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.