10/13/08

Lotus Blossom Shawl...yet again.

So far, I had to frog this goofy shawl three times.

Apparently, third time's the charm; I managed to get 87 rows before finding a goober of a booboo. :/

Needless to say, this Marie isn't a happy one.

I'm working my way to fixing this booboo (Thankfully, it didn't go down very far!), but I refuse to frog it again.

Grr.

5/19/08

A proposition like many others:

A warning: This isn't about knitting; it's about being a target for a scam.

I was recently sent an email from a "Geraldine Rodeger" from "Xlibris Corporation" about my interest in poetry and possibly self-publishing it.

Mind, I never have shared my poetry on this particular blog; I only share it with close friends and fellow church members.

Apparently, this person hit up more than yours truly; try Googling the name and you'll see what I mean.

In the meantime, here's the entire email, here for your amusement (No names have been changed to protect anyone, because it's a fraudulent name to begin with.):

Dear Marie,

Among your many endeavors, you mentioned in your Blogger.com profile that you are also into writing poetry. Have you considered putting these poems of yours together in a book of your own?

Self-publishing is one strong avenue to share your poetry with the world in book format. Not only do you gain worldwide distribution of your work through Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Amazon: bookstores may also want to have your book on their shelves with our new marketing services.

Please e-mail me for further inquiries on self-publishing.

Cheers,

Geraldine Rodeger
Xlibris Corporation

My reply, if the reader wishes to continue being amused.

Ms. Rodeger (If that's your real name.),

As much as I appreciate the cold call email (Otherwise known as searching through various keywords (Such as "poetry" and "photography," for example.), I will have to pass on using Xlibris Corporation. If I do plan on publishing my poetry, it'll be from a more legit source, such as a college newspaper or Zondervan (As if that will happen. I have more luck with the college newspaper!).

I do find it odd that you may have inadvertently targeted Christians in your scam (I might as well call it as I see it.). Needless to say, I'm more amused than annoyed; thank you for providing the proverbial cherry to my banana split of a day. Thank you!

Cheers,
Marie

4/30/08

Good grief!

I frogged the Lotus Blossom shawl; I didn't like how the yarn was looking when I was knitting it up.

Instead, that yarn will be used for a scarf or two and I'll find a wool/silk blend for the shawl.

3/4/08

Lotus Blossom Shawl, take 1!

Since I decided to hold off on Monkey sock #2, I went ahead and dive into multitasking in the form of the Lotus Blossom Shawl.

Using La Luz Multi - a silk yarn, even (In my crazy way of thinking, silk yarn makes for a gorgeous shawl!) - in Stargazer (Pastel shades of the rainbow!), I'm looking forward to having a shawl that is pretty, goes with everything (Including blue glasses!) and is soft to the touch (Which is proving well so far.) without being itchy (Yay!) is this girl's dream come true.

I'm using metal circulars this time around (The Boye needles in size 6.) and they're working quite well. My tension is spot on (For a change.), so my poor thumb won't be overworked by clenching the yarn too tight.

On top of that, I've learned three new techniques: the knit front-to-back-to-front (kfbf), the knit front-to-back (a variant of the kfb), and the make 1 increase. On top of that, this is my first charted piece. Hooray!

Now, let's see if taekwondo doesn't knock this chick to the ground (I took up TDK; class two is tomorrow. Yay!) before I get started on chart 1!

2/23/08

Socks, Church and Really, Really Good Food!

So far, Monkey's been a good pattern; I just started the toe decreases on sock one. Photos coming soon on that. I really liked how the lace pops out, even when the sock isn't even blocked! The yarn that I chose for it (Alpaca Sox) is really soft on my feet; that and I reversed the sole of the sock (I made the purl-side facing down so I don't have to deal with the ridges hurting my feet; yes, my feet are that sensitive. Other socks I've made I can't wear due to the purl ridges rubbing my soles raw.).

Non-knitting news: I'm slowly digesting tonight's meal, courtesy of the Harvest "Winter Banquet" (Formerly Valentine's Banquet; single Marines felt left out!). Mike's Farm definitely makes the best macaroni and cheese EVA!

I think this group o' Presbyterians got the Baptists beat when it comes to potlucks and meals; no one leaves hungry and everyone leaves happy, thanks to awesome fellowship with like-minded believers and simply delish food to boot (To be honest, I look forward to the fellowship than the meal; being around other Christians energizes my spirit.)!

Anywho, off to sleepy-time; church in the morning!

2/4/08

Branching Out: Complete!

I forgot to mention that Branching Out is finally off my needles and is ready to be blocked.

Yayness!

Pictures to come soon.

New Socks!

I'll be trying socks again; this time, it's Knitty's Monkey.

Thuja was a decent pattern and I liked it, but the yarn rubbed on the soles of the feet; unfortunately, that makes for a very uncomfortable sock most of the time. I can wear those around the house, but not much else.

Hopefully, the Alpaca Sox yarn won't be as uncomfortable as the Supermerino turned out to be (I still have two skeins of that in the marine colorway, as well as leftovers from the purples; I'm sure I can think of something that isn't a pair of socks.); so far, I'm liking the alpaca yarn. It's warm yet incredibly soft; they knit up well even with a split here and there.

The pattern doesn't look too difficult; I've done most of the stitches except twisted rib, but that wasn't difficult to master (knit through the back instead of front).

I learned something new; I found sock yarn that was comfortable through my hands as I knit and maybe I can wear these socks more than Thuja.