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!!

Three Good Reasons to Love Life

This is how I spent my day. Sitting beside these three kitties, knitting.  (Notice my wonderful total tote in the background!!!)

I've been wanting to take a look back at 2007, and honestly - it wasn't my best year. I noticed looking back at blog posts, I was sick A LOT. I think some of this was because it was my first year of nursing, and my immune system was overloaded...  Also, among being sick, I had a job for the 1st 6 months that I hated!

So, I will look forward to 2008...  and let's start with some knitting goals.

1.  Double knitting.

2.  Socks on Two Circs.

3.  Magic Loop Knitting.

4.  Finish my Tangled Yoke!

5.  Buy more yarn.  (No, I'm not kidding!)

What are your knitting goals for the next year?

A Good Christmas

I hope everyone had a good Christmas!

Mine was filled with knitty goodness. I received a Total Tote, which I'd been wanting! In chocolate. I added seriously to my knitting book library, with Mosaic Knitting by Barbara Walker, Favorite Socks, and Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles by Cat Bordhi.

I also got a pink I-pod, which my husband says classifies as knitty goodness because of all the podcasts I listen to!

This is the end of my first year of knitting, and knitting has been very good to me.  I can't imagine not knitting - what did I do before all this?  I am looking forward to year #2 of my knitting, and looking forward to seeing what others create in 2008.  The people I've met in my one year of knitting have been amazing, fun, and a blessing to meet.

Warmer house, warmer hearts?

We got a new side door!! Our back staircase was always FREEZING because the door that was up let in all the winter air. It showed an inch of daylight or more at the bottom, and as we found out when we took it down - it was hollow! We got a new door, and wow... does it make a difference. It made the staircase much warmer. It will be painted in the spring, but until then, I'll just enjoy keeping the cold air out.

(Yes, our side stairwell is painted a lime green. There is no point of me fixing it until electricians come....)

One of Molly's eyes always looks super-dilated and dark. Here is a picture... can anyone tell me if it's just the way her eye looks or if it's a problem? She seems to see just fine.

My husband has asked me to knit him a pair of socks. Any suggestions for patterns? I told him they would have to wait until spring because I have too many things on my needles, but I would make him some.

I keep jumping from subject to subject - I know.  My brain has been working that way all week.  I have been doing a lot of planning and plotting for projects (house and knitting) , but not really a lot of DOING.

If I don't blog before then, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Some sock progress

Well, getting my attention off Tangled Yoke was a good thing. I've worked on my Pomatomus sock, and I feel like I am close to returning my attention to my last sleeve for the cardi.

I taught a knitting class!! I taught a little about short-rows, and my knitting group (those who wanted to) printed out the Short Row hat pattern and brought it with them. We started that, and I went around and sort of helped out those who needed it. I think provisional cast-on was new to many of them, and that was fun to teach. Next month, they are supposed to bring back their finished hats to show off, or bring their hat for help if needed. I hope to take some pictures and post them!

A bit more of a sad note.. I have found out my friend has Lymphoma. I am wondering what I could make her - and I am considering the Hemlock Ring Blanket that could be used sort of as a security blanket when she is feeling her worst. I am just worried I won't be able to make that quickly..... Does anyone have suggestions of other patterns I might use?

December has never been a good month to me. It was a year ago this month that my baby, Amos, passed on. It hurts even now. Also, last year, I lost my cousin on Christmas Eve to a massive heart attack. I had opened her present and was calling  to thank her as she was being rushed to an ER.

I wasn't planning to end this blog post on such a depressing note.  I just have trouble being happy in December.  I thought that might change this year, but it hasn't...

Oh, wait, maybe I can end with a good note.  My beautiful cousin will be induced on Dec. 26th if baby doesn't come before then!  We can't wait to welcome baby girl in the world!

The Knitscene Preview!

I love Knitscene.  It's my second favorite knitting mag (first being Interweave Knits).  Have you seen the preview for Winter/Spring?  (Or am I late to the party?!)  Anyway.... I love the Norah Gaughan bag.  And if she doesn't quit designing bags, I'll never finishing knitting them all.  She never comes up with a design that I don't love.  Also, I love the Four Corners Headbands - cute!   I am also in love with the Apothecary Raglan and Pebble Hoodie.

What a great knitting world we live in - we definitely are not desperate for beautiful and genius patterns!

A little Tangled Yoke Frustration

To be quite honest, I'm tired of it.  I finished a sleeve, or so I thought, but realized it's too short.  I need to add about an inch.  Which isn't a big problem, but I just can't bring myself to pick it up and do it!  If I could just finish the darn sleeves already, I could move on to the yoke, and the cable, and the challenge.  I've found that I'm the type of knitter who just doesn't like it if there isn't some little challenge involved.

Maybe I can pick my socks back up for a day or two, and then I can face Tangled Yoke again.

I also bought yarn for some Endpaper Mitts for myself, and maybe I'll start those.  A very pretty red and black yarn.

Also - a little announcement to my Blogger friends - I am still reading your blogs.  I just can't figure out how to leave you a message now so that you know it's me -- Blogger changed the way you leave comments?  Does anyone know?

The Almost Moon

I haven't been knitting.  I started reading "The Almost Moon" by Alice Sebold.  It was slightly morbid, in a fascinating kind of way.  Once I got started, I couldn't quit.  She also wrote The Lovely Bones, which is excellent - and I highly recommend.

I don't think everyone would like The Almost Moon.  I think you need a bit of a dark side.  It is a dark, haunting glimpse into mental illness (and pure madness, I think).  It begins with "When all is said and done, killing my mother came easily", and that is how you are introduced to Helen, our main character.  I enjoyed the way Helen loves her mother so deeply and hates her so passionately at the same time.

Other than reading, not much has been happening.  I passed my Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).

Oh, and in case I don't get around to blogging tomorrow....  Friday is my friend Beth's birthday.  Happy birthday!  Beth is also a nurse, a wonderful friend, and a shoulder I can always turn to.  She understands my craziness, and embraces it.  May we live long long lives of friendship and joy.

Happy December

I haven't got much of anything to post as far as knitting goes. I've been sick this week. (I felt too bad to knit or to watch Pushing Daisies if that tells you anything.)

So, some cute kitty pictures. Molly always looks grumpy - here she looks at least slightly intrigued. That's the most emotion I've seen from her in a while! The second kitty is Loverbunny. It's a miracle to get his picture. He is scared of his own shadow. I wanted to take pictures of Sam too, but he thought otherwise.



And, last but not least... my new shower pictures. It was freaking expensive, but at least I have a shower. However, I have to buy a new riser because the person installing it didn't measure correctly and cut a riser too short. Due to it's instability until the new riser comes, I can't even use it. (Yes, this caused me to almost lose my head yesterday. I was very upset.) Ignore the dirtiness look from around the new faucet - it's from the old faucet and it scrubs out. I just need to buy a toothbrush to get in the little nooks around it. I bought this conversion kit for the claw foot tub from Clawfoot Supply. They are very fast with shipping, and while expensive, you get what you pay for -- it's good quality. (And please ignore the ugly wallpaper. I haven't redone that bathroom for good reason! There isn't any electricity that goes to it, and it just recently got in working order. It used to flood the floor below it, but it doesn't anymore!! And for light, I use a battery powered light.)

FO: Brea Bag

You can't believe it's finished?! Me either!

It's a delightful pattern. And quick (if you finish things..). I had this done a long time ago, but kept dragging my feet on getting a handle, then lining it. It is my first lined bag. I cut out three pieces of fabric: the front, back, and gusset. I sewed those together, then turned the bag inside out and pinned it in. Then, I whip stitched it in.

I used Berroco Ultra Alpaca (2 skeins), and I love love this yarn. It's soft and beautiful. The pattern is the Brea Bag, a free pattern from Berroco. I got my handle from Webs. My lining was bought from a local quilting store.

Also, my blogging and emailing are slow this week because my laptop died. (I think {hope} it is just the battery/power cord.) So, I finally set up my desktop downstairs, but it's very cold down here!

Some works in progress

Ok, I've finally got some pictures of stuff in progress. Nothing that fantastic, but proof I've been knitting (at least some!).

The beginnings of a Pomatomus sock. This was after I ripped out three different patterns on vacations after I knit practically each sock. My husband was really rolling his eyes about that.

 

A tangled yoke body. I've started on the first sleeve now.

I am off now to order a shower-tub attachment thing.   It attaches to the old claw-foot tubs so you can shower.  It's expensive, but I'm tired of not having one.   Hopefully, I'll have pretty pictures of that in a few weeks!!