I'm going to the Knitting Meetup in Detroit next week with my good friend (and cousin...in-law?) Jackie. Sweet! Maybe I can get a little help with the project I've been working on for the last week. It was my sister's birthday over the last weekend and I was attempting to make her a tank top from a cotton/silk blend yarn. It looks pretty good except for the crochet edge around the neckline and armholes. I've never crocheted in my life, so it kind of looks like crap. I wonder if I should have crocheted into the stitches the same way I would have to pick up stitches: crochet 3, skip 1. I guess I can't really explain it and I don't have any photos to show right now, so I think I'll bring it along with me next week and see if there's an expert there who might be able to help. I wish I knew what the hell I was doing - both in knitting and in life. posted by kristar 8:09 AM
Matt has an interesting perspective on Jesse Jackson Jr's legislation to amend the constitution. Down with the bread man! posted by kristar 11:02 AM
Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Yesterday I finished sewing up the side and sleeve of the baby sweater for my class.
Here is a view of the detail:
I borrowed the Six Feet Under Season One DVDs from my local library, but they are due back tomorrow. I originally only planned to view the two or three episodes I missed, but then I decided I wanted to see the season all the way through. And there are also a bunch of special features to watch too and it's due back today! I guess I won't get around to watching it all since there are several other people waiting for me to return them. I just need to go buy them. My boss gave me $100 (as a little bonus, which is actually a big bonus relative to what I make these days) today - maybe I'll use it for some fun stuff for myself, like yarn and DVDs. He he. posted by kristar 7:11 PM
Tuesday, April 29, 2003
Something I thought I would never say:
I LOVE FINISHING!
Wow! Last night's class was great (and I'm not just saying that to get on Sarah's good side). I learned that finishing a sweater can actually be fun. I can't wait to get going on the Child's Guernsey sweater from Debbie Bliss's How To Knit. It's been sitting in pieces for quite a while just waiting to be put together. And now I really want to do it! Although, as Sarah said last night: "I still hate sewing in ends".
I've got my Finishing Class tonight. Can't wait to get this snazzy sweater sewn up. posted by kristar 3:18 PM
Sunday, April 27, 2003
I will never EVER buy another Dell computer!
Look who's visiting this week (and will be here next week too).
That's a rope toy in his mouth. He wants to play.
Finally finished blocking my baby sweater for the Finishing Class I am taking:
Sarah's an awesome teacher! I highly recommend this class. I learned a lot of great techniques in the first session alone.
I also wanted to show off some yarn I bought at the new yarn store, Woven Art, in East Lansing.
I'm a loser who hasn't posted anything in almost TWO WEEKS! I have a lot of things I want to write about, but I'm afraid it isn't going to happen today. I am at work and don't have time for it and after work I have something going on. Or at least I think I do, maybe if I stay home I will work on my blog and hopefully update my knitting gallery. posted by kristar 9:52 AM
Wednesday, April 09, 2003
I haven't posted in a while and I don't know why. Maybe I just don't have anything to say. Or maybe I have too much to say.
Yesterday I did some seed-starting. Three trays of peppers: jalapeno, Hungarian yellow wax, and serrano. I also started sweet basil and California poppies. Next will be cilantro, zinnias, cosmos and Mexican sunflowers. In addition to all of the seeds, I also repotted my ficus tree into a larger planter.
I can't seem to finish any knitting projects lately. It's been a while since I have actually finished anything. All I want to do is start new ones. I'm taking one of Sarah's classes later this month and I can't wait since it means starting something new.
I missed the knitting guild's Knit-In yesterday due to all of my planting. I really enjoy the Knit-Ins. I love seeing what everyone is working on. Until I moved to Lansing I'd never knitted with such a large group of people. It's weird and it's cool. I never thought that just under two years ago (still seems like only a few months) I would learn something that would become such an important part of my life despite the fact that I'm not an expert or even particularly good at it. I mean, why else would I be blogging about it? Or telling the world about it? Or socializing around it? I just LOVE it. While I don't totally understand it, I'm not ashamed of it.
New issue of Haypenny today. It's a satire of this according to my cousin (one of the editors). posted by kristar 2:50 PM
This morning the firing of Peter Arnett had me upset so I sent this note to MSNBC and National Geographic:
I was saddened this morning to hear that Peter Arnett would no longer have a job based upon some comments he made in an interview with a reporter working for Iraqi State Television. While his comments may have been opinion, shouldn't he be allowed to express them without fear of losing his job? Isn't that the freedom the U.S. is supposedly defending and hoping to create in Iraq? It seems to me the news agencies for whom Mr. Arnett worked should have made announcements stating that the comments Mr. Arnett made were only his opinions and not those of the agencies for which he worked. Firing him from his job was unnecessary.
What has terrorism done to us? All of this fighting doesn't seem to be protecting our freedoms.
And I never thought I would want personalized plates, but I just had to get this one:
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I bought the car on eBay. posted by kristar 7:54 PM
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
As for that sock in the pic I posted last Thursday...I tried to do an "afterthought" heel by making a tube sock and then snipping the yarn where the heel should be and then picking up stitches to create the heel. Apparently, I was a little overzealous and I ripped out too many sticthes. It looked awful! So, I ripped out the entire sock and started over again. This time when I had knitted to the point at which I wanted my heel I used a piece of waste yarn to mark the spot (and the stitches) to be picked up once the toe was complete. You can see this in the photos below (click on each of the three pics to see a larger view).
And here is the finished sock (out of focus, but you get the picture). Kinda funky. I'm not sure it was faster (for me) than the traditional way of knitting socks, but it was different and fun. I am currently working on its mate.
Yesterday I went to the knitting guild meeting. Always fun to be surrounded by so many excellent knitters. Lynn was gracious enough to pick me up and her polymer clay demo was great. She managed to cover a lot in a short amount of time.
Last night I may have gotten 2 or 3 hours of sleep. My sister's dog is staying with me this week while my sister and her husband are in Las Vegas. Champ was having doggie panic attacks all night. He has them whenever he smells smoke, so it kind of freaked me out. But, there wasn't any smoke to be found, so I have to attribute it to the fact that he really misses his family. I just hope he sleeps better tonight because I want to sleep better tonight. Here we are...
Big news: my new driver license arrived in the mail today!!!
More knitting news to come... posted by kristar 10:27 AM
Thursday, March 13, 2003
i {heart} austin
I had a blast in Austin this past weekend. We spent part of Friday down on South Congress which meant I absolutely HAD to go into Hill Country Weavers (my favourite yarn store in Austin). I couldn't help myself and so I ended up leaving with some yarn AND some needles to make socks on the return flight.
I also saw a few SXSW movies and some bands playing at a 6th Street venue. I even spotted a celeb - Robert Duvall was in town for his movie premiere.
The trip was topped off by great weather (sunny and in the 80s), delicious food and a kite festival at Zilker Park. I must move back.
Who knew getting a driver license would be so tough. Several weeks ago I attempted to get one with my temporary Illinois license and my passport, but the woman at the Secretary of State office (in Grand Rapids) said I needed another piece of ID, like a birth certificate. So, I tried to locate my birth certificate to no avail. I eventually had to break down and request one from the state. I received it a week or so ago, but hadn't had a chance to get to the Secretary of State office again. Today I finally found the time (had to leave during work, though) and made my way to the office in East Lansing. When my number was finally called the woman took my identification and showed it to her manager who said that my temporary Illinois license wouldn't count as a form of ID. ARGH!!!! I wanted to scream. I couldn't believe it! I told her I didn't have another form of ID. She asked, "Do you have a marriage certificate?"
"No."
"A military ID?"
"No."
"A work ID?"
"No."
"A student ID?"
"No."
"A car title or registration?"
"No."
"Hmmm."
Blank stare from me.
"How about school records?"
"Um, I guess I could get my university transcript. But, this temporary license expires on Tuesday and I will be out of town until then."
"You'll have to come in on Tuesday."
"Well, why did the other Secretary of State office say this would work as a form of ID?"
"I don't know, but I have to go by what my manager says."
Argh!
Well, I wasn't sure how I was going to get my transcript between now and Tuesday since I was planning to be in Texas during that time, but I read through the list and discovered I could bring in a school yearbook. Geez! You'd think my passport would count for more. I needed all sorts of ID to get it - shouldn't it count as two? Oh well. I found my yearbook, but I am kind of worried because my last name is misspelled in it. Hmph. posted by kristar 6:07 PM
Wednesday, March 05, 2003
A snowstorm hit my area last night. It was a very slippery commute this morning. And, needless to say, there are only four of us in the office. It's kind of nice, though. I get to goof off a little because there isn't much to do.
While I'm working I like to listen to the Rock Home of Stockholm - Rocket Radio 95.3FM. The show I'm listening to now started off with Mr. Rogers singing his theme song. The station plays a nice mix of music - some old, some new. Yesterday I heard two Cure songs. Oldies, but goodies. Right now I am listening to new stuff from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Rock on, Sweden!
At work I also use the Java version of AIM(beta). It's a good way to avoid installing more crap on my machine.
I've got another tape of Six Feet Under and it seems fine. A coworker taped the replay last night. I'm so happy! (And glad that there is a VCR at the office so I could check it out this morning) posted by kristar 8:56 AM
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
My blog is purple. I am in a purple mood since I've been finally buckling down on the Debbie Bliss Child's Guernsey from her How To Knit book. By the way, the sweater is purple.
I watched the videotape of Six Feet Under last night and I don't know if it was the tape, the satellite dish, or HBO, but something wasn't right in the beginning. During the opening titles it just froze on the director's name for close to 10 minutes (of which there were only a few minutes with sound). Hopefully my friend will re-record it during one of its replays this week. Or maybe I can just come over and watch it. posted by kristar 9:37 AM
My friend taped the Six Feet Under season premier for me. I am so excited to watch it! If you haven't checked out the site, it's pretty cool because you can see all of the music credits for each episode - for every song even if it's just a radio playing quietly in the background. This show has the best music selections. Every piece is very appropriate to its respective scene. So much goes into the details of this show. I LOVE it! If you haven't checked it out yet, maybe you should consider renting the DVDs for the first season. Not that any of us need to be hooked on another show, I know, but this is good quality television!
It's a four day week for me. I am heading to Austin this Friday for the SXSW Film and Music Festival. I'm so lucky to have a friend there with whom I can stay. I miss Austin so much! Of course, I wish it were going to be a little warmer, but anything's better than the frigid -5F I woke up to this morning. Brrrrr. posted by kristar 10:53 AM
Friday, February 28, 2003
The new season of Six Feet Under starts this Sunday! Now if I could only find someone who has HBO... posted by kristar 11:29 AM
Blend until smooth and pour into salt-rimmed glasses.
Makes 4-6 servings. posted by kristar 5:47 PM
Monday, February 17, 2003
Well, let's not forget it's a new 2 weeks and you should be reading the latest Haypenny update.
Over the weekend I met up with a fellow knitblogger from Lansing. Lynn has been kind enough to welcome me back to Lansing with a very warm heart. She had a breakfast get-together with some of her artist friends and invited me to join them. AND she is going to pick me up and take me to a knitting guild meeting tomorrow! Woohoo!
I also had a hell of a weekend moving my belongings from Grand Rapids to Lansing. UHaul couldn't get me a truck (even though I had one reserved) and so I had to find another one at the last moment. This, of course, delayed my whole move which in turn forced me to unload my truck over two days instead of in one day because the storage place closed while I was in the midst of unloading. I am tired and sore from lifting boxes and climbing stairs. One more good night of sleep and maybe a professional back massage and I should be back to normal. One good thing about the move: I was able to separate out all of my stash and have it altogether at home!
Nothing new to report as far as knitting projects go. My knitting group in Grand Rapids is supposed to get together tonight and discuss a possible group project. I think I have a couple of them convinced that we should make Fuzzy Feet. posted by kristar 10:44 AM
Wednesday, February 12, 2003
Well, I am settling into my new job. The people are nice enough. Someone even asked me to teach her how to knit.
That Brittany needle (plus an extra one) arrived only a few days after the email said it was being sent. I still haven't gotten back to knitting that sock I started, though. I did, however, start and finish my Fuzzy Feet (when you open the link look for Krista R. or Hello Kitty). I've been working on a couple of scarves and that child's guernsey sweater. One of these days I will post some photos. I am such a slacker about getting on the web to update this blog now that I have to do everything through dial-up. I have been such a spoiled brat for so long. Having a cable modem was a wonderful thing, but it doesn't seem to be an option here. I feel like I live in BFE. I need to move into Lansing proper.
I hope my cousin doesn't mind me posting this, but I thought these movies he made were funny. They are a little odd, but funny nevertheless. You'll probably need to make sure you have Quicktime installed. If you do, you should only need to double-click the links to see them. Lemme know if you think he's a freak or if you think they're funny. He'll take either as a compliment I'm sure. posted by kristar 7:10 PM
Friday, January 31, 2003
I got the job at the law firm and I start on Monday. And now I feel like a jerk for accepting it because I don't really want it. What was I thinking?!
Someone from Brittany finally emailed me this week and said a new needle will be mailed out.
I've joined the Fuzzy Feet Felt Along. I've got my needles, now all I need is the yarn.
Still working on the kids' sweater I started about a year ago. I finally picked it back up. Now if I could just finish it.
Why am I so bummed out? I'm really glad to be moving out of my friends' house, but I just don't want to start this job and I don't really want to move back to Lansing. If I only had some marketable skills. This is probably really annoying. I hate listening to people complain about being depressed, so I shouldn't be doing it. I will shut up now. posted by kristar 4:12 PM
Monday, January 20, 2003
I spent the weekend visiting my sister in Chicago. We got some decent knitting time in. I helped her start a hat on circular needles and we also went to Knitter's Workshop (which is just down the street from where my sister lives, conveniently enough) to pick out yarn for the hat and a baby afghan she also wanted to make. I, being without money, had to just admire the fine yarns on display.
Spent much of today looking for jobs. Talked to someone at a law office - he asked me to send him my resume. We'll see what happens.
I finally sent an email to the peeps at Brittany. Hoping they will replace my needle without too much trouble. I just hope it doesn't take too long. The website says a couple of weeks, but it also says they only check their email once a week. I'll give it a month to get here.
I'm working on 3 scarves right now and getting very bored. I need to work on something a bit more challenging. I think a sweater needs to be made by ME!
Carolyn's on all day bed rest, so I am watching the girls during the day. After this, I don't think I would ever have kids. Mind you, I did say "kids". As in plural kid. Maybe I could deal with just one. More than one is too much. Moms have the toughest job on the planet.
If only I had read the Knitting Curmudgeon's reviews. If you click on this link and scroll down to the entry on September 7th, she writes about the small Brittany DPN's breakage problem. Argh! I wish I'd known earlier. posted by kristar 2:57 PM
Check out the latest issue of Haypenny. posted by kristar 10:31 AM
Sunday, January 05, 2003
You'd think as much as I talk, I could come up with something to say here on my blog. I don't know why I've been neglecting it. Maybe I've just had too much to say...
I think I'll mention a couple of things that have had me down lately. First of all, I was working on a scarf for my friend for Christmas and I took it to my parents' house to work on it while I was away. I figured I had plenty of time to finish it before I would see the friend for whom it was intended. Well, I did have lots of time, but I didn't have lots of yarn since I'd accidentally left the second skein of yarn back at my house in Grand Rapids. Sucko! I thought for sure I could find this NO DYE LOT yarn at one of the popular craft megastores in which I'd seen it a zillion times before. But no! It wasn't until the 27th when I was visiting my cousin and his wife on the other side of the state that I located a skein of it. I busily got back to work on the scarf only to discover that the stupid yarn was way thicker than the other skein. Is this common? The only thing I thought I actually had to worry about was the yarn's color, but since it was a NO DYE LOT yarn I wasn't concerned. Little did I think I would have to make sure the weight of the yarn matched up. And this yarn was labeled exactly the same as my other skein. Same weight, same yardage, same gauge. Let this be a lesson to me: ALWAYS KEEP ALL YARN FOR A PROJECT IN THE SAME PLACE AS THE ACTUAL WORK IN PROGRESS AND NEVER BUY ANOTHER SKEIN MID-PROJECT EVEN IF IT SAYS "NO DYE LOT". Argh.
My second bad thing was breaking one of my new size 1 Brittany DPNs. Such a bummer. One of my Christmas gifts was Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road. I was so excited that I went out right away and bought the needles and some pretty red sock yarn. I was just starting the cables in the "Conwy" pattern when -snap- my needle broke. Fortunately these things have a guarantee on them. I wonder how difficult it is to get a needle replaced.
Well, my head's hurting. I'm gonna go now. I'll try to write more tomorrow. posted by kristar 4:41 PM
