My first FO since the dawn of time...

Yes, I'm being a bit sarcastic. But in all seriousness, the last time I posted about an FO waaaaas... ummmm... hmm...

May of 2009.

May. Of '09? Really??!

Really.

I guess that shows how I was feeling in 2009 because I had many-a bad boy flying off the needles since that post. I will also blame Ravelry. Because it has kinda made me lazy. I blame them mostly because they are not here to defend themselves and fully taking responsibility for my laziness doesn't seem right. However the whole thing about me being lazy is pretty darned true.

Excuses aside, this FO has been years in the making. Yarn was bought as a kit at Rhinebeck in 2007. The kit I bought was two skeins short, so I ordered two more skeins as fast as I could. Not sure when I started knitting in 2008 but by January of 2009 I had this:

I was probably 75% done with it and then I came to that realization that one never wants to come to. I knew in the deep recesses of my heart that I was never going to wear this. So I riiiipped. And then immediately cast on for what I thought was going to be a kick-ass, fairly straightforward and easy sweater. But did I do a gauge swatch? Noooooooooo. I thought, "Why do something as silly as that?" No surprise that the new sweater was too small. In addition, I couldn't get the cable/increase combo down so it was a bit of disaster. So I riiiipped again and promptly stuffed the yarn back in the closet so I wouldn't think about it any more.

Fast forward to December 2009. After a year of small projects, I decide that 2010 would be the Year of Sweater and every sweater made will be for me. I decided that if I'm going to kick this sweater year off right then I am going to kick it right in the groin. I yelled out to no one in particular, "YOU WILL NOT CRUSH ME!!1!" Immediately, I whipped out the yarn that had given me so much trouble and did a gauge swatch. Then I copied the pattern from the web into a Word doc and rearranged things so I could cable and increase at the same time without any tears. Then I was off. Like lightening! Like a cheap toupee!! I knit like a madwoman. I admired what I completed and glared at the small pile of yarn cakes I had left. "OMGNOES... I am going to run out of yaaaaaaaaaaarn." I just kept knitting as if the faster I knit the more yarn I will end up with. (We've all been there. Don't deny it!) Then to my horror (the horror!) I discovered one of my skeins was spun at a thinner gauge then the rest. It was spun so much thinner that I had to double it to be the same gauge as the rest. Now there was no way I had enough yarn. I ordered a new skein which, no surprise with it being over two years later, ended up being a totally different color. I trudged on, grumbling, cussing and shaking my fists. Telling myself over and over that maybe I shouldn't knit this, or any, sweater because clearly knitting is stupid and I'm a big dummyhead.

Then the skies cleared, angels sang and I had a sweater. With too much yarn to spare. Like almost a whole skein. Not including the one bought in a panic.

The End.

AMUSED AT MYSELF...
Started: Dec 29, 2009
Completed: January 24, 2010
Pattern: Amused by Jordana Paige
Yarn: Morehouse Farm Merino Merino 3-Strand
Color: Brown Heather
Skeins: 7.3
Needles: 6 mm/US 10 Knitpicks Options
Ravelry deets here.

What knitty has meant to me

Indigirl had a great post about how knitty changed her life and she asked others to post as well. I thought I would try to change the mood here at I'm Not Bad... and get things back on a positive upswing. What better way than to talk about knitty?

I was introduced to the concept of knitting in a “middleman” sorta way. Living in San Francisco, I had a friend who wanted to learn how to knit and I had a friend who knew how, so I set up the first meeting at my apartment in November of 2003. I didn't get it at first and I kind of struggled with it. I put it aside for a bit and then I took a few classes that opened my eyes. From there I spent a lot time on the internet. Let's face it, knitting is expensive. I'm sure if we look at our collective stashes and add up the cost we might have been able to take an expensive trip or even have a down payment for something expensive... instead with have yarn! Beautifulbeautifulyummyscrummydroolpant yarn! (But I'm getting ahead of myself.) At that early moment in my knitting life I wasn't ready to make the commitment of yarn and books and needles and books and accessories and yarn and books. But I had the internet. And with that I had knitty. I would spend hours clickityclicking through the patterns, ogling yarn sites making future plans of what I would knit when I got the courage and/or skill level.

The end of 2005 Paul and I moved to Toronto. We knew no one. Not one person. We had no jobs. And it was October. But I knew how to knit... sort of. Within the first month of being in town I had found a knit night that was close to the apartment. There were many knitters there of different backgrounds and skill level and many of the discussions always came back to knitty. Lively discussions about the latest issue's patterns or what knitty patterns were currently on/about to be on/or just off the needles. The Clapotis was one of the most popular patterns in the group. I want to say everyone made one! (But I'm sure that's my memory being clouded.)

Maybe it was just me who was knitting the Clap?

2006 turned into my fearless year. I found too many new knitters saying things like "I can't...," "It's too hard...," I'm not skilled enough..." I wish I could..." I decided that those words words had come out of my mouth long enough and I thought that the worse thing that could happen would be that I would need to rip whatever I was working on out. And to me that seemed a lot more fulfilling then not trying something because I thought I couldn't. Maybe I felt that way because of all the support from all the knitters with their different backgrounds and skill level. It didn't hurt being in Toronto as knitters were every where! And that is the year that I fearlessly met Amy Singer. Well, more like I went up to her and awkwardly introduced myself and told her how knitty was important to me in some mumbling gibberish. And she didn't run away (bless her soul!). I might of if I had been her. I know I can be kind of weird and loud and awkward. And then something awesome happened. I'm not sure how, but I ended up convincing Amy that I could help her with the "More Big Girl Knits" photo shoot. Maybe she felt sorry for me? Anyway... the rest, as they say, is history.

See?! Amy and I are best of friends!!

Knitty created a connection to a community before I even realized I needed it. It was my inspiration and my ice breaker and continues to be so now that I'm back in San Francisco. My time in Toronto will always be held close to my heart along with the friends I made and the experiences I had.

Amy, I can't thank you enough for all your hard work. And as I've told you on several occasions, "You rawk!"

Friday night's Knitty Rountable - space available

I understand that a few spots have opened up at Knitty's Yarn Roundtable this Friday (July 25th). Call the Purple Purl to secure a seat at 416-463-1162!

Knitty Yarn Roundtable - this Friday!

It's not too late to join in the yarny goodness that is the Knitty Yarn Roundtable at the Purple Purl on Friday, June 13th, at 7:00pm. Go to the official blogsite to register!

RSVP for Knitty Yarn Roundtable Nights!

Okay, so I'm cutting and pasting straight from Amy's blog:


"Starting with the spring '08 issue, we're adding virtual yarn sampling to Knitty. In the spirit of Knitty, this will be a social, collaborative project where a group of us will gather around an assortment of yarns from just about every yarn company on the planet, and get to touch, swatch, fondle and tell the world what you think of the yarn. We want to share our favorites with our readers and let them know about surprises that knit up much differently than the average knitter would expect from just looking or squeezing a ball. As is the custom with Knitty, stuff we don't like won't appear in our pages.

Jacquie B. and I will be there as secretaries and social butterflies for the evenings, gathering your comments and evaluating which yarns will end up in the Yarn Roundtable feature each issue.

We'll be holding the Yarn Roundtable nights at the fabulous, friendly The Purple Purl [1162 Queen St. E. Toronto]. 30 knitters are welcome at each evening, and in order to let as many people as possible have a chance to participate, you can RSVP for only one event in a row. So if you were at January's event, you can RSVP to the 2nd or 3rd of the three I announce today, but not the first. We're planning to hold these monthly (or almost) so there will be lots of chances for everyone to swatch the good stuff!

There's a lot of organization involved in keeping this event tidy and making sure it can run smoothly. Your assistance in following all instructions is very much appreciated!

We've set up a blog just for RSVPs [so that non-Facebook users need not be excluded]. Each event has its own blog post. To RSVP, simply read the instructions for that evening and if you're eligible, leave a comment to that post."

My swatch from the last roundtable

Amy had created a blog for the events and you can find it here to make your reservation.

Make sure you read and understand The Rules and most importantly leave your name and email addy in the comments of the event date you want to attend. Please note that you just can't drop in. You must make an RSVP to be included.

We've got some great yarns lined up for tasting so if you are going to be finding yourself in Toronto on any of the available dates than sign up. See at the roundtable!!

Knitty Yarn Tasting

Unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera for Knitty's Yarn Tasting that happened on the 20th. But Cristina (Goddess of the Knitting Machine) did. She sent me two photos that I absolutely love and I've decided to share them here (with her permission, of course!):

1. RoleModels.JPG, 2. MaybeABeard.JPG.

Madness (Our House)

This weekend was supposed to be the big run to the end for the kitchen. It hasn't really turned out to be that way and we will probably spend one more week consuming take-out. This project has been so monumentally overwhelming that we're just having a really hard time getting motivated to finish. Sound weird, huh? But its true.

Yesterday we spent in a car driving out to Vaughn/Woodbridge/Brampton/outside Toronto area to check out wall beds for future guest room, Ikea for Ikea things, Tri-plast to get the counter top trimmed by 1/2" and eat some of the best Indian Food. Ever. Bjohan Bhandaar (15 Jevlan Drive, Unit E, Woodbridge L4L 8C2). It's in a weird shopping area (lots of big warehouses and box stores). Look for the giant INDIAN FOOD sign from the road.

Friday night I spent at Alterknit with a whole gaggle of knitter for the first of many yarn tastings brought to us by the awesome Amy Singer. We fondled 8 yarns and it felt a lot like speed dating/musical chairs/sensory overload. The difference being it was a lot of fun. I have to admit I wasn't as into as almost everyone else. Some took copious notes, some knit beautiful swatches in an organized fashion. But not me. When I got home all I had was pile of yarn. I sure did have fun. Except for the at the end which still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I hate it when adults act like children and feel entitled to more than their fair share of a wonderful gift. No need to continue as after this post I hope not to think of it again.

Off to work on the kitchen. Wish me luck. For lack of content I give you fun things to look at:

1. My yarn tasting, 2. Paul with bad hair but good lighting, 3. My first real lace project, 4. Cat 'tocks

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

And now for something completely different. Maybe most of you remember when Michael Jackson wasn't as freaky as he is today? Maybe some of you remember the album Thriller and the awesome video that came from that album? I will say loudly and proudly that I think that is one of the best albums ever. Seriously. In fact, I believe it was the first album I ever bought. Maybe if I was older or younger when it came out maybe I'd feel differently but circumstances being what they were I wasn't. Anyhoodle, I found this little gem through Accordion Guy (who I really want to have a beer/glass o' wine with some day) who I think found it through Boing Boing (THE directory or wonderful things). It's 1500 Filipino prisoners performing Thriller in what looks like the prison's courtyard. Truly fantastic.

Oh, and I guess I should mention the knitting. I've gotten the sleeves done for Pimlico and I've started my first real lace project (photo above). More details later after the kitchen is usable.

I got photos in the new Knitty...

Thanks to Rocketbride and her beautiful sock design, 'Vog on! A big "I'm not worthy!" goes out to Michelle who test knit AND photographed the Tequila Phoenix (the toe-up version of the socks). These two ladies totally rock!

I'm loving the summer issue and not just because I've got my photos in there. They have a lovely sock pattern that uses Schaefer Anne called Sweetpea, which is so convenient considering I just won some!