PG13

Decisions

2008-03-06T13:18:00.004-06:00

So, I've been trying to go back to full time at the non-art related company I work for for some time. I was told that they just didn't think there was enough work for me to do, and they didn't want me to get bored. Two days ago another department posted a position and I told my boss I was going to apply for it. Suddenly, I can come back plus get a nice raise. Funny how that worked. Now I just need to decide which department I would rather work for - my current one where I love my co-workers and am comfortable, but will have some down time, or the new department where the people are much older and stuffier, but where I will be kept constantly busy with absolutely no down time. It's more of a data entry type position then what I currently have. Both positions will pay the same, so I just need to decide if I want to learn something new. I have until tomorrow to let them know. I hate being bored, so the no down time sounds nice, but my current position will give me more of an opportunity to move up. AAARRRGGGG

Motivation

2008-03-02T15:30:00.003-06:00

I am supposed to be working on my thesis. I have a meeting with my advisor this week, and of course I have procrastinated up to the last minute. So now I am going to have to go in with 1/2 of what I was supposed to have written, and it won't be nearly as polished as it should be. I do believe that I am going to have to either meet with her more then once a month, or work out a deadline that I have to e-mail her my progress weekly, even if it's just a rough outline or notes. She won't need to necessarily read what I send, as long as I have the deadline in place.

I finally finished Chevrolace!

They are a little loose around the top of the leg, but I like them enough that I will deal with it. I have also started working on a new project. It's the Carie Cropped Flare-Sleeve Cardigan from Fitted Knits (both ravelry links). I am knitting it with Cascade Jewel, because the required yarn is WAY too thick for someone not built like a waif.

This is my first attempt at knitting math, so wish me luck! I know the picture stinks, but I'm hoping that if I make myself give updates I'll actually finish the project in a respectable amount of time. I'm all about the motivation.

One down....

2008-01-27T16:41:00.000-06:00

One to go. I have finished the first Chevrolace sock from the winter 07 Knitty (by the way, the surprises are up. Go look. Tell me what you think). The first time I saw this pattern, I wasn't nuts about it. In fact, I think I looked at it for all of a second before deciding it just wasn't for me. After unsuccessfully starting the traveler's sock from Knitting on the Road I gave Chevrolace a second look.
I LOVE this sock. I am completely enchanted with the yarn (Trekking Pro Natura in Woodland - color 1603). It looks like shades of coffee mixed with cream when it is knit up, and since I love anything that has to do with coffee, this is a very, very good thing. Also, I like the content - 75% wool, 25% bamboo.

The pattern was written to be toe up. I have previously discussed my dismal attempts at toe up, I reversed the chart to make it a top down pattern.

It was difficult enough that I needed to keep the lace chart with me when working the pattern, but easy enough that I just needed to glance at the chart to remember the instructions. I've already cast on for the second sock!

Sunday's

2008-01-13T14:29:00.001-06:00

Sunday is thesis day. I'm not really in the writing stage yet, so I spend Sunday's reading books that will help get me to the writing stage and journaling ideas. This method has been working well for the last several weeks - I have a better idea of what I need to do and have actually been able to think about the thesis, which is a whole heck of a lot more then I have been doing in the past couple of weeks. Today, however, my thesis books are putting me to sleep. Plus, there's football to watch. While I am currently at work and can't actually "watch" the game, I am able to keep the Fox Sports page up. Since this page constantly refreshes itself, I can keep up with the score. This does not make me want to focus on reading Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day

Instead, here are the yarn pictures I promised last week.

Lorna's Lace in Safari. I love this color way, which surprises me. Typically I like more subdued color ways and the semi solids. But this just called to me. The fact that it was on sale didn't hurt, either.

This is the Buckingham Yarn. (Again, sorry. I can't find a better link). It will be used for the Juno Regina scarf, if I can ever figure out how to read a chart without getting frustrated and confused after the first repeat.

Also, I chopped off about 10 inches of hair.

I'm the one in the middle.

Ok, I'm going to try and finish the chapter on getting from the zero draft to the first draft. I know you're jealous!

Happy 2008!

2008-01-05T08:57:00.000-06:00

I have a lot of stash yarn. One dresser and and two plastic storage towers full. A lot of it is really nice stuff - I have a friend who spins but doesn't knit, so I get a lot of her stuff. For 2008 my goal is to actually use some of this stuff! I'm not going to call it a diet, because then I will just want to buy everything I see. But right now it feels like my hobby is buying yarn, not knitting. This year I want to be able to call myself a knitter again. I want to organize my stash a bit better. Right now my organization relies more on just remembering that I purchased yarn at some part and having a vague remembrance of which bin it got put into. I think organizing the stash will help me rediscover some of the yarn I have.
I am finally finished with all of my Christmas knitting. My poor father was the only one who had to unwrap a ball of yarn on Christmas day! I finished the red scarf from last year, finally, along with a matching hat for my mom. I didn't get any pictures. Christmas at my parents tends to be complete chaos with all of my brothers kids, so I didn't bring my camera home. My dad got to unwrap one sock and the cuff of the second. The finished one fit, which was nice. I thought I had the second one finished on Wednesday, but after sewing in all the ends I realized the second one was a good inch shorter then the first, so I had to rip it back to the toe decreases and add that inch. Everyone loved their gifts. When I visited my brothers house later that day my SIL was wearing her socks. She absolutely loved them!
I am currently working on Juno Regina from the Fall 2007 Knitty issue. This issue had so many fabulous patterns. I attempted to make it with Cashwool, but that felt like knitting with floss. I had trouble working with the yarn because it is soooo thin. I'm not good with lace weight to begin with, and I think this is a little thinner then other lace, so I had to take it out. I am using Bristol Yarn Company's Buckingham (sorry, only link I could find!), which is an alpaca silk blend. It's a sport weight, so the scarf will end up being more of a wrap, which is perfect. It's a pale blue shade that is absolutely gorgeous. If the light and camera cooperate today I will try to get pictures.

Wish me luck

2007-12-20T17:02:00.000-06:00

I had an interview today. Part of me thinks I am jinxing things by mentioning it here, but internet love and well wishes has worked wonders for others in the past.

Status Report

2007-12-09T21:15:00.000-06:00

My sister-in-laws socks are done. The fact that it only took me a week to knit the second sock makes the fact that it took me 6 months all that much more pathetic.

I have turned the hill on the first sock for my dad, hopefully I will finish it this week so I can get the second one done in time for Christmas.

I am watching the most depressing hockey game I have ever seen. The Blues are loosing 9-4 to the Avalanche. It an attempt to cheer myself up, here's a picture of Purl in her reindeer antlers. She kept them on for about 1 second before she decided they were evil.

I think she's stinkin cute in them.

Also

2007-12-06T19:32:00.000-06:00

Today is my blogiversary!

Da Da Da

2007-12-06T18:17:00.000-06:00

(It works better if you can imagine the dramatic music along with the da da da)

I finally finished the first sock of doommy doom doom, other wise known as Child's First Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks. It took me ~~close to~~ six months to finish this sock. I cast on the first time on June 14. After knitting the cuff the first time I decided it was too big and ripped on with 8 fewer stitches...
which caused the sock to get stuck on my leg when I tried it on after the gusset. So in all fairness, I've knit this sock twice in that time. But now I have one finished, so ...

That's right! I cast on for the second one! This photo was taken after I had completed two repeats on the leg. I now have 4 1/2 repeats out of the 6 I have to do for the leg. Good thing too, because I decided that I am going to give them to my sister-in-law for Christmas. She is taking care of 4 kids right now while my brother is in basic, so she definitely deserves some hand knit love for the holidays. The yarn reminds me of Monet's Water Lillies, which is her favorite painting, so it's perfect.

I also decided to make my dad a pair this year. The only knit item he has from me is the first scarf I made out of cheapo acrylic, so it's time he got something.

The leg is now about 7 inches long now. I am using Austermann Step in a denim colorway (my label says 20-200115, but that's not on the website. I think it's 21.7789-20). I am using size 2 needles, which is nice. Unfortunately I sat on my sock bag, so I broke one. I need to go by my LYS to pick up some new ones.

However, I'm not going anywhere tonight. It is snowing and yucky out. It has given me opportunities to wear my new hat, though. It's only a little bit itchy, right where it touches my forehead. It only covers about 1/2 inch, so it's not bad. Also, I could find merino itchy if it was on my forehead. It's my curse as a knitter - I don't like to wear winter hats. Since this one's so pretty I will make an exception.

Remember my mom, the crafty one? She felt bad for me because I haven't had a Christmas tree in two years. My cat likes to pull off all the ornaments, and Purl just likes to destroy things. So she made me one!

It's hanging right over my couch and is so pretty and festive. I think it's what put me in the mood to knit for other people this year!

Finally, some temptation. These ladies are enablers! I know the list is meant to be given to other people for ideas, but I just want to buy something from every store they listed!

As promised...

2007-12-02T18:43:00.000-06:00

I went to the Blues game last night. We won, which was a good thing, because I needed that excitement to get me through the rest of the night. We took the metro-link, St. Louis' version of public transportation. After the game we went to a friends, who lives near the rink. We thought we had until 12:30 to get back to the metro stop, since the sign said the last run west was at 12:45. I assumed that the last train west would go ALL THE WAY west. At 12:45 we hopped on the correct train, only to be told at the next stop that it was the last one and everyone had to get off! So we were stranded at Union Station at 1 am. Luckily (it seemed at the time) one of the people with me got a hold of a relative to come get us. Only after we got picked up did we realize we may have been better off trying to catch a cab. Luckily everyone made it home safely, but it was a stressful night.

In knitting related news, I finally photographed Foliage!

I haven't worn it much yet, since I live in Missouri and we are having some crazy weather. In the last two days we went from 40 degrees to 70, back to 40. I took this photo this morning on my back porch with short sleeves on. It was comfortable out side in said short sleeves. Now, it is freezing out. Hopefully I will get more chances to wear the hat!

All in all, this is a good project. It took me less then a week to knit, used up stash yarn, was well written, and kept me interested.

Here's a shot on the progress on Oblique, as well.

I haven't figured out to lighten images or correct the color on my photo editing software yet, and didn't want to take the time to figure it out now. The top photo shows the true color better, but is just a little too dark. The bottom photo is lighter and shows the detail better, but looks gray as opposed to navy blue.

Well, back to knitting. Christmas is only 23 days away!

Good Times

2007-11-25T10:39:00.000-06:00

I am working on two projects right now, both of which may end up being frogged. I think this decision will be one that waits to the last minuet, though. I have turned the heel and finished the gusset on the child's first sock (finally). I'm not sure if I like the way it fits, but since it's still on the needles I can't really tell yet, so I'm going to wait until I finish the toe to decide. I have also cast on for Oblique, which I love. The problem is that I don't know if this sweater really fits in with my wardrobe and style. I tend to wear really plain sweaters. For now I think I am going to keep knitting the back before I decide, because so far it's fun to knit.

I finished the hat, but between needing someone to take pictures and needing new batteries for my camera - no pictures yet.

Also - mainly because I need a picture - this was frogged. It was my first toe up attempt, and I don't think I did it right - there were some major holes by the gusset. It is not fun to undo a sewn cast-off. There was a lot of cutting and cursing.

It's Lorna's Lace Baltic Sea, which is apparently my favorite color way. Any time I find variegated Lorna's that I like it's this color way. I think I am going to knit Thrifty Knitter's Woodlawn Shawl with it, though it may end up being plain jane socks. We'll see.

The Proof

2007-11-06T15:04:00.000-06:00

This is where I was on Foliage when I originally posted on Sunday.

This is where I am now. Just one more lace repeat and the ribbing.

After working on the same projects all summer long, it sure is nice to be close to finishing something.

Foliage

2007-11-04T11:18:00.000-06:00

Hi! I've been knitting! I have no actual proof of this knitting, since I am at work and the camera batteries are dead, but I promise you I am telling the truth. I cast on for Foliage yesterday using leftover Lamb's Pride worsted in Raspberry. I love love love this yarn (plus I may be over-caffeinated right now, which could explain the enthusiasm). I originally purchased the yarn two years ago to make my mother a pair of Fuzzy Feet for Christmas. The pattern called for two skeins. I only used a little bit of the second skein to finish the toe on the second slipper, so I have most of the skein left. I am a little worried about the itch factor, since there is a little bit of mohair in the yarn and I tend to have problems with hats anyway, but the yarn is so dang soft that I decided to risk it.
I ripped the Little Red Riding Hoodie from Domiknitrix, which really didn't have a lot of progress on it. I decided that I really didn't need a knit hoodie, and since the whole grafting the pockets AND sewing in a zipper seemed a little advanced for me I decided to scrape the project. Now I have 12 skeins of Cascade 220 in navy. I think I am going to cast on for Hourglass from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I cast on last weekend, knit 6 rows, changed my mind on the yarn for the pattern, ripped out the 6 rows, then realized I didn't have enough of the other yarn so changed my mind back. I have yet to recast on. I will though. Eventually. Soon. I have wanted to knit this sweater for a while, because it is the perfect combination of casual-cozy and stylish, so I could wear it to work when I want to be comfy without feeling like I look like a schlump.
Work is still being done on both Orangina and the child's first socks.

Also, the blues lost last night. To the Blackhawks. This does not make me a happy camper.

Brotherly Love

2007-10-27T11:53:00.000-06:00

My big brother left for basic training for the army on Tuesday (I was going to include a picture, but since I've never asked him how he feels about pictures being posted on the internet, I figured it might not be a good idea. I also wanted to post pictures of my ridiculously adorable nieces and nephews, but for the same reason I won't). I couldn't be happier for or prouder of him. He has four adorable kids and a wonderful wife. He has wanted to join the military since high school but for one reason or another never did. He is finally doing what he wants, and in the process was able to choose a really, really cool career path.

Let's Go Blues!

2007-10-25T11:36:00.000-06:00

One would think that by age 25 I would be a little bit more responsible one it comes to things. Especially money things. Apparently this is not the case. There is always a point in the pay period where I promise myself that from now on I will follow a budget and eat at home more. Then when I get paid I go to the grocery store in order to be more responsible and stay in. As soon as the groceries are put away, though, I end up deciding I'm too tired to cook and go out. *sigh* I am at the point in the pay period where I am promising myself that I will do better next time.

On what was meant to be a more cheerful note, I am a HUGE hockey fan. I 've gone to 1 pre-season game and two regular season games so far, and am hoping to go to a few more (which may be something I need to address in regards to the above paragraph). Since I am from St. Louis, of course I love the Blues. We are doing better this season, so I am REALLY excited.

Unfortunately, we just lost to the Blue Jackets 3-0 (this photo is not from tonight. It's from last Saturday, when we also lost. I swear we are doing great).

I will knit again sometime soon, I promise. It was in the 40's here today, so I am thinking about pulling out some stash yarn and starting a nice cozy sweater.

Yes Susan

2007-10-19T14:12:00.000-06:00

I did survive Florida. It was great.

This was our view. It was amazing. It was a private beach, was made it that much better.

We had mimosa's every day first thing. Needless to say, I did not get a lot of knitting done on my vacation.

My laptop was out of commission for several weeks. That, plus no knitting, plus crazy life getting in the way, means no blogging. But the laptop is back, so hopefully I will have more blogs coming in the future.

Florida, Here I Come!

2007-08-20T14:05:00.000-06:00

Sorry, still no photos.

I'm at work right now, job #2 - the one I actually like. I really wanted to get this grant in today, but now I'm not so sure. It's not looking promising, so I'm sure that if I got off of blogger and myspace things would be going much faster.

I leave on Thursday to go to Florida for 5 days. I am very excited about this. I plan on making good use of this vacation time - working 7 days a week with no breaks means I REALLY need some time off. (Really, I don't mean for this to sound winy. I love the second job, which is why I work 7 days a week. If I didn't love it I would go back full time to job number 1 and get my weekends and PTO back. But I do, so it's worth it. I'm just really excited to be going on vacation).

Catch Up

2007-08-11T11:32:00.000-06:00

It was been 98 degrees or hotter for the last two weeks here. It is too hot to knit, too hot to take pictures of the non-existing knitting, and too hot to blog. Heck, it is almost too hot to think. I took Purl for the first walk in three weeks this morning - with all that black fur she overheats easily.
I have gotten some progress on my child's first sock, but due to needle issues I have put the sock down for a while. I normally use bamboo needles for socks but found that mine were warping too much on this sock, so I decided to give metal a shot. I'm finding that the metal is way to hard on my hands - I have arthritis and for whatever reasons my hands seem to hurt much more when I use the metal dpn's then with the bamboo, so much so that the last time I knit on the socks my hands started to go numb (the fact that it was chilly where I was knitting did not help. Cold plus metal dpn's do not equal good things for my hands). I had brought the socks and orangina to work on at my knit night, which just happens to take place in a yarn store. Orangina was misbehaving again, so it needed a time out. Luckily, Knit and Caboodle carries a collection of the cutest kids patterns, so I decided to start a new project. My friends L & K have the cutest little girl - G. She is seven months old now, and since L's favorite color is green, I picked up some Cascade Cotton Rich in color 5800. The yarn is nice to work with - it's not hard on the hands, doesn't split. and stays spun, but only has 88 yards to a skein. I guess for less then $5.00 a skein I really can't expect tons of yardage, but I still haven't finished the skirt (knit bottom up) and am already on my fourth ball.
The Cardinal's participated in Stitch and Pitch, which was a lot of fun. It was 99 degrees out, but we won, so I'm glad I went. We went from loosing with no runs at the beginning of the 5th inning to scoring 10 runs and winning by the time it ended. Plus, it was the first time I had seen my friend Elephunning in several weeks, and she brought presents! (sorry, I couldn't find a better web page or remember the names of the other brands, but she brought back three different micro-brews, two of each kind, for both Deb and myself).
I have also had the pleasure of attending two Muny shows this month, The Pajama Game with my co-workers, and Le Mis with a college friend of mine. Both were very good. Le Mis might be the best show I have seen in a LONG time, if not ever.
Tonight I am attending a River City Rascals game with my parents, as long as it doesn't get too unbearably hot.
I will try and get photos of the WIP's before too much longer.

Practice Makes Perfect

2007-07-07T18:30:00.000-06:00

I spent today perfecting my long tail cast on. I know many of you may be thinking that this is a basic skill that most knitters learn when they first pick up needles and yarn. I thought so too. But apparently I needed the practice. I re-cast on for the child's first sock FIVE times today before finally getting the right number of stitches with a length of left over yarn that did not make me feel like I was wasting perfectly good yarn.

BTW if you live in St Louis I highly recommend going to Trail Head brewery and trying their current seasonal - Honey Wheat. It is awesome.

Stuck!

2007-07-04T15:20:00.000-06:00

I have a two year old nephew who we call dozer, because he doesn't let things like chairs, or walls get in his way. If something won't move he gets very upset and will inform you that it's stuck. He will walk up to a tree, try to push it and get so upset because it is "stuck." He also has a problem with being "stuck" in his car seat or high chair.

Remember when I thought the sock would be too big? So I ripped it out and started over with one less repeat? I should have left it. Oddly, The sock fits my leg perfectly.

See, there's even extra stretch! But, alas, I could not get it back over my heel. I had to unwind the Child's First Sock while it was on my leg because I was stuck!

I hope everyone is having a great 4th of July!

I just want to move*

2007-07-01T20:34:00.000-06:00

This weekend I started a new job. I will now be the weekend gallery attendant at the Foundry Art Centre. I still have my internship there, and I will still be working at the other place, but now I have a paying job in the field I want to go into! One of the pluses is that when there are no volunteers I have to sit at the front desk, which means knitting time! I finished two repeats on my Child's First Sock and have most of the heel flap done. Yay progress!
I also spent a good deal of this weekend watching season one of Weeds. Must say I now love this show. It is hilarious. (It's also where the title of this post came from. It's a song that plays during one of the episodes. I don't want to spoil the episode, but the song is PERFECT for the scene).

Superhero*

2007-06-25T16:49:00.000-06:00

My two best friends from college came to St. Louis this weekend. This resulted in lots of reunions and much drinking. It most likely resulted in me putting my foot in my mouth, as drinking often results in this for me. It was an awesome weekend and one I hope to relive as soon as possible. However, there was no knitting.

*We listened to a lot of Ani DeFranco, just like back in the day.

Take me to the river...

2007-06-17T12:15:00.000-06:00

I have made progress on Orangina. I have finished the first skein and have about 12 inches of lace knit.
Unfortunately I dropped a stitch about 2 inches ago. I picked the stitch up, but as you can see, it looks a little bit odd.

I really don't want to rip back, so I'm hoping that I will be able to either block the mistake out or I will learn to live with it. Maybe I will make this the back of the tank so I can't see it. Honestly, I had to be right on top of the pattern with my camera to have the mistake show up in a picture, so that gives me hope.

I ended up ripping the cuff of my Child's First Sock out. I have tiny ankles, so there was no way the cuff was going to fit me. I'm going to re-cast on with 8 fewer stitches so that it will fit.
Purl is at the groomer getting shaved today. She's going to look so funny, but she does not handle the heat well, so it needs to be done. I have to go pick her up in a half hour, then we're going to go play in the river!

The waiting game

2007-06-14T14:02:00.000-06:00

Thanks for the comments, on both the socks and the pets! Princess (the kitty) insists on laying in the middle of the coffee table when I am using it, so she was originally laying right in front of my feet. Purl decided she needed to check out the socks, and in the process put her rather large head on top of the cat, which of course crushed the poor thing. Then Purl decided the cat needed a sniffing, so that's why the cat is running away with a look of sheer panic!

I have started a new pair of socks - the Child's First Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks in jitterbug. I think it's the Jay colorway, but I'm at work right now, so I can't tell for sure. I'm almost through with the cuff. It looks big to me, but I think it's too soon to tell. There might also be pooling, but again, with less then an inch done, it's too soon to tell. I'm just going to have to be patient and wait to see.

Slow Down!

2007-06-12T19:29:00.000-06:00

I finished my socks today! Actually, I finished last night, but wasn't capable of grafting the toe at that point, so that part had to wait until today.
Specks:
Plain jane knit socks, using the Yarn Harlot's basic recipie
Yarn: Trekking. Not sure which color way, because the dog ate the color band while helping me organize the ball.
Start time: some time back in early February.
End time: June 12th. Yup, it took me four months to do these babies. That's what I call speed knitting.

Enableing

2007-06-10T17:54:00.000-06:00

I have been knitting, I swear. It just that the projects I've been working on aren't really all that exciting to blog about.

See? Orangina is several inches longer in this photo then she was the last time I blogged, but you can't really tell. She looks the same.
And the sock? I'm halfway through the foot, but it's a plain sock. How many pictures of those do you really need to see? Maybe I need to start a few more projects so I can be a better blogger.

Grrrr

2007-05-27T12:47:00.000-06:00

Lace does not like me. I know I've said this before, but it really doesn't. Every time I get a row done on Orangeina I have to undo two.

This is frustrating.
I'm also having sock issues. I'm picking up stitches on the gusset. One side looks perfect, but the other sides keeps getting big gaping holes.

And it's one, two, three, strikes you're out

2007-05-26T17:55:00.001-06:00

I went to a baseball game with my parents last night. We lost, but it was still a lot of fun. We were up as high as we could go in the stadium, but it was my first time to the new Busch, so it was still great.
I was trying to take a picture of the fire works that went off when we hit a home run. I missed the fire works, but this is still an awesome picture of the arch.

Tag

2007-05-24T17:08:00.000-06:00

I finished my Cabo Halter! I finished it on Sunday.

Try to ignore the fact that I look like a complete dork here.

Pattern Specs:
Patter: Cabo Halter by Amy Butler
Fabric: I have no idea. I bought it when I went to Hagerstown, MD last year to visit family. It's covered in cats and I thought it was cute.
Mods: None, really. I didn't close the back below the zipper, because I thought it looked cute open, and I'm sure there are some accidental ones in there, but that's it.
Start to Finish: Technically, I cut the pattern and fabric out last July when I got back from MD, but my machine was broken, so I couldn't sew it together. I started sewing on Friday and finished it Sunday. All in all, I think I spent three days total on it.
Consensus: I love it!

Obligatory mirror shoot.

You can see the cute back of the shirt here. (I almost said cute back, but since you can see my back side I thought I should rephrase)

I got tagged by the meme going around by Deb. The Rules: Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and need to read your blog.

1. My dog is trained with hand signals. She is incredibly stubborn, though, and will either pretend she can't hear you with out the signals or pretend that she didn't see them. (I didn't say she was well trained, just trained). She also rarely barks, and needs to carry something in her mouths on walks. Oh, and she is the biggest baby ever.
2. My maternal grandmother passed away on May 9, 2006. My paternal grandma passed on May 10, 2007.
3. My dad's parents had recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. My parents will have been married for 33 years this June. My grandparents met in junior high, my parents in high school.
4. I took dance lessons until I was 15, when my foot turned purple. It had hurt for a while before, but nothing weird ever showed up in x-rays. It turned out that I had an extra bone in my foot and it had to be removed. I spent at least a week on crutches every year between my sophomore and senior year of high school. I even had to go to senior prom on crutches. Turns out I have Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is why I had to be on crutches senior year – the injury refused to heal correctly. (I also had wisdom teeth removed due to jaw pain that turned out to be arthritis related).
5. I have had the same best friend since 7th grade. I am still friends with the girl I called my best friend in 3rd grade, I still talk to someone I met in preschool regularly, and I am closer to most of the people I hung out with in high school then anyone I've met since. We can go for long periods of time without talking, but when we see each other nothing has changed. And this is a good thing, because I still like the people they are.
6. When I was little I wanted to be an animal cartographer. Basically, I wanted to follow animals around and map their migration patterns. My dad was a cartographer and I loved animals. This seemed like the best way to combine the two. Now, I want to work with art. I have no artistic skills myself, but I appreciate both the beautiful and things that make you think. I get both with art.

7. I collect recipes, but I don't like to cook. I'm good at it, and can make some pretty great stuff when I need too, but I don't often see the point. I live alone, and I don't like leftovers. Stuff tends to go bad, so it just makes more sense for me to pick up something pre-made. In all honesty, if you figure out how much money I waste on food that goes bad, it probably makes more sense financially if I buy pre-made stuff as well.

I'm only going to tag one person. Suze, you're it!

Catching up: super picture heavy

2007-05-20T09:39:00.001-06:00

Hi. I haven't posted pictures in awhile, mostly because I've been too lazy to even get them off of my camera. So now that I'm finally getting around too it I have about a month's worth of pictures, mostly non-knitting related, to show.
This is my cousin at the zoo. Isn't she cute? She's standing in front of a giant fish tank inside a cave. I love how the fish looks like it's coming up to give her a giant kiss.

This is the baby elephant. I hadn't gotten to see her yet, so this is exciting. The matriarch of the pack died recently, so the pack is with out one right now. The zoo is wondering who will step up now that she's gone.

This is my cousin and I in front of the hippo tank. My cousin is only 17 so I'm thinking about making a shirt for her that says off limits. She kept getting whistled at while she was here.

I took her to my favorite place in St. Louis, Laumeier sculpture park. This is my dad's favorite piece, Ball? Ball! Wall? Wall! (sorry, RAC's website is down, and they have way better info on the sculpture's at Laumeier then Laumeier's website, so I can't link the actual piece. But it's there if you search. It also has all of the public art in St. Louis listed, so you should check it out). This guy in the picture was running across the top of the piece. Apparently Purl knew that this is not allowed, because she barked and growled at the guy. This may not seem odd to most of you, because that's what dogs do, but Purl does not bark, and she almost never acts aggressively. I always joke that as long as an attacker called her pretty and petted her she'd let someone come up and mug me. She's not very protective (most of the time, this is a very good thing. I don't want an aggressive dog. It would be nice if she was a bit more concerned with my well-being though. I mean, seriously. She's big. And while in most cases an 80lb rottweiler is more then enough of a deterrent, she's a big baby. Good thing I didn't get for anything other then a pet).

Still at the park. This is a picture of Chelsea taking a picture of me.

Actual knitting! This is the gauge swatch I did of Orangina. I finally cast on again yesterday, worked two repeats, and already am short a stitch. Lace does not like me.

Today is my birthday! My parents came up with my nephews yesterday to buy me new running shoes! Both of my parents ended up getting a pair, as well. This place really knows its stuff. My mom and I both have messed up feet. Mom's had surgery twice this past year due to hers, and I have arthritis, so we both need special fits. We found them here. My dad's an avid runner, so he was due for a new pair.

When my oldest neph got out of the car he was so excited to see me. The first words out of his mouth were "Aunt Becca, we got you a cake with your name on it!" My mom tried to remind him that that was a surprise, but he proceeded to tell me all about the cake. He's so cute. The youngest just discover smell, so he likes to tell everyone about it. He will come up to me and say "Aunt Becca, I smell!" while sniffing. He just means that he sniffed, but this cracks me up every time. The first time he did it I told him to go find his daddy, because I don't take care of smelly diapers.
After we got the shoes my dad took me to the opera. This was SO.MUCH.FUN! We saw The Mikado, which was so funny. We also did the pre-show picnic, which was a lot of fun. Next time I go I'm going to bring my own food, though. The provided stuff was really good, but the people who brought there own stuff looked like they had more fun. People brought in these really nice baskets with wine and really great looking food. The people sitting next to us had Red Lobster! There were some crazy looking outfits there. The man we sat next to in the show had on orange pants! And there were so many bow ties! I'm trying to get my friends together to just go to the picnic before hand. We can get dressed up and buy our own wine and just sit out and people watch.
Finally, here is a shot of the Cabo Halter in progress.

Apparently I need to clean my mirror. I now have the bottom section attached. All I need to do is attach the zipper and do the hem. Yeah!
And just in case anyone thought I would pay more attention to what I was doing while sewing then I do while knitting, don't worry. I don't.

I didn't have a seam ripper, either. I got to pick that seam out with a pin. I'd even gone over the stitch a few times, due to tension issues with the machine. Shiny. My mom gave me a seam ripper for my birthday. She thinks she's funny.

Sew, how ya doing?

2007-05-17T15:48:00.000-06:00

Lately I've been wanting to sew. It's been in the 80's here, so sitting around with a pile of wool on my lap just doesn't sound fun, especially since I strongly dislike air conditioning and try to keep the temp set as high as possible (the fact that I set it at 90 and my apartment is STILL in the 70's is also part of why I set it high. Imagine if I actually set the thermostat at 70 or 75, like a normal person). My mom gave me her old machine last summer when she got a new one, but I was never able to get it to work. The bobbin wouldn't catch, and I couldn't figure out why. My mom came up, took a look at it, and when she was convinced I hadn't just put the bobbin in backwards (she has so much faith in me), she decided she didn't know why it didn't work either (to be fair in this story, she spent about 2 minuets looking at it. She was in a hurry). Today I finally took the machine to American Sewing Machine. If you live in St. Louis and are in the market for a machine, or just need work done, I recommend this guy. He has store cats, and if that's not enough to make you want to go there, he's incredibly nice and does free estimates on machines. Anyway, I took my machine there and explained the problem. He looked at the machine, told me it was an operator error, adjusted the needle, and now it works! (Apparently I didn't have the needle in all the way. This is why the free estimate part is important. The other place in St. Charles charges $60.00 just to look at a machine). Now I can finish my Cabo Halter! Maybe there will be a finished object here soon!
Also, my birthday is on Sunday. I'm going to the opera with my dad! We're going to picnic on the lawn before hand, and have wine. Yea!

With Love

2007-05-14T20:48:00.000-06:00

My grandmother died last Thursday. It was blessedly quick. She came down with pneumonia and had to be checked into the hospital, where she was not a good patient. She kept trying to escape. After a week of antibiotics that weren't doing a thing the doctor informed us he thought the breast cancer she had fought off and on for the last 10 years had moved into her lungs. She died a day or two later.
I thought I would be fine with this. I grew up in Missouri and my grandparents had lived in Baltimore until 5 or 6 years ago when they needed to move into a retirement home. The homes here were nicer for less money, so they moved. It turns out Grandma wasn't close with either of her granddaughters. She was proud of us, and bragged about our accomplishments, but she didn't understand us. The boys were easier, I guess. I understand this, I was always Grandpa's girl.
It wasn't until I was getting ready to leave for walk with Purl today that I realized how affected I am by her leaving. I had subconsciously dressed in pink walking gear and my koman race for the cure hat. This itself isn't that odd, but I chose a race bandanna for Purl, one that I almost never use for her. I guess I was paying a tribute in my own way.

all apologies

2007-05-07T15:21:00.001-06:00

Sorry. I haven't been knitting much the past few weeks, so I really have nothing to blog. My cousin was here, and that was great. We went to the sculpture park and to the zoo, which is always fun. They are two of my favorite places in St. Louis. Last weekend I went to Rolla to watch a friend get married. I also agreed to dog sit, which I will never do again. I have two extra dogs for a full week. Purl is no angel, and she is rather hyper, but she is house broken and doesn't bark. I can't say either about these dogs.
I did finish one of the plain vanilla socks, but it's just plain stockinette, so not very exciting to show. Hopefully everything will return to normal soon so I will be able to knit again.

Belated Pictures

2007-04-24T20:49:00.000-06:00

I finally figured out how to get the pictures off of my cell phone. It only took me four days. Not bad.

This is Purl with Jackie from Saturday. It's fun to see her with a bigger dog. It doesn't happen often.This is one of the MANY wheels owned by the exes mom. It is double treadle, and there are all sorts of other special things I am supposed to know about it, but I don't. The wheel I have that is currently never being used is a loaner from the mom.

And finally...

This is the homespun. It will soon be joining my stash. The mom (sorry, don't want to use real names, but don't really know how to refer to his family anymore) loves to spin, but doesn't knit. She's had surgery on both wrists for carpal tunnel, so she really can't anymore. Luckily she likes to give the yarn away, so after I left a note saying how pretty it was I was told I could have the yarn. Yeah!

In other knitting news, I got several rows into Orangina when I noticed that it looked huge. I normally wear a medium, so that's what I cast on for. When I looked at the pattern I realized I should be knitting a size small, so I frogged what I had. I'll start again tomorrow. Also, my cousin is coming to stay with me for a few days while our mother's go to the quilt show in Paducah KY. She has already shown an interest in yarn and knitting the last few times I saw her, so I'm hoping I can further that habit in her!

On moths

2007-04-24T00:33:00.000-06:00

I had a moth fly in my ear tonight and get stuck. There's not much else to the story, other then that it did finally find its way out, where it was promptly smashed by a neighbor.

When the elephants come marching in...

2007-04-21T13:40:00.000-06:00

The exes parents have a big dog. She's a St. Burmese Mountain Dog that they got when Purl was 1 because they loved Purl. (Purl's a rottweiler / St. Bernard mix, Burmese are in the same family as both breeds. Supposedly both breeds come from Burmese). Anyway, his parents went out of town for the day and are going to be gone for over 12 hours, so they asked if I could come let Jackie out for a bit. I get to do laundry and bring Purl, so I said sure. Purl and Jackie love each other, because neither dog gets to play with other dogs their size often (his parents also have two small poodles. Jackie's head is bigger then these dogs bodies). Purl is not used to be outside by herself, so she keeps coming to the glass window and looking for me. Getting her here was also a problem - she does not like the PT cruiser. She refused to come near the car once she realized I was going to make her get in it, then slipped out of her collar when I tried to drag her over the the car. I even through treats in! Eventually I just picked her up (she weighs 80 + lbs. this is not easy to do) and put her in the back. I haven't figured out how I will get her home yet.
I am swathing for orangina in the blue king tut while I'm here (and looking at all gorgeous home spun his mom as made in the past few months. I do miss the home spun. I forgot my camera, so no pictures unless I can figure out how to get pictures from cell phone onto my laptop).

To sir, with love

2007-04-20T15:05:00.000-06:00

I have a problem. I have three different, beautiful types of yarn (I know, since when is this a problem).

From left to right: Royal Bamboo color 5, King Tut Cotton in light blue, and Zitron Samoa in color 37

I also have three great patterns. (Orangina and the Lotus Blossom Tank are the last two). The problem is that I can't decide which pattern to knit with which yarn. Right now I am leaning toward using the King Tut for the Orangina, the Samoa (which is this gorgeous blue/black color. I am in love with it) for the Lotus Blossom, and the Royal Bamboo for the Ribbed Openwork Tank. I guess I better start swatching so I can decide!

P.S. The sock is progressing nicely. I just got the stitch markers in, but am debating knitting a heavy wool sweater while it warm out.

Expansion

2007-04-17T14:47:00.000-06:00

Wow. It's been a week again. Sorry about that. I have very little progress to show you, but I will make up for this with LOTS of pictures. I am about 6 inches into the l'il red riding hoodie, but I have decided that since it requires 6 stitch markers, and I just ordered these 6 stitch markers, I have to wait for them to come in before working on it any more. Yes, I do have plain ones that will work just fine, but they are plain. And boring. Luckily the new ones were shipped today, so I should have them fairly soon.

The color in the first photo is more accurate.

I turned the heel on my plain vanilla trekking sock (yes, I am still on the first one. Why do you ask?), picked up the stitches for the gusset, knit a few rows, and realized that the heel flap was WAY to short. I keep trying to make 2 inch heel flaps so that it forms a pretty square, but sadly, this does not work. So I ripped back to the heel flap and added an inch(Those who know me are shocked by this. Typically I refuse to rip, no matter how bad the mistake. For something like a short heel, normally I would live with it. I think this is a sign I am growing. Maybe I'll go work on the scarf. On second thought, fixing a sock heel is enough growth for now).

I am also working on a pair of pants for baby G. Last year I had a lapse of judgment and ordered enough knit picks shine to knit a shrug for myself. This was not the lapse. The lapse was ordering it in a bright green shade. I wear browns, and reds, and earthy tones. Not bright apple green. However, baby G's mom loves green, and the pattern calls for 2 skeins of knit picks shine, so I will get to use some of my stash.

I went on a yarn crawl on Friday with Deb and blog-less Sarah to celebrate both of their birthdays. We started and knit and caboodle on main street here in St. Charles. Here is the wall of cascade I gushed about earlier. It still amazes me. I swear I walk into this place and get overtaken by the wool fumes. I need to just get my paycheck direct deposited to their account. I bought yarn to finish the before mentioned sweater and a skein of sock yarn - I showed considerable restraint. Purl likes the sock yarn too, see, she arranged it artistically for me. It's Jitterbug and is beautiful. It has already been re-skeined. Our next stop was Knitorius. Unfortunately, it took us way to long to get there, so it was our last stop. We meant to go to another store after this, but getting lost took over an hour of our time. Here I got enough King Tut's cotton to make a summer sweater, and a skein of Lorna's Lace in black Purl (yes, I admit the name is why I bought it.I'm a sucker for things that make me think of my dog).

I promise to try and be better this week about blogging. I can't promise I actually will, though.

Wip it...

2007-04-10T19:42:00.000-06:00

Thanks for the wonderful comments on Something Red. I wore it to work yesterday, and I was right about the coziness. I am going to have to move the button in - it just looks too big when I wear it. No biggy, it will only take a minute to move. I've already started on my next project - L'il Red Riding Hoodie from DomiKnitrix. I'm using two strands of Cascade 220 in a dark navy instead of the yarn it calls for. I had to go down two needle sizes in order to get gauge, which makes it really thick and dense - this will definitely be another really warm sweater! Perfect for the start of summer in St.Louis.

Something Red - Picture Heavy!

2007-04-08T13:50:00.000-06:00

I finished knitting Something Red on Thursday night. I am so excited and can't wait to wear it. It was too wet still on Friday to wear to work, and I really have no reason to dress up on the weekends!

Here is a picture of the second sleeve while I was still working on it

This is the first sleeve, after it was finished

The finished sweater all layed out

Close up of the button. I bought it at a local quilt store called patches. I wish I had set it in a little bit more, but for now it will do. If I decide it bugs me too much I will cut and reattach it.

The raglan shaping/sleeve detail. This is the part of the patten that I really love. Well, that and the neck, and the button band, and...

The cuff

And finally, me modeling my first sweater!

I waited until I saw my neighbor Betty taking her miniature poodle, Emily, out this morning. As soon as I saw them come out I ran downstairs with my camera and sweater and begged Betty to take a picture! My neighbors are pretty used to this by now, and Betty crotchet's, so she was more then happy to help. I lucked out in the neighbor department at this place!

Pattern Specs

Pattern: Something Red by Wendy Bernard
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Silk Alpaca in color 25012 (a deep plum color). I used between 9 1/2 and 10 balls.

Mods: I made the top part of the sweater a little longer then called for. I think I have an extra long torso. I also used different yarn, but that's it.
Thoughts: I love this pattern. It was well written and easy to follow. The sweater is gorgeous, and the yarn is so soft. Overall, it seems really cozy, yet dressy enough that I can wear it to work. Chances are I will make this again.

At Last!

2007-04-05T23:09:00.000-06:00

The knitting portion of Something Red is complete! It is soaking right now, and needs to be blocked. I still have to sew the button on, but the knitting is finished! My first sweater!

Grace Kelly*

2007-04-05T16:13:00.000-06:00

I started a new job yesterday. I still work for the old company, but part time just doesn't cover enough. I could fit more hours in there, which would mean I would still have nights and weekends off, so I am considering it. But the new place as benefits for pt employees. I figure I'll give it another day or two and then decide. I really like having weekends off for fun stuff, like art openings, yarn crawls, and traveling!

It is freezing here now. Hard to imagine that just last Sunday I walked on the KT trail and took all those pictures! Speaking of...

On the right side of the trail there is a little waterfall. Since it always has water in it, even when there has been no rain for month, I'm a little dubious of its orgins, but it is still pretty to look at. I don't worry about the source too much, it's not like I'm going to drink from it or go for a swim.

Across from the water fall there is a memorial bench. It always has fresh flowers.
Purl found a stick on the trail. She does so much better on walks when she has something to carry. It keeps her from smelling everything there is to smell.
She's so proud!

I keep fight the urge to go back to the new yarn store. I really want to go get more of the cascade Jewell - maybe a sweaters worth? I should probably finish the one I'm working on first!

*The title has nothing to do with this post, but the song has been stuck in my head all day

For such a big dog....

2007-04-03T14:24:00.000-06:00

Purl is a big weeny. I took her for a walk yesterday. It was our normal route, so just around the blog. It totals two miles, and normally is not long enough to put even a dent in Purl's energy levels. Yesterday, about half way through, Purl found a nice tree with lots of shade and laid down. She was done. Today, she refused to go out in the rain. Granted, it was a torrential down pour, but still. Weeny.

This is the view at the bottom of the hill from the parking lot to the trail. Usually there is a nice breeze from the river, which keeps it from being too hot.

View from the top

2007-04-02T23:17:00.000-06:00

She's Crafty

2007-04-01T21:32:00.000-06:00

My mom is a quilter. The first quilt she ever made was for me - the Ohio Rose - and was beautiful. When I graduated from high school she made graduation quilts for me and my my two best friends (I am still friends with both of these girls. We graduated almost 7 years ago, and have were friends in middle school in one case, and in preschool in the other. This is something I take both pride and joy in). In my opinion my mother is very talented, and has created some very beautiful and useful quilts, including this one, which now hangs on my wall.

She also made a wall hanging of Purl.

I have had this one for almost a year and just now got around to hanging it! When mom made it Purl had a collar with rhinestones on it, so mom used silver and black material for the collar! (I am very upset by the fact that I can't find a sparkle color big enough for her anymore! Big dogs need bling too!)

She made the quilt I use on my bed out of flannel material. It is so comfy!

Really, this one is just an excuse to show how Purl sleeps. This cracks me up!

I love that I finally have stuff on my walls that are not prints! I have had the same art prints up since I was a sophomore in college. It was defiantly time for a change. I'm hoping that I will be able to start saving a little bit of money each pay check to buy real art to hang up.

In knitting news, I finished the first sleeve on something Red. I know this is a bad picture, but none of my neighbors were home and I wanted to show it off!

This,

Has become this.

I got tired of unknitting rows only to find more mistakes. I still love the pattern, and plan to start over again as soon as I finish Something Red. The weather is perfect right now for a light-weight shawl worn over a tank top.

Finally, Purl and I went for a hike on the KT trail today, and I took lots of pictures. I will save those for now. Maybe I will use them in later posts so I have pictures to share for a while. It was a beautiful day, and the KT trail is gorgeous this time of year. Here is a picture of Purl has we leave the apartment. It's her first time in the cruiser, and she is not too sure about it. I had to help lift her in!

She the tail tucked? Poor girl.

It's Friday, I'm in Love

2007-03-31T16:49:00.000-06:00

Actually, it's Saturday, but I am in love, and I love the Cure, so it works. There's a new yarn store in town called Knit and Caboodle. It's located on Main Street in St. Charles, which is a great location for a yarn store. The street is still paved in cobble stones and is lined with little shops that sell antiques and restaurants. Knit and Caboodle is located right down the street from Trailhead, one of my favorite micro-breweries. When I walked in the first thing I noticed was the WALL OF CASCADE! Any type of cascade in any colorway you can think of. The store is organized so well, which is great. They have the square bins on one wall and hanks of yarn hanging from pegs. It was well lit, and there a shelve for the pattern binders.

I went in just to look. I just wanted to see what she had. I ended up buying a hank of Jitterbug sock yarn and a hank of Cascade Jewell. I have no idea what I will do with this, but it was too beautiful to pass up. I will definitely be going back. I think it may be my new home away from home.

PS: I finally added a banner. I know my hand is glowingly white, but I'm new to photoshop, so I'm pleased that I got this far!

Hello

2007-03-29T17:50:00.000-06:00

Meet my new car.
I like it.

So long

2007-03-26T17:07:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the lack of blogging again. The car is completely dead, so I have been looking at buying a new car. In the mean time I am driving a mini van. It came in handy on Sunday. I went to the Zoo with several of my neighbors and we all fit in my car.

Progress on the sweater has come to an almost complete halt. For some reason I just don't feel like working on a heavy alpaca sweater in the 70 degree weather.

I had finished and bound off the button band, but it really needs a few more rows. I have the yarn, so I am taking out the bound of edge so I can add another row or two. In the meantime I am working on cotton dishcloths. They don't make me break out into a sweat every time I look at them.

DO you want cheese with that?

2007-03-17T09:21:00.000-06:00

It's been rather eventful here this week. Purl has ~~a life threatening disease~~ a cold. She has a really gross cough that acts up if I take her for a walk of more then 2 feet. I think she's starting to do better, which is good. Maybe I can take her for a walk today.
My check engine light is still on. I've already paid way to much money to have it fixed, but the light won't go off! Now I am told it is an electrical problem.
My transmission stopped working yesterday. The car just refused to move forward any more. Luckily I had just left my apartment parking lot, so one of my neighbors took me to work. My car is now sitting in service shop parking lot while I drive a rental.
None of this is fun.

Pour Me

2007-03-14T20:27:00.000-06:00

I decided, at 9:15pm., that I was going to take Purl for a walk tonight. I had planned on skipping a day, but since it is so close to April 1st, and I have a ways to go before hitting the goal, I can't really skip a day. It's been raining off an on all day, but I thought it was pretty much done with. I got about 1/2 a block away from my apartment when it started to pour. Lots and Lots of rain.

Honestly, it was Purl that decided to turn back. She has a cold.

A day at the park

2007-03-11T21:53:00.000-06:00

I've gotten a lot done on my sweater. After a little bit of confusion over how I was supposed to do a make 1 increase (there are seriously 3 completely different ways to do this. I eventually gave up and asked the author for clarification. She got back to me within 1/2 hour - I love the internet), I am down to the last bit of ribbing on the body. I still have several inches left to go, but it's getting close.

Something Red by Wendy Bernard

I just started ball number 6 of 10. This leaves me with at least 2 for the body, 2 for the sleeves, and 1 for the button band. I think I will be ok. (Now watch me run out of yarn completely with only one sleeve done. This yarn has been in my stash for so long there's no way I will find more. I really should know better then to say things like this).
I took Purl to a dog park on Friday (and managed to talk Deb into coming with me - what a good friend). It was a lot of fun, although it rained. Purl was covered in mud. She spent the entire time tackling other dogs and rolling around in the mud.

Before

See how dirty she is? Because I know how my dog rolls, I knew she would head strait for my bed as soon as we got home, so I took her to get a bath.

After - look how tired!

Doesn't she look so pretty now? (That nasty looking green plaid thing next to her? It's her blanky. It used to be one big piece of fleece, now it's several small pieces)

Finito!

2007-03-07T21:41:00.000-06:00

At least for now. I officially get one whole week off in between classes. I almost had a complete melt down tonight - my computer decided to temporarily eat the paper I'd spent the last four hours working on. Luckily, I found it pretty quickly, so as soon as my heart beat returned to normal I was able to finish and turn the thing in. It's nice to be finished.
I took Purl to a friends house today. The friend has a fenced in yard and two small dogs, so Purl got to go play. My 80 lb rottweiler/st. bernard got beat up by a 10 lb rat terrier. It was pretty funny, but good for Purl. She normally doesn't understand aggression from other dogs, and I think this time she was just being well behaved because the dog was so much smaller then her. It was cute. Maggy (the dog) would put a toy in front of Purl's face, than jump all over her if Purl so much as looked at the toy. It helped me get my homework done, though, because otherwise Purl would not have left me alone long enough to write tonight. She was working on a good hyper this afternoon, which is why we went to play with the other dogs.
I think I'm going to go pour myself a glass of wine and pick up some knitting.

1 down, 1 to go

2007-03-04T15:41:00.000-06:00

Edited Tuesday, March 6th

I have survived my finals, so far. Technically they are finished, but due to a misunderstanding between me and my professor, I have until tomorrow evening to turn a presentation into a paper. Since I have already done the research for the project I think I will be ok on this.

The only knitting progress I have to show for myself is the church sock. I went back again this week, and accidentally agreed to knit a scarf for a complete stranger. I panicked and said yes. I dislike knitting for other people, mainly because I have so little free time. Hopefully that will change, due to the fact that I no longer work full time. The internship started this week, and so far it is going ok. My old company agreed to let me stay on part time, so I still have a form of income. Maybe now I can actually be a good student (yeah right).
It's way past my bed time now. I stayed up too late watching the Blues loose to the Flames.

Something Fun

2007-03-03T22:32:00.000-06:00

I am supposed to be working on homework. I have a major project due on Monday, and a small paper due on Tuesday. Instead, I can't put down Something Red. Maybe it's because this is my first sweater, maybe it's the simple stockinette stitch, and maybe it's just the extremely soft yarn, but I love this project.

Is this to eat?

I am on the fourth ball of yarn, and am almost finished with the bust. According to the pattern, I am finished, but apparently I'm a little longer in the top part of my torso then the pattern expected. I knit the 12 1/2 inches the pattern calls for, and like the good little knitter I am, I put a safety line in and tried the sweater on. Instead of hitting below the bust or high on the waist, it stopped half way down my chest. It fits well going around, so that's good.

Off to do homework now...sigh.

Scarf? What scarf?

2007-02-25T23:09:00.000-06:00

Nope, still haven't gathered the courage to finish grafting the seaman's scarf. I'm pretty sure that will have to wait until Thursday night stitch and bitch. If I attempt to do it while I'm at home I'll just end up yelling at Purl, or drinking, and neither one accomplishes anything. I have, however made a bit of progress on Something Red. This yarn is determined to not be photographed accurately. Out of 10 photos, this is the best one. I am loving it, though. Sooooo soft.

I finally made it to the doctor. I figured I might as well use the insurance while I have it, right? Turns out I have an ear infection, which explains the never-ending headache.

These have nothing what so ever to do with yarn, but they are cute. My cat looks a little concerned, doesn't she?

Murcury

2007-02-22T18:46:00.000-06:00

One would think that since I was so close to finishing the red scarf the last time I posted, 3 days ago, that surely it would be finished by now. One would be wrong. I can now add grafting to the list of techniques that I not only don't do well, but also drive me completely nuts. I am ripping out the progress that I have made on the 2 rows of 32 stitches (I included that so you would know how silly it is that I have not finished yet).

Instead of finishing the scarf I did the only practical thing I could think of. I cast on for the Something Red . So far I really like the pattern, but has you can see, I really don't have that much done.

Yes, I do think purple on purple makes for great contrast. Don't you?

I really haven't been walking much. First there was all the snow, and you may remember how well Purl does in the snow, and then I caught the plague, so we havn't gotten out much.

Aren't I pathetic? Please take me out!

She's not taking it well.

Mama's girl

2007-02-19T21:44:00.000-06:00

I was going to wait until I was done with the scarf before I posted today. I started the grafting, and it is going well. But I have ~~the plague~~ a cold, and grafting just took way too much concentration. I had better never get really sick, but I turn into the biggest baby at the mere sign of a sniffle. I am 24, and have been living on my own for 4 years now. I am working on an MFA. But the second I get stuffy all I want to do is go home to my mom and have her take care of me.

I had a test tonight. I'm not so sure how it went. I almost rewrote everything on a separate piece of paper so the professor could read what I wrote. It was an essay test, and I tend to write down the first thing that I think of, then go back and change words and add sentences. Probably a result of using computers for most of my life. I can add sentences here, but on a piece of unlined paper while using an ink pen, it doesn't work so well. Luckily, I tend to write with lots of space in between the lines, so I can fit the words in, it just doesn't look pretty.

I'm going to go drink some night time cold medicine now. Hopefully the scarf gets finished tomorrow.

Almost Done!

2007-02-18T23:05:00.000-06:00

I have finished the knitting portion of my Seaman's Scarf. I meant to get the two ends grafted together and have it off the needles today, but, well, life got in the way. I went grocery shopping first, then went to the Crooked Tree with Deb.

I should probably lay off the caffeine for a while. At least until I get a job to pay for the coffee. By the time I got home I was too wound up (I had 3 cups altogether today) to even try and figure out how to graft ribbing. I think I have it figured out, but thinking it and doing it are two completely different things. And yes, the corner of the coffee table is chewed. No, Purl did not do it. I got the table from some friends when they moved out of the building. It is pretty solid (I can stand on it), so I chose to just ignore the chewed on corners. I figured it would only be a matter of time before Purl got to it anyway, so for now I might as well not have a really nice one. This way I can't get too mad at her when she mistakes the table for her bone.

Now that I am mostly done with the scarf I started swatching for my first sweater! Not only did I swatch, I soaked the yarn and remeasured! The sweater is Something Red by Knit and Tonic, and I am using Debbie Bliss silk alpaca in burgundy. I was a little unsure of the yarn, but after a nice soak

it lost a lot of the fuzziness that had developed from sitting in my knitting bag for a long time. This picture shows the color best, kind of a nice eggplanty color. I love it! Now I just have to go buy some circulars so I can cast on.

What am I doing?

2007-02-17T16:48:00.000-06:00

So, the full implications of what is about to happen is slowly setting in, and I am starting to get a little bit panicky. I am about to quit the full time job that I have had for the last 3 years in order to wok someplace for free. That means no pay. That means I will have no way to pay bills, or for food. Crap.
Yes, I realize I should be able to find something that pays somewhere. And I will just have to live on a budget, something I really should have been doing anyway, since that full time job really wasn't all that great in the first place. But still, change is very scary, and I may be having trouble breathing right now, which should explain the rambling on.
OK, I'm going to go hide from reality for a bit and take a nap.

Yeah

2007-02-16T18:29:00.000-06:00

I have an internship! And a job prospect! The prospect is not definite, doesn't pay all that much, and does not have clear hours, but it will be something that I can put on my resume, and it does pay. Again, not a lot, but still. I'm excited. If it pans out I'll talk more about it, but for now I don't want to jinx it.
Yeah ME!

Change

2007-02-15T13:23:00.000-06:00

I am stuck at a Bread Company while waiting or my car to get fixed at the Dobbs next door. I will be here for approximately 5 hours before they finish my car. Thank God for wireless Internet! And being well prepared with books to read, homework to ignore, and knitting. I have to be out of here by 5 tonight, because I get to babysit for the aforementioned cutest little girl ever.
While I am here I need to work on my resume. I need to find a job that has to do with my degree - art management. And also, I just need a new job. I need to get out of the place I currently work. I have been there for three and 1/2 years, and to say I am over it would be putting it mildly. It was never supposed to be a permanent thing. I started there while I was working on my undergrad, and it was a great place to work part time as a student. But I'm still there, and it has become less great. A LOT less great. I've sent resumes out in the past, but always for positions that I kind of know I have no chance at. So today I made myself promise to send it out to a couple of places I may have a shot at. Just one or two places a week until I hear back from some place. Maybe even to places with internship possibilities. Because I need a change. And I need it soon.

Single Awareness Day

2007-02-14T22:41:00.000-06:00

Happy VD, otherwise known as single awareness day. I had planned on spending tonight drinking a bottle of wine by myself, but ended up going to a Trivia Night with m friend L and her fiancee K. Since she is the MC, and just went back to work last week after giving birth to the most beautiful little girl, I felt it was safe to go, what with this being my first single VD in 4 years. It was good, but I might be a little bit intoxicated (yeah, drunken blogging!).
That is all. You may get back to your romantic evening now.

Passive Aggressiva

2007-02-12T21:34:00.000-06:00

Don't be fooled by this face. She may look sweet and innocent, like she would never dream of hurting yarn, but the second you let the dog drink her water all bets are off. She used to just wait until I left then seek her revenge on the toilet paper, but between her shredding and Purl's love of used Kleenex from the trash can, I wised up. Now the door stays to the bathroom stays shut at all times. So she found another way to let me know she is unhappy.

This poor yarn doesn't stand a chance.

Day 3

2007-02-12T13:00:00.000-06:00

The weather man keeps calling for snow. They've been calling for it for about a week now, and I keep hoping that there will be enough snow for classes to be called off, but so far - no snow.
That's really all I have to say for now, I just wanted to keep the shock going for another day or two.

Surly Not!

2007-02-11T13:09:00.000-06:00

What this? Two posts in two days? And there's knitting content? Am I seeing things? I spent yesterday and this morning working on the Seaman's scarf (I'm too lazy to find the link, it's there on the sidebar if you are really interested), and have almost finished the first skein of the second half (the first half took little more then 1 3/4 of a skein) so I am close! A few more cable repeats and lots of ribbing left, but at least it's close.

Ok, so in this picture, it looks like I have A LOT more to go, but I swear, I'm close! It also looks like the ball of yarn is trying to escape, doesn't it? It almost went over the edge of the porch, that would have been great - I'm sure the wonderful neighbors below would have loved that (yes, I am being VERY sarcastic here).

I also started a new pair of socks today. I know, I know, I still need to ~~finish~~ start the second Anastasia sock, but I decided to go to church this morning (yes, the surprises do keep on coming) and I didn't want to do a provisional cast on in church, because it tends to produce lots of swearing and taking the Lord's name in vain whenever I try to unzip the stitches. So I dug out some Trekking from the stash and cast on for a top down, plain vanilla sock.

I totally got busted by the preacher. Luckily, his wife is a knitter and friends with someone I used to knit with, so he just laughed and assured me his wife would start knitting the second the sermon started.

I'm glad I went today. I've been feeling lonely and a bit depressed this week, so church was good for me. And it was a great service - they have puppets for the children service! This week the puppets sang a religious version of "Achy Breaky Heart," which was just hilarious. The only awkward parts for me were when the preacher asked if there was anything I needed him to pray about for me and communion, because the church states as long you are baptised , which I am, you can participate. I felt that I should wait until at least my second time going to participate, but this nice little old man kept trying to get me to go up! I finally was able to explain that I wanted to come a few more times before I did that. I also got to see my old knitting friend. She was one of the co-founders of the stitch and bitch I helped start, but hasn't been able to go in a while because mom stuff got in the way. I hope I go back. For some reason I only start to think about attending service when I am feeling out of sorts with my life. I'm sure this won't be fixed by next week, so we'll see.

Now I have to go pretend to do more homework. Bleh!

Bad Blogger

2007-02-10T14:44:00.000-06:00

Wow. So it has been a whole week since my last post, and I have absolutely nothing to show for it. No knitting progress what-so-ever. To be quite honest, I really haven't done much of anything this week. I was a bad student, because not only did I not attend class, I haven't done my reading yet. I get to try and catch up on that this weekend. I did go to an art opening at the Laumeier Sculpture Park last night with Deb. The show is by Karyn Oliver, and was great. I almost didn't go, because of the whole unproductive recluse thing, but I'm glad I did. I have also done better this week with walking. Purl and I are now over the 50 mile mark on out 100 miles by April 1st goal, which is great.
I'll try to do better this week, but for now I am off to do homework.

The tale of the Lorna's Lace

2007-02-03T16:42:00.000-06:00

Shortly after photographing the mess that my green sock yarn had become, Purl struck again. My own fault, really. I should know better then to leave yarn, especially yarn she has already shown interest in, sitting out on the sofa where she can get. Honestly, though, this interest in yarn of hers is a new thing. Normally she ignores it because she knows she will get yelled at if she so much as sniffs my yarn. But once she decides she wants something there is no hope. She is a very determined dog, and will stop and nothing to get "her" toy. So she attacked my yarn again. This time she ate the needles, so there was no saving the sock I had started. Luckily I had only knit the toe. Unfortunately, the yarn was one giant knot.

So this,

Became this...

Which became this (this part used to be the toe).

Which has become this (Cat included for scale - also, she refused to move).

The yarn is currently soaking in citrus Soak in order to remove all traces of doggy drool. Once they are done soaking I will hang the yarn up to dry, then turn them into 3 minny center pull balls!

Oh the excitement here at Chez PG13!

The Big 4

2007-01-31T18:45:00.000-06:00

Wow. It has been a week since my last post. So sorry. I have absolutly no knitting content to share. I spent the weekend in Rolla for my nieces slumber party. I ended up staying for neph#1's birthday party. He turned 4 on Sunday, and since he told me he wanted to share his cake with me, I couldn't resist. By the time I got home I was beat. I went straight to bed.

I had brought a sock to work on, but Purl decided she was mad at me.

So she played with my yarn. Pretty, isn't it. I did finally cast on for the second half of my Seaman's Scarf. I won't put pictures up of the last bit, because, really, the only thing different from the last time I showed it is rows and rows of ribbing. Not very exciting.

Almost doesn't count

2007-01-25T20:23:00.000-06:00

I almost went for a walk yesterday. I woke up early, got dressed, and took Purl out. We made it half way down the street before I realized that I was under dressed for the weather, so we turned around and I got back in bed for another hour. I didn't even try to take out in the evening - I was way to crabby to take a hyper dog for a walk. I did manage to get 2 more miles in tonight, even though I am still a bit on the crabby side.
I am still tinking the flower basket shawl. It is slow going, basically because I don't want to do it. I forced myself to do a row tonight, so it is getting done. My usual MO is to just ignore projects that need repairs, so this is an improvement for me, really. I really have no progress to show on anything else. Apparently avoiding one project requires that I avoid the others as well for a bit.
I am going to Rolla this weekend to help with a slumber party for my oldest niece, so I don't know when I'll post again. I have a feeling I will need a few days to recuperate before I can string together words coherently.

Football!

2007-01-21T14:59:00.000-06:00

This was a bad week, walk wise. Between the cold weather and me being lazy, Purl and I only walked 7.8 miles. When I write it out, it sounds way more then it actually was. We only went for 3 walks. Today I had planned on taking Purl for a very long walk to make up for this last week, but there was snow on the ground. Purl likes snow WAY too much, and spent the whole time jumping up and down, kicking the snow up, and trying to gallop off after what she had kicked up. This all would have been fine, except I was attached to her, so we ended up cutting the walk short by at least a mile.
In knitting news, I am once again unknitting the FBS. This time, though, I am going to put a life line in before I start knitting. I am determined to finish this, because I love the pattern, like the yarn, and know that I am capable of making lace. I have also, finally, cast on for the second Anastasia sock. I needed a portable project that I really don't need to pay attention to. The scarf is too big to carry around, and the shawl requires way to much attention. I love the sock pattern, and really do want to finish the pair, so now I have three objects on the needles.
I'm off to watch a football game.

Scratch That

2007-01-18T22:53:00.000-06:00

So, what I said yesterday about the 4th time being the charm? Nevermind.

4th times a charm

2007-01-17T20:43:00.000-06:00

I managed to get a walk in today, after taking 2 days off. Monday was just too cold, and I didn't get home from class until after 8:30. Honestly, I have gone on walks later then that with Purl, but I just didn't feel like it last night. Poor Purl. I took pity on her tonight and made myself go. I'm up to 24.1 miles so far, which I was feeling pretty good about until I looked at everyone else's mileage. I just have to remind myself that I am competing against myself and no one else.
I finally finished the 6th repeat on the Flower Basket Shawl. I once again ended up with an extra stitch, but after tinking and reknitting the same row 3 times I gave up and just added an extra decrease. 4 rows later everything looks fine, so I'm just going to pretend it never happened, at least from here on out.
Well, I'm off to the grocery store. We are having a food day at work tomorrow, so I have to go find something to bring.

Progress!

2007-01-15T11:58:00.000-06:00

Look, my scarf grew! And there is snow! I am working on the neck ribbing right now, then I will start the second half.
Progress on the shawl is sort of stalled right now. I knit 2 rows, then tink one, so it's going slow right now. It is also frustrating, which is why the scarf is growing so much faster.
Now: back to work!

Ice, Ice Baby

2007-01-13T17:28:00.000-06:00

This is the scene from my back porch. I've been lucky and still have my electricity, but the neighborhood behind me isn't so lucky.

Purl and I decided to not take this street. There are trees down everywhere.

We managed to get two walks in this weekend, despite all the ice. Luckily, Purl is not scared of the rain, but she was a little unsure of the frozen grass.

Hey there

2007-01-11T23:41:00.000-06:00

Just thought I'd drop in and say hi. Real posting will continue tomorrow.

Stash Dive

2007-01-09T23:08:00.000-06:00

Those of you who know me, know that I am not exactly manogamous when it comes to my knitting. I get frusterated easily, and often just need a break from my current project. I decided that I needed something a little less frusterating then lace after Saturday's event, so I went to my stash.

When I purchased this yarn, Lana Grande by Cascade, back in October, I knew that I wanted to make a scarf. And since I really didn't know how to make cables, I knew I wanted a cabley pattern. I just had to find a pattern that I both liked, and that would work well with the thickness of the yarn (2 stitchs/inch, on size 17's). Behold the Seaman's Sarf, by knitpicks. I've already finished one ball of yarn and added several inches to the scarf (there are 2 full repeats here - I have finished 6). So far, I love both the pattern and the yarn. I tend to like reds, so I love this shade. It is very bright and bold. It is a little to thick for a sweater, but just perfect for a scarf. It also acomplishes one of my goals for the year - learn how to cable!

100 miles

2007-01-07T22:59:00.000-06:00

Yes, there is another new button on the sidebar. Apparently I can't stop joining things. I joined the run/walk/swim along runagogo. The goal is to do 100 miles by April 1st. I logged over 6.2 last week - since I'm not sure how much over I am claiming just the 6.2. I figured out the lengths of the routes I take Purl on each day. The short one is 2.1, so I'm pretty sure I can do this. I'm hoping that between this and Purl I can stay motivated to walk each day. We'll see. I already have 3.2 for this week, and it just started! In order to make the goal I need to do 8.6 miles each week.

Wicked, Wicked Dog

2007-01-07T11:01:00.000-06:00

First - I added a button to my side bar about fun fur killing Muppet's. It is a evil and horrible practice that needs to stop. I stole the button from JenLa Knits (actually, I stole it from someone else, but they stole it from JenLa).
Second - I have a very stubborn dog, who is bad a hiding things. Yesterday on our walk she picked up a piece of trash that she absolutely refused to drop. Instead of dropping when I yelled at her, she laid down on the sidewalk and would not walk, or make eye contact with me (which is usually how I catch her with something in her mouth - she will not look at me, because if she does not look at me, obviously I can't see her). A lovely, wonderful driver by drove past me, then turned around and came back because she was worried that my dog was hurt. I had to explain that, no, she is not hurt, just wicked.
Also, on the same walk, I saw kids PRETENDING to beat up each other. They were on the side of a busy road trying to get attention from the cars driving by. I was very disturbed.
That is all.

sigh, part II

2007-01-07T00:32:00.000-06:00

So, about being in the middle of my 6th repeat? Forget that. Once again, extra stitches magically appeared. Luckily, I have good friends. Deb spent the evening tinking out many rows of lace for me, partially because she is a wonderful person, and partially because her project was not interesting.

Sigh

2007-01-06T15:18:00.000-06:00

I am beginning to loose faith in my ability to read a pattern. I am in the middle of the 6th repeat in the flower basket shawl, and somehow, I ended up with 3 less stitches then I am supposed to have (this is after repeatedly ending up with one extra stitch during all the other repeats).

Here is a picture of the progress to date. As you can see, the shawl is growing nicely. I'm going to have to find something new to lay the shawl on for the next picture, I believe.

And here is a close up of where I am trying to fix the mistake - I refuse to frog lace. I am not picking up those stitches, it just is not happening. It doesn't look too bad. I think I must have been in the middle of a repeat and ended up starting the repeat over. I will probably end up with a wonky looking flower petal, but unless someone looks really closely, or I point out the mistake, (why do we do this - say no one will notice my mistake, then continuously point it out to anyone looking at the object. I constantly do this) no one will notice.

In other news, my classes start on Monday for the quarter. I will be taking Development and Cultural Policy for the next 9 weeks. Since I am interested in pursuing development as a career, I am looking forward to this class.
Oh, and the check engine light is on in my car. Let's hope that it doesn't turn out to be too expansive, shall we, since I need my car very badly.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Beginnings

2007-01-03T19:21:00.000-06:00

I've decided that I am not going to look back at the last year here, for several reasons. One, I just stared this blog in December, so there's not a lot to look back on blog wise. Second, while this year has brought several little good things, it has also delivered a couple crushing blows. I've also never really been good at new year's resolutions. For the past two years I've said I want to continue living healthy. For the most part I have stuck to this, though it probably wouldn't hurt to eat at home more - and I don't mean picking up take out and bringing it back home to eat. I used to enjoy cooking, but I got tired of making grilled chicken and vegetables. I don't like leftovers, so I need to make things that have small portions. I've also recently gotten into the habit of taking Purl on walks every night. I started doing this for both our mental health's after He Who Shall Not Be Named decided to leave. Purl was used to having someone around to play with during the day, so she had some excess energy to work off. They're not long walks, usually around 1/2 hour, but they help. I want to keep this up into the new year, maybe add distance or leg weights for added benefit.
I want to finish more of the projects that I start. I also want to try more things. I am working on my first lace piece, so finishing the Flower Basket Shawl will cover both those goals. I also want to try cables, and to knit a sweater.
I need to start following a budget. I'm thinking about joining knit-knacks's yarn-focus challenge #2. It's easier to follow than a yarn diet, but with the same effect. I'm hoping the challenge will help keep me motivated.
Vogue's new preview is up. There are a couple things in there that I like, as well as a few that I can't imagine anyone actually wearing, which is pretty typical for a Vogue issue.
In Flower Basket news, I have finished my 5th repeat of the pattern (you might not think this is exciting, but believe me, for me, this is speed knitting). I'll post pictures next time, promise.

Not so Bad

2006-12-31T13:49:00.000-06:00

I decided that I couldn't wait for yarn to come in the mail, so I went to my LYS and purchased four balls of pace by universal yarns to start my flower basket shawl. It is a sock yarn, so nothing too fancy, but it is working out much better then the lace wight was for me. I have finished two repeats.

The yarn is a dark brown, which I like for now. I may decide to over dye it later, if I can. We'll see.

He who shall not be named was is town this weekend. His plane landed in St. Louis Friday night at 8:45 pm, and he called to see if I wanted to have dinner with his parents and him that night. It went well. I brought Purl over to his parents on Saturday so she could play with their Swiss Mountain Dog, Jackie. They are close to the same size, and only a month apart in age, so they are a lot of fun to watch together. His mom is a spinner, so she made me yarn for Christmas. It is beautiful.

This picture really does not do the yarn justice. There is 400 yards of the dark brown and 200 yards of the peach. It is 50% alpaca, 25% merino, and 25% angora. I can't wait to knit with this stuff.

His parents had a party last night for a friend that is leaving for Officer Training School next week, so I went to that last night. It was odd, because I kept getting asked when we were going to get married. It wasn't really the time or place to say we weren't together anymore. His plane back to Oakland left St. Louis at 6:45 this morning. He has a gig tonight in San Francisco. I am glad I saw him. I am ok with how things ended up finally. More importantly, I am ok.

Today I have watched 8 episodes of the Dog Whisperer. Poor Purl doesn't stand a chance.

Meow

2006-12-28T22:24:00.000-06:00

I went and saw Cats last night with my parents at the Fabulous Fox here in St. Louis. The show was great, and we had wonderful seats. My parents came up early and took Purl for a walk while I was at work so we could leave for dinner as soon as I got home. We went and ate at the Grappa Grill, which is one of my favorite places to eat. If you live in the St. Charles area I highly recommend eating there.
As for the Ethereal Fichu? It is seriously kicking my behind. I had to start over, again. And rip, again. I think I need to try a lace pattern with non-lace weight yarn to start out with. I have the Flower Basket Shawl pattern, and I'm thinking about ordering Gloss from Knit Picks. I ordered some for socks, and I love the way the yarn feels and looks. It is a fingering weight, and is merino wool and silk. It also has an excellent price, so I won't feel too guilty about breaking my yarn diet if I order some.

FO's and Christmas!

2006-12-26T20:20:00.000-06:00

As promised, here is a picture of the finished sock. I still need to weave in the end, but I still consider this finished.

Same sock, different view. This one lets you see the stitch pattern a little bit better.

I got almost through chart A on the shawl, then I missed a stitch. So I frogged. And the yarn got into a knot. And the dog that never gets into bags, decided to get into the yarn bag. She got the Fino. She tried to blame the tangled mess on the kitty, but the yarn had a little too much drool on it to be the cats fault. She also ate my Christmas cookies, so if anyone wants a large rotti/st. bernard puppy, I might know of one you can have.

I bought my SIL some wine glasses from the Foundry, designed by Ware with a Flare. She's not a big drinker, so I got glasses with big bowels. That way she can drink other stuff in them.

These are from my co-workers. God-bless them. Deb from Needle and Distaff is going on a cruise this January, so I got her some Trekking sock yarn. It's their soy/wool blend - I can't remember the name and I can't find it online. Sorry.
This is the best present by far. Here is Drew (the dog I drove to Sullivan) in my parents house. They were dog sitting for my brother's family. She is looking longingly at my father. She has really taken to him and my brother, and is great with the kids.

And just in case any one was worried about Purl, here is her Christmas present. This,

turned into this.

Purl missed her cat while we were in Rolla.

But Pretty didn't really miss her!

Christmas Knits

2006-12-25T19:47:00.000-06:00

So that whole Christmas sock thing? It's out the window. If I could figure out the provincial cast-on, I might still be working on them, but for now, no Christmas sock. Honestly, I probably wouldn't have finished them anyway, since today is Christmas. Instead, I decided to start Ethereal Fichu. So far I have started this 4 times, and since on row 24 I have an extra stitch, I guess I'll be starting again. I am using Alpaca with a Twist's Fino, which is probably the only reason I am willing to start this a 5th time.
I spent Christmas with my parents this weekend. Poor Purl took 8 walks in 3 days. Now that we are back home she is sound asleep on my bed, pretty much unwilling to move. My parents had all of the nieces and nephews Saturday and Sunday - there are 4 total. My brother and sister-in-law work weekends, so my parents and hers usually split the kids to help out. The oldest nephew (3) had a children's choir concert in church on Sunday, so my parents got all 4. I need a vacation from this vacation! Luckily, my parents had wine, so I survived. Plus, I got books! About Knitting! Socks! Santa brought Sensational Knitted Socks, Knitting on the Road, and Knitting Vintage Socks! I am very excited about this. I also got season one of The Dog Whisperer. This will hopefully teach me some useful information for Purl.
I hope everyone's Christmas was as good as mine.

Bordom and Coffee

2006-12-22T22:07:00.000-06:00

I am bored silly. Everyone got to leave work early today, except me. In return, I'll get to leave early next Friday while they all have to stay.So it works out in the end. After work I have to go pick up a Christmas present for my brother - he is getting his family a dog. I'm going to meet him in Sullivan, MO to make the exchange - I don't want to force another dog to ride in the car with Purl. She's still too obnoxious when it comes to other animals. She doesn't realize that she weighs 80lbs and other animals don't want to play with her.
I went to stitch and bitch last night at The Crooked Tree. It was my first time back since He Who Shall Not Be Named left. Most of the members don't know about what's going on. He and I used to go to the tree on the weekends, since they are opened late and have wireless internet. I'm glad I got there early, because we were friends with several of the barista's, which is honestly part of the reason I haven't been in a while. As it was, it has been almost a month and I still started to tear up. Luckily, I think they understand why I haven't been around.
I finished my first Anastasia sock. I'm worried that the bind off is a little loose, but we'll see. It's my first ever toe-up sock. For the most part, I like toe-up, and think it may become my preferred way of knitting socks. I'm not crazy about provisional cast ons, mainly because can't tell which loop to knit into! I'm sure this something that will get better with practice. So, have I started the second sock yet? Nope!I decided that I want to knit Christmas socks with some left over Lorna's Lace that I have (it's the 22nd. Sure, I'll get those done in time for Christmas. Next Year!).
I'll post pitures after Christmas. I promise.

Purl and I go to the park!

2006-12-17T18:58:00.000-06:00

Warning: This is a picture heavy post!

Purl and I went to Laumeier Sculpture Park today. Ms. Needle and Distaff was supposed to join us, but unfortunately, she was not feeling well. If you are in the St. Louis area I highly recommend that you go there. It is a beautiful place that believes in combing art, nature, and people. Plus, you can bring your dog! It is the only American Association of Museums member where dogs are welcome. Here, we are on our way to the park. Clearly, Purl is very excited.

I really loved this piece. Unfortunatly, I can't find the name or artist online. (Since I failed to write the names down, I used this site to find the information).

One of the great thing that the park has is braille descriptions of several of their sculptures. They also have scale models of the pieces. Here Purl is inspecting the description of one of the pieces.

Here is the full size sculpture. It is Laumier Project 1981 by Jackie Ferrara.Here, Purl is inspecting the work. It is part of an untitled piece by Ursula von Rydingsvard.

This is one of my favorite pieces, called Triangular Bridge Over Water, by Dan Graham. When I was here last year this piece had been damaged during a storm. A branch fell and broke one of the panes of glass. I am really pleased that it has been repaired.I actually know the name of this piece! It is Ball? Ball! Wall? Wall! by Donald Lipski. It is another one of my favorites. Both of these have been here at the park for as long as I can remember. So has this one, titled The Way 1972-80, by Alexandar Liberman. It always makes me thing of a swing set.

And just to prove that I do knit, here is a picture of my sock with Sugabus by Robert Chambers.

It is a sugar molecule. The name is a mix of sugar and Cerberus, the three headed dog that guarded the underworld.

I grew up taking day trips from Rolla to come here to hike and look at the art work. Several works were featured in the text books I used for my art history courses in school. Laumier has pieces done by internationally known artists. Yet many people in St. Louis don't know anything about the park. He who shall not be named grew up in the town neighboring the park, yet he had never been there until I took him.

Bad Day

2006-12-16T19:12:00.000-06:00

Today is a Bad Day. Granted, right now, that's not that odd. It started out ok. I volunteer most Saturdays at the Foundry Art Centre here in St. Charles. It went alright, until a man walked in and started yelling about an upside down Christmas tree used as decoration was against God. He was cussing during his tirade about how horrible we were. I found this ironic, because there were kids in the building, and WE were the horrible ones. I pointed out to the rest of the staff that if hadn't been the Christmas tree he probably would have yelled about the art work being inappropriate. I also took Purl to meet Santa at Pet Smart. I will try to post the picture. Afterward, we went for a very long walk in an attempt to get rid of some of her energy. This attempt failed.

In knitting news (finally) I spent most of the day tinking back my anastasia sock. After not working on it for so long I completely messed up the pattern. My eyelets stopped swirling and started zig-zagging. And yes, I know it would have been faster to frog the many rows I tinked, but I don't think I'm brave enough to try and pick up yarn-overs and knit 2 together's.

For the most part, I'm doing ok. I haven't broken down in public (with the exception of Thursday, which involved beer and friends, so it doesn't count), and I haven't felt overly sad since last week. That's the problem. I think I was too exhausted and numb from studying to really feel anything. And now, I don't have school to distract me. So today is a Bad Day. I think I'm going to drink a little bit, and maybe take Purl for another walk. That usually helps distract me. In the mean time, here's a picture. I have had Purl for a year and half, and this Wednesday was the first time my cat has willingly stayed when Purl tries to join her on the bed (ignore the laundry on the bed, I hadn't gotten around to putting it away yet).

Nothing Witty

2006-12-13T21:47:00.000-06:00

First, I love this website. Go check it out.
I finished this quarter successfully, which is nice. I was worried for a bit - my marketing class was rough. We don't have our grades back yet, but I think I did alright.
I am finally starting to feel like a person again. I even found myself thinking about knitting tonight, and wanting to do something with my hands.
I guess I'm still drained from studying. I keep thinking of things I want to post about, than I sit in front of the computer and nothing comes out.

Done

2006-12-11T23:37:00.001-06:00

I survived my final!

Wine + Socks = No Homework.

2006-12-10T12:51:00.000-06:00

I have finals on Monday. This quarter has not been great, what with He Who Shall Not Be Named leaving and all. I havn't really looked at my text book since our last test, which was around the time he told me he was moving. We've covered six chapters since then. I think I'm going to be in trouble. I also have to prepare a marketing plan to present to the class. I might need to buy LOTS of coffee.
In the middle of studing last night I decided I needed a break, so I called a friend Deb to see if she wanted to go out. We ended up buying a couple bottles of wine and some ice cream. (Poor girl got MAULED by Purl - in a friendly way, but still). Needless to say, I really didn't get much studying done. But I had fun, and feel a little bit better. It helps to know that my not having the energy to knit right now is fairly normal.

I am working on a sock right now. The pattern is called Anastasia by pepperknit. I am using Lorna's Laces shepard sock in Baltic Sea. These are my first attempt at toe-ups, and so far I love them. The pattern is super simple and easy to memorize. I'm hoping that after this week I'll feel more like knitting again, since I'll be done with school for a bit. My plan is to knit until I run out of yarn. I need to look around to try and figure out how high up I can knit until I need to start the cuff. I'm guessing I can go pretty high, since the last time I used Lorna's Lace I got a sock and a half out of one skein (I guess I could always measure the leg on the other pair and multiply, but that would be too simple).

I better stop procrastenating now, since, you know, I have four more chapters of strategic marketing to read.

Baby, your mine.

2006-12-07T20:56:00.000-06:00

I had Purl spayed when she was almost a year old. I had meant to do it sooner, but the day I made the first appointment to have it done, she went into heat. The vet said she had systs on her overies, which caused her to go into a false pregnacy. She had a stuffed duck for her baby, and she took it with her everywhere. If either I or the other touched her "baby" she would start crying frantically. It was heartbreaking to watch. Things were made worse by the fact that she caught broncitis at the vets, so the duck's fibers were making her cough. We eventually had to hide the duck until she got over the broncitis, and eventually it stopped being her baby and became a toy.

Today at Pet Smart I bought her a little honking moose. I think I made a mistake.

Introductions

2006-12-06T19:50:00.000-06:00

Hi. I am a knitter. Only recently, I don't feel so much like knitting. I have a major case of the blues.
It is my intention to talk about knitting and such here, but also to talk about other things, since this is a journal of sorts, and there are things that I need to say.
PG stands for my dog - Purl. She is a Rotti/St. Bernard mix, and is (in my opinion) the most
beautiful dog in the world. She is a petite 80lbs, and is still very much a puppy, so is VERY hyper. I call her PurlGirl, which somehow got shortened to PG13 (I'm not sure where the 13 came from, but it has stuck).
I'm in the middle of adjusting from a WE to an I. My SO of 4 years decided sometime last month that he was moving to San Fransisco without me. He also decided that he didn't want to try the long distance thing for the six months I have left on my masters. I knew he wanted to leave St. Louis, but we had always talked about leaving when I finish school. Appearantly, things change.
I am working on my Masters in Art Leadership and Development, which is geared toward art non-profits. I have finals next week, than two more quarters to go. Plus a thesis. I'm hoping that by writing here, I will get used to writing a bit eac day. That way, when the time comes, it won't be such a struggle for me.
I promise to put up pictures of my knitting. I know a knitting blog without knitting is no good.

(Sorry, this was added much later. I'm trying to hide my banner so I can attempt to put it on the blog).