I'd just like to say...

I hate my oven.

I used to have this wonderful oven in the first place that I owned with my X. It cooked everythig correctly. Since we moved from there I have had little luck.

This oven has no window, no self clean, and it's set too high.

Note the picture to your left. Those are cookies. They look like pancakes. They would be slightly overcooked for pancakes. I think I may stick to the toaster oven. At least I know that works.

Well, they taste okay. Now if I just had milk. (shh...the kids didn't notice either)

On the up side, I received my order from Dreamweaver Yarns.

Oh happy day. I really like these Namaste bags. I have one with a scarf project, one with a sock project, and one with a blanket project.

I'm still not thrilled with the part of this bag where the yarn goes because the fabric used is very stiff and difficult to close. However, the color is wonderful and apparently I'm a sucker. :)

Too bad the picture quality on the second bag is not my best work. Doh.

This bag is pretty cool though. It has 3 sections inside, and little pockets for stuff. And the color is great too.

It's bigger than I expected from the pictures. This bag is actually the same color as the bag above. Hard to tell, gotta love autofocus and being in a hurry.

This past Saturday, Imbrium got married. In efforts to have well behaved children at the wedding I drove my kids all over the place to try and get them to fall asleep in the car. This effort was in vain. They did however rest and take a small nap directly before and on the way to the wedding.

On my effort to have naps occur, I found myself at A Knitted Peace. I suppose if I pick an LYS this one is one of my top 5. Mostly because of Kauni and Koigu, although the Koigu I was hoping for was already sold out.

Atmosphere: 4 sheep
It's comfortable, the staff is friendly, it's in downtown Littleton close to food and benches in the summer.

Kid Friendly: 2 sheep
It does not however cater to distractions for young children. I only include this bit in my reviews because of the fact that there are LYS that have little baskets of toys/books or TVs even. However, the staff is friendly and they don't hover over you if you do happen to bring your children with you, which is why it's at a 2 and not a 1.

Product: 4 sheep
They have a wonderful selection of yarn and a variety of notions. They don't have a very large selection of bags. However, this is fine now that I have plenty of bags to choose from and do not need more unless I clone myself. This is the only place locally that carries Kauni, and they just started carrying other colors besides the EQ (rainbow). I'm thrilled. So thrilled I bought a cone as you can see above. This also is the only store I've been in thus far that carries Koigu however, my sock yarn fetish has only just begun since I think I want to attempt to make this.

Staff: 4 sheep
Very friendly. Always willing to start a conversation with you and never seem bothered if you happen to walk into a conversation. Knowledgable about their products and willing to advise on technique.

Overall: 4 sheep
Mostly because of the staff and especially for the selection of yarn. If you haven't stopped by, you definately should add this to your list.

WTF (willingness to frequent): 5 sheep
This store is great. It's close to the lightrail. They have an awesome selection of Koigu and more colors in Kauni. Their staff is friendly. I always come here.

I spent sometime last week making and measuring (approximately) how much handspun yarn I have created thus far.

Hello, OCD. I actually ended labelling them twice because the first time I didn't include yardage and I had some of the fibers named incorrectly.

Now if I could just figure out what to do with all of this yarn. I've made rough guesses on how many yards each skein holds, so that will help in the project picking.

Lastly, more yarn.

A friend of mine is crocheting a scarf out of this. Two strands...it's very thick, but fuzzy.

I however have been looking for thick chinelle for the stuffed rabbit. This I think is the yarn recommended for the project if I recall, and hey, it was on sale.

I think that attitude is going to make me go broke.

So...

I've been busy. Doing what, I'd sure like to know. I wish they would let me knit at work. At least that would keep me busy. I think sometimes whats worse than being too busy at work, is being not busy at all.


Anyway, my project of stealth...

A scarf!

I guess that's not that big of a surprise really. I meant for the Karabella yarn to be a pair of fingerless gloves. I just couldn't find the right pattern. Then I worried about size. Then, then, then...

Scarves. Scarves are always nice. This one is soft. And long. And pretty.

I followed a pattern, and I'm lame I don't have a link. However, the information is here. I just don't have a picture up there yet and you have to be a member of Ravelry to see it.


Turned out swell I think. It was for Imbrium. She's getting married this Saturday, and her bridal shower was last Saturday. What better gift to give a fellow knitter than something knitted?!

AND of course I had to get her yarn. I settled on Noro sock yarn. I've decided if the price is right on the yarn, and the quality is anything but acrylic, then really, it doesn't matter what color or fiber type really, they're going to like it.

What a great excuse to go yarn shopping when it's for someone else!

Here it is blocked. I think I did okay and there wasn't any curious boys pulling out the interesting looking pins from the floor. All was well.

Last but not least Karabella Margarite is a faboo yarn. I give it a 5 sheep rating. It's soft, it feels great to knit with, it's small and easily portable. It does have cashmere so it can be a victim to static electricity. I'd use it again.

Review

I have decided that I am going to start keeping track of knitting items I come across. This includes but is not limited to, LYS, yarn, needles, notions, etc. My opinions and reviews are based solely on my experience as a knitter, yarn enthusiast, craft hobbyist, mother, and female.

One of my biggest irks over time has been the rudeness that I have encountered at LYS. Not only that but I have encountered staff looking at me if I have my child or children with me like they are the plague. I have been followed around stores to the point where I just won't shop at them anymore. I have encountered and elitist or snobbish attitude at times as well.

I also have had wonderful experiences where people have spoken kindly to my children, who are not the type of kids to 1) run around in the store, and 2) pull things off shelves. Face it, even though we have kids, and there are times where projects don't necessarily wait for babysitters, we do need to watch over our children's behaviour.

These opinions may change over time and I may review a place, item or thing again in the future.
I have been knitting for about 7 years and crocheting for about 9. I hand spin yarn on drop spindles both top and bottom whorls as well as a spinning wheel. I have been interested in crafts in general all of my life. I am the mother to two younger children and experienced in taking children to all sorts of craft stores.

So let's begin.

I'll start with The Lamb Shoppe.

First, my first trip there was actually my second trip there. I had forgotten.

Ratings are based on a five sheep rating, where five is the best, and one is the lowest.

Atmosphere: 5 sheep
I give them a 5 sheep rating since I am unaware of any other LYS in Colorado that has a coffee bar inside. They have at least 2 tables to sit around and a small sitting area. I also really like the hours that they are open. The one odd thing that I found about this LYS is that it seemed a little library like...fairly quiet and there were quite a few people in there at the time. I think that this may be a quality about LYS that is typical of them, so I didn't downgrade a sheep for it. The one thing I loved was the fact that this LYS stays open late. Most LYS in Colorado close shop at 5:30 pm, which makes it somewhat of a nightmare if you need another skein of something to finish a project.

Kid Friendly: 2 sheep
A 2 sheep rating because if you take a child there, there isn't really anything for them to look at. I hovered between a 1 and 2 rating...I raised it to a 2 because they do have the coffee bar and they did have non coffee products, such as flavored sodas.

Product: 3 sheep
This rating is in the middle...this is because the yarn selection seems wonderful, but I haven't seriously nosed around the store. I'm actually a little irritated about their bags right now. I bought a Namaste KnitTube from them and I think I got completely overcharged. Granted, it was 1) my fault for not researching better before buying, and 2) I never brought it up. Their receipt doesn't specifically include bags in their list of non returnable items. I paid $71.00 for the KnitTube whereas Dreamweaver Yarns has them for $39.00. So, learning that after I got home left a sour taste in my mind.

Staff: 4 sheep
The rating of 4 sheep is good, because I wasn't flat out ignored nor was I stalked. Their staff seemed friendly enough and they did seem to manage smiles, which believe me I have encountered many grumbly LYS staff before.

WTF (willing to frequent): 1 sheep
I'm always willing to go to any store if the product I'm looking for is about 5% to 10% more instead of waiting for it to be mailed to me from an online purchase. However, when the difference is 82% higher it just saddens me and makes me never want to go back.

So, here's the first one. I'll add more categories as I see fit. Feel free to comment if you wish. This was just something important to me.

LYS

Why me?

:D

I always find something...something super, and then, well, I find it about 50% cheaper online. Let's just chalk it up to instant gratification. Yes, we'll go with that. I will not be tempted to go and return. Besides, LYS don't usually return well.

Anywho...

I ended up ordering a cranberry knitube and a messenger bag.

Yay

Yay.

This bag is so freakin' cool. I liked the cranberry one in person, but the lining was very stiff and I couldn't get the darn drawstring to close fully. I did try. A lot. Oh well. I like this one too.

Just what I need. Another pointless object. I heart it.

It occurred to me I could probably just use a yoga mat bag, but this is pretty durable. I suppose I could try to make one, but I'm not very talented with any shape other than a square.

I've also never lined a thing in my life. This works much better.

I'm excited.

1) It'll hopefully distribute the weight evenly-ish on my back instead of my side bag or my backpack.

2) You can wear it while knitting.

3) I think it's stylish. I'm telling you, the red one was really really pretty.

Inside is my favorite yarn ;p it's going to be a multidirectional scarf. It's turning out sort of the way I think it should. I think I should make one out of Noro someday.


This was my quick fix to my size 6 needle that my son accidentally stepped on. The project of stealth was partiallyknitted on this as well as my trusty old aluminum needle.

This fix consisted of craft glue (which didn't hold) and nail polish (which did). Quite clever. I'll have to remember that trick, or just settle for knitting needles sold at LYS.

The replacement finally arrived. Much, much sooner than I expected which was great. Although I had already finished the project of stealth.

It'll be ready for next time. I've also acquired some DP out of the harmony wood. Not as fascinating as the circulars, but still neat looking. Shorter than I usually knit with, only 6 inches. I would have preferred the 8 inches. Oh well. This works.

I also picked up some bare wool for my dye experiment. I didn't take pictures of that. I figure the kids and I can take out the crockpot sometime and some food coloring to try it out. I am sold on the whole acid dye thing...but really, studios...outside, vented...away from the house is a good thing.

Anyone interested in the fish tank...

Look!

I have fish!

The bacterial bloom has cleared itself up. No casualties. Woot.

Distracted

Work is busy, life is busy, head is busy.


I'm wondering if I'm going to be able to figure out this school thing. I wonder if I have the energy to go back. Ugh.


I found myself at Joann's the other night. I needed straight pins for my project of stealth. I couldn't find the ones I had bought a few months ago. My ability for organization strikes again.


I hate boucle. However, I seem to be collecting more and more. I love self striping, I love $5.00 yarn. Well, it was on sale. Who was I to say no?


I wanted to buy more. I wonder how long it's going to be on sale. I think they are both going to be scarves. Diagonal ones I think. Not 100% sure yet. I just finished frogging the blanket for my son. Again. Crochet + boucle = evil. I have one friend who disagrees. I think she's a brave brave soul.


I have been meaning to make this since I ran across the pattern.


I learned...I still can't make a french knot to save my life, but it's kinda cute. I think it will be well received. I meant for it to be a toy, however it's much too small for the person intended. I think perhaps a great decoration is much better an idea.


Of course the kids noticed and they want ones too.


One thing I've learned about the project of stealth...don't ever leave knitting on the couch near 3 year old boy. While, bouncing, he happened to bounce on my needle and snapped it half. You know, the pretty needles from Knit Picks. Rats. I did a quickie fix, although I must admit I ordered a new size to replace it, but some craft glue and nail polish worked in a jiffy.

Heh...

...anyone want to open an LYS...

Ack!!

No knitting today at all.


Um...any aquarium enthuists? Help! Not sure how to cure a bacterial bloom. There are 8 fish in here...somewhere.


Partial water change...ugh.


8p

Dear Neighbor...

The post in my LJ is:

Much swearing to follow. Please avoid if you aren't one prone to the taste of swearing.

As much as I like the Eagles...which I don't...I especially don't like being woken up to them blaring through my fucking wall at 11:45 pm.

HATE SHARED WALLS

HATE THIS FUCKING NEIGHBOR

This has been a problem since elephant feet and her kid moved in with their little dog.

Yes, I am the fucking wicked witch of the west. Note to self. Do not live on 1st floor under stupid neighbor.

Bitter. Bitter.

Get this out before I go insane. Please Mr. Sandman fucking whap me in the head.Oh and you know what's super cool. My apartment doesn't...um what's the word? Oh yea, give a flying fuck. Okay whatever. Their courtesy patrol doesn't cover this property anymore. Great.

Note to self. Wake up at 5:00 AM and slam doors, and make children scream. Maybe karma could help me out and thirtysomething, party animal, with child, could wake up with a big hangover or something. Maybe her hand could be glued to her forehead. Maybe her dog will pee in her shoe.

I've already written my complaint to my worthless management company. Again.

I cuss like a sailor. Screw it. I'm tired. I'm cranky. I hate being woken up. The thing that bothers me the most is that I can't figure out if I am a light sleeper or if my neighbor is an ass. Right now I think it's the latter. On the off chance that she's a knitter and surfing the knitting blogs...it's 12:19 am on Wednesday March 5, 2008...please turn it down...

I always thought that when I grew up I was going to party all night and be loud an obnoxious. What I'm finding out is that my party animal ways and opinions are becoming more and more conservative the older I get. I don't know if this is good or bothersome. Frankly, my one brain cell is having enough problems typing in the dark rather than puzzling this out. Oh, how pissed I'm going to be if one of the kids wakes up...try me...

On to a better topic. Yes, so my sleepy brain can go back to happy dreams of Star Trek and yarn. Yay.

I found more Noro sock yarn, in less circus like colors. Yay!

My 4th plastic yarn box is becoming crazily smaller than I thought...rats. Not sure where I'll stash a 5th stash box.

Stupid addiction to randomly buying squooshy yarn. Now...all I need to do it knit some socks up. It amazes me the lack of knitting items I've done, even though I've knitting for about 8 years now. I'm pretty sure I can knit anything, but all I ever seem to knit are scarves and socks for other people.

My current project is the project of stealth. One day I'll post pictures of it, but not today. :)
I bought books.

Another annoying habit of mine. I'm suspecting that if I didn't have this nasty tendancy of picking up books, yarn, card/board games, and kitchen appliances, I might actually buy a house.

Nights like this should remind me of this. Although the one little hang up I have is this overwhelming stress I have from the X over a lousy property owned between us that we just could...wait...that he just lazily dealt with and now is going belly up because of it.

Ever have moments in your life where you are being dragged under because you were too close to the edge of the whirlpool? I'd like off of this ride now. One day...one day...all of the crap I've got to deal with from my divorce will stop.

Right? o_O

I broke my ball winder. I'm not sure when it happened, but one of the little feet snapped off. The worst part is that I think I found it at one point in time and I threw it away because I thought it was part of some toy wandering around the house.

I made a sort of hopeful replacement from Fimo. I tried super glue...to stick it on. I think I need epoxy. Eventually I'll remember this from the hardware store.

It seems a shame to throw the whole thing away for a tiny foot. However, I found that tiny missing foot to be so important.

I finished the Crosspatch fiber batt. I have another one I just started spinning.

The new one has a pretty high silk content and is spinning almost threadlike. I was going to spin it on the Golding spindle I've never used. However, either I've forgotten how to use a drop spindle or at least I'm not sure how to use this one. It would wildly spin, and it annoyed me, so on the wheel it goes.

The spindle seemed as though it was going to be beautifully balanced. Top whorl, but it seems to spin the bottom half wildly...going to try again at a later date.

This batch however, made a lot more yarn than I expected. I'm not sure that I spun it tight enough. That sadly didn't make itself apparent until after I plyed it. 2 ply. Seems sort of wispy here and there.

Now that I've spun other fiber brands than Crosspatch, I'm not sure I'm so excited about it anymore. I enjoy the colors and especially the tubes for some reason, but...

I am going to some how figure a way up to the Estes Park festival this year so I can stock up on some fiber. I've got to remember this this year. Mostly because I don't want to develop a habit of buying fiber online. Way too tempting to do it all the time. :)

Kay...time for bed again I suppose. Pillow over head.