Tag: knitting

Knitting

Look what I got!

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SOMETHING NEW

Ok, a couple of months ago I decided, out of the blue one afternoon, that I desperately needed a tattoo.  Never had one, don’t know where the idea came from, but it was a must-do and the quicker the better.  I suppose I’ve always been adventurous, I’ve had a couple of piercings and such, but never a tat.  So, I started researching and looking at different designs on the internet, soft of fell in love with a couple, but really never hard enough that I wanted to wear from here on out.  Then, I found a design of a ball of yarn with knitting needles and totally, madly fell in love with it.  After settling on the design and color, all I had to do was nerve myself up and get inked.  This part only took about three weeks, but Friday was the perfect day (don’t know what made it perfect) to get a first tat so I marched myself to my local tattoo parlor, consulted with a (now my) artist, ponied up the money and am now the proud wearer of a beautiful tat that I’m totally in love with.  Unveilling……drum roll please…..

I love the color violet so it was a must.  I did a little research also on different colors and what they represented.  One thing I learned was the people who are drawn to violet tend to be creative, sensitive and serene.  Plus I just think it’s a pretty color.  Here’s where I put in a shameless plug for 7th Street Tattoo and Salon.  Awesome shop, made me, a 55 year old grandma feel welcome and comfortable.  I enjoyed the whole experience.  I think their website is www.7thStreettattoo.com  A guy I work with said I was finally showing off my badass self with a knitting tattoo.  Anyway, I love it and am already planning my second one.

AS FAR AS THE GRANDS

Bigmama is still gestating and running after a 2 year old, so she’s pretty much resting during the Papoose’s nap time.  I was very surprised by her reaction to the tat, she right away said she loved it and thought it was totally “me”.

So that was my weekend.  Am planning my second one already, maybe somethin on my foot, but it will be a while before it actually happens.

So that’s what I did on my weekend.  I’d love to hear what others did on their weekends.

The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.  Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday, 09/05/12

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THE GRANDS

The Papoose and fam got back from the beach Sunday, where they had a nearly front row seat to hurricane Isaac.  Luckily, he took a more westward course and they only had one day of rain and wind.  Glad to have them back in their nest, now awaiting the new baby on September 26.  Can’t wait, we don’t know the gender, Bigmama and Bigdaddy prefer to find out the old fashioned way, at birth.  I admit, though, while I really don’t have a preference, I do have a baby boy outfit stashed in my closet, just in case. : )  Here’s Bigmama gestating away –

ON THE NEEDLES

It’s WIP Wednesday and here’s the beginning of the Bauble shawl I’ve been going on about, with only one false start.  Oh gosh, hope I didn’t jinx it.  It’s going to be lovely, I can tell already.

The yarn (if I hadn’t already mentioned it) is Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk Paint, 85% Merino Superwash Wool and 15% Mulberry Silk, color number 9801.  Since it has only a number, not a color name, I think I’ll call it Bonfire.  That’s what the colors make me think of.  I think everything should have an actual name and Bonfire fits.

BY THE BOOK

My treadmill book is The Last Romanov by Dora LevyMossanen, which is awesome even if you’re not obsessed with the whole Romanov/is Anastasia still alive mystery.  This book grabbed me and pulled me into it, to the point that I’m actually walking longer than usual, just because I have to know what happens next.  Love it.

IN THE OVEN

Last weekend we had a couple of days of cooler (relatively speaking) weather and so I satisfied my need to bake with a carrot cake for Mr. Iknead, which technically was an anniversary gift since last Friday, 09/01/12, marked our 33rd wedding anniversary.  Long time and we still like each other.  A funny about the cake – now, Mr. Iknead doesn’t have a real discerning palate when it comes to certain things;  so, I’m grating carrots, mixing and sifting for the cake and he says to me, “Could you put the good kind of cream cheese icing on it, you know, the kind that comes in a can?”  Cracked me up.  We call that keepin’ it real.

To be positive:  To be mistaken at the top of one’s voice.  Ambrose Bierce

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Knitting

FO Friday 08/31/12

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They’re done, finally!  The Crazy Monkeys are hot off the needles and here they are:

On to the next!

Nobody’s sweetheart is ugly.  Dutch proverb

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday 08/29/12

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Nearly finished with heel turn.

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All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom; justice; honor; duty; mercy; hope.  Sir Winston Churchill

Knitting

Finished Jobs

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BY THE BOOK

I finished Steve Jobs yesterday, finally.  He may have been a genius, but apparently his interpersonal skills sucked.  Do the two go together, like ham and eggs or to quote Forrest Gump, peas and carrots?  I’m also reading The 36 Hour Day, a “how-to” book about Alzheimer disease and other types of dementia.  I wish I’d known about it when my mother was first diagnosed, I think it would have helped my dad and I know it would have helped me.  I suppose it’s a case of better late than never and I am learning things as I keep reading.

WHERE’VE YOU BEEN?

The above was entered five days ago, the 23rd to be exact.  I’m not a dutiful blogger over the weekend, I rarely even log on, but I do try to make some sort of entry on Sunday evenings or Monday mornings.  I was a little under the weather yesterday, I went in to work and was forced to holler calf rope around 11:30, went home and went to bed.  I had about a four hour nap and have been feeling better since.  So, that’s where I’ve been.

ON THE NEEDLES

The Crazy Monkeys have had two mishaps since I showed them last, first, I managed to somehow drop about a gazillion stitches Thursday evening and frogged them completely in a moment of madness.  Then, last night, Josie Pug took a flying leap onto my lap and pulled out one side of my magic loop completely.  It’s taken me a lot of time getting it back on track but I’m almost there.  Frustration incarnate.

THE GRANDS

The Papoose and family are in Destin at the beach house this week as a last hurrah before the new baby arrives.  Bigmama is scheduled for a C-section September 26.  As in, September 26, 2012.  Yeah, there’s a hurricane happening there and yeah, they knew the forecast before they left Arkansas.  They look like they’re having fun anyway –

And really, they’re not laying down for the photo, I just can’t figure out how to rotate it at the moment.

 Without music, life is a journey through a desert.  Pat Conroy

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Knitting

A Brisket, A Tasket

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NEW FOR ME

At last week’s grocery store outing, on a whim I decided to try out a precooked smoked brisket, one of those that just has to be heated, and I’m here to tell you, it. was. awesome.  Yeah, this is definitely on the Coleman Kitchen Hit Parade.  I’ve been making sandwiches for work all week and it’s so good!  I wish I’d tried it sooner, and it doesn’t get much easier than this.

THE GRANDS

The fam descended upon Stuttgart on Saturday and the Papoose was so proud to show off her new big girl bed and her newfound (sometimes) potty skills.  I especially like that she can inspect her toes and potty at the same time.  A born multitasker just like her bebe.

 

 

More toe action.

 

Babydiva has just discovered her feet and toes.

ON THE NEEDLES

I’m still plugging along on the Crazy Monkeys, with one sock complete and about 1/3 of the way finished on its mate.   I caved and went to my lys and splurged on  some new yarn, enough for my newest, soon to be started project, Bauble, a First Fall Surprise from Knitty. Two skeins gray and totally out of character for me, two skeins of an orangy, makes you think of Thanksgiving, brown and gold mix.  Now, I don’t like orange, I don’t wear orange, I look like I have jaundice when I wear orange, but all the same, it called to me and I marched up to the counter with two skeins of it, deciding to think out of the box a little when it comes to color.  I’ll get pictures tonight. 

Here are the photos I promised –

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Told you it was orange

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Colorways and dye lots are posted on Flickr in my notebook.

The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking.  John Kenneth Galbraith

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BY THE BOOK

Still slogging through Steve Jobs, finishing it come hell or high water.  It’s been a very long listen, I think I’m just ready for something new.  Before I started the Jobs book, I reread King’s Dark Tower series and like always, I’m mesmerized by the story.  Maybe I’m just having a problem switching from fiction to nonfiction.

Knitting

Gotta love Prince Harry

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Prince Harry on the Jumbotron at Olympic closing ceremonies sing and whistle to the Bright Side of Life with the Monty Python guy.  Love it a million times.

WHAT I DID

Crafts, I did crafts today.  First up, a bracelet and necklace.

I’ve been experimenting with salt dough, molding it and finding different textures, just mostly playing, this little bracelet is one of the results.

I picked up a leaf on my walk yesterday and used it sort of like a stamp.  I think it turned out pretty cool.  I don’t think Tiffany’s has anything to worry about, but I like it.

I finally got the Wingspan and Summer Flies shawlette’s blocked.  Both turned out very nicely.

Wingspan

Summer Flies

Summer Flies Close-up

THE GRANDS

Babymama has to go back to work tomorrow, Babydiva will be with her nanny and we’ll all breathe a little easier when it’s this time tomorrow.  I remember when I had to go back to work after being on maternity leave, it was sooooo difficult to tear myself away from my baby the first morning.  I expect Babymama and Babydiva to be totally worn out tomorrow evening.  Sending them loving thoughts.  Tomorrow’s going to be a long one for them.

SO HOW ‘BOUT THOSE OLYMPICS?

Great games, got a little overdosed on women’s beach volleyball, thanks to Mr. Iknead. How come the guys wore tanks and baggy shorts and the women wore bikinis?  Would Mr. Iknead have been glued to the TV if the guys wore what the swimmers wore and the girls wore what the guys wore?  Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m just sayin…..  Seriously, I’m so proud of all the athletes, wherever they were from, all deserved a medal.  London, indeed, did it right.

The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win.  Roger Bannister

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday 08/08/12

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ON THE NEEDLES

So here’s my newborn project, a toe up s0ck.  I haven’t decided on an actual pattern yet.  That’s one of the the things I love about toe ups, they can be started and worked on for a while before a decision has to be made about the pattern.  The yarn is another out of my stash, Knit One Crochet Too, Ty-Dy Socks, 80% superwash wool, 20% nylon, color #1518.  The color didn’t photograph well, in real life it’s greens and beiges.

TOO CUTE

I haven’t posted a picture of Josiepug in a while, here are a couple.

 Josie helping Daddy stretch before his walk

Lotsa Wrinkles

BY THE BOOK

I finished The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold today.  It was …… interesting.  I think this is one that I’m going to have to reread to really appreciate.  I’m still working through The Romanovs, my treadmill book.  I have to say I got a little bored with the first bit, lots and lots of scientific stuff, explaining DNA, who said what to whom and why.  I’m a little more than halfway through and it has gotten more interesting.

GOINGS ON AT WORK

Mr. Iknead and I finally set a date for my official retirement, 12/21/12 and I gave notice at work.  It feels unreal still, but every time I start really thinking about it, I get so excited I have a difficult time settling back down to work.  I thought the time would probably drag since I have so much anticipation but the last few weeks have really flown by.  We’ve been as busy as ever at work, making the days pass pretty easily.

If you enjoy living, it is not difficult to keep the sense of wonder.  Ray Bradbury

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Knitting

Guilty as Charged

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RECENT OBSESSIONS

I’m coming clean – I’ve been way wwwaaayyy too involved with the Olympics, to the point of letting a few things slide, always thinking “as soon as the next commercial, I’m getting started on ________________.”  One of the things that I’ve gotten behind on is this blog.  So, I’ve admitted that I have a problem and that’s the first step to fixing something, right?

ON THE NEEDLES

I finished that 9 to 5 socks last week without a clear cut next up in the queue project and was doing that thing that I do when I’m at loose ends (is this a pun?) and just don’t know what to pick up next – the rummaging around in my stash, lots of heavy sighs and picking up years abandoned WIPs and tossing them aside, spending more time that I should cruising Ravelry looking at patterns and making promises to yarn and old projects that I have no intention of keeping.  That being said, I found some really nice yarn in my stash and found a random shawlette pattern, got it going and thanks to my Olympic obsession, started the bind off last night.

Summer Flies

Holly and Ella Knits

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Jo Sharp Alpaca Silk Georgette Briar

When I manage to get this project (along with Wingspan) blocked, I’ll make sure to get some close ups, Summer Flies has the sweetest picot bindoff ever.

THE GRANDS

No new pics of the Papoose, Bigmommy is too busy gestating and staying out of the over the top summer heat and Bigdaddy way busy with his new congregation, I think.  Here’s one of Babydiva that is so sweet!  Look how she has her head propped up on her little hand!!!  OMG, can’t stand it!

IN THE OVEN

Nothing, nyet, nada.  Too hot.  I miss baking, might have to cave, turn the AC down to polar bear and fire up the stove, summer heat be damned!

He who hurries cannot walk with dignity.  Chinese proverb

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Knitting

Working 9 to 5

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ON THE NEEDLES

Actually, off the needles.  The 9 to 5 socks are finished and off the clock.  The second sock went a lot smoother than the first, I must admit.  Here they are –

 

 

I especially like the way the twist continues through the heel, these will be really nice with  some backless clogs, which I’ve just ordered from Zappos. (smile)

THE GRANDS

Here’s a new picture of the Babydiva and fam on their New Orleans trip.  Good looking family, don’t you think?

Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that all was vanity, but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men for they may act their dream with open eyes and make it possible.  T. E. Lawrence

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Knitting

Citius, Altius, Fortius

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WHAT I LEARNED TODAY SO FAR

English translation – Swifter, Higher, Stronger.  This is part of the Olympic creed.  I had heard this phrase before but didn’t know if it was a part of something or if it stood alone.  So, with a little research (thanks Wikipedia), I learned the Latin translation and where it originated.  I think it’s pretty cool myself and it reminds me that even if I’m not an Olympic athlete, I can still work toward a higher goal.  I love the Games. 

ON THE NEEDLES

I’m nearing the finish line of the 9 to 5 socks, very happily I might add.  I like the stitch pattern and how easy it’s been to memorize, which means that I can whip it out anywhere with no fuss, no muss.  Not to mention that to a non-knitter, it’s apparently too cool for school, judging from the looks I sometimes get.  Here’s a peek at sock #2.

HOW HOT IS IT?

 

 and now, 90 minutes later:

My car is going to be like a blast furnace when I get off work this evening, even with the shade in the windshield.  Unbelieveable.   Fall is a long way off.

The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.  Ralph Waldo Emerson

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