Dream yarns

Ok, so here are some yarns that I want to try knitting with (hint: none of them are Noro)....The other day, I stopped by Miss Chickpea's, and I saw some awesome yarn...


Like:

Ozark Handspun

Lampes Lumps (pictured below)

and Bamboo yarn.

I'm also curious about this ceramic yarn that I've heard about...

In knitting news, I am seaming up the sweater! (yeah!) It's all blocked and everything, just need to put it together and find some great buttons.

In other (non-knitting) news, I have been busy these past few days, doing work--we have some HUGE events coming up, such as the Kent Fest, and our Hallmark Ornament Premiere...so we're getting everything ready and ship-shape. Not to mention that I think we're going to promote the heck out of trollbeads and Chamilia (did you forget what those look like? Here's a reminder:














In a few weeks, we're going to have a huge special on Trollbeads & Chamilia--buy 3 beads, and you can get the bracelet for $25 (regularly priced at $48--that's a savings of almost half, people! Interested? let me know...)

Today, I went to the library (huge used book sale), and I walked away with some really great books, like 3 textbooks (2 statistics books and one about advertising, each were 75 cents!) and a lot of books like The Poisonwood Bible (75 cents, looks like someone read it once), a hardback of "The Perfume" by Patrick Sueskind (So I have the German language version, but I'd like to see the movie sooner than later to compare...I am sooooo slow at reading the German, though that book may come with me to Las Vegas), Middlesex (1.50), "The Curious Incident of the Dog in Nighttime ($1.00). Not bad. Many more. I also picked up some knitting books with some of the most horrifying patterns I've seen in my life, but each of them have like, one redeeming pattern or style...so I figure 75 cents per book isn't too bad. Not to mention a copy of Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. (one dollar). Not a bad haul. Now I just need the time to read everything. (Oh, and I found a couple autographed books for a dollar each! How cool is that?)

One day away!

Good news:

Garfield is now celebrating his countdown to his 29th birthday, which makes me oh-so-very happy.

And here are pictures that I promised:

This is the back of my sweater--or what I have of it so far. I'm pretty excited that I've made it this far. I'm going to finish as much as I can this week (all of it?) we shall see!

This is what the front portion (and sleeves) of the sweater look like. It's actually a much prettier turquoise shade in person.

When I came home from work...this package was waiting for me...It's from my Secret Pal, and inside were some goodies for my birthday...

Some Noro yarn, with a great pattern (I seriously can't wait to try it! I am going to finish that sweater first, though!), a copy of Domiknitrix, some C-H-O-C-O-L-A-T-E , including a square of Ritter Sport, which always brings back memories of Germany (I had a friend, Aaron, who was hooked on this particular brand--so every time we went grocery shopping (or shopping), he always had to buy chocolate. And there is the cutest stationary. Between this and the cute sheep book, I have no idea where you find this cute paper! I love this package, and I've had a great pal--so thanks so much to Suzie!

I just wanted to show you a close-up of the awesome scarf pattern (the Noro yarn goes with this)...it's really great! (Shoji screen wrap and scarf pattern).

And, I wonder if I can get my boyfriend to wear this (Mohawk hat from Domiknitrix)?

Ahhhh!

You know, it's so nice to finally not have to study my poor head off, write inane things about different psychological theories that I don't quite understand (but what little I knew got me an A in the class, anyway, so I am very pleased). It's nice to be done cleaning (save for some minor floor-sweeping/window polishing, etc., before a party on Sunday (surprise party for my mom's friend; her husband is borrowing our house under the guise that my brother will be visiting and wants to see my mom's friend before she leaves for a vacation)...

And since I did not have much to do...(plus, I finished off this great book, The Know-It All by A.J. Jacobs, which is hilarious and informative, and makes me want to read the entire Encyclopaedia Brittanica...so I knitted and watched TV (Home Improvement can be quite fun), as well as watching a couple DVDs (Big Lots: $2! Sadly, I think Big Lots has sold out of all the good stuff) -- Advertising Rules was funny (it had the girl who played Lena in Goodbye Lenin! and the woman who played the daughter in Rosenstrasse)...and I'm with Lucy was cute, even if not stellar. I'd like Henry Thomas, please.

At the same time...I knitted. I'm being all ambitious and am determined to knit down as much of my stash as I can during my holiday...so I've taken that turquoise blue yarn and am making Kate Gilbert's Sunrise Circle Jacket.

So far, this is what I have (I'm working on the back). Not bad for a day's work. The color is a lot better in real life.












I will admit that I am slightly terrified of the front, but I will be brave.

And for the moments when I need to pay more attention to what I'm doing (i.e., SnB knitting, or frenzied Ugly Betty watching (by the way, did any of you watch it????!!! So not fair that I have to wait till next season to find out what will happen. Great way to leave us all hanging, LOL!)











I will admit I'm not super thrilled with the way this looks, but it's okay. Maybe I'll end up giving this to my mom or something. It goes along with my goal to stash-bust as much as I can. After this (and the sweater), I'll start another sweater or vest, and finish up my red Noro scarf. And the super-secret double-knit scarf (it's a secret--i want to fiddle with it a bit more...if all goes well, there will be a pattern!)

I'll post the rest of my works in progress as the weekend (or week) goes on...I've got a few more projects that are on needles (whether or not I like them). Well, I've got another hour before I must sleep (party tomorrow, party Sunday! I am a busy girl! LOL!) so I am going to work in a few more rows on the Sunrise Circle Jacket!

Two more days...

Two more days of test-taking (and test-giving). I am officially down to the last 16 students that I'll need to test this week! Yippee! So glad that it's almost over. I think I'll be okay with the law exam; I'm surprised at how much I actually remember from the book and notes--just need to brush up on a few specifics. And I aim high: I'll be happy with...a B.

Now the psychology...sigh...it still continues to whip my butt from one end of the room and back again...but I am sure at Friday night at 9 PM, I will feel a lot better. Because I'll be done (minus the grading, which I will do this weekend)...and I plan on buying myself a pint of peanut butter brittle ice cream from Handel's, which I have not yet tried. And it sounds delicious.

Now, to the knitting content (skipping SnB tonight, of course)...and my SP10 Hostess is asking us: what do we do when we knit? Where do we knit?

Well, I knit in front of the TV. It's a big comfy couch...sometimes I'll watch a Lifetime movie as I knit...or a cooking show...well, anything. I'll even watch it during Ugly Betty. Unless I'm doing something complex (I've learned my lesson now). I tend to sit near the armrest on the left side...prop my feet up on my dad's footstool and knit away! Nothing fancy or spectacular, but it's relaxing and I look forward to doing that again--to a lifetime movie that I taped ("My First Wedding" with Rachel Leigh Cook...)

Two more days.

Oh, and happy birthday to Elisabeth.

Old, Older, Oldest?

Pray tell, you ask--what is your oldest yarn?

Question 1 for this. Age wise? It's the stuff above this text (And directly below this). Or so I think so. It's from a knitting mill that closed earlier this year--unfortunately I had very little money (that is--i was getting paid just enough for gas, with anywhere from 50-100 dollars left over each month. And at $3 a pound, I couldn't resist. That, and the $1.75 skeins of turquoise blue wool yarn.

And the cone below, I think is just old. Just look at the fab color combo! Kinda like being in the Brady Bunch, I guess. I haven't yet figured out what i'll make with it. But I'll think of something.












Now, if you're thinking of old in terms of purchase date--it's probably this silk sari yarn below. i have 4 skeins. I know I've had it at least 3 years (purchased post-breakup with a crappy boyfriend, who is now an ex, and living very far away from me (good thing) instead of being 5 minutes away from me.

No, I'm not bitter. Really.

Anyway, I bought this GORGEOUS sari silk yarn, three skeins. But the person who owns Wool Peddler--there was some sort of problem with the shipping, and her entire shipment of yarn got lost in limbo, so she got another shipment to replace it. And thusly, she shipped me an extra skein for being patient, waiting for the yarn.











And I still can't figure out what scarf I want to make. I could make an ordinary boring 1x1 ribbing scarf, but that's boring. I'll think of something neat to make it a little more interesting...

Eventually.

And seriously--why the ex-boyfriend is so much better out of the picture?

He thought knitting was geeky.But not in a cool way. (That's not the only reason, but it's an important one. Love me, love my knitting.)

Now my current boyfriend likes knitting. So that is very cool. :) And he told me that if he gets this one job that he applied for, he may be able to make it down to SnB, which would be interesting...

Just a little less than 2 weeks till I am done with the semester...

Two more weeks!

Yes, two more weeks of school! Two more weeks of stress?

But there are some things that make it all better:

(1) New shoes (I tend to splurge a little more when I'm stressed out. I'm not exactly sure why). But they are cute. I did have to return one pair (exchanging it for a smaller size, so hopefully it will fit--should be here on Monday, I think). The pair that fits me perfectly is lavendar and has these cute leather bows that look like (are you ready for this?) Measuring tapes! So cute! The other pair (which dont' fit) are these kick-ass red shoes (since I threw out my other red shoes, cause they were too old--this is a nice replacement for those.

(2) The things I ordered for mother's day are in! Yay!

(3) I am officially done lecturing for the semester; however, I have final exams to give next week--and the next (see the comment about 2 weeks of stress). But I know I will manage. I thought about it, and I think if I manage my time well, I will be fine.

(4) I will see my old high school's musical! Les Miserables this year--which I've never seen. For those of you who've never seen the musicals at my high school, they are a sight to behold. Essentially, it's on the same level as an amateur production, complete with a gorgeous set, costumes, music, etc...very excited. i wait all year for the musicals. (I never was in them in high school, because i can't sing, and because I prefer watchign them to being behind the stage or sets.) So I'm selfish. ;)

(5) I opened the mailbox today, and in addition to the things I ordered for my mom, I also had a package from my SP10! Since I came home late, I didnt' take pictures--(I will take pictures when the light is good.). But...it is awesome! And there's chocolate (which I will need in two weeks!) and some books! Which I will also need in two weeks! I am so excited--and I will give the lowdown sometime this weekend (probably during a study break). So SP10, thank you so much! I am loving the gifts!

And check out this swap:Disposable Camera Swap. Interesting?

Favorite project! (So far)

So, I finally got around to it and am posting my favorite project, knitted from a pattern...maybe it's no surprise to know that I picked my red sweater (from Rebecca). It's my favorite because I spent three years knitting and frogging, and finally figuring out how to put it together. It makes me look a little bulky, but it IS warm. And it is RED. And it's got cute cables! This is not to say that it's perfect. It's not. There are some mistakes here and there, but unless you're looking for them, you won't see the mistakes.


Here it is:












Apparently, I also took a picture of my knee.
And here is a close-up of one of the cables...















So that is my favorite project in all its glory. I don't have least favorites, because I usually rip them apart or frog them, so there are no pictures in existence of any hated, reviled projects.

As far as job interview, I have NO idea what will happen in the future...I did my best, and we'll see. The person told me later (in a later email, in response to a different question) that they are not scheduling any second interviews till mid-May, and "if we decide we like you, I will contact you. Thanks! :)" (smiley face included in the email from her.) Luckily enough, I'm busy these next few weeks (wrapping up the semester here and wondering how I will give practical exams to 50 students during finals week!)

Last night, I saw Disturbia which was an interesting experience. For one, it was nice to see an old fashioned style thriller that was more psychological than bloody/gory (that is not to say that there isn't a little violence and a little blood along the way, but it's not excessive). My beef with the movie is that I wish the suspect (creepy neighbor dude) played the role a little more ambiguously, rather than playing "a bad dude" straight from the beginning, it would have been a little better if you (audience) weren't sure if he was honestly bad or if he was just creepy. (like the scary neighbor in Home Alone.) Second interesting thing is that I have not watched a movie with about 50,000 teenagers and about 2 moms. Interesting experience. I am so not the target audience for this movie!

I do wonder though, if these teens have ever heard of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window, which is the basis for this movie. I wasn't sure how they'd pull it off, because Hitchcock's movie is just so beautiful and you have no idea if the neighbor is a murderer or not. I wonder what these teens would say.

Oh! And Bob Saget on Thursday was AWESOME. I'm glad I knew he's one of the most vulgar comedians on the circuit, so I was prepared, but he was sooooo hilarious! The thing is, I'm not even big on the cussing thing or anything like that (same with my boyfriend) and we were both just cracking up at his jokes...and vulgarity...and he does it with a smile. If you're not easily offended (over 18, too, I guess...haha) here is a link to a song that he's sung, called "Danny Tanner is not Gay". DO not play it around bosses, small children with big ears, or parents.




Enjoy!

I also started a swap over at swap-bot, if you want to sign up. It's nothing to do with knitting, but is letter-writing. Here it is, if you're interested! If not, there are some interesting swaps, too!
When I grow up

stuff--of all kinds!

First of all, I'd like to comment that I think a girl hit on me yesterday. I am not absolutely sure. I went to buy a milkshake at the local Handel's here, and this is a girl I've seen a bit, when I order ice creams. Anyway, I ordered my milkshake, and she handed it to me, and said something that sounded like "You're very beautiful", leaning on the counter near the window.

My mind rephrased it as: "Today is very beautiful", because, of course, a girl couldn't say something like that to me...so I responded with something inane, like, yes, it is very beautiful today...(I dont' remember exactly what I said). But after I said that, she got kind of awkward, so I think I heard right the first time. I feel bad now. Well, we'll see if this happens again. Probably I'll get milkshakes once in a while if it's hot, and I have to walk across campus or something...very refreshing.


But in any case, today was a bad day for trying to do homework (just couldn't focus!) but at least I'm over halfway done with my stinky paper! It's due next Monday, and if I can summarize 5 articles tomorrow, and finish up Friday/Saturday, I'm golden. I just want to get all my work done by Saturday, so I can rest up on easter (oh, and cook).

But what made today better (especially since I skipped SnB to work on my paper):

I got several packages...one from Webs (which I ordered...didn't have quite enough yarn for a project), and then I got one from piddlyloops. So I spent about 30 seconds wondering what I ordered from piddlyloops, because the label said something like a sewing team (and I'm a lousy sewer)...but...it was a gift from my secret pal! Thank you!

So there is my first drop spindle, with some lovely, fluffy wool (it feels SOOOO nice...one is standard wool, one is this nice creamy white one from a blue faced leicester sheep, the brown is shetland. I can't wait to try this out. This will have to wait till my paper's done, though: I can see my self getting into a zone for hours, which would not be a very good thing.
















Included in the package were these awesome buttons (the background is a Times New York Crossword puzzle that has me stumped. See all the blank spaces?)

















And these very cute notecards and tags...which i know i will end up using when I finish those pirate mittens. So cute! Totally made the day sparkle (even when it was hailing outside).

Yay!

I got an A on my law exam-- Yay (and I think I need to buy a new computer keyboard; I seem to have trouble typing. BOO!) I am so happy, since that exam nearly killed me (and no, I've never studied law). But I am relieved, and I am almost at the point of trying to justify another charm purchase...but I will be very, very good and wait 'til April to splurge. (of course. Not to mention that I just bought a neat bead (I will take pictures, I promise!)

And my friend, NK, will be going to Germany for about a year--so I'm very excited for her--and I am definetely going to try and save money, so i can visit her, and eat all the Quarkkaese that I can, as well as drink so much Apfelschorle that I'm practically drowning, not to mention all the Doener Kebabs! (Ok, that wouldn't be my only reason to visit NK, right? But I am very very proud of you and I KNEW you would get that grant to go to Berlin! :))

Anyway, i am ALMOST done with my vegan fox scarf. I just have to sew it up the middle and put eyes, a nose, and a clippy thing on. And maybe I can pull off wearing it with my green jacket? That is, if I get it done before it's like, 80 degrees out here.

My SP10 hostess asked us to write what our favorite knitting accessory was. My first thought: Besides yarn? I have plenty of it...

But then I got to thinking...so would it be my clover knitting needles? And this is me, so I'm wondering which ones would be my most favorite? Well, just any that I've got two of, so I can knit something. No. Not my favorite accessory. Tape measure? Who cares, as long as things are the right size...No, that's not the one. Then I remembered these CUTE yarn markers that Andi, one of the lovely ladies in my SnB group made...I have some shaped like birds and some like sheep, and some like santa claus. As much as I ADORE them, they are not my #1 knitting accessory.

Ladies, from the SnB group: can you guess?

Yep.

You got it. It's my trusty clover clicking row counter. I lose things all the time. This includes: Time, books (I still have never found my copy of "The Count of Monte Cristo" from 9th grade. That was in 1994.), socks, pens, pencils, important papers, not-so-important papers, my sanity (kidding), and track of my stitches. (this is how I get odd measurements or funky designs sometimes...)

I have like, three of them. I started with one, then needed one for another project. So I bought one more. Then maybe a year later, I couldnt' figure out where my second one was, so I thought maybe I only had one. Or maybe I lost the second one? So I bought another one. And actually earlier this year, my dad was looking under the sofa, and I saw...the second row counter...still in its wrapper!

So in all its glory, I nominate the Clover clicking counter as my #1.

It's my brother's birthday, and I hear he's home now--so I must now eat!

Foxy

I am taking a break from writing down addresses...we're going to send out bunches of postcards/coupons for the store, and I've been doing that. I'm a little strange. I actually like addressing envelopes and postcards. Perhaps it's a remnant from my pen-pal days, when I would write letters to people all over the world (whatever happened to Marco, Marianne, Hannele, and so on? Hmm. More letter writing sometime in my future.)

In any case, I received my Secret Pal info (hi there!) and I'm excited...over the weekend, I started shopping for my giftee's stuff, but still have a couple things I'd like to buy. So hopefully that package will go out sometime next week at the very latest.

Anyway, new knitting project:















I've always wanted to knit the Vegan Fox from knitty.com, and I caved and bought about 30 dollars of yarn. Funny that I can say that I'm sick of the furry, hairy yarns, and yet, I splurge on the same things I have been passing over! But I actually knitted that much in a couple days because I was so mad at myself (will explain in a moment) that I needed to soothe my frayed nerves. Not to mention that I was having a pretty stressful week, with back-to-back exams (short answer and essay, ugh!) and needed to relax.

My aggravation:

I was trying to upload new songs to my iTunes, so I could then upload an updated library to my iPod, and I accidentally deleted most of my library! Augh! This includes some of the rare, unusual recordings: such as those recorded off tv shows, like from Star Trek: Voyager, but I'm hoping I still have those on my old laptop. I hope I do. Otherwise it's going to be a pain to find some of those recordings.

As far as the scarf, just need to make those paws, sew everything together and find some good buttons for it!

The questionnaire, in a better place.

The Questionnaire
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I absolutely am a sucker for Noro yarns. I also lust over Louisa Harding, though I've not tried that yet. I just think it's pretty. I hate knitting with cotton, and I have enough fuzzy and furry yarns to last me a lifetime.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? This is very sad: They are all over the place...In an attempt to organize myself, i have my circulars in a little Winnie the Pooh makeup bag that I bought back in 9th grade, and I showcased my shoddy sewing skills in some needle case that I attempted to sew. The fabric's pretty, the workmakship not so.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have been knitting since my freshman year of college (1997) but didn't really get into it till I was in Germany about 4-5 years later. I consider myself intermediate, but very adventurous.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? yes, I do

5. What's your favorite scent? Jasmine and Patchouli (and also citrus-y scents)

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Oh totally. You may not believe it, but I have managed to keep myself away from the candy case at work. I am a sucker for peppermint altoids, dark chocolates (the darker/richer, the better...and have you tried those chocolate covered peppermint altoids??!!), and reeses's peanut butter cups.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? There was a time when I collaged like crazy...less time to do that...and I like jewelry making, but have not done that in a while. I don't know how to spin but would love to learn how.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I love folk rock music (think: Jill Sobule, Lisa Loeb, Warren Zevon), indie music (Jill Tracy). And I'm totally a sucker for piano-driven music (Sarah McLachlan, Vienna Teng, Norah Jones). Yes, my car stereo and computer can play mp3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I love purple, red, green. I hate yellow and orange.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I live at home with my parents. I have one fish.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I wear hats, scarves, and mittens.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I knit lots of scarves, because I usually can afford to buy a couple skeins at a time. I have been starting on sweaters, though.

13. What are you knitting right now? Just finished a hat...and I'm working on a couple scarves, and am trying to puzzle my way through a sweater/vest pattern. (I'm stumped!)

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yep!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I like circulars (keeps me from losing needles...LOL!)...bamboo are my favorites.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Hmm. At this point...maybe one and a half years? I finished my 3 year UFO last fall...

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect? Tacky postcards. The tackier, the better. I love the black ones that say things like "Cleveland at night" or "Minneapolis at night". I know, I'm strange. It's an ongoing collection since 5th grade.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I can always love noro! But what I am looking for is a good fair isle pattern, like the one eunnyknits has for fair isle mittens. Also lusting after lantern moon needles. I don't have any knitting magazine subscriptions.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? how to make good socks. Or intarsia. I'm curious. And spinning.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? No, I'm terrible at them. My foot: 10 inches from heel to toe..

23. When is your birthday? June 19!