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25 January 2006

R.A.O.K. and puddin'

yesterday, as i was coming out of a gas station and getting into the car, a man rolled up to me on his bicycle.  as i prepared to tell him that i hadn't any change, he said "you have not been deflowered, you've been reflowered...by a hippie" and he handed me this and then rode off into the traffic (well, not into the traffic...you get the point).  how freakin' cool is that?????  it made my whole day.  it also made me feel like a jerk for assuming (when you assume, you make an ass out of u and me). 

now, for the puddin' part...i made rice pudding yesterday or the day before (must lay off the sauce.  sheesh).  have you ever made this?  did you know that two little cups of rice can turn into a whole....damned....GIGANTIC....pot of rice???  that you will start off with the pan you normally use to make rice and will have to transfer the puddin' not once but TWICE in the course of cooking it??  i now have enough rice puddin' to last, oh, till doomsday (teehee)...i just wanted a little bit.  gah.

after knitting on the new sock for a bit i decided to go ahead and cast on the second one and just throw him in the mix too.  2 socks on my one magic loop...i don't know how i feel about it yet.  i'm not sure if this is going to impede my normally speedy sock progress...hmm.  oh well, it's a new thing to try, and i do so love trying new things.  Nessie is right, though--this yarn needs a good name...i was so motivate by the Clown Puke...this is just--blue.  stripey and blue; that's not at all catchy.
i did figure out a really swell way to do the provisional cast on for the stupid short row toe (why do i use it?  i hate it.  i can never get it to look decent.  it's always gappy and lumpy). see there?  the loops on the cable are the provisionally cast on ones.  okay, i was jazzed....

 

i really want to start a pair of Drunken Jaywalkers but i can't.  (just keep saying it and it may help)  i need to finish the fella's sweater ...must...finish...sweater....first....

 

 

10:02 Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this | Tags: Knitting (ENGLISH), 2 toeup, RAOK

23 January 2006

procrastinatorsayswhat???

What?
i should be reading about the rise of Buddhism in America during the 20th century...but i haven't shown off my finished socks yet!  so, without furthur ado, may i present pair 2 of 2006:

Yarn: Baby Ull, 1 1/2 skiens; a charcol grey.
Needles: size 1 Addis...Magic Loop BABY
Start/ Finish: 13 january/ 22 january
Pattern:  none...just a generic toe up sock
Notes:  have i mentioned that i love this yarn?  i want to marry it.  i think i need to buy the yarn store out and make myself complete sets of clothing from Baby Ull.  another note, look at those loooooong cuffs!  i'm so proud.

 

and because i can't keep my hands still even for half an hour, i cast on for pair #3 for the year.  dig this--i stole the yarn from the fella's tinnie little stash.  it's Lion Brand Magic Stripe again, but it's not the Clown Puke colorway, so i've not a clue what it's called.  these guys have a short row toe, you know, to mix it up a bit.

I've plunked down my $3 for the Mystery Shawl-a-long 3 .  i had fun with the last one and figured "hell, why not?" 

Okay, some non-knitting content.  feel free to bail out if you wish.  you've been warned!
have any of you seen Brokeback Mountain?  i saw this almost 2 weeks ago with a dear friend of mine, and i am still being tortured by it....tortured in the very best way possible.  i read the story sometime before seeing the movie and cried my fool head off about it.  the movie was a fabulous adaptation (actually, the best adaptation that i think i've ever seen).  okay, that's all...i'm still pretty speechless about it.

Um, yeah, i edited this cause i was reading the nice comments everyone had left and i thought to myself
"Self, 4 days seems wrong...didn't it take you longer than 4 days to knit those socks???  it must have, cause that's just crazy talk..."
so, i checked, and i'd misread the 13 as 18....i'm overcome with shame....

20:00 Permalink | Comments (4) | Email this | Tags: Knitting (ENGLISH)

20 January 2006

running out of coffee!! send help!

my god, i've been studying off my fool little head lately.  i'm determined to NOT fail this semester.  gah.  i've been drinking alarming amounts of coffee (which in it self is alarming as i'm an atleast pot-o-day girl) and i'm almost out of yummy kinds...and down to cheap-o plastic flavored coffee.  it was on clearance 'cause i guess that "Hint of Plastic" wasn't a huge seller. grrr.

recall mentions of a "secret knitting project"?  it is no longer a secret, friends.  first, let me state that while i'm keeping most secrets, that doesn't include anything about gifts.  i love to give gifts and it's really hard for me to not blurt out "IGOTYOUA_____!!!!!!!"  to make it worse, i like to not wait til the last minute to get gifts for any occasion...HAHAHAHHAHA!!!!  what a freakin' combo.  i digress...so, i've been working on the Manly Sweater from SnB for, oh, ever and the fella had finally given up hope of ever actually receiving said sweater (cause, baby, is this damn thing BORING to knit).  sweetie that i am, i decided to finish up the stupid boring sweater for his birthday, which is the 27th.  i've been secretly knitting on it during the day while he was at work, but, what with studying and what not, it became painfully evident to me last night that, short of causing my wrists permanent damage (not for this sweater) there was no way in sweet Hades that this would be finished in time.  so i caved and told him...that way i can work on it at night while i'm not trying to compose papers about religious diversity in 20th century america.  which rocks.  (ps.  that's the kitchen not the bathroom floor...guin :D )

my Mindless Study Socks (which is what i've decided to call them cause i get to name the "pattern") are almost done!  i am very loving the fit and feel.  and i'm soo proud of the length of the cuff.  normally, i become so obsessed to wear the socks i'm working on that i make tiny shortie cuffs, but look!  see how long it is????  half way to my knee (which isn't all that far from my foot).  these are the most unexcitting, plain socks i've ever made...they aren't the color of clown vomit, or eye searing green or all lacey...but  i freaking adore them.  i'm in love with the Baby Ull, that's it.  (should i be concerned that my legs are almost the exact same color as that wall????)

and now, just for shits and giggles (and cause it's my blog!) a picture of Xav and I:

11:50 Permalink | Comments (3) | Email this | Tags: Knitting (ENGLISH)

16 January 2006

SAVE THE MUPPETS!!!!

Did you know that Fun Furr is made from the skin of Muppets ?  This scarf--this shortie little scarf--takes a minimum  of 4 full grown muppets to produce the amount of Fun Furr needed to make it.  clearly, "Fun" fur is a misnomer.  i tell you all this, oh blog readers, because today, at one of my LYS, i stumbled upon this:

let me clear up any confusion you might be feeling right now....i can't do a thing about the nausea or burning eyes, sorry!  this is a vest.  a vest.  it is made of HOT pink "fun" furr and this multi colored ribbon shit.  did i mention that it's a vest?  i puked in my mouth a little, i did.

i'm almost done with my Stockinette Study Socks.  i love them so.  i love the yarn.  i think i might have to buy out the LYS...they have the baby Ull at 40% off...eep!

19:03 Permalink | Comments (7) | Email this | Tags: Knitting (ENGLISH)

13 January 2006

academia & knitting

this brilliant idea came from one of the girls at the Bo Peep's knit night.  we were talking about reading and knitting at the same time and she mentioned wanting a music stand to hold the book with.  there are music stands in my apartment people (cause the fella plays the....TUBA?!?!?!).  i ran home to give it a whirl, and it works beautifully. 

i am quickly becoming an advocate for knitting while studying.  i'm back to classes after a bit of a hiatus, and i've been knitting while reading the class work and what not.  it helps me focus so much.  i'm honestly a little amazed.

here's my plain old stockinette stitch toe up sock-studying.  i traded in the Dale Falk i'd picked up for the failed Norwiegian Stockings *sob* for a couple skiens of Dale Baby Ull...mmm.  it's a delicious yarn, i tell you.  i'm going to have to pick some more up i can already tell!  i so want to love toe-up socks, but i can't find a heel that doesn't drive me mad.  this version is a bit better than the short row heel with no heel flap, but i don't know...anyone have a toe up pattern with a heel more like a cuff down version?  gah.

SP 7 has started and i got my pal.  i'm so jazzed!

12:38 Permalink | Comments (5) | Email this | Tags: Knitting (ENGLISH)

08 January 2006

yeah...SOCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

see how the corner in the green circle has that little bump thing?  i found a way around that...notice the lack of said bump in the red circle.  when you're ready to graft the toe, before starting, move the outside 4 stitches over their neighbors and off the needles. 

12:18 Permalink | Comments (7) | Email this | Tags: Knitting (ENGLISH)

SP 7 Questionaire

so, the SP 7 questionaire is up to be answered, and that's just what i'm gonna do.

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
i prefer to knit with natural fibers...(isn't this just a nice way of saying i'm a yarn snob?)  some of LionBrand's yarns (ie. micro spun, kool wool) aren't too bad, but i loathe Red Heart...like i've said before, it feels like Sunday school to me. 
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
i spin (i own my own wheel) but i don't crochet unless i have to.  i do know how to crochet but it hurts my wrist a lot.
3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
my few straits and dpn go into a vase, circs are stored in the zipperbag they came in, and i have an interchangable needle set that has its own little case
4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
i think 2-3 years i've been knitting...*shrugs*.   how do i gauge what level i am?  my opinion, i'm intermediately-advanced.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
it's just a little bit insane, but here
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
sandalwood, ginger and white tea, clean linen
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
oh, lord, yes.  i love candy.  favorite?? um i adore quality chocolate and Jelly Belly Jelly Beans
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
i'm an artsy girl, and i do a lot of different things...i'll try anything once.  i paint and do mixed media collage things.  i'm really looking into altered books.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
i do have MP3 playing ability.  i like a lot of different music ,and i love to be introduced to new music.  i'm not too awful fond of country music but everything else i like.  i worked in a music store for a couple of years and that really caused me to develope ecclectic music tastes
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
it really depends on my mood.  green and purples are safe. 
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
i live with my fella and our dog Xavier
12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
i don't do ponchos. 
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
i love a sproingy yarn.  merinos and merino blends top my list. 
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
red heart type acrylic.  i can NOT stand the sound it makes as it slides over my fingers.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
lace and socks...i am lusting after fair isle objects too
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
lace...it's such a magic trick
17. What are you knitting right now?
a lace stole, a pair of toe up socks, a secret project
18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
yes i do. 
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
circs all the way baby. 
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
i don't have a mad preference on needle type.  it really depends on the yarn that i'm using.
21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
i do indeed
22. How did you learn to knit?
i taught myself from the Knit It! magazine...i knit a pair of socks
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
a year?  i'm more prone to frogging something for the yarn than letting a UFO languish in a basket.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Invader Zim, Lennore
25. What is your favorite holiday?
Midsummer
26. Is there anything that you collect?
i have a love for miniature things.
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
IK
28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
nothing i'd kill for.
29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
steeking...i so badly want to make a steeked fair isle project this year.
30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
foot length: 9", width: 8", ankle bone to floor: 2 3/4"....um, yeah i knit socks.
31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
15 dec

11:53 Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this | Tags: Knitting (ENGLISH)

04 January 2006

ooOOoo...she's so organized!

if you've kept up with my little blog (and of course you have...why wouldn't you??) you've heard the rants about my tiny apartment.  in case you're new to these here parts (imagine an old west accent, please), let me say it again--it's real small.  anywho, i've had to reach down to my toes and find the organization gene that i wasn't born with to facilitate the storage of my knitterly things.  dig it:  

i know that i'm entirely too excitted and proud, but really, this is taking up only like 3.5 ft of floor space, and i'm gonna have room for all my yarn.  i will have to re-wind said yarn on the new ball winder (oh drats) so that everyone continues to stack all nice and pretty.  oh, by the way, that sweater holder thingy has pieces of cedar in the bottom of each section...and i got it at Good Will for $8 (iirc).  woot.

away from the excitting world of organization to knitting...so sorry folks!  the Norwegian stockings... i'm just not sure about 'em.  the fabric is so...thick.  like stand up by itself on the table thick.  now, if i was one of those scrawny stick leg girls, this would rock!  i could wear the rhino-hide-thick knee socks and look like i had svelte and loverly calf muscles.  i am not, let me repeat, NOT one of those girls.  in the (somewhat butchered) words of MJ from my tuesday knitting group i'm of German and Irish lineage, so i'm built solid and low to the ground for efficiant potato-digging action.  not the legs for thick knee socks.  i guess that i'm going to take the remainder of the Falk back and get something more sutible for my sausages legs.  i'll just have to order some finer yarn from Knitpicks (oh, how that will suck), cause i do LOVE those socks.

on happier sock fronts, look!!!!  one Jaywalker down and the second started!  WHOOT!  no second sock syndrome here!  no siree bob...really, i want to work on it and not the toe down sock i started last night at 1 am.  yep yep, it's not difficult to force myself to pick up that second sock and knit knit knit.  *le sigh*   it's all good.  soon i shall have a PAIR of clown-puke colored Jaywalkers and i will "dance" (and boy i use that term lightly) about in them.  Huzzah.

14:15 Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this | Tags: Knitting (ENGLISH)