Well, this was a lovely way to wake up. </sarcasm>
Sleep far too late, because I’m still getting the last traces of Luvox out of my system. Come down to check email, etc. Hit the power button on the computer, and absolutely nothing happened.
There may have been some cursing. In Mando’a, at that.*
If that wasn’t hint enough, proof I’m a geek: I had a spare machine I could cannabalize for a temporary replacement power supply.
I’m also experiencing more or less the PMS from Hell, due to withdrawl from the Luvox. I’m very thankful that I have people around me who are both caring and understanding.
For good, there’s this:
The phoneix-like return of the Adamas Shawl. Please note, I hate the picture on the KnitPicks website – you can’t see any actual detail of the shawl, which is quite lovely.
Also good: the podcast novel 7th Son from J.C. Hutchins. TD turned me onto podcast novels in general, and this one in particular, and I’m enjoying it a great deal. Bit too involved listening for knitting lace, but perfect for spinning.
If it weren’t so hot here that the thought of spinning makes me want to melt.
* If you’ve never read Karen Traviss’ work, please treat yourself. Her Republic Commando books are my literary equivalent of comfort food. With the past year being what it has, I need to replace those copies with new reading copies, as they’ve been read and loved nearly to death.
One more thing that makes me smile often: The signed copies of those novels on the shelf over my desk. That was a most wonderful gesture at a time I really needed something good to happen. I do, however, suspect TD’s involvement, since he has my mailing address. Otherwise I’d start to worry. Hehe.
You know, you see one little winged thing flitting around, you jump but tell yourself it can’t possibly be what you thought it was.
Then you see them more often, and they maybe sorta kinda match the pictures online.
Long story short? My spinning stash, plus one full cone of lace yarn fits in my freezer without taking the food out.
The knitting stash…not so much.
Okay, I attempted to play with CSS today. I don’t think I succeeded.
Darth Spindle! A custom order from Spinsanity, and I adore it! She also included the most adorable spindle keychain. Now I’ll have no excuse for losing my keys.
Very, very happy pink singles here. I’m loving spinning this up, when it’s not hot enough to make me melt at the thought of touching fiber. It’s a Corriedale, Merino, Silk, Firestar blend from Copperpot Woolies. The fiber they sell apparently has some sort of addictive chemical in it, as I can’t seem to stop buying it.
I finished the Carousel singles from an earlier post and plied them. Not perfect, but I’m happy with the resulting yarn!
The first finished Solstice Slip Sock. Of course, now that I’m done, I wish I’d made the cuff a bit longer. Oh, well.
No knitting or spinning pictures tonight. I finished the first Solstice Slip sock, but the second is, for some reason, smaller than the first. There will be ripping.
However, now I have the pleasure of finding out that the dryer is broken. You press the button and…nothing happens. I’ve checked the breaker, the plug, the door latch. I’ve kicked, and I’ve held down the button as the Whirlpool site suggested. The button thing, not the kicking.
It started up for a few seconds when I started hitting the button in frustration, but soon petered out. I have a feeling that I’m going to be getting some knitting time in at a laundromat soon. If I can figure out where one is…
Next post, there will be a picture of the best spindle ever. It’s the only thing keeping today from being a complete wash.
I do get small bits of knitting done, here and there. Here’s some proof:
It’s a fun pattern, but I dropped a stitch, so I think I’m going to have to tink back a bit, as I know if I frog I’ll lose it all. And I’m too OCD to just pick the stitch up wherever I can and go with it. *sigh*
Okay, so…
I was going to start the April sock kit. However, the yarn is currently drying after an unfortuntate incident with a can of Coke.
Luckily, the June kit arrived yesterday, and so I’ll start with that. It’s appropriate. Find out why after the jump.
First up, probably the most frustrating socks I’ve ever knitted:
You can see them both ways. I like the version on the right better. I think the frustration was mostly me. Stress + tight cables = lots of snapped size 1 needles. Some sort of memorial service may be in order.
Pattern: Inside-Out Socks from Blue Mountain Fiber Arts Rockin’ Sock Club.
Needles: Foot knit on size 0 Inox metal needles. Not fond of these - I’m used to the length of the Brittany Birch needles, and metal doesn’t feel as good as wood, to me.
Leg knit on Brittany Birch size 1 needles. Lots of them. (Again, pretty sure this is my fault.)
Yarn: Blue Mountain Fiber Arts Socks that Rock, sock club colorway Monsoon
New techniques for me: Toe-Up socks, and short row toe and heel. Also used a sewn bind-off for the first time. I’m used to grafting toes, not binding off cuffs!
Next, a pair of socks that you may have seen in various incarnations. It took me almost a year to knit, due to depression and just being plain unhappy with them at any given time.Pattern: My default sock pattern, the Universal Sock PatternNeedles: Size 0 Inox metal needles.Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in Black PurlNew techniques for me: None on the actual finished sock, but there was, at one point, a picot edge, so this sock is where I figured out how to do that, and a provisional cast-on.
And now the “And more!” part:I’ve spent part of this past week taking a class I’ve been thinking about for a long time. Springwater Fiber Workshop’s Introduction to the Spinning Wheel. And I’m in love.
Of course, my first skein of yarn is nothing to be proud of:
Second one is better, somewhat:
Coiled
Uncoiled
The orange bits in the second skein are from some wool that we learned to hand-card on. And as you may be able to see, the second skein is more consistent, but also filled with knots. There were quite a few points where I was underspinning thicker parts, and it caused breaks.
Also, the first skein has been washed and whuzzed, the second skein hasn’t. We did the first in class, and the second I’m waiting for the right time to freak out the neighbors. Something about swinging around a bunch of wet fiber is good for the soul.
But I’ve done some knititng! Who wants to see pictures?
Socks for Becky’s birthday. Which was in January. I still have to mail them out…
Regia Silk, size 0 needles, K3p1 ribbing. Not my favorite yarn to work with - it’s rather splitty to me.
Wicked in its finished state, allegedly. I’m seriously considering frogging it and knitting one size smaller.
Inside-Out Socks from the Rockin’ Sock Club. Yes, this was the February kit. At least I’m almost finished, and can start the April kit.Probably right as the June kit arrives.
More soon. Ravelry and new medication has me interesting again!
Originally uploaded by foogrrl.
This was painful, last night. But trying on the sweater after all the increases, there was no denying the fact that I was swimming in it.
Back to square one.
Pokemon goofiness, the world is getting back to normal.
Since we’ve established that, what do we think this is?
Well, I wasn’t at the point where the pattern says to put the project on waste yarn and try it on, but I couldn’t wait. I *knew* I had screwed up, and didn’t want to waste any more time. So, deep breath, shaking fingers as I transfer stitches, and then…try it on.
And…it fits. Really well, as far as I can tell. Of course, at this point it’s really just a small, odd poncho. But it will be okay. So here’s an work-in-progress picture for those who are interested.
Pattern is Wicked in KnitPicks Swish Superwash, color Dublin. I’m really enjoying the yarn. It’s very squishy, and I think I’ll really love the sweater when it’s done. I’m also absolutely loving the KnitPicks Options needles. They make knitting a joy, to me.
Knitting is enjoyable again. I’m on the fourth ball of yarn out of nine. Just sailing through this sweater, and I can’t wait to wear it. It’s the second in what I intend to make a yearly ritual. I will knit myself something nice for my birthday, every year. Last year it was the Jaywalker socks in the eye-blindingly happy colors. This year, the sweater. Next year? Who knows - I’m not going to hold myself back.
What do I like best about this project? It’s a sign that things are more steady now. I’m finding fun again. I’m learning to make myself happy. Important lessons.
You know what might make the best day, ever? Knitting on this while listening to an audio version of Karen Traviss‘ Republic Commando: Triple Zero. That novel has been better than comfort food for me this past year - it’s been comfort reading. Too bad there doesn’t seem to be an audio version.
Which just goes to prove that TD-0013 knows what’s good for the Imperial citizen. He’s from the Empire, he’s here to help.
