Book Rant

Dear Mssrs. Blargs and Nobodys,
When I moved to this small town in Northern California, I did not realize that you had cornered, nay seized, the market on new books. I had become spoiled by my favorite bookstores in Sonoma County, who worked diligently to provide me with my coveted reads on the day they were released. To my disapppointment, you seem to not be quite so interested in my needs/desires. Perhaps it is because you are, in fact, the only game in town. This seems to be a theme in this town. I am not enthralled by your decor, or you snobbish choices in offerings. You don't even carry the New Yorker for heaven's sake.
All I wanted was the Yarn Harlot's new book, Casts Off. I had hoped for it to be available on the day it was released. I was even willing to wait for another day if need be, seeing that we are in the sticks. Your staff informs me that they don't know when it will arrive, maybe Monday. Sadly disappointing for a national chain, don't you think? Perhaps you don't consider knitters a force to be reconned with. Perhaps you consider us a passing fad.
If I had another choice, I would purchase my books elsewhere. Maybe I should consider online from perhaps Amazing books?
Signed,
Frustrated with needles poised.

Where did you go today?

Yesterday, we rented a car and a hotel room and went to Santa Rosa.

We saw some friends who are moving to Utah.



Today, I was part of the lecture for the graduating nursing class called 'Graduate Panel'. This is where last year's grads get to pass on their pearls of wisdom to this year's bunch. I spoke for about 5 minutes about: compassion for self, help is not just a 4-letter word, you will never be alone again (except for NCLEX), and the miracle that is computerized charting. It went well. It was fun.

Then we drove home.

Before we left, I washed some socks and laid them out to dry. They were loosely blocked and lying neatly on the screen. Upon arriving home, I found that some were flat, some askew,


and someone looking fairly smug.


I forgot, she loves wool and hates us to leave. I just hope she didn't drool this time.

Mug Huggers!!!! (my first pattern)

I have figured out what to do with left over yarn. I make Mug Huggers. Sometimes I even try to make them match my socks. Here is the pattern. If you want me to email you a copy in Word format, just let me know. Sorry about the chart, apparently Blogger doesn't handle my knitting fonts. (I'll work on that)

Mug Hugger

<The Mug Hugger is a great way to use up bits of yarn left over from sock knitting. They replace the cardboard wrapper that we use on our cups of coffee from our favorite source (therefore saving trees) and help elminate the question of ‘which one is mine?’. The Mug Hugger is knit in two parts worked at the same time (the Body, and the Wedge). The wedge is the increase portion and provides a visually interesting increase pattern as well as a form hugging rib to give a bit more hug to your cup. The Body is knit in a pattern section consisting of approximately 40 stitches in a rib pattern of your choosing. The body may be knit in stockinette, but the result may not hold the cup as tightly as a rib pattern.

I use these as quick ‘Thank You’s’ and small gifts throughout the year, as well as having a basket of them wrapped on the doorside table for Holiday gifts for people who drop in around the holidays.

Project requirements:

yarn: approximately 40 yards of fingering weight sock yarn

needles: size 0 (I knit loose) or whatever size you need to get gage

gage: 6 stitches/inch, 8 rows/inch in stockinette stitch

stitch marker, scissors, tapestry needle (for hiding ends)

Wedge Instructions: (increases from 3 to 17 stiches over 32 rows)

row 1 – 4 : knit 3

row 5: k1, yo, k1, yo, k1 (5 stitches between markers)

row 6-8: k1, (p1,k1) X2

row 9: k1, p1, yo, k1, yo, p1, k1 (7 stitches between markers)

row 10-12 : k1, p1, k3, p1, k1

row 13: k1, p1, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, p1, k1 (9 stitches between markers)

row 14-16: k1, (p1, k1) to end

row 17: (k1, p1) X2, yo, k1, yo, (p1, k1) X2 (1stitches between markers)

row 18-20: (k1,p1) X2, k3, (p1,k1) x2

row 21: (k1, p1) X2, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, (p1, k1) X2 (13 stitches between markers)

row 22-24: k1, (p1,k1) to end

row 25: (k1, p1) X3, yo, k1, yo, (p1, k1) X3 (15 stitches between markers)

row 26-28: (k1, p1) X3, k3, (p1, k1) X3

row 29: (k1, p1) X3, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, (p1, k1) X3 (17 stitches between markers)

row 30-32: k1, (p1,k1) to end

Body instructions:

Choose a pattern stitch and work it over 40 stitches. The more interesting the stitch, the more interesting the hugger. Complicated cables may require a few additional stitches in the body section, just make sure that there is a ribbing involved in the stitch to pull in the excess. This can be worked in stockinette stitch for a softer effect.

To work the Mug Hugger:

Cast on 3 stiches, pm, cast on 41 stitches. Join without twisting and work in the round.

Work the Wedge pattern before the marker, and the body pattern on the rest of the stitches. Work through end of wedge pattern. Work in pattern to middle of wedge pattern and begin binding off all stitches. If no handle is desired, bind off all stitches and hide tails.

To make handle (optional):

Without breaking yarn from bind off, loop cast on 15 stitches. Pick up one stitch in the wedge at that last increase row, and knit together with last loop cast on. Turn work and purl to last stitch, pick up one stitch in bind off row and knit with last stitch. Turn work and knit to last stitch, pick up one stitch in the wedge at that last increase row and knit it with last stitch. Repeat purl and knit rows 2 more times. Bind off all stitches and hide tails

Cabled Mug Hugger: (shown in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Sock that Rock Carbon Dioxide)

cast on 3 stitches, pm, cast on 41 stitches. Join in without twisting. Work in round using wedge instructions before marker and Cabled Rib Stitch after marker.

Cabled Rib Stitch: Worked over 5 stitches plus one

row 1-3: (p1, k4) to within one stitch of end, p1

row 4: p1, right cable cross 2X2 (slip first two stiches to the back with a cable needle, knit next two stitch from left needle, return slipped stitches to left needle and knit), repeat to end of row, p1

repeat rows 1-4 for lenght of Hugger

Seeded Rib Mug Hugger: (shown in Knitpicks Memories Rocky Mountain)

cast on 3 stitches, pm, cast on 42 stitches. Join in without twisting. Work in round using wedge instructions before marker and Seeded Rib Stitch after marker.

Seeded Rib Stitch: worked over 6 stitches

row 1 : (k3, p3) to end

row 2 : (k1, p1) to end

repeat rows 1-2 for length of Hugger.

Wedge Chart (removed for sanity - will post again later)

Deconstuction of a Procrastinator

I've just been informed/reminded that the impending grandbaby arrives in 14 weeks. I thought I had a couple of months to got. OOPS - I do in fact have only 3 months to go. 2 1/2 if you consider the need to deliver the blanket in May for the shower. I'd best get cracking.

First, I need to finish my sweate to wear next week. And I need to make socks, lots of socks (it's a security blanket kind of thing).

Having too much fun tonight

You are The Star

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Star is one of the great cards of faith, dreams realised

The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future. They might say you're a dreamer, but you're not the only one.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Got a Life??

It’s been alleged that if you’ve seen over 85 movies you have no life. Mark the ones you’ve seen. There are 239 films on this list. Copy this list, go to your own blog, paste it in and put x’s by the ones that you have seen. Add them up, figure out whether you’ve got a life or not, and post it.

(X) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(X) Grease
(X) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest
() Boondock Saints
( ) Fight Club
( ) Starsky and Hutch
(x ) Neverending Story
(X) Blazing Saddles
(X) Airplane
(X) The Princess Bride
() AnchorMan
( ) Napoleon Dynamite
(x ) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) White Noise
( x) White Oleander
() Anger Management
() 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
(x) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
( ) Scream
( ) Scream 2
( ) Scream 3
( ) Scary Movie
( ) Scary Movie 2
( ) Scary Movie 3
() Scary Movie 4
( x) American Pie
( x) American Pie 2
(x ) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
(x ) Harry Potter 1
(x ) Harry Potter 2
( x) Harry Potter 3
(x ) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
() The Wedding Singer
() Little Black Book
( ) The Village
( x) Lilo & Stitch
(x) Finding Nemo
( x) Finding Neverland
( ) Signs
( x) The Grinch
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
( ) White Chicks
( ) Butterfly Effect
( ) 13 Going on 30
(x) I, Robot
(x) Robots
() Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
(x) Universal Soldier
(x ) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
() Along Came Polly
(x ) Deep Impact
( ) KingPin
( ) Never Been Kissed
() Meet The Parents
() Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
() Joe Dirt
( x) King Kong
( ) A Cinderella Story
( ) The Terminal
( ) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
( ) Dumb & Dumber
( ) Dumber & Dumberer
( ) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
( ) Halloween
( ) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
( ) Surviving Christmas
( x) Flubber
( ) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(x ) Practical Magic
(x ) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
(x) Hellboy
( ) Secret Window
( ) I Am Sam
() The Whole Nine Yards
( ) The Whole Ten Yards
( ) The Day After Tomorrow
( ) Child’s Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of Chucky
() Ten Things I Hate About You
( ) Just Married
( ) Gothika
( x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x ) Sixteen Candles
( x) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
( ) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
( ) Son Of The Mask
( ) Bad Boys
( ) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
( ) Lucky Number Sleven
(x ) Ocean’s Eleven
(x ) Ocean’s Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
(x ) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
( ) Bedazzled
( ) Predator I
( ) Predator II
( ) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
(x ) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
( ) Curious George
(x) Independence Day
( ) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
(x ) Christine
(X) E.T.
( ) Children of the Corn
( ) My Bosses Daughter
() Maid in Manhattan
( ) War of the Worlds
(x) Rush Hour
( ) Rush Hour 2
( ) Best Bet
( ) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
( ) She’s All That
() Calendar Girls
( ) Sideways
(x) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
(x ) Ever After
(X) Wizard of Oz
(X) Forrest Gump
( x) Big Trouble in Little China
( x) The Terminator
( ) The Terminator 2
( ) The Terminator 3
(x) X-Men
(x) X-2
(x) X3
(x ) Spider-Man
(x ) Spider-Man 2
( x) Sky High
( ) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
( ) Catch Me If You Can
(X) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday
( ) Reign of Fire
( ) The Skulls
( x) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
() The Hot Chick
(X) Shrek
(X) Shrek 2
( ) Swimfan
(X) Miracle on 34th street
( ) Old School
( ) The Notebook
() K-Pax
( ) Krippendorf’s Tribe
() A Walk to Remember
(x) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
( ) The 40-year-old Virgin
(x ) Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
(x ) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
(x ) Lord of the Rings: Return Of the King
(X) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(X) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
( ) Base-ketball
( ) Hostel
( ) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
() Elf
(x) Highlander
( ) Mothman Prophecies
( ) American History X
( ) Three
( ) The Jacket
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(X) Monsters Inc.
(X) Titanic
(X) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
( ) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
( ) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
( ) Hulk
(x) Dawn Of the Dead
(X) Hook
(x ) Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
( ) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
( ) Waterworld
( ) Kill Bill Vol. 1
( ) Kill Bill Vol. 2
( ) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
( x) Kingdom of Heaven
( ) the Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
( ) Army of Darkness
(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks: Caravan Of Courage
( ) Ewoks: The Battle For Endor
(x) The Matrix
(x) The Matrix: Reloaded
(x) The Matrix: Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
( ) Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead 2
( ) Team America: World Police
( ) Red Dragon
(x ) Silence of the Lambs
( ) Hannibal

Okay, so I've seen 91 of these, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Apparently, I have no life. Does it count that I've seen most of these while knitting?

This is what happens when I get bored..

See I was trying to be patient, but it didn't work. Yes, I had plenty of yarn to play with, but that's beside the point. I'd been thinking about this for a while. So I just did it yesterday. I got inked (again)....


It is my own drawing, inspired by Goddess Knits on Cafe Press. The work was done by the legendary Bill Loika. I was lucky to get him. It is still a bit inflamed and sore, but at least it's not oozing anymore. I'll get a better photo of it in a couple of weeks, once it heals completely.

Oh and by the way, Rockin' Sock Club arrived today. I got my chores done, so now I get to play. Yipeeeee!

Still Waiting

Breathlessly waiting for STR shipment. STOP. Knitting other sox for now. STOP. Must get relief. STOP.

Yours,
Squirrel