Craziness

I almost stopped knitting in May. Finally, after a tumultuous year dealing with job hunting, family balance, and monetary issues, I have a new job. I started just after Labor Day. What an omen! I’m now an infant photographer.

Homage to those volunteers who knit infant hats for hospital newborns. I’ve seen some very nice ones lately in the hospital nursery.

As my paychecks come in, I’ve still not purchased any new yarny goodness. I think with my three lifetimes of SABLE, it is not necessary; AND with the multiple projects on the needles, it would be even more insane.

Over the month of November, I knit infant hats again for Save The Children, my fave non-profit. I got some fun into the plain jane pattern just because. Used up a lot of my lingering acrylics and fun yarns and they’re headed out to babies in need. It was a great impetus to get started again.

Finding time is now my issue. Making time is not hard but something else falls by the wayside in response to a fiber respite. I’m relearning balance with my new job and it’s been interesting. The baby birth rate boomed this Fall due to snowstorms last winter and the economy (you’ll just have to speculate as I did). Those reasons are the best I could come up with, and the nursery says Christmas won’t even slow down.

Thanks to those of you who’ve purchased my one and only pattern. I also had pics of some hats in a new Annie Modesitt book: 1000 Hats. Still have to order my copy though. Not one to deny multitasking, I have a fingerless glove project that is written but not formatted, so stay tuned. Just don’t hold your breath! It’s still crazy around here.

~Best to All and Happy Holly-Days!!! ♥

Thanks to You

I donated $50 to Save The Children / Haiti efforts; for sales of my one and only (so far) pattern: Infinity Peacocks Moebius Wrap – see right sidebar. I’d planned to donate $2 per pattern sale, but no, I did not sell 25 patterns. 😉 I did sell some and just landed on this arbitrary total for my final donation. Thanks f0r supporting this great cause!

It’s Always Something

Sadly, it’s not knitting lately. Sorry fans, folks, mavens, lurkers. . . .

This IS a better year than last for many reasons though. I just haven’t been on the needles lately due to derailments in weather, important events, and unfortunate life issues. My FIL died last night. That’s the worst so we’ll be heading out in a few. I’ll take my knitting but don’t know if I’ll have any time or focus. 😦 Sad, and we’ve been ‘waiting’ and praying, but the inevitable happened.

Feb 6 Snomageddon begins

That’s the bad. The good is more of a silver lining after a long arduous and physical trial. If you’re on the East Coast (USA), you already know how much snow was dumped on us in February. My front yard had 48 inches after two back-to-back blizzards. Fortunately, I was up on it with groceries (tp, milk, bread, eggs, tp, milk) and we survived our twelve 24/7 days with the kiddos home, snowed in, and out of school. Shoveling was my mantra for the beginnings of each of the two storms. I got a great cardio workout and my torso felt it!

Still, no time to knit because I was catatonic on the sofa or taking long steam showers or sleeping! Then the laundry (dirty word).

The Olympics teased me on Ravelry.com since many of my ‘imaginary’ friends were competing in the Ravelympics. I’ve been secretly jealous but knew I couldn’t commit. I did seam two shoulders of a sweater that I tried to finish — two summers ago during those Ravelympics (hiding my haid in shame!) heeeeeee

I also SCORED some wollmeise at TLE, so my mojo is cheering for me. . . . . considering it a birthday gift to myself!

Atrium / Lobby Ceiling

The past weekend’s excuse was courtesy of my hubster. He treated me to a ski weekend in Scranton, PA at Sno Mountain and we stayed at the Lackawana Radison (an old but renovated train station).

Me & Hubster

I am now officially 29. and that’s a joke son. . . I’m living my second lifetime now and with strengthened torso and leg muscles (silver lining) from shoveling, we made it through two wonderful days of skiing.

Spa special 😉

Yes, I brought  my knitting, but did I knit? nope. 😉 I don’t think you would either if a jacuzzi was calling your name each evening with champagne and strawberries!! ♥  Well, only one night. We brought wine and had it solo on the second dip. . . . . and of course, we had to watch the skiing and snowboarding and curling (dig the norwegian pants!!). I claim my heritage but not their fashion sense. ;p

I hope you enjoyed this post – sans the knitting. I’m not neglecting it, I’m just on the gerbil wheel of Life Interrupted. Cast one on for me and I’ll be right there with you soon.

All the best-

~antsinthepantsAnne™

Knit, Seamed, Hot Felted in the Top Loader

The cadences and drum rolls from my son’s Christmas prezzie (drum set) have spurred me to complete another project so that I can finally say the drum roll is for me! Viola, a year long in the waiting (but which project hasn’t been lately)! I’m done. Check mark, notch on the pole, close the pattern binder.

Anne's Norge Slips

Here are my new NorgeSlips from a Drops pattern. I’ve already warned you that Drops writes patterns old-style so you really have to read and reread prior to casting on or continuing to the next section. This was a small and fast project. I say that with a smirk.

The knitting was on larger needles so the Bozo-the-clown finished product had shrinking room. They actually have been seamed since last February (that’s 09 folks). I set them aside to work on other projects and get more felted projects ready before I used so much water and spin for just this – the frugal side said ‘get a load’ or at least more than one project. . .

2009 came and went (and it went out kicking and screaming) but my slippers did not make the trip to the spin dry until this week. I can see where I would like to edit and how I could possibly spot shrink certain parts but for a first effort I’m very happy.

The name I’ve given has a reason. I plan to put puffy paint on the soles so I don’t go sliding or slipping — could be good ab exercise though. I’ll have to rethink that. 😉

Wha. . . . . . ?????

I made guage.

Some nice Classic Elite Desert. The striping won't do this on the full size jacket, but will be more of a mish mash. That's fine. I'll also have to consider adding an accent hood & placket color if I can't add more to my stock.

Hey, what happened to my resolutions? Hard to keep this jackrabbit down. I’ll just keep it on the needles (otn) until I get the WIPs finished. 😉

. . . . . . and if you believe that . . . . .

~antsinthepantsAnne™

Finished and Not Surprised

As I’d expected after binding off. This is not a Large size but an Extra Large size!

Infinity Peacocks Moebius Wrap

The photos show off the knitting but my friend is a Large  and the fit is a bit drapey. We decided that a circumference of 44-46 inches was required, so ladies, if you want to drape a measuring tape around your arms (i.e. really – around your arms) and take your measure. I’d expect a 48″ circumference could work too. The ‘bias’ stretch of this goes wider since the lace pattern is width-wise. Blocking was interesting too. I had to half dry then reposition so that the ‘length’ was readjusted and stretched tall. It worked fortunately.

Pattern up and down across the back. Nice juxtaposition.

Now, since I cannot wear this – and I borrowed some matching alpaca to finish the i-cord bind off (short by 14 inches) – I’m going to frog (GASP) and reknit in my intended size. This color is just too precious to give away!

These adjusted measurements will be added soon to the addendums and adjusted on the pattern so those of you who have already purchased should (as I understand ravelry’s workings) receive an email to your original address. . . . or you can just re-download because once you’ve purchased, you are allowed to (but just you. Please respect the designer).

If you are an Extra Large size, the wollmeise fingering will work with just one skein. You just won’t have enough for the i-cord bind off, so either use a contrasting yarn for that or do a simpler bind off – which is not as finished looking.

I hope that satisfys any questions and unknowns. It’s a great pattern. Had I just knit without distraction I could’ve been done in about a week or two. Switching yarns (see older post), and working around family and work/out-of-work schedules made this a year too long. Let me know what you think.

I’m looking forward to having my own finally in my size. 😉

Explorations

 Christopher Columbus was not the first ‘European’ on our American soils. I’m convinced. I believe the History Channel’s query into the St. Claire’s visitations to Nova Scotia and further South regions. I believe their explanations about Bjarni Herjólfsson then later, Leif Erikson and his expeditions to ‘Vinland’ which turned out to be a departure from their ‘home’ base in Nova Scotia or Labrador. I am after all a half-blood Norwegian, so must support my Viking brothers / ancestors! (Uff Da)

I too have had visits to a base camp with excursions outward to explore and discover. My first pattern, the Infinity Peacock Moebius Wrap was a compilation of my experience with a lace shawl, a Cat Bordi felted moebius bowl, and a knitter’s stitch dictionary. I love trying new things and sometimes the spark of combination makes something work – mostly beginners luck . . . . with just a shake of experience.

However, after the thrill of victory wears off, the continued effort to hone the craft continues. I’m trying to become a knitting designer of sorts. I’m not going to a design school, although I’ve had training architecturally and in business. I’m discovering the craft from the inside out. I’m relearning what I’ve taught myself (since I was about 4 or 5 years old). There is no school, but there are an abundance of classes, retreats, LYSs, books, online sources, and my favorite: http://www.ravelry.com. I’ve mostly relied on the last four. I have yet to take a knitting class or attend a stitch-and-bitch (knit night) but am game once I set aside the juggling act I call a family.

My current angst is that of an explorer run aground. I am working on sizing for my IPMW mentioned above. Since I have little experience as a pattern converter, I decided to do my own footwork. Just because. It’s the explorer and unpuzzler in me.

I ‘explored’ the adjustment of cast-on stitches with a guesstimate. Utilizing Cat Bordi seemed like plagurizing since her moebius works are so famous. I wanted this to be my own design and avoid any shades of copyright violations. Even doing simple math was difficult with guage due to the doubled nature of the moebius knit. I bow to Cat for her amazing fortitude to figure out what to do and how to do it! Nevertheless, I boldly went where many have gone before and blindly guessed the cast on.

unsoaked and unblocked

I completed my IPMW for the size Large. I tried it on. Two of me could have fit inside prior to soaking and blocking. I’m a medium and had planned for a friend to fit and model. What had I done?!!! Two months (granted, not continuous) of knitting gone awry! Well, at least I knew that just one skein of covetous wollmeise would work for an extra large! 😉 I decided to soak and block anyway to see how it affected the fit.

Stay tuned . . . . . Will it block out to fit? Will she have to undo the entire skein and reknit it? Holy cat hair Batman! What will she do????? ACK!!!! 😉

Stay tuned . . . . . She may find a way, she may devine the muse, she may commit hari kari (never), but she won’t give up! Step by step, crawl by crawl, stretch by stretch, yearning by yearning . . . . . this is getting sick.

Just come back and see. I’ll have to carve a marker like the St. Claires did or leave behind some earthenware as Leif and his clan did to prove my prowess —- or tom-foolery.

Don’t worry. I have to come back. I’m aground and need the deep waters!

Happy New Year and First FO of the year

Yes, I’ve completed my belated Christmas prezzie for a friend. It’s the only knitted gift I made this year. I’m busy waiting (oxymoron – remember Jumbo Shrimp?) for it to dry after it’s luxury first soaking! Then wrapping and presenting. I have no doubt my friend will like it. I want one for myself now. Perhaps a different colorway – just because.

My ravelry page for the project has over 600 hits now! I’m sure many of you were curious as to how it knit up. I loved the color changes. I didn’t like the lace weight but dealt with it and persevered the cramped hands (at times) for the final wonderful product. It was worth finishing.

Now, on to finish a few very important projects that have been too long on the needles. I’m focusing on wraps and sweaters this winter. The Winter Olympics are not far off. I hope to have at least two of the four or five completed by the time the torch is extinguished. It’s a goal at least. ♥

After that (probably during – I’m incurable), I plan to cast on several socks I want to do as well as other small quick projects. Oh, and there is the felting that I still haven’t done for some booties, bags, moebius bowl, and a small purse. Maybe 2010 will be the year to finish what I’ve left undone. Sure would feel good! I think I’ve created my first resolution. . . let’s see if this time I can keep it!

Good luck with all of your own projects – whether knitted or not! But, don’t tie yourself up in knots if you don’t cross the finish line on them all! Just enjoy what you’re doing.

~antsinthepantsAnne

Ack!

Bill the Cat

Does anyone remember Bill the Cat? It’s an old cartoon strip. I will not restrain myself from saying his favorite expletive: ACK! but I refuse to develop hairballs. heeeee Also, you cannot knit cathair, I said so.

This holiday season has been great. I mean that in the stress-free sense. I’ve allowed unimportant missives to go by the wayside. Yes, they are ‘important’ but I’m making a different scale this year and focusing on family and my sanity. No extranious gifts (sorry for those who loved my pear chutney), although every one of you is SO deserving!

Christmas cards and annual letter have not yet been started.

No rushed knitted gifts either. I have one that I’ll beg off a gift exchange for after Christmas and when she’s back in town. She’ll understand and probably be glad she has some extra time too!

Garfield

Twister, the sister

Nope, I’ve hunkered down to take care of my one misfortunate cat (bladderstones), equally love the crazy one, and to spend what time I have: early each morning before busstops, chauffering home after school sports/activities, and listening whenever – as best as I can with my kiddos.

Friday night date night has been established and has not gone the slow route (yet) to boredom. We’ve tried the movies, but you don’t really talk, bars are fine if it’s a last resort, mall walking is fine if you haven’t already done too much recently, but we keep steady (24 years and counting).

I think if I did this effort with my knitting, I’d be a rockstar. yeah right. Well, maybe the Knitting Harlot, or Anne Hanson . . . . make that a double yeah right.

So, the best idea I’ve had for my blog (here) is to photo the state of affairs of my knitting books. No matter that I’ve got 10 times worth of patterns and info on my desktop computer. Since I’ve been reorganizing, I know exactly where everything is! Alas, still not House Beautiful, but at least sorted and ready for the beauty when I am.

Santa came early, don't tell!

So, if you’re stuck in a rut, take some comfort that there is hope and you can get there one step at a time.

You can say, “ACK!” if you wish.

Just take that time to smell the roses and get your priorities taken care of first. It’s so important during the holidays. ♥

What We CAN do

Yes, I know Thanksgiving is over but the spirit of giving of ourselves should never stop.

Case in point is the wonderful slideshow link following. . . My friend Sue is the owner of Lovely Yarns in Hampden in Baltimore City. She’s had the shop for several years and it’s a wonderful place to visit, sit & knit, or just hang out. Her clientele and friends decided to knit 500 hats and give them away! The recipient is a local school each year. Here’s the slide show: http://www.flickr.com/photos/500hatproject/show/

I did not participate – Just had to share and brag up my friend! Last year, I did knit several infant hats for Save the Children’s “Knit One Save One” campaign. It was fast, easy, used up stash, and very fulfilling.   http://www.savethechildren.org/newsroom/2009/caps-KOSO.html

teeny beenies for newborns around the world

Thinking about doing something can give you warm fuzzies, but actually doing it, gives them to someone else! ♥

Knit on dudes & dudettes! ~antsinthepantsAnne™