MaryAnn's Knitting Spot

The Foot

2011-02-20T08:24:00.000-08:00

Well it seems time has caught up with me, my left ankle is shot so to speak.

The doctor says it is a combination of too many sprains and a tear in the tendon, and being flat footed has not helped.

So I figure in about four months I am going to have to cave in and have the surgery. The doctor is excited to do it, he says it will be a interesting and thrilling operation. He has me worried, good thing I like and trust him. He said they will take a scope and clean out the ankle joint, I have a chip floating around in there, then cut and reattach the tendon, and then go in and redo the arch.

I should have to wear a cast for like six weeks and then take another six weeks to learn how to walk again.

I got my niece and her husband to take me down South for the surgery and they will bring me home. Hopefully my ds will be in his new program so he will be picked up in the morning and taken to school.

And hopefully by the next night I can go back to taking care of everything. :)

And yeah I am a little scared.

May the Fates Help Me

2011-02-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

Well, it is Feburay, which means.... SOCK MADNESS SIGN UP!

Yes I have once more signed up for another fun filled year of Sock Madness... another year of sore hands, sleepless nights and wondering what the heck the designer was going for... dam I love it!

We have a month to get ready, I am so hyped :)

Time to see if I can do it

2011-01-30T18:46:00.000-08:00

All righty I am going to try and bookmark my own blog, well my other blog the one that is all deep dark thoughts that are brought out by knitting a certain shawl, which I think is good, therapy, and it helps me to clear a few dark thoughts up :)

So let see, if I can do it here... then I can do it anywhere, sides I want to link Ruth and Jo's blog as well :)

A second blog

2011-01-29T10:30:00.001-08:00

Well, I am starting a second blog, mostly I am doing it as a group project to journal the progress of the cape we are doing for Meggie.

She is telling the history of her life, and we like the people of old sitting around the fire, listening to her tail. Only it will be set down in knitting instead of the written word.

I am going to include the new blog addy, in case anyone is interested :)

http://dragonyadyjourneythroughireland.blogspot.com/

Wish me luck on it :)

Wolf Were

2011-01-19T13:41:00.000-08:00

Well, I did it, put my first pattern up for sale, got verified and everything at Paypal, Ruth, bless her pointy head bought the first copy.

Before I forget, it is up on Raverly and is called Wolf Were.

The inside of the socks say were, and the outside say wolf, and when you cross at the ankles it says Were Wolf.

I don't expect to get rich off of them, but I have some more ideas coming, like Jo's Kind Of Thigh High, which I have changed the pattern on like a hundred times.

New Things

2011-01-13T13:07:00.002-08:00

So many new things are starting, and so many new questions to ask.

The Celtic Cape will be starting soon, Sock Madness, then Bleeping Socks, more secret stuff also...got to remember where I put the secret yarn lol.

Soon I will have to be opening the Tree House for Sock Madness...

Right now I have to go back to working on my niece's birthday present, got one mit to go for her on Saturday :)

New

2011-01-13T13:07:00.001-08:00

What is going on

2011-01-07T19:49:00.000-08:00

Made it through to the new year, still waiting to hear on my grape accident.

Been test knitting and the yarn and patterns are so beautiful, but I can show or say the colors, or colours :)

Meet up with some great friends over Christmas Holidays, great talks of many things.

Joined so many knitting projects, but the one I am really interested in is a Celtic Cape, just hope I am not over my head.

Other than that, things are going okay for the time being :)

Thanks Giving

2010-11-26T00:01:00.001-08:00

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, I got to make dinner this year, and was very lucky that I didn't have to go to my sisters...

Other than that not much going on, got hook on some Irish knitting designs with sheep with pink bum, lol.

As for knitting, here what I have done lately.

I test knitted this for Ruth :)

And I have always wanted one of these hats.

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving :)

Dog Sweaters

2010-11-16T05:16:00.000-08:00

My niece wants me to knit her dogs some dog sweaters, and I agreed, but for some reason I just can't seem to get the energy to knit them...

Still sore, and missing work.

Decided to redesign my Jo's Kind of Thigh High, didn't like the foot pattern.

And will soon be offering my Wolf Were sock from Scarefest for sell, hoping people will like it enough to buy it.

More later :)

Been a While

2010-11-12T05:20:00.000-08:00

Well, I have been reminded I have not been posting that much on my blog.

So here is how things are going.

I made it to round three of Sock Madness, slipped and sprain my right ankle, but survived.

Went to LA with a friend to get an MRA on my left ankle, got to go to Wild Fibers in LA, great little yarn store, and we went to lunch by the sea, and then found a second store, but can't seem to remember the name.

Later on, had a breast scare, so we got to go to LA again, and met up with another friend down there, had lunch and went to two other yarn stores, one was really huge and cold, the other was small and warm.

I have been test knitting for a friend, found the Murphy the Sheep group, started a five year Gansey sweater Kal, and designed my first sock. Started my second sock, but need to redesign it, didn't like how it looked.

Slipped on a grape at the store, and pulled all the muscles in the back of my leg, which is now black and blue.

Still knitting, and getting ready for Thanksgiving.

Will try and do better in the future

Also someone left a little dog in my yard so now we have Lucy a Chiweenie :)

Sock Madness

2010-03-09T19:21:00.000-08:00

Well, I made it through Ravelympic.

Now it is time for Sock Madness to start, hopefully by tomorrow I should be knitting away on the first pattern :)

Right now I am kind of tired, my ds is been a handful tonight, he has been sleeping better lately, but he still like to get into thing.

Well, I have my yarn, I have my needles, my safety pins, waste yarn and everything else, just need the pattern.

*waiting...waiting..*
*go check, not here*
*waiting...waiting..*
*go check, not here*
*waiting...*

It is going to be a long night...

*waiting...waiting..*
*go check, not here*
*waiting...waiting..*
*go check, not here*
*waiting...*

Fears of the sock

2010-02-07T20:08:00.000-08:00

Okay, I have my moment, where I wonder if I did the right thing buying the pattern program. Sometimes I like the sock, and sometimes I don't like it. I am on the heel now, and it is going okay.

I just don't think the pattern is showing up like it should, but I am going to finish it.

Other than that, Ravlympic is coming and I am in two, count them two groups/teams, and all that starts on the 13 of Feb. So that will be fun.

Then as soon as Feb is over, comes March and the Madness begins... I am going to be so busy coming up here soon.

Yarn for sock

2010-02-05T05:52:00.000-08:00

Going on about my sock, I am kind of excited.

First off, I went through two different yarns, neither one worked, so I ended up dyeing some pretty yellow yarn that so far seems to be working, I got a picture of the yarn, but need to get it uploaded, but I am kind of busy, I have to take my ds to the doctors, then a man is coming to talk about a new refrigeration for the roof, tons and tons of money. Then a Costco run to round the day out.

Did I mention it has kitties on it?

Will get pictures of it up soon :)

Time to start again

2010-02-04T18:27:00.000-08:00

Not much going on, I am a team captain for Ravlympics and I am on the True Blood Team, so I will have a lot of knitting coming up here soon.

Also test knitting for Ruth, that great lover of groundhogs.

Also I went and bought Interwined it is a great little program for creating patterns for knitting.

I have even created my first sock pattern, it deals with kitties, but more on that later :)

2009-10-30T11:05:00.000-07:00

Here they are :)

These are my Screaming Ladies, which I plan to wear tomorrow for Halloween, plus they changed the time and I get to go to the fiber show tomorrow, so things are looking up some :)

Been a while

2009-10-28T05:50:00.001-07:00

Don't you love these been awhile post?

Not much going on, my Stacking Puppies took first place at the fair, my fair isle hat and boo bat took honorable mention.

My son is being my son, I think he has an imaginary friend, but they are happy playing together.

Halloween is coming and I am hoping to get my Screaming Lady sock done in time to wear to Wallmart.

I was going to wear them to a fiber show, but it fell through, could get the time free that the group was going so I didn't get to go, but such is life...

Just sometimes I wish it was a little fairer, but I am use to it by now, sort of.

New Look

2009-10-06T07:33:00.001-07:00

Okay, decided to change my look a little, maybe this will help me keep up with my posting.

I have a ton of socks on my needles at the moment, I think my favorite are my Eric socks base on Erick Northman from True Blood, sigh, he is such a hunk. :)

Fair News

2009-09-30T21:28:00.000-07:00

Okay, I entered a few things in the fair this year, my stacking puppies won, and my hat, along with my boo bat took honorable mention, so all in all it was not a bad year, I mean I did get my first place ever. Will try and get some pictures up of the wining items :)

Really Tired of Late

2009-08-14T12:34:00.000-07:00

Well, kind of tired of late, things that more I do the less I get done.

The fair is coming and I am really not ready for it, but I am going to give it my best shot.

I keep thinking one more week till school starts, and then I will still be off a couple of weeks, so hopefully I can catch up on sleep and knitting. :)

Dish Rag Tag

2009-08-12T22:02:00.002-07:00

Okay, started a new group thingie

It is knitting a dish rag and then sending it to another person, I have a widget for it, but can't
figure out how to put it up, but I will figure it out. :)



Life is a little better, except for my niece she called me up and asked
if I could knit
three dog sweaters by the end of Sept.

Silly girl, she doesn't know I am doing my best to get ready for the fair.  :)

2009-08-12T22:02:00.001-07:00

Been a while

2009-08-10T19:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, been a while, but things got busy.

My Father passed away, and I have had to take on more things in my life, but I still knit, which help a lot.

Don't get out as much, but I am lucky for my friends on Ravelry, they help me out a lot.

In fact I have even learn a new curse word, Tulip, and that my new fantasy guy is Eric Northman... sigh...

Tokena

2009-04-16T06:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, I made it through round two of Sock Madness, and I am now on my way to round three. And in my spare time... I am knitting more socks, and getting ready for of all things a new KAL.

I have talked YarnYenta of sock pattern making fame to create a fair isle sock just for this Kal. I have seen one picture of the pattern so far and it is turning out really nice. So nice I think I will enter it in the fair come this Sept.

Okay, I know you want to see them, so here it is ... the picture of my latest Sock Madness sock. If you are wondering, that is Pyrogy in the background.

Dyeing Day

2009-03-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

Okay I did some dyeing today, will try and get a picture up when it is done.

And I knew I should dye in the garage, I have always dye this method in the garaged, then brought it in to the micro wave. But no, I listen to others, now I have to go and wash the walls down, plus the front of the fridge, and luckily tomorrow I am mopping the floor.

Weird thing is, if I had done it in the garage, I would not of spilled a drop.

Tropical Mer-tini

2009-03-26T14:41:00.001-07:00

Okay, got the first sock done for sock madness. I learn a new cast on, called the German Cast on, and I really like it, might even use it again.

Well in case you are wondering what it looks like...

They are done in STR Raven. I think if I knit them again, I will use a lighter color next time.

Cat Love

2009-03-18T07:10:00.001-07:00

I so love this...

Getting Closer

2009-03-17T22:45:00.001-07:00

Okay, it is getting closer to Sock Madness, and I never knew I had so much stash.

My mom is just shaking her head and saying it is just a pair of socks...

I just roll my eyes, as I feel she has no concept of what is going on.

The fun will start on Thursday, I have my needles, and yarn almost ready, have to wind it up, and hope it is the sock I think it is.

Sock Madness

2009-03-16T22:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am now getting ready for Sock Madness, and Jo, celticmemory, also reminded me it is time to blob once more.

This year I am hoping to make it to round three of sock madness, but will be happy just making it to round two.

Only thing that might slow me down is that my son, whom is autistic is having his wisdom teeth out in the end of March. And would you believe, he is that one in a million and has not four, but six wisdom teeth, they showed me the ex-ray. Only my kid would go out of his way like that for me. lol

Not the Tulip Sock

2008-10-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

Okay Ruth is having a mystery kal, for socks, and I, being the sucker...I mean knitter that I am, have signed up for it.

Just so you know I am still plugging way on the fetching and have half the second set done.

Well here is a picture of the sock I am calling Not the Tulip Sock, for lack of a better name at the moment.

Going to the Doctors

2008-10-23T06:54:00.000-07:00

Well, my left thumb has been giving me a lot of pain of late, my mom says I have been knitting way too much and that is the problem >.<

But since I have to go to the doctors anyway, yearly check-up and all, I am going to talk to him about it. My mom say he will probably tell me to quit knitting >.<

I just think it is arthritis, my mom say I will have to wear glove and my thumb will stick out and I won't be able to knit >.<

Don't ya just love it when moms help you out?

Pictures

2008-10-20T09:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, here are some pictures, first up is the Fetching my sister talked me into knitting

Only four more to go.

Next are my fair entries that took third and honorable mention

Other than that not much going on.

My Wonderful Sister

2008-10-14T18:18:00.000-07:00

My sister calls me up, to tell me the heater is out at her job, and by time she was done speaking...

I was talked into knitting fingerless gloves for everyone at her job. Well, I love my sister...sort of, lol. But now I have to put all my fun knitting, plus this great sider pattern and another great one by Ruth, to do these gloves, plus put my Christmas knitting on hold as well, plus my Halloween Shawl with beads by Renee... grrr...

Updating the site

2008-10-13T05:27:00.000-07:00

Well I updated the site this morning, lost a few items on the way, but I think it look cleaner, now I just have to start working more on it Adding a a few things here and there and the like.

Thanks to Ruth and Jo for helping me decide to bring this back, sort of. Kind of miss my pets, but I do believe I can get them back, if I decide I want to go that way.

Other than that, I am just knitting away, I think I am over my sock burn out, but still so much to knit for Christmas...

Okay, okay

2008-10-12T13:58:00.000-07:00

I was minding my own business when I was informed I needed to have a blog...
I was also told that there is no way I could say I didn't have time for one, as I also run a kal on Raverly.

Thus I am going to do my best to bring my blog out of the dark ages and get it going again.

Here is keeping my fingers crossed that I can do it.

I Have Returned

2008-05-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

I know it has been some time now since I have posted here, and a lot has happened, I have gone through my shawl stage and now am a rabid sock knitter, after doing sock madness, and now I am in for Summer of Socks and 52 Sock Plunge.

Hopefully I will once more start updating here again. ;)

Been Awhile

2007-05-11T06:47:00.000-07:00

Well it had been awhile since I posted here it seems. Things kind of got busy for me.

I am still spinning, and carding, and now even washing my own wool, something I thought I would never do. But I have found it to be fun, except for the two pounds of Targhee, I accidentally felted, it looked like two dead poodles, in fact when I sent it back to the people I bought the wool from. I got an trade on some more Targhee. I had to prove to the UPI guy that they had never been alive in the first place.

Hopefully I will get back into the grove and start posting here more.

Other than that I am working on a sweater I am hand spinning out of Gotland. Which is weird for me, as I live in CA, and no doubt will only be able to wear a few times each winter.

So Much Fiber, So Little Time

2006-11-12T10:08:00.000-08:00

Well, I sat down today and took stock of my fiber. I have two pounds of Gotland screaming to be spun, but I have BLF on my Babe, and all six of my drop spindles have something on it. The two pounds of Alpaca are also asking when it will be their turn, not to mention the Coltsworth and Wenlsydale...*sign* Not to forget the silk hankies and caps.

I guess I just went a tad overboard.

Especially when I then turned around to see about ordering a new pattern off the web, and a pound of the most prettiest colored Shetland, mahogany, I have seen.

Well like they say, no rest for the wicked and the righteous need none...

As for the yarn in my last picture, I am planning a feather and fan scarf for the silk, but still kind up in the air on the BLF. I am only half done on carding and spinning that one. Seems the more I get done, the more what is left in the bag grows. Not to mention the lovely chocolate brown BLF I just got that needs carding and spinning.

I think I need to go to an FA meeting (Fiber anonymous).

Been Awhile

2006-11-10T16:22:00.000-08:00

I know its be awhile, but I have been kind of busy of late, I have a long term sub job as a Kindergarten teacher, and I have had a lot to do. But now that I have gotten into the swing of it, it is getting better.

Well there it is, my latest yarn. I know the picture is not that great, kind of dark, sorry.

The dark one was a silk hankie, and the white/cream color is my BLF that is picture on this blog somewhere, lol.
The strange thing is as I watched myself spin it up, I noticed that it had happened. Now you may ask what, so I shall tell you. I am no longer doing designer yarn. My yarn is coming out all nice and even now. I don't know if I should be happy or sad. It is like the end of an era, lol.

Starting

2006-10-01T18:46:00.000-07:00

Well I am now starting a new shawl today. It is the sheep shawl and I belong to a kal, so they should be able to help me, as the pattern does get somewhat confusing as we go along.

Other than that I broke down and ordered some wool carders. I like them, and they are just a little cheaper then a drum carder. But I the more I card by hand the better those drum carders look.

Went to the Fair Today

2006-09-24T20:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been waiting and waiting for the fair, so that I could find some people around here that are into spinning. Well, I did, only it seemed I knew more than they did, plus they didn't seem that interested in sharing any spinning stories either. All I did find out was that you can take a pencil and shove it through a potato and you have a drop spindle.

What I was wondering was...what happens when the potato goes bad?

Also they did tell me they had a guild, sort of, they go up south to a weaving guild. Then they seemed more interested in me coming to their little craft fair to buy stuff. It was not what I expected. Also the fleeces that were entered where only six sheep and four alpacas. Then the entries....only like four afghans, and one sweater, three or four baby blankets and sweater. I was really disappointed. I guess I will have to stop reading about all the really great fairs back east, lol.

Not Much Going On

2006-09-23T09:51:00.000-07:00

Not too much has been going on of late, got some more gotland, so now I have a pound of it. Also some Wensleydale, in black, and some Cotwold. So I now have a lot of carding to do, as I have not even touched the alpaca I got awhile back....

The local fair is here, and I plan to go on Sunday, and see what they have. Hopefully I will find a guild to work with, or at least some kind of contact here in town.

Also I broke down and put myself on the list for a Bosworth Moosie Spindle. It should be here in March of 2007, plenty of time to save up for it. They are made of Moose antler, and there is sixty people in front of me. Also they have to wait for the Moses to shed their horns and such.

It Came

2006-09-12T20:16:00.000-07:00

Well, it came, my BFL, using just the intials as I can't spell it out. It is even better than I thought it would be. I was also pleased with the lady I bought it from. She is in U.K. I ordered it off of Ebay.

Now I am just waiting from my Gotland, which I am also getting about seven oz of. And just to let you know I did not order the Gotland, cause it was the wool they used to make the Elves capes in Lord of the Rings, or the fact that Legolas was wearing it either. I just wanted to try out new and different wool types. (And if you buy that, I also have a brigde in San Fransico for sale as well.)

I also just order some Black Wensleydale Curl. Have no idea what it is, but it is black and I can't wait to try it. This I am getting about 8 oz of, all have been washed and I just need to card it.

The thing about the BFL is I thought it would be white, but in fact is kind of a cream color. Makes me wonder how much wool is really a white color, or has to be bleached or dyed white?

On Its Way

2006-09-11T21:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I found some washed fleece that I can card on Ebay. I bought the first 200 grams, which should equal to around 7 oz, of Blue Face Leischer, I might be spelling it wrong.

Then I was looking around on that sellers sight some more, and I ran across some Gotland.

Now Gotland is kind of special to me, as it is the wool that was used to make the Elves cloaks in Lord of the Rings, all three movies. So I can't wait to get it, as it will kind of be like the stuff the Elves used...sort of, well at least in my mind it will be, so it okay. (And I know that because my imageary friend said so. Just kidding.)

It should all be here hopefully by Friday, or the first of next week as it is coming from the U.K.

Been Awhile

2006-09-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

So what am I up to now?

Been working on my Pinwheel Sweater, and I am almost done, just got to finish that I-cord on the bottom, and sleeves, which means it is almost done? Only thing is my sister and niece saw it, so they both want one now.

Also been working on my sock, using Wendy's Gen. sock pattern, partway done with the first sock.

Been spinning on my Bosworth Spindle, spins like a true dream, which kind of makes me think of getting another one, someday, righ after I get a Greensleeves.

And I have started clue six of my Mystery Stole...YAY.

And I have been playing this interesting Vampire game, yeah I can be weird at times, I love horror movies and Scifi. That is why I want the Gotland Fleece so I can have some wool just like they used in LOTR. lol

This is the site address, well a part of the game that kind of helps me out in it. There is nothing bad about it, or religon wise or anything like that, if anyone would feel like clicking on it, I would be greatful. And don't worry, nothing bad will happen to you. Thanks ahead of time.

http://world4.monstersgame.co.uk/?ac=vid&vid=47019801

Look What I Did

2006-08-29T19:42:00.000-07:00

Yay, I am ever so excited, I finally figured out how to add buttons to the sidebar. (Does the happy dance.) What really makes me happy is that I suck big times with html, stuff. So when I figure something out, it makes me feel really great.

Other that that, I have become a silk junkie of late. I have just bought from Ebay, four silk hankies and now from The Silkworker.

http://www.thesilkworker.com/index.html

I just ordered two silk caps. I think I may need help. LOL

Back From the fair

2006-08-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

And this is the Alpaca I could just not leave the show without. I thought was so cute, I just couldn't leave it behind. Thus I now have my own little Alpaca.

Here are the two spindle that I got. The one with the tag is my Bosworth's Spindle, the one I had in my hand when the lady told me I must be new, as I had a drop spindle in my hand, thus I didn't know anything. She must of been the one that didn't know anything, as the woman there selling them was say they were the Cadillac of drop spindles. So go figure.

Here is the wool that I bought at the show, along with the carders I bought. I think the colors are nice. You can even see the Alpaca I need to card over on the side, it looks blue, but is really a nice shade of light gray.

Here is the picture of one of the eight month old baby Alpacas that we saw at the show. She was really, friendly, and ever so cute.

I had always thought them to be bigger, but that might be, because I have only seen Lamas.

Really Excited

2006-08-16T19:37:00.000-07:00

Well, I am finally going to get to go to a fiber fest. It is the one put on by Spindicity,
http://www.spindlicity.com/summer2006/index.shtml

It is being held in Santa Monica, which is like two hours from Bakersfield. I have roped in my neice and her friend to go with me, as I didn't want to drive all that way by myself. The bad thing is that I can only go on the last day, so I am hoping it is not all sold out of all the really good stuff. I mostly want to go to see the Alpacas...yeah right, and all the fiber, spindels and wheels as well.

Also I just ordered a new spindel from www.crowhillhouse.com

It is going to be of the head of a black unicorn, the only thing is it will take six to eight weeks to get it, as she is really busy. Oh well, sometimes you just have to wait for the good things in life.

2006-08-13T14:04:00.000-07:00

Here we see my first ever attempt at a log cabin, as done from the Mason*Dixon book. Great book by the way, has lots and lots of nice patterns in it. My Mother has already claim this one for her own, plus a neighbor also hinted that these were her favorite colors...

Thus I am afraid to show it to either my sister or my niece and thier friends...

This is my first shot at double plying, not too bad if you ask me. In fact I saw that same kind of mutant yarn in a shop. They were asking for about $48.00 a skein, and their yarn was done on purpose...lol.

Well here is my Mystery Stole 2. I am still on clue four, and my first ball of yarn is slowly fading, but I think there is still enough to finish it. Been looking at different kinds of joins for it so when the time comes I will be ready for it.

More Time Has Slipped By

2006-08-10T22:16:00.000-07:00

Well, once again I have taken my sweet time coming back here to post. So let see what is going on in my little knitting and spinning world.

Well, first off, I went and got Wendy's book, great book, first thing I did, with all her great patterns...was to knit a mouse from it for Tohru. Which is okay, I am now in the middle of knitting a sock pattern from it.

Second, I got the Mason*Dixon Book, another great book. I am knitting the log cabin pattern from that one.

Along with my Icarus Shawl, which I must admit is turning out very well this time. Also my Pin Wheel sweater is doing great as well, along with my various wheel and drop spindel things I am doing.

My favorite project right now is still the Mystery Stole 2. Tomorrow the last clue comes out. Kind of sad...right now I am on row 137 of clue three, one side, so I still have a way to go.

I am going to a fiber fest down south, well the one in Santa Monica, I am so excited. I am hoping to get some silk/wool topping, as I am hoping to make something for the fair next year.

2006-08-03T10:01:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is, my latest passion, silk. It is four oz of the most prettiest silk I have ever seen. But then again it is my first order of it, and I am sure one day I will find prettier. But for now, I am in love.

That is the spindle, (a blood wood, and ebony shaft) I am planning to spin it on, haven't decide what I am going to make out of it yet, but I do have a idea or two.

Other than that not much more to say, except I am almost on to clue three on my Mystery Stole 2, and I have decided to frog the Icarus, and start it over, since I found out my yarn over have been all wrong. Too late for the MS2 though, as I am not going to start it over.

The Pin Wheel Sweater is doing fine as well, I am going to have to get a picture of it up here one of these day....

What's Been Going On

2006-07-31T23:32:00.000-07:00

Well, so far all that has happened of late is that Tohru, my kitty was rubbing up against a chair where my knitting was. She got scared and took off down the hallway. Bet you can't guess what was stuck to her fur? I all most had a heartattach. As I am now on clue two, row 75, 70 when Tohru got it stuck on her. Luckily nothing bad happen, it stayed on the needles and I did not lose any of my hard work.

Working on row four of my Pin Wheel, and tomorrow I have to go and get a tentus shot. Silly me, on Saturday, I turned to get out of my bedroom really quick, bumped into the door, fell back and put a size eight aluminum knitting needle into my leg three inches. Then my mother asked when was the last time I had a tentus shot, so guess where I am going tomorrow, seems that eighteen years since the last one is too long. But other than that, I am okay, and even went shopping the same day.

Here It Is

2006-07-30T21:07:00.000-07:00

Know I haven't posted in a while, kind of been busy. But here it is a picture of my Mystery Stole. It is both part one and some of part two. I know I am kind of behind, but I really had a hard time starting, and had to frog a lot, really a lot.

But now all is well, and I am doing much better. Only thing is I am kind of scare for when it come time to start the other way, but heck I have four more clues to get through before then. I am doing it on size 3, strait needles. For some reason it seems ever so much more easier.

The only other thing is that I have discovered silk, and am now a silk spinning junkie, heaven help me. I really, really like it. Right now I am spinning what was sent to me in a sample. More of the same should be coming on Wed. I am so excited.

And the Pin Wheel sweater is coming along really well as well. The only thing on hold right now is my Icarus Shawl. But I plan to get back to it really soon.

What Is Going On Right Now

2006-07-26T18:25:00.000-07:00

I know it has been some time since I posted. What has been happening of late is that I have been spinning, and loving it. I just got past row 34, on my Mystery Stole, which I thought was cursed, as that was the place I would always have to frog everything back to the beginning with.
I have put the Icarus Shawl on hold, and started another project. It is called a Pinwheel Sweater. I t like a giant circle with arms. When I get more of it done I will post a picture of it.

Other than that, not much is going on.

2006-07-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

Well, there she is, my first ever spinning wheel. It is a Babe made out of PVC pipe. I am so excited, as I am going to learn how to spin on it tomorrow. I mean I know how to drop spinndle, and just got two really nice new ones from Oregon. (Will put pictures up of them later, as today is my Babe's day.)

I have some Lilac Angora, and some bat roving to choose from to spin on it for the first time, but am not sure which I will do, as I think the Angora needs to be card. Can you tell I am still new to all of this?

I have had it for at least three days, but did not have the time to put it together as I was studying for a huge test so I can teach school. But now that is over with I can get on to more important things in life, like knitting my Mystery Stole, my Icarus Shawl, and spinning.

Mad At Myself

2006-07-21T01:18:00.000-07:00

Was working on my Mystery Stole, and I admit it is late at night, and I made a mistake. But in order to fix it I had to take out a row, which for some reason caused a second mistake, which I tried to fix...

Well... everytime I tried to fix it, it just got worst, then I got mad...

Ribbit, Ribbit, I could hear them calling my name. So I plan to start over in the morning as it is 1:16 in the am here in good old Bakersfield, Ca.

But then tomorrow is another day, and clue three is coming out...

I just guess I am getting frustrated, as everyone else seems to be doing so great. But I guess I just have to realize that people make mistakes, and just start over again.

Time to Show It Off

2006-07-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is, my first ball of hand spun yarn. I think it is kind of mutant in the way it looks, and it keeps begging me to felt it in a purse or something.

Yet I am very pround of it, and may still knit it into a pair of Voodoo Wrist Warmers.

Other than that, my knitting and spinning has slowed down a little as I have to study for a huge CSet test on Saturday. Well, I really am not slowing down as I knit betwen questions, but don't tell anyone.

2006-07-19T20:37:00.000-07:00

My Babe Spinning Wheel came today, and I am really excited, it is sitting on the bed at the moment, which is ticking off Tohru, as she likes to sleep all over it. She likes to sleep on her back and spreads out a great deal. She weighs almost 15 pounds. Kind of small for a Ragdoll Cat, but I lover her anyway.There she is in all her regal beauty. She also likes to fix the bed her way, lol.

Well, here is my first picture of my Mystery Stole. I am on about row 23, and have had no bad mistakes (knock on wood) yet. So I am kind of happy with it.

I should post it up at the Flicker site, but it is kind of fuzzy, maybe I will wait till I get a really good one of it.

I Live To Frog

2006-07-16T19:49:00.000-07:00

It seems of late, all I do is frog my lace projects. I have restarted my Icarus Shawl at least ten times, and my Mystery Stole at least eight times...sigh, I am beginning to think that I will never be able to knit lace...(sniff, sniff)

Well, all I can do is start over again, and hope for the best.

But on the bright side...my spinning is doing ever so much better, almost got my one wool all spun and ready to start on the red wool.

2006-07-14T20:16:00.000-07:00

Since I haven't put any pictures up lately, I thought I would do this one of Sadie. She doesn't mind the collar, but she has never forgiven me for the hat.

Well, things are going good as of now, the Mystery Stole is really turning out, even though I am still on the first part. I am hoping to get it done and start the second clue, then play catch up on the second half.

Also I have ordered a really nice hand made spindle from Spindlewood Company, http://mail@spindlewoodco.com/ It should be here next week, and it is made out of purple wood, so it should be nice. I will try and get some pictures up here soon, of both the stole and the spindle.

All Is Well

2006-07-10T21:16:00.000-07:00

The Mystery Shawl is going ever so much better now. I will try and get some picture of it up as soon as I get the first clue done. I think what is helping me the most is the fact I have eight stitch markers. One at the two stitch mark on the ends, then two in the middle, and two inbetween those. Thus I have a total of eight of them. Every fifteen, fifteen, seventeen, one, fifteen, fifteen, seventeen, and it seems to help me out a great deal.

Maybe I should try that with my Icarus? Don't worry, I have yet to give up on that one.

Life Sucks At The Moment

2006-07-09T09:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I have started my Mystery Stole, and frogged it several times. It is beginning to seem that lace just hates me to pieces. But I refuse to stop. I plan to start up once again, right after I get my housework done, and eat lunch. We are having pizza, yay!

As for my spining...I am on my third spindle of yarn. Getting ready to soak it and hang it out to dry. So I am very pleased with that.

Also I ordered my first spinning wheel, it is a Babe. Can't wait for it to get here.

It Begins

2006-07-06T23:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I have discovered I really like spinning. I even went out and bought a second spindle. My first ball of yarn has been wound, and it looks...sort of pretty. I will get a picture of it up soon. I plan to use it to knit a Booda bag. As it is felted and no one will see how my yarn is both small and large.

I am still working on the Icarus Shawl, and the Mystery Stole starts tomorrow. I really can not wait for it. The first clue will go up at 10:00 am their time, which means I won't get it till seven here. Which is okay, I plan to look it over and start it when I get back from the beauty shop, where I am getting my naturaly red hair done.

Went to Spinning Class

2006-07-02T20:10:00.000-07:00

Well, I went to my spinning class today, and bought eight ozs of red jewel, and eight ozs of blue jewel. They are both kind of pretty. One I am going to make a stole out of the other, I have no idea. But I guess this means I have been bitten by the spinning bug...

Only thing is, boy am I tired. I can see why people use a wheel. I learned how to hand spin. My back and shoulders are hurting. But they say that if you sit it is easier. I will just have to wait and see I guess.

Spinnng Picture

2006-07-02T00:07:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is, my new Drop Spinndle and roving. It is called Taffy Twist, and I am hoping to have it spun in time to knit a pair of Voodoo Handwarmers out of it.

Like I have the time, as I am still working on the Icarus Shawl, and I will be starting the Mystery Stole on Friday.

But lucky for me, there is only two more weeks of work, teaching summer school. Then I will be home to do whatever I want. Right after I take care of Lee. Like getting him to school, and watching him swim. But hey, I can knit and spin while he is in the pool? So things are looking up for my knitting time. Like I said, my first lesson is tomorrow, so I best get off and get some sleep.

Time to Undo

2006-06-30T00:03:00.000-07:00

Well, I crowed too soon. I had to go back to my lifeline, and then I had to go back and start once more. But I shall not let it beat me. I will have an Icarus Shawl, even if I am ninety when I finish it.

My only problem is that I start The Mystery Stole next week. So that might slow Icarus up some. And as with everything, I am still wondering how all those people on the Mystery Kal, got all those perfect holes in thier knitting, it is driving me crazy.

Well tomorrow I am going to get batteries for my camera so that I can start putting up some nicer pictures than I can get with my phone camera. So I shall be able to show off my new drop spinndle and the really nice roving I got to learn how to spin with on Sunday.

Made it

2006-06-25T22:52:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally made it to my first lifeline tonight, and am I ever so proud of myself. Only five more repeats and I can move on to the next chart. Not bad for my first lace shawl.

I will try and get a picture of it up by tomorrow.

Other than that, not much is happening, except Saddie got her feet all tangled up in my Shawl thread. It scared her and she was going to run, but I caught her in time. Only problem was she was under the chair outside, and I had a hard time getting to her, without snapping my yarn. Then she almost bit the yarn in half trying to get it off of her. But in the end I saved both Saddie and the shawl.

Seven more days till I learn to spin.

Been Awhile

2006-06-25T00:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been kind of busy of late, and also I have had to frog my Icarus Shawl a couple of more times. But I now have gotten past row 25, which is a good sign for me. Also I made some new markers, and placed a little evil eye on them. Maybe it is all a mind set, but it seems to have been helping me of late.

Eight days and counting till I learn how to spin.

The Yarn Has Arrived

2006-06-21T19:15:00.000-07:00

Well, my yarn came today, while I was at work, and I have to addmit it not the purple I thought it would be. It is a little more blue, but I still like it, and think it will make a very nice mystery shawl.

I am planning on winding it tonight, and then doing my swatch, so that I will be ready for when it starts next month. I am kind of excited, and it will be my first time doing something like this.

I just hope I don't mess up and have to keep redoing it.

Still one more weekend till I learn to spin, and I can't wait. Only thing is, I am not sure what kind of yarn I will spin. But I am assuming the lady teaching the class will help there as well.

Two Orders of Yarn Coming

2006-06-20T21:02:00.000-07:00

Well I have two different sets of yarn coming for my mystery stole. One should be here tomorrow, the other later this week or the start of next week. I am not sure yet which one I will use, but I have another shawl poking around in the back of my head for the Zepher(sp) yarn. It will be coming in silver gray color, while the one from Knit Picks will be Vineyard, and a purply color. I am leaning toward the purple one. But only because I like purple.

Only one weekend to live through and then I shall start leaning to spin, I am so excited, yay!

Going to Learn How To Spin

2006-06-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

When I went to buy my needles for the Mystery Shawl, I found they had Spinning Needles. I hope that is right, and they also have spinning lessons. Both on the wheel and needle. I really don't have room for a wheel, nor the money for one. But I can afford a neddle, and the fiber. I am really excited about doing it.

Only problem is I have to wait almost two weeks till the next class. But I figure if I have waited this long...then I can wait the two weeks.

Haven't Got Much Done of Late

2006-06-18T21:16:00.000-07:00

Well...I haven't had a chance to knit that much of late. I have order some other yarn for my Mystery Stole, so I will have to decided which one to use. Also what size needles. I have to admit it is starting to get a little scary. But everyone is helpful, and the yarn and needle sizes they are using are now up at the site, so that should help as well.

Other than that not much is going on, except tomorrow I will have to go and see about getting some more needles, as all of mine seem to have a project on them.

Cursed or Not?

2006-06-16T17:45:00.000-07:00

I am beginning to think I am cursed, as everytime I get to the 31st or 33rd row of my Icarus Shawl...I make a mistake and have to start over once more. But I will not let it beat me, I am going to start over, again right after dinner, as I will not let it beat me!

I guess I am a little crazy right now.

As for the Mystery Stole, I have ordered some nice Shadow from Knit Picks, which should be here next week.. Just hope I do better on that one then the Icarus.

Not Much Done Today

2006-06-13T20:50:00.000-07:00

Well, today has been kind of lazy day. But I did decide to join the Mystery Stole. I just need to get the yarn. I think I am going to use the Knit Pick yarn, Cloud. Someone else use it, and I liked the way it turned out. And it is very easy for me to get. I just have to make sure I order it soon. I am kind of nervous doing this, as I have only started to do lace knitting. Still working on my Icarus, and now starting this other one? I must be crazy.

New Picture

2006-06-12T20:21:00.000-07:00

Yes this fuzzy black bat looking thing is my Icarus Shawl. The picture did not seem to come out right. But I am happy with it. I am now at row 22, and no mistakes. (knock on wood.)

After seeing all the nice finished ones on the Icarus Kal, it makes me want to get it done. But I know I have a ways to go. Oh, and I did join the Icarus Shawl Kal. Just haven't posted there yet. They all seem like such great knitters, and I have learned a lot from them, without speaking to them. Like using a life line, and the word frogged is now a part of my volcabulary.

Been Sick

2006-06-11T18:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't been feeling well of late, mostly a chest cold that does not want to to away. I have been knitting though. And my Icarus Shawl is not in its third form. Mainly because my order came from Knitpick, and it had some lovely yarn in it, and I messed up once more. So I thought it must be a sign, and once again started over in both a new yarn and color.

I will get some pictures up as well, as soon as it gets a little bigger. At first I didn't like this yarn it is a Alpaca Cloud, 100% Baby Alpaca, and the color is Midnight. But after working with it, I am beginning to like it.

Sorry this is short, but I am still not up to snuff. Write more later.

Messed Up Again

2006-06-09T17:31:00.000-07:00

Well, once more I messed up on my shawl, and had to start over again. But the good thing I have the first eight rows memorized, or is that a bad thing?

I was hoping my yarn from Knitpicks would come today. For two reasons, I was temped to start over with the new yarn, so I am glad it didn't come, as then I would have to hunt up another projec for this yarn.

Feeling a little better, but not that much, thus this is going to be kind of short today. Will put up pictures as soon as I can get my Icarus Shawl going again.

Things Not Going My Way

2006-06-08T18:46:00.000-07:00

I thought I would show some of my Harry Potter things that I knitted. This is my Golden Snitch, and a couple of the Puffs that I made.

Well, I have come with down with a summertime cold. Or the croup, and I have this rotten cough, and all I want to do is sleep. But it has not stopped me from working on my Icarus Shawl. I just curl up on the couch, turn the TV on, and knit. Almost done with the first chart.

The only bad thing, is that my son got awholed of the magazine where the pattern is, and torn it up. I still have the pattern, but the book has seen better days. So I went and ordered it of the web. They said they would mail it on the 22nd of this month. So life should get better then. Just kidding. Life is good all the time.

Once More

2006-06-07T16:37:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is, my Icarus Shawl, in all its small glory. Well, it is bigger, as I took the picture when it was only at about eighteen rows. But I am happy with it, as I have not made any more mistakes with it. (knock on wood)I will put up more pictures of it when it is a little bigger.

The only other interesting thing to happen today, other than writting this about ten times as the site has been kind of off today...

I got my wooden swift and winder from Patternworks. Which means no more hunting down family members to help me wind yarn. Yay!

Sadie

2006-06-06T14:39:00.000-07:00

This is Sadie, my reason for getting back into knitting. If not for her, I would of never started back up again. Thank goodness for short hair dogs. She gets very jealous, so I thought it best to include her in my next post.

I have given up on my Icarus Shawl, well at least till I got to a different yarn shop and bought some new yarn. The lady at the shop where I got the magazine Interweave Knit, talked me into using Mohair. It is a real pretty shade of lavender. But I have also decided that all Mole's should be shot before they ever become Mohair. Just kidding, when I was much younger, around second grade, a girl had a Mohair sweater and that is when I thought Mohair came from moles. Now I know it comes from Angora Goats.

So I am now knitting it with a different type of yarn, called Wool Gatto. I guess Bakersfield is not known for it vast and different styles of yarn. But just in case this doesn't work, I have some on order from Knitpick. Guess I am also not known for my patients. Thus I am going to start it one more time, in fact as soon as I end this post for the day. Which just happens to be now.

The Yarn Taster

2006-06-05T15:35:00.000-07:00

This is Tohru, my Ragdoll Cat. She is my offical yarn taster. I mean I will be knitting, and then feel a pull on the yarn, and she is down there chewing on it. Nothing like knitting with yarn, wet with cat spit.

She was named after an amime I was watching at the time called Fruits Basket, and since she looked oriental, and that was the only name I could come up with at the time, she was called Tohru.

As for my Icarus Shawl...alas I had to start over with it, again. Not due to any mistakes...but because I caught the tail, I left a kind of long tail when I cast on, and pulled it off of the the needles. Sending it and the marker across the entire kitchen floor. And try as I might, I could not get it back on the needles. So I have started it again.

The First of Many

2006-06-04T16:37:00.000-07:00

Well, this is it, the first of many. At Least I hope the first of many.

After looking around the web some, and seeing all the other blogs, I thought, why not? It would give me a place to talk about my knitting, mostly as my family is not that big into it. Well in a sense my neices and her friends are now. After seeing what I can make, and they can't knit. That was one of the reasons I stopped knitting, my family. They all thought you could buy better at the store. Thank goodness we got a small dog after our Lab, Belle pass away. Sadie is 3/4 Dachshund Hound, and the other fourth is Chihuahua. Thus I got back into it, as she needed sweather for the winter. After that, I discovered Harry Potter's scarves, and the rest is history.

I was soon on to sweaters, and from there to felted purse. Now my new love is lace. I started a Candle Flame, but have had to restart a lot. But then I discover the Icarus Shawl, and have set the Candle Flame aside till I get the Icarus done. And I have had to restart it a couple of times as well. But it is going right now, and I am happy with it.