Mad Props

I’ve been in Ravelry for a couple weeks now, and feel ready to send out my opinion to the blogosphere… so here is my little review.

At first, Ravelry seemed super overwhelming, and honestly I thought it was too much to do. I thought, “You want me to photograph my entire stash? That’s a lot of work, so screw that.” Then I realized that nobody is making me do anything… I can just hang out in the forums if I want, ignoring every other feature on the site. A short while later I felt the inexplicable urge to photograph my entire stash.

It didn’t take as long as expected to take pictures of my yarn, but it was tricky to find good lighting. Anyone who happened to walk by must have been amused to see me squatting by my patio door taking pictures of yarn and scolding the dog for “blocking my light.” Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m the crazy lady in the neighborhood. Anyhoo, it’s done now. And looking at my stash on Ravelry gives me the warm fuzzies all over.

The little virtual ‘needle inventory’ section is nice, but really it just makes me want to go out and buy all the needles I don’t have. Since I have a penchant for high-end bamboo and rosewood needles, this would be quite an expensive endeavor. I filled it out, but try not to look at it anymore. If you have some self-control, then you can print out a card to carry around with you. For me that would mean financial ruin (or at least a big ding on my credit report).

I haven’t played around in the projects section of my notebook too much, and I suspect this will be my most neglected area. It just seems like I’d spend more time updating my project (its level of completion, my happiness with it thus far, and all my notes about the pattern/project) than I would knitting it. But if you’re into documenting those things, it would be great.

Remember that Colinette Giotto I bought last weekend? I looked it up in the yarn section on Ravelry and saw everything anybody knit with it. Awesome. Even if you don’t see something that you particularly want to knit up with your yarn, it still does wonders. I was able to determine what sort of stitch pattern I was looking for (lots of texture), and what sort of item I wanted to make (not a shirt).

Poking through the patterns area was fun. I looked up the pattern for the brother-in-law’s sweater, which isn’t in there yet- but the crew neck version is. It’s handy to see what yarn they used, since the pattern doesn’t state a specific yarn (just a DK weight). Then I noticed lots of other people where not nearly as thrown off by the Buttony Sweater as I was, since theirs fit. At first that made me feel completely incompetent as a knitter, but I felt much better when I placed the blame on the yarn.

Those are my favorite parts. It's worth mentioning the forums and groups, too. They're pretty extensive. I joined groups for yarn sniffers, lefties, and more. The forums are crazy helpful- you can answers to any questions you have.

Ok, so there's lots more I could gush about, but CSI is on now- I gotta go. Ravelry is great. Go sign up if you haven't already.

No Self Control

Last night I was on Ravelry until 2 in the morning... it's seriously addictive. And inspiring. Today I felt the strong urge to drive on down to my LYS, to find some yarn for a pair of mittens. Easy enough right? Wrong. This is what I left with:

That's two hanks of Jitterbug sock yarn (one of which will be used for the mittens), three hanks of Colinette Giotto, one size 10 circular needle, and three sets of DPNs- sizes 1, 2, and 3. Oops.

Also, I'm extremely frustrated with myself... I checked the mail around one o'clock, and it hadn't arrived yet. The husband came home around four, and we went out to dinner shortly after. I didn't check the mail, but I should have. When we got back, I checked the mail again- and my yarn had arrived. Unfortunately, the rental office (which holds our packages) was already closed, and won't be open again until Monday. Crapmongers! I want my felted tweed now!

Maybe knitting something will take my mind off of it.

I Shouldn't Be Allowed to Knit Things

Sadly, the buttony sweater is no more. I was encountering too many problems for my small brain to handle, and had to let it go. There is nothing more depressing than ripping out an entire project, but such is the fate of the rebel knitter who thinks, “Even though this pattern doesn’t state any gauge, I can probably figure out how to knit it with completely different yarn and needles.” Anyway, I should just consider this a lesson learned, and move on. If anyone has any good ideas for what to knit with 1100 yards of beige worsted angora, hit me up.

In order to lift my spirits, I went out and got some of the bamboo yarn I saw at the store earlier. It’s Bernat Bamboo Natural Blends, and I got 3 balls in Linen and 3 in Dill. Sorry about the poor picture quality- hubby has the camera, so I had to make due with my cell phone.

While I decide what to do with the angora and bamboo, I've been working a bit on a scarf using a multi-stranded yarn. It's mohair, ribbon, and a novelty yarn. It's just basic seed stitch... something to keep me nimble while I figure out what's next.

Hopefully the Felted Tweed will arrive tomorrow, but that's probably a bit ambitious. It's making me very antsy.

More yarn!

I managed to sneak in a few rows at work today, but I'm not nearly where I want to be on the Buttony Sweater. If I’m going to get all these Christmas projects done on time I really need to step it up. I’d like to see if I can finish the sweater by the end of the month. That’s going to get more difficult as the weather cools off. Maryland is beautiful during the autumn months, and I’m going to want to play outside.

I ordered the yarn for my brother-in-law's sweater (again). I decided on Rowan’s Felted Tweed in Camel, and hopefully the color will be what I expect (although we all know I won’t be too disappointed if it isn’t). It should get here in a few days, so we'll see!

Ripping My Heart Out

Yesterday was a sad day. But before I get into it, allow me to give you some background info…

A typical Sunday for me goes something like this: Wake up and get ready, do any housework or errands that need to be done, and knit all afternoon. I like to watch TV while I knit. On Sundays, the Sci-fi channel runs a series of amusingly terrible movies, usually Sci-fi originals. I can sit all afternoon and be entertained, but not get so sucked into the movie that I accidentally stop knitting. These “Sci-fi Sundays” have become sort a tradition. I look forward to it all week… my husband usually spends the day out riding his motorcycle so the house is quiet, and it’s such a great way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Yesterday, however, was a prime example of Murphy’s Law. The housework part went okay, but once I got to the grocery store I was thwarted by jackassary at every turn. Then I got home only to find that Sci-fi would be airing Waterworld all afternoon! Waterworld! I hate that movie more than anyone should hate a movie. *sigh* But that’s okay… I can still knit.

So I grab my sweater, but before I get started I think to myself, “This would be a good time to try it on and see how it’s going.” Which is exactly what I do, and the sucker is huge. Crap. You see, a while back I thought I’d be clever and cast on a few extra stitches under the arms because I thought they might be a bit snug. Genius that I am, I failed to realize this would also add to the body of the sweater. Also, by “a few,” I mean eight... on each arm. Yeah, I’m smart. With worsted yarn and size 8 needles, that’s almost 4 inches. Anyhoo, I had the pleasure of ripping out about six inches worth of sweater body to get back to the armpits to remove those extra stitches. And after knitting all evening, it’s almost back to where it was before ripping. My Sweater Tank is full... time to work on something else for a little bit. Maybe something small and quick.

Just in time to add to my giant pile of woes: I have a dentist appointment tomorrow. Send sympathy yarn.

Hoody Complete!

It is done! It seemed like it took forever to dry, but now I can ship it off to my stepdaughter just in time for school. Here it is:

I spent the better part of today laying around looking at knitting magazines, when I should have been working on the buttony sweater. And remember all that green yarn that just arrived? Well, I bought two skeins of similar yarn in cream and thought I'd make hats for the folks at work or something. Then I considered making a sweater for myself- but I'm not sure I can pull off that color. Either way, the yarn's staying. And I'm imagining the brother-in-law sweater in Rowan's Felted Tweed. Not sure of the color yet... possibly camel? We'll see.

Daytime TV Sorta Bites

I stayed home sick today. Boo. Being sick totally sucks. I don't even feel like moving. I tried to knit, but it's just too much (I know, I'm pathetic).

In happy news, my yarn arrived yesterday! I finally got that last ball of Biggie Print, and was able to finish off the cropped hoody. Last night I washed it in the tub, so it's blocking/drying right now- I'll post pics in a day or so.

In sad news, the yarn for my brother-in-law's sweater also arrived- and I have to send it right back. When I hear "army green" I tend to think of olive drab, and that's what the picture looked like online (Cascade's 220 superwash #801). What showed up was more of a Christmas green. Such are the hazards of ordering yarn online. No biggie, I'll just exchange it for another color. Though I did consider keeping it just to add to the stash, seeing as how it would be great for Christmas projects. Actually, I'm still considering it... Oh, who am I kidding? I never really planned on sending it back in the first place.

I need a nap.

I'm okay now.

My knitting slump is over (for now). Luckily, I don't think I'll be too far behind by the end of the week, since this Friday is the company picnic- and I'll be bringing my knitties of course! It will be 5 hours long, so I hope to get a lot of progress made.

Speaking of progress... here's what I've got done on the sweater. I had to stick it on some waste yarn to see how it's coming, and so far so good. It's funny- I thought starting a blog would slow me down by dipping into valuable knitty time, but it might be making me knit faster. I want to knit more so that I can blog about it! It's good motivation.

Knit to Death

Is it possible? I think maybe I knit myself to death over the past month or so. I am just wiped out... As of today, I have several projects on needles, and about a thousand more that need to be done by Christmas. It's all just too overwhelming to think about. And now with the Ravelry invite, there' s even more work piled on- not more knitting, but lots of picture taking and such. I think the Ravelry stuff is going to take a back seat for now. Although I don't know, maybe getting the Ravelry stuff done this weekend will give me a nice little break from knitting. And I would like to browse around, looking for some much needed inspiration. :)

Since I know you're dying to know, here's my current project list:

-The cropped hoody awaiting a crocheted neckline, which I'd like to have done by the end of the month (if the yarn ever gets here)
-A baby cardigan needing one more sleeve, which needs to be done by October
-A hat for the hubby(not started), which I'd like to have done for our anniversary in November

And Christmas gifts as follows:
-Buttony sweater on the needles (my main focus right now)
-Men's v-neck sweater (waiting for the yarn)
-Hat/mittens/scarf set
-One pair socks
-One hat and fingerless mitts set
-Two additional gifts TBD (possibly a shrug and a wrap?)

Is this too much to take on? Only time will tell.

Wahoo!

I'm in Ravelry at last! The invite came early this morning, and so far it's everything a knitter could want. If anyone's looking for me, that's where I'll be- my profile name is Kninja.

#$@%&!!

As of this very moment, I am number 58 on the Ravelry list. I really thought I'd be in by today. The anticipation is killer. If you sit very still and listen closely, you can hear me weeping.

Stinky Pinkie

I have a tendency to stabilize my right needle with my pinkie, which apparently leads to pain. Lots of achy, stupid pain. I'm going to start a Carpal Tunnel Fund, so that it may soften the financial blow when I need surgery in a few years. Feel free to send your donations now.*

The Buttony Sweater is moving along, albeit slowly. I'm nearly down to the armpit, I think. I have to throw it on some waste yarn and try it on to see. The biggest surprise with this project (so far) is the intense joy I get from picking buttons. Seriously. I've spent hours online trying to decide- and I'm leaning toward simple wooden buttons, possibly rosewood. I think they'll add a little warmth.

Still waiting on the yarn that was supposed to ship this week... I'm not very good at this kind of waiting. Knitting has made me more patient in waiting rooms and long lines and such, but this is different waiting. I can't exactly take a chair out to the mailbox and knit for ten days straight while I wait for it to show up (although I'd like to). Bah.

In other news, I am now officially a member of The Knitting Guild Association. I'm hoping it will be a good thing, but I haven't completely dismissed the notion that I may have just paid $27 to get my name put on a mailing list. In all honesty, I joined mainly to look into their Master Knitter program. They say the title of Master Knitter is coveted. And it is... I know this because I, myself, covet it. Sadly, it will cost me $285 to get this title. But it does come with a pin. Sigh.

That's all for now. I'll post pictures of the sweater when I get past the armholes or so (there's a good chance I'll have to rip it out, and seeing pictures of how far I almost got will depress me).

*Disclaimer: Any funds received will most likely be used to buy yarn.