So, last night I thought to myself, "I know that I have more than one pair of fingering weight socks on the needles." So I went into the garage, where the UFO basket and bins are.
For those of you who are curious, the UFO basket is the one that I'm trying to empty in order to transition WIPs that have been "timed out" out of bins and into the basket. Eventually, all projects should get finished this way. In theory. If only theory applied to my knitting whims.
I came across two pairs of socks that were more than half done that I started in South Dakota last summer, for Andrew. Just FYI, I got razzed at XRX about knitting socks, but by the end of summer, most of the people who razzed me were knitting socks. Muah ah ah.
They're both Regia socks, and both are from the Braid Box closing sale (less than $2/ball). I've been on a finishing kick lately- mostly to free my needles for other projects, and absolve my knitting soul for needless but AWESOME purchases.
I will also be finishing a pair of charity baby sockies made of Fancy Image Yarns Superwash Merino so that I can free those needles up to knit Constance's birthday socks out of this month's Yarn of the Month from Fancy Image.
I really like my little project progress monitors, and it looks like the percentage bars aren't up and running. So this is it for now as far as blog changes are concerned.
ETA for the Watermelon and Hogwarts yarn is about 2 weeks. Woo!
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Monday, September 19, 2005
Review- Astrid's Dutch Obsessions Order
I placed an order on Ebay to "Astrid's Dutch Obsessions" for 8 balls of Opal Sock Yarn, six in the "Rainforest" collection, and two of the Rodeo collection. I placed the order on September 3rd (a Saturday).
It was shipped on the less expensive speed, and arrived on September 13th (six business days). I found this to be particularly speedy, considering that it was the slower speed as well as being sent from New Zealand. The yarn is GORGEOUS and had no odor or issue.
Including shipping, I paid about $10.50 US for each ball, making it 1/3 less expensive than buying it in a store in the US. It's not the shopowners' fault that it's way more expensive here; the US distributor is gouging them, riding the profit wave that is Opal. I think this is a bad idea on the part of the distributor, especially with the internet to offer us international sellers.
I also really like that she sent me an e-mail shortly after my payment went through saying "The package is ready to go out first thing Monday." I like to know that the seller has received payment and isn't sitting on my order.
I give Astrid's Dutch Obsessions my highest recommendations, and will order from her again, once I've destashed enough to justify another sock yarn order. *grin*
Happy International Speak Like A Pirate Day!
It was shipped on the less expensive speed, and arrived on September 13th (six business days). I found this to be particularly speedy, considering that it was the slower speed as well as being sent from New Zealand. The yarn is GORGEOUS and had no odor or issue.
Including shipping, I paid about $10.50 US for each ball, making it 1/3 less expensive than buying it in a store in the US. It's not the shopowners' fault that it's way more expensive here; the US distributor is gouging them, riding the profit wave that is Opal. I think this is a bad idea on the part of the distributor, especially with the internet to offer us international sellers.
I also really like that she sent me an e-mail shortly after my payment went through saying "The package is ready to go out first thing Monday." I like to know that the seller has received payment and isn't sitting on my order.
I give Astrid's Dutch Obsessions my highest recommendations, and will order from her again, once I've destashed enough to justify another sock yarn order. *grin*
Happy International Speak Like A Pirate Day!
Friday, September 16, 2005
Jubilee socks, pair #2
Here is the colorway of the socks that I started last night Greenland.
Last night, Cynthia and Mom came over and we hung out and knitted. It was fun. We also had a "Top 5" Buffy discussion, which was fun.
Plans for the weekend include attending Ren Faire at Casa de Fruta. Arr, it be pirate weekend!
Last night, Cynthia and Mom came over and we hung out and knitted. It was fun. We also had a "Top 5" Buffy discussion, which was fun.
Plans for the weekend include attending Ren Faire at Casa de Fruta. Arr, it be pirate weekend!
Thursday, September 15, 2005
FO! Socks!
I finished the W.I.P. Jubilee Socks last night (picture to be posted soon), and part of yesterday's excitement was e-mailing back and forth with Dani about Watermelon Yarn! . My special request was to make it superwash, so we've been e-mailing back and forth to make it happen!
The colorway I used is called "Oslo"
The colorway I used is called "Oslo"
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
A shift in focus
I've decided that I'm going to be true to the name of the blog and blog about my knitting, since there is not much else going on. Work is always the same (usually), so I'll be posting pics of Works In Progress (WIPs) and Finished Objects (FOs).
I just finished reading She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb, and it was okay. It was good writing, but so very sad and so very L-O-N-G. I'm finishing House of Sand and Fog, even though I know it turns out badly for the Persian family. I just want them off of my bookshelf, not half-read, being a book-cancer.
Knitting News and Reviews
I've hit a finishing kick, I've finished 2 ribbon tops, and like 4 pairs of socks in the last month. I also de-stashed a bit (a la Cynthia), and orded some of the new Opal Rainforest series . Although I ordered one ball of this from Yarnzilla and the rest on Ebay (total cost per ball on ebay including shipping= $10.50), I found Yarnzilla to be quick and well worth their flat $5 shipping.
I ordered the Opal on Ebay instead for the most part because I don't like the business practices of the US distributor. She tells retailors to mark up the yarn to $15/skein , when she's selling it to them at $11/skein. The gal I ordered mine from is from New Zealand Astrid's Dutch Obsessions(review upon reciept of the yarn), thus sidestepping said evil distributor.
I am currently actively working on some socks made from "Honeymoon Yarn"- stuff I bought in Seattle. I'll post the photos Andrew took of my Seattle haul in the hotel. It covered the bed, wait till you see!
Specifically, the yarn I'm using is the Regia Jubilee Series because Cynthia wanted to buy a bunch of it, and I use less than half of the ball. I also paid like $6.50/ball for it, because the yarn store I got it at catered to scarf knitters, rather than long-term knitters. I also got 10 or 15% off because of the amount that I purchased. It's super popular now, from what I understand from the knitting buzz.
In other news, Elphie attempted knitting socks yesterday while I wasn't home. From the looks of things, she got frustrated with her lack of opposable thumbs, and tangled four balls of sock yarn around the living room. She takes after her mother, braving heights to get at yarn; she climbed up on the CAL chair, and yanked it off of the bookshelf.
More later, and hopefully photos!
I just finished reading She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb, and it was okay. It was good writing, but so very sad and so very L-O-N-G. I'm finishing House of Sand and Fog, even though I know it turns out badly for the Persian family. I just want them off of my bookshelf, not half-read, being a book-cancer.
Knitting News and Reviews
I've hit a finishing kick, I've finished 2 ribbon tops, and like 4 pairs of socks in the last month. I also de-stashed a bit (a la Cynthia), and orded some of the new Opal Rainforest series . Although I ordered one ball of this from Yarnzilla and the rest on Ebay (total cost per ball on ebay including shipping= $10.50), I found Yarnzilla to be quick and well worth their flat $5 shipping.
I ordered the Opal on Ebay instead for the most part because I don't like the business practices of the US distributor. She tells retailors to mark up the yarn to $15/skein , when she's selling it to them at $11/skein. The gal I ordered mine from is from New Zealand Astrid's Dutch Obsessions(review upon reciept of the yarn), thus sidestepping said evil distributor.
I am currently actively working on some socks made from "Honeymoon Yarn"- stuff I bought in Seattle. I'll post the photos Andrew took of my Seattle haul in the hotel. It covered the bed, wait till you see!
Specifically, the yarn I'm using is the Regia Jubilee Series because Cynthia wanted to buy a bunch of it, and I use less than half of the ball. I also paid like $6.50/ball for it, because the yarn store I got it at catered to scarf knitters, rather than long-term knitters. I also got 10 or 15% off because of the amount that I purchased. It's super popular now, from what I understand from the knitting buzz.
In other news, Elphie attempted knitting socks yesterday while I wasn't home. From the looks of things, she got frustrated with her lack of opposable thumbs, and tangled four balls of sock yarn around the living room. She takes after her mother, braving heights to get at yarn; she climbed up on the CAL chair, and yanked it off of the bookshelf.
More later, and hopefully photos!
Thursday, September 1, 2005
Audrie II
Audrie II had to be put to sleep today. She had respiratory problems, recovering bumblefoot in both back feet, and was beginning to lose her fur. She just wasn't happy anymore. Audrie was 2 1/2 years old, fairly old for a rat.
She had a rough beginning in life; she was involved in a cruelty case where a man had 80 cages in a one-bedroom apartment, all full of pet rats. He was breeding them and trying to sell them, from what I was told.
Rattieratz rescue had her at their adoption fair, and Audrie picked Sam. We brought her home, and found that her gift was that of projectile pooping. While we were trying to find a name for her, I came up with "#2" (like from Austin Powers), but Sam said that you can't give a number name, so we came up with "Audrie II" (from "Little Shop of Horrors"). Audrie and Topaz were great friends, and I think it was hardest on Audrie when Topaz passed away.
Audrie was a more selective rat; she didn't want to play all of the time, but would let you know when she did. She was a sweet rat when she wanted to be, and man, did she have spunk and a peanut-gut. We all loved her very much.
She had a rough beginning in life; she was involved in a cruelty case where a man had 80 cages in a one-bedroom apartment, all full of pet rats. He was breeding them and trying to sell them, from what I was told.
Rattieratz rescue had her at their adoption fair, and Audrie picked Sam. We brought her home, and found that her gift was that of projectile pooping. While we were trying to find a name for her, I came up with "#2" (like from Austin Powers), but Sam said that you can't give a number name, so we came up with "Audrie II" (from "Little Shop of Horrors"). Audrie and Topaz were great friends, and I think it was hardest on Audrie when Topaz passed away.
Audrie was a more selective rat; she didn't want to play all of the time, but would let you know when she did. She was a sweet rat when she wanted to be, and man, did she have spunk and a peanut-gut. We all loved her very much.
Wednesday, August 3, 2005
Foot-in-Mouth Disease
Sometimes people say things intending to express themselves, and just manage to insult you unintentionally. Case in point:
Andrew and I ran into Sam (not my brother, the guy who works at the ethnic food store we shop at) and his drop-dead gorgeous wife. Later that evening, Andrew says to me, "Wow, if I were married to someone that hot, I would be worried about her cheating on me all the time."
Now, to most people who own functional ears this implies that I am rather homely, and thus, safe from the interests of other men. Not a nice thing to say to someone who sleeps next to you every night.
Being me, instead of sucking it up and thinking "Gosh, I am not pretty," I point out that he is calling me homely by making such an assessment, to which he argues that implying my homliness was not his intention.
I'm in touch with reality. I know that I'm not a super-model. Mine is not the face that launched a thousand ships. But I'm not exactly homely, either.
Just thought I would share with all the rest of you, homely and super-models alike.
I'm totally bailing on this post to go and finish Gone With the Nerd (to be reviewed upon completion and contemplation of plot, writing style, and nerd hotness factor).
Andrew and I ran into Sam (not my brother, the guy who works at the ethnic food store we shop at) and his drop-dead gorgeous wife. Later that evening, Andrew says to me, "Wow, if I were married to someone that hot, I would be worried about her cheating on me all the time."
Now, to most people who own functional ears this implies that I am rather homely, and thus, safe from the interests of other men. Not a nice thing to say to someone who sleeps next to you every night.
Being me, instead of sucking it up and thinking "Gosh, I am not pretty," I point out that he is calling me homely by making such an assessment, to which he argues that implying my homliness was not his intention.
I'm in touch with reality. I know that I'm not a super-model. Mine is not the face that launched a thousand ships. But I'm not exactly homely, either.
Just thought I would share with all the rest of you, homely and super-models alike.
I'm totally bailing on this post to go and finish Gone With the Nerd (to be reviewed upon completion and contemplation of plot, writing style, and nerd hotness factor).
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Literacy and reading
There was this post on Knitflame stating a statistic that said that less than half of the Americans polled had read a book in the last year, where in Canada it was less than 20% that hadn't read a book in the last year.
So what does this mean? As an enthusiastic bibliophile, it's distressing but not altogether shocking. Watching TV is easier than picking a book and sticking to it, I suppose. I also know people who use their bookshelves for storing knick-knacks and other similar kitschy crap (ugh). I've known people who needed prodding to read, but got hooked on a series once they did (woo! I converted one!).
I'll have to admit that majoring in Lit cut down on my personal time for reading, but I did get to read many of the books that were on my "to read" list. Working full-time on a computer cuts down on it too; by the time I get home, my eyes have been fatigued by the screen too long to incite the desire to read (although I'm currently working on "Fat, White Vampire Blues" upstairs and "She's Come Undone" downstairs. I've read a bunch of romance novels, but don't count them as books.
With the onset of the internet, I think people are doing more reading than before. The existence of blogs- something somewhat personal that everyone can read- makes it so one would assume that people are reading more through the neccessity of having to do so online. I read the first 13 chapters of Pride and Prejudice online; I'm also reading the Court TV bits about various serial killers. Blogs, MySpace, Friendster, all of those require reading. Does it contribute or detract from literacy? What about forums and chats?
Although I can blame the decline of spelling and complete sentences on chats and forums, I have to admit that people are reading them, and that's the point, right?
Ok, off to watch my Saturday morning cartoons.
So what does this mean? As an enthusiastic bibliophile, it's distressing but not altogether shocking. Watching TV is easier than picking a book and sticking to it, I suppose. I also know people who use their bookshelves for storing knick-knacks and other similar kitschy crap (ugh). I've known people who needed prodding to read, but got hooked on a series once they did (woo! I converted one!).
I'll have to admit that majoring in Lit cut down on my personal time for reading, but I did get to read many of the books that were on my "to read" list. Working full-time on a computer cuts down on it too; by the time I get home, my eyes have been fatigued by the screen too long to incite the desire to read (although I'm currently working on "Fat, White Vampire Blues" upstairs and "She's Come Undone" downstairs. I've read a bunch of romance novels, but don't count them as books.
With the onset of the internet, I think people are doing more reading than before. The existence of blogs- something somewhat personal that everyone can read- makes it so one would assume that people are reading more through the neccessity of having to do so online. I read the first 13 chapters of Pride and Prejudice online; I'm also reading the Court TV bits about various serial killers. Blogs, MySpace, Friendster, all of those require reading. Does it contribute or detract from literacy? What about forums and chats?
Although I can blame the decline of spelling and complete sentences on chats and forums, I have to admit that people are reading them, and that's the point, right?
Ok, off to watch my Saturday morning cartoons.
Saturday, July 2, 2005
Long time no blog
This has to be quick, since I have a ton of stuff to get done.
The new job is great, they like me alot and they're pretty cool people. I'm doing some interesting, some not-so interesting stuff. Variety is the spice of life, right?
Mom's got people in her house; crazy relatives along with Kathy- everyone in Kathy's entourage is making Mom nuts, and vice versa. The extended family are bastards, but I have to play nice.
I went to the Concord show, ran into Zak's family; Zak and I are on speaking terms again, which is good. That makes me 4 for 4 (I'm on good terms with all ex's + current). Today is Pacific Procession, I'm only going to warmups.
Elphie is getting closer to potty trained, which is good. We're getting an anti-bark system today (it seems they bark basically all day until we get home). Nothing mean, but positive re-inforcement doesn't seem to work in this case when we're not home.
The new bed is awesome, I've never slept so well in my life. Well, except for the couple of days after I got my wisdom teeth pulled. Ok, the best non-drug-induced sleep of my life.
Time to shower and get my day kick-started. I promise to blog more often, A. I do so hate to disappoint.
I have an upcoming blog on literacy. It should be cool. Maybe.
The new job is great, they like me alot and they're pretty cool people. I'm doing some interesting, some not-so interesting stuff. Variety is the spice of life, right?
Mom's got people in her house; crazy relatives along with Kathy- everyone in Kathy's entourage is making Mom nuts, and vice versa. The extended family are bastards, but I have to play nice.
I went to the Concord show, ran into Zak's family; Zak and I are on speaking terms again, which is good. That makes me 4 for 4 (I'm on good terms with all ex's + current). Today is Pacific Procession, I'm only going to warmups.
Elphie is getting closer to potty trained, which is good. We're getting an anti-bark system today (it seems they bark basically all day until we get home). Nothing mean, but positive re-inforcement doesn't seem to work in this case when we're not home.
The new bed is awesome, I've never slept so well in my life. Well, except for the couple of days after I got my wisdom teeth pulled. Ok, the best non-drug-induced sleep of my life.
Time to shower and get my day kick-started. I promise to blog more often, A. I do so hate to disappoint.
I have an upcoming blog on literacy. It should be cool. Maybe.
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