Shaken, Not Stirred

Socks!

2005-09-19T14:19:00.000-05:00

Right after I made the picture post of Jeremy and me, I went to check the mail. You know what I found?! My socks from my sock pal!! Sarah from My Minutiae was my sock pal! She made me the coolest socks! I really like them! She also sent me some Haiku Tea, from Teahouse Choice! What a sweetheart! I went and checked out her blog, and stole the picture she took of my new socks! (I don't have a camera... sad.) Here are my new socks! Which I love and they fit great!

Socks

2005-09-15T11:41:00.000-05:00

I in a major panic because I realized the other day as I was packing up the socks for my sock pal that I goofed. In a big way. The cuff on one is shorter and on the other one the heel is smaller than the good heel. WTF?! I swear while making both socks that everything was fine. I call foul. Someone must have snuck in and re-knit them in a poor way. I really don't want to send off effed up socks. So I'm going to reknit them. This will cause problems because my secret pal won't get them until I fix my mistakes! UGH! See, my gauge is off, and I fixed it on one sock and I think I was spacy and didn't fix the pattern on the other sock.

I am planning on sending a little knitting type gift to my secret pal, with a note of my apparent troubles. Do I also inform said secret pal who I am?

Dear Secret Pal,

I suck. I goofed up. I swear I've knit socks before, really I have. I just mess up this pattern. Or something. Don't hate me, you WILL GET THEM!! They really are worth the wait! For realz!!

Your friend,
Ellie

Busy Bee

2005-07-10T12:36:00.000-05:00

I have been busy lately! Clapotis has been done for a while now! Oh Clapotis, how I love thee!

I have figured out what socks I'm making my pal! The Rib and Cable socks from Interweave Knits Fall 2005. Can you believe that the FALL issue is out already? It seems so early. It's still summer... isn't it?! I'm really happy with these socks and I have already casted on for them! I'm not sure the pair I just started will be for my pal or not. I haven't decided if the yarn is right, I need to see it knit up a little more. Plus, if this first sock turns out crappy, I'll know what to do when I'm really making my pal's socks!

Remember that guy I was seeing a while back. Even though he was okay with the knitting stuff, he turned out to be a loser. I broke up with him a while ago and have been SO happy ever since! Now, I'm not sure if I should be talking much about my personal life. Do I wait until it's a little more serious to gush and talk about a guy I'm dating? Do I just spill my guts to you all, because I'm just so happy? I haven't a clue.

Oh Dear...

2005-06-19T16:15:00.000-05:00

Knitting on Clapotis is going fast! It might have something to do with the fact that I am just loving this pattern. It's an easy pattern to memorize, which is good for knitting and doing other things at the same time such as reading, watching TV and other such things. I am enjoying dropping the stitches. It's great fun. It makes me feel as though I am doing something naughty, but really, I'm not. I'm just doing as the pattern asks. What fun. Everyone should knit themselves a Clapotis.

I was so excited about knitting my Sockapal-2-za pal a pair of socks. Yes, was. You see, once I got my pal's name, fear overcame me. I have never knit socks for a total stranger! What if my pal doesn't like the socks!?! What if they don't fit my pal? Ohmygoodness!! Excuse me, I need to lay down... all these knitting fears are too much for me. What sort of sock should I knit?

I turn to you, dear reader, how do you overcome this fear? Please, tell me what to knit my pal....

The love that is Merino.

2005-06-17T14:46:00.000-05:00

I think I forgot to tell you all that I started Knitting Clapotis! My Clapotis is being knit with Malabrigo Merino in the shade "Little Lovely". I'm loving it. The shade doesn't seem to be on their site, but it's yummy pinks. Holy buckets, is this yarn ever soft and wonderful!!!! It's the yarn I bought the other day that I think I'm in love with. It's true. I am in love with this yarn. I also bought a ton of hanks in lettuce! My favorite sales lady and I kept giggling when I'd say, "oh, I think I need one more hank of Lettuce". She'd say things like "my, your lettuce is soft and lovely". Funny times at the yarn store.

Anyway, Clapotis and I are just knitting along, having a good time together. Every once in a while (read: a lot) I stop to feel the soft goodness that is Clapotis. I like the way the Malabrigo Merino feels on my cheek. I love merino.

(Note to self: I started knitting Clapotis on June 4.)

Sockapal-2-za

2005-06-14T20:19:00.000-05:00

I joined Sockapal-2-za! I am very excited to make socks for my sock buddy! I have been itching and waiting to get my buddy's name and what type of socks he or she likes. Let the fun begin! I got my person's name in an e-mail tonight. This is me, totally excited!!

I'm in a big hurry, as I have other things I must be doing. I just wanted to give a short and sweet update.

First post in my new place!

2005-06-03T22:37:00.000-05:00

I am in my new place!

At first, the kitty DID NOT like it. He wanted to leave. STAT.

He seems to like it just fine now.

I have been so busy I haven't had a chance to update!

I have been sick. It hit me like a ton of bricks and knocked me on my arse. Hardcore.

I bought awsome yarn today. I think I'm in love. No joke.

Will someone help me figure out how to purl into the front and back of a stitch? (It's knittting into the back that's giving me issues.)

Edit: I figured out how to purl into the front and the back. Can you believe I've never had to do that in all my years of knitting? Now I have.

Random

2005-05-12T16:06:00.000-05:00

I got the keys to my new place last night! Tonight I'm going to try to move a few things over. I really wish I didn't have to work tomorrow (friday) and saturday. I'd love to be moving in!!! Yippie!

Next year I want to go to that Maryland sheep and wool thingie that everyone is talking about!! I feel so sad and left out. Of course I'll have to knit some cute summery top to wear there.... I love seeing all of your pictures!! Horray for pictures!

Alison, I just realized that the thank you e-mail for that yarn mitzvah was in my "drafts" folder! What the heck is up with that?!?!?! I'm really very sorry that I it didn't get sent out to you the day I wrote it! Goodness. I'm glad I was cleaning out folders and found it to begin with.

Anyway, Alison sent me some yummy yummy Phildar Copancabana yarn! I can't wait to knit this stuff up!

Attention! Attention!
If you lost a hammer, worry no more: I saw it in the middle of the street this morning.

Boyfriend + Yarn = Happy Ellie

2005-05-08T16:35:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend my boyfriend, Joe, and I had to travel to northern Minnesota. We were about three and a half hours away. I happened to look in a phone book and found TWO yarn stores in the town we were in. Joe was totally cool going to them, in fact... he talked me into going to the second one! Boy, does that guy get a gold star!

As we drove back home, Joe kept talking about finding yarn stores. For real! It was the coolest thing! He was willing to drive half an hour each way out of the way to get to a few stores. I talked him out of it; neither one of us knew the town, so we'd have to search for the stores, plus I had no idea if they'd be open late or not. Joe informed me that someday "we'll have to take a road trip just to visit yarn stores". This is me. Totally smitten.

I feel like I am the luckiest girl alive! Joe was so curious about my knitting, things I've knit, how long it takes to make things and all that jazz. He sorta hinted at things he might like me to make for him, but only if it was "worth my time, and when we're together for a while longer". Can you seriously believe him?! I had a fabulous weekend and got to visit a few new yarn stores. Of course I bought stuff... How could I not?!

With my new purchase, I started knitting a sock on the way home, impressing the hell out of Joe. It's so great to be dating a guy that thinks knitting is as interesting as I do. Of course, when I offered to teach him how to knit, he turned me down. That's fine by me, as long as we still go on that road trip, in search of yarn.

05-05-05

2005-05-05T16:09:00.000-05:00

I have been SO busy lately.

I'm packing, and moving to my new place on the 15th of this month. I'm super excited, but I can't wait to move, get settled in and be done with the packing and crap.

I met a guy a few weeks ago, and I now have a boyfriend. His name is Joe and he's a total hottie boom bottie. He makes me really happy. I love new relationships; they're so fun! He's been taking up a lot of my time. I don't mind though, he's awfully cute.

I haven't been knitting a whole lot lately.... I've been too busy! Just little bits here and there.

I don't have much else to say. Currently I'm at work. When I started this post, things were slow, now I'm super busy and need to actually work! blah!

It's A Mitzvah!

2005-04-21T10:03:00.000-05:00

I don't really have any knitting updates... unless you count the fact that I have to rip out the WHOLE BACK of my Nothin' But A T Shirt. You heard me right. All of it. My gauge is different than my swatch and when I say different, I mean really different. I'm getting I think 23 or so stitches to four inches. I know that I knit tightly, but goodness. I moved up a size in needles and I'm much closer to gauge, but I really don't like the look of the fabric. I think I'm going to have to make a lager size with my gauge and hope. I'm sure if I mess around enough with a calculator and stuff I could figure out how to fix my problem. Right now I just want to wallow in self pity.

I won Alison's yarn Mitzvah! I will be getting 5 skiens of Phildar Copacabana ribbon yarn! I have no idea what to knit. I'm thinking a tank of some sort. What do you think? The only stipulation with this otherwise free yarn, is I have to have my own Yarn Mitzvah and gift someone with free yarn. I can't wait to do this. I need to sit down and have a serious talk with my stash. Some yarn will be begging to find a new home. Not that it doesn't like my stash, it just knows that someone else would love it and use far better than I ever could.

It's time to PAR-TAY!

2005-04-18T15:44:00.000-05:00

My goodness, so much is going on! I have no idea where to begin.

First things first; knitting news. My Nothin' But A T-shirt is moving along well. I'm more than half way through with the back. That rocks. I so *heart* and love Rowan Calmer! It's the greatest yarn... EVAR. I'm worried about the pattern though. You see, I have rather broad shoulders. Things tend to fit all wonky because of it. I'm hoping I'll be able to work with the pattern enough to get this T-shirt to fit! Suggestions? Anyone? Thanx.

I have the biggest news. Huge, in fact. I'M MOVING. Score! You have no idea how excited this makes me. In fact, I want to giggle and jump up and down in my chair. Which would be fine, but I'm at work. They might think I'm crazy. You see, I recently had to move back in with my parents. But as of MAY 15, I will have my very own place. Mine. All mine. It's a huge two bedroom, with the greatest little pantry, and a cute, but small balcony. This all thrills me to no end.

It's an apartment in a house where two lovely ladies live in the lower half. It's just lovely and full of charm. Get this! They are going to paint the living room and my bedroom for me, in any color I want. I have no idea what colors to chose. It's nice and cheap and in a great area. I'm finally getting out on my own again. I'm 24 and boy does it feel good to get my own place. I have so much packing and cleaning to do!

I have been trying to clean and get my parents house ready for Pessach (Passover), which is a challenge when the rest of the people living in the house with me are not Jewish. I think cleaning the house from top to bottom, getting ready for Passover is something I will be able to do much better when I have my own place. One more thing that is exciting about this new place, is that I might decide to keep a kosher kitchen. Before, when I had my own place, I was not yet in the process of converting to Judaism. Now that I have the oppertunity to keep a kosher kitchen, I just might decide to keep kosher. I'm not sure if this is something I would be able to do well or not. It's something that I've thought about for a while. I would like to give it a try. We shall see.

Go Go Speed Racer

2005-04-12T09:13:00.000-05:00

You are "turbo" charged.
Fast moving and classy, you get things done with
power and grace. Your expensive tastes can be
deceiving, since what you really value is
quality and efficiency. As you're careening
around those corners in life, finishing a dozen
knitted objects each month, stop and smell the
roses. Don't miss the beauty of process!

What kind of knitting needles are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

And the winner is.....

2005-04-11T22:47:00.000-05:00

Beth from Diamonds n Purls! She answered my question correctly. I wanted to know what show a line was from. The line was "this is where bad taste goes to die". It was said by Martha Huber's sister speaking about how ugly the house is. Beth must be a Desperate Housewives fan!! Soon, Beth will be getting a nice little treat/surprise in the mail.

W00t. I love gifting people with things.

This is where bad taste goes to die.

2005-04-11T19:04:00.000-05:00

There is a prize for the first person that tells me what show the title of this entry is from.

I casted on for the Nothin But A T-shirt the other day, only to realize that I had used the wrong size needles! D'oh! Take Two shall commence shortly. I joined the Knit-Along a while back. I'm doing my NBAT in Calmer, colors Lucky (a beautiful purple) and the contrast will be cream. I have no idea what the name of the cream one is. I'm beating it isn't cream though. A

I also just casted-on for Stephanie's Very Harlot Poncho. It's a fun and nice pattern. However, my poncho's yarn overs in the center of the poncho look different than what is shown in that pic. All of the yarn overs on the right side of the stitch down the middle, are much larger than those on the left side. It bothers me greatly, but I haven't stopped yet. I'm thinking it might not matter in the end. (Although, I have a feeling it will bug me, after all, it bugs me now and I have maybe 5 inches of it done.) I asked a non-knitter what she thought, and she said it wasn't too noticeable. But still, any thoughts or ideas why this is? I'm increasing using the 'knit into the stitch twice' method. Should I try a different method of increasing?

Wooly not

2005-04-04T11:56:00.000-05:00

I am sensitive to wool. I know, shocking! But it's true. It's ruff, itches and makes my skin crawl. For a knitter who loves to knit wool, this is sad. However, some yarns are okay on my skinny-skin-skin. For an example, Franny knit out of Rowan's Big Wool, should be fine. We'll see though. It might make my skin crawl! [glup] I did love knitting her up though!*

I recently bought some pretty Rowan Chunky Print in cream to make Roxie out of Rowan's Big Just Got Bigger. Confused? Check out Jen's Roxie. AWESOME, isn't it? I can see myself just loving this sweater. However. It looks like it would make me itch. I wasn't sure though, so bought the yarn anyway. (De Nile is really just a river in Egypt, right?) I planned to swatch the yarn and think on it a few days to see if it would really be okay or not. Well, lemme tell you. Even if I thought it'd be just fine as a sweater on me bear skin, I wanted to toss this project into the back of my closet, only to be seen one day when I move. Would you like to know why? Because I cannot get gauge. I'm a tight knitter. I look at this as a good thing. I can say things like "Knitting's tight, so I knit Tight." Cool, huh? (Just smile at me.) For me to get a gauge I have to scrap the size US 11 needles suggested. I tried a swatch on 13s. Closer to gauge, but the swatch looked like ass. That's right, ass. It was all open and yucky fabric. I didn't even try going up another size out of fear. All of these crappy swatch problems makes me sad. I was looking forward to knitting this sweater! I decided that I already had the yarn, may as well knit it. If I knew French how to write French I'd insert the pharse "such is life" here. Sadly, I don't. It's probably for the best though... I can return it and get some yummy soft Rowan Calmer or something of such wonderfulness.

I'm starting to fully embrance the fact that when I knit myself a nice sweater made of 100% wooly goodness, I mostlikely will not wear said sweater. I'd spend my day itching and scratching, looking like I had ants in my sweater, instead of my pants. I looked into my closet, thought good and hard, realizing that the sweaters I know and love are cotton, or a soft merino wool. Or, glup, arylic. I'm going to just be okay with this though, and knit wooly things for others. There is STILL lots of yummy yarns for me to knit. They just have a smaller gauge. Which is fine and dandy. It's just sometimes nice to knit a nice chunky sweater.

Yesterday I bought the new Rowan Mag, number 37. Methinks I'll get to knit lots of the nice cotton sweaters outta this mag. I also bought yarn for Elspeth. Four balls of beautiful Cream Calmer are waiting to be knit up. Pippa is cute, and might just have to be a must knit. I love Charely, the sweater the man is wearing on the left. It's wonderful. Oh, I also bought some yarn to make this Buckle Bag. First things first, I must finish up Fanny. She and I got her into a pickle. Here at Shaken, Not Stirred we are shaken up. We're not sure how to fix this lil problem. That will just have to be a whole post on it's own. Oy vey.

*Goodness, the control ("Ctrl") key of my keyboard just fell off the keyboard! I was holding it in my hands! What an odd feeling. Luckily I'm at work, breaking work's keyboard, not my own.

Va-Va Voom

2005-03-23T09:20:00.000-06:00

I'm sitting at work dead ass tired, but things are looking up. I'm drinking a yummy "Va-Va Vanilla" warm coffee drink from Caribou. I have no idea what 'type' of drink it is... I just ordered it cause I like the name. Va-Va Vanilla! It should really be named Va-Va Voom, as I'm not feeling as sleepy and feel as though I have a small amount of pep going on.

I just started knitting Ruffles from Scarf Style. It's fun, and I'm enjoying knitting it. The buzz around the Scarf Style Knit-along is that it is a very boring and time consuming knit. I find this untrue. It's a pattern that after the first time you do it, it's committed to memory. I like that. Plus, I can carry it along with me as it's rather small. I am knitting it out of Rowan Calmer and I just love this yarn! I have known this before too, but darn... It's just so great. I am so excited to start up the Nothin' But A T-shirt knit-along. I've decided what colors I want to knit it out of, now it's just a matter of getting the yarn, which shouldn't be hard at all.

St. Patrick's Day

2005-03-17T08:55:00.000-06:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Anyone Irish out there with big plans for today? I'm a little Irish, but my big plan is to have a lazy night of TV, knitting, and sleep.

Here I am, about to start working, and I'm dead tired. I was up late last night, and I'm so paying for it today. I didn't do anything real exciting, just had dinner and watched a movie with a friend. Still, my body is upset and wants to rest. I must be firm and tell it to work hard, as we have work to do and can't I feel like this leprechaun beat the crap out of my body. Oy vey.

In knitting news, I have decided that I will steam/press/whatever block Fanny. I want her to be pretty and lovely so I'm going to take my time do her right. Mary-Heather said that Fanny will look better blocking her. So a good blocking Fanny will get!

Also, I need to figure out a good place to host my pictures so I can post them here. I'm very sad that AngelFire is not allowing me to post pictures here, or even post a link to the page! How am I suppose to show off my knitted goods!?!

I am very excited to get some calmer yarn for the Nothin' But A T-shirt knit-a-long!! I a super excited to start this project. Now if only I could decide what colors to use...

Press Blocking

2005-03-13T20:47:00.000-06:00

I am knitting Fanny from Rowan's Big Just Got Bigger. I'm so nearly done! BUT I'm suppose to block out each piece and gently press each piece with a warm iron over a damp cloth.

It's big fat yarn, and it seems to me that it looks just fine without the pressing. Do I have to do this? Anyone have any suggestions?! I don't want to do this, it seems like a big pain in the arse. I can understand doing this with different yarn, but Rowan Big Wool? Ok, I must admit... I just want to wear the jacket/sweater thing!! I don't want to waste time on this step if I don't have too, although I'll willing too.

Scarf-a-luscious

2005-03-12T13:19:00.000-06:00

Currently I am bored at work. There isn't much for me to do here today. Go home you say? I wish I could!! I have a book to read when it's slow. I have to re-knit a front panel of Fanny, which makes me sad. In fact, I might have to re-knit BOTH panels! But for now, I'm letting myself believe that it's just the left front that needs the help. Clever little me knew that it would be rather slow today, so I brought along my knitting. Little did I realize Rowan's Big Just Got Bigger was NOT in my bag!! SOS! There is a knitting crisis in the building! Send help, STAT! Oy vey. Note to self: Self, be sure to have all required items for knitting before leaving house. It will make life much happier. Thanks.

However, I do have a fabulous scarf to show you.
I finished this lovely scarf the other day! (Ahem, while at work. SSH, Don't tell the boss.)

It's wonderful and I'm in love with it. It took about 5 1/2 skeinds of Lana Grossa's Cashmere +, on US size 5 needles. I hemmed and hawed about getting the yarn, but boy, am I glad I did! It was a fabby fun knit, with a finished product to die for. That's right, this scarf is the best possible scarf known to man kind.

Now presenting.... A close up! (Be kind, we're shy and new here.) Please notice the scalloped edges... It's my favorite part.

I never thought I really enjoyed knitting with smaller needles. This fabby hip, cabled scarf has changed my attitude! I am drooling over all sorts of projects that I never would have dreamed I would want to knit. Big needles are fun, and fast, but produce a large bulky item. Which in some cases is nice, but I am really enjoying the fabric my little US 5 needles made. This project has shed some new light to knitting. Don't you just love it when a project moves you that way!?

Fanny Tuesday

2005-03-08T23:52:00.000-06:00

Fanny is nearly done. I just have to seam her up, then finish up the collar and I'm good to go! Of course, first thing I'll do will be to snap a picture and post it here.

Every Tuesday some friends of mine and I get together at a coffee shop to hang out together and knit. It's lots of fun and a great way to see what your friends are knitting. Plus, we're always there to give a helping hand when ended. It's nice to have an extra set of eyes, just in case.

Tonight's Night Of Knitting was great. Fun was had by all. I had WAY to much caffeine at work today, and it seemed to catch up with me during knitting. I was bouncing off the walls. Luckily they serve food at the coffee shop, so I ate a yummy Panini sandwich and it seemed to clam me down. A friend also played "mom" and made me drink water. Now all I want is water!! I'm craving it. And, I'm tired!! This makes me happy as I had 3 or 4 cans, and half a 20oz bottle of soda during the day. ICK! I can't believe I drank that much soda! Tomorrow, maybe one can (don't want to cut out the caffeine cold turkey) and then water. Let's hope I don't fall asleep at my desk.

Who needs to eat, when you can have YARN?!

2005-03-05T10:51:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I went to a Yarn Store. I bought three skeins of Rowan Kid Silk Haze to accompany the two skeins of Kid Classic, to knit up Deborah from Rowan 36. My lovely yarns are in purple. I think it'll be a really fun knit! I have struggled working with Kid Silk Haze before, and I'm hoping that I'll finally conquer it. This sweater seems as though it will be much easier than previous patterns I've attempted with the KS Haze. I started Karis awhile back. I didn't get very far. Have you seen Jen's beautiful Karis? Isn't it wonderful?! My yarn kept ripping. I'll get to it one day, that's for sure.

I don't think I'm going to join the Hourglass knit-a-long. It's just not something I'd wear. It's to wide in the neck line. Beautiful, and a wonderful pattern, just not something I'd wear much. Why spend so much time knitting something you know you won't wear?

I had a date with this really cute Jewish guy last night. We went out to dinner and a movie. We saw Finding Neverland. Boy, is that a good flick! If you see it, keep an eye out for a boy named Peter. He is just the cutest thing ever. I wanted to hug and squeeze him!

I was out late last night and rose early today. I'm tired, and I still have to go to work later. Hopefully I'll be busy, but I doubt it. Luckily I get I can knit when it's slow. Who is going to get some good knitting time? This girl.

Excitement!

2005-03-03T22:12:00.000-06:00

I am very excited to start up this new blog!! I used to have one, but one day decided that I was mad at a project I was working on, and didn't knit for a few weeks. Can you imagine!?! Wasted knitting time! It'll never happen again. When I was off on my no-knitting days, I let the blog go to the pits and I've since decided that it was junky anyway. Out with the old, in with the Teeny Bean!

I have a few yummy projects going on. I'm nearly done with "Fanny" from the Rowan Big Just Got Bigger book. I'm making out of a delicious pink/purple color called "smooch". I've named this sweater "Fanny Smooch". It's going to be wonderful I can just tell! Plus, there was a Rowan trunk show at a yarn store I just happened to walk into (oops, how did that happen?) where this sweater was on display. I had been lusting for it before seeing it, once I tried it on and saw it all finished up, I knew it had to be mine. It was a while ago I started it. I got into a small pickle with the pattern and put it aside for a month or so. The pickle I ran into with the pattern had to do with figuring out the repeats and such on my own. It was simple and easy to do, it just took time. I'm kicking myself now; the pickle was easy to fix and I've been flying ever sense!

For a Hanukkah gift this year, my mom gave me a gift certificate to a yarn store. It's one of my least favorite year stores, but I'd be a fool to turn down free yarn! I ended up getting something that I normally never would have bought.; 5 skeins of Lana Grossa's Cashmere + (plus) in a beautiful sky blue. I made a to-die-for cable scarf. It's the greatest thing ever, and I never want to take it off!

Hourglass?

2005-03-03T11:45:00.000-06:00

I'm very interested in doing the Hourglass sweater Knit-a-long.

Linkage

2005-03-03T11:29:00.000-06:00

I can't figure out how to set up links to other blogs or cool sites. Since it wasn't going very well, I thought I would just post about it instead. It beats ripping my hair out.

Knitting

2005-03-03T10:46:00.000-06:00

This is the beginning of the journey.

I'm currently converting to Judaism. I spend a good amount of time enjoying this hobby of mine called Knitting.