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





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I was working on Stornoway this morning and I decided that my life would be much easier if I had a 40" US2 addi turbo (duh). So I ordered one from elann and I will work on other things until it gets here. I was too lazy to go searching at local yarn shops (since it's a somewhat unusual needle) and elann is always fast. In the meantime maybe I can finish up my trekking socks?

I'm still debating as to whether I want to knit my mom or my sister a sweater for Christmas this year. Maybe with chunky yarn? Or maybe I will just concentrate on Stornoway for this Christmas and do a few little things like socks as well. I'm thinking about doing and Alice Starmore aran for my sister for next Christmas.

Definite Christmas presents 2003:
1) Pocketbook slippers for gramma F (done)
2) Stornoway for DH (10%)
3) socks for other gramma (30%)
4) felted tote for sister (done)
Maybe for Christmas 2003:
1) woolease boot socks for dad (50%)
2) socks for sister: red emu (50%), LL mineshaft (40%), alpaca (20%)
3) socks for mom
4) socks for cousinIL
5) something for auntIL
6) leaf cravat for MIL
7) BIL?
8) BIL's gf?

posted by Stephanie at 1:53 PM

 


posted by Stephanie at 10:00 PM

 
I'm still plugging along on the trekking socks and Stornoway. I did a lot of knitting yesterday while DH and some friends were at the Padres game.

I'm thinking of taking a spinning class that starts this week, but I'm a little afraid! The last thing I need is another expensive hobby that takes up space. hmmm...
posted by Stephanie at 11:26 AM

 
Oooh, it's only Saturday afternoon and I'm already having a great weekend. Last night I made dinner and then we went to the movies. We saw Lost in Translation, which is awesome. DH & I both liked it and that never happens.

This morning I went to an orientation meeting for people who want to volunteer at the San Diego Humane Society. I'm very excited about volunteering there and I knit on my trekking sock for the entire 2 hours.

Then for lunch today we went to a new restaurant in Pacific Beach that I didn't even know existed. I had tofu happiness and DH had vegetarian tamales. It was really good and I loved the ambience.
posted by Stephanie at 2:33 PM

 
Last night I went to SnB in Hillcrest. It was fun. Heather and I were there, and we just happened to sit next to someone studying who is an avid crocheter and knitter. Then a new person came who apparently found out about us from Heather's web page. I worked on my trekking 'summer' socks and had a soy chai latte.

I ordered a ball of sock yarn from eBay and received it yesterday. The woman actually hand-paints self-patterning fair isle designs. Can you imagine? I bought the autumn colorway so it will be interesting to see how it works up.
posted by Stephanie at 9:52 AM

 
90 days till Christmas! If you're making gifts, you'd better get crackin'! I've decided I really need to focus on Stornoway during the daytime. That baby is sloooooww going.

Also, one month from today I will be doing the American Diabetes Association 5k walk for diabetes. Don't forget to go here to support me and donate to a good cause!
posted by Stephanie at 8:35 AM

 
Last night I picked up my chickami and decided that I should probably finish it while it's still warm enough to wear it. Besides, I think my wip/ufo list is a little out of control at about 27. And that's not even counting all the sewing and cross stitch projects. And the wedding scrapbook that's sprawled all over the dining room table.
posted by Stephanie at 9:56 AM

 
Last night I finished trekking sock #1 and cast on for #2. Yay!

As promised, here are some pics. First, the cross stitch towel that I'm mailing off to Debbie M.



Second, the yarn MIL brought back from Croatia. When I was looking to buy some mercerized cotton to make Cleo, I noticed that a couple of the really high-quality brands are made in Croatia. So, when MIL took her trip this summer I asked her to keep her eye out for some. Well, either they export all of it or she just didn't go to the right stores. But hey, free yarn is free yarn. And it has cool Croatian labels (actually one is from Czechosolvakia)



I have 2 balls of the pink on on the right, which is a shiny cotton/viscose blend. I want to make something for MIL and Melinda suggested the leaf cravat from IK a while back. I think that's a great idea and I should have just enough yarn. The one on the left is a sort of nubby cotton/acrylic blend and I have 7 balls of it. I have no idea what I will do with it, so it will probably have to marinate in my stash until next summer. A tank maybe?

Last night I decided to try making candy for the very first time. Since we lived in Louisiana for 6 years, I decided to make DH's favorite--pralines (a New Orleans classic). They turned out perfectly and I was so excited. I think the key to it was actually using the candy thermometer I bought at the dollar store



DH took most of them to work to give to his non-worldy friends (ie, they probably haven't heard of New Orleans, let alone pralines. They didn't even know what sorbet was).





posted by Stephanie at 11:04 AM

 
I spent most of today running errands (drugstore, grocery store, Target). Tonight I'm just watching Monday night football and trying to finish up trekking summer sock #1. I also just finished a cross stitch towel for an exchange.

DH brought back some yarn that MIL got for me in Croatia. I'll post some pics and info tomorrow.
posted by Stephanie at 6:45 PM

 
I didn't get much knitting done yesterday and Stornoway didn't even move from the tote bag it's hidden in. I did take out a ufo--my trekking socks in the summer color. I worked on them while watching Iron Chef last night. Pretty colors.

I worked on the wedding scrapbook and it's actually more fun than I thought it was going to be. I do not need another crafty hobby, though. I will stick to big occassions only!
posted by Stephanie at 5:23 PM

 
Back of Manos vest, blocking:


posted by Stephanie at 12:00 PM

 
Whew. I did a lot of knitting yesterday and I'm almost done with the back of the Manos vest. For some reason I am determined to finish this thing in record time. We'll see. DH is planning to visit his parents this weekend so I should spend some time working on Stornoway while he's gone.
posted by Stephanie at 8:39 AM

 
Photos, as promised:





I started something new today. I have four skeins of Manos del Uruguay in rust (from that frogged garter stitch shawl) and I wanted to make a vest. So I'm using a pattern from Summer '02 IK that's a knit version of a polar fleece vest. Cute. I'll probably need more yarn, but I can just order that later since they don't do dye lots. I like the natural color variations anyway.

posted by Stephanie at 4:22 PM

 
I do believe I am starting to feel better. Hopefully for good this time.

Yesterday I finished two things!! My KoolAid socks and my acrylic Packer beanie. I'll post pics tomorrow.

Started sewing a fleece shirt for my mom {or for me if I can't bear to part with it).


posted by Stephanie at 7:42 PM

 
Well, I finally went to the doctor yesterday and they have no idea why I'm still feeling like crap. They basically told me to wait it out. It's a good thing I'm not working right now because I don't think I'd function very well.

I'm continuing on Stornoway when DH isn't around. I have to take a lot of breaks when I get tired and/or dizzy.

I have a new project--putting together a scrapbook for our wedding. I'm actually not very creative when it comes to things like that so I'm looking at books and magazines for guidance. I bought a scrapbook at Michael's last night.
posted by Stephanie at 10:39 AM

 
Buy some pretty jewelry for a good cause (I suffer from PCOS)!
posted by Stephanie at 12:37 PM

 
Yay, I finished the bottom ribbing on Stornoway! I did the increase row and now I'm halfway through setting up the first pattern row (and I'm using 8 million markers).

In other news...I thought I had a great job interview in the works, but the company feels that I'm overqualified. Hello, I've been unemployed for 3 months now and I need a job! Two years ago when I moved here, everyone wanted someone with more experience and now I suddenly have too much experience. *sigh* Well, at least it seems like companies are actually starting to hire again. I have another possible job interview this week, but it's for a temporary position.
posted by Stephanie at 9:31 AM

 
I did knit some on Stornoway yesterday. I think I have about 2 3/4 inches of the 3 inches of ribbing dones. woohoo!

I also started a new project. A while back, elann had Neveda Misty for ridiculously low prices. It's a fuzzy acrylic/nylon blend that is actually very very soft. I bought 2 bags--light blue to make something for my mom and gold to make something for me. So I did some swatching and decided I liked it quadruple stranded on size 11s. So I'm making sweater #19 in the latest Vogue Knitting for my mom. I'm thinking that later on I will make a big comfy pullover for me with the gold--the fabric is really soft and comfy.
posted by Stephanie at 7:41 AM

 
Well, I thought I was better but apparently I'm not. I spent the majority of yesterday in bed and feeling terrible. Ugh. I haven't done any knitting other than a few rows on Kool Aid sock #2. DH is at the Charger game today so I plan to lay on the couch, watch football, and maybe knit some on Stornoway if I don't pass out.
posted by Stephanie at 12:12 PM

 
I can only work on Stornoway for so many hours before that tight gauge starts to make my hand hurts. I can't work on it when DH is home anyway, but he's not home much!

Last night I finished kool-aid sock #1 and I guess I will start #2 today. I forgot how fast socks go in worsted weight.
posted by Stephanie at 7:04 AM

 
Still working on the ribbing of Stornoway. 316 stitches, in the round, 2x2 rib, on US 1 needles, 3 inches. Ack! Will I ever get to the good part of the sweater?

Yesterday I did some sewing and made a little baby jacket from some knit fabric I got on clearance at JoAnns. It's funny because you think since it's small and for a baby it will be so easy & fast. Then you realize that you still have to go through all the steps and do all the details, just in a tiny size. It's really cute, though. Last night I hand-sewed on the velcro closures while watching Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

Stephanie's top 5 favorite tv shows (not counting NFL football, which is a no-brainer)
1. Queer Eye for the Straight guy
2. Iron Chef
3. ER
4. Healthy Home & Body, Mind, and Spirit (Health network)
5. Jerry Springer (I have no shame)
posted by Stephanie at 10:40 AM

 
Yay! I am finally feeling better and I did a lot of knitting yesterday. First, here is the completed 5HBS. I still need to add the buttons and I've decided on some cute Beatrix Potter ones with the rabbit holding a carrot (the color of the yarn is carrot. Too cute, eh?)

Then I started over on Stornoway. I am excited to actually do a big, complicated project (and complete my first Starmore). I am keeping it a secret from DH so last night I started a pair of plain socks for me using my kool-aid dyed yarn. I am already to the gusset decreases...woohoo!
posted by Stephanie at 7:54 AM

 
Ack. I cannot seem to shake this bug that I have and now DH is sick as well. I am better, but still feeling dizzy which makes it hard to knit!

I did manage to start this new baby sweater, though. It's a version of the 5 hour baby sweater which I hadn't tried yet. I'm using a skein of Lorna's Laces Shepherd worsted in NS carrot. I love this yarn sooo much. Not only is is really soft, but the near solid has wonderful subtle color variations.
posted by Stephanie at 10:47 AM

 
First of all, here is some Patons classic wool that I dyed with Kool-Aid. I used 3 packs of orange and 3 of lemonade (there is some yellow, although it's hard to see it in that photo).

And here is the completed baby sweater. It's still wet so the color looks a little darker than it really is.

Last night I started a pair of baby booties/slippers from _Simple Knits for Cherished Babies_. I'll probably end up making everything in there at some point. Oh, I'm using some leftover Regia.
posted by Stephanie at 1:49 PM

 
Whew, I just finished the baby sweater. It went fast but the finishing was still a lot of work! I just washed it so I'll try to post a pic tomorrow when it's dry. I'm feeling better than yesterday, but still not great so I think I will plop in front of the tv for the rest of the night.
posted by Stephanie at 7:02 PM

 
I haven't done much of anything over the past few days because I haven't been feeling well. I did start a baby sweater--the chunky cardigan in Simple Knits for Cherished Babies. I'm using some red Debbie Bliss Cotton Silk Aran that L. sent me. She hated it and I can see why. Mainly, it twists all up onto itself while you are trying to knit with it. Winding it into a ball first did not help. But, this is a small sweater so I think I will be able to finish it and I think it will be quite cute. I really like that book.
posted by Stephanie at 5:13 PM

 
I did a bunch of stuff yesterday. Sewing. I finished my shorts and they're wearable, but not great. I've decided that I do not like sewing with ribbed knit fabric. Regular knit fabric is ok, but when it's ribbed it's just too stretchy to sew with. Then I finished up the skirt that will be for my mom for her birthday. I made a decorative pillow using an old pumpkin needlepoint that I got on eBay for a dollar or two. I will try to post some pictures tomorrow. Oh, I also took a piece of green patterned fabric that I had and put it around the bottom of my craft table (using velcro), like a skirt (but not gathered). That way I can pile lots of stuff under it and it looks less cluttered. Knitting. I made some progress on my chickami. It's nice, mindless knitting.

This morning I wasted a lot of time trying to sew and outfit for a tiny stuffed pig that I have. It doesn't really have a body like a pig, though--more like a teddy bear or whatever. Anyway, she now has a cute skirt but no top. Maybe I need to knit her a sweater. I went to JoAnns because I needed more velcro. I was so excited to spot some flannel Hello Kitty fabric, but they only had a about a yard left. I asked if they had any more and they said no. Apparently it sold out fast. I bought what was remaning and also a yard of some cute printed knit fabric (baby clothes)?
posted by Stephanie at 4:47 PM

 
Yesterday was one of those days where nothing goes right. I got out Stornoway to work on--it's about a million stitches in the round and all I had done was cast on and work one row of ribbing. Sometime yesterday morning I managed to pick up the circ and start knitting back in the wrong direction. sigh. So I frogged it and put it away for the day. Then I decided to sew myself a pair of simple shorts. Well, the fabric was a really stretchy knit and my sewing machine was just not liking it at all. I changed out the needle and things got a little better, but I really don't think the resulting shorts will be wearable except for around the house. After that I had a headache and really didn't do anything for the rest of the day. Let's hope today will be better! I think I will go take Jackson for a walk right now and then I will decide what to work on.
posted by Stephanie at 9:51 AM

 
Jackson loved the dog park. He got to run around like a maniac and socialize with other dogs. He was the smallest dog there, but he can definitely hold his own. No one could believe that he is 8 years old because he has so much energy.

Yesterday I did some sewing. My mom bought me some Green Bay Packer fleece while I was home so I made this vest

and this Christmas stocking

I'm trying to decide what to work on today. I'd really like to sew myself a new pair of shorts (since I have like 2 pairs), but I also want to get out Stornoway. Hmmmm...
posted by Stephanie at 10:18 AM

 
Yay, I finished the baby bonnet yesterday!! After the lace border I did the rest of it in garter stitch. Then, after I sewed it together I picked up stitches along the bottom edge. I did an eyelet row so I can weave a ribbon tie through it. I am really pleased with it. It's also nice to be able to ignore the pattern and do it the way I want to and have it turn out. Ah yes grasshopper, you are becoming a real knitter. snort. I will post a picture after it comes out of the wash.
posted by Stephanie at 9:03 AM