Things that I am Thankful for

This a contest for the Sock it to me Twice swap, but it is also something I have been thinking about recently.

Two nights ago my youngest brother found my middle brother on the garage floor face down in a pool of blood, so the very first thing I am thankful for is that he is alive and on the mend.#2 bro found #1 bro and we were able to administer assistance and prevent a terrible thing from happening (he had been drinking heavily and it was very cold outside, terrible terrible things). He is doing much better now. The lump on his forehead is draining down his face so he looks like he got into a fistfight.
After that happy story I'll move on to nicer things. The #2 and #3 things I am thankful for are my kids. One human and one canine.

#4 is this guy. My wonderful husband.








#5 is my family.
#6 having a roof over my head and a safe vehicle to drive
#7 my health. Things have been a bit hurry up and wait lately, but we've figured out what's wrong and are planning on what to do to fix it.
#8 is my husbands job. I am very lucky to be able to stay home with C while he works
#9 the ability to be free. I am very thankful for the men and women in the armed services and for everything they do to make sure we stay free and safe.
#10 chocolate.

Sock it to Me Twice!

1. How long have you been knitting? Do you consider yourself beginner, intermediate, advanced?
It'll be 4 years in January. I consider myself to be intermediate/advanced. I'm not afraid to try new techniques. I think the scariest thing would be steeking. Cutting into my knitting on purpose gives me the heebies. I'm going to need try it soon though. Aversion therapy =)

2. How long have you been knitting socks?
Probably for almost 3 and a half years. My third project was a sock. I knit a scarf, a hat and then a sock. The sock took me a month to finish and now lives in my sock yarn drawer without a mate.

3. What are your favorite fibers to work with?
I haven't worked with anything other than wool and cotton. I think I need to branch out from socks, sweaters and dishcloths.

4. What is your favorite color?
If I had to pick one it would be blue. If I was allowed more than one answer it would be blue, pink, purple, green and red.

5. What are your current WIPs (works in progress)?
Hahahaha. Did my husband put you up to this question? The short answer is Selbu Mittens, a pair of socks for a swap, Tangled Yoke Cardi, Enormous Mittens and a hat for the kidlet.

6. Name your favorite yarns, (brand, fibers, colors, etc.).
Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Chewy Spaghetti, Cider Moon

7. What are some yarns/fibers that you stay away from.
None really

8. What is your family situation? (Married, kids, pets?)
Married, 4 year old daughter, 1 Labrador

9. Name some of your hobbies.
Other than knitting I do counted cross-stitch, quilt and sew clothes and costumes on my 'borrowed' sewing machine.

10. Name some of your favorite movies?
Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Silence of the Lambs, The Shawshank Redemption, Braveheart

11. Do you like to read?
I love to read. Before I had my daughter I worked at a bookstore and read a book a day or so. Since having her that has severely dwindled. I miss reading, but I don't think I could read a paperback and knit at the same time. I'm just not that talented.

12. Do you collect anything?
Dog hair and dirty socks? I used to collect frog figurines years ago. If you asked my husband he'd tell you I collect sock yarn.

13. Do you own an iPod or mp3 player?
I have an mp3 player, but I don't use it. Never found a time I needed it =/

14. What are your favorite type of knitting needles?
I'm digging my knitpicks metal dpns at the moment. I would really like to try their new wooden ones, but every time I go to order something they're out.

15. What knitting notion could you not live without?
My sewing needle. Somehow I'm down to one out of the 5 I started with. I guard it with my life.

16. Who are some of your favorite designers?
I don't have any

17. Do you subscribe to any magazines? (Knitting or otherwise.)
I have a subscription to IK

18. When is your birthday?
July 4

19. Do you have a "wishlist", (on Ravelry, Froogle, or Amazon)?
I do on amazon. It's under jessnoyes(at)comcast(dot)net. If the search comes up with children's toys, that's the old list that I can't seem to get rid of =( I don't need anything from that one.

20. Do you have a Ravelry ID?
JessN

21. If you had a sheep, what would you name it?
Clarabelle (yes I know that was a cow. she would also have a pink bow =D)

And then some?

When I asked the ultrasound tech if I had everything that was supposed to be in there she said 'And then some'. Turns out I have at least 5 gallstones, the largest of which is blocking the bile duct. That is the one that is causing me the problems when I eat fatty foods. I have an appointment with a surgeon on 12/5 and hopefully won't have to wait very long to get the thing out of me.

Enough about my innards and on to the knitting. Unfortunately I haven't got any pictures at the moment, but I have been working on the socks for my Vintage Sock Swap pal. I decided to do the Child's French Sock pattern. I liked the color of the ones in the book so I pulled some KnitPicks Essential in Burgundy out of my stash. I have just finished turning the heel and am on my way down the foot. I'm also making some enormous mittens for enormous hubbo's hands. Using the Urban Necessities pattern from MagKnits, but I went up a needle size to accommodate his 9.75 palm circumference. Luckily the first one fits quite well.

My etsy favorites list is currently 3 pages long. I think I need to decide on what I am getting my pals from the Mitten Swap and the Sock Swap and order it so I can be sure it's here in time for mailing. How to narrow three pages of super neat stuff? sigh...

That's all it is?!

I had another 'episode' Sunday night/Monday morning and decided that the 7th one was enough to make me go to the ER to see if there was something seriously wrong (this one wasn't nearly as bad as the previous one, thank Maude). At the ER I was diagnosed with 'abdominal pain', given a shot of pain meds (that did pretty much nothing), told I need to have an ultrasound of my gallbladder, and I'm not to eat anything fatty or delicious ever again. Or until I have that sucker ripped out. I have an appointment with a GI doc on Monday so hopefully I'll get this solved before having another one of these episodes. I could really do without being taken out with pain for about a week.

In knitting news I have gotten some stuff done while attempting to pretend I'm not in pain. I have almost completed one of the mittens for my swap partner. I think I might be redoing this one though. This one is almost too tight I think so I am going to knit the right one a needle size up and see if that helps. And my floats where the needles changeare a bit tight. Good thing I have heaps of yarn. I have also finished about 8 mittens for Cait, but none of them seem to fit her properly. There's one on the needles right now that look like they might be a winner.

*grumble grumble* Shipping *grumble grumble*

According to the 'tracking' website my Knitpicks package was supposed to be here yesterday but got to my local post office this morning after 10am. Grrrrr. I didn't cast anything on yesterday because I didn't want to abandon a project for the mittens. I was itchy itching for something to knit today so I cast on Calorimetry this morning and finished this afternoon.



So my itchy fingers were calmed for a bit, but I still want to cast on for some Halloween socks. Itchy, itchy, itchy.

Beware of the Donut!

Apparently they can make you sick enough you make *really* good friends with the potties in your house. For an entire day. So I certainly won't be going anywhere near a donut for a good long while.

I have finally come up with a mitten pattern to use for my No-More-Hum-Drum-Mittens swap partner, Squirrelly Swedish Mittens My book never came to the LYS, or they never called me, so that narrowed the field a bit. I would eventually like to get the book, but I guess the universe doesn't want me to get it right now. Now to wait for my Knitpicks order to arrive. It is currently 'in process' so it should ship within a day or two and then I can start on the mittens. It's good that I have to wait though, my 2.25mm needles are currently occupied with UglySock so I wouldn't be able to start them right away anyway.

I am down to the last half of the repeat and I think I should be fine to start the toe decreases. Being sick has really put a damper on my knitting.

The day after I became ill I received my Socks of Doom in the mail. Bereni was my assassin and she sent me a lovely pair of warm blue socks. Now if only the weather here would get cold enough to warrant handknit socks!
Now I'm just waiting on the socks from my victim to send to my assassin's assassin's assassin. Hopefully she isn't dead yet!

I'm not dead yet!

Although I am a bit jumpy when I hear the postman/fed-ex truck/ups truck drives by.

Driving myself a bit batty trying to find the best mitten pattern/yarn combo for my No-More-Hum-Drum-Mittens swap partner. Hopefully the book I ordered comes in to the LYS soon so I can come to a final decision and order the yarn and get working.

I'm hoping to post pictures tomorrow of my uglysock (It's a really strange colorway, I'm not even sure where exactly I got the yarn, but I kinda like it so I'm just going to keep on keepin on.) and my Tangled Yoke Cardi-in-progress.

Tonight's question to stall and keep mommy in the room question from C was 'Mommy, why don't mice wear pants?'

Discuss.

Sock Wars!

I have been very sporadic posting here and I don't think I have mentioned my participation in Sock Wars. Well I have signed up to be a warrior in this years competition and I hope to go very far! My target's socks are finished and on their way to being packed up and sent out first thing tomorrow morning. FL sock warriors beware!

The Monkey Swap box is in the mail winging its way to my partner. Should be there soon! Every time we see something monkey-related in a store C says 'Oh mommy! We could get this for your monkeypal!'. I should probably start collecting for the next round. I hope there's a next round!

I have signed up for another swap along with the mitten swap, my husband thinks I have lost the last marble. Vintage Sock Swap - you knit a sock of your partners choosing from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush and include some goodies. I have really enjoyed knitting socks for other people in these last couple swaps. This way more people than just my mother are tortured with handknit socks. Heh. I told my husband that I would knit him a pair as soon as he did something about his man-feet. There is no way I am putting in the time and care to knit a pair of socks for his 12EEE clodhoppers to have them worn down in a matter of days.

I decided the other day that I wanted to knit a sweater for me. Me me me me. So I decided on the Tangled Yoke Cardi from the newest IK. I'll post pics next time (which will hopefully be less time than the time between the previous post and now). I have just started the increases for the body so a ways to go yet. C also requested a new sweater since she has outgrown the one I made her 2 years ago. I'm thinking the Jack & Jill Hooded Sweatshirts from Knitpicks will work. I just have to commit to the order. I always have trouble clicking 'send'...

Monkey Sock Swap ready to go!

I have finished the monkey socks and all the items are packed up ready to go!



I really don't want to part with the bag that I made. It turned out way better than I thought it would.




I think I am going to have to make another one for C. I have plenty fabric left over for another. They aren't very big. Enough space for a small knitting project or little girl treasures =)

No More Hum-Drum Mittens Swap

I have signed up for another swap! I don't have any gloves or mittens for winter and thought it would be neat for someone else to make some for me! Of course I have to return the favor, but the best part about a swap is the other stuff you put in the package =)


1. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn?

I have been knitting for almost 3 years. I taught myself from a book my brothers ex-girlfriend gave me for Christmas 3 years ago.

2. Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I think I would call myself intermediate. Patterns and charts and techniques don't scare me. I haven't tried designing my own stuff yet though.

3. What are your favorite colors? Any you dislike?

My favorite colors would be blue, red, purple, gray. I'm not a fan of dark yellow or dark green.

4. Do you like Latvian type patterns? If so, what are your favorite patterns?

I like Latvian type patterns, I can't say I have a favorite though.

5. Do you desire mittens for yourself, your "special someone else" or your child?

For me =D

6. What other things do you enjoy knitting?

I mainly knit socks at the moment. I have also been known to knit scarves, hats, fingerless gloves and an occasional sweater (which was worn a grand total of one time before being tossed aside and declared too itchy. C has now announced that she would like a new sweater "A snuggly one this time mommy")

7. What sort of needles do you enjoy working with? (straights vs circs, bamboo vs aluminum)

My favorite needles at the moment are the knitpicks metal dpns. I think I am going to try to get my hands on some of the new Harmony ones. I told my husband to add them to the 'What to get Jess for Christmas' list. Somehow I think I will be buying them for myself.

8. What’s one project you’ve not yet tried but are dying to make?

The Deep V Argyle Vest by Eunny Jang. I'll get the pattern and the yarn one of these days...

9. What’s one yarn you’ve not yet tried but are dying to work with?

I'd like to see what all the fuss is over Malabrigo.

10. What other hobbies do you have? Do you spin? Sew? Garden? Cook?

I do counted cross stitch (like Mirabilia and Teresa Wentzler). I sew costumes and clothing and bags with my trusty Singer I 'borrowed' from my mother. I mess around with polymer clay and making soap sometimes too.

11. Besides yarn, do you collect anything?

Dust in my house? Dog hair? (It isn't long enough to spin even if I were a spinner.) I used to collect frog figurines and stuffed toys and such before I had my daughter. I'm not sure why I stopped.

12. What kind of goodies do you enjoy? Sweets? Salty? Anything you hate or are allergic to?

I enjoy anything that is tasty. I believe this is the reason that I have gained back 20 of the 50 lbs I lost last year...
Cookies, fudge, toffee. Cookies with fudge and toffee. Mmmm....
I have a tactile peanut allergy (it irritates my eczema) so no peanut brittle for me =(

13. Do you have any kids? Pets?

I have one human child (3), one fur-child (yellow labradog as my daughter calls her) and one husband.

14. What is your favorite part of Winter?

Hot chocolate. Snow. Snuggling under blankets.

15. What is your least favorite part of Winter?

The snow melting and leaving everything gray and dull =/

They're here!

(Well, in all honesty they got here on Friday but who is counting.)
My Sockapalooza socks that is!



My partner was SandyK. She sent me the softest most comfy pair of socks I have ever come in contact with. The yarn is Cherry Tree Hill in 'Misty Moor' and the pattern is one she made up herself (she says it'll be available on her blog soon.





She also sent along a cute little sheepy (which was swiftly whisked away by the pixie in the pic above) and a keychain sockblocker sock with a wee pattern. I think my Christmas tree may be full of bitty socks this year.

In other knitting news I ripped two socks last night. Conwy and Pomatomas were never to be, at least not in those yarns/colorways. I had gotten past the gusset on both of them and came to the realization that I really didn't like how they were knitting up and decided that even if I was to finish that sock I wouldn't be bothered to cast on for the partner. So instead of having singletons that I wouldn't wear, nor would make a mate for, I set up the old ball winder and zipped those suckers off the needles. Now I have hit the sock knitting blahs. I looked through the three sock pattern books I have and have gone through my free pattern bookmarks and I can't find a single pattern that is calling to me. It isn't just socks either. I picked up Mirabilia's 'Petal Fairy' this morning with the intention to finish the stem she is standing on (that's pretty much all I have left - the stem, her legs and feet and the beading) and I realized that I had started the second stem about 5 stitches farther over than it was supposed to be. Had to rip all that out too. I was almost done with the second stem. So I put that back down again. Now I sit with nothing to do and no burning desire to start anything new. I think maybe C and I will go take a nap...

Hey hey we've got ...

Monkey Socks!

Please excuse the dog heiney, she thinks she needs to be involved in any and all photographs that I take.

Started August 25, Finished August 30

Yarn = I'm not exactly sure... I know it's 100% superwash (I tested it!), but there was no tag anywhere to be found. I have some other yarn that is wound in a skein and tied with the same yarn so I think it's part of some loverly stuff I got from the ebay. Seller was 'kbrece' I believe.

No mods on these fellas. Pattern knit exactly as written by Ms Cookie A. Super quick knit and very easy to memorize. I think I'm going to have to finish the mate for the Scottish Highlands STR ones I've got floating about.

My Monkey Swap package is almost ready to be sent out. Just waiting on one more monkey related item in the mail and the package should be ready to head out!

I have also finished the ankle socks in the Chewy Spaghetti sock club yarn.



There's a second sock done, just not when that picture was taken. I don't have one of the pair of em. Just a basic top down ankle sock knit on size 3 knitpicks dpns (I'm in love with knitpicks dpns. I think it's the points). This colorway isn't something I would have chosen for myself, but I totally love it. I think I'm going to call them my Las Vegas socks because they kinda look like the swirly changing lights on the strip. I'll try to get a picture of the two of them once I find out what hubbo did with the camera. Can't wait for her to send the September colorway! Wheee!

Carolina Socks

Pattern - Carolina, Last Queen of Naples by Momma-Monkey in Scout Swag colorway Strawberry Quick
Started 6/15 - Ended 8/23 (I made two pairs for Sockapalooza4 and a pair for Cait in that time span)
Mods - tried out the Eye of Partridge heel. The colorway didn't make it look so good. I think I'll try it next time on some solid yarn.

Now to start the second of the pair of Monkey's in the bizzaro STR Scottish Highlands? Or make a pair of ankle socks out of the Chewy Spaghetti stuff? Hmm..... I think Chewy Spaghetti wins!

Monkey Sock Swap THREE Questionnaire

The basics:
Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep?

I would say I am an intermediate sock knitter. I have yet to find a sock pattern that intimidates me to the point that I won't try it. I have been knitting for about 2 years now and have at least 12 pairs of socks finished (and two on the needles). Socks don't scare me!

The measurements:

Shoe Size: US 8

Foot circumference: 8.5"

Foot length: 9.5" tip of toe to heel

Yarn Preferences:
What colors do you love? I love blues and pinks and purples

Do you prefer solids or variegated? No preference =)

Do you prefer wool, cotton or acrylic yarn? I prefer wool. Cotton would also be good, but acrylic makes my feet sweat horribly =/

What colors would you never wear? On my feet? Any colors are acceptable on my feet

What are your favorite brands of yarn? Socks That Rock, Lorna's Laces

Are there any new brands you would like to try? Wollmeise. I'm going to be stalking Loopy Ewe for her shop update...

Cookie A. Patterns:
Which of her patterns have you already knit? Monkey & Hedera

Which pattern(s) would you like to knit and don’t already own? Twisted Flower or Thelonious look nice, but I think I would really like to try Pomatomus next.

Other pertinent information:

Would you be willing to have an international Monkey Pal or do you prefer one in the US? International or one in the US is fine.

Do you have any allergies? Nope

Will your knitting be exposed to smoke or animals? No smoke, I do I have a dog.

Are you on Ravelry yet? If you don’t mind having new friends, what is your Ravelry name? Not on Ravelry. I think I'm going to wait a bit longer.

Monkey Sock Swap Three sign ups are open until Sept 1. Hurry!

Cupcake!

Last night I got it in my head that I needed to knit a cupcake. So I dropped everything I had been doing and did just that. I think the kidlet likes it =) Cupcake pattern found here .

Chewy Spaghetti Sock Club!

Chewy Spaghetti Sock Club!
Originally uploaded by jessnoyes

Coupla months ago I signed up for the Chewy Spaghetti Sock Club. I don't remember how I found out about it, but I figured it would be a good way to get my toes wet in the realm of 'Sock Clubs'. The first shipment came last week and I squealed when I opened the package. While the colorway is probably not something that I would have choosen for myself, this is the exact reason I signed up for a sock club. The chance of being sent something that I wouldn't have picked for myself but I love it anyway! She also included a really cute bag from messy.etsy.com and a pin that says 'Make Socks, Not War' and a bumper sticker (not pictured, I think the kid took it and stuck it on something she shouldn't have...) that says 'Enhance your stash, sock yarn doesn't count'. I can't wait to get these socks on the needles! I made a deal with myself. I can cast on for these as soon as I have finished the second sock of two pairs that have been languishing on my desk for about three months now. Sock yarn doesn't count as stash indeed!

Sheep and Wooooooooool

The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival was this weekend. Hubster, the monkey and I trekked over there to hunt for some loverly sock yarn for my Sockapalooza4 pal. I must say I was rather disappointed. I ended up finding some loverly yarn by some magical stroke of luck. Sheep and Wool was so packed that I had to carry my daughter for fear of her being swept up in the currant of knitters and fiber addicts. It was very difficult to see into any of the booths because of the people standing directly infront of everything and other people shoving their way into the itty bitty spaces that these vendors were allowed. I ended up getting two skeins of Just Our Yarn , local ladies. The colorways I got aren't on their webpage. I'll take pictures eventually. Hubster and the monkey were very well behaved and said they had a good time. Ofcourse Hubster got to get a Sarsparilla soda and the monkey got an ice cream cone with sprinkles. Everyone got a treat and came away happy. I'm not too sure if we'll go next year tho. Only bound to get crazier.

Of babies and socks.

A very old friend of mine just had a baby last weekend. I was under the impression that she was due at the end of May, not the beginning. Thought I had a little more time to procrastinate the baby items. Anyway, Mason-Dixon Knitting to the rescue! I whipped up the little kimono jacket with some stash cotton (woohoo stash!). It still needs to be finished, but I hate that. Hopefully I'll finish it and get it sent before Emilie is 6 months old...


I've finished my mom's Mother's Day present. This is exceptional for me. I'll usually decide to knit a gift for someone days before the birthday/holiday/event and then be very cranky and crabby while trying to get it done in time. They're the Waving Lace socks from IK Favorite Socks knit in Knitpicks Essential in Petunia. This yarn is rather splitty. I'm not sure if it's the metal needles or the yarn itself being a PITA. I should have looked into how the yarn was before leaping into buying 4 socks worth of it.






Last night I finished knitting up the first of a pair of
Monkey socks. I'm not sure how I feel about them.I kept telling myself 'Just keep going, it'll get better', but I don't think it got better. It's the STR 'Scottish Highlands' colorway. Amazingly beautful in the skein (as is all their yarn) but not so much in my socks =(

So to console myself I have started Isabella from the newest Knitty in Knitpicks Shine (stash yarn wooohooo! I'm not letting myself buy anything until MD Sheep & Wool. This way the hubster can't be TOO TOO angry at the amount I buy. I haven't been buying since January, right?). Knitting up just loverly, but boy howdy do my hands hurt. I think it might be time to drag out the sewing machine and finish the Ren Faire garb. I'll get pictures of that stuff soon.

Arrrrrr..... I'm a pirate you see

Last year on "Talk Like A Pirate Day" I followed a link from one of the communities I stalk to the pirate related knitting. Found Pirate Queen's Booty Bag and decided that I had to have it. I think I started it in October? And finally finished at the end of March. The bag was extremely easy to make, double knitting bows to me. The thing that took so long were the straps. Oy. 17" on each side. While knitting this I tried to find someone else on the internetz who had pics so I could make sure I was doing it correctly. Try as I might the only thing that related to my bag was the bag pattern itself! Unfortunately the pictures with the pattern didn't show what I wanted to see so I just went with it. It turned out pretty well, I think. My daughter loves it (she has stolen it to carry Polly Pockets) and so do I. Dunno if I'd make another one just because of sheer size of the unfelted thing. Maybe if I one day run out of sock yarn. Ha! Heeeeeeeere's the specs.

Pattern : Pirate Queen's Booty Bag by Pat Knight

Yarrrrrrn : Paton's Wool. 3 skeins Black and 3 skeins Pink

Needles : Size 8 - 24" clover bamboo.

Started : Sometime in October 2006

Finished : End of March 2007