The small things.

I suppose in life one must acknowledge and respect the small things. You have to find the pretty pattern in the leaves on a blustery day, or the beauty in an icicle on a winter one. It's only fair, then, to do the same thing for the little things in life everyday. We are all faced with challenges and seemingly insurmountable obstacles - or even things we just don't want to do, and it is our prerogative as human beings to accept those challenges and meet them head on. One way to make those obstacles feel smaller is to enjoy what time you can be doing things you love. I love spending time with DH, I love watching movies, and I love knitting. (I also love eating chocolate, among a mess of other things, but I'm not going to list all of it. I'm not insane.} The past few days I got to spend a lot of time doing two of the things I love, even if not in the best of circumstances. I spent copious amounts of time with DH, and I knit quite a bit. I think that since I am trying to find happy things in a trip that was less than pleasant, I'll list some highlight parts that were my "silver lining" from the adventure.

* We stayed in a nice hotel. We never stay in a nice hotel, they are,after all, just for sleeping. But this one was cheap AND nice. Can't beat free breakfast, free Internet, and cable. Just having cable for an evening is fun for us.
*We got to eat at a local restaurant that DH misses a lot. Heid's Hot Dogs. If you are ever in Liverpool New York, or in the Syracuse area, make the trip to Heid's. You will not be disappointed.
* We went to the Carousel Mall. Now, wait I here you saying, you always complaining about how much time you spend at the mall for work! Why the Hell are you at one of your own accord? Well, because it's HUGE. I mean mega HUGE. And they are making it bigger. Soon it will be bigger than the Mall of America, and then they will change the name to "Destiny USA". It will have a Marina. Just saying.
*I went to a yarn store. Did I need yarn? No. But, it was right down the road from the hotel, and I just had to stop. Wanna see what I got?

The Eucalan was actually a need, technically, so the trip wasn't completely devoid of reason. The two small skeins are Wick from Knit One, Crochet Too. I want to try some socks from this. I've heard good things, and the soy is sooo soft. The other yarn is Kaleidoscope from Elegant Yarns. I've heard of Kaleidoscope, but have never seen it. I picked it up as a trial skein. I plan to make a hat to try it out.
The yarn store I went to had a very fun atmosphere, and a great chatty staff. The people were very nice - even the ones knitting at the table in the rear of the store. It's nice to see a little store that has some of everything. It's not just baby, novelty, worsted and sock yarn. They had selection in all weights, fibers, and colorways, yet the floor was still open and easy to move around. I didn't check out the pattern support, but they looked to be quite stocked. oh, and as for my two yarn store pet peeves - messy and no prices marked - good on both accounts! All the yarn was organized and marked with prices on the shelves. Heaven. The owner (I think... my apologies if you weren't) was excited to hear I was a blogger, and we shared some ravelry info. Frankly, that was fun. SO, if you are in the Syracuse area, and you have filled up on Hot Dogs at Heid's, went to the Carousel Mall, and enjoyed the cable at the hotel, try and save a little time to go to the Knitting Connection . They really have a great little store there!

There and back again

We are back from our trip, as in one piece as we were when we left, so overall, pretty good. You have to find something positive in a trip that you really didn't want to take, and travelling mercies are at least one good thing.

On my brief outing to "upstate" I did a fair bit of knitting, as I did a lot of waiting.

First up, the Mitts I finished Sunday:
Vine Yet Again

Pattern: Vine, from Magknits
Yarn: Jaeger Alpaca Pure
Needles: KP classic Circs, size 3
Notes: Well, I already did it twice, so what can I say about this pattern? I love it, that's obvious. I did do a bit of personal adjustments this time out, though. Basically, I extended the wrist ribbing to 21 rows, and the finger ribbing to 10 rows. I also knit the thumb ribbing in the same pattern as the wrist ribbing, and extended it to 4 rows. Overall, just making a longer mitt in general. These will get a ton of use in the freezer that is my office.

I also CO and knit a hat!


Pattern: Fishtail Hat from Knitting Pattern a Day 2008
Yarn: Patons SWS
Needles: Clover DPNs, size 8
Notes: I knit it as written, for a "women's" head. I, as usual, should have made the kid's size. Oh well, it's not TOO big. I could have omitted one pattern repeat though, as it is a bit long. It's warm. It's a hat. It was fun to knit, and it only took a couple hours, and used some stash yarn. Can't complain!

Lastly, I cast on for a new pattern I'm writing. I can show you a little bit, and tell you it will eventually be a two layer lace mitten...

That's it for now! Tomorrow I'll tell you about the store I went to in Syracuse.

On the road

Hey all!
A quick update before I go on the road for a few days, and don't know what my internet status will be.

I finished my third pair of Vine mitts today, and will have pictures when i get back. Promise.

I also cast on, and mostly finished a hat. Pictures of that to come, as well.

I am not taking the Mystic Waters Shawl, as I doubt I will have the space and concentration to work on it. So, I am off to find a good travel project to hold me over for a day or two.

Talk soon!

MWAH!

Surprise!

That's what I found in the mail!


Catalina yarns! All for me!

Would you like a Lozenge?

Well you'll have to ask DH, cause he's in possession of them now!

Stats:
Name: Citrus Lozenges
Pattern: Men's Socks in Lozenge Pattern from "Knitting Vintage Socks"
Yarn: Knit Picks Essential in Pumpkin
Needles: Knit Picks classic circs, size 0 and size 1
Notes: Well, I shortened the ribbing by one repeat, I shortened the length of the sock leg to 6", I adjusted the length of foot to fit DH, and I switched from size 1 needles to 0's at the heel. Whew. But, the are mostly the same!


Now I am knitting yet another pair of the Vine Mitts, in yet even more of the Mircale of the Macabees yarn. It will never end.

Jebus! It's COLD!

I can barely type, it's so cold. I think the theatre is boarding penquins somewhere around here. Heat, my friends, is not something to forgo on a day like today. Also, one should not have a "breeze" in their office. I have gone 3 times to the sink to run my hands under hot water. One should not have to defrost their hands quite this often. The nice 40's can come back any time now.
It's really bad when 40's are "nice", I think.

Divert your eyes!

Look away! Look away!
It's too bright! Too bright I say!

That is how I feel today. I actually had time to sit and knit. (!) Oh, and it was sweet. Super sweet.

That said, let's start at Saturday, shall we? I have some updates.

Life took me up north, so my car continued on it's way, and took me right to WEBS. How on earth did my car know I had a gift certificate that wanted to be spent? well, obviously, she wasn't letting me come home with out buying some yarn! wanna see?

20 balls of Knit One Crochet Two Angora Soft for an absolute steal!

15 balls of Classic Elite Bazic Wool

2 skeins of Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet

and lastly, One Skein of Classic Elite Alpaca Sox.
that's right, Alpaca sock yarn. (drool...)

I didn't even spend my whole $100 gift certificate! I guess I'll have to go back! Darn. I love WEBS.

After the yarn fumes stunned me, and I woke up at Borders. How on earth did I get there? That darn car!
I picked up two new books. Can't resist books. Must have books.
Son of Stitch - n - bitch and The Knitting Man(ual). Books for Guys are awesome!

Suddenly I realized that I had to go to an outing! What an outing it was:


Booze and knitting do work together!
Thanks for the fun, Ladies!

Sunday morning came WAY to early, as I didn't go to bed until 3am, and had to be at work at 10am. But, I persevered. Knitting time was a wash, but I made up for it today!

I had to get up early to drop off dry cleaning for work. Yuck. The bonus was, I was up early! I then had bagels, chatting, and KNITTING with Tara. Tara was a SnB New Haven member, until she had to move away to school. :( But, we caught up fast, and knit for a few hours at our favorite hang out - Panera. It was so good to see her! It was also so good to get past the gusset decreases on Citrus Lozenge #2!! The end is nigh!

Then DH and I spent some time together. we went to a movie - Coverfield. I really liked it, although I would not recommend it to someone that gets motion sick.

I ended my first weekend involving at least a modicum of free time by going to... Panera. The other one! I knit a few rows of the Mystic Waters Shawl. I think she may be getting lonely. I'll try to find more time for her, I promise.

Whew.

I need to sit down now.

tagged

I'm it!

I've done this meme before, but WTH, I've got more facts in me!

We know this one, people.
List seven habits/quirks/facts about yourself.
Tag seven people to do the same.
Do not tag the person who tagged you or say that you tag “whoever wants to do it”.


so here goes:
1. Dark chocolate covered pretzels are my favorite treat. salty and sweet!
2. I will see a movie because Jack Black is in it. I think I have a crush on him.
3. When DH and I went to Mexico, we got totally tanked and bought something at a gift shop that we couldn't identify the next morning. It was all wrapped up in newspaper and bubble wrap. it kinda clinked when you shook it. we had no idea. When we got home the next week we unwrapped it. It is a painted glass pitcher with 6 matching glasses in a bent wire disaplay stand. It's pretty. I get lots of complimemts on it. I just didn't know I bought it.
4. as long as the person isn't creepy, and I know them, I'll accept a shoulder rub from anyone.
5. I studied Latin in High School.
6. I love to write scholarly papers. (I have something wrong with me I think.)
7. I have super ugly feet. i know feet are utilitarian, and no ones are really "pretty", but I feel like mine are extra ugly.

SO then, I tag.... Acambras, Erin, editorgrrl, Mad Knitter, Evad (you can answer in the comments of my blog), umm... I'm out of people. Please don't be mad if I forgot you! I'm working up a hang over, here.

Busy as a bee

I've been busy busy busy! Not so much like a bee, more like a squirrel, but "busy as a squirrel" is a weird saying. I wish I was busy like a bee. Then I'd have a stinger. (insert evil grin) i could have used a stinger in the last week.

I am kinda coming out of my non-blogging, uber busy, barely time to knit a row or two, schedule, only to head back into it again. But, at least I'm getting a brief reprieve, and I might even get some time to knit! Imagine that! If I don 't, I might have to take stock in jolt cola, because come hell or high water, I'm goning to get to do some knitting soon!

One of the things that almost added to my stress recently was the sudden, very likely need for a pair of impossible to find socks. The show needed a pair of black and white vertical striped socks. We looked all over the damned state and beyond for those socks! I finally decided to go buy the yarn for the socks, then if the show absolutely could not go on with out them, I could knit them. (Also, the thought crossed my mind that if I had the supplies to knit them, I wouldn't have too. That's how it always works!)

This is the yarn I picked up:

That is two skeins of On Your Toes sock yarn. It has aloe vera in it! Why is it on my blog? Well, because I'm smart. I figured that if we didn't use it for the show, I wouldn't be able to return it anyway, so I might as well buy it myself. That way, if we used it, the theatre could reimburse me, and if we didn't use it, I have extra sock yarn! That would be accidental SEX, people.

In knitting news, I have the cuff and half a leg repeat done on Citrus Lozenge sock #2. I hope to pick up speed on these later in the week. I am s l o w l y making progress on Mystic Waters. One row at a time. I did make the mistake of trying to work on it late at night the other day. Tragic. I fixed the problem, but it wasn't without some swearing. Since then, I've been too tired to knit on it with out repeating my worthy of Shakespeare, tragic performance.

'till later!

well now,

costumechick --

[adjective]: Sexually stunning

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Let's play ketchup

I mean Catch up. Ketchup is funnier.

I am writing again from Tech, but this time by the light of a Rwandan Genocide Memorial. Fun, right? Anyway, I have knitting progress to report - even if it isn't as much as I'd like. First up, the Citrus Lozenge socks:

I am on the toe of sock #1. DH likes them very much. I said yesterday that I was on the toe. He said, "Of #2?!" He was so excited to get to wear them. I felt bad that I am only on #1. So sad.

another sad thing:

Yes that is the tip of my KP 0's. I caught it in a door. Don't even ask. It was a feat of skill and gracefulness. They still work fine. No problems on that account, so I'm gonna keep using them. It gives my needles character.

I finished up clue #3 on my Mystic Waters shawl. It is quite stunning, even in its misshaped, half finished, blob status. It is officially too wide to "pin out" while still on the needles. So I took some pictures in chunks.
The middle part:

The edging:

This is were I thought I screwed up:

I looks weird doesn't it? The nice thing about being behind in my knitting is that I get to see everyone Else's completed looks. No one noted a problem with this clue, and all the others looked likes mine, so I forged ahead. Now that the whole clue is complete, it looks just right. This is one place where "reading" my knitting did me a disservices. Usually, I can see the mistakes by looking back a the rows before and comparing to the chart. On this one row it gave me fits. the Ktogs were not lining up! I counted, and counted, and compared and counted. It just couldn't be what the designer intended! Umm.. It was. All that fretting for nothing. From here forth, I will trust this pattern, not second guess it.

That's it for now. I have to get back to work. (and by that I mean, update my Ravelry page)

Knitting by the light of a brothel.

That is what I have been doing for the last few days. No, I don't have a new job nor suddenly needed the services, I am in tech, once again. We have been stuck in the "South African Whorehouse" scene for quite a while. It's a really dark scene, so it makes knitting in the dark even harder. On a side note, I didn't pick a good project to knit doe "near blackness". The Citrus Lozenge socks are too complicated to just knit away. I need to at least occasionally look at them to make sure my count is correct. Sigh.
I did manage to get some finished though. I've turned the heel and completed the gusset of sock #1. I have about 3.5" to go before I love to the toe. Not too bad. My only reservation about the pattern is the lack of a reinforced heel. I can't decide of it will wear out too fast. Hopefully DH will be nice to them!
Speaking of DH, I sure hope he doesn't find out about Evad! Boy, would he be sore if he knew about my new boyfriend...
I promise a Post with pictures tomorrow. For some reason, theatre people object to flash photography while they are trying to work. Go figure.

Knellys lead

I was over reading http://knelleyknits.blogspot.com/2008/01/big-100.html

I feel inspired to do the same. SO I looked at how many posts I have. Umm. No. I will not be doing that. I will, however, list 7.25 facts about myself. That's the number of blog posts/ my age - in case you wanted to know.

1. I am afraid of the following things: Abe Lincoln, Dishwater, Earwax, Snakes, Rats and small spaces.

2. I know how to shoot a rifle, and am quite good at it.

3. I listen to music most others hate - country and heavy metal. If fact, I bought three new CD's last night. I chase people from my desk at work by putting them on.

4. I love sports cars, and am fairly convinced that I was a race car driver in a former life. I drive too fast most of the time. It could have something to do with he heavy metal music choice, and that my stereo gets louder as I drive... but I seem to remember that I was the same way before this car.

5. My original major in College was Mortuary Science. I did it for the scholarships.

6. I can touch my tongue to the tip of my nose - unassisted. This used to kill at parties as a 4th grader.

7. I have two implants. They're teeth. Shame on you!

8. I've never

(the last one was a quarter) grin

Let's get his puppy rollin!

Nothing like starting off the new year with a bang! I am rollin' right on in with a new WIP.

These are the Lozenge Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks. I've decided to call them Citrus Lozenges, as they are orange. They will be for DH, which means quite a bit of knitting to get them finished, but worth it in the end. They are his favorite color, and will look great when they are done. It's a good thing our feet are so wildly different in size. I might be tempted to keep them if they fit.

I'm also plugging away on the Mystic Waters shawl. Remember that KAL? It started the same time as SotS - like in October! Needless to say, I fell behind on it, and want to finish it up. I left off after I finished clue #1. I am now on clue 3! I haven't decided whether I will knit the full shawl of knit the smaller version. I am leaning towards smaller since most people I know are not that tall, and this one threatens to come out mega sized. We'll see. Pictures to come when Clue 3 dies.

The Spring Surprise Shawl KAL started yesterday. I haven't even swatched. I think I'll follow progress, print out the clues, and wait to knit this when I have more time. So far I like what I see! In other KAL news, I have three more shawl KAL's on my roster. I will probably pick one to participate in, and two to follow along with. I don't think I have all that lace in me in January.

well kids, that was a short one! I don't have much more to say, or the time to say it!

Project Roundup

In an addendum to my post from yesterday, I'd like to show off, I mean, list my FO's from last year, in one place. It will make it easy to compare for next year!

Sweaters - 9
Retro Redux shrug, Unmentionables (sweater for your legs), Unmentionable top, Shaped Lace Tee, Tomato, Kate's sweater, Cactus Blossom, Emerald, and Collete.

Socks - 12
Celebration, Laissez les bon temps rouler, Leaves of grass, Fancy Silk Sock, Birthday Socks, Cable Rib, Summer Lovin' Flip Flop Socks, Fry Your rods and Cones Spiral Knee Socks, Walk Like an Egyptian, Cockleshells, Bubble Bubble Toil and Trouble, and Upstream Socks

Hats - 3
We Call the Pirates, Syncopation, Protect my head

Mittens/gloves - 5
Vine I, Vine II, Snowdrifts, Vintage Long Gloves, and Mitts for Alice Anne.

Lace shawls/stoles - 4
Forest Path Stole, Mystery Stole 3, Shetland Lace Triangle, and Secret of the Stole

Other - 12
Slingshot (2), Eyepillows (6), Rainbow Brite Legwarmers, Booga Bag, Red scarf/Blue Scarf, and Trevors.

Wow. I forgot about some of these!