Beauty School Dropout

Glove Update

Lookin' good, right? That's what I thought, too. Then I put the thumb on and triumphantly pulled on the finished glove...

WEB-THUMB.

I don't know how well you can see it in this picture, but somehow I wasn't sticking my hand all the way into the glove when I knit the fingers, so the thumb is super short -- giving me a webbed thumb.

Riiiiiiiiiiip!

FO: Monteagle Bag

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Originally uploaded by kerner

I knit a reusable shopping bag - isn't it cute? It was really fast - I think it took about 4 days, and that includes having to look on Ravelry for instructions on every complicated stitch. In case anyone is dying to make it (or - more likely - when I make it again) here is everything you need to know:

The pattern (free! Thanks Ann and Kay!)
That tricky twisted cross stitch (Ravelry discussion thread)
Crazytime veil stitch - yes, you actually wrap the yarn around both needles - watch Ann demonstrating on video!

This was a fun little project - a nice break from some bigger thing I'm working on (cough cough Matt's sweater cough) and also a nice segue into an update from last time. I've decided that part of my problem of feeling overwhelmed is that I have a tendency to see everything in long-run/big-picture sort of terms. It's a bit much, you know? Plus I'm always looking ahead to the next thing - next week - next month, etc. I need to just slow down and enjoy the day-to-day. Not to contradict myself, but I'm really looking forward to my vacation next month (San Fran & Napa - yay!) because I think it will be a good opportunity for Matt and I to both just take a few days out of our normal routine and relax.

Blarg....

Ugh, I've been out of town, work is crazy, somehow I've managed to schedule meeting every night of the week... I am overwhelmed and its obviously showing by my lack of posts. Well, I can't make any promises it's going to turn around any time soon, but I am making progress on Matt's sweater (thank you plane ride to Chicago and back!) and I started a Monteagle Bag, so that should be fun.

Oh - and I think I'm going to stick with my original name for my bike. I did love reading all your suggestions, especially "Charlotte" since I managed to run through a ton of spider webs on my ride yesterday, but I decided it doesn't sound sporty enough for a bike. Plus, I like how this name combines two of my hobbies, sounds sporty, etc - "Mrs. Dash" it is!

Name that Bike

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Originally uploaded by kerner

My bike is the one in front - silver with dark teal accents. This picture was taken before my ride on Monday night. You know, the ride where I had my first spill on this bike? Note to self: do not attempt to ride through a muddy patch on the trail with a road bike. NOT GOOD. I couldn't get unclipped, so not only did I fall, I fell in mud. Blech. Luckily I only had a scrape on my hand - nothing serious.

During the whole ride, I kept thinking about how I need to name my bike. Kelli has such cute names for her two bikes (Ruby and Olive), but mine doesn't really have a distinctive color to it. I have an idea (my twitter friends already know it) but what do you think? Name that bike!

I made yarn!

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Originally uploaded by kerner

My friend Dallas bought a spinning wheel not too long ago... I have a feeling this won't be the last time I go over to her place to play with it! Spinning was way easier than I expected, although I was using long strands of roving so all I had to do was spin, spin, spin! (I way overspun it. She said I could knit chainmail with it. Oh well!)

Homemade Yogurt - Experiment #1

Step 1: Heat milk to 180 degrees to kill the bad bugs. Cool to 100, stir in the good bugs (2T. yogurt) and some dry milk powder for extra thickness.

Step 2: Hold warm for 8 hours (I used my crockput crock turned upside down over a heating pad)

Step 3: Chill and enjoy!

I'm not going to be responsible for anyone getting sick, so I'm going to send you to my source for the real recipe: The Hillbilly Housewife

I ate it and didn't die... it's actually really good, although I still think I can taste the dry milk powder, even though there's not that much in there. I want to try again with a larger container (and more yogurt!) My main problem was finding something that fit inside the crockpot.

Gloves!

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Originally uploaded by kerner

Pretty, right? I totally ripped this project off of Margene. Same pattern, same yarn... the grrl knows her stuff, what can I say?

I love, love, love the cable at the wrist, and I think the long cuff will make these really practical to keep the cold winter winds from whipping up my coat sleeves.

This is the first pair of gloves I've ever knit. So far, so good. Stay tuned for a pinky finger!

The Birthday Sweater Monster

Well, it's not really a monster. Not quite.

It looks innocent enough, doesn't it? And look at this sleeve - perfectly ordinary, unassuming!

But something - I don't want to call it a "curse" - but definitely something, is lurking behind those innocent loops of Cascade 220. Every single "birthday sweater" I make for my husband - this will be the fourth - has something go wrong. The first one - well, what didn't go wrong? I leave you with this little gem (the second picture has a normal-sized sweater over it for comparison):

The second one turned out pretty well, although I had quite a time with the zipper. And I guess I used slightly thinner yarn than the pattern called for, because the whole thing is much, um, drapier than a man's sweater/jacket thing should be. And it's a bit too long. Plus the bottom edge rolls up, which drives me crazy.

Last year's was the best so far, although the neckline is a little too big* and I think Matt thinks the yarn I used (Peace Fleece) is a bit too scratchy for his tastes. (*He's wearing the same color shirt underneath so you can't really tell)

Anyway - this year's difficulty (knock on wood it's the only one) has been running short of yarn. I was not even being cheap and trying to scrape by with less than the pattern called for. I bought exactly what I was supposed to - even the same brand of yarn! - and I have already run short on the sleeves. I am waiting for a package from a helpful Raveler, and anxiously knitting the front, hoping it doesn't have the same problem!!

Oh well.... this is how we grow as knitters, right?

Weekend Funtivities

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Originally uploaded by kerner

It took a little planning, but Matt and I came up with a really great Friday night full of funtivities!

First, we watched Grease at the Gillioz, an old restored movie theater in downtown Springfield.

Next, we walked around downtown and took in some of the gallery shows during First Friday Art Walk. This month's theme seemed to be quilts, which was really awesome for me since I am a fledgling quilter myself. Inside the Gillioz was a show by Susan Leslie Lumsden aka the Rebel Quilter. She makes art quilts, but they definitely had some traditional quilting elements in many of her works.

Next, we stopped at Grandpappy's BBQ for dinner, which was nice since Matt loves to try new BBQ places. They do a really good job of matching their meat to their sauce, and Matt really enjoyed his homemade coleslaw.

After dinner, we went to another art gallery that had been recommended to us by the artist at the first quilt showing. The Missouri State art gallery, which normally houses student & faculty work, was hosting an international juried art quilt show. The quilts were quite amazing - I also had fun trying to photograph people looking at the quilts, a la Lolly's recent post.

We still had about an hour before the Mystery Hour, which is a live improv talk show hosted by Jeff Houghton at the Skinny Improv Theater. We stopped into Trolley's (of The Bachelor fame - anyone remember Aaron Buerge from The Bachelor about 5 years ago? Yep, he's from my town) and ran into some acquintances, who invited us to sit at their table. We were regaled with wild tales form one of their drunk friends. It was... entertaining. =)

It was finally the Mystery Hour, so we scurried a few doors down Park Central East and joined the mad dash into the theater. I think it was the biggest crowd the Mystery Hour had ever seen!

Here's Mystery Jeff interviewing new Missouri State head basketball coach Cuonzo Martin:

I stayed up way past my bedtime, but it was a really fun night! I love that we were able to do all this for a great price (the movie was $5 - art galleries were free - the show was $3) and all within walking distance of each other (actually, all within about 3 square blocks.) Yay for Springfield!

Making my list, and checking it off!

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Originally uploaded by squidpants

It's no secret - I love making lists. But I love checking things off even more. So... I am happy to report I am no longer driving with expired license plates. YAY!

I've also checked a few other things off - I am doing good on my workouts and making some progress on my reading for my women's group next week. We rotate around to a different person's home each month and the host gets to pick the book and provide dinner for everyone. Any suggestions on what I should make? There will probably be about 8 of us.

Tomato Lace Socks

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Originally uploaded by kerner

I started these a couple of months ago... they've been snoozing during the Ravelympics, crazy shawl-finishing, etc. But now that I've been hired as lead sock knitter in AfricanKelli's dream dog-friendly knitting bakery, I figured I'd better play the part!

(Wanna know what I'm talking about? Join the fun on twitter!)

Looking ahead

Trees in September
Originally uploaded by Jom Manilat

Hmm... this time of year has been weird for me the past few years. This is only the 4th year that fall hasn't meant starting back to school - I guess I'm still not quite used to the natural reset button that a new school year brings.

In an effort to reclaim that feeling of starting fresh, I'm going to try to follow Kelli's lead, and post my goals for the week. I'm not quite sure if this will actually motivate me or cause me to shirk everything I've written. I guess we'll see!

This week’s goals:

~Finish reading The Sacred Echo, prepare to lead discussion for women's group next Monday
~Plan dinner for women's group
~Run 11 miles
~Swim 2 times (half of shorter master's workout)
~Lift 2 times (keep increasing weight slowly)
~Track my training on dailymile.com (let me know if you want an invite - it's like Ravelry for runners/bikers/swimmers!)
~Work on Matt's sweater
~Plan a menu for the week and go grocery shopping! (Geez, I'm so lazy!)
~Renew my license plates
~Plan something fun to do with my hubby this weekend.

Somethings green

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Originally uploaded by kerner

SOMETHING OLD: Yay! I'm happy to report that I finally finished my first lace shawl! I'm not really sure what I'm going to do with it now, but anyway - it's done! I have to give a HUGE thank-you to JennKnits on Ravelry. I ran out of yarn a few inches before finishing the bind-off, and she was the one person on Ravelry who had any of the same yarn in her stash. I sent a pathetic note, and she gladly snipped a couple of feet of yarn off her skein and popped it in the mail to me.

Project Details:

Pattern: Leaf Lace Shawl by Evelyn Clark

Yarn: numma numma Saucy in Green Goddess - 1 skein plus about 3 extra feet of yarn

Needle Size: Size 4 long circular

Pattern Modifications: the edging is shorter than the pattern calls for because I was running out of yarn.

Time to knit: Hmmm... Ravelry tells me that I started this back in February! But there were LONG stretches in there when I didn't touch it.

Final impressions: It's very pretty... but I think the likelihood of my using would be a lot better if it were rectangular. I need to figure out someone to give this to who will actually wear it.

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Originally uploaded by kerner

SOMETHING NEW: The beginning of Matt's annual birthday sweater - I was going to do the sleeves first, but it looks like I'm going to have to get an extra skein of yarn to be able to complete them. Luckily I have a little time before this one is due.

Missed it by that much...

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Originally uploaded by kerner

Yeah, I love me some Maxwell Smart. (Why is that show not on TV anymore?!)

Anyway - BR (before the Ravelympics) - I was knitting away like mad on my Leaf Lace Shawl. I reached the tipping point where I was so close to finishing that I just wanted it DONE. Then I took a 2-week break for the sweater, but now I'm back.

I was running very, VERY low on yarn so I figured I better just find a reasonably good place and bind off, even though I hadn't finished all the border rows.

Of course - I ran out. See that little squiggle of yarn up in the left hand corner? Yeah, that's not going to cut it. Luckily a very nice stranger on Ravelry is going to send me a couple yards so I can finish. Hooray!

One last medal ceremony

Caesar Augustus Bobicus, our Master of Ceremonies of the First International Ravelympic Games, Summer 2008, hereby declares Zarah a GOLD MEDALIST! Congratulations!

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Originally uploaded by kerner

Bob also extends his best wishes to the runners-up, who gave their knitting a valiant effort but were unable to finish on time.

(They are sad. My brother-in-law is also a VERY good sport.)

Project Specs: (I'll get some better pictures in a day or two)

Pattern: February Lady Sweater, by Pamela Wynne

Yarn: Dream in Color Classy, 3 skeins, colorway In Vino Veritas

Needle Size: Size 6

Pattern Modifications: Shortened sleeves to make body of sweater longer. I used every last bit of those 3 skeins of yarn - I'm guessing the pattern is written for someone shorter than me, so they can use that extra yarn for the sleeves and not the body of the sweater.

Time to knit: 16 days - I think I might have been a little off from the "official" Olympic start and end times, but adjusted for the Central Time Zone I really did knit this within the span of the Olympic Games.

Final impressions: Very cute and wearable sweater. I think I will wear this a lot this fall. And I love the yarn - I will definitely be getting more Dream in Color Classy for sweaters in the future.