Surfing again...

You Are The Fool

You are a fascinating person who is way beyond the concerns of this world. Young at heart, you are blissfully unaware of any dangers ahead. You are a true wanderer - it has be difficult finding your place in this world. Full of confidence, you are likely to take a leap of faith. Your fortune: You are about to embark on a new phase in your life. This may mean changing locations, jobs, friends, or love status. You are open about what the future will bring, and free of worry. You have made your peace with fate, and you're ready to start down your new path.

What Tarot Card Are You?

Okay, confession here, my first card was The Empress, but I lost the code so I tried again. This one is more apt since recently I've been part of a Reduction in Force (read layoff), and have been trying to find my footing in life. You know how Tarot cards are though -- they all seem to fit some facet of your life. I'm not so sure about being open and free though, I'd like to think so...

(Note: I tried it again and got the Hanged Man)

Knitting Olympics Results

This is where I was Saturday. I had finished the body and separated for the back earlier in the week. By Saturday night I had finished the back entirely, and was ready to start the right front.
By 7pm Sunday evening, I had finished both right and left fronts with armhole and neck opening shaping and joined the shoulder seams. The flame was out by then (although it hadn't been televised here yet).
By then end of closing ceremonies (as per our broadcasting schedule) I had picked up and knitted the bands for the arms. It was late and as I was admiring my work I realized that I was short one row on the left armband.

Reflecting I knew that I wouldn't finish by closing ceremonies. I kept going anyways to see how far I'd get. It wasn't until I had finished the armbands that I realized I couldn't finish it even if I wanted to. I hadn't bought the buttons!

Stitches Part 1: The Haul

Recently I ordered some baskets from Longaberger. They arrived just before Stitches West so I thought I'd show off the treasures I gathered at the Stitches Market along with my new baskets -- it was a good excuse to play with both!
Carry Along basket with Kidmo/Rio Swirly Wrap kit and Socks that Rock both from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. This was my favorite booth by far. The Socks that Rock came in such brilliant colors and in 3 different weights. They even gave away mini skeins of StR labelled, "Emergency Sock yarn Don't leave home without it."
Medium Gathering basket with Noro Kureyon, Gedifra Gigante from Woolstock (both half off the entire bag of 10) and Streakers in Sad Song Pink from La Lana Wools, not a bargain but I specifically wanted this yarn for a shrug in the latest Interweave Knits. Small Serving Tray with the long discontinued (and discounted!) Gedifra Byzanz (7 balls total, 2 unlabelled in a diffrent dyelot), purchased from Yarn Express and Blue Heron Rayon Seed from Amazing Yarns. Spin basket with Beaded Merino Tencel and Merino/Silk/Angora from Angora Cottage and Duet (kid mohair/fine wool) from Brooks Farm Yarn.Brownie basket with Zukii Designs Bloom and Tokyo introduced by Yarndogs.

Plus, I won a door prize! Have fun clicking all the links!

Up next Stitches West Part 2: The Classes

False starts, progress, and...oops!

It's Friday afternoon and I'm ready to cast on my project for the Knitting Olympics. First I can't find any needles. I needed a long US 5. I have 3 US 5's, 1-16", 1-24" and 1-36". The 24" and 36" are on projects in progress. I consider putting one of these on holders, the 24" is too small and the 36" has markers on it as well. Plus, if I needed a break from olympic knitting, then I'd have to switch back or work on something else already on needles. I could have bought another set of US 5's...but then I remembered I had an extra a set of Denise needles. Usually I keep a set intact for convention knitting and with Stitches West around the corner I couldn't really break up the set, except that I bought another set recently for my daughters to use!
I cast on 197 stitches of the worsted weight Dale Hauk (with teflon) and had a go. Now I don't use these needles regularly. Just at conventions or for a quick swatch. I had never used them for a project and wasn't used to them. After about the 3rd row of seed stitch I found the stitches weren't sliding around the cable all that easily (even with the teflon -- ha, ha). Well, with all the scrunching, pushing, pulling and twisting I accidently disconnected one needle from the cable.

It took a bit of fiddling to get past that but I've stuck with the needles (being careful not to twist the stitches around the join) and after some weekend knitting I've gotten this far. That's the self striping version of Karaoke which is very soft and silky. I've got about 5 inches of the vest done and need to get to 11 1/2" of body before dividing to do the fronts and back. You can see the schematic in the backround of this progress shot. I thought I'd leave the rest of the rest of body knitting to do while at Stitches, it's perfect mindless knitting to do during the Fashion Show and the Student Banquet. And then I found this:
That slipped stitch is suppose to be a purl stitch. Must have missed it when I was putting stitches back on the needle...sigh.

Score!

While the rest of the US were watching the half time show of the Super Bowl. I was here. This is my pile -- not too shabby -- major touchdown on the lantern moon bag -- like the pink polka dots? Cris got the same one in blue. Fumble on the Cherry Tree wool silk dk -- matching colorways, mismatching dyelots, oops. Nabbed the Cherry Tree supersock in potluck watercolors and the Karaoke (adding to the 3 balls I had at home -- same colorway AND dyelot). Went in for the lovely laceweight lambswool -- sooo soft, that's the two pink balls -- total yardage 1650 -- and for the extra point grabbed the Cherry Tree supersock in wild cherry as I was going out the door and heading in line.

Things to do in 2006

1. knit more
2. spin more
3. weave more
4. dye?
5. weave clan tartan (I already have the necessary colors in zephyr)
6. attend Highland Games
7. drink Irn Bru

What the?

I've decided to join Team Scotland for the Knitting Olympics. Having just missed an opportunity to try haggis, I only qualify by marriage -- actually I cohabitate with a total of 3 persons of scottish descent. Of course anyone can join really -- I mean who doesn't know a line or two from Auld Lang Syne? And besides if you join the team you get to display this button (click his bum for details).













As an addendum, as if the above button wasn't enough, I found this via ChicKnits -- I'd give you a direct link to generate your own (you must have a blog to do it) but that would ruin all the fun.