It's over.

Boy and I broke up for good today.  He did something that I request he not do at all this weekend. it resulted in me breaking the jam of my computer room door. Now I have to replace the door. He won't ever admit that he's wrong and he has a sickness and unhealthy obsession with the online game of World of Warcraft. I feel and my family feels that it is more important to him than I ever was. He told me to go fuck myself several times today. I even called the police at one point. He stormed out before that and walked around for hours before coming back, gathering his possessions and telling me to go fuck myself once more and leaving.

Great day.  BTW Michigan lost to Purdue.

A heart, Football, knitting and sleeping. . .

In my production class we are normally supposed to build a desk and some other things. Well, unfortunately we don't have a work shop due to the floods. hell, we don't even have a theatre. Yeah it sucks. So, we have been reaching for things to do. One of our first assignments was to make a stage human heart soaked in blood. Mine is below. I added vinegar to the "blood" mix which caused the colour to be closer and more consistent with blood. Doesn't it look yummy?

There was also a common theme this weekend, sleeping. . . I picked up boy on Friday and yesterday we went to the Iowa vs. Northwestern game with my sister. We stayed for the first half and then left because it was so hot out. We watched the rest of the game at my sister's and part of the Wisconsin game. Both Iowa and Wisconsin lost, not a good weekend.
Here is Mac sleeping on the balcony on Thursday I believe.

My two boys bonding on the floor of my sister's condo in front of the tv.

Mac on my sister's couch passed out yesterday after watching tons of football. It's quite a hard job. =P

I have been getting some knitting done between homework, papers, cleaning, etc. I knit my sister another Ailidh hat out of Jamieson's heather shetland. Great yarn!!! Love it!!

I also finished my first Corazon mitten for my production class. yes, this is a project for a college class. LoL Jim is allowing me to knit for a project. The yarn is Nashua's Julia. This yarn is a dream to work with! Love the colours also!

I also finished my orange footsies last-night, no pic yet, sorry. Boy also received his socks and loves them!!

I also want to give a shout out to my dear friend Karen and congratulate her on the birth of her son!! 10 lb baby!! Wow! Congrats Karen!!! <3 <3 <3

It's Autumn. . .

Here in the Midwest we have been having autumn weather even though it technically doesn't start until the 21st. I'm actually enjoying it and so is Mac. Boy really isn't because he's sick, but that happens in dorms. =P
I've been knitting and spinning lately. Below is my dummy sock for class and then boy's second sock (which is actually a little farther now). The orange sock is Artyarns supermerino? It's not superwash, I know that.


And my spinning. On my birthday last week i taught myself how to navajo ply. It's actually really easy and it looks nice. =) I like it! The first one is BFL from Fatcatknits.

This one is natural Romney that I bought at the Fold. It spins up soooooo nicely!!!


Oh yes and we beat Iowa State on Saturday. =P Hawkeye State baby!

Damn, it's already March

It's only 1 more week of classes and then SPRING BREAK!! My parents, sister and I are going to Steamboat, Colorado to go skiing, should be fun. I love being in the mountains. I believe we're renting a condo for the week while out there. Yay!! I think everyone needs a break from this semester, it's been long and winter is even longer. I LOVE winter, but the ice is getting to me. I have been knitting, amazingly, I forget when I started this hat but finished it last week and thought I would show you.
This was a great stash buster. It is made from some yarn Jo Ann Sensations Dolcetto I picked up last year and some left over Malabrigo. I have enough for mittens still, I believe in both colours. It will most likely fit a pre-teen or young teenager. I may send it to my cousin.

Inside stranding.

I am also working on another hat that I believe will fit me. Yeah ok so I didn't know stranding peices would be so tight, lesson learned. The other hat was knit with 80 stitches, this is 120. The dark veriagated green is Wollmeise Merino-Lammdochtwolle in Farn and the light green is Jo Ann Tesoro. This is also a stash buster because I've been trying to figure out what to do with all of the Jo Ann yarn I own, trust me, it's a lot. I believe I have 7 skeins or so of the Tesoro in this green. Yeah, a lot.

I hve also been thinking of knitting up a pair of thrummed mittens. I have the patterns from interweave knits and it would be such a great way to use up my left over (mind you left over means enough to basically make anything except a sweater or long scarf) Cascade Ecological Wool I used for the Ailidh hat. The fiber in the picture is some of the 7.38 or so ounces of Alpaca I bought while home in Rockford. The fiber is from a local alpaca farm and was really cheep and beautiful. I had to buy. I am going to be working on the hat pattern during my holiday, so hopefully will have that out soon also.

I thought I would end this with a picture of tired Mac. He and I are about to go take a nap, except he's already beaten me while sitting here. He's currently passed out on the floor. I am ging to go see a university production of "The Piano Lesson" by August Wilson. It is a three hour play. . . .better to take a nap and NOT fall asleep during it I would imagine.

PS, Yes I am sad that Brett Favre has retired, he's a great player and will be greatly missed. Hopefully because of this development, the Packers will not suck this coming season.
And Boy socks have been put on hold while I go through my continuing hat phase. . .

Ailidh Number Two

Last night when my class New Ventures in the Arts class started I was about four rows into my second Ailidh. I was using this one for the pattern to remember everything I did. I actually purchased this yarn specially for this hat. I like how it shows every twist and cable perfectly. I finished this evening and wanted to show everyone the hat in a different colour. Yes, I knit 2 of the same hats in 2 days. Kind of scary. . .
Here is the picture I took when I left class and it had begun to snow. Yep! More snow! I really love the colour of the yarn.

Here is the finished hat. I tried to take a pic of it on me, but I look really tired, so I said screw it. I put my natural light on it to show the cables better.
The pics are basically because boy has been bothering me all day about this hat. It's named after a char I made for him on World of Warcraft. I have to give him credit, he is willing to step into and try to understand the crazy, obsessive world that is knitting to me. Trying, not completely succeeding, but have to give him brownie points anyways. =P

Pattern: Ailidh
Needles: US 8 16" circular
Yarn: Cascade Tweed 220
Cast on: Jan. 30
Cast off: Jan. 31

This is what happens when you don't do your laundry for a month. Yep, hasn't happened, but will this weekend. I'm also cleaning up my apartment because for some reason a certain canine resident of the apartment seems to be getting into things he shouldn't. This included eating an entire bag of milk chocolates that were for my sock club. So I'm cleaning up so it'll stop. Plus, I haven't cleaned since Steve left because I guess I've been wallowing in my own sadness that my boy is gone. Seriously been sad. Not fun.

Last, but not least, I leave you with snow. Enjoy!

I also turned in a manifesto, which I have no idea what a manifesto really is and I'm glad classes are back in session. Life is kind of getting back to normal, whatever normal is.
Oh and I hope both the Giants and the Patriots suck on Sunday. Thanks!

Snow, hats, and sock yarn. . .

Okay, so I haven't really posted in a while and I'm sorry. Life has been very interesting since my holiday started. Funny enough my holiday officially ended yesterday. I am kind of glad that classes have started again. it gives me something to put my mind on that isn't a video game. Over the holiday I didn't get tons of knitting done, just basically chilled, watched movies and played World of Warcraft. I did get a hat finished, which I'm happy about. One can never have too many hats. I also love that it's bright orange. I made the pattern up and it's REALLY easy.

Pattern: "Hunter Cables" ( My own)
Yarn: Brown Sheep Burly Spun (1/2 of a skein)
Needles: 16" US 11 circular

Pattern in a nutshell:

Cast on 56 stitches.
Knit 4, P1, K2, P1* repeat this in the round for 4 rounds.
C4B, P1, K2, P1* Repeat until the end of this row and then repeat the first 4 rows.
Continue this until the hat reaches 6" in length, then begin decreases.
Decreases:
K4, P1, K2tog, P1* Repeat till the end of the row
K2tog, K2, P1, K1, P1* repeat till the end of the row
K1, K2tog, P1, K1, P1* repeat
K2tog, P1, K1, P1* repeat
K2tog, K1, P1* repeat
K1, K2tog* Repeat
Then after this row weave the end through the remaining stitches and pull to close opening. Weave in the ends.


Next is my first sock ever knit with a picot heel. I really love how the heel compliments the different colours in the colourway. the colourway I'm knitting this pair of socks out of is "Half Blood Prince." I'm really loving how the yarn is striping around the foot. This is by far my favourite colourway yet. Unfortunately I have decided to discontinue my Harry potter colourways and go more towards semi-solids and some variegated colours.

Yes, I have added to my stash. Sundara Yarn!!!!! yeah, it's pricey, but soft and beautiful. The "Wine" and "Green Tea" are sock weight while the blue is sport weight. Unfortunately I need a second of the blue for anything really. I'll have to keep a look out for another skein. It is sooo beautiful though!

I also gave in and am trying Dream in Colour's "Smooshy Yarn" in "Happy Forest." The pattern I am knitting is a dream in Colour pattern called "Sleepwalker Socks." The pattern is beautiful, but the yarn is dryer than I thought it would be. I don't know what it is, it just feels a little dry in my fingers. That's actually one reason I don't knit with some yarns, they dry out my hands quickly. I'll finish these socks one day, I promise. =)

I also knit a simple pair of fingerless mittens. They are quite nice when it's really cold out and my steering wheel in my car is freezing!! I hate touching it because it makes my fingers hurt. I love the yarn, it is di.Ve Autunno. Very beautiful, soft yarn.

Here is the mate to the first "Half Blood Prince" sock. I'm just about to start the heel. This lot came put extremely vibrant and I'm completely in love.

Also, the sock club yarn is dyed and waiting patiently for the pattern. The goodies included are also almost done. I'm spending Valentine's Day with Steve in New Jersey, so the packages will be sent out before the 14th. Thanks!

BTW the Packers deserved it more than the Giants, The Patriots don't deserve anything!

Below is some of the yarn that will be going up in my shop soon, once I find time this weekend. Yay!

Ahhh Gotta Love Iowa Weather & Free Yarn!

Soooo the weather has been crazy here in Iowa lately. First we had an ice storm, I lost power for 3 hours, then we had a snow storm, which was pretty and THEN today it rained and the university only canceled afternoon and evening classes. That pissed me off because it's harder to get somewhere in the morning when nothing is cleared. Whatever grrrr. . .

I'm not too sad because some of my STR came in the mail the other day. Yay! I bought 5 skeins for me and one for a dear friend who's birthday is tomorrow. Happy Birthday Anna!!! Three of the skeins are from the Raven Clan while the others are Grinchy and 1 I'm too lazy to look at the name of. . .

I am also going to be putting up some more yarn on my etsy shop. Below are two pics of "Diabolical Christmas" and "Judah Mac'abe." These are the Woodland Sock yarn which is a superwash bamboo/merino/nylon blend. These will be going up soon.


Below is yet another pair of socks I'm working on. These are for my sister's bf, Mike. The colourway is my own "Half Blod Prince" on size US2's with 64 stitches. I like how it is coming out so far.

Talking about boys. . . .my boy is coming to visit me for 2 weeks on the 18th. I am sooooooo excited!!!! I have to knit him a hat before he gets here, oy. Luckily I picked up a skein of Encore bulky in light blue, soooo it'll be a fast knit. =)

FREE YARN!!!

Yeah, so I bought more yarn obviously and I'm not knitting it fast enough. So, we have free yarn to give away! Each set has enough yarn for 4 pairs of socks! Here is the question (the best 2 win the yarn) Tell me the most romantic day you have ever had with a significant other. Goodluck! <3 Please place this on your blogs also, place the name of where you saw this contest in your comment also. Thanks!




Oh, GO PACKERS, HELL YEAH BUCKEYES ARE GOING BACK TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND I WANT THIS DAMN SEMESTER TO END!!!!!!!! PLEASE LET THE 18TH COME SOONER!!!

Need a vacation from my vacation. . .

Yep, vacations are stressful! Okay, my family usually has an initial fight the first day we all get together. That day was Wednesday of last week. After that, we mostly calmed down and got along. The most stressful aspect of the entire week was the fact that I have a 22 page paper due at the end of the semester and I had to work on it. Okay, maybe there are actually 2 stresses over Thanksgiving Break, my grandparents got on everyone's nerves. I love them to death, but they are getting bitchier with age. No idea why.
Sooo I took some pics of Thanksgiving day and thought the ones below came out the best. I like them =P


I finished my grandpa's scarf finally and gave it to him. I believe he really liked it. My grandma loved her scarf with the pin. I'm glad those were a hit. My mom also LOVED her Buckeye socks, even though the scarlett was a little dark. . . . oops? She's probably wearing them right now. The Mountain Colour Socks she stole from me have definately been worn A LOT! I think she felted them by wearing em. Weird eh?

I also finished Alicia's socks. Here is a pic of her wearing them right after I finished sewing up the last toe. She doesn't like getting her picture taken. =/ She's adorable and we all adore her, so I think this pics cute. She loves the socks and wore them right when she and Mike got back to Austin because it was in the 40s. =P

Yep, a week of finished objects. I finished my Socks That Rock socks. The colourway is Farmhouse in Mediumweight and the pattern is one I randomly came up with. Here's a brief idea of what I did
needles - US 4
Cast On 48 stitches
stitch pattern -

Rows 1 through 4: K4 P2, repeat until end of row
Row 5: K 2 through the back and then rework the first stitch before taking it off of the needle. Repeat once more then P2. Repeat this until the end of the row
Repeat Rows 1 through 5


It's pretty and basic and it breaks up a boring rib. Oh and Ohio State beat Michigan again and Lloyd Carr is retiring. =/

3 more days until vacation!!!!

Yep, I said it, 3 more days until an entire week off from class!! Damn I love Iowa! When my sister Jen was at Wiscnsin they only got Wednesday, Thursday, Friday off. Hawkeyes get an entire week and a half off including the weekend! Yay!!!!!!
Okay, onto the knitting update:
I have a shitload of Socks That Rock that I need t knit up. I grabbed my mediumweight Farmhouse and started knitting. These were going to be for my dad, but as I kept knitting I said to myself, "Hell no, I'm keeping them." Sorry dad, I'll knit up something really quickly for you. You may notice that it isn't just a 4x2 rib, the knit stitches actually are mockcaled twice in a row to break up the monotony of ribbing. I think it looks cute and does what I need it to do. It is also easy enough to knit while in class. Yes, I knit in class and none of my professors have said anything because I take notes and participate.

Below are Alicia's stockinette socks. I knit these either in class r when I'm really bored. They're almost done, so that will be one more thing to strike from my list. =)

I'm knitting my sister one of the chunky hats also because she watched me knit mine and mentioned, key word there mentioned, how she needs a warm hat for winter and wishes, another key word, I would knit her one. I love guilt trips. . . . .

Class, classwork, midterms, papers, brain seeping out of ears with info I wish I could hold onto. Yep, that's college! I actually love college and am going to miss it when I enter the "real world." =(

Mac is loving the cooler weather and constantly wants to go out on the balcony and try to cat one of the birds on the birdfeeder. Blah, typical dog, except he sucks at hunting. hahahahaha

Note to Susan, I'm hoping to have your package sent out by Saturday. Thx soooo much for your patience with me. =)
Ashley awaiting your sock club package, yours will be sent out latest by Thursday with the extra skein of yarn, again thank you for your patience. =)

I play World of Wacraft and thought this was cute! Click on the pic to see the entire thing.


OH we beat Minnesota!!!!! GO HAWKS!!!! Wisconsin beat Michigan!!!! yay!!! OSU lost to Illinois, bastard Illini, but they still have a shot at the hampionship, which is good and if they don't go there they'll go to the Rose Bowl. And the Packers destroyed the Vikings!!!!! Life is good! Sorry Janice. . . . =P
John got a job at a law firm in Madison so we happy now.

And we have finished projects! Yay!

Yep, I said it, finished projects. Two of these were on a whim and were knit in the past 24 hours. . .I need a hat, it's COLD! Anyways on with the pictures. Btw, I'm really tired, so I apoligise ahead of time for everything I say in this post.
Below is a picture of my mom's Hannukah gift, Ohio State socks. Yes! I finally finished a pair! They're knit with worsted weight, so they should be nice in the winter. The pattern is a mock cable pattern that I forget the name of right now.

Okay, yeah this is the Yarn Harlot's "Unoriginal hat." I knit it on 6.5 mm soooo I am not sure if it will fit my sister. If it doesn't I'll knit one on size 11s. I don't own 7.0mm or 7.5mm. Oh well, we'll see.

I said I needed a hat, well this would be the one below. I knit it with some handspun I did when I first got my spinning wheel. I'm shocked at how much I have left! Seriously, I'm amazed! I like it, thick, bog, bulky, love the colours, and it covers my ears. =P I can wea it with a ponytail also. Yay!!!! Sweet eh?

And another that includes a very tired me, oy. . .

Anyone watch tonights Greys Anatomy? Sad eh?
Oh, we play Minnesota Saturday and Wisconsin plays Michigan. GO HAWKS!! GO BADGERS!!

OMFG It's November!!

Yep, I'm back. Took long enough eh? It's been a LONG and STRESSFIL October!! Every college student right now is wishing it was Thanksgiving break. Today was no exception to stress. I had a mental meltdown in my lighting class and didn't present my lighting project. I have finally calmed down, was crying my as off because of all of the stress and medical problems, and am about to go to my sister's and watch Heroes. Yep, and knit of course. I'm on KNIT HOLIDAY GIFTS overload. My family gives gifts over Thanksgiving Break because we're not together over Hannukah.
Below are socks for my brother's girlfriend, Alicia. We really like her and hope more happens. Hahahaha. They live together down in Austin. She LOVES pink! Sooo I pulled out my Chewy Spaghetti yarn and started knitting. She also wanted socks btw.

Below is my grandpa's Irish Hiking Scarf that is practicaly finished. It has a few more inches to go. . . I have yet to finish it. I have until the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to finish. Thank goodness.

I'm also working on my Harry Potter Sock Swap Socks. I have 1 done! The other is in process. I missed the October 31st deadline. Damn migraines and stress and life. aaaahhhh!!!! Below are 2 pics of the ones my pal sent me. Aren't they soooo Hawkeyeish? They're warm too!!!! I wore them to both of my classes today. =) I LOVE them!!!


Btw, the Hawkeyes have won 2 Big Ten games in a row!!!!!!!!! Hell yeah!!!! John now works at Wandos in Madison. . . .we happy? no. . . .