Jeremy's Knit-a-bit

Wee Tiny Sock Post at Last

I feel so bad, this arrived a couple weeks ago. The darling sock and wonderful treats came from Jackie. You should check out the colorful Swallowtail Shawl she
just knit. The pattern is available for a limited time in The Top 5: The Best of Interweave Knits Readers' Choice Awards from Knitting Daily.

Then knitting my own Wee Tiny Sock has inspired me to sock knit again, thus the Cascading Leaves Sock. I am a little further than this picture. The good news is that Lily has a water polo tournament on Saturday which means a lot of knitting time. Here is my progress as of last weekend.

Back to the Routine Tomorrow

Over my spring break I accomplished:
1. Getting the taxes done which included Carolyn's, Michael's, Joy's and of course mine. Carolyn's actually were the most difficult because she worked out of state and then another employer paid her as a business. It took awhile to figure out but I swear by TurboTax.
2. Got all the ordering done for school which has to be in by April 1.
3. Turned in all my expenses.
4. Did the Jump Rope for Heart and PE central challenge orders.
5. Ordered supplies for my afterschool knitting classes.
6. Got back into blogging.
7. Got back into knitting.
8. Participated in the Wee Tiny Sock Swap.
9. Shifted a lot of the blogs I read from Bloglines to Google Reader.
10. Insert what I have left out here.
For my final pictures (because once I am back to work the light is usually to bad to take pictures until the weekend).

My sock for the Wee Tiny Sock Swap modeled by Liam who needs a new sweater.

I need a good, small, teddy bear sweater pattern.

And I am also working on the Bulldog Hat for Joy.

I will try to post once a week until school is out in early June.

Decision Made

JOY IS GOING TO BE A BULLDOG! She decided she would be happiest at Redlands which is most important. She has also decided that along with playing Water Polo she is going to swim at Redlands. I did have to order some yarn in Redlands colors, maroon and grey, so that I could knit her Madison's hat by Wendy Dunlap. I am allowing this purchase with the Stashalong 2008 because it is a gift. With that done Lily is the only one left. It is hard to believe that our family has gone through the college search process three times now. All I can say is each one has been different as I am sure the next one will be also.

I have been knitting the Waves of Blue afghan (semi mindless for TV watching) and working on the Wee Tiny Sock for the swap. I am stuck picking up stitches they are tight and I either split the yarn or drop the stitch. Here is a pic from the other day. Sorry it is not as clear because the auto focus focused elsewhere. It is teeny.

I am alittle further than this picture, I just have to get over the stumbling block.

I Gave Up Blogging for Lent?

That is what Carolyn suggested I say when I told her how long it had been since I posted. As you can see Easter arrived along with 6 or so inches of snow. In order to help spring along I decided to lighten up the look of my blog. I don't know how long I will keep it but I always like a little change and I kept the old layout for over a year (which is unusual for me).

Things that have happened since January:

1. My LYS closed. Mary's rent went up and she decided she had to relocate or close. By the time I found out the closeout sale had been going on for a couple weeks and almost everything was gone. I did pick up a couple books and patterns. Yarn-wise all that was left was baby yarn and some bulky cotton. My favorites were long gone. It looks like the internet will become my new LYS.

2. Carolyn got a real job and then quit. Basically it was collections for a law firm. I wouldn't have liked it either. But as with life she was able to learn something from the one week experience and that is that she would like to write (I could have told her that) and that she wanted to go back to school for her master's in journalism. Unfortunately application deadlines have passed so it will be another year or so. She is working on finding something until then for now Starbucks calls.

3. Joy was accepted to several schools and after a couple recruitment trips she has narrowed it down to two, The University of Redlands and Gannon University. I know she would rather be in California (Redlands) but it is more expensive. She has one more day to decide because she has to let the Gannon coach know tomorrow.

4. I continue to do very little knitting. Partly because my back hurts and I can't find a comfortable position. I did join the Stashalong 2008 and at least have not bought any yarn this year.

5. I am teaching two "knitting" classes at school this trimester. Big knits - big needles, bulky yarn, because kids like instant gratification. The other is Dying to Knit - we dye our yarn and then knit it. In fact our first dying project is the Easter grass pictured above. As the yarn was drying I realized it was the perfect Easter grass color.

6. I am thinking of signing up for the Wee Tiny Sock Swap. The socks are so cute and quick. You knit one tiny sock (pattern here) and mail it to your swap partner on Monday. Sign-ups end Thursday partners come out Friday.

I am on spring break this week so my to do list is:

1. Post on this blog.
2. Finish taxes
3. Turn in Jump Rope for Heart order.
6. Send in PE Central Challenge order.
7. PE equipment order.
8. Plan for end of school year.
9. Whatever else I have forgotten.

With two in college again next year I plan to work a lot this summer. I asked Darryl to increase my days at the golf course and I plan to teach summer school in the mornings. I will be quite busy. But I like it that way.

#1 is done so on to the next task.

Long Overdue Coffee Swap Post

It has been over a month since I received my swap package and I want to publicly thank my partner Melissa. I am so sorry I have taken so long (my bad). I don't allow myself to use anything I get from a swap until I post so now I can dig in!! Isn't the felted coffee cup cozy cute. I saw the pattern on the knit picks site and almost knit it for her.
On the knitting front. I have knit a few rows on my afghan and I am hoping that after Christmas I get back to knitting. My back has been the big problem. After sitting I usually have back pain so I spend a lot of time standing or lying down. Since swim season is over (lot of long bleacher sitting) I have noticed my back is much better. I will stand for water polo games in the spring.

Knitters' Coffee Swap Three

I am pleased to be in again because love knitting and coffee! I try not to overload on KALs and Swaps during the school year but this is a must! Here is the questionaire and answers.

QUESTIONS

1. Whole bean or ground? Whole bean

2. Fully-loaded or decaf? Fully loaded

3. Regular or flavored? Regular, I love dark, espresso roasts, I have enjoyed some of the "nutty" flavors, no spices please.

4. How do you drink your coffee? Black – I guess I am a purest

5. Favorite coffee ever? Hard to say. See above

6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? See #3

7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? Usually if I have some thing with my coffee it is my laptop or breakfast, I do like biscotti.

8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? It has all been said above.

9. Yarn/fiber you love? Merino wool, alpaca; sock yarns are fun.

10. Yarn/fiber you hate? Acrylic, novelty yarns

11. What's on your needles? Lots, a sweater, socks, an afghan, golf club head covers (I wont go into my UFOs)

12. Favorite colors? I love color therefore I shy away from neutrals or muddy colors. It is good to be surprised though because sometimes you discover you like something you wouldn’t have selected yourself.

13. Allergies? Yes, but I usually ignore them. I do avoid knitting and wearing mohair because I react to it.

14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest? My ravelry ID is Jeremy if you want to check me out there or friend me.

I have been having fun checking out the other Swap members blogs. The swap is closed but you can check it out here.

FO's keep rolling in

Here is Grandmothers Favorite Dishcloth 2. These babies just fly off the needles. #3 is done except for weaving in the ends and a picture and #4 is half finished. All of this knitting takes place while waiting in the car. The plus is they are my favorite dishcloth to use and I have a lot of Sugar'n Cream in my stash.

And the monkey socks are finally done and off to my swap partner (I won't reveal who until she gets them). I loved making them and learned a lot.

Things I learned while making monkey socks:

1. Check gauge. I learned the hard way when I had to frog half a monkey because it was too small.
2. When using fine yarn and small needles don’t unknit to fix mistakes, it usually creates more problems than there were to begin with. Either fix the mistake without unknitting (which I became quite good at) or compensate and continue.
3. Have adequate lighting. After I purchased an Ott light the number of mistakes I made decreased drastically.
4. When knitting wool socks I prefer the "grip" of bamboo needles.

Once my swap pal receives her package I will post a picture of what I sent.


I also wipped up this water bottle cozy because my water bottle at work was sweating like crazy. I was going through a dozen napkins and everything was wet. This works much better. Searched for patterns and modified what I found and came up with this: Download knit_bottle_cozy.doc


Now that the monkeys are finished I am going to focus on my knitting for the Fitted Knits Along and the Favorite Socks KAL. I have already gotten back on track knitting the Turtleneck Tube Vest. I am going to use this Lorna's Laces Shepherds Sock in Childsplay for my first pair of socks from Favorite Socks.


I have decided on Ann Budd's Mock Wave Cable Sock pattern.


Of course the first boxes I packed for the move are my knitting stash. It was good to organize everything and I know I will be able to find the most important things when I get to the new house in August.

Virtual Vacation Swap Questionaire and FO

Its finished and a new one is on the needles and in the car.

Virtual Vacation Swap Questionaire

1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why? Hawaii, I haven’t been there and I love beaches and water.

2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why?
Ireland. I lived in England for a year and never got there. My grandmother’s (who was from England) side of the family is there. The history of the area intrigues me and I have read a lot of historical fiction set in the UK.

3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries?
With my family we used to take camping trips. One we drove to the Black Hills in South Dakota, and other we drove through Canada to Niagara Falls. Another trip was to North Carolina and then to Pennslyvania. When we lived in England we drove to Paris twice taking the ferry across the channel. I enjoy driving.

4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it?
One of my favorite trips as a child was to the Bahamas. Acapulco was also exotic but I was so sick I couldn’t enjoy it.

5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why?
Wow, I can’t pick a favorite. I have loved our camping trips, we used to go to Captiva Island, FL for spring break. Those are some of my favorite trips

6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain. Not often, but when the kids were littler we would go into the city (Chicago) to explore a museum, the zoo or a sporting event. The year we lived in England we played tourist big time. Every weekend we would take the train into London. It was a lot of fun. I love having house guests to show the town so next time you are in Illinois I would love to take you around.

7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comer or an amusement seeker?
Beach comer all the way.

8. What's your favorite type of yarn?
I really love sock yarn right now. However any soft wools will do.

9. What's your least favorite type of yarn?
Acrylic and novelty yarns

10. What items do you like to knit/crochet?
Socks. I am involved in the Fitted Knits KAL and have been starting to knit more tops. I always have one or two afghans on the needles.

11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation?
Lately, socks. I always bring more than one project.

12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet?
I have made beaded stitch markers but there are just so many you can use. I pretty much stick to knitting because I am busy and other crafts take away from my knitting time.

13. Are you allergic to anything? Not really

14. What is your favorite color?
I love color as opposed to neutrals, I don’t like the orange, gold, brown family of colors as much as others. Jewel tones are pretty. Least Favorite? Neutrals, dull drab colors

15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)?
If you think it is good I will too. However what I really love is coffee - whole bean and dark roast. I also love caramel and toffee (I keep adding on to this).

16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know?
Feel free to email me with questions.

The Virtual Vacation Swap

I am trying to get involved in a few swaps this summer because I have met some great people through other swaps. Amy, Linda and Kate are just a few. Summer is a good time for me since I am on vacation (my golf course job doesn't count). I just signed up for Virtual Vacation Swap. This swap is slightly different. Your box of goodies has to reflect where you live, other than the yarn it has to be themed from your home city/state or if you are International your home country. You are basically sending a box to your partner as if they had come to visit you and played tourist with you. If you are interested in signing up it is almost full so check out the link. Sign ups end the 15th but it could fill before then.

I have decided in order to get these monkey socks done in time (or close) I need to knit 3 inches a day. Better get started!

One Sock Done

The first monkey sock is done. Although the foot looks long it measures to the correct length. I will wait until I finish its mate before I block it. It is hanging from the tree with the beautiful sock blocker my coffee swap pal, Chrissie, made me. I got the yarn from Thread Bear it is the Twisted sock yarn they get from Meg, a local dyer. The colorway is portal. I discovered it in Rob's blog, Black Dog I really loved working with this yarn. I just may be purchasing more. Must get back to work on the second sock!