Monday, October 31, 2005

YAY!! To The Regular Mailman!!!!


Our regular mailman is back, and he brought my UK yarn with him. Actually he just brought the majority of the UK yarn I've been expecting (I still have one more from there that is outstanding). The other good news is that I just had to pay the tax on the yarn, no duty or anything.

The bad news is that I have to study, so I won't be able to knit with this yarn immediately, as planned. I hope I'll get a few minutes tonight to do some more VK Shawl Collar Cardi work, since the Astrakhan was part of the package.

Oh, and I have a friend who wants to learn to knit, so I went into A Touch of Wool with her on Saturday, and I accidentally bought some stuff. We had to go there, because Stu and our friend Martin were with us, and wouldn't go any further. I will have to introduce her to Urban Yarns soon, since it is the essential store for any knitter in Vancouver. Thanks to our trip, I now have my first Noro. It is fabulous! I'm going to make the Voodoo Wrist Warmers from Knitty. For those Vancouver knitting bloggers who are interested, A Touch of Wool is now stocking Cherry Tree Hill, but they don't have any of their sock yarn yet.

Oh yeah, I got tagged with my first meme from the other Chrissy. It's the 20 things about you one (I think I could fill up 1000 though). I really feel like part of the blogging community now. I hope to get to it this week. If not, I promise I'll do it after my exam.

Sorry about the crappy pics. I just don't want to take anything out of its bag yet.

Saturday, October 29, 2005

Wanted: Yarn


So, there is still no sign of the eBay yarn. I was going to take the weekend off and work on the Shawl Collar Cardigan, but I finished the collar last night, and I can't do any more until the Astrakhan gets here.

I am occupying myself with the sock. And the Baby Blanket. And many other UFOs. I'm taking the weekend off, before I start studying on Monday. I have a final exam next Sunday. Do you believe it? A Sunday! Once I'm done that one, I only have 2 more to go! YAY!!!!! I'm still super stressed about it though. Just thinking about it gives me a headache.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Ya Know....

I think I like being online better than real life. What does that say about my "real life"?

I love reading other knitter's blogs, seeing their progress, splurges, and finished objects. I just don't have that anywhere else. Oh, and I love getting comments on my stuff. I think that in "real life" when I start talking about knitting, I feel like I'm imposing on people. I get the "Uh huh, Uh huh, hmmm, well that's cool", but I can tell that I'm just being put up with. I hate that. I wish I had knitting friends that lived close by that I could get together and knit with, and go on yarn expeditions with, etc. Sadly, I don't. All the SnB meetings are too far away for those who are stuck on the bus. I don't want to spend an hour or so on the bus, just to spend an hour or so at the SnB, and and hour or so home. That sucks. I hate the bus.

So what have we learned?

1) I hate being "put up with" for a perfectly good interest.
2) I hate the bus.
3) I hate Canada Post, or whoever is responsible for my yarn not being here yet. Hmm...Airmail, and it's already been MORE than two weeks. This is stupid. I want my F*CKING yarn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Sorry Mom, I wasn't really swearing).

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

I Think This Quiz Pegged Me Quite Well...Although I'd Rather Be an Addi Turbo...

interchangeable
You are interchangeable.
Fun, free, and into everything, you've got every
eventuality covered and every opportunity just
has to be taken. Every fiber is wonderful, and
every day is a new beginning. You are good at
so many things, it's amazing, but you can
easily lose your place and forget to show up.
They have row counters for people like you!


What kind of knitting needles are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

A Wee Apology to the Mailman

Yesterday I found out that our regular mailman is on vacation, so someone else is filling in for him. Apparently, this temp doesn't think our mail should come before 5pm. I miss the regular mailman.

Oh, and I got an email today from one of the sellers on eBay that I bought yarn from 2 weeks ago. The package hasn't arrived yet, because she forgot to send it. No big deal though, I'm just glad it's not lost. So, hopefully I will have it next week.

I have a sheep story from today, but I'm way to tired to type it all out. Maybe tomorrow.

Monday, October 24, 2005

See Mom, I'm Not That Bad

Betcha didn't think I'd pass!!

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 8/10 correct!

Weekend Knitting


Well, the mailman never delivered my package on Friday, but I am hopeful he will arrive today. I spent the weekend writing a 3500 word essay on Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and I finished my final edit yesterday afternoon. I am soooo glad that it is done! I don't have another paper due for that class until the end of November.

This week will be spent on the last two units of the sociology course, and the last assignment, and next week I will be studying for the exam on the 6th. I'm still very stressed about that.

On to things that are more fun.....

I was craving some sock knitting over the weekend, and since I didn't get the sock yarn I ordered on Friday, I decided to finally start on the mate to the first sock I ever knit. I think it's going quite well. I was a little concerned about using a 12 inch circular, because I used dpns for the first one, but I managed to stretch all of the stitches around. I love Addis. The sock is a woman's medium with 64 stitches cast on, and it barely stretches, so I wouldn't recommend using any fewer stitches on your 12 inch Addi Turbos, girls. But 64 st is definitely possible!

I also decided to begin on the sleeves for the Vogue Knitting Fall 2005 Shawl Collar Cardigan. I am still waiting for the Debbie Bliss Astrakahn from a seller in the UK, but I picked up the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran from Urban Yarns last week. The first 5.5 inches of ribbing is worked in the Cashmerino Aran, as is the collar. I finished all the ribbing on the sleeves, and cast on for the collar last night, but didn't get any further than that. If I get the Astrakahn today, I will be working on the sleeves tonight. I think this is going to be a pretty quick knit, which is good, because I have so much that I want to knit this fall.

Random thought: I wish I could get Lorna's Laces in Vancouver. I've talked to several shop owners here, and they all say, "Well, we can't carry everything." I know that, but if there's demand, they really should be selling it, and getting rid of the acrylic crap that can be found at Michaels. Ooh, I guess that was a bit snarky. And I must add that not all of the shops are guilty of this. Urban Yarns is packed to the brim with high quality yarns, and Birkeland Bros. is not guilty either. Hmmm....Who does that leave?

Friday, October 21, 2005

O Mailman Where Art Though?

I am desperately wanting to do more sock knitting, because two Socktober pairs are simply not enough.

I have enough Lorna's Laces sock yarn for 3 new pairs of socks, but I ordered it from eBay, and it is taking forever to get to me!! I am a bit impatient though, and its only been a bit over a week.

I have been waiting at home all the time with the hope that the mailman will ring my buzzer and tell me that he has a package for me, and I will go skipping downstairs to get it, then rush back upstairs to open by package of beautiful sock yarn, and start casting on.

Unfortunately, my sock yarn fantasies have not made my package come any faster. I think they should deliver yarn super quick, because it's just not fair to keep a girl waiting.

Well, the mailman is catching the brunt of my frustration. Everyday that my package doesn't come, I curse that package carrying man. You know that paranoia has set in when you think that maybe he has taken your yarn, and the mail is not coming, because he is sitting in his truck knitting beautiful socks out of yarn that should have been delivered to its rightful owner. This little bit of frustration is fully justified though, because the yarn will be so beautiful that even non knitters will be unable to resist the temptation to knit with it. Ya, I know. I have issues.

I am still hoping to get it today, since it's not even noon yet. I hope I do.

Thursday, October 20, 2005

The New Binder...


I finally got around to decorating my new pattern binder this morning. I also got all of the patterns moved over. My old one was totally tiny, and couldn't fit more than half of my patterns. I figured I would personalize the new one, and I'm happy with how it turned out.

I swear to god, the cat just went up to the CD player, and turned the radio on, and opened the disk changer. Seriously, I just had to get up and turn it off. When the CD thing popped out, it freaked him out. He's such a nut! And in other cat news, he now knows how to open the kitchen cupboards! He's been rustling around knocking over cans and stuff. He's one smart little cookie!!

I decided that I must make that Clapotis thing. I didn't like the look of it at first, but it's grown on me, and now I have to have it! I'm thinking Lion & Lamb in Lakeview. What do you think? I think it would be nice, but if you have any suggestions about what might look better, let me know. It just has to look good with my blonde hair.

I'd better go....the cat's opening the cupboard again...

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

More Socktober Progress


I finished my blue Fleece Artist Favorite Soft Socks about 15 minutes ago. They fit even better than the red ones, and now I have two super comfy pairs of socks. I'm hoping my Lorna's Laces sock yarn will come in the mail tomorrow. If not, I have plenty of UFO's to work on.

I was in at Urban Yarns this afternoon to pick up four balls of black Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran for the cuffs and collar of the shawl collar cardigan from Vogue Knitting Fall 2005. I can't wait to get started on it.

I got my two packages of Addi's in the mail from overseas. I ran down to get the mail this morning and I had one package, then when I got home from Urban Yarns I walked by the mail box again, and surprise! there was another package with the rest of the needles. It's kinda funny, because I don't think I've ever gotten mail twice in one day before, and the mail man didn't even come yesterday (I think it had something to do with the teacher's strike thing).

Word Verification or IQ Test

I know a lot of bloggers have been using word verification to cut down on spam comments, and I think it's a great idea, but (this is kinda embarrassing) sometimes I can't even get the letters right. It's when they're very squished together. I always feel like such an idiot.

Does anyone else do this? I know of at least one other person who has had a bit of a struggle sometimes. I just want to make sure I'm not alone.

And it's not like I have a problem with the alphabet (I am in the last semester of a B.A. in English). Maybe I'm just losing it!

Monday, October 17, 2005

Yet Another Finished Sock


I have to say that Socktober is going really well for me! I started on the blue version of the Favorite Soft Sock Fleece Artist pattern a few days ago, and knit the ankle in 2 short sittings. At 7:45 pm the night before last, I started on the heel, and did some speed knitting, and I actually finished the whole thing by a little after midnight.

Yesterday I started and finished the front of the Baby Boatneck Sweater, and cast the second blue sock on. I am almost at the heel, and I'm hoping to make good progress tonight. I want to get the sock finished before my eBay orders arrive in the mail, but there has been no sign of them yet :( I am so impatient!

School is actually going well, but I'm still stressed out for some reason. Maybe because it's my last semester, and I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up.

I proofread my Sociology assignment this morning and it's all ready to go. I spent the day working on Abnormal Psyc, and managed to read (and take notes on) 2 chapters. Only one more chapter to go before the assignment.

I was thinking about doing that last chapter tonight, but it's 7th Heaven night, and Stu's out doing the laundry so I have the place to myself to knit. By the way, I get made fun of immensely for watching 7th Heaven. I am totally not religious, but something draws me to that show. I think it's because it's a bit like a soap opera, except people actually work on their problems and care about what others think. Whatever, it's my guilty pleasure, so don't make fun of me for it.

I'm having a strawberry yogurt Chuppa Chups, and I'm practically drooling on the keyboard, since I need two hands to type, because it has to stay in my mouth, so I better go before I short the computer out.

PS. I finished the ribbed cashmere hat (finally!!). It looks great, but the color does nothing for me. Oh well... Live and learn.

Saturday, October 15, 2005

Do You Have A Favorite Free Sock Pattern From The Internet?

I am totally sock obsessed. I knew it was bound to happen some time, but I didn't realize it would be this soon. Check out the cool Socktoberfest button on the left sidebar for more info from the lovely Lolly's blog.

My name is Chrissy, and I'm a sockaholic (among other things)....

I was looking around through a bunch of different websites looking for free online sock patterns, and it occurred to me that I should be asking sock knitters what they have found (and knit) from online sock patterns.

In honor of Socktoberfest:

I'd love to put together a comprehensive sidebar list of the best free sock patterns on the web.

So here's the question:

What is/are your favorite free sock pattern[s] on the internet?

If you have one, leave your answers in the comments section.

I am dying to know!

Friday, October 14, 2005

I Wish School Would Just Go Away!!!!!!

I absolutely have to get another Sociology unit done today, and finish another assignment. The only problem (well, that's not true, there are several), is that each assignment has two units it draws on, and I did one of the units 2 weeks ago. I have no idea what it is about!!!

The reason I have to get this done so fast is that I am exactly 1/2 way through the course, and my exam is on the 10th or so of November. It took me a month and a half for the first half, and now I have less than a month including study time for the second half.

I am headed up to the coffee shop right now to try to get it done. No knitting til I finish, even though I only have another inch on the cashmere hat to go before I start decreasing.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

No Second Sock Syndrome Here


I cast on the second fuzzy red sock in the car on the way to Thanksgiving dinner last night. With a bit of knitting yesterday, and a bit today, I managed to finish the second sock. This is my second pair so far.








I am so tired though, so I don't seem to have much to say. I am wearing them right now, and they are soooo soft and very warm. Super comfy. I am looking forward to making blue ones soon.


I've decided to give you guys 2 angles for your viewing pleasure.

Have a good knitting night.

Monday, October 10, 2005

Baby Sock, Never Worn




I just finished sewing in the ends on this baby sock. I used the basic principles of an adult sock, and made it up as I went along. Every measurement was pure guess.

It goes with the hat that I made a few weeks ago, and is made in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran.

It is really cute. I am happy with the way it turned out, but I have no idea if it will fit or not.

I was thinking that if it didn't I would put some less dense Styrofoam in it, and then stick my dpns in through the top, and have a needle holder. I hope it fits though.

If your curious about any specifics, just comment and ask. I may post them later, regardless.

Can't Stop This Shopper

I made the mistake of browsing around on ebay yesterday, and I went a bit nuts! I have goodies coming from the UK, the Netherlands, and Vermont. My mouth waters at the Addis, Rowan, Debbie Bliss, and Lorna's Laces that will be arriving at my door in the next week or so. Addis are so much cheaper on ebay than at the LYS. I think I'm paying less than $10 Canadian including shipping, per set.

I don't know how it happened, but my budget had some left over money at the end, which allowed me to do some shopping. I guess it could have been savings, but you can't take your money to your grave, so you might as well spend it!

I am having some issues with spending the large amount that I did though. Usually I don't have left over money, and can't afford a big purchase, which usually leaves me feeling a bit sick. This time I can afford it, and I still feel a bit of panic.

I will be sure to post pics as soon as my shipments arrive. I am so excited!

Saturday, October 08, 2005

Finally Some Progress



I finally decided that I needed to finish some knitting stuff and other loose ends yesterday. I never thought I'd make very good progress, but it turns out that I totally did!

I finished Socktoberfest 2005 sock number 1. It's from the favorite sock/mitten kit by Fleece Artist. It's a strand of mohair and a strand of blue face leicester. I bought two kits, so I'm glad I like it. I just have to make sure I get the second sock finished. The first sock I ever made still does not have a mate.

I knit this sock up on a 12 inch circular 5mm Addi Turbo. I switched to dpns for the toe, but the closest dpn I own is a 3.5 mm, so I used that. It makes the toe a bit more dense, which is good, right? Whatever, it worked just fine. I picked up too many stitches on the instep, so the foot is a bit loose, but very comfy.

The pattern that comes with the yarn says to cast on 26 st, but there was no way that was going to fit anyone, but a child. So, I cast on 36, I think. I have it written down somewh
ere, but I can't find the paper. Anyway, perfect fit on the leg. Perfect fit all over.

This sock knit up sooooo fast! I couldn't believe that I knit the whole leg part in one sitting. Nice yarn to work with too. I would recommend it and use it again.

I cast on a baby hat on the same needle when I finished the sock. I figured I needed a quick but different project before I cast on the next sock. This was a super fast hat to knit. The yarn is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. I cast on 56st on a 12inch 5 mm circ. Stockinette Stitch for 5 inches or so, then *k2tog* until 7 st remain. Then I switched to 3.5mm dpns and knit around on the 7 st until the cord was as long as I wanted it to be.

When I finished my hat last night, I noticed that Ariane had knit a beautiful baby hat as well. Ariane, I think I like yours better. Mine will have to do for now. I don't know why, but I keep having the urge to put the hat on the cat, but that would be the end of the hat pretty quickly.

Friday, October 07, 2005

New Hair Day


I took some time off from essay writing today, to go get my hair cut. I love it!!!!!!! Short layers, long layers. Perfect. I thought you'd all be curious.

While I waited for my highlights to "set" I even got some knitting done. I just started on a baby hat for baby Blue. Pics to come soon.

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

When In Rome...






You Belong in Rome


You're a big city girl with a small town heart

Which is why you're attracted to the romance of Rome

Strolling down picture perfect streets, cappuccino in hand

And gorgeous Italian men - could life get any better?


What City Do You Belong in? Take This Quiz :-)





Tuesday, October 04, 2005

I swear that the color of the hat is waaayyyyy better in person.



And, yeah, that't the cat on my school binder. No wonder I never get enough done!!

Has It Been A Week Already?



Time sure flies. I haven't been getting nearly as much knitting done as I would like. There's been way too much school stuff to do. Good news though, I have lots of pics.

Last week, Stu and I went to Wool and Wicker in Steveston, ok, so the real purpose of going to Steveston was for lunch, but I spent more time with yarn than with food. I'm going to have to give Wool and Wicker a thumbs down. Apart from the fact that they're a bit of a distance away, their yarn organization sucks! They've got it all done by color, and it is impossible to find more than one or two balls of anything. And I don't think I'm abnormal, but I don't shop for yarn by color. I shop by brand, then color. It was just too overwhelming, and I found it really frustrating.

When I looked for a bit and couldn't find any Fleece Artist sock kits, I asked the shopkeeper, and she didn't have any idea what I was talking about at first. Then, under a bunch of other stuff, they had a few colors, all ugly. Then she proceeded to go behind the counter and pull out a beat up bag of Fleece Artist merino that was left over from other projects, saying "I think this might be enough for two socks" or " you could just edge it with this". This was a clashing, even uglier color. Oh GOD!!!! Save me from this Fleece Artist deficit hell!!!!! All stores are supposed to be getting more soon. And I still have a bunch, so I don't know what I'm complaining about.

Then I asked her if she sold ball winders, and she said yes, but wasn't sure if there were any left. She led me into the next room and showed me a swift, but proceeded to call it a ball winder. Then she was like, wait a sec, this is a swift, we don't have any ball winders left. Argh...
She said they were very hard to find, and that her supplier didn't have any left, so she had to find a new supplier, but she could take my number for when she did get some in, in the distant future.

We left and I called Birkeland Bros. on the way home. I figured they might have them, because they're quite utilitarian. This was on Wednesday, and they said they would have them on Friday by the latest. I went in on Friday, and they had just received them!!

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you why I needed the ball winder, etc. I did end up buying a Favorite Sock or Mitt kit (Fleece Artist of Course), actually I bought 2. Blue and red. But Wool and Wicker didn't have a ball winder for me to use.

I started on the red Favorite Sock kit sock this afternoon, and spent about an hour on it, and I've already (barely) started the heel flap. I highly recommend this kit for a beautiful, soft, fast knit. I will be knitting many many more of these! Beautiful!

Cashmere hat is doing well. Stu kindly untangled the huge mess of cashmere, without even complaining, even though it took about 2hrs, and he missed part of The Simpsons for it. So, now it's in a ball that it totally perfect. I've been working away on it whenever I get a free moment, and it's also a quick knit.

I have a confession to make. I hate ribbing. I like how it looks, but I absolutely without a doubt, hate creating it!! It drives me batty. It's not like I make mistakes, or find it difficult, I just don't like it.

Excuse the bad pic, but it portrays my day very well ------->>>>

As for today, I spent the day working on an abnormal psychology paper. ALL DAY!!! Not fun... I did snap some pictures to snap my mood. I still have a bit more to do, but I'm doing this blogging thing for now. I do have to finish it before House starts at 9pm, so I should wrap up. I will be blogging more often, hopefully.