Claire Needs..

I stole this from Dana, google your first name with needs after and make note of the top ten things you need.

I need:

1. a Visit to the Bunny Planet
2. private support
3. Drake
4. shows on MySpace Music
5. help
6. an intern
7. a lake
8. booze to kiss
9. a boyfriend
10. our prayers

We already knew about number nine, I wonder where the bunny planet is and why I would need to go there and most of all why I would need booze to kiss. Really, who wants to kiss booze?

I actual knitting content, Mr Greenjeans is coming along nicely. I think I may need more yarn, but I'm not sure. I'm using a thicker yarn, so I may not.. then again since I will need to add to the sleeves I probably will. So I have to hunt some down.

Oh, and we have windows again. The house is still not put back together, but it is MUCH cozier inside. I no longer have to wear knitted socks AND slippers. The floor is only slightly cool now (pleasantly cool), instead of a glacier.

Packing..

Why am I packing?

We finally got notice that they were going to replace our windows this week, weather permitting.

Looking at the weather forecast, I don't know if they'll get to it this week (downturn, supposed to snow again and it's durned cold so if they plan to do it when it's like this they better do it fast so we don't freeze).

But we have to pack up and shift everything beneath the windows, move stuff off the walls etc.

So now all the yarn that was in my plastic drawer thingy (which I was thinking of getting rid of anyway as it doesn't work as well as I'd like) and on my bookshelf in baskets (what, you don't decorate in yarn?) is stashed in two large tubs. Not counting active projects and another, smaller, tub for needles and notions.

That is just tonight's work, I still have to box up books and shift breakables down or away, probably pull out one whole bookshelf from my bedroom.. it'll be worth it though, when I can finally put my bed beneath my window and I won't freeze because the cold seeps through. It'll be REALLY nice in summer, when I can leave the window open and not have bugs sneaking through the gaps in the screen (I stapled tulle to the frame to act as a proper screen. You read that right, the windows must be from at least the early 80's because wood was common in windows then, I doubt I'd be able to do that with new windows).

I'd had wanted to go to knit night, but that obviously fell through due to packing.

Thanks..

for the ideas on what to do for my friend's pup!

They were helpful, and I think I have some yarn that would be perfect to make felted booties for him. It's been hanging around and I didn't know what to do with it.. now I do!

New year..

Wow, it's been awhile since I posted. Soo much happening, between work and then the holidays and now it's the new year and my friend just got married! Yesterday in fact, I even caught the bouquet. (Hmm.. now I need to find a boyfriend..)

Not much knitting time though I've managed to complete a few more rows on Phoenix Rising. Slow and steady.. more slow than steady right now though, I come and go with my projects.

But I have a request. I don't usually do requests, but this is for a good cause. My (just married) friend's shitzu/bichon mix was having issues with his paws this winter. It was so cold that his poor paws were cracking, and he'd go out in the snow and get ice stuck in his paws.. so I've been asked if I can make him some booties.

I told them I'd see what I could do. I figure they wouldn't be too hard, I could find a pattern somewhere on Ravelry and bang them out and bob's your uncle.

Well Ravelry isn't spitting something out, I found a pattern for Doggy Mukluks but there's no pictures (except for one heavily modified) and I can find oodles of sewing patterns around but I think knit ones might be better.

So I'm thinking of doing basic baby booties/socks with an i-cord you can snug them up with. Next issue would be what to knit them out of. Something washable, easy to care for and able to stand up to a dog running around with them, maybe even chewing on them. Superwash of some kind or acrylic probably.

I'll come up with something.

Retreat!

What is there to say? So much happened, it was wonderful. The classes were awesome. I took Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's Knitting with Speed and Efficiency.. (did you know she can knit at 88 stitches per minute? And the fastest knitter in the world at 112? I'm so inadequate at about 20 odd stitches per minutes..) as well as Stefanie Japel's Fitting Your Knits (lots of handy tips, plus I have all my measurements.. apparently when measured accurately I'm an hourglass.. and she has the cutest baby!) and a class on designing shawls with Amy Singer. I would have loved to have taken a class with Cookie or Nancy, but with only 3 classes and five teachers it's hard to pick!

There was lots of wine and food, and loads of wonderful people. It was great meeting new people, and hanging with old friends.

I was amused by how many comments I overheard from people. "This must be a yarn convention.." in reference to our table of yarn and books to buy. "What are all these people doing here? Why are they all knitting?" as we waited for the bus to pick us up to head home.

I learned lots, and had lots of fun. I even got about four inches done on my Green Gables top! I think I should knit on it some more and then try it on to see if I need to add more before putting the stitches on scrap yarn for the sleeves. I think I might do that soon.

I have a few pictures, not many though. I guess I felt a bit shy.. what with all the big names around!

I loved this. My present to myself.

Retreat planning..

I just spent several hours going through my stash and figuring out which yarns to take.

A ball of Rowan Aran, some Lorna's Laces worsted leftover from my beret (for swatches for some class), some sock yarn (Arucania and Dream In Color) since a couple of the shawl classes ask for fingering weight.. That should be good for the classes. Or should I bring more than a couple balls of worsted? Like say.. a couple or three for the all day class (at least) and a couple for the class I hope to get into on Saturday. They don't specify how much (the lace classes say 50 g and 600-800 yd in the list of what to bring). Maybe I should overpack. Just in case. I'm already overpacking my notions. I think all my straights and DPNs have made their way into the pile of what to bring, plus my whole Knit Picks interchangable circulars and my stitch markers (and I have an urge to go buy more el cheapo Wal-mart ones just to be sure)..

Then what to bring with to work on!?

I've settled on my shawl and a scarf, bringing the stuff for the pair of convertible gloves I plan to make Dad for Christmas (may as well get started and they would mostly be mindless knitting.. prefect for breaks or while drinking..) and I pondered bringing sock yarn to.. well, make socks. I have a couple pairs started so I'll bring one of them.. but I ordered the sock yarn specially dyed for the retreat and I betcha anything I'll be tempted to start that, so I guess I'll leave the socks I already have going at home. Four projects is enough right?

I'm also thinking of bringing my spindle. I tried to spin the last couple of days and I am woefully bad, as I never practiced after my classes ended. It's been awhile since I tried to spin.

Plus I'll need my swimsuit and my yoga stuff, and of course my clothes (layers, and probably winter boots because it's supposed to start SNOWING tomorrow night) and toiletries, mittens and hat, knit socks, pjs, my clock, my laptop (guess I don't really need that, depending how full the bag looks that might just stay home), my camera and lots of batteries (I have a two gig card in it.. that should be plenty, I didn't even use all of that for a week in Florida so I should have plenty of space on the empty one).

Oh, and a bottle of wine and the opener. Should I maybe bring two? Naw.. unless I share that should be good.. plus it's not like there won't be a cash bar in the evening for the spin in/pj party.

Ooooo so excited!

I'm a bad bad blogger..

I haven't gotten much knitting done either. I ran into a snag with my first Year of Lace kit, and had to rip back and then pick up stitches. I did that finally tonight. At some point in this I had started the fall kit, and started yet another pair of socks. I haven't gotten much past the toes on them though, and I'll give you a hint as to why.




Yup, we went to Disney World.

It was an awesome trip. Lots of sun and Mickey and friends, and a good time had by all. Now I am back and just chilling, getting ready for winter, so the knitting has been slipping out of the woodwork slowly. I don't think I'm doing Christmas knitting this year beyond some crocheted finger puppets since Velociraptor is doing puppet shows with just his fingers.. (is that a hint of some kind??)

And upcoming is the retreat! The Yarn Harlot class is titled Knitting for Speed and Efficiency maybe that's a good thing I chose her class then.. I might get more done! ;)

Not much else happening, just working around as usual.