Knitting alone

So I've had a lull in knitting.  Maybe cus Margarita isn't around, maybe cus everything else just sucks in a "still sucks even though it's getting better...what's that tell ya?" kind of way. The way that makes you want to zone out at the TV all day long so it will distract you from everything that sucks.... but it never quite does.  I know I'm lonely even though I don't feel as lonely as I think I am.  Real real real lonely.  And fat.  Aren't you supposed to be fat and happy?  Well I'm just fat.  And for my birthday I finally got some yarn, cus mom sent me a gift card to Yorkshire Yarns, and in laws bought me the whole set of harmony circulars I've been wanting.  What's that mean....oh yeah.  Sweater I've wanted to make for like...a year, can be made.  

Wah Waaaaaaaaah.  Who would want to put some of Twinkle's chunky designs over a couple rolls just make them bigger.  MAN i wanted to make a sweater.  I'm still gonna.  And I already changed the number of stitches even though peeps said they stretch.  I don't want mine to stretch.  I want it to fit.  it still looks itty bitty.  I'll just keep trucking on it (the balthazar vest).  

But more satisfyingly, back to dolls.  I love dolls, and toys.  I'm just going to start making a ton.  For who, I don't know.  so many knitting book ideas in the brain.  Is it hard to get trademark usage permission .... even if you don't even know the right term for it?

Don't really know where to go on the bag deal.  Worried sick about my days off changing unexpectedly recently and it effecting my vacation.  AND money.  There's certain things that loose money makes better and one of them is Ren Faires.  I have to save, and how can i churn out a bunch of inspired bags if I can't even afford paper towels (but of course, there's plenty of beer in the house .... damn boys.)

Getting stuff organized around the house, finally (hopefully) which will lend more time to knitting instead of thinking about cleaning.  And will hopefully clear the way for creativity, (also: finally) too.  

Also planning on doing this big 150 mile ride for charity bike thing (American Flyers style...minus the time crunch)  so Brian from work and I are going to be training, so maybe the gut will flatten and the sweater will be PERFECT come the wintry autumn (in about a month and half I'm sure).  

I want to wear some sort of new outfit to the faire.  I'll make one elaborate bag for that, and then a bunch of really easy ones, and a few kinda cool ones.  That should be a good kick start...and doesn't seem impossible.

That new Decorative Knitting book ba-boomed so many ideas I have.  I should probably write them all down.  Don't wanna use the nice journal Jackie got me, cus it is so very nice.  But probably perfect for that stuff.

OH yeah, still gotta finish Shelly's family knitted presents.  SHIT.

no. don't do that.  Don't line up all the stuff you haven't done.  Just enjoy the novelty of knitting in a clean living room on colored wood needles with really chunky soft yarn all from people who love you.

Beatrice is supposed to be a tough pirate.  Definitely tank and brutish, but I just want to ruffle and bow her all over.  That's Gemini for you.  One half taurus one half ... something else embarrassing. 

anyways.  Knitting is picking up.  If everything gets clean I might even brave the computer waste lands to get regular pictures going again.  GAH.

NEW LYS

Wow, I got one of those i-cord doll/gadget thingers. I am going to make a million skinny bangles. It goes so fast and I love it (and I got the crappy cheap one.) I also didn't get the other one cus I thought the 5 or 6 prong was too big and loose, but I was wrong. I need to get one of those too. Right now I'm only making skinny bangles. I used it with super bulky weight and it made a sort of square strand. I used the sari silk in there. It's great. I keep making them a tad too long I think. It's hard to measure with the tool in the way. It's awesome though.

I've been lax with knitting lately. I've really come to that point where I need to make a sweater or something big and cozy to wear. I've been waiting forever to do it, waiting on finances. So I finally got the yarn to make my first sweater vest thingy yesterday. Not following pattern perfectly. Going to double strand, cus I found some cheaper stuff than the stuff recommended. it should make the stitch a little bigger since I'm freaked out about Twinkle's itsy sizes. It looked rather grey in the store, but when I got it home it was a little more powder blueish. I think it'll still work. Oh well. 

Now I just have to get the needles. I don't want crappy plastic ones, so I'm going to get some harmony ones. I'll have to wait a week or two, but they're worth the investment, I'd spend just about as much on an 1/8 of the product in stores.

Which brings me to Yorkshire Yarns. Cus she told me to go with the harmony on line, they're cheaper. What customer service. She could have tried to get me to buy her stuff,...but no. AND they have couches. I LOVE THIS PLACE. I want to go today. I'm nervous about going to the knitting meetup, I've never been to one. But we're going. Me and Margarita. That's all there is to it. We're going.

Alright, lots more to write about, like the needle case and the actual math i used from the swatch (YAY) but I have to get ready for work.

I want fiber

I have  craving.  A lust.  I want something raw that I can fold myself up in, to quote Eddie.  Something to spin myself into and make something to keep forever that has more story and more personality than anything you can get anywhere else.  

I'm on the phone with my mother in law and she's telling me about how Icelanders used to knit certain patterns into sweaters to identify who's it was, because fisherman who wore them and went overboard were certain to drown because the sweaters literally weighed 90 lbs when wet. It's kind of morbid to knit something in anticipation of the death of the wearer as you're wearing it, but ...it's so personalised.  It's a way of life, a reason for design, something more than just looking cool.  It's one of a kind.  I want to write my signature into something, immortalize myself in my stitches.  It's time.  Time to spread my seed and sell my wares and announce my creation perfection (err) to all who appreciate, time to be a SERIOUS knitter.

I can't wait.  Seriously.

Curse the Swatches

So this needle holder project might be the one to turn me into a swatcher.  Which is pretty funny seeing as how it's almost more simple than a scarf.  At first at least.  Just a big square.   Margarita and I spent HOURS in jo-anns getting fabric for it all though.  It's so simple that it's got to be just right, or I'm an idiot.

Alright, so I couldn't bring myself to buckle down on all the projects I wanted to finish this week.  It was too much to think about it made my head go bonkers, so I kept putting them all off.  I finished one of Jackie's presents to send out with mom.  I put a LONGER hold on the other one, that's been half done for years, cus now I look at it and see how bad I was at knitting in the round (cus it was my first in the round)  so part of me wants to start it again, and part of me wants her to have it imperfections and all.  ....eventually.  

I mentioned taking my mom to my one of my fav LYS's (Fibers Etc.) multiple times while in the shop last week, and no one ever mentioned they'd be closed all week.  THEN when we went back on Monday, as per the sign that said regular hours would resume that day, they were unpacking and kind of made it clear they didn't want us there.  We would have bought stuff....you make the sale, you move out of the way for the customer.  I really like that store (even though it's the cramped kind with awesome stuff everywhere, not the sit down cozy type) but it's not the first time I've been put out by them.  I blew it off other times, but this time I started to get irritated.  They have HORRIBLE hours, once I waited ready to check out for 20 min (and I was on a time crunch) cus they were catching up with old friends and making new connections.  But this time, when we went in ready to shop, and they acted like WE were imposing on them, I jsut don't think that's how you run a store.  I can't imagine that they're so successful they can afford to turn customers away.  I'm just frustrated with how inconvenient shopping there is getting to be.

I want a friendly and cozy LYS.  Something easy to enjoy.  That's all.  Maybe the one Margarita found the other day will be the one.  I can't wait to check it out, but I wish she could be there with me.  It's so much more fun to enjoy with someone else.

Started elaborating on some bags for the Ren Booth venture.  crocheted the FASTEST EASIEST and still pretty cool bag to throw in with Jackie's stuff.  That could be a big money maker right there just cus it's SO DAMN EASY.  She will see when she gets it and exclaim that it took me like 30 min start to finish and I just grabbed whatever was laying around to make it.  Got a few things to finish, then want to show it to Lamb's Ear and start on something for them, and then I'm going to go to TOWN on the bags.

All the projects

The sock is going well.  Straightened out nicely.  I messed up the ribbing a little bit, but instead of frogging, or starting the pattern right half way through I'm just going to let it flow with the messed up ribbing of the cuff.  I'm almost cherishing the mistake.  I thought something else was messed up enough to have to frog it, and I found I was sad, that I wanted to preserve the knitted immortalization of my breakthrough.  It's kind of like inscriptions in used collectible books.  Some people find the imperfection like a preservation of history, it gives the book more story.  And that's how I feel about my socks.  I feel it coming on that i will make tons of socks, and have no more problems asking Washingtonian sales clerks about hunting socks that seem so foreign to them.   My feet shall forever on be toasty.

I have a lot of projects going on as my mom comes into town.  I want to finish two things I'm half way through for Jackie.  I also want to finish Kiana's doll (though I think all I have to do is sew her mouth on) and Karson's guitar, and Shelly's hat so that Mom can take that all back with her to them instead of shipping it.  Hey, I'm poor, haha.  But I really want to finish the cabled scarf I started for mom so long ago.  She really deserves a finished project that she can use for once.  I just don't think it's going to happen with all the stuff I'm excited about making for myself or other things and can't put down.  The stuff that Jackie and I are working on together and the idea of knitting for yarn at a LYS.  Can't pass any of it up.  It's so wrong that mom go on the back burner as she always has, because it's the nature of being a mom.  I really want to break the cycle.  Maybe, just maybe I can.

I almost got out the pirate coat to measure the other night, but I didn't feel like making a big mess, and lately I find that I only get to knit is short spurts (which I really don't like).  

I want to splurge on a Loop d Loop jersey I've found yarn for (or rather found the pattern for the yarn) and have my first knitted torso garment.  But the money should be used for activities with mom, and I'm still so dubious about my belly in a knitted shirt.

it's time for the cowl.  i've decided that i can make the pattern up, for the most part, maybe a little help with the hood, but again, I think I'm making it harder in my head than it really is, as with everything.  I'm going to do a test run with the mustard orange "unknown fiber" boulder of a ball I've got, then get to work.  Also, all hood's with an extension I've seen knitted have the "extension" too high on the head, it makes it fold instead of flop, so I'll have to figure out something there since it won't be just an.... extension of the pattern, but a bobble.... extended.  Enough about the cowl cus I can't stop using that word.

I think I'll knit it separate, and knit it in the other direction so that it can slowly, gradually and evenly decrease, centered in the back of the head.  I also think i'll have to use crocheting for the "straglies" i want around the bottom, because knitting isn't versatile enough, but since I plan on felting the whole thing, it shouldn't matter too much.  I'm very worried about the % of shrinking though.  I'm bad with multiplying things that are measurements squared.  And the unknown fiber trial won't felt.  ...or shrink.  eep.  Better safe than sorry.....very large it is.

I also can't stop buying magazines and books with garments that I LOVE but would look horrible in at this weight.  The "when I get thinner" days seem forever in the future...what if I never knit any of this stuff.  Maybe knitting can be inspiration.  But I'd hate to spend so much time and money on something i can't wear yet....or maybe ever.

I'm weeks away from trying Margarita's idea of knitting in the hot tub (bath tub for me)  If you care little enough about the project (or it doesn't effect it) it would be the coziest thing ever.  

Sock a go go

So started making some socks, out of sock yarn (the green sock yarn I got at the Madrona convention).  Actually going to make a nice garment.  And the whole twisting thing starts happening again.  I'm not letting it go this time, it's pissing me off, it's going to ruin something, GAH.

So I get on ravelry and ask and TA DA problem fixed.  it took a little explaining, and then I thought I'd have to start knitting into my stitches like everyone else does, but I like doing it my way, even if it's wrong.  But no, it's fixed, I just have to throw my yarn the opposite direction before kniting/purling it.  Well, pick it the opposite way, cus I don't throw.  Now I can't wait to show Margarita so she can start working on that owl hat she frogged cus it was off the bias, and I can make that wig thing, and .... all sorts of awesomeness.

I really wish Margarita was here tonight, cus the boys are going out and I'm going to be lonely, and i really feel like knitting and hanging out with someone who actually wants to hang with me, is actually excited about it, and someone who can get all excited over my new yarn with me.  But no...as usual.

Pirate Purls

I can't decide if I'm going to want to hang the lace from the bottom of the coat, or sew it on so that it's flush with the bottom. I think I want the hangy effect, but I don't want it to pull in parts, or hang crooked. Almost time for me to finally pull the coat out and measure and get to work.

The thing about this lace is that it's fairly easy to make, and really awesome looking. There's something about it that's a little edgier than most lace, but there's nothing too special about it, and I can't decide what it is. Even in the book, where it's white it looks a little extra interesting.

The other thing is that i have so much other lace that I wanted to plaster all over this jacket, it is patchwork, and pirates are all about excess; but now I don't want to distract from my special handmade lace. I'll have to find other places for it.

Just had an epiphany. Maybe this lace would look best around the colar and cuffs....might be to bulky though. That yellow brown and green gathered lace might look good around the cuffs. And the ugly/beautiful multicolored around the colar. Too many ideas coming in now. Definately need Jackie's opinion and calming influence here. Maybe just a million layers of lace up from the bottom. Maybe some on shoulder seams....oooh. JACKIE!

Conventions from heaven

Oh glory.  The only thing missing from the....what the hell WAS it called.  must look up.  Ah yes.  The only thing missing from the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat was someone to spaz with me.  I was so mad at myself for having switched my days at work and not hearing about it sooner, to sign up for classes.  Or at least have gone with enough time to sit and knit with all the other tons of people scattered around the very mod hotel, just doing their fiber thing, solo, in groups, in lazy chairs, around tables.  Talking with their elbows resting on their WIP, or pausing in the middle of their spinning to laugh out loud.  WHY did I not cancel all other engagements and MAKE sure I was a loitering knitter among them all?  When I finally got to the marketplace, I couldn't concentrate on anything for a while, except regret that Margarita couldn't come.  Being alone with no one to talk me out of buying things, or tell me what I could make out of something I wanted.  Especially someone to tell my stories to, 'this yarn reminds me of that one project', 'I remember I had a dream about glass needles', 'I really DO want to spin my own hair'.  That's all creepy if you just come out and start telling fellow shoppers or store-keeps about it.

Yes, glass knitting needles.  They were beautiful and smooth (got to try them out, and see just how differently i knit than everyone else who'd tried them out) and totally novelty, cus I still prefer wood, but still something i would so spend my money on, if yarn wasn't so much yummier.  

Angora/Merino.  Looks so plain on the skien.  The lady, with the big smile, said that it blooms (cus of the rabbit hair) and all i could think of was a peasant hat, with the long droopy "Goofy" style ears.  I went back to finger the hat they'd made out of it over and over.  Called James to make sure it was alright if I went over my agreed upon spending limit to get it.  I can't wait to feel that furry blue fuzz, but i can't just knit with it, it's way to expensive and nice to just mess up.

The sturdy coarse sock yarn that will be my first REAL pair of socks.  That lady was like me.  Throw knitting to the fates.  Close your eyes and cast on.  .....that sounds awesome.   anyway.  Cheap sock yarn, pretty yellowish green.  Natural.  I'm lost in the fiber world.

Two skeins of pencil roving.  No way in hell I'm spinning that.  That kind of takes the fun out of spinning.  Gotta REALLY make it yourself.  Plus, it'll look so cool knitted raw.  Maybe an overskirt for the fair to lay on top of the rest of my wench wear.  If i ever get it all.  All sorts of fall and dark foresty colors.  Having two colors at any one piece of the strands.

The brightest brown and deepest black of the natural colored alpaca ( i think???)  cheap for the yardage and SOOOO soft.

The ANTLER buttons.  That dude was cool.  Lives close to my Michigan home, but in Canada.  They are what I grasp for all the time.  Made out of antlers, exactly what I want all of my faire stuff to look like.

I realise that I think about knitting faire stuff more than anything anymore.  And big baggy sweaters.  Something comfy but not bag lady, like all of my clothes now.

Was great.  I want that Mimi....some sort of short 4 letter word, silk.  It was SOOOO beautiful.  Will order online.  All sorts of colors, (lots of foresty greens) all loosly spun.  I WANT.  Lace?  I had previously thought loose knit sleeves for nice dresses.....see.....faire! 

can't wait to get mom in the yarn store and throw beautiful yarn at her.  Maybe she'll keep it up at home, another one bites the dust.  She does have a lot more free time now.

Oooh, husby is home with foody.  CAKE!!! yay.

Felting

the other day Margarita and I tried our hand at felting.  Not my very first time, but first actual project felt.  I had a few free formed crocheted bags waiting around to be felted and a swatch for the upcoming cowl and she and I had made bangles for each other.  Time to felt.  Better throw in a pair of jeans a couple other things in the washer to agitate.  Only need to check the front pockets, what do I ever keep in my back pockets?  OH, only the coolest little notebook ever with a bunch of writing and knitting and other sorts of awesome ideas in it.  .....

notes lost.  Felted knits very white and icky.  Fixed after lots of picking and muliple washings.

Two of the bags were the same yarn different color.  Purple felted wonderfully.  Green, barely at all.  

Swatch of Forrest Perfection Manos del Uruguay felted wonderfully.  Haven't written down new sizes yet.  

Even when I want alone time I miss Margarita when she's gone because it's so much better knitting next to someone who's nuts about it like you.