Where did the time go????

I can't believe how time flies and how long it's actually been since I posted anything here. Catching up on the ICU (infestation control unit). The doors are hung but ended up being warped so hubby thought that we should get thicker wood for the doors. He says that at the rate that I'm collecting yarn that he'll have to build two more at least (he's right but I don't want to give in that easily). I'm at work so can't post any pics right now. I've been busy knitting newborn caps for a contest at the Peaches & Creme group on Ravelry, as well as a good cause.
I've started a circular shawl by MMario named Queen Anne's Lace (QAL). So far since I switched from steel needles to bamboo it's coming along much better (less slippage of stitches). I need to start on ornaments for coworkers and family (my traditional gift).

Happy Thanksgiving,
Julie

Infestation Control Unit Update

The cabinet is coming along nicely. I actually have pictures of it this time. Hubby said that he is planning on working on the bins tomorrow. He did verathane the cabinet and doors today. I think that my next days off I'll be reorganizing books, yarn and projects. Next pictures will be of it being stuffed.

The contest in the Peaches & Creme group on Ravelry for an original bookmark. I just finished my bookmark and am trying to figure out a name for it. Will figure that out eventually (before Sept 15th anyway). I'm working on another bookmark KAL at the Monthly Bookmark group. I can't wait to see what it looks like when it's finished. So far it looks like a snake but it will have googly eyes and ribbon threaded through it I think. I finished another of Maile's patterns called Coming Up Daisies cloth. It was a quick knit. Looking through my stash for the right color for her Tex Lightening pattern.

I'm getting used to the new system at work. It's mostly finding where the reports are that other departments need.

Shawl Picture Update

I finally took an updated picture of my progress on the Faux Spanish Lace. I have two more skeins to knit plus what is left of the current skein. I'm thinking of giving this to my mom for Christmas.

I'm finally working on my original bookmark after designing it for a contest at the Peaches & Creme Ravelry group. The Christmas ornament is an idea that I want to try but wanted to start on the bookmark first. I just finished another dishcloth pattern by Maile Mauch called Embrace Ensemble. I called mine Fairy Tale Embrace Cloth in honor of the color that I used.

On another note: tonight is the night for the change over at work. Work non stop to roll over the computers to the next day so that the new system can be installed and ready for the morning. I actually can't wait to have the new system in.

Infestation Control Unit

We went out Friday to finish buying the materials for my cabinet (hubby affectionately calls it the infestation control unit). It's coming along nicely. The shelves are in. Still need to make the bins and attach doors. I had an idea to put a peg board on each door to hold stitch markers, needles and other stuff like that.
My shawl is still behaving itself. I have the design for the most part done for a bookmark original design at Peaches & Creme group on Ravelry. There is a contest being held for prizes as well as a chance to have your bookmark featured on the Pisgah website. Also one for a Christmas ornament but doesn't have to be an original design. Prizes awarded in different categories. I have an idea for an ornament just need to knit a swatch to see how it will end up. I've started on another one of Maile's cloth patterns called Embrace Ensemble. I decided to call mine Fairy Tale Embrace for the color of Peaches & Creme yarn that I'm using.
Finished with training as of Thursday. We will begin to use the new system Tuesday morning at work. Monday night will be lots of fun since we will have to get everything done on the old system as quickly as possible to set up the new system. Hopefully most everyone will be done with their work by 9 pm so that we can get our night's work done in about 3 hours. Wants to have it set up b y no later than 12:45 am. They're shutting down the restaurant after the lunch crowd and the bar will be closing at 8 pm, so everything should go smoothly.

Naughty Shawl

I didn't realize that shawls or at least in this case, the Faux Spanish Lace shawl would pout if not given enough attention or be very troublesome. I've been neglecting it for other projects. Then when I would pick up the shawl to knit it I would end up tinking back several rows. In other words I would spend most of my time unraveling to find my mistake. I was thinking of writing it here and now the shawl is behaving so far.
I've started a new project for a co worker's sister. It was supposed to be his but I couldn't resist using eyelash yarn with other yarn. I finished my bookmark today and have blocked it. Just waiting for it to dry then can take a picture of it in the morning. Not sure that it's original since I used a pattern stitch from Harmony Guides: Lace and Eyelets.
The cabinet is on hold until Friday when I can purchase the rest of the materials needed. Thinking that I need to take a picture of it in progress.

Bookmark This Page!!

Still working on my shawl. Although from time to time I have to tink it because somehow I manage to add an extra stitch. On a good note I'm starting to recognize what the stitches are supposed to look like and can usually fix it without going all the way back to the problem (not always though). I have started on my bookmark for the contest at Monthly Bookmarks. It doesn't look like much at the moment (needs to be blocked). The pattern is still in progress for the finished piece (ideas continually pop in). The latest idea I think will work just need to work it out on paper first so that I will have enough rows for both. Stay tuned for more... don't want to give it all away just yet. I just couldn't resist starting another one of Maile's new patterns. this one is called 1/2 Drop Diamond Madeira. This pattern is working up nicely. It's done in Peaches & Creme worsted weight cotton called faded denim.

At work we're learning a new operating system that once learned will be much easier to use. I'm really excited about learning it. They're giving us calsses for 2 weeks in several different areas that we use. Of course this means that I really don't have any days off during this time but on the other side I'm being paid to attend. Our teacher is very good at explaining and helping. It's a training program so we actually get to follow through on all the steps of the process. My machine is behaving itself except for being very slow but that is to be expected when there are several people doing the same thing.

Catch Up!!! rnd 2

I finished my market bag Friday.

Friday we also went to get materials for the infestation controller that my husband is building for me. He miscalculated the length of a board for bins so now has to figure out how much is needed. As of right now we don't have any doors yet. Hubby was so anxious to get started that he sawed and glued part of it together already.

I'm working on a design for a bookmark in Monthly Bookmarks contest instead of the KAL for Aug. 7th. Will start knitting it today and see how it shapes up.

I've been looking at several lace books that I want, but will have to wait for a while longer.

Catch Up!!

On Friday I get to acquire the materials to build the infestation controller. I've decided to have a set of bins at the bottom and another set at the top with shelves in between for books. We'll find out how well that will work (pics when built).

I just had to get some lace weight yarn for my next shawl even though I probably won't get to it until fall. I''ll be knitting Queen Anne's Lace shawl by MMario next (first circular shawl). The Faux Spanish Lace is coming along nicely but I begin to wonder if I bought enough yarn to finish it (700 yds). I will knit it till all the yarn is gone if it's not enough and call it finished.

Market bag has a few more inches to go before I start on the handles.

I just finished a bookmark by Brileyknits named Flowering Vine. I enjoyed knitting this pattern.

For a moment there I thought that I had lost my whole post. Went to my list of posts and there it was. What a relief!!!!!

Behavior Modification

My wip's are now behaving themselves and are a joy to knit. I did restart the bookmark with longer needles and is working very well. I actually don't think there was a problem with the shawl other than the one in my head. On the third try I managed to keep the market bag from twisting when I joined it in the round.

This is our largest event of the year this weekend. Hydro plane races today and tomorrow. I haven't been to see them in the park since I was a teenager (as my son puts back in the dark ages). There is also an Art Show in the Park. Hubby and I went yesterday afternoon (hot!!!!). I was so glad to see my favorite artist there, Markus Willis. There were a lot of other artists there as well with jewelry, nature photos of all types, metalcraft, sewing, porcelain ornaments, and others.

Unruly WIP's

For some reason today all my wip's and projects that I started today just weren't going to cooperate at all. First of all my lace shawl's stitch count didn't come out right or at least in my mind it didn't. I think that the problem was remembering the repeat and that it didn't start with an even number of stitches because there is a +1 at the beginning then the repeat which includes that in it after that.
Next I tried to start a bookmark that is a KAL in Monthly Bookmarks. I couldn't seem to get past row 5 without dropping stitches. I'm going to need a longer needle to accomodate the cable needle. The other end of the circular seemed to pop out of the stitches when I used the cable needle. I haven't started the bookmark again.
The second project that I started today is a market bag from Peaches and Creme. I bought the kit. Anyway I was having problems after I joined in the round. I thought that I had checked to make sure that it wasn't twisted but it was twice. After pulling it all out to start the third time it behaved for me. One more row then I can start on the pattern rows.
I was beginning to think that I should have a knit free day but was determined to get them to behave.
On a better note: I did receive my package from my secret exchange partner yesterday (Monthly Bookmarks). She sent to me a purple dishcloth with flip flops on it, a variegated blue lacy bookmark, sticky notes in the shape of a J, 2 candles, magnetic clip, some sock yarn, and a round lacy dishcloth in yellow. I love all the goodies that Toni sent.
I'll be taking a picture of the progress of my lace shawl tomorrow.
The cabinet is still in the planning stages so I plan on changing the configuration of the shelves and bins a little bit. Shelves in the middle with one set of bins on the bottom and the other set on top (both made of wood) so hopefully that will balance the book better. Hubby is planning on reinforcing the back so the cabinet won't tip over.

Progress of a Knitted Lace Shawl

I did start my shawl yesterday and have a progress picture of it.

I really like how this pattern is turning out so far. Pattern is Faux Spanish Lace by MMario. I'm knitting with Berroco Softwist in a teal color on needle size 5.5 mm (or 9 US) 24' circular. His yahoo group is here. I have to say that his shawls are really gorgeous.
My hubby actually picked out the color of the yarn since I couldn't decide (so many choices!!!)

Infestation Control

My hubby can be so funny sometimes. He tells me that my yarn habit is infesting the house. I told him it isn't in every room. His comeback is to tell me not yet. So I had him design me a cabinet to store my yarn, books, needles and other stuff in. Of course, I put my two cents worth in while he was designing it since he asked my opinion. What he came up with is a cabinet that is 60" tall x 36" wide x 15" deep. It will have doors on it. Inside will be two rows of 3 bins each (all made of wood) to put yarn in, finished projects, and whatever else will fit. Above that will be two shelves for books. I think I threw a monkey wrench in his plans when I thought maybe it would be a good idea to put something like a fold down shelf that I would be able to attach the ball winder and swift to when I need to wind yarn and then be able to put it away after. Not sure how that is progressing since I haven't asked yet. It will control my infestatin problem for a little while anyway. Can't get the materials until next month (bills need to be paid). It's something to keep hubby busy for a while and he does like to work with wood. Will take pictures of it when it's done and after I've put everything in it.

I'm procrastinating on the socks, but I did start a simple lace shawl today (pics in a few days of it's progression). Just finished my first bobble pattern. Once I started they were pretty easy actually (don't know why I thought they would be difficult).

Bookmark Surprise

I haven't started on my new socks yet because I wanted finish a bookmark KAL. It began as 5 separate triangles that had tails hanging out hence the reason for the resemblance to a jellyfish. Then switched to a green for the stem and had two more tails. the stem was knit using i-cord technique. By the time that I was done knitting it I was a little reluctant to weave in so many ends. I was thinking of trying to pass it off as a mutant jellyfish (should have taken a picture of it before weaving in the ends), but thought better and finished it today.

In other news: It's our 25th wedding anniversary today. I can't believe it has been that long already. Not sure what we're doing yet. I got a 25th Anniversary card from hubby as well as Nene Thomas magnet (I love her work) and a devil duck (he's just so cute). Also, glasses should be here on the 25th.

I have finally wound the yarn to begin new socks using the pattern mentioned in Pursuit of the perfect Sock Pattern. If everything works out well I should be able to cast on today and have a picture of my progress in a few days.

In Pursuit of the Perfect Sock Pattern

I started last night looking through my books and patterns for the perfect sock pattern. I finally found one this afternoon that I think will suit the yarn. I wanted a pattern with some interest and a simple stitch pattern, so hopefully it will show through the colors in the yarn. The name of the pattern is Tidal Wave Socks by Deby Lake. The pattern is available for free here. Will update as I knit the socks and other projects.

I spent most of the morning at the eye doctor's office since I finally have to break down and get glasses. So had the exam and the choice of type of lenses as well as frames which took time, of course. Contact lenses are much easier but my eyes seem to be having a hard time with them lately. Not reall sure if it's just getting older or my eyes are getting worse (which they are). I knew that I would have to go back to glasses eventually but wishing that it wouldn't be this soon.

Yarn Tale

Every Friday during the summer there is a Farmer's Market in town. We ride our bikes. There was one vendor there that knit socks on a sock machine but I didn't notice yarn there then. Anyway this time there was a rack with yarn in lots of yummy colorways that had been dyed locally. My hubby tells me that I can only buy one because there isn't room in his pack for more than one skein. I told him for the sake of argument that it's squishable and doesn't take up much room (I was only planning on buying one anyway). So many choices but finally settled on just one skein. I plan on using it for my next pair of socks. Just need to find the right pattern. I love the colors in this one.

Machine Mutiny at work...

I went to work as usual. I noticed the one printer had the menu light flashing. I called a co worker hoping that he knew what to do. He suggested that I googled for the service manual for that particular printer, which I did. I found the part that I needed. All it told me was that I would have to wait for the printer to cool down before it would stop flashing and would print. Well I needed that printer to print out a report so that I could start working. I had this brilliant idea to switch with the phone printer since it had the same type of connections. I got the printer switched and was able to print. I switched it back afterwards since the original printer was cooler to the touch. When I sent the deposit somehow I must have disconnected some other wires when I unplugged the printer because now it wouldn't dial out to send the deposit. I checked all the connections that I could find but they all seemed to be fine. I've been told before that the wiring underneath is very temperamental about how it's moved (couldn't get it fixed that night). the next machine to rebel was the fax. For some reason it never occurred to me that the paper gauge in the back was loose. I was trying everything else to see where the paper was jammed. It took the person that came in the next morning to tell me what was wrong with it. Just one of those nights.