04/17/2008
All for one little girl.......
With less than 10 weeks to go, I figured it was time to start getting ready for the arrival of a little one. The doctors figure she will be here in June, with an estimated due date of June 20th. I have a stubborn daughter and she will show up when she is ready regardless of what anyone else says.
She has does have hand knit socks. One pair finished and one pair in the works with some left over Socks that Rocks medium weight. The watermelon socks are just for my sister Elizabeth. She will find it amusing.
Little one also has a purple blanket based on the Tender Blankie pattern. I have four balls of Knit Picks CotLin yarn and wanted to use them all up. So I knit six squares instead of four. The monkey thinks it is a good blanket as well.
And little one also needs a bed to sleep in for when ever she will finally be able to come home from the hospital. I am not talking about THAT right now. But she has what is called a Moses Basket here and there is a stand for it as well. I am hoping to move soon, so everything that I can possibly pack stuff into, is being packed.
She does have another blanket in the making. I am crocheting it and want to get a solid color yarn as the border. But that will probably need to wait a while longer until I feel like I have made enough progress on my paper writing for school to justify the time I will spend finishing it.
In March I went to a Velvet Revolver concert. Yes, I was 6 1/2 months pregnant when I went. I stood all the way in the back with the people who weren't there for the concert. I felt like a complete loser. But had to get a suvinor for the little girl, her first concert T-shirt. I mean, she was there and all.
01:40 Posted in Knitting , Little One , Scott | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
02/09/2008
Beginning, Middle, End
They are finished, completed, turned in for grading. And I am loving the freedom of not having to worry about them. The papers for school I had to write. I will have more, but for the time being not every free moment is taken up by writing. 
I have also finished up this little hat for a special little girl.
Because I have finished my school writing, for the next few weeks at least, then I actually have time to knit. I have started the Tender BlankieBlankie pattern with KnitCotLin CotLin yarn in purple.
I started on a Calorimetry in Rowen Tapestry yarn. Not sure how I feel about it and may rip it out. The stitches are quite loose and not every elastic for a head band. 
I am still in the middle of knitting what I now call the forever scarf. I am about 2/3 of the way finished. If I am lucky, I will get it finished before winter is over and might have a chance to wear it once.
I am still working, very slowly, on the center out blanket. Starting to warm up to it and hope that the baby who gets it will like it.
The biggest thing I have been working on is now 21 weeks and 1 day in the making, a little girl, my little one. She was quite a surprised when I finally realized I was pregnant. But her estimated due date is June 20th and I can't wait to meet her. 
11:04 Posted in Knitting , Little One , School | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
01/18/2008
The last bit..........
This is the last bit of knitting I have completed in a while. I knit this set my for my friend Miyuki's son. There isn't much going on right now because I am suppose to be writing papers for school. Suppose to but it is slow going. Would be helpful it I was more interested and did more. I hope to have one paper finished by the end of this weekend. But until then, baby knitting.
17:29 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
12/26/2007
Total Insanity.............
I hope everyone has had a Merry Christmas. I received a fabulous gift this year, the first pair of socks my best friend ever knitted. They are really comfy, she made them extra long for me :-), and I am just excited about having them. 
She also sent me some yarn that I am knitting into a blanket. I am not sure how I feel about it just yet though. So it is going to sit in the knitting bag while I have a think about it.
I am knitting it from the center out.
I finished knitting Quant from the latest edition of Knitty.com. I am not very happy with the way the one end turned out. I like symmetry in my headbands.
I also bought myself some yarn to make myself some more headbands. I don't like wearing hats, but need to keep my ears warm. So I have found that nice, wide headbands work for me.
The red yarn is for another panta and the purple yarn is for a calorimetry.
(Don't ask me to put links in today) I have some more yarn that I am saving for someone special.
09:52 Posted in Insanity , Knitting , Life in Leeds , Little One | Permalink | Comments (3) | Email this
12/02/2007
The worlds slowest blogger
Life has been slow for me lately due to a number of reasons, which I am not going to go into right now. But I have a finished sweater, finally. I am also working on a baby set for my friend Miyuki, but that is slow going as well. It has been awhile since there has been any cuteness on this blog, so I will start with the pictures of Miyuki's babies.
There is also the black cardigan that I started knitting this summer. I finally finished it and even have the buttons sewn on. And in a surprising twist, there is nothing purple on this sweater. But it is comfortable and warm and has gotten plenty of wear already. And I got myself a pattern for felted hedgehogs. I figure since I am England, what better excuse do I need? 
06:45 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
11/12/2007
Slowly but surely
Everything has been going rather slowly right now. I feel like I am behind on everything. And knitting is definately going slower than normal. I finally finished another clapotis scarf using the Socks that Rock yarn in the Mustang Sally color. It is a very soft scarf and I do enjoy using it. Both monkeys seem to like it as well. 
I have also been slowly working on the cardigan. I have one sleeve finished and one sleeve almost finished. Then I have to knit the button bands. Along with find buttons to go with it so I can sew them on. 
07:20 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
10/23/2007
F.O.
Still trying to get all my internet stuff done at the library. But supposedly, internet and everything is going to be installed today. Who knows though. Until then, this is what I have to use.
There is has been some knitting going on here in Leeds. I missed this month's knitting group because I completely forgot about it. I can only once a month because of the way my classes are scheduled. There is always next month. In knitting news, I finished a shrug for someone. She is the little sister of a friend of mine. 
I also knit myself a headband out of Rowan Denim using the Cozy pattern from Knitty.com. Since I am at the library I am not putting links and all that in. I love it and it is really comfortable. 
I finished another scarf using the Lopi yarn I bought while I was still in Maryland. The edging is basketweave stitch and the middle is plain ol' stockinette stitch. I have woven the ends in since the pictures were taken. Now that I have another warm scarf finished, the weather here has warmed up. 
I am also working on the Montego Bay scarf from Interweave Knits Summer 2007 (or is it Spring). I am using Rowan Kidsilk Aura for it and loving it. But I just LOVE the Kid and Kidsilk line they have. I even have a ball of Rowan Kid Classic to play around with. I am thinking of making another headband with it. 
The black cardigan is making progress as well. After having to basically re-knit the whole thing, I have finished the body of it. I am now working on the sleeves. I have been told it looks more like a hedgehog than a cardigan right now. 
07:58 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (3) | Email this
08/10/2007
Takes two
First of all, there is a valid excuse for my complete lack of blogging. Actually there are three reasons for it. At least two of 
them are good ones. They are the ones that take up most of the time as well. They are worth it though.
There are two knitters in this house now. I believe I have successfully turned my best friend into a full fledge knitter. Just look at the size of her growing stash. 
She loves the cotton yarn as well. But her first project has been completed. She undertook making a blacket for her son. 
Check it out. He is very much in love with it. She has other projects going on now. She is making a
blanket for her niece and a 
kitchen mat.
I have been knitting as well. It has been slow though and I need to get some fire under my knitting butt. I am moving soon and I need to get some stuff finished up. The Leaf Tie Cardigan is finished and washed. 
I had to add to the collar to that I had enough coverage in the front. I am also working on a bag 
so I will have a way to carry groceries and such around. A little more eco-friendly. Love the colors of the yarn. Hopefully more knitting in the future once I am finished reading the book.
10:55 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
07/23/2007
Before and After..............
I finally finished knitting my Serrano cardigan. I never did find the hook and eye tape the pattern calls for. So I am still thinking of another way to finish it up. I am currently battling a sinus infection from hell, so there are no action shots. But I can't wait to wear it. 
I also took apart one of my sweaters. This one to be exact.
I though long and hard about it first. When I originally made this sweater, I was in such a hurry that I didn't finish it the way I wanted to. But it now looks like this 
and is on its way to becoming the Cropped Cardigan with Leaf Ties. I am just starting on it, but have managed to get a little done.
I am also working on another sweater for the impeding cold winter I have to look forward to in England. There has been some swatching 
and now I need to do some math. That will come later, hopefully tomorrow.
Lelah 
has also undergone some minor changes as well. I re-knit the top part so there would be less bulk. I re-knit the straps as well because those were the biggest dislike for me. I think she will get worn out a lot more now.
I even bought new ribbon for her, just have to put it in.
Amanda Cathleen read my post about debating whether or not I should buy some Socks that Rock yarn. She very kindly sent me some remnants she had. I knit up a couple of swatches that are currently being used as book marks.
And I ordered two skeins of Mustang Sally colorway in medium weight for a new clapotis scarf. I could not believe how soft the yarn was after a gentle blocking.
But before I go, I got a new picture of my niece. She looks like all her aunties but with dark hair. We were all tow heads when we were born. She weights a grand total of 8lbs 3oz as of last week.
14:04 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
07/08/2007
The post of a 1000 links.........
I finished up that last of the gift knitting last week. I was there when gift was given and it was funny. I am putting links to the photos instead of posting them on my blog. The gift was a knit nekkidnekkid man. I understand that some people may find it offensive or inappropriate or just down right rude and crude. Those whoRhiow Rhi, understand why the pictures are so funny. Here are a few of Rhi opening her gift. And here is a close up of the gift.
There is knitting progress on my Serrano cardigan. It is coming along quite well. I have one front and the back finished up already. I plan on getting the other side of the front finished up today. I would like to start on the sleeves as well. I am going to graft the fronts to the back instead of using a three needle bind off. I am debating if it would be better to knit the sleeves flat as directed in the pattern. Or should I knit them in the round to save myself from the whole seaming thing? I am leaning towards knitting them flat. Then I can knit both sleeves at the same time There are have been a few hitches with the knitting of this cardigan so far. The lace pattern has been pretty easy so far. And I am not sure if I could knit the lace in the round and not get frustrated with any problems that come along. Progress so far.
This weekend, I have gone through some of my other finished knitting that I don't wear often. One of them being my Lelah. I have decided that the straps haven't' turned out as well as I would have liked. And the top facing isn't the shape I want. I am going to take part of the top out and re-knit it. Here is what it looks like now.
I will probably re-work the bust shaping as well. Not too much work. Hopefully will have it done in a day or two.
Here is my big decision. I have this sweater and I have worn it a grand total of once. 
The sweater is too short and the sleeves are too wide. I am not in love the the sleeves at the top either. So the choice is, do I completely rip out the sleeves, re-knit them. Then rip out the bottom hem and add to it to make the sweater longer. Or do I just rip out the whole sweater and knit it as the Leaf Tie Cardigan from Knitty.Com. I saw Jodi's and it is so beautiful. So I continue to debate. I am kind of leaning towards the Leaf Tie Cardigan because I really don't wear sweaters. I prefer cardigans or sweaters that I can wear over my shirts.
10:35 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this
07/01/2007
Finishing and cleaning........
Right now, there is are very few spaces that are baby safe right now. I am taking up a bit of that precious space with my various knitting and crafting projects. In an attempt to free up some of this space, I spent the day finishing up several projects. I finally finished the baby sweaters I have been knitting up. I am not 100% pleased with either of them. I had to add ribbing to the bottom of the blue one because it wasn't long enough. Not sure if I really like it. And the pink one still needs some extra severe blocking with the button bands.
I also got around to finishing up my second ever felting project. Once again, made the whole thing up as I went along. Another gift that will be mailed off soon. 
The monkey has also been busy as well. Davi and I were out and about at different craft stores. It was decided that the monkey needed some tattoos, since I have some. So a way was thought up and now the monkey as some as well. He has three on his arms.
The patch sewing is getting closer to being finished as well. I only have 8 left. Unless I find a new bag or smaller patches, I am going to have to quitting with the traveling thing. Running out of space. There is enough room for the eight I have left. I made sure to check. 
I still have a few projects left to finish up, but that means I need to start them. So I am working on the Serrano cardigan from Knitty.com. Of course I am knitting in purple. Just started it and didn't have time to work on this weekend yet. 
17:47 Posted in Crafty Stuff , Knitting | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
06/25/2007
Something new
Since being back in the States, I decided to try some of the different yarns I have been reading about on different blogs. I bought two skeins of Koigu yarn to try out. I am knitting a basic chevron scarf from the pattern I found here. Please remember before you continue to read, that I am not a yarn snob in any way. I love and believe in the practicality of acrylic yarn. As a teacher and now an aunt, machine wash ability is a must in my life. I do not have the time, desire, or energy to wash clothes by hand often. And I love to wear what I knit to work and everyday possible. So I just feel that this particular brand of yarn isn't quite worth the asking price. The color is nice and the softness is really nice. But the hand washing factor does not out weight these. The softness of Koigu does seem like it would make a nice pair of socks for winter. But I am a not a fan of hand knit socks for anyone other than babies these days. I started my travels in December with 4 pairs of socks I knit. By the time I got off the plane in March I had one pair left. Thankfully they were the pair made with the sock yarn Mia sent me. But I have not lost hope yet. I am looking at get some Socks that Rock yarn to make scarves from the next winter I am facing, in Northern England, where it can be really REALLY cold. But pictures of the scarf made in progress. 
20:03 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
06/16/2007
Anticipation
The anticipation is more than I expected. My sister is due to have my niece today. First babies are late as a general rule. And the mouse is probably going to take after her mother and auntie and be late. She is going to leave me waiting for her appearance and then show up after I am finally fed up with waiting.
In the meantime, I got a birthday present from my friend Miyuki. She went to Japan about a month ago and got me some candy from Japan. She also got me some nail polish, a nail file, and a cuticle trimmer. The pen she got me is so cute that I am waiting to use it. Just want to enjoy the beauty of it for a while. 
I am continuing with the baby knitting. I made one sweater as a 4T and one is 18 months. The bigger one is the 18 month size. It is so hard to know how baby clothes are going to be when finished. It is very frustrating at times. I am going to take out the cast on edge of the blue one and add another inch to the bottom. It does need that. The pink one is going to be too big, thankfully little ones grow and quickly.
This is my travel bag and has been to more countries than the monkey. (Points to anyone who can notice the difference in the monkey from the Ocean City pictures) But the bag needs to be updated. I just need to find the time to add to the bag. This is what I have to sew on before heading to England.
And I have converted another one. My best friend is knitting now. She is casting on, knitting, and binding off. I didn't get a picture of her knitting...yet. But here are two of her squares. I am very excited about her. She is knitting squares right now. But her first project is going to be a blanket for her son. She is going to use cotton and sew the squares together. I am very excited for her. She has the yarn picked out and is waiting until she feels more comfortable with her knitting.
In other news, while I have to wait until next week to mail in my visa application, I bought my plane ticket to England. I fly out on September 2nd so I have time to visit some friends before heading to the school and Leeds. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. And very impatient some day.
20:34 Posted in Family , Friends , Knitting | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this
05/12/2007
The Mouse
I have been waiting a long time to post these pictures. At the same time, I know my sister reads my blog and I wanted what I knit for the Mouse (my niece) to be a surprise. But my sister stopped by yesterday and I have her the gift for Mouse. Please excuse the change in baby model. My usual model was napping. And they go with the sweater I knitted and posted before. 
I also was knitting the Lotus Blossom Tank from Interweave Knits. I knit it in purple and was sewing in the last of the yarn when my best friend asked me "How do you know if it will fit?" She had never seen me try it on, but saw me measuring it. I clipped the last bit of yarn, tossed it to her and told her to try it on and find out. Her face was priceless and it couldn't have been scripted better if we had tried. Here is a picture of her in the finished tank. 
11:01 Posted in Family , Knitting | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
04/22/2007
Finally some knitting and sewing
I have finally gotten around to some knitting now that I have been reunited with my knitting stuff. Since I found out I am having a niece I have been knitting for her. It had been fun. I also completed my first felting project. I can't believe how much it shrank in size. I put it through the wash cycle twice just to make sure it is was completed felted. The sweater for my niece is being model by Baby Girl-the resident baby super-model. I also completed a dress from a pattern that I found after getting back to the U.S. My sister helped me pick out the material. There was no zipper foot attachment for the sewing machine, so my zipper looks like crap. 
16:33 Posted in Crafty Stuff , Knitting | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this
02/06/2007
Czech Republic and some finished train knitting
So got to Telc, Czech Republic and NOTHING was open. It is really the off season for tourist there. Wanted to see the castle in the town. Not happening at all. So I finished up my train knitting. Which was the shawl/scarf I was knitting with the yarn Jan sent me. I attempted to block in a hotel room one night. Not the best of knitting decisions, let me tell you. But it kind of worked. I am scared to use it though, because if I am not EXTREMELY careful, I put holes in it. You can see them in the pictures. I don't know why and I am trying to think of a way to fix them. So until then, it stays careful packed in the suitcase. And here are a few pictures of Ceske Budejovice with the snow. Didn't get pictures of the beer factory though. Couldn't; rules of not taking photos and all that stuff. 
11:35 Posted in Knitting , Travel | Permalink | Comments (3) | Email this
12/03/2006
In space, no one can hear you scream...
I am iPod less for the next 5 to 7 days. I don't know if I can take it at all. My iPod needs a new battery after over 2 years of use. But in order to replace the battery, it has to be sent to Singapore and then back to Taiwan. The thought of walking without my iPod is scary. Then there are the bus rides home from work without music.
I do have knitting news as well. I have a new sweater to wear. I took the Glampyre Mini-Sweater pattern, read about some modifications on Craftsers.org and this is what I came up with. 
And my Mariah sweater has gone through some modifications. I am not a big fan of hoods or hats. I tried with Mariah to love the hood, but just couldn't. I took the hood off and knit a small stand up collar. 
I like it much better than the hood. Today I was out with friends and found this hat. It is crocheted and super cute. I feel I don't look good in hats, part of my reason for not wearing them more. But check this out. M
aybe it is the short hair I have right now. Yes, I know it is December and I am wearing a tank top. I live in Taiwan and this winter is very warm. Today I also acquired a new pair of shoes. A pair of Dr. Martens boots in a nice soft leather. I think they will be pretty easy to break in compared to other pairs I have owned in the past. I bought basic black because there wasn't much of a selection in the colored boots. And I have humongous feet for a girl by Taiwanese standards. 
But the troupe of monkeys is growing. These are too be gifted thought. 
I have another sweater in the works and need to put some time into it right now. I am too lazy to go for a walk tonight and with no music to listen too, have even less motivation.
It has been a very long week that has been topped off by personal injury. I was coming in the door of my apartment building the other day. There was a scooter parked right next to the door. As I turned around to close the door, my leg brushed up against the hot exhaust pipe. I went straight to my apartment and put ice on it. I was doing fine until the other day when I scrapped it. I am just hoping that it doesn't leave a scar. Staying postive that next week will be better.
06:40 Posted in Insanity , Knitting | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
11/01/2006
International Scarf Exchange Goodness....
While at work today, actually getting the little ones up from nap time, my scarf from my scarf knitter Linda was delivered. I was treated with this fabulous scarf that I wore all day and showed off proudly to everyone. 
And I got all kinds of other goodies as well. There is the purple fuzzy monkey that my girls kept kissing during playtime. I got elephant stitch markers, a cool bookmark, chocolate (not included in pictures because it was consumed by my kids, the Pimp, and another teacher), a package of knitting themed note cards, a postcard from Massachusetts, a skein of yarn, and a copy of the book "One Skein". 
There has been other knitting going on as well. I am working on a scarf for a friend of mine, a guy. I don't know if you can really see the stitch pattern in the picture. 
And finally, I am knitting a sweater that started out looking like Glampyre's boob holder and morphed into this. Patterns are more like guidelines really. 
06:08 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
10/05/2006
Thank God for 5 Day Weekends....
Today is the start of a 5 day weekend here in Taiwan. So I have no excuse for not blogging today. Tomorrow morning I will be flying to Cambodia for a few days. It hit me last night, that it is kind of cool that I can go to Cambodia for a long weekend and see this and this and this. I can't wait. If I had more time, I would like to see this and this as well. Time is of the essense, so I am focusing on the temples right now. If I am lucky, I might be able to fit a day trip in to Phnom Pehn. Next week, lots and lots of pictures.
I have been slowly knitting as well. The scarf for the International Scarf Exchange is finished and about 10 feet long. My pal said they wanted a long scarf. I have a few more goodies to pick up and then I can mail it off next week. (With it being a long holiday, the post offices won't be open until Wednesday of next week) 
I have another scarf that I made for as a late gift for a friend that will get mailed off on Wednesday as well. 
There has been some hat knitting as well. 
If you take a close look, you can see there is a lot of finishing that needs to go on. The gray hat is make with yarn my sissy Liz sent me and left overs from my Jaywalker and Mock socks. The little scarf is also made with yarn from my sis. I am going to make a flower so I have more of a neck warmer type thing. And the hat was made with merino I got here in Taiwan. My goals for today. Get the photos I will need for Cambodia immigration tomorrow, pack for my trip, complete the finishing on my knitting, and pack up the two scarves to send out. I get back Tuesday afternoon and I will just want to unpack and wash clothes then. Maybe send an email or two.
There has been another baby born as well. My friend Annie gave birth to a little boy, Jacob on September 28th. He is gorgoues and they are both doing well. 
22:43 Posted in Knitting , Life in Taiwan | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
09/28/2006
It arrived...
The package to my nephew finally arrived, so I can post pictures. Yeah!!! I knitted two hats, a pair of socks, a pair of mitts, and a jacket for him. 
I used several different patterns to create this set and don't remember half of them any more. I have made so many baby hats lately, I have pretty well memorized a standard pattern.
Work is starting to settle in. My class is finally getting into all the routines and the way I like things done. Getting into grad school is a completely different story though. I have a personal statement for each of the UK universities I am applying to. And since I am on a deadline, complete and totally brain fart/writer's block. Damn it. And while I really want to get in to the UK universities (let's not even discuss the whole money thing if I actually get in) it is a lot of work and I go through periods where I just think it isn't worth it because I am not going to get in. But I want to get in to the UK schools more than the US schools I am applying to. Go figure. But my life and emotions right now are just a complete roller coaster. My baby brother, my only brother, leaves for basic at Fort Knox on October 12th. So forgive me if I don't post very often or email back regularly. My plan is that by the end of the this week, middle of next week at the latest, I will have done everything possible and necessary for my UK and US applications. I am also waiting for responses from some of my old professors in hopes of getting academic references, which I need. Keeping my fingers crossed for the best and remembering to do everything possible to succeed, even in spite of my bad moods some days.
06:08 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (3) | Email this
09/12/2006
Work is a four letter word
Between that and blogspirit being difficult, I haven't really been posting as often as I should or want. And today I came home and read for a little while and then fell asleep-for three hours. So I am not tired now and I should be going to bed because I have to work in the morning. There has been knitting going on as well. First up, I have finished my Second Swap Sock sock and it is waiting for a good washing. I doubt my sock pal knows who I am, so here ya go. 
I have some mohair that I started in one pattern for a lace scarf. When I went to pick it up again, I forgot the pattern I used. So I frogged the whole thing and started again. This time, I made a note of the pattern I am using. 
Now I am just getting frustrated with blogspirit. Every time I hit save as a draft ( I have learned to do after adding a picture) this is as far as it gets. Pissing me off here. So, here is the cuff to my Daddy's first glove. I am still looking for a pattern to alter, but at the same time, doubting my knitting skills for this project. 
I am about 1/3 of the way finished the scarf for my International Scarf Exchange pal. Weekly staff meeting tomorrow should give me about 2 hours to work on it, so I am hoping to hit the 1/2 mark by tomorrow. 
I used the last of the hand spun from Jan that I used to make my panta to make a neck warmer. I still have to add a button so it will stay on. 
And I have been working on my silk shawl as well. Slowly but surely. I had to do some surgery to it the other day because I dropped a stitch and didn't feel like frogging 15 rows of work. The surgery doesn't look to bad. 
The Pimp (he is still in Taiwan and saving money for his trip to Australia) is working on the design for my next Hourglass sweater. I have given him a swatch. As soon as the exchange knitting is finished, I am going to start on the sweater. Well, the internets here aren't working. Roommate is having problems as well. it has only taken me 45 minutes to get this post up. ARRRRGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
11:04 Posted in Crafty Stuff , Friends , Knitting | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
08/22/2006
I actually have pictures now
First of all, my Jaywalker socks, finally finished. I do have more knitting, but they need to be blocked and mailed off to my nephew. Who is doing quite well by the way. As soon as I have more time, I will download the latest pictures I have of him and post them. This weekend I climbed the highest mountain in Taiwan. It is called Jade Mountain and is almost 4000m high. I only hiked the last 1000m of it. Though. The last 2.5 k up the hardest, especially when you start out at 2:30 in the morning and your headlamp doesn't work. 
Two days later and my thighs still hurt some. They are starting to feel better. 
I don't know who the other people are in the picture with me. And the last photo is one of my new roommate Seal with a big fake bear we found when we where hiking last weekend. 
And finally, some pictures of my new room that I got to paint purple. 
How cool is that?!?! As soon as I finished getting my room organized and find some free time (I have to work on Saturday) I will be catching up on my blog reading and commenting.
08:53 Posted in Knitting , Life in Taiwan | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
08/20/2006
Second Sock Syndrome Swap
1. What are you favorite sock yarns? I don't really have a favorite sock yarn. Just something wearable, warm, and machine washable.
2. What are your least favorite sock yarns? Anything you just cannot use? Nope, haven't discovered anything yet.
3. What method do you prefer to use (DPN's, 2 circs, 1 circ, etc.) I use DPN's when I knit socks. Tried the magic loop method and didn't really like it. But I should try again when I get back to the States.
4. Is there any method that you cannot use? I really do prefer DPN's when I knit socks, I find it the easiest way to knit socks.
5. What are you favorite colors? Purple is my favorite color, but I wear a lot of blues, greens, and darker reds as well. Variegated yarn is nice as well.
6. Are you a beginner, intermediate, or more advanced sock knitter? I guess I am an intermediate sock knitter.
7. Any other info you want to share (such as other likes, dislikes, hobbies, etc)? I do not wear the color pink, can't stand it. I am not a big fan of self patterning sock yarn, though I do like striping sock yarn.
8. What size is your foot (so your partner can create the right size sock)? I have a large foot and wear a US women's size 11. When I knit socks for myself, I knit the largest women's size or an average man's size. I like a little extra room at my toes. I don't like things that bind around my toes.
10:26 Posted in Knitting | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this
08/10/2006
Short and sweet
I still haven’t hooked my computer up to the internet yet. I should just go ahead and try it to see if it works. I have finished my Jaywalker socks finally!!! I don’t know what it is with me and knitting socks. Being motivated to knit them is up is hard, but I love wearing them when they are finally finished. So I need to wash my Jaywalkers and then take pictures of them.
My little nephew is doing great. Have pictures of his first bath to post as soon as I get connected. He is so cute is all I have to say. I love being the aunt. And I almost have his knitting finished up. Working on the last thing now and then I can take pictures and mail it off. And the new room is almost finished as well and is deserving of pictures too. But all of this requires me to get off my arse and get some work done.
At work right now, so must make this quick. The plan is to be connected by this weekend so I will have lots of pictures to show off.
22:01 Posted in Friends , Knitting , Life in Taiwan | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
06/19/2006
Time to take a breath
Saturday was the graduation ceremony and it went rather well. Only had one kid absent, but knew about that ahead of time. So the insanity at work has slowed down and I am finally catching up on all the domestic stuff that has been slacking around these here parts. Tonight I finally got caught up on laundry and got my room cleaned and have real food to eat. Not that stuff that has been in the frig for a week and looks kind of iffy. Had lovely, fresh pasta salad for dinner tonight.
There has been some knitting going on around here as well. It has been slow lately due to that thing called work. My Bettie vest is coming along nicely. Have the back and one side done and have started on the other side. 
Since I want to be able to wear it in Thailand, I have been focusing most of my knitting energy and time on it. The shawl is coming along slowly. I love how the colors are coming out. I am in love. 
Talked to my best friend on the phone the other day for almost 2 hours. Knitted on my Jaywalker sock and now I am ready for toe decreases. 
I love absent-minded knitting. I found out that if I try the sock on when I am not sweating, it is easier to get on. 
Lisa gave me a bag of scrap yarn. I am going to use some of it to make another Mr. Dangley. But I am going to double or triple the yarn and use bigger needles. That way I will have a bigger monkey.
There is a card game here that consist of beetles. You remember those from science class? It is like Pokémon. The boys around here love to collect and show off their beetle cards. So while on my walk Friday, I found this. The kids absolutely loved it. 
Talk about a perfect specimen. Well, it was starting to smell, so I took it outside today and left it in the bushes that are surrounded by railings. Less chance of the kids re-finding it to bring back. But the kids named it Hercules and we have written a story about it and the kids are going to make a book about our rhino beetle that Ms. Walton found. Total coolness.
06:53 Posted in Knitting , Life in Taiwan | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this
06/13/2006
One more down
Way back at the beginning of the year, I typed up a list of things to do, and maybe within this year. I have two things to knock off the list. Studying for the GRE and actually taking the GRE. Saturday morning I took the second half of that big test thing I need to get into the master's program I want. I took the essays back in March and Saturday was the math and verbal sections. I was really worried about Saturday morning, especially after studying the prep book I bought. The test wasn't anywhere near as hard as I expected. There were some vocabulary that I didn't recognize and some geometry that I haven't used since 10th grade. Something about lines tangent to two circles and figuring out the area of them. Not something I use a lot. In about 6 weeks I will have my scores and then it will be time to start applying to grad schools.
I have actually been knitting as well. Here is the back and one half of a side of my Bettie sweater. 
I work on it while traveling to and from work each day. I used some of the Rowan cotton I have to make a Isabeau purse. It is still waiting to be blocked, what is new here though? 
Not sure what I am going to do with it yet, meaning will I keep it or give it away. Now I was planning on knitting a lace stole using the Trellis Scarf pattern from IK. But I started it and decided that it wouldn't work. One reason being that with work being as busy as it is, I can't focus enough to make sure the pattern comes out right. The other reason being that the pattern does not lend itself to the colors in the yarn. So I found a much simpler pattern on the web and have started it. It is easier to knit, I can knit it while watching TV even. And the colors of the yarn are able to show through. Even with the little bit I have done, I can really tell a difference. 
The only other silk yarn I have worked with is some Noro Silk Garden. This yarn from Jan is so soft, I just love the way it feels running through my fingers as I knit. Going to try and sneak a row or two in tonight.
And before I forget, here is the picture of the birthday stuff from Mia, sans the candy. 
Love the monkeys. (Actually thinking that I need to knit myself another monkey. Lisa gave me a bunch of yarn and I am thinking that is what I will make.)
06:42 Posted in Knitting , me, me, and me | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
05/31/2006
If you ever actually meet me....
don't let me near a kitchen, especially yours. And definitely. don't let me cook, not even boil water. And I want to spend a week in Thailand going to cooking school?!?!?! I decided to cook tonight. Today is Dragon Boat Festival, which means it is a national holiday=NO WORK!!!!! :-) So I figured I would actually cook something for myself tonight. After going to the market, I came back with plenty of fresh veggies to cook with. I made Japanese curry and spaghetti sauce. I like to make several things at once, so when I get home from work, minimal cooking is all that is required of me. But tonight, I burnt the curry. Thankfully, I was using the non-stick pan, so it washed up pretty quickly. Thank goodness. But it still tasted ok. That is what I get for checking my email while waiting for stuff to finish cooking. And I can't wait to be able to use a crock pot when I get back to the States.
I have to say Thank You!!!!! to Mia for the birthday package she sent me. I got it on Monday morning and by Monday afternoon, my kids and I had eaten all the nerds, sweet tarts, laffy taffy, runts, and bottle caps she had sent. My kids would especially like to send a big THANK YOU!!! as well. There was also a Curious George bookmark, a monkey notepad, a tape measure, and a card. Didn't get pictures yet, but am working on it. When ever work decided that I can have a personal life, I will be more organized, I think.
Today I have actual knitting to show as well!!! Isn't that exciting folks!?!?!? So first up is my monkey. He still needs eyes, haven't pulled out the sewing stuff to check for buttons, but will do that this weekend, since I don't have to work this weekend. 
And Alley brat with the monkey. 
Here is an update on my Jaywalker socks. I am still working on the first one. Taking a break is more like it. It is a little tight at my ankle and I am debating what I should do. I made the larger size because I am big foot. Also, I didn't decrease all the stitches when knitting the gussets. So I am going to wait a few more days and then try it on again and go from there. I really hope I don't have to frog the whole thing and start over. There is way too much math involved for that. The colors are pretty accurate because I had every light on in the living room when I took pictures. 
And I am working on a mohair scarf, just for the hell of it. I pull it out whenever the mood hits me and knit a few rows. I am using the lace pattern from Interweave Knits latest online staff projects. Basically, I am stalling on the two big projects I need to get to work on; my dad's gloves and my silk stole. A small preview of the mohair though.
Don't have any plans of who it is for or anything like that. Just my procrastinator knitting. And finally, a sample of part of the shower gift for Brandon Scott. It still needs some serious washing and blocking and I don't want to give away the surprise. But can't help but post a little peak. 
And finally. check out Sandie's Gardening blog. She a picture of her lilacs up. I miss lilac so much, they are so beautiful and smell so good too.
And updates, baby Kirstin is still inside Mommy. And the Pimp is getting better and has said that he will be back to work "sooner rather than later." Things are starting to look up.
07:53 Posted in