Obsessed With Yarn

Baseball

2007-09-14T18:28:00.000-07:00

When I was 15 or 16, I was obsessed with the New York Mets. Absolutely obsessed. I watched every game I could, and if I couldn't watch the game (more than half the games were broadcast on a pay cable channel that we didn't get), I listened to it on WFAN. I also listened to the pre and post game radio shows. And the post post game call in show. I read all the articles about the games in the next morning's papers (local and the NY Post which my dad always brought home with him from working in the city).

The obsession has faded over the years. I couldn't for the life of me name the 2007 Mets starting line up. But I admit, in mid-September with a 6.5 game lead in the NL East, I'm staring to get Mets-fever again.

I truly believe this is their year. If there's any such thing as heaven, my dad's up there pulling strings to insure the Mets are going to kick some ass this year.

Fall

2007-09-11T20:58:00.000-07:00

Growing up, we lived very close to my high school. On cool, crisp fall days we could hear the marching band playing during half-time of the football games. It wasn't loud - much more like background noise than anything else. The beat of the drums was the most identifiable sound.

My new condo is several blocks from a high school. In the mornings before work I can hear the marching band practicing. The sound brings me back to cool temps, falling leaves and the innocence of my childhood.

Its a nice way to start the day.

Now with more than just knitting content!

2007-09-07T21:57:00.000-07:00

I have neglected this poor little blog for much too long. I'm still knitting, but I guess I just don't feel motivated to talk about it so much. I recently finished a sock. The pair shall be a slightly belated birthday present for a friend. I haven't cast on for the second sock yet, but I probably should do so soon before second sock syndrome sets in. I'm also nearly finished with a baby blanket for my best friend from law school's first child. I started it in January. He was born in April. Here it is September and I'm still not done. But heck, they live in Virginia and its still hot there. The baby wouldn't have much use for a wool blanket in the summer anyway!

I can justify anything. Its a real gift.

2007-09-04T22:14:00.000-07:00

I am DYING for a Karmann Ghia. I don't know anything about car restoration or maintenance and probably will end paying someone else a ton of money to restore one for me, but I have to have one. See, my grandma had a '73 (I think) green Ghia coupe. My brother and I used to play in that car all the time. We were fascinated by the fact that the engine was in the trunk. We'd take turns sitting in the driver's seat and turning the dials of the radio and tapping on the gear shift. We were too short to reach the pedals, which is probably the only reason we were allowed to play in the car. My grandma died when I was 11. I BEGGED my mom and my grandpa to keep the car for me for when I turned 16. But my stupid Uncle Jimmy thought it should be sold. Some lucky Ghia enthusiast got that gorgeous car.

Yes, after 21 years, I am still bitter.

Maybe I should email my uncle and tell him he needs to find me one since he deprived me of my grandma's. If only it were that easy........

Anyway, every few months I get the Karmann Ghia bug up my butt and I spend hours trolling ebay and Craigslist. One of these days, I'll buy one.

2007-08-21T09:08:00.000-07:00

According to Steve Stucker on channel 4 its Be Nice to Lawyers Day.

2007-08-19T19:10:00.000-07:00

My mom & I went to Indian Market today. I am sunburned beyond belief and exhausted from the heat and all the walking around. I had fun tho. My mom bought me a new ring and I had to talk her out of buying me a painting by an artist who's paintings I have coveted since I first saw them at Taos Pueblo in 1998. I absolutely love this woman's work, but none of the pieces she had today really spoke to me. We see her at least once a year at events like Indian Market, so I'm hoping next time she has something I love and my mom is still feeling generous :)

Tomorrow my brother & SIL find out if I'm going to get a niece or a nephew. My money is on boy. I'm psyched to finally know if I should buy this and this in pink or blue.

2007-08-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

I was driving home from work the other day, going north on 5th Street, and I saw a firetruck, a couple police cars and a little gray hatchback with no hood all in the parking lot of the district attorney's building. I sorta wondered what had happened, but I didn't give it much thought.

Yesterday I was driving home from work, going north on 5th Street, and I saw a firetruck, a couple police cars and a little gray hatchback with no hood all in the parking lot of the district attorney's building. I thought "why is that car still there?" Then I looked to my right and saw tons of people and cameras on the sidewalk.

Boy, did I feel dumb! I actually for about 30 seconds thought that something was really going on! I drove slowly past and noticed that the police cars said "Indiana Police" on the door. Duh.

So after some searching (and recalling all the signs around downtown that say "IPS" with arrows), I discovered that they were filming "In Plain Sight," a series for USA about witness protection. I'll have to Tivo it when it airs so I can see that damn hatchback that plagued me!

2007-08-07T10:31:00.000-07:00

I hate lawyer jokes. But I think I need to print it out and hand it to all my clients.

A Lawyer's Lawyer Joke

A man is flying in a hot air balloon and realizes he is lost. He reduces his altitude and spots a man down below. He lowers the balloon further and shouts, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised my friend I would meet him half an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."

The man below says, "Yes. You are in a hot air balloon, hovering approximately 30 feet above this field. You are between 40 and 42 degrees N. latitude, and between 58 and 60 degrees W. longitude."

"You must be a lawyer," says the balloonist.

"I am" replies the man. "How did you know?"

"Well," says the balloonist, "everything you have told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I am still lost."

The man below responds, "You must be a client."

"I am," replies the balloonist, "but how did you know?"

"Well," says the man, "you don't know where you are, or where you are going. You have made a promise which you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. The fact is you are in the exact same position you were in before we met, but now it is somehow my fault.

2007-07-28T12:11:00.000-07:00

Today, for the second time, I was asked if Casey Jones was named for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I thought they were named for Italian artists. Admittedly my knowledge of the ninja turtles dates back to the early 90s and the kids I babysat back then. Ok I just checked Wikipedia and apparently Casey Jones is a vigilante crime fighter who is an ally of the turtles. And, apparently he did not play a very big role in the 1987 animated series (the one I'm certain I was forced to watch time & again with the boys I baby sat) but was a much larger player in the 2003 animated series - which I know I have never seen.

So great. Now I have to explain to everyone that NO my dog is not a vigilante crime fighter, rather a coke addicted train conductor.

2007-07-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

Of all the places I've lived, I miss Philly food the most.

Right about now, I'd give my left arm for a Misto.

And then there were two

2007-07-05T18:16:00.000-07:00

Baby Cable Rib socks from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch
Cascade Sassy Stripes, color # 761
US2 needles
and
SIX FREAKIN' MONTHS

2007-07-04T21:49:00.000-07:00

Its going to be a long night.

Every time a firecracker goes off, Casey starts growling and barking.

Joy.

Until now, I've had a really nice day. My mom & I drove up to Madrid and walked around the galleries and shops. Almost every shop had either a poster or t-shirt referencing Wild Hogs and the "diner" built by Disney for the movie is still there, although its not open.

After we'd seen everything and had some lunch at the Mine Shaft Tavern, we continued north to Santa Fe to hit the outlets. I really wanted to look around Eddie Bauer, but after being accosted twice in 3 minutes by over-eager sales chickys, I left. "HI-eeeeee, can I help you find something? Do you know about our BOGO deal on the shorts?" However, it was a successful trip as I found the perfect summer Coach bag.

On the way back to Albuquerque, we drove right into a hail storm. Traffic was bumper to bumper for about 15 miles until I bailed at the first exit in Albuquerque. While I successfully avoided much of the traffic, I drove right back into the hail storm. Its so wrong to see accumulation of hail on the side of the road in July! Crazy desert weather.

We drove back to my house so I could let Casey out for a bit and change. The temperature dropped probably close to 20 degrees and I was quite chilly in my tank top. After Casey ate some and ran around like a crazy man, we went back out and had dinner at Scarpas.

I can't believe I have to go back to work tomorrow. This mid-week holiday is crap.

The very first mitten

2006-12-05T21:38:00.000-07:00

I didn't really enjoy the knitting of the mitten. Maybe its because I don't like mittens in general (too confining) or because I don't really like the yarn color (too blah) or because .... well, who knows. But I am proud of the mitten. Its a very nice mitten, albeit confining and blah. I am most proud of the mastery of the dpns. They're really not so scary after all.

DPNs

2006-11-27T20:26:00.000-07:00

I'm working on my first project with DPNs. Well, I should clarify, my first project using *only* DPNs that is not a hat knitted mostly on circs or an icord. I'd post a picture, but my SIL has my digital camera so she can take the obligatory dog wearing antlers annual picture for their holiday cards. But enough about that ... and back to the DPNs.

I cannot decide how I feel about them. I'm knitting mittens from a pattern designed by the instructor of the intermediate class I'm currently taking. We're using Nature Spun worsted & sz 4s. So far I've got about 3/4" of ribbing for the cuff. I constantly feel like one of those needles is going to poke me in the eye. Thank goodness I mostly knit with my glasses on - otherwise I may need safety goggles!

I'm sure with more practice I'll get the hang of them and someday look back on this post and laugh at myself. But for now, they still make me feel clumsy.

Cables!

2006-10-11T19:14:00.000-07:00

The beginning of the Single Cable Scarf from One Skein.

I'm also working on a Double Cable Scarf also from One Skein in some wool purchased at the Taos Wool Festival. Its for a friend (she purchased the yarn, I'm providing the skillz). A picture of that will be forthcoming.

Massive update

2006-10-01T10:46:00.000-07:00

I apparently have not updated this blog in two months! Bad me.

Even though I haven't been updating, I have been knitting. And buy a TON of yarn. Labor Day weekend I went to Minneapolis to visit my good friend and fellow yarn slut, Jess. We went to two fabulous yarn shops and I went a little nutty with the stash enhancing. I haven't started any projects with that yarn yet, but I do promise myself to update more regularly once I do start using that lovely yarn.

But ... I have been a busy bee with yarn I already had in my stash. So, now on to the pictures:

I started this scarf in May or June. I found this yarn at Hobby Lobby months ago. Its their own brand and is acrylic but I was taken by the colors. I bought two skeins with the intention of making a long skinny scarf. Its just a simple k2p2 rib and is currently about 52" long. I have probably 3/4 of the 2nd skein left to go, so I fear this scarf may turn out to be obscenely long.

This is the One Skein "Clutch You'll Never Give Up." Its one skein (natch) of Lamb's Pride Bulky and the flower is crocheted from a pattern I found on the Lion Brand site. Its a sort-of birthday gift for a friend who's birthday was in June. And a sort of "just cuz" gift. Just cuz I wanted to knit the clutch again and knew she'd like it.

Pre-felting:

Post-felting:

This is the beginning of a dishtowel in Sugar & Cream. I started this a couple weeks ago when I was hanging out with my little sister. Its a good small project to take with me when she & I go out for desert & coffee (for me) and crafts.

This, I hope, will be my next project. My sister-in-law has requested a winter hat. There's no rush since its 80 degrees here this week and she hasn't yet measured the circumference of her head for me. But I really want to get started on my first hat! So this is the yarn - its Cascade something or other (tweed maybe?) that I bought in MN in the sale room at Borealis Yarn. And my little gague swatch.

And finally .... I got a fabulous package from my One Skein Angel. Beautiful yarn and a pattern card for the most adorable felted bags. I can't wait to knit one. Thanks Secret Pal!!

More knitting homework

2006-07-29T10:30:00.000-07:00

This week for homework, we had to make a cotton dish cloth. We made small swatches in class and then had to make a full sized cloth at home. The pattern is very basic, but it was a great way to learn increasing and decreasing. Tho I had already taught myself the basics from SnB, it was wonderful practice. Plus, it was a quick knit, which is great for my impatient nature.

I knit this dish cloth using size 7 needles and some Lion Brand cotton from my stash. CO 3
k1, yo, k until end of row until 45 stitches on needle
k1 row
k1, k2tog, k until end of row until 3 stitches on needle
bind off

See, easy peasy.

And now on to the pics:

Almost done ...

The FO:

Homework

2006-07-23T08:39:00.000-07:00

So here's a crappy camera phone shot of what I've learned in knitting class.

Tomorrow night we're going to make a cotton washcloth. I'm so glad I took this class. I can't wait to take another.

Two Important Things

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

Thing the first: THANK YOU to my One Skein Secret Pal! I received the package last week and am so sorry I have not posted sooner (work, life, obligations, blah blah blah). Unfortunately I cannot find my digital camera, so no pictures just yet. But I received a beautiful blue & purple lace weight yarn - kindly wound into a ball for me. I do not have a ball winder, but I think perhaps it needs to be a future purchase. I also received a very cute "Fit" with googly eyes (I LOVE googly eyes!). The Fit has a little tag that reads: "I am a fit. I am here to help you through all your temper tantrums and moments of anger. When you feel your blood rising and your temper at a breaking point ... Don't throw somthing that may brak. Just pick me up and Throw a Fit!" I think I'll bring it to work to throw when my clients piss me off :)

Thanks again secret pal! I can't weight to try my hand at lace knitting.

Thing the second: Tonight was my first knitting class at Village Wools. On my first trip to VW about two months ago, the kind woman working there suggested I take the beginner class since I had taught myself to knit from books and the internet. However, while tonight was fun, I think I am the most advanced person in the class. I could have really used a Beginner Plus class or something. I did learn a new way to cast on though, so that was useful. The teacher did say that by the last class we may learn cables, so I am looking forward to that. And after only just one class, I'm sold on taking more classes. And future classes will be even better when they move in to their new space, I'm sure.

There were two unfortuante things about the class. First, we had to purchase needles and yarn. I had meant to call the store last week to ask about necessary supplies, but I forgot to do so. I ended up needing to buy yarn (Lamb's Pride Worsted) which I actually had at home. Tho I did buy a pair of needles in a size I did not have already (9). So that wasn't so bad.

The other unfortunate thing about class is one of the other students. You know how in every class there is one student who just never shuts up? Yep, we've got one of those. By the end of the class I wanted to throttle him. Hopefully he'll calm down a bit. His antics don't prevent me from learning, but he is annoying.

2006-06-22T20:14:00.000-07:00

I have been totally slacking with this blog. And a bit with knitting as well. Ooops.

I knit the clutch from One Skein, but haven't yet felted it. I started a scarf in some pretty springy yarn I picked up about a month ago - but then I got bored with it. I planned to try my hand at another very cool purse, and even have all the yarn. But I haven't motivated to start that yet.

Perhaps the 95 degree days we are having has something to do with it. Hopefully I'll get my knitting mojo back soon.

DONE!

2006-05-26T14:17:00.000-07:00

My first non-scarf, knitted and felted FO is complete! And with about 24 hours to spare until my SIL's birthday dinner :)

Pre-felting:

Post felting:

and a close up for good measure:

I'm very pleased with my first felting experience. The bag seems very sturdy. I really love the way the i-cord felted.

And now I'm off to my LYS to pick up supplies for my next project!

My first knit non-scarf nearly FO

2006-05-21T18:23:00.000-07:00

One strand Noro Kureyon #170 and one strand Nature Spun in "blueberry." I love the colors of the Kureyon, but I am not sure I really like where they end up on the bag. The bottom section is the front, the middle is the back and the top section is the flap.

I'm pretty proud of my decreasing - first decreses ever! I practiced a bit with some leftover Lion Brand Homespun and my SnB book before doing the real thing.

Now I need to make a 40" I-cord, sew it all together and felt it.

2006-05-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

This was the beginning of the bag I'm knitting. That is until I realized my gague was off and I had to frog the whole thing.

I'm such a n00b.

I really should know better...

2006-05-11T21:31:00.000-07:00

A couple nights ago, I started knitting a purse for my SIL's birthday. I was happily knitting along. But when I got to row 23, I realized in my joy of knitting had made me forget to check my gague. And guess what? My gague was off. Shocking, eh?

So I just frogged the whole damn thing and cast on with bigger needles. Oh well.

Check it out!

2006-05-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

My blanket is Toddler Approved!

Sure, its supposed to be for her soon-to-be-here baby sister, but honestly, who can say no to that face??

Half way there!

2006-04-29T20:21:00.000-07:00

Fee's blanket now measures about 14x30, so I'm about half finished.

I can't wait to finish all these crochet projects so I can get back to the knitting!

Yet another baby blanket

2006-04-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

Lately I feel as if everything I make is a baby blanket!

I crocheted a quick baby blanket for a woman who works for my father (who I know as well). She's having her third child - and she's 2 years younger than I am, but that's neither here nor there.

Anyway, she's due in about a month I think, and she doesn't know the baby's sex. Since I have too much yarn just hanging around and not a heck of a lot of disposable income, I used some of the off-white acrylic "one pound" yarn from the stash. I don't know if it was wise to make a baby blanket from white yarn, but at least its washable.

Here's a close up of the stitch:

I losely followed this pattern. I opted not to do the hood part because the baby shower was actually yesterday. So even though I had the blanket finished in time, I was too tired & lazy to drop it off in time for the shower. Whoops.

The blanket ended up being about 25" x 29". I think that might be a bit on the small side, but having never had a baby I really have no idea.

Perhaps I need to take a survey of all the folks to whom I've given baby blankets and ask if they are functional or not. But that survey will have to wait until I've finished the other baby blanket that's currently spread out on the floor next to the couch. Hopefully when that one is finished, I'll get a reprieve from the baby blankets for a while.

Another baby blanket ...

2006-04-01T17:02:00.000-07:00

I haven't picked up any needles or hooks since I've been back from vacation. I seem to go through phases. When I'm inspired or have events I need gifts for, I'm really motivated to knit and/or crochet non-stop. But lately I just haven't know what I wanted to make. So this morning I decided to start working on a baby blanket for my "honorary" neice who will be here in July.

I bookmarked this pattern for a "bubble" blanket a while ago. And about a year or so ago I picked up three skeins of Red Heart in a lovely "watercolor" variagted print. I figured this yarn would be perfect for the bubble blanket and will match perfectly the bedroom baby shall share with her big sis.

This morning I crocheted a swatch to see how it will look. It works up quickly, which is always nice. But I'm not so sure I like how the colors of this yarn come out in this pattern.

Thoughts?

2 down 1 to go!

2006-03-04T13:36:00.000-07:00

The drop stitch scarf is finished, blocked and ends woven in.

I think I'm going to make myself a similar scarf - I really like how this one turned out. But before I can do that, I must finish the fuzzy green scarf today (well, maybe tomorrow...)

Scarf #3

2006-02-25T08:54:00.000-07:00

Last week I realized that I can't show up in DC with birthday scarves for Erin & Jenn and not one for Jen. So last night I started a scarf for Jen based on the Fettuccini Drop Stitch Scarf.

I'm using Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Denim and size 13 needles. Its knitting up pretty quickly which is excellent since I leave in a week and a half!

Some progress

2006-02-21T20:02:00.000-07:00

Quick post to show my progress on Erin's scarf.

Two strands of Moda Dea Dream (in Leaf) and size 15 needles. I started this two nights ago and have about 20" done so far. I think I'm going to have to pick up a couple more skeins this weekend to make it long enough. But maybe I'll be able to block it to make it longer. We'll see.

First finished knit project!

2006-02-19T17:58:00.000-07:00

Its just a simple scarf in garter stitch. I bound off when I finished the skein of Fun Fur (because I haven't yet tried to add new yarn). Its a bit short, but I sprayed it down to block and stretch it out. It was 41" when I finished and right now its pinned out to 55". I wish it was a tad longer, but I'm pretty darn proud of it!

Pre-blocking 1:

Pre-blocking 2:

Blocked:

Finally finished!

2006-02-11T08:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I swore I would not go to bed until I finished the damn baby blanket. This blanket has been the bane of my existance for the last couple weeks. I had made a baby blanket with Red Heart Baby Cloud last summer and had no problems. It turned out nice and fluffy and the recipients (my old college roommate & her new baby girl) loved it.

This time around, I wasn't so lucky. Each section of the orangey "creamsickle" yarn was about a full skein. And two of the skeins got so horribly tangled, that I think I spent more time untangling it than I did actually crocheting! It was very frustrating and I almost gave up a few times. Plus, every time I tried to untangle the damn yarn, it fuzzed everywhere. The floor in front of my couch is a mess of orangey fuzz. I am never ever ever using this yarn again.

I had been thinking about doing a whole border in the green "breeze" color. But I decided not to for two reasons: 1. I didn't want to start a brand new skein to just do a few rows and 2. I was sick to death of working on the damn thing! So I bordered two sides in the creamsickle and two sides in the breeze.

I plan to return the one unused skein of breeze to Michaels. And I threw out all the remanents of the creamsickle. I want to rid my life of this Baby Cloud!

So here's a picture of the finished blanket. I sprayed it down with lukewarm water this morning and pinned it to an old sheet. The whole thing is on the floor of my study, which is the sunniest spot in my apartment. Hopefully it will dry quickly.

Next up - finishing the fuzzy scarf!

A little progress ...

2006-02-05T13:50:00.000-07:00

The blanket is slow going because this yarn is super tangley. I vow to never use Red Heart Baby Clouds again.

Hopefully another couple days and I'll finish it. Then I can get back to the scarf.

2006-01-29T18:32:00.000-07:00

I'm in the middle of two projects right now. Both actually for the same recipient. I'm crocheting a baby blanket for my good friend Jenn from law school. She's having her first baby, a girl, this May. The blanket is gift for her baby shower which she doesn't yet know I'm even travelling cross country to attend!

This is the beginning of the blanket. Its two rows dc, one row tc in Red Heart Baby Cloud "Creamsickle."

Close up of the stitches:

When I get around to it (tonight probably), I'm going to add a couple pattern repeats of "Breeze"

The second project is a knit scarf also for Jenn. Its a combination birthday/mommy gift.

1 strand Lion Brand Homespun in "Antique" and 1 strand Fun Fur in black. All garter stitch (which at this point is basically the only thing I can do.)

I'm still a very very slow knitter. I taught myself how to knit about 2 months ago using books and websites. I've actually never finished a whole project. Until this scarf, I've only made a bunch of practice swatches. I'm not sure what prompted me to think knitting a scarf with two strands of yarn was a good idea for my first project. Guess I'm a glutton for punishment. I just hope I can finish it before I leave for DC on March 9th!

First Post

2006-01-27T19:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm just testing this out. My intent in creating this blog is to force myself to get more serious about knitting and crocheting. And since my good buddy created a knitting blog for herself tonight and I like to do (almost) everything she does (except the birthin' babies stuff), I had to do the same.