This stuff. This really overpriced stuff. Yes, sure, it looks really cool and I guess the knitted fabric feels all right, but honestly. I just don't get it. It actually hurts my hands. I actually don't look forward to knitting with it. The colorways are incredible, I'll admit. In fact, the colorways were the secondary reason I had for giving this highly coveted yarn a try. The primary reason was all of the rave reviews and crazy, whack-out-their-mind lines for the stuff at yarn cons nationwide. I was so excited to use it and felt so cool to snag a skein, and yes, the socks themselves will rock if I can ever finish them...EVER.
It makes me sad because I know I will love these socks. I must be crazy. Does anyone else, like me, just not get what it is about Socks That Rock that is so amazing? If I'm missing something here, please don't hesitate to let me know, because I really want to be one of the cool kids. I want to to hip. Is it because I bought the mediumweight? Is the lightweight easier on the hands? I just don't know and I don't think that I'll be willing to spend the money on this stuff anytime in the near future in order to figure it out. Seriously, there are indie-spun and dyed yarns that feel like heaven in your hands and cost slightly less than a fortune.
My final word, a lot of hype for a lot of nothing...a very colorful and fun to look at nothing, but still nothing...and that's my two cents. Please, feel free sing the praises of this yarn in the comments if you wish...or add a complaint of your own. :) As I said, I really want to love this yarn as much as everyone else seems to, if only to justify the amount of cold hard cash I paid for it and to avoid the scowl of The Russian when I complain about it because he could never understand why I bought it in the first place.
22.10.07
Gentleman's Fancy Socks
They are finally finished!! The Russian is a happy boy!!
Pattern: Gentleman's Fancy Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks
Yarn: Fearless Fibers superwash merino sock yarn in Marrakesh colorway
Date Started: 5/07
Date Completed: 10/21/07
Seriously, what was the hold-up? Five months? Are you kidding me? One sock at a time is what did it to me. NEVER AGAIN! It's two socks at the same time from now on!
Pattern: Gentleman's Fancy Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks
Yarn: Fearless Fibers superwash merino sock yarn in Marrakesh colorway
Date Started: 5/07
Date Completed: 10/21/07
Seriously, what was the hold-up? Five months? Are you kidding me? One sock at a time is what did it to me. NEVER AGAIN! It's two socks at the same time from now on!
Even with things I'm excited about...
...I procrastinate. I love Halloween, looooooooooove it. You would think that just dreaming about the limitless fun I will have all dolled up in a ridiculous costume would be enough motivation to actually pull together said costume.
It isn't.
I blame it on the fact that I don't have the fabric yet...but really, I should have the fabric already. I should have gotten the fabric a week or even two weeks ago, but I didn't. I should have a gazillion sketches of the dress and a clear plan as to how I will pull off it's construction in a stress free manner. I should have done a little bit more research on how to sew in button bands, and other simple matters of garment construction (placement of bust darts etc...), but I haven't done any of that. I don't even know for sure what my measurements are.
I have a party this weekend. What a doof!
I have SO much to do. I have to make Max's suit fit him and "stripe-ify" it (I might make him do that so I can get a move on). I have to finish the mask that I'm making for Max too. Sheesh. I might even need to dye my hair, but I haven't actually decided if I will or not yet (I've never done it and always said I wouldn't).
I may have mentioned what our costumes are earlier, but I don't want to say too much about it because there is still a huge possibility that we will end up being something else. ((insert heavy sigh or other para-language here)).
All other knitting is on hold until sufficient progress is made here. I'm really itching to knit some lace...Swallowtail, anyone??
It isn't.
I blame it on the fact that I don't have the fabric yet...but really, I should have the fabric already. I should have gotten the fabric a week or even two weeks ago, but I didn't. I should have a gazillion sketches of the dress and a clear plan as to how I will pull off it's construction in a stress free manner. I should have done a little bit more research on how to sew in button bands, and other simple matters of garment construction (placement of bust darts etc...), but I haven't done any of that. I don't even know for sure what my measurements are.
I have a party this weekend. What a doof!
I have SO much to do. I have to make Max's suit fit him and "stripe-ify" it (I might make him do that so I can get a move on). I have to finish the mask that I'm making for Max too. Sheesh. I might even need to dye my hair, but I haven't actually decided if I will or not yet (I've never done it and always said I wouldn't).
I may have mentioned what our costumes are earlier, but I don't want to say too much about it because there is still a huge possibility that we will end up being something else. ((insert heavy sigh or other para-language here)).
All other knitting is on hold until sufficient progress is made here. I'm really itching to knit some lace...Swallowtail, anyone??
16.10.07
Why do corporate craft stores insist upon SUCKING?
I'm just wondering. I walk into Micheal's or Joann's looking for needles when I can't get to my LYS (because they close at 4, which is ridiculous in my opinion), but I don't know why I do it. They never have what I need even if what I need seems to be a common need held by most knitters. A few months or so ago, I needed DPNs in smaller sizes for socks. They only had enormous ones. I shook my head and said, "Yes, people like to make bulky hats and such." I understood. However, last night, I was looking for DPN's in larger sizes (9, to be exact) and I was very disappointed to find that they only had two sizes: 8 and 10 1/2!
OK, first of all, WTF? I can't imagine that the client base would want a size 8 and size 10 1/2, and not want a size 9 (or just a regular old 10) to go along with it. It wasn't that they had run out of the size I needed. That wall was packed to capacity, with nothing I would ever buy. I keep telling myself that I will never go back there again for my knitting purposes, but I always do. I always do because with a new project comes a glimmer of hope for that project. "Maybe they'll have it and I can cast on for it tomorrow instead of waiting until Saturday for a chance to go to my LYS when they're actually open at a time most people are able to come." That excitement of starting something new is what keeps bringing me back, but I'm going to say it again. I'm not getting my hopes up again! Those huge, corporate craft stores can kiss my needy little butt! And that's all I have to say about that.
Phew, that felt good! Now for socks:
Max's sock is well on the way to socky nirvana (which really only means Max's feet). I'm ready for it, let me tell you. I want so badly to finish these monsters. MONSTERS!
My socks are sitting still, as they should be. They aren't really important to me...I'm only making them to make them and I have two pairs for myself already. So, I'm not feeling the desperate need to knit them like I felt with Breeze and Child's First Sock in Shell Pattern. Still, these will be obnoxious socks, to say the least. They are the Yarrow Ribbed Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks, knit in Socks That Rock Medium-weight Farmhouse colorway.
Remember the movie Rockadoodle? I sure do.
I'm almost half-way done with my Estonian Garden Stole. I've gotten 26 repeats of the center lace pattern completed. The pattern says to do 42, but I'm shortening that to 30. I'm petite and, by looking at it, it will be plenty long after 30 repeats. We'll see how I feel once I actually reach 30. I may decide to keep going after that, but I doubt it. I know that this stole will be beautiful when it's done, but I have to say, It's sort of a boring knit now. 42 repeats is just too much for me, I guess.
My Lace Blouse is coming along. I have finished the arm increases for both fronts and have started decreasing for the neckline. I do have one worry here. It seems like the number of rows it will take me to finish the neckline is going to be more than the number of rows I had knit on the back before I started the shoulder shaping. This is really irritating me because there would be no problem if I had knit the fronts first. It might still be ok, but I'll not be a happy camper if I have to rip out the back of the blouse because of something so stupid. It's not even a real mistake, you know?? It's all because of the order of the pattern. Note to self: When you start designing cardigans with a similar sleeve construction, write it such that the fronts are knit before the back. Really now, come on...I'm getting sick of learning lessons here, :)
Now that you've gotten the run down on my WIPs, I'm going to tell you about how and why I'm not going to be working on any of them for a while. Once I get my hands on the needles (which will probably be Thursday) I am casting on for this. I'm hoping to finish Max's sock on Thursday (probably won't happen, but I'm hoping) so I can start this new project completely guilt free! I got some cheapo, Vanna's Choice from-a corporate craft store-and really need to get going on it if it's going to be done in time for Helloween. Actually, I need to get my costume together (as well as the rest of this one) too. Oh yeah, this is for Max, not me. I think mine will require sewing up a dress and doing something else which will be completely out of character for me...
On a completely unrelated note, I think I have decided to sign up for National Novel Writing Month. It seems like it might be a lot of wack-ass crazy fun!
How was that for a proper post? I know that I've not really been good about giving "proper posts" lately. I'm not sure why.
OK, first of all, WTF? I can't imagine that the client base would want a size 8 and size 10 1/2, and not want a size 9 (or just a regular old 10) to go along with it. It wasn't that they had run out of the size I needed. That wall was packed to capacity, with nothing I would ever buy. I keep telling myself that I will never go back there again for my knitting purposes, but I always do. I always do because with a new project comes a glimmer of hope for that project. "Maybe they'll have it and I can cast on for it tomorrow instead of waiting until Saturday for a chance to go to my LYS when they're actually open at a time most people are able to come." That excitement of starting something new is what keeps bringing me back, but I'm going to say it again. I'm not getting my hopes up again! Those huge, corporate craft stores can kiss my needy little butt! And that's all I have to say about that.
Phew, that felt good! Now for socks:
Max's sock is well on the way to socky nirvana (which really only means Max's feet). I'm ready for it, let me tell you. I want so badly to finish these monsters. MONSTERS!
My socks are sitting still, as they should be. They aren't really important to me...I'm only making them to make them and I have two pairs for myself already. So, I'm not feeling the desperate need to knit them like I felt with Breeze and Child's First Sock in Shell Pattern. Still, these will be obnoxious socks, to say the least. They are the Yarrow Ribbed Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks, knit in Socks That Rock Medium-weight Farmhouse colorway.
Remember the movie Rockadoodle? I sure do.
I'm almost half-way done with my Estonian Garden Stole. I've gotten 26 repeats of the center lace pattern completed. The pattern says to do 42, but I'm shortening that to 30. I'm petite and, by looking at it, it will be plenty long after 30 repeats. We'll see how I feel once I actually reach 30. I may decide to keep going after that, but I doubt it. I know that this stole will be beautiful when it's done, but I have to say, It's sort of a boring knit now. 42 repeats is just too much for me, I guess.
My Lace Blouse is coming along. I have finished the arm increases for both fronts and have started decreasing for the neckline. I do have one worry here. It seems like the number of rows it will take me to finish the neckline is going to be more than the number of rows I had knit on the back before I started the shoulder shaping. This is really irritating me because there would be no problem if I had knit the fronts first. It might still be ok, but I'll not be a happy camper if I have to rip out the back of the blouse because of something so stupid. It's not even a real mistake, you know?? It's all because of the order of the pattern. Note to self: When you start designing cardigans with a similar sleeve construction, write it such that the fronts are knit before the back. Really now, come on...I'm getting sick of learning lessons here, :)
Now that you've gotten the run down on my WIPs, I'm going to tell you about how and why I'm not going to be working on any of them for a while. Once I get my hands on the needles (which will probably be Thursday) I am casting on for this. I'm hoping to finish Max's sock on Thursday (probably won't happen, but I'm hoping) so I can start this new project completely guilt free! I got some cheapo, Vanna's Choice from-a corporate craft store-and really need to get going on it if it's going to be done in time for Helloween. Actually, I need to get my costume together (as well as the rest of this one) too. Oh yeah, this is for Max, not me. I think mine will require sewing up a dress and doing something else which will be completely out of character for me...
On a completely unrelated note, I think I have decided to sign up for National Novel Writing Month. It seems like it might be a lot of wack-ass crazy fun!
How was that for a proper post? I know that I've not really been good about giving "proper posts" lately. I'm not sure why.
9.10.07
Damn, Dirty Apes
My cats are lazy. They spend most of the day just lying around the house in a hedonistic ether. Every once in a while, Moscow will get up to chase his shadow. Periodically, George will slowly rise to his feet, walk to his food bowl, and howl for more food (which I don't give him because he's on a strict diet). For the most part, George's daily exercise consists of opening and closing his eyes, stretching out his tongue when he yawns (once every half-hour or so), and lethargically rolling over onto his back from time to time to fall asleep that way. I wish I were a cat. Then, I could do what I do, but not feel so guilty about it.
I've pretty much finished one of the stories I'm working on. Don't get excited, it's super short. It turns out that it is is only six pages, double-spaced. The length isn't really important, though. What's important is saying all of the things you need/want to say. I think I've pretty much done that on this one. I had a very simple idea and I ran with it. Max likes it. I don't know if any one else will. I've spent the past two days drilling him with questions because I am worried that people might take the wrong meanings from it. I have a very strong set of beliefs and with pretty much everything I write, I am trying to explain something about those beliefs. This story is kind of tricky. It's one where the meaning might get lost on...certain types of readers. I don't know. Too much information? Not enough? Yeah, probably. :)
I did a little bit of knitting today. The leg section on Max's second sock is almost done. I will probably be down to the gussets by this weekend. I sure hope so. I'm getting kind of antsy waiting for another FO. I also worked on my purple lace blouse today. I am almost finished with the sleeve increases for both fronts. I'm really close to finishing it as well, but it might take me another month to actually get down to business on it.
I know that knitting shouldn't be about finishing things. I'm supposed to enjoy the process, but when it comes down to it, an FO feels really good. In the end, I think I only knit (and start new projects) in anticipation of that feeling. Because, let's be honest, I could just as easily be doing something else.
I've pretty much finished one of the stories I'm working on. Don't get excited, it's super short. It turns out that it is is only six pages, double-spaced. The length isn't really important, though. What's important is saying all of the things you need/want to say. I think I've pretty much done that on this one. I had a very simple idea and I ran with it. Max likes it. I don't know if any one else will. I've spent the past two days drilling him with questions because I am worried that people might take the wrong meanings from it. I have a very strong set of beliefs and with pretty much everything I write, I am trying to explain something about those beliefs. This story is kind of tricky. It's one where the meaning might get lost on...certain types of readers. I don't know. Too much information? Not enough? Yeah, probably. :)
I did a little bit of knitting today. The leg section on Max's second sock is almost done. I will probably be down to the gussets by this weekend. I sure hope so. I'm getting kind of antsy waiting for another FO. I also worked on my purple lace blouse today. I am almost finished with the sleeve increases for both fronts. I'm really close to finishing it as well, but it might take me another month to actually get down to business on it.
I know that knitting shouldn't be about finishing things. I'm supposed to enjoy the process, but when it comes down to it, an FO feels really good. In the end, I think I only knit (and start new projects) in anticipation of that feeling. Because, let's be honest, I could just as easily be doing something else.
8.10.07
Married life
Just as you may have suspected, married life is not really different from unmarried life when you've been together for five years. :) It's just as good and we have more excuses to be all kissy-faced, because we're newlyweds! haha!
The ceremony was good. I cried like a little baby and could not for the life of me get my voice above a whisper, but the pastor could hear me...and Max could too. So, I guess that was all that really mattered. :) My cake was perfect, I LOVED my gown.
It wasn't a traditional reception. I didn't through a bouquet...we sort of forgot about it, actually, which irritates me a little. But whatever...
We don't have our official photos yet. We are still waiting to hear from the photographer, but when we do, I will post a few of them up here.
Until then, you can look at these:
Yeah, they aren't that great. I wasn't concerned about taking photos. Again, I'll post a few of the professional ones once I get them.
On the knitting front, I haven't really been doing much of it. I've been making yo-yo's for some "projects." I've been writing.
About that. I'll be treating the sewing projects and writing as full time jobs. I'm very close to finishing a story and the yo-yo's are good for a writing break. Knitting is too time consuming and mentally draining. I need my brain fresh when I write...I need a cappuccino or a nice cup of tea.
Oh, and I've decided to be more open about the fact that I am a writer. I have been very secretive about it for my entire life and I think now is the time to just admit to the world that I am a starving and failing literary artist. Unfortunately, I write the way I knit. I have unfinished stories dating five to six years back because I am constantly having new ideas and starting new stories. I'm going to start an "idea journal" to record all of my story ideas instead of actually starting them right then and there. I'll never finish anything if I keep starting new things.
Don't worry, this won't turn into a writing blog. I'm still a knitter!! I'm going to finish that pair of socks for Max by the end of Socktober!!
On another note, Max has updated his blog. You should check it out!
The ceremony was good. I cried like a little baby and could not for the life of me get my voice above a whisper, but the pastor could hear me...and Max could too. So, I guess that was all that really mattered. :) My cake was perfect, I LOVED my gown.
It wasn't a traditional reception. I didn't through a bouquet...we sort of forgot about it, actually, which irritates me a little. But whatever...
We don't have our official photos yet. We are still waiting to hear from the photographer, but when we do, I will post a few of them up here.
Until then, you can look at these:
Yeah, they aren't that great. I wasn't concerned about taking photos. Again, I'll post a few of the professional ones once I get them.
On the knitting front, I haven't really been doing much of it. I've been making yo-yo's for some "projects." I've been writing.
About that. I'll be treating the sewing projects and writing as full time jobs. I'm very close to finishing a story and the yo-yo's are good for a writing break. Knitting is too time consuming and mentally draining. I need my brain fresh when I write...I need a cappuccino or a nice cup of tea.
Oh, and I've decided to be more open about the fact that I am a writer. I have been very secretive about it for my entire life and I think now is the time to just admit to the world that I am a starving and failing literary artist. Unfortunately, I write the way I knit. I have unfinished stories dating five to six years back because I am constantly having new ideas and starting new stories. I'm going to start an "idea journal" to record all of my story ideas instead of actually starting them right then and there. I'll never finish anything if I keep starting new things.
Don't worry, this won't turn into a writing blog. I'm still a knitter!! I'm going to finish that pair of socks for Max by the end of Socktober!!
On another note, Max has updated his blog. You should check it out!
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