tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26112164437586250882024-02-19T04:34:19.242-08:00AB's Year of EZa knitter's challengethesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-34904062223499456782013-06-07T07:15:00.000-07:002013-06-07T07:15:34.207-07:00I Really Gotta Get It TogetherI completely lost track of time. One minute it was April, the next it was almost Mother's Day. I looked up again and HOLY CRAP it's June? What? June? No. That can't be right.<br /><br />I'm still slogging away on Elbow's super graphic "ugly blanket". It's almost finished, just 1 1/2 more pattern repeats to go. As the weather warms up it is harder and harder to work on it for any real length of time. I've made several hats in the past month or so but they haven't turned out as I had hoped. I made them in an attempt to disguise my new haircut and one of them works OK but the others. . . we won't go there. I also finished up a sweater from a year ago that only needed a sleeve. I'm really pleased with it and will be <strike>pic spamming</strike> taking pictures soon.<br /><br />I've also been busy getting everything set up for school this fall. I'm excited to get back to it, but there are so many hoops to jump through with this place! I spent all day yesterday running around town getting documents and signatures and tests. It was exhausting but it's finally done. Maybe now I can get back to the Almanac. I really wanted to make the Pi Shawl again this go round. There is this great yarn that my MIL brought back from Latvia that is begging to be a Pi.thesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-43629912041432616172013-04-26T00:04:00.000-07:002013-04-26T07:52:15.577-07:00Wait. It's APRIL?I was at work last night, catching up with a supervisor I haven't seen in ages, when I realized that April is almost over and I haven't updated the blog in well over a month. I think it's because I feel guilty about not having more pictures of finished stuff but it's not like anyone *actually* reads this thing, so there isn't anyone to care. Yay for existing in a vacuum!<br />
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Seriously though, I have done quite a bit since the middle of March.<br />
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For starters, that ugly blanket is finished. The baby is curled up under it right now - snoring like a grown ass man - and I have started another one for my oldest. She wanted hers in white, black, and red though so it's a bit more modern than tan, brown, and rust. I used the directions for a seamless blanket (who puts a seam down the middle of an afghan?!?!) which makes this bugger a good deal wider than the "half-ghan" that the baby got. It is fairly tedious and only gets pulled out when I need to veg on the couch or am drunk. Often times it's both.<br />
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My husband and I went on a trip with some of our friends to a big fighting game tournament in Atlanta at the end of March, so I took along my almanac and enough yarn to make the February baby blanket/shawl. It was surprisingly quick to knit and it turned out beautifully despite my attempts to work on it during/after the festivities on Saturday night. I'll get pictures maybe sometime. I also found a finished baby kimono while pawing through my stash for another project. My husband's friend's baby is going to be *set* on the hand knits.<br />
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I also remembered just why I never finished the April project the last time. Now, don't get me wrong, the idea of this blanket is incredibly cool. You start each square in the center, work your way to the edge, then put that bad boy on some waste yarn and move on to the next. You end up having all of these little squares with live borders that get sewn together in a way that challenges you to find where the join is and how the blanket was made. Awes. . . HOLD THE FUCK UP. I have to *sew these bastards together by hand*? Is this bitch on crack? This pattern SUCKS. I hate to say that about any of EZ's stuff but if I am being honest, Mrs. Zimmerman created this pattern for masochists and for her own sick amusement. Count me out on this one. I'll sew together what I have, slap a border on it, and give it to the baby. Or the trash can. Maybe the baby will give it to the trash can. Yeah. I can go with that.<br />
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In an effort to avoid going completely crazy with the EZ pattern, I took to the pattern page on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/" target="_blank">Ravelry</a> to find something that wouldn't make me want to scratch my eyes out. I found <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dreambird-kal" target="_blank">this</a>. I broke one of my cardinal rules and *paid real money* for a *knitting* pattern. I immediately grabbed yarn and sat down in front of the computer to cast on. I spent the next three days knitting, ripping, knitting again, screaming at the designer, and throwing yarn across the apartment. This pattern is a translation of a translation at best. There is so much copy-pasting going on that you would think it was a freshman lit paper. Did the designer just plug her original directions into <a href="http://translate.google.com/#auto/de/WTF%3F!%3F" target="_blank">Google Translate</a>? I don't know what I was thinking when I clicked "buy now". It was my birthday, maybe I was high on cake fumes? I powered through it though and after sifting through the English language support thread (of which a good deal is in Spanish) I was able to figure it out.<br />
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This pattern is <b>genius</b> in it's use of short rows. I wish I could come up with this kind of stuff as easily as I can sweaters. Yes, it takes a bit more concentration than I would like, but after making my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/queen-of-the-night" target="_blank">favorite scarf in the history of ever</a> I can handle it. At least I don't need to keep track of beads and tiny ass crochet hook. I wouldn't exactly call this pattern a fun knit for most people, but it is deliciously technical. I like patterns like that on occasion. I think EZ would approve.<br />
<br />thesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-18019983017159657262013-03-13T11:21:00.000-07:002013-03-13T11:21:28.986-07:00March MadnessSo far this month has felt really productive. I've finished 4 knitting projects so far! Here's the yarn porn:<br />
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*January Aran vest*</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">*February Baby Sweater*</span></div>
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*<a href="http://wollmeise.blogspot.com/2007/02/von-wahrsagern-der-weien-bffelfrau.html" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Christmas mitts</a>*</div>
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the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/queen-of-the-night" target="_blank">amazing beaded nightmare</a>!</div>
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I do have a confession to make though. After doing so much finishing work, I was absolutely itching to cast on something. ANYTHING. So I started an <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70409AD.html" target="_blank">ugly blanket</a>. Now, the link isn't the exact pattern I'm using, but it gives you an idea of the kind of ugly I'm going for. I got <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Second-Big-Book-Afghans/dp/0442248636/ref=sr_1_41?ie=UTF8&qid=1363187270&sr=8-41&keywords=valerie+kurita" target="_blank">this book</a> from our local library's book sale a couple of years ago because I'm a sucker for vintage knitting books. The best thing about this one is that a good portion of the blankets are crocheted. I can improvise a knitting pattern like no body's business, but crochet? Not so much.<br />
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There is a really fantastic crochet pattern inside for an airplane blanket/pillow all in one thing that I intended to make but it calls for super bulky yarn and a hook that I didn't have on hand. I decided to make the Colonial Ripples afghan instead and I am so glad I did. I'm 3 days in and 1/2 way done. With a freakin' blanket. It's really good for sitting in front of the TV too. I got the first 2 ripples done while my husband and I watched some <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805669/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1" target="_blank">Ugly Betty</a> and another done last night while watching some <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106145/?ref_=fn_al_tt_3" target="_blank">DS 9</a>. I may do some more tonight after work. It all depends on if we have friends over to watch <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/?ref_=sr_1" target="_blank">GOT</a>. Of course, they're going to find out how weird I am eventually. I may as well hook while they're here.<br />
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Will I be burned out on blankets by April? Probably. Good thing I still have some of the squares from my last attempt at the Almanac. Granted, a 6 year old picked the colors, but I don't have to start next month from scratch. BONUS: I'll be finishing another WIP. If I look at it that way, it won't feel so much like cheating.<br />
<br />thesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-24191365678530574542013-03-04T08:49:00.002-08:002013-03-04T08:50:08.003-08:00Productivity! In More Ways Than OneI've done a lot of thinking this weekend. Instead of making this month's sweater (I love you EZ but I'm sweatered out) I will be finishing up as many current projects as I can. This includes weaving in the last few ends of the January Aran, putting the second sleeve on the February Baby Sweater, putting the second sleeve on a sweater I started last September *cough*, and tinking back the edge on a shawl that I ran out of yarn for. If I get it all finished I'm starting back in on Susan's Tardis socks. I hate those freaking socks.<br />
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I don't know if I'll get all of this done because, honestly, I just don't knit that much anymore. After we moved into the apartment my interest in knitting kind of dwindled. Sometimes it starts to feel like a chore and when that happens I put it down and walk away. Coming from 5+ years of constantly knitting or thinking about knitting it is so strange to not be excited about it all the time. I mean, yeah, this was a long time in coming but it is still bittersweet.<br />
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Part of the reason I decided to give the Almanac a go again was to try to get my excitement back up. Maybe as the year goes on it'll happen. Maybe not. I've stopped beating myself up over it though. I still love knitting, we'll always be together, but I can't hide behind it anymore. I've been a knitter for over half of my life and it's time to see what else is out there for me. That's cool. Bring it.thesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-33546075531580933572013-02-20T10:43:00.001-08:002013-02-21T20:15:41.733-08:00Endless, Endless I-CordThe hard part is over. I have conquered steeks. Please forgive the terrible lighting. My camera is garbage and it was 2:00am.<br />
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Finished body, pre-sewing.</div>
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Deep breath, it'll be ok. </div>
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Go have a drink. Cutting is easier after some time with Dr. Daniels.</div>
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Eeew, this picture is dark. If I hadn't been drunk, I'd have taken another one before I started the I-cord. </div>
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Now, I just need to get with it and finish this i-cord edging! It isn't difficult in the least, just <i>incredibly tedious</i> and I've finished watching my latest smutty <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1429449/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1" target="_blank">show</a>. Ooooh it is some good knitting TV. Hang in there for the first few episodes. It gets good. I actually want to find the next season(s).<br />
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I haven't even begun to cast on for February's nonsense yet. I had hoped to do all 5 of the projects this month but it looks like I will only have time for one. So tell me Internet, do I do the blanket or the sweater? I am gifting the item to a friend who is expecting in mid-September, in AL, who doesn't know gender. If I do the sweater, I have a really cute cotton picked out. No idea what I'll use for the blanket. I'm doing this whole book from my stash, so I don't have a lot of worsted options that would work for a baby.thesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-46143836925120002172013-02-02T20:25:00.000-08:002013-02-02T20:31:11.634-08:00It's February Already?!?!Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday I was looking at the calendar and thinking, "Great! I still have 11 days to crank this bad boy out. No sweat!" Oops.<br />
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Today I reached the final bind-off row on the body, only to run out of yarn (on the skein, I do have 2 more!) 10 stitches before the end. If I hadn't forgotten to bind off twice on the shoulder line, I would have ended with just enough yarn to weave in the end. Talk about *facepalm*. One of the rarest, most pleasing feelings in knitting was within my grasp! <i>sigh</i> Maybe next time. <br />
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I'll wind up another skein tomorrow and get cracking on the steeks if I get the time. There is a really neat violin workshop happening at one of the local schools that I'd like to attend and that will take up a lot of the afternoon. thesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-45843841447059813112013-01-17T09:45:00.003-08:002013-01-17T09:47:22.819-08:00Slowly but Surely I finally feel like I have made some progress on this thing. Not nearly as much as I was hoping for at this point, but enough to be content with it. I had to rip out the second half of the big cable pattern a few times before I got it right and that really cut into my time frame. After spending some quality time with the fishtrap chart I finally got the hang of it. Now, the only time I need to look at the thing is when I ‘m getting close to doing the small cables. I love the way the twisted stitches make those stand out. They are by far the best looking rope cables I’ve ever done.<br />
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As I’m going, and looking at the deadline, I keep thinking that I want to make this a vest. A nice i-cord border seems lovely. No buttons, but maybe some hidden belt loops? I have plenty of knitting to go before I decide in any case. We’ll see. <br />
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The baby is actually being really good about letting me knit. She has even taken to cuddling up with me and watching her ‘mouse movie’ while I knit. It doesn’t make for the best knitting TV, but I’ll take what I can get. I did find <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104666/" target="_blank">this</a> on Netflix the other night. OMG. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000293/" target="_blank">Nedomir</a> was quite the looker in ‘93. Also, quite the unintentional comedian. If you ever want to see some really awkward sex, this is the show for you. I don’t think the female lead enjoyed any of it and that’s just a shame. Tonight, I’m moving on to <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758790/" target="_blank">The Tudors</a>. It’s been in my instant queue for forever. I’m hoping the romance is a little more romantic and a little less. . . strange.thesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-45342318003317769272013-01-05T01:13:00.000-08:002013-01-17T09:46:49.262-08:00Here We Go Again!After quite little break, I've decided to give the Almanac another go. Life got pretty crazy for a while and I think things are finally at a point where attempting this again isn't totally inconceivable. So, to catch y'all up. . .<br />
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<a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/292713_603127266743_8133603_n.jpghttps://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/292713_603127266743_8133603_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/292713_603127266743_8133603_n.jpghttps://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/292713_603127266743_8133603_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>In December of 2010, when things were pretty much at their lowest for me, I found out that I was having another baby. My husband and I were at odds as to what to do for a while. It was REALLY a bad time for me to get pregnant, we were fighting constantly and I had started packing my things to move out. I don't know what changed or when, but something clicked and we started trying again. Once our relationship was sorted out, the rest of everything just started falling into place.<br />
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I graduated with a 3.74 GPA in Biology. My husband got a great job that allows me to stay, at our own place, with the kids. I've learned to sew, cook, and I've even gotten back into gaming (which takes up more knitting time than I will readily admit). Miss E just went through the testing process to be in the gifted classes at school next year. The newbie, Kit, is 17 months old and is my little engineering daredevil. Things are pretty wonderful right now.<br />
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My job at the LYS was. . . complicated. I loved the customers, getting to be around fiber all day, help people with design issues, and all of the little things that go with keeping a business running. I felt like I was making a difference in the local fiber scene and it was for the better, you know? God, but working for that woman was awful. She was never there and had no idea what was good for the business. If she wanted it, she bought it, regardless of what our customers were buying or looking for. Eventually (after I left) she started carrying Red Heart yarns.<br />
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Yep. Red Heart.<br />
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I haven't set foot back in the store since I left, but I've been told that the isles are so close together that you can't walk through the store and that all of the amazing windows don't really let in the light anymore due to the over crowding. *shrug* Not my problem anymore. Love that.<br />
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So, now that life is back on track, I am too. I cast on for the January Aran on the 1st, but haven't had too much time to sit down with it. I'm using a lavender 2-ply handspun that I was given by my MIL after her trip to Latvia last summer. It is perfect for this project and the stitch definition is just to die for. I may not have quite enough to make the sleeves, so as of right now, I'm planning on a vest. We'll see how much is left once the body is done. *phew* I'm wiped and have a big day of birthday parties and family stuff tomorrow, so I'll end it here. See everyone next week with (hopefully) more than 1" of sweater finished!<br />
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<br />thesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-57371920017894471492012-12-09T19:56:00.001-08:002012-12-09T19:56:47.093-08:00Changes are ComingAlright, things kind of got away from me for a while, but I have a plan. Come back in January of 2013. I'm starting from scratch and I've got a really cute new model.thesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-2612494307414123332010-09-19T13:29:00.001-07:002010-09-19T13:41:29.627-07:00I’ve been a bad, bad blogger. Again.Eep! Sorry all. I've been so wrapped up in life and knitting that I've neglected this blog thing for way too long. As it stands I have finished the stars and a Christmas tree for August. We aren't talking about the fruit nets or the angels just yet. I'm lucky to have gotten ANY EZ knitting in last month with the giant, 6ft. long stocking cap that I made on commission. Still, I'm pretty happy with my FOs for August. All in all, I finished the ornaments, cap, a flower brooch, a scarf, and a Meowth.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4942315392_9832d94a94.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4942315392_9832d94a94.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span xmlns=""><p><span><span><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4941732172_e46f97f8c8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4941732172_e46f97f8c8.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></span></p><p>September has been just nuts. I got another order for a stocking cap (which was only 3ft long this time and did not eat up all of my free time), a request for a black shrug from my 5yr old and A JOB AT THE YARN STORE! How awesome is that? I'm stoked. That is the only word for it. Absolutely stoked. I've only had one shift so far, but I've already learned a lot and I got to see the world's tiniest chicken egg. Best. Job. Ever.<br /></p><p><span><span><span><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5005228943_298aeafee2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5005228943_298aeafee2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></p><p>I've cast on for the Nether Garments too. I'm making them as pajamas for myself out of the Yarn Bee Snowflake wool that you can get at Hobby Lobby. I picked up a skein thinking that I would really like a pair of fingerless mitts. Once I decided that they were going to be pants, I picked up a few more. Thankfully, I got a great gauge with the first pair of needles I grabbed, so off I went making the cuffs. I started with 80sts, to avoid leggings, and will work straight to the knee. I haven't decided what I'll do once I get to the hips though. I'm not sure if I want to make them sit low on the hips or high on the waist like the pants in the Almanac. I'm leaning towards low, but we will see how I feel once I get there.<br /></p><p>I have a bit of a confession to make now though. I'm blogging instead of writing my English paper that is due at midnight. I've written more in the last ten minutes about knitting than I have in the past week about William Wordsworth. Think I can just turn this in to my teacher? I put the guy's name in it at least. . . Blegh. Off to be a good student and finish my assignment. </p></span>thesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-19245883089433267122010-08-26T20:17:00.000-07:002010-08-26T20:27:42.528-07:00*pop*Hear that? I think that may have been the last threads of my sanity snapping. Not to worry though, I can spin more!<br /><br />I have been a bad knitter this month. Even now, with a deadline less than two days away, I am writing this post instead of finishing the mile long hat. I've failed to finish my daughter's surprise birthday <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">plushie</span>. I've completed only three stars from the Almanac and have yet to cast on/plan for the trees, nets or angels.<br /><br />When is the end of August? Tuesday you say. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hmmm</span>. . . No problem!<br /><br />What did you say? Tests in all four of my classes on Thursday? Quit teasing. School only just started this week. Surely the professors won't test us on all of that information with just one week to study. They can't be that heartless. o.0 Maybe if I cut out eating and sleep I can fit it all in. . .thesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-44478628066626532142010-08-10T19:45:00.000-07:002010-08-10T20:02:27.849-07:00Where Did the Time Go?Here it is, the day after EZ's birthday, and I'm just now realizing that yesterday was in fact August 9th. I had intended to do a happy birthday post. Ahem.<br /><br />So far this month, I have made 1 star from the Almanac. This star was quickly stolen by the kitten. I'm sure it will turn up eventually and look nothing like a star. I really want to cast on for one of the little angels. The hat I'm working on right now (for an order) is taking such a long time though and I promised to have it done in 3 weeks. Maybe I'll luck out and get a few days off in which to sit back and knit. . . HAHAHA. That's my favorite joke. ^_^<br /><br />I've also been busy getting my daughter ready for her first day of Kindergarten. This little girl has been so excited to go to school all summer and today, she finally got to . I missed her and I cried a little when I read the note her teacher gave to me after I dropped her off. I had some knitting therapy (hence the star) and did as many little errands as I could think of. I know that this school thing will get easier over time but I'm still in shock that my baby isn't really a baby anymore. Oops. So much for not getting weepy again. I'm going to get some more work in on the hat before bed.<br /><br />Good night all. Happy knitting.thesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-32509936686505558862010-08-01T20:33:00.000-07:002010-08-01T21:01:06.911-07:00August 9, 1910 - November 30, 1999Here we are at August. Shawl knitting is over for the year (maybe) and little Christmas projects are waving to me from the pages of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">EZ's</span> book. I'm waiting until the 9<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>, her 100<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> birthday, to cast on for the first of this month's projects. It'll be my little way of saying happy birthday. I do have plenty to keep me bust for the next week though.<br /><br />I recently started peddling my wares at a local artist's market. Every Saturday local artisans are allowed to take over an old mill close to our Downtown area and sell their stuff. I've been there the past two weeks and have made a nice little profit. Yesterday, I got two orders for custom hats. ^_^ All of this money making has made me realize that I really must do something about that pesky little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">etsy</span> store. I've had it for almost two years now, sitting with nothing but a name. If I'm going to make a name for myself, I need an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">internet</span> presence. This is annoying to no end, since it is taking valuable time away from my knitting. I have managed to get the brim for one custom hat done today while making dinner and hope to get to the first decrease rounds before bed.<br /><br />As I begin to turn my love of yarn and knitting into a little career, I can't help but feel closer to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">EZ</span>. She was such an amazing woman and still is such an inspiration to so many knitters. All this month, as I knit for my business or for friends or for the knit-along, I'll be knitting a stitch for her and wishing her a very happy birthday.thesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-35064101837204191212010-07-22T15:07:00.001-07:002010-07-22T15:18:31.264-07:00At last!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4818819239_659e9f9693_z.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4818819239_659e9f9693_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />IT'S FINISHED! I can't begin to describe how glad I am that this shawl is finally done. After knitting nothing but purple lace weight wool my fingers are itching for some other fiber and my eyes are craving something fun to look at.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong. This shawl was an absolute pleasure to knit. I got a good portion of it done while on vacation and was able to finish well before my August 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> deadline. I'd say that this month was definitely a success. Now, I need to go feel some silk. See you in a few days with Christmas Fiddle <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Faddle</span>!thesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-58469749396201895032010-07-03T20:51:00.000-07:002010-07-22T15:20:27.619-07:00Who Needs Sleep?Here we are at the beginning of July, faced with THE SHAWL. This can be a very intimidating project on it's own. Add to it a host of little items for surprise births, charity donations, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">commissions</span>, etc. and you have a panic attack waiting to happen. Oh. And I forgot about the back to school sweater that I promised my little one. First day of school is August 9<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>.<br /><br />Despite all of the knitting that needs to happen, I also have this pesky thing called a job. For now it is only part time. Hopefully next week that will change. I have an interview (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">WOOHOO</span>!) for a full time position that could carry me through school. It'll mean a lot less time with my family and my yarn but could give us the boost we need to get out of my in-laws' house. Decisions, decisions.<br /><br />I have cast on for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">EZ</span> shawl. I'm using a 2-ply <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">handspun</span> lace weight that was given to me by an amazing local spinner. It is a really beautiful shade of purple, but she hated the way it turned out and just gave me 7 hanks. I'm doing the plain version since I will not have time to follow a lace chart and keep my sanity. Thankfully, I've been able to sneak a few rounds in and am all the way to the 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">th</span> increase section!<br /><br />I've been typing for long enough today. I'm off to finish a different shawl, two scarves, 6 bags and a few alien hats. I'll post pictures of everything once I have another spare second.thesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-87992893259442825792010-06-22T16:59:00.000-07:002010-06-22T17:19:08.123-07:00Now That's More Like It<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4689038324_7b362e524b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4689038324_7b362e524b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />June knitting is done! I finished the final hat about a week ago, but haven't had a chance to post until now. We have the Maltese Fisherman's hat (left), the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ganomy</span> hat (center) and the Three Cornered hat (right). Each hat took no more than four hours to complete and they all fit an average woman's head. That says success to me!<br /><br />The three cornered hat was made with a super chunky 100% Alpaca yarn leftover from a vest that I made for my daughter about three years ago. It is really soft and will hold in the heat nicely this winter. I'm not really sure how exactly to wear it but that is a minor detail.<br /><br />I'm waiting until July to start the big scary shawl project, so here is what I've been doing in the interim:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4714720007_341a0fe137.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4714720007_341a0fe137.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Socks for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">NPH</span>! After his tweet about wanting socks for his birthday, a good friend of mine at knitting decided that we should all make socks for him. She somehow wound up with his shipping address and shoe size before the evening was over and I was chosen to make a pair due to my knitting speed. It has been one full week and I have just finished the heel flap for the second sock. Oh, and this is my first completed sock. Ever. In the 12 years that I've been knitting, I have never finished a single sock.<br /><br />I may be a little proud of this one.thesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-23537510478394605922010-06-10T13:05:00.000-07:002010-06-10T13:16:33.377-07:00A Bevy of. . . Aliens?!?!I've had to put the hat knitting on hold to make gifts for a class I am teaching on Tuesday. It won't be long before I am done though and can get back to the book.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1297/4688412103_a3c4c97978.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1297/4688412103_a3c4c97978.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Aren't they adorable? Each little alien takes fifteen minutes to make on size seven needles with novelty yarn. When I am done with this batch I will have 30 to give out to the girls in the class. I'm planning on making a few more after I'm done with my hats and experimenting with gauge to get bigger, chubbier aliens.<br /><br />Back to life and knitting for now. See you soon (and I'll bring some finished hats with me).<br /><br />ABthesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-20092788148870241562010-06-05T21:41:00.000-07:002010-06-05T22:20:07.585-07:00Keep Moving ForwardDo you ever just have one of those days? You know, the type of day when everything you try to do to make life better/easier/happier for the people around you seems to backfire? Have you ever wanted to curl up in bed and just stay there forever? Today was that day.<br /><br />Things about today that sucked:<br /><ul><li>Work politics</li><li>Family issues</li><li>Rare meltdown from 4-year-old<br /></li></ul>At work, I was the dumping ground for management's petty little problems with everyone else. At my mom's birthday dinner, I was made to feel like absolute GARBAGE for offering to get part of the tab. Once we (finally) got home for the night, my daughter decided to get in on the fun and completely came apart over a pencil.<br /><br />I decided to knit at that point. I took on the next of the three hats, Ganomy, which I had been told was the most difficult. I can see how it would be, for a beginner.<br /><br />Things about today that rocked:<br /><ul><li>Started Ganomy hat</li><li>Finished Ganomy hat<br /></li><li>Had a tasty beverage</li></ul>The hat is wonderful. I used some stash yarn that has been laying around for close to ten years that was originally going to be a shawl, the thought of which sends chills down my spine. It is Irish green and gray and the yarn is a 2-ply worsted weight wool. I'm not sure what kind of wool it is. Definitely came from a sheep though. I love the way this pattern came out. The only thing I'm not happy about is the fact that I could not find a ping-pong ball to put in for the bobble. I got over that pretty quickly though when I had that glass of wine.<br /><br />All in all, I think today turned out pretty well. Granted, I'm still a little miffed about the needless interpersonal issues that came up and I'm in knots about going back to work on Monday, but it's nothing I can't handle. Especially since I'm wielding pointy sticks and have no inhibitions about using them.thesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611216443758625088.post-6698089824568845492010-06-03T10:37:00.000-07:002010-06-03T11:18:39.901-07:00It StartsAlmost all knitters know Elizabeth Zimmerman. She is knitting royalty. Read her books and it is easy to see why. She has this easy style about everything. No stress, just knitting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-ostkEho8eddvpU0yPnmIhbTOD4l95zDxog05L5jUlPvgJsLyZ7uYwAYffg5i6XhcxNirfSmpY1HRZz6UmqPtmqX_uxWaAELS10fJPk2D_2nBYG9T2SrpbpbABXyLNkoyFDi6GYdCVko/s1600/elizabeth_zimmerman_010_400.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-ostkEho8eddvpU0yPnmIhbTOD4l95zDxog05L5jUlPvgJsLyZ7uYwAYffg5i6XhcxNirfSmpY1HRZz6UmqPtmqX_uxWaAELS10fJPk2D_2nBYG9T2SrpbpbABXyLNkoyFDi6GYdCVko/s320/elizabeth_zimmerman_010_400.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478612824931986050" border="0" /></a>About a year and a half ago, I bought the Knitter's Almanac with every intention of working through it from January to December. Life happened though and the book was lost on the shelf. Fast forward to finals week, Spring 2010. I'm absolutely falling apart when I notice the familiar green cover peeking out at me. I put away the textbooks for a little while and flipped through the pages. It was like catching up with an old friend. Just reading EZ's stories helped me clear my head and relax. That is when I decided to start my little project. I promised myself that after finals were done and the house was put back together I would work through the book as planned.<br /><br />So what if I'm starting in June instead of January? They both start with J.<br /><br />I'm also very happy to report that I have finished my first project! Truth be told, I couldn't put it down once I cast on. Bedtime got pushed back a bit but the results are worth it. I even got to use the rest of my first wheel spun yarn.<br /><br />Life starts again, so goodbye for now. I'll write again soon.<br /><br />ABthesleepysheephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375432576786789537noreply@blogger.com0