Livin' La Needle Loca

...because it's been a week! Lots of interruptions to my normal work day and lots of little things to do. In addition, our router at work has been acting funny so we lost email for a while yesterday and our Internet connection is intermittently slow...Arg! Today's Eye Candy is a photo I took of some beads. I used some of Picnik 's effects (Gritty and Hypnotic) to modify the picture. The beads are all the same size, but the effects make them look like they are different sizes. I like the way it turned out (click to see the larger version): I'm making good progress on the Argosy scarf [ Ravelry ] . I had to make a checklist when I got to the part where the pattern said "repeat section 2 26 times." I need check boxes for something like that! Anyway, here it is after 2 repeats: I like the way color changes in this yearn and I hope it softens up some after washing and blocking. Oh, and my sock club installment arrived...yay! I love the colors and the sock pa...

...I went home, got my knitting, and went to Knit Night. I was still undecided when I got home, but the Husband pointed out that it probably wouldn't take me 20 minutes to drive back as the shop was in the reverse-commute direction. So I went and I'm glad I did! It's great to knit with others who understand your obsession! I ended up frogging the Argosy scarf because something was wonky with the squares. This was a user error, not a fault of the pattern. I started again and have almost gotten back to where I was. It doesn't look like much yet. I'm still plugging away at the Jaywalkers. For me, the sock gusset is the most time-consuming part of the sock and that's where I am. My Stitches West 2009 packet arrived and I have a little homework to do. On Friday, I am taking "Spinning Cotton for Knitting" (we learn to spin on an Indian charkha) and on Saturday, "The Infinite Variety of Magical Moebius Knitting." The homework I have is for the Moeb...

...I was gathering all my stuff together to go to work, including my knitting because tonight is Knit Night and Full Thread Ahead is less than 5 minutes from my office. I got to work and something is missing! Messenger bag with work stuff; check. Mail to send; check. Stuff for breakfast; check. Purse, phone, glasses; check, check, and check. Knitting bag...Oh Noes! I left it at home!! Cr@p!! It takes 20 minutes to drive home and then 20 back...not to mention the gas. And I can't justify buying more yarn and needles at this point, so no Knit Night for me. I hope this is not an indicator for the rest of the week. My weekend was good, though. I did manage to unearth some of my craft room—enough to where I can move around now. I had a whole bunch of fabric leftover from the Christmas sewing that I folded and put away. I also moved and put away the stuff that belonged in my office (AKA the Daughter's room) and bagged up some leftover Christmas stuff to move into our upstairs storag...

...had a few things to do for work that couldn't wait. (Don't you just hate when work interferes with fun?) It's been a really busy... I went to Knit Night at Full Thread Ahead on Monday and worked on the Jaywalker socks. They are coming along nicely, see: While I was there, some yarn jumped into my hands and begged to come home with me (I swear!!). Nice person that I am, I obliged: On Tuesday, I went to work late so I could watch the Inauguration on TV—the Daughter got to see it in person! (well, as in person as you can get with 1 million+ other people.) She sent me a text message during the speech and a picture so I could see where she was. It was pretty awesome all the way around. Other than that, I don't have a lot to report. However, as promised, I do have some pictures of what I bought at Purlescence last weekend. I bought two skeins of Socks That Rock Lightweight (because you can never have too much sock yarn, right?). Here's Peacock: and Mocha Berry: I ...

... way busy at work right now. I'll be back when I have some spare cycles.

...an unusual one for me. No knitting, no spinning, no quilting, no stitching, and no tidying up the craft room! I did some shopping, reading, and just generally lazed around. A side-effect of letting the Daughter use my car when she's home is that I don't go shopping for anything other than groceries. The Husband is really good about sharing his car, but it's just not the same. as hopping into my own little car and zooming around. I decided it was high time to go shopping! Kohl's had my favorite shoes on sale, so I went there and got two pairs. They don't often have them in my size, so when I find them, might as well buy two pairs! I had a 30% off coupon at Borders, so I went there and bought "The Harmony Guides: Lace & Eyelets: 250 Stitches to Knit" , several magazines, and a CD of E. Power Biggs playing Bach Fugues. I hadn't been to Purlescence in ages, so I stopped in to fondle the Socks That Rock yarn, check out their fibers (I'd love ...

...because work is a little wacko-bananas today. (But at least I have work, right?!) Hummingbird feeder made of recycled glass (the Daughter's Christmas gift to the Husband: First bobbin of Dragonfly Wings (Merino-silk from Yarn Wench ): Up this weekend: catch up from last weekend! I need to unearth my craft room again and get some spinning done. Have a good one!

...after the Daughter left last night. Things are always more energized when she's around. Now it's just us and the kitties again, at least until the next time she visits! No WIPs to show you right now. I haven't done much since the last time I posted pictures. I've been really tired at night so I've just been watching TV. I've been feeling kind of like this: I need to get back in the groove soon...

...Congratulations to: Breien in Lansingerland! You win your choice of: 1 skein of Sundara Sock yarn (enough for a pair of socks). Choose from these colors: Lenten Rose Magnolia Bird of Paradise Or one of my handspun yarns (yardage varies): Plum Smoke Apricot Orchid Guerrilla Girl Breien, send me an email (mhnovicki AT gmail DOT com) with your selection and address. I'll get it mailed out as soon as I can! Thanks to all who participated! (For those who want to know how I chose: after removing my comments from the list and one obvious duplicate comment, I assigned everyone a number. Then I used Random.org to choose a number: Breien was #31.)

...you have until midnight tonight, Pacific time. Go here to enter...the prize is a skein of Sundara Petals Collection sock yarn or a skein of my handspun. The winner will be chosen at random and posted here tomorrow morning. So the weekend was really busy, but it was all good. My brother and his girlfriend arrived late Friday night and we stayed up for a few hours catching up. On Saturday, we went to Los Gatos for lunch an wandered around there for a while. I begged out of a shopping trip to Fry's and stayed home to spin a little. I didn't get very much done, but it was just nice to stay put for a bit. They decided to spend an extra night and leave Sunday morning. So, darn, we had to go out for dinner Saturday night! We went to Country Gourmet, which is just a mile from the house. The food was good, as usual, and it wasn;t too crowded for a change. After that, we just hung out and looked at old family pictures. On Sunday, they headed for the Gilroy Outlets and home. We ran ...

...the camera and I seem to be in different places today. I'm hoping I accidentally stuffed in it my knitting bag (which is at home) rather than lost it! So, it's back to the archives to show you an old project. It seems fitting that I show you a stitched object since I mentioned my transition from stitcher to knitter/spinner. Here's one of the mermaids I stitched...this is Deepest Love by Mirabilia : I have her hanging in my bedroom, opposite the other Mirabilia mermaid I stitched. I love Mirabilia's mermaids and will eventually finish a third one that I have in progress. (That is, if I can ever pull myself away from the knitting and spinning!) Up this weekend: one of my brothers is coming for a visit tonight and will be here for at least part of the day tomorrow. On Sunday, we are giving a family party for the Husband's Dad. So pretty much, my weekend's taken up with social obligations...we'll see if I have time to do any crafty things! You still have a f...

...in addition to the Jaywalker Socks, I've been plugging away at the February Lady Sweater. This is my first adult-sized sweater and while the pattern is not difficult, I'm finding it quite challenging to keep on knitting it. Each row takes so long to complete that it's taking forever to see any progress. Here's what it looks like right now: As you can see, I have the arms on waste yarn and I'm working my way down the lace portion of the body. I'm hoping that blocking will make the button bands a little less wavy. I also plan on reinforcing the buttonholes after blocking. I do like working with the Cascade 220 yarn and the color is wonderful. Entries are rolling in for my contest—thanks for all your good wishes! One of the comments asked if I could share progress photos of a project from roving to knitted object. Now, I've only knitted two projects with my own handspun: one was a gift and the other is hibernating while I try to decide whether to frog it ...

...Happy Blogiversary to me!! It's been 3 years since I started this blog. In that time I've gone from being mostly a cross-stitcher and quilter to being a knitter and spinner. I still cross stitch and quilt, but I spend far more of my craft time knitting and spinning. In honor of the blog turning 3, I'm having a contest! Leave a comment in this post to be entered in a drawing for a skein of Sundara Petals Collection sock yarn (or a skein of my handspun, if you prefer). The winner will be chosen at random from all entrants. Deadline: 1/12/09 at Midnight (Pacific time) Good luck! (Jaywalker socks in progress)

...a short post since I did all of the recaps yesterday. This morning's sky: The fruit on our tangerine tree is nice and ripe now: It's back to work for me on Monday...need to make the best of these last couple of days! Have a great weekend!

Finished in 2008 (by craft, then alphabetical order) Those not on Ravelry can see pictures of these items in my Flickr photostream and sets: Knitting , Spinning , Quilting/Sewing , and Needlework . Christmas Baking 388 biscotti; 955 cookies 154 truffles; 9 lbs. chocolate bark 25 cups of flavored nuts 15 mini-fruitcakes; 13 pumpkin bread loaves; and 12 gingerbread mini-loave Knitting Bike Helmet earmuffs (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Bunny toy from "Last Minute Knitted Gifts" [ Ravelry ] Crossover Top by Debbie Bliss (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Feather and Fan Baby Sweater [ Ravelry ] Foxglove baby socks [ Ravelry ] Iris Baby Cardigan #1[ Ravelry ] Iris Baby Cardigan #2 [ Ravelry ] Knitted wire necklace (copper and beads) [ Ravelry ] Lenore Socks from BMFA Rockin' Sock Club (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Little Monkey Foo Foo socks (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Midsummer Paradise socks [ Ravelry ] Saartje's Bootees [ Ravelry ] Siamese Kitty (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Siamese Kitty, small version (...

The Recap Finished: 12/31 Morning Dove's Cousin Merino-silk (spinning) [ Ravelry ] Merino-Silk top from Yarn Wench Spun and plied on Lendrum DT wheel Yield: 320+ yards; 1 skein 143.75 yds, 14 WPI; 1 skein 176.3 yds, 16 WPI 12/21 Six Christmas stockings, AKA secret project (quilting and sewing) 12/20 Pink Baby Bib (sewing) Christmas baking: 6 kinds of biscotti; 13 kinds of cookies; 3 kinds of truffles; 4 kinds of chocolate bark; fruitcakes; pumpkin bread; and gingerbread 12/8 Siamese Kitty , small version (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Worked on: Black leg warmers in Caron Simply Soft yarn (knitting) February Lady Sweater (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Started: 12/1 Siamese Kitty small version (knitting) 12/29 Jaywalker socks (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Frogged/On Hiatus: Dogosaurus Rex sweater (knitting) [ Ravelry } Morning Surf Scarf (knitting) [ Ravelry ] IDJ (It's Dead, Jim) TTL Mystery Sock for Socktoberfest knitting [ Ravelry ] Works In Progress (did not work on): Sea Foam Wrap (knitting) ...

...I ended the year by finishing the Mourning Dove's Cousin yarn I had on the wheel: Specs: Started 11/28/08 Finished 12/31/08 Merino-Silk top from Yarn Wench Spun and Navajo-plied on Lendrum DT wheel Yield : 320+ yards; 1 skein 143.75 yds, 14 WPI; 1 skein 176.3 yds, 16 WPI Spinning each bobbin on separate days played hell with my consistency. I spun much thinner on one bobbin than the other. Close up of skein 1 (176,3 yards, 16 WPI): Close up of skein 2 (143.75 yards, 14 WPI): I'm working on my December and year-end recaps and will post those later. I'll also start taking down the Christmas decorations today. Since I don't go back to work until Monday, I can take my time doing it!