Sunday, January 01, 2012

2011 Round Up!

2011 has drawn to a close. In a flash another year extinguished. Reminiscing on the past has caused me to clear out the cobwebs from this blog. Not to mention my brain, as last night's celebrations are a little hazy in the bright blue of this spanking new year, and really think about what 2012 will be for me.

So many have used this medium far, far better than I. For quite a while I felt that if I couldn't contribute in an ultimate meaningful way then why should I bother? But people blog for all sorts of reasons, even if twitter has made macro-blogging unfashionable, and they aren't necessarily changing the world. So why was I setting the standards so high for myself? Sometimes I can be so self-judge-y.  

So bear with me as I get my typing fingers back in gear.

For me, I realized blogging helps keep the fogginess of time at bay from erasing important memories and feelings of events - insignificant, small and sometimes large. And my favorite of all my post is the Year In Review. What better way to jump back in then to share more info in one blog post then I have in over 2 years? Go big or go home mentality much? Probably. Time for that beverage of choice, gentle readers.

January: I started the year the second sickest I've ever been. Paul's b-day and NYE celebrations are moved to January 22nd. I make ice cream for the first time. People find it delicious and I'm hooked on a not-so-healthy additional kitchen skill. I get called for jury duty. Side note: make sure your work AND personal calendars are updated if you are called for jury duty. Because if you don't that is when you'll actually be called to sit in the jury box and you look like a fool when you have to go to the judge and say what an idiot you are. He just might interpret that as you just don't want to do you civic duty and will require you to come back for jury duty in six months when really you're just an idiot. Not saying that happened to me. Actually it did. Never mind. Be warned!

February: I was on the frequent flyer list here! Headed to North Carolina for my Dad's 70th birthday mid-month. It was one of those things that started out as a comment from one of the siblings saying, "Hey, we should all fly in for dad's b-day as a surprise" that turned into an open invitation on facebook to everyone causing panic and confusion. Needless to say my mom stepped in and ended up throwing a great party at one of my favorite restaurants in their town. What was weird was that it was the first time I had seen all my other siblings since... who knows? A Thanksgiving many, many years back probably. It went much better than expected. However it was not without a few surprises. I was thankful that Paul was there. At the end of the month, Paul and I flew to Ottawa for his dad's 80th b-day. The weather was awful and the rental car did not have snow tires so we found ourselves not stopping for stop signs (not because we wanted to) as we headed to his sister's cottage in Quebec. The amount of snow was unreal, at least to me. And it was a bit stressful. But we survived. Elena starts to have health problems. We bring her to the vet and we get inconclusive but not great news.

March: Because of Elena's poor heath her coat become a matted mess. We have her shaved and I regret it immediately. Her poor scrawny body all shaved and her head and legs all fluffy. She now looks like she is wearing UGG boots. I try not to laugh because it is so pathetic. I try to get her to wear a tiny dog sweater but she would have nothing to do with it. We end up buying her a heating pad that she can lie on all the time. Nadia and Michelle come for a kick-ass visit. Being a tour guide is one of my favorite things! The atmosphere at work start getting nerve-wracking. My boss is laid off and my department gets merged with another. The end days are coming for those of us who remain from my department, we just don't know when.

April: I go to the Big Easy to visit a SF friend who is working out there. The trip rocks. I eat amazing food, see fantastic and freaky sites and I take over 400 photos (but only share 71). The French Quarter Festival introduces me to Trombone Shorty, the Honey Island Swamp Band and more brass bands than I can shake a stick at. Holy cow! I forgot how much travel happened at the beginning of the year. An old high school friend is in town for his wife's work. We meet up and have a fantastic time. He hasn't changed a bit.

May: A relatively quiet month. We take Elena for another vet visit. Still nothing conclusive. I see my first Youth Poetry Slam competition. My mind is blown! 

June: Paul and I celebrate 9 years of mawwaige. We see Pink Martini live, accompanied by the SF Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall. Nothing like seeing a crowd samba-ing to the encore song of "Brazil" in the aisles of a normally staid venue.

July: I see Gillian Welch, Casablanca with live accompaniment by the SF Symphony, the SF Symphony at Stern Grove. (Clearly I like the SF Symphony!) My friend returns from New Orleans and begins hosting red beans and rice nights. 

August: I attend Stitch'n'Pitch at ATT Park with the knittas. Dr. Glenna is in town and we get our mac'n'cheese on in Oakland. I see the Gertrude Stein Exhibit at the SFMOMA and am amazed by the sheer mass of the collection. I sign up for a Get To Know Your Digital Camera course and immediately learn how to use my camera in a different way. I finally get serious about the fact that I'm probably going to be downsized and start focusing on updating my resume and if there might be another role that I could fill within the company. Paul throws an amazing birthday party for me, a Southern-style picnic brunch complete with fried chicken and a southern inspired cocktail (that was too easy to drink). Another old friend, who lives very far away, comes to town with her new beau; we catch up over delicious food and beer. I'm saddened by the fact that I don't see her more often.  My red beans and rice friend celebrates her 40th b-day and divorce finalization by selling her engagement ring and treating her family and friends to a cooking party at Cavallo Point. Sadly the zeppelin she wanted to rent was not available but I think the party made up for the fact. 

September: This was mostly a downer of a month. The ax was finally dropped in regards to my job. Although I knew it was coming, I was a little taken aback. I was in the process of pitching a different postion, as there seemed to be a business need and I felt like the perfect person to fill it, to the powers that be. The word I was getting was that they agreed. Clearly they didn't. Admittedly, the next day I was pretty elated and excited about the future. I felt free and the inspired. I decided that 2012 is going to be my year. I start working on my future. Thinking about what I really wanted to do and coming up with some clear options that didn't suck. I decided that I am pretty awesome. Elena's health starts to deteriorate rapidly. I come home to find her in a place I've never seen her before. She is so weak. I call Paul, who is playing pool with his regular Tuesday night group, that an emergency vet visit is needed. We end up having to make the decision to let her go. It was the hardest decision I had to make in my life thus far. Paul and I cry over this flickr set.

October: Being a bit of blur, October was spent preparing for unemployment and life without Elena. However I do pick up a part-time freelance gig. 

November: Also a bit of blur. Adjusting to being at home is difficult, time management-wise. The internet is truly a time suck. The part-time freelance gig scope grows a bit. Thanksgiving is one of the best I've celebrated. We cook a Turducken (from Cajun Pacific) and friends come with more delicious food than could have been dreamed of. And thanks to the power of the twitter, we had an orphan from Australia who happened to be in town for a work seminar join us for her first ever American Thanksgiving. She was a member of the clean plate club. The next day I woke up with one of the worst colds I've ever had. I'm not as sick as I was at the beginning of the year but I'm pretty close. With this round, I sounded like a 90-year old, 3-pack a day phlegm monster for what felt like forever.

December: Still a bit of a blur with the holidays. The month flies. I do take part in Indigodragonfly's Giftapalooza. I see Trombone Shorty at the Fillmore. I take an intro to Charcuterie making at Pot and Pantry which makes me want to make my own bacon immediately. I do my first webinar to learn about passive (corporate) recruiting on LinkedIn. The part-time freelance gig grows bigger in scope and I'm starting the new year knowing my resume will have new skills to show for my effort. Paul and I celebrate Christmas alone. Not surprisingly we cook as if we're going to feed an army. We prepare duck and make ravioli for the first time. Both are incredibly successful and delicious. We create a barrel full of duck stock.

And of course, there was knitting! Not as much as I would have liked but I was very happy with what was produced. 

2011 FO Roundup

So what about 2012? Well, the themes that ran through last year were food, entertainment and traveling. Not bad themes to keep in mind for 2012. This year is going to be a big one for me - I will be celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary and I'll be turning the big four-0. So who knows what will happen but I'm going to try and pull something interesting off. I also want to really prepare for my future career. I want to find a job that I'm happy about going to on a daily basis. Because dragging one's ass to a job that they know they're going to lose one day in an environment that is less than ideal is the pits. And I mean that. And I'll drink to that.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

My first FO since the dawn of time...

Yes, I'm being a bit sarcastic. But in all seriousness, the last time I posted about an FO waaaaas... ummmm... hmm...

May of 2009.

May. Of '09? Really??!

Really.

I guess that shows how I was feeling in 2009 because I had many-a bad boy flying off the needles since that post. I will also blame Ravelry. Because it has kinda made me lazy. I blame them mostly because they are not here to defend themselves and fully taking responsibility for my laziness doesn't seem right. However the whole thing about me being lazy is pretty darned true.

Excuses aside, this FO has been years in the making. Yarn was bought as a kit at Rhinebeck in 2007. The kit I bought was two skeins short, so I ordered two more skeins as fast as I could. Not sure when I started knitting in 2008 but by January of 2009 I had this:

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I was probably 75% done with it and then I came to that realization that one never wants to come to. I knew in the deep recesses of my heart that I was never going to wear this. So I riiiipped. And then immediately cast on for what I thought was going to be a kick-ass, fairly straightforward and easy sweater. But did I do a gauge swatch? Noooooooooo. I thought, "Why do something as silly as that?" No surprise that the new sweater was too small. In addition, I couldn't get the cable/increase combo down so it was a bit of disaster. So I riiiipped again and promptly stuffed the yarn back in the closet so I wouldn't think about it any more.

Fast forward to December 2009. After a year of small projects, I decide that 2010 would be the Year of Sweater and every sweater made will be for me. I decided that if I'm going to kick this sweater year off right then I am going to kick it right in the groin. I yelled out to no one in particular, "YOU WILL NOT CRUSH ME!!1!" Immediately, I whipped out the yarn that had given me so much trouble and did a gauge swatch. Then I copied the pattern from the web into a Word doc and rearranged things so I could cable and increase at the same time without any tears. Then I was off. Like lightening! Like a cheap toupee!! I knit like a madwoman. I admired what I completed and glared at the small pile of yarn cakes I had left. "OMGNOES... I am going to run out of yaaaaaaaaaaarn." I just kept knitting as if the faster I knit the more yarn I will end up with. (We've all been there. Don't deny it!) Then to my horror (the horror!) I discovered one of my skeins was spun at a thinner gauge then the rest. It was spun so much thinner that I had to double it to be the same gauge as the rest. Now there was no way I had enough yarn. I ordered a new skein which, no surprise with it being over two years later, ended up being a totally different color. I trudged on, grumbling, cussing and shaking my fists. Telling myself over and over that maybe I shouldn't knit this, or any, sweater because clearly knitting is stupid and I'm a big dummyhead.

Then the skies cleared, angels sang and I had a sweater. With too much yarn to spare. Like almost a whole skein. Not including the one bought in a panic.

The End.

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AMUSED AT MYSELF...
Started: Dec 29, 2009
Completed: January 24, 2010
Pattern: Amused by Jordana Paige
Yarn: Morehouse Farm Merino Merino 3-Strand
Color: Brown Heather
Skeins: 7.3
Needles: 6 mm/US 10 Knitpicks Options
Ravelry deets here.

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Friday, January 15, 2010

Betty Sitting!

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Betty is staying with us for the weekend. She has already made herself at home.



We are already putty in her paw.

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Monday, January 04, 2010

2009 Round up!

So 2009, you tried to make me pretty miserable and you mostly succeeded. My emotional state during your time was low and I found that I didn't blog that much. I kept telling myself, "Who wants to hear about THAT?" So thanks to you I did a lot of negative self-editing that I'm sure didn't help. Sometimes one needs a frowny-faced navel-gazing year and I guess this is how I will remember you.

But you couldn't have been all bad! This is probably going to be one of those wordy posts that you haven't seen from me in a while, soooooo get a snack and a stiff drink.

January: I start the year by going brunette. I jump into exercising. Work is busy but good. Ravelry introduced me to the Personal Sock Club and I jump in feet first (har-har!). I attempt my first short row heel and I dominate. I find my groove with the Tuesday knit night.

February: I catch the Death Cold and I knit through it. A man, who stabbed an off-duty police officer, gets arrested on my street and I witness it. I have a job interview for a place I would have loved to work but I fail to sell them on my amazing talents. They decide to hire someone else. I'm sad.

March: Starbucks took away my favorite bran muffin but the internet saved me. I head up to Tahoe for a girl's weekend. Because of a record snow drop, we almost get stuck on Donner Pass (yes, that Donner Pass), have issues with snow chains and traffic, resulting in a four hour trip taking over 8 hours. I kick ass and take names on the FO front with 5 projects already completed. February Lady Sweater puts me in a trance. I cook up a storm with mixed success - chocolate chip muffins are a disaster but the Indian feast was pretty much a success.

April: This month passed with not a significant note on the blog. I train to be a NERT. I plan a trip to Toronto and that makes me happy. However, that doesn't last long. My Grandmother's health begins to fail and my mother, not surprisingly, has a hard time dealing. I feel far away and small against the emotional waves that crash against me. To deal, I begin my secret X-Mas knitting. I stop exercising.

May: I continue to focus on knitting with 3 more FOs checked off and ignore the outside world. I find out I'm not allergic to anything (even though I still break out in hives and rashes). I go to Maker Faire.

June: I see an opera simulcast at AT&T Park. I make marshmallows. I jump on a plane to Toronto. While I'm gone my Grandmother passes away. Garage constructions starts in our building which means lots of jackhammers. I finally see David Byrne in concert. I don't blog. I continue to knit.

July: Paul's dad comes for a visit and it's difficult on many levels. We run into problems getting our taxes done. We start to panic. I still don't blog. I still knit. By the end of the month I have 15 FOs.

August: It's my birthday and I need a break. Paul takes me away for the weekend. We go to the the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, which is one of my favorite places. It was a well needed break. I go whale watching. I have another interview at another company I would have loveloveloved to work for. Once again, I fail to impress. I'm sad again. Still have issues with taxes. I still don't blog.

September: I head to my folk's place to give my mom some support. I jump back into blogging by announcing my Grandmother's death. I counter the sad news with a post on "what knitty.com means to me" inspired by Indigirl. An old friend who lives far away visits with his new girlfriend. I cook all day, we eat and catch up. Surprisingly the visit is much better and more relaxed than expected. I Ride The Duck as a mystery shopper. And I'm still knitting.

October: Two things I do that aren't surprising: I don't blog and I do knit. Work keeps my mind busy. Garage work starts getting sporadic as there is permit problems and the SF building department turn into wankers. I mystery shop two of the Ghirardelli Square cafes and I go into a sugar coma.

November: Michelle comes to visit! Thankfully work deadlines are pushed back so I can make an awesome itinerary. Sadly, I don't blog about it. However we do have a kick-ass time and I take some awesome photos. Paul and I celebrate Thanksgiving in Portland with an old friend. Ever had a turkey cooked on the BBQ grill basted in champagne? Well, you should. We also go wine tasting. By the end of the short trip my pants are tight.

December: I don't blog... and yes, I knit. I don't complete all the gifts I'd like to knit but I'm pleased with the final number. I get so pleased with my gifts that I forget to do holiday cards. Even though its far from complete, the garage gets a door and now its actually usable. Tax situation is still not completely taken care of but at least we're not panicking any more. Paul takes two weeks vacation so we can do fun things around town. He comes down with Hell Cold, flops around the house for more than a week and then hands the Hell Cold over to me. We celebrate Paul's birthday and ring in the New Year with homemade boeuf bourguignon, no-knead bread, beer and friends. I knit a cat sweater for my Portland friend's cat and make Elena try it on. I decide that I am not a nice person.

The way I want you, dear reader, to remember my 2009 is how awesome I was in the knitting department. 29 FOs, baby!


A record, for sure. And the best part? Most of them were gifts. In fact, only five of those projects stayed home with me. The other 24 were sent far and wide as baby welcoming, birthday and X-mas gifts. And it seemed that the recipients loved them (or so they said) and that was a lot more rewarding than I expected to be.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The Visitor

I've been quiet lately only because I've not wanted to bore you. Things haven't been very interesting. Or not interesting enough to write about. At least not in my opinion. But here's an interesting thing: Michelle is coming for a visit tomorrow. She'll be here for a whole week and I have her schedule so jammed packed with fun that she'll need a vacation from her vacation. And I mean that.

Tour highlights include:

And when in San Francisco you must eat and eat you must:
This here list is only the highlights. There will be walking the 'hoods and eating lots of food. As in typical style, we will have cameras in tow. Now I'm hoping it won't rain the entire time she's in town. That would put a damper on things.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Favorite Photo

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Canada Day Fireworks
Acton, ON
2008

Saturday, September 12, 2009

What knitty has meant to me

Indigirl had a great post about how knitty changed her life and she asked others to post as well. I thought I would try to change the mood here at I'm Not Bad... and get things back on a positive upswing. What better way than to talk about knitty?

I was introduced to the concept of knitting in a “middleman” sorta way. Living in San Francisco, I had a friend who wanted to learn how to knit and I had a friend who knew how, so I set up the first meeting at my apartment in November of 2003. I didn't get it at first and I kind of struggled with it. I put it aside for a bit and then I took a few classes that opened my eyes. From there I spent a lot time on the internet. Let's face it, knitting is expensive. I'm sure if we look at our collective stashes and add up the cost we might have been able to take an expensive trip or even have a down payment for something expensive... instead with have yarn! Beautifulbeautifulyummyscrummydroolpant yarn! (But I'm getting ahead of myself.) At that early moment in my knitting life I wasn't ready to make the commitment of yarn and books and needles and books and accessories and yarn and books. But I had the internet. And with that I had knitty. I would spend hours clickityclicking through the patterns, ogling yarn sites making future plans of what I would knit when I got the courage and/or skill level.

The end of 2005 Paul and I moved to Toronto. We knew no one. Not one person. We had no jobs. And it was October. But I knew how to knit... sort of. Within the first month of being in town I had found a knit night that was close to the apartment. There were many knitters there of different backgrounds and skill level and many of the discussions always came back to knitty. Lively discussions about the latest issue's patterns or what knitty patterns were currently on/about to be on/or just off the needles. The Clapotis was one of the most popular patterns in the group. I want to say everyone made one! (But I'm sure that's my memory being clouded.)

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Maybe it was just me who was knitting the Clap?

2006 turned into my fearless year. I found too many new knitters saying things like "I can't...," "It's too hard...," I'm not skilled enough..." I wish I could..." I decided that those words words had come out of my mouth long enough and I thought that the worse thing that could happen would be that I would need to rip whatever I was working on out. And to me that seemed a lot more fulfilling then not trying something because I thought I couldn't. Maybe I felt that way because of all the support from all the knitters with their different backgrounds and skill level. It didn't hurt being in Toronto as knitters were every where! And that is the year that I fearlessly met Amy Singer. Well, more like I went up to her and awkwardly introduced myself and told her how knitty was important to me in some mumbling gibberish. And she didn't run away (bless her soul!). I might of if I had been her. I know I can be kind of weird and loud and awkward. And then something awesome happened. I'm not sure how, but I ended up convincing Amy that I could help her with the "More Big Girl Knits" photo shoot. Maybe she felt sorry for me? Anyway... the rest, as they say, is history.

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See?! Amy and I are best of friends!!

Knitty created a connection to a community before I even realized I needed it. It was my inspiration and my ice breaker and continues to be so now that I'm back in San Francisco. My time in Toronto will always be held close to my heart along with the friends I made and the experiences I had.

Amy, I can't thank you enough for all your hard work. And as I've told you on several occasions, "You rawk!"

Friday, September 11, 2009

R.I.P. Grandma

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Doris Mary LaPoint

November 11, 1917 - June 17, 2009


Probably not the best way to drop back into blogging, announcing a death, but I feel I've been gone too long. And that reason for the absence, of course, was her death. She was the best grandma. I got her laugh from nurture and her nose from nature. She wasn't a baker or knitter or cook but she played a mean game of Scrabble. She always won. It wasn't because those playing against her let it happen, she was just that diabolical in her strategy. I don't win that often but I incorporate her strategies every time I play. She passed while I was in Toronto. It wasn't unexpected but it still hit me like a ton of bricks. I still cry when I think that I won't hear her voice again.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

I'm off to Toronto!

And I'm bringing these...

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Recipe here.

Monday, May 11, 2009

On the Needles

I don't normally have so many things on the needles at once. I tend to work on two projects max as I like to see things to completion before I move on to the next thing. Looking at my in progress stuff I was a little blown away by the amount. I feel I need to take inventory. So I say, "Let the WIP parade begin!"

The oldest active thing on the needles:

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This eventually will be the Lacy Yoga Mat Bag from Interweave Knits. I started this in late January and I have maybe 12 inches of the bag part done. I decided to do this in the round because I didn't want to purl (because I'm lazy) and I thought it would be a breeze. No. This project has tied me up in so many ways that I've unknit more than I've knit. I get all excited about it and I knit like a fiend only to realized my count is off and my lace is all mashugana. Riiiiiiiiiiiipppppp. Sigh!

Did I tell you I'm gift knitting this holiday season? All of its coming from stash so I hope friends and family like what I have in stock. I got so many surprises planned and its going to be great! And I'm not just half-assing it either.

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I'm on gift number two and I'm glad I'm starting early because it's lace. It's the Woodland Shawl to be exact. And it feels as if it's taking eternity to knit. Although I guess its really not. I started April 18th and I think I have three repeats left before I'm outta yarn. Last time I knit a lace scarf it took a little over 7 months. I'll take that as marked improvement!

Now the next four things aren't even on the needles yet. But I got deadlines, people!

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The silver yarn is part of a kit for the Cylon Centurion. It has sadly taken a backseat to the gift knitting as its for me. The red Malabrigo Sock yarn will be another lacy gift, Lily of the Valley Scarf from Knitted Lace of Estonia. To add to that it is my May Personal Sock Club bag hence why it is a WIP. In theory I should get it done by the end of May. The Cabin Fever will be a Helena and the angora will be another pair of baby booties for a friend who is due in July. I'll probably do these before the scarf as I need a lace break.

If you're still with me, then maybe you noticed that I mentioned the yoga bag as the "oldest active thing?" I have two things that have been in permanent hibernation and I 'm torn if I should rip them or let them hang around a bit longer. This is where you come in, dear reader.

Orangina started in May of 2006. This is as far as I've gotten:

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Since May of 2006, people, that's all I've done! So do I rip or not?

And then there are these cute gloves... urrrr... I mean glove:

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This has been flopping around since late 2007, I think. From the Ravelry page I wrote: "Sophie taught me how to do colourwork and I got this much done before I threw this in the corner because the needles I was using were cheap icky ones." The gauge is super tight so the glove is dense and now that I'm living in California I can't imagine wearing them since it doesn't get that cold. But Sophie taught me how to do colourwork on these gloves and I'm fond of the memories. Do I rip or not?

I'm going to try and promise myself to not add anything else to the list. This is giving me a pretty good headache as it is. Sigh!


Sunday, May 10, 2009

Toronto, here I come!

I'll be back June 12th through the 21st. Who wants to play?!

Saturday, May 09, 2009

My Signature....

More babies mean more baby booties. Here's a pair for the baby shower I'll be attending on Sunday.

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ANGORA BABY BOOTIES
Started: May 5, 2009
Completed: May 6, 2009
Pattern: Last-Minute Knitted Gifts, by Joelle Hoverson
Yarn: Schulana Angora-Fashion
Color: #10 (Pumpkin)
Needles: US 5/3.75mm Brittany Bamboo DPNs
Recipient: ?? (baby's sex and name is being withheld)

I'm pretty excited about the yarn because I should be able to get four pairs out of one ball. This finished pair weighs 6 grams and the ball is 25 grams total. This yarn is a pretty good substitute for the yarn that I was using because I can get my hands on it and it's much cheaper. I paid $18 for the 25 gram ball and the yarn I was using before was $5 for a 5 gram ball . Have I mentioned how much I love my food scale for situations like this? I'll be making another pair immediately since another friend is also having a baby.

Ravelry deets here.

Friday, May 08, 2009

Favorite Photo Day

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Sadly this got lost in the move.

Thursday, May 07, 2009

The FO parade...

I've not completely abandoned this blog. I know it kinda seems like I have. I will admit that I've been a bit distracted with Twitter and Ravelry but it hasn't sucked up all my time. Honestly I've been enjoying my knitting time and I find that when I have free time I'd rather knit either in a comfy chair at home or at one of the many cafés that are in walking distance from my house then sit in front of the computer. I feel like a bit of an old lady! But with the selection of cafés at least I'm an old lady who gets out of the house.

Now to get you caught up on my recent FOs. First off, gift knitting! When I saw the patterns that dangercrafts created I squeeeeeed with delight and bought a bunch. And when I knew I was going to be seeing a friend's totally adorables daughter I knit one up lickety-split:

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EASTER BEATRICE
Started: April 11, 2009
Completed: April 11, 2009
Pattern: Beatrice and Bernard The Inseparable Bunny and Bear by Rebecca Danger
Yarn: White Buffalo Elena
Color: uhhh... dark pink... mauve...pink/purple... #220
Skeins: .25
Needles: 5mm/US 8 Knitpicks Options
Notes: It's the cutest 8" tall toy ever.

Remember my Personal Sock Club? I kinda did a rush job talking about the last three months but I've been doing a good job of keeping on top of the bag pulling. Below are April's bag. How awesome are they? This fine yarn was hand dyed by Lisa the Goth and they are my most favorite socks. Everything is perfect about them: the knitting, the striping, the colors, the softness. They are faboo!

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GENERIC STASH DOWN #2
Started: April 2, 2009
Completed: April 17, 2009
Pattern: just generic toe-up
Yarn: Needle Addict's Hand Dyed
Color:Tropical Murk
Skeins: 2
Needles: 3mm/US 2.5 Knitpicks Options
Notes: My Personal Sock Club project for April. Did Judy’s Magic Cast-On and started with 20 stitches (10 on each needle). Increased to 56 stitches with a plain ol’ m1. Knit the foot until it was 8” long. Knit leg until 6.25” long and then did 2x2 ribbing for .75”. Did both afterthought heels last.

And the big finale? My Lady February Sweater. Made out of Malabrigo Silky Merino. I love it so much.

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I'm A Lady Sweater

Started: January 31st, 2009
Completed: April 5, 2009
Pattern: February Lady Sweater by Pamela Wynne
Yarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino
Color: Redwood Bark
Skeins: 6
Needles: 5.5mm/US 9 Knitpicks Options
Notes: This sweater fits perfectly so I haven't washed it yet. I believe this puppy will be going to the dry cleaners as I hear this sweater groooooooows when blocked. Also, I wish I hadn't been lazy and knit from two balls at a time. One of my skeins was lighter than the others and you can kinda see it.


I'm knitting quickly on more projects then I'd like to be working on at one time. Maybe I'll post about those later.

Friday, May 01, 2009

Favorite Photo Day

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My first UE outings in Toronto. This building is now torn down. I wish I could remember what it used to be.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Favorite Photo Day

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I've been meaning to do this for a while but I've just been too lazy to do it. I was flicking through my flickr and I was enjoying some photos that I hadn't looked at in a long time and I thought to myself, "It would be cool to post my favorite photos, like one every once in a while (but more than once), maybe even write a small description and see what people think." Or don't think, for that matter. So what do you think Blogland? Are you in on looking at my photos without leaving the comfort of my blog? Maybe you could share your favorite photo that you've taken? Or maybe that's taking it too far? Maybe even the description is too much too. What the heckers, I'll figure it out as I go along and if you're willing to play along then I am. Anyways, this photo is only a week old but I thought I would post it anyway.

ABOUT THIS PHOTO: SF had a heatwave last weekend and we decided to do a very touristy thing: hike Twin Peaks. Well, we didn't hike the entire hill. We took the bus as far as it would take us and then we hiked up the last little bit. It was a bit hazy but I had my polarizing filter. One thing I love to do when I'm in a touristy area is take photos of people taking photos of other people. And I normally try to do it as stealthily as possible, sometimes not even looking through the viewfinder. I love this composition of the two woman next to the radio tower with the cloudless sky behind them.


Friday, April 24, 2009

Dear Dr. Glenna

Dear Dr. Glenna -

I was so excited to receive your Viper Pilots pattern that I couldn't wait to cast on. Unfortunately after heavy deliberation I realized none of my sock yarn would do your amazinglyawesomesuperkewl pattern the justice it deserves. And I just can't half-ass it. Currently I'm digging in the couch cushions for change to save up for some Smooshy. I plan to go to my LYS on May 1st with my bag o' change and lint to be a proud owner YTWDYPP (Yarn That Will Do Your Pattern Proud). I just wanted to get it out in the open so you don't think I'm being unreasonable. Sadly I'm just being "on a budget."

Thinking of your sock pattern daily,
I'm Not Bad...