WIP's - some are hibernating

In an effort to show all the stuff I'm working on, here are some of my projects I've cast on and haven't been public with.

Here's my baby pinwheel blanket. It's measuring 24-inches in diameter. I still think this is too small and wonder how big to make it. I love knitting on it. Great mindless knitting and it looks dramatic, too! This is the beginning of a MDK Modern Baby Log Cabin Blanket. I am using Oh My! yarn and it feels so soft.
Here's the infamous Garterlac bathmat. It hurts my hands to knit on it for any length of time.
Fish afghan from the Bits and Bob's yahoo! group. I'm experimenting with trying to limit the amount of sewing that's required.
The back of the fish - see the seams?
After I knitted the neapolitan fish, I decided to see if I could reverse the pattern. I could.Once the green fish was finished, I just kept knitting another fish according to the pattern.

I'm still not happy with all the sewing that would be required if I knitted it in strips. I'll try to figure out how to knit this as an Intarsia project. It's a great way to use up my cotton scraps.

Uh-oh'd my Uh-oh's

Bleh. The first ring knit up SO quickly. The second ring, which I knitted from memory, took a little longer to knit.

Now I know why: My memory isn't so good.

The other thing I should have done was to knit/sew the arms/legs before I sewed and stuffed the rings. Now I just can't pick up stitches to knit these suckers up.

So, I'm gonna call these done after I felt them.

Crud. They are really cute.

I just found out one of the nurses at my allergist's office is due in September with a little girl. Hey, I can cast on and make some girly uh-oh's!

M at the Zeum March 2007

Just call her Shecky M! M thinks she's far more funny than what she really is. This was fun to do.

M dancing at a green-screen

M at the Zeum. She picked her outfit, the music, and the background. This isn't all that interesting. She stands and looks around for the most part. Towards the end she starts becoming animated.

The Butterfly That Could Not Fly

This is M's claymation movie that we made together from our trip to San Francisco in March. This was made at the Zeum.

Spider update

Since my recent (and still on-going) spider bite incident, we decided that we may have a problem with spiders in the house.

J researched it and we confirmed it with our exterminator. There's no way to spray for spiders. You have to trap them.

So J bought a ton of these little glue traps and we've put them down on the bottom floor where we live (my office is up stairs).

Here's what I found this morning in two traps that are in my bedroom:
That's three BROWN RECLUSE SPIDERS!!!

The exterminator said that there's a bit of an epidemic of spiders this year because it's been so darn wet. The little buggers have retreated into our home.

Granted, we live in a very wooded area, but we haven't seen this many spiders in the three years we've lived here.

FWIW, I still not suffer from arachnophobia. Brown recluses will bite only when they feel threatened. Getting squished in my pants (I always love saying that) qualifies for feeling threatened.

This is a photo of a brown recluse up close. Sorry about the fuzziness of the photo. I never can see the fiddle everyone talks about. What helps me to identify them is how their butts are a little pointy


So, for you folks who live in the North Texas area; get some insect traps.

I've found three brown recluses in my daughter's room. Do it. I got bit about a month ago and my wound is still healing and my skin is peeling away like I got a bad sun burn.

Oh, and I also wanted to mention that the best foot cream is some stuff I bought at a local Linen's n Things or Bed Bath & Beyond (I can't tell the difference between the two). I also mention those two places 'cause they send out those terrific 20% off coupons that never really expire.

It's called Miracle Foot Repair cream and it's by a company called Miracle of Aloe. It's the thickest stuff and honestly was the only cream that relieved my feet when my skin was peeling.

Coffee!

My coffee maker died last week.

It was THE BEST COFFEE MAKER EVER!!!

Let me explain. I love coffee. I wouldn't call myself a snob as I'll drink almost anything but my coffee maker must work properly.

I like percolated best. I guess the reason why I like percolated best stems from fond memories of sitting at my grandmothers kitchen table drinking and gabbing.

But I haven't had great luck with modern percolated pots! First, I bought the West Bend coffee maker. The spout started to leak (different materials - plastic spout, metal pot). Then I bought the DeLonghi coffee maker. The pot stopped percolating after one year of use.

Then, I bought the Hamilton Beach BrewStation. I loved this machine. The only problem is that the spout has worn out (I think the spring finally gave out). So I bought a new one. It's even better than the previous one!

If I owned a yarn manufacturing company. . .

I would sponsor patterns like crazy (and pay decent money to the designers for them). Just what kind of patterns?

Free ones.

Case in point: Look at Ravelry's top 20 popular designs. A majority of them are from Knitty (40%). The Mason-Dixon book is really the most popular book that I can see (with a whopping 10% of the top 20), and while they're taking the credit, the ball-band warshrag comes from the band of a yarn ball (read: it was a free pattern).

Another observation: the top stuff doesn't come from magazines (although, Interweave does have one pattern in the top 20)!

That's not to say you shouldn't charge for designs. I just think it would be in a yarn manufacturer's best interest if they started to commission designers to come up with patterns and post them for free. I know this happens on most manufacturers sites. I just think they need to start hiring some of the names we knitters all know instead of having anonymous pattern makers.

On the other hand, if I owned Knitty I'd start approaching the yarn manufacturers and show them what a powerhouse in knitting they've become. Magknits, too (the top spot in the top 20)!

I also feel that the Ravelry folks should start using the info they've collected to help pay their bills. I've noticed that they're starting to show the books/yarn links on certain patterns.

Now, I know the top 20 will change once Ravelry goes live. They only have 2,500 folks using the site right now, with a whopping 6,800 waiting to get their invites.

WIP bars

Before I moved my blogger over to the new blogger, my WIP bars worked great. . . but they broke. I had a work around, but was never happy with it.

So, through the magic that is Google, I found a great site that explains how to make good WIP bars.

http://www.licketyknit.com/progressbars.html

Be sure to look at the instructions for Blogger.

Like Crack!

I've found two very dangerous websites that are like crack to me:

http://www.ravelry.com (for knitting)
http://www.shelfari.com (for books)

My Daemon (Golden Compass)

Reviewed: "All Together Dead" by Charlain Harris

This is another book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. Once again, Ms. Harris has demonstrated what a good story teller she is. I have to compare the series to Laurell K. Hamilton's series, as LKH really started the whole paranormal romance (shudder) genre. LKH's Anita Blake series has devolved to porn. CH's series, however, keeps moving forward and I just enjoy the heck out of her stuff.

Neat plot points from this book and general observations (you may want to stop reading here as I do talk about some spoilers):

Jason, her ne'r-do-well brother turned were-panther, is now married and Sookie had to vouch for him at the wedding. I see a big conflict in the future on this!

Quinn, the were-tiger, is a great boyfriend for Sookie. I'm curious as to where the relationship goes.

Bon Temps is getting to be a smaller and smaller town as our Sookie is becoming a little more worldly. Andre, the Louisiana vampire queen's hatchet man, makes Sookie swap blood with Eric for the third time. So now Eric can "turn" Sookie at any time he wants.

Barry, another telepath, finds that contact with Sookie strengthens their telepathic abilities. He gets a little freaked by how Sookie really doesn't like what the vamps have done to her and by knowing that Quinn killed Andre for making Sookie so beholden to Eric.

I liked how CH used the Katrina tragedy to show how much the area was devastated.

Well done, Ms. Harris. Well done!

Candle Flame Shawl

Since I've dabbled a bit with knitting lace by knitting up some of the Monthly Dishcloths, I've finally decided to cast on for Knit Picks Candle Flame Shawl.

This is after repeating the candle flame pattern for 3 times.

Frogging the Hex

Contrary to popular opinion in my SnB group, I did not feel good when I recently frogged my Hex.

I had both front panels done and a good portion of the back done, too. But, the panels didn't match up and I wasn't really happy with all the modifications I was making to the pattern.

So, it's frogged and I'm just sad. I did learn from my previous attempt at knitting this. I also liked the length I shortened it to.

My next attempt at this will be to knit all panels together at the same time. I like to knit with circular needles - even when I'm knitting flat. They're just a little more comfortable to me.

My Virtual Model

Television

It's been a while since I've talked about what I'm watching on the tube.

Stuff that's been cancelled:

Jericho
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

I know there's a big write in campaign to try and save Jericho. Just don't know if it'll help.

Studio 60 was clever and it featured an atheist who was actually likable. I loved how the show showed how two people with very different world views could still love each other. (sigh)

I started watching Pirate Master. I like this show for one reason: the contestants win money along the way. It should prove interesting watching. I used to like Survivor, but just couldn't get interested in the Fuji island series. The Pirate Master thing has a nice twist. Why the crew doesn't mutiny is beyond me. The captain has around $45,000 - that's a nice chunk of change. Why not get rid of him. He's not sharing the wealth and he's not feeding the crew well, either.

USA's The Starter Wife has been heavily advertised/hyped. The premier and the second episode has aired and I have to admit that I really like this show. Sometimes it gets a little ridiculous (when the main character talks to herself or goes into fantasy mode).

Two more summer shows are getting ready to start up: The 4400 and The Closer. I thought The 4400 had pretty much run it's course, but if they can get a good story line going with Collier, it may still be interesting. I'm also looking forward to The Closer.

Traveler has been fun to watch. One of the problems these thriller type shows have is that they tend to be too slow in moving the plot. Hopefully this one won't suffer from that malady.

Damages on FX looks really, really good. Glenn Close's character looks positively badass.

On the silly scale, there's Flight of the Conchords. It's really a great, funny show and reminds me of a musical version of The Office. If you click on the above link, you can see the first episode. Well worth the effort. Oh, and I can be a part-time model.

Power of One/Ten

J sent me to this comic as he knew I'd get the joke:

It actually made me laugh out loud. Really.

Okay. I'm a geek.

For those of you who don't get the joke, it's a play on the Powers of Ten documentary.

J's new game

J is trying something new with his games. He's releasing them to the ether and trying to get $ through ad revenue.

SO

Here's his latest game (You can turn on the music with the slider on the bottom):

Free Pattern: Striped Baby Halter

Here's the striped halter pattern.

Materials: Worsted Weight Cotton (Sugar N Cream or Peaches N Crème -Each ball: 2.50 oz / 70 g, 120 yd / 109 m)

Pictured:
Yarn A: Peaches N Crème, Brown (1 ball)
Yarn B: Sugar N Cream, Hot Blue (1 ball)
Yarn C: Sugar N Cream, Hot Pink (1 ball)

Needles: Size 5 circular needles (16-inches long & 32-inch long)

Gage: 20 stitches per 4 inches (Row gage doesn’t really matter here)

Size: 3 months (6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months)

Final measurements:
Chest measurements: 16 (17, 18, 19, 20) inches
Body of halter (not including cups or ruffle): 6 (6.5, 7.5, 8, 8.5) inches

Abbreviations:
CO = Cast on
K = Knit
P = Purl
K2tog = Knit 2 stitches together
K3tog = Knit 3 stitches together
SSK = Knit 2 stitches together from the back
Kfb = Knit a stitch, leaving stitch on left needle; knit into the back loop of this stitch

Pattern:

Yarn A: CO 81 (86, 91, 96, 101) stitches and join to knit in the round.

Row 1: Knit 80 (85, 90, 95, 100) stitches.

Row 2: K2tog (the last stitch with the first stitch – you’ll have 80 (85, 90, 95, 100) stitches on the needle now). Knit remaining 79 (84, 89, 94, 99) stitches.

Row 3: Switch to Yarn B: Knit all stitches

Row 4: Knit all stitches

Row 5: Switch to Yarn C: Knit all stitches

Row 4: Knit all stitches

Repeat knitting 2 row stripes in pattern until the piece measures 6 (6.5, 7.5, 8, 8.5) inches

From here on out, you’ll use one color for the cups and ruffle. I used Yarn C in this pattern. If you end with a different color on top (like I did with the brown, make sure you knit one complete row of Yarn C before you start to do the decrease row.

Decrease row: (K3, K2tog) to the end. 64 (68, 72, 76, 80) stitches on needle.

Next row: Bind off 18 (19, 20, 21, 22) stitches. Knit 15 (17, 19, 21, 23) stitches.

Now you’re going to knit one of the triangle cups flat. You will still have 31 (34,) stitches live on the circular needles (don’t knit these, yet).

Turn work as you’re knitting this part flat:
Row 1 (WS): K2, P11, K2. 15 (17, 19, 21, 23) st
Row 2 (RS): K2, SSK, K7, K2tog, K2. 13 (15, 17, 19, 21) st
Row 3 (WS): K2, P9, K2. 13 (15, 17, 19, 21) st

Repeat rows 2 & 3 above 7 st remain

Top of cup:

Row 1: K2, K3tog, K2. 5 st rem
Row 2: K2, P1, K2. 5 st
Row 3: K1, K2tog, K2. 4 st
Row 4: K2tog, K2tog. 2 st

Now do a 2 stitch I-cord until it measures 15 (15, 15, 16, 16) inches. Bind off.

Next, pick up and knit on the back side of the knitted cup 2 (4, 6, 8, 10) stitches and continue to knit the live stitches off the circular needle for a total of 15 (17, 19, 21, 23) stitches. You will now have 18 (19, 20, 21, 22) stitches live on the circular needle (don’t knit these, yet)

Repeat instructions for the cup and do the I-cord.

Now, bind off the remaining 18 (19, 20, 21, 22) stitches from the circular needle.

Weave in ends.

Ruffle:

Next is the ruffle. Turn your work over so the bottom of the halter is on the top.

Row 1: With the right side towards you, pick up and knit (with the 32-inch circular needles) 80 (85, 90, 95, 100) stitches. Try to start picking up at the back seam. You may have to do a little magic looping here as the cord will be too long for the initial 80 (85, 90, 95, 100) stitches. You keep increasing the stitches to a total of 320 (340, 360, 380, 400), so it’s important to start with a longer needle.

Row 2: Kfb in all stitches. 160 (170, 180, 190, 200) st

Row 3 Knit all stitches.
Row 4: Knit all stitches.

Row 5: Kfb in all stitches. 320 (340, 360, 380, 400) st

Row 6: Knit all stitches

Bind off. Weave in ends.

This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

Free Pattern: Fair-Isle Baby Halter Top

The photo shows this as a size 3 months baby halter top that is knit in the round for the body. I've updated the pattern to include 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. The cups are knitted flat while you still have live stitches located on your circular needle. The ruffle is picked up and knitted in the round. This was inspired by the Katja pattern from Knitty and from the Mason Dixon Knit a long. Those ladies have really tricked out a lot of the MDK patterns.



Materials: Worsted Weight Cotton (Sugar N Cream or Peaches N Crème -Each ball: 2.50 oz / 70 g, 120 yd / 109 m)

Pictured:
Yarn A: Sugar N Cream, Hot Blue (1 ball)
Yarn B: Peaches N Crème, Brown (1 ball)
Yarn C: Sugar N Cream, Hot Pink (scrap – you only need for one 80 stitch row)

Needles: Size 5 circular needles (16-inches long & 32-inch long)

Gage: 20 stitches per 4 inches (Row gage doesn’t really matter here)

Size: 3 months (6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months)

Final measurements:
Chest measurements: 16 (17, 18, 19, 20) inches
Body of halter (not including cups or ruffle): 6 (6.5, 7.5, 8, 8.5) inches

Abbreviations:
CO = Cast on
K = Knit
P = Purl
K2tog = Knit 2 stitches together
K3tog = Knit 3 stitches together
SSK = Knit 2 stitches together from the back
Kfb = Knit a stitch, leaving stitch on left needle; knit into the back loop of this stitch


Pattern:

Yarn A: CO 81 (86, 91, 96, 101) stitches and join to knit in the round.

Row 1: Knit 80 (85, 90, 95, 100) stitches.

Row 2: K2tog (the last stitch with the first stitch – you’ll have 80 (85, 90, 95, 100) stitches on the needle now). Knit remaining 79 (84, 89, 94, 99) stitches.

Row 3: Knit all stitches

Row 4: (Yarn B: K2, Yarn A: K2) repeat to end

Row 5: repeat Row 4

Row 6: (Yarn A: K2, Yarn B: K2) repeat to end

Next, Yarn A: Knit 7 (8, 10, 12, 13) rows

Next Row: Yarn C: Knit all stitches

Next, Yarn A: Knit 7 (8, 10, 12, 13) rows

Next rows: Repeat rows 4 through 6 (the fair-isle pattern)

Next row: Yarn A: Knit all stitches

Next row: (K3, K2tog) to the end. 64 (68, 72, 76, 80) stitches on needle.

Next row: Bind off 18 (19, 20, 21, 22) stitches. Knit 15 (17, 19, 21, 23) stitches.

Now you’re going to knit one of the triangle cups flat. You will still have 31 (34,) stitches live on the circular needles (don’t knit these, yet).

Turn work as you’re knitting this part flat:
Row 1 (WS): K2, P11, K2. 15 (17, 19, 21, 23) st
Row 2 (RS): K2, SSK, K7, K2tog, K2. 13 (15, 17, 19, 21) st
Row 3 (WS): K2, P9, K2. 13 (15, 17, 19, 21) st

Repeat rows 2 & 3 above 7 st remain

Top of cup:

Row 1: K2, K3tog, K2. 5 st rem
Row 2: K2, P1, K2. 5 st
Row 3: K1, K2tog, K2. 4 st
Row 4: K2tog, K2tog. 2 st

Now do a 2 stitch I-cord until it measures 15 (15, 15, 16, 16) inches. Bind off.

Next, pick up and knit on the back side of the knitted cup 2 (4, 6, 8, 10) stitches and continue to knit the live stitches off the circular needle for a total of 15 (17, 19, 21, 23) stitches. You will now have 18 (19, 20, 21, 22) stitches live on the circular needle (don’t knit these, yet)

Repeat instructions for the cup and do the I-cord.

Now, bind off the remaining 18 (19, 20, 21, 22) stitches from the circular needle.

Weave in ends.

Ruffle:

Next is the ruffle. Turn your work over so the bottom of the halter is on the top.

Row 1: With the right side towards you, pick up and knit (with the 32-inch circular needles) 80 (85, 90, 95, 100) stitches. Try to start picking up at the back seam. You may have to do a little magic looping here as the cord will be too long for the initial 80 (85, 90, 95, 100) stitches. You keep increasing the stitches to a total of 320 (340, 360, 380, 400), so it’s important to start with a longer needle.

Row 2: Kfb in all stitches. 160 (170, 180, 190, 200) st

Row 3 Knit all stitches.
Row 4: Knit all stitches.

Row 5: Kfb in all stitches. 320 (340, 360, 380, 400) st

Row 6: Knit all stitches

Bind off. Weave in ends.





This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

Reviewed: "Sebastian" by Anne Bishop

Okay, I was very skeptical about reading this book as I was judging it by it's cover:
Bleh. It looks like a typical romance novel. I was afraid it was going to be one of those paranormal romance novels. Sebastian is an incubus, so you can see my reluctance after I read the first couple of chapters.

Happily, I have to say it's a good read and doesn't devolve into a sex romp ala' Laurel Hamilton. Anne Bishop does a good job of creating a fantasy world and the book has a good beginning, middle and end (with an open ending for an obvious sequel, which in this case is Belladonna).

I didn't really like reading the parts that were from the Eater of the World's view point as I found it a bit repetitive.

But there is a great Good/Evil plot line where the general consensus in the fantasy world of who is Good and who is Evil is topsy-turvey (can you tell I like that type of theme in my reading preferences?).

If you're looking for a good light summer reading, this is a good one to pick up.

Reviewed: "Esau" by Philip Kerr

I must admit that I didn't finish reading this book. It started out interesting enough, but when it devolved into a hunt for a live Yeti, complete with a CIA plot line, I just couldn't take it seriously.

I don't recommend this book. I am very disappointed.

FO-No-so-Baby Surprise Jacket

Here's another FO:

Pattern: Baby Surprise Jacket

Yarn: PnC double worsted, Potpourri Ombre (178)

Needles: size 13

Notes: This ended up to be large enough for my 5 year old daughter (who wears a size 7-8). The sleeves are a 3/4 sleeve, which is good for that age as they always keep their sleeves bunched up. It's very warm and washes/dries very well in our machines.

I'm home!!!

I got out of the hospital yesterday at lunch time. Yay!

I got my final IV antibiotic at 6 am that morning and the wound was looking really good. I'm glad I stayed one more day. After I got my shower, I got dressed in my street clothes. All the nurses and doctors laughed when they saw me.

J and I went to get M from extended day early and we went out to eat at a nice restaurant locally. The steak was heavenly.

Since M got some good Mama-time in, I decided to go to SnB last night. It was lots of fun and it was nice to be able to be with PEOPLE! My days of solitary in the hospital has taken a bit of a toll.

Oh, and my dog Mel missed me, too. He's been glued to my side ever since I got home and has been really pushy for petting.

I got my first sleep in my own bed last night - oh how wonderful to not be woken up in the middle of the night for a blood draw or a vital check or another IV infusion.

It's good to be home.

FO-Fair-Isle Baby Halter (Modified Katja)

Here's the final halter top I finished while being in the hospital.

Pattern: My own, but it's a modified Katja.

Yarn: SnC: Hot Blue, Hot Pink, PnC: Brown

Needles: Size 5

Things I'd do differently: I would re-position the chest area so they wouldn't be placed together so closely. I'd also knit the I-cords with a two stitch instead of a three stitch. They seem a bit thick for a wee one.

I'm thinking about writing up the patterns for this halter and the other halter. Anyone interested?

FO-Katja Baby Halter & Striped Baby Halter

Since I have the time, I wanted to do a quick knit for a baby shower coming up next weekend, so I pulled out my tried and true cotton yarn and knitted this up:

Pattern: Katja from Knitty, size 12 months

Yarn: SnC: Hot Pink, PnC: Brown

Needles: Size 7

Okay, I didn't swatch for gage on this one, so it ended up going to my 5 yo daughter who insisted on posing for this picture. Yes, the hand is on her hip. Instead of purling the same color, I purled with the brown.

Here's another attempt:

Pattern: Modified Katja from Knitty, size 3 months
Yarn: SnC: Hot Pink & Hot Blue, PnC: Brown
Needles: Size 5

I did get gage on this one, but the size is not for a 3 month old, it's more for a 2 yr old. The modifications to the Katia pattern include, knitting two row colors (no purl rows) in the round and adding the ruffle on the bottom. I just love the way this turned out.

Spider bite - Warning: Icky

Here's a photo of the worst it got:

This is how it looks today.

Reviewed: "Daemon" by Leinad Zeraus

When my husband asked me to read this book and review it, I was a bit skeptical.

"It's written by a game programmer so it's supposed to be very industry related," he said.

Well, after that glowing endorsement, I wasn't so thrilled. But reading the description on the back of the book intrigued me enough to acquiesce to reading it.

I'm really glad I did.

Have you ever read a book thinking that you'd like to see it as a movie? This was that kind of book.

Jon Ross, one of many well fleshed out characters in the book, is a contract employee to an insurance company. He shows up in another department because one of the workers has called him over to ask for some help. A virus has hit the company and is sending out large packets of information out into the Internet. Could Jon help explain what was going on?

So starts a series of mysterious events that were triggered by a news release regarding the death of a prominent game programmer.

What I liked about this book is that there isn't one main character that you follow. There are several.

Pete Sebeck is a local sheriff who is called in on two separate homicides - both men worked for the same company as the dead game programmer. Both men were murdered by some type of remote controlled devise hooked up to the Internet.

Then there is the contemptible Gragg who ends up becoming the enabler to the Daemon. Gragg was an identity thief who was chosen by the Daemon through the playing of an on-line game. Gragg won and the story of how he was tested is a good one. The description of the game play was realistic and really good.

Anji Anderson is a reporter whose good looks are keeping her from reporting real news. It's strange how she ends up in the right place and the right time to be able to report and manipulate the news.

Ultimately, the Daemon raids corporations and holds them hostage, massacres Spammers (while gruesome, somewhat gratifying) and ultimately builds a secret society. Each member is awarded points/power which establishes where they are in the society's pecking order.

The lines between good and evil seems to be well drawn out, but become questioned towards the end of the book. People you considered good become evil. But is evil really evil or is the Daemon just taking back the power of the people from the corporations of the world?

If you haven't guessed by now, Mr. Zeraus has successfully teased out a sequel with the ending of the book and I can't wait for it to be published so I can immerse myself into his intriguing world again. This book is a fun read.

Still here

Well, it's Monday and I've slept in the hospital for four nights now. I'm bored stiff. I've watched the whole season of Friday Night Lights -which was really good, BTW. I've also finished knitting two and a half halter tops.

As far as the bite goes, I'm doing okay. I have one more night to go as the wound is still warm to the touch and red. The idea is that I didn't respond so well to oral antibiotics and would possibly end up coming back to the hospital. So we decided to have another 24 hour go around of IV antibiotics.

Bleh.

Hospital

So, I followed up with my doctor on Monday because the red had spread and I was running a low grade fever. I got some type of antibiotic shot and another prescription of a new anti-biotic.

Doctor said to come in on Wednesday. By Wednesday, the infection had spread about a full half inch outside the original pen markings made in the ER. I got yet another anti-biotic and a new line drawn. I was to come back in on Friday unless any changes were made.

I woke up on Thursday with a blister on the dark area and the infection has spread - again. So I went in to the doctor's office and they said I had to go to the hospital for IV antibiotics. Go straight to the hospital, do not go home.

So, I'm in the hospital getting IV antibiotics. Last night was the first night I got a fitful sleep. I did find out that I'm allergic to hydrocodon - it makes me itch all over.

This morning the redness has turned to pink and the infection hasn't spread. I'm still in a little pain, but it's manageable. It's nice to have a clean gown and to be able to walk around. I'm definitely here for another two days - Sunday we'll have the results of the blood culture. This will tell them what type of bacterial infection I have. Hopefully I can go home shortly after that. Ironically, my doctor will be the same doctor as J had when he had a blood infection.

I saw M & J yesterday afternoon. I tried to be very positive and up beat when she was here. J said she's doing okay. According to J, s-She went to school wearing all of her favorite things: fuzzy pink long sleeve shirt, orange shorts, and her baseball socks with pink crocs. :)

Bleh - Serious Spider Bite

On Saturday, right after I put on my jammie bottoms, I felt an itch - you know, similar to an itch you get from a mosqito bite.

Sunday came and I was fine until the afternoon. The itch had escalated to a full blown pinch. Just imagine someone constantly pinching your skin. I was finally in a place where I could look at it, and the redness was the size of my palm and there was a bruise in the middle.

J said he saw a brown recluse in the living room - which is where I was bitten. :(

So I decided to go to the emergency room on Sunday afternoon. They gave me an oral anti-biotic and a pain killer (or Rush Limbah pills, as J calls them). The nurse drew a circle around the infected area and told me if the redness increases, to follow up with my doctor as soon as possible.

As luck would have it, I got a low grade fever and the redness started to swell the next day. So off to the doctor's office I went. I got some type of antibiotic shot and another course of antibiotics.

Here's what the injury looks like right now.

This is located on the back of my right knee and is very uncomfortable right now. I have a follow up with the doctor tomorrow at 10 to see if I need to get plastic surgery. The nurse is very concerned that the wound has not opened up.

So, folks, don't forget to shake out your clothes before putting them on!

What a deal!

The end of the school year is quickly approaching and I have to find something for the teacher's end of school present. The dishcloths were well received, so I decided to knit some up. To add to the present, J stumbled across a great deal (NAYY):

Bath & Body Works has 4-packs of their Anti-Bacterial Collection Soap, Hand Gels, and Lotions on sale for $10 each. Buy three 4-packs and use coupon code LUXURY10 to get twelve items for $20 + $7 Shipping. Alternatively, use the $10
off $30 printable coupon at a Bath & Body Works store to buy 12 for $20.
(Good till May 14th, 2007)

It's also Mother's Day so I whipped out some MDK Ballband Warshcloths to make some more Dishwashing Diva's (These are going out the my MIL & SIL):

FO-Chemo cap & PICC sleeve

Pattern: Pi Topper Chemo Cap
Yarn: Elann.com Esprit (2194 Aegean Sea)
Needles: US Size 7

The pattern calls for one ball, but I wouldn't have been able to knit the flap if I didn't have some extra. This pattern was fun to knit - very quick.


Pattern: PICC Arm Band from KnitPicks
Yarn: Joann's Tesoro (Superwash Wool)
Needles: US Size 7 (the pattern calls for US 5. I also only cast on 44 stitches)

I've done a lot in a year and a half

Another knitting list that's been floating through the knitting yahoo groups.

Mark with bold the things you have ever knit, with italics the ones you plan to do sometime, and leave the rest.

Afghan
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with bananafiber yarn
Domino knitting (=modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Baby items
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffitti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colours
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies...)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone elses handspun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Knitting two socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars simultaneously
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with selfpatterning/selfstriping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mits/armwarmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

I hate punishing her

Every Friday night we switch off making dinner with some friends. The girls are good friends and we're pretty compatible with the couple.

M spilled orange juice on their carpet last Friday. D yelled about it and M told her not to tell. GOAM found the orange juice stain on Monday and got the story from D.

I am horrified. I found out about it last night when I went to SnB.

So this morning I asked M about the spilled OJ. She denied anything happened. I then told her that GOAM told me that she found the stain and D told her what happened.

So. M did three things wrong:

1. Spilled the OJ and didn't tell anyone about it.
2. Told D not to tell (D is one year younger and is easily manipulated)
3. Lied to me when she was confronted with what happened.

Bleh. I don't want a sneaky kid. I was a bit of one and find it very challenging to overcome as an adult.

So, M got three punishments today.

1. No TV for a week
2. No computer for a week
3. No participating in the Fairy play today at extended day.

She was most upset about not being able to participate in the Fairy play.

I was upset that she lied, damaged people's property, and manipulated a younger kid. Where does she get this? Do we all make our way though life and make these mistakes?

Since the Fairy play occurs in Extended Day, I went into talk to the teacher regarding what was going on. She said that they play video's just before nap time. I asked her to take M to the admin office.

I feel that I am a fairly strict parent and can be very controlling. I definitely have internal dialogues constantly to determine if what I'm demanding of M is really serving a purpose or am I just being controlling.

In this case, she needs to learn a lesson.

I am so sorry GOAM. If there's anything we can do, please tell me.

Book Review: Stardust

This book really should be classified as a Young Adult book.

Synopsis: A young man falls in love and goes in search of a falling star to win her love. The falling star falls in Fairie and our hero goes and rescues her. Of course, there are others in search of the star, too (the star is a woman in Fairie) so it's a race to find her.

It was ho hum and read like Cannonball Run in Fairie.

I like NG's comic book stuff, but his books have really not set me on fire. I've read several.

The reason why I wanted to read this one is because it's a going to be released as a movie this summer.

Christ Wheels

Look what I saw while driving around today: Big wheels keep on rollin'!

All I can think of is how much these cost. Wouldn't Jesus have wanted the person to feed the hungry instead?

Food Porn

I subscribe to the Chocolatier magazine. It publishes only 4 issues a year, but the photo's are just beautiful and they even include recipes.

Well, M found the latest issue and started flipping through it. She is SO my girl. Oooh's and Ahh's abound with each flip of the magazine page.

"Let's make this one, mama!"

"Oh, and this one looks REALLY good."

J jokingly said that M's found Mom's food porn stash.

He is so right.

Book Review: Friday Night Knitting Club

I read, too, so I'll try to occasionally write about the books I've been reading.

Which brings me to the latest: Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs.

I got suckered in to reading this book for two reasons: 1) it's ostensibly about knitting. 2) Julia Roberts has signed on to be the main character for an upcoming movie.

(I'm a sucker for all things Julia. It's absolutely unreasonable and I have no idea why.)

So I searched my local library's on-line catalogue and find that it's just about to be available. I stick my name on the waiting list and get a call the next day. I pick it up and find that the library has ordered the large print version. I hate reading large print books. I have to hold the book out at arms length to be able to read it.

So, I already start out with a bad attitude towards this book.

Then I start reading and, OMG, the character development is just awful. You know the type of book where each character is a specific stereotype, but the story line is that they really aren't that stereotype? Predictable, predictable, - ugh, did I say predicable?

I hate predictable books. I find them a huge waste of time. But if I start a book, I tend to finish them because I like to give the author the benefit of the doubt.

Well, folks, FNKC is a big huge waste of time. Wait for the movie because you won't miss a thing.

Warning: Spoilers.

Stuff I wish the author expounded on or hated that she went in the direction that she did.

The main character goes to Ireland to visit her grandmother. There's a yarn shop there. Do we get to go and meet the Irish knitting folks? Nope. There's just a mention about the shop and you keep thinking that you're going to get to visit. But nope. The author decided to focus more on the racial differences between the main character and her daughter than with the wonderful world of knitting.

The dresses that the main character makes for her former best friend was supposed to elevate her to becoming a fabulous couture designer. Did it? Nope.

Bleh, bleh, bleh.

Satchel

Pattern: Satchel [Smaller Striped Version] from Knitty, Camelia Flower from Noni

Yarn: KnitPicks Wool of the Andes, Daffodil (23436) & Sapphire Heather (23899)

Needles: US Size 13

I used a magnetic snap (I bought it at Hobby Lobby. Joanns and Michaels don't carry them any more). In the past, I sewed a piece of fabric onto the bag and connected the clasp to the fabric, not the bag. This time I cut the felted wool (which is scary) and covered the back with the flower and the lining.

I also folded a plastic needlepoint canvas and put it in between the liner and the purse. It keeps sharp objects from poking through the felted bag.This is the pocket. I put it on the back of the satchel. It's large enough to hold a small cell phone.Things I'd do differently:

• I'd attach the pocket to the bag before I felted it. I think I'd have to pull it apart before it dried, but I think the pocket would have looked a little better.
• I would double knit the strap and attach it before I felted the bag.
• Use colors that are closer together in the color spectrum. It looks like the blue bled into the yellow, but when you look at it closer, the fibers from the blue actually penetrated the yellow. If the colors were closer together, then I think the effect wouldn't be so dramatic.
• I wouldn't knit a synthetic yarn into the flower. It just didn't felt well and ended up not looking it's best.

Even with all the above points, I do like this bag. The size is right and I wouldn't mind having one of these for myself. This was knit for a charity auction.

Twisted Stitch Baby hat

Pattern: Twisted stitch baby hat on circular needles (it came with my Bluebonnet Knitting Guild (BBKG) charity knits pattern book)

Yarn: Plymouth Encore Worsted, #896

Needles: US Size 6

I need to pump up my charity knit numbers. This will be donated to the BBKG. This was the first time I've tried a twisted stitch. I really like knitting with it.

Franny Onsy

Pattern: Berroco's Franny from Booklet #245 - for size 12 months

Yarn: Universal Yarn's Pebbles Color 14 (100% Polymide)

Needles: size 8

This was fairly quick to make, but I'm getting to where I dislike knitting stockinette. The next time I make it, I'll do a couple of things differently:

1. knit the bottom pieces at the same time (two pieces on needles) and then join to knit in the round until the arms.
2. put 3 button holes on the left shoulder. The pattern called for only one.
3. knit with a lighter weight yarn. I think this is going to be a very warm outfit.

I also would like to embellish this, but because the recipient decided to find out the sex of her baby when it's born, well, I'm stuck with making generic baby stuff.

Garter Scarf

Here's a scarf I made from some stash yarn

Pattern: It's a simple 15 stitch garter

Yarn: Berroco's Hush (Goodnight Moon #6303) - 3 skeins

Needles: US Size 9

This scarf is going to one of M's teachers for an end of year gift.

I like how it looks.

CSM status

I have to find a better umbrella or a way to keep the yarn attached to the weight below the knitting. When I use the umbrella that comes with the machine, the yarn where it gets pulled away from the hooks does not knit. Then I also have some needles where the latches have been damaged. So, I'm encouraged. I used an onion bag and that was how I found out that I had some bad needles.

It's coming. No socks yet, but it'll happen!

Getting closer to figuring this out

There are two reasons why the needles aren't catching the yarn on my CSM:

First, I changed directions with the needles still engaged (bad!). I now understand that I have to lift needles up so I can allow gravity to move the direction of the uplift cams to allow a change of directions of the needles.

So that explains why the needles weren't being lifted. But the yarn carrier was not lined up with where the needle action was occurring.

Second, I had the tension cam adjustment screw located incorrectly. Here's from the manual. Look at the stops (the metal just above the arrow that is pointing to the bottom gear (A). The tension cam adjustment screw is located on the flat side.This is how my machine was set up:

So it was on the wrong side. Here's how I corrected it:

See how the yarn carrier (not installed, but the screw is shown) and the tension cam adjustment screw is now located in between the stops.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Cams were in correctly

Okay. I have no idea why the needles aren't raising up. I took the cylinder off the machine to flip the uplift cams and this is what I saw:

I believe they're installed correctly. Here's a picture of the cams from the handbook (the uplift cams are marked D6 in the diagram):

So why aren't the needles travelling up the uplift cams?

The third shoe dropped

Okay. I wrecked J's car and the window motor on my car stopped working. One of my SnB friends asked what will be the third thing to happen?

It happened on Saturday. While pulling into the parking lot of Curves/Weight Watchers, my car died. I thought it was because I ran out of gas. Four gallons later, the car still didn't start. So I had it towed to the dealership because it's still under warranty (by it's chinny chin chin).

Well, the timing belt broke and the folks said that the damage could be BAD (like replace the whole engine kind of bad). Well, we lucked out and the engine wasn't damaged. The belt was not covered under warranty, but after ducking the engine replacement bullet, paying for a new belt was great - sort of.

A-ha moment

I have been dragging my little CSM machine out occasionally to see if I could get it to work. I use it until I get totally frustrated and put it up again. I have yet to be able to get it to knit.


I felt like the problem was with how I used the set up basket. I got some help from the sock knitter's group and used this photo as a guide. The rubber bands work wonderfully.

Then I made sure that I had proper tension on the umbrella (I had three weights).

The yarn was still not catching. Here's a photo of my cylinder with the needles in it.

Here's a photo of Gay's set up:

>>>>>>Eric from the list properly diagnosed the problem - I put the uplift cams in upside down.<<<<<<<

ETA: Nope. See a later post - I had the put the machine together incorrectly.

D'oh!

I'm actually excited about knowing this. Perhaps I can get my machine to start working!

Wedding Gift

Well, I decided to knit from my stash (KFMS) for this gift. So I used Elann.com Sonata for the hand towel: And some Sugar 'n Cream for the face cloths. (Wine & Potpourri)

I used the Mason Dixon book for the Chevron pattern but I only knitted 14 stripes instead of the called for 24 - mainly because I ran out of yarn. I made up my own "pattern" for the face cloths.

Bunny!

I was inspired by this bunny I saw on Softies Central . . .Since Jess Hutch's Spherey makes a perfect quick sphere, here's my knitted version:
I knitted it out of Paton's Be Mine yarn. It's so nice and soft.

Thanks goes out to Cindy who mentioned the face was missing a nose. I can't help but feel like he looks more like a dog than a bunny. Perhaps the ears should have been longer and thinner?


Oh, and I now have a favorite fiber fill:

It's light weight and can be shaped well. I really like this stuff better than Poly-fil. I bought this bag at my local Walmart.

My next softie will be a chick that was inspired by the same artist: