Happiest Mood on Earth. . .

I worked at the happiest place on earth and now am in the happiest mood on the planet! Yep, every woman knows how happy we are certain times of the month. Let's see, I;ve yelled and ripped into my boyfriend, been bitchy with my parents and yelled at my dog for eating my Chinese fried rice while I was in class today. Okay, the dog definately deserved it, but the other 3, dunno. My parents have been helping me with my beautiful 12 page paper due tomorrow. I did get the rough drafts done and since Sunday we've been revising everything. They, as usual, have been a huge help. Boy just annoyed me today, don't ask why, he just did.
Okay, onto knitting!
I recieved a request for PACKER Yarn! I know there are a few of you who read theis blog and are fans of a horrible team like the Vikings *cough( Janice *cough* but oh well. I just hope you can admit it's pretty! I can tell you that the yarn is super soft. I hope the woman who ordered the 5, yes 5, skeins likes it also.

I went and saw Tartuffe Friday for a class and took along two skeins of worsted weight and some circular needles. I started another hat. I'm liking it so far. Over the years I've learned not to take dpns to dark theatres. I forget how many times I've dropped them or my yarn cake has slipped out of my purse and rolled down underneath the seats in front of me. I love knitting in the dark. . .

I will leave you guys with a cute adorable, happy photo. This was Mac at about 3 months old? It's only a little while after I got him. Who knew this cute innocent looking thing would turn into something that eats my Chinese food and gets into brownie mix!!! Oy. . .


My Sex Kitten socks are almost done and I have been also workig on my Mountain Colour socks. I also started a third pair to take the place of the Sex Kitten socks when they're done. Yay, destash time!

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!!!

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.

How time flies. . ..

when you're half asleep most of the day and realise you just went through 5 hours of classes. . . .weird eh?
So I'm 22, thanks for the birthday wishes everyone! Below is a pic of my cake. Yay! Yes, it's Hawkeye themed, wow, shocker. . .
Anna also got me some yarn, Cascade Pastaza, which is 50% llama & 50% wool. It's soo soft! I bought some more so I can make a hat, mittens, & a scarf if I finish my grandpa's.

Below is a pic of the scarf. I'm just about to finish the second skein, only needs about 1/2 of another and it should be done. It's kind of slightly growing on me. . . I still hate knitting scarves!

What else have I been up to? Below should be an answer, but I've also been working out, walking Mac, doing homework, trying to sleep, etc. The usuals when you're in college, except ordering in pizza for breakfast, lunch & dinner constantly. =P Yay for Smart Ones.


SOCK CLUB!!!!!!!

The sign-ups for he sock club will only be up until the 25th. They will be taken down by the evening of the 24th! Thanks!

Oh and Yay to the Packers for winning & Brett Favre is still HOT!!!!!!! hehehehe I'm heading up to Madison, Wisc this Friday with my sis for the Hawkeye vs Badger game. It should be awesome!!! Go HAWKS!

Finished Socks, New Socks & Mac

Sooo, I finised another pair socks. These are for my manager Christine down in Florida. This yarn is Panda Cotton. I forget the colour. The yarn feels great, but it splits sooo easily wile knitting & that was quite annoying. These socks were knit on size 1's with 64 stitches. It has a lot of elastic in it, but it's still tight. I have two more skeins of this yarn in "Faded Jean," I have no idea what to do with it. The yarn knits sooo tight & cotton has the tendency to shrink. I'll find something to do with it.

Below is the new sock I started on during class today. These are thank-you socks for my other manager Cindy down in Florida. The yarn is Kaleidoscope by Jojoland. It is their hand-painted yarn. It's really nice to knit with, surprisingly. I love these colours. I have 2 other colours also for me hehehehe. This is pair 2/10 pairs for people I met down in Florida. Three of the pairs are for my roomies. =) I miss them sooo much!

Below are just some wacky pics of my dog Mac. He's a miniature Australian Shepherd and his colouring is blue merle.

Johnny is back in Madison from NY!!!!! Yay!!!! *jumps up & down with joy*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also, some more yarn came in the mail which includes my Slytherin yarn! Pictures later. =)

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Happy Mother's Day. Unfortunately I didn't spend it with my mom, this morning she had to take my sister to O'Hare Airport so she could hop on a plane to France for the summer/ next 5 weeks. I called her though & wished her a happy mother's day. . .that counts right?
Anyways, below are two pictures of Christine's thank-you socks while on the drive home. I basically knit those the entire way back, welll off & on because they're still not done. . . .oops?

I mentioned in yesterday's post I acid dyed some superwash yarn. Here are pictures f it below. The Blue & Green is called Mediterranean and the Purple, Green & Red one is called Nessy. I REALLY love dying yarn & can't wait to buy more bare yarn. I am thinking of trying the KnitPicks yarn. I love that the colours came out brilliantly bright! Each skein is 440 yards.


Another project I have done since I got back was my balcony garden. I have an eatern facing window, so there's a lot of sun in the mornings even though it's a wooded ravine behind my building. It's beautiful this time of year in Iowa. The weather is perfect, not to cool, not to warm. =) I LOVE it! More pics next time. I also started my mom's OSU socks lastnight, but they'll have to be knit between thank-you amd sockapolooza socks. I also start class tomorrow. . . .eeewww statistics!!!

BTW, Johnny's in NY trying out for the Giants this weekend. *crosses her fingers even tho she hates NY*

Sockapolooza Pal and I'M HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Soooo I changed the yarn I am going to use for my sock pal to "Winter Solstice" by Gyspy Girl Yarns. Here it is below:

I hope she likes it, I really do. Cathi's yarn is gorgeous.

Well, I'm back in Illinois right now for the night. Tomorrow my parents & I will be going to Iowa City & unpacking my car, getting me groceries, etc. Mac, my puppy, is coming with of course. I'll be in Iowa City for most of the summer. Hopefully I'll be able to knit all of my socks up & also take a spinning class. We'll see how that pans out. Oh well being home is just sooo nice, it still feels a little weird. When I'm back at my apartment I'll take pics of Christine's socks & also put up the progress pictures from the past 2 days of driving. Damn I'm tired! Funny, eh?

Johnny is headed to NY to try out for the NY Giants this weekend. . . . .oy New York. . why New York? =/

I'm such a Midwesterner. . . . . yes I say pop!!!

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North   You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop."
The Midland
The Northeast
The South
Philadelphia
North Central
The West
Boston
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

I am leaving with my mom first thing Thursday morning, so like is sweet. I have 2 more days of working in Disney's sweatshop. I can't wait to get home!!! I'll also have 24 hours of knitting to do while driving, my mom will be driving because I got my dad & I lost last time. There will definately be pictures!!! Yay!!!! Life is bad at times but good eh?
Johnny is back from his tryout, it ended Sunday. He's now just waiting for the Packers to make a decision on whether or not he'll be returning for minicamp. *crosses her fingers* Below is a pic of him at the tryout in a Packer helm. Wish he could keep it. eh. . . blah. . . The Packers passed on him. . bastards & now he's off to NY to tryout with the Giants. . . . . . grr east coast. . . .not happy. . .

Packing has commenced. . . . . the countdown is now down to 5. . . .

Well today is half done and I still have to work tonight. Not including today I will leave the state of Florida in 4 days. This week is going by sooooooooo slow!!!!! I just want this to end! I finally started packing the remainder of the things down here. My parents took 3/4s of my stuff back with them & this weekend they're dropping it off at my apartment in Iowa. Below is a beautiful pic of my large duffle bag with a Badger Capital One Bowl shirt sticking out. Gorgeous eh?

Below is a pick of my handknit socks soaking before I lay them flat to dry so they'll be clean & dry for the journey back up north.

I also took a pic of most of the knitting that will be accompaning me in the front seat to keep me sane! The Noro sock is actually for my Sockapolooza pal. She lives in the northern region of the country & I thought she'd like a pair of cozy winter socks to snuggle up in this coming fall and winter. I have never knit socks with the silk garden lite before, it's quite an experience! I'll drench & soak them in fabric softner when they're done so they're softer. *hopefully that'll be soon, even tho this swap isn't done until August* Lots to do, so little time to do it in.

And also this past weekend Johnny went up to Green Bay, Wisconsin & tried out with the Packers. We'll see how that went for him. *crosses her fingers*

Hawkeye Socks Finished! New Yarn & NFL Draft

I finished my Hawkeye socks lastnight, snapped a picture then passed out. I had a 7am shift yesterday and had been up since 5am, the pic was taken around 10:30pm. Yeah, long day! Here is a pic of them below next to my Iowa banner. Go Hawks! The yarn is Lorna Laces in Bee Stripe, 64 stitches on size 1 needles.

I also started another pair of socks out of the pink Panda Cotton. These are for my manager Christine. I need to start the second one. It is so much easier knitting both socks at once, you never get bored & they're both done pretty much at the same time. Sweet eh?
Melanie over at Lotus Knits dyed 2 colourways for me. One she already had called "Tulips" and a new one called "OSU" for socks for my mom. All my mom is getting this year for Mothers Day, her birthday AND Hannukah are Ohio State socks! Cathi over at Gypsy Girl Creations is also making me a skein of Buckeye coloured yarn for her also. This will be fun! There are pics of the 2 skeins below. Thanks Melanie & Cathi!

NFL Draft update! Okay, sooo Joe got drafted the first day, then on Monday Mark was signed as a free agent with the NY Jets, he's in the middle in the pic below. Which is actually better because his gf is from NY. Life is good for Mark & Joe hahaha. Johnny, the cute one on the right, wasn't signed and was finally offered a chance to tryout with the Packers this weekend. That would be sooo sweet if he signed with Green Bay. It's close to everyone and is still in the Midwest! Plus I want him to stay in the midwest. =P *crossing my fingers*!!! He had better not fuck this up!