StrungOut

No surprise

Why is it you never buy the correct amount of yarn?

For Ava I was short a hank. For my poncho I was short 2. I knit a scarf for some one, once again short a skein. With out fail I am short for my fab purple purse. Of course I bought the yarn/ribbon on sale 40% off. I saw it at another store a while back again 40% off. Me thinks I’m screwed. I’ve just finished my computer work so I’ll be off for a ribbon hunt as soon as I finish this post. Thank god I got paid today instead of Monday!

I’ve noticed most of the blogs I read seem to be able to knit up a project practically over night. The ugly green monster is flaring it’s nostrils.

I personally knit for it’s relaxing qualities. Although it too has it’s major stressing factors. Running out of yarn being one of them another is ripping/frogging however you say it, it spells stress. I was knitting along last night on dumpling when I got to the part where everything divides, right front, left front.. When all is said and done I should have 15 stitches left. I of course have 7. Bloody hell what the *^@%$ happened??? I’ll tell you what happened I am a raging moron. I meant to cast on for the 1-2 year size but I must have changed my mind at some point because I cast on for the 6-12 month size. But was knitting the 1-2 yr size. 8 fuckin stitches make the difference between the 2 sizes. So there’s now a rewound ball of yarn sitting next to me on the couch as I type this. ARRRGHHH

On the bright side however I will now know what it means when people say it’s really not a big deal because this is a fast knit. Thank God for big yarn & size 17 needles.

I should've known

The other night me and a couple of friends went out to dinner. There is only one rule. Grappa!!! If you’re not of Italian decent or just home from a trip to Italy please let me explain…

One of my friends has just returned from Italy where she lives part of the time and she turned me on to this one night after dinner. You have it in espresso, it’s liquor. It smells like it’s strong enough to kill you. Surprisingly it’s a great after dinner drink. It seems to cancel the caffeine in the coffee and make it drinkable.

BTW, I can’t stand black coffee. But with a little sugar, one packet and grappa…yum!!

Now back to my story…

So we decide to head over to Louisa’s Trattoria. Where we had to wait 45mins to be seated…  It’s near the Greek theatre and of course there was a concert that evening . BTW they don’t take reservations.

With the place packed the waiters were constantly going in and out of every door in the place and there’s about 5.

Hey this is LA so of course people are eating outside in the cold (62). Hence the people inside are shivering and no one has the brains to turn off the AC!!! We of course get stuck right under a vent & near 3 of the doors.

This should have clued me in.

We finish our pasta—my doggy bag contained enough food for 2 more meals!!

It’s cold and I can’t wait for my espresso & grappa. I was cold and thirsty.  Finally our waitress shows up and we order…this perplexed look takes over her face as she says espresso with what? Surely you must have it, it’s an Italian liquor (and this is an Italian restaurant). I’ll check at the bar she replies. 5 minutes later she saunters back to over table “I’m sorry but we don’t have grappa. How many espresso 3??”   No!!!! Just…1. For the wantabe italiano. When it arrives and she takes her first sip her face contorts to shear pain. What’s the matter, too hot, I inquire…No it’s poison!!! This must be the last cup in the pot and it’s been in the pot for hours. I can’t hide the smart-ass smirk on my face as I coo what did you expect from an Italian restaurant that doesn’t have grappa???

Hell even Houston’s has a grappa.

            

what a let down

I LOVE Kim Hargreaves designs.

I was ecstatic to find out she had her own web page. I wanted to knit almost everything on the page. But where are the patterns?????

I only see kits. Can this be??? Does she really expect all of her millions of fans to knit her brilliant designs in what, only 3 color choices!?!?! I’ll admit I don’t always pick  the best colors for what I knit. As evidence take this picture...

Granted this isn't that bad. But I know I could have made better choices. I wanted to play with yarn that changed colors.

Or perhaps this poncho, Which is a much better example!!

But hey I’m new to knitting and I can’t seem to forecast how yarns knit up. I’m proud to admit I have no fear in experimenting. I want to knit something of me into everything I make. Otherwise I can just go out and buy one off the rack.

My rant is over and done with....

I hope this is just an oversight and the patterns will be sold separately.

Pizza party

Last night was knit night at my favorite LYS. I am pleased to report there was a very good turn out. The owner of the store even buys pizza & soda for everyone. Since I don’t eat that, (I’m vegan) she made a special trip (how sweet was that) to Whole Foods and picked up grilled tofu and veggies. It was yummy. Everyone who tried it agreed.

On the knitting front I cast on to Dumpling. It should be a Quick knit! I am using ebony needles for the first time.   

Aren’t they beautiful, they feel like but-tah in your hands. Not that the Rowan big wool isn't sumptuous in it’s own right. This sweater is for some one at work who just had a little boy.

Yes, I know it is practically summer and this is S. Cal for crying out loud, today was a gorgeous day and 80 degrees. Put the phone down, no need to call child protection. This kid is in Texas and I’m making the 1-2 year old size. He only 2 moths old.

What’s with people who bundle up their kids like we’re in the middle of a blizzard when it’s 100 degrees outside? My kid crawled around only in a t-shirt and diaper (cloth) not even socks, she'd take them off. To this day she never misses school for being sick, maybe 1 day every couple of years.

The HELL I caught from people for the way I dressed her. In my own home!!!!  How many years did I have to hear “Just wait she’ll get sick all the time.” Finally one day I told them all to stick it up their ass. After I politely asked anyone to tell me the last time my daughter was sick. They’ve since shut their yappers on this subject. At least around me.

I also have a client who’s due in July with another little boy. I haven’t decided on what to knit for that one yet.  I love knitting baby presents. The reason being it gives me an excuse to buy yarn, needles, knitting bags, books... get the picture.

Up & Running

After much Trial and error, mostly error my blog is up for all to read. This is the first blog I’ve ever done. Back in the days of win 98 I made many rockin web sites. But adulthood hit and I had to get “a real J.O.B.” so most of my html… knowledge has been shoved aside for more” important” things. So anyone out in blogville who has any suggestions on how I can improve the looks of this blog please email them along.

Has anyone else used Eucalan no rinse wash??

I was reading Froggy Knits on April 12th. She says it scotch guards your knitting!!!

I of course ran right out and bought a bottle. The funny thing is being a neo knitter I only have 1 count it 1 FO. Which I have yet to wear. I was just wondering if anyone else has had the same experience as Froggy? I asked at the yarn store I bought the Eucalan at and the owner didn’t know it did this. I bought it just for the No-Rinse factor, the scotch guarding is an added bonus in my eyes.