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February 25, 2005
I Fear Change
Aw, shucks. Ya'll are gonna make me blush with all your nice comments about the sweater ... and Jacob's already blushing with all the "he's a good model" comments. It's nice to share the happiness of finishing a big project with the knitters of the blogosphere. (Someone I know calls knit bloggers "knogglers." hee hee.) YAY.
Anyways, I was totally itching to start something new, and something for myself. Not too long ago, a generous friend gifted me with many balls of Wool-Ease Sportweight in this soft light pinky brown color called Mushroom. I started swatching it, fully planning to design my own simple sweater with a V-neck and bell sleeves, when I remembered that I have several Phildar catalogs with fabulous sweaters in them. HELLO. I am too damn impatient to design when there is Phildar to be knit.
So I grabbed my Phildar Automne 2003-2004 and found a simply gorgeous sweater with bell sleeves and five little buttons at the neck. SO CUTE. The one in the magazine has some sparkly striping, but I'm going for simple and clean this time around. And what? My stitch gauge and row gauge were SPOT ON with the Wool Ease? Oh, yeah. So the knitting began.
Please excuse my tired eyes - I've been sick this week!
Since I was sick this week, I had lots of knitting time and I'm almost up to the armholes on the back of the sweater. I'm using 5s, which are actually pretty small for me, but the fabric I'm knitting up is really pretty.
And you know what? I'm actually GLAD this sweater is in pieces. I'm looking forward to seaming it up. That's right, I said it. And I'm so excited about the bell sleeves. I'll try to snap a picture of the picture in the magazine so I can show ya what it's going to look like...it's gonna RAWK.
We had knitting night last night, but really it was a swap-o-rama, and I totally racked up on cool clothes. Except for when Jenna stole a couple of cool shirts right out from under my nose. Damn her and her cuteness. See Anne Marie's blog for more details and hilarious pictures. Yes, hilarious!
In other news, Drew and JoAnna are moving to New York. This. Weekend. I am happy for my friends because I know they will love it but I am so, so sad that my teamies will be so far away. (Anne Marie and I are planning lots of together time and knitting and shopping to cope with the absence of these two.) If I think about it for too long, I will actually cry, so now I will post a happy pic of Drew and JoAnna to make me smile.
Aren't they stylish?
Dear Teamies: Please come back soon. I miss you already.
February 21, 2005
Finally!
I FINISHED THE SWEATER. And here is the proof:
That Jacob, he's so hot right now.
Jacob, being the good model that he is, gave me lots of poses to choose from:
The Thinking Pose.
The Back Shot.
The Jacob-is-laughing-because-he's-doing-all-these-cheesy-poses shot.
YAY! I'm so glad it's finished. I really love the way it looks, and I think he'll wear it, if it gets colder up in here.
I ended up picking up stitches for the collar. Per Jenny's advice, I bound off the ribbing using a needle two sizes bigger that what I knitted the ribbing with, and it gave the collar just the right amount of stretch. It was still a little bit too wide for him, so I did a small amount of tweaking to the collar after I bound it off... don't ask... I managed to pull it in a little though.
This is the first big sweater in pieces that I've ever knit. Every other sweater I've made has been in the round, because I hate seaming and finishing. I've overcome some obstacles with this project, including:
*My fear of seaming, at least mattress stitching: Now I feel like I know what I'm doing. And it actually looks pretty good too. Woot!
*My fear of sweater pieces: If you do it right, it actually all fits together like a puzzle. Who knew?
*The sweater curse: So far, so good. He's giving it back if we break up. (Just kidding, Jacob. :) Jacob has been a really good sport about the sweater, considering that it was a Christmas present, and it's February, and also I made him try it on ALL THE TIME. )
*Phildar pattern confusion: I think I finally understand how the patterns are written out. They're still a little crazy, but I actually can follow one well now. Thanks for HEJ and Skinny Rabbit Becky for all their help with that!
I'm really glad it turned out well, and I'm also glad it's over so I can move onto something else big ... maybe for me? I've been eyeing the ChicKnits ribby cardi lately...or maybe just a top down raglan with some modifications for fun? We'll see. I still have my Half Clappy to finish and a half knitted sock in my purse. But with all my new finishing skills, I want to rock something BIG. Oh yeah.
Thanks to all my knitting girls for all their encouragement during the Sweater That Would Not Be Finished. It is done! YAY!!!!
February 16, 2005
Sad Collar, Happy Sock
Hi there! Thanks for all of your encouraging thoughts and words for my sister ... she will totally kick ass and get lots of pledges and finish the marathon, I know it. Yay Cathy!
And happy belated Valentine's Day ... mine was great! Jacob made me yummy dinner (seafood pasta with scallops, shrimp and tuna -- see his artistic presentation here) and yummy key lime pie for dessert (my fave!). And then, we watched some Law and Order. Ahh .. dinner, TV, and my schmoo. Perfect.
I have been knitting, A LOT, in an attempt to finish the Super Sweater That Will Not Be Finished. With the help of a wise knitting friend, I managed to attach the sleeves. Evidence of one attached sleeve is here:
One sleeve attached. Check.
At this point, both sleeves are on, one sleeve is seamed, and I have attempted to attach the neckband ... *three* times.
First time, I tried the free loop backstitch thing and had NO IDEA what I was doing. Looked like crap. Pulled it out. Called Miss High Energy. She talked me through it. I thought I got it.
Second time, I dove right in. Finished attaching it. Admired my handiwork. Started looking closer... then Jacob tried it on. Here's what he said .. "Are you going to fix that lacy part?" D'oh! There were some holes.
Third time. Really concentrating. No lace. Finished up. THE COLLAR IS NOT IN THE CENTER OF THE SWEATER. What is wrong with me?
Clearly, I need professional help, so I'm meeting with Jenny this week for a session. I hope I can save it... Here's a picture of the sad little collar.
Please excuse my wonkiness. Carrie will fix me soon.
Ahem.
In happier knitting news, I finished a sock today! It's a pretty blue sock for me, using my own make-it-up-as-I-knit sock pattern.
Soft blue sock. All for me!
I knit this sock completely on two size 3 bamboo circs. So far, I think the gusset is easier with dpns, but the circs are much more portable. I tend to drop stitches when I'm toting a sock-in-progress on dpns (and it's usually just thrown in my purse on the way out the door) so the circs make it easier to literally throw the sock in a bag and go without losing stitches. Also, I'm currently running the spotlight for a local production of Fiddler on the Roof** so this sock has been my knitting in the dark between scenes project, and it's a lot easier to knit a sock on circs in the dark because there's only two join spots instead of four or three. Does that make sense? Yay. I'm starting the second one this weekend during the run, and hopefully I'll have it finished soon. I heart sock knitting.
Hopefully sometime this week, you will see a picture of a cute Jacob-schmoo wearing a fabulous Finished Sweater. Send neat, pretty Fluffa-like finishing vibes.
**if you're in town, I highly recommend it - it's good stuff. And I've seen it like FIFTY TIMES. And, um, don't tell the director I'm knitting in between scenes. :)
February 14, 2005
News Flash
We interrupt your regularly scheduled knitting blog for a news flash:
My twin sister Cathy is fabulous for many reasons. But, after being inspired by our own fabulous Rachael, now she's gone and raised the bar of fabulousness even higher: She is running a marathon for the American Stroke Association.
That's right, folks, 26 miles. (ouch.)
Cathy and I have a particular interest in the American Stroke Association, because our dad had a stroke in 2001. At the time, we were living in Atlanta, and he was living in Charleston, SC. It was really hard for our family because we could knew something was wrong, even over the phone, and we were powerless to help him because we were so far away.
Dad at Cathy's rehearsal dinner.
Now we know that what we heard were the signs of an imminent stroke. My father survived his stroke, and went through a long recovery period, and is now healthy and strong in North Carolina. But we feel really strongly about stroke research and education because of my dad's story.
The bottom line? Cathy is raising money for her marathon. Your donations will go to the American Stroke Association -- and their main goals are teach people the warning signs of stroke; fund research to find ways to prevent stroke; develop guidelines for physicians to treat people with stroke; and provide stroke survivors and their families a place to get answers after a stroke. Cathy is running this marathon in honor of our father, and for so many stroke victims everywhere.
Cathy's donation website is here : Cathy's Marathon Website. Now, I'm not going to be running a marathon anytime soon...I'm still working on that whole exercising thing. But my sister Cathy can do it, and she will, with your help. YAY! And thanks, from me and Cat, and from my dad.
Me, Dad and Cathy.
Coming tomorrow: Sleeves have been attached to the Super Secret Sweater! Attaching the neckband using free-loop backstitch soon!
February 7, 2005
Go Teamy!
This morning, JoAnna and I got up and went to the Y. Yahoo! We successfully used the elliptical machine for 25 minutes, and then went and had some eggs and grits. Yum. I liked the exercising part, I guess, but damn, I hate getting up early. Gah. But yay for being healthy and all that. Maybe tomorrow I will attempt some more cardio.
Enough with the exercise talk! On to the knitting talk!
We had a knitting night last week on Thursday and I worked on my Clapotis. I had forgotten how much I was enjoying this knit until I pulled it out at the bar...it really sucks you in!
You would like a picture, no?
Here's the half clappy, draped oh-so-casually.
Click to see the whole thing.
I love Clappy. I'm probably going to be ending it pretty soon, since I think I might run out of yarn soon, and I'm definitely planning on making a whole Clappy in the future. If this one ends up being too short to wear, I'm hanging it on the wall because the recycled silk yarn is THAT YUMMY.
In addition to knitting Clappy and some socks and maybe finishing a Super Secret Sweater soon, I've also sewed up two (!) bags this week! Are you ready for this? Click to see the big pic!
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Bag Number One, the Hawaiian one, is a big old bag, used this morning for my gym stuff. I used some beautiful fabric sent to me by a generous crafty soul who also included some of her own beautiful dyed fabrics, among other goodies. Thanks Melly!
Bag Number Two is a little striped purse, fabric courtesy of JoAnna (also known as Teamy. We're workout buddies, ya know.) This is one of my favorite purses that I've made so far. It was perfect ... perfect, I say! ... and then I had to try a put a zipper in. But the zipper is in, and works, and I just need to add a little ribbon or something at the top to hide the sloppy stitching. I'll get the hang of it one of these days... but it's all trial and error, right? (I used the awesome Jordy bag pattern found at craftster.org for this one.)
So, the sewing is going well. Thanks to some magazines that Melanie included in her care package, Teamy and I are planning to possibly start a quilt soon. Can you believe it? Jacob is fearing that the crafts will take over the house ... but that won't happen! No...although I did already teach his sister to knit. And she's damn good too. Muhahahahahahaha ...
Just kidding.
Okay, that's my cue to go to bed. I have lots more to tell you, but I'm a sleepy schmoo, and I think there's a Bella and a Jacob somewhere in the house who want to curl up on the couch with me.
February 2, 2005
Early
I am sore. I worked out yesterday, using my little hand weights, a Shape magazine, and two fabulous work out buddies (Alison and JoAnna). It was fun while it lasted, but today I feel like an 80-yr-old woman. My poor little body can't take any more lunges. No more sets of 8. Clearly, this horrible soreness is a sign that I should NEVER WORK OUT AGAIN. Gah. And don't tell me to work through the pain or I will throw my free weight at you.
Just kidding. I'll try again tomorrow. Ouch. It hurts to type.
I'm hoping that tomorrow night I can install Jacob's raglan sleeves (using the word 'install' to describe sewing up this sweater fills me with glee, why is that??) and come close to completing the Super Secret Super Late Sweater. I'll show you pics if it happens. Meanwhile, feast your eyes on this yummy goodness:
soft and sparkly.
This is by Artful Yarns, and it's called Broadway. The coolest girl I know, Anne Marie, brought me two skeins from Colorado. This yarn is so SOFT. It looks JEWELED. I'm almost scared to knit with it because I might ruin its beauty. Yay.
In another wonderful, unexpected surprise, OneStitchShort Sarah gifted me and AM with some of this pretty pretty stuff:
Holy gorgeous colorway, Batman!
Look how brilliant those colors are! I can't wait to make something with this. Although it also looks damn pretty in its little skein. Thank you, Sarah!
Oh, the yarny goodness of it all. I am a lucky schmoo, I tell you what. Now, if all the rain that is falling right now would just freeze up into a solid sheet of ice, causing the University to close, I'd be the happiest girl EVER. Oh, and someone come install a dishwasher at my house.
Um, clearly it's too late for me to be posting because I'm feeling a little punchy, so let me cut this short and just direct you to the extended entry for some music quiz fun (and thanks to Cara for tagging me!) .. and just in case you were gonna skip the extended entry, I'm tagging Anne Marie, Big Lug Jen, and Frecklegirl for this one...
Okay, I'm shamefully uncool in my music tastes, people. I've tried to hide it for many years, posing as a music hipster for a long time, and my love for disco, ABBA, and all things pop always come out in the end. So, you've been warned....
1. Total amount of music files on your computer:
Since I'm at home right now, I'm doing my home computer, which really doesn't have that much stuff downloaded. Currently, my itunes tells me that I have 132 songs, or 8.1 hours. Told ya it wasn't a lot. Let's compare this to Jacob's itunes, which has 1275 songs, 5.35 GB, or 3.5 days. Jacob is the downloader in this household.
2. The last CD you bought was:
Hmm. I'm going to have to really think about this one. Ooh! It was the Elf Soundtrack, for my brother-in-law Dave. Christmas present.
3. What is the song you last listened to before reading this message?
Well, I had choir practice tonight, so I heard the choir sing How Great Thou Art while I played along on the piano. But the last recorded song I heard was on the radio: One Two Step, by Ciara. That song is so freakin' catchy.
4. Write down 5 songs you often listen to or that mean a lot to you.
ooh! this will be fun. And I think I might do a couple of categories, just for kicks.
1. Neighborhood, by David Byrne. David Byrne is one of my all time favorite musicians, and this song is one of my all time favorite David Byrne tunes. Totally funky, and reminds me of when Jacob and I first started dating. Riding around in Jacob's truck with the windows rolled down, singing along ...
2. Come a Little Bit Closer, by Jay and the Americans. This is an oldie. This song was one of my favorites when I was really, really little, and it just kept being a favorite song as I grew up. Now that I'm older, if I hear Come a Little Bit Closer on the radio, I instantly know that something good is about to happen. Seriously. It never fails. And the song always puts a smile on my face.
3. Anything by ABBA. I know, I know. But my twin sister and I had SERIOUS ABBAMANIA when we were in high school. Cathy and I could sing you the entire ABBA Gold album. Every single song. And I'll sing Agnetha's part and she'll sing Frida's. We're that good. A few faves: Super Trouper. Name of the Game. I Have a Dream. (just kidding, that song sucks!)
4. Flashdance (What a Feeling) by Irene Cara. This is my karaoke song. It used to be my absolute favorite one to sing, and when I've been drinking, honey, I will bust OUT those notes. Now I alternate: Flashdance, Fame, Gloria, Let's Hear It For the Boy. But Flashdance is my original karaoke theme song. It's so moving! It starts out slow... it builds.... WHAT A FEELING!
5. Jesus, Etc, by Wilco. This song is achingly beautiful, seriously. I love me some Wilco, too, but this song has special significance because a boy I really liked put it on a sad CD when we broke up one time...good thing we got back together, cause damn, he's got good taste in music. Wilco makes me happy, and so does Jacob.
Five songs when I'm depressed:
Hyperballad by Bjork
Ghost by the Indigo Girls
All Through the Night, by Cyndi Lauper
Do Right Woman, Do Right Man, by Aretha Franklin
Anything by Jonatha Brooke
Five songs for getting ready to go out:
The Beach by Quintron
Back and Forth by Aaliyah
(I've Got That)Boom Boom by Britney Spears
Rock Your Body by Justin Timberlake
In Da Club by 50 Cent
Five Songs for Driving
Step Aside for the Man, by Scissor Sisters
Regret, by New Order
Needy Girl, by Chromeo
You Make My Dreams Come True, by Hall and Oates
It's Only Natural, by Crowded House
Five Broadway Songs that I Love to Sing Really Loudly
Thoroughly Modern Millie (from Thoroughly Modern Millie)
I Know Things Now (from Into the Woods)
Suddenly Seymour (from Little Shop of Horrors)
You Can Always Count on Me (from City of Angels)
Cell Block Tango (from Chicago)
5. Who are you going to pass this stick to? (3 persons) and why? Hmm. I really want Anne Marie to do it, so I hope she doesn't mind getting tagged for another one of these things.
Jen tagged herself for the movie meme, so I'm gonna tag her for the music one, because I want to see answers!
And, because she has excellent music taste and also because she's awesome, Frecklegirl gets my last tag.