Knittin' Club

Negligence

2004-12-19T10:05:00.000-05:00

So I am a bad blogger. I ahve been terribly busy...December is the craziest month at work, so late night, long dinners with people and Friday's Holiday Party. The great thing was, I won an iPod at the party, so I am now loading all of my CD's into it (yay!)

I ahve been a knitting fool on every possible break I could. I have 3 thing left to finish by Tuesday - 2 hats and a scarf. Most are almost done, so I should get the partially completed ones done today. Unfortunately, I have not been able to go to knittin clublately, so hopefully Monday will be fun! Apparently we ahve several new members to welcome.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone! I will definetly update after the holidays!

I am just cranking them out!

2004-11-24T22:43:00.000-05:00

Here's the pic of the Palm Cover from SnB Nation that I promised.

ANd here is my version of a Christmas Stocking this year. A giant felted Mitten. The pic came out crummy, but you get the idea. It's about 1 1/2 feet tall.

I think that I am going to use some scraps that I have dress it up with embroidery.

Lala, I had today off, so I cleaned and baked and knit. Strangely enough, the high point of my day was having to get on a conference call for work, but in my pajamas with my knitting! If only I telecommuted.....

Have a Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Christmas Presents are getting finished!

2004-11-24T01:37:00.000-05:00

Here's teh first of the presents. If you are getting one of them, please shut your computer off now!!

A skull Cap for my uncle:

He requested a black skull cap, so I knit him the Basic CAble Hat from SnB Nation. It's tight, but he can bloack it enough for his head since he has not hair..Hehe!

A Hat for Shannie

THis is a simple one with a seed stitch brim made of Cotton Fleece. I just loved how this yarn draped and I think that I am going to knit more with it. The pattern is the Lil' Devil Hat from SnB, but without the earflaps or horns and they were not working for me.

In prograss - Liam's CHristmas Sweater

Done in Manos, I am hot and cold on it since every skein pooled differently than the other.

Busy Busy!

2004-11-20T23:21:00.000-05:00

Sorry about not posting sooner. It is the beginning of the Christmas Season here (before THanskgiving!) and I have been crazy busy! This week I ahve reclaimed my old Palm Pilot from ym sister and ahve started using it for my knitting. I love it! I love that I can put my patterns on there and then just carry it around, not worrying about making sure I ahve books and patterns. So far, I avhe been using HanDBase and my Memo Pad. I downloaded a trial copy of Knitable, but It is not as handy as the other two for now. Maybe later when I am getting more worried about conversion calculators.

Alsmot finished with my Uncle's Basic Cable Hat from SnB Nation. Love the pattern, but I hope it does not come out too small. I also did a PDA Monster from there. A blue bunny to keep my pda safe. I will post pictures when I sew on the teeth adn tounge. FYI - when you make one, you should sew a wee little piece of the stiffer velcro on it, otherwise the head keeps moving around.

40 Days Til Christmas!?!?!?

2004-11-14T10:02:00.000-05:00

OMG, so much knitting, so little time!!!!! Here's my list so far (this is more for me than you). If you are on this list, please stop reading!

1. Liam's Top Down Raglan in Manos Uranium (1/2 completed)
2. MIL Felted Clogs in recycled yarn I dyed (1 completed)
3. Scull Cap for Uncle
4. Scarf for boss, boss's boss and co-worker (some of these may get put off until later)
5. Guitar strap for Zach (it will be shadow knitted to read "Fuck Off")

NOtice who is left off? My DH and DF! Not to mention my sister. Everyone else gets non-knitted items. My knitting friends (who read this!) get super secret surprises from me! Yippee! I will post FO's as they are completed so everyone can marvel at the speediness of my knitting.

Here are the first 2 finished:

Scarf for my Aunt Betty (her yearly gift from me) modeled by the always photogenic Liam:

Scarf for my Mom in KPPPM:

Hey Debbie - Michigan is the one that looks like a mitten!

2004-11-12T22:55:00.000-05:00

So I got the new Stitch n' Bitch Nation today and I love it except for one tiny thing...Apparently Michigan is no longer a part of the Knitting US. They profile Snb's across the country, but left out any in Michigan (Ohio?!? Did anyone pay attention to them before the Election?) But even more tragic is that they left out Michigan completely from the yarn store index. Not event he great and almightly Threadbear made the cut. Oh sure, mention the White Stripes all up and down, but do not remember where their roots are!

So I am officially not going to Knitfest 2003 tomorrow. My car got all wonky at lunch today and I am afraid of the 2 hour drive with it. There is always next year, and if not, then I am glad that I am not going this year! Pbbt!

I Really Am Funny!

2004-11-11T19:57:00.000-05:00

So as I sit down to write this, I realize that I have again gone completely blank and cannot think of one damn thing to say. I go on and on all day, so when I get home at night I just turn off and knit. I kind of feel bad for my son and my husband and I try to bring the level back up, but with no avail. The weekends are good though!

So I ahve made a resolution, since they blocked Blogger at work, I will jsut email myself all the strange musings that run through my head all day and post them at night. This actually may be funnier, especially if I don't edit them....

My SP Rules!!

2004-11-08T22:05:00.001-05:00

Look at what I got in the mail today from my SP!

">

She knit me a super keyhole scarf out of a fun, soft yarn. I am so wearing this one to death! I also got 2 licorice candles and a littel angel pin. SHe also has the same angle pin on her knitting bag, it's a twin!

As I was putting on the scarf, I realized that this was my first ever handknit gift that I have recieved. I knit for so many people, but my knitting friends and I don't knit for each other. I got all misty about it...I hope that people I knit for have this much appreciation for the things that I give them.

Thank you again SP, you totally rock!

O, BTW - I ahven't been able to get onto the Knitty Messageboard since Saturday. It keeps saying that the server is unaccessable. I have been trying everything that I can think of because I know taht it is up, but if anyone has any ideas about what could be wrong, please let me know. If you are missing me really bad, you can email me at kmjones560(at)yahoo(dot)com.

Amy's Knit Wit Book Signing

2004-11-06T17:07:00.000-05:00

So today I went to Amy's Knit Wit book signing at Threadbear in Lansing, MI. I ahve never been to this yarn store before, but let me tell you that I will be going back again and again. It was absoluetly amazing! And then there was the great company.

I finally got to meet everyone that I ahve been talking to for so long. And they are wonderful people!! Lippysid brought me a bag of the most wonderful recycled and not recycled yarn. SHe has such good luck in Goodwill. Miss Amy herself was just as I expected her, a pleaseure to be around. Here's the 2 of us...

I went with one of the ladies in my Knitting Group, Nicole. It was great getting to spend time hanging out with you!!

All in all, a day well spent (and some money too, but that will come later.)

I started the Incredible Top Down Ragland for my son in a light green Manos color. So far it fits, so maybe my thrid sweater attempt will be the one that finally gets worn!

New FO's!

2004-11-04T23:31:00.000-05:00

I finished a doggie sweater for a friend. She loves her doggie and I love making sweaters for him. It's a felted pattern from the book Simple Chic. Super quick and easy.
Pre felting

Post felting

It needs a shave and some buttons before it is completely done.

Also, I am working on a scarf for my Mom for Christmas. She picked out a skein of KPPPM and I created a design from some lace patterns I have seen around. This one I think is called Waving Lace. Once I finish, I will post the pattern. It is turning out great.
What I have so far

Close up of pattern

I am still sad about the election. I need to find a cheap source of form fitting T shirts so I can print up stuff for them and wear them into work the next day. I saw the greatest shirt today that said "I voted and all I got was this lousy President." Love it!

Get your free iPods

2004-11-03T20:47:00.000-05:00

really, not joke. You can get a free iPod. I think that I am the only loser at work who doesn't have one. Try it, it really didn't hurt too bad!

Yay!! New Computer!

2004-11-01T21:55:00.000-05:00

New computer...found out what happened to the old one...my son stuck magnets in the floppy drive. Darn good excuse to get a new one if you ask me! His punishment is bath pictures of him on my blog. Hah! So here are pics of him and the finished Clapotis. I am going to run around and take pics of all the stuff I have started and let everyone know how dang busy I have been.

Had to skip my SnB tonight. Hopefully they still want to go with me to Amy Singer's book singing on Saturday. I am excited to meet other Knitty fans!

This weekend was supposed to be a big weekend of knitting, potty training and partying. Unfortunately, the power went out (right at the kickoff of the Michigan/Michigan State game I may add) and my son was sick, so really the only one of the three that I accomplished was partying, since you can still do that in the dark. I have also decided that I am too old to successfully function with a hangover.

Finished Clapotis

2004-11-01T21:49:00.001-05:00

Finished Clapotis

My Clapotis is finished and now I have proof!

Clapotis Close Up

2004-11-01T21:49:00.000-05:00

Clapotis Close Up

Here she is close up. I just love the verigations that the yarn made.

Liam as Santa!

2004-11-01T21:48:00.000-05:00

Liam as Santa!

I just love this pic of my son!!

I can't figure this picture thing out

2004-10-26T18:58:00.000-04:00

For some reason, all of my past images on this site have disappeared. Maybe it's time to move from Blogger..... I also feel that this blog has become v ery boring since I can't post pictures at the moment, so I will share one of my favorite pics of my son Liam. He's modeling a very stylish fez given to me by the ad agency that we work with.

He's so handsome!!

The Things That Make Me Giggle

2004-10-24T23:25:00.000-04:00

I'm sorry, but this cracks me up no matter how many times I see it. And this makes me laugh also.
Everytime! Ha!

On a much more knitting note, I have 1 foot completed of Cozy and I celebrated with starting a scarf for my mother for Christmas. It is knit in a sideways fan pattern that was on a pair of socks in the Summer '04 Interweave Knits. It is being made out of Koigu...mmmmmmm. I also spun my first 35 yards of yarn. Another 5 oz to go and I may have enough for somthing or other. I must go back and get more of this green it is really turning out amazing. The dyed rummage sale yarn has so far been turned into 1 pair of clogs for my MIL. The rest will be a doggie sweater and maybe a doggie sweater or felted backpack.

Have you seen the Knitty Surprise? It's a great one ya'all.

It always amazes me what my son will grasp the concept of next. He is 2 1/2 and really just started talking up a storm in the last 4 months or so. His 2 new words are "need" and "buy". Everything is "I NEED applt juice." "I NEED paint." or it's "Momma buy paint?" "Momma buy apple juice?" And he knows the difference between make and buy. Crazy that he graps the concept of buy. It is so complex if you think about it. Ah well.

Oh yeah, I got 1 1/2 feet of hair cut off. I have the same hairstyle as Betty Rubble now - I love it!

It's like not having part of me here...

2004-10-19T23:02:00.000-04:00

So my home computer is broken and I am sad. I can't upload photos and I have to bring my work computer home every night. Who would have guessed that I would get this upset over something as simple as this?

On a good note, I totally scored this weekend at a rummage sale adn found a sweater handknit out of cream Lamb's Pride. Snatched that bad boy up for 50 cents and frogged the whole thing and dyed it a pretty blue/purple. Dems gonna be some felted clogs for me MIL!

I also learned how to spin on a drop spindle last night at the SnB. I am in love and want to do it all the time. My goal is to have all this pretty green roving spun to make a shawl out of. Apparently I am doing pretty well. Who would ahve guessed?

Answers to the Question and Why I'm a Nerd

2004-10-08T15:00:00.000-04:00

So there is something wrong with this blogger thing, as the comments that I get on this site and not being sent to my email. What's cool about this is that it is a little surprise when I check to make sure that my updates are working. So I am answering the questions that have come up.

I used 3 balls of Waterspun Weekend for my Clapotis. I only did 6 instead of 7 repeats on the first diagonal, though, so it is skinnier than planned, but I did all the repeats in the middle.

Also, Amy from Knitty left me a happy comment that she was happy about my review of her book. So call me a nerd, but she is like celebrity to me. I am wowed by her Star Power. Don't get me wrong, because of the business, I have been able to meet a few celebrities in my day, but since I am not all into the acting thing, those people do not wow me as much as getting a happy note from Miss Knitty herself. And that is why I am an official nerd.

Yay!!!!...Noooo!

2004-10-07T14:12:00.000-04:00

So I fanlly finished a few things - Yay! Now I can't find the cord to download the pictures that I took of them - Nooo! So I'll just tell you. The Clapotis is finished and turned out really well. I would highly suggest blocking it when completed. I have actually gotten pretty good at blocking things now that I figured out what that word "blocking" actually meant. I ahve been going blocking carzy, blocking old project too. I finished my son's scarf and a fuzzy little skull cap for him for fall. He loves it. We went to Gymboree the other night and he ran in telling everyone that I made his hat. I love that he give props to his Mumma! I also finished a skinny scarf for me out of 2 of the skeins of the Blue Sky Bulky that I recieved.

Even more fun - Secret Pal 2 Two has started. I ahve been going a little nutty with mine. I don't want to divulge any secrets, but she will be very happy. I can't wait to see what comes in the mail with mine.

Also, I recieved 4 skeins of Manos in a pretty grey/green color (Uranium) from Cookie in Chicago (Thanks Cookie!) and am debating what to do with them. It takes 7 for the hooded sweater in the yarn Girl's Guide and I can order that colorway online. But that means that I have to knit a sweater, which I still can't see myself doing. Hmmmm...what should I make.

So my best friend just emailed me and said that she ran into my ex-boyfriend Brandon last night and he wants to meet up. Why can't I remember an ex-BF named Brandon? WTF, dude.

I must start controlling myself...

2004-09-30T10:36:00.000-04:00

I need to stop starting new projects. I have so many WIPs that I can't finish them all. I think that this means that I need to not visit my LYS at lunch anymore, because I tend to buy yarn for new projects while I am there. There needs to be a 12 step program for this, because I am out of control. I haven't even posted them all here - the felted bag, Clapotis, and Toddle for my son. Then I added a Hallowig, Knot Another Paper Bag from IK and a French Market bag, an Eros Scarf for my boss and I want to start Cozy ASAP. Plus I want to start on the Sideways Spencer in the Fall IK. I am drowning!!!!!!!

The good thing is that I am starting on the decrease rows on the Clapotis tonight and should have it finished by the end of the week. There should be some good knitting time during the Debate tonight. I am getting the second ball of yarn for Toddle at lunch (lord help me!). The pattern for Toddle is wrong, it calls for 2 balls of yarn, not one. Or else I am doing it wrong...

I should get my Secret Pal today. I can't wait. I have started a few little neat knitting related things on the side to send to them.

What Knitting Needles Are You?

2004-09-24T17:13:00.000-04:00

So I took the quiz and look at what it said....hmmmm.

You are "turbo" charged.
Fast moving and classy, you get things done with
power and grace. Your expensive tastes can be
deceiving, since what you really value is
quality and efficiency. As you're careening
around those corners in life, finishing a dozen
knitted objects each month, stop and smell the
roses. Don't miss the beauty of process!

What kind of knitting needles are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

I'm Baaack...

2004-09-24T13:46:00.000-04:00

Back from vacation. Whew! 3 kids under 5 in a 2 bedroom apartment is quite a lot. I didn't get much knitting done, a few more dropped stitches on the Clapotis and a skull cap for my husband for his birthday out of Blue Sky Bulky. I also started on the Toddle scarf for my son. After a few tries at getting the pattern down, I think that I am good to go and have about 5 inches completed. I will try and put images up soon.

I have come to the realization that I am a slow knitter. I don't know if it is that I don't have a lot of time to devote to it or if I am just slow. I knit in the English way, I have tried Continental, but it doesn't feel right to me. Oh well, that just means less items to give away and I would like to think that I am saving money this way....

I also signed up for the Secret Pal 2 Too on the Knitty Coffeeshop. This should be fun!

2004-09-16T23:04:00.001-04:00

Thank You Blue Sky Alpacas!!!!

Karma, Karma!!!

2004-09-16T23:04:00.000-04:00

What a day. The Ryder Cup is in town and I went to a large charity event sponsored by the PGA. It was in a mall. Now I am not one that goes to charity events, but when Prince William is rumored to be there and then free tickets are given to you, you just have to go!! It was in a mall for god sake! Whatever. At least I scored big on free cosmetic samples. And alas, there was not a bit of Royalty in sight. Sigh!

But here's the beautiful thing, I got home and there was a package from Blue Sky Alpacas. I wrote them last week and let them know that I bought a pattern that was actually a copy, not an original. They had me send in the copy and they said that they would send me an original. So I expected a new pattern in the box, but along with a new pattern and very nice note saying that I bought the store's copy of the pattern (which the store lied about because there were 5 other copied patterns in the sleeve that I took it out of) there was 4 skeins of Blue Sky Bulky and some Knitters Little Helper Hand Balm. I love love love them!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you thank you!!!!

Clapotis Along!

2004-09-15T20:41:00.000-04:00

I joined the Clapotis Along on the Knitty Message Board. I am posting my pics of what I ahve done below. I am using Classic Elite's Waterspun Weekend in Periwinkle. I am hopeing that this will be this winter's scarf for myself.

Funny, I went to Michael's today to pick up some bright pink yarn for the Hallowig on Knitty. I searched high and low, but only found a few racks of Red Heart - the rest was nicer yarns.....what happened to the cheap stuff now that I have an excuse to use it?

2004-09-15T20:38:00.001-04:00

Here is a close up of the first 2 dropped sections.

2004-09-15T20:38:00.000-04:00

Here is the beginnings of the Clapotis.

Knit Detroit - the knitting group

2004-09-13T22:40:00.000-04:00

So I go to my Stitch n' Bitch every Monday night. We said goodbye to the founder and "President" tonight as she goes her merry way to California! But we welcomed in a new member. Funny, I ran into the new member at another SnB that we both ended up hating and went to this group. She has promised to show me how to spin. I have the drop spindle and roving and a book, but I still have no idea what I am doing.

I have started on the Knitty Clapotis (pronounced clap-o-tee according to her blog) this weekend. I still can't get up the nerve to work on the flower bag. I really wanted to get it done by this weekend to show off to everyone at the Family Reunion, but those dreams are dashed. Maybe next year.....

Yay! Pictures!

2004-09-12T17:01:00.000-04:00

I figured out the camera and the picture thing on here! Top picture is of the Bobbi Bear that I just completed. A little break in the madness that is the Flowered Bag. I did it in Wool Ease Thick & Quick. I actually frogged a tank top gone bad made of it. It only took 2 skeins on size 15 needles. I swear, I was only knitting for about 4 hours to get him completed and he is sooo cute!

The second image is the dreaded Flowered Bag. Nicky Epstein's one from the latest Interweave. I will be so proud of it when I have it completed, but for now it is just scary!

2004-09-12T16:53:00.000-04:00

Bobbi Bear in Wool-Ease Thick & Quick

2004-09-12T16:35:00.000-04:00

Here's my 2/3 completed Felted Bag

First Real Post

2004-09-12T01:15:00.000-04:00

So I wanted to start this with some friends, and they may join in from time to time, but not today. I started the Felted Flower Purse in the latest issue of Interweave. This is very ambitious of me since I ahve never done intarsia before. Plus, I am cheap, so I dyed my own yarns instead of buying them all separately.

I have finished one side and 1/3 of the way done with the last side, but man - this sucks!! I am not going to do intarsia like this for a long, long time. "It is only 57 rows" that has been my mantra.

So to relieve some of the pressure, I made a Bobbi Bear. I swear, it only took me 3 hours aall together and it is the cutest thing!! I was going to give it to my friend's new baby, but my 2 year old took it and is not letting it go.

PLease ecuse the starnge way that pics are being posted, I am still trying to fiure out this image thing.

Welcome to the Knittin' Club!

2004-07-19T10:28:00.000-04:00

Greetings from the Motor City. This is the first post, so once I figure out how to work this page, I can post much more.