Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! I'm going to get presents later, when everything is on sale. For now, this is what I've been up to:

My friend went to Short Course Nationals for swimming, so I made these for her to congratulate her. I'm kind of into the baking thing nowadays, so I made some marshmallow fondant as an experiment and covered six cupcakes with it. As far as I'm concerned, they turned out pretty well for not having a circle and not having a proper rolling pin.

Made for my French teacher, who wrote some of my letters of recommendation. My anatomy teacher will probably get chocolate chip cookies because I don't normally knit for men I don't love.

I have plans for making an ugly Christmas sweater before next Christmas using this chart on this pattern and a bright, gaudy green torso with red sleeves. I'm pretty excited.

Happy holidays to all!

Time

Yesterday was my birthday! My parents are the best; they gave me $100 and told me to "go spend it." So what did I buy?


Love them! And of course, people gave me yarn! Two of the French V girls went shopping together and bought me these (plus smelly stuff [lotion and body mist!] but it's irrelevant):


Jiffy and Fun Fur. They're new at knitting themselves, so Jiffy and Fun Fur are the best things since sliced bread. I was thinking about making a hat out of purple with a Fun Fur pompom so they could see what their present turned out to be, but then thought that maybe I could make a yellow hat (out of the Jiffy I used for that yellow afghan) with a purple pompom. I don't think I'd have enough for a purple pompom on a yellow hat and a purple hat, but we'll see.

Oh, and I also got this little piddly gift from the boyfriend:


So I pretty much love him. :) Left to right: Lover's Leap (how perfect), Sapphire, & Hoofle Floofle

Progress on the lace shawl for my French teacher, also a knitter (and with whom I am going to Stitches West 2010), who is doing my recommendation letters for college.


Stitch marker my swap partner in Color Swap 5 gave me. I love it sooo much.

And that's about it. The only thing on my wishlist now is more time to knit.

CS5 Package

The Box.

Hmm... what color could it possibly be?

Yellow! My favorite!

Beautiful stitch markers handcrafted by my swap partner.

Here's a llama, there's a llama, and another little llama...

Goodies! I was in need of another tape measure, and I had recently run out of chapstick. When I opened it, I wondered aloud, "How did she know?" Plus I love gum, so hooray!

Mug! Perfect for photographing little amigurumi fruits peeking out over the edge.

Another "How did she know?" moment. I have been needing a headband when I go biking in the slightly nippy evenings but never got around to making one; this is perfect!

Butterflies! Too cute. Plus a pen (and I loooove pens).

Yarnyarnyarn. Lorna's Laces fingering & Frog Tree (100% alpaca!) sportweight.

Everything! So wonderful.

Taken just for fun.

Opening this felt too good to be true. It was so wonderful receiving this. Off to go post these pictures on the CS5 forum!

I Love My Bike

This is what I've been up to.

For swap partner in Color Swap 5

For friend's friend's birthday. Got $7 for this little guy.

Another $7.

Bike Adventures.

Sooo my birthday is in fewer than 11 days. Mom gave me $100 to spend on knitting, so I spent it on pattern books. Two catalogs from Bergere, two catalogs from Phildar, Knitting Workshop, Knitting Without Tears, Sock Innovation (my first Cookie A patterns!), and Knitted Lace of Estonia. I think I'm set for a long time.

It All Comes Out in the Wash

I spoil the boyfriend. He gets handknit socks. And he spoils me. I get lots of stuff - this time, an alpaca plush (with kitty and turtle plushes too). I think we go well together.

Story of My Life

I need to take a chill pill.

I cry every time I look at my knitting.

Ornamental Stitches Scarf

It's done! It's definitely for my mom, but I'm not sure for what occasion.



Now to work on the Vintage Cardigan.

Back from the Dead

Band camp, then school band camp, then school, all the while being obsessed with a Leaf Lace Shawl. But I won't make up excuses for how long I've been away. I have pictures, which should take care of any hard feelings, right? :)


Please excuse the poor picture quality (and the slanty-ness of the second picture).

Off the needles, blocked, and all folded up, waiting for Mother's Day '10 to surprise Mom. She's been watching me knit it up, but I told her I'm just experimenting in lace for now. She doesn't have to know it has been for her all along.

I'm planning on making a Swallowtail Shawl sometime in the near future (possibly after I finish my Vintage Cardigan) in a beautiful brown heather from Knit Picks' Alpaca Cloud.

Since the beginning of the school year has arrived, it's schedule time:

1. French V
2. AP Calculus BC
3. String Orchestra (on violin)
4. Wind Ensemble (on double bass)
5. English Literature (aka Brit Lit)
6. Economics
And on Tuesday & Thursday afternoons, Jazz B (on violin)

I love my schedule.

Just Stuff

I got a fancy new computer, whoo! It's much faster than my crappy old Dell.

Finished these recently, now working on the Fibonacci socks instead of the STR socks. (Btw, altering my queue: Fibonacci socks, Vintage Sweater [hopefully completed before camp], Lacy Vine Scarf [again, hopefully finished before camp - Aug. 1], then the rest whenever I come back from camp.) I did the Fib. socks because I wanted to do a fairly basic toe-up sock with the Knit Picks Palette to see if I was capable of doing toe-up socks before making Firestarter. They're super cute.

Jog visible... hah whatever.

And now on a tangent...
It's difficult to find a good swap group. Seriously, there's always something I don't like in them. I'm not usually a Debbie Downer, but really mean it. It's always un-secret or really random and un-sock yarny. I'm looking for the basics in a sock yarn swap. Something cute and simple, like at least $20 or 100 grams of sock yarn (color-themed or not; doesn't matter), maybe a handmade little something to go with it (be it a needle-poke-proof bag, dpn holders, etc.) too. Essentially, the Knit Sock Kit Swap mentioned on LimenViolet's earlier episodes (I've been in school and wayy out of the loop lately). A cute pattern (free or not; doesn't really matter), sock yarn, a bag, and maybe some other goodies thrown in. What I really don't like about the swaps I have been looking at in Ravelry are almost all not secret. And if they are secret, they're usually anti-sock yarn. I LIKE SOCK YARN. I would buy sock yarn for my partner and I would hope to receive sock yarn in return. I also very much enjoy being surprised. I don't want to keep in contact with my swap partner!

But that's just me.

Oh yeah. Earlier this week, I made a purchase. A very large purchase. From Knit Picks, of course. Show the kids what we got, shall we?
+ 18 skeins Swish Worsted in colorway Sunshine (for the Vintage Sweater)
+ 3 hanks of Gloss Lace in Natural (for mom's shawl to be made before Mother's Day 2010; I planned wayy ahead)
+ 1 hank of Bare Superwash Merino & Nylon Sock Yarn to be dyed all the colors of the rainbow! Well, except violet. We bought the Kool-Aid almost a month ago in preparation. It's going to be very wild-looking.
+ 2 hanks of the NEW Stroll Hand-Painted Sock Yarn as an impulse purchase. Soo excited to get them. I bought colorways Tree Fort and Tea Party because I couldn't decide between the two. $20 combined, so two for the price of one. How great is that?
Total = $106
Not too shabby. I love Knit Picks.

And I think I'm going to make Broad Street Mitts with the Gold Essential / Stroll Kettle-Dyed Fingering Weight. Maybe for a surprise Christmas auction on Facebook. Maybe. (Y'know, have a paper bag on a desk, take a picture of it, and write a note saying, "YOU GET WHATEVER'S IN THIS BAG. Leave a comment to be entered." Of course, it'll be a secret, but only you and I'll know that there will be the gold Broad-Street Mitts :) ready for a random drawing. I haven't done a drawing since like April. I kind of miss it.)

Happy Two-Months

Not much to report, except for the fact that tomorrow marks our (the boyfriend's and mine) two-month anniversary. So I made him a love bird that apparently looks more like a bee. :)



Finished the Charades late on Wednesday night (7/15), and working on the next project in line. >:( 3x1 ribbed socks are oh soooo boring. Next will be the fingering-weight Fibonacci Socks, using a basic toe-up sock pattern that is yet to be determined, giving me a chance to learn the construction of a sock knit from the toe up. Next will be Firestarter (or maybe Brainless) using the STR Lightweight, colorway Lochness.

I must say: I hate 3x1 ribbing.

HEY HEY HEY Look what I got!

My yarn from KnitPicks came in today! All are Essential (now being changed to Stroll). From left to right, top to bottom: Black, Wine Kettle Hand-Dyed, Gold Kettle Hand-Dyed, plus a free pattern from Knit Simple Magazine to get me to subscribe. I would, but the magazine I'm most interested in right now is Knit.1, "targeting hip 18-35 year-old knitters."

The black is to finish up the boyfriend's Marching Band Socks. I'm almost out of yarn and I'm just about to work the heel flap of the second sock.

The wine kettle hand-dyed is for a pair of Cabled Socks. I was going to make them with my Malabrigo Sock, but ended up making my first pair of Charades instead.

The gold kettle hand-dyed is for an experiment in designing my own sock pattern. I have a sneaking suspicion it won't work, but I guess it's worth a try. If all else fails, I can always find a cute cabled sock pattern, or make wristlets / gauntlets / fingerless mittens (whatever you happen to call them).

Someday, I'll make those mittens. Maybe.

Yeah, sorry for the poor picture quality. I'm in the process of purchasing a new camera.

Edited at 6:44 PM:

To-d0 list (in order):
+ Charades (to finish)
+ Marching Band Socks for the boyfriend (to finish)
+ Ongoing project - Lacy Vine Scarf, to finish whenever
+ Basic Socks w/ STR Lightweight - Lochness
+ Fibonacci Socks in fingering weight (Knit Picks' Palette - Semolina & Pool)
+ Cabled Socks in the Essential/Stroll Wine Kettle Hand-Dyed mentioned earlier in the post
+ Something with the Essential/Stroll Gold Kettle Hand-dyed mentioned earlier in the post
+ Vintage Sweater in Sunshine Swish Worsted

All that before July 31, 2009. ...Is that even possible?

Pictures

Because I neglected to do so earlier.

It's summer, so I've got temporary ADD, making me start projects impulsively. Enjoy.

My first lace scarf... ever. Can't wait to see it when it's blocked.

Charade socks from STR - Lightweight, colorway Gibson (currently out of stock). I'll try to get another picture later that shows off the colorway better.
Sock #2

Sock #1 finished late at night on 7/11

Marching band socks for the boyfriend, about which he certainly knows nothing. Mods to be made: shortened to first needle (on toe), ribbing to be ripped to second needle (instep).

My regular camera was spazzy, so I had to use the video camera's "picture" feature. "Just So" Sweater, mainly as an experiment to see if I was up to making sweaters. I most certainly am.

Postmodernism

Apparently we're in the postmodern era of music (but not limited to only music). Modern is supposed to mean the "latest" or "most up-to-date." So seriously, who thought of that? What happened to "look to the future?" I mean sure, we all thought we were going to die come 2000 (or 2001, if you really know your stuff), in an everybody's-talkin'-'bout-Jerusalem style. Whoops.

Those who named the Renaissance (1450-1600) knew what they were doing. The word "renaissance" literally means "a renewal of life, vigor, interest, etc.; rebirth; revival" (Dictionary.com Unabridged based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009). The Renaissance involved bringing back themes, whether it be in art, architecture, or music from Medieval times. This makes perfect sense. Then we have the Baroque period (1600-1750). Baroque is literally "anything extravagantly ornamented, esp. something so ornate as to be in bad taste" (Dictionary.com Unabridged based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009). Baroque architecture, art, and music was all about excessive ornamentation, so fine. That works. Next is Classical (1750-1820), when authors, artists, architects, and musicians demanded order. A classical, neat, uncluttered approach, in contrast to the Baroque period of yesteryear. And just so I have my evidence: Classical is "traditional or typical" (Dictionary.com Unabridged based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009). The name is suitable. Finally, we have arrived at the last respectably-named period of music, the Romantic era (1820-1910 [some say 1900; it's debatable]). Not necessarily romantic per say, the romantic era's music was, in layman's terms, emotional, or " ardent; passionate; fervent" (Dictionary.com Unabridged based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009).

My point is, what's next? Post-postmodernism?

I'd like to shake the hand of the genius who devised "Modernism."

Yeah, no pictures. Well, maybe just one...

Different mouth for future versions.

Frustrated

I am frustrated and upset because I cannot alter a sweater as I would like to.
I want to make a version of the ever popular Central Park Hoodie, but I want it at least three inches longer and FITTED. Also, I'd prefer a larger hood without a point. I'd probably also want to make it in one piece to simplify it. The only problem is: I don't know how to alter a pattern! >:(

Stitches West '09

I love knitters. I love how strangers can go up and talk to each other as if they've known each other for their whole lives. I love that camaraderie that comes with knitting. Here are two quotes that I picked up today. Remember, these people have never met each other.

One woman was wearing yarn around her neck. Another woman approached her, saying, "Oh my, you're wearing the yarn! It looks beautiful on you!" Then she went on her way.

Two women were looking at rainbow roving displayed in braids. One woman said, "Wow, it's so beautiful! But what do you do with it?" The other replied, "You hang it up and look at it!"

Also, I struck up conversation with many of the owners of the booths. Generally all were friendly, especially those at the wooden hooks & needles booth (the owner knew I was eying those rosewood crochet hooks). The owner warmly informed me that I was more than welcome to try any of the hooks. I grabbed one labeled "G" and started working on one of the 200 baby hats I need to make for charity. She saw me struggling a bit with the hook because it was too long for me, and promptly supplied me with a shorter one (7"). I started working at a rapid speed, and all of a sudden everyone at the booth went quiet and the owner just stared at me. She gaped in awe and said, "Looks like we have a competitor against Lucy Chen!" I don't exactly know who Lucy Chen is, but they were so sweet, I ended up buying that very hook just before we left. It's a beautiful Rosewood, but it cost a whopping $32. Regardless, it was worth it.

Oh yes, and I got a little tutorial on spinning. I never really had understood it before, but now it seems so simple. I've got to give it a try one of these days. Yikes I'm so busy though; I'll probably have to wait until summer.

OH. And a huge thing happened to me too. So me, my mom, and my aunt were gathered around this superhuge needle and hook booth, when I notice the guy trying out the huge needles. He is wearing a red Boston Symphony Orchestra shirt, so of course I asked him if he was a part of it. He looked at me, and responded that he was not a musician but his partner was; his partner played oboe. Apparently his partner was once an oboist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, but is now playing for the San Francisco Symphony. He introduced me to the oboist, Jonathan Fischer. He asked me what I played, so of course I said that I played violin and bass clarinet. "Bass clarinet?" he asked. "Not regular clarinet?" "No" I replied, "I can sort of play it but I don't like it as much as I like bass." "Ah, early specialization. That's good."

So the long and the short of it is that I had an awesome knitting day and an awesome music day. It's pretty awesome being the knitting musician. :)

(Oh yes, and the videos I've been taking at http://www.youtube.com/anonymousenough have gotten me fame at school... sort of. I got interviewed and journalism is going to publish an issue in the school newspaper about students [that go to our school] who use youtube.)

Ravelry Patern?

MY PATTERN MAY BE UP ON RAVELRY!

Why am I so happy, you ask? Simply this: I worked for about two weeks straight last year trying to get it up (Snow White Scarf, a simple pattern involving a basic braid in the middle). I thought I had failed... until tonight. I checked my inbox on Ravelry and saw that I received a message asking for permission to use the photos. I assume that's a good sign. :) YAAAYYYYYYYYY.

I'm loving the horns in this song:



Yayyy :) I feel like jumping around. I think I will.

Musical rehearsal is going a lot better than anticipated. The music is actually a lot easier than was the audition. Though the director gave us the music from the musical to sightread during the audition, he said he will end up cutting it out because it doesn't sound clean enough (fast eighths in cut time [so they sound like sixteenths] in the upper stratosphere dwarfing the melody played by the saxophones and clarinets).

We had a sectional yesterday, and it went really well, except for my occasional forgetting A-flats and D-flats. I can actually play all this music.

My new project: baby hats for charity. I get community service for crocheting in class. Not too shabby. I usually get about 1 1/2 per day, or 2 if I have time and the pattern is quick. I wouldn't normally crochet in class, but it's just too boring to pay attention so I fall asleep if I'm not doing something with my hands. Now I'm out of acrylic yarn so I have to wait until my mom can stop by the craft store. Yeesh that sounds so strange to say that one stops by the craft store to get yarn.

And I went into a bow-obsessive phase that I'm still actually in the midst of.





The Final Word:
+ "Wait, we're in cut time, right?" "What? We've been in four four for the whole number! Brass..." Trombonist & Band Director

Do Forgive Me

for I have been negligent.

This is what I've been up to:

For friend's birthday.

Christmas presents for everyone.

Birthday present for my favorite band geek.

Irish Hiking Scarf for my mom's friend's birthday

Octopus for my friend's birthday (another band geek).

Yep, fun stuff.