Fuzzy Feet! and I got tagged :)

I'm participating in my first ever Knit-a-long!
A fuzzy feet along!
Pattern Here
Knitalong Here
Original impetus here

My first pair (if i like knitting em I'm making a few gifts out of them)
will be in Cascade 220 (9432 quatro) which is an alluring combo of blues and greens.
This picture.. like the project is fuzzy.


I might cast on for them tonight, or I may get lost in "what my tivo recorded this weekend" depending on how i feel.

This brings my "active projects that I can remember offhand" to...

Fuzzy feet
my Irish Hiking scarf (which I will finish in the next few days!)
A long forgotten but soon to be revived silk garden Clapotis
a Ribbed hat in a rust colored "Extra"
a pair of delicious Koigu socks.
And an Ipod cozy for a coworker (which i really should have finished by now)
Bath mitts! Delicious wonderful Bath mitts .

My Secret pal gave me the Irish hiking scarf pattern and yarn, and the bath mitts patten and yarn and I must say again how much I enjoy her intiution on what I will enjoy knitting.
She's awesome!.

Oh yeah, one more thing
Saw Jon Stewart on Friday night in Stamfort CT.
He was GREAT! Very funny.
I can't help but be amused though, at the fact that I used to see him in comedy clubs in the late 80s for a 2 drink minimum, and now pay exorbitant sums to see him in a theater.
But he did put on a good show, and a long one at that, he gave us roughly 90-120 min :)

I got tagged by Pepperknit
so here goes

1. What is your all-time favorite yarn to knit with?
   Whichever I knit with last ;) Seriously these days its Koigu KPPPM. Though I still love Karabella Aurora 8

2. Favorite needles?
Addi Turbos for everything but socks.


3. What's the worst thing you ever knit?
I have a few truly hideous scarves that I have hidden someplace


4. Favorite knit pattern?
Oy.. I’m still too new to answer this I think – but I’d probably be lost without a good sock pattern.

5. Most valuable knitting technique?

I’ll second Pepperknit’s vote for the felted join.

6. Best knit book or magazine?

I love Interweave Knits, and I learned a whole lot from the first Stitch ‘N Bitch book

7. Favorite knitalong?

My first real one - Fuzzy Feet! (I did a clapotis one but flaked on it


8. Favorite knitblogs?
So many! Yea I Knit
Domestic Overlord
Crazy Aunt Purl
The Crochet Dude
Me, Myself and I
Darbyrose
and everyone in my sidebar. Plus some more. Don't be offended if i forgot you, I just dashed off the first six (my lucky number) that I could think of.
A special mention for "The music of what happens". Not a knitblog per se but she taught me to knit
9. Favorite knitwear designer?

No idea really - I like a lot of things.

10. The knit item that you wear the most?

My black and pink Crystal Palace Iceland hat that I made over the weekend. It may be brand new but it’s kept me from having to turn my heat on yet!

A few pics

First is another picture of my hat model (and hat) :) Isn't she cute?!


Next up is a pic of the delicious Koigu proto-sock - which is coming along nicely and just feels
delicious. Maybe I'll actually finish this one ;)

Last but certainly not least is is a pic of the stitch markers my wonderful hosts gave me when the bf and I were up visiting.

Back at work

My vacation is over.
WAAAAAAAAAAAH.
Why is it that no matter how long you are off, it never seems like enough?

So for those of you who asked what I got yarn shopping - the answer is.. I can't say because it was for my Secret Pal and there is a minimal chance they might read it. Sorry. The store was very cool selection wise and I could have spent a lot of money there. Plus they had a great kitty!

Meanwhile, back in knit-land...

So I decided to knit this hat because I had some appropriate yarn laying around and wanted to do something simple, patternless and easy to finish. It took like no time at all and made me feel like a super hero. Thank you Crazy Aunt Purl for her easy roll-brim hat recipe!

While I was feeling all superheroific I decided to make another one for my friend's daughter, so I knocked this one out with some remaining yarn, changing the base color to purple and removing the second stripe to make it slightly shorter. Personally .. I think its cuter on her. :)


Koigu Koigu Koigu!
Its back to socks.. and the present project is on KPPPM in a beautiful multi
of browns, oranges, rusts etc.. I will try and get a proper picture of it when I am home and near my camera. There are no words for how much i enjoy knitting with this yarn, it's DREAMY.

Back to work.
feh

Home again, home again

Went on a happy mini-vacation to visit friends of mine.
They have a lovely circa 1880 house, a beautiful 2 1/2 year old daughter, and 5 (count em 5) dogs at the moment.

The boyfriend and I had our own suite!
bedroom, living room, laptop, digital cable, wireless internet and very very comfy beds - all provided by our terrific hosts! Hell there was even free "on demand" stuff. Was a better deal than any hotel and I got to spend some time with friends.

I went to visit this yarn shop
which has quite a selection

Knitted a bunch (a few hats, some work on a scarf, a little sock work - pictures when i've had a chance to take em.)
Ate a bit
slept a lot
and generally had a very nice time.

And they gave me a gift!
a bunch of wonderful toys for my kitty and some beautiful handmade stitchmarkers from someone she knows locally who makes them!

Now its time for laundry.

Some web driven silliness

Stolen from myriad other blogs.. but most recently Dani of YeaIKnit

Do a Google search for “[Your first name] needs” (with the quotes, without the [ ] )

Amy needs to either wake up or start getting some extra will-power (hell yeah)
Amy needs a new pair of shoes (sure why not!)
Amy needs to mend her ways and be more of a team player.
Amy needs a drug-dealer's testimony to free a teenager wrongfully accused of murder. (ARHGHGHG)
Amy needs a new pair of shoes. (Ok.. so two pair)
Amy needs a good topic for her film
Amy needs a flu shot (thanks for reminding me actually )
Amy Needs Help!!! (this came up so many times one has to wonder if its true)

Spent an excellent weekend with the my boyfriend (an extra day!!) who brought me home with all sorts of yummy Costco things so I think breakfast will come from that haul.

No time for much of anything today..
running errands and such.
Began a diet today and could use all the good will on that I can get.
I leave you with a picture of Desdemona test driving Bunny's kitty pi. (i think it needs a second felting round)
She looks awful cute in it but she knows its not for her. (its Bunny's and I want her to have it! :)
I'll make des one next in her colors.

A request for info...

(special note to my Secret Pal! The felted soap looks like fun to make! thanks for the link!)
So.. figured I'd put this out there in case anyone had any ideas..

I will be in the area of Danbury CT for one day in the next week or so.. followed by a few days in Lakeville, CT (which is near the NY/CT/MA border...) and I'm looking for a yarn store or two to visit. I've read through the boards on a few forums, but I don't know CT well enough to tell whats near what.

If anyone has any suggestions for LYS excursions in those areas.. I'd greatly appreciate em.

Thanks!

Picture fest

At long last... some pictures!!!

First of the secret pal box!
the pictures aren't great(as usual.. my hands move)..
But the gift was first rate! I couldn't be happier!

Group Shot one - .. many of the things but pic cuts off at the bottom


Group Shot 2 - a little blurry ..but still tons of visible goodness


Close up of the bath mitt.. So pretty!! and see those two yarnages above!!.. soon-to-be bath mitts just like this one!


My New Friends!!!



Close-ups of their faces!


Even Desdemona got a gift out of this!!!





Finally.. a pic of Kitty Pi Blocking. Not a secret pal gift per se but I used the wool-wash she gave me when I felted it!

A teaser

Will run out and get batteries soon.. but..

in the meantime...

I felted Kitty Pi!!!!
one load thru the washer thats it.. its 16 inches dia. and has no stitch definition and i LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE it :)
Its presently blocking on some old clothes and a buckwheat pillow.

Thank you all for all the suggestions! :)
pics soon.

Ack Ack Ack!

A post - in two parts....

First.. and most importantly - My apologies to my wonderful upstream Secret Pal.
I forgot to bring batteries home for my camera (I really need to get rechargables).
I dont want to wait any longer to post this tho, so I'll post the descriptions now.. and I"ll post pictures tomorrow.
In the meantime I'll try to make up for the lack of visuals with links

• First up we have the March/April Issue of Piecework magazine -- A lovely magazine chosen for a "Simple French Bath Mitts to Knit" project :)
• An All-knitted-up and pretty version of said Bath Mitts.. It is Gorgeous! Beautiful! Seriously they are such a pretty idea for gifts, bathing etc.. I can think of a million uses for them. I can't wait to try the one she gave me! And the women in my office LOVED it and now all want me to make them some! so its a good thing she sent me....
• Yarn to make bath mitts! Plymouth Fantasy Naturale in Pale Sage and a contrasting Tahki Linguine n a darker green for accents. I am very much looking forward to making this project.. which I just might do using....
• FiberTrends Magic Loop Booklet!! I've been wanting to learn Magic Loop and its as if she read my mind!
• Now once I have my bath mitts.. I'll need to bathe (no worries, I"ll bathe before that as well).. and I may just use the Aromatherapy Soap she sent me! Samish Bay aromatherapy soap - in 3 Trees.. a fragrant blend of fir needle, eucalyptus, cedarwood and lavender. My whole house smells like this delicious soap and It came stored in the bath mitt like a sachet :) I suspect this provides a clue to my SPs identity... because.. it appears locally made...
• And speaking of locally made... A lovely booklet of recipes from Merritt Apple Farm (which shares the same locale).. may have been a clue as to location.. or it could be a Happy Jewish New Year gesture.. (apples being a big deal around now) but either way I can't wait to try the Curry Apple Rice!
• Its a three-fer on the location confirmation.. She sent a ruler/ needle gauge (a good one.. sturdy lucite from Hellen's Needlework - also in the same county. I needed a decent one !
• to keep me calm and to keep my palate comforted.. She sent Stress Mints (relax in a new york minute).. Homeopathic Stress losenges.. and some tasty sour apple bonbons.
• While i'm bathing and being calm.. I can read the Batya Gur Mystery (Good call.. I've never read her!) she sent.
• I can use the liquid gloves to mosturize my hands, and the wool and fiber washes to clean my handmade goods :)
• She also sent me a couple of "friends" that can only be done justice by pictures :) So those I'll save til tomorrow.
• Lastly.. another beautiful card.. :)
  

Thank you VERY much for such a special and thoughtful package. It made my week. Truly.
To open a box full of pretty things, put together with so much care and creativity made me feel very special! I sat there and went through all the thingsover.. and over and over..

---

Post - part 2..

It is monsoon season here in NY. Defined as, 1200 different varieties of rain throughout a two week period. Today it was spitting, misting, pulsing, pouring, drizzling and coming down in buckets, at varying intervals. In the 5 minutes or so where it wasn't actually raining. . the air seemed to be oozing moisture. Add that to the haunting "its not really cold yet but you can feel it could get there awful quick" sensation and it was a truly miserable day to be outside.

I made my small trip into the office ot deal with whatever needed to be dealt with and then went wandering around in the mess. Stopped into the LYS closest to work (I like them well enough but they seem unusually pricey even for NYC, and can be a little distant to deal with, plus it's crowded as hell)... then followed it with some knitting in public in Starbucks. I got one of the two good cushy chairs .. right by the window and got to sit, knit and watch wet people trudge thru rush hour traffic - It was bliss :) People have mixed feelings about Knitting in public but I like it (and I don't count the subway, the subway is public in a very private way). Maybe one day I'll actually get up the nerve to go to one of the many knitting groups that meet around the city :) I'm not shy in most social situations, but for some reason that one intimidates me a bit.

Anyway.. time to sleep.
Forgive this post for its lack of coherence, I'm probably too exhausted to make much sense.

Vacation.. what vacation..

I have a WONDERFUL Secret pal, who sent me a fantastic package today!!! And I need to throw batteries in my camera and take pics of the fabulous loot :) And she will get her own post, probably first thing tomorrow morning when my brain returns. She was wonderful, thoughtful and sent me a gift that brightened my day immeasurably. I'm just too cranky tonight to do this amazing package justice and I want to show the proper appreciation. So tomorrow it shall be.

Todays post, however, begins with whining -

So ostensibly my vacation starts tomorrow (Wednesday)
One would think this means that I wouldn't have to go to work wouldn't it?
But nooooooooooooooooooo

In addition to the traditional "night before a vacation work till midnight to get everything done" festival - I have to go in tomorrow because we're having electrical work done and I have to make sure all the equipment doesnt' fry out and such when the power is downed and upped.
Feh.
Maybe i'll turn this into a reason to visit a yarn store tomorrow.
And the gym
because if I keep gaining weight like this I'm going to set some sort of record.
To be fair, noone said I HAD to go in.
But trust me, its easier if I do.
I feel protective of my machines.

Ahem.
and now for the good news.
Im off till the 27th after i finally get started on vacation.
And thats real good news.

Kitty pi will probably be felted during that time ;)
but here is a lovely unfelted pic



And I put it on the floor to take a pic of it unfelted , turned around to pick up the camera and turned back and ....



Thats the BFs kitty.. (for whom I made the bed) and somehow she knew it was hers!! I'm very happy and hope to give her the finished, felted, blocked version this coming weekend :)

My kitty not to be outdone, is asleep in my bra. I'll spare you the picture.

Tune in tomorrow for pictures of my Secret Pal package (it is AWESOME!)

And the winner is

Bradyphrenia!

1. I had Frank McCourt (of Angela's Ashes fame) as an English Teacher.
True - and evidently very plausible
2. I was excused from gymnastics in gym by presenting a note from a psychiatrist.
True - the note said I had a pathological fear of being upside down. I still have no idea how I made that work
3. I attended my graduation in my pajamas.
True - Under my cap and gown I wore a lovely nightgown
4. I fell down twice, on stage, during a school play.
Lie! I was never in the school play.
5. I am still extremely close with my best friend from high school.
True true true! :)

I can't believe it..

I guessed Cpurls Lie...
AGAIN
and so I'm it again.

Here we go.. This time I'll do a theme -
this one is all about ... High School

1. I had Frank McCourt (of Angela's Ashes fame) as an English Teacher.
2. I was excused from gymnastics in gym by presenting a note from a psychiatrist.
3. I attended my graduation in my pajamas.
4. I fell down twice, on stage, during a school play.
5. I am still extremely close with my best friend from high school.

Meow

So Kitty Pi is off the needles.
I haven't felted it yet because I can't figure out what to block it on. :/
Any suggestions? It seems I have nothing rounded thats larger than 12 inches in diameter.

I should have pictures once the camera batteries are thru charging of the unfelted version.
So far so good, kitty did lay down in it last night twice, and she brought her toy into it once too!

Progress

on the Kitty Pi :)
Coming along nicely and I think i'm getting the idea of how felting and blocking will give it the right shape. First thing I will felt so i'm kind of excited about that.
Hope to have the knitting part done tonight or tomorrow so i can finish it this weekend.

The Irish Hiking Scarf is still going nicely - I just rushed the bed in between so I could knock it off before the weekend. Hopefully the scarf should be done next week.

Four more truths and one more lie

Oy vey its me again. :)
I guessed that cpurl17 did not have 300 Hummels
which is sort of relieving I guess.
Hummels scare me. Actually any little figurine scares me.
I think it was because of that Trilogy of Terror movie I saw as a child.

Hmm.. here we go - which one is a lie?

1. I have worked for an organization that teaches people to read Hebrew for 10 years and can't read a word of Hebrew
This.. unbelievably enough is true. Its sort of my way of asserting my independence in an organization where I'm the only non religious person. Stupid? Maybe, but true

2. I broke my wrist playing softball two weeks before my wedding and had to be in all my wedding pictures wearing a cast
Lie: I didn't have a wedding (wen't to city hall) and have never played softball. My best friend broke her wrist rollerblading the week before her wedding so I stole that from her ;)

3. My mother once had phone service to the entire house shut off because I wouldn't clean my room.

True: and it didn't get me to clean my room either. We are (were in her case) two of the most stubborn people ever

4. I dropped out of nursery school

True: The boys told me I couldn't play on the windmill, because I was a girl. (i was 2 1/2- 3 maybe), and they kept trying to make me write because I could read already. (and I couldn't write because I was too young and they pushed). I came home crying every day and then one day "announced" i wasn't going back. My mother, acknowledging I was probably too young to start school, took me out.

5. I once had my boss arrange for a shelf to be hung in my office, and then filled it with stuffed animals

True - and if I can find a workng camera in the office I'll post a picture. They have a high tolerance for eccentricity around here.)

Domestic Overlord - you're up

Four Truths and Lie

Domestic Overlord started this game on the Knittyboard
and since I guessed Cpurl's lie it's my turn.

And the winner is Cpurl17!!

1. It's taken 20 years and three majors and I'm still not out of college.
True True - I wonder if I'll ever graduate
2. I've never driven a car
Also true- I've never been behind the wheel even - its a NY thing- I never had a car growing up.
3. I had a breast reduction in my early twenties and within three years they'd grown back to the same size I was before the surgery.
Lie - My breasts have never been reduced. I do know someone this happened to tho
4. I've been knocked over on the street by two celebrities- Rod Stewart and Bryant Gumbel
True - Bryant Gumbel helped me up - Rod Stewart didn't
5. When I was 10 years old I played pinball for money against local men twice my age and older.
True - there was a pinball machine in the record store around the corner. I'd play local guys for quarters and often win


Cpurl17- You're up!

And boy are my arms tired..

Cast on tonight for Kitty Pi -(edited to include the link which i forgot at 4am)
got thru all the increases and i'm now up to 144 stitches and beginning the straightaway.
Here is a poorly retouched picture (edited to get rid of the background)

As is usual for my pictures, the color is an approximation.

The yarn is Naturelle Chunky 14 ply wool in Navy with accents.

Size 11 DPNs make my hands hurt after a while, and I'm glad i'm on the circular needle portion of this.

Did a couple of repeats on the Irish Hiking Scarf, and would say I'm about 1/2 done. It's about 2 feet long now. :)

Cat beds..

I have a couple of days off (in a row!!) so i'll have some time to play with yarn.

So I think i'm going to make a Kitty Pi Bed for my bf's kitty .
Tis the least I can do after the harmonica incident.
Need to get some larger sized dpns tomorrow - and will use some of the bulkier wool from my stash.

I figure I'll work it as soon as I finish the Irish Hiking Scarf (which is coming along very nicely I might add) or maybe alternate between the two.

oh..btw.. for anyone who was wondering - i'm sticking with blogger for the moment.
Typepad is cool for many many reasons but I'm too cheap presently;)

Kitty Harmonics

So I went to my friend's child's first birthday party on saturday.
One of his gifts was a harmonica.
Sometime that day the child's father, D was playing the harmonica and their cat went completely nuts and started whacking at his face with his front paw.
This happened every time D picked up and began to play the harmonica.

So the BF and I went home from the party and decided to perform the harmonica/cat dynamic test on his kitty (who is named "Bunny", or sometimes "Killer", or occasionally "Gristle") to see what she did.

It seemed to scramble her brain too, and she ran around for a bit then went up to bf's head and bit it (gently). We were able to make her repeat this several times, simply by playing the harmonica.

So whats the deal here? Anyone know? is it all cats? If anyone feels like trying this, please let me know the results..

in the meantime.. meet Bunny/Killer/Gristle


Update: Apparantly this is a documented phenomenon - Here

And there is even a company which has tried to capitalize on this as a way to keep kitties off the keys Here

Irish Hiking Scarf Update

Heere is the latest progress on the scarf..
More later
(btw.. this is the actual right color)