Begin - Again and Again and Again?

I have been toying with a few posts for a while . . . OK more than a month . . . but just couldn't get my thoughts in order. I would begin, really enthusiastic about my topic, knitting and life in general. Then something would side track me (usually RM with some type of ache or pain - he's been sick). So the post would go by the wayside. Tomorrow I will post, I promised myself. Now, tomorrow came and went, and guess what . . . still no stinkin' post! The next week was here and I began again. Not really enjoying the post I started from last week, I began again. Wait, now I am bushed because work is kicking my arse. Whomever thought I could jump right back into full time work after 5 years off was loco. Oh, wait that was me. So instead of posting, I slept for two weeks. Well not really, but it just seems that way. A month or so passes and still no post. Really nice blogging friends begin to e-mail me about my whereabouts. I don't even have the energy to respond - bad friend that I am.

But my guilt is killing me, so finally I post. I get my lazy butt to the computer to set something out.
What to I write about?
Where do I begin?
It seems I can't remember the beginning, middle and right now don't want to know the end. All drafts seem frivolous and nonsensical that I can't bring myself to look at them. So I have begun, yet again. Begun to blog about knitting, life, skiing, running, kids and whatever else I damn well please. Mainly the knitting part, because it seems that's all I know. So watch for me!

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday to the best lurker I know!

PS ~ your a great brother-in-law, a super dad and obviously really good at making babies, since she's knocked up again! Do we need to have the "talk," so you know exactly how these things happen?

All kidding aside, you are the best and we at Trixie's house send you only the happiest birthday wishes.

Actual Knitting is Being Done

I have cast on for RM's Christmas socks. These are done in Nature Spun 100% wool and the color is blueberry. Now, I am not afraid to blog about them, because honestly, RM doesn't read my blog. At. All. And I am ok with that.

The pattern is made up as I go along. Beginning with a figure 8 cast-on, then 2 x 2 ribbing and a short row heel, I may end with a complete sock. How simple. Did I mention that this yarn is a worsted weight, so they are going F.A.S.T.

Now on to something I should have blogged about a long time ago. These were RM's socks from last Valentine's Day. They are knit with two different toe up styles. The one on the right is with Wendy's generic recipe. The one on the left was with knit picks two at once pattern. Definitely like Wendy's recipe best of the two. Because of my experiment with the cast on's, each toe is different and the toe stripes don't match. I worked hard to get these socks to stripe the same. Even the heels match (using a short row heel). There is a better photo here. Note that these were for Valentines day, but I never even started them until after the darned holiday and finished them well into March. But RM likes them and often takes them when we go up to Boyne Mountain. An added bonus is I did not finish them until after the 52 Pair Plunge started - so they count!

And . . . only 442 bloglines left to read!

PS ~ if you left the comment about my simple wrapover, I would love to e-mail you a photo and exchange tips, so please leave your e-mail address.

929 Bloglines to Read

OMG! A lot has happened without me in the past few weeks.

929 bloglines about knitting. . .do we really not have anything else to do in our lives?

I certainly hope we don't. Reading these lovely blogs about knitting, life and simple pleasures are my way of slowing down the hectic whirlwind that I call life. The beauty of words and photos mixed with glimpses into a stranger’s life are exciting. My day ends with the anticipation of perusing these glimpses, making me very happy. Capping my day off right, so to speak. Therefore, I am going to take my time and read through each one, reading slowly so to enjoy the loveliness each blog possesses.

Though commenting may be a little tough. It seems my little brain only has so many words it can spew forth in a semi-coherent manner on any given day. Commenting on one or two is difficult enough, but over 50 a day?! Gees, who do you think I am? Wonder woman?!**

**The visual of me wearing the skimpy costume, the sexy boots and the gold wrist bands while knitting and reading blogs seems hysterical to me at this moment. What do you think?

Roza Sock Done

Pattern: Roza's Socks from IK's Spring '07 Issue by Grumperina
Yarn: Rio De La Plata Yarns Merino Sock in Quartz pink - confetti - dry rose
Needles: US 1 Addi Lace Circular
Started: July 10, 2007
Finished: September 21, 2007
Notes: Very classic pattern. It also taught me how to use the figure 8 cast-on. This cast on has now become my favorite. I had added an additional repeat, but found the results odd (that's being delicate). So I went back to a basic rule . . . trust the pattern. I followed it to a "t" and now have a beautiful pair of socks. The yarn is scrumptious. All I can say is "I want more!"

I Believe!

Ten Things I believe:

1. Getting a job seriously cuts into knitting and blogging time.
2. Running is a great way to blow off steam.
3. Blogging friends are the best! Examples are here and here to name only a few.
4. High School is tougher than I remember. Yea, I did graduate some 20+ years ago. But Soccer Chica is just beginning the High School experience. . . and all I can say is WOW!
5. If I could main line coffee each morning, I would.
6. You must set time aside time to knit if you want any completed items.
7. My husband can't make a bed to save his life.
8. Roza socks do eventually get finished (I promise to post details later - when I find all the time I have lost over the past month *insert hysterical laughter*).
9. Summer comes to an end way too soon.
10. I truly believe in the Keyboard Fairy! Thank you oh so much, you know who you are. Cough, cough "lurker!" Cough, cough.

Now if I could only find the house cleaning fairy . . .

Special Days

Pooh Bear, I remember . . .

Weinterruptthisregularlyscheduledprogram

Wearecurrentlyhavingkeyboarddifficultyduetoabottled
waterincident.Mybottleofwater
thoughitwouldbefunto"mate"withthekeyboard.
Theygottoegther,thenthewaterleft/
mykeyboardheartbrokenandhalfaman.

Pleasebepatientwithme.

Canyouguesswhichkeyswereaffected?

Fashionably Late

Well, I am fashionably late to just about everything. Tennis players receive 15 minute "grace period" or default time before the match is called for no-show. RM calls my constant lateness my "default-time." Mom says I could be late to my own funeral. So, naturally we usually plan accordingly. People expect me to be late.

So here I am telling you much later . . . I got my invite to Ravelry! Well, I really received a month ago, but have been secretly working on it since then. Still a work in progress, but I am loving all the options available.

Pssst. Can I tell you a secret? I am relieved to have everything in one spot. Honestly? I have spread sheets for needles, stash yarn, completed projects and queued projects. Add in a three ring binder with photos and short notes about each project and we have a lot of information hid spread all over the house. But I could not keep everything organized or up to date. Too much work in too many damn places. So Ravelry is really working for me. Gone are the spreadsheets (but not the binder, I kinda like it) freeing up my time to knit or play on the Internet with my other knitting friends.

And to be even later to the party, I also have a flickr account now! Finally. So when I can figure out how to get links in my sidebar to each of these sites, I'll let you know.

Hey, does anyone know how to get certain keys on the keyboard to work after 1/2 a bottle of water is spilled on it? They worked this morning right after the spill incident. Help *** the delete button won't work! ***

Yarn Peaks

Casting on for my Habu Jacket was interesting. So far, I am enjoying this knit. The stainless steel makes the yarn extremely fun to work with. Right now, the novelty of knitting something with metal is engaging me more than a typical yarn would.What I find truly unique is that the yarn can be molded (due to the stainless steel component), by which I mean you can sculpt or pull (gently) on the fabric and it remains exactly where you put it. How amusing it is to have a sweater with little bumps all over it (almost like peaks) and not have had to knit a single bobble or do anything fancy. I have to laugh at the thought of making two peaks right in the middle of my back. . . you wouldn't be able to tell if I was coming or going! And, if later you want a smooth jacket, just gently stretch the fabric back into shape. How clever is that!

Roza socks are at a stand still. I ripped them out, began again, and asked for my mulligan. My calculations were a bit off and I could not get the foot to work out correctly. Very tight, very, very tight fitting. Which I considered odd because I cast on more stitches than the pattern required. It has to do with how many stitches I used for heel vs. top of foot (more in heel, less on foot) which didn't compute for me. My math skills weak. Let's just say if I were to play this game, I would definitely be on the loosing end. Now, I am following the pattern word for word. If they are too small for me. . . I'll give them as a gift. Yet, my heart longs for them to fit. The yarn is splendid and the pattern is simple and classy.

We spent the weekend between a charity Pro-Am tennis tournament and Fall Futbol Frenzy tournament. RM has been organizing this tournament for 19 years, raising a total of over $95,000 for scholarships. This year was another fun year. I am proud of his commitment to charity works, but do not hesitate to tell you that by Sunday he is exhausted. The soccer was great with Soccerchica's team taking second place overall. She played super, even in 97 degree heat!

I need to send out a "Happy Birthday" to JJ. She celebrated her birthday over the weekend. You can check out her blog at Mum's the Word.

New Socks - Roza's

I have cast on for Grumperina's Roza's Sock from IK Spring '07. Initially I had concerns that the width might not be right for me. I have an 8.5 size shoe, with the ball of my foot being 9 inches around. This pattern says that they are 6 inches around unstretched. In my simple mind, I am feeling that as written the socks would knit up too small for me. So instead of casting on the 60 stitches as directed I added another 6 stitches (or one repeat) to help conquer the width issue. Let's see how this works out. . .

There Is Yarn In Arizona!

Yea, even wool!

Here is what I scored while there. Very pleased with myself, if I do say so.

Some beautiful Rio de Plata 100% kettle dyed merino wool. A very nice yarn that does not seem to split or felt as I knit with it, making me a happy knitter. This little beauty came from a small shop in Phoenix called, aptly, Phoenix Knit & Needlepoint Co. Sadly, they do not have a website. About 60% of the shop was devoted to needlepoint and the yarn selection was limited. But I spied this cutie and had to have it. My yarn cake is already well on it's way to becoming a pair of Roza's socks from IK Spring '07. So far this pattern is a joy to knit. I am attempting a small modification to the size. My feet are an 8.5 and 9 inches around the ball of my foot, so a size 7-8 might not fit me. I'll let you know how this turns out. I'm turning the heel now.

Oh, it gets better my pretties . . .

What you say?! Take a look, it can't be denied.

Just a little Habu 100% cashmere that is hand-dyed!

Yea, uh huh, I'm a lucky gal (if you could see me I do have my thumbs in my ears with fingers waving back and forth in true na-na-na-na-boo-boo style). Oh, did I mention these came with a free pattern for a scarf? Why yes, yes they did. So three little cashmere scarves it is. One for Heidi (as a thank you for putting up RM & Boo-boo during Tri-athalon weekend), one for SIL and one for me (very unselfishly, of course).

And, drum roll please . . . .

My big preezie for the trip. The Habu Textiles kit #48. A wonderful jacket that will look great with a skirt or jeans. This kit has two lovely cones of steel wrapped in wool and one large cone of silk. Yummmmy! Though the photo shows grey, it's really a green with heavy grey undertones. My photography skills are still developing or the camera is slightly color blind - you choose. Truth? For the price this jacket better be all that and a bag of chips. You know the really flavorful, salty, high fat, straight to your hips kind of chips.

I am a very, very lucky girl indeed.

Marigold's Finished

These popped up in my sock garden a few weeks ago. Aren't they fun?!

This pattern is easily one of my favorites. Clearly written, you can fly through these in a few days. The repeat is easily memorized, so I didn't have to carry the pattern with me (a big plus in my teenager/pre-schooler filled world). It was not necessary, nor did I want to make any modifications to this pattern. Sizing was dead on for me and once we get some fall/sock weather these will be on my feet!

I see another pair or two of Marigold's in my future. Next time, I think I will use a slightly more solid color way instead of one with so many different colors. My thought being the ever changing colors are obscuring a lovely pattern, which I would prefer to see more of.

So here are the details for anyone who cares about what I do.

Pattern: Marigold Socks by Pamela Wynne of Flint Knits fame
Yarn: Hill Country's Sweetfeet in Shasta Daisy.
Needles: Addi Lace US2 Circular
Started: June 10, 2007
Finished: July 11, 2007

So there we are . . . pair 10 of the 52 Pair Plunge!

On-Your-Toes Socks Finished

Pattern: On-Your-Toes Socks by Ann Budd from IK Summer '07 issue
Yarn: Tofutsies - Partie colorway
Needles: US 2 Addi Turbo's Circular
Started: June 22, 2007
Finished: July 17, 2007
Notes: Note about photo, socks are really the same length. The light was funny that morning and that pose was the best that could be done. I had some serious trouble with the Middle-eastern wrap method of casting on. But found a super tutorial with detailed photos at the hello yarn blog. This made the whole thing much simpler to understand. Truth be told, I really like this method of casting on. No crochet hook or waste yarn to work with/carry around/muck up my knitting bag. Side note, the waste yarn always gets tangled around another WIP, no matter what I do. So to completely leave it out of the travel knitting bag is a welcome relief. Back to business, I also like the shape of the toe this cast on creates. It seems to me to be less pointy and more round in shape. I mentioned here that the toes seem very roomy. They are and it's ok with me. Once I got farther into the sock, things seem to hit my normal sizing and changing needles was not necessary. Summary, this is definitely a cast on method I will continue to use.

The yarn was more fun to work with that I expected. Since I gifted them the minute they came off my needles, I don't know how it is washing up. But while knitting it seems firm to work with, but created a nice soft fabric. In the simple ribbed pattern the colors looked great, with the yellow and grey making a nice pop of color in all the purples and pinks.

So all in all, I am happy with these and can count them in the 52 Pair Plunge.

What to Say?

Caution ~ extremely long catch up post ahead. Missed you all and I am glad to be back!

Wow, can I get a fabulous guest blogger or what?! My big head is taking up most of my living room right now. Thank you JJ for the kind words, they left me speechless (which as anyone who has ever talked to me knows, can be virtually impossible).

A word about JJ. Don't let her fool you, she is kind hearted, emotional (in a good way), eloquent (check out her new blog, mum's the word if you don't believe me) and the best sister anyone could hope for. Though we haven't always seen eye to eye (understatement is strongly implied here), I will always loved her. BTW - She was not as naughty as she would have you believe . . . dealing with past grief in an uncomfortably tense situation is hard on anyone. I give her substantial credit for staying as cool as she did.


Like fish, family house guests begin to stink after a few days. I'm not certain that's how the saying goes, but it works for me. I'll be the first to say Arizona at 104 degrees, mom having surgery, mom's 70+ smotheringsignificant other, and a three hour time difference and hospital food all add up to Very. Stinky. Fish. Yet Mom is recovering nicely and life is returning to normal. Plus I got to see LG - a lot. I just love him and he never got stinky. His #@&! doesn't stink.

So on to some things I learned while in Arizona:

1. NEVER ride with 70+ people in a vehicle if you need to be somewhere fast. Standard driving speeds . . . 5 miles BELOW the speed limit. Yep, slow, rotting torture in a vehicle with minimal air conditioning.
2. You know it's truly not hot until you have sat on a porch drinking coffee at 6:30 am with temps already in the 80's . . . knowing it will get up to 104+ in only a few short hours.
3. Grass is a truly beautiful thing.
4. Tucson has a drug store on every corner - it's true.
5. When you want to go somewhere with my mom, start getting her ready two hours before so you will only be 20 minutes late.
6. You can get lots of knitting done while waiting in hospitals.
7. Some neuro-surgeons are really good looking.
8. Every house in Tucson is some shade of . . . brown. Call it brown, tan, beige, taupe, camel, whatever it's still all the same. No offense to any Arizona residents, I just couldn't believe all the brown.
9. If you are going to haul a baby from hotel to hospital some seven thousand times, a car seat bungee corded to a luggage cart makes an instant stroller. CJ, you saved our lives on that one.
10. Upon arriving home, my definition of clean and RM's definition of clean are two entirely different things.
11. All sorts of things can go amok at home when I was gone. Toilet repairs, water softener replacements, boards on deck broken/repaired, no-show sitter, truck dies - purchase new one (yea, you heard me right), and install surround sound in the living room. RM was a busy, busy man while I was away.
13. In Arizona there is no time during the course of 24 hours a can person run outside - it's just too damn hot.
12. Purls is a fabulous yarn shop! I did make some fabulous purchases.

Did I mention it was hot there?

In knitting news, I completed the Marigold socks, JJ's Jaywalkers and Mom's On-Your-Toes Socks. Sorting out all the photos I took is taking some time, so they should be posted in a few days.

It's good to be back in temperatures I can stand . . . by the way, it was hot there!

What have I done for her lately?

Not enough, I can tell you that.

Hello, there! JJ here. For those of you who read Trixie's blog, you can frequently find me commenting on her posts. I am Trixie's younger sister (though she would be quick to tell you that most people cannot actually distinguish which of us is the eldest) and I have the distinct pleasure of being her "guest blogger". I really don't know what I did to earn this right, but here I am and I have lots to say.

My primary charge is to let you all know that Trixie is alive and well and will be back blogging with all of you very shortly. As you probably read in her last post, she took a trip to Arizona for a family member's surgery. I will let her divulge what she wishes regarding said surgery; but for now, suffice to say that it went well and the recipient is recooperating peacefully at home. I went to Arizona as well with my 11 month old in tow. Having an 11 month old while trying to care for a loved one in the Intensive Care Unit where babies are not allowed proved to be quite a challenge, but Trixie stepped up. Without her help, I would have done just as well to stay home. Thanks, Trixie.

My secondary duty is to show you the socks that Trixie made for me. (Please forgive the picture placement...I was lucky to figure out how to get the picture there at all!) I dropped as many hints on this blog as possible that I wanted those socks! I saw the Mountain Laurel yarn, seen in "Solid Gold Sweet Feet", and knew that I just had to have them. So what happened? Trixie stepped up. I don't know the pattern or needles she used and I don't know how long they took her, but I do know I. Love. Them! I vowed to wear them in Arizona despite the heat and I did just that! I had those socks on every day and boy, are they comfy!

Those are the things that Trixie asked me to share. And having done that, I can now share an observation of my own.

There are times in life that call you to be all that you are capable of being. This past week was one of those times for Trixie and me. It was a week where the things you do show who you really are and what your character is made of. I can tell you that my behavior left something to be desired, but ...you guessed it...Trixie stepped up.

Now, I am the sort of person who likes to help others. I'll open a door for a frustrated delivery man who can't get the door open. I pick trash up off the streets. I hold elevator doors. I will listen to the venting of my beloved sister. I enjoy giving gifts. But this past week, I was too involved in my own emotions and let them take control of me. But not Trixie. She did all of those things and many more despite going through hard emotions herself. She made volatile situations more calm. She showed who she really is and she can be proud. I know I am proud of her. She made me feel beter, she made me see things in a new perspective. She made me ...look bad! Just kidding. She demonstrated grace and an inner fortitude that I can only admire at this point. So, what have I done for her lately? I posted a blog when she didn't have access to a computer, and I hope that' s enough to tell her how very much I love her.

Balloons and a Short Trip

Here is what we have been watching the last few mornings. They have gone directly over the house, which is beautiful but noisy. Who ever said balloons were quiet - lied. They go over our house at the ungodly hour of 7:00 am! I don't know about you, but after a late night, I want all the sleep I can get. Hearing those propane burners fire scares me awake faster than the third snooze on the alarm clock. So I am up, might as well take a few photos. Standing at the end of the dock, drinking my morning coffee I enjoyed the sights. The balloon festival was in Battle Creek this past week. Ours had several balloon launches/competitions, a carnival and an airshow.

Later in the evening we were having dinner with friends out on the deck and I heard the burners of this balloon. It came from the East and started to descend - close to our dock. Very close to our dock. Startled, cool, close to our dock. But it was fun because part of the competition tasks can be to touch down on the surface of the lake, which several did.

Well, I get to see this little man this weekend! Yea for me. You see, he is now walking and saying a few words and being as cute as a bug in a rug. Auntie Trixie will spoil, spoil, spoil him. He is the only little one coming along on our trip.

This leads me to the fact that I am going to Arizona for a few days. This is a trip I make alone to tend to some family health issues (I'll be bringing lots of rice cereal). Should I be excited to go to Arizona in July?! I'm thinking that January would have been a better time to plan a trip. Yet, this is really unforeseen and no manipulations of timing could be made. I will get to spend a good amount of time with JJ and her little man in the waiting rooms of the hospital, so we should get lots of knitting done.

I will try to post as I can. See you in a few days!

Helpful

Why not just call it the figure 8 cast on? That I can search on Google. But a search for a tutorial on Middle East-wrap method of casting on was a big bust. The other night I seemed a little too groggy to follow the IK directions and need more help. Hello Yarn has, in my opinion, had more detailed directions here.

Very helpful indeed.

Donna, thank your for commenting the other day on my post about crabs. I wanted to answer your question about sizing, but was unable to link back to a blog for you. Not sure if it was late night woozies or blogger. So here is what I am doing about the size. After referring to the chart and doing a gauge swatch (reality, I measured the false start from last night before my dip in the frog pond), I am going to knit an Adult M at 8 sts per inch. Truth be told, like you I am a little worried about 72 stitches and the socks being too large. It makes me slightly dizzy just thinking about that many stitches . . . in 2x2 ribbing. My hope is that the ribbing will pull the sock snug to my foot making it all good. Never have I knit a sock at 72 stitches around. Yet I am choosing to forge ahead, trust the pattern (Ann Budd did write this one) and try my luck.

You know. . . now that I have posted that last sentence - I'm doomed.

The thing I enjoy about knitting is that it is fluid, always changing during the process. My knitting tends to be really fluid - as in too-many-trips-to-the-frog-pond-fluid. So Donna, for the short version, trust the pattern and try it at 8 inches. If it doesn't work, take a dip in the frog pond and start over. The water's fine, I've already been in.

PS ~ Mine are knitting up roomy (to say the least) in the toe and instep. But after I studied the photo for a few minutes, the socks pictured seem roomy and loose in the same area. If this continues up the leg, I will have to change to smaller needles because I have skinny ankles.

Cast On - Smashed On

Ok. So I'm giving the IK Summer 07 Middle-East-wrap method of casting on a try. For my first attempt, not too bad. I say first attempt because I am not totally happy with my work. Bumps, a hole and the M1 left and right are reversed - I think?! Anywho, I am starting over.

First, I am going to bed . . . it's 12:52 am (hence the crappy flash photo). Finally . . . I feel sleepy. It's said that lack of sleep can cause one to make careless errors. So what's my excuse when I am well rested?!

PS - so far, I love the yarn!

Sweet dreams.

Jr. Whitby

Pattern: Whitby from Knitting on The Road by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Louet Gems Sport Weight 100% Merino Wool in Pewter
Needles: US 2 Addi Turbo's Circular
Started: June 6, 2007
Finished: June 21, 2007
Notes: I knit them toe-up because it was left over yarn from the adult Whitby's I did earlier. To get the size right, I had to slightly modify the cable and cuff.

Note ~ These are modeled by recipient, who had to be bribed with computer time to hold still for photos. When asked if he liked them I got a mumbled "yea, uh-huh." Well . . . "mumble, mumble, mumble!?"