KnitFr33K is Knitting

Moving On

2010-11-29T17:30:00.000-08:00

So, I'm gonna stop blogging on this blog. I can be found talking about life, and sometimes knitting, at my Tumblr blog, La Luna Bella.

Quick Update

2010-11-17T21:06:00.000-08:00

I finished Sierra's birthday present in time for her party!

From KnitFr33K is Knitting

This is the Emily Dickinson pattern by Kieran Foley, made in Malabrigo Lace in the color Vermillion, with 6/0 beads in the color black gold.

And I still haven't found yarn for the Strider Cowl, but I am keeping up the search!

-Sami

On a Mission

2010-10-08T21:45:00.001-07:00

That's it. Tomorrow at work, I'm finding yarn for the Strider Cowl and buying it, gosh darn it!

A Quickie Update

2010-09-28T20:05:00.000-07:00

No, I have not vanished. Well, maybe for a little bit. But now I'm back.

Look at what I won at the latest HP gathering (Goblet of Fire, and it was hosted at my house).

Diana and I made these stitch markers (she made these) and she wrote out the font after looking at it on the computer (she's amazing).

I love them!

Umm, a better update later, but I won't be going over the past month, that's too crazy xD.

-Sami

Prisoner of TOS - Er, I mean Azkaban

2010-08-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

Don't be fooled by the title, I love being with my knit night group! Yesterday was Prisoner of Azkaban (one of my favorite books, so the movie's awesome-ness doesn't mean as much to me), and it was a lot of fun.

Well, I'm not very articulate right now (woke up about an hour ago), so I'll leave you with some pictures!

These are the prizes I won! A pattern, 2 skeins of yarn, and a pretty handmade stitch marker.

This is a skein of Malabrigo Worsted (a hard find in our LYS's these days) in color Cabernet (oooh, I like the sound of that).

And this is a skein of Manos Silk Blend in the illuminating color of 3008. Well, it's black. That's not too difficult to identify. Maybe because of the silk sheen we could call it onyx. Or hematite. Thoughts?

-Sami

I finished something!

2010-08-18T10:54:00.001-07:00

If you look carefully, you'll notice that something has gone from the WIP column... and made it into the finished objects column! It's been a long time since I completely finished something (since I made my sister's birthday present, the Swirls Slouchy Beret), and now my Rivendell Smoke Ring is complete!

It's a bit more... substantial than the original concept for a smoke ring, but I used a thicker yarn, and I still think it is gorgeous. I used BMFA STR Heavyweight in color Gail's Autumn Joy, and I used about 60% of the ball. I used fewer repeats (by 2) than what the pattern called for because otherwise I would have gotten a hood more so than a cowl, and I wanted a cowl. Even at this length, it's pretty long.

But it is so soft, and so squooshy! (Technical term, that.) And I just love the colors. The pattern itself is gorgeous, and I also think it looks fine what with the colors sort of masking it.

Right, now I just have to go and work on something else! (And finish it, too!)

-Sami

P.S. Di and I have started making really cool stitch markers. Next time I'll have lots of pictures of them. (I've replaced all the stitch markers in my projects with these.)

HP Madness!

2010-08-08T13:56:00.001-07:00

In honor of the approaching premiere of the 7th Harry Potter movie (part 1 of 2) in November, my knitting group (aka TOSS) has decided to have get togethers every 3 weeks or so to watch the movies in order. The past two times (the Sorcerer's Stone and the Chamber of Secrets) have been loads of fun, with games and prizes.

Here's what I've won/received so far:

I won this by being one of the HP Bingo winners (we had to listen for HP words, instead of numbers and letters). It is Malabrigo Lace in Butter (and Stacey bought it when I was working, so that was kinda cool, too).

This yarn I won by being a trivia winner. The other winner was Stacey's 11 year old daughter, who knows probably as much about Harry Potter as I do (which is a fair amount. I'm by no means an expert, but I have read the books and watched the movies several times.), and Lynne, who ran CoS, created prizes from both of Stacey's daughters so they wouldn't be left out (so cute!). This is a Crazy Zauberball by Schoppel-Wolle.

These yarns were in my goodie bag (Lynne made goodie bags - everyone grab one, trades allowed). They are both skeins of Alpaca & Silk from Blue Sky Alpaca. So soft. The lighter colored one is destined to be come a pair of Bamboo Mitts (gorgeous fingerless gloves - the color seems perfect).

The next gathering is at the end of August. And then on the 19th of September, Si, Di and I will be hosting the Goblet of Fire at my house. Dad just bought a new TV (Sony Bravia, 52", so cool!) so it should be really fun. And we've come up with tasks, and that's how prizes will be won.

-Sami

P.S. Oh, I bought the yarn for the Saoirse Shawl and the Victoria cardigan yesterday. And I may have cast on the Saoirse Shawl... heh. It was too tempting!

P.S.S. I created another blog for my gardening, Seed of Serenity. Check it out!

These Past Weeks Paraphrased

2010-08-05T21:52:00.001-07:00

Well, it's been a while, hasn't it? I didn't mean to have such a huge gap, but then I went on vacation... and well, time got away from me, I guess.

This is just a quickie post saying that I still live and that pictures will be coming soon. I've made a fair amount of progress on the Aeolian (11 out of 12 repeats of the Yucca chart), and I finished my first Rivendell sock today (on a related note, what is with that heel??? some errata needs to be published for that one). I finally picked up my Rivendell Smoke Ring once I got home and I'm now 45% done.

I meant to finish the Avalon scarf and Evenstar shawl when I was on vacation, but that didn't happen. It was a very low key vaca, and none of us did a whole lot (but it was really fun because both Si and Di got to come).

But I did decide when we were away that when we got home, I'd frog the Burnished Tunic. And that's what I did, a few minutes before we left for our knit night's Chamber of Secrets gathering (we're doing a marathon of Harry Potter movies, in preparation of the 7th movie being released in November. It's fun - there are games and prizes - I have - *counts* - 4 more skeins of yarn because of it). I decided that I would wait until I could acquire the amount of yarn that is correct for my actual size (I was optimistically delusional when I ordered the yarn intended for this sweater at first).

So, I still have a lot of knitting to do, and as always, when you have a lot of knitting to do, new projects call to you. I'll talk more about that in my next post, but at this point, I've been holding out - but who knows how long I'll be able to resists the startitis. Maybe I'll just do what Di did - I'll print out the patterns of the things I want to make (good thing I just got new ink) instead of casting them on. Hmmm...

Until next time,

Sami

P.S. Oh! I set the twist on my handspun (it remained a single) and I bought the wolf plushie pattern - I just need to buy the needles and I'm on my way (the needles I have are uncomfortable to work with for this pattern)!

It's that time again....

2010-07-06T12:35:00.000-07:00

Yup, it's time to start thinking about what we're making/getting people for Christmas. Of course, many of my friends and family have fall/winter birthdays as well. I have begun my gift list - who's getting something handmade and what it is, some jewelry ideas for the girls on my list (Overstock.com is amazing for this, amazing jewelry at amazing prices!), etc. Also, since the startitis has not gone away yet, I've started one of the gifts, my sister Allyson's birthday present (she turns 13 on October 27th). It's a slouchy beret called Swirls Slouchy Beret, and it's available at Knit Picks through their Independent Designer Program. I'm making it out of two colors of Karabella Empire Silk - an aran weight 100% silk yarn. Pictures later.

Also related to gifts, I finished my first handspun yesterday! Well, it still needs to be plied, but the single is done! And what does this have to do with gifts, you ask? I'm planning on using this yarn for the birthday gift of a close friend. I'm planning on knitting a wolf plushie out of it - hopefully I have enough yarn! If not, the wolf may have some stripes or something.

It's quite exciting planning out all these gifts - I know what I'm going to make for another very close friend (really, we're sisters, just not legally or biologically). I'm planning on buying the yarn on Saturday when I'm at work (yay employee discounts!). Of course, I'll need a few more supplies, and the pattern, so perhaps I'll be able to start sometime next week.

And speaking of starting things (I told you, the startitis has not gone away, and it's driving me to look at yarn and patterns all the time), another Fellowship of the Ring series pattern came out yesterday - Strider. It's a gorgeous cowl and it's named after my absolute favorite character in Lord of the Rings. I don't have the yarn for it (otherwise no doubt I already would have started it), and the yarn called for is $40.50 (of course I had to check), but then I started looking at Malabrigo and I found a couple colorways that would be perfect.... and then I had to close the browser and develop a new mantra: "Must not start Strider yet, must not start Strider yet, don't have the money for the yarn or the time to make it, must not start Strider yet." I must resist!

Earlier this summer, Diana asked me if I was planning on finishing all of my WIPs by summer's end, and I laughed and said definitely not. But, I think I may change my answer. Or rather, I'm striking a bargain with myself. If I finish all the projects that are not gifts by September 1st, I will allow myself to buy $90 worth of yarn to make the Saoirse Shawl (from a semi-recent IK issue). We'll see how well this works.

Of course, frogging counts, too. And I'm thinking about frogging the Mystic Meadows shawl. The yarn is pretty, but it's not really calling me. I'm not sure yet, I'll have to look at the project again and reevaluate. If it's gone from the WIP column, you know what happened.

-Sami

Summer Work

2010-07-04T09:01:00.000-07:00

Now, normally, I would avoid putting those two words together if at all possible, but I'll make an exception for this. I have a job in my local yarn store, woo! I am now working Saturdays at Eva's Needleworks, and I am super excited. My first day was yesterday and it went really well. Of course, I am anticipating some bumps along the way - I doubt that everything will go as smoothly as it did yesterday.

While there, I made some progress on the Rivendell Smoke Ring (by Susan Pandorf.... told you I had a lot on the needles by her). Since I was working on that, and not Avalon, it could only mean one thing - I finished the first half of Avalon!

I love the colors. I did cast on (almost) immediately for the second half, but I've only done the two set up rows so far - I'm trying to get myself to work on other projects.

And speaking of other projects... There is yarn at Eva's that is used for this one projects I really want to make, the Saoirse Shawl (it's in a relatively recent IK). Normally, the total amount of yarn I'd need would cost $90, but I do get an employee discount.... Maybe sometime soon, eh? (Oh right, I'm trying to only spend the amount of money I have in Knit Wars... so I'll have to wait for a bit.)

~Sami

Finally!

2010-07-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

The Hemlock Ring Blanket is finally all blocked out. I really don't know why it took me so long to do it, but now it's taken up it's rightful place - resting on my bed. It's really pretty, and I'm glad my mom came up with the idea to make it two-toned.

In other news, I'm still going strong on the Avalon scarf. I have 12 rows to go until I'm done with the half, wee!

~Sami

Summer Time

2010-07-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

Whenever I say/hear that phrase, I always mentally follow up with "and the living's easy." Darn Sublime cover gets stuck in my head. Buut, it is summer time now, and I just cleaned my room two days ago, along with going through ALL of my books to destash them. There are huge piles of books by the side of my bed now, and now all of my knitting books, magazines, and needles are on my bookcase, which in turn means more room for yarn in my storage thingies (technical term, that).

So, I admit it, I'm completely OBSESSED with Susan Pandorf. I love her designs, and I have 6 of them on the needles, and almost my entire wishlist on Ravelry is her designs. Right now, I've been working on one in particular, the one I started most recently, Avalon. It is a lace scarf and I absolutely love it, I haven't got bored yet, even though I've done the same 2 rows 67.5 times over. I'm about 80% done with the half, less than 50 rows to go, but then I have the second half to do. I'll have to cast on right away, I think. I'm working on it in some yarn I acquired at Stitches, Wolf Creek Wools Lace Silky Wool, in Gray. I absolutely love the yarn, I'm such a sucker for merino/silk blends.

The other project that I've been working on, even though Avalon has been absorbing my attention for the past week or so, is the Rivendell Socks, by Janel Laidman. I've had my eye on this pattern for a while, and I finally started them. I love them! (Although, like I said, Avalon has been all consuming recently.) Working on them in Knit Picks Gloss Sock in Jade. It's another merino/silk blend, go figure.

Hmm, summer time, maybe it's time to block out Hemlock? I told myself that I was going to do all the handwash laundry today, maybe I'll add that in.

Enjoy that sun!

Sami

P.S. I planted some seeds a few weeks ago, and I have so many little seedlings, it's so exciting!

One month to go...

2010-05-15T13:52:00.000-07:00

There is only one month of school left, and apparently, my teachers are intent on cramming it full of projects and deadlines (yuck!). But I have retained the little sanity I own through... you guessed it... knitting (and friends of course, they are a given in such a situation). I'm going through a bit of startitis right now, and I don't see it stopping (maybe slowing) in the near future... it's quite fun, and I still have three project bags that are empty.

I did finish something, too! In fact, it was such a quick knit (and I'm such an erratic blogger), that it never got to the WIP tab, and made it's blog debut on the Finished Objects list. It's a headband, from DROPS (86-10, I believe) and I made it out of Cascade 220 in a very pretty blue. I wish I had made it a little shorter so that it's a little more snug, but it does it's job and keeps my ears warm while allowing me to have my hair up. Good stuff.

The rest of the pictures will be my WIPs....

My Rivendell Smoke Ring, designed by Susan Pandorf (who is a frikkin' genius!), and an add on pattern with the Fellowship of the Ring series (which I signed up for, wee!). I'm making this with STR Heavyweight Gail's Autumn Joy. I know that it's highly variegated, which isn't that good for lace, but I like it too much to change yarn =D. However, I am thinking about going up a needle size (or two, not sure) because it's a little tight, and it won't have the drape that the original Rivendell Smoke Ring will have (I think the yarn had silk in it). Actually, that may be one of the things to do today - frog it and restart it on a larger needle size. Most of Susan Pandorf's (yes, I will repeat her entire name because I'd feel strange using just her first name, too familiar) pattern's are on US size 3's, so I think I'll just have to keep that in mind when I choose my own needle size for her designs.

This is my Singles' Awareness Day Scarf. I started it on Valentine's Day, 2009, and as such, it is my oldest WIP. For that, it is going to come with me to every knit night. Last week, I got a whole lace repeat done, so I think that this is a good plan, and I only wish I had thought of it sooner.

A closer look at the lace. The pattern is the Inverted Hearts pattern from the Harmony Guide's Lace & Eyelets book.

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Were you sufficiently warned? I know that many people that participated (are participating) in the Evenstar Mystery KAL have seen up to Clue 4 (have gotten past Clue 4...), but just in case, I had to say something. The pattern is now completely released, although I'm behind (only one more repeat of Clue 4, then on to Clue 5!). This pattern is amazing and beautiful and I shall sing the praises of Susan Pandorf for a very long time (and not for the last time in the post). I hope she doesn't think I'm a stalker or anything... :D

This is the body so far of my sweater, the Burnished Tunic from Knitscene Fall 2008. The color is darker than in this picture, but I really enjoy this pattern, it goes by really quick. Now, I just need to get my arse into gear and get exercising, so I can fit into it once it's done!

Dad's Hunting Hat, made out of a Yarn Place yarn that I got from Stitches. Much easier than a sweater, by far. And it's so bright, it's pretty fun. This is my mindless knitting, the project I bring to school with me.

If the SAD Scarf is my knit night project, My Vampire Boyfriend Socks is my KIP project, because I need to work on them. I started them a while ago, out of Knit Picks Essential Kettle Dyed in the colorway Wine (so gorgeous!), but I've been slow to make progress on them. Probably a combination of the bluntness of the needles and the purl ladders I get when going to the next half of the sock (working it on magic loop). But I do love them (and I got Anna at knit night addicted to them too, I fully take the blame for that)!

Last WIP in the post, and also a Susan Pandorf (and FotR) pattern, the Legolas Kerchief. When I first started this, it flew along, but now I haven't been paying much attention to it, not out of dislike, but because other projects are claiming my attention. I love the colors in the yarn though, but the yarn is a little sheddy (mohair). Hopefully after a gentle wash (once I'm done, not anytime soon) it won't be as bad.

My other two WIPs are ones that are off the needles but not finished from some reason. My Hemlock Ring Blanket, by Jared Flood (a.k.a. Brooklyn Tweed), is all done, it just needs to be blocked. Diana's Sekrit Birthday Present was for her 16th birthday, and now she's already 17. But if I have it done (I need to pull out my sewing machine to finish it) with this year's gift at her birthday party (mid-June), it all evens out, right?

Catch ya later!

-Sami

Stitches West 2010

2010-04-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

Here are all the pictures I took at Stitches that can fit into this blog post.

I think that it's pretty impressive I didn't spend all my money.

Enjoy!

Sami

P.S. Sorry for the blurry pictures, I didn't want to hold up traffic by waiting for the camera to focus!

Updates

2010-04-09T23:00:00.000-07:00

Oh gosh, where to begin?

Stitches West 2010 in Santa Clara, CA (I attended Feb. 26-28) was absolutely amazing! My aunt and I went and all the fiber was sooo drool worthy. And the place was huge!! It's no wonder that I spent over $200 there. (I think what I'll do is a text post, for the most part, here, and then do posts with all the photos at another time.)

After Stitches, I signed up for the Evenstar Mystery KAL, designed by Susan Pandorf. Goodness, that woman is a genius. I absolutely love it so far, even though I'm a bit behind. Clue 5 came out today, and I'm almost half way through Clue 4. Hopefully I can finish both of those before Clue 6 comes out in two weeks. If I finish everything "on time," it will be the fastest shawl I've ever knit! I don't think I'll put any pictures up of it because of spoilers, but I will put them on my Ravelry page, after I update the project pictures.

Speaking of project pictures, I've finished the Muir shawl! At last! I actually finished knitting it way back in February, but it was only two weeks ago that I blocked it out. Oh, how I love it. (And a cool side note, I met Rosemary Hill, the designer of the Muir Shawl, at Stitches. I gave her my Rav name and she said she'd check out my finished Muir... how embarrassing, since I still don't have any FO pictures of it up yet.) I'm really wanting to do a photo shoot with this shawl for it's FO pictures, and I have rough concepts, but no definite plan. Plus, it would be nice if I was the one wearing it, but at the same time, I really don't like being in pictures. Not too sure what to do 'bout that one.

In personal news, I got my driver's license on Monday. The only problem is, I can't drive my car, which is a stick shift. I learned on my mum's, and it's an automatic. My dad says that I'll get used to it and get better at it, but I really don't like driving it. So I'm not sure if I'll be driving to school next week (this week was spring break) since I'm not too comfortable with it yet.

And in school, I have a crapload of work, which I really should have started on, but relaxing and essentially doing nothing sounded much better. It is spring break, right? Anyways, since school resumes on Monday, tomorrow and Sunday will be full of work *bleh*.

And in less that a month, AP and IB tests will begin. It's going to be horrid. In the first week of May, I will have a test every day, and two on Wednesday. After that, I'll have three more days of testing - one on the following Monday, and then one each on the Monday and Tuesday after that. But, I will still go to knit night (which I can drive to all by myself)! I'll definitely need some stress relief, and I'm thinking that that will be it.

Well, I think that's the gist - I'll be going photo dumps of posts later to show my FOs, WIPs, and Stitches, of course!

(Hopefully,) talk to you later!

Sami

The Saga of Ravelympics

2010-02-20T18:29:00.000-08:00

Well, I guess super regular blogging isn't really an option for me, is it?

I'm not quite sure all that has happened since last time I wrote, but I'll try to get everything and be concise (what a concept!).

I frogged my dad's sweater. It was originally my Ravelympics project (go Team TOSSers!) and I worked on it some before deciding that I couldn't stand to do a sweater in pieces and at knit night, I frogged it, found a copy of EZ's Knitting without Tears (love having knit night at a book store =] ), and decided to make one of her seamless sweaters. When I got home (and I drove home, on the freeway, at night, with Si in the car), I told my dad to pick a sweater. And you know what? He said that he was over sweaters! He asked instead for a fluorescent orange hat (to wear when he goes hunting). So I'm off the hook (or maybe needle)! (But I will still probably make him a sweater with that yarn... eventually.)

Instead, I decided to make the Cinquefoil hat (from Twist Collective, not sure what issue though) as my Ravelympics project. It's my first true colorwork project, and it's way fun and totally flying. I figured out how to do the floats and even though I cast on on Tuesday (at 10:30 at night), I'm already on the border chart. Maybe I'll even finish before next Tuesday (*crosses fingers*)!

I also just frogged my Outside In socks (from an issue of Knitty). The yarn, Premier Yarns Serenity Sock Weight was just bugging the crap outta me. This pair was the second pair of socks I tried to make in this yarn, and you know, I'm just really not feeling it. I'm going to try to destash it.... =D. I had only knit the leg of the first sock (which took me forever - I started it in September!) so frogging was super quick. And I got to count it as another Ravelympics project!

I finished all the knitting on the Muir shawl, now I just have to block it. I don't have blocking wires (though I do have T-pins), so I've been putting it off. Hopefully this weekend I can get both the Muir shawl and the Hemlock Ring Blanket blocked.

Hmmm, that's about it knitting-wise. I haven't worked on my Burnished Tunic since I last posted (totally my own fault and wanting to correct it). And OH! Stitches West is this weekend, I can't wait. I'm so psyched, and I know I'll want to buy everything. I'm going to be stopping at Blue Moon Fiber Arts for sure, and I'll also be on the hunt for a drop spindle and some Romney fiber - Stacy (from knit night) is going to teach my how to spin! I can't wait. I told my mom, and she's like "Great, another space consuming hobby." She was just teasing though, as her hobby - scrapbooking - fills the entire computer room, so she doesn't really have room to talk.

My driving test for my license is scheduled for April 5th (my mom's birthday) at 10:00 A.M. I'm kinda nervous, but excited too. I really hope I pass the first time, I really do want my license.

Well, that's all folks! No pictures this time, but definitely next time!

-Sami

I'm back?

2010-01-25T16:48:00.000-08:00

Well, there you have it. Murphy's Law in action. I said that I would update regularly - every week! - and then I don't update for months. Of course.

So, I'm not going through my entire list of finished and started projects that occurred during the interim - that would be crazy. So, if you really want to know and you're on Ravelry, check out my Ravelry page - my username is Candytuft.

I decided to post because as my best friends and I recorded another episode of our podcast (that was neglected for a long time, too), Sierra said that she had a blog. I'm not going to link to it because she uses pseudonym's for everyone and I don't, and I want to protect hers and our friends' identities.

Anywho, I'll try to be better about posting, but I won't promise or anything, otherwise we'll just get a repeat of last time. And speaking of repeats.....

I designed a hat!... sort of. (Did you like my segue?) I got the stitch pattern from the Harmony Guides' Cable & Arans book, while I based my stitch count off the percentages used in the Star Crossed Slouchy Beret (I still tweaked those to fit my original stitch count, though). I knit it in Cascade Sierra in a beautiful purple color that looks purply-pink in certain lights (and it is color number 30, in case anyone was wondering).

There are a few things I would change, like the initial ribbing and some decreases, but I'm very happy with it. I used the Branching Cable II, which is on page 214, but what I got did not match the picture. I'm not sure if the publishers made a boo-boo and didn't put the right picture, or if I translated the pattern into the round and a chart incorrectly. I still like my result, even if it wasn't what I planned on first.

In the picture, the hat is shown unblocked. Actually, it's still unblocked and going to stay that way. I'm afraid to put it anywhere near water because of its cotton content (Cascade Sierra is 80% pima cotton and 20% merino wool - which makes it really soft). I didn't wash my swatch - I really only swatched to get my starting stitch count - and I'm afraid that if the hat touches water it will explode and not come close to fitting my head. So it is definitely not a hat to wear in the rain, which means I'm not wearing it to school tomorrow, because there is a 90% chance of rain! Fancy that, but we're having several storms, which Southern California desperately needs, because of El Niño. This is great for our farmers, not so great for our teenagers who want to wear their newly knitted cotton berets to school to show it off. There's gotta be more than one, right?

I had today off from school because we are in between semesters and this is a teacher prep day. Finals were last week and I have all A's and A-'s in my classes, except for Calculus AP, in which I have a B (which makes me very happy, because before the final, I had a B-). Tomorrow, I start two new classes - Spanish Language AP (me: aaaahhhh!!!!) and Theory of Knowledge, often known as TOK (me: cool). TOK is a required IB class (IB stands for International Baccalaureate, which is a program/level of classes that gives me international college credit to participating colleges and is slightly harder than AP - which is why I signed up) and is kind of like philosophy as it explores what knowledge is and how we learn. Since TOK is an afternoon class (meaning it starts after the regular three periods and that most of the school leaves when I get into class) and I already have Physics H as a morning class (meaning it starts an hour before the normal three classes do), I will be in school for 8 hours every day. Fun, right?

Due to the three day weekend, I made several knitting goals (there was a reason for explaining my new schedule). I have completed one of them (finishing the hat) out of the five that I made. I'm hoping to be able to finish two more before the night ends - finish knitting the Hemlock Ring Blanket and finish weaving in the ends on the Little Green Wristlets.

My Hemlock Ring Blanket (designed by Jared Flood) is almost done - according to the little formula I figured out, I'm 83% done and I only have 9 rounds left (not including bind-off, which usually takes twice the amount of time a single round does, in my experience with circular items). The reason that 17% is equal to 9 rounds is that each round is (at this point) 440 stitches around. I still have to increase that to 472 before the end. However, I do love this pattern, I'm loving the way it looks, and it does go pretty quickly. I think a round takes a little less than 20 minutes - less than a round on one of the circular shawls I've done.

I'm making the blanket in Lion Brand Wool-Ease, which I love for blankets and afghans because it's soft and machine washable. I used the White Frost colorway for the center and the Oxford Grey colorway for the Feather and Fan stitch. What's cool about the White Frost colorway is that it is particularly fuzzy, which I love for this.

My Little Green Wristlets (designed by Therese Chynoweth) are made of Malabrigo - the same color I made my Moebius (I'm not sure if I spelled that correctly and I don't feel like checking right now) scarf and my Star Crossed Slouchy Beret it - so now I'll have a matching set. You know the crazy thing, though? Out of the two balls I used to make all three projects, I still have yarn left! I could probably make another glove, and start on a second one before I'd run out.

Well, my readers, real and imaginary (the latter of which is probably more populous than the former), I'm ending this long catch up post to hopefully accomplish my goals. I hope to talk to you again soon.

Love,

Sami

P.S. I started a sweater for myself, and I can't wait for be able to work on it more (I have a little rewards system set up that involves exercising and eating well for knitting it). Hopefully I'll have it done before Ravelympics, or close to it, because my dad's sweater will be my Ravelympics project, all of which I'll hopefully talk about next time.

P.P.S. I'm going to Stitches West next month as my birthday/Christmas present from my aunt! Yay!!

Oops.

2009-09-09T19:02:00.001-07:00

Well, I guess my whole weekly update thing didn't work out. I am just popping in to say that I will blog tomorrow with the updates in my knitting and non-knitting life.

-Sami =D

Posted with LifeCast

The Day After

2009-08-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been, what, another month or so since I last blogged? And I have not been just sitting around (although there was a lot of that, too). First off, let me just say that I'm going to blog at least once a week from now on. Actually, I should have said only once a week, but I said at least because who knows what will come up that just begs to be blogged.

So, every Wednesday, I'm going to take pictures of my current WIPs, update them on Ravelry, and then talk about them here. Sound good? Then let the tradition begin.

Since I last blogged, I have two new FOs. I finished my Evenstar Gloves, which I absolutely love. The length on my fingers is really comfortable, and I love the cables. Now it just needs to be cool enough so I can show them off.

Speaking of cool enough... I finished Francis Revisited! This is my very first sweater, and I'm so happy. I wore it today to pick up my school schedule (more later) and it was great. Except for when the cloud cover burnt off and I was wearing a 100% wool sweater in August in Southern California. Lucky for us, our days have been really cool, so I didn't melt. But it's very comfortable =]. (I'll put up a picture after I get someone else to take one of me.)

Yesterday, Diana, Sierra, and I went to Eva's for some yarn shopping. When Diana went to Poland, she was heavily disappointed in the lack of good yarn at her local yarn shops. Which explains her binge yesterday. I won't say the dollar amount, but three hanks of Malabrigo, two balls of angora blend, one hank of Colinette Jitterbug, and some bamboo DPNs were in her shopping bag. I, on the other hand, was more restrained and more broke. If I had the cash, I would have bought yarn to make a sweater from an old issue of Vogue. Instead, I looked for something pretty, and I looked for something pretty, and I looked for something pretty. Eva's is filled with pretty, so I wanted to pick out something that really spoke to me. Of course, we all know that when the wool fumes get to you, it is damn near impossible to think. I couldn't remember what was in my queue for the life of me.

About five minutes from closing, I looked in a bag and found a beautiful hank of Malabrigo. I fell in love with the color right away and went off to buy it. I tell myself that it is my treat to myself for getting my learner's permit (though I can't drive until Saturday, which is my first Behind the Wheel lesson). The colorway is Ibiza, which is a Spanish island in the Mediterranean Sea. The picture doesn't do it justice. What looks like white has a slight yellow tint, and of course, the blues are amazing.

Also since I last blogged, I've cast on two new projects - the Shipwreck Shawl and the Star Crossed Slouchy Beret (which I'm just calling my Star Crossed Beret. I can do that.). Well, what can I say? I love both, but neither have a fantastical tale yet. But that is yet. The projects are young, and there is plenty of time for adventure.

Also, a little update. My "New Purse" which is a Drops pattern is really coming along. I started this in November, but I hope *crosses fingers* to finish all the knitting before school starts. The lining and the buttons may come after school starts, but I'm okay with that.

So, speaking of school, I got my tentative schedule today. And surprise, surprise, it had issues. My US Gov't & Econ classes weren't on my schedule. Instead, it said "See Counselor," which my mom and I did. Well, some people, instead of signing in, went straight to my counselor and talked with her for at least 20 minutes, even though I had signed in and my mom and I were waiting. Mom was really not happy, because she had to go to work right after I got my schedule fixed. Well, we finally got in there, and we came up with a solution. My US Gov't class was added every other day, and I'll have to take Econ online or at the community college. But, that means I get out of school early every other day. Of course, all of this will change if Spanish 4 becomes available every other day, which I hope not, because I want the early day and I'm not ready for Spanish. =D

Wow, that was pretty long. I promise it won't be too long next week, though I probably will have a lot to talk about.

Catch ya later!

-Sami

Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday.

2009-07-22T17:13:00.001-07:00

Knit night was a lot of fun. Diana and I met a whole bunch of people who were lovely to be with. I found a few of them on Ravelry, and we have a lot on common. It's pretty exciting to know so many people in the physical who can add to an impromptu ode to cables.

I was able to go last night as well. We oo'd and awe'd over each other's projects and sympathized with each other's problems. Hopefully next week I can bring Sierra with me (she was already busy this week).

Tuesdays seem to have become my knitting days. In one of my favorite knitting fiction series, Chicks with Sticks, Tuesday is the day for knitting classes and then knit night. During the school year, knitting club met on Tuesdays. Now, I attend this knit night, which meets on Tuesdays. I guess it's my day.

I finished the body and cowl of Francis Revisited. This is such a quick pattern, I finished the body in only a week. I can't start the sleeves yet because I don't have US #10 DPNs. Hopefully, my mom can take me to a LYS on Friday so I can get working on them and finish soon (not that I'll be able to wear it, it's so hot here). She was going to take me earlier, but she had a lot of work to do.

Even though I'm 16, I don't have my liscense (because I'm a lazy butt), I don't even have my learner's permit. I'm nearsighted in my right eye, so even though my vision is good with both eyes, I'd still fail the eye exam without glasses, which I just ordered on Friday. They'll arrive at the end of July, so I have to wait some more before I'll be able to drive myself to yarn stores and knit night.

I finally finished my first Evenstar glove. I love it, it turned out great and looks great. And I have started the second one, no SGS (second glove syndrome, closely related to second dock syndrome) for me!

I also finally bound off on the garter stitch scarf I kept going for when I just wanted to knit and veg. However, I just got sick of it taking up space on my little table reserved for WIPs in my room, so it's done!

In non-knitting randomness, look at this little guy. Actually he (or she, I don't know how to sex lizards) wasn't that little, he was a pretty good sized lizard. Apparently he wasn't satisfied with climbing the outside wall and that it would be good to climb up my window screen. Nice for me, because I got a few good pictures out of it.

Well, that's about it for now, I'm outta here.
-Sami

P.S. My dog, Sunny, says hi.

Sweater Times

2009-07-14T14:14:00.001-07:00

The heat of summer has reached my little part of Southern California. It hasn't gotten into 3 digits yet, but is hot enough that working on my new sweater is a no-no in the middle of the day.

About 5 days ago, I swatched for Francis Revisited with my Aurora 8, the yarn I was dying to use. After washing and blocking my swatch (I was a good swatch knitter =]), I measured it for gauge and I happily got both stitch and row gauge. High fives with Diana ensued.

And on the other side of the knitting basket (do you like that semi-clever little phrase I just came up with?), there was my dad's sweater. Was being the opperative word because I frogged it today. I started it last November as a combo birthday/Christmas gift. I got stitch gauge, but not row gauge, and I never blocked my swatch, so the measurements weren't even too accurate. I also hadn't worked on it since, oh let's see, probably January. My gauge has definitely changed since then, and I only had the front and part of the back done. So I used my ball winder to super-frog it (another of my ball winder's virtues) and now it is, once again, just a bunch of yarn. I'll restart it when school starts again (and I'll be an upperclassman!! Er, woman).

Peace out,
Sami

P.S. Diana and I are going to try to go to a knit night tonight, I promise I won't chicken out this time.

Summer Dreams

2009-07-09T15:17:00.001-07:00

Whoops, it's been a while since I last blogged. I didn't mean for such a huge gap to be created.

Well, I frogged my camp headband. I wasn't able to finish it before camp started (because I was lazy) and then I didn't really care about making it anymore.

I did, however, start one of my summer projects: the Muir shawl. So far, it is gorgeous, if I do say so myself. At this point, I've done just over two repeats of the chart (pattern calls for 13 pattern repeats). The yarn, Wetterhoff Silvia, is a joy to work with, and the color, descriptively named "921," is perfect for the leaf motif of the shawl.

I found this yarn in my LYS after a rather disappointing search. Don't get me wrong, Eva's Needlework is a wonderful store with a marvelous selection, but all the laceweights that I was looking at were the wrong color compared to what was in my head. By some happy chance, I found a single skein of the Silvia, mentioning to my friends that this yarn would be perfect, if there was more of it. It seems the knitting fates didn't want me to walk out of the store empty handed because while digging around other skeins of Silvia in beautiful colors, I found another skein in "921".

With bated breath, I checked the yardage required for the Muir Shawl, saved in a note on my iPod, and then compared it with the combined yardage of the two skeins. It was like fate, with the Silvia having only slightly more yardage than the recommended yarn's total for the project. I happily purchased the yarn for my summer dream project.

Of course, starting the Muir Shawl was as much of an epic as finding the yarn for it. The pattern calls of a provisional cast-on so the border can be knit seamlessly from the beginning of the shawl. Not knowing how to crochet a chain, I attempted a different provisional cast on, one that did not work. Pulling out one of my books, I taught myself how to chain. (I will not go over to the dark side, I will not go over to the dark side, they don't have DPNs.)

Even before that, I had to wind the yarn into a center pull ball (My aunt rules. She bought me a ball winder and swift for my birthday and Christmas.). Easier said than done. The yarn didn't have knots in it, but it was, at random points, twisted underneath itself tin a way that made it impossible to continue winding without adjusting the yarn. First time I tried to adjust it, I took the ball off the ball winder, maneuvered the yarn, then began winding again from the center pull ball. After several minutes of frustration where something would go wrong, I finally had a nice cake of yarn. I can only hope that the second skein will be less troublesome.

Wow, I meant for this to be a quickie post, but I suppose this is what happens when I wait almost a month before blogging again.

See ya,

Sami

P.S. My flowers are blooming nice and pretty!

French Marigolds, grown from seeds, picture taken on July 9, 2009

Pot Marigolds, grown from seeds, picture taken on July 9, 2009

Who knows?

2009-06-12T07:59:00.000-07:00

It's been at least a week since these events happened, so things aren't totally fresh in my mind. Last Monday, I went to Jo-Ann's and got some T-pins for blocking. I blocked out Sierra's shawl that night on my bedroom floor on top of large beach towels. I was able to give it to her on Tuesday, and she loved it. I think that she is wearing it to school today, if it's warm enough so that she doesn't need a sweater.

Anyways, I love the way the Ocean Tide Shawl looks when it's blocked, all fine and ethereal. That's when I decided that I needed to buckle down and finish the Mystic Light shawl.

At that time, I still has around 17 charted rows plus two uncharted rows and then the bind-off left. I procrastinated (big surprise) a bit so that when it became Thursday after school, I still had a hell of a lot of knitting to do.

Six hours of work and a few hours of rest later, the complete Mystic Light shawl lay on my floor, drying with the help of my ceiling fan. I had knit until my hands ached, and then I had knit some more, but I had finished Kierstyn's shawl.

I gave it to her the next morning, wrapped up in a gift bag. She didn't open it in front of me, so I didn't get her first reaction. And she hasn't gotten in contact with me yet, so I still don't know what she thinks about it. I admit, I'm too chicken to text her or walk up to her at school and ask her what she thought of the shawl.

Last night, I started a little project, a headband out of Rowan Lightweight DK. The yarn is kind of a mustard yellow, but I'm thinking that it will work with my hair color and my camp T-shirt (I'm a counselor of sorts at a Girl Scout Camp next week).

Well, today is the last day of school. I'm not sure if I'm going to wear anything that I've knit, but if I do, it will most likely be my Malabrigo Moebius scarf.

Peace out,

Sami

A Cure

2009-05-30T09:59:00.000-07:00

If one is in need of a cure for startitis, I have found one. I'm probably not the first one to discover this, nor will I be the last, but I felt that I had to share. Guilt.

I have been looking (and almost stalking, but I'm not quite there yet) the Saoirse Shawl from IK Spring 2009. It is soooo pretty, and as I'm beginning to focus on redoing my wardrobe, it's something I'd love to have. However, thanks to my near pattern stalking, I've learned that towards the end, it takes over an hour and a half to work one row, which is worse that my Mystic Light!

Which brings me to why I haven't cast on the Saoirse Shawl or something else that would use my Karabella Aurora 8 in Oxford Grey. The Mystic Light shawl. It was supposed to be a Yule present (though I say Christmas most of the time, we're not Christian) for my blood sister, Kierstyn. It is nearly June, and it's not done. While that alone would put some pressure on me, I have a little internal deadline.

Next Friday (June 5), is the anniversary of Kierstyn's boyfriend's suicide. As the Mystic Light was first intended to be a prayer shawl (well, something with similar purpose), I want her to have it on that day. However, I don't have the means to block the shawl, so even if I finish it in time, I doubt I'd be able to block and dry it in time.

Of course, the Ocean Tide Shawl needs to be blocked, too. That was meant as a prayer shawl for Sierra, and I also wish that I could have it blocked by Friday. The guy that committed suicide was Sierra's ex-boyfriend. So there is a lot of trauma around, and I'm nervous about Friday. I think I will breathe a bit easier after Saturday, but I think I will always tense up around this time of year.

Oops, that was supposed to be about knitting, not my crazy life. Well, the guilt from not having the Mystic Light shawl done is preventing me from casting on with the Aurora 8 (which is sooo soft, as it is 100% merino(!!!)), but I managed to side step it for long enough to start the Evenstar Gloves.

I am a total Lord of the Rings dork, with all the books (read the series only twice, but I will start it again soon), all the extended editions of the movies (watched those innumerable times), and all the soundtracks, though I really want the complete recordings of all three as well. Any knitting pattern that has to do with LotR goes into my queue, including A Cardigan for Arwen, Eowyn (those are fingerless gloves), and the Rivendell Socks.

I am now done with the first cable repeat on the first glove, but the Mystic Light is nagging me. I have 24 rows left, but each takes me anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes (or perhaps longer, I haven't timed it). The length of each row, though I know that it's nothing compared to the Ocean Tide Shawl is really putting me off. At least in the Ocean Tide Shawl, I had memorized the pattern, which was really simple. I have to have the chart with me when I work on the Mystic Light.

Well, at 3 o'clock today, I go over to Diana's house to help set up for her birthday party later tonight. I don't have a gift for her, but I have an idea of what to make her, even though she is capable of making it herself =]. Lots of dancing will happen, but it will cut into my knitting time. Oh wells, I still can't wait for the party.

Hmm, I meant to work out this morning, but I'd rather take a shower right now.... I'll figure something out =]

-Sami

El fin de la semana

2009-05-17T20:58:00.001-07:00

This week/weekend was great. I got new yarn (yay!) for the Muir and Shipwreck shawls and I got to hang out with Snowdrop (lots of music and chocolate there).

On Wednesday, Snowdrop & Hawthorn & I went to Eva's Needlework and bought pretty yarn. I bought some green laceweight for the Muir shawl (70/30 wool/silk) while Snowdrop got some mohair and Hawthorn got a skein of Malabrigo Worsted.

Yesterday (Saturday), my aunt took me to Santa Monica because one of the yarn stores there was having a sidewalk sale. Man, that store is expensive! I didn't really find anything I had to have, so I didn't buy anything. Afterwards, my aunt took me to another store in the area, Jennifer Knits. My aunt bought me 7 skeins of Prism Merino Mia for my Shipwreck shawl. It's a bit heavier than the pattern calls for, but I don't think that it will be much of a problem =].

In the evening, Snowdrop and I went to the movies and saw Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. It was a great romantic comedy. Then, we got Cold Stone ice cream, went to her house, and spend the next 20 hours listening to music, knitting, and eating a whole lotta chocolate.

I'm taking pictures of my friends for a scrapbook my mom made for me. All of the pics will be in black and white, and I thought I'd post them here, too.

This is me.

And this is Hawthorn and her boyfriend (who is, ironically, my ex-boyfriend).

Peace,

-Sami

Ocean Tide Shawl

2009-05-17T20:43:00.001-07:00

It's all done! But Sierra can't see it until it's blocked, so the picture is not on Ravelry, and there won't be one until she gets it.

The Silence

2009-05-06T03:05:00.001-07:00

The night is very silent. Yes, there are the noises of the night creatures or of far and near traffic, but they do not muffle the silence of sleeping bodies. Every movement made by the person awake seems amplified and there are noises that ring out that were not made by the awakened person. I woke up around 1:00 A.M. from a nightmare and wasn't able to go back to sleep. It has been a long time since this has happened. I turned to my knitting, and I was comforted. Podcasts, and soon, gentle music keeps away the silence that brings back the childish fears of monsters in the closet. I don't plan on going back to sleep tonight, knowing that I'd just have to get up in too few hours.
Goodnight and sleep well.
-Sami
P.S. I sense Starbucks in my future.

Holding Out for a Hero

2009-03-20T23:18:00.000-07:00

After listening to this song (and singing along), I've realized that this is what I'm doing. I'm looking for a hero. I wonder if I can put that aside.... for now.

-Sami

Seduction

2009-03-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, the new Knitty has blown my mind. So many pretty patterns... and so little time and money!

-Sami

P.S. What is up with my mental lace kick???

I have to ask

2009-03-02T16:50:00.000-08:00

Where did February go? I'm not done with it!

Dive in.

2008-11-30T19:51:00.000-08:00

I'm working on the sweater front for my Dad's birthday/Christmas gift!

Woohoo!

-Sami

Bad blogger, no cookie.

2008-11-28T15:43:00.000-08:00

So I'm a limenviolet addict, so what?

But seriously, bad blogger. It's been, according to my computer, a month and ten days since I last blogged. Oops.

I have been knitting, but I've been fairly spazzy lately, not feeling that great and all. But, I did buy yarn.

Omg, Malabrigo. It is soooo good. I haven't knit with it yet, but for some time, it actually disappeared down my best friend's shirt. =D

Well, I've cast on a bunch of things, hee. And I think I've only finished one thing since I last posted, and that would be Sierra's Weekender Cap. I also think that I don't actually have pictures... which is a little puzzling since I see her every day.

Maybe I'll post pictures later if my brain doesn't get mistaken from scrambled eggs (since that's what it feels like).

-Sami

I Lost It.

2008-10-18T19:12:00.001-07:00

Omg, I'm so bored right now. I really hate to say it, because the Ocean Tides Shawl is coming along beautifully, but it's not what I'm really looking for right now. Maybe because it isn't for me.

I can't find my knitting muse. Have you seen it?

-Sami

Just wanted to say.

2008-09-21T20:15:00.000-07:00

I love knitting. And I love knitters. I love how whenever I knit, I can just be me. There's no pressure to be something - whether I am that something or not. I just pick up the needles and yarn, and I just know.

I am a knitter.

Drive-by Blog.

2008-09-13T22:03:00.000-07:00

I finished Mom's Christmas present - a TARDIS plushie! YAY!!

-Sami

I hate high school.

2008-09-06T13:26:00.000-07:00

I really do. I've only had seven days, and I'm ready for the year to be over. I'm not sure how last year's sophomores made it through the year with their sanity intact. Last night, I fell asleep in my clothes, with the light one, and maybe the laptop on, around 9:30 P.M. I woke up this morning at 10:30 A.M.

I really don't want to play catch-up every Friday night/Saturday morning. But I was completely exhausted after four days of school. What is going to happen when I have a full week of it?!

I had wanted to write on my story last night, too. -sigh- I'll have to work on that tonight, as I want somewhere from 3-4 pages ready before I go to Writer's Club again next Wednesday.

Well, since I last blogged, I:

Finished my Adipose Plushie:

Got most of the Weekender Cap done (have like 3 more seams):

Finished my Little Twisted Rib Cloth:

Started my mom's TARDIS plushie:

Started my cousin's Shake Your Pompoms Ski Hat:

Started my sister's Seafoam Shawl:

Got some Baruffa Cashwool:

Started a project for the OFA's Red Scarf Project, the Not Quite Straight Scarf:

Started my sister's Daisy Mitts and haven't worked on them since:

Started my first pair of socks (still on the ribbing on the first sock):

And dyed my hair blue:

And today, I'm winding this yarn for the Ski Hat:

Yeah, that's been my life. Oh, and hours of hours of homework from my math class.

-Sami

What I've Been Up To

2008-08-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

Of course, since I finished one project, I had to cast on two more. I started the Little Twisted Rib Cloth last night, suddenly inspired. I'm only eight rows into it, and this is what it looks like: .

Right next to me is the Weekender Cap, which has grown since I took this picture (about a half hour ago). I'm really loving knitting the Knit Picks Wool of the Andes.

The Adipose Plushie is coming along slowly. Dpns are not my best friends >.>

No pictures of Kierstyn's Long Gloves, but I only have a few more inches to knit on the second one before I begin the thumb. =]

And, finally, the Garter Stitch Scarf, that is my relaxation project. And it is knit with pink mystery yarn. I'm going to ask my aunt if she knows what it is. =D

Tonight, I'm going to the Breaking Dawn Midnight Release Party at B&N with Diana, and hopefully, Alex. Then tomorrow, I go to the Tall Mouse sale (40% of your total purchase!!!) And, Sierra comes home tomorrow, so hopefully I'll be able to see her then =].

-Sami

P.S. I really, really love my Felted Tote =D.

Felted and finished!

2008-07-31T19:13:00.000-07:00

Yay, I finally finished the Felted Tote. Now I can cast on something else =D.

I actually do plan to cast on the Weekender Cap tomorrow, as it is the first day of August. Can't wait!

-Sami

Mamma Mia!

2008-07-26T18:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I found out that the yarn I ordered for Sierra's shawl was backordered. I wasn't too happy about it, as it wouldn't be in stock until August 5th, and I had been planning on starting both shawls (Kierstyn's and Sierra's) in July. That really failed.

Today, I got (most of) my Knit Picks order in the mail. I hungrily opened the box, so happy that my yarn was finally here. When I looked at my yarn, however, I was sorely disappointed. It was exactly what I ordered (minus the backordered yarn). But it was not what I saw on the monitor. I bought four balls of Knit Picks Palette, in the color Masala. On my monitor and on Sierra's monitor, it looked red, and was the closest match for fire. In reality, it lives up to its name, which is a mixture of spices. It looks like pumpkin, or burnt orange. I was intending to use this yarn to knit Kierstyn's Mystic Light shawl, but I don't think I will now as the color isn't right.

On a bright side, my mom took my sister and I to the movies today. We saw Mamma Mia! The movie was brilliant. I have seen the musical twice, in two different theaters, and have the soundtrack. I wasn't too sure about how well the movie would be when I saw the previews. But it far exceeded my expectations. I would even venture to say that is at least as good as the play when I saw it in Los Angeles (that was the larger budget production version). Some songs from the play weren't in the movie, and some other ABBA songs were in the movie that weren't in the play. But, it was absolutely amazing. I was very impressed.

And on the down side, again, sitting that long in the movie theater aggravated my tail bone and it is still a bit sore (I got home from the movies two hours ago).

I did start the Adipose Plushie, though. I started it after I received my Knit Picks package, as it had the needles I needed. The yarn, Cascade Cash Vero, produces a lovely thick and squashy fabric on US size 5 needles. By the way, the Knit Picks DPNs are very nice to work with.

That's all for now.

-Sami

P.S. In my order was a book. A Treasury of Magical Knitting by Cat Bordhi. I'm way excited. I've already looked through it a bit, and I can't wait until I have time to make something from it. =]

Waiting with the I-cord.

2008-07-24T18:18:00.000-07:00

Right now, I'm sitting at my desk, willing the 23" of I-cord handles needed for the Felted Rose Tote to knit itself. I have over 6" so far, but I have to knit TWO of the 23" I-cord handles.

I'm waiting for the next LnV episode to be released. The teaser has been uploaded, and I really want the next one to come out.

-Sami

It's done!

2008-07-20T18:00:00.000-07:00

YAY! I finally finished the Patchwork Trio Afghan. Ashley seemed to really like it =D. Now I just need to finish Kierstyn's gloves.

Summer Vibes

2008-07-13T19:51:00.000-07:00

Right now, I am sitting in my grandparents' "cabin" on the shores of Lake Nacimiento in the central coastal region of California. =] Internet is a bit of a hit-or-miss thing, so I may not post again until after I get home (on the 18th).

I am working on the 16th square of the Patchwork Trio Afghan. I'm so proud of myself =D. I will definitely be able to finish knitting before I get home. My aunt told me that she will help me sew the squares together on the 19th. I'm sure I'll be glad for the help, but I also don't think that it will be that bad.

I need to finish the glove I'm working on before we head home as well. I plan to start the second one on the ride home (about 3.5 to 4 hours) at the very latest. I need to finish all the knitting parts for the gloves BEFORE my Knit Picks order arrives (I'll be ordering either the 18th or 19th).

That way, I can start the two shawls as soon as I get the yarn. And I will have the rest of July to work just on them. Well, not on those two exclusively, since I haven't finished the Felted Rose Tote yet (and technically it is minus the Rose part).

And now, for the interesting stuff: my vacation!!!

I wakeboarded... kind of. I'm really not that good. I got up a little bit. But I'm sore now--OH!!!

Before I continue about the lake and the woods and the burrs and all that good stuff, I must tell you a little story.

Once upon a time, or rather, last week, our heroine and her friends went ice skating. Her friends included her blood sister, her ex-boyfriend, her sister's ex-boyfriend, her sister's cousin, her close friend, her other friend, and the girls' platonic boyfriend. Our heroine is not a good ice skater. She is down right bad at it. She only came because her sister begged, pleaded, and wheedled her into it. Amazingly, she avoided falling (at the expense of being called chicken by her close friend, Alex[andra]). Towards the end, Alex took a spill that resulted in a bruised tail bone. Our heroine sympathized with her, but didn't really want to empathize with her. The Fates, however, determined that she avoided too much pain on the ice rink, and wished for her to share the agony that her dear friend, Alex, was in. As our lovely heroine climbed into the van, she slid across the seat and plopped down. But, she plopped at the wrong spot. Her tail bone landed right on the seat buckle. (Aren't those things supposed to stop you from getting hurt?!) And the purpose of this story is....

I have a possibly broken tail bone!!!

For those who have experienced this, it is not a pleasant thing. So, falling on the wakeboard? Not fun.

Back to my summery vibes:

I took a hike in the woods right by the cabin and got some really cool photos (I haven't uploaded them yet, or I would put them in this post). However, TONS of burrs stuck to me. Not fun getting those off of me.

Summer, to me, always feels like new beginning. And I've been having a 'bit' of a tough year, previously. Maybe, I'll be able to sort out how I feel, and then do something about it. I know, no one knows what I'm talking about, but perhaps that's a good thing.

Well, my knitting calls to me (so does the pasta....). See ya!

-Sami

Summer Cleaning.

2008-07-05T11:25:00.000-07:00

I'm stopping Coachella for now. I couldn't get gauge with the Knit Picks Comfy, which is the yarn I bought specifically for Coachella and I really wanted to use it. Oh well.

I'm seeing my cousin on the 20th, so I have to finish the Patchwork Trio Afghan. I'm on the 11th square (out of 20).

I'll be on vacation from the 11th to the 18th or 19th. I'll head up to Lake Nacimiento for wakeboarding. So excited.

I'm feeling a lot better than I have in a long time. It's nice.

I'm also working on a garter stitch scarf, because I wanted some easy knitting =].

It's a bit smoky outside from all the fires in the northern half of the state, so I don't really wanna go outside to knit. But I also do. >.>

I'm going to go finish my watermelon now and start cleaning up the files on my laptop. I don't need a lot of them now =D.

-Sami

I need a ball winder.

2008-06-15T17:44:00.000-07:00

This is what I'm doing right now:

-Sami

S.E.X. is good for your soul.

2008-06-02T19:15:00.001-07:00

My aunt is AWESOME!! Saturday night, she took my mom and me to The Tall Mouse, which is a store that is similar to Jo-Ann, but with a better selection. I bought 6 skeins of yarn. Hee hee. Although 5 of them are for gift knitting (Kierstyn's birthday gift and Allyson's birthday gift) and the last ball is for making the Adipose plushie. Yes, I am a huge Doctor Who geek, and so is my mom. I thought about making the plushie for her, but it's way too cute to give away.

Today, the Mystic Meadows KAL officially started. The chart is ZOMG! definitely NOT TV knitting. But it looks so amazing. I might cast on tonight, even though I shouldn't. I have so much math homework it's not even funny. And it's my fault too. I didn't finish old assignments, and now they're catching up with me. But most of them are graphing and YUCK! I hate graphing.

My aunt (jumping around here) also gave me FOURTEEN skeins of Cascade 220. I feel loved.

I'm happier when I'm with yarn. It makes me feel better. It's good for the soul.

-Sami

Happiness came to me in a box.

2008-05-27T15:20:00.000-07:00

I got my yarn!! YAY!!! Sierra may not get hers, its so soft and squishy and 100% Baby Alpaca. I may just have to steal it from her. Hee heee heee, my yarn came, my yarn came.... *trails off gleefully*

Um, I'm really not that crazy, but it is SO soft. I'll put some piccies in too!

The yarn package:

The lace-weight I'll use for the Mystic Meadows KAL:

The yarn I'll use for my summer vacation project, Coachella:

And, the Fountain Hat fit Kierstyn!! YAY!! She took it home with her ^.^ More pictures(!):

Here is the detail for the hat (kinda):

Sierra is hiding behind Kierstyn's shoulder:

What you can't see here is Sierra facing Kierstyn and flicking her hands in front of Kierstyn's face:

-Sami

Guess what I joined!

2008-05-26T21:53:00.000-07:00

Woohoo, it's my first KAL!!!

So, the Fountain Hat is done (technically not bound off). I'm giving the graduation afghan to my cousin in July. And I'm using my KnitWars gold as a maximum that I can spend at the Fabulous Fiber Fest in Santa Monica (more info here). I need some serious stash enhancement. I'm going to Jo-Ann's tomorrow for some sock needles because I'm going to try to make socks! (Scary...) Night all, mum's telling me to get off the comp.

-Sami

Six Days. O.O

2008-05-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

As I type this, I have less than 6 days to knit an afghan. My cousin is graduating from college in 6 days, and I decided to make her a graduation present. At least this afghan is knit in squares. There has to be 20. I'm on the fourth. =D

However.... I learned cables!!! YAY!! This afghan is my first project with them, and it's way cool to think "Hey, I frikkin' made this!"

Haven't worked on my other projects, but I will after I finish the afghan. Besides, it's a three hour drive from here to San Diego (my cousin goes to USD), and I'll need something to entertain me on the way back.

I think I'll be able to finish it in time. I brought it to school today and worked on the square that I was knitting during lunch and chem class.

It has been way too hot here lately. Summer should NOT be here yet. Somebody please take away Mother Nature's crack, mmk?

I've been trying to get more active lately. I'll see if I can get up tomorrow and continue being active. *snort* I doubt I'll be able to. Also.... homework. I spent almost 4 hours today with Sierra (there was free food involved!), so no homework got done.

Oh gosh, I'm gonna fall asleep on the keyboard.

Night, all!

-Sami

P.S. I bought YARN!!!!!

Pictures!

2008-05-15T20:34:00.000-07:00

April's fingerless gloves (they're done!!!):

My On the Fringes Scarf, modeled by my best friend and sister, Sierra:

My Lotus Purse, which is still a WIP:

-Sami

YAY!!

2008-05-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

Wooo, I finished the scarf!! I'll get pictures up after school. Speaking of school, I'm only there for 2 hours today. Yay for STAR Testing.

Oh, I'm planning to buy hand painted yarns from Scout's Swag. This means that I'll have to wait 'till next month to buy the things in my Knit Picks cart, but that's okay. I want the Zephyr lace that Scout is selling. I'm planning to use it for the Mystic Meadows KAL. Wooo, I'm excited.

-Sami

Whimper.

2008-05-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

The entire purpose of this post is YARN PORN!

Omigod, Miss Violet and Carin want me to be in pain apparently. Episode 47.

Look here: Wollmeise. And here, and here, and here. OH MY GOD. YARNGASM!

Brain go BOOM!

2008-05-10T17:37:00.000-07:00

Wow. My brain has officially gone splodey. So has Sierra's brain. Big boom.

And why has your brain gone splodey, you may ask. Well, it's because of THIS:

I broke up with my boyfriend of 29.5 months.

I think it was time for it to end. I felt like I was in the relationship because it was safe and comfortable. And then I realized the night before that I wasn't in love with him anymore. I love him, but I'm not in love with him. My only regret is that I hurt him.

In my knitting life, I finally started on April's second glove. I'm on my second repeat. The Lotus Purse is looking pretty. I still haven't worked on the Fountain Hat, but that's okay, because Kierstyn doesn't know that I'm making it for her.

I got booooks. Three of them. I love them. I can't wait to have yarn so I can knit patterns from them.

Quick Knits: Cool Projects by Jeanne Stauffer

Knit Tricks! by Rebecca Wat

101 Designer One-Skein Wonders edited by Judith Durant

-Sami

Don't Stop the Music

2008-05-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

Diana's party was a lot of fun. She actually managed to get Sierra and I to dance. Diana decided to have a bit of a dance off. Sierra and I partnered up (we are sisters). As we watched the people dance, we realized that we really didn't want to dance in front of everyone because we had no clue what to do. Plus, dancing would mean dancing in front of my boyfriend. And he's never really seen me dance. Sierra would have to dance in front of her crush, who happens to be her ex-boyfriend. Dancing sounded scary.

Sierra and I ran outside and planned a very basic thing out. We went inside and danced to "Don't Stop the Music" by Rhianna. By the end of the song, a lot of people had gotten up and were dancing with us(thanks goodness. I don't know what we would have done if they hadn't.)

After the party, I came home and danced in front of the mirror, realizing that I couldn't have looked totally idiotic at the party (to my greatest relief). And it's a really fun workout. =D

I realized, also, why I haven't been knitting that much. It's not because I'm getting tired of it (though some may think that). It was because it felt like I wasn't making anything for myself. Yeah, the scarf is for me, but that's just something I work on if I've got nothing else to do. And the other projects are for others, and I feel like I have a deadline, which I pointedly ignore.

But, last night, I cast on the Lotus Purse in One-Skein Wonders. I LOVE that book. Since my stash is pretty much a baby, I really only have single skeins of a type of yarn. The Lotus Purse was the first thing I saw in the book and the one that I really wanted to make. A few weeks ago, I got a skein of Jo-Ann Debbie Mumm Souvenirs in a green color. Last night it occurred to me that the yarn would look beautiful as a Lotus Purse. So now I have a Just For Me & No Stress Project. Yay.

-Sami

Babies!

2008-05-03T10:05:00.000-07:00

Wow. My sister bought a hamster last Sunday after her previous hamster, Toffee, died. When we first got Toffee, we didn't know that she was pregnant. But she was. Two weeks later, there were 6 pink things in her bedding. Hamsters are born furless, deaf, and blind, but not mute. All they can do is ask mommy to feed them. Another two weeks, they're runnin' around the cage. Looking very cute.

Anywhoos, this hamster, Winkie, is girl. And sometime in the middle of the night, she gave birth to (we think) eight little hamster pups (that's what they're called). So that's been this morning's excitement.

I'm also trying to clean my sterling silver ring using baking soda, hot water, salt, and aluminum foil. It works, just not as fast as I'd like.

Last night was CVD, a local fair that happens once a year. It was so much fun. My boyfriend got kind of sick but he didn't throw up or anything. But it was wayyy fun.

Knitting has been a bit slow recently. I think I have a variation of Second Sock Syndrome. I cannot seem to bring myself to cast on April's second glove. Er, I have cast on, but I've yet to join in a round O:-).

My scarf is now 52" long. Woo!! Only 12 inches to go =]. And then the fringe. And then I'll put up pictures! Yay, pictures!

Later today is my friend's birthday party. Diana turned 15 a week ago and today she's having a rave-type party, without all the illegal crap. I made her some cute fingerless gloves. I'll take a picture of them on her and put them up on Ravelry and on here.

I'm gonna go now.

-Sami

Edit: Oh, I bought the Sahara pattern the other day. Can't wait to make to it!

Damn, it's hot.

2008-04-26T18:40:00.000-07:00

Bizarrely, it's really hot today. According to our thermometer (trust it at your own risk) it got to 98 degrees Fahrenheit here. It's APRIL, not July. School shouldn't be in session if it's this hot. This is summer weather.

Well, I've been downloading CDs to my uncle's iPod all day long. Forty-eight CDs and something like seven hours. >.< Almost done. Two CDs to go.

As a bribe, my aunt brought me an I-cord maker. I've been having fun haha. I've been thinking of what I'll make with the I-cord, and I thought of a pretty purse knit in seed stitch. I just hope that there will be enough I-cord. But I will be knitting it on size 19 needles =D.

Sierra, my bestest friend, has been designing knit tank tops in her head all day. I've been listening to Cheryl Kemp's knitting podcast, and I suggested to Sierra that we make one. I received an enthusiastic yes from her =].

I got a few more inches on my scarf done. I worked on the Fountain Hat a bit last night, but haven't touched it today. April's final glove hasn't moved since the stitches were cast on.

I need new yarn, but I won't have any money until May comes. There are a lot of projects I want to do, but don't currently have the yarn for them. Well, I'll figure something out.

Got to go (less than one CD left!!).

-Sami

P.S. My dad is going to take me to Starbucks later. Cool!!

Giggles.

2008-04-24T18:14:00.000-07:00

Just bought At Knit's End by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. I've been giggling all day, non-stop. My knitting friend laughed with me. My non-knitting friends laughed a bit, but their reaction would have been unsatisfactory if they were knitters.

Still only have one glove for April. I tell myself, why don't you cast on? Let's finish this up. Looks like she has to wait one more week before it's done. Maybe. But, I said pictures, and I meant it, so here is a picture of the first glove: They're a bit big on me, which is fine, 'cause they're not for me!

I'm working on K's hat. Wayy excited. She won't have to worship the ground I walk on, but she better love me until the end of time. Of course, I won't tell her that knitting this hat didn't count as work because I absolutely love yarn overs. And this pattern has plenty =D.

Well, back to giggles and stitches. Latah!!

-Sami

-Yawn-

2008-04-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

That's what I've been doing all day long. I did not get enough sleep last night. And I had a math test today. Fuuuun, right? Wrong. It killed my brain >.<

I came home and had some wonderful therapy with some needles and a ball of yarn I know. The lace pattern on the Fountain Hat looks really cool so far *is on round 9 of 61*. Maybe pictures next time?

I keep telling myself I need to start April's second glove. And I keep ignoring myself. Oops.

*yawns again*

-Sami

Undone.

2008-04-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

I frogged my sweater today. The tension was all off towards the bottom, and I felt like I could make it better if I started over. I'll probably start it again today. Maybe.

I hope I can buy the needles I need for the Fountain Hat today. Maybe I'll be able to buy different needles for my sweater, too. I'd like that.

I started up my scarf today. It's no longer hibernating for the winter (and the irony does not escape me). Maybe I'll finish it by the time summer rolls around! It will be really useful then (note the sarcasm).

As for April's gloves, they're turning out pretty cool. I have 7 rounds left until I bind off. And you can really see the pattern. I'll update the pics on ravelry once I finish the first glove.

Ooo, pizza for lunch. Later!

-Sami

Unrelieved.

2008-04-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

As in the pressure in my head. It's either allergies, which royally sucks, or I'm getting sick, which is even worse. 'Cause if I'm sick, I can pass it on to my friends and family. Which means I have to be extra careful. Yuck.

And, I feel so distracted, I've gotten almost no knitting done today. I have read a lot though. I finished The Shop on Blossom Street and I've started A Good Yarn (both by Debbie Macomber).

I think I may start working on my scarf tonight. After I finish the round I'm working on on April's first glove. I had wanted to at least start the second one tonight, but that's not going to happen. I should go to bed in less than half an hour, and I haven't started my homework yet. Oh well, that's what mornings are for.

*sniff*

-Sami

Unexplained.

2008-04-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, hypothetical someone, my previous posts are about to be explained *audience gasps*.

I am knitting my friend April a pair of fingerless gloves as a belated birthday present (she was born on April 1st). These gloves are the first things I've knitting on dpn's, so they're a bit more difficult.

I'm also making myself a sweater. My first sweater. So I really would like to not mess up =D. It's knit with green chenille yarn ^.^ I can't wait until I'm done, but I've yet to finish the front (it's a basic pullover).

As for S and K, they're my best friends and blood sisters. However, they are each battling depression, and K has a really bad influence in her life right now - S's (woah, that looks weird) ex-boyfriend. So, my friends are kinda messed up right now, and it's hard to deal with them sometimes. This is why I bring my knitting to school. A lot less stressful.

Well, I've got to go now, school.

-Sami

Unfinished.

2008-04-15T21:35:00.000-07:00

Today was okay. I got to work on April's gloves at lunch and during math class. But, I need to compare them to her hands now to see if they need to be longer, so I can't work on them right now.

I worked on my sweater today. I wanted to get the front done, but it just didn't happen. Oh well. Depending on tomorrow's homework, I might be able to get that done tomorrow.

This blog feels weird because it feels like I'm typing to no one, yet I'm writing it as if someone will read it. But unless this hypothetical someone knows me in person, they won't understand most of it! XD

Hoping to go to a LYS this weekend. I need needles for the Fountain Hat. I also need to get my brain organized -- like that's gonna happen soon.

Knitting is my anti-depressant. School kinda sucks. It's great to see my friends, but the school environment is just so stressful. Not all of it is bad stress - being with my friends is good stress. But I'd rather be stress-free (as much as possible), so I'd rather be sitting at home and knitting. I love my friends and I love being with them, but sometimes it's nice to just have some space and do whatever I want to do with outside contact.

Summer needs to be here. Now.

Night all.

-Sami

Unexpected.

2008-04-13T21:14:00.000-07:00

Well, I went to Jo-Ann's today to get the size 4 needles I need for my next project. The local Jo-Ann's being vastly under-stocked, they weren't there.

So, I bought a set of dpn (size 8) for a different project that will be a birthday gift. They are a lot harder to work with than I anticipated. But I'm going to keep on trying until I get it right.

I also bought some new yarn. It was pretty and soft.

I am planning my summer knitting retreat. I want to make the Coachella halter top that can be found here: http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer07/PATTcoachella.html.

And I want to make in green. Very cool. It's been pretty hot here. So I can't wait, but I have a few projects to finish (and start) before summer comes along.

-Sami

Unpacked.

2008-04-12T23:03:00.000-07:00

Whew. I just finished putting my stash up on Ravelry. That took forever, and I did forget to take a picture of one of my yarns. Oh well. I'm too tired to fix it tonight.

I didn't get a chance to go to Jo-Ann today. Grr. I want my needles. I can't wait for the end of the year, then I'll have my license, and won't have to wait for Mom to drive me places.

K is bugging me. A lot. She told her counselor that her parents abuse her - which isn't really true, in my opinion. Her parents discipline her. Now her mom is freaking out, because K and her little sister may be removed the home.

S is getting on my nerves a bit too. I think I need a knitting retreat, haha. I'll make one for myself once I get some really cool yarn ^.^

-Sami