Me mates

25 July 2008 @ 11:21 pm

Holiday Knitting?

Maybe I am getting ahead of myself, but..

Any plans for holiday knitting?

I'm not sure of any knitted gifts yet, but I definitely want to make a pair of Christmas stockings for the bf and I. They will be my first socks, so making them oversized should be interesting! I plan to felt them, and am formulating my own "pattern" based on this.

In other news, I had some cards printed so that I can include care instructions with handknit gifts. I will write the instructions on the card, punch a hole, and tie it to the FO. Clever, yes?

These are from the selection of free business cards from VistaPrint.com. Yes, they are really free -- you just pay shipping, which is about $8. The cards have a little tagline on the back side that lists the website, but I don't mind. The "professional" business cards (more styles to choose from, no url on the back of card) often go on sale; usually 33.99 for 250 -- sometimes even FREE.

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one2flip34flop
[20sknitters]

25 July 2008 @ 07:23 pm

hats, hats, hats!!!!

woooo hoooo I realized how much I love making hats!!
I took pictures to show you my beautifuls :)
I made the three bigger ones awhile ago. The two small cabled baby-sized hats were made within the past few days, and now I have an adult-sized hat on the needles!!!!
Also.....I came back from Germany a couple weeks ago, so I put up a couple of my favorite pictures from there!!

( prepare to be amazed!! :D )

mood:

tired

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wiziristan
[polaroide]

24 July 2008 @ 12:21 am

I'd like to walk around in your mind someday

I'd sit there in the sun of the things I like about you
I'd sing my songs and find out just what they mean to you

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drucyla

24 July 2008 @ 06:35 pm

http://www.personalitypage.com/ENFP.html

sounds about right.

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joyfulvegan
[20sknitters]

24 July 2008 @ 05:28 pm

knitting in the round-- need help.

i'm knitting the republic hat (ravelry link!) and somehow i've messed up and can't figure out what i'm doing wrong. this hat is a basic stockinette-stitch hat knit on circular needles, and it has a garter-stitch band. i knit the garter-stitch band and then joined and started in on stockinette on my circs, so basically just knitting every stitch. i love how the basic knit stitch on circs will produce stockinette, it's like magic... except, i lost that magic somewhere. i hadn't had time to work on the hat in the past couple days, so this afternoon i picked it back up and continued on knitting. i'm at the point in the pattern where i'm to knit 6" in stockinette and i'm a slooooow knitter so i only had about 3" completed. anyway, i'm knitting away, and i notice that it's no longer stockinette, it's somehow turned into garter stitch. huh? so, i frogged back to where it was stockinette stitch, and started knitting again, and again it turned into garter stitch. i can't seem to figure out what i'm doing wrong, and i'm so frustrated that i just threw the darn hat across the room. gah.

what am i doing wrong? thank you for any insight.

btw, i'm knittedmittens on ravelry, if you're looking for a new friend. :)

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weezerscaddy

22 July 2008 @ 11:54 pm

New Anticraft

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Sorry for the x-post, but I am in freaking withdrawals. LoL....)

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weezerscaddy
[20sknitters]

22 July 2008 @ 11:53 pm

New Anticraft

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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mustangem82
[20sknitters]

22 July 2008 @ 11:35 pm

knitting on a plane

I'm flying to Chicago on Saturday morning. From what I make out on the TSA site, it looks like knitting needles are allowed, as are scissors if the blade is shorter than 4 inches. Has anyone flown Southwest? Had any trouble bringing your knitting on? I'm working on a project on straight needles.

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asarin
[20sknitters]

22 July 2008 @ 01:32 pm

Just an FYI post

So no pictures (yet!), I am just very excited today and wanted to share it.
Last night I was gifted to kitchen garbage bags FULL of yarn--all different colors, kinds, etc. I'll take some pictures and post them later, but needless to say I was EXCITED. It felt like christmas.

Also, I had never understood all of the hullabaloo on bamboo needles, until I broke down and bought some the other day, and I would just like to say: OH. MY. GOODNESS. So smooth, so easy to use...I can't believe it took me this long to buy some!

Also, a while back I got some wool roving and last night I finally started picking through it, putting it together, making it into a ball...I'm so excited to figure out what to knit with it!

Just wanted to post and excited post!

-Jet

mood:

ecstatic

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tish_fish
[20sknitters]

22 July 2008 @ 02:45 pm

knitting with alpaca

I found this really pretty color alpaca blend on clearance for like a dollar a skein. I bought three and have since begun knitting the Ribbed Lace Bolero (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ribbed-lace-bolero) off of ravelry. It is going well so far, but I'm worried about the shedding. Is this normal for alpaca? Will it ever stop? Should I frog it and use a different yarn?
Also, I bought a pound skein of white cotton and I'm interested in dying it. Are there any tutorials or hints you could give me?

Yeah, that was a lot of questions...
I do have one (very simple) FO but I haven't uploaded pictures yet. I will post them soon!

-Tish

Tags: alpaca, dying

mood:

artistic

listening to: Hunger Strike

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motelface
[polaroide]

21 July 2008 @ 11:43 pm

It was always the view of my parents that hot weather encouraged loose morals.

( more loose morals )

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nyessax
[20sknitters]

21 July 2008 @ 08:43 pm

Sweater Curse Questions

In preparation for Christmas knitting, I have been thinking about the Dreaded Sweater Curse. I have come up with a few questions in my effort to decide what to make for my beloved, and I was hoping someone here might have the answers. :-)

1. Does the Curse apply to fiancés, or do they have immunity? Is it only boyfriends who are affected?

2. Does a sweater vest count as a sweater?

Thank you for any help you can give!

ETA: I've heard from a friend, a male knitter whose girlfriend also knits, that weaving your hair into the sweater is a way to combat the curse. Has anyone heard of this? Have you tried it? :-p

mood:

giggly

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scienceprincess
[20sknitters]

21 July 2008 @ 10:27 pm

knitting podcasts

Hey. I was just wondering what are some good knitting podcasts to listen to . . .

Does anyone have any favorites to recommend? Why do you like them?

TIA!

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sarcasmissexy

21 July 2008 @ 05:20 pm

Today I met my new manager at work, Patrick. He seems pretty cool, not high strung or uptight.

Before I started working at Aramark, and even while I was working there, I used to hate working. I found every little thing I hated about work and just dwelled on it until it made me sick to my stomach. Not until recently have I started focusing on all the little things that I love about work. Like making $0.41 in change because you use one of each coin. Or people that come in every day, people that take the time to actually have a conversation with me when it's slow. Kevin Kiely is one of those people. He's probably one of my favorite people that comes into the store, mostly because we both share a passion for literature. Today we talked about our mutual love for Salinger.

Last weekend I went shopping for a few things for my new place with my mom. I picked up a really cute kitchen table, some curtains and various other items. My favorite little gem that I found, however, was this old Army footlocker. It has to be from the 40s at least, and inside, lining it is a newpaper from 1943. Pretty rad! Got it for 20 bucks at Goodwill.

Saw The Dark Knight. It was totally bitchin.

Other than that, no other real news to report.

Peace.

Location: Zack's house, housesitting

mood:

tired

listening to: that 70s show

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knotandthreads
[20sknitters]

21 July 2008 @ 08:22 pm

FO!!

I finished a tank top a few weeks ago. It's amazing the difference in style changing the yarn will give to a project! I was going to knit the Honeymoon Cami from Knitty.com, and I suppose technically I did, but it turned out nothing like it. However I like the results.
This is what happens when a fine tank top is knit chunky:

Follow the strands of yarn... to my LJ

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qcjeph

21 July 2008 @ 11:12 am

New user icon

Because the old one was out of date (and this one actually looks like me):

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knitphomaniac
[20sknitters]

21 July 2008 @ 08:20 am

Massive Update

It seems, these days, I get distracted very easily and suddenly realize it's been almost a month since my last update. I'm not really sure how that happens. Anywho, onward!

( Mostly Socks )

x-posted to

knitphomaniac

Tags: pictures, pillows, scarves, socks, stitch markers

mood:

chipper

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yeuxbleux
[polaroide]

20 July 2008 @ 11:04 pm

a guilty conscience needs to confess.
a work of art is a confession.

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wiziristan
[polaroide]

20 July 2008 @ 05:54 pm

a dreaded sunny day, so let's go where we're happy
and i meet you at the cemetry gates

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rosedoe
[20sknitters]

20 July 2008 @ 06:01 pm

FO

I just today finished a scarf I made for my mother made with the first yarn I've ever spun. ( Scarf. ) I have SO many ideas for things to knit for my baby (thank you all again for the info) but my mom JUST today got the rest of the yarn for her sweater I said I'd make her. Remember that post I made months ago about it? Yeah...I remember making the post, but I can't find it and I know I bookmarked it because I had questions about the pattern and *pokes her firefox* I can't find it. So I'm going to ask a couple of probably stupid questions. I've never done anything like this before. I've done scarves and some snails and leg warmers and a pair of socks, but no sweater.

I can increase by knitting into the front and back of the stitch, I can K 2 tog, I can SSK. Lets see...Okay. It has a left front and a right front. Basically the same thing just one you start with purling a row and the other you start with the "Inc in first st, knit to last 2 sts, knit 2 tog". So I can handle that. But at the end it says "repeat last two rows until side with inc measures 12 inches ending after having knit a wrong side row" (which is a purl). Should I count the rows so on the right side I do the same number of rows or should I just measure each side individually? Also after that it says to mark the beg of next row for start of armhole. So that's simple, but then it says to repeat until 21 sts remain. Slip sts onto a holder. Do I bind off? Do I just cut the string? Do I leave the string and start with new balls on the next side? On the sleeves it says Dec 1 st at beg and end of next and every other row until 2 sts remain. Does that mean decrease one stitch at the begging and end of next and every other row? And if so does it matter how I decrease the last stitch? Oooh wait...The end it says to do the collar I need to pick up all the sts from holders....Let me write this all out.

Finishing
Block pieces.
Sew raglan armhole seams together (???), matching markers. Sew side seams. Eave in all loose ends.
Collar
With right side facing, pick up all sts from holders. You should have 84 sts on needle. Purl 1 row placing a marker at center of sts. Next row: Knit two sts before maker SSK, slip marker, k2tog, knit to end. Purl 1 row. Repeat last two rows until collar measures 3 inches ending after a wrong side row. Bind off.

I don't get how I'm supposed to get all three pieces together next to each other and know where I'm supposed to start purling. Do they each keep their own yarn and I somehow just start knitting them together? This I'm confused on, but everything else I think I'll be able to figure out. :-)

Thanks for reading my ramble.

Edit: I made the pattern into a jpg and added it under the cut with my scarf pictures.

mood:

creative

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ginnie_jazz
[20sknitters]

19 July 2008 @ 10:50 pm

Whaat?

When a pattern says to 'make one purlwise', it means to...?

...
Anybody?

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thalinoviel
[20sknitters]

19 July 2008 @ 07:36 pm

I need to squee about this to someone who'll get it.

I'm visiting my Dad in New Jersey. Today we went yardsaling and someone was getting rid of all Grandma's stuff. In the jumble was a copy of Barbara Walker's Charted Knitting designs! And they sold it (plus a handful of other kibble) to me for a dollar!

Squeeeee! Have had to be good and not lock myself in my room to read and reread all evening.

Also, for those of you who have a bit of a yarn thing, here's a link to pictures of the yarn I bought earlier this week.

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weasleywoman05
[20sknitters]

19 July 2008 @ 04:52 pm

Gearing Up for Ravelympics...

*flexes fingers*

The projects are decided upon (almost), (some of) the needles are on order, and the yarn is sitting my basket just waiting to be turned into pretty things (that's right--no ordering-- I'm de-stashing!). I'm ready to represent for Team TARDIS. :)

I'm participating in three events: Sweater Sprint, Sock Put, and Mitten Medley. For Sweater Sprint, I've decided to do the Flutter Sleeve Cardigan from the spring issue of Interweave Knits. The yarn has been sitting in my basket for months now -- this was the exact motivation I needed to get started. My swatching is done; I'm using Knitpicks CotLin in Lantana. I just need to go out and get some buttons.

I'm torn between two different patterns for the Sock Put. I'm either going to go for a new technique and try toe-up socks in the form of Cookie A's Baudelaire (from Knitty) or do the twisty lace of Linda Welch's Spring Forward (also from Knitty). I have yarn I could use for both. I think my Lorna's Laces Lily Pad (limited edition color from Jimmy Beans Wool) would be perfect for Spring Forward. I've been looking for a pattern to do it justice for awhile now. On the other hand, toe-up would be a new technique for me. Hmmm...decisions, decisions.

And finally, Mitten Medley. I'm doing Evangeline by Michelle Szeghalmi. These mitts have been in my queue since January 1; the yarn has been sitting in my basket since mid-January. I'm doing the elbow length version and I'm going to be trying the Magic Loop technique (a first for me).

So now I'm just waiting for my needles to arrive. I used this as an excuse (really self? I needed an excuse?) to finally buy the Knitpicks Options Interchangeable needle set. Woo! I've had my eye on it for a loooong time.

Tags: knitting, ravelympics

mood:

bouncy

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staplegun07

19 July 2008 @ 02:02 am

Sometimes I make myself giggle a little...

For those of you who looked at the pictures that Mal had posted of her making the cake... you know where this comes from. I saw this picture and immediately thought cheesy slasher flick, and decided to take a few minutes of my time and switch up some contrast and filters for some slight effects, and here is the result. I got a kick out of it.

Just imagine the Grindhouse fake trailer narrator guy reading the title and caption... it was playing in my head the entire time I did this.
This following link is to a poster I found online when looking at various layouts for mine... and really the main reason to read this is for the caption hiding at the very bottom of the poster... :)

http://www.firstshowing.net/img/tripper-poster-big.jpg

mood:

amused

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staplegun07

19 July 2008 @ 01:44 am

god damn...

I am not trained to help with this...
Some nights I worry more than others. This would be one of those nights.

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drucyla

18 July 2008 @ 01:22 pm

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tonight i leave for san francisco!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i still have to pack and clean some shit up, but it shouldn't take too long! i have my divorce shit about 1/2 done, and it took me less than an hour to do what i did. i have someone coming over in a little bit to help me figure out how to finish it. i SHOULD clean my fish tank, but i don't wanna. i need to clean up my room and shower, but i'm being lazy. i didn't run today, but apparently i'm not as fat as i thought, since i can pull pre-boot pants all the way off without unbuttoning them. i NEED to wash the car somehow, but it doesn't seem like i'll be able to. this pisses me off, since the car's FILTHY!!!!!!

...yesterday i was really angry for a lot of the day. i got up early to go run... and when i got back my mom was still here, AND hogging the computer. she knew that i wanted to finish my stuff YESTERDAY so i wouldnt' be scrambling around at the last minute!!! ...i took a nap and told her to wake me when she was done, since she was going to go do some stuff out in town at some point. i awoke quite a while later to an empty house. had no time to mess with the computer, as i had an appt to service my car. while i waited i did what i could with the docs i printed out, realized i'd most likely need assistance. i tried to call my friend who said she'd help, but couldn't get ahold of her all day. i got back home ready to type up my stuff and get it over with, to find my mom on the computer again. i took another nap (no i'm not depressed/sleeping too much, when i'm called for work it's LATE at night, and didn't know if was going to get called in), this time had her PROMISE to wake me when she finished, only to awake to a dark, empty house. by that time it was after 8. my mom called at 9ish and said visitors were on their way... i didn't care about being polite at that point. i had already told the guy i had shit to do, VERY important stuff. i'm soooo glad shit's easy for me to type up, but if i would have done it at 8 or so in the morning i could have had someone go over it by the end of the day. and i'd have that neatly packaged and i would have a clean car because i wouldn't still have to deal with it instead of cleaning, etc. she didn't even pay me for the shit i've been doing for her lately instead of my own stuff like she swore she would... i know i'm not broke, but i hate not having cash on me. I DON'T CARE that everyone going with me will have cash, i can't stand not having at least $20-40 in my wallet!!!! i just don't feel safe! i'm not too keen on withdrawing more cash... i really don't want to milk the bank account more than i have to! especially since i don't have what i'd call steady, reliable income... what do i do if something happens to the car, or to me, or one of my wards? eh. and here i am ranting in my lj instead of smoking my cig, showering, cleaning my room, and waiting for my friend. at this rate my friend will be here before i'm out of the shower!

that said, i'm still very, VERY excited to be going on my little road trip! even if izzy douches up, my friends are lame, and my mom's friend (and therefore my mom and then my whole family) think i'm a serious druggie/psycho and not to be trusted, and all the girls up there think i'm the worst possible example of humankind, i'll still enjoy the fact that i'll be in san francisco!!!!! i know i'll have a good time. as long as i don't lose confidence not even izzy can knock me down!

mood:

busy

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spotlessdream
[20sknitters]

18 July 2008 @ 04:39 pm

types of needles/gauges

So I got new knitting needles because I wanted bigger holes/spaces instead of your traditional tight stitch. I had my traditional 6.5 needles but I bought 10s and I love the spacing, so I guessed perfect. However, it's hard to create my own pattern because you cant see the definition as well. I can co, knit, purl, garter, and stockinette. Thats all I know. I was trying to do some block patterns by alternating k and p but as you can imagine, it's not as easy to see, making it look kinda funky. I thought maybe it was because of the yarn (red heart-basic yarn) or maybe the color contrast because I picked those colors that flow into other colors(multi neon rainbow), and I really want to make this sucessful. That way I can learn to block (edit:blocks pattern, not finish) to make a blanket after I master this scarf. Any help would be much loved. <3

Tags: colors, gauges, needles

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weezerscaddy

17 July 2008 @ 11:00 pm

Abigail LeeAnne

7/17/08
around 11 pm via C-section

7 lbs 1 oz
20 inches long
Healthy

Tags: abbylee, announcement, baby news

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ghostofgrace
[20sknitters]

18 July 2008 @ 01:24 am

x-posted from LJ, impromptu knitting

Had this dream last night, that I was working in some sort of bar, with a stage, and tables. I was a server. I only had a two table section and they were sat well before the show was to begin, but they were taking their sweet time ordering. We were supposed to get orders taken before the show started. Finally, table one seemed ready, so I went to take their order. The one lady at the table was painful. She tried to both order a '6 o'clock beer' and something off of a menu she took from the server station that wasn't valid. I tried to explain to her that '6 o'clock beer' was just the title header and she had to select a beer from below and that she couldn't order off of the small menu she took because we didn't have those foods items.
I looked over at my other table and they were trying to write down their order for me, which they couldn't do because then it would make no sense when I tried to ring it in.

I got so frustrated that I walked away and grabbed onto the baggy blue-ish green hat I was wearing, pulling down on the sides and screaming.

( dream hat piccies )

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sarcasmissexy

16 July 2008 @ 11:16 pm

Babysitting was fun, but also a wee bit scary. I took the kids to the park down the street from the house and as we were leaving my nephew ran straight for the road. Luckily I had strapped my niece into the wagon (it's got seatbelts) and ran full speed to snatch up Ben before he made it to the street. I almost cried because he understood how terrified I was and he looked panicked when he saw that I was upset. I scolded him, but at the same time I knew he didn't know better, he doesn't understand cars and roads are dangerous yet. He's not even 3 years old yet. I picked him up and strapped him into the wagon and we had a quiet walk back to the house. I put my niece down for bed and then he and I snuggled on the couch and watched Blues Clues.

Other than that, the night was fairly uneventful. Work was long, but I'm still adjusting to working full time again.

I am definitely looking forward to the weekend, and hanging by the pool, shopping with my mom, and Joe's party. Should all be pretty fun.

Peace out.

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