More sock needles from KnitPicks.com

Not being able to get gauge on several sock patterns I decided it was time to buy some size 0(2.0 mm). Also needed different size ones. Didn't realize that my hiya hiya's are 2.25 and my knitpicks size one's are 2.50. So I bought some size 0's in various cable lengths and size 1/2.25. I really like knitpicks needles and they are way cheaper than addi's or hiya hiyas.

Yarn Eagle! Birthday Flop.

Happy Birthday to ME! My eagle of yarn yummy from The Loopy Ewe arrived today. Hmm. Perked me right up after stressing over insurance for Levi's MRI. The perfect antidote for stress. Yarn yummy in the mail! I explained to Sheri at the Loopy Ewe about how I rarely buy "new" yarn, that I buy it generally through Rav's classifieds and if I do buy "new" I do my homework. I told her the yarn I bought was cheaper in price and shipping on the original website. She is looking into it because she said they usually cost the same. I told her I was and still am excited to have shopped her site and plan to do so in the future. I just will only buy if I plan on buying more than one skein because priority mail is too expensive for one skein when I live so close that first class mail arrives in the same amount of time. She then invited me to visit lol. Someday!

Levi wasn't impressed with my 2 months plus of blood, sweat and tears (or at least skipped yoga classes and sore wrists) spent on his spiderman blanket. But who could blame him? 5 year old boys want to play with the monster truck not some silly blanket. I still love it and I know when he's older it will mean something to him. Especially if he ever learns to knit and realizes how long it took me!

I finished the tie dye/Roy G. Biv socks. Oh did I butcher them. Ay yi yi! I frogged back so they'd fit my daughter lengthwise since widthwise they were too tight for me. I then did the Fleegle Heel. I had never done this heel. It added too much length so Liv's toes when the heel was in the proper place on her foot came up to the end of the sock right where the toes ended and the body of the foot started. So I finished up the socks, of course I had to redo the bind off. It was too tight the first time. I don't think I've ever cast off the right tension the first time ever. Then I was looking at them and lamenting that they were too long for her. So I cut the contrasting toes off. Oh yes I did. Hmmhmmm. Yup. I shore did. The first one went rather smoothly. I threaded a needle and went through the first row of MC. Then chopped the yellow toe off, unraveled down to the first row and slipped it onto needles, did a couple of rows of decreases then kitchenered the toes. As usual, I did it bass ackwards. So the toes are purls. Looks crappy but I don't care. By this point I just wanted to be DONE. So feeling confident that I butchered and stitched the first sock just fine I started on the second. I don't know what the difference was but the MC stitch pattern was all screwy. It was like when you unravel something the wrong way? I don't know why it was different from the first sock. At least on the second one I did the kitchener graft correctly. So they are done. Fugly but done. She loves them. :) And that folks, is what knitting is all about. (and the yarn.)

Tomorrow is Levi's MRI and I hope to cast on a pair of socks for him while waiting. I'm going to try http://k2knits.blogspot.com/2007/03/my-favorite-toe-magic-loop-turkish-toe.html and her widdershin hybrid. I've never done this heel but it sounds promising.

Must get all this printed out and ready for tomorrow. Good night. Please say a prayer for my son.

That will teach me to not do my homework

I had bad day yesterday. Dh came home, took over cooking dinner and just all around made my evening much better than my day. We were sitting on the couch and he told me "You don't have enough yarn. You should buy some." So I immediately ran to my...I mean, clicked, my way to my wishlist at The Loopy Ewe. I had not shopped there yet and was very excited to do so. So I browsed, drooled, browsed, consulted my MIL, consulted my husband and finally chose a skein from Monkeypal's stash. If I'd done my homework I would have found Monkeypal on etsy.com and just possibly paid $5 less. The Loopy Ewe charges priority which is almost $6 plus the yarn is $2 less at etsy. I know the Loopy Ewe needs to charge a little more to make a commission but the least they could do is allow first class shipping. /rant

It's a froggy night

Sad news fellow knitters. I had to frog back some on my tye dye socks. I knew they were probably going to be too snug but I forged on to the heel. I did the first heel. Short row, in case you were wondering. And I couldn't get it over my ankle/heel afterwards. Decided to frog back about an inch and a half and finish them up for my oldest. I had her try it on and told her they'd be her socks and she smiled real big. She's such a sweetie. As much as I HATE to frog and am bummed that I don't have another pair of socks to slip on soon I wasn't really liking the colorway. To me "tye dye" should be pooling like a tye dye shirt looks but they weren't pooling at all. They look like regular ole Roy G. Biv or LGB pride socks. So she's happy and I get to start another pair for me. Oh, I'm also doing the Fleegle Heel on these now. It's a new heel for me!

I still haven't decided what to work with next. I think I'm going to save the Fearless Fibers colorway til I feel up to doing thigh highs. I think thigh highs would make the hubby happy. :) But I want QUICK projects. Levi's spiderman blanket about did me in and it only took about 7 or 8 weeks. Oh gasp I haven't updated my rav project page for it yet either. Shame on me! Ok it's updated. Granted I could only work on it when Levi wasn't around and Lucy would cooperate but still. I don't have that type of patience!

I would really like to knit into that brilliant orange Piazza I got from Etsy.com but after doing the Roy G. Biv socks I'd really like a calmer color. I might just start on the Cosmopolitan from Yarntini after all.

Here's today's knitviews.





I should go to bed. We had a busy day and, of course, since it's a holiday we all have a touch of a tummy bug. Just like Thanksgiving. And Christmas (ooh that was REALLY bad) which led into NYE. I think we were healthy for our anniversary/Vday in February! WOOHOO!

Livie sock yarn arrived! & 3 Irish Girls

Livie and I ran to the PO today to pick up her package. Pulled out the first yarn, red heart and sole tequila sunrise, and she was like "Eh, not so much." Ok she didn't verbally say that but her face did. So then I pulled out the Bernat Sox Multi crazy hot and she got a little more animated. Then I realized there should be ONE more yarn cake or skein. Dug around and pulled out the Confetti and she literally shrieked with delight. It has a lot of lime green. I will turn her into a yarn ho/fiber snob! LOL The confetti was the only indie dyed yarn. The other two were manufactured for walmart type stores. So she will be getting a pair of socks in the confetti, Levi will be getting a pair in the Bernat Sox multi and someday I'll get another pair made for me.

Levi's blanket is literally a row and 1/4 away from being done and that's counting the bind off row. I have to crochet vertical lines like spokes and it's DONE!! It takes about 30 minutes per row! Yikes. I'm up to 42 or 44 stitches per section so 44x14 is um....616 around. That's a few stitches! It's actually up to 46 so 644 around. Took me about an hour and 20 minutes to bind off using p1, *slip back to left needle p2tog, slip back to left needle, p2tog*.

Oh today's discovery...naughty me....was 3 Irish Girls. Just going to their homepage makes me want to cry. Click the linky. You know you want to! Someday I am going to join a sock yarn club. I have looked at the 3 Irish Girls and Socks that Rock. ~drool~ Thanks be to God that I do have a little bit of will power. I am forcing myself to wait til the end of the year due to the economy. Dh still has a job and all that and we're luckier than most in that aspect but I don't want to jinx us. So I'm sticking to my "no buy more yarn til I use up most of what I have." Unfortunately I ordered a bunch of 100purewool for next winter's/Christmas knitting so I might not run out for awhile. :( And some of it's sock yarn too. But Mother's Day is coming so maybe I'll send my hubby a linky to my wishlist on the Loopy Ewe.

Miracle Diapers Donation program needs donations!

Lisa Johnston posted an announcement to the cause MiracleDiapers.org.

----------------
Hi everyone!

Just a reminder that Miracle Diapers is closed until May due to lack of diapers.

At this moment, we do not have any medium diapers or covers at all, and we're in the process of trying to replenish our inventory.

If you or someone you know would like to donate:
Items we are in need of:
Medium Covers
Medium Diapers
Large Covers
Infant and Premium Prefolds
Inserts/Doublers
Non-Microfiber Inserts

Donations can be sent to the address in my signature line, and we do provide receipts for tax purposes!

Thank you for your patience. Please spread the word to all of your groups that we will "tentatively" be reopening on May 1.

Thank you so much!!

Lisa Johnston
Operations Manager
Miracle Diapers
www.miraclediapers.org
23945 Franz Rd., Ste E, #126
Katy, Texas 77493

Help me choose: Cosmo, Piazzi or Serendipity?

I'm up to the heel, well, almost, up to the heel with my socks currently OTN. That means time to start planning my next pair. Since I'm usually a good girl and don't have a big stash I only have 3 colorways to choose from.

First up is "Serendipity" by Fearless Fibers. 100% superwash merino and an AMAZING 550 yds. Holy smokes. I could make knee highs with that much yardage!



And then there is "Cosmopolitan" by Yarntini. It is only 260 yds. Can I make a pair of socks with only 260 yds??


Then there's my most recent purchase from Sharing/Karen's Heavenly Creations.
Description says "This is a hand dyed hank of blue faced leicester ultra superwash. It is a 3ply finger weight fiber with 400 yards." And here's a link to her Rav profile.


So leave a comment here on the blog or FB or via email and help me choose! I've never knit with any of these brands before either.

Great reminder

My massage therapist said to me "I deliberately make a mistake in everything I knit to remind myself I am not perfect."

Today's Knitviews (oh, and yesterday's!)

I skipped my Tuesday yoga. I am getting desperate to finish Levi's blanket. I'm oh so close but his birthday is even closer! The sitter (Aunt TT) showed up as usual and away I went. I decided at the last minute that instead of going to yoga I would journey here:




and knit. So I knit and listened to LimenViolet for about an hour. I found out that it takes me about 12-15 minutes per round. UGH! Every few stitches I have to push them around the cable so that's part of the slow process. I will be happy once this blanket is done.
Today I snuck in a 20 minute nap before Levi went off to school which gave me just enough energy to not NEED to take a longer nap after he left. OTOH, for the Lu 20 minutes is NOT enough. She got cranky, I gathered up my knit bag, etc, swung through McD's (waiting for her to fall asleep) for a grilled chicken salad (YUM but why don't they have fat free ranch?) and sweet tea and headed here.


I didn't get ALOT of knitting done because I had to eat then I remembered at noon on the nose that my son's Easter/Spring party was at 12:15. But I did feel close to hubby. See way off in the distance? That's where he works.
I headed out and was driving along between the waters and out of nowhere is this flock of medium sized black bird things w/ long legs. I slow a little because, you know, birds FLY. Oh no NOT THESE BIRDS. I hit the brakes but couldn't swerve due to oncoming traffic and I think I took out 3 of them. Oh the guilt! The anguish. I called my hubby and he and the guys got a good laugh out of poor guilt ridden me.

Some quick yarn porn. This should be arriving soon. It left the California shipping center on the 6th, I think.




There are several skeins but I'm only receiving one of each color. Which is two skeins.

Oh no what have I done??

I have heard about the Loopy Ewe many times. I see that people on Rav have bought yarn there. I have always been wary of going to the website. I just had this gut instinct it was a bad idea. Why can't I listen to myself?? Sigh. Thanks Lime & Violet.

OTN, socks and yarn for Livie :)

I'm just full of blogging tonight! Thought I'd share some photos. First up is Levi's Spiderman Blanket. I couldn't get a photo of all of it since it's on circs. There is another complete blue section and a partial of another blue section. The pattern has it ending with another 2 sections of red but I'm running out of time. I'm up to over 500 stitches per round and I'm lucky to get a round done in a day. 11 days til his bday. I'm also considering entering this at the fall fair. My aunt has entered things so maybe she'll pipe up with some ideas of what is required and who to contact for info. Anyway, here's the spidey blanket that so far I've been able to keep a secret from Levi.



Livie is always asking me to make her something, lately, since I'm making socks she's wanting socks. I found her some purty colored cheap sock yarn! Go mom! I bought these from Rav classified board specifically, SamplerStitcher. Red Heart and Sole tequila sunrise for 3 for $10.


Bernat Sox Multi crazy hot 4@2.50 ea




And Spinning Yarns "Confetti" for $11 shipped. May or may not make this for Livie. Maybe for me. :)

Oh and I yanked her pics so I hope she doesn't mind!!


Then I was bad. Oh so bad. But it was ohhh so good. On etsy I found these and couldn't resist!
Citrus Zest and Piazzi
. Usually that's about double what I'd pay for yarn but the day was a special day in my heart so to celebrate and lift my spirits at the same time I splurged.

Ok, on to my Lorna's Laces "Child's Play" socks. I have worn them several times. I wash them with towels or clothes and dry them in the dryer. No special treatment. They're a little fuzzy but otherwise are holding up so far.




An update of my tye dye socks. The pattern was for cuff down but I am doing these toe up and changed the repeats. So the pattern is technically upside down. I think I've cast on too few this time. Ay yi yi as Livie would say. Eventually I'll get it figured out.



Oh, here's some yarn I bought when I bought the tye dye. Yarntini.

Knitting views

So I'm at the massage therapist and as she starts on my arms I mention, of course, that I knit. Not a lot of it every day but I do knit daily. And to prove it I had a huge knot in my arm above my wrist. It's been there at least a year because I've had my dd rub it for me. So we start talking knit talk. She's a beginner knitter. I told her I am too. That I taught myself to knit about a year and a half ago but I've crocheted since I was a kid. She asked me which I like better. I said "Knitting, it looks better and I've always liked the way knit looks over crochet, but crochet's......ea...easier...?" I realized as it was coming out of my mouth that I no longer actually believe that crocheting is easier than knitting! I was always told that if you learn to crochet first then you find knitting more difficult to learn and vice verse. And I thought that was true. I was very intimidated by all the loops on the needles and oh lawdy how do I fix a mistake several rows down? OR drop a stitch?? Oh the horror of horrors! But, now, NOW I can knit without looking! I can FIND my mistakes and drop down to it fix it and it looks sort of ok! And I LIKE that better than ripping alllll the way back like you have to do in crochet. I would just like to know when did I pass that bend in the knitting journey?

Stolen moments of knitting time. I don't get very many opportunities to knit uninterrupted. I have a 16ish month old and she's absolutely fine playing by herself but as SOON as I pick up the needles she's all over me like sti....um.....flies on.....like (oh there has to be a knitting term I can use...)....oh do I have the best daughter or what? My 7 y/o just walked up and started rubbing my foot. What was I saying? Anyway, toddler=no knitting. I finally figured out that after lunch and during my daily dose of brain rot brought on by Days of Our Lives, if I close the gate to the living room she will go play in the kitchen and I can knit for about 20 minutes. Desperate to finish my son's blanket before the 16th I try to do this every school day. Friday I was almost busted by my son. He gets home at 2ish which Days is over at 2 so I knit from 1:30 to 2ish. Well, he got out early! PANIC when I saw the short yellow bus in front of the house just a couple of minutes after I picked up my knitting. So I shove it in my project bag and jam it in the space between the couch and wall.

I discovered another way of stolen time to knit. Well, I know it's not a new idea I just don't have many opportunities since I don't go many places. Drive around til toddler falls asleep, pull over and knit til she wakes up or I need to get home. Doesn't work well during the school day. I nap with her during her morning nap otherwise I don't make for a nice mommy in the afternoon when it's me and 3 kids (3 grumpy, tired, hungry kids) until daddy gets home at 6. The toddler also is ready for a second nap at about 2 on. It's difficult to get her down w/out falling asleep myself but having the 4 y/o run amuck is never a good idea. It gets pretty tense when it is time to make dinner. The joys of motherhood! Anyway my point is her nap time doesn't coincide well with my sans older kid time during the week. But, today I was able to drive around this morning, park at a beautiful country cemetary and knit for nearly an hour! BLISS! Then we went to my MIL1's house for fake Easter dinner and on the way back all 3 fell asleep and you guessed it! I pulled over and knit for about 30 minutes. And on Saturday I took my oldest to the park and knit in the van while the toddler slept. YES! Score for all involved. I will be updating this with pics here in a few. I hope!
My knitting views today:









OH and I am SO trendy! Or is it technologically advanced? Or geeky? Or all 3? I had discovered podcasts as previously blogged. I also have downloaded them to my MP3 player (way cool) AND for my bday (double 3 my hubby kept saying) he bought me a stereo w/ not only a cd player (imagine that? NO CD PLAYER!!!) but an aux plug for my mp3 player so as I knit by the cemetary or park I have been listening to Limenviolet's podcasts. They are a freaking riot! They are dirty, foul mouthed and unPC but I love them! They ramble on with some resemblence of a topic list but they get sidetracked much like myself. I envision myself with them sometimes because I can so relate to the potty mouth, trainwreck conversations only I tend to have w/ my husband because no one else likes to listen to me ramble and certainly usually don't appreciate my more colorful language. My amazing hubby just called me to dinner so I'm signing off. I may just get a spanking if I'm late to the dinner table.....

Wordle.net fun

Tye Dye Chevron socks

I've decided to go with Charlene Schurch's Chevron pattern. Here's my notes so far.
3/15 started swatch with a cast on of 60. Too big. Decreased to 52 for only 2 pattern repeats but increased the pattern to a 13 stitch instead of original 11. Aren't I getting good?

3/16 Using knitpicks size 1. Cast on 52. Using short row toes.

Pics of the yarn

Noteworthy sock pattern mention

I'm sure more experienced sock knitters already know this but for the newbies like myself I have discovered that the yarn over cable sock from Sensational Knitted Socks is the same pattern as Vogue's The Ultimate Sock book's wrap mock cable. Just thought I'd mention that.

Tye Dye Sock yarn..what pattern?

Tye Dye Socks
Originally uploaded by chickwith2stix

I have this exact yarn. I borrowed this picture from flicker from chickwith2stix. I cannot decide what sock pattern to use! I have some sock books, Sensational Knitted Socks, Vogue Knitting and Favorite Socks. What pattern from either these books or a free pattern on the net should I use?

Spiderman Blanket written out

The Spiderman Blanket is not completely written out in pattern. I wrote out the last bit as promised on my Rav project page. I am currently working ON this project so there might be an error in my added on part of the pattern. I want to thank AnneM for creating this pattern. It is fairly simple and a great idea. My son will love it and I am already trying to think up colors for my girls' birthday blankets.
35.*M1, knit 5, sk2p, knit5, M1, knit 1*
blue
36. knit
37. *M1, knit 5, sk2p, knit5, M1, knit 1*
38. knit
39. *M1, knit 13, M1, knit 1*
40. knit
41. *M1, knit 6, sk2p, knit 6, M1, knit 1*
42. knit
43. *M1, knit 6, sk2p, knit 6, M1, knit 1*
44. knit
45. *M1, knit 15, M1, knit 1*
46. knit
47. *M1, knit 7, sk2p, knit 7, M1, knit 1*
48. knit
49. *M1, knit 7, sk2p, knit 7, M1, knit 1*
black
50. knit
51. *M1, knit 17, M1, knit 1*
red
52. knit
53. *M1, knit 8 , sk2p, knit 8, M1, knit 1*
54. knit
55. *M1, knit 8 , sk2p, knit 8, M1, knit 1*
56. knit
57. *M1, knit 19, M1, knit 1*
58. knit
59. *M1, knit 9, sk2p, knit 9, M1, knit 1*
60. knit
61. *M1, knit 9, sk2p, knit 9, M1, knit 1*
knit
63. *M1, knit 21, M1, knit 1*
knit
65. *M1, knit 10, sk2p, knit 10, M1, knit 1*
knit
black
67. *M1, knit 10, sk2p, knit 10, M1, knit 1*
knit
red
69. *M1, knit 23, M1, knit 1*
knit
71. *M1, knit 11, sk2p, knit 11, M1, knit 1*
knit
73. *M1, knit 11, sk2p, knit 11, M1, knit 1*
knit
75. *M1, knit 25, M1, knit 1*
knit
77. *M1, knit 12, sk2p, knit 12, M1, knit 1*
knit
79. *M1, knit 12, sk2p, knit 12, M1, knit 1*
knit
81. *M1, knit 27, M1, knit 1*
knit
83. *M1, knit 13, sk2p, knit 13, M1, knit 1*
knit
black
85. *M1, knit 13, sk2p, knit 13, M1, knit 1*
knit
blue
87. *M1, knit 29, M1, knit 1*
knit
89. *M1, knit 14, sk2p, knit 14, M1, knit 1*
knit
91. *M1, knit 14, sk2p, knit 14, M1, knit 1*
knit
93. *M1, knit 31, M1, knit 1*
knit
95. *M1, knit 15, sk2p, knit 15, M1, knit 1*
knit
97. *M1, knit 15, sk2p, knit 15, M1, knit 1*
knit
99. *M1, knit 33, M1, knit 1*
knit
101. *M1, knit 16, sk2p, knit 16, M1, knit 1*
knit
103. *M1, knit 16, sk2p, knit 16, M1, knit 1*
black
knit
105. *M1, knit 35, M1, knit 1*
blue
knit
107. *M1, knit 17, sk2p, knit 17, M1, knit 1*
knit
109. *M1, knit 17, sk2p, knit 17, M1, knit 1*
knit
111. *M1, knit 37, M1, knit 1*
knit
113. *M1, knit 18, sk2p, knit 18, M1, knit 1*
knit
115. *M1, knit 18, sk2p, knit 18, M1, knit 1*
knit
117. *M1, knit 39, M1, knit 1*
knit
119. *M1, knit 19, sk2p, knit 19, M1, knit 1*
knit
121.*M1, knit 19, sk2p, knit 19, M1, knit 1*
knit
123. *M1, knit 41, M1, knit 1*
black
knit
125. *M1, knit 20, sk2p, knit 20, M1, knit 1*
red
knit
127. *M1, knit 20, sk2p, knit 20, M1, knit 1*
knit
129. *M1, knit 43, M1, knit 1*
knit
131. *M1, knit 21, sk2p, knit 21, M1, knit 1*
knit
133. *M1, knit 21, sk2p, knit 21, M1, knit 1*
knit
135. *M1, knit 45, M1, knit 1*
knit
137. *M1, knit 22, sk2p, knit 22, M1, knit 1*
knit
139. *M1, knit 22, sk2p, knit 22, M1, knit 1*
knit
141. *M1, knit 47, M1, knit 1*
knit
143. *M1, knit 23, sk2p, knit 23, M1, knit 1*
knit
145. *M1, knit 23, sk2p, knit 23, M1, knit 1*
black 6 rows
purl
149. *M1, knit 49, M1, knit 1*
purl
151. *M1, knit 24, sk2p, knit 24, M1, knit 1*
purl
153. *M1, knit 24, sk2p, knit 24, M1, knit 1*

Podcasts and more yoga reviews

Yoga Zone-Gentle yoga for beginners. First, I rented this at the local Family Video so no money wasted buying it. Just a buck for a week. There are two sessions on this dvd. I have only done the second session once. Last night, after doing my regular yoga routine at the Y, which includes leg and ab pilates at the end, my back, neck and shoulders were very sore. All the kids were in bed, dh was out for the count and I decided instead of reading my boring book (must pick up that last twilight book from Misty, yes I'm a closet Twilight fan) I would try this dvd. I looked at the two session menus and thought session two sounded about right. I wanted something easy, not too energizing (bedtime ya know) but would bring peace to my shoulders. I really liked it. I found the poses easy and gentle. I did not like the "clock" which is basically pelvic tilt nor the one were you lay on your back and bring your legs straight up and back to your head. That hurt my back. I thought I'd come on here and do a 2 thumbs up review. I did a google search so I could provide a link (click the title of the post) and began reading the Amazon.com reviews. Hmmm...there are several technical complaints about the first session on the dvd that I haven't done yet. Then there are the usual complaints of "too hard", "too easy", "too fast" and "too slow". Those are all based on a person's knowledge, skill and expectations I suppose. Keeping in mind that I've only done the second session, I've only been doing yoga since October but am always reading everything I can about yoga and practicing every chance I get (not often I tell ya!) here is my review: It WAS gentle, I think it would be easy for a beginner yet a nice, relaxing practice for a more experienced yogi who's looking for a light workout. It certainly did the trick for me. My back and shoulders felt great and I was able to go right to sleep. Until the 4 y/o coughed from midnight til 2:30. I was very happy to have had a chance to relax and destress before dealing with the middle of the night coughing spell!

Now, on to podcasts! I had a brief love affair with my Creative Zen Vision M a couple of years ago then put it away and forgot about it. Getting into knitting introduced me to knitting podcasts such as Knitpicks and Lime and Violet. Not having enough time as it is to knit and having no cd player in my van (I know, I know it's freaking 2009 and I don't have a cd player) I really didn't get into podcasts. Then along came my love affair with yoga and my desire to learn more and expand on my pose database. I found yoga podcasts!! Free, downloadable videos and audio practices!! OMGOSH MUST HAVE THESE. I now have some 15 hours worth downloaded into iTunes. Dug out the mp3 player, found my old computer speakers, stole the power cord to Livie's portable dvd player and I have a huge library of yoga podcasts! WOOHOO. My favorites so far are Yogadownload.com. You can download directly from their site or you can go to iTunes store. There are even more at the apple itunes store than on yogadownload.com's site. Heaven!! I have probably 200 podcasts downloaded now between knitting and yoga! Told my husband he HAS to get me a cd player that will connect to my mp3 player for my van.

Uhoh I just added about 90 more to my podcast download. Lucy will be waking from her nap soon so I must sign off and ....whaddid I tell ya? She's calling for me now.

Spiderman Blanket

Thank goodness I read the forum posts on this first. The pattern has you knitting front/back post then at line 15 you are to make one before you knit the first stitch. I don’t know if I would have problems with it but someone did and because I read about it first I definitely didn’t. I just made one as described at knittinghelp.com by lifting the bar from the stitches below. I also am using stitch markers between each set of repeats so I don’t get lost since I get interrupted frequently. I also took the time to write out the rest of the pattern, which I will put in my blog so I can mark off where I’m at. Since this is a bday present for my son I have to cram it into hiding if he comes in the room so it’s nice to be able to see where I’m at.


Click post title to go to pattern.

Silent Auction for Easter Seals at Culven's Peoria, IL

When: Monday, March 2nd, 2009
Where: Culvers of Peoria (4612 N University St, Peoria)
What: Silent Auction from 5:00-7:00 p.m. also
10% of all proceeds at Culvers between 5:00-8:00 p.m. will benefit Easter Seals
why: Easter Seals provides exceptional services to ensure that people with disabilities
and their families have equal opportunity to live, learn, work and play in their communities.

So, mark your calendars, come on over, eat, bid, help Matthew support Easter Seals, and HAVE FUN!

See below for your sneak peek of the wonderful packages we have to auction off. If you would like to volunteer to help with the auction, or have questions, please contact Kristie Moorman at 693-3156 or e-mail me ateeyorific@sbcglobal.net


(1) Matthew's Pick
- Peoria Chiefs Baseball (4 tickets)
- Children's Discovery Museum (4 tickets)
- Christian Center (1 sport registration)
- $25.00 Chili's Restaurant gift certificate
Total package value: $149.00

(2) Family Ties
- Riverplex (4 passes)
- $40.00 Denny's Restaurant gift card
- Peoria Palace (6 passes)
- Lakeview Museum (8 tickets)
Total package value: $164.00

(3) Shop Til You Drop
- $25.00 Naturally Yours Grocery gift card
- $10.00 Kroger Foods gift card
- $20.00 Old Navy gift card
- Papa Johns - 4 large one topping pizzas
- $20.00 Wal-Mart gift card
- $10.00 Jimmy John's gift certificates
- $25.00 Merle Norman gift card
Total package value: $157.96

(4) The Chateau Hotel
- The Chateau Hotel
* This package includes:
over night accommodations for two
dinner for two at hotel restaurant
breakfast for two at hotel
wine and cheese basket
loaf of bread
Total package value: $200.00

(5) Pamper Yourself
- $50.00 Buffalo Wild Wings gift certificates
- Starbucks gift basket
- Bergner's Fragrance Basket
Total package value: $235.00

(6) Fun For the Family
- $25.00 McDonalds gift certificates
- Rivermen (4 upper bowl tickets)
- Five Points Washington (4 tickets)
- Hollywood Video Basket with Wall-E Movie
Total package value: $165.00

(7) Down by the River
- Overnight Accommodations at Mark Twain Hotel
- Spirit of Peoria Family Pass Sight seeing cruise
- Downtown Carriage Ride for 2 Adults
Total package value: $220.00

(8) Live & Learn
- Hobby Lobby Goodie Basket -
($100.00 value of fun kits for kids of all ages)
- APACHE Homeschool Convention Tickets
- School House - 2 Puzzles
- $10.00 Family Video gift cards
Total package value: $174.00

(9) This & That
- Spirit of Peoria Family Sightseeing Pass
(2 adults 4 children)
- $20.00 Olive Garden gift card
- $20.00 Carlos O Kelly's gift card
- Red Wing Shoe - Men's Leather Cell Phone Case
Total package value: $117.00


"The truth of God's love is not that he allows bad things to happen....
it's his promise that he will be there with us when they do!"

Help Matthew score a "grand slam" for Easter Seals! Click on link to see how..
http://www.easterseals.com/goto/matthewmoorman

What a blah day turned into a yoga review

Not much to report on the knitting front. I did get some pics uploaded of my yarn over cable socks so will get them on here.

I've not been doing a lot of knitting lately because in my hands free, sit down time I've been learning about yoga. I've wanted to do yoga for years but never made the time. Now that I have 3 children I have even less time for me and I've also been gaining weight since birth of my last child (Nov 07). To combat both issues I decided to do something about it. I tried walking last summer but my hip has been bad since Lu was born and would pop out almost immediately and the pain would last for weeks. I wouldn't be able to bend over or pick Lucy help and with a toddler both things are necessary. When I found out there was a yoga class at the local Y I started looking more into it and wouldn't ya know they have free babysitting! I talked it over with my MIL2 and we decided we would do yoga together.

That was in October. I now have my SIL come over on Tues and Thurs evenings to watch the munchkins while MIL2 and I bend ourselves into pretzels. Or attempt to. I noticed after a dozen classes or so that my hip wasn't bothering me as much. At the beginning of January, which is when my SIL started coming over, I decided to get to the Y early and see if I could walk the track before class. I can! The yoga had already paid off enough that it had strengthened my hip/pelvic enough to walk briskly for 20 or 30 minutes.

It's almost February and I've taken maybe 20 classes so far. I weighed myself a couple of days ago and I've lost the ten lbs I'd put on during 2008. WOOHOO! I didn't realize I had mainly because my clothes still fit the same. So, I'm thinking the weight loss is mainly in my boobs. :) They're breastfeeding mama boobs but the babe is now a toddler and eating solids 3x's a day so they've deflated back down to normal. I'm really excited, nonetheless.

I'm attempting to practice at home. I did manage to get up before the kids a couple of times but I then loaned my new dvd, Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga, to my instructor. I was hoping I'd get it back fairly quickly. She hasn't had a chance to watch it so I ordered for MIL2 and I "Yoga for Inflexible People". I received it and I did listen to a bit of it but the Lu hasn't really let me attempt to practice.

Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga review: I love it! As menus to customize your workout and routine. Has warm up, beginners, intermediate and HARD! I've done the beginners and intermediate. I enjoyed it immensely. I worked up a nice sweat. I felt invigorated afterwards and ready to take on the day. The participants are from the show, Biggest Loser, therefore not some buff, intimidatingly sexy muscleheads but normal people!

Yoga for Inflexible People review: Even though I haven't had much chance to do anything with it I did watch a few of the poses. There is a customizable menu on this one too. This is a very step by step, detailed instructional video for getting the poses correct. It also focuses on using props to attain the proper alignment. It's definitely Hatha and Iyengar style yoga. Great to really learn the proper way to move into, maintain and move out of postures.

I bought the Biggest Loser at Kmart for ten bucks and Inflexible People at Amazon for about 12$ shipped.

I am seriously considering buying Wii Fit but am not sure I'd get to do it very often. As soon as my yoga mat comes out so do the munchkins. They fight over it like crazy.

Ah well I see MIL2 walking up my yard. Time to go.

Lead testing law delayed

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09115.html

I haven't been on here much. Been learning yoga or actually knitting instead. :)

Knitting needle pierced woman's heart

OUCH!
And I thought I was in trouble when I poked a hole in the new couch last night!
http://tinyurl.com/bfd728

Ready to do the heels!

OMGOSH the time has finally arrived! My sock is now up to my ankle and it's time to start the heel. I hope it turns out right. Lucy's in the high chair eating her egg so wish me luck!

Toxic Toys! : Mama is…

Toxic Toys! : Mama is…

Knitting fears

What are you afraid of? Is there a project you've been wanting to tackle but afraid to try? A new technique?

I would love to make something with a fancy design. Some lacy knee high socks or shawl. I am afraid to try for a couple of reasons. I don't get enough quiet time to concentrate on a "real" pattern. My yarn over socks are about as fancy as I've ever gotten. I have it memorized and it's simple. But a pattern that requires me to follow it to a T and I have to have a piece of paper to look at, well, with 3 little ones who write on and rip up everything it's difficult to do. Not to mention how many times in a day I get up to do something. No sooner than I get into a project someone needs a drink or their butt wiped. Now, if the buttwipee is the 4 y/o and the 7 y/o is home for a buck she'll do it for me. :)So, my fear is complicated patterns. I know my day will come when the youngest will start school so for now I'm happy to make hats, socks, etc. But I do look forward to doing a real grown up project.

My other fear is I'll buy semi expensive yarn to make a semi complicated object and screw it up. Like I have two projects I really should frog (fisherman's socks are one of the projects) but I've put so many hours into it that the thought of frogging it is actually quite upsetting!

FYI, comments are moderated so may take awhile to appear.

CPSIA compliant toy etsy listing plus info

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19984444 CPSIA compliant toy funny! Plus serious info about the new law.
More listings.


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_2&listing_id=19884927

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_7&listing_id=19968866

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_14&listing_id=18072150

In Etsy's Forums:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_board.php?forum_id=5000002

In Etsy's Storque (search 'CPSIA' for more articles):
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/handmade-childrens-items-unintended-consequences-consumer-pr-3056/

... and to read the insanity straight from the horse's mouth, the CPSIA website:
http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/cpsia.HTML

do you know what I've been doing?

Tending to a croupy son all weekend.
Working on both pairs of socks.
Watching the inauguration.
Checking out a bunch of new blogs through this blog. Be sure to check it out as there are a bunch of beautiful "Bird Of Change" giveaways.
Enjoying my new couch.
Laughing because the store tried to deliver another new couch today.
bumming because my sitter is sick and I will probably skip yoga (bad for my mental health) and grocery shopping (bad for the tummies in the house).

Bonus: Guess what my son was doing when his bus pulled up this morning?

Ah snow days

We are on our 3rd snow day in a row. And they have Monday off, too. I hope, when I'm a grandma and if I'm not working outside the home and am healthy enough, that I remember these snow days (holiday vacations) and remember how stir crazy not only I got, but the kids. Thankfully, my FIL lives next door and he came over Wednesday afternoon. He took the older two outside to make snowangels and forts. Then he visited for awhile and had snacks with the kids and I. It was great. It really broke up the monotony of the day and lifted everyone's spirits to have someone other than each other to stare at. Thursday the older two got to go next door for a couple of hours after MIL was home from work. However, it wasn't pleasant for her because they were stir crazy and fighting. Today hasn't been too bad. I've gotten some knitting done (there made it knitting related) because they've been playing fairly well in the other part of the house. Rather, they WERE until my oldest ran out of the room with a blanket over her head and ran smack dab into the corner of the wall. She has very pretty goose egg on her fore head now. She's in a not so great mood since that happened.

So, when my kids have kids I hope I remember these days and think to go visit and even take a kid or two home with me. Even if it's just for a couple of hours. It's such a small thing with huge returns. Reason #489 that I'm thankful to live next door to inlaws: snow days are long and boring.

Delurk Day

Ok, so I'm a few days late but I just found out about it on majorknitter.typepad.com. So, delurk and leave me a comment! This means you 3 family members that think I don't know you are lurking. ;)

knitmap, twitter and facebook

Did you know this awesome online map and reviews of LYS's existed? Check it out and add your lys. http://www.knitmap.com/

Do you twitter or are you on facebook? LMK in the comments and I'll add you. Just an fyi I hate facebook but I get tons of hits from there. Awesome way to expand your reader base.

100-purewool coop going on

LMK if you wanna know where to get in on it!

Yarn and needles review

Just a little review from me about Lorna's Laces sock yarn, some bamboo/wool dh bought me a year ago, knitpicks vs hiyahiya needles.

Lorna's Laces. LOVE it! Made from wool and nylon the yarn is soft and slides easily but not too easily through my fingers. No splitting or rough feel to it. Very gentle on my eczema fingers. No irritation. I must buy more!

Dh bought me way too expensive yarn last year from a LYS. It's 75% bamboo, 25% wool. I can't recall now if it's superwash. Oops. Oh well. I'm loving the colors but I hate knitting it. It is super thin (I know, it IS sock yarn) and is rough on my sore fingers. I'm knitting 4 rows then switch to my yarn over cable socks.

I found out the hard way that my size 1 hiya hiya's are smaller than my size 1 knitpicks. I cast on my first sock for yarn over cable socks, got the toe and one pattern set done. Decided to use the hiya hiya to start the second sock and then slipped it over to the knitpicks. The toe is obviously smaller. Oops. At least they are for me. Also, the hiya hiya's feel lightweight flimsy. The knitpicks are lightweight but sturdy. I am doing another pair of socks on the hiyahiya's 2 @ a time, magic loop and I'm not liking it. The cable doesn't seem flexible enough.

So, my picks are Lorna's Laces and knitpicks needles. Which, as luck would have it are the two I'm using on my yarn over cable socks.

I have some

Latest project pictures

Livie's yoga socks made from Berroco Sox "Lancaster". I hate the colorway and the feel. She's thrilled to have them. Everybody's happy!

Levi's one lonely "yoda" sock. Made out of some cheap acrylic. I have tons of cheap acrylic.

100purewool in "babies". I made my yoga socks out of this and love it. Of course, no picture of FO.

And beautiful Lorna's Laces, "child's play". I'm making my yarn over cable socks in this. I'm about halfway up both feet. I'm flying right along amazingly enough!

projects current and in the future

I stayed up way too late getting my pretty pair of socks started. Oh yeah I lied about my next project, didn't I? I still plan on doing the entrelac shawl but I need to figure out what yarn to use. I also have some birthdays in the next few months I need to knit for.

For Levi's 5th birthday (swoon five years) I am making him a spider man blanket. I finally just ordered cheap, washable acrylic through Joann.com. It has arrived. He knows it's spiderman yarn and for him. Hopefully I can keep the actual project a secret. Hopefully I'll get it done before April 16th!

I made me another pair of yoga socks. I didn't like the colorway or fit of the first pair so I gave them to my oldest. Then I knit 1/2 of a pair of yoga socks for Levi. He wants everything I make. So he's been running around in one blue yoga sock for a couple of days now. I cast on my second pair immediately following my yoga class on Tuesday. I knit like the wind to get them done for Thursday's class. I cast off as the babysitter arrived at 3:15. I leave at 3:30. I wore them and they were a hit. I made them in100purewool (of course) worsted in the colorway "babies". I'm running low on PW so my options were limited.

Also, a couple of nights ago, dh held Lucy and rocked her to sleep so I could cast on for Yarn Over Cable Socks from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. I am using Lorna's Laces in "child's play". It's pastel-y and rainbow-y. Now, normally I hate pastel's. I won't wear them. But socks? They are different matter!

The book gives two options for toes. Oh yes, these are toe up and I will be doing them two at a time for better match when they are done. I cannot knit two items separately and get the same tension. So I have to knit both at the same time. So, I chose the short row toe. I hate wrapped short rows. You'd think I'd remember this. But no. I punish myself. It takes alot of focus and concentration, which on a good night, I don't have. So it took me 3 nights to do the first sock's toe. Last night I managed to finish the toe and do one pattern set on the first sock. Then I tried to go to bed. I tossed and turned. That second sock was calling to me "Cast me on!" So, I tiptoed back out to the living room and to the sound of nothing I cast on and did a couple of rows of the toe. Pure bliss. Oh yes, it also uses the provisional cast on which is pretty cool. Fortunately for my sleep deprived brain the baby started crying so I was forced back to bed where I finally slept (here and there, anyway) til 5:30.

Life has gotten in the way...

I think it's the oldest, most often voiced (blogged?) complaint of knitters. Life gets in the way of knitting time!

School has started back up and you would think that having 4.5 hours of just me and the baby at home would give me plenty of knitting time. Alas, it does not. Our morning starts about 6:15. The baby usually wakes up just a few minutes after I sneak out of bed so I only get a few minutes to pee and wake up in semi solitude. My husband heads out the door a few minutes after I awake. Then I wake the oldest up at 6:30 and from there until 7:45 it's a mad house.

This morning, amazingly enough, went pretty smoothly despite having to do spelling words for today's test. I hope she does well. She had no school Monday so we missed that day for practice and she didn't bring her words home on Tuesday so we only 2.5 days to practice. She struggled all through the first quarter and flunked almost everything. Finally, the teacher told me at the end of the quarter that she was doing very poorly and would flunk her. Um no. Not an option. So we worked our arses off every night after school adding a new subject every week until we were doing everything. Reading, math and spelling words. The week we started doing spelling words she got a 100. The next week only missed one. And she hasn't had a spelling test since beginning of Dec. There wasn't a test the last week before break. So I'm hoping today's test goes fairly well for her. I've really noticed an improvement in her over all daily mood plus she is kinder to her siblings because her self esteem has gone up.

So anyway, back to knitting. Life is getting in the way of knitting. My 4.5 hours of just me and babe is NOT enough time for knitting. For one before my son even gets on the bus between 9:15 and 9:30 she's cranky and wanting a nap. Until he leaves I pretty much have to devote every minute to him. Like right now, the baby is in her high chair eating her scrambled eggs. He's hanging on me begging for food (um, the cereal you requested is still on the table) and a drink. And he's not the type to let you ignore him even for a second. He hangs and whines and cries and takes things very personally. So, when he asks for something it's generally in everyone's best interest to just get up and do it. If you wait too long it tends to lead very quickly to a melt down that can last 20 minutes or longer. Then he is in a bad mood and so am I and I hate sending a kid to school in a bad mood thinking mommy's mad.

Ok Lucy's done with her eggs. Giving Levi a second breakfast.

Now where was I? Ok so at 9:30 it's me and the baby. Baby is cranky and ready for a nap. I have two options. The first is sitting in the chair, nurse her to sleep and knit over the top of her. Nice BUT...my second and most often chosen option is go lay down in bed with her and nurse her to sleep. And I usually fall asleep. If we sleep too long, say until noon (a guilty pleasure, I assure you), then I get lunch done and straighten up the kitchen, probably do a load of laundry and sit down to Days at 1. Levi gets back home shortly after 2. So, then it's back to catering to him, keeping the peace between him and the baby and by 3 if she didn't fall asleep on my lap during Days then she needs another nap. Same two options only I can't fall asleep with her and if she falls asleep on my lap not much chance she'll nap too long with Levi banging and stomping around the house. He's very sensory seeking so he stomps when he walks and he's constantly touching everyone.

It's exhausting to force yourself to be in a good mood when you're running on just a few hours of very interrupted sleep. He's like a sponge or a mirror. However I act, he soaks it up and returns it. If I'm impatient and short with him, he becomes very obstinate and even more uncooperative than usual. But if I sing silly songs, smile and hug him instead of rush through getting dressed and ready for school, he will pretty much stay cooperative and happy.

Boy, I do tend to ramble. You can tell I've not had much blogging time.

So, anyway long story short, life has gotten in the way of my precious knitting.

Where to file complaints

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/264507 says "no later than January 30 2009 to the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Office of the Secretary, email

Sec102ComponentPawrtsTesting@cpsc.gov . They can be faxed to (USA) 301 504-0127

Snailmail:
The Office of the Secretary,
Consumer Product Safety Commission,
Room 502, 4330 East-West Highway,
Bethesda, Maryland 20814 US.

Comments should be captioned: Section 102 Mandatory Third-Party Testing of Component Parts'"

edited to add I tried emailing and got a return error email. Have no idea why.

Save Handmade Toys From the CPSIA

If you think this doesn't affect you then think again. Go to this website and read the comments. That will begin to give you an idea of just how many people will be affected by this poorly written law. I'm all for regulating China from killing our kids. I've been ranting to my family for years to quit buying my kids crap from China (most don't listen). Now the lawmakers are going to the opposite extreme.

http://sites.google.com/site/handmadetoyalliance/

Save Handmade Toys From the CPSIA

A Proposal From the handmadetoyalliance.org:

In 2007, large toy manufacturers who outsource their production to China and other developing countries violated the public's trust. They were selling toys with dangerously high lead content, toys with unsafe small parts, toys with improperly secured and easily swallowed small magnets, and toys made from chemicals that made kids sick. Almost every problem toy in 2007 was made in China.

The United States Congress rightly recognized that the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) lacked the authority and staffing to prevent dangerous toys from being imported into the US. So, they passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in August, 2008. Among other things, the CPSIA bans lead and phthalates in toys, mandates third-party testing and certification for all toys and requires toy makers to permanently label each toy with a date and batch number.

All of these changes will be fairly easy for large, multinational toy manufacturers to comply with. Large manufacturers who make thousands of units of each toy have very little incremental cost to pay for testing and updating their molds to include batch labels.
For small American, Canadian, and European toymakers, however, the costs of mandatory testing, to the tune of up to $4,000 per toy, will likely drive them out of business. And the handful of larger toy makers who still employ workers in the United States face increased costs to comply with the CPSIA, even though American-made toys had nothing to do with the toy safety problems of 2007. Toy makers won't be the only ones impacted by the CPSIA, the thousands of US businesses who offer clothing, jewelry and other gifts for children --in essence-- the entire children's industry will be as well.

The CPSIA simply forgot to exclude the class of toys that have earned and kept the public's trust. The result, unless the law is modified, is that handmade children's products will no longer be legal in the US.

Thriving small businesses are crucial to the financial health of our nation. Let's amend the CPSIA so that all businesses large and small are able to comply and survive!
- Cecilia Leibovitz (Founder, CraftsburyKids.com) Dec 12 @ 07:04PM PST

New lead testing law sucks!

http://thedomesticdiva.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/cpsia-what-childrens-clothing-designers-and-manufacturers-need-to-know/

http://www.fashion-incubator.com/blog/

Seriously. A new law that says all children's items has to be tested for lead. Sounds great right? What about those moms that make cloth diapers to supplement their income? What about your yard sale next spring? What about those adorable boutique OOAK (one of a kind) ebay clothes you buy? All affected. Toys at the store? Will skyrocket! Please check out the link and pass it on.

Yoga socks, rib-a-roni and kitty hats

I finished up Becca's kitty hat. It's cute. My MIL, Dee, saw it and has put in a request for one for next year. It seems like it's big but it fits me and Dee. Oh and my hubby. He was an unhappy model. Pics uploading now. I finished up the poms poms on the hat and immediately cast on for my yoga socks. Fast and easy. The only thing that didn't work for me was the two rows knit flat between the ankle and foot of the sock. Just two rows has you knitting in reverse so I did 3 rows then did the knit cast on for the new stitches. Piece of cake. I am using berroco sox yarn in the Lancaster colorway.

Oh I also finished up Levi's replacement hat. It's done in 100purewool, Reign. I think it gives me seizures when I look at it. It fits under his helmet though and I made it a little longer than the mesto hat so it'll fit next winter too. If I can stand to look at it for another winter.