Wit Knit

Crazy

I am officially going crazy.  So Shane (the soon to be DH)  got the promotion at his job.  I think it becomes official on February 1st.  At the same time, my boss announced this morning that he has taken another position in the company and Friday will be his last official day.  That is devastating.  He is truly a great boss & we have a great relationship.  I am sitting in limbo now waiting to see who his replacement will be.  It will be announced on Friday.  It could be a few different people.  First, it could be my old boss.  I worked for him when I first started with Emerson.  He is great too and I would be okay with him.  There are two other people being considered as well.  They haven't released their names but both are already Emerson employees.  My guess is that they are managers elsewhere in the company and moving to our plant would be a promotion considering we do $100 million plus at my plant alone. 

This transition could be crazy.  It could also be very beneficial to me.  Who knows.

Hunting

Okay.  So I haven't done any major knitting recently.  I have worked on it.  I saw a picture a while ago that I really want.  I mean really want.  At the time I saw the picture & pattern, I dismissed it as soon as I saw "circular" listed under materials needed.  Well, I can't get it out of my head.  But there is a few snags.  The first being I have never knitted with circulars but I have convinced myself I can. The second snag is I have no idea where I saw this pattern.  I have found a similar picture of what I am wanting.

So this is really what I am dying to knit.  The only thing is a few changes.  This is in Chenille, I don't want Chenille.  I think the original pattern calls for a worsted weight.  Also, the original pattern was more of a lace knit. 

So I have been hunting for this pattern, only to have no such luck.  I can't even find a similar pattern.  I have also been house hunting.  We are actually making progress.  We have narrowed our search down to a few houses that we really like.  Our next move depends on my soon to be DH's job. His employer is going trhough a major restructuring.  I know, that sounds negative but it is now.  He is up for a huge promotion.  It wouldn't be that big of a deal if he didn't want it so bad.  I think he would be heart broken if he didn't get it.  There is also a $20K salary boost.  This is a huge jump but the company is also restructuring their salary program.  He would get a salary boost even if he didn't get the promotion.  Cross your fingers.

On the Front

I know the pictures are blurry but I am still learning.  If you double click the pictures, it will pull the pictures up larger & clearer. 

I have another picture to post but I am so ashamed.  I attempted socks.  I got as far as the leg.  It's time to turn the heel, haven't figured it out, so I am ready to use that yarn for something else.

To my secret pal, I apologize in adavance.  I must be the most difficult person to be a secret pal to.  A struggling beginner who needs all the help in the world. 

On the knitting front, I am working away at the blue, denim bag.  One side (the one with the flap) is finished.  I am working on the other side now.  I have this great mohair that I think I would love to make something lacey, something simple, and clean looking.  I made an attempt to find new patterns but my local book store only has books I already have, which is not alot (SnB, SnB Nation, and the book my sister got me for Christmas.  I am not sure of the name, but is a technique book).  I need to start the soon-to-be DH's socks & hat.  Oh how I hate this.  Why did I every agree to a project that I have no idea how to do and how the thought of using double pointed and circulars make me cringe. 

Much Needed

This is a much needed posted.  Not much to say, just alot to show.

This is the purse I just finished.  That's right, I said fininshed.  This is my first major project of ever completing!

This is the start of my second purse.  This is what I want the purse to look like completed (plus a strap). 

This is the Drop Scarf from SnB Nation.  I have wore it out a few times & recieved several compliments.

Ahhh.....The stash.  Small & Simple, perfect for a beginner.

SP7

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?  Although I generally can't afford it, I do prefer higher quality yarn.  But I have used Lion Brand several times. 

2. Do you spin? Crochet? No, but I would love to learn to spin.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a cute bag made just for needles & other knitting supplies.  It was handmade at my LYS.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?  I have been knitting since October of 2005.  I am certainly a beginner. 

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?  No.  I simply don't have time to keep something like that updated. 

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)  I love clean scents like vanilla, clean cotton, soap.  I also like florals like roses, peonie, etc. 

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?  I love Wonka candy (gobstoppers, nerds, nerd rope). 

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?  I love to cook & bake.  I am obsessed with Martha Stewart. 

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)  I like all music but mostly country. 

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?  I am definitely a pink person but I really don't have a preference when it comes to knitting.  I really like neutral palettes. 

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?  I am engaged (date set for 9/23/06).  I have 2 cats.  No children.  2 sisters (1 who is a serious knitter). 

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes, yes, yes, yes!  Love all!

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?  I am very in love with any type of alpaca yarn but I have recently used Malabrigo and love it just as much. 

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?  Novelty!!!

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?  Everything!  I am obsessed with purses because I know how to knit a whole purse.  I am also obsessed with socks, capelets, shaws, & ponchos but have a huge fear of double pointed & circular needles. 

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Purses are my favorite items to knit. 

17. What are you knitting right now? Two purses, hat, capelet, fingerless mits.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Love it.  Thoughtful & creative.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? STRAIGHT

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?  Bamboo. 

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No.  Looking to purchase one though. 

22. How did you learn to knit? My sister taught me the basics.  Books & Blogs taught me the rest.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?  November.  A purse that needs to be sewn up. 

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?  I have no idea.  I used to be obsessed with Fraggle Rock!

25. What is your favorite holiday?  My birthday.  That don't count?  Valentine's day then. 

26. Is there anything that you collect? Other than my stash, I am currently collecting small antiques for my house.  I love cute, country items especially punched tin.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?  None,  I normally borrow my sisters Interweave knits. 

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?  Alter Knits, Any of the Vogue knitting books, I would love to find a pattern that is an easy start on double pointed or circulars. 

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I would love to learn double pointed & circulars. 

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?  I'll have to answer this one at another time.   I need some assistance. 

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)  July 30th

Open Call

My sister & I are issuing an open call to all knitters.  May 6th & 7th is the Annual Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival.  We will be taking our annual "girls only shopping trip" there.  This will be a 4 day weekend.  My sister will be meeting me at my house in South Point, Ohio & leaving from there on Friday.  We will return back to my house in South Point, Ohio on Sunday night. 

If you live in the Cincinnati area and are interested in going, traveling with us, you can contact my sister on her BLOG.  She also has a link to her email if you need more information. 

If you live in the Huntington/Charleston, WV tristate area, leave me a comment and we can make arrangements.

We would like to finalize our travel arrangements by mid February so this gives everyone plenty of time to plan (& save money to spend on the great stuff there). 

Progress

I have made considerable progress.  As from my last post, my drop scarf from SnB Nation is complete.  I wore it (in public) and got several compliments.  Some even came from a few knitting doubters at my office.  I felt all warm & fuzzy when people complimented my work.

I do think I suffer from knitting ADD.  Before I get one project finished, I am off starting another project.  Case in point -- the two purses have I have going.  One purse is almost finished. It is 90% complete.  I need change colors on one side and knit about six rows, BO, and sew the sides together.  Second purse isn't even 50% complete and I already have a growing list of what needs to be next.  It's not that I am bored with the project.  It is the fact that I still consider my self a beginner & when I start a project and see how good it is going it just makes me so excited to start another. 

My family is also realizing the extent of my addiction to knitting.  Family is helping me organize my growing stash, suggesting patterns, and giving color advice.  The soon to be DH also makes suggestions to color, recommends we find "a house with a cozy area for me", and wants a house with storage "for all that string stuff".  (He's improving). 

Pictures will be posted tomorrow. 

LYS

I HAVE A LYS.  Well, I used to have an LYS about 125+ miles away.  It was my LYS for the last month or so that I have been knitting.  My sister lives in Cincy and I have been using her LYS as mine.  I live on the buckle of the Bible Belt & my stores were limited to Walmart and such.  (Don't believe me, Walmart, Walgreens, & Rite Aid are major department stores at are local malls.)  Over Christmas vacation, my sister stumbled across a yarn store about 15 minutes away from my home.  We ventured over there only to find a cute little store that carries everything I need.  Now when I'm in a crisis I can just shoot over to the store.

I did have some major accomplishments over Christmas.  I finished the drop scarf in SnB Nation. I have started a large bag of my own design.  I have also decided to go to the Sheep & Wool Festival in Maryland with my sister.  I am so excited for that.  My Epiphany of learning to knit came from a knitting festival around Cincy.  Considering how much I love alpaca yarn, this should be heaven for me. 

I have also made major accomplishments elsewhere.  My soon to be DH & I have made decisions about the wedding (9/23/06).  Bridesmaid dresses are ordered, flowers are picked out (soon to be mom in law used to be a florist), my dress is paid for, menu has been decided, DJ has been booked.  Now if we could only find a home. 

Christmas was great!  I got lots of great stuff, especially Malabrigo!!!!! 

I will post pictures as soon as I get a digital camera.  My soon to be DH keeps ours with him, he uses for his hobby (he is almost finished building a 1932 Ford Coupe).  I bring my work camera. (note to self: bring home work camera). 

Inspired

Today I feel super inspired.  Yesterday I made a large purchase from Kpixie.  I am so excited.  My knack is for the accessories--purses especially. So I am a beginner knitter & I am still learning the basics but I must admit I do accessories with ease.  I do follow patterns but only after I make adjustments. 

So recently I have been in bit of a slump.  Overwhelmed & overworked.  Work is slowing down for me which is good.  So instead of working in the evenings, I can get back to knitting.  The biggest thing to get me over the slump was Christmas shopping.  My fiance has requested a hat & socks which made me excited that he was taking an interest.  Then I had to buy for my sister, Mindy, who is an avid knitter.   Well, from one knitter to another, the gift needed to be original & something she would appreciate even though others may not.  So in my hunt for the perfect gift, I stumble across the kpixie website.  Although, I can't afford to be a yarn snob they had beautiful yarn that was reasonably priced for my pocket book.  So the hunt for the perfect gift turned in to 2 purchases in less than 24 hours and all for me.  Some of the yarn is for my stash and others I have ideas for. 

840 yards Fisherman 2 ply (denim 725).  This will be a large bag to have a somewhat chic, denim look--kind of like a throw over your shoulder carry all.  I originally wanted shetland (larkspur) but it was 6-8 weeks out on delivery. 

Aurora 4 (color 15) - This may be part of my stash or this may be a small dressy clutch bag.  If so, I will fashion a small, antique pin (like my grandmaw wears) as the button.

Aurora Bulky (color 29) - I have absolutely no plans for this.  But I used the same theory of "Everyone needs a great black dress in their closet".  Everyone needs a great dark, rich skein in their stash.  Why not?

Alpaca sportweight (eggplant).  This may be purse or it may be a pair of sweater socks.  I bought enough to make the purse but if it is socks, I will have extra left over.  I am really starting to like the Alpaca yarn, especially the chunky.  (I do better with chuncky).

Alpaca sportweight (red). This is soley stash.  The color is beautiful.  It caught my attention right away!  The fact that it was alapaca was just icing on the cake.

I have made additional purchases but can't post those till after Christmas.  I don't want to give away the surprise! 

I know my blog is less than to be desired, but I am learning. 

No Sew, Seam, or Post

I haven't posted in a while & I swear I have things to post.  I do have pictures of everything.  The disc is sitting next to my computer at home (I'm at work).  I just haven't found the time.  I haven't began any new projects yet--and my list of ideas keeps growing.  I need a spot to knit--a spot that's mine, that I can claim.  I am also in a slump.  If you have read SharpPointySticks.typepad.com, you would know why....sort of.  More to come...