Vacation Hairdo Knitting Terrorism

I am taking a vacation and it's about bloody time. I'm going to miss 6 days of work(I wouldn't say I've been missing it Bob.) I'm going to lay on a beach, I'm going to drink something with an umbrella in it, I'm going to play some slots, I'm gonna eat some cajun food, and I'm going to overload on girl talk with a friend I haven't seen in way too long. In fact I'm so excited I just cut all my hair off. Well not all, just about 10 inches worth. I was way overdue for some hair drama and a nice summer do.

As for vacation knitting, I think I'm going to make another military hat. This one will be brown for Jake. I suppose eventually I'll make one for myself. Now I've read that knitting needles are allowed on airplanes, but I'm still afraid they're going to take them away. I don't know what you could do with a size 7 dpn that you couldn't do better with a ball point pen. If they take them away I guess I'll just find the LYS on my trip, could be worse.

Glitter Eyelash Vomit Yarn

I hate novelty yarns. I hate them with an ever growing passion. I would never wear an article of clothing with glitter hair all over it. I wouldn't wear a hat with Christmas tree tinsel woven into it. And I just can't imagine anyone who would. Then why, WHY??!!, are they everywhere. I live for luscious natural fibers in vibrant life affirming colors, but I can't afford that so I go to Michael's. Where they stock about 45% $1/pound nasty acrylic yarn, 5% reasonable cotton or wool yarns, and 50% ugly boucle, glitter, tinsel, fur and eyelash.



I've been knitting over a year now, and I'm really ready to knit something of substance, a garmet I want to wear. I've found patterns I think I can handle, but to buy enough of a yarn I love to make a sweater that will fit me it's going to cost somewhere around $150. For me to buy a $150 sweater in the store angels would have to sing in the dressing room, so I'm really struggling with the thought of spending that much money plus countless hours knitting on a sweater I may hate.

I have commitment issues. Do you have any advice?

On the needles

Here's the projects I have in the works:

1. Exchequered Scarf - another fabulous knitty pattern and this time it's for ME! The size 3's are the smallest I've used but I'm getting the feel of it now. I picked up size 8's for something else and they felt like tree trunks. I dig the colors and am still totally amazed at double knitting. I love those projects where you're constantly amazed by what comes off the needles. Hopefully it will get cold enough to wear it eventually.



2. Sharfik Scarf - A nice manly pattern from Grumperina. I'm thinking it'll be for my dad for father's day. Great, a wool scarf when it's a hundred and holy fuck degrees in June, but he travels so he can wear it somewhere else. Trouble is I'm using more estate sale wool that is so old and stinky I have to leave in the garage for fear of the old lady stench contaminating the rest of my stash. I have to wash every ball of it before I can even bring it in the house. That's going to be a pain in the ass. Even washed it's scratchy wool so I may scrap this and use another material, we'll see.

And many more projects to come. There are several things I want to knit out of the Big Girl Knits book I just bought, but good lord that's going to be a lot of money in yarn.

Tipper Gore ruined my childhood

When I was in junior high I wanted more than anything (except maybe Peter Whipple to ask me out) was a copy of Red Hot Chili Peppers Blood Sugar Sex Magik. But nooooo, my mother wouldn't let me get because it had the parental advisory warning on it. I never did get that album but I always thought I was missing out on something cool and today I'm listening to their new album and it sucks. There's some catchy songs but it's all formulaic and unendingly dull. They started the downward slide years ago but today I officially declare the Chili Peppers lame. Hang up the tube socks guys and try something new.

Another crack at this blogging thing

Well, I started this up a while ago but I figure it's worth another go. Mostly because I was looking for knitting blogs from people in Austin and didn't find much (although Yarnbar.com looks very cool.) That's reason enough to do my own right. I'm not the most experienced or the fastest knitter, but I'm getting better and more ambitious. Now I just need the yarn budget to keep up with tastes.

Here's a few recently finished projects

1. Aunt Julia's Red Wrap - My Aunt Julia recently bought a convertible and my mom suggested I knit her something to keep her hair in tact with the top down (although I don't think 60 mph winds could put a dent in her hair helmet.) I had tons of red wool from an estate sale so I made a clapotis. It turned out beautifully, I was totally amazed by the drop stitch ladders. Although the old wool smelled HORRible when I got it wet to block it. It smelled like wet dog and overcooked broccoli, sweet lord. I febreezed (yes, that's a verb) the shit out of it and it no longer smells like death. The blocking also made it all soft and flowy. I hope Aunt Julia loves it.


2. Memi's Military Hat - I loved the Topi pattern from the spring Knitty and cast on for it the day the pattern was posted. I had some Paton's Classic Merino in my favorite grassy green color. This was my first project on circular needles. How cool are they, I can't believe I was scared of them. I made the pattern a little bit bigger for my huge noggin, but then halfway through my friend Memi declared her love for the hat, so it's hers now. I'm really happy with how it turned out. She wears and anti-W button on it. A wise choice and an excellent accessory I think.

3. Mother's Day Flower - I'm a lousy kid, I didn't start anything for Mother's day until the Friday before, but I made a really pretty knit flower to go on the package. It knit up fast and made a nice decoration. I didn't get a picture, but trust me it was pretty. It's too cutesy to put on anything to wear (at least for me) but my mom seemed to like it.