Going loopy in Chinese

Here she is lined with the Chinese silk. mmmmmmmmmmmm

Loopiness

Here is the purse that is going to make Lisa go Loooopy! Even with all of the forced modifications -- the loops would not stand up erect over the rim of the purse, so I sewed them on going down -- I am so happy with it. If I have time I will line it with some red Chinese silk that I have somewhere in my house.

Works calls. I have so much overtime this week. Thank goodness I get paid for it. I owe the IRS some money this year, so it will come in handy. Hopefully I will have enough to go to South Beach for a short weekend vacation.

Cruel cruel skirt

Hand cramps. Today is 9 knit rows, 1/2 purl row later. A bajillion more to go. If I wasn't so in love with this skirt, I would've quit a long time ago. After casting on (220) and starting my first knit row, I realized that I had twisted it and I had to rip back to the beginning of the knit row. URGH! Then I c.a.r.e.f.u.l.l.y knit the row. It looks great now.

New Swap: Spring Coffee n Yarn Swap and Questionnaire

I had so much fun in the last swap that I decided to join another one. The Spring Coffee and Yarn Swap can be found at http://coffeenyarnswap.blogspot.com/ . Sign up soon!

Questionnaire:

Coffee
1. What is your preference? Whole beans or ground?
Ground for a flat wire basket.

2. What kind of coffees do you enjoy? A rich, bold roast; a light, fresh one, or something in between? Leaded or non?
Anything leaded and strong enough to grow hair on my chest.

3. If you were headed out right now to buy some coffee for the house, what would you be picking up?
I love Mocha Java from Caribou.

4. Do you drink for caffeine, pleasure, or both?
BOTH! I drink it for the joy it gives me preventing a pounding headache if I don't drink it. I love to sit at a sidewalk cafe (preferably in Europe), sip on a cup of coffee and people watch. When I get a chance to just sit and do nothing but enjoy my cup of coffee, it makes me realize how truly blessed I am and how lucky I am to be living the life I live. Usually I am multi-tasking while drinking coffee, but when those times happen it makes me soooo happy!

5. Do you enjoy flavored coffees? How about add-ins or flavored creamers?
I love chocolate flavored coffees only. I add chocolate flavored creamers. If those aren't available, then just plain creamers. If those aren't available, then black. I also like those cool pictured sugar cubes that you get in the coffee shops in Europe.

6. A large, lovely mug or a small, dainty cup?
I use lots of insulated travel mugs for my commute into Minneapolis. I could never have enough.

7. Describe your perfect cup - not JUST the coffee, but how you'd enjoy it!
A large mocha java from Caribou, skim, no whipped cream (altho I love it, my thighs don't).

8. You're sitting down to enjoy a nice cup in the local coffee shop, knitting bag in hand, iPod all tuned up - or maybe you're there with a few friends for knit night! What treat do you pick up to enjoy with your coffee?
Dark chocolate, rich brownie, soup, chips, sandwich, pie, pretzels, cookies, nuts, mints, yogurt, pasta salad, ...you get the idea. I love chocolate and also salty snacks.


Yarn
1. Do you knit or crochet?
I attempt to knit.

2. What are your favorite types of yarns to work with?
Debbie Bliss (cashmerino is my favorite), alpaca, anything soft and gooshy.

3. What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now?
Intolerable Cruelty skirt http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall06/PATTcruelty.html Yes, I am a self abuser.

4. What are your favorite colors in yarns? What about those that you'd never find in your stash?
I love purple, blue, brown, bronze, gold, red, terra cotta, black, pink. Jewel tones mostly.I am not a huge fan of variegated yarns. Other than that, I pretty much find a reason to love all colors.

5. What sort of needles or hooks do you enjoy using? Any you just detest?
I want to try bamboo. I usually use Addi Turbo or the needles that my mom used in the 60s and 70s.

6. Are there any particular notions you absolute do NOT need? Some of us swap a lot - are you sure that you have enough tape measures to last your lifetime? Enough stitch markers to mark every stitch of a 10 foot wide afghan?
Nope. I am a newbie, so I am still spending big bucks on this stuff. I need blocking materials and a circular needle holder.

7. You walk into the yarn shop and have exactly and only enough money to purchase 2 skeins of yarn in their 2 for 20 special they have going..The choices are a soft, thick cotton/viscose blend in your favorite colors, slightly variegated..a beautiful sock yarn that's just squishy and sproingy in your hands.. a soft, worsted weight wool like malabrigo.. and a lovely bamboo blend with colors to just die for. Which do you walk out the door with?
I am not a big fan of variegated yarn, so I would choose a solid color. Debbie Bliss Cashmerino in brown, bronze, terra cotta, or pink.

Spring

1. We're starting sign-ups on the first day of Spring - is it already truly Spring-like where you are?
Um, sort of. It is 40 degrees. I didn't even wear a jacket today!! It is very warm compared to the below zero winter we've been having. Minneapolis has been unseasonably cold this year. Is that an oxymoron?

2. What's your favorite spring flower? Do you have one?
Lilac, Hyacinth, and tulip.

3. What do you most look forward to about springtime?
The smell of dirt. Cute pedicure. Toes in the grass. Thunderstorms. Birds singing so loudly that they wake you up in the morning.

4. They've predicted a gorgeous day tomorrow - Sunny and about 65 with a nice breeze - how do you spend your day?
I would take my son for a walk around Lake Calhoun. We would people watch, look at ducks, skip rocks across the water, complain about the 2.5 mile walk, pet the dogs. We'd stop off at the playground so he can play and I can sit and knit. Then we'd go for our first ice cream cone habit of the summer, or the fish tacos at the outdoor stand. Once we got home, I'd sit on my deck with a big glass of red wine and knit some more.

5. The day after, it's going to be cooler and pouring down rain - does that impact your mood? How do you spend that day? what helps cheer you up?
I really enjoy the rain!! It makes me so happy, especially if there is some thunder in the distance. I open the windows just a little bit and listen. The smell is incredible! And I knit.

Odds n Ends
1. Do you collect anything BESIDES yarn and needles?
Shoes!!! :)
My house is fairly simple and streamlined.
I mostly collect memories from my many travels.

I am a girly girl, so I like lotions, soaps, lip gloss, perfume, high heels, ruffles n lace, candles, costume jewelry (rings, necklaces, bracelets) from stores like Target... all that fru-fru stuff.

2. Are you allergic to anything?
No, but I don't like the taste of licorice.

3. Do you have pets?
No, but I love dogs.

4. Is this your first swap, or are you an old pro? What are the last 2 swaps you participated in?
I've only particpated in two, but holy cow do they ever suck you in!! It is addicting.
-Hot Cocoa Swap
-Stitch Marker Exchange

5. List 3 of your favorite blogs - craft related or not - and tell us why you love them.
1. Lime and Violet. podcast, blog, daily chum. Very informative. Very sarcastic and funny.
2. Crazy Aunt Purl. I swear she is stalking me and writing about my life.
3. The Minneapoline http://theminneapoline.blogspot.com/. I pretend that I dress as cool as the kewl cats on there. humpf.
4. Does Ravelry count? I can't go a single day without at least 15 minutes looking at the stuff other people created. So inspiring! So amazing! I am on Ravelry -- kmslange

Too Cruel to be Kewl Skirt

I cast on for the Intolerable Cruelty skirt last night after whipping out a mean gauge. All of this while I sat in the waiting room for one of life's greatest joys: routine mammogram. One of the questions on the multitude of forms was:

Has your weight changed since your last mammogram?

__x__ Yes

_____ No

If so, how much? ___+30___ pounds.

Do you really think you should be casting on for an ultra sexy skirt until you lose those 30 pounds? _x_No

Just kidding.

Yikes.

Yes, it was almost 20 years ago and I was scarecrow thin then, but to see it in actual print was shocking.

It is odd changing from size 17 needle to size 4. It feels like this skirt may take awhile.

Here's to throwing caution to the wind, embracing all of my lovely curves, and shaking what my mama gave me! Cheers! (diet Coke, please)

Hoodie Vest

I wore the hoodie vest from Knit Simple magazine Holiday 2007 out to eat tonight. We went to Fogo de Chao. Soooo good. Damn Good. I blocked it during the day today and didn't have time to put the buttons on, so I used a fance stitch marker to hold it together at the throat. My Mom saw me come out of my house wearing it and said, "Did you make that?!" (She helped me with the cables.) She swore that it was store purchased. I am pretty darn proud of it.

Felted Loopy Purse

Sob.... I felted my loopy purse last night. It FAILED!! It looks like a loooong unusable clutch. :( So, I started knitting a new one using different measurements. I will cut up the felted purse into flowers to embelish the new attempt. My appointment with Lisa is at the end of March. Just in time to use her Winter White purse for about another month before all of the snow melts.

Felting is a very interesting experiment.

Live in the now. I must meditate during knitting to prevent from getting frustrated over this.

Double Ewe and Sideways Sockyarn Sweater

I checked out a dealer today -- Double Ewe Yarn Shop in Circle Pines. It is a cute little shop with some super squishy Misti Alpaca Bulky. Altho I refrained from buying it, I do have it on my drool list. I did buy some items. One was the One Skein book. Another is the Sideways Sockyarn Sweater. Super cute!! I am not a big fan of striping yarn, but this was so cute. Almost had an 80s look to it.

Sport and Mac keep me company. Last night they watched the moon eclipse with me and my sweet son.

Hot Cocoa Swap Package Arrived!! Angela ROCKS!

Just as my sweet son and I drove into the driveway, I saw the package. We ripped it open to partake in the goodness. Angela, a knitting rock star, outdid herself! She 'got me' without even knowing me! First off, we saw the sweet beagle buddy peeking out of the packaging.






Next, I squeezed the 3 skeins of squishy, purple alpaca yarn. NUMMY! She added 2 candy bars, mint chocolate cocoa (which will go perfectly with the new chocolate marshmallows that I just bought at Target) which I plan to sip from my new puppy mug.






Angela did a fantastic job on the Winter Warm Up Buddy, a beagle that was immaculately crocheted. Being a beginner knitter, I am in awe of the craftsmanship and I hope that I can knit something as wonderful as that some day.






The beagle, which my son named Sport after my old German Shorthaired Pointer that I loved so much, is now snuggled up with the mini puppy, which my son named Mac after my old Miniature Cocker Spaniel. It is nice to have dogs in the house again! ;)




An Eiffel tower/Parisian dress tin included sparkly, girly stitch markers that she created and a compact mirror. Very feminine. Very me.


But the kicker was a gorgeous ceramic version of Notre Dame. My son and I oooh'd and aaahhh'd over it and relived our memories in Paris and climbing the Notre Dame. What a thoughtful gift! I really cherish that gift... Merci beaucoup, mon amie. Tu touche ma coeur.





Thank you, thank you, thank you so much, Angela. YOU ROCK!

Knit Out @ Mall of America (aka Stalking Vickie Howell)

I just returned from the Knit Out at the Mall of America. Altho the lines were long, I really enjoyed chatting with other knitters. One woman flew from Ontario, CA, just for the Knit Out. She thought our 35 degree weather was cold. I walked a block from the parking lot in my t-shirt because I thought it was so warm! hee hee.

As soon as I arrived to watch the Dog Sweater Fashion Show, I saw Vickie Howell sitting on the floor awaiting her turn to speak. She was watching the show while blindly knitting on her project. I snapped a paparazzi pic. ;) Um, yes, she is as cute as you'd think... except cuter.



Hours later, while approaching the last of the vendor booths, I saw Vickie again attempting to learn machine knitting. I nodded a 'hi' as I took her picture. Now I felt like a stalker.






With my bag full of free knitting goodies and treats, I lugged them out to the car and headed home.

Felted Loopy Tote Bag

I started the felted loopy purse for Lisa. This is the first time felting a project.

Hearts Washcloth

I finished the hearts washcloth. The varigated yarn doesn't let the heart show thru as much as with a solid color, but I like it anyway. This is the first project that I've completed where I didn't have a single error!!! WOOOOO HOOOO!

Love Stinks Voo Doo Doll

Look what was waiting for me at work today! A cutie pie Love Stinks voo doo doll. I think you could easily modify the design for your knit-loving friends next year.

Poncho at knit n batch

I attended a Knit n B*tch last night. My fellow addict was knitting this poncho. The pattern is stunning, but yet appears quite easy. http://www.magknits.com/chilly04/patterns/frida.htm Check it out.

Washcloth

Happy Valentine's Day!

I knitted my first washcloth and it is so addicting. I finished it in under one hour. Brag here:


I am working on my second one:


I will wrap them around hand-made soap and give them to my friend for her birthday. Today, Valentine's Day, is her birthday. She was upset because she doesn't have a man to share it with her and that she is usually on a beach or ship somewhere at this time. I told her to hop a plane, go to South Beach, and cry her eyes out there instead of here in 40 below zero weather. And that is exactly what she did!! YOU GO GIRL! yeah!

I also captured the cool fish bowl full of birthday wishes to me and my dear son. Birthday cards flank it on our mantel. How cool is this?

Blessed with Friends

Last week was my 41st birthday. I had small amounts of large fanfare with dinner, drinks, and dancing several times throughout the week and weekend. I was spoiled rotten. Other than the incredible amounts of food and drink purchased for me from the best friends in the world, two much-needed/desired gifts were given: a nice coffee pot from sweetest mom and a gift certficate to a great LYS from my enabler gf to Depth of Field. This store is housed in an old building that smells so great--like my GG's old apartment. It has creaking wooden floorboards and the feel of total comfort. The other gifts I received were also soooo me--lots of spa and beauty and pampering products, CDs, wine (of course), and a fantastic J. Jill scarf. I am so greatly blessed to have my fabulous family and friends!! xoxo! Another enabler said that she was working on a project for me. I hope it is a knitted item....



I also held a spa party for my girlfriends by The Body Shop At Home. It was a great time and I highly recommend it.



One highlight of the parties was a fishbowl full of birthday wishes for me and my sweetest son. My friends held a dinner for us at a hibatchi and sushi restaurant, Wasabi. My son's birthday is Groundhog's Day and his favorite food is octopus. My friends wrote wishes on pieces of paper and then folded them into origami fish. I have a great idea: I think I will string them into a mobile to remind me of how lucky I am!! In Chinese culture, the fish is a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Altho I am poor in finances, I feel that I am wealthy in friends.

Winter Blah Busting Buddy

Since Katie added me as her friend on Ravelry, I am guessing she received her Cocoa Swap package, so I am going to post a picture of my Mood Busting Buddy that I made for her. Since I am new to knitting, the twists and turns and triple lutzes needed to create legs n ears n stuff intimidated me, so I used a ball pattern and created an octopus. I put some hair on her, added shells and other sea creatures. I also used cocktail toothpicks as knitting needles and had her start on a sweater. :) I am proud of her!

Needing A Winter Buster Buddy

Topic of the Week #4

What is your most memorable vacation? Where did you go? What made it memorable?

I traveled by myself through Europe for 3.5 weeks in 2004. I stayed with several friends, but for the most part I traveled alone. The language barrier, the difficulty in finding a place that sells food in the middle of the afternoon(!), buying clothes, dancing with men who don’t speak English, navigating public transportation, hiking, driving, racing to my plane, learning how sheep cheese is made, being in awe of churches and architecture and food and wine and the wonderful people. It was the most liberating feeling. After that trip I knew that I was capable of doing anything. The word obstacle was erased from my vocabulary.

Baby Shower Kudos

The shrug was a HUGE hit!! That kinda surprised me because the pattern is so darn simple. The fur coaxed ooohs and aaahs from the men even (co-ed shower). I chose purple because it coordinated with the hat and booties that my fellow junkie was knitting for our friend's baby. The baby will look like a little Diva in her purple power outfit! So cute! One woman even commented that I should sell shrugs on the Internet. I am not sure if I am ready to do that since the yarn was so expensive. No one in their right mind would pay that cost plus labor for a shrug.

Baby Shrug Done!

I finally finished the baby shrug for my friend's baby shower. It turned out cute, but the Foxy yarn was a b*tch to work with. I had to frog it and start over 12 times!!! I almost junked the whole idea, but I'm glad I kept at it because it turned out soooo cute.

I used Debbie Bliss cashmerino aran colour 330019 (violet) and Plymouth Foxy color 21 (purple). One skein each.

Baby Shrug

I tried out a new addiction dealer, Borealis Yarn Shop in St. Paul yesterday and spotted the cutest fun furry yarns. My girlfriend's baby shower is on Saturday. I decided to make a baby shrug using Foxy. I will post pictures on site soon. I am 3/4 way complete. A VERY easy project to do in one afternoon. I modified a pattern on Knitty Gritty.

I am 90% complete with my hooded vest. I need to block it before adding the hood. I plan to block it along with the shrug. Both projects should be done by this time next week. Yeah!

I finished my shopping for my cocoa swap buddy. I am waiting for an ebay order to come in. All I need to do is package it up and ship out by the end of January. I am very excited to hear if she likes it! hee hee!

Topic of the Week

What is the most 'random' memory you have from your childhood?

My mom was ice fishing with my dad, the great walleye hunter, when she went into labor with me two months early. I grew up camping and fishing every weekend of my childhood during the summer. It was a great way to raise a family and we are very close today because of it. I grew to tire of it in my teens when my friends were dating and going to parties and hanging out together. Now, 20+ years later I have grown to appreciate the quietness of spending time in nature, smelling the boat motor fumes, hearing the loons and the splash of the wake on the side of the boat. These are the things that I remember fondly from my childhood.

Hi, Dad!

Topic of Week #2

Well, I didn't get an opportunity to create a marshmallow beast, but I am looking forward to checking out the ones that others did. Here's my topic of the week.

Now that we're in the thick of 'Winter'... has your knitting changed to match the season? Are you moving on from dishcloths, and tank tops to afghans, hats and mittens? Has your yarn changed from silk or cotton to wool, superwash or heavier cottons?

Since I just started to knit in late October, this doesn't really apply to me since most of my knitting was geared toward winter to begin with. I did knit a few lighter-weight long party scarves for my son's teachers. I created fingerless mittens and a sweater, now I am on to another sweater. See my progress:

Finished, Dec 2007. Debbie Bliss, Merino cashmere

Started Nov. 2007. Rowan Big Wool, Bohemian Red. Hooded vest from Knit Simple.

Cocoa Swap Topic Contest

I am finally getting this off of my desktop and published:

1. Who's favorite animal is an Otter? Anne K.
2. Name someone who prefers whipped cream with their hot cocoa Debbie W
3. Find 3 people who live outside of the United States. Alex E, Ana Sofia F, Lyndsey
4. Name a fan of Harry Potter Devin H
5. Name someone who crochets Alice A
6. Name someone who DOES NOT have a healthy supply of notions. Charity R
7. Name someone who has NOT put up their questionnaire yet (just put a date with your answer in case they put it up after seeing their name listed somewhere ;-) ) Angela A-H (as of 1/8)
8. Who likes to have Kahlua, Baileys, or Peppermint Schnapps in their cocoa? Rachel C
9. Name someone who knits fingerless gloves as a 'quick knit' Tanya M
10.Name someone who's looking forward to gardening this spring. Geraldine P
11.Who's favorite way to drink cocoa is with a gorgeous Frenchman, while overlooking the eiffel tower from a French Cafe? (I'm right there with you... well at the table next to yours!) Kris L.
12.Name someone who's favorite animal is NOT a dog or house cat Angela T
13. Name someone who's favorite treat is NOT chocolate. Michelle
14. Who plays Candyland? Criquette
15. Name someone who DOESN'T get the winter blahs Cathy D

Hot Cocoa Swap Questionnaire

Cocoa:

1. What is your favorite way to drink cocoa? Prepared with milk? Water? from home made recipe or store bought?, In a tea cup, or big mug?

My favorite way to drink cocoa is in a tiny street cafe, overlooking the Eiffel Tower, locking eyes with a gorgeous frenchman, while cheesy accordian music plays in the background. I prefer it with steamed milk, super chocolatey, in the biggest baddest mug I can find--preferably with Godiva Cappuccino or Chocolate Liqeur mixed in. I'm not a big fan of ones mixed with cinnamon or black licorice.

2. Marshmallows or whipped cream?

Both!! If you're going to live, then why not live big? And chocolate sprinkles and candy cane sprinkles. With a big glitter flourish at the end. ;)

Yarn/Knitting/Crochet

1. What is your favorite type of yarn? In what colors?

Since I am a new knitter, I don't know a whole lot about yarn types yet accept that I like bold colors and super soft yarn. I am attracted to silks and alpaca. I loved using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino. oooo laaa laaaa. Malabrigo. Mirasol. I also love the big chunky yarns. Turquoise, orange, purple, rust, blue are my fav colors.

2. Do you knit or crochet (or both)?

I knit, but not really well -- yet. I'll get there some day. I do basic crochet, like the trim on edges of sweaters to complete the finished look.

3. What are your favorite type of needles, would you like to try something new?

I like metal circular needles, but I would be willing to try something new. I have a lot of needles already, passed down from my mom. Check on my ravelry page for my current inventory -- kmslange

4. Do you have a healthy supply of notions?

I have an acutely sick supply of notions. I loved any cute kitchy stuff -- stitch markers, etc.

5. What one thing do you keep thinking you need to buy for your knitting habit (outside of yarn)?

A yarn ball holder, similar to http://popsiedaisy.com. Knitting needle holders to protect and organize my needles, similar to http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8735106. Blocking pins and board. Tiny scissors. More pattern books. Subscription to knit.1 magazine.

6. What is your favorite 'quick knit/crochet' pattern (quick gratification)

I made some great skull fingerless gloves for my son. He loves them, which makes me instantly gratified. It was quick too.

Miscellaneous

1. What is your favorite thing to do in the Winter?

Eat.

Visit with friends, dance, watch movies, sit by the fire, watch the snow fall, roast marshmallows, downhill ski, knit, visit a museum, reading, nap, see a play.

2. What is your favorite animal?

Horse. Dog.

3. Do you get the 'winter blahs'?

Sometimes. Usually nothing that a quick trip to South Beach Miaimi won't cure.

4. What is your favorite way to beat the blahs?

A quick trip to South Beach Miami. I am always upbeat, so it's pretty hard to drag me down. A hot stone massage will work in a quick pinch. I also enjoy chatting with my girlfriends over a glass of wine. A few good belly laughs always helps the soul to smile. Host a party. Cook.

5. What is the thing you are most looking forward to this spring?

Pretty toes in strappy heels. The smell of dirt. The lilac is my favorite flower.

6. What are your favorite treat?

Chocolate. Popcorn. Spa. Wine. Stinky cheese. Foi gras. Gourmet treats -- fancy jellies, salsas, etc.

7. What is your favorite board game?

Pictionary -- I kick major boootaaay. I don't play a whole lot of board games lately. I am too busy knitting!

8. Do you have any children (furry or human)?

I have one semi-furry son. He is 8 and my everything.

9. Do you have any allergies or special considerations your partner should know about?

Nope, except I don't care for cinnamon or black licorice. Otherwise, anything is good to go.

Projects Done, Started Again

I started knitting on my cable hooded vest again. I am a bit stuck on piece, so I CO the back. I finished my stitch markers. I included some photos here. I also finished my cocoa exchange buddy. She is very cute!

Stitch Markers Received

I received beautiful blue stitch markers yesterday from Georgeanne of my Stitch Marker Exchange http://thestitchmarkerexchange.blogspot.com/. The markers were designed by Zona Blue Design, http://www.zonabluedesign.etsy.com/. Thank you!! They were a very nice addition to my gift opening with my family on Christmas Eve. I bought a bubble wrap envelope today and plan to send mine out tomorrow.

$5 Sweater Made Out of $70 Yarn

Actually, it's not quite that bad. It looks nice and it fits perfectly. I may modify the pattern to make a shrug. I fixed the button on my 3-button cardigan and I finally posted a picture. This is my gift opening outfit today. Heading to Grandma's soon so my son can get his 4th load of loot. :)

Teacher Loves Scarf

My son and I delivered the party scarf to his teacher on Friday. She loved it and has a real appreciation for hand-knit objects. She attempted to knit several times and didn't get the hang of it, so she was very admirious (sp?) of the scarf. That made me happy. My son kinda liked it too. :)

I received notice from my stitch marker pal that I will get my markers in the mail soon. I sprinted to my mailbox to check. That's the only exercise I've done lately.

I finished a few more stitch markers for gifts and to send to my stitch marker pal. Some trial and error with product. I bought waaaaay too many beads, but it is a fun distraction on a snowy weekend.

My knitting girlfriend and I are going to see Juno, a screenplay written by a local stripper-turned-journalist-turned-screenwriter, Diablo Cody. It is supposed to be very good. She asked if we could knit in the movie theater. I can barely knit in bright light!! She told me that her friend knits as she drives! Now that is stuntwoman-knitting!