« March 2006 | Main | May 2006 »
April 27, 2006
Mission Accomplished
I am most pleased to report that the Sockapaloooza Socks are hot off the needles.
And the ends are even woven in! WooHoo. Plus, they appear to fit (well, they fit me)
All that is left to do is give them a little bath tonight and lay them out to dry. Then I can get them packaged up Monday night and ready to mail off to my pal on the 2nd - right on schedule thank you very much. I always knew I worked best under pressure - I don't know why I was stressed. Oh wait, I remember. All that other stuff I was going to do this week - the bag, the packing - that kind of stuff, didn't get done. Just the socks. But, I might still be able to finish the bag tonight. And I maybe ought to do some laundry so I have some clean undies to take on my trip. And maybe pack some clothes. Ya know, the little things.
Project Details:
Pattern: Pomatomus
Yarn: Sundara Yarn Multicolored Sock Yarn in Emergency Sock Pal
Needles: 2.5mm Addi Natura 6" dpns
Modifications/Thoughts: I didn't modify the pattern at all, except I adjusted the needle size to get the appropriate gauge. I really enjoyed knitting the pattern and I think it works well with the multicolored yarn. I found knitting socks for someone else to be kind of stressful. I'm worried about whether they'll fit, but it's really too late to do anything about it now. Our feet measurements are close, so I hope that since they fit me, they'll fit my pal.
Posted by Stephanie at 1:39 PM | Comments (38)April 26, 2006
Delusional
All day yesterday I was feeling pretty good about getting my sock pal socks done before I leave on Friday. I only had one pattern repeat left before the toe and then I'd be done in no time. Well, clearly I am not the sharpest tool in the shed. Last night while waching some quality television* I managed to complete that one remaining repeat. And here's what the sock looks like.
You see any problems here? Like maybe that if I do the toe at this point the sock won't fit anyone who has a foot larger than a size 4? Yeah, I see that same thing. Maybe my memory isn't so good. I don't believe 2 repeats was what the first sock consisted of, must have been three. When I compared this sock to the first sock, I was proven right (er, wrong...whatever). Another pattern repeat is required before toe decreases can begin. The silver lining in this debacle is that I managed to do one repeat yesterday, so the same should be true for today. I think. Theoretically, that means I should be able to do the toe tomorrow. Tomorrow is Thursday. If I get the toe done tomorrow, I can weave in the ends and give them a bath tomorrow night after karate. Then they can be drying over the weekend and ready to be mailed on Tuesday. Nothing like cutting it really close. Yipes.
*In television news, my new favorite show (considering Alias is sadly coming to an end) is The Unit. If you haven't watched this show, you really should.
Posted by Stephanie at 10:03 AM | Comments (14)April 24, 2006
A Blur
Where does the time go? This weekend was a blur. Although, I did manage to get a few things done and had a nice relaxing weekend in the process. Saturday was gorgeous. Warm and no wind to speak of. I did the mandatory Saturday errands and then Travis and I roped and then went out to dinner with our roping friends. Shrimp fajitas and margaritas - life is good. Yesterday the weather turned cold and this morning we have 6 inches of snow. My drive to work took twice as long as normal - I think all the snow plows are on vacation. Despite the suckiness of snow, it's actually good moisture, so I shouldn't grumble too much. Hopefully it will warm back up soon and then the grass will get green.
I knit a bit more on the sock while I was at the eye doctor on Saturday, although knitting with your eyes dialated is an interesting experience. Over the course of eye doctor visits and movie watching (An Unfinished Life), I turned the heel and am almost finished with the gusset.
Although, I'd better get crackin' or it won't be done by the deadline (May 1st is fast approaching). Ah, deadline knitting - it's just asking for disaster.
And, I sewed most of the day yesterday (with some time out to watch that movie and knit on the sock), and made decent progress on the Weekender Bag.
This despite the three (or was it four) times I ripped that stupid zipper out and redid it (I just couldn't seem to get that sucker centered on the seam) and the multiple times I sewed around that cording trying to get it properly "crowded." Here's what's left:
I still have the whole lining to sew and insert, which ought to be a barrel of laughs, but I will hope for the best.
Oh, and surprise, surprise, I spun some on Friday night. I really shouldn't let it go that long. It's just so much fun. I ordered some fiber (the sample pack) to play with - different varieties and yummy colors. It should be here this week - I'm so excited.
So, the way I figure it, before I leave on Friday for my sister's house I need to finish a sock, wash and block two socks, finish a tote bag, and spin some yummy fiber. Oh yeah, and pack plus teach one karate class, attend another one and watch some tv in there. No problem, right?
Posted by Stephanie at 9:03 AM | Comments (25)April 21, 2006
Uechi-Ryu
In the midst of working on the sock, and working on the sock, I don't have any knitting to report, except that I'm working on the sock. I really hope to get close to done this weekend, but at this point, who knows. I'm just starting the heel flap and well, that means I have the heel and the whole foot left to knit.
Last night was one of my karate nights, and this morning when I woke up a little stiff and sore, I starting thinking about karate - why I study, why I enjoy it, why it's ok for me to come home with bruises all over my arms and legs from karate when little else outside of an accident would be an acceptable reason for all those black and blue (or red at the moment) marks.
Karate for me started as self-defense. I took a self-defense class because it seemed like the kind of thing a modern woman ought to know. I truly believe that all women ought to be able to take care of themselves. That means a woman ought to be able to light her water heater, change her own flat tire, and defend herself if the need ever arose. I grew up in an environment where it was fully expected that I ought to be able to do anything a boy could do - maybe not in the same way, but I should be able to figure out a way to get it done. No excuses. I think that ingrained belief led me to karate. However, karate turned into a lot more than self-defense, and I imagine that's why I've stuck with it.
My first exposure to Uechi-Ryu was a revelation. Something just clicked for me. I thought to myself, “Wow, I like this. This is something I want to know more about.” A karate student was born in that instant. Uechi is the first thing I have ever done that combines physical and mental exercise in one activity. After a workout, I feel strong – mentally and physically - and I like that feeling. When I began studying Uechi, I had not done a lot of exercise. I was active, but I had yet to find a form of exercise that I could embrace. I would start something – running, swimming, weight lifting – and would soon find my best intentions shoved to the back of my conscious because of time constraints or boredom or whatever the excuse was at the moment. Karate was immediately different. It was a group activity, with that accountability associated with it. However, instead of focusing on moving with the group just to do it, karate was about movements and activities that had a greater purpose, and that purpose was explained. The ultimate goal was not to fit into a group just to fit in, but to improve yourself mentally and physically with the help of a sensei and fellow students. What a concept! The reason karate clicked for me was because I not only began learning the physical movements, but the reasons behind those movements. The mental aspect of the art intrigued me, and continues to do so.
Friends and acquaintances seem impressed with the fact that I study karate, and that has always baffled me. Perhaps it is the image karate carries with it. However, one thing is clear to me, I do not study karate for anyone but me, certainly not to impress others. I study karate to improve myself. Self-improvement is one of those fluid concepts. How do you really define it? The dictionary defines self-improvement as “improvement of oneself or one’s condition by one’s own efforts.” A nice definition, but what does it really mean? In my mind there is not an easy answer. I am in better physical shape because of karate – clearly an improvement of myself. I believe I am much healthier mentally – there is nothing like Sanchin kata to make the troubles of the day dissipate - again, a clear improvement. Every karate class I attend, I learn something new, or relearn something I have forgotten. That is one of the best parts of studying karate – continuous learning – another improvement. Uechi is something I know I can spend a lifetime studying and never really master. Before I began studying Uechi, I considered someone with a black belt in karate as a master. Now I realize how untrue that it. A black belt is simply someone who has dedicated herself to continually learn a complex art. I really cannot imagine a point in my life when I will be able to honestly say, “I understand Uechi and all it has to offer.” I think one of the truly unique things about karate is that it is incredibly complex - as an individual’s life experiences change, so does that person’s study of karate. Complete understanding is unfathomable, and something I believe I will never achieve.
The historical nature of karate, especially Uechi-Ryu, fascinates me. I feel as though my study of karate connects me to a larger history. I am one of many Uechi students who have studied virtually the same lessons as generations before me. I feel connected to the past and as though, by my participation, I have become a part of the history of the art of Uechi. One of the most intriguing aspects of Uechi is the constant dedication its teachers demonstrate. Uechi teachings have managed to remain mostly constant through the years. It is a style dedicated to teaching martial arts, and producing students equipped in self-defense, rather than a style dedicated to showy moves, tournament wins, and making money. Such a distinction is important to me and a reason for the great respect I have for Uechi and those who choose to teach the next generation of Uechi practitioners. The purpose of the style is to learn to defend yourself if the need actually ever arose, rather than to look cool in a mock fight.
Ultimately, Uechi is still about self-defense for me, but my concept of self-defense has expanded as my study of Uechi has progressed. And with that expanding, my mental and physical commitment to the study of Uechi has strengthened. I may have started my study of Uechi because I thought I ought to learn self-defense, despite my true lack of understanding of what such study would entail, but I have continued my study because of the benefits and satisfaction I enjoy. To me, self-defense is a representation of my commitment to my physical and mental well-being.
Have a great weekend and remember to take some time to unwind.
Posted by Stephanie at 8:12 AM | Comments (11)April 19, 2006
Random Musings
Before I go to sleep, I sit in bed and either read or knit a bit. And it's always during these last 30 minutes of the day that I think of really great things to write about on the blog - creative, funny, witty - whatever. I make a conscious effort to think about it and remember the idea. And it never fails that when I sit down to write the next morning I have absolutely no idea what my idea was. I guess I'm going to have to start writing things down because this memory issue is bugging the crap out of me.
Yesterday I went to the craft store and since I was there I thought I might as well buy some Peaches & Cream cotton for some MDK dishrags and a couple of those really cute baby kimonos. Man is that stuff reasonably priced. I got 8 balls of yarn and spent under $10. Isn't that amazing? I'm pretty amazed. Now, you'd think that I would have a picture of the yarn right here - a little pile with 2 different shades of blue, a green, a multicolored green and red, 2 bright reds, and 2 lovely yellows. But, I don't. I intended to take one before I left for work this morning, but guess what. Yep, I completely forgot. Are you seeing the pattern here?
For all of you tv watchers out there ... don't forget that Alias is back on tonight for a 2 hour episode (8/7 central). No one better call me or expect any kind of conversation for those 2 hours. Just sayin'.
And just to round out an entire post of nothingness - here's a fun knitting related meme I saw over at Knitting Underway.
Kat is having a contest - list 5 places you've knit other than your home and tell her about it. Her hubby will pick the most creative and yarn goodies are involved.
My caveat is that I haven't knit in that many cool places, but here's what I have:
1. Many team ropings. Not a lot happens at these marathon events and Travis ropes once every 30 or 45 minutes and each run lasts less than 10 seconds - good knitting time, but I'm there supporting my hubby!
2. Lasik Eye Clinic while waiting for my surgery - my first pair of lorna's laces socks. I was so nervous I broke a needle.
3. Cheyenne Frontier Days - another sock - cotton sherbet stripes this time.
4. The car on the way to work - exciting, I know, but that's where I get in my best knitting time.
5. My office
Posted by Stephanie at 10:31 AM | Comments (13)April 18, 2006
Plugging Along
I briefly considered titling this post P-ing Along, but was concerned about the message that would send. But, the fact of the matter is, I'm plugging along on my second Pomatomus. I'm about half way through the leg (1 1/2 repeats of the required 3) and I still like the pattern. It's a fun knit that has just enough going on to keep me interested, but not so much that I can't do anything else while I knit. It's a nice combination.
Although last night I was a little distracted. When I got home from work I had a package from Amazon waiting for me. And inside was every knitter's dream - two knitting books! Mason-Dixon Knitting and Knitting Rules. Heaven in a box (I did check my LYS for the books before I ordered them, but they didn't have either). I had hoped my copy of Wendy Knits would be included, but it wasn't. Maybe next week. So, last night I'm trying to read both books at the same time and I only had about 30 minutes before I had to go to karate. It was kind of painful. I couldn't decide which one to read first - they're both great. I don't think I can knit the p-sock and read at the same time, so I'm just going to have to knit faster so I can get it done and spend some serious time with these books.
And look what came in the mail
My Project Spectrum February/March postcard from Gracie. Isn't it the cutest thing? I just love the colors and the little sparkly words. So creative. I sent mine to her about a month ago, but haven't heard anything. I hope it made it safely (and I forgot to take a picture before I sent it off - sorry).
Posted by Stephanie at 10:07 AM | Comments (13)April 17, 2006
Productivity
After whining and crying and generally being a big fat baby about this whole Sockapaloooza thing, I am very happy to report a finished sock! Yep, you read that right. Stephanie has actually finished one sock. I guess the fourth time really was the charm.
I had plenty of yarn left over, but not so much to be wasteful. To combat Second Sock Syndrom, I immediately cast on for the second sock and am happily working my way through the leg. I sincerely hope I can make good progress this week because I need to have it finished next week! Yipes.
Every day this weekend I worked on my Weekender bag for the latest sew-along. It took me forever to cut out all the pieces. I didn't finish cutting until late Saturday.
Those are the pattern pieces, minus the bias strips for the cording. I started sewing Saturday evening and sewed most of the day yesterday, and didn't really get very far.
I am at the point where I need to do the zipper and the top pieces, but I was getting tired and frustrated, so I stopped. When it isn't fun any more, it's time to do something else. So, to take my mind off my sewing (or lack thereof), I made a pie.
Apple. My only real nod towards the holiday. Travis got home late last night from roping, so we had a simple meal of steaks and veggies and bread with pie for dessert. It was very relaxing and laid back, a nice Easter holiday.
But, now it's Monday already and we'll see how productive I can be this week.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:05 AM | Comments (25)April 14, 2006
So Close
I'm so close I can taste it.
I've started the decreases for the toe. I ripped back 6 rows last night because I decided that it was going to be too long. It would still be too long for me, but my pal's feet are just a smidge longer than mine, so I'm hoping it will work out to be the right length. And I've decided that there's very little risk in running out of yarn - I should have no trouble finishing the 20 or so rounds left.
I'm really glad Friday is finally here, I was sure it was lost somewhere over the Atlantic, but it showed up after all. Have a great weekend and I'll hopefully have some good pictures and progress to report next time we chat.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:36 AM | Comments (12)April 13, 2006
Baby Steps
I haven't made a lot of progress on the current projects, but I have actually been working on them. The foot of the first Socakapalooza sock is at 7 1/4 inches and I need 8 before I start the toe shaping. I will be cutting it close on having enough yarn, but I continue to be optimistic about this sock. I truly believe the Knitting Goddess is on my shoulder for this project. I ended up washing the fabric for the bag in the machine on gentle cycle with cold water and drying it in the dryer on medium heat and everything seems to have come out just fine. Last night I cut out the pattern pieces for the outside of the bag, but had to stop to watch LOST. Priorities, right. So, I still have the lining and interfacing to cut, plus the miles of bias strips for the cord. It looks like it's going to be a quiet weekend around here, so I should make some good progress on both projects.
I saw this fun little bit over at January One and I thought it would be interesting.
Do a Wikipedia search of your birthdate, minus the year; list three interesting events, three people who were born, and three people who died on that day.
Events
1. 1580 - Sir Francis Drake circumnavigates the globe.
2. 1789 - Thomas Jefferson is appointed the first United States Secretary of State, John Jay is appointed the first Chief Justice of the United States, Samuel Osgood is appointed the first United States Postmaster General, and Edmund Randolph is appointed the first United States Attorney General.
3. 1983 - Australia II, the first non-American winner, wins the Americas Cup.
Births
1. 1774 - Johnny Appleseed, American environmentalist (d. 1847)
2. 1948 - Olivia Newton-John, Australian singer
3. 1981 - Serena Williams, American tennis player
Deaths
1. 1763 - John Byrom, English poet (b. 1692)
2. 1820 - Daniel Boone, American frontiersman (b. 1734)
3. 1984 - John Facenda, American broadcaster and sports announcer (b. 1913)
Have a great day. It's almost Friday.
Posted by Stephanie at 10:09 AM | Comments (5)April 11, 2006
Weekender
I'm on a bag kick. First the lunch bag and now the Weekender Bag from Amy Butler. This is my project for the latest round of Sew? I Knit!, and yesterday my fabric arrived.
This is the fabric for the outside of the bag
And this is the fabric for the lining, handles, and cording
After reading the directions in the pattern, I think this is going to be a very challenging project for me. But, I hope the end product will be worth the hassle. I'm a little unsure about a couple of things. The fabric is from Amy Butler's fabric line and is the same fabric called for in the pattern, but I'm unclear on whether this fabric can be washed in the washing machine. It's home decor weight, but I know they're both cotton, so they should be ok to put in the wash to preshrink, but for some reason I'm nervous about it. The other question I have is this whole quilter's heavy duty template plastic that's used for the bottom of the bag. I went to the quilt store this weekend (you saw the fabric that I was not in the market for - the lunch bag, but anyway) and got a sheet of template plastic, but I really don't think it's heavy duty - it's kinda floppy. Any quilters out there know anything about this?
I hope to be able to finish the first sock this week - it's really turning out to be a fun knit. I've decided that the knitting gods were looking out for me and really knew that the combination of the Pomatomus pattern with the Sundara Yarn Multicolored sock yarn would be fabulous and that's why I had so much trouble with the Lorna's Laces. That's my attempt at positive thinking (call it denial if you wish) and maybe my positive outlook is transferring into successful knitting.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:05 AM | Comments (23)April 10, 2006
A Three Day Weekend
I love snow days. Especially when you're not expecting it. Friday was a snow day- all federal, state, and county offices were closed, as were the roads. So, I got to stay home all day and knit. And knit I did. I actually made a lot of progress on my sock pal sock.
After I turned the heel, I measured my gauge in stockinette, and it's 8 sts/inch, the same as the pattern specifies. So, I'm feeling less anxious about the whole thing now. I've still tried it on about 3 times and it continues to fit - I am cautiously optimistic at this point.
I also got a few other things done this weekend. I finished my postcard for my Project Spectrum Postcard Pal. I did this one on my own, so it isn't as nice as the one I made last month, but I hope my pal likes it.
And, I made a new lunch bag yesterday.
I found the fabric when I went to the quilt store to buy some supplies for the Weekender Bag I'm making for the latest round of the sew-along. I saw this fabric and was toast - I thought it was just so happy and springy...
Posted by Stephanie at 8:58 AM | Comments (21)April 6, 2006
I May Have Spoken Too Soon
Three might not be my lucky number. And in order to decide, I need all of your most brilliant advice. So, the Pomatomus pattern calls for Shelridge Farm Soft Touch Ultra Fingering Weight yarn and size 2.75 mm needles. I'm using Sundara Sock Yarn and I cast on with 2.75 mm needles. Did I swatch? Heck no. And now I'm worried that the sock is going to be too big. I know, from too small to too big. So, after a fairly significant bit of freaking out yesterday afternoon, I decided I'd start the second ball and use 2.5 mm needles and compare the two. Here's what I have (for reference I've used a stockinette sock knit in Lorna's Laces and a 2x2 ribbed sport weight sock):
I took the first sock off the needles and tried it on and it fits - the pattern is really stretchy, so it's really hard to know if it will stretch out to be too big (and you know I'm freaked out about this because of my last two disasterous attempts). What do you think? Should I continue with the 2.75 mm or the 2.5 mm needles?
HELP. Please.
Posted by Stephanie at 11:00 AM | Comments (21)April 5, 2006
Third Time's A Charm
Right? I mean, I know that's the saying, but do you think it's true? I sure hope so because we're getting down to the wire on this whole Sockapaloooza thing. Ya know? It's April 5th and I have until May 1st to get these suckers finished. Some might say that I'm a procrastinator, but really, waiting until the last minute makes me nervous. So, you know the 2nd sock version didn't work - it was too tight, just like the first. So, I took a few days away and ordered different yarn. Clearly the Lorna's Laces just wasn't working for me. And the new yarn? Oh my god. I love it.
Look at those colors. Aren't they so very pretty? It's Sundara Yarn in a color she doesn't have available - it's actually called Emergency Sock Pal. So, being an emergency and this being the third attempt at a decent fitting sock, I had to cast on immediately. Obviously.
The pattern is the ever-popular Pomatomus - much stretchier and more forgiving than the lovely Child's First Sock, but similar all the same. As for the yarn, it's just great. Very soft and very sproingy (yep, that's a technical term), and it knits up very nicely. At this point, I am hopefully optimistic. But, we shall have to see what kinks time and more knitting throw into the mix.
And finally, the long over due car photo. I was hoping to get a picture when it was nice and clean, but when you live on 2 miles of dirt road, it just really isn't feasible. So, here's a look at my slightly dirty new car.
April 3, 2006
Nothing To Show
I had a surprisingly productive weekend, but find that I have no pictures to show. Apparently, I'm a bad blogger. Saturday was the local guild meeting and we learned different methods of casting on. I taught the tubular cast-on with about 10 minutes notice (which really freaked me out - my anal nature likes notice of things that are expected of me). I was surprised that no one in the guild had ever done one. But, there were people who had never done a knitted cast-on, so... Anyway, Saturday was mostly consumed with the ever present errands, and man are those a time sucker. Yesterday, I hand sewed all of my pillows to close the bottome edges. I feel really good about getting all of those done, but it took me forever. I think about 4 hours. Then I baked a cake.
Which went with the chicken pot pies I made for dinner. By that time it was time for Grey's Anatomy and then bed.
I have no idea what happened to the weekend. But, poof, it's gone.
And, in the interest of full disclosure. The sock... not good. Not good at all. It's really too tight. So, I'm taking a time out. I ordered some yarn from Sundara Yarns to replace the Lorna's Laces because we just aren't getting along right now. The new yarn should be here early this week and I'll see which pattern strikes my fancy when I see the yarn. But, I don't think it will be the Child's First Sock. I need an entirely new project or else I very well may have a nervous breakdown. So, I worked on Clapotis a bit over the weekend and am still making progress. Hopefully this week will be better on the knitting front.
Posted by Stephanie at 10:10 AM | Comments (25)
