Forthwith....

Timing....

2009-08-31T06:25:00.000-04:00

I will never be a comedian. My timing sucks.

We are in the midst of the summer here in Florida and I am working on "winter" items such as sweaters and mittens.

I never thought I would be knitting sweaters for myself - for a variety of reasons. These reasons include the fact that I am always hot. It seemed to be a lesson in futility to knit a garment I might only wear half a dozen times a year. Then I was bitten by a bug to knit a sweater for myself.

More designers are creating sweaters to fit a larger range of sizes. More interesting sweaters are showing up in magazines, books, and websites that catch my magpie's eye. I guess it was inevitable.

Back to the timing issue....

I have just completed the Chevron Lace Cardigan by Milobo. I crocheted this garment in "Spa" from Naturally Caron. The drape and softness of this yarn is what I was looking for when I started the project. Although it is short sleeved, it will be a winter garment because there will be several layers of clothing and that makes me hot.

Secondly, I am working on the Give a Hoot mittens. It gets cold downtown while waiting for the bus so mittens seem to be a good idea. My eldest, Grace, wants a pair - without thumbs though - so she can control her iPod.

Thirdly, I am working on a top down raglan using a mix of two worsted weight yarns in my stash. I didn't have enough for a sweater's worth of yarn so I combined the two to give me the yardage. Again, I thought it was insane to buy a sweater's worth of yarn but now I get it. I have been converted.

ON THE NEEDLES: See above!
ON THE BOOKSHELF: An Ice Cold Grave by Harris
ON THE iPOD: Lion Brand's podcast
ON THE TABLE: Spaghetti with meat sauce

Plied Outcomes....

2009-08-09T05:38:00.002-04:00

This is the plied outcome of this....

I loved the colors in the batts - another amazing color palette from Sugarbee Studios. This was the March fiber from her club.

I loved the plies.

I was not sure whether I wanted to barber pole it or Navajo ply it. Sugarbee plied it up barpole style for me (which I appreciate!!!) but part of me is thinking to unply it and redo the singles Navajo style. I don't think the final product captures the amazing color progression I worked hard for when preparing the batts.

This was the first fiber I really planned out. My planning worked right up until the plying. I just think the plied yarn really takes away from the singles. I am thinking to Navajo ply the long color block singles and the heathery singles separately and then use them that way.

I still have one more singles of long color blocks and two singles of the heathered style. These may be Navajo plied.

My one concern about the Navajo plied end product with these singles is there will be long blocks/stripes of the various colors and that is not necessarily a look I want. Maybe I will swatch up the plied fiber as is and see how it looks....

I shall keep you updated!

ON THE NEEDLES: Circle Socks and Hanami
ON THE BOOKSHELF: How to Murder a Millionaire
ON THE iPOD: Stitch It!
ON THE TABLE: Highly processed crap that I am too embarassed to list....

Circle Socks

2009-08-03T05:24:00.000-04:00

This is Circle Socks - a freebie pattern by Anne Campbell. This pattern is amazingly fun to knit. It looks super intricate but is deceptively simple. I find myself wondering and contemplating the "circles" themselves - considering how they might be used in other designs - such as a detail on a sleeve or yoke.

The yarn is "Lace Merino" from Ella Rae. This stuff is amazing. If I look closely at the yarn, there are spots where the dye doesn't *seem* to saturate the actual fiber but more like it is has been top detailed. I do worry a bit whethe the dye is set or not. I guess we will find out when I wash the socks!

The color combination is a bit unexpected but really quite lovely. The dye runs are short and this makes for non-pooling which makes for good stockinette knitting. This is good because the foot of the sock is done in stockinette!

ON THE NEEDLES: Circle Socks and Hanami (finishing 2nd repeat of chart A!)
ON THE BOOKSHELF: Across the Nightingale Floor and The Secret
ON THE iPOD: Just Stitch It!
ON THE TABLE: Kielbasa and pan fried potatoes

Ouch!

2009-07-27T05:58:00.003-04:00

My office moved this week-end. I helped - and ended up with a sparking case of sciatica. As such, things will be quiet on the blog this week - less time in a chair and at a computer will be good.

See you in a few days!

Starteritis

2009-07-24T06:27:00.002-04:00

This is what starteritis looks like. Last week, I hit a bit of a knitting funk and my mojo seemed like it was taking a summer holiday.

It took me a couple of days but I dug deep.

I went through my Ravelry "Favorites" list. In the past few months, I have been militant/dilligent about going through my library of magazines and books and adding projects to my "Favorites" that I want to knit or crochet. I also went through and tagged each and every item in my "Favorites." This was no small feat. I have over 800 items in my favorites. This has really paid off, though. I can easily search the list and find items that might suit my fancy.

I wanted to do some lace - it is summer and I wanted something light and airy on the needles. Socks are always on the needles but it did really take some time to narrow down my options to a couple of sock patterns. Even still, I don't feel the sock patterns - not really. I am just kind of "meh" about them.

In the photo above, there is evidence of *EIGHT* new projects. Of course I will blog about these new projects over the coming weeks.

But yes, this is what starteritis looks like. My mojo has come back from holiday, ready to work and get things done.

ON THE NEEDLES: Hanami, Srping Forward Socks and Clapotis
ON THE BOOKSHELF: Across the Nightingale Floor
ON THE iPOD: Electric Sheep podcast
ON THE TABLE: Pasta with meat sauce - Italian sausage and cauliflower for me!

Socks with Socrates!

2009-07-22T05:50:00.000-04:00

I bought this yarn on a bit of an impulse on the way out the door at my local yarn store, A Stitch in Time. I do not regret it one bit. What I *do* regret is not buying more of this yarn.

Socrates yarn from Alpaca with a Twist, Wednesday Night Green

This yarn is absolutely amazing. The singles are a bit heathered. In this case, the main color is the bright green but there is a bit of yellow heathered in. This provides the most amazing color.

I searched high and low for a sock pattern I liked. After looking at 5o or so sock patterns, I settled on Spring Forward from Knitty. My only reservation about the pattern was the slouch in the leg of the sock.

I am working the instep on the first sock. I love the pattern, it is easy to memorize and great commuter knitting (or TV knitting). I am knitting the sock on 1 1/2 DPN's. The leg is a good bit more slouchy than I would like - and I will be seriously disappointed if the leg ends up overly baggy. Every row or so (or even when I have completed knitting the stitches on a single needle) I pet the yarn. And pet the yarn. And look at my progress. And pet the yarn. And wonder how it would go if I asked the people on the bus to pet my yarn.

The pattern is only obvious when stretched. See?

(Relaxed)

(Stretched)

Do YOU want to pet my socks?

ON THE NEEDLES: Spring Forward Socks and Hanami
ON THE BOOKSHELF: Across the Nightingale Floor
ON THE iPOD: Splendid Table podcast
ON THE TABLE: BBQ meat salads

Hanami Progress

2009-07-20T02:54:00.001-04:00

I love this stole. I love love love it. As I have said previously, this is an amazingly well written pattern and the fabric that is created is astounding.

I am about 1/3 done. I knit 4 rows every morning after I do yoga and this practice has led to a lot of progress. It is the lack of progress/slow progress that often goes with lace that disenchants me so this has made me a fan of lace again.

I am so excited! There will definitely be more lace work done in fingering/sock weight in the future!

ON THE NEEDLES: Hanami and Circle Socks
ON THE BOOKSHELF: Across the Nightingale Floor
ON THE iPOD: Kings of Leon and Tool
ON THE TABLE: Omelettes

Blasphemy!

2009-07-16T07:30:00.002-04:00

There are a couple of things you should know about me before you read this post:

1. I am a die-hard sock knitter.

2. I am a die-hard sock knitter who loves to use wooden DPNs to knit my socks. I love how they feel in my hand and, like the Yarn Harlot said once - they look pretty impressive to the uninitiated.

3. I secretly mock people who knit socks from the toe up the same way some knitters secretly mock people who crochet.

4. I hate change.

Moving on to the post:

See that book in the front of the pile? Yep. The book on knitting socks from the toe up. I am about to commit blasphemy against my personal sock philosophy. Chrissy the Great of the Manic Purl podcast recently reviewed this book and I had to buy it.

Everyone: please note this historical event. Refer to items 3 and 4 above.

Some might chalk this up to personal growth but I know better. I am just stubborn. There are a few sock patterns that I really want to knit but the toe up thing is holding me back. Trust me - change is still bad and I will bitch the entire time. I will lose sleep over it. But in the end, I am mighty mighty and toe up socks will not control me.

I hate change.

ON THE NEEDLES: Testing toes for toe up socks and Hanami
ON THE BOOKSHELF: Across the Nightingale Floor
ON THE iPOD: Silk Code podaudio book
ON THE TALBE: Sliced turkey sandwiches (crockpot turkey breast!)

Energy

2009-07-16T06:04:00.000-04:00

This post from Berlin's Whimsy caused me much contemplation today.

My energy is often spent tending to the home and organizing our lives so we can have less chaos. If I were an honest woman, I would say that more energy is spent on that than on/with the children - which is the reason for contemplation. I obviously must find a better balance. In their adulthood, my kids are not going to comment on how much they appreciated a well organized home. Maybe later, when they have kids and are trying to run a home, they might understand. But in the big picture, it still stands. They would certainly appreciate more time with me.

Energy is also spent on corralling a very chaotic attorney at work. It is exhausting. This leaves less energy for home and creativity and, well, *me*.

I also spend energy on exercise and taking care of myself. This is worthwhile, no matter what.

In contemplation, I think that not much energy is spent on knitting as it is a fairly mellow activity and I can get a lot done with little expenditure. This is a good thing.

ON THE NEEDLES: Hanami and Spring Forward socks (Socrates yarn is to die for!!!!)
ON THE BOOKSHELF: Across the Nightingale Floor by Hearn
ON THE iPOD: NPR Talk of the Nation
ON THE TABLE: crockpot turkey sandwiches and watermelon

Groceries

2009-07-15T07:13:00.000-04:00

Want to know how *I* know the economy is jacked up?

Look at that grocery bill: $475.

This is just for 2 weeks.

ON THE NEEDLES: Hanami and the Circle Socks
ON THE BOOKSHELF: An Ice Cold Grave by Harris
ON THE iPod: My custom walking mix of Tool, Kings of Leon and Boston
ON THE TABLE: Pizza for the family, pizza salad for the low carber in me.

Green Thumb

2009-07-13T06:51:00.000-04:00

There are a few things you should know about me before you read this post:

1. I do not have a green thumb. At all. I kill plants (especially tomatoes). Of course this is not on purpose. I start with the best of intentions and then something happens. It could be something as unintentional as I forget to water a houseplant or it could be something as lazy as it is just simply too hot outside to go water my container plants outside after a long and grueling day at work when it is 100* out.

2. I really WANT to grow things. My mother had a garden when when I was a tween and I loved it. I didn't touch it but I loved looking at it. I have fond memories of my mother in the backyard tending to it. I later learned that the garden was her therapy during a rough and nasty divorce.

On to the post...

Sugarbee traded some fiber for an Aerogarden. I was jealous. Very jealous. The infomercials made it seem like this machine was magic - but it was WAY out of my price range. She had little luck with growing and I asked if I could borrow it. I wanted to try a few runs before I purchased it from her.

My first run was tomatoes. They grew (but not as magically as I had expected). The handbook indicated that supports were needed but I pooh-poohed this idea, thinking I could manufacture/rig up something myself. It turns out that supports are indeed needed and the ones offered by Aerogarden might just be the right ticket.

My second run is lettuce. As you can see, this is amazing. It grows and grows and grows. It sprouted after 2 days which made me squeal with delight. I think this foray into lettuce seals the deal - I need to buy this thing from Sugarbee. That is if the offer still stands.

ON THE NEEDLES: Starteritis and the Hanami...
ON THE BOOKSHELF: Ice Cold Grave by Harris
ON THE iPOD: Weekly playlist (playlist of all new podcasts this week)
ON THE TABLE: Pulled pork (which was purchased for $5 for the hunk of meat!!!!)

Stash Update

2009-07-08T06:00:00.002-04:00

I spent a wee bit of time updating my stash inventory on Ravelry this weekend. I enjoy using the spreadsheet option to look at my actual yardage and see what I have used up after an update.

Prior to updating I had 81,775 yards in my stash.

After updating, I have 72,206 yards in my stash. This number includes yarns which are currently being used in projects because until I have finished knitting an item, I could still pull it apart and add the yardage and yarn back into my stash list.

I have used almost 1,000 yards since my last update. Not bad.

ON THE NEEDLES: More starteritis - details coming
ON THE BOOKSHELF: An Ice Cold Grave by Harris
ON THE iPOD: Nothing today
ON THE TABLE: Cold cut sandwiches

Just a Ray of Sunshine....

2009-07-06T05:08:00.004-04:00

Remember this yarn? From Sugarbee Studios (of course).

Picking a pattern for this yarn has been a good challenge for me. I wanted a pattern that would work well with the striping. I wanted a pattern that would avoid pooling and flashing. I wanted a pattern that would show off the yarn.

Based on these criteria, I would need a fairly simple pattern.

What did I end up using? A Cookie A pattern. Her patterns are anything *but* simple. I chose "Rick" from Cookie A's new book Sock Innovation.

All credit and copyright by and to Interweave Press 2009

I like the rotating strips of texture. I knew that the vibrant yarn I had chosen was not necessarily the best choice but I wanted to work it up. So I did.

Not too bad, huh?

My only concern is that the sock seems a bit slouchy. I now know why Cookie A made the socks a bit taller - the shape/girth of a calf will stretch the sock and keep it up. I like my socks shorter and I knit it shorter than the instructions called for. In hindsight, I looked at the pattern picture and noted that the sock comes up high on the calf.

This is the sock fabric unstretched.

See the slouch potential?

Other thoughts regarding the slouch potential include my choice of needle size. I am using size 2 DPNs despite the fact that I typically use size 1 or 0. I wonder if knitting the sock on smaller needles would make a significant difference. Possibly.

I am really looking forward to seeing how the finished sock looks and fits. I am prepared, though, to rip the sock out if I really don't care for the fit. This is not a commentary on the quality of Cookie A's design - it is just about whether or not I like the final product.

ON THE NEEDLES: Hanami (of course) and a bunch of starteritis
ON THE BOOKSHELF: An Ice Cold Grave by Harris
ON THE iPOD: Kings of Leon (old school)
ON THE TABLE: Grilled cheese

Something I Cannot Live Without....

2009-06-29T06:42:00.002-04:00

Books. The books in this pile are in my "non-fiction" next to my chair.

The Gentle Art of Domesticity by Yarnstorm (Jane Brocket in real life!) is getting a lot of attention from me as of late . Her vignettes resonate with me. I admire her commitment to all things domestic. This is not a staunch, passionless commitment. Her domesticity is not a chore to her. It is enjoyable. I would be remiss if I did not mention that I am a bit jealous of her *things* and her *lifestyle* but I am also very aware of the fact that she is a woman of some means and I am not (not so much, at least). My limitation in that arena doesn't mean I cannot enjoy this stylish book, though, because I thoroughly do.

The Splendid Table's How to Eat Supper is another one that has kept my interest as well. If you are a listener to this fabulous podcast, you can actually hear the host's voice throughout the book. And honestly, the recipe for thawing/cooking frozen shrimp is worth the price of the book. Seriously.

An inordinate amount of books have been purchased this month - mostly through credit at Chamblin, the local used book store. The list of recent non-fiction purchases include:

Sew What! Skirts
Socks from the Toe Up
Law of Success
Nourishing Traditions
Ratio
Amigurumi Knits
The Secret
Teach Yourself Visually: Hand Dyeing
Handmade Nation

What is notable about these purchases? The fact that I read non-fiction like a snail. I have enough books in this list alone to keep me going for at least a year. Hill's Law of Success is a billion pages long alone.

However - I have already begun a new list of non-ficction books I want to purchase. I am an addict. It is clear.

ON THE NEEDLES: Betty Bangs Jaywalkers and Hanami
ON THE BOOKSHELF: Hooked on Murder by Hectman
ON THE iPOD: Gabbing with the Gurus podcast
ON THE TABLE: shredded Boston butt on rolls for the family, on salad for me!

Mike Geiger...

2009-06-25T19:49:00.005-04:00

Tattoos: Silent communication to the world. - Mike Geiger, Jacksonville, 1999.

An old friend has ended his life (if the stories are to be believed).

He loved me unconditionally and I let him down. I had always hoped to change that part but I ran out of time. (My head and heart are so very thick with regret - I cannot breathe.)

My life is better for having him in it. I just wish this was not the end.

Down the Drain

2009-06-25T06:55:00.003-04:00

There are a few things you should know about me before you read this post:

1. I love food.

2. I am super organized about 85% of the time when it comes to meal planning and groceries.

3. The other 15% I am a slacker full of apathy and fond of shortcuts.

4. I take the bus home from work.

5. I live in Florida and it is HOT here. Currently, at 6:40 a.m., while I write this post, it is 77* out.

Onto the post....

Summer is a hard time financially for us. I do not receive child support (for my eldest) during the summer (due to odd logic by the Judge who presided over my divorce) and we have the increased expenses of day camp for Zoe. Additionally, birthdays for both kids come up in August along with all the expenses of returning for school - again, during times of no child support.

Additionally, there is an emergency room bill for a rather nasty slice on the chin when Zoe went down the slide the "right" way. 7+ stitches - about $100 a stitch when it all came down to it.

All this said, I am distressed and very irritated with myself. I cleaned out the fridge today - and threw away a lot of food that was not used. When I added it up, the total was almost $100. Fresh vegetables, cooked roast, cooked chicken, broth and some rolls.

Last week I was out of my routine. I had not grocery shopped on Friday, I did not do any cooking, I did not do any meal planning, I did not pack lunches. I had a general state of apathy. This leads to wasteful behavior - buying a lot of take-out food and things going to waste in the fridge.

In my defense (as if there really IS one), I have begun walking home from my bus stop. In 95-100* heat. I am a sopping wet, jiggly mess when I actually hit home. My routine is all jacked up. I have to shower and then, by about 6:45 pm, I can start in on dinner.

I need to find a balance with this new "routine" of walking home. I cannot allow it to totally throw me off every day because it affects everything - from dinner with the family to throwing $100's of dollars down the drain. I will have to make cooking and planning a priority for the week-ends and employ things like the crockpot and quickie meals like sandwiches.

Why is it so hard to "do it all"?

Wish me luck - I will keep you posted!

ON THE NEEDLES: Betty Bangs Jaywalkers and Hanami
ON THE BOOKSHELF: Hooked on Murder
ON THE iPOD: Cast On podcast
ON THE TABLE: NOTHING! Damnit.

Baby Daddy Has Cold Feet

2009-06-23T06:09:00.003-04:00

Baby Daddy loved his socks. Yes, yes - the above picture is not a completed sock. Take my word for it...he has a pair of completed socks. It was nice to surprise him with them. I normally cannot keep a secret about a present for the life of me....but this time I could. I must be maturing. *grin*

These socks are perfect as a man's dress sock. The yarn, from Sugarbee (of course), is in shades of grey, cream and brown which match Baby Daddy's professional wardrobe perfectly. I have long tried to get him into funky socks and/or ties but it was not happening - he is just too conservative in his work clothes.

The pattern is "Double Fleck" from More Sensational Socks. It is a six stitch, four row repeat that is easily memorized. It is perfect for a man's sock because it has textural interest without being too fussy. It was also a great knit because the pattern kept me engaged enough and produced gorgeous results without a lot of fancy knitting.

ON THE NEEDLES: Rick from Cookie A and the Hanami
ON THE iPOD: Splendid Table
ON THE BOOKSHELF: Hooked on Murder by Hechtman
ON THE TABLE: Whole lotta nothing - too hot to cook

Somthing I Cannot Live Without:`

2009-06-20T07:43:00.000-04:00

My glasses.

I have worn contacts for years. Until recently, I was not in a position financially to purchase glasses because the glasses I did *find and like* were ridiculously expensive.

In the past year, I have had two bouts of pink eye. Don't ask me how I got pink eye because I don't know. No one I had contact with had pink eye. But pink eye means you cannot wear contacts until it clears up -- along with looking mighty gross.

So, during the second bout, I searched for coupons for a local frame shop and found a great deal - 2 pairs for $150. I had money in my HSA account and I was off! I also bought contacts at that time (enough for six months).

However, I love my glasses so much and really feel that they represent my personal style so well that I have not been in contacts for a year now.

I cannot live without my glasses.

ON THE NEEDLES: the second Give a Hoot mitten and the Hanami
ON THE BOOKSHELF: The Graveyard Book by Gaiman
ON THE iPOD: Weight Loss and the Mind podcast
ON THE TABLE: Sliced hardboiled eggs, cheese and butter on Wheaty Rolls

Reminder

2009-06-18T05:42:00.005-04:00

I came to "know" Pastor Ryan via the Pioneer Woman blog. Ryan and the Pioneer Woman "met" on the internet and became fast friends. Ryan went to visit the Pioneer Woman - and I "met" him, too.

I began to follow his blog, This is Reverb, daily. Pastor Ryan, with his tattoos and "come as you are" attitude is one of these. He beats the archetype out of his religion and genuinely seems to avoid judgment of others. In addition to this mix, he is also honest about his struggles. While I am not a religious woman, this is kind of mix is what religion *should* be.

A few days ago, he posted THIS on his blog. The list of things of things he has been "observing/learning/reflecting on" is powerful. When you read it, you will agree.

Please look at it....and embrace one today. Just one. Make it your focus. Take it in. Let it remind you.

My choice is "Everyone you lock eyes with has something serious going on somewhere in their lives." This is painfully true. I cannot even put into words what this "reminds" me to recognize.

Just one.

2009-06-16T09:00:00.003-04:00

I am just so excited about this book.

I came across Hansi Singh's patterns earlier this year and wanted to work them all. Of course, I was late to the party - she has been designing for a few years (at least) and if the hundreds of projects on Ravelry are any indication, there are already many partygoers. The past two years has seen a broadening of her patterns and their intricacy. Patterns like Jackalope and Chameleon are showcases for her current designing focus.

Last week I almost purchased 3 different patterns off her Etsy site but had not gotten around to it. When I saw the book in the bookstore, I squealed like a girl and promptly put it in my pile of books. A post on the pile of books is in order but that will come later.

Baby Daddy took me to Joann's the next day and I picked up a handful of acryliques (Vanna's Choice, Serenity/Debrorah Norville and Caron's Country). The palette above shows my color choices - purples, blues, greens and a pink. The patterns called for very small amounts of fiber so this batch of yarn should get me through a number of the projects.

One of the most significant things about Singh's patterns are the crisp and detailed stitches she employs. The stitches themselves are not intricate - they are primarily decreases - but the strategic placement actually lends elements of shadow, depth and lot of realism. A well planned decrease on a jackalope's snout or the mantis's eyes makes all the difference in the world.

The first project I want to knit is the Mantis. This particular photo is from Hansigurumi Etsy shop and not the book. I will be using green for the body and either light blue or pink for the eyes and underside detailing.

(Photo credit belongs 110% to Hansi Singh and her Etsy shop)

A really great article featuring Singh can be found HERE on the Craftzine blog. A clearing house of all her projects (with attendant finished objects and works in progress) can be found HERE on Ravelry. The details in Singh's designs are so well wrought that many different fibers and colors have been used and each project is truly an individual in and of itself.

I am just so excited!!

ON THE NEEDLES: Betty Bangs and Hanami
ON THE BOOKSHELF: Knit Amigurumi and The Graveyard Book by Gaiman
ON THE iPOD: Daughter of the Sun (a free podiobook)
ON THE TABLE: Crockpot Italian Chicken

Betty Bangs - Jaywalkers

2009-06-14T07:24:00.002-04:00

If you are a knitter who knits socks, then you probably have a "go to" pattern - a pattern that you have knit more than once, is easy to remember and gives a really cool finished pair of socks.

My "go to" pattern is Jaywalker. Apparently I am not the only one: Ravelry stats show almost 6,300 pairs of Jaywalkers either in progress or finished (at the time of this writing).

I have a lot of variegated yarns that do not translate well into lacy, cabled or intricate sock patterns (such as those from Cookie A). Jaywalker, due to its increases and decreases, is the perfect pattern for such yarns because it avoids pooling and displays a yarn to its best potential whether long or short color repeats are present.

When I say I have a lot of variegated yarns, I am not kidding. I have 43 hanks of variegated sock yarn. This does not include the 3 or 4 pairs on the needles right now.

I knit may 6 or 7 pairs of socks a year. I buy maybe 10 or 12 hanks of sock yarn a year. I may be really bad at math but I know this is not an equal ratio of input and output. That said, I am also OK with this discrepancy. One podcaster pointed out that if knitting has various phases of popularity (such as fun fur, lace, Zimmermann-mania, sock knitting and spinning, for example), then it is important to "stock up" on sock yarns. All the wonderful indy sock dyers may become a thing of the past. 6 years ago, the variety and availability of interesting, colorful, and inspiring sock yarns were just simply not there. This lends merit to the idea that we should stock up while the getting is good.

Currently on the needles are my Betty Bangs Jaywalkers. Sugarbee Studios (who else?) came up with a gorgeous sock yarn inspired by Betty Page. I immediately cast on a pair of Jaywalkers with it. I am currently on the second sock (almost down to the heel).

The tag is realllly cool. I am a huge fan of Betty Page for a variety of reasons but, of course, that is for another post.

The yarn is a fantastic mix of shades of purple, grays, and black.

The resulting Jaywalker is a great fabric to show off the colors without pooling. I really dislike pooling but can live with it if necessary.

I will be keeping this pair of socks for myself.

ON THE NEEDLES: Betty Bangs and Hanami
ON THE BOOKSHELF: The Graveyard Book by Gaiman
ON THE iPOD: Deconstructing Dinner (a food ethics podcast out of Canada)
ON THE TABLE: Chicken salad leftove from crockpot Maui Chicken

In the Kitchen: Wheaty Rolls

2009-06-08T12:30:00.005-04:00

There are a couple of things you should know about me before you read this post:

1. I eat low carb. I am a diabetic and low carb is the best thing for my body to keep it in working order. Good meat and lots of fresh veggies are what adorn my plate. Over the past year I have dropped 60 pounds through low carb and yoga. Yes, yoga. Many people are shocked when they hear that yoga has helped me to lose weight.

2. My family, however, can and does eat a "normal" diet including rice, pasta and bread. Cooking for two eating styles can be difficult but it can be done.

3. I oftentimes become overwhelmed with tending to my family and home while working full time. This feeling turns into a form of laziness because it just all feels like too much. However, when I am planful and take the bull by the horns, I get into a mode where I really give 150% to my family.

4. I am in that productive mode now and have been for a number of months (which I think is due to a handful of things: change in med regimen, weight loss, good blood sugar control, and exercise). For example, on any given week-end day, I am up early with loads of laundry going and cooking, planning, baking, and organizing for the upcoming week. My household is running smoothly within my personal vision. This makes me happy, leads into more productivity - a good circle.

Now onto the post....

My family loves bread. My family loves homemade bread. My family makes faces at storebought bread. My solution was a bread machine. I owned a machine previously - one of the old school ones that baked tall, square loaves of bread which yielded slices of bread that did not fit in a standard sandwich bag. I couldn't tell you what happened to the bread machine but I did know it was time for a new one.

When my tax return came in two years ago, a new bread machine was on the list of items to purchase (along with yarn, of course). I did some research online and settled on the Zojirushi. Features like a horizontal baking pan and double kneading paddles sold me. The price tag was a bit shocking (about $300) but for what I have made in the past couple of years, it has paid for itself.

For flour, I use a mixture of half whole wheat and half white. I really tried to get the family into bread made only from whole wheat but it just wasn't happening. As a compromise, I buy a good quality white flour and a really, really good quality whole wheat flour (something with a more coarse grinding which leads to a more fibery dough).

I am making several loaves of bread and/or rolls each week. One loaf of bread is typically a breakfast bread. After baking, I slice the loaf and freeze the slices (separated by a small sheet of waxed paper). This allows the kids to be able to grab a piece from the freezer and toast it up easily.Lately, one huge success is the Wheaty Rolls recipe I have been using for a month or so. The family LOVES these rolls and they keep well for a week. Any leftover rolls are cubed up and placed in the freezer for a strata (if there is any left!). (All this planning relates to Things You Should Know About Me #3 and #4 above).

One of the problems with the bread machine is now Baby Daddy won't eat store bought bread. I have ruined him. I do secretly take this as a compliment, though. It is a wonderful feeling to give foodstuffs to my family that they dig.

The texture of the dough, with the strong wheat, is amazing. Don't you think so?

Creating a successful bread is very rewarding for me. This success gives me a very tangile feeling that I am doing well for my family and fulfilling a personal goal. Watching Baby Daddy and the kids devour bread before it even makes it to the table is a very real confirmation of my efforts.

ON THE NEDDLES: How about OFF the needles: Baby Daddy's Got Cold Feet
ON THE BOOKSHELF: The Graveyard Book by Gaiman
ON THE iPOD: Jose Gonzalez's remake of Teardrop (FREE DOWNLOAD)
ON THE TABLE: What else? Wheaty rolls!

Something I Cannot Live Without....

2009-06-04T10:00:00.001-04:00

Something I cannot live without....

My French Press. Brewed coffee tastes like muddy dirt now. Gas station coffee is rancid and I would rather have a migraine from lack of caffeine than drink that junk. I am ruined.

I drink a fairly decadent cup of coffee, especially when low carbing. I throw 1/3 cup of heavy cream into a cup with two Splendas. I then add coffee to the mix until it is just the right color. It is amazing that I can drink such a rich cup of coffee and lose weight.

Yesterday, I couldn't find my French Press when I got up. Grace had put the dishes away and she must have put the press away somewhere strange because it was nowhere to be seen. I *almost* went in and woke her up at 5:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning to tell me where she hid it. But then I found it. My precious.

Yep, I cannot live without it.

ON THE NEEDLES: Baby Daddy's Has Cold Feet and
ON THE BOOKSHELF: The Graveyard Book by Gaiman
ON THE iPOD: Sweaters for Dragons podcast
ON THE TABLE: Shrimp (done up the Splendid Table way - absolutely AMAZING - the recipe for freshening up frozen shrimp is worth the price of the book alone!), broccoli and pasta for the family.

Happy Got Lucky!

2009-06-02T11:51:00.002-04:00

Happy Got Lucky - Sock Club Yarn from the Politically Incorrect line by Sugarbee Studios. 440 yards of wooly goodness. Would you look at those colors!!

I don't do yellow in general. I look sickly in yellow. This is sock yarn, though, so my feet will be far from my face (with any luck) and it will all work out awesomely! Although I have a ton of older sock yarn, I am going to cast something on with this as soon as possible.

I have been perusing my Ravelry favorites for a sock pattern that would compliment this yarn and its colors. Options thus far (all free!):

Circle Socks by Anne Campbell (link is for PDF of pattern)

Sunrise Chevron Socks by Carol Sulcowski

Ampersand by Kirsten Kapur (link is for PDF of pattern)

Vortical by Phoenix Bess

My first choice is Ampersand and my second choice is the Sunrise Chevron Socks. Before I make my final decision, I am going to pull out my copies of the new (relatively) Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarns by Carol Sulcowski and Sock Innovation by Cookie A.

The first time I knit with this sock base from Sugarbee I was not sure how I was going to like it. I had only used superwash wool sock base up to that point. After the first few rows, I fell in love with the "new" base. There is a sheen to this yarn when you knit it up, no matter what pattern you are using. The stitch definition is just perfect. And, to make matters even better, the sock softens up even more after the first wash! I am now a true fan of Sugarbee's choice of base yarn.

Sugarbee is taking the summer off from all things fibery and who can blame her. Who wants to dye and card fiber when it is 100 degrees out. The fiber clubs will be back in the fall. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!

ON THE NEEDLES: Clapotis and Hanami
ON THE BOOKSHELF: The Graveyard Book by Gaiman
ON THE iPOD: NPR - The Manic Purl podcast
ON THE TABLE: Turkey salad on homemade Wheaty Rolls

Well....crap!

2009-05-31T10:26:00.000-04:00

There are a couple of things that you need to know about me before moving forward....

1. I am heinously bad at math, so bad. If Baby Daddy was not a genius, my teenager would be up the creek with regard to help in math, especially given that she is enrolled in college level calculus (while in high school) and I never made it out of Algebra - in COLLEGE.

2. I am freakishly obsessive about numbers and amounts. Not like I can dump a box of toothpicks on the floor and figure out how many there are but just obsessive. I think about numbers and amounts in the middle of the night, when all good mommies should be sleeping. I think about things like how much yarn I have for a project or how far along I am in a project or if I complete 4 rows a day, I will be done by Labor Day. Not only do I focus on these types of issues when I should be sleeping, I oftentimes dream about them as well. And I talk to Baby Daddy about them when he comes to bed and I am half-awake. Poor man. (Don't lie...some of you do these things as well.) I ~~do not~~ try not to read knitting, spinning, felting, crafting or cooking books before bed. Doing so is like a firestarter for my brain.

3. I tend to not move forward with something half-cocked. I plan. I plan a lot. Sugarbee says I am her only friend that plans what to write in her diary (blog). It is true. Comical but true.

4. I get up at 5 a.m. (we leave at 8 a.m. for school and work) - I do yoga and I set aside half an hour to knit on a long term project - this month it is the Hanami Stole.

5. I am six feet tall with a proper Irish potato farmer build. Dainty knitting projects look simply ridiculous on me.

Moving on....forthwith....

I had recently re-organized my Ravelry queue for the twenty-billionith time and was in the process of matching up favorited projects with yarn in my stash. My goal was to establish a more realistic queue of future knitting goals rather than a 17 page queue (with 20 projects on each page). One's queue should not be more than one can knit in a lifetime. I came across this KnitPicks Palette that I have had for years. I love the color and I love the ply of the yarn - it is really lovely. I just knew the yarn and its color would be a great match for the Hanami. As such, I started the Hanami Stole in March 2009.

I have been enamoured with the Hanami Stole since its release in February 2007. On Ravelry, there are almost 700 projects listed, 340 of which are finished! See link below for a gallery of all Hanami Stoles listed in Ravelry. This completion ratio is impressive for a lace stole. For example, one of the best loved lace projects, EZ's Pi Shawl, has a 50% completion rate. In contrast, many of the other stoles and lace projects which were so popular in 2007 do not have such a high completion rate.

The range of colors that work with the pattern is astounding. I actually love the soft pink that the pattern was designed in but I did not have any pink lace yarn. I did consider doing a black lace version but decided against this because it would be super hard on my eyes. The black lace weight will sit it out this round.

(Black lace weight Alpaca Cloud from KnitPicks.
Gorgeous - black with flecks of green but killer on the eyes.)

Although the Palette yarn is not lace weight, I assumed I would have enough yarn as the pattern calls for 900 yards and I have about 1,400 yards of the Palette. My plan was to increase the size of the Stole based on the designer's suggestions for additional repeats of certain charts. The designer provides clear instruction on how to lengthen the Stole within proper proportions. This is brilliant. But....then....I started to overthink things - which is totally in keeping with my freakish obsessive nature. (See things you should know about me #2 above.)

First (refer to things you should know about me #1 above): I wanted to know how many rows the Stole would require so I could have a map of my progress throughout the project. Don't ask me why I couldn't simply use the progression through the charts as a litmus (i.e. 4 out of 15 total chart repeats). I needed/wanted row counts. After a number of calculations (again in keeping with #1 above), I came up with 814 (including additional charts/rows for a longer Stole).

I began knitting on the Stole in earnest during May (refer to things you should know about me #4 above). The worry set in when I started my second ball (of six) because I was only about an eighth of the way into the project. Even to a math idiot, there is obviously a problem. This kind of worry eats at me. (refer to thing you should know about me #2 above).

So, this morning, when I got up at 5 a.m., I started to calculate. Now, if I had been PicnicKnits, I would have been done in 5 seconds. However, because I am me (again, see #1 above), it took me 4 different times, using 2 different weights (ounces and grams) to figure the simple math of whether I would have enough yarn for the longest version.

The pattern (regular 70" length is basically broken down into 15 sections of chart, each of which are 32 rows apiece. I have completed 4 of the 15 repeats.

I weighed the Stole (with needles): 75 grams.
I weighed a pair of Addis: 10 grams.

4 repeats: 65 grams.

Each repeat will take 16.25 grams.
Therefore, the Stole will require 243.75 grams for the basic 70" version.

OK...good, I have 300 grams.

I then figured that to upsize the pattern a bit, I would need enough for 2 more repeats: an additional 32.50 grams which means 276.25 grams total.

OK....good, I have 300 grams.

You do not want to know how long it took me to get to these numbers. I am truly ashamed.

I need the Stole to be longer than the 70"(refer to thing syou should know about me #5 above). I am ~~relieved~~ glad that I can do SOME lengthening. But how much length will I end up with? Well, crap, that is an additional set of numbers I need to work, too. I am not really worried about that number as much because I can block it to death if I want (or not....).

This is one time that my worrying and planning have paid off. If I had gotten much farther in the pattern, I would have run out of yarn and then be faced with ripping back a project that I had spent an inordinate amount of time on.

Let's talk about the gorgeousness of this pattern. I am currently working the first chart which is a basketweave pattern. Do you see the lovely way the decreases lie on the fabric giving it texture and direction? I love that. The designer uses a left leaning decrease that I do not typically use (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) but this stitch gives a really clean and delineated decrease as seen above. I am having some difficulty establishing muscle memory in working this decrease - but it will come. I have 700+ rows to do so. There are a couple of rows in the basketweave chart that are a bit fussy (you have to move markers, etc.) but the end result is worth it. Another bit of praise of the designer: she gives the knitter notice of these shifts in the introduction. This way, when the stitch counts don't match up, there is no panic. OK, there is some panic and then I remember.

I also really like knitting with fingering weight for the Stole in place of lace weight (although I love working with lace weight). The knitting is easier because the stitches are more obvious. The knitted fabric seems more substantial. The color and hue are awesome but as mentioned above, I have not seen a project or FO which did not work. I can see the Stole in a deep mandarin orange. Oh. Oh my. Well, crap.

ON THE NEEDLES: Clapotis and Hanami
ON THE BOOKSHELF: The Graveyard Book by Gaiman
ON THE iPOD: NPR - Talk of the Nation podcast
ON THE TABLE: Leftover pizza

Just Imagine....

2009-05-27T15:56:00.003-04:00

(Image courtesy of Germ Girl - full credit and copyright to her for this fabulous picture)

Pretty, huh? Maybe not so much.

Imagine that the red/brown fibery looking stuff is your throat....right by your tonsils.

And, imagine that the green dots (gorgeous shade of green, BTW) are causing your throat to swell to a point where you would rather not breathe, eat, swallow or even be awake. Imagine that every time you DO swallow, the raw, nasty, painful areas are squished and rubbed against each other like sand paper.

Strep throat. Which made my face turn a bit green according to Sugarbee.

Z-pack and salt water gargles per the doctor's orders.

ON THE NEEDLES: Give a Hoot Mittens
ON THE iPOD: Ben Harper
ON THE BOOKSHELF: The Graveyard Book by Gaiman
ON THE TABLE: NOTHING. Yogurt. Family can eat cereal.

Sad and lonely....

2009-05-26T13:05:00.002-04:00

Sad and lonely. One sad and lonely cupcake. Zoe has been asking to make cupcakes every time she spies the mixes in the pantry (I like mixes, BTW...I think they are a great alternative). We made 48 or so mini-cupcakes early on Sunday. I then laid out an array of crap to put on said cupcakes: smarties, sprinkles, coconut, frostings, etc. - and she got busy.

This one, by far, is my favorite.

ON THE NEEDLES: Baby Daddy has Cold Feet and Hanami
ON THE iPOD: KnitPicks podcast
ON THE BOOKSHELF: The Graveyard Book by Gaiman
ON THE TABLE: Crockpot Turkey Breast for the family

Rainbow Tricorn

2009-05-24T13:29:00.000-04:00

I purchased an amazing fiber set from Sugarbee of Politically Incorrect Fibers last year. The batts were absolutely breathtaking - a wide rainbow of color in a wool mix with some Angelina tossed in for good measure.

I prepped the fiber into thin strips of color and spun the prepped fiber in random order. Some barberpoling occurred but I really like this effect in these singles.

Because I was/am a fairly new spinner (one year under my belt), I still have somewhat of a disconnect going. I see the batts and I can visualize the end product yarn I want but I have not mastered the steps the flowchart of steps to get from "batt" to "my vision."

I plied the first singles and created a yarn - but I was not crazy about it. I didn't like the barberpole effect in the plied yarn, although I loved it in the singles. To be honest, I was disappointed. It was the first tangible reckoning that I lacked some serious knowledge.

I didn't love the yarn but still wanted to knit SOMETHING with it. I made it and I wanted to use it. I remembered a hat pattern that I have wanted to use forever (from an old book for Cascade 220 book which is out of print - sorry, guys!). The handspun was the perfect yarn for the hat.

As you can tell, my daughter looks awesome in it and the hat is not bad either (although she complains about it being itchy which we don't take seriously - she complains a lot about odd things....)

Moving back to the singles, though...

A lovely friend, MamaKnitter, taught us how to Navajo ply. I plied up some of the singles I had left and created a lovely yarn (albeit a bit overspun) but still...it was more of my vision that the plied singles.

Here are examples of the yarns:

(plied)

(Navajo plied)

(singles)

I am considering using these three in some sort of project - scarf, something - which will show off the diffent end products and showcase them all.

ON THE NEEDLES: Betty Bangs Jaywalkers (made with more Sugarbee sock club yarn!) and Hanami
ON THE iPOD: Living La Vida Low Carb podcast
ON THE BOOKSHELF: Organize Your Corpses
ON THE TABLE: Wheaty Rolls for the family

2009-05-19T08:55:00.010-04:00

Our friend Ric took this picture of Zoe a while back and it continues to be one of my favorite pictures of her. Ric really harnessed the strength of photography and captured her depth - almost a glimpse of who she will be as a grown-up. Somewhere, in this picture, I can see a bit of me in Zoe. (Finally.)

ON THE NEEDLES: Give a Hoot Mittens and Hanami
ON THE iPOD: Living La Vida Low Carb podcast
ON THE BOOKSHELF: Organize Your Corpses
ON THE TABLE: Kielbasa, applesauce and Crash Hot Potatoes

Prom

2009-05-17T20:32:00.011-04:00

I was never asked to my prom. I wouldn't have gone anyway - and I am not just saying that. I was misanthropic even as a teen (unless I was on a tour bus but that is another post and another story all together).

My eldest, Grace, however....was asked (and would've gone, as the picture shows). In her true sense, she wore a simple dress and sandals - nothing super fancy and tricked out.

Teen love interests are about as unpredictable as the sky in Florida at 4 p.m. Even still, I am glad the kid asked Grace. The prom is an important milestone and rite of passage - and I want her to have as many as she wants.

ON THE NEEDLES: Give a Hoot Mittens and Hanami
ON THE iPOD: Splendid Table podcast
ON THE BOOKSHELF: Organize Your Corpses
ON THE TABLE: Crockpot Roast Beef Sandwiches

Forthwith....

2009-05-11T21:21:00.003-04:00

Forthwith is a legal term - at least in my world. I like the word. I like how it rolls off my tongue and sounds so serious.

Forthwith. As in NOW. HERE and NOW.

I have been spending a lot of time on my favorite timesuck: Ravelry. I have watched my queue explode to 700+ favorited items. I decided I should be spending time DOING rather than not doing.

So back to blogging it is.