Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Fiber Mania


This is my week of Fiber Mania! I met Bev (AKA emmasdaughter) at the College Street CafĂ© in Clinton on Monday. I think we might make Mondays a regular meeting! Then I met Vanessa (AKA DivaMissV) at Panera’s on Tuesday. I hope to make this semi regular too! Yes yes, I know! Three days of knitting (because we can’t leave out the Rome Wednesday’s group!) might be a bit much (especially when MissV and I forget all about the time and leave poor hubby sitting in the parking lot for HOURS! Sorry MrV!!). But I think I’m going to need the inspiration. I’ve got a lot going on:

The Sock Madness:
The Mother has roped me in to some sock insanity. We’re in the “Pair-a-Month” challenge on Ravelry. I joined a few months late, and the Mother has convinced me I need to catch up. I have 5 and a half pairs done. So in the next 5 months I have to do 6 more pairs. August will be tough to double up on this challenge (see madness below), and Sept and Nov are reserved for the Pentathlon. But if all goes well, this should be no big deal (so sayeth the madwoman).

Ravelympic Madness:
The Ravelympics – sign up, choose an event, cast on during the opening ceremony, cast off by the closing ceremony. Mom has convinced me I can knit a sweater in 17 days. You know, its insane and an almost impossible task, but I’m going to go for it!

Secret Surprise Project:
This one isn’t going into Ravelry, and I have to get some yarn for it. But it shouldn’t take too long.

Claire’s Jawbreaker:
I’ve finished the back but the front is giving me some trouble. I just have to concentrate for a bit. I hope to have this done for her way before Rheinbeck (crosses fingers)

The Super Secret Super Exciting Project:
This one is going to throw a wrench in all my plans! I’m so excited about it that I’m obsessively tracking my LoopyEwe delivery (see above). I just can’t wait for the yarn to arrive so I can get busy!

The Shawl(s):
I got it in my head that I wanted to spin and knit a shawl for myself in 2008. Then I thought I’d spin and knit 2 shawls for 2 of my girlfriends. Well, that might have been a bit ambitious. I’m not even all the way thru the first 4oz of fiber. Its just been too hot an humid to spin! The stuff just felts in my fingertips! So I’m not sure I’ll get THREE done, but I do want at least 1.

Whew, that’s a lot of stuff!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Gymnasts are forces of EVIL


LeeLuu: So Mommy, we're going to the Olympics?

Me: No, LeeLuu. We're doing the Ravelympics?

LeeLuu: Is Poppy coming? Because he has peanut butter and you never give me peanut butter.

Me: I give you peanut butter all the time

LeeLuu: Poppy's tastes better. The Olympics are filled with forces of evil.

Me: No, there are no forces of evil in the Olympics, just gymnasts.

LeeLuu: They Kung fu fight.

Me: Gymnasts are not kung fu fighters. Can I knit please?

LeeLuu: I don't like knitting. You should stop and give me peanut butter. You never give me peanut butter.

Me: Yes LeeLuu.

Friday, July 18, 2008

OOPS! Too many fiber dates!

I have a lot of projects I want to get done and not enough knitting time. I accidently set up three extra knitting events with three people who can't all be in the same place at the same time. I might be in trouble!!

Monday 7/21 Clinton Knit! College Street Cafe 5pm - 7
Tuesday 7/22 Utica Knit! Panera (New Hartford) 6-8pm
Wednesday 7/23 WeKnit in Rome! ‘Spressos 6:30-8pm
Saturday 7/26 Utica Knit! Panera (New Hartford) TBA

Monday, July 14, 2008

Knitting Madness


Midnight Surf Scarf2
Originally uploaded by amynowacoski
This was a Knitting-Madness-Weekend.

I finished up the Sock Knitter’s Pentathalon Rattlesnake Creek sock. I’m not in love with it. I made some boo boos on the foot that of course only I’ll ever notice. The cable traveled over 6 stitches and when you do that in fingering weight yarn on tiny needles, it’s tough. So it wasn’t a fun knit per say. But it’s done and I think I’m ranked like number 33 or so. The Mamajama and I have decided that we’re going to knit 12 pairs in 2008. I’ve got 4 done, so I need to play a little catch up. I don’t mind at all, I’ve got some fun things in the queue.

I also finished the Midnight Surf Scarf out of the Inferno roving. I <3 this scarf. Not just because it’s my very own handspun, but the pattern is filled with awesome! It uses wrapped stitches to create a wave like pattern. I’m just so excited to have it done. I did 4 pattern repeats in each on my color sections (each repeat is 12 rows I think). Friday night I got bit by the MUST-FINISH bug. Was just wrapping up the last few rows of the first color section so I knew I had two more colors to go. MUST FINISH MUST FINISH. So I knit like a madwoman and I had finished and was ready to block Sunday. I really have to stop knitting things that are longer than my bed! Very tricky to block when you run out of space.

I had to get these two projects out of the way, because there is much insanity coming down the line.

I started Claire’s Jawbreaker sweater. It’s a great color and super nuzzely. I’m very nervous about it. It’s my first official sweater. I did a test swatch and had to go up in needle sized to get guage. I’ve finished the first ball of yarn so I’m well on my way! I really hope Claire will like it.

I also cast on my Vanilla Pullover, but I’m very concerned that its going to be too big. I might have to go down in needle size. I cast on and have a few rows sitting happily on the needles. But I’m thinking about frogging it and doing another test swatch. I just want to make sure it’s done well.

Friday, July 11, 2008

SKP2008 Sock3 DONE


SKP2008 Sock3 DONE
Originally uploaded by amynowacoski
I'm done! I'm done!

I'm not totally in love with these socks. When I did the heel flap, the pattern said to do it for 34 or the 36 stitches, so I just looped the stitches to the other side of the needle. I did them 2-at-a-time on 1 circular needle. So slipping these two stitches meant that the cable pattern was not centered. So its a touch funky but I will survive! And I think I'm like number 30 on the list or something. Not too shabby.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Icanhazstrawberriez


Icanhazstrawberriez
Originally uploaded by amynowacoski
The fierce Huntress stalks her prey. No berry is safe.

We had a Strawberry Extravaganza a few weekends ago. I promise to post about it, but LeeLuu says it's bed time because she doesn't want me to tell everyone how she discovered that berries do not taste so good the second time around.

LeeLuu's Big Adventure

LeeLuu and I went to visit Nana and Poppy for July 4th. LeeLuu was quite excited about the prospect because, well frankly, Poppy sneaks her unlimited treats and Nana lets her sleep on her head. Really, in the Pugiverse, you can't beat that. She was excited. WAS. Until the seatbelt appeared. You see, after LeeLuu decided that she could drive and shifted the car into neutral one too many time, I decided it was safer all the way around if seatbelts were involved. After all I have to wear a seatbelt. I can't go all loosy and fancy free while operating a motor vehicle. It only makes sense that the pug passangers wear seatbelts too.

LeeLuu did not agree.

She whined and wiggled but finally got buckled in and endured the ride to the Isle of Long.

Then commenced three whole days of puppy bliss. LeeLuu made it very clear to all those present that she does not adhere to Halal customs nor does she keep kosher by eating all the ham she could possibly get. She was rather put off that she did not get any lobster. Finally the dreaded seatbelt made another appearance and it was time to drive home. LeeLuu protested and said she wanted to stay and have more fun (eg. eat more ham) but within moments, it was very clear, she was tired.

She could not even appreciate the truckstop sunset.

Have you ever seen a more tired pug?

Thankfully, I had to work the next day. I assume she had herself a wee (8-hour) nap.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Here we go!



Originally uploaded by IdoruNYC357
After a LOOOONG hiatus, I'm finally crocheting again. Got my yarn via the GlassNeedle Post office Delivery system (i.e. it was delivered to Mom's house and dropped off by the Awesome Sister since I can't get packages here :)). It's Incense via Elann.com and it's a very lovely wool/silk/bamboo blend.

The pattern is the Frou Frou Sweater from Happy Hooker - all done in one piece in a granite stitch - so I should be able to figure it out with out the Mamajama (although I've called her twice already, but that's ok)

I also splurged on Brittany Crochet hooks - Sustainable birch ones. they're lovely to work with so far, but they have a much different grip than the aluminum one's I've used so far, so getting used to them has been interesting.
Now, all we need is the Ms. Kitten to stay out of my yarn - I've already kicked her out of the bedroom twice and pulled a large amount out of her moth...

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

SKP2008 - Sock 3 Corrected Chart

Sock 3 for the Sock Knitter's Pentathlon was released today! Woooo hoooo! BUT there's a row missing in the pattern, so I figured I'd retype it here!!

R1: k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2
R2: k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2
R3: k2, p2, c3 over 3 left, p2, k2, p2, c3 over 3 right, p2
R4: k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2
R5: k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2
R6: k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2
R7: k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2
R8: k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2
R9: k2, p2, c3 over 3 left, p2, k2, p2, c3 over 3 right, p2
R10: k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2
R11: k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2
R12: k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2
R13: k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2
R14: k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2
R15: k2, p2, c3 over 3 left, p2, k2, p2, c3 over 3 right, p2
R16: k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2
R17: k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2
R18: k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2
R19: k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2
R20: k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2
R21: c3 over 3 right, p2, k2, p2, c3 over 3 left, p2, k2, p2
R22: k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2
R23: k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2
R24: k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2
R25: k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2
R26: k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2
R27: c3 over 3 right, p2, k2, p2, c3 over 3 left, p2, k2, p2
R28: k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2
R29: k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2
R30: k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2
R31: k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2
R32: k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2
R33: R27: c3 over 3 right, p2, k2, p2, c3 over 3 left, p2, k2, p2
R34: k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2
R35: k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2
R36: k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2