Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Ah-ha!

I bought this beautiful bag of silk/baby camel roving. I had no idea what to do with it. But something light and delicate (I couldn't afford enough for a sweater and it's too lovely for socks).

The problem has beed solved. While reading blogs I found this Shawl http://www.heirloom-knitting.co.uk/projects16.html Vera Nice! So there you have it. I'm going to spin gossamer yarn and knit this shawl.

If you see my mind go by - stop it - I might need it back later.

I think that this project will be easier than thinking up 100 things about me; I have 15.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Well - here is the toe of the sock. It seems rather large but I am assured that it is the right size. I should just bite the bullet and finish it up and then make him try it on. I'm not thrilled with the idea of reknitting it but it isn't like it would be the first time I ever did that.

It is 100% cotton 9.5 sts/in on size 0 (2mm) needles. I am reminded again why I hate knitting with cotton.


I have been reading a lot of blogs lately. Some of them are very fun. I have especially enjoyed reading the '100 things about me' posts. I think I will start one on Saturday. I wonder if I can come up with 100 things?

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

I've been working on my friends socks. When I get the foot done I'll take a picture.

I started working on the Master Knitter stuff. I'm answering questions and writing book references. I'll start knitting this weekend.

I tried to renew my driver's license today. I have to go and have my eyes checked. It is bad enough that I can't enjoy 3D movies but I can't see in the silly little machines either. The clerks usually give me this look like I'm trying to pull a fast one. At least this gal was aware it happens sometimes. She gave me a form. In North Dakota they just ask you to get a letter and leave it up to you to decide what it needs to say. My appt is tomorrow. Maybe I'll order some green contacts.

It is cold here.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

I got my new master knitter instructions this morning.

I finished graphing and planning a pair of socks for a friend. He does historical recreation. The graphs are based on knitted samples found in museums from the appropriate time and place and the sock pattern on other reproductions and period examples. My first foray into designing, other than doodling.

It is very exciting.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

A very productive weekend

I finished the mates to two of the socks shown last week (the first two). I still have to graft the toes but I always save up socks until I have several pair and do them all at once. It always takes me so long to get the kitchner stitch down that it only makes sense to have at least two pair I can do after I have figured out what I'm doing. I seem to forget it promptly after I close the book and get up.

I did 12 rows on my Black Water Abbey Sweater. Once I decided that I don't have to watch all the graphs I'm doing better with it. I should find a picture of the pattern to put on here - I'll attempt that later this week. It also helps that I have the base rows done. I'm having some trouble with the outside cable stitches being gappy, but not enough to take it out. I'm probably the only person who will ever notice it and I'm working on making it stop. Every item an act of self improvement.

I did a few rows on a new sock that I'm starting. I still might take it out and go back to the pattern that came with the yarn. I've only got an inch done so I won't have lost much.

I have also sent in my request for updated instructions for the TKGA master knitter program. I'm going to finish it this time. I have now made 6 sets of swatches and done the report twice. I would like to think that I've learned something and I need to stop being such a coward and send it in. I am making new swatches and rewriting my reports, because I'm assuming that I have learned and improved since the last time I did them (two summers ago). But I am going to send them in this time. I will not chicken out!

Saturday, January 14, 2006

I think I'm going to join the Black Water Abbey knit along. Here is the sweater I started. How serendipitious to find a KAL.
















Time to knit.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

The Camera Strikes

It's here - I have pictures.

Here is the yarn I spun:




















And some socks I finished since Thanksgiving. Hopefully I'll get the mates done soon.


































It's amazing how a good camera makes the colors better! WOW!

Monday, January 09, 2006

There are photos in my future!

The new camera was left on my doorstep on Friday. That's right - UPS left a $350 camera sitting on my doorstep. My son was up waiting for it, as requested, and they didn't even knock twice.

I'm going to get a big sign that says "RING THE FUCKING DOORBELL" We live in a rather small house, but the main living area is downstairs and you can't hear someone knocking lightly on the door. If you do hear it you aren't sure it isn't the cats, so you listen to see if it happens again, when it doesn't it was probably the cats and you ignore it.

But it is here and I played with it and I can now take some pictures!

I have successfully not bought any new yarn this week. I even looked at some spiff yarn and managed to not buy it. I also successfully bought no new fabric. I didn't look at any new fabric and thus avoided that temptation. Last night I did wash and iron some fabric that I had purchased previously and will cut it out this evening, or maybe I'll knit.

Monday, January 02, 2006

Completely Random Rambling

I decided yesterday morning to spin a few skeins of the body color. I have one full bobbin and one half full bobbin. This should work out to three skeins. I hope that is a few. I'm going to finish up this bobbin and then spin the lovely green I dyed. Then we'll see if I can remember how to Navajo ply.

Today we are attempting to make soap. Okay - it isn't really so much attempting. I've done it a zillion times before. It'll be fine. I need to get cleaned up and get the downstairs kitchen cleaned up and preped. I'm just being assisted by new people.

My camera has left CA. It is supposed to be here on the 6th! I assume someone will have to sign for it. But no one will be here to do so. I HATE UPS. It was my only shipping option. Did you know that asking them to change your delivery block from 10-2 to the 2-5 is asking for a specific delivery time? Uhm - right! And someone got shot last week in front of the place you have to go to pick it up if you aren't home so that is a pleasing option! Oh well.