« Just Call Me Tinkerbell | Main | Public Apology »
July 19, 2005
I Am Weak
Weak I tell ya! It takes very little to convince me that I should buy something. So, yesterday I'm reading blogs and I get over to Diana where I find a wonderful post about the merits of a ball winder. You can see where this is going, can't you. So, in my defense I have to tell you that I've been thinking about a ball winder and swift for awhile now. I didn't take the leap because I thought, "Oh, Stephanie, that's such an extravagance. You don't really need one - there's nothing wrong with winding balls by hand." Well, apparently a ball winder and swift are essential and should not be considered frivolous. That was all it took to convince me! (Well that and winding 800 yards of yarn for the LB Shawl - tedious! And I still have another hank to wind.) A surfin' I went. I looked at some info on Knitter's Review, did a Google search, and ended up at The Oregon Wood Worker where I purchased a swift and ball winder. Weak, but happy! My purchase will ship today, and they say I should have it by the end of the week. How excited am I!
The Lotus Blossom Shawl saw very little action yesterday, and after a brief trip back to row 91 (again), I finished 92 and am keeping my fingers crossed that 93 turns out to have all the required stitches - mental block, I swear. Tonight promises good knitting time, so I'm hoping to finish the second chart. I'll let you know how it goes.
That's all for me. I hope you all have a wonderful day and nothing but perfect stitches (and the proper number of yarn overs).
Oh, and an update on Riley. He had his toenail removed. It was loose and came out easily. He had his teeth cleaned and charmed all the girls at the vet clinic. He has to keep his foot wrapped for 2 days and take antibiotics for a week, and he'll be good as new. His foot doesn't seem to have slowed him down at all and this morning he wanted to play. Everything turned out just fine. Thanks for all of your kind words and well wishes.
Comments
Oh man, you are going to LOVE your ball winder. Seriously! If it weren't for mine you would have never gotten your Alpaca. There's no way in Hades I was going to wind all that by hand. LOL
Posted by: Jenn at July 19, 2005 10:28 AM
The best thing about having a ball winder and swift, is when you go to yarn stores, and they offer to wind it for you, you get to say "no thanks! I have a swift and winder" and then they know you are a SERIOUS knitter and they have respect for you. Hee!
Posted by: Purly Whites at July 19, 2005 10:35 AM
Oooh - I am dying to get a ball winder & swift! It is such a pain in the rear to wind balls myself, and usually I just get it done at the LYS. But that doesn't work for mail order yarn, or yarn from a secret pal. Can't wait to hear how you like it!
Hope you get into the groove on LBS tonight - frogging is no fun. :(
Posted by: Cyndi at July 19, 2005 10:56 AM
I purchased my swift and ball winder from the Oregon Wood Worker as well, and they work great! I like that the swift can be stored in the special bag (I got one in purple). I used to think that winding yarn by hand was relaxing, until the time that I had to wind 500 feet of yarn. That was when I decided that I needed a swift and ball winder. =) I'm terrible because I'm actually thinking of buying *another* ball winder simply because I want a wooden one (like the Strauch Jumbo Ball Winder).
Glad to hear that Riley is well. Good luck with the shawl! You'll make it through Row 92 and 93 soon!
P.S. I mailed the pattern on Friday, so hopefully you'll get it soon.
Posted by: caitlyn at July 19, 2005 11:09 AM
Yay, I hope you love your swift and ball winder! 800 yards of yarn is reason enough to own one, and the one you chose is very pretty. Thanks for the link to the Knitter's Review article - very informative.
Posted by: Diana at July 19, 2005 12:21 PM
oh, i don't need another knitter to convince me!! i'm ordering ball winder and swift when my next yarn allowance comes in. yes, i do have a yarn budget!! my husband and i have agreed that that's the only way to keep me happy and to keep our budget flowing!
Posted by: blossom at July 19, 2005 12:43 PM
I'm so glad Riley is okay.
Oh what a happy day, ball winder and swfit. You'll never look back. It was the best investment in my knitting I ever made. In fact I need a new ball winder, I've already worn my out, but that also has to do with a dropping and attack of the Abner accident. But it still works, so I continue using it.
Have fun, winding yarn can be addictive.
Posted by: Rebekah at July 19, 2005 1:16 PM
Ok, after checking out Diana's yarn winder, I do not see you as weak! Now I really want one. I've been buying everything in hank form lately...
Posted by: Sarah at July 19, 2005 2:47 PM
You know you *need* the ball winder so don't feel a whit of guilt about it. Let me know how you like yours because I *need* a ball winder too. And Riley probably loved the pedicure.
Hey, before I send you something I have to ask a stupid question - is your last name Marquiss or Anesi?
Posted by: Lynette at July 19, 2005 8:09 PM
