Bron's Blog II

Back to knitting posts The

Back to knitting posts

The bad thing about having multiple projects going at the same time - and working on each roughly the same amount - is that progress pictures don't show that much progression! But here you are go anyway, just to show I've been doing something other than watching my carbs:



This is Sensational Shirttail - I'm going to call it Shirttail for short. I'm still enjoying the project - just enough going on to keep it interesting to knit. I've decided that I'm such a cable junkie that I really MUST have a project in the works with some sort of cable at all times.



This is Colin's sweater rebuilt after the distastrous stockinette/garter idea. I plain to make this more interesting by making the sleeves set in about 3". That will add visual interest on the body of the sweater (garter set at right angles) and will also cut down on excess material under the arms. This yarn is polar weight and I don't want to add bulk if I don't have to. Besides, set-in sleeves just fit better. :)



This is the first panel of the Crystal Cove Pullover. I want to say officially that this is going to take me forever to knit. These size 8 needles might as well be 1's! Well, ok, I'm not really being fair to myself. As the rows get shorter so does your knitting time so I've been able to make real headway the last couple of days. But then the next section is long again so.....don't expect a finished photo anytime soon!



Last but not least, this is my new knitting box I have by my chair in the living room. My 4 projects (I only work on my Feather & Fan shawl while waiting to pick up the kids) had outgrown the cloth knitting bag and Emma became far too interested in the items I had to leave out on the floor. Yes - she actually stole one of my wooden needles for the Santa Fe shawl & managed a quick chew before I reclaimed it. This style of box is new down at Wally World and holds my projects, patterns & knitting paraphernalia perfectly.

Oh - speaking of the Santa Fe shawl - I didn't show a pic 'cause a few more inches knit isn't that interesting. But - I need about 5" more before I put the stitches on holders & cast on for the rectangle so I'm making that a goal for the weekend - to finish that square!

Diet update - doing very well so far. 2 days in and 5 lbs gone. Gotta love that water-weight coming off! Next week I'll have a progress thingy on my sidebar - just to keep myself honest!

Have a great weekend!

A Non-Knitting Post Since I

A Non-Knitting Post

Since I haven't sung at you for a looong while, here's the theme of today's post:

Changes
David Bowie

I still don't know what I was waiting for
And my time was running wild
A million dead-end streets
Every time I thought I'd got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
So I turned myself to face me
But I've never caught a glimpse
Of how the others must see the faker
I'm much too fast to take that test

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Just gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can't trace time

Yep - changes....an identity crisis, definitely, but one that's been resolved on two fronts...and I'm not talking about cutesy knitting names either. :::grin::::

First, let's talk diets. Dieting, for me, is a lot like quitting smoking. I have to be darn good & ready or else it just won't "take."

Yesterday I was darn good & ready. You see, I have the opposite problem than an anorexic - I look in the mirror and see a thin person - the person I used to be. In my head my self-image is still stuck somewhere in my late twenties...before kids, before quitting smoking, before the onset of early menopause....before the onset of WAY too many pounds! While looking at those spring knitting mags something finally clicked. I was thinking how cute some of the tank tops looked...then realized I'd never wear one in public because of my arms...the shorter waisted sweaters are very attractive ...if you have a waist. And so on.

I'd also like to stave off diabetes, heart trouble, and a myriad of other ailments that first start appearing in middle age. SO......

Enter The Dragon....

There are several reasons I've chosen this diet. The most important is that low-carb is the healthiest way for me to eat. I have a gluten allergy and the less time I spend with bread, pastry, pasta, anything made with wheat, the better my stomach feels. I was on Atkins for a couple of years, lost a ton of weight, and didn't have to take my ulcer/stomach medication once. But Atkins remains too restrictive for me for the long haul - for a life-time change in eating habits. South Beach includes (eventually) brown rice & whole grains that I love and can tolerate in moderation. I've read the book and am ready to start. Doug will got along for the ride - he'd like to lose the extra 15 or 20 he put on after quitting smoking.

More life-altering decisions.....

For awhile now I've been wondering what I could do to earn some extra $ while still being available to my kids as I am now. For a long time I considered being a teacher - wouldn't take much to get certified - but I hesitated to take on the responsibility and committment of a full classroom all my own. I'd talked briefly about substitute teaching in the past but for some reason had never acted on it. Until yesterday. Something clicked and I spoke with Colin's sub (Wednesdays are my volunteer days) and she explained how easy it is to become a substitute teacher....and the pay isn't too bad either. I can specify that I'll sub only at the 6 or 8 schools in my area, which days I want & whether I prefer AM, PM or both. I had no idea subbing could be tailored to fit!

I'm going to send for my college transcript and go down to the main Albuquerque Public School office next week to get the application forms. I'm going to get the ball rolling & see how fast I can get this done. If I can get approved & still sub some of this year, next year I'd be considered a returning sub and get $11.00 more per day. I'm really, really excited about this. I've volunteered (and sometimes taught) in classrooms now for 6 years and I think I have a handle on how things go and how to handle the kids. I don't think I can do this...I KNOW I can do this. Yet I'll still be home for school holidays, vacations, if the kids are sick, etc. - without worrying about how my employer feels about me taking time off for my family.

So - there you have it. Two big changes all in one post and it sure feels great.

Go out, have a great Thursday. Big or small, ch-ch-ch-changes can be downright liberating - try it!

The Spring Runway Reviews.... Guess

The Spring Runway Reviews....

Guess what I found in my mailbox yesterday?



Yes indeedy, the Spring 2004 Knitter's and I believe I mentioned (probably in my comments) that I picked up the Spring 2004 Interweave Knits the other day. So I had two knitting "biggies" to peruse last night. Unfortunately, the scanner part of my 3-in-1 printer/scanner/copier is on the fritz (still need yet ANOTHER uninstall/reinstall) so you'll have to make do with words & page references!

First - IK: I liked it. I think that if I were 20 years younger & 50 pounds lighter I would've loved it. Amy listen up - these patterns are for you! Shorter lengths, fitted waists - I liked "Stella's Blouse" - it looks like it fits well and it can really be dressed up. The wrapped top, "Polka Purl Dots" is something I would've loved in my 20's!

I did see a few things I might make (or at least think about making.) "Salt Peanuts" - I'd already heard about that one before I got the magazine. I do like it and it does remind me of old-fashioned lingerie. But that's a lot of stockinette so it's not something I'd plan to make in the near future! I also like "Gypsy Mesh Pullover" - that's something I could wear over a tank in the spring and it's a definite possibility. Although on first glance I thought it was crocheted! Lastly, I was intrigued by the transition from larger to progressively smaller needles in "Swell Sweater." The design itself is awfully simple, but I liked how the bell sleeve and bottom ruffles were made. I'm making a mental note (we'll see how long it sticks in my head) to try that on something sometime.

Don't even ask me about the "Interweave Crochet - Special Supplement" - bleh!

Knitter's, Spring 2004 ....I had such high hopes. But when they say "Open Season" - they mean it. This is basically a lacey issue - fitting for summer - but I only found one thing that tripped my trigger. And that, ironically, was a poncho! But I digress. In this issue are lots of eyelets - even a design featuring grommets - and for the most part the peek-a-boo, now you see skin, now you don't, garments aren't for me. But that's an age/taste/body type thing. The designs that are more concealing just didn't inspire me, however. But.....I did mention that poncho, didn't I? It's called "Flowing Sands" and I probably like it so well because of the color and what the model is wearing. Totally something I would wear for spring. Heck - I want the whole dang outfit! I just might have to try that poncho - maybe even in the yarn that's pictured - that would be a first. "Coral Shells" is a possibility, although I tend to think it looks a bit like an afghan cut to fit. Sigh.

And that's it for me on that issue. Well - I suppose it was inevitable. I really loved the last two Knitter's issues - it was time for me to think one was a clunker. ::::grin:::: I would write more but I have to let the dog out for her early morning romp. Have a great day!

Identity Crisis Even though I

Identity Crisis

Even though I have 4, count 'em, 4 projects started, two days ago I began #5. ::::hangs head::::: I have no excuse. I got to thinking there must be a name for what I am (no comments from the peanut gallery). Yarn Harlot's been taken. There's already a Yarn Junkie and Yarn Whore. Along those lines I thought, "Yarn Slut" but slut is so....MTV and Janet Jackson. This IS a G-rated blog (most of the time.) Then it hit me - the perfect moniker - I start so many different projects, all at the same time, in so many different yarns - never finishing one thing before moving on to something new. I ignore some stash yarn in order to buy new (the yarn is always greener syndrome)....I must be.... a Yarn Tease!

No - I won't be changing the blog name - it's just nice to admit my failing. :::grin:::

By the way, here's #5:



This is the beginning of "Sensational Shirttail" in Aran and Celtics. I'm using Patons Shetland Chunky in deep plum. I really, really like this one. (Gee - I say that about most projects - I need to find a new line!) But while we're on the subject of failings....

Another failing of mine as a knitter is never believing I have enough yarn for a given project. I don't know what it is. I can have the right yarn weight, plenty of yardage as specified in the pattern, and even be in the gauge ballpark. Still - I don't believe - I can't take that leap of faith. I am in awe of the bloggers who post things like, "Here's my finished sweater....I only had 1 yard of my yarn left after seaming!!!" Aaaaargh. That would send me to the hospital with cardiac arrest. Instead I knit, I fret, I measure, I knit, and fret some more. In this case, with Shirttail, my measurements were coming out TOO close to the wire for my comfort. This pic is almost one full ball of yarn - it measures almost 5"..BUT...it isn't a rectangle - it was shaped. Therefore knitting straight on the back will take even MORE yarn for fewer inches. (See how I overthink this stuff?)

It isn't pretty when an obsessive personality knits.....

So I ordered 6 more skeins from Smiley's.

Along with a few other things to make my minimum order. It's worth another shipping charge to have peace of mind. (Hmmm...maybe therapy WOULD be cheaper!)

Here's my Santa Fe Shawl at 20 inches (see - I wasn't a total tease!)...I still have a bit of knitting to do before I'm finished with the square:

Now for the weather report: Guess what I woke to this morning? Here's the view from our back patio:



I don't know if Emma has ever seen snow before. She ran & slid & generally had a good time (while taking care of business.) Now you see her:



Now you don't:

Oh baby, you're ripping my

Oh baby, you're ripping my heart out

Oh yeah - I had to rip last night & it was a hard thing to do. The panels of garter/stockinette on Colin's sweater just weren't working. I'd gotten about a foot finished and held it up to Colin for a sight check. For the first time I noticed that the stockinette panels stuck out from the rest of the sweater in two, puffy lines. Trust me - this isn't an attractive look on anyone, even a 9 yr. old boy! I had no choice but to rip back to the ribbing and start again. My vision of the sweater has switched to all garter except for the twisted ribbing at the bottom, neckline & cuffs. Ah, well - since I'm making this up as I go at least I feel good about changing in midstream. Ha!

To consol myself I knit awhile on my Santa Fe shawl. Here's what it looks like at 14":



In case you don't read my comments (although they are so fascinating I can't imagine someone skipping them!) I got myself into a pickle with this shawl. I did get gauge on size 10 1/2 needles, but decided that 24" "wings" on the shawl were too small. So I went up ...and up....to a size 15 needle and will have approx. 36" per side now. Unfortunately, that made my stitches really, really big & slippery. (Yeah - I know I could've just cast on more stitches but I guess I'm just a knitting masochist!) I'm using a thick/thin cotton that you would stretch to call DK weight. Soooo....I had to ditch the Denise needles because I was tensing up terribly just to keep the stitches on the needles. It's not a fun knitting experience when you have to take ibuprofen just to pick up the project! As you can see I've put the shawl on wood needles and that's helped a bit. I also prop my left elbow and needle on a pillow so I have something stationary to help control the stitches. It's not *oodles* of fun, but at least I don't dread it anymore.

The wooden needles you see in the pic my husband made for me months ago but I hadn't gotten around to doing the ends. Well, I did them in a real hurry yesterday and it shows. I should've taken more time with the clay & beads but as usual I was anxious to get the project on the needles. I have 4 more pair that need finishing so I'll try & do better on those!

Correction from Friday's entry: The Stargate episode was the 150th rather than the 100th as I stated. It had the "important death" that had been hinted about for months(Ok - I knew who was going to die - I read spoilers) and was very well done. However "Monk" was a repeat so my TV watching was feast-n-famine. ::::grin::::

Things I did yesterday: 1.

Things I did yesterday:

1. Finished "Fool's Fate" - great book and I swear Hobb left room for a sequel. Hmmmm...sequel!!!

2. Worked on my Santa Fe Shawl. Lisa is moving right along on hers & I need to at least stay in the running! :) I'm still contemplating how I can knit this pattern more easily. Doug made me some wooden needles awhile back - I think I might try a pair today to see if the stitches behave better with wood. I've never seen a bamboo size 15 although I'm sure they must make them, eh? I'm not a fan of bamboo, but this is becoming so tedious to knit I might be persuaded!

3. Went to the mailbox & came back with my second set of Denise Needles. I ordered them from Numei (see link on my sidebar) and I really can't say enough good things about them. FAST delivery and $41.50 (includes shipping) for a set. That's the same company that supplied the inexpensive cotton chenille I like so well.

4. Worked a bit more on Colin's sweater. I'm a little put out because the red in the Coupe I'm using is rubbing off on my Denise needles! I haven't tried to wash it off yet, but it seems to me that shouldn't be happening. I don't know if it's the fault of the yarn or the needles. I'm going to email the company today & see if there's a solution or if I have to live with pink stained needles. Sigh.

5. Looked up stuff about Emma's (yes, we've gone back to her original name) adjustment problems...mainly toileting problems! I think I found some sound advice & we'll be trying a few thing to make life easier for her. She's reverted in some ways but that's to be expected, being thrown into a new situation & all. Here's the obligatory cute Emma pic:

Things I'll do today:

1. Get my sidebar up-to-date with my knit-a-long with Lisa mentioned along with project updates and a pic of Emma.

2. Apply to the Purling Puppies webring...I just gotta, you know? :::grin:::

3. Try those wooden needles (if I can find a size close to the 15's I'm using now) and also work on the Crystal Cove sweater. I can't wait until that one's finished!

4. Go spend some of our tax refund ...on something other than yarn! My 8 yr. old food processor gave up the ghost a few weeks ago & let me tell you, grating cheese by hand is for the birds! I'm going to find a replacement today, come hell or high water!

5. Totally enjoy "Stargate SG1" tonight - the 100th episode I believe and the teasers have me wondering! And then it's my dear "Monk." Dang, I enjoy good TV!

Have a great weekend!

Nary a stitch was knit

Nary a stitch was knit

'Cause I got a belated Christmas gift last weekend -- a $20.00 gift cert. to Barnes & Noble -- that bought me this yesterday:



I've been waiting for this book for over 9 months - it's the culmination of two trilogies by my favorite fantasy author, Robin Hobb. This is the 3rd in the the Tawny Man series, which is a sequal to the Farseer trilogy. She's also written the Liveship Traders trilogy. Hey - good stuff always comes in threes! Hobb knows how to grab your emotions and throw you into the middle of the story. These aren't your run-of-the-mill fantasies. If you haven't read these and love fantasy, start with the Assassin's Apprentice and continue on...you won't be sorry!

I also purchased a knitting book that was new to me - more on that tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be able to finish Fool's Fate this morning/early afternoon & can get back to my knitting by evening. I only managed 418 pages yesterday...those pesky kids and that demanding husband of mine...they actually wanted food & attention. Sheesh! You'd think they'd be used to me ignoring them from all my "just one more row!" comments over the last couple of years. I guess some people never learn. :::grin:::

Have a great Thursday!

A Tale of Two Mittens

A Tale of Two Mittens

or

Pride Goeth Before the Second Mitten

Here is my first pair of mittens...notice anything unusual?



I had been wanting to try a two needle mitten pattern for some time. I'd printed a free pattern off the web several months ago that called for either DK or worsted weight yarn. But I wanted to knit them in chunky weight yarn & was confident I could change the pattern to accomodate the increase in yarn size. As I happily began knitting on my first mitten I didn't want to stop & do something as mundane as actually writing down the changes. Confident that I'd remember everything I did (after all, it's just a little mitten!) I blithely knitted on. When the mitten was finished I realized it was a tad on the big side but that was fine. I'd knit the other to match & then go smaller on my next pair. I began to cast on for the second mitten....

Hmmmm...did I cast on 6 fewer stitches? or 8? Must have been 8.....Now, how many rows of stockinette did I do before starting to increase for the thumb? I must've done 6 like the pattern states.....and so it went. I even held up the finished mitten to my work in progress to check that I was doing it right.

Obviously I need better lighting.

For the record, the second mitten fits me perfectly....sigh....

On a different note, but along the same lines, here is the beginning of my Santa Fe Shawl that I'm knitting along with
Lisa.



Some of you might recall the dark green blob on my needles that I identified as the Santa Fe Shawl in my "startitus" photo. Well, the dark green blob is now cotton string on a ball again. That was definitely a case of the chosen yarn being totally unsuitable for a project. It was dark and uninteresting, in my opinion. The yarn I'm using now is a thick-n-thin no-name cotton I bought on cones from eBay:



I'm using the smaller cone for the shawl & I'm sure I'll have plenty. This yarn actually brings back memories - it was in one of the first pics I ever posted on this blog, lo those many months ago. :::grin::: Just goes to prove it's aged long enough in my stash! The yarn is made up of one black strand, one white and one dark tan. I think I'll do a mix of beads at the edge of the shawl - white/black/brown. It should look oh-so-Santa Fe when it's finished. And soft too! I really like the fabric I'm getting with this. The only drawback is that I'm using size 15 needles and they tend to slip out of my work. I'm a drop-the-right-needle-after-every-stitch knitter and I can run into problems with slippery or loose yarn. But all in all this is going to be fun. Just goes to prove the right yarn can make or break a project.

Well - must dash & let the dog out - more Emma pics (yes- we've changed her name back!) tomorrow. Have a great day!

Long time no blog... Well,

Long time no blog...

Well, a couple of days, but that's pretty long for me! We've been very busy with our new Corgi. (Originally named Emma, but renamed Elizabeth, "Beth" for short - long story). Let me tell you - bringing home my babies wasn't as stressful as this! The good news is that she's really a great dog - even-tempered, playful, sweet disposition, etc. The bad news is that she decided I was going to be her one & only. Sigh. I love dogs, but this one is for the kids - not for me! So there were lots of hurt feelings to sooth (Colin particularly) and massive adjustments are still being made. I'm trying to turn most of the work over to Colin - hopefully Beth will follow Colin around when he's the one giving her food & taking her outside. We'll see - it'll take some accomodation on ALL of our parts in order to make this work.

Beth has already been to Petsmart, the McDonald's drive-through, and on her first walk with us:



Not her most attractive side, but it's still a cute behind!

Here's a much better shot:



Ok - on to knitting! Out of the 4 projects I listed last time, I've actually been working on 3 - true to my word, I'm waiting to work on the shawl until Lisa can join me. So - here's a pic of one ball of Coupe used up on Colin's new sweater:



I did a twisted rib to begin, then went into panels of garter/stockinette. I couldn't decide which stitch looked best with the yarn so I just combined them.

I'm almost finished with my first mitten out of Bernat Polar...although now the temps here are going back up into the 50's & 60's so maybe the actual mitten wearing will have to wait until next year.

Happy President's Day!

The following scenes may be

The following scenes may be disturbing to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.

This is a textbook example of knitting startitus compounded by stash acquisition. In fact, several acrylics WERE injured during the making of these pieces - regrettable and costly. Please - if this happens in your home, just put down the knitting needles and back away. Professional help is available by either phone or email. Unfortunately, this knitter seems to actually ....enjoy....the depths to which she's fallen. Shocking and distasteful, certainly, but the story needs to be told....



Clockwise, from the upper right: 1. Just the first 4 rows of the Santa Fe Shawl - honest, Lisa! I'll wait for you to continue on. 2. The Crystal Cove Pullover - love, love it in this yarn. 3. Colin's new sweater - just starting the twisted rib and 4. A mitten for me in Patons Polar.



Upper left: Patons Shetland Chunky in a wonderful plum color for the Shirttail Sensation sweater in Celtics & Arans. Upper right: really cool thick/thin Colinette-type yarn from Lane Cervinia called Fiamma. The colorway is "Tundra." Don't know what I'll do with it, but it's SOFT!!! Next, Patons Polar for mittens & hats, then Homespun in Mardi Gras. I bought the Homespun for the Big Collar Sweater in Vogue, but I really dislike the color now that it's here. That, I think, is destined for eBay. Bummer.

All this came from Smiley's - they have a better selection than the last time I ordered over a year ago. I can't find Patons around here so Smiley's is a good alternative...ie: inexpensive!

Friday was a very good mail day, indeed....from Elann came this:



On the left is "Sunshine" by Schoeller Esslinger and on the right is yummy sapphire blue mohair "Acapella" by Austermann. Very soft! Not sure what it will be but at this price (like Amy with her blue mohair) I had to stash some!

They say confession is good for the soul so I'm feeling pretty cleansed right now. :)

As Frasier says....Thanks for listening....