O hai!

As predicted...no post for 3 months, then 2 in one day...

*What I'm working on...

My Branching Out toe up socks are 75% done

Your Princess Is In Another Castle...continues, unabated.

I did finish another square, only 27 to go...

*Finished Objects -

Kosta's "Stalagtites"

These were just dragging, he's a man. He doesn't want neat patterns. He wants plain, old vanilla socks. These were on the needles since we returned from Colorado, and I just couldn't bring myself to finish. They actually sat, with only the toe decreases needing to be done for a month! Then! I found Rachel Olsson's TDTU Vanilla Sock and learned how to do a TOE UP SOCK! WEEEEE!!! I finished the second sock in a day and a half!

*In My Queue -

TOE UP SOCKS!! I am IN LOVE with toe up sock construction! They are so fast! As always, I can never be told what to do, I have to come upon it on my own. Now I know what everyone was talking about when they raved about knitting from the toe up!

*Rambly Ramblington -

So, Colorado was a blast and I swear if we could move there at this very moment, I totally would. I can't speak highly enough about it.

Work has been extremely busy and stressful, I have just been so wound up when I get home at night that I have trouble settling in to knit...and that made me sad.

I found that if I listen to podcasts, I can knit to my hearts content and make good progress.

My schedule changed at work, and I am now working 8a-5p, and wishing that I had a knitting group to go to once a week. No such luck.

*Things I am digging -

Again, podcasts. I finally subscribed to "The Knitmore Girls" and OMG!! I LOVE IT!!

At this moment, I am listening to episode 51.

Hand painted sock yarn...my love for it has been rekindled with two skeins of Claudia Handpainted Fingering sock yarn in "Hawaii".

My swift & ballwinder!!

You know what is a pain in the ass? Ordering sock yarn online, having it arrive in a hank and having to hand wind it into a ball.

Well, now I don't have to! Kosta got me a swift and ballwinder for my birthday!

(fresh off of the ballwinder!)

When we went to Fancy Tiger in Denver, CO - I bought 2 hanks of Lorna's Laces shepherd sock and the woman at the register graciously offered to wind them for me and I quickly replied "NO!" - in retrospect, I should have said that I wanted to do it myself on my new equipment! She probably thought I was a fool that was going to wind it by hand :)

My Knit Kit

I take my knitting EVERYWHERE.

Since I am primarily a sock knitter, my knit kit contains all the essentials for anything I might encounter when knitting in the wild.

I contain my knit kit in a red, faux-snakeskin leather makeup bag that came as part of an Estee Lauder holiday makeup kit many, many moons ago. It's about 6"h x 8"w x 2"d. It fits all my tools, as well as my sock in progress and a back up ball of yarn, in case I want to cast on something new.

Photo #1:

A small hole developed in the liner, I have no clue why, but it fits a tapestry needle perfectly. This is handy, it keeps my needle right where I need it.

Photo#2:

The Contents-

Susan Bates "knit-chek"

Fiskars scissors

stitch markers (that I rarely use)

Point protector (I don't think I've ever used it)

Tape measure

Analog row counter (that task has been outsourced to my Stitchminder app)

Knitting needle tube filled with an assortment of sock sized DPNs

Impromptu cable needle

Pilfered hotel post its - for keeping my place on pattern rows, especially if I plan on reusing the pattern.

Bobby pins - to put my hair back if needed.

Size H crochet hook

Size F crochet hook

Feelin' Fine!

*What I'm working on...

Kosta's Jaywalkers are 65% done

Your Princess Is In Another Castle...indefinitely, it would seem.

I was going to do a pair of Jaywalkers for myself, but was distracted by a new technique!

While listening to the Knit Knit Cafe podcast, Ben mentioned picking up the stitches on an afterthought heel before picking out the waste yarn. BRILLIANT.

I have been dying to try this method, but the only video tutorial I could find showed the demonstrator just picking out the waste yarn, THEN picking up the stitches.

I'm sorry, but there is nothing that would make me intentionally pick out the waste yarn and risk dropping all those stitches.

Clearly, a more skilled knitter has no qualms to this.

I have been mulling over taking the "afterthought heel" plunge and the only thing that was holding me back was the freed stitches.

Thanks to Ben, I successfully knit my first afterthought heel.

*Finished Objects -

Not a darn thing. The Jaywalkers are going soooo sloooow, because they are done in BLACK yarn. Plain, old manly black yarn. Boo.

*In My Queue -

I can't believe I didn't add this segment before!

Babies are a-foot! There are lots of new babies expected this year and I want to knit a little something for each of them. So, I have several things in the works for that.

I would like to knit myself a pair of socks. Since the first few pair I knit for myself are wearing out due to shoddy, hasty construction I think it's time that I knit socks for myself as if I was gifting them to someone else. (meaning: no rush to close that toe! I have had so many socks with short cuffs and short feet because I wanted to hurry up and finish.)

Word of the Day - Bakanovacation!

We're taking to the skies and spending a long weekend in Denver, CO this April!

A great friend of ours, who was also the best man in our wedding, lives in Denver and is always asking "When are you guys coming to Denver??" and last week Kosta answered!

Thanks to teh interwebz, Kosta found an amazing deal on a package for the flight, hotel & rental car and it's booked! All I need now is for April to get here faster!

Colorado, here we come!

*Rambly Ramblington -

I am so proud of myself! Today, I went on a brisk 30 minute walk during my lunch. I honestly don't know why I didn't do this before.

I dread working out. I can never find the time, there is no way I am getting up early to do it - tried that, then hit the snooze and said "I'll work out when I get home from work!"

Yeah, then I get home - at 10 pm, mind you, and am so beat from the day that I say "I will do it on the weekend..." and you know how that goes. Working out 1 day a week for 45 minutes doesn't really make a dent (or any less of me, for that matter.)

After my walk today, I felt quite invigorated - are these those "work out endorphins" people keep talking about?

Anyhoo, I hope I can keep this up.

*Things I am digging -

OMG, Podcasts.

Specifically, knitting podcasts & Stuff You Should Know/ Stuff Mom Never Told You.

I used to be a very devout podcast listener, back when I first got my iPod shuffle (which my mom has since absconded with)

I think around that time was the height of the knitting podcast era, there were so many to choose from. As time went on, a lot of the podcasts stopped being updated so they fell off my radar.

Then my iPod Nano died (so sad!) for no reason! Just died!

But then, as mentioned in a previous post My Most Amazing and Awesome Hubby got me an iTouch for Christmas, and it was on!

Podcasts, video casts & apps. It's all about the apps.

As a matter of fact, I just downloaded a pedometer app so I can see how far I work. I *really* want the Nike+iPod sensor, since the iTouch has the app for it built in and I wouldn't need the dongle as a receiver as I would have on the iPod Nano I had before.

Something to add to the Amazon wishlist!

"It tastes burny..."

*What I am working on -



Your Princess Is In Another Castle...still on the needles, 8 squares down only 28 more to go!



Jaywalkers for everyone!

I found a suitable pattern for Kosta! I am knitting a pair of Jaywalkers in Cascade Fixation, with some mods to accomodate thicker yarn (CO 60 sts, size 3 DPNs)

I am 3/4 through the first sock, and working on size 3 DPNs is going really quick!

I am also knitting a pair for myself in Paton's Stretch Sock in Plum, on size 2 DPNs.

Huzzah for Stashbusting!





*Finished Objects -



Not a very productive week, I found a ball of I Love This Cotton in Tuscany that I thought I lost and cast on a Bring Me Home Hat as I add to my baby hope chest.

I also completed a Mitered Scrubby Dishcloth, which knit up kinda small. It was OK, the yarn itself is pretty soft & floppy - not much structure and it doesn't hold it's shape.



*Rambly Ramblington -

The weather in northern Illinois can't seem to make up it's mind. Last week it was in the 50's and today, we have freezing rain that is making everyone do this:

Which, while very very funny is also very, very painful. (Sorry you fell, John)

I have decided that I am scared of Cookie A's book "Sock Innovation", it has become quite clear that I am not nearly as proficient in sock knitting as I thought I was. Another reason is that I don't like reading charts. I like words. I am remedial, clearly.

I also discovered that I love beets. Sliced beets, shredded beets and especially pickled beets. I have also found that beets are nature's drano and the end result is purple.

Over the weekend, I tried alcohol infused whipped cream. It was caramel flavored and was unanimously decided that it tastes burny, then like maple syrup.

*Things I am digging -

I have rekindled my love affair with tea, and am currently sipping Stash Lemon Ginger tea - because my tumbly has a rumbly :(

Google Calendars - I can update information, and Kosta can log in and see it! Hooray for organization!

How Did I Ever Manage Without You?

*What I’m Working On –

Your Princess Is In Another Castle...continues to be on the needles... I imagine it will be the cornerstone of this blog.

*Finished Objects –

Not a very productive week. I am currently wrestling with trying to find a suitable sock pattern for Kosta. Not too femmy for him, not boring for me. The search continues.

I have been trying to do some stashbusting, but since I am at an impasse on the Hubby socks, I don't want to cast anything else on just yet.

*Rambly-Ramblington –

Today marks the end of the most dreadful time of year at work - Peak Season. We were served champagne & chocolate and all was well.

I attempted to cook venison this past weekend, and because of this - I can no longer eat venison. I was assured by many that my creation was good, I maintain that it smelled like dog shit. This is much to my dismay because I used to really like venison until I handled it thawed and raw. Ugh, I could seriously start dry heaving right now at the thought...MOVING ON!

This being Valentine's Day Weekend, the hubby and I are going to have dinner at Texas De Brazil and an overnight stay at The Westin - two of our favorite respites.

The Westin's toiletries are second only to W Hotel toiletries - Bliss Lemon+Sage

After looking up what the Bliss toiletries cost, I am sad that I didn't rob the maid's cart in the hallway for more :(

Don't fret, I am not a hotel toiletry snob - I also adore the shampoo and conditioner at the Comfort Suites in Cedar Falls, IA.

*Things I’m Digging – As the title of this blog asks: How did I ever manage without you?

1 - In honor of Valentine's Day, My amazing husband gets is the first mention. My life is better now that he is in it.

2 - My 4th generation iPod Touch. It completes me. It never ceases to amaze me and have yet to find fault in it. It was my Christmas present from the aforementioned amazing husband. Some women want to have diamonds lavished upon them, I just want high tech gadgets. Although, the iPod Touch is just as expensive :D

Snowtorious BIG 2011

What I’m Working On:

On the needles this week:

*Bougie Wino - a quick, knitted wine cozy for a dinner @ The HoyFloyds tomorrow night. I used the pattern: Vino Bello by Merin McManus Collins. I am using Red Heart Eco-Ways Bamboo Wool in the Twilight colorway.

-The Red Heart Eco-Ways Bamboo Wool yarn is really smooth and I like the way it knits up, but it seems a little splitty. I find that is common among bamboo yarn. At least in my experience.

*Your Princess Is In Another Castle... - This is a long-term, on going project. Click the link for more details.

Finished Objects:

*Baby socks for a co-worker's baby-to-be - this is the Loopy's Red Sock Kit, modified slightly by going up a needle size to make it a newborn sized sock. I used about 15 grams of leftover Claudia Handpainted sock yarn in the colorway "Sharks!"

The Vino Bello can also be added to the finished object catagory, it was gifted to our gracious hosts last Saturday night.

Rambly-Ramblington:

-I seem to be afflicted with SAD. Or whatever that Seasonal Mood Disorder is. I believe it started last May...

I have been looking online at the Verilux Happylites after dinner/ game night with John & Justin last Saturday. They had one on their counter and I found myself feeling quite tranquil whilst basking in its glow.

(this may have been a direct result of the wine)

I did take a picture of the light, I wonder if I could just stare at the picture and save myself the $80?

-Today at work, they catered in Portillo's. If you are not familiar, it's delicious and I could live on their chopped salad. I had a heaping pile of salad (not the chopped salad, sadly) mostly iceberg and carrot shreds. I am not usually a fan of these types of salad, however, they did provide their famous Portillo's House Dressing. I don't know what it's made of, definitly some kind of magic and lots of calories. The salad had an inordinate amount of red onions. My breath tastes offensive, I can only imagine what it smells like. Sorry, co-workers.

-This past week we had an actual blizzard! Not the one of epic proportions that I was secretly praying for, but one that snowed us in for a day. Snow Days as an adult are significantly less enjoyable. You spend your time worrying about "Will the roof cave in/ blow off from all the snow?" "Why didn't I buy more milk on Sunday?" "Who is going to shovel all this godforsaken snow?". Luckily our power stayed on, I wish I could say so much for Comcast who supplies both our TV & Internet (or as I like say 'Internet...wife, mother, secret lover' ) I was able maintain my sanity, but found that when the cable kicked back in intermittantly, The Shining was on.

Things I’m Digging: My friend Justin's grandmother, Pearl makes the most delicious pickles EVER. We devoured them on Saturday night and my new goal is to make my own homemade pickles.

Tosh.0 - I don't even know how to describe it for those who have never seen it. It's on Comedy Central, I highly recommend adding it to your DVR schedule.

Back on the needles again

Wow, that sounds like I've gone to heroin, doesn't it?

I assure you this is just my prodigal return to blogging about knitting!

A blog resurrection, if you will.

So, first of all - let me make no commitment.

No grand promises of a blog every day, or to hand knit a pair of socks every month for a year - (am I effing crazy??)

My only promise is that I will post on this blog whenever I feel like it. Deal? Super.

Let's get started!

Happy February! It is now 2011 and I have to say that my appetite for knitting has become voracious lately.

I celebrated my 3 year Knittaversary on 1/16/2011 - shocking, I know. This is the longest and most prolific hobby I've ever had.

Segments:

Taking a queue from some of my favorite podcasts, I would like to segment my blog posts so that they have structure and I don't have to worry about getting all rambly-ramblington.

*This is no guarantee that I won't get all rambly-ramblington from time to time...like right now for example.

The segments will be as follows:

*What I’m Working On – this is pretty self-explanatory, I will tell you what I am currently working on. This will include the pattern name and designer, and a link to my Ravelry project page.

*Finished Objects – I will talk about a noteworthy project I have completed, will also link to the Ravelry project page

*Rambly-Ramblington – This will be the section that I ramble in. Sometimes, it will be about knitting, or life in general.

*Things I’m Digging – This will be where I talk about things I am currently enamored with.

Now that I have laid out the plan - I will post a real blog post! Stay tuned!