Twistedtexan's Weblog

I think I’m going to dub this holiday season “The Year of The Fingerless Glove”.  I’m totally smitten with them.   Don’t believe me?  Take a gander.

Project 1: Christmas gift for “Uncle Sanderz”

• Pattern:  Fetching from Knitty
• Yarn:  Bernat Cashmere Natural Blends
• Needles: 4.5 mm

Project 2:  Christmas gift for Vale

Yep, those are my jammies in the background. 

Pattern:  Fetching from Knitty

Yarn:  Noro silk garden lite

Needles: 3.75 mm

I’m not as happy with these.  The Noro needs a good soak, as it’s still a wee bit scratchy.  I’m hoping it will bloom a bit after a bath in some Soak.  Also, I encountered a couple of the “infamous Noro knots” which caused the colors to jog a lot.  I have to admit, even though the Noro colors are GORGEOUS, I am not an overly huge fan. 

Project 3:  Mitts for my S-I-L

 

 Now I love these so much that they deserve two photos.

Pattern:  Maine Morning Mitts from The Knitter’s Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes

Yarn:  Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend

Needles: 3.75 mm

These gloves turned out the best by far.  They’re so incredibly warm and smooshy, and I’m having a hard time giving them up.  Thankfully I think I’ve got just enough yarn to squeeze out a pair for myself.  And the added bonus is that these gloves will match the Snood that I made for my S-I-L’s birthday.

 

 

But what about socks?  You love knitting socks!  WHERE ARE THE SOCKS?!?

Never fear, my fellow sock-junkies.  I have some of those too. 

Project 4: Socks for my bro (aka Bruddersocken)

Pattern:  No pattern.  Just a generic stockinette toe-up.

Yarn:  Lion Brand Sock-Ease in toffee

Needles: 2.5 mm

Size:  You guessed it… Sasquatch.  He and The Hubbster wear the same size.

And finally, project 5:  Anti-Wrestlemania Socks

 

Pattern:  No pattern.  Just a generic stockinette toe-up.

Yarn:  Lang Jawoll Superwash  Solid (toe and heel) + Regia Color 4-ply (the stripey bits)

Needles: 2.25 mm

Size:  To fit my footsies.  Approx. US women’s 5.5 or 6

The yarn came from a “Sock Yarn From Your Stash” swap on Ravelry.  I traded some crunchy Noro sock yarn (again with the Noro disappointment) and got the Lang and Regia in return.  I definitely think I got the better end of the deal! 

Oh, you’re wondering about the title?  Well… The Hubbster and my brother (of the Bruddersocken fame) got together this weekend to watch some old Wrestlemania DVDs.  (YAWN!)  Naturally, I couldn’t just whip out my brother’s sock and ruin the surprise.  So, I did what all obsessed good knitters do.  I cast on another project to keep me occupied. 

 

 

 

 

 

and haven’t been able to update my current knitting projects, I leave you with a fun little tidbit ganked from Kemtee’s blog.

 

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
My middle name comes from my Aunt/Godmother.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Honestly, I can’t remember… which is a HUGE IMPROVEMENT from last year. 

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Whenever I get to use it, yes.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Hard salami. GOOD hard salami.   <– Stole that one from Kemtee.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Not yet…

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Fsk yeah, for the sheer entertainment value!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Uh… I dunno.  You tell me.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yep

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Not in a MILLION YEARS.  See, I have this whole “fear of heights” thing.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Cap’n Crunch + Crunch Berries

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Nope.  I’m lazy that way.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Absolutely.  I’m still here, aren’t I?

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Mint Chocolate Chip.  Or frozen custard with chunks of cookie dough.  Mmmm…. cookie dough.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their height.

15. RED OR PINK?

Yes, please.  So long as it isn’t pastel pink.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
I’m a shortie.    What I wouldn’t give for two or three extra inches in height.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My best friend
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO DO THIS?
Not particularly.  I’m only doing this because I’ve been a lame’o in the “update your damn knitting” category.

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Black and silver

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
*blush*  A donut.  With icing.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The click-clack of other coworkers actually doing WORK instead of filling out a meme. 

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Chartreuse – if such a crayon exists.

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Clean laundry.   There’s nothing better than crawling into bed after it has just been made with fresh linens.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
The Hubbster.  We’re getting our Christmas tree tonight!

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
You mean the person who I stole this from?  Heck yeah.   She’s entertaining as hell and fully supports  fiber addiction in all forms.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Underwater basketweaving?  Um, I like to go to baseball games.  HATE IT on tv.

27. HAIR COLOR?
Haven’t seen my natural shade in over a decade.  I think it’s brown under there.

28. EYE COLOR?
Whiskey – which is an exotic way of saying “brown”

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Thankfully, no.  I still have decent eyesight.  Although, if familial trends prevail, it will start to decline in about 10 years.

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Syrian.   Can’t spell any of it, but the recipes have been passed down in my family for many generations.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings.  The Hubbster doesn’t do scary, so I don’t get to watch many.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
In the theater? Twilight  Yes, it’s ok for you to be embarrassed for me.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
A black sweater.  But more importantly, the black sweater is covered with The Clap.

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Winter. Summer is too Goddamn hot here.  And humid.

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Yes, please.  I like ‘em both.

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
I’m really partial to my mom’s homemade key lime pie.

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Ha.  As if anyone really reads this blog.  I’m going with… er, um, uh…

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Again, this assumes that people actually read this here blog.  People other than my best friend and Kemtee. 

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Sadly, I am reading NADA.  I just finished the newest Yarn Harlot book, though.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
I don’t have one on my work desk.  I’ve got one of those weird mice (??)  mouses (??) with the rollerball.

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Grey’s Anatomy, and a Walt Disney World during the holidays travel thing-o.

42. FAVORITE SOUND?
Good music

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
The Monkees!!  Peter, Mickey, Davey, and Mike.  Who could ask for more?

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Brisbane, Australia

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Define “special”.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Hicktoria, Tejas

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
I’ll be shocked as hell if anyone else answers this. 

 

p.s.  If you made it this far, congratulations!  I will leave you with this departing comment:

Today is “Expose-your-coworkers-to-The-Clap” Day.  So far I’ve had two tell me that they wish they could have the clap.

Here’s a little list of things that I am thankful for this year:

 

1. My best friend for giving me a brand new, beautiful God-daughter named Josie.  You did all the hard stuff.  Now I just get to spoil her rotten. 
2. Our house only suffered minimal damage in hurricane Ike.
3. I still have my job.
4. We are in good health and I have not had any surgeries (unlike last year).
5. The CLACKers – y’all know who you are.  This year has been a total trip for me with Kid n Ewe, tagging, and countless hours at Panera. 
6. And a pal I have never met face-to-face that was kind enough to send emergency sock yarn.  Seriously, you rock.

And what are you thankful for this year?

you get together a group of crazy-assed eccentric knitters?  You get C.L.O.K.ed by the “Clear Lake Outlaw Knitters”.

The identities of those involved have been concealed

 

The new Joann’s was welcomed to the neighborhood

 

Some local Flamingos at the art center will be stylishly dressed for the cooler weather

 

The Bay Area Citizen (local newspaper) was generously “decorated” with knitted goodies

 

Local watering hole and institution “The Outpost” was also not immune to the powers of C.L.O.K. – although something tells me they may never even notice the extra “decorations”

 

And once booze entered the equation (oh yes folks, up until that point we were all stone cold sober) the evening slowly started to fall apart as some of the members dropped their disguises.

You’ve been C.L.O.K.ed, yo!

Last weekend I embarked on a field trip with Lisa (kneeling), Mel (kneeling), Christi (left), Hannah, and Kate (right) to the 20th anniversary of the Kid n Ewe… and Llamas Too fiber festival in Boerne, Texas.

 

Group photo

 

Our cabin at Camp Eagle Fart

The booth where many a knitter fell down – credit card in hand.  Ironically, I did not.

I did, however, come home with a few lovelies for myself — all of which were raised and produced right here in the great state of Texas.

450 yards of the softest alpaca yarn — ever.  I’m really beginning to think that alpaca is my favorite fiber.

 

I also got 1 skein of yarn from the Plain and Fancy Sheep and Wool Company in the “Heather’s” colorway.

This here is 2 oz of 100% llama fiber.  Because, you know, I have delusions of grandeur and I believe that I’ll be able to spin this.  OOH!  And also, check out the gorgeous drop spindle I bought from one of the yarn shops on the way home.  It’s a cascade spindle – Shuksan, I believe.  I don’t care what it’s called.  I call it pretty.

And these two batches of fiber were purchased from Yarnorama on the way home.  Well, I already had the green one from a previous trip to the shop, but the blue one is new.  Both are from Louet, merino + silk.  I’m hoping that I’ll be able to spin these up and possibly ply them together.  Again… in come the delusions of grandeur.

Needless to say, a good time was had by all. I think this image about sums it up.

Ganked from one of the squillion random emails I receive from my M-I-L on an almost daily basis. 

 

1. Name someone who can always make you smile?

The Hubbster and My Girl J

 

2. What were you doing at 10:00 this morning?

Waiting for the funiture people to deliver the lamps that they were supposed to bring last Thursday.  Never leave a boy at home to sign for furniture.  You will inevitably end up with missing stuff.

 

3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?

Putting lightbulbs in said lamps.

 

4. What did you do tonight?

Um, it’s not quite night yet.  But last night I did some more spinning.  (Which, btw, is going **much better**)

 

5. Do you watch the Super Bowl?
Nope.  Not even for the commercials.

 

 

6.  Explain why you last threw up?
I believe it was because I was hung over.

 

 

7.  What color is your hair brush?
Silver

 

8.  What cell phone company do you use?
Sprint

 

9. Have you text voted for an American Idol?
God no.  I hate that show.

 

10.  Have you ever run out of gas?
No, and I’ve never understood how a grown adult can let his/her gas tank run empty.  Unless it’s in the middle of an evacuation – that is completely acceptable.

 

11.  Hot tea or Iced tea?
Neither, actually.  I know, I’m a disgrace to my Southern heritage.

 

12.  What was the weather like today?
It’s finally cool outside!  Hooray for open windows!

 

13.  Where did your last hug take place?
At home

 

14.  What are you excited for?
The arrival of Buford!  Which, according to the reports, could be any day now! 

 

15.  Ever smoked?
Does it really count when you’re 13 and “rebelling” for a grand total of 1 week?

 

16.  Closet thing to you that is green?
The Hubbster’s address book

 

17.  Last person you spoke to?

One of my cow-workers.  Apparently the Drama Llama has decided to run amok on my day off.

 

18.  Are you very random?
*bwahaha*   That’s a good one!

 

19.  Do you want to get your hair cut?
Yep.  It’s about that time again.  I’m trying to hold out until November, though.

 

20.  Are you over the age of 25?
Why yes I am.  (Mentally, however, I am 12.)

 

21.  Do you talk a lot?
Yes and no.  It depends on how well I know the person.

 

22.  Do you watch The OC?
Clearly this quiz was generated by someone under the age of 25.  No, I do not watch the OC.  Or 90210 or whatever the hell other shows there are of that ilk.

 

23.  Does your screen name have an x in it?
Hmm… TwistedteXan

 

24.  Do you know anyone named Stephanie?
Yep

 

25.  Do you make up your own words?
All the time.  My girl J and I have a language all our own.  Nube dust dahling, I’m so allergic to it.  (see #18)

 

26.  Are you ticklish?
Only in one spot, and I’m not telling.

 

27.  Do you own rollerblades?
I used to.

 

28.  Are your ears pierced?
Yes, two holes in each ear.

 

29.  Bar soap or body wash?
Body wash

 

30.  Are you a jealous person?
I’d like to think that I am not.

 

31.  What brand of shampoo do you use?
It varies.  I’m such a product ho.

 

32.  Do you chew on your straws?
No

 

33.  Do you have curly hair?
No

 

34.  What is the next concert you are going to?
We’re going to see Metallica for my brother’s birthday

 

35.  Where did you go today?

Absolutely nowhere! 

 

36.  What 1 item do you always pick up at the grocery store?
Onions

 

37.  What is something you say a lot?
Seriously

 

38.  Last time you wore panty hose?
Ick.  I try to stay away from pantyhose.  They’re the debil.

 

39.  What are you doing tonight?
Hopefully some spinning, hopefully some knitting.  Oh, and I get to put up the Halloween decorations that were blown over in the storm last night.

 

40.  What was your last missed call?
The Hubbster

 

41.  What should you be doing right now?
Working. 

 

42.  Do you have a nickname?
Not really

 

43.  Are you a heavy sleeper?
Thank the Lawd, yes!

 

44.  What are you listening to?
The blissful sounds of construction.

 

45. What is the best movie you have seen in the past two weeks?
I don’t think I’ve seen any movies in the past two weeks.  Maybe Iron Man?

 

46.  Is there anyone you like right now?
Do you like Twistedtexan?  Circle yes or no.  Excuse me while I go fill out my slam book on my way to Miss Milstead’s PE class.

 

47.  When was the last time you did the dishes?
Sometime this morning

 

48.  Did you cry today?
Uh, no.

 

49.  Do you like Chinese food?
Love it. 

 

50.  How big is your bed?
Queen… and holy moses,  there’s 50 freaking questions already?

 

51.  Do you know someone with the same birthday as you?
Yes, my two God-kiddos (Emma and Lucas)

 

52.  Laptop or desktop computer?

Either one works for me

 

53.  How many pictures are hanging in the room you are in?
Heh.  Zero.  We’re still in the “decorating phase” in the house.

 

54.  Does anyone like you?
Do you like twistedtexan?  Circle yes or no.

 

55.  Do you collect anything?
Yarn, of course.

 

56.  Do you bite your nails?
Not since I was a kid.  I work in a lab, people.  Gross.

 

57.  How many megapixels is your digital camera?

12

 

58.  How many times have you been pulled over by the police?
A couple – fracking speeding tickets.

 

59.  Pancakes or French Toast?
Pancookies!

 

60.  What is on your mouse pad?
The Muppets

 

61.  Do you like coffee?
Is the Pope Catholic?  Does the sun rise in the East?  That would be a big fat emphatic HELLS YES!

62.  Could you live without a computer?
Probably not.  It’s my primary means of communication with several people.

 

63.  What are you wearing right now?

Jammies. 

 

64.  Tell me a random fact:

The blue whale can produce sounds up to 188 decibels.  This is the loudest sound produced by a living animal and has been detected as far away as 530 miles.

 

65.  Have you been to Times Square?
Yes!

 

66.  Who will you vote for in the 2008 Presidential Election?
Kermit the Frog.  The U.S. would be a better place for it.

 

67.  Do you know anyone that is pregnant?
Um, I’ve got pregnant people coming out of my ears.  Oh!  And for those of you who don’t know by now, I’m going to be an Auntie!  My brother and his wife are expecting twin boys in February!

 

That concludes another exciting episode of random stuff.

Take a gander at my very first spinning attempt.  Although, I have to warn you - it ain’t pretty. 

May I introduce to you:  “Entrails”

Obviously I do not know WTF I am doing.  I’m hoping that after a little research, and several sessions with youtube I will get a better grasp on things.  I really hope I can, because I have this waiting in the wings:

2 oz of merino in the “jewel” colorway and 2 oz of merino in the “riverstone” colorway.  Both of these were purchased from The Upstairs Studio while I was on “hurrication”.   They’re both so lovely and I hope that I don’t wreck them. 

I haven’t posted any photos of the furry critters in a while, so here you go:

 

My fuzzbucket, Zipper:  Seriously, Ma.  Enough with the camera already.

 

And our prissy boy, Buddy:  But, I’m cuter than Zipper, right????

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So what will you be knitting??

Yes, I am still officially on leave from work.  The newest estimates for us to return are sometime in mid-to-late October.  EESH.  So what have I been up to since Ike threw a little wrench in my regularly scheduled programming?  I have been knitting.  I’ve been doing lots and lots of knitting. 

Project Numero Uno:

• Pattern: Waving Lace Socks Ravelry Link
• Size:  US 5.5 or 6
• Yarn:  Madeline Tosh in the “home” colorway
• Needles: 2.25 mm

 

I’m not 100% happy with these socks.  They look great off the foot, but once you put them on the lace pattern gets obscured by the colors of the yarn.  But, the recipient will love them and I guess that’s all that matters.

 

Project Numero Dos:

• Pattern: Baby Bib o’ Love Ravelry Link
• Yarn: Sugar’n Cream
• Needles: 4.0 mm
• Made for:  Emma and Lucas, my adorable twin God-babies. 

Project Numero Tres:

• Pattern: Presto Chango.  I modified this pattern so that the front panel would be a bit more “manly”. 
• Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (Of which I am not a fan.)
• Needles:  5.0 mm
• Recipient: Little baby Lucas

And finally, Project Numero Cuatro:

My BFF and I have decided to do a Rivendell sock KAL!  I am using some KnitPicks Bare yarn that I dyed up with lemon-lime Kool-aid.  Rock the casbah!  The pattern is, erm, how can I put this nicely???  Challenging, to say the least, but I’m still having fun.

And as a side note, I recently purchased the pattern book that contains the Rivendell pattern.  It’s called The Eclectic Sole: Socks for Adventurous Knitters by Janel Laidman.  If you are a sock knitter, I highly recommend this book.  The patterns are stunning, and if you’re tired of hum-drum sock construction, this is the book for you.  I give it two thumbs up.