Does Life Ever Calm Down?

Well I haven't been blogging because life just keeps getting in the way. I started my new job in September and between planning my classes, grading, taking care of Baby Boy, quality time with hubbie, laundry, cooking (sometimes), cleaning ---- CALGON TAKE ME AWAY!! I have so much respect for my mom who managed to do all this with 5 kids. How, HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE????

We have reached some amazing milestones: Baby Boy turned 1 in September. A whole year has passed, unbelievable.









I have been knitting but I haven't been taking pictures. I do have some great new yarn. The stash enhancement has been nuts. Some more Berroco Ultra Alpaca, Araucania Chunky, more Malabrigo Silky Merino, Lamb's Pride Worsted. I think there are a couple more but I can't recall at the moment.

I finally bought a copy of Mason-Dixon Knitting. I also bought Knitting the Nativity and Itsy-Bitsy Hats. I've been on a real book kick lately.

I need to get back to my knitting group. I haven't been there since July or August, I can't even remember. I contact my local knitting guild and will try to go to their meetings starting this week. I'm really hoping I can meet some folks. Maybe I should join a Swap? I thought that would be a good way to meet folks but I've only done one and have done another. There just doesn't seem to be enough time for anything.

I'm going to stop babbling for now. But hopefully I can get back to taking pics and posting on the blog. So for those of you who do check in I hope you'll stop by again soon. Bye for now.

Done!

FinishedMonkeys1
Originally uploaded by Rosemary/ sancocho y mangú

I'm finally done with my Monkey Pal's socks and they are on their way to their new home. I am so so so so sorry it has taken so long. I'm pretty pleased with the results given that these are my first dpn socks. I have to say that I enjoy the dpns more than the Magic Loop -- is that sacrilege? Also, my grafting skills need some serious refining (sorry pal). I don't know why it is so difficult to do but it isn't as clean as I know it should be. I will have to practice.

I am definitely investing in some sock blockers this week. The one sock that I finished a while back was very "relaxed" whereas the more recently knit sock is still a bit "curly" -- I can see where blocking would make a big difference in a crisp presentation.

I hope my pal forgives the grotesque delay and enjoys her not-so-perfect Monkey Socks.

Progress is Good

The "Gold Bobble Booties" (from Old World Booties Pattern set) are coming along nicely. I did have a panic moment when the pattern seemed confusing. It called for a series of increases spelled out in detailed instructions. Then the pattern said to just "continue in this manner" working in the new stitches at the end of each needle and in the center until I reached the required number of stitches. I'm sure this is easy enough for most knitters but not knowing exactly where I should increase made me nervous about how the shape of booties would turn out.
Thankfully, it looks ok so far. Clearly I need to work on reading patterns and on adjusting patterns on the fly. My sister is able to modify any pattern to suit her needs, it's the designer in her. I on the contrary have to walk around with my pattern in a plastic jacket and refer to it constantly along with my copy of Knitter's Companion.

On a more confident note, I was able to whip up this amazing
dinner at the last minute yesterday. Twice-baked potatoes and sweet jalapeño stir fry. The potatoes were on the menu but the stir fry was the "Oh my God what are we gonna eat with this" contribution to the meal. Now if I could just remember to include a protein.

Ok I'm Determined!

Old World Booties, I will complete you!!!
Here's evidence of my seriousness, my near-completed swatch.

If I'm going to refine my knitting skills I need to take gauge more seriously than I've done in the past. I think I'm on the right track so far, mainly because I took the pattern to my LYS and had them help me select yarn for this project. I need to find a reference book that explains fibers, yarn weights, etc. so that I select the right yarns and can substitute from my stash with ease.

Oh and I prepped some ground round yesterday for today's meatball subs. The cooking and knitting skills are improving.

I Deserve a Treat

Much of this weekend was devoted to organizing our home in anticipation of our September arrival. I of course can't lift anything heavy so my loving partner and sis-in-law hauled in our "new" sofa bed. My sweetheart also moved in the baby's dresser, removed my tall heavy bookshelves from the room and set them up in our living room all by himself. I did my part of course by cleaning the house like a lunatic -- nesting is amazing!

So after all that work -- and there's still more to do -- I decided to spend a couple of hours at my LYS to pick up yarn and tools for two upcoming projects:


RYC Cashsoft in Amethyst
for "Best Friend Bags" by Kristin Goedert








Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Redwood and Fennel
for "Gold Bobble Booties" by Gryphon Perkins

Web Rings and Ravelry: Am I Worthy?

I'm working towards joining the "Knitting Blogs" web ring AND put in my request for a Ravelry invite. But now I'm feeling a bit insecure about my knitting progress and whether my blog belongs on these sites. Maybe I'm spending too much time on other folks' blogs but there seem to be no intermediate knitters on the web. Everyone out there is working on amazing projects and getting so much done. When I finally get my Ravelry invite --

• You signed up on June 28, 2007
• You are #11501 on the list.
• 4233 people are ahead of you in line.
• 9872 people are behind you in line.
• 33% of the list has been invited so far

-- I'm hoping it will help me to get organized and improve my crafty productivity. Until then, the blogosphere is a lonely place for us newbies. (boo hoo!)