The Cherry Ducky Knitter!

2004-02-24T11:32:00.000-05:00

I am now THE KNITTINATOR!!!!!! Check me out!

2003-06-13T17:42:00.000-04:00

Hello my blog reading peeps!

May I just say you ladies (and possibly gentlemen?) are truely faboo. Thanks for all the words of encouragement. Things are still insane but I'm in a little bit more of a blogging mood now. As Luann said, when the going gets tough, the tough get knitting!! I've been knitting like a crazy person. As you may know I started a new job last week. Everyone in the office gets along and it's a pretty fun place, AND I'm allowed to knit to my hearts content as long as I do my job! Already I've made two scarves and Im still working on the Berroco sweater every once in a while and have just finished the front.I 've already been asked by my manager to teach her how to knit too.

As you might also have known I've recently moved. Most of my stuff is in storage until I have time to sort it all out. That means most of my yarn and needles are in storage =(. Its ok though because I had a few bits laying around. I need to choose something fun and colorful to bring to the office. I think some socks are just the ticket.

Anyway, I know it was short but I will post again soon! In my next exciting installment I will tell you all what I think of this season's Knitty. I can tell you're all just drooling in anticipation!

2003-06-09T01:03:00.000-04:00

Quick Post: I am not dead! Thanks to all who have wondered where I am! Good to know you care =). I think everyone goes through periods in their life where everything just SUCKS. I happen to be going through one of those now. Well, EVERYTHING doesn't suck. My friends rock and I have a job, but pretty much everything else is just not going well at all. Lots of cruddy stuff going on that I will not bore the knit blogging world with by posting. I know it will turn out ok in the end but it all leaves me with no time or mood for blogging. So therefore you wont be seeing me as often as ususal for a while. Feel free to keep tagging me and everything and hopefully Ill post to you again soon=)!!!!.

2003-05-29T12:37:00.000-04:00

Well, I told Amanda that I would post yesterday afternoon, but I didn't. Sorry! I was suuposed to start work last week but the office opening has been delayed and it's really annoying. Therefore I've been in a rotten non-blogging mood.

There isn't a whole lot happening on the knitting front. I'm still working on the Berroco sweater in the swap yarn. It was going really well right up to the arm hole decreases. I was all proud of myself until I read the pattern over and realized that I hadn't cast on enough stitches in the beginning. I'd somehow missed the part about casting on 114 to start, doing the ribbing and then decreasing 20 stitches to 94 stitches for the St st. I'd started with 94 stitches and had been knitting happily along. So of course I ripped out the 16 1/2 inches I had and started over. I must say it does look a lot better this way, I can't believe I didn't notice it before. Sometimes I worry about myself.

Even though I apparently have a lack of pattern reading skills I've decided to start seeking an Aran sweater pattern for my Ireland yarn. I've never done an Aran pattern on anything. Well, thats not totally true. I've tried out different Aran stitch patterns just on swatches to see if I could do it. I also tried out the Owl Dishcloth suggested by Krista. My gauge was all wrong so it looked funny. I basically got it down though so I suppose Im not a total cable virgin.

Fran from Knitters Review was kind enough to suggest this sweater

I really think it's a cool sweater and I'd like to make it but it looks a little complicated for a first try. Even though the pattern says "easy to knit" I'm not sure I believe it. How about you lovely people? Got any suggestions? Heres the yarn again so you know what Im talking about. It's Tivola 100% wool. "Knits to Aran patterns". I have 20 50gr skeins, balls, whatever. The lady at the shop said it should be enough to make a sweater for me as long as it isn't super patterned.

Ya'll are always so helpful I anxiously await your thoughts and feelings on the matter (or any matter for that matter hehe)!

2003-05-19T16:07:00.000-04:00

Finally got the pictures!

Here we have one pair of Fuzzy Feet made with some wool that was once a scarf. I can't remember what kind though. Usually there are yarn labels around everywhere and now of course I can't find one.

They are UBER comfy, I LOVE them!

The finished pair of socks.

These are in the washing machine for the first time as I type. I'd been too afraid to wear them except for picture taking, but I finaly did. *crosses fingers* I hope they survive the wash alright!

And the project that could not be mentioned.

It's Haiku from Knitty. I used Bernat Handicrafter, a yarn that seemed to be completely cursed! I've tried making several different things with this particular batch of it but nothing ever worked out right. Well, not until Haiku anyway. Maybe the yarn was just waiting around for a project it felt worthy of? I;ve given it buttons since the picture but I don't really like how they look. I guess I'll have to hunt for some that look nicer.

At the moment I'm working on this sweater. I know it's summertime but I figure this is a nice easy project that I can just sort of pick up when theres a little extra time and maybe have a sweater by fall. The yarn Im using is some stuff I got in a yarn swap. It's the same color as the pattern in the picture and gets the exact guage on the same size needles. Maybe it was destined to be. There are 11 nicely wound center pull balls of it all three ounces each. I think there will be more than enough. The person who sent it to me said that the lady she bought it from said it was 100% wool. I did a test swatch and it sort of felted but not really so I dont really know.

New job starts tomorrow! Kinda scary!

2003-05-18T03:08:00.000-04:00

The cameras still not in my posession so no pics today.

Oh and on the font front, Im not ignoring you guys, Im just having a hard time figuring out how to change it to a color that looks nice. White on the purple was kind of dizzying to look at. I'm ashamed to say that I didn't make the template and I know nothing about web design. A really sweet person from the Get Crafty boards did it for me. Maybe it's time my blog got a complete overhaul? I know a lot of you are really talented in that area so if you have any tips or advice on how I can make the template nicer to look at I'd be glad to hear it!

2003-05-15T10:34:00.000-04:00

BLOG POLL!!!!!

What color should my font be? Someones told me it's hard to read. A) Do you agree? B) If so, what color do you think it should be? C) Any other suggestions about my blog? It's up to you, my loyal readers, to let me know what you'd like to see! Dont worry, I wont be insulted =).

2003-05-14T17:15:00.000-04:00

Still no camera, POO!

So no real knitting news. A lovely lady from the Sock Knitters list was kind enough to mail me some sock patterns to go along with my Regia sock yarn. I don't have the right size needles though, when I get a job I'll run out and get some!

The job search continues and isn't going too well.

For something totally different, I just want to say that I've always liked the comic strip One Big Happy. I think it's because I've worked with kids so much (and am still a big kid myself) being a pre-K assistant and a nanny that I can totally relate to it. The past few days though the strip has just cracked me up. I think because the substitute playground lady reminds me of people I have worked for in the past, and the way the kids react in the comic is so dead on. Especially when they picture the playground lady as a big sucker. People don't give kids enough credit, they're A LOT smarter than we think. Smarter than a lot of grownups actually. And as the comic illustrates, they know a sucker when they see one.

2003-05-09T11:40:00.000-04:00

Well, its been a few days since I posted and I have finished a lot of stuff! As you know I finished both socks, and while they're not perfect I'm pretty happy with them. Everyones told me that their first socks were far from perfect as well, and that I'll get the hang of it soon enough. I joined the Sock Knitter's list becaue I figure I can use all the help I can get! So far everyones been very sweet and put up with all my dumb questions.

I also finished the Project That Could Not be Mentioned AND a pair of fuzzy feet! Yes, I have been a busy knitting bee! I wanted to post pictures of all my loveliness but the camera has gone M.I.A. Oh well, maybe later today.

Right now I'm attempting to learn the Long Tail cast on and having a helluva time with it. Hopefully I'll be able to claim victory over it soon.

So in order to keeo the discussions going until I post pictures heres a topic: Has anyone started thinking about Christmas presents yet or am I the only one? I probably am, but if not, what are YOU making for people this year? Talk amongst yourselves.

2003-05-03T16:03:00.000-04:00

WAH HOO!!!!

Ver 2.0 of sock numer one is finished! Im just weaving in the ends and in a few minutes I will have my first completed pair of socks! I'ts every so exciting!!

2003-05-02T10:51:00.000-04:00

Not knitting related but amusing none the less!

Bettie Boop

Who 's Your Inner Sexy Cartoon Chick ?
brought to you by Quizilla

Thanks Kerstin!

I don't know if there will be much knitting today. I have this annoying cut on my right middle finger RIGHT where the needle hits while Im knitting! I can knit for a few minutes with a band aid on it but the it hurts anyway. Thats ok, I can sew the sleeves onto the project that I started a long time ago butcouldnt tell you about so as not to jinx it. Should be interesting, I've never sewed sleeves on anything before!

2003-05-01T09:15:00.000-04:00

Let there be YARN!!!

Finally took some pics of the yarn I got in Ireland and thought I'd post them before I go to work.

But first, the story of the yarn *nice movie type music please*

It was our last few hours in Killarney before we traveled back to Shannon to fly home. Everyone decided to take one last trip into town to do some shopping (or to take pictures of the Hussey's Bar as the case may be). We split up and Robin and I wandered around for a few hours and I was feeling a little gyped because I was in Ireland, land of sheep, and had seen not ONE HANK of yarn. (However, there were sheep that I passed every day on the way to and from the hotel where the competition was. I baad at them on a regular basis). We only had about 30 minutes before we had to be back at our hotel to get on the bus to Shannon and Robin decided to get something to eat (may I just say that if you think customer service is bad on YOUR side of the world, just go to a restaraunt in Ireland and you'll feel a lot better about your situation). We were wandering back and it looked like rain and I was NOT looking forward to being on a bus with all the 15 year olds when we passed by a little tourist shop. I glanced at the flyers taped to the inside of the open door and did a double take, they were Sirdar Snuggly patterns! I looked harder and in a corner of the window almsot hidden by all the Ireland T-shirts and guinness souveniers I SAW IT:

The biggest skein of yarn I've ever seen! (I put my sock next to it so you can get an idea of the size. Remember, the sock fits my size 8 foot). Well, it wasnt THAT exact skein of yarn but the same kind. I yelled "YARN!!!" and went running in the shop and plopped my butt down in front of the yarn section. The shop was divided into halves. Half of it being a very small yarn shop and the other half with all the touristy stuff. The woman probably thought I was crazy when I went running in but thought I was crazy-ER when I went "LOOK!!" while bouncing up and down on the floor and pointed at this:

20 50 gr skeins of 100% Aran weight wool for 30 Euros!! I asked the lady about it and she told me that should be enough to make a sweater for me as long as it didnt have a lot of patterning. Perfect for me since I've never done an Aran sweater so there WONT be a lot of patterning. Any pattern suggestions?

Then I turned my attention back to the giant skeins. 400 grams of superwash wool for 13 Euros. She said two of those would make a sweater but I didnt want to spend THAT much so I just bought the one you see because I LOVE the colors! I think I'll make a scarf and a hat out of it for myself. What do YOU think? You cant REALLY tell from the pic but tht skein of yarn is bigger than my head!

So, I was exceedingly happy for the rest of the afternoon and the other girls thought I was a big dork (which I am, but they've learned ro accept my dorkiness and seem to love me anyway, probably because Im a senior citizen in the Irish dance world and pretty old compared to them). By completely repacking that night at the Shannon hotel I was able to shove it all in my suitcase.

All in all it was a succesful yarn trip, and isn't that what REALLY matters?

2003-04-29T09:29:00.000-04:00

EARTHQUAKE!!!!!

For real! There was an earthquake IN GEORGIA!! this morning!!! Who ever heard of something like that? I woke up and hear a rumbling sound and the house was shaking. I looked out the window and saw a big truck accross the street. In my 5 AM stupor I thought to myself "Oh, that really big truck is making the house shake."

Well, it made sense at the moment! Sometimes big trucks rumbling by DO make the house shake! It wasnt until about 6 this morning when my dad yelled "That was an earthquake" that I realized it hadn't been the truck. Ok, thats a lie. I heard that it was an Earthquake at 6 but still not really being awake I didn't realize it was an earthquake until about 8.

I know this isn't interesting to anyone on the west coast that may be reading this but it sure is weird for around here! Nothing was damaged or anything (well not around here anyway, apparently some of the other states had some damage). It makes me wonder though if the Earth is gearing up for The Big One all the geologist types have been saying is going to happen soon. Of course "soon" in geological time could mean a hundred years so who knows, right?

I wonder if, every time a truck drives by now I'll think its another earthquake?

2003-04-27T14:54:00.000-04:00

Ah, finally got some of the pictures scanned in! Mind you there not scanned in very WELL, but they're there none the less! Let me just say Im a horrid photographer and had a crappy disposable camera and I realize this. Onward!

This is where we stayed:

It was great and so cute! The ladies there are really nice and they make a good breakfast! So if you're ever in Killarney I HIGHLY recommend this place!!! (slievebloommanor@eircom.net)

Its true!

There ARE palm trees in Ireland! They're all over the place!

This was in a really really pretty church we passed every day on the way into town.

I guess I shouldn't find that as amusing as I do.... I told my friend I wanted her to say "She was all that is amiable in woman" at MY funeral.

Nice that they're specific about their clientel like that.

Ok, I'm sorry, You cant look at this sign and not think its funny. Doesn't it just make you want to throw up your hands and run around going "AHHH!!!" like ther person in the picture seems to be doing?

I took this one for my bestest Christy!

Can you tel I really like signs?I have a pitcure of me like this in Paris too. I just think these signs are so funny!

Aw, heres my whole team after our competition! Im in the front on the right.

Heres my "little sister" Caroline and I right after our competition. I'm on the left with the light hair.

Just so you know, I dont really look anything like that. The wig and the makeup make me look a LOT different!

So there you have it! A short overview of Ireland. In the next few days I'll put up pictures up of the most important Ireland thing, the yarn I bought!

2003-04-27T10:50:00.000-04:00

Speaking of socks.......

While in Ireland I finished my frist sock. I was proud of myself and all but it looked really..... weird. The foot was kind of short and fat. The top had some weird little bump that kind of loked like a growth of some kind, and the heel didnt really go anywhere near my heel unless I yanked it into place. All in all It just wasnt very comfy or nice. I know why too; I'd been afraid of running out of yarn so I didnt follow the directions exactly. I know, that was stupid of me, but I was SO excited to maybe get it finished that well, you know how it goes. So anyway, I began sock #2 which I finished shortly after arriving back home. Here it is:

Im pretty proud of myself. I think it looks alright, although the toe looks a bit wonkey to me:

I'm not exactly sure whats wrong with it.

As for Sock #1 I took it apart. I just didnt like the look of it next to sock #2. Also, I didnt want it to get made fun of by the other socks in my drawer. So now I'm working on sock #1 Ver 2.0 and all is going pretty well as you can see here:

Even with the weirdness of sock #2 I have had several requests by friends for socks made by me. That makes me happy!! Im always glad to start Christmas planning early!

I got the trip pics back and I'll be posting some soon!

2003-04-25T11:17:00.000-04:00

Ok, I know you're all excitedly waiting to hear about my trip and see my socks but thats going to have to be delayed. My car is dead so I haven't been able to take the trip pictures to get developed. Also the digital camera is being used elsewhere so I cant take pictures of the sock I finished on the trip or the yarn I bought in Ireland. But since I don't like to keep you in total suspense heres the sock yarn I just ordered:

Isn't it exciting? I got it from Knit Witts on sale! Only $3.00 each! Hurrah! I got two of the pink/purple and 3 of the green. Im going to use the pink/purple for myself. I bought 3 of the green because thats The Boy's favorite color. I may make socks for him, or I may make a hat. Either way it's really exciting (oh yeah, Im a geek)!

I'm going to try and get someone to take me to a picture place today. I want to see the pictures myself!

2003-04-21T20:08:00.000-04:00

I have returned safe and sound. Way too tired for blogging tonight, but I have the day off tomorrow so I can take care of things then!

2003-04-15T14:47:00.000-04:00

Going to the airport!!!!

2003-04-15T10:29:00.000-04:00

Well the socks are moving along and so am I!!! In a few hours I'm leaving for Ireland for the World Irish Dance Championships. My team is competing in the 8 hand reel. We'll be gone a week and I hate to leave you all with nothing to do. So, since I don't want you to miss me too badly I'll leave you something to do courtesy the lovely Sarah:

Which of Henry VIII's wives are you?

this quiz was made by the lycanthropes at Spookbot

See you in a week! Send me good dance vibes Saturday at 2:00 Irish time!

2003-04-14T18:41:00.000-04:00

Ok my fellow knitting bloggers, lets just take a moment and chill.....

Are we chilled? Ah good.

As I cruised around on my daily "avoiding doing what I should be doing" blog readings I came across lots of references to a certain blog entry by a certain person which has caused quite a stir. I read the entry and wasnt particularly offended. I saw it as a bit pretentious, but hey, it's his blog, therefore pretense is his right.

I know my blog isn't particulary interesting. Actually it's pretty crappy, but it's mine and I like it! I don't say anything new or profound. And I can promise you this is probably the most thought provoking post you will ever read from me. For God's sake, I've got about 20 pictures of the same damn sock up here! I've only been knitting about a year and a half, I dont have any insights. I have MAJOR visualization problems and am one of those annoying people on Knitters Review who has to ask about every little part of a pattern and stitch until I get it down. I hardly ever ask anything on Knitlist anymore because I know that while I'll get a lot of great responses someone will post some condescending thing back and I don't need that. I'm at the stage in this knitting thing where I still need a lot of hand holding and Im so happy that most people have been so patient and supportive.

Anyway, as we blog and read our various knitting message boards, lets all remember, we're doing this because we enjoy it, and we were ALL total newbies at some point. We can't expect everyone to be as advanced (or not so much in my case) or have as much insight (or not) as ourselves.

So instead of choosing sides, lets talk about why we started, and continue, to blog!

When I first started teaching myself to knit I came accross ChicKnits and was totally inspired. I looked at all the links and realized that I loved reading about other peoples knitting adventures (and misadventures). When I got a little better at this knitting thing I decided to start a blog myself. I dont have any "in the flesh" knitting friends so a blog seemed like a great way to get into a little knitting community with people like me! I was right! I love the fact that I can post about my knitting problems and triumphs and have people pat me on the back (or laugh at me as the case may be). So to make it short and sweet, I blog because it's fun. I post when I feel like it whether what I have to say is important or not. And I don't care WHAT you post on my tag board. I think any comment about anything is awesome, but thats just the way I am!

Oh and this has nothing to do with anything but if you want to feel really smart about your knitting, check out HistoricKnit. I never post because I have nothing to add but I love to read what everyone has to say!

Now wasnt that a nice break from the sock?

2003-04-14T02:39:00.000-04:00

There are more important things than socks! I was SO excited when I heard about this this morning!! I watched most of the day because I just got the warm fuzzies when they talked to the families. There are still a lot of people missing though, and Im keeping them in my thoughts as well.

Ok, so I've figured out a lot of things on my sock and all was going smoothly until this direction: "Using a spare needle, pick up one stitch in the gusset corner and 14 stitches from the side of the heel flap. Using needle 1, knit these stitches."
I cant figure out how to knit the stitches from the spare needle using needle . Here are the pics maybe you'll be able to point out what I'm missing:

Ok, the spare needle is the lone needle on the right holding the instep stitches. Needle #1 is the longer needle thats holding the heel stitches and the left instep stitches. Needle # 2 is the shorter needle holding the remaining stitches. The working yarn is up at the top there connected to the spare needle.

This is just a closer view of the problem area. The metal needle is the spare needle.

He he, all this updating makes it look like I've been doing nothing today but working on the freaking sock! Untrue! I cleaned the garage, did some tax stuff, ran a bunch of errands and went to dance class! However, any spare moment I had to sit down WAS spent on the sock. I hate to leave any project, not just knitting, un figured out! It just gnaws at my brain. It's like a disease! Until I know exactly whats going on with something I obsess over it. Had I known exactly what was going on with the sock I probably wouldn't have even bothered to look at it all day!

Finally time for bed! I wonder if I'll have sock dreams tonight?

2003-04-13T16:28:00.000-04:00

Ok, heres the sock modeled on my pasty leg and yucky Irish Dancing foot after I ripped out part of it for the THIRD TIME.

In this picture it's on inside out, isn't it? Please tell me it is bc if thats right side out I need to rip out even more. Anyway, I ripped it out because it looked all funny on the "inside" of the round. Now, my sock divas, please tell me; What is it supposed to look like on the inside of the round? as you can see from previous pictures, before I really got going it was the purl side inside. But then, when I started following the gusset part of the pattern the knit side was on the inside So obviously I have done something VERY wrong before I started the gusset . Please help!

2003-04-13T11:52:00.000-04:00

Thanks to EVERYONE (Jen, Amanda, Sarah, Lauri, Mary, Janine, and many more) who have been so helpful in my whole sock adventure! Special thanks to Judy, my Minnesota cheering squad! Ya'll are too sweet! If you have helped me in ANY way and have something you'd like me to link to or a product you have that youd like me to mention or something let me know!!!!

Thanks to Lauri from Knitters Review I've been able to get to the gusset part of the sock! She put the pattern I'm using into some sock program she has on her computer, Mary Moran's (hey! Thats my grandmothers name!) Sole Solutions software, and emailed me the results! So here's what I've got so far:

So there you have it, the sock up to this point. Right now Im doing gusset decreases. I ended up with a few more stitches on the needle than I should have. I dont really know why, I picked up all the loops on the sides like the pattern says. Oh well, I dont care at this point, I just want it done! He he, Im going to have one really weird looking sock full of gaps where I picked up stitches (this one) and then a nicer looking sock where I've figured everything out (the second one I'll make). I dont care WHAT they look like. I'll still wear them!!

2003-04-12T19:32:00.000-04:00

Woo!!! I started the a sock on two circular needles that I bought the yarn for. Everything was going cool until the part where I pick up stitches for the gusset. I just can't figure out how to do it on two circular needles. Im using this tutorial and I'm sure I'm missing something really obvious but I dont know. Anyway it was so weird and twisted I finally just ripped it out to the point where I start turning the heel:

So then I went ahead and did the heel turning part again:

As most of you know it's really hard to get good yarn color with a camera, especially when you're as unskilled as myself. So just imagine those colors brighter. Anyway, thats my progress for now. Im a little worried about goign on until I totally understand the picking up gusset stitches with two circulars thing. Can anyone help me out? Let me know if you can!!!

2003-04-07T16:55:00.000-04:00

Bleh, too sick to blog.

That would be a good band name, except it would have to be spelled 2sick2blog. I like it, has a nice ring to it.

2003-04-03T09:26:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I didn't post yesterday. I know you were all waiting eagerly so I apologize.

I've finished my red, white, and blue hat and it IS pretty cute. However, I decided to abandon the stars altogether because they just looked like little demented men and did a heart motif instead. When I get pictures of it I will post them. I still have to weave in all the ends which, as some of you may know, is my least favorite knitting thing to do so it may be a while.

So with that done it's on to new projects! However, I cannot tell you what Im making now because I've had SO MUCH TROUBLE with this yarn and Im afraid if I let anyone know what I'm doing with it I'll jinx the whole thing. So you're just goign to have to wait!

Aside from the mystery project Im trying to get stuff together to go to Ireland. The most important of which is of course "what knitting do I bring?". I haven't called the airline yet to see if they'll allow my needles on the plane, mainly because Im afraid of what they'll tell me. I wonder if I could get a doctors note? "Please allow Susan to knit on the plane or she will go crazy and it will not be pretty. Signed- Some Doctor Guy" Yeah, that sounds good.

(Here comes the answer to Jen's Question) From what I've read and the advice I've gotten socks on two circulars seem the most logical take-along thing. Small and portable and I can use bamboo needles. I ordered the Socks Soar book from Borders (I have a gift certificate) and am hoping it will get to the store before I leave. A few days ago I went by the lovely Needle Nook (which I love because everyone is so friendly and helpful there) to buy some needles and sock yarn. The lady who was working at the time had never made socks before but she helped me as best she could. I chose Clover Bamboo needles Sz 3 and got 2 skeins of Regia Crazy Color (mines the last one at the bottom of the page, #5404). I know I can get better prices per skein online but when you add in the shipping and handling for only one pair of socks it probably would have been more. I think I'll start on a sock right when my book gets in.

So, in conclusion I am totally jealous of Velma and hate her for buying the yarn from Turkey. Let me know how it knits up!!! THPPPPPT! ; )

2003-04-01T22:21:00.000-05:00

First off I am SO excited! Jessica Lynch has been rescued! All the POWs have been in my thoughts but her in particular because she is so young! She has been through so much, I hope she recovers quickly and that others are rescued soon as well.

WAAAH HOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! The *#$&@^%! template published!!!!

I havent been posting much knitting new becasue whenever the template wouldn't publish I'd just get mad, but no more! Thanks for fixing the problem Blogger people!

Coming tomorrow: Actual knitting news!

2003-03-27T23:23:00.000-05:00

Well my cute little hat has been put on hold. Turns out that when you knit up the stars they dont look like stars at all. I think they lok sort of Frogger-esque personally and one of the kids at worked asked why I was knitting a hat with spiders on it. I took the whole thing apart and knit up to where the star chart would begin only this time I added a row of white before the blue stripe which I think will improve the look. So now it's just going to have to sit there till I find a star chart that actually LOOKS like a star. *sigh*

As you may have noticed I haven't said anything about THE ARTICLE. Why? Honestly I havent read it. I have however read AAAAALLLLL about it from various sources. I havent read it yet bc I know it will probably just make me mad. I wont get around to writing her Im sure but if I did I think my response would probably be somewhere along the lines of "suck my toe" seeing as it is my phrase of choice in these situations.

Speaking of sucking my toe, Blogger is still doing just that.

2003-03-26T10:00:00.000-05:00

Well, Blogger still seems to be sucking. I haven't been posting because I just get SO FRUSTRATED every time I try. If this keeps up Im going to move my lovely self someplace else. But on the knitting front:

My Knitting for the Troops Families (we really should find a name for out little project) things are coming along nicely! I have completed the 5 hour baby sweater and it is SO CUTE!!! I was hoping to have enough of the same yarn left over to make booties as well but alas, it was not to be. I have also finished two little baby hats.

At the moment I'm working on a toddler hat. This is my first real sort of designing project. I know that it's going to be too warm for hats soon but I just had such a cute idea! The hat is red with a hemmed edge. It has a two inch blue stripe. Inside the blue stripe are white stars. Very patriotic and I think perfect for a little one whos daddy (or mommy!) is away!

I've been having the hardest time finding a freaking star though!!! I have NO artistic abilities so even with the graph paper it came out looking like a pointy lump. So finally a lovely lady on the knitlist suggested I check out about.com for American flag patterns. I can't believe I didn't think of that!!! Although most of the patterns didn't feature real 5 pointed type stars (most of them were just little pointy things that sort of maybe resembled stars from a distance) I finally found this one!!!!

Heres my progress so far. The picture kind of washes out the colors. They're actually REALLY bright, but you get the idea. Maybe one day I'll figure out how to use the camera in such a way that it shows all the splendor of my knitting!

And remember, if you want to join our little effort you're more than welcome!!! Check out this thread at Knitters Review

2003-03-24T16:18:00.000-05:00

Ok Blogger, WHY WONT YOU PUBLISH CORRECTLY??????

2003-03-20T21:52:00.000-05:00

Want Lust should look like this:
Not a time for want...

2003-03-20T10:26:00.000-05:00

Blogger is ticking me off!!! It wont show my cool Knit Your Bit graphic!!!!

2003-03-20T09:32:00.000-05:00

I HAVE BEEN A BAD BLOGGER!!!!

I know it I know it, but March around this house is crazy! My dad is the chairman of the Atlanta St Pats parade, plus I've had dance school things to do. While I have been knitting, none of that leaves a lot of time for blogging!

However, things have returned to normal so I can get back to telling ya'll what I'm up to! The lovely ladies on the Knitters Review Forums have started up a Support Our Troops type knitting project. But this one is a little different. We are making baby and kids items to send to the troop's families to let them know we appreciate them too! So far I have made two baby hats and am now working on the 5 hour baby sweater in some soft acrylic I have. This is a great project for me! Since I can't buy any new yarn for a while using the small amounts I have to make baby things is perfect! Also I'm practicing new techniques on a smaller scale than if I was making something for myself (for instance; the baby hats were the first non stripe two color things I've ever done).

If you're at all interested in helping out with our little knitting project by all means check out the forum thread

2003-03-15T07:56:00.000-05:00

Heres where I'll be today!

2003-03-08T17:41:00.000-05:00

Wow, have I had a fabulous mail day or what!? Look at all this stuff that came today!

I know the picture quality is crap, but the camera was running out of batteries so what can you do? Anyway there are two Interweave knits that I got from a lovely lady on the Knitters Review Forums, and MY BIRTHDAY PRESENTS FROM ROBIN!!!!!!! A Father Ted book and a Lord of the Rings Kinder Egg Collection!!!!! Sadly, they dont give you all of the fellowship but I think it guaruntees 5 of them, although I'm not sure since the box is in French. I'll have to wait until Himself comes over tonight and get him to read it for me. Oh man, nothing is more exciting than a Kinder Egg!

2003-03-02T23:26:00.000-05:00

AHHH!!! Yarn gone MIA!!
I had JUST enought Bernat Hadicrafter yarn to make the Shapely Tank Top and one ball has dissapeared! I have no idea where it could have gone! *Pulls out hair*

2003-03-02T20:11:00.000-05:00

This top is knit in a yarn called Explosion, and indeed it does look like something exploded onto her. Possibly some sort of tropical bird. Now I do like most of Adriafil's patterns (although a lot of them are way beyond my skill level) but as I've noticed with other European yarn companies, sometimes they just throw in something frightening. I've been to Europe on numerous occasions (although admittedly never Italy) to visit friends or, when I was younger, sing with AYSC and no one would wear that in public. The only people I've ever seen in any European country wearing anything with a whole lot of color were American or Japanese tourists. So don't wear bright colors in Europe because as I've observed A) Then everyone knows your a tourist and B) Everyone includes the beggars who will then follow you around more. Anyway, just my thoughts on that.

2003-02-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

The second TopSecret Sweater is DONE!!!! Well, I still have to weave in ends but it's done otherwise! It will soon be shipped off to Paris to be enjoyed by Robin until it gets too warm. I'd say that would be about another month judginf from the weather when I was there last March. Anyway if you are a fairly new knitter (or even if you're not) MAKE THIS SWEATER. IT IS AWESOME.

Mega yarn lust!!! This stuff looks really cool! I would bid on it but it would be coming from Turkey so just the shipping would be $10.00. I know thats probably not a bad deal but when you're on a Trying to Go Back to College buget like I am thats a bit much for a yarn you know nothing about thats coming from a foreign country. I need to only buy yarn for things I have planned. *sigh*

My next project WAS going to be learning the art of socks. But then I was on about.com and came across a pattern for a knitted Easter Chick and a knitted Easter Bunny and thought those might be cute gifts to send to friends. I have a lot of acrylic yarn lying around from when I was first starting out. None of its Easter colors though so theyd be like Punk Rock Bunnies and Chicks in orange and red and dark blue. Maybe I could figure out how to give them little mohawks or something I'm getting excited just thinking about it (wow I am easily excited)!

2003-02-23T17:15:00.000-05:00

"Im actually not annoying you!!! Aint it grand?"

So I saw Chicago and it was AWESOME. I can't wait till my boyfriend comes home from school so I can make him take me to see it again. I was doubley impressed by the fact that I enjoyed it so much and Im not a very big fan of anyone in it (aside from Queen Latifa, I love her). I got all excited when Roxie was holding the knitting needles because I thought she might actually do something, but sadly no. Thats ok, knitting or not it was great and Im going to have the songs running through my head for a really long time!

On the knitting front I have to say that I really enjoy washing yarn. I know that sounds strange so let me clarify. I don't like the actual washing process, but I love when the yarn is all dry and clean and you discover that its a completely different color than you thought. Like the mysterious Tres Chic yarn with a lable that doesnt say anything but the name; I though it was sort of a beigy color, nope, totally white and fluffy! Joy!!

Im also almost to the yoke part of Robin's second Top Secret Sweater from knitty.

2003-02-20T10:21:00.000-05:00

The great yarn measuring has begun!!!
I recieved a ton of free yarn from the Getcrafty swap recently. It's all pretty nice but most of it either has no lables or the lables are very old so you can't read them or theyre only in grams which does me no good (nice run on sentence there). Therefore Im having to measure the yardage of everything so that I know what I have. I've found that the foot of my bed is the perfect place for measuring yarn! I have a big queen size sleigh bed. The foot board (or whatever its called) has a little curvy thing which keeps the yarn from slipping off! Also its a little more than a yard across which is great for making the yarn into hanks so that I can wash them!

So far this is what I've got. (If you have any ideas as to what I should make out of this stuff, let me know!

112 yds of Purple Cotton Top by Patons 100%cotton

280 yds of Beige Cotton Top by Patons 100% cotton

172 yds of Tres Chic. I have no idea what this yarn is made of. It has a lable but all the lable says is Tres Chic. Very helpful.

180 yds of this linen cotton blend. Thats just some of it. There a bunch more.

More to come........

2003-02-17T18:19:00.000-05:00

I was looking over the patterns from the 1978 magazine again and realized something; there are hardly any decreases. It's pretty much all increasing, even with hats. This is weird to me since increasing is much more of a pain in the butt than decreasing. Was there just no decreasing in the 70's?

Anyway, this weekend I went to Barnes and Noble. While I was there I (of course) checked out the new seasons knitting magazines. I looked at Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits, Knitters Magazine and Knit N'Style. I am sad to report that I saw NOTHING I wanted to knit. Nothing at all. I never expect much from Knit N'Style but to see nothing in Interweave that I liked? Everything was just either really ugly or just blah.

I refuse to accept this state of non inspirational knitting mags. I think Ill go back soon to look again. Maybe I was just in the wrong mood or something? I hope so...

2003-02-14T10:40:00.000-05:00

A BRIEF HISTROY OF ST. VALENTINES DAY
**This is an IM conversation between my friend and I this morning The only editing was changing the screen names, taking out a few HA HA's and MST3K references. Well, I corrected the spelling too so ya'll wouldn't know how badly we both spell. Other than that however it is in its original form**

Me: happy stupid holiday
Christy: happy hallmark
Me: i read an article about V day last night
Me: it was actually started by the romans
Me: they would run around in their loin cloths
Christy: ha ha
Me: and whack each other on the asses with switches
Christy: ...to show appreaciation?
Me: and they would claim it was to relieve baroness in the women
Christy: ah
Me: but they all really knew it was just bc they were kinky
Me: the article didnt say that last part in so many words
Me: but thats what it meant
Me: oh and on a more non kinky historical note
Me: there were like 7 st valentines
Christy: yes?
Me: and most of them were put to death on feb 14th
Christy: ha ha ha ha
Christy: i knew that
Me: by whoever was killing Christians at the time
Christy: romans prolly
Christy: that's why we stole all their holidays
Me: and one of them wrote to his gf the night before he des and signed the letter "from your Valentine"
Me: oh wait
Me: the romans ran around having sex with all kinds of people and whacked each other on the ass with thongs from sacrificed goats
Christy: that's totally different!
Me: apparently even roaman goats were kinky
Christy: yes
Me: one of the valentines was martyred for performing secret marraiges (soldiers werent allowed to get married) by a guy named Claudius the Cruel
Me: ha ha
Me: oh man, those crazy romans and their names
Me: i am the emporer fabulous
Christy: i wish i were roman
Me: and this is my son
Christy: wait
Christy: no
Christy: no i don't
Me: fabulous the second
Me: if you were roman youd be dead
Me: BUT you would have gotten to run around in your underwear whacking people on the ass with a goat thong once a year so it might be worth it
Me: and in elizabethan england the first person you saw when you walked out of your door in the morning became your valentine
Me: BUT what if you saw two or more people?
Me: that could become kinky as well
Me: kinky holiday all around
Christy: i'm going to see who i see when i walk out the door
Christy: and then whack them on the ass
Me: is your dorm coed?
Christy: yes
Me: do you have a goat?
Christy: of course
Me: or actually, a goats thong?
Christy: umm...got it for christmas
Me: you lucky kinky roman you

There you have it! V-Day according to me!!! Although, you can always read the real article as well.

CRAZY FOR LOVING YOU
Yes, it's a V-Day Bonanza here at The Cherry Ducky Knitter!!! Which if funny because I don't even really like the holiday that much. However thats mainly de to the fact that my bf doesn't like it and therefore doesnt buy me anything AAAAAANNNNYWAY, bitterness aside am I crazy for loving this sweater?

I dont know why but I really like it! I think theres something loose in my brain. I like the hat as well, and who can overlook those fashionable leg warmers!

Anyway, happy V-day (or anti V-day, or Bitter Ball Day) everyone!
PS- I have the pattern for the things in that pic.

2003-02-11T16:24:00.000-05:00

MORE PICS!!!!
Even though these do sort of resemble disembodied feet, I think theyre kind of cute. Especially if the shoe looking part was black. Oh man, if I ever have kids theyre really going to hate me =)

The StayPuff Marshmellow man costume (1st pic) is interesting. I like the hat the lady in the blue is wearing but I really like the green stripey sweater. The lady in the picture looks like shes thinking "Is Brown Sweater holding a whip? Hmmm.." Kinky knitting.....

2003-02-09T14:48:00.000-05:00

I scanned some pictures from that magazine I mentioned earlier. It called "Family Circle Great Ideas 115 Fashions and Crafts 1978". There are a bunch of pictures so I'm not going to put them all up at once but here are a few. If you like any of these (or want to see a bigger picture) let me know, I'll type up the pattern for you! I've read the magazine through and dont see any reason for concern copyright wise. I LOVE old knitting magazines!

I made this hat for my friend Shannon in just blue. It turned out..... decent. But let me just say that if this woman if wearing the hat that is made using this pattern she has a really small head. The yarn I used was a different type but the same guage so I don't know. Maybe I just did something dumb. Anyway, it's pretty cute. Shannon will just have to shove it down on her head.

Ok, this is an ad not something with a pattern but do you notice the similarities between the 1978 Mary Maxim and the Current Mary Maxim? I think they still sell this stuff in their catalog, but hey, more power to them! I do kind of like the muppet slippers.

Sorry about the poor quality of this one. The page is sort of faded and I just could not make it more defined but I think you get the general Idea. Anyway I actually kind of like this sweater.

I like this sweater too, maybe minus the longer sleeved collard shirt thing going on. Well, so far nothings been too hideous. Maybe the 70's magazines werent that tacky....

WOAH! I stand corrected!!!! "How ensure your child will need therapy: crochet him something by hand that he will feel too guilty not to wear even though it makes you the laughing stock of circle time"

Ahhh, now THIS I like. That hat would be cute in different colors! I'm just not a yellow person. The scarf is kind of cool too. You may not be able to tell but the sweater has got a sort of bobble pattern on the chest. It looks to me like its hooded but thats just a "Yoke Collar" according to the magazine. I might have to actually make that hat next fall. Maybe the whole thing. The more I look at it the more I like it. Must keep that in mind....

Well thats all for today folks. I may post some more pictures later today but if not expect them later in the week. I have a SUPER SUPER cute sweater and leg warmers to post closer to V-Day so be sure to check it out. But alas, now I've got laundry to do! I'm also starting on Robin's second TopSecret sweater since hers got stolen. My purple and green scarf is currently blocking and I may even be able to wear it tomorrow!

2003-02-06T23:23:00.000-05:00

Well, I know you're thinking "Susan, sure, Elijah wood is highly attractive, but he has nothing to do with knitting. Plus he's been the want lust for TWO weeks instead of the standard ONE week." Yes, I know he has nothing to do with knitting but look at him, he's come a long way since Flipper! Anyway, admire him now people, I will be chaging that pic sometime this weekend!

Also this weekend I plan on scanning a bunch of pictures from a 1978 craft magazine. My friend Shannon asked me to knit her a hat thats in it. (And let me just say WOAH to the article about how to layer your clothing.) Some of these patterns are just too great (or too hideous) to keep to myself. So if you see patterns you're interested in let me know and Ill type them up for you! Just sharing the tacky magazine wealth!

The scarf has almost all the ends woven in. Maybe it will get blocked this weekend.

2003-02-02T23:32:00.000-05:00

The scarf is done! Well, not done completely, but all through with the knitting part. There is still weaving of ends and blocking to be done. I was hoping It would be all blocked and everything this weekend but maybe by mid week it will be ready to wear. How quickly I get all the weaving in done depends on how much the baby sleeps while at work tomorrow. The digital camera is down currently but hopefully whatevers wrong with it will be fixed soon so I can take some scarf pictures.

2003-02-01T11:21:00.000-05:00

Iveadded a lovely tag board there on the side so that Ill know if anyone ever actually goes here! Drop me a note! Tell me what you think of my projects or give me ideas for things to do with my yarn!!!!

2003-01-31T00:46:00.000-05:00

The scarf is coming along nicely! I've made MUCH progress since I took this pic day before yesterday. I think its probably about two feet long now The purple stripes are a little less than 5 inches long and the greens are a little less than 2 inches long.

It will of course look muy cooler when Its blocked. That will make it wider and allow the rib pattern (3X3) to show. Unfortunately it probably wont be done until the cold weather has gone. Although now that I say that Im not sure. Georgia can actually be COLD in March. I remember signifigant snow on my birthday (March 16th, the day before St Patricks Day and Im 21 this year. How convinient!) several different years and whenever theres any really massive freakish winter weather it usually happens in March so I may get good use out of this scarf yet!

2003-01-28T20:59:00.000-05:00

Hurrah for friends who go an trips and think about you while they're there!!!!
My friend Christy just got back from Ireland and brought me this:
100% Irish wool!! It's the coolest color red I've ever seen. Unfortunately my digital camera skills leave much to be desired so the true color cannot really be appreciated on the web. But trust me, it's great.
She also brought me back FLAKE BARS!!!

The gifts of yarn and chocolate. Could there be a better friend?

2003-01-25T10:42:00.000-05:00

WE HAVE A BUTTON!!!! Thanks to lilyblue from glitter!!!!

2003-01-24T17:50:00.000-05:00

Ok, enough non-knitting. I've started making a scarf to match my Bucket O'Chic because it is COLD!!! It was 9 degrees last night. While some of you may think I'm being a wuss lets all remember Im southern and it isnt supposed to get that cold here!!! I mean, I get cold when the temperature drops below 70. Not that the scarf will help much as it probably wont be done until this cold cold weather has gone. Thats ok though, just knitting it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Im knitting it in a 3X3 rib in Patons Donegal Tweed (which felts like woah by the way). It will be big purple stripes with a smaller green ones. Barney? you may ask? NO! Dance school!

I also have a tragic story to tell!!!! I knit the Topsecret sweater for my friend Robin this Christmas so that she could take it with her to Paris where she is now in school, and think of me and my fabulous (*snort*) knitting talent whenever she wore it. And for a few days she did just that and then DUN DUN DUUUUUN tradgedy struck: THE MAIDS TOOK IT!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!!! *shakes fist* Thats ok though, it gives me an excuse to knit another one!

My dearly departed sweater (as modeled by evil looking Robin b/c I dont know how to use red eye reducer):

2003-01-20T20:15:00.000-05:00

I usually HATE awards shows, wait no, thats not right, I despise awards shows and normally avoid them at all costs. Im very happy to just watch the pre shows so I can see the dresses Im going to want to wear when I marry someone famous. However, last night I voluntarily watched the Golden Globes. This year has had some pretty fabulous movies and TV series (seirieses?). The nominies were all pretty great and because of that I figured it would actually be a good, worthwhile thing to watch true artists in their field get the awards they so richly deserve. At least thats what I told my film major boyfriend.

The truth is thats all a bunch of bull. The only movie I saw that was nominated was LOTR. I really watched the Golden Globes bc it was an excuse to sit around with a friend, drink cheap wine and make snide comments about Joan Rivers whom I would call the anti Christ but that would be unfairly insulting the anti christ who I sure, while maybe more evil, is far less annoying than Joan RIvers. .

Well, thats not exactly the truth either (the part about the friends and the cheap wine, the part about Joan Rivers is true). While the latter reason was a big part of my desire to see the Golden Globes the real and honest to God reason I watched was, in fact, to see Elijah Wood.

There, I admitted it, are you happy now?????

But was he THERE? NO!!!! He wasnt!!! I watched the whole thing and did not see him once!!! Damn that hot sexy clove smoking bastard!!!

Thats alright however, the night was not a total waste. Not only did I get to down a bottle of arbor mist but I did make interesting (and yes I know, shallow) observations:

Nicole Kidman: Her earrings were awesome! But what the hell were they made of? Lead? They looked deadly! I am concerned for her earlobe health! They were stretching them in a strange and unnatural way. Nicole Kidman, I salute your inhumanly strong earlobes! She did look really great though (big surprise) and Im happy to say she has her real australian accent back instead of that weird You-know-Im-foreign-but-you-cant-guess-where-Im-from accent like Madonna and Bono have. Speaking of

Bono and the Edge: I LOVE these guys!!! I just love that The Edge is actually called The Edge. I wonder if Bono really calls him that when no one else is around. I want to be his friend so that when I talk to people I can say things like "So THE EDGE and I were talking.." or "I was at a party that THE EDGE was throwing" I mean, you can't help but sound cool if you slip THAT into conversation!!!

Rene Zellweger: I must say Im not a big Renee fan. Im more of an indifferent towards her fan. Loved Brigit Jones, HATED nurse Betty, and as I've said I have not yet seen Chicago (but I plan on it!) However, her dress is my dream dress. I LOVED it!!! I will be seeing it in my dreams!!! It was so cute and it had pockets, did you hear me? POCKETS!!!!! Oh man, man, what else is there to say? I have massive dress lust.

Catherine Zeta Jones: I dont know why she makes me want to gag, she just does.

Queen Latifa: You go girl

Lara Flynn Boyle: Now Im for being an individual and dressing funky and in your face for awards shows, a la Bjork and the massive swan, but all I have to say about Laras dress is that she must have been deprived of a my size Ballerina Barbie as a child. But you know what, if it made her happy more power to her.

Jude Law: Oh Hell yeah

Thats all for now, although Im sure Ill think of some more things to say =) And Im aware that wasnt about knitting, but I was THINKING about knitting while I was typing!

2003-01-20T01:39:00.000-05:00

I just love my Bucket O'Chic more and more every time I wear it!!!! Thanks Bonne Marie!

This week no new projects will be started as Im going to be knitting swatches like the crazy person I am!!! Most of that fabulous yarn from the Glitter gals came without lables or anything so I have no clue as to the weight. Not that Im complaining! It will be the best swatch knitting I've ever done =)

On a non knitting note; POSM, ( thats my cars name, pronounced; Possum.) is home FINALLY!!! My baby is home!!!! I named her POSM bc she truely is a P.O.S. Mercedes, and I mean that in the most loving way possible. POSM is a huge 1982 Turbo Diesel old lady car and I LOVE LOVE LOVE her. *tear, sniff* it's so nice to have her diesel smelling self back in my garage.
MWA!

2003-01-17T13:17:00.000-05:00

YARN EXPLOSION!!!!!!!

Look at all my new yarn! Curtesy of the swap going on at Getcrafty!
I've got my stuff for swap on another page. Let me know if you're interested!

2003-01-16T20:17:00.000-05:00

Ok I know I said I'd get pics of Christmas presents up, well I LIED!!! Actually, I meant to but I don't actually have pics of all of them yet, and some of them need to be scanned and I can't seem to figure out the new scanner.

So, instead I bring you the amazing BOWL O'CHIC !!!

You may say "Isnt that supposed to be Bucket O'Chic ?" Well yes, but as you can see mine looks much more like a bowl. I think that mainly has to do with the fact that A) I have an issue with picking up stitches and B)I can never block anything right. Not that Im complaining, I quite like it and plan on making at least one more.

2002-12-25T13:35:00.000-05:00

MERRY HO HO!!!!!!!!
The christmas pressied I knitted have been touted as a GREAT successes!!! Pictures coming as soon as I awake from the Christmas dinner Coma!!!!

2002-11-22T11:57:00.000-05:00

While I enjoy Harry Potter as much as anyone (and it is an interesting site), some people have too much time.

2002-11-22T11:09:00.000-05:00

Woo, car still dead, but time to talk about knitting!
The dance school scarf in Plymouth Encore is coming along alright, though not as fast as I would like. Mainly b/c the stripes of color are only 4 inches long and bringing the color up the side just looks weird and bumpy so Im having to cut and reattatch yarn constantly. But I think it will all be worth it when its done and adorable!

I just finished a scarf for my friend in France using Euroyarns Brushstrokes Mohair. I just knit it up quickly using one ball and a size 11 needle. VERY nice.

Our friends who I made the Irish Flag baby blanket for LOVE it and have had the baby!!! (Pictures posted soon!) The hat the hospital gave them for his is just TOO ugly, a new one must be made. I've decided on a blue one with a lighter blue stripe using Sirdar Snuggly.

2002-11-20T09:53:00.000-05:00

Quick blog before getting a ride to work!
So I get in the car to come home from work yesterday and it starts shaking really badly "Hmmm," I think to myself "this cant be good." When I speed up though the shaking goes away a little so I figure I'll just drive home and see whats going on wen I get there. So everythings going OK when the steering wheel JERKS out of my hands. Fortunately I had both hands on the wheel (an unusual occurance) because the ar was acting so funny so I was able to get control back. At this point I wasnt on the highway but I kept driving and it seemed that the car only went like that if I drove fast, but if I stopped at a light it felt like it was going to stall, so I figured I would drive on the highway in the far right lane with my blinkers on and be really annoying. Although in ATlanta at rush hour the traffic doesnt usually move much anyway, except for yesterday. So I got on the highway and was driving along in the right lane, not going REALLY slow but just at the speed limit. I'm feeling pretty ok about the whole thing when the wheel again jerks, but I managed to keep a hold of it. Then the power steering went out and I lost control of the car for about 3 seconds and was weaving all over my lane but somehow managed not to hit anyone, although Im sure I freaked a lot of people (including myself) out. Long story short I got home, opened the hood and there was oil EVERYWHERE except inside the engine (unclimactic ending huh? Well sorry, I have to go to work!=) We couldnt tell where the oil is coming from so who knows when the POSM will be fixed. Oh well.

Oh and Im knitting a scarf in my dance school colors for my dance teacher's little girl withPlymouth Encore. Its going to be uber cute!

2002-11-19T22:35:00.000-05:00

Irish flag scarf finished: good
Car dead: bad

2002-11-16T16:54:00.000-05:00

As some of you may know, I am a nanny. That means I watch Nick Jr. almost EVRY DAY. I don't mind so much, especially since Ive seemed to develop a very strange attraction to Steve on Blues Clues. So I went looking for a nice pic of him to put in my Blog entry. I came across this: Now I knew he was going off the show soon but I learned from his website that he's been off of it for like, a year and they're just running episodes (not reruns) that he filmed last year. Now, I knew he was in a Flaming Lips video (Thanks to the Glitter gals!) but I didn't know he had an album and stuff! You learn something new everyday! Although Im not sure how I feel about new scruffy Steve. Reading his web site he reminds me of an ex boyfriend *shudder* How differently I will think of him at work on Monday morning!

2002-11-11T18:03:00.000-05:00

THANK YOU VETERANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have found a new yarn store that I love! Yarn Market. Im not sure what i love about it. The prices arent spectacular but the site is just so nice and organized and I can't wait till I have a little money so I can buy something from there to make for myself! That will have to wait until after Christmas though.

Speaking of Christmas, Dad's Irish flag scarf is going really well! Almost finished! I had to work today though so I didnt get much done.

2002-11-09T15:06:00.000-05:00

British Soaps sucking me in.... cant... look.... away.............
Currently I'm watching Eastenders. I just cant turn it off, even though Im not really sure who these people are or what theyre talking about. There must be some kind of subliminal messaging going on or something saying "Waaatch british sooooap!!! They are cultural and goooood for yoooouuuu!!!"
But I have learned a new phrase. To say "it's donkey's years" means it's really old. Who says soaps cant be educational!

2002-11-09T12:14:00.000-05:00

Yaaay! Two thirds done with dads Irish flag scarf! I'm knitting away on the green now. This whole thing has taken a lot less time than I thought it was going to. I might even get it finished before he gets home from FL. Im not sure if he's coming home Sunday or Monday but no matter, he's not getting it until Christmas anyway!

Speaking of Irish; do you know Father Ted? You should! I have been a major fan of this show for about 4 years. My dance teacher's husband used to bring Father Ted tapes back from Ireland, and now it's on BBC America! Happy happy joy joy!!! (The "My Lovely Horse" clip is funny as anything, but I don't know if you'll understand it really if you havent seen the show before)

2002-11-06T19:12:00.000-05:00

Ok, you have to read this, go ahead, Ill wait.

SATURDAY NOV 2ND: LONDON — Police arrested five people Saturday for allegedly plotting to kidnap Spice Girl Victoria Beckham by ambushing her outside her house with a chemical knockout spray, Scotland Yard and a British newspaper said.

Now, I don't know about you but this left me (and the friends I sent it to) going "Wait.. what?" I mean, did some people just get together and say "Hey! I am Albanian, you are Romanian. Our nationalities rhyme! Let us go kidnap a British star and ask for a random amount of ransom HA HA HA!"? Anyway, I think the biggest crime is naming the kid Romeo. But oh well. All I really know about Beckham is that he plays soccer and I have a friend who thinks he's the God of All Hot Men Past Present and Future. So for her I display this link: Magnificent 7 - the online David Beckham magazine. Be afriad, be very afraid!

Aaaanyway, on to the knitting! The Irish Flag scarf I mentioned a few days ago is going well. I've finished the orange and am knitting away on the white. Over a third done! Im knitting it with Donegal Tweed by Patton. I really like it a lot. It's really soft and I can already tell it's going to be really nice an warm. (I also hear that it felts well but havent done any felting yet so *shrug*) It's a pretty simple scarf. About 8in X 6ft (each color gets two feet, my Dads a big guy!) in 2X2 ribbing. I need to start another knitting project so that I'll have something to work on when he's around. He's going away for the weekend so hopefully I'll get a LOT done on it!

I just recently bought Knitters Handy Book of Patterns. I haven't really gotten a chance to try it out yet but it seems like it's going to be really useful and interesting. More on that when I actually do something with it =)

2002-11-04T10:13:00.000-05:00

"Eee hee hee! Its fun to talk on the phone in a big group with our ears covered! In hats we knit ourselves and you can too!"
Can't remember what pattern site I got this picture from. I wish I could, I really do like the hats!

So the fractured foot thing has become slightly annoying. I swear it hurt less before I knew what was wrong with it. Note to self: When you're borowing someones hardshoes and you think to yourself "Wow, these are really hurting my foot in a way they don't usually hurt my foot" TAKE THEM OFF!!! And even if I don't realize they're hurting at that point, when it DOES start to feel weird, instead of waiting two weeks and finally going to the doctor after it hurts to put any weight on it, go WHEN IT STARTS TO HURT. So no dance class or competitions for 4-6 weeks. Yeah right. Sorry foot, I have an Oireachtas in December and my 8 hand team is counting on me!

The Christmas knitting is going along well. I've finished two scarves for friends and one for charity. One friend scarf and the charity scarf are made from Lion Brand Homespun and one is made from Splash . I've also completed a few other TOP SECRET projects that no one must know about until they are revealed MWA HA HA! Anyway, I'm currently knitting my dad an Irish flag scarf. Very similar to the Irish flag baby blanket I was working on (which is now finished and very much adored by the expectant mother. Any minute now!) Soon I will have pictures of all my more interesting creations!

2002-11-02T17:39:00.000-05:00

WOW! I am a horrid blogger!!!! I have a fractured foot and have been having work issues, which doesnt leave much time for Blogging, but all that will change! Theres a new digital camera in the house which I will use to take some pics of new stuff Ive done! Expect it in the next day or two!

2002-07-19T17:57:00.000-04:00

STupid Blog not publishing correctly! But I fixed it!

2002-07-19T17:52:00.000-04:00

HURRAH!!!! my computer has returned form the shop just in time for me to leave for a week! Yes thats right, Im going to the wilds of darkest Tennesee to a strange and wonderful place called DUCKTOWN!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!
Ok, so it's not strange or wonderful and our big excitement is to drive 45 min to NC to go to the Wal Mart but hey, thats alright! Ducktown is where I go one week every year to do my annual AYSC( Atlanta Young SIngers of Callenwolde ) Summer Training Week Councilor Thang. Oh man I hated camp when I was a Young Singer. It sucked my left toe majorly. But being a councilor is no end of fun! I am captain of the Purple Pirates yay! No cherries or Duckies for team names you say? Well no, we had to consider the fact that there are going to be boys on our team; Boys who have enough of a complex from being in a Youth Choir, they dont need to be on a girlie sounding team too. And plus you cant really make up a cheer for the Purple Rubber Duckies, and if you try you just end up sounding perverse.

On the knitting front Im over halfway through with my Irish baby blanket! Im so excited! its going to look really cute. I should be able to finish up the whole thing at camp. I might even get ambitious and weave the ends in OOOOO!!!!
Im also once again working on the Ucan2 Shell and thingking maybe this time I really can too!
Also had a major yarn find at the Thrift Store while shopping for a costume for camp (councilor theme is board games Im Mall Madness!!! "theres a sale in the department store"). Two bags of yarn for 99cents! One has like 4 skeins of Lion Brand Jamie and the other has some really cool fuzzy green stuff that needs furthur investigation before I can really tell what it is.
Back to packing!

2002-06-30T19:50:00.000-04:00

OMG!!! I have just found possibly THE most amusing site EVER!!!!!!!! Check out Talking Martha

2002-06-25T15:45:00.000-04:00

Well, I still dont have my computer back so I can only get on one when my dads not home SHHH!!!!!!! This means no new pictures or want lust for a while bc downloading things to the Man's computer is a BIG NO NO around here. Ah well.
I've started knitting an Irish Flag baby blanket for a family friend (from Ireland) whos expecting. I started on it and took it apart about 5 times before I finally decided on a roman stripe stitch pattern. So far Ive got about 6 inches of the green done and have had several compliments.
This weekend's feis (pronounced fesh, its an Irish dance competition) went well for me. I got 2 1sts and a 3rd in solos and a 2nd and a 3rd in figures. Not bad at all considering how tired I was. My friends also thought it was great fun to take pictures of my ass in my shorts that say "GET REEL" across the butt. If theyre not too frightening I may just post them for posterity (or posterior as it were HA HA).

2002-06-19T15:39:00.000-04:00

*SOB SOB SOB* Computer in the shop till JULY 11th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dammit! Oh well. Maybe by then Ill have completed some of my Irish flag baby blanket and can post. Im on my dads comp at the moment and not supposed to be. SHHHHHH!!!!!! I'll try to do random updates and such when I can. Unfortunately I probably wont be able to produce the usual graphic splendor.

2002-06-03T20:16:00.000-04:00

ooops
I Spilled water on my computer thus rendering my question mark period comma and various other keyes useless
This will make it very difficult to post in a sense making manner
The space bar stopped working for a while but it started again hurrah!

2002-05-25T13:57:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was the kids last day at the pre school where I work, *sniff*. They had a little moving on ceremony and it was very cute. When I was in pre school we didnt have a moving on ceremony. Thhhhpt. Oh well, working for an upper class pre school has its advantages, like a $110.00 gift certificate to the Buckhead Life group restaraunts (which in case you dont live in Atlanta are POSH as all get out)
Then last night, well evening I guess two of my friends and I went to on the bricks It was pretty fun. I sat on the lawn and worked on an earwarmer. Why am I working on such a thing in May? Because, someones offered to buy them from me! Yes that is correct sir! Spy Kids Distro will be selling my headscarves and earwarmes as soon as I get a shipment out! Even if you dont give a damn about my stuff, check out the site anyway, it's very cool.

2002-05-21T17:27:00.000-04:00

The Cherry Ducky Knitter is proud to present todays "Web Site WTF?" The always enjoyable Prime Number Pooping Bear!

2002-05-20T19:06:00.000-04:00

WOW! Dont you wish YOUR man had one of these? I'd better start knitting RIGHT NOW to ensure completion by summer! lol

Anyway, I've been AWFUL about updating have I not? Well, many many trips to the dentist and a case of the stomach flu do not a happy Blogger make. So I assure those of you who care that I will be updating more frequently. Not much happening on the knitting front. I've come up with a new pattern for triangle scarves which Im really happy about. I'll be posting those soon. They're very Waffle House chic lol. Serioudly though, I do think they're really cute.

2002-05-02T13:20:00.000-04:00

WOW!!! I have so NOT been updating at all! Not that anyone cares, but I have not fallen off the planet, I've just been super busy! Especially since Music Midtown is coming tomorrow! So excited! I have to go find shoes that wont fall off this year.

2002-04-22T19:39:00.000-04:00

What the hizzay? Do people wear things like this?

2002-04-21T23:23:00.000-04:00

Whheeeee!!!! Had an uber thrifty day!!! I bought a 1970's book of paper dolls entitled "Celebrities of the 30's" or something like that. Anyway, it's got some GREAT stuff in it. Ill scan some of them and post them. I also scored a Japanese Airlines flight attendants bag in near perfect condition!!! HOORAH!!! Now I have a bag to match my red Chucks. And it's even tall enough to hold my knitting upright!
The shawl is going quite well. Im dreading having to block it though. Oh well, Ill cross that bridge when I come to it I suppose.

2002-04-21T10:33:00.000-04:00

Now, there are a lot of great quizzes out there, but I must say I think this ones the greatest!

All ducks aren't sweet and innocent and you prove that. You have a nasty streak.

Find your inner rubber ducky.

2002-04-17T00:15:00.000-04:00

Not much going on here. My friend and I went to Needle Nook and bought YARN!!!!!! SHe bought baby Alpaca wool for me to knit her a shawl with and Im LOVING it. Ahhh, the joy of knitting expensive yarn without paying!

2002-04-15T15:38:00.000-04:00

I did it! I posted my scarf pattern! Quite exciting I think. Although it's probably not the clearest pattern in the world, so if youve got questions, let me know!

2002-04-15T00:25:00.000-04:00

Am I wrong for finding this SO funny? Probably.

2002-04-14T14:05:00.000-04:00

I just leanred a new knitting technique, finger knitting. Well I didnt actually learn it, I read about it though. It's very interesting but begs the question, "why?"

2002-04-14T12:42:00.000-04:00

NOOOOOOO!!! NO NO NO!!! I have had to rip out the ENTIRE front of the Ucan2 shell. *Whines* I was sooo close. Im not exactly sure what happened. *Sigh* oh well, I'll just have to chalk it up to experience and start over. Maybe this time my stitches will be more even, and it wont pull funny in places. YES!! I shall triumph over the adversity that is the Ucan2 Shell!

2002-04-13T17:06:00.000-04:00

Could it be true? YES! Yes it is! I have reached the 75th row of Ucan2 shell !!!! Amazing! I can now begin my very first voyage into armhole shaping which I have never done. However, since Im babysitting tonight I think Ill start on a project which takes less thought. Its hard to keep track of stitches in a complicated pattern while screaming "STOP HITTING YOUR BROTHER!!!!!! STOP HITTING YOUR SISTER!!! CANT YOU JUST SIT DOWN FOR TWO SECONDS???" I love the kids to death and their super cute but they tend to be uh... active. Especially since it's been raining al weekend so they havent had a chance to play outside much. Im going to try and teach the older girl (6) to knit tonight I think. She's been begging me to since I knit everytime Im over there after they go to bed. She always sneaks out of bed and downstairs to see what Im doing. I have some red scrap worsted weight acrylic (thats what I learned with) and Ill take my #10 needles. I might actually take several different ones since those might not be the right size fot her. It should be an interesting evening.

2002-04-12T23:31:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Loop D Loop for providing the "uhh... yeah but why?" moment of the day. I think most of Teva's designs are really cool. This one however just doesnt do it for me.

2002-04-11T21:03:00.000-04:00

AHHH!!! Theres a duck in my lap! No kidding! For some reason the neighbors next door have a baby duck and it got out. It was in the street and my neighbors werent home so we brought the duck in the house. Its so cute! I never knew I'd like a duck of the non rubber variety!! It'll be sad when the duck has to go home. My landlord wont let me have a dog, but theres nothing in the lease about ducks....

2002-04-11T16:28:00.000-04:00

Ooooooooo!!!!! A ducky web cam!. Thanks so much to Theresa at Bagatell for this happy link!

2002-04-11T00:11:00.000-04:00

WOW! CHeck out these knitted wedding dresses ! You must really love someone to knit one of those for them! I really kinda like them though. If I EVER get the Ucan2 shell done maybe Ill consider looking into one of those one day he he. Speaking of the shell, it's coming along at a good pace. Thanks mostly in part to the knitting marathon during Lord of the Rings . I should knit in movies more often! Its so productive!
I promise this weekend Ill attempt to maybe put up my version of the 60's Triangle Scarf. Its too cute not to share!

Seeing as Im a pre-K teachers assistant I thought this was a highly appropriate quiz!

which children's storybook character are you?

this quiz was made by colleen

2002-04-10T22:57:00.000-04:00

Uneventful day. However, the lady I work with bought me GIANT Goldfish sandwhich crackers with peanut butter in the middle. Theyre some great and wonderful new thing. They're kinda creepy though because they have smiley faces and I always feel bad eating anything with a smile. Just like in Marine Bio when we had to dissect a work and it looked like it was frowning. I felt kinda bad abot it. Although I guess I would frown too if I was being dissected.
Traffic court tomorrow! BLAH!!! Im really not looking forward to it. It's for when my car got totalled. I got the ticket even thogh the guy who hit me was going WAY too fast so it wasnt really my fault. Le sigh. Maybe Ill cry and they'll be nice to me. I mean, come on! He was driving a little tiny thing and look what it did to my car! Oh well, everyone send me good vibes tomorrow!
No new knitting news as of yet, but the night is young!

2002-04-08T23:12:00.000-04:00

On my quest for new knitting sites I came across Tossels which claim to be "like sex on your head". Well, I'm not sure about all that but it is site worth checking out. There are patterns for some of the hats although the web site states coming to my site for knitting patterns is like taking a class in literary criticism from Mike Tyson. I mean, he can read, but are you going to feel all that confident in your notes?"

2002-04-08T00:18:00.000-04:00

Wow! Thanks to the talented and ever so lovely Liz this thing looks uber cute! Im very excited (hmm.... kinda sad that I'm amused so easily...;)!
Whats sadder still is that my friends and I are using the Middle Earth Name Generator I guess we're just in a Middle Earth mood! My most interesting names are as follows:
Elven Name Possibilities for Susan Moran
Tarrédiel
Tarrédien
Tarrédwen
Hobbit lass name for Susan Moran
Celandine Brownlock Bywater
Dwarven Name for Susan Moran
Malin Bloodytooth
(interestingly enough I have a friend whos real name is bywater. Hm... she is really really short....)

2002-04-07T19:55:00.000-04:00

Is my love of duckies unnatural? Possible!
I just recently finished my version of the 60's triangle scarf from Frugal Knitting. I used a stitch pattern from a shirt in the most recent KnitIt. It looks really neat. All the decreases give the pattern a zig zag type effect. WHen I have time Ill be sure to post details and maybe a pic!

2002-04-07T12:50:00.000-04:00

Went to see Lord of the Rings at the IMAX last night. Im not sure how I felt about the IMAX experience.It wasnt REALLY IMAX it was just you know, BIG but it didn't fill up the whole screen. I enjoyed myself though b/c a) Ive decided Elijah Wood is not too bad looking and neither was that Ranger guy whatever his name was and b) much to the wonder of the people around me I got 10 rows of the UCan2 shell done, In the dark!

2002-04-06T18:18:00.000-05:00

I changed the Template, the other one sucked my toe. ALthough Im still having hyperlink issues

2002-04-06T18:13:00.000-05:00

Well, things still arent going well for my poor blog, but I did take a test to see which Power Puff girl I am!

Take the Which Powerpuff Girl Are You? Test.

2002-04-06T15:18:00.000-05:00

Glitter Discussion
currently inlisting the help of some GLitter people to make this blog presentable

2002-04-05T16:56:00.000-05:00

edit your blog:
Hmmm my web links arent working!
get crafty!

2002-04-05T16:54:00.000-05:00

edit your blog: Hmmmmmm