Finished Bookmark and learning HTML

So, finished my bookmark last night and I don't think I will be knitting with crochet cotton for a long time. I'm also learning how to fancy smancy up my blog and got some progress bars up, I think I should have waited to put those on so I at least had some decent progress to report, lol.

Can't wait for SP6 to start, I'm just dying to spoil someone!!!! If you haven't already signed up do so, Sign up ends September 3 and you don't want to be left out.

Well now to figure out how to put buttons on the sidebar.... it never ends.

New Projects

Started a shawl yesterday, well actually started it on Sunday, 5 times to be exact. My cast on was crap so finally on the 5th cast on I got it so it wasn't to loose or to tight, you would think after the 3rd I'd give up and give it a try later but nooo I'm a glutton for punishment. So got it going (at least 30 rows) and it is looking awesome and I dropped a stitch, this is also my first time doing lace type work. I couldn't find that stitch so ripped back another row and damned if I could get all the stitches back on right let alone make sure I had the exact number. I thought "this is an easy pattern I don't need any life lines, NOT!!!) So, 6th attempt at the shawl yesterday morning, couldn't get a decent cast on tried again yesterday afternoon and got it right. I am back to where I was when I ripped everything apart and I have to life lines in already! No way am I taking anymore chances with that one. This is my first time working with cotton and boy is it great, it is the Cantata Cotton Crepe DK by Fil Diamond Yarn and I'm using 7mm needles. I could get used to being a yarn snob, well maybe not, I love alot of the acrylics (oops, did I just say that) well I do, that is what I learned on and always thought natural fibres, wools and such were way to over priced so never made the attempt to purchase them or look at them. Now that I'm older I'm more than willing to try new things and have more cash (the husbands cash) to spend on my hobbies so what the heck. This shawl will be for our Aunt Margaret (husband's side) for Christmas. Here is a picture of the progress..

I also started another dishcloth, teacup design, I'd like to have 10 extra for Christmas for just in case gifts as well as a bookmark. The bookmark is with crochet cotton #10 and boy is that thin stuff to work with. I thought this would be a nice quick project, NOT. I wanted a little something to throw in with my dishcloths for the exchange, I may try the snowflake bookmark it's crocheted and looks a little quicker.


I also spoke to Rob's Aunt Margaret yesterday, she's in Powell River, BC and told her I was attempting socks, she makes the socks for the family at Christmas and birthdays. She was so excited she's sending me everyone's patterns, their likes and dislikes so I can get started right away, I should have them by Friday. When I decided to do socks I was just thinking a few pairs for myself a year and for my boys the husband doesn't care for wool socks and using some fun yarn ie: handpainted stuff from Opal, some batik or the Opal magic, all yarns I received last week. Me and my big mouth. One thing everyone should now I'm not a fast knitter, I can get small things done like dishcloths in an evening but I also have other hobbies as well as 3 kids, 2 are 3 and 4 not in school so I get side tracked sometimes. She can whip out a sweater within a week and that is an adult sweater, socks are done in a day, 2 if she's busy and she knits for for her 3 kids, 3 grandkids, our family of 5(Rob and I socks and the boys sweaters), Rob's parents(socks and sweaters), her brother and his family as well as his wifes friends and family(she gives them as gifts for Christmas and it is not just socks its sweaters too). I don't think I will be able to do that. Man I'm happy if I get a couple of scarves, mitts and hats done for my little guys a year.

This years FO's as of today are: 1-boa scarf for my sister, 1-ribbon scarf for my sister's birthday in October, 10 dishcloths, 20-6 inch squares(crochet), 3-12 inch squares(crochet), little christmas wreath ornament(did that this morning) and that's about it. On the needles- bookmark, dishcloth, shawl and my afghan and hopefully it will get done by Christmas, not a fat chance that will happen but one can hope. Well better go make supper before the boys start knawing on the furniture..

Yarn Fix!!

Went to the LYS yesterday to get my yarn fix and picked up some Cantata cotton (20% off) for a shawl, Patons Canadiana for my little guys sweater (on sale 40% off), Bernat Galaxy and Carmen for only a buck plus some pattern books, also on sale. That is a pretty good fix if I do say so myself. I do love sales, it means I can buy more!! Here is a pic of my goodies.

Update on the socks-didn't get touched all week. I'm finally getting over a sinus cold so trying to follow a pattern was out of the question. I did manage to whip up a couple more dishcloths for Christmas gifts and print off more free patterns I found on the net.

I am soooo looking forward for Secret Pal 6 to start. Yesterday I got to spend an hour in the LYS without the kids or hubby checking out all the wonderful yarn and wondering what will my secret pal love. I love shopping, especially for others so signing up for SP6 is going to be a real treat. I don't have many people to shop for that are yarnaholics or even crafters so it will be nice to finally have someone to shop for who appreciates the things I do. Time to take the little guys to the park, maybe take a dishcloth to knit while I'm there.

Finished Dishclothes and Purchased more Yarn!!!

Well after a hectic week and weekend I finally finished the last dishcloth for the exchange due in November. All I have to do is make up some tags for them and mail them out. I wanted all of them to be different, plus it gave me a chance to try out some new stitches and get some practice with reading different patterns and they all turned out well. I made a teacup, dog, hearts, butterflies, little houses and a feather and fan dishcloths and all were free patterns I found on the net.

I received some sock yarn last week from funknits and haven't even completed my first sock yet. I just love all the colors and I'm itching to knit with the handpainted yarn to see how the coloring is going to look. A perfect beginning for my sock yarn stash. Here is a pic of it.

I'm off to work on those socks, maybe even finish the pair this week and get some more minis painted this week too. I did manage to get 3 done last week, will post some picks of those when I get a better camera.

Signed up for SP6!

I signed up for Secret Pal 6, my first one and I'm looking forward to spoiling someone.
Finished one of my dishclothes, have a new one on the needles, last one :-) I need for the exchange.
Also took a little quiz to find out what type of knitter I am and here it is:


You appear to be a Knitting Adventurer.
You are through those knitting growing pains and
feeling more adventurous. You can follow a
standard pattern if it's not too complicated
and know where to go to get help. Maybe you've
started to experiment with different fibers and
you might be eyeing a book with a cool
technique you've never tried. Perhaps you
prefer to stick to other people's patterns but
you are trying to challenge yourself more.
Regardless of your preference, you are
continually trying to grow as a knitter, and as
well you should since your non-knitting friends
are probably dropping some serious hints, these
days.
http://marniemaclean.com


What Kind of Knitter Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Don't forget to sign up for SP6!!

I christen thee "KnitoneInsane2".

I thank my husband, Robert for being the inspiration on the name of my new blog. He thinks I'm insane when it comes to all the crafting projects I have and ones I'm interested in trying. He figures I should pick one and stick with it, NOT.

On the needles- dishcloth for my exchange in November(need 2 more), poncho for a friends baby girl, an afghan for myself in Lionbrand chenille has been on the needles for 3 months and only 3 balls in and my first ever pair of socks. I casted one on last weekend and got the ribbing done and about 1 inch down and decided to buy a second set of needles so I can do them together. I'm using Regia 4ply self patterning(blues w/white). My husband bought me the yarn Christmas 2002 and I've been scared till now to try them. What the heck, I'll give it a whirl if it doesn't work out I can always frog and try again.

For crochet I've just been downloading as many free patterns for squares as I can find. I joined 2 exchanges, a 12 inch and 6 inch square exchange and this has peeked my interest to learn more stitches besides the good old double crochet. By the way I'm self taught when it comes to crochet. I'm using 2 books and what help sites I can find on the net. So far so good. I managed to get three squares out this month, 2-6inch, 1 traditional granny square and a "spoke n'fun" square and a 12 inch "manly square". They turned out pretty good and I only had trouble with the spoke n'fun.

Now to sign up for SecretPal6.

And I no longer have blogger envy.