Maddie Knits

It’s Killing Me Right Now!

Maddie — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 16:05:53 +0000

So, I’ve been drooling over the Options needles [ you know, these? ] and it’s killing me that I still don’t have them yet! I’m not a big fan of the Harmony ones, though. I’ve never been big on the wooden circular needles, just the straight ones. Who doesn’t love Brittany and Lantern Moon straight needles?! If you don’t, something is defniately wrong.

So, I have found a new love and appreciation for knitting socks and the only thing to do with a finding like that is to embrace it by buying mass amounts of yarn and knitting up a sock storm =) So I obviously need patterns to do this, so I found this great one by the girl that designed the Irish Hiking Scarf [ this one ]. Well, anyways. She made this great sock pattern called Cable Twist Socks [ which can be found here ]. I think they’re downright adorable and I can’t wait to find the perfect yarn to knit them up with! I mean, look at the detail of this cable stitch:

Isn’t that just amazing?! Anyways, just had to show that off. Hopefully you guys will go by and check her stuff out, because it’s just amazing!

Well, I think that’s all for today. I have to head over to work and play with the babies soon. I know — it’s just not fair that I can call that doing work, but I can =)

God Bless America

Maddie — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:20:31 +0000

First off, I’d just like to say that I’m so proud of all of the men and women that are fighting overseas so that we can keep the freedoms that we have come to know. We wouldn’t be anywhere without them. I will not take down my yellow ribbon in my car until all of you come home. Just for some added support:

Anywho. Just wanted to say that, since Wade left last Saturday (don’t EVEN get me started, or I will start crying…) to go back to Iraq for the last 4 months of his 12 month tour. I can’t wait till he’s home. It’s going to be a very nice homecoming, if I do say so myself =)

So, since I’ve joined Ravelry, I have made some amazing new discoveries about some amazing yarn to check out! The best one so far is definately Fiber Oasis. They’re coming up with their own site, but it’s not up yet. They’re still using their Etsy shop until then [ here it is ]. I got this great yarn and I can’t wait to think of something to knit up with it!

But I think I’m going to end this post for now. I’ve got a lot to get back to. Hope everyone has a great night and I’ll post again soon, I promise!

What’s My Deal, Anyways?

Maddie — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 00:36:32 +0000

So, I am the worst blogger in history. I have read this a few too many times in my blog and it’s starting to bother me. Maybe I should try to realize that blogging just isn’t for me! It’s getting frustrating knowing that I’m just letting something go like this.

Anyways, I have to let EVERYONE know that I finally recieved the Traveling Teddy. He’s absolutally adorable. I can’t wait to decide what I’m going to put in his bag from his trip to the Nation’s Capital! Well, for starters, here’s the amazing Traveling Teddy:

On to other news — I got my SITM package today and it was just AMAZING. I can’t even begin to tell everyone how amazing my pal is. She deserves the biggest hug in the entire world. Her name is Becky [ her blog ] and she’s just teriffic. I had to put her blog on her because everyone needs to check it out. Well, let me tell you what I got in my package! Well, she made me the socks. They’re the Raindrop Lace Socks by Fiber Trends and she used Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Yarn in teal. She also sent me IK’s Favorite Socks book, Knit Picks Memories yarn in Redwood Forest and the needles to go with them to make a pair of socks! It’s just great. But wait! That’s not all. She also saw that I wanted to try my hand at entrelac so she found a scarf pattern for me as well as Patons SWS and the needles to make that. And the list keeps going! I have a yummy smelling candle as well as a $15 gift card to iTunes!!! It was the best swap I’ve gotten and I love it! Anyways, enough with the words, check out the pictures!

Anyways. That’s all for now! Hope this is a good update for everyone. I think I’m going to post my newly finished project tomorrow! It will also count for my SP11 Contest — yay! Well, as long as I post my first finished project with it. Is it bad that my first finished project was a scarf and my most recent finished project was a scarf too?? I hope not. Doesn’t matter though, right? Anways, hope everyone has a bangin’ weekend and I’ll write tomorrow — hopefully!!!

Ravelry Is Amazing

Maddie — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 16:58:23 +0000

So, I must say that Ravelry was well-worth the wait. I love it and I really just can’t get enough of it! Anyways, being on there has forced me to do some picture taking of my own so that I’m not the one without pictures for anything. This being said, I FINALLY have an update for this silly blog =) I’ve started the French Market Bag [ from Knitty! ] and it’s just knitting up so quickly. I only cast on last night and I’m already done with the bottom of the bag! Can you believe it?! Anyways, here’s the yarn I’m using — it’s Lion Brand Wool in Sage and Midnight Blue. There’s no Sage in the project yet, but it’ll be there VERY soon!

But, you know, other than that there isn’t really much going on with me. I’ve been super busy with school and nannying — to the point that I can no longer meet with my SEKs girls [ I'm SO sorry ladies, but I'm now working every Tuesday afternoon and there is just no way to get there =( ]. I guess there are some things you have to sacrifice for your education, even if it means giving up hanging out with some totally awesome, rocking ladies!

I guess that’s all for today! Hope everyone has an amazing weekend!!!

RAVELRY!!!

Maddie — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 03:49:28 +0000

YES! I’m on RAVELRY!!! Check me out: maddieknits

C.O. Addiction!

Maddie — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 01:42:23 +0000

Okay, I’m going to start out by saying that I’m an AWFUL blogger and I really need to try to keep up with it! I really do love being able to get comments from knitters all over. I know this post isn’t knitting-related, but I couldn’t help it! The kittens were just SO CUTE!!! I’ve fallen in LOVE with Cute Overload! Everyone should definately go by and check it out. I’ve posted a whole bunch on here right below this, so check them out!

Month-A-Versary

Maddie — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:35:56 +0000

So, today is officially my Three Month Anniversary with Victor. Just so everyone knows, here’s me and Victor:

I know that I’m a total dork for doing this, but I’m just so excited that I have to jump for joy and tell everyone! I haven’t had a boyfriend in quite a while so it feels really good to have a new one, and an amazing boyfriend at that!

So, on to other things. I’m getting quite antsy about my Ravelry invite, so I went to the website to check on my place in line and this is what I got:

You signed up on July 3, 2007
You are #12115 on the list.
2517 people are ahead of you in line.
15047 people are behind you in line.
34% of the list has been invited so far

That’s so far away!!! 2,517 people?! How am I going to wait for all of those people to get invited before I do?! This is just so unfair!!! Well, anyways, I have to get back to work. Hope everyone had a great weekend — mine was very interesting, to say the least!

FFBE Questionnaire

Maddie — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:24:50 +0000

1. How long have you been knitting or crocheting? How did you learn? or from whom?
Since I was 19. From a class at StitchDC.
2. What was your first felted object, and why did you decide to try felting?
A felted needle case. I wanted to have a place to stick my needles, so I decided to try my hand at felting.
3. What are your favorite colors? Any you hate?
Earthy colors — blues, greens, browns. I hate yellows and oranges.
4. What are your favorite styles\types of bags? (Long straps? Short handles? Handbags? Totes? Embellished? Plain? Include links to patterns or photos if you’d like – give your pal an idea of what you enjoy!)
I love totes with long straps so I can throw them over my shoulder. Anything with a good amount of room makes me a happy girl. I love big bags, so that’s really the main thing, not so much the length of the handles/straps. I’m happy with any kind of decoration. I haven’t gotten to embellished until my mom’s Christmas present this year, but I think it’s going to turn out looking FANTASTIC! I think the French Market Bag [ here! ] off of Knitty is also a great bag.
5. What handbag or bag are you carrying today? Do you use a separate bag to carry your knitting?
I’m currently carrying my favorite Cole Haan bag that I got at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale:

Isn’t it just fantastic?! Anyways, if I’m not carrying that — since it holds the world inside of it, I go for a tote bag to hold the knitting along with my purse.
6. What other things do you enjoy knitting or crocheting?
Socks, lace, and of course any hats, scarves or mittens!
7. What sort of needles do you enjoy working with? (straights vs circs, bamboo vs aluminum)
I’m a big circular needle fan, and I’m sticking with aluminum right now since it’s all I can afford. If I had my way, I’d be all over the addis I truly love.
8. What’s one project you’ve not yet tried but are dying to make?
The French Market bag that I talked about up there! A friend of mine knit it at our circle and I fell in love with it and now I’m dying to make one myself!
9. What’s one yarn you’ve not yet tried but are dying to work with?
I’m not sure there is one!
10. What other hobbies do you have? Do you spin? Sew? Garden?
No, I don’t think there’s anything else that would go under this category that I love to do as much as I love to knit.
11. Besides yarn, do you collect anything?
Nope =)
12. What kind of goodies do you enjoy? Sweets? Salty? Anything you hate or are allergic to?
I’m not a big chocolate or licorice [ sp? ] fan, so pretty much anything else.
13. Do you have any kiddos? (Furry kind count!)
I have a dog and cat.
14. What kind of project best personifies you and why?
Socks — I’m funky and fun and that’s what I think of when I think of knitting a pair of socks.
15. What is your favorite part of Autumn? You can also share a special Autumn memory if you’d prefer!
The falling leaves and the changing colors =)
16. Tell us 3 things you would do if you won 10 million dollars in the lottery.
Add to my IRA, buy a house, take a fantastic vacation.

Knit One, Tea Too Questionnaire

Maddie — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 17:16:23 +0000

Do you like loose tea or bags, or both – something you want to try?
I prefer tea bags.

What is your favorite kind of tea (Brand, flavor, variety, etc)?
I love green tea and herbal teas. I don’t have a particular preference to brand or anything like that though.

Favorite color in regards to tea or one you would like to try? (black, green, red, and white) (keeping in mind that this is how this swap is set up).
I love green tea, like I said in question 2. Black tea is also great!

Would you say you were a tea pot kind of person or just a hot water heater kind?
Tea pot. Definately, tea pot!

What tea accessories would you like but have never purchases for yourself?
A steeper =)

How do you prefer to be pampered? (examples: mani/pedi, bubble bath, yummy treat, etc).
I LOVE getting manicures and pedicures, but I really only get to go when my mom decides she’s going to pay. It’s one of those luxuries that I’m not willing to indulge in right now.

If you were a kind of yarn what would you be and why?
Hmmm…I think I would be Sport Weight Sock Yarn. I like to be funky, fun and easy to get along with and I think that describes that yarn perfectly as well.

If you had to knit/crochet baby booties, a fun fur scarf, or a fair isle sweater, which would you choose and why?
A fair isle sweater because I like things that are a challenge.

What other event would make you skip a tea party? (A garden party? A book club meeting? A yoga class? Opening night for a new action thriller? etc?)
I don’t think anything. I LOVE TEA!

What treat would you consider essential at your tea party? (Sweet? Salty? Scones? Those petite pastry trays with a couple of all sorts of things? Little crust less sandwiches?)
The little cucumber sandwiches with their crusts cut off are SO important!

When buying yarn for a project how do you choose – do you buy the one called for or do you substitute?
I try to get the one that is called for, that way I don’t have to worry about the gauge being off, but if I have to substitute, I will.

What do you carry your knitting/crocheting in when on the go?
A tote bag of some kind.

Favorite movie to watch while knitting/crocheting?
Pretty much any romantic comedy does it for me =) It’s easy to watch and knit at the same time without being totally boring.

Are you a traditional tea cup kind of person or a mug type of person? Do you care if they match?
I like cute coffee mugs for my tea. I want them to be special and have a great meaning behind them. My favorite is a pink one from Disney World with the princesses on it.

Favorite childhood birthday party?
My surprise party at the bowling alley with all of my friends.

Favorite type of scone and jam?
I’m not a big scone person, but I do love some strawberry jam on toast!

If you use candles, what is your favorite scent?
Anything fresh — cotton, ocean, etc.

If you could choose 3 people to have ‘tea’ with, who would they be and why? (famous or not, living or dead).
Jane Austen — she’s my favorite author of all-time, Oprah — she’s just so warm and she seems like such a great person to be able to talk to, Bill Clinton — I want to see what all the fuss is about, is he that great of a public speaker, or does he just have an amazing staff??

You’ve been invited to a tea party, what ‘props’ will you wear (formal or casual)?
I’m really not sure…

Any allergies/preferences you have or are willing to admit to?
I don’t have any allergies, so I guess not! But I would prefer a US partner =)

Anything we missed that you want your pal to know?
I don’t think so =)

Monkey Swap 3 Questionnaire

Maddie — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 16:54:47 +0000

The basics:
Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep?
I think I’m a beginning sock knitter. However, I have totally fallen for knitting socks!

The measurements:
Shoe Size: 7 1/2
Foot circumference: 9 inches
Foot length: 10 inches

Yarn Preferences:
What colors do you love?
Blues, greens, browns and pinks

Do you prefer solids or variegated?
Variegated, but I’m not totally biased!

Do you prefer wool, cotton or acrylic yarn?
Cotton! Or superwash wool!

What colors would you never wear?
Orange and yellow =(

What are your favorite brands of yarn?
I LOVE Cherry Tree Hill

Are there any new brands you would like to try?
Nothing special, no =)

Cookie A. Patterns:
Which of her patterns have you already knit?
Monkey

Which pattern(s) would you like to knit and don’t already own?
I’ve only got Monkey, but I’m sure they’re all great!

Other pertinent information:

Would you be willing to have an international Monkey Pal or do you prefer one in the US?
I’d much rather have a US Monkey Pal!

Do you have any allergies?
Nope =)

Will your knitting be exposed to smoke or animals?
Dog and cat

Are you on Ravelry yet? If you don’t mind having new friends, what is your Ravelry name?
Not on yet! BOO!!!