I think it might just work out this time...*
SO MUCH to tell you people. I feel I just blogged, but it's been two weeks! How can that happen? Time just goes, I guess.
1) First, I am sorry to have to add it, but there is a random number you must type in when you comment. Sorry for the pain-in-the-assness. But I am getting royally spammed and it has to stop.
2) We have an induction date. If I haven't delivered by January 8, 2006, we will go in and hopefully have a High Energy Baby that day. OMG it's so close!
3) There is a small person living in my abdomen. Do you people know how crazy that is??? I am just starting to really realize it. He's in there. And he's BUSY.
4) I HAVE been reading all of your blogs. Honest. I just haven't been commenting, I've been lame.
No more meeting minutes. Knitting, please.
SO. I have one half of Bridie's band done.
And. I have most of the husband's sweaker done. There was some tweaking, of which there will be pictures soon.
And. I have made a hat, and some baby socks. Let's take a look!
Hi Grade Ha'
This was made for our friend/contractor, who is a giant man. Picture NBA type. 6'5", 230 pounds, maybe? Big guy. He has been so good to us and done such a great job with the house that we wanted to get him somepin'.
I think it will fit, as you can see it is big on me. Project specs are HERE.
I enjoyed knitting it. It is in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, which is super soft. I hope it will keep his head warm this winter while he is working. We picked red because he is a Georgia fan.
Baby socks!
One of my partners' wife is being induced tomorrow for their third baby, this time a girl. So I whipped these out right quick!
I have to tell you.
I loved making these little socks. I had more fun and am happier with the outcome than with many things I have made lately. Maybe because it's been so long since I've had a finished object. Or maybe I just liked the yarn, or the pattern kept me interested, I don't know. But it made knitting fun again.
Spec's are HERE. I used STASH yarn - gasp! Some Debbie Bliss Wool Cotton I got from a store in NC where my parents live. It's discontinued. I love this yarn, too bad she doesn't make it anymore...
The socks are knit FLAT and seamed, so that was interesting. I wouldn't ever do that for an ambulatory person, but for a baby who won't walk in them they should be fine.
And, because I'm proud of her:
This is my friend Sabrina, who ripped out a store bought sweater and dyed it a beautiful fun green! It was a very eighties sage before. Yay Sabrina!
When we come back to HEK, I'll update you on the other projects, and show you around Jodi's studio, where she makes her awesome art. FUN!
*Christopher Cross, "All Right." You KNOW I get most of my music from what's being played overhead at the Kroger.
So Little Time.
Ok, seriously, I think of things to blog everyday, and I would blog everyday if I had time. It's RIDICULOUS, the things I want to share with you people. Just all this stuff that's so cool, so you'll know, you know?
1) Like THIS: Mary-Heather's pattern for this cool lace capelet. I mean, really, how talented can you people BE????
2) Or like this: I got these cool-as-shit circular needle markers. No more guessing what size each of my circulars are. Can't use one of those hanger things, and I was going to make a cool case like Maya did, but I'm too lazy. But from Knitpicks I got these:
Blurry, but good.
You snap 'em on your needle till you need it, then when using the needle you can wrap the marker onto the end yarn so you know what size you are using - in case you forget, which I always do.
OOH! What else?
Then, there's this book:
UM, HEJ, what's that fair isle thing? Hmmm?
The book is pretty decent. I like how it tells you how to figure out how much yarn you might have leftover, and ways to think about its use. And as you can see I did kinda um maybe castonandknitsome of the "checkered beanie." It's ALL STASH! ODD leftover skeins. Yay!!!!
And for this hat, I did not knit a gauge swatch.
[stony silence.]
[and also some accusing looks.]
I know. I KNOW. But see, I have already knit fair isle with this yarn, several times, and I know my gauge on what needles. So, I made an executive adult decision to just cast on.* Like as a grown-up, I can decide I won't eat broccoli, at all, ever, even though I know it's good for me.
We'll see.
Lastly, I suppose I should give some updates on what I've been doing.
1) Ignoring "Honeysuckle" because I can't bear to do the math yet.
2) The NBaT is on the intarsia part! Yay, and also painful. PIcs soon.
3) Started Blaze, from Knitty, with stash yarn. I know I didn't tell you first. But there it is. Cable-crazy. What was I thinking?
And, 4) here's "Madli's Shawl" from IK, which I love so so much that I have knit THIS MUCH...
It's like 16 inches of shawl. Reallly.
...without a picture yet. FOLKS, really, Harlot doesn't call it Crack Silk Haze for nothing. That KSH is so amazing to knit with. I love it so much. If they ever discontinue it I will FREAK. OUT. And then buy a whole lot of it.
Ok, kids. Thanks so much for your sweet comments about my dog and her bed. She's a cutie-patootie. It's true. More knittin' soon...
*please don't let this bite me in the ass. please don't let this bite me in the ass. please...
PS - I fixed the pictures that were crappy. Graphic Converter 1, Photoshop Elements 0. Grr.
Or, Whinge, as some say?
What a crappy day at work. This time I can blog about it, because it's all me, being a stupid head.
[disclaimer: No patients were harmed or ignored or otherwise treated unprofessionally during this... situation.]
So, I was "helping" the nurses at work today. I drew up a medication, because their hands were busy. I don't usually do this, (there are reasons nurses should do this, ahem), but I was helping. As I did, a little bit leaked on my hand. (No worries, Mom and Dad, it isn't absorbed through the skin).
Anyway, this medicine was a sedative, and after we were finished, I jokingly said, "OH, HAHA, I got Versed on my hand. I feel I might fall out*."
I then proceeded to PRETEND to fall down.
OH LORD.
Which was of course followed by ACTUALLY. FALLING. DOWN. when I slipped on an unseen IV bag wrapper. In front of like forty staff members. Oh goody.
Which was of course followed by this:
Yes, I KNOW I have to point it out.
Ok, it doesn't look that bad but that third middle knuckle (or 4th PIP joint, if you prefer) hurts like a mother.**
And we care why?
I should think it would be obvious. Haven't tried to knit yet. Typing ain't so fun either. And my handwriting with a splint on: Not. So. Much.
And, the other issue is, in the knitting realm there is just TOO damn much going on.
We have startitis. We must knit everything. And if I show it all at once your eyes will glaze. But if I show it in bits some things will be done before the pics are up. What's a knitter to do??
Dive Right In.
First, I made another headband, this one for my friend Michelle. Please lower your goggles. She LOVES the bright yellow.
Holy Jaundice, Batman!
Next to show is progress on NBaT. Actually it's further now, but we'll pretend it ain't.
And the man brought that French knitting mag home
from his trip to Europe. Good man.
One, One Started Project, Ha Ha Ha.
And here we have a swatch for a new Sister Sweater - this time
Stripes Go Round from Interweave Knits. Yarn and pattern by Lanaknits.
Melissa, this is your turn to comment on the colors.
The only problem is, I keep picking sweaters for my sister in which the following screw-ups are made:
1) I can get stitch gauge, but only at the expense of row gauge.
2) Despite using the yarn called for.
3) And it matters cause it's a DAMN YOKE sweater again!!!!
Phooey. We'll just redo the math. She must know I love her, doesn't she??? ;-)
*"Fall Out": Southern parlance - to pass out, black out, hit the deck, etc.
** But not my Mother. Her birthday was the 1st, and she rocks. Happy BDAY Mom.
I promised more stuff, and here it is.
First, I must describe how the knitting was perfectly planned for my trip to Tampa. I finished this headband on the shuttle to the airport:
That's my sis's head. She has better hair.
Don't like the colors now that it's done, but probably will redo it in a solid. Maybe black?
Then, on the flight to Tampa, I finished my sister's socks:
Here they are, at the Salvador Dalí Museum. I love Dalí. His paintings are probably my favorites of all.
We thought the Maestro himself
would appreciate the socks-as-snot shot.
Then over the weekend, another flight, and another shuttle trip, and Clapotis was done. I should travel more often!
NBaT!!!!
I have started the ever-popular NBaT, designed by the ever-fabulous Alison.
What is that book doing there?*
I am using GGH Goa and am IN LOVE with this yarn. Head over heels. Forever in it's debt. It's great to knit.
The front design will be...
OH NOT SO FAST, THERE, CHET:
That's right, I smell a contest. Stay tuned.
*I still haven't read HP6 yet. It's still sitting on my coffee table. "The anticipation suspense** is killing me. I hope it'll last."
**Oops, I quoted wrongly before...
[clinks glass with fork]
I am inordinately behind on reading blogs. So far behind I may never catch up. For this, dear readers, I truly apologize. Please none of you take it personally at all if I haven't commented on your blog, or if I have not responded to a comment you left here. I love you all, and have good some excuses:
1) Our basement flooded again and we are trying to deal with many other nasty fix-it home issues that are driving us nuts.
2) I have been having to study for continuing education testing.
3) And, er, um, I may have become addicted to this TV show, on DVD of course. I am 3/4 through Season 2. Miss Jenny loves watchin' her stories.
4) And, er, um, hmmm, I might be knitting too many things at once. Might be. So the progress is few and far between.
Well, at least give us somethin'
I finished the crocheted star blanket for my friend Teresa, who may have had her baby this week! I'll know when I go back to work Saturday.
And, click here for the stitch close-up.
UPDATE: Here is the link for this pattern, "Beth's Little Star Afghan."
Moving On.
I may have started something new - a headwrap. This pattern is from the IK website. I think it might be subscriber-only. ;-(
The Yarn? Patons Grace.
So, this pattern and another one I am working on involve the dastardly K3tog. When knitting two together is so simple, why is knitting three stitches together so damn hard? Especially in skinny cotton yarn on US2 needles, I might add.
I am a glutton for punishment.
When life hands you lemons...
Best thing to do is play with your new squeaky spider.
Good. Times.
Or, go to Karaoke with Carrieoke, get drunk, and belt out "One Way or Another" by Blondie, complete with boogie-ing in front of tons of people. Oh. My. Lord.
People really can be dimwits.
OK. So a few late night types read this post, in which this first part was a complaint about a thing that happened at work. I work in a hospital*, and I like to keep my work off the blog. I was so mad when I came home that I blogged this whole story.
A few hours later I am uncomfortable about it, and it's gone. I'm sorry, but I don't want to get Dooced. Just me ranting. But the first couple comments reflect this, so don't be confused. Someday later I'll get drunk and blog and tell it.
High Energy... CROCHETS?
Because you are so good as to listen to me complain, complain, and then delete the complaint, here is a picture of a baby afghan I am crochetting for a friend:
The book is the very book from which I learned to crochet at about age 7.
From 1975. Oh yeah.
Yeah, you heard right, crochet. I don't do it much, but this star is too cute. Here's the pattern.
I am crochetting because if I knitted an afghan it would take FOREVER. It's going pretty quick. The baby is due anytime so I am crochetting like a FIEND.
High Energy... FELTS?
I am also making the French Market Bag from Knitty. Because my friend AM is too, and I am a copycat.
This project has been an adventure. First, my washing machine is a super energy efficient front loader that I LOVE LOVE LOVE.**
However, it can't felt, really, because it is so low agitation (Yes, Alex, I know it felted your blanket. I can't explain that. It hasn't done it since ;-)). So I had to learn to felt by hand in the sink.
Also, I am using Rowan Cork which I got mostly for free, and I wasn't sure it would felt. So I made swatches, as recommended by a great book, Felted Knits. And it worked!
Here's pre-felt:
And post-felt:
Well, okay, it's hard to tell in pictures, but the fabrics are totally different now. It's cool. Took about 11 minutes in the sink.
So I started the bottom of the bag, and here it is being a beret for my deck post:
Isn't it jaunty?
I leave you with a picture of the Flowerbasket shawl being worn. That's the only pic I got, cause I gave it to me mom and she made off with it. ;-) See ya'll later.
*Please note this does not allow you to email me for medical advice. All such emails will be cheerfully ignored, or incorrect advice will be given, depending on my mood. You have been warned.
**There are SOME who say they care deeply for their washing machines. But I have true unconditional love for this machine. There are not words.
Seamstress for the band...*
That song has nothing to do with this post. Except that I'm listening to it right now. I am TELLING you, this damn blog needs a soundtrack! I'd love for you all to hear what I hear when I am blogging. Gah!
I want to thank you, for letting me, be myself, again.*
We interrupt this post to say:
YOU. PEOPLE. ROCK. MY. WORLD.
Thank you so much for all the nice comments. I am so lucky to have you all out there (and the noncommenters too!) It's so so nice to have you all as readers, and I am very lucky. I am out of my funk and back in the land of High Energy! Wooo-hoooo-hahahahahaha! Look Out!!!
Just think for a minute how I would be on crack or meth. Holy Shit! The world wouldn't be able to handle it!!!!!
Get with the knitting.
You got it. I present to you one finished Sister Sock. (And she even left a comment to approve of the sock. Please note this side is minus the "design feature" ;-D):
And because we do what we are told around here, please note the second sock is already started. Even my hubby knows:
Me: So I finished Mel's first sock. What MUST I do next before anything else?
Hubby: (Very decisively and sure of himself) Finish the other one.
Well, he sort of gets it, anyway. That exchange makes me snort out loud.
Ginger was cooler than Maryann
And, I got my act together to finish the front and back of Ginger:
I love this color. Love it love it love it. Because I'm not super sure the straps are long enough yet, they are on holders. I'm going to seam the sides and we will see. This plan will not fail.
A Tisket, A Tasket
And, last but not least, the Flowerbasket shawl, she is done:
Ok, but hurry and click HERE to see it all big!!
OK Kids! That's it for now! I am super happy with these results so far and feel I am finally accomplishing. Now, if I could just get enough energy to study for my CME test that I have to do this year. Oh, and er, last year's too. Oops. Studying=yucky.
*Elton John. I neglected to mention that the hubby always makes fun of this song by singing, "Hold me closer, Tony Danza."
**Or, as Sly & the Family say, "Thank you (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)"
It's just a jump to the left...
I have no idea what happened to me. Where have I been? What have I been doing? How has my time be accounted for? Oh, yeah. I went CLOTHES SHOPPING. Woo-wee for hours and hours. How painful and fun at the same time...
Thanks!
Thanks so much to you all for the first HEK blogday wishes. I am still really enjoying this blog, and it's because of all you nice folks. Makes knitting fun.
Yeah, yeah, enough sugary crap.
Well, finally some things have been accomplished around here.
1) The second most boring socks in the world are finished. The hubby's grey Regia ankle socks.
And here: he wants to show them IN cycling shoes. Geek.
2) And behold!, and lo!, there was a finished object. And the angels trumpeted. (Or at least one guy played the bagpipes) ---- my Honeymoon Cami is blocking:
3) I ran a 1/2 marathon in Nashville with the ever-amazing Anne Marie. I cut 10 minutes off my last time, but AM had never run one before and did the whole thing, and at a really good pace, almost under two hours (and way faster than me). Please go congratulate her if you haven't. I am extremely proud of her.
We're off to see the wizard...
Well, Friday AM and Carrie and I (and a special guest!) leave for MS&W. I haven't said much, cause, well, I figured pretty much everyone is sick of hearing about it, even those who are going. ;-) But it will be so fun, because I love spending time with those two crazy knitters. We will laugh and laugh. Hope to meet some of you bloggers!
Random fact.
Some of my favorite songs have either 1) handclaps ("I Don't Wanna Know" by Fleetwood Mac) 2) a portion where the background part drops dramatically out ("Something About You" by Boston) 3) or nonsense sounds instead of words ("uh uh uh, uh uh uh uh uh" in "The Breakup Song" by the Greg Kihn Band).
I think it's important you all know this. In case there is ever a television tribute show. Best to be prepared, really.
Don't you just love good music? Whatever it is for you, the kind that makes you dance around the house and sing not caring a whit how silly you look? That makes you smile, you just can't help it? I love that feeling. Best thing in the world. I would give anything to have a soundtrack to my blog entries. Just wait.
Stop Stalling, Sister.
Yeah, yeah. Lots and lots of updates today. In lieu of humor, because I'm tapped out.
1) Progress has been made on the ever-boring socks for my husband. I just can't get excited about gray men's socks. Despite the snide commentary that someone uses to drop hints now and then: "Gosh, my feet are cold." Yes, I buy that. It's 80°F in GA these days. Riiiiiight.
2) Rather than finish them, here's a new thing I've started - the "Flowerbasket" Shawl in IK. I blame Carrie, really. She started me on it. ;-)
I am using Mountain Colors "Mountain Goat".
I think that it will need many more repeats than the pattern states though. Might block it midway in progress to see how much it will stretch. What do you peeps think of a midway block? I thought I'd wet it down and pin it with either a spare thread or still on the needles.
3) I also started my Honeymoon Cami. I blame Julia for this. Fine, go ahead and write a great timeless pattern. When I have tons to knit. Fine. See if I care, lady!
Er. I digress.
Anyway, the yarn is Klaus Koch "Clip" and I love it more than life itself. So smooth, easy to knit, great drape and mildly shimmery but not too much.
As you can see, I put on a different edge, just for giggles. It's from Knitting on the Edge, and if you people play your cards right, I'll get my ass off the sofa and look up the name of the edge pattern. Sometime before I finish it, that is. Oh no, not today.
4) Last, but not least, I am making the "Chevron Scarf" from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I blame my friend Caroline for this, since it's for her.
Of course, right after this I realized it was too small and ripped it. I upgraded from US 0 to US 3 needles. Big difference. Might finish it this year this way.
Well, kids, that's all for now. Lots of good sunny days here. Wish the same to all ya'll.
Thank you, Secret Pal!
Well, I got me a valentine. My Secret Pal sent me these loverly items. The card is full of bath sprinkles, and how did she know HEJ has a new bathtub to go with her new house???? She wins super big points. She also sent a breast cancer bracelet, which I didn't have, and love.
Thanks, SP!
Another FO!
We're going crrrrrraaaaazzzzzzzzy around here at HEK. I have finished another knitted item. Well, two actually. I made a pair of fingerless gloves.
I know. Even though lots of super cool knitters have made some, I really didn't think I would wear such a thing. But we are trying to conserve energy and have a fancy new thermostat the hubby installed. It turns itself up and down at different times of the day.
But because of working at night frequently, I'm often awake when the thermostat is not. So it turns out having a pair of these nifty items really keeps me warm. I can be toasty under the covers except my hands, which might be holding a book, or, every now and again, knitting.
These are from Savannah Chik. Her pattern is called Natalya - you can download it, as in, it's FREE!!! Thanks, Savannah Chik!!! Very well written.
Click here for an ACTION SHOT. Really, click it, it's funny.
I used Lambs Pride Superwash which is becoming a new super favorite. So soft, easy to knit with, good colors. LOVE IT. On US 3's. I made the mitts shorter, as you can see. For practical reasons.
You should be ashamed.
Well, OK. Yes. I started and did like 1/3 of Clapotis last year, but never blogged about it, never even took a picture. I have no earthly idea why.
Was I trying to pretend I had never heard of it, in case the knitting authorities arrest me?
Authorities: What is this blue yarn on your needles? Looks a lot like Clapotis, ma'am.
HEJ: Officer, I have never seen that yarn before in my life, I swear.
Or was I trying to pretend I did NOT have another UFO on the needles?
Therapist: Let's talk today about your denial of your knitting obsession.
HEJ: What knitting?
Was I afraid Kate would say I wasn't good enough to make it?
Well, Kate's too nice, so that's not it. And whatever the reason, I never took a pic. Until today.
Cat-potis.
I'm using (as it says in the sidebar, but why not take up cyberspace and say it again) "2nd Time Cotton" by K1C2. It's recycled clothing industry yarn, and it's very soft. I like working with it a lot.
Roll the credits.
Well, once again you've wasted hours of your valuable time here at HEK. As always, I have more to say than the time-space continuum will allow ("Eddie's in the time-space continuum? Is this his sofa?"*). So, until next time. Thanks again to all you readers out there. Truly, I love it. THIRTEEN comments last time! Thanks for making me feel special!
*Someone out there must know what this quote is from. Hint: it's a book. Or the first of a series of books...
(A little Van Halen for you.)
Happy Runniversary!
That's right. Although I haven't been mentioning it much, I have been running, and I have been a runner for one year. I feel pretty good about this. My last blood pressure was 106/68, and my heart rate 62. Those are good numbers. I think I have really made a positive change.
Finished Object!
[trumpets blaring, processional music, crowd roaring]
I FINALLY have a FO for 2005. I finished my dad's "killing me softly socks." Wow, men's socks take a long time. (Not to be sexist.) Could also be I have like 6 ongoing projects? Hmmm.
Click on the pics for close-ups.
|
|
| The socks. | A close-up of the leg decreases. |
I think they will wear well for hiking and camping, especially.
New SOCKS!
What's this, HEJ? Didn't you promise yourself you wouldn't start something new? Yes, well, cough, hmmm. But these socks are due Mar. 15 for Sockapaloooooza (insert whiny voice here) so I had to start them! And, also, I love them. 100%. With all my heart.
And that fancy bit's the HEEL.
These are Walking Away Socks by Fibertrends. The yarn is Koigu PPM. Super fly.
So you lied.
Ok, well I have one, well, two other FO for 2005. I made two London Beanies the other day. Because the hubby needed a new hat. These were made with Lion Brand Kool Wool, which I now love, and the particular design shamelessly stolen from my friend Carrie. (See link to the original London Beanie page in her gallery.)
Now, that stripe was a big deal. At least it's placement was. My hubby frequently says, "oh, whatever" or "you choose" when deciding things like stripe placement, but this is not what he means, trust me. It's like when we picked out china when we got married. He said he didn't care. He blew it off. He didn't want to go look around the store.
But when I dragged him there, with every plate it was, "too white", "too brown", "too girly", "too round" (what?).
So I knew better with the stripes. I made suggestions, which were all wrong.
"Not THERE! That'd look stupid."
"Not two stripes!"
"Not too wide!"
After 10 yrs of marriage you would think this wouldn't surprise me. But he loved the finished product and has been wearing it every day. And I will go on pretending he isn't at all particular when it comes to these things. ;-)