August 8, 2005
The Wedding
I survived. It was a long weekend and we got home at about 10:30 last night - let me tell you, getting up this morning sucked! The wedding was nice and the weather cooperated and we got the kids married off. They're packing up all of their worldly possessions and are headed to Tulsa, OK this week for a new job. Nothing like having all of your major life changes in one week. So, I have some pictures:
The bride and groom on Friday night at the rehersal dinner - aren't they cute?
The bride, her mom, and sister.
Me and my father-in-law and the bride and groom's dog. Did I mention both their dogs were in the wedding? This one wasn't trustworthy enough to walk by herself, so I walked with her. Fun.
Me and Travis kind of late in the evening. There was a lot of drinking going on and the best man had more than his share. So, take that into account when you look at our goofy faces.
The shawl was wonderful because it was just cool enough that you wanted something and it was so much better than a jacket! It came to work with me today and is warding off the chill in my air conditioned office rather nicely too.
In magic loop news, it appears that Addi size 1's are 2.5 mm whereas Lantern Moon dpns are 2.25 mm. Therefore, in an effort to make 2 socks that are the same size, I decided to hold off on the magic loop until my next pair of socks and am knitting the second Sherbet Sock on my dpns. Pictures to come tomorrow.
I hope you all have a great Monday.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:06 AM | Comments (15)August 2, 2005
More Shawl
Ask and you shall receive - more shawl pictures:
So, what do you think?
Project Specs
Pattern: Lotus Blossom Shawl from Fiddlesticks Knitting
Yarn: Unlabeled Fingering Weight 50% silk/50% merino in pearl gray
Needles: Size 8 Bryspun Circulars and Addi Naturas - I switched to the Addis when the Bryspuns broke at the join
Size: The actual measurements are 70" across the top and 37 1/2" down the center. Mine is 2" narrower across the top edge than the pattern calls for, but is the right length.
Modifications: None. Are you kidding? This was my first lace shawl, there was no way I was changing anything, not that I think anything needed changed!
Started: July 11, 2005
Completed: August 1, 2005
Thoughts: Overall this was a fun project. The pattern was extremely well written and there were no errors. I would highly recommend any Fiddlesticks pattern. The charts are large and easy to read (and this was my first attempt at charts). I had some problems with mistakes, but they were all operator error. The good thing about making mistakes is learning how to fix them, which I got to do. I will definately knit another shawl and more lace. I like the challenge of doing the pattern correctly and blocking it out to something so pretty.
So, now I'm on to master the Magic Loop for the second Sherbet Sock and then the shrug. I imagine both will be quick knits and some instant gratification is a good thing.
Posted by Stephanie at 8:52 AM | Comments (26)August 1, 2005
Success!
Despite a rather hectic weekend with considerably less knitting time than I had hoped for, the LBS is done! I finished the last bobble yesterday morning, and can I just say that the bind off row took me forever, and those bobbles are a real pain in the ass. Literally. I was binding off for somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 hours. But, here she is.
Before blocking, of course.
Blocking was delayed by the Cheyenne Frontier Days Short Round Rodeo performance. A good friend of ours was team roping so we got tickets and went. It was fun, but a rodeo is just a rodeo. Once you've been to one they're all pretty much the same. However, there were a lot of people - this is just one grandstand, there was another one this size and then 3 or 4 smaller ones.
So, after I got home from the rodeo I pulled the LBS out of her bath and started blocking. Blocking a shawl was a new experience. It's a lot different than the pieces of a sweater. It took me awhile because there was some trial and error involved in getting it the same on both sides. However, the welding rods work great for getting a nice even line across the top.
I'll take a better picture once it's dry and give you all the specs.
In other news, I finished the first Sherbet Sock. I had to make a few modifications - I had to decrease 8 stitches around the ribbing because my ankles are too skinny and the sock bagged and I changed the bind off from a purlwise bind off to the Elizabeth Zimmermann's sewn bind off because it's much stretchier and I find it more comfortable. I might try decreasing another 8 stitches on the second sock because it's still a little baggy, but I might not and then the second sock will be just like the fist (assuming I can make the stripes match). I guess I'll have to see how I feel when I get that far.
And I've saved the best for last! Presents!!
Lynette sent me some lovely sock yarn and treats from her travels for guessing the answers to some trivia questions. Isn't she sweet?
And I got a drop spindle and some roving from my KRSP! Isn't she awesome? Awesome and faster than the speed of light. I mean it was only Tuesday when I mentioned I wanted a spindle and by Friday (I picked it up on Saturday) I had a package in my hot little hands. I so love instant gratification. Thanks Secret Pal. You rock.
Now I just have to find the time to figure it out. I'm so excited to try it and see if I can actually spin yarn. I'll keep you posted.
So, in order to get the shawl done I got absolutely nothing done around my house - no laundry, no cooking, no weeding, didn't get my pots replanted - the list goes on and on. But, I figure there's time for all of that after the wedding (or maybe sometime this week). Thanks for all your support. Have a great day.
Posted by Stephanie at 8:10 AM | Comments (15)July 29, 2005
And The Winner Is...
Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed. It's soft (or so I hear from a reliable source), the right gauge, reasonably priced, and comes in a lot of yummy colors. Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions. I really appreciate you guys.
There was not a lot of knitting going on yesterday. I knit two rows on the LBS, which means that I have 8 rows left including the bind off row. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm off at lunch to buy welding rods for blocking wires because I hope to block by Sunday. In Sherbet Sock news, I have completed turning the heel and have about 1 cm to knit before I do the little bit of ribbing at the ankle. I will soon have the first one completed. And, if things go perfectly (doubtful, I know), I may get that long-languishing project seamed this weekend, but maybe not the zipper. That still scares me, even though I've read the instructions about 50 times. We'll just have to play that by ear.
So, have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:56 AM | Comments (6)July 27, 2005
The Goal
I worked on the LBS last night and am happy to report that I've completed the second set of lotus blossoms. This puts me at the beginning of the last chart - 22 rows to go (and the bobble bind off, let's not forget that).
I do believe, if everything continues to go well, that I will have this puppy finished in time for the wedding.
I've also been working on the sherbet socks on the commute and have turned the heel on the first sock - short rows. They're really fun and are a nice break from the lace.
Last but not least, I decided to join the Stitch Ya Neck Out knitalong/swap. I got in just under the wire - very nice ladies running this deal. I'm such a procrastinater - I really need to work on that. Anyway, I think I'm going to have the turtleneck shrug made for me - I'm into shrugs right now. So, this weekend I'll have to find some fabulous yarn to send off to my pal - maybe when I order it I can have it mailed directly, since it's guaranteed I'll have to order it - nothing around here fabulous enough for such a fun thing.
I have this afternoon off from work - Cheyenne Day. A day during Cheyenne Frontier Days that pretty much everyone gets all or part of the day off in order to take in the festivities. I consider it bonus knitting time! Have a great day.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:36 AM | Comments (11)July 25, 2005
A Good Weekend
Saturday morning I had to take Isabelle (the cat) to the vet for her booster shot. She and Riley were just there a month ago, but she needed a second shot. I was really annoyed that they didn't just charge me for the shot and wormer, but for another wellness exam. Jeeze, if she was ok a month ago, she's still ok. Just an excuse to get another $30 out of me! But, the good part started right after that. I went to the post office and picked up my swift and ball winder and a denim skirt I ordered. So, I go home and guess which package I open first. Yep, the swift. Shows you where my priorities are.
The swift and ball winder are from The Oregon Wood Worker and I'm in love. The swift comes in pieces in a bag and you can take it apart for storage. Don't ya just love that?
It worked great and I'm hooked, especially because I wound the second hank of yarn for the shawl and it was so fast! I'm going to wind the yarn I have in my stash, but I have to finish the shawl first. Diana was right, these things are necessities. I'm not quite sure how I've gotten along without them for this long.
This weekend was also particularly productive in the LBS arena. I finished the stems and the first chart of blossoms. I'm now on row 136 (that's Chart 5 out of 6)! So I have about 30 rows left! I thought the blossom part would be a lot slower than the stems because there are more stitches and the pattern is a bit more complex, but I think it's actually quicker. Now, this could be due to the fact that I haven't made as many mistakes that require massive time to fix (knock on wood), but still.
I have high hopes that I will have this finished by the end of next weekend, which means I need to find some blocking wires - it's time to get Travis on the hunt for some welding rods. Keep your fingers crossed that things continue to go well. Have a great Monday.
Posted by Stephanie at 8:43 AM | Comments (9)July 22, 2005
Brace Yourself
You might want to sit down. Oh wait, you probably are because you're at your computer. Ready? I knit 5 rows on the Lotus Blossom Shawl last night and did. not. rip. out. a. single. stitch. It's fabulous isn't it? I was so giddy I couldn't even get to sleep (and I needed to sleep after the 4 hours I got the night before)! I believe the devil has been exorcised and the knitting gods have been sated, and not a moment too soon. I am cautiously optimistic that this means things will be moving along on the shawl. I'll know more after the weekend.
Do you know the worst part of living in the country? No? Well let me tell you. It's those little orange slips they put in your mail box that tells you you have a package at the post office to pick up. It's torture. My ball winder and swift have arrived, but I can't get the package until tomorrow (since I don't work in the same town as I live I can't run down to the post office over lunch)! The suspense is killing me. I will post pictures as soon as they are in my possession. Promise.
In other news - Cheyenne Frontier Days starts today. It's a huge thing for Cheyenne. Thousands of people attend the rodeos and concerts and shop until they drop. There are parades, art shows, food, and fun for more than a week. A lot of our friends enter the rodeo, so Travis and I get to catch up with people we don't see very often, which is nice. The really great thing though is that in my office we get to wear "western attire" for 6 whole days. To truly understand this you have to know that we don't even have casual Friday - we're a business attire place 5 days a week. So, the fact that we get to wear jeans and boots (or sandles) for more than a week is pretty freeking fantabulous! It really doesn't take much to make me happy - knitting that goes right and jeans. I'm a simple gal.
Have a wonderful Friday and happy knitting.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:19 AM | Comments (6)July 21, 2005
They're Mad Again
The knitting gods are pissed at me again. There's really no other explanation. Ok, there is one other explanation - the Lotus Blossom Shawl is cursed. Take your pick. The results are the same. Here's the deal. Last night I got home and decided that I'd fix the stitch 25 rows down where I only picked up one strand of yarn.
So, I decided to be extra cautious and practice on one of the swatches before I attempted the shawl. This went well. I figured out how the yarn overs on either side were supposed to look and how to pick up the ladders in the correct order for the center stitches.
Armed with my crochet hook and a couple of dpns, the fix went off without a hitch. That was the last thing all night that went right. I know you're getting tired of hearing me bitch about this shawl, and I'm really tired of bitching about it, so I'll keep this brief. Because really, how much can I expect you all to handle. At some point something happened (and honestly I don't remember exactly what it was) and it required this:
(Thanks Cyndi for the how-to tip)
There was crying and screaming and cursing involved with the first attempt, but I figured it out (although I think I could have maybe taken half the shawl out and reknit it in the time it took me). The really good news is that this same activity occurred another two or three times throughout the evening. So, it's now about 11:30 and I'm really tired and I want to stop, but I can't just stop in the middle of a row. I'm on the last row of the second chart - actually on the wrong side row after the last row on the cart - just purling along and I feel one of my stitch markers hit my leg. I look down and think to myself, "How'd that get off the needle? It must be broken." Oh no, it wasn't the stitch marker that was broken. It was the needle. The bryspun needle just broke at one join.
As I'm sure you can imagine, this resulted in about 20 stitches jumping off the needle and yarn overs and stitches running willy nilly down the shawl. I really almost lost it (I was too traumatized to even take a picture of the disaster). I wasn't even pulling on the cord, I had lots of stitches on the needle and the cord was just hanging there - and at some point it just snapped off. Luckily I had another size 8 needle to transfer the stitches to, but it took me another hour to get everything transferred and the dropped stitches picked back up (I actually had to do a repair like above). So, you decide, have I angered the knitting gods, is the shawl cursed, or am I just the worst knitter on the planet?
On a happy note, I finished the second chart (finally) and counted the stitches. I have the right number! Please take a moment to really understand the implication of that statement. After all of the crap I've gone through with this stupid shawl, I have the right number of stitches. That means I got all the yarn overs and decreases right! That realization required a happy dance this morning, such that it was after 4 hours of sleep. Chart 3 is the same pattern - the stems - and is only 14 rows, so I really should be able to handle it, assuming I can pull my head out of where ever it's been the last few days.
Have a good day and happy knitting. And as always, thanks for listening.
Posted by Stephanie at 8:49 AM | Comments (14)July 20, 2005
Public Apology
It appears that I am guilty of defamation. On July 18th and 19th I blamed Row 91 for all of the problems I've been having with the Lotus Blossom Shawl and it appears that that was incorrect. I started my merry little way across row 93 last night and found this.
Do you see the problem? Yes, I realize that it's glaringly obvious and I missed it for the better part of 72 hours, but I believe I did mention some mental problems I've been having with this little project. Yes indeedy, that is in fact a missed yarn over. And guess what. It wasn't on row 91, it was on row 89. Please try to contain your horror. I know I'm an idiot, but thanks for agreeing. So, I will express my profound apology to row 91 for all of the blame and bad things I said, not to mention the cursing I did to it directly. I will defend myself by saying that I did make a lot of mistakes on row 91, but is it really any wonder after this new information has come to light? I think not.
So, guess what I did. Yep, I tinked back. Back across rows 93, 92, my favorite 91, and almost all the way across row 90. I then picked up the yarn over on the wrong side and proceeded back through the aforementioned rows.
So, three hours after I sat down to knit, this was what it looked like.
Better, no? This is the status after the completion of row 93 and I swear, everything seems right. I even counted and have the right number of stitches. By gollie, I believe I'm on a roll. Keep your fingers crossed, just in case. You just can't be too careful with these things.
In stash inhancement news: I received 2 packages yesterday. One was from Knit Picks and included a copy of Knitting on the Edge and some Shine in cream for this shrug.
Isn't the shrug cute? I think I might do a different edge, hence the book, but I really like that it's so simple and practical.
The second package was from Wool Gatherers and was some Mountain Colors in Moose Creek for the rib and cable socks by Nancy Bush in the new Interweave Knits
The new yarn and book almost made up for the ripping and reknitting, you really just can't dwell on those things or they'll drive ya nuts. Happy knitting and have a great Wednesday.
Posted by Stephanie at 8:15 AM | Comments (10)July 18, 2005
Just Call Me Tinkerbell
Because I think I knit row 91 on the Lotus Blossom Shawl no less than 6 times yesterday, which means I tinked back 5 times. Row 91 is the same pattern as the 90 rows before it, so I can't claim complication as an excuse. I believe it was just a mental block - every time was something different, but my gawd, I didn't really think I was that dense! The good news is I am on row 93, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Row 91 Jinx has passed me by.
Saturday we went to a bbq for my friend Ashley's birthday. Ashley and I have been friends since we were 12 years old and she's the one who got married in Scottsdale in March. The birthday party was great. We had good food and margaritas and lots of time to catch up. I hate that she lives in Phoenix because we get to see each other so rarely, but the nice thing about a best friend is that even if it's been months since you've seen each other it's always like it was just yesterday. But dang, I miss her.
Riley's presence was specifically requested by the birthday girl, so he had to have a bath before he could go. He's had so many baths in his life, he's really good about it (when you spend a lot of time outside and your belly is 8 inches off the ground, you're gonna get dirty - it's a fact of life), but he always runs around and barks and rubs himself on the carpet after the bath, it's really funny.
Riley had a bit of an accident at the party. He was running (because that's pretty much the only speed he has - a run) out the sliding glass door and got his foot caught between the door frame and the deck and partially tore one of his toenails off. It's ripped out of the pad on one side and still attached on the other. Man did it bleed (this is the cleaned up picture).
He got it wrapped by Dr. Ashley and proceeded to play fetch all night - so I don't think he was too traumatized. We talked to Ashley's vet and he said that it wasn't an emergency, but to take him to his regular vet today, so Riley's on his way to the vet this morning. The vet thought they might have to sedate him to remove the toenail, and since they're gonna do that, they're gonna clean his teeth too. Two birds with one stone and all.
So, all in all it was a good, but wirlwind weekend. I can't believe it's already Monday and we're starting another week, but that's how it is. Have a great day. Happy knitting.
Posted by Stephanie at 8:36 AM | Comments (4)July 15, 2005
Is It The 21st Century?
I'm just checking because it seems that electricity should be a bit more reliable at this stage of the game. We had a thunder storm last night - started about 6:00. As a result 1/2 of the town lost power. I think lighting struck a transformer, but come on, really. This is the 3rd time in 2 months that my power's been out for more than 2 hours at a time. Last night the power went out at about 7:00 and didn't come back on until almost 10:30. I left for karate at about 7:10 and it was pouring. Luckily the gym still had power so we had class. When I got home there was still no electricity. No electricity means no shower. Ewwww. It wasn't good, trust me. No electicity also means no knitting after dark. So, I've made minimal progress on the Lotus Blossom Shawl , but here's what she looks like after 72 rows.
The wind blew so hard last night that some of my delphiniums blew over. They were staked and everything, but one has some spikes that are taller than the stakes. They were bent this morning. I staked them up the best I could and I'm hoping for the best, but they may need to be cut and put in the house. It's very sad because they are so beautiful in my yard.
Have a great day - it's Friday!!
July 14, 2005
Progress
The shawl is coming along nicely. I'm on the second chart - row 64 out of something like 200 - and I'm still doing the stems. I have the pattern mostly memorized now, which makes it good for knitting on the commute and while watching tv. I struggled a bit yesterday with the join on the Bryspun needles so I knit a couple of rows with my Addi Natura needles to see if I liked them any better. Honestly, I didn't really notice much difference in getting those little yos over the join. I have absolutely no problem on either needle on the rs of the work, but when it comes to the ws (which is just purled), things get a little difficult. Before you shake your head and say, "Stephanie, you must just be knitting too tight," realize that I'm actually a fairly loose knitter. My theory is that it has something to do with the yos getting stuck, but don't ask me why that would be because I don't have a clue. I didn't say it was a good theory, just that it was a theory! So, I'm back to the Bryspuns and things seem to be going well. We shall see.
Thank you all for your thoughts and understanding yesterday. I really appreciate you all. Have a great day and stay out of the heat (it's a good excuse to stay inside and knit).
Posted by Stephanie at 8:27 AM | Comments (1)July 13, 2005
Excuse Me While I Complain
If you don't want to hear me complain about my crappy job, you might want to scroll down to the stuff on knitting. I'll try to keep it short, I promise. Ok, I work for the State and sometimes politics just sucks. There's no other way to describe it. We had a lady leave the office about 6 weeks ago who had been here for 25 years. I'm taking over her work and they've hired someone new for my job. I asked my boss a month ago if I could have her nice office if he wasn't going to put anyone else in it. The new girl starts Monday, so we need to know who's going where. So, yesterday afternoon (nothing like waiting til the last minute to make a decision) he decides that he's going to put someone who's been here less than a year in the nice big corner office rather than let me have it. Talk about pissed. I know it's just an office and it shouldn't matter, but in the environment I work in where people get fired for little or no reason, it seems that all we have are the little things. So, I've decided to renew my job search. I really don't think I'm going to be happy here in the long run, and it's time to step up my search. The problem is figuring out what I want to do with my life. Any of you know any great jobs for a lawyer (even if it isn't as an attorney)?
Ok, thanks for letting me vent. Now, on to knitting. I'm on row 37 of the Lotus Blossom Shawl and I'm really liking the pattern. It's pretty simple (at least so far) and it's going quickly because there aren't that many stitches yet.
I'm finding the joins on the Bryspun needles a bit difficult, but I keep hoping it'll get better as I get more stitches on the needle. We'll just have to wait and see.
And I remembered to take a picture of the rainbow sherbet sock. It's about 15 cm and I need 20 before I shape the heel. I think the colors are perfect for a summer ankle sock. What do you think?
So, that's it for me. I hope today is better than yesterday and I hope you all have a great day.
Posted by Stephanie at 8:38 AM | Comments (14)July 12, 2005
Bryspun Needles Rock
They came, they came, they came!!! And I'm excited (can you tell?).
I had karate last night so I didn't get very much done, but I got the shawl started. So far the pattern is going well. At this rate it will only take me a couple hundred years to finish it, but...
The Bryspun needles are so much better than the Addis I used for the swatch. The tip is great and makes doing the increases and decreases a lot easier. There's no fighting with getting the needle into the stitch you want. What a concept! And for not being a fan of plastic needles, I don't mind these at all - or maybe I'm just that excited about the tip - I can't be sure. Thank you Grumperina for the heads-up on these wonderful needles!
I meant to take a picture of the sock because it's coming along nicely and I like the rainbow sherbet quality of the stipe pattern. I'll try to remember tonight.
Have a great day and remember to relax and knit a bit.
Posted by Stephanie at 8:16 AM | Comments (7)
