Wind it up baby

So my new ball winder came in the mail with loads of other stuff from Knitpicks yesterday, yay!! Even though I had thousands of other things to do I ended up winding up many balls of yarn to test out my new ball winder. The test went well and I'm in love!! The only thing that gave me troubles was the Euroflax Linen that I picked up to knit the Forest Canopy Shawl pattern, which I want to start soon since I have received my Knitpicks Options Interchangables (more luuurrrvvvee, *wipes drool*) I would have posted lovely pictures to go along with this post but my camera is with Mr. Pixel on a business trip in India and China, lucky camera!

I'm still working on the bejeweled scarf which was frogged due to dropping a stitch of the eyelet part. It was a good reason to switch needles and now I"m using my Knitpicks Interchangeables instead of my bamboo straights. Boy is the scarf working up fast with these smooth nickel-plated metal needles, so I'm not too upset that I had to frog it. I keep on forgetting to put a life line in my lace work *note to self use a lifeline or prepare to frog* I haven't worked much on my Branching Out scarf because I really need to take my time for the lacework and I should enlarge the chart or make my own because the chart I printed is tiny (well for me, you people with good vision probably have no troubles!) and I've been using the wording, which is very long and tedious that it's easy to forget where you are. I have casted on, knitted the ribbing and am about halfway down on the second rollergirl leg warmers from the S&B Nation Book. Since she comes from Europe like TOMORROW I thought that I'd work on it like a mad woman and finished it tonight or tomorrow, go me! So far I have succeeded n this task after weeks of the "second sock syndrome" slowing my progress. I'm thinking of felting them a little to shrink them because she's got skinny legs and these puppies fit me, maybe I'll have her try them on first.

Well that's it for me today, BTW there is a new Lime & Violet episode out go and listen! Till next time happy knitting/crocheting.

So the universe has been telling me that I shouldn't knit up my lovely cabled toque, but I should be casting on the second leg warmer for my sis-in-law who happens to arrive sometime next week from Europe. I have casted on that hat over 4x's only to get to the part when I start to decrease only to have to rip it out due to my lovely family distracting me at the worst possible times. *sigh* I should listen to the universe methinks.

I have also casted on my first branching out scarf disco lights in olive. I can't wait till I get enough courage to start on my Simple Knitted Bodice because tilla tomas's silk is just so yummy! I also am trying out my new Knitpick's Options for my branching out WIP. I Luuuurrrrvvveeee these interchangables!!!! They are pointy and slick, with a smooth transition between the cable and the needles. I just wish that there was a 16 inch cable *sigh*. I have received the Lana Knits Hemp For Knitting AllHemp6 #102 sprout hanks that I ordered to make the Homegrown Bag in Jennifer Stafford's Domiknitrix Book and once I get a chance I want to start on that project. I should finish some of the projects I have on needles before start new ones, lol!!! I'm almost finished my second bejeweled scarf that I'm making in SWTC's Oasis soysilk in the chocolate colourway, very tasty indeed.

I have some more yarn on order and have purchased some more books, but I'll leave that for another day. Have a great weekend and happy knitting!!

Frogging Frusteration

I love my family I do but due to them pestering me I have had to frog the hat I started making on Friday 3x's!! The universe don't want me to have a wonderful knitted cabled toque to keep my little head warm. I'm thinking of going to the LYS close to my chiropractor's office (have an appointment which I should be getting ready for right now!) but I hate going in there because the lady who works there when the owner isn't there is so rude and acts if I'll steal something or whatever even though I spend around $60-100 every time I step in there. *sigh* She was ever ruder to me when I only crocheted; however the owner is awesome and it's really close to me so I'l end up going. Maybe I'll find something that inspires me to make a sweater! Oh look it the time I'll have to blog more later.

Secret Pal 10 Questionaire Answers that proves I should live in a bubble

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Let's start with the DO NOT like's , most of them are due to allergies *sniff* wool (any type and any percentage, I've tried them all and I'm still allergic!), angora, cashmere, alpaca, fun fur and most novelty yarns (I'm okay with ribbon and recycled sari). Now you're probably thinking what the heck does this girl use with her pointy sticks!! I prefer yarns of the vegetable family: bamboo, soysilk, hemp, cotton, linen, tencel, modal and all in this list blended in various ways together. I love silk! I'm not too fond of mineral yarns, but I can handle really soft acrylics and if there are blended with the magic list of vegetable family and silk love!

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I store my straights in a wonderful cloth needle holder my m-in-law helped me make, circs in their respected cases ( i am now the proud owner of knitpick's interchange options circ set and denise set!) rest of the normal circs go in yarn storage container and my hooks (yep, I'm bicraftual) are in a small plastic storage tub that I keep all my knit and crochet paraphernalia stuff in.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I've been knitted since....oh November 2006. I'm between beginner and intermediate, more leaning towards intermediate. I learn from the awesome Christa Giles in her beginner's knitting class at Urban Yarns. My mom tried to teach me for years but no success till I finally took a knitting class because I wanted to be knit and combine crochet and knit. I have been crocheting on and off since I was four or so and my skill level for crochet is definitely a rusty (been in a knitting frenzy) advanced.

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

I have a amazon wish list that is knit and crochet books and the other one is just plain ole' books. It's a good way to remember which books I really want to buy next.

5. What's your favorite scent?

mmm mint, grapefruit, vanilla, green tea and mint! Due to allergies, I have to avoid any citrusy smell that has lemongrass and/or citronella but I love oranges, grapefruit and lemon scents.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

CANDY!!!! I have a bit of a sweet tooth :-D I love gummy worms (especially the orange and green ones), cinnamon hearts, coke bottles, big feet, swedish berries, hot lips and sours. Oh and dark chocolate, can't do milk products so milk chocolate is out.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I'm a very simple crafter it's crochet, knitting and the occasional beading. I like to do do-it-yourself stuff, but never really get around to doing it. I don't spin but maybe one day I'll try once I get my hands on some soysilk roving and a drop spindle!!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I love music and my taste varies drastically, the only music I don't like is most country, gangsta rap and a lot of the pop top 40 stuff. Here's a small list of favourites:

• tori amos
• delirum
• fiona apple
• enya
• lily allen
• muse
• radiohead
• david usher
• moist
• sarah mclachlan
• loreena mckennitt
• portishead
• billie holiday
• ella fitzgerald
• big bad voodoo daddies
• ani difranco
• coldplay
• evanescence
• jewel
• vanessa carlton
• great big sea
• wierd al and this list could go on forever and ever....

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

My favourite colours are blues, greens, reds, purples, blacks, greys, and browns. I'm not fond of orange, yellows, most pinks (I don't mind a tad bit of pink here and there) and neons.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I live with my partner, Mr. S and my daughter who is known mostly as mini-me who is 12 years old. I'm applying for a guide dog and hoping that I will be getting one in the next year or so and we have 50 fish.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I wear hats, scarves and mitts (I prefer gloves, white canes and mitts don't really go well together). I tried ponchos but I don't find them faltering for my body type.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I love knitting lace, it's one of my new skills. I also like making hats, washclothes, bags and I love the idea of making sweaters, which I will be tackling soon. Currently I'm learning how to knit socks with 2 circs because dpns and I don't get along at this point in time.

13. What are you knitting right now?

A few things, a soysilk bejeweled scarf, legwarmers for my sis-in-law, fat-bottom bag and a cabled hat in DK weight soysilk)

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes please!!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I prefer bamboo for straights and metal for circs. I might have to try Addi naturals one of these days I may never want to knit with metal again, but then I could be wrong. I don't prefer circs over straights or visa versa because I find that it depends on the project and yarn which is better.

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

I just purchased a yarn winder!! Go me. Now my goal is to either make or own a swift to go with it.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Eep. I just did a clean out of my yarn storage bins and I find a UFO that was from Jan/Feb 2006 and it's because the pattern confuse me it's a crocheted shrug made out of these cute granny squares for mini-me I'll have wing the construction because the instructions make sense till I have the project in my hand then I lose what I thought made perfect sense. Oh well.

18. What is your favorite holiday(s)?

I love Samhain (Halloween), Winter Solstice and Beltaine

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Books!! I'm a huge bibliophile, I mostly read sci-fi and fantasy but I dabble in a bit of everything if it interests me. I also collect crystals.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

My magazine subs are Interweave Knits, Knit 1 and Crochet (I only got this one because I was ordering mags through my daughter for her school fundraising, I'm not really liking it much I prefer Interweave Crochet and Crochet Today!)

I have been oogling Amy Singer's No Sheep for You. but it's not out yet and I've been drooling over Rogue and Eris. I worried that both the girl from auntie patterns are a bit too hard for me and haven't purchased them till I'm ready to rise to the challenge. I'm a sucker for celtic knots and cabling so easier patterns like them are a must to practice. As for yarns, that I haven't worked with but I want to try is Suss Love or any other suss yarn in the magical list of vegetable fibers!

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I'm learning how to make socks on two circs and working on cables. Other things I want to learn is intarsia and fair isle.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I'm hoping to become a sock knitter. Foot measurements darn I lost my measuring tape!! More bright coloured measuring tapes might be a good thing for me!! My feet are woman's size 7 and my feet are a little bit chubby.

23. When is your birthday?

June 13th!!! Yep you got it I'm a twin. I love being dual-natured, you get a few different types of friends for the price of one :-D I agree that Gemini's will hospitalized more due to boredom than overload.

Here's my project spectrum skinny scarf. I used the yarn I got from my LJ secret pal and crocheted up this pretty scarf. It's the perfect colours for project spectrum's colours, which is blue, white and grey. This yarn is a mixture of blues, greens. little bit of white and silvery-blue grey. I defiantely will be looking for this yarn here, it's Plymouth Yarn's Royal Bamboo in colourway #20. It reminds me of the calming colours of a tropical water, mmm paradise.




Here is some beautiful yarn prOn. It's Zen Garden's handpainted cotton lycra fingering weight, yummy sock yarn for those with wool allergies! Once I figure out sock knitting and DPN's I'm going to make myself some lovely pairs of socks with these yarns.

I finally gave up and purchased a ball winder and my mailman should be bringing that to me as well as my knitpicks options in the next few weeks. I also have some sage green hemp yarn coming in so I can knit up the wicked hemp bag inDominknitrix's book Whip Your Knittig into Shape. I can't wait to start on the bag!

Socks flying of my needles

I just typed up a nice long post only to lose it,  Argg I hate blogger sometimes there really needs to 
be an auto-save *sigh*  So since it's late I don't have to retype everything that I had wanted to post about so 
here the short version.  I started knitting socks!  Yay me, I'm at the gusset of the class sock in 
Sensational Knitted Socks book by Charlene Schurch  Soon I will be able to knit up the yummy
Zen Garden sock yarn I just got from Pickup Sticks.  

Other WIPs/FO news, I started and finished a skinny scarf in the beautiful bamboo yarn that I
talked about in my previous post.  It's perfect for project spectrum and will be posting pics soon as I find some time.  Also I finished one of the legwarmers and will be casting on the second one sometime this week or next.

Arrggg, i haven't been able to post as much as I wanted to because our main computer has issues and we had to back-up data onto our network then re-install the evil MS Windows.  I really want a Mac, but DH is too cheap to purchase one for me even though I wanted a i-book instead of the laptop I have.  Oh well, at least I'm not on a yarn diet!!  Darn it's late and I'm getting yelled at to get into bed, I'll do a proper post with picture when I get some more time!