The Sinister Knitter

PET PEEVE

2007-02-12T15:26:00.000-08:00

This is my pet peeve(well one of them) people who say please and thank you in one breath.. you know how it goes. 'can you please pass me the monkey brains in jalapeno sauce, pleaseandthankyou'

Its just as bad as people cutting their nails in the subway (actually, cutting your nails anywhere but your bathroom).

We got cocky

2007-01-26T06:59:00.000-08:00

NEVER TAKE WATER AWAY FROM A COMPULSIVE HAND WASHER

Christopher and I live in a bungalow in Toronto (which in winter can be the equivalent of living in the freaking Arctic) We have no basement (primative, I know) and for the past 8 winters, save last year, our pipes have frozen at least once. Last year was quite warm and we had just put in a new furnace so of course it wasn't until 5 am that I realized that we might be losing the water. Now I don't know why (she swallowed a fly) I didn't think to plug in the pipes or find the small heater but I didn't and awoke this morning to NOTHING. Not a drop.

As I said before, we have experienced this many many times, so I went over to Shoppers Drug, bought an 18L bottle of water poured some out for precious tea and other things, filled the toilet and turned on the heater.

Funny enough, a last week I read about dry shampoo. You can buy it and you don't have to wash your hair (great when you have forgotten to get up on time, or just not in the mood) so while I was there I asked about it and they had it but it was REALLY expensive. I thought, okay, I will look up alternatives and if they don't work I will come back. So I found out that you can use Cornstarch and IT WORKS, IT REALLY REALLY WORKS.

I put it into a small container, dipped my fingers in the rubbed it into my hair, tada, no greasy feel which is whyI always wash my hair. Try it, it works.

Now off to make some tea and wait for the water to come back on. Thank heaven I did laundry and ran the dishwasher last night. YAY FOR PURELL.

FUTURAMA

2007-01-17T07:48:00.000-08:00

Way better than the Simpsons. It only lasted 4 seasons. That is always the way.

I recently replied to a girl who was looking for a brain slug for her friend. Knowing it was an easy pattern I decided I could knit it for her. So I did. I started it 4 times before I decided to crochet it. As you may know, I only learned to crochet a few months ago so this was a challenge to say the least. After MANY tries I finally finished him.

I sent him along with some 'canada only' treats to Ireland in exchange for some Irish Stamps. What am I going to do with the stamps? wait and see.

I wound yarn around a pipecleaner that I threaded through his head. It worked out so well. Yay, I crocheted.

oops, i guess its been a while

2007-01-16T18:39:00.000-08:00

I have crapped out on all you guys.. I have been so lazy.

Okay, so what has been going on? Well.. not a heck of a lot.

I have gotten back into sewing, which is a great quick fix cause we all know how long knitting takes. I recently finished a little hoodie for both Tsuki's new daughter and Chris' (hubby) new nephew. I don't have pics yet but am hoping to soon. I knitted the Baby Viking Hat for my friends Norm and Carm's son... So cute, I have never met such a calm baby before ('cept yours tsuk) I knew the hat was for him when I saw it. Here are some photos. Beware the hat is a little large but Norm's brother Niall says that Owen loves it (also see http://sinfulknitter.blogspot.com/2006/04/better-little-too-big-than-too-small.html for the pants I knitted him) on to the pics.

Now the horns have to be adjusted, I am thinking of threading some pipe cleaners through so it can be adjusted, and I haven't had a chance to get over there to do it but you see how amazing it looked on him. Tell me that is not a face for the viking hat.

SOCKS

I have fallen in love with socks. As you might remember I have had some problems with socks, mainly the Jaywalker. It was going well but I got frustrated after I discovered that I had addedd about 16 extra stitches. So I frogged it, well no, i cut it and started again using the 'step by step cheat sheet for socks' from the Knitting Rules book by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. It is the perfect sock pattern, it fits exactly right so I just cast on and away I go. Here are my socks.

Standard Cat photo.

the left one, was Knitpicks Yarn that I dyed myself using Wilton's Icing Dye. It was set up to to be self striping for Jaywalker but it looks just a great in regular sock form.

The right one, was done using Double Knitting yarn. Now i can't remember which kind but as you can see its patchy. This was the way the yarn was but it's ok, it's kinda cool.

And for you knitting freaks, I cast off the toe using the 3 needle method. I can't get the hang of Kitchener stitch for closing the toe, Look. it takes the same amount of time (if you count pulling out and re stitching 7 times using kitchener) and really tidy. This is the way to go I seriously suggest trying it.

Time to go, more sock knitting to do.

CAUTION: Excessive use of the word LOVE

2006-11-22T05:21:00.000-08:00

FINALLY after what was probably the longest pregnancy in the world, Although it did feel that way when Luna and Melia were born, Tsuki had ANOTHER girl (www.scarybaby.blogspot.com)

She was born on November 19th with beautiful black hair and a yawn that makes her look like her sisters (genetics, who'd a thunk it). I went by last night and enjoyed a lovely visit with Tsuki, the baby, the kids (she has a son too, and what a son, I have never met a 9 year old that is so loving towards his siblings) and her parents who I LOVE like my own.

Luna (her 5 year old) ran up to me yesterday and this was the conversation we had.

Luna: Vanessa, guess what? we got another girl.
Vanessa: generic answer
Luna: Do you know what this means??????
Vanessa: generic answer
Luna: It means MORE PRINCESSES and MORE PURSES.

Luna is a girly girl in the grandest sense. She also shares my love for purses. I LOVE THOSE KIDS.

More updayes later when I get photos.

CATS CATS CATS

2006-10-08T16:17:00.000-07:00

These are my cats.

Fiddle

Little miss cheeky climbed into the basket when I took a 5 minute break from folding the laundry.

The Dread Cat DeeDee

DeeDee of the glowing eyes. Makes her look like the little Demon she is.

Cameron the JungleCat

He currently resides with my parents, a beautiful cat that my dad found in a truck yard about 16 years ago. Weighing in at 20lbs (he is a Maine Coon and that's normal for them), he enjoys being bathed, cuddling up to my dad and sitting in the garden.

Thebabycat

Yes, that really is his name, registered at the vet and all. He wasn't supposed to be our cat, we gave him away but he was given back due to his increasingly annoying howl to go out. He is about 13. His one job in life is to frighten people by playing dead on the lawn.

Every time they do this (which is rare) I feel the need to nap.

Elvis has entered the blog

2006-09-28T18:47:00.000-07:00

Tsuki (thank you VERY much) introduced me to www.craftster.org which has ruined my life.

I am obsessed. Everyday all day that's all I can think about. Must CRAFT Must CRAFT.

On Tuesday night I stopped into Fabricland and Bloor and Yonge to get some Ribbon for a wallet I was planning to make. They didn't have the size I needed so I realized that the Wallet will never happen (see last post). On my way out I decided to just run through the rest of the store in case they had the ribbon elsewhere. As I was passing the cutting table there it was in all it's glory. Elvis printed fabric.

What did I do with it?????

Turned it into a purse. Side A is yellow, side B is green. I LOVE IT. I used the jordy bag pattern from Craftster and it turned out beautiful. Chris says it looks store bought. YAY!

Oh and Yes Tuski, I still have my gold bust of Elvis.

well DUH

2006-08-24T05:31:00.000-07:00

So I have posted for a bit (save yesterday) because I have been trying to make myself a new wallet a la Craftster.org (by the way, thanks Tsuki, this site has ruined me for purchased gifts now) Here is the pattern I am trying

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=20925.msg169617#msg169617

I have been trying to work out how I can do this in vinyl but it's not working AT ALL. Last night while riding home it came to me. Do the wallet in Cloth and then I can sew or hot glue gun the cut out I want on to it.

Pics later.

CLENCH and release.

2006-08-23T12:20:00.000-07:00

I have to remind myself to unclench my thighs when I ride the Vespa.

COFFEE

2006-08-11T07:41:00.000-07:00

Oh CRAP

I am now addicted to Tim Hortons COFFEE. I hate coffee. I like anything that tastes like it (yogurt, ice cream, bon bons) but not it. Well at least its slightly more healthy than the French Vanilla Cappucino.

thinking of you Alan.

Now I have to learn to crochet

2006-08-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

Saturday night I was looking around on Crafster.org (thanks A LOT Tsuki) and kept seeing posts about these animals called Amigurumi. So I typed it in and found this link

http://www.roxycraft.com/amigurumianimals_info.htm

How freaking cute are these. So on impulse (and I never shop on impulse) i bought the pattern off of roxycraft's site. By the next morning it had arrived in my email and I opened it.

It was crochet.

I can't crochet.

now I have to learn to crochet.

White Vespa parked in front of Yarn Store = Vanessa

2006-07-28T06:26:00.000-07:00

There is this yarn/sewing place on O'Connor, last night in a last ditch attempt to purchase the'right' yarn for a project, I went there. As I was standing speaking with the lady someone came up and stood just off to my right. thinking it was another sales person, I didn't pay attention... I know, how rude... then I felt someone touching my hair. I turned around and it was Niall. He had seen me driving up Woodbine and called Chris. He saw the bike and came in. he is so cute. He hung around while I found the yarn I was looking for. It's really nice and pretty and soft. Super bulky so I only have to knit with one strand instead of 2 held together like the pattern says. YAY!

Sometimes you just have to roll your eyes at yourself

2006-07-27T06:32:00.000-07:00

So this morning I got up and got ready to drive myself into work. I go outside, unlock Peggy or as Chris prefers to call her 'super fast go go bike', put on my helmet, get comfortable and off I went.

About 1/4 of the way down the road the bike stalled and I coasted (quite nicely) to the side of the road. I hopped off and kicked her over and nothing happened. Thinking it might have stalled because it is wet, I reach down to pull out the choke and that waswhen I noticed that I had not turned on the gas.

I am making a check list to go inside the glove box door.

Songs in my head

2006-07-21T09:35:00.000-07:00

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Oh you pretty Chitty Bang Bang,Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
We love you.
And, inChitty Chitty Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
What we'll do.
Near, far, in our motor car Oh what a happy time we'll spend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.
Chitty Bang BangChitty Bang
Chitty Bang BangChitty Bang

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Oh you pretty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang BangWe love you.
And, inChitty Chitty Bang BangChitty Chitty Bang Bang
What we'll do.
Near, far, in our motor carOh what a happy time we'll spend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.

Your sleek as a thoroughbred.
Your seats are a feather bed.
You'll turn everybody's head today.
We'll glide on our motor trip
With pride in our ownership
The envy of all we survey.

Oh Chitty You ChittyPretty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang BangWe love you.
And Chitty, in ChittyPretty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang what we'll do.
Near Chitty, far Chitty, in our motor car
Oh what a happy time we'll spend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.....

(hold)Chitty Chitty Bang BangChitty Chitty Bang BangFine four fendered Chitty Chitty friend.

It has to get worse before it gets better

2006-07-21T05:55:00.000-07:00

First off. thank you Chris and Niall for cleaning out the shed. On Wednesday night Niall was talking about getting his scoot on the road. He was looking for parts and I invited him to our 'place where parts go to die' to find some. He said that he would come over and help Chris clear out the shed (in which Mr. Raccoon had been living) and in turn take what he needed. Well it was raining when I got home so I didn't really expect them to have done anything but then when I went to the back of the house and looked out the door, this is what I saw.
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That's just what was on the ground. they hadn't even done the 4 6 foot shelves and what was hanging. I will let you know when the part sale is.

You have got to be kidding me

2006-07-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

Just finished sock #2. All excited about wearing my first pair of hand knitted socks. Tried it on. It's too narrow.

Options (as suggested by Linzknits.blogspot.com)

1) rip one out, try again
2) hope you have enough yarn for another one... knit it, see which one it matches... rip the other one out
3) if you have a lot of yarn, knit 2 more, one in each tension so you'll have 2 pairs that match.
4) leave them how they are. If they're not that different, they'll shape to your feet anyway.

Well the only option that won't work is #4. The first one, that fits well by the way, ismuch larger. I might have to knit a new second sock.

Next time: 2 Socks on 2 needles. Knit them at the same time.

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATTstraightlaced.html

Initiation

2006-07-17T10:36:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh the first kickstart bruise of the summer.

I have the utmost appreciation for....

2006-07-15T23:44:00.000-07:00

Anita and Chris and all the other people in the world who choose to double up on a vespa. I just drove home with Chris on the back and it was HARD my arms are aching and I am exhausted from the stress of it. It's really hard to manage.

Let me tell you a little story.....

I started dating Chris in September 1996. In May 1997 was the annual Tundra Schmucks Scooter Rally on the American side of Niagara Falls. That year, Chris was riding his brother's bike which was only a 1 seater. I wanted to go but had no seat. Anita, graciously, offered to take me on hers even though she had only broken up with Chris just before I started dating him.

Well, that was a trip to remember. It was May, Raining, Midnight before we left and COLD. We (I use the royal 'we') decided that to make up time, we would jump on the QEW, just for a minute... Well, Dave who was our leader that night got ahead of the rest of us and although he wanted to get off and we wanted to get off didn't for fear of losing us (I think). So here I am, QEW 2 am, POURING rain, doubled up with Anita, following Dave on his cut down Lambretta, Niall on his Lambretta and Chris on his brother's P2 cut down. It was scary when I think about it.

We drove along for quite some time and I don't know what time it was when we were pulled over but this really nice cop stopped us and told us that we had lost someone. Niall had seized his bike ages back and these cops had who been watching us insane people on 150cc, 180 cc and 200 cc (the top speed on a vespa P200 is 120k and believe me you DO NOT want to do that) scooters drive along the freaking highway. Well, Niall eventually caught up and we managed to get to Niagara in one piece, 6:30 am on Saturday morning. I remember the time because we couldn't buy beer until 7 am. To finish this story quickly, we had a great time, drove back and I REALLY appreciate Anita for 1) driving me to Niagara and 2) Doubling me up all the way there and back. And people wonder why she was a bridesmaid?

I also Appreciate Chris who drove me to Mallory Town (outside Kingston) with the above mentioned people on his 150 cc Lambretta. The story is a good one, and I will tell it later but lets just mention that it took us 22 hours to get there and 18 to get back.

don't get me wrong, it is scary

2006-07-12T06:51:00.000-07:00

but I LOVE riding my Vespa. It's unnerving being in traffic without anything but air around you and the uncomfortable lacking a seat belt feeling. Sadly I won't be taking it to Port Burwell next week. It's nearly a 3 hour drive in a car, on a scoot it would take over 6 probably more and how can I enjoy a rally if I am sleeping????

I forgot

2006-07-06T12:42:00.000-07:00

How incredibly hot Chris looks on a scooter. ME-OW.

what do these things have in common?

2006-07-05T07:58:00.000-07:00

El Chupacabra, The Sasquatch, UFO's, the Lochness monster and DeeDee Armstrong

They are seldom photographed.
For some unknown reason, DeeDee runs everytime you show her a camera.
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have you seen my sock?

2006-07-05T07:52:00.000-07:00

This is how the conversation went.

Door opens, chris pops head out....

'what are you doing?'

Vanessa with Leg up on Vespa ...

'taking pictures of my sock'

Chris says

'okay, just wondering'

and closes door.

Nothing, not even a double take. He just accepted the fact that I was standing outside at 9 pm on a monday night, leg up on the vespa taking photos of my sock. I can't shock him anymore. Here is my sock (and my Vespa)

Look what Natalie and Glen sent me.

2006-07-05T07:32:00.000-07:00

You bet I am making it though not as ugly.

The Lord of the Rings

2006-07-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

a good story for today. I really have to sit down and blog.
Last night Chris got free tickets to Lord of the rings through his work. The show was okay as long as you forgot it was about Lord of the rings, it really didn't follow the storyline well but the show was good (you should have heard the singing).
Anyway... It was intermission and they were calling for people to go in (I didn't think it would be that short) so I ran into the bathroom just in case the 2nd part was going to be long.. unable to go cause of the time pressure (equivalent to someone standing outside the door yelling I can hear you peeing) I washed my hands in the weirdest most annoying sink in the world and ran to the door. I stopped dead in front of this lady who was coming in so i stepped to the right, she stepped to the left, I stepped to the left, she stepped to the right. I was starting to giggle about doing this dance when I realized that the person I was dancing with was ME. The door had been polished to a high black sheen and it was dark and I was in a rush and I never look people in the eye on account of my eye-phobia so all I saw was a body in front of me.
thank heaven I was alone in the bathroom. I can't imagine what someone might have thought seeing me dance with myself.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? NO! it's a giant Mosquito

2006-06-29T07:37:00.000-07:00

June 23 I found the best means of strength training EVER. Pushing a 300 + lb Vespa from 5 blocks. I was on my way to the mechanic to get certified and one guy on a motorcycle did show some interest in helping me but I explained that the reason why I was pushing instead of riding was that I didn't have a plate. Saturday morning I RAN to the misnistry by my house and registered the bike as MINE. MINE. MINE. The ministry lady asked me if I had insurance (of course I didn't) because I didn't I wasn't supposed to get my plate but she was kind, asked me if I planned to ride without insurance which is a big NO so she gave me my plate. WEEEEEEEEE..

June 26th I got my insurance. I again RAN home and hopped on. Now I was nervous, practically shaking (well I was shaking but that could have been caffiene) and I drove over to Canadian Tire to get a plate holder (I tacked on the plate with one screw). I started off and was doing quite well on the back streets to Canadian Tire but when I got to Main and Danforth I realized I would have to cross tracks that were parallel. I have done it before but they really frighten me. So I decided to ride across Danforth, turn around and and make a right onto Danforth instead. I was doing ok until I got across the road and the bike started revving, really revving. I pulled in the clutch (as Chris has told me to do when in doubt) and stopped.(thank heaven) I turned off the bike and waited, shaking, no cell phone to call Chris. I then started up and drove over to the tire. I called Chris from there and we decided that my throttle cable probably needed to be oiled. so I drove home (it happened 2 more times) and that's all the riding I have done this week.

July 3, 2006- Turns out that on some Vespa's the throttle doesn't snap back into place. there was nothing wrong with it, that was until I fiddle'd (not the CAT)with the choke. now it stalls on turns. Chris has to fix it for me.

The best site EVER

2006-06-28T05:49:00.000-07:00

http://hitlercats.motime.com/

This cat is the best.

ahhh Wednesdays.

MOP DOG

2006-06-19T05:35:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah and yesterday… on my way to High Tea, I saw this girl dragging her mop dog behind her. I figure that she didn’t notice that it had sat down and just kept pulling. So down the stairs she went and Ms. Dog as I could see went sliding down. OUCH. So I stopped her at the landing and told her that the dog was not walking and she looked at me, looked at the dog and told me that it was just being lazy and that it was walking but when she tugged on the leash the dog just ‘cleaned up the landing’ did not walk.. So here I am standing in my dress, little purse and strappy sandals and looking at this ‘prosti-tot’ at Chris’ friend Jackie calls them and she is looking at the dog like ‘well what am I to do about it’ so I looked at her, reached down, and picked up the dog and started down the stairs. She quickly took her back from me. I mean, it’s not like it was a Shepard or a Boarhound. It was a mop.

By George......

2006-06-19T05:04:00.000-07:00

I think I have kicked it. I think I have kicked the THFVC habit. When I came in this morning I did not crave it AT ALL. I actually went to Tims and decided that I wanted a tea instead. That might be because...

Yesterday the Lovely Laura invited several of her friends (me included) to HIGH TEA (say it in your haughties British accent) at the Windsor Arms. It was lovely, lots of Devonshire cream to go around. Scones, Petite Fours, itty bitty sandwiches and best of all TEA. Mmmmm Tea. Thank you Lovely Laura now I am spoiled and I want High Tea everyday. DAMN. Why am I not royalty?

DO NOT knit on the subway

2006-06-16T10:23:00.000-07:00

I was on the train last night when I decided that I had somehow messed up a few rows of jaywalker. So i of course, decided to pull out the needles and frog and put them back in. all was well until I put the 1st needle in and then I dropped my needle. Down between the seat and the wall. yep.

So I grab one of my other needles and try and fish it out.. I dropped the other needle. I had 4 stops to try and get these needles out (most people wouldn't bother but I leave no man nor needle behind.

I pull out my trusty jaywalker pattern and fold it in half. there is 4 pages so I had 8 total and stuck it down between the seat and the wall. Luckly I managed to get both needles out right before I had to get off. Whew. By the way, the jaywalker socks are turning out great. The software for my camera is being funny so I will download the pics to my computer at work and post them next week.

By the way, in typical germaphobe style, I put the needles in a small bag in my purse and carried on with 2 clean ones. Thank you yarn harlot for telling me that I should carry spare needles.

Well, it's worth a try

2006-06-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

I am trying to beat my addiction to THFVC by drinking chocolate milk instead. I started yesterday morning and so far I am ok, no DTs yet.

A pigeon story

2006-06-09T08:06:00.000-07:00

IsnÂt she beautiful? The P2 I mean

I have the best but long story so get some coffee and sit down.

On Wednesday night I took Chris to volleyball. He had asked me to stick around but I was dead tired and said no. On my way home I saw a dead pigeon on the road. Normally I would look away but something about this bird was weird. So I circled back and lo and behold there was a live pigeon sitting in the middle of Lawrence Ave. Well naturally I scooped it up and put it on the floor of the passenger side. I drove home and the little bird was ok until I got to the street behind me, then he started to fuss and I started to freak I mean I have a live large bird in my car. So I slowed down and started begging it to please calm down, looking around, there was a guy staring at me begging an empty seat to calm down. CRAZY.

I got home and called one of the ladies at work, she knows of a sanctuary and she had given me a sheet with info on it and she wasn't home.
CRAP. Live bird in car, no 'grown ups'.

I called the humane society and they told me to bring it down. I drove down the Bayview extension and up to River street and there was a Vespa P200 for sale. I wrote down the number and proceeded to the humane society. Sadly Mr. Bird was to hurt to make it so they had to put him down. I feel ok about it though, it would have been a horrible way to meet the nest in the sky if he had been run over. The lady promised it would be quick and painless.

On my way back the P2 was being put away for the night. I pulled into the driveway and spoke to a man who was selling it. We decided that it was a good price and I thought it was in good condition (although anything that starts on the first kick is in good condition, I can't tell you how many times I have had to run up and down the street trying to help Chris bump start). I tried to kick it over but the starter just kept moving, it usually stops, the guy pushes me aside (nicely) and puts the key in the ignition. IGNITION, imagine that none of ours have one it was kinda embarrassing.

So last night I went to get a trip ticket so I could drive it home. Well I needed insurance and I didn't have my insurance papers. Chris did. So I got Chris and went to get the plate and they said I needed the ownership. So I went down to get the bike and chris tried it out. The guy needed Cash, I couldn't explain money order to him 4 banks and some stress about depositing the money orders to take out cash, I had it. All but 2 bills in 20s. Needless to say, I got the bike and Chris rode it home, with me on his tail, plateless. Ah well. I love it. I shall give it a name that befits the little bird that helped me to find it.

Meanwhile.....

Fiddle found a mouse.

I couldn't figure out why she kept looking at the corner of the bedroom (I couldn't figure out WHY she was in the bedroom, she has shunned it for the past 6 months or more). Eventually I found Monsiour Mouse. I opened the back door for him but he just ran up the screen. I left the screen open and closed the main door. About 20 minutes later he left and probably went back under my house

Did you know that mice run 9 miles an hour?

This was the week

2006-06-08T06:18:00.000-07:00

This was the week I was going to try and kick the Tim Horton’s habit and I did really well for the past 2 days, this morning I caved but Rome wasn’t built in a day. Then, when I got into work, one of our doctor’s who just got his Master’s degree treated the entire office to breakfast and I have already consumed way too much sugar and carbs. I know, I know, just say no but who can say no to a chocolate croissant? Oh well, there is always next week.

Day 2, beating the addiction

2006-06-07T06:47:00.000-07:00

It is 9:29 am and I have managed to NOT succumb to TH’s FVC. However, I did succumb to a TH’s chocolate dip doughnut.

My theory is that it’s not so much the FVC it’s the sugar and the habit. Saturday and Sundays I don’t crave it and I am good until I walk into the hospital.

On a lighter note… one of the ladies here won 7.5 million dollars on an old lottery ticket. I can honestly say that I am so thrilled for her. She was having such a tough time and she really deserves it.

Also, my parents just bought a new car. It’s a Jeep Liberty this is how the conversation went.

(in true scooterist fashion)

ME: That’s great, … does it have a trailer hitch?
MOM: No, why? What would I need to tow?
ME: Two Vespa’s.
MOM: (very slow) oh.

Well I never professed to be tactful.

AND I have 2 cat updates. Yesterday I was at my parents for their 36th anniversary and my dad’s 50th anniversary (arriving in Canada). Our Baby Cat (yes, that’s his name even if my brother won’t call him that) a 14 year old orange cat, has started his annual summer job. Guarding the front lawn. There will be pictures soon. Fiddle, well, last night I was filling the laundry tub to do laundry and hadn’t put any soap in. I was standing in the kitchen when I heard this noise…

It was fiddle, on the washer, drinking out if it. I have photos and a video. I will add them soon.
It’s is now 9:43 and TH has no control over me.

Beating the Tim Horton’s French Vanilla Cappuccino Addiction.

2006-06-06T05:15:00.000-07:00

Day 1, 8 am… Trying to replace THFVC with Tea. Not working.
Day 1, 8:30 am..... Stupid THFVC but there is rumor of cake.
Day 1, 9:46 am.. Just had cake to satisfy the sugar craving (there was cake) now debating REGULAR coffee.

Aspirations

2006-06-02T08:27:00.000-07:00

http://lacismuseum.org/debbie_new.html

WOW

2006-05-31T14:31:00.000-07:00

WOW

I call it BRUISE

2006-05-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this color. It was dyed with Wilton's Icing Dye
and it's so beautiful. I had to photograph it with the Vespa as it was wound at the Annual Niagara Scooter Rally in my tent. Just imagine, one 10x10 tent, one skein of 18 foot yarn. It was interesting. Here are some photos of it

Rob and Chris Chris and Lauren

Chris andJames (Alby)

a beer can is excellent for winding yarn

I have a second ball of yarn but its too small to be sent to my Dye-O-Rama pal. However, I do have pictures of trying to untangle and dye that yarn.

Fiddle (of course)
Glowing Fiddle, Krishna and Lindsay(linzknits) in background

i had the most glorious dream last night

2006-05-16T06:36:00.000-07:00

I found yellow koolaid.

dyeing to dye with KOOLAID

2006-05-15T10:12:00.000-07:00

http://www.linzknits.blogspot.com/

The luscious Lindsay taught me how to dye yarn on Saturday. I have photo's of how mine turned out but you will have to wait for that. There is a lovely picture of fiddle but none of Lindsay. We only dyed about 1/3 of my skein of yarn and it came out perfect after I made a mess of it (I had dyed it orange, red and purple and when it was finished in the microwave it looked like crap so we stuck it in a pot of hot red koolaid and it's beautiful now)

Lindsay and I have another date on the 22nd to finished and prepare our sock yarn for the dye-o-rama swap, I am obessed with getting koolaid now. I want to stop everywhere to see what colors they have.

I also realized on Saturday morning while waiting to purchase Chris' birthday gift, KMFDM an dknitting are an odd couple.

2006-05-15T06:24:00.000-07:00

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. A hedgehog on a vespa. Now I REALLY want a Hedgehog. Think of it.. It's the perfect rodent to have with Cats. The first time they try and eat it will be the last.

Cabling, where have you been all my life?

2006-05-03T05:25:00.000-07:00

So i started cabling last night. I got 3 rows in when I discovered that i had dropped 2 stitches. Oh well. I frogged down to the beginning of the cables. I found myself begging with fiddle to wait for their treats while I did 'one more row'. Ohhhh I like it though sometimes i find it a bit hard to knit the stitches. That will probably come with more practice. I am making myself a pair of wrist warmers with a celtic band and the top of the arm (I was going to do the wrist but now that I think about it, nah.. although it will be hard to wait until I knit enough rows to start the cables. 28 rows got me to the wrist so i figure another 28 and then the 16 rows of cables.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE MAUREEN

2006-04-26T03:48:00.000-07:00

WE LURVE YOU. If I wasn't related to you already I would..... wait techinically I am not.. want to run away with me?

2006-04-19T05:41:00.000-07:00

My pirate name is:

Black Bess Kidd

Like anyone confronted with the harshness of robbery on the high seas, you can be pessimistic at times. Even though you're not always the traditional swaggering gallant, your steadiness and planning make you a fine, reliable pirate. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from fidius.org.

Better a little too big than too small

2006-04-15T03:32:00.000-07:00

Our friends Norm and Carm had this little man about 5 weeks ago. His name is Owen and he is the sweetest little guy known. As soon as I found out he had been born, I knew I had to make these little jeans http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTblu.html. Believe me it was hard to give them up but who else would wear them? Fiddle? DeeDee? I am so pleased that Carm and Norm liked them so much that Owen wore them to his first ever party.

Here are the photos that Carm was kind enough to send me. I am so in love with him that Chris better be careful or I am leaving him for a 5 weeks old (does that count as robbing the cradle?)
Thanks again for the photos Carm and Norm.

Yarn for Swap

2006-04-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

I have posted this on the knitty coffeeshop board http://knittyboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=27731. I didn't realize just how much there was.

Shiver me timbers I am freaking out

2006-04-07T14:46:00.000-07:00

I came home today to find a note in my letterbox telling me I have a package. I have been asking Chris all week to check the mail . I jumped into the car and did the speed limit all the way over to the post office. This is what I got and before I show you I have to say THANK YOU JENN NIPPERKNITS I would never have known happiness could be found in a box if it wasn't for you.
Here it is.

I got (from left to right) Cable needles, Truffle chocolate (too bad I have a headache today) A DASHBOARD PIRATE (eeeeeeeeeeee) Pirate TATTOOS, a darning needle for my knitting which is great cause I keep losing mine) 2 balls of beautiful 100% wool self striping yarn, A PIRATE KEYCHAIN and the absolutely most gorgeus wrist warmers. I can't tell you how beautiful they are and the photo does not do them justice but LOOK (and Picot edges too)

THANK YOU SO MUCH LAUREL IN SEATTLE. I LOVE IT, I LOVE THEM, I LOVE YOU.

oh yeah, and the cats left me a nice 'I love you gift' in the hall. Chris will be burying it when he comes home. 10:39 pm. The mouse was actually a small ball of yarn. I can't believe that I spent the night afraid of a small ball of yarn, I even covered it up.

YARRRRRRRR whars the booty?

2006-04-06T17:05:00.000-07:00

I am so relieved. My Pirate Booty Swap partner got her package and she loved it
http://heatherknits.typepad.com/_knits/2006/04/whose_got_the_g.html#comment-15907811This swap was so much fun even thought I was a bit stressed out on what to do (it was my first swap) I am thinking of starting my own swap ala Jenn http://www.nipperknits.com/archives/week_2006_02_19.html#000266

Lets see... I love pirates; but that's been done. I love Cats; I don't know about that ....although we could call it pussyswap. I love Zombies so how about a Zombie swap? Anyone interested?

Slither and knitting with 4 needles

2006-04-03T06:20:00.000-07:00

I have had the best weekend. On Friday night we were invited to my friend Krishna's mother's 60th birthday party. It was lovely. We were seated at a table with 2 other couples and a lady who were all over 50. I have to say I was a bit worried about conversation but these people were great. They were all educators, 1 was a social worker, 2 were guidance counselors, 1 was a PRINCIPAL and the other a special ed teacher. Chris and I had a great time.

On Saturday I insisted we go see SLITHER. What a fantastic movie. I was actually jumping. It was scary and funny and it starred Nathan Fillion from Firefly/Serenity http://www.fireflyfans.net/ I am SO naming my first born after him.

At any rate, go see Slither, aliens and zombies how can you go wrong?. It is amazing (wait till you see the bathtub scene).

Sunday I finished Niall's hat FINALLY. I had finished it about 2 months ago but it was too small, I took it back and enlarged it but it was too big. I had to undo it again and try and get it right. When I got to the decreases (I didn't pull the whole thing out..I am not that insane) I found that the top of the hat was bumpy so I tried the 4 needle thing (for you non knitters, this is how socks are usually done. 3 needles holding the stitches and one to knit with.

I have tried this once or twice before but it's tricky as the needles are double pointed and tend to fall of the end ( I fixed that by putting my needle protector on the bottom of the needles I wasn't using) and SUCCESS. Now if it's still not okay then I am NEVER knitting anything for Niall again.

2 ultra strength tylenol = 140 mg of caffine

2006-03-30T04:23:00.000-08:00

NOTE TO SELF: DO NOT TAKE 2 ULTRA STRENGTH TYLENOL AT MIDNIGHT.

what do you do when your husband is not home????

2006-03-29T23:56:00.000-08:00

Rent a carpet cleaner and clean the furniture DUH. Tonight when I got home from work I sat down on my favorite chair and prepared to do some knitting. Then it hit me. A strange smell and I thought, that's it. I can't stand it anymore. Now mind you, it's been 6 years that we have had this furniture and there have been several parties, poker nightsand people crashing on it. A few weeks ago I had decided to clean the couch, the carpets in the front hall and the spare room, I hadn't gotten around to it yet and what better time than on a Wednesday night while Chris is at volleyball??? SO off I went to home depot, got a cleaner, came home and proceeded to spend 1/2 hour trying to figure out how it worked (the instructions sucked). I had to call home depot TWICE. To make a long story short. 2 hours (would have been less if I hadn't stopped to watch Coronation Street) and one clean house. It's now 3 am and I am awake. I don't know if it's adrenaline coursing through my veins or what but man it's frustrating.

it's okay NOT to knit

2006-03-29T07:55:00.000-08:00

right? I don't have to knit every night. I kept starting projects last night and getting nowhere. I frogged the hourglass sweater and have decided to use the yarn to make 'nothing but a t-shirt' (see link). I am feeling a bit overwhelmed though as it's is 76 stitches per row for the front and the back. It will take a while. I also plan to do a picot edge
at the cuffs and waist so I can wear it to work and it not look too casual. I was hoping to do it on circular needles but I am wary due to the hourglass incident. I don't know. Chris says to do some smaller projects (like finishing the hat I made for Niall and Dan) to get a sense of accomplishment and that is a great idea. I also have to start a gnome hat for Unkie Rob and have that done before the Rally on the May long weekend. What was I thinking?

A little extra love

2006-03-06T08:42:00.000-08:00

thank you Lindsay. I would never be able to sort out this button thing.
So everyone knows... Lindsay has helped me with all the buttons on my site as well as the medal and the scarf/hat/sweater things (i don't know what to call it). I have tried to figure it out myself but alas, it's all HTML to me.

Thanks Lindsay.

BOOTY CALL

2006-03-05T19:05:00.001-08:00

I have joined the booty swap.
http://www.nipperknits.com/archives/week_2006_02_19.html#000266

Like the sock swap sockapalooza http://alison.knitsmiths.us/cat_sockapalooza.html or secret pal, you send and receive anonymous gifts. This one is all PIRATE THEMED.

YAY!

oh and I don't know how to add a button ... Lindsay?

One more thing, Deedee is really soft and both cats are very sparky (it's really dry in this house)

Much like the loch ness monster

2006-03-03T18:07:00.000-08:00

Perhaps you haven't heard the story of the loch ness monster.

http://web.archive.org/web/20010108034800/www.yarnfwd.com/nessy.html

I tried and tried and tried to knit this. I cannot tell you how hard it was. It's a simple pattern but it was cursed. Well I am going to say the same thing about the sweater. It's making me mental. I knit for hours and then discover that for some reason or another I have to frog. I may try it again later but for now it's just a U.F.O. (unfinished object)

I am going to knit something that I can finish.

Clothes? we don't need no stinkin' clothes

2006-03-03T13:41:00.000-08:00

I just emptied my closet to make room for my yarn. There is a lot and I laugh because all the articles I have read say that knitters collect yarn like ants collect food for the winter.

I was looking on www.knitty.com and they have an article about storing yarn, as I was looking around the spare room (more commonly known as Chris' room) I realized that the over the door shoe rack would be a fantastic idea. Now if I can convince Chris to let me use our closet door in the bedroom that would be fab (the outside of the door of course. I must advertise)

I will let you know what happens.

Um.. this is embarrassing...Hi my name is Vanessa and I am a yarnaholic

2006-03-01T17:29:00.000-08:00

Lewiscraft is going out of business. That means Yarn is 30% off. I went to Lewiscraft by my house tonight with the INTENTION of running in and leaving. I told Chris and my friend Jim to meet me at the doors in a few minutes (they were off elsewhere) well the minute I got in there I realized that this wasn't going to work. I ran outside and asked Jim to take Chris to volleyball and meet me back at the plaza where I would drive him home.

I got some yarn, 7 balls of Baretta at $1.75 a ball. I don't know where I am going to put it. Chris' large rubbermaid container looks pretty good right now.

It must be a little like Heroin

2006-02-28T05:59:00.000-08:00

I can’t stop knitting cold turkey. You can’t expect me to just ‘take a break’. I have to wean myself off the needles.
Last night I promised myself that after the Olympics I was going to take a few days off. It was REALLY hard. All I wanted to do was fix the mistakes in my hourglass sweater but I had vowed not to knit. So what did I do? I frogged. I frogged my little heart out. I needed to fix the neckline of my sweater so I started pulling, it was very soothing and technically I didn’t knit. Yay for me.

Just to give you an idea.

2006-02-27T06:35:00.000-08:00

I know I shouldn’t complain but before ANY of you ask me to knit you a sweater let me tell you about my hourglass sweater.

FROGGING: the art of yanking out all of your project.

First 2 times I cast on the yarn was twisted so frogged it. The 3rd time I knit the whole hem and discovered that the join wasn’t ‘up to snuff’ so frogged it (I was watching son-in-law with Pauly Shore so I remember). So here I am 3 tries and nothing. Ok. So I feel frustrated and spend all day Sunday trying to talk myself out of making this sweater BUT realizing I can’t stop now and I can’t find anything to use the yarn for. So I start again.

It’s cast on, it’s going. I am doing well except I put some yarn in the stitches to use as lifelines in case I have to frog. This is the best idea I have ever had.

I pull out the lines and discover that I have bumps and it’s noticeable. I go on line to the team Canada blogsite and 2 seasoned knitters tell me that it’s probably going to show even if I block it. So I try to block it (wash and let it dry in the position you want it) Nope, not going to work. Fine. I will pull out the offending yarn down to the first lifeline mark.

I steam the frogged yarn to make it straight (start working on the sleeves meanwhile) and when it was dry I start to knit. HUGE PROBLEM. The new knitted rows don’t match up to the other knitted rows. CRAP CRAP CRAP. Fine. I decide to pull it out all the way to the hem line and start again (this is like Thursday last week). I start to curse and swear and decide that this damn sweater is driving me mad. I restart from the bottom. It’s going well. Really well. Everything is fantastic nothing can go wrong right? I have a few small errors but I will not frog again so the heck with it.

I get to the sleeves (which knitted up perfectly) I put them on the circular needles with the bodice (is that what you call it in knitting?). This is Saturday night at 11 pm. I have friends over. Everything is good. I start the Yoke. I discover that I have been slipping the stitches instead of slipping then knitting them. Out it comes. Back on the circ needles with the sleeves. I am going it’s great. It might be done for Sunday. What do I discover halfway through? The yoke line. The stitches that were slipped to make it look nice, well I have one at the front and one at the back. Yes. one at the front and one at the back. I have just lost 4 hours of work. It’s 3 am. No problem I can handle this.

Sunday morning I start again on the yoke. I get it done last night at 11 pm. I photograph it, put it on the blogs and then try it on. The neck is too big. I will be frogging next week.

I think I definately deserve this t-shirt http://www.cafepress.com/knitty/1233482

I thought it would be the end of me.

2006-02-26T19:49:00.000-08:00

DONE! The hourglass sweater. This was my first sweater and possibly my last (see previous postings) It's been a challenge but that's what the olympics are for... right?

So last night

2006-02-24T06:06:00.000-08:00

I was steadily making progess on my hourglass. I was feeling a bit excited that the body would be done soon as I only had to get to the bottom of the first page. Then I turned the page over and realized that after the sleeves I still had to do the yoke. Another 50 or 60 rounds to go plus 1/2 a sleeve. I may have to bring this to the pub with me on Sunday.

Death cannot stop true love-it can only delay it for awhile.

2006-02-22T11:08:00.000-08:00

Okay, It’s a line from Princess Bride but it kinda fits. Chris and I went on a date last night. We went for Curry and then to see Underworld-Evolution, it’s about vampires vs werewolves. How was it? FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC. We saw the first one in the theatres and I found it to be a bit confusing. When we saw it again I understood it more and it was pretty good. When we went to see the second one I really understood the first one and really really enjoyed the second. It was great and I honestly and highly recommend it.

The pain, the pain

2006-02-21T07:06:00.000-08:00

I have pain in my hand. Strangly enough not when I am knitting. Is this a sign?On the brighter side. I am into the third round of decreases on my hourglass sweater and one and a half sleeves are done. Maybe.. just maybe...

Back ON

2006-02-13T05:40:00.000-08:00

After much pondering and a day off I have decided to restart the hourglass. Thank you NotanArtist for the kind words of encouragement. I casted on last night and managed to get 8 rows done. I am debating taking it to work with me to make up for lost time but who knows if I will be able to do any when I am there anyway (I should have taken vacation). SarahJanet, you have inspired me to do socks. After hearing how easy it was and looking at my stash of very small balls of leftover yarn, I will try after the olympics. Off to work.

Doomed I tell you

2006-02-12T06:46:00.001-08:00

After 4 false starts I have decided that my hourglass sweater is cursed too. Everytime I get somewhere I discover that something is wrong. Last night after I finally got the hem done in this style http://marniemaclean.com/words/2005/01/no-sew-hem.html I discovered that the join wasn't looking so good and frogged it. I restarted last night with the regular hem and found out that it was twisted after 5 rows. SO, TO HECK WITH IT, I am switching to socks, since I have never tried them before.

I was casting on OKAY?

2006-02-11T09:49:00.000-08:00

Not the most flattering of photos

COUNT DOWN

2006-02-09T06:39:00.000-08:00

I am so excited. The knitting olympics start tomorrow night at 7 pm. I have decided on the hourglass sweater (the orange one) and have picked out my yarn. It's a beautiful royal purple cotton yarn (from Greece!). I had picked some out on Sunday but decided that I was not happy with the color so I called Tsuki and asked her to go with me to change it. Matt was supposed to come home and watch the kids but he was running late so Tsuki and I piled her 7, 4 and 2 year old into my Saturn, it was a tight fit to say the least) and dragged the children off with promises of Tim Horton's if they were good (bribery gets you everywhere). The kids were great and very cute "Banessa, look at the yarn" and and lady at the Wool Mill was very kind and indulgent.
So I am ready. I don't know if I can wait another day to start. Oh and at last count there were 3300 people involved in the knitting olympics.

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

2006-01-26T16:11:00.001-08:00

http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTtubey.html .com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTtubey.html

I was looking for something to knit until the Olympics. As I browsed through knitty. I discovered this little gem. I wanted to make it before but forgot about it. I now have a serious problem. I can't decide between this and

this. and this.

Pros and Cons ( I have been reading Bridget Jones's diary and have now found self to be thinking like fictional character).

PRO: Tubey can be worn at work and play
CON: Tubey is very complicated and knitted shrug style, my shrug took 1 week on big needles, I have only 16 days.

PRO: Janda is a much easier pattern
CON: Janda can be worn at work but VERY relaxed so maybe only on days when I have no chance of seeing a patient.

PRO: Hourglass Sweater (orange) is by far the easiest
CON: a little boring but this IS my first sweater.

HOWEVER. I do not have to have the whole top done in the 16 days. I can only do say up to the armpits or in the case of Tubey just the shrug part and if I get more done, BONUS. Decisions Decisions. ANY SUGGESTIONS??????

Tagged by Tsuki

2006-01-23T07:34:00.000-08:00

Four Jobs You Have Had In Your Life

Counter help in a bakery
Cashier at Marks and Spencer
Secretary at a temp agency (for the temps, I actually worked there)
Secretary for a Urologist (ewwwww Pee)

Four Movies You Could Watch Over and Over

The Princess Bride (I have "As You Wish" engraved in both of our wedding rings)
Idle Hands (ooooooo disembodied hands)
Can’t Hardly Wait (welcome to the jungle)
Sugar and Spice (5 cheerleaders rob a bank dressed as pregnant betty dolls)

Four TV Shows You Love to Watch

Coronation Street
House
Deperate Housewives
Prison Break

Four places you have lived

Toronto
Oakville (there is nothing there)
Toronto and
Toronto

Four Places You Have Been On Vacation

Scotland
England
Margarita Islands
Florida

Four Websites You Visit Daily

AllRecipes
Linzknits.blogspot.com
Scarybaby.blogspot.com
Stuffonmycat.com

Four Of Your Favorite Foods

Chocolate
Tim Horton’s French Vanilla Cappucino
Anything Coffee Flavored
Tea (but only orange pekoe, that fancy stuff isn’t tea)

Four Places You Would Rather be Right Now

At home knitting.
Sleeping (we all know how much I love that)
At home with hubby and cats (awww, disgusting ain’t it)
At parents house with parents and cats and possibly hubby

Four favourite books

Mists of Avalon (thank you Kim’s mom)Aztec series
Bridget Jones’s diary 1 and 2
Harry Potter
Outlander series

4 People to tag

Anita
Kim
Niall
Maureen
Lindsay (okay 5)

THE KNITTING OLYMPICS

2006-01-21T17:15:00.000-08:00

Yay the knitting olympics. It starts on Feb 10 and ends on Feb 26. I have 16 days to complete something that I have never tried before. What have I chosen? The Janda Hoodie from my knitwit book. It's a hoodie without the pouch and my aim is to do at least up to the armpits by Feb 26. This leaves me an out if I can't finish it. I have never knitted a sweater before but it can be done. I know it.

I am a felting genius

2006-01-21T17:05:00.000-08:00

My new bag. Sure I could have bought a new one for the same amount of money ... well maybe not it only cost me $25 and 2 weeks of my life. But here it is in all it's glory.

The original plan was to do it in black with blue stripes but dear hubby thought the color combination was too dark and convinced me to go with a blue plus another color. So I made my way over to the Wool Mill on Danforth and the lady there showed me the cranberry which she thought would go very well with the blue. When I got it home, I fell so in love with the color that I just used it throughout and voila. I love it so much.

taking knitting one step too far.

2006-01-21T12:00:00.000-08:00

Lindsay (linzknits) found this site. I am not keen on the first photo but they do look good with Jeans.

Oh My

2006-01-16T06:59:00.000-08:00

I found this image here http://www.infiknit.com/

reminds me of Tales of the Riverbank http://www.hammyhamster.com/index.html

I know

2006-01-13T06:49:00.000-08:00

I know I have been behind in my blogging. I have to download photos from my phone now as we have never had a digital camera. More soon

You know you want a BUNNY

2005-12-28T12:22:00.000-08:00

EEEEEEEEEEEE!

2005-12-18T17:29:00.000-08:00

LOOK.....LOOK.....LOOK.

His Name is PIP and I was able to use some of the yarn my MIL gave me. YAY

I have another one made but the cats have claimed him as their own.

I really need to wear makeup

2005-12-08T17:53:00.000-08:00

Introducing my NEW HAT.

Special thanks to TheAntiCraft for the pattern http://www.theanticraft.com/flowersonagrave.htm

My hat is Felted black wool with a burgandy flower. I LOVE IT... I used the flower from http://onmymind.blogdrive.com/archive/81.html

But like I said before, I really need to start wearing make up.

I call him PEDRO

2005-12-04T09:52:00.000-08:00

Look what I did with my free disco yarn. Isn't he great? I just LOVE him. Thanks again Lindsay for the link. http://www.barddance.org/knittering/blueshedgehogpattern.htm

Phew

2005-12-03T17:44:00.000-08:00

Wow, that was lucky. I started the shrug for my company xmas party and I spent a few days working on it. I was worried that after all that work it would look like crap but hey, it didn't. Can't tell you how relieved I am and how nice and warm it is. Thank you Lindsay for helping me find the pattern.

I know I look a little cranky but I didn't see the picture until after I had changed and I wasn't changing back.

Fiddle in the bathtub, please don't freak

2005-12-03T07:59:00.000-08:00

I don't know why she was in the tub, but she seemed quite happy.

OH FROG IT

2005-12-02T08:57:00.000-08:00

So after weeks of deliberation, I decided to Frog it. The first scarf I ever made. Now I made it on size 9 needles, garter stitch and it was good practice, but it turned out a little heavy and a little too warm (yes, there is such thing). So I tore it out and plan to double strand it and use larger needles. I may even put a stand of white in (it’s one of those self striping blues, that means it has 3 different colors going through the yarn. I like it with white when I have made pompoms out of it but I don’t know if it will work in a scarf.

On the lighter side. My MIL (mother in law) gave me a large bag of brightly colored yarn. There are balls of light green, orange, blue and hot pink, hardly color’s I use ( I like Jewel tones)

I laid it all out on the bed last week trying to decide what to do with them. Feeling greatly disheartened and thinking I would have to just hold on to it forever I put it back in the closet.

The very next day I came into work and on the back of one of the nurses’ chairs there it was. A cardigan made up of what? Blue, orange, yellow, and 2 shades of green. Can you believe it? They look fabulous together. How very exciting. Now I probably won’t make a cardigan but I now feel empowered, maybe a scarf or a nice doggie jacket. Amazing how the universe works.

The cardigan.

so tired

2005-11-30T08:07:00.000-08:00

I got no sleep last night. Fiddle was snoring and Dee Dee started meowing at who knows what BUT I have a new shrug that I feel better about making. It’s on large needles (size 15…. oh yeah) double stranded and I really like it. I started it last night and got nowhere cause I kept having to pull it out. The first few times I lost count on the increases and the last time I discovered that I was making it too big. Oh well, tonight is another night. Although all this work and I don’t even know if I am going to go to the company Christmas party.

http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/projects/mar99_knit.html

ABANDONED

2005-11-27T16:23:00.000-08:00

I found 'the little black dress' that everyone talks about today. I was going to make this shrug to go with it. I started it and then did some quick counting. At least 180 rows. No. I don't think so. I can't imagine how much time that will take me to do and I really don't need the stress so... forget it.

This is EVIL DeeDee

2005-11-25T05:52:00.000-08:00

This is evil DeeDee. She is my spare cat. She is the loveliest cat ever, so sweet and loving but she is EVIL. Why?

This is why she looked so tired this morning. Yes, it's my new ball of yarn.

arghhhh so frustrated

2005-11-24T15:26:00.000-08:00

I am so aggravated today. I want to knit, I need to knit but I have nothing to knit. Oh I have yarn, lots of it but I don't know where to begin.

I want to make this:But I don't want to start it. It isn't hard but very daunting especially because I need it for the company Christmas party in 2 weeks. The problem is I don't have anything to wear and although it might make a bold statement, going naked in a shrug probably won't help my career (or will it?)

MAIL CALL

2005-11-22T14:51:00.000-08:00

Look what i got in the mail today. I filled out this form for a free skein of yarn from bernat and they sent me 2. The color doesn't come up too well in the photo but it will make an interesting looking scarf althought its kinda itchy.

LOOK HOW CUTE SHE IS

2005-11-22T14:27:00.000-08:00

This is Emmi, she belongs to my husband's cousin. Emmi came over last night with her parents and Chris' Aunt and Uncle. The hat fit her perfectly and she was a little angel all night, never screamed once. Such a lovely baby.

I won, I won, I won

2005-11-18T08:03:00.000-08:00

Left handed crochet here I come....

the sinister crochet-er doesn't sound right. I only wanted this becuase I have some patterns that call for both knitting and crocheting. As far as I know this book is out of print so I bought it off ebay for $6.08 woohoo.

Never a moment's peace

2005-11-18T05:54:00.000-08:00

See how pissed she is? The cat will not allow me a moment's peace. I have had to learn to knit around her.

bunny-cat

2005-11-14T06:09:00.000-08:00

So to make a long story short, i decided that my husband's cousin's new baby needed a hat. After conferring with my friend Lindsay and spending almost 2 hours on the internet looking at patterns I decided on this one (of course I saw it in the first 1/2 hour). How cute is it? Since my Chris refused to model it, I had the cat do it. Here is the link if you are interested in making one yourself http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/1445260.html

TOYS.

2005-11-11T10:09:00.000-08:00

So I can’t knit toys. I don’t know why I keep trying. I tried this pattern http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/bunny.shtm for the 3rd time last night and couldn’t fold it to look like a bunny . DAMN. I will have to ask Lindsay when she comes back to fold it up for me. I am so frustrated.

WALLACE AND GROMMIT

2005-10-24T14:44:00.001-07:00

YAY Wallace and Grommit Curse of the Were-Rabbit. There is a fantastic scene where a nervous Grommit pick up his needles.

It's sad. I have become so enamored with knitting that I find myself thinking I wish I was knitting right now.

My house is freaking freezing. My furnace is broken and I am waiting for it to be repaired by Uncle Rob. Until then I have to suffer with the cats sitting on me for warmth.

We are having some people over for halloween. We have become bored with the halloween club scene and so have decided to do something here instead. I am very excited I can't wait to make these.
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTpumpkins.html

I have just finished 2 scarves. One for friends son, it was a snake and one for my neighbours daughter. it is a Lamb. I hate making scarves, they are boring but easy and we need them especially in this house.

Things I have knit

2005-10-21T17:20:00.000-07:00

Things I have knit

http://www.helloyarn.com/miniskulltote.htm

http://alohamedia.net/sarah/hats/chicken-viking/

http://www.ysolda.me.uk/wordpress/index.php/patterns

What happened?????

2005-10-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

I don't know where to begin. Do I jump in with stories? Tell you who I am? How this happened?What I am wearing right now???? Or I do just start with a photo???

here is a photo....

For any of you who have ever felt the sense of confusion and loss after a major celebration (Christmas, your 21st birthday, your first child) You will understand. In my case, it was the wedding that I had planned for the 8 years we were together... Anyway... I was in Lewiscraft looking for silica to preserve my gorgeous grocery store bought bouquet when I walked past the 'wall of yarn'. Remembering my mother trying to teach me as a child and again as a teenager to knit (right handed, no wonder it failed) and trying to knit on a knitting machine at school I thought that I would give it another go. So I bought some yarn and a set of needles and came home to knit. I sat down and cast on and remembering the 4 steps to knitting (in, over, through and off) I began. Well it went ooooookkkkaaaayyyyyy and after an entire day I got somewhere. Empowered, I proceeded for the next several weeks to knit in garter stitch... and the rest is history.

More later.