I'm baaaack

I haven't posted in a few days because I have been in the hospital. I'm all better now thank God, but I'm very tired. I didn't get any knitting done at all while in the hospital. I thought about getting my husband to grab it for me but I was too out of it. I started the swatch for Just Peachy. It's the one on the cover of the Summer Vogue Knitting Mag. I think I'm going to change the pattern just a bit. I don't like how it rolls at the bottom, so I may do an inch or so of seed stitch or p1 k1 ribbing. Hopefull my Aunt Lydia's Microspun will meet the gauge of the pattern. I'm too broke to buy what it calls for. Well I'm off to bed but before I go I wanted to tell you about a charity for wounded soldiers. A fellow blogger posted a comment with a link to a webpage she made for it. She is knitting a lap robe to send off. Check it out here. I'm sorry this is so short. Like I said, I'm wiped out. I'm off to bed.

The Grey Area

I want to start by saying that I am so proud of each and every soldier serving in the Un ited States Military. Both of my brothers have been sent to Iraq, and my brother, Nick, is still over there. He missed the birth of his second son serving his country and probably won't see him until he i s almost a year old. I can't even imagine the anxiety and fear that his wife is experiencing right now. Over the past year or so we have all watched the news in horror as the death toll rises in Iraq. We mourn for the fallen soldiers and grieve with their families. We also celebrate with the families of the men and women who return home safe and sound. However, war is not quite so black and white. There is a grey area that I feel is being overlooked. That grey area is the hundreds and hundreds of men and women injured in the line of duty. Although they did not give their lives for their country they have given legs, arms, fingers, eyes, skin, blood, and more. They toss and turn in the night from insomnia and nightmares. They deal with the pain of surgery after surgery hours and hours of physical therapy. Their families have to stand by and watch their dearest loved ones suffer through the pain and fear. And when this war is over and we have all gone on with our lives, they will live everyday with these reminders. These men and women are heros. Their voices need to be heard. As I was sitting in my safe quiet living room this morning and checking my email I noticed a link on the MSNBC website, This Week in Pictures. Actually, what really caught my eye was the huge picture of a cat being soaped up during a bath. Down towards the bottom next to a tiny black and white picture I read, "Wounded in the line of duty Four Iraq war veterans tell their personal stories of being injured, their perspective on the conflict and their outlook on the future." After the initial anger that a wet cat took priority over wounded American soldiers, I clicked on the link. I sat and watched the slideshow of three men that were wounded while in Iraq. I listened to their stories and witnessed their pain. I heard the voice of the grey area.

Busy busy

I have had a really busy week. I haven't picked up my knitting needles once. I have been doing alot of beading at work though. I've had beading classes every day this week. I made a gorgeous bracelet with Swarovski crystals and memory wire. Here is a tip about memory wire. If you have used it before you will know what I'm talking about. The only glue I have found that really holds the end caps on is good old fashioned superglue. I tried the glue that they had by the memory wire (unfortunately I can't remember the name of it) but the end caps fell off even after I let them set for over 24 hours. So far the superglued ends are still holding up. I'm going to miss my knitting group again tomorrow. I have two beading classes in the afternoon. I was told yesterday that I didn't have to work then told today that I do. I'm so agrivated. This makes two missed meetings. Hopefully I'll be able to get together with them next Saturday. I'm afraid to get my hopes up.

Grrr!!

I'm having a sewing machine disaster! I'm in the middle of making a needle case and my darn sewing machine stops working. I don't know what is wrong with it. I'll probably have to refund the person's money now since I will be without a machine indefinately. My car broke on Saturday knocking me out of my knitting group meeting and now my sewing machine is broken. I'm having a great week so far don't ya think. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

New Book

I bought The Urban Knitter online the other day, and it came in the mail yesterday. The main reason that I wanted the book was for the cute shoes! The shoes you see on the cover aren't the ones that I want to knit. I want to knit the Ballet Slippers/Mary Janes. I'll post a picture of them later. She also has two patterns for knitted bras. I wonder how supportive a knitted bra would be? I tell you what, I intend to find out. Haha! I just have to make at least one of them for the heck of it. There are a couple of other patterns that I like in there as well. For one, there is a pattern for a chenille pillow. I have some chenille in my stash that I was planning on using for an afghan and pillows to go in my living room. I know that I could just make up my own pattern, but I really like the ones in the book. There is also a really cute halter top pattern that looks super easy, a pretty beaded purse, and a Lattice Pullover. I must say I'm happy with my new library addition.

Sexy Summer Patterns Cont.

Here are some more sexy summer tops. These are all Knitting patterns, but I'll have some crochet patterns coming soon.

The Girl From Auntie has a really cute Summer Funnel Sleevless Top.

ChicKnits has two very cute sleeveless tops: Bonnie Marie's UCan2 Shell and Boatneck Shell. ChicKami isn't free but it is well worth the 4.95 as far as I'm concerned.

Lionbrand Microspun Drop Stitch Knitted Tank Top is very sexy. I love the way that the microspun feels. It is so light and airy.

Keep an eye out for more patterns...

Knitter's Geek Code

The Knitter's Geek Code v1.1
Adapted by Kate Pickering and published in Knitty

-----BEGIN KNITTER'S GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
Version: 1.1

KER++$ Exp+ SPM++ Bamboo+ Wood+ Brittany++ Steel- Plastic- Syn+ Cot+ Wool+ Lux>+ Hemp>+ Stash+>++ Scale+ Tex Lace >FI >Int>Ent Flat Circ DPN Swatch KIP+++ Blog+++ SNB+++ FO++ WIP+++ Gauge F+W+B+ AltCr+++Sw+>Sp

------END KNITTER'S GEEK CODE BLOCK------



I guess I got it right. Here is how I think it translates.

KER++$ : I knit English and right handed. I love to knit but I'm not quite obsessed. I get paid to knit :)

Exp+ : I have been knitting for a few years now, and consider myself an intermediate knitter, at least.

SPM++ : I am not a speed knitter, but I am definately not slow.

Bamboo++
Wood++
Brittany++
Steel-
Plastic- : I knit using bamboo needles and wooden needles. I am trying to collect every size of Brittany needles. I have both steel and plastic needles, but I don't really like them.

Syn+
Cot+
Wool+
Lux>+
Hemp>+ :I have synthetic, cotton, and wool yarn in my stash, and I would like to have cashmere, camel, alpaca, silk, angora, yak, and hemp/organic yarns in my stash.

Stash+>++ : When I spy a terrific yarn bargain, I'm not about to pass it up, so I've got a bit of a stash. I sort through it regularly, and when I start a new project, it's usually out of my stash yarn. I would like to be able to buy moreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Scale+ :Thanks to my day job, I mostly concentrate on small projects, but I manage to fit in a sweater a year.

Fin : I hate this part, but you have to do it. I always try to keep it simple, and I weave in ends or sew seams as I go so it isn't so bad at the end.


Tex
Lace
>FI
>Int
>Ent : I do cables, textured knitting, and lace. I want to do fair isle, intarsia, and entrelac.

Flat
Circ
DPN : I knit flat, with circulars, and double pointed needles. 

Swatch : I knit a swatch before I start a project zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

KIP+++ : I knit in public quite often.

Blog+++ : I love my blog :)

SNB+++ : I love my knitting group and meet with them as often as possible

FO++: I have quite a bit of finished objects.

WIP+++ : I always have a ton of projects going on!

Gauge F+W+B+ : I like to knit with fingering, worsted, and bulky weight yarns.

AltCr+++Sw+>Sp : I also know how to crochet(24 years), sew, and I am learning to spin.

Sexy Summer Patterns Cont.

I have continued the hunt for more sexy summer patterns. More will soon follow. If you crochet, don't worry. I am going to be adding plenty of crochet pattern links. In fact there is one in this entry. Enjoy!


White Lies Designs has HOT HOT HOT lingerie patterns for sale. I am definately going to buy a couple of patterns from this site. Heehee! I think it would be too fun to knit lingerie!  The designer also offers free patterns. I thought the Shapely Tank was quite sexy :)

We all know that Knitty rocks!! You can find some verrrrrrry sexy patterns there. My favorite sexy patterns on this site are Twins, Cleo, and Sigma. One of the patterns from Twins is definately going to make it onto my needles!

At Once Upon A Pattern I found a pattern for a Crocheted Garter. Garters are quite sexy and make a great gift for a bride to be. This is an old pattern, but I'm sure you'll agree that a garter is timeless.

This pattern is from Rebecca. It is called Bikini with Ribbed Pattern, but you could wear the top anytime. This is a PDF file that you can download.  You need Adobe Acrobat to get it.





I have no affiliation with any of the sites listed

The Hunt!

I've decided to hunt down some free sexy summer patterns on the internet and post the links here. There will be both Knitting and Crochet patterns. I have no affiliation with any of the sites listed.

Berroco a huge library of free patterns. I have picked out the ones I thought were the sexiest. Hehe! The first one is called New York City Lights. It is one of the shirts that has only one shoulder. Bare Shoulder = HOT! The next one is called Jenna. It is a sexy little lingerie top that you don't have to wear underneath clothing. Too Cute! You can show your tummy off in this cute litte cabled tank called Irene. There is another cropped tank called Tony. They have discontinued the yarn that the pattern is calls for but who the heck cares about that! Barbie is made out of the same yarn. This sexy tank laces up the sides...yummmmmm! I can't get enough of these tanks! Check out Alexa (discontinued yarn). The tops don't have to be tanks to be sexy. Check out Cassie, Janet, Angel St, and Paulina. Ok one last Berroco pattern! One thing that is essential to every woman's wardrobe is a Little Black Dress.

That is enough for now, but it certainly isn't the end of the hunt. I'll be making new additions daily until I get tired of doing it or I just can't find anymore!

Saturday

My knitting group was kinda small today, but it was still fun! At first it was just Janette and I, but Dale showed up a little later. I worked on my 2x2 socks today. I have about an inch to go, and I'll start the heel. I haven't been reading ahead so I don't know what type of heel she uses. I guess I'll find out soon enough. Janette and Dale brought their beaded knitting. It looks so beautiful! I HAVE to try this now! I just need to find some size 0000 needles first. They are SMALL needles.

I have the pattern for ChicKami now, but I need to buy the needles. I was going to stop by an LYS on the way home, but I couldn't remember how to get there haha!  I think I have some metal size 6 circs, but I want to get some bamboo. I may even spring for addis! I have my hands full of projects right now, so it won't kill me to wait and go another day. I really ought to call first anyways.

I did stopped by Wal-Mart, and they had a bunch of yarn on sale. I got four cones of Aunt Lydia's Baby Denim for 2.50 a cone! It is a really nice lightweight cotton, and it feels really soft. I'm going to swatch it, and see how it feels knitted up. I wanted to buy more, but I really don't need to be spending the money! When is that stuff going to start growing on trees?!

Knitting Hangman

Test your knowledge of knitting terms by playing a game of Knitting Hangman. It is a great boredom reliever. Have fun! Click Here

Work work work :)

I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that I haven't been able to touch my 2x2 socks lately. The good news is, I haven't been able to touch my 2x2 socks lately. Hahaha! Ok that is confusing. It is good news, because I have been so busy working I haven't had time for them. Yay! The good news is actually that I have a job. I got the job teaching beading, knitting and crocheting. They also gave me hours this week for inventory. The last two days I have been paid to stock yarn and organize pattern books. Um is that work? I was loving it!

In my free time I have been knitting squares to go on a picture board in the classroom. I want the students to be able to see what certain stitches look like. I'm going to have it go from simple stitches like the garter stitch to more complicated stitches like cables or lacey patterns. I started on the simple stitches first, so I've been doing some mindless knitting while watching television or reading. It is so relaxing just to zone out. Once I get my squares done, I'm going to get those socks finished. I think after that I'll cast on ChicKami using the yarn Janette gave me. One thing I really like about this pattern is that it's worked in the round. That means no sewing! I know how to finish. I am perfectly capable of doing it, but I don't really like it. Do you?

Wonderful Gifts

I met with my knitting group again yesterday. I think I ended up doing more talking than knitting. My friend Janette gave me some wonderful gifts! She is the one that is helping me learn to spin. First she surprises me with some beautiful yarn. I was so shocked! The label says Sorrento The Italian Collection. The balls are 50g each and are made up of 58% Vicose and 42% Cotton. She says to me,"If you don't like it, it won't hurt my feelings." Don't like it?? It is now the prettiest yarn that I own. I LOVE it. Here it is....

Isn't it pretty? Well the picture doesn't really do it justice. It is much prettier in person. This yarn is already speaking to me. It is saying, "I want to be ChicKami!" Ok, maybe it is yelling at me. Yeah it's yelling.

Then she gives me the roving. I think it is absolutely precious! It is a beautiful pink and it has little sparkly fibers throughout it. I can't for the life of me remember what she called it. I'll have to get back to you on that. She says that it is supposed to be good roving to learn with and it is what she learned how to spin with. Check it out...

It reminds me of cotton candy! I just love it! Unfortunately, you can't really see the sparkles in this picture. Maybe I'll take a close up of it later. Now I have to find a spindle. She showed me a website that has a spindle she thinks will be great for a begginer, and it is inexpensive. I'm going to order it today. She brought a spindle to B&N with her and showed me how to use it. My goodness she makes it look so easy. I kept screwing up! Now I'm afraid to spin the roving she gave me. It is so pretty that I don't want to mess it up. I need to get some ugly cheap stuff to screw up! Haha! She gave me a book on spinning that I need to read before I attempt it again. Janette is so awesome. I am very lucky to have met someone that is so sweet and generous.

Woohooo!!

I have one word.........KNITTY!



Ok maybe I should elaborate. The new Spring issue of Knitty is in. I absolutely love this online magazine, and find it amazing that it is free. Anyways if you haven't seen it before click on the link above. You won't be disappointed.

Would love some feedback

As you can see I made some serious changes to this site. I would really like to know what you think. There may be one more layout change in the future. I don't really think I'll ever be finished.