Los Monos Locos Done

My first pair of Los Monos Locos are complete. Yarn used - fingering yarn hand dyed by Dyed in the Wool Handmade. I don't know the colour name. Started March 22, 2008. Finished March 30, 2008. Needles: Knitpicks Harmony US 0 (2.00mm) and the same size Options. The Harmony broke in the middle and I am waiting for a replacement from Knit Picks so I finished with the regular Options.

Now that these socks are done I dug out some Jawoll Cotton from my stash. It's a golden yellow colour. I think I am going to do the Monkey Socks but I can't stand the idea of doing them top down so I think I will use the same stitch pattern as the Monkey socks with the purl sts and just work it toe up.

The new Sockamania club sock is another two colour sock. I am not sure I want to try this using purl sts instead of another colour. I'll think about it for a little bit and then decide. If I am not going to do the purl sts instead of 2 colours I will just not do the sock this month. I still want to knit the February sock so I might knit that instead.

Yarn Harlot book launch is tomorrow. Thanks to a WONDERFUL husband I am going to go to The Purple Purl and head to the Isabel Bader Theatre from there. More on that tomorrow or Wednesday.

Wee Tiny Problem

As I mentioned in an earlier post I joined the Wee Tiny Sock Exchange 2008. This morning when I checked my email I received something in my junk mail folder and the subject was "Wee Tiny Problem." Silly me was afraid to open it because of all the junk mail I get about male enhancement. So I just deleted it. Then later I received another email with the subject "Wee Tiny Problem Solved." This time I figured it might be for me so I went ahead and opened the email. Sure enough it was from Emily about the sock exchange. I emailed Emily and told her what happened. She said "That is absolutely hysterical. I am going to giggle about it all day!" So what else can a person do? Blog about it, right?

It's All About The Service

Earlier this year I bought the Suzie Pro. There were some complications that I won't go into here so I ended up returning the wheel and bought Lizbeth from Shuttleworks in Alberta, Canada. When I received the wheel and put her together I was very distressed to see this. I quickly emailed Cal at Shuttleworks to find out if this was normal or not. Of course it wasn't. It was suggested I take the wheel to a furniture repair place. I wasn't really comfortable with that because I was afraid the repair would always be noticeable and since I had bought a new wheel I wanted it to look new.


After a few emails back and forth we finally decided to replace this entire part. To my surprise the part was delivered on Monday. Imagine how shocked I was when Canada Post showed up at work on a day there was no mail delivery. I was hoping Paul could swap the parts Monday night but life got in the way and it had to wait to tonight. Now all I have to do is ship the old part back to Alberta at Cal's expense. Now THAT is the kind of customer service I expect.

Yet Another Exchange

I just love knitting mini socks. I have the mini peacock I bought from knitcellaneous.com and all the mini socks are completed. I just found this and I couldn't resist signing up.


If you would like more information you can find it here. Deadline to sign up is tomorrow.

Socks Socks Socks

After only knitting lace since the beginning of the year I've now gone back to socks, socks, socks. I took a brief hiatus from finishing the Sockamania club socks in January and February while I knit the shawl I still have to block and the Niebling doily. I finished the second January sock last week. The yarn is Knit Picks in a discontinued colour. I can't remember what the name is. I used 2mm Options needles.



This past Thursday I cast on the March sock. I finished the second Simply Cables sock tonight. I used a merino / seacell blend that I bought from Maggie. The colour is called Afternoon Tea. I am very happy with the socks. I just love this yarn and the sheen the seacell brings.



Thanks to the long weekend, not only did I finish the first of the Simply Cable socks and complete more than half of the second sock, I also cast on the first sock I'm knitting for Maggie to display when she does the Knitter's Frolic next month. I could do any pattern I wanted. Maggie provided the yarn. I've wanted to knit Los Monos Locos for a while so that's the pattern I chose. The first sock is almost at the cuff. I love the way they are working up. It's difficult for purple to show up properly in pictures I take. If I try to use the flash it looks more blue.



Once this pair is done I am going to go back to spinning. I received the replacement part for my wheel but I'll have more on that tomorrow.

Weekend Accomplishment

Two days off just seem to FLY by. It's Monday morning and I have to go back to work. How yuck is that?

Despite the busy time I had I did manage to get some knitting time in. I finished the Fuchseitblüten doily. I love the way it came out but I did have some challenges while blocking. The final set of buds didn't want to stop bunching up. I think it's because you have to slip 6 sts, k the next 5 and then slip the 6 sts over the 5. It was just at the end of the doily so I don't think there was as much room to spread out. I still like the finished result and I might try and reblock it one of these days.






I cast on March 8th and finished March 15th. I used DMC Cebelia number 30 and 2 mm Knit Picks Harmony needles.

Oh So Busy!!!

I am feeling so overwhelmed right now. So much to do and not enough time. I had to go to the dentist today for a cleaning. Joseph went as well. I took today and tomorrow off because I wanted to spend some family time during Joseph's March break. Except for the trip back and forth to the dentist, it doesn't look like much of that is going to happen.

Tomorrow I have to go with my friend to the funeral home. After that I have to go shopping. Saturday morning is the funeral. Then I have a spin in with some friends. I am so looking forward to that. I haven't had time to spin since I got the last bobbin done. After our spinning get together I have to go to Etobicoke and make some nut mixture. I'll come home and crash when all is done.

I also have to take Joseph to look for a suit. He needs a suit for his confirmation. I wish I knew where in the GTA I can get husky sizes. If not I am going to take him to a men's clothing store and see what can be done with alterations. His confirmation is April 6th so that should be enough time.

I got some sock knitting done while going back and forth from the dentist. I didn't get as much done as I would have liked. The TTC was more crowded than I thought it would be. I suppose it is due to March break.

Now I am back to working on the doily. I want that done by Sunday morning so I can get it blocked while everyone is out of the house.

I just have to remember to breathe while all the madness is going on.

Progress So Far

I am really loving this pattern. I had a bit of a challenge doing the stitches where I had to slip 5 sts and then knit 6 sts and slip the 5 sts over the 6. I couldn't do it all at once because then I risked dropping some sts and that is a big no no in lace. Other than that it has been smooth sailing. I have just about 20 rounds to go. I can't wait to finish and block it.

What Does Your Name Mean?

I saw this on Chronicles of a Lazy Knitter's blog and couldn't resist. I don't agree with everything but I found it interesting and do think some of it does describe me.

What Rochelle Means

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

I had good and bad news today. First the good news. My brother called and my dad was released from the hospital today. He went to a rehab centre because after a few weeks in a hospital bed he needs to get his muscle tone back. The muscles quickly atrophy when you don't use them. I am not quite sure what will happen after the rehab place but I am so glad he is not in the hospital.

The bad news was my best friend lost her MIL yesterday. Her family is going through a rough time but at least her husband came home from the hospital last week so he will be able to go to the funeral. She was in her 90's and it was expected but these things are never easy. My friend's husband is battling cancer right now and had some nasty reactions to the chemo. He was told this could happen but when his mother got really bad he was saying he would have to be let out of the hospital to go to the funeral if she passed before he was ready to go home. The good thing is it didn't come to that. I think he will only go to the funeral but he will at least be able to do that much.

On the knitting front I am almost done with the Fuchsienblüten doily. I only have about 20 rounds to go so I should have it done this week. I love the way it is working up. When I finish this one I might just start another Niebling since I seem to be on a roll.

Leberblümchen

Tuesday night I decided to start another lace project. It's a small oval doily that is from the Kunst Stricken kleine und große Decken called Leberblümchen. I finished the knitting last night and blocked it this afternoon. This particular version calls for the sts to be cast off instead of crocheted off. After I finished this I found the same oval doily in Muestras Ymotivos Tricot Hogar #1. In this version the doily is crocheted off. I think I might knit it again after I finish the new doily I just started. This new one is from Burda Special E418. It's number 34 and the name of it is Fuchsienblüten. It is another Herbert Niebling design. I'll post pics once I have some progress to show.

My dad is still in the hospital but my brother says he is making very nice progress. To put it in his words "If you didn't have anything to worry about before you have even less to worry about now." I am encouraged by this. Menachem said dad will have to go into a rehab facility after the hospital because with the Parkinson's Disease and all that time in bed in the hospital he will need the rehabilitation before he can go home. I just can't wait for Menachem to call me and tell me dad has left the hospital.

Now to get back to some knitting. It's the best way I can think of to spend a snowy day. The next best thing would be spinning but that will happen tomorrow, I hope. Now if only old man winter would leave!!!!!!!!

How Fast Do You Type

I saw this on Robyn's blog and I had to give it a try.

80 words

Speedtest

I could probably do better but I get nervous when I take tests. I found it interesting that even that this stage in my life that is the case.

My dad is still in the hospital. I spoke to my brother last night. He was running a temperature and they took blood to see if they can figure out what's going on. There are a few other things that he is concerned about but we'll have to wait and see how things go. I am still hoping he will be home by the end of this week.