Good Intentions

Well so much for the fiber diet...I think it has to do something with that word "diet." As soon as that word comes out between my lips I know I'm doomed! Yes I totally flopped my first few days of my fiber diet..I think I've bought more stash than ever...so starting today! Yes today! I shall follow through and buy NO MORE stash! (and no I'm not crossing my fingers behind my back) At least my UFO's are doing a tad bit better. I ended up frogging one of my sweaters and Kyrstin's scarf. She found another one she liked at Urban Outfitters so I'm going to "try" and re-create it. It actually looks fairly simple. We shall see.

Knit On!

Kim

Attack of the Stash

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to stash down...finish my UFO's and spin up my stash...yeah...good intentions right? While home one day last week I decided I would finally take pictures of all my yarny goodness together with all my fiber...then 110 items later I decided enough was enough..honestly when is stash just too much stash or is it like the mantra "you can never be too skinny or rich?" or "you can just never have too much stash?" I like to think if there ever was a nuclear holocaust that I'd be set...I could spin and knit many wears to help my family and others to survive..right?!? yeah right...so I ask you to join in my efforts to stash down with finishing up all those unfinished objects milling around in the dark depths of your closets! In short, this blog will become Kim's misadventures on her journey to not buy yarn *coughrightcough* and to finish those 30 or so UFO's just hanging around laughing at her..this should be interesting.

First UFO on my list:

1. Alex's socks 2% done (hilarious)
2. Alex's Central Park Hoodie 10% done
3. My Snow Drift Cardigan 55%
4. Fix my next door neighbors Kitty Hat (the pom pom came off)99%
5. Make my next door neighbor another Kitty Hat 0%
6. Kyrstin's Cowl (now) 0%
7. Owl Sweater 0%
8. Bobble Mittens 0%
9. Princess Mittens 0%

And I need to use and spin all that fiber sitting around mocking me. Seems doable..right? right? meh.

S p i n n i n g

Ever been pulled into the depths of another hobby that you truly didn't need? *raises hand* Approximately 6 months ago I traded both of my beloved Alice Starmore books (I hear all my fellow knitters gasp) and received a Babe Production Double Treadle in return. With this wonderful machine I learned how to spin a decent yarn (together with having to do major modifications to the machine and repairs...but I won't go there) I decided that 1) If this was something I wanted to continue to do I needed to get a reliable wheel and 2) I needed more fiber..I don't mean the normal person's stash, I mean a stash to outstash even the most avid spinner (because I'm sick like that)...so I continued on my journey and purchased a used Ashford Traveller and upgraded it to a double treadle and since it only came with the Jumbo Whorl i.e. two VERY slow ratios (now whose sounding all technical!) I purchased the regular whorl which gave me three additional faster ratios..Yeah! I'm still working on my "perfect" yarn...and getting better..but far from superior status that I see some of the Indy Dyer and Spinners do but I'll have to just be patient...Hopefully as I continue I'll be able to diary all my misadventures into dye and spin land and maybe even post something educational that another spinner or knitter can learn from...next on my list..getting a new cord for my camera to actually post pics! Knit on!

FO Hell

I'm in FO hell. I've certainly taken WAY more on then I could ever finish and I'm feeling the pinch. I wanted to make my father, who has been diagnosed with brain cancer, a wonderfully warm angora scarf with a matching hat for his birthday (which happens to be on Thanksgiving) but I can't seem to step away from my spinning wheel. I need help or medication. So here I sit staring at all my FO's in wonderment on how the hell I'm going to finish all of this crap. I guess one project at a time, Jeeves. I'm off to create and if someone by chance happens to take a peek at my blog..pray for me lol.

Once upon a purl.....

I've made a promise to myself. I will blog at least once a week. Now for me, thats a freakin' accomplishment! With all the "blah blah blah" a-typical crap working mothers have to do I think a uni formal nod of agreement is in order. Regardless of the boring daily rigmarole I do have things to share..lots of things to share..I've finished a few FO's, which I am extremely proud of! One of which is Verity by Ysolda Teaque (I heart Ysolda) which I made out of Lion Brand Wool Ease made for my adorable daughter. See that beautiful smile, for all those with teenagers you know how rare those are. The next FO is the Cropped Cardigan sans the leaves in a pale buttery yellow Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca Brush Solid yarn...so soft..and yummy you could get nekkid and roll around in it..okay maybe when i was younger! Finally, I've got the "lesson" learned project..I thought I would knit up a very comfy warm sweater for vacation in Seattle, Washington i.e. Gwen out of Rowan Big Wool (see picture but please be warned...big wool makes one look umm big). Very disappointing. It only took me a mere week but still, when you put so much energy and devote the little time you have its very disheartening when something does not turn out! Last but not least, I've got a few projects cookin in the kitchen..I'm currently workin on the Slouchy Top from the Knit.1 Spring/Summer 2008 issue..although it has been put to the side so another Verity hat can be done for my youngest daughter and there's this baby shower in two weeks, oh and don't forget those four Christmas presents I need to do...I think I took on way too much then I could chew..but whats life without a little adventure! Knit On!

Once upon a time...

I'm officially addicted..yes, do they have AA for Ravelry? I spend at least half the day on this site..it is absolutely wonderful! You can organize ur books, stash, show your FO's, queue those projects you plan on doing in the future and talk to other knitters as obsessed with knitting as you are. This website kicks ass! If you already aren't a member, I strongly recommend you put yourself on the waiting list. Together with searching the archives of Ravelry I've been busy knitting...lots! Ever get into one of those zones where you want to knits lots...I mean knit and finish lots? Totally in that zone. I don't know if its the inspiration I get from looking at everyone else's FO's or the fact that i'm ashamed that my projects aren't that great in number, but it has totally kicked my ass in gear. Since I've been on last I've knitted up the Irish Hiking Scarf
and Mari out of the Hip Knit Hats and the Kittyville Hat Right now I'm working on the Cropped Cardigan with Leaf Ties for my eldest daughter to wear on Easter Sunday...If I get it done....I'm using Plymouth Yarn's Baby Alpaca Brush in a beautiful buttery yellow. I've never really have done and finished a cardigan before much less knitted in raglan style, which this pattern entails, so it should be interesting..I posted a link above for all to see what the Cropped Cardigan is supposed to look like and I'll post pictures of what I've come up with later..wish me luck.

-TwistedKnit

Ravelry

I've finally been invited to join Ravelry. Its a wonderful site with tons of blogs, patterns, and wonderful people who share the same interests as I do. I've even decided to join a couple of "clubs", one of which is Big Brother 9. We've decided that since Big Brother only has a run of 6 weeks that we would pick a project that we could complete in that time. I decided to give my 2-socks-at-a-time a try. We'll see if actually doing two at the same time will force me to finish them. As you know I have an odd aversion at finishing projects. I'll post some pics later showing my progress..until then..Happy Knitting.