Yarn Snob

Post 214-It's Overrated

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 04:50:00 +0000

I don't know a single knitter/artist/craftsperson who doesn't dream of winning the lottery so you you don't have to work and can spend all day doing what you really want to do. I myself have a lottery ticket in my person that I still need to check the numbers for.
Let me tell you, having your days free is overrated. There's no one around to hang-out with, day-time T.V. sucks, it seems trash is being picked up everyday and the noise wakes you up before you have a chance to sleep in and you don't get as much done as you think you would. I speak from experience.
I can talk about this now only because I find myself so incredibly lucky that it literally defies the odds. I was laid-off on April 8, paid through April 15 (so I would be on call and could answer questions from the person who absorbed my job), got 2 weeks severance, had a couple of temp assignments and am starting a new job April 25. So technically I will be working and still collecting my severance at the same time, sweet. Having worked in the career management industry I was sympathetic to those who were unemployed and looking for new work. I've meet them all, from entry-level to CEO's. Very rarely, though it did happen, did anyone ever say being laid off was the best thing to happen to them. The day I got my job offer was the day I was supposed to apply for unemployment. The relief from not having to do that is enormous and raman noodles are no longer on my grocery list.
The job, well it's cool, working with stuff I love and oddly enough it uses all the skill and education I've accumulated. Like I said, it hasn't started yet and for all I know I could be working as a slave for a tyrant, but not likely. The pay is liveable, the wardrobe seems to be mostly black and artsy (just like art school all over again) and within scooter/biking/bus distance.
I am tickled pink, uber excited, and so lucky that I got this lucky, plus it helps to have connections and fab references.

Post 213-The Big 2K

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:07:00 +0000

I recently realized that I never posted about my new scoot. Well, last September my car decided that it's lived it's life and unless I wanted to spend another grand to fix it, it was time to part ways. At first the decision was hard, that was the car I bought new and went off to college in, but honestly, it was a piece of crap. For the past several years it was a headache, I never drove but to do errands, the a/c didn't work and well, it didn't make sense to pay for expense repairs on a vehicle that I didn't drive. Could I have taken the CTA everywhere, sure, but with the rising costs, cutting services and inconsistency of travel, I won't.
Looking back, I've wanted a scooter for years, seriously. I recall as a kid living in Arizona thinking that when I'm grown up and in college I want a scooter, I have no idea where that came from. Being a bargain shopper I did my research, inspections, logistics and cost. I found a used Buddy Genuine 50cc for sale. Only two years old and with 2000 miles, I made a low offer and was excepted. Bad Betty as I named her has been driven year round, in the rain and the heat and in winter (unless there was snow on the ground). I have accepted and learned how to drive a scooter in the city and I love it. Knock on wood, I've not had any problems. The cost of insurance and gas (80 mpg!!! woot!) is less than half of a monthly CTA pass. I've invested a little into it, oil, battery, a basket and rack, a plethera of winter gear to keep me toasty, new helmet and several hand made seat covers.
What I don't have is the constant worry that something will go wrong, that it won't start, that a repair will cost a grand. If I should need something the dealership is 5 miles up the road from me and are super nice. Everyday I see more scooters, there must be at least 10 in my one neighborhood block alone. I'm lucky I can park at the bike lock at work and while the meter maids keep writing tickets for that, I keep winning because I'm on private property. I've been wanting to go to a scooter meet-up but I can't seem to find an active one in the city. I have learned, however, that there is kind of acknowledgement between scooterists and you're supposed to double honk your horn as a sign of hello, cool. I've had no problems doing my shopping, parking near anywhere (no permit needed!) and meeting friends for different activities, heck I even got Chris to buy one (and boy did I find her a deal!) so now I have a two person crafty scooter gang.
So there reason for this post is to say, I just put on my 2000th mile!

Post 212-The Switch

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:17:00 +0000

Normally I chug along in life just doing my thing. I usually feel like I'm in a bubble, where nothing changes much and I don't feel any older or different. Other than having two pets and a roommate, I don't have a husband or children to watch change or mark the passing of time. Everyone once in awhile the bubble bursts and I find myself questioning everything and basically over analyze the things in my life that are out of balance, what I am doubting. Depression can set in, and a little has, but so has anger and hatred, which are both sort of new to me. All I have to do is flip the switch in my head but this time it's not so easy. I'm struggling. My usually thing to do is slow down, concentrate, analyze, problem solve and relax, then I feel a change and the switch is done. I find a way to make the bad, good, the unhappy, fortunate. Sometimes it's harder than others when things come to you from all sides, and that is where I find myself. I look to friends for guidance when I'm in this predicament, but since I'm currently questioning said friends, I find myself without all my tools I need for battle.
I think I'm tired. I just bought tickets to visit my grandmother for a whole week during Labor Day, but damn, that's two months off. I do have a 3.5 day weekend because of the holiday, I will try to make the most of it and see how I feel at the end of it.
Goals for the weekend: clean house, redo my bedroom, leave the state for the day and buy artisan cheese, bike ride near water, knit, take a nap outdoors, drink a cocktail, smile a true smile and not a convenient one.

Post 211-I Want

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:49:00 +0000

I'm feeling a little greedy, a little blue and a little lost.

I want:
1. to be grateful that I have a job
2. be part of something bigger
3. to conribute to something and make a difference
4. to make more money
5. to be able to knit faster
6. to buy a clothes drying line and not use the dryer
7. go on a roadtrip, have fun and discover something
8. to fall in love
9. to clean my room and destash
10. to find a mentor
11. sew a skirt that fits
12. to start jogging
13. to learn to accept what cannot be change and learn to change what I cannot accept.
14. to travel to someplace new
15. to be seen as someone who can contribute so much that they are valued
16. a break.

Post 210-Hark, Who Goes There?

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 04:56:00 +0000

I just don't know anymore. As I see myself getting older and knowing that things change, I find myself in a repeating pattern. I'm lazy at dating, keeping the house clean and maintaining relationships. It's so easy to blame the march of time, but why do we have to change and accept it? I do everything I can from getting wrinkles, but can't seem to maintain my body, I knit and knit and knit, but never seem to get anywhere. What does it mean to be a grown-up? Am I one, am I not? I don't have a mortgage and no kids in sight, but I have furbabies and school loans. There's an artist in me that has too many ideas that I go in circles and never sit down long enough to do anything.
This weekend reminded me that changes happen around me and I'm not immune.
I came across an old teacher of mine from art school. I've always remembered her and was surprised, that she remembered me. I have a good friend who has been going through some things but has kept me out of loop and the lack of proper communication, misunderstandings, assumptions and stubbornness may have driven us apart. I try to surround myself with a variety of friends who I can learn from, who accept me and allow me to grow.
Can I grow younger please?

Okay, back to needlework based talk. I have been obsessed with a book about Lettering for Hand Stitchers, it's awesome, I got it from the library, it's out of print. A used copy varied from $80 dollars to upwards of $1000. I have looked and research and trolled the internet and eventually found it, in an ebay auction of a lot of 5 books. In the lot, the four other books are worth less the 10 bucks total yet I eagerly paid 20 for the lot, because my book is in it! I can't wait to get it in the mail.
At one time I used this blog as therapy, it was easy to type down what was in my head instead of talking to myself. I wish I could do that now, but some of my friends occasionally read this. I guess instead of just keeping it inside I should just be real and honest.
I need to embrace change, but only on my terms.

Post 209-It Was Good Why It Lasted

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 20:43:00 +0000

Dear Body,
The years of have pretty good to use. True we could stand to lose some weight, but other than that we've had a good ride. We've never been under the knife except for Wisdom Teeth Removal and two bouts of stitches. We've never broken a bone, just had a hairline fractured elbow twice and torn a couple of ligaments in my foot but those were due to accidents and not your fault.

So what's give?? What the hell's going on body?
Thank-you for waking me up this morning with another painful bout of heartburn, I am soooo sorry I ate those whole grain Cheerios. Oh and the bladder infection, not nice, plus what gives with that funky upper stomach pain that doc says was due to a buildup in our innards? Please decide what you want me have so I can treat it and go away.

Sincerely,
Your Owner and Master

Post 208-Headache at the Airport

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:29:00 +0000

It's New Years Eve and I find myself at the Little Rock Airport with time to kill and a delay in my departure. I'm fighting a headache, is it the delay, maybe, was the hour long ride with my aunt who dropped me off, yes. I just want to be home, to sleep in my own bed, cuddle my own pets and deal with my own worries and not stress about those which are not mine and therefore cannot be fixed. My vacay was overall great. I spent some nice time with my grandmother, who keeps puttering on even at the age of 85.5, but I especially bonded with my cousin over the general annoyance and worry about her mother, my aunt. I do not mean to quote the bible because I am NOT religious, but this really is true (except the god part), but, god helps those who help themselves. That's all I have to say on the matter.
I have a new laptop, I totally scored at Bestbuy and got my pretty little mean green machine for just under 500, and low and behold it went on sale while I was in Arkansas so I got the price adjusted and have 50 more bucks in my pocket. I'm happily typing away at the airport using there free wifi, wish they had had it at O'hare when I was delayed there.
I have no plans for tonight, if I'm lucky I will have someone pick me up, if not I take the train home. I wish I had time to go to the liquor store to get some cheap Andre champagne that my grandmother turned me onto, but I have Guinness in the fridge and that will just have to do. Pizza sounds good tonight, so does getting into my pj's and spending so time with my poor doggie Mia who I think went a little crazy missing me. It doesn't feel like New Years' Eve to me. I don't believe in making crazy resolutions that most fail to follow. I don't believe in extensive review of the past years events, you can't changed what happen. I'm always thinking about where I am in my life and the road I'm on. I promised my doctor that now I'm back on the meds I will try to go back to the low calorie diet that worked so well, but I won't be a Nazi about it. I will try to take some exercise classes if I can find a willing partner in crime, and I must get back into dating.
Oh shit, I amost forgot to talk about my knitting. I got off to a great start with my vacation knitting project, the Willoughby stole using Great Northern Yarns' Mink yarn, uber-soft! I also started another sock using some indie-dyed cashmere yarn that I picked up at Renegade craft fair this fall (because you always need a sock on the needles to carry around with you), and I started the Milkweed using this absolutely devine Handmaiden Casbah sock yarn the I picked up in Victoria during the Alaska cruise, it is the most beautuful color, it just glows.
While me cousin was here we went through my grandmothers craft supplies and cousin Patricia decided she wanted to learn needlepoint/cross-stitch. We picked a rather beautiful flower pattern that wasn't the easiest for a beginner and had about 30 different colors but she got addicted fast is on her way. I miss needlepoint and find it a different kind of relaxing then what you get from knitting and want to do some myself. I've been lusting after a Erhman Tapestry kit for a few years now and have decided to bite the bullet and just buy one and forgo the facial I was going to get while on vacation, besides, it will last longer.
See what happens when I have an espresso in one hand, free wifi and a flight delay in the other, I ramble on and on.
Happy New Year

Post 207-Soon My Prettys

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:37:00 +0000

I have a new baby, it's green, 14" and it's name is Dell (for right now). This is the first time in a VERY long time that I have had a computer on more than 20 minutes without having to plug it in or have the battery die, YEA! It's going to take me some time to transfer all my photos over (should have stored them all on Flickr)and other important docs but at least I can blog! Stay Tuned.

Post 206-Sooner Than

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:30:00 +0000

Pretty soon my dearies I will be back to blogging, really I will. Currently my issue with blogging is that it's not something I dare do at work even though it is very slow now due to the holidays. The real problem is at home and basically my trusty ole' faithful laptop, is dying a slow death. I believe in getting my money's worth out of things or at least as much as possible which is why I am only now on my second bedroom tv since high school. Technically this was the first computer I bought myself and I've had it for over 5? years now and before that was a couple of years of internet cafes and before that, my old desktop from back when I was the only person I knew with a computer. In the back of my mind I'm have this feeling that my old green backup monitor might still be on the top shelf of the room I had in my aunt and uncles house, need to ask about that. So, I'm hoping to score a new computer soon and after much research I have decided that as cute as a netbook is it's not really what I need. So lets hope I survive Black Friday.
PS-Knitting continues non-stop as does cooking and scooter riding.

That Old Saying

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:35:00 +0000

I am once again reminded of that saying "You can choose your friends but you can't choose you family". You hear it every once in awhile but you only really listen when it hits home. I spent the long weekend visiting my sisters and their family deep in the heart of Texas, I go every couple or so years. O.K, I admit it, I'm bad, it's been at least 4-5 years I think since the last time I went there. There is a reason, I value my vacation time, I work hard all year for the two measly weeks I get and I'll be damn if I'm going to waste 3 days of it reminded of that saying from above.

I am sadden from my trek and the hardest part is knowing that there is nothing I could have done to make the visit better. I find it interesting how us three sisters have taken different roads, the choices we made and how we deal with what life has given us. In that old Nature Vs. Nurture debate I think it's 50/50. We all lived the same lives, sort of, we had the same childhood experiences at least. There are some reasons for how and where we ended up but I will not allow it to dictate our lives. One sister is defensive and always has been, you cannot have a conversation with her and if you try to pick a topic she sees that as criticizing. While she seems to have a loving husband she has a couple kids with some issues and are a handful, I think a gentle hand and soft voice would go along way in that household. The other sister has a medical illness that makes her life somewhat hard, throw in a husband that never says much and has no compassion and you get depression. Her two kids are great, the son is still quiet lovable but idolizes his father and runs the chance of learning no compassion from him, and so far the little girl, well she looks like the spitting image of her mother at that age and knows nothing is askew.

I wish I could fix them, I wish I could win the lottery and make their lives easier. Nothing will help them if they don't see that something is broken.

We choose the lives we live to a certain degree and the rest is all perspective, is the glass half full or half empty?

Back to the knitting another day. I forgot that one of the reasons I had this blog was so that I no longer had to talk to myself in my head and that writing things down releases them and allows for contemplation and solutions.

Thank You Facebook

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:44:00 +0000

It's the weather, what can I say. I think Chicago must be the new Seattle. I find my myself at the end of July and in years past I would have the A/C cranking, but nope, I turned it off. Except for the odd day, I haven't had the air on in my apartment for 3 weeks, wow! Right now I'm laying in bed, just got out of the shower, listening to some classical music, contemplating why my bedroom is always a mess and I'm suffering from a headache. I had a most excellent dinner, popped two tylenol a couple of hours ago and it's still pounding, next I'll try a nightcap.

I've never had a period like this where I've not blogged for months on end, I'll blame Facebook. Finally I've caught up to the hype and I find I like making quick little notes about what I'm doing, life in general and little observations. Perhaps since I'm finding my voice there I've not blogged?

It's been a busy summer. Work is going well. The weather is pleasant. The dog and cat are a hoot. I've been knitting up a storm, sort-of. So far since April I've been to Arkansas twice, Galena and in just over a month I'm going to Houston. 5 lbs of blueberries have been hand picked, I've gone down an Alpine Slide 6 times, been biking a little bit more, gone to several festivals and discovered a new bar, The Matchbox and new bar/lounge/restaurant, The Paramount Room. Every weekend I've been busy and one of these days I would rather sleep in really REALLY late like I used to and not be social. Tomorrow I might bike to work for the first time (if I get to bed early) and if she's not busy, when I get out of work at 3 I'll stop of and see my cousin for a round or two of cards at a coffeeshop.

Don't feel blog, not only have I abandoned you for a while, I'm really behind in post new projects and yarn to Ravelry.

Post 203-Tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:01:00 +0000

Tomorrow, or shall I say today being that it's 2 past midnight, I will write a real post. I also promise to update my ravelry page with recently acquired yarns, finished projects and general maintenance. Perhaps I will clean my room a little, do laundry and roasted a chicken....

Post 202-Threes and a Five

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Tue, 12 May 2009 04:28:00 +0000

It's hard to write a blog when you cat insists on giving your arm a bath, just in case you wanted to know.
I have been very busy, work is going fine and the day zooms by so fast. My four week class on knitting I've been teaching at Northwestern University is over now so no more 15 hours mondays of non stop go-go-go. Everyone seems to be in motion these days, wanting to get out, do stuff, hang-out and enjoy life, and as busy as we all are, I think we will be enjoying this hectic summer. They say things happen in threes, well my threes involve high school. I didn't bring my lunch to work in friday so I decided to explore the eating choices in the river west area I work and remembered Lou Mitchells was only a couple of blocks away. The ambiance is classic, overpriced diner food, decent, but it reminded me of my days in high school when we would take field trips into Union Station from the burbs for art or music class, eat breakfast at Lou's (they still handout Milkduds) and lunch at the Berghoff. Later on friday after I got out of work early (summer hours) I met up with my cousin Patrica at Lovely, which is literally a lovely cafe, to catch up on family gossip and play the family card game of Spite and Malice with my new Tiffany and Co playing cards. The music being played by the coffee shop, Nirvana, also from my high school days. And just today I was friended on facebook by an old friend from high school's younger sister, who I also knew. See, things come in threes.
Now I'm busy planning a quickie in and out trip to Arkansas again, and by in and out I mean in on saturday and out on sunday. A bit pricey for one night, but it's the Grandmothers' 85th and she was so happy to hear I was coming. I might have to deal with some relatives I do not like (using good language here and keeping the cusswords that are more descriptive in check)but as long as I get my haircut, nails done and facial before, I'll be all set. Now I don't know what to wear, I have a nice arsenal of dresses to choose from, but if G-ma uses the word swanky in describing the shindig, I'll be in trouble. I need to find myself a little black (or in my case, a not so little) dress that can be dressed up or down easily and won't wrinkle to much in an overnight bag.
This weekend I'm already booked up, what happen to the lazy days when I got to sleep in??? Saturday is the Knitting Guild's Annual Lorna's Laces tour and sale, and I love me some LL sock yarn. Sunday is the alumni viewing of the new modern wing on the Art Institue, this is the first time I ever got something for free from them since I graduated, not even free admission after the first year.

I think I'm going to splurge on a purchase of some books from Amazon that have been piling up on my wishlist, in honor of what appears to be my 5th year blogiversary. I keep thinking how the hell did that happen and damn, my laptop is old.
Toodles.

Post 201-Time to Ponder

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:34:00 +0000

Now that I can breathe easily with the way things are going in life, what's next? Guess I got to start being social again, getting out and meeting people, that would help if I ever want to meet mr-right-for-me. If you know any eligables, let me know. I think it would be fun to fly out to Portland for the weekend and partake some of the fun of Sock Summit, any takers?? I should really look into what I'm going to do about g-ma's 85th, do I fly out friday night just to come back sunday night??? Must find doctor to give prescription, every since I finished the research study I can feel myself getting fat again, pudge is not good.

Photo of the high ceiling in Coco Rouge taken friday night during my night of excess and celebration, this is an accurate representation of how I feel after a couple of drinks.

Post 200-Whirlwind

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:43:00 +0000

It's been very busy over here at Casa de Yarnsnob. I started a new job last week and it was very stressful, not bad stressful, but busy being thrown lots of info and needing to retain it crazy stressful. This week is just as busy but a little easier and wow, it's already Wednesday, that was fast. To add to the whirlwind my class at Northwestern is a go this session but I'm happy that we're playing with the format and content of the knitting class and only made it 4 weeks. So for me Monday and Tuesday are very busy, go to work, come home, have just enough time to walk dog and change cloths and out again to either Evanston in which I'll get home by 10 or to coffee shop for SnB with the peeps in which I get home at 9:15. Really, it's nice to be so busy and at least it's knitting that takes me out late.

A shot of the lake shore from Northwestern's campus by the Norris Center taken with new birthday Motorola Razr2 phone.

Rachael for my b-day put together a package for consisting of a new fancy music playing-Internet capable phone and it's accessories. The battery is shit if you ask me, I don't play the music too much because I have my iPod but it always seems to need in need of a charge, argh. I splurged a bit to test my feet in the waters data capable/web accessible phones. Well, that sounds awkward, and I don't know the lingo, but what I want to do is be able to track the bus that takes me to work and back. I hate the CTA and think it would be handy to know if there is a delay in the buses and if I'll be waiting around forever, it would be nice to take planned route B of C in times of need. Would you believe it, but the day after I agreed to cough up an extra 10 bucks a month for a simple data/SMS plan and try to use it, the bus always seems to arriving at my stop shortly after I do. I'm thinking the CTA and T-mobile have it in for me. Over all, so far so good, this new technology could be a dangerous thing in my hands and it makes me crave an iPhone or Crackberry. To me there is something so cosmopolitan about sitting on the bus on your way to work wearing a khaki trench coat, cute kitten heals, carrying a stylish bag and playing with your crackberry/iPhone.

Post 199-A Few Words and Pics of My Vacay

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:33:00 +0000

Where I went.

There were red clovers in bloom everywhere.

Visiting the G-ma, not bad for 85!

Former luxury of the famous Hot Springs bath houses.

An artsy shot.

One of my self-portraits I'm famous for.

Japanese Maple artsy shot.

Japanese bridge in the Japanese garden, Arkansas style.

My aunt really likes Dogwood trees.

Sunset from the plane leaving Houston, end of trip.

Post 198-Evolution

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:05:00 +0000

Things area changing around here. Spring keeps wanting to make an appearance, but we Chicagoans aren't fool. It's very typically to have a really nice weekend like we had for St. Pat's and then to have in snow a few weeks later. The crocus's may be in bloom but I'm still wearing my pink wool coat.

Evolution has come to my shoes. I have 6 pairs of clogs, and I'm sad to report the departure of Big Red. Big Red was my first pair, I was enamored when I first discovered their existence when first spied on the feet of Brenda, creator of the first Chicago SnB, years and eons ago.

I loved you greatly Big Red, you started out all bright and perfect in your red suede, and over the years have performed wonderfully as the "it's raining out" clog and the "camping" clog, you've even come to my rescue as a makeshift sledgehammer for pounding in tent stakes.

But it's time you retire to the garbage heap. Farwell. I have promoted the Mauve clogs to the new rank of good-for-everything clog. I was seeing signs of promotion with the wonderful job Mauve did on my Alaskan cruise and she has allowed herself to be stretched out and become the official clog to me wear with handknit socks.

I know I'm talking silly about my clogs, but when you invest 120 bucks in a pair of shoes that you wear all the frigging time, it becomes a relationship. Plus, the clogs are the perfect height to match my foot brace to I don't gimp around too much.

Last week Linda discovered that for one magical day a year, which just to happens to coincide with April Fools, her chicken laid eggs that evolved from brown to bright plastic.

At the same time, and only for that single night that also got larger and some contained yellow Peep chicks and candy, I wondered why the chickens choose that day. Maybe they were trying to bring some humor into the world?

I'm still cranking away with the February Lady Sweater, though from time to time I go on hiatus so I can also work on a pair of socks. Right now I finished sock numeral one and have started on number two, trying to keep ahead of second sockitis.

A very simple pattern from one of the Charlene Schurch books. I like short row heels and toes, but next time I want to try this new short row technique were you don't wrap the stitches but slip them after turning and then on the way back you knit 2 together and make a lift increase, apparently there are no holes and it's a very smooth look.

I prefer to knit toe up so I can add some of my own leg increasing to make them fit better. How come that is never discussed in sock books?

Now on to the button saga of the February Lady. A couple of weeks ago I purchased some buttons online from a Czech button manufacturer. One of the sets were wrong and I had to wait a couple more weeks for the correct ones to be sent. Obviously I'm in this old-fashioned retro mood right now and am keen on vintage or glass buttons.

The ones on the left are the incorrect vintage 80's (that's how the marketed them, but I don't see using the work vintage unless the era is more than 30 years ago) and the ones on the right are new green glass with an AB finish. Even with the corrected left buttons, I don't like, too white, but they would look cute on something else. So I thought I would just go with the green flowers, but truthfully, my gut wasn't 100% sold on them even though it looks just fine.

So last Saturday when I was out doing errands with Racheal and helping her pick a futon cover, shop at Costco (I got the biggest strawberries!) we stop in a Soutache. I like to support local stores and the only reason I got the first sets of potential buttons online was for the variety. It's hard, buttons can make or break a look, and when you've put all this time in knitting it, it matters even more. I don't want a typical wooden/leather/horn button and want to be able to wear the sweater both casually and in a professional office. (just planning ahead) So I found these at the button store, and in keeping with my mood, they are vintage french. Now they're nothing fancy, but they match perfectly which I hadn't been aiming for because I didn't think it was possible.

I was unable to keep it a complete secret, but yes, my birthday was Saturday. I had a nice evening Friday with friends, good movie, good food and good conversation. But those of you who should feel so inclined to get me a gift, the link to my Amazon wish list has been added to the right sidebar.

Post 197-My Adventures with Boots

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:16:00 +0000

I know I've been slow in updating my blog lately, I have no excuse as I am slightly home-bound by my little accident. I wish I had a good story to tell, I'd almost be proud and less embarrass to say what happened was a result of excess drinking, but it's not, it was just an accident.
What happened was, on Friday the 13th, (I know, I want to giggle too) Rachael had an appointment to look at a new apartment, I was asked to go along to play devils advocate and general safety monitor. (never go to a strange person's house alone looking at apartments) It was a cute place but no big deal, we decided to meet out new Canadian SnB friend Christine in Lincoln Square for dinner. Rachael has this big mini-van from days gone by and you have to hoist yourself a little just to get in. I made the mistake that day of getting a touch of spring fever and pushed my usually Dansko clogs aside for a cute pair of red patent flats that scream SPRING! Big mistake. Those little red flats have no grip on the bottom and when I was trying to get into the van, I slipped and landed badly on my right foot, half in the street and half on the sidewalk. Imagine the pain you experience when you bang you funny bone and multiply it by A LOT! The wind was knocked out of me and I was stunned, but being a good trouper I insisted we head off to the restaurant. The conversation was good, the benefits of a tax-free pass used by consulate employees deemed equal to Wonka's Golden Ticket, and I spent the evening with a bag of ice on my foot supplied by the waitress.

And this is looking good, with considerable swelling and visible bruising gone done.

The details of my incident are as follows, I tore two ligaments in my foot/ankle area and was in a soft cast for the first week, in an ace bandage now and have to wear a big plastic cast-like boot for two more weeks. The massive swelling has gone done considerably, my foot has become one giant purple bruise, but on the upside it was a good thing I had a pedicure that day and wearing a clog on the other foot balances out my awkward gait and is barely noticeable!
This was my third booting experience this year, the first was given to me by the lovely city of Chicago which changed the laws recently. If you have more than two parking tickets they will attach a big yellow metal Denver Boot to your car, aren't I lucky!
My second boot experience was finally finding a pair of rainboots to fit! I got lucky with a pair of Tretorn boots on super sale at Shoebuy.com. They are the perfect size, don't come up to high and just barely fit around my chunky legs.

I made the misfortune of buying the wrong size so I have to exchange them for the right one, but I'm sooooo happy to have my first pair of rainboots, I hope we get struck with a deluge just so I can wear them. Best part is they are a real sturdy European brand that should last for years!

Last Friday I went to a small dinner party and for the first time felt like a grown-up, weird. There was really good food, drink, good conversation with people I didn't know, I felt included and part of a group, I am an adult. Crap, when did that happen?

I did end up frogging the Hourglass Sweater and am speeding away on the February Lady Sweater, so far so good, though I haven't tried it on yet. I hope to get the buttons soon. I bought three of each of these from a seller in the Czech Republic. The AB ones are new and the yellow flower ones vintage 80's. I like the look of both styles so I guess the winner be decided when I see them in person and which one will fit the button holes I made!

Post 196-Fuel the Fire and Go With the Flow

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:09:00 +0000

So lately I've found myself watching things for other people. First it was house and pet sitting and now it's LYS sitting. For the past two weeks I've been babysitting unruly yarn and teaching new knitters while the owner has been on maternity leave and I have to say, I love being surrounded by yarn. Sometimes I find my juices waxing and waning too much but right now they are on a steady stream, I'm trekking along on a good and sturdy sock made from Austermann Step and I made the relatively easy decision to frog my 1/3 finished Hourglass Sweater and become a follower and make my own February Lady sweater with the Cash Iroha. I think I've gravitated back to socks not just because they are portable but because I was unsatisfied with the way the Hourglass Sweater was coming along. Technically everything was fine, the gauge was right, the fabric being made felt really good, I just don't think right now is a good time for me to make pullovers when cardigans are better suited to fluctuating body shapes.

Speaking of shapes, I BOUGHT NEW JEANS! Yup, I bought two pairs of new jeans (in smaller sizes because all my other ones kept falling down and I was embarrassed to keep tugging on them) one from a store for um, curvier girls, and one pair from Old Navy. Holy Shit, I also bought two t-shirts and a trench coat from ON, at they weren't even the largest sizes. I'm very proud of myself but I still have a long ways to go, my only worries is that the med study I'm on ends this month and I don't want to stop doing well. Part of it is what I eat and when I eat it and lately I have been bad about getting three square meals a day (I get lazy sometimes) and the other part are good old fashioned drugs. When I was talking to the study co-ordinator I asked her if I could make an appointment to see the head doctor after the study so I could get a prescription for the medication I'm positive I'm on and she said the doctor only takes new patients on referrals. Um, excuse me, I just donate my body for the last 6 months to science to help you on a research project and that doesn't count? Can you write me your own referral?? WTF??

Post 195-Sitting Around

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:53:00 +0000

I always thought I did my best work sitting down, it's one activity I do well. It so happens I've been doing a lot of sitting lately, house sitting and store sitting that is. First the jewelry lady I do work for went on her first trunk show cruise at the same time her husband was on a business trip so I was asked to house sit. I hope she did well and made lots of money on the trip because that's the only way cleaning up parrot poop is worth it. She lives in the huge queen anne house in a historic area in Chicago, her house is a mostly beige and not very homey. On the upside besides of watching her two dogs and birds is her cable, I watched my hearts content of cable tv of the last week. Currently I'm store sitting at a local yarn store for the owner who just had a baby. There's a coffee shop next door and a radiator at my back, so I'm warm, cozy and surrounded by yarn, not a bad way to spend the afternoon eh?

I was trolling the net and found this test, I'm a Chicagoan so it wasn't too much of a surprise.

You are a
Social Liberal
(65% permissive)

and an...
Economic Liberal
(20% permissive)

You are best described as a:

Strong Democrat

Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid
Also : The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Post 194-Variations of a Theme

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 07:00:00 +0000

I received my very first knitting magazine subscription in the mail last week. Grandma did me right this year at Festivus and gave a year of Interweave Knits to enjoy. Yes everyone, I am not ashamed to admit it but until last week I was a knitting magazine subscription virgin. I know it's less expensive to get it in the mail, but you have to understand a couple of things, mail service in Chicago usually sucks and I would go postal on the post office if my precious magazine that I so carefully archive where to arrive in my mailbox wet from rain or suffer damaged by being shoved in a box to small to contain it properly. Plus, I rather enjoy buying it from my LYS (or upon occasion the bookstore), waiting to get home to crack it open and slowly peruse its contents several times in complete bliss, it's a ritual. But I will not look a gift horse in the mouth and am ever so thankful that I have it, I am much happier with IK than I was with Simply Knitting that Grandma tried to give me several years ago.
I've looked it over once the other day and tomorrow I will scrutinize it again for fun but already a couple of interesting things have popped up. This first thing was brought to my attention via a lively Ravelry discussion.
How much would you pay to make this dress:

Overall the dress design is cute, I think the use of variegated yarn a travesty and takes a cute possibility and places it in the hall of fugly. Interweave Knits did a Vogue on us and published a dress design that they tried to sell us as actually knitable and wearable (versus Haute Couture or a wedding dress pattern which clearly is not) and put a price tag of....$440 on it, ouch. Of course they don't tell you to make that pattern with the exact yarn used and a decent enough knitter would know to switch out the recommended yarn and use one they liked and could afford, the problem is, and any knit shop owner could tell you, that a large percentage of knitters out there never vary from the yarn/color used in any given pattern published. What the hell? IK, if you want to dazzle us with a really expensive project that makes us knitters daydream about making it with exquisite yet expensive yarn, make it really REALLY stunning, not walking Barney vomit. If I had an unlimited budget and if the dress where in a solid color, any color, I wouldn't think twice about it.

Next up, Eunny Jang, I'm ashamed of you. I'm proud to say I caught this one myself.

They may not be identical twins but certainly fraternal. The colors used, the shapes, makes you wonder...

I wouldn't have caught this coincidence if I hadn't just seen the movie Penelope on my watch instant Netflix, but shame shame. This stuck in my head because not only did I see the movie but I am questioning the publishing of a pattern I'm working that is a variation on a theme from someone else's pattern. What to do? So the other day I made this quick hat from a free pattern. It's cute, very simple, almost basic knitting here. I changed a finishing detail and instead of using an over sized button as written I made a two-tone knit and crocheted flower with button center. Because I have 1 1/2 skeins of the yarn left over I must make something to match because I love a good accessories set. I've decided to play around with making some matching glove covers, the kind that you wear over the cheap stretchy gloves, has a hole for your thumb, comes up to your knuckles and goes half way up your arms. If I take one tiny detail, change it, make it my own and add it to a completely different type of garment, is it my own design and can I put my name on it?
Pictures and examples to follow as soon as the items in question are finished and pattern written up.

Sorry if this post was snarky, I must be feeling more myself now.

OMG!! How did I not know until just now that seasons 1-3 of American Chopper were on Netflix Watch Instant????? I love that show and was so happy that they started to air it occasionally on regular free TV.

Post 193-A Case of Indigo

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 07:45:00 +0000

God I love Chicago. So what if the politicians are corrupt, so what you get a boot after 2 measly parking tickets, you got the blues to soothe you. I never understood why we don't have a radio station that plays the good ole blues and jazz stuff, in the city you're lucky to pick up one of the suburban community colleges that play it. I understand the many shades of blue and how they relate to your feelings, and I've had a case of indigo. Not old fashion blue jean indigo, but deep dark stuff. When I was working at the Saudi museum I was cataloguing the costumes and came across these facemasks that some women would wear that only covered the face from the middle of the nose on up. Those masks were pounded with indigo and the color was so dark it looked shiny black, I get it now and I embrace it.

A new website I've been playing with, it's all the rage now.

The pale green Cash Iroha Hourglass Sweater is coming along, I'm almost finished with the decreasing at the bottom and am working my way up. I like the feeling of the new fabric I'm making with the smaller needles and even though I'm not the largest size I did cast on for it and I was going to add a couple more decreases to make it fit my waist, but I have this nagging feeling it might be too big. It's hard to say, I do have an hourglass shape with curvy hips and with the recent weightloss my waist is back, I just don't know. I'll give it a couple more inches but if I have to rip it out a third time, it might get frogged and put on the shelf for awhile in the "wrong time to knit this pile, stop now or you will really fuck it up".

Post 192-A Mournful Little Troll

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 04:46:00 +0000

The more I de-clutter my room the more I don't want to leave it, it has become my special cave. The more job searching I do the more I do not want to leave my bed. I feel like I'm in a holding pattern with 2-3 more weeks of agitation to go.
I have become a troll.

How do you mourn someone who was your godmother and great-aunt but only saw at weddings and funerals in a faraway mythical land called Texas? I feel so bad, not about her death because she lived a happy life to the age of 90, but because I didn't honestly know she was still alive. Lacking notification and funds I won't be able to go to the funeral. After a little cyber-sleuthing I found her memorial page set up by the funeral home in small town USA, boy was I surprised by how modern and high-tech they are, I signed the guest book and did my part.
I wonder which is worst to go to, a high school reunion or family reunion taking place at a funeral?

Ick.
Ugh.
How effing depressing eh?

I need some serious knitting therapy, and perhaps a good walk with the dog.

P.S.-Fixed the laundry machine myself. I picked up a new belt, unplugged the unit, took off the front access panel, played around a bit and presto-chango, it was done. I wonder if I can or should deduct my labor cost from my rent check?

Post 191-The Gentle Warmth of Heat and Solving Lifes Little Dilemas

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 07:14:00 +0000

I am warm again, thank-you HVAC man, the bringer of heat. Being warm means I'm clean! Let me tell you, it is impossible to shower when your house is 50 degrees and I dared not bring a space heater into the bathroom (this would spell disaster and I don't want my burned fat ass on tv). I'm thinking that while it may seem silly, a heated toilet seat is not a stupid idea at all. In the midst of a really cold effing winter, try sitting on an ice cube while trying to take care of business and you'll agree. Come to think of it, when/if I ever win the lottery I will have not only a heated toilet seat, but heated floors and a small fireplace in the bathroom, just in case...

I have correctly diagnosed the problem with the laundry machine, yea me (FYI-until the repair is actually made and machine back in working order, the diagnoses is not 100% guaranteed). I partially opened the front just enough to see a broken belt, me smart cookie. Hopefully this too will be fixed soon. I have high hopes landlord will get new belt to match the model number I gave him and soon so I can try my hand at the repair, it doesn't look too hard according to help I found on-line. If I fix it do you think I can bill my landlord for the time?? I'm in desperate need of the laundry machine so I can shrink my jeans some more because they are getting way too baggy for my arse.

Turns out, Rachael should have been named Mary at birth, as in Typhoid Mary. After a very animated conversation at SnB tonight regarding my recently bought of stomach flu, the definition of what the stomach flu really is and who I knew that knew others that suffered the same afflication, I discovered the culprit, um carrier, Rachael! Sorry to tell you the bad news, but it's true. According to Wikipedia (the ultimate bringer of knowledge) "Typhoid Mary is a generic term for a carrier of a dangerous disease who is a danger to the public because of refusal to take appropriate precautions". No, my friend is not a carrier of a dangerous disease or danger to public health. Like me she loves the smell of bleach in the kitchen and the taste of overcooked meat (except for sushi and good steak, but close enough).

Not much knitting has been getting down, cold hands don't knit fast when they are praying to the porcelain goddess and as much as I love watching it, the fireplace DVD I have doesn't seem to generate any heat.

Post 190-They Come In Threes

noreply@blogger.com (Yarnsnob) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 04:07:00 +0000

First-The heater in my apartment went out on Friday. My landlord was contacted prompted which was easy since he lives upstairs from me. HVAC guy came out, fiddled a bit and then declared a new motor was needed and being that the time was near evening on the Saturday before the Superbowl, the likely hood of getting one before Monday was impossible. No problem, landlord gave roomie and I a couple of space heaters and all is well. Not so, Monday has come and gone and no heater guy, nope, not until tomorrow. This is a minor inconvenience and in the grand schemes not the end of the world, I have a fuzzy cat, hot little dog and uber warm down comforter to keep my cozy during this order except....

Second- Hours after coming home from Valerie's house warming party I come down with the stomach flu. It's been a good two years I think, though I can't really remember, since I was last sick, including catching a cold. I've had the flu and the stomach flu which really isn't the flu, but every time I try to forget the unnatural things your body has to go through, it's just wrong! I really think it was the stomach flu because I didn't have a fever or lingering chills, mine were just from the lack of warmth in the house. So either I got sick from someone or something at the party (and it was the most socializing I've done with the largest group of people I didn't know in a long time), or me being a good girl and eating healthy backfired and the spinach salad I shared with Karen at Knit1 while I was helping her out last week backfired. I'll call her tomorrow and ask if she felt OK this weekend.

Third-In my drawn out attempt at cleaning and purging the excess in my room, I have discovered tonight that my laundry machine no longer wishes to cooperate and has denied me it's agitation and spin cycle. Thankfully all the undies and jeans are clean and all I really needed to do next were some sweaters which I guess can do the old fashion soak and air dry way.

See, these things do come in threes.

Mia keeping warm in the burrow she made in my down duvet just as I was writing this post, ahhhh.