Revelations of a Delusional Knitter

Friday Felines

2012-01-27T01:00:00.000-05:00

What a face ...

You Pick!

2012-01-26T21:47:00.004-05:00

I am undecided on the yarn for Hitchiker. You pick! The top is Mandarin Lime and the bottom is Spring Tulip.

PS ... haven't yet figured out how to use the software for photo editing entirely on this new pc!

Got my new PC!

2012-01-24T16:37:00.002-05:00

My new pc was delivered today!!! Unfortunately it came around 3pm. Was hoping to have more time to play. I am glad I took the day off since it required a signature, I didn't know that when I placed the order, but do understand.

Its not even that high tech in terms of technology nowadays. Actually it was released in 2010. But, its so much faster than the old one! I'm so excited!!

Trying to get used to the new keyboard. I actually put my old mouse back on right away because the one that came with it sucked. The mouse I had on my old pc was a logitech upgrade. May be going back to the old keyboard too or investing in a new one, we'll have to see how it goes :o)

VideoCast Episode 3

2012-01-21T19:30:00.002-05:00

Updates & Housekeeping

Computer / Software issues
Jerkface & Little Guy
Podcast Ravelry board
Thanks for sending comments!!!

Revelations (WIPs & FOs)

Baby Blanket
Tiny Baby Bunny by Anna Hrachovec
Hitchiker Yarn Pick
Spinning clip

String Theory

Go Knit Pouch by KnowKnits

Scrolls

Big Book of Knitted Monsters by Rebecca Danger

Heresy

Achilles Heal by Lucia Light

Delusional Jabber

Writing Class
TV - Finder on Fox
Uff Da

Friday Felines

2012-01-20T01:00:00.000-05:00

An oldie, but a goodie ...

One of my favorite photos.

WIP Wednesday 1-18-12

2012-01-18T22:16:00.001-05:00

Check out other WIP Wednesday Blogs by clicking the link above!

Morderne Baby Blanket

I've been working on this one all week, due date for recipient is mid-Feb!!

Weekend Update 1-15-12

2012-01-15T21:11:00.005-05:00

Whew! This weekend flew by ... and I got next to nothing done. I started pod casting last weekend (video) and its been interesting. My desktop decided today to stop recognizing all external devices, like my camera, so I have no updates to knitting to show here. However, you can see them on the pod cast. This really isn't a ploy to get you to watch :o)

I think its due to the fact that I have refused to upgrade my computer for years and years and its finally caught up with me. Its ancient in terms of technology.

So blogging should be a PITA! I do have a laptop that is Windows 7 ... which I haven't quite accepted yet, but looks like I am going to have to start using more...

VideoCast Episode 2

2012-01-15T19:22:00.002-05:00

Housekeeping & Updates
A little tour of what you see behind me
Jerkface and Little Guy will debut in the next episode

Not mentioned in this episode because it was after the fact, my desktop decided to stop recognizing external devices ... like my camera or thumb drives, or SD card or external hard drive. So it took me a few hours to edit this episode, I had to move everything, (software, files, etc.) to my laptop to edit.

Revelations (WIPs and FOs)
Morderne Baby Blanket
Ribband - Adorn Collection
Derek's Scarf (aka the Stupid Scarf)

Surmount the Stash-A-Long
Budget
Goals
How to join

String Theory (Yarn and/or Fiber Review)
Wandering Cat Yarns
Into the Whirled Club Shipment **IF YOU ARE A MEMBER AND DON'T WANT TO SEE** skip over 17:30 to 19:50

Scrolls (Book Review)
The Knitter's Life List

Heresy
May 2012 MA Sheep & Woolcraft Fair
Hitchiker - You pick the yarn!!! Please post your vote by 1/20!

Delusional Jabber
TV
Clay Matthews
Writing Class

Friday Felines

2012-01-13T01:00:00.000-05:00

Pure Crazy ...

VideoCast Episode 1

2012-01-06T23:43:00.009-05:00

Episode 1

1/9/12 ETA: This is an updated version with corrected audio, should be able to be heard fine now. In the process of correcting this on a different software, I managed to cut the top of the frame and the brightness is a bit much at times. I'm working on these technical skills as I go :o)

Bear with me, I just got a camera and decided to try this out. The volume is a little low, I had to turn my speakers all the way up to hear it comfortably, let me know if you had to do the same and I'll try and make adjustments for the next episode. I also don't have a tripod, so I turned the camera sideways (I rotated the video so its upright) and didn't realize that made the field of view much smaller. If this all works out, I'll probably invest in better equipment too.

2012 Knitting Goals

Knit 2-in-1 Socks

Knit Dragon

Spin 5 different types of fibers

Navajo Ply

Knit 5 from books

Knit 5 from queue

Beaded Neck Warmer

I don't know why I arbitrarily picked the number 5 for some items, but then I realized that in 2012 if you add up the integers, the result is 5 ... perhaps my brain is smarter than I think!

2012 Socks that Rock Club

Into the Whirled Fiber Club

What's on the Needles
Morderne Baby Blanket in Berroco Comfort

What's on the Spindle
Mini Spindle from 3GWoodWorks

Thanks for watching!

Friday Felines

2012-01-06T22:21:00.001-05:00

Why I can never get to bed on time ...

Surmount the Stash January

2012-01-01T07:58:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Surmount the Stash 2012!

This will be the first of 12 monthly posts.

This year I hope to complete all WIPs that I had on the needles at the start of the year. Knit from stash and not accumulate much more and to knit many of those projects that have been in my queue for a long time.

2012 Yarn Acquired to Date: 0
2012 Yarn Used Up to Date: 0

First up to finish: Morderne Baby Blanket.

What are your goals?

Please join below:

Goodbye 2011!

2011-12-31T11:27:00.011-05:00

I don't want to say that 2011 sucked ... but it wasn't a barrel of laughs. Nothing dramatic or traumatic happened, but that's the thing (not that I want those things to happen) nothing happened.

I no longer want to live in a state of blah. I want 2012 to be productive, fun and enjoyable.

I spent a lot of time in 2011 doing nothing, waiting ... wasting time. By wasting time I mean just that, not doing anything. I spend a lot of time figuring out what to do instead of just DOING.

For knitting, as an example, I spent a lot of time on Ravelry or the internet saving patterns ... could I tell you what half of them were, nope. Could I tell you what 1/4 of them were ... maybe. Did I knit any of them ... probably not. What a waste of time!

I spent a lot of time browsing online shops, maybe making purchases, maybe not. Do I know what is in my stash ... most, but not all. Why not pick something out of my stash and make something with it?!?!

No more wasting time!

I spent a lot of money on things ... that I haven't used. Books, magazines, needles, yarn. I also spent TIME buying these things and working for the money to buy them. ENOUGH, start USING them.

No more spending money!

I have taken steps in 2011 to be aware of and organize all those things I have. Time to USE them.

Often times I think I am afraid to use something, that it won't come out well. That's one thing I love about knitting, not good?? RIP it out and reclaim it.

I almost never get good FO photos. We live next to 30 acres of conservation land. Why not get out of the house and drag hubby with me (because he needs to get out too) and get some great FO photos in 2012!

2012 will be a year of DOING, USING and MAKING.

I wish you all the best in 2012!!

War of WIPs Call to Arms #22

2011-12-29T14:08:00.002-05:00

Want to join the war?? Check out the 2011 War of WIPs page.

This is the last post for the 2011 War of WIPs, thank to those of you that joined in the battle!!!

Derek's scarf is finished!!! I still have to weave in some ends and block it, but the knitting is done!!

~~Bat Shawl~~ Vanquished 8/27/11
~~Celeano Shawl~~ Vanquished 10/16/11
Niantic Rose Shawl 12/31/11
Ribband 12/31/11
~~Coriolis Socks~~ Vanquished 9/8/11
~~Nugatory Socks~~ Vanquished 10/28/11
~~Derek's Scarf~~ - Knitting done 12/29/11.
Reversible Cable Scarf 11/30/11
~~Saroyan~~ Vanquished 11/15/11

I didn't accomplish everything on my list, but I am very happy having a lot of those long standing projects completed this year!

Please post your year end results!!

Surmount the Stash 2012 -- Prepping

2011-12-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

I went through my Ravelry stash and figured I have the following:

131 4-Ply Fingering (2 50 gram skeins were counted as 1)
17 3-Ply Light Fingering
21 Sport entries (15 "sock yarns")
21 Lace (multiples of colorways counted as 1)
9 Sweater quantities
17 entries for DK - some are Baby yarns

What I gather from this ... upwards of over 195 projects. Typically the number of projects I complete per year is somewhere in the teens, each year is increasing as I become a more skilled knitter. I used 15 as a middle ground instead of some crazy sliding scale graphing, which I could do if I was really determined.

This stash will last me for 13 years ... wow that's scary!! I didn't include dishcloth yarn, miscellaneous skeins, etc. So in reality its even more than that.

I'm also great at purchasing books ... and magazines, but rarely knit anything out of them. I would also like to focus on making things out of the books and patterns I have on hand, rather than purchasing new ones.

I created a Ravelry group, if you want to join, please find it here. Somehow amazingly within 24 hours it was up to 73 members ... its now up to over 100.

Regular blog posting of the Surmount the Stash 2012 will commence in January. Until then, feel free to post on the Ravelry board!

Now I am off to complete the WIPs I currently have to make way for stash knitting!

On the first day of Christmas

2011-12-26T20:46:00.002-05:00

my true love gave to me ...

I have a very good hubby.

For Christmas I got a new sliding hook flyer for my wheel.

A vertical Lazy Kate.

A spinning wheel maintenance kit.

And some awesome roving off my favorites list.

Along with (not pictured) the last Harry Potter movie (both movies). The new Megadeth CD ... one of my favorite bands. And a Jack Skellington throw in shades of purple.

Don't worry, I got him super awesome stuff too!

December TUSAL

2011-12-24T22:32:00.003-05:00

Here's my DecemberTUSAL.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T21:50:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. I hope you have a Happy Holiday Season!

Weekend Update 12-18-11

2011-12-18T16:56:00.011-05:00

Its so easy to get discouraged when things don't magically work the way you want them to. I have been progressively taking baby steps the latter part of this year to get organized and stop doing stupid things. One thing I have successfully done several times now is stop and get gas when the tank is less than 1/4 ... not wait until I am already late for work and the low fuel light comes on. The thought, I don't have time, is always one of the preventing motivators of doing smart things, like I don't have time to stop for gas ... really because you have to be home 5 minutes earlier than if you stopped ... for what?!?!

I had a basket of mail that I tossed in the corner of the kitchen until I could go through it and make sure there wasn't anything important in there ... do you know what I found? Not one thing that was terribly important. And about 75% of it was junk mail and flyers. 5% was probably paperwork that I didn't need, but wanted to shred so my information wasn't exposed and the rest was stuff I could get again if I wanted to (like paint sample chips). The basket was cleaned out, sorted and ... I THREW OUT THE BASKET! Can't keep hoarding crap in a basket that isn't there.

I would love to be in a position where the only cleaning I was doing on the weekend was actual cleaning, with soap and water, duster and a vacuum. In my 30+ years I have learned some things, but still sometimes I feel like knocking on my forehead and yelling, "Hello, McFly!!" I'm getting there, bad habits die hard.

Its so easy to just throw in the towel and give up. I am consistently trying to think of the positives and the things I am doing better to motivate me to continue. I keep telling myself that it will get better and easier one day if I keep plugging away.

I don't want you to think my house belongs on a show like Hoarders, its definitely not that bad at all. My problem is one more of procrastination ... you shouldn't do dishes because there isn't a clean fork to use as an example. Or spend 20 minutes looking for a bill that you know is due, but you don't know where you put it.

I think I am disappointed in myself, we moved into this house only three years ago, that was a good chance to start fresh and be organized, I was doing well for a while, but I let those old habits take over.

Now, ask me where a skein of yarn is or a cherished book is ... I could find it in less than a minute, LOL!!

Here's something that fell under this category. This shawl was completed back in August. It was still sitting in my chair with ends dangling all over just yesterday (FO post already posted).

Ta da!

I was going to pin it to block, but its got kind of a weird shape and garter stitch, so I just pressed it out with my hands and left it to dry that way on its own. Seemed to work out fine.

And why was it left uncompleted for so long ... there were A LOT of ends to weave in!

I've been spinning a bit, you can see the bobbin that's done and resting, its half of the roving by weight. Now I am working on spinning up the other half.

FO: Earth & Sky

2011-12-17T19:00:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Earth & Sky
Yarn: Knit Picks Kettle Dyed in Ivy and Eggplant and Knit Fit Knitting in Pansies
Needles: Knit Picks US 4 Circular
Cast On: Sometime in 2011 - when the KAL started
Completed: Knitting August 2011, Ends Woven in December 2011

Friday Feature Film

2011-12-16T01:00:00.000-05:00

War of WIPs Call to Arms #21

2011-12-15T01:00:00.000-05:00

Want to join the war?? Check out the 2011 War of WIPs page.

War of WIPs will be wrapping up soon for 2011!

I've been plugging along on Derek's Scarf. Since Monday I've completed 28 rows. My plan for now is to complete this scarf for Christmas and I will be happy with my War of WIPs for the year.

Next Battles on the Horizon:

~~Bat Shawl~~ Vanquished 8/27/11
~~Celeano Shawl~~ Vanquished 10/16/11
Niantic Rose Shawl 12/31/11
Ribband 12/31/11
~~Coriolis Socks~~ Vanquished 9/8/11
~~Nugatory Socks~~ Vanquished 10/28/11
Derek's Scarf 11/30/11
Reversible Cable Scarf 11/30/11
~~Saroyan 11/30/11~~ Vanquished 11/15/11

Participation here has kind of fizzled out, so if you'd like to include your post, please post a link in the comments. Thanks!

Knitting Countdown!

2011-12-12T18:00:00.001-05:00

I only have one item that I am knitting for a gift this year. This scarf has been on the needles since 2007 and was supposed to be a Christmas gift that year!

I have 140 rows left, this equals 10 per day. At this point I want it cast off by Xmas, not necessarily completed and blocked with all ends woven in, but that would be nice it if was completed before Xmas.

Morderne Log Cabin Blanket for a co-worker who's girlfriend is due in February. I have 414 rows left, this equals 52 rows per week or 7 rows per day.

Weekend Update 12-11-11

2011-12-11T19:30:00.002-05:00

I finished spinning half of the roving I was spinning on my wheel! This is the first complete roving I have worked on since I got my wheel last month. My plan is to spin the other half on another bobbin and then ply them together.

I don't know if it was because I was talking about setting a budget for next year, but I went a little coo-coo-bananas (as we say around here) on my purchases.

First up was my Blue Moon Fiber Arts purchase, this was to use my Rockin' Socks Club coupon. Sorry for the crappy photo, but I didn't want to take the rovings out of the bags.

One Sheep 2 Shoe kit in Puck's Mischief 100% Superwash Merino. One skein of Socks that Rock lightweight in Ghoulash (its buried in the bag). A Bluefaced Leicester / Mix Roving in Fire On The Mountain and Firestar Roving in Corvid Fledge. I also purchased the Baby Mine Sweater pattern by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.

Then a purchase from The Sanguine Gryphon, which will be closing soon and turning into two new companies.

Bugga in Southern Green Stinkbug, I've always wanted to try Bugga, not sure if the new companies will have something similar, but didn't want to chance not getting to try it. And I got 2 Mithril lace in Reverie (on sale) and Woods and Undergrowth.

Lastly was a purchase at Dyeabolical Yarns. I heard about this on The Knit Girllls, and how its packaged in an interesting way. There is no colorway name, the fiber is Cheviot. The package came with a stitch marker from BeaGinDesign (a nice little treat).

Yeah ... I went and ordered a set of stitch markers ...

I went shopping today and picked up a tote for my rovings ... I thought they would all fit in here (14"wide by 12" tall), it only fit half. Really ?!?! If I really squished them in there I could fit more, but this is just another example of my skewed view of my stash!

This was a surprising caught in the act photo. Usually Nikoh (black/white) bullies Riley (grey tabby) ... somehow Riley sat on top of Nikoh and was licking his head, ruffling his fur backwards. Before this surprise flash photo, Nikoh looked like he was enjoying this too much!

Lots of sale yarn marked down 25% in my Etsy shop, PLUS an additional 25% off through December with coupon code "MERRYXMAS"!

Surmount the Stash

2011-12-10T01:06:00.005-05:00

In an effort to prepare for the Surmount the Stash 2012 I did some more investigating and pondering about my current stash and budgeting for the next year. I found some interesting facts:

In 2011 I made 11 projects in fingering weight yarn. Currently I have 204 skeins ... at this rate it would take me 18 years to knit them.

It would take me approximately one month to spin 4 oz of roving (this is approximate because as of this time I have only spun half in 2 weeks). I have 11 in my stash ... that's about 1 years worth.

I have two bookcases in my computer/knitting room ... neither hold books, they hold yarn, my books reside on the floor. Who says these shelves have to be stuffed with yarn? Shouldn't there be some room for my books?

I have 8 sweater quantities of yarn in my stash. In 5 years of knitting I have knit three sweaters. At this rate these will last me 12 years.

So the ultimate question is what provokes me to purchase more yarn? Is it the shiny factor? Am I concerned that all yarn manufacturers will simultaneously go out of business and there will be no place to acquire yarn for the rest of my life? What's the deal?

Are you in the same predicament?

Want to Surmount your Stash in 2012? Check out the link (click image above) for details!

Join me in 2012 and Surmount your Stash! Post your plan on your blog and link here. I will post and update post at the end of each month in 2012 with a linky widget where you can join by adding a link to you blog.

Friday Feature Film

2011-12-09T01:00:00.000-05:00

One of my new favorite pastimes!

War of WIPs Call to Arms #20

2011-12-08T08:28:00.002-05:00

Want to join the war?? Check out the 2011 War of WIPs page.

War of WIPs will be wrapping up soon for 2011! Only three more weeks of posts left. Expect them to be spotty at best and possibly MIA with the holidays upon us. I will post a final one at the end of the year.

I'm pretty sure I am not going to finish my list this year. I am happy with the progress I did make and this W-A-L motivated me to work on those old projects. Next year I will be hosting a Surmount the Stash A-Long, but I'm thinking War of WIPs may raise it's ugly head again something in 2012 as I start more WIPs.

How much is that yarn skein in the window??

2011-12-02T08:00:00.002-05:00

Ever wonder how much money you spend on your hobbies? Just out of curiosity I did a little investigating. I downloaded data from my checking account for the year and sorted through and kept only known yarn shops, paypal (because that's pretty much all I purchase via that method) and chain craft stores. I came up with $2,238. This does not include my $230 membership in Socks that Rock and the $550 I spend on a spinning wheel. Wow!

Now, this is not an exact number - I can't track cash purchases, sometimes a coworker and I go in on Knit Picks orders together (however, she ordered sometimes, so I guess its a wash because I paid her cash for her orders, so I'm including our combined numbers from the orders I placed in my total here) and some of these are patterns or other items. But I think this is a fairly accurate number.

I was trying to come up with a budget for 2012 - mainly to force myself to knit from my stash and stop collecting. I was thinking $100 per month. Then I was really wondering how much I actually spent in 2011. So let's say $2,500 with the club membership - and now I want to decrease that number. So I will continue with the $100 per month, plus a bonus of $50 - that's exactly half of what I spent in 2011.

So there you have it folks, as part of my Surmount the Stash exercises I will be held accountable to maintaining this budget for 2012. I have some rules and exceptions here:

1) Amounts can be borrowed from a coming month. For example, if I want to sign up for a club membership and that total is $250 ... then I borrow from the next two months to get that amount. Jan + Feb + 1/2 March = $250.

2) Gift cards and presents do not count towards my budget.

3) Unused amounts roll over til the end of the year.

4) What is considered and accountable expense? Yarn, knitting notions (needles, darning needles, stitch markers, wool wash, blocking accessories, knitting bags), patterns, roving, spindles, knitting or spinning books, knitting or spinning magazines, class and workshop fees.

I think I've covered anything. Do you see any loopholes I can come up with in this plan?

Friday Feature Film

2011-12-02T01:00:00.000-05:00

Ramen Knitting 101

Literally knitting with Ramen noodles and chopsticks!

FO: Saroyan

2011-11-30T20:00:00.004-05:00

This one was on the needles for a while, after the initial few leaves being done, I got bored with it and it just sat for a while.

I finally picked it back up and finished it.

I love this yarn. Mostly it comes in solid colors, but there are some of these variegated ones. The subtle variations in the color are beautiful. I have used it in three different colorways and loved every one. Its a little scratchy to knit with, but once washed it softens up.

Pattern: Saroyan
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted
Colorway: M210 Forest Shadows
Cast On: 1/22/11
Cast Off: 11/17/11

Weekend Update (with goodies) 11-27-11

2011-11-27T15:30:00.000-05:00

Did you know its almost December? I just figured that out and realized that this project is one has to get done this year. I dug it out and started working on it again. It was supposed to be a Christmas present in 2007 (and the recipient is well aware of its existence, he's my husband).

I have finished 325 rows and that leaves 172 to go. It doesn't match the pattern for size or gauge because I substituted a different yarn weight and needle size. I don't know if I knew that it would work out OK when I started it, I was only knitting for a few months back then. Right now it is 41" long and once finished should be about 62" which I think is a good scarf length.

I was very naughty recently and blew about $150 on roving and accessories ($98 of that was to Blue Moon so I could use my Rockin' Sock Knitters discount for the year). Now I understand how my sock yarn stash exploded. Apparently when I learn how to do something I start hoarding supplies. I learned how to spin and all of a sudden I order 4 rovings when I have seven in my stash ...

No, I am not loaded with money, I'm stupid. I pretty much have broken even at this point because I did several hours of OT at work that amounts to what I spent.

First was a 1 yard niddy noddy. The one that I have from Knit Picks is about 40 something inches - I wanted one that was exactly a yard for my handspun so I could easily figure out the yardage (even though I have a yardage counter - I haven't actually used it yet though). theknitstore had a niddy noddy and spindle for $9.95!! My order was received super fast and both items are well constructed and finished (I can't think of a better word than finished, what I mean is that the wood is not finished with any lacquer, but there are no rough spots on anything).

Now on to the roving. This is from Chimera Fibers in the colorway Spooky. How can someone who's favorite holiday is Halloween resist?????

Then this amazingly beautiful batt that was reduced in price because it was a little roughed up from being toted around to shows. Looks fine to me! Its from KnittyAndColor and its made up of BFL,Tencel, Angelina, Firestar.

I've been spinning a lot this week. I decided to jump into one of the rovings in my stash so that I had an entire 4 oz. to work with. I am loving the color changes on this bright and funky roving.

At JoAnn's the other day I was thinking of getting a basket to store the roving that I am currently spinning. Then I was thinking to myself, really, how many baskets do you have kicking around, just use one of those. Until I saw this one and its mate. The perfect shade of purple, completely open on top so easy to access the roving and did I mention they are purple??

I've also been spinning on my trindle. I don't think I posted about it since I got it. Its a lovely spindle, very cool looking and it works wonderfully.

And lastly for crafting I got my Christmas card design down and will be using mostly stash stuff to make them! I may have to go out and get more black paper, but that's less than a dollar I think.

I love this little cat a lot, but sometimes I want to squeeze her little neck until her head pops off. She is the sweetest, cutest little thing, but she's also a monster. Let me give an example: I am not a moron, if a cat is busy I do not pick up said cat and try to snuggle. However, if a cat is doing the snuggle and love me dance around my feet, I assume said cat wants to snuggle.

If you do not want me to pick you up and give you a smooch, a simple "I don't like this meow" would suffice. 1) I do not need to be screeched at and walloped in the head for your point to get across. 2) You know from past experience I always put a wiggly, wants to get down cat down immediately, and 3) Don't do the snuggle and love me dance again 2 seconds after you whacked me in the head!!!

Sometimes things never change ...

2011-11-26T09:24:00.000-05:00

I was looking back through old blog posts ... very old blog posts from 2007 and I found this on a to do list:

"I have approximately 20 skeins of sock yarn in my stash give or take a few ... I should probably make socks out of those before buying any more, but I am such a sucker for sock yarn!

Finish afghan started in Sept. 2006."

Really?!?! 20 skeins of sock yarn and I thought that was a big stash?? And that perhaps I should knit some of it before buying more?!?! This is a photo from my old blog ... and I still have EVERY SINGLE skein in my stash today!!

And yup ... that afghan is still unfinished ...

November TUSAL

2011-11-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here's my November 25th TUSAL update in front of a frosty window.

Friday Feature Film

2011-11-25T01:00:00.000-05:00

How to Knit with your Fingers

War of WIPs Call to Arms #19

2011-11-24T01:00:00.000-05:00

Want to join the war?? Check out the 2011 War of WIPs page.

In addition to finishing WIPs, there will be optional side quests to organize your knitting life! Check out the War of WIPs page for more information!

Saroyan still needs to be blocked. I went out and got more T-Pins yesterday, I don't think I had enough for all the leaves.

I haven't worked on anything else on the list since last week.

Next Battles on the Horizon:

~~Bat Shawl~~ Vanquished 8/27/11
~~Celeano Shawl~~ Vanquished 10/16/11
Niantic Rose Shawl 12/31/11
Ribband 12/31/11
~~Coriolis Socks~~ Vanquished 9/8/11
~~Nugatory Socks~~ Vanquished 10/28/11
Derek's Scarf 11/30/11
Reversible Cable Scarf 11/30/11
~~Saroyan 11/30/11~~ Vanquished 11/15/11

Optional Side Quest

Catalog your Stash
Nov 16th - Nov 30th
Do you really know what you have in your stash? Here's an opportunity to get it down on a list. If you are a member of Ravelry, consider listing your stash but omitting the photos, there's also a list view option. Do you know some things that are destined for something in your queue? Put that projects under the notes!

Want to join the war?

Men Knit

2011-11-22T21:09:00.003-05:00

A co-worker asked me to show him how to knit. He wanted to knit his daughter a throw ... for her birthday in February ... I laughed. I said I couldn't finish a blanket by then, however, I would gladly teach him to knit.

So I got cheapo needles and yarn and off we went.

He actually did quite well. He was even long-tail casting on ... I told him that was for learning later, but he was determined. He learned the knit stitch. Later we'll do purl, and casting off.

Stay tuned!

Spinning Success!

2011-11-21T22:23:00.004-05:00

I think I was actually afraid to use my new wheel. I spent hundreds of hard earned dollars on it, I spent hours putting it together and then ... it just sat for a few days.

I learned to spin on the spindle last year. I have some experience spinning and drafting. Mainly I was still trying to decide which roving in my stash to use, I know when I first started spindling, it wasn't pretty.

I bit the bullet and just did it ... and its coming out beautifully!!

The single is fairly even and well spun.

This is the first roving that I tried my hand at dyeing ... it was a little messy. So what better roving to make a mess out of spinning?? I've used up some of it already on a spindle that I made. So this is my best practice roving so far, LOL!! Its gotten a lot of use.

I am so enjoying my spinning wheel!!! Too bad I have to go to bed now so I get up on time for work :o(

Don't forget to check out my post on Surmount the Stash 2012!

Weekend Update (with stash) 11-20-11

2011-11-20T21:15:00.000-05:00

I finished cataloging my stash! Some things are missing, I did not include left overs or weird odd ball stuff (maybe 10 skeins), or Red Heart and Lion Brand Homespun (those maybe total another 10 skeins). I also did not include crochet thread or roving.

I came up with 514 skeins and 117,866 yds total. That's actually 282 entries ... doesn't sound so bad now does it?

Now let's see if I can maintain this list. Since I made such an effort to catalog it, I hope I keep it up and remember to edit the list as necessary.

Here are some interesting stats:

178 Fingering Weight (128 entries)
23 Light Fingering (18 entries)

Total of 201 skeins of sock yarn - In the past I would give up counting at 100 .. but I really only thought there were maybe 120 ... 130.

27 Lace (19 entries)

8 Sweater quantities

My view of my stash was seriously flawed. I thought I had enough yarn for 4 sweaters and maybe 6 lace shawls. Wow - this is an eye opener.

Currently I am trying to pay down debt. I am not seriously in debt, I can pay my bills comfortably, but credit cards ... I don't even know what I bought years ago that I am still paying for. I hope I enjoyed it! This money could be much better well spent paying down debt, rather than adding to my collection of yarn. Last time I checked credit card companies do not take skeins or hand knit socks as payment.

Last night when I went to bed I found this on top of the dresser. Mr. Bear has been around for a long time. My husband (then boyfriend) got him for me when I was in the hospital many years ago, so he is special and is in our bedroom. Willow found a nice place to nap. We have three cats, there is a blanket on the dresser to prevent scratches, it makes for a nice cat bed too.

Now I am trying to decide which roving I want to ruin practicing on my new wheel.

1. Freckle Face Fibers BFL in Jacaranda
2. knittyandcolor BFL in Topsy Turvy
3. Knit Picks Stroll Roving (Merino/Nylon)dyed by me
4. Knit Picks Stroll Roving (Merino/Nylon)dyed by me (some spun on spindle)
5. Frabjous Fibers Merino Top in Green with Envy
6. Birch Hill Spinners BFL in ... they forgot to write the colorway
7. I think another Frabjous Fibers in Stained Glass Window, not much left, practice for spindle
8. Fiber Fancy Merino in The Fair
9. Knit Picks Stroll Roving (Merino/Nylon)dyed by me

I'm thinking one of the rovings I dyed ... cuz I don't care if I make crappy yarn with it. But I have learned and experts agree, that BFL is easier for beginning spinners ... thoughts?

Check out the 2012 Surmount the Stash A-Long post and please leave your comments and opinions on the questions I posted!!!

Surmounting the Stash

2011-11-20T10:35:00.000-05:00

Friday evening I continued with my quest to catalog my stash. I think I'm about half way through. I have cataloged 212 listings. I am up to 351 skeins. 207 of those are sock yarn and 29 are lace. A handful of those sock yarns are doubled because they are 2 50g skeins. For lace 19 of those are actual colors. Wow, I am kind of scared to find out what the actual count is when I am done.

So far I'm up to 94,006 yards ... and some are missing because I couldn't find them in Ravelry.

This does not include my hand dyed 14 skeins of sock yarn and 3 440 yd skeins of lace weight.

Now its down to the craft room closet and finally down to the plastic totes in the basement. Then my entire stash will be cataloged!

I find it very interesting that I have several skeins of yarn that I purchased more than one of ... without ever knitting the first one I bought. How do I know I even like this yarn? What was I thinking? That they may get lonely without their own kind?

I haven't quite finalized all of the details for this, but in 2012 I will be hosting a Surmount the Stash A-Long here. At this time I would like to know if you are interested in participating and what you think of the following:

1. Frequency of posts: Weekly, Bi-Weekly or Monthly?
Participating will involve posting on your blog a running count down and up of how many skeins of stash you have used (given away, sold, etc) and how many you have added. You can start with a total count, but if you don't want to catalog your stash, then don't.

Clearly as you can see I am not banning myself from yarn purchases ... that just won't happen. I am hoping though that if I am fixated on this being a regular posting, then I will be more likely to turn to my stash to knit from so that I have blog content. My hope is to get my stash down to a manageable size and stick with that size in the future.

2. Categories: Strictly Yarn or Including other Crafts?
Would you be more likely to participate if this was strictly yarn related or if this included fabric, crosstitch and any other crafts?

3. Prizes?
What would a prize be? We're trying to control our stash aren't we, do you want more? How about a "badge" or "award" that you could post to your blog and be the winner of the week or month?

Maybe patterns, books or knitting accessories - something to help use up stash? This would be more difficult to control if several different crafts are involved. Thoughts or suggestions?

4. Ongoing Stash Exchange?
I can create a page on this blog and post photos and info on yarn (other items if several crafts are involved) you would like to trade or give away. Interested parties can contact me and I'll forward along (this way your email, etc. are not posted). Thoughts?

5. Splitting the A-Long into Quarters?
This would allow for sign ups throughout the year. Having deadlines to complete projects? Maybe have different themes, knitting certain things at different times of year?

Let me know what you think. Either way I will be Surmounting the Stash in 2012, but I think it would be more fun if I had a party along for the ride!

Friday Feature Film

2011-11-18T01:00:00.000-05:00

How to spin beads into yarn.

I got my Spinning Wheel!!

2011-11-17T22:27:00.005-05:00

I am in love with my new little wheel. Its an Ashford Traveller.

I ordered it after taking a class on Spinning on a Wheel the other weekend. I just knew it would come in this Tuesday when I was traveling for work and wouldn't be able to get it! It most certainly did. So Wednesday I snuck out of work picked it up on my lunch break.

It was packaged wonderfully. Carefully wrapped and stored in the box in such a way as to prevent any damage. I should have taken a photo when I opened it, but I was just too excited!

Three hours on day one, I had it almost finished, but it was midnight and I had to get to bed.

The box contained every single piece required for assembly as well as very good instructions. One thing I had trouble with is that some of the screws had really large cut outs, that were also very shallow and it was difficult to screw in without stripping the head, it took a lot of extra time to get some of the screws in.

The only other thing I wasn't pleased with is that you have to put a pin in the back of the wheel that goes through a hole in the shaft that goes through the center. In order to do this, you have to whack it with a hammer (as per the instructions). Well its such a cramped space and I whacked the wheel and put a dent in it. I initially tried with the rubber mallet, knowing damage was inevitable, and all I succeeded in was putting divots in my mallet. So I was forced to use a metal hammer.

About an hour and a half on the second day, and it is successfully assembled ... and works!

I have several rovings because I spin on a spindle, but I saw this one when I went to pick up my wheel. The owner of the yarn shop gave it to me free with my purchase of a wheel, she had some in some solid colors set aside for me to choose from, but asked if I would rather have this one since I was planning on purchasing it anyway. So free roving too!!

Initially I wasn't too keen on putting it together myself. I was thinking there are too many spots I could mess up and strip out a pre-drilled hole or do something completely unrecoverable. In the end, I am glad I put it together myself, it gave me a fundamental understanding of how the wheel functions and what parts do what and how they work together. I think I appreciate it more and feel more comfortable with it having put it together myself.

War of WIPs Call to Arms #18

2011-11-17T08:31:00.005-05:00

Saroyan is done! Just needs to be blocked.

Next Battles on the Horizon:

~~Bat Shawl~~ Vanquished 8/27/11
~~Celeano Shawl~~ Vanquished 10/16/11
Niantic Rose Shawl 12/31/11
Ribband 12/31/11
~~Coriolis Socks~~ Vanquished 9/8/11
~~Nugatory Socks~~ Vanquished 10/28/11
Derek's Scarf 11/30/11
Reversible Cable Scarf 11/30/11
~~Saroyan 11/30/11~~ Vanquished 11/15/11

Optional Side Quest

Catalog your Stash
Nov 16th - Nov 30th
Do you really know what you have in your stash? Here's an opportunity to get it down on a list. If you are a member of Ravelry, consider listing your stash but omitting the photos, there's also a list view option. Do you know some things that are destined for something in your queue? Put that projects under the notes!

Want to join the War?

Work Trip = Knitting!

2011-11-15T22:11:00.004-05:00

Today I had to travel 2 1/2 hours each way for a work trip with a coworker. A coworker who drove! In the past I've gotten car sick knitting (or doing anything for that matter), I usually drive myself because I prefer to be in control of the motion of the car. I was determined to use a portion of these 5 hours productively to knit.

I brought the Morderne Baby Blanket because its garter stitch, no fancy pattern to read and the yarn is worsted. I really don't have to look at it while I am knitting, so I was still able to watch the road ahead which prevents any motion sickness for me.

I am so happy I was able to complete the third block (tan). When I got home (even though that was 13 hours since I left in the morning) I picked up stitches and started the next block!

Stop the Insanity

2011-11-13T08:34:00.013-05:00

"Stop the Insanity!!" - who was it on tv that always said that?

While I was cleaning out my craft room closet I came to the realization that I really need to stop buying craft stuff and start using up some of what I have. I'm lucky I don't live alone ... I might go missing one day and be found under a pile of yarn.

I think one of the biggest problems with having such a large stash is that its easier to go out an buy something for a project rather that go through the stash to find something suitable. Obviously if one doesn't have the correct weight, well then, you must make a purchase. But just because you forgot you even had something is no excuse to get more.

Here's my plan of attack for this problem: go through my entire stash, catalog it on Ravelry. Not with photos, because then I'll never complete this, but just listing the yarn types and quantities (maybe where they reside in the house) so that I have a list and can look it up easily if I am looking at a pattern.

Off the top of my head for example, I know I have 8 sweater quantities of yarn around here and over 100 skeins of sock yarn and 20 skeins of laceweight for shawls. And I'm still buying yarn ... really!?!?!

I think I am just really getting sick of the overwhelming abundance of choices everywhere. I went grocery shopping yesterday ... 40 different types of laundry detergent. I don't really care as long as it cleans my clothes, but then you have to sort through and find a good price (if you are me and don't care what brand). Typically I spend a lot more money when I shop by myself and I think I figured out why. When we walked down the detergent isle I went to grab the brand we usually get at Wal-Mart as the cheapest, hubby said, whoa that's $7.99 and I said, huh? He said look, this one is $4.99. Then I looked down the isle and saw the rows upon rows of different brands and versions within those brands and prices. UUgghhh! Too much!

My knitting is getting that way. Too many new and exciting patterns, too many books, too much stash (no you can't have any, I'm not trying to give it away here). Its just too much.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate choices and variety, but sometimes its just information overload.

With what was already on Ravelry and about 1/8 of my stash in my room I'm up to 169 skeins. I'm systematically going through the room in small intervals so I don't get burn out and give up on the project. I'm not going to post photos of everything, then the list would never be completed. But this way at least I have a listing of yarn weights, approximate colors, yardage, etc all in one spot.

I'm making good baby steps in getting organized. This weekend I went grocery shopping and got things I would run out of this week. I made three meals that have left overs for lunch and dinner during the week. I also packed my lunch up and its waiting in the fridge for tomorrow morning :o)

Weekend Organization

2011-11-12T22:26:00.004-05:00

Did I ever mention I was tired of being a disorganized idiot? Pretty sure I have. I like to dabble in several crafts: knitting, spinning, scrap booking, rubber stamping, beading, crosstitch ... there's probably more. At this point I'm only knitting and spinning because those are the things I can get to in my craft room.

Welcome to the closet. Scary, huh? Yeah that stuff is being held in there ... barely. And yes, I've had things fall on me before.

Today I was determined to clean it up once and for all. I've tried unsuccessfully several times in the past. One of the main reasons I am determined to do this is so that I can use the closet more and get stuff that is not constantly in use off the floor and other surfaces of the room ... lets take a little tour around the room, shall we?

Under my crafting desk ... would you like to sit here? I don't. Currently I don't use it, I just pile more stuff on it.

This is next to my computer desk. My swift and ball winder and niddy noddy reside here. They are not used all the time and really don't need to be out. Oh and this is the yarn that I can't find homes for and a scarf project in that tote bag.

Here's the chair in the other corner ... somewhere under there. Now up to this point you may be thinking, two desks and a chair, must be a big room. Nope, its 9x9 feet. I've just utilized every inch of wall space available.

I'd like to take a moment to mention that I'm lucky that the rest of my house does not look like this. You see, we live with three cats. Cats who like to destroy things that are not theirs. One in particular who loves to tear up yarn, sniffs it out actually. So there is NEVER, EVER yarn (or any other crafting item or anything I don't want chewed) in any other room than this one.

Buried under all that mess is a bookcase. The original idea was for shelves to separate different crafting items and have everything organized ... HA!

This is typically where I get to in the closet when I lose momentum to continue trying to clean it and I turn around and see the room ...

and then I throw everything back in the closet and say the heck with it.

Not this time. I took a short break and gave myself a pep talk and another 45 minutes to 1 hr later I had this:

Still, the closet is small, but I organized all like items together. For the most part they were together, except for recently used items or recent purchases which where on a shelf or on top of something. I threw out some trash. Moved some stuff that could be stored in the basement down there (yarn dyes) and made sure to put everything I use more frequently within easy reach of the door.

Another reason I wanted to do this was I was starting to worry things were going to get ruined. I was mostly concerned about my spindles getting broken if I threw something on top of them accidentally. Another reason was that I ordered a spinning wheel and was thinking, where the heck am I going to put this?!?! Don't forget the mention above ... can't go in another room in the house if I don't want three furry felines to think its their new scratching post.

Oh did I mention thinking things might get ruined or broken?

My poor aloe plant took a tumble when I was pulling some stuff out of the closet. Luckily it was in a plastic pot inside the ceramic one, so its fine. I did like that pot though.

There were a lot of magazines in the closet too. I pulled them all out and will go through them periodically and recycle some that I know I will never use the patterns in. They weigh a ton and take up so much room. How do you handle your magazines?

Friday Feature Film

2011-11-11T01:00:00.002-05:00

War of WIPs Call to Arms #17

2011-11-10T07:30:00.000-05:00

Saroyan has seen a little more love and I am on the decrease section now! Only 6 leaves to go to be finished and the stitch count is less each repeat!!

Next Battles on the Horizon:

I've revised my list a little bit. It was starting to become obvious that there was no way I was going to complete everything. What is left on it I think are feasible to complete by the end of the year.

~~Bat Shawl~~ Vanquished 8/27/11
~~Celeano Shawl~~ Vanquished 10/16/11
Niantic Rose Shawl 12/31/11
Ribband 12/31/11
~~Coriolis Socks~~ Vanquished 9/8/11
~~Nugatory Socks~~ Vanquished 10/28/11
Derek's Scarf 11/30/11
Reversible Cable Scarf 11/30/11
Saroyan 11/30/11

Optional Side Quest

Reacquaint with your Stash
November 1st - November 15th
Have you been through your stash lately? Is there anything you want to sell or give away? Is there anything you may find that's perfect for something in your queue?

Want to join the War?

Spinning on a Wheel

2011-11-05T21:57:00.008-04:00

Today I took a class on Spinning on a Spinning Wheel. OMG what fun!!! It was from 10:00 to 3:30pm and when I signed up I thought, 5 1/2 hours, no way. It was all of a sudden 3pm and I didn't even feel like an hour had gone by!

Let my preface this by explaining that I have spun on a drop spindle, and am getting quite good at it.

So I have experience spinning and drafting.

But I usually spin, processed, prepared roving. Today we spun in the grease. Which I admire and enjoyed the experience, but will never, EVER do again.

For those of you that don't know, spinning in the grease means right off the sheep, dirty and full of lanolin.

We started with carding, which I had done before in the drop spindling class. With previous experience that went quite well.

Then we began spinning on the wheel. It was much the same as beginning spindling, messy, thick and thin yarn, breaking the yarn, tangling mess. We were learning on the Louet S10.

A nice wheel, but I wasn't keen on the solid wheel structure or the single treadle. My back began to ache. I have back problems anyway, so I was starting to think maybe getting a spinning wheel wasn't such a good idea.

Later we got to try various wheels. I chose the Ashford Traveller to try. Its such a pretty thing.

Double treadle, oh wow!! Solved the aching back. Spinning just became so much easier.

Then I tried the Lady Bug.

Also a very nice wheel.

Now I was torn. I thought the Traveller was the one. However, after much deliberation, I think the Traveller is the one. Its much more quaint and lovely than the Lady Bug. They both work wonderfully, but aesthetically the Traveller is much more pleasing to my eye.

During class I thought, oh what a lovely caramel colored fleece (see raw fleece above). After washing I found that, nope, its white ... again did I mention dirty and right off the sheep!?!?!

I thought the woman teaching the class looked familiar then I figured it out, I had been to her farm before!

So I am pretty sure tomorrow I will be going back to the yarn shop to pick up an Ashford Traveller!

Friday Feature Film

2011-11-04T01:00:00.000-04:00

War of WIPs Call to Arms #16

2011-11-03T00:00:00.001-04:00

Saroyan saw a lot of work this week after we had an early snow storm that felled a lot of trees causing massive power outages ... including my work.

Next Battles on the Horizon:

~~Bat Shawl~~ Vanquished 8/27/11
~~Celeano Shawl~~ Vanquished 10/16/11
Niantic Rose Shawl 11/30/11
Ribband 11/15/11
~~Coriolis Socks~~ Vanquished 9/8/11
~~Nugatory Socks~~ Vanquished 10/28/11
February Lady Sweater
Derek's Scarf 11/30/11
Reversible Cable Scarf 11/30/11
Saroyan 12/15/11
Icarus Shawl
Stenciling storage boxes
Hummingbird Cross Stitch

Optional Side Quest

Reacquaint with your Stash
November 1st - November 15th
Have you been through your stash lately? Is there anything you want to sell or give away? Is there anything you may find that's perfect for something in your queue?

Want to join the War?

FO: Celaeno

2011-11-02T22:01:00.005-04:00

Pattern: Celaeno
Yarn: Knit Picks Tonal Pearlescent
Needles: US 6 Circs
Lots and lots of beads ...
Cast On: Sometime in July 2011
Finished 10/16/11

Never did get a good FO photo due to early snow storm. Now its too dark at night when I have time for photos and I just want to get this posted.

Magazine Review: Knit Wear

2011-10-28T21:48:00.006-04:00

I was waiting for the pharmacy to fill a Rx today so I hopped over to JoAnn Fabrics to kill time. I saw this on the stands. It is a little expensive at $14.99. Its published annually by Interweave.

There are 25 patterns. The magazine is broken down into sections: The Perfect Sweater (different variations of a sweater pattern), On the Edge (patterns with different elements to enhance the edges), The Knitting Elements (combinations of knit and purl), Ruffle, Drape and Pleat (fabric manipulations and directional shaping), Assembly Required (most of these sweaters are knit in pieces and seamed, buttons added). One pattern is given as a book excerpt.

In addition there are features on ribbing techniques, grafting and a yarn company. There are quite a few ads, but I don't feel like its any more than any other magazine and they are all related to knitting.

Mostly sweaters, but there is also patterns for a capelet, mobius and scarf.

There are several patterns in this magazine that I would make. Typically if I see more than three I think I would make, I consider it reasonable to purchase the magazine. Because it said Premiere Issue on it, I was intrigued.

FO: Nugatory Socks

2011-10-28T21:00:00.000-04:00

Pattern: Nugatory
Yarn: Knit Picks Bare Dyed by Me
Needles: Knit Picks US 1 32" Circlar
Cast On: 6/13/2011
Finished: 10/28/11

Friday Feature Film

2011-10-28T01:00:00.001-04:00

My favorite movie ... and my FAVORITE SONG ever!

War of WIPs Call to Arms #15

2011-10-27T01:00:00.002-04:00

I finished knitting the second Nugatory sock, it just has to be seamed at the toe! Photos of finished objects to follow when I have photo taking light available.

Next Battles on the Horizon:

~~Bat Shawl~~ Vanquished 8/27/11
~~Celeano Shawl~~ Vanquished 10/16/11
Niantic Rose Shawl 10/31/11
Ribband 10/31/11
~~Coriolis Socks~~ Vanquished 9/8/11
Nugatory Socks 11/15/11
February Lady Sweater
Derek's Scarf 11/30/11
Reversible Cable Scarf 11/30/11
Saroyan 12/15/11
Icarus Shawl
Stenciling storage boxes
Hummingbird Cross Stitch

October 16-30
Organize your Knitting Library

Do you know what books and magazines you have? Have you ever purchased a magazine twice?? I have!! I've almost purchased the same book twice too! Have you actually knit anything from the books you have? If you are a member of Ravelry you can update your library with the books on your shelves!

We still have time for 4 more side quests, if you have an idea for a side quest, please mail me at delusionalknitter AT gmail DOT com.

Want to join the war?

October TUSAL

2011-10-26T08:21:00.001-04:00

Here's my October TUSAL update. A few more ends in there from Halloween socks!

Weekend Update 10-23-11

2011-10-23T22:40:00.003-04:00

T'was a good weekend. Usually after a weekend I don't feel like I accomplished anything. This weekend was different.

Saturday morning we helped my mom move her stuff from storage back into her apartment ... long story.

Sunday D's parents brought down some wood for the wood stove. They own a lot of land in NH. He went up last weekend to help chop so that was our reward. They stayed for early dinner, was a nice visit.

Fishy got a heater for his tank. He seems very happy. A tropical fish is not so happy with October New England temperatures. We did break down and turn on the heat this weekend, but his tank was still too cold. Now I'm confident he can survive the winter.

I blocked Celaeno. This was a difficult one to block.

I am hoping it dries well. It doesn't seem to be opening up enough at the edges.

I found a sock I started a long time ago in my stash. I reclaimed the yarn. Washed it after Celeano. I think this yarn is better suited for a shawl.

Friday Feature Film

2011-10-21T01:00:00.000-04:00

War of WIPs Call to Arms #14

2011-10-20T01:00:00.000-04:00

Celaeno is so done! It still needs blocking before its totally complete, I hope to get that done this weekend.

Next Battles on the Horizon:

~~Bat Shawl~~ Vanquished 8/27/11
~~Celeano Shawl~~ Vanquished 10/16/11
Niantic Rose Shawl 10/31/11
Ribband 10/31/11
~~Coriolis Socks~~ Vanquished 9/8/11
Nugatory Socks 11/15/11
February Lady Sweater
Derek's Scarf 11/30/11
Reversible Cable Scarf 11/30/11
Saroyan 12/15/11
Icarus Shawl
Stenciling storage boxes
Hummingbird Cross Stitch

October 16-30
Organize your Knitting Library

Do you know what books and magazines you have? Have you ever purchased a magazine twice?? I have!! I've almost purchased the same book twice too! Have you actually knit anything from the books you have? If you are a member of Ravelry you can update your library with the books on your shelves!

I've updated my library in Ravelry with the books I have.

We still have time for 4 more side quests, if you have an idea for a side quest, please mail me at delusionalknitter AT gmail DOT com.

Want to join the war?

Weekend Update 10-16-11

2011-10-16T21:05:00.004-04:00

Celaeno is done!!! It has to be blocked, but it is finally cast off. This hasn't been on the needles really long (like years), but with all the beads it seemed to take FOREVER. Even the cast off row has beads, 153 to be exact. Doesn't seem like a lot, but it takes much more time to place a bead than just knit or purl.

Here's a close up of the beading on the edge. I was much more comfortable with charted beads than the garter stitch sections, which said to place beads randomly ... random and I just don't get along. I really prefer symmetry.

I have a new addition to my computer/yarn room. Say hello to Jack Skellington.

He sits at the adjacent wall to Capt. Jack Sparrow. Now all I need is a poster of Capt. Jack Harkness from Torchwood and it'll be a Trifecta of Awesomeness.

And the best part ... he glows in the dark.

Friday Feature Film

2011-10-14T01:00:00.000-04:00

War of WIPs Call to Arms #13

2011-10-13T01:00:00.000-04:00

Celaeono is done and I'm working on the cast off row!!!

Next Battles on the Horizon:

~~Bat Shawl~~ Vanquished 8/27/11
Celeano Shawl 9/30/11
Niantic Rose Shawl 10/31/11
Ribband 10/31/11
~~Coriolis Socks~~ Vanquished 9/8/11
Nugatory Socks 11/15/11
February Lady Sweater
Derek's Scarf 11/30/11
Reversible Cable Scarf 11/30/11
Saroyan 12/15/11
Icarus Shawl
Stenciling storage boxes
Hummingbird Cross Stitch

October 16-30
Organize your Knitting Library

Do you know what books and magazines you have? Have you ever purchased a magazine twice?? I have!! I've almost purchased the same book twice too! Have you actually knit anything from the books you have? If you are a member of Ravelry you can update your library with the books on your shelves!

We still have time for 4 more side quests, if you have an idea for a side quest, please mail me at delusionalknitter AT gmail DOT com.

Want to join the war?

WIP Wednesday 10-12-11

2011-10-12T07:30:00.000-04:00

Check out other WIP Wednesday Blogs by clicking the link above!

Log cabin blanket for a co-worker who is expecting .... not due until Feb, so plenty of time!

Halloween socks!! Sleepy Hollow by Wandering Cat Yarns.

Weekend Update 10-9-11

2011-10-09T17:35:00.008-04:00

Discount code for Revelations of a Delusional Knitter Yarns! I have some Halloween colorways, but this discount is good for any colorway. 25% off until October 31st. Enter code TRICKORTREAT.

I've been wanting to try dyeing self striping yarn for a while now. Even moreso after getting this awesome colorway from Wandering Cat Yarns! Sleepy Hollow, the perfect Halloween sock yarn. I have cast on socks, since Laura of the Knit Girllls declared Sunday Knit whatever the heck you want day.

Today I skeined up a 24 foot skein, I planned on doing 3 different colors for a three stripe repeat. I tried skeining the yarn by flipping two bar stools from the kitchen upsidedown to use the legs to wrap the yarn around. A little voice in the back of my head said, "You do know the stools are going to move, right?" And the other voice said, "Oh, I'll be careful, it'll be fine." Well it wasn't, LOL!! It went OK, but 1) the stool legs are not straight, they are angled slightly, and 2) they did in fact move. So the beginning of the skein was much looser and longer than the end. I think it worked out OK ... until I dyed it incorrectly.

It should have been dyed in a loop, so that the color repeats were each 1/3 of the skein. Well for some reason I thought it OK to fold the skein in half and then dye it, so I have one long repeat of 2 colors and 2 short repeats of one of the colors. This was the test skein anyway and I will keep it myself to see how it knits up, and I did learn some things in the process, which was the intent of this exercise.

My grandmother passed away recently and my aunt saved this for me (afghan and pillow). How cool are these colors!!!

Friday Feature Film

2011-10-07T01:00:00.000-04:00

Why I really watch football, LOL!!

War of WIPs Call to Arms #12

2011-10-06T01:00:00.000-04:00

I dug Saroyan out of the WIP bin and completed another leaf.

I have 8 more rows on Celeano!

Next Battles on the Horizon:

~~Bat Shawl~~ Vanquished 8/27/11
Celeano Shawl 9/30/11
Niantic Rose Shawl
Ribband
~~Coriolis Socks~~ Vanquished 9/8/11
Nugatory Socks
February Lady Sweater
Derek's Scarf
Reversible Cable Scarf
Saroyan
Icarus Shawl
Stenciling storage boxes
Hummingbird Cross Stitch

**Next Quest**
September 24 - October 9
Pair Knitting Queue with Yarn Stash

This one is quite a task! I haven't even attempted anything yet. No time on the weekends right now to play with stash.

Want to join the war?

Weekend Update 10-2-11

2011-10-02T21:50:00.000-04:00

Friday night I finished the class kits for this coming Wednesday. I am so relieved! It was coming down to the wire and I was afraid I would be up until 1am that day making up kits. We rented a dumpster that was dropped off on Friday. Which meant, this weekend would be spent primarily filling the dumpster because we wouldn't have time during the week with working to do much.

Saturday ... was spent filling the dumpster, LOL! We actually got a lot done in only 3 hours. We had a lot of construction debris piled outside the shed. We also had my old mattress in the basement from when we got a new bed. Lots of stuff that can't go in the regular trash. Next time we do construction though, we'll rent a smaller dumpster right away ... picking up carpets and wood that's been sitting outside for two years, disgusting doesn't even cover it ... oh and it was raining too, so extra yucky and slimy and buggy. Yick! I'll spare you photos of trash, LOL!

I am taking a writing class from the local community college on descriptive writing. Its a short class, 6 weeks or so. There are several different writing courses on different topics available online, I think I may sign up for another when this one ends.

I am still actively battling Startitis! I so want to start new projects, but I still have nine knitting projects on my list of WIPs and two that I just started recently. Eleven projects and for some reason I feel the need to start more ...

I posted my Jadis Earrings pattern on Ravelry. Special thanks to Valerie for test knitting and finding an entire row missing, LOL!

I received my Socks that Rock shipment, I won't be posting a photo in case other members haven't received their shipment yet. Its awesome, perfect for October. Its called Drop Dead Sexy.

Oh ... I forgot I told the woman who sends out the newsletter for the knitter's guild that I would make up extra kits for sale during the class ... so this is what I did Sunday night after the reminder email for the meeting this month arrived in my inbox ...

Friday Feature Film

2011-09-30T01:00:00.000-04:00

How to knit like an Icelandic man from Iceland on Vimeo.

War of WIPs Call to Arms #11

2011-09-29T01:00:00.000-04:00

I don't have any more finishes this week. I've been working on things not on the list ... gasp! I did complete a Tiny Baby Bunny, which was too cute and funny!

Next Battles on the Horizon:

~~Bat Shawl~~ Vanquished 8/27/11
Celeano Shawl 9/30/11
Niantic Rose Shawl
Ribband
~~Coriolis Socks~~ Vanquished 9/8/11
Nugatory Socks
February Lady Sweater
Derek's Scarf
Reversible Cable Scarf
Saroyan
Icarus Shawl
Stenciling storage boxes
Hummingbird Cross Stitch

**Next Quest**
September 24 - October 9
Pair Knitting Queue with Yarn Stash

This one is quite a task! I haven't even attempted anything yet. No time on the weekends right now to play with stash.

Want to join the war?

Funny F'ing Bunny

2011-09-27T23:03:00.003-04:00

This has got to be the funniest thing I have ever knit!

I showed this pattern to a co-worker, my cube-mate, and knitter, and she came in with one the next day.

So, I was determined to come in with one the next day to that.

I wonder if this will become a challenge to see which one can come up with more bunnies!

Pattern: Tiny Baby Bunnies by Anna Hrachovec

September TUSAL

2011-09-27T21:00:00.000-04:00

Here's my September 27th TUSAL update. A few more ends in there from tiny bunny!

Weekend Update 9-25-11

2011-09-25T09:46:00.009-04:00

Don't forget!! Revelations of a Delusional Knitter Hand Dyed Yarn Sale!! Enter Coupon Code: FALLFORME for 30% off your purchase until October 1st, 2011!

I just added three new colorways that are Autumn/Halloween colors!!

And for the winners of the give-a-ways last week:

Typstatting has won the Summer edition of Interweave Knits!

Corawitherspoon has won the Celestial Cross Stitch!

Please contact me delusionalknitter AT gmail DOT com to arrange mailing.

Fishy got new digs today ... clean tank and a new house. Do you know what this is? Do you know because you have children ... or are you a big child like me?!?!

The frog pond is doing well this year. Mr. Gargoyle still doesn't have a name ... but he's doing well over there. I think he enjoyed the impatients I planted by him this summer.

Friday I was off work to go to the DMV and bank to change my name to my married name and do some other stuff. When I got home from errands there was water coming in the wall in the dining room while it was raining hard. The eaves of the roof stop abruptly in the middle of the house at the chimney for the wood stove, both of the of the eaves had no end caps ... just open triangles at the edges ... pretty sure if there's a gaping hole ... that's where the water is coming in (we figured this out later). We've been here almost three years ... was probably happening before, but nobody was home to see it.

So at the time I ran downstairs to get something to sop up the water ... and found water in the basement, I heard dripping ... tracked it down and found water pouring in by the gas main pipe. We had water before in the basement, but it wasn't active when we got home from work, so never found the source. Today we flashed the roof/chimney and plugged up the hole around the pipe with concrete sealer. I am happy that I was home to find the problems. Pretty sure that'll fix the issues ... we'll see next time it rains.

I also went to a local bead shop on Friday, which was a really cool shop. I found this awesome bead mat. Its made of some sort of very soft felt, feels like fleece lining, you pour beads on and they stay put!

And for your feline viewing pleasure.

"Why would you put this in the recycle bin?? I have a use for it!!"

FO: Baby Surprise Jacket V

2011-09-23T08:31:00.001-04:00

Pattern: Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman
Yarn: TLC Baby Sparkles
Needles: US 5
Cast On: August 28, 2011
Finished: 9/21/11

War of WIPs Call to Arms #10

2011-09-22T01:00:00.004-04:00

The Baby Surprise Jacket is done! It wasn't on the WIP list, but a coworker asked for one for a shower this weekend and its finished on time!! I'm off work Friday, so it had to be done by tomorrow.

I finished one Nugatory sock!! I tried to kitchener it, but I haven't done that in a long time and it was a mess ... so I'll wait until another day to try again.

Next Battles on the Horizon:

~~Bat Shawl~~ Vanquished 8/27/11
Celeano Shawl 9/30/11
Niantic Rose Shawl
Ribband
~~Coriolis Socks~~ Vanquished 9/8/11
Nugatory Socks
February Lady Sweater
Derek's Scarf
Reversible Cable Scarf
Saroyan
Icarus Shawl
Stenciling storage boxes
Hummingbird Cross Stitch

Did you organize your queue? I have my queue down to a manageable 54 patterns. I will be working on whittling it down more and adding information on yarn I have in my stash.

**Next Quest**
September 24 - October 9
Pair Knitting Queue with Yarn Stash

Join the War here:

A Perfect Evening

2011-09-19T21:08:00.005-04:00

A Neil Gaiman book on audio, narrated by Neil Gaiman (M is for Magic).

A cool pattern (Summer Wind).

A super squishy yarn (Malabrigo Sock).

An awesome set of needles (ChiaoGoo Circulars).

A Cuppa Mint Tea .....

A perfect evening.

Weekend Update 9-18-11

2011-09-18T15:39:00.011-04:00

Cross Stitch Give-A-Way

Do you like this? I did ... so much that I bought it twice. I have two in my stash. If you want it, please leave a comment by 9/25/11 - specifically mentioning that you want this cross stitch kit (comes with chart, floss and fabric).

Knitting Give-A-Way

Do you have the Summer edition of Interweave Knits? I've got two ... want one? Leave a comment by 9/25/11 specifically mentioning you want the magazine.

Revelations of a Delusional Knitter Hand Dyed Yarn Sale!! Enter Coupon Code: FALLFORME for 30% off your purchase until October 1st, 2011!

I started making up kits for the October Knitters' Guild workshop I am doing ... only 35 more to go ...

Startitis won out in the battle and I started Summer Wind by Irish Girlie Knits. I wanted something to knit while waiting in line, etc. and my sock needles are currently on socks with cables ... I've had this skein of Malabrigo sock in the Turner colorway that I just HAD to have and I think its been in my stash for at least a year.

I finished the Baby Surprise Jacket! Just have to seam it up and sew buttons on. The yarn is quite cute, TLC Baby Sparkles, hard to photograph though.

Startitis

2011-09-16T22:27:00.000-04:00

Startitis - A knitter's insatiable urge to start a new project.

I've had it bad lately. Especially since I've been cleaning up my queue and moving things to my favorites list, using only my queue for things I know I will knit in the very near future.

I went to to my local Social Security office the other day to change my name to my married name. I had to wait over half an hour in line ... I could have been knitting, did I bring anything ... no.

So I thought I would start some plain vanilla socks for just this occasion (because I have to go to other places to change my name, like the Registry of Motor Vehicles).

So I took this yarn I got recently and split it into two balls to knit two socks at the same time on separate needles.

I start by winding the ball.

Then I use the scale to determine when I'm at the half way point.

Then I split it.

Only to find out the needles I need are already occupied by another pair of socks ...

Oh Startitis how you plague me so!!!

War of WIPs Call to Arms #9

2011-09-15T01:00:00.010-04:00

The Coriolis socks were completed last week!!!

I've been working on the Celeano Shawl, I have 12 more rows as of this picture taken Monday. The last 7 rows, every other row, has a lot of beads!

I have also been working on the Baby Surprise Jacket, which is not on this list, but needs to be done before the 25th so someone can give it as a shower gift.

Next Battles on the Horizon:

~~Bat Shawl~~ Vanquished 8/27/11
Celeano Shawl 9/30/11
Niantic Rose Shawl 9/30/11
Ribband
~~Coriolis Socks~~ Vanquished 9/8/11
Nugatory Socks
February Lady Sweater
Derek's Scarf
Reversible Cable Scarf
Saroyan
Icarus Shawl
Stenciling storage boxes
Hummingbird Cross Stitch

**Optional Side Quest**

September 3-17
Organize your Knitting Pattern Queue

What is your knitting pattern queue? Do you use Ravelry? Do you have a notebook? Do you have patterns downloaded and saved on your computer?

Here's your chance to organize these listings and create a plan of attack for the future. Do you have yarn in your stash for some of the projects, do you want to attack those first? Are these patterns organized by type - socks, sweaters, scarves, etc?

My queue on Ravelry was originally a place where I put anything that caught my fancy. What I would like it to be is something where I put things I will actually knit in the near future or have yarn on hand for. So I have been going through and favorite those things that I want to keep tabs on, but maybe will never knit or things I may knit, but not anytime soon.

Join the war here:

Sunday Sunday

2011-09-11T20:25:00.000-04:00

First Congrats to Heather for winning the Optional Side Quest in the War of WIPs - Organize Your Needle Stash! I used random.org to generate a random number. She has won a giftable pattern up to $6 on Ravelry.

Wednesday night was the first Knitter's Guild meeting of the new year (for us it starts in September). Someone brought a whole lotta yarn to de-stash. I got away with these and some wounds ... tried to grab something someone else already claimed, but it was on the table in front of her, not in her hand so I didn't know, LOL!

3 skeins of Rowan Calmer ... can you tell which one the cats found in the bag in the hallway before I realized I left it out there?!?! 4 skeins of Jo Sharp Infusion Kid Mohair.

I received my Trindle in the mail. I thought it was taking a while, but when I looked up the shop's policies, it was indeed not. So I got it in more than the allotted time they quote. It is awesome. I haven't tried it out yet, but it is beautiful.

The local yarn store stayed open late for us after the Knitters' Guild meeting, the owner is a member of the guild and we get 10% off all purchases. Our group project for this year is the Beaded Fall Leaves Neck Warmer ... which I can't find online otherwise I'd link to it. So I got yarn appropriate for it once I saw the pattern, the yarn that I brought I don't think would have went well with the pattern. Oh did I say no more yarn this year??? Well this Regia Blitz was too much for me. Its self striping, but check it out!!!

While I was home sick Friday with a cold, I wanted to watch an animated film. That is my all time favorite genre. I looked up On Demand movies and saw Dragon Hunters - Amazing animation and a surreal landscape of floating mideval cities and islands in the sky sparks this spunky tale of a young girl and the pair of slacker dragon-hunters who join her on an action packed quest. It totally fit the bill.

What I was amazed at was the main character and ultimate hero - Lian-Chu is a sword wielding, muscle-bound warrior who actually deals out the dragon slaying. He is kindhearted and honorable. He is also an avid knitter. He knits!!!! And his weapon was destroyed in the battle with the World Gobbler ... so he used his knitting needles to slay it, LOL!!! OMG, best movie ever!!!

FO: Coriolis Socks

2011-09-09T09:51:00.004-04:00

Coriolis Socks by Cat Bordhi
Yarn Dyed by Me
Started: June 2011
Finished: 9/8/11

Love this pattern. The gusset increases are across the top of the instep and create a spiraling stitch band. They fit very comfortably.

Whew .... Relief!

2011-09-08T14:19:00.003-04:00

I have the project all set for next month's Knitters' Guild meeting! I designed some knit beaded earrings. I'm going to set up kits for each member.

I've ordered the beads, I think I have enough yarn on hand, if not that's easy. I have to get findings, also easy. Then make up the kits.

The pattern is written, my samples are blocking. I'm so excited!

I'd like to sell the pattern on Ravelry. I would like some test knitters, if you're interested, please let me know.

War of WIPs Call to Arms #8

2011-09-08T01:00:00.000-04:00

No finishes for this week, but I have been plugging away at my WIPs. No photos this week because the shawls just look like messy yarn blobs at the moment. I am seriously thinking I may have a finish for next week's post.

I've been working on the Celeano Shawl, I have 19 more rows ... and lots of beads and that one will be done.

I've been working on the Coriolis socks ... second sock is almost to the heel.

I have also been working on the Baby Surprise Jacket, which is not on this list, but needs to be done before the 25th so someone can give it as a shower gift.

Next Battles on the Horizon:

Celeano Shawl 9/30/11
Niantic Rose Shawl 9/30/11
Ribband 9/30/11
Coriolis Socks
Nugatory Socks
February Lady Sweater
Derek's Scarf
Reversible Cable Scarf
Saroyan
Icarus Shawl
Stenciling storage boxes
Hummingbird Cross Stitch

**Optional Side Quest**

September 3-17
Organize your Knitting Pattern Queue

What is your knitting pattern queue? Do you use Ravelry? Do you have a notebook? Do you have patterns downloaded and saved on your computer?

Here's your chance to organize these listings and create a plan of attack for the future. Do you have yarn in your stash for some of the projects, do you want to attack those first? Are these patterns organized by type - socks, sweaters, scarves, etc?

Join the war here:

New Beginnings ...

2011-09-06T21:42:00.001-04:00

The Fall always feels like the start to a new year to me. I'm energized, productive and rearing to go. There are several things I would like to change in my life at this time:

1) I'm always late ... and being late means typically that I'm frazzled because I know I am late and I forget things, or don't do things I wanted to because I didn't have time, etc. I like to get up in the morning and have my coffee and browse the web ... not rush like a lunatic around the house freakin out, LOL!

2) I think fixing #1 would fix a lot of other things. Like paying bills (not just knowing that a bill is due soon ... but knowing where the bill is), making it to the bank, grocery shopping consistently and re-stocking before out of things (like we shop because we're out of toilet paper ... not because we know we will be soon).

3) We cleaned the house this weekend. I would love to be at a point where things were on auto-pilot and I could finally get to the cobwebs in the corners because everything else was already done ... yeah I know that's asking a lot. How about no dishes in the sink when I go to bed and sorting mail each day so it doesn't pile up and be all over the place (see #2).

I'm pretty sure that pets think we get new furniture solely for them!

"Why did they put this TV on my new sleeping spot?!?!"

Here's a glimpse of the yarn I dyed up this weekend (5 different skeins).

Tomorrow the Knitters' Guild starts up again. Have to come prepared with 200 yds of sport weight yarn if we want to start the group project at the meeting. Luckily I found something in my stash ... still have to wind it before I go to bed or tomorrow morning ... again, see #1 ...

Its NOT bigger on the inside ...

2011-09-04T12:00:00.000-04:00

I started knitting the Tardis socks. The pattern calls for 72 stitches ... usually I do 64 and get 8.5-9 stitches per inch and these fit well. My feet are long, but very thin ... I'm thin, so my ankle and foot circumference are around 7.5". I thought knitting 72 stitches on size 0 (2.0mm) needles would do ... but even with only two rounds done, this looks HUGE for me. With a crude measurement and guesstimate I think its going to come out at 8" ...

What to do?!?! I think I am going to try and design my own Tardis socks ...

It was going quite well ... I know I knit tight, so by the time I got to this point I thought I should try it on and make sure I was stranding loose enough for it to fit over my heel ... nope. Close, but not quite. This is indeed, NOT bigger on the inside.

I should have known this pattern was going to be a problem. I don't know if the skein was like this or I did it. When I cut the ties, I thought I did an oopsie, where I cut the wrong strand ... but maybe it was the ends ... then I found the ends.

What the arrows are pointing to are not the ends, I had to tuck the extra up into the swift in order to wind off the yarn. I had a big ball and an itsy bitsy ball when all was done.

The sock is in time out for the meantime. I think it'll end up working out fine if I strand, REALLY loosely. But right now I have deadline knitting and should stop fooling around with these socks.

I went to JoAnn's on the way home Friday night for some ribbon for my friend's wedding invitations ... that I really need to finish this weekend. I decided to browse while I was there ... my only defense is that I have a head cold and I was delirious ... I know, I know I said no more yarn, but it was buy one get one half ... hey, at least I only got one pair of sock skeins!

Then I saw this cross stitch, too cool to pass up. But $16.99?? Then I saw the sticker "Contains 2 Designs! See Reverse" Well $16.99 isn't too much for TWO patterns. Then I saw the posting, 10% off green stickered cross stitch. Whoo hoo. yeah that didn't amount to much though, LOL!

This store was designed really well. The magazines are all by the register queue. But the isle is large enough that you are not in the way of people in line if you want to just browse the magazines. I picked up the Fall Interweave Knits and the Halloween special Just Cross Stitch while waiting in line. I am a sucker for anything Halloween, its my favorite holiday. I am also a sucker for ornament type cross stitch patterns and this magazine was chock full of both!

War of WIPs Call to Arms #7

2011-09-01T05:00:00.000-04:00

No finishes for this week.

Next Battles on the Horizon:

Celeano Shawl 9/30/11
Niantic Rose Shawl 9/30/11
Ribband 9/30/11
Coriolis Socks
Nugatory Socks
February Lady Sweater
Derek's Scarf
Reversible Cable Scarf
Saroyan
Icarus Shawl
Stenciling storage boxes
Hummingbird Cross Stitch

***Optional Side Quest August 14-28***
Organize your Knitting Needle Stash

Did you finish the optional side quest? If you entered your inventory into Ravelry, comment with your Ravelry username. If you did it somewhere else, be sure to include some evidence of it in your weekly post to be entered into the drawing for a prize (photo, list, screenshot of list, etc.).

Next Quest
September 3-17
Organize your Knitting Pattern Queue

If you are joining the quest to defeat the WIPs, please join the Call to Arms here:

Random ... with frogs!

2011-08-30T22:13:00.008-04:00

Here's a random post of things going on this week.

I saw this cat bed at Wal-Mart, you might not be able to see from the angle of this photo, but it so reminded me of an old couch with the buttons in it, which apparently is a Queen Anne's Sofa.

We knew Smoochie aka Willow would steal it as her own, because she is boss of the house. She did.

After the storm this weekend we had some water in the basement. Our bedroom is down there, but in the half of the house that is only half foundation and half above ground, but still it sometimes smells like a basement. I was on the phone with my friend and said, I should go turn on the dehumidifier downstairs so that I don't have to sleep in a swamp. And this is what I found at the foot of the bed ...

Apparently we are overrun with frogs here.

This little guy was on my window so I let him in. We're wondering if this is the elusive frog-bird. We thought there was a bird making noise in the yard for a year .. . finally figured out it may be a frog, I researched online and found the sound was coming from a frog.

Yup, its this guy. I did let him back outside after taking a photo ... wanted to see if it was the same frog.

I am knitting on the Baby Surprise Jacket for a friend ... going along well.

I finally found what is the closest to the perfect Tardis blue for the Tardis socks .. then thought oh no. This yarn is a clear 2-ply ... what am I going to use for the black and white??? Well I had some Louet in my stash and some Little Traveler from Sanguine Gryphon in my stash and those are also a 2-ply ... yay!!!

August 29th TUSAL

2011-08-29T20:54:00.002-04:00

Here's my August 29th TUSAL update. A few more ends in there from finished projects!

Weekend Update 8-28-11

2011-08-28T09:18:00.007-04:00

Well Hurricane Irene is proving to be less of a threat than originally thought for us in the North East this weekend. I'm sure there is going to be damage from flooding and winds when all is said and done, but throughout the week the threats have been downgraded. At the moment it just raining and raining ... and raining out there.

Yesterday was a fantastic mail day for me. I received the CD of my wedding photos and all the goodies you see below:

1. My order from The Loopey Ewe ... remember the exclusion to the no yarn rule ... the Ultra Alpaca Light is for my friend's fingerless mitts. I think it impossible to place an order for only $10.50. So I got some Madelinetosh Sock ... in what I think is finally the perfect Tardis blue that I've been searching for!! Again ... hurricane outside so the photo doesn't show off the yarn in its best light. And I've wanted to try ChiaoGoo needles so I ordered a pair of those.

2. I pre-ordered Wendy Knits Lace and that arrived. And Amazon.com offers free shipping over $25 ... who's to argue. So I also ordered Charts Made Simple.

3. The fantastic Sue sent me her Halloween Fairy to finish ... along with some yummy goodies too! Too sweet, thanks again Sue!

I finished the West Mystery KAL shawl. I think this is the first mystery KAL that I finished ... and on time!

Its not quite finished yet. I still have to weave in all the ends and block it. Once complete I'll post a finished photo.

Fall is coming ... these flowers indicate it is so!

Alright, the lights are dimming and cutting out ... time to power down the computer. At least I can knit if we lose power, LOL!

FO: Bat Shawl

2011-08-27T12:53:00.006-04:00

Pattern: Bat Shawl
Yarn: Knit Picks Gloss Fingering
Needles: KP US 4
Cast on: Sept. 2009
Finished: 8/27/11

There really no reason why this shawl took so long to complete other than the enormous stitch count and the never ending purl-back rows.

War of WIPs Call to Arms #6

2011-08-25T01:00:00.002-04:00

I don't have any completed object for this week. I did rip out another old project that I know I wasn't going to ever finish and reskeined and washed the yarn so I can add it back to my stash.

I went through my DPNs and interchangeable needle set and catalogued those. I just have circulars left to do ... I did collect up all my circulars and put them in my needle case so that they are all in the same spot. Have you been working on organizing your needles??

I also, for some idiotic reason, agreed to make someone a baby surprise jacket for the end of next month to give as a gift .... duh!

Next Battles on the Horizon:

Celeano Shawl 9/30/11
Niantic Rose Shawl 9/30/11
Ribband 9/30/11
Coriolis Socks
Nugatory Socks
February Lady Sweater
Derek's Scarf
Reversible Cable Scarf
Saroyan
Icarus Shawl
Stenciling storage boxes
Hummingbird Cross Stitch

***Optional Side Quest August 14-28***
Organize your Knitting Needle Stash

Do you really know what sizes and how many of each you have in your stash? Do you give up trying to find the size you are looking for and just buy another set? Take this time and collect up all your needles and catalog them!

If you are a member of Ravelry you can do it there. You can jot it down in the notebook. You can make up a spreadsheet in Excel, whatever suits your fancy and is something that you will finish doing!!

Complete this for the post on 9/1/11 and you might just win a prize!!

If you are joining the quest to defeat the WIPs, please join the Call to Arms here:

Weekend Update 8-21-11

2011-08-21T20:30:00.000-04:00

Last weekend we tied the knot! It was a beautiful day. Lots of friends and family there to share in the fun.

We were married at his parents' house up in the mountains. We stayed at a hotel close by. The next morning we went to breakfast with friends who stayed at the same hotel. During the meal, I noticed on the placemat an ad for a yarn shop. Of course I had to stop there!

Frolicking Feet in Mandarin Lime 100% Superwash Merino and Miss Babs Yummy in Spring Tulip 100% Merino Wool.

After that we went back to his parents' to pick up all our stuff and my dog and we sat and hung out for a while. They get so many Hummers there!

There aren't any pictured but we got to see some males. We only get one female at a time at home ... and I'm pretty sure its the same bird, LOL!

I learned a few things recently. I'm pretty crafty, and I do well mixing colors. I have a lot of stash yarn ... I stop counting sock yarns when I get to 100. My house needs work, I need dental work ... I don't need to buy yarn. I have plenty and I don't need to hoard it until I find the "perfect" pattern and let yarn sit on the shelf while I purchase more. Plus if it really doesn't go witht the pattern I can just rip it and reclaim it.

You're all witnesses to this ... NO MORE YARN for the rest of the year. There are two exceptions. I told a friend I would knit her fingerless mitts and she wants alpaca. I don't have that in my stash. The other exception is I have my Rockin' Socks Club coupon for this year - so I get to use it and that may be a $150 purchase. OK there are three exceptions ... gift cards are free money. I can buy yarn with gift cards at any time.

War of WIPs Call to Arms #5

2011-08-18T01:00:00.001-04:00

Success! I've won a battle!!

Next Battles on the Horizon:

Celeano Shawl 9/30/11
Niantic Rose Shawl 9/30/11
Ribband 9/30/11
Coriolis Socks
Nugatory Socks
February Lady Sweater
Derek's Scarf
Reversible Cable Scarf
Saroyan
Icarus Shawl
Stenciling storage boxes
Hummingbird Cross Stitch

I also battled this yarn today. This was the In Dreams Mystery Shawl ... its no longer a mystery. I was having a lot of difficulty with this pattern. I still want to knit it and and want to do the beading this time around. The yarn I already used was in a pretty sorry state after ripping:

So I re-skeined it and washed it and left it to dry. Here it is back in shape with the rest of the supplies. This one I am not starting until I've finished all my WIPs!!

***Optional Side Quest August 14-28***
Organize your Knitting Needle Stash

Do you really know what sizes and how many of each you have in your stash? Do you give up trying to find the size you are looking for and just buy another set? Take this time and collect up all your needles and catalog them!

If you are a member of Ravelry you can do it there. You can jot it down in the notebook. You can make up a spreadsheet in Excel, whatever suits your fancy and is something that you will finish doing!!

Complete this for the post on 9/1/11 and you might just win a prize!!

If you are joining the quest to defeat the WIPs, please join the Call to Arms here:

War of WIPs Call to Arms #4

2011-08-11T06:00:00.002-04:00

Ugh! I'm losing the battle this week. I haven't worked on any old WIPs. Here's why:

1. I wanted to knit up matching Butin earrings for my Butin Collar for this weekend.

2. I am knitting the West Mystery Shawl.

3. I am designing a beaded lace shawl. This should be done in September and then I'll be asking for test knitters. I do not recommend this is you have not knit lace and ask that if you want to do it you are familiar with lace knitting ... a test knitter is supposed to find any mistakes in the pattern, so it requires some experiece :o)

Next Battles on the Horizon:

Celeano Shawl 9/30/11*
Niantic Rose Shawl 9/30/11*
Ribband 9/30/11*
Coriolis Socks
Nugatory Socks
February Lady Sweater
Derek's Scarf
Reversible Cable Scarf
Saroyan
Icarus Shawl
Stenciling storage boxes
Hummingbird Cross Stitch

* I've added my beaded shawls to this list since they have a deadline, if I am teaching a class on beading at the October Knitters' Guild meeting, it would be nice to have some samples to show!

***Optional Side Quest August 14-28***
Organize your Knitting Needle Stash

Do you really know what sizes and how many of each you have in your stash? Do you give up trying to find the size you are looking for and just buy another set? Take this time and collect up all your needles and catalog them!

If you are a member of Ravelry you can do it there. You can jot it down in the notebook. You can make up a spreadsheet in Excel, whatever suits your fancy and is something that you will finish doing!!

Complete this for the post on 9/1/11 and you might just win a prize!!

If you are joining the quest to defeat the WIPs, please join the Call to Arms here:

FO: Butin Collar & Earrings

2011-08-09T08:17:00.004-04:00

Pattern: Butin Collar & Butin Earrings
Yarn: Panda Silk by Crystal Palace Yarns
Needles: US 2 DPNs

Each project was completed in a few hours time, the earrings probably less than an hour. Both were wet blocked after finishing to shape a little bit.

Awesome patterns! Lots of fun, would make great gifts and take such little time to finish. These are part of the Adorn Collection which is a knitted Jewelry collection by Laura Nelkin - one pattern per month is published for a total of 10 designs.

Weekend Update 8-7-11

2011-08-07T20:17:00.008-04:00

Whew the weekend is over already! I finished the Butin Collar and made matching earrings, pretty sure I'll be wearing them for the big day next Saturday. All that was left for the collar was to sew on the clasp ... where is that blue thread I know I had for sewing buttons on a baby sweater?!?! Not in the sewing box (but there's plenty of other colors of thread in there) ... not in the drawer with all the needles and buttons, etc. Finally after looking through the closet and every bit of craft stuff for about an hour I somehow remember recalling it in the coffee table drawer ...

Because that's a great place for a random spool of thread, right?!?!

The earrings are blocking and boy did they need it. I knit the second way tighter than the first. I think they'll match up fine once blocked.

I also couldn't find my darning needles ... they are in a Chibi ... I've had it in the same spot for the last 5 years ... its completely MIA ... and no it wasn't in the coffee table, I looked :o) Luckily I found some random spare needle in a notions box to sew on the clasp.

I will be posting the War of WIPs post this week, but may not be contributing any updated photos. We leave Friday for our wedding and will be away for a few days. I'm not sure I'll have time to post anything new between now and then so I am preparing the post ahead, please link if you are participating and I'll check out your posts when I get back.

Is anyone still interested in the Bead-A-Long?? It seems to have lost steam and doesn't have the participation that I anticipated. I was thinking of discontinuing the a-long for lack of participation. Let me know your thoughts.

Speaking of beading, I am loving it! Especially after the completion of the Butin Collar and earrings!

Even more interesting, when I went to search for the link to the pattern ... my own image came up in google, LOL!!

I started the West Knits Mystery Knit A Long and completed clue one. I think this is the first mystery along that I'm actually on time with. Usually I hear about them really late and am forever behind on the clues. I stumbled upon it through Ravelry and snatched at the chance. I haven't knit any of his work, but was always interested in how he uses color and texture. This should be an interesting knit!

While I was preparing this photo I got an email that clue 2 is available!! Whoo hoo!

War of WIPs Call to Arms #3

2011-08-04T06:30:00.000-04:00

I can see victory soon in this skirmish! Only 7 more rows to go on the Bat Shawl edging!! These are long rows, with 300+ stitches ... I don't even know the actual stitch count ... I don't want to.

Next to conquest:

Coriolis Socks
Nugatory Socks
February Lady Sweater
Derek's Scarf
Reversible Cable Scarf
Saroyan
Icarus Shawl
Stenciling storage boxes
Hummingbird Cross Stitch

How are your battles going?

If you are joining the quest to defeat the WIPs, please join the Call to Arms here:

WIP Wednesday 8-3-11

2011-08-03T21:53:00.004-04:00

Check out other WIP Wednesday Blogs by clicking the link above!

I'm still working on many, many things, but unfortunately the batteries in the camera died and I have to get to the store to get more. But I did snag a pic or two off my phone.

Bat shawl is almost complete, only several more rows.

I wound off what was done and started the next half.

Weekend Update 7-30-11

2011-07-31T12:23:00.011-04:00

Are these not the cutest freakin' things?!?! And what a great way to use up left overs! Chubby Chirps by Rebecca Danger and its FREE!

I think I don't have to purchase any more yarn for the rest of the year ... or umm, my life. This is yarn that was purchased in June and July that I have no where to put ... oh there's more, but I found somewhere to put it.

I got through the first half of the roving I was spinning. This is my "practice" roving. I decided that I would spin half and take it off the spindle and then spin the other half. I'm not sure if the entire 4oz would fit on the spindle ... but I didn't want to find out the hard way that it didn't.

Towards the end its quite good. Now though taking it off the spindle and seeing what was spun at the beginning, I'm not sure what I want to do with it. My initial intention was to spin half, remove it and spin the other half and then ply the two together. Now that I see that about 1/4 of the yarn is thicker and well, kinda crappy, I'm not sure I want to do that. So now I wonder if I should 2-ply the first half and practice navajo plying the second half, that way I can practice both methods of plying ... again, with this "practice" roving that's not that great anyway.

I dyed some yarn this weekend. From left to right: Bloody Kisses, I'm keeping this one, Wormhole and Emerald Isles. The black one I can dye again, the black dye is a bluish black, so less concentrated its purple, blue and black, very pretty. Bloody Kisses is new, gross name I know, but it really reminds me of blood red. Wormhole is new, teal and black. Emerald Isles is the same as I dyed before that I am using for a shawl.

July 30th TUSAL

2011-07-30T19:38:00.003-04:00

Here's my July 30th TUSAL update. Not much more since the last post, mostly clippings from reskeining dyed yarn.

Summer Bead-A-Long Update #8

2011-07-30T00:17:00.002-04:00

I started Ribband, its part of the Adorn collection. Its a very fun knit!

I am still working on the two beaded shawls as well.

For those just joining the Summer 2011 Bead-A-Long: to share your weekly BAL post with us, just fill out the Mr. Linky below. Mr. Linky automatically adds the request to comment once you've linked, don't feel as if you have to. I just ask you to check out a few of the links posted to see what everyone else is working on and comment there if you can. After all, that's the whole point of the Bead-A-Long :o) Also, please remember to link back to my blog in your post to get the word out about the Bead-A-Long!

Please remember to use the new link to your post from this week, over writing the one that Mr. Linky has saved already. Thanks!