Hey Sandi!

Do you think this hat is too big?

I dunno.

And let the games begin

September 1st started the Snarktember Sock-A-Long. A handful of us are vying for Ms. Snark's hand spun. As of right now, even though I have spent countless hours working on the socks I have nothing to show but my frustration. And that doesn't photograph very well.

I don't think I do well with deadline knitting. Probably what's complicating the situation is I am trying a few new techniques that I clearly don't quite have a grasp of. And the concepts I should have under my belt (like gauge) are just eluding me. I'm feeling terribly inadequate as one woman probably has one sock done by now and Ms. Snark herself is doing two pairs at once as a handicap.

On one hand I just want to walk away and say, "Thanks, I'll join next year." On the other, I want to dominate these techniques that are getting me down and show them who's boss. However as my hopes for this last long weekend of summer goes up in smoke, I'm sitting here feeling even more discontent knowing ALL the things I didn't successfully do this weekend that it makes me want to put on the grumpy pants. I'm apologizing to Paul now.

(Said in a Cute With Chris voice) Let's look at a picture of a completed sock!

Knitters Tea Swap & Magic Loop

Two great things, that aren't necessarily going together!

First off, I'm set with my pal for the the 3rd Knitters Tea Swap. Woot! This isn't a secret swap so we get the opportunity to chat and get to know each other BEFORE we send out our package. I think that is a pretty cool concept. I've already introduced myself and have scoured her blog for ideas. I've been a wee bit distracted with the Yarn Harlot's appearance here in TO, the TTC Knit-A-Long, getting the incoming DKC's VP Programme up to speed (or at least making sure all the materials are gathered that she needs), weeding the yard and dealing with the kitchen renovation (that my Sweetie Pie has been doing an awesome job on) that I feel I haven't been in touch as much as I'd like. Plus my series of tubes were down for a whole day late last week and that didn't help anything. However, fear not KTS pal! I'm getting a little questionnaire together and will send it over to you shortly.

If you wanna give a wave to my pal, go visit her at her blog at kaleidoscoptic. She just got back from vacation and has posted some lovely photos. I'm sure she'd love to be distracted just a bit more!

Secondly, I've successfully taught myself Magic Loop and I'm a convert! No more DPNs for me. I still have the other sock to do but the first look me a little more than a week. Much better than my last pair of socks that took several months to complete because of all the hand fatigue. Details on pattern, yarn, etc when I finish the other one. In the meantime, jam to this mix of Ted Steven's talk about the internet:

Just Stuff...

I "updated" my layout because blogger asked me to but unfortunately I lost some links and stuff in the process. I guess I didn't read the fine print before clicking okay. I didn't even notice if there was fine print. I don't have time to fix things now. If you notice that your link is no longer there, don't take it personally! I promise to bring you back. As soon as I figure out all the new bells and whistles that have been installed. *grumble, grumble*

Tonight I got some good knittings done with a group of awesome gals. Have I told you how much I love having a house? A space to call my own? A place that I can say, "Hey Knitters, come on by!" and then they do (even on incredibly short notice) and flop on the couch and chat and giggle and say silly stuff and eat chips and dip? Thank you, ladies, for making my dream home even dreamier.

Just for the record, even with all the flopping and giggling and eating I made very good progress on a few projects. The body of the Huggable Toy Bear is now starting to look body-ish as opposed to a pair of "Ken Pants." I cast on for Lé Slouch, although I will have to riiiiipppp (used the wrong size needle for the cast on). And I touched Paul's arm warmers. If I keep this up maybe I'll get more than nine projects done this year.

Oh, and my sweet husband was like, "Nine sounds like a lot." And then I felt good. For about 10 seconds. Until I saw Ms. Snark's list. And then I was humbled. I hope for 2007 I gain the strength, knowledge and time to complete a third of her list. *bows down* That doesn't sound like a New Year's resolution, does it?!

Egads!

If I said I was distracted...

Would you believe me? I was thinking last night as I was knitting in my living room, enjoying the beauty that is new furniture, and I realized I haven't finished one knitted object since the Tit-bit in early October. In fact, last night was the first night I dedicated any amount of time to my projects. One thing I realized is that I have lots of projects in various stages of not done.


CLOCKWISE: Huggable Toy Bear from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts in Mission Falls 1842 Wool (One stubby arm complete.); Official Kitty62 hat from kittyville.com in nasty-assed Mary Maxim Starlette (What can I say? It was to be a Halloween costume. I swear! If it makes you feel better I'm having lots of trouble with the yarn); Tithe from Noro Unlimited by Jane Ellison (That's the back piece. I'm already at the arm shaping.) and then finally the Lace Wings shawl in Handmaiden Sea Silk (I've done 13cm since the end of September. Do you think I'll get it done by February when I plan to go to California to give it in person?).


CLOCKWISE: "Gypsy" Shawl in Gypsy by NY Yarns (I need to have someone show me how to crochet an edge and then this puppy will be complete.); Orangina in Mandarin Petit (Which has been a work in progress since May); a cabled scarf/hat combo from Rebecca #30 in Blue Sky Worsted (I know it looks like a cuff, but it's not. It will be ripped and turned into something else.); Very Cherry in Rowan Holiday (Another project that's been in progress since the beginning of June. Considering ripping it out.); Gauge Swatch in Estelle's Woolly Bully (Slated for either a cowl neck sleeveless or a plain ol' top-up seamless sweater.); in the middle are the dreaded socks of despair that I am doing for Amy (Must keep under wraps, but seriously it looks like it's in a wee body bag, which is fitting since I've had to rip it so much I'm ready to kill it. If you *can* kill an inanimate object. Please tell me I can.)

Gak! What a terribly boring post. Oh, well. I said I was distracted and I guess going on a weird tangent is part of it. BTW - I have my Permanent Residency interview next Wednesday, the 13th, at 4:00pm. I have to go to Scarborough. I think that's the bulk of my distraction. Plus I'm trying to get things done for the DKC's December meeting which falls on the 14th. Eep!

Ball Winder To Capacity

To rival the Biggest Ball of Twine somewhere in the middle of the USofA, I thought I would create the biggest ball of Noro Iro. I ripped out the Giganto Clap and thanks to Wonderful Sophie and her Magnificant Ball Winder I was able to avoid a knotty mess. During the knitting of the Giganto Clap, I spit/split-spliced the skeins together so when I was winding it up I didn't notice that the splices weren't coming apart until I got very close to the end. I don't know how, but it all fit. This ball is a total of 360 meters which is 3 skeins. I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to carry it around. It looks like a big hunk of rainbow cheese. Mmmmmmm... cheese.

Clapotis: Take II

Thankfully I had a long weekend that involved an airplane and I got lots done on the second Clapotis. The first Clapotis was of epic proportions size-wise and three skeins into it I realized that I wasn't going to have enough yarn to finish if kept at it's size. Already using 3 of the 5 skeins I had purchased, I decided to see how I would feel if I used slightly larger needles and did less increase sections.

This is what I landed with yesterday on my return. I think it will work. The larger one is the 1st attempt and that is using up almost 3 skeins and the smaller one is the 2nd and it is about 1 1/2 skeins. Basically, I am almost at the same place in the pattern as I was on the first.

As for details, I went from size 6mm to 8mm and did only 5 increase sections (as opposed to 8). The large one is 30" wide while the small one is 24" wide. What I really like about using the bigger needles is the detail of the yarn really pops. I felt with using the 6mm needles the stitches were tight and kinda scratchy. Now there is lots of room and the stitches all flow. It's soft now and I can't wait to drape it around me. Can you tell which one is the second try? (It's the one on the left below.)

I've only dropped two stitches on the second one, so I guess I'm a little more than one straight row section behind the first. But I'm very close.

pointy sticks (to poke my eyes out)

To update my post from earlier. I've found a mistake in Orangina, so I must unknit lots. I mean lots. Lots. Lots. I think I've almost reached the mistake. If that truly is the mistake. Tomorrow I will finish unknitting and hopefully have something to knit for the Wednesday night knitters.

It tastes like progress

It's been very quiet on the Canadian front and I think I've worn out my excuse. Do people still want to hear about it?!! Well, I guess whether peeps wanna hear it or not, I'm gonna say it... buying a house takes up a lot of your time and energy; plus it really stresses you (meaning: me) out a lot. Plus being VP Programme of the DKC has really hampered my ability to lounge around and eat bon-bons all day. I have to say this volunteer position is reminding me a lot like work. And it's been almost 11 months since I've worked for The Man. I'm not complaining. I'm having a good time and I like feeling like a responsible adult again, although it can be a little frustrating and time consuming.

I have been trying to combat the day to day activities by spending a least an hour in the evening knitting up a storm. I think I've been doing an ok job. First up, Haidmaiden Sea Silk has been wound into a ball. Wee! Ok, I know that's not much progress but I will take my victories no matter how insignificant they seem. Next I've also done a fair amount of work on Orangina. It is going to be a beautiful garment! Provided I actually do get it done some time this century and it actually fits after all the blood sweat and tears I've put into it. The item I've been focused on the most is the Clapotis! I just started the straight section. I really like this pattern and I'm very happy with my yarn choice. I have dropped two stitches (intentionally!) Unfortunately I've done something wrong and now my stitches are off although my stitch count is correct. I think my problem is here. I believe I will need to let the unknitting begin. Sigh!Very Cherry has not been touched since the last post. Although I am *thinking* about it.

More quality knitting time

I've got almost 4 inches done on Orangina.

At this rate I should have it complete arouuuuund January of 2008.

I want my mommy.

Wah!

Orangina may kill me...

Ok, that may be a bit extreme but it's a very difficult project to start. I believe I had to start over about 10 times. But I think I have the pattern now and since my last post about putting it on the needles 11 days ago, I can report I have almost an inch completed. (And there was much rejoicing. Yea.)



However, I haven't touched Very Cherry much so there is no update to be had for that. Hmpfh!

Very Cherry it is!

I've ripped out what I completed on the Ribbon X-Back and cast on for Very Cherry Friday night. Woot!

I feel it's going to be a tad small, even though I'm doing a size L on 10mm needles (instead of 9mm). Hmmm....

Well, the good news is that it's a fast and mindless knit so if I don't like Very Cherry than I can just undo it. Although I guess Very Cherry doesn't really describe this very well. Very Apple? Verry Minty? I'll have to think about that one.

Ribbon X- Back... Blah!

I'm zero-fer-two right now on the knitting projects. I've started the Ribbon X-Back from knitty and I'm just not happy with the way the yarn looks knitted up. I also can't come up with a better pattern substitution without having to go buy more yarn. I may be able to do one of the Cherry variations from knitty.

Hmmmmm.... I really want to make this yarn work!

I'm using Rowan Holiday and I've got 8 balls. I did the math and I think I've got 336m (368yds). The yarn calls to use 10mm (US15) needles. Any suggestions??!

Orangina on the needles

Wednesday I began Orangina! Unfortunately it has been a bit of a challenge and have had to frog a few times.



I meet up with Sophia last night and we had some fun knitty action. Thanks to her I found out I was doing a yarn over incorrectly and that's what was throwing off my stitch count. (I know, how can one do a yo incorrectly? Weeeellll, I was.)

Orangina might get completed in this century. Thanks, Sophie!