Monkey Madness

Okay, another confession to make...

Behold!

The Wall of Ape!

Yep, I like primates...monkeys...especially apes, you know... chimpanzees, orangutans, bonobos, gorillas.... I own several books involving ape language studies...Jane Goodall videos.... I have a very understanding husband. Heh.

Phew! I feel much better now that I got that off my chest.

Catchin' Up

I've gotten some knitting done in the past couple of days! I was in a bit of a knitting slump after coming back from our vacation last month, but I'm starting to feel the knit again. Here are some before and after shots:


Here's the half-finished sock that I took on our trip. It came back looking pretty much the same, maybe just a teeny bit longer. But, after yesterday...


Lo and behold! One down and a toe to go! So, today, still feeling the mojo, I took a look at one of my WIP/UFO's. It's the, Sensational Shirtail cardigan, from Knitter's Arans and Celtics. My friend, Natalie, made one of these, and it is a gorgeous sweater in person. Here's how much I had done of the back.

I almost frogged this and started over because I thought the gauge was off, but I decided to keep on going because it looks like it will block to gauge. You can't really tell, but today, I knit half again as much and started the armhole shaping. It's a pretty quick knit in bulky Lopi.

And, recently, I started yet another project. I wanted a good, mindless knit for those times when you really need a good, mindless knit. I know you know what I mean. So, I picked up a bright, magenta ball of Kidsilk Haze and started a simple scarf that I am going to do the shibori thing to and felt it with beads or hazelnuts or very small rocks, etc.... Tiny rubber bands...heh heh...fun....

So, will I continue with these projects until I finish one or all of them? Hmmmm. I get sidetracked easily. Let's hope I finish something soon, before I start something else.

Happy Thanksgiving!

*Caught, red-pawed, on the dining room table, and on a knitting magazine, to boot!!*

I can't believe I haven't posted since I've come back from our vacation. Boy, this blogging stuff is even tougher than I thought. But, now that I put just this much down, it should be so much easier the next time, right?

I've always had this problem, see. I'm embarrassed to say, but there are people that I've simply lost touch with because I'd let too much time elapse before I would answer their letter, or e-mail. The longer I let it go, the more I had to tell them to catch up on what was happening in my life, then it would all become overwhelming and I would put it off, again and again, because I didn't know how I was going to possibly write it all down in one letter. After awhile I felt it was too late, that I had somehow missed the opportunity and that, well, perhaps they would be angry with me by that time and I would have some kind of 'splainin to do. And, therefore, I am truly pathetic! Am I the only one in the world who has ever felt this way? Please leave me a comment if I'm not. I would feel much better.

Anyway, I need to remind myself that posting on a blog like this does not need to get overwhelming. I can reveal as little or as much of what is going on in my knitting, and my life in general, as I wish. I don't have to say everything all at once, but I do need to post more often. I am thankful that on this day of thanks, I have had this revelation.

I am also thankful for yarn, my sweet Kittysperk, and my wonderful DH. That's the short list, cause it's late.

Kitty is thankful for turkey and gravy!

My Old Kentucky Home....

I'm going on vacation! DH and I are finally going back to Kentucky and Tennessee to see family and friends. I'll try to post from the road, but we'll see how that goes.... I'll be taking some travel knitting. I think I'll be making more snowflakes on this trip. Probably take some socks, as well. KittySperk will be staying here with kittysitters, Jennifer and Natalie! Here they are on one of our "fiber nights".


We were playing with my drumcarder. Just so they don't kill me for posting a picture of them without having them check it out first...

Humiliating picture of me! Yay! Drum carded Marge Simpson hair! Here, let me show you what Punkinhead is in for while we're gone....

Doesn't look like he likes them one bit, does it? Something tells me he's not going to miss us too much. He's sporting a ball-band dishcloth, by the way.

Bye!

Variegated Hell

So, have you ever started a project, knowing full well that it was too intricate a pattern to show up in a variegated yarn, and yet you said to yourself, "Nah! It'll be alright?" Did you then work on said project for way too long, until there was no turning back, only to find that you were indeed right the first time, it looks like hell in the despicable variegated yarn you chose? Weeeelllll, then, you are not alone, for, I, despite the pricking in the back of my mind, did choose to knit the splendiforous, Peacock Shawl, in Turquoise Splendor Shimmer, from KnitPicks. Now, granted, in and of itself, this yarn is soft, lovely and truly shimmering with rich color. Oh, but paired with the complexity of the lace pattern which is the Peacock, it is as awkward as teats on a boar hog. Have a look yourself....

See what I mean? I am thinking that my only recourse is to overdye it. What do you think? Any suggestions? I believe that it is only the light bits that vex me so. Arrgh! I am almost to the last chart, too.

This brings me to one of the reasons why I started this blog. Confession time. I have the unfortunate habit of knitting full speed ahead on a project, until I see the finish line hovering close, then, suddenly, I lose interest and start another project that I think is more exciting at the moment. Hence, I have way too many UFO's, or more kindly, WIP's, in various stages of completion, some, so close to finished, it ain't funny! I have one sweater that is close to 10 years in the making!!! The shame!!!

Here's what I thought: If I started a blog, and posted photos of all of these projects, that maybe you all out there, would inspire/ridicule me into finishing them before all is lost. Then again, I may find out that there are many more like me out there, heh heh, like, I'm ok, you're ok....come to think of it, I have been looking around on Ravelry... heh heh heh....

So, anyway, if you have ever started a variegated project against your better judgement, like I was sayin' before. Have you, then, ever gone and done it again? Take a look.

This unrecognizable mess is supposed to be the Gothic Spires Socks by Cookie A.! I am frogging these back immediately! I started these with Lornas Laces (Embers colorway?). Beautiful yarn, but not for this project. If I'm going to put in all the extra effort with the wrapped stitches and all, I need to do it in a solid color yarn, so it will show. Let's hope I learn from my mistakes.

The sleep of someone who always finishes what he sets out to accomplish. Sigh.

New stuff!

I picked this up at the Borders, yesterday, and DH got a couple more western dvd's for his collection. We watched the westerns, but I still haven't had the chance to delve into Laurie Perry's, aka Crazy Aunt Purl's, book, past the first few pages. I tell ya, I love her wit and Southern wisdom. She's also got some great little patterns in the back half of the book. I'll tell you more about them after I read the rest, but there are several I'd like to make.

I discovered Laurie's blog some time ago. It must have been almost a year after she started writing. I remember that I stayed up late, started from the beginning of her blog and read straight through it, devouring every entry. Her situation and witty/conversational writing style just captivated me. I can't wait to let y'all know what I think of her book.

We're going on vacation, soon, DH and I. We're going to go visit family and friends back in Kentucky and Tennessee, where we used to live. We've been out here in Southeastern VA for almost three years now, and it still doesn't feel like home. We haven't been back, since. I can't wait to go, but I'm afraid I won't want to return! Anyway, If I don't finish the book beforehand, I'll take it with me, and I will let you know what I think.

Stop the presses for a new taste sensation!!!!

Just got creative with the midnight snackin'. Ak-mak crackers, which are delicious, by the way, boursin cheese spread and grape tomatoes! I highly recommend this combination after a night of colonial dancing. Yep, that's what I've been up to.

And what else? More recyclable sweaters! Two 100% wool and one wool/cashmere blend (the red). I'll be burning up the niddy noddy soon.

Next post will have knitting content, I promise! I will let you in on all my knitting dilemma's. Stay tuned.... Oh, and look! My recycled angora yarn has been put to good use. Purrfect little Kitty pillows. He's so content, he's snoring! Good night all!

Sock Wars Casualty!

I have finally met my demise. Look what I found in the mail, yesterday! Check out the awesome card.

Scar socks in the awesome colorway, Tidepool, dyed and knitted by none other than my assassin, Laura, from Drooling Over Yarn! After wrestling them away from Punkinhead...

... I put them on! Rich, gorgeous color! Buttery soft merino and shimmery bamboo! Comfy and squishy! I love the pooling on the left sock, especially. Aren't they lovely?

And, if that wasn't enough, beautiful, beaded stitch markers that match!

Thank you sooooo much, Laura! I love everything! I never thought I would be so happy to meet my demise! The rest of you, check out Laura's etsy store, where she has other gorgeous, one-of-a-kind yarn like this for sale. I've been doing some looking, myself. I do have a birthday coming up in exactly three weeks...heh...heh...heh....

You know, Sock Wars 2 is the first knitting exchange I've ever participated in. I've indulged in knit-a-longs, but never anything like this. I really had a great time, and I'm sure this won't be the last time I join in.

Hmmm...seems like the appropriate place to end this post, but I don't want to stop writing! I tell you what, I'll end this one, here, but I just might go right on ahead and start another! There are no rules here at KnitPox!