Marin, Marin!! Lookie what I found!!
Holy CATS! I don’t know how I missed this before, but the Web Wench at talklikeapirate.com has a Knit Like A Pirate page!! There’s a free pattern to make this cool bag and some other stuff too.
I mean really… skulls, pink, yarn… it’s just screams Marin. Can you hear it??
Sooooo… for a few days I’ve been trying to figure out a catch-up (as opposed to ketchup) post, and all that has done is put me even farther behind. So, instead of freaking out and trying to get caught up, I’m just going to jump in where I’m at and I’ll fill in the past in pieces as I go for the next week (or two or seven.) Hey, that way I’ll actually have something to talk about! How’s that for a novel concept? (For those wondering at home, I’ll get to the novel in a bit.) I’ll have time to keep up a little better since Maren goes back to school in the morning!!! WOOOHOOOOO!! Oh, was that my outloud voice? Really, I will miss her, but at the same time it’ll be great to have my daze days back, ya know?
The Novel
I have almost finished One For The Money!! I really like it, and though this really is the usual snail’s pace it takes me to get through a book, I would actually be almost done with the second one if it wasn’t for the knitting deadline of August 11 that I had.
The Knitting Deadline
Yeah, I didn’t make it. (Yeah, I know, at least pretend you’re shocked I didn’t make it!) On my little sidebar thingie on the right, you might have noticed my Summer Goals. I was to finish Dave and Heather’s baby blanket before the baby comes (in early October.) I’ll still make THAT deadline, BUT (and I have a big butt) when I got the shower invitation for August 11th, I panicked just a teensie. So really, I just missed the pre-deadline, and not actually the actual deadline so my Summer Goals are still intact. Right? Of course right. Kelly Logic. It’s a beautiful thing. Learn it. Live it.
The Manatees
Sorry Marin, there were no Manatees for me to bring home. However, there was a boy who took a liking to Maren at camp that she’ll probably be seeing again. She even got her very first kiss! (Well, the first one I know of anyway, it BETTER be her first!!) I’d like you all to meet Sprouts. He’s from Monterey, and I hear he comes from a VERY good family!
Looks like it’s going to have to be me! Maren starts her really cool Marine Biology camp thingie Monday at the Long Marine Lab in Santa Cruz. (She’s in Masterful Marine Mammals) I am SO jealous excited for her. It’s about a three hour drive from here and it’s not a sleep over camp. I have to drop her off and pick her up each day, so I’m going to have to hang around the beach and at The Inn for FIVE DAYS in Santa Cruz. I tell ya, life is tough sometimes! This is a huge treat courtesy of Bob’s mom.
SO what will I do while I’m in Santa Cruz? Well, I’ll attempt to read more than the 14 pages I’ve read so far in One For The Money. It’s only 14 pages, but I’ve been packing and yarn shopping people! And I actually ENJOYED the 14 pages I read which is saying something coming from for me! (I’m serious dudes, I really don’t read. All this Harry Potter crap hype excitement is TOTALLY lost on me!)
I’ve GOT to work on Dave and Heather’s baby blanket. I bought the yarn yesterday (along with my VERY FIRST Addi Turbo!) so I’m ready to rock n roll with that one.
I’m going to take advantage of the free wi-fi and sit on the balcony looking out at the ocean while surfing.
My friend Noreen is coming down for a few days too, so that’ll be a blast.
I’ve got pictures, but my camera is packed and I haven’t downloaded them yet. I’ll take care of that while I’m there too.
Wi-fi, two computers, yarn, the ocean, yakking with my friend (oh yeah, and that book thing too). I’m thinking this is gonna be a GOOD week!!
Be VERY afraid!!
Scroll carefully! Especially those of you who know me in real life. Poor Bob almost had a heart attack! And, ya know, he’s OLD so I need to be a little more careful with him!
Here’s the first thing. Are you ready? Are you sure? Brace yourself!
Lookie what I did!!
Can you believe it? Not too shabby for an artsy impaired rocket scientist, huh? Notice how my yarn and needles are all matchie in their purplocity. I think that color coordination is very important in knitting. Don’t you?
I’m not sure how I did it, but I started out with 12 stitches on each needle and somehow I now have 12 on two of them, but one of them has 14! See THAT’S where the rocket science comes in. It takes a SUPER Geek to magically make two more stitches appear. And even both of them on the same needle! I’ve got some mad skills people! I told you you’d need safety goggles. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Anyway, I’m going to frog it and try again. I don’t like the way I did the join, and I want to try and actually keep the same amount of stitches on each needle this time. Yeah, I know, it’s boring that way, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
Okie dokie, are you ready for the next thing? This is the one that really put Bob over the edge. Dianne, if you’re reading this put down the beverage before you go any further!
Look what I have sitting on my desk!
I’m not sure what this is. I’ve seen Maren with several that are about this same size and shape, but with different pictures on the front.
And LOOK! On the inside. There are WORDS! Lots and LOTS of words! Words that I am actually considering READING! This far from my usual fare of Scientific American, Bill Waterston, Gary Larson, Berk Breathed and things that appear on my monitor.
I blame my friend Kirsten (but it’s pronounced Keerstin…like Beer-stin… Hey! I just made that up, that’s pretty good!) She up and takes off to Denmark for a month and gives me TWO of these to finish while she’s gone! (Actually she left me THREE, but she said I should skip the first one and start with number two. She is familiar with my ADD and is afraid that number one might be too slow and then she’ll lose me for good and never get me to look at the others. She knows me well.) Gotta admire her for having goals, but crap, we’re talking about me here!
Knitting with DPNs AND reading? All at once?? (Okay, I haven’t actually read yet, but still!) Maybe this turning 45 thing has affected me more than I thought? Perhaps it’s some kind of a mid-life crisis? I don’t know, but I’m thinking it might be dangerous. Do I feel warm to you? I think I need a beverage.
If you don’t hear from me in the next few days, send the Coast Guard!
No really, I am. When my mother turned 45 she had a wonderful, kind, funny 24 year old daughter (oh yeah, and she had a 21 year old son too… I was cuter) AND two little blonde grand daughters (courtesy of afore mentioned 21 year old son.)
On Tuesday I turned 45. I have a 12 year old daughter. Ya know. Twelve. The big One-Two. She’s a TWEEN for crap’s sake. I’m too old for the teen years! Of course it doesn’t help that I do NOT like teenagers (except for Janna). I didn’t like them even when I was one! Oh well… what doesn’t kill me will drive me to drink.
When I’m feeling old I do have one thing that makes it all better though. I just remind myself that, no matter how old I get, (say it along with me Dianne) I will never be as old as Bob!
Bring On The Dancing Girls (and guys)!
When did these cute little dancers…
Turn into THESE dancers!?
See, I really am getting old. Maren started dancing in September of ‘98. She starts her 9th year this fall. Geeez, time really does fly. Last weekend was the dance show. Two nights, three costumes (for Maren… some had more, some had less) four (pretty much) sold out performances. It’s always a good show, but at the same time everyone’s always glad when it’s over. It’s a LOT of work and lots of hours. I’m not sure, but there has to be at least 200 dancers.
Knitting? There’s supposed to be knitting?
Ya, about the knitting… it’s going to be 105 stinkin degrees today. I’m thinking there will probably be no knitting goin’ on. HOWEVER! I do have some birthday money to spend, so maybe I’ll go look for some nice yarn.
Oh, and I KNOW i’m going to regret asking this… but does anyone have or know of a really reeeeeally basic, super easy, totally beginner (we’re talking knit’s itself here people) sock pattern? And perhaps a yarn suggestion that would be nice, but easy to knit and won’t be a fiber-felony when I totally mess it the hell up?
I’m going to take Anna-Liza’s advice and save the awesome Wooly Wonka Kit that Kim sent me. I don’t think I could live with myself if I destroyed such wooly goodness during the learning process. It’s not going to be pretty people. Don’t come any closer unless you’re wearing your safety goggles!
All four of my readers? Don’t worry, you didn’t miss much. I have such an exciting life ya know. It takes me a little bit to get into a routine once school is out. I think I’ll be a little more regular now. (Thanks to those Frosted Mini Wheats.)
I don’t know if it was just me, but this school year really seemed to go by fast. I survived the first year of Middle School! (Oh yeah, and Maren made it through just fine too!) One down, two more to go. I really am getting WAY too old for this.
Minor Obsession
I made a couple more Sidekicks. Aren’t they cute? Now The Three Amigos have coordinating bags. I really need to make something different now though. I think three is more than plenty.
I’ve actually made some more progress on Maren’s Blankie too, it’s a tough one this time of year. It’s a really heavy afghan and it’s been hot here so the blankie has really slowed down. I need to start on Heather and Dave’s baby blanket next though. It won’t be as big or as heavy, so it should go a lot quicker.
I’ve been spending a lot of time fondling staring at the Wooly Wonka that Kim sent me and looking at videos on how to knit with DPNs. I really am trying to get up the courage to start those socks, but that pattern scares the crap outta me! And the needles are sooooooo dang small! How do you not just snap those suckers in half while you’re knitting? Help me. Mommy.
Speaking of The Three Amigos…
their big dance show is this weekend. Friday and Saturday, four performances, so of course they have rehearsals all this week. They have three costumes each this year. Here they are in one of them. Such poised young ladies, aren’t they?
Later Taters!
XOXO
In all my FO excitement yesterday I left out one of the most important things in my acceptance speech! I have updated yesterday’s post to reflect this oversight. 
Support, tutelage, and general hand holding: The lovely and talented Marin, without whom my Amanda’s Squatty Sidekick would not be possible.
Now NEW and IMPROVED with a cute kitty button!
One more with Beagle For Scale
Pattern: Amanda’s Squatty Sidekick by Amanda Berka of Knitting Daily
Yarn: Cascade 220, 1 skein w/ plenty left over
Color: Orange Sherbet #7825
Needles: Size US10.5 29″ circular Inox
Started: June 3, 2007
Finished: June 6, 2007
Knit for: my daughter Maren
Support, tutelage, and general hand holding: The lovely and talented Marin, without whom my Amanda’s Squatty Sidekick would not be possible.
I still need to get a button for it, but Maren wants to pick it out, so that probably won’t be until the weekend. I didn’t want to wait that long to post it, so you get to see it nekkid!
I rambled on and on about this bag in yesterday’s post, but I have to say again how fun it was to knit. A couple of my friends that have seen it were amazed. I know that relative to you all this is a beyond basic project, but I have a reputation for being about as far from crafty/artsy/fartsy as you can get. Being the left brain pocket protecting freak science geek that I am. One friend refers to me as The Anti-Martha. They were pretty surprised when they found out I had moved out of scarf mode! Most all my IRL friends are artsy in some way, but none of them (locally anyway) are knitters.
I’ve already started the second one with the extra skein of Cascade I have. I’m already trying to decide what to try next! Any suggestions? (Yes Marin I see your hand up… I’m ignoring you on purpose. Just stop, jumping up and down will not help. You’re going to cause a scene!) I’d like to find an easy baby sweater since I have a few friends with buns in the oven. I love the one that The Harlot is addicted to right now.
I did it! I actually knit something that is not flat and not rectangular! (TADA!!) I am done with Amanda’s Squatty Sidekick! It’s blocking right now, and still needs a button, so the official FO pictures will be tomorrow. Tonight you’ll have to settle for these:
Here it is all knit and ready for felting. Yup, it’s got some boo boos, I’ll talk about them in a minute.
Here’s Bear for scale. (He’s not really good for scale, cause he’s a really big cat, but hey, he’ll use any excuse to be seen by his adoring public. Hi Lucy, love ya babe.
Being the newish knitter that I am (don’t how much longer I can use that and get away with it, but I’m gonna ride that train as looong as I can) there were many firsts for me on this project. Here are the things that Amanda taught me:
Circular Knitting. I’m totally diggin the circular knitting man. Cool stuff. Since this was my first time I didn’t think to grab something and mark the beginning of my round til a bit too late. I guessed the best I could when I came around, but, as you can see in the photo above, I was off a bit so the Sidekick is bit wonky. The felting pretty much took care of that too though. Woot Felting!
Binding off sections/Using Stitch Holders. This was interesting. I spent way too much time thinking about which was stitch 1 as in “bind off 8, blah blah blah.” Soooo… is 1 when you knit that first one that goes over the next one? Or is 1 that second one after it’s been gone over with the other one? OR is the last one before the bind off the one that goes over the second one that turns out to be 1? (About now you’re realizing that I am a TOTAL FREAK and should NOT be allowed to participate in a hobby that requires pointed sticks and the use of any Inner Nets! At least I KNOW I’m a freak and that I need some serious help.)
I-Cord: That was fun and easy. I could do that all day. (See on the top of the handle on the above picture? It had the i-cord starting on the wrong side so it made a goofy lump. I made the one on the other side on purpose for continuity. The felting fixed that though too. Can I hear another Woot for felting?!)
Kitchensink Stitch. I can do it. That’s about all I can say about that. Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it. Will do it only when I have to.
Felting. I was pretty nervous about this part, but now I want to do it again! I love the look and feel of it. Most fun I’ve ever had with a Kenmore!
This really was a fun and easy pattern for a newbie like me. Now that I know how to do all the steps, I’m going to make another one just so I can say I made one right. Besides, I have another ball of the orange Cascade 220 and Maren’s friend saw the bag drying today and wants one too! Oh, and another friend wants one in lavendar. I’m a ROCK STAR!
Hey! Lookie what I’m making!
Notice how it is not even slightly rectangular? See how it also lacks flatness? (Okay, it’s flat, but only cause it’s laying on the table, you so know what I’m talking about!) Notice how it is also very gifted in it’s Orangitude?
I do have a question about it though (you knew I would). The pattern says
CO 15 sts. Working back and forth in rows, work 60 rows in St st, slipping the first st of each row kwise. 5 sts on the needle, with 30 slipped sts forming a “chain” edge along each side of piece.
Did that… then it says
Pick up and knit 30 sts along the first side (one st for each “chain” st slong the edge), pick up and knit 15 sts along the cast-on edge, then pick up and knit 30 sts along the second side, join to work in rnds = 90 sts.
No problemo, I’d never picked up stitches before, but I found this cool site for the knitting impaired that has VIDEOS! Lucy can ’splain all day, but I need videos or someone actually showing me. I be like, totally visual, man.
Sooo, here’s my question… Was I supposed to count the cast on as a row? See how when I did the picking up it made the bottom of the bag be inside out? Or, is it supposed to be that way? Should I have done 31 rows? Then when I picked up the stitches the bottom would be right side out?
See here on the outside the bottom is purl, but the sides are knit.
Then here on the inside the bottom is knit.
I’m assuming that since this will be felted it won’t matter, but if I ever decide to make something else that’s not flat and rectangular I’d like to know if I should’ve done it differently.
Then I just have one more problem. I wonder who I could give this bag to when it’s done… hmmmmm… it would have to be someone who likes orange. Probably someone who really likes orange a LOT. Don’t know if I can find anyone around here like that. I’ll have to keep an eye out I suppose.
