I'm a Cleanin, Knittin Fool

There is a strange phenomena that takes place within my house when I'm working on a KAL. My house actually gets cleaned. No, little fairies or gnomes or dwarfs don't come out at night while I'm sleeping and clean to their little hearts content. I clean it!!!!!! Can you believe it? This phenomena doesn't happen when I'm knitting socks, sweaters or any other such knitting. It is only seen when I'm taking part in a KAL. I first noticed it during MS3.

When knitting a KAL I feel "knitting guilt." Why only with KALs I haven't a clue. Maybe because it is released in segments called clues over a course of 6 to 8 weeks and I know I'm going to be working on it for some time. It definitely affects my psyche differently. I knit a right side row, RS, and a wrong side row, WS, then I do a little house work. Yesterday, I got all the kitchen cabinets washed down, the stove cleaned, laundry done, kitchen, living room, kitchen bath, laundry room and foyer all swept and mopped. Plus, I cooked and went to the grocery. Strange huh?

I've finished Clue 1 of Secret of the Stole, SOTS, and I'm working on Clue 2. Clue 3 will be released tomorrow. I haven't gotten any more than Clue 1 on Secret of Chrysopolis, SOC. Clue 4 is to be released tomorrow. I'm taking it all in stride. Thankfully it has been decided that the Muir KAL will not start until Nov. 15th. Can I get a hallelujah!!!!!!

Here's a couple pictures of Clue 1 of SOTS.








The Mystic Waters KAL starts Oct 24th, I finally got the swatch done. I tried different needle sizes. US Size 5 is what the pattern calls for, but I didn't like the way it looked so I went down to a US size 3, didn't like it, and finally ended up with a US size 2. Bingo!!!!!

Here's a picture of the yarn I'm using, Knit Picks' Alpaca Cloud in Midnight. And a picture of the finished swatch which measures out to be approximately 17 cm by 15-16 cm.

Uh, Hello, My Name Is Peggy

Uh, hello, my name is Peggy and I am an addict. Yes, a KAL addict. I really appreciate you allowing me to join KA, your KAL Anonymous group. For me it all started with MS3 (Mystery Stole 3). I, like many others, read about it on the Yarn Harlot's blog. I thought it sounded like fun, very innocent lace knitting. Yeah, Melanie had added beads, but you know, what's the harm of a little bead here and a little bead there? But then she started triple beading it. When the KAL was drawing to a close I started "jonesing." Again, I didn't fully recognize the symptoms. I thought I had just fallen in love with knitting lace and beads.

The next thing I knew I had ordered "Victorian Lace Today," and had run out to my LYS to check out lace weight yarn. Well, that is when I should have seen it, but you know how it is. You tell yourself its okay. You don't have to have it. You could quit any time you wanted. Before I knew it I had 3 sets of Addi Turbo Lace circular needles and enough yarn to make 5 or 6 shawls.

I told myself, "Its okay, that will be all I'll need for a long, long time." Then I heard about the Secret of the Stole KAL. And then, the Secret of Chrysopolis KAL. I don't know how it happened. I joined and the next thing I knew I received a package from Knit Picks with the yarn for both stoles plus a few other things like 8-10 pairs worth of sock yarn, yarn for a Hemlock Blanket, yarn for a knee length Tomten and some other things. It is all a blur, I can't remember right this moment.

It was at this point I began seeing a pattern. But denial set in. Now, this isn't something I'm proud of. I joined yet another KAL, Muir and quickly set out to find the perfect yarn. I found it, brought it home and lovingly placed it on the shelf with all its friends. I know that many of you have been following my downward spiral. And I'm sure many of you have been shaking your head in either pity or disgust.

Today..........well...............um..................what is wrong with me??????? I joined another KAL, Mystic Waters. Why do I do these things? What is ever to become of me? How do I stop? Where is this going to lead?

Its all YOUR fault. Yeah, your fault. You could have stepped in at any time. But no, some of you posted new KALs on your blogs, or you flaunted your finished KALs, you could at least have attempted an intervention.

What are the stages? Shock, Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Testing & Acceptance? I think I'm ready for acceptance.

To tell you the truth, I don't want your stinking help anyways. I like who am. I don't want to be fixed. Who am I if I don't have 2-3 socks, 2-3 sweaters and 3-5 stoles/shawls OTN? That's who I am, but who/what are you? :)

I finished clue 1 of SOTS but blogger is having a bad morning so I'll try to post a picture later.

The wedding was wonderful and beautiful. I'll have pictures soon. Thanks for all your well wishes.

Secret of Chrysopolis - Clue 1 Finished

Did I mention that we have two weddings today? Yep, we have our daughter, Sara's, and then later today David is performing another wedding. Last night after the rehearsals, while I was waiting on some of Sara's last minute laundry to finish I got clue 1 of the Secret of Chrysopolis KAL finished and little more completed on the Secret of The Stole KAL done. I'm making bread for Sara and Matthew to take on their honeymoon, so while waiting on that I took some quick pictures of SOC clue 1. I didn't take time to pin it out, but I think it is turning out nicely. I love this yarn, Knit Picks' Shadow in Campfire Heather. I'll have wedding pics and such later. :)

A Bit Overwhelmed?

Feeling a bit overwhelmed? You could say that. I'm not even talking about the wedding plans but I'm sure it is mixed in there somewhere. I'm going to talk about my knitting. Just the surface knitting, the stuff I have laying around. As many of you know, I am taking part in the Secret of Chrysopolis KAL. It is turning out just beautiful. Clue 3 is to be released this Friday. The trouble is I am only about 75% finished with clue 1.

I'm also taking part in the Secret of The Stole KAL. Clue 2 is to be released this Friday as well. I'm maybe 20% through clue 1.

I'm also taking part in a KAL for Rosemary Hill's "Muir" stole. It is kinda a knit as you want thing. I have cast on.

So, you may ask, "When life is bearing down on you, when you are behind in all your knitting, when your chest begins to feel heavy, you see stars and you can't breath, what do you do? How do you deal with it?" That is quite easy actually.

You cast on another sock!!!!!!

Mail or Post, Package or Parcel?

In yesterday's post, that's a fancy word for mail, I received two, count 'em, two packages. Don't you just love mail? I'm a mail and news hound. In the winter I am a mail, news and weather hound. I love getting stuff in the mail. Could be why I have so dang much fiber and yarn. I really enjoy getting mail when I'm not quite sure what is in the package.

The first package I received was from a good friend in Norway, Heidi. We met over one of the yahoo spinning groups and chat via Instant Messenger once or twice a week. She informed me last night that if I would ever get on Skype we could talk AND knit at the same time. :) I have dillydallied getting a mic and camera. She picked up some more yummy sock yarn from Garnstudio. I just love the colors. They will make such beautiful Spring socks. She also sent some Norwegian chocolate. It is really tasty, but the best part is the shapes. The figures depict a Norwegian Folk Tale, princesses, trolls, goats, etc. Look are these colors!!!!

The second parcel, a fancy word for package, was from my Spindle and Wheel's Fiber Frenzy swap pal, Melanie. Obviously she knows I love/collect chickens and roosters. The contents: A rooster place mat, a package of chicken napkins, two packages of bath powders. One is for "Beauty, Creativity & Inspiration," and the other "Knowledge, Health & Communication." (I wish I'd had some of this stuff years ago, I'd probably have made different decisions.) A bar of cinnamon goat's milk soap, a massage bar-cocoa butter, shea butter, camphor, essential oils of cinnamon, tea tree, mint & eucalyptus that softens as you rub on your bare skin. Two bars of Belgian chocolate. A skein of Opal sock yarn, two small skeins of really pretty hand spun mohair. A tin of echinaccea mint tea and some really yummy jelly beans. What an awesome package. Thanks Melanie!!!

I was recently tagged by Gail R. I'm going to cheat. Since I was tagged back in May I am just going to use my answers for that. The neat thing about the tag thing is you get to know things about individuals that you wouldn't typically find out. The only change I would made is #6.

1. I took piano for 9 years and my favorite composer is Beethoven. However, I haven't played in many more years than 9. Sad but true.

2. I always wanted to be a female 007, but I can't stand to be chased!!!!

3. I love all things French. I've been to France once and completely love the country and its history. My husband says I think I am Marie Antoinette and that I'd better watch my head. :)

4. I love impacting the lives of others. Enlarging other's horizon of experiences.

5. I have 90+ hours of a degree in Mathematics. But don't ask me to do simple arithmetic or make change. :)

6. I love snow. LOVE IT!!!! In fact, I have issued a threat to the local meteorologists and my family. I'm giving them one more Winter. If the snow fall isn't up to my standards...........well, I'm not sure what I will do, but like I've said before, "It ain't going to be pretty!!!!"

7. I am an extreme extrovert!!!!! Somewhat, okay very very much so. Hyper and spastic if you get me on the right subject. :) Those of you who know me, you know what I mean!!!!

As far as tagging anyone. Gosh, I don't know who to tag. I tell you what, if you want to play leave me a comment telling me something about you that I might find staggering or interesting. Yeah, I'm wimping out.

I Want To Get Off

It has been going on for months now, maybe even years, possibly a life time. Every week or so I find myself saying, "After this week it should slow down." Trouble is "it" never seems to slow down. You know it, the merry-go-round of life?

I think I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. I worked outside the home last Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, on Tuesday I drove 2 hours to take Nanny to a doctor's appointment, hung around for a bit and the drove the 2 hours back. Emma Belle came Thursday night. Friday we ran all over town on errands. Saturday morning we piddled, Saturday afternoon we went to a local orchard, Saturday night we had dinner with a guest speaker we are having at church. Sundays are always crazy, although I did skip out of the pm service. Monday we took Emma Belle to visit her great-grandmothers and then met her mother for her to go home. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings we have special services at church. This is the week prior to Sara's wedding this Saturday. And if that wasn't enough. Yesterday while visiting David's mother she said she wants directions to our house so when his brother and sister-in-law bring her to the wedding they can at least see where our house is. You know what that means don't you? I either have to clean my entire house or lock all the doors and close all the blinds. Even then I have to clean the basement since the end you drive up to is a walk-out with windows spanning the entire side. I haven't totally closed the pool and it looks like pea soup. Both my mother and sister-in-law are immaculate house keepers. IMMACULATE. Talk about pressure.

I've tried to think of ways out of it. If you can add to my mania please do so.

• Give them bad directions.
• Spray paint the windows or at least cover them with that brown paper.
• Borrow all the guard dogs in town and chain them along the perimeter.
• Call 'em and tell them it was all a joke Sara and Matthew really aren't getting married.
• Tell 'em we've had a nuclear attack here in Bowling Green and it isn't safe.
• Or I just won't give a flip. I'm happy, my husband is happy, and my kids are happy, who really cares? Screw 'em!!!! :)

I have gotten some knitting done. These are the Bellatrix Socks by Socktopia and knitted in Tofutsies.

And some pictures of our trip to Jackson's Orchard.

The Answer Is Yes, Yes And Yes.

Over the last week or so I've been working for an attorney friend a day here and a couple days there. It has been great. I've been paid to answer the phone and knit, knit and knit. So that basically equals FOs (finished objects), which I will show in just a moment. The attorney and his wife attend out church and I had the joy of teaching her to knit last Spring. She hasn't been totally bit by the knitting bug, they have three very active little boys and a lot of her time is spent running to this practice and that practice, this school meeting and that school meeting, blah, blah, blah. She popped into the office yesterday and said that she had once again picked up her knitting and was moving right along on the gorgeous scarf she is making for a gift. But, as she was knitting she got to wondering how I can stand to knit day end and day out. So her question was, "Do you just enjoying the process or mainly enjoy the product?" My answer is, "Yes and Yes." Since I have about a zillion projects OTN (on the needles), I guess I am primarily a Process Knitter. I love the feel of the yarn and the needles in my hands. I cannot imagine life without knitting. Is there life without knitting? I also find great joy in the completion of projects as well. Maybe that is so I don't feel too guilty about casting something else on.

I finished Sara and Matthew's wedding hemlock. It turned out quite beautiful, hope they will be pleased. Little Miss Sara Joan said she got bored the other night and thought she would get caught up on reading my blog. That makes you feel good doesn't? Someone is reading your blog because they are bored? Anyways, over our coffee the other morning she asked, "What is hemlock?" I asked what exactly she had been doing, that is when she told me about her inability to sleep and little jaunt to mom's blog. Little bugger. She wasn't quite sure what it was but she noticed that the word "hemlock" was a different color than the other words so she clicked on it and mosied on over to Brooklytweed's blog showing his beautiful hemlock blanket. The picture here is theirs blocking.

Other FOs are my Fawkes socks. Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em. They might just turn out to be mine as I love the way they look and the way they fit. They truly are affectionate socks and since I only have one pair of my hand knitted socks from 3 or 4 years ago, I think I deserve them. All the many others I've knitted have been given as gifts.

Valerie DON'T LOOK!!!!!!!! I'm making progress on my Harry Potter Swap Pal's Hufflepuff bag. I'm quite pleased with the way it is turning out.

Okay, for the final YES. The question was asked of me, "Are you really as much of an idiot as you appear?" My answer to myself is, "Yes, undoubtedly I am." Why? You ask. Well, your actual response is, "Why, this time?"

I've signed up for yet another KAL. This one is for Romi's gorgeous "Muir" stole. Yeah, I know, I'm an idiot.

The second clue for Secret of Chrysopolis came out this morning. I'm not finished with clue one yet. In fact, I think I at about row 27 out of 90 for the first clue alone.

The first clue came out this morning for Secret of the Stole. I have yet to cast on, but I did print the chart out, that should count for something.

If I were to make a button to be placed on the right of my blog along with all my other buttons that was a depiction of my idiocy what do you think it should say? Any artsy fartsy person out there that wants to design one for me? I don't think I'm alone in this sickness, I'm sure there is a great need. Thanks for your support.

A picture of myself and the bride-to-be at a shower some friends had for her the other night.