On Fire-Spitting Hair Dryers and Scary Winds

My hair dryer spit fire at me just now. Big blue sparkling flames with a red glow at the end. I think that means I need a new one.

We had wind gusts up to 60 mph where I live last night. I was sitting, happily knitting, when the tornado sirens went off. I turned the news on to see there was a storm three counties away heading at a quick pace our way.... So, I got up to get a quick shower, and as soon as I stepped out, the power went out. I ended up going to bed since it was pitch black (and cold), and the wind was making such bad noise I had to fall asleep with my ipod in my ears. This morning, I got to see that the only thing that saved my car from being crushed by a huge ice box was the railing on my back porch. The ice box was barely caught on it, and could have smashed my car in at any minute.

So, this is a good time to tell you what blogs make my day (especially during weeks like this!):

My Boring Life has given me this really sweet honor!! (And her blog is delightful and her life is not boring! She really does make my day!)

I am supposed to pick 10 people to give this honor to.... and they are in no particular order...

1. CTJen

2. Knitterella

3. Kathryn Ivy

4. Mostly Self Taught Knitter

5. Wendy (and Lucy)

6.  MLE Knits

7.  Knitting Like Crazy 

8.  Stash, Knit, Repeat 

9.  Knitter Boy

10. Susan B. Anderson 

There are many other beautiful blogs I read, as well. And truthfully, they all make my day.

Tangled Yoke - Sleeves Are Finally Done

I finally finished living in the sleeve hell of Tangled Yoke. If this cardigan doesn't turn out, I think I'll scream after all the work I've invested in just sleeves!

I've also been thinking about my mistake mitten, and I believe it should be knitted on size 3 needles anyway... so I do plan to rip it all out and start over after all. But, I am tucking that away for a rainy day (and until I own size 3 Brittany needles).

My husband keeps complaining about how I have yarn for his socks, but I haven't started them. So, those may take priority over the Endpaper Mitts.

I got a phone call from my dad a few days ago when it got really cold. He wanted to let me know that the socks I made him for his birthday were on his feet and he might not take them off. I made them for him in April, and he had not worn them yet, saying he was waiting for it to be cold enough. Now, I think he quite enjoys hand knit wool socks in the dead of winter. :)

Heath Ledger found dead

It is a sad day.  Heath Ledger has been found dead at age 28.   That's my age....

The article can be found here on CNN.

Ugh!

Why did I cast another thing on? Especially a charted something, when I was distracted? (Ignore the bad photo - it's dark and gloomy here. And cold, did I mention cold?) I decided I needed to start those Endpaper Mitts while I was watching my FAVORITE Buffy speech. I messed up the pattern, on one segment. I even circled it for you. It sticks out way worse in person than on this picture, trust me.

(My favorite Buffy speech is when she is telling the Watchers in Season 5 that there will be no review. "I've had a lot of people talking at me the last few days. Everyone just lining up to tell me how unimportant I am. And I've finally figured out why. Power. I have it. They don't. This bothers them." Best. Speech. Ever. (And I enjoy the sword throwing too.))

Also, nurses: I have some scrubs for sale. You can see them on my Flickr acct. Also I have a Bose stethoscope for sell for $50. It's actually the DRG with Bose acoustics. I'll include some antimicrobial covers.

One more knitting thing: most informative blog ever: TechKnitter. You must read her stuff - great info and illustrations.

Piecework: A Must Have Magazine

I purchased Piecework magazine today.  The Jan/Feb 2008 issue is devoted entirely to knitting.  It has amazing articles, and most articles will have a pattern of a reproduction piece for the item being discussed.  The article on Knitted Rovaniemi Mittens has a pattern for Fingerless Rovaniemi Mittens at the end that are absolutely a must-have.  So cute.  In fact, there isn't a pattern in this magazine that I wouldn't want to make - they are all beautiful.  I am so thrilled to have discovered this magazine.

On my own knitting front, it is slow.  I have been feeling very tired recently, unusually tired.  I have a thyroid disorder, and even on medication, I have moments where I have no energy.  I came home last night, went to bed at 7:30 pm and slept through until 9 am this morning.  So, forgive me for the blogging boredom.

How to do nothing.

I have been BORING these last few days! I didn't do anything this weekend. Seriously, I left my house ONCE in a two day period. Sometimes, with nursing, I get very tired of people in general, and feel like I want to be alone. I think I get tired of doing the happy smiley thing 24/7. I'd like to sometimes just be - not mad, sad, happy, or anything... just be.

(On a happy side note about nursing, I've had three patient compliments in the last month that have been sent to my supervisors. The last one commented that I was "awesome". One very sweet person said I was "the best nurse" he's "ever seen". It makes me feel good to know that I'm connecting to people in that way.)

Anyhow.... I had started on Foliage, and promptly ripped it out. My attention span made me cause so many errors that I decided to rip it. Then I worked and worked on my last Tangled Yoke sleeve. (I was re-watching season 5 of Buffy this weekend.)

I also learned how to do an Italian tubular cast on, so I could work on those endpaper mitts soon. I practiced on some scrap yarn. This video to teach you this cast on rocks, and made it seem really simple. Thank goodness for the internet.

And how do you make those mosaics of your knitting for the year? I want to make one, but haven't a clue how.

Loopy Ewe Package!!

I received my first Loopy Ewe order today!! It was fast fast shipping. I ordered Tuesday (late I think) and it arrived today. The packaging was perfect and protective. She includes a hand written note. She also included some samples of Regia Bamboo and Silk, and a needle inventory card.

I ordered Hand Maiden Casbah sock, in Earth. This is for socks for hubby because he's been feeling left out of the sock love. I also ordered some Shibui Knits in Honey, which is gorgeous. The picture does it NO justice.

I know what I plan on doing this weekend!

Come on Friday...

It has been a long week. Not a bad one, but long, and I'm tired!!!

My kitty, Sam, loves to sleep on the radiator when I take a shower. He gets extra nice and toasty, plus he gets the bonus of being in the same room with me.
After getting out of the shower tonight, I said, "Sam, you think it's time to get into bed?" He said "Meow" and jumped down and ran to the door. Even Sam is tired.

I must say I love my knitting group. They were all supposed to bring finished hats tonight, and I was all ready to take pictures for you... but none of them finished. I think Christmas and gift knitting became priority! We had our meeting today and it was so much fun.

One of them is making the Baby Surprise Jacket, and I must say -- it's very hard for me to understand. I must confess to all knitters, I have never read an Elizabeth Zimmerman pattern until tonight. *hanging head in shame* And I'm wondering - are they all that difficult to understand??

Magic Looping and Casting On

Yesterday, I went to my favorite yarn store. I told the store owner, Jane, that I planned on trying socks on two circs. Then, she showed me her sock on magic loop....

I always thought Magic Loop would be harder than that. (If magic is in the name, it has to be hard and mystical.) So, I promptly came home and tried my hand at magic loop. I am using the Simple Sock pattern from Socks Soar on Two Needles so I don't have to try and manipulate a DPN pattern on my first try.....

I also wound up some yarn this morning. Some Malabrigo Worsted for Foliage from Knitty, Fall 2007, and some Louet Gems Fingering for Endpaper Mitts, by Eunny Jang.

I am also happy to report that I cast on for my second Tangled Yoke sleeve!! I decided it would be my TV knitting since it's simple, and then it would get done!

Thanks for all the nice comments on my Pomatomus socks.  I was really happy with them, and wore them yesterday!

First FO of 2008: Pomatomus Socks

Pattern: Pomatomus from Knitty, Winter 2005

Yarn: Koigu KPPPM

I started these socks in November on the flight back from the BVI.  Then, I sat them down and forgot them until Tangled Yoke drove me back to them.  I absolutely love this pattern.  It's not very hard, you just need to pay attention and be aware of your charts.  There are two charts:  Chart A and Chart B.  Chart B is for the foot, and if you aren't paying attention, you could get into the *wrong* flow of things.  However, it's just knitting through the back loop and purling through basically all the pattern!

(I love Koigu.  It's so squishy and pretty, and it makes me so happy.)

I have a happy announcement to make:  My friend, hoosier nurse, has passed her boards and is an official RN.   Congratulations and I always knew you would pass with flying colors!

Happy New Year to you all!!