I've not been around here much lately because lucky for me my little business has been busy the last week or so. I've been working so much there hasn't been much time for knitting. That's good and bad. Good for the pocket, bad for the soul. But I've managed to sneak in some time on the baby blanket I need to finish by June 5. I only hope I can get it done, because I keep making mistakes on it, and stupid ones too. *Sigh* Well today and tomorrow will be downtime so I'll put in some time and make a real push on it.
Heard from my Secret Pal today. Reminding me I'd never put up my questionnaire. So here it is sorry I've not done it before. Can't wait to hear who I'll be sending to!
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I'm not a fiber snob, but don't like plastic feeling stuff.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I know how to crochet but don't really do it, I don't like the look of it much. I've always wanted to spin but can't seem to get the hang of it.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
I have problems with smoke.
4. How long have you been knitting?
I've knitted for nearly 40 years since I was 6 or so I'll be 45 this summer (I'm not shy about my age I think that being shy about your age is silly)
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I have an Amazon wishlist I plan to create a knitpicks one too so check that one also
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
spicy and woody things
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Unfortunately for my hips, yes I do. I love sour candy and chocolate
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I like to bead
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like classic rock, jazz, classical, folk and world music. I can play mp3 and am about to buy an Ipod
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I like green especially darker shades and love all earth tones. Autumn shades are faves in general. I don't really like pastels
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married two kids a boy 14 a girl 11 I have a guinea pig
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
I'd love to be able to go back to school and study fiber and design though I don't know if I have any talent, I would also love to learn to weave and spin and dye my own fibers. I've like to be an artist dealing with fiber all the time and teach people how to work with them as well. I imagine having a studio out back and a shop out front in some small New England town.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I don't have a favorite brand but 100% wool yarns hand painted, space dyed, variegated or self patterned. I love to see the patterns come out.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Mohair
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
socks and baby stuff
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Socks
17. What are you knitting right now?
a baby blanket, a sweater for myself, a pair of socks also for myself, and a bunny for my nephew
18. What do you think about ponchos?
Not much
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
depends on what I'm making and how many stitches I have. I use both
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Bamboo
21. Are you a sock knitter?
YES!
22. How did you learn to knit?
My mother taught me and some others refined the technique
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
6 years
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Penguins
25. What is your favorite holiday?
Fourth of July or Passover
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Penguins
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Cool Socks, Warm Feet by Lucy Neatby
That's about it. More knitting content to come!
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Crazy Days Indeed
I have been running crazy the last few days trying to get a home business I used to have up and running again. Since it looks like the job I had at the clothing store is not going to pan out, I figure I will try and work for myself again. I used to do something called merchandising. It involves going to stores and setting up displays, cutting in new products, and anything involved with making products look good. Sometimes you also do demo work like I'll be doing this weekend. (I'll be demonstrating a product in Home Depot for a few hours on Sat and Sun. Good money too) I occasionally do mystery shopping as well. That's fun but hard work to get the assignments. You have to constantly be on your toes looking around the net and putting in applications with the mystery shopping companies. I did OK with this before hope I will again. I already have some work and it's only been a few days looking for it.
I've been having tons of fun with the stitch markers and have even branched out into making earrings for myself and DD. I have been so busy that I still haven't gone and gotten the batteries for the camera. I swear I will get them before the end of the week and will post pics of the earrings and some of the knitting I've done.
I've been having tons of fun with the stitch markers and have even branched out into making earrings for myself and DD. I have been so busy that I still haven't gone and gotten the batteries for the camera. I swear I will get them before the end of the week and will post pics of the earrings and some of the knitting I've done.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
The Beat Goes On
I think I got everyone who told me I missed them in my blogroll, please if you stop by and I don't have you in my blogroll leave me a comment I don't want to miss you! Wow kmckiernan I thought my blogroll was long till I saw yours! Nice blog BTW! I'm horrible about leaving comments so if I didn't please forgive me. Kitt you are so right I am very lucky with DD, she has a good sense about things and is only 11. I call her my fashion consultant and often take her with me when I buy clothes.
Well looks like the job is going to go by the wayside. Seems like I was judged by my performance on the first day. Because I wasn't totally on spot right out of the gate I wasn't given a chance. I'm not that upset. Why would I want to work for someone who would be like that? What I am doing is trying to reactivate a freelance business I had a few years ago and see have that works out. I only need part time income so it's not really that bad. But it does piss me off that I didn't get a fair chance to show my stuff.
Mothers Day was pretty good despite having to work the stupid job for a few hours. I got a gift card to AC Moore from DH, and DD gave me a candle and candle holder. DS gave me my gift this past weekend when we saw him at school, a necklace that he earned by turning in good behavior points (I was very proud). We went out to dinner at a Japanese restaurant where I ate entirely too much Sushi. I had a great time.
Knitting wise I finally got back to the sock. Unfortunately frogging it back and reknitting stretched out some of the work and I have gusset holes now. Not too large so I can stitch them up real easy when the sock is done. I will post a photo as soon as I get new batteries in the camera. I have also made some progress on the sweater. Finally settling on a garter stitch border for the bottom. The work seems to be coming out nice and even so there should be little frogging in my future (she said hopefully). I am also 3/4 with the baby blanket I am making for my niece. This is in addition to the one already posted to the blog. Same pattern different color. I want to finish it by June 5th when I have a Baby Shower to go to that the recipient of the blanket will be attending (it's not her shower). I am also making a small stuffed bunny with a sweater for my little grand nephew. I wasn't able to make him a blanket as I had tendonitis at the time so I want to make him a little something to make up for it.
Tonight I met some friends from my Stitch n Bitch at AC Moore to take advantage of their 25% off sale. We had lots of fun fondling yarn. I blew the entire gift card on the following a needle roll (desperately needed), The book Knit One Felt Two, yarn and needles for the bunny for my nephew, and some supplies for stitch markers that my friend Dani inspired (or enabled take your pick) me to get. I am really looking forward to playing with the beads. I've done a little work with them in the past but just with safety pin bead pins so this is kind of new to me. Just what I need another hobby to obsess over!
Well looks like the job is going to go by the wayside. Seems like I was judged by my performance on the first day. Because I wasn't totally on spot right out of the gate I wasn't given a chance. I'm not that upset. Why would I want to work for someone who would be like that? What I am doing is trying to reactivate a freelance business I had a few years ago and see have that works out. I only need part time income so it's not really that bad. But it does piss me off that I didn't get a fair chance to show my stuff.
Mothers Day was pretty good despite having to work the stupid job for a few hours. I got a gift card to AC Moore from DH, and DD gave me a candle and candle holder. DS gave me my gift this past weekend when we saw him at school, a necklace that he earned by turning in good behavior points (I was very proud). We went out to dinner at a Japanese restaurant where I ate entirely too much Sushi. I had a great time.
Knitting wise I finally got back to the sock. Unfortunately frogging it back and reknitting stretched out some of the work and I have gusset holes now. Not too large so I can stitch them up real easy when the sock is done. I will post a photo as soon as I get new batteries in the camera. I have also made some progress on the sweater. Finally settling on a garter stitch border for the bottom. The work seems to be coming out nice and even so there should be little frogging in my future (she said hopefully). I am also 3/4 with the baby blanket I am making for my niece. This is in addition to the one already posted to the blog. Same pattern different color. I want to finish it by June 5th when I have a Baby Shower to go to that the recipient of the blanket will be attending (it's not her shower). I am also making a small stuffed bunny with a sweater for my little grand nephew. I wasn't able to make him a blanket as I had tendonitis at the time so I want to make him a little something to make up for it.
Tonight I met some friends from my Stitch n Bitch at AC Moore to take advantage of their 25% off sale. We had lots of fun fondling yarn. I blew the entire gift card on the following a needle roll (desperately needed), The book Knit One Felt Two, yarn and needles for the bunny for my nephew, and some supplies for stitch markers that my friend Dani inspired (or enabled take your pick) me to get. I am really looking forward to playing with the beads. I've done a little work with them in the past but just with safety pin bead pins so this is kind of new to me. Just what I need another hobby to obsess over!
Monday, May 09, 2005
Probably True
Your Linguistic Profile: |
50% General American English |
30% Yankee |
15% Dixie |
5% Upper Midwestern |
0% Midwestern |
Thursday, May 05, 2005
The Tale of the Red Sweater
I now have total respect for all designers. The red sweater has been through so many changes that it's almost silly. So many swatches and so much thought before it was even started. Now last night, after 10 inches of the back was done I decided that it just looked awful. Not my best knitting. Too uneven, too many loose stitches. DD looked at it and said "Mom you are going to make yourself nuts every time you put it on. Rip the thing out." So out came the ball winder for the first time (this shouldn't be a total loss) and frog it I did. Back to the original concept of a garter stitch bottom and stockinette body with the same modified drop sleeves. (garter stitch bottom was DD's idea she hated the 2x2 rib I ended up with) Yes I am still actually enjoying this. (or at least I am telling myself that) I also swear I am getting back to the socks this afternoon.
The other day I realized that there were over 80 blogs on my list of blogs I read. No, I don't read them all every day. That would leave me little time to do anything else let alone knit. What I do is use a service called bloglines. It lets you know when a blog has been updated so all you have to do is go to that blog. It takes a little time each day and you get to read a lot of good stuff. What I am trying to do is put together a comprehensive list of knitting blogs, so if you know one that I don't have and it's a good one, or if I don't have yours please send me the link in a comment. Thanks!
The other day I realized that there were over 80 blogs on my list of blogs I read. No, I don't read them all every day. That would leave me little time to do anything else let alone knit. What I do is use a service called bloglines. It lets you know when a blog has been updated so all you have to do is go to that blog. It takes a little time each day and you get to read a lot of good stuff. What I am trying to do is put together a comprehensive list of knitting blogs, so if you know one that I don't have and it's a good one, or if I don't have yours please send me the link in a comment. Thanks!
Monday, May 02, 2005
Odds and Ends
So far the job is going well. I spent a lot of time roaming the store trying to find a place to put things, but that will change as I learn the lay of the land. I don't have a lot of hours now, but that's par for the course this time of the year in retail. Suits me fine more time to knit :)
I've been having trouble with the socks I'm making myself yet again. This is the same pair I posted about the other day. First I had to frog sock number two since I found a major mistake. Then I dropped a stitch on sock number one just as I started the gusset. The sock gods do not seem to want this pair completed, but I am not giving up. I will let them sit for a day or so and then forge on.
I have finally started the red pullover sweater that I'm making out of KnitPicks yarn for the Knit Red Knit Along. First I tried it with a garter stitch edge rather than using a rib stitch but decided I didn't like the look so I frogged it back and am starting over. It's an interesting process working on this piece. Not exactly designing from scratch, not working from a complete pattern either. I am enjoying making all the choices and design decisions more than I thought I would. This is a simple sweater since it's my first time doing something like this. Stockinette stitch all the way through (I ditched the moss stitch I was debating) roll neck, modified drop shoulder. Progress photos will be posted.
Got a surprise in the mail today. A dishcloth round robin I am in that I had forgotten about. Some very nice cloths in there and even a soap sack. The idea is that you put in a couple of your designs and take out some of the designs in the robin you like. You are supposed to put a note on your cloths but it looks like not everyone did. Fortunately I did knit ahead on this one and have some dishcloths to put in. I happen to like doing dishcloths from time to time. They're easy and work up fast. A nice change from the stuff I usually make. I also like using them. Once you use a knitted dishcloth or washcloth you are spoiled forever. DD loves the one I made for her and I love the ones I use in the kitchen. Now some people in this group I mentioned really take it far. Knitting dishcloths with state maps on them and matching them to holidays. I don't go that far, though I've been known to do the odd cabled cloth, but I do enjoy making them at times.
I've been having trouble with the socks I'm making myself yet again. This is the same pair I posted about the other day. First I had to frog sock number two since I found a major mistake. Then I dropped a stitch on sock number one just as I started the gusset. The sock gods do not seem to want this pair completed, but I am not giving up. I will let them sit for a day or so and then forge on.
I have finally started the red pullover sweater that I'm making out of KnitPicks yarn for the Knit Red Knit Along. First I tried it with a garter stitch edge rather than using a rib stitch but decided I didn't like the look so I frogged it back and am starting over. It's an interesting process working on this piece. Not exactly designing from scratch, not working from a complete pattern either. I am enjoying making all the choices and design decisions more than I thought I would. This is a simple sweater since it's my first time doing something like this. Stockinette stitch all the way through (I ditched the moss stitch I was debating) roll neck, modified drop shoulder. Progress photos will be posted.
Got a surprise in the mail today. A dishcloth round robin I am in that I had forgotten about. Some very nice cloths in there and even a soap sack. The idea is that you put in a couple of your designs and take out some of the designs in the robin you like. You are supposed to put a note on your cloths but it looks like not everyone did. Fortunately I did knit ahead on this one and have some dishcloths to put in. I happen to like doing dishcloths from time to time. They're easy and work up fast. A nice change from the stuff I usually make. I also like using them. Once you use a knitted dishcloth or washcloth you are spoiled forever. DD loves the one I made for her and I love the ones I use in the kitchen. Now some people in this group I mentioned really take it far. Knitting dishcloths with state maps on them and matching them to holidays. I don't go that far, though I've been known to do the odd cabled cloth, but I do enjoy making them at times.
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