Bron's Blog II

Hey Dad - I Give Myself An "A"

For years Dad & I had this thing. We'd admire each others projects and then one would ask the other, "So - how'd you do?" To which the other would reply, "I give myself an A."

Even though he's gone, I still grade projects in my head and think of him.

Bianca's Jacket gets an A:

Sorry for the headless shots - believe me, no-one wants to see my poor, red nose!

STATS:

Pattern - "Bianca's Jacket" Fall, 2006 IK
Yarn - For once, actually what the pattern called for - 10 skeins Sir Galli from Muench Yarns.
Needles - Size 7 Knit Picks
Mods - None, except for a couple chart corrections. I haven't checked - there could be errata for the pattern - but the corrections are pretty easy to figure out. Row 6 on chart one needs to be a purl row rather than a knit, and on chart 2 there is an extra row inserted as row 3 when the extra row should come after row 4. If you make it, you'll see what I mean.

EDITED TO ADD: Oops! This had been a UFO so long I'd forgotten that I added about 3 inches to the length, so I wanted to note that in my official FO post. Also, I knit the 46" size and it came out spot on, with lots of ease in the bust area. Just an FYI for anyone making it. :)

This didn't need blocking - the best thing about silk is that it steams to perfection. A quick pass with the steam iron and I had lovely drape. :)

I can honestly say I think this is one of my favorite sweaters ever. The yoke is gorgeous and is very showy even though it was super simple to knit. The neutral color means I'll be getting a lot of wear from it too. :) I think this is a great, all-around sweater - perfect for the mild NM weather.

The pix came out a bit fuzzy - bad lighting tonight - so when I move this project to my permanent gallery I'll try to get some clearer shots.

Speaking of things getting clearer...I'm taking my poor stuffy head to bed now. Hopefully my cold will be better by morning!

Concerned? Me? Nawwwwww....

It's probably because I'm sick (yeah - whatever the kids had last week finally caught with me - yuck!) and I'm seeing things, but the yoke for Bianca's Jacket doesn't seem to be coming out as large as the one in the picture:

Hmmmm....the measurements are exactly what's called for in the pattern. But there are 3 repeats of the lace pattern in the yoke and I'm finished with two of them. Do any of you see how I'll have a nice, deep yoke like the picture after just one more repeat?

It is just me? I'm holding this about where the finished yoke will fall - of course it's kinda hard to do all this one-handed in the mirror!

Maybe I'll end up with a really large neckline?

Should I be worried enough to do another repeat of the lace pattern before the decrease one? Another 12 rows would give me another 1 1/2" in the yoke. Hmmmm....

I've looked at other finished Bianca's on the net & most seem to have worked out well, although it looks like a couple added rows to the edging and hence the neckline.

I don't know...what do you all think?

This jacket is on the short side & I don't want my broad shoulders to make me look like I'm wearing my mother's size 8 clothing. You know what I mean?

To use the term Paula coined, my knitting spidey sense is tingling. Never a good sign.

I'm going to await your verdict. I'll put this aside for today & start on something mindless - probably the Plain Vanilla Pullover in that lovely burgundy/brick Crayon from Knit Picks. I'm not trusting the brain fog I seem to be in this weekend...stupid cold!

So - weigh in, people! Any & all comments welcome. :)

Happy Crafting

As predicted, I didn't get time yesterday to work on lining my Larger Than Life bag. We did small projects around the house, then went to the old house to pack up more stuff. This time we started on the attic & brought over a ton of Christmas & Halloween decorations. Rather than sticking it all back in the attic (which is terribly difficult to get to in this house) Doug's taking my idea of packing everything in the metal shed out back. Technically it's for the lawn mower & garden tools, but we have a smaller one attached to the house that will handle all that and it will be wonderful to be able to walk right out & carry in totes full of decorations when the mood strikes me, rather than wait for Doug to get home & get up in the attic!

So - that's one problem solved!

I did want to finish a place mat yesterday to see how I'd like it with the runner. When I looked at the picture I posted yesterday I realized I'd not done the black stripes correctly. I ripped, re-did & here's the result:

I'm really please with it & will go on & make 3 more. :)

We watched "The Messengers" last night - a pretty good flick - so I got some quality knitting time in on Vogue Cardi #19:

I've added length by knitting 6" of ribbing rather than 3". Since I'm long-waisted anyway, that seemed to be the best bet. Now I knit another 3" of stockinette before starting the armholes. I'm hoping to concentrate on this one fairly steadily & get it done in a week or so.

And believe it or not, I've pulled out Bianca's Jacket again:

I found it while moving, of course, and a couple of readers have been wondering when (or if!) I'd ever be finishing it. I think the time has come to buckle down & do the yoke. I'm not sure why I stopped but hopefully it won't be too hard to pick up again.

I think one of my favorite things about Ravelry is finding (or getting reminded) of new patterns to make. I've had Wicked downloaded on my computer for several months without even printing it out! And now I've found Glee through many different knitters on Ravelry. That goes on the list too. :)

I'm crossing my fingers that today I'll be able to work on Larger Than Life, in between swimming & working.....and finding more things to sell or give away. Our painter asked for (and received) our old California King water bed....Yay! One less thing to haul away. LOL

Things That Make You Feel Better

• An understanding Sub Coordinator. I told her how sick I was feeling yesterday and, after my first two classes, she let me go home for lunch and a prep period (I was able to take a nap!) and then had me come back for 4th period to cover an emergency absence. The best part is....she changed the job times so that I'd get paid for the time I spent at home. :) She's very good that way and I always appreciate it. That nap made all the difference & I was able to get through the day fairly well.

• Having the "4th Period from hell" and actually having a good time with them. It's one of my favorite "bad" classes. I had no problems with them and was able to leave a very good report. It gave me a real sense of competence because 3rd period had gotten a truly awful review from another sub.

• Finally watching "The Illusionist" and loving every minute of it. Achingly romantic, mysterious, a real puzzler, i was smiling when the end credits rolled. Edward Norton was mesmerizing - in every sense of the word. I think I might have to buy this one and watch it at my leisure. I even loved the lighting - low but rich. :) Seriously - go watch this one, you won't be sorry!

• Having this waiting for me when I got home:

And feeling some crochet mojo returning because of these patterns:

Of course, now that it's here, I don't have the right yarn to make the tunic I've been lusting after. So while I decide what I want to use, I think I'll be making that lacey tie cardi (second from last) with yarn I have on hand. (Yes, Paula - I realize it's a cardi! LOL)

• Having my cup runneth over with this waiting for me too:

But more on that one next time. :)

• Being able to go to bed early & sleeping pretty well for around 8 hours. I'm feeling tons better today, which is just as well because I have two jobs: 2 periods of science in the AM and a period and a half of 7th grade math in the afternoon. Luckily for me, these stress related episodes usually last just 24 hours. I'm going to be more careful in what I eat - I think part of this was some poor food choices catching up with me!

Thanks for all the get well wishes. :) Much appreciated!

I was too out of it yesterday to do much knitting or crocheting, although I did manage 4 full rows on Bianca's Jacket. At least all the pieces are attached now and the lace pattern is started. I can't promise I'll be finishing any time soon (especially with all the new crochet patterns to make!) but I will keep plugging away on it. :)

Fun Stuff

When you're working on something very neutral and basic, like Bianca's Jacket in "Sand":

(Don't worry - the sides actually matched, they just need severe blocking!) It's nice to work on something bright & fun:

The little butterfly is a fridgie. Yeah - it's a fridge magnet. I've finally gone over the edge:

My Mom used to make tons of those magnets and although this pattern isn't exactly like the one she used to make, it's pretty darn close. Hey - it matches the butterfly potholder. I had to do it!

I would've started Bianca's sleeves last night, but we were watching "Poseidon" and it was a bit too exciting to worry about charted designs! Although "Poseidon Adventure" was better (who can ever forget Shelley Winters heroic swim?) I enjoyed this remake too. :)

I want to get past the graphed design on the sleeves today so I'll just have straight stockinette to worry about while proctoring tomorrow. This is coming together very quickly and I'm so far very pleased with the pattern. There's only been one mistake & that was a pretty obvious typo. So, "Yay!" for correct patterns!

And "Yay!" for knitting Sundays!

Just...In A Good Mood

You ever have days like that? Even though your stresses are still there you're just feeling pretty good? That happened to me yesterday. :)

The proctoring wasn't too bad - I was kept fairly busy and there was a group of us doing the same thing so we had the whole people-stuck-doing-the-same-thing-camaraderie going on. I brought knitting and crocheting to do and, the shameless hussy that I am, I made sure to wear something I'd made (Tahki's Bell-Sleeved Top) because I knew people would be commenting on what I was making & I wanted to be wearing something smashing to brag on.

Sure enough, I got ooohs & aaaahs over my top AND what I was working on!Man, after so many years of nothing it was like water in a desert. :) The TIPS director is teaching one of the EAs to knit and I helped her a bit while we sat there. She commented on the dishcloth I was crocheting, "All you need is a crochet hook to make a dishcloth?" and liked it so much I gave it to her when I was finished. Heck - it's not like I can't make more! ::wink::

Then when I got to the one class I was subbing yesterday, I found this:

In case you can't read it, it says, "A gift for my fave! fave! sub."

Altogether now: "Awwwwwww!"

It's a mug from the American Association of University Women:

I'm subbing a week for my "fave" science teacher and she really appreciates it. :) Besides - we're making bottle rockets (just 2 liter bottles shooting straws across the room, no explosives!) and not many subs would be willing to do that with 8 classes! LOL

Anyway, it was just so nice to be appreciated yesterday for both my substituting AND my crafting! Hence the pretty darn good mood. :)

I would've had the first front finished on Bianca at school, but I forgot to bring an extra ball of yarn! So when I got home I finished it:

and got a decent start on the left front:

I'm hoping to have the sleeves finished this weekend and everything joined together by Monday. I'm proctoring again Mon, Tues & Wed, but Mon & Tues we're only there until 1:30. So things could be worse. Things could always be worse! LOL

Today is a regular school day & I have 4 science classes - no prep & no knitting for me today!

I'm really looking forward to the weekend. I've got some Netflix goodies (The Prestige, a horror movie whose title escapes me at the moment and I'm hoping the last 3 episodes of season 3 of "Six Feet Under" will make it in Sat.) and plenty of knitting to accomplish!

Oh yeah...I might want to put away the 6 or so loads of laundry still stacked in various & sundry places too. hehehe

Have a good one!

I Really Did Have The Day Off

It still seems surreal. LOL It's been so long since I've been alone in the house it kind of freaked me out. But I managed to get some things done. :) It's a good thing I was home since the carpet installers were able to come out to the rental yesterday. It really looks great with new carpet to go with all the new paint. :)

Our appraisal is going to be adjusted upward also. Yay!

Things always happen for a reason, and obviously the original purchase deal falling through was the best thing for us.

Next up: We'll have the carpet cleaners come out to clean the filthy tile/grout in the family room, kitchen & bathrooms. Then we'll have the Merry Maids or some such organization come out & see if they can work miracles with the bathroom's tub & shower enclosure. I have a feeling we'll be resurfacing the tub and the shower but otherwise, the bathrooms should just take some work & industrial strength cleaner to fix.

And notice how I'm hiring it done. ::wink::

I finished the back of Bianca yesterday:

The scary thing is that I added five inches to the length on this and it's still only 14" from the bottom of the armhole to the hem. Whew!

I've finished the shaping on the right front:

I'll take this to school today as my proctor knitting, along with the butterfly dishcloth/hot pad combo. And anything else that strikes my fancy because I'll have at least 4 hours to sit & do nothing tomorrow. Sigh.

Why they don't just call in the job as a single period, I don't know. Then, at least, I could be home doing something constructive around here!

Tomorrow, at least, is a full day teaching. But I proctor again Mon., Tues. & Wed. As it stands, I'll have next Thurs. & Fri. off, so I shouldn't complain, I guess, if I get a 4 day weekend!

The winds here were awful yesterday so I didn't get out to take pics of the house. I'll do that today if the weather has calmed down. :)

Tomorrow is my Mom's birthday - she would have been 94.

It's strange to think it's been 5 months since her funeral.

She would've loved a set of dishcloths for her birthday. But she never would've used them. The last set I gave her (back in '90 or so) she used as doilies under pictures in the living room. I told her to use them, I could make more! But no - she insisted they never touch a dirty dish.

That was Mom.

Proctor Bron

I found out yesterday what I'll be doing on those testing days when I just have one class to sub: I'll be a proctor! Which means I get to hang out in the office, periodically walking around the school to see if anyone needs to go potty. (Kids, not teachers - you have to be a teacher to take over for a teacher during testing) and then I get to take 'em to the bathroom & stay with them in case there's any funny business.

My training for the post yesterday consisted of being told not to talk to the student about the test and not to look at anyone's test. I then signed the form & I was official.

It took 3 1/2 minutes, tops.

I know - you all are sooooo jealous! At least Monday & Tuesday are short days. And I still don't have a job for the 1st day of testing so hopefully I'll be home tomorrow, taking a load off. I haven't slept too well the past couple of nights so a day when I can take a nap would be nice! And then if I don't get called in for the last two days of testing, I'll have a 4 day weekend - two days without the kids!

Come on, Universe - bring it home to Mama! LOL

I knit several more inches on Bianca yesterday:

And, of course, what's a post without a dishrag?:

I'm going to make several from this pattern - I've already started another from orange & green scraps. It's from one of the books I found on eBay and takes about half an hour to complete. :)

I picked up this on impulse and heck, it's not too bad!:

Unlike "Crochet!" where all the old fun fur goes to be buried, this magazine actually has some cute things in it:

The designer has a cool way of doing the twists on this bag that I really have to try. Besides, it's a cute bag!:

I really liked this wrap kimono sweater too:

And of course, what's not to like about a magazine with dishcloth patterns?

I'm really tempted to get a subscription - this is reminding me of the good old days when "Crochet With Heart" first began.

Thinking about "Crochet With Heart" got me thinking about the last time I made lots & lots of potholders, dishrags & towel toppers.  It was back in the early 90's and I think I stocked up everyone I knew. But since then: nada, nothing, zip. No wonder I'm latching onto this kitschy kitchen stuff so whole-heartedly. I literally haven't made one potholder in at least 15 years. Yikes! Who knew?

So please - bear with me while I get this monkey off my back, OK? ::wink:: I have to make up for 15 years!

Rental/Renter News: We've filed the lawsuit in court and the papers are at the Sheriff's dept. to be served. I can't believe those bastards are making us jump through all these hoops (and spend MORE money) got get what they already admitted they owed. They have 20 days after serving to respond. I'm sure we'll get a summary judgement since they're guilty as all get out. If they request a jury trial, I'll be SUPER pissed!

The guy we have painting the house started yesterday and he's almost finished the inside! The kid is a machine and he's doing spectacular work. I'm so glad we decided to hire it done AND that we found a friend who would do it for us so inexpensively. We'll definitely have him do this house when the time comes to move.

We should have the carpet in by the end of the week and replace toilets, sinks, etc. and have it on the market the second week in March which was our target all along. :) I'll definitely be showing some before & after pics!

It'll all be worth it if we can net out $20,000 more by doing all these cosmetic things rather than just dumping the house.

Have a good one!

I'm SO Over The Failure Of You-Know-What

Because I'm SO enamored of this:

It's the beginning of Bianca's Jacket and so far I'm loving the knitting. :) Loving the yarn so much, in fact, that when I realized I'd probably need a couple more balls of "Sand" to lengthen the sweater, I decided to order another bag - of Charcoal this time. I've no plans for it, but the yarn is too nice to pass up. :)

I'm lengthening the sweater because the pattern calls for only 9 inches before starting the armhole shaping. That is just way to short for me! I should be able to get at least  5" of extra length out of each ball of yarn. The piece you see in the picture is at 5" already and I haven't finished the first ball yet.

Plus, it's just nice to work with yarn that isn't cotton for a change. ::wink::

In other news, these came in from eBay:

And this:

I'm planning to use the Peaches & Cream cone for autumn kitchen things. :) The two dishcloth/potholder books should keep me busy for awhile. After all, who can resist this?:

And this one will be great for my Christmas gift stack:

I finished this up yesterday:

It's probably more of a facecloth, though. I can see threading ribbon through those eyelets to make a pouch & putting a couple of nice soaps in the middle for a gift.

I also made what is possibly the brightest dishrag known to man:

I'm tempted to keep it for myself, but I'll wait until I see what colors my kitchen swap partner at Fiber Freaks likes. :) The neat thing about this cloth is the way the textured bumps were made. It was a new stitch and I really like how it looks. (If you look closely in the above pic, you can see two rows of what look like cluster stitches, but they're actually sc, dc, sc in the same stitch.) I might have seen that method years ago, but I'd forgotten all about it.

I'm still debating whether I should start another new project. I'd probably like to have something to work on that's crocheted...we'll see what I can find. If those new TSC books come in, there won't be ANY doubt as to what I'll be working on next.