Drawn On

I knew there was something else I wanted to mention in my "what's new" post: I got more tattoos! Two, to be exact, for this Mother's Day and last (do I have the coolest kids husband ever or what?). This one



is a coverup of a tattoo that I got in Vegas years ago just because I wanted to get tattooed in Vegas. So I picked some flash off the wall and got tattooed in Vegas. Mistake. Kids, learn from me: if you're going to permanently mark your body, it should mean something besides "I got tattooed in Vegas." It wasn't really me, it didn't really mean anything, and I've been wanting to get it covered with something else for years, but I could never really settle on anything and (not wanting to make the same mistake twice) I didn't want to get something I wasn't absolutely sure about. Finally, earlier this year, it came to me: I love Darth Vader. DV was my first crush. Seriously. I was four. The other little girls were all gaga over Luke and Han, but I wanted everything Vader. I saw the movie 8 times in the theater* -- my parents were trying to get me to stop sucking my thumb and the doctor recommended that they reward me for every week I didn't suck my thumb by taking me to a movie. After two solid months of Star Wars, they figured they'd rather have a buck-toothed daughter than see that movie again (yes, I did finally stop sucking my thumb. I was 7.). So, Darth it is. And I love it. A lot. So does Becky, incidentally. "Mommy, you got Darth Vader!"

The second tat is also Star Wars: a Deathstar tramp stamp.



Aside from having to explain to my boss what a "tramp stamp" was (AWK-ward), I really, really love it. This evolved from me thinking that the DV silouhette on the PSP would make a cool tramp stamp, and at 35 I feel like I'm old enough to get a tramp stamp and not regret it in ten years, but I didn't want two DV tattoos, because really, that's just overkill. But then I was stuck on the idea of wanting a tramp stamp and it just came to me: the perfect, unique, not-at-all-trampy-except-maybe-in-a-nerdy-kind-of-way tramp stamp: the Deathstar. After much mulling over images and consulting with my fellow geeks, I decided on the fully completed and operational model from the original film (as opposed to the partially complete model from Jedi). One, I just like it better, and two, I'm really a fan of the first film, and while I enjoy the other two, I don't love them the way I do the original. So, that's my new artwork. I do expect to get at least one more tat in the next few years, probably knitting related. Oh, and I got them done by the fabulously light-handed Adam Hays at Red Rocket Tattoo, who does amazing SW stuff (check out #7), and some pretty awesome other stuff, too. Highly recommended.

*I cried from happiness and nostalgia when the original was re-released, and then from despair and horror when I saw how Lucas had mangled it. I'm a Han Shot First-er all the way, baby. We do not discuss the most recent "Star Wars" films in my house, as they are pure sacrilege. I expect Kit will have some nonsense to say about them being "canon" but that doesn't make them not sacriligious.

posted by Laura Y. @ 12:53 PM 2 comments

Where was I?

I was just looking over my Ravelry project list, so I could decide what order to finish up things I'm currently working on when I get done with the wrap pullover thingie that was my Ravelympics project (which is moving along apace, thank you -- I've got the 1st half of the hood done and have started the body increases). I discovered, much to my dismay/horror, that I have six, count 'em six, items that are patterned in such a way that I need to know where I was when I stopped. I swore to myself after the Camapnula debacle of aught seven that I would always, always write down where I was in a pattern when I put it down. Guess how many of these I've done that for? Anyone who guessed "fewer than one" gets a gold star. Erg. One I'm pretty sure I can figure out from counting rows, one has a very easy to read lace pattern so that should be no problem, one I'm not that far into so I don't really mind ripping back all that much, but the others? Hmmm. Now I'm triple-dog swearing that this will never happen to me again. I have been writing down notes on the wrap sweater, so maybe I'm learning. Maybe. Let's not hold our breath, shall we?

Here's some fibery goodness for you to enjoy:



I got this a couple of months ago from The Loopy Ewe, who y'all know I lurv. It's superwash merino with something else funky done to it, which I feel like involves stretching it but am too lazy to look up right now. It's going to be my new scarf and hat, to go with my new winter coat that I'm getting due to my big weight loss (old coats will be donated to a charity here that gives them out to the local homeless). I'm going to do this hat, and a lacy scarf from this book (I've knitted the scarf before, for my niece Taylor a couple years ago).

And this is a gorgeous skein of sock yarn I got from this etsy seller, whose stuff I love (this is the same dyer who sent along the mini skein of "Giles" that I'm using in Zack's [? -- if it still fits him when I finish it] BSJ):



It's the same colorway she's using in her banner over there, so you can see how it knits up. ETA: Apparently, she's moved to here, which explains the emptiness of her etsy shop.

Finally, the kids are doing great. This is Becky's first week in big girl panties, and she's doing pretty well. We went to get a bagel from our friend's deli the other day, and while the owner's mom was geting her bagel, the owner said "hi" to her. She didn't respond until I prompted her, and then she got a big grin on her face and announced, "I have underwear!" I let her know she really doesn't have to share that with everyone. :) Here are some pics of the two of them, because I know that's really why you came:

posted by Laura Y. @ 1:56 PM 0 comments

I'm out

I've decided to DQ myeslf from the Ravelympics. I began to suspect I would have to do this when I sat down to write out my little row cards for the lace pattern on the front of the sweater. I realized 2 rows in that it's lace knitting (pattern on every row) as opposed to knitted lace (pattern on every other row), and I realized about 4 rows in that it's pretty complicated lace knitting. Which means I had zero chance of finishing it in a house full of husband, toddler, and baby. I do like them very much and enjoy spending time with them all, but none of them are conducive to concentration. So instead of trying to knit it and a) getting no sleep, b) getting frustrated and c) still not finishing, I decided Friday night to throw in the towel and work on other stuff over the weekend. I have promised myself that the lace sweater is the only thing I'll work on during my commute until it's finished, so it really shouldn't take too much longer. I only have the front piece left, after all -- both sleeves and the back are fini.

So I worked on sewing Zack's blanket together -- I'm a little embarrassed that this isn't done yet -- and on a sweater design knit with two strands of sock yarn held together. I think I'm going to like it when it's done, but it's a little mindless for the nonce. I also have a shawl I'm about a third of the way into that I'd like to finish off (more mindless knitting), the Pyramid Jacket that I've started the second sleeve for -- again, mindless (but requires counting), but the yarns I'm using are so delightful that it's a treat to pick it up, Zack's BSJ that he may well be too big for now (in which case it will go to our dear friends Ab And Dave, who just had a little boy -- congrats, guys!), a sweater for Becky that never got past the cast on edge and now almost certainly will have to be cast on at a larger size, a lace tunic pattern from The Point out of a wonderful merino cashemere blend, another little lacy summer top that I'd like to wear at least once this year while the weather's still appropriate, my top down cabled sweater...and that's just what's languishing on the needles that I can think of off the top of my head. And doesn't include any sock projects.

I've also got a couple of special requests from special people, but they're quick knits (one of my little shrugs and a sleveless Sahara), and my "reward" sweater for when I finish the Ravelympics sweater (it's a bulky wool so I can't really cast on for it yet anyway, because it's still hotter'n Hades here -- I'm thinking it's going to be my Rhinebeck sweater, but I'm really hoping to have it done for OW which is a couple weekends before Rhinebeck), and I'm going to be participating in the Sock Knitters Anonymous Knit-A-Long on Ravelry, which is a different pair of socks every month (but you have two months to finish, so you cast on September's socks before 9/30, but then you have until 11/30 to finish them, even though you have to cast on for October's socks before 10/31. Follow?). I'm planning on participating every month, and I would appreciate it if you would all stifle because I know what you're thinking. Finally, there are a bunch of sweaters I've been meaning to knit forever (Ragna, I'm looking at you) and a couple that I already knit but back in my cheap cotton yarn days so they, well, suck, but I love them and want to knit them properly, so they're on the list, too. Oh, and I want to make a new hat and scarf to go with the new winter coat I'm going to get this year.

Wow. I have big plans. I think I've just overwhelmed myself. I might need to go lie down now.

posted by Laura Y. @ 3:10 PM 0 comments

What's new, pussycat?

Yeah, it's been awhile. Whatever. I've been busy. You know, with the working full time and the two kids and the knitting and the reading other people's blogs...well, really, it's mostly the working. But I've been in the mood for blogging quite frequently lately, so I revamped the site (oh, you noticed?) and here I am. And here's what's been happening since April:

BUST party -- what a bust

A bunch of the girls at work decided to get together and go to this shindig BUST was throwing to celebrate their 15th anniversary. BUST is cool, even though I let my subscription drop a few years ago when I started feeling like every issue was the same and not terribly relevant or interesting to me. On further reflection, I think I just outgrew it. Which is fine. But I was a charter subscriber, the thing was literally up the street from work, and there were goodie bags and free cupcakes to be had. I think we all know how I feel about the "f" word.

The "pre-party" was scheduled from 8-9:45pm, then there were supposed to be shows after that. So we all went to dinner and ended up getting there around 7:30. They let us in, but weren't giving out the goodie bags until 8. Also fine. So we stood over by the goodie bag table (we're no dummies and they said there were limited quantities). well, they were still putting them together and didn't start handing them out until 8:15, by which time the crowd was starting to get ugly. The table was pretty much rshed, and they had no barriers or anything up to control the line. Then one of the girls working there stands infrom of the table and screams "Chill out!" at the crowd. Um, excuse me? Your lack of crowd control measures (not setting up a line for people to stand in or a path for them to follow to exit after receiving the goodie bag) does not mean you get to yell at me.

So we escaped the melee with our gift bags (the contents of which were pretty cool, as was the bag itself, to be fair) and headed over to the three chicks holding trays of very tiny cupcakes. Erica went to grab one, and the same chick who yelled at us wouldn't let her take one because she wanted to take a picture. Was she polite about his? No. She "Bup-bup-bup!"ed at Erica! WTF?!?! BUST, you need some party planners and some people with manners. And also, better cupcakes.

Ravelympics

Yes, I am a Ravthlete. Okay, since most of you are my friends and family and sadly, not knitters (I'll get you yet, my pretties!), I shall explain. There's this site called "Ravelry" (linked on the right there), and it's a combination project planner/eye candy/social networking site for knitters. I'm not so much with the social networking part (I know, you're shocked). But for the duration of the Olympics (you know, the ones in Beijing. There's this swimmer you might have heard of who's won a few medals?), we knitters are performing our own feats of knitting derring-do. What this means is that I chose a sweater (this one, also linked over on the right, where you can see my progress), cast on during the opening ceremonies (except I forgot the pattern at work the night before so got a late start :( ), and must be done by the time the flame goes out. The sweater I chose is pretty challenging, as it was supposed to be. I really felt like the spirit of this was to push myself to my knitting limits. There are some folks that finished the first day, and that's fine for them, but if I had done that I'd've felt like I cheated myself. I've got both sleeves and about half the back done at this point, so I'll just have the front left after tonight (tomorrow morning? more likely). It's still possible, but it'll be a stretch.

Kids

Still got two of 'em. Not much else to tell. Heh. No, but seriously, they're adorable as hell.

Zacky has teeth, screeches for food (okay, that's maybe not so adorable), sleeps through the night more often than not, smiles all the time as long as there's no camera around, and has said "mama" "dada" and "Becky." I think he might also be saying "ba-ba" but it's hard to tell.



Becky is talking a mile a minute and starting to make real conversation. She can tell a story, orders her own bagels and donuts in stores, reminds daddy that mommy needs coffee when we go for a walk (bless her little heart), and is the bestest big sister ever. Also, I painted a big tree on her wall. The pic doesn't really do it justice -- it came out very artsy and mural-y. I just have to keep adding bugs and critters now.













Other Knitting

I'll talk more about this next post, but I've written a new pattern that I'll be posting sometime soon -- a super easy shrug knitted in some gorgeous Lisa Souza silk/wool. I've also finally taken the pics for the crocheted seams tutorial that I promised a good long time ago, so that will be going up as well. Both will be free. I had offered the Inflorescence sock pattern to MezzoDiva for her breast cancer fundraising efforts, but she decided to go with a different sock (which is totally cool -- no hard feelings, and the one she went with is totally gorgeous). So, since I was going to donate it, I've decided to just charge for it here and donate the money to a deserving charity. I still need to do a tech edit, design the PDF, figure out how to collect money, and decide which charity, but once all that's done, it'll be available here as well. I'll keep you posted.

I also knitted Sahara in Berroco Touche (not sure what the color is off the top of my head -- a very grey off white color). It came out absolutely beautiful. The only modification I made was to add an extra repeat of the pattern stitch at the sleeve edge to cover my very broad, square shoulders. It is the perfect thing for me to wear now that I'm nearly at my goal weight.

Weight Loss



That's right, folks -- in the 4 months since I last posted, I've lost about 25 pounds. I'm at 147 now, which is just two pounds shy of my 145 goal weight. I'm not sweating it, though I still have a bit of a belly I'd like to lose. I'm feeling pretty damn good about myself. The question I always get is "how did you do it?" The answer is: I stopped eating like a pig. Most days I have a coffee in the morning, a small sandwich (made at home) for lunch, and a salad (prepackaged with dressing so I know the actual calories) for dinner. I might have a handful of chocolate covered coffee beans for a little afternoon pick-me-up, but that's about it.

I think that's about everything. I'll try to post much, much more often -- as I said, I've been in the mood lately, so odds are good.

posted by Laura Y. @ 1:55 PM 2 comments