Memoirs of a Yarn-a-holic

World's Worst Blogger

2010-02-07T17:04:00.002-07:00

I am terrible at this. All my life I have tried to "journal" and can never keep up with it. I love the idea of chronicling my thoughts, ideas and life in general. You would think that would be enough motivation, but apparently it is not.

Now, my yarn, knitting, crocheting and looming. That has also fallen by the wayside lately. I have been so busy with work and life in general that when I come home I just plop on the couch and play on the computer. Recently I moved so now I have all the unpacking, sorting and cleaning to deal with. My yarn and needles look at me so longingly, it breaks my heart. I need to rekindle the spark and find joy in my yarn again.

Back Again

2008-04-05T18:24:00.002-06:00

The last couple of weeks, well week, have been quite eventful. I had to go to San Jose on a business trip and the meetings were awesome. That's the good part. On the way to work the day I was flying out, my truck broke down and had to get towed. $400 later, I have my truck back. When I go on a business trip I try to do a "trip treat" which for me is a pedicure. I went to the mall by my hotel and founf a place to get a pedicure. Awesome pedicaure. It lasted almost an hour and it was only $20. While soaking my feet in the wonderful bubbly water, my phone rang. It was the client I had met with earlier. We did a short meeting post mortum and hung up. I laid the phone in my lap, shifted and ::PLOP:: into the water my phone landed. Ok, broken truck and broken phone, not a good week. The rest of the trip was uneventful, thank goodness.

I was traveling with one of the VPs from my company. Everyone at work knows me as a defintely crazy, workaholic. He was very surprised to see me start knitting on the flight. He thought that was so funny that he took a picture of me knitting, lol. Wonder how long that will take before it is circulated through the office.

Now I have to concentrate on moving. I am moving in with my mom, she has been sick and took quite a fall a couple weeks ago. I ended up taking her to the ER. So my most my stuff will go in storage so I decided to go with renting a PODS unit that I can load here and have them transport to where my mom lives. Then I can keep my stuff stored at my mom's where I can still access it. What a cool idea those are. I had it delivered this morning so Now I am in official moving mode.

So, that is my most recent update. I fly out to Dallas on the 17th of April. What a month. The good new is that my Minneapolis trip got delayed.

Have a great day!!

Moving Sucks!

2008-03-22T10:35:00.002-06:00

My landlord decided to sell the house that I am lving in. So rather than letting me rent month to month when my lease is up on May 1st, he decided he wants the house to be empty. Now I have to move by May 1st. If that is not bad enough, I have 3 business trips in April, so I am losing 10 days of packing/moving time.

I am going to move in with my mother, temporarily. She had a fall last week and would feel better having someone there. Also, by living there, I can get all my bills paid off and save money to buy a house in a year, in her neighborhood. That way she will have me and my sister close by to help her.

That does not change the fact that moving still sucks. Since I will be moving into 2 rooms, that means I have to put most of my things in storage. I am letting my 2 kids borrow some of the bigger items and I am renting one of those PODS containers to put in my mother's driveway so I will have easy access to my stuff.

This will definitely be an adventure.

Happy Camper!!!

2008-03-16T14:15:00.006-06:00

OK, so my shoulder......

I went to the Dr on Wednesday about my shoulder, I could not take it anymore. He took xrays and examined me. Apparently I have AC joint problems from a motorcycle accident I had a couple years ago and also impingement. He gave me 2 cortisone shots and scheduled me for physical therapy. I reacted badly to the shots and could not move my right arm or neck for about 2 days. After that passed I felt great. I have been knitting and crocheting this weekend. I made a hat for my daughter and started a poncho for my granddaughter. I am really happy with how the hat turned out. I am going to make a couple spring hats for my mom next. It is so nice to be able to knit, crochet and loom again.

Frustrations

2008-03-09T09:47:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was a relaxing sort of day so I decided to pull out the needles and start a dishcloth. My shoulder has not been that bad lately. The frustrating part is I could only knit about 5 roows at a time.....on a dishcloth, then I had to ice my shoulder. By the time I went to bed last night I had only knit 22 rows. I guess I am going to have to break down and go to a Dr about this. I love to knit and crochet, but I don;t love the pain. I even took 1000mg of ibuprophen, that did not even help. If anyone has any ideas, please share.

OK, now it is day 2 of my dishcloth that I just frogged, yes the entire thing. I worked on it more today despite the shoulder pain. I made it to row 35 or 47. I looked at it and realized I screwed up somewhere around row 30. The entire rest of the cloth had the rs/ws reversed. I was ticked I just frogged the whole thing. Hate it when that happens.

Coffee Swap! Oh MY!!!!

2008-03-08T00:35:00.004-07:00

OK, So I found my dream swap...Coffee! My love, my passion, nectar of the soul. I have decided that I can never change jobs...ever. Why? Because we now have an espresso machine. Life really doesn't get any better than that. I could really have named this blog Memoirs of a Yarfee (yarn+coffee)-a-holic. In addition to the espresso machine at work, I also have a kindred spirit I work with whom I can talk to about the beauty and perfection of the blessed brew. Ahhhhh, I should go make me a pot....... Anyway, here is the questionnaire I need to answer for this swap:

Coffee

1. What is your preference? Whole beans or ground?
Whole beans all the way baby, unless for espresso, then I grind at the store because my grinder does not grind fine enough.

2. What kind of coffees do you enjoy? A rich, bold roast; a light, fresh one, or something in between? Leaded or non?
Rich, bold and dark! Absolutely leaded.

3. If you were headed out right now to buy some coffee for the house, what would you be picking up?
A rich, wonderful dark french roast from a local coffee house that I frequent

4. Do you drink for caffeine, pleasure, or both? Pleasure, flavor, pure heaven

5. Do you enjoy flavored coffees? How about add-ins or flavored creamers? I add either carmel or dark chocolate and frothed whole or 2% milks. I have a Froth Au Lait and love it.

6. A large, lovely mug or a small, dainty cup?
I love the big cappuccino mugs

7. Describe your perfect cup - not JUST the coffee, but how you'd enjoy it!
My perfect cup of coffee is on weekend mornings or Sunday afternoon. Morning would be getting up, grind the beans and start a pot of coffee (who can;t resist the aromatic pleasure of coffee brewing), then I will get out my mug and carmel, put some milk in the frother and wait. When I put together my perfect cup of joe, I settle into my comfy reading chair, turn on some classical music and just chill. Sunday afternoon coffee is my son and I at our favorite coffee house with a caramel latte.

8. You're sitting down to enjoy a nice cup in the local coffee shop, knitting bag in hand, iPod all tuned up - or maybe you're there with a few friends for knit night! What treat do you pick up to enjoy with your coffee? A sweet, rich brownie, or something more healthy? How about a salty treat? What goes best with that great cup and company?
Biscotti, I love all kinds as long as it is NOT dipped in chocolate.

Yarn

1. Do you knit or crochet?
Both, I also loom knit

2. What are your favorite types of yarns to work with?
Cotton, I love cotton yarn. I am also a yarn snob and love the European yarns. I just don;t like wools because I am allergic to it. Viscose is also wonderful.

3. What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now?
I have been having shoulder problems so I did not do any knitting for the past year. I just picked them up again and I am making dishclohs and washcloths because I need more. Also, they are quick and easy to carry around in my bag.

4. What are your favorite colors in yarns? What about those that you'd never find in your stash?
Earthtones of all sorts. I also love soft colors like beautiful whites and pale pastels (for my granddaughter. Bright colors are alor of fun too like a lime green, purple or bright orange (ok so I did do a long dissertation here about orange, but what can I say.)I really want to get some soft aqua to play with (new bedroom color). The color you will never find in my stach is Bright greens, like kelly green or grass green etc.

5. What sort of needles or hooks do you enjoy using? Any you just detest?
I love bamboo needles and also acrylic. I am not a fan of the aluminum needles. For crochet hooks I love the bone hooks. I have not tried the wood hooks...yet. Sadly most of my hooks are the standard aluminum. For my looms, I prefer the handcrafted wood looms with synthetic pegs in a small guage.

6. Are there any particular notions you absolute do NOT need? Some of us swap a lot - are you sure that you have enough tape measures to last your lifetime? Enough stitch markers to mark every stitch of a 10 foot wide afghan?
Nope, because I am always losing them. If I kept a pair of scissors for a year I would faint.

7. You walk into the yarn shop and have exactly and only enough money to purchase 2 skeins of yarn in their 2 for 20 special they have going..The choices are a soft, thick cotton/viscose blend in your favorite colors, slightly variegated..a beautiful sock yarn that's just squishy and sproingy in your hands.. a soft, worsted weight wool like malabrigo.. and a lovely bamboo blend with colors to just die for. Which do you walk out the door with?
No contest, the cotton/viscose, but only 2? I would go straight to the coffee house and cry in my latte.

Spring

1. We're starting sign-ups on the first day of Spring - is it already truly Spring-like where you are?
It is during the week and then it still snows on the weekends

2. What's your favorite spring flower? Do you have one?
I love bulbs of any kind, especially crocus'. I also love Iris', but I would have to say my favorite spring flower is lilacs.

3. What do you most look forward to about springtime?
The new leaves on the trees and chirping of birds

4. They've predicted a gorgeous day tomorrow - Sunny and about 65 with a nice breeze - how do you spend your day?
Outside, painting my furniture

5. The day after, it's going to be cooler and pouring down rain - does that impact your mood? How do you spend that day? what helps cheer you up?
Make a pot of soup, rain calls for soup. I find the rain calming, it also makes me lazy. I would rather just curl up in a chair wth my yarn or a book.

Odds n Ends

1. Do you collect anything BESIDES yarn and needles?
Do dust bunnies count? I don;t really collect anything in particular.

2. Are you allergic to anything?
Strong fragrences. I get migraines. I stick with berry scents and lavendar.

3. Do you have pets?
I have 2 cats and a dog

4. Is this your first swap, or are you an old pro? What are the last 2 swaps you participated in?
First swap in a long while. Other swaps have been loom knitting swaps.

5. List 3 of your favorite blogs - craft related or not - and tell us why you love them.
Yarn Harlot - because I know I will never be able to knit like that. You Knit What? - sadly it is no more. I loved that blog. Other than that I really haven't had much time lately for reading other peoples blogs on a regular basis.

March....What a Month!

2008-03-05T17:22:00.003-07:00

OK, so this is going to be a semi-crazy and absolutely exhuasting month for me. in order to keep my sanity, I have dug out the needles and hooks again. My shoulder has started feeling better. I am in desperate need of dishcloths so.......I get to play with my yarn. Once you have used a hand knit or crocheted cloth, the store bought kind will never again cut it. I crocheted one yesterday and tonight I am going to start one on the needles. When that one is done I might as well round it out with a loom knit cloth.

Whil researching patterns and such I ran across this great Needle Craft oriented swap blog. The March contest is to guess how many books are in a tub, so I guessed 23, what do you think....

Wish List

2008-03-02T21:14:00.007-07:00

Are you a knitter or crocheter?? Beginning Knitter, crochet and loom knit

I love to make..... Dishclothes, I hate the ones that you buy

I really want to make...... A new blanket for my granddaughter

My favorite yarns are..... Cottons. Also, ANY European yarn, they are positively succulent. I am not a big fan of most wool yarns due to allergies.

My wish pattern is......Simple dishcloth patterns

My favorite hooks or needles are.....Bamboo Knitting Needles, Wood Knitting looms and Bone crochet hooks

I really wish I had..... Mason-Dixon Knitting book, Mini WonderLoom ESG

My favorite colors are... Brown, Black, Aqua, rich reds, lime green, purple

My hobbies...Reading, refinishing furniture for my own use, YARN!

My kitchen theme and colors.. Blue and yellow, country type kitchen

My bathroom theme and colors... Turquise and orange Penguins

My dislikes.... Utah Driver's and cheap acrylic yarn

My Likes and loves....Chocolate and coffee in any form. I am a true coffee addict. My greatest moment on at work was when we got an espresso machine. My favorite chocolate is dark chocolate.

My crafts..what I like....I like to do some decopage as well as needle crafts. I would love to learn some form of bead work

My allergies... Flowery scents. I am very fragerence sensitive

My favorite pets...I have 2 cats and one dog. I also used to have ferrets

My favorite scents...Lavendar, cinnamon, any berry scent especially mulberry

My favorite novels or magazines...Memoirs of a Geisha, Pillars of the Earth

Other stuff about me...I am a total work-a-holic. I love my job, eat at my desk and check emails on weekends. Very sad, I know. Its a genetic thing. I inherited it from my dad.

Fall? Already????

2006-09-30T18:05:00.000-06:00

What the crap happened to summer? Aside from being the WORST summer of my life, it has sped by. Now, I was just starting to adapt to September and OCtober pounced. I have been working on my new jobe for several weeks now and love it. Because of a family issue, I was not able to take the job at Plentiful Pantry. I am working at Mindshare Technologies and truly love it. Everyday is a challenge to me. I have learned so much in the weeks I have been there.

Ahhhhh, knitting, yarn, needles, looms, hooks........ they have finally found their way back into my bag. Due to winter trying to arrive early, I realized I had every color of scarf in my collection, but no black. Hence, my yarn boxes got opened. It feels good to have the needles back in the hands. It is time to start working on Christmas presents too. I will post pictures as soon as I actually finish something instead of frogging it.

WOW..What a summer

2006-07-20T11:46:00.001-06:00

This summer has been one heck of a ride. Started out with the injury, then the move from my house of 15 years, then back to work (at Ballet West). The summer of being mostly bed bound has been the worst. Now, I am moving again. I know, I know. Why would I move after less than 3 months. Well, I went from 2700 sq Ft with 5 bedrooms to 800 with 2. So I am moving upstairs to the perfect place. It has 3 bedrooms, a sunroom for a breakfast nook and a huge summer porch. We have been up there painting this week and it looks so gorgeous. I will be posting before and after pictures. We need to finish the painting of the Kitchen, entry hall and living room by tomorrow so we can move the stuff in. Those are the rooms that are most visible. The bedrooms we can paint after we move in, no biggie. And I have not even been able to think of what color to do the bathroom. Maybe I should pull out my yarn and find the perfect color.

My next big move is that I am finally going back to work full-time. I need the money and I am so tired of staying home all the time. I hope my foot will tolerate the additional hours out of bed. I will be working customer service for a company called Plentiful Pantry. They are a local company and seem like a great group of people. I have never been a "corporate" type. Way to regimented for me. Anyway, much to do today. I will keep you posted on the painting.

Too much time on my hands

2006-07-06T13:59:00.000-06:00

Bedbound + Laptop + Credit Card = Very Bad

Yes, while sitting around in bed with only the computer for outside contacct, I did do a LITTLE bit of shopping, ok, so more than I should have. But hey, alot was good stuff. I bought my scooter and my son's scooter from ads I saw on Craigslist . OOOOh and I bought me a beautiful new loom. An 18" HG adjustable with extra 7-peg end pieces from Markman Farm. Lynn makes such beautiful looms with such amazing wood. This one is oak and I conditioned it with the bee balm sample she sent. You can see what a work of art it is. I know for you non loomers that means nothing, but to the loomers, they know how awesome that is. I immediately put the beauty to work with new yarn (yes, bought online)making a big shopping bag to take to the store and actually USE as a shopping bag.

Now, we won't even go into all the new knitting needles I bought (must convert to bamboo).

Thank You Lynn!!!!

2006-07-05T01:17:00.000-06:00

Ok, so here is some of what I have "in the works" so to speak. With all the laying around and wondering what more there is to life than reruns of Law and Order, I had an epiphany...ok well it came to me while trying to encourage my mom. Anyway, I decided to teach looming at a local Senior Center and have them make items for charity such as the homeless and battered women's shelters. But, alas, I need yarn and looms. ANd along comes my wonderful angel Lynn to the rescue. SHe has started off my campaign to find looms by genourously donating 12 rakes and tools along with 2 HUGE skeins of yarn. I know others heloed her with this wonderful donation and I want to thank Theresa and MJ!!! Look what wonderful Lynn Markman and posse sent me....

I will be posting a new blog on the progress of the seniors. I will let you know when it all starts. Until then...I hope you all had a great 4th of July!!!!

SHE'S ALIVE!!!

2006-07-03T22:52:00.000-06:00

Ok, so I have been very neglectful of my blog for the last couple of months. I have been in my a state of chaos and confusion. First, right after I posted the last time, I fell down my front porch stairs while carrying a TV (no, the TV did not shatter, it survived and mocks me for its toughness). I really messed up my foot. I won't go into gorry details, but it was ambulance worthy and I am still in a walkinig boot and crutches. Still no end in site. The worst part about it was that it happened at the beginning of my move and I was was bed bound for 3 weeks. I did not get to do any of the packing, sorting or moving. You can imagine what a mess things are. I didn;'t get much knitting or looming done while bed bound because Lortab and yarn do not mix well. I am knitting and looming now.

Mobility...that was a toughy. I can't drive becacuse it is my right foot. I can't take the bus because I have to walk to the bus stop. So........ I bought a scooter. Wheeeeeeee what fun!!!!!!!

I have several projects in the works right now and I will get pictures of them and start posting again. Good to be back.

The move has begun!!

2006-05-05T02:07:00.000-06:00

I signed the papers for the new place today and took my first carload of things pver. Which means ALL of my yarn and looms are there, so now I can officially call it home. I even unpacked several boxes of the yarn and put into thier containers. It was so nice to see their pretty little selves again. OK, so I needed the boxes too, but it was nice to play with my pretty babies even if was only to put them away. I also took my bathroom stuff like towels, shower curtain etc, so it looks like I live there. In my kitchen I took some canisters and knick knacks. I am so excited. Did I tell you I even have a little yard out my back door that I didn't know about..BONUS! I love to play with my flowers and look at them I will be able to have a pretty little garden out the window of my office. I am off to bed (check the time I posted) and back to packing, moving and garage sale tomorrow.

CRUNCH Time!!!

2006-05-03T22:24:00.000-06:00

Well, I finally did. For years I have been talking about selling my house, but once I decided to really do it, I did it!!! Yes, it is already sold and I am packing to move into my new place within the next 10 days. So it is SERIOUS crunch time. The first thing I packed was all my yarn (except the WIPs) because I can't be distracted. But, it will be the first thing unpacked. I will be so happy to see it I will probably roll naked thru it (I wouldn't really) Here are pictures of it all the boxes (the boxes are 12"x12"x8").

Hunting

2006-04-18T16:59:00.000-06:00

H is for Hunting. I have a new focus in life. I am Hunting for a buyer for my House, Hunting for a new job, Hunting for a new House. How's that for H??? My house I am in right now is just way to big for me (all the more room to store yarn in) and it is time to move on. I have 5 bdrms and 3 full bathrooms for 1 person. Overkill? Ya, I think so too. I have also been unmployed for over 2 months now and it is killing me. So, I think I am heading back to Northern California, where I came from 15 years ago. My kids are grown and have families of their own. I need to make a new life for me, where i can be happy. SO I am going back to the hills of Northern California. Me, my cats and dogs and yarn...I mean really, what else do I need? Oh ya, my needles, hooks and looms are going to and a pair of scissors.

BLECH!

2006-04-12T00:27:00.000-06:00

I have not been up to par the last few days. I have been sliding head long into a depression so I haven't felt much like knitting lately. I did manage to retrieve my camera back from my son so I can share some pictures. Basically, I am signed up with PROJECT SPECTRUM and APril the color is orange

and you know me and orange. A regular love/hate relationship. Well, I had this beautiful orange yarn that has been mocking me for weeks, begging me to make something with it. So, it was cast on to a pair of size 15 needles and it is becoming a plain ol garter stitch shawl, but a fancy stitch would have detracted from the beauty of the yarn....what do you think?

Sock on a Loom

2006-04-08T16:17:00.000-06:00

For lack of anything else to show you, I will present you with my first attempt at a sock. I have other projects going, but, once again, my son has confiscated my camera as his own.

I made this sock using the pattern on YARNGEAR. The pattern was very easy to follow and quite simple. The short row shaping

used for the heel can be used for any application that you need to shape something.

The problem I had is the gauge of the loom and the weight of the yarn. Due to the large gauge of the loom the "sock" is more like a slipper. If you were needle knitting, it would be like knitting a pair of socks on size 13 needles, not very delicate and impossible to use a fingering weight yarn on. For socks you really need to have a much smaller stitch. I want to get the EXTRA FINE GAUGE SOCK LOOM at Decor Accents. Isela is a needle knitter as well as loomer, so she understands the relationship of converting needle to loom.

If you have never made a sock on the loom, then I would recommend trying this pattern out as a first. If you have smaller gauge looms, then you can try other patterns on the DECOR ACCENTS free pattern section. I would have to say that Yarngear and Decor Accents are my two favorite references when it comes to loom knitting. The instructions and mini movies on both sites are easy to follow and very helpful.

(Yes, that's my very own fat, hairy leg modeling the sock)

Mesh Stitch, in detail

2006-03-30T17:05:00.000-07:00

It seems that my MESH stitch is the most popular thing I have ever done. So, it is time for me to explain it in more detail. The stitch is a modification of the MOCK CROCHET stitch. The stitch is done "in the round" rather than as a flat panel. YOU DO NOT TURN, just continue with the sets of three. The stitch will have a spiral look to it as your piece grows. The mesh is accomplished by skipping every other peg. Make sure that on the skipped pegs that the yarn is woven BEHIND the peg.

You can use this stitch for many applications. Tote bags, shawls, shrug...the possibilities are endless. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Another day goes by.....

2006-03-28T21:30:00.000-07:00

I really need to stop with my starting projects and moving on to starting another one. I can't beleive how many I have started in the last week. Its absurd! Last night I started yet another project, this one on the loom. OK, no backlash about the orange, I said I didn't like neon, acrylic orange. This does not fall into that category. In fact, this is so soft I may make it into a afghan instead of a shawl. What do you think. I was thinking cute spring shawl to wear with jeans, but it would be so nice to cuddle up in on the couch too.

On to other things, my sweet, online friend, Jami, sent me a wonderful care packge. I can't wait to try out the fun needles, they are Susan Bates Acrylics. Note, one package of candy was already gone before I took the picture....nummmmmmm. I can't tell you how sweet that was of Jami. I was having a horrible day when the package arrived. Talk about timing. (((((((HUGZ))))))) to Jami.

GEE!!!

2006-03-26T19:41:00.000-07:00

Gee, it's time for G, the letter that is.

Gorgeous Granddaughter

Here is my my granddaughter, Lilly, wearing the poncho that I just made for her. G also stands for Gerber Baby, I mean come on, how can you resist those chubby cheeks!

G can also stand for Good Grief....is it spring yet? Yesterday we reached 70 degrees during the day, very windy, but 70. Last night at midnight, this is what it looked like......

OK Then.......

2006-03-25T17:28:00.000-07:00

Well, now I have really done it. I have volunteered to teach/mentor on a new Yahoo Group, LOOM CLASS I think it will be alot of fun and a great way for me to challenge myself. A ton of people have signed up to be students and so far only 5 teachers. I'm sure I can handle it, I have taught so many other things and written trainings. This will just be a new realm. Everyone seems to like my MESH STITCH so I have started taking photos of the process. Crystal used my stitch to make a MESH BAG. I have made a modification of the bag using her "flat bottom" method but using a more solid stitch then changing to the mesh stitch. I'll keep you posted on the progress of this endeavor and of my mesh bags.

And here is the semi finished bags without ends woven in and only 1 handle..

Laid up and busy

2006-03-24T22:49:00.000-07:00

I have been laid up for the last couple of days which means lots of knitting and looming. I thought I would share some of the stupid little projects.

At the top of the silly list is.....A kitty ball. A good way to use up scraps of fun fur. I made this on the ITA thumb loom and just inserted a cheap kitty ball into it and gathered both ends. The pink ball is what I inserted.

OK, I jumped on the bandwagon and had to try my hand at the Knitted Kitty Making this out of some Homespun that has been lying around here for years. Time to get it out of my stash.

Next on my list, I started a couple of things on the needles. First is a soft mohair scarf. Yes, I know it is spring, but hey, winter will come again in a few months.

Next, I have always wanted a Ruana, so here is the beginning of one. This is only the "ends" that will have this yarn. I will be using a simpler yarn for the main body of it. Its all squished up on my #13 needles because I only had 10" needles.

OK, on to a loom again. I finally pulled this scarf off the loom. Not out of any driving desire to finish a UFO, but more out of, I needed that loom for something else.

I will continue this tomrrow with the 2 bags. But here is my question.... Are there really people out there who only have one project at a time going? I can't imagine....

Lilly's Poncho

2006-03-22T21:30:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it is finished. My first needle knit project. I can't wait to see the poncho on Lilly. The yarn is so soft. I also decided to make it on bigger needles, #13. Since it is spring I wanted a looser knit so it would not be as hot. Now I want to make a BIG girl spring poncho for me. I some beautiful ribbon yarns in nice springy colors. Hmmmmmmmmm, I need to go dig in my yarn!

Lilly's Poncho

This is way to cool to miss!!! Click here

Frustrated

2006-03-19T20:06:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know I did F yesterday but I am so frustrated today. I was 15" into the second version of the first panel for my granddaughter's poncho and realized I had made it 2" to narrow. On an adult poncho, you could survive without that 2 inches but not on a baby poncho.

FROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOG again!

Started a THIRD panel (I could have finsihed the dang thing by now). I took my knitting to the opera with me (as I always do) and lost track of what I was doing and missed 1 row....ya, kinda threw the whole pattern off. I didn't notice until several rows later. GRRRRRRRRRRRRR! Froooooooooog. My 7 month old granddaughter may go to her Senior Prom before I finsish the poncho. I am so mad at myself for all the wasted time. Oh well, practice, practice, practice. I am going now to basically start a 3rd attempt. Wish me luck!

FABULOUS!!!!

2006-03-18T22:25:00.000-07:00

Fabulously caught up in the ABC along.....I think. Or how about Flute, as in The Magic Flute. I am going to go see it tomorrow. Don't worry, we will get to the letter O and cover Opera :) Or possibly the letter M and Mozart, never can tell. But for now we will stick with Fabulous and Flute for the letter F!

Can you say EEEEEEWWWWW

Last night I stayed up WAY too late knitting and ended up starting a poncho for my granddaughter. I was almost finsished, well about 2/3 finished with one of the panels and decided I didn't like it, so I started again. AHHH.. FROG, F is for FROG, I do a lot of it. Not because of mistakes, but changing my mind or not liking a pattern or just because I feel like destorying a couple hours worth of work for the sheer thrill of it LOL. ANyway, the poncho. I will take a picture of the first panel and post tomorrow, actually both panels, the frogged one and the right one, you will see.

Sitting and Waiting

2006-03-17T14:25:00.000-07:00

I had a Dr's appointment yesterday to get a cortisone shot in my left knee (not as bad as it sounds). Of course that meant I had A LOT of waiting to do. Waiting to get x-rays, waiting to see the Dr, waiting for him to come back in with the big huge needle. So, I got a lot of knitting done. Its funny the responses you get to knitting. Some people just keep giving you the "oh please don't see me looking" glance, others stare openly, but don't ask a thing though you know they want to say something. And then those who are actually friendly. I got all of them yesterday. The friendly one was actually one of the Drs and she wanted to know if it was as relaxing as they say it is. Of course I HAD to tell her how wonderful it was and it is a great way to get your mind off of things and relax, meditate. I was working on more of my squares and I have decided to make a small blanket for my granddaughter with them. The yarn is so soft, perfect to snuggle up with. When I start putting it together I will post some pictures of it.

eBay

2006-03-14T20:58:00.000-07:00

How much more E Can that be? I used to have an eBay business selling disheware, vintage and hard to find as well as other kitchen items. I am hoping to get the business back online again this weekend. I also buy almost all of my yarn from sellers on eBay. Much cheaper than the yarn stores if you shop right and I have never been disappointed. I can truly see how people can get addicted to eBay like you would gambling or something. It has been an easy, overly accesible way for me to feed my yarn habit "Hi, my name is Suzanne and I am addicted to beautiful, lucious, soft, colorful, amazing fibers that creat the most wonderful things....errrr I mean I am addicted to yarn". Come on, I know you guys reading this feel the same way about yarn....it is irresitible.

Dum De Dum for D

2006-03-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

D....hmmmmm this one has had me stumped. Dumb? Ditzy? Determined? Dreary?

Actually, I have to say it is Digging in the DIrt!! I like to dig in my garden in nice weather. I am one of those gardners who hates to wear gloves too. I like to feel the dirt on my hands. After a good rain is the best time to go putter about. I can't walk by a weed without pulling it when it has rained. ANd no, I don;t have an imaculate yard, I haven't been able to get much done because of kknee problems, but I hope to have that resolved within the next couple years.

You are an Iris:

You are logical, analytical, dignified, and wise. You are studious by nature and may prefer books to people. You tend to be a serious person but are capable of making others laugh with your dry sense of humor. Friends always benefit from your advice.

Symbolism: Over the centuries the iris has come to symbolize faith, wisdom, hope, and promise in love.

Which Flower are You?
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TA DA!!!!

2006-03-12T18:45:00.000-07:00

SO, to all you experienced needle knitters, this photo seems pretty sad and pathetic. BUT, to me it is my teaching tool. I have been learning to follow a pattern and trying different knit/purl patterns by making dishcloths. I am using a pair of 10" 10.5 needles using Bernat cotton. I am using patterns from the Arco book of Knitting Stitches. This has been a nice form of meditaion during the last couple of stressful weeks. And no, these are not all that I have done in 2 weeks. Just what I have not given away.

Also on the loom, I have the scarf I am making for the scarf exchange, It is actually almost done, but atleast you can see the colors I am using. Also, I have had alot of requests for the stitch on the duster I posted in January. I will write it up and post it. I love to create new stitches and such but I am not very good at writing them down. So bear with me while I struggle with that. I also created another very cushy stitch. I will make an square and post that also, with the instructions.

Yarn...Again!!!!!

2006-03-10T20:49:00.000-07:00

OK, I am going to attack another poor, defenseless type/color of yarn. Variegated bright/neon/lime green RH acrylic ....BLECH!!! Can you even buy the stuff anymore? Or are there just huge cache's of it that keep somehow surfacing. I have always wondered why it is that some yarns were ever created in the first place. For some reason there is this mindset of "inexpensive has to be ugly". Have you ever noticed that most of the RH super huge skeins of acrylic are horrid colors? OK, I digress. Back to to the variegated that looks and feels like artificial grass. Maybe it was designed by someone who was color blind, or possibly a 3 year old who had just learned the color green.....kind of.

That color of yarn seems to pop up in the most disgusting uses. Not only is the yarn bad, but the things made with it are even worse. I mean, honestly, WHO would display a big, crocheted Scarlet O'Hara-ish dress with a cheap Barbie type body stuffed in it? PA-leeeeeeese. Or how about the ever coveted toilet paper roll cover...man just what I have always wanted in MY bathroom. I guess you could use the stuff to make a huge rug to put on the dirt in front of your RV to mimic grass. It is probably pretty indestructible. My bet is that it falls into the cockroach/fireant/fly category of surviving a nuclear attack. Let me know what you think. Although not made in the color in question, these are equally bad.

Let me see...."C"

2006-03-09T17:32:00.000-07:00

Crochet, in addition to knitting and loom knitting, I also crochet. I began crocheting when I was 12. My grandmother was trying to teach my sister how to crochet and finally tossed me a scrap of yarn and a hook. I watched over thier shoulders while she tried teaching my sister a granny square. I learned and my sister never did. Everything past that has all been self taught.

OK, I haven't talked about my knitting or yarn in a few days. We have had a family crisis that needed to be dealt with. It was all resolved in the courts on Tuesday. I am now trying to get back on with my life. First on the agenda is finding a job.

My knitting has been my "thread" of sanity for the last several days. To practice my knitting I have been making dishcloths using different stitch patterns for each. It has been a good way to learn how to follow patterns with needle knitting. Every needlecraft is different in pattern following. When I find my digital camera I will take photos of a couple of them and post.

Today is C

You are interchangeable.
Fun, free, and into everything, you've got every eventuality covered and every opportunity just has to be taken. Every fiber is wonderful, and every day is a new beginning. You are good at so many things, it's amazing, but you can easily lose your place and forget to show up. They have row counters for people like you!

What kind of knitting needles are you?
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B is for......

2006-03-06T17:20:00.000-07:00

I have not been on in a few days, we are having a family crisis. BUT, I will try to catch up on the ABC Along. Today is my letter B...

B is for Bipolar. It really isn't as bad as it sounds. It is a disorder that, like Diabetes, can be controlled quite well with medication. I have my mood swings, but so long as I take my meds I am fine (no Tom Cruise ideology here). My bipolar has a tendancy to sit more on the depressive side of things. My knitting and crocheting help keep me focused. It is my sort of meditation, a way to clear my mind of things and de-stress. I'm sure I am not the only knitter who feels that way. Next time I will bring in the letter C.

Just joined ABC Along ring

2006-02-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

OK, this is a ring where you post something about yourself every 2 weeks with the corresponding letter of the alphabet. I am a bit late in joing so I have A-D to catch up on. I won't bore you terribly so I will only post one letter at a time to catch-up. So today is the letter A

A- ANIMAL Lover. I run a veritable zoo at my house. I have 4 cats and 2 dogs. Also used to have ferrets. I can't imagine what life would be like without pets in the house (probably alot cheaper as they eat more than I do). All of the cats have totally different personalities. 3 of them are indoor cats and 1 is an outdoor cat who has mostly moved to the neighbors as he is "married" to thier cat. My dogs are completely different. The spaniel mix is very territorial of everything that she percieves as hers, which is pretty much everything. The other one is a fur-ball. Miniature American Esikimo. She is afraid of her own shadow and barks at anything (including dust I think)

I forgot to mention that I also have a cat that weighs in at 27 pounds!!

BEST kind of Mail

2006-02-24T20:03:00.000-07:00

This is my latest (and last for awhile) yarn that I received. I feel like a little kid squishing my toes in mud. Ohhhhh, what to make, the possibilities are almost infinitesimal!!!!

And yes, don't adjust the color on your monitor, that is a whole bunch of orange yarn. I love getting new yarn, but there never seems to be enough hours in the day to knit it all. I finished my scarf that I showed you earlier. I will take a picture and post it another day. I also made a couple of scrubby dish cloths, not very difficult or clever I know, but fun to make and usable. I used nylon yarn (that is sold for plastic canvas, ewwww) but it makes a nice non abrasive scubby texture. I knit it in a garter stitch combined with a cotton yarn. No need to make it as big as other dish cloths, because you are only using it to scrub. I also belong to an exchange group and one of the exchanges is dish cloths.

I have also started a hat (for an exchange) and picked out yarn for a scarf (also an exchange). I have been diligently practicing my needle knitting. It is getting smoother, and I am sure I will eventually actually feel comfortable with neat stitches. I have the 2 needle bind off down pat (WOO HOO) and casting on (long tail). Also purl and knit but not in the same row. I feel really brain numb that it doesn't work out when I try it in the same row. I know if I screw it up enough times, eventually I will have an epiphany. So, off to knit......... Happy yarning!!!!

BRRRRRRRRRRR Cold

2006-02-19T22:25:00.000-07:00

17 degrees outside and falling!!! It has been snowing on and off all weekend and been bitter cold. I only ventured outside for the very important things in life....The Symphony and shovling the drive and walk ways. Good weekend to stay indoors sipping hot cocoa by a roaring fire. It has given me plenty of time to devote to my knitting though. I am now about 3/4 done with my orange scarf on the needles (yes, I said orange). I have neglected my looms this weekend though. I also picked up my crochet hooks this weekend. I finished a soft green shawl and started on a heavy gray shawl (cold weather inspires me to make warm things!) It gets really cold at work sometimes so I like to keep a heavy shawl there and one and home in my office. This morning was a 2 shawl morning.

I have been cleaning my yarn messes in my office, sorting through projects and deciding which ones to keep and which ones to frog. Quite a few made it to the frogging pile. My big desk in my office was unusable because of the yarn and looms and such. I now have a nice clean desk. Unfortunately I also now have a box of tangled yarns that I found (I think that will make a nice project for my son to do while watching TV..hmmmmm). I want to get more organized with all my yarns and looms and needles and various paraphinalia. I have the yarn organized into containers but the shelves are everywhere and my looms are a mess. I need to put up my pegboard to hang the looms and get all my shelving on one wall. Awhile ago I did start filing away all my patterns by type in a file drawer and that has been wonderful. Eventually I will get it all done.

Right now, I think I need to go make more hot cocoa and sit my the fire. Even with heavy socks on my feet are cold and I am having to wear fingerless gloves while I type. I think I will need an extra blanket or three also.

Loom vs Needles

2006-02-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

The last 2 weeks I have been neglecting my knitting looms in favor of....GASP...dare I say......Knitting needles. I decided to teach myself to needle knit in order to better understand the stitches and patterns to convert to the loom. I was not expecting to fall in love with knitting with needles.. I tried to take it up a few years ago and hated it, but that was before I started loom knitting. I feel I better understand the concept now.

OK, so I know the projects are not top quality, but hey, cut me a break, I am just learning. 2 days ago I taught myself the "drop" or elongated stitch. That was one of the main reasons I took up the needles. After I finish the scarf I am working on, I will work on increase/decrease next. This is actually quite fun.

Yesterday, I was sitting on the couch in my favorite coffee house, with my grandaughter asleep in my arms, knitting and a great cup of coffee next to me. I realized at that moment my life was about as perfect as it gets!! So, here is a pic of my newest attempt on needles. I am using 10.5 alumminum needles and a very soft (the only domestic yarn I like) Angel Hair from Joanne's. I also threw in a pic of my gorgeous granddaughter.

Happy Valentine's Day all!!!

OH! MY! GOSH!

2006-02-12T02:11:00.000-07:00

OK, so I stole this pic from my favorite blog to read You Knit What?? . I laughed so hard, I nearly choked. This is not something I knit, after all, I love my pets and I am against all forms of animal cruelty. Including this. I have shaved my dog in the summer to keep her cool, I brush my cats to keep them from shedding, I have even been known to yell at a cat for playing with my yarn...but THIS???

The pictures says it all!!!

Knitting to the Classics

2006-02-10T23:20:00.000-07:00

OK, someone at my church wants me to teach a class on loom knitting or a focus group on classical music and opera (my other passion)once a month. So I decided to do both in one and call it Knitting to the Classics. I can teach loom knitting to those who don't know how or those who knit or crochet can just do their thing while we listen to classical music and discuss it. To take it a step further, I thought we could knit for charity while we are at it. What do you think? Personally, I thought it was pretty dang clever,m if I do say so myself. OK, so I am dislocating my shoulder while patting myself on the back. I'll stop now or I won't be able to knit.

On another note, I have been teaching myself to knit with needles. I tried to learn years ago and hated it, but this go around I am really loving it. So far I have got the cast-on. Knit stitch and bind-off handled. This weekend I am going to learn to purl and do the elongated (drop) stitch. I will post pics of my progress, let me know what you think, and feel free to offer suggestions, my skin isn't to thin (I knitted me an armor). SO here is the first pic of my newest fiber hobby.

On the Loom

2006-02-10T03:30:00.000-07:00

Here is one of my projects that I have on the loom right now. It is made from a cotton tape yarn and a wonderfully soft polymide eyelash yarn. I wanted to make something "springy" It is in the same stitch as the duster sleeve I posted earlier. I am not terribly witty tonight. I haven't been feeling very well for a few days. And as you can see from the time of the post, I haven't been sleeping much either LOL.

Funny story, well, sort of. My dog was always stealing the cat ball from my cats. Aside from the fact that it left a slobbery, wet piece of yuck for the cats to "play" with, I was afraid she was going to choke on it. So, being the loom happy mommy that I am, I lovingly made her a colorful ball of her own. That was 3 days ago. I tossed it, she chased, brought it back, what fun, and then I turned my back for a few minutes. The picture tells the story of her ball...Oh well. I wonder if I can knit with recycled tires. Hmmmmmm...may be on to something there!

Storage...I promised

2006-02-02T00:47:00.000-07:00

I promised to show how I store my yarn and keep the colors porganized as well as the animals out. I found out that cats and yarn are not a very good combination, atleast in the humans eyes.

I bought the containers that the yarn is in at the Dollar Store and the shelves at a thruft store for $10. You don't have to spend alot of money to get organized. But I must admit that currently my yarn is the ONLY thing organized in my house. Right now I have it seperated out by color, but the baskets are overflowing and I have more yarn that won't fit with the correct color so I am going to have to start separating by texture or fiber as well.

For my yarns that are ear marked for a certain project, I separate them out into a large ziplock baggy. That way when I am ready to start a new project I don't have to dig thru the baskets, make a mess and have to resort (although sometimes I like to do that, its fun). And before you ask, no what I have in the picture is not all of my yarn. To give you an idea, I am going to clean out a spare bedroom and turn into my "Yarn Room" to house all my yarn, needles, hooks and looms and any other sundry paraphanalia. Come on, all you yarn addicts know exactly what I am talking about. Happy sorting!

Oh the inhumanity!!!! Orange Yarn...EEEEEK

2006-01-31T14:12:00.000-07:00

Today I am visiting the whole "Eeeeek, I have orange yarn in my stash, where did it come from and will it contaminate my other yarn!" issue. On my favorite loom knitting group Knifty Knitter Looms we have had a huge discussion about the repugnancy of orange yarn, OK, so I was the one that used the word repugnant. But, in my defense, I was referring to the terrible neon orange acrylic yarns that have only one use...Hunting caps and vests. And yes, I do have one of those skeins in my stash and NO, it has not contaminated my stash. But, just to be on the safe side, I have quarantined the offending skein in a plastic bag and put it with my other acrylic yarns (yes, I AM a yarn snob.). Interestingly, everyone who responded to the orange yarn thread had one or more those offensive masses of fiber in their stash of yarn, some dating back to pre-industrial age yarns. So, what to do with these parasites. Team Scarves...yes, saddly, there are professional sports teams that have chosen this color to represent them on the playing field. Thereby subjecting their loyal fans to painting faces and bodies in this same color. Halloween.....scary holiday enough said. I have, however, posted a picture showing that I use orange yarn on a regular basis, but it is not disgusting acrylic straw. I have made several beautiful scarves using orange shades and complimenting colors. The moral of the story is that if you must use orange yarns, which happen to be quite fashionable in the right types. Please, Please, Please, use a nice orange yarn, not neon acrylic.

Another Project in the works

2006-01-29T20:07:00.000-07:00

TA DA!! I got my camera back from my son today so I was able to take a photo of my newest project. I am working on a long duster to wear to symphony and opera. It is an open mesh stitch, made on the adult hat knitting loom (for the sleeves and upper back). I am making it out of a beautiful viscose yan, "Lang, Lara". So far I have only had to frog it twice, but irritating none the less. I am fairly tall so this will take a bit longer. Next time around I want to knit in some beads along the end of the sleeve. I will keep this updated with the progress and problems I run into.

AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!

2006-01-29T00:47:00.000-07:00

OK, so this has been a very frustrating weekend so far. Everytime I try to pick up a project something interupts me. Silly things like my job, grocery shopping, all those petty annoyances that just get in the way of the really important things in life......YARN!!!!! And how to use it!!!!

So, the projects I currently have in the works are:

A long duster jacket, knit in an open mesh knit on an adult hat size knitting llom. I am using Lang "Lara" yarn. 55% Viscose/45% Acrylic. It is a wonderfully light and soft yarn and very easy to work with.

A decorative, warm scarf. Knit as a flat pannel on an oval loom. I am using 2 yarns. A polymide long eylash yarn in varigated brown, green and blue. Also, a caramel wool blend boucle. Both yarns are soft and very easy to work with.

Tube scarf in a wonderful charcoal mohair blend. This one is for my son. It is knit in an modified open mesh pattern.

A winter scarf. Knit as a flat panel on a scarf loom, using one side as a rake. The yarns are a pink angora blend and a acrylic/viscose blend.

I should probably mention that I knit custom scarves and sell for profit. So if it seems that I make alot of scarves, there is a reason. But, it does give me a really great reason to BUY MORE YARN!!!

I will post pictures of my projects as soon as I can retrieve my camera from my son (who thinks its his, oh wait he is a teenager, of course its his).

In the mean time, here is a pic of a finished project!

Oh the horrors......

2006-01-27T03:48:00.000-07:00

I wake up in a cold sweat, my heart is pounding and I have the feeling of doom, something is wrong, terribly wrong! I cross the hall to the room with my yarn baskets, kniting bags, knitting needles, looms and hooks and there is complete and utter chaos! Yarn everywhere, looms partially wrapped. Oh wait, there's nothing wrong, I was just going thru my baskets trying to figure out a new project .

Yes, I really have that much yarn and the even worse part is, I am a yarn snob. Yes, only gorgeous, soft, silky vibrant European yarns for me. Its a curse, My parents always wondered where I came from, I am certain that I was left on the doorstep of an opera house at birth. I love all things soothing and beautiful. I discovered yarn at 12 and never looked back. My grandmother taught me to crochet. Actually she was trying to teach my older sister to crochet. After begging incessently, she finally gave me a hook and some yarn. I watched her teach my sister to make a granny square. I have loved needlearts ever since. I can't tell you how many times I have been immobilized from tendonitis. After years of this, I have it figured out how to deal with it. I will explain that another day.

For now, we just begin. As I sit at my desk typing I am gazing at my beautiful new 30" infintity loom from Decor Accents . The quality is amazing, the wood, beautiful. I also have several other styles and brands of looms, but for tonight, it is the center of my world....oh the humanity, so many ideas of what to make.

I will keep you updated on my newest projects. Just keep in mind that all of these designs are of my creation and therefore legally mine. You may use the ideas for your own personal use or charity, however you may not use the ideas to profit. If you have any questions on this regard, please email me suzannealpha@yahoo.com . Most of these items are being made to sell. I sell locally and online.

Thanks for stopping by, would love to have you join me often.