In just over a week we will be celebrating a most solemn and auspicious occasion--my two year blogiversary. That's right, I've been at this for two years. It been quite a bumpy ride, but I'll do more reminiscing in my June 2 post (which, given my blogging performance lately, will probably be late).
So in honor of the big day, I'm hosting a little contest. All you have to do to be entered is leave a comment on this post telling me the ugliest thing you've ever knit. Whatever the reason--bad yarn, didn't follow the pattern, knitting gnomes, etc.--everyone has at least one atrocious project they'd like to forget about. If you can link to it on your blog or rav projects, all the better. (And don't forget to make sure I know who you are--don't comment anonymously!)
And what can you win for sharing your embarrassing knitting atrocity? Yarn, of course! I've accumulated a ridiculous amount of sock yarn, considering I haven't managed to finish a single pair of socks yet in 2009, so I'll be giving away a skein to TWO lucky winners. I'm not sure which yet, but you can see (most of) my stash here--it may be one of these, or may be a skein I haven't managed to log yet (don't worry, it'll be something good). I'll draw random numbers and announce the winner and the yarns on my June 2nd blogiversary post!
Please, spread the news about the contest, I'd love to have new readers, even though I rarely post anything worth reading.
A few unrelated notes:
First, for my dear Leann who was unceremoniously and most unfairly booted from Ravelry, here are the non-Rav links to the patterns I mentioned in my last post:
Elefante
Moderne Baby Blanket
Trellis and Keyhole Tank
Also, if anyone is looking for a fun summer swap, check out HSKS 8: Summer Camp. HSKS 7 was loads of fun, so I definitely plan to sign up again. It's a fun group of swappers, and there's a lot going on other than just shipping yarn off to an anonymous stranger, so check it out!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
21,363
Yards of yarn in my stash, that is. I have GOT to start knitting faster!!
(Please note that this does not include my most recent Knit Picks order with the yarn for the Moderne Baby Blanket and Elefante, plus two random skeins of their new City Tweed DK, nor does it include the yarn I just ordered to make the Trellis and Keyhole Tank (5 skeins of Hempathy) or Owls sweater (5 skeins Berroco Cuzco).)
The silver lining? I have projects selected for almost all of it, except the lace I keep buying with no purpose.
Happy Friday and happy long weekend!
(Please note that this does not include my most recent Knit Picks order with the yarn for the Moderne Baby Blanket and Elefante, plus two random skeins of their new City Tweed DK, nor does it include the yarn I just ordered to make the Trellis and Keyhole Tank (5 skeins of Hempathy) or Owls sweater (5 skeins Berroco Cuzco).)
The silver lining? I have projects selected for almost all of it, except the lace I keep buying with no purpose.
Happy Friday and happy long weekend!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
half baked
That about describes my knitting lately--as in, not so much done. I've got so many half-finished projects I've lost count. So what do I do? Start new projects. Obviously.
My dear friend Mo is due to have a baby in a few months--appropriately dubbed Mojito by yours truly, until they bestow a real name upon it at birth. So certainly she must have baby gifts. I cast on two this weekend--an Elefante, and the Moderne Baby Blanket. Elefante (Elijah? Elliot? Ernesto? I'm not sure yet), knit in yellow with dark green feet, will hopefully be done in time for her shower on June 7, but the blanket won't be finished until much closer to her due date. No pics yet, progress is minimal.
I have dedicated myself to finishing the Tidepool Socks, and won't allow myself to cast on any summer-y tops until they're done. But I'm planning to tackle the Trellis and Keyhole Tank (in Hempathy) and Delphine (Frog Tree Pima Silk).
And then I'd better do some more socks, because I now have so much sock yarn it may actually constitute a federal offense. In fact, I think I'm going to give some away to celebrate my blogiversary, which is June 2. Stay tuned.
My dear friend Mo is due to have a baby in a few months--appropriately dubbed Mojito by yours truly, until they bestow a real name upon it at birth. So certainly she must have baby gifts. I cast on two this weekend--an Elefante, and the Moderne Baby Blanket. Elefante (Elijah? Elliot? Ernesto? I'm not sure yet), knit in yellow with dark green feet, will hopefully be done in time for her shower on June 7, but the blanket won't be finished until much closer to her due date. No pics yet, progress is minimal.
I have dedicated myself to finishing the Tidepool Socks, and won't allow myself to cast on any summer-y tops until they're done. But I'm planning to tackle the Trellis and Keyhole Tank (in Hempathy) and Delphine (Frog Tree Pima Silk).
And then I'd better do some more socks, because I now have so much sock yarn it may actually constitute a federal offense. In fact, I think I'm going to give some away to celebrate my blogiversary, which is June 2. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
the difficult post
This is, ostensibly, a knitting blog, though you might not know it from the lack of actual knitted items featured here recently. However, I also feel that I've made some cyber "friends" through this site, and so I want to keep my friends up-to-date about important goings on in my non-knitting life as well. So here goes.
I mentioned in my last post that I was currently separated from my stash. This is because, sadly, I am also currently separated from my husband. I have been living with my parents for the last six weeks or so (which is an entirely different trauma best left for another post), and with all that is going on, knitting has fallen by the wayside.
My husband would say that separating was my idea, although he's the one that brought it up. The reason for this is nothing so ugly or dramatic--no domestic violence, no clandestine drug use, secret second wife, mafia connections, or anything of the sort. Rather I had finally come to terms, after months or years of denying my feelings, with what I believe is the reality of our relationship--we are not in love. We were at some point, I remember, but it seems long ago. We do love each other, but our relationship had slowly become more and more platonic. We began to connect less, talk less, spend less time together. When we did spend time together, it seemed we would argue more often then not. Passion, romance, excitement, all disappeared, and though I tried to rediscover them, I failed. We had companionship, which I believe might be acceptable when you're, say, in your 70s, but at our age, it seems like settling.
In retrospect, we should've addressed these issues sooner, but I was afraid of hurting his feelings, which is of course what ultimately happened anyway. We have never been very good at communicating, which is just another in the laundry list of problems in the relationship. And though I thought perhaps I could be content with our friendship, because he has been a good husband, I finally realized that staying in this relationship was denying us the opportunity to find the kind of love I think we both deserve.
Of course, he is upset and hurt and angry. He feels we haven't tried hard enough, though I've tried to explain that I've spent more than a year trying to change the way I feel and failing miserably. He wants to know when and why my feelings changed, and I don't have answers for him. I simply don't know. What I do know is that this isn't what I want for the rest of my life. I look at his parents, who barely speak to each other but stay together, and refuse to end up the same way.
So, perhaps I am making a mistake. Or maybe I am a horrible person. Certainly I wake up most days feeling like one. But I guess it's my life to live and possibly screw up, or enjoy to the fullest. We'll see which one it turns out to be.
On a much, much lighter note, just to cheer you all up a bit, I am drooling over the shop update at Sunshine Yarns. Has anyone tried the Luxury Sport? It looks delicious. And the new colorways in the soft sock yarn are fantastic. How much sock yarn can one supremely slow sock knitter have?
I mentioned in my last post that I was currently separated from my stash. This is because, sadly, I am also currently separated from my husband. I have been living with my parents for the last six weeks or so (which is an entirely different trauma best left for another post), and with all that is going on, knitting has fallen by the wayside.
My husband would say that separating was my idea, although he's the one that brought it up. The reason for this is nothing so ugly or dramatic--no domestic violence, no clandestine drug use, secret second wife, mafia connections, or anything of the sort. Rather I had finally come to terms, after months or years of denying my feelings, with what I believe is the reality of our relationship--we are not in love. We were at some point, I remember, but it seems long ago. We do love each other, but our relationship had slowly become more and more platonic. We began to connect less, talk less, spend less time together. When we did spend time together, it seemed we would argue more often then not. Passion, romance, excitement, all disappeared, and though I tried to rediscover them, I failed. We had companionship, which I believe might be acceptable when you're, say, in your 70s, but at our age, it seems like settling.
In retrospect, we should've addressed these issues sooner, but I was afraid of hurting his feelings, which is of course what ultimately happened anyway. We have never been very good at communicating, which is just another in the laundry list of problems in the relationship. And though I thought perhaps I could be content with our friendship, because he has been a good husband, I finally realized that staying in this relationship was denying us the opportunity to find the kind of love I think we both deserve.
Of course, he is upset and hurt and angry. He feels we haven't tried hard enough, though I've tried to explain that I've spent more than a year trying to change the way I feel and failing miserably. He wants to know when and why my feelings changed, and I don't have answers for him. I simply don't know. What I do know is that this isn't what I want for the rest of my life. I look at his parents, who barely speak to each other but stay together, and refuse to end up the same way.
So, perhaps I am making a mistake. Or maybe I am a horrible person. Certainly I wake up most days feeling like one. But I guess it's my life to live and possibly screw up, or enjoy to the fullest. We'll see which one it turns out to be.
On a much, much lighter note, just to cheer you all up a bit, I am drooling over the shop update at Sunshine Yarns. Has anyone tried the Luxury Sport? It looks delicious. And the new colorways in the soft sock yarn are fantastic. How much sock yarn can one supremely slow sock knitter have?
Monday, May 4, 2009
i've got a lovely bunch of coconuts, er, i mean, knitting blogs . . .
So, the fabulous Leann, clearly having forgotten that my blog posting has suffered tremendously of late due to me sucking, bestowed this prestigious award upon me:
And now that I've clapped my hands and squealed girlishly and otherwise overracted and basked in the glory of my (completely undeserved) award, it's time for me to pass it along to some other fantastic bloggers:
Confessions of a Clumsy Knitter: She does scary stuff I'm afraid of, like steeking. I hope if I keep reading I'll absorb some of her knitting bravery through osmosis. Also, I don't think she's ever had a mail order yarn purchase not go awry--which probably sucks for her, but is amusing to me. ;)
Never Not Knitting: Love her stuff (it always turns out gorgeous), and her podcast--especially those special yarn buying coupon codes!
Exercise before Knitting: After I caught this post, I was sucked in--I can't imagine creating anything this perfect out of scrap yarn. Plus original patterns and helpful maths.
And now that I've clapped my hands and squealed girlishly and otherwise overracted and basked in the glory of my (completely undeserved) award, it's time for me to pass it along to some other fantastic bloggers:Confessions of a Clumsy Knitter: She does scary stuff I'm afraid of, like steeking. I hope if I keep reading I'll absorb some of her knitting bravery through osmosis. Also, I don't think she's ever had a mail order yarn purchase not go awry--which probably sucks for her, but is amusing to me. ;)
Never Not Knitting: Love her stuff (it always turns out gorgeous), and her podcast--especially those special yarn buying coupon codes!
Exercise before Knitting: After I caught this post, I was sucked in--I can't imagine creating anything this perfect out of scrap yarn. Plus original patterns and helpful maths.
A Little Loopy: Some cutie cute baby stuff here--all of my friends are starting to pop out babies, so this one is inspiring.
The Yarniad: The knitting is gorgeous, as are her own patterns. Plus she's a little quirky (see recent post featuring Star Trek costumes).
Of course, these are just a few standouts from the lengthy list of knitting blogs I read, all of which are inspiring and deserve kudos.
So knitting. Um, I've done some, but not much, honestly. My stash and I are currently separated. Which is a long overdue story for another, hopefully prompt, post.
And despite all of the good thoughts coming my way, I did not finish my friend's shawl before her wedding, which is too bad, because it was pretty shawl-ish weather. Sigh. I guess it will go to the next person I know who gets married?
Sunday, May 3, 2009
May 2010
Well, it's official, I've missed Sheep and Wool. My car is STILL at the mechanic's; apparently when they called at 10:30 and said 2-3 hours, they actually meant never. Also, the leaky tire I took the car in for in the first place could be repaired, but my front two tires need to be replaced because the "tread has separated from the wheel." Whatever that means. So I guess it's a good thing I missed MDS&W, since I'm now spending $200+ on this stupid car repair. But still. GRRRRRRR!!!!
ARGH!!!!
I have a flat tire!!!!! My car is in the shop and God knows when I'll get it back. I might not make it to Sheep and Wool!!!!! I cannot believe this luck. Grrrrrrrrrr.
Friday, May 1, 2009
the slow demise of society
I just walked into the 8th floor bathroom and discovered someone talking on her cell phone while USING the toilet. What on earth?!? Come on now, people, I can imagine few things so important that they can't wait until you've finished your business--and whoever this was wasn't talking about anything even approaching life-threatening. If you want to chit chat while you pee in your own home--or even perhaps a single-stall public bathroom--that's your deal, but it's just not appropriate at the office. Ever. Ugh.
Now, for some good news (although not knitting related)--next week I'm cat-sitting for my friend while she's on her honeymoon, staying in her condo. All week I'll have just a 30 MINUTE commute!!! I simply cannot wait, I'll have so much extra time in my day. Hopefully some of it will be devoted to knitting, especially since I'm biting the bullet and heading to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival this year--I'll buy way, way too much yarn, no doubt.
Now, for some good news (although not knitting related)--next week I'm cat-sitting for my friend while she's on her honeymoon, staying in her condo. All week I'll have just a 30 MINUTE commute!!! I simply cannot wait, I'll have so much extra time in my day. Hopefully some of it will be devoted to knitting, especially since I'm biting the bullet and heading to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival this year--I'll buy way, way too much yarn, no doubt.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)