KnittyOtter

Eye Candy Friday - Looks like we made it

I'm always so thrilled that I lived yet another week when Friday gets here. I mean wouldn't it be a shame if you lived through the work week only to find that you died on a Thursday night. What kind of reward is that.

I wanna die on a Sunday night. I don't care for Sunday nights. Never have. Even as a kid I thought it was the most depressing night of the week. If it wasn't for The Simpson's and Family Guy I'd probably strangle myself in anticipation of the work week. Well mainly the phone. I hate the sound of a ringing phone and to me that's what Sunday night is. It's the pause before a never ending ringing phone. Well it mostly ends Friday.

Friday is a yummy day. Well worth celebrating. So even though I'm listening to the happy upbeat song "You give what you give" by the New Radicals at the moment that old Barry Manilow song, "Looks like we made it" is stuck in my head. *winks at Dave* (He secretly loooooooooooves all my bad music references. Especially if it involves Keith Carradine, whom I adore. *L*) Heh. Now I have to listen to that....

Anyhoo, I think I'm letting my freak flag wave a bit more than I intended with that last bit of information. *L*

So it's Friday and it's gonna be a kickass cool fun couple of days. I have no clue what I'm doing yet, but the phone won't be going crazy so that means it's gonna rawk. *GRIN*

Earlier this morning I was having a conversation with George and he mentioned how he hasn't been around much lately. He said he's not feeling the love. Poor thing. (Psst, don'tcha just hate it when you're Zombie gets all pouty. Must be Zombie PMS...) So for my Eye Candy Friday photo here is George, feeling pretty.

George is wearing my Devil Princess Tiara along with my new Lantern Moon Lady Bug tape measure while holding the in progress honey socks. I'm ready to start the heal for the sock on the right. About an inch and a half to go get to that point on the sock on the left. Loving the Claudia Hand Painted muchly.

These socks also count as my Project Spectrum project for Blue for February and March. I think I have my April & May project picked out. One of the projects has green in it. I really do need more hands to knit all the stuff I want to knit up. *L*

Oh and in other knitting news I really do appreciate all the free spirited outgoing adventures knitters I see 'round these parts. It's the only way to live life. Viva La Adventure and Possibilities!!

Resolution #10 & the other 9 New Years Resolutions

We are almost at the end of the first quarter of 2007. What the heck. Where'd the time go?

Seriously where the fuck has the time gone? o.0

More importantly how are those New Years Resolutions I decided to call out coming along. *L*

First off I'll how you a picture of my Resolution #10 alcohol stash (Yarn is a stash, what do you call a collection of alcohol? *L*) from our home "bar area". Clickety Biggety!

A few bottles have been added but not much has been drank. Most of this has been purchased when my brother comes to visit. *L* I'm going to need to throw a party or something to really make use of these tasty liquids. Drinking at home isn't that much fun. Plus the honey likes to drink Scotch and other harsh burny things. I'm more likely to mix up a shaker of Dirty Vodka Martini's, a blender of Margaritas or some other frou frou beverage. But it's not very fun to mix up something like that alone. So when the weather is warmer and I've unpacked and trashed or stored the rest of the boxes in the living room I'll be doing that. *grin*

I'll need to practice up on my bartending skills as I found recently you can get rusty if you don't do it for awhile. *L*

I guess I'll start at the top and work my way down the list to see where I am.

2007 First Quarter progress:

1.) I resolve to be kinder to stupid people who annoy me... better still I resolve to ignore stupid people who annoy me. *GRIN* That way I stay sane and don't kill people.

Progress: Well I haven't out and out told anyone off. I don't think I've been too harsh to people that anyone me. No one has cried at least. *L* More importantly have I been ignoring people who annoy and/or piss me off? Mostly. I think. I'm certainly ignoring their presence fairly well, but do I think on the situation? Do I carry that lady further than the river as the old story goes? Sometimes. I need to work on releasing, letting go any anger or ill feelings towards stupid people. So that's what I'll do next, try to only think upon the positive... while ignoring those that have no meaning or impact on my life. My kindness to stupid people is not making them see what they are, by ignoring them I help both of us. *L*

2.) I resolve to not care what people I don't like think as they are pointless and don't really know me anyway, therefore their opinions mean less than the people who are valid in my life and actually know me anyway. Wheeee! Or if I can't not care what they think I will avoid them so as to not know what they think. Yes, this is a winning plan. *L*

Progress: Hmm this is rather similar to the first resolution. heh. I'm doing this really well actually. Recently such an event occurred. No not that thing with the lady that I posted about last. I spoke with her about it as I enjoy her company and wish to continue enjoying her company. She said it was a badly spoken joke and we are fine. No this incident where someone I have no regard or thought for happened a few weeks ago. It was more amusing than anything. Words have no meaning or impact when they come from someone so worthless they carry no weight. It's almost like watching a child have a tantrum about not getting a toy or candy they want. While annoying for a moment it has no lasting affect on the casual passerby. Unless you're at the movies. Then you gotta bring out the duct tape. *L*

3.) I resolve to wear more mascara and lipstick. Rather more often, not more when I do wear them. *L*

Progress: This is too funny! I didn't even remember I wrote this. I'm doing pretty well though. Not that I need to wear mascara or lipstick, but it's kinda like when you are wearing a really cool pair of shoes or bad ass bitch boots. Rowarrr! You just feel different about yourself. I'm feeling okay about myself. Need a hair cut though. My bangs are so long I can barely see anymore. What, it's kinda related. :P

4.) I resolve to call and email people when I think about them, rather than putting it off for a better time. There will never be a better time than now, so why wait... cause by then I'll forget or it will be too late.

Progress: I have been soooooooo sucky on this. Sorry! I really REALY need to work on this. o.0

5.) I resolve to knit a sweater. I'm still waiting on the rest of the yarn before I can get started. It's for Dulaan. :D

Progress: I got in the rest of the Dulaan sweater yarn a few weeks ago. MUCH later than expected. :/ I should still have plenty of time to knit a child size sweater for Dulaan before the July ship date. I'm well past my five knit items that I committed to, but I'd really like to make a sweater to ship out for the upcoming deadline. I also got the yarn to make honey a sweater later this year. :D

6.) I resolve to actually go see Ann rather than just stalk her like the chicken I am. *Bok Bok*

Progress: I did this!!! :D It was AWESOME, despite my own head & her threats of being a serial killer even. *L* I plan on seeing her again in June if possible. *Happy Otter Dance*

7.) I resolve to go to a doctor regarding my tonsils. Considering they've been bothering me since before I moved to Reno I figure I should have them looked at ya know. (been bothering me solid for a few weeks now and getting worse, ick.)

Progress: Um... Lookie something shiny over there. *runs like hell* That'd be a no on any sort of progress... I need to find a doctor here I guess. I'm okay though so no worries. Stupid tonsils.

8.) I resolve to buy myself that new fangled digital camera I've been lusting after this year. :D

Progress: *cue Marvin Gaye singing Let's Get it on* Well y'all remember last August when I accidentally whacked my camera and thought it was broken, but it wasn't. Well at that time I thought I was in love with a camera I found then.  I've been dreaming about that baby off and on, while at the same time exploring many other cameras. Since then I've discovered a lot more about myself and what I want in a camera. I think I've found one I can be happy with... well two, but they are very different but who said I had to be camera monogamous in the first place. :P Anyway my new future loves will be released sometime in May... along with a few others I want to learn a bit more about before making my decision. I won't give you any details now, just that I'm almost ready to take the plunge. Wheeeeeee!!

9.) I resolve to go on a real vacation. Fo reals, man.

Progress: In January I went to Otterland aka Monterey California and then La$ Vega$. I still need to blog about Otterland and post some of those pictures. I still feel like I need some more vacation though. Maybe I'll see if the honey wants to take a long weekend somewhere around my birthday. :D Or not. Maybe I'll just stay home and work on Resolution #10 (tm). *L*

10.) I resolve to drink more. *L* I know sounds odd, but really I don't drink enough.

Progress: January my drinking wasn't as much as you'd think it would be considering we went on Vacation to Otterland & Las Vegas. We were too busy running around doing all kinds of stuff to stop and really have a drinkie. Well in Otterland at least, then I got a cold or something in Vegas and it's not much fun drinking when you feel icky. In February I did one night of decent drinking. The night I was with Ann & My Brother. I had a Dirty Vodka Martini with her and then went and hung out with my brother. He introduced me to a world of Belgium Beer. A yummy yummy world with many possibilities. Around this time I also began having more drinkies out with friends. Then this past weekend I attended a party where Patrón Tequila was the feature beverage. *GRIN* Well that and water. *L* Does anyone need water? Seriously I'll just go grab some for you? *snicker* I didn't drink as much as you'd think. Two and a half drinks really. Partially due, in my opinion, to the fact that I haven't had enough experience mixing drinks in so long.  I'll have to work on that.  Any volunteers for taster monkeys? *L*

I guess I'm doing pretty well with my 2007 New Year Resolutions. As UglyFatLady (who is not a bit ugly, btw) would say, So Far, So Good. :D

I'll leave you with a second picture of the alcohol shelf. Heh. Clickety Biggety!

So how are your New Years Resolutions coming along? :P

Saturday Sky & Things In My Head Oh My!

It's been a long time since I've posted a Saturday Sky. I really enjoy the Saturday Skies so it's kind of a shame. Was it the winter sky, just being busy or what that kept me from it. We'll see, in the meantime I'd like to get back to it. Intention and action often produce very different results. *L*

I took this photo Saturday morning when the honey and I were out doing some errands. This field always has a bunch of Marmot's running around in it. We were not disappointed when we went past this week either. The warm weather has them sunning their tummy's and it is oh so cute! :D

I'm going to get a new camera in May after the model I want is released to the stores. *drools* I'll try to get some better pictures of them then. They blend into the grass so well. Here's one I caught havin' a snack. :D

The last few weeks have been going by so fast I've hardly had anytime to just stop think and take a deep breathe. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but I think I need a minute to just be still for a moment ya know. Heh. Even in stillness my brain won't stop though. I have so much to say, so much to get started on, to finish and just so much. Not even knitting related but just everything. Work stuff, home stuff, friend stuff, self improvement stuff, honey stuff & yes knitting stuff. The Ducky Hat is calling to me, but so in the Entrelac Scarf and the Honey Socks. Plus projects yet cast onto. I wish I could knit as fast as my mind comes up with new projects. *L*

There's so many parts to life and it's good to have possibility brimming in all the areas. It's good to enjoy it all. I'm really a lucky Otter. Even when I let my own bit of crazy get in the way. It could be worse, it could be better. I'm not too crazy most of the time. Inappropriate yes, but not TOO crazy. *L*

Normally I take time through out the day to find my balance point. I'll talk with my best friend and the honey. Sharing the stuff in my head helps me sort it all out. Kinda like blogging, but on a more private level. Some things you just shouldn't say out loud.

I try very hard not to say things out loud that will hurt people. I fail and it weighs on my mind. This weekend I blurted out to a woman who had just admitted to injecting Botox into her face, also known as pig botulinum, the words, "OH MY GOD, CAN YOU SMILE?!". Now I could blame the tequila that was rushing oh so happily through my veins. Or I could blame the sheer shock simply because she seemed normal and not at all stiff faced the way Celine Dion does half the time. But the truth is I'm kinda off the cuff that way at times. This causes me a little more stress than I need. I try to think before I speak. Sometimes it's funny. Sometimes it's just plain uncomfortable. Text is easier. Less chance of being a dumbass. Oh the chance is still there, but it's less. I can at least censor myself. *L*

The lady was very kind and accepted my profuse apologies and said they weren't needed. But still. If it stung me it surely stung her. Blah.

Dear Mouth,

I'm gonna get that duct tape out if'n you don't hold something back sometimes.

Love,
Otter

I wish I hadn't said that. I still feel bad. That's part of my crazy. I can't help mini reliving all my mistakes in my head.  Not even out and out mistakes like that. That's obvious, but all the little what if's. Did I make so and so feel like I was being pushy and know-it-all-ish when I helped that lady with her project. Did this thing I said to that person offend them. If I care about them it matters. Ya know.

It's almost like at the end of seeing people I should apologize for all the things I did wrong. Usually it occurs to me that I was annoying or offensive in some way after the fact. Then I wonder if maybe they didn't notice, maybe it wasn't that big a deal to them, or if maybe they will think I'm not worth their time anymore. Like maybe I've crossed a line.

I didn't email/make contact with Ann for a few days after I saw her because I had all these doubts. I'm pretty sure she doesn't think I'm a total dumbass. But I said a few things that I'm not sure came out right.

I'm a walking talking insecure crazy head. I have enough self doubts to keep my mind occupied from here to eternity. (Not that I want to dwell on such selfish and stupid shit. I'm much better than I was several years ago so I imagine I'll chill out some in time. *L* o.0)

Because I'm constantly thinking I did something wrong I apologize a lot. I don't mean to. I don't do it as much as I did years ago when I first met my honey. He tells me to stop it. Says it's bad self talk. I've had a lot of people lately tell me that I apologize a lot. Maybe because I'm meeting and seeing a lot of people face to face these days. Back in January that personal trainer lady said she was going to "break me" of it. I laughed, told her better men than her had tried.  :P

Just because I'm prone to saying I'm sorry on a fairly frequent basis doesn't mean I don't mean it. Sorry has so many meanings.

I'm sorry I said that and hurt you.

I'm sorry your cat died.

I'm sorry I stepped on your foot or whatever I just did.

I'm sorry I don't know what to say.

And even the occasional I'm sorry which simply and truly means I'm sorry for my very existence. Not that I'd ever say that out loud. But as I'm so filled with doubt sometimes it's just what I mean.

I have enough crazy that I don't need anyone else's bullshit or problems. When someone says  something off the mark to me I almost immediately forget what they said. I recall the way it made me feel and the general idea of what they said, but often not the exact words. It's like my mind is mini blown, a little blackout. Immediately followed by my face turning bright red. Pretty picture lemme tell ya. I'm so taken back that I have no idea how to respond.

Then the questions start flying in my mind. Did they say that to me because they don't have any impulse control and say whatever pops into their heads? I can relate to that obviously. Or was it intentional. Or simply bad socialization and they haven't got a clue how to be around other people. Or did I do something to offend them and this is some cheesy passive aggressive attempt to let me know they aren't pleased with my doing whatever.

If it's a person I have little or no regard for it means absolutely nothing and can be amusing even. I don't need everyone to love me. Never have. In fact I'm fond of the fact that not everyone you meet has to become a friend. I don't like all my friends friends, and they don't have to like mine. I don't like everyone who likes me and not everyone I like feels the same way back. I'm cool with that. Most people don't get that sadly. Even to the point of going off the deep end when you don't return their affections. o.0

How in the world the idea got spread around that everyone has to love and adore everyone else is beyond me. It's not realistic and to have that forced on people just breeds for ill will and bad times. Distrust too. How can you trust people when they smile at you from behind a fake face. Just not right.

But I've gotten off my point, if you can call these ramblings a point. Just things that have been fluttering through my mind off and on for some time now. *L*

I was saying how I've got enough crazy self doubts to not have time to deal with anyone else's brand of poopie.

But sometimes someone says something that strikes a cord. A raw spot that you weren't aware was so surface.

A lot of knitters I know talk about how their mates disapprove of the amount of time they spend knitting and/or doing knitting related activities. This has caused me to doubt myself and wonder if I'm irritating my honey since I've been busy and spending more time away from him lately. Add in all my usual doubts and self loathings and you've got one very sore spot that does not need to be poked at.

So when a person this weekend out of the blue and for no apparent reason asked when my honey was going to leave me it kinda upset me. Well at first it did.

At first I felt myself turning bright red and the phrase why in the hell would a person ask me that popped into my head. Amazingly enough I had the presence of mind to ask, "Why would you say that to a person?". 

I was feeling guilty for not seeing my honey very much this weekend. It just struck a cord and it upset me. I'm not sure if I conveyed that to the person who said this oddity. If I did they probably thought something silly like I had doubts about my honey and myself.

No I'm far too selfish for that. *L* All I could think was what about myself prompted them to say such a thing.

I came home and told my honey about the incident. He hugged me and said the person was foolish and obviously had no clue what they were talking about. Also suggested they said it because that's what happened to them. So now I kinda feel bad for not comforting them about this apparent personal tragedy. Makes sense, people view the world through the perspective with which they have lived through right.

Many years ago I had an aunt ask me if my honey beats me. Out of the blue, just like that. I was stunned and asked her if her husband beat her. She said no, but I've always wondered. That  is just too weird and specific to randomly ask another person. o.0

My honey is a great guy and is very encouraging of me to meet new people and explore the world on my own terms. I guess a not everyone has had that experience, but that's the perspective I view the world from.

I'm okay. This is not any kind of a depressed or upset post. I don't feel bad about what that lady said. For all I know she was making a joke. *L* I have a weird time reading certain people. This is just stuff in my head that I wanted to get out.

And now I have a Duckie Hat that is Quacking for some knitting time. :D

Quack Quack!

Otter's 1st Knitaversary

Guess what today is? It's the anniversary of the first day I started knitting. :D

*Super Happy Otter Dance*

Last year at 6:00 am I couldn't take it anymore and HAD to start knitting. I kinda wrote about that fateful day and how I got started with knitting on this post here. It also includes my first cast on and a few other things. *L*

I'm still very much in love with knitting and even though I've had some heartbreaks and life lessons. There have been far more wins than losses in the first year of my journey. The Bunny Bag was a great experience. As was the Bitchin' Mittens for which I won a prize for most Unique design. *L* I think if I had to choose my favorite thing I've knit so far it would be my Pink Dream Socks. Yummy Yarn makes everything better. :D

I've also met some really wonderful people in the last year. Y'all know who you are. Online and in person and in a few cases both. Still have lots to get to know and get to know better. :D Knitting has also allowed me to connect with my best friend on a different level. She's always made me magical yarny things and I never understood how a person could do that. It seriously seemed beyond my brain, until I just picked up some yarn and got started one day. Now we can share the magical yarny knitting world and it's so much fun!  :D

I've also learned that not all knitters are the peachy keen perfect people some people would have you believe all knitters are. We're just people and as we all know people have a great capacity to suck ass. Anyone that tells you otherwise likely has something to sell you or is off their rocker a bit and thinks they can hide their own flaws in the wool. Nope. Still humans.

Well not me. I'm an Otter. :P

Crazy Knitters can't hold back any of the fun associated with knitting though. They'd be crazy even if they didn't play with yarn so what's it matter. *L*

It's been a GREAT year. I can't believe I ever didn't knit. Odd how it's become such a part of who I am. What the hell did my hands do before I knit? It boggles my mind. *L*

Here's the first thing I cast onto, knit and bound off on, one year later. It's my Swatch Cloth.  Heh

Here it is in progress.

Funny how it kept getting wider and wider and all those lacy holes. I'm a freakin' genius! :P

I actually cast onto that last year on this date. Cookie suggested I go get some Bamboo needles and gave me several pointers since I was still confused and without a book, a lesson or a brain. I ran right out and got those needles and got started... and here we are today. *smile*

I can't wait to see what this next year holds for my knitting. :D

Entrelac Scarf Tutorial

I am so in love with entrelac I can't get it out of my mind. I've dreamed about knitting entrelac every night this week... well what little sleep I've had. It's hard to sleep when you can't make your mind be quiet about your most current love. That and there was a cat licking my eyebrows. Very hard to sleep through that. o.0

Can't sleep. Can't eat. Must Knit. :D

I love this knitting technique so much I made a Tutorial for it for any of y'all that aredn't sure what it is and wanna give it a try. :D There is PDF of the tutorial/modified pattern at the end of the post. :D

I modified Alison of Freckles & Purls Entrelac Scarf pattern (PDF), with her permission, and will share it with y'all today. Plus a little tutorial I wrote up to go with it. Alison's Pattern is based on 8 stitches per section and came out to 9 inches wide for me when I knit it. Great Pattern, but just a bit too wide for me. I altered the stitch count per section to 6 and now it comes out to 6 inches wide. Whether you use Alison's Original 8 Stitch Pattern or my Modified 6 stitch pattern you will love it. It's a great pattern for anyone new to Entrelac or anyone who just wants a kickass cool entrelac scarf. :D

Here is a comparison between Alison's Pattern and my Altered 6 Stitch Pattern. Mine is the smaller one on top. It's the same number of sections. The only thing different is the number of stitches per triangle/square. (well the yarn is different, but you know what I mean. :P)

6 Stitch Entrelac Scarf Pattern & Entrelac Tutorial

Yarn: Trendsetter Yarns - Tonalita Example here in color 2349.
A very similar yarn to the Tonalita is Lang - Mille Colori
Needles: US9 / 5.5 MM Inspired by Allison LoCicero’s Entrelac Scarf @ http://www.frecklesandpurls.com/

Stitch Guide
k = knit
p = purl
k2tog = knit 2 together
p2tog = purl 2 together
kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
ssk = slip slip knit
sl = slip
m1 = Make 1
psso = Pass slipped stitch over

Base Triangles 

CO 18 Sts

Row 1: (RS) k1, turn
Row 2: and all WS rows – purl all sts in this section, turn
Row 3: sl 1, k1, turn
Row 4: Purl sts in this section, turn
Row 5: sl 1, k2, turn
Row 6: Purl sts in this section, turn
Row 7: sl 1, k3, turn
Row 8:  Purl sts in this section, turn
Row 9: sl 1, k4, turn
Row 10: Purl sts in this section, turn
Row 11: sl 1, k5 – Do Not Turn – end of base triangle one of three – start next base triangle on next stitch

Photo of first triangle in the base triangle section of your scarf.

Repeat Rows 1 to 11 two more time to complete all three base triangles

Photo of completed base triangles

Tier 1 - 2 Diamonds & 2 Side Triangles

Left Side Triangle

Row 1: (WS) k1, turn
Row 2: kfb, turn
Row 3: k1, p2tog, turn
Row 4: k1, m1, k1, turn
Row 5: k1, p1, p2tog, turn
Row 6: and all RS rows – knit to last st, m1, k1 turn
Row 7: k1, p2, p2tog, turn
Row 8: knit to last st, m1, k1 turn
Row 9: k1, p3, p2tog, turn
Row 10: knit to last st, m1, k1 turn
Row 11: k1, p4, p2tog, turn - end of left triangle - Do Not Turn

Photo of completed left side triangle 

Now work the two middle diamonds of Tier 1.
Two Middle Right Slanting Diamonds

Row 1: (WS) With wrong side facing, pick up and purl 6 sts along the selvedge edge of the next triangle. Sl last st picked up onto the left needle and p2tog, turn.

Row 2: k6, turn
Row 3: sl 1, p4, p2tog, turn
Row 4: k6, turn
Row 5: sl 1, p4, p2tog, turn
Row 6: k6, turn
Row 7: sl 1, p4, p2tog, turn
Row 8: k6, turn
Row 9: sl 1, p4, p2tog, turn
Row 10: k6, turn
Row 11: sl 1, p4, p2tog, turn - end of Diamond One - Do Not Turn

Repeat Rows 1 to 11 one more time to complete all both middle diamonds. Once both diamonds are done began working the right side triangle in the next section.

Photo of completed center diamonds

Right Side Triangle

Row 1: (WS) With wrong side facing, pick up and purl 6 sts along the selvedge edge of the next triangle or diamond, turn.
Row 2: and all RS rows – knit all sts in this section, turn
Row 3: sl 1, p3, k2tog, turn
Row 4: knit sts in this section turn
Row 5: sl 1, p2, k2tog, turn
Row 6: knit sts in this section turn
Row 7: sl 1, p1, k2tog, turn
Row 8: knit sts in this section turn
Row 9: sl 1, k2tog, turn
Row 10: knit sts in this section turn
Row 11: k2tog - Turn and transfer this st to the right needle.

The remaining stitch will be counted as the first st picked up for the first diamond in Tier 2.

Photo of completed right side triangle & Tier One
Tier 2 - 3 Diamonds

Three Left Slanting Diamonds

For the first diamond only, the remaining stitch from the last tier counts as 1 picked up stitch

Row 1: (RS) With right side facing, pick up and knit 6 sts along the selvedge edge of the next triangle or diamond. Sl last st picked up onto the left needle and ssk, turn.

Row 2: p6, turn
Row 3: sl 1, k4, ssk, turn
Row 4: p6, turn
Row 5: sl 1, k4, ssk, turn
Row 6: p6, turn
Row 7: sl 1, k4, ssk, turn
Row 8: p6, turn
Row 9: sl 1, k4, ssk, turn
Row 10: p6, turn
Row 11: sl 1, k4, ssk, - end of Diamond One - Do Not Turn

Photo of first left slanting diamonds

Repeat Rows 1 to 11 two more times to complete three middle diamonds. Once the three diamonds are done you will start tier one again.

Photo of completed three diamonds in tier two

Continue working tiers 1 and 2 until the desired length is reached.

Before you begin the bind off triangles the last tier you work is tier one. Keep that in mind when you start thinking about coming to the end of your scarf.

Photo of Tier One completed, your project should be on this tier when you are ready to begin your bind off triangles.

Bind off Triangles

 Row 1: (RS) With right side facing, pick up and knit 6 sts along the selvedge edge of the next triangle or diamond. For the first triangle only, the st remaining counts as the first picked up stitch.

Slip last st picked up to left needle and ssk, turn.

Row 2: and all WS rows – purl all sts in this section, turn
Row 3: k2tog, k3, ssk, turn
Row 4: purl sts in this section, turn
Row 5: k2tog, k2, ssk, turn
Row 6: purl sts in this section, turn
Row 7: k2tog, k1, ssk, turn
Row 8: purl sts in this section, turn
Row 9: k2tog, ssk, turn
Row 10: purl sts in this section, turnRow 11: sl 1, ssk, psso, do not turn.

The remaining stitch will count as the first stitch of the next triangle.

Photo of first triangle of three triangle bind off

When all three triangles have been worked, bind off last stitch and weave in ends.

Block if Desired.

Photo of completed bind off edge after blocking

Additional Notes:

Turn unless otherwise noted

You should have 6 stitches for each triangle at the end of each section with the exception of the right side triangle at the end of tier one – at that time you will have 19 stitches on your needle. There will be three sections of 6 stitches plus one which is the start of the three diamonds in Tier 2.

When you are getting close to starting the bind off triangles keep in mind that the last section you will knit before starting the bind off is Tier 1, not tier 2.

To create a gap free seam, count the stitches you intend to pick up from the bottom before you began to pick up. Most gaps are caused when you pick up at extra stitch at the top and skip the most important stitch which is at the bottom.

Once you do a few section repeats it will all seem much easier for you. You won’t need to count each row as the pattern construction and logic will become very clear for you. Don’t give up if you feel like it’s too “thought intensive” at first. Entrelac is fabulous mindless knitting once you get the hang of it. ;^)

Here is an easy to print off PDF of this Entrelac Tutorial:
Download 6_stitch_entrelac_scarf_tutorial_by_knittyotter.pdf

 

Entrelac Love & The First Day of Spring

Isn't amazing how a new love can change how you view the world.

There were bells on the hill, but I never heard them ringing, no I never saw them at all, till there was you...

That's kinda how I feel about Knitting. It's changed my life, muchly for the better. We've been together almost a year now and I still feel that blush of love when I pick up my needles, see some new exciting yarn or when I try a new technique or pattern. *grin*

My latest knitting love is Entrelac. Although it seems complicated it's not. It's an oddly simple technique, once you get the rhythm of it that is. But then again rarely is a first kiss perfect, though most certainly sweet. (Well with the honey the first kiss was like intoxicating lightening. *wicked grin* But that's not really a story for this post...) The biggest part for someone just getting started with entrelac is that you have to be open to thinking about knitting in a different way. It's like taking a leap of faith, just as in love. You may crash and burn, but you'll more than likely surprise yourself with the bliss that is to be found.

Besides it's only yarn and you can always rip and start over. *L*

Sunday I hung out with some knitters and got a few pointers on Entrelac. The main thing being how to m1. I'd never really seen that anywhere before. Not in any pattern I'd done before so I never paid it much attention. Now I know and it's very cool. ;)

Here is the swatch I did Sunday. I washed the swatch and just spread it out wet, no pin blocking.

That's the yarn I picked up this past October when Cookie and I had our own Mini Rhinebeck. I think I may make this yarn into a purse. I have some yummy solid matching brown that would go great with it to make an entrelac bag. *GRIN* Now I'll have to look for cool fabric to line it with. Yessssssss. :D

Here's the Scarf I started Monday.

The scarf I'm doing in Entrelac is being knit with Trendsetter Yarns Tonalita in color 2349. That's the same yarn I gave Cookie during that visit to knit a mutual friend a scarf and hat set with. (totally her idea as she's the nice one, btw *L*) He was kinda picky on colors (Didn't want pink what the hell!?!) and I thought it would work for him. She did a great job. Mine is a much brighter color. Totally loving it. Although it has a bit of fuzz. It's very similar to Lang Mille Colori.

Did you notice the hat she made for me. Squeee!! Thank you, sweetie. :D

So today is the first day of spring. Pretty nifty eh. Oddly it was warmer last week than this week. So of course the cat is now shaved and it's cooler. *L* Maybe I'll knit her a sweater. I'm sure she'd love that. :P

Good Things, Not So Good Things & Apple Upside Down Cake

The week has started. It started and here I am still wondering, "what day is it?". While I'm pretty sure it's Tuesday it also kind of feels like a Monday or a Wednesday. Isn't it funny how certain days of the week have a feeling, a familiar place, good or bad that help define where you are.

It doesn't feel like today. Maybe because the Free Music on iTunes wasn't ready to be downloaded just yet when I was there this morning. *L*  Then again this week doesn't feel quite right either. There are good things happening and some not so good things.

On one hand Vickie has completed her first pair of socks for Round One of Sock Madness. You should have seen her knitting on sock one Saturday. I've never seen her be so quiet or focused before. I'm guessing if I'd licked her at that moment it would have been like taking a dose of Ritalin. Yeah, Fun for the whole Family. *L* (Not that I've ever considered licking a fellow knitters before mind you. :P) Congrats, sweetie! Good Thing.

But then my brother leaves for Italy tomorrow and won't be back for a few weeks. Why it makes such a difference in how I feel doesn't exactly make sense to me. He's already 2000 miles away from me, but when you add in the extra distance and an ocean it feels like it might as well be outer space. It makes me nervous. He's not necessarily thrilled to be going this time either, which kinda makes me even more nervous. He's been over a lot. The longest trip which ended at the end of this past summer was for a year and a half. Hopefully he'll be safe. I'm going to feel on edge and just not right until he gets home. Not So Good Thing.

On the other hand Eunny was announced (PDF) as the new editor for Interweave Knits. Very Cool. I love her style, the way she designs very yummy pieces and also how well she can write up a technique tutorial. It makes me love my already well loved subscription to Interweave Knits so much more. The best part is when I tell someone *cough* MonkeySocks *cough* that I'm about to start a Eunny Jang Sock Pattern I won't have to explain who I mean. :P Congratulations, Eunny!! Good Thing.

But it's also the final week for The Show with Ze Frank. I only discovered the show last May or so. It's a one year project that ends this week. It was nice to know there was someone else out there who saw the world, especially our political system/the assholes in charge at the moment with some goddamn sense. Plus he is just a funny guy. I didn't even finish my Double Knit Duckie Hat aka My Sports Racer Hat in time. :(  I'm going to miss Ride The Fire Eagle Danger Day the most I think. Not So Good Thing.

But there are many more good things than bad coming up. My honey's birthday is this week.  I'm going to meet with Rachel and workout later today. I got a new swimsuit, had to go down a size even. The sun is shining. The Kitty feels better. I'm going to hang out with knitting friends. Plus a whole bunch of other good stuff coming up that I won't go into details about. There's also some bad things I won't go into details about too so it all balances out.

Over all everything is good though. The week just feels weird.

Or maybe it's the fact that the living room floor is covered with the contents of the past as I go through more boxes. Almost done. Still finding a few things that are too sentimental to part with, like the sheet music for plays I did a million years ago, or from a choir that used to mean the world for me to belong to. These things have no relevance on my daily life, but I guess without the experiences I wouldn't be who I am today. I'm sure some day I'll part with them.  Maybe I'll even change my mind once the honey packs all the boxes into the storage thingy and we see that I have yet more decluttering to do. *L*

After the boxes are done then I'm going to take a hard look at the stuff on the shelves, cupboards and closets. What is taking up space without a real purpose and what is earning a right to be here. Oh and are y'all done guessing how many skeins of sock yarn I have? :P

I'll unveil my SIMS, Stash Inventory Management System, in my next post. *GRIN*

I'll leave a Good Thing with a Photo to wrap this up. If you were at last Mondays Knitting Meet Up then you were one of the people who got a chance to sample this: Clickety Biggety

Otter's Faboo Apple Upside Down Cake

Upside Down Apple Topping

1/3 cup butter
2/3 cup packed golden brown sugar
Generous sprinkling of Cinnamon over the brown sugar before apples are placed in pan
3 Crisp Granny Smith Apples cover the bottom of my 13 x 9 in baking pan
Optional: 6 to 8 Kraft Caramels to be melted and drizzled over the top of the apples once the baked cake has been removed from the pan - Or any other caramel topping can be used as well.

Cake

1 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup wheat flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup raw sugar
1/4 cup room temp butter or shortening
3/4 cup 2% or nonfat milk
1/2 cup Apple Sauce
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg

Here's a photo showing the apples before the cake batter was poured on top, as well as the cake before the caramel was drizzled on top. Clickety Biggety

Assemble and Bake with the same directions as the Pineapple Upside Down Cake I posted a few weeks ago. Further Baking Instructions on this post. This cake was well received and tasted pretty yummy if I must say so myself. ;^)

The honey liked it too, but said he still wants a Pineapple Upside Down Cake for his birthday. *L*

The start of something beautiful...

Rumor has it I love socks and sock yarn... and maybe even knit socks sometimes. Can you guess how many skeins of sock yarn I have? (Those of you that know hush up. :P)

This is all true, in fact Friday night I was hanging out with a couple of ultra faboo knitters and I cast on to a new sock. I then had to frog and cast on when I got home because math is hard and I failed to accurately count the number of stitches I cast on. With the help of a few stitch markers I got it going the right way.

Progress as of a few minutes ago:

I call them my Honey Socks. Mainly cause I'm making them for my honey.

It didn't start out that way, but when he saw them last night after an afternoon of knitting he said he really liked it.

I repeat he said he REALLY LIKED it. Meaning I don't have to knit him plain jane black socks or dull navy blue sock from now until eternity. *Happy Otter Dance*

After he said that I asked if he would wear them. He said he would. *GRIN*

So now they are my Honey Socks. The yarn is Claudia Hand Painted 100% Merino in the colorway Caribbean Blue. I am loving how it's knitting up. I need to go ahead and cast on to the second sock before I get too far though.

Then after I get that cast on I can cast onto my own pair of socks with some yummy yummy Dave Yarn. Yesssssss my preciousssss..... Mmmmmmm

The weekend has been a good one. Too short as always but mostly good.

The kitty had a rough day yesterday, which the honey waited to tell me about until I got home. (o.0) But the moment I got home she started feeling better and ate some kitty food. Today she has more than made up for her lack of eating. Plus she also went outside with us and got some sunshine and fresh air. She's doing well and adjusting to her meds.

I was outside knitting in the warm breeze and sunshine, in shorts and a t-shirt, for half an hour. Spring is here, Baby!!!

With Spring comes Spring cleaning. Did a bunch of that too. Inhaled far too much dust though. My sinuses officially still hate me. I'll live though, at least we had the windows and the screen door open. :D

I still have a lot more spring cleaning and "do I really need this anymore or can I give it to the thrift store that helps fund the SPCA?" organizing.

I came across a hanging wall Calendar I've had since 1986 when I was a wheee lassy of 11 in the mix today. Hang onto the past much? o.0 In my defense it was a Garfield Calendar. Loves the Garfield Kitty.

Oh OUCH, OUCH, That hurts. It just NOW occurred to me that it was a 20 year old calendar. OUCH. I'm wounded. Can't go on... Light fading... *dies of old age*

Where'd the time go? o.0

Although I MUST say I am sure as fuck glad I am not 11 anymore. Or 18. Or even 24.

I'm muchly happy to be the age I am, cause otherwise I'd be trapped in the same place and time I was trapped at 11 or whatever.

I think I'm mostly just amazed I've lived this long. o.0

I still have a bunch of stuff I've been moving around with me in all the years since I moved out of my mothers house to go through. Living in Reno, in this House, our home, is the first time I've felt like it was going to be a good place to plant some roots.

Now I just wish I could find some nice leggy tomato plants. *L*

Adventures with Ann & Other Things in My Head

Where the hell did the week go? Seriously. o.0

It's apparently Thursday. My Office is a mess. My cat has two less teeth today than yesterday. My brain may or may not explode... and that may or may not be a bad thing. *L*

First of all I'll just say I'm okay, in case there was any doubt. Just trying to catch up. As for my office I trashed it myself in the process of getting organized again. I still haven't recovered from traveling. But I'm okay.

I had a GREAT time seeing Ann last week. She is so crazy easy to talk to / listen to / interact with. It was not scary at all, even if she did threaten to kill me and say she was a serial killer on the phone. *snicker*

We talked for hours and it seemed like minutes. I'm not sure how she managed to do that. For all I know she spiked my coffee and then drinkie and while I thought we were talking gave me some kind of brain probe. o.0 That's right Ann may or may not be an Alien from outer space. If she is then Aliens are far cuter than Hollywood gives them credit for. :D

Just to be safe though if I suddenly mail her all of my Cabin Cove yarn or something crazy then you know it was the brain probe and she needs to be stopped before she does it again. :P

I had a great time with her. Definitely the highlight of my trip. The trip didn't go so well otherwise and knowing I was going to get to see her really kept me going and positive. Thank you, Sweetie!! :D We'll have to do it again. Here's her post on the matter.

Check out the picture Ann took of our socks together. (Clickety Biggety)

My Socks were drinking a Grey Goose Vodka Martini, Up, No Vermouth and Extra Dirty. Her Socks had a Salt Rimmed Margarita. *grin*

Both of our Shut Up And Knit Your Cabin Cove socks are done now. I've yet to wear mine. I think I need some cute shoes to show them off better. Hey it's a valid reason to buy shoes so hush up. :P Oh and to anyone new to the wonder that is Ann. She leaves for her Ireland trip tomorrow night. I bet she has all kinds of kickass tales of her adventures for us when she gets back, so stay tuned! :D

The same night I saw Ann for 5 hours I went to my brothers house. We ended up talking and drinking all manner of Belgium Beer for another 5 hours. That's like a record for me to interact and have a good time with people for 10 hours. It was good to see my brother. (Cookie: All is well.) I kinda wish I had planned more time off for being in that part of the woods, but it was a harsh trip and I was glad to get home. The bestest part is that I don't have to travel for business again for a whole 3 months. YAY!!!

Btw, does it feel like this year is flying by crazy fast to anyone else or is it just me. Cause I swear it seems like time is going too fast. Then they go and throw the time change on us early. WTF?! (Note: If you use Microsoft and don't have the auto updates set you'll have to go download the time change patch thingy by Saturday so you're time will be correct. Unless you use Vista and then you're just fucked no matter what. *L*)

Ann also sent me home with a sweet goodie bag and I'll take a picture of my goodies when I get my office more sane and can see where I am. Well most of the stuff, she sent me home with some really yummy medicinal chocolates. I needed them today I tell ya. Thank you, Ann!! *HUGS*

Today I took my sweet wittle fuzzy face kitty to the vet. They were going to check out her teeth, clean them and  look at her ear.

They were supposed to call us if anything went wrong or they needed to do anything else.

They didn't. They removed TWO teeth and didn't call us to talk about it. As soon as the crazy bitch on the phone said that I told her to wait and got the honey. I could not calmly handle that. We signed all this shit that said they HAD to call us. She only had four back teeth left. Now she's down to two. (She has some front teeth left, but they don't crunch food.) The honey talked to them. Yeah it's final we are SO finding a new vet. I can't handle this shit. The last time we kenneled her they forgot to give her the special treats we left for her and some asshat put a sign on her door that said you had to wash your hands after touching her. SO NO ONE BOTHERED TO PET HER OR TAKE HER OUT! o.0 The nice Vet Lady said a Tech person made a mistake and thought she had a contagious kitty cold. She didn't. In fact it's not even the Vets there I dislike. They just have some of the stupidest techs. It was a Tech that told the Vet we had given the okay for the extractions. We did not. It was in writing. She apologized, but this is not going to cut it. I can't take the chance of TKK not getting the best possible care. Oh and the last time they lost her nice kitty carrier. They eventually found it, but what the hell. Not Cool.

The poor kitty was happy to see us to take her home. She hadn't eaten all day so she got a can of wet food as soon as we got back. Then she's been sleeping and snuggling.

The shitty thing is that we would have agreed to have the teeth removed. They were getting sensitive and she'll likely be a lot more conformable now. But we had all agreed to discuss any of the options before action was taken. Grrr. I hate stupid people.

I'm hoping things calm down with the kitty soon. I haven't been sleeping too well being worried about this. I keep checking to see if she's okay and breathing. She normally snores, so when she's quiet it kinda startles me. I woke up a lot last night to make sure she was okay. *falls over* She is okay. I'm okay. We are all okay.

She has medicine, pain and antibiotic to take. The honey is the medicine giver. I'm too worried I'll be too rough or she won't actually take it. He's good with it though.

I haven't knit at all this week, well a bit on Monday. Just been busy and worried. I've been snuggling the kitty a lot so my hands haven't been free. I need to get one of those baby contraptions that holds the kid onto the mom. I'm sure my cat would love that and then I'd be able to knit. :P

In addition to the worrying about the kitty I've been going back and forth in my mind about which yarn I want to use. Too many choices. *L* Not a bad problem to have. I think I've narrowed it down. I may just start two pairs. One with a yarn I love and a Pattern I'll need my brain on and another with yarn in a color I want to knit with in a basic no brain pattern. I really need a no brain fast knit right now. Duckie Hat is still here. I just have sock fever. I'm blaming Cookie, Dave, Ann and a whole bunch of other people. You know who you are. :P

So in conclusion. We're all okay. Life is good. Too much yarn isn't a bad thing if you are organized and having a honey who can give cat medicine is priceless, as is having a best friend who gets how worrisome a trip to the Vet can be.

 

Pink Dream Socks Finished!

Hiya. I'm back. Been back a few days or so. I'll post more on the wonderful visit with Ann and all that later this week. Still feel Zombie-ish.

Yesterday I went out with some people and during the course of our adventure I was able to work on my socks. (I shouldn't ever be allowed to leave my house again, but that's really a story for a different day...) Then last night I finished my Cabin Cove Pink Dream Socks for the Shut Up & Knit Your Cabin Cove KAL.

Clickety Biggety

I love these socks muchly. The yarn was perfection and the pattern is pretty damn nifty too. :D

Pattern: Hourglass Eyelet Socks @ Magknits

Yarn: Handpainted Yarn from Dave Daniels Cabin Cove Mercantile :D 

Needles: I switched needles three times during this project. o.0 I started with metal KnitPicks DPN's. I had to change those out since I was going to be flying. I switched to Crystal Palace Bamboo's, but needed to alter size a bit since the KnitPicks are oddly sized. I finally settled on Bryspun US 2's For all that I never lost gauge. *L*

Modifications: The pattern is actually for socks on circular needles. Which is well and fine. The change over to DPN's wasn't a big deal. I did it this way not because I have anything against socks on circs... just that I had the right size DPN's and wanted to get started right away once I had decided I wanted to do the pattern. Seeing how Cindy wrote out the socks on circs thing really shows just how easy it would be to do any pattern on Circs.  Kinda cool. Although I'll admit I love my DPN's. ;) I used the larger of the two sizes listed. It's a good fit, although it seemed like it was going to be too big when I first started knitting. I also choose not to make the leg portion as long as I wasn't sure how I'd like tall socks that you don't fold into a cuff.

Other Notes: I started these socks on January 11 and finished them on March 3 2007. They were worked on very slowly... in five different states. I got the majority of the knitting done on planes. I dunno. I enjoyed them but when I was at the yarn shop or whatever I ended up doing more talking than knitting. Need to work on that. NTS: Shut Up. I'd definitely use this yarn and this pattern again. Next time I might even make them longer at the cuff.

I still have the Duckie Hat to finish and a few other projects I want to get started on... but I think I may go ahead and cast on for my next pair of socks. We'll see.

This is the first time I've had a completed pair of socks on Sunday for the Sunday Socks. Wheeeee.

Here's a photo showing a bit more detail on one of the completed socks.

Clickety Biggety