Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Knitter

( Two More )

I got a package today.



What was in it?

( I'm so glad you asked )

x-posted to 20sknitters

When Matt built his new computer he set up the old one in the dining room for me to use. Unfortunately, my sewing desk would have collapsed under the weight of his old 3-ton monitor. So there it sat until this evening:



Ginormous monitor on cinder blocks, step-stool keyboard tray, cardboard box mouse pad, floor cushion office chair - classy, no?



We went to Best Buy and got me a shiny, new, pretty, light-weight monitor that's now sharing space on my sewing desk. The look is completed with the keyboard and mouse in the fold-down drawer intended for just that purpose and a real chair to sit in.

Holy crap! It's been almost two months since I posted knitted stuff. Why didn't you tell me?

Okay, it's gonna be quick and dirty though...

( Bazillions of pictures )

x-posted to 20sknitters

So I mentioned in my last entry the buttons and knitting needles and sewing notions and such I got from my Granma while I was in Jersey. Well, there was too much stuff (especially when you include all the yarny goodness) to fit in my luggage, so my brother mailed it to me (Thanks, John!). It arrived yesterday, and I spent last night and today digging through vintage buttons and sorting out colors. They're so beautiful and inspiring, and I can't wait to do gorgeous things with them.

( Pretty, eh? )

Well, I'm back with lots of pictures and lots of yarn.

Ready, Set, ( Go! )

I'll be flying to New Jersey this afternoon to visit family (and go to Rhinebeck!). I'll be back in a week. If you need me and you have my number, feel free to call. If you don't have my number, well, you probably won't need to call me.

We were at Central Market last night, and Matt suggested that I might want to check out the chocolate aisle. He sure knows how to spoil a girl for her birthday.



EDIT: There were also roses waiting for me when I got home from work today.

This evening, when I got home from work, I took off my shoes and discovered a hole in my hand-knit sock. It looks like one strand broke, and it has started to unravel a little in each direction. I'll try to fix it with a crochet hook. This is my first hole in a hand-knit sock. I am very sad.

I am so flippin' proud of myself right now. Friday, I finally finished my quilt. This is only my second quilt, the first being a miniature one for my nephew. When last you heard, I had completed the top, which is by far my favorite part. And I know it looks remarkably similar to the previous pictures I showed you:

( Pictures )

I'm working on this sweater. It's all about stash busting. I had these two yarns in my stash (Trendsetter Granito in #6 Sunset and Brown Sheep Country Knit in #001 Gold), from two different sources, in two different gauges, but in the same fiber and color family. So I’m making this up as I go. I’ve used short-row bust darts for the first time and love them. I’ve tried it on and it fits like a glove so far.

But I now have a dilemma.

Poll #1257896 Button Quandary
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

I'm trying to decide which buttons look best. What do you think?

x-posted to 20sknitters

( Knitting )

( Sewing )

partially x-posted to 20sknitters

Well, it may have taken me a year to do it, but I've finally caught up on a four-and-a-half-year backlog of Yarn Harlot. Now I just need to work on the two books of hers (out of four I own) that I haven't read yet.

I probably think this blog is about me... Oh wait, it is.

( Oops, I did it again )

Enough about me. How you doin'?

Thursday evening:
Rehearsal for Charity's and Joey's wedding at the chapel in a historical park, rehearsal dinner at Joe's Italian Cafe afterward, ( BEST BRIDESMAID GIFT EVER )

Friday:
Arrive at Charity's apartment around 10AM, everyone gets their hair done, I do everyone's nails, arrive at park around 5:45PM to set up, get fancied up, wedding at 7PM, reception afterward, the clean-up, Matt, me, Alex and Kristina go to the Flying Saucer to celebrate Alex's birthday, get home around 1AM

Saturday:
Sleep in, spend a couple hours in pajamas before showering, veg for the rest of the day

Friday night: Bachelorette Party for Charity
Dinner, including pitchers of Long Island Iced Tea; Karaoke at a place in Koreatown where they barely spoke English; drag show at the Pocket Sandwich Theater; lots of fun and laughter

Saturday: Jason's and Janet's Wedding
Drive about 150 miles; chide groomsman for eating chicken fingers from a gas station and warn about the dangers of triple-degree heat, tuxedos and locked knees; try to restrain laughter when groomsman faints during ceremony; make fun of groomsman all through reception and for the rest of his life; drive 150 miles back home

Sunday: Recuperation
Sleep in, go grocery shopping, do laundry, rest up for work week and Charity's wedding next weekend

Matt is impressing the bigwigs at work. As a result, he's getting a raise, a bonus, will be making trips around the state/country next week to explain to the branch managers how to use the program he's written. Things are looking good on that front.

I met Brett Hull. [For those who don't know, he was an incredibly awesome hockey player who is now retired and is the Co-General Manager of the Dallas Stars.] He came into Starbucks one day. I thought to myself, "This guy looks exactly like Brett Hull, but certainly Brett Hull would be taller, right?" After he left, I told my coworker my suspicion, and she pointed out the rather attractive woman accompanying him and the wristwatch as big as my head. I went home and googled him. Turns out he's only 5'10". Wish I had gotten his autograph.

I also met some more local knitters. Someone on Ravelry messaged me the other day and invited me to join them at a Starbucks just down the street from my Starbucks, much closer than I've been driving for Stitch 'n Bitches. They only meet one a month-ish though, so I'm not going to stop going to my other groups. But it's nice to know knitters my own age in my own city.

I've also been sewing and beading...

( Bags and Beads )

It seems, these days, I get distracted very easily and suddenly realize it's been almost a month since my last update. I'm not really sure how that happens. Anywho, onward!

( Mostly Socks )

x-posted to 20sknitters

There were lots of great entries, and it took me a long time to decide, but I finally chose one. Congratulations to Liz G and PinkPorcupine (on ravelry) who both (independently, I assume) suggested "Riptide". I really liked the reasoning PinkPorcupine gave: "It's unexpected, and it sucks you in." Both of these lovely ladies will be receiving a free copy of my new sock pattern. For everyone else, Riptide is now available for purchase through Etsy, or if you don't have an Etsy account, you can just give me your email and I'll send you an invoice.



These socks are knitted from the toe up and feature short-row heels and a twisted-stitch pattern that swells and recedes like the tides. Plus, the twisted stitches give the socks extra stretchiness!

Click here to buy the pattern

Queue this on Ravelry!

Materials:
Louet Gems Fingering Weight [100% wool; 185yds/169m per 1.76oz/50g skein]; two skeins in color of your choice
[Sample was knit with two skeins of Caribbean Blue]
Set of US #2/2.75mm double-pointed needles
Set of US #1/2.25mm double-pointed needles
Tapestry needle

Finished Measurements:
Foot circumference = 8in/20cm, relaxed
Foot length = approximately 10in/25cm, but can be adjusted by working more or less of
chart before beginning heel

Gauge:
30 sts/40 rows = 4in/10cm in stockinette stitch with larger needles