Hmm...so the order was unnecessary...

About 24hrs ago, I put in an order for the 1US ChiaoGoo needles, hoping to get them by Monday.

Today at my knitting circle, I was showing someone the different apps I have on my phone for knitting. I went through an app called "Needle Minder", only to find that I already had ChiaoGoo needles in a 1US.

Darn Grandma's Handknitting for being so quick and efficient for the shipping! They already sent the tracking number from USPS. You can never have too many ChiaoGoo needles!

What to work on now

I've finished the Wanida socks.  I can't start the Lissajous sock until Saturday at the earliest.  I already swatched for the Lissajous and the results were...meh regarding the needles.

I tried 3 sets of needles and I'm not too happy with the results.  The pattern calls for 1.5US needles of which I have quite a few sets of needles, and the gauge is supposed to be 12 rows by 8 sts.

1.5 Kollage gave me 11 x 7
1.5 ChiaoGoo gave me 11.5 x 7.5

So I decided to go down a size and that's when my selection is not what I want it to be.  I don't have any needles that small since I have never had to knit that small other than the set of Harmony Wood Needles I purchased from KnitPicks last year.  I gave the needles a try anyways, constantly feeling like they were going to snap in my hands.  The results? It gave me 12 by 8.  Seriously?

I don't want to use these needles.  I even went on Ravelry, hoping someone would say it's okay to use the 1.5s, or the ChiaoGoo's are close enough.  Unfortunately for me, it was recommended to use the Harmony Wood DPNs.  Once I heard that answer, I went to Grandma's Handknitting on Etsy and  ordered 1US/24" needles.  And now I cross my fingers that they show up either by the end of the week or Monday afternoon.  I'm willing to start with the 1s I already have but there is no way I'm going through a set of knee high socks with them and have the DPN's come out in tact.

So up until I can start the socks, I should continue working on my Anisette Cardi I started the end of June.  The back is already finished and I have started working on the front left (I think) side.

The cakes and the swatch

I started to cake the yarn for my Lissajous. I was aiming for 3 50g cakes per skein. I ended up with 5 mini skeins and 1 ball (that has already been confiscated by my Blankie). The total weight was supposed to be 150g and it weighed in without the label as 160g :) Sa-weet! I haven't finished caking the other skein yet but I am in the midst of working on it. Definitely be done either tomorrow or Wednesday.

I don't know if it's just me but I am not fond of doing straight knit stitched. The garter scarf I made was pure torture. This is also the main reason I don't like doing swatches. It's do tedious and boring.

I still did it because I wanted to see how the colours would look together, especially if I switched every 4 rows. Turns out that it looks okay. The stripping is very subtle and you probably wouldn't notice it unless you were looking for it.

As for the whole measuring for gauge? Well I'm not home right now but I did pack up my knitting. And I brought everything except my tape measures.

I also have to find an effective way of changing the colours as I go. I'm getting a bit of bunching at the ends that I am no liking but I may not have that issue when I'm knitting in the round, instead of flat.

They Are Done!!!

Just finished them this morning!

I tried. I really tried.

So when I got home from my little day trip, instead of winding the yarn for the Lissajous into mini cakes, I decided to put that time into making good head way to my Aunt's Wanida Socks. It is now 1:39 Monday morning and I'm not done yet. I just have a few more rows and then it will be time to graft the toes. Only thing left would be taking care of loose ends, washing them and drying them out once I find my other sock blocker.

Suffice it to say, I'll deal with the socks tomorrow and I'm off to my bed, to dream of my soon to be mine Lissajous stockings.

Pep Talks

Sock progress! The Wanida socks only have less than 2" before I start on the toes. And as far as I'm concerned, if I start on the toes, the socks are pretty much done and then I can sit and play with my Wollmeise yarn.

Plan for the day? Start turning the skeins into 50g cakes to make it easier work with. Knit up a stripped swatch with my square needles and actually pay attention to gauge.

I have put myself on a yarn diet until the last week of November. However the call of buying more Wollmeise Twin is strong! Especially since I don't have any red in my stash and I saw Ruby Red and Petit Poison #5. I just have to keep telling myself that I can get it later and I haven't really knitted with Wollmeise yet to even see if I like it. I tell you the colours are calling to me! I must wait or my bank account will hate me.

I only have a week!

Don't ask why but I decided to join a Knit-Along (KAL). It was calling my name! It said "Wollmeise yarn only" and "Cookie Sock!" and that last one is definitely a weakness! Seemed like a good idea since I had just worked out my details for my Lissajous. It would just be made earlier than planned.

And then someone informed me about the Sock KAL (SKAL) on the Sock Knitters Annonymous. They wanted red socks and I don't have red yarn and I wasn't going to buy any due to my self appointed diet! Or at least that's the message I put up in the forum. Then EARLY this morning, someone kindly informed me that I can do the mystery pattern instead with any colour I choose and still be eligible. Hand head and sigh. So I joined...but I ain't doing the beading part :(

There's no way I'll be able to manage 3 pairs of sock, 2 of which need to be finished by the end of September. Therefore, Wanidas? It's just you and me this week. I am already half way up the foot so it's just a matter of sitting down and doing it!

It's all here!

I finally got my last shipment for the month! So for the record it was:

- 2 skeins of Wollmeise Twin
- 2 Kollage Square Circular Needles
- 5 mini skeins of Wollmeise

So the 2 skeins of Wollmeise Twin were not both Nazar Boncugu but, I have a solution of switching skeins every couple of rows. So it can stay.

I couldn't wait for the Kollage Square Needles. I like them almost as much as my ChiaoGoos. I have read on Ravelry about these square shaped needles; and so far everything I've read seems to be true. The stitches are completely even and a beauty to behold. I'm just not as big a fan of the cables. They feel like they're just a little stiffer than yarn. I still much prefer the red lace needle cable. I'm going to try them out on a pair of socks in the future.

The mini skeins will be added to the jar of mini skeins until I start working on the Blankie again.

Now no more orders until the Interchangeables from ChiaoGoo are available. And then hold off on everything until November.

Houston? We got a problem!

I just got my 2nd skein of Wollmeise Twin in Nazar Boncugu. As soon as I opened the package I knew there was a problem. And the I saw the label "We're Different!" and my heart felt. I put it beside my first skein. They are not the same shade of blue. I just wish the person I bought from had told me so I could have gone looking for a skein that was not a "We're Different".

I'm going to have to alternate every few rows and have strippy Lissajous socks.

Inspiration (and a snack)

Bare with me this will be rushed since I have tried to do this entry several times over since Monday, I think.

Quick summarization. One of my oldest friends is having a baby and is due in January. She saw my Blankie and decided she wants one for the baby. Baby's name is to be Reese. A joke was said about Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and we decided that "Reese's I love you to pieces" is a perfect nickname.

Due to this adorable nickname, the plan is a sock yarn blanket in the same pattern as my own but in the colours of Reese's Pieces, brown, orange and yellow. I have to go find appropriate yarn that is okay for a baby and not too expensive, and hopefully in fingering weight.

Just want to show off

No purpose to this post but happy thoughts of going through the mail today an finding a skein of Wollmeise Twin 80/20 in Nazar Boncugu waiting for me. I practically skipped to my room, ripped open the packaging and fawned over my pretty new yarn. The only experience I have had with the yarn has been 5 mini skeins which I acquired in a destash. I liked how it felt and knitted into the Blankie. Plus many people I've seen raving about the yarn.

I still have one more skein I'm waiting for so I can make my knee high socks. I am looking forward to the project but I probably won't start it until next year anyways.

For the Bettering of myself

It's like I'm high on the concept of education and joining clubs!

A couple of days ago, a little catalogue of programs happening around Toronto was in my mailbox. Most of the time, these get thrown away without even opening the book. Yesterday however I decided to actually look to see what's available. Surprisingly to me, there are 2 courses I want to take: creative writing and the non-beginners French. I don't have much time before I'd have to sign up and that also means finding the money for it too.

Bon chance a moi!

It's Coming!

I have had nothing but love when I discovered ChiaoGoo Red Lace needles, thanks to Ravelry. Once I used them for the 2nd foot of my Mona Socks, I was hooked and promptly bought sizes 1.5US - 5US, in varying lengths. And the needles are quite affordable, from every online retailer I've found. In store, it seems to be a couple dollars more per set. Anywho, onto my wonderful news!

I found out on Ravelry a couple of months back that ChiaoGoo was going to make bamboo interchangeables. Didn't think too much on it because I find that bamboo breaks to easily anyways and has driven me mad on many sock projects before getting my DPN KnitPicks Harmony Set. A little later, it was announced that they were coming out with the Stainless Steel interchangeable set. That's when the giddiness set in. All I wanted to know was date of release and cost.

Date of release? September-ish 2012
Cost?
>Small - Tip sizes 2 (2.75mm) - 8 (5 mm) - $80 (Spin) $85 (Twist)
>Large - Tip sizes 9 (5.5 mm) - 15 (10 mm) - $80 (Spin) $85 (Twist)
>Complete - Tip sizes 2 (2.75 mm) - 15 (10 mm) - $140 (Spin) $150 (Twist)

So the plan is to pre-order from an LYS, most likely The Purple Purl since they said they'd order in a set just for me :D probably the small set because I think I'd get more use out of that.

Sock and Yarn Love!

While looking through my sock stash, I realized that I really want to knit more socks once I'm finished my current projects, which are making somewhat progress.

This list by no means a guarantee of what exactly will be done but just a way to track what I want to do with certain skeins of yarn.

Let's have a look at the skeins we're working with:

Is this the beginning of an obsession?

On my walk from The Purple Purl, I realized I like the area. I didn't really think much of it since the city I finally want to live in is Hamilton, not Toronto.

While walking around Taste of the Danforth, there was a booth for a local college I had already dismissed cause it was too far from my house and I didn't want to spend 2 hours on public transportation. But I picked up a catalog anyways.

I finally started flipping through the catalog, seeing what programs were available. I was happy to see the Computer Networking program and the potential careers that can come from it. I flipped to the back of the book to see how far I'd have to go for this school when I realized there was a campus down the street, or within a decent walking distance, to The Purple Purl. Unfortunately, it's not for any of he computer programs. It takes has art programs but nothing all that impressive.

This morning, I started looking at he cost of real estate and rentals in the area. Yeah, so I'm no where close to be able to afford a house in the area, or rentals unless I want to get a 1 bedroom. Not 1 bedroom apartment, but 1 bedroom.

So now my dream area for living is now Leslieville in Toronto or Hamilton. Hamilton is much more affordable area but there's no Purple Purl. It would take way too long to get there.

Don't know why I'm rushing since I'm pretty sure I've got at the very least 3 years before I'd be able to afford it on my own, which just reminded me of my priority list that I still have to do.

Well I got to go get ready for an appointment regarding my educational future. Ta-Ta!

This Sunday was awesome

I got to go to The Purple Purple, dragging my cousin along with me. I didn't really have a plan in mind other than get there before they closed for inventory at 2p. I left with a skein of Indigodragonfly's MCN Sock in the colourway Groverkill (selected mostly on the name choice) and a skein of Tanis Fiber Arts' Blue Sock Label in the colourway Buttercup (because I don't have any bright yellow yarns).

I made sure I left with a Purly Points card this time. I forgot to do that last time after I spent over $40 for sock yarn.

From there, my cousin, B1, and I walked to The Taste of the Danforth. We kept seeing the cutest dogs and I wish I had gotten more than 1 picture. We did see some interesting art work on the bridge as we walked.

The food was excellent. Really enjoyed my gyros, Baskin Robbins' Gold Medal Ribbon ice cream (favorite!) and a frozen lemonade from Tim Hortons...wait, I forgot the perrogies I shared with my cousin that I wasn't overly fond of. We also stopped in a bookstore and bought the first Game of Thrones book. I'm letting B1 read it first since I still have my Star Trek novel to finish.  And here's the Henna B1 got done.

It was a good day and I'm ending it by watching the Olympic Closing Ceremonies.

The rest of the weekend was pretty good too. On Friday I went over with B1 and B2 (B1's younger sister) to my dad's house. My little sister J decided she wanted to help me knit by making my yarn softer. Let me preface this by letting you know my sister hasn't even reached 4 years old. She "helped" by pulling the yarn out of the caked skein and squishing it in her hands, creating a ball of something that lead from the skein to the sock I was currently knitting. No on could persuade her to stop. I told her that the yarn was soft enough. J's response? I'm making it softer! B2 tried to help. My sister was distracted for less than 10 seconds to "help" me. B1 tried telling J that one of my brother's N was calling her. J gave B1 a side look and told her "N can wait. I'm making the yarn softer." Yes, my baby sister has a massive attitude. I just salvaged what I could and closed up my knitting pan.

Friday night however had me falling asleep to the music of 10-30 European neighbors singing at the top of their lungs in the backyard. Some of the neighbors didn't appreciate it but I enjoyed it. It had harmony and everyone was in key and I was in the house in a bed, ready to sleep.

So I'm going to leave now to go play my Sims 2 game. Bye!

Got my Book

Remember a couple posts ago about my local library system being anti-Trekkers/Trekkies? And how I was going to have to buy the book on kobo because of their frequent coupons?

If only I had scrolled down I would have seen that coupons cannot be used with the purchase of the book anyways :(

So I bought the book; Star Trek: The Next Generation: Greater Than the Sum. Why does it have so many colons in the title? I have no idea but I am enjoying the book do far.

It has a Human/Vulcan hybrid named T'...something who took the opposit approach of Spock and loves ignoring basic protocol and running with her feelings. As of yet, there are only 5 characters between TNG & VOY that I recognize. I'm shocked that Piccard got married but I do like who he married to. Worf is now Number Obe. Seven is going by her real name of Annika Hansen and now a professor but there's no sign of Chakotay. Seemed like their relationship was going somewhere at the end of VOY but no mention of him yet. They did mention Wesley Crusher (also known as Sheldon old nemesis on Big Bang Theory). I forgot he went off with the alien race of gifted people. I actually had to go look it up on google.

On a completely different note, my feet are cold and I wish I packed my favorite socks (or any socks for that matter). Take a gander at my BFF socks (designed by Cookie A.)

Fun Advertising

It's actually fuzzy!

Knitting Friday Progress

So this week I picked up a project I haven't worked on in over a month. My Aunt's Wanida Socks. It's always the same place I stop; halfway through the heel flap. It is the most boring part of knitting socks. But I have turned the heel and am working towards the foot.



My motivation? Once I finish my outstanding projects, which include these socks, another pair for my best friend which is currently stuck at the heel flap and my Anisette Cardi, I am allowed to knit MYSELF another pair of socks out of my "higher grade" sock yarn. I got some Springtree Road Muscadine and Julep, and Tanis Blue calling my name :D

My Sock Blankie has made a little progress as well. I don't expect to work as much on it in the up coming weeks. I have put out request with some of the ladies from my knitting circle who knit many socks, for left over sock yarn. I really want to make my Blankie as colourful as possible while still being washable. Superwash wool all the way!



BTW, I am excited for this weekend. Every summer in Toronto there is The Taste of the Danforth. It's a street festival of Greek culture. I'm not Greek but I do have a fondness of Mediterranean foods (shawarma...drool). Also, I have realized that The Purple Purl is about a 30 minute walk from there. So my plan for the weekend is to stop at The Purple Purl, pick up some Tanis Fibre Art Sock Yarn and I'm going to try to get a skein of Indigo Dragonfly. I'll decide on the colour when I see what's available. I can't wait :D

After that purchase, I am not allowing myself to buy any additional yarn in either full skein or mini skein format until the end of November. I would very much like to sign up for Cookie A's sock club for 2013. And there's also Cyber Monday with KnitPicks which will either be sweater quantities of yarn for sweaters sitting in my queue, and the glossy sock yarn that I bought earlier this year that I am dying to use.

I really need to go to my bed now. It's past 2:30 in the morning and I need to be up at 7am. Good night!

My local library is apparently anti-StarTrek

And see me frown about this :(

I found this book I wanted to read called "The Greater Sums" by Christopher L. Bennett, which tells the tale of the Borg Queens. I usually borrow books through OverDrive, connected with my local library. I searched by title. Nothing. I searched by author and saw a lot of Christopher's. I said screw it. I went searching for Star Trek. Why did I see Star Wars popping up? Seriously search function?! I wanted a story about Borg Queens not Jedi!

I found the book for purchase through Chapters, Kobo and iBooks. I'm going to wait til the weekend and hope Kobo sends another discount coupon.

I was going to update with my knitting progress but well...I'm tired so good night!

I hate having a phone by my computer

I decided I would spend my morning playing my sims game for a while.  When I was finished, I was just going to check a few things online before turning off my computer when the phone rings.

I always check for caller ID before I pick up the phone and this time it said "Private Caller".  I don't like answering when I can't see a name but sometimes my aunt calls and forgets to take her phone off private caller so I picked up the phone.

It's a woman on the phone with A LOT of background noise saying she's from Microsoft...first thought that pops into my head? I didn't apply for a job with Microsoft.  I had a very difficult time understanding her due to the background noise but she told me she was from Technical Support from Microsoft and that my Microsoft computer was throwing errors that was preventing me from using my browser.

First problem?  Microsoft doesn't make computers and my computer's an Acer.  I did tell her I was having issues connecting to the internet however that was because of my internet provider, not any software issue.  She insisted in was a software issue.  I told her no because with my older modem (that I was using 2 weeks ago), everything worked just fine.  She insisted that my Microsoft Computer was still showing errors.  I may not be the most technically proficient person on the planet but I am quite aware that when there are issues and errors, my computer at the very least tries to irritate and annoy me about them with little pop ups in the corner.  The only thing I've gotten was from Microsoft letting me know there are updates for Microsoft Office and I finally caved this morning and installed them anyways.

Second problem?  If Microsoft has this kind of service of calling me if something is wrong with my computer, where have they been for the past 20 years? I'll even amend that to 15 years for the development of internet.  They have never called me once and I've been through 4 computers and quite a few hard drive crashes and motherboard issues.  With one of the computers being totally virus infected.  Microsoft doesn't call for those issues.  I'm practically under the assumption that they'd rather let your computer fall apart so you have to by a new computer or have to update to the newest OS to fix the problem.

I am also a person who doesn't like to be on the phone.  This woman was approaching the 5 minute mark, a time slot that's only reserved for very few people.  I told her I wasn't interested in getting my computer fixed since it was working just fine.  I wasn't seeing any errors.  She didn't want to let me off the phone.  I then told her I was highly suspicious of her calling me due to the above mentioned computer issues and they have never called me before.  She kept asking if I didn't want to get my computer fixed.  I hung up the phone and went online and found a whole host of people being called by "Microsoft".

So if anyone gets these calls, ignore them people.

Still unemployed but now there's a plan

So severance has been done for a month and a half and employment insurance (ei) now has to be kicked in. There was an issue when I employed but it's all been fixed and I should start getting something next week.

In Ontario, we have the option of going for a second career (aka: I get to go to school and not be completely broke while doing it or being in debt when it's over). According to my eligibility report, I have to wait 26 weeks from my last day of employment before I can apply for the program. That's another 3 months. Which according to the advisor I was talking with, I won't have the time to get in for the winter semester but I can get into a summer semester, if the school offers it then. I'm assuming next fall will be my first day of classes.

Off to bed...