Tuesday, August 19, 2008

SOTS3 starting off much better than its predecessor


When I determined to knit lace last winter, I signed up for SOTS2 and spent 3 weeks on the first clue then 2 more weeks trying to catch up. I was never able to finish the clues on time until the very end. I blamed it on being on vacation, I blamed it on Rebekah, I blamed it on being in the car while knitting...everything except the fact that I was learning how to read at the time. Since then, I have done a few other KALs and learned how to read charts and most of all, my lace fabric. I learned how to identify when I made a mistake before I had to frog or tink. Actually, when I started this shawl, I was amazed that I only had to tink about 20-30 stitches a couple of times to correct a mistake. I didn't have the numerous mistakes I encountered the first time. I was excited!




I already love this stole and I don't even know what it looks like! I just know that the first clue took only 3 days to knit instead of 3 weeks!! I finished it tonight and took a couple of pictures. They aren't that great because I'm at work and the lights are fluorescent and the background is a rough towel, but at least it's done!! Now I need to finish my Baudelaire sock so I can get it done by Friday morning to qualify for the Ravelympics WIPSwrestling.

Speaking of Olympics, is anyone else a little mystified over some of the judging inconsistencies that have been going on? Chinese girls who fall and still medal over others who do not. Ties that go in favor of China. Chinese girls whose birth certificates say they are 12 but whose passports say they are 16...all smells a little fishy to me! Anyway...Michael Phelps is AMERICAN and goes to University of MICHIGAN!! Can't make his medals Chinese any way you cut it.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Knitting Baudelaires in style!!


Tuesday night I had a WONDERFUL opportunity! My Dad won a raffle for the Pepsi Party Suite Tuesday night at the Tigers Baseball game. I have never seen the suites and it was awesome!! Jim wasn't well so he stayed home with the kids while I watched the Tiger game and knit socks in true luxury that I probably will never experience again. I finished one sock and started on the second sock while watching the game and eating! We had a spread to begin with Chips, veggies and dip, hotdogs, sausage, and chicken. During the second inning, we were treated to Pizza. During the 7th inning, we were given desert. Plus, the fridge was always full of Pepsi products to drink. This suite was right up from the first base line. It was a great view and wonderful time. There were 12 of us all there to watch the game, plus a TV inside the suite that we were able to watch Michael Phelps swim to another gold medal. On top of this all, the seets were padded and comfortable to knit in! It was such a treat. I will be spoiled now and always remember this. We are supposed to go to a game tonight. I know I will be comparing the nose bleed seats to the suite life! The guy in the picture is my brother...the DOCTOR. He's married though. This is Brian and Jennifer and Lyle (friend of my Mom and Dad), perusing the chips and veggies.

We had a great view of the game as well. I can't get over how much we enjoyed that game!! Even if they did lose.


















Today, I tried to get my little helper to hold up the finished sock so that I could take a good picture of it. She was having none of that! She had better things to do with her time!





She learned this little trick from her brother!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Gearing Up for Secret of the Stole III

I finally had time to swatch!! I have been watching in lace envy as others swatched and posted getting ready for SOTS3. I've been waiting for this one since DK finished up the last one (Savannah). I ordered some lace yarn from an Etsy Independent Dyer Beyond Basic Knits. I Love this yarn. I originally ordered it in purple Ice Queen which is gorgeous, but I decided to order some more yarn from BBK and I ended up getting the pink from them. I also ended up getting 2 skeins of Superwash sock yarn from them--Black Cherry Soda and Frost Bitten--They are gorgeous! When they sent my order, I got a coupon for 5$ toward my next order. Great Seller!! The colors are gorgeous. What do you think??






I plan to use the Black Cherry soda to knit a pair of Monkey Socks during the olympics. That will be my Ravelypics contribution.


I am still working on Casablanca although it has been slow. I have been assigned to CCU and ICU at work but ended up in the ER even night because of their low staff levels. Working the in ER leaves no time for knitting. It's been really slow knitting! But I will get there. I really like this stole and am looking forward to completing it.


The picture is crappy, I didn't put it on blocking wires and pin it out. But you get the idea and the story being told in this clue 4. I think that's what really impresses me about this KAL, the story in the knitting.