Not Much Knitting
Much more frantic running about getting ready for school to start. Which I am horribly excited about.
I did finish the third block for the dog's blanket. Which is, as I said, just is a big excuse for me to try new stuff. And I'm enjoying that.
I have lots and lots of design ideas, I just am stuck on one thing--ribbing.
Usually , in patterns, it's worked on smaller needles. I just can't seem to find a rhyme or reason as to how one figures out what size smaller needles to use. Is there a formula? Does it involve swatching? If so, what is one swatching for? *scratches head*
So, not much on the knitting front, lots on the schools starting, school is starting front! YAY! *does happy dance*
I am SUCH a dork.
Cables, Cables Everywhere!
Last night I finished two cable panels for the dog blanket I'm making for my mother's dog. Which is really just an excuse for me to practice new stitches and stuff. On cheap yarn.
I have pictures of at least one finished square, as well as the adorable kittens, but this computer is (old, and evil) not equipped to handle digital photos from my palm, so until I get mine fixed or deal with this....no pictures. :(
I have lots of stuff that needs finished--like weaving in the ends on my Faroese Style shawl, and my mini waffle knit socks, and Grecian Plait...gah. Then all the Holiday knitting....
My car was supposed to be fixed yesterday only it wasn't....so, I'm stuck here again today. They said my car would be done yesterday, probably in the morning. I called, they said, almost done, by this afternoon definately. So I returned the rental. Then afternoon came--we had a problem with some noise from the transmission...we'll have to look at it, but it will be done by this evening.
This morning I still haven't heard, and I need my CAR!!!!!
If I don't get it, though, I hereby declare this work on projects from the knitting basket day, in the hopes that I shall clear some of them out.
Especially my mother's birthday present (in May) that I NEED to finish before I go home again in September.
And Grecian Plait, because its hot out, but my school cranks the AC up, and I think it would be a really cute sweater to wear over a tank top when I'm in class.
Returning to Society
Amusing quote last night from one of my friends: "You know, it's not unusual for sixty year old women to knit and have cats, but a 21 year old woman?"
Yeah, thanks dude. ;) I know, I'm wierd.
Yes, I do return, after no computer and no car for a week. I still don' t have a car--not really. I have a rental (WOO! Rent a Wreck!) so I can get to work, but it's limited milage so other than work and the store, I don't really get to GO anywhere.
And my computer is still not fixed, but I got my old one sort of running again, enough so I'm not completely cut off.
Meh. I'm going to go to a museum or something now. And then I'll clean. Really. I will.
I Really Am Alive
What's New!
So, I have actually been getting knitting done. And a lot of sketching out stuff I want to design, since I keep running out of things to do at work. I have so many ideas!!
I'm currently having a lot of fun working on a project I wasn't thrilled about. My Mom wants a blanket for her dog (aka the Empty Nest Dog), and so I agreed for Christmas, Abby would recieve a blanket. I bought some yucky acrylic (not Red Heart though) because I know the dog will chew it up.
I wasn't looking foward to it, but then I got The Encyclopedia of Knitting from the library, and the blanket has become an excuse to try new stitch patterns! YAY! So, it's actually sort of fun.
Padma Guards YARN!
Moss Stitch Swatch
Boring stockinette (die, guage, die)
Diamond Spiral Swatch
My New Project Basket
Drop Stitch Scarf
Drop Stitch Scarf Close Up
I'm In LOVE
With the Encyclopedia of Knitting by Lesley Stanfield and Melody Griffiths. I just checked it out from the library, and may I say *DROOL*!!!
I have an old book, Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needle Craft that I inherited from my grandmother, but this book...I just love some of the pattern stitches much better (some, of course, are the same, but I like the instructions better...) and...oh.
I feel inspired. *beats design bug with a broom* The bamboo rib....some of the cables and lace....
I want to design and sell knitting patterns.....
I should start actually finishing stuff if I wanna do that, huh?
Comic and News
Knitting News
Not much to report. Have worked on the Scarf That Won't Die.
I was at home a few weekends ago, and saw the most yummy ribbon yarn by Noro, and it was on clearance for 30% off! So of course I had to buy some. There was a pink/purple/turquoise colorway, a dark green/gold one, and a blue/turquoise/copper one and I got them with the intention of making drop-stitch scarves for myself and two of my friends.
So I cast on, decided that, yes, the LYS lady was smoking crack, and the recommended needles were too large (I asked, cause I couldn't find needle size on the tag, and haven't used ribbon yarn before)--I think she assumed because I was young, I wouldn't have the patience necessary to use anything less than a US13. Which is funny, because my first project ever when I was like seven was done on US6s.
Anyhow. Rip out, smaller needles. Ok, knit most of first ball of yarn...hmm. Too wide. Don't like it.
Rip back, cast on with fewer stitches. Decide to try beaded knitting with beads at the ends of the scarf. Spend more on beads than on yarn. Dislike beads. Frog once more.
Cast on yet again, with correct width (10 sts on US11s) and begin to knit.
Get distracted by work, errands, and sick kittens and make very little progress. The scarf will not die.
Comic!
Last night, while pondering the fact that I live on a giant target with Andrea, we realized that GW's only advice is "Always carry your GWorld".
Thus was born the adventures of the amazing GWorld!Man and his sidekick Latte!Girl (am open to better sidekick names) and the ever-present Helpful!Hippo.
This is a very rough sketch (I am so out of practice) of my characters. I hope to eventually develop better characters and do a few single-panel comics featuring them. And possibly longer ones if I feel so energetic.
Behold...
The Adventures of GWorld!Man and his sidekick Latte!Girl 
But the pleasures of insomnia are ones I've never found...
This is what I did last night while not sleeping, and am now utterly exhausted.
I switched to a 36 mg dose of Concerta to try, took it at 10 am and COULD NOT get to sleep last night. And wasn't helped by Mr. Fred-man deciding to play with the blinds on my window. Silly kitten, night is for sleeping!
I really hope taking the Concerta earlier makes the insomnia go away, or I can get a sleeping pill from my shrink--I didn't have insomnia with Adderall, but I didn't have an appetite either--I'm HUNGRY all of a sudden again, and it's wierd but good.
All things considered, I function better without sleep than without food.
