tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66838652173721538302024-03-13T10:53:14.106-04:00Twists and TanglesHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-37769286667537361932015-10-06T21:05:00.001-04:002015-10-06T21:05:54.195-04:00Solo SoapingSolo cold process soapmaking attempt #1. All in all, not bad. Not bad at all.<br />
<br />
Here's how it went down.<br />
<br />
Almost immediately after I got home from Atlanta and fun soap class, I started gathering materials. I was in good shape on the ingredients but needed a few basic supplies and safety equipment. <br />
<br />
A trip to the grocery store and I was all set.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2U5Tda4Rifxo7INGtOqU5JMl_nmoiKIDRGYieJdra7Iau4N1JLcdi5Krxn9ez6f9C6v2ToAdvsdVmr5a56e750gnazNJQclRFdMA3IZ5unpiJsBeMAPWAMYkhfSgy_GwP9GS-TSW_BfV/s1600/20150919_172548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2U5Tda4Rifxo7INGtOqU5JMl_nmoiKIDRGYieJdra7Iau4N1JLcdi5Krxn9ez6f9C6v2ToAdvsdVmr5a56e750gnazNJQclRFdMA3IZ5unpiJsBeMAPWAMYkhfSgy_GwP9GS-TSW_BfV/s400/20150919_172548.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The next day, deep breath. Let's do this.<br />
<br />
Measured and melted my oils. Easy peasy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYEIHTm1YvmxkW8UXuxeoaxh7mFwuC_Irm-mZpFu50_tA9N3z8mrl2ZapAlUnLeHDbJJNoe1W1a6mki9iyl22E8ERkfJzAVEzpM7UVIWR9er1ky9kKEqj9stBludKI-XQQnZ5zOqNnwkh/s1600/20150920_150607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYEIHTm1YvmxkW8UXuxeoaxh7mFwuC_Irm-mZpFu50_tA9N3z8mrl2ZapAlUnLeHDbJJNoe1W1a6mki9iyl22E8ERkfJzAVEzpM7UVIWR9er1ky9kKEqj9stBludKI-XQQnZ5zOqNnwkh/s400/20150920_150607.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I took the water and lye outside to mix it since the combination can produce serious fumes. After an even bigger deep breath (behind face mask), I poured the lye into the water and stirred. I think I held my breath which I suppose made the face mask rather redundant, but safety first.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhX_xKJjzziAIqQgQHi8t2DQMQSPB-cyBoGydstrvCJly6oOOP9lK4v0YTQr8x0pk_RA91jcKqpJs7BX9gNjHsp-s27mw1EidvC1WM-HPAJ1GpW9dpBz2l51U3EDOuHCy0ieBjYk_2Fcbr/s1600/20150920_151340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhX_xKJjzziAIqQgQHi8t2DQMQSPB-cyBoGydstrvCJly6oOOP9lK4v0YTQr8x0pk_RA91jcKqpJs7BX9gNjHsp-s27mw1EidvC1WM-HPAJ1GpW9dpBz2l51U3EDOuHCy0ieBjYk_2Fcbr/s400/20150920_151340.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The water is a brownish green color because I had steeped chopped rosemary prior to lye addition. Except for my pounding heart, adding lye was extremely uneventful. No volcano of chemicals spewed and while it was rather impressive that my room temperature water shot up to 160 degrees, that was the extent of the change. As it should be. Phew!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgK43en2K4mL_U0hfvn8Fo2WB6ZLrnRPdEjqBqESMlW9rozXD_REMKH2tqQONHTqC-iuQnVJOXc4kDIYZRlID2jH6eYEPrlr4yFazR-8LiTy-jyYLeQszgZ3IVMBPhTJMpwYWi4ciCvtUS/s1600/20150920_151521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgK43en2K4mL_U0hfvn8Fo2WB6ZLrnRPdEjqBqESMlW9rozXD_REMKH2tqQONHTqC-iuQnVJOXc4kDIYZRlID2jH6eYEPrlr4yFazR-8LiTy-jyYLeQszgZ3IVMBPhTJMpwYWi4ciCvtUS/s400/20150920_151521.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Then I had to wait for the oils and lye water to cool down. So I paced around the kitchen and obsessively checked the thermometer fourteen thousand times.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
When everything finally had cooled enough, lye was poured into the oils and the immersion blender took over.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsFK4h5g5CV-qfugl0X3ey0adtFTcJxSyCegVdJt6fy-T47aUrw_shAhyphenhyphen2aDj1Nx54mlRGOdCxWTWZJuiXCEtoalbP2ou1ry1VgMYH7881SMOSp444sM3F8XVn-dwSPbhN7uhb7YgWuqh/s1600/20150920_153607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsFK4h5g5CV-qfugl0X3ey0adtFTcJxSyCegVdJt6fy-T47aUrw_shAhyphenhyphen2aDj1Nx54mlRGOdCxWTWZJuiXCEtoalbP2ou1ry1VgMYH7881SMOSp444sM3F8XVn-dwSPbhN7uhb7YgWuqh/s400/20150920_153607.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A little surprisingly, everything mixed up as it should. Trace was achieved. Rosemary and grapefruit essential oils were added, and the whole thing was poured into a little cardboard mold lined with freezer paper.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGvtSifG8Hsf4JQ-ZLpqRPeHKrFY_PZ7wV5jnEBdqUv_T-Zz51UPNSYC5fxI_H4CbOMyPCa_3_T68g5VHK45N4Xz94_ow2-1gNIAh_AwdYeyROLMnKg0nU4ce5c1hDa1utZM6E7hjklDT/s1600/20150920_154612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGvtSifG8Hsf4JQ-ZLpqRPeHKrFY_PZ7wV5jnEBdqUv_T-Zz51UPNSYC5fxI_H4CbOMyPCa_3_T68g5VHK45N4Xz94_ow2-1gNIAh_AwdYeyROLMnKg0nU4ce5c1hDa1utZM6E7hjklDT/s400/20150920_154612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I wrapped the box in a towel and let it sit for 24 hours for the soap to "gel" (still don't know what that really means) and harden.<br />
<br />
The next day, I popped a block of soap out of the mold. It appeared okay.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixu5WyWjXqOJfwACuVxOjjiobIU1m-uV3tr2JMbSVTppj4BB3-iueC22ZhyLkfMWxp75_RDy7GRiEdNZVB3Eu-5ToSUkNsPngtJYxKtAlOuXg_RRQk9__EX_joemnXUoGKe9buSuHyzJcH/s1600/20150921_154728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixu5WyWjXqOJfwACuVxOjjiobIU1m-uV3tr2JMbSVTppj4BB3-iueC22ZhyLkfMWxp75_RDy7GRiEdNZVB3Eu-5ToSUkNsPngtJYxKtAlOuXg_RRQk9__EX_joemnXUoGKe9buSuHyzJcH/s400/20150921_154728.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So I sliced.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2r8ImqmrwFI3UKVJ5gedAXG1Z8dcbPdE8YNQkPThvj5D6dNXcFbRWg18R-v_4r0Rl1ajHzOGw7hgLGREZ4UP9UHsDv9JflyunV23TSFdJPqVRPK3GVcJr0v2ps7Bejo6zDgUJz0ykHHAf/s1600/20150921_155058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2r8ImqmrwFI3UKVJ5gedAXG1Z8dcbPdE8YNQkPThvj5D6dNXcFbRWg18R-v_4r0Rl1ajHzOGw7hgLGREZ4UP9UHsDv9JflyunV23TSFdJPqVRPK3GVcJr0v2ps7Bejo6zDgUJz0ykHHAf/s400/20150921_155058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Consistency seemed good. So what next? Run to the shower and use my new soap? Sadly, no. Cold process soaping is not an instant gratification kind of craft, and the soap needs to cure 4-6 weeks to fully harden. My lovely rosemary soap joined the lavender soap from class on a dresser. And there it remains.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TVCFjwCkOSEhOlqq3u40gKJKfHR_I9wGLuyJCK5b-ezrt1F_bEYZqaDyXC0DQy6xF-acURcpx50SKW7j37oIU6QAQA3tcJstmX8VNwO1Dpzs03DB6Lt8UDrx2cMavzz4XAph1XiCC_Ku/s1600/20150921_160031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TVCFjwCkOSEhOlqq3u40gKJKfHR_I9wGLuyJCK5b-ezrt1F_bEYZqaDyXC0DQy6xF-acURcpx50SKW7j37oIU6QAQA3tcJstmX8VNwO1Dpzs03DB6Lt8UDrx2cMavzz4XAph1XiCC_Ku/s400/20150921_160031.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I trimmed these bars to have straight edges, hence the pile of scraps to the left. The nice thing about scraps is that after a week, I tried to use a few of the bigger pieces. Scraps held together perfectly, and lathered, and did all the stuff soap is supposed to do. Good sign!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not bad for my first batch and for really not know what the hell I'm doing.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLkqdAdWAHq0hKJ2_MP_8ncLNnpLyCobFi8Oz-4YX5iReEdG8JvMzypmjQUcRWoI2SKXs9aYdWwTUH7TPED0FYUGnG5x16hL1Y0UtrKsAnVnlNuXO6EHpsCet9qky4bBgpoeS5UbeutRr/s1600/20150921_155930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLkqdAdWAHq0hKJ2_MP_8ncLNnpLyCobFi8Oz-4YX5iReEdG8JvMzypmjQUcRWoI2SKXs9aYdWwTUH7TPED0FYUGnG5x16hL1Y0UtrKsAnVnlNuXO6EHpsCet9qky4bBgpoeS5UbeutRr/s400/20150921_155930.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Soap victory!<br />
<br />
That first batch has already been joined by a second, a lavender mint batch that smells lovely and was a total color fail since I tried to make it lilac and ended up with a pale green. I have a lot to learn! Loving my new hobby, and I can't wait to experiment with more colors and swirls and different fragrances, and seriously, I'm going to have SO MUCH SOAP.<br />
<br />
Friends and family, just know, you will all be getting soap for the holidays!<br />
<br />
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-43215616632932899252015-09-24T17:32:00.000-04:002015-09-24T17:32:09.284-04:00I'm going to be so cleanI have way too many hobbies. Knitting, spinning, weaving, running events, triathlon events, yoga, dog training. I cook, I bake, I tried to make leather wrapped beaded bracelets last year. All of that and you'd think I'd be too busy to pick up new interests. You'd be wrong. My latest one I blame on Whole Foods. Yep, I can trace this all back to a trip to Whole Foods last year when I saw the display essential oil diffuser. The neat little gizmo that turns water and a couple drops of essential oil into a cool vapor that disperses the oil fragrance.<br />
<br />
I fell in love. I had no idea the dark hole of essential oils I had just fallen down.<br />
<br />
A couple months later, and well my house started smelling a lot less like dog and a lot more like lavender.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZmxlvCCiy9MU0TxCkvvhErzNXcleSoCIB4Wv5Dal80kX4g8xAgRrsx-Zimm7yl8bwrV90eCPGOZ2_K3zD6GuZ7HAf3u4vaGnWtJGI7WVXAwS4XJukLzaZ2maqdpuOOOmOTLwGLH-Bq9m/s1600/EO2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZmxlvCCiy9MU0TxCkvvhErzNXcleSoCIB4Wv5Dal80kX4g8xAgRrsx-Zimm7yl8bwrV90eCPGOZ2_K3zD6GuZ7HAf3u4vaGnWtJGI7WVXAwS4XJukLzaZ2maqdpuOOOmOTLwGLH-Bq9m/s400/EO2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Like just about every interest of mine, one thing leads to another so why stop with basic aromatherapy? Massage oil, bath salts, body butter, lotion bars, and lip balm were soon to follow, which turned into many hours browsing natural beauty product recipes on Pinterest. And once you start pinning sugar scrubs, well Pinterest will start showing you all the beautiful natural soap pictures. So there you have it. My yarn is being neglected due to Whole Foods and Pinterest.<br />
<br />
As much as I wanted to make my own soap, lye scared the hell out of me. Hazardous! Toxic! Must use safety equipment! Um, thanks, I'll pass. I tried making melt-and-pour soap, where you buy a block of soap base, melt it, add color, fragrance, texture, whatever, and voila..soap. Only the soap sort of sucked, and I went back to dreaming about making real soap from scratch. I read a dozen tutorials and pinned a ton of pretty soap pictures. But I'm a wimp when it comes to hazardous chemicals that could burn the crap out of me and was never brave enough to attempt the scary lye process on my own. <br />
<br />
A trip to Atlanta to visit family and a <a href="http://www.loveyourmama.com/main.htm">natural soap shop</a> that offers classes finally solved my problem. My sister wanted to take the class too and we convinced my mom to go to meet the 3-person class minimum, and boom, awesome family outing + someone to hold my hand while I mix lye. Win, win!<br />
<br />
Measuring oils:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaY1JSGn1Ir3nP9khM3oz5vxKVhIX671GjDF3aSqRTvOEDTxCK2mGhfghXeXmgjtz1Kvd_Ps4c66h5Hwq-t-pzIsomVjd-RvpIRKTzlXEgMmQGfb46xbf6rvdaPUKYUnQudN3xo__DXrIy/s1600/soapclass.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaY1JSGn1Ir3nP9khM3oz5vxKVhIX671GjDF3aSqRTvOEDTxCK2mGhfghXeXmgjtz1Kvd_Ps4c66h5Hwq-t-pzIsomVjd-RvpIRKTzlXEgMmQGfb46xbf6rvdaPUKYUnQudN3xo__DXrIy/s400/soapclass.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Listening to the lye instructions. Safety equipment? Check.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLPNxTLen-ZFdBKCXaKCmudYngbIGXnN5Y6jp-A5HUcJ3LRQVhM7gk3saLkLnxMHNTOHJSgewLINpPyHnOeLW_zV7t9CmqrSOOvoF1U6rvCufUbUempHi8i91ICaHdsSCtFa82oz3Gm7J/s1600/safety.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLPNxTLen-ZFdBKCXaKCmudYngbIGXnN5Y6jp-A5HUcJ3LRQVhM7gk3saLkLnxMHNTOHJSgewLINpPyHnOeLW_zV7t9CmqrSOOvoF1U6rvCufUbUempHi8i91ICaHdsSCtFa82oz3Gm7J/s400/safety.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Final mixing!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIo0JXcw1gww4hmrS9cZahZpKYxGV2ml7KN-YlT5DBDDMj9JPDa1XRhdLvPzM8mRxAfI9NEGHbW6Lsj48dtz3Y2ldcdXRAQ8WgoXdP7gj5AVwHltQNz20YQJAkNVisLXbA17FYln-1IRR/s1600/soapclassgroup.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIo0JXcw1gww4hmrS9cZahZpKYxGV2ml7KN-YlT5DBDDMj9JPDa1XRhdLvPzM8mRxAfI9NEGHbW6Lsj48dtz3Y2ldcdXRAQ8WgoXdP7gj5AVwHltQNz20YQJAkNVisLXbA17FYln-1IRR/s400/soapclassgroup.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
End result? Lovely lavender oatmeal soap.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZadntYzBrFO1BDMSqNIrr44-KFNBbMlULuQfJk2qbv4cX2Ewvsxry30f8wxQlKLnN0NtjolwhTLcX5hOLx0mFi_0lmNOSh2BnhXZTvBpL_47j_YZ-149pz8MV23dZzNFblEka1ir41Wd/s1600/soap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZadntYzBrFO1BDMSqNIrr44-KFNBbMlULuQfJk2qbv4cX2Ewvsxry30f8wxQlKLnN0NtjolwhTLcX5hOLx0mFi_0lmNOSh2BnhXZTvBpL_47j_YZ-149pz8MV23dZzNFblEka1ir41Wd/s400/soap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Also, I'm not afraid of lye anymore. Oh, this is happening. <br />
<br />
To be continued...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-36298252944583176552015-08-28T20:41:00.002-04:002015-08-28T20:41:56.052-04:00Rebirth<span style="font-family: inherit;">Look! I'm posting! It's only been, what, 6 months? Clearly the 2015 "return to the blog" resolution didn't take hold, but I think there is a very good reason for that. It just took me 6 months to realize it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Once upon a time when I
started this little blog, it was mainly about knitting. Sure the odd vacation or race experience
might pop in but mostly, knitting. At that time in my life I spent a great deal of time occupied with or thinking about
knitting. I was never without a project
and always planning the next one. Or
three. I was a capital “K” Knitter. You know, where knitting is not so much a
hobby but a lifestyle. The Knitters know what I mean. Then I started
knitting less and spinning more. All
good, it’s a related craft. Posting
about spinning and then maybe some weaving made sense. Fiber crafts still ruled my life, and it was
fun to share about them. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fast-forward to today. The spinning wheel sits in a corner, and it’s
been a few months since fiber streamed through my fingers. The loom is in a drawer with a half-woven
scarf I started over a year ago. And
knitting? There is still knitting, but
now days go by without picking up needles.
I’m still on Ravelry daily, but rarely am I planning and dreaming about
projects the way I used to, and thus, I have a lot less to say about it. Surprise, surprise, I stopped posting (a fact
of which my eldest sister has repeatedly reminded me). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Am I still a capital “K”
Knitter? Yes, I think so. But I happen to be many other things too,
some of which I wouldn’t mind writing about and sharing with my family and
anyone else that wanders over. Basically this is a long way of saying: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I haven’t been blogging
because I don’t knit as much as I used to, but screw that, I do lots of other
stuff that’s pretty cool, at least to me, and I’m going to see what happens
when I expand my blogging horizons.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The editor in me is
cringing at that long run-on sentence, but I can’t bring myself to change
it. Sometimes grammatically-incorrect just sort of works. Besides, it’s a blog, not an English
test. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The weird thing about this
whole little exercise and proclaiming I’m going to write about non-knitting is
that suddenly I’m thinking about my knitting.
And since posts without pictures are sort of boring, at least I can
share that one project is almost done.<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohyphenhyphenVg0IzTCaaQJ290ni8wE26FjQcGL3pwCgH7qXsHQjD_T9q7-Ocx12ZT_sOT1zoCZt1qElWHUAK35d1WhR3BT-b9Al9RPPX8mf2mIlp7sM-lX7Npek2ii3Okl8GX7wPJ0DzoKVngZEVt/s1600/Chadwick_in_progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohyphenhyphenVg0IzTCaaQJ290ni8wE26FjQcGL3pwCgH7qXsHQjD_T9q7-Ocx12ZT_sOT1zoCZt1qElWHUAK35d1WhR3BT-b9Al9RPPX8mf2mIlp7sM-lX7Npek2ii3Okl8GX7wPJ0DzoKVngZEVt/s400/Chadwick_in_progress.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If I keep dragging my feet on knitting the border, I might finish it right around the time it's cool enough to want to wear it. See, planning....</span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-87453038023501790292015-02-27T18:24:00.000-05:002015-02-27T18:24:56.424-05:00BurnoutI've had major knitting burnout lately (and obviously blogger burnout, but more on that another time). I recently re-organized all my in-progress knitting projects, made a list, went and got a stiff drink when I needed to start a second page of paper for that list, and then did....nothing. For weeks. So after this little hiatus, what did I do to get my crafting juices going again? Buckle down and finish a project, you say? Knit away and taste the sweet joy of accomplishment? Well, no. Not. Even. Close. <br />
<br />
Instead I wound yarn and started a new scarf. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdya8DBk2ADtYHZM9Sw85Shnu2auFF-fj4H3kmRxknolWoEU7CC3ysI6BxRYtJa5m46GuzN-CpENqvlHcBj3YOnk9A5F17Q69tNJqtC9p3F1dMNQ554JgkgCkyLI8buinmBSau7XkKBHhh/s1600/20150226_133308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdya8DBk2ADtYHZM9Sw85Shnu2auFF-fj4H3kmRxknolWoEU7CC3ysI6BxRYtJa5m46GuzN-CpENqvlHcBj3YOnk9A5F17Q69tNJqtC9p3F1dMNQ554JgkgCkyLI8buinmBSau7XkKBHhh/s1600/20150226_133308.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Okay, so it's not finishing a project, but that's fine, right? I've wanted to start this pattern (<a href="http://westknits.com/index.php/pattern/shawls/chadwick/">Chadwick</a>) forever. Years, in fact. No joke. Literally years. I queued the pattern on Raverly in 2010. I think the yarn was purchased in 2011 (at least the gray yarn). Two years ago, I even <a href="http://gottangles.blogspot.com/2013/02/fo-fridays-skid.html">blogged </a>that I thought I would be starting Chadwick soon. So if I wasn't going to finish a current project, what better way to get knitting mojo going? New project! Whee!! With my favorite merino cashmere yarn! This can't go wrong. I'm going to happily knit my new scarf, and it's going to be awesome, and Knitter I will be again!<br />
<br />
Three days later I put it aside and instead started to knit....<br />
<br />
Wait for it...a facecloth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOnMbIKvGnDMh5PfzrwbdEdsZnMtkveOevPwdtKfWxHT54CGIi6Rw1_-lIiQHiOrWcUL_Ho13dVhss6JyEpQb7KG80emHOXs2wC4GvQW6msaZshVoczQ4Kkjsg08mBi_OnCCPcWvWzpFj/s1600/20150226_133209-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOnMbIKvGnDMh5PfzrwbdEdsZnMtkveOevPwdtKfWxHT54CGIi6Rw1_-lIiQHiOrWcUL_Ho13dVhss6JyEpQb7KG80emHOXs2wC4GvQW6msaZshVoczQ4Kkjsg08mBi_OnCCPcWvWzpFj/s1600/20150226_133209-1.jpg" height="337" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Who am I? And you know what? I freaking love this facecloth. I've already started a second one. Drawers of luxury yarn and precious handspun? No thanks, dishcloth cotton is calling my name.<br />
<br />
Seriously guys, WTF?<br />
<br />
PS. Of course, facecloth knitting is fine and dandy if it's your thing. If you love knitting dishcloths, go forth and knit and enjoy. It's just never been <i>my </i>thing.<br />
<br />
PPS. Yes, I've been away from blogging forever. Lots to catch up on, of course, but I needed to start back slowly. Despite my recent knitter apathy, I was fairly productive this fall, so lots of socks soon!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-42908771668673833512014-08-06T22:23:00.000-04:002014-08-06T22:23:44.369-04:00From A to ZIronman Mont Tremblant is a mere 11 days away, which would be much more exciting if I wasn't still hobbling around on an injured foot. Doc thought my injury would be a 2-3 week recovery, but I'm at 3 weeks now and still can't walk. I'm still holding out hope it will improve dramatically in the next week and I'll be able to tough it out, but the realist (pessimist?) in me is convinced it's not looking good. Knitting might be the only thing keeping me sane during this wait-and-see game.<br />
<br />
I'm seriously in love with my new sock project.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/245989881/CIMG6019_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/245989881/CIMG6019_medium2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/zigzagular-socks">Zigzagular Socks</a><br />
<b>Yarn:</b> Gothsocks Asphodel, "Goblin King"<br />
<br />
I love the pattern. I love the yarn. I love the colors. I love the subtle cables.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/245989884/CIMG6023_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/245989884/CIMG6023_medium2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So far, I love just about everything about this sock. I even didn't mind the gusset decrease rounds and I always hate that part of socks. Mainly I love that I have something to keep me occupied during boring PT appointments.<br />
<br />
I'm sort of continuing with my alphabet game of sock patterns, I just skipped from A all the way to Z. Maybe next I'll go back to B and jump back and forth. Or jump around completely. Or abandon the whole idea. Right now I'm just going to go back to this sock. And the ice packs.<br />
<br />
Visit <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's</a> for more WIP Wednesday!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-77824655687980530962014-08-01T16:18:00.000-04:002015-07-13T20:19:37.160-04:00A is for...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Two finished projects posted in two weeks? I'm not sure I recognize myself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/244905605/CIMG6009_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/244905605/CIMG6009_medium2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alternate-steps-socks">Alternate Steps</a> socks<br />
<b>Yarn:</b> <a href="http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/blackbunnyfibers">Black Bunny Fibers</a> Superwash Merino, "Audacity"<br />
<b>Needles:</b> 2.25mm<br />
<b>Started:</b> May 2014<br />
<b>Finished:</b> July 2014<br />
<br />
For years I've been trying to knit down my sock yarn stash. Despite using up several skeins in the last year and adding almost none (maybe 1 skein in 2013 and it's already been knit up), the drawer always seems to stay full. Well, enough is enough. I've been drooling over sock yarn recently but refuse to add to the stash without seriously knocking it down first. Last fall reminded me that I'm pretty capable of busting out socks, and since I don't have a ton of projects that I'm really jazzed about, I'm hitting the sock patterns hard. <br />
<br />
But I'm also indecisive and I need something to guide me when it comes to picking out patterns. Usually I rely on KALs on Ravelry, but I got it stuck in my head a few months ago that I should start knitting patterns for each letter of the alphabet (I think a group did this a few years ago). I did a pattern search, sorted alphabetically, and picked my first pattern: Alternate Steps.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/244905600/CIMG5997_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/244905600/CIMG5997_medium2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I didn't exactly whip these out in 2 weeks, but 1 skein down nonetheless. And not just any skein. I believe this was my oldest skein of sock yarn in the stash, purchased in 2008. I started 2 different patterns with this yarn over the years and always ripped pretty quickly. It was time for this yarn to go. <br />
<br />
Now to attack the rest.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcftdEVNYXyfq5xxBDHMiRcN1a5xpjDPozTGiRzjrH0NQLDkc6XWvp9bExL9I9ssX7wHaDUNFsXTd8COiV72hEj5Gsn8ZrQIi_JsFP8xm-43eWWhR8TDEjErqCKtOwbfpkcZlx5NWWAAF/s1600/CIMG6015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcftdEVNYXyfq5xxBDHMiRcN1a5xpjDPozTGiRzjrH0NQLDkc6XWvp9bExL9I9ssX7wHaDUNFsXTd8COiV72hEj5Gsn8ZrQIi_JsFP8xm-43eWWhR8TDEjErqCKtOwbfpkcZlx5NWWAAF/s1600/CIMG6015.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I did an honest assessment of the sock yarn stash this week. About 30 skeins. It's go time. Convenient timing since I happen to have a little more knitting time these days.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULKlThF9kIUiwl1-HSSJ-Hkzbp82TPdUr_ltRPsbg0n3gUZlQCGcs5NmdsgO6_TE-OfObkbKfr_qfSeLRILtBgl-eCil5aUTGXNx8v_dGllcMCYkyhHYOFfSJgrAxqGMd_BMoQXge3G0b/s1600/CIMG5993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULKlThF9kIUiwl1-HSSJ-Hkzbp82TPdUr_ltRPsbg0n3gUZlQCGcs5NmdsgO6_TE-OfObkbKfr_qfSeLRILtBgl-eCil5aUTGXNx8v_dGllcMCYkyhHYOFfSJgrAxqGMd_BMoQXge3G0b/s1600/CIMG5993.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
For 6 months Ironman training went amazingly better than expected. After finishing a 20 mile run, the longest of the training cycle, with no significant problems, I really felt like I was going to make it to that start line all systems go--a huge relief after spending most of 2013 on the injury bench. Exactly one week later and 30 days before race day, I limped home the last mile of an 8 mile run and have been sidelined since, unable to put weight on my left foot. Doc has confirmed it's a soft tissue injury, so I'm lucky in that it's not a stress fracture, which would have ended all hope of racing on August 17. Now I play the wait-and-see game and hope it heals up enough to for me to start the race and then holds up for 7+ hours of pedaling and a marathon. In the meantime, I'm spending a lot of time in the water, and part of me thinks this is karma's way of getting me back for skipping so many swim workouts....if so, eff you, karma.<br />
<br />
The bright side? With 6 hour bike rides and 3 hour runs off the schedule, I have considerably more time to sit on my ass and knit. I think I'll go wind some more sock yarn.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-60714318308987703682014-07-25T12:51:00.002-04:002014-07-25T12:51:49.077-04:00Baby Tea LeavesWhoa, it's been awhile since I've finished a knitting project. I believe this is my first "finished object Friday" of 2014. Of course, this is only my 4th post of 2014. Knitting and blogging have sadly been a little further down on the priority list than usual, but at least I managed to churn out a cute baby sweater! And even managed to finish it up before the baby was born. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26h_jpAOXkvvDnqANLI45_5JTD37ReHDLqxf2tEU5RCEnhpmBO1mEmHZyYKfDD5X8KdMJbcTCwuOL_v1uJusaFI6e-M4tXM5E-cOu9hBYaleTQ0L_YdDFOauehMmXi5wsj9JUB5XxSkJ0/s1600/CIMG5973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26h_jpAOXkvvDnqANLI45_5JTD37ReHDLqxf2tEU5RCEnhpmBO1mEmHZyYKfDD5X8KdMJbcTCwuOL_v1uJusaFI6e-M4tXM5E-cOu9hBYaleTQ0L_YdDFOauehMmXi5wsj9JUB5XxSkJ0/s1600/CIMG5973.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-tea-leaves">Baby Tea Leaves</a> by Melissa LaBarre<br />
<b>Yarn:</b> Madelinetosh Pashmina, "Robin Red Breast"<br />
<br />
It's an adorable little sweater. I've always admired the adult version but something about doubling the number of stitches to knit the runched sections always deterred me (not to mention my lack of sweater knitting lately, but that's another story). Baby runched sections went quickly enough that I finished them before I had time to start getting annoyed. <br />
<br />
The good stuff: It's cute, I finished something, and Madtosh Pashmina is really lovely to knit with and makes a beautiful finished object. Soft with a little sheen and nice drape. No clue how it will hold up for a baby, but the little one will probably outgrow it before it makes it out of the wash.<br />
<br />
And of course, awesome buttons from <a href="http://www.jenniethepotter.com/">Jennie the Potter</a>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfZGgY9igPSg0hqhrsPdVimAwNHLbeEyV2VfxUrvEKrqOT5Enh8GmVPDP0YcbtMDbOZSeSDb4Zyuzoehln1WD6CclrFzbQuffc5ebj6KHN9PUvYKEOGuOJTYhEORn7COThyNtAHjNRXxh/s1600/CIMG5977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfZGgY9igPSg0hqhrsPdVimAwNHLbeEyV2VfxUrvEKrqOT5Enh8GmVPDP0YcbtMDbOZSeSDb4Zyuzoehln1WD6CclrFzbQuffc5ebj6KHN9PUvYKEOGuOJTYhEORn7COThyNtAHjNRXxh/s1600/CIMG5977.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In retrospect, I think white buttons on a red sweater is a little too much contrast, and if I could do it over, I might have done a white sweater with some red trim. Something to think about if I decide to use the 3 leftover buttons for a new project.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-44357804073363371372014-06-15T20:28:00.000-04:002014-06-15T20:28:47.934-04:00It's going to be EPIC<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman-70.3/eagleman.aspx#axzz34ZYEOiZK">Eagleman 70.3</a> is behind me. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vhKTjUjDiLMWO4lfk4dli786sIIdhEpzP7ztdFzLNzxPvRiP3MOZfk9EE3tVTAkumWnkpZzTnesLTDK_Z6Vn8RaOwAaJNgcfqeEQ08Oe6HR2i6nMcTbKRnFbcVt16Ct1nbRfKv2Wi3Gg/s1600/CIMG5968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vhKTjUjDiLMWO4lfk4dli786sIIdhEpzP7ztdFzLNzxPvRiP3MOZfk9EE3tVTAkumWnkpZzTnesLTDK_Z6Vn8RaOwAaJNgcfqeEQ08Oe6HR2i6nMcTbKRnFbcVt16Ct1nbRfKv2Wi3Gg/s1600/CIMG5968.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
To make a long story short, I felt great on the swim, fine
on the bike, and the run was a brutal slog through the sixth level of
hell. Even with temperatures relatively
mild in the low 80s, the sun beating down on me for 13 miles was a killer. And although helpful, it ain’t much fun
trying to run with cups of ice bouncing around in your sports bra. In the end, I crossed the finish line after 6
hrs, 10 min, and 50 sec of swim, bike, run, which was 41 minutes faster than
2012, so no complaints. I think Mike and
I are pretty much done with Eagleman though.
There are only so many times you can fork over money to race in misery
before you start to come to your senses.<br />
<br />
And now looming ahead is only the big bad of <a href="http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/mont-tremblant.aspx#axzz34ZYEOiZK">Ironman Mont Tremblant</a>. Nine very short weeks away. I am both super excited and scared out of my mind. I've come a really long way in the last five months but there's still pretty far to go before I'll be ready to try to cover 140.6 miles. Distance starting building this week, and 73 miles on the bike and 16.5 of running will take a pretty big chunk out of the weekend. Vacuuming, laundry, walking dogs, and spending an hour tonight making <a href="http://parsleysagesweet.com/2010/10/13/stuffed-cabbage-like-grandma-used-to-make/">stuffed cabbage</a> (yeah, weird impulse for June cooking, no explanation) and there is little time left to relax with knitting.<br />
<br />
So, in honor of big epic undertakings (and the fact that I've barely worked on any knitting in the past week), I decided it was finally time to update my progress on the handspun afghan. To give some background, I started this project in 2011. Over the years, I bought 15 4oz braids of blue faced leicester fiber, spun a worsted 2-ply yarn, and knit each skein into a log cabin square. Sometime last year I finished knitting the last square.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/202954105/CIMG5733_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/202954105/CIMG5733_medium2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I was so excited about finishing the squares that I shoved them in a drawer and didn't think about them for months. In March, I finally dug them out, bought black yarn, and started knitting. A couple months and a whole lotta garter stitch later:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/236321871/CIMG5933_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/236321871/CIMG5933_medium2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
All the squares are assembled. Only the outer borders are left. I'm so close and yet there is still a good bit of knitting to go. Knitting that I have no intention of touching for months. The blanket weighs a metric crapton and there is no way I'm going to sit with the whole thing on my lap to knit the borders until there is frost outside. Since it's not even summer yet, that's going to be awhile. Thank goodness I have hours of bike training to keep me busy. To be continued...maybe in October... </div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-84476952115678169612014-06-06T18:25:00.000-04:002014-06-06T18:25:10.922-04:00Buttons to the Rescue<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Two years ago, <a href="http://gottangles.blogspot.com/2012/06/703.html">I finished my first</a> (and only) half-iron
triathlon, and tomorrow I will head back to Cambridge, MD to race Eagleman
again on Sunday. I’m sure I was a basket
of nerves last time, but unlike 2012, this year I am not undertrained. Weather conditions are not predicted to be
the sweltering inferno of years past, and I have absolutely zero doubts that I
can cover the distances and finish the race. You’d think I'd be a tad more
relaxed, right? Yeah, you’d be
wrong. My stomach is tied up in knots
because I’m nervous about whether I’ll meet
expectations. Yup, that's really what's on my idiot
mind today. And it's not even others' expectations, just
my own. Talk about creating unnecessary drama. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Anyway, all that was basically a long way of
saying, I'm finally writing a blog post to get my mind off ridiculous race
anxiety. Because we all know that yarn
solves all problems. Or at least most. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Despite how hectic life has become these
days, I have managed to squeeze in a decent amount of knitting, spinning, and
even some <i>(gasp!)</i> weaving. I have tons to
share, not to mention, extremely overdue posts about the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival,
but since I do need to actually pack and get ready to leave town, today is just
about one wee baby sweater. It's not
often that I have occasion to knit baby items, but some friends recently
announced they are expecting a little girl, and damn, if didn't want to leap all over the knitting opportunity. Only problem is that I'm extremely
picky when I knit for non-knitters.
I feel like the item has to be<i> “OMG, amazing!”</i> for it to
be appreciated, and despite the thousands of baby sweater patterns on Raverly,
nothing was grabbing me. Me,
indecisive? Nah….</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sheep and Wool and
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/jenniethepotter">Jennie the Potter</a> to the rescue...because buttons! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioB38DBl9-WiG90nHDiHLGjFNGCsm0zIl3LekoV5hMxTUUkrqIs4qewjRwHmKOQWnJiGbK-bnSv0AwURAgnsUceQHL9ihcgWACoQmAq7D7j3IUGYeYRx42KBuZNJfVcCdQQ4uZ3DIvY6Ts/s1600/CIMG5924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioB38DBl9-WiG90nHDiHLGjFNGCsm0zIl3LekoV5hMxTUUkrqIs4qewjRwHmKOQWnJiGbK-bnSv0AwURAgnsUceQHL9ihcgWACoQmAq7D7j3IUGYeYRx42KBuZNJfVcCdQQ4uZ3DIvY6Ts/s1600/CIMG5924.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The
couple are cycling friends, so come on, how perfect are these? (I'm fairly certain I saw them on
the Yarn Harlot's blog awhile ago, so yes, I'll own up that I'm really just a
copycat) The buttons made life a lot easier because immediately I knew I was knitting a red cardigan. Of course, it is me after all, so don't think
for a second that just because I settled on red, I'd have no problem deciding
on yarn. I, uh, ordered two different
skeins because I couldn't make up my mind.
I will maintain, however, that the two skeins were due to concern about color
misrepresentation on computer monitors and not indecision. Yes.
Really. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmOX7JBvyPCEzGSFamoxkr7vUrgaRQLLQovG8XptPkYWiuRfsHCEpxzkNBPp1SyvUeJLxaauxyGghyphenhyphennaj1Dv0iDUky4cY8KCzwnJ9m5y3rCgMMfshvCsq93dj2Lc_Wl_neij29OKER131/s1600/CIMG5922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmOX7JBvyPCEzGSFamoxkr7vUrgaRQLLQovG8XptPkYWiuRfsHCEpxzkNBPp1SyvUeJLxaauxyGghyphenhyphennaj1Dv0iDUky4cY8KCzwnJ9m5y3rCgMMfshvCsq93dj2Lc_Wl_neij29OKER131/s1600/CIMG5922.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The caked skein sort of
gives away which one I chose which is <a href="http://www.yarn.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/categoryID/EC89E105-48C4-423E-A735-541225044464/productID/9E4364B4-A501-4135-93FC-1BED4A4095A3/">Madelinetosh Pashmina</a> in Robin Red Breast (the other is Tosh Sport in Tart). With light workouts this week to rest up for the race, I've gotten a nice start to a
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-tea-leaves">Tiny Tea Leaves</a> cardigan. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKuR6LQ5VuvzqpiW9aGwEcWY3G35osRyV2Th6AwW9j6iLShTzxkURft4IW8msw07hAnDq49kKv3XkftpibYmGlxu6YOM7lXbfOFJhm3O9JcsL4Ky6vCf7iFl3RM4zCsFTNI6m8_keq3jZ/s1600/CIMG5919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKuR6LQ5VuvzqpiW9aGwEcWY3G35osRyV2Th6AwW9j6iLShTzxkURft4IW8msw07hAnDq49kKv3XkftpibYmGlxu6YOM7lXbfOFJhm3O9JcsL4Ky6vCf7iFl3RM4zCsFTNI6m8_keq3jZ/s1600/CIMG5919.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So so cute. And tiny. And damn, if baby sweaters don't go super fast. But now I'm going to put away the happy distraction and actually go start packing the fourteen bags of crap I need for a triathlon. Who came up with this stupid sport anyway? Hmm...maybe one more row....</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And I really
really do have tons to share so I hope I’ll be back soon. Sneak peak and proof crafting is happening!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_4JRq_pxAoXV-10bMIC59oj-GixAJME_OGTKt2_IHXDmstAsE_LD9RPgQmJ_ChIYFgIJzMh5qwaJm1wstxAD9Rj2L3Lp5JsWe3UWZsXVObSRo054ebugeo5bERdvgVJniPe4Qo9lL_B9/s1600/CIMG5918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_4JRq_pxAoXV-10bMIC59oj-GixAJME_OGTKt2_IHXDmstAsE_LD9RPgQmJ_ChIYFgIJzMh5qwaJm1wstxAD9Rj2L3Lp5JsWe3UWZsXVObSRo054ebugeo5bERdvgVJniPe4Qo9lL_B9/s1600/CIMG5918.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-2668751474799937572014-04-19T22:44:00.001-04:002014-04-19T22:44:58.451-04:00So it's been awhile...<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yeah, yeah, almost 5 months, yada, yada. Kind of a lot has happened, both in the
knitting/spinning realms of my life and the non-crafty part. I’d love to write about all the details, but to quote a favorite character, “No, there is too much. Let me sum up”. (And if that doesn't sound familiar, it's been too long since you've watched the <i>Princess Bride</i>. I'd get on that.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>KNITTING:</u> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Holy sock mojo, Batman. I finished 4 pairs of socks in Nov-Dec of last year.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8JBPISXWIz1gQOJPWxfIpPUaik4jFnqNsDhfi2aFSXKTc2vuYpeGA7F_S5DX6p8GSv6hrrFCrm70lVpdt9rHn9rSQQXpLk_NHu602MHFk6Yhwa9jHTALX4Ke0rtxoOaY3YWUGG1bBfYH/s1600/2013+Winter+Socks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8JBPISXWIz1gQOJPWxfIpPUaik4jFnqNsDhfi2aFSXKTc2vuYpeGA7F_S5DX6p8GSv6hrrFCrm70lVpdt9rHn9rSQQXpLk_NHu602MHFk6Yhwa9jHTALX4Ke0rtxoOaY3YWUGG1bBfYH/s1600/2013+Winter+Socks.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nutkin">Nutkin</a>; Sweet Georgia Tough Sock "Tapestry";<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/HJake/nutkin"> project page</a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simple-skyp-socks"> Simple SKYP</a>; Sanguine Gryphon Bugga "Oak Timberworm"; <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/HJake/simple-skyp-socks">project page</a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
3. Improvised toe-up with 2x2 ribbed leg; <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/HJake/handspun/untitled-10">My handspun</a> (!); <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/HJake/inconsistent">project page</a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
4: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/annetrelac-socks">Annetrelac</a>; Rainy Days Wooly Dogs "Flugelhorn"; <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/HJake/annetrelac-socks">project page</a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The autumn sock knitting mojo really came out of
nowhere. Stats illustrate this
anomaly best:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pairs of socks completed in 2012: 3</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pairs of socks completed Jan-Aug 2013: 1</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pairs of socks completed Sep-Dec 2013: 6?!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The sock obsession left as quickly as it swept in because the
calendar turned to 2014, and I’ve got no socks on the needles and no plans to
cast on any. At least a small dent was made in the sock yarn stash before the impulse wore off.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Only one other big knitting project:
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/trellis-and-vine-pullover">Trellis and Vine Pullover</a> (Interweave Knits, Fall 2009)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/220942098/CIMG5814_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/220942098/CIMG5814_medium2.JPG" height="400" width="347" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can't even remember exactly when I finished this one. All I know is it was after September and before Thanksgiving. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here’s the quick and dirty about the sweater: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I ripped and reknit the bottom half after deciding
to swap the lace/cable pattern for a hemmed edge. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I ripped and reknit almost an entire sleeve when I decided it was
coming out too big. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">All the reknitting
must have been worth it because I wore it a ton this winter--it’s soft and super comfortable without being
too warm and I adore it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Soft yarn comes
with a price--the sweater already looks a little ratty from the pills. You can even see in the picture if you look
closely, so, uh, don’t. (Yarn is Berroco Palace, 50/50 merino/silk. Lovely, but pilly)</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And that about wraps up the knitting. I have absolutely zippo to show for
2014. Not one thing finished (save a
pair of sample/test socks that I can’t show off yet), and not really much
started either. Who has time for
knitting when there’s….</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>SPINNING:</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I suck at keeping track of spinning so I have no idea
what I worked on at the end of 2013, but the first few months of 2014 were pretty
productive. I joined a challenge where everyone selected a "bin" of fiber to spin in 2014. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The bin:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZvJI-TurwwTkG7UKAZzo2SFZdA_43cpvnloQEG-a7vFI9DrYe54oG_vyDEwHp_TNGq15r86sdy8P1BIeXNt0r5z2MlCzdvBd3BgTVhTPNKXfKMeanEdj9lQM4ekdXR_s_jDXHxiIUDvh/s1600/CIMG5741a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZvJI-TurwwTkG7UKAZzo2SFZdA_43cpvnloQEG-a7vFI9DrYe54oG_vyDEwHp_TNGq15r86sdy8P1BIeXNt0r5z2MlCzdvBd3BgTVhTPNKXfKMeanEdj9lQM4ekdXR_s_jDXHxiIUDvh/s1600/CIMG5741a.jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Progress to date:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUsgOeO7wt5-0NayPcJLkw8Ve6djH6vAKKAoN-3VzT2d-tqVwhaepJUSEYkYsZqsMoJgJVQDpzIYwefTcaOorSmChmdc3GpB-hvWaUodKoVKszEW5U2xf5OVQS7jYRowDE1gFZxaCCV71/s1600/Progress1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUsgOeO7wt5-0NayPcJLkw8Ve6djH6vAKKAoN-3VzT2d-tqVwhaepJUSEYkYsZqsMoJgJVQDpzIYwefTcaOorSmChmdc3GpB-hvWaUodKoVKszEW5U2xf5OVQS7jYRowDE1gFZxaCCV71/s1600/Progress1.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want details, visit my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/HJake/handspun">handspun page</a> on
Ravelry. If you’re not on Ravelry, you
probably don’t care about the details anyway. I'm a little over halfway through the bin, which isn't bad for only being a third through the year. Except, like knitting, spinning has started to slow considerably too. There's a good reason for that:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<img border="0" height="104" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRsmhP31TfaejtrBGxuBSD-oxioDj8Wtw_lAb1RkEiz-v1RhZCcjg" width="320" /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">That
“big plan” I really wanted my foot to heal up for? Yup, an Ironman triathlon in Mont Tremblant (near Montreal) in August. And if you're not big into the tri scene, that means a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run. Yup, I’m crazy. And nope, my foot is still not totally
healed, and I started Ironman training
in January allowed to run only 30 second intervals at a time. Lucky for me triathlon encompasses 2 other
sports that I can spend loads of time on.
But that pretty much sucks because I enjoy running and sort of just
tolerate the other 2 because the events are fun. Oh, yeah, and it’s good for my body to
diversify. Or something. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Training is 6 days/week, with double workouts now on 2 weekdays, and lengthy weekend workouts which are only going to get longer. Currently I'm at about 12-13 hours/week of swim, bike, run plus more time for strength training, driving to the pool or wherever I'm biking, stretching, icing sore feet, etc. So, yeah, I'm neglecting the blog, knitting, and spinning. Along with cleaning, shopping, brushing the dogs, and any laundry that isn't workout related. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">I'd like to say I'll be back soon, but, well, I'm not making any promises. That said, I do have handspun <a href="http://gottangles.blogspot.com/2012/06/work-in-progress-wednesday-square-9.html">epic afghan</a> progress to share so there is at least some hope I won't fall off the Internet for 5 months again. </span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-38202355288358017902013-10-25T21:18:00.000-04:002013-10-25T21:18:43.451-04:00FO Friday: Mittens!It started with pretty fiber.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/174897406/CIMG5393_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/174897406/CIMG5393_medium2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://stores.fatcatknits.com/StoreFront.bok">Fat Cat Knits</a> Variegated BFL in "Let's Go Crazy"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The fiber became lovely squishy yarn.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/185237298/CIMG5500_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/185237298/CIMG5500_medium2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">275 yards of 2-ply</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
An impatient knitter bored with all her projects combined with an impulsive cast on and a few hours of knitting, and you get...mittens!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0PAqEGbN9n8Lr2d2DUsNH3JSAwTKfuk_pabMXCDGiaZYUmMNr6wrL1NQ5S_xwr1x88ZASVxaLCNwfIdt7NH111O2NLfRFq36Jfyo56559Zacdwk6izw0WMp8FGsB-sQWoibe5BraLbRC/s1600/CIMG5630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0PAqEGbN9n8Lr2d2DUsNH3JSAwTKfuk_pabMXCDGiaZYUmMNr6wrL1NQ5S_xwr1x88ZASVxaLCNwfIdt7NH111O2NLfRFq36Jfyo56559Zacdwk6izw0WMp8FGsB-sQWoibe5BraLbRC/s400/CIMG5630.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/warmest-mittens">Warmest mittens</a> on Raverly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I know I said I would work on WIPs for the next couple of months, but I really think these mittens need a matching hat.</div>
<br />
Happy Friday all! Visit <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's</a> for more FO Friday!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-62269210390586749262013-10-23T18:34:00.002-04:002013-10-23T18:34:17.565-04:00WIP Wednesday: Trellis and Vine SweaterI thought that after eagerly finishing socks and mittens I would be on a roll to clear out more works-in-progress projects. I was determined to finish stuff, and when I came down from my knitter's high of <a href="http://gottangles.blogspot.com/2013/10/oppatt-socks.html">finished socks</a>, I diligently turned to a sweater-in-progress. My interest in that lasted only about a day.<br />
<br />
Then I cast on a new <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/honey-cowl">Honey Cowl</a>. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkj0g3oy55XS-v2mL3yU8nDlU0fCU2ZEh-71_vuPZ1LIxDi-zWFiSJu_rZmjppYor9A1UtCJWVjPwfiFqGmGHLR8QtIsGpYeQfbXCCcaDMNZytQvsajD7qxM3E6pkK7U6I9PoPg7FajhfA/s1600/CIMG5623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkj0g3oy55XS-v2mL3yU8nDlU0fCU2ZEh-71_vuPZ1LIxDi-zWFiSJu_rZmjppYor9A1UtCJWVjPwfiFqGmGHLR8QtIsGpYeQfbXCCcaDMNZytQvsajD7qxM3E6pkK7U6I9PoPg7FajhfA/s400/CIMG5623.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I cast on 240 stitches, very very carefully joined in the round, and started knitting. About six rows in I finally admitted that I had twisted my join. I had tried to be so careful, but the cowl will have to be ripped out. 1500 wasted stitches. Obviously not tragic, but I'm taking it as a subtle nudge from the knitting gods: "go back to your WIPs".</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Okay, done. Back to my sweater project. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZrk2qu40yCeEaoTE53QLZ0CQWvBxR6U3QGFiDVW6ez_PcvNFEnzI6dCkRIQfi9N051EClulbLgFycT9POIMpRxLBbsJmnIEnHLIZRDnGfyHPSeXVgch9BvIhfzh1KNeYPcUHxUU25XSC/s1600/CIMG5625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZrk2qu40yCeEaoTE53QLZ0CQWvBxR6U3QGFiDVW6ez_PcvNFEnzI6dCkRIQfi9N051EClulbLgFycT9POIMpRxLBbsJmnIEnHLIZRDnGfyHPSeXVgch9BvIhfzh1KNeYPcUHxUU25XSC/s400/CIMG5625.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/trellis-and-vine-pullover">Trellis and Vine</a> sweater by Carol Feller from an old Interweave Knits issue (Fall 2009, to be exact). This sweater and I have already been through a lot of ripping and re-knitting. In August I ripped and re-knit about 5-6 inches of the body, and that finished sleeve you see? Well, that's the second time I knit it. I think I've finally got all the issues fixed now, and with only half a sleeve left, this one is almost wrapped up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Maybe a finished sweater will earn me new project blessings? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Visit <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's</a> for more WIP Wednesdays! And see you on Friday with mittens!</div>
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-28916676431146197332013-10-18T20:11:00.001-04:002013-10-18T20:11:45.840-04:00OppAtt SocksAll week I've been planning to post mittens today. The mittens have been finished for days, and while I may not be doing back flips over them, they are very nice mittens. Nice, but at least for today, neglected.<br />
<br />
Instead....SOCKS!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/189888841/CIMG5610_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/189888841/CIMG5610_medium2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/oppatt">OppAtt</a> by Jeannie Cartmel<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/HJake/oppatt">Ravelry Project Page</a><br />
<b>Yarn:</b> Sanguine Gryphon Bugga! in Lubber Grasshopper<br />
<b>Needles:</b> 2.5mm<br />
<b>Cast on:</b> Oct 2<br />
<b>Bind off:</b> Oct 18<br />
<br />
I finished grafting the toes and weaving in ends during a conference call this morning. Even though the second sock had been going rather quickly, I didn't expect to finish the pair until this weekend. I was so excited to wrap them up this morning that the mittens had to take a backseat.<br />
<br />
Happy things:<br />
<ol>
<li>I finished <u>a pair</u> of socks in 16 days. That's huge for me. The last time I knit a pair of socks in two weeks was probably 2010. These were a nice reminder of a time when I used to get super excited about knitting socks. I doubt I'll jump right back to busting out 10 pairs a year, but still, it's always nice to remember the good old days.</li>
<li>The finished socks are all one color. Even after <a href="http://gottangles.blogspot.com/2013/10/cured.html">the scale confirmed</a> I was being ridiculous about envisioning socks with half the foot in different yarn, I was still convinced I would need to use different yarn for the toes. Nope. Finished socks, plenty of yarn.</li>
<li>I really never liked the <a href="http://gottangles.blogspot.com/2013/10/finished-object-friday-brainless-socks.html">first socks</a> I knit with this yarn, and I hate waste. Those socks in my drawer were a constant annoyance, and yet if you're a product knitter like yours truly, ripping out perfectly good finished socks is not easy to force yourself to do. But I did it. I have way better socks to show for that perseverance. </li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/189888831/CIMG5607_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/189888831/CIMG5607_medium2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Pattern notes: Very little to say about the pattern. It's free, clearly written, and straightforward. I haven't had patience lately for complicated patterns, so this fit my mood pretty well. There was enough going on to keep things interesting but nothing that required much thought. The pattern is another one that's been in my Ravelry queue for years. I'm loving clearing some of these out of there. Almost as satisfying as knitting down stash. Now that the socks are finished, I realize there are a few things I don't love about the design. Like the way the cables merge together on the side into a tree trunk looking thing.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/189888842/CIMG5617_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/189888842/CIMG5617_medium2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Or that narrow strip of reverse stockinette on part of the heel flap. But, whatever. Teeny tiny quibbles not worth wasting energy on. Instead, I'm smiling just thinking about finished socks. Buttery soft finished socks in luscious yarn. <br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Visit <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's</a> for more FO Friday!</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-34762935982418669282013-10-16T21:49:00.002-04:002013-10-17T13:29:15.000-04:00CuredIt turns out that the cure for my personal problems with startitis is posting a pile of half-knit projects to this blog. One minute all I wanted was to find new projects to start, but the second my <a href="http://gottangles.blogspot.com/2013/10/fickle.html">last post</a> went public, a light switch flipped somewhere in my head. Now I want to finish stuff. Finish all the knitting!<br />
<br />
With my new found determination, I forced myself to confront what I believed to be impending doom for my sock project. I was sure I was running short of yarn, knew I didn't want half the foot in a different color, and was starting to warm up to the idea of just ripping the first sock and putting this project out of its misery.<br />
<br />
I really should have weighed the sock and remaining yarn before freaking out. The scale changed everything.<br />
<br />
The first sock (about 2 inches away from starting the toe): 33 grams.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOE5kDlFNIEBAFHR1zCLRje0jzqOPyhqjN2O2MxQolD0SS2Kv-oQRbHQWeVrEvP1fAQ2bTMZbIWLFoP_uO1FOtCFgZhKcDShukXUtjSzJoar3VHGxoTmxWNekRrugKgDbZFUENdKAlF59O/s1600/CIMG5600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOE5kDlFNIEBAFHR1zCLRje0jzqOPyhqjN2O2MxQolD0SS2Kv-oQRbHQWeVrEvP1fAQ2bTMZbIWLFoP_uO1FOtCFgZhKcDShukXUtjSzJoar3VHGxoTmxWNekRrugKgDbZFUENdKAlF59O/s400/CIMG5600.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The yarn still left on the this first skein: 13 grams.<br />
The second skein of yarn: 34 grams. <br />
<br />
Well, hell, that's not so bad. I still expect to need different yarn for the toes, but I can live with that. I decided to put the first sock aside and start the second so I can get both socks to the same place before dividing up that remaining 13 grams of yarn. I expected slow knitting and slogging through little by little. In fact, the whole idea of my finish-by-the-end-of-the-month goal seemed ridiculously optimistic.<br />
<br />
I was wrong. Really wrong. I cast on the second sock Monday afternoon. It's, uh, going pretty well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWcQ3LiuylmHsq4RhK2UaZbE3lxB-7Kai3s1IfzY_BhnFbSeHOoWYXXowMkFoRE0dAuyBVWPmq1Ye-54e6UdQkRC_NehulWYnBS3DieTtaOl60KXl82J17PqS9044NF-607fqC3OzAJ9y/s1600/CIMG5602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWcQ3LiuylmHsq4RhK2UaZbE3lxB-7Kai3s1IfzY_BhnFbSeHOoWYXXowMkFoRE0dAuyBVWPmq1Ye-54e6UdQkRC_NehulWYnBS3DieTtaOl60KXl82J17PqS9044NF-607fqC3OzAJ9y/s400/CIMG5602.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Two days = three-quarters of a sock. I can't explain that at all. All I know is that I can't put the sock down. Must. Finish. Socks.<br />
<br />
The important lesson for the day--blogging keeps my knitting on track. It would be good for me to remember this lesson. But right now I'm going back to my sock. I've been getting twitchy if I'm away from it for too long.<br />
<br />
Visit <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's</a> for more WIP Wednesday!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-3163522241892547632013-10-12T19:57:00.002-04:002013-10-12T20:00:02.057-04:00FickleI got a flu shot last week so I'm apparently safe from the flu for the next year, but what I really need someone to invent is a cure for startitis (come on brilliant medical researchers, the knitters of the world need YOU). I've got a wicked case.<br />
<br />
One day I was happily knitting away on my new sock project, and then BAM, I hit the gusset decreases (my least favorite part of socks), and everything fell apart. In two days time, I cast on three new projects. <br />
<br />
In my defense, I did finish one of them the same day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqa9HV9_h5Bp7Ll8PqplpCebczwSEhZTR5ASWPm3y7tjM8Kd1GTVBgmL_o0IvOQEYd62PSj79o5OWbJjsPvWK-njeDytkYG43hHLhIMP18pCu6kQwKDP8in_4Z3rHhPdqL_N7FCA2AK3fP/s1600/CIMG5568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqa9HV9_h5Bp7Ll8PqplpCebczwSEhZTR5ASWPm3y7tjM8Kd1GTVBgmL_o0IvOQEYd62PSj79o5OWbJjsPvWK-njeDytkYG43hHLhIMP18pCu6kQwKDP8in_4Z3rHhPdqL_N7FCA2AK3fP/s400/CIMG5568.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Pattern: <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTcalorimetry.html">Calorimetry</a>. Yarn is some of my handspun (Ravelry <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/HJake/handspun/untitled-12">linky</a>)<br />
<br />
I'm not thrilled with it. It's a little big, the fit is awkward, and I'm fairly certain I will never use it. It's probably only a day or so away from disappearing into a drawer for years.<br />
<br />
Despite the finished headband, my flurry of new projects is still not a good trend. Yesterday, I cast on a new cowl in the morning. I was unhappy about it almost instantly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AFYXmRhSUye-Avk5tE6mzF5JBKV59z48z7IiZliILc1CcNSXzyiQBOtVm7bVi0Q1ngKTXvEjL28Y5dUosjwcrBUo19JhcJ2JBkHAPcngiyyYY2HRJYj_jCrG23tFpK-HeIRpJG_kMMi2/s1600/CIMG5586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AFYXmRhSUye-Avk5tE6mzF5JBKV59z48z7IiZliILc1CcNSXzyiQBOtVm7bVi0Q1ngKTXvEjL28Y5dUosjwcrBUo19JhcJ2JBkHAPcngiyyYY2HRJYj_jCrG23tFpK-HeIRpJG_kMMi2/s400/CIMG5586.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yarn is a recent <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/HJake/handspun/fat-cat-knits-polwarth-silk">handspun skein</a>.</div>
<br />
Those few rows have already been ripped, the yarn is back in the closet, and last night, I started new mittens instead. Less than 12 hours later and already decent progress.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9J3p_6KL3uPAJcTduNSlpCo5lEDrC3ulu1rgOa2eAZ3hwgIpbPz95inRxgWrQJ653QNtisizfP0dtYSNfxaTbgAgZOamH3ZMUX86Tuo5eC24LlQn-Mo_jc2sOxaiN9DNvyEXF3othVQuO/s1600/CIMG5558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9J3p_6KL3uPAJcTduNSlpCo5lEDrC3ulu1rgOa2eAZ3hwgIpbPz95inRxgWrQJ653QNtisizfP0dtYSNfxaTbgAgZOamH3ZMUX86Tuo5eC24LlQn-Mo_jc2sOxaiN9DNvyEXF3othVQuO/s400/CIMG5558.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Also knit in some recent<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/HJake/stash/handpainted-variegated-bfl-combed-top"> handspun</a>.</div>
<br />
Speedy project to be sure, and believe it or not, but that is actually an adult-size mitten. Unfortunately, I'm not exactly in love with this project either. I put it aside before starting the thumb and went back to the original sock. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSYBZchoeXO6FKdru1bSqCb10qhy-_bF4DBFSM5rVXCleDLQxqHaeE-dYY3fBWVa8HV4IkCcBPdZjvXgEytrgslRMTqvugJrzsbo41y9Gjr1VqD2nNlGjUXf-wxTbg2w7jv3Ho3NMfGJQ/s1600/CIMG5561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSYBZchoeXO6FKdru1bSqCb10qhy-_bF4DBFSM5rVXCleDLQxqHaeE-dYY3fBWVa8HV4IkCcBPdZjvXgEytrgslRMTqvugJrzsbo41y9Gjr1VqD2nNlGjUXf-wxTbg2w7jv3Ho3NMfGJQ/s400/CIMG5561.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I managed to finish the gusset decreases, but I'm getting more and more concerned that I'm going to run out of yarn. The skeins from the <a href="http://gottangles.blogspot.com/2013/10/finished-object-friday-brainless-socks.html">ripped socks</a> definitely looked small but I figured the leftovers I started the project with would make up the difference, and the plan was to stop knitting before the toe so that if I'm short on yarn, I can knit the toes in a different color. I'm worried now that I won't even get that far. Impending yarn shortage and the possibility of socks with half the instep in different yarn makes me want to bury this project away and forget about it. Forever.<br />
<br />
So I've worked on four different projects in as many days, and I'm disgruntled with all of them for one reason or another. I'm seriously considering forgetting them all for the night and cruising Ravelry for patterns because clearly if you hate all your projects, the only solution is to start MORE.<br />
<br />
The practical side of me will probably win out and I'll go back to the socks or mittens. Especially since I just remembered all the other languishing projects.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkplBtl26EtPlRWdB8cisFypPh-UA9TVmc5KiBdoZIFnUFvIOwz0WedY3dQm6k4V208-r2sI1APd6Tzux94QTyLNS3NVb893GOVN_cbUGWreL3-Z_D_5qfFxYP46tqjoOZ_iKSy4IlVVJV/s1600/collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkplBtl26EtPlRWdB8cisFypPh-UA9TVmc5KiBdoZIFnUFvIOwz0WedY3dQm6k4V208-r2sI1APd6Tzux94QTyLNS3NVb893GOVN_cbUGWreL3-Z_D_5qfFxYP46tqjoOZ_iKSy4IlVVJV/s640/collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Uh, ops? Not feeling proud of myself at the moment....maybe some finished mittens will help that?Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-745283015874308672013-10-04T21:20:00.000-04:002013-10-04T21:21:37.593-04:00Finished Object Friday: Brainless SocksTrying to get back in the swing of the whole blogging thing. This time with yarn! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOtT6N0TqBTi-v4ncf-FvyNPSDU1mIM_mWH9vbHunsCj5PFXAslhT5PRWs3vA5OolGPUQ611OtxVOGYgGVVa_eV0VWf2lYqzhnp0DfselXbcF6M7Svde3NxE3jGLbUEpfHKFWvOZvYy-s/s1600/CIMG5555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOtT6N0TqBTi-v4ncf-FvyNPSDU1mIM_mWH9vbHunsCj5PFXAslhT5PRWs3vA5OolGPUQ611OtxVOGYgGVVa_eV0VWf2lYqzhnp0DfselXbcF6M7Svde3NxE3jGLbUEpfHKFWvOZvYy-s/s400/CIMG5555.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brainless">Brainless</a> by Yarnissima<br />
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Mediumweight<br />
Needles: 2.5mm<br />
<br />
Not the best project to rejuvenate the blog though. There's very little to say. The most exciting thing about this project is that I used up yarn I bought in 2009. That's probably only exciting to me, huh? I'm determined to knit up some of my older stash yarn. But I've been determined for a few years. Still, progress is progress, and there is one less skein in the sock yarn drawer now. Not much else to say about this project. They're socks. I knit them. The end. <br />
<br />
Moving on.<br />
<br />
It's October (although I'm not sure Mother Nature got the memo) which usually means that I'm in full "knit down the all the WIPs" mode. I do really really want to finish up the half-knit projects lingering in the knitting drawers, but I suspect this year will not be as productive as last year. After finishing the Brainless socks, I did not pick up other socks that are half done. Or one of the sweaters stuffed in project bags. Instead, I cast on a new sock.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1Zp2mEvH29UyxYzcx6sIjoY7g0v5LvtGmAniH37jrDtxe1qqokjfWEoNvLg1-OelpBogU1ftk3mFqsFpQPzuNr24Yf-ioF9dFi0WxABn7ZH35F79xxuPL0uYdeGLHEuAwthybfnmSOG2/s1600/OppAtt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1Zp2mEvH29UyxYzcx6sIjoY7g0v5LvtGmAniH37jrDtxe1qqokjfWEoNvLg1-OelpBogU1ftk3mFqsFpQPzuNr24Yf-ioF9dFi0WxABn7ZH35F79xxuPL0uYdeGLHEuAwthybfnmSOG2/s400/OppAtt.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I can't even claim to be using up stash with this project. Although I'm not using new yarn either. I started the sock with a small ball of leftover yarn from these.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/95149748/CIMG4020_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/95149748/CIMG4020_medium2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://gottangles.blogspot.com/2012/03/socks-and-string.html">I really never liked these socks</a> and the yarn is just way too yummy to waste on socks that didn't leave the sock drawer all year. I've been thinking I should rip them out for months. Yesterday I finally did. It's amazing how fast a finished sock can turn into a heap of curls.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha15RLvaX7pYYqo6WlBa36-DziNbZw7ubxhIuXMJJPllzUGXxRv1fpmWcUFk3-j3oJXGh8VyAinL_KbYSDHuspMGtuG2tisqxS5u0thFFTBE8Ke0Tf_-HBnTfnPD_1SDbRv-nJEuiWQpdA/s1600/CIMG5535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha15RLvaX7pYYqo6WlBa36-DziNbZw7ubxhIuXMJJPllzUGXxRv1fpmWcUFk3-j3oJXGh8VyAinL_KbYSDHuspMGtuG2tisqxS5u0thFFTBE8Ke0Tf_-HBnTfnPD_1SDbRv-nJEuiWQpdA/s400/CIMG5535.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Even more amazing is what a little water will do.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyG8pA6J7V9hi0WSmOpn6ZiXJbTfE3SepZez9AMBPZrzXdPTIeXEaX4q-9wl3HEA2cVNeMlj4Td9oIzPSiz32pbrOAyvaNS2VpXqz5UUVy2CYFvjRf-aH5tGkHWFjd3T7B1ta1EZ2P1J5o/s1600/SQ+Lubber+frogged.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyG8pA6J7V9hi0WSmOpn6ZiXJbTfE3SepZez9AMBPZrzXdPTIeXEaX4q-9wl3HEA2cVNeMlj4Td9oIzPSiz32pbrOAyvaNS2VpXqz5UUVy2CYFvjRf-aH5tGkHWFjd3T7B1ta1EZ2P1J5o/s400/SQ+Lubber+frogged.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm off to soak the second skein and wind up the first so I can continue on with my new project. <br />
<br />
Visit <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's</a> for more FO Friday!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-85496562839770861592013-09-23T21:55:00.000-04:002014-07-21T19:31:29.750-04:00Ragnar Colorado<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sorry knitters, no yarn or knitting to be seen here today. Today is about running in Colorado. Indulge me. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
After using most of my 2012 vacation time to travel to
running and triathlon events, I made Mike promise that we would take a
non-sporting event vacation in 2013. Early
in the year, we were just starting to plan a week-long trip to England when a friend invited us to join his <a href="http://www.ragnarrelay.com/race/colorado">Ragnar Colorado</a> relay team. I was dying to do a Ragnar event so I
completely went back on what I said, the England trip was cut down to a long
weekend, and now instead of having visited Scotland, I can say I've been running in the mountains in Colorado at 3:30am.<br />
<br />
I admit that it's entirely possible I need to rethink my priorities. Maybe.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
For those unfamiliar, Ragnar is a 200 mile team running
event. Teams consist of 6-12
members, and the team runs the 200 miles relay style.
So it goes something like: runner 1 leaves starting line and runs to an
exchange point (anywhere from about 3-10 miles away). The rest of
the team scrambles to vans and drives to the exchange so that runner 1 can pass
a “baton” (but really slap bracelet) to runner 2 who heads out for his or her
mileage. The team then heads to the next exchange. Rinse, repeat. About 34 more times. Everyone runs at least 3 relay legs (teams
with fewer members run more often or longer distances) and the event is
continuous, which means nighttime running.
So Ragnar Colorado = running in the mountains at crazy high altitude
sometimes in pitch black darkness and
spending 24-36 cramped hours in a van. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And yes, something about that screamed “OMG, YES, WE HAVE TO DO THIS. SO. MUCH. FUN”.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The only problem was that my 2013 running sort of went like this:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Winter/Spring: Ongoing foot tendonitis problems and not running. In my head: <i>Whatever, Ragnar is going to be awesome!</i> </li>
<li>June: Strained left ankle and in a cast for 2 weeks. <i>Uh, not good, but come on, I'll be healed up, trained, ready to kick ass at Ragnar by September.</i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-style: normal;">July: Ankle still painful so still no running. </span><i>Hmm, starting to get concerned about Ragnar, but team captain switched me the to shortest run mileage position on the team so of course I'll be fine to pull off just 3 3-mile runs.</i></i></li>
<li><i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">August: Still not running. </span><i>Well, crap. </i></i></i></li>
</ul>
With my ankle refusing to heal, I forked over lots of yarn money and had several dry needling
treatments at a physical therapist in late August and finally started to see some improvement. Too little too late though. The reality was I arrived in
Colorado without having run in 3 months and with still painful foot and ankle
tendonitis. I didn't care. I was determined to have my Ragnar experience. My motto for the weekend: tape that foot to oblivion and gut it out. <br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Mike and I flew into Denver on Thursday evening, and early Friday morning (Sept 6) we arrived at Copper Mountain Resort in Breckenridge. Having never been west of Chicago, I was getting my first good look at gorgeous Colorado mountain scenery.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAfqwGcIg-UQ305vfvX-5DJ1yCTErPsOy7BXVO0LPhNLW8OC5ON-pdsnRnf6OM03mvYac8sXMXReN81dCB-l4sEual-AqutQnXuAUl3OWh6rWLBTGps8ZeplgekeJfzo3TagmZ_DIayqX/s1600/Breck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAfqwGcIg-UQ305vfvX-5DJ1yCTErPsOy7BXVO0LPhNLW8OC5ON-pdsnRnf6OM03mvYac8sXMXReN81dCB-l4sEual-AqutQnXuAUl3OWh6rWLBTGps8ZeplgekeJfzo3TagmZ_DIayqX/s640/Breck.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Our first runner went off at 8:30am. Because of the way the team is divided, the
whole team doesn’t have to be at every exchange and my van consisted of runners
7-12. We still headed out to the first
few exchange points to cheer on the rest of the team, but there was a lot of waiting around for us this first day. I was runner #11 and finally laced up my running
shoes for my first run sometime around 7pm.
It was dusk when I headed out for my 3.6 mile run, so I was suited up with headlamp and reflective gear.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiNhPn8yaZxTmU3Te7WYa7z49_kxvmYWsfqzuoPc_bLdDYIjSpCt5l41po5TQmRTWGETcSEkP5lurPVPk1DZZtJLMZUOwErlULbrHukg0ZREbqvzr3C21hkNjGoaPvalM4Bg29oBJmi3r/s1600/Run1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiNhPn8yaZxTmU3Te7WYa7z49_kxvmYWsfqzuoPc_bLdDYIjSpCt5l41po5TQmRTWGETcSEkP5lurPVPk1DZZtJLMZUOwErlULbrHukg0ZREbqvzr3C21hkNjGoaPvalM4Bg29oBJmi3r/s400/Run1.jpg" height="400" width="357" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A good look, yes?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
I headed out full of energy. I was running again. <i>Wheeee!</i> In a Ragnar relay. <i>Yay!</i>
In Colorado. <i>Amazing!</i> In the
mountains at like 9K feet elevation. <i>SHIT. I. CAN’T. BREATHE.</i> Less than half a mile in and I was gasping for air. And I mean seriously gasping. My first thought had been “damn, I really am
out of shape” but it quickly dawned on me that elevation was probably catching
up to this East Coast flatlander. I
slowed my pace and took deep breaths and got into a decent rhythm by mile 2, which was good because by that time, dusk had turned to pitch black. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwf3XuWGh_Lv9MedTHZwmcj1dDluZd4qEkpZ_h7kKvIKhk-6h1ufTSLCrJ5REdl8zKNA1N91VjglkIkyHW1iDNduHMZVD7tAp-3maCCdcB9CoHHtrNbMiuDhuFq28lpM_Xsl5AIriy94e/s1600/Ex11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwf3XuWGh_Lv9MedTHZwmcj1dDluZd4qEkpZ_h7kKvIKhk-6h1ufTSLCrJ5REdl8zKNA1N91VjglkIkyHW1iDNduHMZVD7tAp-3maCCdcB9CoHHtrNbMiuDhuFq28lpM_Xsl5AIriy94e/s640/Ex11.jpg" height="457" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p>I found Mike amidst a sea of reflective vests and blinky lights, handed over the bracelet, and sent him on his way. His first run was short too, and the</o:p> next several hours were spent hunting up food and
trying to get a little rest on a gym floor at an exchange point before my van
was back on and we starting driving to exchanges again. This second rotation was tough. Everyone stayed positive but I know I was hungry, tired, and starting to get cranky. We all got lazier
about getting out of the van to cheer each other on, and the whole event seemed to be turning from something fun to something we were just trying to survive. <br />
<br />
My second run was sometime around 3:30am. It was a short 2.6 miles on a bike path along
a river. I’m sure it was beautiful but it was pitch black so pretty much impossible to appreciate the scenery. Physically, this
run felt better than the first, but I'm so out of running shape that nothing
was coming easy. I consciously noted the
uniqueness of what I was doing and tried to enjoy the peace and soak up the
experience. With a throbbing ankle, I pushed up a small hill at the end excited to
hand off to Mike, but when I jogged through the exchange and shouted for him,
no answer. The small crowd at the
exchange let out a collective “awwww…”. Well that was anticlimactic. Mike came trotting
over a few minutes later, and I sent him on on his way.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
With Mike's second run finished, our van went on “break” again. We all got a little sleep, and I took my time changing and cleaning up at the next major
exchange point where we would meet up with the other half of the team. I felt better in fresh clothes and with brushed
teeth, but I was weary of the whole Ragnar thing by this point. Really, this is what I chose over more time in London? My ankle was aching, my calves were full
of knots, and I was not really looking forward to climbing back into the van or grinding out another 3
miles.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p>Daylight helped with that. A lot.</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZ8Nr4CiQyFOpSrHME_rWRB40zXi7svTjzyVXL2vNgF8mHLRmuR-xIAumnsB151j4QWklDyHwGMQMbKXSjXWpfp_EQ2yjSt7OuMeGrYW7kq8wZrLEDFK7iU3Sr720FmxUHafDfmtofMEn/s1600/sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZ8Nr4CiQyFOpSrHME_rWRB40zXi7svTjzyVXL2vNgF8mHLRmuR-xIAumnsB151j4QWklDyHwGMQMbKXSjXWpfp_EQ2yjSt7OuMeGrYW7kq8wZrLEDFK7iU3Sr720FmxUHafDfmtofMEn/s640/sunrise.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Once the sun was fully up
and we were back on the road, I got a second wind. So much more to see and appreciate in daylight. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
My last run was beautiful. It was along a valley between the mountains and I could
finally enjoy the scenery surrounding me as I ran. These last few miles were the toughest though. My left foot and ankle were throbbing, and I’m
pretty sure I had a golf ball lodged in my right calf so I took it easy running
a slower pace on the flats and walking up the hills. With the whole team cheering at the last
exchange, I soared in and handed off the bracelet to Mike for the last
time. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4HDssUz9PhMekHarAAwEZO5DQOEPw4b-Rru6vr-x05Q9vQzXfCapt4zXQd-zrUByxdA6EFl2bxhw-b_rQ3i6RkZ0YZrvutCNlMW99Wirn3tUhUXBn5bQYF5MaMArpi6puAL0ZNfuM-LQ/s1600/LastEx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4HDssUz9PhMekHarAAwEZO5DQOEPw4b-Rru6vr-x05Q9vQzXfCapt4zXQd-zrUByxdA6EFl2bxhw-b_rQ3i6RkZ0YZrvutCNlMW99Wirn3tUhUXBn5bQYF5MaMArpi6puAL0ZNfuM-LQ/s640/LastEx.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Mike had a tough 8 mile trail run for his last
leg, which finished at the Snowmass resort in Aspen. The team met him at the top of a ski slope and everyone ran down together to the
finish line at the bottom. I was
hobbling a little by this point and had to focus to keep my footing down the hill, but I managed to stay upright long enough to cross the finish.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUreytAcxTS3KNAbcSywlUnHiZQN5ibXU7LOrfuDJspdhr2IIgl2WTG5vuKOc3zOnlWzl_lLUqydZOpb2hKZN9B8Ct-VK4JeO4YFniQAhv1oMu_NYa0IKBODq5779705gcvzJ8rfEBeVFV/s1600/Team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUreytAcxTS3KNAbcSywlUnHiZQN5ibXU7LOrfuDJspdhr2IIgl2WTG5vuKOc3zOnlWzl_lLUqydZOpb2hKZN9B8Ct-VK4JeO4YFniQAhv1oMu_NYa0IKBODq5779705gcvzJ8rfEBeVFV/s640/Team.jpg" height="592" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p> </o:p>And with that, the Ragnar journey came to an end. A few hours later….BEST. SHOWER. EVER.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Final thoughts on Ragnar? Amazing but exhausting.
A complete blast sometimes but really tedious at others. During the event, I said I thought I would be
one and done with Ragnar (I think I had been awake for about 36 hours at that point). But when Mike and I got home and starting looking
through the pictures everyone posted, every second of the hungry, cranky,
cramped minutes seemed worth it. Yes, I was in crap running shape and running injured, but the experience was still pretty awesome. I had to bail on a lot of events this year because of my injury issues, and I'm so grateful my body held together enough to let me participate in Ragnar. I doubt another Ragnar event is my near future, but I think I
would definitely do it again one day if the opportunity comes up. For now, resting my foot and ankle and getting it fully healed is priority #1. <br />
<br />
Big plans for 2014. Big. Huge. And I need two healthy feet. Maybe I'll take up knitting in the meantime.</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-61531234473505758862013-09-21T21:51:00.000-04:002013-09-21T21:51:59.204-04:00I'm BaaaackKnitting projects are languishing, spinning is not happening, and this blog has obviously fallen by the wayside for months. So yeah, 2013 crafting could definitely be going somewhat better. Along with several other corners of my life. Clutter is slowly taking over my house, home improvement projects keep getting put off, and it seems every spare minute is spent in the kitchen or grocery store as my already ridiculously restrictive diet recently crossed into a whole new dimension of crazy.<br />
<br />
Some people spring clean, but fall has always been the season to jump-start me into action. All it took was a walk with my dogs a few mornings ago when the temps were blissfully in the 50s instead of the 80s, and I started to get inspired to get stuff DONE. But where to begin the blog catch up? With the piles of handspun from Tour de Fleece in July? The top I finished months ago? The handspun laceweight sweater I started last month? Nope. I'm going to start slowly and keep things simple. That roughly translates to: I’m going to post the project that is currently within arm’s reach of the computer.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E8QrvtbqjfZpwyzDL2EerwLQwsnGT1_-ZBc4XoJ4wZzHQSxvGreFMZDjJTTIzGr-k22BDLMcsKDt-7XkRskHHwlfAvM1I-GndEGyToubIP5B8moEt4iCRYp-KBcYzkdhxJCOt8LSZp_Y/s1600/CIMG5496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E8QrvtbqjfZpwyzDL2EerwLQwsnGT1_-ZBc4XoJ4wZzHQSxvGreFMZDjJTTIzGr-k22BDLMcsKDt-7XkRskHHwlfAvM1I-GndEGyToubIP5B8moEt4iCRYp-KBcYzkdhxJCOt8LSZp_Y/s400/CIMG5496.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brainless">Brainless </a>by Yarnissima</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Just some humble socks I started earlier this month, but with sportweight yarn, these babies are flying. It helps that the socks
accompanied me on 2 long plane flights and almost 2 straight days in a van
driving around mountains in Colorado.
People do a lot of weird things for fun.
Mike and I decided it would be a good idea to fly to Denver so that we
could then get up at 5am and drive up to Breckenridge with 1 friend and 9
strangers in order to spend the next 30 hours doing a relay run for 200
miles to Aspen (aka <a href="http://www.ragnarrelay.com/race/colorado">Ragnar Colorado</a>).</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
So you can probably guess what the next blog post will be about. Hint: lots of pictures but no yarn.</div>
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-23720401364478427462013-04-19T20:44:00.000-04:002013-04-19T20:44:16.553-04:00Chock Full of Hoot, Just a Little Bit of NannyMarch? Yeah, let's just pretend that month didn't happen. First half of April? I'm still trying to figure out where those 2 weeks went. For now, let's forget about that stuff and focus on some socks!<br />
<br />
Hoot! Hoot!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/159477907/CIMG5216_-_Copy_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/159477907/CIMG5216_-_Copy_medium2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Pattern: </b> <a href="http://www.amyherzogdesigns.com/designs/socks/hootenanny/">Hootenanny</a> by Amy Herzog<br />
<b>Yarn:</b> Sanguine Gryphon Skinny Bugga in Blue Metalmark and Bugga in Bess Beetle (yes, I mixed skinny and regular Bugga, which was not ideal, but not too bad either)<br />
<b>Needles:</b> 2.25mm and 2.5mm<br />
<b>Size:</b> Custom--bigger than the small; smaller than the large. I guess that makes it a medium, but pattern only lists sizes XS, S, L. See my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/HJake/hootenanny">Ravelry project page</a> for specific stitch count modifications.<br />
<b>Cast on:</b> Feb 1, 2013. <b>Bind off:</b> Feb 26, 2013<br />
<b>Mods:</b> Nothing except the sizing. Oh, wait, I changed the 1x1 twisted ribbing on the cuff to regular 2x2. I'm such a rebel.<br />
<br />
This project is full of win. I finished a pair of socks in under a month (given my lackluster sock knitting in the last year, this is HUGE. And yeah, I know it took me longer to post them than it did to knit them). I finished a project that's been sitting in my queue for years. Leftover yarn was put to good use (the blue was from my Damson shawl, the brown from Oranje). And, well, cute owls! <br />
<br />
Cute big owls<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/146010434/CIMG5084_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/146010434/CIMG5084_medium2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And cute baby owls <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/159477905/CIMG5253_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/159477905/CIMG5253_medium2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm a little obsessed with owls lately. A couple days after I started Hootenanny, I bought a second owl project bag.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://img1.etsystatic.com/009/0/7665784/il_570xN.423330017_m40l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/009/0/7665784/il_570xN.423330017_m40l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The bag is from a new Etsy shop: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/KicksAndGigglesShop">Kicks and Giggles</a>. Go check them out--the bag is beautifully made.<br />
<br />
And go check out <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's</a> for more Finished Object Fridays!<br />
<br />
Hopefully I'll be back without another 6 week hiatus. A few new projects and lots of finished yarns to share!<br />
<br />
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-68300122068229935342013-02-23T05:00:00.000-05:002013-02-23T05:04:24.447-05:00FO Fridays: SkidSkid has been done for awhile but laziness (and lack of decent light for photos) kept it from the blog last week, so without further delay...my second finished knitting project for 2013!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYu-aKw8tfdmvKEvbyRjMNpyLR3632UXMLtNxmmEl6ZEE8fzhtEYAVUL5XNU7qVRsmbRMnEA8tHS-Zwtvy_QGD4yLo8vgwnT42Mxae_s646mPpW_PWe4W0D3_QYVmKeWs3MHLmaI6gJg81/s1600/CIMG5132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYu-aKw8tfdmvKEvbyRjMNpyLR3632UXMLtNxmmEl6ZEE8fzhtEYAVUL5XNU7qVRsmbRMnEA8tHS-Zwtvy_QGD4yLo8vgwnT42Mxae_s646mPpW_PWe4W0D3_QYVmKeWs3MHLmaI6gJg81/s400/CIMG5132.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://westknits.com/index.php/pattern/hats/skid-hat/">Skid</a> by Stephen West<br />
<b>Yarn:</b> Madelinetosh Vintage in Composition Book Gray and Butter<br />
<b>Needles:</b> US size 6 and 7<br />
<b>Size:</b> Large <br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/HJake/skid">Ravelry Project Page</a> <br />
<br />
Not too much to say about this one. It was pretty easy and fast. The pattern is somewhat confusing about moving the start of round stitch marker--never really tells you how to work in your color changes. I tried a few rounds of moving the color change with the marker but that looked like crap so I gave up and changed colors at the same stitch every round. I eventually stopped moving the stitch marker altogether because I couldn't see the point. I'm sure I'm missing something totally obvious, but whatever, it looks fine. And it is, as advertised, totally reversible.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/146405259/file0_medium2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/146405259/file0_medium2" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you helpful balloon model</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It's a little roomy so I might chuck the whole reversibility thing by sewing in some fleece lining to make the hat warmer, but that is still to be decided. Most likely it will be spring before I get to the fabric store, and I'll have plenty of time to decide.<br />
<br />
Thank you all for your support (and encouragement) of the Stephen West addiction that I wrote about when <a href="http://gottangles.blogspot.com/2013/01/wip-wednesday-skid.html">I started the hat</a>. Sounds like I'm good company! I expect <a href="http://westknits.com/index.php/pattern/shawls/chadwick/">Chadwick</a> will hit the needles pretty soon!<br />
<br />
Visit <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's</a> for more FO Friday!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-76242397681740322562013-02-06T10:34:00.000-05:002013-02-06T18:00:05.360-05:00February Project-of-the-Month: Hootenanny!Hootenanny has to be one of my favorite words. And really who ever gets a chance to use it? Unless of course you're quoting an old <i>Buffy the Vampire</i> episode (<i>"<span class="st">chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny</span>"</i>). Sorry, inner nerd showing again. Moving on quickly to my February project-of-the-month: <a href="http://www.amyherzogdesigns.com/designs/socks/hootenanny/">Hootenanny! </a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/146010436/CIMG5080_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/146010436/CIMG5080_medium2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I changed my mind 12 different times (okay, maybe more like 3) about what should be this month's project. In the end, Hootenanny won out because it's been sitting in my queue for over 2 years with yarn at the ready, and I'm finally determined to get moving on a few of these poor projects that I've always passed over or put off because I'm too busy trying to finish other WIPs. Hootenanny was first mainly because the yarn was already wound, and I was in the mood for a sock and some stranded knitting. Not to mention, the owls are just plain cute (matching owl project bag a nice bonus).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/146010434/CIMG5084_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/146010434/CIMG5084_medium2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Who can resist cute owls? Or the word "hootenanny"? Not me. Another favorite word: "shenanigans". Definitely going to try to figure out ways to work "hootenanny" and "shenanigans" into more blog posts.<br />
<br />
Now go check out <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's</a> for more WIP Wednesday!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-51719007413515356872013-02-01T11:27:00.000-05:002013-02-06T18:02:00.861-05:00January SpinningSo once a month, I've decided I'm going to get over my whole "finished-spins-aren't-really-finished-objects" hangup and post my spinning for the previous month. If you came to see a finished knitted, crocheted, or woven item, I'm sorry to disappoint. Today is about spinning. Here's why:<br />
<br />
Another of my many fiber-related 2013 resolutions is to put a significant dent in the spinning fiber stash. Somewhere between the goal of spinning down the stash and finding the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/13-in-2013-2">13 in 2013</a> group on Ravelry, I completely lost my mind.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCg9MwZoRRdW_XY9vIXelBC6QsMI2g3RznIknxmOH-j0ziIKEbLQdLjjUV1HLo6shQuNfAJG-7Ab2zoKV_j2CEQCxRaO59_Va3hbavlrXTuKEy-0U42v-Vf6MyoaXskSB-UeVWBi9KKRP/s1600/Project+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCg9MwZoRRdW_XY9vIXelBC6QsMI2g3RznIknxmOH-j0ziIKEbLQdLjjUV1HLo6shQuNfAJG-7Ab2zoKV_j2CEQCxRaO59_Va3hbavlrXTuKEy-0U42v-Vf6MyoaXskSB-UeVWBi9KKRP/s320/Project+page.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
<br />
That would be 13 pounds of fiber in 2013. Seriously, 13 <u>pounds</u>. You'd think I'd want to start out with an easier goal, like say, 13 braids, 13 spinning projects. Something, anything, more manageable than 13 pounds. Nope, some part of me said "hey, that sounds fun, I'm totally going to try to do that". To add to the ridiculousness of this goal, even though I may think my stash is getting too big, relative to most spinners in the group, it's tiny. Barely visible. I don't even currently own 13 pounds of fiber. Details, people, details. I'm going for it.<br />
<br />
January spinning got me off to a pretty decent start.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0XnFdmycjxoDuXzTKsIRLrkChc_Ps6ZssX98M0o_aQvvGIDZPzhOQVeo3UvZKH8R7-nVshAFLdehXHgapZlqI7TNKktZGLrVGsLOFwTBrNum8L4YXDgdO2tRG1Apwr6eohA4y7zkn7Lg/s1600/January.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0XnFdmycjxoDuXzTKsIRLrkChc_Ps6ZssX98M0o_aQvvGIDZPzhOQVeo3UvZKH8R7-nVshAFLdehXHgapZlqI7TNKktZGLrVGsLOFwTBrNum8L4YXDgdO2tRG1Apwr6eohA4y7zkn7Lg/s640/January.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
4 oz Bee Mice Elf Merino Silk in Warm Welcome, 300 yards, singles, 11-12 wpi<br />
8 oz alpaca from Nobella Alpacas, approx 175 yards, 2-ply, 6-7 wpi<br />
4 oz Misty Mountain Farm BFL in Victorian Rose, 155 yards, 2-ply, 10 wpi (for the <a href="http://gottangles.blogspot.com/2012/06/work-in-progress-wednesday-square-9.html">epic afghan</a>)<br />
<br />
Add to that pound, another 2 ounces of fiber that I spun up while practicing learning to draft long-draw, and I'm at 18 ounces for January. Plus I've got a nice head start for February. Right on track for 13 pounds. We are not going to discuss that those are all pretty easy, fast spins and that once I want to get back to thinner yarn, I'm totally screwed. Hopefully posting my spinning here monthly will help keep me motivated.<br />
<br />
Visit <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's</a> for more FO Fridays (and probably, like, actual FOs)!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-23909874248492673392013-01-30T09:58:00.000-05:002013-01-30T09:58:05.442-05:00WIP Wednesday: SkidI'm still inching along on Vivian, but somehow I doubt anyone wants to see a picture of the almost-finished second sleeve that looks pretty much just like the first one or read my whining about endless seed stitch.<br />
<br />
Instead, I have a new half-knit hat for today.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjP1YLGeubpKZDrNDePiY4NLLMGngpn001ex2pqeZTvL2pkSIHSnX-95BVyC-8zROQDvi3h1pD8-AVYD4F7rcWzksKZYyhdM1lNi0Sn0YxhJCHJtb9VAsixS7wkPbkiolhO_E9SO2eZjs/s1600/CIMG5067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjP1YLGeubpKZDrNDePiY4NLLMGngpn001ex2pqeZTvL2pkSIHSnX-95BVyC-8zROQDvi3h1pD8-AVYD4F7rcWzksKZYyhdM1lNi0Sn0YxhJCHJtb9VAsixS7wkPbkiolhO_E9SO2eZjs/s400/CIMG5067.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I planned this hat for Mike back when I thought I would have plenty of yarn for <a href="http://gottangles.blogspot.com/2013/01/low-tide-ripples.html">Low-Tide Ripples</a>. I chucked the idea when I saw there wouldn't be much leftover, but once I had to order an extra skein, well, why not two? So Composition Book Gray arrived on my door with a bright yellow companion--Butter. The color combo idea came from Mike admiring the <a href="http://westknits.com/index.php/pattern/shawls/chadwick/">Chadwick</a> sample (I covet this too and am still a bit obsessed with duplicating it). MadTosh Butter is really bright though. Even brighter than expected. Almost highlighter yellow bright. Mike seemed okay with it though so once I finished Low-Tide, I threw more money at Stephen West and started <a href="http://westknits.com/index.php/pattern/hats/skid-hat/">Skid</a>.<br />
<br />
I might be developing a Stephen West problem. This is the third hat pattern of his I've knit, and while I was about to say I've been able to withstand the lure of his shawls, I just remembered <a href="http://gottangles.blogspot.com/2013/01/clockwork.html">Clockwork</a> and <a href="http://gottangles.blogspot.com/2011/04/catch-up.html">Flamboyan</a> were his too. Plus the plans for Chadwick that have been in the works for awhile. And when I went to his Rav patterns page to grab the Skid link, I discovered <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gullfoss">Gullfoss</a>. A vest? A poncho? A scarf? All in one? I'm intrigued. <i>Throws Skid aside to start pondering stash....</i><br />
<br />
Visit <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's</a> for more WIP Wednesday!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-82014096389151755202013-01-28T16:40:00.002-05:002013-01-28T19:51:18.263-05:00IronyKnow what happens when you boast Friday morning about your strong immune system and that you haven't had a cold or virus in years? Yep, I'm sure you can guess. Less than 10 hours later you are lying in bed with chills and body aches and your weekend plans go right to hell.<br />
<br />
Too wiped out to deal with Vivian, cables, and sleeves, all of my weekend knitting was on an older, even more neglected project.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/143635819/CIMG5025_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/HJake/143635819/CIMG5025_medium2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SOCK YARN AFGHAN OF DOOM</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Two days in bed and at least 10 squares later, my immune system seems to have gotten the better of whatever struck, and I'm on the mend and back to the spinning wheel and Vivian.<br />
<br />
I just screwed myself with that last sentence, didn't I?Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683865217372153830.post-86072244790372885532013-01-25T19:11:00.000-05:002013-01-31T22:20:05.324-05:00Low-Tide Ripples<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;">My first finished knitting of the new year is a big one! Yay, new sweater!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYT-jbrHTAvPj2_A_UMontdp3GWp7ZOypQEYKUFxuQysN3PCdXQ9eklLzoDBhRXNXAPqHfzHiW3qytpPpRcOIA-Va9sgUR5-XC916r1IbalVit7r-gN4ftevI4-DEMdK0AU3ceggO9eNrJ/s1600/LowTide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYT-jbrHTAvPj2_A_UMontdp3GWp7ZOypQEYKUFxuQysN3PCdXQ9eklLzoDBhRXNXAPqHfzHiW3qytpPpRcOIA-Va9sgUR5-XC916r1IbalVit7r-gN4ftevI4-DEMdK0AU3ceggO9eNrJ/s400/LowTide.jpg" width="316" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/75-fall-2009-patterns/414-low-tide-ripples-by-suvi-simola">Low-Tide Ripples</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><b>Yarn:</b> <a href="http://www.yarn.com/webs-knitting-crochet-yarns-madelinetosh/webs-knitting-crochet-yarns-madelinetosh-tosh-vintage/?gclid=CIixw5ndhLUCFcyf4AodaQcAYQ">Madelinetosh Vintage</a> in
Composition Book Gray, 6.25 skeins, 1250 yds</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><b>Needles:</b> US size 6</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><b>Started:</b> February 2012 (damn,
really?! doesn't feel like it was that long ago)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><b>Finished:</b> January 24, 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-size: normal;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/HJake/low-tide-ripples">Ravelry Project Page</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;">This is yet another project with a long history. I queued it immediately after it was released
in that great Fall 2009 <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2009/autumn/magazinepage_01.php">Twist Collective</a> issue and finally bought yarn for it a
year later. When I cast on with that
initial yarn, a pale dusty pink, I got halfway through the yoke before deciding
that the pattern really cried out for a semi-solid not solid-solid yarn. Sigh. RIP. I had bought the MadTosh at the same time during a <del>pilgrimage<del></del></del></span> trip to Webs, intending it for a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dark-and-stormy">Dark and Stormy</a>, but once I lost motivation for that pattern, it was
shifted over to Low-Tide last winter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;">I think I made it though the yoke fairly quickly but then put the sweater
aside for a break. The cables are the simplest
of cables, but there are a lot of them.
Every. Other. Row. Can you say
aching hands? Less than happy knitting combined
with some lingering doubts about the fit and fabric meant that break lasted all
spring and summer and a decent chunk of the fall (I think I can blame <a href="http://gottangles.blogspot.com/2012/11/fo-fridays-laika.html">Laika</a> for
some of that). As usual, it took my end-of-the-year WIP clean house goal to
jump start me back to it. The rest of
the body went by pretty quickly, sleeve one flew (seriously, I love my 12 in
circs for sleeves), but then I hit the yarn shortage problem. The pattern calls for 1125 yards for the 34
inch size. I had 1200 so thought I would
be fine even though I was adding a few inches to the body. Nope. Happily,
MadTosh still makes this color, and once the yarn arrived, the rest of sleeve
two flew by in a couple of days. A few
more days to block and sew buttons, and yay, a finished sweater only three years in
the making!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><u>The Good:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: normal;">Super comfy </span><br />
<span style="font-size: normal;">Sweater
quantity of stash yarn used up</span><br />
<span style="font-size: normal;">Buttons
from button stash (see, it sometimes pays to buy options!) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: normal;">Super cool sleeve cuffs</span><br />
<span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CabKvz3wyOOr0bNHI1oP2YOCLPxeJy8V-a_AHNp1kmAg6GCe2nuD6XyjMfohgakxeRitD6868utuX75esYLf_e3Ex2MiwzvW9Cf6NUza0ux7BnbDvMJhVp9Oe5TX9xHCIza8fLhyphenhyphen_vAF/s1600/LowTideSleeveDetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CabKvz3wyOOr0bNHI1oP2YOCLPxeJy8V-a_AHNp1kmAg6GCe2nuD6XyjMfohgakxeRitD6868utuX75esYLf_e3Ex2MiwzvW9Cf6NUza0ux7BnbDvMJhVp9Oe5TX9xHCIza8fLhyphenhyphen_vAF/s400/LowTideSleeveDetail.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;">The only thing I'm not so sure about is the length. I added an extra
cable repeat in the body because I was afraid of it coming out too short, and
while the length is okay, I think I might like it a little more had I not added
that extra few inches. An easy fix if I had the motivation to rip and reknit the hem. But I don't. Maybe one day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><u>Final verdict--Pattern:</u> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: normal;">Happy with the sweater. Even happier knitting it is over. It wasn't the most enjoyable knit, and those super cool cuffs are fiddly as hell. But that part is behind me and Mother Nature is even cooperating by giving us a few cold days in Maryland so I can actually wear it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: arial;">
<div style="font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><u>Final verdict--Yarn:</u> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;">Yum! I love the yarn, especially after being blocked. It’s a great weight and has a really tight
twist. I worried that I was knitting it at too tight a gauge and that the fabric would be too dense. Nope. After blocking, it is soft and amazing and even a hint drapey. Love! Unfortunately, although I would love to use it again, it’s not a great value at $19 for 200 yards (I was lucky enough
to buy it with a discount and gift card).
If I catch a sale though, I would totally snatch up another sweater
quantity. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: normal;">Finally, I wasn't able to get many good pictures since I attempted to take them myself this morning with the timer. I did, however, get many amusing "outtakes". That will teach me to try to incorporate the puppies. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnM0q0kEphOgYprFpLptHH-lamWKJkPSK9Bnqc7FWr6xtvBJXRpEN58mwX6iAfhngwIE7wv-AnZGzBiNMCAAyJ0pYyV_l6m09gPzDu6-v4jMmBPT4_J4Th3NwE0MbXSU1NcsWio45rdsMa/s1600/LowTideOuttakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnM0q0kEphOgYprFpLptHH-lamWKJkPSK9Bnqc7FWr6xtvBJXRpEN58mwX6iAfhngwIE7wv-AnZGzBiNMCAAyJ0pYyV_l6m09gPzDu6-v4jMmBPT4_J4Th3NwE0MbXSU1NcsWio45rdsMa/s640/LowTideOuttakes.jpg" width="564" /></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><br />
And yes, I am having fun playing with collages on Picassa lately. Visit <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's</a> for more FO Friday!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301252173606999683noreply@blogger.com3