purpleismycolor

Looking for a job...

2011-02-06T20:41:00.001-08:00

ME:
Paralegal
Estate Planning/Probate
6+ years
Paralegal Certificate
Bachelor's Degree

I need a job in the Denver/Boulder area. Soon!

My husband is leaving our home very soon for his own job in Boulder, and I would like to go, too. If you know of, or are looking for an independent and creative thinker, with mad computer skills and the ability to work on multiple projects, then let me know! I'm ready to make your law practice even more productive!

New favorite blog

2008-06-18T20:49:00.000-07:00

The Brick House

www.trickmybrick.blogspot.com

Check it out, it's hysterical! I just "discovered" it yesterday, though she's been online now for several months. She thrifts for her home like nobody's business, and I LOVE it. I wish I had that much awesomeness so close to my home.

Springtime??

2008-06-17T17:12:00.000-07:00

So, I've not kept up, but just in case someone (anyone??) stumbles on this blog, I thought I would add a little bit of something to the world today.

I live in the Pacific NW, Seattle eastside suburbia to be precise. I'm nestled in the foothills of some of THE most gorgeous country you've seen. It's truly great, and when it's great, it's spectacular.

So what you haven't heard about, most likely, since the rest of the country is flooded, tornado-prone or hot, is that the Pac NW has had the Longest. Winter. Ever. I mean it. LONG. Yes, Seattle is well-known for its storied "rain" and "grey" times. But this is getting boring. We reside here for the scant few months of sunshine that are well-deserved after months of aforementioned rain and grey.

This weekend is the Solstice, and those folks who are baring all for the parade in Fremont are going to be chilly! We had a great day yesterday, we have been teased with 24 and 48 hour bursts of sunshine and "heat" every so often, enough to hope that it is a turn for the better.

I know I should count my blessings (and I do!) and not complain, but I think it's human to want to see the sun, at least twice a week. Even the die-hard natives are starting to wonder if our winter will ever end. We are accustomed to the rain slowing down through June, and then by July 4th it stops, and the summer arrives. We clearly need for the sun to show itself, or we're going to be in for another extended winter. I'm not a native, and I need my sunshine!

I hope that I do not have to move next year, as I continue to threaten to do, because I think it will prove very challenging to find as beautiful a place to call home. I'm very used to the temperate climate, I don't miss the snow at all, nor the Midwestern heat, so I'm wondering how I will figure it all out!

Uh, it's been quite some time . . .

2008-03-03T14:42:00.000-08:00

so, I'm way behind on updating...this is no good...

I've been knitting. I just don't have much to share at the moment in the way of actual FO's.

I am currently working on a sock, it's slow going, mostly because I am procrastinating about working on it. I'm using 2 circs, and I like the method. It's fairly easy to handle the needles/stitches. A friend is doing socks the "old-fashioned" way, and is finding that it's a bit more challenging. (so we won't mention that she's practically finished with her first PAIR of socks). The plan was to knit socks in February, but I think I'm going to be carrying through March. A funny thought: I purchased another couple of skeins of sock yarn, so I guess I must think I'll be knitting more socks! We'll see what happens :)

Late November

2007-11-29T18:01:00.000-08:00

My last post was over 2 months ago - I had been really making an effort to post at least once a month. Oops.

So, I was musing about the weather in my last post, and so I'll muse some more: The weather was yucky in September. It picked up a little, and was better, then it wasn't...November has been EXTREMELY dry. It's been cold (by Pac NW standards, that is) highs in the 40's. Brr!! Low's hovering near freezing. The weather people are predicting rain and snow for us by the weekend... ugh.

We had a quiet Thanksgiving, just the two of us. It was nice. I did my best to boost the economy on the Friday after Thanksgiving - I spent some bucks here and there!

Otherwise, that's about it for me. Figured I shouldn't let another month go by without posting :)

Autumnal Musings

2007-09-18T18:04:00.001-07:00

Yes, I do know that I live in the Pac NW and we do get rain. Usually the rain doesn't start until at least October, and we are blessed with great weather, some waning sunshine and crunchy leaves under foot at least through the end of September.

This year, Mother Nature has different plans. Summer has become an abbreviated season, with the rain making its presence known, seemingly constantly. The summer was short, and not enjoyed as much as it should have been (my own fault) and now I am regretting those long afternoons spent inside.

The rain may let up again late in the week through next. I hope so. I would like a few crisp, cool(dry) fall days to enjoy before the real winter begins.

The winters get long, and I will be yearning for a trip to a sunny and warm place by February. Suggestions? I like to visit those places where my friends live - it is cheaper to stay with them :)

Oh, September - - - knitting and ?

2007-09-03T19:30:00.001-07:00

Finished up another linen string bag yesterday. Long time coming, but it's done now, so I'll just have to take it to the store and try it out. I don't think it's a good thing for a bunch of canned goods, but I'd match it up with a bag of chips and a box of cereal any day :) Maybe a bottle of wine . . .

The Labor Day weekend is drawing to a close. For those of you returning to school, many wishes for a fabulous school year. All you teachers out there, hope those "back to school" dreams have stopped by now, and you are going to bed this evening with visions of new pencils and folders, a clean whiteboard and hopes for a good crew of kiddos. I sometimes do miss the excitement of that first day, but other times, not at all. Most of the time, I'm happy to be out of the classroom. (I've now been out of the classroom as long as I was in) so it seems a lifetime ago. My first class of kids are now 16 years old, and will be taking to the streets. They are juniors in HS! Wow!!! They will ALWAYS be that lovely group of 10/11 year-olds to me. (Hindsight surely has a way of coloring your perceptions!) I'm certain I wouldn't recognize most of them if I ran into them on the street.

We've had a short summer here in the PacNW. Seemed to go by very quickly, and now the rains will start to come. September is usually pretty, by the end of the month the rains start to happen more frequently. October is hit and miss, and November, well, that's when it's really winter. And winter lasts until June. OK, that might be an exaggeration, but it doesn't let up until at least late April. May can be nice, and we all hope for the rain at night, and more sunshine during the daylight hours.

Enjoy these last few days of the summer. I hope they are pleasant for everyone!

Now, back to the knitting projects. . .

Non-knitting

2007-08-20T11:37:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to give a little hello and wave to Bezzie and her blog :)

Fellow Bezzie Blog readers - I've entered the KAYE contest as of today!

Wacky Vacation Story!

2007-08-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

I saw this contest via Bezzie's blog - so, having just returned from what I might classify as a "wacky" vacation; Here is my entry:

DH and I just returned from a two-and-a-half week trip to the Fabulousy Hot and Humid state known as IOWA. We are originally from the Hawkeye State and are proud of our heritage. Part of this heritage includes the practically required, issued with your birth certificate, participation in the state-wide bicycle extravaganza known as RAGBRAI (tm). (pronounced "rag - bry") That would be the acronym for: the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. (The Register is the Des Moines, Iowa, newspaper The Des Moines Register). I would suggest, a very decent newspaper.

So wacky tales ensue: RAGBRAI is a rolling party starting on the western edge of the state and crossing in a determined path to the east end of the state. The idea is to dip your rear wheel in the river on the west and then the front wheel on the east side. Typical mileage is 475 miles in 7 days. It can vary between 450 and over 500 miles, this year, mercifully, we only had to pedal 477 miles.

Pedaling attached to the back of your husband makes the ride a figurative breeze. Riding tandem is an excellent way to blow by the others. We average close to 20 miles/hour with twice the pedal power. We are fast and efficient and people like to follow us. That's called drafting, and drafting is dangerous. We were headed through a particulary dangerous stretch of cracked pavement - I turned around to the hanger-on and suggested she not knock me over, as I do work for a lawyer. I work for an estate planning attorney, that does not litigate. An empty threat, but it worked, she dropped off the draft. Good plan.

Just doing the ride itself is not wacky, the truly wacky part of this vacation, is that we subjected ourselves, with full knowledge, that the weather would be hot, humid and practically unbearable. Bodies that are temparately inclined, DO NOT adjust easily to temp's in the mid-90's with about 1000% humidity. Have you ever just stood, breathing, and sweated? No exertion required? Yah, well, I have. Many times over. And to put the wacky cherry on the wacky sundae, well, this was my 5th go round of the ride. DH has now chalked up 11.

You meet crazy folks, and they do silly things. One day they ride in loincloths. Another they might ride in the buff. A person might even spot Lance riding along with the pack. Nothing more wacky than that? Unless, of course, you count the wild dichotomy of bikes riding along the road with Amish horse-drawn carriages.

That, my friends, is a brief run-down of what I did with about 15,000 of my closest bicycling pals!

Minor Rant . . .

2007-06-14T19:05:00.000-07:00

I have decided that I am not a person who sews. I thought I might be. The last 2 projects I have attempted, well, let's just say, results that have ended up in the trash (yes, yes, yes - bad to toss out this kind of thing) but I'm of the mindset that I can't have that stuff sitting around. I was attempting a pair of yoga pants, using the stitch for stretchy fabric - you really can't rip that out (I tried), and first of all, they didn't fit, and I sewed part of it the wrong way, so it was going to be a lost cause. I thought I was being really careful. The fact that they wouldn't fit basically made me realize that I need to make things that don't have to "fit" - think bags and purses would be fine (like I need more of those...)

I did make a yoga mat bag (from scratch my own pattern) - it's not perfect, but it works.

Knitting is going slow this summer. It's just not a "summer hobby" I guess. I am working on a blanket, it's now about a year old. It's about 1/5 of the way done. And that may be a generous estimate. Although I do hear that blankets are the biggest knitting buzz-kill ever. I'll drink to that. Actually, a drink sounds good. Hmmm.

that's the end of the sewing rant. . .

I've been knitting

2007-05-08T15:05:00.000-07:00

I'd been waffling back and forth on a pattern for a reusable grocery sack.

I purchased two skeins of Euroflax linen a week or so ago, having determined that I would use that for the bags. One for me in bright violet, and one for my mom in emerald green. I started on my mom's first, so that I wouldn't lose steam and not finish one for her, I can wait. :)

So what I have decided on - and I've been knitting on it for a couple of days - after much discussion and tinkering--I'm using the lace pattern from Jodie Danenberg's "Saturday Market Bag" from MagKnits- I'm knitting it round, and I *think* I cast on 70 sts on size 11's when I started. I really don't know how many I have now, and I don't know what I'll end up with, to be honest.

The plan: Knit until I feel like it is long enough (I've got about 6" or so now) or until I get nervous about the quantity of yarn, and then I'll bind off the bottom using 3-needle BO. I'll pick up and knit around the top of the bag - I'm thinking probably 4-5 rows, we'll see how I feel once I see it in person. I'll probably decrease to a size 7 or 8 needle for the top and handles. No feeling yet on the length of the handles, either. I plan to make it up with 2 handles - see disdressed: http://disdressed.blogspot.com/2006/08/string-bag.html ; got that suggestion on the Knittyboard from another who has made the SMB from Jodie/MagKnits. (June 2006 issue).

I think my mom will like it. She goes crazy for anything that I make! So I know it will be well received :) I should post a picture, but I don't really feel much like it...so I won't! But I will put up a pic of the FO.

April Post

2007-04-30T11:56:00.000-07:00

Thought I should get one in before the end of the month.
that's it.

Knit Toys

2007-03-24T17:03:00.000-07:00

I joined the Knitted Toys KAL from the Knittyboard.

Check it out - link on my sidebar

Oops

2007-03-13T15:32:00.000-07:00

Been awhile. I did this last month:

Yes, it's another Booga. Hey, it was a fairly fast project.

I'm in the middle of this: http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_knitting/article/0,2025,DIY_14141_4826306,00.html

A toy bear - from Knitty Gritty - Knitting for Charity, the Mother Bear project. I think I'll give it away to someone...but I don't know who yet :) It's just one long "bear" right now. The construction is interesting, and actually quite simple. I'm just going slowly on the finishing. I also need to figure out what my next project will be. Inspiration abounds. But it's getting close to spring here, and I don't know what I need next....

2007-01-06T11:55:00.001-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

A December Post

2006-12-28T21:39:00.000-08:00

I thought I would add a post for December, so that I have at least one post for each month thus far.

I'm considering a "FO Roundup" - I've knit quite a bit this year! Amazing :) I've been fairly consistent with the knitting for 2006. When I sat down and started to consider what I had been up to, it seemed nearly worthy of a 'roundup.

Most of the FOs are on this blog, but I'm thinking I should put them all in the same place. I know of a few FOs that are unphotographed. I may need to call the recipient(s) and ask for an action shot!

So, that's my (probably) final word for '06

Happy New Year, y'all!

2006-11-28T11:47:00.000-08:00

The Great Blizzard of 2006

No new pic's - updating though.

2006-11-19T09:48:00.000-08:00

I have finished the mystery gift! DH tried it on, so I hope it will fit the intended reciepient. He'll like it no matter what, I'm sure, so I'm not at all worried. It was a relatively quick knit, I didn't keep track of how long I was working on it, but it was quick.

I've started (FINALLY) on MY project for me! Irish Hiking Scarf - I have 2 sk of Inca Alpaca, so I decided to cast on and get moving. I've been wanting something warm and cabled for my neck. I started last night, and I'm 9 or 10 rows in. Exciting, huh? It's not looking like much yet, but I'm sure it will eventually - I hope I don't mess up :) I've been known to lose my place in patterns when I have to keep track. This will be about the most attentive knitting I've done in quite some time.

Funky, Felted FO

2006-11-06T11:09:00.000-08:00

This is the final, felted FO of the Modular Knitted Bag - I'm using Hello since Blogger seems to be the slowest website ever of late... It's a success - Yay!! The Hello picture posting - not necessarily the bag. OK, I'm much too harsh on the end product - it's really not terrible. It's growing on me as it hangs around the house. I'm considering giving it to my Mom - I don't know that she'll like it, but she might, I don't know. I really don't know what to do with it... I don't know that I'm inclined to use it-- weird, huh?
Granted, it's got interesting colors - I think the pink was not the best choice, honestly, but I have this whole skein of Cascade 22o - so I felt (no pun intended) that I needed to use it.... Now that I have about 200 yards of Pink 220 - what's next?? :) I'm sure I'll come up with something.

As for other Knitting News in my world:

On the needles:

1. A "gift" for a special person - no hints just in case they might peek at the blog - though I doubt it. It's 220 superwash in a grey. Looks great so far. Just sort of 'boring' knitting.

2. Cutesy wrist warmers made from Target acrylic I purchased just over 1 year ago - the receipt was still in the bag - 4 sk for $2! It's this bright jelly bean stripey/goopy color scheme. Super easy and brainless - just for kicks -- the color is looking alright and I think I'll like them. Good news, because they are for me!

Felted Musings...

2006-10-30T20:22:00.000-08:00

This is "Theresa Gaffey Designs #133"
Small Modular Felted Purse. Purchased through my LYS.

First off, the details:

4 colors, 3 yarns:

Black & Red = Paton's Classic Merino

Burgundy: Donegal Tweed

Pink: Cascade 220

Pre-felting dimensions: Top to bottom 12.5"

Side to side: 14" (or so) the strap is close to 48" long. Yay, I-cord! (or as the husband calls it - the knitted snake!)

I washed the crap out of this thing - the Donegal Tweed and Cascade 220 didn't felt all that well. The tweed must be too "tweedy" (if anyone has felted with this, let me know) and, much to my chagrin - and not having my "thinking" cap on when I started this - yah, pink yarn is a light color--and, as I pulled the dripping wet mass out of the washing machine for the FIFTH time...light colors may not felt all that well, and the effect, meh... OH, brother... duh...

So, to summarize this pattern: Actually, quite a fun knit. It goes pretty quick. I think I did this in two weeks (give or take a few days), and I was actually motivated to keep going, because it was so fast. It's a beginner pattern, that's for sure. But, that's not to say, I didn't enjoy it. I did! I like the yarns I selected - I have used Paton's wool on several occasions and have not been disappointed. I did a smaller project with the Tweed, and it's few rows turned out alright. This project was definitely a good learning project for me.

I won't be doing much more "experimenting" with yarns for felting. Even though it is relatively inexpensive yarn, for my excitement, the Paton's is the way to go. It felts so quickly and is easy to get--why take chances? I know I'll get a good result. I haven't tried any of the other wools from the big box store selection - but I think this is my yarn for future felting projects. Guaranteed success. Granted, I haven't tried the lighter colors, but I won't be doing that again!!

Felted FO pics to come when I feel like taking them. It's wet and blocking/drying in the other room with my other laundry from Lazy Monday.

Another Felted FO - Mini Clutch

2006-10-18T21:28:00.000-07:00

Guess I've become somewhat of a felting nut!
I've already started a 4th bag :) I haven't worked on it much since Monday, but I'm meeting a knitting buddy Thurs. night to do some work, so I'll get some done then.

This is a "mini clutch" pattern - I obviously modified a bit. I usually prefer knitting in the round...I should have done more tugging while it was drying. It took several days to get dry...I really like it--cute bag.

Yarn Used:
Black - Paton's Classic Merino (I've had terrific luck with this yarn for felting)
Burgundy - Donegal Tweed
Size 10.5 needles (Denise Interchangeables)

It was about 9" tall prefelt. Didn't measure, don't know what it did after...shrunk a lot though :) Good, because it's a mini-tote/clutch! My thought is that I might use it as an evening bag with an outfit I don't own yet for a wedding I'll be going to in early December. I'm think of wearing burgundy/black, something along those lines...so I'm ready with a bag.

If I did this again (which is possible) I'd figure out an in-the-round adaption--my stripe didn't line up along the seam (post felt) probably b/c the yarns are so different... anywho... the bag is super cute! That's all that matters to me!

Sat. Market Bag - Is an FO!

2006-09-26T15:48:00.000-07:00

The bag IS complete, the picture is not here--but you CAN see it on Jodie's page with her other Sat. Market bags :) (She's "Strings & Yarn - look over there --->) I thought I was behind the times getting it done, but I wasn't, afterall. She mentioned she received 3 pics within a the last few days, so she added them. I actually put mine to use this AM on a dog walk/trip to the library. I tossed in a couple of books bound for the Book Return. It worked fine! It's way long, now that it's stretched out a lot. I knotted the strap to make it the length that was tolerable, as I figured I didn't want it hanging at my ankles (ok, well almost half way down past my knees) it's hard to walk around like that...books banging on your kneecaps...
I digress - more pics and info to come as soon as I get the picture moved to the "big" computer to put on the blog.

2006-09-25T11:04:00.000-07:00

I have been quite busy since my last post. I actually AM knitting - working on the Saturday Market bag from the June '06 MagKnits. I'm currently on the first half of the handle, and I'm going to get pix up as soon as I'm finished, hopefully by later tonight. The handles are garter st, so I have NO excuse not to finish it up today. :)

Hope all is well with the knitting world out there!

FO Goodness!

2006-09-03T09:21:00.000-07:00

I did it! I looked up when I started--purchased yarn on July 21st - project completed Sept. 1st!
It took a bit longer than I thought, but not as long as I figured it had. The amazing part. I actually did finish it. I'm somewhat of a WIP procrastinator -- I have a blanket that I started in early July, it did not get touched since the start of teh FMB. I also was working on a little baby outfit...and since I didn't finish it before the baby shower, I stopped, and I'm lost on where I am...just a few thoughts on my procrastinating & motivational issues.

Now I need to change the focus of the blog.... hmm...

Whoot!

2006-09-02T17:18:00.000-07:00

Hey All - the FMB is DONE!! WHOO-HOO!!

It's been spun through the wash (once too many...) but that's OK. It is now drying proudly on the mixing bowl, on top of the drying rack. I didn't take any shots pre-felting, because, well, I didn't want to. I was ready to get it in the machine.

Does anyone know (for sure) that I must use laundry detergent (just a dab) when felting. Do you NEED the soap??? It takes forever in my front loader to get it all out in the rinse cycle. (and yes, I use specially formulated "he" Tide...) and I thought I used a "little" bit...several, several rinses later.... anyhow, just my thoughts. FO Pix to come soon...probably by Monday....

gee, a week went by

2006-09-01T08:02:00.000-07:00

So I'm nearly there on the end of the FMB... I said nearly. I'm on the last of the handle decreases - and the next step will be the grafting.

I did end up adding the grey "stripe" to make up for the lack of yarn available. I might have had enough of the CC to do it, but I didn't want to try and end up with something asymmetrical... I think this will be just fine. It's 3 colors and 3 differnt yarns. I hope the felting process goes well. I'm hoping to get that in the washer this afternoon!!!

Happy September everyone!!

Enjoy the weekend and it's back to school time for all my teacher friends. Good luck!

Argh!

2006-08-24T16:56:00.000-07:00

OK, so, I think I got just a bit, shall we say, excited by the prospect of knitting this bag?? So here's my "problem*" - I've run short on the yarn, ok, I'm not completely out yet, but I'll definitely not have enough to finish. I'm working on the handles now...I did some creative BO's to make the 4 handles 25 sts each...um, had a little trouble counting, so it's going to be a bit off-kilter, but I'm not worried. Only I will know, right...OK, and the rest of you...but I'll dare you to find the mistakes!

*it's only a problem if you let it be, right? I'm a yogi, no problem is unsolvable... :) There are answers in everything....that's why I LOVE yoga...

So I've come up with the following as potential solutions, as purchasing another skein is not on the books, or I'll have way too much...and I'm not really keen on making it any bigger than it is... I also only have a limited amount of the CC (navy blue) remaining...

1. Use the MC (teal) to work up to the first dec on each handle. (this I've pretty much decided is what I'll do for Step 1)
2. Switch to a third color (such as something already stashed--I have some grey that might work)
3. Work 3rd color for a bit
4. Change to CC when directed by the pattern, and continue on my merry way, and finish this bad boy up!

I stuck the link for the pattern below, just for fun, any thoughts? Thank you!

(http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter03/PATTfrenchmarket.html)

On an unrelated note - and you may know this already--the "You Knit What" blog has ceased to live. I'm so bummed, that was really, really fun to read and/or look at...

Here's the proof!

2006-08-21T11:22:00.000-07:00

So I have been working on the bag. Here are a couple of pictures of the progress. It's slow going. I've been not so motivated lately. The pictures show the colors just great, though, and it's getting there. I do need to measure and see where I am right now. I'm getting anxious to get it knitted and get the darn thing tossed in the machine for it's final spin :)

And here is the other picture - slightly different view

quickie update

2006-08-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

Yes, friends, I am still plugging away on my FMB. I worked on it Monday night for quite a long time, I'm also taking it with me this weekend while I attend a yoga retreat. We should have some downtime :) Afterall, this retreat is about relaxing, doing yoga, opening our hearts and minds.
As to the status of the FMB, I've got just a smidge over 4'' done of the bag body color. I have used up one skein of the pastaza to get there--so I should have just about exactly enough of it, I guess...I may cut it a bit short of the 8" due to limited yarn supply, and the stitches are much bigger--I'm using size 10's. I'm a bit concerned about the felting being a bit uneven on this as I started with a worsted weight (cascade 220) and then switched to the Pastaza, which is bulky.

My other fun and exciting news: I got my passport this week! It was turned around in less than a month, if you can believe that! :) Now I'm ready to travel, anytime, anywhere! I was expecting 6 weeks of waiting, but instead, it came in just under 4. What a thrill for me!

Keep on, Keepin' on

2006-08-10T21:17:00.000-07:00

Yah, so I thought I should update here...I am knitting, just slowly. I may be having some wool reactions on my hands...and eyes. It happened last time I knit/felt, too, so I'm trying to do smaller amounts of knitting in one sitting. I am making good progress, though. I've got about 3 or 4" of the 2nd color going. I'm going to put in a stripe, I think, of the dark blue, in between the tealish color. Just for something different. I'd take a picture, but I'd have to get up, and then go in the other room, and then...and then... yes, I'm being lazy. And it's late..................... ok, NOT that late. But it feels like it's about 11pm to me...but it's 9pm!! Ack!

A picture is worth 1,000's of stitches...

2006-08-01T21:47:00.000-07:00

Well, this is my progress. It's going. But I'm not knitting that quickly. I really have plenty of time on Monday's to knit, but the rest of the week, well, I'm busy! :) I work and have a life. Not to mention, a husband who really likes to actually spend time with me! Apparently, watching me knit a seemingly endless spiral isn't all that thrilling.

I plan to have plenty of time to work on this over the next weekend. I'll be camping with aforementioned DH at Mt. St. Helen's for the weekend. He's mtn biking, I'll be hiking and/or relaxing with books, the dog, and my knitting. 200 sts around is alot of stitches...

And, to all my friends--my Dear "Auntie N" sent me good, Iowa sweetcorn via express mail. I had a fabulous dinner tonight! Yummy! There is nothing like real Iowa sweetcorn. I won't be home this summer, as is my "usual" plan, so she fixed me up! My favorite part of summer in Iowa. If you've never had sweetcorn from Iowa, you are truly missing out. It compares to NO other. Nope, it doesn't.

Plugging along

2006-08-01T15:35:00.000-07:00

I am knitting, and just yesterday switched over to the 2nd color of yarn. I really didn't examine the yarn very closely when I bought it--ahem--although I am really happy with it! It's gorgeous :) I switched from Cascade 220 to Pastaza -- and that is a wee bit thicker of a yarn...so I changed needles, yet again, to a size 10! (I'm going Denise the rest of the way.) The change from size 8 to 10 was bit gnarly on the hands for a round of 200 sts...but I made it. I will get a pic up here soon. I just think about it right before I have to go somewhere, and don't have time to set up the shots, then get them up here, etc. etc. but I am working on it! Once I have a few more rounds of the Pastaza I'll post a pic. I think it will really show up nicely in contrast.

Hope everyone else is doing well!

~Erica

I'm knitting, are you?

2006-07-30T19:15:00.000-07:00

I've been knitting - have you? :) I am making progress and I almost have the entire bottom circle completed! I have few more rounds of increasing to go. Then, it's on to the knitting, around, and around, and around... I've been a bit lazy about posting a picture...

Not to get off topic, but I was browsing MagKnits today. I hadn't been over there for a few months, and the Saturday Market Bag is looking cool. June '06 (I think). The designer has a blog - Strings & Yarn - now on my list to the right. She lives in Eugene, OR, which is one of my favorite places in the NW to visit. I've been to the Saturday Market of which she speaks! I'll be making one of these bags, I think! It looks mighty cool :)

Procrastination averted!

2006-07-25T07:15:00.000-07:00

I did begin yesterday, what a great thing to have a day off :) I popped in a couple of movies and away I went.

I found that after dealing with the DPNs, and several false starts, I had to knit the first 8 sts before spreading them out on the needles. That seemed to help with the tricky-ness of the whole thing. I then switched to a 16" circ as I was somewhat tired of the DPNs - and wanted to try out my new stitch markers. My stitch markers are lock washers! We were out and about last night and Fred Meyer didn't have any stitch markers available, so I had to be a bit creative. They wouldn't be good for any needles much larger than what I am using (8), but for $1.09/20 I think they'll work for the time being. I was very proud of myself.

I'm looking forward to moving to the larger circ's here soon, and feeling like I'm doing some "real" work. So far, I'm feeling motivated...we'll see how long that lasts!

So here is my question to my KAL'ers - will we be discussing Kitchener tips when we get there?? I've not done it before - and am most nervous about that aspect of the project.

The needle size debate & why I am procrastinating

2006-07-24T11:48:00.000-07:00

The needle size debate is going - I read a few articles on the Knitty techniques archive re: felting. The suggestion there is go with needles that are a bit larger. I have felted before, one item, and I used Paton's Classic Merino w/ size 11's. I was satisfied w/ how the fabric turned out. I have yarn that is a bit thicker (better quality) this time around, but I don't think I'll use the 11's. I'm going to go with 8's and see how we go.

OK, now, why I am procrastinating:

1) The bottom of the bag with DPNs are a little scary. I need to get the yarn and needles together in the same room and start working. 2) It's been VERY warm here in the Pac NW. Warmer than our temperately-adjusted bodies are used to. It rarely gets to 90 - and usually doesn't hover - so the past 3-4 days have been very rough. Hot weather doesn't inspire a lap full of wool...

Today is cooling off a bit, upper 80's instead. The bag won't knit itself (wish I was in one of the Harry Potter books and could enchant the needles!) so I need to get myself moving along on that.

Good luck, all, let's keep each other motivated.

~Erica

The French Market Bag KAL

2006-07-22T10:42:00.000-07:00

Well, here is the yarn, procured less than 24 hours ago. I love shops that stay open until 7pm :) She wound them for me (yay!) so DH and I didn't have to deal with it...he's a master at unwinding and making the knotty all straightened up again, but it is time consuming.

I digress. Now that I've got my wool, it's going to be 80-90+ degrees here this weekend. Wool in the lap, sounds fun, eh?

OK, we'll see if the KAL will really keep me motivated.

Confidential to Le Tour fans: GO FLOYD!!

2006-07-22T10:41:00.000-07:00

Here is the Yarn for the project. Now to get started. . .

More wedding ceremony

2006-06-05T14:07:00.000-07:00

2006-06-05T14:04:00.000-07:00

Rehearsal

2006-06-05T14:02:00.001-07:00

Before the ceremony

2006-06-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

wedding silliness

TV

2006-05-16T18:58:00.000-07:00

Well, I've decidely NOT been knitting lately. I started a project---sort of ran out of steam there, & didn't finish for the baby shower... I guess, someday, I'll know someone who has a baby girl, and I can pass it along then.... I should go back to it, it's not difficult, actually it's rather interesting, and it would be nice to have that as one of the "stashed" gifts at some point. I also decided that I need to find someone who is having a baby in the winter, as the little dress was made of wool--I figured it would be too hot for the summer babe...

As I've not been knitting, I've been in front of the TV for season finales. I encourage you to visit the TV Gal blog (over on my favorite links) to read about the news in TV these days.

NBC has let me down...I liked "Conviction" on Friday nights;"Crossing Jordan" won't be back until mid-season (errr, Football....) where will I get my Det. Woody Hoyt fix??? I'm not even going to mention "Scrubs" - good stuff, mid-season, yet again... On the upside, I'll be able to giggle myself silly watching "Earl" and "The Office."

I will be anxiously anticipating the news on "Veronica Mars" although I am holding out hope for that, as it gets a new network for next season. It's a funny little show! Gotta love it.

Now that I've hijacked the Knitting for TV... 'nuf said.

2006-04-25T17:30:00.000-07:00

So I did eventually get the bag dried out, and then I let it sit for a few days - finally added the zipper, and it has been sitting there, begging to be used, but I haven't yet!

I'm currrently on a WIP that will be a gift for a baby shower. We know it's a girl, so it's a pink (no hassles, I couldn't resist!!) wrap dress (Blossom from MagKnits) very cutesy little item. Even though it is knit on small needles and baby weight yarn, it is moving along at a faster clip than I expected it to. So I'm motivated to get it done, as time is ticking, but I remind myself that if I have deadlines, then I must meet them!

Pic's to follow in a day or so--I've got to make it look like something other than just the "back" of the thing, which is what it looks like!

I'm knitting with Heirloom superwash. I seriously didn't get it was wool until I looked...I couldn't believe it!!

Waiting Game

2006-04-11T19:50:00.000-07:00

I'm still waiting for the thing to dry.
Patience is NOT my best quality....

So, it's felted!

2006-04-10T19:15:00.000-07:00

I'm calling it "Felt TV" as I sat on the floor in front of my washer, literally, watching as it churned in the front loader. (I even cleaned the glass so I could see better) The sort of crazy part--I had the item in a pillowcase! So there wasn't much to "see" as it were.
I took notes, and have now, I think, refined the process for me and my washer. I really wasn't sure it would work out, but it did, and I was really amazed. I did pull it out of the pillowcase once, to peek, and it had started to shrink, there was a bit of stitch definition yet, so I ran it through again. But I was so excited!
I came to the conclusion that the low water level, and the fact that the washer does really agigate fairly consistently does help in the process. I didn't have anything else in the washer, so I, therefore, concluded the back and forth of the machine is adequate, if not down right perfect! for felting.
Happy camper all around here. I had the bag sitting here, knitted up but scared to put it the washer. I just decided this afternoon to bite the bullet, and do it, and I figured, if I made any mistakes, hey, it was going to be felted, anyhow.

Project Details:
"Letter Have It" from Stitch 'n Bitch: Nation
I made the Big version
Paton's Classic Merino Wool (1[+/-]1/2 sks grey and very little red <1/2 skein)
size 11 needles. The I-cord I used 10.5 needles because I didn't have any size11 dpns.
It's really supposed to be more bowling-bag shaped--I'll admit I didn't work to perfect gauge on this project, so I had to improvise a bit with the center panel (read: frogged a bit to make it work) but I think, in all, the felting took care of most of the "weirdness" I was dealing with. I swatched, and came up with gauge, but as I knit, it sort of went away. I must relax after I knit awhile. The "e" also may have been an issue. This was also my first bit of intarsia. This project was a whole bouquet of firsts!

As far as I can tell, the fabric seems very thick, actually thicker than I anticipated. But, I didn't have anything to compare to, so I don't really know if this is usual for Paton's classic merino. I'm now really encouraged and hope to felt more. It's addicting! I, of course, already have some ideas for my next felting project. A felted bag or little purse seems like an item that every girl would love :)

So this concludes the project that was the impetus for the blog.

I started a little washcloth for something to keep my hands busy today (Monday's are my days "off" as it were - so I like to work on projects)

I have the "Blossom" pattern from MagKnits on deck, for a baby gift. Cross your fingers that I can get it done. The deadline is Cinco de Mayo!!! (that's one day before the shower...)
wish me luck!

2006-04-10T19:10:00.000-07:00

Here is the front - I think I mixed up the pix!! But it is drying out!

2006-04-10T19:08:00.000-07:00

I also wanted everyone to know that I did use a front loading washing machine - an older one, even - it's a Whirlpool. It all worked out, though, and I am happy with the results! It is a little addicting...

2006-04-09T20:24:00.000-07:00

The bag is now knitted, assembled and ready for the hot wash! I WILL attempt the front loader, as I read on the Knitty Board someone did have success...If one session doesn't get the job done, I'll attempt the "BCOD" method - handfelting...Not my preferred choice, but I'll keep my fingers crossed...more to come when the felting has happened???

2006-04-06T14:00:00.000-07:00

OK, so I'm still not keeping up with this very well.
I did get the knitting finished on the bag, and I have the sides/center panel attached. I'm now working on attaching the I-cord accents. (as husband referred to them: "knitted snakes")
I discovered I enjoyed the I-cord--this was my first go-round with them. It does go quickly. More quickly than I expected.

I'll be begging a friend for her washer so I can felt in the coming week(s). Depends on when I can get to someone's house.... I have a front-loading machine, not recommended for felting!

Pictures to come soon....

So, I haven't been here in a few days...

2006-03-24T19:36:00.000-08:00

OK, I didn't realize it's been nearly 2 weeks since my last edit--oops! I actually have progressed on the Letter Have It. I have the front and back done now. I am now working on the section in the middle, it needs to be 50" long, and I'm not even half way there....yet...
Knitting and blogging simultaneously do not mix...I need to be knitting, but I've also learned that I may be allergic my wool... so I don't do a whole lot all at once.

I'll keep knitting, and see how I go!

2006-03-11T12:35:00.000-08:00

tiny picture

2006-03-01T16:55:00.000-08:00

Here is the finished front of the bag! (not blocked)

2006-02-27T09:59:00.000-08:00

My dog, Angel. Now she's famous!

2006-02-27T00:20:00.000-08:00

here are the first few rows...

2006-02-26T23:42:00.000-08:00

I've started on "Letter Have It" from SnB: Nation - I guess it does have a little colorwork, and it's a fast knit so far - I'm about 14 rows in, and have been knitting about 2 hours.
It's a pattern for a felted bowling bag, with an initial in the center. I'm making the larger size.
I have a front-loading washing machine, so felting will be interesting - I may have to try the Boiling Cauldron method - not looking forward digging my hands into a pot of HOT water!

2006-02-26T12:04:00.000-08:00

the "IOU" baby blanket. Made from Knit One Crochet Two 2nd Time Cotton. Finally Finished!!