Twist Knits

2012-01-27T12:47:00.000-05:00

Mom's Mittens

Cloisonee by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. Love this pattern. Made using Patons Classic Wool. Tad bit addicting. Now I'm making a matching hat. These are to go with the new winter coat my nieces bought my mother for Christmas.

2012-01-18T11:32:00.000-05:00

Dark and Dreary

On such a dark and dreary winter day, nothing beats the blues like a package from Knitpicks arriving! I ordered some wooden 14" needles in sizes 4-10 US and some doublepoints 0-3. Also I ordered a scale and I received two by mistake. Totally my fault. I unintentionally ordered two by mistake because I didn't realize that there was already a scale I saved in my online shopping cart from a previous buying spree. The extra one I will use in the salon to weigh out hair color. The measurements on the side of color tubes aren't very accurate so we use the scale to measure out equal amounts color and developer.

In the picture there is also 4 balls of "Portland Tweed" by Classic Elite Yarns.

The color is a blueish grey. I'm making a Baktus scarf for my friend Ron (not my partner Ron) for our trip to KIllington Vermont in March.

2011-12-27T15:33:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays!!!

2011-11-25T11:57:00.001-05:00

October 15 and 16 was Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival!

Ron and I went with our friends Michelle and Dave. I really didn't take alot of pictures because I was so wrapped up in everything.

I didn't get to meet Stephanie Pearl-McPhee again so we did what we could with the situation.

My sheep Connie didn't seem to be doing much better on the farm than Barbara my Black Welsch mountain sheep. We decided to give her back to the farm we bought her from. Plans are in order to build a small barn next to our own house so I can take care of the sheep myself instead of running free range with the goats. I really wanted to focus on a particular breed even though it is a little hobby farm. I found that I keep buying shetland wool roving. I did some research on the Shetland sheep and they are very small and hardy. The females are polled and the tails are short and don't need to be docked. When I saw them live at Rhinebeck- I knew I had found the ones for me.

I Love Them.

We had a great time in Rhinebeck. We stayed in Kingston in a not so very glamorous motel that I will leave unmentioned. Really, I need to book earlier reservations.

Ron and I took Michelle and Dave to our new favorite restaurant there called Boitson's. Love the Diablo cocktail!

Every year I run into someone I know from reading their blogs and other websites. This year I met Joe.

We had a great time and I can't wait for next year!

Here's my Rhinebeck stash including more shetland!

2011-09-23T10:34:00.001-05:00

Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival

Last Sunday Ron and I went to Hemlock, NY for the FIber Arts Festival.
It was a great spending the day together. On the way there we passed a chicken BBQ and decided to turn around and get a "to go" order. The chicken wasn't ready but it smeled so good! We didn't want to waste time waiting for the chicken to cook so we traveled to the festival, tummies growling. When we got to the fairgrounds we were excited to see a chicken BBQ stand! Very disappointing. The chicken was undercooked and had no marinade. Oh Well. I feasted on the fiber instead. Let me tell you, it is so hard to decide what to buy! I wanted everything.
I bought two-4oz balls of roving from Bob Geigler'S "High Bid Farm and two skeins of wool yarn from the "Zeilinger Wool Co." worsted weight in a Burnt Orange colorway.
I ran into some members of my spinning guild which was very fun for me. It makes me feel connected to have people I can talk to about our love of fiber. I'm a little shy still and am having the worst time remembering everyone's names. Ron said that is so unlike me and I think it's because it is so many new faces all at once.

After the fiber festival we went to the Wizard of Clay in Bristol. I've been there numerous times and it's one of my favorite places. I love all the handmade pottery. This time I bought a soap dish and a butter dish.

We then went to Conesus Lake and drove around to see if it would be a fun place to rent a cabin for the week next year. Ron really wants a place next to the water so he can keep his boat there and fish all the time. I think it would be great to sit on a deck off the cabin and knit or spin all day long looking over the water. It's good to Dream!

2011-08-26T12:23:00.000-05:00

Haley's Sweater

My niece's baby is due in October so I made her a sweater from the "Nashua Snowbird" yarn. The pattern is called "Super-Natural Stripes" by Fawn Pea.

Now back to the rest of my UFOs!

2011-07-18T14:44:00.000-05:00

More Yarn!

I haven't seen my friend, Katie, in over a year. Katie was the Sheltie breeder that sold me my dog Emmett. She now has a ten month old daughter named Elizabeth. Katie needed to get out of the house and invited me to go with her to some yarn stores in Rochester. First we hit "The Village Yarn & Fiber Shop." I loved that store. Great set up. The owner was very friendly. There was a a woman there that did some spinning lessons. I yold her I knew how to spin and that I wanted a "Kromski" spinning wheel. She told me that I didn't want one because they weren't very well made and that they were only good aesthetically. I disagreed and said "everyone just about in my guild has a sonata."
I'm going to decide what I want myself.I've let people decide things too many times in the past and have been upset my the final decision.

I bought a ball of Natural and dyed Shetland wool that was made at a farm in Brockport, NY called "High Bid Farm." I bought four skeins of "Nashua Snowbird" yarn. Two in the orchid colorway and two in bright plum. I bought a skein of Berroco "Campus" in a mixed blue colorway. Then we went to The "Yarn Boutique." I just had to buy two skeins of Malabrigo Merino Superwash and the colorway is called Cumparsita. I wasn't getting the Malabrigo obsession I was seeing on everyone's blogs. Once its in front of you in living color then you understand.

I also revamped my spinning wheel. Ron was going to get me my kromski for my birthday/ christmas present this year. I told him it would be a better present for my fortieth next year.
My "Babe's Fiber Garden" wheel had a broken treadle attachment so I ordered a new one. When it came I decided I might as well repaint the treadles since they were looking a little worn. There were also teeth marks from Oscar when he was a little puppy. I rebeaded my yarn hook to math the treadle and the stars I put all over the rest of it. The stars match match my tattoos. I thinkit looks like a rockin' spinning wheel now.

2011-07-08T12:52:00.001-05:00

Connie

My poor Barbara the sheep passed away in May while I was on vacation in Savannah. I was very brokenhearted. I haven't been able to spin her fleece that we sheared over because I've been so bummed. Our friends, the O'Gormans, gave me one of their sheep in exchange for some haircuts and coloring. Connor is going to teach me to shear. He is also going to help me build my own little sheep barn at my house so she isn't on the dairy farm anymore. It was his idea to do the sheep/hair exchange so I just HAD to name her after him!

My friend, Hilda, that had given me Brother Knitting machine makes slippers for retirement homes. She makes hundreds (really-hundreds) and donates them all. I took her a bag of yarn to her house and she gifted me a huge bundle of cotton dishcloths she knitted. I laughed because he made the same dishcloth pattern that I use. I Love her! In the picture you can see the blue ones I made along with a bunch that she made me. She also gave me three slippers to give to my sisters because she is just so nice. I've seen different variations of this slipper, but I really like the way Hilda makes hers. She does a cuff with purl row so it makes the cuff roll over naturally. So of course I have to try making them myself. These might be my Christmas gift for family members!

My little Abby is getting so big!

2011-06-27T08:06:00.000-05:00

Jammin!

I have been Mr Busy! I went to a wedding in NYC one weekend and then another in Detroit the following weekend. My knitting time has really been cut down, but I've managed to do some on the planes. I have a bazillion projects going on at the same time. There's a baby blanket half way finished. Dance socks, dishcloths, baby hat, mittens and a few other items in my UFO stack. In New York I went to a yarn store in SoHo called "Purl". I think it is now my favorite store. I would love to own one just like it. I bought some of Brooklyn Tweed's "Shelter." I haven't decided what I'm going to knit it into since I'm project heavy right now.

My friend, Lynette, surprised me with canning classes at the co-op that she works at. Our first class was on the 16th and we made strawberry jam. We got to take one jar of the jam we made home and then the rest is donated to the local food bank. The following Wednesday I made my own jam using berries from a local farmer. I canned 20 pint sized jars. Very satisfactory! Ron's mom had passed away 5 years ago and he and his brothers had told me numerous times that she was into canning everything. She even made her own Ketchup. I used her canning kettle and Ron is tickled that I want to keep his mom's traditions alive. I even dug out a bunch of her recipes so once my classes have taught me how to use a pressure canner then I can try my hand at foods the family has enjoyed for years.

Yay for New York allowing Gay Marriages! ! !

2011-05-09T13:06:00.000-05:00

Spinning Guild

I joined a spinning Guild and yesterday was my first meeting. There were seventeen of us, and it was so nice to find people like myself obsessed with fiber, spinning, knitting, and animals. They were all diverse and it felt like home. I finished the Merino "Cranberry" roving I had been working on for ages. Last night I put it on my "Handy Andy" to do some Andean plying and I overloaded it. I have it all tangled up. UGH!
I decided to take a break from the cranberry and started to spin the Merino I bought from Diana at the Guild. The colorway is called scarecrow and I absolutely love it. Diana gave me 2 ounces of alpaca / corriedale cross and that will be my spinning project next.

I can't wait for the next meeting!

2011-05-02T16:32:00.000-05:00

2010-10-08T09:23:00.004-05:00

Can't wait for Rhinebeck!!

I have been knitting like a mad man lately. It's so fun to actually find some balance now where I can do stuff with Ron and friends and still get some knitting done.
I made this Pumpkin had out of Telemark yarn from Knitpicks for a friend's baby.

2010-09-19T12:07:00.005-05:00

Finished Objects

I have finished the "Moderne Baby Blanket" from "Mason- Dixon Knitting" and my version of Jared Flood's "Tweed Baby Blanket" which was a Ravelry download.
I'm so excited because I booked our hotel room for Rhinebeck! We are staying in Kingston. I booked pretty late and I'm not too keen on our hotel, but I wasn't certain until recently that we were even going. We are driving up on saturday and leaving at the end of the festival on sunday.Next year I'm hoping to book early.

2010-05-25T14:58:00.001-05:00

New Addition to the Family

Not to forget but to help heal the hurt

2010-05-18T15:42:00.003-05:00

Emmett

May 7th we lost our little puppy dog. He had some strange seizure and died on the table at the Veterinary Hospital where I work. Ron and I are so depressed and lost. Emmett was a big part of our lives. He loved to go for hikes in the woods and run laps around the pond. We buried him in a corner of the yard so that he can face both the hiking trail and the pond.

2010-04-30T11:44:00.004-05:00

I've been a busy boy!

I moved to Eden, NY after an amazing whirlwind romance with my new partner Ron.I can not believe how happy I am. I am walking on air. We've been doing a lot of stuff around the house to make room for me and I hardly had time to knit at all.

Now that things are starting to fall in place I've managed to get a few rows of UFOs worked on here and there. Ron is a dairy farmer and is fine with the idea of me owning some sheep, or goats or hopefully alpacas!

2009-12-09T12:17:00.002-05:00

Here are my Turkeys at Thanksgiving and some Holiday knits I'm working on.

2009-07-31T13:13:00.007-05:00

I'm all settled into my new apartment and I love having a room devoted to just my yarn and fiber. It's still a little messy and once I have it straightened around better I'll have to post a picture. I've been working on my UFOs and it is rather embarrassing that I haven't anything finished in a long time. I have "The Yarn Harlot's" startitis.

My knitting hasn't been getting finished but my summer has been pleasant. I saw "The Tempest" in Delaware Park in Buffalo last week. There are two "Shakespeare in the Park" productions every summer. This week "Julius Caesar" has started and will finish out the rest of the summer.

2009-06-21T16:02:00.005-05:00

I've always loved rocking chairs and now that I knit I love them even more.

I found a chair by the side of the road a couple weeks ago along with a child's size rocker. I gave them both a good scrubbing and I made new cushions for the larger chair. It's now my favorite spot to knit on my gazillion UFOs.

I was taking my little dog Emmett for a walk and on the way back into the house noticed that there were some mushrooms growing next to my little garden gnome next to the door. That's so fairy tale looking isn't it?

2009-06-08T12:01:00.011-05:00

Buffalo Pride 2009!

Yesterday was Buffalo Gay Pride and I had so much fun! I wish our parade was a little bit bigger, but it was nice to see that every year it seems to get bigger and better. I made a flag that was used on one of the floats. I couldn't get a decent picture of it during the parade so my friend Dan helped me take a photo of it afterwards at the festival grounds.

My friends Karl and Tony were marching for Buffalo Bears. They have been together for twenty years. I love that.

At the end of the day my friend Joe and I were given rides in classic cars.
He got the Cadillac convertible and I was in the Centurion convertible. Fun!

2009-06-01T15:09:00.009-05:00

The WNY Llama and Fiber Classic was May 30 and 31 at the Hamburg, NY fairgrounds. I went yesterday with my friend Michelle. We watched some of the llama competition. It was interesting and not what I expected. I thought the llamas were going to be paraded around an arena and that was it. The handlers brought the llamas into the show ring (some easier than others) and had them walk into a giant hoop at one end. They had to put a plastic lei around the llamas neck. (I assume to see how well the llama stood to be harnessed.) Then they had to walk over a wooden bridge to a woman that would greet and pet the llama. Next they were taken to another large hoop where the handler demonstrated opening the llamas mouth. A toy wagaon was set up next to some cones and the handler had to pull the wagon next to the llama as they walked from one cone to the next. (Maybe it was to simulate pulling a cart? I'm not sure.) The handler then walked the llama over some rubber tires to an area where pcv pipe was set up in a three walled box. The llama had to walk in and then reverse back out of the "box". The final task was going into a trailer. I liked to see the well trained llamas going from task to task, but there was immense pleasue when the llamas were naughty and didn't like to do anything. None of them were spitting at least just a little bucking and trying to run away.

We then went to look at what the vendors were selling. I bought some brightly dyed leicester longwool roving from Whispering Pines Farm ( wpshetlands.homestead.com) and also a toy alpaca from another vendor whose name I can't remember.

2009-05-24T13:18:00.003-05:00

The Lilac tree outside my door is such a nice way to be welcomed home. I had to bring inside a bouquet so I could enjoy the fragrance while I knit.

July first I moving out of my little cottage and into the upstairs of the main house. There are two bedrooms so that means I will now have a space for all my yarn stash, books, knitting machines, roving, and everything else that goes along with being fiber addicted.

2009-05-12T15:27:00.004-05:00

I am knitting! I am ! Ok, I may be starting and not finishing anything, but I am knitting. I have taught my friend Katie to knit and the girl is amazing already. I have not had such a fast learner before. She even made me beaded stitch markers. Katie has been published a few times in some beading magazines. I think the beading has helped her with the dexterity for knitting. I'm knitting my little protege a Cabled Cardigan by Margaret O'Leary from the Vogue Knitting fall 2006 issue.

2009-02-08T14:47:00.002-05:00

I am living in a teeny tiny cottage/studio now. I do enjoy having my own space, but trying to find space for my yarn stash is a problem.

My scarf exchange buddy seemed to like the scarf I sent him I also included chocolate, candles, stitch markers, yarn needles, and some alpaca yarn in the box when I sent it. I haven't received my scarf yet from my buddy.

2008-11-17T15:14:00.007-05:00

Winter is Here!

I joined a scarf exchange on menwhoknit.com

I hope my spoilee likes what I'm making. It's a mosaic pattern by Janet Pittman. I'm using Lamb's Pride Bulky in Onyx,Brite Blue, and Charcoal Heather.

2008-11-08T02:22:00.002-05:00

I'm a Daddy!!

Meet Emmett Freddie !

I'm moving into a little cottage on December 1st. My landlady is a co-worker at the Veterinary Hospital and she insist I have a dog in my new home. My other co-worker, Katie, breeds shelties and she insists that it be one of her puppies.

How could I resist his cute little face?

2008-11-03T15:59:00.004-05:00

I never posted the finished ball of "grapevine." It didn't turn out as well as I had hoped, but I like how I can see my progression as a spinner.

On my wheel now is "Cranberry" from hanksinthehood.com

I'm having a tough time trying to keep the singles a little thicker. Predrafting is definitely helping with that

2008-11-02T23:36:00.002-05:00

This video is pretty powerful to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkhhD6Gqz34

2008-10-31T13:30:00.004-05:00

Happy Halloween!!

"Boo" pattern from mochimochiland.com made out of Bernat cashmere and size 5 US needles.

2008-10-27T21:36:00.007-05:00

Last night I went with some friends to a bar in Buffalo called "Mohawk Place" (it's on Mohawk Ave.) to see the "Myspace" celebutante Jeffree Star. It's not my kind of music, but I had fun. I just wanted to see his makeup and my friend Lynette's boyfriend, Cooper, did a tattoo on him. He is the same guy that tattooed me. I think Jeffree might have even tattooed Cooper. I took pictures but they turned out horrible so the first pic is what I did and the second is, I admit swiped from a different site.

I also finished the "Koolhaas" hat designed by Jared Flood. I want to be brooklyntweed in my next life. I used "Knitpicks" Wool of the Andes in cranberry on size 6 needles.

2008-10-24T11:10:00.002-05:00

The things that happen when your best friend is dating a tattoo artist.

2008-10-22T00:19:00.002-05:00

Rhinebeck booty!

2008-10-20T12:43:00.007-05:00

Rhinebeck was alot of fun!. Michelle and I drove up saturday and it took us about six hours. By the time we arrived it was too late to go to the festival. The hotel we stayed at was in Poughkeepsie and it was a dump! That's what I get for making late reservations. Next year I'm making it into a four day weekend and booking reservations early.

We went to the festival sunday and we had to walk around once before we would buy anything. I saw some of my favorite bloggers and I turned into super geek. Seriously, I could not talk to them! Dr. Mel and his partner David probably saw me lurking in their vendor booth.(http://www.cabezalana.blogspot.com/) I could only stare at Sean. (www.sprboston.com/seanssoapbox) The Yarn Harlot, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee made me a nervous wreck. (www.yarnharlot.ca/blog) You would think I was talking to the Queen! I almost knocked over a rack next to her when I was asking for her to sign my book. (dork) She then said she liked my sweater and I had to admit that I bought it at the Gap. I didn't have a chance to make myself anything to wear to Rhinebeck. My WIPs are are overflowing. Stephanie said I should lie and say that I made it. I was going to but I couldn't lie to the Harlot. Then I ran into Cat from Letsknit2gether (http://letsknit2gether.com/)

I had another Super geek meltdown. Both my jobs have me talking to people all day long in a professional and courteous manner. I have to explain serious medical conditions to clients about their pets and I do a very good job. Why is it that I can not string together two sentences to people I admire? I think I scared poor Cat. She wanted me to introduce myself to Eric and I couldn't muster that either. She was probaly trying to move me along for safety's sake. sigh.

There's always next year.

2008-10-14T00:18:00.000-05:00

Rhinebeck in 4 days. I'm there!

2008-05-28T20:26:00.005-05:00

Yay! I graduated!

I finally will have time to knit! I'm moving into my sister's house this weekend. Mark's mom's cancer has spread into her lungs. The duplex we shared with her needed to be sold to make it easier for his sister and Mark to financially put everything in order. We are so worried about his mother. She moved to Georgia so that his sister could make sure she was eating and going to her doctor appointments. It was hard for Mark and I to take care of her with going to school and working full time. His sister is a stay at home mom and she loves to make homemade meals. I think she was feeling like she needed to have time to care for her mother and be with her while she had the chance. Mark and I decided that our relationship wasn't working and this was also the way for us to stop hanging on to what wasn't there.

My Veterinary Technician licensing exam is next month. So I still have stress, but not as much.

I even had time to go to an alpaca farm and help with the shearing!

2008-02-24T18:37:00.007-05:00

I made a Dragon scarf with a pattern from morehouse farm for my nephew Eric's birthday. I bought it as a kit but decided to use "Lionbrand" chunky woolease yarn instead of the merino and I used "Pattens" Divine for the smoke coming out of his nose. The pattern was alot of fun and I will make another out of the merino. I've also been spinning more. I tried my hand at doing navajo ply with a bobbin that I spun of different scraps of roving. It wasn't too big of a disaster so I'm spinning some roving I bought on Etsy from "Freckle Face Fibers" called Grape Vine. It's amazing how far I've come with spinning, but I feel like I still don't know what I'm doing.

2008-01-28T18:53:00.003-05:00

I'm back in school and it's my last semester! Yippee! I've been very busy over vacation and( as usual) I've neglected my blog. The "Thing 1" and "Thing 2" dog sweaters I made on machine and hand knit for the beagles Halloween costume contest we had at school. The first prize (since we are in the Veterinary Technician program) was a brand new stethoscope. I love my new stethoscope!

The fingerless mittens ("Knucks" from Knitty.com) and the scarf ( "Rat Race" from Morehouse.com) were christmas presents for friends. The "Ganomy" hat is for my nephew Eric.

The spinning wheel was a present for me! Its a "Babe's Fiber Garden" wheel. Double treadle bobbin lead and the last photo is of my second attempt at spinning.

2007-10-06T14:28:00.002-05:00

Shawl for the Grandmother

Mark's ninety-seven year old Grandmother was put into a nursing home a couple weeks ago. She complains about how chilly it is there so I made her a shawl.

The pattern is a "Lion Brand" website free pattern called "The easy Triangle Shawl". It was easy but the pattern used the company's "Homespun" yarn.

I tried the "Homespun" but was miserable. I never mind acrylic usually, but that stuff is not fun to work with. Unfortunately I own two bins full of it from when I first learned to knit and thought it would make great afghans. I might use it for knitted toys but that's it. I might be growing into a fiber snob. I did use "Lion Brand Woolease" chunky in the color Bluebell. I wanted to make it easy for the shawl to be washed at the home.

2007-10-04T12:21:00.001-05:00

I have been busy with school once again.

I am also working two jobs so my knitting time has been limited as well as my blogging time. Soon I will have a couple projects finished and will get them posted. I also received my Ravelry invite - yay! I love looking at everyone's projects. There are some amazingly talented knitters out there.

2007-05-28T18:38:00.001-05:00

Memorial day weekend was spent doing alot of backyard work. I never like doing yard work, but the results are very satisfying. I needed to soak up as much sun as possible. Starting thursday I will be working two jobs and probably won't see alot of daylight. I was hired at a Veterinary Hospital as a hospital assistant until I get my AS Vet Tech degree. I figured it would only help me with next semester's classes. I also finished the first hat for the "Charmed Knits" knitalong. Blue and Gray for Ravenclaw made out of swish superwash from "Knitpicks." I'll make one in Gryffindor colors then I'll mail both to "Warm Woolies" for the charity knitting project they are running.

2007-05-06T18:14:00.001-05:00

Matilda and Octavia

Matilda is on the left and Octavia is on the right. These are my new little babies that I adopted from school. We had a class on lab animals and any of the animals not adopted became snake food. I couldn't do that to these two after how patient they were with my poking and prodding. Mark would prefer that they went to the snakes instead of at home, but I can be stubborn and I carry sharp knitting needles.

2007-05-04T23:45:00.001-05:00

This semester is over! I can knit more ! Yay!

2007-04-09T11:55:00.001-05:00

Toddler hat made from Noro yarn "Silk Garden."

2007-04-01T21:32:00.001-05:00

I have been knitting - sometimes.
Here's my Baby Surprise Jacket. I bought the video from schoolhouse press and knitted along with Meg.
Mark said mine looks like Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat.
Whatever.

2007-01-24T21:39:00.003-05:00

School is Kicking my Butt!

One week in already of the second semester and my head is spinning. I have five classes that have five labs to go along with them. Yikes! I have alot of homework!

I wanted to post a picture of the helmet liner I made for my nephew in the Marines in Iraq. The photo quality is really bad . I forgot to take a picture of it before I dropped it off at my sister's house to go with the care package she was sending. She took a quick picture before she stuck it in the box. We are not photographers in my family.

2007-01-08T21:46:00.001-05:00

I have been knitting hats like crazy. I bought the "knitpicks" options needles and I am madly in love with them. I need to buy all of the needles in two pairs because I love to knit in the round on double needles. Here's a sample of one of my hats that I made for Mark's nephew. The other hats I have already given away, but I'll ask the recipients to send me photos of them wearing them so I can post them here.
I also ordered from SchoolHouse Press a dvd of Meg Swansen showing how to make the "Baby Surprise Jacket." I never finished the last one I started and ended up frogging it. I also had bought earlier the "Knitting Workshop" and the "Knitting Glossary" dvds from SchoolHouse Press. I know I've said it before in a previous post but I can't help saying I love Elizabeth Zimmermann! (OK- me and a gazillion other knitters.) I have most of her books and I don't know why I bother even buying anymore knitting books. Her books have all that I could possibly need. Anyways- I started another BSJ and here is where I am at:

2007-01-03T16:58:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year!!

I am a bad blogger. My excuse is that I did finish my first semester of college and will start my second in two weeks. School took up most of my time and work took up the rest. I also had to do a preceptorship at a Veterinary Hospital. I had very little knitting time. My UFO box is overflowing. I did manage to make a few hats as Christmas presents though.

2006-06-25T20:50:00.001-05:00

Last night Mark called me from work and told me a co-worker of his said there was a small Llama and fiber show at the Erie County Fair grounds June 24th and 25th. The fairground are 10 minutes away from where I live. I was so happy! This morning we got up bright and early at 11am and headed to the Llama fun.
There was even a couple alpacas from "Lazy Acre Alpacas" and I bought two skeins of yarn from the owner Mark Gilbride. I already wound one skein into a ball. I need a swift and a ball winder. I have a winder, but the yarn has to go onto a plastic cone or it doesn't work correctly. So I just wind the yarn into a good 'ol fashion ball.
There was also a woman from "Strings and Things" named Betty at the show. She was selling spinning wheels. Betty asked me if I would like to take a spin at a wheel. " Oh boy, would I!" I was totally having a "Leave it to Beaver " moment. She had me practice peddling the treadle a bit and then a quick lesson with the spinning. I have been using a drop spindle so I knew the basics.Betty teaches spinning classes on thursday nights in her store. I was so excited about my first lesson and the prospect of taking more lessons I forgot to have Mark take a picture of me spinning. Oh well- I'll take photos at my first class. I'm obsessed with buying a spinning wheel now. Is there end to this fiber madness? I hope not! Now all I need is my own alpacas, sheep, goats, rabbits and as "God is my witness, I'll never go hungry again" (for yarn!)

2006-06-22T16:08:00.001-05:00

Here are the paintings from the art festival in Buffalo. The artist is Alain Bathelot but I don't know the title of the paintings. I feel bad that I never asked. I think with all the easel tipping Mark and I did at Alain's booth we were too ready to get the heck outta there.
The poncho was made by my fav client Hilda. She made it for my niece. Hilda is 75 years old and she is from Germany. She is the one who gave me the brother knitting machine. Hilda only knits and crochets for charity and occasionally for friends. Her ponchos,mittens, and slippers are given to area churches and charities that collect for the homeless and women's shelters. I want Hilda to adopt me. Her visits to the salon usually include gifts of chocolate that she gets from Germany on her trips to visit family.I Love her! knitting and chocolate-YAY!

This is where I am so far with the Log Cabin Baby Blanket. 5 more panels to go. I'm started to get sidetracked with other projects though. I really don't want to put it in the UFO bin but knowing the baby isn't due until September causes Mr. Procrastinate to rear his ugly head! All the Alpaca yarn from Atlanta is calling ... Chris.. Chris... make a hat... make mittens... don't keep us lying around... knit with us... knit you fool...

2006-06-11T18:10:00.001-05:00

My BF Mark went to visit his sister in Atlanta, GA for a week. Not fair. Iwant a vacation. I'm sad. He brought me home Alpaca yarn. I was glad!! The first picture is of Mark playing with his nephew Sam. Sam doesn't seem to like his new baby brother very much. He wants all the attention to himself. Uncle Mark kept him busy.

Last weekend we went to Niagara Falls for a little tourism. I usually only go there when I have a visitor from out of town. Mark and I decided to try and go visit the Falls more often. We really need to enjoy what is going on in our own backyard.

This weekend we went to the Allentown Art festival in Buffalo. The crowd was a little overwhelming to me and I usually like crowds. I think it is so much fun to people watch. There was a booth with paintings of shops and cafes in Paris. Mark was so absorbed in looking at the paintings he didn't watch where he was walking and he knocked over an easel. We were so embarassed we had to walk away. We liked the paintings so much at that booth we were soon enticed back. I was just commenting to Mark how bad it was to knock over someone's artwork when my foot caught on the leg of a different easel! Three paintings came tumbling down. Oops! I looked to see if there was someone I could blame it on. A kid or a cute dog even. Nope. I was busted. Mark bought three paintings from the man and we called it a day.

2006-05-28T15:40:00.001-05:00

http://columbiarecords.com/dixiechicks/The Dixie Chicks new album "Taking the Long Way"is amazing- buy it!!!
The "baby surprise" sweater is now on the back burner. The baby I was making it for was born premature and the sweater is really big so I've added it to my UFO bin. I started to make a log cabin baby blanket for a new baby due in September. The pattern is from the "Mason*Dixon Knitting" book. This might be a blanket I actually finish. I like that I don't have to sew pieces together.

2006-05-07T20:14:00.001-05:00

I have been busy!!
I am now accepted as a freshman at "Medaille" college for the 2006 fall semester! I'm dealing with financial aid, trying to find all my immunization records and all the other fun stuff that the other freshman's parents get to deal with for them. I have to do it myself, but I'm so excited! I need to find a fuzzy pen and heart shaped note book so I can be like "Elle Woods" on her first day of class. A little perfume for my essays to " give it a little something extra."
My IP was down for two weeks and they had major communication problems with me and within the company. Three times I set up appointments for a service technician to come to the house and check the lines to my dsl. I finally gave up and switched to a different provider. I am so much more happier. I now have cable television and I get to watch "Knitty Gritty" Yay!

Knitting content:
I have rediscovered Elizabeth Zimmermann. I bought "Knitting Without Tears" a couple years ago and, like everyone else, was enamored by Elizabeth's writing manner.I put the book aside and continued on with my other projects. Recently I pulled it off the shelf again and really read it- I love her! I had to buy a couple other of her books. "Knitting Workshop" and "Knitting Almanac." I'll buy her other books as soon I can. I decided to make the "Baby Surprise" sweater from "knitting Workshop." I think I'm following her directions correctly, but I'm nervous that I'm not. I tend to self doubt myself alot so I guess we'll see when I go to sew it up how I did.
I'm also making a messenger bag for school out of Alpaca and "Patons" wool. It's mostly knit in the round and then is felted for sturdiness. The pattern is from "Knitty.com"
The pictures are of the bag and the sweater and also the "bad ass" baby sweater I made for my nieces baby. It was inspired by "Baby's First Tattoo" from "Stitch N Bitch Nation."The "Bad Ass"name comes from Bonnie's baby hat that I'm going to make to go along with the sweater. The toy alpaca is for my friend Christine and the pattern is from "FiberTrends." Christine named her alpaca "Sugar" to go with my stuffed alpaca named "Cinnamon." Christine is so sweet! She just moved to North Carolina and I miss her. She was my knitting buddy!

2006-03-31T22:17:00.001-05:00

Ok- I apologize about the gap in posts and I'm sorry that this one is brief. I have decided to go back to collge. I should say "go to college" instead of "back to college" since I never finished my first semester. The hair business isn't "cutting" it anymore.
I'm going for my AS for Veterinary Technology. I was originally going to do this back in 1990 but I was too inmature and to depressed because I wasn't "out" to anyone. I was commuting everyday 27 miles one way, doing a work study program, and working at McDonalds. My friends were having crazy parties in their dorms. I was living with my parents. I have always regretted not going back. In highschool. I had an amazing teacher in the "Small Animal Science" course that I took through a votech program. I always felt I let her down because she had such high expectations for me. Now that I'm so into alpacas and Angora goats I think getting back into the Vet. field is the way to go. I am so ready.Wish me luck!

2006-02-26T14:55:00.001-05:00

The pillow caused a stir. Some thought it tacky and others found it very humorous. It sold very well at the raffle prior to the "Vagina Monologues" at my friend's college. The show was put on by the Women's Center at the University of Buffalo and the money raised benefits the Crisis Services Advocate Program. Some people have even asked me to make more pillows for other events they are having in the future. I don't mind doing it for fund raisers.
I've been very busy. My friend's band from New Jersey was here thursday night so I went out to hear them play.http://breakinglaces.com/mainpage.html
My niece's baby is due any time and I need to finish the last two sweaters I'm making for her. Last night I had to go to a benefit for my birth father (I'm adopted but still talk to my biological parents) who has lung cancer. The cancer has also gone into the rib bones.There was a chinese auction and I won a snow blower. Did I win the Aran afghan that I put a gazillion tickets towards? No. I won the snow blower where I only put in three. I guess it was a sign. I can knit my own afghan and I do need the snowblower.This is what you get living in the Buffalo area.

2006-02-07T18:15:00.001-05:00

Ok- here is the picture of a sweater for my niece's baby and also the picture that will commit me to the world of tacky knitters. Honestly, its a fun place to be!

2006-01-28T20:52:00.001-05:00

Inqueering minds want to know how a boyfriend of 9 years can forget an anniversary.I never remind him and I don't feel that I should have to. After how P- d I was last year you'd think he'd make an effort. He never said anything before I went to work so when I came home I left his gift and card on the table. He works a late shift so I was already in bed by the time he came in. I heard him open the gifts and he came upstairs a little sheep faced and said he would take me to dinner that weekend.
We did go to dinner, but I 'm still ticked. I'm a pretty needy person- I admit it. Knowing that I'm needy you'd think he would pacify me to make his life easier.
Anyways- to add to my list of UFOs - My friend Joelle's school is putting on a production of "The Vagina monologue." She asked me if I would make a scarf for a fund raiser they're doing with at the same time. I asked her if I could knit a vagina. Her little face just lit right up. So now I'm knitting a vagina pillow. Its a combination of a couple patterns I found plus my own creativeness. I stress creativeness since I don't have much experience with vaginas.

2006-01-19T00:45:00.001-05:00

Today is my 9th year with Mark. Last year he went out without me on our anniversary. Let's see if he remembers or even cares to remember this year. Brokeback mountain? Puh -leeze! Lets see a real gay couple on the screen. Guess what? We have alot of the same issues straight couples have. A relationship is a relationship.
Knitting content- I forgot I have to make something for a friend's Lupis benefit. I have one month and I have too many projects going. Looks like Slippers and scarves are going to be it . I'll just go with the flow and make what I can.

2006-01-16T23:32:00.001-05:00

Saw "Brokeback Mountain". I thought it was stereotypical of how most gay movies are portrayed. Gay Bashing, shame, straight then gay. Why couldn't they be cowboys that fell in love and lived happily ever after? This way society could see not all gay men are big sissies and can have life long loves. Did anyone else feel like I did?

2006-01-14T19:51:00.001-05:00

I am so tired! My poor sister had a partial hysterectomy because of her endometriosis. She has five kids under the age of 9. She is in pain and needed help with the kids. I helped. I don't know how the woman does it. I'm tired. I have watched "The Wiggles" way too much. My sister is feeling better and it feels great to help.
I haven't done much knitting or even had much time to visit anybody else's blogs, but I did play with my knitting machine a little bit. The photo is of three swatches I made to get a feel of what the machine can do. Sorry the picture is so bad- I need a better camera. You can't even see the lace pattern that well.
The other picture is of my boyfriend Mark and my best girlfriend Lynette taken on Christmas Eve.

I went to my LYS with a couple co-workers yesterday. I taught them to knit and I am so proud of them. They have been knitting for a few months and are obsessed. At first they didn't like ripping out mistakes or doing gauge swatches, but now they are getting more picky about their work and they fix their mistakes.
At the LYS they were making wise decisions about the right yarn to work with the projects they plan to make. I feel like a proud papa. I have brought two more knitters into the fold.

2005-12-28T22:47:00.001-05:00

I didn't get the Nativity done yet. I will still work on it, but my mother will not be getting the completed set until next Christmas. I know Bonnie http://www.booglass.typepad.com/ was looking forward to the creation of the baby Jesus. I'll still be very dramatic with my post when the time comes.
Let's talk about the things I did finish so I don't feel like a failure. I did finish the scarf for my client Sherry. I contacted my long lost friend Marc in Chicago.( Marc with a "C". Do NOT under any circumstance spell it with a "K". Trust me.) I actually had all my Christmas shopping done early. See? Positive happy things.
My client, Hilda, gave me a brother kh-860 knitting machine. I LOVE Hilda!! She decided she didn't want it anymore. I have an "Ultimate Sweater Machine" but it can't do what the brother can. I am first and foremost a hand knitter, but it is fun to play with the machines.

2005-12-18T23:49:00.001-05:00

My family Christmas party is in January. How relieved am I? I have a little extra knitting and Christmas shopping time. I am very relieved. So of course I had to get sidetracked and make a purse for my friend Lynette's daughter. The pattern came from "Mes Projets!"

I had a client yell at me the other day to say "Merry Christmas" instead of the "Happy Holiday" I gave her as she was leaving the salon. She wagged her finger in my face. I don't like fingers in my face. I said "NO."
I understand. I do. She wants her Christian beliefs recognized.
No I am not going to say "Merry Christmas." There are many other people celebrating holidays that are not Christian based. I am not going to insult the other people by saying "Merry Christmas." I will say "Happy Holidays." I have to keep it general because I respect the right of a person to choose the path of their own beliefs. I would think a true Christian would take my "Happy Holiday" and say "Yes, I will celebrate my Holiday with Christ and you have a Happy Holiday also." This is my opinion. Criticize if you must, but keep your fingers out of my face- I bite.

2005-12-10T00:28:00.001-05:00

There's only 15 days until Christmas !!!!!!
I am not ready!!!
Can't blog - must knit !!

2005-12-01T20:26:00.001-05:00

I was reading through my posts and I realized I didn't put the picture of the finished Neglia Scarf up.I decided that it needed fringe. I do admit - knitting with nice wool does make it hard to go back to acrylic. I'm working on a scarf for a close client of mine made out of a chunky blue Araucania wool yarn. It's just two cables with a loopy fringe on the side. I think I got the pattern out of "Easy Knitting" magazine. I'm not a big fan of the magazine, but I liked the idea of the pattern. The only problem I had was trying to make the loop fringe. The pattern says to "k1,yo,yo 2 fingers of left hand, then yo needle again, yo 2 fingers of left hand again, then yo needle again-3 lps on RH needle, transfer all 3 lps to LH needle, then k3 lps tog through back lps." Screw it.
I could not figure out how to yarn over and wrap it around my fingers to yarn over again - I'm adding a loop crochet fringe after I finish the length of the scarf. Easy Breezy.
I'm also still working on the Nativity. I have most of Mary done . I have half of her headress to finish and also her hands. I'll sew all the figures together after they are all knitted. I procrastinate sewing as long as I can.

Every friday night has become "knit nite" at work. There's four people I taught to knit and whenever we aren't working on customers we sit in the break room and knit. I didn't think they would stick with the knitting, but every week I see the projects that they start get finished. They talk about things they want to knit and the people they want to knit for. I love it. I never tire of helping them. It makes me see how far I've progressed with my own knitting. I've taught oher people to knit, but not so many at once in a group setting. I think it has helped them motivate each other and to not be frustrated because they are all at the same level. They all fight me on correcting their mistakes and checking gauge. I warned them, but I think they need to find out the hard way.

2005-11-16T19:40:00.001-05:00

I bought the new "Knit.1" magazine today. There are other non yarn snobs out there. OK- so none of them are people I talk to on any knitting group, but it is nice to know they are there. As god(dess) is my witness I'll never go without affordable yarn again!

2005-11-12T00:32:00.001-05:00

Christmas is just around the corner. I decided I was not going to go crazy knitting everything for my family this Christmas. I'm making a scarf for a favorite client of mine. I'm making a doggy jacket for my friend's french bulldog. I'm making a nativity scene for my mother. Actually, it will probably be only Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The shepherds, wisemen, and animals can be next year's gifts. That's it, no other Christmas projects.
The nativity I'm sure alot of you will find tacky. It's also made of acrylic. I apologize to the yarn snobs out there. Or maybe I don't. I think of self expression in knitting. I think tacky acrylic projects are fun. If I can't enjoy what I'm doing, why do it? Don't get me wrong. I love luxury fibers.I do I do I do. But come on! Have fun! I'm also a big fan of everything tacky on http://knitty.com . I made the Hallowig for my friend's daughter for dress up out of cornmeal yellow yarn and she loved it !! Make a six year old kid a sweater and see how excited they get.They want toys! They want silly! Moms like easy to wash!

2005-10-27T19:27:00.001-05:00

My Rhinebeck experience.
Saturday, October 15th at 9 am I went to work and styled my client's hair for her daughter's wedding. As soon as the last mist of hairspray landed on her perfect (BIG) coiff, I grabbed my coat and ran out the door. 6 hours later I drove into the "Super 8 motel" in Kingston which is 20 minutes outside of Rhinebeck. I waited too long to reserve a room - "Super" is what happens to those who wait. At least there was cable. "Steel Magnolias" was on. I haven't seen that movie in years. I cried like a baby. No, like a big sissy gay man hairstylist. "Drink the juice,Shelby!" (Goddess,I forgot how big the hair was in that movie.)
Anyways, at 10am the next morning I checked out and headed over to Rhinebeck. The fall scenery on the drive was amazing. I was trying to be a responsible driver so I didn't take any pictures of the foliage on the drive there. Ok- I did try to take a picture once when the sunlight broke through some clouds and the Hudson valley appeared to be blessed from the heavens. As if the divine beings were guiding me to the sheep and wool festival. Pointing the way to wool and euphoria, fleece and enlightenment.
I pulled into the gates of the fairgrounds, parked the car, and my cellphone rang.
It was my exboyfriend from nine years ago(insert dark melodramatic music). He lives in Chicago and my friend Bridget is moving there. I told her to look him up because I knew he would help her find a job and a place to live. He tried to help her the best he could , but he has a lot going on and he didn't have a lot of time. He did admit to Bridget that he still had feelings for me and that our relationship didn't work out because we were at totally different points in our lives. True- we are 16 years apart, but there was a lot more to it than that. I told him I would have to call him back later after I explained where I was and that it wasn't a very convenient time to talk. After I collected myself from the shock of that phone call, I grabbed my bookbag and headed for the entrance of the grounds. I paid for my ticket and grabbed a map of the grounds. The first thing I did was locate the Alpaca barn. Oh happy day! alpacas (sigh). I went to a few vendor booths and then I went and watched some herd dogs racing. Went to a few more vendors then to the Alpaca and Llamas parade. There was then the "Leaping Llama" competition. I am such a geek. I was giggling my fool head off at those silly Llamas and Alpacas leaping. I had a bite to eat and totally forgot that I was there bymyself. I loved looking and the other festival attendees with their handknit garments. Next year I will be sure to wear something I made myself.

At one of the vendor booths there was a woman selling felting kits and videos. Now, I was always curious about needle felting but had only seen it in books and magazines. The sculptures on display were very charming so I then wanted to try it for myself. I bought a kit to make "Gnome Woolabies" and a video"Introduction to needle felting." This used up all the cash I had on hand. I looked on the map for an ATM machine and there was only one in building "E". I took my wallet out and there was no credit card in there. I WAS IN A PANIC!!! I ran to the gate, got my hand stamped, ran to my car and dug through my bags. No credit card. I called the hotel. "Oh yes, Mr. Hayden- we have your card here on the desk." WTF? "Did anybody try calling me?" silence. "I'm in Rhinebeck. I'm at the sheep and wool festival." silence. "Well, I can't drive to Kingston and then back to Rhinebeck. I'll have to just walk around the festival and then go get my credit card later". "Ok, Mr. Hayden it'll be here for you."
I realize I should have made sure I had the credit card before I left the hotel.It is at least half my fault. I was so excited about going to the festival that I signed the credit card slip, grabbed my copy and ran out the door. How stupid of me.
The rest of the day I just walked around staring at the yarn I couldn't buy. I was tempted to drive back to kingston and then Rhinebeck, but I just didn't have it in me knowing that I had a big drive back home. So I just watched the "punkin chuckin" contest and made the most of it.
I do like needle felting. I had some roving at home and I used it to practice on before I tried the gnome. I made a figure I like to call the Diva that couldn't say "NO" to plastic surgery. I definitely need more practice and the horrible photo doesn't help . Doesn't she look like that crazy cat woman?

2005-10-12T23:21:00.001-05:00

Last sunday I went with my sister Judy and neice Megan to an Alpaca farm. It is across the road from where my sister Louann had lived for ten years.I never knew it existed. Judy found out in the local paper that there was an open house at the farm. Louann moved about three months ago. The Alpaca farm has been there for three years. So for three years I could have walked up the road from my sister's and visited my beloved Alpacas at my leisure. Not fair!
Anyways- it was VERY cold. So we didn't stay long. I just wanted to see how the barns were set up . I think the owner was impressed with how much I knew about the care of the Alpacas.Well.... OK- I was a know-it-all and I don't think he wanted to talk to me very much. I was just giddy and was rambling off everything I could think of: breeding, feeding, housing, fleece processing (Yay YARN!).

Did I mention Yarn? Rhinebeck this weekend!! My friend Lynette was suppose to go with me, but she had to back out in order to go to a memorial service.Unless my friend Bridget can go it looks like I will be heading there myself. I hope I don't look all pathetic and forlorn walking around all alone. I don't care- I'm still going. I did wait way to long to get a hotel room. I'm staying in Kingston about 12 miles away. Oh well -better planning next year.

2005-10-07T21:02:00.002-05:00

Horrible blogger

I am a horrible blogger. I admit it. I had the best intentions of writing a few times a week I really did. Sometimes though you have to live life in order to write about it.
I am so excited about going to Rhinebeck next week. I think my friend Lynette is going with me. She either keeps me out of trouble or she gets me in trouble. We'll see what can happen at the sheep and wool festival.
The Neglia scarf is done. I did add fringe. My sister has my digital camera and as soon as I get it back I will post pictures of the scarf and my current projects.
My niece and my nephew's girlfriend are pregnant. I've been looking through all my knitting books to find a baby sweater pattern that isn't too cute and made in pastel colored yarns. I like babies in rich deep colors. My niece hates pink.
This sunday there is an open house at a nearby alpaca farm. How exciting!! I'm going with my sister. I don't know if she really wants to go, but she loves me and is willing to suffer for her little brother. Her daughter Amber has started her first semester of college and her roommate has received a bunch of care packages from her family. So naturally we have to send some to my niece. I will not have my niece out care packaged! What to send though? I told my sister I was going to send a bottle of aspirin and a box of condoms. She didn't think that was funny. If anybody can think of anything creative to send that would make me look like the best uncle in the whole world - I would appreciate it.

2005-09-10T17:14:00.002-05:00

My optometrist informed me the other day that I'm not as young as I used to be. How harsh and cruel. He changed my prescription to something a little stronger and "Even up close your vision is a little blurry, so you could wear your glasses more at work". I do think I have been invading my clients personal space, my nose practically against the hair I'm cutting. The cold stone truth is still hard to face. We can't be twenty one forever.
Today I cut the hair of a woman whose son went to the same schools as I did. Kindergarten through 12th grade. In fifth grade he was one of my best friends and we did everything together. We went rollerskating or to the movies every weekend. I remember one weekend he wanted to stay overnight after we saw the movie "Splash". I loved the movie and it was more fun because everyone at the theater had squirt guns.When we got back to my house he told me he always slept in the nude and he wasn't going to be able to sleep if he had to wear pajamas. I was a little confused- to say the least. So I said " Ok, take your clothes off under the covers and sleep naked" then he said " I can't unless you do it too." (Can anybody hear warning sirens blaring?) I refused to take my clothes off but I said that I would pull my pants down. Long story short -he felt me up -I was uncomfortable- I didn't know what to do. I felt him up in return (I thought that was what he wanted).He got mad at me and said "What are doing?" WTF!? I didn't know what we were doing. I was at a loss. I pulled my PJs up - rolled over and went to sleep. Afterwards our relationship was strained. He picked on me at school. He made fun of my house,my family, my clothes. Anything to hurt my feelings. I was so stupid I just kept trying to be his friend. During the summer he had to go to bible school and he asked me to go with him. I said I didn't want to go. He said he couldn't go by himself and his parents were making him and would I "Please please please be a good friend and go with him? " How dumb was I? I went. He knew alot of the kids at the bible school. I didn't know any of them. At recess we were playing dodgeball (oh yes - I know all my little gay brothers are cringing at the word) and he had both teams whipping the balls at me. Hello- I was out after the first hit. Did it stop -oh no. Did the playground monitor do anything to help me? Oh no. The minute recess (what a great word for that experience) was over I marched into the school to have my mother pick me up immediately. She wasn't home- of course. I refused to leave the school office until I could get a hold of my mother to get me out of that hellhole.When she finally answered (she had been grocery shopping) I started blubbering in short hiccuped spurts about what happened. I swear she was there in 2.8 seconds but it still felt like eternity. I was told not to be the guy's friend and to ignore him. I tried. Even in highschool he tried to be mean to me. 10th grade spanish class was chaotic. Our teacher had no control over the room. The guy was in the class with me and for no reason he got up out of his seat, walked over to me and smacked me across the face. I jumped up so fast. I had had it. I was ready to beat the living daylights out of that SOB. My friend Michelle grabbed me and told me not to touch the weasel. She said he wasn't worth getting in trouble over. I shouldn't have listened. But I did.
Now- the whole reason for this story is because of doing his mother's hair. I am now forced into listening to how this guy is always with a new girlfriend and has moved around from state to state. Maybe he's a big closeted HOMO and he is moving around because he can't face the truth of who he is? Did he have to torture me because I was a reflection of himself? I believe what goes around will come around.His unhappiness is a result of what he has done to others. I say others and not me because I wasn't the only person who suffered his bullying.
Allright - enough about that.
I have a new project that I will be starting for my friend Bridgett. It is the "Puff Seeve Bolero" from Teva Durham's "Loop-d-Loop". I have included the picture from the book. Bridgett and I are going to my LYS tuesday to pick out her yarn.I want to get it done asap because Bridgett is moving to Virginia in a month. We have grown really close and I'm going to miss her terribly.
The Neglia scarf is almost finished .I didn't have much knitting time lately to work on it. I want to get some opinions on whether or not it needs fringe. I'm not crazy about fringe so if Majority thinks no fringe -then no fringe. I want honest opinions though. I want absolutely no sycophants reading this blog. No wait- that's a lie. I want nothing but sycophants!!!
Kidding - be yourselves - be honest about everything.

2005-09-04T16:56:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I'm cutting the hair of one of my clients and he looks at me and tells me I'm getting fat. Now- I admit I've been putting on a few pounds, but what gave him the right to say anything? When did our stylist/client relationship become so comfortable for him to be able to say what ever he feels like saying? Sometimes working with the public can be such a trial.I can't wait to have my little alpaca farm. Sure they'll spit on me and I'll have poop to clean up, but I never have to hear again "Can you make me look like Jennifer Aniston?" Dream on.

A friend of mine gave me a stuffed alpaca toy she bought at an alpaca farm in Atlanta. At first I was horrified to find that the toy was made from alpaca hide, not shorn alpaca. The toy was made in Peru. I told myself that they do eat the alpacas in Peru and that the animal died to feed a family. I've learned to love the toy and I have named her "Cinnamon". She now represents my goal of having a farm and everyday I look her I think about what I need to do to achieve that goal. Thinking of all that fleece to spin and knit makes me drool.

I started working on a scarf for a fundraiser my friend's daughter is having with her ballet school. There have been so many budget cuts in the county that I live in that there isn't any funding left for the arts. The yarn is "Araucania Wool"and it comes from Chile. I decided to make three cables on a seed stitch background. I don't like alot of color changes in my knitting, but I do like texture. Sorry the pictures aren't that clear. I am not very good at photography. I also tend to make alot of things in green since it is my favorite color.

2005-09-02T14:50:00.001-05:00

Starting a blog is difficult.

I always want to tell everything about myself all at once. Where to begin to bore the masses though is tough. OK- I didn't mean that. I don't want to bore anyone. I want everyone to love me. I'm needy. I want everyone to read my blog and say with a little chuckle "That Chris, what a character, I sure do love him !" Sometimes I can be acerbic. Maybe that's the homosexual in me. I've learned to expect the worst so I'm not surprised when it happens, but let's not start out on a downer. Let's be happy! Let's think about the positive, well rounded and open minded people that are going to be connected by my revealing my inner workings of my soul. Maybe there will be a love match.(I do so love playing matchmaker!) Maybe there will be friendships forged that will last eternity. How about some business connections even? (Oh to think that my little blog could be the start of a new fiber empire!)

I love knitting -there will be alot of knitting content here. That is where the "Knit" in "Twist Knits" comes from.Obviously, right? The "Twist" comes from a nickname. When I lived in Chicago I had a boss that said I was Twisted. I never had a problem with emabarassing myself as long as I could generate a laugh from someone. Therefore I should be called "Twistopher" instead of "Christopher". "Twist" for "Chris". I liked it.

Now- for anyone who thinks my grammar is horrible. Or if you get too uptight with punctuation-bite me. I admit that I am not an amazing writer, but I am a good friend. If you want William Shakespeare go elsewhere. If you need a shoulder to cry on or some sympathy-Welcome! IF YOU NEED TO RANT AND RAVE-feel free.