Saturday Sky 09/30/06
Archive for September, 2006
Sock-ret Pal Partners
I got the name of my Sock-ret Pal pal yesterday. I’m super duper excited! This is going to be so much fun! I can’t wait to do some shopping!
We were told to post our answers to the Sock-ret Pal questionnaire, so I’ve done so here. There’s a text link to my answers in the sidebar also, under the Sock-ret Pal button. I hope my answers don’t make me sound like a total dork.
Now I’m off to do some errands so I can spend the rest of afternoon finishing up my ballband dishcloth. I’ve finally gotten things settled enough to where I can have a *me afternoon* and it’s going to be awesome!
Sunday Sky 08/24/06
Since I never got outside with my camera yesterday, I don’t have a picture of Saturday’s Sky. However, I can tell you that yesterday’s sky looked pretty much the same as every other Saturday Sky you’ve seen from me - grey. Yeah, it’s been awhile since we had a sunny Saturday. Anyhow, I thought I would share a Sunday Sky with you today, to make up for my laziness yesterday.
I also thought I would share a picture of the lovely leaves in Central New York. There’s a little less green than last week’s picture. The skies may be grey, but the fall foliage is starting to make up for it.
Giving My Tush a Push
I’ve been way too lazy lately. I try to get done what I need to get done, and then I zone out and stare at the boob tube or my computer screen. It’s really quite disgusting how uninspired I feel. Usually I’m procrastinating on housework, but lately I’m procrastinating on everything - including my knitting. Naughty me!
Anyhow, I think I’ve found the inspiration to get going.
Inspiration #1: I received an “oops e-mail” (an e-mail meant for someone else, but accidentally sent to me) from someone who had just completed a beautiful pair of Jaywalkers. They’re so beautiful they made me want socks to show off.
Inspiration #2: The Sock-ret Pal exchange will be starting soon and I’ll need to get started on a pair of socks for my secret pal. It would be really nice to have my knitting basket emptied before I start another project.
Inspiration #3: Winter is coming and I really want to knit a Gryffindor scarf and a pair of felted clogs. Ut oh. How can I start a scarf or clogs when I have UFO’s to get done? I can’t. So I need to get moving!
Inspiration #4: Christmas will be here before we know it and my girlfriend loves knit dishcloths. Umm, I have a couple of them half-finished on my needles. Wouldn’t it be smart to get them done so I have them for the holidays? Yes!
Inspiration #5: Last, but not least, I’m very interested in finding out more about spinning and one of these wonderful spinning kits would be a perfect introduction. However, I’m not buying myself a Greensleeves or Kokovoko until all of my WIP’s are done. It can be my reward for getting my act together.
Isn’t it funny how I’m using knitting to inspire me to knit? Why is that? And why has it been so difficult for me to focus on my knitting? What the hell is my problem?
I think I’m just feeling overwhelmed. I seem unable to manage my time and get organized. I really need to get things under control. I need to do my chores in the morning, so I can spend my afternoons knitting. My evenings can be devoted to homework, dinner, and family. Since I’m usually up for an hour or two after everyone else is in bed, I can use that time to watch some television, read a book or knit a few more rows. Best of all, I wouldn’t have to feel guilty for doing the things I enjoy, because everything else would be done.
Yeah. That’s what I need to do. I think this next week will be a week of organizing. I’m going to get my mommy space cleaned up - my corner of the living room where I keep my desk, computer and shelves - and I’m going to plan out my chores for each day of the week. With a bit of pre-planning I bet I can schedule my days so I’m not only getting more work done, but I’m getting more playtime in as well. Heck, it certainly can’t hurt to try.
More SP9 Buttons
Since the Secret Pal 9 page has butterflies, I thought I would add a butterfly to my silly sheep button. I know I’m no artist, but playing with these buttons is fun. Like yesterday’s buttons, feel free to help yourself to one if you’d like.
9:59 PM Update: I’m still playing. Here he is with a mask on - he’s a secret pal, remember? I thought I’d add a couple other colors too. Now I’m done. Promise.
09/21/06 Update: As you can see, I moved the buttons to their own page. All those winky, blinky sheep were making my eyes buggy! <laughing> I’m glad some of you are enjoying the buttons. Thank you so much for the kind words you’ve left behind. They really do brighten my day.
SP9 Buttons
Just for fun I thought I would make a button for the Secret Pal 9 exchange. I know it’s kinda corny, but it was a lot of fun to make. If you’ve signed-up for the exchange and you want to use either of these buttons, please, help yourself. Make sure to link back to the Secret Pal 9 webpage at http://secretpal9.blogspot.com. Enjoy!
Thinking Thoughts
I went to bed last night and thought about my slipper. Yes, even though it was after 3:00 AM, I laid in bed thinking about holey heels and stretched-out ankles. Yes, I know that it sounds pitiful, but still, it’s what I did.
Anyhow, I decided to give slippers another shot on the knifty knitter loom. This time, however, I’m going to use the sock directions from this book. I’ll do fewer ribbing rows, so the sock is shorter, and I’m only going to use one color, instead of two, but I’ll turn the heel following their directions. I’m not sure how I’ll finish off the toe, but I’ll worry about that when the time comes.
My goal is to learn how to do a decent little slipper on the loom so that I can teach my daughter and my neice how to do it. They both love the knifty knitters and I think they’d really enjoy making themselves a pair of slippers for the winter. I can’t really teach them if I can’t get it right myself, so hopefully this time around everything will click and I’ll end up with a slipper that I like. Please, wish me luck.
Sloppy Slipper
I don’t think I have much luck when it comes to looming slippers. While I suppose the slipper I made this evening doesn’t look too awful, I do have a few complaints. First of all, I have absolutely no luck whatsoever when it comes to holes in the heel. I try pattern after pattern and still I get holes. I can’t figure out why and it’s frustrating the snot out of me. Secondly, why in the world did my slipper stretch so much? Granted, I did try it on and I do have chubby ankles, but damn - my ankles aren’t that big. Last, but not least, I really think the toe needs some work. Most of the directions I’ve read have used some sort of gathered removal method, but I don’t like all that extra yarn bulk at the toe. I’m thinking the dreaded Kitchener Stitch may be the way to go. I’ll have to look around the web and see what other knitting loomers are doing with their socks or slippers.
Then again, maybe I’d be better off just knitting with needles. I don’t know. <sigh>
Saturday Sky 09/16/06
Another grey day. I’m getting pretty used to the sun not shining around here. It’s still warm, though, so I won’t complain too much. I’ll save my bitching for February, when it’s grey and cold. Then you’d better watch out!
Since the leaves around here are just starting to change, I thought I would give you a peek of what’s yet to come. This is a close-up of the tree (on the right) in the above picture. There’s still a whole bunch of green leaves on this tree, but they’re changing - slowly but surely! I love when everything turns red, orange and yellow. It’s such a beautiful sight to see.
I’m working on a pair of knifty knitter slippers. I’m using the pattern from Yarn Gear along with some Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky in charcoal. I’ve tried making them before, but I’ve never been successful when it comes to completing the heel. I’m hoping to have more luck this time around.
I will get these done this weekend. I’ve been too lazy lately and it’s about damn time I got a project done!
