Eastburn Adventures

Okay, so I'm not always going to post twice in one day, but since I have determined this to be, in part, a knitting blog, I thought I should share one of my WIP's (work in progress).  Back story:  When Michelle taught me to knit last year, we both decided that we would make ourselves Harry Potter scarves - Gryffindor House pattern, of course.  We used Knit Picks Merino Style in Hollyberry and Harvest.  I think I started my scarf in January, while Michelle was already onto her next project having finished her scarf months before.  Take a look at the pattern - it's a cast on of 90 stitches knit in the round that goes on . . .

and on . . .

and on. 

(And we even cheated, doing only 12 repeats instead of the 14 the pattern calls for.)

However, in October, after working on it quite sporadically, it appeared that I might actually finish the blamed thing!  Michelle told me to be sure to cut the yarn for the fringe before I finished the scarf to make sure I'd have enough yarn, and so I did.  But as I got nearer to the end of the final repeat of the pattern, I started to sweat.  My last ball of Hollyberry was dwindling fast.  No worries - I had enough to bind off with 8 inches to spare!  Whew!  Now for the fringe - one side done, and start on the next.  Yup - you guessed it.  I ran out of yarn needing only about 24 inches to finish the gaps in the fringe.  I had no choice but to place another order with Knit Picks (and of course, you have to spend $40 to get free shipping - I was being fiscally responsible ordering some other stuff!).  Since it was just the fringe, I wasn't worried about the dye lot. 

My order was to be delivered on a Tuesday, but the box didn't arrive until Thursday.  Houston, we have a problem - it was not my box.  Some lady in Florida had my yarn, and I had some painting supplies.  I called Knit Picks and Kathy was wonderful to send my order out again with no hassle.  Kathy understood.  Kathy is a knitter.  Finally, the Hollyberry arrived, and I finished the fringe.  Behold, the boy wizard! (Thank you to Robert for indulging me in posing for this photo.)

After this, I could hardly say no when he asked if I'd make him a Slytherin scarf.  8 balls of Knit Picks Merino Style in Pine and 2 balls of Fog later, and I am making better progress - probably because I know it can be done - it will end!

This was taken November 1st (gotta love the date setting on the digital camera):

 I had finished 2 repeats.  Tonight, I am very close to finishing the 8th repeat, with 4 more to go after that.  Yes - I did over 5 repeats in 17 days.  Much better progress than on Gryffindor.  Hmmm, am I really going to try to do some Christmas knitting? 

By the way, a big thank you to the girl in Wal-Mart this past Wednesday who told me she liked my Gryffindor scarf I was wearing.  You made my day!

While working on the "scarf that never ends" at work one day a few weeks ago, I was approached by some ladies who asked if I would teach them to knit.  Never one to turn down an opportunity to lure others into my obsession, I immediately agreed!  We started meeting during lunch on Fridays, and I introduced them to our wonderful lys.  Jeri turned out to be a natural.  She picked up on the long-tail cast-on method quickly, practiced at home, and even did some internet research for other techniques.  Within a few days she was comfortable with knitting and purling, and adjusting her tension so her stitches wouldn't be so tight.  Then Jeri wanted a project - a pattern - something not so difficult that she would be frustrated, but something mildly challenging for one who was new to the needles.  She decided to make a dishcloth, and I found the pattern for "Grandmother's favorite dishcloth" on the web.  The next day, she had several rows done, and two days later, she was finished!

She did a fantastic job!  Congratulations, Jeri, you have released your inner knitter!  You'll be working on a sweater or afghan in no time!

My scarf that never ends that I completed had 41,040 stitches.  Round and round and round she goes.  Why do I put myself through this, and don't even have a sweater to show for it?  It's a scarf.  A cool scarf, mind you, but still, a scarf.

Gee, it was so much fun - let's do it again.  The husband wants one - I love the husband - ergo, I knit.  Round . . . and round . . . and round.  Lest anyone accuse me of being an "experienced" knitter, I humbly confess my latest error.  I apparently selected the wrong needle size when starting Robert's scarf.  No matter, you say - it's a scarf - no need to worry about gauge.  Wrong. 

The thrill and excitement I experienced last night when I finished that 12th and final repeat of the Slytherin scarf was dashed to pieces when I looked at it and thought, "that still looks too short."  A side-by-side comparison with Gryffindor confirmed my fears.  I need to do 2 more repeats.  Another 6,840 stitches.

Round. . .

and round . . .

and round.  (I'm getting dizzy.)

Why is it that, even though I've been out of school for umpteen years, when it snows I eagerly listen to the school closing reports to see if my district has cancelled school?  It's not like I get to stay home from work on those days!

These are shots of yesterday's winter storm:

 The sleet, freezing rain, and ice made for treacherous driving conditions yesterday, and I am blessed to work for a company that is concerned for its employees.  My office closed at 11:00 a.m. yesterday, and I got to spend a glorious afternoon curled up on the couch, watching the storm, and working on the scarf that never ends!  At 10:00 p.m., I was so close, but my fingers just couldn't knit another stitch.  I had to finish the scarf today.

Yes - you read that correctly!  The scarf that never ends is FINISHED!  WhooHoo!  I still need to block it, but it's done enough for Robert to wear when we go to Kansas City tomorrow.  He and Steve are going to the Big 12 Championship Game between Oklahoma and Nebraska, and he'll need to keep warm.  He generously offered to model his new scarf for the blog.

 And, notice who's on TV behind him?  Yup - Harry Potter himself.  "The Sorceror's Stone" is on and provided some last minute inspiration for me to finish the fringe tonight.

I'm so excited!  This is my first official Finished Object ("FO") since I started my blog!  (Now I really need to start my Christmas knitting! Good thing I'll be spending 6 hours in a car this weekend.)

Last night was the second Knit-In I attended at my LYS, Simply fibers, and it was a blast!  Carol was crazy and hyped up as always, and I'm starting to get to know some of the regulars.  I also met the ever-charming Zarah from the comments.  I think a trip to Rhinebeck may be in our future!  As my friends will know, my luck with winning things continued, as my name was drawn to become the proud owner of a Lantern Moon Christmas Basket!  Of course, I had to make purchase some additional stash to keep in it!

I made good progress on the secret Christmas project, and since I'm pretty confident that the recipient doesn't read the blog, I'm going to go ahead and post a picture:

This is the Fern Lace Wrap pattern from "The Little Box of Scarves."  The yarn is KnitPicks Elegance in Cornflower.  It's very yummy to work with, but my mind is already racing ahead to what my next project should be.  I've got some Noro Kuryeon in the stash that's calling my name, but I've also got some sweater patterns I'd like to try.  Then there's the sock yarn stash - too many choices!  I may have to put it up for a vote by the commenters!

I'm off today on a quest for the last of the purchased Christmas gifts.  Have a good weekend, everyone!

A few weeks ago, I began teaching some ladies at work how to knit during our lunch time.  Jeri caught on very quickly, Brenda is doing very well with her first dishcloth, and Karen - well, Karen needs to remember to bring her needles to work with her (but she's becoming a whiz at the long-tail cast on!).

Today, our group added two more:  Judy and Stephine.  Both caught on really fast (they're also crocheters, but don't hold that against them) and I think we may be converting them to the knitting frenzy.  The first taste is free, girls.  After that, get thee to your local yarn shop!

As for me, I'm off to work on the Fern Lace Wrap.  Christmas is rapidly approaching!

Wow!  Has it really been five days since my last post?  With all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, my knitting has been sorely lagging.  Robert and I had a great time in Branson for our anniversary, where we were stalked by a tour bus of senior citizens.  I'm not kidding.  On the coldest day of the year so far, the same group of seniors were at Famous Daves's, The Promise, and Candlestick Inn (where I had a fabulous white chocolate creme brulee - yumma).  I enjoyed The Promise, too - but please don't hold it against me when I say that I love Jesus, but Satan was really cool (this actor was brilliant).  Robert and I made our annual trek to Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage a week ago Saturday, and this past Friday was my work Christmas party in the White River Room at Bass Pro Shop.  I am so blessed to work for such a great company!

Last night was the Christmas concert at my church, and it was amazing to sing while Mike Lewis, The Jesus Painter, painted three large portraits of Christ.  It was an awesome experience!

 As far as knitting goes, I am currently only working on the Fern Lace Wrap, which in reality, needs to be completed by this Friday so that I can block it and wrap it for the family Christmas Eve get-together.  I think I've decided that I am a pressure knitter, though.  By having a seemingly impossible deadline, I did manage to get the scarf that never ends done!  So surely, I can complete my last Christmas gift!

Here's my knitting math analysis:

16 rows per repeat of the pattern = 2 1/2 inches of the scarf

60 inches to complete the scarf = 24 repeats of the pattern

1 hour of knitting = 1 repeat (okay, so it's slower than I'd hoped)

24 repeats (completed scarf) - 10 repeats (already done) = 14 repeats (to go)

Here's what it looks like now (except I can't get the color to come out right on the photos): 

Ugggh.  14 hours of knitting between now and Friday.  It's doable, though.  2 hours tonight; 2 hours Tuesday night; 2 hours Thursday night (I could probably do more, but Zarah's coming over for a Knitty Gritty marathon so I'm planning on being somewhat distracted).  That leaves 8 hours for Friday, but I am off work that day.  And this doesn't count any lunch hour knitting. 

After this scarf is done, I'll need your help in selecting my next projects.  Of course, I think Santa did some shopping at Knit Picks and Simply fibers, so there should be plenty to choose from!

It's true.  No matter how long we've been knitting, we all need a little help sometimes.  Whether it's with a tricky cast-on method, or an extra set of hands when you have no choice but to rip out your work and start over again, it's good to have friends.

 Ginger and Zarah came over last night to what Robert calls, "my knitting sweatshop" as my fingers flew on the Christmas Fern Lace Scarf.  (I estimate seven more hours to finish, and as I'm off work today, I'm hoping to post the FO later tonight.)

But last night, Ging and Zarah had some unexpected help:

Sammy decided to get in on the action, and also generously offered to model the Fern Lace (don't worry, giftee, she's just behind it and not actually wearing it).

I'm off to the sweatshop - more later!

I gave it a valiant effort, but the fern lace scarf is not going to be finished tonight.  I'm currently at about 50 inches with 10 more to go, so it will definitely be finished tomorrow.  Michelle told me to try to block it using wet cloths and the iron, rather than a full out blocking, and I think that's the way I'll have to go.

My fingers are so stiff, and I'm definitely needing a massage after this!  Who would have thought that there's such a thing as "too much knitting?"  I know, I know - I'll feel differently tomorrow.

We had Christmas with Michelle tonight - over the phone, since she's in Alaska.  She's a good knitting friend - she bought me Nancy Bush's book, "Knitting Vintage Socks!"  I can't wait to finish the fern lace and start picking out new projects!  I've got some great sock yarn in the stash.

Good night - I'll be back tomorrow!

Boy, there were some moments there I didn't think I was going to make it.  But the Fern Lace Scarf is now finished, and Michelle's wet cloth blocking method worked great (and was a fantastic time saver)!

Here is the finished product:

It's far from perfect, and it will probably be a long time before I attempt this pattern again, but I am extremely satisfied that I did complete this project in time for Christmas.  I think I learned a lot from the pattern, and I definitely have more confidence to attempt other complicated projects.

This will be my last post until after Christmas, so until then, I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas.  "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."  Luke 2:11 (NKJV)

Blessings!

I have posted a few times about the ladies at work who are joining the knitting craze that's sweeping the country.  Here's the latest update.  Jeri has been completely sucked into the knitting world.  After starting on the basic dishcloth pattern, she found a pattern for a seed stitch dishcloth and made this one entirely on her own:

Next, she wanted to try a scarf, so she made this lovely grey number in the Feather and Fan stitch pattern:

 Here's a closeup: 

Her daughter was so impressed, she put in her request (isn't that just like a non-knitter!).  So Jeri started another F&F scarf in this yummy yarn:

In true knitter form, Jeri is also planning her next project - a prayer shawl in this gorgeous Rowan tweed she bought at the LYS (it hurt a little to spend some hard-earned moolah on this, but she got over it really fast!):

Jeri is off and running, but she's not the only one!  Judy wanted to learn to knit, watched me one time, and came in the next day with a dishcloth half finished!  I showed her the K2tog decrease and she finished the dishcloth the next day.  She cranked out several for Christmas, and each one was perfect!

She found a great pattern for a Moose dishcloth on the web (I'm going to have to make this one myself!), so I gave her a quick lesson on how to purl and she's got it!  I've never seen someone pick this up so quickly!  Here's Judy purling on her own:

And here's the rest of our group (clockwise):  Judy, another Judy (hidden behind Judy), Traci (just observing to see if she wants to learn), Sharon, Jeri, and Stephine (cut out of the photo - sorry Steph!) (not pictured:  Brenda and Karen).  

Here's a better shot of Stephine:

I didn't know when I learned to knit almost 2 years ago that it would open up such a great sense of community.  Knitters really are something special!

Wow! I can't believe it's 2007 already! Robert and I were really blessed in 2006, and we are looking forward to what's in store for this year. Every New Year's, we sit down together and review the prior year and set goals for the upcoming months. Some are the old standards - lose weight, get healthy, get organized, continue the debt snowball, read the Bible through, etc. But this year, I get to add knitting goals to my list!

I started with a review of a portion of my stash that I know I want to work with this year (yes, my stash may need to go on a diet as well - maybe we could do a yarn swap):

1. I resolve to knit my first sweater this year. Probable first choice, the short-sleeved v-neck tee from Knitting Pure and Simple in Elsbeth Lavold Silky Tweed.

Runner up (simply because I want one sweater behind me before I start this lovely pattern), the Lace-Edged tee from Knit Picks, in Brick Crayon.

2. I resolve to knit my first afghan this year. First choice, the Aran Afghan from an episode of Knitty Gritty, in Plymouth Encore, light green.

Running a close second, the Lizard Ridge Afghan (inspired by Zarah) in assorted Noro Kureyon (I'll need to buy more to complete the afghan).

3. I will make a hat, and wear it. I have had this gorgeous Diakeito in my stash that I knew wanted to be a hat, but I just didn't have the right pattern. Google brought me right back to my new friend Zarah, who made this Short-Row Hat out of the same yarn in a similar colorway.

4. I will try new sock patterns (using my Christmas gifts). Stash options include Universal Yarn's Ditto in colors 4809 and 4815 . . .

. . . and Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn in Tuscany

5. I will make my first shawl using Knit Pick's Rectangle Cover Shawl pattern and Plymouth Baby Alpaca Brush yarn. I scooped up all of this yarn at the LYS when it came out and will probably have leftovers to make something else with. Carol suggested that I combine it with Cascade 220 in gold, so I had to buy it as well. It was on sale - and how often does one find Cascade marked down?

6. I will make the Moss Grid Hand Towel found in Mason Dixon Knitting using a pretty Merlin Tristan linen yarn in fuschia. It's in a ziplock bag because Carol warned me the ball would implode if I didn't do that (and she was apparently speaking from experience!).

7. I will make the Bacchus in the Bath accessories using KP's Shine Worsted in Grass and Terra Cotta.

8. I will make a baby gift using Berroco suede - and that's all I'm going to say about this now!

9. I will not be ashamed of knitting dishcloths using the inexpensive Sugar & Cream yarn. The Mason Dixon Girls say it's okay, and - I have registered for a monthly dishcloth KAL (and am eagerly awaiting my membership approval)!

10. I will figure out something to make using this yummy stash enhancement yarn I purchased on my last trip to Alaska.

Blue Sky Alpaca in Paprika (isn't that fun to say - "Alpaca in Paprika!") (Gimme a break - I've been working on this post for 90 minutes now!):

Blue Sky Cotton in Toffee:

and Rowan Denim:

And this is only a fraction of what I purchased on that trip up north.

Whew! What am I doing still updating this post? I've got some knitting to do!

Happy New Year!

I did it!  I joined my first Knit-Along ("KAL")!  It's the monthly dishcloth KAL, and I get to check one of my resolutions (see #9) off my list!  And it's only the 2nd day of January!

Here's the start of my first dishcloth:

Not a bad start to the year, eh?

Tonight was a very good knitting night.  Kathy came over to provide me with some knitting motivation and company while the boys were gaming.  She's working on a very pretty scarf:

And - are you ready for this?  Mr. UPS Man rang the doorbell and delivered my Christmas swift!  I'm very excited to go through my stash and wind everything in sight!  I may have to purchase some more hanks just for the fun of it!  (I'm not sure this is the best spot for it, but it'll have to do for now.  This is my little desk in my yarn room guest room.)

I finished today's KAL rows . . . 

. . . and finished all but the thumb on the last pair of Knitty wristlets for a while!  Pretty sad, since this was a Christmas gift for someone.  She's patiently waiting, though.  I'll be glad to finish them tomorrow, and then this weekend start some gauge swatches for my new projects!  Hmmm, what should I start on next?  Any thoughts?

So there I am, knitting along on the final pair of Fetching, like I've done 5 times before - I don't need to pay attention; I don't need to follow the pattern.

Oops. 

Let's just say that I've paid my dues for being cocky.  I finished the second glove, with a lovely picot edging, if I do say so myself, and searched for its match in the ol' knitting bag.  There it is!  Let's tie a ribbon around them and deliver the already belated Christmas gift to its new owner.  But wait.  Something's not quite right, here.  I apparently can't count.  The second glove is shorter than the first - a lot shorter.  The next problem - I've woven in the ends so well that I can't find where to try to rip it out.  I give up.  I'm starting over.  Know any three-handed persons?

(The one on the right is the rogue glove.)

Ok, but in the end, the final pair looked okay - the stripes even lined up (accidentally, of course):

I was so relieved to finally rid myself of this albatross, Christmas knitting, that I casted on for projects I was eager to do - the Short-Row Hat, and my secret surprise knitting.  I taught myself the provisional cast-on to begin the hat, and knitted several rows.  It's not turning out right - I'm doing something wrong - so I frogged it.  (Zarah, help!)

My super secret knitting is not hard, and it should be a quick project.  Emphasis on should.  I actually finished part of it, and like the glove, the size isn't right.  Rip, rip, rip.  I need fewer stitches to the inch to get gauge, so I switch to smaller needles.  Did I mention that I'm pretty tired while I'm doing this, but I'm determined to have some success at knitting?  Nope.  How many of you caught my error?  I should have switched to larger needles to reduce my stitches per inch.  Rip, rip, rip.  I give up.

On the plus side, I did finish my KAL January dishcloth, and thus achieved one of my resolutions!  One down, nine to go!  (Resolutions - not dishcloths!)

Actually, Robert and I are on track for another of our 2007 goals - we've recommitted to going back to the gym.  We're really inspired by The Biggest Loser and pray that this year we'll be successful in getting healthy.

I'm going now to try another gauge swatch.  Maybe third time's the charm!

So I'm cold, tired, crabby - it's been a long week.  Even though the ice started melting this afternoon, we still waited for 45 minutes to get gas at the Stupid Super Center.  Everyone's trying to prepare for the worst with the forecast for snow this weekend. 

Now that I have power back, I'm trying to catch up on my blog reading - have you noticed that this stuff is addicting?  If we're not knitting (and unfortunately, there are times when you just can't), then we're reading about knitting, or blogging about knitting, or reading someone else's blog about knitting.  And when we can't read our blogs - we get crabby.  At least I do.  Which is why I left a comment on the Harlot's blog explaining that I was less than sympathetic to her laptop woes when we had people who were going on a week without electricity.

I still can't believe what happened next.  She responded to my comment (quite nicely, I might add).  I actually had an e-mail in my inbox from Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.  It said so - right on the screen.  I get lots of e-mails at this address because I subscribe to a couple of Yahoo! groups.  Still, I saw the message and thought - "Why do I know this name?"  It actually took me a minute or two to realize that this was the Yarn Harlot, and she'd actually written me back!

This is huge!  I'm humbled - I'm honored.  She's a real person!  This is like meeting Elvis, the Beatles, Barry Manilow!  (Okay, I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a real fan of his.)  I just don't know what to say!  You know what - never mind.  Only a Knitter would understand.  

(Thanks, Steph! And I really am sorry about your laptop.)

Help!  I've fallen and I can't knit!  Okay, granted it was almost a week ago when I took the stumble down the stairs, spraining my ankle and rupturing a few tendons in the process, but shouldn't the fact that I'm trying to stay on the couch with my foot up encourage me to knit?  It's not working.  I am lacking motivation, inspiration, you name it.  It's not like I didn't do any knitting during the ice storm, but nothing worth posting photos of.  I finished a moose dishcloth, and I did finish my super secret gift (but haven't seen the recipient yet, so I'll post photos of that FO later), but I can't seem to get started on the next project.  I'm not doing the mid-month dishcloth KAL since my internet was intermittent when the e-mails were coming in.

I've casted on twice for the Short-Row hat, and I've frogged it twice.  I did a gauge swatch for my first sweater, pronounced it "good enough," cast on, and began knitting.  Oops - beginner delusion.  I've read the horror stories, but I didn't listen.  First of all, good enough is not good enough.  I must get gauge.  Second, I failed to wash and block my gauge swatch, so who knows what the gauge really is?  I'm going to do it right, so I'll be frogging the couple of inches I've already knit.

Jeri and Stephine in my work knitting group want to graduate from dishcloths and scarves to socks!  Socks!  I'm so proud.  I want to knit socks.  I've knit one pair of (mismatched) socks.  I can do more - I want to do more.  I got sock books for Christmas.  I've got sock yarn in the stash.  Knitting socks was a knitty resolution.  But which socks?  Which yarn?

I just have this problem starting projects.  It's a little like dating.  You're attracted to the pattern, you really like the yarn, so you start spending time together.  Then, it's not quite what you imagined, or not working out as you'd hoped.  When I was working on the scarf that never ends, that was a long-term relationship.  When it was finished - the relationship was over.  And that was a good thing, but it was comfortable.  We understood each other.  It was always there for me, and now it's not.  I just don't think I want to be monogamous (in my knitting, people! I loooooove my Robert)!  I so admire those knitters who have the OTN charts on their blogs, with multiple projects going - and they're making progress on each of them.  I want to do that. 

Please! Help me get over my knitter's block!  I don't even have a plan for what to take to the Knit-In this Friday at Simply fibers.  (Don't worry - I'm going - I have gift certificates.  So even if I don't have a clue about what to knit, I can still buy yarn!  There's some Malabrigo and Manos del Uraguay I've had my eye on for a long time!)

Isn't the knitting circle of life great?  We feed our obsession by stash enhancement, which gives us great pleasure, spend hours of enjoyment knitting that special item, and then, in many cases, just give it away so that we can do it all over again.

I had the pleasure of finally knitting these adorable "Ugg" baby booties and then surprising my friend Corinn with them Wednesday night.  I used Berroco suede as the pattern calls for, and some random white furry yarn for the trim.  The only issue I had with this pattern (it's very easy), is that I am not around babies very much, so I had a distorted view of how large or small the booties should be.  I frogged them 4 times before I took one to work and all the "baby people" said the size was just right for a 12-month old (which is what I wanted).  Next time, I'll ask for help sooner!

Just enjoying Corinn's surprise face was enough for me, but then yesterday was my birthday, and I received two gift certificates to my favorite LYS!  I still haven't used my certificates from Christmas, as I was saving them to use with the birthday coupon from Simply fibers!  So at the Knit In tonight, I may not have a clue of what to knit, but I'll not be short on inspiration!

I love knitting!

I asked for it, and I got it!  First, when I got home yesterday, I had a package from Michelle for my birthday.  Inside was this really cool metallic yarn:

AND, my very own Fern Lace Wrap scarf, which is absolutely GORGEOUS in alpaca and silk.  She did an AMAZING job!  I'm so blessed to have such an awesome friend.  (It's really a dark burgundy - aubergine - eggplant shade - not so much purple, but the camera/lights do funny things to the color.)

Okay, it's been a good weekend.  Even though I did not find success at actually knitting at the Knit In, I was inspired to get the needles going again.  I did cast on again for the Short-Row hat - and yes, I'm probably ripping it out again because I'm having trouble closing the gaps with the yarn overs.  This pattern doesn't seem like it should be hard, but it's not written in the most conducive manner.  Don't worry, I'll keep trying.

So to keep my motivation up, I cast on for the first Lizard Ridge square.  Can I just say - I am now addicted to Noro Kureyon.  I had seen it before, and was not really impressed with how it felt - sort of scratchy, and there's some inconsistency in the thickness of the fibers.  However, once you start knitting with this and see the amazing colorways, none of that matters.  It's absolutely wonderful!

Not only did I start a Lizard Ridge square - I finished it! Zarah came over yesterday to hang out and knit - she's always an inspiration - and after she left, I kept going until I was done with the first square (23 to go - this is going to be one of those ongoing projects).

The bumps are part of the pattern - but look how cool it blocks out!

This is going to be a gorgeous blanket, and a long-term knitting relationship.  It's nice to know it's going to be there for me for a long time, and I don't have to struggle with the knitter's block I recently experienced.  Plus, I don't have to worry about being unfaithful to this project when I start others!

I'm think I'm gonna go cast on for some socks now!

Yes!  I have succeeded in my quest for playing the knitting field!  Don't worry, my dear Lizard Ridge, I'll make time for you - you're so handsome.  In fact, I've casted on for your second square:

But wait - Short-Row Hat is calling - I do like a challenge!  I know we've been on again, off again, but I so want to be on again with you.  Can't we give it one more try?

Oh, but wait - who's this?  McDreamy. . . the Dream swatch (I think you want to be a belt - not a headband).  You're so easy to be with; you're so much fun!  (Thanks to Amy and Madalyn who put me onto this pattern.)

I'm so fickle.  I just can't help myself.

So this morning was like most other Saturday mornings, except that Robert and I had a date.  I had learned from a friend at work about an estate auction here in town and that there was some "knitting stuff."  Now, I've never been to an auction before, but Robert grew up with this.  His parents had flea market booths, and although I really enjoy browsing flea markets and vintage or antique items, I'm not one to buy something with the intent to sell it for a profit.  Robert was very happy to escort me to my first auction and teach me the ropes.

First of all, a lot of auctions occur outdoors.  It was like 20 degrees this morning.  Thanks to my dear hubby, I was cozy in my long johns and Harry Potter scarf (wish I'd had the Short-Row hat done, though!).  Second, you have to dig through boxes and remember what you want and where it was - and then keep an eye on it so someone doesn't move it.  Third, when you're with your husband and ask him to bid for you - don't get caught up in the excitement and bid against him!  Sorry, Babe.  Fourth, sometime's you just have to give up on understanding what's going on and rely on the expert. 

HeynowheynowdoIhear10five'llgetyou10heynowlet'sgo10dollar10dollar10rightheredoIhear 12doIhear12comeon12who'llgiveme12yip12dollar12dollarwho'llgiveme15doIhear15come on15thisisarightnicepieceworthalotmore15rightheredoIhear2015goingonceSOLDfor15.

Huh?  Anyway, Robert scored a really cool little 4-drawer wooden chest for $15 and then while he was putting it in the truck, he left me alone with the bidder number.  Okay, so I had scouted out The Box, and was there waiting, but this was happening too fast.  I just kept saying "yip," as Robert had taught me, and when he came back, I was the proud owner of The Box.  (Nope, I won't tell you what I paid!)

The Box was quite large, and filled with a lot of old scissors, vintage sewing supplies, including probably a 100 wooden spools of thread, and yes, some "knitting stuff." 

This is just some of the haul.  There were some old stitch markers and point protectors, needle gauges, and some circulars.  You can tell that some of the needles are pretty old, and maybe they are the same as the Boye's that you can still buy at Michael's or Hobby Lobby, but I'm especially proud of the wooden case.  Plus, it's nice to know that even though my KnitPicks Options will still be my needles of choice to work with, I'm taking care of these supplies that belonged to the prior generation and I get to share in the history of our craft. 

It was a good morning.

I've been a little under the weather.  I had to clean the house for the Super Bowl party (yes, Robert helped).  I need to do our taxes.  I had to wash my hair.  The snow melted.  My ankle still hurts a little.  Etc. etc. etc.

One or more of the above has to be an acceptable excuse for this:

 Look!  Actual progress on the Short-Row hat!

 Look!  Actual HUMONGOUS mistake in the Short-Row hat!

Not that I'm surprised.  But I was really moving along - I learned how to do the ssp here, and I was actually starting to figure out how the pattern worked.  The part where I messed up is the brim - I finally got it that you knit the crazy thing sideways!  I had completed almost the entire first page of the pattern, but when I realized that it wasn't right, I decided to frog it yet again.  It's going to be right, people.  I'm going to make this hat.  I might never wear it after it's done, but I'm going to make it! 

My problem is two-fold.  One, I'm "punishing" myself for not getting this pattern by restricting my knitting on other projects.  That's also a reward system for me, so once I'm back in the groove, I'll allow myself to do something I'm liking (since Short-Row and I are not on very good terms right now).  Like for instance, Lizard Ridge.  Check out Zarah's blanket - she's got 16 of those squares done!  I only have one.  I'm inspired - yet - must. do. Short. Row. hat.

Two, while I was encouraged surfing the web and finding all these other knitters and bloggers who had successfully knitted this hat, and found a couple of instances where they too thought the pattern was written needlessly complex, I am discouraged by the instructions in Section 3 (which I will get to again someday).

"Row 13: (RS) K15, turn.

Row 15: K14, turn."

Ummm, Ms. Avery?  Veronik?  What am I supposed to do on Row 14? 

HELP!

But see - others have figured this out.  Why can't I?  I'm having a knitting inferiority complex.  The only thing I've successfully knitted this week is the February KAL:

 Yeah, yeah.  It's cute.  Yippee.  A heart dishcloth.  Whoo hoo.

Thanks for letting me whine.  I'm off to rip out the hat - again!  I guess I should think positively - after all, I am getting very good at the provisional cast on!

Okay, I don't want to get cocky here, but look!

It's working!  See!  No blatant errors, anyway!  Thank you to everyone who sent good wishes and Short-Row mojo my way.  The power of knitters united will not be denied. 

(And thank you to Veronik Avery, the designer, who answered my question about the "missing row" in the pattern without making me feel as dumb as I really was.  FYI, when the pattern says "Row 2 and all WS rows," which is all the even rows - that includes row 14 (an even number).  Geez.  Hard to believe my first degree was in mathematics). 

Can you believe it?  YES!  The Short-Row Hat is finished, finito, done!

Specs:

Pattern:  Short-Row Hat by Veronik Avery

Yarn:  1 1/2 balls of Diakeito in Color #41

Needles:  Brittany size 7 straights, size 7 dpn's

Start Date:  (okay, final restart date):  Thursday, February 8, 2007

Finish Date:  Sunday, February 11, 2007

Modifications:  I'd like to say I didn't make any deliberate modifications, but I didn't do the i-cord on the top.  The pattern says to pick up 32 stitches to close the crown using dpn's, but there was no way I could pick up that many.  I picked up 22 and skipped the lines in the pattern to coincide.

As frustrated as I got with this pattern, I did enjoy it once it got going.  I might consider doing another one sometime, but with other yarn.  The Diakeito has a lovely colorway, but the fiber goes from really thin to really thick periodically, and made some of the gaps more noticeable.

Thanks to the impromptu knit-in at my house this afternoon, I was inspired to keep at this until it was done tonight!  I had a great time with my sister, the blogless Kathy (who learned to purl today and was doing a great job!), Zarah, Brianne, and Meredith.  Thanks again, girls!

So if you're like me, when you're not knitting (and let's face it, we can't all the time), we're blogging about knitting, or reading knitting blogs, or looking on the web for knitting patterns, or reading knitting books, or reading books about knitting.

This is where I made my mistake.  A couple of months ago there was some blog chatter about "The Friday Night Knitting Club" book being made into a movie starring Julia Roberts (release date for the movie is sometime in 2008).  The book was just released, and I checked it out at the library. 

Friends - this book is absolutely awful.  Other than the fact that it's primarily set in a yarn shop in Manhattan, it has nothing to do about knitting.  It's a trite attempt to write about various relationships women have, and it's dark, depressing, and just plain bad.  It was one of those reads where it starts out rocky, and you hope it gets better, but then you're past the point of no return and feel like you have to finish.  I wish I'd just stopped in the middle and returned it to the library (thank goodness I didn't waste money on buying this book).  The plot was sketchy in many places, and frankly, one doesn't care about the characters.  There's bad language scattered throughout (why do some writers think this is necessary), and some references to some various Christian denominations that are completely wrong (the author obviously didn't research this part of the book).  Additionally, I doubt the author even knits.  Yes, there's a few references to knit and purl, and continental style, but other than that, nothing substantial.  I realize this is a novel, and not necessarily a book about knitting, but in my view, it fails miserably.  Reading it was a complete waste of time.

For my picks, stick with Debbie Macomber's "A Shop on Blossom Street" and "A Good Yarn."  They're not as dark, it's fun fiction, and knitting itself essentially becomes its own character.  And as much as I like Julia Roberts, I'll be skipping "The Friday Night Knitting Club" when it hits theatres.

I feel like such a slacker!  Here I had the entire weekend with nothing planned, and I had to deal with a major sinus infection that won't go away and did not accomplish as much knitting as I would have liked.

I did however complete my second Lizard Ridge square, in spite of being drugged up on TheraFlu (for more info on knitting on medication, ask Brianne):

I am quite proud of square #2, and very happy that Zarah has completed all of her squares (I really think she's going to miss making them, though!)  Unlike my friend, however, I'm weaving in the ends as I go!  :-0)

I also worked on a project that I had forgotten to mention I'd started.  Remember the "Scarf that Never Ends?"  No, no, I didn't start another one!  But Robert reminded me that I promised to make him a matching hat.  And since I'd conquered the Short-Row hat, how hard could a simple stocking cap be?

It's coming along.  I only hope I don't have to order more yarn - I mean, um, wait till there's cooler weather to finish it - yeah, that's the ticket!

I also started the Baby Cable Socks in the Sensational Knitted Socks book using my Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn in Tuscany.  I'm not sure I'm really liking it, so no photo yet.  I've only made one pair of socks before, and they didn't turn out great, so I might need to get a lesson or two from a sock guru (hint, hint, Zarah).  Also, this is the first time I've used size 1 dpn's (or size 1 anything, really), and metal dpn's at that, so I'm going a little slow.

And in other knitting obsessive news, Simply fibers is having the final Knit In of the winter this coming Friday!  I'm so glad I started going to those and meeting all of the local knitting community!  I also got an e-mail that the Stitches Midwest brochure is available for download at http://www.knittinguniverse.com/flash/webfeatures/xrxinsider06/xrxinsider.htm#Registration.

Anyone up for a road trip to Chicago?

I am sorry to say that I have not always been a knitter.  At least, I didn't know I was.  I've since learned that some of us (we know who we are) have an "inner knitter" that has to be released, and whoo boy - just wait until that happens!  My journey on becoming a knitter began sometime in 2005 when my sister innocently asked me - "Do you know how to knit?  I want to learn to knit.  Can you find someone who knows how and have them show you and then you teach me?"  I really didn't have an interest (so I thought), so I didn't really pursue it.

Then we had the fateful trip to Alaska in May 2005 to visit one of my very best friends in the whole world, Michelle (Robert calls her "Spunky").  And what is her newest hobby - you guessed it!  Knitting!  So I asked her to teach me.  Steve and Ginger were vacationing with us, so one night when we were out without Michelle, we stopped in a Fred Meyer store and bought some cheap yarn and what seemed to be like 6 foot long knitting needles.  We excitedly showed our purchases to Michelle when we got back to her house, and her response was - "I'm not going to teach you with those.  Tomorrow we'll go to the yarn store."  The what?  They have stores dedicated to yarn?  Are you kidding me?  Yeah, yeah, you and I both know what happened next.  Yes, my name is Tammy and I am a yarn snob.  So what?

Anyway, I finally got permission to post some photos of Spunky's illustrious finished objects on the blog.  She is definitely an inspiration, and very talented.  So, by way of introduction:

This is Michelle and me in St. Louis when she competed in the Scottish Games (she's also a competitive Highland Dancer).

The gorgeous afghan (and closeup) she made out of the "Big Book of Quick Knit Afghans" (I'm not sure which specific pattern) out of KnitPicks Andean Silk.

A Feather and Fan pattern Baby Afghan (I think this is KnitPicks Crayon), and

The start to this awesome kimono sweater! (Yes, she does really like KnitPicks!)