One Crazy Fiber Lady

Keeps on Changing

Damn, another week got by me without a post.  Sorry.  The new schedule is still kicking my butt.  Not getting home until 7:15 is getting challenging.  Dinner has been shifted later though most nights they've finished, or are finishing, just as I walk in.  Shorty bedtime has definitely shifted later.  The only thing that hasn't shifted later is the morning alarm clock.  It still goes off at 6AM so we can be out by 7:45.  Sigh. 

With the kids staying up, "my time" has been compressed as I still need to get to bed at a decent hour in order to do it all the next day.  I have been knitting/spinning and other things, but computer time (as that is how the day is spent) is significantly reduced.  Sorry again.  I have lots of pictures (but not with me - except what is sitting in my flickr albums.

Some big events....

1.  Alex gave up his pacifier.  FINALLY.  The new school didn't allow pacifiers.  Wish someone had told me that, but during their second week there, they finally enforced the rules thereby creating an unhappy boy.  With thanks to Super Nanny, I had him gather his binkies for the Binky Fairy to exchange for a present.  She gave him a dust buster.  He's ecstatic :)  The first day was a tad rough (last Thursday), but he hasn't asked for one since.  Sweet.  The "mean" teacher situation made for a "I don't want to go to school" kind of weekend, and he got away with it last Friday.  Yesterday, I manhandled him into the car, strapped his ass into his big-boy-booster-seat (another recent change!) and drove the hysterical kid off to daycare/nursery.  His teachers can not be anywhere near as mean as me.  Not surprisingly, once at school, he discovered that the teachers weren't such monsters and had a good time. 

2.  The day Alex stayed home from school because of the mean teachers, Kat came to work with me.  This company is just great.  They were really wonderful to her, with hidden caches of kid-stuff throughout desk drawers including silly putty, crayola markers and all sorts of other things.  She did amazingly well, was a really good girl, and made it through a long day.  We took the 5:25 train home where she crashed.  Hard.  Not surprised there.  And.  Oh yeah, I did get some work done that day too.

3.  Work is still going amazingly well.  I'm getting to do more and more things as I learn the systems and am making contributions rather than reading documentation.  Nice change, though I suspect there come a point when I long for the quiet days :)  All in all, I'm glad I'm here.

4.  Mom went to her first fiber festival this weekend.  We took the kids to the NJ festival in Ringoes.  I bought some fiber.  Not surprised huh?  Some wool blends in pretty colors to make the twins sweaters.  Some year.  Though I do have almost one bobbin of Kat's done on the Vermont Wheel.  The bigger purchase was not a wheel, for a change....

Meet Bandit

He's a 9 month old Jersey Wooly.  And just the sweetest thing!  After leaving the festival with this little guy in a cardboard box, I had to hunt around looking for a hutch for the little fellow.  Two stores later, at a PetSmart in Hamilton, I had all the supplies for the newest pet.  More pictures of him at Flickr.  Do I need to mention that the kids love him?  Didn't think so.

5.  I think I burned out on socks... I've pulled the needles out of a couple of attempts now.  The Anastasia in the Kitty's Eyes is definitely a no go, even with my reduced stitch count version of the sock.  The yarn was just too splitty.  I've moved to a plain toe up sock using Duets Skinny in Sailor Girl.  Love it.  All this sock sampling has taught me a few things about the yarns I like and don't like to use for socks:

    a.  Don't like many stranded/lightly twisted yarns.   I prefer the hard twist, fewer ply yarns like the Louet (Koigu, Claudia, Duet Skinny).   Too many plies or soft twist begs for a lot of attention while knitting so as to catch all those damn plies.  No like.

     b.  While I don't mind a solid color, or a semi-solid tone on tone yarn, I find I don't like a subtle variegation.  The bandaid inspired Aussi Sock that got traded/sold was a good example.  The color changes, while not being tone/tone but were pink/cream/brown were just far too pale.  I seem to prefer the more boldly colored.  Boldly going where no yarn has gone before.  Anyway...

    c.  Plain socks rule.  I might collect sock patterns out the wazoo, but sock knitting really is my mindless knitting on the train while reading knitting, so patterns don't play nicely with that scheme.  Nor does the splitty problem mentioned in a) above.  However, doesn't mean I'm not totally inspired by beautiful sock patterns.  Speaking of which, my SnB's own Jersey Knitter won the SOS2007 Design Contest.  WAY TO GO INA!  Go give her some much deserved congrats.  The socks, which I was fortunate enough to see at the SnB are just gorgeous.  I might make her socks as one of my exceptions to plain knitting sock rules :)

6.  I've finished the body for the Tangled Yoke Cardigan and started the sleeve.  The cuff seems far too big and I fear it will flap all over my arm.  Its sitting in timeout while I debate continuing it or repurposing the yarn for something else.

7.  Minimalist Cardigan is proceeding very nicely.  It has become my commuting knitting over the last week or so.  I finished the back last night and started the Right Front (though will be my Left Front) this morning on the train.  I'm using the Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran in Casket that I bought from Deb a while ago.  It has been marinating in stash long enough.  Pretty stuff and I'm enjoying this knit.

Well the server I've been waiting for to reboot is now back up.  Back to work.

Craft on!

Once More Unto the Breach

Not surprisingly, I have created a KAL for the new object of my obsessions.  Ignoring of course, my less than rousing success at KALs.  I have finished an item or two in the past, so maybe this time holds the charm! 

KnitIVY has been born and is ready for those who would like to join in.  Even if it is my standard (and Michelle's) approach is to oogle, join, buy the yarn and never finish, at least we'll have good company!

Here's a basic button for the sidebar.  Not the best I know, but then again, I don't pretend to be a graphic artist.  If anyone wants to make others, please do be my guest.  To join in, just send me an email at crazyfiberlady AT gmail DOT com and i'll happily send a blogger invite.  Again, I have a few things I need to finish off before I start this, but there is only so long that the muse can be put off.

Craft on!

WIP Wipeout Week 3

I hope no one has noticed that I'm a day late.  I hope everyone is working hard in getting their WIPs whittled down!  Here are the happy updates:

Claudia:

The Fleur-de-Lys scarf is finally off the needlles! I have started the second SP sock but haven't really worked on it, but I am working on Cinxia and I have 6" of the lower body, all around! I decided to take off the needles the wrap I had started a while back. I only had about 5" and I wasn't really liking it, so maybe that's cheating :-) on the wipe out! I still have to finish the Dolores Scarf.

Lorrie Valley:

I am almost done with another sock for my daughter.  I'm also about 20% complete with a knitted triangle shawl.  Completed a baby sweater for my cousin's baby (yeah)!

Marji:

I am right where I want to be now.
I have just a few projects on the needles, which are progressing - however I've knit off the off-season knits and will cast on for rest of pieces (sleeves etc) later in the summer.
This week I finished Gyrid and cast on for Orangina - my summer knit that needs paying attention to, and last night I cast on for the Drops Cardi - my spring knit which I can work on in company or in front of TV.
Did not make any progress on the second Lady E - must do something about that next week.
And, I've started the Stashalong which means I won't be adding anything to stash or project pile for the entire Spring season....Yay!

Kim:

Braid Throw - 99% complete - need to weave in 16 ends. see blog for pic - it looks awesome!

Slip Stitch Sock - 17% completed - purchased yumscrumpious yarn, cast one, and knit cuff, leg, and heel

I haven't touched anything else as the throw took all knitting time and energy. I probably should have my lungs checked as I was knitting so fast that the Pumpkin colored alpaca was flying.

Nancy (blogless :)

I did it! They're done! The moccasin socks are from EZ's Knitters Almanac. They look kind of strange, but fit beautifully. Good house slipper kind of socks or heavy boot socks in this worsted weight.

The Pi Are Squared is finished! It's currently dressing in the bedroom with Nikki's assistance! Item number 2 for WIP update #3. I can't believe I finished it!!! Have the feeling I may not be posting next week -- don't really think any of the other projects are close enough to finish, but never really know for sure!

Risa:

A whole lot of nothing finished around here.  I did take advantage of the sale that WEBS is having though ;)  Oh wait, this isn't the Buy More Yarn update?  Nevermind :)  I couldn't pass up the sale price of the Cascade 220.  As Deb can attest, I have a weakness for it, not to mention a shopper's keen sense of Bah-gain dah-ling.  I naturally bought some.  I bought: 7824 burnt orange x5, 8555 black x2, 8400 charcoal grey x4, 8012 doeskin heather x5.  Oh and some other stuff that I'll mention when it gets here. 

One other purchase that bears noting is the CVM lamb fleece from my favorite purveyors of CVM.  It's that time of year!  If you want one, head on over there and pick one up quick.  I went for a lamb fleece this year.  This feller sports the name Harley and has some of my very favorite colors.  Which reminds me, two years ago I bought Zeus' fleece.  Sadly the thing sat in a container in the hallway waiting around for me to get to it.  A couple of weeks ago I decided that that wasn't proper for such a gorgeous fleece and sent it off to Wooly Knob for some proper treatment.  I got the call, its ready to come home.  I should have it early next week.  Yay!  I can't wait to try out that roving. 

I'm not entirely sure what I have planned for all of this Cascade, but heck, as Deb said while shopping, it is Cascade, its not like it will go to waste.  I did have to send Webs an email yesterday after the box arrived and I did some math.  I was hoping to get the burnt orange to be  a Ribby Cardi, except I did the math wrong and came up 100 yards short of the requirement for my size.  Yeah, I nearly majored in math.  Simple stuff always gets past me.  Anyway, I sent an email to see if they had a skein in the same dyelot for both the orange and the doeskin (who knows, that could be a ribby someday too, at least I have the yardage for it).  Thankfully they do and have added it to my second anniversary sale order.. which email reveals shipped today.  I might just have it tomorrow. 

Since my active WIP list has been effectively cut down to nothing more than a pair of socks and two shawls, and there's all this new Cascade in the house, I figured I could start a sweater.  I really haven't done much knitting in the last week.  I'm still a bit twisted between the job hunting / packing / Yeti that I haven't been able to really knit.  The shawls are more than my brain really wants to deal with as Birchington is begging for a pattern change and well, the Shetland Tea Shawl is one round away from starting the Madeira section.  I do have the errata for this section when I have the brain power to deal with it.  That left the socks.  While I'm close to halfway through the foot, I'm just not feeling the love for it.  I can't even make myself knit the thing.  I'm seriously tempted to rip it out, but geez, I finished the first one!  Not sure what is up, except it might have to do with the broken thumb nails (way too short) and the thin metal needles not getting along so well with my knitting style. 

So what's a girl to do?  Start a new project!  Thankfully I've kept the needles, swift and ball winder here while all the other knitting stuff has already moved including the book collection.  I started a Ribby.  I'm using the black Cascade for the sleeves and the body will be the charcoal.  It must be exactly what the doctor has ordered as I knit last night, on the train both ways today (well except the short decongestant induced nap on the way home!) and above the elbow of the first sleeve.  This is the most I've knit since before getting laid off.

A few people have asked how the job hunting has gone.  I've had a couple of interviews, including another one on Tuesday.  Nothing yet on any of them.  I was contacted yesterday by a recruiter through my resume on one of the boards for a job that's skills were right up my alley.  It was for my two strong suit languages, programming that is, in NJ.  And get this, for a law firm!  The recruiter was quite interested when I told her I have a Juris Doctor on top of being a code jockey.  She submitted my resume to them.  It would be a 3 month Right To Hire (not sure what that really entails) for a hourly rate prior to hire hititng a little higher than my previous salary at BN.  The hiring salary would be a good step above.  The commute could either be by train, and a longer ride at that depending on what time, or by car without having to deal with NYC exhorbitant parking rates.  I just want to hear something already.  Oh wait, no whining, don't want to exhaust the good kharma points I must be earning.  On the up side, the short term thing has been extended through the month of April.  Still, I wish it were a permanent job with benefits, but the money is good, the people are nice and the work is doable.  COBRA is going to be a tad expensive, to the tune of $934/month family, so I'd rather get something sooner rather than later!

The move is now scheduled for the weekend of the 22nd.  As I mentioned above, all the yarn stuff left the living room last weekend, along with all the new fiber and current spinning projects.  Not so smart since I still have the wheels here!  While I do have a bit of fiber around here (like two garbage cans disguised as night tables full) most of the wheels have some long term projects going on them and well, that's old stash stuff!  Heck, not having spinning stuff made '24' and 'House' watching difficult this week!  Oh well, I might have to do a little stash diving for next week.

Finally I want to thank everyone for their well wishes and condolences on Yeti.  Once again you people astound me with your support.  Thank you!

Craft on!

WIP Wipeout Week 2

Seeing as today is Wednesday, it is WIP Wipeout Update day!  While I haven't received very many updates from the wonderful participants, I can only assume that is because they are so busy knitting and finishing up their WIPs!  The updates I did receive?  Wow you all have been busy!  Keep up the great work!

Nancy (blogless)

I finished my toe-up-2-circ socks with the afterthought heels. Knitpicks free pattern from their website. Vera Cruz colorway of Opal.

In addition to the sock pair pic I sent you several days ago, I also finished one moccasin sock and am about 1/2 way through the second of the pair!

Jill:

I've finished 2 pairs of socks, frogged 2 other WIPs that were destined to be dismal failures and am working on Hubster's Manly Sweater, still. I am not at all convinced it is the sweater for him but oh well. If he hates it, it's in my color of green so I'll just snatch it. LOL.

Lisa:

This month I have finished my daughter's pullover and a garter stitchblanket.  And I am almost done with a pair of socks - just starting the decreases at the second toe.

Kim:

1.    60% completion of Pumpkin Bulky Baby Alpaca Weave throw (was at 40% when started)

2.    90% completion - Periwinkle Wrap from Louisa Harding new accessories book - Started (while in waiting room at hospital) and completed knitting  - need to weave and add button (90%)

3.    40% (was about 39%) on Philosphers Wool Color Your Own Cardi. Sleeves are completed, 1/2 of body completed, but the extra % not done is for steeking and finishing.

 

I still have approximately at least 5 other WIP's, which will update on later on blog. Am currently trying to assess the level of WIP dementia and taking inventory of stash as desperately need to do stash reduction.

Risa:)

I haven't finished anything.  Except I finally pulled out the new Majacraft winder and started playing with it on Sunday night.  I skeined up the bobbin of BL/Wensleydale that I plied a couple of weeks ago.  Been so long, I've forgotten how long.  Last couple of weeks have really been surreal.  Go figure.  Anyway...yeah, I was watching the Sopranos while doing this :)  The yarn weighed in at 285yd/6.2oz, rather close to the stats for the first one:  308yd/5.9oz

I have made some progress on the second of the Blah Buster socks.  The eagle eyed among you will notice that I've switched back to the pointy metal dpns for the second sock.  I found myself fighting too much with the cable and just wasn't enjoying it.  Enjoyment really is what the knitting is about so I decided to quit fighting it and change the needles.  I am making progress but this pair is taking forever!  I don't think I really like the toe-up business though. 

No pictures, but I've also been working on Birchington!  OMG.  I know.  Been forever since I played with that beast.  I've got about 7 inches of the quatrefoil border done which puts the shawl, blocked at maybe 34" in diameter.  I definitely want something bigger, but I'm tired of the lace pattern.  I might just thread in a lifeline, transition to a new pattern and see what comes of it.  Definitely a lifeline this time as I've now ripped it back twice without having one.  I can skip the fun that comes with that, especially with a stitch count for the round at well over 400.

The wip list in the sidebar has noticably shrunken.  But not from finishing items, nor pushing them off onto the On Hold list.  I've finally faced facts and declared a couple of projects DOA.  The first of which was Birch.  A lovely shawl that just hadn't been touched since at least July.  Having done the center of Birchington in the same lace pattern, I just wasn't motivated to work on it.  Another factor in its demise was a conversation Deb and I had with a woman in a yarn store during our last crawl regarding a rather awkward shape to it.  I'm going to frog the little bit that I have done so far and stick the crack Kidsilk Haze away for another project.  Who knows, it might become Kiri.  While yes the lace pattern is the same, I like the construction of that shawl better.  But I'm open to suggestions for a good lace pattern for the crack.

FLAK was also declared DOA only yesterday.  I've decided that I just don't enjoy the knitting of it.  It actually hurt my hands to work on it, and again, not what the knitting thing is about for me.  Working a worsted weight yarn (in this case Elann's Peruvian Highland) at 5.5st/in on size 4 or 3 needles just really wasn't much of a good time.  I might try it again at some future time with a lighter/less dense gauge and bigger needles with better points.

Checking the WIP list I find I can cast on for something, or should I address the On Hold.  Not sure at the moment.  Might just sleep on it.  I wouldn't mind a nice quick, easy project.  I do have the yarn and the pattern for the Not So Shrunken Marilyn cardigan which Deb is working on now herself.

A quick update on the job situation.  No offers yet but my temp gig's commitment was extended definitely through the end of next week with a tentative on the following week.  Works for me.  No bennies but a check is definitely nice.  I still have the bennies from the old gig, for a while.  Fingers crossed that I don't have to do the COBRA thing for too long.  Blech.

Again, a big hand for all the participants in the WWO!  Yay ladies.  I'm proud of you!

Craft on!

WIP Wipeout Week 1

After a short delay, we have our first update of the WIP Wipeout participants.  I've gotten a fair number of updates and hope the others have posted on their blogs.  I have linked on the sidebar all participants where applicable.  If you want to send an update for next week, email me at crazyfiberlady AT gmail DOT com. 

Anne:

I've finished my mother's hat (she'll be here in about
an hour, so I'll find out then whether or not she likes it - I'm really not
holding out much hope...), and I'm one sock down of my pair of
Sockapalooozas - and the other one has been started. Oh, and some progress
is being made on the Illusion Scarf.

More to the point - I HAVEN'T cast on for my gloves yet! Nor for the baby
tam jacket that I'm longing to get started on.

However I've discovered the Sunrise Circle Jacket, and it's begging to be knitted - I _will_ be strong!

Donna:

I finished my first WIP tonight - the Skinny Stripe Socks that I test knitted for Jessie.

Hope to have pics posted on Wednesday.

Hillary:

I'm happy to report that I was finally able to snap out of it last night and I got to work on my WIP Wipe Out.  I pulled out the vest that I started for my husband about 2 plus years ago and got reaquainted with the pattern.  Even more exciting - I actually started knitting it again.  I remember it as a boring project.  Now it's not boring.  It's more like a rest from more involved projects.

Lorie Valley:

I will be updating my blog tonight with pictures etc.  I finished 1 sock for my daughter, beginning the 2nd one tonight.  I just about completed knitting a pair of fingerless mittens.  Frogging a sweater I had sitting in my basket to work on.  So NOT happy with how it is turning out.  Will use that yarn for something else.

Marji:

this past week I reduced my WIP pile by TWO!!.
I finished knitting Lara by Debbie Bliss
I finished knitting a feather and fan scarf for my gift box

I also exercised great restraint, not without great angst, and refrained from casting on my drops cardi, which I REALLY REALLY want to cast on for. I need to get one more WIP off the sidebar before I let myself do that.

Nancy (blogless)

I finished the pair of STR Pebble Beach socks! Am also working to finish 2 socks on 2 circs started Jan, 1 2006 (just started the afterthought heels, so there's hope) and am also working on a Mocassin Sock. After the 2 socks/2 circs I go back to the Anniversary Pi R Sq shawl.

Sara:

I have decided to focus on this WIP - the top-down raglan for Toby's PT.  It needed one more sleeve.  Now it needs about 1/2 a sleeve.  It's slow going b/c the last sleeve requires a lot of bulky sweater-under-the-sleeve management, but it's only 1/2 a sleeve - so I'm hoping it'll be done soon.

Lastly, your hostess with the mostess:

I finished Klaralund!!  Woot.  Knock off another of the WIPs.  I sewed up the last seam on Monday night.  I did immediately try it on and it fits soooo nicely.  I love the drape and the colors.  I think I'll wear it to work on Friday.  I've made progress on the first Blah Buster Sock and am probably a 1/2" shy of binding off the cuff.  I'm also considering flicking FLAK.  I don't love it, I don't really enjoy working on it as my fingers get all crampy.  I might retry it with a less stiff gauge.  So its not a tradition Aran that way, but who cares.  I'd rather enjoy the knitting. 

Yay everyone!  I'm so impressed at how much has gotten done by everyone and the determination of one and all.  Way to go ladies!  Keep it up and we'll have the monster tamed in no time.

****

I have to admit that I haven't really felt like knitting very much.  You know me, when I get twisted, to unwind I like to spin.  I've been talking on the train and well, not knitting much.  Lunch is at my desk as I'm now paid on an hourly basis and with taking off for interviews.. well you get the picture. ;)  The interview Monday went pretty well, I think, but you never know.  I was there for almost an hour and a half, which could be seen as a good sign.  No high hopes here, would hate to have them dashed.  I have another interview tomorrow afternoon.  It looks like my temp gig will continue at least through the end of next week.  Yay.  The knitting is starting to come back.  Never fear!

Craft on!

So Bright I Need to Wear Shades

Once again, the support you've all shown me has me astounded.  I'm speechless.  I'm dumbstruck.  I'm so incredibly touched that words just fail me in trying to convey how very much you have all meant to me.  Thank you once again from the bottom of my heart.  I'm going to slowly if not surely, work my way through and answer each and every comment, though it might take a while.  I actually have stuff to do at work now ;)

Work today was very cool.  Did the whole HR thing, which means that I won't be considered an independent contractor and get stuck footing the bill for taxes/fica.  I was hired as a temporary employee, filled out a W4, amongst a load of other paperwork.  The people are very nice, the atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable and the work interesting. 

I got a voice mail from a peer of the woman I sent my resume to last night, you remember the wife of my wonderful former coworker.  He wants to interview me.  I'm hoping to arrange something for tomorrow afternoon.  The place I'm working now is shutting down at 4 for a St. Patricks Day party.  Nice huh?  I have to remember to dig out something green to wear.  If not, I have the new boss' blessing to interview if Ihave to.  She understands the whole needing a full time job with benefits thing.   I like her. 

Okay, this is a knitting blog after all so I must chat knitting.  I have been doing some.  Not a heck of a lot of it though.  Too many other things going on, not to mention the replacement of night time knitting with blogging and email writing.  I wouldn't trade those emails for the world, don't get me wrong!  I have been working on my Trekking socks and finished turning the heel this morning.  I'm about 2" into the cuff now.  It's been my purse knitting.  I downsized the purse for the whole interview thing so I'm carrying a bare minimum of stuff.  Note though that there is knitting included in the bare min!

Anyway, lets hold off until next Wednesday for the first of the WIP WipeOut updates.  Hopefully there will be plenty of progress to post about after a week!  For those of you who would still like to join, the more the merrier.  If you've dropped a comment or an email and I haven't added you to the sidebar, please bear with me, I'll get to you.  I hope to dig out from under the email and get current again this weekend.  When I'm not packing that is ;)

Craft on my lovelies!

WIP Wipe-Out

Here's my pathetic attempt at a button for the WIP Wipe Out! Please copy to your server, blah blah blah. There's been a pretty darn positive response for this informal KAL.  Just a review of the whole thing:

Rules:
1.  Reduce thy WIP list.

That's it.  Nothing more than that.  Purchases aren't forbidden.  Perish at the thought.  There's no banning of casting on new projects, that would be as popular as a root canal.  Feel free to cast on, provided of course that the old projects are getting completed.  The goal is to get the WIP beast under control.

MY goal is to wind up with a total of 3 to 4 knitting projects.  Total. 
1.  Sweater
2.  Sock
3.  Lace

That means if I finish a sweater, I can start a new one.  If I finish socks, I can cast on for more.  Got it?  Wednesdays, we'll update progress.

Participants - see sidebar!

Here's hoping the WIP beast can be tamed and that those folk on the fence decide to join us.

Craft on!