocking. Not sure when I'm gonna get a chance to sew him together and stuff him w/o Steve being home, since he has the entire next week off due to Thanksgiving. We're gonna go up to his folks again this year. I'd like to make something to bring, but I don't know how long we're going to be up there. A lot of it will depend on my rehearsal schedule. I'm ASM'ing the final two chapters of The Ring of the Nibelung that will be performed in mid-January, and my rehearsal schedule is a little wonky. All I really know is that this year there will be no scary car accidents! (Last year we decided to go hiking in the mountains the day before Thanksgiving, and had a big ugly yellow Chevy truck, driven by an unlicensed driver, smash headlong into us as we were starting home. We were okay, Steve's truck was totalled. It was the sorest, most thankful Thanksgiving I've ever celebrated!) I'll probably bring the mittens and Sockotta socks up to work on, as I know that we both have the weekend after Thanksgiving off, so we'll probably stay up there at least a couple days.

I'm poor, so I've added Google ads to the footer. If any strike your fancy, just click and enjoy!

update

recieved the KnitPicks order on Thursday, safe and sound. Two new sock needles and three skeins of WotA for Pasha. He got started this evening and seems to be doing well so far. I can't really concentrate on any one project today, so I worked on my socks for a while, and since Steve had a call tonight, did Pasha's back and beak, then finished the heels on the socks. Both heels on the Sockotta socks are turned now, so now back to the stockinette. The heels didn't turn evenly, though, and I'm not sure why. Maybe I didn't write the numbers for the first one down correctly. Or maybe the allergy meds just never really wore off this morning. I dunno. There is some wonkiness, no hugely visible holes, though, and the stripes are off now. It was pure coincidence that they matched before, so that doesn't really break my heart, but still...

I'm working on turning the pattern for the Jaywalker socks from cuff down dpns to toe up ML. I think I might have a solution, but I have to check the guage, and I don't want to start a new pair of socks until I have this pair done. I'm going to be doing these on either my size 1 or size 3 circs, so I can still use the size 2 for the second Regia sock when the Sockotta pair is done.

Left to do before Christmas:
1 pair felted mittens
1 Pasha
1 Bubby
Not too bad, eh?

Pics!

Hmm...so the washing didn't really help any of the tension issues, and in fact, the snowmen one seems like it grew. I'm not sure why it's so much bigger than the holly one. Both are a little cringe-worthy, but Steve says that he wouldn't notice any of the mistakes if I hadn't pointed them out. I still might do another snowmen one. Anyway, project specs:

Pattern source: Annie's Woolens
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Autumn, White, Dk. Sage (1 skein each, still lots left after making 2 stockings)
Needles: 12" size 8 circ, 16" size 6 circ, longer size 8 circ for heel/toe

Notes:
1. Tension issues. Major tension issues.
2. Heel on the Snowman has holes because I didn't turn it properly and didn't realize it until I did the Holly one.
3. Snowman was stranded, Holly was woven. I like the woven technique better, but have to work on the left hand tension.
4. Really cute patterns and quick knits if you don't frog them a billion times.
5. Original patterns have just one icon. Steve wanted longer stockings, so we did one full pattern of the main icon and added the center images of icons from other charts, still from Annie's Woolens. His has the snowmen and the holly, mine has the holly and the evergreen.
6. Short row heel and toe options.

awww!

Katie and Steve,
Thank you so much for the afghan. It looks really great on my papasan chair. I can't believe how soft and pretty it is. I'm soooo glad you made it to the reception. It was a great time, and great to see old friends. Thank you again.
Love,
Amanda and Nick

The possibly unfortunate recipients of Winter Night #1, but they like it, so hey, it works for me! =)

Want KnitPicks order! (I know, it's still early to expect it, but I WANT IT! WHINE!)

Been lazy, haven't finished Holly stocking or finished the first heel of the Sockotta socks. Only about twenty more pattern rows for the stocking. I really should get that done tonight. Then I don't have to worry about it anymore, right?

Second Sock Syndrome

sorta, but not really...
I got the Regia in for the second sock of the first pair today. However, my size 2 needles (currently the only sock needles I own, although 1's and 3's are coming in the next KnitPicks shipment!) are currently occupied by the pair of Sockotta socks that I work on in spurts. I am not a big fan of the Sockotta yarn, which is why I haven't been working on them as much. It's...hard. The yarn, I mean. I think it will soften up when it is washed, and being cotton-based, will surely make for more wearable socks for my current environment, but I'm not sure I would buy more of it. I'm almost to the heel of this pair.

Turned the heel of the Holly Christmas stocking (mine) last night. I could finish the thing tonight if I wanted. The weaving technique seems faster and slightly more even than the stranding, although there are still definite tension issues. However, I'm not frogging this one five hundred times. I also actually figured out how to do the YO short row heel properly, w/o the visible holes, and it looks five billion times better than the Snowmen stocking. I'm thinking that I'm going to do another Snowman stocking with the weaving and the proper toes. I want Steve to have something nice, too. Both will depend on how they wash out, though. Still have not washed the first Snowman, hence no pics yet.

Made my last KP order the other day after getting my last PCPA check until March. Some WotA for a certain quick project for a certain someone (not my gift elf, I already have her yarn, just waiting on the needles) and two pairs of 40" circs for socks. There should be no shipping issues this time, so I hope to get the order by the end of next week. Other than that, my small stash is on a yarn diet until further notice. Which shouldn't be a problem unless I see a yarn that I fall madly in love with. I want to get these stockings (made in stashed acrylics) and the Spruce felted mittens done. Then I have the yarn to do four pairs of socks - the Regia, Sockotta, SockaColori, and Bearfoot - plus some Crystal Palace Waikiki for a t-strap top that I started and abandoned for some reason (I might try to rewrite the pattern to do it in the round), the KnitPicks Shadow for the Tiger Eye stole I broke down and started already, and I am really wanting to do a top-down raglan with some of the (watches the yarn snobs shudder) Simply Soft I have stashed. I have four skeins in four colors that I think would make a nice sweater with wide horizonatal stripes. I want a slightly oversized sweater, with a...hmm...floppy turtleneck?...collar. I will start with the off-white for the collar and yoke and top of the sleeves, then do a light sage green band, then a darker tan band, and then a dark sage green band. Maybe it will be the ugliest sweater ever, I don't know, but at least I will have made a sweater and used up some of my stash. This is not counting the four skeins of Homespun in Cobalt that I need to do something with. I think I'm gonna do a dishcloth shawl with it. When I get around to it.

Btw, if there was ever a book that made you want to knit and read at the same time, it's Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton. The actual murder plot is a little weak, but still interesting, but the characters are great, and the LYS and SnB group that get involved with the main character are right out of my fantasy "girls night out". I have got to get me one of those groups...my LYS keeps inviting me, but their "late nights" are Wednesday and Thursday, which are usually the only evenings I can spend with Steve. We'll see. They're also usually older, but that really shouldn't be an issue. I'd really love to spend more time with people closer to my age that aren't drunk, though.

Christmas is coming...

As evidenced by the completion of the first Christmas stocking! Finally! It's...not my best work ever, but I'm hoping a run through the wash will help it. I'd tear it all out and do it again, but I don't want to spend more time on it, and Steve won't let me anyway. He thinks it's great the way it is. I hope my stocking goes better. I should have done mine first to practice on, but he was so excited about them...sigh...pics will be up after it goes through the wash.

Bearfoot!

Guess what came in the mail today?!


I can't wait to work with this yarn! Unfortunately, I already have a pair of socks on what I've started thinking of as my sock needles. I need to get another pair...after the paycheck comes! Thanks Susan! It rocks!

Mittens!

Felted Mittens
Pattern from Bernat.com
Yarn: KnitPick's Wool of the Andes in Cloud (2 skeins)
Needles: 29" US8 Inox circular needles (Magic Looped)
Notes:
1. I don't like the cuff. It needs to be longer and probably on smaller needles so it doesn't make that boxy shape.
2. The palm/fingers could be about a half inch shorter.
3. The thumb needs to be longer.
4. It could go through the felting process one more time to lose some more of the stitch definition. I didn't want to make them any smaller, though.
5. Fairly quick knit, and I used almost all of the yarn.

Luckily, I got three skeins of the Spruce, which was the color that I really wanted to make these mittens in, but I decided to use the Cloud for a test pair. Now I know what adjustments to make to make them perfect for...the person they're for! =)

FINALLY

My KnitPicks order finally showed up yesterday! Very excited! 3 skeins of Spruce WotA, 2 skeins of Cloud WotA (the second skein is already in use for the first felted mitten), and 3 skeins of Jewels Shadow! The Shadow is soooo soft, and has all these little flecks of lavender and dark blues and purples through it. I can't wait to work with it! I had to put it up on the shelf out of sight so I didn't start my Tiger Eyes with it yet! The WotA isn't too shabby, either - it's not nearly as scratchy as the Noro Kureyon that I made the Booga bag out of, and has been knitting up very quickly, although part of that is probably the fact that I'm using size 8s to make it bigger so it shrinks when I felt it. I might just get these mittens knit today! I'm using the Cloud as my test pair for the pattern. If they turn out well, I'll give this pair to Mom and make another pair in the Spruce for my Dad. I kind of want to make a pair of felted clogs for Kelly (his afghan is NOT going to get done in time - I have no desire to work on it right now), but I may have to knit them in advance and then felt them after he "gets" them, so I know they'll fit okay. And I want to make and felt a penguin for Steve ("Pasha" in the Knitty archives) and a small lil sumtinsumtin for my gift elf! I feel another KnitPicks order coming on! If my paycheck ever gets here, anyway...

Turned the heel on Steve's Christmas stocking yesterday (Steve decided - thank goodness - that adding another Snowman pic would make it far too long), and have also started a pair of socks (two socks on ML) in the Sockotta until the second ball of Regia shows up. The Bearfoot still hasn't come in yet =(

Sock pic!

As promised, a pic of my very first sock ever! I have lots of notes about what I want to do differently now, but have made a vow to myself that I will at least finish the next section of the Christmas stocking before I start a new pair of socks. That's only ten or so rows to do.

Thank you to all for the kind words. (Please see the second entry down on my LJ if you don't know what I'm talking about!) I had thought about making this page black or something as some kind of tribute, but the more I thought about it, the more inappropriate that seemed. Rainbows were Tori's symbol of hope and reminder that God is in control of our lives. Black, in this occasion, is a color of despair and sadness. We rejoice knowing that she is at peace and enjoying a celebration of colours! So I add to that my humble, but very colorful, picture of a sock!

the one-sock wonder

So I'm plugging merrily along on my first sock. I'm working on the leg of it now, and could probably have it done tonight if I wanted. (Steve has a lighting call at the college.) I can't get the yarn for the second sock for another week or so, though. The LYS called Saturday while we were in Illinois and told me that they were sorry, but they had sold the last one of that color already and it was discontinued, so they can't order more. I found it on eBay for $5, which is cheaper than the LYS, but, of course, you have to add shipping, which makes it $12. Sigh. And apparently the post office is still trying to forward my mail to various places, even though they were supposed to stop Oct. 6 (Mom told me today that one of my bank statements was mailed back to them at the bank with a "temporarily moved" label on it. Ugh.) I hope this is not the reason that my Bearfoot AND my 12" circ AND my KnitPicks haven't arrived. I hope they'll come today. I've gotten a Cosmo in the mail, but that is the only thing I've gotten since I got back. Weird.

Sock is going alright. Had the typical holey heel issues, which have not been completely resolved to my satisfaction, but a part of it might be that I think I might have boggled one of the final short rows. Oh well. I now have two other sock yarns, plus the Bearfoot on the way. Steve actually mentioned that "Hey, now you can make me socks, too!" He doesn't care for the colors I have right now, though. (Purple, blue, green, pink...can't imagine why!)

Spending today finishing the sock and reading ghost stories. Yay!

well, finally!

I finally called KnitPicks this morning (yes, it is only 9:30a.m. and I have been up for approximately two and a half hours already, sigh!) after a week of having my emails ignored. The lady was very nice and apologetic and started the process of sending a replacement order right away, along with a note on the file that said the order had delayed shipping. I don't think there will be any kind of compensation (I was kinda hoping for a free skein or a discount or something), although she said if the first order does ever arrive, I should just keep it. If this order goes the way the people at the KR Forums claim, it should be here by mid-next week. I hope so!

The LYS that I bought the Regia from is closed on Thursdays (and Sundays AND Mondays!) and, from looking at websites of other LYS in the area, no one else carries it locally. Which means I can't get another skein until Tuesday at the earliest. I'm really worried about getting SSS (second sock syndrome), but I think I'll be okay. I should call them and leave a message asking them to hold a skein in that dye lot for me...

Socks!

I finally broke down and tried it, and it's working! Socks! I'm doing a basic, toe-up sock with magic loop (I found the technique here).



I was actually going to go all out and try two socks on the magic loop, but realized that in my excitement yesterday, I'd bought only 50g of the yarn (Regia Jacquard color 5181) and I need 100g to make a pair. Sigh. I suppose that means another trip to the yarn store tomorrow so I can get the second skein a.) before they run out of that dye lot (not that it really matters so much to me, it's striped, and I don't care if they match perfectly or not) and b.) so I can get it before we leave on our trip to Illinois this weekend. I don't know if I will be able to get the first sock completely done or not, but I *will* be having at least four hours of airplane time each way. I hope Steve doesn't get airsick! I also really really hope that my Bearfoot and other yarns come tomorrow, or else I won't be able to play with them until next week! (not that I would have time to play with them anyway, but you know what I mean!)

Also, for your entertainment, submitting this pic, thereby busting the idea that "in order to find the most comfortable place in the house, move the cat!" He can stay right where he is, thanks! (Pay no attention to the beer bottle or the state of disarray of the desk - it's Steve's!)

socks and work

No KnitPicks, 12" circ, or Bearfoot yet. Sigh. Went back to the LYS that was supposed to have Bearfoot, and the lady said that they never stocked it. Grr. Did get a 32" size 2 circ for socks, though, and some multi-colored Regia sock yarn. Of course, I had to CO ASAP. It's so colorful, but it's like knitting on toothpicks!

Didn't get the office job I had counted on, though. Anyone know of any part time jobs in the Orange County area? At least until March?

resetting

Blog colors have been changed back to as close to the originals as I could find...I know that I saved my template before I changed to the black, but I can't find it anywhere for anything. Grr. Doesn't help that the laptop is being tempermental, so I'm on Steve's computer, which has different fonts and things loaded onto it. Anyway, I think this one is easier to look at (the black is just too harsh), so maybe more people will come back...I still have to work on the font, though, it's too big.

snarl

Alright, now I'm starting to get a bit ticked. My KnitPicks order has still not arrived! It has been three weeks now! The last time I have heard from them was last Monday. I have been trying to get in touch with them to get a tracking number or something that the post office can use to find out where in the country the package is, but no response. I'm so disappointed, I'd heard such good things about this company and their products, and the prices are certainly right, but I WANT MY YARN! I want to start something new! I emailed them today expressing my current displeasure, so hopefully something will come of this. My 12" circ and my Bearfoot haven't gotten here yet, either, but I'm not really expecting them for a couple days yet. I was so excited earlier - I'd found a LYS who supposedly carries Bearfoot and was hoping to splurge on a skein in a different color today and either play with socks or start a Tiger Eye lace scarf. After driving by the place about ten times and not seeing it, I finally get to it, and it's closed. Of course. Sigh. It was the perfect rainy day to start a nice, fun, colorful project, but alas, the fates did not agree with me apparently. No new needles (I was also hoping to pick up a super long circ to use for Magic Loop socks), no new yarn, no new projects. Toying with the idea of using some stash to make a test Pasha, since I'm wanting to make a penguin for Steve. I really should just put in a movie or two and work on KS or the stocking, though. I haven't worked on KS in days and it's probably feeling neglected. On the stocking, I've gotten through the first Snowman chart (Steve wants snowmen, then a full row of holly, then another snowmen, sigh!) and it does look much better. I've been working with it inside out, so the WS is facing out and the floats have to be longer. Got almost through the holly this weekend up at his parents, but the stitches were AWFUL! I've never knit so badly in my life, not sure what was going on. So that got frogged, and now I'm working up the desire to ever look at it again. It's really a pretty fast knit when I do work on it, it's just so frustrating for a perfectionist like me. I think I'm also sick of working with red, white, blue, and green, which is why I'm so excited to have this Bearfoot coming - colors! Lots of colors!!

*drool*

Look what is coming in the mail for me!!!

Mountain Colors Bearfoot in Mountain Tango!

Someone on KR was selling some to destash a little and had it cheaper than I could find in shops. One skein should be enough for a pair of socks, or maybe a lacy scarf. I can't wait, I've finally gotten a chance to do a mini-splurge on this yarn!!

waaaahhh!

My KnitPicks yarn still hasn't arrived! I want my yarn!! Especially as I've put myself on a no-more-yarn-buying-resstriction until I get all my presents (which, really, is just the mittens left, although I am toying with the idea of doing a scarf for Hannah and a Baby Booga for my KR Gift Elf pal). Sigh. Oh, and illusions are not just on the stage for me anymore.


Now you see it!


Now you don't!

I got this from someone at craftster.com and had to try it out. I kind of like the grey and white combination, but I am NOT using the huge ball of Red Heart grey I have! I used it last night for the swatch and it is far too coarse for a scarf! Now I feel bad for Mom and Dad and Kelly, getting scarves made of this stuff, ugh! I might do it in Simply Soft, though.

a very sunny Rainy Day

Rainy Day is finished! Yay! That makes only the mittens left on the "must get done" list! The two afghans and the stocking have always been on the "I'd like to get done" list! It always seemed like I had so much left to do, but really, I don't! Such a relief!

a very long post

Good things about today:
1. I am home in Anaheim for good now. I can actually stay here, with Steve, until March, when I move back up to Santa Maria permanently.
2. I got a very nice email from the artistic director of PCPA thanking me for the work I did on My Way and basically supporting all of my calls throughout the drama backstage. They can't wait to have me back up for Oliver!. I can't wait to have a real job. We're going to go back up to see their Beauty and the Beast in November.
3. I had an interview at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy to stage manage their fall semester showcase. Rehearsals don't start until the end of the month. Plenty of 'ahh' time for me! The TD seemed to like me, but I still have one more interview with the director, who isn't too thrilled with what he sees as my "lack" of musical experience. We'll see.
4. No roommates home so far this evening, no loud music, movies or television (I swear, they both must be deaf or have some desire to become so), no kissy voices or screaming arguments. Ability to use the kitchen without someone bitching about how dirty we somehow always get it, and made a nice spaghetti dinner tonight.
5. This time in two weeks, Steve will have been on his first plane trip, have seen the house and town I grew up in, and met the majority of my friends and family. He can't wait, I can't wait! I love travelling, love seeing my family, and I'm thrilled that Steve has elected to come with me this time!

Grr things about today:
1. Somehow the cable no longer works upstairs. Which means that, although I have all this wonderful knitting time, I have no background television with which to distract myself with. No Law and Order, no Animal Planet, no Travel/Discovery ghost story programs. And roommate (see Good #4) in charge of all the cabling downstairs is not home, so I can't bug him about it, and I don't want to mess with all his stuff he has plugged into who knows what downstairs. One can only check websites so many times throughout the day, and it is difficult to surf or read and knit.
2. Steve got called to work longer than he thought he did due to some client's inability to inform the lighting designer that he was tripling the size of the set. Luckily, they're only loading in today, not striking as well. He should be home in a couple of hours, I hope. He also has a bunch of design projects due for various classes, so he's going to be swamped this week. He played hooky from class and cuddled in bed with me this morning, though.
3. My KnitPicks order STILL has not come yet. Unless it came today. Since I no longer have a key to the mailbox (I constantly forgot to check it, so Steve stole the key back. He IS much better about checking mail than I am), I can't check. I hope it comes soon. On the other hand, I have vowed to not start the felted mittens until RD is done, so at least I'm not tempted by new yarns. I really should find some movie or something that I can space out and knit to. I also have a 12" AddiTurbo coming from WEBS, but that will probably not show up until late this week at the VERY earliest.

Pics!
Rainy Day almost complete! You can see the zigzaggy pattern of the ribbing, and get a better idea of the colors in the yarn. This is a nice project, but I will be SO glad when it is done!

Updated Knitted Stripes. We're at about Row 150 out of an estimated 380 rows. Lots of work left! I'm still not sure exactly how wide it is.

A better pic of the actual stitchwork. Nothing too tough, just lots of it!

The so-far-ill-fated Snowman Stocking. Note that it is currently on two circs, and frogged back almost to where it was in the original picture I posted that I was so proud of. Sigh. I really want to try that 12" circ, although I know the real problem is tension and I, in theory, should be able to use any circular knitting method and have no troubles if I could keep the &*^% tension even.

And, because Steve started to yell at me for having random pages cluttering my desk (and his):

Nothing fancy, just a punch of alphabetized knitting patterns (some very crumpled) now comfortably and lovingly housed in sheet protectors. Note that this is NOT my knitting notebook, this is strictly a book of the patterns I have gotten around to printing out for one reason or another.

some progress

RD is almost done. I'm going to cut it back to 60" from 66", I think. It's already at 51" and wraps around my neck just fine, and 'Manda's about half my size, so another ten inches or so should be just fine for her. You'd think by now I wouldn't need the pattern anymore, and it's just moving the ribbing back and forth, but for the life of me, I can never remember it and have to bring it with me everywhere. Sigh.

KS is progressing slowly but surely. I've been pretty good about my "four rows a day" rule, and actually it seems like it's going faster now. I think a lot of that is psychological now that I know the pattern better and don't have to have it in front of me.

The Christmas stocking is still giving me fits - I've done dpns, magic loop, and now am working on two circs, knitting fairly loosely for me, and still have puckers. Sigh. I'm about half done with the first Snowman chart. Steve wants me to add two extra "icons" to his...a row of holly and another snowman chart, which makes for a total of eight sections counting the heel and toe. I have 1 and 1/2 sections done right now. I'm hoping that if I keep working on it, I'll get to where I find a rhythm/knack/whatever and it will smooth out. Or that washing it when it is finished will help. It is acrylic, though, so it might not. I'm seriously considering getting a 12" circ. It was so much smoother on one needle. Maybe it is just this section of the pattern? I didn't have ANY trouble with the top border, and it looks so nice.

Easy Mittens have been scrapped, Felted Mittens will start when the yarn arrives and RD is done. As of last night, it still hadn't come, but I haven't talked to Steve yet today. Still trying to decide if I want to do a multidir-diag with the yarn or not. If I do, I'll probably mix it with some white/cream color to match the CC for the mittens.

Been watching wayy too much Travel/History/Discovery Channels during the day recently and scaring myself silly with all of their haunted places shows. Why do I do this to myself?? I know I won't be able to sleep at night, and yet, I am drawn to them anyway. I have always loved "true" ghost story collections - books, internet, television. Not horror movies, though. Can't stand those. I'm weird. Anyone have any true ghost stories? It is October after all!

Closing My Way and going home on Sunday. Yay! I have an interview with AMDA-LA on Monday, which hopefully will get me through until March, when I will move (yes, I'm taking the job) back up here permanently. Steve is planning on moving up with me when he finishes school in June, so it all works out! Hopefully, one of the jobs he wants up here will have opened up by then as well.

misc

Been a while since I've posted, sorry. I haven't done a whole lot since getting back to Santa Maria Wednesday. I've worked on KS quite a bit, and some RD, and even finished a WN2 square. The Winter's Night square isn't really much of an accomplishment, as they normally take about an hour to make, but since I've only been working on it during the show, and have to put it down frequently, it's not too bad. Both KS and RD seem to have exploded overnight. I keep thinking "I have HOW much left?!" But then I look at it or measure it, and considering what I'm doing, I'm on a pretty decent pace so far. 46/66 inches on the RD, and row 130(ish) out of what originally is to be 380 rows on KS. I will probably have to add some length to that, though, so it may not be done in time for Christmas. We'll see. RD definitely will. So will WN2 and at least one of the Christmas stockings.

Oh, the stockings have been a drama lately. 16" circs were too long, and I didn't want to order new needles, so I switched to dpns. Couldn't keep tension for ANYTHING. It looked hideous. So I ripped it back to about where it was in the earlier pic, learned magic loop, got some 29" circs, and have been plugging away on it since. Tension is better. Still not great when I was starting the magic loop on it, but I think it will be alright once the thing is done and washed and blocked. Steve wants me to add another icon chart to it, though, which will make them about five inches longer. We can't really decide what to add, though.

PCPA has offered me their staff stage management position. It's a permanent position, and I would have to move to Santa Maria permanently to take it. Well, I mean, I'm not signing my soul to them or anything, but it is definitely not a "this gig will end because your show is over" thing - it's a steady job with salary, benefits, everything. A job I've wanted for about two years now, and I would start in March. Steve wants me to take it. I've all but given my formal acceptance. It will be hard to live away from Steve, even for a couple months until he graduates and can move here as well, but we think we can do it. I can't wait to see him when I go home tonight! I think absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

You are Dishcloth Cotton.
You are a very hard worker, most at home when
you're at home. You are thrifty and seemingly
born to clean. You are considered to be a Plain
Jane, but you are too practical to notice.


What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

bah...I tried to be something more interesting, and it didn't work. I guess I'm stuck with this...true as it probably is, it's a bit boring, eh?

whew!

Steve is totally an enabler. Which is fabulous. His response to "more yarn is coming" was "when and how much and will someone be home to pick it up?" Of course, since his hobbies are wood- and steel-working and computers, spending $16 isn't really very much. I love KnitPicks. Where else can you spend $16 and get eight skeins of nice yarn??

And while I wait out the decision on the mitten drama (to frog or not to frog - Steve wants me to just finish them already), I went ahead and added a new project to the rehearsal schedule.
The Snowman Christmas stocking. I started it last night (CO-Round 12) and am around Round 47 or so already! It actually looks really nice so far! The back "seam" doesn't quite match up, but I think that's just a charting thing and the fact that it's knit in the round. 16" circs are still a bit too long for it, although once I got an inch or so of knitting on it, it seemed to be alright. I tried switching to some dpns for a bit so the yarn wouldn't get stretched too much, but that seems to be more of a problem (brand new bamboo needles, the yarn doesn't slide on them for anything!) so I'll probably straighten the circs out (something I failed to do in my excitement to start this one) and transfer it all back again. Man, it looks good so far! I think I'm going to try the short-row heel and toe, since I enjoy doing short-rows and the afterthought heel makes my head hurt just reading the instructions.

Oh, and when Shadow gets here (and I have enough FO's done that I can justify starting a new project) I'm going to start Tiger Eye stole. I'm going to take the lace pattern and repeat it three times across. This way I can fold it and use it as a scarf if I want, or shake it out and have a nice wrap or whatever.

Self control...

Is something I apparently don't have. In the slightest. I know I'm on a budget. I know I have at least two trips home (aka lots of airfare) in the next three months. I know I have enough projects ALREADY to last me until New Year's. So what do I do? Place a friggin' order at KnitPicks. Five skeins of WotA (Spruce and Cloud) for some felted mittens (we'll get to that drama in a moment) and a baby booga, and...three skeins of Shadow (Jewels) for ME! For my Tiger Eye stole! So =PPP! It was only $16 total...I mean, really, you can't get acrylic that cheap at Wal-Mart, much less 100% merino wool, right?! So it's really a bargain! Really! (sigh...drool...working with real yarn again...I don't have the aversion to acrylics that some people do, and it definitely has its uses and practicality...but spit splices...felting...ahh....)

Oh, and the whole mitten thing. Sighgrumblemoancomplainwhine. I'm about halfway through the thumb gusset on the second mitten. For the third time. I really don't like the way the knitting is looking on this one (the second one is supposed to be easier, right??), and when I went to try the first one on for reassurance, I noticed the same irritants on that one. I know that they're my first pair, and there is bound to be mistakes on them, but I don't want to give these as gifts. It's loose and holey, and...ugh...trying to decide if I want to just finish them and then I'll keep them for the occasional mitten use I have, or frog it and use the yarn for a multi-dir diag scarf for my mom instead. But, I am still planning on giving her mittens for Christmas. Felted ones. Because felted ones don't have holes, and aren't loose, because the stitches all get felted together. Plus, they're made on much bigger needles and much fewer rows. So hopefully they'll go faster. So that's the plan for that.

Now to go explain to Steve why more yarn will be arriving on our doorstep soon. Any good excuses out there?...

projects!

So, I've decided that I'm going to CO the first Christmas stocking after I finish the second mitten, and CO the hat after I finish Rainy Day. Both of which should be soon, as I can get 18 rows done on RD per night on the bus to and from Solvang, and if I actually sat and worked on the mitten, I could probably have it done in a day or two. After I finish the hat and RD, my non-afghan Christmas gifts will be done (except for my gift elf, when I get paired), and I'll splurge and order a skein of Bearfoot and make the Tiger Eye scarf for myself. I don't normally "do" scarves, but it might be nice to have something to wear in the cooler months. I'm still going to get the cashmerino, or Snuggly, and make some kind of stole/scarf for myself as well, but that may end up being a Christmas present to myself. I'm going to CO for the top down raglan (using up some Simply Soft I have stashed - maybe it is acrylic, but it's not scratchy, and at least I'll get some use out of it and learn how to do a decent top finally, even if I never wear the darn thing afterwards) after I finish the Christmas stockings. The two afghans will get done when they get done. Hopefully before Christmas, but if not, I'm not going to stress over it. I mean, I'm still planning on working on both of them on a regular basis, but it shouldn't be that big of a deal.

drool...

So, just out of sheer curiosity, I checked out Mountain Colors' Bearfoot (what the Tiger Eye scarf was originally made of, and I love the colors in the pic). DROOL!! What absolutely gorgeous yarn!! I especially love Larkspur and Lupine, but really, if anyone wanted to give me any of the colorways, I would be thrilled. I've heard nothing but good things about it from KR peeps, too. $21/skein is a bit much, though. I'd only need one skein for the scarf, but if I wanted to make a stole out of it, I'd need at least three skeins. Maybe this will be my holiday present to myself. I found one site that had it for $19.50, but they didn't have the Lupine or Larkspur. If anyone ever sees it on sale, let me know...please...

back to the grind

started teching in Solvang tonight. Damn, but it's cold there. It's California. It's not supposed to be cold here. Apparently no one explained that to the central coast/Santa Ynez Valley region, because it's always cold here in the evenings. Sigh. Tech went smoothly, and we're looking pretty good for getting Thursday night off. Too bad there's no Law and Order on on Thursdays. Maybe there will be some on TNT. It'd be perfect to have another L&O/knitting evening. Especially since I just got my Christmas stocking patterns in today!! So excited, I can't wait to try them out! I haven't gotten to knit anything today so far, although I did manage a couple rows on Knitted Stripes over the weekend. It's already fairly late, so I shouldn't start anything new and potentially complicated tonight, so maybe after I get my KS rows in tomorrow I can play for a bit. Not going to get any Winter Night squares worked on until at least Sunday, after the show and I have finally settled back down into our respective paces.

I got to wear one of my scarves tonight. Just boring ol' stockinette stitch on size 15 needles and doubled yarn. It was actually made for someone else, but I never got a chance to give it to her, and the opportunity passed, so I kept it. I knew it'd get cold in Solvang tonight, so I tried to do a "saavy day fashion scarf" thing with it (with fairly successful results) at the office and then actually used it tonight. So I guess I do use scarves. I was thinking that maybe whatever lacy thing I end up making may do better as a stole, so I can use it as a scarf if I want, or a wrap. Will play. Still thinking about using Tiger Eyes as a stole. Saw another leafy pattern scarf today on KR that would translate well into a stole as well. Maybe I'll get the KnitPicks Shadow for the Tiger Eyes and the Cashmerino for the leafy one and have TWO stoles...ooo...must get holiday knitting done first! I actually had to stop myself from buying some new circs so I could start a top down raglan with some spare skeins of Caron Simply Soft. Just to practice the technique with, you understand, and of course to reduce stash. Really. Sigh...

home again, home again...

Jiggity Jig!! Yay, I'm home! Just until Tuesday, but still...sleeping in my own bed...curling up in my own chair...cooking my own food (that jambalaya really hit the spot tonight)...having Steve handy for cuddles...getting kicked off my pillow by the cat (who has currently decided that in retribution for not getting to sleep on "his" side of the bed last night, he must now perform the role of hot water bottle/fur coat in my lap)...the simple joys!

I've been fairly ambitious with my knitting of late. I've gotten four squares done on the Winter Night during the show this week. I did get busted by one of the actors for knitting during the show, but as long as I'm still focused on the show, they don't care. I've done a couple inches on Rainy Day and Knitted Stripes, and have even cast on and done two inches of the ribbing for the second mitten!

Oh, and after much internal debate, and a bit of regret, I've given up the idea of using the cashmerino for my first sweater...I'm going to use it for a stole or wrap of some kind for me instead. Definitely something lacy, but casual enough I could wear with jeans when the evenings get cool. I really really love the Tiger's Eye lace that ChristinaC posted on KR recently, and me and Suz spent a good half hour deciding how we would make it into a stole (neither of us are much into scarves). I'm not sure if the cashmerino is the best fit for that lace, though. I really love the shadows and shifting colors in the website pic, and was toying with the idea of getting some KnitPicks Shadow in Lost Lake for it. May have to find some other wrap pattern for the cashmerino...maybe Cozy or Ella or Cat's Paw? Or something else...I want something light and elegant, and preferably a solid color. Found some other great shawls and stoles and wraps, including the "Tri-aran-angle" on Knitty.com, but that's a bit heavy for what I'm looking for right now. Definitely in the future, though, especially if I do more work up in Santa Maria...oh, and I will still do a top down raglan...soon...but I have to find a nice cotton blend first, I think. Maybe some of the cotton cashmere...

swatches

The ribbing and date portion of the 1945 Christmas Stocking. I still think it turned out well. I'm also going to try another chart pattern (a snowflake one that Steve's mom gave me) and make sure that this is not a fluke, and I really can do this, but I don't think it will be much of a problem. Please forgive some of the camera shakiness, it was about midnight when I took the pic, and I was tired and excited.

Hail, Hail to Old Purdue...

This blog has been rightfully changed to Old Gold and Black in honor of the football season. Go Boilermakers!!

Hail, hail, to Old Purdue
All hail to our old gold and black!
Hail, hail to Old Purdue
Our friendship may she never lack!
Ever grateful, ever true,
As we raise our song anew
Of the days we spent with you
All hail our own Purdue!

Hey, I *Can* Do That...

So I tried out the whole charting and color changing and all that intimidating-ness for the 1945 Christmas Stocking. It's not so bad! Actually, I had no problems with it at all! Pics of the swatch will be up tomorrow, when I can take my laptop to the library and connect, but honestly, I think it looks pretty darn good, and it wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be! So now I'm preening. Maybe it's egotistic, but I only did the date (which I thought would be the hardest, with all the stranding), and since it turned out so well, I'm not going to do the rest of the stocking. I'm going to save the yarn because....after talking with Steve and his mom this weekend (and seeing the gorgeous stockings she has made for her family), we decided that we would go ahead and order the patterns from here! Steve and I liked the snowman and the holly, when we showed his mom, she liked the evergreen and the cabin, so we ended up ordering all four! I guess she collects patterns like a fiend, I should probably start asking her before I buy any more! Plus I got the original pattern for the stockings she made, and I will probably use some of those charts on a couple of my Christmas presents now. So, even though it was a sad reason to go up, it was fun in a knitting sort of way.

drama rant

Ugh, I actually had to WORK today. Why does theatre have to be so...well...dramatic? I know actors have a born flair for it, the good ones, anyway, but do they have to use it offstage? I had to put an understudy on TWICE this weekend, and last night the poor girl had FIFTEEN minutes' notice because the primary actress couldn't decide if she could do the show or not (after telling me this at half-hour). FIFTEEN! I hate having to call someone in like that. Luckily, she is a true pro, came in, was ready on time, and did a fabulous show. This morning, we made the call one and a half hours before the show started. So at least it wasn't completely last minute. The understudy is doing a phenomenal job, and I feel bad that we have to keep her dangling, wondering whether or not she will go on. Apparently, this has been an ongoing problem all summer as well, so now some of the higher-ups are starting to look more closely at it. I know the actress has legit physical concerns right now, but as they say, the show must go on, and if she needs to back out, take some time, and get her body and her life back in order, I have a replacement already here who I would not feel the slightest hesitation putting onstage. Heck, she's already done it, fabulously I might add, three times, and we've only done nine shows so far! Unfortunately, the drama is starting to create some rumblings among the cast, so we need to get that settled soon. One more week here, and then we go to the outdoor theatre, where it will be cold and damp and slick, for three weeks. If she's sick now, it ain't gonna get any better in Solvang, I can guarantee! Ah well. To top it all off, over the weekend we've also had a broken mic, a spot op 20m late to his call, mics falling off, and a broken glass water pitcher backstage, as well as patrons having some problems in the house. Is it a full moon or something?? Things were just really crazy this weekend!

I finished another Winter Night square the other day and am a bit more than halfway through the second one. I'm just keeping that bag of project up in the booth for now, since it's the only place I'll probably work on it. I've gotten a couple "Can you really knit and call a show at the same time?", and the answer is yes. If it is a simple knit or purl stitch, non-ribbing, I don't have to look at my hands, and I can watch both the show and my book. Granted, it's slower, and there are times that I have to put the knitting down completely, but it keeps me from waving my pencil around or sitting on my hands to keep them from fidgeting. I feel better when I knit, or at least have the needles in my hands, as it makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something outside of work.

Now, just to cap off the weekend, I get to go home, do laundry, and then spend tomorrow (my weekends are Mondays and Tuesdays) up north with Steve's family for his grandmother's visitation and funeral. I'm going to spend the evening knitting and playing games between laundry loads, I think. Definitely time to de-stress...I may work on the charts and start the simpler Christmas stocking tonight. Or CO the second mitten finally. I'm kind of in the mood to cast something on. Have to do two more rows on the Knitted Stripes first, though. Steve says the pattern he was thinking of is more similar to these. I really like the Holly and the Evergreen patterns, but they're a bit intimidating. I know I *can* do it, but I want to do it *well*, too...

oh yeah

Forgot to mention earlier that My Way and I are finally settling into a decent enough rhythm that I can start knitting during it, which I find exciting. The light board op (LBO) has been a bit worried that I was going to stab him with my pencil, I think, since I was getting into the habit of waving it around in time to the music. I didn't have anything *better* to do with my hands at the time...I tried working on Rainy Day last night, but I have to look down too much to make sure the ribbing hasn't gotten off. That is going to be my office/preshow project, I think. Tonight, I'm going to try to go back to Winter Night #2, since it's straight garter stitch. Suz came up and sat in the booth and worked on her shrug last night. I was jealous =) We're both very excited about the new fall Knitty that just came out. I want to make that little bear...so adorable! I really love Josephine and Ella, too..(I know, I have GOT to stop adding things to my list!! At least until I get a few more projects done!!)

mrph

Alright, the Michaels here in Santa Maria sucks. They have a lot of yarn, but none with a great color selection, and definitely none in the colors I want for the Christmas stocking. Bah! Will try Wal-Mart. I just want some cheap acrylic to try this pattern out with! Is that so much to ask?!?! Apparently! (Another note on the Christmas stocking saga: Steve told me that the pattern that I found is a "simpler" version of the ones he was thinking of. He is going to try to get the full pattern from his mom this weekend. I'm still going to try the one I found, just to get used to doing charts and mid-row color changes! Hence the reason I don't want to spend a ton on the yarn...yet..and all my practice yarn is at home in Anaheim. Double bah!)

I had a vision of knitting one of the Incredible Custom-Fit Top-Down Raglan sweaters out of some of the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino I saw in the shop the other day. Now I want to do that, too! Holiday knitting first! First! Then, on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, after presents have been opened, and between getting up for just one more bite of turkey (or that fabulous chocolate and lemon whatever it is that my aunt makes like a dream), I can lounge about, smiling indulgently at the people I gave presents to, while working on something for MYSELF! Mine! Hahahaha! I think I want the baby blue cashmerino...

Okay, I'm done now =)

Wishes

So I figured up last night that in order to have the Knitted Stripes done by Christmas (109 days away), I will have to do at least three rows a day. If I do four rows a day, I could have it done before Thanksgiving. That is oddly motivating. Of course, four rows of 267 stitches each is still over a thousand stitches a day, but who's counting, right? I'll just have to put in some good music, or movies, or games. And four rows...I can totally work on other projects as well. Like the second mitten that I still haven't cast on. Or the Winter Night that has only has seven or so squares done. (On that note, if I do a square a day, which is actually less than what I was averaging in an evening working on the first Winter Night afghan, I'd be done before Halloween.)

I did go to the yarn shop yesterday, and have fallen totally in love with one of the Manos del Uruguay colorways. Well, okay, three of the colorways (Wildflower, Caribe, and a deep purple/red colorway that I can't find the name of). It's so expensive, though. $13-$16 for one skein! Ouch! No offense to Beck and 'Manda, but their baby boogas will probably not be made from that, as much as I would love to. I'll probably end up going online and getting KnitPicks' WotA for those. I love going to the yarn shop, but it's so much cheaper for me to buy things online. Sigh. Someday I'll be rich and will buy all the yarn I want. And if I don't have a project for it, I'll just look at it and admire how pretty it is. I'm also in love with Snuggly (don't remember the company) and Debbie Bliss Cashmerino. So soft...maybe after I get some of my holiday stuff done, I'll pick some up and do a shawl or wrap with it.

I think I'm becoming more of a yarn snob. Patons has some great colorways (no idea what I'd do with any of them, but they're pretty), but I was surprised to find myself thinking "Acrylic...eww, no...make something that color in wool or cotton..." even though most of my current projects are still acrylic or acrylic/wool blends. I think working with the Noro Kureyon on the first booga spoiled me. Now I want to do spit splices and such instead of annoying things like weaving ends in, or joining yarn, or...well, you get the idea.

Mittens!

So I was knitting along the other day, and suddenly a mitten dropped into my lap! It's not perfect, but it does fit well enough, and it looks nice. The second one will be better! I was excited.

So I finished the first mitten last night, and what did I do today? Spent the morning working on the Knitted Stripes afghan, weaving ends in on it. I boggle myself sometimes. I really have to find a good tutorial on weaving in ends as I knit to save to my computer. I wonder if I gave myself bad luck by not casting the second mitten on immediately after binding off the first.

Haven't touched the Rainy Day scarf for several days. Haven't touched Winter Night in longer, but for some reason, I decided that the Knitted Stripes is going to be my next project...until I get bored with it again. Might go to the LYS on Broadway today to soothe my conscience a little. I really want to pick up some of the Cascade 220 and do the Baby Boogas for Becki and Amanda, and Steve and I decided that some handmade Christmas stockings would be nice to decorate the apartment with this year, but I should finish (completely) at least one more project first. Then that will be my reward! I can at least go pick out colors now, though, right?...

My Way!!

PCPA Theatrefest proudly presents My Way, a swinging Sinatra revue, opening TONIGHT at the Marian Theater in Santa Maria, CA!!

Man, I can't wait to show this one to the public. This is such a FUN show!! During our preview last night, we had one older couple in the audience actually get up and dance together during "Young At Heart"! It was so sweet! The audience is going to LOVE this show!

Been busy with the show (and some of the ensuing backstage drama - we had to put in an understudy for preview last night, as one of our guys went out with a throat infection, yikes!), so I haven't gotten much stitching time in, but I'm ALMOST to the hand decreases in the mittens. Probably just four or five more rows! They're a bit big for my hand, but I think they'll be alright for Mom's. If not, I'll have Dad use them and make some felted clogs for Mom. I've been looking for an excuse to make those things anyway. I think I am going to have to add some stitches to the thumb gusset, though. I'm afraid it is going to be wayy too small when I start working it up. Pics will be up soon...maybe after this weekend.

Knitting Friends!

So great to meet back up with Suze, the gal who taught me to knit in the first place. She's going to be my ME (master electrician) for the PCPA show! We may have to go on a yarn hunt together soon. I told her she was worse than a crack dealer, as she's also gotten some other people hooked. Apparently one of my spot ops is a knitter as well, as there was some teasing about her not being able to find a way to tie/bag her knitting properly enough to take it up to her spot with her. (Our front spots are above the audience's heads, so everything that you bring up there must be tied to you in case it drops.) Unfortunately, during the show, we're all (well, except Suzy, unless something bad happens with the lights) too busy to knit. I have too many cues to call, and they have too many cues to take, which is sad. I'm sure we will still get some stitch time in, though.

Added some length to the mittens, although I'm still not to the hand decrease. Did a few rows on the Rainy Day scarf yesterday, as well. Today's the 10 of 12 (the actors are called to work for ten hours out of a twelve hour period...which means for techies it's really more like a 14 of 15 or so), so I probably won't have much time to work on it today. I do get to finally give the scallop baby blanket to Misti and baby Evan soon, though! Yay!

Craziness

This weekend was totally crazy. Finished Creation at midnight Friday, came home, was up until 1:30 because of irritating roommates, Saturday was an all-day event for John's show (on the road by 8a.m. - that's a little less than six hours of sleep for me, as I got up at 7 - got home at about 1:30a.m., which, for those who are counting, is indeed a seventeen and a half hour day, of lots of physical labor and stress. We have really got to start loading those shows in the day before. Lighting takes far too long, and is much too important to rush), then got up at 7a.m. Sunday (yes, that is less than five hours of sleep), packed, and made it up to Santa Maria in time for a 2p.m. rehearsal for My Way. After that, I met the poor family who has to put up with me and my wonky schedule for six weeks, unpacked, got some food, talked to Steve for a while, and promptly crashed around 8:30...which is the earliest I've been to bed since I was about seven years old, I think. It was sooo nice to not have to get up early this morning! I lazed around a bit, worked on my mittens, played some games of word yacht on my computer, went LYS hunting (SCORE: there is one a couple streets over from the theater, and it is my favorite one that I have been to so far! Manos, Noro, Cascade, Crystal Palace, lots of books and magazines and patterns, nice cozy layout, the lady was nice, even though she kind of gave me a funny look. Santa Maria is kind of a smaller city, and maybe they aren't used to people my age coming in and drooling...too bad their only classes right now are for crochet. Maybe I'll learn to crochet, too...), met up with Paul and Chrissy to go over some contract/show stuff, found out there are NO SOUND CUES in the show (it's all live band, YIPPEE!!) and lots of light and spot cues, but it shouldn't be too bad now that I have Chrissy's book and a cd of the music. Now I get to go home, put in some fun songs (the show is a Frank Sinatra revue), learn where some cues go, and KNIT! I might get to the hand decreases on the first mitten tonight if I'm ambitious! (And, just because it gave me another yay-moment, some advice I gave about a multidir-diag actually made sense and helped someone on the KR Forums! Woo!)

Last Day at Creation!!!

As much as I like the Rainy Day scarf, it is getting a bit boring to knit. Of course, it is going much slower than the multi-dir scarf. That one was garter stitch, short rows, and I was working on it over my dinner breaks at the Cathedral. Since I have to go up to Santa Maria for six weeks on Sunday, I've been spending dinner breaks with Steve lately instead of knitting. So I'm getting some work done on it everyday, but not as much.

I have about a half inch more to do on the ribbing for the first mitten. I have the daytime off - John and I loaded the show into the trucks yesterday, so I don't have to work until the Creation show at the Cathedral tonight (last day last day last day! I'm not happy about it, really....). Which is nice, because I have to do laundry and pack for Santa Maria...and hopefully get some knitting and Guild Wars in before I leave! My book for My Way is about as done as it can get until I go up to Santa Maria and Chrissy and I go through a quick paper tech. I'd love to get to the thumb gusset on the mitten today, though...

General All-Around Busy-ness

With not only two, but three, shows to work on right now, I haven't had much time to knit. Which I find very sad, because I'm pretty certain that knitting is the only reason that certain people have not gone suddenly and mysteriously missing. I'm hoping and praying I get tomorrow off! It sounds really lazy, considering that I just got back from a couple days in Vegas, which was a "vacation", but man, I haven't had a day, or even just an evening, to just...relax...about since the start of this month. Even Vegas, fun as it was, was still a lot of moving and busy-ness. I'd love to have tomorrow to do some laundry, put my book together for My Way, knit, and watch Law and Order on TNT with Steve all evening. Maybe I could actually get some progress done on those mittens! (Yes, the mitten saga has restarted itself AGAIN...back to size 4 and 6 dpns...3 inches is a lot of rows on size 4's!) Rainy Day scarf is the only project that's been getting any real attention lately, and that's only because I bring it to work for breaks. It's going slowly but surely. I'd hoped to be able to have it done by the time I finish at the Cathedral next week (five more shows for me there, and then I don't ever have to deal with them again!! happydancehappydancehappydance!), but not sure how well that is going to work out. We'll see. It looks pretty cool so far, if I do say so myself. And I do. At least I finally have housing for when I go up to PCPA. And Steve said he'd help me go up on the 28th AND would come back for Opening the weekend after that! Yay!!

*shameless plug* John Gabriel's Magic, Redefined show is currently on tour! The next performance will be this coming Saturday, August 27, at the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts in Long Beach, CA. $10 off ticket prices if you order them in advance, although they are also available at the door. You can even see me on stage! Despite that flaw, it really is a truly amazing show, and great for the whole family! */plug*

Ahh, vacation...

Vegas was fabulous, but not nearly long enough, of course. The city I love, the guy I love, the family I love, all in one place! Good food, fantastic shows, great fun! Can't wait to go back!

I was not allowed to knit while IN Vegas (and wouldn't have had time or desire to, anyway), but I did get some work done on the road. My Rainy Day Scarf for Amanda has been started, and looks really nice so far. I didn't really know what the pattern would do, other than rib, but it does this really nice little twisty thing with the stitches, so it looks like a bunch of small twisted cords running down the length of the scarf.

And, as promised, a photo of the recently completed Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf. I am really quite proud of this one, and it was fun and fast to make!

Y Finis!

Finished the multidirectional diagonal scarf at the show last night. Will put pics and notes up when I get back from Vegas! It turned out quite well, I got lots of compliments on it while I was knitting it. Apparently, two nights or so ago while I was working on it, a knot somehow slipped its way through and is very visible on one side of the scarf. I'm pondering if I need to frog all the way back or if there is anything else I can do to fix it. Started the Rainy Day scarf as my take-to-work project, and it is going well so far. The Blue Mists is really quite a lovely color combination. Have re-started the Easy Mittens as well (AGAIN...easy...heh...). I'm bringing the scarf and the mittens to work on in the car, even though it's only going to be a four or five hour drive. Pics to come soon!

blah

I don't know what is going on, but I have been having the worst time trying to settle down and work on something lately. I just have been getting distracted and frustrated very easily. Maybe it's just "that time" of the month, but so far, I have frogged both the start of my first mitten AND my Diamond Lace Shawl twice today! The mitten was honestly way too small, and had to be frogged and restarted, then realized after restarting it I STILL didn't have the right number of stitches on it, so frogged it again and stuffed the yarn back into the bag. (I did get a great tip from Fran on the KR Forums on how to size it properly, though!) Decided, and have been pondering this for a while, that I really DON'T like the lacework in Homespun, so scrapped that shawl completely. Decided to do a quick dishcloth shawl with it instead, because the color is pretty enough that I think it could hold up the simple pattern. Started it on size 13's, even played around with learning Continental style knitting on it (it's slow, but I CAN do it now!), and then decided it was too loose, so scrapped it again and will try it on size 11's. It seems like the only thing I can work on for more than one or two rows right now is the multidir-diag scarf, which is actually coming along quite well and looks very nice. Maybe my body is just in a scarf mood. I really wanted to get to the thumb gusset on the first mitten today, though, so I'm disappointed.

Boogaboogabooga!

The Booga, she is finished!

While I like the speed of the twisted cord, only about half of it felted together and the rest untwisted itself. I may put new handles on at some point, but doesn't she look pretty now?

A better pic of the multidir-diag 

Beginnings of the multidir-diag scarf. The guys at work think it's the neatest thing since sliced bread. I think I've finally settled on a Rainy Day scarf for Amanda and her Blue Mists, although I will have to make sure it is The One, and I really shouldn't start another project right now. Oh, and Mom's hat and mittens will be in a color called Pines. So pretty! Can't wait to start! Too many projects I want to get done!! 

**Editor's Note: have realized that the pic is very dark and will have to take a better one during the day tomorrow! *sigh* I've made enough silly mistakes tonight, time to go to bed!

Guilty Pleasures

First off, I should have learned from my surprise Noro Kureyon buy that I should NOT walk into a yarn store confident that they will NOT have a yarn I am wishing I had. If I expect them to not have it, they will. The right colors, the right amounts, etc. Every time. That said, I went into Michael's today with the sole intent of buying another skein of Homespun in Country so I could continue to work on Winter Night #2 while at work tonight. I had CALLED the store a couple days ago and specifically asked if they carried Lion Brand's Wool-Ease as well, but BOTH ladies I talked to swore they didn't, so I walked in supremely confident that this would be but a mad dash in to get one hank of yarn that I really did need tonight. I walk back to the yarn section, and my eye is caught by an interesting self-striping acrylic (can't remember the brand) that made me think, "Hmm...I could use this for the multidir-diag scarf. But not today. Only getting Homespun today!" So I walk over to LionBrand's section of the yarn area, and notice Wool-Ease Thick & Quick on the shelves. "Hmm...I *could* use that for the girls' scarves, but no varigated colorways, just solids. Must get Homespun." Notice WOOL-EASE, very clearly marked "worsted weight Wool-Ease" in ten or so different colors. Am now a bit miffed at the idea that the people who work there and answer phones obviously have no idea how to check their own inventories, but I'm here for Homespun. Besides, they would never have the colorway that I am looking for. The ONLY yarn colorway that I have found that has the colors that I really wanted for Becki's scarf in it. Well, damn if they did have it! LionBrand Wool-Ease Autumn Print, the EXACT yarn that I had asked if they carried and was assured they didn't. About ten skeins of it in the bin, $2.39 or so per skein. Grr! So, not only did I walk out with my Homespun, but two skeins of the Autumn Print, two skeins of Wool-Ease in Blue Mist for Amanda's Christmas scarf, AND two skeins of a dark grey/green that I can't remember the name of and am not recalling exactly enough to get the name from the website. *sigh* The whole stash is out in my car - I was too embarrassed to let Steve see me drag the bags up! Where am I going to put this?? Also, now I have to find a simple, fun pattern for Amanda's scarf that will look good in a mostly-solid color. I have a pattern in my head, but I don't know how to make it work, and I can't find anything "close enough" online. The gray/green is going to become Mom's mittens and hat. It should match her dark green dress coat.

I put aside Winter Night and started on the multi-diag at work tonight - I couldn't resist using the pretty yarn! I've already gotten so many compliments on the scarf, and I haven't even finished the second triangle yet!! Pics will be up this weekend, when Steve is gone and I can lug the stash up here.

Project Update!

Finally finished the last border on Winter Night #1!! Yay!! It's done! I may have to go back and re-seam some places, though, as the seaming near the beginning of it is pretty loose. I'm also having fuzzy ends of woven-in strands pop up all over it, which I'm not quite sure what to do about. Will have to ask. Anyway, I can officially cross one project off my list! Yay!


Also sent the Booga Bag and accessories through the wash to felt this morning. I sent it through the hot wash/cold rinse twice, and it didn't really look much different. Just like wet wool. I ran some hot water in the bathroom sink, added the teeniest bit of detergent to it, and tried one of the swatches, and it already looks ten times better. I must have forgotten to add detergent to the wash the first time! I did the same to the rest of the pieces, but I am going to run them through the washer (with detergent) one more time as well. I can't do it again right now, as I have to go meet up with John to go over some stuff for the show, so the bag and the pieces are comfortably drying outside whilst I wait for a more convenient time to felt them all yet again. At least the colors are pretty!



Oh, the swatches are because I was pondering the idea of making a varigated multidirectional diagonal scarf for a friend and then felting it to get basically a scarf of very colorful triangle-funky lines. One is the (correct) pattern in garter stitch, the other weird-shaped one is how I *thought* I could adapt the pattern to be in stockinette. The colors didn't varigate as much as I would have liked for the swatches, though, so still not quite sure what I want to do with it.

The start of the Knitted Stripes afghan. I am going to have to learn duplicate stitch to get rid of those yarn ends in the middle of the row back near the beginning. What was I thinking?! 

Winter Night afghan #1. You can see the border along the top and the left side. I'm going to finish this one by tomorrow! 

Booga Bag (prefelting) 

Homespun Diamond Lace Shawl detail  

Booga Bag and other misc

I have sooo many projects that I want to get done!! I keep thinking in my head that I can do it, but there's always that one really cute shirt/bag/scarf/shawl/skirt/mittens/whatever pattern that I just HAVE to add to my list! Right now, my theory is that if I work on the afghans during the week - remembering that weeks for me are Monday/Tuesday(depending on if Steve is working Monday or not)-Friday - and have seperate "weekend" projects, I can get most of the stuff done when I want to. It also gives me a color break from the green/tan and red/white/blue that I work on during the week. I try to purposely pick more colorful projects for my weekends. I'm also reminding myself that a.)I will not spend more money on yarn for a gift than I would if I went out and bought the gift and b.)I don't HAVE get things done in time. I can always go out and buy a gift and then give the project to the recipient at my (and their) leisure.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: In the following list, the links will send you to the pattern, most of which have pictures of their completed objects on it. Pictures of my personal versions of projects will be posted as I get them.)

Right now, my current list of projects includes:

1. Winter Night afghan. #1 was done in LionBrand Homespun Colonial and Deco (navy and cream), and is 37/39ths complete. (There are 35 squares and four borders, so 39 parts to it.) I just have to pick up and do the last two borders and then wash it. It's been far too hot lately to have all that thick yarn draped over my legs as I work on it, but since the heat wave seems to have snapped for SoCal, I should get around to finishing it this week. It's "due" in October, for Amanda's wedding. #2 is being done in LionBrand Homespun Country and Rococco (emerald and tan), and is 5/39ths complete. This afghan goes so quickly, I can do a little over a square a night while on break at work, so I'm not worried about it getting done in time for Christmas. I am planning on giving #2 to my dad. I was going to do a checkerboard afghan for him, but the more I worked on and toyed with patterns, the less I liked the idea of it, so I went back to something simple that I knew I could get done in time.

2.Knitted Stripes Afghan for my brother. I'm doing it in Caron's Simply Soft in red, white, and blue, as he's a pretty patriotic guy - wanting to go into the Marines and all. It's going along well, but slowly. 267 sts per row is a lot. This has been my weekday afternoon project - turn on Animal Planet for Jeff Corwin, the Croc Hunter Diaries, and The Most Extreme, and knit away. For some reason, row three of Pattern B always seems to take FOREVER to do, much longer than row one. I don't get it! I hope I will get this one done in time for Christmas, but not sure if I'll make it or not. I have about 9" done so far.

3. Homespun Diamond Knit Shawl in LionBrand Homespun Cobalt. I loved the color of the yarn, and the lace isn't too difficult. I've discovered how very very convenient lifelines are, though! I think I may give this to my great-grandmother if I get it done in time for Christmas, but I have only been working on it in bursts. I thought it was going to be a quick knit, but other projects have been competing for attention lately.

4. Booga Bag in Noro Kureyon #40. This is one of my weekend projects, and is going to be for my mom, I think. It's a really simple bag, very cute, and my very first felting project, so I hope it behaves itself! It's kind of boring to knit, though, but it does go fairly quickly. I started it yesterday and only have 34 rows left to do on the bag itself. I should get that done tonight at work and then I get to do the I-cord. Joy. 6' of I-cord. Ugh! I keep telling myself that it will be worth it because it will be very cute, and the colors in the yarn really are quite gorgeous. I'm toying with the idea of lining it with something, but I will see how it acts after felting, first. I might make some for Becki and Amanda as Christmas gifts as well, but only if I have time nearer to the holidays.

5. Seaman's Cap and mittens in Caron's Simply Soft Bone and Dk. Sage (tan and dark green) as Christmas presents to stuff inside Mom's Booga Bag. The last cap I made for Dad only took a couple days, and I've heard that mittens don't take that long, so these are supposed to be weekend projects as well.

6. Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf for Becki for Christmas. I haven't found quite the yarn I want for it yet, though. I'm thinking, with Becki's coloring, something autumny, but still have some fun colors, and definitely varigated to show off the pattern. The closest so far has been Manos del Uruguay's Wildflowers, but that is soo expensive! I'm also toying with the idea of felting it after it has been knitted, but will have to test it to see if I like it first.

7. DNA scarf. The links rarely work anymore - luckily I had the pattern saved to my harddrive or I would have lost it! Although Amanda would get a kick out of it - her degree is in genetics - it's a pretty complicated pattern and I'm not sure I would have time to knit it along with the other stuff. I may end up making her a simpler cable patterned scarf or maybe even another multi-diag scarf.

8. Cold Shoulder for me. I love this shirt, and one of the gals at the Knitters' Review Forums has helped me out understanding the pattern. I'm thinking of doing it in a deep emerald green, or maybe a brilliant sapphire blue, but I am waiting until I find JUST the right color. It will be a weekend project after I get all my gifting projects done.

9. Waikiki T-Strap top for me in Crystal Palace's Waikiki in Delphinium. I was sooo excited about finding this pattern and getting the yarn, but since then I've kind of dropped it. The yarn is kind of weird to work with, and with so many things that I want to make for other people, making this seems to take a lower priority. I have done the ribbing on the back so far, and that's it. It's also been delegated to the weekend project category.

I also really really want to try out socks, and have been toying with the idea of making Christmas stockings for myself and Steve. We'll see. So many patterns, so little time!!