Benjamin knits

Invisible

2011-05-10T23:21:00.001-07:00

I just looked at my calendar and May is blessedly devoid of appointments. This concerns me a little. There are always appointments. Have I forgotten to put them on the calendar? I am usually so compulsive about that. I know I have a 2 appointment cards not yet written down, but usually my week is completely filled in. There is nothing. Does this mean we have come to the end of the craziness?

Last summer, when my mom was diagnosed with multiple myloma, things got hectic. Initially there was the feeling of overwhelming fear of the unknown. I had my first experience with TMJ that week. I wasn't able to close my teeth correctly for a few days, but by that time the fear was replaced with a sense of relief. My mom was not going to die. Something could be done. And on we went. My sister moved home that October and by that time my mom had started her treatment. For a few months it was just tests. She had X-rays and MRI's and blood tests and urine tests and the first thing that was decided was that she would have to wear a brace.

The brace, which looked like a combination neck brace and bullet proof vest, held her neck and torso relatively still and it meant that she would not be able to continue to work the way we thought she would be able to. She told my son it was her super hero costume, that it was helping her fight cancer.

Through November, December, January, and February our calendars filled up with an ever increasing amount of appointments. My sister and dad handled most of them. I took her to the ones they couldn't make. Mom, of course, had to go to them all.

When it was determined that the brace had never really been necessary it was a relief to everyone. She had worn it faithfully for 3 months with the belief that it was protecting her back. In reality, she didn't really need it and prolonged use could make her muscles very weak. Not to mention how restrictive it was to her quality of life. She couldn't even sit comfortably.

Shortly after she was rid of the brace it was time for her to go to UCSF medical center for the grand finale in her treatment. First she would spend anywhere from 2 to 6 days at the hospital while they harvested stem cells. She ended up doing it in three days and was quite proud of herself (she loves to excel at anything. Even healing. I can relate). A week later she headed back to San Fransisco. She would receive a one time, very high dose of chemotherapy drugs and then the stem cells she had harvested would be replaced. If all went well those stem cells would produce non-cancerous blood cells. She came home just short of the 3 weeks her doctor had predicted she would need to stay. Once again the overachiever, her cell counts went up steadily and they let her go home a little early.

That was almost three weeks ago. Today, she left the house for the first time for a reason other than a doctors appointment. Every day she says she feels a little better and every day I see her get a little stronger. On Friday, when she goes back to UCSF I hope they tell her she is in remission. I have no idea how long it would take for her to actually go into remission, but I can hope.

While all of this was going on, I didn't have time to be afraid that things wouldn't work out the way we hoped. In fact the thought never crossed my mind. Maybe I wouldn't allow it, but I never had time to dwell on it either. On any given day I would need to do some combination of the following: Take my son, Ben, to school. Take my handicapped uncle, Mike, to work, (take mom to an appointment if needed), pick up Ben, pick up Mike (all of the picking up and dropping off occur 30-40 min away from my house and at different times of day) take my grandmother to any appointments she had (she goes to the dentist and doctor every 4 months, gets her hair permed every 2 months and her nails done every two weeks). I also take Grandma to the bank and Vons once a week and to pick up medication whenever she needs it. If Ben didn't get picked up by his dad on a school day then I would drop him off after taking Mike or pick him up if it was my turn. Then I had school. Microbiology. Lecture Monday from 1-4 and lab Monday and Wednesday night.

Now, I have been doing a version of this dance for the last three years. Every time someones schedule changes I have to change with it. If Ben's dad's schedule goes from a 2-2 to a 3-4 (he's a firefighter who works very hard to provide for his family) well, then my schedule changed. If my dad started working nights instead of days, then my schedule changed. I am not a person who likes constant change.

So when I open iCal and look at May and I see no appointments, no reminders, no alarms, do I feel a sense of relief? Do I see free time staring back at me asking me to fill it with stuff I like to do? No, it makes me nervous, because as free as May looks I know that it is full of appointments that haven't been made yet.

Happy mothers day 2011

2011-05-07T11:37:00.000-07:00

I wrote this form my mom, Gail, for mothers day this year. She is recovering from cancer treatment and it was really hard to figure out a gift for her. She is not eating a lot of different things so food and candy were out. She can't be around people so we couldn't take her anywhere. My sister is painting her a picture and this is what I came up with.

Mom, I love you. Happy mother's day. Jenna

Home. Work.

When I was a kid I liked school. I felt safe there and I knew what I supposed to do and I liked being with my friends. So this is not the story of a struggling student barely making it. Not really. In fact, I was a good student who could get by most of the time with out really trying too hard. And that's what I did. I was pretty confident in my ability to skate, too. I knew then, just as I know now, how much I had to do to get by and make ok grades. I don't remember studying back then. I went to class and did my homework (usually) and that was enough. Most of the time. But not always. There were a few subject that I could not skate through. A few things that I could not fake my way through or reason out when it came to tests. These subjects were spelling and math.

So, when it came to spelling tests and multiplication tables, did I speak up? Did I say, “I'm not getting this,” or “I need help”? Of corse not. I was too used to being good at school. It hurt my pride to admit that something didn't come fairly easily to me. So, I did the only logical thing a 4^th grader can do, I got a D in math.

As you can imagine, this did not go over well with my parents who were also pretty used to me doing ok in school. They weren't mad. (My parents didn't really get mad about grades. Positive reinforcement was more their style.) But I knew that it was not ok and I felt disappointed in myself and guilty and embarrassed. (That is the beauty of their system. They didn't really have to punish me as I was exceptional at punishing myself.)

I remember feeling like no amount of studying or work on my part would get me out of this. I had totally given up long ago and to try to take on all the learning I had to do to catch up with my peers didn't even seem worth my time. I don't remember what grade I got in math that year. Probably a C (I do remember that I did not get another D). I struggled with basic math until I got into high school and to tell you the truth I still pretty much suck at it. But what I do remember about that time was that my mom sat at the kitchen table with me, almost every night, trying to teach me how to multiply fractions, and I was awful. I wined. I cried. I complained. I'm sure she hated it. Every night after working all day, making dinner and cleaning up, what did my mom have to look forward to? Her oldest daughter spending more time feeling sorry for herself about how hard math was than actually trying to learn how to do math. It must have been exhausting for her. And, it wasn't the first time she sat down to help me through something like this. Or the last.

Any time I needed help with something we would sit down and go over and over and over it until I either got it or we ran out of time. Spelling test? Lets make flashcards and go over them together. In first grade I didn't get 100% on one single spelling test. Not one. This is what she was up against.

Need to memorize the state capitals? My mom put up a map of the United states in our hall way and she and I would sit on the floor everyday after school when I was in 5^th grade and go over and over and over them. I still don't know them.

I guess what I'm getting at is that I was good at a lot of things, but the things I was bad at...well, I was horriffically bad at them.

So, while my mom really wanted to help me learn to spell and do math and recite the capitals of these United States ,she didn't. It wasn't her fault. She did everything a person could do. I just didn't really get them. Not in a way you would characterize as proficient. However, she did teach me something better (you knew that was coming, didn't you?).

I am 29 years old now and back in school after earning a BA from Fresno State. You would be surprised how often I think about those times at the kitchen table with my mom. I think about it when I sit down to study for a test, because what I learned from my mom was to have a system. She showed me that the only thing between me and success was a plan of attack. Every time she would help me we would figure out the best approach to learning that particular subject, we would set it up and go for it. If it didn't work she would change tactics. Flashcards not working? Spell the words out loud. Can't remember the capital of Washington? Of course you can “You know, Juno”. She was a creative thinker when it came to this kind of stuff. She would always find a way to help me even if, in the end I never really got it.

My mom really gave me a gift. She taught me to be a creative thinker and a problem solver. I am good at figuring out the best way to learn a lot of material in a short amount of time. It is one of my strengths. And it is a skill I really needed, because of my 29 years I have spent 21 of them in school. Because of my mom and those study sessions I feel like I can learn anything. Talk about a powerful feeling. Think about it. Anything I really want to do well, in my mind, I can do it. I just have to really (really) want it.

There are so many other things that my mom did for me. I could spend a life time describing ways she influenced me, recounting words she said to me. The older I get the more I understand the things she tried to teach me and why she thought they were important. And my ability to get through classes may not have been the most important thing she taught me, but then again maybe it is. Haven't I used those skills to get through every challenge in my life? Didn't my systematic patience help me accomplish goals that seemed daunting in the beginning?

How could I have known that while my mom was teaching me long division she was also teaching me not to give up even when breastfeeding was excrutiating. When she was helping me get through 3^rd graded spelling she was showing me that I could start over and try to do something I really want to do. Every time she said let's do it another way she showed me that if something's not working you find another way to do it. You make it work for you.

My dad always says that my mom was really good at being a mom. He says she treated it like a job. She read books and tried to learn about being mom. In short she studied. And it paid off. She always was and is a great mom. I try to be just like her when I am taking care of my son. I try to have the patience she had with me. I always keep in mind that you can't give up on your children when it seems like they are just not getting what you are trying to say to them. After all, you never know what you are really teaching someone while you are helping them with their homework.

Behold...

2010-10-13T22:27:00.001-07:00

...yarn.

Yarn that I spun on...

this spindle that I made. The video is on You Tube under no cost spindle.
It is not good yarn. It is not very even yarn or soft yarn. It is not a great deal of yarn, but there is no denying that it is yarn. And I made it.

To spin or not to spin...

2010-10-12T22:38:00.000-07:00

I have never really been interested in spinning my own yarn. I don't know what came over me a few days ago but I was looking at knitpicks and one of their pics was of a niddy noddy and a Turkish spindle. I have always dismissed even the thought of spinning because a spinning wheel is so expensive and while I taught my self to knit with out having anyone show me I really don't think that it is okay to buy such an expensive tool with out the possibility of classes or a mentor or something like that. I also never knew what a spindle was or what you did with one. But that knitpicks ad peeked my interest. I decided to check You Tube for videos and all of the sudden I had an overwhelming desire to spin yarn on a drop spindle. I wanted to do it and I wanted to do it now. I knew I had some extremely cheap roving that really should only be used for needle felting, but would do in a pinch. I just didn't have a spindle. A little You Tube research fixed that problem. I found this video for a now cost spindle and I was all set to make some really bad yarn. My second attempt was much better and now I have some pretty thick singles that I would never want to knit with, but I freaking made them my self. So awesome. Part of me knows that this desire to start a new hobby is due in great part to the fact that I am kind of on a yarn diet and I am not allowing myself to start anything new until my current UFOs are completed. Part of me knows that this is still startitis and that even though I am not starting a knitted project I am still starting something that I don't have money and time for (for the next few months). Part of me knows all of this, but most of me doesn't care. I am, however, resisting the urge to invest a bunch of money right now. Next month, maybe. Maybe after Christmas.

In other knitting news, the books and more swap is coming to an end. My partner got her package from me and I think she liked it. I felt really good about it, because I love, love, loved the yarn I sent her and the book is one of my faves. I also felt like the school supplies that fulfilled the "back to school" theme doubled as knitting supplies. I would have loved to get that package so I felt pretty good about sending it. I haven't gotten mine yet from my swap partner, but almost everyone has sent theirs out so it should come soon. I just wish I had had been interested in spinning before I did the swap so that maybe I could have gotten a spinning book or some roving. C'est la vie.

In non knitting news, this was a pretty great past week. Wednesday started out not so great. I got some very bad news about a friend that I care very much about who was hurt by someone she trusted. The news really over shadowed my little boys birthday for a little while. We had to set that aside for a while and I am so happy to say that my friend has done the right thing for herself and I feel like it is the first step in the healing process for her. I did get great news, though, on my lab and lecture tests. A's on both and I was really sweating it. Disneyland was great. I feel so lucky that James and Brionna and I are friends and that we all go to be there for Ben's first Disneyland trip. It was so special to me and I can't thank them enough for including me.

Saturday is Ben's birthday party and the festivities will be over. I am so in love with my little boy. He seems so much older than 4 years old, but at the same time I can't believe it has been 4 years already. What a wonderful person I have the privilege of raising. How lucky I am to have a front row seat to his life. He is very special. Love you son.

So many projects, so much homework

2010-09-21T21:53:00.000-07:00

Well, despite how little time I have to finish the projects I already have I continue to start more projects. This is something I have been working on since July. I had to take a break to start and finish a similar blanket for my Dad's birthday at the end of August which I did and it turned out amazing. This one is for Ben and I hope he loves it as much as he loves his polyester "black blanket". I'm not holding my breath though. I call this the "scribble blanket" because it is done in crayon colors and the garter stitch looks like scribbles. It is made mostly from Pattons classic wool on size 10 needles and the concept is Log cabin knitting from Mason-Dixon Knitting.

This little beauty is even better than it looks. It is made from the softest yarn I have ever touched. It is from Misty Alpaca and is baby alpaca. I love it more than life its self so it was worth it to knit it on size 19's which I don't like to use. I did it in plain old garter stitch because yarn that amazing speaks for its self. I am ignoring the fact that I may be slightly allergic to alpaca. While I knit it I was constantly "stuffy". I care not. I can't wait for winter.

I got the alpaca at the Ball and Skein and more in Cambria, CA. I love that place. They have beautiful yarn and the prices are good (for the quality of yarn you get). Plus the people who own it/work there are so nice. Not like a LYS that shall remain nameless where the ladies who worked there looked at me like I was casing the joint.

I also got the sock yarn for the following socks. I did not choose it myself. I asked my mom to choose some yarn for a pair of socks and this is what she picked. Trekking Pro Natura sock yarn in color 1507. It is a wool/bamboo blend from germany and I am using the Fox faces pattern by Nancy Bush. I have not yet mastered the pattern. I am not that experienced with lace patterns and I really need to sit down and do a couple of pattern repeats. Anyway, Mom saw it and really like what I have so far. The yarn feels really soft in the ball but knits up a little rough. She didn't mind, but I know my yarn better than mom does.

This poor little sweater was not meant to be. It is the buttony sweater by Katie Marcus and the pattern is great. I am going to make it again it some other kind of yarn. The yarn is Renyolds Lopi and it is pretty scratchy. It has little bits of hay and some sort of glue spun into it so it does not make the best sweater yarn. I think that this may be felted slipper yarn or felted purse yarn. Something felted. It's not bad yarn, it's just not sweater yarn. It was only the second yarn I had ever bought online and for some reason I decided to drag Brionna into what ended up being not the best yarn purchase. She seems to have rebounded.

Finally, the September Sweater. This is from a great sweater tutorial on Ravelry. It is flawed, but it is really the first adult sized sweater I have ever attempted and it did not come from an exact pattern. I think it will look very impressive when it is done, (thank you cables) and the flaws will not even show. I used lion brand wool fisherman's wool, which I really liked and bought 2 more balls for the Galway Bay Aran shawl I got from Very Pink Knits. I am only holding off on the Aran because I have to start a little baby snuggly thing for a friends baby shower on the 9 of october. I have no yarn for it. I needed to start it yesterday.

I also have this little number to sew. This is for my son's older sister and we shopped for the material together, which was fun at first and then got a little crazy because I couldn't find anything we needed and there were a ton of people there. I really hope Brionna and I do not screw this up.

Here we go again

2010-09-14T13:19:00.001-07:00

Like a lot of people I have an on again off again relationship with my blog. I have trouble deciding what is blog worthy. I start feeling an obligation to the blog, like there are people out there reading my blog and I really need to blog or they will be disappointed (trust me, I know that there is no one). Oh, the guilt that goes along with being a sometimes blogger! Well, no more! Ok, I will probably neglect the blog again, but I can make empty blog promises to my self and, really, who am I hurting. Also, many KALs and swaps require you to be an active blogger and while I get anxious about somehow ending up on the naughty blogger list (I hate getting into any kind of trouble), I really want to do another swap or KAL soon. Well, I'm off to see if the Books and more will accept me. Cross your fingers.

SOCKS!!!!!!!

2010-05-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

I have gone a little sock crazy. I have never been that interested in socks. This is probably because of the lack of good sock yarn at my lys and my less than successful efforts to make a pair in the past. I have pattern for slipper socks in worsted that I love and have made at least 5 pairs of. They are basic sock construction on size 8 dpn's and I had no trouble making them perfectly every time. For some reason every time I have tried to make a pair of socks out of sock yarn on small dpns I have trouble. I know how to make socks, I just couldn't get them to fit. Anyway, this was a success and I really don't think I will have trouble again, it's just one of those things.

So in the wake of my success and (because I have been reading a lot of Yarn Harlot) I have fallen under the spell of socks. I got a kit for 5 pairs from Knit Picks as well as a hank of Stroll handpainted in Cartoon which I love for some reason. And I treated myself (as if the rest was for someone else) to a set of Harmony wood dpns. I am telling myself that this is a mother's day gift to myself, but I just ordered and received yarn and I really didn't need this...oh well.

My September sweater is going really well, and when Brionna and I can get together to start the best friend sweater I will have that on the needles. I am a wee bit concerned about the gage on the BF sweater. It calls for size 19 needles. I swatched using size 19. It calls for 9 1/2 st to 6 inches I got 12. I do not even know where to get bigger needles and I can't believe that I was knitting it any tighter than anyone else as the needles are so big it is hard to knit tight even if you want to. I used Lopi in teal which is suggested in the pattern. I am not making gage and I don't want to seek out and use bigger needles. I thought to myself, best to do a few inches of the pattern just to see how it goes so maybe I can warn Brionna about any tricky parts and see how far off my gage really is at the same time. I do about 7 inches, realize that this is the most unclear pattern I have ever used and now worry that it will be super frustrating for her and make her never want to knit again. She is my only real live knitting friend. I must warn her. Plus the yarn, which I have seen recommended by reliable sources, kind of sucks. It is itchy and needs to be bulkier. I still think it is beautiful and may get softer after it is blocked and I still really want to use it for this sweater. So I take it off the needles to see how my size is. Much too small. Drat.

Long lost blog

2010-05-03T16:55:00.000-07:00

I have once again neglected my blog. Thank goodness a blog does not need to be fed or watered or mine would have expired due to neglect. It has been over a year.
Anyway, here is what I'm knitting:

September sweater for me

Mother's day socks for mom
I am also going to cast on Twinkle Big city knits, Best friend cardigan. I am using Reynolds Lopie in Teal heather. Brionna is doing the same sweater in brown tweed. I ordered the yarn from Webs and it is arriving on thursday. Yea!!!

In other news, my little angle has decided that he is going to assert himself at every possible chance. He is getting in trouble at preschool, too. It's hard to be 3. It's hard to be mommy, too.

Reese's sweater

2009-02-09T14:52:00.001-08:00

I made this sweater for Amber's new dog, Reese. It was really fun and only took a few hours. I actually sat and talked with Amber and Kat while I knit it up and it fit the little dog perfectly! I have been wanting to make a dog sweater and my SP sent me this awesome multi for a swap and it was perfect for the sweater. I hope she doesn't mind that I used it for a dog, but trust me when I say that that yarn found a place of honor. I was ridiculously thrilled and so was Amber. Reese, always agreeable, seemed to like it.

Bella's mittens

2009-01-16T12:23:00.000-08:00

So I found a pattern for Bella's mittens from Twilight. Apparently I am not the only person who loves them. I was almost done when Ben pulled out all my DPNs–on a cable row. I put everything back on but I couldn't get one of the stitches that dropped down a few rows back on. It was too tight. So I ripped back a couple of rows and now I am missing two stitches. I don't know how this happened. I am thinking of starting over and adding a few stitches to make them a little looser.

2009-01-05T13:49:00.000-08:00

Ben and I went to the beach with my mom this weekend. We had a really good time but it was kind of hard with his nap the first day and I didn't think I would stay as long as I had planned. He ended up doing really well the next day so we stayed.

He is really into Madagascar and has named all of his lions Alex, all of his giraffes are Melman and all of the zebras he has are named Marty. We don't have too many Hippos so he has named a plastic eggplant Gloria. I think she is his favorite.

Christmas Presents

2008-12-12T14:19:00.000-08:00

I was going to knit something for everyone on my list this year. I had ideas for everyone and really planned on starting early, but I always seem to understimate how long it will take to make a project. I am a really fast knitter, but I always give my self too much credit when I have more than one project. One I can handle in record time, but a list seems to slow me down quite a bit. The longer the list the slower I am. So I have mostly compleated a bag for my mom and have two FO for my sis that I am not sure I want to give her. I really want to knit a stocking for my son and a pair of slipper socks and they will probably be my next project. Ironically, he is the only person I don't really need presents for since I have bought him a ton already and have zip for anyone else.

What I'm thankful for

2008-11-30T10:45:00.000-08:00

I wasn't sure where we were supposed to post our answer to what we are thankful for, but I thought I would put it on my blog anyway. I am thankful that my son has a roof over his head and food to eat and people to spoil and love him. I can't ask for anything more.

SP 13 questions

2008-11-14T20:41:00.000-08:00

So sorry I didn't have this up earlier. Must remember to check the blog.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love wool, love multi-colored yarn. I use mostly worsted, but would love some sock yarn. I do not like acrylic or synthetic yarn.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
right now I don't have much storage for my circs or dpns. Really all the storage I have is a roll for my straights.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have been knitting a little over a year and I am compleatly self-taught through books and online resources. I am intermediate and am always trying to learn more advanced techniques.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I have an Amazon and Barnes and Nobel wish list which I will make sure are public.

5. What's your favorite scent?
orange blossom

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Fave candy is sees candy (nuts and chews)

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I don't really have other crafty hobbys. I do know how to sew very well, but knitting has kind of taken over.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Wow, hardest question ever! I really love Classic rock, a lot of indie stuff that my sister chooses for me, Brett Dennen ahhhhh!!! I am so bad with the fave questions!

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Love coral, plum, terquoise. Don't like neon

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have a two year old and a cat.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Scarves, hats and mittens
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Socks, bags, baby items
13. What are you knitting right now?
A scarf for my sister, I have a bunch of UFOs right now (very unlike me. I am usually compelled to finished)
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes! Yes! Yes!
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Bamboo or aluminum circs or dpns
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
4 months
18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
Halloween and Christmas are my faves-I can't choose
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Just yarn
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have Knit.1
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
More cables and lace
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, I wear a size 7 (us)
23. When is your birthday?
December 5
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
redjpa24

Hello, Blog. I've missed you.

2008-11-14T20:25:00.000-08:00

I have sadly neglected my blog. There are no good excuses for this, but life has been busy. I have been a little obsessed with reading books 1-3 of the Twilight saga and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of book four while reading the first 12 chapters of book 5 online. Don't worry Stephanie Myer (I am sure she will be checking my blog) I will be buying the completed version and reading it from cover to cover, but I couldn't wait. I will also be seeing the movie as soon as possible.

I have also been neglecting my knitting. I have been too restless to really look at new patterns and find yarn for them. With my sister leaving and my grandma dieing...well, I just like to be in a good mood when I knit. It is a fun thing for me and I have not felt fun for a couple of weeks. And, because I can't knit hold a book at the same time my aforementioned obsession has set me back (knit wise) as well.
I did send out my books and more swap package today. The dead line is tomorrow. I should also be getting my SP13 pal today! Anyway, all this talk of no knitting makes me want to knit and since I am reading Midnight sun online that should be perfect.

Almost done!

2008-10-22T14:36:00.000-07:00

I am amazed at how long one little baby sweater can take. I have really been dragging my feet on the sweater for little Lily but it is almost done. I finished all of the knitting and now all that is left is the making up.
I am excited to say that I did a little shopping for my swap partner and I have gotten a little more info through the online stalking process that swappers engage in. Since this is my first secret swap I was not really up on stalking techniques, but I have learned.
I also just looked at my receipt and the tote bag I bought to put all of the goodies in for my partner was on sale. It was priced at $6.99 and came out to be .74 cents! I had no idea it was on sale just now. The shopping gods have smiled on me once again. I should have bought two.

Pictures will be posted very soon. (You know, for all my fans and followers)

Can yarn fully replace my sister?

2008-10-15T12:01:00.000-07:00

No, but I will spend money trying. I have joined two more swaps in the hopes of keeping my mind off of the fact that my sister is moving to Japan. I am very excited about this, but I would be more excited if I knew when she was coming back. One year? Two years? Pick a time line!!! I need an end point in sight! Ah, to be young again. Wait I am young! Why don't I move to Japan or New Zealand or Abu Dhabi? That's right. My little boy. His dad might wonder where he is. No matter. It seems I have moved to the strange and wonderful land of parenthood where there are many mysterious happenings and questions to be answered. Where you find your self saying things like, "Don't put your toothbrush in the toilet!" and "Don't eat rocks!" There are many puzzles to be solved in this place. How do you get crayon off of carpet? Why does my two year old sit on the potty for 10 min, never even thinking about peeing, and then immediatly go on the floor when he gets off? Or why, on the first cold day of fall does he suddenly decide that he is a nudest? It is a magical, mysterious place and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. (But I do want to visit Japan.)

Got my swap bag

2008-10-10T10:42:00.000-07:00

I got my big bag swap bag yesterday. It was an exciting day because it was my son's b-day party. My sister came over early and brought in the package and in it was this wonderful bag.

I was so thrilled to find a stuffed elephant for my son and a little cat toy for my cat. It was so thoughtful. Also inside I found a girly little tape measure (despearetly needed), an adorable project bag with birds on it (which I love, perfect for socks) two soaks for fine fibers (which I can't wait to use), mulling spices (and just in time for fall). She spent a wooden book mark made by a friend of hers and chocolate and tea for cozy knitting. And my favorite thing she included: a figurine of a sheep. I don't know what it is about that darn little sheep that I love so much, but I told pheobe it made me feel like a real knitter because until now I didn't have any sheep stuff.

Yesterday I also gave my sister her bag that I made based on the big bag and she loved it. I love it too. Here it is:

busy week

2008-10-08T19:25:00.001-07:00

My son turned two this week. His party is tomorrow and I made his cake tonight. I decided on a yogurt cake with lemon filling and butter cream frosting. I think it is going to turn out very nice, but I did make one mistake so far. It is a four layer cake and I think i needed to use dowels in it so it wouldn't fall. Maybe I will try.

knitting lull

2008-10-01T08:21:00.000-07:00

I am going through a knitting lull. This has happened once before and I didn't like it. I have lost the will to knit (temporarily).
On the bright side, Fresno state beat UCLA on Sat @ UCLA and I was lucky enough to attend the game. It was extremely hot (even though temps only reached 91) and I got a little sunburned, but it was awesome!

2008-09-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my son is going to be two in less than two weeks!!! I think it feels more like a year since I found out I was pregnant, not more than two. What a wonderful person he is. His dad and I can take credit for some of his personality and how smart he is, but most of it comes from within him. He is such a gift.

Anyway, now that the gushing is over (I could go on forever. My son is my favorite subject. Knitting comes in second with many, many other subjects, that I can not choose between, coming in third) I have various projects on the needles. I read about Kate Gillberts

Subbing and knitting.

2008-09-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

I started subbing monday. My first job was at Valley teen ranch, a program for boys in juvenial hall. It was not bad. It wasn't as fun as my second job which was subbing for second grade at my old grade school, but the kids were pretty good and didn't give me too hard of a time. I love subbing!
I have started on a sweater for my new second cousin, Lily. My cousin Shaheen had his first child and she is just beautiful! This if my first sweater (or anything) with a stitch pattern and I love it!

For the love of sock yarn!

2008-09-10T09:53:00.000-07:00

Swap bag is done. Which sucks, because now the knit along part is over for me. Why do I do this to my self. I do get to shop for fun goodies to send to my partner and I may make another one so that I can still participate with my fellow swappers. I'm sure I won't finish so quickly on the second one. I just get overzealous. I started on my first real pair of socks. Until now I have always used worsted and size 8 needles to make slipper socks. This is the first sock yarn I have ever used and the first time I have used size 2 needles. They are shockingly taking the same amount of time as the slipper socks and I love using the self patterning sock yarn. I can't wait to buy some more sock yarn online. Thanks to knitpicks I have a beautiful selection of quality sock yarn and it is at a way better price than my local stores (which are Joann's and Michael's). Love love love knitpicks.

Let's go bowling...and knitting!

2008-09-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

Yea!!! I got my swap partner yesterday and was finally able to order my yarn. I can't wait to start my bag. I wanted to do some Fair Isle on it and I might do something simple, but I am on a deadline and I have never done Fair Isle or felted anything (on purpose) so I don't want to add to many unknowns to it.
I did reach my goal of finishing my slipper socks, which I will photograph and post as soon as I find my charger for my camera. However, due to repeated ripping back of said slipper socks I did not finish my baby blanket. I have decided that I need something I can work on when I am tired and want to watch T.V. so the blanket is not a bad project to have laying around. I probably won't kill myself trying to finish it.
On Sat I went to see my cousin play with "Let's go Bowling", an awesome ska band from Fresno that he has been playing with on and off forever and it was a great time. It was his birthday...Happy B-day Adam!

The play's the thing...

2008-08-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to see Shakespeare in the park. I haven't gone since I was in high school and went for a class project. I loved it! The group did Hamlet and it was so much fun. As always (with me) the first few lines were lost on me, but before long I understood everything easily. Its kind of like being in a room of people who are talking about technology. At first you can't really understand what they are saying, but you kind of get assimilated and pretty soon you are thinking to your self, "Crap! I actually understand what they are talking about."
Anyway, it was a good time. The play was three hours long and I was the only one out of my group who stayed for the whole thing. It made me remember how much I loved learning about Shakespeare and that time period and how accessible it is. Not that I am going to attend every ren-fair on the west coast, but I think I will pick up a copy of "The taming of the shrew" or "Henry the III" next time I am at the book store.

My projects are coming along, however I am struggling to finish my second red slipper sock. Because I had to rip it back quite a bit it is beginning to really get on my nerves. So I am putting it down for now. After all, it's 104 outside. I don't need it right now. I am sure I will pick it up soon anyway. I have season 2 of Dexter on its way to me as we speak and I will need some good easy knitting to do while I (obsessively) watch.

Frogging and football

2008-08-27T13:57:00.001-07:00

I stayed up super late last night working on my second red slipper sock. I don't know what go into me, but I had this overwhelming desire to finish the sock all in one day. I worked it all the way to the beginning of the toe only to realize that I had picked up too many gusset stitches and, although I decreased the right number of stitches, I still had five extra on my needles (which was significant. I am using size 8 needles with worsted). Anyway, put down the needles and took a breath. Went to bed and this morning at the park, ripped it back (and actually felt pretty good about it.) I used to get so nervous when I had to rip something back for fear that I would not be able to get it back on the needles correctly. I would also be upset about all the knitting time i had wasted. Now I am just thankful that I can rip back four inches and a gusset, and get the yarn back on the needles with out frogging the whole thing. And this time I will do a better job.

I also picked this weeks teams for College Fantasy Football. This is my first year doing it and so far it is pretty fun. My friend Eddie is the biggest Fresno State Fan ever and he invited me to join this group. I can't wait to see how I did. I know nothing about football so it should be interesting. I did take into account point spreads and rankings, but the confidence points were really hard for me to judge. I get the concept, but I really just kind of tried to weigh the odds. I am sure all my picks I ranked high on confidence will loose and the ones that win will be in the single digits. It was still super fun.

Do swatches count?

2008-08-25T13:32:00.000-07:00

Well, I have already broken my rule about not casting on any more projects until I finish the ones I have already started. I made a swatch for a pillow I want to make for my friend, Kat and after reading about log cabin knitting in Mason-Dixon knitting by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne I had to start a blanket. I think it is going to be a cozy place for my cat to rest, because I want to use remnants of old balls of yarn and most of my remnants are cheap acrylic that I bought when I was learning to knit and didn't know any better. The colors are fun, but I can't think of one person I would like to torture. The cat will not care and the blanket will be easy to keep clean.

I have been looking on knit picks for yarn to use for my swap bag. I have an idea for a color scheme that I love, but I also have a dilemma. I don't know my swap partner yet and therefor, don't know her color likes and dislikes. However, if I order the yarn now I will have it when the swap starts and can get going on it right away. Actually, the real issue is that I want to make sure that the colors I have selected look as good together as I want them to. The color card is not available until Aug. 31, so that won't help. So, if I order them on the 1st and they get there on the 5th and I don't like them then I have to order more!!! Hum, what to do, what to do?

Best to wait.

2008-08-23T21:47:00.000-07:00

Terrible images. The lighting was really bad.

Finished my second baby shrug and ended up putting almost the exact same flower on it (at the request of mom). It really turned out very cute. I think it will be one of my go to gifts for baby showers and such since it only takes a few days to make and it will get more oohs and aahs than a blanket. I have decided to order some yarn and make my self the big sack sweater from Stitch n' Bitch: A knitters handbook so that I will have something warm and cozy for winter. This will be my first adult sized sweater and I am really excited to start on it. I have decided to work it on circs. instead of straights to eliminate some of the dreaded sewing together. I am, however determined to finish up my slipper socks and get at least three quarters of the way done on my blanket before the swap starts. When I am finished with my swap bag, only then will I allow my self to start on the sack sweater. See, rules are good. I respond well to limits.

Oh, yes. All that needs to be done on the tree skirt is–for it to be frogged. I can't in good conscious waste precious knitting time on a lost cause. It's a shame, too. I started it in april, all excited and imagining giving it to my mom after decorating the tree. My down fall, I think was lack of experience making round objects combined with lack of pattern.

Recycled plastic bag bag is still in the works. I am collecting colorful plastic bags.

Work, work, work!!!

2008-08-22T14:33:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to say that I am almost done applying to be a substitute teacher. I just have to get fingerprinted and voila! I am a sub. It feels really good to be (almost) working again and even better to have a job that will allow me to take care of my son when he is with me and substitute on the days he is with his dad. This wasn't as easy as it sounded, because his dad is a firefighter with a rotating schedule and every week he is with me different days and his dad different days. Also, he doesn't get picked up until 10am which is well after school starts which will further limit the days that I can work, but I don't care! I am finally able to start working for my baby and our future and I don't have to give up the precious time I have with him. And in a year he will start preschool (tears! I don't want him to grow up–but I do) and I will have more opportunities to sub. Anyway, it just feels good!

Going to pick up my sweet baby from his daddy this afternoon. I always look forward to him coming home. People always say, "well that's nice that you get a break," and I am sure if I didn't get the break I would need it, but I just miss him. It's only one night and I miss him.

Speaking of missing people, my sister, and (hopefully her BF) are going to Japan for a year in Jan and I am going to miss them so much. The good news is they are going in Jan and not Oct. as previously planned. Becca (sis) decided to go in Jan. because the friends of theirs who are there now are going to come home for Christmas and since Frank (BF) can't go in Oct. she would be all alone for Christmas. I am so happy that it worked out this way because it would have been a very lonely Christmas with out her. Last year was the first time she wasn't home for Christmas day, but she was there for Christmas Eve. I can handle not seeing her for a year, but not during the holidays! It would be too sad!
Here's a pic of uncle mike blowing out the candles on his birthday brownies. Happy 47th mike!

In other news...
I finished the second baby shrug and just need to block (both) and add embellishment on the lapel. I don't have very many ideas for embellishments as this is the first time I have done them. I usually like to let the yarn and patterns speak for themselves, but in this case the finished product needed a little something. I like the flower I added to the first one, but I was thinking about buttons or something on the second one. It's always fun to do something a little different and since I used the exact same yarn for the same pattern I could use a little variety at this point. Kind of like one sock syndrome but with baby sweaters.

My UFO's
Below tree skirt, slipper sock (need to cast on for second), baby blanket.

Super excited...

2008-08-21T09:03:00.000-07:00

After knitting for a year and constantly searching for patterns on the Internet, I am almost embarrassed to say that yesterday was the first time I had ever heard of a knitalong or swap. In my defense I started knitting when my son turned 1 and have been knitting in my "free time" (which is nap time and for a couple of hours after he goes to be and before I fall asleep.) It is only now that I have had the kind of time to do anything else. So I guess that is my excuse for being uninformed.

Anyway, when I heard of the concept in Larissa and Martin John Brown's awesome book "knitalong" I was immediately interested and after a little searching, found the Big Bag KAL/Swap which I am totally excited to participate in.

I also can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with.

Reach out and knit something

2008-08-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

So, I have created this blog in the hopes of making contact with all those other knitters rumored to be out there. My failed attempts to get my friends and family to knit with me have left me feeling a little alone in my obsession and who wants that?

I have been knitting for about a year and while my mom and sister knit (a little) I am craving a
more of a community. This is not so easily found as I live in a YLS free zone, 40 min away from the nearest stitch n' bitch and as I said my friends want nothing to do with yarn.

My latest project is a baby shrug from Debbie Bliss' "Simply Baby". I have made one already for my friend Ally's beautiful baby girl. I added a little I-cord flower on the lapel and I believe it to be adorable. I am in the process of knitting up another one at the request of my mom who wants to give it to a co-worker, and it is turning out even better due to the fact that I made a few mistakes on the first one (that actually added a nice touch to the FO, but made it hard to sew up at the end).

As for my other UFOs I am going to lits them here in an act of self preservation (if I put them out there for the world to see I might finish them some time before my two year old starts junior high).

Yellow and white baby blanket
Ugly tree skirt that was a good idea in theory, but may get frogged
Red slipper sock, one more to go and I am keeping this pair
Recycled plastic bag bag, sister will be leaving for Japan in Jan. Must finish!
I think that is it.