Mmm, tea

After a long, frustrating week of work, this was nice to come home to. I like how sometimes shipping takes so long you've forgotten you've ordered something :)

Get your spin on

When I first started knitting, way back in 2002, I knew virtually nothing about the whole process of sheep to sweater. My first scarf was an acrylic garter stitch scarf in a teal green I normally wouldn't have chosen (but still love!) I continued on this way, until I discovered yarn stores. Stores full of yarn for knitting, uncomplicated by paint or framing or stickers which usually dominated the stores I'd been buying my yarn in.

I also, at that same time, discovered just how much money one can spend on yarn. And that it's an evil practice to not mark prices anywhere near the yarn.

I was mostly content with this new discovery, trying out new fibers, weights, and stitches. But somewhere along the way I still wanted more. I wanted to learn how to spin. Growing up, my mom had a spinning wheel that I would play on occasionally. As wheels are expensive for something you just want to try out, I got a drop spindle, some fiber, and started.

And was awful. Lumpy, inconsistent, fuzzy edged bulky yarn. Not what I wanted at all. So I put it down and waited. My local LYS started offering spinning classes and I jumped. I'm no expert now, but I have a better understanding of what I can do to change the texture of my yarn.

Which brings me back to spinning on a wheel. I really want to try it - and I'm planning on hitting up the somewhat local spinning store next week to check out wheels. My question for those of you who spin is how does spinning on a wheel differ from using a drop spindle, and what should I look for in a wheel? I see all sorts of drive ratios, treadles, etc, and it's a little overwhelming :)

Still knitting away on the second manly sock. And a few secret projects! Happy Wednesday all!

Contest

Lotus Knits! is having a contest (as seen on Dim Sum Knitting). I don't think I have a picture of my first knitted item (a scarf, made out of acrylic that I still have and love), but I certainly have quite a queue of items to cast on for.

However, I need to finish up the items I have (part of my summer knitting goals!), so the next project I'm casting on for is small. Toasty Pocket Creatures :)

I'll post more extensively later - my eyes are a bit burned out right now and I've got a meeting to get to!

Couldn't resist

I saw this on bag 'n' trash and couldn't resist.

The game is SCATTERGORIES, and it’s harder than it looks!

Here are the rules:

Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following. They MUST be real places, names, things…NOTHING made up! If you can’t think of anything, skip it. Try to use different answers if the person before you had the same 1st initial. You CAN’T use your name for the boy/girl name question. Have fun!

Your Name: Kate

1. Famous Singer/Band: The Kinks

2. 4 letter word: Kiss

3. Street: King St.

4. Color: Um...Kangaroo brown? Would you believe Crayola has never come up with a "K" color?

5. Gifts/Presents:

6. Vehicle: K-car

7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: Knives

8. Boy Name: Kevin

9. Girl Name: Kelly

10. Movie Title: Kill Bill (ugh)

11. Drink: Kahlua and Cream

12. Occupation: Knitter (one can wish)

13. Celebrity: Kate Winslet

14. Magazine: Knit.1

15. U.S. City: Kalamazoo, MI!

16. Pro Sports Teams: Knicks

18. Reason for Being Late for Work: Kids

19. Something You Throw Away: Kernals of corn that are unpopped (I know, it's a stretch)

20. Things You Shout: Kick-ass!

21. Cartoon Character: Katie Ka-Boom (Animaniacs)

Play nice

The Yarn Harlot has a good post today about blogging as a public forum. For the most part, I'm really open on this blog, but with the caveat it isn't anything I wouldn't be willing to talk about in public. Over the past few years, it seems alot of nastiness comes out on the internet. One, because you can put it out there instantaneously and that knee-jerk-push-button-publishing can result in alot of comments that really should have been rethought. And two, because you don't have to say it to someone's face. A personal example is the letters to the editor my father wrote to the local newspapers after my brother jumped. The issue of a barrier has been ongoing, and he was writing to advocate some action be taken. He ended the letter saying that perhaps if a barrier had been in place sooner, my brother would have graduated from high school this year.

The thing about online newspapers is they let you comment instantaneously, much like you can on blogs. And so a few people (not many, but enough) wrote back saying things like barriers wouldn't help, how stupid are you, it's ridiculous to think someone who wants to kill themself will be deterred by a barrier, it's desecration of a national landmark, etc.

How did I find out about this? Because my mom read those comments and emailed me telling me. Not in an incredibly upset way, but it bothered her enough to mention it.

My point is, had my dad been speaking live from a public forum, would these people gone up to him afterwards and told him they thought he was stupid? I'm guessing not.

Anyways, time to get off my high horse and get back to it. Work has been really busy lately, in a good way. It's another short week, with an early departure on Friday for a Saturday wedding. Woohoo!

Destash

Less than a week after the old Destash blog was closed down, a new one has opened. Go check it out! I'm not too familar with how wordpress works, but I think you have to request an invitation to join and the criteria are similar to those for the old blog (must have your own blog and post regularly, can't be a wholesaler, must be selling yarn that is yours, etc). I think there are about 10 of us who are moderating it, so hopefully it'll be easier to keep up with than the old one was :)

Not much knitting to speak of. I got some work done on a hat and the 2nd manly sock this weekend while in transit to and from Vegas. The trip was fun, though probably less gambling and drinking intensive than some may have liked. But it is nice to be home....

FOs and Destash

Two FOs that I've been waiting on posting about until they were mailed off - the top is the Heartbreakingly Cute Baby Kimono from Mason-Dixon Knitting (I think the title is appropriate) and the bottom is another pair of Roll Top Bootees from 50 Baby Bootees to Knit - by far one of my favorite patterns. You just can't be unhappy when you have a pair of baby bootees. I see what Stephanie is talking about (the Bee Shoes are also on my list)


I'm still plugging away at the manly socks - the first was finished last night (not pictured) and has been tried on to confirm fit before starting with the 2nd. I need to figure out what knitting to bring along with me this weekend to Vegas. I imagine the grad students will look at me funny if I start knitting while they gamble, but I'll need something to do on the drive out there at least :) I received my copy of Knitting Lingerie Style, and I absolutely love it. I haven't looked too much into the specifics of the patterns (sizing, difficulty, yarn requirements), but at first glance it's one of my favorite books. There's alot in there I could see myself making (if I ever get through the huge cache of projects I already have....)

In other news, the Destash blog is closing down today. I can't blame the moderators - Blogger has been exceptionally buggy with that blog and it's caused alot of problems of multiple posts or posts not appearing or who knows what. Plus it's a huge endeavor to manage. There's already at least 2 wordpress blogs reserved to replace it, plus some discussion on Ravelry to start a sell/trade page with links to people's stashes.

Sniffle

No, I'm not crying, that's just the allergies. Apparently I really do have allergies, not matter how hard I try to convince myself I don't by forgetting to take the Allegra. Just like not wearing my glasses for years didn't really make my nearsightedness disappear (though it hasn't gotten any worse in the last, oh, 7 years)

Just a mini-rant, but the Paris Hilton thing is getting on my nerves. Undisclosed medical condition? Well, not that, but the whole situation. Would I get the same treatment she does?

I'm going to guess no....

In other rants, my parents sent a letter to the editor of the San Jose Mercury news, regarding the need for a suicide barrier for the Golden Gate Bridge and lamenting that there isn't one. The ending of their letter, which the paper cut out, mentioned the death of my brother and tied in why this is such a personal issue for them. SJMN lets readers post comments to stories/letters and this was posted:

"The belief that defacing a local and national treasure will somehow stop suicides is ludicrous. What's the thought here - "Well, I was going to kill myself, but if I can't jump off the Golden Gate, I guess I'll go on living."?? Barriers are not the answer."

Yeah, thanks - what do you suggest? I couldn't resist responding. Seriously, my blood is boiling.

I have a FO I really want to post, but I have to wait until it arrives at the recipient's doorstep to not spoil the surprise. And since I haven't mailed it yet, this will be a few days. But it's cute! And if you're on Ravelry, you can see it! (Which reminds me, if you're on Ravelry, feel free to add me as a friend. Not like this is high school and a popularity contest, but it's fun to cyberstalk other bloggers)

Why yes, I'm getting alot done today. Obviously. Actually, the last couple of days have been pretty good on all fronts. I've had alot to do at work (enough to stress me out a little) and have been keeping busy outside of work (mainly, trying not to kill the garden and destuffing the couch pillows so I don't get shoved off the couch every time I sit down). In fact, I'm even planning on going to A Mano on Saturday afternoon to partake in their book sale (I even have a list) So if you're in the LA area and have a desire to hit up A Mano, let me know.

Jordana Paige and Sockshttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

2 posts in one day! Allison asked what I thought of my Jordana Paige bag, so I thought I'd take some pictures and review it a little.

I've only used it a couple of times, because my main WIPs now have been socks or little projects. The front pocket works well for crochet hooks, dpns, or stitch holders.
The inside has quite a bit of room - I've managed to fit my Lady Eleanor and 4 balls of sock yarn in there, plus a Clapotis with no problem.
It comes with the little detachable pouch, which is nice for darning needles, needle holders, row counters, and any other little gadgets you may have to store.
It's also got these loops, which I assume are for holding needles. The loops on either end of the bag I use to feed yarn through when I'm knitting from the bag.
All in all, I'm quite pleased with it. I can't disguise it as a purse, because it's larger than any of the purses I carry - but it's great for a knitting tote.

As for WIPs, the "manly" socks I mentioned before. The pattern is Garter Stitch Rib, from Sensational Knitted Socks (a title my boyfriend and his housemates found amusing, especially when I told them there was a 2nd book). They're going along fairly well, though I'm pretty sure they won't be done by the mid-June deadline....


And finally, after my post earlier today about being antisocial and unsure what I wanted in this time, a package arrived from Teresa. I thought it was my prize for winning her contest, but realized the box was a little large for a single skein of sock yarn (I'm a natural blond people, give me time)
A blanket, made by friends from SnB and beyond (if I'm reading the accompanying chart correctly). So ignore my earlier post about not hearing from people and all that. You guys are wonderful, and you made me cry - so there. Thanks very much, I'm really touched.

{insert creative title here}

Ah, how is it only Tuesday? The weeks seem to drag and fly by at the same time. It's been 4 weeks today since my brother jumped. In the interim, I've been hit by all sorts of emotions. Sadness, depression, anger. It's like PMS, but a thousand times worse :) I spent that last few weeks commuting from my boyfriend's place in Santa Barbara so I wouldn't have to be alone. No one really knows how to deal with death - after the initial flood of emails sending condolences, contact died down. Everyone is hesitant to bother you too much, to call, to email. No one knows what you want. (I should be careful to state here that I understand that feeling and am not offended, lest you think I'm pissed at everyone. I myself haven't known what to say when my friends had parents, family, or close friends die. And even now I wouldn't know what to say or do that would help)

To be honest, I don't either :) I have turned down a few offers of company after those first two weeks and have secluded myself in Santa Barbara where I have the option of doing my own thing amidst others. To avoid the awkward, "So, um, your brother killed himself - how are you?" I don't really know what I want, and I think that frustrates me the most.

Look at my list of WIPs - indecision abounds :)

But, honestly, I'm doing ok. I figure this is what I need to do right now, and that it'll get easier to hang out with people again and to talk and laugh and all those normal things. And one day, I'll stop reading into song lyrics. Because seriously, the world just not revolve around me.

Only very close to me.

Knitting continues - socks galore. My aim is to start finishing things at a rate faster than I start them. This could be tricky :) I'm also debating whether or not to photography my stash for Ravelry - it almost seems embarrassing to think of how much yarn I own.

Good thing I have renters' insurance!

Hope everyone is having a good week!