Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Progress Report: Sean's Sock (singular)

I've completed one and miraculously, it fits!

Sean's Socks 08

I've started on sock #2 and I'm praying that I'll have enough yarn to complete it. I'm worried that either the pattern yardage is wrong or the yardage for my yarn is wrong.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

On the Brighter Side

Marion the Librarian was so kind as to drop by the house a couple weekends ago and install not one, not two but THREE light fixtures for me. And he did all the work in exchange for some homemade butternut bisque. (Yes, my bisque is that good.)

Number one was a bathroom fixture that I picked up from Costco for a steal ($35 minus the $10 instant rebate and it included 3 energy efficient bulbs).

Bathroom Light

Number two was a pendant lamp from Home Decorators - another steal as I got it from the outlet for just $45. It replaced the ghastly brass chandelier that comes standard in builder homes.

Dining Room Light 2Dining Room Light 1

Number three was a flush mount light for the craft room - purchased at the incredible price of $30. It replaced an okay looking light fixture that was hanging on a chain. While the amount of light that the fixture gives off is less than perfect (don't let the wonky photo below fool you), it looks much, much better and I can increase the lighting with a floor lamp.

Craft Room Light 2Craft Room Light 1

The craft room is looking good. The old cabinets are gone and I've ordered a companion piece to hold the small bit of craftiness that couldn't be contained in the new big cabinet. I've also got to make the curtains as I am sick of looking at such pretty fabric rolled up in the corner instead of being draped near the windows. And while I have "painting the craft room" on my Year of Lovely Things list, I may not need or want to paint once the curtains are up. The colors of the curtains, light, and furniture may be enough.

Speaking of my Year of Lovely Things list, the bisque I made for the light fixture installation can come off the list. And this past week, I actually did four more things - I planted an herb garden (more on this in a future post), took a mental health day, went to the movies (saw Avatar), and today I'm taking a road trip. The sun is shining and the temperatures will be hovering towards 80 degrees. Can't think of a better way to spend the day than with my husband, my dog, and my knitting bag while visiting my favorite town on the Eastern Shore, St. Michaels. Hope your day is just as delightful.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Progress Report: Sean's Socks

It took a while to have photos to share, but here you go - progress on Sean's socks:

Sean's Socks 04

I've turned the heel and I'm working the length of the foot now. I'm a bit concerned with how much yarn this pattern at the men's large size is using. I'm hoping that it was just my inability to evenly split the yarn into two even balls.

The bright blue color is an appropriate post for today as I'm heading to the movies to finally see Avatar. And since we're seeing the first show of the day, I'm having popcorn for breakfast.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

*Insert Clever Blog Post Title Here*

Over the weekend, I did manage to find the aforementioned crochet hook that was trapped in the couch. It took some time and I did have to detatch the chaise from the couch in order to tip it upside down. I'd hear the clinkity clink of the aluminum hook against the wood frame, then reach into the cushions hoping I had correctly pinpointed the sound. In the end, I was victorious!

I was not as successful with meeting the deadline for the third Ocean Waves blanket. There was no way it could have been finished by Friday (without staying up every night for many nights in a row). With the deadline and pressure gone, I've gone back to working Sean's socks. I'm using the basic sock pattern found in the book "Teach Yourself Visually: Sock Knitting". While I really like the book, the errors in the basic pattern were frustrating. Because of my previous sock knitting experiences for both adult and kid sized socks, I knew something was not right with this pattern. An email to the Queen and a search for the pattern errata proved me right. I still love the book for its instructions though I must admit it would be frustrating for any newbie knitter who didn't see the errors before working so much into the sock.

There is oodles of rain in the forecast starting tomorrow and through the weekend. I think I'll be spending quite a bit of time indoors working on the socks. Hopefully I'll have some photos to share this weekend.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Treasure Hunt

I was watching LOST last night and working on the third Ocean Waves afghan. There is no way it is going to be finished by Friday so I was not really concentrating on my work. I watched the show and kept shifting my seat to accommodate the dog jumping about, only reaching for my hook during the commercials.

Until I reached - and there was no hook to be found.

Off the couch came everything. The blanket was unfurled, the cushions up-ended, the floor beneath the couch searched. I wedged my hands between the chaise cushion that is firmly attached to the couch, desperately searching.

Crumbs - yes.

Hook - no.

I kept feeling about until I found a hole in the lining leading to the frame of the couch. I contorted my arm as best I could to search every place. Then - all of a sudden - I felt the familiar aluminum on my finger tips.

"Got it!" I said triumphantly, as I pulled my hand from out of the cushions. And there it was - the hook I lost back in December.

Back under the cushions I searched for the newly lost hook but to no avail. I then tipped the couch up, hoping to jostle the hook loose from whereever it was. I heard the metal hit the wood frame but where it ended up inside the couch is still a mystery. It will have to wait until the weekend when I have a chance to disconnect the chaise from the couch and flip it over to try and shake out the hook.

Did I mention that the newly lost hook was the one that replaced the hook I lost back in December? Guess they wanted to switch places.

Monday, March 1, 2010

March is National Crochet Month!

In honor of March being National Crochet Month, and to cross off an item on my Crafty Resolutions list, I joined the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA). I'll eventually add the logo to the blog and in the meantime, I'll be wearing my CGOA pin with pride.

I'm looking forward to what membership with CGOA will do for me in regards to my crocheting and my crochet/crafty networking.