Tuesday is knit-alongs

I am done with my fourth pair of socks!



I am finishing the sleeves of the pink cardi - still. I am hoping to be done tonight.




4 summer projects done (SnB Little Top, Knee High Socks, NBaT, and Striped Toe-up Socks) and 2 on the needles (A-Line Jacket and the pink cardi).



Again, will I start it tonight? I did started it!



I am waiting on a ball of yarn to finish the first cardi, but I started a new project in the meantime: the tank top from Debbie Bliss' The Baby Knits Book with Endless Summer Collection Sonata - color Capri Blue.



I did start on the A-line Jacket, but I doubt I'll finish it by the end of May!

On more knitting news, I finished the last of the scarves for Principessa's teacher:



I really loved this yarn and on neddles #13 was such a quick knit!

So, another ball of yarn gone, 1/2 point, and I am mailing out two balls to someone, that counts too, so another point, I would be doing great if it weren't for eBay!

You got to be kidding me!

More ponchos? I am talking about IK Fall 2005.

Anyway, here is my review of the projects:

Brioche Helmet Hat: I think it is adorable and if I am to do a brioche stitch, I rather do a hat than a Bulky Brioche Raglan that is going to make me look like a brioche.
Cable Cascade Pullover: I don't do turtleneck.
Rib and Cable Socks: I haven't seen a pair of socks I don't like yet, my problem is to find the appropriate yarn in cotton, since wool and my feet do not agree.
Cabled Shrug: would it kill them to take a photo that actually show the garment? As far as I can tell, it's a blanket.
Canteen Bag: I don't do bags, bags are Fendi, and Prada and so forth. Unless they are knitting bags.
Chenille Cutaway Jacket: chenille? No, Thanks.
Drop Stitch Cardigan: this has potential. Can someone see the drop stitch? I love dropped stitches.
Felted Floral Collar: I don't think so.
Weekend Getaway Satchel: shouting flowers? Not for me.
Greek Pullover: tie the model's hair, please!
Braided Blues: we survived the curse of the love sweater, I am not tempting fate again. But I do like this. Daddy?
Union Square Market Sweater: I love it, Kate Gilbert is one of my favorite designer.
Veste Everest: Don't wear vests.
Blissful Jacket: Ugh?
Fair Isle Hoodie and Cardigan: I actually do not like Fair Isle, I can do it, I don't think it's hard, I just do not like it.
Vintage-Inspired Jacket: vintage like Channel inspired? Don't like Channel, call me nuts.
Textured Coat: Even with all the twisting and absolutely unnatural pose, you can see that it won't flatter anybody.
Essential Indulgence: what's with all the bulging?
Suede Vest: don't wear ugly vests.
Fair Isle Skirt: see above re Fair Isle.
Fur-Trimmed Wrap: what's with the "I have an headache" pose?
Staff Project Ponchos: again, you got to be kidding me! But Principessa wants a better photo of the child poncho.
Floral Fair-Isle Gloves: again, see above re Fair Isle.
Flower Pillows: not into flowers.
A Pair of Socks: what can I say? I love socks.

Flowers and scarves

Just because everybody else is doing it:



not from my garden, but still flowers.

And this is what I have done yesterday:



I have decided that the orange scarf can go to one of Principessa's afterschool teachers, I have made a cowl with Bernat Eye Lash and a scarf for Sam with the left over, and I have started a scarf with the Cantina Susan gave me - actually, she gave me both the Bernat Eye Lash and the Cantina, so Principessa's teachers should thank her for the presents this year.

So I have used another skein, 1/2 yarn point, balance: 58 points.

Knitting in the car

We have a friend visiting from Arizona, and yesterday we drove him around along the coast. Field trip means knitting in the car while my husband is driving, so look, two socks!



That means:
1. I finally get to cross out this project.
2. I earned 1/2 yarn point.

Number 2 is not so impressive considering that my yarn debt is then 59 points, but you know, one ball at the time.

Then last night I finished this:



The yarn is Knit Picks Wool of Andes that Principessa dyed with Kool-aid, and the scarf is for her teacher's daughter. I used a mistaken rib stitch, that I really like for scarves. Ok, another ball, another 1/2, debt: 58.5

And what's this? Besides humongous needles, I mean:



It's Triada, that I casted as a reward to myself for finishing two FO's.

Meme and a gift

Elspeth tagged me:

Choose five things from the list below and complete the sentence.

If I could be a scientist I would find the cure for cancer - since I am not I am doing the Relay for Life, please sponsor me, and you can win yarn too!
If I could be a farmer
If I could be a psychologist
If I could be a librarian
If I could be an inn-keeper, I would have a bed and breakfast in Positano.
If I could be a professor I would let my students knit during my lectures - extra points, actually.
If I could be a writer
If I could be a llama-rider
If I could be a bonnie pirate
If I could be an astronaut I would knit at zero gravity - I wonder how it would come out.
If I could be a world famous blogger I would raise money for important causes.
If I could be a justice on any one court in the world
If I could be married to any current famous political figure

Tag to HoJo, Gracie, and Juls.

Remember this?

My gift arrived and it is beautiful:



If you want some hand dyed sock yarn, buy from her, but you can't have #6 because it is mine now!

Yarnholics Unanonymous

Yarnholics Unanonymous
I would join if I did not know I am beyond retention.

KRSP revealed

She is Staci from Northern Embrace Knitting and she revealed herself with this:



Look closer:



Ten balls of Lara, in the most amazing orange color. She did send me pattern as well, but while I am certainly going to make those, I think I'll have a Spring Fling with Lara. And what can I say about Positano?



Beside that it truly reminds me of the scarves and hats in rafia you can buy in Positano. I need to find an appropriate pattern, something that really shows off how beautiful this yarn is.

And then she sent me a book - I love book and I can't wait to read this one!

In the note she sent me she wrote that she had fun being my SP. You had fun? I had a blast with this, this and now this!

Thank you Staci, you have been a wonderful SP!

Paperino's list

Before talking about business, i.e knitting, let me just say - wow, this did strike an interest! I am glad I am not the only one I think the daddies are parents as well, sometime I feel like I am the only sane person on earth.
And to answer HoJo, no, it has nothing to do with Monday night knitting or anything else personal - it was something I read and a conversation I had with a dear friend of mine who does not work (and never had) so she is always tip-top-toeing around "poor hubby who works.
Hello? I work too, and I have been a stay-home-mom twice in my life (when the children were born I took a year or so off both times), so I can say that staying home with small children is way harder than going to the office and sitting in boring meetings or in front of a computer (I know for a fact that is what her husband does).

Now, speaking of children, Gracie commented that I am such a nice mom to be knitting all those scarves - I believe the word she was looking for is "insane".

Paperino's list grew lately, because he remembered two more teachers. And Principessa all the sudden added two, maybe three more teachers (the after school teachers). She did offer to help, sweetheart, after she is done with the poncho she is making for her friend. She has about 3 inches of the poncho done, so my guess is that the poncho will be done by Christmas, so maybe she was talking about 2006 end of year presents. What? Is this going to be an yearly end of the school madness?

So, you can guess what I am knitting these days:



Pattern here and yarn from KnitPick, Andean Treasure Summer Sky.

And since I had the camera in my hands, I took a shot of the last two Dulaan hats:

Warning: no knitting content whatsoever!

If you ask Principessa, who is very bright but she is still 8, if her daddy baby-sits her and her brother, she would look at you with her famous “what are you, an idiot?” look and say: “When a parent spends time with their children, it is not baby-sitting, it’s PARENTING”. And yes, she will use all caps and bold font. She is very good at speaking in bold caps.
And, I repeat, she is 8 years old.
And don’t how grown women have managed to convince themselves that since their husband/partner/father-of-their-children works outside the house and they stay home with their children, they need to ask him if he can “baby-sit” his own children and then THANK HIM FOR IT?

Let’s do some math, shall we?

In a week there are 7x24=168 hours. Assuming 8 hour of sleep a day, we have 112 hours of awake time. Father in question works for 40 hours a week, plus commute we have 50 hours? Let’s make that 60. Still, we have 52 hours left, which should be equally split between parents, 26 hours each. 3.7 hours per day.

So daddy dearest should parent his children for at least 3 hours a day without being asked or thanked – it’s his job as a parent.

End of rant.

Knit-alongs update

Postponed until fall



Two pairs of socks done, still working on Paperino's second sock.



Now that I am done with the Dulaan hats, I am going to make hats for Afghans for Afghans.



I am 50% with the fronts of the pink cardi. I am finishing the sleeves of the pink cardi



Poor neglected scarves! I frogged Misty Garden, and I am going to start Campus Scarf soon I bought Etosha to make Misty Garden.



Nothin' But a T-shirt A-Line Jacket and the pink cardi are my summer projects for now.



Again, will I start it tonight?



I have three cardi and one blanket to make - almost done with the first cardi and I am making fish!



Nothin' But a T-shirt is done, I started on the A-line Jacket.

Two days, 3 skeins scarf

Here it is, the first of the long list of scarves and hats I need to make for Paperino:



Details:
Mom's Sophisticated Scarf.
Pattern by Nicholas Caratzas from SnB Nation.
Yarn: Wool of the Andes in Spruce - 3 skeins.

I thought this could the perfect present for the only male teacher in the school. But Paperino looked at it and said: "That's a girl scarf!", so it got re-assigned. Well, after all, it is called "Mom's Sophisticated Scarf" .
We made a list of all the scarves and hats I need to make. My idea was to make a present for each one of his teachers, but the little tyrann thinks that all the teacher in his school should have a present, "because they'll miss me so much". Luckily for me, it's a small pre-school, so I need to make only 8 scarves and 2 hats by the end of June. Seven scarves now.
And Paperino is very opinionated about who has to get what and in which color, so we'll see if I can get everything done from stash.
Principessa, on the other hand, is very much more accommodating, she just want a scarf, my choice of yarn and style, for Mrs D., since she already made a scarf and a hat for Mrs C.'s new baby.

So, yarn points, I used 3 skeins, 1.5 yarn points, I had a debt of 55 points, now 53.5 .....

It's done

Actually, it was done yesterday at 1:30 pm so I did wear it at the Full Thread Ahead lunch party. Here it is:



Details:
Pattern by Alison Hansel from MagKnit
Yarn: Jo Sharp Desert Garden

My gauge was 15 sts / 4", so I had to do some math with the pattern. I love the drape and the feel of the Desert Garden, but it splits like hell. It's like knitting with a bunch of fine threads instead of one thread of yarn. And the balls unravel into a complete mess as soon as you touch them, even worse than Debbie Bliss! I think that the reason for this is that even if the balls look like a decent size, there are only 60 yards of yarn in them, so they are winded very loosely. If I use it again, I may try going down one needle size (7 instead of 8), since while I love how it knits on #8, the fabric is not very dense. I used 10 balls for the MC and 1 ball of the CC (click here to see how much was left of the 10th ball) for size 38.

I was so exhausted from all the sewing that after the party the only knitting energy I had left was for petting my new beautiful stash and knit something very dull and simple. So I casted for Mom's Sophisticated Scarf by Nicholas Caratzas from SnB Nation with Wool of the Andes in Spruce - it's just a very simple basketwave scarf and I have already knitted one whole skein. I really wanted to cast My So Called Scarf with Handspun Bulky Wool, but my only pair of US #11 needles are tied up with the Wavy Boxes Baby Blanket.

Now, according to my plans, next project up is A-Line Jacket with Jaeger Trinity Indigo, my stashbusher project for May. Yes, I am starting my May project on May 22, you can laugh. Actually, I may start my May project on May 22, because a) will I resist to the Bamboo and the Oasis calling my name from downstairs? b) I have a gazillion scarves to make as "Paperino is graduating from pre-school" presents to his teachers.

Good S.E.X.

Do you want to see what's inside? I know you do!




Leaf Lace Shawl from Fiber Trends, SWTC Bamboo for Corset Pullover and Oasis for Classic Cardy, Curious Creek Fiber Etosha in colorway Sunrise on Daffodils for a scarf.

The Etosha jumped in my hands and refused to let go - I tell you, that yarn is something, my photo does not do it justice!

So, what's the damage? Only 11 balls, i.e. 55 yarn point according to my yarn diet rules.

Going to pet my yarn and knit, but you guys up over there - 15% off the whole weekend!

It's live!

And I am prepared, I have made a list of project for which I want yarn:

- Corset Pullover: 1,330 yds with a gauge of 19.5 sts / 4".
- Suspension Cardigan and Tank: 900 + 600 yds with a gauge of 20 sts / 4".
- Classic Cardy: 1,200 yds with a gauge of 18 sts / 4".
- Ibiza Stripe T-shirt: 218 yds in 5 colors (each) with a gauge of 18 sts / 4".

All summer projects, even if I must say I am thinking I should revisit this all summer clothing concept. Yesterday I wore my Ribby Cardi at work and for the first time in week I was not freezing and wrapping myself in the shawl I always keep in my office. Darn air conditioning? Maybe, or maybe not. I was ok on the patio too. The weather girl was saying 17 C, and 17 C (63 F, I just converted it) is not warm nor summer weather. So maybe I should skip the cotton altogether and knit everything in wool.

Why?

Why do I always, and I repeat always, knit two sleeves at once? Because otherwise this is happens:



So here is where I am now:



And it would have been so bad if only Magic Stripes did not come in balls of 330 yds while the pattern calls for 459 yds, so I am 129 yds short. In my defense I'll say I was not planning to make the hat so I was hoping I would be all right. I am not.

So I ordered another ball of Magic Stripes. And some more to get free shipping. I used all my yarn points. Does that means I won't buy yarn tomorrow at the HoJo? Yeah, right .... picture me laughing so much at the idea that I have tears in my eyes. I'll just borrow yarn points, and be in debt for a long time.

Speaking of the lunch party, I thought it would be the perfect occasion for the debut of my Nothin' But A T-shirt, so I am sewing tonight, baby!

Winning, again, and a contest

I forgot to mention that I won two more blog contests. What can I say? I am lucky.

Vicki had a contest about her mom's age, and I am the one who guessed closer so I won some of her hand dyed sock yarn.

Kirsten is doing the Revlon Run/Walk for Women and had a contest for her sponsors, so I won ..... Again. She is sending me a surprise - I love surprises!

And speaking of good causes, what about I have a contest for my sponsors too? You see the Relay for Life logo on the left, under sponsor me? Make a donation clicking on the logo or here and you'll have a change to win yarn from my stash! We'll have one winner if I hit $400, two winner if the amount raised is greater than $500.

And if you have already donated, you are already in!

I am done!

With what? Dulaan hats, I made the last two last night and now there are ready to go. Here is the photo of #8:



I am not saying that I won't knit for the Dulaan Project anymore, it is such a worthy cause (go read Mossy Cottage blog), but I am done for now and I am moving on to other commitment.

So, let's make this knit-along day - where did I get this idea?.
But before I go down the list of the knit-alongs I have joined (and neglected), the two hats I knitted last night earned me 2 yarn points, so my total is now 6.5 points.

Knit-along status update:



Postponed until fall



Two pairs of socks done, still working on Paperino's second sock.



Now that I am done with the Dulaan hats, I am going to make hats for Afghans for Afghans.



I am 50% with the fronts of the pink cardi.



Poor neglected scarves! I frogged Misty Garden, and I am going to start Campus Scarf soon.



Nothin' But a T-shirt and the pink cardi are my summer projects for now.



Will I start it tonight?



The sewing party started ages ago - have I ever mentioned I do not like to sew pieces together?



I have three cardi and one blanket to make - started the first cardi and I am making fish!

You know that you knit too much

or that you think about knitting too much when you are drunk on champagne and instead of thinking about your mate's clothes (specifically, about taking them off him), all you can focus on is that cute orange top someone you don't know is wearing, and while you can't walk, because you are wearing this:



that goes so well with champagne but not so well with drunk walking on grovel, you are sober enough to reconstruct the pattern in your head.

Beside my very bad choice of shoes, the Hoedown was a blast: I had the perfect outfit for the champagne bar:



but soon understood while everybody else was wearing boots - grovel! Maybe the word "Hoedown" was an hint? My knitting basket was very well bid upon and went to a friend of mine.

Knitting news:

I finished the multidiagonal scarf:

so the scarf and three fish I made with the leftovers gained me 1 yarn point (I used two balls of yarn).

Then I made three Dulaan hats, even if I have photos of only two - but you believe me, don't you?

So since charity knitting matches one to one and I used three balls of yarn, I earned another 3 points for a total of 4 points I can spend this Saturday at the Full Thread Ahead Lunch Party.

Marina suggested that I can borrow yarn, to pay back at a higher rate (5 to 1). I might do that!

And Amanda says that de-stashing (like giving away yarn to friends and SP recipient) counts too. Since I just mailed a ball of yarn to my KR SP-ee, I actually have 4.5 yarn points! I think I'll send out my next package to my Knitty SP4-ee soon .......

Least but not last, a big thank you to my latest sponsors for the Relay for Life: Amanda and Claudia, who is doing a ms bike tour, so hop over there and sponsor her!.

Full Thread Ahead Lunch Party

Look here what's happening - very bad news for my yarn diet!

So I have two choices: either go there and forget about my diet or go there with a strategy in mind to limit the damage to my cc. And no, not going is not an options.

So I revised ball points rules as follow:

• Since HoJo is giving everybody 15% off MSRPs, I can buy one ball of yarn for every two balls I use from stash (not three as stated before).
• Charity knitting counts double, so one ball for one ball.
• And yes, I agree with Marina, balls are to be counted only after the project is finished, but I can't count them before blocking and sewing.

So, where am I with yarn points?

I have done 7 repeats of my Multidirectional Scarf and I think it'll be long enough at 10. Since I am using two balls of yarn, the scarf will earn me 1 yarn point.

I made three fish and that's about another ball, so 1/2 yarn point. The 5 Dulaan hats I still need to make will earn me another 5 points, and if I finish the Wavy Boxes Baby Blanket I get another 4 point.

That's a total of 10.5 yarn points.

Need. To. Knit. More.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean? - with comments

Deb and Cyn asked me how well the latest test result fits me. Here I go ....

Being born on the 3rd day of the month is likely to add a good bit of vitality to your life.

The energy of 3 allows you bounce back rapidly from setbacks, physical or mental. - True

There is a restlessness in your nature, but you seem to be able to portray an easygoing, "couldn't care less" attitude. - I always put out a "couldn't care less" attitude, the more I care, the more I pretend I don't.

You have a natural ability to express yourself in public, and you always make a very good impression. - Need to ask others about that

Good with words, you excel in writing, speaking, and possibly singing. - Singing? For Pete's sake, my children used to go to sleep not to hear me singing!

You are energetic and always a good conversationalist. - Energetic? I am so tired.

You have a keen imagination, but you tend to scatter your energies and become involved with too may superficial matters. - It's called Knitting ADD

You are affectionate and loving, but sometimes too sensitive. - I am overly sensitive, but I pretend I am not (see above)

You are subject to rapid ups and downs. - Yes

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Your Birthdate: December 3

Being born on the 3rd day of the month is likely to add a good bit of vitality to your life. The energy of 3 allows you bounce back rapidly from setbacks, physical or mental. There is a restlessness in your nature, but you seem to be able to portray an easygoing, "couldn't care less" attitude. You have a natural ability to express yourself in public, and you always make a very good impression. Good with words, you excel in writing, speaking, and possibly singing. You are energetic and always a good conversationalist. You have a keen imagination, but you tend to scatter your energies and become involved with too may superficial matters. You are affectionate and loving, but sometimes too sensitive. You are subject to rapid ups and downs.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Never enough yarn

HoJo sent an email to our local knitting group with the list of the yarns she'll be carrying once her online store open:

Cascade, Cherry Tree Hill, Curious Creek Fibers, Jade Sapphire, Malabrigo Yarns, Mango Moon, Prism, Swallow Hill Creations, and others .......

She did not qualified "others", but I googled all of them, well the ones I don't have. Did not see one I did not like.

And on the subject of stash enhancement and (not) yarn diet, I ran across Marina's yarn diet - wow, I have seen business plans less complicated, she means business. Interesting point, the "Rewards" section states:

"For every three pounds of yarn I use, I can purchase one pound of yarn."

I admire her integrity, I would have settled for "For every three balls of yarn I use, I can purchase one ball of yarn" knowing that is easier to cheat: wanna see how big a ball I can buy after using three 50 (or smaller) yards balls?

So, how many ball-points am I earning this week?

I started Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf: two balls!



I casted for handwarmers to go with Branching Out: one ball!

That's it? Only 1 ball-point? Need. To. Knit. More.