Batty's Adventures in Spooky Knitting

Happy, Knitty 4th!

2009-07-05T09:54:00.001-07:00

Happy 4th of July to all my American readers! I hope everyone is enjoying a couple of days off and spending some quality time with knitting, pets, family, or any other grouping or occupation you particularly enjoy.

Mr. Batty and I mostly stayed around the house, with the exception of a trip to the local game store, a trip to a restaurant, and a walk to the bakery. It's been very relaxing. Not much in the way of fascinating pictures, I'm afraid, but we both very much needed the quiet time.
We did not make it out to see the fireworks. We did watch the HBO miniseries about John Adams, though, and it just so happened that we'd gotten to the Independence episode on the 4th, so this worked out very nicely.

In other news, the recipients of my knits are away from the Internet, so I can now show you the socks I've been working on -- Marlene, by Cookie A. Fun socks. Not the best lighting (it's crazy bright out), but you can see the pattern.

The color is very slightly variegated, the stitch definition is wonderful, and I'm loving this project -- it's knitting up a bit more slowly than expected, but then again, I've been distracted.

Last Sunday, I started Abrazo from knitty. I've had my eye on it for a while, and it knit up incredibly quickly -- I almost finished it last Sunday, but then got distracted by work. I'm loving the outcome, the yarn is dreamy soft, it's black (yay, black!), and I did the cabling without a cable needle. New skill, how cool is that?

Details:
Pattern: Abrazo
Needles: US #10 and #11
Yarn: Malabrigo Chunky
Color: Black (it's a deep, rich black, but it still shows the cables, yay!)
Size: I knit the length for the small size and the number of stitches from the medium size to compensate for the thinner yarn -- Malabrigo is thinner than the actual yarn I subbed it for
Comments: Great quick vest. I need to block it to even out the crochet edgings around the neck and armholes. Note on doing single crochet: It's surprisingly difficult to get the knit stitches/crochet stitches ration quite right. I used a hook that corresponds to the smaller needle size, but still had to skip the occasional knit stitch to keep the edge from flaring.

Modeled shot coming up after I block this vest. I think I'm addicted... I can't stop knitting vests!

Long Weekend

2009-07-01T11:07:00.000-07:00

Happy almost-4th of July to all of my US readers, and Happy Canada Day to all you Canadians!
My holiday starts at 5 pm today. I get tomorrow off, so it's a 4 day weekend. Knitting, cooking, relaxing, and watching the rain. It'll be great.
It will also give me the time to finish the vest I'm knitting. Don't know what it is about them, but I can't stop knitting vests. I'm turning into a veritable vestomaniac.

BTW, the English word vest covers both the German concepts of Weste and Aermelloser Pulli. ; )

Break from Work... with Knitting!

2009-06-27T12:48:00.001-07:00

The big project is over. No more work over the weekend, so I have time to sit and knit -- now that I'm rested enough to do some knitting, that is. So what has happened since?

For one thing, Mr. Batty and I bought an X-Box. Merlin is convinced we bought it for him. Here he is, flopping on his new toy, eyes glowing as if he had somehow become part of the electronic console gaming experience. And he looks slightly demented, which should come as no surprise. He's a cat. Any questions?

I mentioned knitting, and I wasn't kidding. I finally finished one of the socks I cast on in May on my way to Cleveland. This is my first time using Tofutsies, and I have to say, I like it. Not the same amount of give as wool, of course, but the colors are pretty, the twisted stitch pattern works, and I'm not getting any major pooling.

And they are special. Look, my first tabi sock ever! Like a mitten for your feet. How cool is that? I was so intrigued by the construction, I couldn't stop knitting once I got to the toe.

The other pair of socks I've been working on are these. I had to use flash to get a good shot, so of course, you can't see the pattern. There's a cable running down each leg. The chart doesn't come with a legend, so I just twisted one to the left and the other to the right -- the cables on both legs are now facing each other.

See? There's a cable. I'm not trying to pull a fast one, I swear!

Details:
Pattern: Masonic Lodge (found it on rav)
Yarn: J. Knits Superwash Me - Sock, Color: Wheeling
Needles: US #0
Size: European 43
Comments:
I love this yarn. This is the slightly heavier version, which is regular weight sock yarn. It also comes in a thinner version, but I liked this for a man sock.
The pattern instructions for knitting the heel are slightly off -- when you start the heel turn, it says to knit 21 stitches. If you do that, the math doesn't work out. Knit 20 stitches, and you'll end up with the same amount of stitches to the left and right of your short row. You can follow the pattern from there.

Weekend Work

2009-06-18T18:43:00.000-07:00

I'm working this weekend, so there is going to be very little knitting. But once I'm done, the big project is over, and I have promised myself that I'll get to start a new major garment as a reward... just for me! It's going to be pretty, it's going to be fun, and it's going to be mine, mine, mine!

And the best part? It's going to be from stash. I have so much pretty yarn, but it's been languishing, waiting for my attention. So... only a couple more days. Stay tuned, Sunday afternoon, I'm going to pick my new knit!

New Couch... and Recliners

2009-06-14T03:32:00.001-07:00

We thought we'd thought of everything. We'd measured the width and the depth to make sure our new couch would fit through the door. But, alas, couches are 3-dimensional. When the delivery guy showed up, it went through the door alright... upright, at an angle, before getting stuck on the ceiling. Turns out our teeny-tiny hallway was too little, the couch about 10 inches too long, and therefore not going in. Ugh. We'd measured the door, but not the hallway ceiling.

After unscrewing the hallway light to get some extra room and still not making any headway, the delivery guys took the couch back, handed it over to a moving company, and the movers got it in... through the window. On the third floor. By hauling it up manually. Those guys were amazing!
Now, we have couches, and unlike the Yarn Harlot, we didn't have to saw off any bits of wall to get them into the room. I'm so glad that didn't happen, because I sure saw it coming!

I'm so happy with these couches. Click on the picture for a closeup, the pattern is really awesome! Kind of a 60's-looking thing, but done well. And excuse the table mess.

Morgana jumped on the couch within moments of delivery. New couch, must investigate!

Closeup of the corner of this couch... can you tell I love this couch? I mean, it's not red or black or purple, and we bought it anyway! Now it needs some bat pillows, and it'll be perfect.

We also got two recliners to go with the couches. All other chair-like things were enormous and wouldn't have fit into our living room. But these are awesome. They're comfortable, and you can sit there for hours while gaming, knitting, reading... covers just about every aspect of having fun at home.

Oh, and did I mention that the cats love 'em? I don't know if they used catnip instead of scotch guard, but Morgana pretty much hasn't left this chair since she first settled on it.

So after the chair saga, we got to relax a bit. We played console games, I got to wear my tacky, blinged-out flip-flops...

...and I made banana bread. It's from the Veganomicon, an dI have to say it's one of the best recipes I've ever tried! It came out moist and banana-y. And a bit lumpy, but that's because I was too impatient to mash the bananas all that carefully.

The Veganomicon is awesome. I finally know why my banana bread was turning out gummy and dry... who'd have thought that you have to treat it like an over-sized muffin, i.e. be really, really, REALLY careful not to overmix the batter?
Now, my banana bread is nummy.

Bender

2009-06-13T19:13:00.000-07:00

I've been on a yarn diet for a while now. Everything was going well, I hadn't bought any new yarn in a month or two, the money was beginning to accumulate in my bank account... and now this. Yarn. Lots of yarn. Some bought in person, admittedly to be knit into gifts for friends and family, but... there's the yarn I bought for the Nicky Epstein scarf from the Spring/Summer issue of Vogue Knitting. All for myself, no excuses.

It may not look like much in the pictures, but I've seen it in person, and it's stunning. I've gotten my hands on two skeins of Tilli Thomas Disco Lights in American Beauty, a bright red with sequins. Sound tacky? Trust me, knit up, it isn't tacky at all. It's spectacular, and the perfect accessory for holiday parties or a night on the town. I can't wait to get started!

Little Girl Socks

2009-06-09T19:08:00.001-07:00

It's surprisingly gray and gloomy outside for June, so I've been in the mood to sit inside and knit. Part of it has to do with this cold I'm getting over, but part of it is just a strangely autumnal feeling that's entirely wrong for the season.

That said, I have finished a pair of happy pink girl socks. I loved knitting these, the pattern was easy to memorize and I love the yarn. Bamboo and Nylon, and it has a beautiful sheen to it.

The gory details:
Pattern: Rayne's Socks (ravelry link, sorry - it's where I found the pattern)
Yarn: On Your Toes Bamboo (love, love, love!)
Needles: US #0
Comments: Let me say again how much I loved working with this yarn. It didn't hurt my hands, and it's shiny and has great stitch definition. I'll definitely use it again. And the pattern is so pretty yet so easy to memorize... the perfect little girl socks. 4 pattern repeats for the shaft and 4 pattern repeats for the foot should fit a little girl with a 4-5" foot perfectly.

And here's the prerequisite cat shot. Merlin in a box, Morgana washing his head.

There was a time when they'd both fit in one box. Now... not so much.

Saturday Fun

2009-06-06T15:28:00.001-07:00

Today was such a fun day! After a week of working on various and sundry taxonomy conversions, pulling my hair out trying to manage a project, and dealing with office politics/workplace drama, I really needed this.

First, Mr. Batty and I went shoe shopping in Lexington. Driving in, I glimpsed a sign I could have sworn said YARN! on it in huge letters. I really thought that's what it said. After we were done buying new shoes for Mr. Batty, we went to investigate... turns out the sign says Wild and Woolly, and it's pretty much illegible from where we drove past it... I guess I'm developing a sixth sense -- Yarn Sense!

So we stopped by. And, as Mr. Batty says, you can't go into a new yarn store without buying something -- it's rude. My mother taught me to mind my manners, which explains this lovely dark blue/purple-ish skein of Malabrigo Sock.

And the skein of Madeline Tosh. Sock yarn is like cats, you can't have just one.

That's not mentioning the enormous bags of sock yarn already in residence, or the "stashlet" that has moved into our bedroom... ahem. Moving on, nothing to see here...
Hey, look, I'm changing the subject!

When I went grocery shopping this morning, I found these. They are Canadian heirloom tomatoes, and they come in red, yellowish/red, and greenish. They weren't on my shopping list, but they were so pretty, I couldn't resist. Mr. Batty says they look like silk purses, and I think he's right.

View from the top. Almost too pretty to eat, no?

But eat them we did. I made tomatoes alla Caprese, with fresh organic basil and fresh mozzarella, neither of which had been on the shopping list originally. The flavor of these tomatoes was unbelievable. I would serve these to guests at a dinner party, they were so good.

Now, I'm going to finish doing the laundry and read a bit. Maybe work on one of my secret knitting projects for a while. It's been a great, relaxing day.

It's a Secret

2009-05-31T12:50:00.001-07:00

June is a big birthday month in my family. My mother and father both have June birthdays, and I still owe my sister some knits for hers (last November, ungh). So... it's not that I'm not knitting. It's that what I'm knitting is secret.

So, instead of pictures of knitting, have a cat picture. Merlin, sleeping in his bed-turned-into-cat-tunnel. They love the Purr Pad bed!

In not-secret knitting news: Remember this toe? I don't know what it is about toe-up socks, but my gauge gets all weird. I often knit socks with a caston of 60 stitches for myself, and they fit just fine. Sometimes, they're a bit loose, but generally, if I'm using regular (i.e. relatively thin) sock yarn and size 0/2mm needles, they fit. No swatch required. Just knit and go. So... when this toe was done, I decided to use it as a gauge swatch and measure. The pattern calls for 36 sts/4", on US #2 needles. Guess what I got?

You probably didn't guess 26 sts/4". But that's what I got -- giga toe, on US #0 needles. Why? Why???? I don't understand. This is the third or fourth time this has happened to me: cast on toe-up sock, measure gauge/try on, my stitches/rows are enormous. Rip, cast on top down, knit... no problem. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but it's really starting to bug me.
Looks like I'll be knitting toe-up knee-highs on US #00/1.75 mm needles. Hang around for frustration and unladylike language. Or don't. Maybe it's better that way.

Leprechaun-Shooting Princesses and a Vest

2009-05-26T18:43:00.000-07:00

We had a great weekend visiting friends. They have a 3-year-old daughter who loves pink, princesses, and jewelry. She also knows what to do if she ever encounters a Leprechaun. She would "Shoot it, take it home, and make Leprechaun stew." Who said princesses were helpless damsels in distress? So here's a sock for the Leprechaun-shooting princess. The second one is still in the works, but I hope she enjoys them.
I guess she may have gotten a little confused between Pilgrims shooting turkeys in the woods around Thanksgiving Day and St. Patrick's Day...

I also finished my Back-to-School U-Neck Vest. Doesn't look like much just lying there, does it?

It transforms miraculously when you put it on, though... fits like a glove. Please excuse the bad hair, dark undereye circles, and rictus grin... it's been a long day at work, and then we'd just finished watching an old Dr. Who episode involving people getting massacred by aliens.

And here's a shot from the back. I love it. Still needs blocking, but I couldn't wait to show it off.

Details:
Pattern: Back-to-School U-Neck Vest from Fitted Knits
Size: 34" size; I intentionally didn't get gauge for a snugger fit as I wanted 0 or less positive ease
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca, left over from the Dad Sweater, about 2.5 skeins
Needles: US #6 and #4
Mods/Comments: This was a quick, fun knit. I made the ribbing longer (cast on for 34" size but made length for next size up), and I love the result. The trousers in the picture are low-rise, and the vest reaches all the way down.
The instructions are unclear in one place -- after the ribbing, the pattern says to start the broken rib pattern... except the first couple of rows are stockinette. I started with the broken rib right away, but if I had to do it again, I'd do the stockinette rows first. This looks fine, though -- it's just personal preference.

There is, however, a mistake in the neck shaping. For the front in the 34" size, it says to
knit 46 stitches
put remaining 22 on holder
bind off 28 stitches

This is INCORRECT. It leaves you with 18 stitches on one shoulder and with 22 on the other. And when you’re done with the decreases, you’d end up with too few stitches. But the neck/shoulders work out beautifully if you
knit 48 stitches
put remaining 20 stitches on holder
bind off 28 stitches.
both shoulders will have 20 stitches, and reversing the shaping will be easy.
Do the math for back neck shaping also - I think there's another error.

If you have stuck around this far... here's a cat. Merlin, on top of the fireplace, hamming it up for the camera.

It has yet to get him tuna, but he's not giving up hope.

Too Hot!

2009-05-21T06:13:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I was complaining about the cold, but it's now getting really hot outside. I like warm, but I just finished an alpaca vest, and I'm not putting it on in 80+ degree weather... sorry. Maybe it'll cool down a bit by the time it's washed and blocked.

FO Sunday

2009-05-17T18:46:00.000-07:00

I'm back from Cleveland. We spent 3 days training and stuffing ourselves silly. They fed us 4 times a day at the training center... it's quite the experience, I think I'm still coming off my sugar buzz.

The socks below are not a result of incompetence or residual over-sugaring, though. They are yet-to-be-felted Fuzzy Feet made out of some leftover Christmas yarn. Lamb's Pride in Pine and some other festive colorway. I've never felted anything in our frontloader, so I'm curious to see how it goes.

On my way to the airport, I finished my Sockadelic socks. They were so much fun to knit! An easy chevron/lace pattern that knits up quickly, and yarn that spirals and nearly glows in the dark because it's so bright... a winning combo.

I've been on a bright-as-all-getout kick lately. Must be the desire to see flowers bloom, the sun shine, and the gray weather go away. Yes, I'm goth, but my moods are very weather-dependent, and bright, sunny weather makes me happy and bouncy. Go figure. Sometimes, you just can't fight biology.

Details:
Pattern: Sockadelic
Yarn: Politically Incorrect sock yarn, got it in my shipment for the Sugarbee Studios sock club last fall.
Needles: US #0 (what else?)
Mods: None. The color is incredibly bright, and I really enjoyed knitting these socks. It's an easy lace pattern that looks awesome when you combine it with the yarn. Loved it.

In other news, I'm almost done with my Back to School U-Neck Vest from Fitted Knits. I only have one armhole to go, and it'll be done. Pictures and pattern errata coming up as soon as I'm done!

Cleveland

2009-05-11T03:49:00.000-07:00

Once again, it's time for a trip to Cleveland. So, of course, two decisions had to be made: what to wear (can't really just throw on something random with bats on it in a business type of setting), and what to knit.
I'm finishing my Sockadelic socks today, probably on the train to work. I'm also bringing some wooden DPNs, some Tofutsies, and a pattern for a sock with twisted stitches and a separate big toe. Pictures when I get back. For now, I've got to run to work. See you when I get back!

Kitty Update

2009-05-08T06:10:00.000-07:00

It's been 4 days since the surgery, and Morgana is doing much better - as are Mr. Batty and I. The first evening and morning we had to give her meds, she struggled something awful. She's such a small kitty, you'd never think she had the ability to turn into a little squirming whirlwind of teeth and claws. I was worried people at work were going to see the scratches on my arms and think I'd tried to end it all with a fork...

Her brother kept hissing at her. Usually, it's just a day or so until the vet smell comes out of her fur. This time, it lasted longer. He'd come up to her, get a whiff of bloody tooth extraction mouth, and hiss/smack her. It was sad. But now, they're almost back to normal, and Morgana must have figured out the grab-and-squirt helps with the pain, because Mr. Batty can medicate her without my help. Only 3 more squirts and she's done!

Vest... and Kitty Surgery

2009-05-04T16:39:00.001-07:00

First, the knitting. This is the Back-to-School U-Neck Vest from Stefanie Japel's Fitted Knits. I only have to do the right-hand back "strap" and knit around the neck and armholes, then it'll be done.

On the one hand, this has been an easy and enjoyable knit. I really like the way it's turning out, and I can't wait to wear it. On the other hand, the editing in this book is atrocious. I had heard that Fitted Knits was full of errors. I checked the errata, found two, thought that would cover it... but no, I found two more mistakes. Urgh.
And I'm not happy about it. See, I paid almost $23 for the book. Sure, mistakes happen, editors are only human like the rest of us. But why publish a poorly edited book that clearly needs more work? Some of these mistakes could have been caught with simple proofreading... no need to knit, just have to do basic arithmetic.

Because of these mistakes, the book is now being re-edited. Yay!
For the people who didn't buy the error-riddled edition, that is. And it's not like the publisher is going to maintain errata for people who already own a copy.
I am not going to blame the author for this. She maintains the errata on her website, and if she doesn't catch all the errors, well, it's not really her job.
The patterns are lovely. I own both Fitted Knits and Glam Knits. It's just sad that an otherwise great knitting experience turned frustrating because of careless editing.

The other thing that's sad? Morgana. As you can see, her left front leg has been shaved so they could put an IV in. A few weeks ago, my little kitty girl was making a rather clumsy descent from the window sill to the floor. She made an unscheduled stop on the fireplace, mouth first, and today, the veterinary dentist removed her broken tooth.

We have to medicate her three times a day, which she doesn't like one bit. Her brother is mean to her because she looks like his sister, but he just knows she's an evil impostor. This cat smells nothing like her. He hisses at the changeling and even swatted her in the head once, so now they're separated. It's going to be a long couple of days.

Socks

2009-04-30T16:03:00.001-07:00

Want to see the brightest sock ever? This is it. This has got to be it. It positively glows in the dark, and looks much better in real life than it does in pictures. It's my first Sockadelic sock, and it is making me very happy with its in-your-face crazy brightness. One done, one to go.

I've also cast on for the Garden Gate sock... again. This has got to be the fourth or fifth time. The thing to the left is the toe. Not very big yet, a bit weird-looking, but I'm convinced it'll get better as I go along. Because... because I have a real gift for self-delusion when it comes to knitting. Moving on.

What do you mean, my Banff sweater was big enough to fit 2 people? And I was convinced it was going to work out. Uh...
Wait. Let me change the topic.

Look, Morgana. Upside down.

Who can resist an upside down cat picture?

WIPs, FOs, and YUMs

2009-04-25T05:59:00.001-07:00

And now, back to our regular program! Anybody say yarn? I bought some for a gift the other day, but more about that in another post. Must work on some of my WIPs.

Here's one of them, the Sockadelic sock. I saved this particular Sugarbee Studios sock club kit until I thought my life needed a bit of brightening up. And boy, is it ever bright! Lots of fun to knit.

Speaking of Sugarbee Studios, this was the last installment of 3, the Caloroso sock. Fabulous pattern, great bright colors. Here it is without flash to better show off the pattern...

...and here it is with flash, so you can see just how bright the colors really are. Awesome, right?

Now we get to the YUM part. Apple spice muffins for breakfast, because it wouldn't be a proper weekend without any baking at all. They were good, I've had 3 so far and keep going back for more.

It's too warm to knit my alpaca vest today, but I'll show pictures of it soon. I've separated the front and back and am partway into the armholes. It's 80 degrees out, though... no alpaca until it cools down again.

Tired

2009-04-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

Ugh, it's been a long, long time since my last post here. I've been knitting, and there are WIPs and FOs to show off, but somehow, I haven't been able to get off my butt and actually do it. This whole seasonal affective thing is getting pretty darn old pretty darn quickly. Fortunately, the sun is coming out more often now, and I've been making sure I get some fresh air and exercise. That ought to help.

It's supposed to be 70 degrees out tomorrow, and almost 80 on Saturday. It's finally getting warm again. Almost time to put away the alpaca and break out the spring/summer yarn. There isn't that much of it in my stash, but when I'm busting, I'm busting, and it, too, needs to be worked up.

Productive Sunday

2009-04-05T16:56:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling down lately, mostly because of the gray weather. So I decided to go back to sitting in front of my happy light, and it's working! This was a very relaxing, productive weekend.

I got to bake -- this is applesauce spice cake. Easily one of the more expensive cakes I've ever made, it calls for 1 3/4 cups of maple syrup! Next time, I'll buy B grade.

I also have a new knitting project: the Back to School u-neck vest from Fitted Knits. I'm making the smallest size in leftover yarn from the Dad Sweater. Look, the color actually looks burgundy! This is the closest I've come to getting a good, true-to-life picture of this yarn. I have about 7" of ribbing done and will be knitting another 2 because I'm long-waisted.

Here is my progress on Calorosa -- aka the Pink Socks. Yes, those are bobble-like entities. I could push them into the lace and have them be dents, but for some reason, I like them when they're sticking out. If I'm doing the k5tog, I want it to be visible.

Also, I don't yet have 5 people for the paying it forward craft-style. If you don't want to do it because of money, time, or simply 'cause you don't wanna, I understand. But in case you do... see my previous post.

OK, that's it for now. I have to go get the burritos out of the oven, then put my foot up. I managed to twist my ankle and it still hurts a bit. "Look where you're going" is really good advice, whether you're 5 or in your 30's.

Paying it Forward

2009-04-04T06:26:00.000-07:00

I'm not a meme person. I'm not a chain letter person. But today, I saw something on That Crafty Bitch's blog, and I really like the idea. Check this out... a chance to win something hand crafted... by me!

The first five (cinq) (cinco) (5) people to respond to this post will get something made by me.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. (No refunds… no exchanges!!!!)
2. What I create will be just for you, with love from me.
3. It'll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it's going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. I may even create something totally unbelievable and surprise you!! Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text into a note/post of your own and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to it.
7. I'll contact you for your mailing address, so we don't all get spammed. No spam! It'll be fun!

IMPORTANT: This offer is null and void if I do not see you post your own note to pay this forward.

2 Weeks Till Taxes!

2009-04-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

Ours are done, how about yours? We had the help of Mr. Merlin J. Fuzzbutt, CPA -- just like last year. He's usually a good boy who knows better than to lie on the table. But... this cat is attracted to tax stuff! We couldn't get him off the folder that had our tax forms in it. He's obsessed with taxes.

Me, I'm still obsessed with socks. Look, they come in pink and lacy!

I've promised myself to knit more non-sock objects this year, so that's next. But first, I have to go make pizza. The sauce is done, the dough is rising, I need to go knead it.

Getting Things Done

2009-03-29T11:24:00.000-07:00

I haven't been blogging much lately. Mostly, it's because I've been busy knitting and finishing things. You know how it is... you knit and knit and knit, then you're in a rut. Everything just sits there. One row left of that pair of socks, and you can't get yourself to knit it. Sweater pieces are all finished, but you can't get yourself to put them together. Another pair of socks has been languishing for weeks, and you're not quite sure why. And then...
WHAMMO! You turn into a WIP finishing machine.
Well, that's what happened to me. Look at this:

Socks. With beads.

More lavender/purple than in the picture, and the beads are slightly iridescent. I love these socks.

Then, some socks for my sister. Maybe they're not quite 100% the same size (let them lie for months, didn't take notes), but they should still fit. And Opal Regenwald in Hummel sure makes for pretty stripes.

And then... the Dad Sweater. Still not red. It's burgundy, burgundy, burgundy. Now someone go tell my camera.

Sideways, because getting a good shot required some contortions on my part:

And from t he front:

Not blocked yet, but otherwise assembled and ready to go. Now, I'm hoping it fits... 50" for a 44" chest is quite a bit of positive ease, now that I look at it. sure, it's supposed to be loose and comfy, but I hope the Enormous Sweater Curse doesn't continue.

I guess this is what happens when work stress picks up: suddenly, all sorts of WIPs get finished. It's like that time you're supposed to be studying for an exam but end up cleaning your room instead. Who knew vacuuming and dusting could be so much fun, right?

Still here

2009-03-15T13:02:00.001-07:00

I haven't abandoned my blog. It's been busy and work and my tendinitis has been pretty bad, so I took a break from blogging, blog stalking, and even from knitting. Not completely, but I cut way down for a couple of weeks. I'll be back in a couple of days with FOs and WIPs to show off... and to check in on the rest of the knitting world. I miss you guys!

Back in Business

2009-03-01T08:47:00.000-08:00

Hello, it's been a while! I haven't posted in over... oh, in forever. First, my sister was visiting, and we had a great time. I fed her, took her shopping, spent time hanging out... at the end of day 10, neither she nor I properly fit into our pants, but we had had a lot of wonderful food, many opportunities to veg on the couch, and an altogether enjoyable visit. That's the good part.

In not-so-good news, we had internet problems. First, our cable modem stopped working, and our ISP told us it was area-wide. But they didn't do anything about it. So we got ticked off and decided to try another ISP -- they had a try-it-30-days-free offer. DSL isn't so bad, right?
Right. The cable that came with the modem-cum-router was busted. Then, when we had replaced that, installation turned out to be a difficult process indeed. Then, their anti-virus software completely killed Mr. Batty's hard drive... and then, to add insult to injury... DSL stopped working. Great.
So now we have two non-functional modems. I call our original ISP provider and the tech support guy doesn't see any problems with modems in our neighborhood. After some helpful instructions, I have our cable modem running again, the computer we plugged into it directly is accessing the internet. We unplug, turn on the wireless router...
Dead.
Our wireless router has kicked the bucket.
So we get a new wireless router, Mr. Batty does the installation, wants to access the web... modem is dead. After some cursing and mucking about, I discover that you have to unplug the modem, let it sit for 30 seconds, plug it back in, power cycle... and then it works.

So, after all that, we're back in business. Yay!

YAY, SISTER!

2009-02-12T03:46:00.001-08:00

Today, I get to pick up my little sister! Haven't seen her in over a year, and she's coming to visit all the way from Germany. YAY!