tpot2003

Great American Afghan - First square done

2009-09-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

Last night I finished my first square from the Great American Afghan. I decided to start with square no. 3, designed by Traci Bunkers. It was a basic 12 row pattern, a couple of cables and bobbles. I really enjoyed working it. I found that since it was small and portable that I actually worked on it more. I give a two thumbs up for Traci's design!!!

I don't have a picture yet. I'm going to try blocking it tomorrow morning, so cross your fingers that I don't ruin it. After it is blocked, I will have my dear husband take a photo.

I have decided to go for square no. 15 next, designed by Marge Hayes. I am going to skip the leaves. But, I will save that pattern for a later project. I think they are cute. I started the CO this afternoon while at school, but certainly didn't get to 196. I'm using a knitted CO, because I don't have to guesstimate the length for a long tail CO, and get to 180 and be wrong. I hope that is okay. If anyone knows a better way, please let me know.

How are the September socks coming? Not very well. I got about 3 more rounds done tonight at the movies. First Friday night off my DH has had in a while. He picked the movie. So, yes, I spent 30 minutes standing in the lobby while he finished watching Final Destination. I don't recommend the movie, I want his money back, and I didn't even get popcorn. The movie theater needs a bench or something in the theater area for those of us who don't want to see trash in 3D, but have to wait for our ride.

UM Paper update: No topics yet for large papers. I did get my first assignment for Intro to Ethnomusicology turned in. I did it wrong, of course, but I know why and I had some discussion points to share in class. I have a book report (Ethno) and a journal report (Women in Music) due this next week. I hope to knock them both out this weekend. Dario is taking pictures at a wedding tomorrow, so I will hide out and work.

I took a nap this afternoon after school, but I still feel a little sick and tired. But I should be better tomorrow. I get to buy a new vacuum in the morning. Yippie!! Have a great night!!!

September Socks, Paper plans, and others

2009-09-19T07:57:00.000-07:00

September has been an exciting month.

My September Socks are going well. I am past the toe and about 3 pattern sets into the foot. It's going a little slower than I want. Then I remember that I'm doing 2 at a time. So, I'm really going twice as fast.

Paper Plans...
I'm taking 3 Musicology classes this semester. I know, I'm crazy, but I'm trying to get through the course work.

Medieval Music, Women in Music, and Introduction to Ethnomusicology.

I'm starting to think about paper topics. I'm curious about how music is thought about in society. In tribal, community focused, societies music is part of their everyday life. In developed societies, music is commercialized and extra. We are bombarded by soundtracks and music is not sacred or a mystery of the gods. I'm not sure.

But how does that get me a paper in Medieval Music. I can look at a codex or some chant or compare 2 composers from the same time and place. or something. This paper is shorter one, which is good.

At least I'm starting to think about them.

Cast on for September Sock

2009-09-05T09:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess I suck at this blogging thing.

I hope to do better.

So, I joined the Sock Knitter's Anonymous group on Ravelry. I'm going to try to do their monthly challenge. I will start by doing it every other month or every 3-4 months. If I get 2 done this year, I'll be happy. My personal goal is 1 pair of socks.

This month's challenge: Yellow or Wendy Knits or Mystery Sock in Yellow.
I'm starting with the Sunrise Socks by Wendy Knits and I'm doing them in Yellow.
I'll be using MIB's yarn called Lemon. It's a bright happy yellow with a little variation in the colors.

They will be a birthday gift for my cousin. Her favorite color is yellow and she'll be 12 this year.

They are my first attempt at toe-up socks. I watched Cat Bordhi's video on Judy's Magic Cast-on all morning and actually got them casted-on. And it only took 2 tries.

I'll get more done later today.
Carolyn

Podcast KAL is Coming Soon

2009-04-28T23:26:00.000-07:00

Plans are in the works for a Podcast Knit-a-Long.

I had the idea a few weeks ago when I was reading up on Podcasting for my classes. I know that there are some out there already, so I don't think one more will hurt.

Here's the plan so far:

Do 2-3 projects over the summer. Each of a different type: house item, accessory, clothing/hat/glove/sock. Yes, I plan to learn how to do a proper sock.

The show will have 2 halves; the KAL and then a book, pattern, yarn, or tool review. We will mix that part up. I will be asking audience members to submit reviews for this part of the segment.

I will spend the next week (after I have finished my grading) preparing the first 5 shows. That's what 'they' suggest. Then try to launch this puppy the 3rd week of May.

I guess show 1 is to introduce the KAL.

Log Cabin

2009-03-20T09:08:00.000-07:00

The new Log Cabin has been casted on. It's looking good so far. I've only taken out 1 bind off so far. I don't have a picture yet. I'll post one next time.

I thought about the Christmas list for this year. I don't know what I'll do. I think I will take 10 minutes this weekend and write out the goal.

Stripped baby blanket

2009-03-17T21:04:00.000-07:00

I got a picture made of the Striped Baby Blanket before it left the house 2 weeks ago. I knew the ladies from Thursday nights would want to see it. Isn't it Pretty. The mom was surprised and happy and the baby was asleep. Oh well. My niece would have told her she was luck to get an Aunt Carolyn blanket. Actually she would have said "Mine" and taken it. But my niece is fiber spoiled.
My niece saw my mom's Short Row Scarf and tried to take it. I now have to make her one. Spoiled, I tell you, Spoiled.

Funny dog picture. The chicken cap is for a cat. My friend Syl loaned it to us to see if it would fit Pino, but alas it's a little too small. But it is funny..hehehe....

I'm almost finished with my purse. It looks like an octopus if you hold it upside down. 3 more i-cords and then weave in ends and then done.

I already have my next project. My grandmother is in the hospital with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. So, Log Cabin Blanket time. The healing power of the Garter stitch. I got a nice yarn today in Memphis at Stash. It's purple and gray and called Marble. I may cast it on before I go to bed.

Is this bad...I took a pic with my phone of the pattern chart so I didn't have to buy the pattern. I know log cabin. I just needed the chart for the directions... I hope Melissa doesn't mind.

Winter Sweater (from last year)

2009-03-16T11:50:00.000-07:00

I finished it. I finished the Tilted Duster from Interweaves Knits Fall 2007. I love it. It's out of Pure Marino blue heather color. I've worn it to school a couple of times and so far have kept it out of the chalk dust. I wish we had white boards.

Finito

2008-12-23T18:51:00.000-08:00

As of 6:15 tonight all of the Christmas knitting was done. I'd love to post the pics, but I realized that someone might see them. They are on my computer, ready to go up this weekend. Wow, I've wrapped 2 plastic tubs full of presents for my family. We are so blessed this year. There was a family today in Arkansas that lost their house to a fire and lost their Christmas. My thoughts are with them.

I hope you all have a great Holiday!!!

Swatch this

2008-12-18T14:02:00.000-08:00

Guess what.....I'm actually doing a swatch for something. I'm the notorious nonswatcher. I like doing blankets. I like to use the yarn it suggests. I don't care if it fits, cause its a hat (for a cell phone). Well.....

I'm trying to finish up Christmas. I'm down to the projects that were on the list last. Everything else is done. Including a cute little Ipod holder for my big brother. So, I'm looking at the yarn for another pair of gloves and I'm looking at the pattern and I....you guessed it....Went online to find a different pattern.

Sport or Worsted weight, not DK(the one I have). size 5 dpn or 3, not my 7's.. So I'm left to swatching rather than starting. I know, you are saying "Swatch anyway" "It's what your supposed to do" "You want them to fit your big brother, don't you?". And Yes I Do. So Swatch I doeth....

Christmas Lights

2008-12-13T21:11:00.000-08:00

One of my family's Christmas traditions is to drive around and look at lights. My husband and I are continuing the tradition in Arkansas. There were some beautiful lights tonight in the Ridge Point area, but too many houses out that way were dark. Is it the cost of doing the lights or are they not out yet?

Where are the lights?

Christmas Knitting

2008-12-13T17:58:00.000-08:00

I almost forgot about Christmas being around the corner. I survived my first semester in my Ph.D. program. I wrote 2 papers, took 1 exam, taught 7 classes (mostly online), graded 175 concert reports, but the biggest accomplishment.....

2 pairs of fingerless mittens from One Skein Wonders,
1 pair beer gloves from Son of Stitch n Bitch,
1 Modern Baby Blanket from Mason Dixson,
2 dog sweaters,
3 rags from some rag book,
1 itty bitty binkey from above rag book (done in soft white yarn),
3 pairs of baby booties for new nephew,
1 baby sweater,
2 children sweaters (thankfully finished by the most awesome friend anyone could have :) ),
75% done with a Moon and Stars blanket,
75% done with a man's stocking cap, and
50% done with an IPod holder

Did I let school get in the way of my knitting... I think not.

I wrote the Christmas list yesturday and was so happy to see all the check marks by lucky family names. I hope they know how much I love them.

So, what's left to do I asked myself....???

4 placemats,
2 pairs of mittens,
2 beer gloves,
and finish the stuff I already started.

I'm so glad I'm working next week. 8 hours of answering phones and knitting. Of course if I was home it'd be just 8 hours of knitting. I hope to take pictures before I wrap things. I'll post them somewhere.

sick

2008-11-12T12:13:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness, I have been sick!!!

I have run a 100+ fever for 3 days. It just broke so I spend 30 minutes sweating and then all is almost normal.

Welcome to Gmail

2008-10-31T14:15:00.000-07:00

Things that have happened since Last Friday:

I washed my Blackberry Pearl. I got a new phone, an HTC something. Way too many buttons...

I'm knitting on the Beer Gloves from the Son of Stitch 'n Bitch book. I'll put a pic up as soon as I make one.

I'm also knitting a dog sweater for Pino, my Jack Russell. He loves his little sweaters.

I got all sorts of new toys today. I opened a GMail account, I started a iGoogle page, I'm going to try to start this blog. I think I might actually do this one.