I is for Infuriating

Also irritating & inconceivable. So y'all know I've been working on this pair of socks for Eldest Boy forever now. I'd finished sock #1, and Eldest Boy *loved* it. I'd gotten all the way to the toe decreases on sock #2 when something really didn't seem right...it seems I'd managed to foob up the sock all the way back at the freaking gussets. I was SO pissed. The pattern was written for four needles, but I'm definitely a five needle girl, so when I went to place the markers next to the heel flap, I clearly didn't pay enough attention. The gusset was off by a full INCH.
You can see where I've sewn a lifeline, and how the gusset mistakenly starts about seven or eight stitches away from the heel flap. Oy freakin vey! *That* is how close I was to finishing when I figured it out. Considering how bloody long it took me to get there, I was less than amused, to say the least. Here we have the lovely Tipsy, modeling the frogged sock with yarn ramen. She even looks as pissed about the whole thing as I am. She's a great cat. This was my first experience with sewing in a lifeline, and I have to say, I LOVE the thing!! Good lord, how screwed would I have been without it?? I'm afraid to contemplate. Fortunately, though, both socks are now completed, and Eldest Boy is quite pleased.

The rugrat in question modeling the socks. Note the slight bagginess around the ankles...yes, I did make them a little large, partly because it's flaming hot here right now, and I expect his feets will grow a bit by winter, when he'll want to wear them. The bagginess, however, I think is due to him having the skinniest legs ever. He's a very stringy, narrow little boy, and lordy, that makes buying pants for him tricky! Whenever I find a pair that are the right length, they're so wide around the waist that he can't keep 'em up. This is why I love summer...I can just put him in little bitty shorts, and not worry about the length. Anyway, he's thrilled to pieces that the socks are done, and now Boy the Younger is beginning to make noise about when *he'll* get socks, too. I just love children who openly encourage the knitting habit.

As for now, I'm working on my Very First Toe-Up sock, using Plymouth Sockotta (neato blue color), my kickass brand new KnitPicks dpns, and the pattern in Wendy Knits. I've just gotten past the toe on the first one, and so far, I'm loving the yarn & the fabric it creates, I'm LOVING the needles, and I'm learning to like the pattern. I really really like the idea of toe-up, especially for sizing & fit & maximum yarn usage, but holy cow, picking up wrapped stitches (especially with this yarn!) is tricksy! I'm hoping it'll feel easier on sock #2, which I'll probably cast on today. I also cast on for my husband's huge cabled sweater the other day. This thing may take all year...my beloved is a big man, 6'3", and he wants it in black (of course) with a grey stripe, so not only will it take forever to knit, but I'll need perfect lighting to do it, lest I go blind from the blackness of it. Granted, it will certainly look good on him, but oy...it's hard to see black stitches unless you've got surgical lamps over your shoulder! I'm using Wool of the Andes, because frankly, a sweater big enough to fit my sweetie would cost a bloody fortune if I used anything pricier.

And speaking of KnitPicks again, have you SEEN their new yarns?! Oooooh, I'm excited! I love the idea of a WotA Bulky...chunky sweaters in the winter just seem so cozy. The Swish Superwash is nice to have, too, for kid sweaters & such. And, most interesting, imo...the Gloss sock yarn!! A merino/silk blend (!!) in the most beautiful colors...I simply *have* to get my hands on some of that soon! Of course, all yarn shopping has been put on hold for me until Stitches. Bummer, yes, but I really want to save my pennies for the major haul that day. Yay!

I'm a swap ho

Whee! More swap fun! The latest in my growing series of swaps is the Favourite Colour Swap, generously hosted by Nichole. I'm having minor issues in the whole joining-of-the-blog thing, but it'll get sorted out sooner or later, I'm sure. In the meantime, here's the 'ol questionnaire...

Favorite Color Swap Questionnaire

1. What are your top three favorite colors?

Oooh, greens (especially olive & earth toned greens...purty! But no neon or lime...they make me look like I've been dead for three days), reds, & blues. I like deep, rich colors...pastels are nice, but not my favorite. I have very yellow-olive skin, so yellow or orange tones don't work on me well...warm colors look fabulous though (think red with a hint of brown). Ooh, or maybe warm neutrals...like warm shades of brown--chocolate & coffee & camel & all kinds of things that start with c. I recently received some cream & camel colored alpaca in a trade that are just lovely! Overall, earth/warm tones are best. I'm pretty darn easy to please, though. It doesn't take much to thrill me.

2. What crafts do you really enjoy?

Knitting!!! I also crochet, though nowhere near as much since I discovered knitting. I also like cross-stitch (though I'm sort of particular about the patterns...my favorites are old samplers, especially historical ones), embroidery, a bit of sewing (I'm *really* new to it, but I'm learning!), and a little bit of paper crafts (mail art & the like). Mostly though, I adore knitting.

3. What products do you really covet?

Oh my...sock yarn is my most dearly beloved these days! Aija keeps talking about these gorgeous ebony needles that are made of reclaimed musical instruments, and that is just incredibly intriguing. I love pretty much all natural fibers, most notably merino, silk, & alpaca. Yum. I'd really really like a nice needle case--especially one with lots of pockets for the billions of circulars I have. I've been wanting to figure out how to make a dpn case for myself for a while, but since the sewing thing moves rather slowly around here, I'd certainly be happy to have one that I didn't make myself (besides, I kind of want to see a nice one, so I can try to deconstruct it in my head & figure out how to make my own!). But yeah, mostly sock yarn...all kinds, all colors. Socks That Rock, Mountain Colors Bearfoot, Koigu, Lorna's Laces, Cherry Tree Hill...they're all my soft, fluffy little friends. Good lord, I sound warped.

4. What other activities do you enjoy besides your favorite crafty things?

I love to cook & bake, I'm a rabid book addict, I really love being outside-whether it's hiking, mountain biking, or just plopped in a chair in the park (knitting, natch), just being outside amongst green living things thrills me. I'm a farm girl, born & bred, and this apartment life is HARD.

5. Is there anything you collect?

Um, sock yarn? Heh. I collect books--knitting books, certainly, cookbooks, and I really like mysteries-especially the cozy mysteries that run in a series. Yeah, they're fairly light & fluffy, but that's half the appeal. I collect antique photographs--the older, the better. I really really covet the ones that aren't posed, but they're hard to come by. I also collect antiques, anything from the first half of the century or older is wonderful. I generally only spend money on things that are still useful, but I've been known to buy things simply because they're pretty and/or they call to me.

6. What is your zodiac sign and/or Chinese zodiac symbol?

Um, I'm a Virgo, and I'm pretty sure I was born in the year of the horse, but I don't honestly put much stock into such things.

7.What are your favorite……

scents/smells?… I like fresh, green scents for personal fragrance (soap & body care), and also cinnamon-y, Christmassy fragrances (if we're talking candles & room scenting). I wear Vera Wang Sheer Veil, DKNY Be Delicious (STUPID name, really great fragrance), and Calvin Klein's Euphoria.
types of music and/or bands?…Old jazz!! I LOVE the music from the 20s & 30s, and the big band/swing of the 40s. I also like the brit bands of the 80s & 90s, like Depeche Mode, Information Society, Tears for Fears, The Smiths, etc. Actually, I like most anything, but those are my favorites.
authors?…Well, I like fluffy mystery novels, so Diane Mott Davidson, Tamar Myers, Ayelet Waldman, that sort of thing. I also really like Stephen King, Ann Rule, David McCullough, and just about anybody who can write about history, and still be interesting & maybe a little funny. I LOVE history (non-fiction, not historical novels). The only thing I really don't like is romance.
animals?…I'm a Crazy Cat Lady, without a doubt. I'm also fond of dogs & horses (my mom's a trainer, and I was heavily into horses when I was younger), but cats are my favorites by far. Especially my own demented feline.
places to shop?…Yarn stores!! Also bookstores, Amazon.com, that sort of thing. Good antique shops are soooo fun to poke around in, though I only buy once in a great while.
season?…Summer/spring. I love the renewal, the fresh warm breezes, and the way everything is so green.
yarn/fabric/paper/other craft supplies?…Oh lordy...sock yarn is my favorite! Like I mentioned above, Socks that Rock, Lorna's Laces, Cherry Tree Hill, Koigu, Mountain Colors...they're *all* my favorites. I'm awfully fond of natural fibers, but it's also nice when there's a little nylon or something in certain yarns, to keep them from wearing out quite so quickly.
candies or goodies? . . . Oooh, hard one. I'm a chocolate addict, but it's virtually impossible to ship chocolate this time of year. I like an awful lot of junk food...I've got a serious sweet tooth. There's very little that I *don't* like!

8. Do you have any wish lists?

Yep, on Amazon.com. I used to have one on KnitPicks, but they've since done away with that option, which is a bummer.

9. Are you allergic to anything?

Chlorophyll, if you can imagine. It's the stuff that makes grass & plants green, so it's pretty much EVERYWHERE. It's not a respiratory allergy, but a skin one, so when I come into contact with grass (or whatever), my elbows & knees break out. It's itchy as heck, and a little bit weird looking, but frankly, I just ignore it. I'd much rather be a little itchy than not sit on the lawn! Oh, I'm not exactly allergic to cigarette smoke, but I'm an ex-smoker, and I HATE the smell now!

10. Do you have any pets? What are they?

My beloved Crazy Kitty, Tipsy. Um, her picture is all over this blog, so I'm sure you know what she looks like by now. She's my shelter baby, and we've had her for about a year & a half. She is truly the most wonderful, patient, gorgeous cat I've ever had the privledge of knowing. And she's completely off her rocker, which is a great bonus.

11. Please include anything else you would like your secret pal to know about you- anything that would be helpful in finding you little gifts that you will really enjoy.

Gee, I dunno...I'm drawing a blank! I'm a stay-at-home homeschooling mom, I'm married to an incredible man (who is also an incredible musician...there are drums everywhere in my house!), I adore my demented kitty, I LOVE to knit, crochet, cross stitch, embroider, a little bit of sewing, read, write a little, cook, bake, dream about my someday house, I love history, especially anything from the first half of the century, Prohibition & the Depression intrigue me to no end, and I have a really warped sense of humour. I can't really think of much else right now, but if I do, I'll be sure to let y'all know!

I'm a boring sort

Life experiences meme courtesy of JenLa...


Life Experiences Meme
Bold = experiences I've had
1. Bought everyone in the bar (pub) a drink
2. Swam with wild dolphins
3. Climbed a mountain
4. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
5. Been inside the Great Pyramid
6. Held a tarantula
7. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
8. Said 'I love you' and meant it
9. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 10 provinces
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your cds
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an "expert"
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music (I help my husband sometimes...does that count?)
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror.
96. Raised children.
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Created and named your own constellation of stars
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an illness that you shouldn't have survived (not an illness, but an injury)
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours (well, I WAS a teenager, after all)
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146: Dyed your hair
147: Been a DJ
148: Shaved your head
149: Caused a car accident
150: Saved someone's life

FYSS, part deux

And again, we try...

Ooookay, so it seems we have a four-pics-per-post rule on this particular blog. Alrighty then. Anyway, to continue with the Flash Your Sock Stash, here we have the most recent aquisition, four (!!) skeins of Mountain Colors Bearfoot, colorways Moose Creek, Yellowstone, Red Tail Hawk, and Wilderness. I can't tell you how much I adore the Mountain Colors colorways...they're just so me! And sooooft, too. These were all on sale at The Fold, which helped the whole spending money thing tremendously. I'm hoping to not buy anything else, though, until Stitches, at which time I plan to go completely apeshit with the shopping & the stash enhancement. After all, I've only been saving & waiting for this event for eight freaking months, by the time it happens, and that's pretty much my whole knitting life, so there. I'm such a pathetic schlub, I even printed out a copy of the floorplan & highlighted my most important shops to hit. Heh.

Because honestly...doesn't this yarn need more friends to keep it company??

Flash Your Sock Stash!

Oooh baby...

First off, we have some Regia 4 Ply, can't remember the name of the color...Patch Antik or something like that. Next to it is a skein of that weird Austermann Step, the yarn "mit Jojoba und Aloe" built in to soften your hands as you knit. I'm really curious to try it out, but I'm waiting until winter, when my hands will benefit the most. Next to that is another skein of Regia 4 Ply, again in a color I can't remember, and yet another of same, in yet another nameless color. I'm not *usually* quite so brainless, I swear! Below those, we have four skeins of KnitPicks Sock Garden in the Hollyberry colorway, and two skeins of Ruby Red Wildfoote. Here we have two skeins of KnitPicks Essentials in Cocoa, two in Fawn, and three skeins of Nature Spun to make two pairs of socks with contrasting heels and toes (or at least I will, as soon as I figure out how). Below those, there's two skeins of KP Dancing Two Step (to be sockies for my Ma), two skeins of KP Parade Forest, and two more skeins Regia 4 Ply...I believe it's called Sand. Or something like that. Now we begin to get into the really pretty stuff, the prized bits of my collection...the handpaints. Lordy, how I do love the handpaints! First up are two skeins of KP Landscapes in Cape Cod (a very Eddie Bauer colorway, imo), two Landscapes in Mesa, which I think is just purty (and I've got a third skein just waiting to become fingerless mitts, too...how very matchy-poo of me), two skeins of Koigu in God only knows what colorway (but it's purty!), and two lovely skeins of Lorna's Laces in Blackwatch. The first two skeins are from my much-adored SP8! They're the incredibly soft Sheldridge Farms yarn, and I'm (again) not sure of the colorway name. I call 'em Atlantic Tide Pool, but that's jus' me. Next is Lorna's Laces Gold Hill...not my usual color scheme, but I love it anyway, and am pleased to try something new. Beyond that, I have four skeins of Cherry Tree Hill Possum, which has been discontinued, which is a bummer, because it's really quite soft & nice, if a bit hairy. It grosses the living heck out of my mother, who thinks all possums are like American possums, and wants to whack 'em with a shovel just on principle. Here we have some loooovely Mountain Colors Bearfoot, Rosehip on the top, and Sierra underneath it. Aren't they gorgeous?? Below that is my one lonely little skein of Socks That Rock, colorway Sapphire. My STR definitely needs some friends, don't you think? I'm really looking forward to finding some new friends for it at Stitches this August. Specifically, Sapphire's good buddies Emerald City & Ruby, among many, many others. Heh. Below Sapphire is Cherry Tree Hill Potluck Blues/Purples. It's a lot more purple in real life, but I love it anyway. Below that is Fleece Artist nameless pretty blue sock yarn. It even comes with a pattern on the band...how cool is that? In the second column, we have three random skeins of Cascade Fixation. I'm not sure if I'll actually make socks out of this. I originally bought it to make a Ben & Jerry's cozy for my mom, and maybe a couple others (I believe I got it all on sale). The stretchyness really threw me off...maybe I'll try to make socks out of it later, when I'm a bit more skilled. Below the Fixation lies my sock-yarn-that-shall-become-fingerless-mitts stash...KP Garden Daffodil, KP Garden Hollyberry (Christmas mitts!! heehee), KP Sock Memories Fly Fishing, and KP Landscape New England Foliage. The last one isn't a favorite of mine, so feel free to offer a trade, folks.

There are, in fact, two more pictures yet to post. They refuse to post here, however, so we'll have to try again in a *new* post. Ask me how I feel about this non-posting of the pictures, I dare you.

In a funk

Not of the George Clinton variety, however. I've just been terribly down lately, and I'm getting tired of it. I'm one of those people who is totally understanding when others have this problem, but I have absolutely no patience for my own frailties. Bleah. The dishes haven't been done, the laundry is piling up, there are tumbleweeds in the corners in the kitchen, I haven't baked anything in ages, and I'm tired all the time. Food doesn't even taste right, which is really irritating. I've been skipping meals, though not necessarily on purpose, because nothing sounds good, and when I do make myself eat something, nothing tastes good either. One would hope that this would help me on the whole weight loss thing, which would be a major bonus & darn near worth the crappy attitude, but sadly, it's not to be. I even blew off cleaning the cat box for nearly a week, and let me tell you just how dangerous THAT can be. It's like a kitty version of Russian Roulette. (Gotta love my Stripes, though...she never did a thing to chastise me for it. Or at least if she did, she hid it so well that I still haven't found it yet...eeg...)

Anyway, suffice to say that I'm not feeling myself lately, and I'm fed up with it. In perkier news, however, my much adored SP8 sent the most lovely thinking-of-you gift a while back--a cute little notebook (I truly do have a weakness for such things, which would make a bit more sense if I wrote more, but hey, we cannot control our loves) & an awesome lotion bar in a tin. The lotion bar is wonderful--it smells incredible, and is the *perfect* size for popping into my knitting bag. I tend to have dry skin, especially if I've been working a lot, and I hate the way my hands feel on my knitting when they get that way. A couple rubs with this lotion bar, and I'm good to go! Thanks so much, SP8!! Oh yeah, and she also sent a kickass postcard that says "Friends Don't Let Friends Knit Drunk". Major wisdom right there, my friends. I *have* knit while drinking (though never fully drunk...I don't drink enough to get that far), and lemme tell ya, the stitches, they do get wonky.

And speaking of drinking, and my lovely SP8, I hereby present the very simple, yet damn tasty, aforementioned Apple Martini recipe. Shake equal parts green apple vodka & green apple Pucker (stupid name, tasty liquor) with a splash of Sweet & Sour mix & cracked ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into giant freaking martini glass, add a maraschino cherry, sip, and holler "dayum, that's good likker!". Or, of course, you could always just be like my not-so-much-a-drinker-yet-still-Irish husband & forego the booze & just eat the stupid cherries. He's a little weird sometimes.

Before I go attempt to tackle the huge pile o' laundry, monster stack of dishes, and vacuum up an entire colony of dustbunnies, I leave you with this parting shot. We've been getting a ton of rain around here, which seems like a pain in the arse, until you remember that last year at this time we were dealing with such an awful drought that half our farmers couldn't even break even for the year (and then you sorta shut up & qwitcherbitchin). It's really slowed down the playground time for the boys, and the lack of sunshine is hard on me, but sometimes, it's all worth it in the end.... Well, there WAS going to be a pretty shot of the view from my living room window, with stormy clouds & gorgeous lighting & a pretty rainbow, but NO, Blogger REFUSES to freaking post it! Omg, I'm really getting irritated with this! I try to upload the picture, and it even goes so far as to show me the blue "done" button, but no picture ever appears!! Grrrrrrrrrr!!!

Stitch markers for swap, part two

A couple more photos of stitch markers available... (For more information on the swapping of the stitch markers, refer to the original post down below this one.)

Top row, starting at the left--These first two are honey/topaz colored sets, very warm & pretty. The next two are very much like the amber/tiger's eye sets in the previous post. The fifth set in the top row is a mix of translucent & opaque blues--very nice! The second row begins with two colorful sets that remind me of aliens. The beads have tiny little bumps on them--very cute, but rather alien-y. Or maybe I'm just weird. The middle set in the second row is light blue & pink, variegated like polished gemstones. Next is a pretty blue set with tiny silver accents, and the last set is a red, blue & green & crystal set with beautiful swirls of colorswapped. In the bottom row, we have first another colorful alien set, then a GORGEOUS pink/crystal set (the large bottom beads have tiny roses painted inside them--how cool is that?!), and finally threetwo colorful sets with a sparkly gold accent swirl. The top two rows of this picture are the bottom two rows of the last. The bottom row here starts with a green/crystal set with blue accents. Next is a pretty translucent blue set swapped, then a pink/opaque crystal set, another lovely blue set with blue flowers & butterflies, and finally a green/crystal set with red accents. The first & last ones are personal favorites of Eldest Boy, who picked the beads out himself.

Let the swapping begin!

Rubber kitty not included.

Stitch markers for swap!

Up for swap--billions and billions of stitch markers! I started making a set or two for my secret pals, and then I figured I oughta use up the leftovers, and then things really got out of hand. Heh. These are all hand crafted by moi, and each set has five stitch markers included. Each set is unique, uses only glass beads (don't much care for plastic), and each set is valued at roughly $10 (US currency, and I honestly have no clue what that's worth anywhere else in the world). Some sets are identical, some are fraternal, and some even have one that's just different enough from the others to be a great end-of-round marker. Each set also comes packaged in a cute little organza drawstring bag (not pictured). And, because I'm cool like that, I'm more than happy to ship directly to your Secret Pal, with a note in the package & everything. Yay!

I'd love to swap for all kinds of yarn, especially sock yarns (Socks That Rock, Lorna's Laces, Mountain Colors, Koigu KPPPM, etc. etc.), knitting books, or make a suggestion! Just leave a comment & we'll see what we can do! First come first served, of course, since each set is unique. I'll do my best to update this post regularly, too.

And on to the sparkly little jewels themselves...


From left to right, top to bottom--The top four are very similar sets, and I really wish my camera could show you just how beautiful they are! These are probably my favorites, as they're a very warm, amber/tiger's eye color, and have tiny flecks of gold & green in them. Just beautiful! The second row starts with a funky multicolored set, followed by a sparkly pink set, a pink/crystal/purple set swapped, and a pink/crystal set with tiny silver flowers. The bottom row has two sets of very bright, happy stitch markers, with neato little polka dots all over. Up next, we have a gorgeous blue & bottle green set, with gold embellishments (the beads are beautifully painted with gold swirlys & tiny pink accents--just beautiful!), a cobalt blue set, and two more amber/tiger's eye sets. Second row holds a lovely red/crystal set, a stunning red/white/black set, and two very colorful sets that remind me of fruity frozen cocktails. Bottom row starts with two colorful sets with tiny silver butterflies, and two pretty dark red/silvery black (like malachite) sets. The top two rows of this photo are the bottom two rows of the last, but the bottom row starts out with a pretty purple/crystal set with tiny silver dragonflies, a purple set, and then two more of the dark red/malachite sets.

I survived my HS reunion, and all I got was this kickass knitted shirt

So I made it through my high school reunion! It was the most surreal night ever...all these people I'd grown up with, but hadn't seen in a decade. They all looked like grownups, for the most part, and that was really bizarre. Most everyone is doing pretty darn well for themselves, which is good to hear, though it was sad to note just how many people have been divorced already.

I'm glad I went...all horrible nervousness aside, I'm glad I got the opportunity to see what everyone's been up to, and to show them all that I didn't go & self-destruct or anything weird like that. It was also good to realize how much *I've* grown up since then, too. I've put on a large amount of weight, which is especially awkward because I was always the really skinny one, and while I don't look bad or anything, I do feel pretty unhappy about it. I'm also really short, so the weight doesn't get distributed nearly as well as on taller people. I have to admit, for a time there I was feeling like the squat little troll next to everyone, but I'm glad that I was able to shake that off, more or less. It was also hard going in there without a fabulous career. Several of my friends are doing incredible things, and are really successful in their respective careers, and I am SO happy for them for that! Unfortunately, saying "yeah, I'm a mom" doesn't get quite the wow effect that most jobs get. It was interesting to see what others expected of me, too. One guy was absolutely certain I'd be a vet by now! I have to admit, that's really flattering, in a weird sort of way.

It's good to know that I have done a few things right since high school. I've got two adorable, frightfully intelligent little boys, and I've got the ability & skill to homeschool the little weasels. I've got a gorgeous husband who truly loves me (and it's painfully obvious to anyone around that he does...which is SO cool!), a successful marriage, and a happy home life. I can pretty much guarantee that if I did have the cool career, these are the things that I'd be longing for & wishing I had. The grass is always greener, eh?

I am bummed that I missed out on meeting Aidan at the World Wide Knit In Public Day in Chicago, though. Personally, I love to knit in public, and do it as often as I can. You can elicit some really strange looks from people that way. Most recently, I knit at a vintage baseball game, in the rain, no less (fortunately, we were under a park shelter, so my sock didn't get wet, but it sure was humid! Made the needles feel sticky.). I figured since they're playing by 1859 rules & everyone's in (semi) period attire, me & my sock knitting should fit in just fine. Eldest Boy was pleased, too, because it's *his* sock that I'm working on right now. I promised myself that I'd finish his socks (top down, basic stockinette with heel flap) before I'd allow myself to cast on any more socks and/or boy items. I've actually had these socks on the needles for a month or two now, and I feel awful for it. I don't generally mind letting a WIP languish, except that he's so excited about them, and gets these big hopeful eyes every time I sit down to knit. I'm determined to finish them this week, mostly so I can make him happy, but also so I can cast on a couple more pairs of socks. I'm such a junkie. Anyway, I'm dying to try Wendy's Toe Up socks, from Wendy Knits, and I'm also just giddy with excitement over receiving Sensational Knitted Socks, and can't WAIT to pick a pair to work on from there. There's literally hundreds of options, once you take into account all the pattern variations, and the fact that she works each pattern on 4 dpns, 5 dpns, AND 2 circs. I mean, dayum! How can I choose??

I'd also like to cast on for a boy sweater sometime soon, too. I've got everything I need, but again, I promised myself I'd finish the socks first. I like to have a nice variety of things on the needles, so I can work on complicated things when I've got time, and simpler things when I'm watching a really interesting movie, etc. I've got the pattern all picked out--just a very simple rollneck sweater, but one that promises to look really cute on my weasels. My only concern is even if I make it huge right now, will they have grown out of it already by fall? They're such stretchy little people...Boy the Younger has recently had a bizarre arm growing incident that has me thoroughly baffled. He tried on a long sleeved shirt from last fall, and while the body of the shirt fits just fine, the sleeves are about 3/4 of the length down his arms now. HOW can just his arms grow?? He doesn't look like a disproportionate gorilla or anything...what the heck happened there?! I know the shirt didn't shrink somehow, either, because we tried on three or four, all with the same effect. Sheesh. So yeah, I'm a bit nervous about knitting sweaters for those two.

Speaking of knitting shirt-like garments, I did finish my Picovoli!! I didn't get to wear it to the reunion, but that's okay, because it was surprisingly cold & rainy that day. It's not yet blocked, but it is finished otherwise. Blocking will involve setting up my ironing board in my kitchen, which is a big 'ol in-my-way pain in the rear, so I've been sort of putting it off a bit. I really do want to get on that, though, so I can wear the darn thing in public. It's SO snug right now! I've heard good things about blocking this particular shirt, though, so I'm hopeful. Sadly, I'm completely picture-less today, but I hope to remedy that soon.

Other things that I need to take pictures of--my One Skein Secret Pal sent me the most GORGEOUS skein of Malabrigo!!! The color is called Hollyhock, and it's absolutely beautiful...shades of violet & purple that almost glow. I'm going to have a tough time deciding what to make with it. I suspect I'll spend a good deal of time just petting it for a while. Malabrigo is just the softest thing EVER, imo. Thanks, OSH!!!

H is for Ponies! No, wait...

Yeah yeah, I'm horribly far behind on my ABCalong. Deal. Anyway, H is for...
McEachan. Wait...that begins with M...but whatever. This is my mom's latest love last month. He's still mostly a baby, so he's not grown into the gorgeous Freisian that he will become, but he's not half bad right now. She also owns a couple quarter horses...

This is Mozette, and her son Andy, but don't ask me which is which. They're virtually identical, and look like bookends when they stand together. This photo was taken last summer, as you can see by the height of the corn in the background. Andy is actually even bigger now, and is fully in training (Mom trains horses for a living, though she's semi-retired now, and mostly just working on her own ponies these days). Mozette was quite the showhorse in her day, but she's mostly retired too, and spends most of her time telling the other horses where to go & how to stand. She enjoys her job. She's a daughter of Mosby, who is a big fat hairy deal in the AQHA* world, and I believe he's even been made into a Breyer horse. McEachan's daddy was made into a Breyer horse just this year, too. His name is Goffert 369, and he's puuuuurty. Then there's also this guy. This is Forrest Gump (no kidding), a quarter horse gelding. This isn't the best pic of him, but the only one I've got. He was getting Reserve Grand Champion at some show or another in this shot, hence the huge honkin ribbon & goofy grin on my mom there. He's a great show horse too, but he's edging into retirement as well, partially due to aggravating allergies. (Yep, horses get icky allergies too. Drives them nuts, sometimes even worse than it does people.)

She's also got a cute-as-a-button older'n dirt pony (yeah, a real pony, not just a horse with a silly nickname) for the boys named Henry Ryder. I'd post pictures of him, because he really is cute, but the only shots I have of him have my sons in the picture too, so y'all just have to take my word for it.

Sadly, the pic that was *supposed* to be at the end of the previous post refused to post, and I'm beginning to think there's something wrong with the picture itself, because I can't get it to post here either. Oy. Sorry about that...but believe me, it was a cute cat & yarn shot. Feh.

*AQHA is the American Quarter Horse Association. Basically, the breed registry, and if I'm not mistaken, one of the largest registries in the world. Mosby has sired all kinds of world champions, which is pretty durn cool, imo.

Yay, SP8!!

Okay, so I meant to post this last week, but blogger has been giving me fits, so things have been moving slowly on the computer front. Last week, I found the most gorgeous postcard in my mailbox, from my AWESOME Evil Secret Pal! It had huge hanks of handdyed yarn on the front, with lilacs tucked in amongst the strands. I'm beginning to think that my secret pal is psychic...lilacs are far & away my favorite flower! She's quite a tease, too, and for good reason. Yesterday, I got a box in the mail from a nameless sender. Heh. Everything in it was beautifully wrapped in bright, cheery summery colors, and I'm sorry to say that I didn't think to take any pictures before I tore into it. I literally squealed out loud, which if you know me, is quite a thing...I am *not* the squeal-y type. My wonderful secret pal sent me Sensational Knitted Socks, by Charlotte Schurch, which I have been coveting forEVER!! I am SO excited about this book!! (I even called my mom to squee about it, and now she thinks I'm insane...she doesn't get the joys of a book about socks. But geez, it's got detailed instructions for working TONS of gorgeous socks & stitch patterns on 4 dpns, 5 dpns, AND 2 circulars!! I mean, GEEZ!! How cool is that!) Not only did I receive this cooler'n hell book, but she also sent stitch markers, a needle & hook gauge card, AND the most gorgeous handpainted sock yarn from Shelridge Farm! It's in beautiful shades of blue, and makes me think of Atlantic tide pools. I can't wait to see how it knits up! It's incredibly soft, too, which is always appreciated. My Secret Pal rocks!!! Honestly, anyone who can make *me* squeal out loud, thus freaking the heck outta my cat, is awesome. Thanks, Secret Pal! (Sorry for the weird quality of the picture...it's the best natural light I could get, but there's shadows from the sliding glass door & balcony railing...oy.)

Crazy Kitty sez this yarn belongs to her. (No, I didn't pose the cat...she did that by herself, and frankly, I couldn't pose this cat if I tried.)

My husband calls 'em "boozles"

Yay springtime! Well, at least I'll be able to say that next week...this week, frankly, has sucked. At least in the springtime department. It's been cold & rainy almost non-stop for YEARS. Okay, just a few days, but geez! It's May! It's supposed to be all purty & warm! Honestly, I should stop complaining, because we had a nasty drought last summer & this rain is sorely needed. Still, the greyness bites. I've got a raging case of seasonal affective disorder, which is all associated with light levels & such, so cloudy days really slow me down. It's supposed to be nice & warm & sunny next week, though, so yay spring!

In the meantime, I've got my Mother's Day presents to keep me entertained--dh bought a set of martini glasses & a cocktail shaker set for me for Mother's Day. Doesn't that make me sound like the worst alcoholic? Actually, we rarely drink, largely because we're pretty darn impoverished, and alcohol ain't cheep. Also, dh doesn't really like alcohol (only Irishman I've ever met who has never been drunk. Seriously.). I like a cocktail now & again, though, since I'm not a beer drinker. On a recent (much deserved) girls night out with Brandie, I discovered the joys of apple martinis (thanks, Bran!!). They are good. Dangerous good. And, it turns out, I make a damn fine one at home, for way less than in a bar. Bonus--it's purty! Slainte!

Holy pic-intensive post, Batman!

Oy, it's been a while again! You'd think I'd get better about posting more regularly...yeah, you'd think that, wouldn't you? Heh. Things have been busy at Chez Spaz. This...

Has finally become this...

Yep, it's the exact same sweater. Don't ask me why the colors are so off--it was even the same camera that took the pictures. Sheesh. Anyway, the bottom pic is WAY more accurate for the color, and yes, I'm standing on my bed. Don't tell my mom. Or my kids, for that matter. It's not *entirely* finished, though...I still need to weave in the ends, but I'm not quite ready to commit to that. Isn't that pathetic? See, I'm kind of thinking that the neck needs to be taken back a couple rows, but that would be SUCH a pain in the arse, because it's a top down. Basically, I'm procrastinating like crazy, largely because it's too damn warm out to wear this thing now anyways. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure not complaining about the warm. I LOVE the warm, it's just that the warm isn't exactly compatible with the BigAss Giant Chunky Sweater, y'know? It really was fun to make, though, and it was a dandy first sweater. My gauge was, I swear, TWO stitches to the inch. Yowza.

Currently on the needles are... A fluffy green scarf for my dear friend Brandie, which also counts as G is for Green...

It's made out of JoAnne's brand Angel Hair, with a strand of fun fur held together to give it that sort of kablooie look. It's simple garter stitch, which makes it really nice to work on while watching particularly interesting or detail oriented television.

Also on the needles is this sock for Eldest Boy...

This is a very plain, simple stockinette kid sock with 1x1 ribbing at the cuff, in Patons Kroy sock (I think the color is called Krazy Stripes, or some dopey thing like that). Eldest Boy is very pleased about this, which is really nice to hear, though he does pester me to work on his sock an awful lot. I'd really like to cast on the second sock soon, too, as I really feel that it's just smarter to work two at once for me, otherwise, sock #2 may never see the light of day.

And finally, the last item currently on the needles...

Ze Picovoli ist finally in production! Yay! The reasons for this are twofold--first, I really did want to make this soon, as the irritation produced by finishing the BigAss Giant Chunky Sweater just in time to *not* wear it is pretty severe. The second reason is that I'd really really like to wear it on June 10th--my high school reunion. (Eek!) I was soooooo NOT the crafty creative type in high school, and I'm betting nobody will believe that I actually knit now. Knitting is such a big part of my life, which is kind of dorky, but there ya go. I'd really like to be able to say yeah, I made *this*. It's a rather big accomplishment, to me, to be able to take sticks & string & create actual clothing that not only fits, but actually even looks kinda cute. It's kind of a lot to be riding on a little pile of blue cotton (KnitPicks Shine, in River, btw), but there it is. Is that lame? Well, regardless, it's a fun knit anyway, and oh my, Shine is sooo soft! I've really only worked with ubercheap cottons before, so this is a really pleasant surprise. I loves me some KnitPicks!!

And now, for you yarn p0rn addicts, my latest acquisitions...

From left to right, Mountain Colors Bearfoot (no idea what the color is called, but it's GORGEOUS. Sadly, it shows up really dark in this pic, but it's got lots of reds with bits of autumnal shades, like olive & rust & browns--just beautiful!), Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Black Watch, and Regia Patch Antik in Kuba. The Regia link takes you to Little Knits, which has excellent customer service, and TONS of sales. The Regia in question is still on sale, in fact. Also, speaking of excellent customer service & kickass prices, I highly recommend Chez Casuelle. This shop has my much-lusted-after Malabrigo, in shitloads of colors, for only $10.95!! AND, she does free shipping for orders over $25. This is the shop where I got my Lorna's, and I've also got some burgundy Malabrigo on order from them as well (though it's backordered right now). It's a newer shop, I believe, but I'm loving them thus far.

Also, I had the good cheapass fortune to come across enough coupons to get these two...

If I've not mentioned yet how much I love the Yarn Harlot, well, I've been seriously remiss. I've read both of her previous books, and this book does not disappoint. There's more technical instruction in this one than the other two, but it's still just as entertaining as ever. The other book is one that I've been eyeballing at the library for ages, and is widely known as a good basic pattern book, so when I had a 50% off coupon at JoAnns, well, how could I not? Yeah, I'm weak.

In other exciting geeknews, I've signed up for Secret Pal 8 (blogosphere version)! I'm really excited about it, and to my upstream SP, I promise I'll get my questionnaire up soon!

SP8 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Geez, I'm pretty darn easy to please! I LOVE alpaca, and merino wool, and pretty much any natural fiber. I'll happily use/buy acrylics, if they're nice & soft & in good colors. Squeaky acrylics aren't so great, but that's kind of a given. Plymouth Encore is a good example of a decent one...it's what I use for sweaters for my boys. I'm in deep lust over Malabrigo, as are most folks, and I also love Cascade 220 & Manos. I've never actually worked with Meunch's Touch Me, but I plan to one day make a pair of Fuzzy Feets out of them...I hear they turn to velvet when felted, due to the wool core! Mmm... Anyway, I'm also a HUGE sock fiend. I loves me some Socks That Rock, and pretty much all of the popular sock yarns--Cherry Tree Hill, Lorna's Laces, Mountain Colors, Koigu, etc. etc. I really like superwash sock yarns, but honestly, for something as small as socks, I don't mind handwashing. Pretty much the only yarns I *don't* like are novelty yarns...I'm not a big fan of overly trendy stuff anyway, and they just don't look good on me.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

Well, I'm a cheapskate, so I use a 97 cent pencil bag from Walmart for dpns, and another in a different color for crochet hooks & odds & ends. Straights currently live in a basket under my chair in my little corner, and circs are residing in an expandable file folder (letter size). Honestly, though, I'm not very happy with the circ situation...I'd love any suggestions for better storage! I've got about a million circular needles thus far...

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

Honestly, I've only *really* been knitting since January, all of four months. I'm really pretty darned adventurous, though, and there's very little that I don't want to try (okay, nothing that I don't want to try sooner or later), and I've made a pretty broad variety of items thus far. I guess you could say I'm an adventurous intermediate, listing towards the newbie side. Heh.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yep! I loves me some Amazon. Last I checked, I had one at KnitPicks too, but I'm annoyed that there's no wishlist button under the Memories sock yarn, or several other yarns, for that matter. My Amazon list is enormous, though...

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

For candles, I love spicy, fall fragrances (since I don't burn candles much in the summer...the windows are always open, and candles + breeze= not so great), like Yankee Candles' Brown Sugar & Spice. I also love coffee/vanilla candles--Target had a coffee bean candle for a while that was WONDERFUL. The jerks don't carry it anymore, though. I tend to prefer lighter, citrusy scents for bath products, especially citrus/mint combos. Oh, and a good fresh cut grass smell is wonderful in just about anything. But then I'm weird like that.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Oh my yes! I have a rather overactive sweet tooth...I love all kinds of candies, most notably chocolate (though it's tricky to ship in the summer), caramels (the buttery chewy kind-especially homemade!), Twizzlers, fudge (oooh, maple fudge! mmmm...), and all kinds of baked goods. Y'know, I'd LOVE recipes for such things as well, if anyone wants to share a good one!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I love all sorts of crafty things...I knit & crochet (though knitting takes definite precedence these days); I love embroidery & cross stitch; I can do needlepoint, though I've not thought of a project in some time; I can't draw worth a darn, but I love to color with colored pencils in those silly Dover coloring books--makes me feel like a kid again; I like to write a bit, and have a weakness for pretty journals (which is really kind of dumb, because I don't write THAT much, especially now that I have a blog, but the weakness persists); I make soaps & toiletries as part of a teeny tiny home business; I like to pretend that I can sew, and I WILL learn to use my sewing machine one day; I love to cook & bake, though it's not a really crafty sort of thing; as far as spinning goes, I'd sooo love to learn! I won't be able to afford ($$ or space) a wheel for many moons to come, but in the meantime, I've been eyeballing this drop spindle kit (scroll to the bottom of the page--it's the Deluxe Kit) for a while now. It looks like a heckuva deal, as you get a top whorl spindle, a full color instruction book (VERY much needed!), and two 1/4lb NZ Corriedale rovings for all of $30! Granted, I don't know much about spinning, so if someone knows of a better deal on these items elsewhere, please let me know! I'm going to wait until Stitches Midwest, and see if I can find a similar, cheaper kit there, and if not, I'm gonna git me some spinning fun when I get home. Besides, with such a small investment (versus that which a wheel would require), if I decide that spinning isn't that big of a thrill (which I doubt), it won't kill me to have spent the money, you know? And, if I decide I *do* like it, I'll be able to go to the Fold & drool over her huge sacks of alpaca roving some more, and actually do something with them (besides want to crawl inside & take a nap).

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I love all kinds of music! I'm lucky enough to be married to a professional musician, so we have a *wide* variety of music in our home. I particularly love old jazz, especially from the twenties & thirties (and I really love WWII-era big band & swing, too!). I also really like 80s brit bands, like Depeche Mode, Information Society, The Smiths, etc. I'm into recent stuff as well, though boy bands & bubblegum pop annoys me (for example, the whole Britney Simpson/NSync/whatever the crap thing). Dh introduced me to a lot of good world music, and I'm a sucker for Celtic tunes (dh is Irish). Sting & U2 will always be my all-time favorites, though! Sadly, I can't do MP3s on my computer, though regular mix cds would be great! Honestly, I like tons of music, and am always open to hearing new bands, especially regional ones (like if they're big in Scotland, but no one's heard of them here) or little known acts that are really talented.

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

I really don't have a favorite color...in clothing, I tend to stick to neutrals, with browns & greys & olive greens figuring in a good deal. Basic black, too, of course. I have yellow skin & dark hair, so yellow tinged colors don't look good on me--for example, I can wear blue based reds, and really like them, but orangey reds just look weird on me. Straight yellow makes me look sort of dead, which is a bummer, because I like the color. I've noticed that I've been drawn to colors in knitting that are very jewel-toned, like Cherry Tree Hill type blues & reds. I'm not usually into such bright colors, but boy, those yarns are compelling! It's nice, really, because it's helping to break me out of my color rut. My favorite yarn colors, lately, are deep, rich colors, like the aforementioned jewel toned blues & greens & reds. I'm not a big fan of pink, and I don't care for light purple, but darker shades are okay. I like warm colors, I suppose. As far as color family, I think fall looks best on me, but again, I'm in a wee bit of a rut, so I'd welcome anything.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I'm incredibly happily married to my husband of eight years, and we have two awesome sons together. If you've looked at this blog for more than four seconds, you'll know that I have a demented little stripey cat, named Tipsy McTilt. She has a bit of a head tilt, hence the name. She's my little shelter baby, and just a wonderful (if insane) kitty.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I wear scarves all the time in the winter--those northern Illinois prairie winds can be brutal, don'cha know. Hats & mittens all the time too, though I tend to prefer gloves with fingers if I can help it. It makes it easier to channel surf on the radio in the car if I have fingers. Of course, I've always wanted to try making those thrummed mittens, so someday I'll just have to get over my finger thing. I'm not a poncho girl at ALL, but I do love a good shawl or wrap. I'm always cold, it seems, so it's nice to have things to snuggle up in.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Geez, what a tough question!! I like everything, really! I like to have multiple items on the needles, so I can pick & choose what to work on based on my mood & other activities at the time. I always like to have a big project going, like a sweater or something, and a small, portable one (or two!), like socks or mitts or something. I also like to have one that's really brainlessly easy, so that I can still work even while watching an incredibly interesting movie or tv show. It's nice to have something with a little bit of a challenge to it, too, to sort of balance the easy item. I really really like socks, and I REALLY like sock yarn (it's such an addiction!). I'm really looking forward to getting into lace soon, as it's just incredibly beautiful, and it looks to be a really fun challenge. I've not done any colorwork yet, but I plan to someday!

13. What are you knitting right now?

I'm mostly working on my Picovoli, in hopes that I can finish it in time to wear it to my high school reunion in June. Also, I'm working on a green fluffy scarf for a friend, a pair of Kroy socks for Eldest Boy, and I really hope to cast on for an Elizabeth I scarf (lace!!) soon. I've got a list of projects on deck that's about a mile long, too...

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Absolutely!!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I use both, but I'm not very fond of my straights. Most of my straights are aluminum, and too bloody long. I have a few that are shorter & bamboo, and I LOVE those! I don't care for plastic needles at all, and I pretty well hate the aluminums that I've already got, so I'd say I definitely prefer bamboo or hardwoods. I really like circular needles, especially because I can use them if I don't have the appropriate size of straights for a lot of projects. I just wish I had a better way to store them all! Oh, and as long as we're talking needles, I loves my bamboo dpns! Especially the sock ones--they're really short, and that's just awesome, imo.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Yes, and I'm absolutely in love with them!!

17. How did you learn to knit?

I taught myself out of a book. It was a rough start at first, as I messed up the stitches & didn't realize it for a long while, and was simply knitting incorrectly for a long time. When I figured it out, I put the needles down in disgust & didn't pick them up again for two months. When I finally *did* pick them up again, I was armed with a new book & a lot more determination, and here I am! I've never had a single lesson, and have only had to have one or two things shown to me. I have to admit, I'm very proud of that--I taught myself to crochet out of a book as well.

18. How old is your oldest UFO?

Well, it depends on how you look at it...if it's knitting only, then the oldest one is only a week or two old. If it's anything, well, I started a beautiful crocheted blanket for my youngest son a couple years ago. It's blue & yellow, with white accents, and it's been languishing untouched for AGES. I feel really guilty about it, because he was very excited about the blanket. Oy.

19. What is your favorite holiday?

I really love Christmas! I can't decide if it's more fun to be the mom, who gets to decorate the house, & plan everything, & do all the shopping, or if it's more fun to be the kid, who gets to live with such incredible anticipation, and doesn't have to pay the bills. I'm very much into the whole cozy family holiday thing. It helps that I have a cozy family, though. I also really love Thanksgiving, because I looooves me some turkey! Fourth of July is fun, too, because it's all warm & sunny & beautiful out, and the boys just love the fireworks. Any excuse to break out the grill is a worthy holiday in my book.

20. Is there anything that you collect?

Yarn? Heh... Well, technically, not really, but I suppose you could say I collect books. Especially good cookbooks, and antique books, and mysteries. And history books. And cat related books (fiction or non). And knitting books. And cross stitch pattern books. Um, yeah, I collect books. And sock yarn. And other yarns. I also sort of collect really really old cartoons, like the picture show shorts from the 20s through the early 50s. I've got several good sets of early Disney cartoons (LOVE Mickey Mouse, & the weird Silly Symphonies!), and some cheap dvds of really early Warner Brothers ones. Black & white or color, I love them all. But mostly yarn. And books.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Oooh, this could be a dangerous question! I'm insane with lust over Malabrigo yarn, and most sock yarns. I'd love to get my paws on the Vogue Stitchionary, and the second Stitchionary (it's supposed to be all cables!!). Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks looks way too cool as well, and I'd really love to read Wendy Knits. I'd love any cool sock books, and any good lace ones too (A Gathering of Lace is gawgeous!!). I'm a pattern hoarder, and I'm nutty about sock patterns, lace patterns, cabled/aran patterns, and really pretty much anything. I keep most of my patterns in a three ring binder, so I'd be happy to have individual, single patterns, too! I'm really curious to work with Meunch Touch Me yarn someday--it's so bloody expensive (and for so little yardage!), I've never actually bought any, but oooh, it feels nice! I really want to try making a pair of fuzzy feets out of it...I hear it has a wool core, so it felts into a fabric that's just like velvet. Mmmm... I know this isn't really a knitting book, but I've been lusting after Jane Greenoff's Cross Stitch Antique Style Samplers for ages. There's a pattern in there for an old map of England that I'm dying to make!! Yes, I'm a hopeless geek. Ooh, and any Nancy Bush books, too...the only one I own is Knitting Vintage Socks. She's always got such neat patterns! As far as magazine subscriptions, I already subscribe to Interweave Knits, which is fabulous. I'm honestly not all that impressed with many of the others, though, so this is the only one that I get.

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Oh heck yeah! Actually, there really aren't any I *don't* want to learn! Steeks won't be for many many moons to come, but I'll get to them eventually. Colorwork will hopefully be within the next year or so, and lace will be (hopefully) started yet this month sometime. I consider pretty much every aspect of knitting to be an enjoyable challenge, and am always looking forward to the next new thing. I also really want to learn to spin, and hope to get myself a drop spindle & how-to book sometime soon, and one day (when I'm considerably wealthier, with lots more room to spare), I'll have an actual spinning wheel. How cool is that??

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Absolutely!! I've been pretty much addicted to socks from the get-go. Um, I'm not sure what foot measurements you'd need...I wear about a size 6 1/2 shoe (american, obviously), and my foot is approximately nine inches long. They're a little on the narrow side, and I have no arch at all (really! I leave flat footprints when my feets are wet...it looks like a giant duck walked through...). Oh my, I would loooove a nice pair of hand knitted socks! It sure would be nice to have something to compare my own efforts to, and honestly, who doesn't love hand knitted socks?!

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

08/31

Sorry for the length of the post, y'all...I am nothing if not loquatious, and I'm a sucker for these goofy poll/questionnaire things.

Dang, I nearly forgot!

It's Crazy Kitty's birthday today! Well, sort of...she's a shelter baby, so we're not exactly sure when her birthday really is. We brought her home from her foster house a year ago today, though, so we figure this date is as good as any to celebrate her birthday. Yeah, we're dorks like that. Anyway, Tipsy is officially four years old today, and I honestly can't imagine life without her. She's completely insane, thoroughly entertaining, and absolutely beautiful. Did I mention insane? Happy Birthday, pretty girl!!

Heavens, how time flies

It's been a busy April down at the Front. The weather here has been downright stunning (a record 84 last week!!), so I've been hauling the weasels outside as much as possible. The only downside to this is it takes me away from the computer, thus dragging out the time between posts here. Whoops. And y'know, what is it about pulling up a "compose" page that makes your brain go all blank, anyway? Sheesh...

The Bigass Chunky Giant Sweater is actually almost finished, I think. I need to weave in ends & block it, and I'm debating taking the collar back by a couple rows, but beyond that, it's done. Photos will have to wait a bit, though. I'm really pleased to have this finished...I'm dying to cast on Picovoli, and while I really do love the BCGS, and it is actually fairly flattering to my chunky figure, it really is a large project to go hauling all around to knit on. I mean, between the sweater & the accompanying yarny cake, it was HUGE. Had it's own bag & everything. It didn't use all the yarn I bought for it, either, which is remarkable...I'd originally purchased four hanks of Burly Spun for this pattern, but it turns out that it only required 2 3/4 hanks, so now I've got a big pile of superfat just-this-side-of-roving red yarn. Maybe I could make a hat and scarf set, or something similar...

Today is unfortunately not going to be a very knitty kind of a day. I've got a bunch of errands to run (oh, the life of a mother), and I've got to prepare for a class I'm teaching tonight. Eek. It's a home spa sort of thing, an offshoot of my soapmaking business thing, and while I've taught this very same class several times before, I'm still getting all kinds of nervous. It's totally worth it for what they're paying me, and I fully plan on setting the money aside for Stitches (woohoo!), but yow...public speaking sucks! It's too bad I can't knit while I teach...

Huh?

It's time again for Random Randomness, brought to you by the letter F. First up in our Random Randomness today--music! Yup, I've recently discovered two new tunes that just thrill the socks off me. Heh. Anyway, y'all have no doubt heard of these artists already, as I am almost always hopelessly behind the times, but whatever. The first new amusement is a really interesting fella called Matisyahu, a Hasidic Jew who does reggae. Seriously. It's actually really darn good, too, even though I'm not exactly a huge reggae fan. The Jamaican accent is a little questionable--sometimes it sounds like maybe he spent too much time on his Grandma's farm in Minnesota as a kid--eh? Yah. The music is incredibly well done, though, and the lyrics (at least what I can process of them...the brain doesn't work as fast as it used to) are really interesting & well written. Honestly, King Without A Crown is the only tune I've actually heard yet, but between that one & the reviews, I think I need to own this disc. I'm telling you, this kid is good.

The other awesome new music in my little world is KT Tunstall, a chick from Edinburgh who has only fairly recently come to light here in the states. At least to my limited knowledge, anyway. Her single Black Horse And A Cherry Tree is really bluesy & strong, and makes me crank up the radio in the car & sing really loudly. Actually, I'm even more thrilled about this disc since my beloved husband surprised me with it the other day. Score some major brownie points for the sweetie there. There's really only a couple songs on the disc that aren't just awesome, and dang, but I was needing some good strong female vocals lately! So yay on that one.

Next on this edition of RR, your latest installment of the ABCalong...

F is for Finished!! (Finally!)

My Very First Sock(s) is finally finished! They are knit in KnitPicks Parade, which is apparently on its way out the proverbial door, so if you wants some, best gets some now. I used an evil Lion Brand top down pattern, and it'll be the LAST time I use that one. I did, however, get some fabulous help from Entrelac and Socks 101, without which I very well may have gone completely insane. No, the stripes aren't lined up properly, but it's my first pair, so I'm not that concerned yet. They're close enough to make me happy, and I like that folks refer to this kind of pair as "fraternal". Heh.

Now that the socks are finally off the size 3 dpns, I'm free to cast on my second fingerless mitt in the round, except I've already got the first fingerless mitt on size 3 straights, and I don't like working from both ends of a ball. Sigh. I really hope that this won't give me Second Mitt Syndrome.

Finally on the RR show, my most recent stash acquisition...lace! I've been wanting to try my hand at knitted lace for a while now, so I snagged the Elizabeth I pattern from KnitPicks (which then mysteriously disappeared off the site shortly thereafter), and a few skeins of laceweight as well. From top to bottom, they are Gossamer in Leprechaun, Shadow in Sunset, Alpaca Cloud in Moss, and Shimmer in Morning Mist. The Shimmer especially feels incredible...suuuuper soft & silky. I love the Alpaca Cloud as well, though I've heard that some folks have frustrations with it due to how thin it is. I have no idea which one I'll start first, or when, but I'm excited anyway.

I'm still working on the aforementioned fingerless mitts, obviously, and also the Bigass Giant Chunky Sweater. The Bigass Giant Chunky Sweater is amazing...very soft, very warm, and very huge. I'm using Burly Spun, and a pattern that I picked up from a lys (but can't remember the name of). It comes in these huge fluffy hanks, and winding it into a ball was tricky, to say the least. The ball was simply too big for my standard ball winder, and I had to move the little metal doodad around just to be able to finish winding it up. That first pic is seriously the post-winding yarnycake, and that's even after I'd already knitted the collar section. The cat isn't far away, the yarnycake is actually sitting right on top of her, and she's no kitten. I mean, geez...it even makes my hands look small! It's not as pink as it looks, though, it's really a gorgeous rust color, and I'm really excited about it. Except that it will almost certainly be done just in time for me to turn on the air conditioner.