So , I was just writing about how bad today is when my browser shut down and erased my entire post. ACCK!! Looks like somebody's got a case of the mondays...so don't mind me while I complain..and complain...

Here are my list of yucky things that I'm not happy about.

1) I didn't get the job I applied for. I'm not terribly surprised, I think it probably went to someone with a Master's Degree. But, boo. Will I EVER get a better job?
2) I am having that lovely procedure known as a colonsocopy on Thursday. Blecch. I went and got all of the stuff I have to drink before Thursday and it is beyond nasty. Magnesium citrate, anyone? It's the sparkling laxative.

But hey, at least I get to knit for three days while I'm sitting at home resting. And, we just got cable...so I'll be watching all the E! True Hollywood Story I can fit into a day. Just kidding.

In knitting news, I finally finished knitting the Beribboned Baby Blanket. Hooray! I just have to add some finishing touches and it will be finished. Pics coming soon! Now I can start the Christmas presents...

Yesterday I went to the park with my dogs, Jacob, my sis, and her boyfriend.
This is my adorable Bella (also known as Schmoo) and this is Jacob's adorable Chili (who is really my dog too. Because I love her lots). And here is the family portrait!
So I guess I can't be that glum with such a great boy and cool dogs to boot. Thanks for letting me vent!

Posted by Carrieoke at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

hey !

It's so slow in my office today that I'm having trouble staying awake and focused. Which means that I am surfing the internet for yarn deals....which I shouldn't be doing because payday isn't until next week!! But I'm really wanting to get started on my Christmas presents. I've decided to knit something for everyone in my immediate family (that's Mom, Dad, Michelle my older sister, Cathy my twin sister, and Michelle's husband Dave). Then, I want to knit something for Jacob that he'll actually wear but he keeps requesting a "reindeer sweater" and I don't know if he's serious. He says he is...he does have odd taste in clothes sometimes....... but I don't know if I can find a decent pattern for that.

Anyways, I need to start getting these projects started so I need to buy yarn! Acck!! Meanwhile, I'm still workin on Beribboned Baby Blanket ...almost finito....and my poncho...back done.....and my top down raglan, which is now my new obsession. (I'm so fickle with my projects.) I just love this pattern! (Thanks, Stef!) Here's a picture of me wearing my half-done yoke ... isn't the raglan cute?? And it's so freaking fast! I think I'm going to put some stripes in this one too just for fun. It's my first one, so the first couple of increase rows aren't beautiful, but I think I've got the hang of it now.

This weekend is fun times with Jacob's family (a birthday party) and my sister Cathy is coming up with her dogs to play at the park. It should be nice and relaxing! And I'll probably be knitting a lot too...try to finish up the old projects so I can feel good about starting the Xmas collection!

Posted by Carrieoke at 11:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)

I finished the back of the poncho last night. Easy peasy. Now it's time for me to move to the front...but instead of starting that last night like I should have, I started another project ...I started a top down raglan sweater. I bought some cheapy yarn at Smileys Yarns specifically to try this pattern, so I just couldn't resist. My dog got into one of the skeins and dragged it everywhere, as if to taunt me with the yarn...so I gave in and started it. I just can't get the raglan increases right...anyone who has knit that pattern from Stef's site, please offer me advice. (I'm always asking for help on this blog, aren't I? You don't mind, right?)

Now I'm trying to budget so I can afford yarn for Christmas presents and possibly a digital camera too. Can it be done? I WILL make it happen! I don't want to talk too much about what patterns I'm doing (my sisters read this blog) but they are Phildar, they look impossible, and I'm totally excited.

Our knitting group on Tuesday was really fun. And - I learned to crochet! (Thanks, Jenna!) I've been working on a little square to test out all the stitches...it isn't beautiful yet, but it will be. I'm hoping this will be a weekly event....although someone made the comment that you need a mindless project (all stockinette stitch ) to work on at knitting group because if you have a crazy pattern, you will MESS it up while you're gabbing away. And how true! I had to frog a few rows of Mr. Poncho...but he recovered nicely.

Posted by Carrieoke at 9:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Update 11:38 pm -- Here are some pics from our knitting group...we had so much fun..
Jenna, Camille and Leslie!
Me, Camille and Leslie!
these guys rock their needles like....like....like rock stars.
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I am so excited! I am going to ...not one...but TWO knitting groups tonight! First I'm going to meet with some girls from work (we're all knitting squares to make a big old crazy quilt) and then, some friends are coming over to my house for our first knitting group of the fall. I'm really looking forward to it....(my boyfriend probably isn't!!) but it should be big fun, with drinks and yarn and lots of knitting. And maybe I can get someone to teach me to crochet tonight.... (although a big thanks goes out to Valerie for scanning and emailing me the pages of the How-To-Crochet book that she accidentally took to L.A.) :)

I got frustrated with my cheapo digital camera - the Jam Cam!! -- last night. I was trying to take a decent picture of myself, and some decent pictures of my knitting, and it was very difficult. I guess when your camera cost $25 and only holds 8 pictures, you can't complain. But I'm still complaining! Damn! I want a digital camera with a zoom....and better resolution....any suggestions, or any one who wants to sell their old digital camera???

But here's what I squeezed out of the little cheap thing last night (I really made that camera work.) I got a couple of poncho-in-progress pics: one lengthwise picture, and one close up ... (Go little Jam Cam!! You can do it!)

I also took a picture of my lovely sewing machine that I'm still trying to learn about....
Check it out. Isn't she fancy?
And for the artistic segment of today's post ...here's what happens when you try to take a picture in the mirror with a Jam Cam and a flash ...ooh, trippy!

And here's normal old me... how ya doin?

in other news, Sharlyn sent me a link to a site that sells Phildar....and I am cursing her name because I want to spend so much money (just kidding Sharlyn!).....but I'm trying to find cheaper alternatives...suggestions....

Posted by Carrieoke at 4:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Happy Monday to everyone! I had a fun-filled weekend that included karaoke, knitting, and rockin' out to my sister's 80s nostalgia band The Hill Valley Preservation Society. They rocked. Jacob and I deejayed a karaoke party on Saturday and had a great time....we got free alcohol there and they sent us home with a bottle of wine and a bunch of chicken!! (Crazy!) And we're gettin' paid!

I knitted a bunch on Beribboned Baby Blanket this weekend....the never-ending project...it's almost there. I'm so close I can taste it. I'm trying to use self control and not start ANY OTHER projects until the blanket is done. I'm even banning working on the poncho. Hopefully by the end of this week...

Another temptation besides my grey, soft poncho are the two Phildar catalogs my sister brought me this weekend. Oh my goodness. She brought me a spring and a fall catalog....with fabulous patterns...and I'm drooling. Comment dit-on (en francais) 'I want to knit everything in these catalogs' ??? I think most of my family's Christmas presents will be coming from these books. Now, for the yarn....I may be needing some suggestions for good yarn substitutions.

My interview on Friday went really, really well....and the job sounds so cool! (working with volunteers at the State Botanical Gardens!!!) However, I'm trying not to get my hopes up TOO much...(last time I did and then I didn't get the job) but keep sending those good vibes my way!

Posted by Carrieoke at 10:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I've been knittin' away on my poncho. It looks pretty cool, although I'm not 100% sure that I'm doing the k2tbl and p2tbl correctly. It looks right....I think....we'll see! I'm getting my Phildar catalogs on Saturday and I cannot wait. I know I'm going to want to spend enormous amounts of money on yarn to make pretty things for presents....and for me.... but I will exercise self control. I will.

I'm trying to learn how to crochet so I crochet edges for finishing and it's freakin' hard for me. Is it because I'm left-handed? Or because I'm a knitter and my hands are resisting the dark side? Either way, I need help. Does anyone know of a good website with one of those funky animated hands that are actually showing you how to do it?

In non-knitting news....I got an interview for a job....I'm trying not to get too excited about it, because I know a bajillion people applied, but yay! Someone actually called me back after reading my resume! (It's been awhile). It's Friday afternoon so everyone send happy good professional successful job offer wishes. And, on another note, I got my hair done...and it's a little bit blonder now! I really like it...It's the lightest my hair has ever been. And I'm digging it.
Also --everybody cross their fingers that Hurricane Isabel doesn't wreak too much havoc....My dad just moved to Mt Olive NC, about 60 miles from the coast, and I'm a little nervous about it.

I'm off to work ....

Posted by Carrieoke at 9:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

wow! what a great knitting day. First of all - I got my yarn for my lovely poncho that I am knitting. I am using Wool-Ease Chunky in a pretty Grey Heather color. It arrived via UPS yesterday and I pulled it out, got out my needles, and started knitting...err, swatching. Okay, I didn't swatch. But a poncho is so big and loose anyways....if it's totally wrong I'll begin again. But I love the yarn and the pattern! Yahoo!

Then, my sis called and said that my Phildar catalogs had arrived! Whee!! So I will be getting them Saturday (my sister's rockin' band, The Hill Valley Preservation Society, is playing a show at a comic book / video game expo / geek fest this weekend here in my lovely college town) and I think my sister will be pointing out which patterns she wants knitted for her Christmas present. I am so excited! She called me and was just going on about how fabulous the patterns were...I love that she is getting excited about it. One day, Cathy, you may pick up knitting needles yourself...... :)

SO I have enough projects to last me til I start my Christmas presents. I feel like I need another set of Joanne needles to hold them all....

In non-knitting news, I think I'm going to go back to school and get my Master's degree! I've been researching a program at the University I work for and since I'm a full time employee, they will *pay for it all*. As in, my fees and tuition. Hello, who can beat that? And why would I not go? I think I'm going to do a technology degree, since I'm on the damn computer all the time anyways...I will keep you posted.

And, an adorable story to end this long winded post....my boyfriend found a newborn squirrel in our backyard (well, right on the other side of our fence) that our dogs were harassing...it was crying, and its little eyes weren't even open yet. So, he brought it inside (yes, mama squirrels will still take their babies back even with human scent on it...he researched it) and warmed it up. Long story short, no mama squirrel came for our little abandoned friend, so he took care of it for two days! As in, he fed it Pedialyte and soy milk out of a syringe, helped it pee, and kept it warm on a heating pad. And, luckily (and strangely enough) there is a lady who rehabilitates abandoned squirrels DOWN THE STREET from us that Jacob found out about. He took our little squirrel buddy there, and now he is safe and happy and ready to be rehabbed and released into the wild. (How cute is my boy?)

Posted by Carrieoke at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

it's friday! weekend! time for waiting tables and college football. (p.s. I don't really care about college football but my customers at the bar do.)

i've been browsing the internet, looking for some nifty patterns for Christmas presents. I really want to make my sisters something hip and cool -- and I found some hip AND cool things by Rowan. I went to this friendly site - Handworks Gallery - and flipped through some of the mags. These patterns ROCK. Hopefully I can make them with some cheaper yarn....suggestions on cheaper yarn? Anyone? Anyone?

Along the same line, my sis called me last night and was like "I got you something on the internet..." (She cannot keep a secret, bless her) And guess what it is? She ordered me two Phildar catalogs -- HOORAY! (She is a good sister) So hopefully I will be able to knit her something fabulous and Phildar. I cannot WAIT to see the patterns.....I love surprises......

My dad's birthday is coming up, and I've decided that Homespun Blue the Blanket would be a good present for him since it will get cold in NC before the year is out. Now I just have to finish it, and Beribboned Baby Blanket, and hopefully by then my poncho yarn will be here....send speedy mail vibes my way.

also please send some healthy vibes my way...not to gross anyone out, but I'm having some colon issues and I have to get it looked at in a few weeks....ewwww.....i'm a little nervous but glad to be doing something about it.
i'm sure all the fried bar food and beer is really great for the colon, right?

Posted by Carrieoke at 9:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

hooray! so, after reading Becky's blog yesterday...and reading about how she frogged and re-knit 60 rows, I thought to myself: 'Wow, you can fix that baby blanket! You just need a crochet hook and some patience. And maybe a glass of wine.'

And I did it! So yay for small knitting victories. I repaired the rows that were totally demolished last night, and I'm back on track knitting Beribboned Baby Blanket. (And a little wiser this time around.) However, I can't stop knitting Homespun Blue - she's just too purty! So, now I've got two blankets to work on, and I'm a happy girl. Betcha you wanna see what they look like....

Beribboned is a delicate little blanket, and Homespun is bolder and brighter. And I love them both!

I ordered some yarn for my poncho, and some yarn for the top down raglan I will be knitting soon...this is the first time I've really ordered yarn off the internet so I hope it turns out well. It was really cheap though....I hope to find more deals when I'm shopping for Xmas present yarn.

Tomorrow starts another weekend of work, work, work....and money hopefully. But I have had a pretty relaxing week thus far at my day job, so I can't complain too much. Although it would be nice to look forward to the weekends sometimes and not think of it as more work....a girl can dream, can't she? However, this girl is a happy, dog-loving, knitting fool, and I really can't let a little work get me down, right? Amen, sister.

P.S. I got a package in the mail today from my favorite webhost and kick ass knitter Becky... thanks so much Becky! You rock, your site rocks, and all your knitting advice and encouragement makes me feel happy when I'm in a funk. Thanks girl!!

Posted by Carrieoke at 8:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

aaackkk. I was working on Beribboned Baby Blanket last night while watching a movie, as usual, except that the lights were out. (Bad idea.) So, I was rapidly knitting the stockinette stitch body part, I noticed a stray row of bumpy stitches...I had accidentally purled on a knit row. So I tried to pull it out...and I royally screwed up the whole blanket..(any advice on how to pull out a row or two without losing it is very welcome....)

ARRRGGHH!@#%@!

I was so freakin' mad. I *may* still try to salvage it, but I lost a lot of rows and I have been working on this thing for a while. And my stepsister's baby is due in November. So, onto Plan B....I got out some of the pretty blue variegated Homespun that my sister gave me for my birthday, and I've started a new baby blanket on 11s. It's actually knitting pretty fast (Stacy keeps talking about how soft and fun the Homespun has been, and I'm going to try it now!!) and it IS really soft. So, hooray for Homespun. Let's hope this baby waits until November like he's supposed to...
What else is on the way?

*I'm about to start knitting a poncho with some online friends....I've just got to find that perfect ebay auction with cheapy, chunky yarn.
*And, I've found the manual for my old sewing machine online, so I just need to order it and get it, and I'll start sewing away!!
In other news, I waited tables for almost 30 hours this weekend....made lots of money...and paid rent. fun times! still hoping for an interview for that perfect job...

Posted by Carrieoke at 1:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

...i hate the first couple of days after you get back from a long weekend...everything seems slower and harder to do!

for example - i felt like i was getting some great knitting done at the beach. then i come back - and my baby blanket feels like it is moving S O O O S L O W. aarrgh. i think i need to knit something in a big old chunky yarn with some big old fatty needles for some instant gratification.

i did, however, finish my cabled swatch for my knitting group's crazy quilt. would you like to see it? okay!

i added a little white border to make the swatch the correct size. and the cable in the middle is a saxon braid cable (?) and it was big fun. i think i'm going to put cables on everything now.

here is what i learned just from knitting a 8x8 swatch with cheap acrylic yarn:
*if you don't pick up enough stitches when adding a border, your square becomes less square -like and more like a parallelogram.
*cheap acrylic yarn dries really fast. and you can't really block it.
*i love my Joanne needles.

in other crafty news, i have a sewing machine sitting in my office at home that is crying to be set up. it's an older machine, and i am NOT experience with sewing machines. but i am determined to set it up and use it (and this blanket really makes me want to hurry up and do it! link courtesy of becky at fluffa! she's always got a fabby link (or twelve) on her site!!)

Posted by Carrieoke at 10:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)