Tangled Fingers Diary

And the angels began to sing...

So even though I can not afford anything lately I decided to treat myself when I received my financial aid. I decided that seeing as how I am working my little tushie off trying I deserved a reward. So that reward is a Golding Spindle. I will wait a moment while you wipe the drool off your chin. It is absolutely beautiful! I would show you but the pictures are being held captive on my camera while the battery charges. It is lovely. And it spins like a dream. (yeah I already started spinning with it. Like the second I took it out of the package. Love it!)

Ohhhh yeah *sigh*

Yeah I did some stash enhancement last week. I got this from a woman destashing and selling 6 balls cheap. How could I resist?

Then there was this stuff...

Laceweight, 1,200yrds each. obtained for 25.00. Again, how could I resist?

Roving, Llama black with pink (merino I think should go look) it is soo pretty and soft.

I have a purse coming, the Great American Aran Afghan book, a necklace, some sock needles, and more laceweight. Pictures of those once I receive them. I am done now. I am offically on a yarn diet. I gave myself a budget for spoiling my self and boy did I meet it fast. Make it fun to get the mail everyday. The only thing that I have left to buy is some PVC because Miss V loaned me her Kids Weaving book and there are instructions on how to make a PVC weaving loom. (yes I know I don't like PVC, but i can paint it and making it will be even cheaper than buying a PVC weaving loom.)

Anyway...

In the WIP department...
TJ's sweater from hell is on the sleeves! Yes. I finished the body! Now I am working on a sleeve (about half way through it) the it is on to the other sleeve, the neck and then DONE! So close yet so far away.

And I started a new traveling project. A pair of socks for the Princess. The other things that I am knitting right now are too big to carry around so I had to cast on something!

I need to go hang out with the Princess before I have to go to school so I will talk to you all later!

weakingly,

Dee

It tells fortunes too...

So last night I took my son to the store in order to pick up a birthday present for a little girls party. Well. There was a new toy out. It looks like a compact but it is a little electronic toy.  You push a button on said toy it tells you your fortune. I pushed the button to see what candy sweet fortune I would get and it said...

"You can only do so much"

I busted out laughing because frankly, who would expect that from a toy?! I know a lot of people who really could use that fortune, myself included. So today after I took NJ to his party, Ziggy, the princess and I went here

We ate icecream and giggled a lot.


Yeah so the Princess got a little messy.
I am currently taking a digital Photography class. (practicum is 5 credits and I needed 6 credits in order to get Financial Aid damn college.) The upside is that this class is great. I am practicing with the camera which is why these are black and white.

And who doesn't like to take pictures?!
I will be back soon with some real updates.
A VERY heartfelt thank you to all that donated. As you know, every little bit helps!
icecreamingly,
Dee

Mushrooms and socks...

School, for me, just started today. Already I am overwhelmed by the thought of actually going out and interpreting in the real world. Makes me want to hide. The good news is that I will be starting in the first year sign language class so they won't know if I screw up royally. Thank Goodness. But still scary none the less. I think that Mrs. C is putting me in the college for my interpreting work. Which is good because I won't be molding little peoples minds with bad sign language but bad because the woman is right there whenever she wants to pop in and say hi she can. ugh.

Anyway enough that. My head hurts bad enough right now. I am doing a couple projects right now that I am going to gloss over until they are further along. But I am crocheting a little monster guy out of some of the yarn left over from the Monkeys (which still need to be sent). He is turning out pretty well so far. Also I have some yarn that Miss V sold me before she named it (one of the perks of going to S&B with a yarn dyer/seller) that I am knitting a pair of socks. I am using a cable that I pulled out of the Knitters Bible up one side of the socks and then the rest is plain ol knitting. It is kind of fun to see how it is coming out! I will have pictures of those soon.

I have good news on the Sweater from hell! I am ON THE RIBBING! Frackin' finally. I tell you what it is taking forever. T tried it on the other night so that I could make sure that it was safe to start the ribbing and he pronounced it "rather warm". I also still think that sweater is going to be big on him (he would not let me measure him, it was "oh just make this size" you would think that would have clued me in not to make the damn thing). This is what I get for wanting to knit that man a sweater. Never again!

Here is something that I have finished however...

I was test knitting this for a woman on Ravelry. It is supposed to be Candy corn but I must have gotten rid of the orange I had so I substituted a fun yarn. It is crappy red heart yarn but the pattern made it fun.

I made a swatch! (I know it was difficult)

I think that it turned out well. The yarn itself is really itchy (like really super itchy) but I knit up this swatch, washed it and then wore it in my bra all day. I actually forgot that I was wearing it so it does soften up. I am still no where closer to knowing what it wants to be, but at least I know that it won't stay itchy anymore.

And finally...

Look at what I found growing out of the old tree stump in the front yard.

Fungusingly

Dee

 

Looky... or the I have a lot to say today post...

I have a lot of stuff to show you today! I am working on my second monkey sock, no second sock syndrome for me! These are for mom so I knew that I really did not want these hanging out on the needles for too long. She is going in for surgery sometime within the next month or two so I really need to finish them. Surprisingly enough the second sock is moving faster than the first one did. I have had the second sock cast on for a week now and I am one repeat away from the heel flap.
I know that you are here for the pictures so here is sock one.

No wip picture yet. I made the sock a bit shorter than the one that Cookie A made just because Mom doesn't like the tall socks. She is a notorious cuff folder. So I shortened the leg for her. Beauty such as this should never be folded down.
Notes
Yarn: Lime and Violet The Exes series- Why don't you call meeeeeee colorway.
     I have to say, this yarn is beautiful in the monkey sock pattern! I love the small bursts of dark blues and dark purples mixed in with the white and greys. When I bought the yarn the pic made the yarn look shinier than it is in real life. So when I got it I will admit a bit of disappointment. That was where the disappointment ends however. I adore the look of this yarn knit up! Some yarns just have to be knit up to be properly appreciated! I know that mom will love this. (I hope)   
Needles: set of five size two bamboo DPNs. (I had an unfortunate accident with one of the needles. I am not quite sure what happened but I pulled it out of the bag only to find it broken. So I am currently using four needles. I think that if I plan on knitting any more socks then I will need to invest in a set of metal size twos. Addis maybe? Or some with a good excange policy. I am just worried about breaking the needles which is why I don't carry my sock with me much.)
Modifications: Obviously I messed with the leg length. Mostly for mom but also because I was impatient to start the heel by that time. The fact that mom is not a fan of tall socks is a VERY big bonus. I didn't do the heel flap the same, I did straight knit and not the slipped stitch (K1,P1? I don't remember which I just know that I didn't do it.)
I still don't enjoy sock knitting as much as some do, but I find myself looking at other patterns and thinking that I could knit them. So apparently the monkeys are warming me up to sock knitting.

I got some more sock yarn (I tell you what for someone that does not enjoy sock knitting I sure have a lot of sock yarn) This one is called bellyflop. E gave it to me when I went over to ball up my lace weight. (more on that in a minute.)
Just look at this!

I have no idea what this will be but ohhh man is it pretty. I still have it sitting here in front of me to pet and drool over.

That lace weight I mentioned above?

Drool worthy.
there is roughly 1900 yards here. And honestly? The pictures do not do it justice. There are little bits of light purple and green so pretty. I am still unsure of what pattern that I will use. Right now it is a toss up between the Honeybee stole from knit spot (honestly the more that I look at the shawl variation and this one the more that I like the stole. Although that could change quickly, maybe I better get both. You really never know.) and the stole Leda's Dream Pattern from Pink Lemon Twist. I can't get over how pretty it is, and it is supposed to be for the adventurous beginner so I think that I would have an easier time of it with this one than the Honeybee. Then again there are a metric ton of people knitting the bee so if I ran into problems I would have help... I don't know.

Wheel news...
Take a gander at this beauty...

I am currently using this and if I like it I will be buying it. It is good to have local spinning friends! I am very much enjoying this wheel so far. It is more stable than Babe, the take up is 10 times better than babe and it is not PVC. That is such a huge plus for me. Babe, while a good starter wheel, is not much fun to spin on. It goes off balance so easily, and in order to get the fiber to take up at all I have to wrap the leather around very tightly. Yes it is a Clemes and Clemes kit wheel and in awesome shape! I am spinning some left over wool to get used to it. Frankly I am glad that I decided to do it this way just because the take up is so strong that I really have had problems with not moving fast enough and having the wool yanked out of my hands. I am working with the tension knob so that I can get a feel for it. My only other problem is that it is a bit harder to treadle, however when I use both feet its not a problem at all. So far it looks like the clemes is winning out. If that is the case I will probably sell babe with the bobbins and skein winder (which is useless without the babe so no sense keeping it.) Dad saw the Clemes the other night and is just positive that he could build a spinning wheel for me. I doubt that will happen anytime soon but I can't imagine anything cooler than a wheel made by dad. If he ever retires he will make me one. I just have to be patient. hehe. I am trying to get him to build me a skein winder however. There are plans for a simple one on the net and I would love to have him build me one. (I sent him the plans with the note that his loving daughter would adore it for christmas. I am nothing if not hopeful. hehehe)
I think that I have talked your ear off enough for one day.
buildingly
Dee

Must... Finish...

I am mere rows from being done with the one (three actually)skein shawl that I have been making out of Koigu. I have loved knitting this thing from the moment that I cast-on. I have an itching to buy more even. My stash is quaking in fear.

I started working for West temporarily while I am waiting for practicum to begin and finish. It is out of the home so I log in and work when I want. Not too bad of a gig just not the greatest pay. But every bit helps around here so eh.

I found this tutorial on craftster-button shirt to toddler dress. I love this idea! T has some shirts that I know he would give up for the cause. and this Kanzashi tutorial  caught my eye as well. So pretty! (man I love me some craft!)

T bought the kidlets a sprinkler that they could play in since it has decided to really get hot outside lately.
Ziggy is pretty happy with this.

No run through the sprinkler is complete without the leap over it,
or of course the obligatory drink from the sprinkler.
The Princess on the other hand, was having none of it. She let the little droplets fall but that was it. Any closer and she got mad.

I must finish this shawl so it is off to do some knitting before bed!
Splashingly,
Dee

Long time no type...

Well, my birthday went swimmingly, the kids sang Happy Birthday T got me a cake and candles (a 2 and a 9 very cute) and I got to do a little knitting.

(posing while we wait for cake)

I love me some chocolate fudge cake. seriously.

chocolate and knitting, does it get any better than this?

Then this weekend we got a last minute chance to drive to Missouri and see my mama. No knitting done at all this weekend. Between hanging out with mom and the lil sis Miss R, going to the family reunion, and swimming in the lake we were busy busy. My  sister S  brought her man who brought his dog Buddy.

See the pink on his back? Poor dog didn't have a chance. Take a bunch of kids, a whole lot of chalk and a dog that rolls over every time some one comes over to him so they can pet him and you have one very colorful animal. On top of the pink there is blue and purple on the other side. Then take two girls and a thing of green fingernail polish and you have a puppy with green toe nails. Like I said, he didn't have a chance.
Well now that I am done boring you with my non-knitting content, I will post a pic of the beautiful Koigu shawl that is working up, honestly, better than I thought it would.
travelingly
Dee

Lovely sun...

First off, Go visit Woolgirls blog for contest that ends on Sunday. Pick and name and maybe even win a lovely prize!

Now... I finally have a Finished object! I know it is about time.

A tank for the Princess. It started life as a Short Snort scroll down to the link for the pattern. As you can see however is that it did not end up the Short Snort.  SS has a ring in front with the ties attached to that. I decided that I wasn't all that fond of the look after I was almost done with the body so I changed the top. I kept the decreases the way that Wendy had them in her pattern and instead of attaching the top to the ring I stopped a few rows sooner and knit 4 stitch straps that are attached to the back like so...

Its a tad big. I think that I should have made the straps shorter or crossed them in the back. So I am still deciding what to do with them. Right now I am thinking about adding a little knitted strip to the back attaching the straps together until she grows into the shirt more.
And now for my current WIP...
(I know like I need more)

The Monkey sock by Cookie A.! I know I very recently declared my dislike for sock knitting and I personally swore that I would never knit any socks ever. My problem is that at the same time I developed an obsession with sock yarn. Specifically handpainted. I love the stuff! (just wait until you see my most recent purchase! So drool worthy) I decided that I would bite the bullet and try again. This time I am trying monkey with sock yarn that I love (Lime and Violet colorway: Why don't you call meee Series: Loser-X Love this sock yarn!). So far so good. I am really enjoying this pattern and the yarn. I started it two days ago and am halfway through the second repeat. I am hoping that this sock doesn't go the way of the Jaywalker sock I tried a while ago. This pair of socks is earmarked for mom. She is one of the few people I know that appreciates handmade stuff. (I have made her a bunch of dishcloths over the years and she uses them for all her dishes needs. I love going to Moms and seeing a dishcloth in use. That is what they are for!! Anyway...) So you know, keep your fingers crossed.
Side note: That little sheep marking the beginning of the round up there? Came with my shipment from Woolgirl. It is the cutest thing ever!
Spinning wise I have been working on the Batt that I got from Lime and Violet    a couple weeks ago. The more that I spin of it the better that I like it! It is so beautiful.
Just look at it!

It all blends so beautifully in the yarn. *ahhhhhh*

Added this picture just because it is rather purdy.

Anywhooo
I need to clean up and get Mr. T to work so i will add more later as I am sure that I have more to talk about.  Enjoy this beautiful day!!

Beautifully
Dee

Pictures are worth a thousand words...

I got SICK of kitting T's sweater so I started working on a tank for the Princess. Knit from Brown sheep company Cotton Fleece yarn. It started out as a Short Snort but I decided that I didn't like the ring in front so I changed it up. I will show you tomorrow after I am done attaching the straps. Its purdy.

A One skein shawl for MEEE! Made out of Koigu KPPPM (you remember the skeins that I showed you here)

I am going to go from the bright skein to the pink to the light color. That is until the shawl is big enough. I am excited to see it grow. Its very pretty right now. (Did I mention that I love <3<3 Koigu?)

The sock blocker Spinning set. I *love* it!!

Remember the bag that I told you about? Here it is! I still have to add the button but I love it muchly.

Seriously go to Tiny Happy's blog and check out her tutorial! It is an awesome tutorial, helped me make this one :) I already have the material for bag number two. I am such a bag ho.

Isn't this beautiful?!

I bought this so that I can make Sissies socks for her birthday she is my fourth of July baby. Unfortunately as I was winding this beauty the Princess tried to "help". So it now looks like this...

*sigh*

I am going to go untangle this mess now.

Wish me luck!

Tangleingly,

Dee