August 30, 2004
Presenting, the 5-hour cap!

Isn't it too cute?!  I love this Moda Dea Burst yarn, it is sooooooooo soft.  This hat was the perfect project, it only took me 5 hours to make it and only one ball!  Big question is what to do with the other two balls I bought... I don't think it is quite enough to make a scarf, so I have to decide what to do with it.  I definitely want to get some of the other Moda Dea colors and make more hats!  I was thinking that the yarn would be cute as an accent on some gloves, or as a blog contest give away, or for hats for my younger cousins.  I haven't decided yet, but you all will be the first to know!!

Guess what came in the mail on Saturday?!  My order from Patternworks!  The skein for Kevin's sock came, although I'm still not very motivated for the second sock.  Knitting the yarn and elastic together is very slow going, so I'm not sure I'll finished by his b-day.  Also, in the order was this...

My first Regia yarn!  I actually cast on and knit some yesterday on the train (more about why I was on the train later in the post).  The colors are unbelievably awesome!!!

Here's a picture of the scarf I'm designing for my class to make...

It is hard to see in the picture, but there is ribbing at the bottom and along the sides.  It is very simple and so knits fast, but the acrylic yarn feels so yucky in my fingers, which was why I couldn't put Moda Dea down!!

Oh, and here's a picture of how my knitting is given its own chair in our living room...

There's the scarf, Moda Dea hat, Glace poncho turned shawl, Kevin's sock, and Regia sock.  In the front, under the library book I really need to start reading, is a little cardboard disk... that's my homemade pom-pom maker!

On Sunday, Kevin and I went into the city with Mary and Bernie and their neighbor Rich to protest against everything Bush.  At the train station, we met up with a guy named Janos from Hungary and joined our merry clan.  Once in NYC, we met up with Kevin's bro and a bunch of other people Bernie and Mary know.  In all, we had about 15 people in our group.  Here are some pictures of the highlights...

And finally, a special "Hi!" and "THANKS!" to those of you who have been leaving messages on the tagboard and emailing me!  I love hearing from people who stop by the blog!  And how cool is it that a blog reader saw me in AC Moore on Thursday, but didn't realize it until she read my post about it!  Hahaha!  Definitely a small world!!
 

August 29, 2004

August 27, 2004
So I was finally rewarded for all my hardwork teaching this summer, and immediately headed down to the AC Moore to buy supplies for my future knitting students.  While I wish I could have gotten them fun, nice yarn, I had to stick to cheapy, acrylic...

While I was in AC Moore, a woman and her daughter (granddaughter?) who was about 17ish were picking out yarn and needles.  The daughter was going to learn how to knit (and I don't think the older woman knew how), so they saw all the yarn in my basket and were asking me questions about knitting and what size needles to use, etc.  It was kinda cool!

Oh, and the best thing... remember a while ago when I posted about the last time I was at AC Moore and was lamenting how the nice yarns were on clearance... well, it wasn't because they weren't going to stock nice yarn anymore, it was because they were making more room for yarn!  They've redone their yarn section (making it bigger!!) and have lots of new yarns from novelty to 100% wool; they also have a lot of new Lions Brand and Bernat yarns that I haven't seen before... sure it isn't as great as a LYS would be, but AC Moore is my LYS, so I'm excited that they are expanding.  They also have a new brand called Moda Dea that is apparently "exclusive" to AC Moore.  I couldn't resist this...

I know the picture sucks, but it is one of those yarns with all the little pieces sticking out in purple, pink, and blue.  It is so soft and pretty.  I'm thinking it will make a cute, little hat!  Wow, so I have two hats coming up (Aussie hat has to wait because AC Moore didn't have the right size needles... I'll have to order them, but probably not until I buy the yarn for Rustic... so Aussie Hat is on a longer hold).  I think I'll start this purple cap instead.  My plan for these hats is to have something cute to put on my head when I go to these two stupid early morning classes I have this semester (as in the "roll out of bed, throw on clothes, and put on a hat to avoid dealing with fixing hair, thus maximizing sleeping time" plan).

Let's see, what else... oh, poncho 2 in Glace might become a shawl.  The current triangle is using up way more yarn than I thought, so I'm not sure I'll have enough for 4 triangles.  I should definitely have enough for 2, but not 4.  A shawl will be ok though... if I hurry up and finish it by the 18th, it will look nice with the dress that I'm wearing to my cousin's wedding.

I did start a new project.  It is a scarf I'm designing for my class.  It is just simple and out of the Red Heart, and should only take a week or so to make.  I figure it will be good for them to see a finished example of what they will be making.  (Then I can gift it to someone for X-mas... see that, thinking ahead!!)  And I'll know how much yarn is needed and if there is extra for fringe or pom-poms.

Ok, that's enough rambling for now...

August 26, 2004
I think I may have found the yarn for Rustic... check out this color pattern...

It isn't the six colors of the original, but I think that four would work well.  This is Plymouth Encore Chunky.  Since the gauge matches the double stranded gauge of the pattern, I need half the yarn (right?) and at the affordable price of $4.60 a skein (although I'm not ordering for a couple of weeks, so I'm going to hunt around for a deal), I can make the sweater for under $40.  (Even though Encore Worsted has better colors, it would be over $60 for the yarn).  So I will buy this yarn after I finish Kevin's socks (which will hopefully be by the second week in Sept.), Aussie Hat (which I'll probably start this weekend), and at least start the Pipi Kneestockings (which are waiting until Kevin's socks are finished), and of course start getting paid regularly (that extra money from teaching knitting will go to buying more yarn. Hahaha, just like when I used to work retail and the employee discount inspired me to spend my paychecks in the store).

So Jody and I met last night for dinner and knitting.  We ate at Pad Thai.  Yum yum!!  I had Garlic and Pepper Spicy Pork.  I brought a lot of it home and will enjoy it for dinner tomorrow when Kevin is at soccer.  Then we went over to Cleo's to knit.  Kathy stopped by for a bit to knit too.  Hooray for knitting with friends!!
 

August 25, 2004
Yeah, so some more detail on the Rustic Sweater might help... here's the picture...

I'm not very interested in doing the beading.  The pattern says "366 yds each of worsted-weight yarn in 6 shades of the same color."  While it would be cool to do the colors, I'm not married to that (and especially not the green) and would do it in one color.  So that's a total of 2196 yds.  Now the pattern calls for holding two strands together throughout... which I figure I could ignore if I got a bulkier weight yarn, which would also lessen the total amount of yarn, right?  The gauge is 14sts x 18 rows on size 10 1/2 needles.  So again, any help or suggestions are appreciated.

In other news... uhm... there's really not much other news.  At the meeting last night, one of the dance instructors was trying to convince me to that I should knit lots of legwarmers and sell them to dancers.  She was telling me about some cool legwarmers she saw in a catalog that actually had bell bottoms.  I told her I'd think about it.  Hahahaha.  I don't think she realizes how long it takes to hand-knit something or how expensive the legwarmers would be because of the time involved in creating them.

Tonight is knitting with Jody.  So hopefully I'll make some progress on Kevin's sock 2.

August 24, 2004
Let's see... what's been going on in kim's knitting world... not any knitting recently.

I spent some time today looking out the window at these cute little fellows...

While I haven't been knitting, I have been crocheting.  I know you are thinking... "but Kim, you said crocheting hurts your arm."  This was true.  I figured out a different way to hold the yarn and it doesn't hurt my arm nearly as much.  So what then am I making... yes, this is poncho attempt 2... goodbye ugly, thick, heavy brown... hello silky, yummy, red!!

This is Berroco's Glace yarn.  I have a huge cone left over from the SnB2 project.  My basic plan is to make 4 triangles and sew them together.

Does that schematic help?  (I know, I'm bad at drawing in Paint).  Basically two triangles will be joined in the center to make a big front triangle and a big back triangle.  The two big triangles will be joined, but with an opening for my head.  Got it?  I hope it works.  The crocheting it fairly quick and will get quicker since I'm decreasing on every row, which it how it gets that scalloped look.

Tonight I have to attend a meeting for people who are teaching recreation classes for Rutgers.  I don't know how "official" it is, I think it is basically just to meet other instructors.  I'm very excited about my knitting class, but I'll soon be very nervous unless I figure out what projects I'm going to use.

Maybe someone out there reading this can help me... I want to make a sweater.  I want something relatively simple, maybe with a little bit of cables, but that is made with "nice, but affordable" yarn.  See, I really like the Rustic Sweater from Knitting with Beads.  Problem is, I can't find any yarn for it that won't cost over $50.  I found some that will be a little over $50 and I'm considering it... but I really don't want to spend so much.  So my plea is for suggestions for places (online) selling "cheap but nice" yarn (ie. not 100% acrylic) or a sweater pattern and yarn suggestion that is under $50.  I wish I could offer a contest and prize to entice suggestions... but my stash is small and uninteresting, and as you can guess by my price limit for a sweater for myself, money is not available to buy prizes.  So if you know of anything email me (the link's in the sidebar) or leave a message on the tagboard, and you'll have my undying appreciation!!!

August 23, 2004
This weekend was a very relaxing, knitful weekend.  Aside from grocery shopping on Saturday, Kevin and I just sat around the apartment enjoying the cooler weather... he played computer games, while I knitted.  Since there was so much knitting, I have both good and bad results to report...

The good first, of course... Kevin now has one sock!

Isn't it great?!  It fits perfectly!  You can sorta see it in the second photo, I continued a rib down each side of the top of the foot.  The leg looks lighter at the top because that's where the extra elastic is.  Unfortunately, I needed to use the second ball to finish the last 2-3 inches of the toe, which means I don't have enough yarn to complete the second sock.  So, I just ordered another ball (this time from Patternworks... I don't care if it isn't the same dye lot, I don't want to wait three weeks for the other place to get it to me).  Speaking of that other place, my yellow finally arrived!  The Pipi Kneestockings are just waiting for Kevin's sock 2 to be started and finished.

Ok, so the bad knitting news... the poncho I started on Thursday has been finished...

It looks nice in this photo, right?  What the photo doesn't show you is that the poncho is huge!!!!!  Basically I need to figure out how to make the opening smaller, and I think that includes picking up stitches and knitting upwards.  For now, it has been retired to the stash bin as a UFO for a while.  I'm sure I'll eventually figure out how to correct it (and no frogging isn't an option, because, frankly I don't like ripping things apart), but it is August, what do I need a heavy, thick poncho for?!  So, it will wait for a future fixing.

My mom has requested that I knit her some socks, after she saw the ones I made for myself.  So while I ordered some more sock yarn for me from Patternworks (I couldn't see just ordering one little ball of yarn for Kevin's sock, it needed company in the mail), I think I'll pick her up some from AC Moore.  I need to go out there at the end of the week anyway and scout out what I need for my knitting class.  I need to create some patterns for them to knit as well.  I looked through all my books and magazines, and while there is good stuff there for learning cast on and stitches...  I couldn't find any good simple, fun projects.  So I have to see what "cheap" yarn I can get and what I can make out of it.  Unless of course, any of you out there have suggestions for good, simple, newbie patterns...

I think that's all I have to say for now... I need to eat some lunch and then get down to doing some work!  Happy Monday!

August 20, 2004
Good morning all!  Grades are submitted, class is officially over!  Although I'm happy to be out of grading hell (note to self: don't assign all written work to be due the same week and that being the last week of class!), I will miss the class... the students were really great and Psychology of Women is so much fun.

So let's see... the meetup on Wednesday was fun.  There were 5 of us knitting... Kathy and I were working on socks, Trish finished the blanket she's been making for months, and other two ladies (whose names I'm blanking on, sorry!) were each working on pretty sweaters.  I really ought to take my camera next time.  For 5 women sitting around knitting, you wouldn't have expected the the majority of the conversation was about politics and baseball!

Here are some pictures of the projects I've been working on (there was actually some sunlight coming in the window, which was good because my camera's batteries are really low and the flash wasn't working).

Kevin's socks are almost beyond the gusset...

These are going much faster now that I am beyond all that ribbing.  Actually once I figured out that in the ribbing I was hitting about 10 rows per inch, that made it go faster... I could sit down and do 5 at a time and know I had completed half an inch.  I'm getting a little bit scared though that I won't have enough yarn to complete 2 socks.  I was really hoping that I would get one sock from each ball, but the current ball is looking a little thin.  Kevin's convinced that means he'll only get one sock and never the other!  I keep telling him I'd buy another ball, but I was hoping I wouldn't have to.  So I should know in a couple of days if I need another ball.  Speaking of this yarn, my yellow for the Pipi Kneestockings should be arriving today or tomorrow.

I also made some progress on the Strawberry bag.  It actually looks like a bag, not a bunch of squares!

The bag is really floppy and stretchy, so it needs a lining.  I really don't want to deal with finding a fabric and getting out the sewing machine... or (ugh!) sewing it by hand... so I'm making a knitted lining out of white Sugar 'n Cream.  I haven't gotten very far with that, so we'll see how it goes... might end up with fabric in the end...

And finally, despite my self imposed, no new projects until two are finished rule... I got bored with what I had going, especially the tiny, tiny sock needles, so I figured I could start something new with the stash I had, right?  Mainly, that rule is to keep me from going to AC Moore and picking up the needles for the Cream socks and Aussie hat... because I don't have the money right now and I always end up buying more yarn.  (Fingers crossed that I get that paycheck from summer teaching today or next Friday).  So I started a poncho.  Ponchos are everywhere!  When I went with my mom and grandmom to the mall last weekend (I haven't been to the mall in months), there were ponchos to the left and to the right and straight ahead... it was as if no other clothing existed.  Of course I looked at all of them and was like "I will not pay your ridiculous $65 for something I can make myself!"  And so I started a poncho (and on size 17 needles to escape the tiny 2s)!

I'm basically just winging it.  I plan on making a large rectangle and then sewing one end to the side.  The yarn is Lion's Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick... also known as Meatwad...

Well, I hope this post makes up for the low quality posts of this past week.  Now I get to focus on quickly finishing up this freelance project (boring) and fleshing out my quals idea (boring), and picking out projects, supplies, and instructions for my knitting class in September (super fun!) in the week and a half before the semester starts.  For some crazy reason this fall semester, I am taking 2 classes (both in the morning... double ugh!), teaching a recitation section of general psychology, teaching a knitting class, and oh, have to take my qualifying exams so I can be officially a PhD student... bring it on!!
 

August 19, 2004
I know I've been promising a good update... and believe me, I wish I had the time to sit down and write one!  Yesterday's meet-up was a pleasant break from this unending grading (I made some significant progress on Kevin's sock).  The students had their final yesterday and I was able to grade all of those as well as their papers.  I've spent the past 6 hours grading their journals and I have about 15 more to grade.  This must all be finished by tomorrow (early) because I need to turn in their grades.  So once again, faithful readers, please check back tomorrow.  I'll definitely have knitting news and pictures.
 

August 17, 2004
Talk about wildlife!  I know this picture is a little bit dark, but there's a skunk in our backyard!

Knitting update tomorrow after the meet up!
 

August 16, 2004
Just a quickie post because I'm trying to grade as many of my students' papers as possible.  To answer the questions in the SP2 newsletter for my sp...

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I don't really have a favorite (because I haven't been knitting that long), but I like things that are soft.  I like ribbon types of yarn for scarfs, but not for sweaters.  I like both cotton and wool (so long as it isn't itchy).

2. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Socks, socks, socks!!  Although all those ponchos are looking fun!

3. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Socks!  I like sweaters, especially when I'm finished and have something to show off.

4. What are you knitting right now?
Socks for Kevin, a purse, Master Shake!, a scarf...

5. What do you think about ponchos? (this is really a curiosity question for us)
I hate to be trendy, but I have to admit that I like them.  I generally don't like wearing jackets in the winter... a poncho might be a good solution.

6. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Because of socks, I'm learning to deal with circular needles, but given the choice, I like straight needles.

7. How did you learn to knit?
My grandmom taught me!  She's the best!!

8. How old is your oldest UFO?
Uhm... that would be Master Shake... maybe 2 months?  I tend to finish what I start.

Maybe I'll post something more substantial or with pictures tomorrow if I can pull myself out from underneath all the papers!
 

August 14, 2004
So I didn't mention this yesterday because I was hoping it was a Friday the 13th fluke, but doesn't appear to be.  I woke up yesterday with a sore throat, and I basically tried to ignore it.  You know, you ignore something annoying and it goes away, right?  Well, I woke up again this morning with a sore throat.  It doesn't seem to be because of the air conditioner in the bedroom... if it was the sore throat would only be when I wake up and then go away.  Alas, this is a persistent little sore throat... it isn't awful sore, but it ain't right either.  Now, maybe I'm being paranoid, but last time I had a sore throat with zero other symptoms (I'm not even tired, just a sore throat), it mutated into a nasty sinus infection (remember in April and the March for Women's Rights... I thought I was going to die).  So I'm worried because I really can't afford to get sick with my class ending this coming week and the mountain of grading that will come with it, the freelance deadline looming ever closer, flip-flopping on quals ideas and praying my advisor won't kill me before I finalize an idea, and the semester starting in under three weeks.  Ugh!  So let's all hope this goes away miraculously.  Is knitting a good cure for illness?  Hell, at least I know it can't be mono (although what a great excuse for taking a semester off!  hahaha... I shouldn't think such things) since I had that way back in high school.

Anyways, I'm sure you come here to read about knitting and not my throat.  I've been very good the past two days in getting work and cleaning done (remember mom and grandmom visiting the apartment for the first time tomorrow).  Cleaning is complete, although still more work needs to be done.  But each night I've been rewarding myself with knitting time before bed.  I'm at 6 inches with Kevin's sock, I need to make it to 9 inches before I can start the heel flap... that's just 30 more rows.  I've also made 4 more squares for the strawberry bag, so that's a total of 10 squares... just 8 more and I can start assembling.

The pictures I have for you are not knitting related.  I went outside to get the mail (sidenote: my issue of BUST came today and not only did it have an ad for Stitch 'n Bitch: Nation saying coming soon, but there is an interview with EDDIE IZZARD!!!) and I saw a cat on the roof of the house next door.  I'm not sure how the cat got there or where it came from, but it was cute, so I took some pics.

August 13, 2004
Now that I just completed two projects (hey scroll down if you didn't see the cardi yet!), I'm itching to start something new!  I've got the yarn for the cream socks and Aussie hat waiting for some needles.  BUT... I've imposed a temporary no new projects rule on myself.  Why?  Well, because I have a crap-load of work to do before the end of August and I really don't have the money to spend on starting new projects until the semester starts and the paychecks return.  (Tell me, how wrong is it that Rutgers won't pay you for teaching in the summer until your class has been over for several weeks making you go the entire summer with no paycheck since you can't work outside of the university!  Sorry, had to vent.)

So my plan is... to finish at least two more projects before the temporary ban on new projects is lifted.  This shouldn't be too hard with the lemonade scarf at nearly half finished and the strawberry bag a quick knit.  After they are finished, I can start Fall focused projects such as the cream socks and Aussie hat... maybe Pipi Kneestockings if my yellow ever comes in.  Of course Kevin's socks need to be done before his b-day at the beginning of Sept. (that one might be hard).  The side part of this plan is to look through books and magazines and come up with a list of "must knits" to add to the Knits in Progress and waiting in the Wings page.

Ok, now I should get back to reading or writing my students' final exam.
 

August 12, 2004
Well, last night a certain project made a surprise appearance in the knitting line up... Candy Along Cardi!  I was surprised to find that I only needed to do 48 rows on each sleeve.  So with a bit of knitting last night and today, Candy Along Cardi is finished!!!  (Unfortunately, Kevin isn't here and I was anxious to get pictures up, so let's just say they are "artistic")

I'll try to get better pictures when Kevin gets back.

I mailed off my secret pal's gift this afternoon.  She should get it Saturday or Monday.  I can't wait!  I hope she loves it (and I wish I could tell you what it is).  There's a bunch of other stuff I wanted to say, but I can't remember and I'm hungry and ER is on, so I'll write more tomorrow.
 

August 11, 2004
Did you ever fall asleep in the afternoon and wake up totally stupid?  As in your brain doesn't really function and you feel in a permanent haze... you actually feel worse than before you fell asleep?  That's me right now.  I've been increasingly tired the past couple of days and have dreaded waking up every morning, and I guess it finally caught up to me this afternoon.

After class ended, I drove out to the mall to pick up something else for my secret pal (I was going to mail it today, but between falling asleep and now it is pouring rain, I think I'll wait until tomorrow).  Since I was already at the mall, and since there was a Barnes and Noble and since I had a gift certificate, I picked up Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falick.  I had been looking at it before and while all the projects don't call to me, it is a beautiful book and I love all of the tid bits and extras in it.  I also picked up the latest Vogue Knitting on Monday; they were actually selling it at the grocery store (Yeah, Wegman's!  Greatest grocery store ever!)

So anyway, my class is watching a movie tomorrow, so I don't have to write a lecture and seeing how I feel pretty crappy from my nap, I might just watch VH1 Classic and knit for the rest of the day.  My plan is to do work Thursday and Friday on my quals and the freelance project, Saturday to write my lecture for Monday and prepare my students' final exam, and then Sunday my mom and grandmom (who taught me to knit) are coming up to visit and see our new place for the first time!  I guess that means I better fit cleaning into my plans for Saturday.  Next week my students' turn in their papers on Monday, journals on Tuesday, and take their final exams Wednesday, so I'll be stuck in grading hell.

Hopefully, I'll get something of interest knitted so I can have some pictures tomorrow!

(PS - Tip for any teachers/professors out there... if you can possibly relate your topic for the day to Family Guy and show your students an episode, they will love you forever!!)
 

August 10, 2004
So here's the sunshine bag.  I took it with me on our trip.  On the five hour car ride there, I was able to just about finish it.  Unfortunately I forgot my yarn needle so I couldn't sew in the ends.  Those darn yarn needles aren't very handy to carry around.  So I had to wait and do that at home.  Unfortunately I screwed up and the one side is shorter than the other.  It is noticeable to me, but I don't think it is terrible.  So I'm leaving it the way it is, and I'll use my new knowledge for the next bag... strawberry bag (formerly pink bag).

Strawberry bag is started, but is still not yet decided on what kind of bag she'll be.  I'm going to make a bunch of squares and crochet them together.  I can't decide if I want another grocery-type bag, like sunshine, or if I want a purse.  So I'll just knit up squares until I figure out what I want.

And progress is slowly continuing on Kevin's sock.  Stupid ribbing is so slow.  I can't wait to get to the heel flap, turn, and foot.

I'm still waiting for my yellow yarn for the Pipi Kneestockings.

Hmmm...  I'm getting an idea, maybe I should make a page of in progress and next in line projects because even with the progress bars, I'm still forgetting everything I want to knit.  Maybe you'll see this page soon...

Oh oh!  I've been cutting everything with the yarn cutter!!  Even just randomly cutting up scraps (and making Kevin try it to!).
 

August 9, 2004
Kevin and I just got back from a long weekend at his parents' house (with his parents away).  His older brother is house sitting, so we went up to hang out with him.  It was a weekend filled with much food, lots of playstation, and a wee too much alcohol.  On Friday, the guys decided to create their own BBQ/oven.  They dug a hole in the ground, lined it with bricks, and used to coals to heat it up.  They cooked ribs, corn, and potatoes.  Of course, I got it all in pictures...

It was an enjoyable weekend, and even better was that I came home to not one, but two packages!!!  First is the yarn and book I ordered from Australia.

And I got a package from my secret pal!!  Yeah!!!!!!

I've seen the yarn cutter online and in catalogs and have always thought it would be so much better to have than carrying around big scissors or just hoping I don't have to cut anything until I get home.  The Knitter's Guide to Yarn Requirements is awesome!  I have a bad habit of over-estimating how much yarn I need for projects, and have lots of unused balls left over.  And the knitting journal!!!!  I've looked at this so many times in the bookstore, but always opted to buy something else thinking "next time, I'll get that journal."  The card has a cute little sheep on it.  I only hope my pal likes her gifts (which will be sent out by Friday) as much as I love these gifts!!!  Thanks so much secret pal!!!!!

Tomorrow, I'll post some pictures of the knitting I did over the weekend!

August 5, 2004
I've been forcing myself to work on the sunshine bag.  Since each time I measure the piece for the sides and bottom, I get different numbers, I actually started sewing together one panel and the side piece.  I have about 6 more inches and the bag will be ready to be sewn completely together.  I also crocheted and attached one handle.  I'm predicting that I'll be finished with it by the end of the weekend.

I've also been very slowly making progress on Kevin's sock.  I'm at about 3 inches.  I decided to rib the entire leg part so it is going a bit slower, but I think it will make a nicer sock.

Silly Crafter's Choice keeps sending me all these seductive emails about 50% off when you buy one.  I'm so tempted.  I really want to get this one...

I also saw that they had this listed...

It isn't due out until the end of September, but it sounds like it has some cute projects... and of course fast is good!

Amazon.com is now listing Stitch 'n Bitch: Nation for a November release (previously they said October).  I'm so excited for it and to see if my pattern made the cut.

I sent out an e-card to my secret pal.  I didn't even think of doing that when thinking of how to contact my secret pal secretly.  I hope my secret pal sends me an e-card so I know she/he is out there (hint, hint).

Anyway, I'll be back on Monday, I'm taking a little blogging break for the weekend!
 

August 4, 2004
I found this site a little while ago and I forgot to put up a link... yet another person who has my open to sharing button!  Yeah sharing!!  Yeah skittermagoo!!!

I fixed up my "Blogs I Read" list.  It seems to be constantly growing.  I hate having to arrange it in any kind of order (I don't want anyone thinking "boo, I'm near the bottom"), and I'm too lazy to alphabetize.  So the buttons are in a random order, followed by buttonless people also in random order.  I had a button at one point, I should really find it or make a new one.  But anyway... overall to all the people on my blog list, I love reading all your blogs!!  To people not on my blog list, if you want to be on my list, send me a link to your blog and I'll start reading that too!  I'm always looking for new blogs to read so that I can spend less time on school work!!  Hahaha!  No seriously, I want to expand my blog community!

I've been so busy with stuff for my class that I didn't get to knit last night, but plans for this weekend include lots and lots of knitting time!  Hopefully I'll get the sunshine bag finished.
 

August 3, 2004
Heehee, I got an email yesterday that my yarn, book, and secret pal gifty from Australia has been dispatched.  Dispatched!!  Haha!  I think I want to talk about more things getting dispatched and not just mailed.  I don't expect it to arrive until sometime next week.  I have to find another little something for my secret pal to add to the package, so it probably won't go out until the end of next week.  I've read on some of the secret pal blogs that people have already sent stuff!  (Ok, so I spent like over an hour yesterday surfing the secret pal blog ring and reading everyone's blogs... these are the things I do to avoid actually doing real work!!)

Yesterday the big, black groundhog was in our backyard again.  We've figured out that he is probably living underneath of the shed in the neighbor's yard diagonally behind ours.  I tried to get a picture of him, and this is the best one...

Here's the progress I've made on Kevin's sock...

Finally, check out how my knitting has been taking over the corner of our living room...

You can see Master Shake, the sock yarn from Kevin's mom and the Pipi Kneestockings yarn (with Kevin's sock yarn hidden).  Then there's a basket with the lemonade scarf and yarn for Shake's other hand.  On the chair is the sunshine bag pieces and yarn.  (And of course my school bag in the corner of the picture because if it isn't my knitting that's taking over, it is my school stuff.)

August 2, 2004
Yesterday Kevin and I drove into NYC to help his brother move into his new apartment.  After driving much farther than we needed to because mapquest lied to us, we finally met Kevin's bro and mom at the apartment (apparently they drove a little too far too, so the timing worked out perfectly).  We lugged lots of stuff up 4 floors and did lots of sweating.  Then we had dinner at a yummy Greek cafe.  Kevin's mom showed me the super cute baby sweater she just finished and the sweater she just started for herself.  She also picked me up some yarn...

It is called Yarn for Sox although it is fairly heavy and to be knitted on size 8 needles.  I figure it will make some nice, warm housesocks.  It'll have to wait to be played with until I finish up a few other things.

I cast on and started Kevin's socks.  I've knitted about 2 inches.  I keep switching back and forth between the sock (which I really want to work on) and the sunshine bag (which I'm getting bored with).

Also, I just bought a new pattern book and yarn.  I saw a hat on Froggy's site (scroll down to July 29th) that I just couldn't get out of my head and just had to make, so I hunted down the book and yarn (in Australia!!!) and ordered some.  I really like the Posie color she's using, but I choose a gray instead because I could wear it more often.  I also ordered something fun for my secret pal!!  Yeah!

Oh, and check out this cute little guy...

He was in our backyard, which apparently is territory for a bigger, black groundhog.  The big, black one growled and chased this cutie out of the backyard.  I grabbed my camera and was able to get a picture.  Someday I'll get a picture of the black one, but he is mean!

Ok, I better get my butt to class or my students might think they have a day off!
 

**Update... since I've noticed others in the secret pal webring doing this, maybe I should too.  Hi secret pal!  So you don't have to wade through months of archives to find out what I like and don't like, let me share now.  I'm currently obsessed with socks... the more colorful the better!  I like just about any color and as you can see from the rainbow Pipi Kneestockings yarn and sunshine bag, I love bright colors.  I worship knitting books and magazines... you can see in the link what I have and like (I should update that too).  In my non-knitting life (is there one?), I love to read both fiction and nonfiction particularly women's studies-ish kinds of stuff.  Overall, I just love presents and receiving mail, so I'm sure I'd love whatever you send along.  General note... this secret pal thing is so awesome and Heidi is so awesome for hosting it!!!!!!!
 
 

August 1, 2004
Welcome to the new and improved kim's knitting world!

• The link to Books and Magazines in the sidebar now goes to a new page.  *That page still needs updating and reformating.*
• Knit Alongs are moved into the sidebar, along with the sitemeter.
• July 2004 has been moved to the archives.
• And the most significant and obvious change is the progress bars!!  Yeah!  It took many, many hours to figure them out (not helped by the fact that tagboard decided to screw itself up) and even still they aren't perfect, but it is livable.  Thanks to indigirl.com for the code and images!!