Knit Twit

Pictures coming soon!!!

2012-01-23T17:04:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,
I know, I've been away for so long, it's just wrong! But I have an excuse. A sort of belated one, but an excuse nonetheless. I lost my camera charger. And what fun is a knitting blog without pictures of knitting? not very fun. Now, you COULD say that I could have just easily gotten a replacement at Amazon long ago. . . well. . . yeah, I should have. But it arrived today, and now my camera battery is blissfully charging like it's life depends upon it! Things that will soon be up on the Blog are as follows:

The Baptismal gown.
I've worked a lot on the pattern itself, rewriting, working through the extremely outdated directions, and I think I've finally gotten them down. (or, at least, the ones for the body portion). A copy of that pattern will be up as well, though I wonder if I couldn't just put it up in a document for the blog, rather than posting the entire pattern on one entry.

Sock Monkey # 1, 2 & 3
I've made a total of 2 sock monkeys, and one is in progress. My first sock monkey looks as fabulous as ever (and you know him by the title picture on this blog), but he is now reading a book on my cherry wood bookshelf in my room. So, of course, he needs to let his fans know what he's doing! By the way, he needs a name. . . something studious but fun. Any ideas? Sock monkey #2 also needs a name. She is a little purple tweed sweetheart, and I made a nice light ballerina dress, complete with slippers, and she even has a bow on her head! I don't think she has ears, though.
Sock monkey #3 is in progress, and will be a sparkly red. I'm thinking of dressing him in a nutcracker-Christmasy style, since he is a lovely, soft, sparkling red.

Elephant baby booties
A gift for a pregnant friend of mine.

Froggy hat
Another gift for a pregnant advisor at my university.

More toys
These include more sock monkeys for my first, an adorable Perry the Platypus (not in agent form, but in huggable form), and possibly some teddies. More to come, and of course they will be worked on after I finish all the baby items.

The Redwall Memorial Sweater
This should be one of the last things, and will likely be knit sometime in the spring or summer. But I want to get it done by fall. I can just see myself now, wearing it around the house, placing my arms in the huge sleeves, feeling very Redwall-esque.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Knitters need to step it up!

2011-10-05T22:49:00.000-07:00

Dear readers,
well, I know I have a bunch of other things to talk about, but I gotta say this:
we Knitters need to step it UP! Look at what the sewing community has brought:

and she made this with not even a year after getting her sewing machine! Disney is seriously lacking in this department, and I fully intend (after Christmas knitting and neccessary winter wear) to knit a Perry the platypus. And an intelligent looking one, too. This one is really cute, and I must say is amazing. But I did notice she forgot the feet. . . oh well, she did amazing anyway!

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Christmas Knitting

2011-09-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,
It's that time of year again! falalalala LA falalalala LA! PERRY! oh wait, wrong subject. That blog post comes next.

Anyway, here is my list of Christmas knitting items (none of which have been started yet)

Aunt Diane's fair Isle socks
Mary's Hand warmers (or mittens, I'm still not sure which
Becca's socks
Dad's socks
Teresa's socks
Peter's Mittens (probably really big green ones)
Stephen's socks. (likely to be grey and for indoors or snow boots)
Mom: the gift of Christmas

Nothing else comes to mind on this list, but I had better get started (particularly on my Aunt Diane's!)

I'll be using this yarn for each:

Aunt Diane: special yarn I bought at the knitting store, Close knit

Mary's mittens/hand warmers: some dark tweed yarn that I was given by one of my neighbor's sister. she's one of those knitters who doesn't knit much anymore, and so has lots of good yarn lying around, waiting for her to take it to me.

Becca's socks: likely these will be made with yarn from knitpicks that I remember buying for a sock monkey (hey, my monkey needs some company!) They are a lovely pink, brown, and white, in a lovely array, and they will look fabulous on Rebecca!

Dad's socks: I just got new sock yarn (wool) from my cousins for my 21st birthday (woohoo! it hasn't happened yet, but I had a party for it anyway!) and it's perfect for a guy. He'll love it, I'm sure. Especially since I got all those new DPN's that will totally make sock knitting easier.

Teresa's socks: this will be made of leftover yarn, white, worsted. (lion brand wool) and it'll be one of those types of comfy socks that you can go around in your snow boots in or in the house with. Teresa's one of my few happy receivers.

Peter's Mittens: I have tons of extra yarn leftover from working on my Aunt and Uncle's afghan, so I will likely be using the remains of that for mittens for him! maybe I can embroider a little pumpkin on it for him or something.

Stephen's socks: The yarn for this is also leftover. I made a grey sweater- vest for my Cousin (think circular shawl with armholes) and I have a nice amount of leftover yarn. so what else to do but make some nice manly socks out of them! Stephen should love it. :D

Mom's gift: I really don't know if I can make her anything. If I can possibly contrive it, it's going to be mittens or socks, white ones, like Teresa's. But every year now I get her what she wants, which is the gift of Christmas. I don't mean to brag, but I almost literally make Christmas for the family, organizing the decorating, making all the cookies for Wagilia, often making many of the courses for the actual meal, and even helping out with the whole spirit. I don't mind the work too much, since I love Christmas, but sometimes I can't help but feel mad that my siblings (Stephen and Mary) will likely come home and visit all their friends and play in the snow whilst I cook. but, se la vie. And besides, Mom loves that I take over. It's a giant job, I'll grant her, and now that she's at work she's much more relaxed about me handling it. I am the perfect 40's woman (shrug).

Anyway, that's the news for the Christmas knitting. More to come, I'm sure, since I'm only taking 12 credits this term, and therefor will have ample time to do all these things (if I don't slack off, that is).

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

The Wedding Afghan

2011-09-13T23:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,
So, I've been working for a while on what to do about Aunt Marie and Uncle Konrad's Wedding Afgahn. You see, this was a gift to them a while ago. (I've explained this in previous posts, but I will again, for newcomers and forgetful memories, like mine). They got married and I made this afghan for them and my Uncle Matt and Aunt Monica for their wedding gifts. The blankets were so small (and I was so ashamed of this) that I told them when they were going to have a baby to give back the afghan and I would add a stripe. As their family grew, their afghan would grow. I think it's possibly the best idea I've ever come up with.

Aunt Monica and Uncle Matt had their baby about two years ago, and I added a burgundy stripe. Aunt Marie announced Thanksgiving last year that they were pregnant. . . . but she miscarried. She still wanted the stripe on her afghan, and so I finally got around to it. here is the finished product. I think it's pretty good, no?

The Baptismal Gown

2011-09-13T20:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Reader,
I know, I'm going out of order, but I couldn't help myself! I want to save the Christmas knitting for last (especially since I haven't even started! BAD ME!). Besides, the Baptismal gown is almost urgent. with Christmas knitting, I can really just reduce it to my Godmother's socks and my Advent Angel. We are too poor to pay for everyone to give everyone else gifts, so we pick Advent Angels. It's a good plan, and I plan on doing it. . . as soon as I find out who mine is. :)

In any case, the Baptismal gown is going well. See? I've made it longer, and finally advanced onto the body! YAY!

The bad news is that I'm worried I won't be able to finish it before February. The worse news is that I wonder if my recipient, Keisha, an old friend from Grade school, will even remember that I need her address at some point to send it to her. I'll probably take care of that in Portland, which is ok. I just like to worry. I had a few stains from a few mishaps, but I got them out easily with some bleach (not too much, don't worry!) It's a good thing the gown is white!

I think it's coming along fine, and so is the re-writing of the pattern. I'm getting the hang of this (finally!) and soon I shall have both the re-written pattern and the gown done! YAY!

Several projects in the works, sorry for the HUGE summer delay!

2011-09-10T09:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,
sorry for not blogging in. . . . months, but I really have been ultra busy with my job as a nanny, and besides, I haven't had much time for knitting either. So, to make up for it, there will be a few more posts today, all with slightly different topics. This one is the first, so it wil generally cover all the topics of later posts.

Topics of Later Posts:

Christmas knitting
the Baptismal gown
the wedding Afghan
Birthday gifts and Sewing (and how it can be fun with a cute sewing machine)
toys to be made at a later date (including a platypus, several teddy bears, and a dragon.)
Notes on the new living space in La Grande (for College, YAY!)

You like?

Anyway, this summer has been super busy with nannying, and as I said before I haven't really had time to knit. But it's been good, and I'm glad that it's summer, though I am anxiously awaiting snow (as always) and I look forward to making more toys in the winter once Christmas is over

Possibly the biggest thing for me that happened this summer was the vacations and the outcoming of the newest Phineas and ferb movie (it's the second), "Phineas and Ferb Across the 2nd Dimension." If you have not seen this movie, WATCH IT. If you have never seen the show, GO SEE IT! (it's on watch instantly on Netflix, and every episode is up on Youtube.) Phineas and Ferb is an AMAZING show, and I enjoy it every time I see any of the episodes. I keep finding new things to laugh about, new things to go crazy fandom over, and new things to sigh and say, "oooooh Perry!" (If you have a love for Secret Agents, you'll know what I mean).

Vacations were great this year. I did Opus Dei Camp, and I'll be head counselor next year. (drat, I still need to work on that!) I always have a firm sense of satisfaction working the Camp. :D

We went to Lake Tahoe this year, and got to see my dad's side of the family. I got to swim, we all got to walk everywhere, and the family got to take a boisterous Photo of us in saloon-style getup in black and white (or should I say brown and white?)

There were always the occasional weeks inbetween with their drama, the latest being lice (don't ask, I'd rather not think about it). Now, on to knitting related things! :D

PSYCH to the ELEVENTH DEGREE!!!

2011-08-30T00:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,
I couldn't resist launching this quite miffed blog post. and I hope no one is all "oh, stop hatin' on the L&V!" because I'm just very upset. as is ANYONE who got this bloody Email.

You thought your iPod was safe?

Well...

...it is. :)

For a bit, the Limester has been needling me about finding a way to get the old podcasts back live, and to make some new ones. She's got a ton of stuff to talk about, what with the weddin' and all, and the occasional pattern or bit of rub-worthy yarn she's come across, but here's the deal:

I just don't have the time. It's my fault this time, y'all. Fitting one more thing into my schedule at this point would be like trying to shoehorn an elephant into a shoebox. Neither the shoebox nor the elephant is gonna be overly comfortable with that.

Still, we both want to thank you for your continued interest in us, and in the awesomeness that was L&V. Both of us made some friends for life through the show, and we had a REALLY good time throughout most of it.

In a few days, the L&V site's going to go back to being a blank slate, and this particular mailing list is going to disappear into the ether. Just didn't want anyone to be alarmed if it went poof -- nothing happened, nobody's hurt, and nothing's wrong. We're just not able to make any sort of commitment to making new shows at this time.

WE STILL LOVE YOU GUYS!

(Hope you're all knitting something awesome, with no errors, in the Best. Yarn. Ever.)

<3

The Misses

YOU . .. . YOU. . . . . . (puts hand to forehead.) thanks, Violet. we love you too. (sigh) Now, if you excuse me, I will go pull out all my hair.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Redwall Sweater takes knitter by STORM!

2011-05-22T16:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,
WOW! I have gotten SO FAR on my Redwall sweater! ok, well, it's not that far considering how far I have to go, but it's really not bad at all!

My Redwall tribute is going fine, in terms of the knitting. However, I think I will have to do some books on tape, because finding the time to read these books is actually hard. I usually only have the weekend, and even then I have schoolwork, which always takes precedence, and so I have only Sunday to finish the books. I think I am going to take a break from the books this week. I have hardly started Bellmaker, and I would like to get to bed on time tonight.

Here's the plan for my sweater. After I finish this cabling strip, I will pick up stitches (because I do so love to pick up stitches!) and knit upwards to make the cardigan, though I won't go in a round. the edges of the sweater will be in the cabled pattern, too. how exciting! the sleeve cuffs will be big enough so that I can put my hands in my sleeves like a real monk or nun, and they will also have the cableing on them. When I get to the neck, I will continue knitting, with the cabled pattern, to make a divine hood that will look absolutely smashing. I cannot wait to see this sweater! I wonder if I will need to add some sort of shaping on it, or if it hanging straight will be alright on my figure. . . .

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

REDWALL!!! the sweater begins

2011-05-15T23:29:00.000-07:00

Dear readers,
I have not gotten much done again this week, but that is partly because my cable is getting odd. I keep messing up the proportions, but I will get it right, never fear. In any case, the cable will be the edging for the entire sweater, from the bottom to the sleeves to the hood. I rather like how I've improvised it so far. I need to just keep working at it. I can almost see the cable gracing my wrist as I put my hands in my sleeves in typical monk/feudal era Japanese fashion. what a perfect tribute to Redwall! someday I'll have to knit myself a tapestry of at least Martin the Warrior. That would be cool to hang around my room!

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

I made a rabbit!

2011-05-09T02:07:00.000-07:00

Dear readers,
well I haven't made any headway on the sweater, unfortunately, but I have made a little rabbit! what do you think? I think his leggs could have been longer, and I don't like him as much as my Sock monkey, but it's the best I could do without dpns. I really do need to work on that Redwall sweater.

Ciao for now!

Cimorine

nothing much to report

2011-05-01T16:46:00.001-07:00

Dear Readers,
all I have to report is that it's sunny outside and I have been so dreadfully busy that I have not been able to knit. I have yet again ripped out the Redwall sweater and begun again. I don't know how many times I'm going to be doing that.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine.

Religious and medical Hiatus

2011-04-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

Dear readers,
I have decided to take a 2 week hiatus for two purposes.
The first purpose is that this week and next week is highly important to my faith (Catholicism). It is Holy week this week, and the first week of Easter next week. So, in a sense, the hiatus is a vacation.

The second purpose is for medical reasons: I have developed a peptic Ulcer, which is very painful, and it's hard to focus on anything when you are having intense stomach pains. I will continue blogging in two weeks time. Thank you for your understanding.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine.

A Beret! A Beret!

2011-04-10T17:55:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,
Well, another week come and gone. I have not gotten much done this week, but a simple Beret. Do you like it? I plan on wearing it every day this week! Brian Jaques also wore a Beret, though I forget if it was red or not. I think he more often wore a black one.

In any case, the Redwall sweater has not made much progress. Tomorrow is the monthly knit-night, however, so maybe I'll be able to make a headway on it then, eh wot?

ciao for now,

Cimorne

Sweater complete, new projects in progress

2011-04-03T20:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

I'm sorry I didn't post last week. The first week back is always hectic. But, the good news is that over spring break, I finished the Plum sweater! what do you think? It looks good, no?

Feel free to praise in the comments below. :D

And now, I begin my other projects. the most pressing of which is the Redwall sweater. I have updated the pattern, but not begun it. It's a tribute to Brian Jacques, as you may have heard in previous posts. I am actually reading the first book, Redwall, for another blog of mine. Soon, you will see progress. but not yet. I hate to go directly into sweaters, one after the other. so, I'm taking a break by doing these:

the green is called the Helix scarf, and it's ruffled. I made it for my mom for her early birthday gift. If I see her for Easter, I'll give it to her then. she looks positively lovely in green.

the strange blue-black thing is also a helix scarf. I figure someone's got to use that yarn, and a helix scarf is the perfect use for it.

finally, the last item is for a Watch-and-knit-along I'm doing with my Hogan's Heroes group on Ravelry. if you want to join, here's the link to the conversation! :D http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/newkirk-knits-too/1536060/1-25#24

We are going to watch 2 episodes a week, and since we all own the entire series, we can do this without much trouble. Every 2 months a project is made dedicated to one member of the cast on the show. This time it's Lebeau, a small Frenchman who can cook well, think fast, and follow the whims of his commanding officer, Colonel Hogan. Fun fact: the actor who played Lebeau actually was both French and Jewish. He always wears long sleeves in the show to cover his hideous concentration camp scar, the numbers on his arm. In any case, these two months we have to knit berets and scarves. they can be any types of either, but I chose a nice old-fashioned, "original" beret for mine. I've been enjoying knitting it, and doubtless it will end up being the talk of the campus.

This is a short post today. I wonder, will anyone notice?

ciao for now!

Cimorine

I created a pattern! Yay me!!!!!!!

2011-03-24T23:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,
I have created a sweater that is going to be gorgeous, but I unfortunately need to finish my Plum sweater before I can begin on this baby. It is quite possibly the most difficult thing I will take on yet, as the cable pattern is complex and long, not to mention hard. But the more I wrote down this cable pattern from the Vol 2 Stichionary, the more I wanted it on my cardigan. It is my toast to Brian Jaques and Redwall, and will be available as soon as I test knit it. But it's finally done!!!!!!!!
Ciao for now,
Cimorine

SPRING BREAK!!!!!!!! FINALLY!!!!

2011-03-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

well, it's finally happened. Spring break. Thank God. I have somehow managed to be too busy on Sunday for the blog, but fear not. I am updating.

I will finish that Plum sweater if it kills me! I just have the sleeves to go, but I need to keep working on the sleeves if I hope to ever wear this baby before it gets too hot.

Now that I am finally home, I can also collect some of the other projects that I have been unable to work on.

This shawl was really started during last-year's spring break. I had babysat for most of the week, and I was so exhausted and mad that I went and bought this little skein . . . it's a burgundy laceweight, from Twisted, and it's pure cashmere bliss. I believe I've mentioned it, but I never took a good picture of it with my brand-spanking new camera, so here that is!

Secondly, my tribute sweater. I have decided to make a nice hoodie in rememberance of not only the Scarlet Pimpernel but also of Redwall and the dearly departed Brian Jaques. The sleeves will be cabled, and so will the hood. I might actually design this baby myself . . . we'll see. the yarn is from Michael's craft store and is pure wool. it's going to be very warm! well, as soon as I finish it.

Do you notice I like a lot of dark colors? :)

Well, that pretty much concludes this post. Except that next week I will be posting again from my little university in the sticks.

Ciao for now,

Cimorine

Stand-still, cease-fire, and stalemate . . . NOT!

2011-03-13T16:22:00.001-07:00

Dear Readers,
I regret to inform you that I have done no knitting what so ever this week, due to studying for finals. . . . . Wait, never mind! I did do something this week!

I have always wanted to knit a rosary, and here I am, doing it! I figured out that all I need to do is knit an i-chord, and make reverse bobbles for the beads. See? The cross will go on the end, wehre that short little string is. Plus, this is a great use for that extra crazy yarn. If I still have some left, maybe I'll make another sock monkey. (shrug) I can't really see these colors on any other animal.

What do you think?

Anyway, soon I will be at home with my family. Next week's post will be from Home Sweet Home in Portland, and I'll likely be discussing what I shall be knitting for Spring term. Hopefully, I will finish the plum sweater and maybe even keep moving on the endless wredeghan. who knows?

Wish me luck on my finals!

Ciao for now,

Cimorine

a Quickie

2011-03-06T16:54:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

This is a quickie post, because of how much work I have to do for Dead week. I have not gotten too much knitting done, except during History class, but I guess that is a lot of knitting in itself. For I have finished the sock monkey!

What do you guys think? I've got enough yarn left to probably make another, though I will have to find more of that brown yarn, or a different plain-colored yarn for the next monkey's muzzle. or I might just make something else with the yarn! Does anyone have any ideas? I could make another cat . . . though I don't think my mental sanity would hold up with a cat of a different color. Suggestions are welcome!

I'll be going to my monthly knitting group this week, so hopefully the Plum sweater will have made a bit of progress by the time next Sunday rolls around.

Finally, this week is Fat Teusday, aka Mardi Gras. I will be partying, and I hope you all will be too! After that is Ash Wednesday, and so begins Lent. Fear not, I didn't give up computer. I gave up sweets and starches, though, so we'll see how that goes. It should be easier when I'm buying my own food. If you're doing anything up for Lent, be it giving something up or doing something extra, I'd love to hear about it! I always like hearing about what people are doing for Lent.

Ciao for now,

Happy Mardi Gras!

Cimorine

Progress and Finals week is fast approaching

2011-02-27T12:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Well, thank goodness it snowed again, harder than it did last weekend. :) I seem to have a one-track mind on this, don't I? oh well.

Now, for progress. My Plum Sweater is advancing fast. I think I just might have enough yarn for the sleeves, though I cannot be sure. I will have to work on it this coming week, it would be great if I could wear the sweater when coming home for spring break. We shall have to see.

Unfortunately, that was all the progress I got this week. Finals week is fast approaching, and I have been working and drinking coffee like it's going out of style. In any case, I finished at least one of my finals, and now must start the other, more difficult one. (sigh) a student's job is never done.

Oh, I have one more thing to mention: I have a new passion. Well, ok, it's always been my passion. Ever since I was a kid, I've loved Winnie the Pooh. Don't laugh! It's true! Disney has really taken the originals to a whole new level, which I rather enjoy. Each character has something to offer, and I found out that I love every one of them.

Pooh likes sweet stuff: so do I

Rabbit is a bit stressed and controlling: Lord knows I can be like that!

Piglet is shy and always a little timid: I am definitely that. have been since a kid. I wonder why I didn't identify with him before?

Tigger: everyone loves him. He's the funnest character. And of course everyone wants to be at least a little like him. I know I do!

Eeyore: seemingly depressive but always wise. And honestly, everyone else is so fast-paced, it's nice to have a character that is slow and dependable.

Owl is sort of a show off with knowledge: and I can be sometimes, too

Kanga and Roo: the classic mother/son duo.
Gopher: no one remembers him any more, but he was always funny to me. he brought a different angle on the whole work ethic that Rabbit tries to pull off.

Sorry I'm boring you with these characters, but I swear there is a reason for this. The video of the month for March is Winnie the Pooh related. Not only that, but I'm thinking of knittin myself all these characters. Beware, BEWARE!!!! (be a very wary bear).

Ciao for now,

Cimorine

Ps, sock Monkey was looking out at the snow and I just had to catch a pic!

A lovely weekend

2011-02-20T16:07:00.000-08:00

Dear readers,
well, it has been a long, tiring, interesting week. But the best days were Friday and Saturday. Why, you might ask? the answer is simple. It snowed.

I know, I know. Tons of people hate the snow. But why? think about it. For many people, snow means work. Snow means shoveling the walk, it means bundling up, getting out the coats, gloves, boots, hats and socks. It means cold, and sometimes means wind. But not for me. I have the amazing advantage of having grown up in a "doesn't-snow-very-often" town, so that gets rid of the shoveling. I like bundling up (because I'm a knitter) so that gets rid of that rule. Finally, I can always put on a sweater when it's cold, because as Brenda Dayne says in her Cast On podcast, "that's what they're for." Add that to the fact that when it snowed, it didn't stick, so there was no driving issues, either. Everyone's a winner! Besides, snow is beautiful.

The best song for snow, in my opinion, is the Overture of The Nutcracker. I see it as the perfect song because unlike rain, you can actually see snow. So, you can pretty much see gravity at work, added to the wind. At the rate that snow falls, I see this song's tempo and overall feel as matching snow. The violins creschendo and decrescendo, and the forefront tempo and tune is everchanging. sometimes it speeds up, sometimes it slows down. either way, it's a great song for watching snow. I played it about 50 times yesterday. If you know of any other good songs you like to listen to when watching snow, let me know! My cousin actually prefers Jazz to snow. I'll have to try that next time.

*************************************************************************************

Wait, this is a knitting podcast? Oh. My bad! Alright, knitting. I am still hesitant about moving ahead with my Plum sweater, because now the problem is that it might be too big. The sleeves look like they are going to be huge on this baby. I wonder if I can even felt it, since it's supposed to be washable! Oh dear. I really don't want to rip it back. oh dear. oh dear. I will keep trying, but I cannot garuntee I won't rip it back (and I would really love not to have to do that). What would I use it for? I couldn't do a smaller version of the pattern, no no. I am already ready for the pattern to be done. (sigh) I will keep knitting it. Hopefully next week I will have some good news on this project.

Next, the sock monkey has made some progress. I gave him a smaller head part and stuck on the eyes. you like? I have tons of yarn left, and I have no idea what to do with this stuff. Maybe make it into a little blanket? Who knows. TO RAVELRY!

Finally, there are a few knitting-related subjects to discuss.

First of all, in april, I will begin a special project, a knit-and-watch-along with the Hogan's Heroes group on ravelry. We will be knitting Lebeau-realted stuff (the hat and beret) first, and will move on to other characters (I wonder if I could get away with making Hogan some gloves). The deal is this: each week, we watch an episode of HH, and discuss it. every other month we start a new project. It's going to be laid back, but hopefully I'll be able to stick with it on this KAL. I haven't been doing well in any other KAL on Ravelry. My fingers are crossed! If you want to join us, just let me know. It would help if you owned all the HH seasons, but if you don't plenty of episodes are available on youtube.
The next thing is Podcasts. I really need to catch up on these babies! I have tons of podcasts to listen to, but when I want to listen to them, I end up having to turn them off because of homework or focus issues. I am finding more and more that I need to invent a little space-time hole, some place where I can spend hours and come back and have the time only have been a few minutes. Does anyone know where I can begin? I'm sure this invention could make millions.

Finally, the term is almost over. If I don't finish the Plum sweater, it's going back into storage. I have decided to begin a cabled Hoodie for two of my literary passions: The scarlet Pimpernel, and Redwall. Brian Jacques, the author of the Redwall series, died at the beginning of this month of a heart attack, leaving millions upon millions of fans (myself included) behind. I swore that when he died I would go into mourning, and this is precisely what I have done. The hoodie will be red, and I will also be re-reading every one of the Redwall books, buying those I do not own for my little library's benefit. For information on Brian Jacques the Redwall series, go here: http://www.redwall.org/ Here's the pattern I'm thinking of doing. What do you think?

Here's the Ravlery link: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Tuulia/louhi

Here's the actual pattern: https://docs.google.com/View?docid=dctqn9j6_6d8vpnr&pli=1
I'm definitly going to shorten the pattern so that I will have a cardigan, not a coat.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Appologies to the readers

2011-02-20T15:55:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,
I am very sorry for not puting up a post last week! I have been completely swamped with homework. I know, I know, that's no excuse. (shrug) what can I say? I wasn't able to get much knitting done last week, which is a real bummer. But that doesn't mean I don't have things to discuss, and that doesn't mean that I can't show you my knitting anyway! There will be two posts this week to make up for last weeks fluke. This is the appologie post. Oh, and here's a fun song, just to make it up to you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjZ_Ueq15_k

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Snow, mistakes, and sock monkeys

2011-02-06T10:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

How lovely to see you again! It is currently snowing outside, a good sign that today will go well. It is not sticking, unfortunately, but that is a blessing in itself, as I am leaving today to go on tour. Of course, I am listening to the Nutcracker music right now. The ONLY music to be played during snow (well, the only classical music, anyway). It's fast becoming one of my favorite traditions with snow sightings. I am still hoping for a blizzard (I feel I got cheated out of winter. Two blizzards is really nothing like how winter is supposed to be around here). The roomies are gone today, so I have the dorm to myself until I leave at 1PM. Fear not, I will be back in time for next week's update!

Now, knitting. I have been working hard on my sweater's front this week. I've gotten past the increases, which means that it's pretty easy from here on out, so long as I keep track of what rows I'm on, This is easily accomplished by the stikie-note. The yarn Harlot praises this invention as a help to all knitters everywhere. We love it too!

But there is one problem with the sweater. It's not long enough. The back is 17 inches from the pick-up line, when it is supposed to be 19 inches! I will have to undo the cast off and knit it longer. However, I am glad I caught this now, so I can make sure the front is long enough, so I don't have to redo that as well.

I am also getting a little worried on the amount of yarn I have left. Can 3 1/2 skeins cover the sleeves and collar? I am not sure. I may have to go to knitpicks and buy yarn in the similar color. Oh dear.

Finally, the sock monkey. He is still in progress. I have set him aside for now, as I am too wrapped up in my Plum sweater. But rest assured I will come back to him . . . eventually.

ciao for now,

Cimorine

Dare I hope?

2011-02-05T22:28:00.000-08:00

Dear readers,
I was planning on blogging quickly before leaving on my choir tour tomorrow, and I will still do the full update, but I have seem something. Something that has made my heart sink to my stomach in shock, and has made my knees weak.

Have any of you heard of Lime and Violet? No? I shall spin you the tale.

Long ago, in the early ages of 2007, when Ravelry was just beginning, there lived two passionate knitters. Inspired by the knitting podcast, Cast On, done by the magical Brenda Dayne, these two fair maidens sought to create their own magic, though in a slightly different way. And thus, Lime&Violet Podcast was born.

As the years went by, these two became known throughout the knitting world, particularly among the podcasting knitters of the day. Magicians such as David Reidy, and Sorceresses such as the yarnharlot, aka Stephanie Purl-McPhee, knew them, and enjoyed their show. Their show itself weaved a magic unlike any other podcast, and was a sort of unexpected wizardry. it wove a spell upon it's listeners, causing them to laugh, wherever they be, whilst listening. Things were going well for all.

I soon joined the crowd, and fell so much in love with the podcast that I listened to all their spells (podcasts) and laughed at each one. Then, in 2010, disaster struck. They were suddenly gone. vanished into thin, digital air. They first vanished from the podcast. Then their book of spells (the website) vanished, too. soon, there was not even the old Ravelry group (though it is uncertain as to whether this vanished because of angered knitters or the wizards themselves). there remained a small online show named Lime&Violet Live, on Facebook. Soon, that dissapeared. Nothing left, no podcasts on iTunes or anywhere on the net (except for those resourceful knitters, such as myself, who kept their podcasts in their iTunes and guarded them with much fear). All wondered what had become of them. The knitting wizards foremerly known as Lime and Violet had gone. Dead? Kidnapped? amnesia? who could say. Gradually, knitters got on with their lives. This Knit Twit found a new podcast that turned out to be just as funny, titled "Savvy girl knits," and enjoyed their spells (podcasts) immensely. But still, she listened to the old spells of the knitting wizards, and longed for new sounds. she sometimes wept at the thought of how many knitters had not the chance to hear their voices again. that is, until tonight.

while searching absently for the book Lime&Violet was supposed to have written, I stumbled across this link: http://limenviolet.com/ what does it mean? Dare I even hope? I dare not. And yet . . . . . . . And yet I hope. I hope with all I can muster. Will they? Could they? Have they? only time will tell. Someone, please, dash my hopes before it is to late, and yet, let me have this moment. I know not what to do. Dare I hope? Dare I not?

C-C-Ciao f-f-for n-now,
C-Cimorine

Sunday is for resting

2011-01-30T14:23:00.000-08:00

It has been snowing on and off today, which is a good sign. especially since it didn't stick. Pure Beauty falling from the heavens.

It has been a hectic week. I had a concert on Friday, an all-night youth camp, and two more concerts the next day. The family came to see the concert ("Flashback to the 60's") and enjoyed it immensely. I was so tired from the efforts of this week that I nearly slept through mass. But I made it, and have finished most of my homework. it is turning out to be a great Sunday.

I have yet to knit today, (bad blogger, no cookie!) but I have knit a bit on the Plum sweater, thanks to the local fiber artist group. I fell asleep, too.

Hopefully, this week, I will finish the body of the sweater and sew it together. If I do, I think I might wear it around a bit underneath a long sleeved black shirt. maybe I'll even do the collar before the sleeves, just to get a chance to wear it around a bit! What do you think?

For all those who feel like life is whirling by, this post is for you. :) Take a load off, set a spell. Sunday is for resting.

ciao for now,

Cimorine

Ps, what do you think of my new Ravelry Profile Pic?

Sock summit musings when startitis comes to visit.

2011-01-23T13:03:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers, (if there are any at all),

Well, this week has been quite productive in the knitting department. I was able to finish the face of Telemain, my new brown kitty, but I can't say I like it. in fact, I liked him better without a face. I might take the face out. What do you think?

The biggest progress made is on the Plum sweater, also known as the Cable Luxe tunic. http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/60618AD.html I finished the back! Here's what it looks like:

The front has also been cast on, and I'm already making a headway with it. What do you think?

I should be wearing this in no time, and my poor roomie, Hannah, will be ready to periodically steal it (which I don't really mind.) It's not really fair that I happen to be knitting a gorgeous sweater in her most favorite color of all time. If I'd be willing to do this pattern again, I would make one for her, but I'm not certain. You see, this yarn was bought at the all-amazing Sock Summit, 2009. For all you sock-knitters out there, you know what I'm talking about!

Speaking of Sock Summit, the next one, Sock summit 2011, http://www.socksummit.com/ is coming up! For anyone planning on going to this, beware. There is tons of yarn. and not just for sock knitters. For example, the plum sweater yarn (Real wool superwash Ornaghifilati) was all bought for a good price at the summit They had this huge bin of yarn, and I was looking for the perfect Chocolate yarn (I am on a secret quest). I found it, but I lost it because I hesitated. That's what happens at a place filled with yarn sales! But I got a marvelous price on this yarn, because I told the lady selling it that I was about to go to college (and I was) and I felt I needed to save my yarn. She lowered the price as much as she could, and even gave me a free book in it, too! Knitters are super nice. and I don't really mind that I ended up buying it, because this sweater is going to look AMAZING! I wonder what I will find this year!

This year, too, I will be bringing a knitting friend. I refuse to wander around with the chance of bumping into the Yarn harlot. I get butterflies just thinking about that! (aaaahh!!!! starstruck moment!)

And of course, startitis has come to visit. This week, there are two projects I want to start. One I already have the yarn for, and will likely be the Summer project this year. the second project? well . . . my best friend is getting married. And since I have no unearthly idea what she wants, a wedding afghan is a good idea, don't you think?

Ciao for now,

Cimorine

the long-awaited Knitting update!

2011-01-17T11:29:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Well, sorry it took me a week to get to the Knitting update. I blame it on Blogspot. I SWEAR I wrote a lovely, lovely, LOVELY post, with pictures and everything, and I turn away for two seconds and Blogspot erases it. CURSES!!!! Also, I appologize for not posting on Sunday, but the reason for that is simple: my university has graciously given us Monday off, due to Martin Luther King day, or as I call it, MLK day. So, here I am posting on Monday. And do I have a lot to tell you!

First off, I have brought two projects to College with me . . . . . officially. The first is the dreaded Wredeghan. I am hoping I can get my butt in gear and actually finish this, since I'd really enjoy having it on my bed and using it curled up in a comfy chair. I have run into a problem with the fourth square, the "Talking to Dragons" square. I swear I've made two of them. But I lost one, so I started making another one. But when I reached a point where I needed the reference of the second square for the third, I found that I had LOST THAT ONE, TOO!!! So, being so upset at this, I said screw it and moved on to the Chocolate pot Trilogy. Sorcery and cecilia are next, and I think I'll do a nice lace with a chocolate pot in the middle of each. If I run out of white yarn, I will do one with a white chocolate pot and a brown background, and the other the opposite. So, I'm still working on this project, but hopefully I can actually get her done. . . . someday.

The next project I brought along . . . . . . officially, is the Plum sweater. It's true name is the Cable Lux tunic. This is what it will look like when it's finished. http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/60618AD.html

For now, it looks as such.

In fact, I was so busy trying to finish up an anime show (curse those anime/manga plots that are so DARN ADDICTING!) that I decided to knit along the way. My right wrist is still suffering. I got pretty far on the back, further than I have in a while. I just need to focus on this one, because after all, Lent is coming up, and I'd LOVE to wear this on Good Friday, or maybe just aroung, because the purple is so deep and rich. The guage it's knit in gives it a springy quality, too, so it'll be warm but light. I have about 7 skeins left of yarn, and I'm pretty sure that will be enough, since it takes forever to get through them, and I still have yet to do the front, the sleeves, the collar, not to mention the rest of the back! I suppose knitpicks would have a nice black, however, that could help out with the sleeves or collar should I run short.

Now, for the disctraction projects.

First, Kitten.

I came across this pattern, and I couldn't stand it, it was so cute. So, I knit it up in kid mohair (the yarn that is for everyone's hands but no one's neck or face) and the kitten is now my lovely Cimorene, names, of course, after Queen Cimorene from the Enchanted Forest Chronicals by Patricia C. Wrede (so, yeah, I'm her biggest fan). The next one is from a tan yarn, which I think fits this character perfectly. Telemain.

In the book series, he's sort of a geek. He knows tons about Magical theory, but he talks in magic theory technical terms, and only Morwen and Mendenbar can understand him. Poor Cimorene has trouble understanding him, and Kzul does as well. However, all the King of the Dragons has to smile (showing all of her teeth) and he crumples into comprehensible terms. I've always liked him because, if no one knows, I am the daughter of a geek. Everyone in my family is geeky in some way (except my mom. She's just amazing). I'm a knitting/book/history geek. Dad's a history/book/craft/sciency/volksmarching geek, Mary's an anime/manga/art/movie geek. Stephen is a sportsfan geek/computergame geek, Rebecca is a math geek (though she hides it convincingly with her charms, good looks, and general possession of a major social life). The little ones are a little hard to tell, other than that, like mary and Stephen when they were kids, they love computer games. Those two rub off on them way more than I do.

Anyway, needless to say, I have a certain fondness for this character. Besides, his rediculously cute geekiness makes me laugh way too often to hate him. So, I have made a kitten out of him. isn't he cute?

Well, ok, I need to put eyes and a nose, and maybe a ribbon on him, but who cares? He's cute! Finally, the reason I'm making these cats is because I cannot have on of my own. When I do eventually get one of my own, I might give these babies away to charity to some poor little girl who also cannot own a cat.

the other "illegal" knitting project is fingerless gloves. I had tons of this yarn left over from making a special gift for one of my advisors. I love my advisors here the U, and they really do deserve a gift. In any case, this yarn is absolutely crazy, not something I'd usually buy. But, it reminds me a lot of kids (and indeed, the colorway is called Cartoon!) so I made some fingerless gloves, not only because those and socks are the only ones that I can really allow this type of yarn to go for, but because I needed a pair. They also go really nicely with my new jean jacket. You like?

I still have tons of yarn left, so maybe I'll make some sockies someday, too. But I like the idea of making fingerless mitts for my students. a fast and easy project that all of them can enjoy. maybe I should start work now!

Incidentally, I have these two "illegal" projects to help me cope with larger ones, like the plum sweater or the Wredeghan. They are my projects I grab when I don't want to haul the big ones around, or when I just need something short and fullfilling. I think everyone really needs this kind of thing during big projects, even though many knitters believe this is a disease (many knitters call it "Startitis.") We all need to keep changing it up to make it interesting, right?

Ciao for now,

Cimorine

Around the school

2011-01-09T13:05:00.000-08:00

First, my little room. The bed is raised to fit my dresser underneath to leave space for my new recliner will go. Grandparents are giving me their old one. Here's also a pic of my earing holder.

Next, out into the suite. Hallway, tree, stove etc.

Next, out of the suite and into the halls, then out into the snow. (ahh, snow).

Here's choke, I mean Hoke building. I like to call it choke because that's where the cafeteria is. It is the reason I am now cooking all my meals this year.

To Loso Hall, my second-favorite building because it contains the writing and music departments. (It has theater and art, too, but who cares?)

This is the choir room. The girl with the short brown hair and braces is Lindsey, who is a Freashman, but knows WAY more about music than I do. I sit next to her in Music theory, and she helps me out a lot. She's very sweet.

More snow. YAY!

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

School update

2011-01-09T12:34:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Before you say anything, yes, I just redid the design a little on the blog. I couldn't find any pics of snowflakes, so I put my "Snow-charm" of sorts up. Do you like it?

Now, for school. Yet another term has come, and I suppose winter is my favorite term of all. Spring term tends to have spring fever, which is not only bad for the attitude (I just want summer vacation to come!) but also has no snow! (Well, not usually anyway. but with how cold that last summer was, I wouldn't be surprised).

I call the "Let it snow" sign on my door (for that is where it is) my snow charm because when I put it up, it snowed in less than 24 hours. (Of course, I realize that this has nothing to do with it, more with the fact that it snows a lot in La Grande. Still . . .) My roomie, Chrissy, bought it for me from the Dollar Tree (hear it's name and rejoice, ugg ugg) last term (around Thanksgiving time, when the snow really hit). She despises the snow, because all the idiots come out to drive in it, idiots meaning people who think they can drive in snow and cannot. Those people who drive super fast in snowstorms? yeah, those ones. Regardless of her hatred for snow, she bought me another snow charm, these sticky things that go on windows.

They're cheap and decorative, and when my family saw them when they dropped me off from Thanksgiving (spent in Enterprise, 1.5 hrs. away from campus) they loved them so much they got their own at home.

And of course, these stickies say "Let it snow," so they are the other snow charm I got. Which is bad news for Chrissy (hereafter referred to Heat Miser) and a good thing for me, Snow Miser.

This certainly is becoming a snow update, isn't it? Well, no matter.

These are the classes I'm taking this term:

History 201: US history from discovery through the Civil War
English 254, reading tons of books on conspiracy (books that feature conspiracy)
Music theory 113 (with a much better teacher this term)
Sight singing (Yippee!!!)
Voice lessons (with tons of work)
and Chamber choir

I mention Choir last because it's the funnest class. Plus, this year we are doing our annual winter concert, aka the 60's flashback concert. If there are any 60's lovers in the audience, raise your hands now.

In any case, I am trying to convince my parents to attend this one, since they know nearly all the songs. Plus, I made my own costume. I sewed bell bottoms all on my own, and finally figured out how to do the bottom thread. Sewers will know what I'm talking about, but for the Knitters, here's how it goes.

There are 2 threads working on a sewing machine. The top, and the bottom. The top is really easy to thread, but the bottom is different. For ages I couldn't get it, because you have to put the little bobbin in, then run the machine until the top thread catches the bottom and pulls it up through the grate (where the needle is). I've never been able to catch it until now, and I was so happy that Mom wondered if it is time to get me a sewing machine. There is a lot of mending to be done over here, in University land.

Anyway, here's the picture of the bll bottoms, with detachable hippie bells. We had to create, ssentially, 2 costumes: one for 1960-1964 (schoolgirl), and another for 1965-1969 (hippie). I think I did pretty well.

Next item: I got a new phone. A touch phone. Psst, don't buy unlocked phones from Amazon! I bought one to replace my razzle (cracked screen) and ended up getting an outdated phone with a nearly-busted battery. (sigh) So, I went to Verizon, and PSST! anyone who belongs to Verizon can do this: there's a list of brand new phones that have been outdated, things like Chocolate touches, etc. you can buy them with no change to your plan, AND when you need a new one, they replace it FOR FREE!!! yeah, I had to pay 169 for mine, but it's WORTH it! I wonder if I can convince dad to get some net, so I can buy some ring tones or something. I don't have very good ones.

Oh, and finally, the next post will feature pics from my dorm and school.

Ciao for now,

Cimorine

Christmas gifts update

2011-01-09T11:26:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Yes, it has been a while. Remember how I promised (a while back, in December) that I'd post pictures? Well, that day has come, and I must say, I like the idea of posting every Sunday. I go to Saturday night mass, and I usually try to finish my homework by Sunday, too, so the day is complete relaxation time. what better time to do a blog than on a Sunday? So, now every Sunday there will be an update, and a few posts. (I say a few because with updates like this one I can hardly put it all in one post!) Besides, this is the first post of January, first post of the new year! So, it deserves something special.

Alright, first off, Christmas gifts. I got some nice things, but a few things that I really liked were these:

A huge box of Christmas-themed tea from my Godmother,

a little fairy from my youngest sister,

Body butter from my Dad (he got them for all his daughters, the ol'e softie),

A track suit (desperately needed) from my oldest younger sister, Mary. And no, I won't be modeling. it's pink. which is fine, but I've been getting so much use out of it, and I just bathed.

And my camera from both my parents (Mom was shocked Dad disobeyed his own "One present per kid" rule!)

The tea is delicious, and I'm having some Christmas Chai right now. If chai was chocolate, the Christmas tea would be white chocolate. it's got flavor, but it's lighter than some of the spicy chai I'm used to.

The fairy came with her wings off, so we gorilla-glued them back on. but when I got her home to my dorm, her foot broke off. Now, I need to go buy some gorilla glue! Still, she's very pretty, and reminds me of my loving sister.

The camera is amazing. Absolutely amazing. Dad went online and researched what the best camera for the best price would be for me. I think he might be buying himself one soon (he hates the one we have). I can't wait to keep taking pictures, figuring it out, and finding such good pictures at my disposal!

Ciao for now,

Cimorine

Christmas gifts

2010-12-30T23:41:00.000-08:00

Well, the rush of Christmas is over. And Yeah, I haven't been posting for a while. mostly because I have been working very hard, staying up late, waking up early, sleeping through my endlessly boring biology class. Luckily, I should have it easier this term. I don't have to wake up as early, and I can take my time about the day. first class is at 10AM, which is marvelous.

For Christmas, I got many things (which I will show you soon) once I get home. One of the most important things I got (and one of the 3 things I listed on my Christmas list) was a camera. YES! now, my blog won't be devoid of any pictures, which I'm sure will make everyone happy (including myself).

I finished my Godmother's sweater, and I was finally able to send it to her priority mail, 2-day shipping, and paid a whopping 12.50 for it. I'm spending waaaaay too much money, more than I can make, and I'm starting to worry. I spent over $130 on books (why, oh WHY did my English teacher decide to assign 7 books for us this term?) not to mention I had to pay for Christmas gifts and I've been taking everyone out to lunch or dinner so I can actually talk to them.

I've been feeling a bit sad of late, too. Perhaps it's just the end of the media's Christmas season, but it might be more than that, too. I keep feeling cheated out of my Christmas cheer, but I also feel sad that I have to leave the home so soon. My brother, who goes to college in Boise, gets to come here a week after I do, and gets to stay two weeks after me. He has 4 weeks off, and I only have 3. Not to mention that when I come home I work and work and work, helping mom and everyone else. When he comes home, he gets to see all his friends, gets to chat with the neighbors, play video games, get up whenever he wants, go to bed whenever he wants. I get to wake up later, but not by much. I still have to take care of the kids, so I can have at least a cent to use for other things. Saving really isn't one of my strong suits. I really need to work on that more this summer.

I suppose I'm jealous of Stephen (the brother), but it's more than that. Yet again, I have to work the hardest, and seem to reap the least. It's tough being the oldest.

The other thing that makes me really sad is the fact that Lime and Violet, the podcast, is gone, and now their Lime and Violet Live is gone, too. Lime and Violet is officially off the Internet, for good. And I feel pushed aside. Sure, I've still got a few other podcasts I like, and I've got all of the Lime and Violet episodes on my iTunes. All the same, there was no podcast like them. They were so well loved because they were different. the podcast wasn't just about one person talking and thinking about yarn. it was about 2 people laughing, chatting about their lives, about yarn, about anything and everything. and it makes me sad they are now gone. the sadder thing is that no one seems to want anyone to talk about it. Beware of Ravelry: the group, "thanks for all the Lime" is really just a group for censorship. they have deleted so many comments from so many people that I'm frightened to ask. the one time I did talk, they made it sound like what I was asking (if I could share the episodes with some others who might want to have them) was a crime punishable by death, or prison for life at the very least. Not fun.

There is some bit of good news. I've decided to pick up my plum sweater. It's going to be hard, seeing as I really seemed to have made it easy for me to get lost in the pattern (I really should have written all this down. oh well). Somehow I'll figure it out. maybe. (shrug) For now, Merry Christmas.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Bad sweater, BAD!

2010-11-07T23:49:00.000-08:00

problems with bed jacket. ARRRRGGG!!!!

tea swap and updates on christmas knitting

2010-09-09T09:53:00.001-07:00

Dear readers,

first off, a pic for the ravelers:

Included are:
a tea timer
hand-knit fingerless gloves
the yarn that was used for them
a bag for the yarn (classy)
mint tea
fresh mint tea from my swaper's garden
a mint tea satchet (knitted, of course)
chai tea shortbread
Tea of life box of pyramid tea
blank note cards
a writing pad for notes and to-do for the fridge
and directions for brewing tea.

Next up, Christmas knitting.

Sheesh, I'm going to ask for a new camera for my birthday. The pics I take with this one STINK!

In any case, that is why Christmas knitting is not being revealed. Not that any of my family memebers read this, or even know that I have a blog, but I just wanna keep the suspense going, because, well, it's not even close to Christmas season (by normal-person standards) and I don't want to break out the Christmas too early. I like my Christmas' to last, though I understand not everyone feels this way.

In any case, Teresa's sweater is done. Finished. Final. I just need to wrap it up. And try it on her, one last time.

Peter's sweater (for his golden birthday, and therefore needs to be finished in a few weeks before I leave) is on and going, but not very far. I think I might make this one a ninja-like hoodie, because I really don't know what else to do. I couldn't find any glow-in-the-dark yarn, sadly. It's all thread. If anyone has any, please let me know.

I have also sidetracked to start a little kitten out of the kid mohair I was given by a frustrated knitter. I don't blame her. the stuff is soft as ever on the hands, but makes for a scratchy scarf. I thought fingerless gloves, but I like the idea of a little kitty better. It's really simple, too.

Knit a square.

Knit a rectangular with half the stitches of the previous square, but the same length.
Knit a rectangle with half the stitches of the long rectangle, and 2/3rds length of the previous square and rectangle.

I can't really describe how to sew the cat together. You need to sew the big square it in a way so that the underside of the cat looks like an X with an O in the middle (or a box) then you stuff the O (the tummy) and sew that closed (like you would a hat)

The head and tail are easy. For the head, you fold the long rectangle in half, gather at the bottom and sew to the head. You stuff it before that (obviously) and stuff with one big ball for the head, and one little one (distinct) for the nose. you can sew across the points at the top of the head for ears (I plan to use the sewing machine for that one). The tail is rather obvious. sew together, stuff, sew to behind of cat. you can embroider the face on the cat, and voila, a knitted kitten. super easy.

Anyway, I seem to be surrounded by babies. I'm going to see my cousins in Cali for a weekend, and see at least one new (ish) baby. Our neighbor across the street just had a baby boy, and two of my sibling's grade-school teachers are pregnant. what to do???? wait for Christmas knitting season to end, that's what.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

update on Christmas knitting

2010-08-30T21:01:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been awhile. Mostly because I have been working my rear off to get money to pay for food in college. Not only that, but I have also been busy with, you guessed it, Christmas knitting!!! Now, you may be wondering, especially if you are a non-knitter, why I would have already started knitting for an event that is months away. Well, here's the thing: We knitters tend to take a while with our gifts, and the "Knitted Christmas" that a knitter puts him/herself through ends up being painful because of the deadline. Knitters, I have found, do not do well with deadlines. One only remembers important gift-giving events like Christmas or birthdays a month, possibly two, in advance. This is not nearly enough time for a knitter to cram in knitting, especially if the item is long, complex, or if the knitter has other deadlines around that time that he/she must meet. I have all of these problems. Every single one.

God decided that he would teach me the importance of hard, fast work by letting 3/4ths of my family be born in the fall months before Christmas. I am sept 28th, Peter is Oct. 9th, Becca Oct 23rd, and Stephen Nov. 7th. And all of this is durning the time Knitters usually begin to tackle their Christmas knitting. Last year, I had a brillaint plan. and it, miraculously, worked. I followed 2 rules: small presents (socks, mittens) and begin in August. I knit Mittens for peter, socks for rebecca (and stephen, I think) and Christmas knitting was socks for my dad, oven mitts for mom, socks for peter, scarf for mary, sweater for Teresa (ok, so I caved. the sweater was small!) and a knitted sweater (I'd been working on for a while) to Becca. Nada to stephen (he only likes super soft and boring. I couldn't afford soft.). Easy peasy. I even had a week before Christmas to relax and enjoy the winter.

This year I am knitting thus:
Birthday: Peter only, because it's his golden birthday.
Christmas: sweater for mary, sweater for Teresa, sweater for Aunt Diane, sweater for me (If I have time)

A lot, right? Right. Mary's is done. Teresa's is over halfway, Aunt Diane's is started (barely) and Peter and Mine aren't started at all. I think I'll be buying new yarn or something for Peter's sweater (black with gold outlining hoodie) as for mine . . . I found a nice Kimono-style pullover that would look lovely in red with gold beads or something.

In any case, that is why, dear viewers, I am beelining through sweaters in August. Nothing, however, explains why our August this year is perfect for sweater knitting. Maybe we should start having Christmas in August instead of July.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine.

been a while! here's 2 swaps I got!

2010-08-08T22:50:00.000-07:00

been a while. sorry. I have been MAJOR busy with work and with polishing my 4 year plan for college (yes, it's still 4 years, even though I've gone through one). here are 2 swaps I just recieved after a week-long vacation.

Movie swap:

Ice Cream swap:

Ciao for now,

Cimorine.

A summer for tea

2010-07-20T15:34:00.000-07:00

The weather in Portland is officially odd for this time of year. Every morning, clouds cover the land, and it's around the 50's. and rainy. as the day progresses, the temperature slowly inches it's way up into the 60's by noon, and up to the 70's by 3. the change is much faster after noon because the clouds remember that this is supposed to be summer, and we Portlanders are supposed to be in bikinis, tank-tops and shorts, instead of blankets, jeans, and long-sleeved shirts. So the sunshine pushes the clouds away, and when you look up into the sky, it's clear blue. it makes me wonder where these clouds go . . into God's special cloud-storage unit? Who knows.

But I DO know that a good tea is PERFECT for this weather. you can have tea at any time other than 4-9, because that seems to be the time-span for heat and blue sky. I had tea at noon. It rained today, and BOY was it marvelous to have tea. I had some fruit with it, and poured about 4 cups from Teresa's teapot into the lovely large teacup I have (one of those that's supposed to fit right under a little teapot. the teapot broke.). I LOVED it. I was warmed by the peppermint tea, and I think, for the first time today, I felt content and rested.

What this has to do with knitting: Knitting is for cold weather, is it not? well, I was planning on knitting during my one-man tea-party, but I fell asleep. As to what I am knitting, I'm working on Christmas items. the trick to Christmas knitting is to start in the summer. This is hard, especially if you are knitting sweaters. Christmas seems to be a long ways away, and no one wants to knit something with sweaty fingers. But, because of this decidedly odd weather, I'm able to work on my knitting.

Christmas knitting for this year:
Sweater for mary
Sweater for Teresa
Sweater for my Godmother
Sweater for myself (so I can have something nice to wear for Mass, too)
knitted baggie with tons of quarters or nickles for my little brother.

I don't know if I'll be doing anything for my older brother, dad, or mother. perhaps bought gifts would work this year.

also, to the side, here are some other knitting projects that are going to most likely not get done soon:
Plum cabled sweater
Wrede Afghan (how tragic!)
swallowtail shawl
rose scarf (started with malibrigo out of impulse)

I'm sorry I don't have any pictures. I am in desperate need of a new, better camera. I hate my old one. if anyone has any suggestions as to cheap digi cameras, please let me know.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Summer, here I come!!!!

2010-06-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

Ok, first off, I'm sorry for not having posted for about 2 weeks. But I really feel I have an excuse. See, this is the time of year college students hate, the time of year that makes us go mad (and the time of year, actually, when a lot of students commit suicide.) What time is it? That's right! These past 2 weeks have been Final's week and dead week. (shhhh!!! we can't say "dead" week anymore!) 10th week, then. I, regrettably, took a lot of classes, resulting in a lot of studying. On top of that, it being the end of the year, there are certain things the EOU student has to take care of, like packing every little thing up, setting up a storage space, cleaning all the rooms and hallways of the suite, and setting yourself up so that when you run out of the meal money on your ID, you can eat for at least another week.

If you were one of those lucky college students (or are on of those lucky college students) who can leave all their stuff in the dorms, and just take home what they need over the summer, please don't tell me who you are. Because I will probably turn into the green monster (of envy) and come after you. One of the downsides of going to college in a small town is that you have to move out every year, since there aren't billions of camps the summer-camp people can go to. So, they choose the dorms. Which is a pain, but hey, it's not EOU's fault they don't have a billion campsites (unlike Portland, where there are so many that they probably surround the town in the woods like a pack closing in on it's prey). Eh, se la vie.

Actually, part of the reason I am able to type this at all (since I still have 3 finals left before summer is officially mine) is that I've finished studying, and nearly finished packing and cleaning. Thank goodness. And, of course, the fact that I'm trapped in the campus cafe without an umbrella. (EOU weather is going crazy. You'd think for all the world it was summer yesterday, and you'd honestly believe the sky was trying to make up for all that sun and blue sky with a downpour and a thunderstorm. the weather has a mind of it's own.)

Anyway, sorry this post does not have anything in it, but I can tell you, in full confidence, that the Swallowtail shawl is coming along nicely, even though I haven't been able to work on it this week. I will definitely take pictures and show you when I get the chance. Also, I needed to cut the second Wrede-ghan square for Talking to Dragons short because something (Lord knows what) spilt all over it, and now it's stained. Luckily, I have a lot of that blue yarn.

The stash is coming home with me, and I am sort of glad I'll be teaching knitting at a summer camp this year, because then I can get rid of a lot of the yarn. (phew!)

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Oh, by the way . . . .

2010-05-25T01:03:00.000-07:00

As for responding to responses on the blog, I usually respond with one of my own, addressed to the questioner/commenter. If you have had any questions in the past that you asked, I probably have answered them. I wanted to make that clear to you so that you won't be like, "Oh, she's so rude, she doesn't answer my questions/comments!" I am very grateful to you all, and I absolutely love it when people comment. It tells me someone is reading . . . :)

Ciao for now,

Cimorine.

Oh, by the way, here is what Toothless looks like now:

I think I did rather well on the legs, don't you? but the wings need work . . . my next copy will have better wings. Possibly simpler, too. Toothless is coming along. and he's stuffed, which is making him all the more huggable.

The mittens are completed, the sword has been frogged, and there's a new book to knit

2010-05-22T20:35:00.000-07:00

That's a long and complicated title, isn't it? I'm sorry I haven't updated, and I know I should do it every weekend. But I feel I have a valid excuse. countdown to summer has officially become more tense. It's less than a month, and I have 3 huge finals projects to work on. Thank goodness I have 3 weekends to do them! One for each weekend should be about right.

I finished my Bella mittens! aren't they lovely? I absolutely ADORE them! now for the hat!!! But I think I might design my own on this one . . . plus I have extra Malibrigo.

The peppermint blanket is going well, and while it occasionally gives me cramps in my hand if I knit it too long, it's meeting my expectations of being light yet soft and warm already! I can hardly wait when it's done! (which will probably be next year or so).

I frogged the talking to dragons square, and had to do it over. Sadness. Oh well. It's coming along, and would be if I knit it.

Finally, there is a new book to knit this month. It's called Sorcery and Cecilia, or the Enchanted Chocolate pot. It's a wonderful book, and once I finish the sword squares, I plan on using some leftover yarn from my chocolate felted purse and using that to make a chocolate pot on a nice off white lacy background. This will be a fun square, especially since I will probably be knitting it in Portland, where I can get a hold of my many knitting resources. I can hardly wait. If I can get about 6-8 squares done over the summer, I would be so happy! But I'll need to take my stash home, which will be a bit of a bother.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Peppermint, peppermint, peppermint!

2010-05-02T11:38:00.000-07:00

If you do not know (and you might not) Peppermint is my all-time favorite flavor. The Christmas season is nigh heaven with all the candy-canes, and my mom actually got me a huge peppermint candy-stick that took me agest to finish. It's the most reliable tea (in my case), and if I think that the other teas are not going to be very good, Mint tea is my choice. It's my everyday flavor. And I love it.

So, I figured, why not put my love of peppermint with my love of knitting? Actually, it was more of a determining factor. I have had a small surplus of money lately, and I wanted to make a light lapghan for myself, one that I could pack away in a small back when not needed. My legs get really cold in the library when I'm studying, or even when I'm sitting down. I blame it on bad circulation. In any case, I decided to look on knitpicks for some yarn. And I found some. It's an alpaca blend, and a lovely pinky-color. And the title is "Peppermint heather." So yes, I got 4 skeins of 400 yards each (which is 1600 yards of lace). It will probably take me a century to knit, but oh well (shrug). It shouldn't take longer than the Wredeghan. Speaking of which, I'm nearly done (I think) with the first square for the final book, Talking to dragons. It was the first one written, and the last one I read. I chose the sword as the main subject of the square, because it really is all about the sword in that book. It's the process of the Enchanted forest choosing the next heir to the throne, which was talked about and hinted all through the rest of the books that I'd read, and so I was naturally curious when I read it. I think I might have to frog it, though, because I think I made the sword too big. Oh well. :)
Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Bella's mittens and How to Knit a dragon

2010-04-26T21:25:00.000-07:00

First off, I apologize to all twilight fans for having misjudged you. I am not one for vampires or the scary undead, since I have an overactive imagination. But, if the series inspired the movie, which inspired the mittens, I figure it can't be all that bad. I fell so much in love with the mittens that I just held the first finished one to my face for about a minute. (We sadly had to part because I was, at the time, also teaching my knitting class). The Malabrigo (or Malebrigo, I'm not sure) has really complimented this pattern, and I must say the color does wonderfully well, too. a variegated black-green color, and super soft, it's my 1-ply dream yarn. I am currently waiting for one of my students to give me back my mini-circs to finish up the second one. I have actually taken to wearing my single mitten around, and I'm sure I got several strange stares from students as I walk around campus. But I don't care. It's windy out here, and yet warm, so this gives a sort of cool-spring feel, where you still need sweaters and all the knitwear (except maybe hats) but without the heavy coats.

Secondly, if you have not seen Dreamworks' How to train your Dragon, get over to the theater right now. I am not kidding. I am normally ok with most movies (even if they are pretty bad), but I checked on the Rotten Tomatoes site. This #1 favorite in America got a 98% by tomatometer reviewers, and a 93% by the elite critics. It's safe to say that this movie is pretty darn good. Imax and 3D adds to it, though I didn't see it in either. (I am but a poor college student, but I still have regretted it ever since). My friend saw it in both and said she got dizzy, which made me sad. I love roller coasters, and this movie was probably very close to one.
In any case, as soon as I saw drawings and pictures of the dragon, Toothless (the adorable black dragon names the night fury), my knitting intuition kicked in. I said to myself, "Cimorine, you are going to end up knitting that dragon."

Don't make fun of me, I know at least 2 if not more plushie-sewers who have done the same. And all on improvisation. One thing I cannot believe is that the company itself doesn't provide a good plushie. I mean, the dragon is practically MADE to be a plushie. But, this also works towards Dreamworks' integrity, since it shows that they didn't create the dragon specifically for selling products.

This movie was all-around awesome, from plot to characters to voices to design and art to music. And get this, the directors also did Lilo and stitch? Not so surprising now, is it? I also now want to read the series, even though it's not the same as the movie in many ways (starting with the size of toothless).

So, I had to improvise the pattern. I started at the head, cast on using a sock-method and increased until it was wide enough for my taste. I only have leftover black yarn, so I will have to try this again when I get more. I then set aside stitches for the ears, knit a few rows, then increased back to the body. then, I left a few stitches for the feet, and the wings. The feet were immediately replaced by casting on, but the wings were just knit over. For all you non-knitters, this means that there are about 8 stitches for the feet (instead of 4) counting the cast on stitches, while there are only 3 for the wings. I knit all the way down to the long tail, and shall have to do a lot of picking up and knitting. The wings are currently eluding me, but I'm sure I'll figure it out. I will let you all know when I do.

Another problem I'll be having is how to stuff this baby. I have toy stuffing (tons of it!) at home, but how do I stuff the body, legs, and head? I suppose I'll have to stuff it through a leg. But this little fella will be big enough to clutch madly in my hands, with both the wings and the forefeet hanging over. I have a whole image going in my head, which, when I finish it, will be shown to you.

The final problem is the eyes. I suppose I'll have to buy felt, but I'd love to find some eyes for widdle toothless. If anyone has any ideas, sites, or places where I can get eyes, let me know (look up toothless before you do. He has a sort of light-green-eye color going).

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

PS, Unlike the plushie knitters, I am happy to let knitters know how to do this, and to walk anyone through it. Plushie knitters want money. I just want a widdle night fury.

decision

2010-04-19T10:29:00.000-07:00

Well, I have decided one very important thing. I will be posting, from now on, every single friday, except finals week, for obvious reasons. Friday is now my off day, and I can post more regularly this way. I have been thinking harder and harder about creating a podcast for college/student knitters, now that I just found I actually can record on my computer. It's not very loud, because I'm afraid to disturb anyone, an it's kind of crazy talking to yourself. even crazier (to non-knitters) when it's about knitting.

Updates (I couldn't resist)

I started Bella's mittens. Seriously, I am not a Twilight fan, but those mittens . . . I can't help it! HELP! I'm addicted to twilight mittens! (Don't read that every day, do ya?) And the Malebrigo yarn is softer than ever. I want to drool all over it every time I touch it. and my stomach churns at the thought of making these delicious mittens. I know the winter months are pretty much up (It's been green and sunny here in La Grande) but I can't resist.

As for the plum sweater, nothing yet. But I'll let you know once I actually have some progress on it.

The Lime & Violet laptop cozy is coming along, and is beginning to look like a blanket. I have a nasty feeling that I might want to do a swatch of this before I do anything else, and felt it. But it's great for exercise knitting, and will be even better for movie knitting, especially since the drive-in movie theater opens in May.

The stash has been organized! Hallelujah!!!!! (or however you spell the word.) I organized by color in my nonexistant roommate's closet, and the bags hanging above are for projects except for one, which is for teaching kids to knit (tons of acrylic and fun-fur and eyelash yarn in there). I threw away a good amoung of stuff that I didn't want nor need, and I came up with a new idea for the little oddballs that I have. Someday, when I have enough time in the world to knit nonstop (I'll set up a machine that feeds me, and train myself to knit during anything), I will make all the handbags I have been lacking for wardrobes and presents. and those bags will need a cord for handles. so, I plan to knit up those oddballs over the summer into Icords, so that not only will they NOT get tangled up in my stash, but they will also be useful, at some point.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Where I was last week

2010-04-15T10:39:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed that I was not around last week. that was because I was on a choir tour to montana. There was the traveling
and the crowding
and the blurry pictures of my knitting.
however, I did get a little done on my plum sweaterm, and my love for knitting it has been rekindled. Lovely, don't you think?

Projects I am thinking about doing:

A laceweight pink afghan, light, so that I can carry it around in a small container (or bag) with me everywhere. I'm probably going to use this yarn from Knitpicks, and the fact that it's called peppermint makes me want it all the more. (I am a huge peppermint fan). I'll see what my budget looks like when I get back from food shopping on Saturday.

Bella's Mittens. Yes, it's Bella, the girl from the twilight series, and NO, I'm not a fan. but . . . those mittens!!! sheer gorgeousness! I don't care if it's assiciated with twilight. I suppose the book can't be all that bad, either, if it inspired such wonderful mittens!

Bella's hat. Yeah, someone made one of those, too. And I'm making it because it matches.

Swallowtail shawl. Drooooooooooool. I can hardly wait to have this beautiful garment around my neck.

Felted laptop cozy. My Aunt Clara is the only one of my family who consiously buys me yarn. (I think everyone else hates my knitting, except for the occasional sweater, so I might not be making them anything ever again). Aunt Clara took me to a yarn store in montana (and a lovely one at that!) and we bought four skeins of cascade 220 worsted, 2 in a lovely kermit-the-froggy green and a nice violet to make the two colorful and cheery. It is a tribute to Lime and Violet, and I hope it felts right. I'm going by feel on this one. since I suspect the felting will make it shorter and not skinnier (as it did with my purse), I need to make the cozy twice as long. it will go over my laptop fan, too, so the cozy doesn't kill the computer. I am super excited for this, because not only will I get a laptop that won't get scratched up, but I'll also have to cut out pieces for the keyboard, screen, and outlets on the side, resulting in things like mug-cozies and mousepads. :) Maybe when I get home I'll get "Lime & Violet" embroidered on it.

Wrede Afghan. Yes, I am actually still working on that. I have nearly finished the 3rd-book square, as I just need to sew the second one up. The fourth book is a little tricky. Unlike the (chronologically) first 3, it is done in first, not third person. It is also mostly a mystery. Patricia C. Wrede wrote it first, too, which makes it even more of a shocker. Only a great writer can write books completely out of wack and make it seem like she could have written all of them in various orders. The book is about Daystar, the son of Cimorene. (That's realy how you spell her name. I've spelt it wrong for years, but it's too late now. It's already in my e-mail name.) He is sent by his mother with a sword to go and do something with it in the Enchanted forest. He has no unearthly idea what to do. She basically kicked him out of the house.(before you say anything, she had a reason) the sword starts acting weird, like burning his hand when he touches a wizard's staff, or telling him what kinds of magic there are. needless to say, the sword is magic and special. and I think I want to make a cabled sword. If I could figure out how to make the handle of the sword go more or less perpendicular to the blade . . . (mutter mutter mutter) anyway, it's still a thought process. I'll use my blue yarn, though, since the book always seemed blue to me. (I'm weird like that.) Which one do you think I should pick?

That's pretty much all I got going right now, other than my knitting class. Oh, didn't I tell you?

Well, here's the thing. I started teaching a beginner's knitting class. We are currently working on how to make hats (which is the midterm project). College students learn much faster, and since I can no longer go to knit-night in La grande or anywhere else, it's my knitting time (other than at the gym). I just got 2 new students, make the class 4 people. and I am excited as heck about it.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

A LONG awaited update, and promises to keep updating more vigilantly

2010-03-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

Well, if there are any readers left after my long, long, LONG absence, I have finally, finally, found my camera cord. I must have left it at my house during Christmas break, because lo and behold, I found it there during spring break. And now you get to see a little review of what I got to see over the winter term.
the white sweater is the AMA (anne marie antique) sweater, done for becca, my little sister.
the purple mass is the failure that is the olympic sweater. yeah, I didn't even finish the back of it. next year, it's totally gonna be socks, hats, scarves, or mittens.
the 3 skeins of yarn have been aquired over the past few months. The blue is from a swap, as well as the dolphin pin. that's going to be a neck shawl. The two others were wildly expensive, but totally and utterly worth it. the burgundy is . .. . cashmere! softest yarn I've felt in ages! I now have not only a craving to make a shawl out of this one as well (to wear around the neck, also), but I have an intense craving to buy tons of it and make an afghan . . . think how portable that would be! the yarn is mostly air! Believe it or not, there are 400 yards in that sucker.
the other is Malabrigo, another yarn I have yet to try . . . and it's sooooo soft. I am torn between hat and mittens. I'd love to do both . . . drat! what do you think? it's a green-black, and lovely.
the blue-ish mitts are from a swap, the same as the blue yarn, and they were inspired by mermaids. (when I put them on, it looks like I have webbed fingers. Cool!)
Finally, the itty bitty sheep is from a swap, as is the knitting thank-you cards. (there's more in my drawer)

the rest are updates: EOU mitt (one completed), the 20's hat was modified by my mom (she added elastic) and the sherlock-socks (aka, the game's a foot, haha!) are done, as well as the snowflake (the white thing over the chair).

The three squares you see are for my 6'x6' afghan. there are two of each. The deep green with the fringe (does that look like grey or purple to you?) is based off Dealing with dragons, the intertwined trees (they look great, don't they!?) are from Searching for dragons, and the black one with the yellow is from Calling on dragons. (that involved fire witches and Morwen, who wears black). I have no idea what to do with the last book. It involves swords, dragons, spells, fire witches, normal witches, magicians, wizards (the bad kind) and the enchanted forest. what do you think?

And lastly, the book is the yarn harlot's. I couldn't resist renting it for 3 months. I love the Portland library. you can renue for years without getting in trouble for it. :)
Ciao for now,
Cimorine

And so it ends . . .

2010-03-06T19:55:00.000-08:00

Yeah, that sweater didn't get done. not even close. I really wish I had my camera up and running, so I could show you . .. but I don't. I finished the Yoke at least. (shrug) Knitting has been a little loose for me lately, because of school. Believe it or not, school is hard, hard work. Yeah, yeah, all you out there who have to have a job, I know, school seems like it was easy. But I'm serious. But, luckily, I broke down at the beginning of this month, and began my Easter Vigil Veil . .. another thing I cannot show you because of my camera cord being hopelessly lost. Where are you, st. Anthony?

Anyway, the pattern, when knit down, looks like a sort of cup, so it works. I'm knitting it with bulky white yarn, and have gotten a lot of comments about it, but what can I do? I have no more white yarn that I like! OK, I have that stash of fingering white that might have worked . . . and I think I have two balls of it instead of one . . . OK, so I might work on a new veil. Maybe.

In the meantime, I got my ocean swap finally. (Came all the way from Ohio.) Its great. I got lovely fingerless gloves that are mermaid-inspired, an ivory dolphin pin (hey, it looks ivory, anyway) a skein of cotton blue sock yarn, saltwater taffy, lovely stitch markers with dolphins n'stuff, and stationary.

On top of all that, I still have that dratted afghan to go through. I really should check up on my group . . . I forget what we're even doing! ARG!

Well, sorry this post is so bad. I hope I can either find the cord, or figure out a way to send pictures.
Ciao for now,
Cimorine

And so it begins .. .

2010-02-08T00:52:00.000-08:00

For those who have been hiding under a rock, this week, the Olympics start. On Friday, at 8 AM Oregon time. and I am sooooooo psyched! Stoked! Excited! Worried! Concerned! And a little frantic. I finished the first of my 2 squares for the month . . . probably not as good as I'd like it to be, but there it is. It looks FANTASTIC! I really do wish you could see it. I do. the last two branches on the very tippy top branch off, and I rather think they represent Cimorine and Mendenbar, the two main characters in the book for the month in my group, Searching for dragons. Fantastic book, you really should read it if you like sensible fantasy. And it is.

I've also been steadily working on my EOU fingerless mitts, reserved only for the exercise knitting. I'm hoping the sweater will be simple enough for the Ravelympics that I can knit it. sort of a repeat thing that I can just tape to the machine and do it.

The knitting club is going well, though I rather think we should have more than we actually do. It's sad, really. I'm thinking of doing knitfiti in the spring, to get more people. I will keep in touch as well as I can over the Ravelympics, and tell you all about it. It should be interesting, especially since Lent will be starting during the Ravelympics. Very interesting indeed.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Much to do, so little time . . . I need a time machine

2010-02-01T21:20:00.000-08:00

Dear readers,
I have been knitting, and I fear I won't make my quota by the 12th. For you see, some things have come up. I have another blog (of which some of you are familiar) that is called 12 books a year. I read classical books. and I have to read The Three Musketeers this month, which I'm very excited about. but since that will happen, it means the knitting podcasts will be lessened, which is sad, since I like to listen to them, especially Lime and Violet. (DRAT!) The second thing is that, oddly enough, I am also reading a chivalry book in History class (drat my teacher!) by a real knight, the only one, so I am told, who has written an account. And I gotta read it by the
16th, which, as you might know, is during the knitting Olympics, as well as write a paper on it. DOUBLE DRAT! On top of it all, the knitting Olympics . . . and another knitting project. I have started a knit along (KAL) in one of my favorite Ravelry groups, , the Enchanted forest, much to everyone's pleasure. I've been working on my afghan squares. and this month's is complex. (I picked it out myself, so I have no one else to blame). It might not get done until after the Ravelympics. (such a shame!) oh well. anyway, busy, busy, busy!

the last thing is the Ravelympics, which are starting to really scare me. I need to set aside knitting time in the morning or something, because I fear that since I won't be able to knit the sweater while exercising, I won't do it at all!!!! AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!! breathe, Cimorine, breathe! in, (GASP!) out. (WHOOSH!)in, (GASP!) out. (WHOOSH!) alright, so that's pretty much all that's been going on. does anyone else feel both overwhelmed and exhilarated by busy-ness?

ciao for now,
Cimorine

I have an idea . .

2010-01-13T22:45:00.001-08:00

So, first off, sorry again for not writing in a while. I barely have time for podcasts! AUGH! college is tough. But I jut saw something from Knitpicks that might make it a little easier.

As you might know, college students are always, ALWAYS short on money. In fact, I should probably not be spending any money at all, and just use the money I have in my checking account for next year. I will be amazingly in debt, and any job that I get will have to be going towards my college education. I need to raise $12,000 after my parents pull the plug on the first year. They said that they can scrounge together money to pay for the first year expenses, but I'm still with a fed loan that's paying most of it for the college education anyway. Luckily, I can get some loans forgiven for working in rural areas as a teacher.

And you may be wondering at this point what my college money problems have to do with knitting. Well, Knitpicks finally tracked me down to my new location. I got a new magazine thing today in the mail, which I love to see because it's very inspirational, even if I don't buy anything, and it's free. So, I see a page dedicated to independant designers. and If you don't know, I've been desgining little things. not many, but a few. I have designed those lacy fingerless gloves a ways back, as well as the AMA (Anne Marie Antique) sweater (which is DONE! but I can't show you pics because I lost the camera cord!!!! and it looks sooooo good! AUGH! I need a new camera), and I plan on designing at least 2 more sweaters, one I have already christened Trisha, after my role model in my College choir (she's amazing, and very beautiful. Maybe it will rub off). Again, I digress.

So, knitpics apparently has this offer: they will showcase a pattern of yours, used with knitpicks yarn, if they like it. You send it to them, and they send you $100 up front for small things (like hats, scarves, etc) and $200 up front for bigger items, from baby sweaters to afghans. So, you can imagine what went through my head. I'm sure I'll be quite lucky to sell even one pattern, but if I do, and if I could manage to sell maybe 2, they would send me money every time someone buys it. And knitpicks is BIG! So, advice? should I go for it? I like the idea of knitting for money. A lot.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Christmas break and not many pictures, I know

2009-12-24T11:44:00.001-08:00

Today is Christmas Eve. Christmas EVE! Wow, this vacation is flying by fast! Tonight we have Wagilia and 10-o'clock mass (I refuse to call it midnight mass because it is not at midnight)! I am excited! I finished my presents, and here is what I made: (I will try to get pictures as much as I can)

Dad: socks
Mom: Hot pads
Mary: white cabled lacy scarf
Becca: a fluffy pinky scarf, since I didn't have enough yarn for socks.
Teresa: a vest. No, not a poncho. You'll have to see it . . . just as soon as I get a picture of it.
Peter: Socks, and a few other presents I think, since he's my advent angel.

All the gifts are wrapped, so I cannot show pics, but I can tell you what happened last night:

see, my dad is from Ohio. If you have ever seen A Christmas story, and know it takes place in Ohio, Cleveland specifically, where my dad grew up, you will immediately get that he is into a lot of stuff that we in the west aren't. For example, Christmas Caroling. I don't know of anyone who carols around their neighborhood but us. We sang for a few blocks, but I would have loved to carol for hours. It was a lot of fun, and this year dad got music to go with the words of songs, got more songs, and made each sheet waterproof. It was a lot of fun, and if you don't Carol, you should do it. We came home to a house full of cookies, sweets, chips and guacamole, and a lovely veggie platter. Our peanut butter blossoms were gone, of course, within a few minutes of them being brought out. I never understand why we never make a double batch of those, because they're so gooooooood! and they're gone in two literal blinks of the eye.

I got tons of yarn this year, and it's not even Christmas yet! I got yarn from a swap, which you saw, and I also got yarn from a neighbor's sister, who is destashing. and yes, it's all WOOL!!!!! Hooray!

May your Christmases be splendid, may you spend it with the ones you hold dear, and may you and your family praise the Lord for the ultimate gift; and I don't mean snow.

Merry Christmas,
Christ is born,
Cimorine

WOW! MORE COOL STUFF!!!!

2009-12-11T14:46:00.001-08:00

Here's what I got from my very cool, very generous swapper:

I'm going home!

2009-12-09T18:38:00.001-08:00

I'm going home! Here's how it happened: I finished my last final today. My ride was scheduled to come on Friday. yeah, I know. Plus, I wanted to see the Christmas concert that my siblings are doing tomorrow evening. I was bummed out. Plus, I accidentally broke my bike tire when I tried to pump it. So, I was bummed out, and I called my mom, to talk about it. She had told me that I was going with my ride. And I told her I'd finished, so instead, she offered to pay for a bus-ride home. So, I'm going to go home. :) I can hardly wait to see Portland and the family again. I probably should have stayed in Portland for college. . . . but then again, I wouldn't have met some of the great people here!

I can't wait to get back to the yarn stores, too, especially my dear old Close Knit. I can hardly wait for next wednesday! (Knit nights) I am anxious to see if there's any sales either at the Close Knit or at Twisted, my other favorite. I will be trying harder to update the photos on this blog over X-mas break, because I'll be showing you all the X-mas presents I've both been working on, as well as the gifts I'm getting. (yawn) I think I'm secretly trying to keep myself awake until 11:50, when I can go home. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz wha-what the . . . woops, fell asleep! guess I should sign off, now. :)

Ciao for now,
Cimorizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! uh, um, whoops, fell asleep again!
Cimorine

Freezing my tail off

2009-12-07T22:47:00.000-08:00

here I am, waiting for X-mas break to come, and I'm freezing my tail off. OK, not here, but today it was 12 degrees. And not in celcius, either.I froze whenever I stepped outside. Man, I cannot wait until I get to Portland, where it is (slightly) warmer, as well as filled with warm family members. Not that I'm not warm in my dorm, but it's lonely. Everyone is working on their finals, and I'm practically done. I just need to turn in two projects, and do the math final. I'm hopeing it was as easy as the midterm, especially since I wrote out a note-card. Plus, I wanna get home. To yarn stores! oh, and everyone and everything else. Never thought I'd miss Portland so much. And never thought I'd say this, but I think I need to knit myself some long-jons or something. maybe out of cascade 220. that could be cool, actually! Hmmm . . . .

Ciao for now,
Cimorine.

If You're wondering,

2009-11-28T00:24:00.000-08:00

If you're wondering why I'm typing this at 12:25 AM, it's because I'm on vacation. If you're wondering why vacations usually include late nights, it's because our talent show was tonight, and it was long, and we talked a lot and had ice cream afterwards. And if you're wondering why I am totally nonplussed by this, it's because I'm on vacation, and time is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is that the sun is up, or down.

If you're wondering why this has no pictures, it's because I don't know where my camera is. If you're wondering where I am, I'm at my Grandparent's farm, in Eastern Oregon (no, not at my college of the same name.) If you're wondering if I have anything cool to share, I do. If you're wondering if it's yarn related, it is. If you're wondering if it concerns Christmas, it does. And if you're wondering if it something for my Godmother, who does not own a stocking, it is.

If you're also wondering what stuff I'd find in Eastern Oregon stores, I'd find cool things like white rabbit pelts for $4. If you're wondering if I actually bought something ripped off the back of a bunny, I did.

No, before you protest, you don't understand. these pelts aren't just soft. They're angelic. They're so soft, its almost wrong. I almost want to send it to Lime and Violet, just to see what they would make of the rabbit's heavenly softness. I think I might make mittens out of the two pelts that I bought. Lovely mittens, in which I use dye or Sharpie to color the outside (the leather-part) Black, and have furry white insides that keep my hands deliciously warm. Or perhaps make a mini-pillow, filled to the brim with feathers or something soft, like that lovely stuff I used to make teddy bears, before I abandoned all hope of ever doing one again.

I will have pictures later, i promise. and, if I can get my butt in gear (pardon my french) some pictures of some finished projects, including that sculptured lace scarf that has been plaguing my knitting time. I can hardly wait to start on the stocking!

And if you're wondering if I have any wild ideas about what to do with those rabbit pelts, including ideas that involve bras or underwear, you'd be right. But, share some of your ideas with me. I'd love to hear them. What would you do with amazingly soft yet small pelts? mittens? pillows? what?

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

PS: and if you're wondering if the rest of my blog will be like this , fear not, it won't.

Crime/mystery swap, spinning, and what's been going on lately

2009-11-23T21:40:00.000-08:00

Firstly, these are the pics for those who wanted to see from Ravelry of my package:

And the duckie that cast away on my package!

Next, what i have been doing lately:

First off, I learned how to spin on Sunday. It was a lot of fun, and I was really getting the hang of it. When I came home, i spun a lot of yarn, enough to fill a whole bobbin! I have borrowed a wheel from Margaret Mead, a lady from the fiber club, which meets every month. She said I can use it, and that it's collecting dust. Each time I think about her line, "it's collecting dust," I keep thinking about how I'd love to have it with me.

I've named her Gweneth, since it's modish and young-sounding, like the wheel looks, but old enough to hint at the style that she is shaped in. I really enjoy the single-treadle. As those who have been reading for a while know, way back in Sept, I told how I totally embarrassed myself by doing really badly on the double-treadle wheel there. And I remember thinking I'd enjoy a single better. and I was right. since there are tons of ladies here who have sheep that need their wool given away, I might be making tons of yarn. Perhaps I can get the weight of the yarn light enough that I can make a shawl or even (dare I even think this far ahead) a wedding veil!

I have secretly vowed to make the wedding veils of each of my sisters, if they get married or if they go into the nunnery. (Mary is actually contemplating it, and I think she'd love it). Each veil will reflect the person. i.e. Becca, a very peppy, girlish rose of a child, will have, of course, roses on her veil. lace roses. Mary might have cables, something less girlish but still pretty. For me? I want a drapey, warm veil, not a light one that makes you look like wings are sprouting from your head. Maybe made out of a light cotton-wool blend, or a wool-silk blend. I dunno. I want to get married around X-mas time, so it'll have to be warm. Plus, it'd make an absolutely fabulous tablecloth for Wagelia each year, or even Easter vigil.

Anyway, sorry about the digression. I really love thinking about making heirlooms for the family, to remember, because that's not the sort of thing my family does. The things made end up in a dress-up drawer

Anyway, as I mentioned, I received my Crime-swap package, which was fun. And I have been working away on Teresa's poncho. I think I'll add a hood to it. I knit it while listening to Don Quixote (Key-hoe-tay) and exorcising. I hope there's enough yarn.

Ciao for now, Cimorine

Work to do, work to do

2009-11-20T07:24:00.001-08:00

I know I said I'd describe the pics a little more in detail, the ones that came with the traveling scarf, and I will do that a little bit here.

First off, the scarf is nice and warm, though not the length I'd really enjoy, but still long enough to keep me warm. It's a wonderful touch, too, when you have a black coat. It adds a lovely color to one's gettup. I am also enjoying the little puncher, which I think I said was a stamp, but it's really a little cat-shaped hole-puncher! It's really cute, and I'm going to use it on a card for my Godmother, who has a cat. I love cats.

I have not tried out the stamps yet, but then, I don't have any paper. (my dormmate pilched the rest of it, and she promised to buy me more. And I'm being lazy, because the library sells it for 10 sheets for 10 cents).

As for the true purpose of this post . .. to get organized!!!!

What I need to do:

Mail the christmas swap
Mail Aunt Monica and Uncle Matt's family afghan
Wrap dad's socks
wrap Emily's clapotis
knit Mary's scarf
Knit Teresa either a poncho or mittens (I'm not sure what I should do, any suggestions?)
Knit Peter socks
Knit Stephen . . . something. Maybe mittens in navy blue . . . or a scarf . . . really soft, too . . . (he's hard to knit for)
Knit felted pothoders for mom, with embroidered poinsiettas (I think) on them.

(Sigh) This entire list is not even really delved into yet, and I don't know how fast I can finish everything . . . I do have a huge christmas listening list, which is good for these projects, but I swear I miss my kitchen so much I am willing to slave away in the kitchen making anything and everything for my mom . . . I was telling her this, and she insisted it was my vacation too. I told her that was my vacation. Man, I miss my kitchen. I praised her kitchen and her wise choices, and told her I was completely and utterly envious of it. Cooking should be fun this year. I plan on knitting while the kids are still in school (they get 2 weeks, and I get 3. Knitting all the way, baby! Plus, there's the long, long trip home!) Maybe I can get this together after all.

sorry this is such a stream of conciousness post, but oh well. I am a little frazzled, because I've got so much homework to finish before I go away for Thanksgiving (I absolutely refuse to do homework during the Thanksgivng break, because I know myself well enough to know that it WON'T get done.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

The Sisterhood Scarf has RETUNED!!!!!!!

2009-11-12T20:41:00.001-08:00

OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS SO COOL! sorry, sorry. AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!! I'm sorry, it's just, well, I GOT MY SCARF BACK!!!! I haven't seen in it a YEAR, and not only is it soft and wonderfully heavy and perfect for the cold, but it also came with PRESENTS!!! look!

Ciao for now, Cimorine

PS: I'll have more later, I promise. I have to post these pics on Ravelry!!

Curses!

2009-11-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

Oh, Drat! So, today I found out a crucial fact: the second sock is wrong. See, I made dad's first sock,

and it was fine. I still don;t know how long my dad's foot is, but the width was ok. So apparently, I cast on too little stitches. this wouldn't be a problem, except I was nearly done with the sock! I had turned the heel and everything! So, I had to rip back everything. The heel, the cuff, all of it!

here are the before and after pics:

Before

After

Not only that, but I am being sort of lonely today, since my dorm-mates left for the weekend (can't say I blame them. I'm not much of a party animal.), and my best friend, Ashley (who I was knitting the bright pink scarf and mittens for) is not yet back from Portland. I kind of wish I'd gone with her. I mean, I'm glad I didn't miss any of my classes, but I really miss my family.

I think I'm going to have to work harder at the podcasts, because I have a long list to go through! Not only that, but I still have Lime & Violet on my tail. Must. . . . get . . . to . . . END! . . . .

Anyway, the only thing that seems to be progressing in the Christmas knitting is dad's socks. I haven't started anything else. there's so much to work on, too! here's the list:

Becca's snugly pink socks

Mom's oven mitts

Peter's socks (or slippers, I'm not sure which right now)

Stephen and Mary's gifts, whatever they might be (Mary's white scarf is for her birthday)

I have a lot of blue yarn weight left over . . . perhaps a scarf? I don't know. I'll have to surf the patterns on ravelry and through my huge collection. Does anyone else have any ideas?

Ciao for now,

Cimorine.

Finding new podcasts, How exciting!

2009-11-04T09:43:00.000-08:00

I know I'm breaking my law. I don't believe I've mentioned it, but my law is that "thou shalt not listen to any other podcast until thou hast caught up to the latest Lime & Violet podcast." And I have been working non-stop, diligently, ever since I got to La Grande, even further! but now . . . now . . . . I'm nearly done! I've got around 10-15 more, I can see the end, I'm only less than a year (in terms of the dates the episodes were released) and I CAN'T WAIT! I mean, I love Lime and violet, don't get me wrong. They are funny, and cool, and imaginative, no episode's the same, they always have stories to tell, it's great. And let me tell you, to plow through their 1.5 hour episodes is not only committed, it's knitterly love! (Knitterly love: N, def: to love one's knitter. rather like brotherly love, except this is love of knitters. Philos with knitting involved.)

But today I decided, since I have a few hours before my first class, and no homework to work on, I am going to look up some podcasts. I tried the Internet, but decided to go with itunes, since I could not only look at the podcasts, but also listen to them and see if I like the way they sound, what they talk about, who is talking, what their voice is like, etc. And I think, yet again, I have bitten off more than I can chew. Because Knitting Podcasts are multiplying like bunnies! There are tons of new ones, some old ones that I remember when I was looking for more. (I came to this point sometime this last summer. I was tired to listening to Cast On, and wanted something new. Lime & Violet solved that problem. But I looked at other podcasts, too.)

So, let's begin (I really wish I had a podcast of my own, but with all the competition . . . I think I might just stick to blogging for now. At least until I can afford the equipment).

The Anatomy of Knitting The title interested me, and so I took a look. It is fairly new, only about 4 episodes so far. But the knitter has a wonderful, light, cheery voice, not unlike the guest that would often appear on Cast On to read knitting stories. She seems very happy, and I need that, since I sometimes seem to like being depressed (whooo hoo! depression!) ahem. I am listening to her right now, and she has been doing the podcast for about two months. Hooray! I hope there are more to come. I have a gut feeling about her, and I like it. More to come as I listen more.

Cloudy with a Chance of Fiber Not only is this based off one of my favorite stories (cloudy with a chance of meatballs) but it also takes place in Portland! I have a hate-love-relationship with that city, I swear. The podcast has two hostesses, and they have light, quiet voices. calm, lovely. They are brand-spankin' new, and have only one episode out. It's been a few months, so I posted on their blog and told them to get back to work, since their podcast was the shizzle, as my home-bros from high-school would say it. It's a thoroughly enjoyable podcast.

The Belle of the Ball. Again, her voice is nice, but she is very creative with her podcasts. I believe she is centered in the PNW (Pacific North West, for those who don't know) She has 79 episodes, and her episode that I'm listening to is Halloween . . . oh my! The songs are great, too. That is a big point in her favor! I need to get going, but I will definitely listen to her in future.

One that I am really, really, really excited about, is Craftlit. I have two passions that are apart of my identity, and have been for quite a while: Knitting, and reading. I love reading, love it, love it, love it. Knitting too, as you know. So, this brilliant lady puts both together. I love her. She reads famous books, like the scarlet letter, and talks about knitting. Again, this is a gut feeling I get. It reminds me of my two favorite Knit-fic (Knitting fiction) series, The Dyed in the wool series (I don't know the official title, but I do know the title of the first book) and the Sweetgum knit-lit society. Both books not only focus on knitting, but also on either mysteries or books, life, love, and all sorts of cool things. Both are profound. Anyway, this reading knitter is in Arizona, and she sounds like a wonderful companion, with a sort of motherly voice.

Knitted Spoon. She, like Cloudy with a chance of fiber, has a light voice, and is also so new that she has only one episode. I may drop her, because I am not vegetarian. however, I am also not goth, and still listen to Lime & Violet. If she seems to focus mostly on vegetarian cooking, I will not listen to her long. Well, i won't anyway, since she only has one episode. But I will keep my options open, because she has a good voice, and seems excited. Cooking is a sort of minor passion of mine. Knitting and cooking are good combinations. I shall have to keep listening. . . . and watching . . . and waiting.

The Knitting Rose Podcast. She has a lovely, lady-like voice. Elegant, poised, yet relaxed. I am unsure about her, but I will definitely have to listen to her more. she is a new field. What does she have to offer? Only time will tell.

Never Not Knitting. I like the feel of this one. again, bright, cheery voice, but with a bit of age. She has 27 episodes so far, and like the Knitting Rose, is worth exploring. More later.

Saphires-n-purls podcast Also a new podcast, she only has 5. The reason would be that she is working on podcasting bimonthly. She has a simple voice, one that I might have if I had a podcast. The title interested me, but again, I will have to watch and wait.

The Sassy Sheep This one is strange. Theme song is good, co-hosted, (which is a lot less lonely, and two heads are better than one). The voices are clear, and are a dummed-down version of Lime & Violet. Not as crazy, yet not as laid back as Cloudy with a chance of Fiber. background sounds are also a bonus. I like to hear cars going by, rain, waves, wind, anything in the background. It makes the podcast more . . . real.

Stitichz in time This podcast first interested me only by the name. It has a lovely piano intro, speaking to my classical-music persona (she lives inside me and comes out whenever she hears Beethoven, Mozart, or Vivaldi!). She has 14 podcasts, and has a quiet voice. She knits while podcasting, which is always a good idea. However, there is a big sound in the background, but those are technical issues. Is this in every podcast? No, it's not. neither is the theme. How exotic! this one, however, might be dropped. if any will be dropped, this probably will be.

WHEW!!!!!!!!! Also, as an added bonus, the next Cast On episode is out. She must have started a new season, because it's been a while since her last one.

Also, my knitting is basically consisting of this easy baby, Ashley's hot pink scarf. She is my best friend, and we like to hang around a lot. She loves hot pink. It's a nice scarf to knit while listening to podcasts.

Ciao for now,

Cimorine

Edit: appologies to the hostess of Knitted Spoon. she has more than one episode out. Sorry!

Knitting club

2009-10-29T20:31:00.000-07:00

You know, you know I will start a knitting club at this school. I am starting to get really excited about it, too. See, I have found, now, at least 4 adults that are interested in it. My ed teacher, a librarian, a science teacher, and another ed advisor (ed means education, fyi). So, I talked to them, they admired my lovely Manon, who has been on me during this Halloween season. Yes! He is so soft and warm, especially with the snow that has been falling off and on around here. It pretty much turned to mush as it fell today, but was still pretty and rather romantic.

The librarian is good with basics of knitting, and with lace. The science teacher is good with Norwegian knitting, like inertia and Fair Isle I suppose, and the other person, who I actually forgot to mention, Regina, who is really interested in it, is good at making up patters on the fly, like me. The other ed teacher is mine, and she wants to learn how to knit. I will give more updates on how the club goes, since I finally got the signatures for it all, and will soon be contacting the student life area about setting this club up. Maybe they'll even let me use the copier to make the posters for advertising! the first meeting, I'm hoping, will be around 5 next Wednesday.

Also, i talked to a girl who was interested in learning how to knit socks. Her friend collects interesting socks, and there is no sock more interesting than that of a knitter. I am excited for this club, and I look forward to knitting and chit-chatting about anything and everything.

I think the first part of the club will be to basically make winter stuff that you need in this cold weather, like hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, socks, etc. anything one might need for the cold winter months. Then, we can do something like Knitting for charity, which is something I've always wanted to get into. I feel like using my knitting skill to help others is what God intended.

more updates later,

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Tiring day filled with knitting and sewing and buying

2009-10-20T23:15:00.000-07:00

So, today was one of those days when I am exhausted. I am very tired, but I want to write this so that you can get a more recent update. I dunno why I want to do it, I just do. Maybe just hide from going to bed, or maybe to just stay up so that I will sleep in until 9 at least (I don't have a class at 9 like I usually do). Anyway, I've been knitting today. Like a fiend. on this:

I believe I told you about it, but in case you just arrived, this is an afghan for my aunt. The white part was knit for her and her husband originally. I am working on a border for their baby. As the family grows, the blanket grows, thus becoming (hopefully) a family heirloom. This has to be a God-inspired idea, because I could not think up something so brilliant. Anyway, the top and bottom are done. I just need to work on the sides.

As for the sewing, I'm doing a swap with a girl who likes CSI and law and Order. I assume you've heard of them. I have, though I don't watch them. they're crime shows. anyway, I am making her multiple project bags. I'll sew them up tomorrow.

And this, dear friends, is the sudoku and rubix cube of the knitting and sewing world. It was bought at the sock summit in Portland this year, and i still have no idea how it is put together. each time I think I get it, new evidence pushes me back to square one.

Lastly, bought yarn today for this swapper, too. I hope I get something good, really good, in my package. Because I am working really hard on her bags, and spending a boatload of money. actually, i should probably call the people who have sewing machines on the campus about that.

Ciao for now,

Cimorine

That darn scarf!

2009-10-18T20:00:00.000-07:00

Well, this isn't really a knitting update, because I am going to talk about the media I watch/listen to during the knitting. First off, I'm working on the scarf for Mary. I like it, but it seems to be going too slow. Good thing I have at least 2 months to work on this! this is what I have so far:

So, tonight I decided to work on knitting because I was sick of playing solitaire for about 3 hours straight. (No, I am not kidding, I actually played it that long.) I got my homework done today, so I was able to blow off the rest of the day. So, I started in on Lime and Violet, because I am so behind it's just sad. and each month, the list gets longer and longer. Which frightens me. I mean, I have David ready to catch up on, too! thank goodness he is only 1/2 hour long, instead of 3 times that long (lime and violet usually is 1.5 hours long). But, here's the thing. I like to multitask. Lime and violet are engaging, but for some reason I like music. So, I started in on my growing playlist on YouTube and played it while I was listening to it. Just to show how good I am, I think, with multitasking, I'm typing this, listening to "Life of a hero," and Listening to Lime and violet. They are talking about yarn porn. I LOVE multitasking.

Also, I found a movie on YouTube that I think any of you would like, if you like cats. It's called, "that darn cat!" really. get the version with Haily Mills. She plays Pollyanna in Pollyanna, stars in castaways, and was in the first version of the Parent trap (playing the twins) she's a famous 70's actress, and I like her. also, my other favorite 70's actor is in this movie. It's the guy that plays the main character in Herbie (no, he doesn't play the car). he plays the doubtful driver that doesn't believe his VW is alive. with a mind. and a heart. and one heck of a sense of humor.

Anyway, that's what I've been doing lately. Sorry the updates are so few and far between. I suppose when Christmas rolls around I will post more and more often, because I will be knitting madly. (maybe. I have no idea if I'll be insane during the Christmas season because I am chugging through these Christmas projects. I've also cast on the second sock for daddy.)

Ciao for now,

Cimorine

Been awhile, but I'm not dead yet!

2009-10-10T13:03:00.000-07:00

I know you are all probably wondering, "is she dead? will she ever post again?"

Ok, maybe not. But I know I've been slacking, which is a really bad blogger of me, no cookie. (I got that from Lime and Violet, which I also have slacked off on as well.)

I have been knitting, though, and here are some of the things I've knit:

emily's Clapotis birthday shawl is ready for shipping, appart from the wrapping bit.

Stephen's socks are finished, I just need to put starbucks to blow the pain that he will be getting (oh the horror) socks for his birthday!

I whipped up this little baggie for my cards (ID, laundry, key cards, all the ones I need when walking around EOU) out of the Tofutsies sample I got at the sock Summit, 2009.

Finished one of Daddy's socks for Christmas,

And finally, started in on Mary's lovely scarf! The pattern was made by a dude, and depending on the colors, it can be easily for men and women. She is such a tomboy that I thought this pattern would work really well. it's super easy to knit, and I love doing it. She asked for white yarn, which will make this all the more lovely. I like the scarf a lot, don't you?

So, that's all the knitting I've been doing. Clearly, I have not slacked off on that . . . well, almost not. Lime and Violet slacking has been going on, as well ask knitting slacking (a little) though I think that my solitaire skills have really amped up. I actually win 42% of my games, instead of 0%! whoopee!

Geek moment.

PROUD Geek moment.

ciao for now,
Cimorine

Late Birthday post

2009-09-30T22:15:00.001-07:00

So, I've been busy. I guess. but not that busy. . . . anyway, here's the details from my birthday. First off, my mom gave me addictive chocolate-covered candy. Yay. (shrug) I guess it's a good gift, though. I got wonderful cards from everyone, several calls from family, freinds, and posts on ravelry wishing me the best. best of all, I got the newest Redwall book, Doomwyte. I can hardly wait to read it! I also went out with my dorm-mate, Shauna, to Wendy's, then to baskin robin's, and had some lovely lite ice cream. That was pretty much it, other than a few more calls. My Godmother sent me a card I got yeasterday, with $30 in it, and I am pleased to say I spent some of it on yarn. i'm think I'll spend the rest on perhaps a spindle to use up all that extra roving I have lying around (around 1 oz, which is actually a lot more than you'd think) that was pretty much my birthday.

I have nearly finished Emily's birthday Clapotis, and I have already started my dad's christmas socks.

Sorry this isn't flowy or flashy or even written in a way that might be interesting. Classes have started, and it's hard to keep up with everying. I did finished the Knit for Love book today, a great book if you enjoy romace novels and knitting. the first one was grand, too, the Sweetgum knit-lit society. that's just for those who like to read and knit.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

College Dorms and Christmas knitting

2009-09-23T11:42:00.000-07:00

I have now entered. Play the music! beat the drums! I am at my college! now, granted, I am not yet alone in my dorm with only my dorm-mates and my roommate has not show herself yet. But, We have set up everything. For some reason, I thought there would be less room that there is. I mean, I have TONS of stuff! But, I hardly cover the area under my bed (which is, thankfully, raised) and I only need a few more things like my forgotten mouse for the laptop, my (sadly) forgotten microwavable mug from home, and hangers. Here's some pics from the dorm on my side (excluding the bed. the sheets come later this week).

Knitting will commence later. I am going to be working on the last of the birthday gifts, then commence the (duh-duh-DUUUUUUH) Christmas knitting! Well, I have about three months, which will be grand. and the best part is, because I am on "quarters" instead of "semesters," I start late in September, but I also get to have NO HOMEWORK OR STUDYING going on during the 3-week Christmas break. which will be very nice. I'll listen to Lime 'n' Violet Christmas songs, and maybe I should even make a play list full of Christmas songs . . . . . .

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Eating Yarn

2009-09-18T08:50:00.001-07:00

Normally, I do not feast on yarn. I just never feel that it is necessary.

After all, the yarn I usually knit with is wonderfully coarse and rough-'n'-tumble. Well, today, I think I have become addicted. As you can see, I eat yarn on a stick, and I WANT to eat the roving round my neck, and the grey sock is so soft, I swear, my hands will melt before I get to the end of the first sock.

As for projects, besides the melty-socks (this is their name henceforth) I have started Mary's scarf. I'm thinking that the yarn I'm using is really not the best. perhaps I will have enough to make the scarf with other yarn. (I have tons of leftovers, and at least 100 yards of yarn from the chocolate purse) The Chocolate purse is finished and renamed, though I don't know how long the needle-felting will last.

Other than the Clapotis for Emily, I am entering the realm of Christmas knitting. I can't believe it! Socks really are the best gift to make for big families!

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Hibernation begins soon.

2009-09-16T22:46:00.000-07:00

For you long-time readers, this is the part of the year where I virtually lock myself up in my studies and stash, and basically have little to no contact with the knitting world, except through podcasts. This is called Knitter's Hibernation. It is rare among knitters of adult status, but quite common among students, particularly college students, because of the increased amount of homework given.

I leave for college on Tuesday, and I said goodbye to all the knit-night ladies at the good old Close Knit. I also bought some yarn for a decidedly ungrateful brother of mine. He won't use fingerless mitts, he won't use a scarf, it's not enough for a sweater (it's 200 yards in sport weight), that's it. He's getting socks, no matter how hard he yelps. I will knit socks out of this lovely baby Alpaca mix, and he can't stop me. It'll be his Christmas gift, since he's soooooo picky.

As for the knitting, well, I've gotten started on my sister's scarf. I couldn't really get past the i-cord cast on (Where you make a rope out of knitting and pick up stitches, making a lovely edge) because it was at Knit night, and no one can really concentrate on knitting for that long! There is so much chit-chat going on, hardly any fancy knitting gets done.

Will look on ravelry for a sock pattern for men, will try to get this scarf figured out, and will try to post when I am in hibernation.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine.

Lacy fingerless mitts finished, Christmas projects begin to overwhealm . .

2009-09-15T23:09:00.000-07:00

First off, I've finished my lacy fingerless mittens. I need to take a pic of them, preferably one with me wearing them and my hands spread over the keyboard. I'll try to get a pic and post later (my camera's out of batteries). Edit: here they are! one's of them on me on my bed, and one's of them on me on my laptop.

In other news, Christmas is just around the corner. I know for you muggles, that it is most certainly NOT, but for knitters and musicians, and possibly even huge-company-planners, I assure you, it is. For musicians, it's the concerts. This is the time singers and musicians and directors start thinking about and practicing for Christmas concerts. It's a rather busy time, especially for directors, who have to organize one event after another. (directing doesn't pay well, I don't think.) For Huge-company-planners, it's, duh, the stuff. Of course, they are also thinking about Halloween, thanksgiving as well, and we KNOW they are trying to think of new and imaginative ways of making us buy their junk.

For knitters, it's the projects. I don't know what's so enticing about having a "hand-knit Christmas," but it is. I think it's because it gives a new meaning and sense of love to Christmas, or rather, gives BACK that meaning, originally stolen by the media. I plan to enjoy myself while I do this, and I think I will. I really need to buy some more sock yarn, but not much, I think 400 yards can last for two pairs of socks, meaning two presents for two people. I'll see what I can get for everyone the next (and last) time I go to my local knit store for a while. (tomorrow is the last knit-night at the good old Close knit.) I saw some sock yarn on sale.

Christmas is coming, the stash is getting fat.
please put a penny (and maybe a bunch more) in the little knitter's hat.
If you haven't got a penny, a written check will do.
If you haven't got a written check well, no gift for you!

(sung to "Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat")

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

knitters out for my blood and consiousness

2009-09-12T15:42:00.000-07:00

Before I begin this tale, take heed! It contains blood. Sterile blood, but blood just the same. so if you get queasy at the mere mention of our literal life that runs through our veins, you may want to wait for the next post. So, take heed!

I have now given blood 4 times. I got the inspiration and desire to carry out this frightening task because of my dad. he is a doctor (not in practice, but in knowledge) and he has been giving blood for as long as I can remember. every now and again, I'd see him walking through the door, a big colorful bandage on his arm and a little heart-shapes sticker saying: Be nice to me, I gave blood today! I take on this task because I love my dad, because I admire him, and because it is a very generous, very kind thing to do for your fellow man.

today was the day i was supposed to give blood. Now, normally, I am the kind that feels a bit faint when her blood is taken. Not many people feel this way, and it must be normal with me, because it's happened every time. last time was a better experience for two reasons: 1, I had compelling book to read, and 2, instead of squeezing the little stress-balls they give you in order to pump out your blood, i just rolled it around. When one feels faint, they lift your feet up, put your head down, place cold rags on your head, and make sure you don't black out. It took me about 2 hours last time to donate blood. and I didn't feel faint after I left the building.

This time, it was different. first off, many of the volunteers were knitters! what a wonderful surprise! I talked with at least two volunteers about knitting, and it was great. "and dad thought that knitting wasn't social," I smugly thought to myself. Little did I know that red cross knitters were different.

So, I told them immediately, of course, that I usually felt dizzy and faint when i gave blood. so, they put me up right away. Now, maybe they didn't know, maybe they didn't understand, but I asked them if I could roll around the ball they gave me instead of squeezing it, and they said no. They said, we want to keep the blood flowing. yeah, right. I think this man was thirsty. Thirsty for my bloooood. So, I got it done in 5 minutes, which concerned me a little, but I felt fine, so they wrapped me in a pink and red bandage, let me get up, and I ate a donut and some oreos and drank orange juice and water. I went outside to wait for my dad to pick me up, and everything seemed normal. But little did I know that the red-cross knitters of doom had also started seeping something from me: my consciousness.

If you have ever fainted, then you may know what it's like. First, your head feels funny and you can't quite focus. things get blurry. Then, the blackness starts to cloud the outer parts of your vision, I felt that for a while, then suddenly woke up on my side with my leg cramping! (luckily, I was sitting down) I don't know how long i was out, nor do I remember fainting, I just remember waking up. The red-cross knitters of doom must have gotten tired of waiting for my consciousness, and cut the invisible cord that seeped it out of my brain. I started to worry. I called my dad, lay down on the bench, and prayed that he'd come soon. It seemed like forever.

Finally, he came, and seemed totally unfazed by the fact that I'd just FAINTED! doctors. So next time I give blood (and I will. red-cross knitters of doom will not deter me from doing my humanly duty!), I'm not going to ask. I'm going to TELL them that I am GOING to roll the ball around, because I'd rather not faint, thank you very much!

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Note: no knitters were harmed in the making of this story. The red cross is actually a very nice place, and people do not lust for your blood or your consciousness. I thought it'd be a fun story, because while telling my mother about it, I mentioned that I fainted, they were the ones collecting the blood, and that they were knitters all in the same sentence. I encourage you to donate blood, if you can. Like I said, it's a chance to do a good turn for your fellow man, and plus, people are totally nice to you if you do it, too.

picture update from the beach

2009-09-10T10:40:00.000-07:00

Sorry this has not appeared until now, because I was sick (I suspect it was the crab) for a day, and needed a few more to gain my land-legs. (not really. I just wanted to relax a little.) plus I've had a lot of work to do. but, I took loads of pictures. I had a blast, and the beach was gorgeous. Surprisingly, it was sunny most of the time, I went shopping a little, and my only regret was that I wasn't able to get YARN! (sniff) :( anyway, hope you like the pictures.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

PS. view the slide show by clicking on this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42359555@N05/show/ , since there are over 100 pics that I took on the trip.

To the Beach!

2009-09-03T09:50:00.000-07:00

Today, our family is going to the beach in Lincoln city, as well as ALL my aunts and uncles and ALL my cousins on my Mom's side. Here are the two projects I'll be knitting:

Also, there is a yarn store in Lincoln. We may not be able to get there, but I'm hoping so. I will definitely take tons of pictures at the beach, and will try to post on Tuesday at the earliest (we get back on Monday, Labor day). See you in a few days!

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Catching up on the PODs.

2009-08-31T20:12:00.000-07:00

PODCASTS GALORE! Since I have finally finished my book on tape of Tale of Two cities, (see other blog for more details: http://ireadclassics.blogspot.com/ ) and now I can finally finish catching up with the podcasts! Lime and Violet is very very hard to catch up to because each episode is at least an hour long, while David ready's podcasts, Sticks and String, is easier because it's half as long. I know I'm a knitting Geek. I'm proud of it. Podcasts are part of the deal.. Lime and Violet I especially love because they are funny, and they seem to improvise a lot more. It's like a radio show, KNITTING RELATED! very cool.

David Ready is also fun because he's got an accent. This is not the only reason I like him. (he's from Australia) but also because he has good insights into the knitting world. Because he is a male knitter, he reveals things about knitting that are sometimes hard to see if you are female. I know it sounds prejudiced, but it's not. It's very interesting. and cool. and he's fun to listen to. He has info and songs and interviews, and a wonderfully peaceful voice, whereas Lime and violet? they are kind of loud. this does not mean that I've actually fallen into a small slumber listening to them: only because I've been exceedingly tired.

anyway, I am glad I've been able to get back to the podcasts. It will be nice to listen to stuff for fun again. All this audio is really good for my knitting.

Currently, I'm working on my Clapotis for Emily (shh, don't tell her) my cousin. She doesn't know. Plus, it doesn't look like much right now.

As for the upcoming and on-the-needles projects, I want to make fingerless lacy gloves up to my elbow from the leftover yarn used for Becca's lacy rose socks (for her birthday, already wrapped. sorry. I'll ask for pics to be sent to me when it is opened!), as well as the sweater vest for steepen. I'm rethinking this. first off, I have no idea if I will have enough yarn for this. Secondly, I thing that this will take forever and will make me sick with it's monotony of seed stitch. lastly, I think Socks would be great for him. Nice, Navy-blue socks. But the thing is, he disdains the fact that I knit socks. Like it's the worst gift one could get! how does one knit for that kind of person? well, I don't think I will. I'll knit him socks for Christmas, but that's it. And only then, those are backup socks, in case he changes his mind. But if he doesn't want it, I'm not sure I'll knit it. Plus I really want the yarn for a cabled yoke pullover that I've had my eye on. I want to design one of my own, one a little less complex, but very nice nonetheless. I need a nice pullover, to wear when I am frigid.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Sock summit

2009-08-18T14:54:00.000-07:00

So, I know I've not been posting as much, which is strange since Summer should up the anti on anything blog related, what with all the time I'm supposed to have. and I certainly have not made this year's resolution (for those long-time readers who remember my oath I swore in January) of posting pics with every post. but this is going to make up for it.

Turns out, the week before last, the Sock Summit took place. For those who don't know, it's bascially a sock-learning, sock-loving, sock obessive convention. It took place at the Convention center in portland, and of course I knew about it. But, I thought it was bascially a bunch of classes. I had no idea there was a MARKET! Of course, I find this out only on Saturday. Typical. And from a non-portland resident, but a portlander, Brenda Dayne of Cast on podcast! (Ta da!)

So, I biked down, paid the admission, and spent abotu $100 bucks at this place. (sigh) Here is what I bought: Skein of yarn for my pen-pal from Blue moon (it looked like the hawthorne bridge and the wallamette river at night), Monkey colorway sock yarn for my dad for Christmas, Dpn (double-pointed-needles, for you muggles) carrier, a walk-and-knit triangular bag (it's brown with teeny white polka-dots) and a ginormicous bag full of purple washable worsted weight baby alpaca (holy cow! See the pic below of the bin where I found my yarn). The portrait below is of the woman who gave me a discount, because I expressed my concern for spending so much money when I'm going away to college. She gave me a $5 off discount and a free book! I couldn't refuse, though I think I might regret that buy, or any other, when I have to fish out money to pay for the outrageously expensive college books.

The bigges thing I experienced there was when I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the Yarn Harlot (by day known as Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.) For those who don't know, I got back into knitting because of her. She is my inspiration. Plus, I have no idea how to act around celebrities. I finally got the guts to thank her for her inspiration just as I was walking out the door, and I think she kind of looked at me like I was crazy, as I didn't make eye contact since I was so shy, and spoke so fast she probably understood half of it. Plus I'm sure she was exhausted. After all, she's one of the main people who organized the Sock summit, and who organizes it every year. I was completely unsettled by her presence, and I really wish I could have gone with a knitting freind. (any volunteers?)

Most of the vendors were of yarn and needles and spinning wheels and drop spindles, but a few, like the walk-and-knit bag place, seen below, as well as a clog vendor and a few others that I forget, didn't sell yarn, but things for knitters. (clogs apparently show off socks really well. I'll stick to my black mary-janes.)

Lastly, here's the Sock museum, going from modern socks to the past. I took pictures of most, and posted most of those (Lost some to the blogger site! my bad!) Enjoy!

Ciao for now,

Cimorine

Should I quit?

2009-08-16T16:56:00.001-07:00

I may have written this kind of post before, but I think I should quit blogging about knitting. especially since holiday hell is nearly upon me, and I'll need all my spare time to knit, especially in college. If you do not think I should quit, say so, and say why.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Birthday and Christmas rush coming up soon

2009-07-31T15:41:00.000-07:00

I Am Poor! Seriously. Mom and Dad say that now that I'm going to be a college student, I need to start living like I am on less than minimum wage. . .. haha! I already am! But seriously.

Seeing as my Bank account number is dropping rapidly, I don't think I'll be able to pay for any yarn AT ALL this year, for any birthday or Christmas present. (Not that that little fact stopped me yesterday. We went out to downtown Joseph and got some hand spun/handyed yarn for my cousin's socks. Delightful!) This poses a problem, seeing as not only are 5 out of the 8 people in my family born in the Fall/Winter, around the same time, but that is also the CHRISTMAS SEASON!!! How on earth will I survive????

Well, after some stress and frantic wondering, pondering, and planning, I have a rough idea for what I'm going to do for everyone's birthday and Christmas present.

The first one to come along is my cousin, the one for whom I bought the yarn. She is getting mohair/wool socks. Lucky.

Next in line is Peter. He's 2 days after her. I don't know what I'll do, but I'm hoping I can make him socks with the yarn left over from Grandpa's mittens. If not, I'll have to make him blue socks or something. or maybe some mittens, too.

Becca is next. She gets either pinky-fuzzy socks or something from my stash, which I can't quite look at, seeing as I'm still at my Grandparents' house.

Stephen is getting a seed-stitch navy blue sweater vest. and he WILL wear it, if it kills him!

Emily (other cousin) is getting a white Clapotis, which might become a Christmas gift because her b-day is in December.

And then . . . . (drum roll) the Christmas rush!!!!

here's the list:
Dad: blue socks with cables
Mom: wine/green colored scarf OR tan animal felted hot pads. (what animals are tan?)
Me: possibly no yarn. I'll have to use the iron to permanent press it in everyone's head that I ONLY want yarn.
Stephen: blue socks with cables
Mary: grey rug-yarn scarf with a single cable. it'll be cool!
Becca: if her B-day present wasn't the pinky-fuzzy socks, this will be! and if not, possibly the wine/green colored scarf.
Teresa: fun-yarn shawl
Peter: Blue cabled socks.

So, as you can see, I have at least 3 people who will be getting blue cabled socks. this is because I have over 1000 yards of beautiful vintage wool, which I want to use for a sweater, but since I must be poor, I shall have to use it.

Unless . . . .

Aunt Clara is going to be sending me money for yarn . . . . I shall have to wait and see to hear what she really wants me to use it on (I suspect Mohair, but dad and Stephen and Peter probably won't like that because they are boys, and boys usually don't like fuzzy stuff. Manly Cables!

So, that's my list. (whimper) I shall have to work on it soon, but I don't know how I'll do it, seeing as I still have that darned tank top on the needles, waiting for me, as well as Grandpa's mittens (finished Grandma's today) and SOMETHING for my Choir teacher, Anna song. maybe a scarf? white, with the music symbol on it . . . I have no idea!!! I shall have to look at my stash long and hard when I get home . . . .

Ciao for now,
Cimorne

Darkwing duck socks progress, Grandma's mittens, and two traveling scarves

2009-07-25T20:14:00.000-07:00

First off, I have cast off the first DWD sock, and am currently working on the foot of the next. It's slow, but I think I'm almost to the heel. (and I am, again, sorry that I could not provide pics. but as it seems that no one really minds, I shall continue, because being as busy as I am, it's hard to post pics all the time for me.) I am going to embroider anything on it, and then I will take pics, because I have to update it for Ravelry anyway.

As for the mittens, I'll be working on them on the backpacking trip that we're going on on Monday or Tuesday. It's a long trek, and I think it's a little bit futile, but sorta fun. I do it mostly so my dad won't get mad at me and throw up his hands in despair, but whatever.

I've also found the teal green yarn for Grandpa's mittens, but sadly, I do not understand the pattern. (I don't know that I would understand many of Zimmerman's patterns unless someone explained them to me, or she wrote a diagram.) That project will have to wait until the next Knit night, which should be in August. (sigh) that is around the time that we will be coming home.

And of course, I got two scarves to work on the day before I left. I believe I have told you about the traveling scarves before, but let me remind you.

Ever heard of the Sisterhood of the traveling pants? well, if you haven't, it's a story about 4 girls that have spent every summer and most of their lives (they're 16) together. This is the first summer almost all of them will be away. and before they leave, they find a pair of jeans that magically fit them all, regardless of their size or height. So, they agree to send the pants to each other, and write about what happens to the during the times when they are wearing the pants.

This is the same principal applied to knitting. We are the Sisterhood of the traveling scarves. We each make a square of about 4 inches, and send it to the person next in line (we make a circle, so the owner's scarf will get back to her eventually), and we write about what happens to us when we knit the scarves, etc. So, I got two scarves, and the first I knit while being extremely nervous about college, as I was visiting the campus of the place I'll go next year.

The next one I'm trying to work on at my Grandparent's house, since I'm getting bored with the DWD socks. That's all for now. If I survive the Backpacking, then

Ciao for now,
Cimorine.

PS. if I don't, fellow knitters are welcome to my stash, fellow readers to my library, and bury me with my laptop.

sweater ideas are sprouting, and progress on the socks

2009-07-20T09:05:00.001-07:00

Well, first off, before I say anything mentioned in the title, Teresa's slippers are finished, and have only to be wrapped. They need the bottom part, but I cannot wait for that. I suppose I shall have to use the glue gun, though I'd rather have a slipper bottom on it. She is very excited about her present, mostly because she does not know what it is. Hopefully, she won't be too disappointed.

As for the sweater, I think I might make a militia coat. It is double-buttons, goes around to the thigh, and I think I can afford to use up all the yarn for it. (hopefully) I have 1400 yards of yarn, and I pray that this is enough. White and blue will add nicely to it, making it look like a rather dashing revolutionary officer. I can hardly wait to get started!

The Darkwing Duck socks are going well. I just finished the heel yesterday, as well as the first D on it. (It will have DWD going down on the front) But I worry that this is too much color work for me to not have second-sock syndrome. I've found a way to avoid second-sock syndrome: all one needs to do is keep one's patterns simple. this might seem easy. but it's not. Especially when Darkwing Duck socks are at stake. So, I have decided to make a pledge:

I, Cimorine, hereby pledge to make the second sock of the Darkwing duck pair if it kills me, and should I ever obtain second-sock syndrome, I promise to place the sock aside for a while, then pick it up again and try it. Amen.

Sadly, I still cannot find the teal-green-grey yarn for my Grandpa's mittens, so I suppose I shall have to go buy him more. (sigh) I love Grandpa, but I really am spending money like a drunken sailor, and I want to be able to get on with it. After all, Birthday season is coming up fast. (it starts with Teresa's birthday, and grows steadily more intense as we pass my birthday, and then slows down by the time we reach Mary's birthday). I really want to knit socks for everyone, too. But that might have to wait. I'll probably make Mary a purse or a scarf with the bulky yarn I got along with the other booty found at Goodwill.

the knitting mojo is going strong, thank heavens, and I only hope it stays that way through the rest of the birthday season. the worst part of the Birthday season is the fact that it's around Christmas. I think I might make socks for every one's birthday, or scarves. Stephen is going to get socks for his birthday and a sweater vest for Christmas, and I hope he wears it.

Finally fixed mom's birthday gift, using a ribbon to keep the darn thing on her shoulders. It looks great, and she wore it all day yesterday.

Well, that's pretty much it for today.
Ciao for Now,
Cimorine

felted clogs on the way

2009-07-10T22:09:00.000-07:00

So, OK, I'm making felted clogs for Teresa for her birthday. But there's a problem. I don't understand the pattern! It had me make 2 soles, an inner and an outer, so does that mean inner as the center vs. the outer ring, or does that mean inner as in inside the slipper? I have no idea what to do. Good thing her birthday's not for another 2 weeks. (it's on the 28th.) I'll get help from the LYS (local yarn store).

I am truely sorry for no pics today, and I know I promised not to do this as my new-year's resolution, but oh well. I'm in-between computers, so I feel I'm justified.

update on the laptop, it's in china. drat. my printer got here, and so did my mouse. But the problem is, I don't WANT the mouse or the printer, I want the COMPUTER. I mean, it's like buying a car, and getting the wheels and the gas before the actual car. what's the point? I've asked dad several times, to the point of his impatience, and he says that since the thing is "custom made," it's gonna take a while to get here. oh well. I can still use this computer, right?

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Knitting mittens, planning for socks, and ansticipating

2009-07-08T07:51:00.000-07:00

First off, I'm working on mittens for my Grandma. I've got most of the first mitten done, just need to do the top and the thumb.

I cannot find Grandpa's ball of teal-green yarn anywhere! and I got the pattern now, too! darnit!

Teresa wants socks, and my mom wants thick slipper-socks for her, so I need to buy the yarn today, in order to finish them by her birthday.

and finally, I'm waiting impatiently for my laptop. I've been evicted out of my room, and am currently sharing a room with my sisters. and sharing the computer with most of the family. Rats.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

the 4th of july, and the knitting that came with it

2009-07-04T23:07:00.000-07:00

normally, it wouldn't take me this long to finish a darn pair of socks. But I ran out of yarn, so something had to be done. Knitting happened today as follows;

Morning: ripped back the finished sock, got purple yarn for the other sock.

Afternoon: split the yarn in half (by measuring it) and knit both socks evenly with purple.

Evening: Knit the frill with pink, run out of pink, rip back and start again.

Nighttime: try to cast off one sock (finally) with pink yarn in the dark with 5 dropped stitches.

I didn't have a very peaceful knitting day. The only time I really enjoyed myself was when we went to a party, and we talked about several things. I feel like my dad doesn't think I can carry a conversation, and I felt like I talked too much myself. I had a bad day because I'm moving out of my wonderful, glorious room, to my sister's small, hot, cramped, ugly one. oh yippee.

And so I was exceedingly grumpy and rude today, and probably committed at least 20 sins today. and was inevitably follows is depression. so, I'm depressed. hopefully some knitting and reading will take my mind off the fact that soon I'll be leaving my family.

ciao for now,
Cimorine

SOCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

O. my. gosh. I've learned how to turn a heel! I'm sooooooo excited!

OK, let me slow down. first off, sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I have a growing list of knitting, and a list of Jane Austen books as well. I think I will be put off Jane Austen after this month, because it took me forever to finish Emma, and now I have to start in on Sense and Sensibilities. I think I need to make a schedual for each day, where I knit a little and read a little, because I will not get 3 projects done by the end of the month otherwise. Projects for this summer:

my ribbed ribbon tank top
Grandma's mittens
Grandpa's mittens.
choir teacher's mittens
Teresa's birthday socks
my frilly simple first socks.

I spent a whole day, Thurseday, to be exact, knitting up a sock. and I cast it off yeasterday . .. no, 2 days ago, since it's now 1:05 AM Saturday (happy fourth!).

To answer the impending questions, yes, I am up at 1. no, I was not doing something super useful or important. I am burning the midnight oil, as they used to say, for socks. I know.

Before this, and I think I have mentioned it before, I would have NEVER knit socks at all, much less at 1 in the morning! you must be wondering, what the heck did they feed Cimorine at knit night?

no drugs, I promise. I didn't even buy anything this time. :)

No, the secret of the heel was revealed to me through a book about toe-up socks. and since I love toe-ups, and will most likely knit nothing else for the rest of my life, I picked it up and started to read (wisely avoiding my knitting project, for I doubt that it is doing anything but distracting me from the mittens!).

I was amazed at how simple heels could be! turns out, I was struggling to learn a completely different heel. Granted, this heel apparently is better because the heel doesn't wear think, as in the simple version, but I talked to a fellow knitter, who also helped me figure it out (she's making an awesome pattern for a sock, and I so want to knit it when the patt is out!) said that she makes all her heels/toes garter stitch instead of stockinette, and she and her husband never wear through their socks. So, garterstich heels are the secret to knitting heels.

so, as a tribute to my newfound knowledge, I began socks using a spare skein of purple wool. I finished the first sock, as I said, 2 days ago, and I am working on the second one last night/this morning, while listening to Lime and Violet podcast, because they are big sock knitters.

And guess what? I ran out of yarn. Oh foo. I swear I have half of the skein split, because I remember vaguely trying to knit socks with this yarn before, and I split them to work on both at the same time, and I think the other half when to my cousin. I scanned my mini-stash, didn't find it, and now I have an unfinished sock. I really want to finish it soon, because I feel these extra projects are just getting in my way. I've changed grandma's mittens to the mitred, so that I can work on them quicker, but I also need to do Grandpa's, and Teresa's birthday gift.

Also, it was boiling hot today, and I took everyone out to fountains in downtown, and we were all exhausted by the time we reached home. I'm gonna go to bed now. wish me luck in getting that darned sock yarn back from my cousin . . . ..

ciao for now,
Cimorine

Returning

2009-06-27T12:30:00.000-07:00

Well, I've returned. here are some pics pertaining to camp:

the girls most commonly seen are my lovely red jaguars. we had legends of the hidden temple as our theme this year, and it worked out pretty well. I was able to keep my wonderful yarn as well, and keep working on my tank top. take a look!

ciao for now,

Cimorine

Leaving, and possibly change of name in college

2009-06-22T10:37:00.000-07:00

OK, first off, I'm leaving for camp. I'm a counselor at a little camp called Opus dei camp. for all those who don't know Latin, "opus dei" means "work of God." Opus dei is a small lay Catholic society, started by St. Josemaria Escriva. (he was Spanish) For those who might believe what the Divinci Code might have led you to believe, Opus dei is NOT an organization of malicious ideas etc. Actually, it's probably the quietest organization, because all it's made up of, apart from priests to lead the way (to make sure they people in it aren't on a path different from the Catholic church's) it's made up of married and single men and women. the camp was started mainly by the women, so it's an all-girls camp. I think they're trying to get a boy's camp too, but I'm not sure.

anyway, that's my long explanation. My mom's part of Opus dei, as is my dad, and so I am involved a little as well because of it. It's really a great camp, quite like most bible camps, except we read Catechism as well as the bible, and we have cool games to play all through the camp week. (I still say it should go to Saturday, because 4 days just isn't enough!)

Sorry, spewing words again. the camp will not keep me from knitting, so I'm bringing my camera to let you in on all the things that I will do at camp. :) including the knitting club!!!!! I'll keep you updated, I promise!

and the second thing in this post is that I might be changing the name again (sorry, Cold soul) when fall returns. Because I'll be starting college, so I think the blog should change with my aging. I don't like the idea of getting a new one, so I won't. I know why my little blurb about the blog will be, (something about me being a college knitter, but I won't spoil the surprise!) But I don't know the title quite yet. College knitter might be good, or the cowgirl yarngirl, or the farm-knitter, or something of the like. I'll think on it over summer. for now, BRING ON THE SUN, THE RELAXATION, AND THE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Picture update, explination, and the many projects I plan on doing this summer and for college

2009-06-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

OK, first off, I'm sorry I haven't posted many pics these past few weeeks, but my camera broke. I just recently got a new one (the one I bought, then gave to my sister when I found my lost one) anyway, Here are some pics of all the things I've been working on lately, and one special, important think I finished in the nick of time!

First off, for those who want to know, Here's my mothers' birthday present:

Gorgeous, isn't it? It looks a little like a child's sun-dress, but don't worry, it streatches out quite nicely. I need to pick up the stitches around the neck and make the neck a little smaller, because mom doesn't like how low it is. but, other than that, it's good. she LOVES the design, which is great! :)

the next is that seed-vest for my brother.

I think it'll suit him well as a birthday gift . . . . whether he wants it or not! :)

and the last, but not least, is my YAAAAAAAAAAARN CRAVING!!!!

This is going to be a tank-top for myself, and I can hardly wait! :)

OK, those are the things on my needles right now that I'm focusing on. For the future, well, I think I may have a problem. Here are all the things I want to knit, some with deadlines as early as the 1st of August:

Norwegian mittens for Grandma

Mystery mittens for Grandpa

Mitred Mittens for Anna song (with a G cleff on each mitten)

the Great American Afghan (for a college project!)

and The Pi are square shawl

these are a bunch of things I want to knit. I need to make the mittens, all three, before the end of summer, and the afghan and the shawl can wait. But I want to buy all the yarn for the afghan, and I'm hoping that I can. I got a bunch of money not only from graduation, but also from my job that I started this week!

hooray!

ciao for now,

Cimorine

I'M DONE!!!! yay! what's next . . .

2009-06-11T22:40:00.000-07:00

hooray! let out the balloons! let the streamers fly! I finished my mom's b-day present, and I asked my Aunt Diane, who is good at fashion, and she says that Mom will be able to wear it in public proudly. Hooray! Because, for you muggles, that's what knitters worry about. It is the worst thing ever to make someone something, and then have them never, ever wear it. It sucks. It's like a slap to your face. well, anyway, it's done, it's beautiful, I'll wrap it tomorrow, it's gonna be washed (because of 3 stains that lay within it's knitted folds), and it'll be the best birthday gift ever!

now, as for what's next . . . I'm waiting for money to grow on the utterly useless hedge in the backyard, but since that doesn't seem to be working, I can't buy my lovely yarn for my knitted tank, so I'll be knitting my tall younger brother a sweater vest for next year! It'll be navy, in seed stitch, and I pray he'll love it! I've gotten gauge, and I can hardly believe it . . . almost every time I used size 8 needles, no matter the yarn, the gauge always seems to be 4" per 20 stitches! how cool! anyway, I've got that now. Luckily, his birthday isn't until November, so I have all the time in the world to do 22" and more of seed stitch . . . oh boy.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Nearly DONE!!! and with her birthday only a few days left!

2009-06-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

OH MY GOSH!!! AAAAAHHHHHH!!! I'm nearly done! yippee! hooray! raise the banners, loose the balloons! I've got a sleeve to do, only a few inches, 2" tops, and then sew it, weave in those annoying tails of yarn, get out the 2 spots that happened (tragically!) to the white beauty, and put it in the box! OhboyOhboyOhboy Ohboy Ohboy Ohboy Ohboy!!!!! I'm excited! my camera, tragically, isn't working, or else I'd show you. But I can tell you all about it: it has 3 complex cables on the front, and one on the left side of the back (where the spots are), and it's pure white with shiny silk intertwined with acrylic-silk blend. (I'm pretty sure that's what it is, but I don't know) the sleeves will end up making a boat-neck for the collar, and I hope mom wears it, though it be a little young and spry for her. But, hopefully, with all the stuff I got going the rest of the week, what with shopping with my Godmother, taking her out to tea, graduation, baccalaureate mass, graduation and choir parties, etc, etc, etc . . . I think I'll definitely have to finish it by tomorrow, so I can sew it.

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Happy Anniversary!

2009-06-07T21:13:00.001-07:00

Oh my gosh! I can't believe it! It's been a year since this blog has started. . . meaning it's been about a 1 1/2 years since I started knitting other things besides garter-stitch cloths. The whole reason I started a blog was to put it on Ravelry. I'm not gonna lie, that's really what it was about, at first. If you read my early posts, they are angsty, grumpy, and all-around not-fun to read. I changed the blog around September, I think, and this resulted (along with re-meeting Cold Soul) in more people following my blog. Thank you, everyone, who follows this humble blog, and Thanks for being there for me. :) I'm thinking, because it is a special occasion, of changing my blog name for the next year. Because Knit-twit sounds a little iffy to me now, especially with a hook like "How knitting controls my life." Cold Soul suggested renaming it "the Chronicles of Yarnia." I think I'll do that, but I will change the hook as well.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I cast off the front and back of the sweater for mom, and all I need to do are the sleeves, now. I'm excited! I think I WILL actually be able to finish this project after all! How wonderful! Also, I got a third piercing today on my right ear. Yippee! I'm now hip! (sort of)

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Sock Blank Crisis, update on Mom's sweater, and Tank-top craving nearly fulfilled

2009-06-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

Socks. Ah, the unsolvable puzzle. The headache of the ages. The best way to make oneself ill. Well, at least for me. I remember how to make socks, sort of. It's just, I can't get my mind around it. Maybe it's a mental block? maybe it's just the fact that that last time I knit something remotely sock-like, I turned the heel, and Afterwards I felt like I had just done a marathon. Why does it feel like that??? Anyway, I fear socks with a deathly, crazy, irrational fear. I have sockophobia. And what's worse, I have a sock blank. Sh#t.

I didn't ask for a sock blank. I just won a knitting contest on Ravelry, and my prize? A nice magazine, and a stupid SOCK BLANK!!! The ONE thing that I can't knit. (sigh) So, right now, I'm trying to decide what to do with it.

Why am I even trying, you ask? well, it's because Mom's sweater has gotten so dull and tiring, that I really don't want to do it anymore. Of course, however, I must, because mom's birthday is in less than a week . . . darn it! I have to finish off the neck, which, while seemingly an easy task, is actually quite hard, because I have a heck of a lot of stitches to decrease. I might just take the neck and cast it off, and then work on the sleeves . . . I have no idea! It's just seeming so impossible right now! Augh!

Since this is such a hard project to finish, I've also been getting cravings. If you read the last post, you know what I mean. Today, I found out how much I'll need to buy the yarn for my tank top. It's a lovely yarn, and I cannot wait until I get the materials to do it! I can just see it, settling around me, as I'm taking the kids out to parks, fountains, the zoo, anywhere! how exciting! Now if I can just get the money . . .

Ciao for now,

Cimorine

Last-day-of-school-yarn-craving

2009-06-04T13:44:00.000-07:00

Oh. My. Gosh. I have SUCH a yarn craving, i just had to tell you about it! I saw this yarn last Wednesday in the 40% off bin, and it was soooo nice, and soft, and lush . . . . ahhhhhhhh. ecstasy. I really, really want to knit a lovely camisol with it, simple, ribbed, long, classic. one that will be comfortable to wear, but one that looks good on me. I'd go out and buy this yarn but for one thing: I can't get there in time to be back for a stupid rehersal!!!!! (hold On) . . . .

Knitting Podcasts again, and a few new ones that I like

2009-06-01T20:15:00.001-07:00

Hey! Well, first, as promised, my knitting project, previously mentioned in the last post:

The one on the Left is the full sweater, joined with the sleeves, seen on the right, just today! I had to lift my blinds for the full body pic, because it's getting dark out, and also because the clouds from the thunderstorm are blocking the lovely light we've been having for the past few days. I have to say, it's nice to have warm weather!

Right! now that that's done, I can get to the Podcasts. I don't know if you know, and I think you do, but I am terribly fond of knitting podcasts. However, it's hard for me to find knitting podcasts that are continued, not just short-period ones, and even harder to find, among that small group, a list of good ones. I listened to almost all of Cast On's podcasts, and I have been on the rise for new ones ever since.

Note: Cast On is a podcast by Brenda Dayne, a Portlander who lives in England with her partner. I like her a lot, except that she is gay. I don't agree with that, but this really isn't a blog about my views on politics. Anyway, what I really don't like is when her podcasts involve a lot more talking than music. Her first episodes, up until around her 60th episodes, were very good. I liked, most of all, the addition of a daily sweater. She'd play a song (one dedicated to Mr. Rogers), and she'd introduce the sweater, and it's back story. She had many, many sweaters, but, of course, she had to run out.

So, now, she only does sweaters periodically, and without the song. Which is awful, because I really liked the song, and I think that it would add something to her podcast if she played it. Like the theme song of a show that is hardly ever on TV anymore. It excites you for what's coming next. Also, her newer podcasts include a lot of talking, and interviews. Those are ok, but I liked it better when she could play at least 5 songs per podcast, when it was more of a radio show than a talk podcast.

In any case, I've been on the rise for new podcasts, and I think I've found some. This may not seem like a simple task, except that no one makes a podcast like Brenda Dayne. What I really wanted was something that was very much like her. They recorded often, they talking mostly about knitting, they had good songs, and their sound quality was good. Well, I took out the song thing, because people just don't do that in the podcast world. But I've finally found two that I think I might really enjoy.

These podcasts are : Sticks and String, and cogKNITive podcast. Sticks and string is by an Australian man, and surprisingly enough, I like him. Normally, I don't like men hosting knitting podcasts. I don't know why, I just don't. But this guy, David Reidy, is intelligent and nice and just has a gentle masculine feel about him, which is what I like in a voice.

cogKNITive is a podcast intertwining knitting and psychology. I think this one might just be good for me, since I'm sort of a pessimist lately (knowledge courtesy of my mother) and I think I need to learn to be a little more optimistic. Intertwining it with knitting will help me accept the advice more readily.

So, those are the new podcasts. My knitting project for mom is speeding along, and I do believe I'll have it done by her birthday! yippee!

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

progress on the White Birthday Sweater for Mom

2009-06-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

YAY! I'm baaaaaack! Sorry for the long wait, everyone. It was hard! I had to read so. much. Pimpernel! But, now that May is over, and June is upon us, I can go back to commentating on Knit-twit, and prooving my case that knitting controls my life.

now that we have the intro done, let's get on with the knitting!! OK, I KNOW I said I'd work on putting at least 1 pic per post, but right now, I have no pics that show the progress on my sweater for mom! Mom's birthday is this month, a day after my Graduation, so I need to work fast and furious. I finally finished the two sleeves, and they look great. I'm going to attach them to the body of the sweater when I get home, and then I'll work on it until it is done. I'm probably just going to end in ribbing, to make the sweater less complicated, followed by a k1 p1 rib especially for the neck boarder. Then, I'll cast off, and by jingo, I can get to those soft . . . . luscious . . . pure white booties for my aunt's baby. And I think I might make a second pair.

And, after I finish those incredibly short projects, I'll get to work on measuring and making Stephen's sweater vest. Mom wants him to have a seed-stitch pullover vest to go with his dress code for school (we dress like new-yorkers in the business area of NYC). I have all that wonderful navy blue yarn in there, and I can't stand it!

Also, a tank-top is a long-awaited project. I found the perfect yarn on sale at the yarn store, and If I could figure out how to work the 2 colors in, I think I can make myself a tank-top.

In other news, I'm going to be teaching knitting at a camp where I'll be a counselor. I have three projects lined up: the zimmer-mittens, the type that my friends' orange ones are made of, a drawstring bag, which I'll show you as soon as I can get my camera, and a simple, fun-fur yarn purse, garter stitch, knit in a strip and sew together with a darning needle, and completed with a button (one need not make a button hole for things like fun fur yarn). They are in levels of difficulty, listed from hardest to easiest here. what do you think? do you think that a drawstring bag should be fine? do you think the mittens aren't that hard? Do you think the girls that came to last-years' camp will come this year?

Ciao for now (or until I can get to my camera)

Cimorine

Anyway . . .

2009-05-13T22:16:00.000-07:00

OK, I realized I didn't really explain why I needed to put knitting to the side, just that i needed to. The reason is that I'm working on a time-consuming book list, and I've got to finish at least 3 books before the month is up. Unfortunately, this means knitting will be seldom. I wanted to tell you, just so if anyone was wondering why I wasn't posting as often. I want to make sure that you know, so you don't have to freak out. :)

So, here's the mittens:
I really like them, too. They're just long enough, so that they look elegant, but not too elegant. I think I want to knit myself a pair of white gloves for my wedding now!

I will try to keep you updated more in Summer, seeing as I'll have plenty of time. For now, check out my other blog for "updates" about the book thing. The other blog is called "12 books a year."

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Knitting may have to be put to the wayside

2009-05-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

I dunno, I think I'm gonna have to place knitting on the side. I Know, it's awful! but, enough with the drama. I have been working on the mittens (somewhat guiltily, but a lot less than I feel I should be feeling!) for my friend, and they are going beautifully! I finished the first one on Sunday, and even started the second one! The first one is perfect, too. If only I can repeat that . . . . . I'll have to go along with the exact measurements, and I think it also worked because I actually knit the thumb longer, and waited to cast off when there were 10 stitches. I'll try and post some pics for you guys because I'm at school right now, and have no access to the camera. I'll post more later.

Ciao for now, Cimorine.

PS sorry about the last post, guys, I kinda freaked out. :)

Trapped with spinach, and the promise of desert!

2009-05-06T22:24:00.000-07:00

I thank you all for your comments. And I really do want to move on. It's just that I can't stand procrastination. I feel I can't rip back because it's so much work that I've done, I feel like it's hard to go on (only when I'm not knitting it, though. strange.) and I feel that if I procrastinate, it'll never get done!

As you might know, I am going to College in the fall, and God only knows if I'll have enough time to knit, much less blog. (I hope I can still keep it open, and I'll let you in on the details when we come to that bridge, but for now . . . .) I don't think I'll be much into complex cables.

No, I think this sweater must be done. It's like eating raw spinach. It's unpleasant, but good for you. besides, once I "eat my veggies," I can get onto the desert, mainly the booties. :) among other things! ( at least 3 pairs of mittens, plus a sweater vest, and maybe even a shawl and some socks) ahh, I did always like desert best!

Avoiding the problem

2009-05-03T11:36:00.000-07:00

I swore to myself that I'd finish that darn shirt. Mom's little shirt, with the cables. And I know it's a Birthday gift. But I'm just so afraid that the darn thing will turn out bad, and my mother will say, "Oh. Um, thank you Cimorine." and She won't like it, and I'll end up never seeing it on her. Ugh, how awful! If you know a knitter, the best way you can hurt him/her is to never wear what they knit for you. Because who wants to make something that no one will wear?

OK, knitting artists do that, but I don't personally consider them real knitters, because if they were, they'd realize that they don't need to knit something to hang up on the wall for it to be art. The best kind of art is the kind you can use. True knitted art is the kind that is used, loved, and admired while it's being worn.

Anyway, I've been avoiding the cabled-ribbed sweater, and I've been sneaking in the following projects:

my friend's mittens, which are a joy to knit, thanks to EZ (Elizabeth Zimmermann).

Angora booties for my expecting aunt. These are particularly hard not to knit, because not only is the project short but the yarn . . . it's like knitting with delicate cloud. Knitting the swatch was so enjoyable! The booties also gave me the idea that I really should knit a swatch for each of my projects, and I can have a swatch blanket. I still need to get back the squares I made for Spanish class.

It doesn't help that I have nearly $30 in store credit at a local yarn store. I bought the Knitter's Almanac finally, and now I can make mittens for Grandma and Grandpa for their 50th anniversary this October.

Ugh! all these short projects that are so enticing! But I need to get that shirt done before the end of the month, because I doubt I'll have time to knit while studying for finals in June! and her birthday is right after my graduation!!!!

okay, don't panic. breathe . . . . .

Any encouraging words? I really need some help with this. Maybe a psychiatrist would help . . .

"So, vat is zee problem, miz, erm, zimorine?"
"Well, doctor, I have this problem. I keep avoiding this sweater and I keep knitting other things, like booties and mittens."
"Hmm. Tell me more."
"Well, when I want to work on the sweater, I just drift to the mittens or those booties . . . those glorious booties . . ."
"ya, ya, how long have you been having zis dream?"
"wha- It's not a dream!"
"ah, it feels like it is very real, no?"
"No, it actually happens!"
"Ah, so you feel zat zis dream is reflecting the avoiding zat is done in your life. Has anythink happened lately zat is troubling you?"
"well, I am going to college, but that's not what I-"
"Ah, yes, you are clearly avoiding zee problem of going to college. vell, you must face your fear of entering college, and go apply-"
"Doctor! I've ALREADY been accepted to a University! and I got a SCHOLARSHIP and . . . wait, this isn't what I'm having a problem with . . ."

Hmm, maybe a psychiatrist isn't such a good idea after all . . . . .

I WON!!!

2009-05-01T20:50:00.000-07:00

Guess what? I entered a contest online, and I won! well, sort of. I got second place. I won a cool magazine with really neat patterns from Interweave press, and a sock blank. I have no idea what a sock blank is, but I hope I'll be able to use it, because I really can't knit socks. Oh well. More details later!

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

February is born

2009-04-25T01:19:00.000-07:00

Isn't she just the cutest thing? just like her daddy-o. same buttons and everything. that little gold one is from MY side of the family. I'll try to show a pic of my little sis wearing my little girl, but for now, here are some pics:

Manon holding his little girl

the little kid on the incubation table (aka the dining room table)

the little one on the couch, (sleeping, of course!)

ciao for now,
Cimorine (and family!)

My baby: How she's SO much like her father!

2009-04-24T14:42:00.000-07:00

You remember little February? (The February baby sweater, by Elizabeth Zimmerman. Manon and I decided to name her February.) Well, she's JUST LIKE HER FATHER!!! augh, what a kid. However, she's not as bad as Manon, because, most likely, she's not as old. I'm sorry I can't post a pic of her, a RECENT pic of her, but I figure that when I'm going into knitting labor (Meaning I'm casting off) It's not the prettiest sight. Labor has been going on since at least a week ago. Long time to be in labor. At one point, I was worried this baby o' mine would NEVER be done!

But today was different. Today, I felt that she would be cast off. and I would cradle her in my arms whilst cleaning her up (snipping off the umbilical cord, aka the tail of yarn, and snipping off the other strands of her), and guess what. That kid actually ran out of yarn! JUST LIKE HER FATHER!!!!

well, I suppose all kids are like that. Just because she doesn't have enough yarn, doesn't mean I should blame her. I should blame MANON! Curses.

Well, I reason that I've always wanted to have a home birth. When we get home, I'll make sure to take a strand of that other skein (which I'm going to return. Yes. I'm cheap. Unless I can find yarn that matches, I'll be sunk, and stuck with nearly 900 yards of yarn that I have no idea what to do with!).

Oh well. Back to life, back to more important things, like schoolwork . . . .
. . .
. . .
. .
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA! yeah right! Knitting IS my life! oh wait, I HAVE no life! hahahahahahah!

Yes, for all the newcomers, I am insane. Knitting controls my life. It's a fact. and I LOVE it. If you don't think that's insane, just look at previous posts regarding Manon and me. scandalous!

Ciao for now,
Cimorine

Nostalgia critic, seat cover, and progress on our baby

2009-04-18T20:52:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen Nostalgia critic, you gotta see him! He's hilarious! (though he has an awfully dirty mouth!) I was listening to him and watching YouTube videos all day (Yes, we've already established that I have no life. moving on . . .) and I decided once and for all to rip off that awful cover my mom has on my computer seat, and put on a knitted one.

I've long been pondering whether or not I should actually do it, because, well, I don't really want to. But now, I have no choice. I ripped off the carpet thing, which was frayed and falling off my seat, it was so bad, and without a cover the chair looks, quite frankly, butt ugly. muy feo. soooooo not fitting into the fung shue (how do you spell fung shwey?) of my room!

Not that the color I picked really fits with my turquoise room either, but it's better than that!

Anyway, so I've started one of those little projects that one doesn't really plan for, nor does one really want to do, but it must be done. Like my coaster:

. . .

. . .
. . .
Yeah, I don't do those kinds of projects often.

Anyway, Here's what's been done so far.

yeah it's big needles with double stranded acrylic yarn! so what? I can use junk, can't I?

And, of course, the last item on my list. The sweater. Our (mine and Manon's) baby! here she is! she's almost done! isn't she the cutest thing!

After that, I'm going to make her an uncle out of the fairy yarnmother yarn (who, by the way, might make another delivery in the future! yippiee!).

Ciao for now,

Cimorine

New Name?

2009-04-17T21:32:00.000-07:00

So, I've been surfing around, checking out the knitting blogs via Ravelry. And I notice that many have clever titles for their blogs. But mine is sort of cliche, and a little . . . .small. Do I need a new title? If so, what? I don't think "Knit-twit" really describes this blog at all. what do you think?

yarnian angel or the yarn fairy?

2009-04-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

I came home today from my school-job (goodwill, don't ask), and found that someone left me yarn. I recalled someone telling me they'd bring it, but I didn't remember who. Could it have possibly been my yarnian angel? or the yarn fairy?

Here's what she, whatever she was, left me:

And here is what she knit with it:

(look closely, and you can see that there are two different patterns on each side, which is not possible. She truely is magical!) It's enough to make a sweater! a nice one, too! I think the weight is just under DK, probably sport, but not thin enough for lace. I'm not sure. It's Italian, which explains the lack of information on the yarn. I'm lucky to even have the yardage. Man, I hate Italian yarn.

Anyway, I found out who my yarnian angel/yarn fairy is . . . but shhh, it's a secret. Maybe the yarnian angel/fairy will come to visit you, if you are very good . . . .

I'm Baaaaack!

2009-04-13T18:53:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I'm back! I'm sorry I've been gone, but hey, I was on vacation! Anyway, I want to present the beauty that is the rapidly growing sweater I worked on (but didn't finish, big surprise) throughout the triduum. Behold! Teresa's February kid-sweater!

Not bad, eh?

I loved working on it, even if the sleeves got me down until I actually memorized the lace pattern (who knew lace could be so simple?) and despite my first reaction to my mom's request.

"You should make one for my neighbor friend (who's really been kind to you) and one for your choir teacher (Anna song, who I've loved and babysat for) because they would look so good on them!"

Oh boy. two more sweaters, almost identical. I don't usually like to repeat things, because I like to move forward, but luckily, at least the color will be different, not to mention the sizes. I think I need to buy new needles, though.

Speaking of new needles, I've lost my size 10 circulars. Dang it. I LIKED them! and they were BRAND NEW! (sigh) what's a girl to do with her needles? I think I should really strap them to the ground, so they can't get away. Maybe they're under my computer (I saw them last next to my computer, so it's likely that they just fell down)

A new project is coming up. Well, a hibernating project is coming out of hibernation. And I'm not so sure I like it. I had a problem with my Mom's Christmas/birthday sweater, and I don't know what I'll do. I figure I have to start work by May, to have it done in time for her birthday, June 14th (a day after my graduation! Yippee!).

Let us hope that the accursed sweater does not rebel against me, and that I will not have to suppress an uprising of knitting. I could potentially loose my knitting Mojo, and then where would I be? I'm afraid, that in the dead of night, that sweater will cause my design sweater (the AMA sweater) to rebel against me, and in a fit of anger and outrage, I might yank all that hard work off the needles. (Gasp!)

Okay, Cimorine, keep it together. Breathe. in. out. (whoosh!) That's better. What am I thinking? I have Manon? fully finnished.

Speaking of which, Manon and I are going strong. I wore him as often as I could over the weekend, and was pleased to see that he didn't shrink in the wash (I knew he was washable, but hey, after that tan sweater (shudder) it was a relief!).

Ciao for now,

Cimorine.