Post-Olympic Wrap Up

Thank you all so much for the nice comments you left about my Olympic Socks. I think it was my most commented post yet! I enjoyed hearing all of the visualizations you were having . . . .confetti and fan-fare, Olympic podiums and the national anthem. I was most inspired by Sonya, who said "I'm digging Julie Mancuso's tiara and I think it's something we knitters should consider adopting". I agree with that idea 100%!!! All of us "crazy knitter" with our tiaras and pointy sticks!! With that in mind, I sat for my post-Olympic photo shoot yesterday.

Two At Once, Toe-Up Socks
Yarn: Knit Picks Parade in Checkers
Cast On: February 11, 2006
Completed: February 25, 2006

The Post-Olympic recap will now be scored using the old ISU 6.0 scoring system.

Pattern: 3.5 While I am ultimately happy with the finished socks and found the pattern easy to follow, it was not my favorite. I dislike the funny toe. The afterthought heel was fairly easy to do, but trying on the sock while knitting was hindered by the fact that the heel was not yet there. It also needed strategic pick up of extra stitches to avoid holes. Oh yeah, and I found an error in the pattern too. I should probably tell Knit Picks about it, huh?

Yarn: 5.4 The yarn is a great bargain for the price, and makes a thick warm pair of socks. I did find it a bit splitty, but it wasn't too bad. I loved the colors and the way the pattern turned out.

Socks on Two Circs: 6.0 Yeah, baby!!! I LOVED knitting my socks on two circular needles. I will be doing a lot of this in the future!!

Inox Needles: 6.0 I tried these needles for the first time because the LYS didn't have Addis in the size I needed. I was kind of skeptical, but these things were awesome. The join never gave me a single problem. The tips were nice and sharp. And they only cost $6 each!!! I spent less for the pair than it would have cost me for one Addi!

Toe-Up Socks: 5.6 The thing I liked most about toe-up socks was the freedom to knit the cuff as long as possible. With cuff down, I find myself unsure of how long I can make the cuff without running out of yarn in the foot. (I guess that's because I'm still a beginner sock knitter??)

Two at Once Socks: 2.7 It did get easier in the Long Program (when I reached the cuff), but I just wasn't fond of knitting them both at once. Although I appreciated being able to see if my stripes were lining up properly. I guess I will do two at once again, but not any time soon.

Olympic Experience: 5.8 I'm really glad I joined, because I would have thrown in the towel a lot sooner on the two at once thing had I not had my Olympic Oath to uphold. However, the pressure I put on myself to get these things knit was not always enjoyable, nor was the feeling that I shouldn't be working on any other project besides this one. But I have to say, the pride I felt when I actually accomplished the socks was the best. I picked this project expecting it would be too hard for me, but I would use it as a learning experience. So earning my gold medal is a huge boost to my knitterly confidence.

At 4:39 this afternoon . . .

I struck

GOLD!

More details later . . . .I'm off to celebrate!!

I'm a terrible person!

I really am. Really. I confess. I think it's all this Olympic Knitting pressure. See, I haven't exactly been taking care of the house. I know, I have high standards of cleanliness, but no cleaning has gotten done around here lately. I decided to give the house a quick once over today - you know, the kind where if someone came over for coffee they would think the house is clean . . . as long as the lights are dim and they didn't look under or behind anything. It had gotten really bad. I mean, I actually found SmartFood crumbs on the living room floor!!!! YES, NOT CRUMB . . . BUT CRUMBS . . . PLURAL!!!! One was near the couch and the other was under the coffee table. Hey now, I hear you . . . stop laughing at me. That's not very nice, I though you were my friends. Anyway, I also washed the kitchen floor with the Clorox Readymop instead of my bucket of ammonia water . . . AND I didn't empty the vacuum bag. Yes sir, I put the vacuum AWAY with a FULL BAG!!!! Oh the horror. We are living in squalor in a pig sty. It's a good thing this Olympic stuff is over next week.

As if that isn't bad enough, my next confession is even worse. It's really, really bad. You see, when I click on a feed in Bloglines, and the person has blogged about how they just finished their Olympic project . . . . I curse in my head. I actually call them names. Isn't that mean???? I know, but I just can't help it. Damn, we're all supposed to be one big, supportive, happy family. "You can do it" and MWAH and all that. I am a poor competitor. I should be struck down by the Knitting Gods for my selfish behavior. I'm ashamed . . . I'm very ashamed.

Don't worry, karma has gotten me back. I didn't get much knitting done today. I knit a bit of a swatch for the Sunrise Circle Jacket this morning while waiting at the lab for my ever so fun, quarterly blood draw. (I didn't bring the cylinders of hell socks because I couldn't see juggling the yarn around in the waiting room). Karma got it's revenge in the form of a vein that did not want to bleed for the nice lady with the needle. She had to probe it around quite a bit - ouch!!! My arm is still sore, which is not so good when you've got Olympic knitting to do. I know, serves me right.

The ribbing is looking quiet good now though. There just isn't enough of it. I knit and knit and knit and then knit some more . . . and I swear these damn things are not growing!!!! It's the karma again, isn't it.

****UPDATE***** I forgot to mention, when my mom and I watch a skating competition and someone we don't like is skating, we quietly chant "Fall fall fall". They usually do. It worked at the 1995 Worlds men's competition. Terrible, huh? Don't worry, I won't be doing it tonight. I like them all this year!!

Flying Fingers

No, silly, I'm not referring to my knitting. I mean Flying Fingers Yarn Shop!!! I can not gush enough about my experience with this shop.

It all started when the Spring IK arrived. You know, the one with the Sunrise Circle Jacket in it. Then, Laura mentioned the KAL that was forming for this project. Well, I just couldn't resist.

As I began to research the Karabella Soft Tweed called for in this pattern, I found out it was ON SALE at Flying Fingers. By 3:30 pm on Monday I had placed my order.

By Monday evening, I started to worry that perhaps I should have ordered one more ball. So I went back to the web-site, clicked the "contact us" button, and asked if it was too late to add one more ball to the order. First thing Tuesday morning I had an e-mail from Elise telling me that while they usually ship the same day (!!!), my order had not been shipped yet due to the holiday. She gave me instructions on how to add one more ball to my current order and promised she would make it happen.

Now mind you, this was YESTERDAY. So you can imagine my surprise when I saw a box on the front porch today with Flying Fingers tape on it.

That's right, my Cranberry Karabella Soft Tweed arrived today!! Elise also included a nice postcard with a hand written thank you note and a sample ball of Hopyard Spinnery's Roxanne's Mohair, which they will be carrying soon. (I'm going to need to check that Mohair out!!)

The only problem now is that I have to fight the urge to put aside my tubes of torture Olympic Socks and swatch my new yarn!!! I know, be strong . . . wait until Monday . . . .

For her pleasure????

I've just stared the ribbing portion of my Olympic Socks. The ribs are NOT pleasurable!!!

It looks pretty crappy, but since I'm only two rows in I am hopeful it will look a little better once I get a few inches done. However, I don't like the sloppy look that the purl stitches have at each color change, and since the ribbing runs up the entire leg there will be quite a few color changes before I'm done. I could just continue in stockinette stitch for the leg, but I think I'll give the ribs a chance. I'm not crazy about the toe portion of these socks either. As a learning tool, this pattern is extremely well written and easy to follow, but I don't think the finished socks will be among my favorites.

I also have a question for those of you who are experienced in knitting with self-striping yarn. As I began these socks, the yarn was perfectly matched. The colors changed at the same point on both socks. Somewhere along the way, I seem to be getting more and more thrown off. The second sock changes color about a row earlier than the first. I'm assuming it's my knitting . . . maybe my knitting is looser on the second sock and it's sucking up a bit more yarn? Or maybe this normal for self striping yarn, they are close but not exact? I'm sure it's me, not the yarn. Either way, it's not noticeable to the naked eye . . . so far.

My Olympic Plan . . . knit as many more inches as I can through Friday. And that's how long the socks will be (It's not cheating . . . the pattern says to knit until they are as long as you want them . . . not that you couldn't do that with ANY sock pattern!!). Then, knit the two afterthought heels on Saturday and Sunday morning. If all goes well . . . GOLD!!!!!

Knitting

You may be happy to know that it's not just buying buying buying yarn over here. Yes, I have actually been knitting.

Here are the Olympic Socks. They are a little bit big, but they are for my Bestus Buddy and her foot is a little bigger than mine, so I think they'll be okay. (Heidi, if you're reading this, do you like them? How are you feeling?? I'll call you tomorrow!!) Sorry for the shout-out, but she's home on bed-rest until the end of March, so I have to send her a special hello!!

I know, I should probably be much farther along by now. I should be very worried. However, I know myself, I work best under pressure. I still think I can pull it off . . . we'll see. I've come to the realization that I can do two at once socks, but I don't actually like to do them. I know, I know, when you're done you're done, no Second Sock Syndrome, blah blah blah. I'm just not a big fan of juggling around the two balls of yarn and switching back and forth. (Doesn't bode well for me and Fair Isle or Intarsia, huh?). I'm not saying I won't ever do two at once again . . . I'm just not a big fan right now. I seem to like working on them more in the morning when I'm "fresh", but if I try to knit them at night I absolutely hate them!!!

So, for night time knitting I started this!! (I know, Christine, I shouldn't risk angering the Knitting Gods by two-timing my Olympic Project, but I just couldn't resist.) It's the Lopi Lace Scarf from Weekend Knitting, except that I'm using Cascade 220. It's a really fun pattern to knit and very quick too. It's a huge relief to go from the size 3 needles for the socks over to the size 10's for this scarf. The picture doesn't show it, but the scarf knits all zig-zaggy due to 10 rows of right decreases followed by 10 rows of left decreases. I'll post better pictures when it's finished!! (And Chris, I left my head in this time for you, even though I hate the way I look in pictures and you can really see I need highlights desperately!!)

Blog-worthy

I really haven't posted much this week. I guess I'm waiting for the inspiration. You know, the funny story or the witty topic . . . the great post that will entertain my friends in blogland. I love you guys, I don't want to bore you if I have nothing blog-worthy to write about.

Well, inspiration hasn't come to the (mostly) self-taught knitter. It's just been normal life. Cooking, cleaning, yadda yadda yadda. But I have been knitting . . . and oh, I've acquired some yarn. That's always exciting!! This being a knitting blog, I would say knitting and all things fibery must qualify for blog-worthiness!!

Lets not forget, Tuesday was Valentine's Day!! I asked Sweetpea numerous times what he'd like . . . and he kept saying Valentine's Day is for girls and I shouldn't get him anything. I agreed . . . but come on, I wouldn't do that!!!! So along with a couple of boxes of chocolate, I knit up a little kitty for him!! Hard to believe, but he loves this stuff - he asked me a couple weeks ago when I would knit him a cat or elephant. So he was thrilled with this little guy.

Now I'm no fool. (Okay, I am, but not when it comes to gifts from Pea. One year he gave me Round-Up Weed Killer as a birthday present. I learned my lesson that year!!) So I e-mailed him a couple of wish lists that I had compiled. On Valentine's Day he gave me some gifts he had picked out on his own. I'd say he did quite well straying from the list!!!

He's a sweetie. He takes a night class on Tuesday nights, so I couldn't cook him a romantic Valentine's Day dinner, but we met for lunch. The best present of all is being with him, so I was feeling a bit sad when he had to go back to work. What better way to cheer myself up than a mini-yarn crawl!! I treated myself to some yarn I'd been craving . . . but I'll save that picture for Flash Your Stash Monday. Sorry, I know that's a tease, but I will say I bought something that begins with a K!!!

Of course, had I know he also put the wish lists to good use, I would have held off on the yarn buying. Today these arrived.

I can't believe he ordered ALL of them!!! He's a prince.

Since I've already revealed how spoiled I really am . . . I received another incredible gift in the mail today!!

Plymouth Sockotta yarn from Jessica!! I so did not deserve this. She only TiVOed half of the Grey's Anatomy that was on after the Superbowl, and promised yarn to anyone who would send her a tape of the whole episode. I had just read over at Purls of Hope about a web-site where you could go watch the whole episode. So I let Jess know about it . . . but since I didn't send her a tape I didn't expect any yarn. She was kind enough to send me some anyway. Isn't she a sweetheart??? The colors are so pretty, it reminds me of spring flowers. (You can't really tell in the picture, but it's got great lavendar, pink, green and blue!!) Just what we need in gloomy mid-February.

So I didn't find anything witty or a great funny story to tell you. But I am surrounded by wonderful generosity and feel truly blessed in my life. What could be more blog-worthy than that?

Network down, slow socks & lots of snow

I'm back!!! Friday my laptop suddenly decided it could no longer connect to the Internet, so I was a bit side-lined for the past few days. I'm pretty good at figuring things out on the computer. I'm terrible about figuring out what to do when the computer decides to stop working. Thank goodness for Sweetpea. As it turned out, a network cable had come loose from the router. Plug the cable back in, problem solved.

Everyone has been posting their Olympic Progress. I know it's not a race, but wait until you see how little progress I have!!! (Yes, I'm in my flannel jammies!!)

I'm okay with this though. It's very slow going, because it's my first time knitting on two circulars and it will take me a while to get the technique down and pick up a rhythm. I'm also slowly learning how to handle the two yarn balls without having to stop every few rows to untangle them. Truthfully, if this wasn't my Olympic Challenge, I would have ditched the two at once socks somewhere around row 5. I'd be doing One Sock, Toe-Up, on Two Circs right now. But, it's my Olympic Challenge, so I will persevere. It's actually a good thing to push myself, because I am managing to do this without taking the easy way out.

For some reason, I decided I didn't want to cast on until I saw the flame lighting on the Opening Ceremonies broadcast. What I failed to realize was that the flame lighting would not air until 11:30 pm EST, at which point I would have fallen asleep numerous times and be up for nothing more than a crawl into bed. I decided casting on yesterday would be great too, because that was the official first day of Olympic competition!!

We are supposed to go to a friends house for a dinner party tonight with a nice group of people we've met at ballroom dancing. But it looks like we'll be snow-bound for the rest of the day. The blizzard has hit hard today, and it shows no sign of slowing down any time soon. According to the weather reports, this should keep up for the next four to six hours. I ventured as far as the front porch for some action shots!!!

It's a blizzard!!

Pea, in his hand-knit hat, added for scale!!

Looks like we're getting new next door neighbors . . . the top sign says Sale Pending under the snow!!

Snow drift on the front porch.

We're very thankful that my uncle gave Pea his old snowblower!!! It looks like we're going to need it.

One more day!!!

That's right, the Olympics start tomorrow! Yikes. I've been deep in Olympic Training, and so far it's going pretty well. I can do one sock toe on two circulars.

But all bets are off tomorrow when I not only have to progress past one inch of the toe . . . but have to knit another sock at the SAME TIME on the SAME NEEDLES!!!! It's right about now that I've found the perfect Olympic team for me.

I'm trying not to panic, but really . . . WHAT WAS I THINKING??

I seem to be addicted to joining Olympic teams, so I also grabbed this button . . .since I am half Italian and Pea is completely Italian.

Mangi, baby. With good pasta and wine we can get through anything!!! Are four Olympic teams too many to join?? Naw, I can use all the help I can get.

In other knitting news, I finished the first of my legwarmers yesterday. No picture though, and I'm not moving the progress bar to 50% because I'm not quite happy with it. It fits okay, but I think it needs to be a little longer and a little thinner. So it's back to the drawing board. I am really enjoying writing my own pattern for it though!! I mean, I love knitting partially because I can take a ball of yarn and turn it into something. (Thanks Jill for inspiring me to think about that!!) So to be able to write the pattern myself just adds an extra layer to the process. I am creating a project from scratch. It's really cool!!! I'll cast on for my next try tonight. I'm hoping to have time to work on them during the Olympics, but we'll see!!

Are all you other Olympian (3300 last time I looked) as panicky about your challenge as I am? Will we make it through?

Winners

So apparently there was some kind of popular sporting event going on last night? Hmm, if they aren't doing quadruple toe-loops and double axels, I don't know about it. Does anyone know who won???

I do know who the winners of the three FO Week Grand Prizes are!! My good friend the random number generator was happy to help me out with that one!! So, congratulations to Chris of bits of knits, Ragan of ragan knits, but not so well (not true!!), and Jessica of Jessalu Knits!!!

Of course, in FO Week, everyone is a winner. With that in mind, and to thank you all for signing up and FOing along with me, I have a little thank you for each of you!! So, would everyone be so kind as to e-mail me (knitgirl901 AT optonline DOT net) with your snail mail addresses?? I plan to get all prize packs and thank yous mailed out on Wednesday or Thursday!!! Thank you all for making my FO Week endeavor such a huge success. While it has inspired me to keep my WIPs down to a manageable number so I can actually FINISH the things I am knitting . . . I can't promise I won't cave to the temptation of all the wonderful patterns and great yarns out there. So when the time comes that my WIP basket is once again overflowing, maybe will do FO Week II!!

For now, I'm working on a pair of legwarmers to Cover My Ankles. After searching for a pattern that I loved and not finding quite what I had in mind anywhere, I whipped out The Knitting Directory I got for Christmas, found a stitch pattern I liked, and began trying to write my own pattern!!! I think I'm through the hardest part now, and I'm pleased with how the first one is coming out. I've also been working on my Thuja socks, and I'm loving both the pattern and the Trekking XXL yarn I'm using for them. They probably will have to be put on the back burner for the rest of the month, because . . .

TODAY STARTS MY OLYMPIC TRAINING!!!! That's right, friends, opening ceremonies are this FRIDAY!!!! To say I'm starting to panic would be a huge understatement. So I'm off to learn the scary looking half-hitch cast on (I'm not sure that's the real name for it) and swatch, swatch, swatch. Oh yeah, and load up on my coffee!! Go Team Caffeine!

FO Day Seven The Finale

Welcome to the FO Week Finale. I'm amazed at how quickly FO Week went by, and I'm also extremely happy with how it went. When I wrote my post last week and hit send, I wondered if anyone would join. At a dozen participants, I couldn't be happier. I also wondered if I would have the discipline to actually get my WIP's finished up this week. With all of you finishing along with me and inspiring me with your great FOs, I'm happy to say I reached my goal. So, without further ado, the last FOs we have to Show . . .

Jenn is finishing out the week with a FO for herself. It came out great and the color is beautiful.

New FO Weeker Annie joined just in time to show us a lovely sweater for her daughter. I love the little flower she added, such a cute girly touch. Great job, and thanks for joining in to FO with us!!

Chrissy has a final FO with another new design!! This one will be featured in the April edition of Knit Net!!! I'm so proud of all the great designs she's had accepted. Oh, and go give this poor frazzled mom a hug too - she needs one today!!

And now on to my final FO Week FO!! This morning, after it had blocked over night, I put the finishing touches on (which actually means fixed a little mistake I found while blocking) Tie One On!!!

Tie One On
Cast On: September 19, 2005
Completed: February 5, 2006
Yarn: Filatura Di Crosa College 29 (main color) and S. Charles Muse 4 (accent color)

I have mixed feelings about this one. First of all, I loved the pattern and would make it again. I loved the texture and feel of the Filatura yarn, but I'm not really loving the color. There are two reasons for that. First, the yarn store I bought the yarn at didn't have a nice selection . . . but I felt pressured to buy one of the colors they had. (Long story, but I never went back there). Also, I had planned this to be kept at work to throw on when the air-conditioning was cranked up, so I was trying to go for something neutral. Of course, I got out of the hell-hole that was that job, so I don't need the neutral shawl. Had I know, I would have knit it to be more glamorous or as an accessory that could make an outfit pop. As for the S. Charles yarn, well, I hated it. Crunchy, fake, plastic feeling . . . but the yarn store didn't have the Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk called for in the pattern and pushed some pretty awful yarns on me to substitute. This was the best of the bunch . . .but not so great. What can I say, it was my second ever visit to a yarn store and I felt intimidated and didn't use my best judgment. I would love to knit this again with better yarn in better colors, or maybe even tackle the piquant one.

Between the twelve of us, we managed to finish 22 projects this week!!! We had at least two FOs every day, and on our best day there were FIVE FOs. Thank you all for joining in and sharing your wonderful projects. Winners of the FO Week prizes will be announced tomorrow morning. Good luck to you all.

FO Day Six

Before I start with the FO Week update, I would like to ask for your help with something. One of the wonderful friends I have made while blogging is Christine of Knitting on Trial. In her post yesterday she spoke about her wish to make a quilt for her brother, made up of squares knit by knitters everywhere. I urge you to go read her post, and if at all possible, knit a square for her brother.

---

Now on to the second to last day of FO Week. I am so thrilled with how many great things I've been able to share. It means so much to me that you all have joined in, finished those WIPs and let me feature them here. A big round of applause to everyone!!

Amanda finished a great pair of Wool-Ease legwarmers just in time for a predicted snowfall. (Did it happen?) These look so warm and pretty, and you have to love that they were knit with one skein of Wool-Ease. Check out all the KALs they qualify for too!

Peanut's got her first FO Week FO, some very pretty mittens. That Turf and Tide colorway is just beautiful . . . and don't worry, I think there is still plenty of cold weather to come this month. Next week is supposed to be more like winter again, so you can wear them!!

As for me, do you remember baby raglan? Of course you don't, this came off the needles months ago and has been stuffed in my craft room waiting to be blocked and seamed. Well, baby raglan waits no more!!!

Raglan Sweater from The Baby Knits Book.
Cast On: August 25, 2005
Completed: February 4, 2006
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino - color 204

I'm happy with the way this sweater came out, and I remember I enjoyed knitting it immensely. Baby knits are great because before you have a chance to get bored, your done!! (Unless you're me, who technically took almost six months!!) I did make a mistake on one raglan seam (you can see it there on the right), but other than that it was a breeze. I think I actually enjoy seaming!!! Good news there. Needless to say, the baby this was originally intended for is much too big to wear the 3 - 6 month size I knit. I'll just hold on to it until someone else I know has a baby boy.

Okay, come on back tomorrow for the FO Week Finale, and stay tuned Monday for the prize winner announcement!!

FO Day Five

It's FO Week Friday and we're still going strong!! I've got some really great FO's to show you today.

Christine's first FO of the week is a sexy, sparkly shawl that she will be wearing tomorrow with a little black dress. Knock their (hand-knit??) socks off, Christine!!

Stephanie is racking up her second FO with an awesome Alien Illusion Scarf from Stitch N Bitch. I think her nephew is going to love it. It looks like it would have been very difficult to knit, but since she's assured us it's easy, I'm going to have to give that one a try.

And Jessica's first FO Week FO is a pretty pair of the socks that are all the craze, Jaywalkers. (I think I'm the only person who hasn't knit these yet) Jess, don't be upset about the tiny mistake . . . we would never have seen it if you didn't point it out. (By the way, did you know Blogger Spell Check wants to replace Jessica with Cheesecake? I love them both!!)

As for me, instead of FO Friday, I'm celebrating FROG Friday. This was Hairball Pillow Cover, better known as Button-edged Rib Cushion from Hand Knits for the Home.

This was a completely painless FROG and I don't know why I didn't do it sooner. I'm not sure when I started it, but I believe it was before my blogging days because I mentioned it was on the sticks in my fourth post. (By the way, of the six projects listed there, two got finished and four got frogged!!) It was pretty clear to me from the start that trying to knit it with this yarn was not divine. I also could barely purl at that point, and was having an awful time with it. I'm not sure I'm even interested in knitting pillow covers anymore, but maybe I'll change my mind and give it another shot some day.

Two more days left to submit your FO's!!! I hope to have two more to parade out myself. I'll post the last edition of FO Week sometime around 10 pm EST on Sunday night, and I'll draw the prize winners on Monday morning. Still plenty of time to slide a few more FOs under the wire!!!

FO Day Four

We're past the half-way point on FO Week, and I am so excited and inspired by all the great projects that are flying off your sticks!

Ragan has racked up her first FO Week FO after overcoming a cold and completing her colorful "little man's socks". Just look at the wonderful, cheery colors on those beauties. And don't you think it's time for her to change her blog title? She obviously knits VERY well!!!

Jenn is celebrating her 200th post with yet another FO. This time it's a lovely S'nB Nation hat that she modified to get just the right fit. Hop on over to admire it, and also get a good tip on some nice yarn that can be just as inexpensive as Knit Picks . . . and who doesn't need more affordable yarn, right?

I've got a FO today too!!


Felted Gift Bag
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Cranberry, with Lion Brand Jamie Pastel Pink for tie.
Cast On: December 4, 2005
Completed and Felted: February 1, 2006

I started knitting this felted gift bag in the informal KAL of sorts on Susan's blog. I knitted step 1 on the first day, half of step 2 on the second day . . . and then promptly forgot about it. I'm glad I picked it up again and finished, as it was a lot of fun. I will certainly be knitting more of these in the future. It's my first foray into felting (or I guess more technically, fulling) and I now understand what all the hoopla is about. It's like a little bit of magic in your washer!!! I knit this totally with stash yarn. After several attempts at designing a tie, I settled on this tedious teenie two stitch i-cord with made with baby yarn stash. To be honest, I really hated working with the pink yarn, it split A LOT, but it looks like it's been discontinued. Maybe I'm not the only one who didn't like it. It was worth it though, because I think the pink tie makes it look perfect for Valentine's Day . . . so I'll have to fill it with something good for my sweetheart.

---

As you can probably tell, the gift bag picture was taken OUTSIDE. Wait, it gets better. I have clothes. On the clothesline. In Connecticut. In February. Sheer madness, I tell you. At 45 degrees, it's down right balmy here. Let me point out right now, I am so not complaining. I'm not a bit winter fan. I'm also not a big dryer fan, as in I never use mine. That's right . . . she hates meatballs, she doesn't eat mashed potatoes, and now she's admitting to not putting clothes in the dryer. Well, my mom never used the dryer. And I'm afraid it will ruin the clothes. And why pay for electricity when the sun and air will dry them for free. In the winter our clothes spend time on drying racks stashed in the dining room corner and in the spare bedroom. I'm so happy to have some hanging outside in February!!

Now that I've shown myself to be a complete wack-job, I'm about to give you a tip that may redeem me. Want to line up some good Karma? Well, head on over to Jill's blog and join her Karma Swap. Have the fun of gifting, clean out your own stash, and get some cool yarn in return as well! Genius, I tell you!

FO Day Three

Day three and we are still going strong!! I'm so excited by all the FOs to Show, and am hoping we will have at least one every day. I'm also getting together the prizes, which are a big secret. Why?? Well, because I don't quite have them yet. I did some on-line shopping last night and am planning a LYS run Friday or Saturday, and then I'll assemble them. Names will be drawn and winner announced on Monday, so submit those FOs and earn your extra entries!!!!

Chrissy has her second FO!!! She has finished a design she is submitting to Knitty - isn't that exciting??? (It's a long post, but keep reading and she'll tell you about it) No picture yet, due to the top secret nature of design, but hopefully we'll all be seeing it in the next Knitty! Send out some luck to her!! While you're at it, hop on over to the new edition of MagKnits and check out her Ziggy!!!

Jenn also has a second FO, a baby sweater that's been waiting since December to be seamed. She's new to seaming (I am too, with a baby sweater waiting in the wings) but got great help from The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques. Looking at the sweater, you'll see what a great job she did! I'm so glad I snapped this book up at a post-Christmas sale . . . I'll keep it by my side as I tackle my baby sweater. Thanks for the tip, Jenn!

As for me, today's FO is no 'mo. I was so close to finishing Airy Scarf. I was starting row 111 of 134 when I stopped again to take a look. And that's when I saw IT. A DROPPED STITCH. IN ROW SEVEN!!!!! I guess the hairy quality of the yarn had covered it and held the threads together all this time. Now that it had finally broken free and revealed itself, I knew I only had one choice. The dreaded FROG. Pea was flabbergasted and begged me not to rip it out, but I explained that the hole would only continue to grow once I blocked it and wore it. (He actually tried to grab it away from me to stop me!! He was more upset than I was!) The whole scarf was loaded with mistakes, and that yarn was far too expensive to turn into something that crappy. I learned a lot while struggling my way through. I definitely think the project was too hard for me when I started, but I think I have progressed to a point where I can handle it now. So I'll start over and do the whole thing right this time. After all, it is just a four hour knit . . . even if I had been working on it off and on since August. (Mostly off, but I guess that goes without saying.) And for all of you who have speculated, yes, Kidsilk Haze is a nightmare to FROG.

---

Not much else to report here. Pea and I had a great ballroom dance lesson tonight. We did cha cha for the whole 45 minutes, and since I love cha cha I was happy. Anyone who doesn't think ballroom dance is a great workout should try 45 minutes of cha cha. Granted, the steps we do are not as fancy as you'll see on Dancing with the Stars, but it's just so much fun. If you can talk your SO into going, I highly recommend it. But go with a good sense of humor, because you will feel like you have two left feet at first. Heck,we've been taking lessons for almost two years and I still usually feel like I have two left feet. I won't let it stop me though!!

---

You will be smothered under a rug. You're a little

anti-social, and may want to start gaining

new social skills by making prank phone

calls.


What horrible Edward Gorey Death will you die?
brought to you by Quizilla

I had to re-post so I could add this quiz that Stephanie found. I love Edward Gorey, and actually have this book in display. It cracks me up. Yes, I have a weird and dark sense of humor somtimes.