That's the nice thing about a new year - there are a lot of "firsts" to get through!
*** We were supposed to go back to school today, but we're having a snow day and probably (if APS has any sense at all) we'll have one tomorrow too. We haven't had any more snow, but almost all the schools still have snow-packed & iced over parking lots & walk ways. There are only 4 snow removal crews for 490 schools. You do the math. Historically, we don't get enough snow here to warrant having the trucks come through & clear side streets so most of them are still iced over, making it impossible for buses to run. Honestly, the most intelligent thing to do is bag this week and just start fresh on Monday. We're supposed to be getting another weak snow storm through here Fri/Sat anyway.
*** I'm really tired of snow!
*** We haven't had mail service in 5 days, between the snow and New Year's Day & President Ford's funeral.
*** I'm really, really tired of snow!
*** The boys & I did, however, go out & buy new shoes yesterday. We had to walk over 3" of ice to get into Payless but we got some good stuff. Besides a lovely new pair of brown boots (on sale!) I got a very cool pair of tennies:
Can you see the skulls? Here's a close-up:
Dylan assures me they are mostly Goth & just a little Emo. (For those of you out of the middle school/high school loop, "Emos" are Uber Goths. They are the ones that steal razor blades from pencil sharpeners to cut themselves and like showing off their arms & legs with all the old scars & new threads of blood. And no - I don't make this stuff up.)
Dylan gets along well with both groups (nope - he's not Emo) and got shoes to go with everyone. One pair of "skater" shoes with a thin line of skulls around the lacing and the other pair like mine, but all black (very Goth.) Before you think my entire family is nuts, Colin got a nice, basic pair of athletic shoes with cushy soles 'cause he's starting a semester of PE at school. (Yes - other than a rabid fascination with Blue Oyster Cult, Colin is the "normal" one around here!)
***I cleaned out my knitting basket yesterday because, on principal, I never have UFOS. Here's the stuff I pulled out:
That purple bit in the middle is Knot Ugly Shrug:
I really got quite far with the pattern but I honestly don't know if A. It's going to fit and B. if I'd wear it if it did! So that is getting frogged & going back in my stash to await further developments. :)
The workhorse shawl just isn't working:
It's a garter stitch shawl & it's boring me to tears. Life is too short for boring knits! This will also be frogged & stored.
Fall Cardi, although I love the style, I swear is going to be too small:
I'm not, however, going to frog the back. I'm thinking of making some sort of light, summery cover-up with this yarn and heck - why waste the knitting? This will go back on my shelf as-is to await design inspiration closer to summertime. :)
**** I started this a couple of days ago:
But stopped in dismay when I realized this was another "knit 10 inches and start the armhole shaping" sweater. Can you believe that??? Yes, it's raglan shaping but STILL! I decided to add another 4" then realized I wouldn't have enough yarn to make the sweater if I did that. Since the Berroco Calico was an Elann close-out I can't get any more yarn & I thought I was SOL.
Until I saw Amy's new pattern yesterday. The gauge was right (well - close enough) and I had MORE than enough yarn. So out with the old:
And in with the new:
Even I have to admit I'm really zipping along with this one. I loved Amy's advice regarding using two balls of yarn to do the two sides of the sleeve and carrying the unused yarn up as you do in intarsia. It's really streamlined the knitting process. :) I did make one mistake - the second small cable twist has two extra rows in it. I don't care enough to frog all that to fix it - I'll just do the same on the other sleeve & call it a design element. ;)
I'm at 17" with the sleeve - I'm going to add a couple more before I cast on for the front & back.
***Since there's no such thing as too many pictures, I'll leave you with these...
A lovely Christmas pressie from Nat: Pakucho Cotton in a color I've never seen here in the States:
Those skeins are destined to be some sort of tank top for summer. I can't wait! Thanks so much, Nat!
And because everyone likes a mystery, here are two more skeins of yarn that are in my newly stocked knitting basket....what the heck could they be for? I'll give you a couple of hints: The project isn't for me and I'll be designing it myself. (You'll never guess because I don't think I've mentioned it before on this blog...although you HAVE been treated to pictures of the recipient!! LOL)
Have a wonderful day - snow day or not!
Must be something for that cute little corgi I see running thru your pictures every once in awhile. Is she getting tired of the snow and cold too? Cool sneakers!
Sheri in GA
Posted by: Sheri | January 03, 2007 at 06:51 AM
Is it wrong that I want to get up from my desk right this minute and run to payless for those sneakers?
Posted by: Nancy | January 03, 2007 at 08:29 AM
A doggy sweater? :)
Posted by: Anna | January 03, 2007 at 08:53 AM
I want those shoes!
great sweater. I like the color you're using.
Posted by: Amy Boogie | January 03, 2007 at 09:03 AM
Sheri & Anna - Bingo! Although not for Emma - it's a frou-frou doggie sweater for one of Bio-Mom's Miniature Schnauzers. Emma has a very, very thick coat & doesn't need a sweater. Besides - she wouldn't be caught dead in white fun fur! LOL
Silly me, thinking I could be mysterious with you guys!
Nancy - it's not wrong...it's oh, so right!
Posted by: Bron | January 03, 2007 at 09:04 AM
Love the skully kicks! and the new top from Magknits is holey terrific!
Posted by: Dawn | January 03, 2007 at 12:53 PM
LOL! I love your sneakers :) Couldn't get away with them myself (same reason I put the pink courderoy jeans back on the rack this morning - just too old to carry it off) but the stylized skulls are pretty nifty.
Great start on the holey cable sweater. You know I stared and stared at that pattern yesterday because I really like the way it looks - but I'd never wear it with the holes in the sleeve! I know; I'm a luddite :)
As for your snow - you want to send a little of it up here? Not usually a fan, but I can't get over Albuquerque getting snow and Massachusetts getting none!
Posted by: Robbyn | January 03, 2007 at 12:56 PM
Yay for Yarn pressies!! I love those skull sneakers. Oh, and cool about the snow...too bad it is delaying your mail suprise a bit, ha ha.
Posted by: Wendy | January 03, 2007 at 05:37 PM
Mrs. Weasley's needles indeed! I always marvel at how fast you knit and crochet. I got a measley 22 rows done on my left front last night and it isn't half as complicated. Gee, I just noticed - Weasley/Measley. HA! Sleeve looks gorgeous, by the way.
Sorry about the fall cardi sizing issues - it's such a beauty. I'm glad you pulled it out and gave us a status report - I'd wondered about that one too.
Posted by: Paula | January 03, 2007 at 06:16 PM
Wow it's all action packed at your place! I'm glad you frogged those projects and I like the look of the new sweater too. I think the colours work really nicely with that cable design. Enjoy your snowed in week of knitting! Snow does have its advantages after all hey?! :o)
Posted by: Terri | January 03, 2007 at 06:32 PM
Terri - Never, ever a dull moment! And I wasn't sure about the yarn with the new sweater, but the cables are simple enough that it works. Yay!
Paula - Keep on keeping me honest. Some of these old projects I'm tempted to stuff in the closet & forget! LOL
Robbyn, Robbyn, Robbyn...you're not THAT much older than I am. I think you could totally get away with skull sneakers...although I'm not sure anyone needs pink corduroy jeans! hehehe
Thanks, Dawn! Now I need a skully sweater to match!
Posted by: Bron | January 04, 2007 at 07:14 AM