Wooliedi Woolgatherings

2004-01-12T22:41:00.000-07:00

I haven't fallen off the planet, really I haven't. It jus feels that way, sort of like breathing the stuff photographed on Mars--orange air. I finished the Snowflake Socks from theknitter.com in a record two weeks, and they are majorly comfy. I even got the Marta Sock #1 finished, after a marathon StitchnBitch get together Saturday. I have a pair of make-up-as-I-go Cherry Tree Hill socks started (would that be a pair yet, or only the first one?). Anyway, it is a mauve/pink/lavender/moss green combo with a short repeat. I started out thinking of doing a simple lace op, but the color repeat is too busy, so I settled on Mistake Stitch rib. When I got to S&B Saturday, two other folks were doing the same thing with differing yarns.
the other accomplishment this weekend was to sit at S&B and tink back four rows of lace. This is an attempt to recover the shawl attacked by cat in September. I got the four rows pulled out, now have to get up the nerve to re-establish the pattern. Hmmmmm. Might need to go to Kinkos & get the chart blown up by about 500%. Old age s***s.

2004-01-01T18:41:00.000-07:00

Back to socks. I am waaaay over sweaters. The #2 was poorly received, as expected. I finally did get a few pics of the Twin Tornados yesterday, as I took them on an outing with my 14 y.o. DS to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. They have combined attention spans of about 1.7 seconds, so it was a bit of a race. But, now that I think about all the sock yarn I have waiting to cast on, I turn my eyes to the Philosopher's kit I bought last summer. mmmmm. Could I possibly get it done before my body size changes yet again? Would I cry if the answer is no?
Current projects: SOTM Snowflake sock, #2 nearing the toe. Marta Sock #1, Nearing the top. WOW! I gotta get some more *stuff* cast on!

2003-12-21T08:06:00.000-07:00

Finished! OK, so I am supposed to be finishing the Tornado #2 Sweater. But I DID finish a cutesy Santa Stocking of red Denim trimmed with white Snowflake and then a Santa Hat of the same combo. The red Denim was so old that when I went to get more, the LYS claimed to have never seen that colorway. Now, I know my stash is extensive, but puh-leez, I am not that old! Off to finish Tornado #2 before the 2:30 p.m. deadline. Have I mentioned how much I now despise that damn sweater!?

2003-12-18T07:09:00.000-07:00

Well, it happened. My DD decided to put all the packages under the tree, and within hours (delayed reaction due to napping) the tornado had opened one. DD claims she had nothing to do with it, but I don't buy it for a minute. DD is the kid known for unwrapping and then re-wrapping her gifts as a child. But I digress. Later that very morning, Tornado went down to PaPa's little work area and discovered the chair to her new chair-and-desk set. She struggled to drag it all the way up the stairs to shout "I got Chair"!!! The desk now resides in a place not even Papa can reach easily. Oi.

2003-12-15T20:21:00.000-07:00

mmmmm, let's see, where did I leave off? Oh yea, the Tornado sweaters. #1 has been worn several times since Thanksgiving, and actually seems to be a hit. #2 has been re-knit yet again and is awaiting assembly for presentation to DGD #1 on Sunday. I will be going to her first dance recital (but I'm not getting old, mind you)! with sweater in hand. That afternoon should be a good photo op for the Tornados in their sweaters. Whatever happens, I am waaaay over messing with this years efforts.
On the needles now: socks (of course) the mate for the Jury Duty sock is nearly done, dish rags (weird Christmas gift for my mom) Christmas stocking for the Tornado, and a Marta sock that doesn't seem to want to end. It's one of those projects that take more than one brain cell at a time, so it hasn't been getting much attention lately. Argh.
At work: upheavals. Lots of staff changes, assignment changes and increasing headaches. Will this year never end?

2003-12-03T07:30:00.000-07:00

December is ff and running--literally. I finished the Tornado #1 sweater at Thanksgiving, when I had her in one spot long enough to "try on" before finishing. Tornado #2 is on my babysitting agenda this evening, so I can do the "mean Granny" thing and pin her down long enough to check size. I Really hate finishing, so want to be sure everything fits before disaster has a chance to strike.
Jury Duty was NOT very entertaining, as I had the priviledge of sitting on hard benches from 0800 to 1530, waiting for my name to not be called. The only virtue of the day was the opportunity to finish an entire sock in one day. This is no small task, as the sock in question was 80 stitches around on size 0 needles. The mate is almost to the heel now, but not going nearly as fast. To relieve some of the monotony of that pair, I cast on a pair for the Tornado in DK weight yarn--talk about fast! I really needed that. I think I will have enough from this ball of yarn to churn out a pair for CIC!

2003-11-22T07:46:00.000-07:00

Looks like my new blogging pace is about every ten days or so. That must be a sure sign that life around here is not going well. I finally finished Rebecca's SOTM socks, and started the Nov. pair last night. The tornado 1 & 2 sweaters are all sewn up and ready to wear, and everyone in this house is SICK. There is a horrible strain of influenza A going through the Denver area, and all 5 of us have managed to get sick at roughly the same time. I missed two days of school, DS #2 missed an entire week, and DD and the Tornado are blowing snot bubbles at each other as I type. Needless to say, no one is in a very happy mood this week.
Now for the good news: my Accelerated Nursing class graduates tomorrow! I am so proud of these folks! They have all changed my life, and I can hardly wait to host the Pinning Ceremony tomorrow to celebrate. Then, as a reward for a job well done, I get to go to Jury Duty! I can hardly wait!. ..., better sign out of here before the Grinchiness rubs off on anyone else.

2003-11-11T18:31:00.000-07:00

Christms Knitting is sure easy when you use fat yarn and fat needles! The two Tornado sweaters are actually done. well, as soon as I sew all the pieces together. Soon. Real soon. Very next thing. You get the idea. Anyway, I still have two pairs of socks going, and will whomp up some more before the holiday. Lawd knows, I have a leetle bit o sock yarn around the house. Still on the needles: Marta socks, and Rebecca's sock rom the SOTM club. Time to pick out some more patterns!

2003-11-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

OK, I am back on my blog habit. I spent this weekend in a mix of work and fun, with fun pretty much predominating. I did have to do hospital rounds on Saturday but was able to take the 14 year old giant in my house along with. He has been kind of left out since the Toddler Tornado arrived on our doorstep. We did get to spend some nice time together.
On the fiber front, I went to the spinning group Sunday. We start about 2:00, and when we stopped chatting long enough to realize tummies were rumbling, it was 5:30. DH was beginning to worry by the time I finally drug into the house. Finally got gauge on the toddler sweaters, after buying a new needle from theknitter.com. She is part of our Sheep-to-Shawl team, and goes out of her way to give wonderful service to everyone (Did you get the shameless plug!). Anyway, one sweater is now about 1/3 done (did I say it is SUPER SIMPLE)!

2003-10-31T22:58:00.000-07:00

good grief, almost another two weeks gone. Those 60 and 80 hour work weeks have got to stop! My students whoa re planing to graduate in three weeks are all over the city in preceptorships. Instead of visiting 8 students in one lace in one hour, I now have to go visit 16 students in 5 places, and none of them are on the same schedule. I am getting a lot of "Books on Tape" reading done while driving from hospital to hospital! ASnd of course, if I have students working night shift and weekends, guess what happens!
On my ramblings through town yesterday I did drop by the Strawberry Tree in South Denver. I picked up a new contender for "perfect knitting bag until I overstuff and ruin it" bag. I have tried big uns and little uns, and little un inside big uns, and still haven't hit on any one bag that just *works*. I also got a pattern and yarn for the Tornado and Princess for their matching Christmas sweaters. It's going to be a hoody! I got some great tweedy pink and purple and white bulky SuperNova from Sirdar and have been knitting off and on for two days now trying to get a decent gauge. The fabric I like is causing the pattern to be the wrong size, when I get the actual guage with the yarn I'm using, the fabric is too loose and holey. Have changed patern size, needle size and number of stiches, can't make up my mind what the answer should be. Guess I'll keep ripping until I'm either happy or no longer care.

2003-10-18T21:46:00.000-06:00

I can't believe it's been two weeks since I last posed. I knew I was tired and hassled, but whew, what a wake up. Work has been brutal, with lots going on, just trying to stay above water. I had a faculty person back out at the very last minute, and so that means I get to teach yet another course. End of griping. Period. Now,. No More.

The Toddler Tornado is off visiting her "other" grandparents, and it sure is quiet around here. She took the needles out of a sock the night before she left, and I can't even be mad about that. Id did finish the sock--#2 of the bigfoot socks for DH. He wore them for about an hour before deciding they are "too hot, make my feet sweat". Guess who don't get no more for a while!?
I finished the second sock at one of those day long butt buster meetings, and felt so good at getting out of the meeting alive AND finishing a sock, I went to the LYS on the South side of town and bought enough yarn for two more pairs and some Brown Sheep bulky for a kewl felted pumpkin. The pumpkin is almost done, with only less than a day invested. Gotta love that big felting yarn!

2003-10-05T08:19:00.000-06:00

On the knitting front--absolutely NO PROGRESS! I have been spinning again all week, as a response to the time spent spinning last weekend. I have been working on some pretty mauvy-pink fine wool I got from Carol Lee last weekend, and have about 3/4 of it spun. I'm not sure what it will grow up to be, but right now it is just the right thing to be working on.
On a related note, I have been trying to organize my stashes, both knitting and spinning. I am trying to recognize what will get worked on initially and what has no hope of ever being touched. I actually threw out some cotton and some very matted dyed wool, neither of which I will ever be likely to mess with, and both of which were taking up significant room in my house. I am talking a big black garbage bag full o' stuff! I feels so good to cast out the dogs! Now off to my monthly spinning group this afternoon to play in more fiber!

2003-09-30T06:57:00.000-06:00

Gotta love "The Gathering"! We (fiber buddies Christy, Deb & I) went up to the meropolis of Encampment Wyoming this weekend for The Gathering at Carol Lee's studio. What a blast! There were about 30 fiber folks at her house all weekend, and we did natural dyeing including indigo, spun till our wheels smoked, knit ourselves senseless and just had a good ol' time. Thanks go to Carol and Carl for having everyone over and being such good sports about all the nuttiness! It's great to have good people in this world!
Anyway, the giant socks for DH made good road knitting, and I got to spin up and ply an entire hank of 80%Llama/20% silk from the Rocky Mountain Llama Fiber Pool. That stuff spun like butta, and gave everyone fiber envy. I had grabbed it off the sale table Friday afternoon, and when I went up to grab a second hank a bit later, all the others had magically disappeared! Now I gotta search my stash for the other hank I think I remember uying at the Estes Park Wool market a year or so ago. Course it would be simply awful if I had to go get more in a ariety of colors.

2003-09-24T18:27:00.000-06:00

I'm BAAAACK! My "old" computer took a dirt nap this week, and I am now typing this missive on the "new" 'puter. Oh where oh where to start with the sad lament?!?!
Anyway, the digital prolems have precluded the knitting this week, as I have been making extra trips to the workplace to make up for the time I spend at home on line working. I did get the giant sock for DH, and cast on the #2. I hae been test knitting for Marta, and really like the pattern she gave me. You guys are gonna love this book!
I also have been sewing again, put together a new "school" type jumper outfit for the tornado. She is so cute. I am so biased!
Back in the saddle!, Di

2003-09-13T23:46:00.000-06:00

Why is all this yarn following me around? I went through the part of my stash that is by my big comfy chair. I even frogged some languishing projects that I know will never interest me again. But I turn around and there is yet another ball of yarn trying to sneak into this teeny weeny little house! I went to our Saturday morning knit-at-Borders this morning., Martaschmarta was there, along with lots of fun ladies, and we knit and chat and have a grand time. Marta gave me some patterns to test knit for her new "the book"--I have already read through a couple, these look good! So since I have new patterns to knit up, that means I need new yarn to play with, right!?!?!? Judy just happened to be able to oblige. I am a bit proud however, to report that the yummy silk roving in my very favorite colorway ever didn't make it into the car. That's one less I have to deal with when I get the spinning wheel out again.
oh, oh, oh I finished a pair of Los Lobe Hose this evening (only took about an hour) using some hand dyed yarn from a class I took a couple of Junes ago. Discovered halfway through the second sock that the moths have attacked. Threw the rest of that ball out. Drat. Gotta get back on the cleaning wagon!

2003-09-11T06:53:00.000-06:00

Wow, It ihas been a long week. I took three days off last week for my MIL's funeral, etc., and paid the work-load price this week. I have also joined the Flylady list, as a way to try to de-stash my life. I am very much in the "baby-steps" mode with that, but we (my DH is helping) have made a good start in the kitchen. My house is very tiny and very full of "stuff" (read crap) that has been accumulating in the fifteen years we have lived here.

On a slightly happier note, my lace shawl is moving slowly along, I have the hang of the pattern and don't have to frog as much as before. The DH socks are also moving forward, they are my "mindless" project for now. I am just using a k3 p1 rib all the way up, to hug his skinny ankles. I did discover in reading The Purl Stitch why my back-and-forth knitting twists the knit stiches and I have to knit through the back loops to untwist them--I was throwing the yarn "backwards" all these years! My hat is off to Sally Melville for finally showing me the "error" of my way!

2003-09-06T23:41:00.000-06:00

Hmmmm. Open house/grand opening. Yarn shop. Saturday. ROAD TRIP! Drove down to castle Rock with DS #2 in tow, just to "look at the yarn" Yeah, right, who do I think I'm lying to today? Came home with "The Purl Stitch" book, yet another sock pattern, "Los Lobe Hose" sock earring pattern and findings, and three skeins of yarn for DS #2 some slippers "like those old ones I had". He's referring to some old felted slipper socks I made when first getting stuck on socks, oh so long ago. They are quick, and easy, and fun, and I may need a new pair myself!
Worked on DH's toe up sock today, did a short row heel then tried it on the bug guy. Had to frog the entire heel to add a few rows to the length of the foot. Size 13 goes a loooong way from toe to heel!

2003-09-05T07:08:00.000-06:00

Hi There! I've been pretty quiet this week. My MIL passed away Wed, so haven't felt much like blogging. She has been in hospice all summer, in a great deal of pain for many years, so this is not an entirely bad thing. She is already missed, thoguh. Service is this afternoon.
I did finish the wrap last weekend, came out kind of cute. Now I am focusing on the Mediterranean Shawl, which seems to move two rows foreward and then one back. On cobweb yarn, it is not growing very fast. I also have some mindless socks started for DH, toe-up for sizing purposes.

2003-08-30T07:47:00.000-06:00

It happened again!! I went to the shop for some pointier needles for the lace shawl, and came home with more yarn! I saw a sample wrap knit up with cotton chenille and a carry along of bubble yarn. The sample was white with pastel bubbles, but that was entirely too boring for this ol' granny. I got bright purple with jewel bubbles, black and turqoise for the fringe. Now that's the right yarn for a wrap. And furthermore, it is knit on Lincoln Logs (OK, size 13s) so I am already about 1/3 done. Rainy weather + long weekend = finished wrap! I can hardly wait.
Oh yeah, the Tornado noticed the new yarn, started helping me holding the needles as I knit (it actually works pretty well, she helps with the yarn overs too) and decided to pull off a few of the bubbles when I wasn't looking. Oy.

2003-08-29T07:26:00.000-06:00

I am humbled. I thought I could knit lace, and bought some laceweight Merino to try the Mediterranean Shawl in "A Gathering of Lace" That pattern spoke to me the first time I saw it, and I have been working up the nerve to tackly it for about a year now. I got out the needles and yarn last night, and halfway throught the very first pattern repeat I was off the stitch count. Drat. Couldn't see the &*#$^% stitches well enought to tink effectively, so frogged and started over, this time with some sock weight scrap yarn. I "think" I did the exact same things, but the bigger yarn came out just right--so I have no idea where I went wrong. Probably in trying to see the stitches as I made them--silly me! OK, I am humbled, but not yet defeated. More news as it happens!

2003-08-28T07:15:00.000-06:00

My goodness this week is going fast! It is always this way at the beginning and end of a semester, but oh my. I had three meetings yesterday that actually overlapped each other. I am also re-writing some lectures for the class I teach online. Overview of yesterday: 1. get up at ungodly hour to write, e-mail to Instructional Designer for translation to html. 2. show up 10 minutes late for Academic Team meeting for Online program, leave 5 minutes early to: 3. show up 20 minutes late for on-campus Faculty meeting while: 4. the student and online faculty person were waiting outside, so: 5. leave faculty meeting 10 minutes early to: 6. strongly urge student to "fly right" in presence of her new faculty member (I hate that part of teaching). Finally at 2:45 in the afternoon I got to the e-mail I usually read ot about 0800. Oy. Thank heaven the IDesigner called yesterday to say she's as swamped as me and to slow down on the writing!
Knitting: none yesterday, that's fer sher! I did see mention of the new Knitter's Mag in some of my blog buddies posts that mentions a big article on .....drum roll.... SOCKS! so when DS#2 & I went for last minute add-to-the-list school stuff I went to 2 bookstores looking for the mag. No luck. Tried the website, but that thing is a mess, can't find anything. Guess I'll have to wait and see if my KIP buddies have a copy. Which by the way, I MISS YOU LADIES!!! This business of going somewhere else every other Saturday means I don't get to hang out with my fiber-enabling friends. Pout. Sniff. Pout. May as well go to work!

2003-08-24T21:19:00.000-06:00

WHAT A WEEKEND! Things started badly on Friday with an Outlook e-mail crash, but I had no choice but to leave that problem behind. I spent the weekend at the St. Malo Retreat Center in Estes Park Colo, where the Pope stayed when he was last in the United States. The occassion? HEC or Handicapped Encounter Christ, a full retreat for those persons with physical and other health challenges. The retreat center is fully accessible, and I have now gone for four of the five years this group has met in Colorado. This event is an opportunity for people with challenges to discuss what life with a challenge is all about and how God fits in with the life they now lead. The participants who need help are matched with able-bodied care-givers, most of whom have no experience in care-giving. My role--nurse cheerleader. Most caregivers are more than able to assist their partners, and I go as the general backup and advice giver. Some of the participants are afraid to leave their safe homes unless they know there will be a nurse there "just in case". Anyway, it is a very gratifying weekend for me, and a joyful event for both the care givers and care redcievers.

Oh yeah, knitting! I got a simple sock foot toe to heel for DH (He has a VERY large foot) and most of an Aran square done this weekend.

2003-08-21T07:46:00.000-06:00

Startitis--gotta love it. Just when I got rolling along on the FI sock, I got the news of which Aran square is next, so of course I pulled out the gear and started the square. Not tooooo bad, but I almost broke a brain trying to figure out how to do the one stitch cable so it twists the right direction on the front when I am knitting the back Oy!
DD actually did HOMEWORK last night! Maybe she is growing a brain to make up for my broken one!. Hard to say, it's still early in the semester, the "honeymoon" isn't over yet!

2003-08-20T07:09:00.000-06:00

Good morning! I have a bad case of "startitis" and sat down last night for a few minutes, not able (read willing) to face the boring projects currently on needles. So I dug out the stranded Fair Isle Icelandic Sock kit I bought this June and dove in head first. Got about an inch of cuff done and got interrupted halfway though the first pattern round. DD started college last night, and had to come home and emote about it. Actually, I'm glad she got going--the girl needs a future! This time (yes, there was a last time) she chose something a bit more at her ability level and with a short term outcome, also much more suited to her personality. She will earn a Nurse Aide certificate in one semester, and have college credit under her belt. She will then be able to get a real job! Off to the bookstore to fund a textbook purchase. Oy!

2003-08-18T21:59:00.000-06:00

First of all, I have a new look, thanks to Marta of Martaschmata! She graciously taught this old granny how to add Squakbox to my blog so I can talk to you now! Now all I need is to hear from you! Coming soon: Photos! Just like a real blog! (big red blush)
On the needles: 1. Boring black socks with teeny little stripes for my big guy--DH
2. Tornado Sweater in dire danger of getting frogged (dark, boring color)
3. SOTM August, Little Toes revesible pattern--not sure I really like this, more news as it happens
Coming Soon:
1. Aran Square #2
2. July SOTM #2
3. Tornado sweater?
4. Fair Isle socks?
Hmmm Decisions, decisions, decisions.

News from home: Child #3 is now six feet tall (passed me by this summer) and registered for High School. Definitely a milestone for this ole granny. I was too nervous to knit today--just spent it grousing at DD!

2003-08-16T08:47:00.000-06:00

EEEEEEEEEKKKKKK!!!!!!
I hate virus writers and everything they do!!!!!!! I FINALLY got rid of the )(*&^%$#*&^%$&^%$#&^%$# bLASTER VIRUS and can now go back to my happy habits of reading and writing in my blog and keeping up with my e-mail lists. The only good thing about the virus was that while suffering from internet withdrawl syndrome (IWS) I knit a complete pair of socks. Now don't get toooo excited, they are in worsted weight Toasty Toes, and went Super Fast. I will sew up the second toe this afternoon and cast on another pair of sock weight socks.
Oh, I feel so much better now!

2003-08-09T19:53:00.000-06:00

Oi! What a day! We had the Toddler Tornado birthday party for twenty today! Only about five kids, and the rest an assortment of geezers at various life stages. I find myself much closer to "geezer" than "toddler" after a day like today! The party was scheduled for 2:00, and when my DD went to pick up the cake we ordered two weeks ago, there was no record of a cake and, needless to say, no cake. DD did the first thing that came to mind--called me on the cell phone and yelled at ME because she was mad at ThEM (the Universal Them) She ended up getting another cake that was just fine at another store a few miles down the road. Of course by the time the party rolled around, the guest of honor was deeply involved in her NAP! When the volume from the festivities rose, she did too. The Other Guest of Honor was my Great Aunt Peggy, the great-great-great auntie of the Tornado. Peggy is 95 years young, and was delighted to participate! We got some great digi pics for the family archives. And a promise from Peggy to join us for the holidays.
As we were winding things up, my older DGD was peeking though my knitting bag, and deciding what sort of "Coat" she wants me to knit her. Right now. Pink. With kitties on the buttons. Right now. What are you waiting for? Gotta have a little talk.
The thing I did miss today was the Denver Knitters first annual knittin' picnic. Woulda been fun, and I'm looking forward to reading the posts and blogs of the folks who went. I'll be there next year folks!

2003-08-07T07:31:00.000-06:00

She's Two!! The Toddler Tornado officially turned Two Years Old yesterday. She was gifted with an assortment of new clothes from her Grammy (me) and a bigger assortment of CPS toys from her Mommy. (That's Cheap Plastic S---) My front room now looks like a mini version of ToysRUs for toddlers, and the party is not until Saturday. Geesh, I hate it when my DD gets carried away. Wonder where she got that trait, probly the ex. ;^)
Fixation socks are halfway down leg #2, going really fast. I got the SOTM kit from TheKnitter.com this weekend, and it is yummy, probably next item on the list. I am really getting a kick out of this sock group, different yarn and new pattern every month! Also, the socks I make most often are bright colors with lots of pattern, either in the stitches or the yarns, and my teens hate them! All the more reason to knit crazy socks! mwwahahaha!

2003-08-05T07:17:00.000-06:00

Well, I did it again! I started a sock on Fixation yarn that I bought Saturday, and stayed up last night until it was done. "Just one more row" to the extreme. I have never used this yarn before, was sort of turned off by the hard little knot of yarn that they sell. Somehow that little rock doesn't seem very appealing, but I digress. I had been reading about the Pretty Comfy Sock pattern that is free on the 'net, and was written specifically for this yarn. Some of the folks on the Socknitters list seem to really love the yarn, so I swallowed my concerns and jumped in. Guess what----This Stuff Is FUN! It is a real break from little teeny weeny sock yarns, worked up fast, and didn't feel like I was knitting on a rock. Also sort of fun to watch the ball unwind from the outside (OK, I'm easily entertained) Now I gotta get #2 cast on this afternoon so I don't get stuck with SSS.

2003-08-02T07:35:00.000-06:00

Well, I said I wan't going to stay up late weaving, but guess what happened last night! I am such a liar. Anyway, I dressed the table loom once more the other day --Thursday I guess. I don't have a warping board, so I coerced two of my kids to sit on opposite ends of the front room. Me and the tornado then went back and forth between the two big kids, unwinding coned yarn as we went. I was actually pretty effective, but the warp was pretty uneven in length, so I lost a lot on the overall length of weaving. Last night I stayed up until very late, finishing off as much as I could before I have to take the loom back to the shop today. THis piece is an unknown item, mostly a sampler of different types of handspun yarns on a perle cotton warp. Very strange!
The folks from the US Dept of Labor and the Colo DOLE were at school yesterday, just for a little check up on my grant. They were delighted to meet some of the students, and very encouraging. I like it when the feds are happy! Makes my life much more simple. Now this weekend all I gotta do is prep three classes.

2003-07-30T12:15:00.000-06:00

Oh, I gotta cut out those reeeeeeallllly late nights. I am too durn old to stay up half the night weaving or spinning or knitting or whatever. I think right now it is time to concentrate on the "Tornado Sweater". It's the Lacy Aran in Minnow Knits, at the very back of the book. My DD picked it because of the cute little hat that goes with the sweater. I'd knit the hat first, but I'm not sure I'll have enough yarn for both, and MY goal in this is to make a sweater.
I gotta confess, I read WendyKnits every day. NO matter what. and quite a few other sites too. OK, so what, everybody reads Wendy. Here it is I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PUT I LINKS!!!! yeah, yeah, it's really easy and and and....... Oh shoot, may as well learn. Then I too can link to Wendy and all my other blog pals. (Hi Marta!) (pout) off to learn code.

2003-07-29T00:13:00.000-06:00

IT's DONE! I finished the wool/silk/Tencel shawl that is my first official weaving project! I just cut it off the loom and I am very pleased! I even got a chance to show the 14 year old DS how to throw a few shots of weft. He watched intently the last two evenings while I worked on the loom, and wanted to try. He actually put in about 4 inches of weaving on his own. This shawl is now very special on more than just one level!! We are now plotting to create something special together for some other family members for Christmas--mug rugs maybe? Heaven knows I have a "little bit" of yarn around here to use!
Anyway, the shawl is done, has a few "design issues" has been a great learning project, but it's time to crash---nighty night!

2003-07-27T06:47:00.000-06:00

Yippee! The GAAA sqaure is done! It only had to be frogged once, about ten rows, and recovered quickly and completely. I am back to finishing the socks that are on the needles now, and I am learning to weave!!!!! I am taking the "Weaving in a Weekend" Class at the LYS, and loving it. We made samplers yesterday, today will actually warp for a project. I just happened to have a bit of handspun that is crying for a place to show off! It is made from an Interlacements dyed wool top, plied with a matching dyed silk top in bright blues and peacock colors. the skein is a bit more blended than the top was, but really pretty with the silk. I chose some silver grey Tencel to use as warp, and will warp it up and begin to weave today in class.
Please prey for me--if I have to bring home another fiber tool/toy, make it fit in this teensy little house! (rent first, don't buy)!! (tools, I mean)

2003-07-24T06:47:00.000-06:00

Well, in a mere three nights of work the GAAA sqaure is about 2/3 done. As predicted, I am rapidly getting the hang of crossing those cables and reading the pattern. Of course, we started with on of the "easy" ones, but I don't feel so intimidated right now.
The Tornado is sitting on my lap dringking H2O "coffee" with me. She sleeps in our bed, and had an attack of "Tornado Feet" last night. We are all abit grumpy this morning, I might even enjoy going to work.
Work isn't too be these days, I am busy getting ready for the next semester, and planning a graduation ceremony or one of my classes of students. They will be finishing up in November, and I will really miss those folks.

2003-07-21T07:05:00.000-06:00

I'm rockin & Rollin now! I got the Great American Aran Afghan square started last night, and actually made it through about 1/2 of the first big cable motif. THat's 11 rows, but who's counting. It's going slow, due to inexperience with cables, but I am figuring to be very experienced by thime I finish this square.
My daughter saw me get out more needles and yarn, and gave me the lecture about "How can you finish my sweater if you are working on so many differnt things at once. oops. She wasn't supposed to notice! I am down to only one pair of socks on the needles, started a Tornado Sweater for Christmas, which will go very fast, DD sweater, which is currently languishing. I went through all my knitting bags this weekend and --the bad news is-- --sorry Dad-- I took my Dad's vest off the needles. It is off the scope. I discovered "someone" (who could that possibly be?) had poured something sticky into the bag. Dad's sweater seems to have absorbed a large part of the spill, and is crusty beyond repair.
On a happier note, we took the Tornado to Tar-jay for her 2 year old birthday pics. She was very definately "on" her cheesecake game and we ended up picking from 17 of our very favorite shots. Decisions, decisions.

2003-07-19T07:45:00.000-06:00

Wow, finished June SOTM #2, and immediately cast on a Navy Katia sweater for the Tornado's
Christmas sweater. I am using a cute pattern from the Minnow Knits book, that has an adorable little hat to match. I must confess, I wouldn't have picked it as my first choice, but DD saw it and wanted it and I'm a sucker for a good tantrum (even in a 23 year old).
There was one of those black & white striped "kitties" outside last night, and the house reeks. I'm not sure what got sprayed, doesn't seem to be a particular dog, but omigosh.

2003-07-18T12:02:00.000-06:00

It's HERE! I got my big box-o-yarn (or "arn", in Tornado language) in the mail yesterday. I spent all evening going through the Great American Aran Afghan book, looking at the squares and wondering
1. Where to start and,
2. WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!! I have never knitted an Aran anything!!!!! This had better be an extremely supportive Knit Along!!!!!
Other Stuff on needles: on the gusset of the June SOTM #2, moving right along, Still finishing leg of July SOTM #1, but having fun with the stretchy 'arn!
Time to go home and sit in the heat and fondle 'arn. Happy weekend, Di

2003-07-16T19:58:00.000-06:00

Confirmed Yarn Snob at my House!
OK, I must confess, I am now an official yarn snob. I stopped by Joanne's Fabric store today to see if they had any needles I might want to use on the soon-to-arrive afghan yarn. I got an eyeful of Red Heart and Lion Brand, some Susan Bates needles in not-for-me sizes. I haven't been in Joannes in a verylong time, so this confirms for me that I don't need to go back again very soon!

I FOUND MY PATTERN! It was cleverly disguised as a pattern, hidden very effectively right where I left it. Now, who could have done that??!! ;^)

2003-07-15T18:51:00.000-06:00

OK, OK, who swiped my pattern!!!???!?!?! I finally feel like working on the June SOTM to finish the pair, and I can't find the pattern ANYWHERE!!! There is simply no justice. I am ready to turn the heel, I know the EOP pattern stich, I jut want to check the heel set-up, like which pattern row to start on, how many stitches to count, etc. Jeesh. Guess I'll work on the July SOTM. Oh, BTW, I have a big box o' yarn coming in the mail any day!

2003-07-15T08:48:00.000-06:00

I am not sure how it happened, but I am finally admitting..............IT IS TOO HOT TO KNIT, SPIN, OR BREATHE! I have had it! I came home from work last night (air conditioned building all day) to a house and yard at least 300 degrees F. Total progress for the evening: NOT A DAMN THING!

2003-07-13T07:14:00.000-06:00

Good morning! I am here to report having survived my first yard sale in nearly 20 years. I unloaded major amounts of fabric and yarn stash, and a fair amount of the "Stuff" rescued from MIL's house. I resorted to the very effective ploy of "Fill a box for $5" and got rid of massive amounts. I have to admit not making much cash, but not caring. The remainder will go to "stuff heaven" early this week. We even left things on the lawn last night in the hopes that some little sprite would come along and relieve us of our collection, but no dice. The Tornado had a ball playing with the various things for sale and moving from me to her mommy to mooch beverages. It was mighty hot, and mommy got herself *VERY* sunburned, but the baby & I seem pretty untouched. Shade is a wonderful thing, donchaknow.
I did get to sit outside and spin nearly all day, using some of the green superwash wool I dyed last weekend. It really is spinning up nicely, making me want to fill bobbins faster so I can knit some socks with it. This will be good for a simple lace pattern, to show off the very subtle shading in the yarn and have some fun with the knitting. I've been wanting to try the Gull Wing lace pattern in Socks x3 for a while, maybe this is the stuff to use! I also have my SOTM from TheKnitter.com, in a very pretty bright blue/purple mix in Trampoline. I haven't knitted with the stretch yarns before, but got the hang of this very quickly. I have more than half of the first leg done, and the yarn just arrived Thursday!
Time to go to "work" outside, happy weekend, Di

2003-07-09T18:27:00.000-06:00

Wow, another week half gone. This wasa fun one at work. THe beginning level nursing students finished their second exam, and most did much better than on the first one. Big confidence booster. Today they started their clinical experience, with an introductory day with me and the other teachers, tomorrow they go meet their Very First Patients. It's always a big day, and I really get a kick out of sharing it with them. Oh, to be young again................or maybe not!
I have started spinning some of the fiber I dyed this weekend. There is one bat of a really pretty green that, of course, are you ready............Why DIdn't I Make More of This!

2003-07-06T20:55:00.000-06:00

What a colorific day! I got together with some of the DenverKnits gals, and we turned piles of wool and parts of Christy's deck beautiful colors! Somehow, when we start throwing dye on wool and steaming the results, things just happen for the better. For some reason I was ina *green* mood, and made some really pretty green over grey wool. It is a superwash mill end from the spinning factory, and just *needs* to become socks. I also took the plunge on a white merino from the stash, and got some really beautiful green teal and blue/purple blends. I'm not sure what the fiber wants to be, but I am sure it will tell me eventually. I still have half the fleece in it's naked state, and a black Merino lamb fleece that may need to become some grand project together.
Well DH and his siblings spent the day finishing clearing the house out for sale, so memories were made. DH actually took the camera over and took some "empty nest" pics. Sad. Glad I wasn't there. I'm not sure if MIL really knows what is happening to her home, whih is very very good.
Back to "real work" tomorrow, Di

2003-07-05T18:25:00.000-06:00

YeeeHaaaa!!! Not one, but TWO Finished Items to report!!!!!! The Christmas stocking is done and in serious need of blocking (not really our of shape, just to my eyes) and the Flame Socks are done and already being modeled by the Tornado. She saw me taking pics of my projects, snatched the red socks and pulled them on up to her thighs. She then spilled my glass of soda all over the floor, prompting me to grab her up and rip the socks from her feet before any more disaster visited.
Firework watching made us all get to bed WWWAAAAAAAAYYYYY late last night, the Tornado was not at all happy with the explosions, so we went in and out the front door a lot, depending on the noise level. Everyone else slept in late today, so I actually had about three hours of privacy to start the mate to the SOTM June sock. It is about 1/3 of the way down the leg, and going fast. I also get new batteries for the tape player, and listen to "real" books on tape when I knit--great multi-tasking, if I say so. This morning's read is aobut the changes in Russia since the Soviet era, and made the knitting go very fast.
Tomorrow is promising, as there are rumors of a dye day coming up in the neighborhood. I am sooooo ready for this! I have five pounds of pale grey superwash merino just begging to become sock fiber. I have been spinning a bunch of it just plain for a future shawl, but making this stuff colorful would be major fun!

2003-07-03T07:50:00.000-06:00

Wow, this week has gone fast! The Christmas stocking is halfway down the foot, still in two colorwork. I should finish it tonight after work. The Flame Sock #2 has been in my purse all week, with no visible progress, even though I am on the heel flap and ready to rock on down to the toe. SOTM #2 is still a dream, and SOTM for July should be in the mail any day now.
I have a tradition (two years in a row makes a tradition, doesn't it?) of making matching sweaters for the grand daughters for a studio Christmas pic. I have a good time with it, and the kids get to moan and groan about goofy old grammy, so that is even better ;^) Anyway, got out the pattern books and looked through a couple options with my daughter, found a cute little psuedo-Aran sweater with matching hat in *Minnow Knits* that I will whipup for the Tornado, maybe a matching one in another yarn for #1, maybe another pattern in matching yarn, depends on the condition of the stash.

Weekend plans include a final family get-together to finish cleaning up DMIL's house. Grim task, but gotta be done. She's still hangin in there, for now.

I'm supposed to be going to work soon, any minute now, in fact, but got lots done yesterday and don't seem too inspired today. Go figure. I even have the faculty hired for the rest of the Summer term!!!!!!! (about time, huh)

Happy FOURTH, FIFTH, and SIXTH! Di

2003-06-30T21:08:00.000-06:00

The saga continues. My DMIL is still with us, but just. She was able to ask my DH today if son #2 had started summer school this morning like he was supposed to. This after we were counting her last hours on Thursday. Go figure. The answer to the question, by the way, is "yes". he will be completing 8th grade this month--how charming. GGGGRRRRRRR.
On the yarn front, I have the Christmas stocking started and half way down the leg. This really goes fast as I am using a much looser guage than I would for wearing socks. I am using the Estonian Sock pattern from Christmas Stockings, but substituted bright primary colors for the muted greens. I am using bright green, red, gold and just a touch of black--they really pop together!. It's probably one of those "really love it" or "really despise it" colorways. I kind of like it, but could only get away with this color intensity for a short time--say the holidays?!? Thissock is also getting me to practice two handed colorwork, to get ready for Philosopher. I think I am almost ready!

2003-06-26T18:47:00.000-06:00

It's been another one of those bad news/good news kind of days. I started this morning to move into a new (bigger) office, and when I called home for the muscles to come help, olearned my DMIL is on her last hours. We hopped over to the hospice for a while, but had to leave. this is tough.
Good news is, I am in a Christmas Stocking swap with Delores, and get to think about a totally new and fun project.
Later, Di

2003-06-23T23:04:00.000-06:00

My children continue to amaze and amuse me. They all three swear my handknit socks are the geekiest thing I could possible make them suffer through in public (I have other ideas, of course). My daughter broke her foot last week (the bad news) and needed something to keep her splinted toes warm until she can wear shoes again. Guess who is now raiding my sock drawer and actually made the huge mistake tonight of ADMIRING the SOTM sock I am to the toe on (the good news). Then I overheard her describing me to her friend as "a really smart college professor"! Omigawd!!!!!!! Just to keep me humble HER daughter pulled the needles out and dumped my knitting bag while I was at work today.
The red hacky sack was well received, so more are in the future, probably NOT just one color. After all, they are my needles and my yarns, aren't they? ;^)

2003-06-22T08:35:00.000-06:00

Harry Potter is here!!!!! and not only is Harry here, so is the Philosopher's Fair Isle book, the ZSummer Knitter's mag, and the permission of DS #2 to actually knit him something--a Hacky Sack (which is the reason I bought the mag). In his mostly conservative way, he will only allow me to use ONE COLOR, (red, of course) but I think I will churn out a couple of these in multi colors, just to see the reaction. There is alwys DS #1 and the Grand Girlies to foist them on if DS#2 doesn't like them. I got the first one done in just under an hour, so this should be easy. Might even be able to knit while I read Harry, or get DS #2 to read out loud to me! I might even sell a few of these to the neighborhood kiddies to replenish the stash---Bwwwwaaahahahaha! My evil plan is developing nicely, back to the needles!

2003-06-20T07:02:00.000-06:00

Good morning! It's been sort of soft and rainy here this week, which is my preferred weather pattern, as long as it doesn't go on TOOOO long. I wore the new shawl to school Monday, and another one Tuesday to give my new crop of students a clue as to just how strange I can be. Cultivating minor eccentricities is very liberating. Gives me a good excuse to be just strange sometimes. ;^)
Knitting: I started flame sock #2, for working on at home when I can concentrate on the cuff pattern. I'm hoping for a few less errors on the second one. I'm the only one who knows they are there, but still don't like 'em. The cotton SOTM sock is going slowly. I am about to acknowledge that even though this yarn is nice & soft, it feels sort of bleh after a while. I am on the first sock heel, though, after knitting quite a bit of cuff at a boring (much too political) conference yesterday. Naturally the part I wanted to hear was the last 1/2 hour of a 5 hour marathon.
I bought a sock kit at Estes for Fair Isle icelandic socks, and will cast those on next. I keep saying I am going to take the plunge, bought a Philosopher's sweater, bought some patterns, wound the wool into skeins, and froze in terror at the prospect of holding two working yarns without entangling myself and the Tornado in a fatal yarn accident. Hmmm, sounds like another excuse. I also sucked up and signed up for a weaving class this summer, as I have about 4 square inches in my home that is not yet stuffed with fiber thingies. I figure a loom and accoutrements should just about fit ;^).
BTW, Tornado pulled the needles out of the EOP heel on the first SOTM sock last night. Good to knows he's still on her game. Amazingly, she pulls the needles, but then doesn't disturb the stitches. Strange. Eccentric. Hmm, genetic?

2003-06-15T21:25:00.000-06:00

Wow, lots to report in 24 hours. Was it just yesterday morning I was here last? MIL was very lucent and seemed to understand the hospice situation yesterday. We all (about 12 folks total) had a pretty good confab, leaving us emotionally spent, but fairly content. I got about 3 inches of the SOTM done during the meeting, so that was a super productive morning! Turns out the picot hem is really easy, and I love the way it looks.
A happy Dad's Day to everyone--you are a very important part of our lives. Thanks Dad, you know what for!
My day today was spent at the Estes Park Wool Market, at the Sheep to Shawl event. It was much anticipated and turned out to be just as much fun as I had hoped. Our team, Team Chutzpah, took a solid second place of the two teams competing. Our shawl had a few technical problems, but I still say it is the prettier of the two! (I could be biased, though) I got first "dibs" on taking the shawl home so I could show it to MIL, but when I dropped by the hospice on the way home, she was pretty out of it. I don't think she really knew I was there. I'll try again in a day or so. The shawl will be going to school with me tomorrow for "show and tell" so students BEWARE!

2003-06-14T07:59:00.000-06:00

Howdy! I am happy to announce a FO! (well, half an FO) I got the first Flaming Traveler's Sock done last night, a nice finish for Fri the 13th. I also heard from two of my students who took and passed their NCLEX-LPN exam this week. I love it when they succeed! Of course, these are two students I KNEW would do well, no matter what!
OK, so if I have an FO to report, that means I had to immediately start something new, so I gave my DD the choice of yarns (since she was the one sitting there) and she picked the Fortissima Colori SOTM from Judy at the Knitter.com. It is soooo predictable when I give my kids the choice, DD went for the conservative colors, DS#2 goes for the brights--red mostly. Hmmm, how to manipulate *that* prefernce! Anyway, these start with a picot hem, which is new for me, so I was actually eager for this choice--thanks Judy, these look like fun!
I got the first few rows done before bed last night, and will take them with to the Hospice family meeting scheduled for this morning. My MIL is lucent now, and blaming us for "putting me in this place" so the doc is taking mercy on the family and has called a meeting to give MIL the facts of what is happening. Should be a *wonderful* morning. Glad I have something to keep my hands busy.

2003-06-12T07:54:00.000-06:00

Good morning! Progress (and time) continue on toward Sunday's Sheep to Shawl. I am so psyched. Got my share of the warp spun, using the Wensleydale. I must confess, I like it better looking at the beautiful locks than I did messing with them. I don't have a set of combs, so was flicking the locks and maintaining a parallel handful while trying to spin worsted. Needless to say, my flicked ply and the combed ply don't match exactly, but are close. I am personally a "fine wool spinner" and this experience, while OK, just clarified that preference. OK, so the warp is done, I got out my handfull of weft fiber, and the drum carder, and yee-hah, what fun. That fleece was very open, and almost didn't need to be carded! I picked it open and threw it through (with the help of the Tornado, of course) and spun up my half-bobbin in no time at all. Now this is a long wool I couold get to like! The fibers were about 6 inches long, not 8, and they seemed to fly out of my hands. I was spinning woolen, but smoothing as I went, like a worsted type prep. The yarn is resting on the bobbin right now, but I am very impressed!
The Tornado is back and learning about where NOT to put her cute little fingers when grammy is working. I let her crank the drum carder, but she wanted to do it "herself" and put her hand on top of the drum at one point. No damage done, but a lesson learned fer sher.
My Traveler's sock (#1) is on the gusset, and seems to be languishing a bit. For some reason, I am getting out of the sock mode. That's OK, I have plenty of other projects to inspire me!
Cheers, Di

2003-06-10T07:40:00.000-06:00

Good morning! It has been a Verrryyyy long week. The family crisis continues, along with all the stressors. The good news is: I am back in the classroom and on my game! A new class of nursing students started this week (yesterday in fact) and I am psyched. I really look forward to geting to know these folks.
On the Fiber Front, the Tornado is at her other granny's for a few days, but have I done anything productive???? Of course not! I did get to the S2S team-mates house and pick up some fiber and practice spinning a bit of the warp. The fiber we are using is just yummy, long silky Wensleydale. It was still a little gummy when I brought it home, so I threw it in the tub for another rinse, and it is drying now. I should be able to handle it this evening when I get home. We are combing and flicking the Looooong locks, and it is just yummy (did I say that already?) The weft is a deep charcoal, and I have a little pile of it to practice with too. This shawl is going to be STUNNING!
My current SIP is going OK, it is the flame colored Regia Mini Ringel in the Traveler's Sock Pattern from Knitting on the Road. It really was nice to figure out the traveling stich pattern--thank you Nancy Bush wherever you are--I have never read such lovely clear directions of that technique.
Well, that catches me up for now, happy fibering, Di

2003-06-02T19:03:00.000-06:00

Welllll, The weekend is over and I am SOOOOOO back to work. It was a pretty big bust of a weekend, as far as fiber is concerned. I had to be concerned and involved in getting a family member into hospice, which of course came first, before the sheep to shawl practice. I only dropped in long enough to say I couldn't stay. Bummer. Things are better, health-wise, BTW.
Blogging news: I am trying to get better at this process, a little at a time. Tried to get the blogspot help menu to teach me to post pics but--guess what--the page won't load! Maybe tomorrow ;^)
Knitting socks and spinning grey wool, Di

2003-05-30T00:26:00.000-06:00

Well, if I was hot and melty yesterday, today was over the top. Wow, not even June and I'm already whining. So what do I do to console myself about hot weather? Cast on wool socks, of course! I finished the Sockottas this weekend and couldn't decide which of the socks in waiting were up next, so I let the 14 year old son decide which yarn he liked best. I should have known he'd pick the RED ONE! since that's the only color he likes these days. This is some Regia 4 fadig mini ringel in mostly reds with touches of gold and orange--reminds me of a good hot fire. (get the heat reference here) I started the Traveler's Sock from Knitting on the Road last night (midnightish) and am well on my way down the first leg. We'll see how long my attention span holds up in this heat and with spinning and work to draw me away. I forwarded my work e-mail to home, so I'm getting the little problematic updates along with my list mail. (good vacation reading, of course) Hmmm, which should I delete first?????????
Happy Friday, Di

2003-05-28T21:36:00.000-06:00

Well, all of us are back "in the pink" and I made the planned pilgrimage to the zoo with DD #1. Both girls were supposed to go, but the Tornado was such a little "charmer" this morning, I left her home with Grampa and just took the three year old. It was hot, long, and hot. I think we were actually both glad to go home by lunchtime.
Anyway, I've been cranking the old spinning wheel this week, getting some bobbins freed up for the Sheep to Shawl in two weeks. I plyed together a few mystery singles, and might have to figure out what one or two of them *were* so I can repeat the combination (blush). I really didn't realize I had so many little bits of something in progress. I have also been spinning some mill end superwash I got from The Knitter.com. It is light as a cloud, and spins superfine really easily. Two and three ply socks and maybe even a lace shawl are in my imagination right now. I *only* have 5 pounds of the stuff, so I might make it! That is, of course, unless I start the Philosopher's sweater first! (Yes, I do other things than socks, just not very often!)
Melting, Di

2003-05-25T18:57:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm here on the Western Slope of Colorado with my daughter, granddaughter and parents. Go figure--we all have colds and are in cranky moods. Great for visiting the relatives. I brought along the second Socotta sock, and may actually finish it before heading home Tuesday. We'll see how we score in the crankiness department first. Uh ph, here comes the Tornado! Gotta go

2003-05-24T22:19:00.000-06:00

Howdy! It's Saturday night, and I have had a wonderfully knitty kind of day. I went up to the Border's North meeting, where I hung with the S2S ladies and other knitter types. We even had Susan visit us from Borders South, and stick round for lunch afterward. (Why is it that when you take 3 infants to a restaurant, the waiter puts all three high chairs in a row, and seems unnerved by the idea of separating the kiddos?? I just don't get it sometimes!) I finished one of the tornado socks, and tried it on a handy little twin boy (Thank you, Sebastian) then cast on a second sock of Sockotta and got nearly a third of the way up the foot (toe up) (I'm not THAT fast) (like Wendy) (durnit).
The fleeces we picked Wednesday were sampled as we talked and planned and plotted. I am beginning to think half the fun of this competition is the planning and the plotting. And oh yeah, BTW, I got some more sock yarn from Judy. gotta knit faster. gotta go knit. gotta pack to leave town in the morning., Nahhh, gotta go knit.!!

2003-05-22T21:02:00.000-06:00

What a week! We (the Sheep to Shawl team) went up to Black Pines Sheep and selected the fleeces for our upcoming competition. I have ALWAYS been pleased with the fleeces from this farm. We got two fleeces, a Wensleydale and a Teeswater, both high lustre, one white one black. They should look wonderful together! I also just "happened" to bring home a BLACK Merino lambsfleece. I have never seen such a beautiful baby fleece. It is soaking in the bathtub right now, and is wonderful--absolutely minimal VM, even for an uncoated animal. It has just a few little spots of white on the black ground, and the color washed true, it wasn't at all dirty.

I took a serious look at my fiber stash this afternoon, and decided I need to live to a very ripe old age to get all that fiber spun and knit. Then i have the yarn stash, which is an entity all of it's own. And what have I done about it lately? Bought more yarn, of course. Note to self---learn to knit faster--learn to weave--learn to say "no".

The Fiesta socks are done, they came out just wonderful, and I am making a pair of Toddler Tornado socks out of the variegated left overs. Cute!

2003-05-20T19:02:00.000-06:00

Today has been wonderful! I went on a field trip to the Denver Art Museum with the eighth graders, then came home to a package from Hamilton Book--three knitting books on my doorstep for less than the price of one!!!!! I got Anna Zilborg's Simply Socks, the Rare Breeds Save the Sheep book from Interweave Press and Two Sticks and a String--BoNanZA! The second Fiesta Sock is nearly done, will probably polish it off tonight when the Tornado goes to bed. Tomorrow is our Sheep to Shawl field trip to Black Pines Sheep to choose fleece for the competion in Estes. I am soooo psyched! This is going to be great! (Can you tell I'm excited??)

2003-05-19T17:26:00.000-06:00

OK, true confession time--I went to the meeting anyway. As a reward, I went out to lunch with another faculty member and got in the proper "summertime" mood. Got home and found a KnitNet tote bag on my front porsch. Now all I have to wait for is the knitting books I ordered from Hamilton Books. The Patternworks catalog was here too, and the Tornado & I looked at all the baby pictures in it. She is very much getting the hang of hangin with Grammy!

2003-05-18T22:37:00.000-06:00

Sunday evening and i have much yarn behind me--well, actually, knitted into the second Fiesta Sock. I am over halfway down the foot, and the Tornado hasn't struck in hours and hours. I even babysat both her and my other granddaughter most of the day, and no bad knitting things happened. The three year old wanted to know how to knit a sock, so I cast on a toddler size sock and showed her how to start. Of course, she was bored to tears in minutes, but I had fun! I'm thinking now of the meeting I will miss tomorrow, and the fleece I will be shopping for on Wed for the Sheep to Shawl team. Gotta love this vacation business!

2003-05-16T22:11:00.000-06:00

Well, the week is over, the graduation is over, the vacation is on! I have two whole weeks to do nothing--except spin and knit and spon and knit and pet yarn!
The second Fiesta sock had another Toddler Tornado attack today, but I repaired the damage and got about 1/2 way down the heel flap. My goal is to get this pair and at least one more done in two weeks. It all depends on Tornado Warnings!
Off to knit until I get sleepy, Di

2003-05-14T05:46:00.000-06:00

Well, today is graduation day and I can report the completion of one Fiesta Sock! I was able to knit to the toe during an exam yesterday, and then do the kitchner once I got home and could concentrate. Then I dug out the remains of the mate (remember my Toddler Tornado) and picked up the stiches and am about 1/3 of the way down the leg on that one. I think I will even have enough yarn left over to knit a pair of sockies for the Tornado--if she will let me!
Graduation is special for me as a teacher and program director. It is not only a huge accomplishment for the students who have put up with me for over a year, but it is a sense of completing a job for me as well. This is the first class of LPN to RN grads who studied completely online, and took the risk to accomplish this when there was no clear path delineated. I am so proud of all of them, it makes me shiver just to think about it. I am actually up early just from the excitement of the day!
Happy happy, Di

2003-05-11T08:24:00.000-06:00

Good Morning and Happy Mother's Day!

I *think* I am getting back down to normal (now there's a relative word) after final exams are over. I even finished the wool/silk I have been spinning for MONTHS and switched to alpaca top. The wool and silk turned out beautifully, but then bled dye like a *#(^$&@( when I rinsed it. I think I rinsed until the cows allegedly came home, but it still bleeds. Gave up and hung the skein to dry, will work on it some more soon. This yarn is begging to become a lacy moebius scarf, ala EZ, when I get the other 97 projects sufficiently done to begin another.

I actually got to work on the Fiesta Sock for a while last night. The Toddler Tornado was interested, but busy with other things. No missing needles as of yet. I am about halfway down the foot, and love the little fleur de lis pattern on the instep. It is really fun to do and looks really wonderful in this colorway! The little fleur are in a bright multi and the background is very dark brown, so the brights really pop out but don't overwhelm with the neon look.

Happy Day and good weekend, Di

2003-05-08T20:16:00.000-06:00

Wow! I got home today and there was a whole bunch of Spring cleaning going on! My honey and daughter cycloned through the living room, so I don't have to shovel a path to the spinning wheel! Time to start work on that new dead sheep stuff!

2003-05-08T20:00:00.000-06:00

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2003-05-07T23:51:00.000-06:00

OK, as penalty for having a wonderful fibery weekend, I got to work extra hard this week. It is finals week for the students, and that means the teachers get to work extra hard too. Since I teach Physical Assessment online, I have the students come to my office to demonstrate what they have learned at the end of the semester. This takes about an hour for every student, and they are truly fun to have in! We are also planning for a new group of Accelerated students starting next month, so I am up to my eyeballs in that too. And yesterday I was offered an opportunity to go to Ghana for a few weeks and teach at a brand new Nursing School there. Sounds like more than a little fun!
I got home today to discover my sweetie cleaned out a coat closet to put some more stash away ( lots of it lives in the living room--go figure). We both cracked up when he showed me a place to "put some more dead sheep" and I went out to the car and brought in another garbage sack full of unspun wool. Hey, it is superwash millends at a great price in large lots--how could I possibly refuse? Anyway, that's my story and I'm stickin'to it! Felt so good to have fiber in the house, I sat down and finished a bobbin of Interlacements dyed silk top. I've been spinning that and a similar colorway of Targhee top and then plying the two together, really pretty stuff. My daughter wants to know what it will become when I am done, so I had to explain the idea of "aging" one's stash before just jumping in to a project. These things take time to develop properly. Besides, I have my "Rule of Four" reserved for the next decade or so with stuff that just "has" to get done!

Have a fibery day, Di

2003-05-04T08:42:00.000-06:00

Good morning! Yesterday was eveyr bit as wonderful as expected!! I got the textbook stuff out of the way early and into the mail, got a few papers graded, (they were even halfway decent ;^) ) and then came across the DenverKnits Weekly calendar. Havinga strong urge to do some serious kjnitterly *stuff*, I wandered down to Elizabeth Colorado and visited the Red Wheel shop---my kind of place! They ahve supplies for spinning, weaving and knitting, and some nice comfy chairs near an open window! I parked my *delicate* little fanny in a big comfy chair, pulled out the Fiesta Sock and soaked up the ambience. I even found one of those lightweight wire swifts I have had on the list for a while! After an hour or so of contented knitting, I trundled myself back home and wound off all the skeins of Philosopher's Wool and the hank of Interlacements Toasty Toes. Took about 1/4 the time it usually does with uncooperative adolescent helper.

Progress on the Fiesta Sock is wonderful! Igot past the gusset, down the foot about 1/4 of the way, now I'm cruising! However, not I have visions of the *next* pair dancing through my feelble little mind! Better get busy--so much yarn so little time!

Plans for today include the Fiesta sock and dragging my Ashford Traditional Double Drive DOuble readle up to out loittle spinning group. Haven't been spinning much lately, but am planning to be part of a sheep to shawl at the Estes Park Wool Market this year. Gotta get back in the spin of things!
Di

2003-05-03T06:57:00.000-06:00

Good morning! I am up early this morning, even though the Toddler Tornado has gone to visit the "other" grandparents for the weekend. I was actually able to sit in my big comfy chair and listen to books on tape and knit on my Fiesta Sock last night without having to guard: my knitting, my tapes, my soda and my chair. That's too much work for one granny! ;^) (But I love it, if you can't tell) The Fiesta Sock --singular-- is coming along nicely, and I am halfway through the heel flap. I am not the speediest of knitters, so two color knitting slows me down even more. Mostly cuz I haven't done a lot of it, but also because I have to *think* about what I am doing.

An entire day stretches before me, nothing to concern me but more knitting, grading papers, writing a Final Exam and Editing an online course package from a textbook company. Guess which one I want to do first?!! First thing on To Do List--get more COFFEE!

Happy Weekend, Di

2003-05-01T07:24:00.000-06:00

This link is to the school where I work, between sock project!

2003-05-01T07:23:00.000-06:00

Good morning! My day yesterday just kept getting longer and longer and..... you get the picture. I was able to faceo ne of the Fiesta SOck cuffs last night, and after finding yet another sock with the needles pulled out, I decided to go back to my old rules of finishing one sock before I start the second one. I don't have too many cases of SSS, so that is not a bad thing. I did get the first Sockotta sock finished. It is toe up and I was concerned about the fit, using the short row heel. I alwys worry about that, and it always comes out OK. How do you spell neurotic? Anyway, back to the Fiesta Sock, she did pull out all the needles right below the bobble section, and I was able to replace them without going up into the bobbles. She seems to like to remove needles, but has no interest in removing yarn from the fabric.

My adventures in Nursing Education continued yesterday. As a little bit of background, I an Program DIrector for two special Nursing Programs at the COmmunity COllege of Denver. I run the Online LPN to RN program, with total responsibility, and then I run a special Department of Labor/HealthONE grant to train nurses in an Accelerated program. I teach classes, hire teachers, find clinical (hospital) places for the students to practice, find and screen students, and generally pull my hair out. I hired a woman to teach a clinical rotation at 5:30 last night. The rotation starts at 0700 this morning. Whew, that is cutting it waaaaaay too close! This is my first experience as an Administrator, and it is making me nutty. I don't mind being the responsible one, have had lots of practice a that, but I hate not being ready for a class. That is just not my way.

Anyway, time to get going on the Day Job, talk to you again soon, DI

2003-04-29T18:59:00.000-06:00

Howdy! Back from the office and on the blog. I haven't been able to face the sock cuffs yet, probably tonight. Right now the toddler tornado is sitting quietly on Papa's lap watching TV. Soon as I pick up the needles she'll come running. Frustrating, but it means she's got a pretty good chance of carrying the knitting gene ;^)
My daughter & I were paging through the Interweave Knits Summer Issue last night. She actually admired the Woodstock Camisole!!! She usually disdains my socks, so for her to notice a pattern is a plus. We also both noticed the young man modeling the Echo Lake Cardigan! Where do they find their models??? Oh, yeah, he's wearing a ring.

2003-04-28T22:14:00.000-06:00

Hello there! Welcome to my woolgatherings!
I am Dianne, and I am a knitting addict. There, I've said it. Now I can confront my stash without blushing.....too deeply anyway. My favorite knitting right now is the creation of socks, mostly for myself, since many of my family members don't appreciate my color sense or design sense. Ok, I can live with that.

My current projects follow the "Rule of Four" described on one of my favorite lists, Denverknits. The idea is to never become so overwhelmed with works in progress (WIPs) because there are never more than four projects on the needles at any given time. It's a great theory anyway! What it has done is grow my stash, since my shopping skills are waaaaaayy ahead of my knitting speed! OK, true confessions: on the needles right now
1. a cardigan vest for my dad, about 5 inches from ribbing, languishing in basket.
2. an aran sweater (my first) for my daughter, natural color cotton linen blend Ibizza yarn, nice & soft, and languishing.
3. Pine Tree socks of Soccotta in the denimy colorway, one nearly done, ready to put cuff on toe up.
4. Fiesta Socks by Lucy Neatby. Now theeeerrrre's a story.......
My first ever pair of socks was this pattern in Koigu PP Merino. I signed up for a sock knitting class at the Estes Park Wool Market, and discovered when I showed up what the pattern looked like. It took all summer, but I got those little beasties done and they pretty much fit. Lots of lessons learned! I also found the Socknitter's website and list from that class! Anyway, after wearing those works of art a few times, one of my teething puppies got hold of one sock and ate the bobble row and the first few rows of the cuff. I couldn't bear the thought of just throwing them out (ouch) so I tucked them away for "a while". One of the ladies in our Denverknits get together group was working on the same pattern a few weeks ago so I was inspired to dig out the pattern and try again on a colorway I like a bit better than the originals. This week I managed to start two socks, since I only want to learn the pattern stiches once and make an actual matching pair. I got both cuffs, both bobble rows, and the beginning of one leg pattern started. I got a call from my daughter before I left work this afternoon. She called to say that she found my toddler grandaughter *very dirty* this afternoon, my books-on-tape novels were strewn all over the living room, and she found ten knitting needles on the floor. Oh. Yep, you guessed it, the toddler pulled out all ten needles from both socks. She's still alive. Her mom may not survive the tongue-lashing. My husband (also present at the time) may not survive. I haven't started the salvage efforts yet, but it looks like the bobbles are safe. Good thing, because I HATE knitting bobbles, and if those were gone they would just have to STAY gone.
THis has been a tough knitting month. Very few successes and a couple of disasters. Please, tell me I am not the only knitter with bad vibes, karma, juju, or whatever! Share your pain with me!
Oh, solution to problem: Shopping for yarn! I finally broke down and bought a Philosopher's sweater kit this week, and a very pricey Interlacement hank of superwash hand-dyed yarn. I think I'll wait for the disaster juju to go away before I sneak it into my stash ;^)
Di