Michelle's "Dontae"

Made from Cascade 220

I met Lamont when I went to Lake Forest College. I had great times with the crew we hung out with. Talking about each other's mamas at our table in the cafeteria. Cracking jokes about one another's faults.

Ah, those were the good old days.

Well, little Lamont went and got himself hitched to a little lady named Michelle. I've never met Michelle in person. But we talk ALL THE TIME via facebook. I talk to her waaaay more than I talk to Lamont. Funny how that works.

Well, Michelle liked "The Dontae" hat that I designed for my brother Dontae and asked me to make one for her in "Victoria's Secret Pink". Even wanted to pay me for it.

Bah! Your money's no good here!

Since my brotherly love for Lamont trickles down to his wife and the fruit of his loins, I wanted to make it for her. There's nothing a knitter likes more than making something for a family member (yeah, I've claimed you, Michelle, as my "play sister" whether you like it or not) that specifically requests a hand knit item. It means that they'll love and appreciate it as much as you loved knitting it for them. The appreciation is payment enough.

I believe that, if I lived in Chicago, we'd be fast friends. Eating healthy apple snickers salads (guys, this is a real salad that she makes! Having the word "salad" in the name TOTALLY cancels out the unhealthy "snicker-ness" of it.) and skipping down the street holding hands.



It's going in the mail today.

I've decided that I'm going to sneak in a title to a Michael Jackson song in everyday convo for a week. In his memory. And I won't stop 'til I get enough.

Just look at them. They look sweet and innocent, don't they? Like they're crafted from the stuff little girls are made of ("sugar and spice and everything nice")...

But get these broads together in one room -any room- and it's immediately transformed into a locker room.

And I love them for it.

When I tell people that I belong to a knitting group, they moan and say things like, "y'all act like a bunch of old ladies". Or they wonder out loud, trying to figure out how much fun one can REALLY have in a *gasp* knitting group. Heh. Honey, you don't know the half. When one of the members of said group can shock a preacher in a coffeehouse by enthusiastically showing him the adult chapstick cozy she received as a gift from another knitter in the group, it's far from being boring.

There was a party at my house on Saturday to celebrate some very good news. There was PLENTY of food and chocolate martinis(um what diet?), watching of "Shawn of the Dead" and excellent company. I hated to see them leave. I had SO much fun.

One of my designs was accepted for publication in Interweave Knits. It still hasn't sunken in.

B.B.(All pictures enlarge.)

During my sabbatical (sounds a lot better than "abandonment") from blogging, I've done many things. One of them was traveling to Chicago in May to see my cousin "B.B." (I think she'd kill me if I posted her real name) off to prom, and to attend her graduation. Can you believe that they were both held the same weekend? You know, she actually finished high school months earlier (NERD) and was already attending college to become a nurse. She just returned so that she could attend prom and graduation with the rest of the class. Damn, I'm proud.

I'd visited Chicago in February, and that was when I got to see a picture of the dress she'd chosen for prom. When I saw it, I KNEW that I had to be there to see her off...it was SO beautiful. Here are a few of the pictures that I took. I can't believe how grown up she is. I'd sell my soul to the devil to be able to look THAT good in that dress.

I pray that, if I ever have a daughter, she is as elegant, well mannered, intelligent and kind as B.B. I wish her nothing but happiness.

B.B. and her prom date, Faison (I hope I spelled his name right)

B.B. and big brother, Kenshun

...on preparations to become a rock star

I am planning carefully for my transition into "Rock Stardom". I figure that a REAL rock star needs some bling on her guitar:




Oh how these blingy little rhinestones make me happy!

New Obsession

Beautiful, saturated colors. High yardage. Those are the reasons that I've become obsessed with buying sock yarns. What you see in the picture above isn't even all the sock yarn that I've added to my stash. That's just all I could find before I got tired of looking for more. Just look at the beautiful colors in that Woolmeise on the lower left side of the picture. (go here to see how "Woolmeise" is pronounced. Scroll to the bottom of the page.) I practically threw the money at the person I bought it from.



Garter Stitch Rib Sock from Sensational Knitted Socks

Me? Knitting on size 1 needles? Get-the-f--k-outta-here! Never thought I'd see the day. But my longing for this gorgeousness to drape my feet will make me push through this difficult time. At times, I'll cry and fight. Slam the project down on the couch in a fit. Even complain to my knitting friends. Some will empathize. Others will tell me to suck it up (I know exactly which ones will tell me that)...I knew what I was getting into before I started these shenanigans. Hell, it's not like I JUST started knitting and didn't know any better.

I swear this sock has been testing the limits of my fleeting eyesight. I'm convinced that I'll be totally blind by the time I'm 40. Which means that I'll have to knit like the wind to complete all the items I've coveted. I bought this Yarn Pirate yarn off a pusher last week who was de-stashing her sock yarns. That reminds me, I have to visit said pusher so that I can get another hank of Woolmeise from her.

That Woolmeise just keeps callin' me, man.

I didn't like knitting socks. In fact, I've only knit 2.5 pairs of socks since I've been knitting. But if I'm going to buy the yarn, I've got to do SOMETHING with it. Some of it will definitely be shawls.

Oh, and I must show you the socks that I've completed for Mama Snookums.



I'd taken this picture with my phone when I had only one sock completed. I had a fellow knitter (Hi Erica!) model the sock for me at Stitch 'n Bitch. (They were washed before sending them.) If you multiply the number of socks you see in the picture by two, you get a full pair. Trust me, I DID knit two socks. Two KNEE HIGH socks, mind you. Hold your applause.

And in return, Mama Snookums sent me a bag she made. SHE is currently obsessed with making crazy quilt bags and sent me one as a THANK YOU for the socks. Look at it:



It's PERFECT for toting sock projects.

Brick. House.

I believe that mornings are much more fun when you sing "Brick House" while taking a shower.

Ask me how I know.

Change the word "she" to "I" and you've got your very own customized theme song. Complete with funky 70's rhythm. I did NOT know that Lionel Richie played the sax.

There's knitting content here. Check out the dude's basic rolled brim knit hat. I know, it's a stretch. I promise to do better on the knitting content ;D

My New Toy

Um, how do you work this thing? Scream into the little hole in the front?

This is going to be fun.

Have you guys seen this?

OK Guys. The links to both "Lillie" and "The Republic" Scarf have been re-routed. Download away.

Lillie's Comin'

Hi Guys. This post is to inform you that the "Lillie" pattern will be available through this blog tomorrow evening. It was originally available through the Black Purls online craft magazine, but the site has been shut down. I recently received many e-mails requesting "Lillie", which I greatly appreciate. I want to read the pattern again to make sure that there are no mistakes before posting it. If you have questions, just e-mail me at niksknits@gmail.com.

I think I'm pregnant. All this tree sperm (pollen) floating around...it was bound to happen. I have the classic symptoms. Itchy, watery eyes. Runny nose. Sneezing.

I don't want this tree baby. I have to visit an "arbortion" clinic.

Tomorrow's MY Birthday!

Tomorrow is my 36th Birthday. I proudly say my age because I have worked hard to keep myself alive for this long. Having crossed over 35, I guess I can now say that I'm "in my late thirties".

I have learned a thing or three during these 36 years.

(1) I do not have a prostate. I would like to thank those of you who sent me e-mails reminding me of the fact that I couldn't possibly have one of those. For I am a girl.

(2) I can't knit every damn thing I see. My Ravelry queue is a reminder of that. So, I just knit the things that move me and don't stress about it.

(3) It's not me, it's you. This is true for whoever I have a problem with in life. If it is in fact me, then I'm going to pretend it's still you.

(4) All boys are not stupid. Nor do they all have cooties. However, one must sift through the stupid, cootie ridden boys to find the good ones. Like my Snookums. He's not stupid. And he don't got cooties. SCORE!

(5) Life is more fun with a dog. Specifically dogs named Smokey Thelonious Reeves. Especially when he does fun stuff like innocently approach the yarn basket with the expensive yarn and grab a ball with his teeth. Like it's OK. Never touches the cheap acrylic. I think it must be because the other stuff smells like an animal, making it much more appealing. It's amazing that he tells me exactly what he needs without speaking a word of English. Need food? How about I just drag my empty bowl to this lady and drop it at her feet to let her know that she sucks when it comes to taking care of my basic needs. Want a head rub? Why, let me slam my head onto her lap and give her the "puppy eye".

(6) Obsessions are ok. As long as they don't involve creepy stuff.

(7) It's ok that I am already starting to think of the outrageous things I'm going to say to people when I get old. I'll be able to get away with it because I can just blame it on being old.

(8) It's important to have a task force in place to help keep me young. I've started to assign tasks to folks in case I start going downhill. Snookums' main job is to keep me from wearing old lady clothes when I am, indeed, an old lady. I want to be a young, hip, old lady. He understood that to mean that he shouldn't allow me to wear big panties when I get older. So, he immediately assigned himself the task of burning every pair of bloomers I bring into the house. Apparently I'll be wearing thongs until I'm 95. I don't mind that so much. I just think they might be a bit uncomfortable if I have to wear Depends. Maybe the folks at Depends should design some thongs...for those of us who are young at heart.

I think my prostate's enlarged.

Hats For My Brothers

I have four brothers. No sisters. Although I have a host of female cousins who I have claimed as sisters.

I grew up with three of my brothers: Terry, Michael, and Dontae. I didn't meet Derrick until I was in college. He's my brother from another mother.

A couple of years ago, Derrick requested that I make him a hat and scarf set. So, I made him the Irish Hiking Scarf along with the Irish Hiking Hat that I designed to go with it. He loved and appreciated that set, and I really loved making it for him.

During the 2008 X-mas season, it dawned on me that I'd never knit anything for Terry, Michael, and Dontae. So,I decided to design hats for each of them for Christmas presents. They live in Minnesota so I KNEW they'd appreciate a warm wool hat.

I gave Terry his hat on X-mas day...the other two couldn't make it to my mom's house in Chicago. I hate that I didn't take a picture of his hat before I left. Since the other two weren't there, I took advantage of the extra time I had to finish their hats.

"The Dontae" is on the left; "The Michael" is on the right.


Both hats have the swirl design in the crown.

7 or 8 times

When one is subjected to a colonoscopy, it is extremely important to impress the doctor with your attention to detail.

When he parts the cheeks to insert the "gut-o-scope", a ray of light should shine so brightly from back there that it impresses the doctors and makes everyone applaud in unison.

"Why, I don't believe I've ever had a more pleasant proctological experience!!! It's so, so, CLEAN. And what's this? A new structure we've never seen before?!! She's cleaned it so well that she's revealed some new s--t (no pun intended). A new corridor of sorts. Here, Dr. Latimer. Take a look."

Me and my warped sense of humor. Would you believe me when I say that I thought of this scenario while I was in the shower the morning of my colonoscopy? Not that it's not already clean *lol* but someone was going to be back there and you want to be SURE. Cracked me up so much that I knew I had to share it.

Run, Forrest, Run!

Percocet is my homie.

I'm at home for the next couple of weeks because of medical issues. I've been sleeping a lot while I recover. There have been days where I've been so drowsy that I couldn't focus long enough on any knitting. But I AM much better than after leaving the hospital. I believe the prayers of those who know the specifics have helped me to recover relatively quickly.

Before going on medical leave, I brilliantly placed an order with KNIT PICKS. I knew that if it arrived in the midst of feeling rather shitty, that it would make me feel better. And it did.

I ordered 2 hanks of Bare Merino/Silk sock yarn to use for dyeing. I also ordered 4 hanks of Bare Peruvian Highland Wool yarn and some Jacquard Dyes.

When I felt a little better, I dyed a hank of the sock yarn. My first attempt at "pot dyeing" was this beauty:



I swear I wish the camera would have picked up the true color of the yarn, as well as the sheen given off by the silk. I used the "Spruce" dye for this one. Don't know if I want this to be socks or a shawl, but I keep staring at it. This deep green is simply beautiful. Y'all don't know how proud of me I am.

Since I don't have any more vinegar, I will have to chill on the yarn dyeing until I feel up to going to the grocery store. Send healing thoughts my way, little ladies. Or vinegar. *lol*

Oh, and I've named this yarn "Forest" because that's what the deep green reminds me of. As soon as I though of the name, I couldn't help but to make a reference to Forrest Gump.

Dye Another Day

So I went to Merrie's on Sunday to dye again. She lured me with pretty colors. I couldn't resist.

I found some beige mystery yarn in my stash that I thought would work. I knew that there was wool in the yarn. I just didn't know how much. The dye is for protein fibers.

Let's just say it didn't work. For nuking it revealed its true nature. There was more acrylic in it than wool. No, it didn't turn into a big ball of plastic, but the strands were flattened and were rather squeaky after the microwaving step. AND all of those beautiful, rich colors washed right out of the hank and down the damn drain.

I was highly disappointed because I had high hopes of having a beautiful hank of yarn that would remind me of autumn. I wanted to try again.

I asked Merrie if I could have a little of the dyes that I used so that I could try again at home. She obliged, just like any pusher would.

I went to A.C. Moore and bought some cream colored Lion Wool. I wanted to use yarn that I was sure was 100% protein fiber.

I used what she taught me, and ended up with this beauty (pics enlarge):





This time I used "Chestnut", "Butterscotch" and "Rust".

I'm Dyeing

I was afraid it would come to this. That I'd be introduced to another hobby that I'd enjoy. I need another hobby like I need another hole in my ass.

My friend Merrie is to blame for my current obsession with dyeing yarn. The yarn we dyed below was done two Sundays ago.

First "we" used a niddy-noddy to make a hank and secured it in various places with acrylic yarn. Please notice the quotes around the word "we". Merrie did most of the "niddy-noddying" because holding that stick while trying to wrap it with yarn made me realize that I need to work on my biceps. Here's the dyeing process in pictures. All enlarge.

We Used Country Classics Dyes For Protein Fibers.
I Chose Pine Green, Slate Blue, and Persimmon..

Soak Hank of Yarn for at Least 20 Minutes in Hot Water.
"Bare"- Fingering Weight Merino/Silk Blend from KnitPicks.

Squeeze Out Water.

Lay the Yarn Out On Your Friend Merrie's Table.
Be Sure to Place On ClingWrap.
Make Merrie Smile for the Camera.

Use Sponge Brushes to Paint on Dye.


Roll Yarn in ClingWrap, Forming Long Snake.
We "Smushed" The Colors Together While Wrapped to Eliminate the White.

Coil the Snake. (Sounds dirty doesn't it?)

Nuke It, Then Let It Cool In Sink.

Rinse Out Until Water Runs Clear.
Or, Get Yourself "A Merrie" And Have Her Do It For You.
(This one's mine. Get your own.)

Hang the Hank To Dry.

The "Balled" Yarn.

I really hope that the richness of the colors is coming through on your monitor. To say that I love my yarn would be an understatement. If I'm interpreting the yarn correctly, it's telling me that it wants to become the woodland shawl. That is, unless I'm not as fluent in yarn as I thought I was. I'll try it and see if I like it. If not, I'll simply choose another pattern.

Shoot, I should have known that I would be addicted. I mean, I love color. Dyeing allows you to play and experiment with colors.

Duh.

I just didn't know that I would want to dye every damn thing in sight.

The dog had better watch his ass.



Those white spots could use a bit of color.