Finished Vacation Knit

I fussed packing my knitting for our trip to   Tahoe for what my husband said was hours.

Possibly.

I remembered last year and how I didn't knit as much as I thought I would. I also remembered a project that tested my skill and patience (more on that in a future post), so I thought to bring an "easy" knit.

You know some instant gratification.

It wasn't instant, but it was forgiving when I kept knitting after I miscounted my rows. 

Pattern: sand banks

Yarn: Leftover acrylic for a trial run: brava worsted.

New technique: German twisted cast on. ( knit witch has an excellent video)

Winter Break

It's been a pleasant holiday.

Christmas Eve dinner at my apartment with our parents and my sister's family.

Christmas morning was early and fun, followed by play and relaxation and last minute packing.

The next day we headed up to Tahoe.

Fun times, indeed. 

Next up mountain knitting...

Emergency LYS Trip

Have you noticed I have a penchant for the dramatic?

Saturday post school families festivities, which were super fun, The Kid and I relaxed between chores. (Of course we seem to be battling a cold now. But we are so happy and relaxed we don't mind much.)

We listened to audio Harry potter and the order of the Phoenix. I think when I put my sock down to fold laundry I did this:

Yes that is still fall sock #1.

Yes I cannot find that 5th needle.

Know what I did Sunday? That's right, I bought a new set of needles or 3 ... what? I needed some US 5 32" circs for my attempt at magic loop knitting! pshaw, I really needed them!

(Not that I don't have a zillion other things I could be doing or knitting. But I love an excuse for a trip to the local LYS 😍)

What's not to love at Imagiknit?

Busy Day!

Teacher's Cowl, done!

I barely made it. I got to school half an hour before bell to weave in the ends. I realized I had dropped the end of the bind off and had to borrow two pencils from the school secretary to fix it.

It wasn't pretty, but it was done!

Things that are making me happy.

The title by no means implies I'm unhappy. I'm not.

I am disorganized and a little disappointed in myself because of it. But I refuse to waste energy on beating myself up and feeling sorry for myself. I refuse. I am going to keep working on not just having good cheer, but spreading it. Dadburn it! And I will get that teacher's cowl present done!

Tomorrow I have the day off. I'm going to have breakfast with one of my bezzies and we are going to do a little volunteering at the school.

Tomorrow is the last day of school for the fall term and calendar year.

The apartment is a wreck. But I feel better after reading about the book stacking situation in other homes. (Though for us, that is only one tiny fraction of our cluttery, messy problem). The Kid and I have resolved to putting the stacks in brown shipping boxes (that had presents in them) and squirreling them in my bedroom until company leaves. We will do a thorough what will be reread vs. what will not during winter break. All books that can be donated to the school classroom libraries will be. Grown-up books will find new homes at used book stores or the Goodwill.

I have a gang of 10 year old boys coming over tomorrow after school to play. There will be loud indoor apartment play. There will be snacks, there will be build your own cookie tins to take home.

There will be a Parent or 3 that stop by for grown-up snacks  while they let their children linger/play. 

I am going home to throw off the exercise shackles to bake some cookies and trudge around in jammie pants with a mug of hot black tea and maybe a glass of red wine ... I'm going to cook, bake, wrap, and knit, and I'm going to love it.

Wishing you all good cheer :)

Weekend Recap: Holiday Family Fun

The kid has had an epic weekend. Too much fun. Maybe I did too, hehe.

Sleepover go karting birthday party on Friday.

The Manfriend (aka "the less embarrassing parent" ) and I had an early dinner at a new bar/restaurant in our neighborhood, Alta. It beat the heck out of doing laundry, but we were home in time for my Friday night PBS mysteries and a little holiday organization/checklist/knitting.

*oysters w/mandarin mignonette and salad

*warm root salad

*smoked trout & beets

*beef tendon and chick pea fritters

 * The captions are not exact titles, but general memories of what the dishes were.

Sunday was Vietnamese food and the Hobbit 2 in IMAX 3d with the Santa Rosa cousins. (My husband's step brother's family.) No photos of that adventure either, but lots of salt and pepper crab and garlic noodles and cubed beef were involved. We also got to catch-up as two families that don't seem to ever see each other all together enough. DEE-Lightful!

And Saturday my sister and I took our boys down to Gilroy Gardens, she secured great discount tickets through work. This was the first time I had been here. I had meant to go for many years while The Kid was younger. But I am really glad he got to go with his little cousin.

3 late nights for my boy. But many memories and lots of fun.

The boys loved the rock maze, they had to direct me out from the bridge!

Such a fun weekend, it went by fast, but not a complete blur ...

Holy - Daze in Motion

Well, here we are, in the thick of it my friends.

The front door to my apartment. It's my yarn wreath.
The Kid put the bow on and had his father hang it up for me. They love me.

I am not feeling as grounded as I like to this time of year. Everything is sort of half-assed done. I keep waiting to check things off my to do list, and it doesn't seem to be happening. This is not just the knitting, for example. We have a tree, the lights are on, but it is STILL not decorated. We have not been home together in the evening for long enough. There have been swimming lessons, soccer try-outs, dinner with friends, exercise.

I spent an hour last night working on a schedule for the next week  and a half. I feel faint.

Don't get me started on the knitting ...

(See my shaking knitting needles here.)

This time of year brings out the attempt to knit like a maniac (a reoccurring theme abound the internet.) which is not working since it feels like we have plans every evening! I have reduced my goals to finishing the cowl for the teacher and a soccer hat for the other soccer coach (I handed the first one off at the tourney last weekend) and 4 coffee sleeves for some friends. Wish me luck.

 
I'm okay. I'm okay.

I've stopped reading everyone's suggestions for quick knits. In fact I've also stopped reading books completely. I hope to resume the world of literary escapism the weekend before Christmas. See? Even that is scheduled!

I think I'm mopey because I have not had a sufficient amount of caffeine. I stress ate a mini candy cane in front of Personnel reception today ... when I locked myself out (I left my badge at my desk) when I went outside to make a personal call. The receptionists always take pity on me. I like them and their kindly candy canes.

This post finds me working very hard to shake the fog, be decisive, productive and fun and caring to all. But! I will find time to knit, just for the soothing aspect of it. I didn't touch any yarn yesterday. I think it effects my mood. And damn it Kathy, I want some gingerbread now, preferably with a LOT of whipped cream.

A work not really in progress and other diversions.

So the Common Ground cardigan has come to a grinding halt. My very simple reasons:

1) I cannot count and cast on in dark colors after 10 pm. I started things to find out I was ... wrong, and it has been restarted twice and ripped out twice. I am letting it ... rest, while I work out my remedial math a little earlier in a day with more time ... and maybe light.

2) I knit Autumn in New York, with the intention of giving it to a local charity. I gave a call to someone I used to work with at the local APS, remembering they have an emergency pantry for the elderly and disabled adults who could use a little extra warmth. Anyhow, they said they'd be happy to take a hat.

But, one hat? I felt like a loser. So I dug up a few other homeless knits I had laying around and one of the old pals from the office knitting group brought me over one ...and I decided I needed one more quick knit. So I think this is some spare Gryffindor yellow that is in progress to be just one more hat.

3) My son's 5th grade teacher is SO nice. My son and his classmates seem to be enjoying school and learning and remain respectful of her and each other. This is very important to me. I feel like teachers get such a lot of crap. It is important that respect for teaching authority is instilled not just in school, but at home, and is expected in the community, which includes your own classmates. [/end rant]

Anyways, I just wanted to give her a little token of appreciation, in the form of an Alpaca Gaptastic Cowl. I'm halfway finished and will post an FO pic soon! Did I mention she was really responsive, nice and cute as a button? All while maintaining a classroom of 10 and 11 year olds? sheesh! Cowls for all the great teachers!!

4) Soccer team knits. Hats and coffee sleeves. Relatively quick knits, but still eat away at what I had "planned" on knitting. You know, like those fall socks, that are turning into winter socks. Below is a hat I knit on the right to match the team colors. I think this guy is experiencing the Plymouth Encore Wool/Acrylic blend. The guy on the left is wearing a Barcelona hat (machine made shhh).

5) Holiday spirit.I have plans to knit a few pieces of happy decorations. We'll see how I do.

6) Chipping away at the first of my autumn / fall socks ... still. I should have sock #1 done this weekend.

7) I think maybe I can knit a kindle cozy like Wee Pleasures for my sis? Maybe?

Also I wanted to knit, Christmas socks. That might have to wait until next year eh? And I want to learn how to knit two at a time like all the cool kids on 2 circulars. This always looks magical to me. I hope it's not too hard on the hands.
 
Tell me, are you staying on knitting track? Or are you enjoying the journey like me?

Even when not knitting gifts I feel the "frenzy" this time of year.

Weekend Recap: Soccer Mom the Weekend Tournament Edition

This one was a whirlwind. Chocolate Crinkles were baked for the Soccer tourney down in Morgan Hill. Last hurrah of the season. Thursday night I realized I was out of eggs, so I ran home during my lunch hour on Friday to make the dough so it would have enough time to set before baking in the evening. Promises had been made! (Fear not, I live walking distance from where I work.)

We lost 2 won 1. But really it's an excuse for a team retreat. We stayed down south midway between SF and there, and the kids swam, played and ate together. We could've driven home and back the next day, but we made it a non rushing soccer weekend.

Hair, it's all about the hair. Sheesh.

The parents had a good time too, all for an amazing deal. There was a complimentary happy hour and snacks as well as a FANTASTIC breakfast buffet including omelets made to order!

The Manfriend drove up to watch the Sunday match (he works Saturdays) and about a third of the team had lunch on the way back to the city. We had cups of tea and watched the end of the 49er football game at Coach's house before going home to put the lights on the tree, shower (hygiene is very important we are constantly telling our boy) and make some Thai food for dinner.

The apartment was a wreak, but there was A Mickey's Christmas Carol, some knitting and an early bedtime. And here we are, back at it again ...

Tell me, are your weekends packed during this holiday season? Are you finding time to savor it and appreciate it? I feel like even in this busy pace we are going at in my little household, we are all having a good time.

Some Finished Knitting

I promise you, I have been knitting.

I finished the Clapotis. I always want to say Clafoutis. But it's not cherry season. I suppose I could use apples, but whatever, I digress again.

My trusty pal B.C. is nice and never says no, when I ask her to put something knitted on for a photo.

This one was taken while we waited for our food at lunch :) 

Late to the finish

F i n a l l y.

The Hitchhiker has long retired from the road and has happily reached it's destination after over a month of sitting in a Ziplock bag at the side of my bed. Can you say, "Weaved-in, baby!"

I wonder if I still have enough yarn for a pair of socks ... someday, one day, maybe in the spring.

Thanks little snoopy for modeling it at school drop off/coffee klatch!

Happy Thanksgiving

Yesterday I took the day off since there was no school. We hung out with Mrs. B and her son and 2 other pals. We went to the movies and had a pasta dinner with their families after. I was thankful for good friends.

I ran/walked a 5k this morning, thankful for my health. It benefited the local food banks, and I am grateful to the people in society that look after the less fortunate of all kinds.

I came back and made sausage rolls as my appetizer contribution for dinner at my parents. Grateful for family and the plenty we shared.

Happy thanksgiving! I am grateful for all your visits and kindness and the good in humanity.

My Rage Issues and Other Reasons Not to Be Like Me or Parent Like Me

Remember all that touchy feely stuff that I wrote about the holidays in the last post? Yeah, don't be so easily swayed by my desire to giftwrap the world.

Earlier this morning I was ready rumble in the dead end of my street.

What's wrong with me? Why?

Because I woke up this morning to the sound of a radio d.j. at 6am, again. Sometimes it's music. It depends on what my seemingly nice neighbor has on her favorite radio station. (She smiles  ... sometimes when we pass by on our little block -- we're city folk and not necessarily the chattiest of neighbors in general.)

I made up a story in my head she is a nurse, because she appears to get home around  6 am fairly regularly. I imagine she's peppy, getting off work after doing some hard good labor for others. She's enjoying her tunes, deafeningly loud in her car on the way home. The problem is, we can hear it through her car. through my closed windows and walls. (she has a great sound system.)

I once saw her roll home like this during the day, with her dogs (poor dogs!) in the car. But it was the day time, and meh. Whatever.

But 6am? Really? You don't think we can't hear you? You are really that self-involved?

And to give her the benefit of the doubt, I say yes. She doesn't know any better, because otherwise I would have to think she's a complete ARSE, whose parents should be called and shamed, STAT. Nurse or no nurse (remember I made this up) she's not very kind and compassionate or caring of others, now, is she?!?)

Also, I am not a morning person.

I opened my windows and leaned my head out to confirm it was her. I did not yell (though I imagine Manfriend was fearful I would) but that would make me no better than her. Then I slammed the window closed. I shouldn't do that either. It would suck to break a window because of my temper issues.

I laid there unable to think of anything else, but how that "young lady" needed a talking to (really I envisioned something a little more aggressive, but hey I'm not condoning my own unladylike thoughts).

Man Friend mentioned perhaps I need to work on my temper in a gentle non condescending way this morning, when I told him, I was disappointed I let stupid things rile me up. I know. I know.

I found out my quiet son has a temper, one that flashes especially for me. His father suspects it has something to do with my temper ... with him.  So when I thought I was being helpful sending my son an email of an online flute/music resource to help him practice. He finished practicing and made and sent me this:

The apple does not fall far from the tree. We're working on it. It's not you, it's me ... etc.

But hey, I'm glad to see him use that iTouch for something other than video games and Minecraft videos.

Are you ready to embrace the holidays?

Over at Pumpkin Sunrise there is a nice heart warming post chockful of knitting and holiday sentiment. It got me thinking (and itching to bake and listen to some holiday music).

And then today just as I was thinking:

• Am I ready for the holidays?
• What do I need to do?

I read a lovely post on holiday prep and the enjoyment of seasonal limited editions over at cakes, tea, and dreams. 

There are some valuable tips in there. I think the number one thing, is to be reasonable so you can actually enjoy the season.

The Manfriend seems to think I get a little irrational in wanting it to be great for everyone. I think he's just a bah-humbug. I started talking about "things" I wanted to do with my sister and our boys and he said, "Oh yeah, that's right, you like things all Christmassy and Holidayish." You would think we haven't been together just shy of 2 decades huh? rat bast ...

Anyways, I admit his probably laissez-faire mentality does lead to some ... overcompensation, on my part. Truthfully, I do not do him justice, because he has learned to embrace a lot of great pieces:

• Tree selection and set up (although he probably loves taking it down and chucking it on the sidewalk more.)  
• We have our movie watching/present wrapping evenings with red wine and chocolate. 
• Christmas eve dinner with our parents and nephews and niece who sometimes wave around something they seem happy to receive. 
• Christmas morning (if he didn't enjoy this, I think this is grounds for divorce.) where we put the "yule log" on t.v. and drink steaming cups of coffee and tea and cocoa and eat a sausages and bacon and breads.

Aww shucks!

I want to throw an oversized sweater/sweatshirt on and make a list, buy some wrapping paper and curl some ribbon (the truth is I'm craptastic with ribbon, but you know a girl can dream in craft right?)

I would like to take on some holiday crafts, like these little houses I saw on the Purlbee website. But that's not going to happen. I'll knit some more trees and gnomes/elves though :)

The thing I didn't do last year, that The Kid gently reminded me I didn't do (because of work) and requested for this year is to have an end of term after school get together. I pick him up, no after school care and we walk home with about 6 other friends (which is very interesting in our 2bd apartment), and we play some games, watch a movie,  eat and/or bake something. Parents roll in after work to pick up their *littles and join us in a glass of holiday cheer and a snack or two if they have the time.

It can be a lot of work, if not properly planned and if the kids don't get enough time to burn off some energy

Are you ready for the holidays? What are you looking forward to?

*they aren't so little anymore, maybe the siblings are.

Monday Musings

Let's start with a true confession.

I need to stop holiday shopping for myself. What's that about? I apparently am obsessed with kitchenware. My new desire:

All Clad, Ceramic Baking Rectangle with ... serving trivet. I used Mrs. B's this weekend at the soccer team brunch and I was a new shade of green, ha! I haven't bought it, yet.

I finished A Red Herring without Mustard and I have to say, I'm looking forward to reading the next Flavia de Luce mystery, however I'm hoarding a few holiday themed mysteries, well for the holidays!

Next though on the reading list is Wonder. A multiple narrator story about being different (the boy has a facial deformity). The Man Friend and The Kid are waiting for me to finish it, since I bought and recommended they all read it before I did. I will attempt to provide a family review by the end of the month.

The Clapotis is the only thing I can knit right now. I'm sort of obsessed with it when I have time to rub two sticks together. It's times like these where you really just have to go with the mojo, not worry about "those other things" you've been meaning to knit ...

Which reminds me, I'm going to knit our 5th grade teacher a Misti Chunky alpaca Gaptastic cowl. I will have it done by the end of term. I swears it!!

Speaking of Cowls have you seen Lolly Knit's lovely Hunger Games: Catching Fire inspired Katniss Cowl? I think it's beautiful and would make a great gift, as well.

Ha! While I went to link to Lolly Knits, I see she's offering up a customized cowl for a shout out. However I just want to send her some props, and I will knit it myself and support her designs if I can get to it this winter. But enter her giveaway for a handmade gift for you or a pal!

Presentation / project review after lunch today. I wish I was going in to talk about knitting my Clapotis ;)

My Random Chatter and How It All Comes Back to Sock Knitting.

I apologize that 2/3 photos in the last post were a bit out of focus. That was me attempting to focus. I think my eyes have gone farther than I want to admit. I apologize this picture is shadowy, but it was taco time.

My socks are slow going, but I do like socks or at least the process of sock knitting. Unlike other pieces of knitting I really see sock projects as something that "grows". Anyhow, I think as much as I want to make those Hermione's Everyday Socks that are all the rage, I want to do a pair of "vanilla socks" in stockinette. I guess I'll use the same pattern I've been using for my rib stitch one, and just change it to stockinette.

I worry and I fuss, a lot. I make my own personal wars. I often exhaust myself. I create my own tension. It's an embarrassing M.O.S. This applies far beyond knitting.

I worked on my Clapotis Tuesday night till 11:30 watching Moonstruck. I forgot how awesome that movie is. It's like a play. And Cher's hair is stylishly big for the times. Yes, I am old enough to remember those times :)

I went to a yarn store at lunch because I changed my mind about a color palette I had chosen for a project and well, it was near the library, where all I needed to do was renew my card. I went into the shop and completely forgot what I went in there for. I couldn't get past the sock yarn on the first right wall. Mesmerized. I touched and gently pat and pet the yarn until I found some that I thought might make good "man socks" not that I have anyone besides Michael Fassbender in mind. The yarn is self patterning. Should be fun. But wow, way off track.

I walked out and remembered I had put in an order of sock yarn at knit picks less than 2 weeks ago.

Oops.

On my way back to the office, I remembered I couldn't eat yarn so I stopped at a local taco truck and sat in the sunshine and knit my sock, while I waited for my order. It was a pleasant moment.

When my order was ready a co-worker was going to walk back with me, and he looked around for my knitting and when I told him I stuck it in my purse he said, "wow you stashed that fast and efficiently."

That was another pleasant moment. What can I say, I'm always pleased when knitting gets some recognition.

Today I carried my knitting bag in my purse again to lunch. However I read instead. I was enjoying my book too much, because I overate (it was delicious, but more than enough). I "had to" double-espresso to recover.

Next time, I'll sock knit while I wait for my food and save the reading for a cup of tea or a glass of wine at home ...

*happy birthday little sister

Shiny Happy Beginnings

This is the beginning of an autumn Clapotis. I'm going to modify the pattern to fit 1 hank of  Blue Heron Metallic. I picked this up in a Seattle yarn shop, So Much Yarn. A cute shop, with really friendly people.

I have had to start this project twice. Even after knitting for the past few years, I'm not very good at reading patterns, I sort of fumble my way along. I think I was watching a documentary though the first time I cast on, or it was very late, and I wasn't convinced I had properly increased ... anyhow, here I am.

I have also slowly started reading A Red Herring Without Mustard. 

This is Book 3 of the Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley. I have a stack of books (pensive and perhaps very emotional) I've been meaning to read, but I don't want to work for it. I want escapism, so I can't promise you I'll ever read those books. I am really unable to commit to reading right now anyways. All my free-time is envisioned with yarn and needles :)

A common ground is just a cast on for now. Hopefully I'll have something to show you soon...

Have you started something new lately?

Finished in October, posted in November

"October is officially over!" says the CIA's official Zombie hunter. (yeah, didn't know they had those did ya'? - me neither, till Halloween.)

I finished an Autumn in New York because  I wanted to KAL for both Evelyn of ProjectStash and Kepanie of Knitspiring Odyssey, and it's a fabulous excuse to revisit my Tosh dk stash. hehehehe.

I love New York and have a strong desire to visit it in Autumn -- or spring, since I have been in summer twice and winter once. Who am I kidding, I'll take New York whenever I can :)

Some Questions About Sock Knitting

At long last here is my first pair of socks.

As you can see, I am already thinking about a second pair for some fall/winter knitting. I picked this yarn from the fall swap with Kathy. My package came from Nancy the amazing knitter and life adventurer of Wyoming Breezes :)

But sock making has me a thinkin'. I have so many questions:

Blocking Techniques: Does getting those foot shaped blocking things make a big difference? What's an agreeable way to block socks?

Turning the Heel: When it says slipped stitch at the beginning of the row, I slip knitwise for the knit rows and purlwise for the purl rows, is this right?Where is it best to insert / pick up extra stitches when it seems I do not have enough based on the slipped stitched edges alone? I feel like I force it and get a bit of a gappy heel seam.

Patterns: What are good beginner patterns? Toe up or cuff down? Magic Loop? dpns? I saw that Wee Pleasures knits two bloody socks at a time. Les Wow! Do you do this too?

What is your sock wisdom? Do tell.

We Have A Winner

You're all winner's in my eyes. However we have a yarn winner for the October Yarn-Away and that is Evelyn at Project Stash. The random number generator picked #4 and that is Evelyn!

Evelyn, I will contact you via Ravelry to get your mailing address and the Sitka is yours.

Wishing you all a lot of happy knitting. I value every visit. We'll have another give-away soon. 'Tis the season.

Matching Finished Objects

This is my Stripe Cocoon. It is inspired by Andi's hat and anything that can use up those leftover balls of yarn in an ever growing stash :) I also knit it for MySistersKnitter KAL and Knitspiring Odyssey's Beanie Along With Me.

I was a little unsure of the gauge and tension of the broken rib stitch on this project. The yarn is a worsted, heavy worsted, (maybe) in my opinion. Ravelry defines the yarn as bulky, hmmm. Anyhow, I did not modify the needle size or stitch counts, and it seemed to turn out. I was already wondering what other yarn I had that I could try this pattern again when ...

I realized, it's even prettier on the "wrong" side.

I think I'm going to block it. I know, crazy pants.

And look I knit a coffee sleeve from my leftover yarn. It was a prototype for some soccer team ones I want to make later.

Finished project takeaways:
My head is ginormous and I must always knit bigger / longer than a pattern dictates if I ever want to make a hat for myself.

October Yarn-away

My good friend HM knows:

a) I love yarn

b) I have a blog where I love knitters & the internet, and we all like to share the happy.

So this really nice person gave me some yarn to give to you. 5 4 skeins of Sitka, Cascade Yarn. 80% Merino Wool, 20% Kid Mohair.

It really is in the spirit of Autumn. :)

If you or your knitting pal is interested in some PSL (pumpkin spice latte) looking yarn, leave a comment and the best way to get in contact with you. (Ravelry ID, email etc.) from now until end of day Thursday October 31st, and I will enter you in the October yarn away.

Happy Knitting!

Update: It's actually 4 skeins, I thought I had fixed that typo before publishing. Sorry for the false advertising! I did a strike-through above, so in case you saw 5, it is not your sanity, but once again, my lack of attention to detail! 

Do Ahead Dinner

I have decided I really enjoy a good Thai vegetable curry. Red or green preferably. I am a meat eater, so I can just roast and slice something and put it on the side, which is what I did for Middle School Mom night. (A group of us, with no older children are beginning the touring of Middle Schools. We are one of the last years in our public school district that allows us to lottery for a school(s) of our choice.) 

Anyhow, curry is like Asian stew, the leftovers were pretty tasty the next day, and my husband offered up an unsolicited compliment :)

We are scheduling a follow-up chat in December (which will hopefully devolve into laughter and chatter again as well.) I'm thinking maybe a braised white wine chicken (borrowing from the Manfriend's repetoire), Stuffed Italian Cabbages or Braised short ribs this time (things that go with mashed potatoes, ha!). I like something I can leave on the stove to simmer or sit on low in the oven. What do you like to make for "do ahead" lunch or dinners?