Tuesday, Right?

Look! I have been weaving a little bit. This is a little change purse I wove on the inkle loom. I love it. Also, today is Tuesday, so...

We all see that along with the price of gas, the price of our food is increasing, and for most, those costs are going up faster than our income. So, let's follow along with Carole and talk about ways to save at the grocery store.

1. Make a shopping list. Hey, we are making a Ten on Tuesday list; we can do one for groceries, too.

2. Check the pantry. You might be buying duplicates you do not need.

3. Do not shop while hungry or in a state of craving. You will come home with some really tasty grub, but the price is high in so many ways.

4. Shop at a less-fancy store. Some grocery stores are nicer shopping experiences than others are, and only you can decide if it is worth paying more for it.

5. Check the price per unit. Sometimes the bigger package just costs more.

6. Coupons! Not only do you have those in the paper and through the mail, but also printables from online, and electronic ones you load to a shopping card or that go on a fancy mobile phone.

7. Price matching. You might be able to shop wherever you like if your favorite store matches prices from sales ads.

8. Sales. Check that colorful flyer for savings. Often the manufacturers offer coupons that you can pair with a special price for even more savings. You might notice a pattern about the same items going on special. Stock up when there is the good price and wait if you can between times.

9. Generic/store brand. You might need to experiment a little, but sometimes the difference is not noticeable, but the price sure can be. Still, you need to watch for times when you need to use twice as much of the less expensive brand, but only save one-third, or for times when a sale and coupon pairing beats the generic.

10. Be realistic. Know what you will prepare, and prepare what you purchase. If you will not use it, you did not save any money, no matter how good the deal was, or what your intentions were.

The Good, the Bad, and the Splotchy

I wondered what had eaten last week, but when I think about it, I suppose I could just be pleased that I am holding up as well as a I am.

We traveled somewhere around 1000 miles in the car. My back is still unhappy with me about this. Around 400 miles went toward visiting family, and there was much good in that, but we saw upsetting signs of declining health for someone else, and that was just sad.

There were medical appointments for Bruce, and that accounted for about 400 more of the miles. He is fine, but there is still more to go. The waiting room time went by so quickly that I only knit a few rows. Then we looked at cars, and that was mostly awful. I just have no interest in it unless it is time to get a car, but Bruce enjoys it, and we were in the neighborhood. However, there may be something good coming of that adventure, too.

As for the splotchy, I do not think I like what is happening with this Citron, so I am just going to have to rip it out and move on to something else. Then again, I am kind of unsure, so I am putting up this picture in a solicitation of opinions. The original intention was that this would be a gift, and it is possible that the recipient could see it, but if I do rip it, that does not matter, and there is also a good chance that she will not see this anyway.

No, Today is Friday

At some point on Wednesday, my brain became thoroughly convinced that it was Friday, and I still have not quite recovered from it. Still, the week has not been a total loss (though I remain rather lost).

Today, my new-to-me Schacht Inkle Loom arrived.

Too Little, Too Late

I meant for this sweater to be for a baby born last year, and I do not really remember what happened, but fast-forward to now, and I have this sweater, and I am pretty certain that it is too small for the little girl. Asking the mommy about her baby's wingspan to see if this would still fit seems wrong, so I am holding onto the sweater for some future baby. I just now got around taking pictures of it, and I fall in love with the little kitty buttons every time I look at it.

Speaking of little, I also never showed you the cute little prizes resting on the sweater. They are HiyaHiya Puppy Snips that I received from a friend. It has been a long time since I felt the need to own one of something in every color, but I think these adorable little scissors may have brought me nearly to that point. They are fabulously handy little snips, and I feel compelled to show them to everyone whenever I use them.

Now, I somewhat show you something that is neither little nor late. It is a gift for a friend, (those of you who have seen and know what this is--shhh, please) but not exactly for a particular occasion, and, therefore, not late. I will show it after it arrives where it belongs, but we all know my postal procrastination, so no holding of breath, please.

UM...Decided and Undecided

When I heard about the Emily/Emily2 knitalong, I knew that I wanted to play. Then, I thought that it would be a great gift for a friend, and worried that my participation as a knit-along-er would be terrible if I could not show my progress. At that point, I realized I had gotten ahead of myself, and there was much I needed to do before I could join in on the fun and games. So, I set to the tasks of finishing one project and making progress on a couple of others, and then deemed myself eligible to play with friends. I seriously think I have earned this, as I even made a decent dent in my Chalet Sock from PSCNeverHappened2009.

Next up was yarn selection time. I decided that I wanted to use the alpaca/silk yarn I spun for the TdF 2009. I thought it would be a great choice for the pattern, and I had wanted to knit it into a gift for my friend for quite some time. Then, I could not find it anywhere. I searched high and low, and began to wonder whether I had given it away. Somewhere in my brain, I remember getting the yarn out to see if would work for some project, but that was my last memory of it. Finally, I unearthed a knitting bag that has not seen much use for quite a while, and lo and behold, I found the yarn.

However, at this point, things had become a little bit complicated. First, I became quite enamored with a few other yarns in the stash. One of them led me to think about knitting Emily2 for yet another friend. It would also be a bit of a different experience, and a bit of a gamble. However, it would not require me to use beads, although it would not rule them out, either.

So, all I know for now, is that I am going to knit Emily2 whenever the kal begins.

Judge :: Mental
Safe :: Haven
Boulevard :: Wander
27 :: March
Next :: Time
Ma’am :: Yes
Desktop :: Clutter
Club :: Caveman
Violet :: Favorite
Enamel :: Nail

Eighteen Grams

Damask's last appearance was the cast-on plus a few rows. The experience of knitting with the silk single was interesting. I did not fully understand this until a later experience, but more on that another day. The nupps were more challenging in silk than in wool. Still, I enjoyed knitting Damask, and it is a great pattern.

As I had no way to get more of the yarn, and it was knit from many stitches from the bottom up, I decided to go for the medium size. I was concerned that it might be too small, but was more worried that I would run out of yarn. So, I cast on with my US 8 needles (5mm), and knit the rest with US 4 (3.5mm) and hoped for the best. A mere eighteen grams later, I was done. Knitting the medium size was the right choice.

Now I just have to wait for Mother's Day to give this to Mom.

Heart-to-Heart

I finished this almost three months ago, but only now am I free to show it. It was a birthday gift for my friend, Helen. Her birthday was in December, but travel, holidays, and weather kept us from getting together, until last week when I was finally able to give this to her.

I knit the Heart to Heart Beaded Scarf for her in Misti Alpaca Lace in this beautiful blue. I was quite pleased by how well it suited her when she put it on, but in a fit of camnesia, I forgot to take a picture. You will just have to settle for its January snow photo shoot.

UM...And Another Thing

Whenever I add another element to my life, things end up a bit topsy-turvy for a while. Usually if I try to keep up with everything while incorporating the new activity, I collapse and get nothing done. This time, I am trying to just add in this very new and different thing, and have just let many other things (blogging, email, commenting, and more) fall to the side for a bit. No, it is not a perfect answer, but at least I am not stuck frozen on the couch, in the bed, nor on the floor.

What am I talking about, you ask (yeah, I know no one is really asking, but I appreciate your indulgence once more)? I have begun to exercise outside the home. Yikes! I have never worked out at an exercise facility, but my new health insurance includes this as a benefit. I still do not know what all to bring with me, which classes to try, or how to best work it into my day. We will not even touch on how there are mirrors everywhere, or the preparations I need to make to try out the aquacise class.

While I continue to find my legs in all of this, it was great to come home to a package on the front porch the other day. My prize package from Stacey's fundraising efforts arrived, and I love it all! Everything was so carefully wrapped and it is such a generous collection of lovelies. I am already making plans with the yarn, and making tea, too!

Bootie :: Pattern
User :: Friendly
Child :: Care
Scribe :: Illuminator
Manager :: Micro
Upsetting :: Incident
Puddles :: Accident
Hopeful :: Always
Procrastination :: Yep
Statistics :: Lies

Happily Homebound

The snow is still here, and I love it. I shoveled some paths for the stray cats to get to the food dish. I really dislike the jerk dogs that came and ate most of the cat food. I walked up to the mailboxes, even though none is being delivered for who knows how long. I considered making a snowman, but instead, I made a snow angel.

With most places closed and many roads unsafe for travel, we have been staying in, and that is one of my very favorite things. I have been making good progress on Damask, and have even passed the 50% mark. Knitting with the silk single has been an interesting experience and makes me want to spin some on my own. I happen to have some pink silk ready to go on the wheel or a drop spindle. I need only choose and then get spinning.

Anyway, the shawl knitting is going well, and the rows are getting so much shorter. The first few rows were a little fiddly, but I think the effort is going to be well worth it. I do know that I need to loosen up a little to make the nupps with this yarn. I found that out quickly, and had to fight a little bit on one row, but it was not too bad. I have knit a new-to-me stitch, find its looks interesting, and have been pondering its applications in new lace.

I might finish Damask in the next day or two, or I might get sidetracked by spinning or Donkey Kong. Whatever I do, it will be here at home, and probably wearing something I knit.

UM...For a Moment

For a moment, I considered blogging daily this year. I was high on the fumes of my productivity. I started the first by baking bread, (I had already made the dough and it was ready in pans just waiting to be baked) and then went straight into making black-eyed peas and cornbread. I calculated and planned for my next knitting project, and gave extra thought before casting on for it. Then there was a lot of the Twilight Zone marathon, and now that I think about it, maybe I was not so productive. I have already forgotten what else I did that day, but I could swear there was more.

Anyway, by Sunday afternoon a pang of anxiety that I had not blogged yet struck me, but I shook it off and then wondered why I thought doing the daily blogging was a good idea for me. For now, I am just glad that I could get my brain functioning well enough to get the newest lace on the needles. Seeing as how that involved casting on 297 stitches, I consider it quite an accomplishment.

I am taking part in a KAL for Damask, and have decided to knit the medium size. I really wanted to go for the large size, but I only have 630 yds of my yarn (there is no more anywhere) and that size requires 650. I have chosen to knit this with the handspun silk that I got at Habu Textiles when we were in New York. I have a wonderful image in my head about how this will work, and I really hope I am right.

Speaking of what is in my head...

Carwash :: Blues

Intuition :: Feeling

Desperate :: Needy

Tears :: Clown

Purple :: Color

Storage :: Unit

Duct :: Tape

System :: Overload

Cabinet :: Handle

Manager :: Micro

Square Scarves

These are the latest three scarves I have woven. There is a bit of emphasis on late, though. The gray one was just about six inches away from being finished when we left to celebrate Christmas for everyone, and the other two, well, their lateness is only in their arrival, as I am terrible about getting things in the post.


All of that aside, I really like these scarves. The addition of a pickup stick (actually, I used a ruler) to create this pattern was simple, but added great texture, and a nice squooshy quality to the fabric. This may be my new go-to scarf pattern.

Un-Sheeping Believable

Has it really come to this? It just seems wrong that I am modeling a sweater for a little poodle. At least the tension from knitting and guessing on the pattern rinsed away with the lavender wool wash. It is sure to fit one of the little dogs, and that will probably just encourage her to knit more of these things. This was supposed to be Soho Cables, but she wanted to knit it right.now, and when she could not get it for immediate download, and shipping more than doubled the price of the pattern, she ended up using a free pattern that required a lot of guessing and fiddling with the downsizing, and then there was ripping and cursing, and then in the search for the buttons she spotted me, and that is how I ended up in this superwash--insult to injury, I tell ya--dog sweater.


Oh, and you wanted to know about my intentions for 2011? I intend to not have to wear another dog sweater, but that might be a losing battle, so I will work on acceptance.

Still Here

However, I really do not have much to show for my time. I wove a scarf (mohair is just as much a joy to un-weave as it is to un-knit), helped out with visiting family from out-of-town, baked bread, finished one sleeve, and started another. At one point, I viewed the first sleeve as a metaphor for my life--long, gray, unimpressive, more work than it should be, and curled up on itself. Then I laughed at how ridiculous I was being and started the second sleeve.

Of course, I have been doing other things. There is lace, and it is very good, but it is sooper-sekrit for just a little while longer. Knitting lace is always good, and this pattern is fun and just a little bit different. Making this from fabulous yarn for a great person has also added to the enjoyment. I can probably show this to you next week, but the weather keeps interfering with things. I would cross my fingers, but I really need them to finish my sweater, and the temperatures have definitely been wool-worthy.

UM...Crazy Crackers

Wheat & Graham

Scrabble :: Tiles
Watching :: Weight
Habitually :: Drunk
Gritty :: Details
Slovenly :: Lazy
Canvas :: Blank
Leggings :: Thighs
Thursday :: F.O.A.D.
Attention :: Span
Hypnotic :: Melody

Weaving Wednesday

Not counting some experimental washcloths I still need to finish sewing the ends under, this is my first effort on the new loom. I liked it right away, but when I looked it over, it did not seem good enough for a gift; then I showed it to others. So far, they either have wanted it for themselves or knew just whom I should give it to as a present.

Anyway, I now have something rather different on the loom, and am planning future projects. Thanks to Stacey, I know that the next addition to my library needs to be Textures and Patterns for the Rigid Heddle Loom by Betty Linn Davenport. I think that will help me take my weaving where I would like it to go. I also really want to make a couple of these waffle-y scarves for some people. Then, there are the tartans I want to weave, and the rug for the front door, and the cute little tote, and, and, and.

Just Like Vogue Knitting

It is all Crazy Town, all the time around here. No better time for a niece and nephew weekend, right?

I shared this brilliant animation from Franklin, with my husband and nephew. We were constantly quoting from it and being silly; however, it also inspired thoughtful reflection in my nephew. He considered just how long it takes to knit a cabled scarf for someone, how many stitches are in a sweater, and whether each stitch says, "I love you."

Upon discovering that I had not replenished the supplies of Stretch Magic beading cord, thus ruling out a fun beading session, my niece launched into critical mode. She told me that she thinks I made my Mariner Moose, that there is no such thing as Stitch 'n' Pitch--that I made it all up. Then I showed her the fiber that I received with the bobblehead moose, and that softened her attitude significantly. She loves the colors, and wants me to make it into a scarf for her. Next, she asked whether the new loom could be used to make a blanket, and her view of it changed dramatically, as well.

Speaking of the loom, I wove my first scarf. Just like knitting, it benefited from a dunk in hot water and wool wash. Anyway, I like it pretty well, even though I do see where I need to improve. I learned several things throughout the process, and that is always good. I would show it to you, but we will all have to wait until I locate the camera cord.

Not Drankin'

Nevertheless, I am weaving. Besides my new loom, I do not have anything to show just yet, but I have ideas. There are also many new vocabulary terms for me to understand, as well as a different pattern language to decode, and of course, new skills and techniques to master.

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome (I hope) a new lurker. If you are able to and would like to, feel free to comment. I do believe you were trying to give me a clue to let me know you had found the blog, but my brain was not working very well the other day. On the other hand, my it is possible that my brain is still not working well, I am seeing meaning where there is none, and this is all just an overworking of my imagination, and wishful thinking on my part.

I do apologize for the somewhat cryptic message meant for just one possible reader, and appreciate everyone indulging me in this. As a thank you for your support and understanding, I am sending hugs to all of you who like them, and a spore-friendly thumbs-up to those of you who do not.

UM...Meow?

Does it mean that I will bring bad luck when I cross people's paths while wearing this? Black cats may have a bad reputation, but they get good marks in my book for keeping me company.

I also love that I have so much company with time confusion. I enjoy the time change not only for this reason, but also, because for a few more days, I will almost feel like I am somewhere between on-time and ahead.

Everything :: About You
China :: Doll
Essence :: Ecstasy/Nothing Lasts Forever
Immediate :: Gratification
Obstruct :: Bowels
Force :: Hand
Constellation :: Project
Intuitive :: Simple
Complain :: Whine
Train :: Wreck

Just Nod and Smile

Check out these fabulous gifties my friend, Laura, sent me! They showed up on a long, rainy day, and gave me just the lift I needed. I absolutely love this little guy. He is so freaking adorable I can hardly stand it. My new bobblehead knitting Mariner Moose watches over me, encouraging me on my NaKniSweMo journey and more. I am being good and not getting the fabulous fiber on the wheel until I finish the current fiber. It is very motivating, and that is always good. Mariner Moose is nodding in agreement.

Inauspicious Beginning

NaKniSweMo is here, and I am playing, (Halloween Vest) however the start has not been what I had hoped. I was checking which size I would knit, measured myself, (eek!) and cast on for the appropriate size. Just a few rounds in, it seemed off by more than a little. Then I got out the calculator and checked numbers with the gauge in the pattern, and was glad I had not gone any further. If I continued with those numbers and that gauge, I will have a garment about 5" larger around than the size I was knitting. For now, I am tossing it aside and playing Wii.

Since we're all friends here, I'll show you what it looked like off the needles.