Attention Deficit Knitting

I am not sure but I think I am ADD where knitting is concerned. I will buy yarn and think ‘I want to make a wrap’. It will be beautiful. I buy the yarn. Then I put it in a drawer or basket because I am working on socks at the time and can’t do both at the same time. Three days later I will go to the yarn store again and I will think – ‘Oh, I would like to make a sweater’, I buy the yarn and then I come home and put it in a drawer or basket because I am working on a dishcloth and can’t do both at the same time. The next day there is a Knit-Meet at the yarn store, so I go to the yarn store and think ‘I won’t buy anything because I don’t need any more yarn’. Then I see some beautiful sock yarn and think ‘Oh – that isn’t really BUYING YARN, it is just one skein (or two)’, so I buy some sock yarn and bring it home. I put it in a drawer or a basket because I am working on the socks that I didn’t finish before I made the dishcloth. Then I hear about some yarn online and think ‘if it is so wonderful, I just have to get some, it can wait to make a pair of socks.’ Do you see a pattern here? Well, I have been doing this since about August last year when I started knitting again after a 15 year hiatus. I don’t even want to think about all the yarn I have accumulated JUST IN THIS SHORT TIME! I was considering putting it in one room, but REALLY don’t want to know how much yarn I actually have. I am sure I do not rival some other MAJOR knitters out there. Funny thing is, I don’t knit that fast. I work full time and only get to knit about an hour or two everyday. I promise that isn’t enough time to make all the things that I want to make. Or even half. Well, now I know why I was stashing yarn. My DH got laid off from his job (the same day his mom passed away), and he still doesn’t have a new one yet. Do you think I would be able to keep buying yarn? NO! I have to be good, I have to be careful. But I have PLENTY of yarn!! Isn’t that wonderful? Isn’t God sweet!?! He knew I would need yarn in these ‘lean’ days. I have enough yarn to make dishcloths, socks, & scarves for Christmas presents! I even have a little that I can make into Christmas ornaments! Now – if I just have enough time…

Oh well. I will keep knitting on.

I have been thinking about my DD blanket . I haven’t worked on it. I know, I know. I said I would, but I haven’t. I have actually heard of people frogging a project that they think they MAY not finish!! How can that be? Aren’t all knitters optimists? I NEVER think I wouldn’t finish a project. Of course I will finish the project. I still plan on finishing the baby blanket that my grandmother was crocheting before she passed away (15 years ago). I will do it!! I know I will. It may not be for a bit*, but I will.

*Definition of ‘a bit’; obviously longer than 15 years.

WOW - Grapevine socks

Finally I am able to knit something besides charity things. For the longest time that was all I was knitting. I COULDN'T knit anything else. It was probably a guilt thing. But NOW... I am able to work on my grapevine socks without major guilt!
These are done on a beautiful colorway - don't ask what yarn. I don't know & it is buried in the center of the balls. Could be just about anything... I will tell you eventually...
I am trying to decipher Queen Kahuna's book. It is a great book - don't get me wrong, but I am having a horrible time trying to decipher it. The problem is ME - I know. I skim when I read. I don't read every little word. This can be a problem when following instructions. In this case, it is a real problem because I am having to re-read a lot. I will be tooling along and suddenly I wonder what I missed on the last three pages. I was just moving along on the (toe up) sock, just knitting away at the foot and realized I needed to know when to put in my gusset - wait - what were those three pages about? Oh - when to put in the gusset. Well, ok - here is a formula. I will fill in all the blanks and I will know what to do. Wait - why? How does this work? How do I know this formula will work? Oh - I go back a page & it will tell me what to do. Ok. Oh - I need to increase here. Ok - how many? Wait, does that fit in the formula? No? Oh wait, I need to increase here ON EACH SIDE - ok - does that fit in the formula? Almost... Wait - yes, because I need to add a couple of stitches here. OK. good - what was the question?
That is what I have been doing for the last 15 minutes of my knitting time. MATH! I don't do math! Except when I am cooking or ... knitting... OK - so I do math. anyway...
I would be much better off if I would read every word. I could really use a *STAR* for the parts when I have to start knitting. I may go back and put those in myself.
Why do I want to learn new techniques? Why can't I just keep making socks the way I know it works? Why do I have to torture myself?
oh
and
I want to make lace.
I must be a masochist.

11:46pm addendum
By the way - I only get to knit about 1 or 2 hours every day because I work full time. Weekends vary greatly on what other commitments I have. I am not very fast - but this progress is simply SNAIL pace. But I do love them. Hopefully they will pool a little at the heel. Also - this is Lorna's Lace yarn.

Liquid Meals

Have you ever tried those powdered liquid meals? You know - the ones that are supposed to help you lose weight. You mix a powder with water and then you drink them. I wasn't very sure how they make you lose weight, but now I know. They are horrible. You cannot drink them. I tried one for lunch yesterday. I mixed it with cold water.
Hmmm looks a little lumpy. I will mix it some more. Ok - most of the lumps are gone. Should be ok - oh my - the smell is a little funny. But it is vanilla flavored, it is supposed to be sweet.
Sip.
Ewww. wait - yuck - I can't drink this. It tastes like water and powder. Ok wait. I am not in the right mind set. This is good for me. It will help me lose weight. (yeah - I won't drink this). No. This is ok - it isn't terrible.
Sip.
Oh-wait - yes it is terrible. Am I supposed to mix it with water? Is it really supposed to be mixed with milk? this stuff could REALLY use some ice cream and milk. Maybe I just need to set it down for a minute. Maybe it hasn't 'aged' properly. Ok - wait a minute or two.
Wait five minutes.
Ok - I am really hungry, this is good. Oops the smell is still there - it's ok - I can do this.
Sip.
No - I can't. I cannot do this. This is not good. I could send this to the starving people in Africa. Ok - wait - I am thinking about sending this stuff overseas - not a good sign. This will definitely help me lose weight because I will NOT drink this.

Walk to the kitchen and pour it down the sink.
Drink SEVERAL glasses of water to get that taste out of my mouth.

Maybe eating healthy isn't such a bad idea after all.

I was wondering if this was knitting related. I think it is... Let me tell you how.
I need to lose weight. The main reason is that I cannot afford the amount of yarn that goes into making me a sweater. If I lost weight I could afford the smaller amount of yarn I would need to make a SMALLER sweater! Get it? So this is really knitting related.

the Afghan

OK - so I am truely a fiberholic. My first thought was this was a book about knitting. I know, I know - how lame am I?

Grapevine socks

I have started my Grapevine pair of socks. It is a Maple Leaf pattern done upside down so the leaves look like bunches of grapes. Of course I am only at the very tip of the toe, so I don't have to worry about the pattern for a bit. Those funny orange 'eyes' are stitch markers that I put a lifeline through. Ok - so I am an idiot. I will be pulling out the lifeline soon though...


I went to my meetup group last night. It was a charity knit-in. I finished up a dishcloth and others were working on Chemo caps and helmet liners. We had a great time. It is so much fun with those ladies.

If anyone can send me to a website or KNOWS how to line something, please post a comment! I am really having trouble with lining the sling bag. I think I am just scared, but I need a little encouragement.

Ramblings

Well, I went to the Open House for my LYS. It was wonderful. She was so busy and everyone was so friendly. I am happy she is doing well and I want her to continue to do great. Tonight is our Knitting Meetup. I know we are going to be doing some charity knitting, so I am really looking forward to getting involved in that. I haven't knit for charity yet and this way I will be able to see what some of the people are knitting and who they are knitting for...
I haven't worked too much on the hobo bag, but I am still working on it. No this is not a MESS of Yarn, but that is what it looks like. I REALLY hope it doesn't turn out as ugly as I think it will. I have heard about the miracles of blocking, but... I just don't know about this. Doesn't this just HURT?!? I really need to frog, but I have this morbid fascination with it now...


I bought Queen Kahuna's book and have been using it because I want to learn her methods. I had heard so many people rave about it that I had to purchase it. I can see how it would be great for new knitters. It gives you STEP by STEP instructions. The problem for me is that I really don't need THAT detailed of instructions. It seems a bit wordy to me. But I can say that if I have a question on a method that she explains, I just have to read carefully and the question IS answered. With most directions you will have a question or two that you must make a judgment call on, not with these! I think once I "get" it, it will be great. It took me about three times for the cast on, but that was because I am doing 'magic loop' instead of the two circs that she explains. I really want to learn her 'short row heel' method. I will let you know when I get further along if it is easier. The only place you can get her book is online, she publishes the books herself one at a time.

Speaking of websites, do NOT use this website to order anything. I have read on knitting forums and other places that the business is not being run by the original owners and the new owners aren't really concerned about it. Orders are not being filled and suppliers are halting inventory to them. I think the major suppliers are moving to the Knitting Zone, so try there first.

Is anyone else on a YARN DIET? I need to go on one. I have more projects SIY (still in yarn) than I care to admit. I know I probably don't rival most knitters, but it sure seems like a lot to me. I want to take all of my yarn, needles, knitting stuff, fabric, & quilting stuff and put it in one room. But if I do, I am afraid my DH will realize how much I really have. I have wonderful aspirations, and I really WANT to make everything I plan for, but somehow, it just doesn't happen. I don't understand why I don't have the time! Of course I would need about 50 hours in a day to complete all the things that I would like to do. I find that if I knit monogamously, then I get more accomplished, but I can't be completely true to any one project. I can in the beginning and I can at the end, but in the middle - I get a little muddled and work on other things. I find that if I want to have a quick feeling of accomplishment, I knit a dishcloth or two. If I want to have something portable, I knit a pair of socks, If I want something more complicated then I knit a purse or sweater. Ok - so I haven't actually knit a sweater in a couple of years, (15) - but I have the yarn for three!! (ok 7) I always go back to the original project and finish it! But it takes FAR longer than it should.

Here is what I do with my little bittie bits of leftover yarn. I wind them into tiny balls and put them in my little moebius bowl that I felted. Isn't it just adorable?

Here is my sling bag, with it's lining to the side. I really like the chevron type pattern in the strap. I just need to figure out how to line it now...


One of the things I am having to adjust to is my boys have all moved out and moved out of state! They are all in the military and have been stationed in different states. They all got married this year and they all moved away within a few months of each other. My DD is still at home (YEAH! for at least four more years), however she is quiet. My boys were so rambunctious and active, that I feel like my life is VERY quiet now. I miss the activity and laughter. I also don't have near as many stories as I used to have! Believe me, that is a good and bad thing! I do have more knitting time though!

If YOU KNIT WHAT!?! was still alive...

If YOU KNIT WHAT!?! was still around - I would say this would be a good candidate. I don't think that knit pants are really that smart to begin with, but to have them in this camo - pattern to boot!! No -I can't do that to my daughter.

Nefertiti

My darling hubby called me Nefertiti the other day. Well - I don't know that much about her - so I didn't know if it was a compliment or not. Here is what I found out:

Nefertiti (egyptian nfr.t-iitj = the beauty that has come) was the Great Royal Wife (or chief consort/wife) of the Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep IV (later Akhenaten), and mother-in-law of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun. She may have also ruled in her own right under the name Neferneferuaten briefly after her husband's death and before the accession of Tutankhamun. Her name roughly translates to "the beautiful (or perfect) woman has come".

So, I am guessing it was a compliment.
Of course I am not one to let things go - so I looked up what she may have looked like. I thought - what if she wasn't really pretty? I know - I am not that pretty, so it really doesn't matter, but I was curious. Well, I found busts of her and a picture of her mummy. I can tell you THAT wasn't very pretty. But then I found a computer generated rendering of what they thought she would look like from her skull measurements.

She looks like Angelina Jolie!

She seems to be an interesting character. I think Hollywood should look at doing a movie with her! I need to get the credit though!

I am going to be casting on a sock today. The one that I was going to cast on July 1st. I hope it works out the way that I want. I am using the Maple Leaves pattern but using purple variegated yarn. I will be doing the leaves upside down so that they will look like bunches of grapes. So I am calling my socks - Grapevines. I REALLY hope they turn out the way I want.

I am still working on my Hobo Bag, but don't like the way it is turning out. I am going to finish it and if I don't like it, I won't make the other one that I have yarn for....

There is an OPEN HOUSE at MY yarn store! I found this store about two weeks after it opened! I just love it and they are having their ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Tomorrow is an Open House and I am planning on going! YEAH!

I will be celebrating my 1 year non-smoking and buying my celebratory gift that day!

I am getting back to normal!

By the way - I look NOTHING like Angelina if you can't tell from the pictures on my sidebar.

You Knit What!?!

It is a sad day when a great knitting blog shuts down. That has recently happened. “You Knit What” has now shut down. I find it hard to believe. This is a blog that got me interested in blogging. Even in my worst times – I would go and visit YKW just to see what horrible creation was posted. There were times that I would be thumbing through a magazine and I would think “Hmm, bet that goes on YKW.” And sure enough – a couple of days later, it would be posted. There were things that I would never consider knitting that I saw KNIT UP. An intestinal tract, some S&M gear, and some really UGLY sweaters. I also saw some things that I would LOVE to knit up. But others didn’t always agree with me. There were discussions, snarky comments, dissensions – it was freedom of speech in action! I didn’t always agree, but I loved that everyone felt free to disagree. Of course, someone else may pick up the reigns and keep YKW going – but I don’t think it will have the same flavor. The only solace that I find is that I won’t have to worry about any of MY things showing up on their blog.

Beginning to revive

Well, I am beginning to knit - a little. I made another coaster. I know, I know - that doesn't seem like knitting, but it is - a little. I also started on the hobo bag! I have JUST started so it doesn't look like much. I will post a picture this weekend. I am out of town for the week (for work). I will be going to St Louis tomorrow & Miami on Wednesday. I will be back home Thursday. If I have time to post - I will. I just feel a little better - like I am getting back into life. By the way - HI SHELLY! I hope I spelled your name right. It was great to see you at Barnes & Noble today.

OH YEAH! It is my ONE year anniversary for NOT SMOKING!! Can you believe it? After 15 years - I quit! My hubby & I both quit on August 1st of 2005. No cheating - not even once! I have quit so many times that I am really surprised. I have quit for up to 8 months before. My hubby actually reminded me that it was our anniversary for the non-smoking, so I hadn't even thought about it! YEAH!

I can buy a skein of yarn to celebrate.