Thursday, August 30, 2007

Suddenly...

In late June, my dad told me he had a girlfriend. Wait, a "special lady friend" as he insisted on calling her.

Yesterday, he informed me he is marrying said "special lady friend" (SLF) on Sept. 8th. Apparently, they've been dating for a year but he didn't want to tell me because it might be "seem sudden."

Let's look at this timeline, shall we?

Late June - Dad has a SLF.
Late August - Dad is engaged to SLF.
Early September - Dad will be married to SLF.

Well, gosh, if you want something to "not seem sudden" that's really not the best way to go about it, eh? (I'm rolling my eyes over here.) I doesn't really matter to me anyways. I'm just perplexed at his reasoning.

On the woolly side of things, some Ella Rae Classic came in today and I'm not sure what I'd like to do with it yet. But I have many, many options.

The gifts and yarn for my Monkey Sock Pal have all been purchased and are patiently awaiting for me to actually knit the darn Monkeys. I just need the Cookie A. pattern as well.

I've actually made a list of things to get at the yarn shop sale. And it keeps growing...And I still need to ask my boyfriend if he'll take me. He will, of course, because he loves me. And obviously, if a boy continues to be willing to stand around in a yarn shop for you, it's love. (He's been putting up with my insane list of yarn supplies for my upcoming birthday and will soon accept that he will never get me a "normal" present ever again.)

Love,

Jenn

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Would you like some S.E.X.?


Sock Blockers
Originally uploaded by seejennknit
These are my gorgeous, lovely, delish sock blockers from Leggy Creations. I just couldn't help but purchase them...

Speaking of purchases, the LYS is having a sale this weekend! So, I think I'll ask the sweet, caring boyfriend to drive me there on Saturday morning. I think I'll ask him if he'd like to have some S.E.X. and let him believe what he wants to believe, and he'll unknowingly agreed to another yarn store trip. I'm wily like that.

Also, I've ordered some sock yarn for my Monkey Pal and some yarn for Carrie's birthday present. I'm waiting for the Loopy Ewe to restock the Cookie A. Patterns. I'll be getting the Twisted Flower one for my pal and ordering a wee bit more sock yarn for myself. I haven't decided what kind of socks to make Carrie yet.

Oh well. I'll figure it out.

Jenn

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Monkey Business


Monkeys
Originally uploaded by seejennknit
Here are my completed Monkey socks! Blocked and ready for wear! I finished them before I headed off to the Most Magical Place on Earth, but didn't have a chance for a photoshoot.

By the way, my vacation was amazing. We went to all the parks. My favorite by far was the Animal Kingdom.

I knit a lot on vacation as well. Between some downtime in the evening and waits at the airport, I added a few inches to Glee...then I had to rip it all back. I made a careless math error and increased way more than I should have. Oh well, I'll focus on it this week and put the socks away.

Adios.

Jenn

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Off and Away

By tomorrow afternoon, I'll be enjoying the magic that is Disneyworld.

In case you wonder were I've gone...

For the flights, I've decided to try to bring my dpn's on the plane. I've finished my Monkey socks (first socks!) and blocked them (with gorgeous blockers from Leggy Creations). I would take a picture but I'm currently missing my internet connection at home (I'm at work now). So that will be done when I get back.

But for now, I've cast on some new socks, following the Shimmer sock pattern from Magknits (modified for top down). And tonight, I hope to learn toe up so I can begin my very own pair of what I hope will be knee-high Orchid socks. We'll see how that goes.

I wonder when I'll even have time for all of this. School is starting soon. I didn't realize until today just how soon. In a little over a week. Crazy. Between classes, internship, friends and boyfriend, I'll have to find the time to complete the following:

Shimmer socks
Orchid socks
Monkey Sock Swap socks
Socks for Carrie's birthday
Harvest Swap socks
Glee
Wheat Ear Cable Yoke Pullover
Fetching gloves

Yes, that's my list. For now...good gracious, I'm ambitious.

See you when I get back!

Jenn

Monday, August 20, 2007

For my MSP


Shepherd Sock Yarn
Originally uploaded by seejennknit
This is the yarn I've purchased to knit Monkey socks for my Monkey Sock Pal. Isn't it beautiful? It's Shepherd Sock yarn in colorway Tahoe. I'm very tempted to go back to my LYS to get myself some.

I'm very excited about the swap! I'm looking for monkey items for my pal. think I'll head over to the Chocolate Moose (a very cute store here in DC) to look for something today. But I've found a few adorable items online too...Just have to wait and see what I can find!

I'm almost done with my first pair of Monkeys as well. I think I could probably finish them tonight. And my size 19 needles came in so I can begin the Twinkle hoodie.

All is well in the land of knitting.

Jenn



Later:
Well, sadly I found nothing at the Chocolate Moose. They had a lack of monkey-related items. But it's okay. I went to another store and found what I needed. Then I ordered another item online. All I need to do now is order sock yarn and a Cookie A. pattern!

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Monkey Sock Swap

It just seems appropriate that I should join this swap. Afterall, Monkey is my first pair of socks! Sign ups are open until August 31st, so you can still join if you'd like!

Monkey Sock Swap Questionnaire

The basics:
Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep? Definitely a beginner. But I'm learning quite fast.

The measurements:
Shoe Size: 7.5-8 US
Foot circumference: 8 inches
Foot length: 9 inches

Yarn Preferences:
What colors do you love? Green is my favorite color. Blues, teals, turquoise, etc are all good. Yellow, dark reds, and purples are excellent as well.
Do you prefer solids or variegated? I'd prefer a solid this time around.
Do you prefer wool, cotton or acrylic yarn? Wool. Winter is coming and my feet need the warmth.
What colors would you never wear? ORANGE. Uck. Bright "stop sign" red. Neon colors.
What are your favorite brands of yarn? For socks? Well, I've only tried Cherry Tree Hill so far. But I've bought some Fleece Artist for socks as well.
Are there any new brands you would like to try? I'm curious about Louet Gems and Regia Silk.

Cookie A. Patterns:
Which of her patterns have you already knit?
I've knit Monkey and I plan on knitting Hedera soon.

Which pattern(s) would you like to knit and don’t already own?
I salivate over the German Stockings. Gothic Spires and Twisted Flower also have my heart.

Other pertinent information:
Would you be willing to have an international Monkey Pal or do you prefer one in the US?
I'd prefer a US pal, but if you need to pair me with an international pal, that's fine too.

Do you have any allergies? Not at all.

Will your knitting be exposed to smoke or animals?
I don't smoke and unfortunately, I don't have any animals. (sigh) I live in a dorm afterall.

Are you on Ravelry yet? If you don’t mind having new friends, what is your Ravelry name?
2,243 people are ahead of me in line. If this changes, I'll let you know.

I can't wait to get started!

Jenn

Good Morning


Latte
Originally uploaded by seejennknit
Mmm...nothing like some 50% wool/50% alpaca yarn in the morning. ::sip, sip::

This delicious yarn (Classic Elite Alaska in color Latte) will be used for the Twinkle Hoodie. I had to order size 19 needles and they should arrive soon. Then I can start. I knit up a swatch with 17's and this yarn is just perfect. It's so soft and warm. I can't wait!

I was in a really great mood yesterday, enjoying my new Mac computer and admiring my sock...and then I called my mom to thank her again for the new computer (which is not the one in the picture). Bad news. She went to the dentist recently and they found a mass in her throat in her x-rays. Now she has to go in for a biopsy. I'm very scared and very upset. I wish I wasn't at school and I could go home to be with her.

But I'm trying now not to think about it. I'm making myself focus on happier things, like knitting and yarn.

Oh! Other good thing, I have myself an internship for the fall. Pretty much the day after I complained about everything, I got an offer. So really, I should just complain about everything and it will all turn out fine. Yes?

Jenn

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Monkeying Around


DSC_0345.JPG
Originally uploaded by seejennknit
One Monkey sock finished! I think it's a pretty good first sock. (Right?) I knit it in Cherry Tree Hill supersock in colorway Peacock. I actually like how it's stripey and then the color pools at the heel and gusset.

Now I've got to go knit the other one...

Jenn

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Ugh.

Today has not been good.

This week has not been good.

I was sick Monday and Tuesday.

I've also had two interviews for fall interships and I'm beginning to feel like I will never be hired. No one is ever going to hire me.

So all I want to do is go home and knit. I am, by the way, knitting my first sock. Well, what could possibly be my first sock if I don't screw it up too badly. I couldn't just do any sock too. I had to do Monkey from knitty.com. Yeah, I know. I never pick the easy way.

Currently, I'm just frustrated by not getting internships. I've had three total interviews and I doubt I'll get called back for any of them. And it sucks. I'm a good worker and I have marketable skills. But no one wants me.

Ugh. Double ugh.

Jenn

Friday, August 3, 2007

Have you seen this?!?

http://www.bust.com/knithappens/stitchnbeach2008.html

A KNITTING CRUISE! Let me state this again, A KNITTING CRRUUUIIISEEE!

I want to go! I want to go!

But I doubt I could ever a) afford it and b) find someone to come with me. It's just too expensive. About $1400. And no one I know would care to go. Bleh.

In other news, Glee is coming along super fast. I've been knitting so much in the past few days that my arms are sore...but I don't stop. I can't stop. I want to get the complete body done by the end of next week. Then sleeves. I wanted long sleeves at first, but now I'm thinking 3/4 ones would like nice. I also doubt I'll do the hook and eye closures since I'm a busty gal. It just might not look right on me.

I told my knitting group I was doing a sweater. Gwen said "Oh, that's pretty advanced for a beginner."
"I'm an adventurous beginner." I told her.

And it's true. Though Glee has no waist shaping, I'm modifying it. Pretty scary when you're just beginning. I'm attempting to be careful to decrease with my body measurements. The instructions would instruct me to knit 32" the entire way to the end of my waist, but I'm 30" at the narrowest part of my waist. I don't want 2 extra inches floating around my body. So, I'm decreasing to this point, knitting this circumference until I hit my lower waist, then increasing to fit my curvy features (like my, ahem, caboose).

Hopefully, I'll have the majority of that finished this evening and I'll take a picture to show my progress.

Yippee! (Also, please God, let this work 'cause I really don't want to frog...)

Jenn