A few choice words...

... that sum up what's been going on this end.

Studying

Damson

Studying

Freaking out about assignments

Judo

LOST

Studying and feeling pressured to study.

Hope your choice words are more fun than mine!!!

If you have a moment or two...

Please pray for Haiti.

My daughter's school sponsors a number of orphans there and we don't know if they are alive or dead. Such distruction, so much loss...

Sometimes people ask for prayer and we say "yes, I'll remember them in prayer" and don't. Also, see if any legitimate organizations near you need donations of food/ clothes/ toilettries as so many people only have the clothes on their back as their only possessions.

I'll do my part. Will you?

My knitting basket

Since Old Years Night I've been thinking long and hard about which knitting project to start 2010 with. I need a strong project I said to myself. Something a little different but interesting... something that can be knit from my stash because I am holding off buying yarn until March (I think...) and guess what I came up with.

Nothing.

Nada.

Zilch.

Not a good way to kick off the new knitting year! But as the old people here say "tekking time ain't laziness". So I've given it a bit more thought because since Ishbel (which remains unblocked in the yarn hamper!) I haven't touched my knitting. And I really need to. When studying, knitting has been a calming yet productive go to to relax my mind and get me through the next chapters. But I just wasn't getting around to making a final decision. So I pulled out this tonight.

Ladies and gentlemen (?) my knitting basket:



Let's take a look at what's in there:

On the Needles

1. Deep V Argyle Vest (on the second arm band with the neck to go and will be done)
2. Pomatomus socks - or shall I say sock? Shall I gift it? Have two people in mind
3. Aeolian shawl - I would love to knit on this but the beads take too much concentration. Right now, I can do a more challenging project but sans the fiddly beads thank you.
4. The beginnings of Tussie Mussie that will probably be frogged.

Yarn

The yarn is sitting in there to inspire me to get on the other projects I said I would start and finish

1. Rowan kidsilk night for the Bird's Eye Shawl
2. Malabrigo Lace for the Miralda Shawl
3. Handmaiden Seasilk in Rose for ??
4. Various skeins of sock yarn for my son's socks (owed him a pair for his birthday!)
5. A few skeins of Rowan Calmer - maybe that hoodie for my daughter
6. Rowan wool cotton originally for the Tussie Mussie - maybe that hoodie for my son

A few books and patterns litter the basket as well along with my notions. It's virtually a project or 10 waiting to happen!!! So what I am going to choose?

I'm thinking Pomatomus - since one sock is almost done and the other shouldn't take too long, it will make for a good first FO for 2010. At the very least, working on them will give me time to decide on project number 2.

Pomatomus progress:



What project did you kick the New Year off with?

Happy New Year!!

Wow! 2010. Sounds so futuristic no? LOL!

I hope everyone had a blast last night whatever you did. I'm looking forward to this year filled with great expectations for the future - knitting included.

Has anyone done the requisite new year's resolutions? One of my knitting ones is to attend at least ONE of the big knitting gatherings like a stitches east or a knitting retreat. We'll see : )

What are your knitting resolutions and otherwise?

To 2010! May it bring us God's continued blessings, peace, excellent health, and success in whatever we put our hands to : )

Unblocked Ishbel

Here's Ishbel - unblocked and not even a full pic at that. I need some blocking wires as I'm so tired of the pins. So, hopefully the stores will get the non flux welding wires before long.

Gotta run. Will chat later : )

Resurfacing

Hello all! Just dropping in for a drive by post : ) I've been incognito for a bit because of the whole studying thing as well as very recently being confined to bed with three bouts of being unwell - back to back to back. And while on vacation. But I am much better now and so happy to be feeling so.

I must confess that I haven't been doing much knitting since crunch time is here (Ishbel being my latest FO - still unblocked as I type...) - except for a few rows on my pomatomus sock last Friday with my friend Suz from the UK. She came in for a visit and again we met up for lunch and knitting. It was a wonderful afternoon : )

Next semester might require a bit more planning as I've taken on a greater study load all in the name of reaching the finish line all that sooner, so planning the knitting to keep me sane is imperative. Last year, my friend Colette gave me a wonderful gift of a pattern to her lovely Bird's Eye Shawl (rav link)that I didn't buy enough yarn for. I've ordered two skeins (for a total of 4) Rowan Kidsilk Night in order to start. That along with the Aestlight shawl and maybe a hat or two for some fam in the cold climes will keep everthing honky dory. But we'll see as two sets of assignments, quizzes and deadlines will require some proper planning. Wish me well!

So hopefully, I'll be able to post the pics of Ishbel (most likely in it's unblocked state) and maybe a finished sock before the week is out. Hope everyone's knitting is keeping them busy, happy and content : )

Promised pics

So I told you guys about a little package I was expecting yesterday. And here are the contents!

Tada!









The plan here is to wear the agree and disagree shirts as communication tools. When someone cuts us off at the roundabout - I'll shake my head and point to the disagree logo. No need to get all riled up! LOL! And when having a discussion with the hubster I'll just point to the agree logo so he'll know what response I expect from him. LOL! The pink tee is too small for me right now but I'll get into it soon!

As for Ishbel, here are two pics of the progress I was telling y'all about.






Seriously, a quick knit! I hope to finish it this weekend but I'm not going to hold myself to that as I have one more law quizz to submit and the reading on this one is looooong. And the weekend might shape up to be a busy one as hubby is in a martial arts tournament tomorrow and we're all going. Then there's laundry and church and homework and getting ready for Monday.

So what are you guys up to this weekend?

Making mad progress

Ishbel is coming along amazingly fast. There is a stockinette portion and 7 vine lace sections - dependent upon which size you make - and I am on the 4th vine section! And it's only been a week almost since I started it. Could be my sheer determination that is pushing it along - LOL! but I bet the size 6 needles and malabrigo sock yarn has a thing or two to do about it.

Pics to come soon - along with one other package that I should be receiving tomorrow!

Until later... I'm about to get my spot on the couch ready with knitting and books in time for some serious tv watching tonight (although baseball is pre-empting Fringe - AGAIN!! Grrrrr!).

Have a good night everyone!

So happy I can do the dance of joy!

Ok, so of late it doesn't take much to make me happy, especially when it comes to yarn and knitting. I've been having such a bad experience lately with the skybox services I've been using to get my purchased online items here in Barbados that I just gave up (after the hassle of vat, duties, handling, shipping and every other imaginable cost made me spend way in excess for my items and eventually frustrated me with the wait for the delivery)and found an online store that ships directly to Barbados. It cost me $16.05 USD to ship it but the money and frustration that was saved OY!! I've said all this to say that I've got my yarn! Oh happy day! Sitting on my table awaiting further instructions are 2 skeins of malabrigo sock yarn (for the Ishbel and something other lucky shawl), 2 skeins of malabrigo lace destined to become the Miralda shawl and finally the 2 Debbie Bliss Rialto skeins needed to finish my deep v argyle. Now I have high hopes for the miralda shawl using the malabrigo lace as over 200 peeps over at ravelry used it to sucesfully knit her.

So here we go:

First up, my ZUMA! Lol! I did promise you a pic of it didn't I?

Sad Zuma (my imagination is working over time it seems - she looks sad/angry here LOL!!)




Just flip her handles and now she's happy ZUMA!



Sock yarn, lace yarn and dk yarn



All caked up

Malabrigo sock - in black



Malabrigo lace - in Rich Chocolate colourway (only wound one skein as it was fairly sticky and gave some trouble on my makeshift swift...)



Debbie Bliss Rialto in black



I would apologize for the quality of the pics but you've heard that story before : )

So I've got my materials, some time in between and the desire to knit. If I reckon it correctly, there should be some new FOs on here before the year is out!

There has been knitting

(I'm so delinquent sometimes...) October 4th marked 3 years of blogging over here a la knittykitty in the tropics. I'm persistent if not terribly entertaining at least! LOL! Thanks to all you guys who come out and read - you don't always leave a comment but it's nice to know you are there : )

So, what have I been doing? Well, most of the knitting around here has taken place in my head as I have to wait until my shipment from yarnzilla arrives. I've ordered some Malabrigo sock yarn in black to knit Ishbel (I wasn't happy how the Cashbah and Handmaiden seasilk were knitting up so frogged the starts about twice each time!), some Malabrigo Lace in chocolate brown for the Miralda Shawl, and finally the two extra balls of Debbie Bliss Rialto in black to complete the Deep V Argyle vest. I'm not feeling inspired to knit anything like a shirt or cardigan as they seem to take me forever (case in point the raglan leaf tee!) so I've picked back up my dpns and have started another pair of pomatomus socks. I knit these socks some back for a swap I was in and have decided to knit another pair but this time for me. The cashbah that was ill-fated for the Ishbel shawl is working out just fine for the socks. And the second time is going just fine.

Here's a pic of the socks in progress:



And another angle of the same:



Finally, here's a pic of the unblocked raglan leaf tee. I'm happy that it's done but I really do not want to knit another one - too much stockinette!



I hope to have the pomatomus socks completed before the end of the month (I'm just filling the gap with them until my other yarn arrives). I'm not sure I'll wear them as the only need for socks around these parts are for when you're exercising or not feeling well and I'm not sure I want to take my hard work and stuff them into a pair of sneaks of use them on vicks vapo-rubo feet! I may keep em in case I have to travel to somewhere cold or may even gift them. Who knows!

I hope there's been succesful and satisfying knitting going on on your side of the screen. Don't be shy - post and let me know what's on your needles!

Until later, happy knitting : )

Things that I am learning slowly but surely

A few wisdom nuggets:

1. Never cast your pearls before swine. They will trample them and you in the process if given half a chance.
2. Never get tired of doing good even when people treat you indifferently, speak ill of you or take your kindness spit and take a dump on it. It's hard, but I hear it can be done.
3. Don't stand for people's crap. You don't have to. Don't give it. Don't take it. Don't let anyone make you think you should take it just cause they are sharing it out.
4. Keep your head high and your eyes on the prize. Rejoice in the happiness of others and encourage those who need it. Expect nothing, not even basic civility in exchange but always give more than others expect in the way of kindness and it will bode you well.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled knitting blog.

Another one down...

And just in time before 2200. LOL! Finished the Leaf T-shirt. Looks good. Fits well. No pics yet cause I had a headache and went to bed early. Now I'm up and don't feel like doing anything - not even watching House. I may regret that later tho...

So now that shirt is off the needles, now I can start Ishbel. Tomorrow maybe.

Steeks and more

What a past week and some! I feel as though I've been fighting and struggling and being forced to wait for no other reason than the people I've had to deal with just didn't care if Good Friday fell on a Monday. Looking back, I'm now wondering if I was a part of some bizarre experiment to see just how far these companies could push me without me going completely batty. So, unbeknownst to them, they have won. I'm officially tired and fed up. So what's a girl to do when she's in this state of mind? Well, she takes a scissors to her knitting that's what!!! Ol' Deep V Argyle came in very handy when the need for me to "destroy" something rose up hard and strong! Mind you, I have not finished knitting the thing because, well, apparently I didn't order enough black yarn to complete the arm and neck bands. Come to think of it, it's kinda ironic. I've taken to my knitting to vent some frustration on being made to wait unreasonable lengths of time and still have to turn around and wait to finish the said project because I don't have enough yarn.

So here's some steeking action:

Before - all ready to be cut apart


During - getting my cutting action on:


After:
Oops, no after pic yet... blogger is misbehaving


It wasn't hard at all in case you're wondering. I used the crochet steek as suggested in the pattern and it worked like a charm. Now, as soon as I get the one skein of Debbie Bliss Rialto needed I'll be ready to finally put this thing to bed - after a year and two months. For shame. There's no hurry anyways. Where the heck am I gonna wear it???(!)

After some drama, I've finally gotten my hands on the books I ordered a while back (man, what I would do for a borders right about now!!!!) And one other special gift to self that I have been longing for for the past two years I think!



Yes, that's my ipod touch 3rd generation! Newest model hot off the presses. I would tell you about how I managed to get this while sitting in church chatting through a sermon but it would take too much explaining so we'll just leave it at that ; ) I'm enjoying it but not as much as I would hope mainly because there are restrictions in itunes because of where I live. Imagine that! I'm in the process of a work around so I'm hoping for a solution by tonight. Crossing my crossables!

As for the books... I have browsed through them all rather quickly and am eager to sit down and spend some quality time with them. Already, Julia's recipes are calling to me especially her chocolate cake. I made a variation to her sponge cake on Sunday for my hubby's birthday but sponge cakes all taste the same so no true test of if this book is worth its mettle as yet. And I'm sure it is! The quilting books need some special love too and I'm eager to start but soon there will be some construction going on around here and cracking out quilting supplies will not be logical. Again, I have to wait. The last book there "Ma.ke You.r Pl.ace" is very interesting and I can see myself applying and using lots of the wonderful homey ideas in there. Really good book for DIY-ers who are concerned about chemicals in and around the home. Got the suggestion for the book from another blog that I cannot recall right now... but definitely worth a look-see!

Anyways, time to get some supper on the table. Simple simple tonight - flying fish cutters! I know these are going to go down without a complaint!

Until next post!

Coming soon...

Z.uma in Saddle



A late birthday present from hubby. Also getting the buddy case in colour saddle as well. I.cannot.wait.

And so the bandwagon(s) have been jumped upon...

or rather almost.

People, I've bought the Ishbel pattern. At 3 Great Britain pounds (Barbados $10.15!!), it is by far the most expensive single pattern that I've purchased. I hope it's worth it. I've put into cake form my skein of Handmaiden Cashbah that I bought from Moulinee last year (!) while in Canada. I sincerely hope that the varigation in colour (because it is hand dyed) doesn't distract from the pattern - or drive me bonkers, whichever comes first. The colour is a bit deeper than shown here and I see potential for an awesome turnout.

Handmaiden Cashbah:


So... I did mention bandwagon(s). Ishbel is one and quilting is another. I've bought my first quilting books and they should be here some time next week. I've been seeing so many beautiful quilts out there on the various blogs that I visit that the temptation could not be resisted. So there. Ooo Ooo, not to mention I've leapt on the most popular of them all (well for right now anyways) and bought the Jul.ia Ch.ild cookbook Mast.ering The A.rt Of French Coo.king! I've wanted to get this for a while now but only decided to get it since the movie just came out. Yes, ever so often I am a marketer's dream.

We'll see how this all turns out what with classes having just restarted and deep v argyle and raglan leaf tee almost done! Aeolian is on break until I get deep v out of my system (actually looking forward to the steeking bit - I hope hope hope that the debbie bliss rialto that I'm using steeks and blocks well!).

And just for the fun of it, here's a view out my study window. A little Caribbean blue sky and coconut trees for you all!



More updates... soon!

Deep V Argle progress

So, I'm back and thank God, much better. What a rough past few weeks! But in the midst of it, I realised that as bad as I thought I had it, there are people out there worse off than me that would have been happy to only have gone through what I had. Gave me a new perspective on things.

Thanks so much to Colette and Sandra who wished me a happy birthday : ) It was so nice to get such warm regards especially when I was feeling so horrid. My daughter and son are so much better too - just in time for school. Geez... school! In a few days the old routine starts again only now the kids are in higher classes. Time is really flying.

And... so are my needles! Behold, the Deep V Argyle progress. I had misplaced the bottom section of this size vest and a kind raveler so kindly assisted me by sending me a copy of it... you wouldn't believe how many people read my post for help and didn't even acknowledge me! I had proof of purchase but still it was a problem apparently - but whatever LOL! So, since getting the bottom chart I was well on my way again and even though I cannot quite say when I will be wearing this as there weren't any plans to my knowledge for a visit to Canada this year. We are planning a trip to Orlando - if it comes off is anyone's guess at this stage... airfare is EXPENSIVE!! - so maybe then if all works out.



It has come a long way from this hasn't it! I am so looking forward to it being done even for its own sake. I have been fairly monogamous with it and it's wearing on me a bit. This will be my first time steeking anything so I will make a point to take pics of the major event. Next I may finish off the raglan tee - I have made significant progress on that too and only need a few more inches before I'm complete! Then there's the Aeolian. I have been distracted by the Aestlight, Ulmus and Miralda's Shawl. Hubby asked me what I wanted for my birthday and along with a new knitting bag, I think I'll get me some yarn for these projects, a beginner's quilting book and a pedometer.

In non-knitting news, some of my favourite shows are coming to a season finale i.e. Eure.ka and Tr.ue Blo.od. Sigh. Where did the time go? At least Ma.d M.en has finally started. Oh Don... why are you so naughty? And I've got Hou.se to look forward to as well. I wonder when Private Practice restarts? I've also started a new course and actually look forward to getting started as, the sooner I get finished with this, the sooner I get started and finished on the others and then I'll be free, FREE I tell you! I can almost taste it now. Yum.

Happy Birthday to... Me!

Somebody, please slow down time! How is it that I'm a year older when I quite easily remember when I thought THIRTY was old! I've eclipsed thirty by a few years now LOL but at least I'm dealing with it a whole lot better.

I would like to say that I did some mahvelous things today like going to the spa and finally using that mani/pedi/facial gift certificate from mother's day and I'd like to say that I topped it off by going back to Zen for an awesome birthday dinner and capped it off by spending a few nights at one of the best hotels on the island but... I can't. See, for the past couple of weeks I've been VERY under the weather. Throat issues, skin issues that had me visit the ER and now on my birthday a bad cold that suspiciously sounds like bronchitis. What's a girl to do? And add to it my daughter is also under the weather. So, not much celebrating today but as soon as we're recovered, I will be doing all of the good stuff listed above!

So, for now I'll settle for a bit of tv watching, some knitting, my little one feeling better and a speedy return of my sense of taste. I've got a chocolate mocha cake waiting in the refrigerator!

Nice long weekend of knitting

Hello!

First things first. Thank you to Sandra and Susan for your anniversary wishes : ) We had a good time at the restuarant (even when hubby ate half - he was going to eat the whole thing before I stopped him - of the wasabi pat on my plate!) and are definitely going back for my birthday this month.

What a nice long weekend on this end. Hope you guys can say the same for yourselves : ) I was off from Friday and today is a bank holiday so that's four days of maxing and relaxing on this end. Let's see... we didn't do anything of report on Friday but on Saturday we went over to some friends' house and had a really wonderful evening talking and eating delicious food. Our kids played till after midnight! Sunday, we took the kids to see I.ce Ag.e 3 and Dana didn't like it very much at all because it scared her : ( Later that night we went to a surprise birthday party and got home after 12 a.m. (late for us!) and slept in late today. Today I did a bit of baking and the kids went to visit their grandparents while I stayed at home and exercised a bit and knit. So it was busy and restful at the same time.

Of course I was also doing some blog stalking and all those wonderful projects out there have me so inspired! One of them being Ishbel. Man, everyone and their mama (is?) are knitting this shawl! It is pretty and seems to have the right amount of stockinette and lace to make it an interesting knit. We'll see. I'm working on the Aeolian and that is taking awhile so Ishbel will have to wait a bit I guess. I'm also looking for another sewing book that might be helpful. There's a site that sells plus sized patterns and I shot them off an email asking if they gave instruction on how to assemble the garment too. They haven't written back as yet. Either they're laughing their collective heads off or it was too silly a question to reply to! LOL! So, do patterns come with instructions on how to assemble them? It wouldn't make sense buying a pattern and not know how to put it together now would it.

Anyways, no pics today (again). The camera is back in its rightful owner's hands. I'm eyeing the ipod touch for my birthday. If it has a camera attached that would just sink it for me! Maybe I can wrangle my dh into getting me both ; )

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Today is our anniversary. 9 years being married, 12 together. Wow... that sounds like a long time but really, it's not. I can see how people stay married for 40 years and think nothing of it.

Tonight, we're going out for sushi. My first time! I'm very excited as we haven't had a dinner out with just the two of us in ages. Ages! Next year, God willing, we hope to do something special... maybe a trip or cruise.

Have a great evening everyone! Thanks for stoppin' by! I'm off to eat sushi!

Simple socks and Aeolian Progress

Hello! So, it's been a little while but there has been knitting. I've completed a pair of pink varigated socks made with some Lorna's Laces shepherd sock yarn in the colourway Sherbert. They were very quick knit and she's so happy to have them. This picture really does not do the socks justice as I took them with my 2 megapixel cell phone camera. They are a beautiful colour nonetheless! They are ribbed and plain stockinette stitch all the way. I've promised my son a similar pair but in a blue varigated colourway (I forget the correct name and I'm tres sleepy so don't hold it against me - LOL!)

Here they are:


Next is the Aeolian progress with an equally horrible shot. I hope you can work your imagination around this one and see how lovely it really is! The yarn is so thin but it is knitting up pretty nicely. The beads are so pretty too! They go well together thank goodness. Maybe I'll get an awesome camera for my birthday and I'll be able to take better pics and show you. Hopefully also, I should be closer to finishing it by then! This is a big shawl! Gorgeous but big.

Here she is:




I'm still going at my other projects, thanks for asking and have made some serious leeway on the raglan leaf tee. I gotta learn to knit faster!!! This is just stockinette for the most part... maybe that's my problem right there. Too boring. Love the material that's being worked up though. I will pick back up my deep v argyle vest too. Then I won't feel so badly about pushing on with the Tussie Mussie cardigan. I will want some smaller projects to keep me sane through all this lace and stockinette!

On a non-knitting note, I've done some serious damage to my lappy's LCD screen and was very down about it. I hope it doesn't cost as much as the laptop to replace!

Happy knitting all. I'm wiped from my walk this afternoon and from a very emotional day after getting some sad news.

Until next post...