Posts from — January 2008

ETA:  Don’t forget about the contest!  You can win fibery goodness and the deadline has been extended to February 8th!

Remember how I told you a while ago my new favorite thing is Stash and Burn?  Well, Jenny and Nicole are finally back from break.  YAY!  In the meantime, I moved on to another well known podcast…Lime and Violet.  In fact, I’ve gorged on Lime and Violet for the last two weeks straight and I am almost caught up.  Unfortunately for me, they seem to be recording their podcasts further apart.  I hope they pick up again once Carin is off school for the summer.

Thanks to L&V,  I am now obsessing on a new hobby…letter boxing.  I you don’t know what it is (I sure didn’t) check out the Lime and Violet Podcast 49.5 or check www.atlasquest.com or www.letterboxing.org for more information.  The short version is you go on hikes, find a box (like a scavenger hunt) and collect the different stamps that are in the found boxes.  There are thousands of these boxes all over the U.S. and worldwide.  I went to several places today to find the materials to make my signature stamp and finally succeeded. 

If you have been wondering where I’ve been, I had family in for the week.  My sister came to Arizona (oh by the way, I’m in Arizona for a couple of weeks) for business for a couple of days so I got to see her and my Dad and his wife came for a week too.  Of course I still got some knitting in since there were lots of car trips (probably more on that later).  I’ve got a couple of FO’s and a new WIP to show you plus plans for my sister’s birthday sweater to jump on the needles shortly.  Until then, my super fabulous schedule for the next 24 hours:  carve my signature stamp, get my letter boxing tools together, drink some wine, eat some cheese, sleep well, arrive at Jessica Knits at 10 a.m. for their 4th Annual Super Bowl Sale, buy copious amounts of yarn, go on several hikes in the area of Jessica Knits to collect stamps.  Wish me luck!

Hmmm…should I be worried?   :naughty:  Actually, there was some interesting trivia.  Thanks Marin! :wine: 

DRUNKARD

It has been a while, but I recently revisited the Caron doom hat.  This hat has been frogged multiple times due to the inability of either the knitter or the crap caron to successfully execute intarsia letters (just to remind you…I did not pick this yarn).  With mom’s weekend coming soon I had to finish it whether I wanted to or not.  Enter duplicate stitch…which of looks goofy too, but the time has come to let it go.  I’m not against acrylic, but I am against this acrylic.  I didn’t enjoy knitting with it at all and will never use it no matter who tries to convince me.  Let us not speak of it again.

While waiting for the cabled cardigan to dry last night, I cast on for an instant gratification project.  I’m ashamed to admit it, but after all this time I have very few knit scarves.  I’ve wanted a skinny black scarf for a while now…more of an accessory scarf than one for keeping warm.  I used a simple drop stitch pattern and two yarns held together to create this look.  I’m happy with it but I’ll have to see if actually works with an outfit.  Speaking of the cabled cardigan, it’s finished!  I think this is a new record for me.  I cast on last Tuesday and got it sewn up in time to wear to lunch today.  I did work on it a LOT though.  Since both Jim and I have been sick I’ve had more knitting time than usual.  Like you haven’t heard this 1,054 times…Malabrigo is soooooooo yummy!  I loved knitting with it and the color variation is fabulous.  I hope I captured a little bit of the magic for you.  Photo shoot and details to come.

While listening to my new favorite thing, Stash and Burn (episode 24), 1 I had this ”great” idea…something that could really revolutionize one’s knitting for the whole year!  For as long as I’ve read knit blogs, there have been epic stories of knitting marathons into the wee hours of Christmas morning.  Enter Project Sanity.  Please join and spread the word…details and contest here. 

1. Um hello out there…Nicole!  Jenny!  Come back from break already! [↩]

After reading the fourth annual knit blog awards at knottygirls.com, I learned of Stash and Burn.  I’ve known of several knit podcasts for a while but I never really saw a need or had the time to listen to them.  For whatever reason, I suddenly decided this is something I need to add to my repertoire.  The need to listen to podcasts coincided with my latest project, cabled cardigan #15  ((My apologies to those of you not yet on Ravelry, but I couldn’t find the link at the Vogue site)) from the 2006/2007 Vogue Knitting winter edition.  This project was also inspired by the Stash and Burn podcast since after listening to the first episode I became more interested in my stash.

More about Stash and Burn later, but first my stash.  I haven’t been actively buying yarn for a while and I almost always (except Autumn Rose recently, but that is very specific yarn) knit from my stash.  I think I had almost intentionally stayed out of the stash section of Ravelry until I listened to their first podcast in which they talk about their respective stashes.  I know I have a lot of yarn (if you consider the stock for my store the amount increases exponentially) but I never really cared to know how much.  Until now.  The idea of having all of my yarn pictured, cataloged and counted like Nicole and Jenny seemed irresistible.  So I began.  One of the fabulous features of Ravelry is to add your stash yarns which you can then export to an excel spreadsheet.  In one session I added 189 skeins totaling 25,428 (~14.5 miles).  And that isn’t all of it.  And that doesn’t include yarn in the sell/trade section.  That is a lot of yarn…I’m sure I’ll think more than twice next time I’m tempted by a great sale.  I also added a couple of things to my destash page, so be sure to check it out.  I you’re on Ravelry I’ll be adding more to my sell/trade section there over time.

Although most of my stash is in quantities to make substantial projects, I don’t necessarily have something specific planned for them.  I usually buy something I like or that is on sale in “sweater quantity” and then just wait until creativity strikes.  I could easily match yarn with people on my gift list though.  Which brings me to Project Sanity.  In addition to being a great way to prevent one from going crazy around the holidays it could really make a dent in stash yarn.  There are some recipients I consider “sweater worthy” and some that I would rather make small projects for but I’m sure I could find the materials for all of them in my stash.  Gift knitting is a little more flexible too since fitting the yarn to the project or person could be easier when doing it for someone else.  So here is the idea and I hope you’ll join in with me.  First, I’ve created an excel spreadsheet to get you started.  The categories so far are very simple:  recipient, due date, yarn, idea and pattern.  Or, you could add the same things to Ravelry as “hibernating” but I think it’s a good idea to be able to sort them by due date.  Over the next month or so, I’m going to decide who gets knitted gifts then look at my stash and patterns to get ideas about what to match to who.  Then it should be pretty smooth sailing. :rofl:  I’ll try to choose a variety of projects to keep me interested and figure out the timing so that other stuff I want to do goes easily in between.  Voila!  Stress free gift knitting for the entire year.  I’ll see how this goes, but for now please spread the word and just comment here to let me know you’re participating. I’d also love to hear any suggestions for gift knitting you may have. 

Hmm…seems like a good time for another little contest.  Here is a pitiful button for Project Sanity (right click to save).  I know you can do a much better job!  Create a button and email the file to sanitybuttons@divaknitting.com.  I’m not imposing any strict guidelines…just make it roughly “button sized”.  The deadline is January 25th midnight EST.  ETA:  The deadline has been extended to February 8th.  Please help me spread the word!  I’ll choose some of the best then we’ll do a poll to choose the winner.  What do you get?  Yarn, of course! 1

Now about those lovely girls Nicole and Jenny of Stash and Burn.  They live in the San Francisco area…maybe the best climate every for knits!  I’m only through episode 23 but the technology of the podcast is very well done.  Great audio, music and both of them have a nice voice and presence.  So far I’ve heard great interviews, learned about new yarns and great places to visit.  As The Knotty Girls mentioned they have great content continuity and keep on topic.  I especially love Jenny’s use of “yay” and her laugh which totally remind me of myself.  I also love the way they’ve loosened up a bit over time and Nicole’s use of foul language. 2  I’m probably telling y’all something you already know since I am admittedly late to the podcast party, but never hurts to spread the word.  Enjoy their podcast and let me know your plans for Project Sanity!

1. yet another fantastic stash management tool [↩]
2. Not excessive by any means and I think she was almost embarrassed a little which was totally cute. [↩]

I finally decided to cast off Jim’s Hiking socks.  They’ve been on the needles for a while, I wasn’t loving the pattern I came up with and they’re long enough to reach the top of his hiking boots.  This is the first time I’ve ever used Trekking XXL and I love it.  Mostly.  The colors are gorgeous and it’s very soft and sproingy.  It’s also pretty thin for a sock yarn…at least compared to what I’m use to (Opal).  I used a US #1 for these and I really should have used a 0.  Since I have some left1 I’ll have to try a smaller needle next time.

As for yesterday’s FO, “Berger”, I now have some modeled shots.  I don’t know…dad isn’t looking too happy.  Maybe he doesn’t like the sweater?  Maybe all the crops died? 2  At least it fits well.

1. I was using two skeins for long socks for Jim’s size 12 feet.  Plans changed, see above. [↩]
2. Inside joke.  You know those old western pictures?  Well, when we were kids, dad and the four of us took one of those.  Before the photographer shot dad said something to the effect of pretend all of our crops died and we’re starving. [↩]

Unfortunately there wasn’t much participation in my contest.  I think maybe when a contest requires you to drive around your neighborhood at night and then get out in the cold to take pictures…well, maybe that is asking just a little too much.  I think many would rather stay in and knit.  After reviewing all the pictures I decided on a winner.  The competition was stiff, but I think you’ll agree that this entry really embodies what I was after.  Decorations and lights in overabundance and perhaps bordering on the absence of good sense.  I think the sign really sealed the win.  So congratulations Marin!  Send me your snail mail address and I’ll be sending you Crazy Aunt Purl’s Drunk, Divorced, and Covered in Cat Hair: The True-Life Misadventures of a 30-Something Who Learned to Knit After He Split by Laurie Perry.

In knitting news, I can finally share the stealth project since it is in it’s new home.  I don’t think my dad reads the blog but now that he is retired1 I can’t be too careful!  Since we were out of town we didn’t celebrate Christmas with my dad and Jayne until yesterday.  He is now the new owner of a wool vest.  I got the idea in November after seeing him in a vest and thinking how nice he looked…plus when deciding to knit a man’s garment for Christmas in late November it is good to come up with a project that a) Does not have sleeves and b) Uses something in stash and c) Is not a hat (which he got last year).  Just in case you decide to go looking…there aren’t very many free patterns for men’s vests out there.  I had to design this one.  I originally asked Jayne to take some measurements for me from on of his old vests.  I don’t think she liked my diagram much since she ended up sneaking me one of his old vests so I could be sure about the sizing. 

Despite making an actual swatch, washing it and measuring throughout the project I was still nervous about the size.  It didn’t help that I had to rip out twice in the beginning due to shoddy math. 2  Before blocking the piece was inches off in several places.  After wet blocking the only thing off was the length was longer than the model by a couple of inches (not a bad error if you’re going to make one since it can easily be fixed).  In the end I thought the fit was great (not too long) and I’m looking forward to Jayne’s photo shoot.  She is quite a photographer so I’m sure the sweater will end up looking much better than it actually is. 

Stats:

Pattern:  “Berger” by me for 40″ chest size

Yarn:  Jo Sharp Classic DK Wool…shoot I forgot to weigh the sweater! :doh:  It took surprisingly little yarn…5-6 skeins?

Needles:  US 5

Notes:  I was pleasantly surprised by this yarn but it did bleed a bit when I soaked it.  After soaking in fabric softener and drying it was a nice, soft fabric.

1. Speaking of that…here is a picture of me, dad and Jayne at the coffee hour they had for his retirement.  Note the badges…I felt like I was going into the Pentagon.  Oh and of course, Autumn Rose.  With how long that one took me I’ve been wearing it every chance I get! [↩]
2. Note to self…do not work on designs while on a plane.  Apparently high altitude has a negative effect on the calculation process. [↩]

A Cowboy’s Wife is having a contest on her food blog! You can win a Hamilton Beach® Stand Mixer and she’ll ship anywhere so everyone is eligible!

The Prize:

The winner will receive a brand new
Hamilton Beach 4.5-qt. Electrics Stand Mixer, Pineapple Yellow!!

It’s a miracle I made it back home Wednesday because I have some doozy of a virus that started last week, knocked me flat for 24 hours (including the last 6 of 2007 and the first 18 of 2008) and is still hanging on.  If I didn’t know that Stephanie was home most of December instead of flying around on book tour, I would think that she left some of those very special germies on my Boeing 737 just to have another knitter suffering as much as she is.  Actually, I take that back.  She is a very nice person and I’m sure no matter how miserable she is she doesn’t go around purposefully spreading germs…especially the type that take away one’s ability to knit!  No, the Yarn Harlot definitely wouldn’t wish THAT on anyone.

Anyway, I am at point now that while I can barely speak (laryngitis too) I can at least knit.  With a deadline looming on Sunday that is a really a good thing.  And now for the main event:  Sicky Soup aka The Diva’s Chicken Noodleish/Vegetableish Soup for the Sick.  I made this last night and it is the perfect thing for whatever bug you may have (although Jim thoroughly approved too and he is, thankfully, healthy).

Contest winner will be announced soon! 

* Exported from MasterCook *

Sicky Soup

Recipe By     :Cheryl Kemp
Serving Size  : 4     Preparation Time :0:20
Categories    : Soup

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient — Preparation Method
——–  ————  ——————————–
  1              large  white onion — diced
  3             cloves  garlic — minced
  1              small  zucchini
  1              small  yellow squash
  1              pound  chicken breasts, no skin, no bone — cubed
  2               cans  chicken broth — 14 oz can
  1                can  diced tomato — 14 oz can
  2        tablespoons  carrot — minced
  1           teaspoon  olive oil
  1 1/2      teaspoons  dried herbs — herbes de provence
  1           teaspoon  red pepper flakes
                        salt — to taste
                        black pepper — to taste
  2               cups  egg noodles, cooked — optional

Boil chicken in salted water until cooked

In a separate pan, saute onions, garlic and carrots in olive oil until
golden. 

Add zucchini and yellow squash and cook about 5 more minutes.

Add remaining ingredients and simmer 15 or more minutes.

Source:
  “divaknitting.com/blog”
Copyright:
  “Diva Knitting 2008″
Start to Finish Time:
  “0:40″
                                    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NOTES :

*The red pepper flakes, garlic and black pepper help break
        up congestion.  Use as much as you (or whomever will be
        eating it with you) can tolerate. 

*If noodles sound too heavy (they did to me when I was sick) leave them out or
        make them separately so the spouse can add afterwards to make their
        portion more hearty. 

*Especially without the noodles this is a great low fat/ low calorie recipe.

*If you don’t have herbes de provence, just use some thyme, oregano, basil and sage or whatever you have on hand.  You could also use a larger quantity of fresh herbs.
        
        Tip:  Partially frozen chicken is much easier to cut!  You
        could also shred the chicken if you prefer.  This would
        also be SUPER with tofu and/or vegetable broth.  I plan on
        making that version next time!