Saturday, March 25, 2006
One Leg Warmer Down
Woo Hoo!! I finally finished one leg warmer!! Can't believe it took me nearly 2 weeks for such a little thing, but I did learn a lot:
Of course, my knitting schedule has been interrupted by a last minute gift for my mother-in-law. What am I thinking?? It's got to be in the mail by Thursday at the latest!
The yarn is completely fabulous though. It's Color Me Happy, and it even smells wonderful - kind-of like patchouli. The other night when we went out for sushi I noticed a yarn store - Midnight Sun Fiber Arts, but the kids wouldn't let me go inside. I finally got the chance today, and what a lovely little store, too! There is a fabulous selection of yarns and beautiful items for spinning and weaving.
- picot edging - not exactly fun but it has cute results,
- designing on the fly - also not as fun as I thought it would be and involves lots of frogging,
- increasing in ribbing - luckily I never did have to do this because it looks to be a real pain, but I did do a lot of research on it and could probably tackle it fairly easily next time,
- picot bind-off - it's not that difficult if you aren't distracted by small children, which is hopeless in my house - took at least 10 different attempts and 3 hours to complete.
Of course, my knitting schedule has been interrupted by a last minute gift for my mother-in-law. What am I thinking?? It's got to be in the mail by Thursday at the latest!
The yarn is completely fabulous though. It's Color Me Happy, and it even smells wonderful - kind-of like patchouli. The other night when we went out for sushi I noticed a yarn store - Midnight Sun Fiber Arts, but the kids wouldn't let me go inside. I finally got the chance today, and what a lovely little store, too! There is a fabulous selection of yarns and beautiful items for spinning and weaving.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Sushi, Xanadu, Nippon-Kan & Rowan
Took the kids out for their first sushi last night. Steve was having dinner with a vendor, and since he's not much of a sushi fan, I thought it would be a fun, new thing to do with the kids. Clark had a field trip to Nippon-Kan today, and they got to eat a Japanese meal. Unfortunately, since they make a lot of their dishes with peanut oil, it may not be a good thing for Clark to try with his peanut allergy and all. That meant he had to bring a lunch. He really wanted to try sushi.
So we went to Blue Koi, a nearby sushi restaurant that some of our friends and neighbors have been to. The kids enjoyed trying the California rolls, terriyaki chicken rolls, and shrimp tempura rolls. (I though that cooked sushi would be the way to go for their age.) I also ordered some crab rangoons and shrimp shumai. Clark really enjoyed the sushi, although he wasn't too keen on the avocado. Shea didn't like the sushi so much. She mostly ate the crab rangoons and shrimp shumai. I was surprised that they actually felt full after eating only a few pieces. We also had green tea ice cream for dessert. Shea said it was like "eating perfume." They loved the ice cream. Then we ordered a California roll to go for Clark's field trip.
Confession time - I have always loved Xanadu. Don't know if it's because of Olivia Newton-John, ELO, Gene Kelly or goofy Greek mythology references (probably all of the above), but I've been a closet Xanadu freak, since I was in middle school, which at my age means A LONG TIME. Anyway, I finally decided to rent it from Netflix. (Gotta love Netflix! We've been subscribers almost since their inception!) I thought that Shea would enjoy it, and she did! Of course, she loved Olivia and the singing, but she also really like the ruffled, pastel dresses Olivia wore. Perfect Shea clothing. And too funny that she noticed the leg warmers, too! I kept gigging about the over-the-top early 80's fashions and cheesy computer graphics! Clark on the other hand fell asleep while we were watching it. He's such a boy!
I took a day off today to help chaperone Clark's field trip to Nippon-Kan. Of course, the kids really loved it. They got to see a little bit of Japanese culture, take off their shoes, fold an origami samurai fan, and watch an Aikido demonstration. The organization even gifted our elementary school Peakview with three beautiful carp kites! Perfect, they said, to fly at Boys' Day and Girls' Day.
Then we had lunch, and all of the kids enjoyed trying to eat with chopsticks! Clark enjoyed his sushi, and I'm happy we brought some for him.
All I can say is that I have the DEEPEST respect for the Kindergarten and First Grade teachers who have to deal with 20 some overly energetic kids all day! I was exhausted by the time we got back, and we were only gone for 3-1/2 hours.
It did give me a little free time to head to Knitty Cat before I had to pick up Shea and Clark. What a beautiful store! I must admit that I have finally become a full-fledged "yarn snob." I've been obsessing all week about starting Ultra-femme and trying to find a substitute for the GGH Soft Kid Mohair (too warm and potentially too scratchy). Knitty Cat had everything (Rowan, GGH, and so much more) to actually look at! So much better than trying to make a decision about color and texture online! Since I found Rowan All-Seasons Cotton and Calmer in the perfect shade of periwinkle I've been considering, I went ahead and purchased them. At $50 it's my largest purchase for one knitted item yet. Calmer is my sub for the mohair. Of course, it's not the same gauge, but I'm hoping that it will be shapely without being bulky or overly warm. It really feels luciously soft. Can't wait to get started.
I will not start Ultra-femme until I'm finished with at least one of Shea's leg warmers! So much for my last project schedule. Ultra-femme has now been pushed to the front of the line. ;)
So we went to Blue Koi, a nearby sushi restaurant that some of our friends and neighbors have been to. The kids enjoyed trying the California rolls, terriyaki chicken rolls, and shrimp tempura rolls. (I though that cooked sushi would be the way to go for their age.) I also ordered some crab rangoons and shrimp shumai. Clark really enjoyed the sushi, although he wasn't too keen on the avocado. Shea didn't like the sushi so much. She mostly ate the crab rangoons and shrimp shumai. I was surprised that they actually felt full after eating only a few pieces. We also had green tea ice cream for dessert. Shea said it was like "eating perfume." They loved the ice cream. Then we ordered a California roll to go for Clark's field trip.
Confession time - I have always loved Xanadu. Don't know if it's because of Olivia Newton-John, ELO, Gene Kelly or goofy Greek mythology references (probably all of the above), but I've been a closet Xanadu freak, since I was in middle school, which at my age means A LONG TIME. Anyway, I finally decided to rent it from Netflix. (Gotta love Netflix! We've been subscribers almost since their inception!) I thought that Shea would enjoy it, and she did! Of course, she loved Olivia and the singing, but she also really like the ruffled, pastel dresses Olivia wore. Perfect Shea clothing. And too funny that she noticed the leg warmers, too! I kept gigging about the over-the-top early 80's fashions and cheesy computer graphics! Clark on the other hand fell asleep while we were watching it. He's such a boy!
I took a day off today to help chaperone Clark's field trip to Nippon-Kan. Of course, the kids really loved it. They got to see a little bit of Japanese culture, take off their shoes, fold an origami samurai fan, and watch an Aikido demonstration. The organization even gifted our elementary school Peakview with three beautiful carp kites! Perfect, they said, to fly at Boys' Day and Girls' Day.
Then we had lunch, and all of the kids enjoyed trying to eat with chopsticks! Clark enjoyed his sushi, and I'm happy we brought some for him.
All I can say is that I have the DEEPEST respect for the Kindergarten and First Grade teachers who have to deal with 20 some overly energetic kids all day! I was exhausted by the time we got back, and we were only gone for 3-1/2 hours.
It did give me a little free time to head to Knitty Cat before I had to pick up Shea and Clark. What a beautiful store! I must admit that I have finally become a full-fledged "yarn snob." I've been obsessing all week about starting Ultra-femme and trying to find a substitute for the GGH Soft Kid Mohair (too warm and potentially too scratchy). Knitty Cat had everything (Rowan, GGH, and so much more) to actually look at! So much better than trying to make a decision about color and texture online! Since I found Rowan All-Seasons Cotton and Calmer in the perfect shade of periwinkle I've been considering, I went ahead and purchased them. At $50 it's my largest purchase for one knitted item yet. Calmer is my sub for the mohair. Of course, it's not the same gauge, but I'm hoping that it will be shapely without being bulky or overly warm. It really feels luciously soft. Can't wait to get started.
I will not start Ultra-femme until I'm finished with at least one of Shea's leg warmers! So much for my last project schedule. Ultra-femme has now been pushed to the front of the line. ;)
Monday, March 20, 2006
The Leg Warmers
I have frogged these !@$% leg warmers at least 15 different times! The first one was too big. Then it was too small. And I've already mentioned how I've struggled with the gauge. Now I've realized that I need to work a lot of increases into the 2x2 ribbing to make it fit properly. Since Shea is very picky about the fit of her socks, I'm certain she will be obsessive about the fit of her leg warmers. I'm crossing my fingers that I have finally figured out a good design with a perfect fit!
On a positive note I'm now very familiar with creating a picot edging shortly after a cast on.
Maybe tomorrow I'll have a photo with some progress to be proud of.
On a positive note I'm now very familiar with creating a picot edging shortly after a cast on.
Maybe tomorrow I'll have a photo with some progress to be proud of.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Clark's 1st Pinewood Derby
WOW! Not only did Clark's pinewood derby car do very well, it made the best track record time four different times. This was his best time!
He won the blue ribbon for the Tigers group and the first place trophy for Pack 252.
Steve was so proud, especially since he kept telling everyone he was worried about the car because of its veering to the left. A lot of thanks goes to Steve's co-worker John, who has helped his son Patrick repeatedly win both his Pack's Space and Pinewood Derbies.
Here's a photo of The CAR:
Now he's qualified for the Centennial District Pinewood Derby Race on April 8th. I think it's just so fitting for the boy who loves cars! :) I'll let you know how it goes.
He won the blue ribbon for the Tigers group and the first place trophy for Pack 252.
Steve was so proud, especially since he kept telling everyone he was worried about the car because of its veering to the left. A lot of thanks goes to Steve's co-worker John, who has helped his son Patrick repeatedly win both his Pack's Space and Pinewood Derbies.
Here's a photo of The CAR:
Now he's qualified for the Centennial District Pinewood Derby Race on April 8th. I think it's just so fitting for the boy who loves cars! :) I'll let you know how it goes.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Don't forget to wear green today. I've always loved St. Patty's day - guess it must be the Irish in me. ;)
Still no photos to show progress of Shea's leg warmers. This is the perfect example why I should swatch before starting a project. Of course, this is a simple design that I'm making up as a go along, but the Plymouth Dreambaby yarn is not cooperating. It's the first time I've used an acrylic microfiber. Right now I'm none to pleased with it. Yes, it is extra soft, which was why I purchased it in first place, but I'm a fairly tight knitter yet I was getting gaping holes in stockinette with the suggested needle size. Then I went down 2 needle sizes only to find that it's still not the right size and I should have made more decreases from my picot edge. On the next try my Boye's decided to start coming apart on me, and a huge tangle developed. To my extreme frustration I had to frog again.
I doubt I'll get a chance to start over tonight, since I have Bunco. But I'll try it one more time. We'll see if it goes well. If not, I may move on to a project for Clark, although I haven't quite decided what to knit yet.
Still no photos to show progress of Shea's leg warmers. This is the perfect example why I should swatch before starting a project. Of course, this is a simple design that I'm making up as a go along, but the Plymouth Dreambaby yarn is not cooperating. It's the first time I've used an acrylic microfiber. Right now I'm none to pleased with it. Yes, it is extra soft, which was why I purchased it in first place, but I'm a fairly tight knitter yet I was getting gaping holes in stockinette with the suggested needle size. Then I went down 2 needle sizes only to find that it's still not the right size and I should have made more decreases from my picot edge. On the next try my Boye's decided to start coming apart on me, and a huge tangle developed. To my extreme frustration I had to frog again.
I doubt I'll get a chance to start over tonight, since I have Bunco. But I'll try it one more time. We'll see if it goes well. If not, I may move on to a project for Clark, although I haven't quite decided what to knit yet.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Next Project - Shea's Leg Warmers
Last night I tried to start some leg warmers for Shea. (I should have finshed weaving in the ends of Tubey, but of course, I'd rather knit instead.) I'm really struggling with them though because they're super tiny.
I'm trying to use the two circs method, since I'd rather not have to purchase more dpns, but I'm struggling because ladders keep showing up. (I always have this problem with 2 circs rather than dpns for some strange reason.) Also, I'm attempting my first picot edge, and since the piece is so small, it makes it very challenging. Plus, I always get confused on the right side vs. wrong side out when knitting anything circular.
Hopefully, I'll make some progress tonight. I have nothing to show because I keep frogging my initial attempts. I will figure this out though!!!
I'm trying to use the two circs method, since I'd rather not have to purchase more dpns, but I'm struggling because ladders keep showing up. (I always have this problem with 2 circs rather than dpns for some strange reason.) Also, I'm attempting my first picot edge, and since the piece is so small, it makes it very challenging. Plus, I always get confused on the right side vs. wrong side out when knitting anything circular.
Hopefully, I'll make some progress tonight. I have nothing to show because I keep frogging my initial attempts. I will figure this out though!!!
Monday, March 13, 2006
Tubey is Finished!!
I finished Tubey tonight! I still have some ends to weave in, but I wanted to try it on. Honestly, I can't say I'm in love with it. I think the colors turned out a little too 80's, and I should have made the next bigger size. Plus, although the KP Merino is very soft, I'm still finding it rather itchy - maybe because it's a little too snug.
Pattern notes:
Pattern: Tubey from knitty.com, XS size
Yarn: Knit Picks Merino Style
Needle Size: 7
Next time I would definitely use a larger needle size for the sleeves. It's a little too close in the armpit for me. Also, a solid color might be more flattering for my figure. I think the stripes make me look both flat chested and pudgy at the same time. I am happy that I made a 3/4 length sleeve, since I constantly push up long sleeves anyway.
Pattern notes:
Pattern: Tubey from knitty.com, XS size
Yarn: Knit Picks Merino Style
Needle Size: 7
Next time I would definitely use a larger needle size for the sleeves. It's a little too close in the armpit for me. Also, a solid color might be more flattering for my figure. I think the stripes make me look both flat chested and pudgy at the same time. I am happy that I made a 3/4 length sleeve, since I constantly push up long sleeves anyway.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Date Night
Thanks to a birthday party in which both Clark and Shea were invited - Clark because he's one of the birthday boy's best friends and Shea for his little sister to have someone to play with - Steve and I had a Date Night! Since we had a gift certificate for PF Changs that was where we went, making it a free Date Night, too! :)
PF Changs was yummy, as always. We enjoyed being able to sit and talk.
PF Changs was yummy, as always. We enjoyed being able to sit and talk.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
New Glasses & a Finished Object
Here he is! Clark has been impatiently awating the arrival of this glasses. He admits they take a lot to get used to and feel kind-of weird. Yet he still loves that he gets to wear glasses for reading. And he sure looks cute! :)
Shhh . . . this is the reason I haven't blogged lately. I was furiously knitting away to finish my first attempt at lace - a scarf for my sister. Thing is, she's leaving for Asia for three weeks on Monday, and I wanted to send her off with something new. I hope she likes it!
It was knit with Handpaintedyarn.com's Novelty Buotone Pure Wool - Treintaytres. I used Blue Sky Alpaca's Opera Scarf by Deb Peterson. It was probably not the best yarn choice for my first lace project. The little "buttons" woven onto the yarn made it difficult to keep an even tension. Needless to say, it took me twice as long to complete the project because I frogged at least one row for every row I knitted. As everyone who has ever knitted lace recommends, lifelines are invaluable!
Now I'm off to finish Tubey!
Shhh . . . this is the reason I haven't blogged lately. I was furiously knitting away to finish my first attempt at lace - a scarf for my sister. Thing is, she's leaving for Asia for three weeks on Monday, and I wanted to send her off with something new. I hope she likes it!
It was knit with Handpaintedyarn.com's Novelty Buotone Pure Wool - Treintaytres. I used Blue Sky Alpaca's Opera Scarf by Deb Peterson. It was probably not the best yarn choice for my first lace project. The little "buttons" woven onto the yarn made it difficult to keep an even tension. Needless to say, it took me twice as long to complete the project because I frogged at least one row for every row I knitted. As everyone who has ever knitted lace recommends, lifelines are invaluable!
Now I'm off to finish Tubey!
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Home Alone
Now that the kids have started going over to friends' houses more often it is becoming more common that I have some time alone at home. I guess I have mixed feelings about it. It is nice to do whatever without the help (or hindrance) from little ones, but the house also seems a little too quiet. In any case I guess it's a good excuse to do a little blog updating even if I should be doing some kind of house cleaning.
The other night Clark officially became a Tiger Cub - the first grade Boy Scout. It was a fun ceremony in which the dads (or adult sponsor) painted their faces and the boys did a cheer. Clark also got a chance to paint his dad's nose. Here's a photo of the two of them after we got back home:
Here's a shot taken by Shea of the rest of her family. Shea's actually getting pretty good at taking pictures.
And here's a progress shot on my sweater. (Obviously I'll still have a couple of hours of finishing to do once I finally finish the knitting!) I've taken a little break from it because I'm trying to complete a scarf for my sister before she goes on vacation in Asia, but we'll have to see how successful I end up.
I finally got my ball winder from Joann's yesterday. I love how quickly and easily it operates. However, I can definitely see why I will need a swift in the near future because I still had to guide the yarn off of the chairs I was using to hold the hank. Too bad my Joann's coupons expired the very day I finally decided to order a swift once and for all. Serves me right for being on the fence about purchasing one. I just kept hoping I could get away without one. I guess I could but being the gadget girl that I am, I know I'll greatly appreciate the efficiency of a swift.
The other night Clark officially became a Tiger Cub - the first grade Boy Scout. It was a fun ceremony in which the dads (or adult sponsor) painted their faces and the boys did a cheer. Clark also got a chance to paint his dad's nose. Here's a photo of the two of them after we got back home:
Here's a shot taken by Shea of the rest of her family. Shea's actually getting pretty good at taking pictures.
And here's a progress shot on my sweater. (Obviously I'll still have a couple of hours of finishing to do once I finally finish the knitting!) I've taken a little break from it because I'm trying to complete a scarf for my sister before she goes on vacation in Asia, but we'll have to see how successful I end up.
I finally got my ball winder from Joann's yesterday. I love how quickly and easily it operates. However, I can definitely see why I will need a swift in the near future because I still had to guide the yarn off of the chairs I was using to hold the hank. Too bad my Joann's coupons expired the very day I finally decided to order a swift once and for all. Serves me right for being on the fence about purchasing one. I just kept hoping I could get away without one. I guess I could but being the gadget girl that I am, I know I'll greatly appreciate the efficiency of a swift.
