Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, all! It's been a lovely day at Casa Batty. Even if the weather didn't quite cooperate. You see, I was going to go as a novice knitter. Wear my ill-fitting Banff sweater and carry US #17 needles and Fun Fur. See the picture below?


That was not today. That was 2 weeks ago. Today, the temperature outside was over 70 degrees F. Not good for thick wool sweaters. So I wore one of my regular bat shirts... and bought some bat earrings while we were out.

Then, there were the cookies. I bought some awesome cookie shapes and made cutouts. Lovely, aren't they?


They looked fabulous after I baked them. We ate some and threw out the rest -- they burned. The recipe didn't say how long to bake them... just "bake until the edges are brown." Uh... dude, the freaking cookies are brown! How am I supposed to know when the edges are brown? By the time I see them, they're burned. So... yeah. Lesson learned.


But we did go down to Porter Square today, where I sat in a cafe, ate a yummy oatmeal raisin cookie, did some spinning... and then, Mr. Batty and I stopped by Mind's Eye Yarns, and I bought some pretty purple/burgundy roving.

No Halloween post would be complete without a picture of my very own Helloween kitty. Poor Morgana went to the vet today... only to find out he'd looked at her tooth when we took her in a month ago and didn't have to go in at all.


But she's happy now. He just looked in her mouth, and that was it. She wasn't there long enough to pick up that vet smell... her brother didn't even hiss at her. So, all things considered, Halloween worked out pretty well.

Mojo?

Wow, it seems like I ripped out my knitting mojo along with that sweater! If anyone finds it, could you please tell it to come back? The holidays are drawing near. I need it!

Ribbit

Today was a not-so-good knitting day. For the first time ever, I messed up undoing a provisional caston. It was done right, but somehow, I started from the wrong end, and that was that. I ended up ripping 7 inches of Manos Silk Blend, which, it turns out, doesn't like the rough treatment. With any luck, I won't need that partial ball to finish my project. After I start it again, which is not happening today.

I'm doing a whole bunch of gift knitting, but can't show that off yet either... I'll have something interesting soon, I promise!

Rainy Sunday Morning

It's a lazy morning for me, that is. My food consultant, Merlin J. Fuzzbutt, CPA (yes, he also does our taxes) is working hard on Sunday morning recipe selection. Or he's trying to squeeze himself into that tiny spot on the bookshelf. If the head fits, the entire cat fits, right?


Following Mr. Fuzzbutt's culinary advice, I decided to make apple pie pancakes. Pancakes, with apples and raisins. Very yummy, and they're sweet enough even without syrup. The unsweetened almond milk I used is perfect -- with added sugar of any kind, these would have been cloying. As it is, they are just right.


In addition to my culinary exploits, there has also been some knitting progress. I won't say too much about it as it might reveal more than I want to... it's that time of the year. So: Here's my portable project. Yes, a sock. No, it's not for me. 'nuff said.


This one I can show off because you really can't tell what it is. Could be a scarf. Could be a sleeve. Could be a hat that gets sewn up. If it weren't rainy out, I'd turn off the flash so you could see the amazing color variations in the Manos Silk Blend. They are lovely deep chocolate browns, except cool-toned.


The burgundy stuff on the bottom is a provisional caston. For more information, check my rav page... I'm not going to say more here.

Snow!

There was snow this morning! It wasn't a lot, it was mixed in with rain, but still. This is Massachusetts, not upstate New York. I guess sweater season has officially arrived. Perfect weather for staying in and knitting.

Flash, Aaaah!

Not the Flash Gordon theme from the movie, but rather, taking pictures of a bulky knit with the flash going. I swear, it's not see-through, and I'm ever-so-happy I wore a shirt under Abrazo, or this pic wouldn't have made it on here.


It's cold enough for knits, and I remembered I never gave you a modeled shot of Abrazo. From the look of things, I should have waited until the sun came out! Oh, well.

Long Time No Blog...

It's mid-October already? Where did September go?
Time flies when you're trying to get things done in time for the holidays! I've suddenly realized that Christmas is closer than I thought, and that there is a whole bunch of gift knitting to be done. But first, I have to get some WIP's off the needles.

These are the October mystery socks for SKA 09, designed by Nancy Bush. The month's challenge was "yellow" -- and boy, was it ever! I'm not much of a yellow person, but the deep, gold tones really spoke to me. Must be an autumn thing.


I had to contort myself considerably to get this picture. And yes, those are big full moons with witches and bats flying through them on my pj's. Because... well, there are bats.


Boring details:
Pattern: Fox Faces by Nancy Bush, SKA 09 October mystery sock
Yarn: Fleece Artist Merino sock yarn in Saffron
Needles: US #0/2mm
Comments: Knit exactly as written. At first, they were a bit loose in the ankle, but now that they're finished, they fit very well. The Dutch heel fits my skinny heel beautifully, but the toe, while pretty, is better for people with narrow toes (which I don't have -- I have duck feet).

And, because I can never be without at least one pair of socks on the needles: the beginning of some men's socks. Yet another try at toe-up, we'll see how it goes.


I actually have some non-socks on the needles right now, but as I said, we're getting into the holiday season, and showing what I'm up to will get a bit more difficult.
I'll try to make up for it with spinning and baked goods!

Anniversary Weekend

Mr. Batty had the fireplace checked. Turns out there was some faulty wiring and some other issue. The developer sent his fireplace people and will be sending over an electrician to cap the live wires properly. Until then, this thing stays turned off. Thanks everyone for your concern, we're all doing much, much better. I was even able to knit a little last night! Not much, nothing exciting to show yet, but I got to knit.
I think I'll be starting another project just for myself. Best way to cheer myself up. I just got a few of the new Classic Elite pattern books in, and I love many of the patterns. Hmmm... maybe use some of the yarn my sister sent for my birthday?

Anyway, knitting content to follow. This weekend is our 6th wedding anniversary, so Mr. Batty and I will be out and about doing anniversary stuff. He's taking me bat shopping! I do most of my shopping for decor around Halloween. It'll be fun. The rest... we'll just see what we feel like doing. Spontaneity is a good thing. Plenty of planning at work.

...and then, it exploded

The fireplace, to be exact.
Yesterday, I did some grocery shopping after work, went home, put the food away, said hello to the cats, settled down on the couch... and noticed the smell of gas. Not just a bit, either.
So I get up, pick up my bag, head out the door, turn around... and there is an incredibly loud BAM! WHOOSH!, a huge flash of orange in the fireplace, smoke, and bits of metal and insulation flying.
So I run out, get a neighbor, call 911. While waiting for the fire department to show, I touch the door to make sure it isn't hot, peer in a bit... no fire. So we go in, get the cats, and put them in the neighbor's apartment. Then, the fire department showed up.
We still don't know what happened -- maybe the pilot went out and I accidentally turned on the gas (on switch for our fireplace is next to a light switch). Maybe the wiring was wrong. I'm just glad I'm OK and the cats are OK and our condo didn't catch fire.
Gas and power to the fireplace are now turned off, and I intend to keep them that way. At least until an installation person licensed by the manufacturer of the fireplace can have a look and make sure everything is working properly.

It was quite a shock. I'll need some quiet knitting time tonight after work. Just some calming routine thing that makes me feel safe in my own home again.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

It's a lazy Sunday afternoon at our house. The laundry is laudering, Mr. Batty is doing homework for a class, I'm dabbling in Java programming, the cats are sleeping... there's going to be some baking later on, I'm sure, but for now, it's quiet time.

I am fresh out of clues for the SKA mystery sock. Here's the result so far. The color in the first picture is closer to the real thing, though the pattern is hard to see. I'm really liking these socks, which is saying something, considering they're yellow...


Here's the side view. Ribbing in the back, honeycomb heel, and this sock is pretty darn tall. Nancy Bush socks are usually designed with a really long shaft, and these are no exception.


Speaking of lazy... it's hard to learn more about computer networks when the cat decides to fall asleep on your textbook. No wonder thinkgeek.com sells everything from caffeinated soap to pixie sticks with caffeinated colorful sugar stuff.


Cat over IP. Snore.

Socks and a Gift

Once again, I decided to join the Sock Knitters Anonymous over on ravelry. Anyone who visits here on a regular basis knows that I'm a bit compulsive about the sock knitting, so the shoe -- or, rather, the sock -- fits. Well, except for the anonymous part. But let's not quibble over details.
This year, I have decided to knit more of the mystery socks. The September mystery sock was designed by Nancy Bush, and the challenge for the month is to knit with yellow yarn. How fortunate that I bought some lovely Fleece Artist Merino sock yarn in Saffron when fleegle was having her destash!


The back has ribbing for part of the sock, but that changes to stockinette further below. I'm having more fun than expected knitting with yellow yarn.


Yellow yarn can be goth, right? Uh... I'm not hearing anything... ahem, moving right along.

I can't believe I haven't publicly gushed over the lovely emergency kit I got from Kathy... do you see the lovely red and black pattern? She made that herself! How very, very cool is that?


And speaking of cool, look at all the useful stuff on the inside! The stitch markers are hand made, and it comes with this adorable little crochet hook doohickey for when I drop stitches, which is bound to happen sooner or later.


Thank you so much! I'm so very, very happy with this. And... I'm working on "stuff"
Because I haven't forgotten about the whole Paying it Forward thing.
I just need to work faster, because we're running out of year.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow...

My tendons are better. I have been able to knit a little here and there, so I finished the rainbow-colored knee-high bed socks for my sister. They are going out with the big package o' knits that's been sitting on my wardrobe, waiting to be mailed.


They work as knee highs... or as slouch socks. Psychedelic slouch socks. Yeah!

Boring details:
Pattern: Helless Bed Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks
Yarn: Schoppel Wolle Zauberball in Frische Fische
Needles: US #1
Comments: A fun knit. Because I usually knit socks on 0's, these practically flew by.

The other thing that flew by... 2 ounces of corriedale. Here they are, all spun up, waiting to be plied. And look at my cute project bag! Not surprisingly, it's a Halloween theme. With spiders.


I get most of my stuff around Halloween. Best time for bat- and spider-themed stuff.

Spinning

What does the hardcore fiber addict do when tendonitis rears its ugly head and won't let her knit? Why, she spins, of course!
After a lengthy hiatus, I have decided to give spinning another try, this time with formal instruction. So today, I had my first spinning class, and I've learned so much already. And when the spindle is full, I get to learn how to ply. I have yet to ply anything successfully, so I'm really looking forward to it.


I also bought a carrying bag for my wheel. I ordered it from the Woollery. It shipped Monday, and I got it today. 3 days. I couldn't be happier with my experience.

Blondies

What, no pictures?
I have been knitting my sister's rainbow socks almost exclusively, but haven't made as much progress as I had hoped. My tendonitis is flaring up a little bit, and I figure it's best to restrict my daily knitting time before it gets worse. So I baked blondies. I was going to take pictures, but we ate them. They are all gone, not a crumb left. Nothing to photograph.

I think I'll go knit some lace now. Laceweight is easy on the wrists.

Socks, socks, uh.... socks!

Thank you all for the birthday wishes! Yes, my sister has excellent yarn sense. Not only that, but she is a delight to knit for -- she really appreciates the love, time, and effort that goes into handknits. Just like me, she likes her socks colorful, which is also a plus.

I'm knitting her some bedsocks, and the first one is done. They are heelless, and they are quite long... on me, it's knee-high, on her, it'll probably be a bit shorter.


The yarn is Zauberball in Frische Fische. You can see the broken yarn and sudden color change near the ankle, but now that it's part of a larger sock, it looks OK.
These are socks for lying around the bed, flopping around the couch, and doing other things that cause a person to look at her feet every once in a while.


I've also finished some socks for me. These are tabi socks made out of Tofutsies. I liked it OK -- the wool/soy mix was certainly more comfortable to knit with in the heat than pure wool would have been. And the pattern was fun. Separate big toe! How cool is that?


And a shot of the toe socks in action. Check out those bling-covered flip flops. They're so tacky, they're awesome.

Project Details:
Pattern: Toe Jam, came with February Tofutsies sock club yarn
Yarn: Tofutsies, February sock yarn limited edition colorway
Needles: US #0
Comments: No modifications, knit as instructed. These were fun -- I enjoyed figuring out how not to knit two left feet! The directions just said to reverse shaping for other foot. I guess I got it right.

BIRTHDAY YARN!

Yesterday was my birthday. Now that I'm an adult with a real job, I can't just take the day off, but that's OK. I had chocolate peanut butter ice cream waiting for me when I got home, the So Delicious coconut milk-base stuff. It's so creamy and yummy and just a bit coconutty. Worth every calorie.

The other thing that was waiting for me was a package from my sister. Now, keep in mind that she doesn't knit or crochet, and that, stereotypicall, non-knitters "just don't get it."
Once again, we learn that stereotypes are wrong.

Look what she got me! YARN! Really, really nice yarn, too.
I'd never touched or seen Japonica, but it's a lovely soft lambswool/silk mix. Mmmmm.


And... sock yarn! Paca Peds in lovely colors. Colorful squishy alpaca socks, just for me! If I'd been there to pick the colors in person, I couldn't have made a better choice.


And then, there were these lovelies. She got them from Tausendschon, they don't have any labels, but I think they are worsted weight. Hand-dyed, obviously, and very, very pretty. I'm thinking hats or gloves -- or both!
Ignore the gray splodge on the left, by the way... that's Merlin. I had to manually remove him from the yarn.


So yes, non-knitters get it, if they care enough about the knitters in their lives to find out about yarn. I'm so happy with my birthday yarn!

Almost done!

Just popping by to say I'm almost done with my tabi socks! Somehow, I had trouble visualizing how you'd turn the toe bit around to fit the other foot, and now it's clicked. Can't talk, must go knit!

Time Flies

I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since I last blogged! Work has been busy, family stuff has been going on, and we've been getting some of the boxes around the house unpacked and thrown out. Finally. We've been living here for 9 months, and we still have boxes!

One of my cleanup efforts involves knitting up my stash. There's a "stashlet" in the bedroom, an outgrowth of the main stash downstairs. Two years ago, I didn't flash my stash in April because I figured it would shrink, so I wouldn't have to haul around that much yarn... the year after, the stash expanded, and now, it's budding. I have to stop the takeover of the house.

So... bed socks. Happy rainbow bed socks, using the Heelless Sleeping Sock pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks. The yarn is Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball, and I'm loving how these are turning out -- except for the fact that, like Noro, there's a break in the yarn, and 0range starts right after green. You can see the sudden change on the left. Not a gradual change, just green, green... whammo, orange.


I finally finished the Marlene socks I cast on months ago. It's difficult to see here, but the yarn is ever so slightly variegated. I love this yarn. And the pattern turned out so pretty!


Here they are, both together. There's a slight shimmer to this yarn, which is why the pattern is difficult to photograph.

And here are the details:
Pattern: Marlene by Cookie A.
Yarn: J. Knits Superwash Me - Sock
Color: LA
Needles: US #0
Comments: I love the way these socks turned out. The yarn is a dream to work with, it has a slight shimmer to it, is ever-so-slightly variegated, soft, and comes in lovely colors. I can't say enough good things about it. This is my new favorite sock yarn.

And, because you haven't seen any cat pictures lately... this is Merlin, sleeping. His butt is pointing to the right, his chest is facing up, and his left foreleg is stretched out in perfect Superman flight posture. He is...


SUPERCAT!

Now, I just have to knit him a superhero costume, and get it on while keeping my face.

Back from Myrtle Beach

We are back from our family vacation in Myrtle Beach. It was a fun time, with walks along the beach, good food, and meeting family members I had never met and Mr. Batty hadn't seen in a very long time. I even got to knit on the beach, which I'd always meant to do. It's just as much fun as you think.

From our room, we had a perfect view of the Slingshot, which is essentially a loveseat-like thing suspended from cables between two 100+ foot high structures -- we were on the 7th floor of the hotel, and were by no means looking down at the thing.
People get on, and are then flung into the sky, about as high again as the structures supporting the cables... higher up than the 7th floor of our hotel! Oh, and to make it even more interesting, the seat spins you head-over-heels...
It was fun watching people get flung and hear the screams. You couldn't pay me to get on that thing!

Now, it's back to work and knitting. Torrents of rain are coming down outside, and it's supposed to get stormy later, which figures, as I have an appointment to get my hair done today. Oh, well.

Happy, Knitty 4th!

Happy 4th of July to all my American readers! I hope everyone is enjoying a couple of days off and spending some quality time with knitting, pets, family, or any other grouping or occupation you particularly enjoy.

Mr. Batty and I mostly stayed around the house, with the exception of a trip to the local game store, a trip to a restaurant, and a walk to the bakery. It's been very relaxing. Not much in the way of fascinating pictures, I'm afraid, but we both very much needed the quiet time.
We did not make it out to see the fireworks. We did watch the HBO miniseries about John Adams, though, and it just so happened that we'd gotten to the Independence episode on the 4th, so this worked out very nicely.

In other news, the recipients of my knits are away from the Internet, so I can now show you the socks I've been working on -- Marlene, by Cookie A. Fun socks. Not the best lighting (it's crazy bright out), but you can see the pattern.


The color is very slightly variegated, the stitch definition is wonderful, and I'm loving this project -- it's knitting up a bit more slowly than expected, but then again, I've been distracted.


Last Sunday, I started Abrazo from knitty. I've had my eye on it for a while, and it knit up incredibly quickly -- I almost finished it last Sunday, but then got distracted by work. I'm loving the outcome, the yarn is dreamy soft, it's black (yay, black!), and I did the cabling without a cable needle. New skill, how cool is that?


Details:
Pattern: Abrazo
Needles: US #10 and #11
Yarn: Malabrigo Chunky
Color: Black (it's a deep, rich black, but it still shows the cables, yay!)
Size: I knit the length for the small size and the number of stitches from the medium size to compensate for the thinner yarn -- Malabrigo is thinner than the actual yarn I subbed it for
Comments: Great quick vest. I need to block it to even out the crochet edgings around the neck and armholes. Note on doing single crochet: It's surprisingly difficult to get the knit stitches/crochet stitches ration quite right. I used a hook that corresponds to the smaller needle size, but still had to skip the occasional knit stitch to keep the edge from flaring.

Modeled shot coming up after I block this vest. I think I'm addicted... I can't stop knitting vests!