Fascination with Needles.... I guess~

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:06:00 +0000

this is the rose city cosmo @ ParaGon in portland~ it makes me feel preetyyy~

and so the new school year begins... again~

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:30:00 +0000

So here we are... at the beginning of my 25th (consecutive)year in school~ I remember when hitting senior year in high school was a BIG deal~ I wonder if there is a world record for consecutive years in school? just saying~

So I forgot to publicly (on my blog public)... thank my Malabrigo Swap (round 7? 8?) partner Mercourier who sent me an awesome Second City themed package...

It was filled with all kinds of awesome- including 2 hand knit items: a pair of flippy top mittens (the best kind there is!), and an adorable Monster named Frances who now is the guardian of my computer desk. It also included... 3 mini bars of Vosges chocolates, 2 flavored sugars, local Honey, homemade cherry jam, handmade knitting themed mug, local yarn (Liberty Farms in MI), a hand dyed Silk scarf, handmade buttons, Malabrigo Worsted in Forest- and Malabrigo Sock- in Aguas (which is a new colorway). This package was filled with all kinds of awesome~ and I'm soo grateful for the thoughtfulness of each item- Thanks Sam!

On the knitting front... I haven't been finishing much- its starting to give me an itch to cast off!
some projects from the last month or so~

Pattern: Heart and Sole by Ysolda Teague
Yarn: Toddy- from the Yarn Yard in the Pillar box red colorway
Notes: this was the... May/June shipment from the Socktopus sock club. The pattern is very clever- and interesting and fits AWESOME~ but I had issues with the yarn- it wasn't as smooshy as I'd like and it didn't have alot of "give" It made my hands hurt to work with it. However, after a month of frequent wear- the socks still look good- so that means something good about the yarn (in my book)
I gifted these to my grandma (the lady who taught me to knit)... and she loves them (hurray!) She's wearing them whenever I go to visit her (even unannounced!)

Pattern: Horcux Socks by SusanLawrence
Yarn: Cascade 220 Paints Superwash
Needles: KA DPN's size 7
Notes: this pattern is awesome- I knit these socks up in 2 days!!! Seriously! (and no I wasn't knitting them day and night!
My grandmother likes them- but she finds the yarn slippery on our hard wood floors I'm going to have to get some puffy paint for the bottoms~

Pattern: Majestic by Elizabeth Warner
Yarn: Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Socks in the Gold Dynasty Colorway
Notes: this was the 1st package from the Wool girl sock club. Its' definitely not a color or sock pattern I would have picked up myself, which is what make these socks ever more amazing. The yarn- works up like a dream! and the pattern- how pretty are those socks?! I would definitely buy this yarn again~ and if your looking for a pretty pretty cable sock pattern- this is it!

Pattern: Noro Striped Scarf
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden #252 and #245
Needles: Knit Picks Options Size 7
Notes: fun mindless knit~~
CO 37 sts
Alternating skeins
Row 1- K1,p1 to end
Row 2- sl 1 (purlwise, wyf), k1, p1 to last stitch, sl1 purlwise, wyf.
drop yarn- pick up Contrast yarn- in front of the dropped yarn and works Row 1 and 2~
The yarn is a bit scratchy- I'll sock it in some SOAK or hair conditioner and see how that works out~

WIP's:
Vilai by Cookie A.

and my Eyelet Cardigan (still- does this count as WIP if I haven't touched it in over a month?)

Yarn: Lots of new yarn... but in the interest of time- I'll send you over to my Flickr page, you can PM me- if you have any specific questions or check out my Ravelry Stash page~

Cupcake 2

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:37:00 +0000

hannah~ she not sure if her cupcake is tasty~

Cupcake

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:35:00 +0000

yumm~

its raining... again!

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 18:03:00 +0000

So its POURING outside... lighting stuck somewhere very close... light flashed... house shook... alarm went off~ and My crazy grandmother was waiting for her church van to pick her up... by standing outside in the POURING rain~ (yes she was carrying an umbrella)... but still... we could not keep that woman in the house!! I wish I had a picture to show you... but my camera was in the basement somewhere and my cell phone is dead.

So its a rainy Sunday afternoon- my plans are to cast on the 2nd sleeve for my eyelet cardigan (which I recast on Wednesday night... and modified the pattern and beginning to knit with the sleeves)... hopefully squeeze in a nap... write the last of my admissions essays (which are so so late!)... and maybe stop by barnes and nobles for a coffee and to study for my Massage boards~

I haven't been knitting much lately... because...

all this knitting has created/changed the way the lines on my finger run! I now have a diagonal finger line! if I get my hand lines read... my fortune has changed because of knitting! LOL!! I haven't been knitting because that line has been flared up... red and sore for a few days~~ I have a theory as to why... (a new kinda yarn... I'm not enjoying very much)... but yeah~ok... no wonder my friends think I'm crazy but, you all understand right?~

Ok so here it is...I've mentioned it a few times... but its finally done... Shipped... received and... now posted:

The Endpaper Mits by Eunny Jang made out of Malabrigo Sock... in Tiziano Red and Terracota... on Size 1.5 and Size 3 needles~ for my Malabrigo Swap Round & partner...WOOHOO!! it was a fast fun knit... and the finished product is so pretty it makes me feel smarter! I love those make me feel smarter projects!

Pattern: Ene Scarf by Nancy Bush found in the Scarf Style Book
Yarn: Malabrigo Lace Weight in Dusty and Apricot 1.5 skeins of each (held together)
Needles: Size 7 Knit Picks options
This scarf took FOREVER!! well at least it feels like forever. I started it back in January... and then frogged it... and started it again in early June~ it took about 2 months. I wasn't working on it daily... or every week even... and if I had to do one more repeat of Chart 3... I might have cried~ but the finished project is sooo pretty! Its going on my christmas gift stash~ so maybe if your good?

I haven't knit much since... because of the finger... also I hurt my Right hand... opening a window (don't ask)~ but thats that... its just about all better so I can get started again~ Lately I've had a growing desire to learn to Sew~~ hmm~

On the Acupuncture front.... I'm officially looking for office space... my NJ license will be at my doorstep anyday now~ but the thought of having to pay rent and Student loans... is FREAKING me out~~ wish me luck!!

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:30:00 +0000

makes me want to do a rain dance!

So sad~~

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 14:04:00 +0000

Recently... I think I've been feeling quite sad~~ nothing terrible... just sad. It started with my MapleStory character being hacked. I haven't played maple in recent months but still, this is my character since the beginning. Really I've only had this one, and now that someone has logged in and stolen her belongings... I feel so VIOLATED!! its just one of those things~~ some people have encouraged me to go and rebuild her~ and others have suggested I let it go~ and I agree with both. But still, its so sad~~ Bad karma and whom ever violated CORNCHOWDER!~ RAWR!

To add to the sad feeling I was having about my character being desecrated, I read the post on the Yarn Harlot's blog about the terrible ordeal she has been experiencing. Add to this, reflecting on the my recent terrible experience with a certain big headed lawyer (who works in NJ... who's name I will not mention, but just that if his head grows any bigger it surely will EXPLODE)... and it just makes me feel sad. Saying mean people SUX, just isn't enough, its really making my Liver Qi rise. To all of this... the sad situation, mean people (or in my case overly large ego, who's mama must not have taught him better)... I send a really mean look... its going to come back to you~ *hard stare*

In other news...
Whats on my needles:
I cast on these socks on Friday Night, but I'm currently seriously contemplating ripping them out and starting over....

I cast on the Size large.... but they are tooo big!! It doesn't help that I used larger size needles~ ugh~ yes, I'm sure they will fit someone, yes, I hate ripping out, but.... they aren't making me happy... I should do it...shouldn't I?

I also cast on... the Eyelet Cardigan but I've already frogged it... because... I didn't like the way the ribbing and the eyelet pattern didn't match up. Also, I don't like how SHORT it is... yes its a cropped Cardi... but I don't want it cropped! So I'm debating how I want to modify it... I think I will hunt on Ravelry to see what over people have done~ Also I wonder if I can knit it in the round~~

FO's
I've finished my SuperSecretSwap Project for my Malabrigo Swap Round 7 Swap partner... but for the sake of secrecy... I'll hold off posting any more about that~ other than... it is a totally satisfying project!

I've FINALLY finished my ENE~ WOOHOOO!!! but haven't photo'd it yet... its over cast... but I may try to do that today anyhow~ I don't know when I'll be able to block it... we have house guests~ again~ meh~~~

and something I cast off a while ago... but never posted...

my over the garden wall socks from the 2nd shipment of Socktopus Sock Club~ This pattern and yarn is AWESOME!! Fast fun knit~ interesting Heel, well written pattern~ Amazing~

Something I love...
is StitchIt!! Podcast
I love Meghan's stories about her son (Owen), and her Spinning advice... and I especially love her Favorite Thing section. LOVE it... if your a podcast listener... I really love this one~~

wanna see??

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:01:00 +0000

look at what I made.... felted SOAP... yes this may be coming to a christmas stocking near you!! ...or not.... I think I suck at it!

I have a super secret project in the works... which with some very minimal stalking you can uncover... but... still its awesome... i feel so proud of it... I want to show everyone!! but it will wait... a little bit~~

So instead... here is the 'scarf' that is taking me FOREVER!!

In other news.... that I find fascinating... a friend of my read my Tarot cards during clinic today... I've always been curious... it was interesting... the first card off the pile was- the CRUETLY card~~ he said something along the lines of me possibly mistreating those around me? ... So just to cover my bases- I'm so SORRY~ I didn't realize~~ but apparently dispite my being a brat... I'm surround and supported by many~~ so thanx all for sticking about~~ and that I need to stop trying to decide on everything and just pick a focus and work at that... interesting~~ he also said not to be personally offended if something I'm wanting doesn't come to be...and here I thought they always told you- you were gonna be highly successful make lots of money and marry a rich guy!

yay a POST!

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:23:00 +0000

monkey socks

So I've been trying to post from my cell for weeks... and it hasn't been working.. and I swear tonight I did the same thing I do everytime I try to post from my cell... but tonight it worked!!! The full moon... does make a difference!! So there is it... a picture I took my with cellphone camera... during class... because I just finished the toe on my 1st pair of monkey socks... I need to graft them... and they are good to go!

The yarn is... Yarn Love- Elizabeth Bennet in the Fondly colorway... and the pattern is Monkey Socks by cookieA. I've gotten lots of complements on them- whenever I pull them out in school or on the bus~ Quick and fun knit~

TA DA

Pattern: Girasol by Jared Flood
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Paris Night Colorway
Needles: Crystal Palace size 10.5 DPN's and Knit Picks Harmony Interchangable size 10.5 in the 24", 40", and 60" cables
Notes~ OMG so much fun to knit... I cast another one on... I did an extra repeat of Chart G- because I had so much yarn left. I used 7 full skeins plus like 20g of an 8th skein~

So... I've a bunch of things I've finished in the last omg... 2 months is it? and a swap and some yarn club packages I've received in that time also... I'll try to post some of it in the coming days~ I've been running about like a nearly headless chicken.

Just to give you a gist of what has been going on in my life... is... I was seeing someone... now I'm not... I ran into old buddies and made new buddies~ I when through these crazy hoops to get my Acupuncture License in New Jersey... which should be finalized any day now.... and I also got my school to approve me for expedited graduation so I can sit for the NYS massage board exam... and I've been applying to Doctoral programs.... got a new job... working on building my own practice... and... learned that I'm graduating in the top 3 of my class (hurrah!).... so yes... I think I've been a bit distracted. So Sorry for nearly abandoning the blog... Hope you all come back and visit me now... that I will try to post regularly once again!

Where does Time go... and why can't I get it back!!

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:51:00 +0000

Time~ where has it going... I believe it is moving far tooo quickly... someone make it slow down just a bit please...

I can't even begin to tell you all where I've been for the past month+... because I've been here... and there... and... had all these posts in my head but not time to actually sit down to write them out!! it is unfortunate. I've tried to do the post by mobile... but for some reason the bloggr- hates me~

I just pulled up this window... because I would like to ask you all for your support regarding HR 646- it is a bill regarding the coverage of Acupuncture- by medicare part B. Please take a moment to follow this Link to contact your government representatives regarding this very important matter!... I would go into full detail here... unfortunately- time does not permit. However, I'm happy to have a conversation with you regarding this bill... or acupuncture in general!!

Thanks for your support!!!

Err its the end of the month... already!?

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:27:00 +0000

where has this month gone!? I can't believe its the last day of april already!!.... Seriously... the rate at which time is passing is beginning to scare me a bit~~ Someone once said to me... the older you get the faster time passes... scary!! So what have I accomplished this past month...
I took finals... and I'm guessing I passed them all... because I did receive my report card it in the mail... and it was...acceptable~.... I took the last of my necessary NCCAOM board exams... and I passed that as well... I submitted the last of my paper work to be licensed in NYS... and the initial paperwork for my NJ license~... I talked to ThePinkCLoud (Laura)... about my business logo and such~... I talked to my parents about my plans to start my business... I checked off- speak in front of 300 people+ off my life to do list~... and... I have now reached the end of april... and possibly the last real day off before I start my Spring...and final semester of PCOM (massage program~)... woohoo!~
Some photos...

Happy birthday to my cousin Hannah and my mom who aged the day before I did... I treated my family to a night at Medieval Times... which we enjoyed~ the food was better than expected... but that may have been because we were at the 8pm show~ by the time it all started... we were starved! The Black and White Knight won... which according to my sister... he always wins~ but it was a fun something to do~

Pattern: Juliet by Sarah & Rachel
Yarn: Malabrigo- Worsted
Colorway: Buscando Azul and Azul Bolita- about 2.5 skeins of each
Needles: Size 10 1/2 Knit Picks Harmony Options
Notes/Mods: CO for size S increased 17 times (rather than 16) because the arm holes were too tight
Beginning lace pattern- I had 116 sts OTN… I decreased down to 109 which is inbetween the XS and S~
used: this website to calculate where to place the decreases~ (very clever)
Mina asked for a pocket on the sweater... Basically I knit 12 stitches (what would make the lacey portion of the stitch pattern Row 1) onto waste yarn… I slipped those stitches back onto the left needle… and continued in pattern… The next row is purled back (row 2)… and then row 3 i just knit those 12 sitches… because I thought it would make the structure of it all stronger than if I continued the lace pattern just yet…
Continue as normal…. After the bindoff… I picked up the stitches from the waste yarn (26 stitches in all) on the inside of the sweater…. and… joined in the round.. and knit 2 rows (Originally I was going to purl the stitches on the back of the pocket and knit the front portion (to help the join (of pocket and front of sweater) to fold over… but I forgot~ then I purled until the pocket was as long as I could make without it poking out the bottom… Kitchnered shut~
Handwashed in Soak- it took DAYS to dry! (i need a sweater drying rack)... and... The PinkCloud crochet me the button connectory thingies~ DONE.

Pattern: Charade by Sandra Park
Yarn: Tofutsies by SWTC in the Feet First (#790) colorway
Needles: Blue Sky Alpaca DPN Size 0
Notes: CO 80, after 16 repeats of the leg pattern- decreased down to 76 sts- repeat pattern 16 times before starting heel.
RE: Yarn- it was interesting to work with- it was splitty, a bit annoying, but it comes with amazing yardage~ The yarn is a blend of Cotton, Wool, Soy, and Chitin (which is a component of crustacean shells~)... If it weren't so splitty! I would want to use it again~

Stash Enhancements...
I was on a self imposted Yarn Diet... for all of... oh... 3 days?... at which time I gave up... and nearly doubled my stash. I have decided that Yarn diets are a dangerous thing as they lead me to binge purchase once released~ Please Note the following may include Spoilers~
Socktopus Sock Club (march 2009)

Yarn: Artist Palette- Sweet Feet in Sweet Pea Colorway
Pattern: Over the Garden Wall by Loumms creation
Notes: Package also included a small Satiny pouch containing Seeds for Peas and Mint and recipe to make Peas Mint Soup

Wool Girl Sock Club Package (April, 2009)

Yarn: Curious Creek Fibers- Wasonga- in the Old Head of Kinsale Colorway
Patterns: Crooked Brook Sock by Anne Hanson and Stormy Seas Cowl By Lisa Dykstra
Notes: Package also included: 2 small sheep figures, a Cranberry Farm Shortbread Cookie shaped like a sheep, a Note (to DO list)pad and Tea Sample, A tea shaped Tape measure/Key ring, a gold color teapot Stitch marker from Sunneshine on etsy, a note card, and a LARGE travel bag with the WoolGirl Sock club logo embroidered on it.

Sundara Seasons Yarn Club (Winter)- Final Shipment- 3 Skeins of ASM in Black Cherry

Eat Sleep Knit- Do over Sale Purchase...
here I will not list everything that I bought... as it is a bit embarrassing... but please note... it was on SALE~~ if you are so inclined please feel free to click the photo and head over to Flickr' where the photo has notes and lists exactly what each yarn is~

what else... OTN: yes, while I have been madly purchasing yarn... I have also been knitting... not quite as the same rate of acquisition... but... thats not the point!...right?

Pattern: Over the Garden Wall by Loumms Creation
Yarn: Artists Palette- Sweet feet in Sweet Pea Colorway
Needles: Size 2 Knit Picks Harmony DPN's
Notes: You see! I just got this kit this month and its being knit up!! actually as to tonight it will be an FO! I just need to bind off the 2nd sock. I recommend this pattern as it was really fun and fast to knit! the heel is interesting and... the finished sock is very pretty. I will not be adding the embellishments as it does not really suit me~ and not very practical for wearing in a shoe~ but thats just me~ Please note that these socks took less than the requisite 2 months that it normally requires for me to finish socks.

Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert
Yarn: Alchemy Yarns- Synchronicity in The Night Air and Dylan's Blue Depths
Notes: NONE! its a CLAP!!

Pattern: Girasol by Jared Flood
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Paris Night
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony Options Size 10 1/2
Notes: this pattern is AWESOME! I'm knitting the blanket size... currently finishing up Chart E- and i'm not bored with it... I'm excited to knit on it whenever I pick it up, its not HARD... and its amazingly Beautiful~ I'm considering knitting it again!?

and the winner is...

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:46:00 +0000

SUSAN~~
FYI... i used random.org to generate the number... which was #11 of 17 (Cara double posted)... YAY susan... I'm gonna go running about the house to put together your prize!~ Thanks everyone for playing~

ContestContestContest~

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:57:00 +0000

Happy Blogiversary to me! Ok technically speaking.. I'm a day early~ meh~ So here it is... Leave me a comment... regarding your favorite needles and why... can be any kinda needles... knitting...acupuncture...erm~ actually just those two categories... because that is the extent of my interest! and if your not a Knitter... if you could give me a suggestion about what you would like to read about on my blog or havehand knit for you... that works too!

the Prize... I have 2 skeins of Malabrigo Worsted!! OoOOOoOooh~ in Azul bolita and Buscando Azul (1 of each)...+ some left-overs (after finishing the Juliet- which I will post soon)... + some extras~~ of course if your a non-knitter... your prize will be... a hand knit item from me! (yay!... please note... this mite take me a while~ patience please!)... I will plug the comments into a random # generator... and that person wins!!

off to study... for those dreaded board exams and finals!!... Last day to enter is... April 8th! and don't forget... I have to have a way to find you!
... sometime before i go to bed~

Awesome~

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:54:00 +0000

the things that amuse me...

contemplating a contest?

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 23:12:00 +0000

hello all~... so I've just realized that the end of this month... the 31st to be exact... will be my Blogiversary..... and I'm thinking I might want to have a contest... you know the usual sort... leave a comment and a random # generator will pick a number and that person will win a prize?~ I'm just not sure what I want to put up as a prize yet (if you have any special requests... you can leave it in the comments... I'm really thinking that I might want to give away yarn from my stash~ or a hand knit prize if your a non-knitter?)... till then~ I will be thinking about it~~... just a heads up~

What I've been working on...

Pattern: technically speaking... I think its my own~ its just the gull lace pattern knit as a tube with a thumb thrown in for good measure~
Yarn: Morehouse Merino 3 ply
Needles: Empress DPN's size 7
Notes:
no really, its just the gull lace pattern (same lace as the February lady sweater) knit in a tube... with garter at each end... and a thumb picked up along the way~
It took me 10 days to knit... not literally... just... i started it... and i knit a little bit on it every other day or so~

Pattern: February Lady Sweater by Pamela Wynne
Yarn: Morehouse Merino 3 ply (none of the yarn I bought- like 8 skeins- was labeled with a color... but I think its Rosebud?)
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony Options Size 8,9,10, Empress DPN's size 7
Notes:
I knit the body with Size 8- Cast off with size 10; knit the arms with Size 7, cast off with size 9. The pattern is a modification of an Elizabeth Zimmerman February baby sweater- its really easy to knit... top down, seamless raglan~ but the sizing on the pattern does run large (as everyone who has knit this before me... have come to realize) so I knit the Medium size and it fits just fine~
the Yarn is really soft and nice to work with- it is like roving so it pulls apart quite easily- but this wasn't a problem while knitting... the knitted fabric seems just fine (noodles and I had many a tug-o-war sessions with the sweater!... and it survived)... it also has a good amount of vegetable matter- but again... not a big deal~ just pick them out as you work~ I bought the yarn at Brooklyn general- in January during their sale (I paid like less than $8 a skein)... so it was definitely a good value~ I would use their yarn again~

Pattern: Pocketbook Slippers by Lisa Vienneau & Allison Barrett modifications by: Miss Twiss
Yarn: Malabrigo Chunky- Verdes
Needles: Knit Picks Options Size 6
Notes: I knit the slippers basically as per Miss Twiss's modifications~
because I used a chunky gauge yarn I went down a needle size... CO 2sts... increased to 4~ and the strap was also knit across 4sts. I increased to a total of 36 as opposed to the 44 called for... it did produce a smaller size... which works well for my grandmother and my e-moh's feet (they wear like a size 5 women's.) These slippers are very cute, and a quick knit~ I'm fairly certain I will have to knit these until they come out of my ears this year~

and here is some Yarn 'pron'... I'm trying to cut back on my yarn buying and just knit from stash... I KNOW~~ me... yarn DIET? only because I want to go to Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival and my stash has expanded quite a bit this past year... Yarn Diet is HARD!! It helps that I'm in quite a few (will not state exactly how many at the moment)... yarn clubs... here is the kit I received most recently... from Woolgirl ... it is the February Kit from the Sock Club

see the shiny black pen in the photo? it says... Queen of Knitting... yes, yes it does~

and others...

It snowed!

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:22:00 +0000

IT snowed!!! the most its snowed this winter I think~~ it was quite a bit~ luckily I didn't have to shovel... thats what Cousins who get driven about are for!! (poor SAM!)

Noodles... loves snow... like LOOOVES snow... she bounced out the front door at her 1st opportunity~ and didn't want to come back in... we had to bribe her with treats~ (when don't we bribe her!! its a good thing I don't have to worry about her growing up and living on her own and such~ she wouldn't be very successful- the way we are raising her!)

She came back in... her legs and her belly were snow encrusted... she was dripping mini-snowballs all over the house... so we cornered her in the bathroom and defrosted her with the blow dryer... it took...forever!!

On the knitting front... I got me a new knitting bag...YAY!
it is the Namaste- Zuma in the Peacock colorway... everyone wants to know why I'm carrying a bowling bag... but its ok... it fits in sooo much STUFF~ its amazing~

WIP...

I had wanted to finish my February Lady Sweater in February... but it didn't happen~ I'm working on the 2nd sleeve now~

FO~
I did officially finish my Om Shanti Socks... which are the 1st socks of the Socktopus Sock CLub for this year~ very fun fast knit~

Pattern: Om Shanti bed socks by Alice Yu
Yarn: Chameleon Colorworks- Evolution in Peppermint Cheer
Needles: Knit Picks Nickle DPN's in Size 2 and 3.
Notes: really fast fun knit... the socks are soooo soft and cozy~
These are my 1st toe up socks... 1st provisional crochet cast on...my 1st cool braid-y thing~ and 1st sew cast-off~ The yarn is really interesting... its 100% merino... that has been pulled/thinned to the same microns as cashmere~ it shiny and feels amazing~ The pattern is well written and easy to memorize and follow~ oooh and I should mention... they did GROW quite a bit after washing... so much that they did begin to scare me... but all is well.. they still fit just fine~~

Other shopping news... I signed up for the Woolgirl Oz Sock Club... as if I need another sock club! but this is what sold me on it... the Glinda Sock Kit

in a word... its... amazing~

argh!

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:35:00 +0000

How many great blog posts do I think of each week... and then I sit at my computer and its just mindless e-mail deleting... and ravelry checking!? and then get up and walk away and completely forget about everything I wanted to blog about?!~ ARGH!

First... I would like to thank... LUPIE for the Kreativ Blogger Award
I feel very honored... that you like my sporadic and random posts~ I love... and even better... READ~ your site often as well~~ I'm always impressed by your amazing knitting... and more than once... I've oogled your beautiful needles~ THANK you LUPIE!!

Now... the rules of the Kreativ Blogger Award state that...I must...
1. Copy the award to your site.
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate 8 other bloggers.
4. Link to those on your blog.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominated.

Here are my nominees:
1- my buddy nelson...... his is not a knitting blog... but his randomness is wonderful~ and he is very encouraging of my knitting... *cough*cough* do i get my needles now?~

2- Alison.. at A.Co Knits... how many projects have I started or queued because of this amazing knitter?

3- Currently Purring... I love her banner (is that what its called?)... and her knitting always makes me want to start a new project!

4- Fran @Finally! Fran Knitting!

5- Pepper @ Geek of All Trades

6- LizzzKnits

7- Leigh Grey Knits'

8- Lee's blog~

...just a note... the blogs I have nominated... may not have specific artsy/Knitterly content but often in such cases... its just that the inspire me in other ways?~

some FO's

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:38:00 +0000

I've been distracted lately... and have been having a hard time- finding time to sit and work up a post... I don't know that this is going to be much better~~ here are some FO's:

Pattern: Baby Surprise Jacket by E. Zimmerman
Yarn: Cotton Joy Jr.
Needles: Addi Lace Turbo's (because I love them!) Size 5
Notes: I started this way back in august... the knitting has been done for MONTHS~ but I hate seaming... Laura (in the photo)... took pity on my and seamed up my shoulders and sewed the buttons on... she ROCKS~!

Pattern: Preemie Hats for Charity by Carissa Browning
Needles: Knit Picks DPN's- size 3
Yarn: Random acrylic ~ the Pink is Sirdar's Snuggly
Notes: I made 3 of these little hats to donate~

Pattern: Pocketbook Slippers
Yarn: Malabrigo Chunky- Forest
Needles: Size 6 Knit Picks Harmony Options
Notes: so fast and clever~

>
Pattern: Witter Cottage Mittens by Dee Bamford
Yarn: Posh Yarns Lucia Sock in the Pansies and Cream colorways
Needles: Knit Picks DPN's Size 2 and 2.5
Notes: These knit up quickly, after I frogged and restarted like 5 times (the yarn held up well.) This is my 1st stranded knitting project. I love them~ Fernella actually accidentally washed them and they felted a bit... but they still fit... actually they are better now- because the fit is tighter (like negative ease) and it is warmer (warm to begin with...just warmer now)

A picture of my newest needles... since the title is called fascination with needles...

they are the Blue Sky Alpaca DPN's in Size 0~ I would have preferred a size 1 or 2 but I picked them up during the superbowl sale at Knit-a-Bit (Westfield, NJ) and they were sold out~ I'm still waiting for someone to buy me the signature dpn's~ :)

this post is for Hannah~

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 03:22:00 +0000

Which Twilight Character Are You?

Created by BuddyTV

Malabrigo Swap- Round 5~

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:49:00 +0000

I was the 1st person to receive their swap package this past round~ which is always fun~ I'm not soo good at waiting sometimes~ I got an awesome package from Leigh (LeighGreyKnits on ravelry)~ she was so thoughtful and sweet... i love every part of it...
-1 skein of amazingly yummy Hand-dyed, hand-spun Blue-faced Leceister yarn~ which I think we have all lovingly named- Creamsicle~
-1 Skein of Malabrigo Sock- in Persia…. Its soooo pretty~~ i’ve been lusting after this~~and whenever I’ve gone out to get it… its been sold out!
-2 skeins of… Malabrigo DOS- in the Boticelli Red… its sooo smooshy and soft… (this is going to live in my special yarn stash till I can figure out what to make!!)
-the interweave Winter 2006 magazine… sooo many patterns I’ve been wanting from this magazine!…
-a book about spinning yarn (a new hobby of mine)…
-the amanda hat pattern~
-100 bangles~ in silver and torquiosish blue… soo cute!! I love them~ :)
-a bottle of Hazelnut syrup…. to flavor coffee and such~
-so so so cute stitch markers… from etsy… of tea pots and leaves~~
-SOAK in Aquae- which is my fave scent!
-Stash Tea and Twinings Tea… in wild raspberry and Orange Pekoe
-and the bestest best part… is a hat knit for my nephew… . Malabrigo… worsted… black forest… its sooo soft…. he’s going to LOVE IT~ I don’t know how you did it with your injury… your amazing! THANK YOU LEIGH!!

Random much?

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 02:29:00 +0000

51 seconds

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:00:00 +0000

Christmas...
opening presents...

Playing with presents...

Christmas Lunch...

Christmas evening... walking about the city~

After Christmas...
American Museum of Natural History~ was there on Monday... it was beyond packed~ craziness~ still... I like looking at the diarama's... and all the stuff~ stuffed birds... although there are no pickled babies... its still worth a visit every few years~

The Cookie Jar, Staten Island, NY... Yummy Cookies!!

Knitting stuff...
Blue Sky Alpaca Swap- Round 2 amazing package from Tricia- SFCorgi~

FO:

Pattern: Pomatomusby Cookie A.
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock
Colorway: Indiecita
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony DPN's- Size 2
Notes: no changes to pattern. malabrigo is so soft~~ really nice to work with~

WIP's

Pattern: Winter Cottage Mittens by Dee Bamford
Yarn: Posh Yarn- Lucia Sock
Color: Pansy and Cream
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony DPN's Size: 2.75mm and 3.0mm
Notes: Long Tail Tubular Cast on... moved up to 3.0mm size needles to cast on + 2 rows... then worked remainder of mitten with 2.75mm needles~
My 1st color work- learning to knit with right hand as I'm knitting these mittens= wonky stitches~

its Snowing!

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:27:00 +0000

its snowing!!... how exciting!! (only because I don't have anywhere I have to be at a specific time... and such)... but YAY!!

You are all going to be soo proud of me... I was all set up and ready to sign up for the Socks that Rock club for next year... but I resisted... me resist yarn~ a whole Years worth of yarn... from a sock club~ I must be growing up~

Ok... so... I've been wanting to share... how deeply deeply I am in love with... this book~ The Best of Interweave Knits... I have made the... Lotus Blossom Tank and the Icarus Shawl... and most recently in process of making the Man's Brioche Vest for my dad... not only are the patterns within the pages awesome~ but the mini-lessons regarding the knitting Basics (casting-on/off, seaming, color work, lace work, etc,.) are sooo incredibly helpful! I know how to do a few cast-ons/offs and such~ but I'm not always so sure which method is the best for which projects... and this book explains it~ If your a knitter and you don't already own this book... I recommend it~

Today~ I sat in Barnes and Nobles...'studying' for my exams~ but I can only stare at my textbooks for so long... Today I was distracted by... Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah... I read it cover to cover... it was quite good.. and made me cry a few times~ so I picked up... her auto-biography...Falling Leaves... gonna make Mina read it first... because I don't have time... you know... with the studying and all~

Union Square Market on Saturday~ there was sooo many people there... all my pictures were of peoples backs... except when I got to the yarn stand... somehow the crowds cleared~ and I was able to get a crowdless photo... that is till the all swarmed in again~

WIP's~
Man's Brioche Vest- for my dad's christmas gift~

Pomatomus
as usual... my socks take way longer to complete a pair than expected~ this is the 2nd sock... moving along very slowly~

Wisteria Scarf (aka Smooshy Scarf)
I started this last night on a whim~ hopefully it will get done in time for christmas~

Yarn buys:
Wollmeise: This update was fast and scary!! I thought I was going to end up with nothing... but... I got a few in the end... I'm soo in love with all the colors here~ (Am kalter Polar (left 2), Suzanne (middle 1), and Blue Suzanne (right 2)

Sundara Seasons Yarn Club~
This is her fingering Silky merino... from the Winter collection of her Seasons yarn club... no clue what to do with it~

Food... from last Thursday Nights Knitting meeting

YUM!

for Geana...

p.s- I recommend purchasing a gift cert to Eat. Sleep. knit for me~ k?

Noodles

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:09:00 +0000

I think Noodles loves yarn more than I do~~~

Finally... some FO's~

Pattern: Lotus Blossom Tank by Sharon Shoji
Yarn: Knit One Crochet Too- Babyboo- Pink
used nearly 8 full skeins of yarn
Needles: Knit picks Harmony Options: size 6 and 7
Made for: my granny~
Size made: the 2nd size listed
Notes/Modifications:
- added 1 repeat of the Lace pattern
- added length to the stockinette portion of the bust and back
- when finishing... I picked up stitches around the entire neck (including the front) and knit 4 rows in garter stitch.
- The front was kinda floppy so while knitting the 4 garter stitch rows I k2tog every 11th stitch on the front aspect, and again p2tog every 11th stitch while binding off.
- also k2tog 6 stitches- 3 at each front corner
- BO on purl-wise

Pattern: Diamond Scarf by Wenlan Chia
Yarn: Twinkle- Soft Chunky- white
2 full skeins for the scarf... and 1/2 skein for fringe
Needles: Size 19- Boye
Made for: a cousin
Notes:
I love this scarf... I'm currently seriously considering keeping it for myself. Its super soft and smooshy... and super super long (i love long scarves)... downside: its a bit on the heavy side. The yarn shed like nobody's business when I was working with it... I washed it in nearly Boiling water... and then soaked in... SOAK (aquae)... the shedding has improved... the Soaking process left it with a funny smell(like permed hair)~ I will be sending it off to be dry cleaned next

Pattern: A Christmas Dishcloth Story by Kristen Patay
Yarn: Be Sweet- Bamboo- 661
Needles: Knit Picks harmony Options- Size 4
Made for... grandma's Nurse (part of her christmas gift)
Notes:
it was a very easy... super fast knit... I followed the written instructions... which were very clear~ perfect!
my 1st wash cloth~

*hint**HINT*

noreply@blogger.com (cornchowder) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 04:46:00 +0000

is it really near Christmas... already?... *hint*hint*hint* size 1 or 2 dpns(5) stilettos thanx~ or here...