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Just a quick post tonight as am knackered. We went to Appleton this afternoon (nearest larger town/smaller city). Unfortunately we went too late to go to the yarn stores, so I knit away on my Socks that Rock. I had bought the yarn end of November, but only got as far as the ribbing on sock #1 - then a couple of weeks ago, I got the heel turned and started on the foot. Well, thank goodness for car trips, because I got the first sock finished and am half way through the 2x2 ribbing on sock # 2. The only problem with the yarn is that its a little slick and it likes to fly off the size 1 needles; so when it got dark I used the book night lights/reading lamps that Santa was kind enough to put in the kiddies stockings. They work really well. Santa got them at Radio Shack, and they were only $3.99. They clip perfectly onto my seat belt and give just enough light, but no so much that it bothers DH while he's driving. He did occasionally look over at me and laugh, but that was mainly when I felt the need to tell the slippery little buggers (nee stitches) to stop jumping off the bloody needles and behave themselves.
I didn't get anything done on my Dale today, so will have to work extra hard tomorrow as in order to keep on schedule I must have the sleeve (#2) finished by Sunday and I'm about 2/3+ of the way there.
I was very excited when I came home and looked on my blog today and saw that I got my first comment (and not from a friend - as I have been unusually shy about them seeing my poor grammar) from "Jon" - although aren't all knitters brothers and sisters - I know I'm extremely lame, I can't help it, I'm a mother of 4 kids - enough said. He informed me of a knitalong for Philosophers Wool. Yippee! I've been looking for a KAL or group about PW, as I know I'll have some questions. Yeah "Jon"! May your days be filled with many knitted stitches!
I've discovered that in order to participate in the YarnHarlot's Knitting Olympics, I will need to have my own Knitting Championship to finish current Dale project (11604 - Agave) - plus complete some of the socks on needles ( I have around 3 - I suffer from 2nd sock syndrome, it's a serious condition..but there is hope). Not forgetting all the swatching (training) that I have to do to prepare for the Olympics.
I decided to do the Color My Own Philosophers Wool Cardi, and in my crazy dreams, I'm thinking I'll do the matching cardi for my daughter (4). Realistically, there is not a chance in Hades that I'll get both done, but one can dream. I've decided that the key to completing Color Own sweater will be to not sleep. Last night I took my sleeping pill (insomnia - a problem for some, but may work for my advantage during the Main Event) and tried to knit on the sleeve of my Dale. The colors for the main part of the sleeve are green and black; I had set a goal to complete 12 more rows before I went to bed and pill took effect... only problem was that after a while I noticed that some of the stitches looked blue and then pink and yellow and red. Bloody Hell! The pill took effect too quick. I'm wondering about cutting sleeping pills in half and only taking half doses so that I can get some zzz's but still get more knitting time.
Sometimes it feels like a Catch 22 - I'm a mum so I have lots of people who are more than happy to wear my constant stream of knitted goods, but they are rude enough to require my attention and time - especially the 1 year old. I appreciate all the sporting events they are in, as I can have an excuse to sit and knit all day long watching them and occasionally remembering to cheer (hopefully when their team scores goal, not their opponents - believe me, it's happened). There are also all of those doctors appointments where I am more than happy to sit in the cough infested waiting room, but then my preschooler has the nerve to want to be held because she has a fever. I have tried knitting with a 4-yr old with a fever on my lap, but if you can manage to get your arms around them and their blankies, you can't keep hold of the needles for all the sweat pouring out of your body because 4yr old has 104 Fever. Very inconvenient. My boys, 7 & 10 have taken quite a liking to the yarn store, but then pester me to teach them how to knit. I have, but it cuts into my knitting time answering their questions and picking up their dropped stitches.
Need to run and put 1yr old down for nap, find project (nee Cartoon on TV for child to stare aimlessly at and playdoh to smash into carpet) for 4 yr old, so I can get some more knitting on sleeve of dale done. I am 1/2 way done on 2nd sleeve. I forced myself to do sleeves first (helpful for guage swatching) and get the pain out of the way.
Well, everybody! Let's get the intro taken care of.
My name is Kim and I'm a Knitaholic! No, it's not just some cheesey line - its the truth. At night, I debate whether I should take my sleeping pill or take advantage of the insomnia for more knitting time. Many times the knitting wins, and my poor and unfortunate kids and husband pay the price of having a cranky, tired, knitaholic in the house suffering from withdrawls the next day. I started knitting when I was 5 and was taught by my beautifully talented Nanny Taylor (nee Grandmother) who always inspired me to create and give to others. Whenever a baby was born she would hand over a garbage bag of tiny size 0 needle sweaters, cardi's and pants/dresses for the newbie.
I knitted fairly sporadically for the next 25 years and then moved to Wausau, WI and stayed home with the then 3, now 4, little sprogs. (aged now, 10, 7, 4, and 1) I was wandering around downtown Wausau (takes all of about 5 mins to hit every store) and discovered Black Purl. Knitting Nirvana. I grabbed a project and have never stopped since. I have more yarn than Imelda had shoes. There are projects dotted all around my house, the kitchen (remember a watched pot never boils, but can boil over if the pot won't listed to the "one more row" request, the bathroom (for when hiding from kids and faking stomache upset), the living room (when trying to look interested in visitors with fake smile while trying not to let them see lips moving when counting 2 black, 2 green, 2 black, 1 green on Dale sweater sleeve).
Obviously I have issues, but my husband never really complains as he recalls how expensive therapy was for 1 session a week when afraid was going to drown kids. It probably wasn't the best to quit working right around the Andrea Yates deal and 2 weeks after having 3rd child and move to new state. He thinks knittings a deal - let 's see - 1 session per week $150x4=$600. Even I can't knit that many projects, although I am capable of purchasing that much yarn per month for said projects.
So, as previously mentioned I lack clear thinking when it comes to knitting and felt compelled to sign up with YarnHarlots Olympic Knitting 2006 Challenge Event and am trying to finish other projects before the Feb 10 start date so can complete a Philosophers Wool Sweater by the end of the Olympics (yes, that's 2 weeks).
Basically, I love to knit and when not knitting I love to read about knitting, but unfortunately I have found that reading about knitting does not work as bedtime reading, as after reading about knitting, I feel compelled to get out of bed and sit in the closet and knit for a while, then when tired I get back in bed and read again ... and I think you can see where this is going.
Well, that's me for now. Incredibly happily married to the most supportive man I know, and have 4 hilarious, intelligent and inspiring (yes, don't forget exhausting) children. I love you guys.
Now, I've talked about knitting enough and have to go run upstairs and knit.
