tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44197885239404459702024-03-13T06:14:42.273-07:00Knit On, Cast OffAdventures in knitting and various other thingsRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-5298348442208610072009-12-03T19:50:00.001-08:002009-12-03T19:50:39.742-08:00Hello? Blog?This post is from 11/23/<span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">2008</span></span> and refers to the events of summer <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">2008</span></span>. (do I win the award for worst blogger or what???)<br /><br />I'm back... for now anyway.<br />Much has happened since May! R and I went on an awesome summer vacation in late June. Much climbing, rafting, hiking, camping, more hiking, climbing and visiting was done. And also lots of knitting.<br />I worked on a paint crew for the school district for the summer.<br />My friend Jessi had a tiny cute baby girl.<br />My friend Priscilla moved to Arizona :-P.<br />THEN I moved to Portland. I live downtown, which has it's good sides (close to school, the streetcar, stealing the internet) and bad sides (too many starbucks, expensive bars, very noisy). I do live a short streetcar ride away from Knit/Purl, which is a treat. I've read reviews saying they aren't very nice, but I find them to be very helpful.<br />And now I'm just a few weeks away from my being finished with my first term of grad school!!<br />I've also done some spinning. I'm borrowing the wheel semi indefinitely, until the owner gets a student she needs to teach.<br />Now to the pics!!<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">End</span></span><br /><br />Now whats happening in late 2009?<br />Well I'm finishing up the Fall term of my second and LAST year of grad school.<br />I moved out of downtown Portland and now live on Mt Tabor.<br />I have been working at a daycare. :-P<br />I have done almost no hiking, rock climbing or camping since I moved to Portland last fall.<br />AND I rarely have time for knitting. Though I should be finishing up a pair of argyles for Rob... soon?<br />The spinning wheel and I got into a fight. I think I out grew it. So my graduation present to myself will be a spinning wheel. Assuming I have a job when I graduate!<br />Maybe I can resurrect this blog?<br />Who knows!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-47940079258126723922008-05-23T17:38:00.000-07:002008-05-23T18:01:35.846-07:00blankie!!Here's the update on the blanket:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/SDdlq4edNLI/AAAAAAAAASY/4sYnfvocwLY/s1600-h/DSCN2713.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/SDdlq4edNLI/AAAAAAAAASY/4sYnfvocwLY/s320/DSCN2713.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203739681838937266" border="0" /></a>Ta Da!! Mine is the lower right corner. The ends are woven in and it should go out this weekend in a box laden with goodies for Kyle and his family.<br />Things I'm not proud of... the knots. Honestly... after this I will severly limit my use of cotton, because I detest weaving it in and destest that it won't remain woven in. Stupid cotton blend... How dare you defy me!!! Most of the knots are part of the mitered square and hide under the seam. So there.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-60515751284992350782008-05-04T12:07:00.001-07:002008-05-04T12:34:53.678-07:00socksHurrah! Another finished pair of socks! At 4 months per pair it is truly an occasion.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/SB4Jqqwk2JI/AAAAAAAAASA/s4VTznFn-lE/s1600-h/DSCN2672.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/SB4Jqqwk2JI/AAAAAAAAASA/s4VTznFn-lE/s400/DSCN2672.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196601648669317266" border="0" /></a>Pattern: Rudy Got Sole by Amy Klimt<br />Yarn: Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport (it turns out... I thought it was sock yarn) in Stone<br />Needles: US 1, 2.25mm<br />Size: mens 10.5 (US).<br />R wore them right away and his only complaint was that they made his feet sweat, but it is spring here, so the time for wool socks is over... Especially since both of us wear Chacos all summer long.<br />I didn't bother blocking them since R wanted to wear them as soon as I wove in the last end. What is interesting is that the second sock came out just a tad bigger. Everything was the same (needles, cast on stitches etc), I just think I was just more relaxed when I did number 2.<br /><br />Saartjie bootie.<br />I also started and finished this a few evenings ago. I hope to finish the second tonight or tomorrow.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/SB4N96wk2KI/AAAAAAAAASI/-TfegCqo4q0/s1600-h/DSCN2681.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/SB4N96wk2KI/AAAAAAAAASI/-TfegCqo4q0/s400/DSCN2681.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196606377428310178" border="0" /></a>I still need some cute buttons. The nice thing about baby stuff is that is goes so quickly! One evening = one bootie!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-62687123897658424582008-05-03T13:43:00.000-07:002008-05-03T13:47:11.591-07:00socks doneFavorite Friday doesn't seem to work since I don't have internet access consistently. Heh.<br />The Rudy Got Sole socks are done, but I have no pictures since my camera is in Portland without me (another reason fave friday wouldn't have worked). The socks were well received and R has been wearing them ever since I finished them.<br />Hurrah!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-9766243883270914712008-04-18T13:59:00.001-07:002008-04-18T14:14:41.732-07:00Favorite Friday- The Strange Disappearance of Arthur CluckThis was my favorite book as a small child. I asked my grandmother to read it so many times over the course of the day that she took to hiding it from me.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/SAkNX9wgBOI/AAAAAAAAAR4/dSN6jDhqLJ8/s1600-h/DSCN2667.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/SAkNX9wgBOI/AAAAAAAAAR4/dSN6jDhqLJ8/s400/DSCN2667.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190694750887347426" border="0" /></a>It is the story of Arthur, the chick who rides on his mother's head, who goes missing one day. His mother enlists the help of an owl named Ralph to help her recover Arthur. In the end, Arthur is discovered, rescued and reunited with his mother.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/SAkNV9wgBNI/AAAAAAAAARw/ozIAxVydmr4/s1600-h/DSCN2669.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/SAkNV9wgBNI/AAAAAAAAARw/ozIAxVydmr4/s400/DSCN2669.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190694716527609042" border="0" /></a>During the course of his investigation Ralph follows and questions a pack-rat. My favorite illustration has always been this one, depicting the pack-rat's horde of stolen treasures. I've been taking good care of this book since I became an adult because I look forward to sharing it with my children someday.<br /><br />On the knitting front, I've been slowly making progress on the Rudy socks and hope to have pictures of Sizzle up soon.<br /><br />Happy Friday!!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-38395106081721226392008-04-12T17:45:00.000-07:002008-04-12T21:06:50.685-07:00Favorite thing Friday on SaturdayOkay, so I know it's been longer than a week. But I'm going start doing "favorite Fridays" and post a picture of something very important to me. At least. Hopefully this will encourage me to blog other things.<br />I didn't actually blog this yesterday because I didn't have internet access after I took pictures... Next week I promise I'll plan better.<br />This week's favorite seemed appropriate because I read on Blue Blog this week that Sockapalooza 5 is in the planning stage!! And what says sockapalooza better than a sock monkey!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/SAGEWdwgBFI/AAAAAAAAAQw/wxGghA8_Cuw/s1600-h/DSCN2659.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/SAGEWdwgBFI/AAAAAAAAAQw/wxGghA8_Cuw/s320/DSCN2659.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188573767187563602" border="0" /></a><br />This sock monkey was made for me by my grandmother when I was a tiny baby. Between the construction of this monkey and the birth of my brother 5 years later, sock monkey socks became scarce (I remember the drama of no sock monkey socks quite well) so my brother ended up with a blue sock monkey.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/SAGEDNwgBEI/AAAAAAAAAQo/8pur__cUj1Y/s1600-h/2408322653_e82b300978.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/SAGEDNwgBEI/AAAAAAAAAQo/8pur__cUj1Y/s400/2408322653_e82b300978.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188573436475081794" border="0" /></a><br />I think this sock monkey has weathered 26 years well. Good job sock monkey! Here he is enjoying one of the end of one of the first spring days of the year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/SAGGNdwgBII/AAAAAAAAARI/R6iOq0GoFQg/s1600-h/DSCN2655.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 465px; height: 348px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/SAGGNdwgBII/AAAAAAAAARI/R6iOq0GoFQg/s320/DSCN2655.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188575811591996546" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the square I'm working on for the charity blanket. Hello mitered square.<br />I love mitered squares. This is Knit Picks Shine worsted in "Crocus" and "Wave", both left over from the FT two-toned shrug.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-82917054024741002522008-03-30T12:07:00.000-07:002008-03-30T12:52:20.083-07:00I'm back...Well things have been busy since Thanksgiving. My goal was to post here during spring break and continue at least once a week after that.<br />Some updates are:<br />1) J squared for whom (in part) this blog was started have opted to stay in Montana, and are expecting their first child (a girl) in August. This of course demands lots of baby-type knitting.<br />2) I've applied to graduate school at Portland State. But just last night I had a dream that I received a hand-written rejection letter... and a check for $116, so we'll see how that turns out.<br />3) I have finished a bunch o' knitting. The majority of it is posted on Ravelry (knitonRachel).<br />4) I learned the basics of hand-dying over Easter weekend from Jodie at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5218296">strings and yarn</a>. Which was wonderfully fun and fulfilling.<br />Now on to some knitting!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/R-_pOYeDhfI/AAAAAAAAAP4/-8wIEXa08Ec/s1600-h/DSCN2581.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/R-_pOYeDhfI/AAAAAAAAAP4/-8wIEXa08Ec/s320/DSCN2581.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183618129422681586" border="0" /></a><br />pattern: The One-Piece Baby Kimono from Mason Dixon.<br />yarn: Sugar and Cream Twists.<br />needles: US 6<br />I added garter stitch at the hem and cuffs because I thought it looked nice. Of course this is for the upcoming August baby.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/R-_pO4eDhgI/AAAAAAAAAQA/dKYWDVCxjl4/s1600-h/DSCN2577.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 436px; height: 327px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/R-_pO4eDhgI/AAAAAAAAAQA/dKYWDVCxjl4/s320/DSCN2577.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183618138012616194" border="0" /></a><br />Hand dyed BFL roving and some Knit Picks Essential sock yarn (red/brown/white) and Knit Picks Swish worsted (orange/white)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/R-_pOYeDhfI/AAAAAAAAAP4/-8wIEXa08Ec/s1600-h/DSCN2581.JPG"><img style="width: 258px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/2370507238_eebf25e510.jpg?v=1206764321" alt="" onload="show_notes_initially();" class="reflect" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/R-_pOYeDhfI/AAAAAAAAAP4/-8wIEXa08Ec/s1600-h/DSCN2581.JPG"><img style="width: 245px; height: 324px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2246/2370507892_17f595c086.jpg?v=1206764163" alt="" onload="show_notes_initially();" class="reflect" /></a><br />Pattern: Rudy Got Sole by Amy Klimt, http://spinalcat.blogspot.com<o:p></o:p><br />Yarn: Brown Sheep, sport? sock?, a brownish/gray color<br />Needles: 2.25mm, two circs<br />This pair is for the bf. He pretends to be aloof about knitting, but randomly nags about the second getting finished, so I know he is smitten. This only took me about a month to finish (ha!!) because I'm slow... I'm making okay headway on the second.<br />Speaking of the bf...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/R-_uK4eDhiI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/QAHODP2OQ6Q/s1600-h/DSCN2447.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/R-_uK4eDhiI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/QAHODP2OQ6Q/s320/DSCN2447.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183623566851278370" border="0" /></a><br />Isn't this a handsome young man? Only made more so by the beautiful hat. mmhmm.<br />(seaman's cap by needle beetle, cascade 220 heathers, size US 7)<br /><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ></span>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-7961237586438914582007-11-23T15:41:00.000-08:002007-11-23T15:46:13.496-08:00ThanksgivingI am thankful for:<br />1) My family. Not everyone is so lucky to have a immediate family as supportive as mine. My parents and brother are supportive of everything I do, even if they don't agree with it.<br />2) My friends, most of whom are like family. Even if they are busy and hard to get a hold of, I know my leetle friendies have my back. And even if we spend a year apart, when we are together things pick-up like we just saw each other yesterday. Go friends!!<br />3) My boyfriend. Even if he is a little poo sometimes and even if we break up tomorrow, he has made the last two and a half years (most of which were kind of crappy) fly by and has made me the happiest I've ever been in my life. I hope that someday he realizes how amazing he is and why I can't help but be smitten.<br />4) My job(s). One job is finally paying enough to almost make it worth my time and is teaching me how to be patient and leave work at work. The other job is very flexible and full of good people to talk to and be friends with. Plus, work 1 is loaning me this computer!<br />5) My finances. Are finally working out so I'm not a nervous wreck constantly. I'm still living check to check, but I don't have a gap of three weeks when I'm overdrawn and starving.<br />6) Having awesome vets that helped me make the decision not to let my little dog suffer too long.<br />7) Eugene, Oregon. I have lived in other places, but I can definitely say that I grew up in Eugene.<br />8) My students. They remind me how important it is to stay human and be kind and supportive to each other.<br />9) My new apartment (or how Rachel got her sanity back). Even if it has only been about 55 degrees in there lately... it is my space and I love it and the cats love it.<br />10) Knitting. Because it gives me a creative outlet and keeps me calm(er).Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-60373482525995257152007-11-01T19:49:00.000-07:002007-11-04T10:07:42.488-08:00still blocked but with spinning!! lots o' pics.<div>Wow, am I a horrible blogger or what?</div><br /><div>So I'm still in a knitting funk. I have started the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bobblicious</span> twice but can't seem to make the super cheap circular needle I bought work. The cable has too much memory and just makes things a mess. But I have been doing a fair amount of spinning.</div><br /><div>Here is my second yarn attempt. It is the colorway "Elgar Cello Concerto" from Strings and Yarn, spun thick and thin (unfortunately not on purpose) and plied with cotton sewing thread. I'm quite pleased with it. Plying with a thinner weight thread, however, made me horribly dizzy while it was happening. And I was kind of tired when I did it. I need to be reminded that spinning is not something to be done when tired and wanting to relax... At least not at this point in my spinning career.</div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RyqUOpPQzSI/AAAAAAAAAPI/s7SvEpvIVX4/s1600-h/DSCN2366.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128074105023679778" style="" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RyqUOpPQzSI/AAAAAAAAAPI/s7SvEpvIVX4/s320/DSCN2366.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RyqUO5PQzTI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/NPkA9nMh-Uw/s1600-h/DSCN2369.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128074109318647090" style="" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RyqUO5PQzTI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/NPkA9nMh-Uw/s320/DSCN2369.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I'm using it to make the Yarn Harlot's <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2006/10/12/one_row_handspun_scarf.html">One Row <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Handspun</span> Scarf</a>. I'm so delighted with the self striping! I just hope the skein from the next bobbin stripes the same (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ie</span>. I hope I spun the colors up the same way!) I really like this colorway. I like the play of the scarlet with the coral and purple... gorgeous.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RyqUPZPQzUI/AAAAAAAAAPY/OlWfCoxqiDg/s1600-h/DSCN2370.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128074117908581698" style="" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RyqUPZPQzUI/AAAAAAAAAPY/OlWfCoxqiDg/s320/DSCN2370.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div>These are my friends from Great Falls, Montana. They were city shopping in Oregon and spent a few days with me checking out Eugene. We ate at The Keystone, Fisherman's Market, Ron's Island Grill, Ta Ra <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Rin</span>, had some beer/played pool at The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Jackalope</span> and had treats at Sweet Life and coffee at The Wandering Goat. Great Falls doesn't have much in the way of cuisine, think <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Applebee's</span> and semi-hip <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">sandwich</span> shops and wimpy coffee, so we loaded up on interesting things. We also visited 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">th</span> Street Market (they arrived on Saturday night, so no Saturday Market), Skinner's Butte, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Goldbeach</span> Oregon, Valley River Center, Mount <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Pisgah</span>, Sunrise Asian Market, The University of Oregon and the Bookstore, and the Supreme Bean. I'm sure we went other places that I can't remember. It was fun. If only my friends lived here all the time.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RyqReZPQzOI/AAAAAAAAAOo/53Ff4BaJtjg/s1600-h/DSCN2313.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128071077071736034" style="" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RyqReZPQzOI/AAAAAAAAAOo/53Ff4BaJtjg/s320/DSCN2313.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is a gratuitous cat picture with an almost finished jaywalker. I'm very lucky to have cats that don't care about yarn or string. This cat will even sit in my lap while I knit, the yarn dragging over his little shiny body.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RyqRfJPQzPI/AAAAAAAAAOw/jJFKAKS3Ot0/s1600-h/DSCN2317.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128071089956637938" style="" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RyqRfJPQzPI/AAAAAAAAAOw/jJFKAKS3Ot0/s320/DSCN2317.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is more fiber from Strings and Yarn in the colorway "Elves Dance-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Jenkinson</span>" It is very pretty when spun up (no pictures, alas) but with some long stretches of creamy, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">greeny</span>, white. So I had to buy the second<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"></span> 4 ounces so that I could ply them together. Sigh. Life is rough.<br />My spinning is getting better, I just have to remember not to spin when I'm tired. Knitting while tired can work, but for spinning I need to be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">sprightly</span> and ready to work.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RyqRfZPQzQI/AAAAAAAAAO4/U7ZQIRWv0zE/s1600-h/DSCN2321.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128071094251605250" style="" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RyqRfZPQzQI/AAAAAAAAAO4/U7ZQIRWv0zE/s320/DSCN2321.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is a picture of a mushroom we saw at Skinner's Butte.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RyqRgJPQzRI/AAAAAAAAAPA/pVLtM4hB_EM/s1600-h/DSCN2308.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128071107136507154" style="" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RyqRgJPQzRI/AAAAAAAAAPA/pVLtM4hB_EM/s320/DSCN2308.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-57164354847766940232007-10-12T21:10:00.000-07:002007-10-12T21:26:22.240-07:00knitters block 2I need to knit faster...<br />Of course nothing is really striking my fancy at the moment. I'm done with the fetching for my mom but no pictures yet, and I'm slogging away on the first jaywalker... still.<br />In my defense I have been busy lately. My friends from Montana visited this weekend+Mon and Tues so I was busy with that. Actually the two people to whom part of this site is dedicated, even though they never see it being without a computer.<br />I've also been working the second job a lot which is prime knitting time, but not without distractions. Distractions include: working, surfing the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">internet</span></span> looking at knitting things, working, staring into space etc.<br />I'm really trying to learn the continental style because I can see that it is faster, but I have trouble with tension, my yarn gets all swirly and when I purl the stitches end up backwards. So I have some work to do.<br />I'm a few inches away from starting the toe of the jaywalkers. I have a list of yarns I want and a friend should be buying some yarn so I can make a <a href="http://www.knitty.com/issuewinter05/PATTbobblicious.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bobblicious</span></span></a> for her before she goes to Korea. A quick project on huge needles with huge yarn is just what I need.<br />I have found that the queue function on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ravelry</span> has helped me <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">immensely</span> with my backlog of wants and needs.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ps</span>. I realized after initially posting this that it was the second post titled "knitters block" in a row. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Yowza</span>. Maybe I should take up sewing (i.e. learning to sew) for a week or two.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-80620301923643044112007-10-02T10:16:00.000-07:002007-10-02T10:42:27.634-07:00knitters blockIt doesn't seem like it's been that long since I posted last... oops.<br />I have knitters block. What I need is a large gratifying project to work on. Right now I have two different socks started. I have one Jaywalker and one Spiralling Sock sitting on the needles.<br />I was really excited about the Jaywalkers until I realized they don't stretch that much and might not fit the intended recipient. So I put laid them on the coffee table and there they have stayed, mocking me everytime I turn on the TV.<br />Then I started a pair of spiralling socks in OnLine Supersocke, but the yarn annoys me because it is too visually busy to see how spirals are coming out.<br />I need something other than socks for a while, I also need to get some size 1 and 2 circulars because doing socks on double-pointed needles is getting old.<br />So last night I started a pair of fetching for my mom. Which helps, the needles are double-pointed, but size 4s so not too, too tiny. Plus the pattern is immediately gratifying and doing cables without a cable needle makes me feel clever.<br />I'm also making a present for the b/f for his birthday. It is very silly, but I need orange yarn before I can continue working on it.<br />I want to start working on either the Airy Wrap-around Sweater from fitted knits or Sizzle from Knit and Tonic. But I don't have yarn for either.<br />In spinning news:<br />I finished spinning the last of the Strings and Yarn fiber this weekend. I've learned that you should draft all of your fiber at the same time, because waiting a week between halves makes it hard to remember what you did. But everything turned out fine.<br />But now I'm out of fiber too. Ahhh!<br />I need a third job so all of that money can go toward knitting pursuits only.<br />P.S. I'm on Ravelry now! I'm knitonRachel!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-65832410868068883382007-09-19T08:53:00.001-07:002007-09-19T09:06:05.527-07:00Spinner-ific<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RvFGeIZnQTI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/lSxQpndz678/s1600-h/DSCN2245.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RvFGeIZnQTI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/lSxQpndz678/s320/DSCN2245.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111944535507157298" border="0" /></a><br />I finished spinning up about two ounces of the roving. The color way is "Elgar Cello Concerto". Spinning hand dyed fiber is a lot of fun. I really enjoy watching the colors mix and blend as they come into my hands. My spinning still isn't as even as I would like, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-drafting helped a lot.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RvFGeoZnQVI/AAAAAAAAAOg/V6GjG5sV6oo/s1600-h/DSCN2250.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RvFGeoZnQVI/AAAAAAAAAOg/V6GjG5sV6oo/s320/DSCN2250.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111944544097091922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I especially like how the colors twist around each other and look almost plied together. <br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ahhh</span>, how fulfilling a little colored wool can be!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RvFGeYZnQUI/AAAAAAAAAOY/j6IOe-vQ9Bs/s1600-h/DSCN2247.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RvFGeYZnQUI/AAAAAAAAAOY/j6IOe-vQ9Bs/s320/DSCN2247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111944539802124610" border="0" /></a>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-48477346712564139272007-09-18T12:01:00.000-07:002007-09-18T15:21:28.542-07:00Handknit handspunI have finished my One Skein Wonder made from hand spun. Yes, I know I need some different patterns, but if people would stop buying yarn to make them stuff with...<br />It is now a bit too chilly to wear the shrug, but it layers well under other things.<br />Here are the pictures, taken by my very obliging sweetie:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RvAiBviOKWI/AAAAAAAAANo/u6vRW9drcCE/s1600-h/DSCN2230.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RvAiBviOKWI/AAAAAAAAANo/u6vRW9drcCE/s320/DSCN2230.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111622990400727394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RvAiB_iOKXI/AAAAAAAAANw/GHGfmRt68gE/s1600-h/DSCN2231.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RvAiB_iOKXI/AAAAAAAAANw/GHGfmRt68gE/s320/DSCN2231.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111622994695694706" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hurray for finished objects!!<br />I cast off this little number as we were headed home from Sisters, OR and a day of bouldering.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RvBJQPiOKZI/AAAAAAAAAOA/s1NsbyMPSMs/s1600-h/DSCN2203.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RvBJQPiOKZI/AAAAAAAAAOA/s1NsbyMPSMs/s320/DSCN2203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111666120462313874" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RvBJP_iOKYI/AAAAAAAAAN4/3cfm4XR5Nkg/s1600-h/DSCN2213.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RvBJP_iOKYI/AAAAAAAAAN4/3cfm4XR5Nkg/s320/DSCN2213.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111666116167346562" border="0" /></a><br />Obviously the person in the top photo is not me...<br /><br />Back to knitting/spinning. I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-drafted half of the 4 ounces of fiber from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5218296">Strings and Yarn</a> and spun a bit of it up yesterday. It is so beautiful. I forgot to get pictures of the fiber <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pre</span>-drafting and during spinning, but I will try to remember. My hope is to get it even enough in thickness I can ply it with some silk thread or something and make it come out light worsted or so. I already have some thin spots.... but I'm going to try and get better.<br />And now a gratuitous frog picture. We found this guy when we were climbing near Bend the weekend before last. Photo credits go to my sweetie again.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RvBO2_iOKaI/AAAAAAAAAOI/adXsm48d2f4/s1600-h/DSCN2194.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RvBO2_iOKaI/AAAAAAAAAOI/adXsm48d2f4/s320/DSCN2194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111672283740383650" border="0" /></a>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-87210025025980604852007-09-11T19:11:00.000-07:002007-09-11T19:25:02.819-07:00two-tone shrug revealI was going to take pictures of the shrug with the dress I had planned on wearing it with, but it didn't happen. So here are some pictures taken at the school. I look strange because it was about 80 something degrees and very bright outside, so I was straight out of air conditioning and squinting my eyeballs out. But the shrug looks nice. We shot the pictures in<br />the shade because it was too bright everywhere else.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RudM3viOKVI/AAAAAAAAANg/9fePsp6bTH8/s1600-h/DSCN2195.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109136822811634002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RudM3viOKVI/AAAAAAAAANg/9fePsp6bTH8/s320/DSCN2195.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RudM3PiOKUI/AAAAAAAAANY/xBpKDtrc4qs/s1600-h/DSCN2196.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109136814221699394" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RudM3PiOKUI/AAAAAAAAANY/xBpKDtrc4qs/s320/DSCN2196.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />FYI<br />It is the Two-tone Shrug from Fitted Knits by Stephanie Japel in KnitPicks Shine Worsted (cotton/modal), colors wave and crocus.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-29812718809997064072007-09-10T15:47:00.000-07:002007-09-10T15:50:00.231-07:00patterns for the futureI'm really taken with this pattern from MagKnits (http://magknits.com/July06/ballet.htm), but not excited about the KnitPicks Shine Sport it's made out of. I just can't get past the way the two tone shrug hangs. The shrug I haven't posted pictures of yet. heh.<br />But I really like the Ballet Camisole. Perhaps at some point I'll give Shine another chance.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-85003118272500743222007-09-04T18:57:00.000-07:002007-09-04T19:34:47.117-07:00At last! Socks and FO'sI'm not dead. I moved and don't have the internet right now. Which is funny since I just got an invitation to Ravelry. It came about 2 days after I lost internet access. Ha!<br /><div>So much has happened. Socks were sent off on August 15th. My sock pal posted her love for them on the sockapalooza website and even started herown blog to show them off... but it is in Swedish mostly.</div><div><a href="http://liteommycket.blogspot.com/2007/08/min-blogg.html">http://liteommycket.blogspot.com/2007/08/min-blogg.html</a></div><div><a href="http://sockapaloozafour.blogspot.com/2007/08/thank-you-dear-sockpal.html">http://sockapaloozafour.blogspot.com/2007/08/thank-you-dear-sockpal.html</a></div><div>I was so releived that she liked them AND that they fit! Especially since they fit my like support hose! </div><div> And my socks were received soon after:</div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/Rt4PKE8z2hI/AAAAAAAAAM4/jG1wLyOK-lU/s1600-h/DSCN2180.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106535693286627858" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/Rt4PKE8z2hI/AAAAAAAAAM4/jG1wLyOK-lU/s320/DSCN2180.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/Rt4PKk8z2iI/AAAAAAAAANA/eKpHsK_wGjc/s1600-h/DSCN2183.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106535701876562466" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/Rt4PKk8z2iI/AAAAAAAAANA/eKpHsK_wGjc/s320/DSCN2183.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Along with some wool soak, fancy buttons, ginger candies, some hand dyed sock yarn and some tea. Oh, and a fabulous post card. I can't remember the names of the sock pattern or either of the yarns, because all of that info is at my internet-less home. But they are lovely and I can't wait to wear them when it gets cooler. And so freaking pretty! I love blue. Nothing is so gratifying as getting goodies in the mail.</div><div> </div><div>The weekend after I mailed the socks I finished the dream swatch from knit and tonic (100% superwash merino from Capistrano Fiber Arts Studio 150 yards, don't know the colorway). It is very pretty and surprisingly toasty for a little thing.</div><div> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/Rt4PLE8z2jI/AAAAAAAAANI/bsNl56MDUvs/s1600-h/DSCN2169.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106535710466497074" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/Rt4PLE8z2jI/AAAAAAAAANI/bsNl56MDUvs/s320/DSCN2169.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Before I even sent the socks off I finished the two-tone shrug from fitted knits. I don't have any pictures of it yet though. I used Shine Worsted from KnitPicks, 100% cotton in "wave" and "crocus". It was really fun and quick to knit (not quick enough that I wore it to the show I wanted it for), but I don't think cotton was right for it. Not for me anyways. I don't like the way that cotton drapes and it doesn't hold up to wearing very well. So I haven't worn it much. But the shrug has recieved some favorable male attention (i.e. a young man at a bar telling a friend he had a crush on the girl with "pink sleeves" while I was in the bathroom). I think it's because the wide ribbing accentuates the waist. Hopefully I will get pictures of it this week and maybe they will get posted next month! :-)</div><div>And to round everything out a gratuitous pet picture illustrating how happy my kitties are in our new space!</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/Rt4PLk8z2kI/AAAAAAAAANQ/jjheZzb1nR4/s1600-h/DSCN2172.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106535719056431682" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/Rt4PLk8z2kI/AAAAAAAAANQ/jjheZzb1nR4/s320/DSCN2172.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Now I need to get started on xmas knitting. Sigh. But first I want to finish the one skein wonder I've started for myself from my handspun, which I've also finished spinning and plying. I even set the twist in the bathtub, which was very gratifying! </div><div>I also ordered some hand dyed roving from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5218296">stringsandyarn</a> etsy. I haven't started spinning it yet because it is so pretty! I feel like I need to pre-draft it, but don't know exactly how to do that!</div><div>I will post pictures of all the rest soon!!</div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-42230764627354047282007-08-09T17:25:00.000-07:002007-08-09T17:49:30.021-07:00Sockapalooza finale!Hurrah! Finished socks!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RruxwYTKN0I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/jGsHyAZXByY/s1600-h/DSCN2123.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RruxwYTKN0I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/jGsHyAZXByY/s400/DSCN2123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096862848014497602" border="0" /></a><br />Pattern: Anastasia by Pepperknit (couldn't find and actual name on pattern)<br />Yarn: Knit Picks Palette in "rainforest" toes reinforced with something or other...<br />Needles: Size US 1 Clover Bamboo DPNs<br />Hurray!<br />This pattern wasn't too hard and taught me:<br />1) how to make toe up socks<br />2) how to read a simple chart<br />3) how to wrap short rows<br />4) that knitting can in fact cause repeated motion injuries.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RruxwoTKN1I/AAAAAAAAAMY/rVKWjboKq-w/s1600-h/DSCN2132.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RruxwoTKN1I/AAAAAAAAAMY/rVKWjboKq-w/s400/DSCN2132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096862852309464914" border="0" /></a><br />More sock porn... the toe<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RruxxITKN2I/AAAAAAAAAMg/DI2bilH6L2w/s1600-h/DSCN2133.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RruxxITKN2I/AAAAAAAAAMg/DI2bilH6L2w/s400/DSCN2133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096862860899399522" border="0" /></a><br />the heel...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RruzjITKN4I/AAAAAAAAAMw/cL1cz6aig68/s1600-h/DSCN2127.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RruzjITKN4I/AAAAAAAAAMw/cL1cz6aig68/s400/DSCN2127.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096864819404486530" border="0" /></a><br />the lovely spiral stripes.<br /><br />And all the goodies that are going to my over-seas sockpal!<br />I am a bit concerned about the postage... but I assume it is worth it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RruxxYTKN3I/AAAAAAAAAMo/bgY-fam8Hy4/s1600-h/DSCN2142.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RruxxYTKN3I/AAAAAAAAAMo/bgY-fam8Hy4/s400/DSCN2142.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096862865194366834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />In other news I've started/almost completed the fitted knits two-tone shrug. I want to have it done by tomorrow, but my shoulder hurts from 7 hours of continuous knitting today. We shall see.<br />Now I'm off to a baseball game!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-90362744693825734022007-07-20T08:24:00.001-07:002007-07-20T09:17:20.053-07:00spin me a river...I love spinning. It is so calming. It is even closer to meditation than knitting is. <br />I'm getting better at joining roving (insert technical name here) while spinning and this last bobbin (the one shown) didn't break at all when I wound it off the bobbin. I'm going to wait until I have more before I ply it this time. The little cake of yarn is my first bobbin of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hand spun</span> ever. It is so full of knots where the singles broke it's unreal. I don't think I'll use it for anything. I'll just keep it for posterity. What I really need is more than one bobbin. My friend is ordering another, but I'm hesitant to get too many for this wheel because I'd like to get a different one at some point. I'd like to try something other than Scotch tension to see how that works. Also there is much to learn about ratios and other stuff that concerns numbers. I hate the numbers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RqDaMrM7lBI/AAAAAAAAAMI/qaeo4TOl0N4/s1600-h/DSCN2059.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RqDaMrM7lBI/AAAAAAAAAMI/qaeo4TOl0N4/s400/DSCN2059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089307490218906642" border="0" /></a><br />This is how interested my cats are in yarn. I love this picture because he looks very bashful. His shiny black fur makes and excellent backdrop for pictures. <br />This should be evidence to everyone the kind of environment I live in. If you get anything from me that is knitted, chances are it has some cat hair in it. Not because everything snuggles with my cats, but because they snuggle everywhere and then the hair ends up in my knitting...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RqDXkrM7k6I/AAAAAAAAALQ/buMb3ChmHSE/s1600-h/DSCN2069.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RqDXkrM7k6I/AAAAAAAAALQ/buMb3ChmHSE/s320/DSCN2069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089304604000883618" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a finished object picture for the latest One-Skein wonder. For hers <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Yuki</span> picked Crystal Palace Bamboozle (bamboo/cotton/elastic) in "royal purple". This yarn is perfect for shrugs. It is nice and stretchy, so you don't have to worry about straining your back while shrugging into your shrug.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RqDX3bM7k-I/AAAAAAAAALw/-HMAUDoOM1M/s1600-h/DSCN2093.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RqDX3bM7k-I/AAAAAAAAALw/-HMAUDoOM1M/s320/DSCN2093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089304926123430882" border="0" /></a><br />And I love how great the raglan shaping looks. Many people at work complemented <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Yuki</span> on her fabulous new look. I can't think of a better home for a cute purple shrug!<br />I've ordered some Knit Picks Shine Worsted for the Two-Tone shrug from Fitted Knits. Hopefully it will get here soon. I'm not super excited about knitting cotton again, because I've heard it can be difficult to knit, but we shall see. The Shine colors were lovely.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RqDYM7M7lAI/AAAAAAAAAMA/EK6c-MZCkRQ/s1600-h/DSCN2095.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RqDYM7M7lAI/AAAAAAAAAMA/EK6c-MZCkRQ/s400/DSCN2095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089305295490618370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And now to the sock! The first <a href="www.pepperknit.com/patterns/anastasia.html">Anastasia Sock</a> is finally done! Hurrah! It is knit in Knit Picks Palette in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Rain Forest</span>. The toe and heel are reinforced with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Fortissima</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Socka</span> thread #1088, it didn't match perfectly, but gives the sock a little extra green in the heel and toe.<br />I swear to you dear, sweet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">sockpal</span> that, though it may appear otherwise, I will not let you down! You will get a pair of socks from me! I really like this pattern, size ones take a long time but I think it is worth it. My boss (work 1) said this is the first <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">hand knit</span> sock she'd seen that she would actually put on her foot.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RqDYMrM7k_I/AAAAAAAAAL4/dN7AG6mRBro/s1600-h/DSCN2102.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RqDYMrM7k_I/AAAAAAAAAL4/dN7AG6mRBro/s400/DSCN2102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089305291195651058" border="0" /></a><br />The sad thing is I've knit so much in the past week that my shoulder hurts. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">That's</span> right, I've got a knitting related injury. When I move it around it twinges and is all <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">hurty</span>. I need to cast on the next sock today though. I tried last night, but the provisional cast on was giving me problems... again. I like how this cast on works later, but getting it going in the first place makes me a little crazy.<br />Now on to pressing questions. How does one block socks without those fancy sock blockers? these desperately need to be washed (!!) and blocked before they are sent. Should I just pin them and put a fan on to facilitate two layer drying?<br />That is all for now.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-84560119732412852132007-07-07T21:03:00.000-07:002007-07-07T22:07:43.720-07:00goings on...Much has happened in the last few weeks. Quite a lot of it was crappy, but I'll start with the good stuff first.<br />Let us begin with Black Sheep shall we?<br />I went to Black Sheep with a teacher I work with who is an accomplished spinner/knitter/weaver/crocheter/teacher. She bought me this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RpBjgsZ-P5I/AAAAAAAAAKg/fxKapgH-n4c/s1600-h/DSCN2048.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RpBjgsZ-P5I/AAAAAAAAAKg/fxKapgH-n4c/s320/DSCN2048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084673392628350866" border="0" /></a><br />And with the help of a somewhat geriatric <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ashford</span> wheel that she is lending me, I turned it into this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RpBjgMZ-P4I/AAAAAAAAAKY/c8rcpkEveik/s1600-h/DSCN2047.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RpBjgMZ-P4I/AAAAAAAAAKY/c8rcpkEveik/s320/DSCN2047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084673384038416258" border="0" /></a><br />May I just say that I am quite taken with this thing called spinning. It is very relaxing and a bit like meditation. Except the joining in more roving... that part is still a bit frustrating. Workable though.<br /><br />I also got this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RpBjg8Z-P6I/AAAAAAAAAKo/2XHW35dd224/s1600-h/DSCN2049.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RpBjg8Z-P6I/AAAAAAAAAKo/2XHW35dd224/s320/DSCN2049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084673396923318178" border="0" /></a><br />It is 100% <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">superwash</span> merino from Capistrano Fiber Arts Studio. 150 yards was $12.95, so I'm making the dream swatch from Knit and Tonic. It is coming out quite beautifully.<br /><br />And last but not least my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sockapalooza</span> sock. This is the first one... sigh. So far to go. But the pattern is going well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RpBjhMZ-P7I/AAAAAAAAAKw/ePTC0UPd3Yc/s1600-h/DSCN2051.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RpBjhMZ-P7I/AAAAAAAAAKw/ePTC0UPd3Yc/s320/DSCN2051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084673401218285490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And last but not least the really shitty shit news. My dear, sweet, best friend Bonny had to be put to sleep due to acute kidney failure on the 3rd of July. She had just turned 15 in June.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RpBuMsZ-P9I/AAAAAAAAALA/0DAqBWmrTfo/s1600-h/DSCN2045.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RpBuMsZ-P9I/AAAAAAAAALA/0DAqBWmrTfo/s400/DSCN2045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084685143658872786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Funny how something like a pair of socks suddenly seems <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">inconsequential</span> when you have a big Bonny shaped hole in your heart.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-73434818027774567042007-06-25T13:49:00.000-07:002007-06-25T14:02:41.428-07:00so much has happened, fo'sI finished the wrist warmers just in time. The sizes turned out a little funky, but they appeared to be we received.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RoArHcHjt2I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/-DfjN_Bl7zU/s1600-h/DSCN2017.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RoArHcHjt2I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/-DfjN_Bl7zU/s200/DSCN2017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080107786480891746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RoArGcHjt0I/AAAAAAAAAKA/_kPe0eI_Z34/s1600-h/DSCN2015.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RoArGcHjt0I/AAAAAAAAAKA/_kPe0eI_Z34/s200/DSCN2015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080107769301022530" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RoArHMHjt1I/AAAAAAAAAKI/K1cSIXbCdkA/s1600-h/DSCN2016.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RoArHMHjt1I/AAAAAAAAAKI/K1cSIXbCdkA/s200/DSCN2016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080107782185924434" border="0" /></a><br />There are a few tiny mistakes, since I worked on a couple in near darkness. There are two wrist bands who weren't claimed by their intended owners and they disappeared with the other students before I could get pictures of them in action. Working on these just reminded me how much I dislike Red Heart acrylic. Yuck!<br /><br />I have much to say about Black Sheep, but I must go for now... more pictures tonight (hopefully)!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-15169597628135913162007-06-02T00:43:00.001-07:002007-06-02T00:57:42.332-07:00sock pattern choosenI have chosen the <a href="http://www.pepperknit.com/patterns/anastasia.html">Anastasia Socks</a> for my (the green toes pictured at left) sock pal.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RmEgQzIoZ7I/AAAAAAAAAJw/GvBU8Xl6vNc/s1600-h/DSCN2008.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RmEgQzIoZ7I/AAAAAAAAAJw/GvBU8Xl6vNc/s320/DSCN2008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071370128372295602" /></a><br /><br />This surprises me because it require I do two things I wasn't very excited about.<br />1) Toe-up socks<br />2) Reading a chart<br />But so far (Row 7 of chart) I really like it. I also like the way the size 1 needles knit up fabric.<br />Now I just need to find the right yarn. I have looked everywhere and solid color sock yarn is hard to find. Why can't I use the green yarn in the picture? Well I had considered that. It's the Peruvian wool from Knit Picks and I really like it, but there are two things...<br />1) It is dirt cheap at $1.99 a skein, and I don't want my sock pal to feel cheap<br />2)It is 100% wool and I feel like it would wear out really fast or felt<br /><br />So the search for the perfect sock yarn continues. I'm ordering something the evening of the 5th though... Green something. I really liked Lorna's Laces, but I can't find anything green enough... Hmmm.<br /><br />I like the monkey socks, but they are coming out really big I think... I'm worried about what will happen when they get blocked. They will be pretty silken man socks. Hmmm... would he wear silk/wool lace man socks??? Probably... <br />I do like the pattern though... When I start another pair I'll try to use the chart.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RmEgRDIoZ8I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/4wwz_4bZ5S8/s1600-h/DSCN2005.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RmEgRDIoZ8I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/4wwz_4bZ5S8/s320/DSCN2005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071370132667262914" /></a><br />It is late... away to bed I go.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-83490223404546769412007-05-24T16:35:00.000-07:002007-05-24T16:50:50.171-07:00the yarn stork delivered!I can see that getting yarn in the mail can be addictive! Thanks Knit Picks!! I'm very excited, but sad because I have to do a wrist warmer at work tonight instead of new yarn things... :-(<br />I don't really know what to do with the hanks... I know I need to wind them, but drawing straight off the hank is supposed to be a bad idea. Hmmm...<br />I really like the peruvian wool (in the middle, color: rainforest heather). That is something for me I think. The gloss (bottom, dusk) is for trying out sock patterns and the bare (top) is to dye. Now I just need to be brave and actually dye it!! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RlYh9TIoZ2I/AAAAAAAAAJI/Ji0l0t0n78A/s1600-h/DSCN1951.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RlYh9TIoZ2I/AAAAAAAAAJI/Ji0l0t0n78A/s320/DSCN1951.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068275767644284770" /></a><br /><br />Four fetchings right in a row. My personal pair are on the left. I guess they aren't as fuzzy as I had thought, just loved.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RlYh9jIoZ3I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/AYeit1bOsAQ/s1600-h/DSCN1954.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RlYh9jIoZ3I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/AYeit1bOsAQ/s320/DSCN1954.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068275771939252082" /></a><br /><br />I threw some cables into a sock I'm knitting. They are a bit too far down to be artistically pleasing, but I don't think R will mind. With pants no one will see the tops anyways. Now that I can do cables without a needle I love them even more than I already did!! I want to cable everything! Now I must leave all my pretty new yarn at home and go to work2. Poo!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RlYkqDIoZ6I/AAAAAAAAAJo/Dv4a-RIJQp0/s1600-h/DSCN1955.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RlYkqDIoZ6I/AAAAAAAAAJo/Dv4a-RIJQp0/s320/DSCN1955.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068278735466686370" /></a>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-5770158343767269082007-05-24T09:18:00.000-07:002007-05-24T09:24:02.142-07:00Nothing at all to do with knitting...This is my favorite editorial cartoon ever! I even made copies for all the feminist teachers at my school.<br /><br />Ha!!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RlW7CzIoZ1I/AAAAAAAAAJA/J3_7RUvxgac/s1600-h/borg-thur-070517-copy-721601.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xPr428DUCwk/RlW7CzIoZ1I/AAAAAAAAAJA/J3_7RUvxgac/s400/borg-thur-070517-copy-721601.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068162612435904338" /></a><br /><br />It makes me think to myself, "Oh thats right! Take that! God is a she conservative religio-facists! Won't you be surprised when you die! Neener neener neener!"<br /><br />That said, I do send my condolences to his family. Even if he was a stinker it is very sad and unfortunate to lose a loved one.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-7503227618817030192007-05-23T09:13:00.000-07:002007-05-24T19:44:27.001-07:00No pics againI'm almost done with the second fetching for the student at work2. They are the exact same color as the ones I made myself, so I'm ready to be done. I might post a picture of mine vs. the new ones. Mine pilled and got fuzzy really fast.<br /><br />Hopefully my yarn order will get here soon. I am either going to make my sock pal: <br /><a href="http://www.knitty.com/issuewinter06/PATTmonkey.html">monkey socks</a> or <br /><a href="http://www.pepperknit.com/patterns/anastasia.html">Anastasia Socks</a> <br />Maybe. Or I might decide that lace and charted patterns are the devil and go for some good old: <br /><a href="http://www.elann.com/ShowFreePattern.asp?Id=5024">plain socks</a>.<br />I've never done toe up socks before, but hopefully it won't be too horrible. I'm thinking about some Lorna's Laces for yarn. I feel like I'm late to the party for choosing a pattern and yarn, but I want make sure I can actually do more complicated socks before I have any lofty aspirations.<br /><br />In other news I used grumperina's tutorial on cabling without a cable needle and I am now cable needle free! Hooray! Someday perhaps (in the far future) I will be able to take on Clessidra from Knitty. Those are the sexiest socks ever!!<br /><br />And did I mention that I told the students in my 6th period class that I would knit them all wrist bands? There are only five students left at this point, but that is still something I have to keep in mind. I'm going to use the pattern from Stitch N' Bitch, only in the round, with two colors each. Luckily they won't mind acrylic yarn... So five wrist bands are needed by June 14. I wonder if I could do one in about 4 hours? Then I could do one a night at work2. hmmmm.<br /><br />Also on the to do list are sockapalooza socks (duh), two more One Skein Wonders (one for me, one for another friend), the Two Tone Shrug from "Fitted Knits" if the book ever gets to the library, and some wedding gift socks-gloves-slippers-or-something. Thats for now... of course the list is really much longer than that, and will have some man socks and other things slipped in I'm sure.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4419788523940445970.post-40405734867502595192007-05-17T11:01:00.000-07:002007-05-17T11:13:50.317-07:00yarn onlineI placed my first online yarn order yesterday. I got Knit Picks gloss (merino/silk), a hank of bare superwash fingering to kool aid dye and... some palette (100% peruvian wool). I almost bought some more yarn for man socks, but then realized I'd better get crackin' on socks more difficult than 3x1 rib for sockapalooza practice. So more boy socks will have to wait... besides the pair I'm already knitting. The thing that scares me is... guage. Eek! Rachel is not so good at the swatching and gauging.<br /><br />I've also finished one <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTfetching.html">fetching</a> done for the work2 student. She brought me a set of Brittany US 6 dpn's the other day, which was very nice of her. <br /><br />And... I have an job interview tomorrow! It is for a Applied Science/Research place and I'm pretty excited. It would be nice to get a higher paying job that is related to my Psych degree. Wish me luck! With just one job I would have time to do crazy things like... join a knitting group, learn to spin, exercise regularly, ride a bike to work, walk my dog. The mind boggles!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342599916278022891noreply@blogger.com0