A Few Too Many, Cap'n Phil

*Another non-knitting post*

Dear Captain Phil,I am very concerned about you and your 11 Red Bull-a-day (plus coffee and nicotine) habits on the Cornelia Marie. Please stop and get in your bunk for a while to sleep. Falling asleep in your chair in the wheel house is not good. Granted, it's not like you are likely to run into anything out on the Bering Sea, but still. Get some sleep already.

Signed,
A Worried Deadliest Catch Viewer in Nashville

P.S. Jake does not need a birthday present from you. He bought that tv to trick out his bunk on your credit card, remember?

Too good not to share

I just posted this over at Posts From the Edge, but I simply must post it here, too. It is far too good not to share. Clearly, these people still get The Urge and I think it's pretty awesome.

Do you get The Urge?

Thanks to those of you who took the time to comment and share your thoughts on my last post. I plan to take each posting opportunity as it comes and see what I feel like writing. It may or may not be crafty, but I will try to include a disclaimer at the start of those posts that are not knitting/crafting-related. That way, the ball is in your court.

This post isn't specifically knitting/crafting-related, but about creativity in general. Do you get The Urge? You know...that overpowering need to create. I think it would apply to whatever your passion is: crafting, writing, drawing, painting, etc. The Urge seems to go in cycles for me and I usually feel it the strongest in the spring. It's almost a physical need sometimes and I'm curious to know if other people experience the same thing.

Right now, I'm knitting (of course), but don't have any major projects going on. The Urge is leading me back to scrapbooking (which I haven't done in...well...I don't even know how long) and sewing. I have fabric to make some valances for the windows in this room and have a few shirts that need some work. Realistically, I need to clean things up a bit before I can scrap or sew, since the desk where I used to do those things has now been taken over by Natalie's school things - but it wouldn't take much effort to set up a workstation of sorts on the kitchen table.

The Urge caused me to get out some of my old violin music and do a bit of technical work. It was somewhat disturbing to see that I was working in those books in 1984, but it is pretty amazing how much the brain retains. I would also love to get a (very) cheap guitar and learn chords. Oh, and start writing music again. Yes, I have a piano and don't NEED a guitar in order to write, but it suits that whole vibe better. Plus, it sounds way different.

Now I'm rambling. How does The Urge affect you?

Wondering

I've been thinking a lot about the whole blog thing this week, so bear with me while I ramble for a bit. My blog was created as a place for me to yammer on about knitting and other creative/hobby stuff, with pics of my kids thrown in on occasion. I never intended it to be a place for me to really write much or share deep thoughts. Sometimes I would like to, though, and I find myself hesitating and thinking, "Is that really a good idea? This is really supposed to be about knitting/crafting, after all..." I don't know. Technically, it is my blog and I can post whatever I darn well please. Then again, if I'm really, really honest, I sometimes find myself getting annoyed when people post about non-craft things on blogs that are "supposed" to be about crafting. Should I be annoyed by that? No, not really.

I have considered starting a separate blog. Is it worth it? Would I really post there? I know that some of the decline in posting on this blog has been a result of having Ravelry available. I can post photos and pertinent info about my knitting there, be part of different groups and have tons of knitty info at my fingertips. I suspect Ravelry has impacted many knit-bloggers, but the issue now for me is really this: do I want this to solely be a knitting/crafting blog or am I okay with mixing things up?

Any thoughts? Anyone?...anyone?... Heck, does anyone even read this anymore?

Always Better When I'm Sick

Bed head, I mean. I could get my hair to do this on purpose if I tried.

Enough With the Colds Already

I really thought I was in the clear with the colds/sickness stuff. It's warming up...things are blooming...yes, that means allergies will kick in, but a full-fledged cold?? Again?? Haven't I had about 14 so far this year?? Thankfully, no one else in this house has it, and really, it's far from the worst I've ever had - but it's enough to make me feel pretty gross.

Anyway, you know you look pretty rough when the girl who brings your drink at Sonic says a perky, "Hi! How are you today?" and then takes a better look at you and says, "Ooooh, you look...tired."

Last Supper on Clearance

Just a head's up...in case you needed your own commemorative set. It's at KMart.

Just Another Day...

...and I've been trying to savor it.

Baby Knits

A new friend is expecting a baby soon and while I don't know her well enough to merit spending a lot of money on a gift, I would like to give her a little something. Or a few little somethings. I decided to rummage through my stash and see what leftovers I have that might become fun baby gifts.

I've always liked the Baby Genius Burp Cloth pattern from Mason-Dixon Knitting...here it is in Sugar 'n Cream dishcloth cotton:
I also wanted to make a pair of fun booties. I've knit plenty of socks but never any booties - and besides, every girl, no matter how tiny, needs some fun shoes, right?
These are the Christine's Baby Booties pattern, knit in Socks That Rock fingering weight (colorway: Space Dust). These were so fun to knit - I'll definitely keep them in mind for future baby gifts!
I still plan to knit a few more little things to go along with these, so keep your eyes peeled...

Gust

Pattern: Gust by Anne Hanson
Yarn: Filatura di Crosa Superior, cashmere/silk
Needles: US sz 4

Yet another fantastic pattern by Anne...easy enough to memorize but not at all boring! This scarf will live at The Neighborhood Knit Shop and I'll be teaching a class on it in April.

If You're Looking For A Snack...

might I recommend these?



I have the Cinnamon Brown Sugar variety and they are most tasty. If you like almonds, of course. If not, find another snack.

Let's Just Say They're Kin

I have two FO's to share today. Last weekend I finished this Pinwheel Blanket:
Yarn: Berroco Comfort
Needles: US sz 7

I used Fibonacci sequence for the striping. The Pinwheel Blanket is a great baby gift and is easy knitting, but does get tedious toward the end. I'm very pleased with how this one turned out, though. The final size ended up being about 36".

Last night, I finished some plain stockinette socks, which I am calling Amos. It only seemed right since they are so similar in color to my ill-fated Cedric socks. Normally socks end up being twins, right? We hope for identical, but with handpainted yarns they often come out fraternal. These...well...I think there were issues in the gene pool.
Yarn: Gypsy Girl Creations/Stone Barn Fibers in Brindle
Needles: US sz 1

I do have another sock in progress, as well as a shrug, but no pics of them just yet. In the meantime, I knit on.

Trying to Keep Up

I don't know why I'm finding it so hard to keep up with the blogging. I wish I had interesting things to say every day, but I don't. It doesn't mean I haven't been busy, though.

I finished Anne's "That Little Scarf" recently, which is a very fun knit and makes a great little neckwarmer.
Yarn is fingering weight from The Knittery.

I'm currently working on a new Pinwheel Blanket for an upcoming class at The Neighborhood Knit Shop.
Also, Ethan thinks these are the best things EVER.
Finally, I was happily wearing my Fawkes socks last night and thought a few times, "hm...I can feel something cold on the sole of my foot - these must be getting thin." I wore them to bed and when I woke up this morning I was crushed to see this.
They were one of the first pairs of socks I knit. (can't remember if I started these or Jaywalkers first) There's no point in trying to fix them as the other heel is about 24 hrs away from doing the same thing and the ball of the foot area is close behind.

Truer Words Were Never Spoken

Overheard tonight from the back seat of the car...

"I am six, so sometimes I know EVERYTHING."-Natalie

Wing o' the Moth

Finally.

Pattern: Wing o' the Moth Shawl by Anne Hanson
Yarn: Sunshine Yarns alpaca laceweight, "It's Cold Outside"
Needles: US sz 5 KnitPicks Options

A Preview

More to come tomorrow...

Hanami

Sold Old Stuff

Thought I'd share a few old projects to distract you from the fact that I don't have pictures of any of my current WIP's. Sneaky, eh?

The first is a short garter stitch scarf, knit with the leftover Alpaca Baby Grande of another scarf I knit recently. This yarn is HEAVENLY and I thought it would make a nice little neckwarmer, even if it isn't very long or wide.
Then we have another pair of Sonoma socks (for my sister), knit in black KnitPicks Gloss. I'd never used Gloss before and will definitely consider it for future socks!
Sorry about the weird, washed-out picture...it's very difficult to photograph black handknits if you want to show details.

So there you go. I am thisclose to finishing the Hanami stole and I can't wait!! I'm holding out on pics until I'm finished with the knitting.

Preparing For a Takeover...erm, Comeback

We're plotting our return...click here to see what CraftBorg is up to.

Zoinks!

Holy shmoly! I can't believe it's been over 2 months since I last blogged! Christmas was very nice - we went to Missouri first, then headed to Illinois on the 27th, where I started running a fever as soon as we arrived. The fever morphed into strep throat, which morphed into mild sinus/ear infections and then I wound up with a large abscessed ulcer on my throat - all of which essentially left me couch-ridden (slept there, too) for nearly 2 straight weeks. Once we returned to Nashville, I was still too weak to be up doing anything, so I spent almost another week recovering in my recliner. Thankfully, I am now feeling nearly 100% human again. Oh, and let's not forget that in the midst of all of this, Natalie managed to get a terrible case of pinkeye, which she then gave to me. We were a hot mess, I can tell you that.

Otherwise, I don't have much to tell you really. I've only just started knitting again in the past few days - just didn't have the energy or concentration while I was sick. My goal right now is to finish some WIP's that haven't been seen in a while - pics to come later this week.

In the meantime, I'll leave you with the kids' Christmas picture. I meant to get "real" ones done, but ran out of time, so I marched them outside in their good clothes and did it myself.

Remember me?

OK, so I've been gone a while. It wasn't really on purpose - I was out of town and have been very busy knitting! Here's what I've been doing since my last entry.

Another pair of worsted socks for my aunt, done in Schaefer Lola:

A pair of RPM's for my aunt in Cherry Tree Hill, colorway "Martha's Vineyard":

The last pair of socks for my aunt, in Sea Wool (which I LOVE and will make it very painful for me to mail these off)...this is the Sedona Sock pattern:

Then I also finished the Waving Lace socks for Greg's aunt, done in Mountain Colors Bearfoot:

I managed to finish my Chevron Scarf, done in Socks That Rock (Tiger's Eye and Space Dust)...I couldn't get a picture of me actually wearing it, so you'll have to just imagine that:

Finally, I decided to knit myself a hat with the Tasmanian alpaca I received from Amanda...so here is Le Slouch:

I will leave you with a few pics of little people...first, trick or treating at the zoo (Ethan was a bat, Natalie was a cat):

Natalie lost her 3rd tooth this weekend:

And Ethan is still a silly goose:

P.S. I apologize for the lack of links today...if you have any questions about patterns or where to find them, just leave me a comment.

Slow and Steady

I'm still plugging away on spinning my first sock yarn. Last night I finished knitting with the yarn that was finished and I'll have a new batch of singles ready to soak soon.

Here is what the finished yarn looks like:
And here is where I'm at on the sock...heel is finished and I've knit a few rounds past the heel:
I'm getting 9 stitches per inch and knitting with US sz 1.5 needles, tho the yarn is so fine in places that I wish it was a 1 even a 0.