oh, for craps sake… August 18, 2008

It’s official. The time of no-more-buying-yarn is here and I am only allowed to go stash diving. Fortunately the stash has grown enough that stash diving could be exciting! I like forgetting what I have and finding it all over again.  As for projects, the gray scarf is done and mailed. It looks beautiful but I was lazy and didn’t get a picture of the finished product. Oops. Oh well. As for the other projects in the last post, the red/gray socks have been ripped out. The colors were pooling and looked horrible so I’m going to start those later. The Vinnland socks are on a break as I’m trying to finish the Albion socks as soon as possible to free up the needles. They’re still pretty, but they’re a very late birthday present. Plus I have other socks that I really want to knit. Like these. I’m in love with them, and I love the character so they’re perfect theatre dork socks. hehe.

In other knitting news, the Yarn Harlot posted about a library in Canada that has cancelled the kids knitting group program because it’s not related to reading and they want their programs to be more literacy focused. I recommend checking out the Yarn Harlot and the article (she has a link to the article posted). Here’s what I posted in the comments:

I like that they made the point that if the knitting group were to have a reading related focus then they are welcome to use the space. I mean, it’s not that much to ask people to READ in a LIBRARY. Their books could even be knitting related, I’m sure you could find kids books about knitting or that have characters knitting in them (like, oh… Harry Potter?). A simple solution. I knit and read all the time. Heck, I was knitting when I read the post and the article! But the main point is that the library is in the right to say “we want all of our programs to focus on literacy”. As much as I love knitting, I do think that literacy is a slightly higher priority for young kids, but if they want to mix the two I say that’s a great idea.

The comment in the article about having video games does concern me. If they are reading related, then that’s great and fits with the libraries goals. If they are not, however, then the library may want to reconsider their point of canceling a knitting group (or other craft groups) that give little kids the opportunity to socialize and learn a valuable skills. I don’t think being able to drive a video car faster than the computer or blow up aliens will really help in the real world. Give the kid a crossword or maze. That’s better problem solving if you ask me.

To all of us who do knit, go knit somewhere fun and exercise your right to knit where you please!
and maybe take a good book with you, too.

Take a look at the other comments and see what you think, or join in if you like. It’s an interesting issue, though not the end of the world. Definitely something to keep in mind though.

Now I’m off to enjoy the pretty sunshine and read and knit to my hears content before I start school and don’t have time any more.

startitis? August 10, 2008

Yep. It’s one of the many times when I start to finish things and when I only have a (relative) few projects going at once and I start to cast on new stuff. So, now I have pictures of the socks and the scarf that I’ve started recently. Here we go.

These socks are gifts that may or may not relate to Christmas. I haven’t decided yet. They may just be random gifts. Though the idea of holding them hostage until then is appealing…

The red and gray yarn was purchased in England last fall and the purple yarn I got off Ebay while I was in high school and has been sitting in the stash ever since (I had a lot more of it when I bought it off Ebay. After this pair, I think I might have enough for one more pair). It’s the Brown Sheep Wildfoote sock yarn in Purple Splendor. I like it, though I’ve made so many socks out of it that the novelty has kind of worn off… oh well, it’ll be in the stash for desperate times in the future.

This project is a scarf for a friend.

I like it. It’s pretty. Made of Berroco Ultra Alpaca held double and knit on size 10.5 needles. I may have to make one of these for myself. It’s also given me a good idea for a blanket… Moving on!

I started these today:

and I’m in love!!!! They’re sooooo pretty! This pictures is pretty close to the true color, but here’s one where you can see the pattern.

A little blurry, but still pretty. I’m too lazy to link to the pattern, but it’s the Vinnland sock pattern on the Anti Craft and the yarn is UrbanGypz merino sock yarn in the Labradorite II colorway. It’s very pretty and I got it at my yarn store. Speaking of, I only work one more shift at the yarn store for the rest of the summer. SAD! I’m going to miss it, but I’ll come and visit when I’m in town. I’ve had lots of good times, and have a lot of great yarn to work though and remember it by.

pictureless August 7, 2008

So, I’m too lazy busy to take pictures of finished objects, but I have finished two pairs of socks this week! The first pair of Purl’s socks are now done, and I finally finished my Mom’s Mothers day socks. Now I just have the two other pairs of socks for Purl’s and my WSM’s birthday socks and all the half finished pairs will be done! Though knowing me, I’ll get side tracked and start some new pairs too. Oh well, as long as I’m entertained, right?

To make up for the fact that I finished two things this week, I may have bought a bunch of yarn at Purl’s the other day (it was my second to last day. I’m running out of time to build up the stash for school!). I got some dark blue lace weight that I’ve been looking at the whole time I’ve worked there, some sock yarn (duh) and some silk Garden to make the Entrelac stole from Scarf Style. I’m in love with the pattern and we had enough yarn in the store, and … well, you know. I couldn’t help myself! It was the wool fumes. You try sitting in a yarn store for 8 hours and then NOT buy anything (I almost did it once, but when I came to pick up my paycheck the box of Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn had arrived… it was hopeless).

Okay, I think that’s all the exciting news, knit wise. Now I’m off to work on stuff for school. Woohoo!… I think. Happy knitting!

I’m too tired to write right now… August 2, 2008

… so here are some pictures of my new yarn. Do not, under any circumstances think about what it’s worth because it’s been acquired over a matter of time *coughtweekcough*. So, for your enjoyment, yarn.

Mondays are good for posting July 21, 2008

You know why? Because it’s the one day a week that I have off. At least until August. This gives me time to do the things I’m either too tired or too busy to do the rest of the week, like post here or go to the bank… Fun times. I do still find time for knitting, like in movies or when I’m too tired from a 7 hour shift at the bakery to do anything other than sit around and watch something mindless. Oh yeah, and it’s hot here. So there goes all motivation to play outside. Anyway, knitting!

I finally finished the second pair of Red Herring socks. It’s only taken how long?… I don’t wanna think about it. But they’re done and that’s what matters. Who they’re for, I don’t know yet. I’ll just keep them as gift back stock for some holiday or other.

As you may have noticed (”you” really meaning Mouse, because she notices these kinds of things), the feet do not match. I ran out of the dark beige, so I had to use a few extra rows of the light beige on one of the socks. So they’re not perfect, but oh well. They’re still pretty!

I also have some pretty exciting yarn news. When I wandered into the yarn store last week I got a pretty big surprise. WE HAVE NORO SILK GARDEN SOCK YARN!!! Needless to say, I was excited and bought some. I’ve been looking at this stuff online and couldn’t decide between the red and the neutral. So I went into the store and bought both.

Why decide if you don’t have to? I haven’t figured out a project for them, but I’m thinking socks. Just a thought. Though the neutral would make a nice shawl… We’ll see. Another benefit of working in a yarn store is that I get to knit shop samples, so here’s the start of the Silk Garden shop sock.

Pretty, no? Feather and fan but without the garter stitch row. I haven’t decided if I’ll continue the pattern down the foot or not yet. Any suggestions as to which way would be prettier?  Or at least make you want to buy the yarn.

In other news, I went to see The Dark Knight last night and it was great. Heath Ledger was AMAZING. So sad he died young, but his last film was fantastic. He’ll be well remembered. James Dean’s done all right…. Wall-E is really good, too. Definitely makes you think. Good job Pixar.

Nothing else all that exciting has been going on. Knitting, movies, reading, etc. Oh, and I want to direct Closer in the spring and then write about it. Gotta get that in the works. Time to get ready for senior year… eek!

KNITTING!!!! July 10, 2008

Here are all the current projects I’m working on. Some of them are going slowly, but oh well. There are some finished sweaters in there, too. Yay for finishing things! Though I have to finish at least four or the seven (shh don’t judge, the bible says not to) pairs of socks before I can buy any new yarn. This who working at a yarn store thing is awesome, though it may be a little dangerous.

The lace is missing, and there are two skeins of sock yarn that I bought before I instated the rule of finishing things before I buy more. Though the Silk Garden Sock is coming in next week…

Did I mention… July 5, 2008

I went to see Eddie Izzard last month? Cause I did. My Dad and I drove down to Atlanta last month and had two days of Eddie Izzard and shopping. Good times.

good times. Funny “off duty transvestite”. Between David Sedaris and Eddie Izzard I think this is the summer of comedy. Now I’ve just got to see Margaret Cho and all will be well. hrm… for now, off to get the super phone fixed!

adventures of a southern belle… July 1, 2008

Not really. Me? A Southern belle? yeah, right. Though I happen to be living in the south, so I guess that’s close enough. Still, no excuse for why I seem to fall off the face of the earth. But I’m still around, I swear! I’m knitting and reading and working and all that fun stuff. Needless to say, it’s been busy.

I’m working at a yarn store one day a week and it’s wonderful. Though I don’t make much money (however, i do have  some fabulous new yarn ;). I get to hangout for 8 hours, knit and talk to people about knitting. Not too bad. Thanks to that job, I have some new projects, too.  Here’s a list, but no pictures just yet. Sorry.

- The cropped cardigan with leaf ties from knitting out of Noro Silk Garden Lite. I’m making a button closure instead of the ties. I love it.

- A bulky cropped cardigan from Fitted Knits out of Malabrigo Gruesa in a pretty aqua color. I needed something instant gratification. Did I mention I finished half the project yesterday? Yeah, it’s pretty instant. Though I need to buy one more skein of the Gruesa, a skein of the worsted weight for the border and 3 big buttons. Fun and very silly.

- I’ve bought 2 skeins of UrbanGypz sock yarn in fun colors.

- I still have countless pairs of socks that I’m working on and shawls and other fun stuff. I’ll have pictures soon!

I’ve been working with my Wicked Step Mother on personal assistant stuff, so that’s fun. That’s job number two.

Tomorrow I start job number three at a cute little bakery/cafe in town. I’ll be working there a lot, so that’s fun. Apparently their hiring me to work full time. Insane, isn’t it? Yay busy summer!

I really have to start looking into scholarships and things for study abroad. I want to go to Italy for a month or two next summer, so we’ll see how that pans out. I’ve got to start researching for my thesis. I need to write my proposal by September, so wish me luck! For now, I’m back to the super busy summer schedule!

Socks! June 16, 2008

What can I say, I like to make socks. Here are a couple pairs I’m working on. Fun times, right? I’m making another one for a shop sample, but I’m too lazy to take a picture of those yet. hehe.

Bee socks!

A late Mother’s Day Present. This is just the first sock. I’m on the second one now.

Here are some socks I’ve finished but I can’t remember if I’ve posted pictures or not. Oh well, finished socks galore!

happy knitting!!!

Quick Update June 14, 2008

So far this summer has been pretty hectic. Here’s a quick list of what’s been going on:

-my brother graduated from high school

-my brother had a graduation party to celebrate the fact that he graduated

-I moved to North Carolina for the next 2 months

-My family in NC is moving

-I now have a job at a yarn store.

Apparently dreams do come true. At least when it comes to working in a yarn store. haha. Time for me to sleep, but I’ll have pictures of knitting soon!