What Finger Are You?

You Are the Thumb

You're unique and flexible. And you defy any category. Mentally strong and agile, you do things your own way. And you do them well. You are a natural leader... but also truly a loner. You inspire many but connect with few. You get along well with: The Middle Finger Stay away from: The Pinky

What Finger Are You?

I do get along well with the Middle Finger--HA!

*^%^$#!

Bayerische 2 Me 0

The Bayerische sock has been ripped out yet again because of a dropped stitch. This time I made it through all of chart D(16 pattern rows). It's the cable on charts A and C that is causing the problems. Next time I cast on I may actually make it to the heel--wouldn't that be exciting!

This is going to become an obsession for me I'll tell you right now. THIS SOCK WILL NOT BEAT ME!

I think I'm going to let the Bayerische marinate for a while and I'll do another sock in the meantime to boost my confidence.

EDITED TO ADD:
Thanks for the tip, Chris :)

Unexpected Finish(es)

Little Diva's school year is quickly winding to a close and one of the final things they are doing as a class is a classroom economy project. Each student had to come up with something or some service to sell this week in class(with play money). Diva and I decided we'd make bracelets.

So a trip to Micheal's was in order. We got some pony beads, some letter beads, and a ball of LB Microspun(Diva likes the way it feels). First, we made a bunch of bracelets in the traditional string them on and tie them off approach(with the first and last stitch crocheted in place by me for security). Then I was wracking my brain for something more stable for the few adults that will be victims of the classroom economy project(ie. teachers and class moms/dads). And I remembered an episode of Knitty Gritty were they made knitted rings. I have always wanted to knit with beads but I was reluctant to start with the ultra tiny gauge usually required, so I just upped the gauge quite a bit and came up with this:




The one above is my prototype as the large letter beads really were not working(because we'd need a million of them to get a decent letter selection). So I've made about 10 of the knitted bracelets(Diva takes special orders daily) and she's made about 13 of the "string them on" type(with my help on the crochet bits). I wish I had more than one to show but the others are at school.

It's a pretty fun bracelet that makes me want to try the rings :)

Stats:
Pattern: variation on the above linked Knitty Gritty episode
Yarn: LB Microspun in an off white color
Needles: size 5
Extras: a variety of pony beads
Thoughts: You need to cast on twice as many stitches as beads, because the beads are wider than the stitches and if you want them to be nicely spaced the extra stitches are a must(I learned that the hard way). For the kid size bracelets we used 12 beads/24 cast on and for the adult bracelets 20 beads(40 cast on). Although we're kind of adjusting the beads as we go along depending on who asks for what.

The Circle of Life

You scored as Mufasa. You are Mufasa! Independent, headstrong, courageous and wise, you are a person of principle. Your insight to life and past experiences (even if learned the hard way) have given you a unique ability to relate to others. You are well-respected and well thought of, but you'd never think of taking advantage of others' trust in you. Naturally out-going and personable, you have a knack of talking to people and finding commonality with them. Keep it up, you're the model friend!

Mufasa		64%
Simba		61%
Sarabi		57%
Nala		46%
Zazu		46%
Scar		46%
Timon		46%
Rafiki		43%
Ed		32%
Pumbaa		32%

Which Lion King Character Are You?
created with QuizFarm.com

I love The Lion King. I have so many memories associated with this movie. Disney World is one of my favorite vacation spots. I went there for the first time during Spring Break in college. The first time I went with DH(who was just a good friend at the time and it was after college), they were working on this movie. Touring the animation studio was amazing; I am in awe of the talent the animators have. Of course, after seeing them working on it, we had to go see it once it came out. And I have accumulated quite a bit of Lion King paraphrenalia. I had toyed with the idea of doing the nursery in Lion King stuff(way back in 1999 when I was pregnant with Little Diva), but I couldn't find any nursery Lion King stuff(shrugs).

Season Finales vs. Bayerische

This is a post for Wanda(and anyone else, but specifically Wanda). You see; I promised Wanda progress on my Bayerische sock by the next time I saw her. Well, I'm sure I'll see her this evening and I have a story for her beforehand :)

Last night I sat down on the couch with my Bayerische sock with the cuff done and I was ready to begin the charts for the leg of the sock. I thought what a great time to work on this; I'll have lots of knitting time because the season finales of "The Office" and "Grey's Anatomy" were on last night.

So I begin the charts. I have never cabled without a cable needle and I wasn't about to start on size 0 needles and Lorna's Laces sock yarn. Of course, there is no cable needle(in my possession anyhow)small enough for that itty bitty stuff. So Michelle had suggested that I use one of my seaming needles (and it works great by the way). Anyway, I'm moving merrily along through "The Office" finale. And not that this is the time for the discussion, BUT there is A LOT of Dwight in me.

Then "Grey's" came on and there is WAY too much you need to be focused on during that show, plus the added distraction of my DH who came home during the middle of it and Diva and Rage running amok through the house. SOOO, I get to the end of one of the charts which should signal the end of a needle and low and behold there are 4 stitches still on my left needle--that's bad, very bad. I take a deep breath and start frogging. Things went pretty well for a while, THEN I lost a stitch. I mean really lost it and it was night time and I was making a bigger mess trying to fix it. Which is when I decided to RIP IT ALL out and start over.

So here is where I am now:

8 rows BEHIND where I started last night.

The moral of the story is do not knit on something challenging while you are trying to pay attention to something else.

So, Ms. Wanda, I will see what I can get done this afternoon and I apologize for not having more done :)

Misty Weniera

I participated in my monthly HAED SAL this past weekend. I was on a roll and actually got a lot more done than I thought I would. I just love stitching; I'd love to have a long weekend to myself to do nothing but stitch especially when there is so much going on in the piece.

Anyway, here's what I got done.

Pattern: HAED Misty Weniera by Tracy Butler
Fabric: 28 count Jobelan
Stitches: 2 over 1, tent(half cross)

8 Things

I was tagged by Laura for this so here goes.

The rules:

1. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged write a blog post about their own 8 random things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your post you need to tag 8 people and include their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment and tell them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Eight things about me:

1. I don't like to mix my food. For example I need to eat all my meat, then my veggies, then carbs. I can't take little bits from each.

2. When I have PMS I can't stand to listen to people chew or breathe or anything. It REALLY irritates me.

3. I don't have any patience for adults who act like children. Children(and by children I mean anyone grade 12 or younger) are allowed to act irrational and immature; adults are not. (I learned this when I used to work in a department store where you run into adults acting like children on a far too frequent basis.)

4. I've written fanfic pieces. Purely for my own amusement and no one will ever see them.

5. I really dislike being a housewife. For me it's a thankless, boring job--I do not now nor will I ever get a rush from cleaning or cooking anything; it's all stuff I HAVE to do not at all anything I WANT to do. More power to you if you love it. I think some people are cut out for it; I know(after 7 years of it)that I'm not. The only plus to it in my mind is that I think my children have benefited from me being home this long and now I think they'll benefit from a mother with a paying job(which I will hopefully have in the fall).

6. I've hiked Diamond Head. There are a lot of steps there, but it's so worth it when you see the view from the top.

7. I love my SUV. It's got over 100,000 miles on it. It's a gas pig. BUT it actually moves when you floor it(unlike the Saturn we used to have) and there is space--lots and lots of it. I also talk to "him". I always tell him he's doing a good job :) With that many miles I need to pump up it's ego to keep it moving ;)

8. And I think I've talked about this before but I want a greyhound. Once I get the above mentioned job and we buy a bigger house, there will be a dog. Even though DH and I are not in 100% agreement on this fact.

I'm not tagging anyone but anyone who wants to do it is more than welcome. Leave me a comment if you do and let me know when you've posted it. I'd love to read tidbits about all of you :)

Dare to Dream a Sheepy Dream

I have been pondering something lately and I'm curious as to what others think.

In looking at other blogs, spending time with knitters, and from my own personal experience, I find that other aspects of my life are affected by my knitting obsession(I mean hobby). I find myself drawn to all things sheepy and knitty, so much so that I don't see anything wrong with wanting to decorate at least one room(or all) with sheep paraphernalia, yarn, and notions. I have already collected quite a few stuffed sheep and I am noticing that sheep figurines are popping up throughout the house. And it's not just sheep, I've also found myself drawn to unique needles and other notions(like tape measures). Now I even find myself looking for receptacles to hold these things to make display even easier.

My ideal knitting room would actually be a combination knitting/library space. I'd love to have a room that goes up two floors. Floor to ceiling cherry wood bookshelves with one of those ladders on rails running around the second level. The shelves would be full of books(and I'm well on my way with having enough at this point), yarn(I could always use more of that), and my growing collection of sheep paraphernalia. There would be a large bay window with a window seat for those days when I want a breeze from outside and a beautiful view. And for those days when I want to curl up in a chair with a good book or knit, there would be two chair and a half chairs with ottomans flanking a large, stone fireplace. And if money were no object it would be sound proof so I wouldn't have to listen to the screaming and chaos whenever I try to have time by myself--hah!

More realistically my knitting/sheep room will be my guest room in our next house. The closet will hold my stash and the room will be decorated with pastoral toile and sheepy goodness :)

How about you? What's your ideal--money is no object--knitting space? Dare to dream!

Knitting Meme

I lifted this from Laura.

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

Afghan
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
Knitting with DPNs
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Knitting two socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars simultaneously
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching **not as often as I should**
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

Hufflepuff

The Hufflepuff squares are finished.

I have not decided on a final layout for the whole afghan but here are some arrangements for your viewing pleasure :)

All Sevens

Zig Zag

Fields and Furrows

You can get about 7 squares out of one ball of each color(at least with the Encore I'm using); although the dark color runs out faster, I think I tapped into my second ball at the end of the 7th block. There is enough leftover for the border and a little something else :) I just LOVE the log cabin block--there are SO many possiblilies depending on how big you want your afghan to be. I'll show you more as I get more squares done.

On to Slytherin!

May Goals

1. Slytherin Squares
I finished Hufflepuff in April(post tomorrow, hopefully), so it's Slytherin's turn this month.
Finished 8 Slytherin squares

2. Misty Weniera for HAED SAL(11-14)
I need to push myself a little more on this one. I'm behind for my yearly goals; hopefully I can find more time to stitch this month.
Made a big dent in this one.

3. PS2 Bayerische socks
I hope to get one sock done this month.
Marinating in sock purgatory.