Knitting Sloth

Ladies and Gentlemen....

2008-02-27T19:38:00.002-06:00

I'm back. Yes, about 10 days after we moved we finally got our internet back. Thank god. I was going through some serious withdrawals. I finished the back of my sweater and then when I took a good look at it, I realized that the dye lots were different. To someone who didn't know I'm sure it looks just fine but to me it's infuriating. I guess I'll have to learn to live with it. One of these days I will get back to working on it.
"Song of Singapore" opened this last weekend and we couldn't have been happier. Our audiences were very complimentary and our first review was very kind. Unfortunately, our leading lady got very sick (lost her voice) and I had to go on both Saturday and Sunday. It was certainly fun but I don't envy all of the vocal stress and I had never had a rehearsal so that made me about pee my pants. Actually, everything went extremely well and I got some good praise... too bad no one I knew could see it! Maybe I'll go in another day.
We love our new townhouse! All of the room we have is wonderful! It's been nice to stretch out and the cats have been loving it. Some things need to be fixed (cough, cough, the upstairs toilet) but we'll get there.

Well, I guess that's it. So much for a big comeback....

Laryngitis? Really?

2008-02-13T16:18:00.003-06:00

My cold has lowered into my chest, resulting in laryngitis. Thankfully I can still speak but it sounds like I've smoked as much as Yul Brynner. I decided to stay home from work today (and more than likely tomorrow) because it's impossible to keep track of 14 two years old with a long shore man's voice. Now would be a perfect time to knit, right? Yes, it would. Unfortunately, I REALLY had to memorize lines today. I have to memorize mine, Megan's and Sarah's. That's going decent but I wish I could knit instead. Alright, I'll make myself a deal: "Memorize lines for another hour, then knit that damn sweater." It's actually going well. I'm close to knitting the sleeve holes on the back. I think it'll turn out really pretty.
The raccoon and I discussed Valentine's Day plans the other night. Nothing is planned or set in stone but tonight is the only night we can do something together. I hope we get to do something mushy. Other than that, we're moving on Sunday. According to our landlord, we can move in on Friday. Our schedules are not really working well but on Sunday we finally have a chance to move. I'm really excited to go because our neighbors have been AWFUL. Our next door neighbors fight all the time. Today I was taking a nap on the couch and I woke up to yelling and the couch was actually shaking from all the banging around. They are truly dysfunctional. Only a few more days...
In other news...
Marcel has taken the bare shelves to his advantage. Who knew a book shelf could hold a twenty pound cat?

And...
I've gone back to black. I figured if there is a chance of me filling in for Sarah in the show (her character is Chinese), I figured I should try to look the part.

The raccoon's cake

2008-02-10T20:05:00.000-06:00

I made a zombie bear cake for the Raccoon's birthday. I'm obviously not a cake decorator. I realized (after one cake) that I didn't have enough green frosting for all the bears. Oops. Oh well.

I can't breathe.

2008-02-10T01:08:00.000-06:00

Well, I did indeed get sick. I have a monster cold. I haven't had one in a while. After three years of working with little snot-nosed kiddos, I finally built up an immunity. Unfortunately, this cold snuck through... dirty bastard. Anyway...
I'm working on that sweater! Yes, I actually worked on it. I am past that annoying ribbing phase and now onto... stockinette. Seven inches of stockinette. One hundred stitches each. Don't get me wrong: I like this project but man, it can get tedious.
Tomorrow I could knit my little brains out (first full day off in a LONG time) but I have birthday cakes to make, lines to memorize, music and blocking to work on. I guess it wasn't a day off after all.

PS- Jill has received many compliments on her beautiful scarf. Hooray!

I'm trying...

2008-02-07T18:45:00.000-06:00

...oh lordy, I'm trying. I have literally had NO time to knit. Just thought I'd let you know. I do have a sore throat though. Apparently I'm not too busy to not get sick. So, I made myself a little deal: "If I get sick and am forced to stay home from work and/or rehearsal, I will knit my little heart out." There. I'm holding myself to it.

Yowza

2008-02-03T20:50:00.000-06:00

Wow, I thought I had posted not that long ago. Oops. I blame my rehearsal schedule. I am trying to keep going on that cute little sweater but right now it's just tedious ribbing work for 5". I know it's going to be adorable, but I hate the tedious work!
I finally got Jill's scarf to her and she loved it! Thankfully it was long enough and the partridge looked nice. I was thinking of maybe making custom scarves for my friends with either something like a family crest on it or some sort of image that describes their name. For instance, my friend's last name is Diem, therefore I made the little partridge say "carpe diem." My last name kind of sucks. It means "son of Hans." Boring. I'm always thinking about those projects...

Another openin', another show...

2008-01-28T22:02:00.000-06:00

Tonight was my first rehearsal. I have not had much luck getting a lot of knitting done before such rehearsal. Oh well. I did start a cute spring/fall sweater in a pretty maroon, which will be super cute. Unfortunately, it looks as though I won't have time to knit at rehearsal- too much work for me.

My friend, Sondra, inspired me to start a new project. I got her a learn to knit kit for Christmas and she finally started. However, she said that it was complicated and just couldn't get it. She brought the book to me and... good gravy, that was CONFUSING. To cast on the directions were something like, "Put yarn in your hand, wrap around your index finger, around your thumb, up your sleeve, in your ear, etc." After ditching the most complicated knitting lesson ever, I gave her a quick how to. She is working hard to make a sweet little scarf and later onto washcloths. Good times.

ça, ce n'est pas un beret

2008-01-23T22:39:00.000-06:00

Okay, either the girl in the pattern picture...
a) has a teeny head
or...
b) has stuffing in the hat.

I finished the hat (like I suspected) and either
a) I have a big ol' head
or...
b) something went awry
or...
c) this isn't a beret at all.

I'm going with c. I don't care. It's cute and soft! Plus, if you want a project to finish in one day... do it.

PS- Wow, I look terrible at 10:30 at night. Whoa.

Sacre bleu!

2008-01-23T21:07:00.000-06:00

I've started my beret- this picture isn't me. :-) At the rate I'm going, I will be done.... maybe tonight, so there's no need to post an "in progress" picture. I got some lion brand "Jiffy" yarn and followed the pattern (I think, also by Lion Brand) called "Over-size beret." I worked on it for the majority of the afternoon. I want to get a lot of knitting done before my show starts rehearsal. I meant to get a lot of stuff done today but that darn hat kept me busy. I did manage to do some dishes, take out the trash, pay some bills, do some light (really light) cleaning, get the mail, etc. but I was hoping to go to Super Target, maybe exercise (yeah right) and what not. I suck. Knitting rules my life.

2008-01-22T20:24:00.001-06:00

2008-01-22T18:19:00.001-06:00

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Jill's scarf is done!

2008-01-22T16:06:00.000-06:00

Hooray! It's FINALLY finished! I sat and knitted for three dvr'd episodes of the Nanny and two episodes of South Park and dammit, I got it finished. Unfortunately, she is rehearsing a show like crazy and barely has time to make a phone call, let alone pick up a scarf. I'm starting rehearsal next Monday so that makes it double-y hard. Two girls + 6 days a week rehearsals + day jobs = no time. Eh, one of these days we'll have to make time for a bloody mary. On to the next project....

Blerg.

2008-01-21T21:50:00.000-06:00

Once again, my digestive tract has gotten the best of me. I was really sick yesterday (read: vomiting). I thought that perhaps I could take this "sitting on the couch and feeling nauseous" time to knit, but I just couldn't muster up the energy. Jill's scarf is over half done, but now I just need to get it done with. Like I said before, this has been the most difficult project to do because I just can't find the "oomph" for it. Poor Jill... waiting forever for a simple gift.
I definitely think my next project will be a beret. For me.

Ah! Productivity!

2008-01-16T21:28:00.000-06:00

I did it. I actually worked on that scarf tonight (like I said I would). Out of all the projects I've done in the last couple of months, this one has been the hardest to get going. While I've been avoiding this scarf, I've been thinking of all these other projects I'd like to do.
Here are a few:

1) Kicky, adorable beret
2) Marching band-esque sweater
3) Better ear flap hat
4) More sweaters!

I'm definitely going to knit knit knit until I'm out of my scrap yarn. There is no reason to have more than three skeins of black yarn and not do anything about it!

Sorry!

2008-01-15T18:33:00.000-06:00

All right, I apologize, I've fallen behind. Things have been crazy lately. Here's why:
a) Finally saw the townhouse we were looking to rent and found out we got it! We're moving March 1st!
b) I've been doing some voice over work.
c) I got in a show which will be running for 6 MONTHS. Wow.

Needless to say, knitting has taken a tiny back seat at the moment. I have a couple nights off and I WILL work on that scarf. I had my friend Jill over and showed her the progress of her scarf- she loved it! The little felt partridge put her over the top. It's been really cold here lately so that scarf will come in handy.

So, again, sorry! I will be better.

PS- I wore my earflap hat today and wasn't too pleased with it. I'm convinced I need another shot at earflap hats.

Everything's coming up roses

2008-01-10T19:02:00.000-06:00

Today was a day of relief. I FINALLY got some sleep and got a lot of stuff done. I'm finally getting to the bottom of this whole insurance business and I'm going on a voice over audition tomorrow. The raccoon and I are also going to look at a townhouse tomorrow afternoon. Hooray! Since some stress has been released, I decided to work on my friend's scarf. After starting and pulling apart multiple scarves, I finally settled on a two yarn scarf. I had some spare charcoal gray and baby blue yarn. I'm knitting them intertwined in a stockinette stitch. I really like the way it's coming together.

I know it's looks a little random but I kind of like the kooky stuff. My cat, Motor, has also made an appearance in the photo. He has been attacking the yarn while I knit which drives me crazy. I couldn't get him away from the project. I know it looks like a tube right now but I think I might press it under a damp towel when it's done. I am going to sew on that felt partridge on one of the edges and that doesn't work so hot when the projects curls....

Knitting: more stress or stress reliever?

2008-01-07T18:43:00.000-06:00

Oy... so stressful. The last few days have really put me to work. I have been searching like crazy for a new place to live. The raccoon and I have to give notice to our apartment building at the end of this month if we want to move out. I've been searching and searching and SEARCHING for a nice place with enough room for us and the cats (and all the knitting) all under a certain price. That's hard. Meanwhile, I'm dealing with insurance stuff from a car accident and on top of that... I went back to work today. I have been off of work for two weeks and all of a sudden I was thrown back in. Let me just say, it wasn't great.
All of that considered, I'm wondering whether right now is a good time to work on a project or if that's just another thing on my "list." My friend Jill wants a scarf and I want to make her one but I just don't know if I should just straight knit or try to do something fancy. I made a little felt partridge saying "carpe diem" to sew onto the scarf which will be adorable. Her last name is Diem, therefore appropriate. I know she's not going to hold me to making her a scarf but I feel I should. Ah, conundrums.

Sorry for the blurriness, I couldn't get a good pic!

I don't want to...

2008-01-05T14:19:00.001-06:00

Today is shaping up to be a stellar day. I just don't feel like doing anything. I know I need to clean the house (as always) but all I want to do is watch tv and start knitting a new project. I found a super duper cute pattern for a marching band inspired cardigan...

The raccoon thinks it would be a cute design for a man's jacket. I guess that could work. He and I are inexplicably drawn to uniform type clothing (e.g. prep school jackets, military coats, etc.) Maybe I'll crawl out from under my rock and go to JoAnn. Sigh... I'm so lazy.

Proud/Ashamed

2008-01-03T01:07:00.000-06:00

As the title of this post suggests, I am a bit proud/ashamed of myself. I finished my earflap hat! Yes, I know I started it yesterday... and that I don't have a life... but it's finished! I decided to contrast the white with a soft pink- not my best decision but I thought it was cute. I can't tell if the hat is a tad small (it doesn't seem to be) or if I just look dumb when I wear the hat correctly. :-)

I still have the pattern for anyone interested... anyone? The Raccoon and I had a fun day: we saw Sweeney Todd and had a nice late lunch. He reflected that the relationship between Todd and Mrs. Lovett was a bit like ours... minus the blood lust and cooking people. I love spending time with that guy. :-)

Off and knitting

2008-01-02T01:28:00.000-06:00

Today I decided to give it all a break and just loaf around the house. Don't get me wrong, I cleaned the bedroom and the bathroom but I played the wii and knitted. I ran out of yarn on the Raccoon's scarf so I decided to start the next project.

I started the earflap hat that was inspired by "The Girls Next Door." In the episode where they go to Alaska, Bridget wears a cutie little earflap hat. I refuse to pay money for cute stuff that I can replicate so thus my newest project. It's a really piece-y pattern. I made pom-poms, attached an i-cord and made earflaps. I haven't started the actual hat itself because I don't have a charted pattern. I'm thinking of making it a snowflake hat. Who knows.... I'm not sure what color to contrast it with... so many decisions.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T12:21:00.000-06:00

Hello all.
Tired and lazy here.
I have some errands to run today but I really just want to hang out in my pajamas and knit and/or play Mario Galaxy. I went to my friends' house last night and had a blast. My friend Jill and I had a "Long Island New Year." We basically wore tasteless t-shirts, short denim skirts and long tube socks. I think the coup-de-gras was the overly teased hair and fake eyelashes. I had a lot of fun.

Happy New Year to you all! More knitting in 2008!

"Exciting" Day

2007-12-31T01:02:00.000-06:00

Today I ended up going to the emergency room. It was nothing serious: I just wasn't going to wait up to a week for a normal doctor and the urgent care doesn't take abdominal problems. Five hours later and two x-rays, turns out I just have some bad acid reflux that they think is affecting my bowels. Nice. I knew I was going to be there for a while so I took my next project with me.

I'm finally working on that scarf. I took this picture yesterday and I now have 5 links completed. Basically, this project is going to take a lot of time and a lot of yarn. I'm knitting it using 14 stitches by 60 rows. So far, I think it's looking nice. The raccoon seems to agree.

There's a new kitty in the house...

2007-12-29T17:34:00.000-06:00

Last night I woke up and was very thirsty. I grabbed a quick drink of lactose free milk and suddenly felt dizzy and light headed. At one point I had to squat down and put my head between my knees. I eventually got to the bathroom and accepted the fact that I may experience that lactose free milk again... however, it never happened. I went to be incredibly sweaty and nauseated. Needless to say, I decided not to go out today. Instead, I finished that little kitty.

The cats didn't know exactly what to do with that little blue kitty, but I have a feeling they'll learn to get along. As for me, I will continue to contain my nausea.... and knit.

Here kitty, kitty...

2007-12-28T14:33:00.000-06:00

Well, here he is... some of him, anyway. I'm still working on his arms, legs and ears. So far, I think he is just adorable.

Day Two

2007-12-27T14:33:00.000-06:00

I think I am going to run to Jo-Ann today to pick up some more yarn. I started a little cat amigurumi a few days ago and I have the itch to finish it. I just can't do one project at a time, it seems. I found the pattern on knitty.com but I changed up my colors a bit.
Meanwhile, I have been wanting to make an earflap hat for myself. I was never one to want an earflap hat (they scream "Fargo" to me) but after seeing a really cute on one "The Girls Next Door," I couldn't resist. What a cute accesory. I am thinking of making this hat but nixing the fold in return for earflaps. I'll let you know what happens with that.
I've also been dealing with the fact that I may have become lactose intolerant. Great. At least the universe has a sense of humor. I'm trying a day without lactose and seeing if that makes me feel better (read: less bloated and urpy). So far it's been hard and I've only had one thing to eat! Maybe I'll substitute knitting for lactose. Sad.

I am here!

2007-12-26T22:56:00.000-06:00

Hello friends!

After much consideration, I have decided to start my own knitting blog. As a knitter, I'm always looking for new and interesting knitting patterns. The books and websites I have looked at have generally good ideas but I tend to like the silly/whimsical/macabre projects (e.g. anything with skulls, amigurumis, squids, etc.). Lately I have been wanting to start more and more projects so maybe this blog will help me pace myself. I hope other people have this problem!

Right now I am working on a scarf for The Raccoon (my boyfriend). We saw this great scarf at a Hot Topic that looked like a hot pink chain. We both admired it and then I thought (as many other knitters probably think), "I can make that." So there I was, counting rows and stitches in the middle of the store while the Raccoon wandered.

All right... I'm off to knit!