Monthly Archives: January 2004

Saturday

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Not much going on here today. I went to a Knit Shop I discovered in town and saw a bunch of yarn I’d like to make something with. We also bought some computer stuff today. We got a scanner finally and some video imaging stuff so we can transfer our videos to dvd. Preservation is good. Especially when it’s your wedding video. :) So the hubby has been working on that for a while. Tonight we’re going to hang out with his cousin and her boyfriend. Tomorrow, more of the same I guess, except without all the spending. :D I plan on doing some more knitting. It’s coming out really nice, but I’m still not as fast as I’d like. Oh well, all in good time. So far, it’s been a relaxing weekend. And I’m feeling better than last weekend. I think I’m finally getting over the cold I had. Yeah!

Twisting

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I’ve been reading that if you have yarn on a skein, it’s better to roll it into a ball to keep it from tangling. Well, I was doing okay with my first bunch of yarn. On a skein and it was fine. The yarn I’m using now is “Lion Brand”:http://www.lionbrand.com Homespun and as I knit it kept getting so twisted it would start to kink. Well, I tried to roll it into a ball, but I guess I didn’t so so well, since I’d already started knitting with the other end and it still kinks up so much that every few rows I’m having to straighten it out. So far I haven’t had that problem with my other yarn. Can anyone help? What can I do to fix this mess?

I keep saying I’ll get pictures and I will. Hopefully tonight. Since it’s Friday, I can stay up late and I’ll get the photos posted of my progress on the homespun scarf. I’m also planning to start a practice swatch so I can practice stockinette and ribbing this weekend. Hopefully that will go well and I can start on the hat and scarf in that book which is completely ribbed. With these two projects, I’ll get plenty of practice in. I’ve already feel I’m getting better and not quite so clumsy. :)

I just couldn’t help myself. While at lunch, I picked up “The Purl Stitch”:http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1893762149/raynesbooks, book 2 of the Knitting Experience. I know. I need to do some of the projects in _The Knit Stitch_ first, and I will. I have plans to do the leg warmers and the Einstien coat, but I love the patterns in this book so much. It has twice as many good projects as the first book. Can you tell I’m excited about this knitting stuff?

Earlier while on break, I started my practice swatch. I’m using “Red Heart”:http://www.coatsandclark.com/find_a_product/knitting_crochet/E300/html/e300.htm yarn to start out with (since it’s cheap) on size US8 needles. I’m having trouble with my first row. It always looks so sloppy and uneven compared to the rest of the swatch. Once I get the first row done, I can get going and my stitches pretty much come out even, but I just can’t seem to work the first row as easily. I’m pretty sure that I’m casting on too tight, which I’ve heard is a beginner hump. I’m working on it, but ripping and starting over to get that first row right won’t ever get me anywhere. LOL! Oh well, I’ll get it eventually. I’m just ready to move on to bigger and better things, of course, but I’ve only been knitting for a few days. I know I have to give it some time.

Homespun Scarf

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Homespun Scarf

I told you I’d post my progress on my scarf. Well, here it is. It’s my first knitting project. I think it looks pretty decent for my first project. I’ve also made some headway on my practice swatch. As I mentioned before, I’m using a different yarn, where you can really see the stitches. The first row is very sloppy and loose. The rest, I’m pleased to say, looks like it is supposed to. I’m actually proud. With the scarf, since I can’t really see the stitches, I’m not sure how well I’m doing. With my practice swatch, I can see how I’m doing and it’s pretty good, except for the first row. :\

I discovered a yarn shop in town and went to take a look this morning. I love it. They have several of the yarns that are used in The Knit Stitch. I got a pair of circular needles for the legwarmers I want to do. Of course I still have to get the yarn. The lady at the shop said that if I needed help, to just come back and she’d help me at no charge. I may have to go back next week, so she can give me some tips on how to get the first row to look better.

Impatient

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I’m so impatient. I keep seeing all these fabulous patterns I want to do. But I’ve just started knitting (this week!) so I’m not very good. My stitches are still uneven, my hands are still clumsy with the needles. But, oh, I want to knit some fabulous cardigans and sweaters. I’ve got patterns for 3 or 4 and I’ve seen tons more I’d love to do. I’m currently working on a simple scarf to get more comfortable. I’m sticking to the beginner patterns of course, so I’m starting with simple stuff, but after my scarf I’m not sure where to go next. I guess it will depend on how much improvement I’ve made. I’m learning on my own. Do any of you seasoned knitters have any advice for a newbie like me? I welcome any and all suggestions.

Hopefully this site will look better in the next couple of weeks. I’m working with “Mary”:http://thesmooch.com and another friend to get a design worked up. Oh yeah, I’ll post a shot of my progress so far on my scarf. Not much since I haven’t had much time to work on it, what with work and being sick. I hope to make some progress this weekend though.

Pancho

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This is my sister’s little puppy. She went to the Rio Grande for New Year’s with her boyfriend. His aunt’s dog had puppies and she fell in love. Of course she had to take one home. His name is Pancho because he is Mexican. Pancho is part Chihuahua and part Miniature Daschund. When she brought him home, he was 8 weeks old. This is the most recent photo she has. Ain’t he the cutest thing you ever saw?

He’s been staying with my mom mostly right now. She’s been helping my sister train him since she doesn’t work and my sister has been busy with work. Mom says he is the funniest little thing. When my dad sits on the couch with his legs stretched out, Pancho will climb up his legs and curl up in his lap. My parents have a chihuahua, who is old (12 years old), and the poor thing just shakes her nerves, because he constantly wants to play and she is beyond playing. And when he gets to barking, he is so loud. My sister had him at her apartment for a little while, and he kept whining and barking. She finally got up and put him in bed with her to quiet him down, and the neighbor downstairs yelled out, “Finally!” She felt so bad, but he is learning pretty quickly. My mom will have him housetrained in no time.

Random Thoughts

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I’m feeling somewhat better, but yesterday I forgot to take some medicine and I guess my body wasn’t used to going full speed, so I started to feel bad after lunch and last night after dinner I started feeling bad. But I’m doing a little better today. I just need to take it easy.

I worked on my knitting site a little. Gave it some style, even though it isn’t final. It’s at least presentable till I get my templates from blog barter. My new knitting site is at: In Stitches. I started knitting my first project, a homespun scarf, so I’m officially a knitter now. I may not be good yet, but it’s a start. And the yarn I’ve used is slightly bunchy, so my mistakes and uneven-ness (is that even a word?) doesn’t show as much. My camera battery was dying, so I put it on the charger. Hopefully I’ll get photos up on the knitting site later tonight of what I’ve got so far.

We’re planning our anniversary (3rd) trip. We haven’t got it completely planned, but one thing is for sure. We’re going to see Cirque du Soleil’s Allegria, in St. Petersburg on the 21st. We’re trying to decide what to do between our anniversary (17th) and the show (21st). Whatever it is, I’m looking forward to the mini-vacation.