UFOs WIPs and FOs

These are my UFOs

It's been a long time since I last blogged, but knitting never stops. These are just a few of my UFO. I did bind off the long sleeve cardi, still have to weave in the ends. I need to Kitchener stitch the toes of the socks and add an afterthought heel. On the bottom left is an Infinity Scarf that I just have to block. On the middle of the picture is a shawl, I think I need to knit just one more repeat. In the back is a black Cropped Raglan Sweater that I need to pick up and knit 78 stitches for the front bands.

 This is the Wingspan.

 I need to bind off and block. This was knitted with Drops Delight on size 4 US.

 WIPs

Socks. The pattern is Basic Ribbed Sock. Very easy pattern. Knitting with Drops Fabel on size 1.5 US (2.5mm).

 When I got bored, I would knit dishcloths.

That's my update for now. I really need to update my projects on Ravelry. Sometimes work just gets in the way though. Every weekday all I can think about when I get home is relaxing and knitting. Unfortunately, blogging and Ravelry take a backseat.

Where Have I Been

I had been looking for a job. I found a job. I work with some really nice people but that may all change after a while. The honeymoon can only last for so long.

I'm still knitting and buying stuff. This is my most recent purchase.

I ordered from KnitPicks. I needed some yarn for a hat but also bought books on sale. I've been wanting to knit a sweater or cardigan for a long time so I thought these would help get me started. At first I thought I would knit the Indigo Playmate Jacket from the Custom Knits book by Wendy Bernard. I ordered 29 in size 7 circular needles from Amazon but unfortunately I received size 8 needles. I was kind of disappointed so I decided to go with a different pattern. The next pattern I thought I would knit was the Rocky Coast Cardigan from the Coastal Knit book. I think the pattern was a little advanced for me, so I went with Top-Down Raglan Cardi instead. Knitting this has been good so far. I'm knitting with Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool. I thought I would go with inexpensive yarn for my first cardigan. The yarn is not bad, but what do I know I have not bought any expensive yarn yet. Give me time. I'm just afraid when I buy really nice yarn I'll be hooked, and become a yarn snob.

Correction

The sock that I posted yesterday was not the knitted with the yarn that had a knot. The yarn for that sock was the same brand but happily no knot. The yarn was Premier Serenity Sock Weight. The color is Chili.

This is the sock that was knitted with the yarn that had the knot. I was able to return the yarn for a skein without a knot.

These were knitted with Premier Serenity Sock Weight . The color is Harlequin. The pattern is from Ann Budd's Getting Started Knitting Socks. 7 Stitches Per Inch. Very easy pattern.

Yikes!

Wow, it's been a long time since my last blog entry. Things have been very stressful. I'm still unemployed. Finding a job in my area has been a challenge. On top of that my boyfriend had skin cancer. Thankfully it was not melanoma, it was squamous cell carcinoma. He was told that the tumor they removed was a very aggressive type of tumor, so the plan is for him to start 30 days of radiation treatment soon. This will also be a challenge because he commutes 98 miles one way to work. He will have to change his work schedule in order to make it back in time for his appointments. As he says to me every day, we will be okay.

...but here is the yikes.

Another knot. I can't believe that this happened twice in a row.  Same brand, different color as the yarn with the knot posted in October. I tried to knit with the knot but it came apart. This time I could not return the yarn, it's been too long and I don't have a receipt. I think I may contact premier yarns.

Here are the socks that were knitted with the skein with first knot.

The pattern is The AfterThought Heel Sock by Laura Linneman. This was the first time knitting an afterthought heel. It was a very easy heel.

WTH?

That is what I said when I saw this.

A KNOT?! WTH? I was knitting a sock and was half way done with the leg when I spotted this. Two colors were knotted together. Who does this? The yarn was Serenity Sock Weight from the Deborah Norville collection. I purchased the yarn from Joann Fabrics. I thought about rewinding the yarn so that the knot was at the end of the skein but then I thought, why. I pulled out my needles and just left the sock knitted. I had to drive about 30 miles just to take the yarn back. When the gal at Joann's looked at the yarn she had the same reaction as I did. WTH? She called another person to looked at the knot and she too had the same reaction. So I go back to get another skein to exchange and ended up buying more sock yarn that was on sale. Lets hope that there are no knots.

Where Did My Mojo Go?

My knitting mojo seems to have gone right out the door. I've been knitting for charity for a while now but I'm burned out on scarfs and hats. The other day I found myself watching t.v. without any knitting. That was a weird feeling. I really need to knit at night because it helps me to relax before bed. I ended up knitting a dishcloth which is sort of done now. I still need to bind off. I was looking for a bind off that is a little more stretchy. I found one on You Tube that I going to try. In the mean time I started a baby hat. Oh boy another hat. This one is knitted on straight needles which is okay because I don't have 10.5 circular or double pointed needles. I really don't like to seam but I am I think I am going to try The Bickford Seam that was posted by MissKnitterbugs. So that's it and here are the pics.

The baby hat pattern is from the Velvet Spun ball band. As you can see I have not weaved in the ends or knotted the top. This is a really cute hat that took only a few hours to knit. 

 This is a nice dishcloth. The pattern is called Bee Stitch Cloth. Knitted with Sugar 'n Cream Naturals Guacamole with size 7 needles.

 Here is a close up of the stitch pattern.

Expert Sock Knitter

NOT!!

You think that I would be one by now. Look at all the books and DVDs I have.

Now see how many socks I have knitted

The last blue pair was done two at a time on two circular needles, the rest were knitted with double pointed needles.

This purple sock was knitted with one long circular needle "magic loop" This one knitted really fast.

But there is a problem and I'm not sure why this happened. Do you see the line in the middle? It looks like different tension on each side.

Oh well, I'll keep on trying.

Two Socks At The Same Time

This was the first time that I knitted two socks at the same time. I used two circular needles. I had the Sock II How to Knit Two Socks at the SAME TIME on Two Circular Needles DVD with Nenah Galati to help me. This is just a plain sock with a short row heel. I'm not really in love with the garter short row heel, but I think it works with the yarn that I knitted with. The yarn is crazy and I was crazy to knit with it. The yarn is TLC Wiggles. It has these little pieces that stick out, I'm not sure what you would call them. I bought this yarn a long time ago when I first started knitting and did not know that much about yarn. I still don't know that much but know enough that if I saw that yarn today I would not buy it. When I started to knit these socks with this yarn I knew I was not going to like it, but I got through it and learned how to knit two socks at the same time on two circular needles. The socks are bed socks. I like them and wear them all the time around the house.

So now I have knitted socks with 3 DPNs, 4 DPNs, one sock on two circular needles, and Magic Loop along with the two sock at the same time with two circular needles. Which method do I like best? I think  Magic Loop, but I like having both socks completed at the same time.

Next up two socks on one long circular needle starting with the cuff then I may try toe up.

 Garter short row heel.

Finished socks.

Charity Knitting

These hats and scarfs will be taken to a charity called Common Ground Worldwide. Knitters and crocheters are called  "Earth Angels"  they are folks, who generously donate their time & talent to create various handmade, warm items of clothing for homeless families and survivors of domestic violence.

A lot of these items were a result of teaching myself how to knit. The first hat I learned to knit was way too small, but it turned out great for a child, I just added a pompom. Sometimes I want to try a new pattern so I will knit it first with acrylic yarn. I think this is kind of a win win for both me and hopefully the person receiving it. I get to play with yarn and hopefully the item will bring some warmth to the person receiving it.

The yarn I use is great for washing and drying so there is no need to worry how to care for the item. I hope who ever receives the hats and scarfs will get good use of them.

San Luis Obispo County has 3,700 homeless men, women, and children. It makes me sad.    

I love to knit for whatever reason. I will continue to knit for charity for as long as I can. 

Cables

This was my first attempt at cables. Why did I wait so long. Knitting this cable scarf was so easy. The pattern I used was from Ravelry it's a reversible cable scarf called Palindrome. Love it. This scarf will go to charity. My next project will be the Palindrome Hat, also for charity.

The yarn used was acrylic from the Purple Lady stash. Red Heart Premier color 132 Purple Heather. I used size 8 needles.

I will definitely knit this pattern again, although next time I will use more of a wool blend.

Baby

Well the baby shower was a success. Mommy and daddy received lots of really neat stuff for baby boy. The mommy is my boyfriend's niece. The theme of the party was mardi gras, which brought a assorted amount characters. It was a great baby shower. Lots of good food and good people. Of course me being a knitter part of my gift was knitted items.

I knitted an baby blanket.

Very simple garter stitch blanket. The yarn was Lion Brand Pound of Love, Pastel Blue. I used size 7 needles I have to say this yarn was nice to knit with.


The other gift I knitted was The Baby Surprise Jacket, from Elizabeth Zimmerman. The yarn was Caron Simply Soft, Shadows. I used size 6 needles. 

I added little turtle buttons. I think the jacket turned out really cute.

I Won I Won

I won a contest on Sept 2nd. I'm such a bad blogger. It's taken me this long to post. The contest was from One Hundred Hats
This is what I won. effie beret crooked-paths
But wait, the designer sent me three more patterns. How awesome is that? She is melissa on Ravelry.
She sent me these acorns eleanors-slouch september-circle
That was so cool of her. She made my day. This was the first time I won a contest from a blogger. Yea me!

The Beach

What are these people doing?

Hunting for sea glass!

This is what Chris and I did this weekend. Chris insisted that I get out of the house. It was a great idea to go to the beach and hunt for sea glass. This is so meditating for me that while I'm hunting I forget I lost my job. It really does ease the stress that I'm going through.

Here are our treasures for the day

Calm

I'm feeling very calm today. It's a really weird feeling. I don't think I'm comfortable with this feeling, it make me think about the calm before the storm.

Anyways, I frogged the charity hat. It was way too big. So I'm starting over, which is fine because it's mindless knitting and for me right now that is the best kind of knitting.

So this......

became this.

Unemployed

Where have I been. Working for the most stressful company ever. I knew better than to take this job back in December, but I had been working from home and this was the same just a different center. I was let go just days ago. My ego is bruised. Most of all I'm scared to death. My friends say, take the time and rest a little. This would be fine but I'm not even sure that I qualify for unemployment benefits. I'll find out within 10 days, 10 longs days. This is really hard because I've worked from home for the last 5 years. Now I'm still home but not working. I walk around in circles. I have no idea what to do with myself. My boyfriend says I should take the dog on walks. Did that, now what do I do for the rest of the day. It was really weird to be outside in the morning. It was really peaceful. Then I walked in the door and reality sets in again. The anxiety is crazy. I'm also driving my boyfriend crazy, so much so that it's straining our relationship. He is so kind to me but with all the stress I've been really mean to him. I keep having to say I'm sorry. Since I'm having a hard time in the house I'm thinking that I should take my knitting outdoors. This may help keep me sane. Right now I'm knitting a hat for charity. The yarn is from the Purple Lady. I have bags and bags of her yarn. She no longer knits. The only thing is that about 99% of the yarn is acrylic and purple. So I thought knitting for charity would be a good use of the yarn.

I Say They Are Done

My boyfriend says I have finishing anxiety. Maybe I do. It seems that when I am ready to bind off I just put the project away for some time. I'm always afraid that I will mess up and that I can't redo. My bind offs just never match my cast on. I've tried going up a needle size or more, so that it will not be tight, but I'm still never happy with the result. The other thing I do when finished, is I don't weave in my ends. I just put the project away. I say I'm done, my boyfriend says no way, not until you weave in the ends. I'm thinking when did he become the finishing police.

Here a some examples of my finished dishcloths. I say they are done.

Now Where Was I...

Well....
I have been a bad blogger. Why? facebook! I'm so sorry little blog, I promise, I will be better and give you the attention that you deserve. I will make it up to you.

What I Have Learned

I finished the second sock. Go me! Haha the first sock was knitted back in 2006.
Here is the second sock on the left.














Things I learned this time around:
My gauge is tighter
I'm not afraid of DPNs. I way more comfortable with them now
I can follow instructions better
Practice makes you a better knitter

The first sock is really too small. I started the toe too soon. The second sock is also too small but that is because I ran out of yarn. I was left with about 18 inchs of yarn when I finished.

I enjoyed knitting the second sock. I will for sure be knitting more and more socks.

Marilyn

Stolen from Inky Knits

Wow, I would say that this is true!

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Marilyn!

You are a Marilyn -- "I am affectionate and skeptical."

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Be direct and clear



• * Listen to me carefully



• * Don't judge me for my anxiety



• * Work things through with me



• * Reassure me that everything is OK between us



• * Laugh and make jokes with me



• * Gently push me toward new experiences



• * Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Marilyn

• * being committed and faithful to family and friends



• * being responsible and hardworking



• * being compassionate toward others



• * having intellect and wit



• * being a nonconformist



• * confronting danger bravely



• * being direct and assertive

What's Hard About Being a Marilyn

• * the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind



• * procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself



• * fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of



• * exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger



• * wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right



• * being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations

Marilyns as Children Often

• * are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn



• * are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger



• * form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent



• * look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel



• * are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent

Marilyns as Parents

• * are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty



• * are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence



• * worry more than most that their children will get hurt



• * sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at

Trouble With Tribbles

This is so cool and absolutely no trouble at all. Quick knit. I use mine everyday and love it. I can see how they seem to multiply.

Trouble with Tribbles , once you start you can't stop.