Always Casting On…

I’m suffering from a wicked case of startitis.

This is not good.

I have too many projects on the go that really need to be done, preferably yesterday, before I release the beast within and let it have at.

Let’s take a quick, yet embarrassing, count of what’s been lying dormant for months, shall we.

Not to mention the two that have been snoring away for such a long time that it’s going to take some kind of miracle to wake them up.

Six (or eight, depending on who you are…you’ll say eight, I’ll say six) projects on the needles? WTF?

What’s the big deal?

You may think this is not so bad and I would have to agree with a giggle and a grin.

The issue is how long I’ve procrastinated over finishing them. That is what’s embarrassing. These projects could all be out of my hair and onto appropriate body parts in let’s say, two weeks.

Tops!

But nooooooooooooooooooooo!

I have to be the master procrastinator. A procrastinator with a monkey on my back called the Cast On Beast whispering in my big ole fat ear to start new projects…especially socks.

Yep, socks. Not the mittens, scarves, sweaters, gloves or shawls that are turning to dust before my very eyes on my needles.

SOCKS.

Like these, these, these, these, these, these, these and these.

Scary thought is, that is only some of them…not to mention the anticipation for the next shipment of the Rockin’ Sock Club.

So, anyone out there care to offer some suggestions on how I can calm this wee beastie so I can finally finish this stuff? I mean seriously, over a year to complete a simple scarf?

Pitiful. Just pitiful.

Knit on and have a good one!

My husband, dear that he is, signed me up for this years Rockin’ Sock Club offered by Blue Moon Fiber Arts. Yes, he loves me…and yes, he wanted to shut me up. (wink)

I wasn’t whinging.

Seriously!

I was just undecided as to whether I would like a sock club, even though I wanted to be a part of it.

Does that even make sense?

In any case, my husband took it upon himself to settle the matter and I’m glad he did. I absolutely love January’s installment.

Pattern: Queen of Beads

Designer: Sivia Harding

Yarn: Socks that Rock Lightweight in My Blue Heaven (sorry, this colour won’t be available to non-club members till next year)

Needles: 2.50mm

Size: Medium

Yes, there is beading on the foot of the sock. It’s optional, but I decided to go for it cause, seriously, how many pairs of socks will I knit with beads on the foot? These will be my “pamper me because, fill in the blank” socks.

Now it’s time to finish up another plain vanilla pair for my sweetie, G.

I need to knit another 8-9 pair of plain vanilla socks for family members that are just begging for them. They are quite pitiful, really. (The begging family, not my socks) So, I’ve decided to be merciful and knit them for their Christmas gifts. I refuse to knit my fingers to the bone the last three months before said holiday, so I’m starting now.

Oh, I wanted to mention that I’m twittering. I really don’t know why. It’s just a quick one liner update to the blog that’s in my sidebar. If you want to follow me, just click the link that says, follow me on Twitter, in my sidebar. Or, find me as AlwaysCastingOn.

I was sick the last two weeks and my daughter has had some stomach discomfort (my, aren’t I pleasant) this week, but I hope to get back on track blogging more regularly. This seems to be a trend with me, so no promises.

Have a good one and knit on!

I finally finished knitting my Firestarter socks and I’m finally happy with them after some wee adjustments.

Pattern: Firestarter by Yarnissima

Pattern available as a free Ravelry download here.

Yarn: Wollmeise Sockenwolle 100% superwash in Campari Orange

Needles: 2.25mm

Mods: After knitting one sock, I ripped it out because I wasn’t happy with the way the Wollmeise knit up at 8 stitches to the inch. Instead, I knit them at 10 stitches to the inch and used Judy Becker’s magic cast on starting with 28sts (14 per needle) and increased the stitch count to 72sts using a 2.25mm needle. I then worked 6 pattern repeats for the foot, and changed the rest as follows.

Gusset: Same as pattern.

Heel turn: 10 live w/ 9 wrapped.

Heel flap: Same as pattern.

Leg: same over 72 stitches.

I lucked out, but I don’t care. I have some hot feet today, baby!

Knit On…

I repeat. Furnace down!

Let’s just hope it’s just the pilot light that went out.

That is all.

Knit On!

Update: Furnace has been relit and we’re currently thawing out. Damn pilot light.

has my blogging mojo gone?

Where, oh where can it be?

It flew out the fecking window, that’s where it went.

Now, how do I get it back?

It’s not so much about not having the phlegm, as it is about not being able to cough it up.

Okay, poor analogy – but, there it is.

At least my knitting and spinning haven’t been lacking, though the projects are dull to a degree. Heck, there are times in a person’s life when you just need dull. Dull can be good.

Take these socks I knit for my husband, for instance. Plain stockinette. Two colours – one white, no less.

To you, they are probably dull.

To me, they are the epitome of mindless knitting. Mindless knitting in turn equates to a form of meditation in which I learn to absolve all responsibilites for an hour of glorious, sanity saving, mental health.

I’m sure we can all agree we need to take the periodic mental health day. Some more than others and I’m one of the others (this month) anyway, since I started on another pair right away.

These are for my son, since he sadly announced that he has worn holes in his other socks. This makes me happy. Not only is he wearing them, but he is wearing them alot and making holes in them.

Speaking of activities that help with my mental health, I also finished a spinning project last month. This is Sakina Needles BFL roving in the Gram Positive colour purchased from The Loopy Ewe.

Spun into a 3-ply worsted weight…

and knit into a dog sweater for my dog, of course.

On my final note, I finished the Butterfly mittens for my daughter’s teacher with resounding success.

Some of you may have thought it an extravagent gift for a Kindergarten Teacher, but this teacher is worth it, as you will see by this thank you card I received from her.

Dear Q (& Mom & Dad),

Thank you so much for the mittens. They are exquisite – truly a work of art!! And when I realized there were butterflies on them; I had tears in my eyes! I will truly treasure your gift.

Thank you!!

From Mrs. N

I must say, it brought a wee tear to my eye, too. You’re most welcome, Mrs. N. Thank you for being the wonderful teacher you are!

Late breaking news in the knitting world: If you’re into gadgets like I am, you’ll love The Knit Kit. I’m really looking forward to this gadget. Whether it’s worth the $19.95 price tag remains to be seen, but it looks promising.

Knit On

Wishing all of you and yours the best for 2009.

I’m still not prepared for a blog post.

No pics.

No new projects.

No witty story to tell you about. (snort)

I will say we are all well. My husband saw his oncologist on the 31st and his last MRI was clear! Even though his blood counts are still sluggish and they cancelled the remaining 8 radiation sessions, this is the news we’ve been waiting and hoping for.

So, I don’t mind not having pics to show you today.

The new projects? They’ll come along shortly.

As will the witty storytelling. Hahahaha!

For now, I’ll just take this opportunity to kick back and relish in my family’s health…though the wealth could use some help, I ain’t complaining.

After all, two out of three ain’t bad.

Happy New Year!

Drive by posting here so I can once again hang my head in shame.

I was totally wrong about the Icewine Mittens. I frogged back to the cuff and reknit on 3.25mm needles. Now they are perfect.

Or at least this one is.

Instead of casting on to make a pair of Icewine mittens, I decided to frog back the Butterfly mitten I’m also working on. After a little work on the chart, I just need to finish the thumb and I’m very happy to say that it’s much improved.

In between all of that I finished up some spinning.

What a way to procrastinate on the Holiday knitting, huh?

I only spun the one braid. This is a 3-ply light fingering weight and approximately 450 yards or 400 metres. I’m thinking socks?

Speaking of socks. Oh how I miss knitting socks…I can hear my sock stash weeping as I type. Soon my little lovelies. Soon. Mittens must be knit first, but rest assured that I save the best for last.

Ahem, anyway…

I don’t know about you, but I’m always browsing online for something that will challenge me with my knitting.

This is what has me in its grip at the moment.

The Needle Arts Book Shop has this book with several pictures to entice. I am resisting for the moment, but I sure would love to try this technique, even though I know it would probably be the death of me.

On to the little poll in my sidebar. Of the piddly twelve of you that voted (go vote), two knitters start their Holiday knitting in June! Wow. I feel like a real slacker. I’m not surprised at all with the Bah, Humbugs! I kinda feel like that now and I’m knitting some gifts…not Holiday gifts, remember, just thank you gifts that happen to land on one of the biggest Holidays of the year.

See, I’m just manic.

Knit On…

When I want to knit some gifts (not Christmas gifts, per se, but more like thank you gifts for a select few that were very helpful during this past year) my arse gets all tied in a knot and I want to spin, or be influenced by other knitters and their sock yarn?

Yes, that last part was directed at you and your Noro sock yarn, Glenna.

The following ordeal I’m having is the reason why I decided on having that poll in my sidebar on your Holiday knitting habits.

See, my dilemma is this. I’m frustrated with what I’m knitting now. I know if I decide to rip it out, I won’t have time to knit something else…yet, I also know that this current project sucks. So, when I get frustrated, I want to toss it all out my window…violently, or shove it way back into the dark recesses of my closet, or if I’m really feeling ornery, flush it down the pooper.

Culprit


Icewine Mittens.

Then there is the matter of the Butterfly mittens I’m knitting. While I am satisfied with the pattern, I’m not satisfied with the thumb…so it has me thinking that maybe I should rip back and use a sore thumb, instead…and while I’m at it, add 4 more stitches…and well, I could go on and on, but as much as I would love it (as I’m sure some of you also would) The Holidays aren’t going to magically say, “We have to wait for Michelle to finish her knitting before we can arrive!”

Instead of stressing (because frankly, I’ve done enough of that to last ten lifetimes) I’m changing my criteria.

There is the Morning Surf Scarf that I almost have done.

and I found some projects on Ravelry…like this Blowsey Ruffles Scarf. Projects to keep my interest and where I don’t have to worry about size, gauge, etc…and if I get them done, fantastic, but I’m not going to do all this fretting anymore. I’m going to be happy with my knitting.

Even if it kills me.

Knit On…

This post is dedicated to the letter, “G”. This ones for you, bro.

My writing muse seems to have been making herself available again after taking a holiday.

Without me.

*Bitch.*

I don’t hold grudges, so I’m letting her come out. This may be good, or it may be very, very, bad. We shall see.

Let us talk about my husband first and get that out of the way, shall we? He’s doing very well. He has just started radiation (17 treatments in total) and as far as any of the doctors can tell, his lymphoma has taken the highway to hell, never to return. Good riddance. We’ll know more after his next MRI and CT scans. He’s put on weight and is now at a bursting 153 pounds. Yeah, still skin and bones for his height, but better than the 130 pounds he was at one point.

Oh and the clouds parted and the knitting Gods introduced me to another knitter, Glenna, in my neck of the woods. I was wearing my Kauni cardigan and she commented on it…we only had but a few minutes to exchange pleasantries, but we did manage to exchange blog info (far be it from me to be intimidated in anyway of anyone who’s blog address is, Crazy Knitting Lady) and well, her blog is anything but crazy, but has gorgeous photos and knitting. If you’re reading, hi Glenna!(wildly waving)

What? What’s that you ask? Have I been knitting? Why yes, yes I have! How kind of you to ask. (Begging my muse’s pardon, but she’s in a real mood today)

So, where to start…let’s see.

It all started last year when my sister asked me to knit her a pair of mittens with a paw print on the palm side.

“Yeah, yeah, sure!” I said. “No problem.” All the while I’m really thinking to myself that I haven’t knit a pair of mittens since my son was a little guy…nothing against mittens, mind. They just never appealed to me.

Until…(cue music of your choice)

Cruising along in Ravelry, I came across the most spectacular
mitten pattern that made my eyes all big and round and mouth hang open and well, I think you get the gist. I purchased it, pronto and with the magic and wonder that is email and pdf, I was able to get started immediately.

I finished them and sent them off to my sister in time for her birthday, which is today.

Pattern: Cat Mittens

Designer: Jorid Linvik

Yarn: KnitPicks Gloss in Black and Serengeti

Needles: 2.75mm

My sister’s response when she got them was, and I quote;

“OH….. MY….. GOODNESS…. I absolutely love my mittens!!!!!!!!! I tried calling but the fricken line was busy!!!!!!!! Thank you so much, and i love your sense of humour with the care instructions on the back. your such a loser! hahahah

*Start Museis interuptis* (my thought on this? Loser is the person that thinks care instructions are from losers. AHAHAHA!) that and I can’t believe with that spelling she is almost finished college! *End museis interuptis*

but frig they are completely me! thank you so much. i’m going to have to send you some money so you can make me a matching scarf and hat!!! ahhaha I love you siss ♥”

I must say, it feels good to be appreciated for the knitting and I’ll forgive her for calling me a loser and her spelling errors…she was probably so overwhelmed with such gratitude and elation, that she lost her capacity to spell correctly.

Then, the Fall 2008 issue of Vogue Knitting came out and I had to knit these.

Pattern: Snowbird Mittens from Vogue Knitting, Fall 2008

Designer: Elli Stubenrauch

Yarn: KnitPicks Gloss in Woodland Sage and Bare

Needles: 2.25mm

Then I saw these and thought they would be perfect for my daughter’s teacher.

At the beginning of every school year, she raises Monarch’s for the class to observe and learn. They then release them in mid to late September. I searched for this pattern high and low and couldn’t find it available any where, as it is a 1947 pattern.

So, with the resourcefullness of graph paper and my daughter’s chunky Crayola magic marker (it was all I had and at least it was black) I started putting dots to paper to try and make something that resembles a butterfly.

Then I saw these and these and these, amongst so many more!

I’ve officially fallen on my knitting head in love with mittens!

Who’da thunk it?

One last note. I’ve finally upgraded to the new blogger layout. Shocking. Let me know if there is anything wonky I should know about.

Here’s hoping I can get back to blogging at least once a week. My muse is a flighty wee wench, afterall.

Hope you’ve enjoyed my post.

Knit On…

I think it’s all starting to hit me. I’m at the beginning stages of feeling dragged down and bummer, summer’s over. *Sigh* I just need a wee break from it all. Begging your pardon, but I just needed to get that off my chest. *grimace*

I joined Mystery Stole 4 and I’ve been able to manage completing the first two clues on time. I ended up choosing KnitPicks Shadow in Pink Posy and Toho Frosted Silver Lined Dark Amethyst size 8/0 seed beads purchased from BeadFX.

Clue 1

Clue 2

Oh, and I finished one of the Norwegian Snail mittens…

I’m quite happy with it. Now if I can just get motivated to knit the other one…at least it isn’t as demanding as Marlene’s Argyle sock woes. That would be shoved into the back of my closet, to be sure and you’d have to put up with more of my pathetic whining. *grin*

Let’s see, I also finished two pairs of socks for SOS08 the last couple of weeks of August. Good grief, I’m behind.

Butterflies and Bees socks by Janine Le Cras.

Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Louet Gems Fingering in Gypsy Rose.

Needles: 2.25mm circular.

These were awesome to knit. I really enjoyed them. Too bad I chose a yarn that didn’t compliment the pattern.

That’s about it.

Bored to tears, yet?

Dare me to hit publish on this post?

I’m brave. I’ll do it.

See!

Bloody hell…I should just shut up and knit.

Keep On Knitting…

Ahem, edited to remove the basic socks I knit for my son because, well, I already blogged about them a couple of posts past. Talk about a brain fart.