Short Attention Span

3 Weeks. It was a nice little run. But since I get stressed out to easy, they said I shouldn't make the stress worse. Having bipolar disorder and a stomach condition don't mix. I'm getting really tired of it too. I need to work because we need the money, at the same time working makes me sick. I can't get disability because I'm not sick enough. I'd like to start my own business or something, but i've done that before and it's very very difficult. I'm impressed with any small business owner. It's a ton of work. And if I started my own business again, I have no idea what I would do. I need a job and there aren't many. I hope the economy turns around.

I am an official YARN STORE EMPLOYEE!!! I work at Jimmy Beans Wool! I am so excited. It's such a dream job. I'm surrounded by beautiful yarns and wonderful people all day long. It is kind of hard though. I want everything I see in there! Someone asked me if I was the owner of the store and I said, "If it was my store, all the yarn would be mine, it wouldn't be for sale!!" :)

I haven't really been blogging lately as I am lazy forget to take the time to do it. I've been on Ravelry so much that I just didn't feel the need. But now that I'm a yarn store employee, I imagine that I'll be knitting and posting a lot more. Here's a picture of my latest finished object. These are Zombie Socks that I did for the Ravelympics. I'm so proud of myself. I didn't believe I could finish a pair of socks in 17 days without getting distracted and starting something else. But I was faithful to this project and finished! The details of the project are:
Yarn- Colinette Jitterbug
Colorway- Florentina
Purchased at Jimmy Beans of course!
Needles- Addi Turbo size 2 magic loop technique
Made for- Me originally, but my Mom in law wanted them really bad, so I gave them to her.

Well that's all for now. I will post again soon.
C

Labels: knitting, work

It's taken me a while to get my hands off the yarn that I bought at stitches west so I could post something. I took the train down from Sacramento to Santa Clara. I live in Reno and I was lucky enough to hitch a ride with Mary and Amy who were taking the train as well. Getting to Sacramento was easy. The train ride down was so relaxing. I sat at a table with a couple that came down from Seattle to ride the train and attend Stitches. I had a lot in common with them and had a great time fondling the scarf that she was working on. I can't remember the yarn she was using, but it was super pretty. Thank goodness I can save things like that on Ravelry. My first stop at stitches was the Ravelry booth where I told Casey and Jess that I was not worthy. I told them I spend like 4 hours a day on the site and they said, "That's all?" I instantly felt better about my ravelry addiction. I bought a button from them and picked up a passport for the game they had going. It took me about an hour and a half, maybe 2 hours to finish getting all the stamps. I turned it in and then went outside to breathe before I made my first purchase. It really was sensory overload. I went back in and headed straight for the Blue Moon Fiber Arts booth. I had to wait in line to see the yarn. There were people everywhere in this booth. I was surrounded! I grabbed 2 skeins of Socks that Rock, one in lightweight and one in mediumweight. I walked around for 2 or 3 hours and couldn't decide on anything else to buy except for a book that I had my eye on. Knitting Lingerie Style by Joan McGowan-Michael, the owner of White Lies designs. I went by her booth in the beginning and I really wanted her book after looking at it and deciding that there were patterns in there that I HAD TO MAKE. I was also happy that she was willing to sign my book for me. Here are the pictures of my bounty. The other things you see in the picture are what I got in my goody bag from the train.

It's amazing. Put two words together and you can get a night owl out of bed early on a Saturday. YARN SALE. I was able to get up and go somewhere at 9 in the morning because of those words. I normally do not get out of bed before 1pm. I stay up late every night, I've always been that way. The yarn sale was great, so many colors! And it was organized really well. I just wish there was less acrylic. They were selling their grandma's yarn collection and grandma loved acrylic. I try not to be a yarn snob, but I will admit that I am one most of the time. But lately, I have been using acrylic more and more. And today I got nine skeins of yarn for nine bucks. What a deal! I think it will make great hat yarn.



Look! Another FO! I wanted a headband that would keep my bangs out of my face. So I made a Calorimetry I used Patons SWS Colorway: Natural Violet Needles: Size 8 US Clover bamboo needles. The stripes came out a little wonky. But, I'm still happy with it. It fits nicely. I cast on 100 stitches instead of 120. I'm glad I followed the advice of others on Ravelry. Until next time!

I just finished this hat. It took me two days to knit up. I would like to keep it for myself because it is so soft! I am going to donate it as a chemo cap for Stitch n' Ride. I am planning to go to Stitches West on Amtrak from Sacramento (The Stitch n' Ride). I live in Reno, and it's about a 2 hour drive to Sacramento. Sometimes you can get there in less time, but it's winter and Donner Pass can be a bitch to drive over in the snow. I've done it many times, and I just hope it's nice and clear. At least I don't have to drive. I'm carpooling there to catch the train.
Anyway, here's the details for the hat
Pattern: Utopia Cable Hat by Smariek
Needles: Size 8 Addi turbo 16" circular and Size 8 Clover Bamboo DPNs
Yarn: Ultra Alpaca from Berroco and I can't remember where I bought this yarn!
Colorway: 6235 Fuchsia

I have always wanted to make myself one of these and now I have one! I love it so much! I wear it everywhere. It took me about 2 and 1/2 weeks to finish and surprisingly enough, I didn't work on any other projects during that time! The only problem I had while knitting this was that the yarn likes to stick to it's self. That made dropping the stitches more difficult. I used a cable needle and slowly pulled the stitches out. It took a lot more time to finish, but the result was way worth it.

Pattern: Clapotis
Yarn: Patons Soy Wool Stripes
Colorway: Natural Geranium
Needles: Size 8 bamboo circulars

I stopped knitting for a while (gasp!) but I was busy working on jewelry. I'm back in the swing of things with lots of stuff on the needles including 2 more danicas!!!! I'm so addicted to that pattern it's sick. I'm also working on the Shedir hat from knitty. The pic shows my progress on said hat. I'm going to be busy for a long time. If only I could stop starting new projects!

I made this one for my mom. I used the SWS yarn Natural Geranium. I love this pattern. I'm already making another one. I didn't think I would like entrelac this much.

My wrist is finally starting to get better. And since I'm home all the time again, knitting is taking up a lot of that time. I've been lurking on Craftster.org for a while now. I saw a great post on this entrelac scarf done with Patons SWS yarn and I decided that I had to have one. It's been super cold lately. And this scarf is really going to help me stay warm. So here it is, my first attempt and success with entrelac. I hope to be posting more FOs in the future. ;)

Pattern: Knitty's Danica
Yarn: Patons Soy Wool Stripes (SWS) Colorway: Natural Plum 70% Wool, 30% Soy (It's so soft too!)
Needles: Size 8 bamboo straights (which I hardly ever use anymore)
I didn't block it for 2 reasons, I like it this way and I'm super lazy.

My carpal tunnel is back with a vengeance and it's hard for me to knit or type. I can't even do my job anymore. :( So hopefully I'll be knitting again soon, but for now no pictures.

I saw Stacey's DNA sock pictures and thought process and I had to see if I could do it. Well here is the proof- the thought process worked. Her notes on the blog were very clear and I'm experienced enough with socks (and I have the most awesome sock book, Sensational Knitted Socks) to figure out the heel and toe. IMHO, it turned out freaking great!!!! Stacey, thank you so much! I hope to have the second one done as soon as possible. It's hard to find time to knit since I worked 6 days this week. I'm sooooo tired. I have to go cast on for the second to avoid SSS.

I had to start a new pair, but with the yarn that I got for my birthday. The Lorna's Laces Mountain Creek is just beautiful. It's really hard to find time to knit now that I'm working. I really like my job, but I can't say that I don't miss all the free time I used to have.

You are The Wheel of Fortune

Good fortune and happiness but sometimes a species of
intoxication with success

The Wheel of Fortune is all about big things, luck, change, fortune. Almost always good fortune. You are lucky in all things that you do and happy with the things that come to you. Be careful that success does not go to your head however. Sometimes luck can change.

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I just had to copy Lynne!

Well, I wish I would have read other blogs about the smallness of the jaywalker. I got the bright idea to try it on and it wouldn't fit. I could barely get it on my foot! :( So, I started a new one in the Lorna's Laces that I got for my birthday. Picture to follow soon. The pink opal is in the closet and I don't want to look at it right now. My dad loved his socks and thanked me at least 4 times tonight. I'm glad he appreciates them. My parents understand hard work.

I finished my dad's socks. Who says I never finish anything. I can't wait to give them to him. Now, if only I could get my other projects done.

Project: Dad's Socks

Pattern: Standard K2, P2 ribbing I used Sensational Knitted Socks for the pattern.

Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Superwash Merino Colorway: Moody Blues

Needles: Addi Turbo Size 2 40" Circular (Magic Loop Technique)

It's 30 Degrees outside, and I know to some people that's not that cold. But after living in California for years (I live near Reno, NV now), I just can't get used to this cold. The low tonight is going to be 14. The only thing I feel like doing is huddling under a blankie with my kitties and my knitting. I'm working on a scarf on size 9 needles and bulky yarn, hoping I can finish it soon because I want something to wrap around my face when I go outside. Man, I sound pathetic. I just hate the cold. Thank God for knitting to help me make stuff to stay warm or I'd not only be bored all the time, but I'd be even colder! I started a "new" job today. I say "new" because I'm not really new there. I'm a rehire. I worked there 3 years ago and had to leave unexpectedly. I'm glad to be back to this job because it's something that I love doing. I draw blood for a living. I'm a Phlebotomist. So at work I play with needles and at home I play with needles! You must think I'm out of my mind. ;P

Labels: knitting, work

My birthday was last week, but I didn't have a blog then. So here is what my Mom and Dad got me. Enough Lorna's Laces to make 2 pairs of socks. The colorway on the right is Uptown and the one on the right is Mountain Creek. I know they look similar, but the Mountain Creek has some beautiful forest green mixed in with the pink and blue. I love this yarn and I can't wait to start something with it. Of course I am trying my best not to, because I have to finish the guilt socks (aka my dad's socks). Every time I see him he asks where his socks are and why aren't they done yet. Sigh. They'll be done soon dad. I have 2 kitties and I got a great pic of them laying together today, so I just had to post it. Neela is the big white cat, and Ninja is my black kitten we got 6 months ago. He's such a love. He snuggles with me all the time. I love my kitties!!!

Labels: cats, yarn

Ever since I saw the Jaywalker pattern, I felt like I HAD to make a pair. So, I got out the opal I was having trouble doing anything with, and started. I am so in love with this pattern!!! I am not a very good digital photographer so you'll have to excuse the crappiness of the picture. These are strictly for me, I don't care what anyone says. It seems every time I start a new pair of socks, people (friends and family) claim it for themselves. What is up with that? ;) I told my family at thanksgiving that I'm not a sweatshop laborer, this is my HOBBY!!! If I finish something for you, lucky you! Dad is going to get lucky if I finish his socks. The blue ones are his. It's luxurious yarn too! Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in moody blues. I got it for a steal on a trip to Albuquerque. Village Wools is a great store if you are ever in New Mexico, you really should go there. I don't know if I'll ever go back to Albuquerque, but if I do, I'm going to that store again!

Labels: jaywalker, knitting, socks