I made it! I survived a November of posting every day. I discovered that I really have nothing to say after about a week and a half of working on my projects - especially if I am not really knitting every day. I'm not planning to blog for the next day or two... after that we'll see next week if blogging has become a habit or not.
While I haven't knit (much) today I did do a handful of rounds on the socks. I also watched Ghostbusters. Wow is that a weird movie. I also wasted a lot of time tonight relaxing while playing a cat game and a tower game. Both of these games you are trying to make sure nothing makes it off the screen... just very different ways of ensuring that.
Thanks for reading and commenting all month, hopefully it hasn't been too useless! Enjoy the games!
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
November 29
No knitting today. I'm hoping to get a little in tomorrow and then a ton on Saturday.
We did however get a new game from LooneyLabs. If you haven't played any of them before you should take a look. Fluxx is an awesome game - as is Chrononaughts and any of the pyramid games (many different games with the pyramid pieces. The new game is Zombie Fluxx - which is similar to normal fluxx, but with random zombie-ness thrown in. Amusing. We played one hand tonight and I look forward to playing more later.
We're also watching Shrek 3 tonight. I don't think I'll tell the girls about it yet... they've seen the first two, but this one seems to have less kid jokes.
I also made it through my week (2 days) of teaching joyschool to a handful of 3 and 4 year olds. We spent both days talking about service and sharing. Very enjoyable actually.
After doing a bit of grocery shopping today I was able to get to the library and pick up (among other books that were held for me) Knitting nature by Norah Gaughan. I looked through the first part of the book quickly today - more looking in the morning!
We did however get a new game from LooneyLabs. If you haven't played any of them before you should take a look. Fluxx is an awesome game - as is Chrononaughts and any of the pyramid games (many different games with the pyramid pieces. The new game is Zombie Fluxx - which is similar to normal fluxx, but with random zombie-ness thrown in. Amusing. We played one hand tonight and I look forward to playing more later.
We're also watching Shrek 3 tonight. I don't think I'll tell the girls about it yet... they've seen the first two, but this one seems to have less kid jokes.
I also made it through my week (2 days) of teaching joyschool to a handful of 3 and 4 year olds. We spent both days talking about service and sharing. Very enjoyable actually.
After doing a bit of grocery shopping today I was able to get to the library and pick up (among other books that were held for me) Knitting nature by Norah Gaughan. I looked through the first part of the book quickly today - more looking in the morning!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
November 28
I'm in the middle of a very busy week. It's not completely crazy, but it is quite full and so less knitting is getting done. Unfortunately it is also the last couple of days of my daily blogging. This is probably when I would normally not post for most of the week - sorry about the filler. I can't wait to skip a day and not feel badly about it, most likely this weekend.
Anyway, I did knit a bit more on the socks today - I'm past 2 1/2 inches which is not bad, but like I said a couple of days ago, working both socks at the same time is slow. SO slow.
I also went and made copies tonight for a hand out for the kids at church. Once it's all put together it will be an advent calender with little things to do for the month of December (at least until Christmas). It will be nice when those are done also.
The big news of the day is that I'm back on my laptop (Thanks sweetie!) and it is all fixed up and better... of course, since I'm using Ubuntu (and not windows) it was not a software issue... no, it was a hardware problem... but a bit of time, a screwdriver, and some smarts and my husband fixed it for me. Yay!
Anyway, I did knit a bit more on the socks today - I'm past 2 1/2 inches which is not bad, but like I said a couple of days ago, working both socks at the same time is slow. SO slow.
I also went and made copies tonight for a hand out for the kids at church. Once it's all put together it will be an advent calender with little things to do for the month of December (at least until Christmas). It will be nice when those are done also.
The big news of the day is that I'm back on my laptop (Thanks sweetie!) and it is all fixed up and better... of course, since I'm using Ubuntu (and not windows) it was not a software issue... no, it was a hardware problem... but a bit of time, a screwdriver, and some smarts and my husband fixed it for me. Yay!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
November 27
I am slowly making progress on the socks. Slowly. I also have nothing really to blog about, but since it's the 27th and I only have 4 days left to make a full month I figured I really shouldn't miss it.
Homemade minestrone lentil soup tonight for dinner.
...back to the current netflix (Ocean's 13) ...very odd, but not as odd as I thought it would be, of course, it hasn't finished yet.
Homemade minestrone lentil soup tonight for dinner.
...back to the current netflix (Ocean's 13) ...very odd, but not as odd as I thought it would be, of course, it hasn't finished yet.
Monday, November 26, 2007
November 26
Knitting-wise I got about an inch and a half done on each leg of my husband's socks. I've got it worked out so that I am working on both sock legs at once, so I don't have to do any counting or measuring. Because of that I feel like I'm crawling along - I just keep reminding myself that when I am done, I will really be DONE with the pair... so it will be worth it.
Other-wise I didn't get much done today. I thought I was supposed to be full of energy now? Nope, not really. ...or maybe I used it up ummm - sometime? That's okay I guess. I had enough energy to help the girls get their work done (each day - piano practicing, school workbooks, and cleaning chores). I also planned for joy school tomorrow (the preschool co-op, it's my turn to teach two days this week). Unfortunately my laptop is having issues, so I feel a little disconnected, but I am lucky to live with my own computer guru, so the desktop is fine for now and hopefully the laptop will be great again soon. (right sweetie??)
Each day is its own adventure.
Other-wise I didn't get much done today. I thought I was supposed to be full of energy now? Nope, not really. ...or maybe I used it up ummm - sometime? That's okay I guess. I had enough energy to help the girls get their work done (each day - piano practicing, school workbooks, and cleaning chores). I also planned for joy school tomorrow (the preschool co-op, it's my turn to teach two days this week). Unfortunately my laptop is having issues, so I feel a little disconnected, but I am lucky to live with my own computer guru, so the desktop is fine for now and hopefully the laptop will be great again soon. (right sweetie??)
Each day is its own adventure.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
November 25
I did it. I finished the heel for the second time on my husband's second sock (since I redid the whole thing up through the heel does that mean this is really the third sock?) It was a bit of a stretch to get it finished tonight, but it's 11:30 and the heel is complete. Yay!
Now I just need to work both socks until the yarn is gone (home spun, remember?) or until they are too tall. It'd be very cool to get these done for his birthday, but since that's a week away it might be almost done instead. Of course, once these are done I have a bit of Christmas knitting to get done....
I think it's bed time before I start to overwhelm myself - I really am in good shape for the amount of time I have left before deadlines, just a lot going on this week.
Now I just need to work both socks until the yarn is gone (home spun, remember?) or until they are too tall. It'd be very cool to get these done for his birthday, but since that's a week away it might be almost done instead. Of course, once these are done I have a bit of Christmas knitting to get done....
I think it's bed time before I start to overwhelm myself - I really am in good shape for the amount of time I have left before deadlines, just a lot going on this week.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
November 24
I actually knit today. It's been a couple of days... which is usually what happens during a holiday - especially a holiday with a road trip. I'm about to start the second heel of my husband's second sock again. It is definitely matching at this point, so hopefully between tonight and tomorrow I'll be able to finish the heel and be ready to start both legs.
I've also been playing around with a music program on the computer. It's called Lilypond, and it allows you to program code to compose music and then takes that code and makes it into a lovely pdf file. I've only done a bit of the tutorial, enough to do some single note piano pieces for Lily to play, but it was pretty cool. Of course, I use Ubuntu Linux, but it also says it works on Mac and Windows.
My husband lit up a fake log fire tonight. It's the first in a long time and it does make the room so nice to be in - especially with a movie on, husband knitting, knitting on my lap and girls in bed (one sleeping, the other one reading). Have a great rest of the weekend!
I've also been playing around with a music program on the computer. It's called Lilypond, and it allows you to program code to compose music and then takes that code and makes it into a lovely pdf file. I've only done a bit of the tutorial, enough to do some single note piano pieces for Lily to play, but it was pretty cool. Of course, I use Ubuntu Linux, but it also says it works on Mac and Windows.
My husband lit up a fake log fire tonight. It's the first in a long time and it does make the room so nice to be in - especially with a movie on, husband knitting, knitting on my lap and girls in bed (one sleeping, the other one reading). Have a great rest of the weekend!
Friday, November 23, 2007
November 23 - Contest Winner
I didn't craft much today. I did go shopping. I know, most sane people try to avoid stores on black friday, but if there are good deals that I want I actually enjoy the whole hustle. This morning, however, I slept in a bit and only hit a couple of stores.
I then spent most of the afternoon filling in white space with a black sharpie. There was a map in a book. It wanted to be turned into a quilt (not by me, not for me). So it got blown up pretty big and a lot of the black in the black and white map turned out to be grey, therefore when it got big it had a lot of white in it. It is now black again. It actually looks pretty cool, now that the white specks are gone. It can now be taken, made into transfers, put onto cloth, and then sewn and quilted. It will have a happy life now. (I think I'm a bit tired).
Oh right, the contest is over. Thanks for all the entries. Although some of you tried to sneak a little guilt in with your entries (yes, I remember all my non-knitting UFOs), I did enjoy reading them. ...and the winner is?
ummm.. boogeyman's wife. I'll email you soon, or you can email me first, and we can discuss your prize. Sorry Jbb - someday you'll win.
I then spent most of the afternoon filling in white space with a black sharpie. There was a map in a book. It wanted to be turned into a quilt (not by me, not for me). So it got blown up pretty big and a lot of the black in the black and white map turned out to be grey, therefore when it got big it had a lot of white in it. It is now black again. It actually looks pretty cool, now that the white specks are gone. It can now be taken, made into transfers, put onto cloth, and then sewn and quilted. It will have a happy life now. (I think I'm a bit tired).
Oh right, the contest is over. Thanks for all the entries. Although some of you tried to sneak a little guilt in with your entries (yes, I remember all my non-knitting UFOs), I did enjoy reading them. ...and the winner is?
ummm.. boogeyman's wife. I'll email you soon, or you can email me first, and we can discuss your prize. Sorry Jbb - someday you'll win.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
November 22
Happy Thanksgiving.
This is your last chance to enter the contest - tomorrow (friday) when I sit down to blog I will also try to remember to pick a winner.... but it might be saturday before I pick. We'll see. Either way, the contest closes tomorrow night when I sit down and blog.
No knitting done today. Instead I slept in a bit, then rode up to a family meal and let the kids play and rode back tonight. I love thanksgiving. It is nice to get together and be thankful. I dislike it because it signals the beginning of the commercial aspect of Christmas. I try to get the shopping and planning done as early as I can so I can then enjoy the rest of the season, because no matter how hard I try I can't get rid of these material aspects completely. My husband and I are trying to get all the gifts and *things* planned out now... wish us luck!
This is your last chance to enter the contest - tomorrow (friday) when I sit down to blog I will also try to remember to pick a winner.... but it might be saturday before I pick. We'll see. Either way, the contest closes tomorrow night when I sit down and blog.
No knitting done today. Instead I slept in a bit, then rode up to a family meal and let the kids play and rode back tonight. I love thanksgiving. It is nice to get together and be thankful. I dislike it because it signals the beginning of the commercial aspect of Christmas. I try to get the shopping and planning done as early as I can so I can then enjoy the rest of the season, because no matter how hard I try I can't get rid of these material aspects completely. My husband and I are trying to get all the gifts and *things* planned out now... wish us luck!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
November 21
I managed to work about half of the gusset increase rows in my husband's second sock today. This daily blogging doesn't give me much time to make progress in between posts. I'm looking forward to doing the heel and hoping that they match this time.
I also made a cheesecake today. That is our contribution to the meal tomorrow (and serves as one of my husband's birthday cakes.. the other one I believe is a carrot cake on his actual birthday - correct me if I'm wrong sweetie?)
The other thing I did today (in a crafty way) is to finish (with Lily's help) a secret birthday gift (Curly helped the other day). Pictures in about a week and a half.
In the mail today I got some superwash merino laps from Flawful Fibers. She was destashing a bit so I got a bit over a pound of white. I look forward to using that sometime.
...and finally, yesterday my SP11 spoilee received her final package. Hi Casey! It's nice to have that reveal done. Now I am done with swaps until after the baby grows a bit - probably... you never know.
I also made a cheesecake today. That is our contribution to the meal tomorrow (and serves as one of my husband's birthday cakes.. the other one I believe is a carrot cake on his actual birthday - correct me if I'm wrong sweetie?)
The other thing I did today (in a crafty way) is to finish (with Lily's help) a secret birthday gift (Curly helped the other day). Pictures in about a week and a half.
In the mail today I got some superwash merino laps from Flawful Fibers. She was destashing a bit so I got a bit over a pound of white. I look forward to using that sometime.
...and finally, yesterday my SP11 spoilee received her final package. Hi Casey! It's nice to have that reveal done. Now I am done with swaps until after the baby grows a bit - probably... you never know.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
November 20
Today has been quite a strange day. We got the first snow of the season - just a couple of inches. The girls were very excited. They made sure their work got done quickly and were out playing just before lunch, as the snow stopped falling. The back yard got trampled with foot prints everywhere. I love the look of freshly walked through snow.
In knitting I am making progress on my husband's second sock. I am within a handful of rows of starting the gusset increases. So far it seems to be matching the other sock, so all is well. I'm planning to make sure those get started tonight and then do a couple of rows on the lace scarf.
Don't forget to enter the contest before Friday!
In knitting I am making progress on my husband's second sock. I am within a handful of rows of starting the gusset increases. So far it seems to be matching the other sock, so all is well. I'm planning to make sure those get started tonight and then do a couple of rows on the lace scarf.
Don't forget to enter the contest before Friday!
Monday, November 19, 2007
November 19
I spent most of the day taking care of my least favorite responsibilities. I cleaned, folded, loaded and unloaded, and cooked. I also helped the girls with their chores. Fortunately I finished everything up and got a chance to start this tonight.
See the toe? Sorry for the blur. It's the same size as the other toe though. It's also done with increases, so the next day or two will be spent knitting around and around. I need to go several inches before I start the gusset increases. At that point I will be working 7 stitches in pattern, increasing every 3 rows, and knitting otherwise. Pretty boring, but I'm excited that it's started again - and if I want some exciting knitting I can just pick up either of my lace projects, right?
See the toe? Sorry for the blur. It's the same size as the other toe though. It's also done with increases, so the next day or two will be spent knitting around and around. I need to go several inches before I start the gusset increases. At that point I will be working 7 stitches in pattern, increasing every 3 rows, and knitting otherwise. Pretty boring, but I'm excited that it's started again - and if I want some exciting knitting I can just pick up either of my lace projects, right?
Sunday, November 18, 2007
November 18
Today was a long day. Usually Sundays are. No knitting was accomplished. I'm really looking forward to this next week. Thanksgiving is something I really look forward to, and the rest of the family is really excited about it to. Since we drive up to have the meal with extended family I don't even have to cook a whole meal. Another reason I'm excited about this week is the fact that very little is planned, so it should be a nice break.
I've been enjoying the contest entries so far. It will be open until Friday sometime, since I start Christmas preparations as soon as Thanksgiving is over, and this prize will be the first gift of the season.
I'm hoping to be able to squeeze some knitting in tomorrow, or some spinning... or both. Stay tuned, and good luck!
I've been enjoying the contest entries so far. It will be open until Friday sometime, since I start Christmas preparations as soon as Thanksgiving is over, and this prize will be the first gift of the season.
I'm hoping to be able to squeeze some knitting in tomorrow, or some spinning... or both. Stay tuned, and good luck!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
November 17 - Contest
Since you've been waiting patiently, here are the contest details. To mark both my one year blogging anniversary, and the fact that I am now over 150 posts total (posting every day really helps that move quickly, eh?), here is the contest that was delayed due to health.
How to win: Comment on this entry telling me how old your oldest WIP is and what it is. Two entries if you also give a good excuse on why it is still a WIP and not an FO. An extra entry if someone else enters and says you sent them here.
The time frame: This will stay open until the day after Thanksgiving. So the winner will be drawn sometime on Friday!
The who: anyone is eligible (yes husband and jbb, you too). Even if you googled here for something else, you can enter. If you want to win though, you do need to make sure to leave an email address so I can contact you, otherwise I'll skip you over if your name is drawn.
The prize: Either some handspun yarn, or something equally nice from my stash (if you would rather not have handspun). An amount possible for making a hat/scarf/small bag. Some negotiations will be possible, but final decision on what gets mailed to you is mine.
For those who don't know still, a WIP is a Work in Progress. A FO is a Finished Object. These do not have to be craft related, although that is the intention. If you aren't a crafter and still want to enter you may. We all have things we start and mean to finish and need to finish but end up sitting for a long long time.
Have fun thinking of things - good luck!
How to win: Comment on this entry telling me how old your oldest WIP is and what it is. Two entries if you also give a good excuse on why it is still a WIP and not an FO. An extra entry if someone else enters and says you sent them here.
The time frame: This will stay open until the day after Thanksgiving. So the winner will be drawn sometime on Friday!
The who: anyone is eligible (yes husband and jbb, you too). Even if you googled here for something else, you can enter. If you want to win though, you do need to make sure to leave an email address so I can contact you, otherwise I'll skip you over if your name is drawn.
The prize: Either some handspun yarn, or something equally nice from my stash (if you would rather not have handspun). An amount possible for making a hat/scarf/small bag. Some negotiations will be possible, but final decision on what gets mailed to you is mine.
For those who don't know still, a WIP is a Work in Progress. A FO is a Finished Object. These do not have to be craft related, although that is the intention. If you aren't a crafter and still want to enter you may. We all have things we start and mean to finish and need to finish but end up sitting for a long long time.
Have fun thinking of things - good luck!
Friday, November 16, 2007
November 16
A bit of knitting did get done today - more lace scarf - you really don't want to see endless pictures of that in progress, right? It's just been sitting in my basket for ummm... a long time now, and it's nice to feel that it's finally moving a bit. It also helps, of course, that my other three WIP (husband's socks, MS3, and spinning for husband's slippers) are just not calling to me right now. There's a chance it might actually get done at some point in the future.
My girls also wanted to do crafts today. Lily insisted that we cut off lengths of pretty embroidery floss colors so she could show Curly how to do Chinese staircase. They each started a necklace/bracelet. Lily finished and chose colors to make one 'for the baby'. She of course chose two different sets, as we aren't finding out in advance what gender it is. I tried to explain that she'd have plenty of time once the baby was born to make things for it, but.... Curly actually enjoyed tying knots with big sister, and wasn't too bad at it. I'll have to let her experiment more. She kept wanting me to help, and then wanted to do it by herself - until it got completely knotted up, and then she wanted me to help fix it. Life for a three year old.
My girls also wanted to do crafts today. Lily insisted that we cut off lengths of pretty embroidery floss colors so she could show Curly how to do Chinese staircase. They each started a necklace/bracelet. Lily finished and chose colors to make one 'for the baby'. She of course chose two different sets, as we aren't finding out in advance what gender it is. I tried to explain that she'd have plenty of time once the baby was born to make things for it, but.... Curly actually enjoyed tying knots with big sister, and wasn't too bad at it. I'll have to let her experiment more. She kept wanting me to help, and then wanted to do it by herself - until it got completely knotted up, and then she wanted me to help fix it. Life for a three year old.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
November 15
With this post I am half way through the month. I think this blogging daily thing will not continue into December - I don't want to feel like I have to every day - but it is good practice, and almost a habit now!
Today I did manage to knit half a pattern on the lace scarf during Lily's ice skating. She reached her goal (10 times across the width of the rink and back - my little marcher, she only fell umm.. 4 times?) so instead of re-casting on the toe to my husband's sock we made ginger snap cookies. Want to see? Not the cookies from today, but almost the same... yummy.
Tonight was the church craft night - with the help of some people, we managed to cut out pieces for 6 complete costumes (mary, joseph, 2 shepherds and 2 wisemen) for a still nativity that the children will do for our Christmas party. Now I just need to make sure each packet has everything it needs and then hand them out to the willing victims to sew. They do look fairly simple, but they still need to be done, and I don't want to do them all! No way that's happening. I think I'll keep Mary to do.
Now I can go watch a bit of Les Miserables and zone for a bit before sleep.
oh right, I did find some safe sick meds. I got some vicks and some similar shower steams. ...and I did sleep last night and feel much better today. Amazing what some sleep will do.
...and don't worry. I didn't forget that I mentioned a one year blog-anniversary contest. It will just happen a bit later in the month than my actual anniversary, but it will happen. (I know you were all just so worried - right jbb?)
Today I did manage to knit half a pattern on the lace scarf during Lily's ice skating. She reached her goal (10 times across the width of the rink and back - my little marcher, she only fell umm.. 4 times?) so instead of re-casting on the toe to my husband's sock we made ginger snap cookies. Want to see? Not the cookies from today, but almost the same... yummy.
Tonight was the church craft night - with the help of some people, we managed to cut out pieces for 6 complete costumes (mary, joseph, 2 shepherds and 2 wisemen) for a still nativity that the children will do for our Christmas party. Now I just need to make sure each packet has everything it needs and then hand them out to the willing victims to sew. They do look fairly simple, but they still need to be done, and I don't want to do them all! No way that's happening. I think I'll keep Mary to do.
Now I can go watch a bit of Les Miserables and zone for a bit before sleep.
oh right, I did find some safe sick meds. I got some vicks and some similar shower steams. ...and I did sleep last night and feel much better today. Amazing what some sleep will do.
...and don't worry. I didn't forget that I mentioned a one year blog-anniversary contest. It will just happen a bit later in the month than my actual anniversary, but it will happen. (I know you were all just so worried - right jbb?)
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
November 14
Today was at least slightly more interesting than yesterday. I'm still sniffling (I feel like a broken record, always barely sick, never really ill, but just annoying). I pulled together the rest of the stuff for my last swap package. It'll be ready to ship within the next couple of days. I managed to work a pattern or two on the lace scarf - some of that was done tonight at the first real meeting for the pioneer valley s&b. It was fun to meet Deb and the place is nice enough (and I had a great hot chocolate), so I look forward to doing that again!
I stopped at the store on the way home and grabbed some vicks and other safe sick stuff, and some snacks, so now I get to go feel better and knit while watching Life.
Tomorrow night is a church craft night at my house - we're planning to cut out some patterns for nativity costumes, and then divvy them up to be sewn. So probably not much knitting tomorrow - much cleaning and then socializing and cutting.
I think there's a good chance that SP11 will be my last swap for a while - I've had great swap partners in the past, and I LOVE the people and stuff this time around too, but with the pregnancy revving up and the holidays to take care of, I shouldn't plan on being dependable until summer at least. I've realized this over the past couple of days and that makes the end of this current swap somewhat bittersweet. I want to know who's been spoiling me, and I want to ship off my own reveal package, but I don't really want it to be over. I'll look forward to when I feel up to swapping again.
I stopped at the store on the way home and grabbed some vicks and other safe sick stuff, and some snacks, so now I get to go feel better and knit while watching Life.
Tomorrow night is a church craft night at my house - we're planning to cut out some patterns for nativity costumes, and then divvy them up to be sewn. So probably not much knitting tomorrow - much cleaning and then socializing and cutting.
I think there's a good chance that SP11 will be my last swap for a while - I've had great swap partners in the past, and I LOVE the people and stuff this time around too, but with the pregnancy revving up and the holidays to take care of, I shouldn't plan on being dependable until summer at least. I've realized this over the past couple of days and that makes the end of this current swap somewhat bittersweet. I want to know who's been spoiling me, and I want to ship off my own reveal package, but I don't really want it to be over. I'll look forward to when I feel up to swapping again.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
November 13
This is the first time I've felt like I've had nothing to blog about during this November daily blogging thing. I skipped a couple days of vitamin C drops, and am now paying for it. I worked on my current projects today, but nothing much. That did include washing all the fabric for the big quilt though.
Today was a big deal however, Lily had finished the majority of her workbooks that we use to supplement homeschool over the past couple of weeks, so today she started a bunch of new ones. We also watched The Court Jester, which was very enjoyable.
Ok, that's enough babbling. Go do some more free rice, and tune back in tomorrow for more entertainment (well, hopefully it will be more entertaining than today!)
Today was a big deal however, Lily had finished the majority of her workbooks that we use to supplement homeschool over the past couple of weeks, so today she started a bunch of new ones. We also watched The Court Jester, which was very enjoyable.
Ok, that's enough babbling. Go do some more free rice, and tune back in tomorrow for more entertainment (well, hopefully it will be more entertaining than today!)
Monday, November 12, 2007
November 12
Not much knitting today. I had the car all day, so it was mostly spent grocery shopping and running other errands. However, the way I get the car all day is I drive my husband to work. This means that I need to go pick him up afterwards.
...it just happens that there is a lovely yarn shop almost on the path between his office and the highway. ...and it worked out that I was kid-free went I picked him up, so I got to browse through the shop without kids and then have a great dinner out with him.
What I got in the shop was for swaps and gifts.... and my husband picked up two beautiful sock yarn hanks. I'm sure pictures will eventually end up on his blog (but they aren't there yet). Laura (owner of the shop) had some new sock yarns and some lovely fiber!! They were all so pretty. She just started spinning and so hopefully what was there was just the beginning of a whole fiber corner :). If I hadn't just gone to Rhinebeck and come back with tons of fiber I would have gotten one or two there tonight.
I want to go knit, but I probably won't tonight. I just keep reminding myself that I was crazy and did everything today so I can knit and do other stuff the rest of the week. Hopefully I will have some progress to show tomorrow!
...it just happens that there is a lovely yarn shop almost on the path between his office and the highway. ...and it worked out that I was kid-free went I picked him up, so I got to browse through the shop without kids and then have a great dinner out with him.
What I got in the shop was for swaps and gifts.... and my husband picked up two beautiful sock yarn hanks. I'm sure pictures will eventually end up on his blog (but they aren't there yet). Laura (owner of the shop) had some new sock yarns and some lovely fiber!! They were all so pretty. She just started spinning and so hopefully what was there was just the beginning of a whole fiber corner :). If I hadn't just gone to Rhinebeck and come back with tons of fiber I would have gotten one or two there tonight.
I want to go knit, but I probably won't tonight. I just keep reminding myself that I was crazy and did everything today so I can knit and do other stuff the rest of the week. Hopefully I will have some progress to show tomorrow!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
November 11
First up today, I hope everyone remembered Veterans Day - observed tomorrow in the US of course, but today is the 11th day of the 11th month, take a minute to remember.
Next up, I have swatches to show. These have been done for a while. I need to finish measuring and make sure I know which type my husband wants for his slippers.
The three swatches are a brown alpaca, a dark almost-black wool, and a mixture. Spun up, and then swatched up, and then felted. I guess I should get moving on these, since it's colder now and his birthday is soon (early December).
And finally, since I have not restarted the sock, I have done a bit more on the lace scarf. It is now slightly longer than my arm rest on my knitting chair (big recliner). Since this has been the project that sits in the basket whenever there is something else to do, it has taken me quite a while to get this far, and will perhaps be longer before I finish. Because of that, I believe the gauge will be different between the beginning and the end, but that is completely fine with me.
The scarf, after all, is for me, and it is pretty and lacy, and once finished and blocked, the fact that one end is slightly wider than the other can be a design element, right?
Next up, I have swatches to show. These have been done for a while. I need to finish measuring and make sure I know which type my husband wants for his slippers.
The three swatches are a brown alpaca, a dark almost-black wool, and a mixture. Spun up, and then swatched up, and then felted. I guess I should get moving on these, since it's colder now and his birthday is soon (early December).
And finally, since I have not restarted the sock, I have done a bit more on the lace scarf. It is now slightly longer than my arm rest on my knitting chair (big recliner). Since this has been the project that sits in the basket whenever there is something else to do, it has taken me quite a while to get this far, and will perhaps be longer before I finish. Because of that, I believe the gauge will be different between the beginning and the end, but that is completely fine with me.
The scarf, after all, is for me, and it is pretty and lacy, and once finished and blocked, the fact that one end is slightly wider than the other can be a design element, right?
Saturday, November 10, 2007
November 10
So I tried the socks on husband's feet. One was too loose (we knew it was a bit loose since I finished it first and already tried it on him). The other one was just a bit too tight. Since I'm not leaving them mismatched like that he decided a bit tight is much better than a bit loose. Upon examining the two socks, I couldn't just fudge it. They were different sizes all the way back, only by a bit, but definitely different all the way back to the toe. Notice the past tense there? They were. The one that was a bit loose is now no more. I ripped it out this morning, and then while I was at a Church Christmas prep activity (making presents) I took a while and knit some on the lace scarf. I will restart the sock within the next day or two.
November has been interesting with my experiment of daily blogging. I purposefully did not sign up for anything official (NaBloPoMo) because the last thing I need is pressure, but it has been interesting, and I have been posting every day. We'll see how the rest of the month goes, but I'm proud of doing it for 1/3 of the time so far.
November has been interesting with my experiment of daily blogging. I purposefully did not sign up for anything official (NaBloPoMo) because the last thing I need is pressure, but it has been interesting, and I have been posting every day. We'll see how the rest of the month goes, but I'm proud of doing it for 1/3 of the time so far.
Friday, November 09, 2007
November 9
I finished the heel. Yay!
BUT... meanwhile, back at the ranch...
They don't quite match. The one I started second and finished the heel of first is a little bit bigger. As it was a bit loose on my husband (and I had fudged on the heel, since it was the first time I was following these directions) I thought I might end up having to take it out and redo it. That's the one I'll be fiddling with. I am hoping I can get away with just undoing the heel and not the gusset increases also, but I might have to rip the bigger one completely out and measure spi and rpi consistantly to make sure they match. I'll measure both and compare tonight. ...so at least a couple more days of work before I can work up the cuffs and be done.
BUT... meanwhile, back at the ranch...
They don't quite match. The one I started second and finished the heel of first is a little bit bigger. As it was a bit loose on my husband (and I had fudged on the heel, since it was the first time I was following these directions) I thought I might end up having to take it out and redo it. That's the one I'll be fiddling with. I am hoping I can get away with just undoing the heel and not the gusset increases also, but I might have to rip the bigger one completely out and measure spi and rpi consistantly to make sure they match. I'll measure both and compare tonight. ...so at least a couple more days of work before I can work up the cuffs and be done.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
November 8
Today I did finish all the gusset increases for my husband's sock, but did not start the heel. Between babysitting, getting kids off to joy school and homeschool group, ice skating (helping and watching, not doing), lunch, making sure piano practicing and workbooks got done, an ultrasound, dinner, a trip to the book store, and getting kids to bed, somehow I didn't really get much knitting done. Luckily, tomorrow is quieter (or at least, it should be).
I've been catching up on my pod casts - lots of knit picks and webs stuff, along with the knitting cook, sticks and string, and... umm, something else? It's been fun.
I've also been reading Next by Michael Crichton. Fairly interesting book, not the best, but not bad. I got a couple other books to read soon, and then I want to reread Smoke Screen by Kyle Mills - something reminded me of it the other day, but I need to reread it before I recommend it completely.
I really like the idea of having a Clean Slate for 2008, but I'm not sure I like it enough to do all the lace that I would need to do over the next month and a half.... I'll have to ponder that.
I've been catching up on my pod casts - lots of knit picks and webs stuff, along with the knitting cook, sticks and string, and... umm, something else? It's been fun.
I've also been reading Next by Michael Crichton. Fairly interesting book, not the best, but not bad. I got a couple other books to read soon, and then I want to reread Smoke Screen by Kyle Mills - something reminded me of it the other day, but I need to reread it before I recommend it completely.
I really like the idea of having a Clean Slate for 2008, but I'm not sure I like it enough to do all the lace that I would need to do over the next month and a half.... I'll have to ponder that.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
November 7
I gifted the cute stuff today, the hat didn't happen and wasn't happening. It might sometime in the near future, as it is cute in those colors, and I might as well use them.
So today I finally started working on the socks for my husband again. Remember them? (You have to go down a bit... his are the just started brown ones there). When I entered it into Ravelry originally I called them Dessert, as they are just the perfect colors for a chocolate layer something covered in fudge. ...maybe a bit of caramel mixed in too? :)
One of the socks has a heel done, the other one I am working on the gusset. I have to go from 60 stitches to 90 stitches before I start the heel. I have about 20 rows left, of course they get progressively larger. I'm hoping to get through the rest of the increases tonight, which would mean I'd need access to the book tomorrow... unless I do fold laundry instead of knitting during tomorrow's 'quiet time'. Either way, I'm hoping to be working on the cuff of both socks soon enough!
So today I finally started working on the socks for my husband again. Remember them? (You have to go down a bit... his are the just started brown ones there). When I entered it into Ravelry originally I called them Dessert, as they are just the perfect colors for a chocolate layer something covered in fudge. ...maybe a bit of caramel mixed in too? :)
One of the socks has a heel done, the other one I am working on the gusset. I have to go from 60 stitches to 90 stitches before I start the heel. I have about 20 rows left, of course they get progressively larger. I'm hoping to get through the rest of the increases tonight, which would mean I'd need access to the book tomorrow... unless I do fold laundry instead of knitting during tomorrow's 'quiet time'. Either way, I'm hoping to be working on the cuff of both socks soon enough!
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
November 6
Yay! I finished... well, kindof.
I crocheted little buttons and loops and sewed them on. I then got to photograph all the stuff I've been making for this neighbor's baby.
Like this big bear wearing the now finished sweater.
...and the matching blanket. (Simple pattern, Cast On a multiple of 3, rib for two rows and then move it a stitch, rib for two more rows, etc)
...and of course, the bigger little baby sweater. I left this one without closures. I think I will gift it that way. The mother can either add on a zipper (she sews) or choose buttons.
Everything is bagged up and ready to gift. I might just add a little hat, as I have tons of yarn left. ...we'll see how well a hat knits up tonight during our current netflix, either way I'm gifting within the next day or two! :)
I crocheted little buttons and loops and sewed them on. I then got to photograph all the stuff I've been making for this neighbor's baby.
Like this big bear wearing the now finished sweater.
...and the matching blanket. (Simple pattern, Cast On a multiple of 3, rib for two rows and then move it a stitch, rib for two more rows, etc)
...and of course, the bigger little baby sweater. I left this one without closures. I think I will gift it that way. The mother can either add on a zipper (she sews) or choose buttons.
Everything is bagged up and ready to gift. I might just add a little hat, as I have tons of yarn left. ...we'll see how well a hat knits up tonight during our current netflix, either way I'm gifting within the next day or two! :)
Monday, November 05, 2007
November 5
Progress was made today on the little sweaters. All the loose ends are now woven in (what a pain). I couldn't find any zippers or buttons that would work and so I am improvising... if it works then I will have at least one finished sweater to show you tomorrow. (if it doesn't work then they will have to wait for a trip to the store before being finished). I am looking forward to life after baby knitting... of course, both girls have insisted that I start something soon for *our* baby.
First, however, will be some more socks and lace. ...and sewing ...and spinning and knitting and felting perhaps. Tonight, however, I will be working on my improvisations during Heroes and Journeyman. ..and maybe some more charity learning. One of the blogs I read sent me over there today and it is a lot of fun!
First, however, will be some more socks and lace. ...and sewing ...and spinning and knitting and felting perhaps. Tonight, however, I will be working on my improvisations during Heroes and Journeyman. ..and maybe some more charity learning. One of the blogs I read sent me over there today and it is a lot of fun!
Sunday, November 04, 2007
November 4
That was the second (smaller) sweater as of this evening. When I took this picture I was working on both of the sleeves. Obviously I am not a simple person and doing one sleeve at a time and being done was not my goal tonight. No. Instead I picked up both sleeves, worked from both ends of the ball of yarn and finished both sleeves at the same time. It worked well except for the last 20 minutes or so when my fingers just itched. I knew I was almost done, and yet I knew it was going to take time to do the last 3 rows of stockinette, a decrease row, 7 rows of garter, and then bind off. So close to taste it, not close enough to cut yarn... so painful.
It is now sitting on my lap, done, except for the fact that I'm weaving in ends, and neither sweater has anything for closing. I've got to look at my buttons and zippers tomorrow, and hopefully have finished pictures to show you within the next day or two of all of these items.
I have now done 4 days of daily posts. I'm trying to sleep off the beginnings of another cold (so far I've managed to skirt around all colds in this house - a day or two of tissues and ickyness and then fine... I'm trying to figure out exactly what in my line of defense is making that possible so I can continue this trend). Look back over the past year at all yet? Contest to be seen within the week....
Saturday, November 03, 2007
November 3
Today I managed to finish the body of the second (smaller) baby sweater. Hopefully I'll get to the sleeves tomorrow and can then show off another finished project - either way I'll try to remember to snap a pictures tomorrow afternoon.
Although I didn't realize it until this morning, yesterday was my one year blog anniversary. Looking back, it's been quite a year. So come on, take a look back - you know you want to! You can just scroll down and look at the archives on the side bar and click around. I'll wait right here for you. Come on, go! Back? Good. Have fun? Great. Now excuse me while I go blow my nose again and then go back to bed. Perhaps a contest later based on the past year of blogs. Probably. After I wake up and don't need my tissue box. Ummm.. sometime later this week - look for details then.
Although I didn't realize it until this morning, yesterday was my one year blog anniversary. Looking back, it's been quite a year. So come on, take a look back - you know you want to! You can just scroll down and look at the archives on the side bar and click around. I'll wait right here for you. Come on, go! Back? Good. Have fun? Great. Now excuse me while I go blow my nose again and then go back to bed. Perhaps a contest later based on the past year of blogs. Probably. After I wake up and don't need my tissue box. Ummm.. sometime later this week - look for details then.
Friday, November 02, 2007
November 2
If I'm going to keep this post-a-day thing up through at least some of November, then I am going to cut myself some slack on the alphabet and creative title thing. I'll save those for when I'm feeling... ummm... creative?
Today was not one of those days.
This morning I took the girls (well, we had a ride) to the symphony. It was a lunch time performance, so it was selections rather than full pieces. The full performance will be tomorrow night - of this. I enjoyed it. The girls seemed to enjoy it, but have differing opinions when asked tonight. The selections were of three pieces (Smetana, The Moldau; Bernstein, Serenade (After Plato’s Symposium) and Beethoven, Symphony No. 6, Op. 68, in F Major, (Pastoral)). I really enjoyed all of them, and especially liked the way the conductor spoke of each and the way he walked us through each selection so we understood it.
My hand is feeling better, and is healing fine. I even knit a bit today. I have a large bear (made of lion brand homespun) and blanket for my neighbor who had a little girl. I was planning to do a small sweater that would fit on the baby now and the bear later, but the sweater I finished was a bit bigger than I thought it would be.
Since it didn't take too long and I have plenty of yarn left I decided to try again. The first one was done on US6, the second attempt is being done with US3. I am almost done with the body of the second sweater (about 9 rows left). If all goes well this one will be the size I wanted, and fit the baby now. Later it can go on the bear and when she's a bit older she can fit into the bigger sweater and have a matching bear.
I couldn't work on that much during the day today, but I was able to get a lot done during Spiderman 3 tonight. Wow. Not a great movie. Not as bad as I thought it would be from all I heard, just a lot of surface rather than depth (but hey, it's spiderman!)
Today was not one of those days.
This morning I took the girls (well, we had a ride) to the symphony. It was a lunch time performance, so it was selections rather than full pieces. The full performance will be tomorrow night - of this. I enjoyed it. The girls seemed to enjoy it, but have differing opinions when asked tonight. The selections were of three pieces (Smetana, The Moldau; Bernstein, Serenade (After Plato’s Symposium) and Beethoven, Symphony No. 6, Op. 68, in F Major, (Pastoral)). I really enjoyed all of them, and especially liked the way the conductor spoke of each and the way he walked us through each selection so we understood it.
My hand is feeling better, and is healing fine. I even knit a bit today. I have a large bear (made of lion brand homespun) and blanket for my neighbor who had a little girl. I was planning to do a small sweater that would fit on the baby now and the bear later, but the sweater I finished was a bit bigger than I thought it would be.
Since it didn't take too long and I have plenty of yarn left I decided to try again. The first one was done on US6, the second attempt is being done with US3. I am almost done with the body of the second sweater (about 9 rows left). If all goes well this one will be the size I wanted, and fit the baby now. Later it can go on the bear and when she's a bit older she can fit into the bigger sweater and have a matching bear.
I couldn't work on that much during the day today, but I was able to get a lot done during Spiderman 3 tonight. Wow. Not a great movie. Not as bad as I thought it would be from all I heard, just a lot of surface rather than depth (but hey, it's spiderman!)
Thursday, November 01, 2007
N is for...
November!
I realized that if I wanted to challenge myself to write *more* during the month of November, I should kind of start on the first day. I'm not committed to any specific amount, I am going to aim for daily this month - we'll see. I would just like to break the almost week between posts habit again.
N is also for... Neosporine!
Lily has been going ice skating every Thursday for the last month. (today was actually her third time going). Today, however, was my first time having to go help supervise (one of the moms always goes and is on the ice, and the rest of us rotate helping and watching). I of course, 5 minutes after getting there, gouge myself with a pocket knife (cutting one of the plastic tags off of my daughter's new skates). Bleeding stopped relatively soon and bandaids are on. I am fine, but my hand is a bit sore. I tried knitting tonight, and I could knit without pain, but purling is out for another day or two. (I won't be attempting to do the wire knitting until next week, which is sad, as I was looking forward to playing with my new pretty wires).
N is also for... Newborn (sometime in March/April).
The pregnancy hasn't been awful (just don't ask the rest of the family), I'm just tired a lot.
We are happy and excited though. Thank you for all the good wishes.
I realized that if I wanted to challenge myself to write *more* during the month of November, I should kind of start on the first day. I'm not committed to any specific amount, I am going to aim for daily this month - we'll see. I would just like to break the almost week between posts habit again.
N is also for... Neosporine!
Lily has been going ice skating every Thursday for the last month. (today was actually her third time going). Today, however, was my first time having to go help supervise (one of the moms always goes and is on the ice, and the rest of us rotate helping and watching). I of course, 5 minutes after getting there, gouge myself with a pocket knife (cutting one of the plastic tags off of my daughter's new skates). Bleeding stopped relatively soon and bandaids are on. I am fine, but my hand is a bit sore. I tried knitting tonight, and I could knit without pain, but purling is out for another day or two. (I won't be attempting to do the wire knitting until next week, which is sad, as I was looking forward to playing with my new pretty wires).
N is also for... Newborn (sometime in March/April).
The pregnancy hasn't been awful (just don't ask the rest of the family), I'm just tired a lot.
We are happy and excited though. Thank you for all the good wishes.
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