Hangin' with Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart was in town signing books at Sur La Table. I went down there and got in line to wait to meet her and get her to sign my books! It was a long line, but I didn't care. It was however, very cold. Too cold to knit, although I did my best until my hands were numb.



While I was standing there flipping through my book, a photographer with the AP came and took my picture and it's on the Yahoo News site!

Here's my book!

It was cool to meet her and she was very nice and we chatted about how sweet it was of me to get a book for my mom who couldn't come up from Boise to go to the book signing with me. I told my mom how I stood in line and froze my butt off for her book. She said we were now even for the time when I was 7 and she got up at 4 a.m. to make sure I got a Cabbage Patch Kid for Christmas. You're right mom, we're even.

KAL Smackdown - Round Two

Part two of the KAL is back. The Smackdown continues. After losing horribly to Speed Knitter (a.k.a. Carrie) and Warp Speed Picker (a.k.a. Rebecca) Slow-Ass Knitter (a.k.a. me) is tending to my wounds and picking up the needles for Round Two. I feel stronger. I'm just going to brush off the disappointment of my slow knitting and go on. So far, I am about 2 inches into the back side of the bag. I am a little concerned that my busy work schedule (two more night meeting scheduled for next week -grrr...) will slow down my valiant return efforts. I feel that city leaders (and my boss) may frown on the idea of me knitting through meetings instead of taking notes. Sad world we live in isn't it? Wish me luck!

Powering through the knitting funk

I've decided the only way to over come knitting funk is to quite simply - knit. I've finished another flower wash cloth. This one looks more like a flower and less like an amoeba - like my first one. I knitted this one on circular needles instead of DPNs. Obviously I was quite loose with the knitting for the first one. I suppose it's better to be loose with the yarn than with the men! Although it would really depend on the project I guess! Now I've casted on for another one. Since these are gifts with the deadline coming up, it's really helping with the knitting funk...knowing I'll see the joy on their faces when I give them away. And if I don't see the freakin' joy, I'm taking my cool knitted flower wash cloths away!

Knitting funk

I'm in a knitting funk. I haven't touched any projects, books or yarn all week. I went to two yarn stores today in the hopes of over coming this tragic ailment. No luck at the first spot. Not much better luck as the second. I bought a pretty light orange color for another flower wash cloth but it's for a gift. I need something fun and challenging to get back in the knitting way. I miss it. I long for it. Just have no inspiration.

The end of Rosy and a sweet surprise!

Saturday Rebecca and I hit the open road for a day trip to Tacoma to check out the Madrona Fiber Arts Retreat. Being the oh-so careful planners that we are, we weren't signed up for anything and just decided to check it out. Upon our arrival, Rebecca made a bee-line for the sign-up sheet to a free round table session with the Yarn Harlot. It was full so Rebecca signed us up for the non-existent waiting list. We then met up with Jessica and Lorette for a little knitting and discussion. It was then, that my lovely Rosy met her untimely fate. As I've blogged before, I was concerned about Rosy's size. Turns out, I was right. My gauge was way off and Jessica, Rebecca and I could have all worn Rosy - at the same time - had I continued on.

So I ripped. And I ripped. Very traumatic but thanks to my support (all of whom whipped out their camera's to document) I survived. Next up, lunch time. Rebecca and I hit a Mexican spot for a little liquid consolation over Rosy. Then we went back to try and charm our way into Stephanie's class. Turns out, we're very charming and got in! We learned a ton of great tricks for fixing mistakes and we discussed the Rosy incident. I felt better.

Still mourning the loss of Rosy, I came home from work today and found another treat from my Secret Pal!

She sent me a Valentines Day card, chocolate bars (that didn't make the picture-didn't eat them...just forgot them) a row counter, needle gauge guide and these handy flash cards full of knitting tips. I'm especially fond of the one about gauge! Thanks Secret Pal you're the best!

The Knitting Knot

I thought I'd start a new, quick fun project tonight, another flower wash cloth from Weekend Knitting. It's not starting out so quick and easy however.


Hmph....will keep at it. In other knitting news, tomorrow I'm off for a road trip to Tacoma with Rebecca to check out the Madrona Fiber Arts Retreat.

The upside of wisdom teeth removal

I'm trying to look at the upside of having my wisdom teeth removed since I like to think I'm a the-glass-is-half-full kind of girl. Basically, once the grogginess, throbbing pain and swollen face went away, the doctor told me to lay on the couch, watch T.V., eat milkshakes and knit. And knit I did (once the grogginess wore off). Here's proof:



I finished the Flower Wash cloth from Weekend Knitting. Although it looks like an amoeba in this picture.







I finally finished the front side of my felted bag that I'm working on for my KAL. Rebecca came over to bring me some ice cream and forced me finish this project since she and Carrie have knit circles around me. They've already started the second part - unlike we originally decided which was to start TOGETHER. They need to work on their listening skills.



And I'm just a few rows away from finishing the back of Rosy. It's so lovely. Although, it seems really big but I'm sure that's just because: A-I've never knit a sweater before and don't know what to expect. B-It's just a funky knit pattern because it's knit sideways. C-I've just screwed the damn thing up. But I'll knit on and have faith in the pattern and myself.

As I write this, I'm watching the Grammy's and Sir Paul McCartney just did a cover of U2's Helter Skelter. I'm not sure what I feel right now: surprised -shocked-frightened. A little of all three I think.

Thanks Secret Pal!

What a wonderful treat today! When I came from work my package from my Secret Pal was waiting for me! Inside the box was a cute card, bookmark, an adorable package of soap, lip balm, lotion and a sewing kit and thimble plus Knitting Over the Edge! I've been lusting after that book! I just love it! It was a great gift and I'm so happy! And it couldn't come at a better time because tomorrow, I'm getting my wisdom teeth removed! UGH! Not looking forward to it, but now, once I come out of the grogginess, I can sit back, flip through the book and admire the pretty pictures - while trying not to drool on them of course! Thanks again SP! You're the best!

I am a spazz knitter!

Did you ever have one of those spastic knitting moments? You know the type....forget for a moment how to knit, purl, bind off, cast on. Just those moments when you've done something so many times you just simply forget it. Kind of like when you're getting ready to head into a meeting at work and you have that thought flash through your brain - 'Did I remember to put on deodorant this morning?' Deny it if you like, but I know I'm not alone. Last night at my knitting group, Purly Girls, I had a total spastic knitting moment. The beauty of a spastic knitting moment is that they never happen when you're alone, just when you're in the company of talent other knitters. Last night, I couldn't remember how to use DPNs! Now I know they are difficult to use, but I love them! I use them all the time! I encourage others to learn how to knit on them! But for some reason, I couldn't get the damn things to join the flower petals for the flower wash cloth from Weekend Knitting! It was embarrassing, funny and a typical Megan knitting moment. Because earlier in the evening, we had discussed how once again, I purled backwards (dont' ask..it's a gift really) and my half a row of stitches were funny on my Rosy!!! Rebecca, a.k.a. uber knitter, wanted me to try and fix it. The funky row was so far down there, I just couldn't possibly do that. My solution was one much simpler, I shall wear my hair down when I wear Rosy. And possibly, not wear Rosy around Rebecca (the mistake is in the back). I'm just going to chock it up to a life-knitting lesson learned and move on. As for my DPN incident, I recovered, oh so gracefully (not really, but I'm trying to get over it) and am still finishing up the wash cloth. Photos to come later - provided I can get the thing that connects to the computer thingy to work.

Knitting overload

So the non-knitting diet I was having at the beginning of the month is way over. Now I've got knitting overload! The list that I made earlier to help me focus didn't work. In fact I threw out all of those stale projects and have four new projects over-flowing from my knitting bag! I love them all and the immense pile of knitting is somewhat stressing me out! God I love it!
What's in the knitting bag?
1. Rosy - Debbie Bliss
2. Hobo Grommet bag
3. Irish Hiking Scarf
4. Flower wash cloths from Weekend Knitting (new project started this weekend 'cause I didn't have enough!)

I've been tagged!

Mara tagged me so here goes!

Four places I have lived:
1. Boise, Idaho
2. Ketchum, Idaho
3. Manassas, Va
4. Tucson, Az

Four movies I could watch over and over:
1. Sliding Doors
2. A&E's Pride and Prejudice
3.Sense and Sensibility
4.The Little Mermaid

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. Gilmore Girls
2. Friends
3. Related
4. Days of Our Lives (sad, I know)

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. Paris
2. London
3. Cayman Islands
4. Stanley, Idaho

Four websites you visit daily:
1. www.hotmail.com
2. www.seattletimes.com,
3. www.msn.com
4. www.blogger.com

Four of your favorite foods:
1. popcorn
2. cookies
3. chicken enchiladas
4. lasagna

Four places you would rather be right now:
1. the front porch of my family's place in Cascade, Id
2. knitting with friends
3. Paris
4. any warm, sunny beach

Four bloggers you are tagging:
I think I'm the last one...but if you want it...you got it!

Picture Day!

I thought I'd document a few things rarely seen around here:
1. My great progress with Rosy!

2. My first attempt at cable knitting: the Irish Hiking Scarf (I love this pattern!)

3. And a sunny day in Seattle!

That's the Space Needle with the Cascade Mountains in the background. And Lake Union with a few sailboats out soaking up some sun! I'm spoiled, this is the view from my apartment rooftop!

Knitting and colds

A crappy cold has sidelined me this weekend. However in the midst of laying on the couch watching B-made cable TV movies I managed to complete the 42 row of mind-numbingly boring st stiches for the back of Rosy! My arms ache, wrists are sore and fingers are numb. Damn this feels good. To document my great accomplishment I wanted to take a picture but my digital camera battery is dead. Perhaps once it is charged and another round of cold meds kicks in I'll have a picture to post of my progress. Until then, pass the Kleenex and and Sudafed.

Bring it on!

It's been four days since I started the KAL with Carrie and Rebecca and it's gotten dirty. The trash talk is flying and the knitting competition is fierce. However, it's been brought to my attention that Rebecca - a.k.a. Speed Knitter - is kicking my ass. I am convinced she is secretly calling into work (I'm sure of this) and staying home and knitting!!!!! Meanwhile, with looming deadlines and an editor with no forgiveness, I am forced to write and not knit! Damn this job! Can't write any more...don't have time to snap a photo...must go knit...

Knittin' in the rain!

I love that I am back on the knitting wagon once again! I'm looking on the bright side of all this gray rain and it makes me want to sit and knit! And that's what I've been doing! Rosy is coming along so well! I'm loving it! And I've started a KAL with Rebecca and Carrie for our felted Hobo bag from Hilltop! Now I'm planning on starting a cable scarf to learn to cable! I think I'm a bit out of control. Pics on all these great projects to come later....
P.S. After 27 straight days of rain, we had one freakin' day of sunshine and now the streak is over. That would be fine if it wasn't pouring down rain again and going to be doing that for the rest of the week!!!

Rain Watch 2006

We're at day 26 of continuous rain. We're on track to break the record of 33 days of continuous rain. While this does make for great knitting weather, it's getting to be a bit much! At this point however, I feel we should continue on and go for the record. At least we'd have bragging rights.

The return of Rosy and my Secret Pal!

Rosy is back! After two terrible tries last year, Rosy from Debbie Bliss has returned! And so far...so good! I've made great progress and have signed up for an intermediate knitting class where I can work on Rosy! Tonight was my first class and I didn't have any problems! Maybe I should find a more challenging project! Plus I updated created a blog for my Secret Pal! If you're my secret pal....click here!

Great gift!

What a great treat to a rainy Monday! Yesterday when I got home from work the packages from my parents house had arrived! In the boxes were the Christmas goodies I couldn't fit in my bag! Plus my mom used my gift certificate at my favorite Boise knitting store to get me the Alterknits book! (Sadly, they said they would be open after Christmas for me to redeem my g.c. but they were closed so no shopping for me!) I've been flipping through Alterknits and am in love with the multilayered tube scarf and shawl! Perfect for spring in the northwest...assuming it will ever stop raining here! The boxes also included a sweet gift from her friend Myrna..these cute point protectors!

My beautiful blog!

Check out the beautiful header Rebecca made for me! I love it! I feel like a real blogger now! Plus I've signed up for my first Secret Pal! Now if I could just get back on the knitting band wagon. I've seem to have fallen off....but in my defense....it's been a crazy week and I'm looking forward to the weekend and all of my knitting that is sitting there waiting for me. I think we have been missing each other!

A slow start to the New Year

Happy New Year! So it's day 3 of the new year...and I'm just getting around to doing my New Year's blog. That doesn't look good. As of yet, I have not started anything on my January knitting list. I did however purchase The Yarn Girl's Guide to Simple Knits which I love. I am admiring several projects but haven't started or purchased yarn for anything. I'm hoping to start one of the projects listed below sometime this week. Otherwise I need to rethink my list completely!