Thursday, August 30, 2007

Hey, lookie... a post with a pic!



It's amazing what a little sticky tape can do for a broken camera door. Hubby found some cheapo clear tape and stuck that sucker (aka broken battery door) in place. I was able to take some pics of my current wip - the Drop Stitch Lace Tank. I think I mentioned that the front was done and I'm now struggling working on the back. The k2 p2 ribbing is taking kinda long and it feels like I'm knitting and knitting to accomplish just an inch of work! Anyways, I keep plugging on cause it's an easy knit and the end is in sight. To break up the boredom I've started on the Adamas Shawl. I'm using the gorgeous Jaggerspun that I got from Vanessa's destash. I'm now at row 10 of the upper portion of the shawl and am wondering if this yarn is working for the pattern. I am tempted to buy the knitpicks shadow that's called for in the pattern but two things are stopping me:

1. I really want to knit something to keep my sanity in check while doing the DSL tank back portion and if I stop the Adamas, then I don't have anything to knit meanwhile (actually - not 100% true as I've joined a group on ravelry that will be knitting Saartje's Booties from Sept 2. We will start knitting on that date and see who finishes first or something like that. Now ya'll know who won't be the winner! I'll be donating these to the local NICU at the hospital.)

2. I saw at least two other ladies knit their Adamas with Jaggerspun and it came out lovely each time!

Anyways, we'll see how it turns out by the end of this first chart. If I like it, I'll continue else it's to the frog pond until I get the Knitpicks Shadow.

Stay tuned!

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Hurricane Dean

Soon to be a category 5 hurricane, Dean passed by us on Thursday night and was still dumping rain and wind on us well into Friday night. And that was only his tail. We here in Barbados have been very fortunate... maybe it's our position off the island chain, or (and I'm leaning towards this explanation) the mercy of God that our little 166 sq mile island (yes, we're smaller than some ranches in Texas) hasn't been blown away in recent times. Not that I'm calling it on us... but all I'm saying is that we've been very fortunate. To the point of complacency even. The last time we were severely hit was by Hurricane Janet back in 1955.

Actually, I have a story about that. Yesterday, my father-in-law told me a story I've never heard before. He told me that when he was a yound lad, he used to spend lots of time with the fisherfolk and was offered the chance to be a helper on the ship for a trip down to Trinidad. He agreed, gathered his few items of clothing in a sack and headed onto the ship. They went through all the procedures of checking crew and ship and soon they were ready to go. Then, suddenly, FIL gathered his belongings and got off the ship. The captain asked "You're not bothering with the trip?" to which my FIl said, "Next time". That was the day hurricane Janet struck. Those men on that ship were never heard from again.

I get goosebumps when I think about it!

We've come a long way where it comes to being able to warn people about an impending storm/ hurricane. Apparently, no one knew Janet was coming and was going about their day as normal. It was only around 2 p.m. (or so I'm told) that people knew a storm was coming. There weren't many phones so people couldn't be alerted that way.

My thoughts and prayers go out to those in the path of this monster.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Ah, another photoless post

My poor neglected not really working camera just isn't feeling that great and can't take the pics of the progress on my Drop Stitch Lace Tank. It is coming along nicely. It is an easy knit (even though I frogged the beginning twice due to using the wrong then wrong then right needles to start (yes, I did swatch - don't ask me why I had trouble then... long story) and it is simple enough to not be frustrating and the lace keeps it interesting. The Cascade Pima Tencel is very lovely to work with if not a little sheddy. I was wearing a white pants the other day while knitting and by the time I finished some rows of it, the pants had a red fuzz covering it. The fabric is drapey but I can imagine the finished product might still be a tad warm to say, wear to town on a Saturday. It would probably be best worn on a cooler night to a restuarant for instance.

Oooh, and I promise to take pics of the lovely yarn I bought from Vanessa's destash sale. Six balls of Rowan 4 ply in Cheeky, four balls of Rowan Cotton Glace in Candy Floss and another in Bubbles (you know, I might have these names incorrect...) and 4 oz of Jaggerspun Zephyr in Elderberry. And you know what I'm gonna be knitting with that Jaggerspun! Yep, another shawl. Which one to dedicate my time and effort to... I haven't chosen as yet. I also got in the destash Debbie Bliss Simply Soft. Vanessa was also so very generous and sent me this bag! Needless to say, I am very pleased with my haul.

Now, on to Secret Pal 11 news... I got my pal today! YAYAYAY! I'm scoping out her site and plan on sending her a note to let her know she's not alone. I myself received a wonderful note from MY pal! I have to email her and thank her for the ecard she sent as well (I can tell already that I have a wonderful pal!) for my upcoming birthday (this Saturday coming). This is going to be so much fun!

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Secret Pall 11!

I've officially joined the SP 11 and boy am I excited! I'm always pumped when it comes to cool things that I can participate in as an international knitter. It promises to be loads of fun and without futher ado, here's my questionaire:

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

**My fave yarns to knit with would be anything that's drapey and cool and very yummy since I live in the tropics. I have lots of KP Shine/ Cotlin already. I'm loving the Cascade Pima Tencel that I'm using to knit my current project with. I absolutely detest acrylics but would LOVE to get my hands on some Rowan Calmer as it's a mix and I'm told is a dream to knit with. Oooh and the seasilk I knit with lately was delicious also.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

**Right now they occupy the top broken drawer of the plastic bin that currently houses my yarn.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

**I've been knitting for many years now off an on, and it has only been fairly recently (as in the last year or so) that I've come to understand what it means to knit. Here in Barbados, you get one kind of yarn. Bulky 4 ply acrylic that's really not suitable for such a hot country. When the urge would hit me to knit, I would go to town and resign myself to buying some of this stuff, start a project with any old needles and then toss it to the side because it wasn't what I wanted it to be. Then, I did some research and understood the needle/ yarn connection, found some great yarns online and I haven't stopped since. I think it was my mother who taught me to knit and purl to keep me occupied during the summer. She would go buy me some acrylic and some dpns and off I would go. I taught myself the reset. I would consider myself intermediate/advanced as I can knit intricate lace, cables etc, but I'm still in the dark on fair isle/ intarsia.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

**No

5. What's your favorite scent?

**That's a hard one. I like vanilla and cinnamon scents... right now I am loving the pear scented lotion that my husband got me for our anniversary. Basically, anything that's not too strong and overwhelming...

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

**Ah yes... Lindt Lindor truffles... not the dark kind though. Anything in white chocolate. YUMMMMMMM......

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

**No, I do not spin. I am in to cake decorating... you know with fondant and making the sugar flowers. I haven't done it in a while but am thinking of starting back again. It's almost as time consuming with all the little accessories to buy as knitting is!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

**I like alternative, soft rock, modern gospel (ex Switchfoot) and some of those indie songs you hear on the cast on podcast. My pc can play mp3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

**Recently, I've been leaning closer to lighter shades as my hubby says I look great in lighter colours. I do not like neon bright colours, hot pinks, yellows etc. I like pastel-ly shades.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

**I am married and have two children. One boy (4) and one girl (3). We are looking to expand our family with a small dog.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

**No, too hot for here in Barbados. I've actually started a scarf for when I travel overseas, but it's not like I travel regularly or even when I travel, it may not be when it's cold.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

** Another tough one... I have a strange relationship with shawls... I love to start them but when they reach the point where they have like 300 or so stitches, I really slow down... but I love the end result. I also like nice tanks and a cardigan or two.

13. What are you knitting right now?

**Currently on the needles is the Drop-Stitch Lace Tank by Stephanie Japel.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

**I totally depends on what the gift is.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

** Definitely circular needles. In aluminum. I have some bamboos but the yarn doesn't really slide along as nicely as I would like on them.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

**I have a winder but no swift!

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

** Hmmmm, over six months I believe. Poor thing.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

**Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?

** I love beautiful boxes... could be small like for jewelery or can be bigger to hold important knick knacks.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

**Hmmm... lessee... I would love to get my hands on some Rowan Calmer, some Jaggerspun Zephyr DK, Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, and some Rowan 4 Ply Cotton. Books wise... I wouldn't mind seeing what's in Knitting Lingerie Style. Needles wise, I would like to try the Lantern Moon needles one day. I used to be with Interweave, but they took so long in sending out my subscription that I cancelled them.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

**I would like to learn fair isle and instaria.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

** I knit socks off and on (more off than on). My foot is a size 7.5

23. When is your birthday?

** August 18

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

**Yes, I'm on there as KnittyKitty


That's me in a nutshell! I can't wait to get my SP 11 Pal!

Saturday, August 04, 2007

Ravelry, a new WIP and Centipedes

Hey there knitty people, how goes it? I've been away for a little bit and I can tell how much you've missed me LOL! I've been immersed in Ravelry and having fun. It is so well thought out and user friendly, I wonder why such a place hasn't existed before (at least I don't think such a place has existed before...).

I've started the Drop-Stitch Lace Tank by Stephanie Japel and I'm looking forward to a good knit. Ooh, and I've just purchased the pattern for the Trapeze Jacket from stitchdiva.com. It is absolutely gorgeous! I plan to knit the long sleeved version - Elise in Jaggerspun Zephyr DK that I plan to purchase from sarahsyarns.com. I haven't decided what colour as yet, but when I do I'll update (yes, I know you will be waiting on pins and needles till then *grin*)

Aside from knitting, I've rekindled my old neurotic pattern of searching the apartment up and down for things that have oh, about 40 legs. Yes people, I am talking about centipedes. Since living in this apartment for the last 5 plus years, we've only encountered about 5 (counting the little bastard that introduced his nasty self to me while showering... story to follow...) and I've been the fortunate one to be stung by one of them. Luckily, it was a baby one. Lucky in that my elbow where it stung me was only numb for a week. Lucky it didn't sting one of the kids. Anyways, it was on Wednesday after I came from an early morning workout at the gym. I was so beat because the instructor was feeling a tad sadistic and worked us hard! I relaxed for a bit and then went to the shower, envisioning the delicious scent of the Oil of Olay bath wash that promised to energize and pick me up. I reached for the bottle and then reached for the wash cloth. As I plucked it down and began to pour out my pick me up, there in the centre of the wash cloth was a centipede. I screeched and tossed it and the wash cloth to the other side of the shower and promptly got out. Hubby ran in with shoe in hand and slaughtered the nasty thing. I've been looking over my shoulder ever since. I'm back to shaking out towels, pillow case, curtains, looking under the bed, behind the doors and in my clothing for any sign of the evil sh*ts. Centipedes are horrible creatures. One fell on my chest when I was pregnant with my son. We used to live in a house in St. Philip on the very southern end of the island... a parish that seems to be rife with them. That house was so infested that they were living under the toilet! We broke the lease and got the heck out of dodge. From then on, I've been very skeered of them. And with reason too! Those suckers can put you in the hospital. I remember a girl we used to know had one drop from the roof onto her face. It stung her of course, and her face swelled up to three times her regular size.

Ok, enough now... this is a knitting blog not Discovery Channel! Back to my knitting!