Pammie's Knitting Journal

Whole Sweater!

2010-11-06T19:54:00.000-07:00

I finished a whole sweater in 2 days! No really a WHOLE, ENTIRE sweater...see:

OK...so it is a small, little sweater that could fit a Barbie doll, but a complete sweater it is! I made it for my craft swap...we are exchanging Christmas ornaments and this is mine. I'd like to find a little clothes hanger for it to hang by.

Still working on all those other projects I mentioned last time...I just wanted to share about my sweater!

DAILY DAVID

Productive

2010-10-29T23:05:00.000-07:00

DUDE!

I totally finished my hoodie! I am so excited...now all it needs is to be blocked and a zipper sewn in. So that would require me going off and getting a zipper and then sewing it in. Now that I have a sewing machine I am looking forward to trying it out. Here is what the hoodie looks like without blocking and the zipper...ignore the lady wearing it.

What else am I working on....

Something for mom, which shall remain unspoken.

I still have a Knit For the Cure project, which I realized tonight I am probably supposed to have in like, this weekend. Crap...

I am also knitting a little Fun Fur shawl which is to be a part of my Halloween costume as a cave woman. My Halloween party isn't until November 13th so I have some time.

I shawl for my boss...

I am really just excited about my hoodie working out so well!

DAILY DAVID

Yarn Tales

2010-10-03T21:53:00.000-07:00

Been doing some knitting...I know that may shock some of the people who read this blog, but I have to come clean. So there, I've said it...

What have I been knitting?

I can know show the shawl I made for the craft swap I was apart of:

I made the Pimpelliese by Christine Ebers...which, in fact is the same pattern I am using to make the shawl for my boss. Here is what it looks like in a multicolor sock yarn...the finished product.

I used the Conjoined Creations Flat Feet yarn which looked like this when I started:

This seemed like such a cool idea but the yarn sucked balls to work with. It was so kinky from already being knit, it really effected my gauge and how I knit. I felt like I was constantly fighting the kink...and I think the tension on my stitches was thrown off. I hated the look of it while I was knitting and I was hoping that soaking the piece when it was finished would clean all that up...I don't think it really did. I hope the person who received the shawl likes it.

What else have I been knitting? The Aestlight shawl, which all the cool kids at my local yarn store are making. Unlike the swap shawl, this one is fabulous! Although I totally messed up the bird's eye lace part and had to rip it out...it know looks wonderful. I will probably not be making this one again. Here is the finished product:

The big Knit for the Cure event was at my local yarn store today. I bought some pink ribbon yarn to make a scarf. I used the My So Called Scarf pattern to start a project today. Here is it's beginning:

I think the shininess of the yarn made the picture not come out very well.

I also finished a baby hat I began LAST year for the Knit For the Cure.

Can't really think of anything else new...

DAILY DAVID

FO's baby!

2010-09-15T21:46:00.000-07:00

So I have recently finished two of my projects. I finished the project for my craft swap...YEA!Cant show it here yet...

I also finished my Bermuda shawl! I love it...so much! While I was knitting it there were times when I had doubts, but now that it is done I think it is gorgeous!

It's totally awesome...I know!

At the same time I finished two objects I started two more that have been waiting in my stash...

I began the Aestlight Shawl out of Schaefer's Audrey Yarn. Here is an example of what it will look like:

I also started another Doctor Who scarf using Berocco's Lustre (I just like to call it "lust"). This yarn is silky and dare I say, sexy! So I am doing a Doctor who season 18 colors scarf but instead of it being in plain garter stitch I am doing it in a lace pattern...cos I am crazy like that. So basically I am working two patterns at once...one for the color striping, one for the row pattern! Did I mention that I am a nutter? But I am loving the creation! Pictures when it gets more length on it!

Still occasionally working on my Doctor Who striped socks...oH! AND... I ripped out the white scarf/shawl I was making for my boss. I really lost interest in it after I discovered I had been knitting it incorrectly according to the pattern. Plus it was lace with a chart... bleh...so I switched to a shawl that is plain garter stitch with lace on the edge... I lurve it and I am already halfway done. I would like to get it to her by the end of the month!

DAILY DAVID

UGH!

2010-08-30T22:00:00.000-07:00

So the weight loss is really working (47 pounds as of tonight) and I really felt the need to clean around the house this weekend. In the process I found some knitting projects I had chucked in the corner, next to my dresser since christmas. Two different pairs of socks...one for me, one for my mom. I put the projects on the coffee table and continued to clean. Last night, I sat down to work on the socks for my mom and I did a couple rows of knitting and I noticed something...did I drop a stitch? No...it's a hole...wha?! Then I grabbed the completed sock...holes ALL over it. I am guessing silverfish? The other pair of socks is untouched. POUTS

I frantically checked other finished knitting in my bedroom and thankfully the only holes in my knitting are the ones I have put there!

I am almost finished with the Bermuda shawl I am knitting, which means, of course...I must start another project! So I have finally begun the knitting project for my craft swap. The beginning was a little tricky, but I think this is going to be a quicker knit than I originally thought...(Got a lot done at group therapy tonight-yes I have no shame). I can't talk about the project too much because one of the swappers reads this journal...

What else...

Got more yarn! One of the ladies I work with gave me a hat box full of yarn today...totally out of the blue...COOL BEANS, I say!

As I look over at my end table, I see the Bermuda shawl and swap project staring at me...I wish I could knit two projects at once!

DAILY DAVID (at the Emmy's last night! Some dude named Al Pacino won the award David should have won!)

Shock! and Awe?

2010-08-26T19:19:00.000-07:00

Shock! I am knitting a project for someone else! I know...it's been awhile, but I am interested by the idea and how it will work...

My friend has asked me for an "artistic interpretation" of a Doctor Who scarf. Instead of being about a foot wide, it will be around 3 inches wide. Instead of just a long scarf it will be a loop she can wrap around herself several times, however she deems fit. It will be a good group therapy project...

WHA? You say...yeah, as part of the diet I am on we have a weigh in and group therapy every Monday night...I knit during group therapy. I have asked everyone if they are cool with it and they said they were OK. It helps me pay attention, I'm not the therapist in the situation (although I do find myself watching his methodology) and once the fall semester starts, it might be my only time to knit.

I've been working on my Doctor Who inspired socks in therapy. Members have been curious and are interested in what I am knitting. Did I show you the finished sock?

Still working on my hooded sweatshirt and Bermuda shawl...

Awe? Hum, I have been in awe of the projects my fellow knitters have been making! Beautiful stuff and very inspirational! You ladies ROCK!

I am also a participant in a craft exchange...due in a couple of weeks. Yeah, I know what I want to make, I haven't made it yet. Bad Pammie!

Also need to get cracking on my Knit for the Cure project...

DAILY DAVID

Bringing it back!

2010-08-19T18:15:00.000-07:00

OK, I am going to try to bring my journal back...

I don't even know where to begin...I am knitting everything in my apartment that doesn't twitch!!!

A good friend of mine recently sent me a cute little sign which I have put up in my apartment that says "if I'm sitting...I'm knitting" This statement could not be more true right now especially now that my last summer class has ended and the Fall semester doesn't start until September. I think I am using it to:

a) keep away boredom
b) aid me on my dieting (kinda hard to eat when you are knitting!) If you all didn't know this I have now lost 42 pounds!
c) to make up for all the time I will probably not be able to knit in the coming semester? I am afraid between work, internship and class there will be little to zero knitting in the next couple of months

I have been seriously, selfishly, knitting...flat out, for myself, knitting. I have commissions...some rather old commissions to knit things and I just can't get up the enthusiasm to do them. Am I awful?

Right now, I am working on a zip up, hoodie sweater with some Berroco Foliage yarn my bud L_ gave me...THANK YOU! She gave me a 25 gallon rubbermaid container FULL of yarn inspiration the other day!

Here is the example picture of what it will look like...

This is the finished back of my hoodie so you can get an idea of the coloring mine will have...

I am making it to fit me now...I figure a hoodie that was a little oversized in the future wouldn't be a bad thing.

I have made two of these caps:

I had so much yarn left over from the pink one that I am making a matching scarf.

I am also doing the project all the cool kids at the yarn store are doing...the Bermuda shawl. The example picture is this:

Mine is going to be even sexier! I love the colors...it is a hotpink to rust to turquoise. I don't have a picture yet.

I am also working on a cashmere shawl. The cashmere that I got on uber sale, because I could never afford it normally. Here is an in progress picture:

I know I am not done with all the projects I have on the needles, however it is almost embarrassing how many things I have going on...

DAILY DAVID

Feedback

2010-08-14T12:15:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Are you reading this journal? I have been posting my knitting on my Facebook page and I don't want to bore people with it, by constantly reposting stuff between Ravelry and Facebook and then this journal.

What do you like as a reader? Would you like me to continue with this journal?

Are you bored?

DAILY DAVID

Oops, oh well.

2010-05-28T18:13:00.000-07:00

I was on Ravelry last night putting on a new project and I wanted to see what others had done with it...only to discover there was a huge errata in the book, which makes quite the pattern change. Now this is a project I am doing for my boss. Right now she is in mourning for the loss of her son and she is only wearing black and white. I decided to make her something white. A nice lacy scarf...

So when someone brought in a lace scarf they finished out of the Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders: 101 Small Indulgences book which I own. Cool. I copied the pattern and got started. As most of my knitting friends probably know, I don't "do" charts and this lace pattern is done using a chart, but I decided to tackle it anyway. I did about 2 repeats of a 36 row pattern when I got on Ravelry and saw the errata which changes the look of the thing. Can you say pissed...yeah, a bit. There is NO way I am starting this over as it took me forever to get this far.

It is the Nancy Pygora Merino Lace Scarf by Myrna A.I. Stahman and this is what mine is looking like:

It should look like this:

See the difference? I don't care...It is now part of the design because I don't have the heart to rip it out and she'll never know what it was supposed to look like. This project will most likely not leave the house, seeing as how I have to really concentrate on the pattern.

DAILY DAVID

Knitting

2010-05-27T06:25:00.000-07:00

So, even though I haven't been blogging I have been knitting...I have been selfishly knitting...knitting project after project for myself without regard for those who have asked me to knit for them. I don't know why I have chosen this route as of late, but deep down it feels good to make stuff for myself...so there. I have done so much since I last posted, so get ready, here we go...In no particular order.

The Wool and Camel-Down Ripple Scarf by Marlaine DesChamps. Which comes from the Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders: 101 Small Indulgences book...yeah..it calls for camel yarn...ah NO. So I am making it with Schaefer Heather yarn...pink to purple colorway to go with all my pink and purple clothes. This has to be one of the easiest patterns I have done in a while. HOWEVER, I have also spent a lot of time messing it up and having to rip out (especially after 2 ciders). I am further than this picture but you get the idea.

I have NEARLY completed my citron shawl. I have done 10 repeats of the pattern and used 3 balls of Malabrigo Lace weight yarn to do it, but I really like the results. I am binding off right now, the last count of stitches I had was 500+ on the needles and that was before I doubled that amount to make the ruffle...I have also chosen the sewn bind off which has to be the world's SLOWEST bind off method, but it is a very loose, stretchy bind off I thought would look nice on the ruffle. I may finish the bind off before I die...

Still working on my Mockingbird beaded shawl. I found very interesting when I looked up the original shrug I got the pattern from on Raverly that NO ONE is doing this project, really NO ONE. I have to be a complete nutter for doing it, but it is turning out so beautifully. I managed to get a halfway decent picture of what it will look like when it is finished by stretching it over the top of my footstool.

I have nearly finished these socks made out of Lang Yarns Bebe Color...which I hate the color of more and more every day. I may have to do this pattern again in a "quieter" yarn.

I DID finish this pair of socks made out of Schachenmayr nomotta Regia Silk Color ...they have silk in them...they are so nice to wear...

I JUST finished this little cap, Capitan Hat by Rosi Garmendia, which is made with bulky yarn...I forgot yarn could be thicker than thread! I basically finished it in one night it was such a quick knit and lots of fun. I made it out of Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca Grande which was...WOW...to work with. I have bought yarn to make a pink one of these...

Let us not forget that at my heart, I am also a Doctor Who fan and I need to do Who knitting...pretty much year round. My latest Who knit was a Series 5 Dalek...I adapted the Extermaknit! pattern for the changes on the TV show and this...

Became THIS!

YEAH,BABY!

More Who knitting is to come as I was told about this sock yarn from another Who knitter, which is being sold on KnitPicks. Here is the description of the colorway, named "Time Traveler":
Wear these brightly striped socks whether you are going to the office or traveling through time and space. Time Traveler is a colorful mix of purple, tan, red, gold, ivory, and gray stripes. While you can knit some really really long socks, this colorway will not create socks that are larger on the inside than they appear on the outside.

One more crazy knit...I finished Gamma Ray, as I am calling him. He is adorable and he is now living in his new home in my local yarn store...Yarning For You!

My productiveness will soon fall off as I have a rather intense summer class coming up next week :( But I am sure I will still find time to knit!

DAILY DAVID

Knitting

2010-03-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

So I have been silent on my knitting blog for a long time...I apologize. The actual act of knitting and studying have been really at the forefront right now. So what the hell am I working on?

First off, this past weekend was Knitting Camp. Knitting Camp was a bunch of us knitters getting together for the whole weekend and, well, knitting. We met up at a camp site in Vista, CA. We literally spent the night in cabins and had meals in the mess hall. The meals were awesome! I am ready to get some type of pass so I can have dinner there every night! It was SO much fun...there was lots of knitting and laughing!

I recently came back to the Better Be Easy shawl. I think I burnt myself out on it when I was in England...I don't think I have touched it since I came back to the states. I have really gotten a lot done since picking it up again at knitting camp.

I am also working on knitting an alien who will live at the local yarn store to sell patterns of knitted aliens. I have hit a road block with him and I am seriously debating about ripping out his two heads and starting over from the neck. He really needs some beans or rice to weigh him down and both of his heads need to be stuffed more...I think I am going to rip it out. Here is Gamma in progress

I didn't mention it on here because I am not sure if he reads this knitting blog or not, but I finished a Doctor 4 scarf for a gift for a friend to give them at the Gallifrey One Doctor Who Convention. He was so surprised and it was so worth it. He is a part of a wonderful Doctor Who website Gallifrayan Embassy with connected podcast. It was to show my appreciation. He is the ultimate Doctor Who fan and did not have a proper scarf. Now he does.

Finished ALL my Depeche Mode fauxhawks for my friends that were heading across the pond to see Depeche Mode in Europe. I made 4 of them...I also made a black and green fauxhawk for someone going on the trip. I am seriously over making these fauxhawks right now. I still have two on "order" but I can't even look at the Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride bulky yarn right now. They must wait for awhile.

What else am I working on? Umm, I am making this citron shawl with a variegated Malabrigo Lace yarn. The pattern is apparently created for a Barbie doll. I on the other hand am I bit bigger, so I am going to try to make the shawl twice the original size. Here is example picture of the shawl.

I think that's it? I wish I could knit more than I can. There is never enough time to knit.

DAILY DAVID

Been Busy!

2010-01-07T08:10:00.000-08:00

So I have been quite busy with this thing called graduate school, which has really gotten in the way of my knitting. I think I really need to get my priorities straight...for REAL!

But I managed to get all my Christmas knitting done...

I finished the blanket for L_. I hope she liked the end result, I haven't really had the chance to talk to her since before Christmas, so I don't know.

I finished my mom's Christmas gift which was the Wisp Shawl for my mom in a gorgeous blue colored Malabrigo Lace Weight Yarn. Here is a picture of the shawl and one of mom wearing it!

I made another shawl for my boss...aka the best boss ever. Here is a not so good picture of it.

I made my mom another pair of winter socks, made from The Magic Loop booklet out of Plymouth Cascade 220 yarn. I had made a couple of pairs of these socks for my mom and there was an unfortunate incident with the dryer (wool socks and dryer do not mix). The are now tiny kid's socks, so mom needed so new ones. Here are the pair I made while home at Christmas. I have another in heather gray that are over halfway finished coming her way.

I am also making a LOAD of fauxhawks that need to be finished by mid-February. I finished the knitting on one, a black and green one. Then I am making 3, yes, THREE Depeche Mode related fauxhawks which I am just starting the first. Here they are:

OK, gotta go to the dermatologist...promise to update this blog more often!

DAILY DAVID

My knitting

2009-11-16T10:39:00.000-08:00

So I have been doing a good amount of knitting lately, at least for a student.

I finished the wash clothes for my boss's boss. Did I explain this? I went to a party at her house and discovered her bathroom is done in black and white and skeletons. So I decided to make her some wash cloths with skulls on them for her bathroom for Christmas. I am probably going to make a little basket with the wash cloths and some nice soap. Here are the wash cloths.

I finished my mom's christmas present...it shall not be spoken of again until after Christmas.

I also finished some wrist warmers for a Doctor Who friend. The ones you all may or may not remember come from a Doctor Who episode. I found out that the costume designer for Doctor Who is going to be at the Doctor Who convention I am going to in February. I am totally going to ask her questions about the knitwear on the show.

I also finished a hat I was making for another Doctor Who friend. I made her the same wrist warmers and I made this hat out of the same yarn to go with them.

Right now, I am working on finishing the blanket for L_. I have a scarf I am giving as a gift AND I am popping out dish cloths to give as gifts around the place I work.

I think that's about it? Except...

DAILY DAVID

I feel dirty

2009-10-23T19:05:00.000-07:00

So, I was finally able to step outside my apartment for the first time since, Monday? I had a dermatologist appointment, not too mention the fact that I was on my last roll of toilet paper and 2 cans of Diet Coke...

Anyway, as part of my errands today...I had to go to...another yarn store. Ugh, I even hate to admit it, makes me feel dirty. But Christmas is coming and I need this yarn now to get my projects rolling. I felt like I was cheating on my favorite local yarn store. Maybe that's why I was sweating so badly while I was in there...or it might have been the skeins of Lamb's Pride bulky wool/mohair I had in my arms. I now have all the yarn I need for ALL the fauxhawks I have been asked to make.

It does make me appreciate my favorite store so much more. I have no rapport with the people working at this store today and I was trying to explain my projects and see what the difference is between Malabrigo sock and lace yarn. I just wanted to know the yardage on a skein of lace weight so if I could see if the sock yarn matched the yardage. I felt like I was being treated like an idiot trying to substitute sock for lace on the Wisp shawl. Granted this woman has no idea what pattern I am talking about, and has no idea my knitting skill level. However, to immediately be presumed I don't know what I am doing, doesn't give one the warm fuzzies.

Anyway, I bought some Malabrigo sock yarn in a colorway from deep red to dark brown to make a Wisp shawl for my boss for Christmas. She is awesome and definitely "stitch worthy".

Now if I could just grow some more arms so I can knit more than one project at a time before Christmas...I might get everything done.

PS. I did not go to my usual Friday knit group at my favorite yarn store because I want to make sure I don't make any of them sick. Damn the rest of the population!

DAILY DAVID

Suck-o-rama

2009-10-21T21:55:00.000-07:00

So I have been sick since, what last Saturday night? I got to the doctor on Monday only to be told I had some type of cold or flu virus...take some Mucinex DM and "I hope you feel better soon". Thanks for nothing, might as well have thrown the $30 dollar co-pay on the pavement and walked away...same basic effect.

Once again, too sick to do a lot of knitting most of the time. I did start knitting again some time yesterday. I have now finished one set of wristwarmers, started another and have completed a hat all but the pom pons for someone. I was hoping to get help on Friday to make them...I can never remember all the details on how to make a perfect pom pon. However, I think I will still be on virus lockdown on Friday and I won't be leaving the house quite yet.

I keep thinking I am feeling better and then you get that nighttime backslide where you feel worse than you did during the day. I am hoping one more day and I will feel good for Friday, but I DO NOT want to pass this on to anyone.

That's about it really. Slowly pecking away at my list of commissions while I also continue to add to it (dumbass alert!) two more scarves had been added to the list...

I am glad I am at least feeling "good" enough to knit..

DAILY DAVID

Fauxhawk-o-rama!

2009-10-12T16:42:00.000-07:00

Knitting is a truly crazy thing and my commissions seem to come in almost overwhelming waves! I have now been asked to make 6 fauxhawks for various people...yeah, you can say it...HOLY COW! Not that I mind, it's just a lot of fauxhawkness.

I am also bombarded with wristwarmers right now. Almost done with the first pair, I WILL get them in the mail this week. I have to remember that it is, in fact, cold in other parts of the country and people might be wanting their winter knitwear.

So, bought them and they came in the mail today and I wore them...what, you say? Well, my local knitting friends have heard the tails of the clear plastic Converse. Non-knitters right now are saying, why the hell would you want those? Knitters are nodding "yes". You see, with clear Converse I can show off my hand knit socks, of course. I have no idea why Converse decided to make clear shoes and why anyone who doesn't knit socks would wear them, but I am sure glad they do. I had been thinking of buying them, but then when I saw they were on sale, I had to do it.

I have put my beaded shawl aside to work on my commissions. I fear they will not all get done on time...

Keep your fingers crossed.

DAILY DAVID

I AM a geek and I am PROUD

2009-10-02T08:27:00.000-07:00

OK, so I was sitting in class yesterday and I realized, I really need to make a list to look at the priorities of my various knitting projects. I decided, what better way to make a completely anal retentive list than to make a spreadsheet in Excel? Oh yeah, I did... Those of you on the Ravelry website might be confused as to why I don't just use Raverly? I needed a list that could contain projects I hadn't started yet and a "due" date for each project.

I went through my various knitting baskets and I have removed and PUT AWAY almost every project I was doing for myself. I absolutely can not be tempted into knitting for myself right now, as I have so many things to do for others. I left out two projects the Wisp shawl/scarf I was doing as part of a knit along in my local store. I am knitting it with a gorgeous blue Malabrigo lace weight yarn. I have no idea if this is mine or a gift.

I also kept out a new project I just started...a beaded shawl. So I am now combining 2 of my favorite crafts...TOGETHER. Scary, yes...fun...HELL YES! It is the Mockingbird Shrug in the December 2009 issue of Knit 'N Style. This thing is so new I can't find any pictures of it. I am messing with the pattern, I didn't want a shrug with sleeves, I wanted a shawl so I changed the pattern there, and then I have also added more repeats of the pattern to make it wider.

I have kept these two out so that I have something to knit at the store. Most of the projects I am doing for others is yarn they have bought and given me from other stores. It isn't really cool to bring in yarn you've gotten somewhere else to knit at a yarn store...at least I think so and hey, I get to work on my beaded shawl that way.

Maybe some pictures will be coming soon?! Let's see if I can get all my knitting done on time!

DAILY DAVID

Lost the will to knit?

2009-09-14T08:38:00.000-07:00

I really haven't been knitting very much since I got back from England and I am not sure why? Maybe because I have a number of projects that are just hovering somewhere in the middle and I haven't felt like doing them...it could be school/work?

I really haven't touched the Better Be Easy shawl much since I got back from England. My theory is that this is because it is the only thing I worked on while I was there? I look at it, sitting there in the basket, and I know it is looking at me but I always find something else to do.

I finally finished the thumbs on the Knit for the Cure wrist warmers. They look a little anemic in the picture, but that is because they are a ribbed pattern. When they are on someone, I think they look really good.

I also found some yarn in the sale room at my local yarn store to make a scarf. I got inspired and decided I wanted to do another scarf in the My So Called Scarf pattern. I found this neat light pink/dark pink ribbon yarn, Katia Pinta, to make this scarf. Here is what it looks like so far:

This coming Wednesday I will be joining in on a Knit-a-long (KAL) at my local yarn store. For my non-knitters, a KAL is where a bunch of people knit the same pattern at the same time. I'll be doing this the next 3 Wednesdays. It is a shawl called Wisp. I am using an awesome royal blue colored Malabrigo lace weight yarn. I admit, I have started it, but I wanted to see about the needle size and well, whether or not I am going to be able to do this lace pattern. I haven't decided if it will be a gift or for me.

I have been working on these socks as well...

I have finished the first sock and I am at the heel of the second sock. This yarn is SO fabulous feeling, it is called Regia Silk Color...It is actually a wool silk blend...oh yea, I said silk! I can't wait to wear them!

DAILY DAVID

Not a long yarn

2009-08-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

So I haven't been doing much knitting lately. The TV and computer have kept my attention lately. Even though I usually enjoy knitting and watching TV at the same time, I've just been sitting and watching.

I am still working on the scarf I started using the yarn I bought in England.

I am still working on the Better-be-easy shawl.

I am still working on a little mat for my tea pot out of the same yarn I made the cozy out of.

I have almost completely finished the pink wristwarmers For the Cure. I just need to knit the thumbs. I don't know what i am avoiding it.

Last night for my knitting book club I decided I wanted to knit on something different. So I dug through my knitting and found a pair of socks, I don't even know how long it has been since I worked on them. I was even surprised to realize I had completed one of the socks. After finally tracking down the pattern I started the second sock. It is very easy, just knitting...the pattern is in the yarn. Simple, mindless and I seem to be motivated to work on it.

I have L_'s blankie to finish. I have about 2/3's of it done, but it is WAY too hot to be having a big ole blankie on your lap.

Let's not forget all the knitting I have been commissioned to do by friends...Pammie is a bad friend!

Anyway, I feel the urge to knit!

DAILY DAVID

Pictures!

2009-08-07T22:27:00.000-07:00

I have taken lots of pictures of what I am knitting on...

I am knitting a pair of wrist warmers For the Cure, which I will donate, and then they will be sold at Race for the Cure for cancer research. I have almost finished the first one, I just need to finish the thumb.

Then I have the blanket for L_ I have been working on:

I finished my tea cozy! I am making a little mat, same yarn and pattern as the tea cozy for my tea post to sit on.

I have dipped into the yarn I bought in England and began my English Memories scarf based on THIS PATTERN. I really like how it is turning out.

Last but not least, the It Better Be Easy shawl...

So, there it is!

DAILY DAVID

Tea for ME

2009-07-30T22:19:00.000-07:00

Like I said earlier in the blog entries about my trip to England, I wanted to get more serious about my tea drinking...and I have.

I went to Walmart the other day and found the one lonely electric kettle amongst the coffee makers and espresso machines and bought that (it was total luck that the kettle is stainless steel, which matched my other appliances). I knew I had an ice cubes chance in hell of finding a tea pot at a "normal" store in California, so I headed to my British supply store, "Bit O' Britain" in Carlsbad. Did they have teapots!? Oh YES!

So I came away with a forest green colored ceramic tea pot which could hold as much as 6 cups of tea! I love my tea pot. You know what needs to happen next of course, me being a knitter...yeah, that's right...a tea cozy! I was already planning to knit one before I had even bought my tea pot.

When I got home from the store, I immediately hopped on the internet and the Ravelry website to find a tea cozy pattern. I found one I really liked which would use yarn I already have. It is a tea cozy knit with Lily's Sugar'n Cream yarn. I have a HUGE skein of variegated white to green Sugar'n Cream. DING!

Yeah, so I immediately started that...

I am still working on the not-really-from-hell-anymore shawl that I allowed to come to England with me.

I REALLY need to get my head out of my butt and start working on all the projects I have lined up and even started, for other people. I had a realization tonight added to the other projects (wrist warmers and blanket) I have more daleks to make!

So much yarn, so little time...or maybe not enough hands?! Either way, I am not knitting as much as I want to be!

I have a feeling the tea cozy will be done fairly soon...I will post pictures when it is done.

DAILY DAVID

Day 25 and more

2009-07-27T21:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my last day in England... :(

I woke up and had a shower and my friends C_ and B_ made sure I was able to have a bacon sandwich as my last meal. Bye bye British bacon...I love you! Then we headed to the airport. Most of the way in the car I was trying to wrap my head around the fact that the trip I have been looking forward to for over 6 months was over.

I feel like I had packing success. No weight overages. Between the suitcase, small duffel bag, Harrods shopping bag and my backpack I was gold. I checked the suitcase and duffel bag and carried on the shopping bag and backpack. It worked really well.

I was able to get some last minute shopping done, so all my family members are covered with British gifties. Then I was off to the gate. We didn't get the gate assignment until pretty close to take off so we pretty much hopped right on the plane.

The trip wasn't too bad other than the two unsupervised children in front of me. I say "unsupervised" because their mother was across the aisle from them basically trying to sleep through the flight while her two kids (around 8 and 5 fought and kicked the seats in front of them) I felt bad for the one person, she had to actually wake up the mother to ask her to get her kids to stop kicking the seats.

Customs and check in at the Denver airport was very long, but I got through and was able to call my mom via payphone and then I went to my gate. I decided to try my computer back in the USA and was very pleased to find free wi-fi at the Denver airport...HOORAY.

BY the time it was time to board the plane I was really, loopy and disoriented is the best way to describe it. The seats on this plane seemed to be the smallest yet and when the person in front of me put her seat back that was the last straw...I headed for the back of the plane. I'll admit it, I cried, I was SO over the travelling and being uncomfortable, being treated like a piece of cattle. So I stayed in the back of the plane until the seat belt sign came on for landing.

It all went smoothly after that. P_ and M_ met me at the airport...thank you ladies!

Time lag or adrenaline, I didn't just come home and crash I did stay up for awhile. I unpacked most of my stuff and got on the internet. It was almost surreal to be back in my own apartment after so long.

Today, I got up at 8am and was AWAKE. I did more unpacking and putting away of stuff. Then I called mom had lunch and napped for a couple of hours. Watched some TV, called J_ and had to sleep again. I didn't wake up until 8:30 pm. I am so jacked up and tired and feeling weird, and I haven't had dinner and it's 9 pm. I had grand plans of calling people today...sorry...it will have to be tomorrow!

And thus, my trip to England blog is done! ALL my pictures are up, but not necessarily labeled. Check back in...and don't forget my little video clips are up on YouTube.

Back to knitting news

DAILY DAVID

Day 23 and 24

2009-07-25T13:38:00.000-07:00

Friday was fabulously non-eventful. I slept in, having snacks and tea for breakfast. I don't think I took a shower until nearly 11am. For lunch I went to the pub and had fish and chips. It was kinda sad to be there by myself with out my school friends. Almost everyone was headed back to the States. That afternoon I checked out of my room and sat downstairs and puttered around on the internet until my friends, B_ and C_ came to pick me up.

For dinner we went to the Indian restaurant, Blue Monsoon, we went to before. This time I had the Onion bahji as a starter, and the prawn bhuna as my main dish...OH SO GOOD.

Today is my last full day in England, *pouts*. C_, B_ and I went to Coventry to see the Doctor Who Exhibition at the Coventry Transport Museum. The Who exhibit was great...I took an overload of photos and some video too. I even managed to contain my excitement enough while looking at one of David Tennant's costumes to keep myself from licking it...barely.

The rest of the museum was great. Lots of British cars, buses and bicycles.

Then we went and walked around the rest of the town and went to the cathedral that was bombed during WWII. The ruins were amazing and the rebuilt cathedral next door was breath taking.

After that we did some shopping and headed back to the house. Nice day all around.

I have to go because I have to pack.

DAILY DAVID

Days, 20, 21, and 22

2009-07-24T07:47:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday the class went to Cambridge as a group. On paper it sounded like a great idea. We met after breakfast around 9 am and caught a bus from campus into the city center of Northampton. Then we took a bus from Northampton into Bedford. We had about 15 minutes to grab a snack, drink or go to the bathroom. Then we got on ANOTHER bus to go from Bedford to Cambridge. About 3 hours later, we arrive in Cambridge. Did I mention the rain? No? It was really raining when we left Northampton but by the time we got to Cambridge it had slowed down.

We all separated into smaller groups to eat lunch and my little group went to a restaurant called Nando’s. A chain restaurant where you can get roasted chicken and then add your own level of spicy sauce to it. I noticed that this was the first place I had eaten at since coming to England that had a place where you could get your own sodas and refills. I’ll admit, I never really appreciated the free refill as much as I do now.

My little group started off toward the Cambridge University campus. We are women and easily distracted by shiny things…most of the girls went into a small clothing store I knew wouldn’t have my size. I was waiting outside, but decided to strike out on my own.

I found a map of Cambridge further down the sidewalk and found out where the information center was. So I headed off to get a map of town. The information center was HUGE and had lots of souvenirs. The ladies in the center were so nice. They helped me find some gifts and gave me a map to head off on my way.

I had noticed a postcard of the strangest looking clock I had ever seen, and one of the women told me it was down the street. It is called the Corpus Clock. You have to check out this video about it:

It was fascinating to watch, and I probably would have stayed longer in front of it except the rain was really beginning to come down again. I decided to continue to walk toward campus when I saw a sign pointing to an archaeology museum…you know I had to go there.

After going around in circles a bit, I finally found the archaeology/anthropology museum on campus. Apparently most of the collection came from the work of Grahame Clark, who wrote a LOT of archaeology related books. The collection wasn’t huge but it was nice and pretty thorough.

After the museum, I basically wandered around town until 3:30pm and then headed for the bus stop. Our bus taking us from Cambridge back through Bedford was leaving at around 4pm. This was, in fact, the bus ride from hell. No one really said anything at the time, but most of us agreed we felt “rather poorly” after that one. It was slow traffic and roundabout after roundabout, stop and go, I don’t know, it just made for a nauseating ride. Then we literally went straight to the bus going to Northampton.

Most of us got off at a stop downtown and decided to eat dinner at an Italian restaurant called Sophia’s. I ate there before with some of the other students…they opened an hour early to let us eat. Anyway, service was wonderful again and so was the food. I had tortellini alfredo, with ham and cheese. YUM! If you are ever in Northampton, you must eat here.

On Wednesday we had class in the morning with Dr. W_. Then after class the rest of the day was ours. We all kind of realized that night would be the last of us all together so we decided to all meet up at the Sunnyside pub and have a last hurrah. Then we broke up for lunch. I ended up going to the convenience store to get the makings of lunch. Unremarkable…

Then I did something truly exciting…I took a nap. After that fun filled event, I could only follow it up by doing my laundry. Being the truly lazy person I am, I could not be bothered to separate colors and whites, there was one washer and I wanted my laundry done. I now have what used to be white socks with a blue/black hue, I think it came off my newest pair of jeans. Everything looked OK.

Then I headed over to the Sunnyside Pub. Most of us had something to eat and then the pints began to flow. While part of the group ended up playing a drinking game, I got together with three other ladies to play Spades. I don’t think I have played that since high school or college? We had so much fun playing, even though me and my partner lost the game. OK, so we did threaten the winning team with the fact that they may wake up with one less eyebrow the next morning, but we didn’t actually do it.

On Thursday morning we had class for the last time. It was a nice wrap up for the trip and a good time to see each other one last time. I made plans to go into town and eat lunch with L_ and J_ . We ended up eating at a fancy looking pub. The food was OK, but at least they had Magners on tap.

This brings up a problem a number of us have had on this trip. Apparently all/most British credit cards have a computer chip on them that can/does make an American in England very frustrated. This pub was just another example of a place that would not take a card if it didn’t have a chip. I had to dash across the street to get money out of the ATM to pay my bill. Pain in the ass…

We then went shopping to get gifts and last minute items. I got some more snacks for my room as well as the latest edition of Doctor Who magazine. My friends had problems with the card/chip thing today in making their purchases.

Even though I am not leaving until Friday evening, I decided to pack most of my stuff. I am pleased with how everything is fitting in my bags, but I fear that my large bag will be over weight. I have no idea if my airline allows two carry ons, or two checked bags. Some of my fellow travelers had tales of the airlines weighing the checked baggage AND the carry on. I am going to check tomorrow to see what the guidelines are for my airline. In a way, I would like to check the second bag so I don’t have to carry all that weight. Keep your fingers crossed!

I ordered Chinese food for dinner with L_ and J_, it was very good! Then I was able to get on the internet and chat with my mom via Facebook.

Yea for technology!

DAILY DAVID

None For You

2009-07-23T13:43:00.000-07:00

OK, so I am a complete slacker/loser...I have not blogged in 2 days and I will not be blogging tonight. I have had some rather busy days the past 3 days? and I just want to go back up to my room, watch Eastenders and go to bed.

However, tomorrow my day is COMPLETELY free and I will be uploading the rest of my photos and catching up my journal...so have no fears. More is coming!

Just not tonight!

DAILY DAVID

Day 18 and 19

2009-07-20T08:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went to a small village called Harlestone, very near to Northampton. I took pictures, however, they are on the hard drive on the camera, as I forgot to put the card back into my camera after downloading that last batch of photos. So you won't be seeing those until I get back to the USA.

We had been invited to go to a church service at the St. Andrews, a Church of England congregation. The church was beautiful and the service was nice. It reminded me a lot of the Presbyterian churches I have been to. The hymn books were a bit distressing, I was hoping that at a traditional service I would be able to sing the alto part by looking at the music. No such luck as the hymnals only had the words and no music. They had communion which I did not feel comfortable taking part in. Some where along the line I have gotten it into my head that it is inappropriate to take communion at a church you don't belong to. Also, as many of you know I am struggling with my own religious beliefs right now and I just didn't think I should.

Everyone at the church was SO nice. They seemed genuinely excited to have our little groups of Americans visit the church. The served tea, coffee and biscuits (cookies) after the service and we were able to mingle around with the church members. They seemed very interested in what we had to say and I kept thinking two things, I'm not really that special, I just come from America and that I needed to be a bit of an ambassador for the US and dispel the myths. Hollywood movies and TV shows do NOT do us any favors in the UK, they just seem to give people a false sense of who Americans are, which is a shame. I hope I have been able to change some people's minds about America.

After the service, we walked through some of the village and headed toward the Fox and Hounds pub for lunch. The food was very nice, I had a roasted chicken with garlic and lemon with chips...YUM and I had a new cider called Aspall, LOVED it! Then a group of us decided to go back to campus and not take a longer tour of the village.

Once again, I thought I would be alone for dinner at the pub....ah, nope. Most of my fellow students were there and the professor and his daughter ended up walking in with me. I ordered a chicken Caesar salad as I was over fried food. It was, well, crap. I don't think they believe in using a whole lot of salad dressing. I felt like I was eating a lot of naked lettuce with some grilled chicken. Then the drinking began...

With most of us there we started playing drinking games. Two pints down that way. Then I got into a conversation with another student and J_ and C_, two locals. This conversation lasted through another pint of cider and we closed the pub down. It was interesting basically swapping stereotypes with the locals and seeing how each other thought.

This is also why there was no blog last night.

Today was class all day. We had class in the morning and broke for lunch. I went to the convenience store to buy junk (and I mean junk) for lunch...yea more processed food. Then we had class this afternoon.

I was very interesting hearing about everyone else's experiences they have been having while we have been here. How they have been different, how they have been the same. How we have interpreted the same situations differently.

As I type this it is 5:07 pm and I am hungry for dinner. The idea of going to the pub to eat another meal makes me want to bang my head on the desk repeatedly. I know I do not have enough in the way of snackage in my room to fill me up like a meal would. I am pretty sure the convenience store closed 7 minutes ago and I can't be "arsed", as the Brits would say, to catch a bus to go downtown to eat dinner at a different restaurant. sigh

Finally I will mention the sinus headache I have had for the past, ummm, 4 days? I am really over that. Something in England is really blooming and it is KILLING my allergies. NO, I do not have the swine flu...I brought a thermometer with me and my temperature is fine. I have been dealing with the allergy thing since I got here, but the sinus pain is about to push me over the edge.

I hear tales that they sell Tylenol with codeine in the drug stores without prescription here. I am hoping C_ and B_ can take me to the drug store before I go...oh, and a post office. I have a stack of postcards with no way to mail them. The on campus post office can't do international postcards and once again, I can not be arsed to take the bus to go into town to go to a proper post office.

If you are wondering why you haven't gotten a post card from me, it is one of three reasons...
1. I don't have your address
2. It is among the stack of post cards waiting to be sent
3. It was among the stack of post cards I gave the volunteer working at the TINY post office at Bletchley Park and she never did get around to putting the postage on them (I paid for them and she said she would do them later...

OK...I think I am going to the pub to go get some food. Hope it doesn't suck!

DAILY DAVID

Day 16 and 17

2009-07-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

I spent Friday and Saturday in London, which was good. OK, you have to forgive what could be an extremely scattered blog tonight. I am in the lobby of the place we are staying, it is 10:36pm and they are hosting some sort of party with a rather loud DJ and children doing very bad karaoke. I think my ears might bleed before I can finish typing this. Did I mention the sinus headache I've had since about 3pm? I am going to do this...

So Friday I left Northampton to meet my friend, M_ in London. We decided to meet a Piccadilly circus at the statue of Eros, where apparently everyone else in London decides to meet up...OK not everyone, but a lot of people. M_ and I met up and walked to Leicester Square to find somewhere to eat lunch. We ate at a place called "Hamburger +" where the service was complete crap, but my burger was good. Then we headed to Trafalgar Square where there is a special art installation.

The art installation is called [OH. MY. HOLY. GOD. they are playing the macarena song...please put a bullet in my head] One & Other where someone gets an hour to do anything they want on the top of the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square (PS, you can see better what they are doing on the website than you can live). M_ and I watched a changing of the people on the hour and then we headed into the National Gallery. We actually managed to do quite the whirlwind tour of the museum. It was crowded, but it wasn't completely oppressive...or maybe I am just getting more used to crowds?

M_, also American born, noticed the same thing while we were wondering around the various Tube stations. Not only do the British drive on a different side of the street...they walk on a different side of the side walk. It is hard to explain if you aren't experiencing it. As an American, the natural instinct (at least ours was) to let's say walk down the right side of the hall or stairs, going for the right side hand rail. I think the British instinct the opposite. In some Tube stations the signs even tell the people to "Keep left" of oncoming "traffic". I have been swimming upstream since I got here. I am trying to consciously keep left on the sidewalks and stairs, but it is a lifetime "instinct" to unlearn. I am finally looking the correct way for oncoming traffic before crossing the road, but it is still conscious thought.

M_ and I had a really nice day, despite some rain. Then I took the train out to Aylesbury where C_ picked me up after she finished work. We had a loverly dinner cooked by B_. These seasoned pork chops, carrots, beans, potatoes and lots of gravy...finger lickin! Not too mention the fact that the three of put threw down two bottles of wine!

Today, C_, B_ and I went into London. The goal was to take a Thames River Cruise, Ride the London Eye and go to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Even though the train schedule was complete jacked today, we managed to get to the cruise on time. It was really wonderful...I would highly recommend it. I think I only took a hundred pictures on the cruise...no really...I think I took 100 photos. The buildings and everything are so beautiful, I couldn't help myself!

We cruised from the London Eye/Big Ben/Parliament to the Tower Bridge and back. Today was a gorgeous day, not a cloud in the sky. My pictures ROCK. You might see them tomorrow.

Next we hit the line for the London Eye. It was kinda like what happened in the movie "A Christmas Story", no kids, the line ENDS here, it begins back THERE. Although the line was long, it moved at a pretty good clip. I can't even describe the view from the London Eye and I don't know that my pictures do it justice. In my pictures you will see I am as fascinated with the actual wheel as the wonderful view. If you are going to be in London...EVER...you must do this cruise and London Eye package!

It was about 2pm when we got off the Eye, so we decided to ditch the V & A and get a good meal in London. After some talk we chose to go to Chinatown, which I hadn't been to before and hunt down some authentic Chinese for lunch. In the Time Out book I had they suggested a place called Baozi Inn...you know it's good when they don't even lay out western eating utensils. I had a pork baozi for a starter...it was like a huge dumpling on growth hormone! Then I had a beef in noodles and beef broth. The bowl was massive, it kicked my butt, I got full and couldn't finish it.

Then we just headed back to their place, we didn't even eat dinner, we weren't hungry. They dropped me off back here at 9m and there we are!

Tomorrow is a tour of a village called Harleston. We have been invited to a Church of England service and I am probably going to go to it. I hope I don't get struck by lightning! LOL

DAILY DAVID

Day 15

2009-07-16T12:10:00.000-07:00

Today was even more boring than yesterday, which was great!

I slept in late again, missed breakfast, but had tea and fruit in my room. Thanks, C_ for recommending that Yorkshire tea. I have been enjoying that in the morning and the Rooibos at night before I go to bed.

Anyway, just watched TV today. I tried experimenting around the dial today...and most of you know how much I love British TV shows, but I ended up watching Judge Judy this morning. Sad, I know.

I did go to the convenience store on campus today. I was on the hunt for more snacks and something to eat for lunch. Not only do the British have a dizzying array of crisps (chips), but they also seem to enjoy what we in the US would consider "interesting" combinations for sandwiches. I bought a pre-made chicken and dressing sandwich today, very good. Although, I must say, the pre-made sandwiches are getting old. Then again, I don't want to go to the pub for two meals a day, so there isn't much else to do for lunch other than go to the town center by bus to find a restaurant. I just can't be bothered.

I bought lots of snacks I hadn't tried yet. And, I finally caved and bought some soap opera magazines. As some of you may know I am a fan of the British soap opera EastEnders, so now that I am over here I can read all the dish about what might be coming up!

I had a nice conversation with the couple working at the convenience store. I am wearing my Doctor Who (another British show) t-shirt today and I got to talking to them about the show and its history. It is the first time someone has recognized the shirt and commented on it. No one ever says a thing in the US.

I hung out in my room knitting on my shawl (yes, I did bring it after all and it is going really well) and doing my criss cross puzzles.

Once again, I went to the pub for dinner, this time REALLY expecting to be alone as I thought everyone had gone on day trips. I found two of my fellow students there and had dinner with them. For me it was kind of an awkward dinner as I really didn't have much in common with them and in all honesty I didn't volunteer much information about myself. To me this just makes the experience more interesting. I have come thousands of miles to learn about dealing with different cultures only to realize amazing differences in "American culture."

Tomorrow I meet up with Duran Duran and Doctor Who fan friend, M_. We are meeting at the memorial at the center of Piccadilly Circus in London. We are going to have lunch together and then hang out together for the afternoon. Then I am catching the train back out to Aylesbury where I meet up with C_.

Saturday I am going to the London Eye, Thames Cruise and the Victoria and Albert museum in London with C_ and B_. I am packing light since I will only have my backpack for the weekend...so no computer until late Saturday, if then. Don't be surprised if I don't update my blog/pictures until Sunday!

DAILY DAVID

Day 14

2009-07-15T14:07:00.000-07:00

OK...so yesterday was not a shining moment, but today was fabulously boring. I debated on whether or not to wake up in time for breakfast, but I decided to sleep in. I figure I have fruit, tea and snacks in my room, I can sleep in. I slept until after ten and it was fabulous!

Mom and I have been scheduling times to chat on Facebook, so I was able to chat with her for awhile this afternoon. Then I ate a late lunch and did my laundry. Hung around my room and headed for the Sunnyside pub for dinner.

Here I was thinking everyone had already left on their side trips, so I brought a book along, figuring I would be by myself. I get in the pub and there is a group of my fellow students with some locals! Yea! No dinner alone. It was really nice to be able to get to know my classmates better and to be able to talk to some of the locals. We talked about music, what different words mean, all our different accents. It was nice, and I might have gotten a little tipsy on the cider.

When we came back to the Sunley Centre I ran into more fellow classmates. And here I thought everyone was gone!

Tomorrow almost everyone will be gone for the weekend, but that's OK, I'll just relax again tomorrow. I have contemplated a day trip, but I think the days of rest will do me good.

And I am almost caught up with posting my pictures! Check them out!

DAILY DAVID

More Pictures

2009-07-15T06:51:00.000-07:00

I have posted some more pictures. These are from Day 7 when I went to Bletchley Park and Claydon House

Day 7

Day 13

2009-07-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

OK, I am now officially over crowds, I'm over it. There I have said it. Today in London was another crazy crowded day. If London didn't have so much cool stuff, I honestly would not want to go back. Maybe I have just gotten used to my country living in Buckinghamshire? I don't know.

I am also VERY over the fact that I must chase the rest of my school group whenever we go anywhere. I don't think I would care as much if I knew where the destination we were going to was. As some of you you know, I have generalized anxiety disorder...big trigger for me is getting lost/left behind. It horrifies me to the point of irrational thought. I know this, I try to avoid this. When my class crosses the street and keeps going while I get stuck at the traffic light...this equals panic mode. This is not cool, and I become a crabby bitch. I feel that this will be the only side of me my fellow classmates and professors will see. I am fat, I have short legs, I will lag behind, this is a fact I can not change. I feel like a burden to my classmates and I therefore break off as soon as possible. Enough of that.

So today we all went as a group to the British museum...did I mention the crowds? We did do a little group exercise where we talked about our observations and how they are important with what we do as counselors. We spent some time in front of a small mural describing our observations and brainstorming. Then we were set free. I headed for the gift shop where I promptly bought a guide/map to London. Thus, hopefully eliminating my fears of getting lost and left behind. Now if I loose the pack I can at least get around London and Northampton by myself.

I visited the Rosetta Stone again and walked around the Egyptian artifacts. I pondered whether or not to got through the rest of the museum, but I did go last time I visited and there was new stuff in London I wanted to see. Did I mention I noticed the CCharles Dickens House/Museum was in walking distance? As my good friends know I think Charles Dickens is THE MAN. So I decided to make the trek to check out the museum. Most of the trip took me by fairly modern buildings and a huge medical complex. But then you hit the street that Dicken's house is on and you are back in the 19th century!

OK, so Dicken's house wasn't mind blowing. But they did have a whole room dedicated to memorabilia from A Tale of Two Cities
my fave Dickens. Several of the rooms were restored to Dickens time with actual Dickens artifacts. Other rooms showcased various collection. I did learn more about Dickens, the man, today...and I got a student discount, which was cool.

My next stop was I Knit yarn store. I have been waiting for this one for MONTHS. Other than the kid puking in the elevator at Leicester Square station (it was all I could do to not think about what was happening) it was a rather uneventful trip. The directions to the shop were great. But let me say, I would not have wanted to be in this area at night...I don't think it was in the best part of town. I bought LOTS of yarn for me and my friends! All different weights, all different colors, all from the UK! I hope you all will like them. I bought about 200-300 yards of each?

Some of the people from class were meeting up in Leicester Square at 6pm to head back to Northampton, but as the Waterloo station I was at took me back to the Euston station where we catch the train, I decided to head straight out of town.

Food today was very UNnoteworthy I am afraid. I ate lunch at the British museum, premade sandwich and chocolate cake. And for dinner I ate at...Burger King in the Euston Station, sad, I know. But I will close the day with a nice cup of Rooibos tea, which C_ has totally gotten me hooked on. Such a nice way to end the night.

Because of this trip, I have decided I need to take my tea drinking to the next level. No more microwaving a tea bag in a cup of water...OH NO, I want a proper kettle and teapot, for which, I might even knit a cozy. I *heart* you tea!

Tomorrow will be VERY unexciting! I am going to...are you ready? Sleep in (most likely missing breakfast (sadness) and then I am going to do my laundry...SHOCKING, I know. I am contemplating a side trip to somewhere on Thursday, but I really need the day off tomorrow. Mental Health day!

DAILY DAVID

More Pictures

2009-07-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

Hey all, just posted my pictures from Stratford-Upon-Avon!

Sorry I can't keep up very well. I have some free days coming up, I hope I can catch up!

Day 12

2009-07-13T10:52:00.000-07:00

Today we had class in the morning, from 9 to almost noon. Nothing hard, just an ice breaker so we can all get to know each other. Then the whole class headed off in taxis to Althorp estate, where the Spencer family (Princess Diana's family) live.

We ate a light lunch when we got there and then toured the inside of the house. I decided not to get an audio tour or guide book for the house, so I was basically walking around clueless as to what I was really looking at. In some of the rooms they had some very knowledgeable guides who were more than willing to talk about the rooms and the Spencer family.

I kinda got separated from the group during the tour of the house and when I walked around the lake that has the island Princess Diana is buried at. The grounds were beautiful and I can think of a lot worse places be buried.

I met up with the professor and some of the other students when I headed back to the cafe. It weird being the foreigner and having people ask where you are from and how you are liking your visit. Most of the British I have come across seem genuinely interested in talking to an American. I keep thinking that there is nothing really special about me.

Anyway, we caught the bus back into the center of town and I hung out with some of the other ladies. We wandered around the mall in Northampton and then we went to an Italian restaurant called Sophia's. We got there a little bit before 5 and they weren't open yet, but there was a nice guy outside

who let us in early. My meal was fabulous and it was nice getting to know some of the other students.

This is the second time in my life I have had a restaurant opened for me...the other time was when I was in England the last time, while visiting Bath. I don't know, but I just don't think an American restaurant would do this.

It was a really nice day! Tomorrow we are headed back to London and we are going to the British Museum. Even though I have been before, I think we kinda rushed through it. I want to take my time this time. If it means getting separated from my group, then I will hoof it alone. I may try to make it to the yarn store tomorrow. We shall see.

DAILY DAVID

Day 11

2009-07-12T12:29:00.000-07:00

Today was a day of food and rest. I slept in, probably the latest I have since I got here...8:30 am. Then C_, B_ and I went to Morris of Hoggeston for a traditional cooked breakfast. It was absolutely AMAZING. We had fresh rolls, eggs, bacon, bangers, black pudding, and potatoes. This was my first tasting of black pudding, for those of you who know what is in it, yes I also knew, and for those of you who don't...here is the info Like everything else on my plate it was fantastic and I would so eat it again. C_ and B_ tell me that if I like black pudding I would like haggis, and they have some in the freezer. I think I will be having my first haggis before I leave England this time.

At the farm we went on a little hayride trip around the farm and got to see the cows, sheep (with fleece that sheds instead of needing to be sheered, pigs and chickens. Guess I ate their cousins today.

After that we went to Tescos and I got as much food as I thought I might want, that I could leave out in the room without refrigeration. This, of course, means lots of crisps...oh darn.

Today I basically just sat around on the couch and fiddled with my pictures and as you will note from my previous entry, I got a number of days posted. I still have some I need to edit and there are more on my camera I haven't even loaded onto the computer yet. Now I just have to find a way to post my video clips. I think you all would get a kick out of them.

Tomorrow is class and Althorp, the Spencer estate, where Princess Diana is buried. I don't know what else we will be doing.

DAILY DAVID

Pictures

2009-07-12T06:39:00.000-07:00

I have only begun to put my pictures up.

Here is where the photo album is:

England July 2009

DAILY DAVID

Day 9 & 10

2009-07-11T14:00:00.000-07:00

I really hate that I did not journal yesterday, I apologize, I had a goal of journaling everyday, but yesterday was so tiring, I just didn't get on the net.

Yesterday was the first day of us officially as a class together. We met up for breakfast...a nice simple English breakfast. As per usual, I pigged out on the bacon (pun intended) and then we met up in our class room and learned more about each other and the class.

Then we set off on a tour of the Northampton University campus. I lagged behind horribly, I get so frustrated...I am just too fat and my legs are too short to be able to keep up with people walking at a normal pace. We learned where the IT area is, along with the library, laundry and convenience store.

Then we caught the bus to the center of Northampton. The professor gave us a quick tour of the mall, historic sites and the local museum. I have gotten along really well with L_ and J_ and the three of us headed off together to get lunch and to do some shopping.

We ate a street vendor, burgers and chips for me and then we walked through the local market. I decided I wanted to set off on my own pick up some things I needed, I really didn't want to be slowing anyone else down. I had a nice peaceful day of wandering around the town center. I managed to find a store that sold Radley bags and accessories which my friend C_ had some of their stuff and I vowed to pick some up. I got a change purse that was on sale. I also got some more postcards.

The whole class met up again at 4:30pm and most of us took the bus back to campus and then headed off to the Sunnyside pub to get dinner. Sadly, it was an hour wait to get dinner and I needed to meet up with C_ and B_ so I didn't eat dinner there.

C_ and B_ picked me up and they stopped so I could get some Chinese take-away for dinner. Very Good. It was an early night because the next day would be London!

Day 10

Got up early today so we could get a head start on London. We got on the train in Aylesbury and had about an hour trip to the Marylebone station to hop on the Tube to get off at the Oxford Circus Station. We arrived at Liberty at a quarter til 10am, yeah they didn't open until 10. So we walked down to Hamley's toy store...5 floors of toy madness. They had a little statue of Dobby from the Harry Potter stories out front, we had our picture taken together! I got a this stuffed animal for my niece there. Nothing form my nephew yet, I am not sure what he likes...mom, help?

Then we got to Liberty. This store is utterly gorgeous. The place was so swank C_ and I had a hard time finding the elevator because it was so fancy it fit into the architecture. B_ got you some handkerchiefs girlie. I also got some other gifts AND I fondled the yarn they had there, but I decided I wanted to save myself for I Knit.

We then trekked off to Harrod's, let me just say, if I knew David Tennant would be naked and dipped in chocolate somewhere in that store I still wouldn't ever set foot in that store again! It was a clusterf&*k of tourists from all over the world. I think the only true Brits in there were the store employees and C_! I did manage to get some gifties there for people and I bought myself some chocolate flavored tea.

C_ and I ended up eating lunch at a McDonald's which I had really wanted to avoid. But there was no where else near Harrods that was cheap. Oh well.

After Harrods we headed to Covent Garden and damn if there wasn't a Radley store...as painful as it was, I had to buy a matching wallet for my change purse...like duh. I love them.

By that point I was completely crippled up from two days of walking, a blister on the ball of my right foot and having nearly fallen when entering the Apple store earlier today. We got the Tube and train back out of London.

I must admit, I had way too much of crowds today and the bloom was off the rose of London for me. I have enjoyed being in "the country" so much with my friends. That is the real Britain. I am still looking forward to two more days in London, but it is just too full of people for me.

Tomorrow is a day of relaxation. I can't wait. We are going to a local farm for a brunch, coming back to the house for the rest of the day and then C_ and B_ will drop me off back at the school

DAILY DAVID

Day 8

2009-07-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

Today was my first day on campus here at the University of Northampton.

I got up early so that C_ could take me to the Milton Keynes train station on her way to work this morning. I admit to being a little bit nervous as the last time I was on British trains it was a mess and some poor guy had to help me transfer trains twice. This time it was so easy it was almost scary. I went up to the counter to buy the ticket and told the guy I didn't have a clue what I needed to do. Considering that the customer before me was a complete ass, I think he was relieved. Got my ticket and was on a train to Northampton in 10 minutes.

I took a cab from the train station to the university and was dropped off at the Sunley Centre...my new digs for 2 weeks. They have no elevator and this poor dude had to carry my 50+ pound suitcase up a flight of stairs. I immediately fell into unpacking and I got all settled in. My professor for the course I am taking came by and introduced himself. Then I basically vegged on TV until 4pm.

Then all the people in the program met up at the "pub". I put that in quotation marks, because I think I would use the term hole-in-the-wall. But we all introduced ourselves and had a pint together. Then we had what the dinning service considered a "light dinner". A chipmunk could not get full on what they fed us!! Tiny sandwiches and chips...

Then the professor walked a bunch of us down to the local pub off campus.. Cha-ching! Real food...so I ordered some. Most of the other people are still a bit off having just arrived today so hardly anyone else got food. It was a good meal for cheap...cheaper than the craptastic lunch I had on campus today. I will be going to the pub from now on!.

As I type I am sitting in the commons area where I can get some wi-fi. Tomorrow we are going to tour Norhtampton and do some shopping. The my friends C_ and B_ will come to pick me up for the weekend. Might be going to London this weekend, not sure yet. I am hoping to get my pictures ready for download so I can show you all what is up!

DAILY DAVID

Day 7

2009-07-08T14:40:00.000-07:00

Today I woke up and remembered the Sim card reader I had tossed in my suitcase, thinking I don't know what. Anyway, I thought hey, I could try putting my card from my camera into that and IT WORKED! I have now downloaded all the photos and videos I have taken on my trip so far. You will not see them here now because it is too late at might for me to be fussing with it. Tomorrow I am basically just going to Northampton and getting settled in. I am hoping I can use the day to do some homework and upload my photos. We shall see.

Today C_ and I went to Bletchley Park, an place of importance during WWII were they were able to break the German codes and read their radio transmissions. I thought about dad a lot today while we walked around and learned about the earliest computers. He would have really loved it. WE managed to sneak in on a school group's tour of the Colossus computer which was fantastic.

Then we headed home to eat some lunch and pick up the dogs for the next adventure. C_ has a National Trust membership, which means with her card she can get into all National Trust properties for free. Well, this afternoon I was C_ while she took the dogs on a walk around the grounds. Yea! to free!

Claydon House was beautiful on the inside and the outside. Not quite as grand a showcase as Waddesdon Manor, but still VERY impressive. I couldn't believe all the wood work and plaster ceilings...simply amazing. And it had a nice little church next door that was pretty cool. Since C_ and I finish ed so early, we had time to go to the tearoom...damn if they didn't have cream tea...LOL...yeah, we totally did that again.

Got home and did some laundry to get ready for my transfer to my new digs at Northampton University. Tomorrow we check in and have dinner together, then a little party after. We shall see. I am hoping they will let me check in earlier than the 4:30pm time I was given.

DAILY DAVID

Day 6

2009-07-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

Today, the three of us went to Stratford-Upon-Avon, the home of William Shakespeare. The weather was a variety from bright and sunny to pouring down rain. The town itself was bigger than I thought it would be and so spread out. We walked into town from the south and it was gorgeous.

There were a number of canal boats moored up in an area just off the river connected to the river by a canal lock. We were lucky enough to see two boats, one coming and one going. It was cool. I got video and pictures, that's all I'll say...

We crossed the river and went through the town. There were lots of "ye olde" buildings and they were wonderful to see. We stopped at a little cafe and I tried my first packet of prawn cocktail crisps (shrimp cocktail chips), not foul, but not exactly tasty.

We went to the birthplace of Shakespeare, got a lovely picture of that too...was that 12 pounds to go in? Uh, I don't like Shakespeare THAT much.

We went back down through the town and went to Tudor World which was small but a lot of fun. They had so much information about people living in Tudor times from the plague, to medicine, to food.

Poor C_ and B_, I made them go to some incredible cheesy tourist shops, but I love that stuff. I got a London Underground mug and a magnet with thermometer that says Stratford-on-Avon. I got a number of postcards today and I might send them out tomorrow.

I haven't bought any gifties yet...I see things and think of people who might like them, but then I am afraid I'll get something and then find something better later.

We walked down to the church where Shakespeare was buried. We went in and looked inside, but once again, one pound fifty to see his burial site, no thanks.

Then we walked back along the river and took the chain ferry across the river. Then walked along the river, stopped at another cafe and the information center and then we headed out.

For dinner we went to the Blue Monsoon, "A contemporary Bangladeshi & Indian Resturant". I had the Mixed Tahli which is a number of small dishes consisting of Onion bhaji, chicken tikka masala, lamb jefrezi, prawn bhuna, shobji bahar, pilau rice and plain naan. Very yum!

Tomorrow is Bletchley Park and Claydon House.

DAILY DAVID

Day 5

2009-07-06T12:32:00.000-07:00

Today it was the Cotswolds...very beautiful, most of the buildings are made with a yellow limestone which makes them look bright and sunny.

C_ and I spent the day in a town called Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds. It was a beautiful little place with a river running through the middle. We walked along the little river through town and saw tons of ducks with lots of baby chicks just learning how to swim. Very high cuteness factor.

We then went to Birdland which is basically a zoo for birds. Right when you walk in are the penguins. So cute, I even took some video of them swimming and waddling around. You can get so close to them, it was amazing. We saw so many beautiful birds from all over the world. Even though we did get rained on some.

Next we went to lunch at a pub in The Old New Inn. I had a half pint Strongbow Cider, Roast Beef baguette with mustard and crisps. Then we headed to the Model Village which is a one ninth scale model of Bourton-on-the-Water. I got some cool pictures you might see some day.

Then we headed off to find somewhere where we could have cream tea, which consists of 2 scones, butter, strawberry conserve, and clotted cream. We found a place called the Mad Hatter Tearooms and had our cream tea there. I took a picture of this bit of fabulousness, but since you can't see mine I found a similar, less tasty picture.

Then we hit the shops. Lots of cheesy touristy stuff, but I got some postcards to send out. Then we went into Hartwells, Ironmongers and unusual gifts, and I saw the sign that said "Upstairs...blah blah blah RECORDS" I bolted to find the stairs and climbed them in excitement to find BOXES of LPs and 45s. My American mind screamed "These are ALL imports to ME!" I managed to find an Erasure, two Yazoo and a Depeche Mode LPs! Sweet...and I found the ultimate in cheese...a salt and pepper shaker set that are a red phone booth and a post box. I love them.

We came back home to have Chili made by B_...absolutely fabulous. When I sat down to type this a double rainbow appeared. I got pictures of those too...yeah, you know the drill...

Tomorrow is the hometown of Shakespeare...Stratford-upon-Avon.

DAILY DAVID

Day 4

2009-07-05T12:40:00.000-07:00

Today I did not wake up at the complete crack of dawn...I think it was 7:30 am this morning?

Thank goodness B_ read my blog, I was able to conquer one of my electronics problem. I was able to use their Apple charger to charge my IPod, that problem solved. We tried a bunch of different ways to download my photos to preserve them in case something bad happens...like I were to delete all my pictures...not that I know anyone who that has happened to, right J_? But I think we will continue to work on that before I got to Northampton for class.

C_ and I went to Quainton and walked around the village and went to the windmill. There was a great guy there who knew EVERYTHING about that windmill and the village of Quainton. I cost a mere pound to climb to the top (and I do mean climb, the top four floors were kinda a ladder type stairs). The view was beautiful and I was able to discover how a windmill actually works...although C_ and I couldn't work out how anyone every came up with the idea of a windmill in the first place.

The village was beautiful and I got loads of pictures of both...you might see them one day. On the thatched roofed houses there are these animals made out of straw. I had only ever seen birds on my last visit. Today in Quainton I got to see a straw cat...whiskers and all!

Being the American I am when I saw the bricks on a duplex declaring "17" and "22" I thought how cool...the house numbers are in the wall in brick. No dumbass, that would be 1722, the year it was built. You know, older than my country...

We came back the the house for lunch...ham and cheese sandwiches, salad with salad cream (kinda like Miracle Whip) and Roast chicken flavored crisps (that's potato chips). Very yummy.

Then we headed out to Waddesdon Manor. While the morning was gorgeous, the sky was getting ever blacker as we got nearer the manor. By the time we got parked it was pouring down rain. Not lame-o Southern California warm mist they call rain...I mean "so-cold-is-this-really-summer?-rain" and the parking lot wasn't very close to the manor house. C_ got us both in for free flashing her and her husband's National trust cards. We ended up getting the audiotour because there was nothing written to tell you what was in the rooms. By the last three rooms we got a bit burnt out and stopped listening. By the time we were done the sun was out and we were able to visit the gardens and aviary.

We had roast lamb with carrots, peas, cabbage, roast potatoes, gravy, and mint sauce. FANTASTIC and a nice Primativo wine called Pillastro from Puglia, Italy. Also tasty. And tonight while I type I am having my first cup of Red Bush Rooibus Tea, vey good. And people say British food isn't good!?! What are they having?

Tomorrow C_ and I are going to Bourton-On-The-Water in the Cotswolds where we are going to go to Birdland. No other set plans for the day, but it will be spent in Bourton.

Even though I can't share my pictures with you, C_ and B_ had a nice picture of their place, taken from the back garden.

The west wing is mine!

DAILY DAVID

Day 3

2009-07-04T15:07:00.001-07:00

July 4th...Independence Day in the UK

I woke up at the dawn of crack what, 5:30 6 am and could not go back to sleep? But I was able to get some reading done for my class...so that was good. I doubt I will get up so early tomorrow morning.

It was a very nice day. We didn't really rush around or anything and we got to the Hollowell Steam and Heavy Horse Show about...11am? It was basically like a country fair with cars and steam engines. We wandered around all the vender stalls and we looked at a ton of old cars and antique steam engines.

We caught an act in the main arena which was called "Dancing Digger" which was a guy doing stunts in a huge backhoe. I was highly impressed. I was also able to try a Welsh Apple Cider from a Brewery named Gwynt y Ddraig. I asked for the driest cider they had and the man offered up one call Yarlington Mill. I really liked it, it had a wonderful aftertaste and it got better as you went along.

We had fish and chips for lunch which was very good. Oh, and I also tried a Gooseberry flavored yogurt, fabulously tart!

Near the beer stall we watch the Bacteria Acid Samba Band play. Basically a crew of about 20 people all playing different percussion equipment. I got some video of them playing.

In fact, I took a lot of nice pictures and video I would love to share with you, however technology has not been my bitch today. Nothing I plug into the UBS ports on my computer is recognized. That means I can't download my pictures and I can't recharge my IPod...I am highly miffed. I can only assume it is the power conversion? Then I got a chance to call mom on the cell phone my friends set up for me. One of those pay as you go things. Yeah, it only had 10 pounds on it to begin with...I'd done some texting and whatnot. The phone quit while I was finishing my call with mom. Unless I used more money than I thought on the texts, that international call was nearly a pound a minute. Not cool. Sorry mom, guess we won't be talking much.

SO now my IPod and phone are dead...oh and my US cell phone is also dead. Apparently I left it on during the flight and the battery ran out. I don't know what I am going to do about my ride home from the airport.

Tomorrow I am going to add more money to my phone and I am wondering if I can't make CD's of the pictures I am taking...maybe one a week...through a grocery store or pharmacy that would take the card out of the camera and read it? I don't know if this will work. There is no hope for the IPod while I am here, which is a bummer since I don't have songs on my laptop.

As for tomorrow's adventure...C_ and I are going to start the day at Quainton Windmill and then We'll have lunch at a pub and then head off to Waddesdon Manor. We need to go to the store for more camera batteries, nail polish, shave gel and I want to see about the photo thing.

Then we are going to have roast for dinner.

Which reminds me C_ and B_ decided we would have a cook-out tonight when I told them that's what we Americans do on the 4th. We had home made potato salad, steak, lamb, sausage and chicken and a garden salad. Very good.

I am fading, so I will type to you all tomorrow!

DAILY DAVID

Day 2

2009-07-03T13:48:00.000-07:00

Today, I woke up in America on Thursday, going to sleep in the UK on Friday.

Thank you C_ for taking me to the airport. Check in was super easy. My checked in bag weighed 47 odd pounds. So close to the 50 limit!

The flights weren't that bad. The nearly ten hour flight from San Francisco to London got old after about 5. I got up and walked around a couple of times. I felt so dried out.

But I am here at my friend's house, I have internet, all is well. Tomorrow I will go celebrate Indepence Day with the Brits. We are scheduled to go to Hollowell Steam and Heavy Horse Show> I think it will be fun!

OK, I need to stop now, because I am very close to incoherent.

DAILY DAVID

Day 1

2009-07-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

I am counting this as the first official day of my trip to England.

I woke up at 5:30am and I thought I wasn't going to be able to go back to sleep for awhile there I was so excited. I did manage to fall back asleep until 8:30 am. I am showered and dressed...the bags are packed. I am ready...just one tiny glitch...it is 9:43 am and I have hours to wait until I leave for the airport. I am so glad I knit, because I would probably go insane with the waiting.

I do have some things to do today...I need to go to the bank and deposit my first paycheck (YEA!) and then I must do my nails! No really, they are totally skank, I want to have nice nails on the trip. I am NOT taking nail polish with me (I can just see what that would look like all over the inside of the suitcase) But I figured I could get some when I got over.

BAH! I am so excited I can't believe this day is finally here!

I would like to thank C_ for blocking my cardigan so I could take it on the trip and look fabulous (that is when it isn't 90 degrees) and the fact that she is taking me to the airport! Hooray!

Everyone keep your fingers crossed for me that one hour will be enough for me to get my connecting flight in San Francisco. I hate changing planes and I apparently need something to worry about and I have chosen this to be my "thing" for the next bit. I am sure I will find something new after I make my connecting flight.

I hope I have enough to keep me busy on my flight...I have a cryptograms book, Fill-ins book, a Sudoko book, two different knitting projects, a Doctor Who magazine, a Doctor Who book, my textbook (you know I am going to be riveted to that!) a Charlaine Harris novel, my IPod...is that enough for ten hours? Hahahahaha

I know this update is early in the day, but I probably won't have internet access until Friday afternoon...UK time. So, the next time I post it will be from across the pond!

DAILY DAVID

Tamed!

2009-06-29T19:12:00.000-07:00

The yarn of satan has now been tamed...nanny, nanny, boo, boo!

This is a fabulous lace pattern for this yarn! HOORAY! It may have redeemed itself enough to be brought to England with me...maybe...we shall see. I can honestly say I am getting enjoyment out of the project now.

The pattern is Airy Shawl by Jojoland. I am also using the Jojoland yarn asked for in the pattern. Although my colors will be different (mine is a brown to blue colorway) here is what the finished shawl had better look like:

No other knitting news to report!

DAILY DAVID

Yarn of SATAN!

2009-06-26T15:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this morning I woke up early, couldn't go back to sleep so I decided to work on the shawl from hell...I will conquer you biotch *shakes fist* Yeah, I don't know how long I worked on the shawl and I stopped and looked at it, it was totally jacked. I gave up, amputated what I had knit so far and decided to find an easier pattern at the store today

So Miss S_ helps me find a pattern for this cobweb yarn, grab the yarn and the size needles it says on the PATTERN and I begin. Well, not right away, for me the math wasn't matching the stitch number blah blah blah anyway M_ and D_ helped me figure it out and I began. What 11 o'clock? Fast forward to nearly 3pm. Things are going way to well, I should have expected failure...

A woman came into the store and wanted to knit the same shawl. They are reading the TAG and I discover to my horror that the displayed shawl was knit on larger needles. I am a big girl and I need all the size I can get on pattern. I didn't need to be making one smaller than the original! Craptastic.

So guess what...I am starting over AGAIN. Now I am convinced that it is the yarn and not the pattern that is the bringer of evil. I am still determined to make a shawl out of this yarn.

Bring it, yarn! I am going to open up a can of whoop ass on you!

DAILY DAVID

Lookie!

2009-06-25T22:38:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of me in the crazy get-up I wore on Worldwide knitting in public day.

Thanks, Pia for sending that along to me!

I haven't knit very much since my flurry of knitting to finish my blousen and my cardigan. I am working on a pair of socks that I created a pattern for. It is easy enough to be, well, easy, but I do have to pay attention to make sure I don't mess up the pattern. It will be going with me to England.

I am also working on another shawl from hell. I don't know why I continue to torture myself with lace pattern shawls. This one steals the cake...not only have I started over, what 3 or 4 times now? But it is knit using that uber thin cobweb yarn. Yes, it is what it sounds like. I am a complete nutter to even attempt it. But I am determined to make pretty lace like everyone else can seem to do. I will either defeat it, or it will completely defeat me...I am not taking it to England, it is too evil and does not deserve a free trip to another country.

AND, the votes are in...you all want me to journal about my time in England, so starting July 2nd you will be hearing about my trip and my knitting!

DAILY DAVID

Yeah, that is so me in a black wig!

Worldwide Knitting in Public Day!

2009-06-13T21:19:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrated Worldwide knitting in Public Day!

We had so much fun. We had tons of people, tons of knitting, tons of food and tons of fun!

Here is my photo album of the day:

Knitting in Public Photos

I am wiped, so no more words...

DAILY DAVID

FINISHED!

2009-06-12T22:13:00.000-07:00

I have two lovely finished articles of clothing...YEA!

The first is my cardigan...Thanks to The Diva I was able to fix and finish the sleeves of the cardigan. I love it. Here are some pictures:

I have also finished and gotten some pictures of my finished top:

I will be wearing the above top tomorrow during the worldwide knitting in public day celebration at my local yarn store. I think it is going to be really fun and I am going to bring my camera, so maybe you shall see...

This is my current project I have worked on most of this weekend...a sock pattern I created and I am called the Big Rib Sock. I saw something similar on Ravelry, but it was a pattern for machine knitting. So I looked at it and tried to do something close to it in hand knitting. I am loving the results and working with this yarn I have never used before called Schachenmayr nomotta Regia Silk Color...yeah, that is really the name. Here is the result so far:

This is probably what I will knit on tomorrow.

DAILY DAVID

Well, kinda...

2009-06-04T17:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I kinda finished my cardigan...however, Houston, we have a problem...

All the elements came together great, the knitting looks good...BUT

The sleeves are too short, by maybe 2 inches? I *think* I know how to fix the problem. This would mean undoing the i-cord cast on and then knitting from the cast on edge and then casting off in an i-cord. I must discuss this with the Diva tomorrow. I hope my idea works or this could be an extreme pain in the anus to fix.

I have also almost finished the Blousen shirt I am working on. All I have left is the front bottom panel to finish knitting. I have clipped the rest of the pieces together and I think it will look really good when finished.

I have also been asked by a friend, L_ to knit a blanket for her. Despite it not being "blanket" weather, I am going to go at it with gusto when I get the materials.

I have decided to knit wrist warmers and socks during my time in the UK.

Speaking of the UK...I am making a poll. Would you all want me to journal my trip to England in this blog? Or would you all rather I created a separate blog for my trip and keep this only knitting?

Please vote!

DAILY DAVID:

FREEDOM!

2009-05-18T19:43:00.001-07:00

Yes, Pammie's knitting journal readers...I have no officially finished my first YEAR of graduate school at the University of San Diego!!!!!!

I. CAN. KNIT. AGAIN.

I started knitting again an hour after I finished and turned in my last assignment. I am working on the yoke of my cardigan.

Did I mention that I finished the gauntlets?

That is all for now

DAILY DAVID

Knitting without Guilt!

2009-05-09T22:04:00.001-07:00

I finished the 2nd of the two gauntlets, they are now waiting to be sewn up the back...HOORAY

I also made a very big step in my knitting learning today. I finished the second sleeve on my cardigan today at the yarn shop! Then came the time to connect the sleeves to the body. The Diva saved me from a potential mess as I skipped a paragraph in the instructions and would have added the sleeves on wrong if I hadn't been in the store. THANK YOU Diva!

So I am now knitting the sleeves and sweaters in the round together in preparation for starting the patterned yoke. I am excited and nervous. As you may or may not know, I have never made a sweater for myself...let alone one with sleeves...so this is big for Pammie. I think I am ready, though. If I sit and focus and read the instructions, I understand what I need to do to make it work. I also think the instructions are well written. THE PATTERN

In case you forget, this is the cardigan I am making, but mine is in a chocolate brown:

I am really looking forward to getting to the pattern on the yoke of the sweater.

I felt guilt free spending my hours at the yarn store today. I spent about 3 or 4 hours today working on my Human Sexuality class final today. Tomorrow I would like to complete my reports on some client interviews...with a large smattering of knitting during the day...

And of course I am going to be calling THE BEST MOM IN THE WHOLE OF THE UNIVERSE to wish her a Happy Mother's Day!

I LOVE YOU, MOMMY!

DAILY DAVID

Knit Fix!

2009-05-06T21:04:00.000-07:00

I went to Knitter's Anonymous tonight at my local yarn store. I don't know which was more enjoyable...actually knitting again for the first time in like, 2 weeks? Or getting to chat with my knitting buds. I feel so refreshed! This is so what I needed at the end of the semester.

I worked on the second of two gauntlets I last worked on in maybe January? Here is the first one. I cast on tonight and got all the way to the thumb gusset...I was on fire.

I want to finish them by Saturday so I can get some help at the yarn store sewing up the side.

I still have my Blouson to finish...have I shown you all some of the parts laid out?

Here is what the top will look like when it is finished:

Everyone who is anyone at my local yarn store is making this top...LOL...I am making it using Berroco Comfort and Comfort DK.

After I finish the gauntlets I absolutely MUST get back to my commissioned pieces. A BIG sorry to those people who are waiting from knitting from me. *hangs head in shame*

I MUST KNIT MORE FOR MY MENTAL HEALTH

DAILY DAVID

Emergency Knitting

2009-04-05T00:10:00.000-07:00

OK, well, I don't really know of a situation where knitting is an emergency...but my mom asked me to make some dishcloths for an acquaintance...turn around time is ten days from getting the request on Thursday night to getting them to Georgia. So I began the "Emergency" knitting...I managed to knit two quick dishcloths on Friday. I am hoping to get them out in the mail on Monday. They aren't the most exciting thing in the knitting world. But here are the pictures:

I also FINALLY committed to finishing the straps on this bag I have had done for months. I don't know, you can ask the ladies I knit with. They weren't pleased with them, I don't know if I am pleased with the finished results...the bag itself is beautiful and some great knitting on my part, but...

I need to get crackin on ongoing projects...

DAILY DAVID

Hmmm.

2009-04-01T17:54:00.000-07:00

I'll admit it...I haven't been knitting a lot lately. I have been focusing my energy in the land of my computer. I have been trying to update and recover my I-Tunes library. (I lost my I-Tunes library in December, then had over 100 CDs stolen the next month) I have always been a bit, um, obsessive with my I-Tunes. I like to have it a certain way, every song needs an album cover, I like to have very specific, cutely named playlists...blah, blah, blah...so I have been working on this a lot lately...simply because I can't stand the chaos any longer.

I have a lot of projects on the needles and nothing that is exciting me so much that I MUST knit.

I have however, recently taken the time to organize my stash. I broke out the gallon ziplock bags and organized my stash yarn into projects. I also pulled all the leftovers and acrylic yarn I basically only use to knit daleks now from the rest of my stash. That all lives in the crafts closet now and my stash now fits easily into two rubbermaid containers. Me likey organization!

So that's what has been up with my yarn lately...

DAILY DAVID

I am knitting

2009-03-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

I have been knitting, I just haven't been finishing things. I have no idea...am I getting bored with projects before I finish them?

I have a hat for a friend that is all knitted it just needs the finishing touches

Two pairs of wrist warmers.

I have been farting around with a shawl pattern, I have to keep ripping it out. I think I just have a mental block on lace patterns.

I finished a purse recently, well two actually, but they both need to be lined before I use them. This they live in limbo.

I just started a scarf with an interesting pattern that could be used in lots of different projects.

I have actually finished a project my friend's Pittsburgh Steelers Dalek, "Steel." Here he is:

I hope to add more soon...

DAILY DAVID

Destry the Dalek!

2009-02-20T21:06:00.000-08:00

I do have a picture of my latest Dalek...Destry, so named by his adoptive father. And it show me and my friend, L_ together.

Thanks, Louis for the photo!

I feel like I got a LOT of knitting done at the store today. It just seemed like a really nice day. sigh...nice

DAILY DAVID

Gallifrey 2009

2009-02-17T10:31:00.000-08:00

I DID get some knitting done this weekend. I always had it in my bag...

I got A LOT done on my cardigan. It was just some easy and brainless knitting I could do during panels and talking to friends, waiting in lines. Nice.

I also finally, after over a year...made and completed an Adipose for my friend L_. We were going to do some things on Monday in San Diego before she left for home, but it was POURING down rain most of the day, so we stayed in and visited. During that time I was able to finish the Adipose I started for her at Gallifrey. Yeah, I forgot to get a picture of it.

Also finished and gave Don his dalek this weekend at the convention. Carrying that knitted dalek around Gallifrey was like carrying a baby around. Everyone wanted to come up, see it and hold it...LOL A lot quieter than a real baby! Of course, I did not get a picture of Don's dalek either. DUH. But I asked him for a picture, so there may be something posted soon.

I got to meet a number of people I have met on line through the Doctor Who Forum and Ravelry knitting site. I can not TELL you how much I enjoyed knitting with fellow Doctor Who fans...FABULOUS. Talking yarn AND Doctor Who at the same time was incrediable!!!

I picked up some yarn from K_ to make her some of the Rose wrist warmers.

Here are some pictures from Gallifrey:

The ladies from Ravelry unite through knitting!

Me and the TARDIS and my scarf!

Some of the lovely ladies I met at Gallifrey

Me and Colin Baker...Doctor #6

DAILY DAVID

Long Time?

2009-02-09T14:58:00.000-08:00

I have been knitting, actually knitting quite a lot, but I haven't really been able to take and post pictures. So I decided to bite the bullet and buy a digital camera. Nothing mega fancy, but it is SO much better than the different older model cameras I have been rotating, trying to get pictures. It was less than $100 and I think it is going to be great. I didn't just buy the camera to take pictures of my knitting. Gallifrey 2009 (the Doctor Who convention) is this coming weekend. And let's not forget I am going to England this summer, so now is the time.

Here are the picture updates of my projects.

I have finished the knitting on the mitered bag. It still needs to have the framework and handles added. Then it will need to have a lining inside. This is an in house pattern from my local yarn store and I knit it out of Noro Taiyo, the new, soft Noro.

I have also begun J_'s hat which will match the wrist warmers I made for her. This is one the beginning and it is very slow going. Not sure why? I think it is because the needle size is a US 2 and I am double stranding a DK weight yarn. The pattern calls for a size US 5 needle, but in order to get the gauge I had to go to a US 2. Me thinks the pattern creator is a tight knitter? Here is the pattern. This is the brim.

I have also knit something small for myself. I have had this project squirreled away for awhile and I needed something different to do other than my cardigan. So I have been making these gauntlets. I have one done, not yet sewn...in my favorite color in the universe. I am using the Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK. The pattern is in the Fall 2004 "Knit.1" Vogue Knitting Magazine.

I have also made progress on my cardigan...it doesn't look like much, but it really is...

I also popped out this project in an evening. I did the stereotypical knitting project...I made a toilet paper roll cozy. Yes, I DID! Shut up and stop laughing. I have wanted to have an extra roll sitting out and with the pressure of my friend coming into town tomorrow, I wanted to get it done. I found some left over
Dark Horse Yarns Fantasy in light blue and white that could go in my bathroom. I have fantasies of adapting the pattern to cover the wet wipes container which also sits on the back of the toilet.

Still working on the two daleks and I would like to make my friend L_ an Adipose while she is visiting.

DAILY DAVID

What I have been knitting on...

2009-01-25T09:17:00.000-08:00

Here is the stuff I have been working on:

I am making a Pittsburgh Steelers dalek for my friend J_. Here is what it looks like so far:

Here is the New Series Dalek I am making for D_. This dalek is going to be delivered at Gallifrey:

Here is the dalek scarf I have begun to create:

Since I got my crap stolen, I decided to use some of that money toward a knitting class with the Diva. I love her classes and I always learn a lot. The class I am taking is to make a purse with mitered squares. I fell in love with it when I saw it and it was also an excuse to use the Noro Taiyo, cotton/silk/wool/nylon blend yarn, which is probably the softest Noro to date. I love Noro colors, but so many of their yarns are SO scratchy. The colors are crazy, but I don't know, I just fell in love with the colorway. Here is what I have done so far:

Then here is what I have done on my cardigan. It is about 4 inches done out of 16 before I start the sleeves, but there it is... I am loving the chocolate color and I like the Katia yarn

I think that is about it...other than a bit of sexy

DAILY DAVID

Stick a fork in the knitting

2009-01-19T21:50:00.000-08:00

OK, so I give at trying to make gifties for the guests at Gallifrey. I thought it would be nice, but I just don't have the time and I have other knitting I would like to do more.

First, I need to get back on the dalek band wagon. I have a number still left to make people. And I have now committed to making J_ a Pittsburgh Steelers dalek. I was even able to get a small patch to put on it. You shall see, it will be cool.

I have also been commissioned to make a hat to match the wristwarmers I made for J_. Here is what the finished wristwarmers looked like.

I have also begun to knit the caridgan for myself. It is very smooth sailing so far and since I have to knit 16 inches in stockinette stitch, it is an easy, mindless project so far. It is when the pattern and sleeves hit, that is when the "fun" will begin.

I would also like to get started back on my entrelac afghan. It has been calling to me when I have been fluttering around my apartment cleaning. It says...KNIT ME

As most of you probably already know, I am going to be studying abroad in England this summer. I have heard of others searching out yarn stores on their travels. Well, I have found THE yarn store I must visit. It is called I Knit and it is in downtown London near Big Ben and Parliment. Not only does it have a large selection of yarns from across the UK, but it boasts "we are proud to be the only knitting shop in the UK with a licenced bar, so wind down with us and a glass of wine/beer/cider or just fizzy pop." OH YEAH a pint of cider AND yarn fondling in the same place...it might be too much for me...

So there you go...one full week of freedom before classes start again...

DAILY DAVID

Oh NO!

2009-01-05T19:05:00.000-08:00

So I was talking to one of my Doctor Who friends this week and something was said to the effect of going to Gallifrey (Doctor Who Convention) next month. NEXT MONTH...OH NO! I had all these grand plans of what I was going to have knit by Gallifrey. I was going to have all these gifties done and now I don't know if I will. I have at least 4 gifties I wanted to have made. Yeah...

I also am DYING to start my cartegan for myself, along with some other stuff.

But enough talking...I think I am going to knit!

DAILY DAVID

What I have been knitting...

2009-01-02T08:03:00.000-08:00

Here is the hedgehog I made for my niece:

Here is the surfer koala I made for my nephew:

My Dalek wash cloth:

I am now making a scarf with the dalek from the wash cloth pattern on each end for one of the Who guests going to Gallifrey 2009.

Here are the cheneille pot holder's I made for my sister-in-law:

Halfway done with J_'s wrist warmers.

I think that is about it?

DAILY DAVID

Knitting like a crack monkey!

2008-12-24T13:31:00.000-08:00

So I have been able to knit...

I knit a lot on my trip from San Diego to Atlanta. I started and finished a Dalek washcloth. Yes, I was selfish, but as SOON as I saw this pattern I KNEW I had to make one ASAP, it was a knitting emergency. Here is the pattern It is so fabulous and from the same woman responsible for the knitted stuffed dalek. I will now be knitting daleks on EVERYTHING...just so you know.

I got a lot done on J_'s wrist warmers. They look so much better now, and I feel better about them.

I have spent most of my time working on the toys for my niece and nephew. I finished my nephew's surfer koala with surf board this morning. I am now focusing my knitting energies on finishing my niece's hedgehog. I hit a road bump, but I was visiting with the two ladies who got me started into knitting on Monday, so we got that issue all cleared up.

Nearly had a crafting melt down when my mom and I went to Michael's and they had no pop on eye balls. Then we went to Jo Ann's and the woman told us she didn't think they had any either. Thankfully, they had some eyes and noses still on the rack. Perfect for the koala and hedgehog.

I also started another head scarf for my mom and I think that is about it.

I didn't bring my camera, so pictures will be coming after Christmas when I get a CD of the pictures mom and I have taken over the Christmas holidays.

DAILY DAVID

Sigh

2008-12-18T19:41:00.000-08:00

Well, I have been finished with my classes for a week now, but I did do my first counseling sessions with real clients this week! It went so much better than I expected and I feel really energized about seeing clients in the future. So finals and counseling is my excuse for not getting a lot of knitting done this month.

I have almost completed the koala for my nephew. I completed all the pieces of bear and started to make the shorts and realized, to my horror, that I knit the koala on the smaller size needles intended for the shorts. (insert eye roll here) So that means the koala is smaller than it really should be. By initial reaction was to to start the whole thing over on the right sized needles, but my mom and knitting buds convinced me to finish him the way he is. I only have one more leg of his shorts to finish. I am trying to save room in my luggage, so the koala will make the trip in pieces in my bag and I will stitch and stuff him at home.

I bought the yarn for my niece's hedgehog this weekend. I have a mind blowing 4 rows of stitches done on that one...SHUT UP and STOP LAUGHING.

I did finish two pot holders for my sister-in-law, made out of burgundy and black chenille. Those look good...and mom's gift is packed.

I finished the blue/purple/teal arm warmers, commissioned by a friend of a friend...YEAH

I was making another pair of Rose's wrist warmers for one of my Doctor Who buddies. I was all the way to the thumb gusset and I just could not continue. It is knit in the round, and because of where the design was on the needle it was making a huge "ladder" in the front of the design. I could not give that to a friend...I ripped it out yesterday and repositioned the design on the needles...I am know halfway done with the original wrist warmer. If you are reading this, sorry J_, I know you'd love to have them right now, but I couldn't give it to you the way it was.

I don't know what is up with me and knitting. I find myself sitting and watching TV for hours and farting around on the computer, with no knitting being done. I don't know why this is happening. I don't know if this is caused by grad school or what?

I am hoping to get my knitting jig ON while I am at home for Christmas, I think I have about 4 knitting projects tucked away in my bag...and mean, really, who need clothes when you have knitting?

DAILY DAVID

Checkin' my list!

2008-12-02T10:06:00.001-08:00

Been finishing off a lot of knitting this week, since I have been slacking with my school work, why not?

Finished the two Adipose (check)

Here is the whole knitted Doctor Who family before they went in the box for their trip across the pond for Christmas.

Also got some things felted when I went to L_'s house for Thanksgiving...thank you L_. So the yellow/blue skull fauxhawk was felted and given to it's owner on Thanksgiving day (no picture, I forgot), and my mom's Christmas gift (no WAY you're going to see it, mom)...COMPLETED. (check & check)

I started the surfer koala for my nephew last Friday. The parts have been very quick and easy to knit up, I have both his legs, his tummy and his back done. I have a feeling it is REALLY not going to be fun to sew him together, but such is life...the knitting is the fun part, all us knitters know that. AND, thanks to the ladies at the yarn shop, I now know how I am going to make him a little surf board. I am going to cut one out of those foam sheets you can buy at craft stores and then probably put some stickers on it.

I have two pairs of wrist warmers going on at the same time, one with a due date of December 10th.

Then I still have to start the hedgehog and get some dishcloths done, but I do have that glorious time between my last final (Dec 1o) and Christmas to do that!

I think I might just be able to pull this off!

DAILY DAVID

Overwhelmed

2008-11-25T01:18:00.000-08:00

I am overwhelmed by the amount of knitting I have commited myself to do before the Christmas Holidays. I am not going to go into detail, just listing:

2 Adipose stuffed toys
1 surfer koala stuffed toy
1 hedgehog stuffed toy
2 pairs of wrist warmers
1 present for mom
1+ dish cloths for my sister-in-law

When I get under this kind of knitting pressure, it makes it not fun anymore...know what I mean? I just look over at my knitting basket and feel so overwhelmed I don't want to work on anything.

I did do about 70% of one Adipose today and mom's gift is almost done. I need to be finished both Adipose by the end of the week and be working on both pairs of arm warmers. I will have almost 2 weeks between the end of class and CHristmas to finish the other stuff.

I *think* I can get it all done. I will be quite disappointed in myself if I can't.

Knitting should NOT equal stress...this is fun, damn it!

DAILY DAVID:

Stuff I'm making!

2008-11-15T22:25:00.000-08:00

So I finally got off my butt and took some pictures of what I have been knitting.

Here is the nearly finished waffle ribbed scarf.

I don't know who it is for or what I will do with it, but I wanted to try that pattern, use that gifted yarn and knit something while I was hurting.

I also don't think I ever showed off my finished circle sock. I have begun the second sock, but it is way down on the finish list.

I Have also nearly completed my mom's Christmas gift. Sorry NO pictures until after Christmas...unless you have access to Ravelry.com and can see it posted on my account.

I have started a pair of wristwarmers for one of my internet buds. She even went out and bought the yarn for me Jaeger Extra Fine Merino. It is a nice yarn and it is really knitting up well.

I still have to start my niece and nephew's Christmas gifts. Here are pictures of what I am making them...

For my nephew I am making this surfer koala

For my niece I am making a brightly colored hedgehog, like this, just different colors:

I am SO glad to be able to knit without pain. I have been trying to be gentle with the left hand and L_ has shown me some of her PT exercises she got for her wrist. I am also still sleeping in the brace. Keep your fingers crossed, because I can NOT burn out my wrist again before Christmas.

DAILY DAVID

YEA!

2008-11-09T22:28:00.000-08:00

Thursday was the last day I had to wear my brace full time and my wrist/hand has been doing well! I have totally been able to knit without pain! HOORAY! Let the knitting commence!

I have been working on that Waffle Rib scarf. I really need to get a picture of it.

Been working on my mom's Christmas gift.

I have a commission to make some more of the Rose's wrist warmers.

I still have daleks and ADipose to knit.

I have christmas gifts for my niece and nephew

I hope there are enough days before Christmas!

DAILY DAVID

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

2008-10-30T16:50:00.000-07:00

So this is how I felt last night when I heard the news that David Tennant (of Daily David fame, seen on this blog) is leaving the role of the Doctor in Doctor Who after the 5 specials that will run in 2009.

In the light of a new day, I am doing better...as I have told most of my Who friends, it isn't so much that he is leaving the role of the Doctor it is my irrational fear that I will never see the man act again because he will be on stage exclusively in the UK.

As for knitting, you know, the reason I started this journal...I have done NONE since I left the shop last Friday. But I am going to the Friday morning group tomorrow, so I hope to knit some more then.

I have lots of knitted gifties in mind for the holidays so I hope I will be all healed up so I can knit like the wind!

DAILY DAVID

Crippled and slow

2008-10-27T09:54:00.000-07:00

So by Friday morning I had discovered a way to successfully knit, putting the needle between my index and middle fingers of my left hand! It ain't very fast, but it gets the job done.

I went through my stash and found some yarn that D_ gave me and I was going to make a scarf out of and went with that. Nice simple project.

There are two projects I am dying to work on. One is the cardigan for myself, the other is my mom's Christmas gift. I think I am going to have to wait until my hand is 100% to work on those. I am going to have to stick with scarves and dishcloths until I get back to normal...

Hey mom, how is your dishcloth stash?!

Oh, AND I e-mailed my doctor and he said I only have to wear the brace for 2 weeks solid and then we will see how it goes. Hooray!

So there is the dirt...

DAILY DAVID

Knitting can be dangerous

2008-10-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

Yes folks, everyone thinks that knitting, as a sport, would be as exciting as watching paint dry. Non-violent, healthy and relaxing. Well, I am here to tell you, you can get injured due to knitting.

I hadn't told most of my knitting buds or other friends, but my left thumb has been hurting me for a couple of weeks. I thought maybe I strained something, like putting my backpack on for school or, whatever. But the pain just wasn't going away and I became fearful that I was developing arthritis. After talking to my friend M_, she suggested it might be tendonitis.

Well, I went to the doctor today and yes, it is tendonitis and I now have an EXTREMELY sexy wrist/thumb brace I need to wear for about three weeks (I actually can't remember the exact time, I am going to e-mail the doctor tonight). This means...NO KNITTING while I have the brace...unless L_ can teach me her wrist brace knitting technique she has developed.

So yeah, this blog may be a bit empty for awhile.

DAILY DAVID

Pictures

2008-10-18T14:49:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures, finally...

Here is a picture of the finished pink dalek I made for a little girl. I think she is very pretty.

Here is my progress on the entrelac afghan:

Here is the finished baby sweater vest...remember a lot of this is due to C_ helping me finish this!

Here is a little camera bag I made our of left over cotton yarn:

See, I do still knit some!

DAILY DAVID:

Very little knitting

2008-10-17T00:30:00.000-07:00

I seem to vaguely remember this hobby that I used to have...I think it is called knitting. Something you do with yarn and two pointy sticks?! I don't know, I seem to remember enjoing doing it and finding it so relaxing. Now I live with readings and papers hovering over me. I feel guilty when I take the time to knit.

I am serious when I say that the only time I knit is when I knit at the yarn store. It is the only time I don't feel guilty.

I finished two things this past week at the yarn store. I finished the baby vest ONLY with the help of C_ and the Diva. C_ showed me how to pick up the stitched to make the ribbed collar and she showed how to do the mattress stitch, despite the fact that I sucked at it and ended up giving her the sweater vest to finish, in complete defeat. THANK SO MUCH C_. I couldn't have done it with out you!

I used the gift certificates I got for my birthday to buy yarn to make this UBER fab cardigan. My local yarn store just got this new yarn that was perfect for the project. I am excited about it, but I feel guilty even thinking about working on it

I also finished the yellow/blue fauxhawk...maybe I'll get a picture from L_ of the finished felted object so I can share it here. I am going to take a picture of sweater vest tomorrow.

Tomorrow is Friday, my day of knitting guilt free at the store. I am bringing the baby booties I need to finish and I am not sure what else. We shall see.

Pictures next entry?

DAILY DAVID

Update!

2008-09-30T20:38:00.000-07:00

It has been pointed out to me, by more than one source, that I have not been updating my knitting blog. Sadly, I haven't been doing that much knitting...school comes first.

Speaking of school, got my first major grade back today...an A...95! HOORAY! I think I am getting a handle on this school thing...

I am almost finished with the little baby sweater vest, I just have to sew up the sides and knit the ribbing on the arm holes. I *think* I did pretty well with the ribbing on the collar, we shall see. It is my goal to bring a finished sweater to the yarn store on Friday.

I started another dalek while I was reading my articles for class, when was that...Sunday? (Yes I can read and knit at the same time)

My entrelac afghan is continuing to grow, although I haven't worked on it since my friends came to visit from out of town the other weekend.

I am hoping my Thursday and Friday can be full of knitting this week...aka not a lot of homework.

Oh yes, I need to finish the blue and yellow fauxhawk hat. I wrote the directions on how to make the fauxhawk part on my excel spreadsheet and I don't seem to be able to open Excel files on my computer right now, so I will have to figure out the number from scratch again.

No pictures this time, I am too lazy to grab the camera...maybe this weekend?

DAILY DAVID

I want to get my hands in that hair!

Knitting?

2008-09-15T09:36:00.000-07:00

What is this thing called knitting? OK, so it wasn't quite that bad, but I think I actually did NO knitting for an entire WEEK...that is like an addict going cold turkey. At one point I actually fanatsized about knitting while I was reading for class. Yeah, it was that bad!

The first week of classes and orientations left me with little time to study let alone knit. I HAD to put the needles aside to get my homework done. Hey, even I have priorities! But after that first wave of homework things have settled down considerably. I CAN KNIT.

So I have been working on a few things...

I finished the back of the baby sweater I am knitting and began the front. I finished the knitting on the blue/yellow skull fauxhawk and have made a start on the fauxhawk part.

I have also been working on the the entrelac afghan. Here is how it looks now:

I love's it.

I have also managed to make a new pair of armwarmers for myself. I have been wearing my Rose's wristwarmers in class because I have been cold. Here are the Rose's wristwarmers.

THey are great, and I love them, but they are a little short, leaving a good 2 to 3 inches of arm below my elbow, nekkid...exposed...cold. So I decided to make some longer wristwarmers. I used the pattern I used for B_'s armwarmers, added a thumb and they they were.

Done in a weekend so I can wear them in class today. I won't lie, I knit them WHILE I was reading for class. Yeah, I can read and knit at the same time...especially when the pattern is a simple stockinette stitch in the round. I used the Cascade 220 Superwash wool leftover from David Tennant's dalek! They should be nice and warm.

SOme people have asked. David's dalek went into the mail the week before I started school. We shall see how long it will take to get a response!

DAILY DAVID:

A Girl and Her Fauxhawk

2008-09-02T08:58:00.001-07:00

I have pictures of the first finished skull fauxhawk hat and its new owner.

Great, huh? I absolutely LOVE it!

Got a decent amount of knitting done this Labor Day weekend...

I FINISHED the Clapotis shawl...loverly! I will probably take a picture of it and post it here before I block it.

I also finished the shell and appendages of the pink dalek. Now I have to start stuffing and complete the base. I will add a picture later.

I have helped my friend, J_ start a new knitting project. Now that she is married she can finally knit her man something. Her husband is a HUGE Pittsburgh Steelers fan, so I got her started on a yellow and black hat for him to wear. She is the tighest knitter I have EVER come across...and I don't know how to help her make it better...sigh...

Today is the orientation for my major at the University of San Diego. Yeah, I SEARCHED for a backpack that had two large pockets so I could bring my knitting with me to school. I can't imagine being without it. I have packed the second skull fauxhawk for today.

Wish me luck!

DAILY DAVID

So many projects...

2008-08-26T15:53:00.000-07:00

So few hands!

I finished all my projects for the Ravelympics before the Closing Ceremony on Sunday. The final project was the drop stitch scarf. Here it is all finished:

Right now I have A LOT of projects all going at the same time, so I decided to take pictures of them...

The first is the blue/yellow/white skull fauxhawk hat. I am almost done knitting the second half and that means cutting and tying on the hawk part is in my near future. Here is a picture of the finished side:

Here is what I have done on the baby sweater vest. The Baby Bamboo yarn is a DREAM to work with, the pattern is easy to understand and it has been easier than I thought to do...I think I might do more clothing items!

Let's not forget the crack like effects of knitting the Clapotis. Still loving that, I am just over halfway done with that:

I have also started two other NEW projects, cause I don't have enough...

I FINALLY decided what to do with all the WONDERFUL Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky yarn I have been gifted by my knitting buddies. I am going to make an entrelac afghan out of it. Nothing like a nice warm and heavy wool and mohair afghan when it is over 90 outside. This is what I have done so far:

Finally, there is yet ANOTHER dalek. This one is for a little girl and I can't remember if I was just told to make it girlie or told to use pink, but I am making a pink on pink dalek. I basically just cast on today. I love this one already. It reminds me of that Frankenberry cereal, do they still make that?

We absolutely CAN NOT forget THE Shawl. Miss C_ personally came over to my apartment on Monday to show me how to block it. She helped me SO much...thank you, C_. Not only did she show me how, but I think she did like 3/4s of it. But now that I know how, I will be able to block the clapotis all by myself! Here is THE shawl, blocked and drying...

DAILY DAVID

Clapotis is CRACK!

2008-08-18T13:46:00.000-07:00

Done a LOT of knitting this weekend.

I finished another Adipose for a friend of mine. I think they are getting cuter and cuter as I make them.

I felted the red/black/white skull fauxhawk and was there to see when the girl got it. Yeah, she loved it, it was awesome and it fit her head great! Pictures of her wearing her new fauxhawk should be on their way shortly.

I have done a lot of work on my third Ravelympics project, the Drop stitch scarf. I have probably completed 60 to 70 % of the scarf. This is what it looked like in the beginning.

I finished one side of the blue/yellow/white skull fauxhawk. I was almost finished with the second side when I realized I had made a horrible mistake, about a quarter of the way into the thing, I ended up ripping out the whole second side. VERY discouraging and I admit, I haven't picked it back up.

I did however begin knitting THE Clapotis. It is a pattern that has been VERY popular in the knitting world. It is basically a shawl/scarf kinda thing with a lovely, simple pattern. I am making it from yarn donated from one of my friends. When I told her she laughed ahs said that the Clapotis is what she bought the yarn for.

Knitting the Clapotis is HIGHLY addictive. It is a fairly easy pattern to get into the rythm of and it is one of the those "just-one-more-row-and-I'll-stop" kinda things. Crack, it is knitting crack!

Have I mentioned I have been commissioned to make a baby sweater vest? It will be a first of MANY, first clothing item and first baby clothing item. We shall see...the yarn is gorgeous and the sweater is cute as a button! I hope to start it this week!

SO now I want to go...and knit on my Clapotis...

DAILY DAVID

Second Olympic item finished

2008-08-14T18:59:00.000-07:00

I finished my second WIP Wrestling project for the Ravelympics. I FINALLY finished my Doctor Who inspired Rose's wrist warmers. I have had one done for months, but I finally finished the second one today.

I also finished the first skull fauxhawk hat...now it just needs to be felted.

I finished my Davros toy weeks? ago and I don't think I ever posted pictures of him finished. I think he looks great...and I love him...more cuddly evil in my house!

I will probably start the second skull fauxhawk at my knitting group tomorrow. I also have one more project to finish for the Ravelympics and I am knitting an Adipose for someone. Let's not forget, I have to finish that other baby converse bootie. Then I have a number of other projects waiting in the wings.

DAILY DAVID

Go Team TARDIS!

2008-08-09T18:20:00.000-07:00

You are reading the blog of an OFFICIAL Ravelympics participant...aren't you excited?
More like confused, huh? The HUGE online knitting community, Ravelry has their own Olympics games! No Joke! And I am participating in some of the events.

OK, it is basically an excuse to knit, shocking, yes? So starting with the the OPening ceremonies of the Bejing olympics, the knittin begins. The knitting ends at the end of the Closing Ceremonies. There are all kinds of events like the Sock Put, Hat Dash, felting freestyle...etc. I have put three projects in the Work In Progress Wrestling, which means I am trying to finish three projects I had started before the Olympics.

Anyway, I am knitting for Team TARDIS, the Doctor Who fan team and I finished my first project today. I finished "Malabrigoness"...do you all remember this scarf? I had started doing the pattern wrong, ripped it out and started over again? I have it as being started in January. Here is the finished product...

I am also almost done with my first kids skull fauxhawk.

ALl that is left is the cutting and tying on the fauxhawk part, yeah...zzzzz, I will probably do that tomorrow, I am so not feeling it today.

And yes I said FIRST kids skull fauxhawk hat. I already have the yarn (blue, gold, white) to make a second kids skull fauxhawk.

I also finished and mailed out my friend, B_'s armwarmers. I sure hope they will be able to fit over her removable arm cast so she can walk around Seattle without feeling like a dork!

I think that is it?

DAILY DAVID

More knitting

2008-08-03T20:21:00.000-07:00

I finished the dalek I am knitting for David Tennant, I think he looks great.

And because I HAD to, I took a family photo of my knitted dalek, Blanche and my new series RC dalek with David's future dalek.

I am still working on B_ arm warmers. I have decided to make them the opposite of each other.

I have gotten a LOT done on the skull fauxhawk hat for L_'s niece. I think it is looking great.

I am also almost done with my knitted Davros. I was going to keep him under wraps until he was finished, but I can't help myself...I MUST share.

I think that is it right now, I admit, after Friday I haven't done much knitting. My dear sweet parakeet is sick and I am a bit too distracted to knit much...

DAILY DAVID

Knitting nutter

2008-07-27T19:20:00.000-07:00

So I have been knitting a lot and blogging, not so much.

In top knitting news...THE shawl is FINISHED...OK, so I need to weave in the ends and block, but the knitting is done. She is beautiful.

The picture doesn't do it justice since I had no patience to lay it out all nice...just pictorial proof it is finished.

I am still knitting daleks, like, DUH. Right now I have been commissioned by a group of David Tennant fans on the Doctor Who Forum to knit David Tennant a dalek. There is a whole nother blog about that here. This is what it looks like right now.

It is SO much nicer knitting a dalek out of the Cascade 220 than acrylic. The ladies at the yarn store thought he was the best looking dalek I have made. I hope David thinks so!

I also started a pair of arm warmers for my friend of 20 years, B_. Bless her, she has had a series of bicycle/falling accidents which leaves her now in a removable cast on her left hand and a crutch for her right leg...NO JOKE. Now this is the woman that got ME started in knitting in 1995 and she made a request of me. How could I say no? She wants to cover most of that cast on her arm with a pair of arm warmers.

She found the pattern and I will be her hands on this project. This is the pattern she picked Basically I will be using all those worsted weight left overs and creating the arm warmers. This is what I have done so far.

I like it, I hope she will. I am using a certain technique to choose the number of colors (8) and the number of stripes. It is called the Fibonacci number sequence. To learn more about that in knitting GO HERE.

So I have two plastic cups. One has pieces of paper with the numbers on them. The other cup has the color name on them. After each patch of color, I pick the next color/number from the cups and continue to knit. It is kinda fun knitting by chance, but still in a pattern.

Oh, and I have been commissioned to make another fauxhawk for a friend's niece. Now this is a little girl (age 9) after my own heart. She wants a red, black and white (sound familiar, mom?) fauxhawk with a skull on the side! I love it. I have picked a chart for the skull...I probably won't get to starting the actual knitting on it until this Friday.

Yeah, it's too bad I hate to knit so much...

DAILY DAVID

Update

2008-07-21T17:05:00.000-07:00

I finished the green dalek last night and it looks adorable. Now that I have made so many of these daleks for other people, I would love to have my own in these color schemes...this green is one I would like.

Cute, huh?

So that is about it today...

DAILY DAVID

Looky Here!

2008-07-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

Here is the shell of the lime green dalek I am making:

Snazzy color, huh? I just need to knit the appendages, stuff and knit up the base!

Here is the first fuschia I created for my bag. Now, keep in mind it is to be felted and it HAS NOT been felted yet.

And finally, a couple I worked with in Pennsylvania just had their first baby, a boy, a couple days ago. I have been meaning to start this project since I found out they were going to have a baby...yeah...I am on the ball.

All you knitters out there know how few cute patterns are out there for little boys. Well I found a pattern to knit baby booties that look like converse high tops!

I started on a couple times last night trying different yarns and needles. The pattern calls for worsted weight, but it looked like a bootie for a five year old...so I went to Berroco COmfort DK and I really like the results. I finished the first one at the yarn shop today!

Maybe I'll finish the second tomorrow at my fiberholics meeting...

DAILY DAVID

My Knitting

2008-07-15T17:18:00.000-07:00

So my knitting has suffered greatly over the past few weeks...

No sooner did my mom go back to Atlanta, than I had my great aunt and cousins visit in nearby Anaheim...I had to go spend time with them! Like, duh! Family first and we all had SO much fun together. So I haven't done A LOT of knitting, but I have been keeping the needles warm.

I finished another New Series dalek, named Francis. I completely FLAKED and did not even take a picture of him before I put him in the mail...DORK...but this is basically what he looks like.

Happliy, the person I made it for threw me a FABULOUS tip above the cost which ROCKS! I don't know if you read this blog, but THANK YOU.

I began a lime green and black dalek right when I received the yarn to make the dalek for David Tennant (See the DTAT Dalek for David blog link on the right). So there his yarn sits while I need to finish the current dalek. I am LOVING this green one...I love me some green and this one looks really nice.

I am also knitting an Adipose for a BBC project. I don't think I can really say what it is yet, but it needs to be done ASAP. I hope to finish it tonight and have it in the mail tomorrow.

I admit to feeling a bit overwhelmed right now with my projects. I am getting twitchy about them and I end up sitting and watching the TV and not knitting because there is so much to do...does that make sense?

DAILY DAVID

Doctor Who SQUEE!

2008-06-28T20:49:00.000-07:00

Making another new series dalek like this:

Mom and I went to the local yarn store today and we picked out the yarn for her fuchsia bag. I think it is going to be beautiful. I hope I can get it started before she goes home...but I think I want to wait to give it to her until her birthday.

OK...if you are:

a) A Doctor Who fan who lives in a cave somewhere who refuses to watch the episodes in sync with the UK release

b) Want to remain spoiler free

RUN, don't walk away from this post NOW because I am about to go crazy about episode 12 that aired in the UK earlier today
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All I have to say is WOW and the dalek love was fabulous! And my man is BACK...

DAVROS IS BACK and he was GREAT! See below:

Now I just have to knit him!!!! I am SO making a Davros, I have already fudged some patterns together to make a basic Davros...guess I'll make that in my spare time.

Daily David:

Fight the Fat

2008-06-25T21:41:00.000-07:00

I started and finished another Adipose yesterday. I don't know what I was smoking when I knit the first one, but this one actually LOOKs like it is suposed to.

Worked on THE shawl again last night.

I started another dalek, shock shock horror...

DAILY DAVID:

Another One

2008-06-24T12:34:00.000-07:00

I have finished another member of the dalek family. Meet the Florida Gator Dalek!

Cute, despite the color scheme (read Auburn colors)!

I am beginning to branch out now, the next "commission" for my Outpost Gallifrey friends in an Adispose. I didn't really like the way mine came out, so I hope this next one will be better.

Still got THE shawl on the needles, haven't finished up the Betsy Ross hat yet, and then there is the possibility of making mom a fuschia bag...

Daily David:

I is a knitter

2008-06-17T10:36:00.000-07:00

I finished another dalek this weekend, the one for a young football fan in the UK. He is in the colors of his favorite football team. Let me introduce you to...Dalek-Table

Do you get the name? Dalek-Table...say it together, quickly...yeah, I didn't get it either (a combination of an intelligent teenager and dumb adult- me). Now say "delectable"...get it? I thought it was brilliant after I got it.

Still working on THE shawl, it is really trucking along. I think it will be a perfect size for me when it is finished.

I have begun the Florida Gator dalek. This one is difficult, I mean, come on, I went to another SEC school (University of Alabama- ROLL TIDE!) and here I am making a rival themed dalek...and the same colors as Auburn. But see, this is where dalek love trumps school rivalries! (It's OK, you can hum "It's a Small World")

So many people who saw my last post really thought the Fuchsia bags looked great, including my mom. Looks like we will be buying some yarn to make mom a fuchsia bag when she gets here! Am I allowed to say, I am uber excited about my mom's visit. We don't actually go out and "DO" a lot, but we just enjoying being together. Ya know?

DAILY DAVID:

Fun!

2008-06-13T21:24:00.000-07:00

I had a lot of fun at the yarn store today...that is such a neat group of ladies that get together on Friday...I ended up staying from opening to closing...is that sad?

I have finished the first skein on THE shawl and then I decided to tackle one of the fuschia flowers. With some help from the Diva (really not reading on my part) I am one petal away from finishing my first flower...I love it! This bag is gonna ROCK!

Tomorrow, gas prices be damned, I am going to my Saturday knitting group! I think it has been a month since I have gone and I am missing the group...

DAILY DAVID:

Me Want, Me GOT!

2008-06-12T20:30:00.000-07:00

First off, THE shawl is now, officially halfway done and it looks beautiful!!! I will have to spread it out and take a picture. I am SO UBER pleased with it.

I now have my next personal (aka non-dalek) project lined up...

You see, I have coveted this bag since I first saw an example at my local yarn store. For some reason, I was under the impression that this pattern was only available in a book. book = $$$$ so I wasn't going to fork it out. Every now and then, I'd look longingly at the bag.

Why did I covet this bag? Because I LOVE fuchsia plants! And the fuchsias on these bags look fantastic.

So Wednesday night was the once monthly "meeting" of Knitter's Anonymous at my local yarn store. I was wandering around the store, yarn fondling, as I like to call it. And I look over on the book case and there is the fuchsia bag *sigh*...but WAIT, what is that behind the bag...is that THE PATTERN!?!?!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen...the pattern was there, in a small pamphlet, all by itself. My head began to spin...how can I make this bag?!? I must make this bag...I snatched a copy of the pattern from the stand, and although you might have to check with the other ladies who were in the store at the time, I do believe I might have also hugged and kissed the pattern.

My mind began to mentally sort through my yarn stash...yes, (thanks to Carol *kisses*) I have lots of Lamb's Pride bulky for the body of the bag...think, think, think...OOOOOHHHH pink and purple Cascade 220...I can adapt the pattern and make the fuchsia the pink/purple kind...that bag is as good as MINE!

Daleks are going well, it never fails that there is some sort of discussion on my Doctor Who message board and I end up getting more requests! LOL No JOKE I have at least 13 more lined up! And if that wasn't enough, I have chosen to do something completely crazy...

This is hard to explain, but the people I chat with the most on the Doctor Who forum started saying that I really should knit David Tennant (of my DAILY DAVID fame) his very own woolly dalek. This has now grown into a whole project where this group of fans are now going to sponsor me to knit THE man a dalek...*fans self* It will be some work, but it is also going to be a lot of fun for our little group and will help us to show David Tennant in a small (cuddly evil) kinda way how much we appreciate his acting.

And all this before going back to grad school! Yeah...shut up!

DAILY DAVID:

I Frogged it...AGAIN

2008-06-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

SO, yesterday I was chillin out, watching How Clean is Your House? most of the day and I picked up THE shawl and really looked at it. And I was not pleased.

The pattern, Anne Lacy Shawl, calls for size 10 1/2 or 11 needles. When I originally started the project I used size 11. Then in the process of trying to conquer THE shawl, I went down to size 10 1/2, thinking that maybe the size of the needles was part of my problems with THE shawl.

When I got cooking on it Friday, it was on size 10 1/2. I liked the look of THE shawl, but deep down I was worried that there was going to be a signficant size difference. This is bad for an overweight person such as myself...

So I made the totally daring choice to FROG the ENTIRE shawl and start over again on size 11 needles. I took a deep breath, pulled the needles out and started winding up the yarn.

I now have about 8 to 10 inches total on THE shawl on size 11 needles. I also started with the "virgin" ball of yarn this time. This created a new "pattern" of how the variegated colors of the yarn lined up...and it isn't a bad thing. I am definitely liking the size of THE shawl now.

I AM happy I frogged it and started again.

DAILY DAVID:

Conquering THE shawl

2008-06-06T22:27:00.000-07:00

I finished Clyde, the blue dalek last night and put him in the mail today. I hope he makes it to his new home across the pond OK as I misspelled the name of the road. Only by one letter...I am hoping.

Last night I was searching for something other than a dalek to take to the LYS today and I remembered THE shawl.

THE shawl I have tried to knit at least three or four times. THE shawl that I have ripped to the edge trim so many times. THE shawl that I have changed needle size on AND tried life lines multiple times, only to continue to fail.

At one point I had ripped out the whole of THE shawl and was looking on Ravelry for patterns I could do with that yarn, because I love that color of Schaefer Lola.

Then I decide NO I want to make THE shawl with that yarn and it will not defeat me. I had started it again, I don't know how long ago and then set it aside.

I did not have high hopes when I picked it up last night, but I did about 2 inches of accident free knitting on it. I decided to take it to the store and ONLY it to the store and I would work on it. NO joke I did like 12 inches on it...I did need the Diva a couple times, which is rare for me, but my mistakes seemed to be easy to fix. I am now officially past the farthest I got (which is when I took the above picture) before, so that has to be good!

I began a new dalek yesterday. This one will be royal blue and white for the Birmingham (UK) football team. I am on the last row of bobbles which is the time consuming part...the rest will fly by!

Today was filled with happy knitting...

DAILY DAVID:

Dalek Envy

2008-06-03T12:06:00.000-07:00

I finished...

yet another dalek this past week...by now, I am sure this is UTTERLY shocking to you all.

Here he is, his name is Jules:

He will go into the mail tomorrow...on his way to his new home across the big pond.

Almost done with another dalek, already named Clyde:

In the picture, with the flash, it has made the blue look a lot brighter, but it is a royal blue. The adoptive parent of this dalek was very particular about the colors she wanted and I really wasn't sure how it would turn out. But I LURVE it. It is right up there with the New Series dalek (bronze/gold) I knitted earlier.

Also ALMOST done with my Betsy Ross fauxhawk hat. All I need to do is sew on stars and felt...

BOOM...DONE...

DAILY DAVID:

Another added to the cuddly army!

2008-05-25T23:22:00.001-07:00

I finished Mr. Morris' dalek today. It is meant to look old school. As far as I know Mr. Morris has watched Doctor Who at least casually since the first doctor in 1963. I didn't want to go with the earliest light blue, but I thought he would like a gray and black dalek.

I have begun...surprise, surprise...yet ANOTHER dalek...shocking, I know. This one is black and gold.

I had an epiphany today and I am SO excited about the idea of creating it in yarn.

*DOCTOR WHO SPOILER WARNING*

There is a certain character from Classic Doctor Who that is rumored to be making a comeback in this series. The most recent advertisement for the 2nd half of this series kinda shows this character, like, if you know what you are looking for you can see him. As a HUGEMUNGO dalek fan, this return to the screen is too exciting for words! I have thought up a way to knit this character. I am so excited, I am going to have to put aside my knitting for others to try it out!

I will share my results!

DAILY DAVID:

ODed on knitting?

2008-05-24T13:25:00.000-07:00

My knitting has seriously suffered lately, not sure why...

I did just come back from a long weekend in Laughlin for my friend's wedding. Hardly ANY knitting happened there, but I did come out ahead at the roulette table and had winning of around $120!!!

I did get my financial aid information this week, which was good news. I have been offered enough money to go to school and live on for the next year. So there is nothing barring me from going back to school. I am trying to make a meeting with someone in the financial aid office to see what all the different loans and grants mean. And I need to take into consideration how a part time job would fit into the budget.

I find myself sitting around the apartment watching TV and playing on the internet like a completely useless boob lately...like I said, no knitting, really. But I have several items up in the air right now.

A pair of wrist warmers, a dalek for Mr. Morris, another Betsy Ross fauxhawk hat...

I did get really cracking on the Betsy Ross fauxhawk hat yesterday. Between the hours at the yarn shop and an evening at a friend's I ended up finishing all the knitting on the hat and cutting the frings for the fauxhawk. So all I need to do is sewn it together and attach fauxhawk.

I woke up at 11am today...I was supposed to go to my knitting group in Miramesa, so I kinda missed that which is a bummer. Sadly, I think I am going to have to seriously consider dropping that group. I can't BELEIVE what gas prices have come to and it seems like such an extravagance to drive all the way from Vista to Miramesa every Saturday. I don't know. I love the ladies there though and it is SO relaxing. I think I should give up one of my volunteer bands as well.

I am just mad, I feel that the oil companies are sucking off pure profit right now and it is forcing me to make some life choices I don't want to make...just so some rich bastard can have yet MORE money when I can't even afford to buy meat at the damn grocery store. Don't even get me started on the rise of food prices...I used to be able to spend about $30 a week for food, now it is up to at least $50.

Where the hell is it going to end?

Sorry...rant over

DAILY DAVID:

BBC is tinking...fast...

2008-05-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

HOORAY!

Cooler heads seem to be prevaling in the BBC knitting scandal my friend L_ and I are calling KnitterGate.

Read this article

The INFAMOUS knitter/creator has also stated on Ravelry that the PR people at BBC are being very nice and things are in the works! I really hope everything works out for her. This will really be a victory for everyone in the knitting Whoniverse!

DAILY DAVID:

Fini Fauxhawk!

2008-05-13T17:33:00.000-07:00

I felted the SDSU fauxhwk today and I am very pleased with the results.

I hope A_ will LURVE it!

Back to the land of the daleks...

Oh, and did I mention...I am knitting one of my Betsy Ross Fauxhawks? Someone saw it on Ravelry and they don't knit and asked if I could make them one. I have started it and almost finished the first side. I will probably take it to Laughlin...

DAILY DAIVD:

The BBC Bites

2008-05-12T23:18:00.000-07:00

Something has been bothering me for a time...something going on in the knitting world, thanks to the BBC and I am POed. The BBC has been threatening a Doctor Who fan who has created FREE knitting patterns for Doctor Who characters. I am so disgusted, I have no words. I have met this woman on Ravelry and she is such a neat person and such a great Doctor Who fan...her knitting talents are exceptional. And hell yeah, I have downloaded and used her patterns. The attack on this poor individual has caused the person who created the "Extermaknit!" knitted Dalek pattern to take her pattern off the internet out of fear. The best description of what has happened can be found here. The media coverage on this issue has exploded, just in the last day...and the knitter has been contacted by the London Times...I hope this blows up in the BBC's FACE.

THIS WILL NOT STOP ME FROM MAKING KNITTED DALEKS OR ANY OTHER KNITTED WHO ITEMS FOR MYSELF AND MY FRIENDS...IT DOES HOWEVER MAKE ME NOT WANT TO BUY BBC PRODUCTS...DO YOU HEAR ME BBC?!?!

And in saying that, my projects are dominated by Who knitting. I would like to finish the Dalek I am knitting for Mr. M_ before the wedding this weekend so I can give it to him. I am also going to bring along the yarn to make two more while in Laughlin this weekend at my friend's wedding.

I go to the laundry mat tomorrow to felt the SDSU hat...fingers crossed people!

And finally...

People have been asking about the good lookin bloke who IS my daily David. He is David Tennant, the Scottish actor currently playing the role of the Doctor in Doctor Who. So here we are...

DAILY DAVID:

Pammie's Knitting Journal

Whole Sweater!

Productive

Yarn Tales

FO's baby!

UGH!

Shock! and Awe?

Bringing it back!

Feedback

Oops, oh well.

Knitting

Knitting

Been Busy!

My knitting

I feel dirty

Suck-o-rama

Fauxhawk-o-rama!

I AM a geek and I am PROUD

Lost the will to knit?

Not a long yarn

Pictures!

Tea for ME

Day 25 and more

Day 23 and 24

Days, 20, 21, and 22

None For You

Day 18 and 19

Day 16 and 17

Day 15

Day 14

More Pictures

Day 13

More Pictures

Day 12

Day 11

Pictures

Day 9 & 10

Day 8

Day 7

Day 6

Day 5

Day 4

Day 3

Day 2

Day 1

Tamed!

Yarn of SATAN!

Lookie!

Worldwide Knitting in Public Day!

FINISHED!

Well, kinda...

FREEDOM!

Knitting without Guilt!

Knit Fix!

Emergency Knitting

Hmmm.

I am knitting

Destry the Dalek!

Gallifrey 2009

Long Time?

What I have been knitting on...

Stick a fork in the knitting

Oh NO!

What I have been knitting...

Knitting like a crack monkey!

*Sigh*

Checkin' my list!

Overwhelmed

Stuff I'm making!

YEA!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Crippled and slow

Knitting can be dangerous

Pictures

Very little knitting

Update!

Knitting?

A Girl and Her Fauxhawk

So many projects...

Clapotis is CRACK!

Sigh