Klaralund Envy

I got my new Ram Wools catalog today. Oh, am I drooling! I have to stop. Must stop. I found four or five sweaters I have to have. Now, I see what the buzz about Klaralund is all about. I hadn't bothered to check it out before now. But now... I must do this. It's so beautiful. A bit out of my price range right now. But, I'm thinking that if I could get my hands on some other yarn that is more affordable, it might just happen. Well, we'll see. Finally I got a half way decent picture of the yarn I dyed. Yipee! First picture is what I am making the baby. It's from IK Summer '03. I was going to use the blue yarn I dyed, but not anymore. The gauge was way off and at first I thought that I would just adjust, but after I swatched I changed my mind. The fabric was way too bulky. So, I ransacked my stash and found some Caron Simply Soft that will work just fine. And on the plus side, it'll be machine washable! Hey, I got to do something with all this acrylic I bought when I first started out and the kids stuff is perfect. Plus, I can always appreciate the value of it and if it gets ruined by spit-up, I won't cry. The second picture is of my sock. Ehh... Okay, back to the knitting. Blogging is already cutting into it.

Better Moods

Sorry about yesterday's rant. Sometimes you just got to get it off your chest and I felt much better after writing it all down. Then a friend sent me this and I got a good laugh. So, I'm good now. Almost finished with one sock. Just have to finish the toe. I had to adjust the decreases since my gauge was off, so it's taking a little manipulation. BTW, gauge drives me nuts. It never seems to fail that once I actually start my project my gauge ends up being off. Usually I adjust for this with larger projects by going a needle size down automatically. But I've never had it happen with something so small. Oh, well. They fit, but they're baggy. I guess they'll make great weekend house socks. I swatched some of the sock yarn I dyed and I'm so pleased. Very pretty colors and soft. But I'm swearing to myself that I will not start them until the other pair is done. I was looking at my list of everything I need to finish and it's a bit much. Most of it just needs seaming or ends weaved in. I just hate doing these things, so there they sit!

Obsession and Frustration

Ever have one of those day? Ya know, where everything seems like crap? Started mine out on the wrong side. Woke up from a dream that bad things had happened to both Royd and the baby. Telling myself it was just a dream, I went back to bed, but that bad feeling never left. Then before I can even turn on the coffee maker Reilly is screaming at me saying he wants cookies. Ha! I don't think so little one. Nice try. (tantrum) Being it Sunday and everything being closed, I thought we'd go to the playground. Nooo... It's wet and dreary and the sand is saturated with water. Nice drainage system. So, back to the house to watch some movies and a little knitting. Darn DVD isn't working-keeps eating the discs into the back. Sorry Reilly, but you'll have to watch whatever crappy cartoons are on crappy AFN. (tantrum) On the plus, I did get half of one sock done. Too bad my gauge didn't hold and they're a tad big, but that's okay. I'm not really impressed with the pattern anymore and who's to see them anyway. Can we just say, I'm obsessed with the dyeing. I read Lizzi's update on my Koolaid and she gave me a great idea. Mix the Grape in! I overdyed all my blue skeins with another packet of Berry Blue with the Grape and they look great! A lovely blue with a touch of purple. Not what I was looking for, but I'm in love anyway. (happy dance) I'd love to show a picture, but the wonderful digital can only make out teal or dark blue. I'm not going to bother until I can get a close approximation of the color. It's too pretty to disgrace it. (my tantrum) Baby boy will be getting a Kimono top out of it after it dries. Finally I feel inspired to knit for the baby again. I had so many great ideas if he was going to be a girl, but hadn't really been feeling the boy theme. Anyway, mom is looking to find me some wool that I don't have to order online. She has a friend who spins, so maybe she'll know of a good yarn source. I have tons of ideas on things to dye! But there is good news. Calissa, I will be in Idar-Oberstein the last week of September. My MIL has a jewelry show to do and I'm going to stay with her for a few days. Now we can meet and raid those yarn shops together! That will be a crazy week. DM is flying in for a week and after I drop her off at Frankfort I'll be driving over to Idar. Well, I must sign off. Reilly has found my new sets of Inox dpns and is throwing them around. (urge to throttle) Ah... The joys of having a toddler. And another on the way? I must be losing it...

Too Kool

Spent the morning playing around with some more dyeing. Here's some pictures of what I did. Sock Yarns The two skeins on the left (yes there are two there) were done with the boiling method with white yarn. I used two packets each of Black Cherry, Cherry and Grape. I added only a third of skein at a time every ten minutes to produce a gradation effect. Pretty cool. The two skeins on the right I used the dip and microwave method. I used Cherry and Watermelon Cherry on top of a beige yarn. Not too impressed with this two. I can still see the beige peeking through. Will probably overdye these with more Cherry once they dry. Was going to do green with one of the socks, but forgot to pick up Lemonade to mix with the Berry Blue and just couldn't wait. I'll go back to the store next week and pick up some more yarn. It's only about 3dollars a ball, so it's not too bad. Besides with the way I'm going with socks, I'll need more soon anyways. Second Attempt at Blue The one on the left is from yesterday. For the right I tried tea dyeing the yarn first to produce a darker base yarn. Then I did exactly the same with as the other. The result is a deeper teal color. Still not happy. I wonder what would happen if I use food coloring on top of it. Hmm. Overall, this has been a great experience. I'm having so much fun with it! I'd actually like to try my hand at some real dyes, but I think I'll put that off for now. I hear some of the dyes are quite toxic, so it'll have to wait until after the baby is born. Plus, they're ripping my balcony off and redoing it so I can't do this stuff until it's done anyway.

Attempted Koolaid

Koolaid This was my attempt at koolaid. Once it dries I'll take another pic. The color turned out a little shallower than I wanted, but it's very pretty. I think I'll end up using it for something for the baby. I ended up using a 80 wool/ 10 angora/ 10 acrylic blend. Couldn't find a 100% wool blend that was light enough or cheap enough to use. Also picked up some white sock yarn to try. I'm thinking of pinks and reds. That'll be a project for this weekend. Finished Socks Yeah! Pretty comfy socks are done! While I was downtown looking for wool, I found more Regia Stretch and they're such a pretty color. Of course, I had to get it. Came home and while my yarn was soaking in it's blue bath, I casted on and am in love already. Never thought I'd love doing socks, the first pair being so frustrating and all. Swatch Also swatched the Gedifra Dandy last night. I'm not sure about the color. I think it's a bit too much for me. Maybe if dyeing goes well, this will be something else I dye. The viscous strand around the wool would remain colorful, but that would be cool I think. And I couldn't resist another survey: You are Shetland Wool. You are a traditional sort who can sometimes be a little on the harsh side. Though you look delicate you are tough as nails and prone to intricacies. Despite your acerbic ways you are widely respected and even revered. What kind of yarn are you? brought to you by Quizilla Oh, I think that pretty close.

Kool Aid

I signed up for the KoolAid Along the other day. But I haven't any wool I'd like to play with! Went through the stash and I already love the colors I have. Did find some blends that might be interesting to play with. So, now I'm on a hunt for wool. I stopped at the thrift store to see if they had any sweaters I could frog, but all they had were acrylic. I guess tomorrow I'll go back downtown and look for some that isn't too expensive. That way if I hate how it turns out, I didn't waste alot of money. As far as knitting goes, I'm halfway through my socks. During naptime I'll try to get the heels done so there aren't any distractions. My sweater is progressing, but slowly. Working two sleeves at a time seems to take forever! Just got off the phone with Royd-was actually surprised to hear from him. We talked about him getting out after this tour. He's realized that missing so much with his children isn't worth it. We're still thinking of trying to go back to Georgia for Drill school just so that we have some time back in the states before we both venture back into the real world. Well, I guess we have time for that, since we just got here. Will get some pics up when it stops raining and I can take the digital outside.

Fun Stuff

I just had to share. Which flock do you follow? this quiz was made by alanna

Oh Happy Day

Loot Found another yarn store today! It was right down the street from the other one but had never walked that far. Oh, such beautiful yarn... Was looking for the perfect yarn for the poncho I want to make. They had Gedifra Dandy for 2.oo a ball. Great bargain. Also found lots of Lana Grossa and of course Regia. Saw some Regia Silk, but resisted that urge. Must have spent 45 minutes looking at all she had, much to the dismay of Reilly. After that I decided to see what Wolle Rodel had and found the beautiful red yarn. Got enough to make a sweater someday. Also picked up some Regia Stretch. I am so excited! Lots of stuff to play with and keep me happy for awhile. The best part was that I only spent about 65 dollars on all of it! I can't wait to find out who my secret pal is so I can share all the wonderful finds. After posting I have to clean before I can play, though. It's a hard to believe that I spent about 2 hours yesterday cleaning, you couldn't tell. I swear my son thinks that having a tidy house is a sin. I'm not sure why I bother sometimes. Oh, well...

I love Fixation! This is the best! Finished one and started the other. Tried them on and they feel wonderful! Just might have to order some more, not that I need more yarn or projects. Now, that I think of it, I do need another skein of KPM, so it wouldn't hurt to have a few balls in the package. Hmm... Worked on the Tweedy sweater some more and got about four more inches. Hopefully tomorrow it will be nice and I can get a better picture. The last one didn't do it any justice. I've never worked on the sleeves at the same time, but am going to try it, hopefully it won't feel like it's taking forever. Already starting to get bored with and looking for a new distraction. Will work on the socks tonight and maybe by tomorrow I'll be more motivated. So, I heard that blogging was addictive. I can now see why. Spent half the afternoon looking at others trying to get ideas and info. Now, if I could just figure out how to write my own text in the sidebar and I'll be set. Well, I already have learned alot so I guess that reassuring. On a side note, the days of being heartburn free are gone. I think it was the chocolate chip cookies I made. Damn! I guess it's back to the old bottle of tums for the rest of the pregnancy. It was nice while it lasted.

Two baby hats I made for the little one.

This is a picture of my cute but hellacious two year old.

This is the current WIP from IK, Fall 02. I know it's really hard to see, but it's a tweedy chocolate brown. My digital really sucks and I want a new one. Haven't even had a chance to work on it today. My DH asked that I sent goodies to him and some of his guys, so I went on a shopping spree. Came home with bags of junk food and spent the morning packing it up- four boxes worth! Oh, this going to be a fun trip to the PO.

Testing, testing

Okay. Here's my blog. Will be adding more as time permits.