I'm in Love

Look what was waiting for me at the Post Office yesterday: Finally! I only had to wait a month to get her, but was she worth it! I was worried that since I hadn't tried it out, it wouldn't be for me. Not so. She spins like a dream! I went ahead and got the complete model which included a jumbo plying head and a fast flyer. I'll get around to playing with those later. For now, I'm just making friends and admiring. I'm spinning up some Mountain Sunset roving I had purchased from Copper Moose. Mind you, this picture doesn't do the colors any justice at all. I'll try to get a better shot later. Well, excuse me, I've got some spinning to do. Have a great weekend!

Rockin' It

A common theme among many blogs in January is The Stash. I had previously mentioned that a goal this year was to stash smarter, not quit altogether. That's why I didn't join the Stashalong. In all honesty, it would be silly of me. For one, I rarely go to the yarn store. So when I do, I feel that if I see something I like I'm allowed to go ahead and get it. Second, my yarn allowance isn't all that huge. Therefore when a sale comes along with a yarn I've been wanting I go ahead and get it. What's my point? Well, I have to do something other than stash smarter. It just keeps growing and growing despite efforts to keep it contained. Okay, I know it's not that big compared to some of you... Recently Royd and I tried to organize the "wool" room because we need fit a bassinett and changing table in there in a few months. Just sitting there in front of it all made me realize that it's too much. So I started going through it, seeing what was what and all. I discovered that I have tons of acrylic that I will never use. I had been hanging on to it to knit for charity. But, with four boys* to knit for, I really won't use all of it anytime soon. This is what I pulled out that I have no intention of using. It'll be packed up and sent to a charity in need sometime soon. Now what to do with the rest... I figure there's at least five sweaters worth for me. Then there's the sock and lace container. I've discovered that most of the rest is odd balls of two or three. Enough for mittens or a scarf, but not much else. What I did pull out was enough for four children sweaters. Three balls of Cotton Ease for this cute little number. Of course my gauge is off, but it'll be easy to convert. I just need to find something for the trim. I have three each of these. Green Woolease for maybe a rollneck raglan. Red Tahki Donegal Tweed for what I'm thinking might be a great little cabled cardigan. No patterns yet. And then there's the greyish yarn from Carodan Farms. I think this would make a nice gansey. Obviously I've got a lot to plan out**. And I still need to make the baby something!!! Don't worry, the yarns on it's way. And in case you're wondering how the sweater is coming along, I have a back, the left front and half a sleeve done. Here's a shot of the cabley goodness: *Yeah, you read right. It's another boy. **Can anyone recommend a book or pattern collection that has some really nice designs for boys 4 and older? Since I don't have a local bookstore that's in English, I really need some help!

FO Alert

Yarn: Sport and Strumpf 6-ply, black Pattern: Knitted Helmet Liner Finally, I managed to con Royd into modeling his new helmet liner. Unfortunately I could only manage one picture before he took it off. I guess you get the idea of what it looks like. Yarn: TMA Quick and Easy, 100% acrylic Pattern: Lion Brand Hooded Knitted Sweater Reilly ended up with a new sweater this weekend. I had to put the mittens away so that I wouldn't be distracted by them so that I could finish this up. I'm sure ya'll know how bad I am about seaming and all... He of course is delighted. Yay for four year old enthusiasm! I may have also started a few new projects. Personally I like having my next major project already in the works for a seamless transition. I hate that feeling of "Now what?" Of course, a sock in Lana Grossa Mega Boot Stretch. Then we have Twist in Elann Peruvian Highland Wool. The yarn and the pattern have been sitting together on a shelf for quite awhile now, just waiting for their turn. I'm happy to say that after two days, she's shaping up nicely and I should have a finished back by tomorrow evening. I feel like I'm forgetting to talk about something here, but it's time to start dinner and I guess it'll just have to wait for next time. Until then!

Smitten

One finished, one to go! As much as I'd like to have both done, I can't sit and stare at a chart all day. My children won't allow it either. In a recent stash plunging expedition, I pulled out some blue chunky acrylic that had been bought with the intent of a sweater for Reilly. I wanted something simple that would be quick and easy. This is what I've come up with so far: Usually I don't enjoy knitting on large needles (these are 7.0 mm), but after working so many fine gauge projects I'm finding it quite refreshing. I figure that I can get this done this weekend. I just need to figure out my next project. I've got several I'm thinking about, but can't decide. Chrissy tagged me and this is my first meme. I'll admit I had a hard time coming up with some of these answers. Here goes. 4 jobs you've had restaurant manager telephone surveyor beginning knitting instructor grocery checker 4 movies you could watch over and over Goodfellas National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation The Princess Bride I honestly couldn't think of another, since I usually only watch them once 4 tv shows you love to watch (very hard since I rarely watch any, but when I do...) House Lost Friends reruns Headline News (I know, how boring) 4 places you have been on vacation Jamaica Switzerland California France 4 websites you visit daily Bloglines MSN Elann my bank 4 of your favorite foods (why just four???) chocolate chip cookies dim sum anything Italian real gelato 4 places you would rather be right now in bed sleeping Target a yarn shop a home that is ours and not govt property 4 bloggers you are tagging (of course this is completely optional!) Keri Rachel Kimberly Tracy

Manly Knee Highs

Yarn: Super Sport Strumpf 6-ply Pattern: my own I took a picture of them with a twelve inch ruler for a sense of scale. These babies are huge! Most importantly, he loves them and has asked for more. I told him that I'd be happy to oblige, but not right now. I'm kinda burned out on stockinette in black yarn. The Helmet Liner? That's done too, but I have to wait for a modeling. I have to admit, I wasn't completely faithful to his stuff. I needed something to stimulate my mind. Enter the Selbu Mittens, from Folk Mittens. Can you spot the mistake? I'm not fixing it. I'm also having major tension issues, but I suppose that comes with lots of practice. Not that I mind, I'm having a blast knitting these. I could use some suggestions though with one thing: This is where I change needles. The last stitch is puffy and the first on the new needle is practically lost. I'm wondering how much this will work itself out in blocking or if there is something I should be doing. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. In other news, I signed up for this knitalong. One sock a month for six months. What could be easier when I don't have to do anything special for it!

One

One down. Gotta love sport weight socks.

First FO of 2006

Pattern: Jaywalker Yarn: Wolle Rodel Sport & Strumpfwolle (70% wool & 30% silk) Yay, finally done! They only took me almost four weeks, a new record for a pair of socks for me. Initially I had started the smaller size and had been halfway done with the foot. After repeated try-ons, I concluded that they were just too tight. Soooo I ripped and restarted with the larger. Now, they're a bit loose in the ankle but at least I can get them over my heel. Yes, I'm aware that this yarn looks like Opal Petticoat but it indeed is not. I've noticed that Wolle Rodel does alot of knock-offs at a slightly better price. It's always fun to go in at the beginning of the season and see what you might find. Now I'm onto some deadline knitting. Royd goes to the field in three weeks and put in a few requests. The helmet liner I had made him was kind of a test knit. After it was finished he wore it around and we both figured out how to improve upon it. The neck portion will now be 8 inches vs. 6, a provisional cast on will be used for the hat part and there will be more decreases around the face in the final ribbing. I'd love to show you what I mean, but there is something screwy with the picture I took. I'll have to get another one. He also wants a pair of socks. No problem right? Uh, he wants the legs to be between 14 and 15 inches. Thank goodness the yarn I'm using is sportweight (also the same as the hat) and will make it go a bit faster. Wish me luck. All this black yarn is starting to make me blind. I need color! Any guess as to how long it takes me to break?

Playing Catch-up

Happy New Year everyone! I hope that the holidays found you happy and with people you love. Sorry to have dropped off the planet for awhile, but blogging just wasn't a priority for a few weeks. Honestly, there wasn't even that much to talk about. But with my mom now gone and Royd going back to work tomorrow, life will be getting back to normal. This past weekend was pretty quite and allowed me to get some knitting done for what seems like an eternity. Reilly's socks were finally finished, and a pair of Jaywalkers are almost finished for me. There was also a Knitted Helmet Liner, but for some reason the photo isn't uploading correctly, so I'll try again another day. Christmas presents this year resulted in lots of knitterly goodness There may be more, but we haven't gotten all our packages yet. Can we just say that I'm in Heaven, I love new books, especially ones that are informitive and interesting. But my main present, hasn't even shipped yet. It's backordered and I have no one to blame but myself. If I had just picked up the phone one day earlier, it would be here by now. I guess I can wait. Oh, yeah, I have no choice... In reading other blogs, I've noticed that many people are making resolutions. Not here. That's just saying what I won't be doing this year. Instead, I'd like to make a few goals: more colorwork finish an adult sized sweater stash smarter (note I didn't say stop) spin with a project in mind - limited to only one finally get rid of the two bins of acrylic that I'll never get around to knitting charity items with See? Not unrealistic. I can do these. And if I miss one, oh well, they were only goals!