2006 was...

Happy New Year!

I haven't posted since mid-November because I haven't finished any knit projects. In lieu of pictures, then, let's do a quick year-in-review!

So, 2006 was:

The year we bought a house.

Home ownership, man. Heavy. I love my new house. This was a major step in my life and in my partnership with CM, and we're still adjusting to the changes it's brought. Fun, though!

The year I got a new job.

I was bored and restless with my old job. Now I'm stressed and happy(ish) with my new job. I'm moving away from the career that's gotten me to this point, and moving into a new one that I find more interesting and challenging, although a vast majority of the world would not. That's what we calling filling a niche!

The year I forgot I was a writer.

It was a difficult twelve months on the writing front. I got an insignificant number of words on paper, and an even more insignificant amount of plot movement forward. 2006 was definitely not the year of the book, as I had been hoping.

I did do a lot of thinking this year about writing to audiences, and ultimately found the concept unattractive. What makes me tick is not the possibility that other people will read and enjoy my work; it's the hope that by writing this novel, I produce something beautiful that I can appreciate as a creation wholly my own.

Then I started thinking about babies. And slowly backed away...

Alive, and with a photo!

The project was completed over a month ago, a picture was taken over three weeks ago, but I'm a dork and things have been busy. Not the best shot of my completed capelet, but it does show the colour most accurately:

It's warm, and the Cashmerino Chunky feels very luxurious. Alas, I'm allergic to it. I'll keep it handy to wear over a long-sleeved shirt when it gets cold and we're skimping on heat in the house, but it's not something I can wear with a tight-fitting t-shirt or tank top.

Memeing to convince myself I'm still here

I meme, therefore I am...Bert...

Which Sesame Street character am I?

Bert You scored 70% Organization, 45% abstract, and 47% extroverted!

This test measured 3 variables. First, this test measured how organized you are. Some muppets like Cookie Monster make big messes, while others like Bert are quite anal about things being clean. Second, this test measured if you prefer a concrete or an abstract viewpoint. For the purposes of this test, concrete people are considered to gravitate more to mathematical and logical approaches, whereas abstract people are more the dreamers and artistic type. Third, this test measured if you are more of an introvert or an extrovert. By definition, an introvert concentrates more on herself and an extrovert focuses more on others. In this test an introvert was somebody that either tends to spend more time alone or thinks more about herself. You are very organized, both concrete and abstract, and both introverted and extroverted. Here is why you are Bert. You are both very organized. You almost always know where your belongings are and you prefer things neat. You may even enjoy cleaning and find it therapeutic. Bert is a big neat freak and gets quite annoyed when Ernie makes a big mess. You both are sometimes concrete and sometimes abstract thinkers. Bert is probably a bit more concrete in his bottlecap collecting addiction and his love of the weather. He does show his abstract side when he sings and performs his "Doin' The Pidgeon" song. You have a good balance in your life. You know when to be logical at times, but you also aren't afraid to explore your dreams and desires... within limits of course. You are both somewhat introverted. Bert is probably more introverted, because he spends most of his time either with Ernie or alone. Still he has no problem being around other people in his role as chairman of "The National Association of 'W' Lovers." Like Bert, you probably like to have some time to yourself, but you do appreciate spending time with your friends, and you aren't scared of social situations. The other possible characters are Oscar the Grouch Big Bird Snuffleupagus Ernie Elmo Kermit the Frog Grover Cookie Monster Guy Smiley The Count If you enjoyed this test, I would love the feedback! Also if you want to tell me your favorite Sesame Street character, I can total them up and post them here. Perhaps your choice will win!

Can I be allergic to silk?

If so, it's just one more thing on my Big List of Things That Make Me Break Out In Hives. Seriously, it's a wonder I don't spontaneously combust some days, for the number of things out there that make me itch or swell or sneeze or generally want to crawl out of my skin. The capelet I finished last week (and yes, of which I have not yet put up a picture) gave me a rash after wearing it against bare skin. The last time I had this reaction was when I wore the wristwarmers made from Noro Cash Iroha, which also has some silk content. I seem to be fine when wearing just plain wool stuff, so I don't think it's the wool fibers.

Gah. I think I'm going to be making a major investment in long-sleeved thin cotton shirts fairly soon. Anyone up for a trip to American Eagle?

I went to Mexico, and all I got was this lousy picture of cows

Heh. Well, there's also a picture of me at the beach in Mazatlan, holding a margarita and wishing to no avail that the plane would forget to land. Alas for business trips with 5-hour layovers in resort towns!

It was going to happen eventually

I thought I was being *ahem* economical when I only bought 7 balls of the Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk in deep ocean (sort of a dark teal). After all, I'd already bought, um, 10 balls (each) in caramel and raspberry. Then I thought, hey, let's make this lovely capelet from Peony Knits, because according to the pattern I'll have enough and some to spare, and besides, teal is not a colour I usually wear.

Right, so, three days and six and a half balls later, I'm only on the third of five rows of ribbing on the body, with five rows each of ribbing on the sleeves to finish up as well. I...have a feeling I might be a little short...

Options are:

A) I've looked for another ball in the same dye lot and been unsuccessful. However, there are plenty of balls on eBay and elsewhere in at least the same colour. Should I finish off the body ribbing (I'm pretty sure there's enough for another row and a bind off), wait until I have another ball in hand, and do the sleeve ribbing in a slightly different dye lot? Since I did the project with two strands of yarn held together, a final ball in a different dye lot should be only barely noticeable.

B) I could undo the body ribbing so far, and go with a contrasting colour of Alpaca Silk. I've got the caramel, of course, but I also have a few balls in black. However, there aren't many really nice contrasts to teal, and I don't know that I'm all that keen on the idea anyway.

C) I could finish the body ribbing, bind off, and seam up the sleeves as they are. This is not a horrible option, really. This capelet is meant for inside wear when it gets colder and we start getting stingy with the heat (gas bill!).

Edited to add: Option D, where I could finish the body ribbing, and do the sleeve ribbing in the contrasting colour. I think this might be the ticket. I certainly don't want to rip the whole thing back and knit it in another colour, and I'd really like to get it done tonight.

YouTube: The Last Knit

Click here.

Desperate measures

I'm banning myself from looking at yarn online because, sheesh, have a look at the consequences otherwise!

Here we have some lovely yarn snatched from eBay at an excellent price:

And as if I could resist Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk at 50% off:

Since I was spending money at elann anyway, I picked up yarn for my brother's Christmas scarf and cap set:

And who could resist bright red linen?

So, I think we all agree the ban is a necessary step to preserve my sanity and my bank account.

I'm supposed to be studying

The champion procrastinator in me has returned with a vengeance. All I want to do is knit!

I've managed to turn the heel on the anklet sock without any major issues beyond having to rip it back twice due to attention issues. I abandoned the wrap and turn business and opted for something called a Dutch heel. It's looking okay so far, but I think I'll try longer needles the for my next sock project. These 5" Brittanys are too short!

And this is progress on the Kitty Pi bed to date:

That's two strands of Lett Lopi in spring green and two strands of Elann Peruvian Highland Wool in eggplant, I think. I've gone through two balls of the Lopi and am just finishing up two balls of the PHW. It'll probably require another two balls of each colour before it's big enough.

Someone made it into the post office today

Henry says, deliver me from this cruel, cruel world!

Therefore, he is off to Cowtown. HAHAHAHAHA. (It's been a long week.)

Seduced by free shipping

I picked up 10 balls of White Buffalo Unspun in a lovely chocolate brown, 10 balls of Patons Canadiana for my mom in a variegated pastel, and these:

A neat new yarn from Patons, with the very unoriginal name Soy Wool Stripes. It's a 70% wool/30% soy blend, in a few variegated styles. I got 6 balls in Natural Geranium, and I'm thinking a little felted bag would be a good test project. Pretty!

I love the bright colours of the Cottontots. These will become baby knits, and possibly a dishcloth or two.

I know, I know, this is really doing nothing for the destash challenge. But it's all so pretty! And, um, now I'm set for Christmas knitting...yeah, that's it...

Secret Halloween project

Pea and I have come up with a secret Halloween craft idea, which, if we had been smart several months ago, we would have worked out and then submitted to crafty magazines and such for possible publishing. (It's a SUPER COOL idea.) As it is, maybe we will just be super early for next year's Halloween issues! I'm going to write out some notes and work on a prototype this weekend. Yay!

Poor, sad Henry

He's SO close to being done:

I want to finish him. I really do! But I so very much suck at sewing up the poor little bastard, and I keep messing up dumb things like where exactly on the bottom seam to attach his little legs, and the tattoo on his leg that I have tried nine hundred times to do, and still cannot get right. (Sorry, Pea, I've given up on that. It's bad enough that his facial expression is somewhere between angry and puzzled, when I was going for stern.) I'm half-tempted to mail him to the Borg (Pea's office tower) as is, and wait for the report of office workers horrified at the sight of a dismembered voodoo doll appearing in their midst.

Supposedly I am studying to be an accountant

You would think that by now I would have learned how to add up rows. You would be wrong.

It's super cute, and at least four rows too short for me. Oh well, that's half a Christmas present for one of CM's nieces. They do live in a much colder city than me, and I know at least one of them likes pink. I wonder if I can make the rest of this skein last for a small felted bag...

At least I'm working from the stash

I just need to close up Henry's legs and sew them to his body, and he would be done. A 20-minute job, at the most! But there was a rain storm tonight and as I was cozied up in bed, watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire for the nine zillionth time, I started fondling yet another virgin skein:

I picked this up a couple of months ago on my first trip to Knitopia in White Rock. It's got the same sort of feel as Manos del Uruguay. I cast on for a 2x2 ribbed cap and should be done by the weekend. Nice quick knit.

Well, maybe I can fix it on the second one

On first glance, it looks good:

Project: Cable Footie from One Skein, first of two socks
Yarn: Bernat Big Value, red
Needles: Aero 4.5 mm (US 7) dpns
Started: September 10, 2006
Finished: September 12, 2006
For: Me!


My short rows were done well, and I only have one hole where I probably should have picked up the stitch a little closer in:

I even did the kitchener stitch on the toe properly, which in and of itself is a major accomplishment:

But, ok, what the hell?

What is with that massive amount of material at the instep?

I'm pretty sure the problem is that when I got to the foot, I had too many stitches on the needles. I'm a size 6.5, and I think I had the number of stitches specified for the largest foot size. This sock was made for a very short, very wide, massively overpronated foot.

That's right. I just made a hobbit bootie. Go me.

In progress: Cable Footies

I chickened out on doing the short rows on the anklet, and decided that I should practice first on bigger needles. Lo, the cable footies in One Skein are a perfect project! Never mind that I've never done cables before...I cast on for these last night and did the first pattern repeat. I don't know why it's taken me so long to get to cables--this one was super easy, and I even grasp the mechanics of it, which is rare for me on the first try.

These are done in a cheap but soft acrylic worsted, in bright red. Hopefully I get the wrap and turn thing down, and then I can get back to the other socks.

In progress: Anklet Sock

I cast on and knit the first six rows of the anklet sock.

Now I'm afraid. Do I soldier on with the wrap and turn method, or do I try one more time to figure out that backwards yarnover business?

Finished object: Ballband Dishcloth

First completed project in ages. This dishcloth has been sitting around since I bought Mason-Dixon Knitting two months ago. I kept meaning to finish it, but stuff kept getting in the way--new job, exams, summer holiday, etc. This long weekend is the first in ages that I haven't had to spend studying or working or away. Yay!

Project: Ballband Dishcloth from Mason-Dixon Knitting
Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton, denim colour, a little over 1 skein
Needles: Addi Turbo 4.5 mm (US 7), 16" circular
Started: sometime in July
Finished: September 3, 2006
For: My own kitchen

What I Learned:I have the memory of a gnat. It's a VERY simple 12-row pattern repeat, and I had to keep the book and the row counter with me at all times, or I messed it up.

I've used it already! The texture is perfect for scrubbing, and it's got a nice, soft feel to it. It's also a bit larger than it needs to be, so I'll have to remember to cast on a few less stitches next time.

Works in progress

I've rooted around in my various storage boxes and it turns out I've got four projects going right now:

1. Tempting sweater from Knitty. I started this nearly two years ago, when the pattern first came out. I ripped it out once, restarted it last Christmas, and it's still sitting around. As you can see, the first 8 inches of the body are done, and it really just needs a few weeks of concentrated effort for completion.
   
   
2. Henry Rollins doll from Stitch 'n Bitch Nation. This is for my friend Pea. I promised it to her way back in, oh, March? He just needs to have his legs sewn on--I suck mightily at finishing--and then he can be shipped off to Cowtown.
   
   
3. Not-Quite Straight Scarf from All Buttoned Up. (She's got a free PDF pattern up.) This is lunchtime knitting, for the rare occasion when I actually take a lunch break and don't have an afternoon workout. I've only got one pattern repeat done, but I won't be fussed about it until November, as this is Christmas knitting for either a cousin or my brother. (Both will be receiving cap and scarf sets from me every winter for the foreseeable future, as they both live in very cold winter towns.)
   
   
4. Ballband Dishcloth from Mason-Dixon Knitting. This just needs one more pattern repeat, and should be finished tonight.
   

My stash problem comes, of course, from the fact that I have a massive list of Things I'd Like To Knit, and I keep adding to the list! There's the pair of anklet socks that stumped me twice when I got to the part about correcting the twist in the yarnover (I think I understand the wrap and turn tutorial better). There's the Kitty Pi bed, which will need to be a generous 20-22 inches in diameter in order to comfortably fit my majestic tabby, Fox, and possibly a second smaller one for his adopted sister, Molly. There's the Moss Grid linen hand towel from Mason-Dixon Knitting, for which I made a special trip to the yarn store in order to get the Euroflax specified in the book (which I almost never do), because it looked so lovely. There are assorted baby knits from my favourite baby knit books, Debbie Bliss Baby Knits for Beginners and Erika Knight's Simple Knits for Cherished Babies. There are various felted boxes and bowls and bags and hats, because felting! fun! Notwithstanding the fact that I haven't got my first sweater finished, I'm already planning on picking up some KnitPicks Andean Silk for the Hourglass Sweater in Last Minute Knitted Gifts. And in a moment of insanity, I picked up a spindle and some roving from etsy, because spinning apparently seemed like a good idea.

I suffer a tiny bit from yarn-induced ADD, and I haven't been doing a good job of focusing my efforts. No wonder I've got so much stashed!