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Another Brush With Stardom

Posted on March 13, 2010 by auburnchick

You guys know that I come from Podunk, U.S.A.

This means that I don’t exactly cross paths with the rich and famous.

The closest I’ve come in recent years to meeting famous people has been through the blogging world, when Cookie A. and Anne Hanson sent me emails after I commented on their blogs.  I wrote about that fabulous day here.

That was a fun day!

Now, one person I have often wanted to meet and have actually been in the same state as when she visited is the Yarn Harlot.

Oh, maybe you’re not a knitter and your eyebrows are now raised at the name.

See, she’s not really a harlot, in that sense of the word.  She’s a happily married mom of three and also known by blog readers as a Knitting Goddess.

I have longed to hear her speak and almost had opportunities on two separate occasions, but life got in the way.

I read her blog regularly.  Her sense of humor is dry, but she’s a Canadian, so maybe that’s why I get it.  If you’ll remember, I am a naturalized American citizen…Canadian by birth.

Her husband hails from Newfoundland, where I was born, so I have an especially tight bond with her (she doesn’t know this though).

No, I’m not a stalker.  I promise.  I just appreciate good humor, unplanned mishaps (which frequently happen to her, so I totally identify cause you’ve read about my own “incidents”), and generosity toward the world-at-large.

So yesterday, she blogged about a Sock Camp she’s going to be teaching at.

Oh my.

Sock Camp.

Time to drool.

Cause you know I love knitting socks.

I clicked the link she provided in her post and nearly had heart failure when I saw the price…$875 + lodging.

I don’t think that my subbing pays enough to finance such a trip.

Rats.

So, I hopped back over to her blog and made a wee little comment about wishing that there was a scholarship available.

When I got up late this morning (hey, it’s Saturday, and that’s my prerogative), I had a bunch of emails.

One got my attention:

Re: [Yarn Harlot] New Comment Posted to ‘Don’t fight it, it’ll only take longer’
Sent By:

“Stephanie Pearl-McPhee”
 On: Mar 03/13/10 8:37 AM

There is,  but unfortunately it’s filled for this year.  (Didn’t we strike you as the scholarship types?)

Steph

Whoa!

Are you kidding?

She read my comment on her blog and, get this, RESPONDED…with the same humor in which she writes her blog!

I am tickled beyond belief and reminded that people are people everywhere, no matter if they are famous or not.

Taking the time to send an email to little ole me elevated her place in my heart.

It is also a great reminder that it only takes a few words to lift someone’s spirits.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , | 2 Comments »

It’s Ok To Be a Slouch

Posted on March 10, 2010 by auburnchick

Wow, I really seem to be cranking out the projects lately!

Last weekend, while out soccering, my daughter’s teammate asked me if I’d knit her the hat she asked for during a New Year’s tournament.

I sort-of forgot.

So, I did some hunting and found a somewhat easy, yet what I think is a classy, pattern. Chicky’s teammate will be playing soccer in college, so I did my homework and found out that one of the school colors is red.

This is the Slouched Tuva Hat, a free pattern available here.

I used 138 yards of Caron Simply Soft in Autumn Red. I knit this on size US 8 needles.

The pattern was simple, simple, simple! I cast on last night and finished this afternoon. Seriously, I could have finished it completely in a few hours’ time, but a little thing called “earning a teensy paycheck” got in the way.

The decreases were done in the pattern established, so you don’t really get the spiral look.

I will probably make this again. I have enough yarn leftover to make myself one.

But, here’s what I think I would do over. I would cast on fewer stitches, but my brain can’t handle the math and the adjustments. I’ll probably just go down in needle size, resorting to a US 6 or US 5. The hat seems a wee bit big, but it does stay on my head, so it could be that I’m finally “stylish” while wearing it. Who knows.

Anyhoo, it’s a fun pattern that I highly recommend!

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , | 2 Comments »

Bex Finds Her Soul Mate

Posted on March 8, 2010 by auburnchick

When last we saw Bex, she was sailing the high seas, in search of her soul, or should I say “sole,” mate…

Super Sis even tried her on and made no secret about wanting Bex all for herself…

Dream on, Sista!

Anyhoo, last night, the great search ended when, lo and behold, her mate appeared!

At last, I don’t have to stare into Bex’s lovelorn stitches peeking through the plastic baggie I’d stored her in.  She’d been giving me the What For ever since I cast on last August, and I’d put her away in the extra bedroom to spare myself the guilt trip.

“You’re weak,” she would say, “Allowing your heart to be swayed by this or that project and, thus, sharing…no GIVING your one-on-one attention to another.”

Yeah, yeah.  Whatever.

I’m cold, what can I say.

I knew that Bex would ultimately be residing with me and thus gave her the lowest priority.

But FINALLY!  I was ready to resume work on her.  I actually think I heard Bex laughing at my early struggle to pick up where I’d left off.

A little background…

This is Cookie A’s design from her book Sock Innovation.

She’s one of my favorite sock designers. Her patterns are always so intricate-looking.

I used a wonderful and inexpensive yarn for this project…Berroco Comfort Sock, Color 1702, and knit on size 1 1/2 (2.5 mm) needles. It required every single bit of one skein plus about a yard of another skein (to finish the last two rounds and the bindoff).

The pattern really wasn’t that hard, except for the top of the heel. The directions did not mention this, but you have to knit the cables in reverse on the wrong side.

Um, yeah. At least the front of the book gives you information on how to do this, but if you plod right through the chart and don’t think about it first, you’ll find yourself tinking. This was one time when I was smart and figured it out beforehand. It was easier said than done, though. Cabling in reverse will not be something I do very often.

Regardless, the end product is DIVINE! The yarn is soft, and the cables make the socks thick and smooshy. They are fabo and will stay in my dresser drawer because, as most of us know, only yarnies truly appreciate socks like these!

Now…what to cast on next…

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

Olympic Medals

Posted on March 4, 2010 by auburnchick

Ok…so this post isn’t exactly about Olympic medals.  I had to find a way to make you look though, didn’t I?

If you want to know what this post is really about, take a look at the following…

That, my friends, is my official badge.  It means I am a Ravthlete.

Don’t know what this is?

Well, you might remember that in previous posts, I made a couple of references to the Ravelympics.  Ravelry is an online forum for fiber artists.  It is an incredible resource to use if you are looking for patterns, projects, and camaraderie from fellow artists.

To receive medals, fiber artists (I use this term to refer to knitters, crocheters, and spinners) complete projects in various “events.”

This was my first Ravelympics, and I received THREE medals!

The first one was for my Big Seed Stitch Pom Pom Hat.

Next, I received a medal for the Granny Square Dish Cloth…

And last, but not least, was my medal for the Frog Prince…

If you’re not on Ravelry, I highly encourage you to join up.

Participating in this year’s Ravelympics was so much fun, and I look forward to the Summer Olympics in a couple of years when I can work towards more bling!

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

Knit 1 Crochet 1

Posted on March 2, 2010 by auburnchick

I just finished pulling two projects off of my blocking foam.  They are dish cloths…one knit and one crochet.

The knit cloth is from the KrisKnits’ January 2010 Dish Cloth KAL.  The free pattern starts here.  You’ll have to browse through her posts in January to find the rest of the clues.

I used the Rowan Cotton that I had originally used for the disastrous Christmas gift for my sister.  I dropped the needle size to a US 1 1/2; however, the pattern still doesn’t pop as much as I would like.  I just don’t think this yarn is meant for dish cloths because it is a thinner cotton.  It would be perfect for a summer top, I think.

For the Ravelympics, I crocheted the Granny Square Dish Cloth, using the yarn that my friend, Kate, gave me along with a pattern from the booklet that accompanied it.

The yarn is Lily Sugar’n Cream, and the colorway is Desert Rising.  I used an I hook.

I just love the natural colors!!

The cloth measures approximately 10×10 1/2.  I’m pleased since it was my first foray into granny square crocheting!

I just love getting projects off of my needles!!!

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

A Princess Meets Her Prince

Posted on March 1, 2010 by auburnchick

Today was a special day for an unsuspecting princess.

Ms. L., Rooster’s English teacher from last year, was about to meet Prince Charming, and she didn’t have a clue.

Rooster had planned the whole thing, but he nearly ruined the surprise by telling a friend.

I peeked into Ms. L.’s classroom a couple of times today, but I saw no evidence that the two had met.  The second time, she got suspicious that something was up because Rooster’s friend had been by to check up on things as well.

By lunch time, I had grown concerned, so I hunted down the boy (this is one advantage to working at the same school my children attend) and queried him thoroughly.

“Don’t sweat it, Mama,” he said.  “I’ve got things covered.”

We agreed to meet up at Ms. L.’s classroom immediately after the final bell.

A couple of hours later, I waited…smiling as I saw Rooster escorting the Prince down the hallway.

Ms. L. sat in her room, chatting with students.  She’s a lovely, young Princess…popular in the kingdom I call high school.

She opened her eyes widely as the surprise was revealed…

The story goes that last year, Rooster had done a naughty thing, so he owed her.

He asked me to make the frog for her after seeing it on the cover of the March 2009 issue of Simply Knitting (you can purchase the pattern here).

I hemmed and hawed until I made one for Chicky’s friend’s father (the one going through chemotherapy).

Although Rooster was happy that I had been so generous, he was a wee bit peeved that he still did not have his frog for Ms. L.  By now, he had been promoted to the 10th grade, but he knew he still had to answer for his bad deed the Spring before.

The Ravelympics provided the inspiration I needed, and I got busy.  I tend to work quicker on a deadline (don’t we all?).  I cast on this project February 15th and finished it in the nick of time…right before closing ceremonies on February 28th.

I used Vanna’s Choice in Olive and Dusty Green.  I used I Love This Yarn in Buttercup for the crown.

So, although the Prince seemed a little fearful to leave his country of origin (and he was a bit miffed at the role reversal of moving into his beloved’s home), in the end, he seemed quite happy in the arms of his lady love.

And they lived happily

Ever

After.

The End.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , , | 7 Comments »

This and That

Posted on February 28, 2010 by auburnchick

It’s a hodgepodge today…kind of like my life.

On Friday, I was privileged to sub for the classes I’d had for a month.

When I arrived to the classroom, I found this…

Inside was this…

A thank you gift for treating the teacher’s students so well.  But of course!  They’re a lovable bunch!

The kids had a ton of bookwork to do, so I was able to start a new project…

That is some of the yarn I received from my friend, Kate, along with the pattern booklet.  I am attempting to make the Granny Square Dish Cloth…easier said than done.

After quite a few sessions of ripping and restarting, I was able to complete this much…

I’d love to finish this in time to enter it for another Ravelympic medal.  We’ll see.

Now, a clue to one other project I’ve been working on…

That’s all you get for now.

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

A Circle of Kindness

Posted on February 26, 2010 by auburnchick

It is amazing what three people can do when they put their heads together.

Cue up my latest finished project…

The pattern is Lacy Shawl, from the Prayer Shawl Companion book.

I made this for my friend, Figaro’s, neighbor, who tragically lost a young son before Thanksgiving.

Our friend, Rabbitrescuer, sent me a couple of skeins of Caron Simply Soft (Grey Heather).  I bought one more because I suspected that I would need it.  The project used 674 yards (a little over two skeins).

This was a super-easy pattern. I completed seven sections and added the fringe on the bottom.

I love the lacy pattern. I used size 10 1/2 needles. It almost looks like a crocheted item (to my non-crochet knowledgeable eyes).

The Caron Simply Soft drapes soooo nicely!!

I will be putting this in the mail tomorrow.  I cannot wait for this gift to reach its unsuspecting recipient, and I am thankful to be a part of a circle of friends who, joined together, can extend arms of warmth to this grieving mother.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Gifts from Kate

Posted on February 22, 2010 by auburnchick

Today was a good day.

For one thing, I didn’t have a subbing assignment, and the timing could not have been more perfect.

I kept myself busy burning DVDs and completing other tasks in between…multi-tasking like a pro.

One of my chores involved folding a huge mound of clean clothes.  Because of the crazy schedule I’ve had the last few weeks, I’ve had a difficult time keeping up with the housework.

As I folded, I came across several washcloths and dishcloths that I made during the 2008 Summer Olympics.  You might remember my posts about them.

Well, life happens, or rather DOGS happen, and Molly got a hold of a few of them.  She has made a game out of stealing socks and dishcloths and running under the bed with them.

So, a few of my treasured cloths are deteriorating.  It has been rubbing me the wrong way (pun intended, sort-of) to see the frayed ends.  I’m anal.  I like things to be fairly neat.

Today, I gave in and threw two or three of them in the garbage.  Oh, but it broke my heart, but they were well-loved and heavily used.

For the last few weeks, I’ve been toying with the idea of making new ones…even considering purchasing more Sugar ‘n Cream.

“Say it ain’t so!” said my friend, Rabbitrescuer, who enjoys teasing me of my dislike of cotton yarn.  During the last Olympics, I had made so many dishcloths that my hands hurt.  The yarn is not very soft when you first knit with it, and it is also thick and, thus, hard on the hands.

Of course, wanting to get more yarn and having the funds to do so are two totally different things.  Given my job situation, knitting dishcloths has been put on the back burner.

And then I received a package from my friend, Kate.

She’s a sweet gal…one of my internet knitting buddies who has a generous, tender heart.  She has commiserated with my coupon frustrations and has been sending me the inserts from her paper.

A few days ago, she sent me a message, telling me to keep an eye out for the mail.  She hinted that she “might” be getting me a little something extra if she had time.

Hence, my anticipation when the mailman arrived.  I caught him before he could reach for the doorbell, a huge smile on my face.

“Did I do good?” he asked.

“Only if you didn’t bring any bills,” I replied with a grin.

I happily carried my box inside.  When I cut through the tape, I saw this…

Underneath the goodies on top were my promised coupons…

But on top of the coupons…

Oh my…

Take a look at the little somethings (as in plural) she had alluded to…

Now…are you seeing something here?

Yep.  Yarn and a new pattern booklet!

You see, I believe that God heard the small, inconsequential, material yearning of my heart and put my name on Kate’s heart.

I had tears in my eyes as I felt a great sense of awe.

God is incredibly wonderful and ever mindful of His creatures’ needs and desires.  He knew I needed an emotional lift and a reminder that He hasn’t forgotten about me.

Though I have not been granted my dream position yet, He will give it in due time.

In the meantime, I’ll be making more dishcloths (as soon as I finish another secret project and a comfort shawl already on my needles).

To Kate, thank you, my sweet internet Friend.

Thank you for heeding the Holy Spirit’s prompting.  Thank you for seeing a need (the coupons) and being willing to fill it.  I know you have a busy schedule with school and work.  The fact that you took time out of your week to shop for me is a reminder that, though my family teasingly describes my internet friends as “imaginary,”  you are all very real indeed.

You have a very special place in my heart.  ♥

Filed under: Christian, Knitting, Saving Money | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

The Hat has a Twin

Posted on February 21, 2010 by auburnchick

Today I cast on for a quick project.

But first, let me give you some history because you know I like to hear myself type, but mainly because I think it helps to understand my reasoning for each project I select.

A few weeks ago, I was watching Chicky’s team warm up before a game.  As I sat, a message got passed down from the press box to my spot in the bleachers.  A school administrator liked my hat and wanted one just like it.

Seriously, I thought to myself?

I mean, I am no dummy.  I know that my hat has been the butt of many a joke…behind my back, of course.  And that is fine with me because I tend to not take myself very seriously…most of the time.

I mean, wearing the hat to soccer games had started out as a joke.  Chicky was mortified when I made it, and I considered it my duty to embarrass her.  Heck, I’d been doing it inadvertently for years anyhow.

But I digress (as usual).

So, somebody actually wanted a hat like mine.  I turned back, and I saw her waving to me, a huge smile on her face.

I figured she’d been around teens too long…maybe had fried a few brain cells in the style department…and didn’t think too much about it.  (For the record, she is very stylish, but I’m just saying…you’ve kind of gotta be “out there” to actually want a green hat like that!)

Well, I saw her a few days later at the school, and she offered to PAY me to make the hat for her.

Seriously?

This is the same administrator who shares my affinity for Coconut M&M’s.

First the hat and then the M&M’s.  Great minds think alike.

Well, I knew that the yarn had been discontinued and would be difficult to find, so I let things be…until I found out that the administrator had a nasty health crisis to deal with…quite unexpectedly.

I quickly got on Ravelry and searched through people’s stash, finding a few people who had exactly what I was looking for.  I was able to secure a sweet deal on two skeins and received them yesterday (Saturday)…

And so I cast on.

The pattern is free on Lion Brand’s web site.  You can find it by clicking here.

One neat thing I discovered today is that there is a row counter on the web site!  How cool is this!  I especially appreciated it because my counters are currently being used for other projects.

I pulled out the retired hat, counted rows so I would know how big to make its twin, and got busy.

Now, this project, although quick, is not super-easy.

Why?

Because of these…

Super-mammoth needles!!  Size 19’s, in case you can’t read the small print.

This is what it looks like to knit with these babies…

Yeah.  I told the Mr. that if I didn’t have arthritis before the project, I’d have it afterward!  Oy!

The knitting actually got easier the further along I went.  After working 26 rows, I cast off.  I added a much smaller pom because I didn’t want to make the administrator get a neck crick every time she wore it (and yes, this occasionally happened to me).

I used 1.2 skeins (53 yards) of yarn.

I wrapped the hat, along with the M&M’s and tied the bag with an extra pom pom I’d made…

The administrator is returning to work tomorrow.  Although I do not have to sub, I am going to make a special trip to the school to give it to her.

I cannot wait to see the look on her face!!

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

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