Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Flashin Mah Stash..
Today was "clean up and organize my stash" day.. I'm sure every knitter has that day.. or SHOULD have that day!
But the main reason I had this day is because my husband finnally got rid of all of the boxes that got piled on top of my yarn box.. It was literally a tower of packaging all the way to the ceiling. All the boxes from Christmas and Birthday gifts, the boxes from various yarn orders.. and other random purchases that happen to come in boxes.
Do you remember my Yarn Box? Well even though I was done painting it a few months ago.. I hadn't filled it with yarn yet... not.. until today.. Which you may or may not think is a tragedy.. I know I feel guilty.
Anyway.. I went through my stash.. and I took pictures of my inventory:
I am fully shamed at the amount of bad acrylic yarn that I own... and yet.. I can't get rid of it.. after buying all this stuff.. I have been more picky about the yarns I purchase.. and after finding sites like KnitPicks and Elann.. I am not a slave to LionBrand any more! Yay! These yarns usually don't make it into the stash though.. cause when I get them I knit whatever I want out of it.. then it isn't there anymore. The freaky looking sparkley thing there is a free sample skein I got from Bernat, it sure is.. interesting! Oh, and don't be alarmed that my Aurora 8 isn't in the picture.. I still have it!
I couldn't possibly fill this box any more.. or the inner tray wouldn't fit.. Also seen here is some new free yarn that my Aunt Karen brought me.. She has been given huge sacks of yarn for me from her co-worker.. This co-worker's wife works at Michael's and when a yarn band falls off a skein they can't sell it anymore.. Apparently Aunt Karen told this co-worker that I knit.. More stash yarn a comin!
I call this my pattern stash.. It's all the patterns and other knitting instructions that I've printed off the internet, my Rowan Pipsqueaks book that I've only knitted one thing out of, and those two dinky "learn to knit/crotchet" books that I got years and years ago (When I was 10) at Wal*Mart... They did not teach me how to knit.. but yet I keep them anyway. The thing that says "Yarn Labels" is a heavyweight envelope that holds... yarn.. labels.. and small receipts I keep from yarn purchases. Lots of Rowan in there!
And now we're at the Top Shelf, which is holding my dad's sock yarn so it doesn't get sucked into the abyss. I think it looks happy there.. but I just remembered that it needs to be joined by my Ribby2 body that I have finished.. I forgot it in the closet where my stash used to live. Oops.
So there you go... my sad, cheap girl, yarn stash.. I now see exactly how much Rowan All Seasons Cotton I have.. and soon.. it will be a Bobbi Bear for ME! Muah ah ah!!
I've also been investigating yarns for another Bobbi for Aunt Nelda... I don't know if she'd like it or not.. but I'm pretty much set on knitting one for her, simply because everyone who has seen the Bobbi I already did, simply loves him. So how could Aunt Nelda not love one of her very own? I'm strongly considering using Austermann Mayfair from Elann.. Waiting for pay-day is the only thing holding me back from ordering it.. lol.
Today was "clean up and organize my stash" day.. I'm sure every knitter has that day.. or SHOULD have that day!
But the main reason I had this day is because my husband finnally got rid of all of the boxes that got piled on top of my yarn box.. It was literally a tower of packaging all the way to the ceiling. All the boxes from Christmas and Birthday gifts, the boxes from various yarn orders.. and other random purchases that happen to come in boxes.
Do you remember my Yarn Box? Well even though I was done painting it a few months ago.. I hadn't filled it with yarn yet... not.. until today.. Which you may or may not think is a tragedy.. I know I feel guilty.
Anyway.. I went through my stash.. and I took pictures of my inventory:
I am fully shamed at the amount of bad acrylic yarn that I own... and yet.. I can't get rid of it.. after buying all this stuff.. I have been more picky about the yarns I purchase.. and after finding sites like KnitPicks and Elann.. I am not a slave to LionBrand any more! Yay! These yarns usually don't make it into the stash though.. cause when I get them I knit whatever I want out of it.. then it isn't there anymore. The freaky looking sparkley thing there is a free sample skein I got from Bernat, it sure is.. interesting! Oh, and don't be alarmed that my Aurora 8 isn't in the picture.. I still have it!
I couldn't possibly fill this box any more.. or the inner tray wouldn't fit.. Also seen here is some new free yarn that my Aunt Karen brought me.. She has been given huge sacks of yarn for me from her co-worker.. This co-worker's wife works at Michael's and when a yarn band falls off a skein they can't sell it anymore.. Apparently Aunt Karen told this co-worker that I knit.. More stash yarn a comin!
I call this my pattern stash.. It's all the patterns and other knitting instructions that I've printed off the internet, my Rowan Pipsqueaks book that I've only knitted one thing out of, and those two dinky "learn to knit/crotchet" books that I got years and years ago (When I was 10) at Wal*Mart... They did not teach me how to knit.. but yet I keep them anyway. The thing that says "Yarn Labels" is a heavyweight envelope that holds... yarn.. labels.. and small receipts I keep from yarn purchases. Lots of Rowan in there!
And now we're at the Top Shelf, which is holding my dad's sock yarn so it doesn't get sucked into the abyss. I think it looks happy there.. but I just remembered that it needs to be joined by my Ribby2 body that I have finished.. I forgot it in the closet where my stash used to live. Oops.
So there you go... my sad, cheap girl, yarn stash.. I now see exactly how much Rowan All Seasons Cotton I have.. and soon.. it will be a Bobbi Bear for ME! Muah ah ah!!
I've also been investigating yarns for another Bobbi for Aunt Nelda... I don't know if she'd like it or not.. but I'm pretty much set on knitting one for her, simply because everyone who has seen the Bobbi I already did, simply loves him. So how could Aunt Nelda not love one of her very own? I'm strongly considering using Austermann Mayfair from Elann.. Waiting for pay-day is the only thing holding me back from ordering it.. lol.
Monday, January 30, 2006
So Close.. But Yet So Far..
I am closer now than ever before to actually starting on my dream sweater.. The sweater that has been on the brain for months.. The sweater that just won't leave me alone!
...I got my package...
And I opened it...
..And the yarn.. is.... gorgeous.
It almost hurts me to disturb them.. Most of the yarn came in what looks similar to a shirt box.. but in actuality it's the box that Karabella packs it in. Ten of the balls are all nestled in there ever so nicely.. the other three balls are in a plastic bag. And I've actually been able to see the pattern! I'm still not sure of how difficult it will actually be.. but I think I can do it.. I'll just have to take my time.. and be sure to not knit on it when I'm tired.
Oh.. and after the package got here.. (Which honestly was on Friday.. but I had so much bear content to talk about!) I actually started the Travelling Cables Cardigan KAL! Which I'm hoping does well.. but I have to admit.. it feels like a gamble.. I don't know how many knitters are actually interested in knitting this sweater.. much less knitting along with me.. But I'm hoping I atleast get a few active posters on it.. I need a support system.. and I can't be the only one.. can I?
I hope not..
But I'm determined to not cast on until I'm done with a ton of school work that I should have done before now.. lol. Procrastination and being busy is a recipe for disaster... I hope I can dig myself out of it.
Till then.. I pet my new yarn once in a while.. and show it to everyone who comes by : )
I never ever thought I would be so enamored with wool.. but oh that Aurora 8.. It's magical!
I am closer now than ever before to actually starting on my dream sweater.. The sweater that has been on the brain for months.. The sweater that just won't leave me alone!
...I got my package...
And I opened it...
..And the yarn.. is.... gorgeous.
It almost hurts me to disturb them.. Most of the yarn came in what looks similar to a shirt box.. but in actuality it's the box that Karabella packs it in. Ten of the balls are all nestled in there ever so nicely.. the other three balls are in a plastic bag. And I've actually been able to see the pattern! I'm still not sure of how difficult it will actually be.. but I think I can do it.. I'll just have to take my time.. and be sure to not knit on it when I'm tired.
Oh.. and after the package got here.. (Which honestly was on Friday.. but I had so much bear content to talk about!) I actually started the Travelling Cables Cardigan KAL! Which I'm hoping does well.. but I have to admit.. it feels like a gamble.. I don't know how many knitters are actually interested in knitting this sweater.. much less knitting along with me.. But I'm hoping I atleast get a few active posters on it.. I need a support system.. and I can't be the only one.. can I?
I hope not..
But I'm determined to not cast on until I'm done with a ton of school work that I should have done before now.. lol. Procrastination and being busy is a recipe for disaster... I hope I can dig myself out of it.
Till then.. I pet my new yarn once in a while.. and show it to everyone who comes by : )
I never ever thought I would be so enamored with wool.. but oh that Aurora 8.. It's magical!
Sunday, January 29, 2006
The Two Day Push.. Teddy Style.
I had to let him go today... We've only been together for a short time.. but I did grow attached... I brought him up and stuffed him full... Then sent him off.. *sigh* I'll miss him..
My Bobbi Bear is with his new family now.. My brother and his wife had their baby shower today.. I packed the Bobbi in a bright (but still tasteful) gift bag with purple matching tissue paper.. I signed the card "Love, Aunt Kim and Uncle Brad"..
Yesterday was the first day of the big push.. I woke up and started on the arms.. It was really interesting watching it take form.. But even for all stockinette it was still a really interesting project and a surprisingly fast knit.
Then in the afternoon I started the stuffing.. I chose to deviate from the pattern on this part... They say that you should close up the head and stuff before knitting the arms.. so you put the stuffing through the arm-holes.. which didn't really make sense to me. So I chose to stop short on the head.. knit the arms.. and then stuff the entire thing at once.. Then close up the head.
Surprisingly enough that wooden fork ended up helping a ton.. On the stuffing bag they say you should use the handle of a wooden spoon to help with stuffing things like legs and arms.. but I found the fork end to actually be more effective at pushing the stuffing down in the legs.
Then he was stuffed!
Doesn't he look more like a gingerbread man at this moment? I showed my brother and he actually seemed like he wanted me to run with the gingerbread man idea.. LOL. It might be a cute idea for Christmas time.. but this thing was destined to be a teddy bear.
After the stuffing came knitting the ears.. I didn't understand what the ears were supposed to look like until I got one done..
They look different because I pressed one flat with my fingers.. the other is holding it's natural bend. In order for these to become ears.. they are folded in half vertically.. and magically they become ear shaped.
The absolute hardest part about this project was sewing things on symmetrically. I had attached one ear.. then attaching the other in the same spot on the other side of the head was a real trial.. Then sewing the nose was hard to get the same on each side of the nose.. but the eyes.. HOOO boy... they were hard.. I didn't want an angry bear.. which I almost had..
But you tell me what you think:
Cute huh? I've got to make me one >: )
I had to let him go today... We've only been together for a short time.. but I did grow attached... I brought him up and stuffed him full... Then sent him off.. *sigh* I'll miss him..
My Bobbi Bear is with his new family now.. My brother and his wife had their baby shower today.. I packed the Bobbi in a bright (but still tasteful) gift bag with purple matching tissue paper.. I signed the card "Love, Aunt Kim and Uncle Brad"..
Yesterday was the first day of the big push.. I woke up and started on the arms.. It was really interesting watching it take form.. But even for all stockinette it was still a really interesting project and a surprisingly fast knit.
Then in the afternoon I started the stuffing.. I chose to deviate from the pattern on this part... They say that you should close up the head and stuff before knitting the arms.. so you put the stuffing through the arm-holes.. which didn't really make sense to me. So I chose to stop short on the head.. knit the arms.. and then stuff the entire thing at once.. Then close up the head.
Surprisingly enough that wooden fork ended up helping a ton.. On the stuffing bag they say you should use the handle of a wooden spoon to help with stuffing things like legs and arms.. but I found the fork end to actually be more effective at pushing the stuffing down in the legs.
Then he was stuffed!
Doesn't he look more like a gingerbread man at this moment? I showed my brother and he actually seemed like he wanted me to run with the gingerbread man idea.. LOL. It might be a cute idea for Christmas time.. but this thing was destined to be a teddy bear.
After the stuffing came knitting the ears.. I didn't understand what the ears were supposed to look like until I got one done..
They look different because I pressed one flat with my fingers.. the other is holding it's natural bend. In order for these to become ears.. they are folded in half vertically.. and magically they become ear shaped.
The absolute hardest part about this project was sewing things on symmetrically. I had attached one ear.. then attaching the other in the same spot on the other side of the head was a real trial.. Then sewing the nose was hard to get the same on each side of the nose.. but the eyes.. HOOO boy... they were hard.. I didn't want an angry bear.. which I almost had..
But you tell me what you think:
Cute huh? I've got to make me one >: )
Friday, January 27, 2006
He's Got Legs!
..And he knows how to uuuse them.
Isn't it funny when knitting makes you break into song? Or.. is that just me...
..Oh well.. anyway.. My teddy bear has legs now!
See? Legs! And it has a butt too.. I think it is absolutely hillarious that the pattern actually says "Butt" and has directions for knitting the Butt. I guess I just expect a knitting pattern to say "rear" or maybe "rump" or something.. but Butt? That's one step away from ass! lol!
I had a little issue when the butt was finished... Where I added in the stitches it would make little holes.. Knitting this butt is extremely similar to knitting the heel on a sock.. but I don't understand why I got holes.. I sewed them up the best way I could.. but I would have prefered that they not be there in the first place. Before I knit another one of these (And.. I pretty much definitely will.) I've got to figure out this holey butt problem. (LOL.)
This has been a really fun knit.. and not too terribly difficult.. I am glad that I have some sock experience behind me though because it has been helpful.
Now onto the head!
..And he knows how to uuuse them.
Isn't it funny when knitting makes you break into song? Or.. is that just me...
..Oh well.. anyway.. My teddy bear has legs now!
See? Legs! And it has a butt too.. I think it is absolutely hillarious that the pattern actually says "Butt" and has directions for knitting the Butt. I guess I just expect a knitting pattern to say "rear" or maybe "rump" or something.. but Butt? That's one step away from ass! lol!
I had a little issue when the butt was finished... Where I added in the stitches it would make little holes.. Knitting this butt is extremely similar to knitting the heel on a sock.. but I don't understand why I got holes.. I sewed them up the best way I could.. but I would have prefered that they not be there in the first place. Before I knit another one of these (And.. I pretty much definitely will.) I've got to figure out this holey butt problem. (LOL.)
This has been a really fun knit.. and not too terribly difficult.. I am glad that I have some sock experience behind me though because it has been helpful.
Now onto the head!
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
How fast..? Supa Fast!
Guess what?!
That's what!
I can't even tell you how impressed I am with how fast my first Kpixie order got here.. They shipped on Monday.. and it got here this afternoon! WOOSH!! It's almost as good as that teleport thing I had ready to badger the Post Office with. Oh.. and my Elann order got here too.. on the same day!
So.. as you can see.. I have already started on the Bobbi.. and as you might could guess.. I've already frogged on the Bobbi.. LOL. I didn't really have to.. but when I read ahead to the next few steps I decided to be smart and do a Provisional Cast On now, before I regret it later. I only had about 3 inches of stockinette done.. not a big deal really.
So April.. It's on!
Guess what?!
That's what!
I can't even tell you how impressed I am with how fast my first Kpixie order got here.. They shipped on Monday.. and it got here this afternoon! WOOSH!! It's almost as good as that teleport thing I had ready to badger the Post Office with. Oh.. and my Elann order got here too.. on the same day!
So.. as you can see.. I have already started on the Bobbi.. and as you might could guess.. I've already frogged on the Bobbi.. LOL. I didn't really have to.. but when I read ahead to the next few steps I decided to be smart and do a Provisional Cast On now, before I regret it later. I only had about 3 inches of stockinette done.. not a big deal really.
So April.. It's on!
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
For Kim.. (Not me.. the other one.)
Kim tagged me for this "meme" thingie.. I'm going to have to get creative to answer it though : P Oh.. and no.. I don't hate her. LOL.
Four jobs in my life [best to worst]:
1. Working as a secretary/gopher/assistant in a one person credit union. My Aunt Karen runs it and she was willing to hire me when I really needed it. I really enjoyed working with her, and we got to have lots of fun even when we were getting business done. I shreaded a LOT of paper at that job! But mostly the reason I think it's best is because it allowed me to make enough money to fly to Australia (and have some spending money!) to claim my husbeast ; )
2. The job I have now.. I'm a receptionist at a music school where we do private lessons.. It gets stressful sometimes.. but I do get to knit quite a bit, and it's my first real job. It's helped me get over my phobia of calling people/businesses.
3. Free Lance Web Designer.. Do you remember my Yarn Box? It was part of a barter I did with our family friend Coy. I made him a website for his carpentry business. Not really a bad job.. but just another for the list. I still love my box and still think he does beautiful work.
4. Live In Maid for my mom.. This sounds like a weird thing but really this was legit because instead of having us pay rent or bills when we got married.. my mom said we could live here as long as we cleaned up everything she asked. The kitchen mostly.. It was pretty unfufilling... everything we tried to do got undone sooner rather than later.. but now we're making money and paying bills.. so we aren't maids anymore.. yay!
Four Movies you could watch over and over:
LOL.. this is easier than you could imagine.. because it's not just "could" for me.. I do watch some movies over and over.
1. The Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy. I still think the yarn barf is funny.
2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail. (Bring out yer dead! *DING!*)
3. The Truth about Cats and Dogs. Actually this one is more recent, I watched it last night.. it's been on TBS and I think it's pretty funny.. and I can relate.. but don't you think the guy should have figured it out sooner?
4. Shrek 1 and 2. I saw the first one in the theater FOUR times.. Insane? Maybe.. but it's great : ) The second one was pretty funny too but the music in it wasn't nearly as good as the first.
Four Places you have lived: Oh dear.. well in some ways I could just say "Houston".. but I've moved over 12 times in my life.. and I went to 5 different elementary schools, 2 different middle schools, and 1 highschool. I've lived on the east side, west side, north west side, but not the south side.. I've lived in houses and various apartments.. I've moved a lot! But not out of Houston. lol.
Four Places you have been on vacation:
1. Melbourne Australia. I went with my dad for three weeks where we met Brad and his family.. So nice there!
2. Colorado Springs, CO. Dad took my brother and I on a road trip all the way there.. it was an interesting trip.. and we even saw a place called Kim, Colorado. We stopped to take a picture with the sign that said "Welcome to Kim" and a weird old man stopped to ask us if we needed any help.. I'm sure he told all his friends about the weirdos who stopped to take a picture of the sign. LOL. We also went through Oklahoma.. which was... interesting. If you know the name of the town with the gigantic metal dinousaur.. tell me! When you're going down this certian road, you see a yellow warning sign with a black dinosaur on it.. and you think "Hah.. yeah right.. watch out for dinosaurs." then you turn a corner.. and BANG! There's a huge friggin dinosaur and it scares you half to death! I must know the name of this town : )
3. My mom took my brother and I to San Antonio for a visit... it wasn't the best trip in the world.. but we did get to see some new things and we got to find out what it feels like to eat food with lots of MSGs. LOL.
4. The ever popular trip to Mammy's house.. we've been there a lot. Who doesn't visit their grandma?
Four websites you visit daily:
1. www.newsgator.com (Where I have my blogs listed.)
2. www.knittersreview.com/forum My name on there is Kimaroo
3. My online banking website to check on our money.
4. My online class website to see if anything needs doing for school.
Sometimes this list changes, especially when I'm obsessively expecting the delivery of a package.
Four of my favorite foods:
1. Rolls. Yes.. dinner rolls.. I eat them like snack cakes..
2. Mammy's fried chicken. OOohhh it's the bestest.
3. Mammy's Chicken n Dumplins. Oh how I missed them at Thanksgiving : (
4. Tirimisu at the Olive Garden.. CAKE!! Oh it's so good.
Four places you'd rather be right now:
1. In bed.. LOL.
2. Not having to go to work in about an hour.
3. The yarn store would be nice.. I like it there.
4. Brad and I would LOVE to go back to Australia.
Four people to tag:
1. April
2. Mica
3. Liz
4. Tina
Yes.. I've finnally tagged people.. and I feel dirty inside. lol.
Kim tagged me for this "meme" thingie.. I'm going to have to get creative to answer it though : P Oh.. and no.. I don't hate her. LOL.
Four jobs in my life [best to worst]:
1. Working as a secretary/gopher/assistant in a one person credit union. My Aunt Karen runs it and she was willing to hire me when I really needed it. I really enjoyed working with her, and we got to have lots of fun even when we were getting business done. I shreaded a LOT of paper at that job! But mostly the reason I think it's best is because it allowed me to make enough money to fly to Australia (and have some spending money!) to claim my husbeast ; )
2. The job I have now.. I'm a receptionist at a music school where we do private lessons.. It gets stressful sometimes.. but I do get to knit quite a bit, and it's my first real job. It's helped me get over my phobia of calling people/businesses.
3. Free Lance Web Designer.. Do you remember my Yarn Box? It was part of a barter I did with our family friend Coy. I made him a website for his carpentry business. Not really a bad job.. but just another for the list. I still love my box and still think he does beautiful work.
4. Live In Maid for my mom.. This sounds like a weird thing but really this was legit because instead of having us pay rent or bills when we got married.. my mom said we could live here as long as we cleaned up everything she asked. The kitchen mostly.. It was pretty unfufilling... everything we tried to do got undone sooner rather than later.. but now we're making money and paying bills.. so we aren't maids anymore.. yay!
Four Movies you could watch over and over:
LOL.. this is easier than you could imagine.. because it's not just "could" for me.. I do watch some movies over and over.
1. The Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy. I still think the yarn barf is funny.
2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail. (Bring out yer dead! *DING!*)
3. The Truth about Cats and Dogs. Actually this one is more recent, I watched it last night.. it's been on TBS and I think it's pretty funny.. and I can relate.. but don't you think the guy should have figured it out sooner?
4. Shrek 1 and 2. I saw the first one in the theater FOUR times.. Insane? Maybe.. but it's great : ) The second one was pretty funny too but the music in it wasn't nearly as good as the first.
Four Places you have lived: Oh dear.. well in some ways I could just say "Houston".. but I've moved over 12 times in my life.. and I went to 5 different elementary schools, 2 different middle schools, and 1 highschool. I've lived on the east side, west side, north west side, but not the south side.. I've lived in houses and various apartments.. I've moved a lot! But not out of Houston. lol.
Four Places you have been on vacation:
1. Melbourne Australia. I went with my dad for three weeks where we met Brad and his family.. So nice there!
2. Colorado Springs, CO. Dad took my brother and I on a road trip all the way there.. it was an interesting trip.. and we even saw a place called Kim, Colorado. We stopped to take a picture with the sign that said "Welcome to Kim" and a weird old man stopped to ask us if we needed any help.. I'm sure he told all his friends about the weirdos who stopped to take a picture of the sign. LOL. We also went through Oklahoma.. which was... interesting. If you know the name of the town with the gigantic metal dinousaur.. tell me! When you're going down this certian road, you see a yellow warning sign with a black dinosaur on it.. and you think "Hah.. yeah right.. watch out for dinosaurs." then you turn a corner.. and BANG! There's a huge friggin dinosaur and it scares you half to death! I must know the name of this town : )
3. My mom took my brother and I to San Antonio for a visit... it wasn't the best trip in the world.. but we did get to see some new things and we got to find out what it feels like to eat food with lots of MSGs. LOL.
4. The ever popular trip to Mammy's house.. we've been there a lot. Who doesn't visit their grandma?
Four websites you visit daily:
1. www.newsgator.com (Where I have my blogs listed.)
2. www.knittersreview.com/forum My name on there is Kimaroo
3. My online banking website to check on our money.
4. My online class website to see if anything needs doing for school.
Sometimes this list changes, especially when I'm obsessively expecting the delivery of a package.
Four of my favorite foods:
1. Rolls. Yes.. dinner rolls.. I eat them like snack cakes..
2. Mammy's fried chicken. OOohhh it's the bestest.
3. Mammy's Chicken n Dumplins. Oh how I missed them at Thanksgiving : (
4. Tirimisu at the Olive Garden.. CAKE!! Oh it's so good.
Four places you'd rather be right now:
1. In bed.. LOL.
2. Not having to go to work in about an hour.
3. The yarn store would be nice.. I like it there.
4. Brad and I would LOVE to go back to Australia.
Four people to tag:
1. April
2. Mica
3. Liz
4. Tina
Yes.. I've finnally tagged people.. and I feel dirty inside. lol.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Waitin For Another Package!
Well.. two more actually..
I've mentioned it a few times.. but never more than "I need to knit my brother's baby something".. but while surfing on Knitty for something else I ran across their Bubby again.. which is quite cute.. I've been wanting to try knitting a stuffed animal ever since I found out that it could be done.
So I decided to search on google for other people who had made a Bubby to see what they had to say about it.. and I found a few.. but this one certian blogger made her bubby to match a bigger teddy bear she had already knitted.
Then.. I was smitten.
This other bear is way better and cuter than Bubby ever could hope to be.. and his name is Bobbi.
The pattern is called Baby Bobbi Bear. It's by Blue Sky Alpacas
I'm so excited about this project! It's so adorable!
So I ordered the yarn and pattern from Kpixie (Great deal again!) and then the needles from Elann.. So I'm waiting on two more packages! The excitement and expectation is killing me.
But on the upside of it all.. I need to be working on college again anyway.. class started on Tuesday and I haven't even cracked my book yet. Shame on me : /
Well.. two more actually..
I've mentioned it a few times.. but never more than "I need to knit my brother's baby something".. but while surfing on Knitty for something else I ran across their Bubby again.. which is quite cute.. I've been wanting to try knitting a stuffed animal ever since I found out that it could be done.
So I decided to search on google for other people who had made a Bubby to see what they had to say about it.. and I found a few.. but this one certian blogger made her bubby to match a bigger teddy bear she had already knitted.
Then.. I was smitten.
This other bear is way better and cuter than Bubby ever could hope to be.. and his name is Bobbi.
The pattern is called Baby Bobbi Bear. It's by Blue Sky Alpacas
I'm so excited about this project! It's so adorable!
So I ordered the yarn and pattern from Kpixie (Great deal again!) and then the needles from Elann.. So I'm waiting on two more packages! The excitement and expectation is killing me.
But on the upside of it all.. I need to be working on college again anyway.. class started on Tuesday and I haven't even cracked my book yet. Shame on me : /
Friday, January 20, 2006
Knitting At Work... Quite Interesting.
I worked yesterday and decided to take my Aurora 8 swatch with me.. I did end up completing it.. but while I was knitting it, at least two people going by the desk went "OOOooo" or other such things like that.. One of the teachers said "Wow, you do such beautiful work, I'm really impressed."
All this.. over a swatch? I was almost embarassed.. They ask me what I'm making and I say "A swatch" and they give me a funny look, even though they are still clearly impressed.
This leads me to believe that this Aurora 8 yarn is better than most other yarns that I knit with.. it impresses people even though it's just a square.. it's soft and I can knit with it without any ill effects.
So... after doing some serious price comparision shopping... I ordered... The Travelling Cables Cardigan pattern.... and..... 13 balls of Aurora 8 in "Color 20" from Kpixie.com. I've heard good things about them.. so I'm secure in spending so much with them.
This is a HUGE undertaking.. it might take me a year to knit it.. but I really want it.. and I want it to look great. I'm looking forward to picking out the buttons.. I'm hoping that it doesn't end up too big for me, or maybe somehow it will be easy to size it down.. 34" still worries me.. but it's a heavilly cabled sweater.. those need ease right?
I'm also happy to announce that I basically got the pattern and the shipping (for the entire order) for free. Being a Knitters Review reader gives you a 10% off any order discount on Kpixie.com.. I took full advantage of this discount.. I am pleased with my find : )
I'm trying to fight off the guilt of spending so much money on yarn (Even though I got a discount) and the slight feeling of enpending doom that I'll end up ruining this sweater in some way or another.. I have a headache and that is not helping.. lol.
On the upside I used our brand new secured mastercard that is actually building us credit (Of which we have none.) I thought this would be a good first credit card purchase.. Proving that we can pay off the bills as they come should build credit pretty well.
Hopefully I don't regret that decision.. lol.
I take comfort in knowing that Kpixie has a 60 day return policy..
I can't wait till that box gets here!!
I worked yesterday and decided to take my Aurora 8 swatch with me.. I did end up completing it.. but while I was knitting it, at least two people going by the desk went "OOOooo" or other such things like that.. One of the teachers said "Wow, you do such beautiful work, I'm really impressed."
All this.. over a swatch? I was almost embarassed.. They ask me what I'm making and I say "A swatch" and they give me a funny look, even though they are still clearly impressed.
This leads me to believe that this Aurora 8 yarn is better than most other yarns that I knit with.. it impresses people even though it's just a square.. it's soft and I can knit with it without any ill effects.
So... after doing some serious price comparision shopping... I ordered... The Travelling Cables Cardigan pattern.... and..... 13 balls of Aurora 8 in "Color 20" from Kpixie.com. I've heard good things about them.. so I'm secure in spending so much with them.
This is a HUGE undertaking.. it might take me a year to knit it.. but I really want it.. and I want it to look great. I'm looking forward to picking out the buttons.. I'm hoping that it doesn't end up too big for me, or maybe somehow it will be easy to size it down.. 34" still worries me.. but it's a heavilly cabled sweater.. those need ease right?
I'm also happy to announce that I basically got the pattern and the shipping (for the entire order) for free. Being a Knitters Review reader gives you a 10% off any order discount on Kpixie.com.. I took full advantage of this discount.. I am pleased with my find : )
I'm trying to fight off the guilt of spending so much money on yarn (Even though I got a discount) and the slight feeling of enpending doom that I'll end up ruining this sweater in some way or another.. I have a headache and that is not helping.. lol.
On the upside I used our brand new secured mastercard that is actually building us credit (Of which we have none.) I thought this would be a good first credit card purchase.. Proving that we can pay off the bills as they come should build credit pretty well.
Hopefully I don't regret that decision.. lol.
I take comfort in knowing that Kpixie has a 60 day return policy..
I can't wait till that box gets here!!
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Iah Allways Depend Upon the Kahndness of Straingers..
I am more knitterly excited right now than you could possibly know..
My dad came by this morning to wisk me off to the yarn store, but before we left he handed me a package with my name on it : )
A wonderful lady at the Knitters Review Forum responded to my post about whether or not Knitpicks Andean Silk would work for the Travelling Cables Cardigan or not.. I also mentioned my tale of woe about how I don't think I can knit with wool because when I did before my hands turned red, itched, and burned. She responded the best way she knew how.. basically "I'll send you some of both yarns so you can see!" So she did..
This is the perfect opportunity to see if I can knit with wool (Or more accurately, THIS wool) and compare the pattern yarn to a cheaper substitution.
..Truth be told.. I've already started my Aurora 8 swatch..
......And guess what?
............NO ITCHING!!!!
I am.. so happy about this.. you don't even know. It makes me even more hopeful that I can knit this sweater, and also.. knit my dad his dream hunting socks.
Yes.. socks.. I didn't mention them yet have I..
Oh but I have yarn... That is why dad came to take me yarn shopping.. for his socks..
Seen here is: Lorna's Laces Hand Dyed Shepherd Worsted 100% Superwash Wool. Two hanks of Classic Elite Lush Angora/Wool. A set of Crystal Palace 6" Size 5 DPNs. And a bottle of Gloves in a Bottle lotion.
The Lorna's Laces yarn is SOOOOO soft that I even found myself rubbing it against my cheeks all loving like (In the comfort of my own home, thank you.) and the color really is pretty.. They call it Chocolate, and I'm interested in how the yarns verigations will work up into socks. The Lush yarn is probably going back to the store so we can exchange it for another hank of Chocolate.. Dad (in the car, on the way home) expressed his utter discontent at the idea of hand washing socks.. so combining these two yarns into the same pair of hunting socks would be a bad idea. Concidering that the two hanks of Lush is more than another hank of Chocolate.. well.. we'd be silly to do otherwise.
I was totally shocked at the price that all this added up to be.. just for one pair of socks.. but dad seems willing.. he gets seriously cold feet in the winter hunting temperatures.
I'm giddy with the fact that there is a yarn of 100% wool that I can, absolutely, knit with. I'm soooooo happy.. because I was growing sadder with the fact that there are just some knitting things you can't do with cotton/acrylic. Like koolaid dyeing.. or felting.. I've been wanting to try felting. It seems fun : )
I'm sure you'll be hearing more about dad's socks, and the TCC sweater.. and.. erm.. less.. about Aunt Karen's scarf that I should be working on <: /
WOO!! I CAN KNIT WITH WOOL!!!!!!!
I am more knitterly excited right now than you could possibly know..
My dad came by this morning to wisk me off to the yarn store, but before we left he handed me a package with my name on it : )
A wonderful lady at the Knitters Review Forum responded to my post about whether or not Knitpicks Andean Silk would work for the Travelling Cables Cardigan or not.. I also mentioned my tale of woe about how I don't think I can knit with wool because when I did before my hands turned red, itched, and burned. She responded the best way she knew how.. basically "I'll send you some of both yarns so you can see!" So she did..
This is the perfect opportunity to see if I can knit with wool (Or more accurately, THIS wool) and compare the pattern yarn to a cheaper substitution.
..Truth be told.. I've already started my Aurora 8 swatch..
......And guess what?
............NO ITCHING!!!!
I am.. so happy about this.. you don't even know. It makes me even more hopeful that I can knit this sweater, and also.. knit my dad his dream hunting socks.
Yes.. socks.. I didn't mention them yet have I..
Oh but I have yarn... That is why dad came to take me yarn shopping.. for his socks..
Seen here is: Lorna's Laces Hand Dyed Shepherd Worsted 100% Superwash Wool. Two hanks of Classic Elite Lush Angora/Wool. A set of Crystal Palace 6" Size 5 DPNs. And a bottle of Gloves in a Bottle lotion.
The Lorna's Laces yarn is SOOOOO soft that I even found myself rubbing it against my cheeks all loving like (In the comfort of my own home, thank you.) and the color really is pretty.. They call it Chocolate, and I'm interested in how the yarns verigations will work up into socks. The Lush yarn is probably going back to the store so we can exchange it for another hank of Chocolate.. Dad (in the car, on the way home) expressed his utter discontent at the idea of hand washing socks.. so combining these two yarns into the same pair of hunting socks would be a bad idea. Concidering that the two hanks of Lush is more than another hank of Chocolate.. well.. we'd be silly to do otherwise.
I was totally shocked at the price that all this added up to be.. just for one pair of socks.. but dad seems willing.. he gets seriously cold feet in the winter hunting temperatures.
I'm giddy with the fact that there is a yarn of 100% wool that I can, absolutely, knit with. I'm soooooo happy.. because I was growing sadder with the fact that there are just some knitting things you can't do with cotton/acrylic. Like koolaid dyeing.. or felting.. I've been wanting to try felting. It seems fun : )
I'm sure you'll be hearing more about dad's socks, and the TCC sweater.. and.. erm.. less.. about Aunt Karen's scarf that I should be working on <: /
WOO!! I CAN KNIT WITH WOOL!!!!!!!
Friday, January 13, 2006
MMGP.. Revealed. (FINNALLY!)
Yes.. I know you've been waiting a long time.. "MMGP this.. MMGP that" but what the heck is it? All you knew was that it was "a scarf" for Melanie, with "Phase 1" and "Phase 2".. all this secrecy is killing me.... I could never work for the CIA.
I did write one entry and saved it as a draft while I was knitting it.. You can read it now!
But with the whole gifting thing over with.. I can now finally show yall what it really looks like.. I never did get the labels to work out right.. which was quite unfortunate. I need to try that again some time.. So she got it sans labels.. but she didn't know the difference ; )
I took the finished project picture:
And then.. I bravely.... and cautiously.. put it in the washing machine.. I said a quite knitter's prayer under my breath.. and..
Washed it on the delicate cycle.. then I put it in the drier on low.. it came out fuzzier... it had a halo almost like mohair.. I wasn't expecting that.
I decided to wash it because I thought it would be nice to.. but also because I was deathly afraid of a washing disaster. On one hand I would have no gift to give if a disaster did happen.. but then I decided I could not in good conscious give her a gift that I thought would fall apart on washing.. She would think it was HER fault.. and that would be sad. So I did it.. and it made it! (Even if it was fuzzier than before.)
She really did like it though.. see?
It was funny.. when she opened the box she said "Did you knit this?!".. I said "No.. I'm faking it.. I took the tags off.. you know.." I really think she forgot that she told me she wanted me to knit her a scarf.. She also told me she got a number of scarves from friends (Store bought ones) but mine was way cooler than theirs ; )
I really did love knitting it for her.. it's a great pattern.. a little too difficult to be mindless.. but not so hard that it wasn't memorizable. With the help of my tiny row counter, counting the repeats was no problem.. I knew when I got to row 7 it was time to cable.. then after that I turn it back to one. Super easy.
The hat was a total fluke (That was the infamous Phase 2.) because I ended up having extra yarn left from the scarf. The hat was not intended.. but she does really like having the matching set. I tried the hat on.. SUPER comfy.. and soft.. (I want one..) Definitely the best hat I've ever knitted.
So all in all.. a great success. And now it's out in the open!! YAY!!!
...So... how bout them Travelling Cables...? (..Boy I have it bad.. don't I.)
Yes.. I know you've been waiting a long time.. "MMGP this.. MMGP that" but what the heck is it? All you knew was that it was "a scarf" for Melanie, with "Phase 1" and "Phase 2".. all this secrecy is killing me.... I could never work for the CIA.
I did write one entry and saved it as a draft while I was knitting it.. You can read it now!
But with the whole gifting thing over with.. I can now finally show yall what it really looks like.. I never did get the labels to work out right.. which was quite unfortunate. I need to try that again some time.. So she got it sans labels.. but she didn't know the difference ; )
I took the finished project picture:
And then.. I bravely.... and cautiously.. put it in the washing machine.. I said a quite knitter's prayer under my breath.. and..
Washed it on the delicate cycle.. then I put it in the drier on low.. it came out fuzzier... it had a halo almost like mohair.. I wasn't expecting that.
I decided to wash it because I thought it would be nice to.. but also because I was deathly afraid of a washing disaster. On one hand I would have no gift to give if a disaster did happen.. but then I decided I could not in good conscious give her a gift that I thought would fall apart on washing.. She would think it was HER fault.. and that would be sad. So I did it.. and it made it! (Even if it was fuzzier than before.)
She really did like it though.. see?
It was funny.. when she opened the box she said "Did you knit this?!".. I said "No.. I'm faking it.. I took the tags off.. you know.." I really think she forgot that she told me she wanted me to knit her a scarf.. She also told me she got a number of scarves from friends (Store bought ones) but mine was way cooler than theirs ; )
I really did love knitting it for her.. it's a great pattern.. a little too difficult to be mindless.. but not so hard that it wasn't memorizable. With the help of my tiny row counter, counting the repeats was no problem.. I knew when I got to row 7 it was time to cable.. then after that I turn it back to one. Super easy.
The hat was a total fluke (That was the infamous Phase 2.) because I ended up having extra yarn left from the scarf. The hat was not intended.. but she does really like having the matching set. I tried the hat on.. SUPER comfy.. and soft.. (I want one..) Definitely the best hat I've ever knitted.
So all in all.. a great success. And now it's out in the open!! YAY!!!
...So... how bout them Travelling Cables...? (..Boy I have it bad.. don't I.)
Monday, January 09, 2006
Your First Glimpse...
Are you ready?
This.. is the MMGP:
Ain't it pretty? Just imagine the possibilities within a box like that...
Full of wonder..
Anyway.. she's coming over tomarrow morning so hopefully I can let loose with the blogging after she opens that box.. Man it's been killing me!!!
I've been working on Aunt Karen's scarf too.. I knit some on it at work today.. Truthfully the LB Homespun does NOT do that pattern justice.. I could see how it would be a really great pattern in either a solid or definitely a verigated yarn.. but with the fuzzyness and slightly color changing homespun all the effect is lost out of the multi-directional knitting. (Which really isn't as hard as it looks!) I would LOVE to try the pattern again with some other yarn.. it would be fabulous!
See what I mean? It's just totally lost... Mom says she can see that it goes different directions.. and you can.. if you look hard enough.. but it's not nearly as impressive as it should be.. Fooey.
More plotting is going on in my brain, even though I need to be a good little Kim and finish her scarf.. I'm plotting myself a new tanktop.. my dad's socks.. my dad's scarf.. (More on that.. MUCH later.) And somehow I need to find the time to knit up a baby something before the end of the month... Ugh. I'm sick of knitting gifts already!!!
But I do so long for seeing Melanie's face when she opens that box.....
Ahh yeah.. it'll be good ; )
Are you ready?
This.. is the MMGP:
Ain't it pretty? Just imagine the possibilities within a box like that...
Full of wonder..
Anyway.. she's coming over tomarrow morning so hopefully I can let loose with the blogging after she opens that box.. Man it's been killing me!!!
I've been working on Aunt Karen's scarf too.. I knit some on it at work today.. Truthfully the LB Homespun does NOT do that pattern justice.. I could see how it would be a really great pattern in either a solid or definitely a verigated yarn.. but with the fuzzyness and slightly color changing homespun all the effect is lost out of the multi-directional knitting. (Which really isn't as hard as it looks!) I would LOVE to try the pattern again with some other yarn.. it would be fabulous!
See what I mean? It's just totally lost... Mom says she can see that it goes different directions.. and you can.. if you look hard enough.. but it's not nearly as impressive as it should be.. Fooey.
More plotting is going on in my brain, even though I need to be a good little Kim and finish her scarf.. I'm plotting myself a new tanktop.. my dad's socks.. my dad's scarf.. (More on that.. MUCH later.) And somehow I need to find the time to knit up a baby something before the end of the month... Ugh. I'm sick of knitting gifts already!!!
But I do so long for seeing Melanie's face when she opens that box.....
Ahh yeah.. it'll be good ; )
Friday, January 06, 2006
Biting the Bullet..
Yep.. I've decided to do it.. I'm just gonna jump in and get it over with..
What is it?
Aunt Karen's scarf.. Yep.. Something I can blog about.. she bought the yarn a couple months ago.. and I'm just now getting around to it.. I'm bad.. I know.. I'm just not all that thrilled about 1. knitting another gift, and 2. knitting with LB Homespun. Hopefully it won't be so bad.. (Let's psych myself up shall we?)
I've decided to do the Multi-Directional Scarf pattern that someone suggested I find on the internet.. Hopefully it will provide just enough interest to the scarf knitting without making it so difficult that I can only work on it at home. My goal is to have a project to bring with me to work on Monday and Tuesday.
So yep.. I'm doin it... Here we go!
.....Can you tell I'm STILL procrastinating?....
Nope.. I couldn't either ; )
Yep.. I've decided to do it.. I'm just gonna jump in and get it over with..
What is it?
Aunt Karen's scarf.. Yep.. Something I can blog about.. she bought the yarn a couple months ago.. and I'm just now getting around to it.. I'm bad.. I know.. I'm just not all that thrilled about 1. knitting another gift, and 2. knitting with LB Homespun. Hopefully it won't be so bad.. (Let's psych myself up shall we?)
I've decided to do the Multi-Directional Scarf pattern that someone suggested I find on the internet.. Hopefully it will provide just enough interest to the scarf knitting without making it so difficult that I can only work on it at home. My goal is to have a project to bring with me to work on Monday and Tuesday.
So yep.. I'm doin it... Here we go!
.....Can you tell I'm STILL procrastinating?....
Nope.. I couldn't either ; )
About Me
-
- Name:Kim
- Location:Houston, Texas, United States
I'm a tiny short woman who loves to knit clothes that actually fit me. I first learned to knit when I was about 10 but I never got beyond knit and purl. I didn't pick up knitting again till about 2 years ago, and now with the help of tons of library books, I'm chugging along and I think I'm pretty darn good : ) I'm married, and love my Australian husband dearly.
Wanna Email Me?
Want a Button?
Kimmish KAL
Links
- Kimmish.com - For all your Kimmish needs.
- Brad's website (See what Kim's Husband is doing.)
- Ask Kim!
Blogs I Read
Archive
- current
- April 2005
- May 2005
- June 2005
- July 2005
- August 2005
- September 2005
- October 2005
- November 2005
- December 2005
- January 2006
- February 2006
- March 2006
- April 2006
- May 2006
- June 2006
- July 2006
- August 2006
- September 2006
- November 2006
Workin On It
Work Complete
Web Things
