The Knitting Goddess

I think the knitting Godess is mad at me. I'm not sure why. It could be that I just went on a 'vacation' and didn't knit a single stitch after my husband took the wrong road on the way there. I was, after all, not driving. I thought I should be knitting - he thought I should be navigating. He won. But I did try.... It could also be that I never- yes I said never - have knit a swatch to check my gauge. I've been knitting for just over a year now and have never done it. But I really don't knit much more than socks or mittens - do I really deserve the wrath of the Godess for that?

Why do I think there is a problem?

1) I haven't been able to knit anything with a chart without making at least one mistake per row. That doesn't amount to much progress, or at least progress that looks ok.

2) I am actually getting tired of knitting socks. I didn't think this would ever happen - really.

3) I really don't have any desire to go to my LYS.

4) I've been thinking about my sewing machine, and am actually caught up on housework ( if you don't count the closets)

On the other hand, this could be some weird side effect of that "spinning virus" (See previous post). Because my heart does quicken at the thought of a pile of roving. Hmmmmm.


Just keep knitting, just keep knitting, just keep knitting, knitting, knitting.

Got Class?

It makes me happy when someone asks me what my plans are for the day and I can say "I have a class"...

Last Saturday was the second 'sock of the month' class at Beyond the Rainforest. I love that place. The classes are relaxing and I enjoy getting the chance to have some adult conversation. Especially adult knitting conversation. We learned the star toe which I put at the end of my hourglass sock. I wasn't crazy about the way it turned out, but I think I will like it better with a different sock pattern. Phyll, our fearless leader, got us all excited about next months sock which, to me, looked somewhat like a mock cable pattern. Not sure what yarn I'm going use for that one yet. I did buy some Interlacements -tiny toes which I am very excited about. So excited, though, that I don't think I'll be able to cast on and knit the cuff and then wait until next month for the pattern that we will be working on.

Yesterday I had a class(more like a private lesson as I was the only one there) with Cathy who is one of the owners of our brand new Grand Blanc yarn store Ewe to You Yarns. It was Great! I learned a couple of new techniques, got to sit in peace for two hours and knit, and had a very nice chat with the folks in the store. However, after 'class' I made the mistake of talking with Carrie who was sitting there with a pile of roving and her brand new spinning wheel making gorgeous yarn. She made me touch the silk and wool blend that she was working with and showed me what she was doing. I think I may now have a spinning virus. I haven't stopped thinking of all the possiblities spinning my own yarn would allow. maybe if I stay away long enough the 'bug' will go away. We'll see.....

Here is a picture of the "Booga Bag" that I'm working on

I'm using Noro yarn - Kureyon which is a pleasure to work with

This is my first felted project! Can't wait until it's done. I'm going to buy a zippered pillowcase today. I hear that's the best way to go.

School's Out For Summer

It is the first Monday of summer vacation. I am already stressed out. We started driver education this morning at 8 sharp (well, not really sharp...we were late and had to stand in the back and face the scolding eyes of the five instructors). Molly was noncommital about being "excited" when we arrived there. But sometimes I forget that it is definitely not cool to be excited about ANYTHING except boys when you're 15. She was decidedly more upbeat when the day was over. She got to drive, along with two other teenagers in the car and they all survived. The schedule is insane, and sleeping in - the one thing I did have to look forward to - is now a joke. Class starts at 7am. Oh well.

Piper started her art class. She hated it. She claimed that everyone was staring at her and the teacher was swearing at them because they used too much paint. However, despite my disappointment that I may have just lost my 1 hour opportunity to knit on Mondays while waiting for the class to let out, I plastered a smile on my face and insisted that it couldn't have been THAT bad. She insisted that indeed it WAS that bad and she would not be going back. We'll see. I could have spent that 60 bucks on yarn and taken her to the park every Monday afternoon.

Knitting...well, I just keep plunking along one stitch at a time and try not to get too irritated when I have to count everything15 times while trying to explain where someones shoes are, what snacks are available, yes I'll drive you there and no, you can't spend the entire day with your boyfriend, etc.etc.

Counting down till September......

Missed Yarn Opportunity

My husband is in Lansing without me. Normally, this would not be a problem, however, several weeks ago I discovered Thread Bear. An amazing yarn store which, I swear, is nearly as big as my house. I've only been there one time, but that was all it took. Since then, I've been trying to come up with a reason (for the non yarn addicts in my house - I don't need a reason) to get in my car and drive for an hour (one-way) and spend an extraordinary amount of money on something that is 1) not for the house 2) not for the kids 3) not a bill 4) not groceries. This would have been the perfect excuse. He is there for a seminar, I could sit in the yarn shop and wait for him to finish up around noon and then we could have a nice lunch together. Alas, he left before I could get the last kid on the bus.....

Oh well. The last days of school are now upon me. I am thinking that if I don't finish up some of my projects now, they may still be waiting for me come September when they all go back. I need to update the KIP list. I started my sock of the month class on Saturday, hence a new project. I do have one sock completely done but needed a little break so I started this cute little tote bag. It's about half done as well. Better get knitting.....

January 6 2009

I was drinking my chai this morning and pondering the fact that my oldest daughter will soon be turning 17. Wow. Where to start? Seventeen is an awkward age, I think. It's not a milestone like starting school at five, becoming a teenager at 13, or "Sweet 16". You are not a child, and not an adult. People expect you to be responsible, but you're really not responsible for anything. You can drive a car, but you can't get a loan for one. You are required to learn about our government, and obey the laws, but you can't vote. I don't think I'd go back to 17 - no way.

I found this really cool calculator to find out (if your a math idiot like me) when someone will be exactly twice or half your age. In the case of Heather and I, this moment will occur on January 6, 2009. I will be 37 years, and 27 days old. Heather will be 18 years, 6 months and 15 days old, which is exactly how old I was when she was born. My.......how time flies.

Leaf Pattern Socks

Here it is, an attempt to post a picture. Not a very good picture, but it's a beginning. Here are my leaf socks from the new Interweave Press sock book. They turned out pretty well, however, a little smaller than anticipated. I used Fortissima Socka sock yarn. It was quite nice to work with.




Here is a close up






















They were a lot of fun to make! A little bit of a challenge - but not too hard.

Hmmm....

Ok, well it was a great idea - starting a blog. It was going along fine and then I didn't write anything. I think it's the whole idea that no one will read it. I've got new inspiration. I'll make it really cool with links and such and then I'll join some net rings or something. Maybe someone will happen upon my blog and actually read it. I did finish that "Aran Pocketbook" and I will post pictures when I get a camera that I can download pictures from. I've actually finished quite a few things since then, but alas, they've all been given away. No pictures. There are several works in progress. I think I'll spend some time trying to figure out how to post pictures and make links.