Wit Knit

MIA

Wow, long time no post.  I won't drag this out catching everyone up on where I have been for the past few months. 

The highlights:  younger sister got married, I got married, bought a house, promotion at work, and a new nephew--my only nephew.  That's alot in six months. 

Knitting has slowed in the last few months.  I have been very busy.  So I have decided to completely redo everything.  My doc (a specialist due to some health problems) has recommended I drop some weight--keep in mind I weigh between 130 & 135 & I am 5' 1", so there isn't much there to lose. But I have started excercising & cooking healthy.  Ninety five percent of my diet is organic, healthy produce.  (The other 5% is my addiction to soda, chocolate, & ice cream).  So in the theme of redoing myself, I changed my look.  Yeah, that's right.  I'm no longer blond.  Shocking, I know considering I have been blond for the last 25 years! 

So now that I have resolved to take time for me.  I have picked the needles back up.  My summer shawl is 99% finished.  Five rows, bind off, & weave in my ends are all that's left.  My cabled capelete is 50% finished.  I have also created a list of other items to knit: socks, socks, socks, shawl, socks, & a purse.  For some reason, I am overflowing with sock yarn but have never knitted a sock a day in my life. 

Now that I have caught everyone back up on the important things, my future blogs will be more frequent, with pics, & much more interesting!

PS.  Please check out the cutest, happiest, growing like a weed nephew of mine at my sister's blog.

I have lost it....

I have officialy gone crazy.  So as you may know I am getting married in September.  My little sister is getting married in June.  And my big sister is expecting her first baby in December!  (Yes, I am referring to www.sharppointysticks.typepad.com).  So I have been really stressed in the whole planning for my wedding, buying a house, and considering changing jobs.  I have been taking my frustrations out with needles and yarn. 

First, I was casually working on the summer shawl from www.dailyknitter.com.  That was just a fun project for me to work on here & there.  I am more then 50% complete and have set that aside.  I have baby stuff to knit.  I am working on a little baby cap made from alpaca that I bought at  MSW.  I have also found a cute Christmas hat and mittens for a baby.  That's perfect for my sis too.  Now add to that the first ever pair of socks I am trying to knit, which I have frogged 800 times, at least.  Then there is the craziest thing of all--a blanket.  I decided for my little sis, as a wedding gift, I would make her a blanket.  We are hosting a shower for her this Saturday.  I know I can't complete a blanket by Saturday but I want to have at least some of it finished.  I started knitting it Tuesday and I am trying to knit 3300 stitches a night.  That maybe easy for some of you but I am slow, beginner knitter. 

I am also a project slut.  I am dying to knit the shawl in the summer edition of Interweave Knits.  Plus my soon to be DH is begging for socks and a hat.  It's summer!  Can't the nervy boy wait just a little bit. 

What am I going to do!

Out of Service

I have quite a bit to talk about. 

First,  my home computer is on the fritz.  It has been delivered to the "geek squad" in hopes of being repaired.  So I am only limited to my computer at work.  Which explains the long time in between posts.  But that will get better.

Second, house hunting is going good.  We have 5 potential houses.  Two we really love!

Third, I am still awaiting a decision on a job I recently applied for (with in my company).  I really want it but odds of me getting it are slim. 

On the knitting front, I can't believe I have time to eat, sleep, or do anything considering as much knitting as of done.  I have finished a poncho from www.dailyknitter.com.  It's great.  I did it with malabrigo.  For some reason, it reminds me of cotton candy.  I have almost finished the summer shawl pattern from www.dailyknitter.com.  I am getting ready to start the shawl pattern in the Summer issue of Interweave knits.  I purchased this wonderful lace weight baby alpaca yarn at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival.  It was only $5.00.  Can you believe it?  I can't.  I have a pair of socks on hold.  I started the jaywalkers but need help with the heel.  Mindy is going to show me when she comes down to visit.

Finally, Maryland Sheep & Wool festival was wonderful.  Being the beginner that I am, I was awe struck by some of the things I saw.  Going to the festival only confirmed the fact that I want to own an alpaca.  They are just the cutest things ever.  I got some great purchases.  I bought tons of alpaca yarn, great sock yarn, a swift & ball winder, and just some yarns that you can't find at my LYS.  Two specific events made the trip unforgettable.  First was the parking experience.  These boy scouts were directing traffic in the parking area.  When we parked and got out of the car, the boy scout who was probably seven said, "Wow, from Ohio."  He had the most perplexed look.  I guess he thought that was really far.  Well, for some people it was but during the second unforgettable event, I realized it was not nearly as far as what other people had drove.  The blogger meet up was incredible.  Wendy sat in front of us.  Lolly walked to meet & greet everyone.  Ann Marie was somewhere there through the crowd.  Although, I have never spoken to them, I frequent their blogs daily.  I will defintely be heading back next year. 

PS.  I will need a traveling partner next year.  My sister will probably not be attending.  Not because she didn't have fun, but because by then she will have gotten what she has been waiting for.  (I'll explain more later). 

Fool...

Well, I have so much to update on.  It's official.  I am a knitting fool.  But also a working fool, a traveling fool, and a wedding that cost way too much money fool.   Once again, I am heading off to Columbus (Ohio) for a few more days.  I have work to do up there.  This is also a four day work week for us.  So I am tyring to complete all the work that takes me 5 days plus overtime to complete in 4 days plus traveling.  CRAZY...I know. 

I have purchased decorations for the wedding.  Just as I think we are so close to being finished, I think of a million more tiny things that should be done.  For example, favors.  What in the world am I going to give as favors.   Funny thing is, I crossed this off my list as complete.  A few months ago, I purchased these tiny mesh bags with satin ribbon to fill with something and hand out as favors.  I realized yesterday while I was taking wedding inventory, I had no idea what that something to fill the bags was going to be.  The more I think about it, the more I think we should have hopped the first flight to Vegas.

So, I have conquered my biggest fear--as far as knitting goes.  I have started a project on circular needles.  It is actually working too.  It has joined with no problems, stitches are not twisted, and it is knitting up quite nicely.  I am working on a poncho.  I purchased the pattern from my 200 mile away LYS.  It is in misti alpaca chunky.  Smooth, soft, pretty.  What more can a girl ask for. 

Pictures to post tonight!

Gone....

I know I haven't posted in a while but I have been super busy.  I have started a few new knitting projects.  1.  Clapotis.  2.  Poncho  3.  French Market Bag  4.  Michigan socks. 

Work has also been super busy.  I have been out of town to train some new folks at our other facilities.  We are in a huge hiring frenzy.  We are also considering adding an entire new building in Ironton (which is my facility). 

Finally, in memorium. Chaos, 1987-2006.  You survived the bottom of a swimming pool, a hair dryer, a broken leg, a BB in your back, and 3 sisters who loved you very much.  May your food bowl always be full and you eat lots of cheese.  May you scratch the legs of everyone who walks too close.  May you find an empty pizza box, an empty bag, or a clothes basket in kitty heaven where you can rest forever.  Bye, buddy, you will always be loved.

We're Famous

We're famous!  Well, I'm not.  But knitting is a world in itself and knitting & blogging is an even bigger world.  I didn't realize this statement fully until this past weekend.  Mindy, my sister, taught me how to knit, took me to my first yarn store, and was there for me when I frogged my first project.  This past weekend was the absolute best yarn store's spring sale.  This was so exciting.  Essentially, I drove 3 hours to my sisters just to go to the sale with her.  I was buying great stuff for my projects and the store was packed.  The weird thing was, I knew everyone in the store.  Most everyone there had a blog that I visited and kept up with.  For example, I met Bonnie.  She has a great blog & does the best projects.  Then there's Sara.  I have met Sara previously but I follow her blog religiously.  She's an incredible knitter. So when I saw her at the store, it was like we had been conversing for weeks.  I knew what projects she was working and what she had just finished.  And finally there's Tonia, a creative knitter.  I followed her blog but didn't know exactly who she was until we were sitting at the table at knitting.  Amazing!  My sister suspects that the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival will be the same. 

Most important is the items I bought at the sale.   Well, you will have to wait for that.  I am going to post with pictures tomorrow.  I have to do these items justice!  They are beautiful. 

Until Then!  Good night & happy knits!

Long Time, No Post

I know, long time & no post.  I have been a bit overwhelmed with the events happening around me.  For starters, the only blogging I have been doing is leaving comments on my sister's blog--words of encouragement for her to finish her olympic knitting project.  She didn't but she came close.  She has officially been awarded a silver medal. 

I have also been occupied by my own knitting.  I am working on satin slippers from Simple Knits with a Twist, clapotis from knitty.com, a poncho with a pattern I got at lambikins, and a few other items I am preparing to start. 

I have also been busy with work.  Things are changing, we are hiring, and today I learned that I have to cover two facilities now.  In my company, my job is at each location we have.  In LNA (our division) we have 5 plants.  Well one of our location is in the process of hiring someone but until then they have decided I should split my time among the 2 locations which are about 3 hours apart.  To be honest, I am flattered.  It is more work but it also means more recognition.  I know that sounds selfish but that's work!

Valentines Day

Well, this is going to be mainly about Valentine's Day even though it is a little late.  Valentine's Day was hectic but wonderful.

Work is extremely busy.  At 8:00 in the morning, the lobby of my work was completely filled with vases of flowers, balloons, and stuffed animals.  It fell upon me to distribute these gifts.  It just so happened that the last vase of flowers was mine.  It was great.  Work continued to be hectic all day.  And I knew when I got home, it wasn't going to be much better because I had a ton to do. 

At home though, everything changed.  My day turned around when I got my gift from my secret pal.  It was incredible.  A great little note, wonderfully smelling soap, set of size 10 DPNs, Simple Knits With a Twist, a brochue, a small clutch (for knitting accessories), a large bag (purse or storage), and some great yarn.  I am using the ribbon yarn to make the slippers in Simple Knits.  I hope, I'm not forgetting anything.  Since I am at work right now, I can't really do this gift the justice it deserves.  I will post pictures of it when I get home.

The wonderfullness of the day continued when Shane arrived.  He got me this great manicure set.  It was in a red satin bag--lotion, cuticle cream, exfoliant, nail polish, & more.  It was perfect since I torture my hands.  It was a very creative gift too, since I was complaining the other day that it was hard for me to knit while my hands were dry & achey. 

The day ended with a homemade piece of cheesecake.  Made by me of course!  After things slow down at work, I am devoting some serious time to knitting.  I am going to have several items complete for the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival.

Blah

I have the winter blues.  We have received the first official snow of winter & I hate snow.  I hate cold weather.  We have received 3 inches & it is still snowing although not as heavy.  To cheer me up from this winter Blah, I went shopping.  I made some cute purchases for me.  But the biggest purchase was from my LYS.  I purchased 400 yards of Chunky alpaca in grey.  I also purchased 300 yards of leather in shades of pink & brown.  This yarn was beautiful. It looks like ribbon and the color is wonderful.  I have no idea what to do with it but it is great.  My goal this week is to finish my denim bag.  I am also going to book my trip to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival with my sister.  She is in the knitting olympics so I am cheering her on. 

Go Sis Go! 

New Day

Today is a new day.  I have major accomplishments in all areas. 

First, I have a list of knitting projects.  A wrap, a poncho, fingerless mitts, hobo bag, Shane's socks & toboggan.  My purse is almost finished.  I need to make the handle and then sew all together.  I also finally understand the meaning of stash.  I have the urge to buy yarn even though I have no need for it at the moment.  I love shopping for it! 

Second, wedding plans are complete.  Well, the major wedding plans are complete.  Invitations are chosen (not ordered), honeymoon is done, reception is complete, dresses are bought paid for (alterations need to be done), music is done. 

Third, my job.  I am not all that happy with my job.  So my boss left  & my old boss took a promotion and he is now my boss once again.  That part is great.  What sucks is everyone else I work with. Negative, unintelligent, only do things to benefit themselves is everyone I work with. I can't exactly run out and grab another job.  There is nothing in this area.  I mean nothing!  Don't believe me, other then the school system, Walmart is the largest employer in the county. 

So to make myself happy, I have thrown myself into my knitting.  I would love to open my own knitting store but one that takes money and two that would take my sister moving here.  So I am going to go a different route, once the wedding is over and my knitting skills improve I think I will do some work for Project Linus.  We have a chapter in the area. 

Well back to work!