Don't Get It Twisted!

SnB last night was a bust. I drove around the block 3 times and could not find a parking space. Instead of burning more gas or parking and walking 10 blocks, I drove home and watched America's Next Top Model . After some great makeovers and some interesting photo shoots, Miss "Don't Get It Twisted" Ebony was eliminated. I think she was a little too immature and the braids they gave her made her look like a man. I wasn't able to play Perez's ANTM Drinking Game (to which I contributed one of the rules). Maybe next week. With these rules you are guaranteed to be drunk within the first 10 mins of the show.


I finished the front of the Rebecca cropped sweater and will move on to the front at tonight's SnB. I'm determined to have this thing finished within the next week. The last time I made it, it dragged on for close to 2 months. I'll show some pics tomorrow.

I know it's been awhile so I thought I would bring back....

Friendly Tips For Everyday Living

Tip #7
When your father/husband/brother/friend is outside doing repairs on an automobile, put on some old jeans and a sweatshirt and go out there and join them. While you're at it, drag your daughter(s) out there too. The things you will learn will help to save you money and keep you from being ripped off when at the mechanics.


When I started driving my father had me come outside and learn the different parts of the engine, what color all the fluids are, and how to change things. Over the years that knowledge has allowed me to change my own filters, lightbulbs,etc. This has also empowered me to know what things really cost because mechanics WILL try to take advantage of a woman's ignorance.

Want an example... A few months ago, the Check Engine light came on in my car. I went to the auto parts store and had them hook it up to a computer (for free) to see what was wrong. The coolant sensor died. I used the internet to find a manual to show where the sensor is located and what I needed to change it. I went to the dealership and bought the part for $8 and put it in myself. If I had the dealership do it, it would have been $138. Guess what I did with that $130 worth of savings?

Never say never

It was a very busy weekend. I decided to have a dinner party on Sunday so I was busy cooking food and cleaning my apartment all weekend. I didn't have time to concentrate on any of the sweaters so I just worked on my socks.



Now here's the thing....I used to say that I would never knit socks. As you can see I've gone back on that statement. Then I said that I couldn't imagine spending $20 on a pair of socks. So guess what I did? Spent $20+ on some Koigu yarn. I had a real OCD moment this weekend. With all the cooking and cleaning, all I could think is that I wanted to try some Koigu. I HAD to try it. I fought the urge to buy some Saturday but then Monday came and it was all I could think about. I originally told myself that I wouldn't buy it until I finished the 2 sweaters but I know myself really well. I knew that it would bother me until I bought it, so I went to the LYS after work yesterday. The stuff is nice and while I won't say never, I can say that I probably won't be making this a habit. I think I was just obsessed with seeing what all the hype was about. I love a good yarn and supposedly this stuff is like crack. Like I said,it's nice, but I think I'll be okay with KnitPicks as my main source of sock yarn. Have any of you ever knit with Koigu? What do you think about all the hype?

I did, however, show some self-restraint. The new Nashua yarns were in. They have this nice lavender shade of worsted weight wool-alpaca mix that I had to talk myself out of because it wasn't in the budget. If I can make it through two sweaters then maybe I'll consider it.

Primetime knitting

It's that season again. No... not fall/autumn. It's TV season. That time of year when old tv shows come back and new shows come on the scene. AAAAhhhhhh,the smell of a new television show is so refreshing. Can you smell it?

My obsession with my television started when I moved to Rochester, Minnesota . Rochester is not a bad place, just too small for me and not enough to do. I spent more time in Minneapolis/St.Paul, which is an hour away, but when I was confined to Rochester I was stuck to my tv with my knitting in hand. I had a daily schedule of what to watch. My tv kept me company.

I still have a obsessive tv schedule. Monday's it's all UPN. Tuesday's it's Gilmore Girls, Supernatural (quite scary), and Law & Order SVU. Wednesdays,America's Next Top Model and more L&O (Nope,I don't watch Lost). Thursday,Everybody Hates Chris (UPN), Criminal Minds (CBS). That's not all of it but I don't want to bore you with my long list.
I embrace my pathetic tv-obsessed existence and if I start talking alot about shows and talk about tv characters like they actually exist, you've been warned.


I started my sister's Rebecca sweater at SnB Wednesday nite. I also started another sock.



I needed something to do when I don't have the concentration for all the cabling. I had to come up with my own way to do the short-row heels because I've yet to find a pattern that actually doesn't produce those ugly holes.

Sandy is requesting picutures of the sky so here is a pic I took from my deck last week. I love it when the sky looks like this.

I'm baaaaack!

Howdy doo buckaroos!

I finally finished the secret project and I'm now back to the regularly scheduled knitting.

I've joined the Fall Cables Knitalong,which is my first knitalong. I'm kind of excited, plus this will ensure that I actually finish some items in a timely fashion. I'm going to finish up my Rebecca sweater and also make my sister the cropped Rebecca sweater like the one I made for myself. Her's will be out of Knitpicks Merino style. As payment, she bought me some Knitpicks yarn that I plan to use for another Rebecca sweater after the knitalong sweaters are finished.


I had other things to tell you but it's late and mind has just drawn a blank. I guess I'll save it all for tommorrow.

MIA: runaway blogger

I got a little fed up with real life last week and decided to runaway for awhile. Work was stressing me out and instead of staging a theatrical shouting,head twirling, "Get off my back" moment, I decided to take a few vacations days. I didn't want to see or touch a computer. That's why I haven't posted anything in a few days.

I also haven't posted because I'm still working on the secret project and I have nothing to show you. I hope to be finished with this thing by Wednesday so I can get back to my regularly scheduled knitting.

Can you see a trend?

Can you see a trend here?



Can you tell what color scheme I favor?

I have this male friend that I used to go shopping with. One day while at The Gap I picked up a red shirt and he said bluntly "Put it down". I asked why and he said "Just put it down". Again I asked why. He then says, "Do you own anything that isn't red? That's all you wear." Did I forget to mention that he is very-much hetero. Now, if one of my gay friends had said it I won't have been so worried because I know they are just sticklers for detail. But when a not-so-detail-oriented man notices that means all men notice and that's a problem. Does that make me predictable? Boring? Is red my version of black?

I used to be in a phase where I would have a favorite color and wear nothing but that color. One year my favorite color was khaki. The next year my favorite color was "blue jean". Yeah..Yeah...I know blue jean is not a "color" but it was too me. Right down to my blue jean colored nail polish.

I thought I had broken that habit but I guess not. I thought I had changed it up a little by adding what I thought was more colors....pink,coral,etc. But when it comes down to it, they are all just shades of red.

I see some yellow,green,and blue in my future.

SP6 Questionaire

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?

For the most part I'm a yarn snob. I do like Lion Brand but hate Fun Fur. I don't like any of the Red Heart.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I crochet and I don't think I'll ever get into spinning.


3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
I am allergic to cats. Bath and Body Works sprays and lotions.

4. How long have you been knitting?
I started as a child but I've really been going strong for about 6 years now.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes. Here it is

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I like vanilla and peach scents.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Yes. I love dark chocolate

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
If it can be made, I do it. I sew, bead, embroider, and paint.

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 R&B, Pop, Jazz, classical. Most anything except Heavy Metal and Country


10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
For non-clothing, my favorite color is green. For clothing,I like warm colors; reds, oranges, pinks but I have too much yarn in these colors. I'm venturing into light greens,blues,yellows. No hard/royal colors.


11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Single with no pets

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
I want to find a job that allows me to travel. I also want to start my own fashion design company.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I love Rowan. Right now I'm craving Cashsoft and Calmer. I also like cotton blends and merino wool.


14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I hate Fun Fur and I don't like scratchy pure wools like Lopi. I don't really like novelty yarns but that's because you can only really make scarfs with it and I have enough of those.


15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Finding a shawl/wrap pattern that doesn't have ten million yarn-overs, doesn't use feather and fan patterns, and isn't in the shape of a triangle.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Anything that can be worn and is cute.

17. What are you knitting right now?
Sweaters

18. What do you think about ponchos?
Death to the dreaded poncho! They used to be nice before the fashion world started mass producing them.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Both

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Bryspun. I could really use some circs..hint hint :)

21. Are you a sock knitter?
I'm a beginner

22. How did you learn to knit?
From my mother and from books


23. How old is your oldest UFO?
A month old

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I don't really have one.

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Keychains from different places

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Jo Sharp Contemporary Knitting 2 , Rowan Magazine #31 & #32, AlterKnits

What would you take?

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I have been couped up in the house all weekend. This is due to the fact that I almost killed myself with 3 teaspoons of parmesan cheese. Now I know you're asking, "How can one do damage with parmesan cheese?". Here's how...

Years ago I found out that I was allergic to pencillin. No biggie..I can avoid that. Then a few years ago, the allergist told me that I'm allergic to cats and mold. It wasn't until this year, after a ridiculous daily diet( that included yogurt,tea,cheese,and tofu)which resulted in many migraines and other health issues, that I found out that allergies to mold also means all foods that are fermented or contain mold. I've overloaded my body to the point that I can no longer tolerate any of this stuff. (Tears were shed when I found that included wine. I love a good Piesporter or Riesling) Therefore the three teaspoons of parmesan I ate directly from the container while making spaghetti last week nearly killed me.

Thanks to the heavy dosages of Benadryl I sat on the couch, watched a lot of tv, and tried to knit. I've decided that I want to try and submit a pattern to knitty. I've knit and frogged twice and I now have a design that I think is acceptable. I'll be working on this for the next few days so I can get the pattern done by the October 9 deadline.

With word of a possible hurricane off the coast and all the time on my hands, I spent a little time getting my "in case of emergency" kit together. I put important documents in plastic bags and made a list of what to grab if in a rush. After the typical clothes, important documents, jewelry, and pictures, the only other things I thought important enough to pack would be my portfolio, and the two things pictured above. My Puffalump named "Cowie" and my mother's Mon Tricot Knitting Dictionary which she gave to me this past Christmas. No fabric, yarn/needles, or electronics. Just Cowie and Mon Tricot. Sentimental value beats out monetary value everytime.

What would you take?

Check it out!

See that over there? ---->

This is my latest venture...counting stitch markers. It is something that I wanted for myself and thought that others might like them too. With regular stitch markers when you come back to a project you can often times forget your reason for the stitch marker placement. These markers make it easier, especially for large projects like lace shawls.

These are one-of-a-kind originals. Compared to what I've seen on other sites, these are reasonably priced and a great deal. For $14 you get 12 markers, a fabric pouch, and shipping included (Additional $10 US for international shipping).

The makers are numbered 1,5,10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100.
If you have a special request regarding the numbering of the markers, please contact me.

If you like them, please buy some. They also make great gifts.

Like socks in a dryer.

Here at the house of Saun washclothes are like socks. They tend to disappear. I have quite a few sets of towels but only two sets have washclothes that match. The rest are either missing or somehow are no longer a color-match. I find that I go through washclothes faster than I do towel. So what is my solution you ask? Lily Sugar'n Cream Cotton + needles = washclothes. I used to think knitting washclothes was a waste of time but given that I am in Michael's/AC.Moore more than I am in JCPenney/Sears and I can get about 3 out of a ball for $2.19 I will now be making them. These colors coordinate with my two bathrooms.

Here is my final shot of Clapotis.



Yarn: Red Luxe (2 skeins kool-aid dyed Andromeda yarn)
Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert at knitty.com
Needles: US 8
Alterations: Only 4 sets of increase rows


As you can see I have tried to spruce up my little site here. I finally got around to creating a button and a new header. There are other changes I want to make but I have to get over my distaste for html first. Take a button and spread it around.

There isn't much new progress on the Rebecca cable sweater. After messing up the cables twice and having to go back and fix them, I set this sweater a side to do some washclothes. There is some other craftiness going on here which will be revealed soon. So stay tuned.

Racerback Tank Pattern Available

The Racerback Tank is now available for FREE! All I ask is that you send me a photo if you knit this tank. See the left side panel for the Adobe Acrobat pdf link. If you find any errors, please let me know. I have only test knit this for the medium size.

Attention... Attention

This is an announcement from the Emergency Fashion Broadcast System. This is not a test! We would like to inform you that there has been strange sightings of fashions of the 1980s and we are here to tell you that this is WRONG. Do not be fooled by perpetrators that tell you the the 80's are back. They are lying to you. The 80s are the decade that everyone should be ashamed of.

If we catch you sewing/knitting anything from the 1980s we will hunt you down, sit you in front of a few Vogue/InStyle magazines, and proceed to deprogram the harmful mind control that someone has put on you.

We repeat... Ignore the 80s flashback gear.

This concludes our announcement.



Moving on....

Here is my progress on the Rebecca #32 Design.



Christie and Jennifer are going to start a Fall Cables knit-a-long. I think this will be my first cables project but I have about 2 more cabling projects on deck. This will be my first knit-a-long. (Yeeahhhh!!!!)



And here is my yarn, all dyed and ready to go, for my Union Market Sweater. I won't be getting to this one until October but I was itching to dye some yarn.