Two months without socks

I just realized that I haven't worked on a sock since December 26, 2010. Wow. But, there's a reason for that.

A while ago, I talked about making vests. Well, I finished knitting one about a month ago, but I got busy on Monday (Louis Riel Day, how I love you) and sewed it up.

I am quite pleased. It is a welcome addition to my work wardrobe. Details are here, for those who are inclined.

And in more non-sock news, I made it! Done the day after the initial deadline, but the shower has been postponed for two weeks. I'll have to wash this lovely wee blanket again to get the smell of my house out of it before the Sunday afternoon of wine and tiny sandwiches, but I'm quite pleased with the blanket (I'm definitely using Frankie's patterns again; they are so much fun). The wee nipper it's destined for is pretty cute as well. I wish the blanket and the baby a long and happy life together.

Ten-stitch blanket

Completing the blanket was delayed when I realized that I had a birthday gift to knit with the perfect yarn sitting in my stash. I whipped this off in a week:I don't normally knit with red, and I certainly don't knit with acrylic. But, this was fun, and I'm pretty sure it was appreciated. Perhaps I should break out of my comfort zone more often.

So.... socks. It's time to have a reasonably-sized portable project.

Oops, wish I'd noticed that sooner.

I've been merrily zooming around the baby blanket, mostly at work. It's great fun, and I continue to be utterly charmed by quickly rows move along when there are only 10 stitches on the needle (Whee! Maybe I can make it to the corner before office hours begin! knit, knit, knit). Short rows, previously annoying and a necessary evil are now little treats in a sea of garter stitch.


Today, though, I was staring at it while I was eating my lunch, and it occurred to me that something wasn't right:

That's right, I borked up the corner. Last Monday when I turned it on the bus heading to a meeting. I wasn't even drunk.

So this is where I am now. Three days of knitting gone in about three minutes. The good news is, I get to knit more!

Much better

I found some inspiration at the yarn shop on Thursday. This wasn't the vision I had in mind when I decided to make this blanket, but I am charmed by the bright green and purpley-blue nonetheless:

Colours are much brighter than they appear. I should really learn to use photoshop or gimp.

I think it will be perfect for a baby. Bright and fun. And even more perfect for the mom and dad. It's washable.

Well, bugger

I'm knitting a project on a deadline. One I thought would be easy, fun, convenient to cart around, and perfect for sitting in front of the tv.

It's the Ten-Stitch Blanket, which I think is just adorable.

Man, I love my new camera. Best use ever of Shoppers Drug Mart points.

I couldn't have been more wrong. I mean, the pattern is adorable, but this has been the project from hell.

First of all, the yarn I chose, King Riot, while pretty, is fuzzy and splitty. Not easy to work with, particularly in darker colours when it comes to ripping out. It took me three tries to get the first mitered corner correct (seeing as I have never done a mitered corner before). I wound up cutting the yarn and beginning again.

Then, my needle had a snag (again, with the fuzzy, splitty yarn; not good). A bit of sandpaper has improved that, thankfully.

The last straw was coming to a knot in the skein just as I was just getting into the rhythm of the project. Naturally, the knot completely screwed up the colour continuity. This is how far I got before giving up on finding a spot to cut the yarn and re-join:

Yes, one third of the skein.

Forget it. I'm done with this. I am not wasting another moment on a project that seems intent on pissing me off.

I'm heading to the yarn shop after work and getting something different. Problem is, after work is two hours away. Whatever shall I do? Certainly not work.

7,497 stitches

Just for fun, I did a quick and dirty calculation of how many stitches are called for in this shawl. The chart part, anyway.

Since I started about four yesterday and finished just now, that's a whole lot of knitting.

But I like it. I think it looks good.

It's meant to be a donation for a silent auction, but once again, I'm going to have a hard time parting with it.

After the exam is over

How does the world keep turning?

How does the free time grow?

How does a knit stay burning?

After procrastination's glow?

OK, that's all I've got, and it's pretty lame.

The exam was 8 days ago, and since then, I feel ten years younger, 40 pounds lighter and just generally good about things.

Which is a long way to say that the exam was... not bad.

While there is no doubt that I didn't do enough studying, because it is impossible to do too much studying for these things, I don't think I completely buggered it up. I didn't have that shaking feeling of anxiety during the 20 minutes between the reading of the instructions and being allowed to touch the paper. I turned the paper over and wrote solidly for 3 hours and 55 minutes. The MC questions seemed to be clear, the case studies drew on content that I was comfortable with, enough that I could issue an opinion without grasping for straws. There wasn't a consolidation question with foreign currency translation, thank FSM. Looking back, I should have tackled the big case question first. The exam suggested 1 hour, 55 minutes for that question alone. I had 1 hr, 45 minutes left when I got to it.

I know, from reading the exam blueprint, that I did not go into enough detail to get an extraordinary number of points, but all I need is 50. It's pass/fail, and there is no feedback unless the candidate royally messes up. So, I'm letting it go until February 5, when the results are released.

I did realize, however, that taking this course now was a really good move - it's a course that tests breadth, not depth, and it draws on courses that I took as long as ten years ago. Much has changed (IFRS/GAAP, I'm looking at you!), much has been forgotten. I can only imagine how much harder it would have been if I had waited even longer, not taking any accounting courses in the mean-time.

So, the next order of business is to get through the second one, and then return to my degree studies. And if I never get around to that degree, well, then I will have accomplished the goal I set for myself in 1996 - to complete the CGA program of study. I could be satisfied with that. Maybe.

So, what I have been doing for the past week? Well, I cleaned my house, because things had been sorely neglected during the run-up to the exam, I listened to Harry Potter 5 and 6, and watched the movies. And on Sunday... I saw The Deathly Hallows Part 1.

It was good. As always, the books are better (though I kind of agree with people who have said that the months of roughing it could have been considerably shortened). What I like (and I need to do more reading about the changes in writers/directors/producers) is that like the books, the movies have grown with Harry - grown darker, addressed more mature issues. The animation of the story of The Deathly Hallows was particularly well done. Part 1 finished in a good spot - about 2/3 of the way through the book, but right before the final action begins. I can't wait for July.

And speaking of Harry Potter, I was at the watering hole on Friday, and convinced another reader to pick them up. She, like me, had been reluctant to jump on the bandwagon. I think I may have convinced her by talking about how it was a metaphor for Germany from 1936 to 1945, with flashes of Anne of Green Gables.

But there has also been knitting! I knitted a hat. It's alpaca, details on Ravelry. I've even blocked it, and hope to give it to the recipient tomorrow. It's a wee bit big for me, so it should fit her perfectly. If not, I'll make her another. She bought me more than enough yarn to do so, after all.

I don't know what the hell is going on with the jog on the right side. Bad photography staging, for sure.

That's better.

A hat.

Me and Malls = Shoes

I had 15 minutes to kill today while I was waiting for a bus. So, I wandered into a shoe store.

I got these. On sale (it's hard to find stock in my size on sale).

Perfect for showing off hand-knitted socks. I didn't even know I needed these until the salesperson pointed that out.

Someone call 911

because I am on fire!

I don't know what's gotten into me these days, but if I ever figure it out, I'm gonna bottle and sell it. I'm finishing projects I started in 2004. Yes. 2004.

Time for a change. Scary change.

I am a creature of habit. It took me two years to change my coffee-and-wine-stained keyboard, FFS, even though I had to train myself to only use the right shift-key.

I have things that I like, and I don't want to stop using them, in other words.

But, it's time to say good-bye to a dear old friend. I bought this Altoids tin in a disgusting gas station somewhere between Las Vegas and Laughlin. I don't even really like Altoids, but I saw it at the counter, and thought, "that would be great for knitting notions!"

And that was back in the day, before I was loud and proud with my knitting. I only knit at home. Alone.

And, it has been great. It's held my mini-scissors, two darning needles (one of which I've had for 15 years, isn't that a record!) many, many stitch markers and point protectors.

That dear tin has been a very good friend.

But lately, I've been stuffing it so full that the lid is popping off the hinges, and no matter how much I try, the lid keeps popping out.

So, seeing the future, I stopped in at Sugar Mountain, on my way to seeing a Fringe play, and looked for a souvenir. I don't buy "merchandise", but wanted a memento.

I bought a minty tin:We will be very good friends. And every time I look for my darning needle or a stitch marker, I will be reminded of Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare, by White Rabbit Productions.

New notions tin, I hope we have a long and happy life together.

The same cannot be said for the new keyboard. I am unimpressed with the size of the backspace key (which is employed frequently).

Calm before the storm

Edgar and I have been having an amazing time, lately. The weather is warm (finally!) and so the ce-ment pad is truly open for business:

When the sun is too strong, we retreat to the shade for our knitting:

(note to self: get some loung-y chairs and a table for the shady part of the yard).

We finished a pair of socks (which only took a year! And less than a gram of yarn to spare!):

There's also been that travelling scarf thing going on:

With all this nice weather, the garden is growing like there's no tomorrow, or something. I've got broccoli and hot peppers growing. Plus, I expect a huge burst of daisies and tiger lilies just about any day now:

Edgar and I were hanging outside tonight, when it suddenly got very dark. It was one of those maybe? maybe not? rain moments. I grabbed Edgar, because I wanted to bring him inside if it started to pour. And since we were cuddling, I thought it would be good to have a photo of us:

I'm going to miss that little stinker when he's gone. It's nice to have company when I am outside.

Travelling Scarf, Part 3

I was nearly a week late, but on Friday, I sat down and did some knitting:

I think this scarf is amazing, and now I want to learn how to double-knit (look at the bottom panel - it's the Transformers logo! How delightfully geeky).

Also, I need to stop taking photos in my office. Believe me, the scarf was much nicer in person. I think I also need a new desk. That fake wood veneer is gross (the rest of the office isn't much nicer, but it is large).

Woolly and Wonderful

I managed to get away for a couple days, and it was heavenly. Good friends, good wine, lots of laughter.

And knitting. I really, really needed it.

Travelling Scarf, Part 2

I had so much fun, stalking my team-mate's profile, choosing a complimentary yarn (Paton's SWS in Natural Blue), poring through the stitch dictionary to find the perfect pattern (mock cable rib from the Knitting Stitch Bible).



I didn't even mind the queue at the postal outlet. Much. It would be nice, though, if the employees of said postal outlet actually knew what they were doing. And that Great Britain and United Kingdom are the same place!

Presents? I get presents?

I have had the greatest pleasure, over the past few weeks, of teaching my hair stylist to knit socks.

It's been a real treat, indoctrinating another into the fold, and all for the pleasure of his company and a free cut-and-colour.

I wasn't sure it would stick, though. He told me he wanted to do this because he can't stand not knowing stuff, and of all the knitters that patronize his shop, I'm clearly the expert.

So, I dragged him down to the LYS, introduced him to the girls, and we picked out some nice Malabrigo sock yarn. A week or so later, I introduced him to the dreaded horrors of The Swatch and Algebra.

Things have been going along tickety-boo. His tension is remarkably even.

We got together yesterday, where he showed off what he purchased in yarn shop in Calgary - more sock yarn, more needles, and a new sock just about ready for the heel flap. I guess I needn't worry about it sticking. He's all ready talking about a third pair.

The big surprise was that some of the yarn was for me! Holy shit!

Malbrigo Silky Merino, 2 skeins

• 51% silk, 49% merino,


• 50 g, 137m


• #473 Arlene's Purples

My stinker of a hair stylist just got himself a pair of socks knitted by me. But not in this yarn. I'm going to tuck this stuff down my shirt and pretend I have cleavage. It's that soft.

Something new

So, I've been reading knitting blogs for a while now. Lots of people talk about swaps. Chocolate swaps, Harry Potter swaps, toys-for-your-pets swaps (it's crazy out there, I tell you). People are always swooning about all the treats, and how thoughtful (or not) the other side of the agreement is. I read tons of posts about how people agonize about getting the perfect coaster, greeting card or stitch marker to put in the package.

I always thought it sounded like a whole lot of work. Kind of like the consumer frenzy of Christmas, and we all know how I've removed myself from that particular madness.

Well, then I was reading about the upcoming one-year anniversary of my favourite Ravelry forum. A travelling scarf project was suggested.

Now, a scarf is something I can get behind. I wear one every day between October and April. Clearly, a little variety is nice.

So, I checked out the stash, and while there are some very nice things there, there wasn't anything that said: Send me around the world, have 10 other people add their bits and have it come back to me in about 10 months.

Luckily, I have a local yarn shop that carries lots of suitable things. My scarf shall start with Noro Yuzen. This is a yarn I admire shamelessly, but it is expensive, so I couldn't really justify buying a boatload worth, just to have.

This will be a wonderful experience. I will knit good karma into all the scarves coming my way.

Well, whaddaya know!!!1!

Look, I made the machine work! And it even looks like knitting.

Seriously, after the second row, it took me all of five minutes to do this:

I've got to figure out garter stitch, and FSM knows that it will take me a while to get around to ribbing, but right now, I'm pleased to have stockinette.

Clearly, it's not perfect - I did drop a couple stitches (see upper left), but still, five minutes!

Time to try with real wool, I think. Not ackrylic. I think I see a felted cat bed in my future (felting will hide all the mistakes).

My new toy

That, my friends, is a Bond Knitting Machine.

I've had it for a couple weeks now, and I managed to resist temptation until yesterday.

So far, I can cast on. Yippee! I suppose I'll have to practise a bit before I start cranking out a blanket over a couple evenings.

EDD

It's a new disorder - Easily Distracted Disorder. Discovered by me, because I've got it bad.

These are some of the WIPs:

But suddenly, I have the urge to make mitts. Which is really strange, because I don't really care for making the thumbs. Too fiddly. I want to use Judy's Magic Cast On (which I love) and make fine gauge mitts that fit my huge hands perfectly.

And, I just happen to have some wonderfully smooshy yarn that isn't quite enough to make a pair of socks.

It's completely possible that I am procrastinating. I'm kind of stalled on the Basement of Doom™ project and I have an exam in less than two weeks. Perfect time to start a project without a pattern.

Captivated with caps

I finished the little boy hats, a week or so ago.

Since the first two were so much fun, I decided to make one for me. I had one ball of Noro silk garden in the stash, conveniently matching one of my scarves. I also had some scraps of grey merino, worsted weight.

It was a sign.

Cast on Tuesday morning, wove in the ends Wednesday evening. Thursday, wore a new hat to work. (If I thought DK weight was fast, worsted is even faster. It's like knitting in fast-forward!).

I think I now understand why people love Brooklyn Tweed so much. I'll have to add him to my blogroll (not that I need more reading material).

Sometimes I forget

that fatter yarns make faster finished objects (though I suspect, for the rest of the world, DK does not equal fat yarn).

I have enough yarn left over to make another one. But I'm going to switch up the colours. Just for fun.

I'm a wild and crazy girl, these days.