i'll knit if i want to...or not

So this use to be my knitting blog, now its a purging place for all of my ramblings...whether it be craft, cooking, or just the craziness of my everyday life!

Friday, September 29, 2006

Last Minute

So I have been a slack blogger...I know. But I just haven't been able to muster up the patience, time or energy. Tomorrow we leave to go back to the states. And i feel all nervous. Why? I don't know. Maybe its because this is the longest I have ever been away...maybe because I am leaving my new home for a whole 4 months...maybe because I am going to go back to work at the restaurant and I know I will be asked 20 times a day "oh you're back! did things not work out in N.z?" and then I will have to explain in as few words as possible...yes things are working out just fine thanks just home for a (long) visit and need to make some money (which already feels like way too long of an explanation). Also I won't see JFC for almost 3 months. That's a long time. And I'm not looking forward to it.

but I am looking forward to seeing my family and my friends and going to the peanut barrel, and good yarn stores (oooo the yarn stores) and riding a bike and looking thru all of the books and magazines at barnes and noble and then not buying them, and being able to get anything and everything my little heart desires, and good sushi and the list goes on and on...

So I'm excited...and i'm nervous....and really all that has been looping thru my head for the past 2 months is "can' you believe we're leaving in (insert lenght of time here) ?? isn't that nuts?) and rather than bore you with that phrase as i have done with jfc, I have just left the posting. I am sure I will have lots and lots to say in just a day or 2.

And as for knitting..well Lets just say I have worked my butt off on that sweater from Knitting Nature...and its finished. Finally. But i have new plans for that sweater. and so you won't see it for a little while yet. and right this second i am not knitting one damn thing. heh heh. i need a minibreak(okay i don't really...but i am kind of being forced into one)...and with all of the craziness of flying and heightened security I figured I will just start fresh once I have crossed borders. In the meantime I have 2 new lovely knitting magazines and a crossword book to keep me busy while traveling. and I will do my darndest to be a better blogger once everything settles down just a wee bit.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Edit : Undo



When it comes to knitting...and especially the project I am currently working on...and well even life in general...I wish I had an Undo button. I wish I could just push Control Z and go back a step or 2. I am making the Asymmetrical Cardigan from Knittiing Nature...and I don't even have a picture to post of it, because the needle is so full of stitches I am afraid if I move it they will all fall off. She advises to use straight needles. Let me tell you...that isn't the best idea. Oh sure...you can make it work, but you better have one of those handy needle point topper things if you plan on setting it down otherwise you can say peace out to at least 20 of the those edge stitches. and the weight! holding up a needle so fully loaded...well lets just say my wrists are getting quite the workout.

I love this cardigan. I want it to be mine. But I will tell ya....it puts you thru hell and back trying to get it done. The directions are minimal to say the most. Now I love this book, and have done nothing but rave about it...but I could use a little more guidance. Especially with this pattern (the first pattern in the book I might add!) The chart is beyond confusing as she has you start and stop depending on the size you are doing...which sounds simple enough, and maybe it is and I just struggle...but I'm thinking no. she decreases and adds stitches without at all altering where you need to begin on the chart so that these hexagons don't end up all misalligned.

*deep breath* so basically, I'm struggling a bit (a big bit). I have frogged and restarted the front so many times I was worried the yarn might just fall apart. But I have taken matter into my own hands. adjusting the chart where I see fit. Is this wise? Should I have just trusted in the designer? Did as I was told? Maybe...only time will tell.



In other (very exciting) news...as of this afternoon I was informed that I am officially a Resident of New Zealand!! I am relieved to be done with that process and so excited that it all went smoothly. I was worried that it wouldn't be finished before I left to go back to Michigan for a long visit, and that would effect it and cause more delays. But with just a week left it looks like I am all set!

One last thought to leave you with...waxing your underarms, when you have never tried such a task...well lets just say it is another one of those times I wouldn't mind having that undo button. ouch.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Hugging Trees



When I was about 6 I ran face first into a tree. But thats another story.



This is a camisole I designed back in June. I hadn't shown it because I had submitted it to try and be published. But unfortunately it wasn't what she was looking for. As I read the rejection email...I felt like running into a tree again.



I felt a bit sad, and then a bit embarassed. You know ...the whole "what made me think that I could design something they would want? I'm not good at this. Thank goodness I am going back to school in a year" kinda talk. But I feel better now. And I am happy to finally show it off. I love knitting...in all of its crafty goodness. I love that I am a knitter. Life is good...even if I do still have the scar from running into that tree all those years a go. Me and knitting...and trees - we're like apples and bananas and oranges.
heh heh

Monday, September 11, 2006

Merrily-We-Go-Round


Well after JFC lost the other hat I made him this year...so I finally got around to making him a new one. He wanted something that kind of spiraled so this is what I came up with. I think it is very subtle, but with enough flare to catch the eye. I used a natural undyed n.z. wool that I had made his last hat out of, and luckily had just enough (only about 1/2 a yard left over!)

So there you go! his new "Merrily-We-Go-Round" Hat! Hopefully he won't lose this one :)

I also knit up a swatch for the Asymmetrical Cardigan in Knitting Nature, which I will hopefully finish before heading to the states in a few weeks, where I should be quickly greeted with a colder winter than the one I just experienced here...brrrr.


In other news...I had planned on posting on Sunday evening but it seems we forgot that we had guests coming to stay for 2 days! Woops. Got home sunday night to the phone ringing...they had been in town for about 5 hours. heh heh. Next time it seems we better write down the dates. All in all though, it turned out really nice. I must say it has been wonderful having people around so much at the house lately.

Oh yes...and one more word of caution: It isn't always the best idea to drink that extra glass of wine the night before hoofing it up a very steep 2 hour walk...ouch. But the views were spectacular! We could see all the way to the ocean...very nice.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Micah Phillip

First and most importantly...please meet my brand new nephew! Micah Phillip, held here my 2 other absolutely adorable nephews- Aidan Xavier and Trace Urban!!! I can't wait to see all of them in less than a month!

And because I am such a good little knitter...I also present to you an FO!...okay so its been a while since I had something finished to show you..heh heh.

And here is a closer picture:

and cloooser:

and my normal shot in my pajamas just before bed. This is the Shell Tank from Knitting Nature. I did the size small with 2 inches added in length. As you can see this is quite the oversized top. It fits more like a tunic than a tank, but I still like how it looks, especially layered over something else. I used Cotone yarn, about 6 balls worth in a nice leafy green color...I promise my next project from this book will be in a different color...I jsut really like bright green. It took me probably a week total to knit...but that is just a rough estimate as I was highly distracted by all of the beautiful weather we have been having, not to mention numerous house guests.

I've said it before, and I will say it again...I highly suggest this book!

Saturday, September 02, 2006

HEeeeyy You Guuuuyysss


So I would love to be posting today with a picture of my fabulously finished Shell Tank.....But I can't. Because I haven't worked on it. I have probably only knit for a short a few minutes over the past week. I've said it before ...and I'lll say it again...I've just been really busy. Busier than you would think a girl who only works 3 days a week could be! But we have had lots of guests and the weather has been spectaculaaaarrrrr. So I haven't been inside...or for that matter even in a solitary position. We have been going on walks. Lots of walks.

And as proof that I am not just being a lazy knitter...here is me and JFC at the beginning of our 4 hour walk yesterday, sitting in front of the Tarawera Falls. I'll tell you what this whole walking/hiking/tramping whatever you like to call it...I like it. I like it a lot. Now I just need to work out how to walk, knit, and look at all of the nature-y splendor around me and I will be good to go.

Well it is Father's Day here today (so happy fathers day again daaaaaaaaaaad)...so it is time for me to make up a recipe for Fish Tacos and Mexican Brown Rice (it seems JFC thinks this is JFC day..he picked the menu) and we are going for a 3 hour walk..and ineed to grocery shop..and clean the house...and then maybe, just maybe...do some knitting tonight!