The Busy Blogger's Dilemma

My partner has been out of town since last Friday and I'm exhausted. Our toddler is now running around in addition to refusing, quite vigorously, to put on his hat, coat and mittens in the morning. I did mention how cold it is right? A whopping 0 degree this morning. Our house is pretty cold which we'll have to do something about because it is so uncomfortable. Meghan over at the Stitch It Podcast was mentioning in one of her recent episodes that it is so cold in her neck of the woods (just a few hours from me) that she had not taken a full shower in a while opting instead for the quick wash up. I actually end up taking more showers just to warm up.

I have not been knitting as much as I would like nor have I been spinning this past week. What I have been doing is going to bed around 8:30pm. I figure I can get in at least a few hours in case baby boy wakes up during the night.

I casted on again for the Baby Kimono since the first one was a total disaster. I also cast on again for the Bacchus Socks. I am determined to get these projects done.

I don't know if I mentioned my Saartje Booties. I finished these during the Christmas break. I used SWTC's Soysilk and my new Kollage Square dpns that I bought in NYC at Thanksgiving. The Soysilk is wonderful. I thought it would be too slippery but it isn't. The needles are really good in case I didn't post that before.

I'm also loving my Jordana Paige Knitting Satchel. It's a really beautiful bag and functions extremely well for knitting. I especially like the loops that keep my yarn tame while I knit.

The Bacchus Socks are now being knit in Noro Kureyon Sock and I'm reinforcing with Crystal Palace Kid Merino at the toe and heel. So far so good. The Kid Merino is some left over stash that I wanted to use up. I will post pics soon.

I've also cast on for my Ravelry Scarf Exchange. I don't want to post too many details so as not to spoil the surprise for my pal but I'm working on a lace pattern.

I hope you're all doing well and keeping warm.

12 Days of Spinning

12DaysofSpin
Originally uploaded by Rosemary/ sancocho y mangú

I started my 12 days of Spinning yesterday. The Ravelry group is called "On the Twelfth Day of Spinning" and offers a series of challenges for spinners from beginners like me to more skilled folks. Each of the 12 days has a specific task and at the end of it all we cast on with our new yarn.

Although 12th night was Jan. 6th the moderators wisely decided to start the 12 Days challenge on the 6th so that participants wouldn't have to compete with the holiday craziness.

I prepped yesterday by viewing a bunch of videos online and tightening up my wheel which I think was a bad idea because now it squeaks.

I'm still struggling with the coordination of drafting, and then releasing the yarn onto the bobbin. It looks so easy but it isn't. First official spinning class is Saturday, I can't wait.

Blogs, Podcasts, and Knitting Like a Pro

I'm going to attempt a full update for this post. Here goes:
On my needles at the moment is the Molly Ringwald Sweater from Knitscene Fall '07. I started knitting but stopped myself to do a serious gauge swatch. And I'm not just knitting the swatch and checking the gauge, but I'm washing and blocking it and re-measuring it once it's dry. I want as perfect a finished product as possible. But I'm not sure what to do once the swatch dries (until I get my Knitter's Blocking Kit, the baby's foam numbers will have to do). If it is grossly distorted in size do I stop knitting this sweater with this yarn? Change needles for a tighter knit? Do I continue but dry clean the finished garment instead of cold water washing? What to do. I will have to consult the Ravelry fora.

Blogs Blogs Blogs, oh and Podcasts: I'm really enjoying reading all the great knitting blogs out there. Great advice, great projects and ideas for yarn substitutions and just plain fun to read about people's knitting adventures. Some of the new blogs on my list are from outside the US and I heard about them on the "Lixie Knits It" podcast: "Go Knit in Your Hat," "Jane's Probably Knitting," "No Knit Sherlock," "Purlpower," and "Socktopus." "Spillyjane Knits" is another blog I'm reading. In fact through Ravelry, Spillyjane was kind enough to give me some suggestions for knitting supplies in the Detroit area where I may be moving soon.

I've also been listening to knitting podcasts - am I obsessed or what?! I'm all caught up with Kelly Petkun's "Knit Picks Podcast" as well as, "Lixie Knits It." I'm going to start listening to "CraftyPod," "Cast On," "KnitWit," "Knit Science," "CRL w/ Vicky Howell," do you see a theme here? I was never really into my iPod (a wonderful graduation gift from my dear friends Ru and Steven) but the podcasts are a lot of fun and I may venture into audiobooks soon.

Ravelry: Can I just say how much I LOVE Ravelry. I'm learning a whole lot and I just love seeing other people's projects. I'm also trying to learn more about fibers. I think one of my biggest knitting problems has been matching yarns to projects. I love buying yarn but then I end up having to buy more yarn when I decide on specific projects because what I have doesn't work. Yarn substitution is a skill I MUST develop. I think after I've worked through my stash a bit and mastered some important knitting skills I would really like to take up spinning.

Tools of the Trade: Because our digital camera was broken I was unable to post pics of my great new knitting purchases. My new ball winder and swift were much-needed, how did I live without them for so long? Also, my new Namaste Cali Clutch was a belated Xmas present to myself (Yeah!) I've wanted a knitting tote for a long time and will at some point indulge in a nice large Namaste but when I saw the Cali Clutch I fell in love. It is sooo pretty. However, I'm afraid it's not as perfect as I'd hoped. You can't fit a large ball of yarn in it which I guess I should have expected. The only WIPs that will really fit in the bag nicely are socks (yeah!); and scarves in their early stages. No regrets though, I like having a pretty bag for pretty little crafts.

Here's one more shot of the Cali Clutch, beautifully modeled by L.


Oh, I almost forgot to mention my new books. One of local bookstores was having a moving sale so I picked these up a few days ago: "Folk Style" and "Knitting Beyond the Edge.

Ravelry Feeds My OCD

Ok, I've only been on Ravelry for two days (id: sancocho) and I've already added my projects, yarn stash, future projects. I worked up the courage to add some friends today, mostly folks whose blogs I frequent. My goal is to add all my favorite knitting bloggers. Ultimately I think Ravelry is going to be a great place to learn about complex knitting techniques and fibers, especially handspun/dyed fibers. I haven't taken a huge plunge in that direction yet but as my projects get more complex I think using unique fibers will be ideal.

For everyone who is still on the waiting list it won't be long and it's very much worth the wait! Hang in there.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait!

I finally got my invite to Ravelry. I spent some time yesterday loading up descriptions and pics of my projects. It is really a great site and I haven't even explored all of its features. My username is sancocho so come and visit if you're in the Ravelry neighborhood.

Ravelry, Soon I Will Be Yours!

I'm almost in! Woohoo!

• You signed up on June 28, 2007
• You are #11501 on the list.
• 127 people are ahead of you in line.
• 19905 people are behind you in line.
• 36% of the list has been invited so far

Ravelry I Need You!

Ok here's why I desperately need to be on Ravelry. I'm trying to find the perfect pattern for simple, cute, not too girly, newborn baby hats that will work with yarn from my stash (especially this turquoise Angora Soft from Knit One Crochet Too that I've had since January). AND I want to use the needles I have (many sets considering I have Denise interchangeables as well). But I've had no luck so far with my current catalog of patterns. I need the support of other fiber fanatics to get through this crisis. And it's not just for me, it's really for my baby; Ravelry, consider my unborn child and his need for hand knits only you can help us now.

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!)