Off the Wagon.

I must’ve fell off the blogging wagon.  Particularly Tami’s Work-in-Progress Wednesday and Finished Object Friday meme’s.  I don’t know why I got lost.  Maybe it’s because things have been a bit crazy around here.  Mostly weather wise….  Post (the Army post I live on) was shut-down at noon on Monday, 2- hour delay on Tuesday, 2-hour delay on Wednesday, and Thursday post was completely shut-down.  Even what they call “mission essential” soldiers were not to report because the roads were so bad.  All for what was collectively less than a foot of snow.    Last year the post never closed like this.  And this was only the first snow of the season.  As much as I love snow, and want more I hope it doesn’t effect the post in the same way this “storm” if you could even call it that, has.  Long story short, my husband has been home so much that I haven’t known what day of the week it really was.  Plus Thanksgiving changed what days school work was done, so I was turning in school work on different days than I typically do.  I’m just hoping things get back to normal, which includes my WIPW posts and FOF posts!  But I will get you all caught up till next week.

I’m working on a few things for Christmas.  I have my sights set nice and low though.  No aphgans, socks or even scarfs for Christmas presents.  (Besides a little something special for my hubby!)  Just a few ornaments.  I basically started because I am participating in an ornament exchange for the FRG next week.  I thought it would be fun to knit one!  So I started on a snowflake, and learned to read a whole pattern before I start.  The whole border, which actually makes it look like a snowflake, is crochet.  I have recruited a friend from the new knitting group on post to help, but of course it was canceled this week due to weather conditions.  So it pretty much just looks like a hexagon till I get some help with the edges.

 

So then I preceded to start a new ornament.  One that I can actually have done by Monday!  Because, well the ornament exchange is on Monday!  So I’m working on an ornament from the same pattern set as the snowflake above.  I’m making the pointsetta.  In some non-tradition, but festival and seasonal colors.  So far it looks pretty good, and I have 3 more petals to make, than the berries.  I know it won’t be much of a problem to get done this weekend, and I plan to work on it shortly after I’m done with this post.

 

Next on off the needles is a Kindle Case.  My husband both have really wanted a Kindle since they came out.  This year we decided we would make Christmas easy and buy each other Kindles.  His in the color graphite, and mine in white.  The last thing I want to do is pick up and try to read his Kindle.  And I’m sure it would bother him even more than it would bother me, what with all kinds of knitting books, romances and whatnot on it.  So I’ve been making a Kindle Case.  And actually it was quite a fast knit.  I think it only took me 3 days which is pretty good on my part.  I even went to go buy a button today just for the case! I’m just really hoping though, that it actually fits.  The pattern says it stretches over the kindle, and I’m wonder even if I should block it.  But I’m waiting for the Kindles to get here to try it out.  I’ll get my husband’s kindle to load with surprises and he’ll do the same with mine.  And it should be here by Monday or Tuesday.  I’ll find out then, and update you guys next week!

I’m Tardy

As usual.  I need to remember to post my WIP on Wednesdays!  But it’s okay, I didn’t want to hold onto these pictures for another week.  I’ve actually had a lot of progress on projects this week, and hoping to get a lot more done by next week too.  First, I actually have a foot on those socks that I’ve been working on since…..um…. *wispers* August.  And for once I wish I had the excuse of second sock syndrome, but I don’t.  I’ve been working on the first one, but I am just a toe away!

I also have finished a leg warmer.  I never thought I would knit leg warmers.  Oh my, I never thought I would wear leg warmers.  The trend is back, and it’s actually much cuter (i think) than it was in the 80′s. But needless to say these leg warmers were not knit for myself.  I mean, really?  How often do I actually knit anything for myself anyway?  I love the way this yarn knit up.  The colors self striped diagonally.  I also learned a lesson about my own gauge when knitting these.  I knit most of them one day.  Picked them up again another day, and the self-striping went away!!  I thought something had changed with the yarn.  Well apparently my gauge had changed, because my tension changed.  I guess my tension can change with my mood or something?  It doesn’t surprise me, I just never realized it before.    I frogged my progress from that day, changed it up a little, and sure enough the striping continued! And the first one fits!  Which is good because see that little bit of extra yarn?  That was all that was left!

I also did some swatching.  Not for a specific project, but because I learned how to knit continental style!  I’m so excited about it, and I’m hoping I can really get the hang of it when I start some new projects.  I’ve been told not to switch in the middle of your projects because your tension can change drastically.  And I really want my socks to match, and not to change sizes!  But I understand the continental a lot better now that I actually met with someone else on post who knits to teach me.   It’s much better than trying to watch videos online.   Often the camera shakes, the person works too fast or the video isn’t close-up enough.   I also want to work each step, and I don’t want to have to continue pausing a video to do so.  Hopefully I can continue making progress with this style.

Oh, and before I forget, my husband had me take this picture just to share:

It’s Not Friday Anymore

I know, I know.  I’m a bit late.  I was actually going to participate in FO Friday this past week.  FO Friday is a meme just like WIP Wednesdays.  Why now?  Because I actually have an FO to share!  So yeah, I forgot.  Of course I looked at the calendar today saying ok, todays friday.  I think yesterday I thought it was Monday, and Saturday I thought it was Sunday.  SO  I have really been off my game lately and have had no idea what day it is apparently.  And thats with a gadget on my desktop that tells me what day it is.  Anyway, I’m going to pretend today is Friday anyway and show you what I’ve finished.

#1 is my citron.  Finally!  It was actually done a few weeks ago, but I still had to block.  I waited till after the fam left to do so.  And now I’m getting very frustrated because I had pictures of it blocking and I cannot find them on any camera, or the computer.  Although I know what camera I took the pictures with and they are gone!  GONE!  Technology can be so frustrating sometimes.  So you are subjecting to seeing the “other” pictures.  These pictures were taken after the citron was done, before ends were sewn in and before blocking.  And truthfully, I’m so close not to showing you these because these are nothing compared to the post-blocked citron.  Ugh.

#2.  Ok, not really a finished object, but it is half finished.  I have one glove of the Hands Over the Fire gloves done.  And I’m so happy to have it done!  The second half of it knit up so fast once I really got going and got the hang of the cables.  I was even able to memorize the pattern.  Right hand will be cast on very soon so I can wear both!  But it sure looks great minus the fact that ends still need to be sewn in.

 

Now let me introduce you to my trouble maker.  After making the citron it was sitting out for about a week.  One day I came home and it was sitting next to the cat’s water dish and not on the side table where it was left.  It was still folded might I add, but had a wet spot here and there.  I am SO lucky it wasn’t dropped right into the water bowl and swished around.  I don’t need a felted citron. It was hidden well after that incident.  Then I finished my armwarmer.  Left it on the table when I went to bed.  And it was in our bedroom doorway when I woke up.  No harm done to it though.  The culprit?  Edgar.  Not sure if I’ve introduced him yet, but he is our cat that looks like a cow.  He acts like a stoner.  And he is obsessed with yarn.  But usually just yarn, not the finished objects.  Those aren’t fun because they don’t unravel like yarn.  So I don’t know what his recent obsession has been but lets just say everything is getting put away from now on, even if it is done.

 

Behind Bars Seems Appropriate

 

 

 

You can see the "cowness" factor in here. That's Mifflin next to him.

 

 

WIPW- I can’t count

There were 2 WIPW #2′s apparently.  Well, that means this really is number 4.  I’ve made decent progress on my Skyp Socks.  Only about 1 inch to go before I start the heel.  Maybe they will actually get done by Christmas at this rate!  And my fingerless gloves have made some progress but not as much as I would prefer.  This is purely because of my printer.  I can’t exactly walk around and travel in the car with laptop displaying my pattern now can I?  Well I tried to print the pattern but the printer I have inherited apparently doesn’t allow itself to run out of ink.  It decides it will not print anymore when the ink gets low, and our lovely PX *sarcasm noted* here on post does not carry the number I need.  They carry the brand, just not the number, of course!  So I am left to order it online.  Therefore not much progress on my fun fingerless gloves!   But I started a new pattern today!  Well, a new project, not really a pattern just an easy stitch.  I can’t really talk about it too much because it’s a Christmas present for my husband!  And of course he never reads the blog, but with my luck this is when he would start. First knitting present for him!  Everything else he’s seen through the whole process, from start to finish!  So here’s just a little sneak peek.

WIP Wednesday (2)

The good thing about traveling all over Germany with my family?  And not knowing how to drive a manual?  Knitting time! And alot of it!  Thanks to Tami for hosting the WIPW meme!

I have made a bit more progress on  the He Keeps Asking For More socks.  Most of the knitting I’ve done on these socks has been all in the car.  I think I may have worked on them for hour outside the car.  Sometimes I wish I knit socks as fast as some people.  I get so envious of people who can work a full time job, take care of kids, knit on other projects AND finish a pair of socks in a week.  It takes me at least a month for a pair of socks.  And that’s if I’m quick.

Just started a new project last night.  I have noticed my hands starting to get really cold now.  It’s just that time of year here.  So people say they feel Autumn creeping around the corner.  Well here in Germany Fall not only made its appearance it has made itself at home, till Winter decides to creep on in.  Which probably won’t be long.  Our weather has been wet, cold and rainy.  And I’m not talking 60s-70s cold, I’m talking highs in the 50s lows in the 30s.  It won’t be long till we are below freezing at night (and we had our first frost almost a month ago).  So at night my hands get cold typing on the computer, or knitting.  I decided I needed handwarmers.  And soon.  So I cast on for Green Cabled Arm Warmers with Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock in their Medium Weight Fire On the Mountain Colorway.  I don’t plan to make the arms as long as the pattern suggests, but I still think the pattern will work well for this yarn.  I actually cast this yarn on as socks with a basic made-up rib pattern once, but my cat decided to chew up the needles.  By the time I finally got new needles and finally had time to work on them again I forgot what pattern I had been working in, and really didn’t feel the need for the socks anymore.  I’m excited to have found a new use for this yarn, since the color is just so gorgeous!

Now onto the Citron.  WIP right?  And I wanted to have it done BEFORE my family got here right?  Well, I didn’t get it done.  But I DID get it done  while we were in Dresden.  I finished it!!  So it actually doesn’t really fit in this post!  But I’m going to be busy, and might not be able to post for Finished Object Friday.  But the Citron is an FO!  I’m so proud, my first bit of lace knitting is done and I enjoyed knitting it very much.  But I must say, I’m not too sure about wearing it.  Which I said in the beginning though, and I’m a process knitter anyway.  I enjoy doing it, what happens with the FO is not always a concern.  I’ll figure something out.  I’m really happy with the way it looks though, and the color of course.  The picture doesn’t do it justice, and I still need to block it.  Any suggestions for which blocking technique works best for the Citron?  I’d love some!  Hopefully I will be able to blog soon about our visit to Dresden so keep checking back!

Blog Swap-Day 2

So after saying goodbye to my husband today for two weeks, I decided it was time to open another package!  I actually choose 3 little individually wrapped ones.  Two were taped together so I knew they went, and Tammy G said that more were taped to the original one I opened.  Now that I thought about this, there were 7 cards in the box.  So it makes sense.  A few just fell apart in shipping.  There’s actually a lot to these cute little things, so maybe I should just let the pictures do the talking.

I love tags to put inside my knitting, so those were just perfect!  I even put some in my box to my swap partner because I think they are all so darn cute, and useful!  Then that big circle thing is also pretty damn cool.  I know there was a bit of a glare on the picture but it is called a 3in1 Knitting and Crochet Tool. It is a gauge check, a needle and hook check and it even gives you yarn and gauge recommendations!  Never seen anything like that before!  And the mini-lunch box tin is so freaking cute.  I’m obsessed with owls.  This is actually a recent obsession.  Ever since I moved out of my parents house.  And you can blame it on my Father.  He has collected owls my whole life and just recently I’ve become interested too.   And lately there have been so many cool patterns with owls on the market for scrapbooking, bags, and as you see little tins.  Stuff like that.  Well, that darn tin is perfect for my knitting odds and ends when I travel that it would have been just perfect.  But lo and behold, it’s full of presents too!!!!  List time: tape measure, funky pencil sharpener/eraser, 2 row counters (which not only do I need, but my cats will love!), point protectors, mini-markers, and more giraffe themed stationary!   Tammy G, I think you are a swapping goddess!

I Needed This – Blog Swap!!

So I have had a rough few weeks as I have posted about several times. Unfortunately the storm hasn’t stopped.  On Friday, we also lost little baby Thia.  They don’t know what happened, and she was doing so well.  It has been so hard for us to mourn this loss, and my husband is heading home on leave tomorrow to go see his family.  They need him there, and he needs to be there.  Today is the memorial back in the states for the twins, and tomorrow is my Grandfather’s funeral.  It’s hard not to be home right now, and to be so far away.  I’m sure you all can imagine.

So I needed a pick-me-up.  I needed something that could put a smile on my face.  And guess what came today!!  My blog swap parcel from Tammy G over at Life and Yarn or Yarn and Life.  You should all take a little trip over to her blog (not until you are done reading mine though, of course!)  So we are supposed to send 7 separate parcels.  Mine has 10 parcels in it!  And well, if you count the ones that are 2 taped together, than there really are 12.  My Tammy G you are quite a generous swap partner.   Don’t worry though, I’m not complaining!!  And the wrapping paper has such cute knit patterns on it!  I love it!

So I opened my first parcel.  And it says on the inside of the card “A kit to help with the knit”.  Did I mention her cards have a cute knitted pattern on them too?  Inside I found homemade stitch markers, giraffe patterned pencils, and a needle gauge.   All so useful too.  And the stitch markers are handmade!  I have to say, the one thing I was hoping to get in this swap was nice stitch markers, and Tammy G must have just read my mind!  And the best part?  They are little kitty themed.  So adorable!  Definitely put a smile on this girls face.  I needed this, that’s for sure.

Sorry for the blurriness of the picture.

Now, I have a confession to make.  I’ve felt like such crap, that I really just needed to break into another package.  The fact that there were 10 parcels felt like it was giving me permission to do this.  I mean, things happen for a reason right?  Just like the timing of this gift.There was no order to follow, except for the second parcel.  So I’m bad, did I mention that?  I picked the fluffy package, that squishes in my hands!  And let me just say, this yarn is to die for.  And that is not an opinion, that is a fact!  The card read “Ya said you’re not afraid of the bright, hopefully you won’t have to shade your eyes in the light!”  I love her little rhymes. I have seen blog posts about this yarn and it just looks so luscious!  (yes luscious is my favorite word to describe yummy yarn!)  Ahhh….Mini Mochi!

I would like to thank Eskimimi for organizing this swap in The Blog Hub group on Ravelry.  It was so fun to organize and send out to my partner, and it is just as fun opening my gifts!  Join me tomorrow for Day 2 of Blog Swap!  And I’m thinking I might open 2 gifts tomorrow too.  For 2 reasons.  Mainly because I’m going to be wallowing at home, and will be all alone on the day of my Grandfather’s funeral.  Another reason is because my family is coming on Thursday, and we will be doing a lot of traveling after that.  Which means……lots of blog material!

WIPW, A Book & Some Bad News

Well, but the Citron and the Skyp Socks are both still on the needles.  The Skyp Socks will probably be on for a while since I’m not a knit-a-sock-a-week kinda gal!  I’m a bit slower than I would prefer, plus I’ve been ADDICTED to the Citron.  There are five sections in the Citron.  Or tiers as I like to call them.  I’m almost done with the fourth.  It’s a fast knit and I’m plugging right along with it.  I’m really loving the way the colors look.  I can’t wait to see how it looks once it is blocked.  After knitting this, I have decided that I will definitely buy some more Malabrigo Lace in the future.  I really didn’t like lace knitting.  After making this Citron, I have been opened up to the world of lace with a warm welcome.  I guess the yarn you use can really make a difference in your take on the concept.

I’ve also had something on the needles that I refused to share.  It’s not like I don’t want you to see it!  There’s just two people whom I don’t want seeing it!  That’s because it is a baby gift.  My husband’s brother and his wife welcomed their second son into the world last week!  And his name’s Cameron……I just love it!  This sure was a kick in the butt for me since I’m only about 1/4 of the way done with the gift.  It’s just a bit of an intricate stitch pattern that’s hard on my hands, but I need to get over it.  I pulled it back out last night and figured I would give you a nice little peek.  Really only because I love teasing!!

Also, I tried casting on a pair of leg warmers last night.  Turns out I need a bigger circular needle of some DPNs in size US 6 or US 7.    I’m going to check out a new yarn store  (yay!  it’s only 20 minutes away too!) that my friend from A Tangled Yarn discovered a few weeks ago.  I’m hoping they have what I need.  A large circular would be the best, because I just realized I would be able to do 2-at-a-time!!  Now that I know how to do that.  It’s not just for socks anymore……  My friend requested leg warmers for her daughter.  I decided on the Lil’ Legwarmers pattern published on the blog Knitted Fresh Daily.  I really need to spend some time perusing her blog. It looks pretty entertaining. You should go check it out.  I’m using a yarn I’m really excited about.  I picked it up around here somewhere (here being somewhere in Germany).  It’s called Lana Grossa Bingo Print and has small segments of gray to green to pink.  I just love the colors, and I think the little girl receiving them will too!

Onto the book.  I can’t believe I read it in a week.  With all, and I emphasize the word all, going on in my life right now.  We will get to that later though.  The book: Made From Scratch; Discovering the pleasures of a handmade life.  Being a very crafty person, I thought this was a book concentrated on crafts, and recycling for personal use and whatnot.  I was quite a bit off track, and I guess that happens when you don’t read the description of the book.  I’m blonde sometimes, what can I say?  But the book is about self-sufficiency.  Basically, living off the land, buying local, raising chickens and bees.  That sort of thing.  With a very minor mention to knitting and spinning.  I have no objection to this way of life, and some I agree with and some of it I don’t find practical.  For me.  But this book…..I just couldn’t put it down.  The author Jenna Woginrich just writes well.  Everything flowed so well, and made so much sense.  I didn’t feel I was reading, as much as just listening to a friend.  And I think that’s why I read it so fast.  I do suggest it, to anyone who has even a small interest in self-sufficiency and making more of an everyday connection to our ancestors in everyday tasks.

Now onto the bad news.  Remember when I said that it was basically pouring cats & dogs in my life?  And I mentioned that on top of a whole lot of other stuff my Grandfather had a heart attack?  Well he died this weekend.  He was a very kind and generous man who was very good to his family.  But in the past few years he’s changed.  Alot.  After this heart attack I knew it wasn’t going to  be much longer, and I was right.  Good news is that he is in a place right now where he can see well again, and he can walk and talk.  And he made it there just in time to join his wife for their wedding anniversary.  My cat’s also sick.  Really sick.  He had to spend two nights at the vet’s place and he still hasn’t really eaten anything.  More on that tomorrow, since this post seems longer than I had anticipated.  If you haven’t gotten bored yet, thanks for reading!!

1st Work In Progress Wednesday

WIP Wednesday, an idea created by Tami’s Amis and Other Crochet .  You can check out the links to everyone participating at her blog.  I discovered this great idea through The Blog Hub group on Ravelry.  I feel like I can finally share what I am working on, since it’s not all baby stuff anymore.  I still have a baby something on the needles though, that has to be finished.  I am very excited about both of my projects this week!

The first I started a few weeks ago, but hadn’t really worked on.  And only one word is needed to describe my excitement: Wollmeise!  Yummy yarn!  And my first time casting some on.  The pattern is Simple Skyp Socks.  I started with a different pattern, but I think it was too simple for my taste.  So I ripped and started these.  I believe the colorway is My Old Blue Jeans but I’m not quite sure since the yarn came from the big “not so perfect” sale, and therefore the colors were not marked.

Next, I have finally cast-on my Citron!   And boy is it addicting.  I mentioned in an earlier post about the SP 15:Refresh swap I participated in that I received some amazing Malabrigo Lace in Col. China colorway.  I love it, and was thinking about making the citron since I saw it!  Then, when reading the pattern, I saw that it actually calls for Malabrigo.  This will be the first time I make something in the actual yarn it calls for. I can’t wait till I’m done with this, and I think it may have even turned me onto lace knitting!

Day of FOs

Yesterday was a day of Finished Objects.  Despite some horrible family news, I was able to get some knitting done.  Since I was in such a daze and couldn’t really concentrate or function well, knitting helped.  It was easy, didn’t need any focus and I dare say calmed me.  But that sure doesn’t change the fact that it’s been quite a tough week.  Does anyone else notice that in reality, when it rains, and sure as hell pours?

I finished 4 WIPs yesterday.  Yes, count them.  FOUR.  Two of them are for my dear Sister-in-laws new little preemie.  My SIL was only 26 weeks when she had an emergency C-Section 2 nights ago.  So another surprise I can’t ruin till the presents are received.  I also made my first toy!  Again, a surprise.

Also, quite exciting- I finished my first attempt at 2-at-a-time Toe Up, Magic Loop socks!  Another first- they were made from the sock blank I bought from KnitPicks.  I’m really happy with the way the socks turned out.  They are a bit snug, but that’s all part of the learning process, right?  And nothing a bit a blocking can’t fix.  I really need to remember to take a picture of the whole sock blank, before skeining it.  Here’s the before shot:

And After:

Another finished object?  I finally finished reading The Shop On Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber yesterday.  This is my second time reading the genre I suppose you would call “knitting fiction”.    I really enjoy reading these types of books, and I thought this book was no exception.  The story sure made me think about friendships, and how they can be found in unusual places.  I have several friendship I would have never expected, that grew from a mutual love of knitting.  It’s amazing how this hobby can bring so many people of different ages and personalities together.  As much as I enjoyed this book, I found her writing at times a little too dramatic.  There were times where it was a bit too predictable, and I thought “can we get to the point already”?  But I would suggest it  to others looking for a good knitting read.