Stella Knits

Stella Knits

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Monday, July 28, 2003

My first Stich & Flip flower! Thought I'd share it. It's fun to make. And gave me an excuse to go buy some more of those cool batik fabrics at Mendel's. I scanned & tried to color correct in Photoshop but I can't get it quite true to life. The greens are a little more blue and less olive.
Urban Knitting happened yesterday - really impromptu, as I hadn't sent any email reminders, but then Miss Gina called me from the store, asking where I was! So that was great. Last month, I was the only one, which was a little discouraging. I have no experience trying to organize a group, and I thought I might need to do some PR on Craiglist to get more people to show up.
Gina thought it's not necessary to rip the back of the cable jacket, but I think I'll go with my gut instinct. It only took me 10 days. A little wider for a cardie can't be wrong.
posted by Stella 12:30 AM

Sunday, July 27, 2003

*GRRRRR* So I started knitting a front last night, and got really far, and then I realized that I knitted the ribbing in #8's rather than #7's. Now. Is the third time a charm or am I just an anal retentive perfectionist if I undo it one more time? As much as I hate it, I think I'll start over yet again.
If you are following the headache saga: my doctor decided to give me some Vioxx. No shot. Yay! The pain is much better (2/10) and last night, got worse while I knitted. So I know the real culprit. And since I'm a good girl, who listens to her body, no more marathon knitting sessions (well, at least I have good intentions).
I started making blocks for the Stitch & Flip quilt! Very cute. And very fun. It's a technique that allows for creativity and design as you go - each block comes out different depending on how I like it. It's not even necessary to achieve the perfect 1/4" seam.
posted by Stella 11:04 A M

Saturday, July 26, 2003

*Sigh* I need to rip the cable jacket back. I measured it last night and decided to be honest with myself. It's just not wide enough. My swatch gauge suggested that I was knitting much more loosely than they did. So I decided to follow the directions for the small size, which would give me the medium size. But now that I have almost the entire back, I'd have to reeeaally block & stretch it to achieve that. Like, 1-1/2" wider. Not a good idea, right?
I think I'll knit one of the fronts first, at the medium size. Then I'll rip the back. I hate ripping, man. Send sympathy. My effort at positive thinking: I really enjoyed knitting this, and I'll enjoy it again. Just the act of ripping is so depressing. Maybe I need sockknitting escapism.
posted by Stella 9:49 A M

Friday, July 25, 2003

I've decided to ditch "The Hours". That book is just boring me to death. No action whatsover, and the fascinating parallels between the women's lives, ok, so yeah, great. Really fascinating. I was an English major, but... I never read Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway, maybe that would be help. I'm renting the movie. And I switched gears to "Strip City" by Lily Burana. All about how to be a stripper! Now, that's interesting! And inspiring, as well. Yes, my secret dream is to be a dancer. Can it be done without fake tan though? And can you be over 30? Stay tuned.
No knitting progress. Single girl life got the upper hand. Had a fantastic date with K last night. I will say no more!!! Other than that the waiter wondered if I was Kristin Davis. Damn, my head is getting big over that. K told me he asked while I was in the ladies room.
The party last Friday - I mentioned this apartment had awesome views:

Alcatraz and Angel Island peaking above the fog

Coit Tower and Bay Bridge
posted by Stella 12:01 PM

Wednesday, July 23, 2003

I found my camera! I misplaced it and found it in one of my purses this morning.
First of all, a shameless cat picture - how cute is that?

And now, actual progress on the Cable Jacket:

(click me and get rid of the weird moire pattern!)
posted by Stella 10:21 AM

Feelin' groovy - as you can tell! Went to the gym last night and worked out. It felt great. I did (2) 30min sessions on the elliptical machines, stretched, did my crunches and lifted some free weights. I realized I never stretched last week when I was commuting on the bike instead of going to the gym. And I bought 2 cool messenger style bags to wear while I ride from now on cause my regular bag cuts into my shoulder.

I got these at ebags thanks to Amazon who sent me a 10% off & free shipping coupon. And I'm giving them a free ad because they really have a huge selection. For all your bag needs.
So I will kick this headache's butt.
posted by Stella 8:02 AM

Monday, July 21, 2003

Wow I sounded mad yesterday - didn't I! Most of it had to do with that annoying headache. I can deal with the headache, but I can't deal with the headache and no sleep. I did complain to the landlord, and he sounded all understanding and said he'd talk to the contractor. I told him I wanted no work done after 8 pm, and no work before 11 am on weekends. He sounded like he thought that was reasonable.
So today I took a sick day in order to rest more and get rid of this headache completely. I think I'll be ok. I made a doctor's appointment as well. I hate the idea of another cortisone shot in my neck, but I do want a prescription of someting to take as soon as the headache starts. It does not need to linger around for 10 days.
Possible culprits: knitting <sigh>, riding my bike <double sigh> and computer work...
I did, however, despite all that, finish the 2nd front for the Saffron cardi (onward to the sleeves!), and I'm up to beyond the armhole decreases on the cable jacket. Yeah! That's something!
posted by Stella 5:28 PM

Sunday, July 20, 2003

Stella's utter and complete inner Bitch is coming out - it's not pretty, but someone has crossed my personal bullshit line and it's time. See, my landlord has been renovating the upstairs apartment - all evenings and all weekends for months now. The construction noise was actually easier to deal with than the j**k who lived upstairs before. The guys stopped at a reasonable hour and where pretty friendly. But, Friday night I woke up at 1 AM from hammering and sawing, last night I had to tell them at 11 PM that I could not go to sleep, and the first thing I hear upon waking up is construction noise. I think the guy stayed over night. This is going way to far. I'm interested in good relationship with my landlord but I have friends who work at the City and they can put an end to this with a huge fine in no time. Stay tuned. Oh, yeah, on top of this, the contractor asked me on a date to go to the landlord's house for a BBQ. No. Way.
posted by Stella 10:22 AM

Saturday, July 19, 2003

Stella had a massage and is extremely happy about it - she's mellowed out, the hideous pain that woke her up this morning is receding. I think I need to take a break from knitting. The cable jacket requires mental concentration and I'm noticing how I get totally scrunched up in my shoulders when I work on it. It's a drag. Maybe I will try working on the Saffron sweater instead. It's a lot lighter in weight and much easier to mindlessly knit.
The party was cool, because the apartment had awesome views. I took pictures and I will post them Monday. Other than that, it was just the same old people from work, and 4 of their wives - not that they aren't nice people, just nobody new and exciting,
Also caught up with S on the phone and K left me a voicemail as well so I might see him soon! When it rains it pours! ;)
posted by Stella 6:32 PM

Friday, July 18, 2003

Sorry for the boring math related blog entry!- I guess it bored everyone to death! I was hoping for some enthusiastic comments like - that's right! way to go! or OMG! NO!!! That is is SO wrong! But nothing but silence out there among my fearless readers... I suppose no comments are good comments. But, the jacket is going well so far and I've decided if it's too small after all, I can just add 2 or 4 stitches at the edges right after I finish the ribbing.
I'm going to teach my friend Alesia to knit today! She is very enthusiastic and confident so far. Hmmm. We'll see how it goes! Went to the store yesterday and she bought a cool book and I'm lending her some yarn & needles.
Tonight is my boss' party. :) Yay. I need some free drinks. I've been having my famous headache/ neckache all week and there is no better medicine.
And I found a cute mood icon! Check it out.
posted by Stella 8:06 AM

Wednesday, July 16, 2003

Measured the swatch and - OOPS - it is SO far off gauge. Their 28 stitches is supposed to give 10cm (4in) but I have almost 12cm. So I did the math and I'm going to make their size 34 which should come out big enough to fit me. Kind of scary, though. But trying to knit really tight for the entire project won't work. Doesn't continental knitting have the rep to be looser than english anyway? I think so. Am I continental? Yes. Totally.
Size 34 - cast on 114 (finished size: 92cm/36")

Size 36 - cast on 122 (finished size: 97cm/38")
If: 28 st = 12 cm
Then: 114 st = 48.85 cm
48.84cm x 2 = 97.7cm (38.5")
The truly baffling part is that my body fluctuates from 35" to 37"! WTF! (a la Miss Bonne...) But I did follow the prime directive and bravely measured!
The Stitch&Flip Quilts book came from Amazon! I had pondered Miss Megan's sewing machine dilemma when it comes to yarn/fabric/book buying. I did check (3) local quilt stores but it was not in stock. That's capitalism for you. Supply and demand.
Now I get to go through my fabric stash. Speaking of stash... I prefer to grow my stash naturally - from leftovers. I never buy yarn "just because" or without having a pattern. I just pretend the yarn store is my stash. I just think yarn & fabric goes out of style - and why would I want to make last year's fashion? And I'd feel too guilty having yarn waiting for me to make something, having spent the money and then not knitting it. And then, you never have enough for what you want to make, can't find the same dye lot anymore, etc. That has happend a few times for me with fabric for clothes, so I just buy it for the next project at hand. There is always more to be had at the store.
posted by Stella 3:43 PM

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