Knit and Run

I love making me some baby sweaters

2007-04-12T15:24:00.000-07:00

I love baby sweaters; they are quick, and they look cute, and hey - those wearing them generally don't complain that it's not in style, or you missed a stitch, or anything like that. I made this for he who shall be born next week. I used to work with his Mom - she's a cool one!

This is a really nice pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts; in fact, it's so nice, I've knitted it twice. It's all in the round, with the sleeve done separately in the round and then attached. I originally wanted 3 buttons, but 2 will have to do, because I didn't want the neck to be too high, and my spacing wasn't thought out enough.

Oh yeah, I used Lorna's Laces Shephard Sport in the Jeans colorway, I do believe. 2 skeins, and I have a lot of one left over. I also got to use my addi's (yum yum)!!

I shouldn't be surprised

2007-03-31T23:02:00.000-07:00

McDonald's new gourmet coffee is awful. I took three sips, and then stopped. I could not drink any more. If I had still been at McDonald's, instead of the 101 onramp, I would have taken it back and asked for a soda instead.

Why on earth did I think that McDonald's coffee would have been anything but awful?

Let's Pretend it's Friday

2007-03-15T21:54:00.000-07:00

Well, for some people (like those on the east coast, and almost those who observe Central Time), it is Friday, so here's my news!

I QUIT MY JOB!!! I was there a really long time, it would have been 9 years at the end of the month, but it was time to move on. I had a wonderful opportunity present itself (I kind of stuck myself in there, actually), and so I am moving on.

I am going out on my own with a former co-worker to start a company recruiting structural engineers. We'll be working with engineers all over the country, and working with engineers of all levels, but mainly those in the 3-5 year range.

I'm looking forward to a lot of hard work getting the company off and running, but I am expecting it to be rewarding in ways I haven't even thought of yet!

Of course, I don't have a paycheck now, so that kind of sucks...................Let's hope I'm good at my job!

If anyone knows of any structural engineers looking for their dream job, have them give me a call!

Knitting

2007-03-15T21:00:00.000-07:00

I have been knitting - quite a bit actually, but I don't have anything new to show just now. Check back in about a week - I have a baby shower deadline!

Maybe a new post is in order

2007-03-14T22:26:00.000-07:00

Big things are happening. If it was Friday, I could tell you, but since it's only Wednesday, I must wait!

See you on Friday :)

FO #9 - Teddy Bear

2006-09-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

What is it? Teddy Bear from Mother Bear Project. I found the idea for this on Another Blog
What needles did you use? Aluminum #7
What kind of yarn is that? Leftover Manetto Hill Yarnery Chorus, Color 27, along with Lion-Brand Wool-Ease
Who's it for? I haven't decided if I'm going to send it to Mother Bear Project or if I'm going to give it to Kimberly, or if I'll send it to the sister that is getting the hat (she's on a missionary trip, and maybe there will be a kid that could use it)
Anything else? This was a cute way to use up extra yarn. I would like to create my own teddy bear pattern using circular needles, but we'll have to see if I make it that far.

FO #8-ish - Hat

2006-09-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

What is it? Kim's Hat Pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts

What needles did you use? Susan Bates Quicksilver Circ Size 9, and Bamboo DPNs

What kind of yarn is that? Manetto Hill Yarnery Chorus, Color 27 (I got it at Tuesday Morning)

Who's it for? Not really sure - maybe my sister that is spending a year in a country far far away (where it's supposed to be so cold that she is not shaving her legs while she's gone)

Anything else? I bought the needles from a small shop in Lake Tahoe (The Wool Tree) while on vacation. The women who owned the shop was AWESOME! She led me away from the Addi's, which were twice as much, explaining that the Quicksilver's were still pretty nice, and she was right! They have a good weight, not too light, like another pair of plastic needles I bought in the UK 6 years ago. She also gave me two stitch markers when she found out that I was just going to use a paper clip (I didn't like the stitch markers she was selling, but the ones she had were just like the ones I had left at home)

** The reason this is 8-ish is that I have completed 1 other blanket, and 2 carseat blankets (crocheted), but as I don't have pictures of them, they don't "count" **

Yeah! We're moving!!

2006-06-13T12:04:00.000-07:00

Well, it finally happened. Someone bought our humble abode. We, in turn, found a new abode that we like, so we will be relocating as of July 6th! Very fast, I must say, but let's do it! So now we are in the midst of sorting and throwing away and donating and packing...all those things you do when you're going to move.

We tried to make our job easier last night. We were making some blended drinks (frozen cranberry drink mix, water, ice, vodka), and the blender made a funny sound (and smell). So, that went in the throwing away pile.

I have been knitting quite a bit, but unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the project I finished. It was Baby Blanket 3/4, and it was the Big Bad Baby Blanket pattern from Stitch n Bitch. I used some Red Heart baby yarn, and it took less than 2 skeins on #8 needles. The recipient is a very cute little boy named Trevor, and I will try to ask his mom for pictures sometime soon!

Now, on to Baby Blanket 4/4, which is for my niece who will arrive in July (well, her Mom is hoping that she'll be here in June, but she's not counting on it).

Ooh, I also crocheted some fun fun onto some flip flops for a flip flop exchange in my online moms group. They turned out pretty funky -- the recipient says she liked them.....cool!

It only took 2 weeks....

2006-05-25T15:05:00.000-07:00

To get rid of the cold. But for now, I feel pretty normal!

I had a business trip this week. I was supposed to be away from home Monday - Friday. I was nervous about being away that long. Not because I don't think N can take care of the kidlet (I knew he'd be fine), but because I thought I might start to miss her. I did miss her, but I got to come home early! YAY! One of the trainings I was supposed to do was cancelled because not enough people signed up, so I convinced everyone that paying $100 to change my ticket and be able to work Thursday and Friday was more cost effective than paying $300 to stay at the conference and not be able to help with support.

Of course, I got home and realized that I have already worked my 36 hours this week (I've worked 40 by now), so I might leave a little early tomorrow too!

crappity crap crap crap

2006-05-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

That is what I feel like. I picked up a cold from the kidlet, and I think I feel worse then she did. I got a sick day out of it, but that was before I felt sick, so it doesn't count. Good thing TV SUCKS on Wednesday (ever since the WW moved to Sunday nights!), that way I didn't feel bad falling asleep at 8:30!

Not a lot of knitting going on, although I'm halfway through with the BBBB from Stitch & Bitch. My friend is having her kid soon, though, so I need to hurry.

Oh! I taught myself how to Crochet! Janet from my knitting group was always telling me how great it is, and I told her that I tried to learn but couldn't. Then I decided I should try again....and I did it! I'm making a funky car seat blanket-thingy (really, it's just a rectangle of some random yarn that doesn't have matching dyelots, so I'm trying to get rid of it!)

Payton's Homespun Diagonal Blanket (Baby Blanket 2/4)

2006-04-30T21:56:00.000-07:00

When did you start? ???
When did you finish this? April 23rd-ish
What is it? Diagonal Baby Blanket from www.LionBrand.com
What needles did you use? Size 13, starting with Straights, then moving to circulars.
What kind of yarn is that? Lionbrand Homespun, Quartz (3 Skeins)
Who's it for? Payton, the Baby Daughter of my cousin Taylor

Anything else? This blanket is very easy, but towards the middle, it was monotonous. Gage is not really crucial -- I used size 13 needles instead of Size 11, and I increased until I was about halfway through the 2nd skein.

I'm not sure how well it will hold its shape (I've heard homespun sometimes has issues because it is so heavy) I love the way the colors stripe in the blanket, and the fact that it's worked on the diagonal makes it look fancy. I can confirm that I don't like plastic needles -- they just don't have the right balance.

I'm done with more than half of my baby blankets!!!

Someone Buy my House....PLEASE!

2006-04-29T11:56:00.000-07:00

That's all I have to say!

Update: Someone came and looked at our house on Friday. We were told that she loved it, and that she wanted to bring her husband by on Saturday, but the offer was pretty much written. Saturday comes............no phone call. Sunday comes..............no phone call. Our agent calls their agent, and apparently he has been trying to get in touch with them since Saturday morning, without success.

It figures - we find a buyer for the house, and they fall off the face of the earth..............

12*15 + 8 = 188 Bobbles

2006-04-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

After reading heatherfeather's comments on my Bobbles post, I started to think; what is it that I really dislike about bobbles? Inidividually, they're not that bad. You just do the following (from the bottom up):

Next Row....
Row 5......../\.....slip 1, K2tog, PSSO
Row 4......./\....P2tog, P1, P2tog
Row 3...........K5
Row 2......\\o//....P1, (P1, YO, P1) in the next st, P1
Row 1........\o/.....(K1, YO, K1) in the next st
Base Row....

Yes, there's a lot of turning of the work, but even that's not so bad. Then it hit me -- it was the NUMBER of bobbles! I made this blanket for the kidlet, and it had 8 bobbles in one row, then the next time, there were 7 bobbles in one row. I repeated this 12 times, plus the 8 bobble row once more, so there are 12x15 = 180+8 = 188 bobbles on this blanket.

It's enough to make anyone dislike bobbles!

I don't like David Caruso.....

2006-04-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

This has been swimming around in my head since Monday night.....

I admit it - I am addicted to CSI: Miami. I have never really gotten into any of the other CSI shows, but I started watching CSI: Miami, and now I can't stop. The funny thing, is I don't even like David Caruso - he kind of makes me want to puke. He's the main character, so you would think if I watch the show, I must like him, but I don't.

I do like Emily Proctor. I've been impressed with her ever since she played Ainsley Hayes on The West Wing. I think that's what initially drew me to CSI: Miami, and seeing as how there is nothing else on TV on Monday nights, I stayed there.

I've tried to stop watching that show - the episodes just get more farfetched.......but I can't. It's a little like a train wreck..............

Orion's Pinwheel Blanket (AKA 1/4 Baby Blanket)

2006-04-20T20:26:00.000-07:00

When did you start? March 20th
When did you finish this? April 16th
What is it? Pinwheel Blanket from Knitlist
What needles did you use? Size 9, starting with DPN and moving to 16" circs, then 32" circs, and finally 60" circs
What kind of yarn is that? Bernat Baby Coordinates in Aqua/Pink, with Bernat Soft Boucle in Clue Shades
Who's it for? Orion -- the baby son of Cheryl from my knitting group. I saw him today, and he is adorable!

Anything else? I wanted to post this earlier, but on the off chance that Cheryl has time to be on the web, and that she would somehow find this site, I didn't post it until I gave it to her! This yarn was easy to work with, and it worked up pretty fast.....but 550 stitches to bind off is not that much fun, especially when you're using a new castoff techinique which involves knitting two stitches, slipping them back to the left needle, knitting them together, then knitting the next stitch (then repeating the process 549 more times) Still, I like the way it turned out.

FO #5 - Placket Neck Sweater

2006-04-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

What is it? Child's Placket Necked Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts
What needles did you use? Addi Turbos, Size 7, and Bamboo DPNs for the sleeves
What kind of yarn is that? Cascade Cherub Collection Aran
Who's it for? The cutest little girl in the world!

Anything else? This was my first sweater, and I'm glad I started small! I'm not great with the double pointed needles - I can see the gaps at the transitions, and I don't know how to fix that. I've read to pull the first couple stitches extra tight, but I can still see the gap!

FO #4 - The Coronet Hat

2006-04-17T14:03:00.000-07:00

When did you start? ???
When did you finish this? Sometime before March 9th 2006

What is it? Coronet from Knitty
What needles did you use? Size 8 DPN for the cable, Size 9 plastic circs and bamboo DPN for the main hat
What kind of yarn is that? Lamb's Pride Worsted in a beautiful color that I can't find the label for just now
Who's it for? ME ME ME!!!

Anything else? This is my new snowboarding hat! It rocks! I wore it on our Keystone trip, along with these (which I also made out of Lamb's Pride), and they kept me so warm! I got to use my new picking up stitches skill, which I'm very proud of.

The hat looks better on me, but I couldn't resist the model!

If I had known people were reading this.....

2006-04-16T11:36:00.000-07:00

I really didn't think anyone was reading this (yet). I hadn't given the link out to anyone, but it shows up in my blogger profile info. HF stopped by (yay!) which makes me happy, because I think she is a kick-ass knitter, and she is proof to me that the internet makes the world a smaller place (I don't know her, but I know someone that knows someone that knows her).

I feel bad, though, because I haven't been writing anything. I have been knitting, though! I will upload pictures pretty soon, so you can see what I've been working on. I finished a sweater for the kidlet, and I finished my ski hat (which was WONDERFUL on our trip to Keystone, CO), and I'm 1/4 on baby blankets. That's not 1/4 of the way done with a baby blanket, that's I have 1 blanket done out of 4 that I'm working on. Don't any of my friends/relatives (who don't know each other) know they need to space the babies out if they want me to make blankets???

Not making any friends at the LYS

2006-02-25T07:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to one of my LYS -- I had never been there, and I got a message from my Yahoo! group that they were having a sale, so I thought I would check it out!

Things were going great, I found a wonderful yarn (Cascade Cherub Aran) to make the Placket-Neck Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, and it was 25% off!! Then it happened....

I was standing in line to pay, and the lady behind me had a basket full of yarn. She turned to the employee/teacher she was working with and said, "so if I have any questions about the bobbles, I can ask you, right? I'll make sure to do my homework first." I turned and made a comment to the tune of, "oh, bobbles, THOSE are fun!"

I couldn't help it - I made a blanket for the kidlet that had so many bobbles, and they are truthfully a PITA. Unless there is a way that you can work them without turning your work around 5 times, I stand by my comment.

The employee was NOT happy with me. She kept telling the lady, "they're fine, you'll be fine". I tried to backtrack, since she was glaring at me, but it was hard. I guess next time I'll just keep my mouth shut.

I should have asked her if she knew a way to work them without turning the work.......

2006 FO #2&3 - "Love" Dishcloths

2006-02-07T15:03:00.000-08:00

When did you start? January 30th, 2006
When did you finish this? January 31st, 2006

What is it? Love Dishcloth from Knittingknonsense.com, and a pattern I created myself
What needles did you use? Size 9 aluminum needles
What kind of yarn is that? Sugar & Cream yarn in
Who's it for? One is for my secret pal, one is for me

Anything else? I rewrote the pattern to make it look a little different. I'm still not sure. After washing, they curled up badly -- the pattern as written fared better -- with my adjusted pattern, it really has to be blocked, or it looks funny.

Still, very easy and quick project -- I finished something!

Not much (but enough) knitting - good time with the fam

2006-01-30T13:05:00.000-08:00

This weekend was fun - Hub and I took the Kidlet to Fresno, and PGma met us there. PGma watched the Kidlet on Saturday while Hub and I went snowboarding for the first time in 2 years. It was a great day. I remember how to snowboard (yay!)

It snowed all morning long...sometimes big flakey flakes, sometimes little balls of ice, but it was beautiful. The powder was a little non-existent, but there were some runs that were just great!

I tried to work on my hat in the truck on the way up the hill....but I started to get carsick. I did find that I had dropped a stitch on the previous round (ouch), but I figured out how to fix it (yeah) without a crochet hook (hard). Then, I realized I didn't have the book with me, so I wasn't sure how long I was supposed to go before I start the decreases, so I switched over to the BBBaby Blanket on the way home. It looks pretty now that I am past the border!!!

Worked on the BBBaby Blanket while the kidlet was in the bath last night -- until she started pulling up on the side of the tub. Then, I started saying, "clap your hands", which meant she hat to stand up on her own.....and she did!!! Walking is so close now!

2006 FO #1 - Clapotis Scarf

2006-01-26T22:12:00.000-08:00

When did you start? Sometime between Thanksgiving & Christmas
When did you finish this? January 26, 2006

What is it? Clapotis from knitty.com
What needles did you use? Addi Turbos, size 7 (a Christmas gift from my sister!)
What kind of yarn is that? Novelty Boutone from handpaintedyarn.com in Picnic
Who's it for? Me!

Anything else? This is my second Clapotis. I did a full size one last year using Red Heart, just to see how it would work. This one is much prettier, but I need to block it some -- otherwise it's very skinny as it rolls. This is my first finished project with yarn not bought at Michael's or Joann's (or WalMart). I can't wait to wear it sometime this weekend after skiing!!!

This Clapotis Scarf is approximately 60" long. For the record, I did modified the pattern as follows:

Section 1
Section 2 - 4 Repeats
Section 3 - I repeated section 3 until I had 20 sets of drop-stitches
Section 4 - I repeated section 4 until I had 13 stitches
Section 5

A million and one projects

2006-01-25T12:42:00.000-08:00

Why is it that I can't have just one project going at a time? I start a hat. Then about halfway through the hat, I start a Clapotis scarf. Now, I'm three straight row repeats away from finishing clapotis, and I start the Big Bad Baby Blanket. I also bought some Paton's Grace to make a swatch for a sweater for the Kidlet. I need to do the following:

1) Finish these three projects before starting anything else new

2) Look through my stash to see what yarn I can use up sometime soon

3) Kiss and hug the kidlet a million times a day

4) Clean up my office. That thing is a pigsty. I can't get any work done in the middle of the mess

Come to think of it, put #3 at the top of my list. The others will work themselves out.

Turning over a new thought.....

2006-01-24T14:53:00.000-08:00

So, I have a blog for the kidlet, but I need one of my own. This one is mine, all mine! Welcome to my adventures in working from home, knitting, and chasing around an 11 month old.