Soaking Inside and Out

Simple Things is now pinned out and blocking.

First it went for a soak in unscented SOAK:

And then the rain started outside.  So I was serenaded with rain dripping on the metal covering of the trash chute as I pinned it down:

Another good use for Spencer's room and old bed?  Undisturbed blocking space.  One of these days that poor bed is going to dressed up.  Soon, really soon, I promise.

This is all that is left.  It will be wound up in a neat little ball and sent along with the shawl to the recipient.  She's a knitter so I figured she would know what to do with it if she needed to make a repair.

Besides, there is no more room in the hanging stash, so it has to go somewhere!

Off to Ravelry to fill in the final specifics for this project, add the last few photos, and then I start a pair of socks for knitter's husband.  For those who don't have access to Ravelry, here's the highlights, size 4 vintage plastic circular needle, Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Solids in Wisteria, one 420yd skein, with a bit left over.  I started it in January, just now finished it after not being able to knit on it for a very long time.

Wish I would have had the socks already with me on the way home today.  Nothing like sitting at the station for an hour after you 'just' missed the bus with NOTHING TO DO but sit and dwell on the fact that you 'just' missed the bus and now you are sitting on a cold metal bench waiting for the next bus to finally drag its ass into the station and oh here comes some rain.

Yeah, I definitely needed some knitting.

One Shawl Finished

Simple Things is now complete - as far as knitting goes.

Now to give it a good soak and block.

Actual Knitting!!!!! With Photos!!!!!!

Been knitting a lot since I decided my wrist was recovered enough to start trying again - I think I started the double-knit beanie about a month ago.

So far: one double-knit beanie for Spencer,



one regular knit beanie for Spencer,



one set of wrist warmers and matching sort of cowl for myself.



Not nearly enough yarn left for the cowl, so it's a sort of neck warming thingy that can also be used as a headband/ear warmer sort of thing.



Two multi-colored (brown and several shades of green) balls of Lana Grossa something or other picked up during a browse thru the clearance wall at ImagiKnit after One-Sock-A-Month Club way back a long time ago.

Silly poses yes, but had to get the wrist warmers and the neck thingy all in one...much better than the "Oh my! What's a knitter to do?!?" pose..



Doesn't seem like much for those of you knitters who have 10 projects in progress and crank out tons of knitted items a year, but it is so very very much for me who has not be able to knit for so long.

I'm a new knitter all over again.

Oh, and I've been doing all this "freestyle". No patterns, just grab the needles and yarn and go! I love it. Can't tell you how liberating it is...creativity-wise.

Love it love it LOVE IT!!!!

And all of this just in time for the warm weather.

Oh, and did I mention the double-knit beanie is too big? Hoping a run thru the washer and dryer will set the stitches a bit and it'll come out a bit smaller. It's not wool, so there will be no shrinkage cos of that...maybe I should use COLD water? ha ha ha

It's some acrylic yarn I bought while Spence and I visited Honey, summer of 2008. Spencer picked it out. It's driving me crazy. Love the colors and all, but it's 3 magic balls of yarn. I knit and knit and knit and I still seem to have the same amount I started with...seems like I'll be knitting up a few more single knit beanies out of it. I can crank those out in a few nights knitting. By the time the balls are finished tho, I know I'll be tired of green, grey, and rust. Good thing there are no more colors like that around here.

Next project is a baby something for my friend Cherry - her little one (girl!! Yay!!!) is due in May I believe. I won't say what it is here as she reads this... I did ask colors and what kind of yarn and all and I think I may have found just the right stuff. I'm going to try and use worsted weight yarn as knitting with larger sized needles feels the best right now.

Still have to be careful with the "new" wrist, so that's why I'm sticking to the larger sized needles. A few more months and I should be able to start knitting on some socks. Surprisingly, I have quite the collection of sock yarn...don't know how all those skanks came into my possession, but there they are...and my size 0 (or are they 1's?!?) square circular needles are waiting for me to grab them by the shafts and caress them with fingers and yarn. Can't wait! Those things are like buttah in my hands. I bought those at Stitches West 2009. I wonder, do they come in dpns too?!?!?

Off to try out my one month trial of Xbox 360 LIVE. Saved off some "instant" movies to watch and might just try my hand at Call of Duty - World at War. Watch out Spence, Mama's got a brand new gun (controller). While I watch a movie, I guess I can whip out an English ball or two and get started on yet another beanie. He doesn't want a scarf and scarves take too long for my current instant knitting gratification mood.

No-blog-Rachel...I'm BACK!!!!

I know, I've been absent...

I have enjoyed being semi-unplugged since I officially stopped working on May 15th.

Have been very busy as well.

There was finishing the Dress.




Really wish I had a dress form....this hanger does NOT do this dress justice...at all!

There was mad, crazy, almost all night gaming at KublaCon...

There was bike fixing, switching out of various and sundry bike bits and pieces.

There has been bike riding almost EVERY day! I've dropped 5 pounds so far... YAY!

And there was not much knitting or other crafting...except for Mom's birthday earrings.





I've been in a sort of a 'crafter's block' situation. My head is bursting with crafty ideas for knitting, sewing, crocheting, embroidery, combinations of all of the above...lots of prototypes for stuff to put out on my shop need to be made...the crafty list is endless.

Yet...I could do nothing.

Enter the craft palette cleanser...








Remember the "birthday balls" from last summer?

Well those 45, plus about 5-10 more, along with random balls found here and there round the Chaos, make up this BIG, HUGE, bad boy of a blankie (big enough to cover a twin size bed and then some - in the photos, it's on my double bed). Enter Size S extended Tunisian Crochet Hook, 3 strands held together, and Voila! Check out Stitch Diva for an easy Tunisian Tutorial - I also bought my S hook from them at Stitches West back in February. They also have a pattern for a stash buster blanket, but I just did my own thing.

The dominant colors in my acrylic stash were black and various shades of dark blue. I held one strand of black, one strand of blue and then just grabbed for colors. The balls were stacked nicely in the container according to color, so I attached one color, used it til it ran out, then started on the next and so on and so on. The photos don't do it justice as it's rather cool looking and flows pretty well from one section to another. Using the black and blue as the "glue" was a very good idea. Eventually I ran out of black and blue and then started in with the other base colors of green and dark red...and then found some more black, so added it back in... It was a fun project!

I started this sucker on the evening of June 1st...worked on it every night that week for about an hour or two, one or two hours over the busy weekend, left it alone until last night...DONE!

Insta-warm blankie, and the acrylic stash is G-O-N-E. At least I think it is....I'm sure more of that stuff will pop up...I swear, it breeeeds.

It's BIG, it's HEAVY, and it's Spencer's. He likes lots of weight and warmth on him in the winter while he sleeps. This should do it.

Craft palette cleansed.

Had an interesting last few days, but will save that for another post. I'll try not to stay away from the computer so much. :)

Sammie Sunday - Valentine's Edition

What does one do on Valentine's Day when your Honey is far away?

Chat online for a few moments...miss him very much, drag yourself and your son to an indoor soccer game with a friend...



(Ms Cow hanging out in The Precious with Honey's Socks - the boys won btw)

and then console yourself with knitting and tea while your boy child ignores you as he plays on the Xbox.

Since the cat misses your Honey too, make sure she plays knitting along with you.

Sammie reading out the pattern to make sure I don't screw up - cos I do that a lot.



Let's take a break and have some tea...yes, she actually does drink it...



The fruits of our labor. The beginnings of Honey's Socks. (he already knows I'm knitting them and he's seen this photo, so it's ok to publish)





FINISHED OBJECT ALERT!!!!

Oh, and I've decided that the Quick as a Flash Crocheted Blanket is D.O.N.E. Spence and I went to JoAnn's today to get more yarn and they didn't have it. Came back home, looked online, and their website didn't have it. Ask anyone at the store and they won't know when, or even if they will get any more in... Was going to call and special order, but that takes 3 weeks and I'm just about over this blanket - unless I had gotten more yarn like RIGHT NOW.

It's 70" X 60". Not as big as a bed, but pretty damn close enough and way big enough to wrap yourself up on the couch. D.O.N.E.

I'll post an FO photo when I get around to taking one. Someday.

FO - Uncle Argyle Scarf

From Son of Stitch 'N Bitch

TAAAAADAAAAAAAA!!! Photos of Spencer modeling at the bus stop on the way home.






Details on Ravelry - yes, I've actually updated Ravelry with a project! Wonders never cease...I'll be adding more as I find photos and notes of other projects already completed. I'm going to try and keep up with adding things as I start them - it's not as time consuming or hard as I thought it would be...

For those not on Ravelry, here's the quick and dirty.

Yarn used was Knit Picks Swish DK in Cinnamon (brown) and Skyborne (blue) colors. Three balls of each. Size 5 bamboo straights.

This sucker is 6" wide x 84" inches long.

Let me tell you...that's a shitload of double knit!!!!

As much as I loved working this pattern, I really don't think I'll ever do it again. It was a bit too much - it was tough going thru the middle, but once I got over that, I cranked on it 'til it was done. I will do double knit again, just in something smaller. A lot smaller! :)

The pattern was easy to follow once I got the hang of reading the chart (first time using a chart!) and switching colors back and forth.

Spence loves it - it's warm and the 100% Merino is very soft on his skin - we are both wool sensitives, but we can handle Merino wool.

Ze Scarf, she is done...oooh la la

I am happy to report that I finished Spencer's Argyle scarf last night...well...technically this morning as it was 2am before I finally sent myself off to bed (I actually finished just before 1:30am, but by the time I finally stopped admiring it and went off to bed, well...).

I just couldn't NOT finish it last night, I was sooooo close.

So I just sucked it up and stayed up until it was done.

Not like that was all that difficult as I am quite the night owl - my usual bedtime is midnight.

I am so proud of what I have done. First time attempting double knitting! First time attempting an argyle pattern! First scarf made out of wool for Spencer!

I did it!!! No pictures just yet as I will not present it to him until tomorrow afternoon. I promise photographic evidence of the scarf tomorrow night with Spencer modeling!

He is so excited to get it.

Major Mom points earned. MAJOR.

He's even texted me: "I LUV YOU MOM - THANKS FOR MAKING THE SCARF"

It was worth all the late nights and working thru all those firsts to make it (the going got rough there in the middle). He def loves it and hasn't even seen the finished product yet. That is all a knitter can hope for...that their handmade gift and the work it took to make it is appreciated.

Sniff.

PANNNNNNNNIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not really, but I'm am about to start the last minute running about, cleaning, laundry, and general panic that comes before someone visits. Especially before Honey visits. He arrives TOMORROW NIGHT!

Gulp. So much to do still.

Still working on Pay It Forward Gifts. Yes they are late. But they are done, all I have to do is some finishing and I can send them off.

Finally back to knitting on SPencer's argyle double-knit scarf. God, I love this project! Definitely going to have to do some more - probably not projects as big as a scarf, but I just gotta do more! Four pattern repeats done, about 12 more to go...sigh.

Rode the bike a few times, then the rain started. I'm going to still ride in the cold tho. I'm still deciding on the rain. Oh, speaking of keeping warm on the bike, I found a club on Ravelry for bike riders. Lots of helpful advice and awesome ideas and patterns I'm definitely going to try.

It's been hard getting myself to do anything, but I think I'm getting back into stride.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some online donations to get to...

The Summer of Sewing has begun...

...oh, have I been having a wonderful time reaquainting myself with my sewing machine. It's been a long time...way too long! I am so taking advantage of the fact that Spencer is off in Texas until the 27th. Usually I just mope and don't do anything, but I've broken out of that and I've been busy!!! YAY!!!

First off, some simple projects... Made over the course of a few nights, a few hours each night.

One seam up the back...and BOOYAH!!! Instant sun dress.



Perfect for wearing around the house when it's too hot to go outside...



And a cute widdle kitty pillow - not stuffed yet, but it's small, just 10" tall and 7" wide... I bought the panel at a thrift store. Kitty looked like he needed a good home.



Oooh, and some plain book covers for me and Honey...




...or are they....

hmmmmm....I've made a small and large one for Honey and a large one for myself. Let's see what's inside, shall we?





OMG!!! Will you look at that...This small one must be for Honey...after all, I have a small one my Mom made for me ages ago...and I still use it...and I'm not really into Biker Babes.

Let's see what's in the large one I made for Honey...some firemen perhaps?

No, another Biker Babe....



Look at THAT!!!! A blonde, a redhead, and a brunette. A regular smorgasbord of Babes for Honey.



Gah...getting tired of Babes, Babes, Babes...where's a Fireman when you need one...


OOOOOHHHH!!!! There he is....



OMG...A whole Fire Crew! S-C-O-R-E!!!!




And the other day, I had the idea of trying to make potholders...just popped into my head one day. So, one trip to the craft store with a coupon, and we get...

Two Biker Babe potholders for Honey...



And one Hunky, stripping, Fireman for Antonella.



The back of the potholders are the lightweight denim I used for the book covers, and I used 2 layers of the insulating lining - I didn't think one was enough. All four layers hand quilted and ready for finishing...

And...if you want to have your own adventures making Hunk or Babe stuff, you can get the fabrics (plus so many others, it's amazing) online at eQuilter.com. Reasonable prices for a great varitey of prints (unbelievable variety), and great service to boot. Just enter what you're looking for in the search box and you'll get a list of prints. For the ones I used, just enter Hunks or Babes. Just remember to ask how big the motifs are...I was surprised at how large the firemen and babes were...made it a bit of a challenge to place them all just so in the projects. Should have ordered a full yard, but only got half yards, and as a result, had very few full motifs to work with - but I was able to get quite a few small projects out of it.

All potholders still need the bias tape trim, but I still need to go back to the craft store for that. Could have sworn I had some here, so that's why I didn't get some before. Oh well, thought I'd show them here, because I'm not sure when I'll get back to the store for it.

And there you have it folks. The first batch of sewing projects for the Summer of Sewing. Just a few days left though. When Spencer comes back from Texas, we prepare for our trip to England!!!

Yes, you read right, Spencer and I take off for England on August 1st. We're going to see Honey and do some mad sightseeing - Spencer has never been. It's our Happy Graduation Spencer, Happy B-day Spencer, Happy B-day Donna, last chance at a decent vacation together, trip. And we can't wait!!!!!! SQUEEEEE!!!

Finished Object!!!

Finally, here's my sisters birthday present...just oh, 6 months late, that's all....





It's a knitted Tardis Pillow. Hee hee... Details about everything later, but I just talked to her and she said to send it unstuffed and her and Mom will stuff it and crochet up the seam.

I gave her a choice of an unstuffed Tardis pillow or a pair of socks. She chose wisely.... hahahaha

Anyway, you can tell it's ginormous cos there's Marvin, Dalek for Scale (um...6 inches tall I think we said earlier?)

Just a sidenote here...it wasn't supposed to be that big, but hey, i didn't swatch and I used worsted weight. I think it's awesome, so now I want one for myself, and Sis is excited to get it.

YAY!!!

Blasts from the Past

...and my 350th post...

First blast group....Finished Objects!!!!

From the 1980's ... one of my knitting/crocheting times...I learned how to knit, crochet, and sew when I was 6, but haven't actually been knitting/crocheting the whole time. The only thing I've kept up consistently is the sewing.

First, we have a Crocheted Baby Blanket



Yes, I have crocheted, and I still occasionally crochet. Don't do it regularly anymore though, as it hurts my wrist. I can handle the odd crocheted border and smallish projects...just nothing big.

Next...we have the First Sweater I Ever Made



Notice the longish sleeves, and oddishly wide, short body. Trust me, they were exactly that. Made it for Spencer's Dad before we were married (we've been divorced for 10 yrs - and no, I don't believe in the 'boyfriend curse', nor do I blame it). It never fit him...he's um pretty skinny and tallish. I wore it for a long time. Sleeves were extremely long, but the rest fit me OK...I'm short and chunky. I loved it.

And now...the Second Sweater I Ever Made



Paid a bit more attention to the gauge and measurements this time. This one I made for me. Too bad I discovered I don't like turtlenecks. I wore it once or twice...just couldn't take the turtleneck.

If you can't tell yet, I have a problem matching sweaters to intended wearers. Sigh.


And finally, the Last Sweater I Ever Made



I splurged on the yarn. 80% wool, 20% acrylic...and lots of money ( I made all these sweaters while I was in college). Had to give up some necessaries to afford it, but it was worth it. Couldn't ever wear it without something in between it and my skin (this is where i first found out about the wool sensitivities) and also...it was such a dense fabric, and I lived in Texas, and I don't think it ever got cold enough for me to ever wear it in Texas - even though we lived in Dallas. And dudes...it does get very cold in Dallas.

Close up detail of the Cables



I'm very proud of this sweater. My first attempt at cables....Look how purdy they are! All nice and even and stuff.

And...I've actually worn it, and see? It does fit.



I was in Chicago at the time - during Winter. And Dudes, it did get cold enough to wear this sweater there...still, I only lasted all of about 15 minutes in it. Nice feathered wings (circa 1986 ish).

Why bring these out now?!? Well, I was looking through my photo boxes for other photos, and I found them. I knew I had taken them way back when...just didn't know where they were...

From looking at these, I realize...yeah, I can knit sweaters. The first two sweaters left a bit to be desired...OK, maybe a lot - they pretty much sucked. But the last sweater I made was pretty darn good. It fit me perfectly, the seams actually looked good, and it looked half ass good on.

Which makes me very sad now, since I no longer have it. At least I don't think so. Haven't seen it for years. I probably gave it away when I finally gave up the first two - probably 'cause it was too thick for me to wear. Wish I would have kept it anyway. Could have pulled it out every now and then whenever my knitting confidence faultered.

At least I have the photos left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And now for the second blast... Cute kids!!!!



Spencer and Autumn circa 1997. It was Autumn's b-day party. Look Autumn's Mom...I found them!!!!

Here's Spencer, Autumn and G (another close friend's son - all the Moms hung out and caused trouble...so did the kids...)



Click over here to see what Autumn looks like now...

And here's what Spencer looks like as-of-this-very-moment-'cause-I-just-took-the-picture (my handsome young man):



Teens....Lord help us...

Now taking donations for sanity...anybody got any extra? I'm gonna need some really soon...

Coming soon to a blog near you...

Finished objects! Two of them!

Needles on fire! I'm knitting again!

Future projects! Yarn P0rn!

First post about vacation!

Other stuff!

Not so many exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But first, I need to decompress from this week (with some knitting and some Viggo and some pizza), and I have a busy weekend ahead.

!!

A woman renewed....and other stuff...

That's right folks...no. more. grey. hair. 'nuf said.

On to the other stuff...

Time for the killing of two birds with one blog post...in other words...it's a twofer! I'm finally getting off my lazy, bloggy ass and posting some stuff. Don't get used to it.

First off...remember this?!?



"That 70's Stove" in it's final moments...sniff sniff...I shall miss you...NOT!

and introducing...



The New Stove. I love it so much I almost want to name it. OK, so I won't go that far, but we do loves it lots! Really changes the look of the kitchen, oh I don't know...by about 30 years or so?!?

And now for a trip back in time to ummm, let's see...June '07...the time of the first visit from The Honey....weee ooooo....weeee...oooooo.....weeeee...ooooo...when he gifted me with this...




...or should I say "Him"... Just over 5" of RC Dalek fun and frolic...

Everyone, meet Marvin...Marvin, please don't Exterminate! everyone...




Isn't he just adorable! My very own RC Dalek!!!! Honey earned major points with this one...him and the sneaky Antonella...but I love it and am glad to add him to my little family of named objects. See? I named him...means I love him! (oooh and bonus points to Honey for bringing batteries)

Yes folks, I am a big Dr Who fan...grew up with him, still watch him...did you know Netflix has the first two "new" seasons on DVD?!? Hoo Hah! (Spencer's new phrase...replaces Booyah)

You folks will be seeing lots of Marvin in the future. I have decided he will be my "Dalek for Scale"...cos every now and then you need a little perspective. Besides, Marvin needs to have something to do once he's done exterminating the remaining plants in the house...




OOOOH....I lied! It's not a twofer, it's a threefer! Who doesn't like a threesome every now and then...

Time for a finished object. Not too many details since it is just about midnight and the blogging magic wears off at midnight...at which time i turn back into a lazy ass blogger...

Meet Sidney...




Just over 12" of cushy, knitted Dalek Exterminating Fun...Now in possession of The Honey. It was his Xmas gift...made from the left over yarn from his Leeds United Scarf. 56 bobbles later...



...and lots and lots of knitting around and around and around and I had a Dalek for Honey. Isn't he adorable? And Marvin isn't in the least bit intimidated because he knows size doesn't matter...It's how you use your ray gun that's important.

OK...so it's past midnight and I'll leave you all contemplating ray guns, size, threesomes and stuff. Any second now, I'll lose all ability to.....damn.

Check it, yo.

How many of you knew this was coming?



Bears came, saw, and lost to the Colts. Funny how he still has the same expression, isn't it?!? Sigh...

Now on to something completely different...

FO's!!!!

Yes folks...the Cigar gloves for my friend Gary are finally done and gifted yesterday. But they look more like Knucks - only without the embroidery (I discovered I don't like making fingers). Check 'em out...



Just in time for 70 degree F temps on game day. Oh well.

I think he likes them...Oh, and he asked me to stitch some silver stars on them (he's a Dallas Cowboy fan and they are the perfect shade of blue for that...)




I said, "If you want to wait 3 more months, no problem..."


"Check the gloves, yo."



Almost FO:

The Kittyville hat for my friend Gerson. I finished the base hat during the game yesterday. Now on to the cat ears, the ear flaps and the ties. Giddy up!

Next up on the needles? A few pairs of Knucks. Although I don't know how far I'll get. Dark blue gloves, black Kittyville Hat, 3 pairs of black Knucks. Dark, dark, dark...don't know if I can handle it. Time to find a pattern for all that light colored yarn I've got and start something up before I go wonkers. Hmmm, I did find something special at the thrift store a few weeks back I can use. But that's gonna be a surprise! Snicker.