So, I was ready right? Nervous as hell, but I was ready. I walked into the store, knitting bag in hand, and swallowed down the butterflies.
First thing I noticed? The owner was not there, which she usually works on Saturdays, and someone else was behind the counter. No one was sitting at the table knitting. But it was just exactly one o'clock, so I thought other people might show up. I went perusing the yarn. Not that I actually needed more yarn, but I was looking for something particular for a special project. So I wandered and contemplated, and picked up one and put it back, and picked up another, and put it back. I finally settled on a third choice, which I got in hanks to the delight of being able to use my swift, and walked up to the counter.
Roughly 25 minutes had passed since I walked into the store. And despite one other customer, who was very talkative and took forever to check out, it was just me in the store. So yeah, after I bought the yarn, I left and came home again. Because it was just weird.
I think if the owner had been working, I would have sat down and knitted, because Beth and I could have chatted. But I didn't know the lady working at all, had never seen her before in fact, and it just felt all sorts of wrong.
But I went with intent, even though I was nervous, so I have to give myself points for that.
And hey, I got new yarn, and that is always a good thing.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Open Knitting
Okay, so, yeah. I haven't done so well with the posting. *shakes head* I'm going to try to be better.
Remember some number of months ago, when I said I bought yarn for me, to make a hat for me? Well, I started the hat and then decided I hated the pattern, and it languished for quite a while, doing nothing. Yesterday, I decided to pull the yarn out again and to start over. I knew what I wanted, I knew I couldn't find a pattern that was exactly what I wanted, so with a little research, I decided to make up my own pattern.
Yeah, we know how that works for me.
But this time it's actually working!
I've always made hats from the brim up. You cast on a certain number of stitches, work the ribbing so it fits your head, then knit even until you get to a certain point, and start decreasing. It's a tried and true method and it works really well.
Except I knew that wouldn't work so well for what I want. Something slouchy and floppy, but fit to my head, and in the yarn that I have (which is a DK weight) and....I just couldn't find a pattern. I was worried that if I started at the brim, I wouldn't have the right number of stitches or that, when I got to the decreases, I wouldn't know exactly how and when to decrease. But, as usual, the internet is a glorious place.
I thought it would be easy enough to knit it from the top down, start at the crown and increase to a certain point, and then knit even until I'm ready to do the brim. I figured at that point, I'd have to do some decreases and then work the ribbing.
But I'm mathily challenged, and I was worried. Fortunately, I found a (basically) no math hat that starts at the top. It's just counting, and I'm good at counting. So it doesn't matter what size yarn and needles you use. You just count, and keep going until it reaches the size you want, and then you can just go on with the knitting. This I can do. So I started it this morning, and it's actually working like it's supposed to!
I used Judy's Magic Cast on to begin, so there's no hole at the top. It's an awesome method, and I've used it before to make toe-up socks. (Well, to start a few. Never actually finished *blushes*) I started with eight stitches, and then increased the way the no math hat told me to. I haven't gotten very far yet, but it's going along wonderfully. And I am very pleased.
Now, the title of this post? Well, my LYS has open knitting on Saturday's from 1-3. You just go and knit and have fun. The only stipulation, and I think it's common courtesy, is that you're either knitting one of their projects or with yarn you bought there. Since the yarn I'm using is some I did buy there....well, today, I think I'm going to go.
I'm a huge introvert, and it's a scary prospect. And honestly, I might chicken out when the times comes. But I love the idea, just sitting and chatting and knitting with other knitters so...I'm going to try. Because I think it would be fun.
Wish me luck!
Remember some number of months ago, when I said I bought yarn for me, to make a hat for me? Well, I started the hat and then decided I hated the pattern, and it languished for quite a while, doing nothing. Yesterday, I decided to pull the yarn out again and to start over. I knew what I wanted, I knew I couldn't find a pattern that was exactly what I wanted, so with a little research, I decided to make up my own pattern.
Yeah, we know how that works for me.
But this time it's actually working!
I've always made hats from the brim up. You cast on a certain number of stitches, work the ribbing so it fits your head, then knit even until you get to a certain point, and start decreasing. It's a tried and true method and it works really well.
Except I knew that wouldn't work so well for what I want. Something slouchy and floppy, but fit to my head, and in the yarn that I have (which is a DK weight) and....I just couldn't find a pattern. I was worried that if I started at the brim, I wouldn't have the right number of stitches or that, when I got to the decreases, I wouldn't know exactly how and when to decrease. But, as usual, the internet is a glorious place.
I thought it would be easy enough to knit it from the top down, start at the crown and increase to a certain point, and then knit even until I'm ready to do the brim. I figured at that point, I'd have to do some decreases and then work the ribbing.
But I'm mathily challenged, and I was worried. Fortunately, I found a (basically) no math hat that starts at the top. It's just counting, and I'm good at counting. So it doesn't matter what size yarn and needles you use. You just count, and keep going until it reaches the size you want, and then you can just go on with the knitting. This I can do. So I started it this morning, and it's actually working like it's supposed to!
I used Judy's Magic Cast on to begin, so there's no hole at the top. It's an awesome method, and I've used it before to make toe-up socks. (Well, to start a few. Never actually finished *blushes*) I started with eight stitches, and then increased the way the no math hat told me to. I haven't gotten very far yet, but it's going along wonderfully. And I am very pleased.
Now, the title of this post? Well, my LYS has open knitting on Saturday's from 1-3. You just go and knit and have fun. The only stipulation, and I think it's common courtesy, is that you're either knitting one of their projects or with yarn you bought there. Since the yarn I'm using is some I did buy there....well, today, I think I'm going to go.
I'm a huge introvert, and it's a scary prospect. And honestly, I might chicken out when the times comes. But I love the idea, just sitting and chatting and knitting with other knitters so...I'm going to try. Because I think it would be fun.
Wish me luck!
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Happy New Year
I'm always a fan of the phrase, "Start the way you aim to go." So we're starting this year off with a post. And I'm going to try to be better about it than I have in the past few months!
Also with that idiom in mind, I'll be spending the day (once I finish this post) writing and cleaning, with maybe some yarning thrown in at the end.
I got way too drunk way too fast last night. It was supposed to be all of us doing that, but somehow I was the only one that ended up toasted. Ah well. I ended up in bed about 11, and for a little bit it was touch and go as to whether all the junk food I ate was going to play well with all the wine I drank. Fortunately, it was all good, I fell asleep, and was dead to the world as the clock rolled over into a new year. I wasn't upset about it. New year was going to happen whether I was awake to see it or not.
But I spent the evening with my family, and it was good. We played some games and ate a lot of food and just generally had a fantastic time.
So I rang in the new year completely asleep. But I woke up this morning feeling good and focused and ready to work. And that, right there, is a good place to be.
Also with that idiom in mind, I'll be spending the day (once I finish this post) writing and cleaning, with maybe some yarning thrown in at the end.
I got way too drunk way too fast last night. It was supposed to be all of us doing that, but somehow I was the only one that ended up toasted. Ah well. I ended up in bed about 11, and for a little bit it was touch and go as to whether all the junk food I ate was going to play well with all the wine I drank. Fortunately, it was all good, I fell asleep, and was dead to the world as the clock rolled over into a new year. I wasn't upset about it. New year was going to happen whether I was awake to see it or not.
But I spent the evening with my family, and it was good. We played some games and ate a lot of food and just generally had a fantastic time.
So I rang in the new year completely asleep. But I woke up this morning feeling good and focused and ready to work. And that, right there, is a good place to be.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Nigh On The End
December is just about over! I can't believe it!
You may have notice that I haven't been posting much this month. This blog has been giving me a lot of trouble, both physically and mentally, and so I've let it slide.
I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas, if you celebrate. Or Hanuka, or Winter Solstice, or any number of others. Mine was really nice, though very not traditional. I admit I had a bit of trouble with that, but the important thing was that my family was all together and we had a good time.
There was hardly any Christmas knitting or crocheting this year, and the only good thing about that was that I didn't feel any pressure. I have been known, in the past, to get myself very tied up in knots and frustrated and stressed out over Christmas crafting. So while I did feel a little bit bad, and a little bit guilty, over not crafting like crazy, it was nice to have a more relaxed feeling about it.
I'm pretty sure I won't be posting again before the year officially ends. So here are some additional things:
--This past year, I had one release as part of an anthology. I signed a contract for another release, and Pumpkin Rolls and Porn Sounds will be coming out in February. I'm pretty proud of these boys and it's been a long, fun, sometimes tedious process.
I had a pretty big writing slump in the second half of the year, where I had a lot of trouble focusing and getting anything to move forward. It was frustrating, and every time I thought that I had something worth while it would fizzle out and I couldn't make it go. I did end up finishing one novella, at least the first draft, and I'm working on polishing it up now. It needs work, as they always do, so I'm trying to fix.
--This past year was also pretty light on the crafting, when I look at it as a whole. Especially the last six months or so, except for three projects. My fingers are getting itchy again, though, so I'm sure there will be more soon.
--I've done pretty horribly with managing my time, I'm going to be honest. That was one of my goals this past year, and I pretty much sucked at it. On the upside, I can always try again and I full intend to.
So anyway, that's a recap of what's been going on with me, and I'm very much looking forward to 2015.
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year, and may 2015 be your best year yet!
You may have notice that I haven't been posting much this month. This blog has been giving me a lot of trouble, both physically and mentally, and so I've let it slide.
I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas, if you celebrate. Or Hanuka, or Winter Solstice, or any number of others. Mine was really nice, though very not traditional. I admit I had a bit of trouble with that, but the important thing was that my family was all together and we had a good time.
There was hardly any Christmas knitting or crocheting this year, and the only good thing about that was that I didn't feel any pressure. I have been known, in the past, to get myself very tied up in knots and frustrated and stressed out over Christmas crafting. So while I did feel a little bit bad, and a little bit guilty, over not crafting like crazy, it was nice to have a more relaxed feeling about it.
I'm pretty sure I won't be posting again before the year officially ends. So here are some additional things:
--This past year, I had one release as part of an anthology. I signed a contract for another release, and Pumpkin Rolls and Porn Sounds will be coming out in February. I'm pretty proud of these boys and it's been a long, fun, sometimes tedious process.
I had a pretty big writing slump in the second half of the year, where I had a lot of trouble focusing and getting anything to move forward. It was frustrating, and every time I thought that I had something worth while it would fizzle out and I couldn't make it go. I did end up finishing one novella, at least the first draft, and I'm working on polishing it up now. It needs work, as they always do, so I'm trying to fix.
--This past year was also pretty light on the crafting, when I look at it as a whole. Especially the last six months or so, except for three projects. My fingers are getting itchy again, though, so I'm sure there will be more soon.
--I've done pretty horribly with managing my time, I'm going to be honest. That was one of my goals this past year, and I pretty much sucked at it. On the upside, I can always try again and I full intend to.
So anyway, that's a recap of what's been going on with me, and I'm very much looking forward to 2015.
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year, and may 2015 be your best year yet!
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Join Me In Wishing Alder a Happy Birthday!!
Saturday, December 13, 2014
The Holly and The Ivy
I woke up with this song in my head this morning, for no explicable reason, but it's one of my favorites.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Happy December!
It's December!
I love December!
Even though, for the moment, the snow has melted away, it's crisp and cold and soon it will start falling again. I have almost all of the decorations up. The tree is lighted and waiting for ornaments. And all of that just brings me great cheer.
I have a couple of packages ready to go that I'll be dropping in the mail this week. Hoping they get to their destinations on time. Okay, I'm only worried about the one as it has a long way to go and a particular deadline. But it will arrive in time, as long as I get my bum to the post office.
I've broken out the Christmas movies to watch while I yarn. I spent the weekend with some animated classics, and I'll be moving into cheesy holiday romances this week. I'm looking forward to it immensely. I have a few great stories waiting to be read as well.
This past Sunday, we had beautiful weather for our drive to Massachusetts to see my nephew and celebrate his fist birthday! His actual birthday is Friday. He's such a joy and a love, and though we drove ten hours (there and back) for a three hour party, it was worth it to see him. And fortunately, it wasn't as bad as some of our other trips have been. It wasn't great, no, but seeing that baby and getting loves was a very good thing. We're actually hoping there will be a trip in this direction in the coming weeks so we can show him off to our family here. Fingers crossed.
Happy December everyone! Soak in the Christmas cheer!
I love December!
Even though, for the moment, the snow has melted away, it's crisp and cold and soon it will start falling again. I have almost all of the decorations up. The tree is lighted and waiting for ornaments. And all of that just brings me great cheer.
I have a couple of packages ready to go that I'll be dropping in the mail this week. Hoping they get to their destinations on time. Okay, I'm only worried about the one as it has a long way to go and a particular deadline. But it will arrive in time, as long as I get my bum to the post office.
I've broken out the Christmas movies to watch while I yarn. I spent the weekend with some animated classics, and I'll be moving into cheesy holiday romances this week. I'm looking forward to it immensely. I have a few great stories waiting to be read as well.
This past Sunday, we had beautiful weather for our drive to Massachusetts to see my nephew and celebrate his fist birthday! His actual birthday is Friday. He's such a joy and a love, and though we drove ten hours (there and back) for a three hour party, it was worth it to see him. And fortunately, it wasn't as bad as some of our other trips have been. It wasn't great, no, but seeing that baby and getting loves was a very good thing. We're actually hoping there will be a trip in this direction in the coming weeks so we can show him off to our family here. Fingers crossed.
Happy December everyone! Soak in the Christmas cheer!
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