Knitiot Savant

Lessez le bon ton roulle!

No ya'll, I'm not from Louisiana.  I'm from Alabama.  Mississippi and Louisiana keep Alabama from being last in everything and for that I am eternally grateful.

I was really hoping  to have a super cool finished project to show you now that I'm sort of moved in here.  (If any of ya'll subscribe through bloglines and got hit with 9 new posts, sorry about that!  That was the transfer from Blogger to Typepad.)  The specific project I had in mind was Boogie's dress.  I knit alongside the Olympians like a mad thing but, in the end, didn't finish.  I did, however, get a hell of a lot farther along than I might otherwise had.  The Knitting Olympics really motivated. 

Boogie's dress isn't finished yet but Wavy is just in time for Spring Break. Here are the specs:

Yarn:  Elann's Peruvian Collection; Pure Alpaca; 3 skeins.

Needles:  Size 6

I enjoyed this project and it helped keep me sane while continuing Boogie's dress.  My goal is to have the dress done by the end of this month.  I'm easily over the half way point on completely the front.  Then it's just a matter of seaming it all up!

So this is my new home.  I haven't gotten my links up yet but I've managed to start a couple of photo albums.  I'm leaving the Blogger account up for awhile as I transfer stuff over.  Thanks to everyone who's followed me here!  Hang in there and I'll everything organized and peachy keen!

 

A Friend in need

This super cute dog is Oreo and she needs your help. See the cute little blinkie on your right. Please follow it to The Muttering Muse where you'll get the whole scoop on what's happening with her beloved Oreo. She tells it much better than I ever could. If you can help at all, that would be awesome! Slap the blinkie on your blog and maybe more folks can pitch in. I know all of ya'll have wonderful friends like Oreo in your life. Oh, and the Muse is a new knitter! Consider the whole knitting aspect a bonus!

Now, to really rip your heart out, I'm going to share something very mushy and pet related. I've carried this as a beat up clipping everywhere we've moved. I've re-read as I've seen 3 of my kitties off the Kitty Heaven, (the oldest one last year at the age of 19. She was a spry little kitty, too.), taken in a stray or two and found them homes, and done what I could for various animal charities over the years.

The Pet Owner's 10 commandments

...From a Pet's Point of View

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you get me.

2. Give me time to understand what you want from me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial to my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, entertainment and friends. I have only you.

5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget it.

7. Please don't hit me. I can't hit back, but I can bite and scratch, and I really don't want to do that.

8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm no getting the right food, or I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak.

9. Take care of me when I get old. You, too, will grow old.

10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch," or "Let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier for me if you are there.

...Remember, I love you.

(Reprinted from Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, CO, The Stethoscope, original author unknown.)

Typing that makes me cry like a big baby. (Okay, I've got PMS but I can cry!) I hope I don't sound to preachy, but if you can help Oreo, that would be awesome.

On an upbeat note, I'm moving!!! I've gotten my account over at Typepad up and running. Sort of. It's pretty boring right now but I've got 2 photo albums up and 1 lame-ass post. My goal is to move the whole Blogger blog over on Sunday evening. I don't know what will happen, but I don't want ya'll to lose me! I've met lots of nice people over the last few months! So it would probably help if I gave you the new url: http://knitiotsavant.typepad.com

It's already set up with Bloglines and my goal is to be totally ready at the new site for March's Knitting Confessional.

I've got the munchies

To avoid working on Boogie's dress and coming clean about my lack of progress, I've decided to post about food. I don't remember where I got this recipe but it is incredibly delicious and perfect for the vegetarian in your life. This is a crockpot recipe so those not into crocking their food might want to turn away.

Hearty Bean and Vegetable Stew

Ingredients:
1lb. assorted beans, dry
2 cups vegetable juice
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup apple juice
Vegetable stock or water
1/2 cup celery, diced
1/2 cup carrots, diced
1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 onion, diced
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried parsley
1 bay leaf
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. black pepper
1 cup cooked rice or pasta (I use brown rice)

Directions:
Sort and rinse beans then soak overnight in water. Drain beans and place in crockpot. Add vegetable juice, wine, soy sauce and apple juice. Cover with vegetable stock or water, the amount depends on whether you prefer a soup or a stew. Cook on high for 2 hours. Add vegetables, herbs, spices and cook for 5-6 hours at low until carrots are tender. When tender, add rice or pasta and cook for 1 additional hour.

I serve this with cornbread. Yes, you are looking at a very blurry image of made-from-scratch Southern cornbread. It's a family recipe. You didn't actually think I'd give you the recipe, did you?
It's even baked in an iron skillet! How's that for homey goodness?

I mentioned earlier I have a lot of cute critters in my home and here's one of them:

Cecil is part Cocker Spaniel (mom) and whatever mutt jumped the fence and her (dad). Likes include chewy toys, playing fetch with Boogie and snuggling under the covers. Dislikes include leaving said covers, anything that requires a great deal of exertion on his part and people clapping for him.

I've been toying around with the idea of moving my blog somewhere else. Although I've enjoyed Blogger, there are some features that I'm looking for and am simply to lazy to program into my current template. Right now, I'm trying the 30 day free thing at Typepad. I'll let you know if I make the jump.

The first post is the weakest

I've been curious about Typepad and wanted to see how it compared to Blogger so here goes!  This is the start of my 30 day trial!  So, I've been trying to import my Blogger blog to Typepad.  The directions are very confusing...or maybe I've lost my ability to read.  Anyway I've put in a help ticket and we'll see what happens.  If I don't get help, that's pretty much the end of this move.  I really just hate the idea of starting completely over!  if I can transfer my stuff, cool.  If I have to start from scratch, no way.

Knitting Project Progress

Okay, not the most original of titles but at least it's about knitting and not pics of me going through my a.m. beauty routine. That's a blessing. Am I right?

At the beginning of this month my blog celebrated its first birthday. Yeah blog! I mention this only because of my oldest UFO, the project that got me blogging in the first place, Boogie's dress. I've never posted a picture of any part of it at all! So hold onto your hats kids as I proudly offer for your approval....the back of Boogie's dress:
The pattern is from "Baby Knits for Beginners" by Debbie Bliss. (Boogie's dress on the Debbie Bliss page is the far right pic.) I chose the largest size to knit because I knew that A) I'm a freakin' slow knitter and B) babies grow incredibly fast!! Especially Boogie. She's 21 months old and 3 feet tall. Read it again folks, 3 FEET tall. I'm seriously considering enrolling her in super model school and livin' large off her good looks.

Before I go on about this project and pattern, (or get sidetracked by talking about how beautiful and tall my child is) here's a shot of the front:

No, it's not even done but it's my own salute to the knitting Olympics. I knew that I couldn't finish anything in 16 days but I decided I would attempt to complete this dress by the end of the Olympics or before Boogie grows another foot, whichever comes first.

So why has this taken me so freakin' long? The pattern confused the crap out of me and it's knit on size 3 needles. When I started this dress I hadn't knit anything of consequence for almost 10 years. To say I was rusty would be the understatement of the century. Anyway, I've gotten great help from my SnB gal pals and I'm sure this sucker will be finished well before Boogie's 2nd birthday...in 3 months...when she has to wear it for a picture. No pressure, right?

To keep my brain from oozing out of my ears while I finish the dress I've been working on Wavy, (on the left) and a potential Christmas present scarf on the right. Wavy is being knit with some Alpaca I got as a Christmas gift and I'm using some Highland Wool from Elann for blue boy. I'll give more specific info once I post the finished pics. By the way, ordering the blue stuff was the first time I'd ordered anything from Elann and I think I'm in love! The service was beyond great and the yarn is cool, too!

This is my cat, Zoe. I have a lot of really cute critters at my house and I just don't post pictures of them like I should. So here's Zoe. She's a shelter kitty adopted not long after we found a home for another kitty we were fostering. Zoe thinks she's a dog because she likes to growl at people who come to the door and try to tear up tennis balls. I just don't have the heart to tell her she's a kitty. Yes, her eyes glow like that all the time. Either she's possessed by Satan or she's been smokin' too much catnip. I'll try to get a pic of my feral kitty up next time.

Self Portrait Tuesday-Week 2 - All of Me

Source of Inspiration:
Conversation overheard between two Texas Rangers on special assignment for the Dept. of Homeland Security.

Vern: Shit J.D.! I got sumthin!
J.D.: Yeah.
Vern: 'Pears to be a 40 y.o. white female, bra-less wearing a "Run for the Cure" bandana. Jesus! I think it's one of them granola eatin' Birkenstock wearin' lefty liberals.
J.D.: And?
Vern: Hell, J.D.! She's foamin' at the mouth! I think she's either rabid or angry about cuts in social programs! I'm gonna call this one in.
J.D.: Gimme those. (snatches the binoculars from Vern) Idgit. She's brushin' her teeth. (Pause) Let's call her in to be safe. Those terrorists are a wiley lot.

The generosity of a stranger

Where do I start with this? Thank you is obvious but seems inadequate. That's all I really have, though. A big heartfelt thank you to my Secret Pal! My stash thanks you, my chocolate addiction thanks you and Boogie thanks you for more music to jam to on those boring car rides. Each gift was wrapped with pretty fabric with a little handwritten card attached. I'm not going to list every item but let's just say I love the magnet!

Seriously though. This was such a wonderful treat filled with lots of stuff to learn and play with. I'm thrilled.

I'm so unoriginal

I saw this super cool thing over at Sknitty so I swiped it. It's cool. Also I'm not feeling very witty, Boogie should wake up in about 15 minutes so I've got to make this quick!!!

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Knitiotsavant!

1. Only twelve people have ever set foot on knitiotsavant.
2. The most dangerous form of knitiotsavant is the bicycle.
3. Pacman was originally called knitiotsavantman.
4. Early thermometers were filled with knitiotsavant instead of mercury.
5. In Japan it is considered rude to talk with knitiotsavant in your mouth.
6. If the Sun were the size of a beach ball then Jupiter would be the size of a golf ball and knitiotsavant would be as small as a pea.
7. Three seagulls flying overhead are a warning that knitiotsavant is near.
8. The first domain name ever registered was knitiotsavant.com!
9. South Australia was the first place to allow knitiotsavant to stand for parliament.
10. Ninety-six percent of all candles sold are purchased by knitiotsavant.

I am interested in - do tell me aboutherhimitthem

1. Wow. I always thought I was kind of slutty. 2. Damn right! If I'm not hurting myself on a bike you can be certain I'll hurt you. 3. The name didn't take because it was too long and the little yellow ball just sat around wrapped up in its own angst. 4. Bet ya didn't know we knitiots were so filled with liquidy goodness. 5. The imagery on that one alone is enough to keep me from ever speaking of it again. 6. I dig logic. Weird spaceman logic. 7. I think the poop left behind would be more of an indication that a seagull is near, not me. 8. Damn! I knew I should have registered this name! 9. We weren't allowed to hold any seats in any government anywhere else in the world. Although I think our government could use a dose of savant. 10. Did someone mention arson?

The Knitting Confessional

Okay all you sinful little knitters, it's time for the monthly confessional. Actually, I've struggled a bit with my confession this month. My knitting projects are moving along nicely and I don't have any strange knitting accidents to report, yet. I do, however, feel the need to confess my knitting weakness. No, it's not thoughts of Koigu keeping me up at night or regret over not even attempting the Knitting Olympics. (The World's Worst Knitter completing something in 16 days? I'd have to give up the title and I'm fond of my title. It even came with a really tacky belt that has brass stuff all over it.) My confession has to do with a psychological condition. I suffer from Stash Envy.

I don't think it's very common. I mean, almost every knitter I've ever met has a stash. Except me. I just don't have a very big one. In fact, it's embarrassingly small. (It's so small that I keep my back to the other knitters when...wait I'm thinking of something else here. ) I'm so jealous of knitters who, when asked where they found the fabulous yarns for their incredible projects glibly reply "It's been in my stash for awhile." I don't have any yummy stuff just aging away waiting for the perfect project to present itself. What I have, dear readers, is a Rubbermaid tub full of crap.

Don't get me wrong. I have 3 interesting skeins from Russia. Different colors, all hideous. I have 2 skeins from Germany. Different colors, both hideous. These were gifts. Am I going to turn down gifts? (I know it's considered rude by some to even discuss the topic of gifts on a knitting blog, but not everyone is fortunate enough to receive crappy European yarn as a gift.) The rest of my stash consists of sad little leftovers and a few skeins from a grab bag of yarn I bought a couple of years ago.

It's not that I don't buy yarn. Actually, it is that I don't buy yarn. Okay. That's not right. I do buy yarn for the project at hand and just don't buy anymore until I have another project coming up. I made a huge leap when I bought some Koigu just for the hell of it last month. That's knitting out of the box here in Savant world.

Confession is good for the soul and so, to relieve myself of this envy and enter the world of normal knitters who hoard and fondle fabulous yarns right in their own homes all the while wondering where the hell they're going to store it, I will start my stash. It will be tough, but I think I'm up to the challenge. Now where did I put that Knitpicks catalog?