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TGIF!!

Posted on April 11, 2008 by auburnchick

Yay! Friday finally arrived!! I am so happy, given the rough week at work. Whew! At least my paycheck will be nice with all of those extra hours!

The rest of my week proceeded with a bit less drama than the first few days. I even managed to get a bit of knitting done.

I received another blanket in the mail this week. Take a look at how Pink Princess is turning out.

Does the blanket look familiar? If you’re one of my faithful readers (and I know you’re out there!), you might remember seeing this blanket before. This is the second time I’ve worked on it, and I just sent it to the knitter who mailed it to me the first time! What fun! I used the same yarn as before and used the Diagonal Seed Stitch.

I sure was happy to see Friday, though! I left work early today so that my family could get an early start on our trip to dear daughter’s soccer games. Another seven hours in the car…each way. Hmmm…good, uninterrupted knitting time! I brought along the Monkey Socks that I started this week. I had my handy-dandy MacBook Pro with my broadband card. Thank goodness for this gadget. It sure makes long trips much more bearable.

I desperately wanted to listen to Way of the Master. This ministry has a daily broadcast that you can listen to on Sirius (FamilyNet) or even right on their website. I was really curious what they would say about the song that the American Idol contestants sang last night. Did you happen to catch it? I was floored. Their rendition of Shout to the Lord gave me chills, but at the same time I was a bit confused. I wonder how many of the singers really knew what they were singing about. Yes, they sounded amazing, but I wonder how many of them have a personal relationship with the Lord.

Sigh…

I worry about people’s salvation…

Sigh…

Ok…getting back to my trip.

After Way of the Master, I decided to listen to the Diva Knitting Podcast. Cheryl Kemp is very easy to listen to. Yesterday, I listened to her interview with Amy and Sheldon, the wonderful couple that started KnittingHelp.com. It was fascinating to learn about what goes into maintaining this amazing site. Today, I listened to the 4/9 podcast, in which she started a sock knitalong. She has some good links on her site to accompany the podcast. I highly recommend listening to this if you’ve never knitted socks before.

After listening to Cheryl’s podcast, I decided to try to figure out how to subscribe to podcasts in iTunes…to make my life a little easier (I like to stay as organized as possible). Have you ever searched for knitting podcasts in iTunes?? Oh my goodness! There are a ton! If you have a favorite, will you please let me know?

While I listened to the podcasts, I knitted and knitted and knitted. I’ve managed to finish almost five repeats of the sock pattern. Here’s my progress so far…

I am still loving this pattern. It is very easy. I am also totally loving knitting on two circular needles. I did change back from the 40″ to the 16″ after being assured that 16″ is fine and I’m not pulling my stitches too hard. Thanks for that! I appreciate it!

I plan on getting a lot of knitting done tomorrow. We’ll be watching a college soccer game and then my daughter plays a game later that afternoon. Lots of time to knit!

Oh, and I also just started reading a series of books. Have you ever read the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers? I read it several years ago but decided to check them out again when I took my daughter to the library this week. The setting is Rome during the early days of the church, shortly after Jesus died. You learn a lot about the gladiator games and persecution of Christians. Right after I read the books the first time, the movie Gladiator came out. I was fascinated by the movie. I love history, and as a Christian, I stand in awe of what the early Christians had to face. I feel very fortunate to live in a country where I can openly read a Bible and share my faith without fear of reprisal.

Have a good weekend, all! I’ll keep you posted on the progress of my socks.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Is It Really Only Wednesday??

Posted on April 9, 2008 by auburnchick

Whew! I’ve had a week! I can’t believe that’s it’s only Wednesday too!

I am a computer tech, and one of our servers had some problems on Monday. Not good. I hoofed it to one of our field offices to give them a “back door” to our other server. I worked almost ten hours…basically pulling a double shift since I normally average five and a half hours each day. Then, on Tuesday, our email wasn’t going through. Are you kidding me? So, I spent another half a day trying to figure out why. Today, I’m playing catch-up from the last two days.

Needless to say, my brain is fried. On Monday, I didn’t even feel like knitting. But, I gave it a valiant effort, pulling out the pattern for my Lacy Bamboo Jacket. The first mistake was in reading about the gauge. Oh no. I’m not good at gauge. Then, I skimmed the rest of the instructions. It looked like blueprints for the Eiffel Tower. Nope…I cannot handle this project right now. Away goes the bamboo.

So then I pull out the lovely purple yarn that I bought in Vegas. I think I’ll start on the Lily of the Valley Shawl that I found in a book in Vegas. The yarn I want to use is a heavier weight, but the lady at the yarn store assured me that I could adjust the pattern. In the excitement of the moment (remember how much yarn I bought in Vegas?), I let her talk me into it.

Well, I already know that I can’t do math. Trying to adjust the pattern just wasn’t happening. I had all the tools too…pencil, paper, calculator…to no avail. Drats. I put away the yarn and pattern. I’ll just order the lace yarn that the pattern calls for and not worry about adjustments.

So, I finally decide to start on a pair of socks. I bought this book back in February.

You might recall that I recently knit my first pair of two-at-a-time magic loop socks. So, I’m game to try something new…despite my lack of brain cells at the moment

I’m using this yarn (the pink one on the left…another Vegas purchase).

So, I get the socks cast on. I’m going to make the famous Monkey Socks that everyone seems to be knitting these days. I easily complete the ribbing and put things up for the evening. Last night, after another trying day at work, I decide to “relax” by working on my socks. I get one pattern repeat completed and eagerly start on the next one. Uh oh…something strikes me as being odd. The socks look fine, but upon looking at the pattern (I’m using a chart), I realize that I’ve totally messed up the easiest rows.

Grrr…what’s a knitter to do. I could let it go. Nobody but me will know. However, I can’t. I remember reading a posting by ArtLady on KnittingHelp.com (she is the knitting guru, by the way). She said that she frogs until she gets something just right. Her work is simply gorgeous. If you’re on Ravelry, look her up (by the same name). No wonder her work is so stunning. She does not accept anything less than perfection.

So, I rip and rip. I took the whole thing apart and started over, determined to finish the ribbing on the cuff before retiring for the night. Two hours of work…and I’m right back where I started.

Isn’t that pathetic?

Despite all of this, I’m learning stuff. First of all, don’t try to knit socks on two circulars using a 16″ needle. I tried using one 24″ and one 16″, per some bone-head thing I read on the internet when I was researching this. The 16″ is way too short. I moved those stitches to a 40″, which is way, way too long, but it’s all I have. I think that either two 24″ or a 24″ and a 32″ would be perfect. I read that two different sizes are recommended so that you don’t get your needles confused. When I have a little more $$, I’ll order some 32″ needles.

I’ve also discovered that I really like Tofutsies yarn. It is wonderful to work with. I’m happy that I have another skein to use later.

Oh, and just so you don’t think I’m totally grr’ed out from this week, I have good stuff to say.

First of all, I gave my co-worker the Drop Stitch Scarf (see previous post) today. I left it in a gift bag on her chair. All of a sudden, my email pops up with the happiest thank you note I’ve ever seen. I went down to take a look, and she was wearing it, almost speechless. She couldn’t believe that I gave it to her. It looks so awesome on her too! That was a great feeling.

Then, when I arrived home, I had another baby blanket waiting for me. When I opened the box, I found a couple of gifts. One was a bar of soap…smells so good!!! The other thing…well, look at the picture below…

These are just adorable! They fit perfectly, despite my huge feet, and they are so soft!!! I’m a happy gal, yes indeed!

Friday cannot come soon enough!

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

Drop Stitch Scarf

Posted on April 7, 2008 by auburnchick

Yippee! I finished the Drop Stitch Scarf I cast on for on the way home from my daughter’s soccer games a couple of weeks ago

Some of you may remember that I received this yarn from a friend.

When she bought me the yarn, she got the pattern for a Drop Stitch Scarf. The yarn store had a sample knitted up, and she loved it.

She also bought me these bamboo needles, which proved a blessing. I tried knitting this on my Options, but it was very frustrating. The yarn kept sliding off of the needles. So, I switched needles, and work progressed much faster.

Here is the finished scarf. I plan to give this to a gal in my office who, upon seeing the yarn, fell in love with it. I think the scarf will look great on her. Her skin tone is perfect for it. Plus, she has no idea that I’m going to give it to her. That’s the best part!

This is a close-up of the stitch…

I think I’m going to cast on for another booga bag. We have to travel this weekend, so it will be mindless knitting for the car ride. I would also like to cast on the the Lacy Bamboo Jacket with the yarn I bought in Vegas. I’ll post pictures…stay tuned!

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Blankets, Blankets Everywhere!

Posted on April 6, 2008 by auburnchick

When it rains, it pours!

If you had walked into my house last week, you would have seen blankets and yarn lying all over the place. I hear you asking, “Why?” Well, it’s because I am involved with the Oddball Baby Blankets – two charity projects started on KnittingHelp.com. We even have a group now on Ravelry.

My venture with charity knitting started last summer when I signed up to work on Oddball Blanket #5. This blanket will be a king-size blanket that will get donated somewhere…I’m not quite sure where yet. When I received the blanket in the mail, I nearly cried. To hold something that others have worked on was just an amazing feeling.

So, with that experience in my heart, when I saw a notice on the Charity Knitting forum on KH, I had to sign up. The thing about this project is that it’s like trying to eat one chip out of a Lays bag. You cannot stop at one. The taste is so good!

Working on the blankets is a lot less fattening than eating a bag of chips. Well, maybe not. Your heart swells with joy as you see pictures posted of “your” blankets’ progress to completion, as each knitter is pretty faithful to share news of its journey.

Last week, I received three blankets. So, I put aside the Drop Stitch Scarf I had started and proceeded to get to work.

This is a picture of Summer Fun. This blanket uses worsted weight yarn. This is the site that keeps up with the worsted weight baby blankets. I used Caron Simply Soft, and the colorway is Mango. The pattern is called “Loop Pattern,” from the book knit & purl. I chose the orange because it reminds me of summer and the warmth of the sun.

This blanket is called Citrus Punch. It is a preemie blanket. This is the website where Shandeh (from KH) keeps track of the lighter weight blankets.

I really struggled with what color to use, even considering a green (limes are citrus, right?). In the end, I went with the yarn Baby Soft, colorway Yellow. The stitch is Woven Horizontal Herringbone, from the same book as mentioned above.

The third blanket I worked on is called Happy Bluebirds. Of the three from this week, this one is my favorite. I used I Love This Yarn, and the colorway is White. The stitch is called Vertical Weave from a little booklet that someone sent me with the first charity blanket I worked on. You can also find the stitch on this site, a great resource for various stitches!

I am supposed to be receiving another blanket in the mail this week. Until then, I’ve resumed work on the scarf. I will post a picture and details when I’m done.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

When Did My Children Grow Up?

Posted on April 3, 2008 by auburnchick

Well, you know that I turned 38 on Saturday. Little signs have started cropping up…making me realize that I’m getting older. But today, I figured out, sadly, that my children are growing older too, and that realization made me, quite frankly, a little sad.

It all started when I was notified that my son had been accepted into an academic program at our local high school. It’s the same program that my daughter is enrolled in. They have a special pinning ceremony, with soon-to-be Juniors acting as mentors for incoming Freshmen. So, I had one child doing the pinning, and the other child being pinned. No problem. I can handle this.

Mr. AuburnChick took the children (yes, I still call them that) to the mall to get nice clothes for the affair. Mustn’t let them go half-naked, you know.

Daughter picks out a dress because “all the girls” are wearing dresses this year. Poor darling is used to soccer attire, so the thought of donning a dress (that’s a little too airy) is appalling. Regardless, she comes home with a little something.

Son picks out nice dress pants, a long-sleeve button down shirt, and a fantastic tie…his first. He even gets new dress shoes and a good belt. Ok…I’m still doing fine with this.

Until they got dressed this evening.

Daughter had gone to a friend’s house to get ready. Son was home. Son comes out of the bedroom, and I look around…waiting for my real son to emerge.

What’s this? Oh, the young man who came out IS my beloved son.

There is no way that this boy-man person is my son. He’s much too tall. He’s not as skinny as I remember. I finally accept the fact that this is my child, and I proceed to inspect him.

When did those broad shoulders appear? And more importantly, when did he grow as tall as me? Well, actually, he’s a tiny bit taller than me. And his feet…they are the same size as his father’s!

As I watch Mr. AuburnChick fixing little AuburnChickadee’s tie, I am visibly moved. I flash-forward to three years down the road when a not-so-little AuburnChickadee/man will be getting ready for his prom.

Sigh…

My son complies with my request to pose for a picture in front of the fireplace.

Sigh…

He looks so handsome and grown-up through the lens of the camera.

We get to the school, and I sit knitting happily, still musing about my son’s transformation. All of a sudden, I spy my daughter walking into the gym.

Who is this girl? Her legs are not clad in shin guards, and I see cleavage. Her hair has been straightened, and I suspect there’s a bit of makeup on that beautiful cherubic face.

Sigh…

My children gamely pose for the required pictures…one of them together, and then separate pictures.

Inside of my head, I’m having a little conversation with myself. When did this happen? It seems like only yesterday when I was watching my daughter ride a bike for the first time without training wheels. Now she’s carefully maneuvering herself around a high school gym wearing shoes with tiny heels.

When did my son suddenly grow into this confident young man? It wasn’t too long ago when I knew he was nervous because of the way he stuck his tongue in his cheek when faced with a new situation. I watch him stride purposefully to his chair, standing proudly when his name is called and accepting his pin with a quiet assurance of the future that is running pell-mell to greet him.

As I watch my children emerging from childhood into pre-adulthood, I am reminded, ever so briefly, of my own feelings of eagerness at that point in my life. And although I am excited for them, I am still sad. Despite all of my complaining about the woes of raising teenagers, at the heart of things, I am simply a mother deeply appreciative of the time I’ve had them in my fold and aware that this is the time when they will be pulling away from me, establishing their own identities.

Somehow, though, I’ll always see them as if in double-vision…one as they are today, and one of them as those sweet, innocent babes making chalk angels on the driveway (they colored the entire driveway with blue chalk and then laid down and made angels like people in the north do in the snow) and turning my tub blue in the bath afterward.

Sigh…

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , | 2 Comments »

AuburnChick Knits on the Soccer Field

Posted on April 1, 2008 by auburnchick

Well, we got home safe and sound late Sunday night. My daughter’s team won all three games, so we move on to the round of 16! Yippee!!

The 14 hours I spent in the car, along with at least three hours for each game (this counts the hour before each game as well as the game itself) left me with quite a bit of knitting time!

Here’s my latest finished project. The name of the pattern is Cash Vero Cabled Tam. I used the Cascade Cash Vero yarn that I purchased from Gail Knits during my trip to Las Vegas.

Here’s the yarn all knitted up…

I have to say that this is a strange looking hat. It’s okay if you think so too. Gail had one knit up in her shop, and it was adorable. I don’t think that mine looks quite like the sample. I think that the pattern had some mistakes in it, but because I don’t know how to adjust patterns, I went with the flow. Some of the cables seem off, but I figure that non-knitters won’t know the difference.

Regarding the yarn…I love it!!! It is wonderfully soft. What do you expect from a blend of Merino and Cashmere! Yummy! I wouldn’t advise knitting with it in 80 degrees on a soccer field.

Yeah, it was a little too warm for cashmere in that kind of weather. It was also a little embarrassing to tell people that I was knitting a hat. C’mon people! I’m AuburnChick, grand planner for the future. We’ll see who’s laughing in about eight months when your ears are freezing.

I finished the hat on the way home, but because I’m such a good planner, I had another ball of yarn for my next project.

I’m using this yarn (I don’t know if you remember it from a previous post, but my friend brought it to me from Tennessee)…

I am making a Drop Stitch Scarf. It is a fast knit except that the ribbon is so slippery! And the idea of dropping stitches goes against everything a knitter feels comfortable doing! Here’s a picture of my progress (18″) so far…

Oh, and thank you for all of the wonderful birthday wishes! I have a really sweet group of readers. 😀

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