Eat.Knit.Sleep

So last week or so I won a contest on the YoYo Knits.

Alyson sent me this:

Which contained this:

I love it!

So, I'm feeling much better today. Slept a lot last night and C and I went out to lunch and to get a new shade for our deck door. We are planning on going mountain biking tomorrow.

I've spent some time working on neatening my office and turning this

into this

It is some beautiful brown Cascade 220 Heathers destined to become the Bluebell Boatneck (warning: Ravelry link) from Fitted Knits . At the rate I've been knitting I decided casting on for a Fall sweater makes the most sense. Of course, given Murphy's Law this means I will finish this sweater while it is still hot out.

Also, yesterday C got a call from a headhunter about a possible interview for a position in Lowell, MA. Anyone have some thoughts on the area? I've been doing some research and it seems like a city that might be turning around. Last time I was there (probably late 1980s) it was pretty dodgy. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Posted by Jenny at 05:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It is horrible that I keep track of this, but someone unsubscribed to my bloglines. I'm sorry if I bored you to death? Although I'm not particularly surprised.

I found my camera cable so I can provide a little bit of entertainment in that way. So I have finished a few items since last I showed photos.

Finished Sockapalooza socks already received by my pal. They are Tofutsie and a slip stich rib from Sensational Knitted Socks.

I also finished a dishcloth, that I may not have blogged about at all.

And a Daisy sweater, which I think is adorable for a baby just 10 days old.

I also did some frogging. I apparently think I am Shrek sized.

Exhibit A: Second Trekking Sock

The top finished sock is big and slouchy. The bottom sock was loose on C's size 13s and these socks are for me. Frogged and sent to their room without supper. Plan on recuperating with some of this:

I also frogged CeCe which I was really enjoying. I took it off the needles to frog back to fix a mistake and realized that it would fit around a person twice my size. This is even though I swatched and I was spot on. I'm going to try again in a smaller size but I need to do some more swatching.

This time of year is touch because I can't decide whether to squeeze one more summer project in, or to get started on fall. Tough call.

Posted by Jenny at 08:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So I signed up for Sockapalooza 4 even though I'm not much of a joiner, and when I was in NJ this weekend for a friend's wedding I did a little yarn shopping for her.

She lives in So Cal where it is mild in climate and she likes purple and green. She said she either likes patterned socks in solid or semi-solid colors, or plain socks in beautiful variegated yarns. She also would be interested in cotton-blend or lighter-weight socks she said. Going through my stash, and with the purchase made on Saturday, I think I have two options.

Collinette Jitterbug in a beautiful semi-solid purple. I would have the option to do a more patterned sock here. Problem is, my pal has slightly larger feet than I do, which are a women's 8.5-9 and the yardage on the Jitterbug is pretty slight, especially when taking into account a textured pattern. I'd also have ZERO problem making myself some anklets with this stuff!

I also found this in my stash, which is lovely, but also not colors I'd wear, and it has the prerequisite purple and green.

With the Wildfoote I wouldn't worry about yardage, but I'd feel weird making very plain socks, so I suppose I could do a bit of a fancy rib.

What do you guys think?

I'm a little sad today as one of my favorite people at work quit/was pushed out on Friday when I was out and it makes me really hate my job and boss right now. And one of my little baby Basil's bit it while we were away as well:

Posted by Jenny at 05:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I didn't mean to go a week without posting. Although, I never do.

This week was a little hectic. Drs appointments, holidays, blah. I got out of work early on Friday for the holiday. It was unexpected, so I took it as free time and headed up to Nazareth, PA.

And, as Carlos joked, I did see Jesus in Nazareth. Walking up the street, carrying his cross with disciples behind him. (is that right? I'm Jewish, don't know much about the New Testament). Anyhoo, I saw Jesus as I was parking my car at Kraemer's Yarn Shop.

I hadn't been there in about a year, when my mom was visiting, and I wasn't disappointed again. I managed to leave there with only 2 4-oz . bundles of roving. (Woot, local roving!) and 6 skeins of Berocco Ultra Alpaca to make Ariann. I tried to get some yarn for Wicked, but they only had Ultramerino, and Luxury Stripes by Artyarns (which I thought was Supermerino until they told me it was $26 a skein).

I've been knitting away on Thermal, as this cold weather gives me hope that MAYBE I will get to wear it this year. I'm done with the body, and it fits well, and I'm about half way done with the first sleeve. The cold weather is REALLY making me want to cast on for Ariann though.

I've been spinning too, but not much to show now.

As for the working out, I've lost a pound in the last week, which is something, and I've run 4.6 miles towards the Runagogo Challenge. I'm a little behind, so I'm going to run again tomorrow instead of weights at the gym. It was cold this morning, but somewhat nice to watch the sun rise.

Posted by Jenny at 12:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How is it that I managed to do very little this weekend, and yet I still had no time to knit, clean my house, spin, and I have zero clean bras?

At least I have this to cheer me up:

Sent to me in lightning speed from Scout herself! Lovely stuff!

Gotta run -- Studio 60 is on!

Posted by Jenny at 09:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hello all . . .Rhinebeck was a BLAST!

Carlos didn't have such a good time as he spent most of the time cooped up in the Holiday Inn or his car with Oscar but I had a great time.

Saturday was very overwhelming and I did most of my shopping then . . . a Bosworth spindle, some silk merino roving, and my wheel!

Sunday, I stopped in and got my mom some yarn for her birthday some more wool/mohair roving, and some Grafton Fiber's Corriadale. No yarn for me! I'm making my own.

I didn't get very far on the Everyday Cardi . .. have I even mentioned that I've been knititng that. Now that is has gotten colder I'm in complete fibre mode so expect to start seeing some more from me!

Posted by Jenny at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So this morning I went to the gym for the first time after at least a 5 week absence. I didn't have much time to work out, as we over slept, but C and I thought it better to go and get used to going than to skip it because a 15 minute workout wasn't worth it. I was scared to step on the scale because almost NONE of my pants fit, and I was suprised that I weight 134 pounds. So at most I gained 2 lbs. So that is good. Still have 24 left to go, but no worries. I'll get there eventually.

Last night was unproductive. The laundry is still sitting in the dryer. The first felted clog is not finished. The tweedy vest is not seamed. The lace on the front of Smooch is kicking my ass. The list of repairs for the builder is not written (I can't believe we've lived in PA a year!) I haven't put together the letter to try to get out of the fucking parking ticket. The lawn is not killed. But I ran for 10 minutes this morning so it is all ok!

I leave you with more stash I collected in April as I try to avoid starting something else to avoid working on my annoying projects. This is some Cascade 220 in a heathery green meant to be Rogue.

Posted by Jenny at 10:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey all,
I'm sorry my posting has been odd lately. I've been busy and working hard to get the new site up and running, so here it is, the first post posted only on this site! Hopefully everyone will make their way over here soon. So this weekend was hectic.

Friday we stopped at Border's after work to figure out what the hell we are going to do with our lawn. Our backyard won't grow grass, so we are looking into some "lawn alternatives." Anyone know anyone with a clover lawn?

Saturday we went to the hardware store to start dealing with our front lawn, which has grass that is dying, and the large spot that Oscar killed with his, um, organic material. So we spent the day laboring in the yard, seeding, and digging, and mulching. Not even fun stuff like flowers, and we decide we've earned a burger and a beer. I go to check the mail, and I find 3 condoms filled with liquid like water balloons in our mailbox. Interesting.

I get C and we decide we have to move them because the mailman is coming, and that is just rude. So we move them, we call the police, and this poor officer had to come out for our condom incident. We finally made it out for our beer and had a nice night and played some pool.

Yesterday we went into the city to try to take some photos to get ourselves out of our parking ticket, and lo and behold, there was a tiny No standing sign way down the other end of the street that was bent and looked like it was pointing the opposite direction. I'm still going to plead not guilty and try to get out of them, because it was really unclear.

I'm still plugging away at my knitting projects, which I promise I will photograph. I'm almost done with the first felted clog, I'm seriously procrastinating seaming my vest because it is too warm to wear it, I started the front of Smooch, and I'm almost to the heel of my jaywalkers. I sincerely apologize to my Sock Pal and my Project Spectrum Postcard pal for not posting their pictures yet. I've misplaced my camera cable and I promise I will look for it this week!

I leave you with this, some Zephyr from Rosie's Yarn Cellar to be turned into the Fibertrends Landscape Shawl. I can't wait to start this!

Posted by Jenny at 07:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Don't really have time for a real post, so I leave you with more stash from Rosie's Yarn Cellar: Rowan 4-ply cotton to be Orangina by Glampyre

Posted by Jenny at 09:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One Year! And what a strange long trip its been.

I don't really have time to write a long post here. I'm almost done with the transition over to the new site. However, I'm not really sure how to move my photo galleries over. Anyone with experience in Movable Type out there??

Anyhoo, since I haven't taken pictures of anything I promised I would (I will try to tonight), I will leave you with more stash.

This is some Louet Gems Pearl in a soft sage-y green I bought at Rosie's Yarn Cellar when I was in Philly for the Medeski Martin and Wood show.

Posted by Jenny at 06:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So, after I missed Rhinebeck, C promised we could go to Maryland. Then we had  this great idea of doing Bike NY. Then we realized it was the same weekend. C said we could still go to Maryland (ain't he sweet?), but I felt like we should do the Bike NY since that is some thing for both of us. So we booked a hotel, and plans were made. I happened to notice that Seaport Yarns was 2 DOORS DOWN from our hotel, and so C said we could leave early so I could yarn shop , and I just got an email  stating the store was closed because they were going to Maryland.

Below if my load from Kraemer Yarns in Nazareth, PA. It is the equivalent of 4 skeins, 900 yards of the softest merino superwash that I got for $12. $40 worth of yarn. Going to be a sweater of my own design I think. I'm picturing roll neck, with a cable down the middle, comfy weekend sweater. Almost makes me wish for fall . . .

Posted by Jenny at 09:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Fleece Artist Sock Yarn . .. going to be socks (gulp, for size 13 Carlos)

Posted by Jenny at 09:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So, I've been pretty busy lately now that I'm out of training at work and have been pretty beat by the time I get home.

Tri training should be improved by my new purchase of a heart rate monitor. My giant clapotis (pictures to come) arrived in time for the first day of spring, albeit it is 30 degrees out! My SewIKnit skirt is . . .well, still not done. My Project Spectrum postcard arrived, but my socks are on their bazillionth short row heel . . .why do I only get holes on one side?

Lastly, wonderful goodies from my Secret Pal arrived last week!

Posted by Jenny at 09:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It's been so long since I've posted that I don't even know where to start, so bear with me. I won't tell you all today; it would be too long a post. 

First of all, thank  you for all of the lovely birthday wishes (especially Lolly, my fellow Scorpio!)

I took a well-deserved (especially for those of you that know my job situation) 3 days off work, although some of my plans were sidelined by my foot.

Wednesday (Nov. 9)was my actual birthday, and it was pretty uneventful. Carlos left his alarm off so I wouldn't be woken up on my day off.  That was particular sweet, and special -- to sleep in with my boy on a Wed. I spent most of the day knitting and watching television, since it was raining out, and then we just had pizza for dinner since Oscar had a vet appointment.

Thursday, I headed out to NJ in the afternoon.  My first stop was Princeton, specifically Glenmarle Woolworks.  Of course there was some stash enhancement (pictures to come later)

I got 5 skeins of Peace Fleece to make an Everyday Cardi.
2 skeins of Koigu for socks
2 skeins of mohair blend for my Secret Pal to make beautiful lace shawls.

That night I met a friend out for drinks in New Brunswick, NJ and crashed at my dad's place.

Drove home Friday, and did very little but sleep all day and learn how to make (very unprofessional looking) beaded stitch markers for my secret pal. Will reveal later.

Saturday, Carlos and I went back to NJ and out to dinner at a fabulous restaurant and a late night out crashing at my Dad's again, and Sunday took him out for fabulous Thai lunch.

Now that I am only a week behind, some knitting news. I finished the Multidirectional Scarf and am debating whether or not to fringe. I'm also thinking of making a matching hat, but I am confident I don't have enough yarn left for both. I also learned how to knit socks on two circulars, which I love, and finished one of the Regia Stretch socks. I frogged the blueberry shawl, and started over in garter stitch and on size 10 needles, and now there is a shot in hell that I might finish before Christmas!

Have to get back to work now. Will post with pictures shortly.

Posted by Jenny at 08:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

First off, let me give the boy credit. I could have gone to Rhinebeck if I wanted to, and he would have come and held my purse. (Maybe not held my purse, and maybe I didn't explain exactly that the little weekend would involve a festival of sheep and wool, but he offered to take me none the less). However, by the time I realized it was a possibility, I had no time to organize and that was fine.  He did promise to take me to Maryland Sheep and Wool, so I am theoretically saving my pennies now.

Now I haven't posted for over a week, so let me try to remember what has happened since then. C's mom has had eye problems since well before I met him, and about a week and a half ago she was hospitalized here.  It was a stressfull couple of days but she is fine. Last Sunday, I went with C and his sister to visit her. We had lunch here  and that was AWESOME. Then C and his sister spent some quality time with their mom, and I went shopping in SoHo. Now, there happens to be a nice shop in SoHo. Maybe you've heard of it . . . Purl.

I may have done some shopping there; I may have even purchased some yarn.
These lovelies are for my mom for her birthday. I got her into knitting socks but she won't splurge on the good stuff. If only I had that problem!

Don't let me convince you that I didn't get anything for me, either.  I also dipped into the Lorna's Laces pot, but not for sock yarn.

Here's my progress:

I have much more to tell including my Secret Pal gift which I have had for a while, Scoop du Jour, some socks for Socktoberfest and some other things but I'm sleepy, I've had some wine, and it is time for bed.

Goodnight.

Posted by Jenny at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)