Knit 1, Scream Too!

Without Further Ado....

2006-06-25T12:13:00.000-06:00

I finished a sock!!!! Okay, so there are so many mistakes in that sock, but it's D-O-N-E! I'm so freaking proud of myself for resisting the urge to frog again. I decided that this was a practice sock and I would get through it completely, no matter how bad it looked....and I did.
I really hate the toe though, but it's more about the shape. I think I like more of a square toe, so I'll have to play around and find the right one for me.

I'm trying to remember what yarn I used, since my girls ran off with the label soon after I bought it. I know that it was Lana Grossa Mega Boot Stretch, but the color is ????? Really, I have no clue. I used size 3 addis and just did a 4x4 ribbing on the cuff. Nothing exciting...just practice. Okay, so now I just have to actually make another one so that I don't look weird walking around in one sock! Wish me luck.....

*I looked online and the color is #708*

Happy Friday!

2006-06-23T15:15:00.000-06:00

There's not really too much going on around here to report about, but I wanted to post, so here I am. I've actually made progress on my sock! I'd show some pictures, but my camera batteries died and I'm not smart enough to figure out how to plug everything in, LOL. Seriously, it's a new camera and I'm kind of scared of it. So, trust me....I'm only a couple of inches from the toe. Zachary actually looked at my sock the other day and said, "Wow, Mom, you may actually finish one!" Smarty-pants little kid!

In other news, summer is here and we've spent most of our free time outside and at the lake boating. It's still so weird for me to see mountains all around while out on the boat. We've had a blast and the kids love having all the time outdoors.

Okay....it's that time of day again. My kids are dragging me away to go play! Don't they know that I have other things to do? ;-P

Surprise Mail!

2006-06-16T14:28:00.000-06:00

Well, yesterday I received my first package from my Secret Pal and it just made my day! There's nothing like sock yarn and goodies to put a smile on my face. She also included some cute little Utah stickers, the Magic Loop booklet and a cute binder to hold all of my patterns....and I can't forget the card too. Thanks so much Secret Pal! I LOVE everything and can't wait to knit up socks with that yarn.

As promised.....

2006-06-16T14:22:00.000-06:00

Here's a picture of the very little knitting that happened on our camping trip. Let's just say that drinking to warm yourself and knitting...well, they don't mix. So, I ended up with less progress than I hoped for. But, notice that the sock is on ONE circular!

Please Leave a Message After the BEEP....

2006-06-08T20:05:00.000-06:00

We're leaving EARLY in the morning for a family camping trip, so I'll be away for the weekend. I'm sure nobody will really miss me since I've been so bad at updating here, but I still wanted to post.

The good news is that I'll be knitting while the kids are all out playing in the great outdoors! YEAH ME!!! I promise to post pics of any progress made when I get back.

*BEEP*

Kids....I'm sorry!

2006-05-12T14:45:00.000-06:00

I love my children.....really I do. Sometimes though, when they're sick, I secretly wonder if they're just milking it for all it's worth. For this, I'm truly sorry! My generous kids decided to share their last round of germs and I got the worst end of it. I felt like I was going to DIE! For days I couldn't swallow without literally forcing myself because I knew the pain that awaited me. My energy was zapped right out of my body and I found it hard to leave my couch....which you know I had to with three kids. Luckily, I survived and lived to tell the tale. Next time, I think I'll be a little more sympathetic when they come down with their next illness.

Anyway, I did finally get my house back in order and yesterday, I even started on another sock. So, maybe the break will mean that I'll actually finish one this time. Who knows? I'm even giving a sneak peek so that maybe it'll encourage me not to rip it out again! Keep your fingers crossed....

Homesick....

2006-05-04T15:06:00.000-06:00

It's weird for me to be feeling homesick right now, since I've been away from "home" for 11 years....but I am. I'm not really missing any one place, but I guess just the south in general. Being from Tennessee originally, we moved to North Carolina for 4½ years, then off to Texas for 6½ years, so southerners are all I know. People here in Utah are just SOOOO different from what I'm used to. I'm trying so hard to find a way to feel like I belong here, but so far, it's not happening.

If you're walking through a store in the south...and you happen to make eye contact with someone, it's just normal to say hi and strike up a conversation - sometimes they may even know your life story before you make it down the next aisle, LOL. It's also normal for everyone to smile, wave, or hug you....for no apparent reason at all. That type of stuff just doesn't take place here. If you do happen to make eye contact with someone here, they automatically shift their sight down and act as if you're invisible...hoping desperately that you won't talk to them. If you wave to someone just driving down the street, they look at you like you have a third eye and you may possibly even get flipped off! Where's the hospitality? Maybe I just expect too much, since I'm from a place where nobody's a real stranger....except those notherners who talk funny....but even then , nobody's left out.

Anyway, I know I've complained about not having friends here enough, but this is much deeper. I want the warmth and friendliness that I'm used to. I'd take that over a bunch of friends anyday. I just want to feel like I belong......cause I don't really have a third eye ya'll.....I just talk funny!

Dear Secret Pal....

2006-05-02T19:27:00.000-06:00

You'll probably be really upset with my answers to these questions, but I promise I'm really easy to please. I just stink at explaining myself, LOL.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I'm so new to knitting that I don't really have a "favorite" yet. I do know, however, that acrylics make me cringe...since that's all I used when teaching myself, LOL. Can you say Red Heart?

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? They all just hang out in the packages that they came in....until my 2 year old empties them. Then, they roll around in a basket where I'm keeping my yarn.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Since January, so I'm a definite beginner, but I hope to eventually drop that label.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Nope

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) Cucumber melon and honeydew.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I don't eat sweets that often, but when I do it's either brownies or Snickers bars.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I don't spin....even though I'd love to learn! I love any kind of "crafty" projects though. If I don't know how to do them, I strive to figure it out. My next step is to teach myself to sew.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I like anything that isn't kid songs, LOL. My poor CD collection has been collecting dust since the kids figured out they could listen to their music.

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? I love color! Reds, pinks, blues, greens, yellows......I could never choose a favorite. I do tend to stay away from black though.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I'm married with three kids, Zach (8), Mikah (4) and Madelyne (2). I also homeschool, so they're right in the middle of things ALL day. We also have a cocker spaniel, Cooper, who thinks that he's a rabbit and likes to hop everywhere.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I never did, being a southern girl, but that's all changed. We've recently moved to Utah, so my need for winter gear is suddenly very important. I still don't think that you could ever make me wear a poncho though, LOL.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I haven't really "finished" many items, but I'm determined to like sock knitting....even if it kills me. I'd really like to get over my fear of knitting sweaters too. *shudder*

13. What are you knitting right now? Uhhh....supposedly teddy bears for my girls, but yeah, next question.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I've only knit with straight needles and dpns......but I really want to give circulars a try. I think that from my little bit of experience....I'm not really made for bamboo though, LOL.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Nope.

17. How did you learn to knit? www.knittinghelp.com

18. How old is your oldest UFO? Almost everything I've started since teaching myself a few months ago!

19. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving......when else can you have an excuse for stuffing AND green bean casserole?

20. Is there anything that you collect? Do dust bunnies count? I'd like to start collecting money, but so far, nobody's offering it.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? All of them, LOL. Seriously, I'd love to try so many new yarns/needles/books/patterns. I guess, my number one pick would be the Magic Loop method. I have a subscription to IK, but that's it.

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Again there are so many.....magic loop, fair isle, mosaic knitting....just to name a few. Oh....and my number 1 new technique would be how to actually FINISH something, but I don't really think they teach that.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I'm trying to be....that was my main reason for teaching myself to knit, LOL. My foot is 9.5 inches long and narrow. I'd tell ya my exact measurements, but my kids seem to have snagged my measuring tape. I also have bird legs, so my ankles are little too.

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) 05/16

A little excitement

2006-04-27T15:11:00.000-06:00

I just took the plunge and signed up for SecretPal8 and I'm so excited! It doesn't take all that much in a house full of kids to excite me. I just hope that I can be a good secret-pal....cause this is all new to me.

Anyway, I'm still working on knitting, but I've put socks on hold for a little while. I figure I need to wait until I can go at it without expecting them to be perfect the first time, LOL. Right now, I'm starting on a couple of teddy bears for my little girls and they're thrilled! But, I better be able to finish them or I may have a riot on my hands.

In other, more depressing news......I'm quickly coming upon my 30th birthday next month!!! When did that happen? I'm not mature enough to be leaving my 20's behind! Then again, I'll have my 11th wedding anniversary in July....and some days it feels like I've been married for 50 years, LMAO! Honey...just ignore that last part, k? So, what's a girl to do when she's living in denial about turning 30? Why, go and have a full makeover, right? I'm making plans to have my hair cut and colored and a manicure and pedicure. What more could I ask for? Well, maybe some addis, sock yarns, a sewing machine, fabric........Oh, I mean nothing! So, aside from the fact that I really have no friends here to invite to my party, I guess I'll live.

I'm back....I promise!

2006-03-31T15:52:00.000-07:00

I really do have a reasonable excuse this time.....REALLY. My MIL came to visit from Alaska. So, I got to spend countless hours entertaining her while my hubby worked the entire time! Let me tell ya, that was thoroughly appreciated.

So, now, I'm back and still fighting with knitting. Is it really possible to knit socks? Or have I just been fooled into thinking so? How will I ever figure out how to make a sweater when I can't figure out a little sock? I think that I may need to just give up and move on towards making something else. But, I'm afraid if I do, I'll never really try again....and I REALLY want to make socks!!! *sniff sniff* I have decided that I absolutely HATE the sock yarn that I bought. Yes, it was cheap for starting out, but I think that it's part of the reason why I'm having so many problems. Or atleast, that's where I'm placing the blame. I'm also toying around with ditching the DPNs and trying the Magic Loop method.....maybe I'll have more luck with that one. Here's to wishful thinking!

On the friend issue.......there's still no new people in my life. I SOOOO need some adult conversation around here! It's really rather sad, but hopefully it'll change soon enough. Maybe, I'll just go and sit in a LYS and stalk other knitters until they talk to me. I'll either make a new friend/mentor, or end up with a restraining order. Who knows?

They won't beat me!

2006-03-15T23:10:00.000-07:00

no knit pics, but aren't they cute?

I swear I'm going to knit socks....even if it kills me (which it just might). I have started more socks than I thought humanly possible within the last couple of weeks and I still have nothing to show for it. I get a little further each time, but ultimately, I end up starting all over. Sock knitting is definitely not well suited for the perfectionist in me.

I've also decided that I really need to make some friends here in Utah. We moved here in November and the only person I know is my bestest friend and she's the reason we moved to begin with. So, my goal is to find some fantastic new people (hopefully some pro knitters) to add to my short list of friends. Anyone want to volunteer to be my friend? My southern accent is only mildly annoying, LOL.

Worst Blogger Ever!

2006-03-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

Why do other people have so much to say on their blogs? I mean, I can read blogs all day long....if I could ignore my kids for that long! But when it comes to my own, I have nothing to really contribute.

In my defense, my absence was due (in part) to my computer meeting an untimely death! After we finally figured out that the problems were fatal, about 2 weeks, we ran right out to fill the void with a brand new replacement. I mean, we couldn't mourn forever, right? Then, the day after I got all of that settled, I thought that I would be back online and nothing could stop me. Well, I should've known better. Here I sat, all ready to break in my brand spanky new companion.....when what should happen? My internet was out, on and off for THREE days!!!! What have I done to deserve all this? Don't the computer gods know that my time online is the ONLY bit of sanity that I'm allowed in a house full of monkey kids?!?!

Anyway....vent done. I've actually been able to work on quite a bit of knitting while I was away from the computer. Although, I really have nothing to show for it. Being a perfectionist when learning to knit is really rather painful. I can't simply make a mistake and keep going. NOOOO....I have to rip out all of my work and start over! Maybe the next thing that I should "teach" myself is how to fix a mistake instead of crying everytime I see all my poor stitches disappearing. Gee...ya think? So, Robin, that picture of my Jaywalker progress has been slightly delayed....like say for a year or two, LOL. I decided to start all over with a very basic sock just too get some practice in before tackling those OH SO PRETTY socks. I'm about an inch from starting the heel and I dare not post a picture yet, for fear that it will only be a constant reminder of another late-night frogging session. So, keep your fingers crossed that I make it past the heel and you may finally get to see a picture, LOL.

I did it!!!!

2006-02-13T15:59:00.000-07:00

This may not be a very big deal to anyone else, but for me, it's exciting! I wanted to share a picture of my very first FO. Since this was for my 4 year old daughter, I had to make a miniature version, but I'm still happy with the way that it turned out. It's a mini version of My So-Called Scarf. Please don't laugh too hard.....I'm not claiming pro status by any means.....just sharing my excitement.

What to say????

2006-02-11T15:21:00.000-07:00

I really have no idea whether I'll keep up with this blog, but everyone else has one, so why not me? You probably won't find anything truly profound here, but feel free to read about my journey. I just taught myself to knit 3 weeks ago and I'm practicing any chance I get. I'm working on a couple of small projects while I await the arrival of my first sock yarn......I figured that the only way to learn is to throw myself right in.

Anyway....I can't really think straight at the moment because my three monkeys are bouncing off the walls! Later....