16 years ago by s t a c i

Shoveling Snow

Fast-topic-changing Friday! Double the topics for the same low, low price!

	Snow. Not really, but probably the closest we’ll get in Austin. This is popcorn material that used to be on the ceiling. It took a lot of scraping to get it down.
	What a messy, messy job! There was popcorn and dust everywhere (including inside every single piece of clothing I was wearing. How did that happen??) After clean-up, it really didn’t look like very much. Huh.
	I’m smiling here, but yeah…I’m a little sore today. The good kind of sore that reminds you that your house looks a little less 1980s. This photo is part of my self-portrait photo project. Next…!
	New free pattern! I designed this Toddler Tunic for a class I’m teaching. Aleah and her mama were kind enough to model for me. Christina has a future fashion maven on her hands here…not only does Aleah like to model, but she also never fails to notice and comment on the shoes I’m wearing. I hope she remembers me when she’s the editor of Vogue magazine. Next…!
	Got bark? Ike is actually eating tree bark in this photo, rendering him barkless no more. Right? Next…!
	Aww. These guys are pals and all, but it’s rare that I see them snuggled up like this. Warms my heart to see them bonding. Next…!
	Yeah, that’s a down comforter. And that’s goose down. And that’s Abe. Is it really more comfortable with the down outside of the comforter? More “snow” to shovel. Have a great weekend!

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16 years ago by s t a c i

De-Stashing the Stashless

Today’s Early Bird Special – a fast-topic-changing Friday.

I’ve said this before – I’m a stashless knitter. I am not a yarn collector. I buy yarn, I knit it up, and then I buy more for the next project.

Here is my best definition of a knitter’s “stash”: Yarn that is purchased by the knitter, with or without a specific project in mind, that is stored away and not knit. (I honestly don’t get it.)

The exceptions: yarn that is leftover from a project is not stash. Yarn that is gifted to the knitter is also not stash.

Some of you non-knitters might be wondering, what’s the big deal? The big deal is that most knitters have at least some stash. Some knitters even have a stash so large, that if they knit ever day for the rest of their lives, they will never get through it all. Other knitters measure their stash yardage in miles. Still others find themselves redecorating their homes to accommodate the bins and bins of stored yarns.

Back to my stashless stash. I have leftover yarn…not stash, mind you, but lots of it. About 5 jumbo Ziploc bags – all left over from about 200 projects. Time to put it to use.

	So, I started this. This is the Traveler’s Life Afghan, as described in The Yarn Harlot’s Casts Off. The recipe is: find a lot of yarn in about the same weight (mine’s worsted), cast on enough stitches to match your wingspan (mine’s 360), knit every row, and change yarns every row. Leave a tail for fringe. (There are more details in the book than I’m describing here.)
	I’m loving this project! I can look at every single row and remember the project for which the yarn was initially used! Memmmmmorieeeeees, like the corners of my mind…. My rules for my afghan are: no black yarn (except the first and last rows), and only natural animal fibers.
	So far my afghan is wool, silk, angora, alpaca, cashmere, and mohair. I adore the way the colors are (mis) matching, row-by-row. This will be an ongoing project that I pick up whenever I just need some simple, mindless knitting. You know – the kind of knitting that keeps one sane. Next…!
	Remember the Chartreuse Monster? Well, it isn’t a Basenji sleeping bag…
	But it was big enough until I felted it…
	And now it’s my new environmentally-conscious, insulated grocery bag! This is the Green Earth Grocery Bag from Noni. As you can see, I purchased a hearty dinner of champagne and leeks on my last trip to the supermarket. Next…!
	Abe survived his dental surgery like a trooper. He was a little sore and groggy that night, but he’s eating and playing again. Here he is, fast as lightening, carrying his toy squirrel around. Thank you to everyone who sent good wishes his way. Have a great weekend!

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16 years ago by s t a c i

Ahhhh. That’s Why.

Over the last few posts, I’ve mentioned that Abe has been acting strangely. Sometimes bad (eating my cell phone), sometimes funny (dragging stuff around), sometimes just plain weird.

Since dogs don’t talk, I’ve had to try to figure out what was going on. Along with some suggestions from verypink readers, I guessed:

1. He’s more confident now, and pushing boundaries.
2. He’s suffering a little separation anxiety, since I’ve been working longer days at The Knitting Nest.
3. He’s still dealing with the recent move and massive life changes.

Maybe, but maybe not. I learned a bit more the other day…

	First up, it recently became abundantly clear that Abe had a parasite. A seriously revolting parasite. I will not discuss the details. The vet gave him one magical pill, and he is parasite-free. Let’s just say that it couldn’t have been comfortable for him.
	While we were at the vet’s office, I also learned that Abe has a broken tooth and a gum infection! Poor baby! I swear, he hasn’t shown any signs of mouth discomfort at all. But it’s gotta hurt, which would help to explain his behavior lately.
	Here he is showing you the tooth he has to have removed. Kinda. Mostly he is yawning.
	On to better news, I am releasing a new pattern – the Felted Easter Basket.
	Before felting. This pattern uses Cascade 220 Wool. I wrote it for an upcoming class I’m teaching at The Knitting Nest. The pattern language is really clear, and suitable for beginning knitters. You can imagine where the proceeds from the sales are going…straight to the vet! I’m only half joking here.
	Felted Easter Basket pattern.
	Ike is parasite free, with no broken teeth. When he is bad, it’s only because he chooses to be that way.

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16 years ago by s t a c i

Milestone Birthday

Fast-topic-changing Friday ahead…

Yes, a milestone birthday – but not me. (Not yet. Three more months.)

	Today, Ike is 10! Happy Birthday, my sweet Munky. He and I have a lot of history together, and I’m so happy we found each other. He is as active and spry as a 4-year-old. Next…!
	Carrie test-knit the 18 month size of the Fiona Baby Sundress. Lookit how cute it is on her daughter, Becca!
	Equally adorable as a top on a 3-year-old. Thank you, Carrie! For knitting it up, as well as sending the precious pics. And for giving birth to the fashion models. I’ll add this size to the free pattern very soon. Next…!
	Bad dog. Next…!
	For those of you who are anxiously awaiting the new season of Lost, you just gotta watch this video. It catches you up with the first three seasons in 8 minutes, and it’s really well done. Have a great weekend!

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16 years ago by s t a c i

Leave the Bottle

Welcome to fast-topic-changing-Friday Island.

While I was drunk with power and in charge of The Knitting Nest (and having crazy sales that involved extra discounts on pink yarn), Stacy was at TNNA in California buying new stuff for the store, driving around in a convertible, and getting a tan.

It was a win-win.

Stacy also brought me some presents. Here are a couple of new things that I found especially exciting…

	Like this. This is a new idea in sock yarn, called Flat Feet. The yarn was dyed while it was knit up into this piece of fabric, which makes for unique color patterns when it’s knit into socks. You’re supposed to unravel this as you knit, so there’s no need to wind it into a ball. Pretty cool idea. These will be available (in all different colors) at The Knitting Nest sometime soon.
	Stacy also brought me back this vibrant hank of Trekking hand-dyed sock yarn. The colors are seriously “WOW”. I can’t wait to see what other colors she ordered. Stacy gave these to me before she even knew about the tragic heel blowout. Very nice, but OMG! I have stash all of a sudden! Next…!
	Knits in the wild! It’s still a little big, but here’s Molly Renee modeling the EastEnders Baby Sweater that I knit for her. We find this child to be pretty adorable. Next…!
	Oh yeah, ha ha. It was cute when Abe schlepped my bathroom rug outside. It was less cute when he tore up an important paper shortly after that. It was even less cute when I found The Chartreuse Monster (my current knitting project) on my bedroom floor…
	…And even LESS cute when he ate my cell phone the other day. Not sure what’s going on here, but if I start drinking whiskey in the mornings, you’ll know why. Please be sure to notice camouflaged Ike in this photo. He appears to be smiling. Have a great weekend!

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16 years ago by s t a c i

RIP, FO. BFN.

Rest in peace, finished object. Bye for now.

Here’s the story…

	My FAVORITE socks. Finished back in April of 2007. Toe-up pattern, Socks That Rock yarn. Approximately 26,680 stitches. So vibrant, so young, and such a bright future ahead of them.
	The other night I was enjoying some downtime with my homey-dogs, wearing my favorite socks and these slip-on Keens (because there is no end to the “sexy” in this house). La, la, la. Knitting, watching tv. Time for bed. I kicked off my shoes, and suddenly the floor felt really cold.
	Noooooooooooooooo! No warning! Just a complete heel blow-out without notice!
	And the other one, too!
	Rest in peace, favorite socks. You were loved to death. From now on, I’ll knit with a second strand of heel reinforcement yarn in all of my socks. Lesson learned.
	Stop. Doggie time. Abe is proud to show me that he brought my bathroom rug outside. I don’t understand his reasoning, but I was grateful, nonetheless. Good boy!

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16 years ago by s t a c i

Just Like Everyone Else

Blogging from work! Yay!

Today was supposed to be a different fast-topic-changing Friday than it is, because I had a problem. I’m here at The Knitting Nest with my laptop, but my external hard drive is at home…safely keeping some of the photos I wanted to use today. Change of plans!

	This photo is from yesterday, titled “Drunk with Power”. It documents my first day in charge of the store, and is part of my 365days self-portrait photo project. Today is my 29th day in the project. Next…!
	A customer asked me if I use these needles and this yarn to demonstrate in my classes. Ha…no. I can barely lift them. Next…!
	The store shares a parking lot with a liquor store. When customers pull up, I try to figure out if they are knitters or drinkers before they walk up to the building. Usually, I’m correct. Sometimes, not. Next…!
	The Chartreuse Monster continues to grow. It has one demand: FEED ME MORE GREEN YARN. Nom, nom, nom. Next…!
	Slacker. Next…!
	I had a really sweet photo of both of my boys that I wanted to use today…but here is a pretty cute photo of Abe, anyway. It was his shift on Squirrel Patrol. Have a great weekend!

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16 years ago by s t a c i

Perfectly Acceptable

(There’s a note to local Austin/San Antonio folks at the bottom of this post.)

When you live with another person, there are things you do (and don’t do) to help keep your home a happy one.

Now that I’m on my own, I’m learning how I am without another person around.

	Swift and ballwinder = permanent dining room decor. It just makes sense to keep them out.
	After a night out, jewelry stays where it lands. I always know exactly where to find it.
	Nothing wrong here. This is why I have two bathrooms.
	Whatever strikes my fancy for dinner is a-okay. Honestly, I have about a million more examples. Like painting my nails on the nice furniture, yarn in the kitchen, and People’s Court marathons. But I still say “excuse me” if I burp. To the dogs, of course.
	One dog, Two dog, Red dog, Blue dog?

One last thing…While Stacy is out in California at TNNA, I’ll be running The Knitting Nest. Like, I’ll be IN CHARGE from Thursday through Sunday. IN CHARGE. Two things will happen: first, I’m going to run some kind of sale. Not sure what I’ll do yet, but I want it to be fun. Second, there will be a captive Master Knitter at your disposal (all day, every day) to help with your knitting questions. So, a sale and free help. Just don’t tell the other Stacy.

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16 years ago by s t a c i

That Knitting Thing

Remember how I used to talk about knitting all the time? I realize that since the move and the holidays, I haven’t really kept up on that whole knitting thing very well. Today I’ll fix that.

First up, I want to mention something I’m really excited about. I’m offering several knitting classes this month at The Knitting Nest. Not only are the classes filling up, but they’re overflowing with students. On nights when I don’t have classes, I’m usually taking students for private lessons. I’m LOVING it. I’m busy and making money and doing what I love to do.

I’ve mentioned before that Stacy is the owner of The Knitting Nest. We refer to each other as “the other Stacy”. Yesterday a friend came into the store when we were both there and said, “Hello, Stacys!” Plural. Hee.

	This could have been the most boring photo ever, but I cutened it up for ya. This is the pattern that I’m using for my upcoming sock class. It’s worsted weight, so it will be a quick knit. I made the pattern by combining the best features of a couple of free patterns available online, so that it incorporates everything a knitter will need to know to get started on socks. Ike likes it.
	This is the Leaf Lace Scarf by Twisted Knitter, which I’m using for my upcoming lace class. It’s so pretty, and Janet is very generous to offer this as a free pattern. (Thank you, Janet!)
	Next up – The Chartreuse Monster, my current WIP. I’m keeping it a secret until it’s finished.
	Doggie goodness time… We just celebrated Abe’s 4th birthday last week. Now he’s all growed-up. In this photo, I believe he’s caught the scent of a BBQ joint in San Antonio or something.

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16 years ago by s t a c i

Working Title

I love fast-topic-changing Fridays. Just by typing “Next…!” I am forgiven for randomly jumping around like a bunny rabbit with ADD.

Let’s get started…

Take a look at this wall of cards! You people are so freaking nice!

Besides the sheer volume (108 at last count), there were a few things that pleasantly surprised me:

	1. Nearly every card included holiday wishes to Ike and Abe as well. Aww. 2. The messages inside were SO sweet! I got choked up every day opening my mail. Choked up in a good way. 3. The little prezzies! I got chocolates, jewelry, little bath products, ornaments, family photos…wow. I’m so glad that I asked for cards. They really helped me to have a great Christmas. Every card was like a big hug. Next…!
	Free pattern! I just finished designing this baby sundress, called Fiona, for The Knitting Nest. Stacy (the other Staci) wants to have a knit-along in the spring, and then ask everyone bring the dresses in to the store for an awesome display. It’s made from worsted weight cotton, and has a unique pleated skirt that gives it a ballgown feel. This pattern, along with my other designs, can be found here. Next…!
	DANG. I put up these shelves, stocked them with books, then realized that I didn’t have enough space. I didn’t mind going back to the store to buy another shelf, but I did mind having to remove and replace EVERY SINGLE BOOK.
	Much better. Now I’ll be okay if I accidentally buy more books. Yes, a large number of them are knitting books. Next…!
	Q. Isn’t it a lot of work having two dogs? A. No. Have a great weekend!

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