Monday, February 27, 2006

Sideline Knitting Olympics....& I didn't finish

Well the Olympics are over and so are the Knitting Olympics. I was too late in signing up for the KO so I have been just participation on the sideline. Opps even from the sideline I did not finish; my life got too hectic [or really just stayed as hectic as it always is...I've got to continue to try to relax more]. I had two weekends during the KO's that should have been plenty of time to knit the pair of socks I choose [using size 3 needles - the smallest I have ever tried]. First weekend my Husband & I were scheduled to work at the Indio Date Festival [we are part of the Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Assocation]. I thought this would be a perfect time for me to get some knitting done -- WRONG. Between keeping the engines running, talking with fairgoers and dealing with the cold and wind I think I frogged more than I knit. I kept having to put my knitting down in mid-row / rib and then forget where I was when I finally would get to pick it back up. By Monday I decided I was doing more damage than progress.

Fortunatly during the week I was able to make good progress and got down to the heel flap on the second sock. This past weekend we were at an auto swap meet Fri, Sat and Sun [morning] but again just not good for knitting -- too many interuptions. I got the heel flap finished [32 short rows in 2 days....that is SLOW for me]. Got home mid-day on Sunday and was able to fly on the knitting almost finished down to the toe decrease. BUT the Olympics are over and I didn't finish so I can't even give myself a Sideline Olympics medal.....I will finish the socks and I will remember that my true reward will be a wonderful pair of hand knit socks.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Maybe I can post some pictures

Blogging is VERY new to me and I am soooooooo confused. I keep trying stuff only to lose it before it gets posted. But try try I must, and I must remind myself that I am not stupid [just maybe dense sometimes]. Anyway I want to try to post some pictures of what I have been knitting.

I am knitting a pair of socks along with the Knitting Olympics [I'm just a sideline participant as I did not sign up in time] One sock is done; a bit big in the foot area so I may frog it back; and the second one is half way down the cuff. Oh, one lesson learned .... I was careful to make sure I started both socks at the same color on the stripping repeat; however what I DID NOT note was the direction of the repeat......so although the stripes line up from sock to sock...the color change is backwards on the second sock. Other than that I am enjoying knitting these up [my second pair of socks]



I also have been enjoying felting. Have done a couple of projects one of which is this hat being modeled by my dog Buddy. I also made this hat in a wonderful red for my niece for Christmas, haven't seen her wear it but I hope she enjoys it. [I don't think Buddy was much enjoying his hat wearing time, he kept shaking it off].




I just joined the Sunrise Sweater KAL, hope to select and purchase my yarn soon. Have to finish the socks first. I am one of those people that has to finish one project before I can start another. Maybe after I have been knitting for a few years I might be able to over come this obsession.

Friday, February 17, 2006


Me after completed the Mt. Whitney hike in one day..... 22 miles round trip....6,000 ft elevation gain and 21.25 hr hiking which I did back in 2002. This was QUITE the challenge. This led to me accepting the 3Day/60Mile Breast Cancer challenge....and an attempt to more or less stay in shape. I still try to walk at least 15-20 miles each week.

Nothing to do with Knitting, but I thought I would share a bit about myself. I will try for more knitty type stuff in the future. Right now I am trying to get off for a three day weekend .... wahoooooo

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Thursday, February 16, 2006

Brilliant first post .... yeah right

O.K. I have been threatening to try the "blogity blog blog" stuff. So in trying to respond to the Sunrise Circle Jacket KAL I seem to have created a blog for myself. Where do I go from here? Yeah I know that is a rhetorical question....but I wasn't quite ready to start this blog stuff.

I suppose, since this is my first entry, I should introduce myself. HI, I'm Mad Dog Knitting and I knit....gee wasn't that brilliant. So far I have knit 3 sweaters [one of which I will probably frog and re-knit], 1 baby junper, 1 pair of socks working on a second pair, 2 hats [felted], a felted bag and several scarfs. I love trying new techniques.
In addition to knitting I also walk as in the 3-Day / 60 Mile Breast Cancer Walk and have done so for the past 3 years. Actually this year I will participate by being a member of the "All Volunteer Crew" in which I expect that I will work way harder than the 60 mile walking [and believe me walking 60 miles ain't no small feet]. O.K. other interest of mine: I belong to Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association - better know as EDGE&TA. I have two tractors of my own, both Farmall Cubs - 1948 & 1949 which I often drive in parades. My husband [yeah I have a husband] has several tractors of his own as well as more engines than I wish to count [ignorance is bliss - hope he feels this way about the yarn stash I hope to aquire]. I am also very active in my small rural community - a member of our local Kiwanis [Imediate Past President] and Board Member of our Volunteer Fire Department.

Well I don't want to reveil everything in my first post....I won't have anything else to tell you if I do.