Woolarina
Saturday, March 31, 2007
moving sale!
Y'all know I am moving soon, right?! Help me get rid of some yarn before I move!!
Sale going on now on a lot of the bright springy colors! 15% off through April 14.
Sale going on now on a lot of the bright springy colors! 15% off through April 14.
two socks... and then...
Last week I finished a pair of socks! One was some toe-up pattern I finished last fall and the other was the magic loop and afterthought heel leg down sock.
Neither is perfect. I went a *bit too far* on the toe up sock (these aren't meant to be knee socks and definitely won't stay up my calves!), and the ankle was a bit larger than necessary. On the second sock, I'd really like a bit more in the leg, but the rest is mostly okay. The foot is just a smidge tighter, but I couldn't notice too much different with the two socks side by side. Not enough to rip, at least!
The long leg, though? That had to go. I pulled out all that handspun (!) last night. I guess because it was handspun. It's not precious, and I don't love love love the color, but it was a lot of work, so I suppose it's worth it to do it right(er).
I'm already an inch and a half past this - going the magic loop route. We'll see how far up I go - maybe I can make #1 longer while I am at it!
Neither is perfect. I went a *bit too far* on the toe up sock (these aren't meant to be knee socks and definitely won't stay up my calves!), and the ankle was a bit larger than necessary. On the second sock, I'd really like a bit more in the leg, but the rest is mostly okay. The foot is just a smidge tighter, but I couldn't notice too much different with the two socks side by side. Not enough to rip, at least!
The long leg, though? That had to go. I pulled out all that handspun (!) last night. I guess because it was handspun. It's not precious, and I don't love love love the color, but it was a lot of work, so I suppose it's worth it to do it right(er).
I'm already an inch and a half past this - going the magic loop route. We'll see how far up I go - maybe I can make #1 longer while I am at it!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
magic afterthought
I knit a sock with my handspun last fall and left it to hide out in a box for a while. I liked the handspun, but didn't love the sock. It's a heavy sport weight yarn, and the sock just was coming out chunkier than I expected. It was okay, but not great. Also? What would happen to the heels and toes? (I have sharp toes, it seems, and super rough heels...)
I finally picked up a really long circular needle at the yarn shop last week and cast on for the matching (or not) sock Wednesday night! Magic loop, finally! I don't know if it's faster, as the yarn is pretty thick compared to anything knit on 1's! Anyhow, to solve the heel and toe-wearing, I'm going to attempt an afterthought heel on these. Which one, I have no idea. But that line it where it's at! I'm somewhat following directions in twisted sisters, though I didn't see the part about where to stick the waste yarn! Hope I am close!! It's cruising along, despite my wrists being achey and me trying to cut back on knitting time!
I finally picked up a really long circular needle at the yarn shop last week and cast on for the matching (or not) sock Wednesday night! Magic loop, finally! I don't know if it's faster, as the yarn is pretty thick compared to anything knit on 1's! Anyhow, to solve the heel and toe-wearing, I'm going to attempt an afterthought heel on these. Which one, I have no idea. But that line it where it's at! I'm somewhat following directions in twisted sisters, though I didn't see the part about where to stick the waste yarn! Hope I am close!! It's cruising along, despite my wrists being achey and me trying to cut back on knitting time!
Saturday, March 24, 2007
adrian fenty asked me for goo
I woke up at 5:30 this AM to volunteer to man a water stop for the National Marathon. I thought it'd be a dull time, but we were totally pumped! We were on a rather large hill at mile 19, so we had to provide a lot of motivation as well to the poor runners! Better screaming and jumping around than standing there freezing our fingers off! It was fun!
Anyhow, the mayor ran the race too, though he didn't need our water or gatorade! He was wearing a Fleet Feet shirt.
I've finally gotten around to getting roving in the shop! Not a whole lot, but I do hope to get it out of the apartment! I love the superwash merino! I am knitting a sock (first time on magic loop!) out of some, and adore it.
What's happening the rest of this weekend? Stuff like this.. going through old stuff and toss toss tossing! (or recycling!) Ha! Look at this - it's ONE SEMESTER of math... granted, this was crazyland math - seriously like 8 math classes in one!
here's one of my "cheat sheets" we used for exams. look at that tiny font!
Anyhow, the mayor ran the race too, though he didn't need our water or gatorade! He was wearing a Fleet Feet shirt.
I've finally gotten around to getting roving in the shop! Not a whole lot, but I do hope to get it out of the apartment! I love the superwash merino! I am knitting a sock (first time on magic loop!) out of some, and adore it.
What's happening the rest of this weekend? Stuff like this.. going through old stuff and toss toss tossing! (or recycling!) Ha! Look at this - it's ONE SEMESTER of math... granted, this was crazyland math - seriously like 8 math classes in one!
here's one of my "cheat sheets" we used for exams. look at that tiny font!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
unsettled
It seems like everything in my life is waiting to move forward right now, and it's getting a little crazy.. waiting on moving into the condo, moving to a new office (due to MOLD in my office! ICK!), changing jobs (? doubtful!!), and the neverending stream of knitting projects that I am wanting to start..
I get into "moods" once in a while where I just haaaaavvvee to start something new. (never mind the twenty projects laying around the apartment or in a box, patiently waiting for me!) So I drag out yarn, needles, books, etc. and cast on for a swatch. If I'm lucky, I only get the swatch started before coming to my senses and backing away from the yarn. (this week's swatch was forecast in two strands of orange sportweight peace fleece.. still contemplating...) If I'm feeling overly ambitious, I manage to buy new needles and new yarn before I stop. This time, I have a deep-rooted need to cast on more socks. WTH?! I know I have half a dozen socks to finish, and yet?!
Anyhow, this weeks mood (and a need to shop for a swap I'm doing) got me to a new yarn shop between home and work.. What a great shop! It's in an up-and-coming part of (slightly ghetto-ish -- and I say that as someone raised there! ;) pg county that has been pretty dreadful in the past (haha, I am remembering driving down rhode island ave. into DC from campus always.. ick!) Now there are $400k+ rowhomes going in, and a fun brewery / general store across the street that is always good for pal shopping! Anyhow, I walked in and both owners greeted me! I got an entire tour of the shop, oohing and aahing over all the yarn and shop samples. They've got all the standards it seems. I asked if they planned to carry local yarns and they've had a couple of people with interest ask, but haven't seen their stuff yet. I hope to get my stuff together (before I move!) and show them.. I bet it'd do well there.
I managed to walk out of the shop with a lot of crap for someone not even looking.. a three-pack of SOAK, some noro, some sock yarn (in hundertwasser colorway - Der Blaue Mond), some US3 circulars, and some doodads for my swap partner. WTF? Why!? I am dutifully purging my home of stuff, but I just had to buy..
I am super excited about the Hundertwasser yarn. Dude's my favorite artist ever. I love love love the museum in Vienna with his works, and the architecture.. omg! heart. That and viennese coffee. And Heurigen. haha, okay, vienna just rocks!
Oh, and a side note? Looking at the Opal site for more information.. whoa! I passed through Hechingen a few times when I lived in Germany.. if only I knew there was socky goodness about back then!
I get into "moods" once in a while where I just haaaaavvvee to start something new. (never mind the twenty projects laying around the apartment or in a box, patiently waiting for me!) So I drag out yarn, needles, books, etc. and cast on for a swatch. If I'm lucky, I only get the swatch started before coming to my senses and backing away from the yarn. (this week's swatch was forecast in two strands of orange sportweight peace fleece.. still contemplating...) If I'm feeling overly ambitious, I manage to buy new needles and new yarn before I stop. This time, I have a deep-rooted need to cast on more socks. WTH?! I know I have half a dozen socks to finish, and yet?!
Anyhow, this weeks mood (and a need to shop for a swap I'm doing) got me to a new yarn shop between home and work.. What a great shop! It's in an up-and-coming part of (slightly ghetto-ish -- and I say that as someone raised there! ;) pg county that has been pretty dreadful in the past (haha, I am remembering driving down rhode island ave. into DC from campus always.. ick!) Now there are $400k+ rowhomes going in, and a fun brewery / general store across the street that is always good for pal shopping! Anyhow, I walked in and both owners greeted me! I got an entire tour of the shop, oohing and aahing over all the yarn and shop samples. They've got all the standards it seems. I asked if they planned to carry local yarns and they've had a couple of people with interest ask, but haven't seen their stuff yet. I hope to get my stuff together (before I move!) and show them.. I bet it'd do well there.
I managed to walk out of the shop with a lot of crap for someone not even looking.. a three-pack of SOAK, some noro, some sock yarn (in hundertwasser colorway - Der Blaue Mond), some US3 circulars, and some doodads for my swap partner. WTF? Why!? I am dutifully purging my home of stuff, but I just had to buy..
I am super excited about the Hundertwasser yarn. Dude's my favorite artist ever. I love love love the museum in Vienna with his works, and the architecture.. omg! heart. That and viennese coffee. And Heurigen. haha, okay, vienna just rocks!
Oh, and a side note? Looking at the Opal site for more information.. whoa! I passed through Hechingen a few times when I lived in Germany.. if only I knew there was socky goodness about back then!
Saturday, March 17, 2007
the great vanishing act
Yikes, it's been two weeks! We are just waiting for winter to be over here. The weather is such a tease. Ugh.
We were in Michigan last weekend for a family funeral... quickie trip. Why is it that families wait until funerals to get together? We used to have family reunions, but people have slowly lost interest and stay apart. Anyhow, it was nice seeing my family, even though it was a sad event.
I got over to Threadbear in Lansing as well! What a nice shop! I was overwhelmed at the size of it - it looked small from the front! They had a spinning class starting when I was there.. I so wish I could have stayed! Unfortunately not a lot of spinning supplies (I need a new driveband soon) but I managed to walk out with a couple skeins of Manos for my husband and some Colinette Jitterbug for me (why do I need more sock yarn!?). Even in my neednoyarnmustcleanapartment state! Hm.
I've been knitting madly on the neverending gray husband sweater... I figure I am a few inches from the armpit divide already! If that is the case, I bought way too much yarn! We will see how it goes, but I have three more skeins of yarn and am guessing I only need one. I knit through the skein I was on in Michigan, and was forced to remember (make up?!) how to turn a short row heel. In the dark watching a movie. SOooo not pretty. I also hate hate hate the socks, so blah. they are ribbed on the foot and seem too wide. Also, they are a few inches too short in the cuff. One is 95% done, the other 55%. What to do?!
I did finish a hat. In acrylic. (barf!) I need to spin more rainbowy wools, as this acrylic was a pain to knit with. I am not even sure what about it I disliked, just that it wasn't pleasing to work on. Love the striping though!! :)
We were in Michigan last weekend for a family funeral... quickie trip. Why is it that families wait until funerals to get together? We used to have family reunions, but people have slowly lost interest and stay apart. Anyhow, it was nice seeing my family, even though it was a sad event.
I got over to Threadbear in Lansing as well! What a nice shop! I was overwhelmed at the size of it - it looked small from the front! They had a spinning class starting when I was there.. I so wish I could have stayed! Unfortunately not a lot of spinning supplies (I need a new driveband soon) but I managed to walk out with a couple skeins of Manos for my husband and some Colinette Jitterbug for me (why do I need more sock yarn!?). Even in my neednoyarnmustcleanapartment state! Hm.
I've been knitting madly on the neverending gray husband sweater... I figure I am a few inches from the armpit divide already! If that is the case, I bought way too much yarn! We will see how it goes, but I have three more skeins of yarn and am guessing I only need one. I knit through the skein I was on in Michigan, and was forced to remember (make up?!) how to turn a short row heel. In the dark watching a movie. SOooo not pretty. I also hate hate hate the socks, so blah. they are ribbed on the foot and seem too wide. Also, they are a few inches too short in the cuff. One is 95% done, the other 55%. What to do?!
I did finish a hat. In acrylic. (barf!) I need to spin more rainbowy wools, as this acrylic was a pain to knit with. I am not even sure what about it I disliked, just that it wasn't pleasing to work on. Love the striping though!! :)
Sunday, March 04, 2007
eeeeee!
I am in the midst of job applications! It appears that the job description is written for me, as I meet about 99% of the requirements and job description already. Woo hoo! Still.. it is tough to remember and put into words all that I have done the past few years!
Knitting is getting done, but it's on this sweater that has eleventy million miles of stockinette stitch, so not interesting. Also, it is gray. Good for project spectrum, but I am a multi-color sort of gal. (husband insisted on gray! ;) Sigh..
Spinning! I added some paillette/sequin doohickies to a couple of yarns today and found it to be such a pain! The thread (from habu I think?) was overplied and twisty and the one yarn was still actively plying back on itself the whole time. Grrr. Still, it was good to numb my mind a little for application words!
Moving!!! We took two car-loads of boxes to my dad's, as well as a bookcase and recliner. Our (really huge!) bedroom now looks sooo much bigger. Our new bedroom will be like half the size of the current one, so no more shelves or recliners! But really - I always told myself I'd read or knit in there, and never once did in three years! Who am I kidding?! It's sad to pack it up, but good to pare down!
Knitting is getting done, but it's on this sweater that has eleventy million miles of stockinette stitch, so not interesting. Also, it is gray. Good for project spectrum, but I am a multi-color sort of gal. (husband insisted on gray! ;) Sigh..
Spinning! I added some paillette/sequin doohickies to a couple of yarns today and found it to be such a pain! The thread (from habu I think?) was overplied and twisty and the one yarn was still actively plying back on itself the whole time. Grrr. Still, it was good to numb my mind a little for application words!
Moving!!! We took two car-loads of boxes to my dad's, as well as a bookcase and recliner. Our (really huge!) bedroom now looks sooo much bigger. Our new bedroom will be like half the size of the current one, so no more shelves or recliners! But really - I always told myself I'd read or knit in there, and never once did in three years! Who am I kidding?! It's sad to pack it up, but good to pare down!
