tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300983232024-03-23T12:58:18.099-05:00SQUAWKER GIRL KNITSAn eclectic blog for those who knit and squawk!Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-16888371319610924722011-01-01T16:46:00.002-05:002011-01-01T17:08:53.640-05:00Cabled Quasi Crews<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi954pG-85Vh33uSUUMfNRIxencXPav-kUOolqFt6E8RH4uB4ozyeKR0_D7wpjh9GrqxaHnTqitbdTYZPcM_yM6SdicUKvqnO_GWjDJlgCKAScdF9Z_VL1C41wLBETTUmJKVzh-/s1600/IMG_3436.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi954pG-85Vh33uSUUMfNRIxencXPav-kUOolqFt6E8RH4uB4ozyeKR0_D7wpjh9GrqxaHnTqitbdTYZPcM_yM6SdicUKvqnO_GWjDJlgCKAScdF9Z_VL1C41wLBETTUmJKVzh-/s320/IMG_3436.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557342913180041442" border="0" /></a><br />Socks, that is....<br /><br /><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">For some strange reason, everything I end up knitting is a “quasi” something ~ it isn’t quite this or that.<span style=""> </span>So when I set off to knit up some simple cabled socks, out came this pair: not quite crew length but more than anklets.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Size</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Foot circumference: 9 inches (23cm)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Cuff length: 3 inches (7.5cm)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Will fit an average woman’s foot (US shoe sizes 7-9)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Yarn</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Premiere Yarn Serenity (50% Merino, 25% Bamboo, 25% Nylon); 230 yds (210 m) per 50g skein</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Needles</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">US Size 1 (2.25mm): 2 circular needles, preferably one 16 inch and one 24 inch<span style=""> </span>OR set of<span style=""> </span>US Size 1 (2.25mm) DPNs</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Gauge</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">7 sts and 11 rows = 1 inch in stockinette stitch</p> <p class="MsoNormal">9 sts and 14 rows = 1 inch cable pattern</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Notions</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Tapestry needle</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Cable needle</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Abbreviations</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">C2B- slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in the back, knit 2 sts, then knit 2 sts from cable needle</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""> </b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""> </b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Cable Pattern</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Rounds 1-4: *P4, K4; rep from * to end</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Round 5: *P4, C2B, P4, K4</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Rounds 6-9: *P4, K4</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Round 10: rep round 5</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Round 11-14: *P4, K4</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Round 15: *P4, K4, P4, C2B</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Cuff on Circs</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Cast on 64 sts and divide evenly across 2 circular needles, making needle 1 the 16 inch needle & needle 2 the 24 inch needle. Join in the round without twisting.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Cuff on DPNs</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Cast on 64 sts and divide evenly among 4 needles.<span style=""> </span>Join in the round without twisting.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Begin with 6 rounds of K2P2 ribbing. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Begin Cable Pattern for a total of 3 repeats, with the 3<sup>rd</sup> repeat ending on round 14</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Heel Flap on Circs</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">On needle 1</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Row 1: Sl 1, K1, <span style=""> </span>repeat across</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Row 2: Sl 1, P to end</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Repeat these two rows 15 times, or 30 total rows</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Heel Flap on DPNs</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Row 1: Sl 1, K1, repeat across needle 1 & 2, so that sts from both needles are now on 1 needle (32 sts total)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Row 2: Sl 1, P to end</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Repeat these two rows 15 times, or 30 total rows</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Turn Heel</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Row 1: Sl 1, K to last 8 sts, K2tog, K1, turn</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Row 2: Sl 1, P to last 8 sts, P2tog, P1, turn</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Row 3: Sl 1, K to 1 st before gap, K2tog, K1, turn</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Row 4: Sl 1, P to 1 st before gap, P2tog, P1, turn</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Repeat rows 3 & 4 until all sts worked, 24 sts remain </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Heel Gusset* on Circs</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">With needle 1, pick up 16 sts going towards instep (towards needle 2)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Work in established cable pattern across instep sts on needle 2</p> <p class="MsoNormal">With needle 2, pick up 16 sts going towards heel (towards needle 1)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now transfer sts evenly so there are 32 sts on needle 1, and 56 sts on needle 2 (12 sts transferred on both sides of needle 2)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">For decreasing, begin with needle 2.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Round 1: K to 2 sts before pattern, K2tog, cont in pattern to last 16 sts, K4, SSK, K10; needle 1 knit across</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Round 2: work across needle 2 in pattern being careful to knit the leading and trailing sts without decreasing; knit across needle 1</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Repeat these 2 rounds until needle 2 has 32 sts total</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Heel Gusset* on DPNs</b><br />Knit across heel<br />Pick up 16 sts going toward instep<br />Work in established cable pattern (row 15) across instep stitches ending at last 4 sts, K4<br />Pick up 16 sts towards heel<br />Now transfer 12 sts evenly onto needle 1 + 3 so that you now have:<br />Needle 1- 28 sts<br />Needle 2- 32 sts (this is the instep)<br />Needle 3- 28 sts</p> <p>For decreasing, Round 1:<br />Needle 1- knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1<br />Needle 2- knit in pattern to last 4 sts, K4<br />Needle 3- K1, SSK, K to end</p> <p>Round 2- no decreases<br />Continue round 1 and 2 until there are 16 sts on needle 1 & 3</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><em><span style="font-size:10pt;">*A note about picking up gusset stitches:</span></em><span style="font-size:10pt;"><br />In order to pick up the first 16 sts going towards the instep, you have to knit across the turned heel to get yourself to the correct side. You could just pick up 16 sts towards the instep, but the you would need to purl across the instep, which would create an extra row in the pattern repeat. No big deal if this is how you approached it, as it won’t add any significant length.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Foot on Circs</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Cont working sts on needle 1 in St st and in pattern for needle 2.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Work until foot measures approximately 1 ½ inches from the desired finished length.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Foot on DPNs</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Cont working sts so that needle 2 is in pattern and needle 1 & 3 are in St st.<span style=""> </span>Work until foot measures approximately 1 ½ inches from the desired length.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Toe on Circs</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Round 1: Needle 1- K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1; Needle 2- K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Round 2: K all sts</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Repeat these 2 rounds until 24 sts remain (12 sts each needle)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Toe on DPNs</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Round 1:<span style=""> </span>Needle 1- K to the last 3 sts, K2tog, K1</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>Needle 2- K1, SSK, K to last 2 sts, K2tog, K1</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>Needle 3- K1, SSK, K to end</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Round 2: K all sts</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Repeat these 2 rounds until 24 sts remain.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Finishing</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Cut yarn, leaving about 12 inch tail. Graft toes using kitchener stitch.<span style=""> </span>Weave in ends.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Viola!</p>Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-492322530708462692007-02-13T12:46:00.000-05:002007-01-15T13:58:33.577-05:00An Ode to the Blog<div align="center">Oh, poor blog, how I forgot thee</div><div align="center">Your whimsical ways have gone astray</div><div align="center">As I must be serious about my studies</div><div align="center">And leave the needles and yarn at bay.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Oh, poor blog, that hath gone the ways</div><div align="center">Of the Google's Blogger anew</div><div align="center">I have no patience to play</div><div align="center">And emend the blog that went blue.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left"><em>The Squawker, the knitting, and my humor will be back when we uncover ourselves from the books.</em></div>Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-27446445398073305302007-01-14T21:33:00.000-05:002007-01-14T21:42:10.327-05:00Secret Pal Goodies!Yay! Thank you, SP! You have done it again! You have fine tuned your Mission Impossible tasks by stealthily leaving another package at our front door. Although, the BBDS did help provide you cover. Her barking and usual attack mode at the sound of the doorbell won you some time to get away without a trace!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0747.jpg" border="0" /></a> <center><br /><br />I ended up having a dream out the KnitPicks Andean Silk. My mother was knitting a scarf with it in stockingette stitch and it wasn't curling! I was amazed for two reasons: 1. That the stockingette wasn't curling one bit and 2. My mother was knitting!<br /><br />One thing not seen here is the Trader Joe's peanut butter cups...(insert Homer voice over here)mmmm...peanut butter cups.... And where did you get those fruit snacks? They are awesome! The earrings are just as delicious!<br /><br />Thank you, SP!!! Hope to meet you soon!<br /><br /></center></center><center><center></center></center>Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-12838762466649858602007-01-09T16:16:00.000-05:002007-01-09T16:27:57.448-05:00Miss Me?It's been a while since I've stopped by. Despite being on school break I didn't get as much knitting done as I would have liked. But I did manage to squeak out a couple of things. I have one pillow done... so instead of the saggy testicle like pillows from Kohl's I now have one large firm testicle in an oversized sack. Yup, that's right. The pillow itself is great, but I overestimated the size of the knitted panels. There is about an inch of fabric hanging down. Oh well, it's still a great supportive pillow!<br /><br />And, I also finished another pair of socks! I love knitted socks. I announce that I am officially addicted. This pair is made of KnitPicks Dancing. Here is the pair that was for and modelled by The Crazy Cat Person:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0742.jpg" border="0" /></a></center><br /><br />Speaking of cats, this here is a picture of The Crazy Cat Person's 19 year old cat! This is The Lum. Her real name is Pennie. When she was younger, she was one squishy round cat who laid around all day long. Along comes old age and she suddenly dropped about 13 pounds courtesy of hyperthyroidism. She still looks pretty good for an old girl. But don't try to talk to her. She can't hear you. She can't even hear herself and so her meow's have reached the same decibal level as a jet engine. Well, not quite.... but you get the idea.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0745.jpg" border="0" /></a></center>Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-42646698673915814222006-12-16T09:38:00.000-05:002006-12-16T10:05:02.801-05:00Socks and Beta BlowsSo I thought I would switch to the new Blogger Beta because, well, what the hell? Everytime I log on to Blogger I was prompted to switch. I kept putting it off because I didn't want to spend hours playing with HTML and templates. I wish I had continued to listen to myself. As you can see things have changed here. Some for the better (color) and some for the worse (links, sidebar items, and just about everything else). Just when I thought I got the basics of HTML and CSS down, Blogger Beta has changed how it does things "to make it simple". Ha! I can't figure out for the life of me how to get my links back up with their buttons, not to mention how to get rid of the green bar across the top of my title header. So over the next week or so I hope to get these things squared away and have the original links and other items back up. If you don't see them, it means I am still struggling.<br /><br />I finally have a pair of knitted socks that fit me perfectly! The picture doesn't show the exquisite fit only because they are ankle socks which would mean you'd have to see my hairy legs. <span style="font-size:85%;">(I haven't shaved in like, oh.... weeks... and don't go <em>"Ew!" </em>because I have good reason. I have sensitive, dry skin that irritates easily and it's now winter.) </span><span style="font-size:100%;">But take my word for it: these socks are perfect! I put every bit of knitting effort into them, even breaking a needle and precariously having to fix dropped stitches because of it.</span><br /><br /><center>The socks are made with Katia Mississippi yarn in the Khaki/Citrus colorway.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0740.jpg" border="0" /></a></center><br /><br />I haven't washed them yet, but they are a cotton/acrylic blend that is machine wash and dryable. The first pair of socks I made that the DH wears as slipper socks went through the wash. Mind you, not of my doing... DH did a load of his laundry and machine washed and dried these wool socks. I was surprised to see that only the heel felted a bit. He says they shrunk a tiny bit, not enough to effect the fit.<br /><br />Can you believe I have absolutely nothing on the needles right now??? I must get moving and get the needles in gear. I must take advantage of all the knitting time on school break!<br /><br />Oh, and an animal update: Handsome has become a very brave boy. His Grammy won't like hearing this because she thinks we starve our 20 pound cat, but last night he was hungry enough to come down into Doggy Land and ask to be fed. Both the DH and I just about fell over when we heard a little meow while sitting on the couch and turned to see Mr. Kitty walking over to us. Not one ounce of fear as he casually sauntered over to us with his famous swagger. Fortunately for him, BBDS was already asleep as it was 10PM. And yes, Grammy, I went upstairs and fed him. His ribs are no longer poking out.Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1165520113232724622006-12-07T13:40:00.000-05:002006-12-07T14:35:13.313-05:00KnitaversaryI have officially been knitting for one year. That flew by! My knitting trials and tribulations have fortunately been kept to a minimum, and have only found myself in one yarn tangle. I managed to knit 2 afghans, several baby sweaters, a tank top for me that didn't fit, another sweater (that did fit), a pair of socks, and a big nipple (you know, that hat).<br /><br />I finished my last final today. I somehow, by sheer miracle, got a 91 on it. I say this is a miracle because very little of the test questions pertained to covered class material. Not sure exactly why that was done, but at least its over. I am awaiting one more grade for a pharmacology paper that my 4.0 is resting on.<br /><br />So I mentioned briefly that my SP9 pal is a daring girl. Yes, indeed she is! She risked her identity (and her life, according to the BBDS) to give me my lovely gifts. This kamikaze left the gift on my front steps, then ran for her life back to her car. I caught her car as she was pulling away, then noticed the package on the steps. I had no clue as to what it was, and was afraid to open it as it could have been a bomb. <span style="font-size:85%;">(Ya, a bomb...haven't you watched those forensic shows?) </span><span style="font-size:100%;">But I saw through top of the package and noticed yarn. Come to think of it, though, it still could have been a bomb...especially if it was from someone who knows me. How easy would it be to just throw yarn over the bomb? I'd snatch yarn out of an alligator's jaw. Why an alligator would have yarn is beyond me, as they are cold blooded and can adapt to their environment and probably wouldn't knit... but still...I'd be going for the yarn. If the yarn is ticking, well, I might have second thoughts. Included in my gift is the lovely sock yarn you see below, as well as Reese's and hot chocolate! The Reese's is pretty much gone...<br /><br /></span><center><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0735.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />KnitPicks Memories in Prairie. Perfect!!!</center><br /><br />Thank you, SP!<br /><br />Well, I can hear my needles calling me name and the couch calling for my ass... I must take advantage.Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1165259780388572322006-12-04T14:04:00.000-05:002006-12-04T14:16:20.400-05:00Quack Quack<a href="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0731.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0731.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I actually have several things I should post but will have to come back later this week to post the rest of it. Here are the DH's duck feet with my first complete pair of socks! He's actually been wearing them as slipper socks around the house and says they are warm and wicking. The wicking was a big deal, as he thought hand made socks would make his feet sweat.<br /><br />My Secret Pal has proved she is a daring participant of SP9. She must live locally because she hand delivered my gifts to the front door. I didn't see her, but saw her car roll away. I love what she got me, and I will post pictures later this week.<br /><br /><a href="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0732.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0732.jpg" border="0" /></a>The kitties are all done with school. I'm not, but they said they've had enough and prefer to spend their day relaxing in place of studying. I can't blame them. I look forward to having several weeks of laying around as well.Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1165006352056859752006-12-01T15:33:00.000-05:002006-12-16T10:07:28.094-05:00Rabbit, Rabbit!It's the first of the month, people, so you know what that means... say your Rabbits for good luck. He he.<br /><br />The schitzo knit-a-thon is complete. I am down to just one project. Two of the finished objects are here:<br /><br /><div align="center">The Roomy Baby Cardigan Part Deux</div><div align="center"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0726.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The Cabled Afghan</div><div align="center"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0728.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="left">As I am working out the kinks on my adaptation of the Roomy Baby Cardigan, I decided that I would knit another one in the 12 month size. I used<a href="http://squawkergirl.blogspot.com/2006/08/yarn-candy-for-your-drooling.html"> Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino</a> (yes, the stuff my LYS was discontinuing because it <em>wasn't good enough</em>!) and it's very soft. I have some left to make another one, which I will at some point as the sleeves are what needs to be resized. Look how tiny they are at the wrist! Yikes... at least it's ribbing so it stretches. And I got a bit carried away with buttonholes. There's 9 stinking buttons on this little sweater.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">The afghan is made from Caron Simply Soft. Not sure if I would use it again. Perhaps if they made a chunky version I would use it to make another afghan. It shows the cables nicely. For anyone thinking cables are hard and intimidating... think again. This was my first attempt and it came out marvelous!</div><div align="left"></div><div align="center">I'm trying to inspire these girls to knit.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0710.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">But as you can see, they were much more interested in just wearing my knits and posing for the camera. They gave me an extensive list of items they need knitted. Not sure when I will get to it, but eventually it will find its way on the needles. And do you notice the <a href="http://squawkergirl.blogspot.com/2006/10/nipple-head.html">Nipple Hat</a>? She loved it and took it home, nipple and all. <span style="font-size:85%;">(But I didn't point out the obvious nipple atop her head. She's only 12!)</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="left">Stay tuned for the socks...they will be appearing on the DH's duck feet on a computer monitor near you.</div>Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1164464528366083472006-11-25T09:08:00.000-05:002006-11-25T09:22:08.380-05:00My First Sock and First Turkey!How often do those two things get blogged about together?<br /><br />So I have successfully completed my first knitted sock. It's lovely! It feels softer on the foot than in the hands. And even the DH is convinced a pair of knitted socks is something he needs.<br /><br /><center>It looks great on his foot... a perfect fit!<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0722.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A bit baggy on mine, but oh so comfortable!<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0725.jpg" border="0" /></a></center><br /><br />I know I am potentially committing sock suicide here, but I am not casting on for the next sock until I get that damn afghan done. Just a little ways to go on it, but it's dragging on.<br /><br /><center>Off to the turkey....<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0721.jpg" border="0" /></a></center><br /><br />Looks good, but it got cooked with one of the plastic bags inside. No one knew until after they ate their meal, and no one tasted any plastic. I must say, though, that something felt very wrong about cooking a turkey. I guess I prefer my meat to have no resemblance to the animal it was so that I don't feel so bad about it dying (and especially how it died).<br /><br />I haven't shared anything about the Big Bad Doggy Sister here in a while. Here is another picture to further prove just how "bad" she is!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0717.jpg" border="0" /></a></center><br /><br />That was her on Thanksgiving morning. She was not getting up off her bed for anything. She didn't even lift her head when I came down to see her. What a life...I'm jealous!Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1164160222231843722006-11-21T20:31:00.000-05:002006-11-21T20:50:22.246-05:00The Sock Expedition......has begun!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0716.jpg" border="0" /></a></center><br /><br />I can't say yet that it's been difficult, but as you can see I've only finished the leg portion. I have yet to attack the heel, which is what I plan to do right after I finish this post. I am using <a href="http://www.cometosilver.com/socks/SockClass_Beginning.htm">Silvers Sock Class</a> and loving it!<br /><br />I'm liking the yarn, too. It's <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/itemid_5420143/yarn_display">KnitPicks Memories in Yukon</a>. It's knitting up to a thick winter sock in nice blues. Perfect for jeans! (Although I will likely be wearing them with the blue velour pajama pants I wear, like, every day). I really like the <a href="http://www.brittanyneedles.com/">Brittany dpns</a>, too. Although the ones I have are 7.5 inches long, a bit too long for socks I must say.<br /><br />Squawker needed to have her new picture posted, so here it is! She squawks a Happy Thanksgiving to all, and send all left over turkey to New Hampshire...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0713.jpg" border="0" /></a></center>Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1163813667829604092006-11-17T20:11:00.000-05:002006-11-17T20:34:27.846-05:00Progress!Finally... some progress around here! I have not been posting as frequently as I've been tied up with school work and the schizo knit-a-thon. But it has paid off...for now. My work is never done, but I feel like a lot is behind me.<br /><br />I have knitted the quickest piece ever in my history of knitting: the cowl neck sweater. Take a look:<br /><center><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0709.jpg" border="0" /></a></center><br /><br />Pretty good, eh? But I have a feeling you are wondering why is it called the cowl neck sweater when it isn't a cowl neck? Good question. I ran out of yarn. I had to cut the neck short. But I compensated well, as it looks great like it is.<br /><br />WARNING TO ALL FIBER SNOBS: this is made of...<em>acrylic! (gasp!)</em> It's Bernat Softee Chunky. I think each skein cost around $2.75, and I used 11 skeins... so this cost me approximately $30.25. You certainly can't get a sweater like this at the mall for that price.<br /><br />One thing I must point out is that I broke all the rules of <a href="http://www.biggirlknits.com/">Big Girl Knits</a>. Big Girls are not supposed to wear chunky yarn knits. I am also a Boob Big Girl... and we aren't supposed to cover those babies up in anyway... oh, well, I broke the rules for a great looking sweater.<br /><br />Off on the other front... school... just 3 weeks to go to the end of the term. Yay! So far looks like I will maintain my brainiac status with a 4.0. Yes, that's right, people... a <strong>4.0.</strong> In grad school. <span style="font-size:85%;">(Sorry, had to put that shameless plug in for myself).</span><br /><br />But I can't take all the credit with these grades. I get help from the kitties.<br /><center>Shady knows her phenanthrene opiod narcotics well.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0687.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And Mr. Kitty has learned everything there is to know about diuretics.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0689.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After a hard day of studying, Shady takes the time to relax: <a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0691.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And Mr. Kitty becomes drunk with knowledge: <a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0692.jpg" border="0" /></a></center><br /><br />I, on the other hand, suffer headaches... which I couldn't seem to capture on picture.Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1163556494876690192006-11-14T20:57:00.000-05:002006-11-14T21:08:14.893-05:00Lost in Knitting Schizophrenia<span style="color:#ffccff;">I have only 4 weeks left in this school term, which means I have a lot to do and tons to study. Yet I have felt the obsessive need to start knitting several things. I have the afghan (still) in progress, which is a Christmas gift I am making for a coworkers daughter. It's my first paid knitting endeavor. I have also knit another Roomy Baby Cardigan, but still have the buttons to sew on, so that won't be posted until then. The reason I haven't got around to those buttons is because I started working on a cowl neck sweater for myself. Its coming out quite nice, and is knitting up quickly. I just have 1 1/2 sleeves and the cowl neck to do. And I also bought some Lion Brand Suede to make pillow covers for the couch. I couldn't help myself because A.C. Moore was having a sale on the LB suede and I hate my couch pillows. They are sagging and bunched into little stuffing balls. It's like laying your head on a big testicle sack. Figures... thats what you get from the fake sale items at Kohls. A.C. Moore had some nice pillows that were only $6 each! I now just have to come up with a pattern for the covers. I'll fit that in somewhere between studying, work, and blogging!</span><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;">I was told to watch for my first SP9 package! I can't wait! And neither can Squawker! She just loves knitting items that come in boxes!</span>Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1162742214789789272006-11-05T10:48:00.000-05:002006-11-05T10:56:54.800-05:00Looking for this?<span style="color:#ffff99;">Google has some great features. I found out that I can see what people are searching to link to my site. Two queries outside the obvious have been used. The one that makes sense to me is my KH user name, however it is not the most used search term.<br /><br />I laughed when I saw the search term used the most. <em>"Outdoor Pervs".</em><br /><br />I don't get how that search term links to Squawker Girl Knits. As far as I know, there aren't any outdoor perv's hanging out here on my knitting blog. At least none that I know of! And do these outdoor perv's knit while they are being perverted outside? Are they wearing knit clothing? Are these people looking for girl's who squawk and knit?<br /><br />I'd image that they are disappointed that the only porn on this site is yarn porn. And the only girl squawking is Shady!<br /><br />People never cease to amaze me.</span>Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1162431841744569102006-11-01T20:38:00.000-05:002006-11-01T20:44:01.763-05:00Suggestion:<span style="font-size:130%;">Forget Vogue International or Rowan for interesting knit designs. Instead, do a simple Google Image search. Type in "knit". Or just </span><a href="http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=knit"><span style="font-size:130%;">click here</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> to see what you get!</span>Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1161974585857252352006-10-27T13:41:00.000-05:002006-10-27T13:43:05.886-05:00Nipple Head<center><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0680.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a></center><br /><br />Enough said.Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1161880429774834372006-10-26T11:20:00.000-05:002006-10-26T11:33:49.810-05:00News Flash: BBDS Eats Cat FoodPoor Miss B... of all the animal children, she is the most exploited on this blog. There's her foolish picture on the sidebar... and now word is out that she will eat cat food. Actually, she loves cat food. It's one of the things she goes for (besides the cats) when she breaks into Kitty Land. I brought the cat food bowls downstairs to be washed, but stopped to talk with the DH on my way to the kitchen. Miss B decided that she would help clean them herself, licking every bit of dried up canned food she could get. <em>(Please note her stylish Vera Bradley collar)<br /></em><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0666.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here she was trying to get the cat food bowls out of my hands.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0669.jpg" border="0" /></a></center><div align="center"><br /><br /><strong><em>Onto the Knitting Front</em></strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">I have finished the second cardigan for my friends' youngest daughter. Of the two I made for these girls, this one is my favorite.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0671.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0674.jpg" border="0" /></a></center><br /><br />This is also a Miss Bea design by Louisa Harding. I think her designs are very cute for kids. And they are quite easy and quick. This cardigan is made from Rowan Denim in the color Tennessee. This yarn is 100% cotton, and feels like denim jeans. I didn't like knitting with it as the ply's were very loose and frequently got caught with the points of the needles. But it turned out beautiful, and I would use this yarn again just based on its outcome alone.</div><div align="left"></div>Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1161525452674457782006-10-22T08:54:00.000-05:002006-10-22T21:20:13.723-05:00Google Me!Yay! I finally made it to the Google database! Yay!<br /><br />You can type in "squawkergirl", "squawker girl" , "squawker girl knits" or any other combination of squawk, squawker, knit, etc and there I am. I feel so important now...sigh!Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1161295229978350172006-10-19T16:40:00.000-05:002006-10-19T17:00:30.003-05:00The Torture Ride<span style="color:#ffffcc;">AKA... The Ride to the Vet.</span><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Fall brings in the cool weather, the colorfully changing leaves, and the trip to the V-E-T 25 miles away. 25 <em>loooooonnnng</em> miles down the highway and then back roads to Dr. Bailey. Oh, that's <strong><em>3</em></strong> long trips...because I can't have the dog go with either cat, and I can't handle two screaming cats in the car.</span><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;">First to go was Squawker. She did her usual crying alternating with a torturous squawk down and back. Then it was the Big Bad Doggy Sister... the 72 pound tough girl who shook the entire way and then hid under two chairs in the exam room. And finally, it was Handsome, my boy, my first love. Typically he meows the whole way down and back like his kitty sister, and at the vet he socializes with the other cats, easily forgetting the ride in the car. (He's a friendly boy, ya know. Remember, he hung out with the Winter Hill Gang in the city).</span><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;">But this time, something changed. Something was different about Handsome during that ride. He started with the meowing, then meowing with emphasis, and then screaming. I would alternate between talking to him and plain out ignoring him, because I wasn't sure which was better. Turns out neither, because when we got onto the highway he began to spin in circles at a furious rate in the carrier, sending the carrier rocking from side to side. And he would howl while spinning.</span><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;">During the visit, he was the bravest of the animal children in the exam room. He ventured out from the carrier and sniffed the room. But he was not interested in heading into the back room like he normally does where the resident cats hang out. </span><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;">The ride back was no better. Again, on the highway, his spinning begun then he abruptly stopped while placing his paws on the side of the carrier. At first glance, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me because he appeared to be upside down, hanging onto the top of the carrier. And sure enough, as I noticed his face was laying in the wrong direction and I could see the white stripe of his belly clear as day I knew that he placed himself on his back. He stayed this way until we got home. It was quite dramatic.</span><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;">When I got him into Kitty Land, he sauntered out of the carrier with is normal swagger and headed for the food dishes. All was back in order and right side up.</span>Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1161105299180001882006-10-17T11:33:00.000-05:002006-10-22T21:21:03.856-05:00A Field TripRemember being in school and going on a field trip, how exciting it was to go some place other than school on a school day? The most exciting field trip was in the 6th grade. It was to an area amusement park and it was for pure fun. No learning required. I was so excited about that field trip that I made a contruction paper chain of rings, so as each day went by I tore off a ring. Once the last ring remained it was just a day away... it was very exciting to finally get to that last ring (probably because there were about 60 rings to start with). Some kids may know these construction paper chains as a way to count down to Christmas. Well, I used it for the field trip.<br /><br />So today my work SnB group went on a field trip to an area yarn shop. The <a href="http://squawkergirl.blogspot.com/2006/08/yarn-candy-for-your-drooling.html">LYS</a>, as previously mentioned, is full of yarn snobs and several of the women in the SnB are intimidated. <em>(As once pointed out by the Crazy Cat Person... their money is as green as anyone elses, so screw them! Amen!) </em>They didn't know that just over the state border was another great store, which I have also mentioned in <a href="http://squawkergirl.blogspot.com/2006/08/breaking-my-vows.html">previous posts</a>.<br /><br />We spent two hours there pawing over all the fabulous yarns. I used the trip to search for SP9 yarn, and found something that I hope my SP will like. And surprisingly, I was not the top runner in yarn purchasing. I came in second at $95. (The top spender forked over about $120). So what did I get, you ask? Here it is:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0658.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And here Squawker sniffs it over, ensuring it worthy of being added to the stash<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0657.jpg" border="0" /></a></center><br /><br />I bought the Classic Elite Yarns Second Edition which had several designs that I liked. The cover has a great cabled cardigan that looks like it would be very cozy around the house. There is also a pull over v-neck sweater that would great with a t-shirt and jeans. One design I totally am baffled by: the Asymmetrical Cardigan. This thing looks like you dressed yourself in the dark, or while you were drunk... actually it looks more like both! <a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0665.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On the yarn front, I got 10 balls of GGH Scarlett... 2 in a sage green and 8 in a medium shade of taupe. I couldn't resist this one... its so soft and lightweight that I thought it would be perfect for a summer tank. Next is the 5 hanks of Classic Elite Flash... I love the variegation on this line of yarn that I had to get more. I plan a little girls sweater for it. And finally, I bought 4 balls of some french mercerized eqyption cotton in a deep blue. I'm not sure what the brand is; I have never seen it before and the label is mostly in French. But The Hub Mills Store is full of unknown yarns and lines that didn't make it to the market.<br /><br />I also recently placed an order with <a href="http://www.yarnmarket.com">YarnMarket</a> that should be here this week. I can't wait! More sock yarn... for all the sock that I have to learn how to knit!Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1160862837863381862006-10-14T16:47:00.000-05:002006-10-14T16:59:02.200-05:00The Felted FlopSeveral months back I decided that I was going to make a felted bag in the round. I also was going to make the pattern as I went along, envisioning a rectangular base with tall sides that angled outward from the bottom up. Instead I got a big floppy mess that doesn't hold its shape despite careful drying in the "right" position. This was back in July. Since then, the bag has sat on my dryer (along with my dining room placemats that needed to be steam ironed, haven't gotten to that either) with it's handles on top, waiting to be finished.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0650.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a></center><br /><br /><center>I even got a fabulous fabric to line the bag: <a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0656.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a></center><br /><br />One of the reasons this project has pretty much come to a screeching halt is that the remaining steps require hand sewing. I can't sew. I just learned how to sew buttons, so I am not sure why I thought lining a rectangular bag and attaching handles was such a good idea.Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1160763990603650692006-10-13T13:23:00.000-05:002006-10-13T13:36:34.913-05:00Procrastination is the Name of the Game<span style="color:#ffffcc;">I am so good at procrastinating. Today I am spending the day studying and attempting to understand the ovarian and endometrial cycles in depth, but finding myself looking for other things to do. I am actually contemplating housework...which I hate doing (except vacuuming with the ever-powerful, almighty Dyson). But I'm doing my best staying here at the computer. And knitting is totally out of the question right now, even though I can clearly visualize the afghan draped over the chair and the cardigan on the coffee table and can almost hear the needles whispering, </span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><em>"Come pick me up! Come wrap yarn around me!"<br /></em><br />Several minutes ago I went downstairs to heat up some lunch and came back to find that Squawker had taken over.<br /><br /></span><center><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0647.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></center><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;">How cute is this?? Too bad she couldn't do the heavy duty reading and tell me all about it after.<br /><br />And then there is Handsome Boy. But he's under the impression that we can't see him since he's tucked his face under himself. <em>Nope, I can't see you, Handsome!</em><br /><br /></span><center><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0649.jpg" border="0" /></a></center><em></em>Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1160685539607361512006-10-12T14:47:00.000-05:002006-10-12T15:43:19.006-05:00Mr. Pibb Lives On<a href="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0617.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0617.jpg" border="0" /></a> When I was 16, I went to Disney World with my family. It was the first big vacation that required air travel, and the first time out of New England.<br /><br />One of the things I remember vividly is the novelty of this new soda, Mr. Pibb, that my brother and father would get out of the soda machine in the hotel. All it was was the southern version of Dr. Pepper, so I wasn't interested.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(I'm not into drinking things that taste like ass. And, no, I have not personally tasted ass... but it's what I would imagine it to be like).</span> But seeing that they could not get this stuff at home, they drank it daily.<br /><br />Anyhow, several years after that vacation, I happened to bring up this Mr. Pibb. No one believed me that such a drink existed! Where are my family's memory banks stored? Obviously not in their brains.... but anyhow... I digress.<br /><br />I had called Coca-Cola, Inc and asked them if this drink existed, or was I out of my mind? Yes, it sure did exist, I was told, but only in the southern regions of the country. I was unable to get them to send me a 6 pack, which I wanted as solid proof, so my family was just going to have to rely on my word. And I think they did.<br /><br />But here, my pretties, lies more evidence of Mr. Pibb. On my recent vacation to Florida, I spotted this sign advertising Mr. Pibb at the Seminole Hard Rock & Casino food court. It may have taken me 14 years to get this evidence... but I am glad I finally have it!<br /><br /><br /><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"><center>And now I move on to the vacation:</span></center><br />As some may remember a few posts back, I mentioned that my DH and I were taking an anniversary trip to Florida to watch the UFC fight between Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock. Not many people on a whole know of this sport, but I suspect that it will become quite mainstream in the coming years. For those who have no clue what this sport is, check out <a href="http://www.ufc.com">this site.</a><br /><br />We stayed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. When we got there, the receptionist stated our reserved room was not available. Why, then, do we bother with reservations as Seinfeld had pointed out? But they did have another room available, but it's on the second floor. I didn't bother to ask why that might be a problem, so I said we'd take it. But here is why the second floor was not desirable:<br /><center><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0613.jpg" border="0" /></a></center><br /><br />Yup, that is what we looked at for three days if we wanted the Florida sun to shine into our room. Oh, well... we didn't spend too much time in there anyhow.<br /><br />I thought I'd also share some of the fight pics. Although the pictures don't show it, we had great seats. The Hard Rock Live Arena is just the right size for an event... and even though our section was not the most expensive, our view was unbelievable.<br /><br /><center>This is the famous Octagon, where all the bloody action takes place<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0619.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is one of my favorite fighters, Tito <span style="font-size:85%;">"The Huntington Beach Bad Boy"</span> Ortiz entering the ring<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0636.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And this is just before Tito<span style="font-size:85%;">(in the white shorts)</span> took Ken Shamrock down to the ground and kicked the crap out of him for the knock out<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0641.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong><em>Oh, right, this is a knitting blog!</em></strong></center><br /><br />Sorry for the digressions...so here is some knitting news to satisfy the yarn hungry:<br /><br />I will post the <a href="http://squawkergirl.blogspot.com/2006/08/baby-cardigan.html">Roomy Baby Cardigan</a> pattern in the coming month. You can get the original (not the one I tweaked) through a link posted on the original blog post if you can't wait for my version. I also hope to develop some great women's sweaters... with focus on the "big girl". Unfortunately, I have so much on my plate that they may be slow in coming.<br /><br />I also began to distribute my blog cards on my travels. I hope some knitters down along the east coast come visit!<br /><br />I am almost finished the second girls cardigan for my friend's youngest daughter. Knitting on planes really passes the time, but I highly suggest that you buy two seats to do so comfortably. I was squished between the DH, who is a big guy, and another<em> really</em> big guy who talked to me the whole ride. But somehow I managed, and the time just flew by! <span style="font-size:85%;">(No pun intended, he he)<br /></span>Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1160187975065178832006-10-06T21:24:00.000-05:002006-10-06T21:26:15.076-05:00For the MenOk, who said knitting was just for the ladies? <br /><br />Check <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jYa_rJyG18"> this video</a> out!Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1160101284792697622006-10-05T21:00:00.000-05:002006-10-05T21:21:24.810-05:00Secret Pal 9 QuestionaireI have received my SP9 match up, as well as messages from my Secret Pal and that has reminded me to post the answers to the questions. So here they are:<br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?<em>I love anything soft. And preferably machine wash.</em> What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? <em>Anything scratchy.</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? <em>The original packaging</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? <em>I’ve been knitting since December 2005 and learned with <a href=" http://www.nicimcnally.com/product.php?productid=16133&cat=248&page=1">this DVD</a>.</em> Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? <em>Intermediate.</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? <em>No</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) <em>Anything light and not too perfumey</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">6. Do you have a sweet tooth? <em>Unfortunately. I also have an ice cream and bakery tooth, too.</em> Favorite candy? <em>Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? <em>Scrapbook.</em> Do you spin? <em>No</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">8. What kind of music do you like? <em>Big Band, Alternative (Hard) Rock</em> Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) <em>Yes</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">9. What's your favorite color(s)? <em>Purple and Green, and the colors of autumn.</em> Any colors you just can't stand? <em>Black</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">10. What is your family situation? <em>Married, no human children.</em> Do you have any pets? <em>Of Course@!</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? <em>All of the above</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? <em>So far, sweaters</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">13. What are you knitting right now? <em>Afghans, child cardigan </em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? <em>Yes</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Circular Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? <em>Wood for dpns, aluminum for circs</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? <em>no</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">17. How old is your oldest UFO? <em>This one took me a minute… had no idea what UFO was. 6 months</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">18. What is your favorite holiday? <em>Don’t have one</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">19. Is there anything that you collect? <em>yarn</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? <em>A simple sock tutorial</em> What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? <em>Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? <em>How to knit socks</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">22. Are you a sock knitter? <em>A wannabe</em> What are your foot measurements? <em>Calf - 18 inches, Ankle - 9.5 inches <span style="font-size:85%;">(proof I don't have cankles, thank you very much!)</span>, Foot length - 9 inches</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">23. When is your birthday? <em>July 29th</em></span>Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30098323.post-1159841278662690732006-10-02T20:46:00.000-05:002006-10-03T09:11:52.036-05:00Ting a Ling Cardigan<a href="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0606.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0606.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">Yay! I am finished with my first knitted Christmas gift. So I am 50% done with knitted Christmas gifts. (That means I am only knitting two items for you math whiz's out there). The Ting a Ling Cardigan is for my best friend's 3 year old daughter. I think it came out nicely, but I am still favoring that</span><a href="http://squawkergirl.blogspot.com/2006/08/baby-cardigan.html"><span style="color:#ff99ff;"> Seed and Garter Stitch Stripe Cardigan.</span></a><span style="color:#ff99ff;"><br /><br />I have a few gripes with this cardigan. First is that there are no formal buttonholes. The buttons are just pushed through the seed stitch band, which wasn't that simple.<br />Second gripe: the shaping. See those bulges under the armpits? The body was shaped with increasing to the arm hole, making a slight V. I was wondering how that would end up, and I must say I am not crazy about that either. I picture this being bulky and bunched up on the recipient.<br /><br /><br /></span><center><span style="color:#ff99ff;">Here is my artistic view of the cardigan:<br /></span><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ff99ff;"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0609.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></center><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff99ff;"><br /></span></div><center><span style="color:#ff99ff;">And this is the cardigan from the pattern book I used, <em>Miss Bea's Band by Louisa Harding.</em><br /></span><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ff99ff;"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l97/jamiejeans/IMG_0612.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></center><center><span style="color:#ff99ff;"></span></center><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">There are a lot of very cute items in this book. I stuck with the yarn suggested (Rowan Handknit Cotton) in the pattern to keep things simple. I used the same pink for the ruffle trim, but changed the body to a light blue.<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#663366;"></span>Squawker Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533691242660294315noreply@blogger.com1