Posted by: preita | November 20, 2008

And on the 9th day God Knit

A knitting post. Crazy right? Pretend that I’m not loosing my mind with Christmas knits right now, make no sudden movements & we all should be pretty ok.

I’ve been knitting a little something else besides Christmas knits. My own little Sackboy. Now he has a stuffed head & eyeballs :D I think I might slip some pipe cleaner into his lips though to have them a little bit stiffer. :) He always looks like he’s making this face D: lol

I have a doc appointment tomorrow after work. I’m actually a little bit nervous about it. Really it’s just the woman’s yearly physical of doom we all have to go through, but I have quite a few things that I need to bring up. Things I don’t want to tough it out through anymore.  And it’s a little bit scary. I haven’t been feeling really “well” for a while now. And I’ve also come to realize that I live with pretty much constant pain of some sort. Every day something hurts, and sometimes it hurts so bad that it ruins my entire day.  I don’t whine or cry about my pains (because we all get them) but after the Mr was “fixing me” (aka finding all the right pressure points in my legs & back to relieve tension) he told me it was enough & I needed to ask about this. I’m 26, I shouldn’t hurt every day. So we will see. Also? I’m going to finally demand a hearing test. Last time I brought up my hearing (or inability to do so!) the NP told me to take sudifed. Seriously? Every day? I’m not stuffed up & I don’t think it’s a great thing to take unnecessary drugs. But my hearing has gotten to a point where I almost dread knit night because I won’t be able to hear what anyone says.

But guess what? I’ve totally lost more weight & I don’t know how. So score one for me.

 

Sackboy progress

Sackboy progress

 

 

 

Posted by: preita | November 18, 2008

Recyling & Repurposing.

So it’s Tuesday, and National Blogging Month is almost over, thankfully. Maybe I should have joined National Novel Writing month instead? Blogging every day just isn’t as interesting I fear.

So Christmas knitting, is, as was reported in the last 10 billion posts, chugging along. I’m actually 3/4 done with a major project, and about 60% done with my FIL’s big red cotton sweater. You know I love that man if I’m knitting a man sized cotton sweater. But it’s beautiful and if he doesn’t wear it I’m going to poke him right in the eye! :)

So what have I been up to that I can show you? How about my mad reupholstery skills?

Hi! Im now covered in beautiful non-80s fabric!

"Hi! I'm now covered in beautiful non-80's fabric!"

 This picture is with out flash & more color accurate. I can’t tell you how happy I am with this chair & the fabric I chose. The green fabric was a remnant & was a grand total of $3.75 for my 4yds. I really did do a happy dance.

Amazing what a little batting can do to perk things up!

Amazing what a little batting can do to perk things up!

 Even my MIL who is not a “green person” (meaning while I love green and would cover every square inch in it, she would prefer if green did not exist at all) really loves this fabric & the chair. So that has to say something right? Oh, and I didn’t have enough fabric for the seat so I got some different fabric. And while I was really all about this color when I first bought it, I’m questioning myself right now. I will have to see it all set up.

What? You want to see the before of this chair?

In all its 80s glory.

In all it's 80's glory.

 A big difference no? I have to say that my MIL is freaking awesome with the reupholstering. I left off the welting details because I thought it looked way more modern with out it. I think I made a good choice.

Cost of the Chairs = $50.00
       Cost of Fabric = $25.00
       New Cushions = $25.00
                        ———
                   Total = $100.00

How awesome is that? Two really super comfortable chairs, with really good bones repurposed in to two pretty happening pieces. Makes me want to find more pieces to save & refinish!

Also, I took a quiz, anyone who knows me already knows this is pretty accurate. I wouldn’t say “ruin” but my ideas are constantly changing & my views of life are always on the move. How I relate to everyone is in constant flux and it’s mostly because I’m ridiculously ambitious (most days!).

You are The Tower

Ambition, fighting, war, courage. Destruction, danger, fall, ruin.

The Tower represents war, destruction, but also spiritual renewal. Plans are disrupted. Your views and ideas will change as a result.

The Tower is a card about war, a war between the structures of lies and the lightning flash of truth. The Tower stands for “false concepts and institutions that we take for real.” You have been shaken up; blinded by a shocking revelation. It sometimes takes that to see a truth that one refuses to see. Or to bring down beliefs that are so well constructed. What’s most important to remember is that the tearing down of this structure, however painful, makes room for something new to be built.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Posted by: preita | November 15, 2008

Geeking Out.

Today I went & hung out with my good friend Will. To bad he lives an hour away, but it’s well worth it. We’ve been friends since we both live in Minnesota & oddly enough moved out to California seperately (we weren’t really speaking at the time, ya all have been there) with in months of each other.  So we’ve made more of a point to hang out.

I think personally for me this has more to do with my new car. See before I drove a huge ass Chevy Conversion van. The driving wasn’t a problem, it was the parking. I always had to really think about where I was going & when to see if I could actually park that beast. So I didn’t venture out as much.  Now with my little Dodge Hatchback I can get in anywhere & so now I feel amazingly more mobile.

Two things came out of that meet up yesterday. My introduction to an amazingly cute video game called Little Big Planet (which the Mr & I are totally buying because we can work TOGETHER, not necessarily against each other, and if you’ve ever played a game with both the Mr & me you totally understand why we don’t do it) has created a miniature obsession. Probably because it’s rediculously cute. The fact that I’m actually knitting myself a little sackboy is testament enough. (don’t judge till he’s stuffed & wired)

The Start of a Sackman

The Start of a Sackman

Two is the phrase “Hurf Durf Durf” which now is replaying in my head like a broken record (Thanks Will! Payback is a BITCH! :D ) This I’m told is another version of saying “Duh”. I’m a little worried that this phrase will actually come out of my mouth and never leave my vocabulary.

Posted by: preita | November 15, 2008

All I have to say is….

MALABRIGO SOCK YARN!

I actually have 6 of these babies. All mine!

I actually have 6 of these babies. All mine!

 

That is all.

Posted by: preita | November 13, 2008

What to say, when there’s nothing to say?

This National Month Of Blogging seems to have really got me struggling lately. I have still half the month to go and still I don’t have all these interesting things to say. Just because I talk a lot, doesn’t mean it’s all interesting. :P

Lately I’ve been completely exhausted. When you look up at the clock and are disappointed that it’s only 8pm, disappointed because it’s still too early to hit the sack, well, that’s just sad.  It’s one of the things that I will be talking about with my doc at next weeks appointment. One of like 6 billion (or at least it feels that way).

In other news I’m accomplishing quite a lot on the Christmas knitting front. Next year I will only be knitting for one person. The one that speaks up the first gets it.  Since I’m a little more than 1/2 way through my FIL’s sweater I think I’m going to start swatching for my own version of Big Bad Noro. I’ve wanted this sweater since I’ve first seen it up on ravelry. So a-swatching I will go.

Preitas brain has officially shut off, please move along.

"Preita's brain has officially shut off, please move along."

Posted by: preita | November 12, 2008

Holidays Rushing IN!

The holidays are fast approaching, (thanks Manda for pointing that out) and I think I’m going to be sick.

 42 Days in case you were wondering.

I have not yet finished anything, and I have to start to think about sending things out! The Mr & my MIL & my dad/ + parents have not told me what they want. I have no lists.
People. I refuse to brave the mall this year. If you can’t get your shit together in time for me to order it online I’m not dealing with it! :P This is your final warning. 42 days left. *cries* I don’t even know why I celebrate Christmas as I’m not even Christian, lol Go figure.  Unitarians like presents though & it’s really about “peace on earth, good food, family, & Santa” as my mom would say.
On a completely unrelated note, we had a 401K meeting yesterday. I seemed to be the only one that understood this concept of “retirement”. I have a healthy 401K already started, but I think I’m going to up my contribution.  I think it’s time to start looking into IRA’s & CD’s too.
(Why yes, I am a boring 50 year old woman trapped in a 26 year old body)
Posted by: preita | November 11, 2008

These Woolen Days

Living the good life. Seriously I am. You know for all it’s ups and downs life has been quite good lately. Nothing exciting has really happened to us, but it seems that after a few months living in the new house we have finally found our groove again.  Our small spot of consistent happiness.  This spot is just every day life for the Mr and I. 

Something that has now become part of our every day life is spinning. (Yes I’m still knitting like a mad woman, and no I can’t show you. Maybe next month! Soon I promise!) There is nothing, honestly, more rewarding than looking up from my own wheel to see the Mr smiling at the progress he’s making. We are completely different spinners. Our yarns are completely different, but I think that’s really, completely awesome. He’s gotten down a groove of a bulky high twist single.  It’s hard to capture this single because the fiber is naturally dark & they are nestled so well into each other.

Finnsheep single, spun by the Mr.

Finnsheep single, spun by the Mr.

Excuse the flash picture but it was just to dark last night (damn you day light savings!). He’s really gotten past the thick thin stage to get it all quite even. This yarn was quite difficult at time as it’s two different rovings carded side by side to create a rag wool effect. He decided to split the black from the white & spin them separately, where as I spun them together.  See, same wool, but completely different! Gotta love it!

This is my Finnsheep all plied together.

This is my Finnsheep all plied together.

I can’t wait to see the Mr’s singles all plied up. They are going to be a bulky (or even super bulky) yarn, but I think I might have enough for a cowl! :) YUM!

So what am I spinning? Merino bought from Hello Yarn. The package came yesterday (yay!) with our 1lb of merino & 1lb of BFL. We are super happy campers to say the least! :) My goal with this merino was to try and spin as fine as I am able to. Since I haven’t been spinning all that long (um about 3 weeks!) I’m quite happy with the progress that I’m making. My hope is to get enough out of this fiber for a pair of socks.

Merino from Hello Yarn.

Merino from Hello Yarn.

There are still some fluffy spots. I had some growing pains with this. I didn’t quite put into practice my realization that I needed to put more twist in so there were a few snapping points. So far though I think it’s going pretty well.

So there we are. With my share of the BFL I’m going to try dying the roving first. So that means quite a bit of research to do first! :) I’m a little worried about colors because I have a tendency to pick colors akin to clown puke and as unpleasing as that is in a knit, it’s even worse while spinning. So I will have to try to restrain myself a bit.

Speaking of restraining oneself, the Mr did not while “trimming” the rose bushes out front. I thought they were surely destined for the mulch pile. Well I was proved that the Mr does know what he’s doing when I saw this the other day.

I am very pretty

"I am very pretty"

 

Ed says Perfectly comfortable, why cant this human stop moving though?!

Ed says "Perfectly comfortable, why can't this human stop moving though?!"

Posted by: preita | November 10, 2008

Entrelac Cowl

I’ve been asked by quite a few people for a while now to publish my pattern for this knit. So I’ve gotten over my laziness & written it all up. Please let me know if you see any problems as I knit this over 2 months ago & the details are a bit sketchy (as were my notes!).

 

Supplies:
2 skeins Noro Kureyon (or roughly 200 yds of worsted weight yarn)
Size US 8 cicular needles 16 inches in length
Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends
1 Stitch Marker

Gage: 4.5″ over 20st (Though it’s not terribly important)

Knitting entralac in the round is quite easy, but learning how to knit backwards will speed this up immensely and save you a billion “turn work”s.  I am writing this with the “turn work” after every row since I know not everyone really wants to learn how to knit backwards. Be forewarned though, I knit every other row backwards and thus may have mistranslated something in the process. If you see ANYTHING wrong, please let me know! :) email me with any problems at pmsalyer AT yahoo DOT com

If you wish to learn how to knit backwards I’ve found this You Tube video very informative.

 

Directions:

CO 84 st and join in the round
(I then knit 1 round just to have a better foundation row, you do not need to do this if it is not ecstatically pleasing to you) No ribbing is necessary as entrelac does not curl.

Set Up: (these are your triangles)
1. K2 turn
2. Sl 1, P1 turn,
3. Sl 1, K2
, turn
4. Sl 1, P2,
turn

5. Sl1, K3, turn,
6. Sl 1, P3, turn
7. Sl1, K4, turn
8. Sl1,  P4, turn
9. Sl1, K5, DO NOT TURN, you now start the next triangle.

repeat these 6 rows 14 times till end of round.

Now onto the rectangles: These are a little tricky because you will not be going round and round as normal. You will complete one round right to left, (the triangles) then start your next round left to right (your first rectangle round) This sounds more complicated than it is, trust me. Once a round is completed you will see all rectangles leaning one direction, and that the next round they must be leaning the oppiset direction it will all make sense. 


Working left to rightpick up  6 sts as follows,  (you will have 12 live stitches after picking up 6)
Sl 1, P4, p2tog turn work
Sl 1, K 5, turn work
Sl 1, P4, P2tog
Sl 1, K 5
Continue as stated until you have once again 6 live stitches (you have consumed 6 stitches through the p2tog action)  and before your needle are now the slipped stitches of the next triangle (or further along rectangle) ready to be picked up.
Continue the rest of the round exactly the same way (14 Triangles have now been made)
The next round is worked exactly the same…but different. :) You are now going to work from Right to Left. Exactly, you are going back the way you just came!
This time pick up 6 stitches as follows
Sl 1, P5 turn
Sl 1, K4, SSK turn
Sl 1, P5 turn
Sl 1 k4 SSK Turn
Continue thus until you have completed 14 rectangles in this round.
Repeat these two rounds as many times as you like. I did 4 repeats (8 total rounds), but you can do more or less depending on how you like your cowls.
 Ending Triangles (finishing it all off!):
To be worked after round 2!
 *Pick up and purl 6 sts
Sl 1, K5 turn
Sl 1, P4 P2tog turn
Sl 1, K4 turn
Sl 1 P4 P2tog turn
Sl 1, K 5 turn
Sl 1 P 4 P2tog, P remaining sts

Repeat from * till you have worked your way around the whole cowl.

You now have an even row of live stitches on your needle. Now bind off (I preferred the sewn bind off, but you do what you like!) and weave in your ends.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

Posted by: preita | November 9, 2008

When The Girls Get Together…

Yesterday was quite lovely actually. After all the errand running was done I drove off to Cheryl’s house for a small knit chick get together.  Great food, great company, some knitting progress done & randomly talking too much about boobs.

Could Lisa & Nancy BE any cuter?! Answer, no they could not, your head would explode.

 I found out through this get together too that my LYS is going to be offering the elusive Malabrigo Sock Yarn. I pity the fool who tries to get between it & me (except for Beatriz). 1, not only are there only two real sock knitters at my group but 2, I’m the one that spread the Gospel of Malabrigo. If you get between me & it you WILL loose.

Ms. Beatriz, one of the most awesome sock knitters I know & who tipped me off about the Malabrigo.

Ms. Beatriz, one of the most awesome sock knitters I know & who tipped me off about the Malabrigo.

There was obviously lots of caffine consumption & silliness to be had by all.

The Hostest with the Mostest.

The Hostest with the Mostest.

A big thanks to Cheryl for a lovely night. :) Lisa your pie was to die for & I can’t believe how much awesome food Beatriz brought. :)

Posted by: preita | November 8, 2008

It’s in the jeans

So it’s Saturday and I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off. The great jeans hunt of 2008 was on. I don’t have to tell one woman out there that trying to find a pair of good jeans will make you feel like a mutant.

At Macy’s I tried on various (20 pairs) jeans of different cuts and styles and sizes. I’m usually between sizes, like I like the way a smaller size fits on my leg but not on my waist. Usually I will employ a tailor for jeans I really like in the leg. So yeah, I had to think while trying on all these jeans that I can not be the only woman out there with out hips. I am not real wide head on, but from the profile, well, I have a belly & quite the bootay.  So while jeans may fit technically, they don’t actually fit because I have so much extra fabric that it supposed to be taken up by hips.

Also, inseams? Why should my pants come up past my belly button? WHY, That’s just ridiculous, and on a larger gal such as much self a complete fashion NO NO.

Another thing I noticed? When did jeans start getting so long? I’m not of average height for a Californian woman, as I was not born out here & thus am mostly Nordic blood, so it amazes me when I slip into some jeans, when I am 5 foot 8 inches tall and realize that I am going to have to hem 2-3 inches off the pants. I want to know what “average” woman can wear these & why she isn’t considered tall. This picture below is typical of how I view the world. I’m actually roughly about 2 inches taller than everyone around me (women not always men) and these women are in heels.

So yeah. I want to know where these amazon “average” women are & why we can’t just call them “tall”.

So anyways, I did find a pair of jeans, Nordstrom’s Rack is probably the biggest hit or miss place ever but completely awesome deals.  I also found that I can totally rock a trouser pant like no one’s business. So score one for me as I found a black casual pair & a denim pair. Score.

The Mr brough up a subject today that kind of surprised me, “Preita” he said, “What do you think about dying roving & yarn to sell?” So yes, new things to contemplate.

 

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