Knitting, sewing, cross stitching, my life in general.





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Well, I took my mom to the airport this morning and we had lots of fun while she was here.

In knitting news, I finished one woolease hiking sock and knit a little on the magpie sweater sleeves. I was feeling antsy and really wanted to do something colorful, so I pulled out some Confetti sock yarn in white, purple, pink, yellow, and orange. Perfect--I love it! This yarn is the sock yarn that's similar to regia but much less expensive. I highly recommend it!!!
posted by Stephanie at 10:24 AM

 
Happy Thanksgiving! I will be hanging out with my DH and mom, eating, watching football, and knitting!
posted by Stephanie at 10:17 AM

 
FUN! I think I may have gotten my mom hooked on knitting again. She used to knit a lot, but hasn't done any in years. So this year for her birthday I got her that "knit a scarf kit" from Peace Fleece and she brought it with her on her trip. She has been working on it during the times when we are relaxing and watching tv or whatever. Then today we went to Knitting in La Jolla. She has never seen all these new novelty yarns and whatnot. She picked out this white iridescent eyelash stuff called Aura (Trendsetter, I think) to make a scarf. Actually I bought it for her, along with a pattern, as one of her Christmas gifts. Then she bought me a K1C2 lace scarf pattern and the accompanying yarn--Richesse et Soie (cashmere blend) in my favorite pale yellow color. It's soooo pretty and soft. I think she was a bit shocked at paying $45 for 3 tiny skeins of yarn, but she said "it's Christmas"! Oh, today I also picked up the new Knitters, the new Knit"N Style, and the Rowan pattern book for Calmer.
posted by Stephanie at 6:30 PM

 
Boo, it's Monday. YAY, I am off for the rest of the week!! Yesterday I got a lot accomplished, but again, not a lot of knitting. I did work on the Woolease sock during the Packer game cuz that's something that I can do without really looking much.

Mom arrives tomorrow! She wants to take me shopping to buy my Christmas presents. Yarn store? Yarn store?
posted by Stephanie at 10:43 AM

 
First, here is a pic of the cross stitch mug I am sending off in an exchange. You must admit that it's pretty darn cute.

I did lots of boring chores yesterday. Around 8pm, DH had to go off to work so I cuddled up on the futon with my fleece blanket, turned on "forensic files" on court tv (over 100 channels and this was the only thing on!), and did some knitting on the Woolease hiking sock.

Right now I am off to put some vegetarian chili in the crock pot and take Jackson for our 30 minute walk. Later the Packer game is on and I have to work on that ugly RR cross stitch. I'm sure I will sneak in a little knitting somewhere. Have a good Sunday!
posted by Stephanie at 9:27 AM

 
Well, I decided that I have been so tired because of a cold--DH has the exact same symptoms as me. I think I'm starting to feel better and I'm ready to do some knitting. The only problem is that I have a million other things to do! I finished the cross stitch mug and will hopefully post a pic later. Now I have a cross stitch round robin to work on that is supposed to be mailed out on Monday (I only had a mere 7 weeks to work on it and I wait until the last minute) and the subject is ahem, butt-ugly. Oh well, it shouldn't take too long. I also have tons of cleaning and what-not to do since my mom will be here Tuesday afternoon (yay)! But I WILL KNIT THIS WEEKEND!!
posted by Stephanie at 9:38 AM

 
I know, my knitting blog is pretty boring lately. I didn't knit a single stitch yesterday! I'm trying to figure out why I've been so tired lately--meds, allergies, cold? I guess I should go in for a physical sometime soon.

Last night I watched lots of tv and worked on some cross stitch. I am making this really cute mug with a cross stitch insert with gingerbread men and a cup of cocoa. I will have to post a pic when I am done.

Yesterday I recieved my 365 knitting stitches calendar but I think I only looked through January.

Can you believe how much everyone on the knitlist is bitching about the new Knitter's magazine? Sheesh, if it's a lame issue I just don't buy it. That's why I don't subscribe to Knitter's.
posted by Stephanie at 10:42 AM

 
OK, so I didn't make it to the knitting meetup last night. I was too tired, had cross stitching stuff I needed to do, and *ahem*, I had to watch The Bachelor. It's all DH's fault--he watched the first episode so then we were hooked.

I did recieve some goodies in the mail. 2 of my knitting books: "A Passion for Knitting" (which I like) and "Knitting Pretty" (not so much). "Knitting Pretty" is really for the airheaded person who has never knitted but wants to try it because it's "hip". Lots of easy stupid patterns (beer cozy? paperweight?) and ones that don't even have pictures with them. But hey, I'm a sucker for knitting books. And I do like the simple seamless pullover pattern they did in Lopi. I also got this crochet kit that was on clearance on qvc.com. It has 5 skeins of Plymouth Encore, a crochet hook, and a pattern book. I'm not sure if I will actually try to learn to crochet or just use the yarn to knit something. Either way who can pass up a clearance?
posted by Stephanie at 9:44 AM

 
Well, today is "international knitting meetup day". Our meetup is going to be at a coffee shop at 8pm. I'm going to try to make it, but that's a little late for me--I've been so tired lately! :p
posted by Stephanie at 9:27 AM

 
Oh my gosh, I was so busy working that I almost forgot to blog! Silly me. I've been tired and preoccupied lately so I think I only knit 2 or 3 rows last night. I did receive my SOTM from the knitter.com and it's very cool. They're like these little red wool slipper socks with black sparkly eyelash on top. The will be fun to make for the holidays so I think I will start them after I knock out at least one more xmas gift.


posted by Stephanie at 11:55 AM

 
Yesterday I finished the cross stitch item I was doing for an exchange and then I realized that I have another one to do that needs to be mailed out on Friday. D'OH! In knitting news, I did a little bit on the sleeves of my sister's sweater. They will go pretty fast because of the gauge. That's about it!
posted by Stephanie at 9:53 AM

 
Here's a quote from an email from my sister: I got tons of complements on my new socks Friday when I wore them with my Birks! I just said "my sister KNIT them!" Is that the best or what??
posted by Stephanie at 12:00 PM

 
Yay! I can mark another xmas present off my list. Last night I finished the Homepun triangle shawl for DH's aunt--it just needs to be washed. So, here's what remains on my xmas knitting list: socks for grandma (75% done), lace scarf for MIL (50% done), magpie sweater for sister (65% done), socks for cousinIL (25% done). I think that's it. I don't want my list to grow any more than that. As soon as I finish this cross stitch project I need to get back to my sister's sweater. She's going to Wisconsin for Christmas on Dec. 14 and I would like her to have it before then.
posted by Stephanie at 8:50 AM

 
Gee, I finally got my Vogue Knitting mag in the mail last night. How irritating to receive it 2 weeks after it hits the newsstand. Even more irritating, the one sweater I really wanted to make is only written for a size small. GRRR! And it's the one with tons of cables, bobbles, laces, whatever, so there's no way I could adapt the pattern. Of course I knit so loosely that I could probably do it in the recommended needle size and it would turn out a size L.

I'm not sure how much knitting I will get done this weekend cuz there are a million other things I should do. Laundry, grocery shopping, vacuum, workout, etc. I also have a cross stitch project for an exchange that needs to go out on Monday and I just started it last night.
posted by Stephanie at 9:11 AM

 
TGIF!
A strange thing happened last night. DH was on the phone with some family members and when he got off he informed me that everyone (more specifically, his cousin and his mom) wants handknit socks for Christmas. HUH?? I can't decide if I should be flattered or really irritated. His cousin was actually admiring mine and wants a pair to keep his feet cold at night. Ok, I can do that. His mom is another story. Everything with her is about being better than everyone else--my son has a PhD, does yours?...my DIL knits beautiful socks, does yours? You get the picture. Well, I'm sure her "friends" will be even more impressed with her lace scarf and that's halfway done so that's what she's getting.
posted by Stephanie at 9:38 AM

 
The most exciting thing I did yesterday was find the Ocean Beach People's Food Co-Op. It's a nice place, but it's not in a very convenient location for me. According to Yahoo maps, it should only take me 16 minutes to get there from work. Yeah, right. Tons of traffic.

I didn't get to knit on my lunch hour because we had a Pharma group staff meeting. We did get free lunch, but come on, that's work, not lunch break. Last night I started the sleeves of my sister's magpie sweater. But I was really tired and brain dead so then I took out my Homespun garter stitch shawl and worked on that a little bit.
posted by Stephanie at 10:36 AM

 
Wow, I didn't do any knitting last night. That hasn't happened in a long time. I was just too tired and had other things to do. I did do some shopping with my birthday money, though. I went to amazon.com and bought 3 new knitting books, 2 books on running (I'm going to try to start), and the new Maeve Binchy novel. I got "365 Knitting Stitches a Year Perpetual Calendar", "A Passion for Knitting: Step-By-Step Illustrated Techniques, Easy Contemporary Patterns, and Essential Resources for Becoming Part of the World of Knitting", and "Knitting Pretty".

My eBay auction ends today, so if you know someone who wears a 2x or 3x check it out!



posted by Stephanie at 9:55 AM

 
Lessee, I got some nice knitting-related goodies for my birthday. My sister got me a skien of Lion brand fisherman's wool (among other things) and a coworker got me a Michael's gift cerificate which I immediatley used to buy _Knitting the New Classics_. One of my gifts from DH was a gift certificate to Velona. He wasn't able to physically get there to buy one so he made one with the color printer, a picture of a fake dollar, and a picture from inside the store. Very cute.

I finished the front of my sister's sweater Sunday night. Amazing how quickly things go when you only work on one project at a time! I think I will start the sleeves tonight (both at the same time, to avoid second sleeve syndrome).
posted by Stephanie at 10:42 AM

 
Happy birthday to meeeeeeeeeeeeee!
posted by Stephanie at 7:18 AM

 
Today is my mom's birthday--HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!! Btw, she really liked the Lorna's Laces worsted weight socks I gave her--especially the colors (miata). She seemed a little suprised about the "knit a scarf" kit from Peace Fleece, but I think she will enjoy it some weekend when she's snowed in and bored to death. She used to knit lots, but I know she's never used bamboo needles or fabulous hand dyed wool. I also got her a great intarsia cardigan sweater that I *ahem* bought. It has ice skaters on it and she really went on about it.

I am continuing to work on my sister's sweater and also a cross stitch Christmas ornament for an exchange. Last night I went to Michael's and picked up a Lion Brand pattern booklet for WoolEase Thick 'n Quick and another basic pattern booklet from Leisure arts.
posted by Stephanie at 2:41 PM

 
Well, I didn't want to deal with that cable on the front of my sister's sweater so I frogged. I'm just going to do the whole thing in st st, which she will like. Maybe next Christmas she will get a fisherman's sweater or something, you know, if I start now.

I'm off to celebrate my last weekend as a "twenty-something". GAK!
posted by Stephanie at 9:46 AM

 
It hardly ever rains in southern California. When it does, residents freak out and it's all over the news and there are tons of car accidents. Jackson is prepared, though!
posted by Stephanie at 6:15 PM

 
The good news is that I finished the back of my sister's sweater. The bad new is I started the front but I don't like it. I decided I wanted to put a big cable up the front (12 sts), but since I have a rolled edge and no ribbing, the edge is sort of wavy from the cable. Now, will I be able to block this out or is it hopeless? Anyone?
posted by Stephanie at 10:21 AM

 
Staying home rules! The mailman just brought me a big box of light yellow worsted wool that I got dirt cheap from eBay. Sweet!
posted by Stephanie at 2:42 PM

 
I am off work today so I am hoping to make some progress on my sister's sweater. I'm pretty sure I will finish the back today. If I get a chance to start on the front I may decide to put a cable up the front.

I really should get out and go to Michael's and the grocery store, but it's much more fun to sit home and knit and watch cheesy talk shows. Oh, I also need to send out some resumes. I just went to monster.com and found 4 suitable openings.
posted by Stephanie at 2:36 PM

 
I've decided to sell my Rowan "Rosa Reef" sweater on eBay. I know, how tragic, what a shame, yadda yadda. But I'm really more of a process person rather than a product person, and it's just too darn big on me (bad Stephanie! didn't swatch)!!!. What a shame to see it sit in my closet, no? Check it out here--the bidding starts at a measly $15!!
posted by Stephanie at 5:07 PM

 
I am working on the back of my sister's sweater. I really like this yarn and I think she will too. Something about a hearty wool tweed that is so great in the fall and winter. I am tempted to go get some more from colourway before the sale ends!

Last night I received the new Cast On and I really think it is improving a lot. I love that cabled cardigan made with Lion Brand fisherman's wool, and the "teaching" articles look really good (I suck at fair isle). But the best part is that I got the registration booklet for the TKGA convention next spring in Burbank so I will actually be able to go to it! and maybe take some cool classes! yay!
posted by Stephanie at 10:21 AM

 
My sister basically said she either wants an intricate cabled fisherman's sweater or a plain forest green wool sweater. Since Christmas is quickly approaching and I have other gifts to make, I chose the latter. I'm using my Rowan magpie aran in ivy (dk. green tweed) and making a basic st st pullover with rolled edges. I'm using Ann Budd's _Handy Book of Patterns_ as a reference (yes, it's quite handy)!
posted by Stephanie at 10:39 AM

 
Here is top secret!!!
posted by Stephanie at 9:30 PM

 
YAY!!!!! Top Secret is finished AND I love it AND it fits perfectly. I am so happy. The non-knitting houseguests were even impressed when I finished it and tried it on. I will try to post a pic tonight.

Now to get back to my Christmas knitting. Just when I decided I wasn't going to knit for BIL, CousinIL, etc, etc, cousinIL was over last night really admiring my Opal tiger socks and talking about how he would totally wear socks like that, yadda yadda. AND he's a really nice guy, so.............. I also really want to knit my sister a sweater, but she's SO picky. I emailed her and told her to tell me what she will actually wear or not wear.



posted by Stephanie at 9:54 AM

 
Here I am secretly blogging while the houseguests are at Scripps Aquarium. I am happy to report that I finished sleeve #2 of top secret, joined everything together, an now I'm working on the yoke. Not much longer now!

Be sure to check out the sale at Red Bird Knits just through Monday--everything is 25% off. So of course I just had to order the Dale Heilo to make the Old Norse Ski Sweater in the new IK. I even bought the colors used in the pattern, which hardly ever happens.



posted by Stephanie at 12:55 PM

 
Nothing much exciting to talk about today. I ripped out the little bit I had done on the sleeve of Sophie. I dropped a stitch like 10 rows down and when I tried to pick it up it just looked ugly. I made a bit of progress on sleeve #2 of Top Secret and I think I should finish it tonight.

We have company coming for the weekend and since they will be staying in the bedroom where the computer is, I may not blog again until Monday. Have a good one!



posted by Stephanie at 10:06 AM