Ready, Set...Knit

Okay people...can I finish the Sahara in time for Today? Oh Yes People...the Fulmar KAL begins October 1st, WHICH IS TODAY!!!! ....and I need to seriously get these other projects off the needles. sigh.

When ever I even think about casting-on for this project my palms get sweaty and my heart starts to race...WHY??? sigh. It's just knits and purls right? sigh - moving on (as I wipe off my hands and take a long sip of ice water). So, this morning I tossed all other projects to the side and grabbed the most lovely Silver Creek Merino and my Size 2.75 mm (us 2) and casted-on.

Here is proof of my cast-on...I wont tell you how long it took me to count 196 stitches. Seriously...196 stitches on size 2.



And before I forget...I did get some more progress done on the Sahara. It's coming along great and the two sides have come to an agreement that they like each other and that they're madly in love...so much so that I'm onto the main body and gliding away. The pattern is very unique and I've never constructed a garment like this, but it totally makes sense. You have the opportunity to try on your project...which I was seriously considering doing this past weekend, but didn't get around too.



I got a chance to sneak away during lunch break on Friday to knit a few rows. Nothing like knitting amongst the lavender bushes.

Oh Sahara...

How I long to have your silky fibers flow through my fingers. Look at you, your mere stitches away from joining the two fronts together and your sexy bust shaping is very arrousing.



And lets not forget the back...it would make even Sir Mix-A-Lot proud.



Did you know that limiting your sugar intake will make you kinda crazy? Someone pass the chocolate!!!

Nothing is Ever Free

My office just so happens to be going under construction. When and for how long it will take...heck to be honest...pigs will fly. Anyway, I got the chance to snag a FREE TV from the office and now a new (to us) TV is in our home awaiting a proper place.

The only place that this Freaking Huge Ass TV was going fit was is in the basement...now, you also have to imagine that I live in a split-level house and the basement is mostly finished. There is a small storage room and the laundry room that are unfinished. But for the most part there are wall (aka wood paneling) and some carpet.

So, I mention to my graciously wonderful husband that we can't just toss this Huge Ass TV in the corner and call it a day. To be proper, we should look into purging a lot of stuff, paint the walls and make a nice creative media room.

Being the graciously wonderful husband that he is...he said OK.

We then spent 4 hours on Saturday moving and tossing and plain throwing our hands in the air as to why and how did we get so much shit into one space. With the room cleared out on Sunday we then did two coats of primer on the nasty wood paneling. I'm not known for being scared of color, but I knew I couldn't go to far into left field. I decided that a off white, or pale taupe would look really nice. Off to Home Depot we go...ended up with a gazillion color choices and found a color called Eurolinen. It's warm and just a hint of color to off set the white ceiling.



Mac was digging the wall color too. Gosh is she sassy!

Here is my evidence of hard labor:



Now the hard part begins. We have to move furnature around and purge and orgazine. Once it's all said and done, we'll have a nice creative room...that is we'll have the best knitting, sewing, painting, drawing, loungy TV watching, guitar playing and Warhammer having room there is.

Not much knitting this weekend, but I've come to the realization that one secrete knitting piece will become a Free Pattern that I will post after gifting. Between now and then I will have to have someone read the pattern and also figure out how I can post a link on my side bar to download the pattern...Any thoughts?

Customer Service?

When the Fall Interweave Knits came out I was so impressed with Eunny's touch on the magazine I decided to subscribe. That was all the way back on August 8th. The email that contained the invoice to my subscription informed me that on August 30th the magazine would be released.

Was I wrong for thinking this was a bit of a stretch? no...I figured they have a system and I'll just have to wait. And wait I did. When September 19th came around I was a bit perplexed. Hey...I said to myself... wasn't I suppose to receive a magazine? Emailed the Customer Service contact and then waited another TWO days to receive a response.

Whatever.

Now this is the part where I get miffed. The response was this:

For new subscriptions, it takes that very first issue 4-6 weeks to arrive. Your first issue should arrive no later than the 15th of October. If you do not receive it by then, please contact us again and we will be more than happy to resend that issue to you at that time. We apologize for the delay and the inconvenience.

What? Are they serious? Oh Come On People!!!!

I know exactly what happened. My order never went through to begin with and all they needed was time to sort out the bugs. sigh.

My Cookie Recipe

Since Becca requested it on Wednesday when I brought goodies...I'll post the recipe. I was kinda hesitant, but it's too good not to share.



My Ultimate Oatmeal Cookie:

2 sticks butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 tbs vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tbs cinnamon
2 cups oats
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1 cup golden raisins

Combine softened butter with sugars and vanilla. Mix well. Add one egg in at a time and beat well. In a separate bowl. Combine flour, baking soda and cinnamon. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients with the wet until mixed well. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.

Spoon half dollar size drops on jelly roll lined with parchment. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Let cool on sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to cooling rake.

Approximately 72 cookies...depending on size of cookie. You can also add nuts which makes it extra yummy.

Wednesday Night Surprizes

Wednesday nights are knit nights and our Stitch 'n Bitch meets in a Tinley Park Caribou Coffee shop. The group has been established in the store for over 2 years now. Over the last couple of weeks there has been an new group (maybe 2-4 people) coming to the shop. Now, in all honesty it is a public space. People of all kinds are welcome to sit where they wish. What pulls my chain is this new study group has decided to rock the boat.

They started coming about 6 weeks ago and there always seems to be some kinda of issue. The group is fairly young...I would put them in the college category, but hell...they could be High school for all I know. I do know they are playing HS games. They've made buddies with the staff and have even gone as far as to "shush" us for being to loud. I know we might not be their stereotypical version of what Knitters are...I just think their jealous because we're having more fun.

Walking into the coffee shop last night, this said group took up the two prime spots for large groups. Wait...did I tell you there was only 3 people there!!! Yes, two at our prime "reserved" area we like best...it's a 4 seat-er, but we always tag another table and extra seats around. On average our SnB can pull 4-8 people. The other large table had one lonely girl on a laptop taking up the other 4 seat-er. sigh.

So, the idea has been floating around during our meetings to change the location. We don't want confrontation, nor to have to worry about how we'll all fit into a space...nor having me put my fist into some study bitches face...oh, I'm sorry did I just type that.

Without making a big deal about it...6 knitters, 2 cross-stitchers and one hubby on a laptop headed to Panera Bread down the street. That's nine friendly, coffee buying customers that Caribou is missing out on. Heck, if Panera sold beer I think we would be in serious trouble;)

We'll continue to do the Caribou until further notice, but I'm really liking the new spot. On top of knitting in a new spot, I got to deliver the Bla Bla to Bethany, the winner in my blog anniversary contest.



Isn't she just adorable...she made some kind of EEK sound and wouldn't let go of the yarn!! Enjoy B, I know I had fun doing the contest.

The other surprise was being treated to a belated birthday. Thank You!! Look what Becca got me... Yummy squishy Gypsy Girl Creations in the Holly colorway.

TLAP Day - Arrrrg!

With September 19th, brings Talk Like a Pirate Day. What a better way to spend a Wednesday then to incorporate the slang into some form of conversation.

Avast matey, I bestow ye with a merry yarn:

A bartender looks up from the bar and sees a pirate with a peg leg, a hook hand, and patch over one eye.

Startled, the bartender asks "What happened?!" "Just a month ago your body was relatively whole, now..."

The pirate responded:
"Aye, 3 weks agor a conn'n ball took me leg. Now juss this peg to use."

"Thin 2 weks ago I gave up my h'nd in a sword duel."

"Thin 13 days agre a cursed bird shat in me eye."

The bartender, perplexed, said, "But you have a patch over it; certainly a little guano would not cost you an eye."

With a chagrin grin the pirate told him, "Well, it were my first day wit der hook..."

~::gg::~

Aye, were be me rum?

Poo to the Next Level

In case your curious about my poop issue. I wont go into to much details (as it's pretty gross), but lets just say she went exploring. Hey, I'm all about curiosity but for as much as she's NOT wanting to go on the potty...exploring in one's diaper is not a good idea. I could stop there, but seeing how I can't stop...I'll put another image in your head. Little Miss Mac loves to finger paint...does that give you a good idea of how I spent my Sunday night? I know...ewwwwwww. Thanks for the tip MO, I'll be cleaning the carpets this weekend. sigh.

Knitting News:

Okay, with secrete knitting comes no update...but I can say one project is off the needles and on to the next.

I'm still pretty behind in the projects considering I only have 4 weeks till the baby shower for the twins and haven't started on them yet. I will share some info with you on them since the mommy doesn't read my blog...that I know of. If you are ...Hi Alexis...stop reading now as to not spoil your gift!! I knew I wanted to do a blanket, then the whole twins thing came into light...I could still do blankets, but would make them smaller then the original. I was thinking something simple, like a basket weave pattern.

Kinda like this set I made for a co-worker:



Instead of a small pattern, I'll increase the weave to more like 10 stitch knit, 10 stitch purl for a larger weave texture. Go up on needle size and get a thicker worsted yarn. I'm thinking Pink and Blue since the sexes have been announced...hummm. Two blankets, and at least two sets of booties? in 4 weeks? I can totally do it. I'll just skip lunches, wake up earlier and go to be late...right?

My Special Day

I had started a post about my birthday...then totally lost steam. I turned 33 this past Friday and without to much of an event. I had started a list of 33 random things about me and only got to number 8. Then I was trying to think of something really cool, like what are some random facts from 1974...that was way over before the words were typed.

So, there you have it...my special day. I guess I could just turn it around and tell you good stuff like....that the boys at work took me out for lunch. During which I consumed two Mojitos and was picked up early by my hubby and Little Miss Mac. She got to woo the office with her 3-year old charm and I was off work early....Joys!

The only other random news I have:

1. The pool is officially closed for the season...bummer.
2. Eric's Teacher called just hours ago to say how he's got incomplete work. sigh.
3. Potty training is going to give me gray hair....and answer me this. How do you get rid of poop on the carpet? don't ask.

Some knitting was done...non to show. Happy Monday folks.

Fulmar KAL

My friend Knitterary and I, had this crazy idea some 10 months ago (I think) about knitting the Alice Starmore pattern Fulmar. I loved the cables and could totally picture myself in this sweater. Yet, I was scared. Why? I don't know...maybe her reputation proceeds her and with all this talk about how great her patterns are and gosh, lets not even talk about the price her books going on Ebay. ouch.

Amazingly we have 77 members so far and it seems to be growing. If your interested in joining, just look up FulmarKAL under yahoo groups. We cast-on come October 1st and I'm thrilled to know that others are doing this scary thing with me...makes it kinda PG-13 instead of rated R.

So far, I've swatched for my Fulmar. The yarn is Silver Creek in a soft merino and I'm still working out the gauge in my head. Here is the swatches I made over the weekend:



I started with the recommended needle size 3.00m (us3) and the fabric was very wonky. Longer on one side and tighter in other spots. Over all I was getting mixed measurements of 28 to 31 stitches depending on where I measured. I was looking to get 30 stitches. I decided to block the swatch and was even more amazed to see that it stretched to 26 stitches. sigh.

I then casted-on again with a smaller needle size. The new swatch was created with 2.75m (us2) and the fabric was much denser with stitches popping. This swatch did not turn out as wonky as the previous one and I got consistent measurements of 30 stitches over 10cm. Out of curiosity I blocked this swatch and it grew. It is now 29 stitches over 10cm.

The smaller needle will most likely work better for me, but I'm concerned about the grow factor. My first choice was to knit the 38-40 size. Now I'm starting to think I'll knit the smaller size. I'm going to gain stitches and roughly add approximately 4 inches to an already roomy sweater. I think if the sweater is too large, I wont wear it as often. Plus, if I knit the smaller size that would be a huge motivation to keep losing weight!

We Have A Winner!

First off, thank you all for your responses to my Favorite Fiber thing. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment...not like the yarn had anything to do with it;) But, seriously I really do mean it. You are all fabulous and I'm very thankful for having awesome people in my life.

Before I announce the winner, I do want to tell you about my favorite fiber thing. Friendship. Several years ago, I remember talking to my husband about how I was feeling kinda sad. Not the "I need medication" kind, but just a little depressed about my social life. I've had friends come and go, but for the most part they were not True Friends. You know, the kind of people that are there one moment then gone the next. For whatever reason... I out grew them, moved away or just had to get out of a bad situation.

I had this fantasy about having my life filled with friends and that has never been the case for me. I've always had associates..people who I hung around, but after awhile things would fade. Being an introvert hasn't helped any either. I'm perfectly content doing things alone, but always felt like I was missing something.

Then one day I discovered a local Stitch 'n Bitch...my life is complete now. Looking back, it was the best thing I could have done for myself. I'm a better knitter, mother, wife and I'm blessed to call each and everyone of you friend.

Okay...drum roll please.

Here is my method of randomly picking a winner. All 20 contestants names were written on strips of paper and placed into a ....um...well, CD-Rom Spindle top...Hey, it's the only thing I had around at the time;)



Closing my eyes, I stuck my hand in swished it once or twice and pulled a strip.


The winner is Bethany....Congratulations! This could be a good reason for her to start a blog;)

A Whole Year!

I can't believe it's been this long, but I guess that's the case for most things that are fun;) Even going back and reading some of my first entries just shows me how far I've come as a knitter and blogger.

I also want to thank you all for participating in my Blogiverary Contest and if you haven't entered, you have till Midnight tonight to leave a comment of your favorite fiber thing. It's loads of fun getting lost in the blogs, clicking links and finding out just how big this knitting community is. It's hard to even fathom how many knitting blogs are out there...kinda feels like a drop in the ocean, ya know?

I do have some pictures to share with you from last weeks holiday ...my brain still feels like it's on vacation;)


Gosh, their so cute...it makes me want to gobble them up. Mister E is not to fond of the above nose picture...but hell he's 12 and doesn't understand the heart strings being pulled by this shot. It took some time to actually take the picture because they both had a case of the giggles...kinda makes me giggle a little just thinking about it.


Yep, those are my babes. Almost makes me want to make another;) just kidding.

Knitting Update:

So the Sahara is coming along smoothly...was able to finally count to 72 and this is where I'm at:



At first the pattern was a bit of a mystery to me. I couldn't picture how the construction came together, but on the train ride home last night I had a light bulb moment. It is really kind of smart way to produce a knitted item. The pieces will be joined soon and then it's all down hill from there.

What I've learned about 3-year olds...

They can play ring-around-the-rosie FOR-EVER!!! awwww, you say? Oh, please stop the room from spinning. Gosh, one turn and I'm spent. I have to go in the other direction and by then forget it.

I can't even handle this on most days:



I can't explain it either...getting old I guess.


Knitting Update:

Have to put a big shout out and thank you to everyone who has left a comment so far. There is still time left before the deadline for posting a comment, but I'm discovering some awesome fiber loves.

On the knitting front, I've re-re-knit the back and if the knitting gods hold true, I might actually get beyond this 6.25 inch panel...that will somehow fit my body shape. I'm holding to the fact that the pattern is a miracle worker and does not fib.

Here is a progress shot:



I do have to say the yarn is holding up quite well for a third attempt...it's 100% silk Berger du Nord Belle and I love the feel.

The secrete knitting is going along great. Found out this past weekend that the twins are confirmed one boy and one girl...will most likely do a pink and blue match set. Although I haven't figured out what. Baby shower is only a month away...no pressure or anything.

I'm leaving you with a silly test video...

1st Anniversary & Contest

Come September 12, 2007 it will be My First Blog Anniversary. You have all been there for me through so many knits and purls. The year was filled with lots of finished objects, new fibers, spinning and what a great bunch of knitters I've come to cherish.... from my Stitch 'n Bitch to the virtual friends out there in the Blogosphere.

To celebrate this special day I've decided to have a contest!



What do you think? The yarn is Mirasol Hacho Yarn in color shade 303 and approximately 137 yards of 100% Hand Dyed Merino Wool. These two skeins would make great socks. The colors are really deep and rich, perfect for fall.

All I ask of you is to leave a comment between now and Wednesday September 12 at midnight about your favorite fiber thing. It can be a pattern, book, yarn, fiber adventure or if you have a favorite finished object ...let me hear the story of why you love it. A commenter will be chosen by random and I'll announce the winner on September 13. Don't forget to leave me your email address.

Thank you all for being apart of my spontaneous knitting world;) I look forward to another fiber filled year. Cheers and Knit-On!

Knitters Reality TV

Sorry About the Error Guys....

Check This Out.

OMG! Now that's what I call good television. I wonder who would be the judges? Any guesses?

A Lovely Holiday

You can blame my husband for lack of photos. No cord = No Pictures – so how is it we can find all cords for old cell phones, video games and some cords I have know idea what they do. But no luck with a cord I use every other day? sigh.

Time is going way to fast and by tomorrow I will be missing my family again until the next gathering is scheduled. sigh. My plan is this...Win the lottery.

I'm also falling behind on my Bloglines...last I checked it was 45 entries that need to be read. With so much going on...no time to read up on all my favorite blogs. It will most likely take me weeks to get back on my schedule.

Secrete knitting it coming along great, but the damn Sahara has to be ripped again. Third time is a charm? sigh. I would be mad but I'm on holiday and there is no time for knitting upsets.

I hope everyone had a lovely Labor day...I know I am;)