Quick Pic

I'm headed out of town tomorrow for the holiday weekend. We're going to Montana then to Rapid City, SD, then home again. I've packed a crap load of yarn to keep me entertained during the long car ride.

Below is a pic of progress on my baby sweater -- I should be finished sometime during tomorrow's drive. I'm making the Ribbed Jacket from Debbie Bliss's Special Knits: 22 Gorgeous Handknits for Babies and Toddlers. Enjoy your 4th of July holiday!

A visit to the Lamb Shoppe

I decided to get out and knit last night to distract me from some worries I'm having. The local Stitch 'n Bitch meets at the Lamb Shoppe twice a month. This was my second time knitting with this group, but my first visit to the store. It's a fantastic store with every color and line of Debbie Bliss you can imagine. They also had a great selection of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece...Green Gable anyone?! I bought some Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran and started a baby sweater. I'd show pics but I'm at work and don't have access to my camera (maybe later today). I'm really liking knitting things for babies because it's pretty quick satisfaction. I also like it because if you make a mistake and need to frog, it's not so bad. I need to frog about half of a baby kimono I'm making from the pattern in MDK. I messed up the decreases on one half of one of the sleeves so it's all wonky. It's alright though, it'll only take me a half hour or so to redo.

I'm still knitting on my lunch hours. Today though I think I'm going to run to JoAnn's to get some more dishcloth cotton. We're going on a roadtrip this weekend and I want to make sure I have plenty of yarn to keep me busy.

Yep, I guess I can sew

Law bought me a sewing machine for Christmas after I had sworn up and down for probably two years that I really wanted one. After Christmas I tried out the sewing machine a couple times just to get reacquainted with how they work. Then the sewing machine sat in our guest room for months collecting dust. But now that it's summer (yea!!!), I'm finding plenty of time to be crafty. I spent the last couple nights working on this bag:


Toby says hello!


Lining



Another shot of the outside


For those of you who would like the specs:

• I used the Simplicity 4668 pattern, making bag B.
• The fabrics, lining and outside, are Robert Kaufman prints, 100% cotton.
• My general impression is that this is a very cute bag. It's a little bigger than I prefer, but the straps are just the right length to wear it over my shoulder.
• If I made this bag again, and I probably will, I would make a couple changes. First, I used a fairly lightweight cotton for the outside, while the pattern called for barkcloth or canvas. But I've found that there are more cute prints available in 100%. Next time, to make the bag a little sturdier and to hold its shape better, I'd probably use some lightweight interfacing for the exterior, like I did for the lining. Second, someone on Craftster said she used her copy machine to shrink the pattern down a bit. I think this is a wonderful idea and I will probably give it a try.

Overall, I'm quite pleased with myself. Yep giving myself a pat on the back right now. I haven't sewn anything since my 7th Grade home ec class. Even then I was none too swift at sewing. But now I'm already thinking about all the cute things I want to make...an Amy Butler In Town bag, a Favorite Things Cute Skirt, an Amy Butler Weekender Bag....

Welcome to the neighborhood. I think I'll steal your paper now.

Every morning I wake up, take a shower, check my email, and get ready to leave the house. Law works way down in Colorado Springs so he gets up much earlier than I do. Today was like every other day. He woke up, left the house, and grabbed the Friday Denver Post on his way out of the driveway. On Fridays we get two papers: the Denver Post and the New York Times. I get the Times Monday through Friday because, well, I just like it. I like doing the crosswords. I think it's a good paper. I do not enjoy reading the Post. We only get it Friday through Sunday. I wanted to get it just Sundays for the ads and the coupons, but it doesn't work that way according to the paper people.

Anyway, I was sitting at my desk reading my email this morning when I saw my neighbor from across the street walk up my driveway wearing shorts and a t-shirt but no shoes. I thought, hmm, what does he want this time of the morning? Then I saw him reach down and pick up my paper. I flung open the window and said:

• Me: Excuse me but can you put that down. That's my paper. (sounding perturbed)

• Him: Oh uhh we didn't get our paper today. (looking around to locate where this chastizing voice is coming from)

• Me: That's my paper. Please put it back. (Now I'm annoyed because I'm realizing that he has Times in his hand. Take the Post but don't take the Times!)

• Him: Well I called the newspaper and they said you got two papers today.

• Me: Yes, I did - The Post and The Times. They're both mine.

• Him: Oh sorry...I'll just leave this on your front step (slinks away)

Okay, I'm pretty sure he didn't think anyone was home. I park in the garage so the house looked empty. He also apparently saw my husband leave the house and pick up one of the papers on his way out. How else would he know that we got two papers? I also think he was totally lying when he said he called the paper. First, the people who answer the phone have no idea who gets a paper and who doesn't. Second, the distribution center would have known that I pay for and receive TWO papers -- I'm certain they wouldn't encourage him to steal mine from my driveway. Third, had he really called the paper, they would have offered to deliver a replacement paper later today. So not only did he try to steal from me but then he lied to me! Geez, glad to know I have nice neighbors. Remind me not to have him collect my mail while I'm out of town.

Is it terrible that I took such pleasure out of catching a grown man behaving badly? Part of me felt bad that I embarrassed him. I could have been more friendly I'm sure. But let's face it, you shouldn't steal from people. If he really wanted the paper he could have knocked on the door and said something like, "I noticed you received two papers today. I didn't get my paper today. Do you mind if I take your extra?" I would have told him no, because I get two different papers. But if I had indeed received two copies of the Denver Post, I would have gladly shared with him. I'm still giggling to myself about how fun it was to catch him! Next time I'm going to yell, "Freeze sucker! Put the paper down and back away slowly! Keep your hands where I can see them!"

Another FO

So I finished up my MDK bib when I ran across some buttons in my knitting tote. I figured I'd sew in on right away before I got distracted by something else. Then I figured you might like to see the finished product so I fished a stuffed animal out of the closet to model. Roscoe was gracious enough to volunteer although he wanted me to make sure you knew he doesn't need a bib when he eats.





I also finished a flower washcloth from Melanie Falick's Weekend Knitting. I used the yarn called for in the pattern, Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille. When I was at Yarn Art on Monday I figured I'd pick up a skein because it was on sale and I'd always meant to knit one of these babies. As soon as I wove in the ends, I washed my face. Ahh it was relaxing and refreshing!



Some more good news...

I'm going to receive part of my Interlacements order from the Yarn Co-op. Messica (yes that's an intentional spelling) didn't order the Toasty Toes yarn I paid for (or for which I paid), so I'm just out that money I guess. What a crook! My yarn should be here by the end of the week. I'm so excited! I haven't received any yarn packages in so long.

Have I told you about my new job?

I didn't think I had. This is my second-year summer. According to everyone I needed to get a job this summer. I procrastinated of course and I didn't think I was going to be able to find a paid position. (Let's face it, how motivated would I be to work for free?) But it turned out fine in the end. One of my friends was going to be in Michigan this summer so I took her spot at a small firm in the Denver Tech Center. My new working environment is very relaxed. I don't even really have to dress up. I can come in when I feel like it -- around 8:30 thanks. I can leave when I want -- how 'about 4:00 or maybe 4:30? I have my own office. My office is really the best part of my job. Our building is on a golf course and my office looks out at a tee box. When I'm bored I just stare out the window at mostly bad golfers. It really is a pretty good gig.

My lunch hour is the highlight of my day. I've been going to a nearby park and knitting. Today I worked on a flower washcloth made with Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille.

I also drive right past a yarn store on my way home (Yarn Art of Parker) and there's another yarn store just a mile the other direction (Knitty Cat of Englewood). I stopped at Yarn Art on my way home last night. It turns out they're having a 20% sale on all yarn. I thought that was a decent little deal so I bought some Berroco suede that I'm going to use to make the cutest little Ugg booties. Hehe aren't they adorable?! I'm going to make them in pink of course.



But they didn't have the Berroco plush in Crema. So I left work early today and stopped by Knitty Cat. I've been there a few times before. The store is very small but seems to have a decent selection. The owner is not the friendliest sort but whatever. She always seems to have friends hanging out there with her. Her friends are clearly her priority. But I still went back today because I was in a good mood and I really wanted some yarn. Anyway, I stepped inside and sure enough, the owner was there with a few friends knitting. So I started to look for the yarn I needed. Then the owner got on the phone. Apparently she was calling home to chat. "What ch'ya doin'? Nope, I'm not doing anything either. We're just sitting here knitting. I think I'm going to the mall later. blah. blah. blah." Meanwhile, I can't find what I need and I want to ask her a couple questions. But she proceeded to talk on the phone for five minutes while it was clear that I needed assistance. I left the store fuming without buying anything. She was still on the phone.

Remind me next time I'm in the mood for a pleasant and helpful yarn-buying experience NOT to go to Knitty Cat. What good business owner waits for a customer to walk in the door and then gets on the phone to chit chat about nothing in particular?! It was just rude and I can't stand rude people.

Hey I knit something!

Yep, that's right folks. The drought is over here. I knit three objects last week: two Ballband Dishcloths from Mason-Dixon Knitting (hereinafter MDK) and a Baby Bib O' Love also from MDK (I just need to sew a button on it). The washrags match my kitchen, which is yellow and green. I don't know when I became so interested in citrus colors but it works well in my new kitchen because the kitchen is small. I figure small kitchens need bright colors so they will look as large as possible. Please note, however, that bright colors do not give you more counter space.





I knit the washrags mainly because I wanted my kitchen to look home-y (not homely) for the housewarming party my husband and I threw on Saturday. We had a pretty good turnout in light of the fact that at least half of my friends are living out of state this summer. I baked brownies and lemon bars. We grilled burgers, dogs, and veggies. We drank a lot. We even had company from New Mexico. Law's best friend from college was in town this weekend so he and his girlfriend stayed at our place Saturday night.

Having company unfortunately prevented me from going to Estes Park this weekend for the wool festival. :-( I'd had it on my calendar for at least two months. But I guess your best friend from college who you haven't seen in 4 years doesn't come to town everyday (according to Law) so I decided to be a good hostess and stay home. My alternate plan was to go up on Sunday morning, but the Saturday night drinking kinda spoiled that too.

I thought I should also add a photo of my new knitting tote. Just for good measure!

Y'all probably thought I was dead

Well the good news is that I'm not dead! We moved into our house a couple weeks ago. I survived finals. I even got a job for the summer. So all in all things are pretty fantastic here.

My knitting progress, however, leaves a lot to be desired. I have been ruminating on it quite a bit though. My brother and his wife were here the weekend we moved. (Remember, they're the ones having a baby in September. The baby is due two days after my birthday.) She's showing a bit now so I know I need to get going with the baby knits. I want to knit one of everything! I think I'll start with some simple bibs from Mason-Dixon Knitting. I just got this book today. I've only had time to page through but it looks adorable so far. I also received my Natalie Dee knitting tote. I think I'm well equipped to start going to the local, weekly Stitch 'n Bitch, which we now have to call a Knit 'n Bitch because of Sew Fast, Sew Easy.

I thought I'd also let you know that the yarn co-op for my Interlacements yarn is going terribly. It looks like the woman running the co-op (Jessica Harwell of Georgetown, Texas) has run off with our yarn. She kept telling us there were items on backorder and then she stopped giving us updates altogether. Someone in the co-op called Interlacements to find out what the deal was. It turns out that she didn't order about $1,000 of merchandise that co-op members paid her for and she's had the rest of the yarn since the first week in April. So the new co-op owner got ahold of her and Jessica is claiming some kind of family emergency. Although that doesn't explain why she didn't order everything and why she's had yarn for two months without shipping it. The co-op owner put in a call to the FBI today and everyone has tried to file complaints through Paypal. Of course, we're past the 45 day mark since we paid (loooonnng past) so Paypal probably won't do much to help us. It just really sucks that a fellow knitter would turn out to be a thief.

Be back soon with real knitting progress! (I expect you to hold me to this) I've missed everyone in the past couple months.