Stella Knits

Stella Knits

blog archives
Feb 01 - Feb 14, 03
Feb 15 - Feb 28, 03
Mar 01 - Mar 15, 03
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Apr 01 - Apr 15, 03
Apr 15 - Apr 30, 03
May 1 - May 16, 03
May 17 - May 30, 03
June 1 - June 15, 03

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Cheesylove

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Monday, June 30, 2003

Lots of spinning progress this weekend. I totally got into it and didn't want to stop. I'm getting to know my wheel. HSO is a good book. Lee Raven explains really well and the pictures & illustrations are clear & helpful. And it's not wheel brand specific so no matter what wheel you have, it will help you. (I should write an Amazon review!) Here are my first 4 skeins:
(click to see large version)
I left this picture hi-res so it might take a while to show. The bottom skein is the first one I did, the top the latest.
I also beaded a little, and got pretty far along with the camisole.
(click me)
After Urban Knitters, I went to have dinner at Suppenkueche. Oh Man! It was awesome. Like my Oma's cooking. I was delirious. I walked home from there, because I probably ate like, 3000 calories in one meal!
I'm still not watching TV. I was going to allow myself the Fox Sunday Night Lineup, but they had some Arnold movie going on. So I turned it off and knitted some more. I have so much more time now! What ever shall I do with it?!
Oh, and for a freaky bit - I went to Braindrops and had my earlobes stretched. Don't worry. I"m just up to a 6 gauge.
posted by Stella 4:58 PM

Friday, June 27, 2003

I read Hands-On Spinning last night and now I feel much better. I have a whole new vocabulary! I know the names for all the parts, and I know the difference between long-draft and inchworm drafting technique. My wheel is in fact a double-drive, and I'm doing it right, whatever that means. Yeah!
Urban Knitters will be meeting on Sunday at 2 pm at Urban Knitting Studio, 320 Fell Street, San Francisco. Please come by, (as long as you are not an axe-murderer) and join us.
I did go by the store last night and bought Toccata to make the cami from Vintage Knits I mentioned yesterday. I was hesitant to knit with cotton because I thought it would be too tight, but it's really nice so far. I'm taking a little risk with the tension. I got 22 st/10cm instead of 24st/10cm despite using thinner needles than indicated. So my fabric is a little denser, and the finished size might be a little larger than intended. Sizes are S (30"-32") M(33"-35") and L(??). I'm making the M and I think it will be ok. I'll lay it on top of something similar that fits to check.
I'm still resisting TV! I felt sensory deprived yesterday, so I allowed myself some KQED for an hour.
posted by Stella 11:16 AM

Thursday, June 26, 2003

I spun another bobbin full last night. Instead of obsessing on what type of bobbin, and how many I need, I just wound the first yarn onto my niddynoddy, and then I spun the second one. This is the first time I've taught myself something. My inner critic is oh so harsh, telling me this yarn is not very good, not a pretty color, has too much spin, etc. I was too embarrassed to take pictures of my skeins, and now I see how silly that is. I'm going to keep trying, and do it more frequently so I don't forget everything in the time between. I just feel like I'm doing it wrong and I need a live person with spinning knowledge to say, hey, that's great! (Caroline & Claudia, can you come visit?) And I'm the one who is always telling new knitters there is no "wrong way", just different. Anyway. Hands-On Spinning came today and that should help me see the light.
It's superhot here and I want to make the little lacy cami on the cover of Vintage Knitting. Might just have to stop by the yarn store on the way home! I rode my bike, so it's on the way... I take back everything I said about sleeveless sweaters & tanks the other day. A girl in my office was wearing one and was it cute!!! I need cotton glaze!
posted by Stella 2:38 PM

Wednesday, June 25, 2003

S l o w day. I haven't watched TV since Sunday. It's an experiment due to S' ardent no-TV attitude. I do feel much quieter & calmer, but I don't know what the weather will do when I get up. :) At least it was a good surprise - it's way hot today. I do know now that I can live without Seinfeld, King of the Hill and Simpsons reruns.
No date with K last night after all, his job got in the way. He said he may have a surprise for me and I'm just wondering what that could be. Instead I read Vintage Knits and watched Waiting for Guffman (does that count as no TV?) and got The Hours from the library. And knitted. Yes. Boring. Movie was funny though.
I found out today that four people in our NY office got layed off. This gave me a little anxiety, but I have already decided to do the Massage Therapy school if that happens to me. Knock on Wood! Right now!
posted by Stella 2:49 PM

Tuesday, June 24, 2003

I meant to post yesterday's post yesterday, but the cutest guy walked into my office and after he left, I really had to get my work done. Apparently he used to work here before me but now is looking for a new job.
K wants to see me tonight, too. When it rains, it pours! I'm lucky & happy girl. *smile*
When I was shopping for Ashford accessories & Lacy Kates at Paradise Fibers yesterday, I found out that my wheel apparently has a high speed flyer. That explains why it goes so fast, I guess... At any rate, I need more bobbins.

My first birthday book from Amazon came:
So many beautiful projects.
And I'm still waiting for Hands-on Spinning, which I really really hope, will explain things to me.

posted by Stella 11:12 AM

Monday, June 23, 2003

Stella had an excellent weekend. I did everything I love to do, except vacuum. I went up to hippie land on Saturday, near Sebastopol and visited S. We had an excellent time. Everytime I go up north, I want to move there, but I'm always held back by how do I make a living and how can I live without high speed internet access? Other than that, it's hot and quiet, mellow people in tie-dye & long hair, there is a yarn store and a Whole Foods. What else do I need?
Sunday I planted more flowers in my urban garden (2 3'x2' flower beds in front of the apt bldg) which my neighbors and landlord adore. It's very relaxing to do.
Then I cooked some chocolate honey cake and stuffed artichokes from the Enchanted Broccoli forest. The chokes are A+, the cake B-.
Sunday night was Knit & Wine at Urban Knitting. I remembered to bring wine this time. I'm up to the armholes on the Saffron sweater. We had a great time.
(click me)
posted by Stella 10:49 AM

Friday, June 20, 2003

Blogging early today. I did not get a chance to post yesterday cause I was busy at work all day. Such a refreshing change. And today will be busy as well, I think.
I started the Saffron sweater again yesterday. I so hate ripping. I had already knitted a whole ball of my yarn. So I started it again with another ball, for the smaller size, and once I catch up with the first effort, that's when I'll rip it. Playing a little psychological game with myself.
And here is a testimonial for Crystal Palace needles - they rock! Compared to Clover, for sure. They are sooo smooth the yarn glides over them. And the wire rotates at the joint with the tip. Just genius. I love them. I bought one yesterday for Saffron (because my Clover #3 is still holding the first effort) and suddenly the proverbial light bulb came on over my head: that's why Cheesylove went so fast!
Decided to pass on Smooch for now - but on the other hand I'm quite enjoying Miss Alison's Blue Blog now. I love it when I discover new blogs that keep my attention. Reason for passing is I don't think I like knitted tanks (a basic problem here) cause I think tanks should be really thin and for superhot weather. Then again, I might wear it to the beach here... I don't know. We know what happened last time I tried to force myself to make a decision; Stella won't try that again, and will instead focus on the project at hand.
I'm loving my Beautyrest. An odd thing to blog about, I know. But, I'm waking up rested (not groggy), I have no weird dreams, and best of all, I have no headache and no tight back when I wake up. I'm more like: Carpe Diem!!! Good investment. I'm a happy girl with that decision. So happy in fact, I'm thinking about buying new foam for my sofa seat cushions as well.
This weekend I'm supposed to go up to Sebastopol to meet up with Mr S *smile* - I will leave the details to your imagination - but there is also the Knitting Workshop up there and I will tell you all about that.
posted by Stella 8:11 AM

Wednesday, June 18, 2003

Stella did not make it to spinning last night - she was wiped out. I knitted some more on the Saffron sweater instead (see below) but I think I have to start over. I'm making it to fit a 36" bust but all I've got is 35" (what will I publish on this blog next?!) and the sweater is going to be 40" around - and I think that 5" of ease will make it really baggy on me. The next size down will be 38" around so I'm going to try that instead. (I want it to be cute & small.)
Here it is again and I don't think it's supposed to be that roomy.
Now, how did I miss the Smooch-Along? I saw that this morning via Wendy's and I love that neckline! And I totally adore the pink & orange combo of the Phildar sweater. I wish I had 3 pairs of hands...
My interim boss has started and he seems nice and mellow. Work is so slow I brought Tipping the Velvet with me - God, I'm glad no-one can read my mind by looking at my face!!! Nice recommendation, Miss Amy! Great bedside reading.
posted by Stella 2:51 PM

Tuesday, June 17, 2003

I'm hella tired today but it's a good kind of tired, even after a delicious vanilla latte from Peets. Peets kicks Starbucks' a** by the way. I'm supposed to go to City Spinners meeting tonight but I'm not sure I'll make it. I need to have my yarn critiqued by live people though. Thank you everyone - for your birthday wishes. I felt so happy yesterday, so many people remembered. I had like, 8 messages on my answering machine - even the telemarketers called! Still waiting for my Amazon books - it will be the coolest surprise since I don't know which ones my Mom & Dad chose for me.
posted by Stella 3:10 PM

Monday, June 16, 2003

Happy Birthday to me! It's a mellow Monday & birthday so far. (Apparently I already had my birthday anxiety last week so I'm fine today.) I briefly worried if I should be married to a rich guy by now, live in Marin, and drive my kids to soccer practice in my SUV, but, as S put it, no. At the end of the day you are still with yourself so do what makes you happy. My Mom & Dad called, my godmother aunt wrote me an email and I have a date with K *yeah*. I am very proud of my parents because they said they went to my Amazon wishlist and sent me some books from there and that's a huge achievement.
Today is also my 5 year anniversary at this J.O.B. Nobody has noticed that yet. No plaque. But what a great job it is.
I'm the proud new owner of a Beautyrest. Ahhhhhh. It came yesterday, from Sleeptrain who made matress buying a pleasurable experience, deliver same day, take away your old matress for free, so you can sleep on it tonight!
Saturday I went to a BBQ at my coworker's house - it was fantastic, more meat than you can imagine: tri tip, carne asada, chicken, salmon, halibut, mussles & oysters. Plus mashed potatoes, rice & noodles and my dessert & cookies.
Then I knitted (and gave myself a pedicure):

I like knitting with thin yarn, I think it makes everything look classy. Although the thin needles made my hands hurt after a while.
And I spun:
(click these pics!)
I think I need a Lazy Kate but I'm not sure what it is and what it does... but you can see the yarn in this picture and it's even kind of consistent.
Taseti LOVES wool. purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
(He's kneading.)
posted by Stella 2:41 PM