_Knittery

Lily's Hat

2010-10-23T15:22:00.007-04:00

Free pattern!

This hat is reversible, double knit, and turns into a purse when you pull the drawstrings :)

Pattern is full of pictures and hopefully easy to understand :)

Pattern can be found HERE

2010-05-07T15:16:00.002-04:00

Do you ever just feel like typing? Not that you have anything meaningful to say, but there is just that feeling of your fingers hitting the keys in rhythmic motion that is kinda nice. yeah, that is how I am feeling at the moment.

I got my final grades back. I passed all of my classes. This is good news. I was really worried that I'd failed my Design 2 class, but I guess not. and I did better in it than I thought that I would. I got a B-. Not bad for a class I was convinced that I failed. :) This makes me relax a little. I did not want to have to repeat that class. Ever.

My bestie will be in town this weekend!! That makes me so happy. I've missed my Allie. Goodness, when was the last time I've seen her? WOG? No, didn't I see her over Christmas? Yeah, I think so. I've slept since then and can't remember. But anyways, I get to see Allie tonight!!

It has been storming a lot the last few days. I love it when it storms. When I was growing up, Dad, Josh, and I used to sit on the front porch of the house and watch storms together. We would talk about how the God we serve is so much more powerful than any storm we would watch. So I've never been afraid of storms, because I know the maker of the storm. I love to watch storms. I miss having a porch to watch them on.

There isn't a lot going on here with me. I've not done much the last few days. I had my ED team appointments Wednesday, those went ok. It is just exhausting to have all 3 of them in one day. Dr C (my psychologist) said she is going to refer me to the psychiatrist there. That will be good. It is easier to have all of those appointments in the same place anyways. But she wants someone monitoring my meds. Understandable. But that won't be for a while now, as they don't have any new patient openings for a while.

On to things yarn related… as that is supposed to be the focus of this blog. I've finished 10 buddies this week. So I need to get them ready to post and then get them in the mail. Setting up the mailings is one of my least favorite things. But I think I've worked out a system now that helps it seem to go faster. Thing is that I'm out of printer ink right now, so I can't print everything necessary for the packages. And I don't have the cash right now to get more ink. So that is slowing things down with the RBP.

As to knitting that is un-RPB related, I'm not doing much of it lately. I still need to finish Sharayah's sweater. I'll get around to it. It's getting to warm for a sweater anyways. I guess that would be reason to finish it before it gets cold again, right? Haha. Yeah, I probably should. All I have left is one sleeve. I've been sewing in the ends as I've worked. Maybe I'll try to get that finished before I go to Texas. That could be the goal. I still have a lot to knit over the summer, like a baby blanket.

I have started reading "The Heart Mender", my book from Booksneeze.com. It so far is really good. I'm only 3 chapters into it right now, so I am not really far enough to give you a real opinion yet, other than so far it is good.

Hmm. I wanted to go out on my bike again today, as I've been doing that a lot this week, but it is looking like it is going to rain soon. So I am going to get off of here and go ride my bike for a little while before it starts to rain. I've run out of things to say anyway (can't you tell as I've just been kinda rambling?)

Talk to you all later.

Bethany

Summer break has started!

2010-05-02T02:11:00.002-04:00

Well I'm home from school, I've been home since Thursday.

I moved home from school Thursday. So I've been home for a few days now. So far I've not done much of anything. and, to be honest that has been so nice after a crazy few days of finals. It's been really nice to sit and relax. For the past few days all I've really done is knit, play with Bella, listen to my Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows audio book, or watch Lost (Don't tell me anything about it!! I've only just started season 3). It has been an ok couple of days. But come next week, I'm gonna start trying to be productive. I can't just let myself sit around all summer. That would be nice yes, but it would get old fast. So for one I'm gonna start walking Bella daily again I think, she could really use the exercise and attention as she has taken a liking to chewing shoes lately. That tells me that she isn't getting enough attention and has too much energy. Other than that, mom should be dropping my bike off here in the next few days and that will be nice to have around for exercise and transportation. I really love my bike.

I'm (im)patiently awaiting to hear what my final grades are. I'm so nervous that I've failed my Design 2 (3D design) class. I don't feel like I did very well in the class overall. It doesn't help that the professor never gave us a real syllabus or grading rubric though, that makes things more difficult. I know that I passed my World Changers class (FINALLY!!) with an A, and General Psychology 2 with a B. This makes me happy! I'm still waiting to hear my final grade for the drawing class too.

My first book from Booksneeze.com arrived today! The book is "The Heart Mender" by Andy Andrews. I do not know that much about the book yet, but I look forward to reading it. I will be posting a review of the book here once I finish reading it.

I'll be going to Texas in a few weeks to spend some time with some dear friends of mine :). I'm really excited about this! I'll be sure to post about when I'm leaving when I figure that out for sure.

As for what is on my knitting needles lately, well, a lot of things. And there are a few things I've been meaning to start.

I'm of course knitting Recovery Buddies. In the last 3 days I've made 4 of them, and have another on the needles. I really need to try to get a handle on the waiting list. But sometimes that just feels like an impossible task, as I'm getting requests for buddies faster than I can knit them. I really wish I could get more people involved in knitting them, Allison and I just can't keep up on our own it seems. But there hasn't been a lot of interest in helping knit them. I was trying to organize a knit-a-long, but I didn't get much of a response to it. Any ideas on how to get more knitting support anyone?

Other than buddies (because I can't knit just buddies or I'll get burnt out) I've been working on a sweater for my sister. I'm using the pattern and construction of "$5 in Paris" and modifying it a bit to have an "S" on the front of it to make it a Weasely sweater. It's been a bit of a challenge for me. I have discovered that I really am not a fan of colorwork. It just is more work than I really care to do. I can do it, I just don't enjoy it that much. I frogged the "S" about 10+ times before I got it to look the way that I wanted. The sweater is nearly complete though, I just have to finish the second sleeve.

Thinking of sweaters, I've been meaning to start a "Brobee Sweater" for my niece, Arianna. I just don't have the yarn I need for it yet. I wanted to get it done for her birthday party, but that just didn't happen. Her birthday party is tomorrow (well, today by the time this gets posted). She turned one on Friday the 30^th of April. I can't believe that she is a year old! That is just amazing to me. I can't wait for her party, it should be a lot of fun. That reminds me that I need to charge the battery for my camera before the party!

I also need to start another baby blanket soon! I won't say who for yet here, but some of you already know. The gender of the baby is still unknown, and that is why I've waited to cast on, as that will determine my choice of pattern and color(s). So I am still waiting to hear from the parents of the baby as to what the gender is. I also might knit a toy for the baby too. We'll see.

This week has been long, stressful, and I'm glad that it is over. So glad. There is a lot that is going on that I'm just not comfortable posting here.

Wednesday I have 3 ED team appointments. I'm not exactly looking forward to this as it is sure to be a long, draining day. I have my Dr, Psych, and Dietitian all in one day. Urf. This is good though because it saves us drives down to Indianapolis.

I think that is all that I want to talk about on the blog right now.

Take care everyone!

Bethany.

2010-04-16T23:19:00.002-04:00

Well, school is going to be ending in a week and a half! that is an interesting thought. It went by so fast.

So now that summer is coming I will have more reading and knitting time! yay!! That makes me really happy. there are a few books I've been meaning to read or reread, and a few Knitting projects I want to do. So you will probably start hearing about both :).

But as for me, it is time for me to get some sleep. I know this was a short post. I just wanted to let anyone who reads this blog know that I am going to be posting more once school is out.

Bethany

Back at School!

2010-01-12T17:17:00.002-05:00

So I've made it! I'm back at IWU for school. I'm so excited to be back.

Classes started today for me at 9:25. tomorrow they start at 7:50. funnnnn. I hate being awake that early, but I'll get through it.

The lovely Anne S gave me some free sock yarn last night. It's so pretty. Now I just need to find the time to knit. ha. I loooooove getting new yarn. I have put myself on a yarn diet for a while. I have enough stash to last me a while, so there is no real need to get new yarn. Unless it's to finish a project, I'm not going to be buying new yarn. But if it is given to me... haha not going to turn that down :P. And I love sock yarn. Seriously, they should just call it crack, it can be addicting. Now I just need to find time to knit, and find some new fun sock patterns to try. I could just knit up plain socks, or jaywalkers. But it is more fun to try something new.

If anything though, right now I need to finish the baby blanket that I'm making for my cousin's baby. The baby is due in less than a week! ha. I had to get more yarn for the blanket, and didn't get to do so till this past Saturday. So I'm a little behind schedule. But, it's OK, I knit fast (if I have time.) So it will get done, if not before the baby is born, then slightly after.

Well, I'm gonna get back to studying.

Bethany

Thoughts

2009-12-07T04:38:00.004-05:00

I just feel like typing. I love the way that it feels to type. I love the rhythmic motion, and the sound. I could type all day and love it.

I have some things on my mind. And I feel like trying to get them off my chest. If I piss some people off that is just to bad. I really don't care. This is my blog and I'll say what I want. Don't like that? Don't read it.

people are interesting to me. I was gone 10 months, without a word from some people. and now, I'm home and people want to act like they missed me?

It's weird to go to church. I heard nothing from anyone at my church when I was away. I never got card, letter, call, email, anything. I really felt like they forgot me. How hard is it to send someone a card? or leave a facebook message? SOMETHING. I heard nothing from these people. I actually felt like... like I should look for a church that cares if I go missing. I felt like no one cared.

So I go to church this morning and people are quick to tell me how much they missed me and its nice to have me back. And I kinda feel like... well, you knew how to reach me. I know you did because I gave you the address. You could have sent a card. I honestly felt like saying to some people "Really? you missed me? Cause you had my address, you could have wrote me. I figured you forgot about me... ". But I'm to nice and sweet to do that.

This morning in church I did mention to someone that I kinda felt like no one noticed I was gone. And she dared to say "Well when you're not a very active part of the church..". Seriously? really? I've been going to this church since I was a freshman in high school, every sunday unless I was ill. Beyond just going, I was helping start a puppet ministry, and knitting prayer shawls. How is that not being active?

It would just be nice to have people that care enough to notice that I'm not there for 10 months, and then care enough to contact me, just say "Hi, we haven't forgotten about you!"

I don't know. I'm just tired of people being fake I guess. And I guess I don't feel bad about saying most of this because the people I'm talking about will probably never read this blog. And if they do, meh, oh well. At least they will know how I feel.

I have a hard week ahead of me. I have a lot of things going on this week that are going to be far from easy to face. Some of my friends know what these things are. Some don't. I don't feel like posting about it here. But its not going to be a fun week.

[/personal crap]

On to knitting things... The doll outfit is coming along. About to start decreases. It will be nice to move on to something that isn't just straight knit. Cause I'm getting a little bored with it.

I'm aching to start another sweater as I've not done one for a while. I think I might do $5 in Paris. It looks like it would be a lot of fun :). And it's one I might have the yarn laying around for. If not, its not an expensive one, and that makes me happy.

I've been up early these past few days. Hmm. Not something I really want to do, but not an awful habit I guess.

Kinda have nothing else to say..

Bethany.

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Now playing: Audio Adrenaline - A.K.A. Public School
via FoxyTunes

Welllll.....

2009-12-06T05:19:00.006-05:00

Do I even need to repeat myself here? I suck at blogging. Seriously. No matter how hard I try it seems that I can't keep up with one. Ha. That's ok, I don't think anyone really reads this blog anyways.

So things with me are... Well, I'm finally home from Michigan. I've been home for almost a month now. Wow it's hard to believe that I've been home that long. It doesn't feel that long. But I'm home, so we are going to give this blogging thing another go. Ha. I doubt I'll keep up but we'll see. Maybe I can get into a habit of it.

So as for knitting projects, as that is what the blog is mainly for, I've got quite a few things going.

I'm working on a baby blanket for Baby Caden. He is due to be born early January. Its coming along well, except that I've run out of yarn for it and haven't taken a trip to the store yet. But I have no doubts that it will get done. It's about 75% of the way done now.

I'm really not doing any Christmas knitting this year. I thought about doing some, and kinda decided that I'd rather focus on staying sane this holiday season. I don't need the stress of trying to get a million holiday knitting projects done. I might take on a few, But nothing huge that is going to stress me out. I have enough going on right now to do that without throwing in holiday knitting.

I started knitting up some clothes for a friend's Canadian Girl Doll today. That is easy and fun. :) I'm working from this pattern. I might modify it a bit though, and I don't have the wool to felt the slippers. So I might do something different for that. But so far it is knitting up well and very easy.

What else...

I don't know really what else to say right now.

I really didn't plan on being awake this early, But my Isabella had other plans. She decided to wake me up with kisses at 5:30 this morning. I figured that she needed outside to potty. So I got up and started to get her to go downstairs with me and she just curled back up in the blankets and went back to sleep. Seriously Bella, momma loves you and all... and I love getting kisses from you, but why at 5:30 in the morning?

Yeah I really don't have much to say.

But now that I'm awake... I'm gonna go get ready for church.

Bethany

Funny break from knitting for a moment....

2009-01-02T00:22:00.002-05:00

Dear Allie,

I don't really know how to tell you this but, Your nostrils are insulting. I think I realized it when I tripped on peanut butter outside of your office and I saw you sit on your ‘My Little Pony’ collection. I'm sure you're Middle-classenough to understand that I get turned on only by garbage men. I'm returning the cut toenails to you, but I'll keep my virginity as a memory. You should also know that I told in my confession today about the moose poaching and, you should stop picking your nose

You make me sick,
Bethany

Fill it in with these!

1) What's the color of your shirt?
Blue - I'm in love with your cat
Red - Our affair is over
White - I’m joining the Convent
Black -Our romance is over
Green- Our socks don't match
Grey - You're a leprechaun
Yellow - I'm selling myself for candy
Pink - Your nostrils are insulting
Brown - The mafia wants you
No shirt - You're mean
Other -I dislike your eyelashes

2) Which is your birth month?
January - That night you picked your nose
February -When I quoted Forest Gump
March - When your dwarf bit me
April - When I tripped on peanut butter
May - When I threw up in your sock drawer
June - When you put cuffs on me
July – When you smacked my ass
August - When I saw the purple monkey
September - Last year when you peed your pants
October - When we skinny dipped in the bathtub
November - When your dog humped my leg
December - When I finally changed my underwear

3) Which food do you prefer?
Tacos - In your apartment
Lasagna- In your car
Pasta - Outside of your office
Hamburgers - Under the bus
Salad – As you were eating Kraft Dinner
Chicken - In your closet
Kebab - With Jean Chrétien
Fish - In a clown suit
Sandwiches - In ur bathtub
Pizza - At the mental hospital
Hot dog - Under a street light
Annat- With George Bush and Stephen Harper

4) What's the color of your socks?
Yellow - Ignore
Red - Put whipped cream on
Black - Hit on
Blue - Knock out
Purple - Pour syrup on
White - Carve your initials into
Grey - Pull the clothes off
Brown - bit of
Orange - Castrate
Pink - Pull the pants off of
Barefoot - Sit on
Other - Drive over

5) What's the color of your underwear?
Black - My boyfriend
White - My father
Grey – The Catholic Priest
Brown – The Montreal Canadian’s goalie
Purple - My corned beef hash
Red – My knee caps
Blue - My salt-beef bucket
Yellow - My illegitimate child in Ghana
Orange - My Blink 182 cd
Pink – Your ‘My Little Pony’ collection
None – My prized statue of Michael Jackson in the nude
Other --The elephant in the corner

6) What do you prefer to watch on TV?
One Tree Hill - Senile
Heroes- Frostbitten
Lost - High
Simpsons- Cowardly
The news - Scarred
Fuse - Masochistic
Family Guy - Open
Top Model - Middle-class
Annat -shamed

7) Your mood right now?
Happy - How awful you are
Sad - How boring you are
Bored - That I get turned on only by garbage men
Angry - That your smell makes me vomit
Depressed – That we’re related
Excited - That I may pee my pants
Nervous - The middle-east is planning their revenge on you
Worried - That your Ford sucks
Apathetic - That you need a sex-change
Ashamed - That I'm allergic to your earlobes
Cuddly - That Santa doesn't exist
Silly - That there is no solution to you being a dumb kid
Other - That your driving sucks

8) What's the color of your walls in your bedroom?
White - Your toe ring
Yellow - The cut toenails
Red - The pictures from Vegas
Black - Your pet rock
Blue - The couch
Green - Your car
Orange - Your false teeth
Brown - Your nose hair clippers
Grey - Our matching snoopy underwear
Purple - Your old New Kids on the Block blanket
Pink - Your love letters to me
Other - Your Hannah Montanna underwear

9) The first letter of your first name?
A/B - My virginity
C/D - Your photo with the moustache drawn on it
E/F - Your neighbour’s dog
G/H - The oil tank from your car
I/J - Your left ear
K/L - The results of that blood-sample
M/N - Your glass eye
O/P - My common sense
Q/R - Your mom
S/T - Your collection of butterflies
U/V - Your criminal record
W/X – Your sucide note
Y/Z - Your credit cards

10) The last letter in your last name?
A/B - Haven’t showered in a month
C/D - Always will remember the pep talks
E/F -Never will forget that night
G/H – Hate your cooking
I/J – Mocked you behind your back constantly
K/L - Will tell the authorities that you did not steal that whale in the back yard
M/N - Told in my confession today about the moose poaching
O/P - Was interviewed about the car you stole
Q/R - Always wanted to break your legs
S/T - Get sick when I think of your feet
U/V - Will try to forget that you broke my heart
W/X - Told my psychiatrist about the bruises
Y/Z – am better off without you

11) What do you prefer to drink?
Wine- Our friendship is ruined
Soft drink – I’m off to lead a new life as a lemon
Soda – I will haunt you when I’m reincarnated as an Eskimo
Milk - The apartment building is on fire
Water – You should get that embarrassing rash checked
Cider– I have a passionate interest for mice
Juice – You ruined my attempts at another world war
Mineral water – I'm scratching my ass as you read this
Hot chocolate – Your Cucumber-fetishism is weird
Whiskey - I love Oprah Winfrey
Beer – Thanks for the Cocaine
Other – you should stop picking your nose

12) To which country would you prefer to go on a vacation?
Italy - Warm tingly sensations
Australia - Best of luck on the sex change
France - Love always
Spain - With tears of sadness
China – You make me sick
Germany – Please don’t hurt me
Japan - Go milk a cow
Greece - Your everlasting enemy
USA - Greetings to your frog Leonard
Egypt – Kiss my butt
England - Go drown yourself

Have I mentioned that i fail at blogging?

2008-12-06T11:12:00.004-05:00

Cause i do. Epically.

Well my brother and his wife found out they are having a baby girl. I'm excited. I had a feeling it was going to be a girl so i had this lovely thing already going.

I really love this lace pattern. its not to hard. actually i have it memorized now and could do it in my sleep.

Its bad tho i'm scared to venture out and try new lace...ha

Bethany

2008-09-17T14:14:00.000-04:00

Well I got a call today from the doctor's office telling me that my blood tests are back. about time! so i'll send those into Mercy with my doctor's note about my meds. That is all that I have left to do. I'm praying that I get into Mercy soon.

Flynn and I have been having a lot of fun with the Recovery Buddies. The keep my needles busy for sure.

I'm scared to be blogging because it seems that everytime i do i end up upseting someone. urf.

Feeling a little sick today. I think its just allergies. but my nose is all stuffy. its been this way for two weeks now and getting worse. So today I caved and took some meds for it. Hoping they help.

Other than feeling sick today isn't so bad. Slept in till 10, ate some dry toast (120 cals) and and drank a bottle of water.

haha i've started a new knitting project... that i think i'll not tell anyone what it is untill its done. but Lindz, its something i joked about with you :P.

i have really nothing important to say so i'm gonna shut up. love you all Bethany

I suck at blogging

2008-09-15T11:52:00.002-04:00

seriously. I can't keep up with blogs.

My needles have been super busy knitting Recovery Buddies. I love this project so much!

But i'm iching to knit another sweater.

I might be starting a job here in about a month. same job that i worked last summer so that would be cool.

yeah i have nothing to say.

Yay for FOs - Easy Tank Top

2008-08-31T23:24:00.004-04:00

I'm bad at writing out my work so let me know if you have any questions

Needles
One set US 8 circulars
One set DPN US 8

Yarn
Caron Smiply soft in the color(s) of your choice - 2 skeins

Other
Darning needle
safty pins

Gauge
4 stitches x 6 rows = 1 inch

Size
Small (33 inches around)
increase stitches for larger sizes (sorry i don't know how to do sizing!)

Pattern

body
Cast on 160 st with MC on circular needles.
Join round and Knit.

knit for 10 inches
work stripes as follows

Knit 3 rounds with CC
Knit 5 rnds with MC
Knit 1 rnd with CC
Knit 3 rnds with MC
Knit 6 rnds with CC
Knit 1 rnd with MC
Knit 9 rnds with CC
Bind off

peice should measure 16 inches.

setting up for straps

Lay body flat and place safty pin or marker at each side corner to mark the middle of underarm.

place markers 3 inches from each center underarm marker. you will work attached icord from marker to marker

straps
With MC cast on 6 sts on DPN
work 1 inch icord

work attached icord as follows

work first 5 stiches of icord, slip the last stitch, pick up and knit one stitch along the top of the tube, slip slipped stitch over the new stitch.

continue attached icord to next marker.

work 10 inches icord

attach icord to tube in the way the first side was done (making first strap)
work attached icord to marker

work 9 inches icord.

pick up 6 stitches on the cast on edge to form live stitchs. Kitchener stitch the two together

Finishing

sew in ends

Hem bottem of top

Recovery Buddies

2008-08-29T16:01:00.005-04:00

Here is the pattern for the recovery buddies for the Recovery Buddie Project
let me know if you have questions ok?

Cast on 80 stitches (or if using circulars, enough to go around)
Knit in the round for 8 inches or desired length
Bind off using a three needle bind off

If not using circulars:
Row one : Knit
Row two: purl
Repeat for 8 inches or desired length
Bind off
Fold in half and sew so that it has one open side

Arms : Cast on 5 stitches on double pointed needle or circular
Work i-cord for 2.5-3 inches
Legs: cast on 6 stitches on double pointed needle or circular
Work i-cord for 3 inches

Finishing:
Stuff pillow and sew shut.
Sew on arms and legs
Sew on face

Helpful links
http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/advanced-techniques -> knitting in the round
http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/knitting-tips _> icord

FINISHED!!

2008-08-13T14:47:00.002-04:00

Finished Tubey!

YAY!

it turned out a little bigger than i wanted. Sharayah is going to see if it will fit her. but its done!

I have sharp pointing sticks....

2008-08-09T08:38:00.002-04:00

... And I'm not afraid to use them.

The games have begun. I cast on my tubey sweater at 10am yesterday. I have the first sleeve done and the second one is in progress and coming along well. I really like this pattern so far. its easy. and I'm loving that there is no sewing other than to weave the ends in. i hate sewing so much.

<---Lindz got the surprise I made her yesterday. I have to say it made me so feel so good to do anything to be able to brighten her day. if only just a little bit. the photo is of me hugging Georgie before i sent him her way. It makes me feel good to know that he will be there to hug her even if i can't be.

I also wrote down a bunch of quotes and positive affirmations for her to hang up around her room. Could you all keep Lindz in your prayers? she still has a long road ahead of her.

I need to take photos of my WIP Tubey. Iwill later. Promise.

I think thats all for right now.

Love you guys,
Bethany

Sharp Pointy Objects Turn Me On ... :P

2008-08-07T18:37:00.004-04:00

My fingers a just itching to cast-on. Its down to a matter of hours now.

I've rolled all the yarn into center pulls and they are all sitting on the coffee table just staring at be begging to be wrapped around the sharp pointy sticks.

I'm having a dilemma tho deciding on what project to cast on first. I think Tubey will be the first because its the one i'm itching to knit the most. But part of me says i should get the tote out of the way first cause I should be able to knock that one out in a day or so. But I'm dieing to start Tubey. So I don't know. and I know I'm not going to stick to one project at a time either. I can't. I've tired, and it drives me insane.

I still can't believe tomorrow is the starting day. I need to make a countdown ticker for the closing ceromonies. Or maybe i won't because that might put a bit more pressure on me. *thinks*

I've been working on the pinwheel baby blanket i started last night. almost 1/4 of the way done. Its a fast and easy pattern. So i like it. I've been listening to Twilight and Knitting the blanket. Its all i've done all day. I should take new pictures of it caue i've done a lot since last night.

I didn't sleep well last night. I had really weird dreams. Most of them where about someone trying to kill me. After the worst one I woke up around 5am and couldn't get back to sleep. then i feel asleep watching the dogs around 10 and slept for a few hours. I just didn't sleep well.

So i'm a bit tired. And I've had a nasty headache that i think is turning into a migraine for 3 days now. My head feels like its going to explode. I hope i don't feel this way tomorrow. its hard to knit when it hurts like heck to sit up. Meds are my friend i know, but i've already taken a lot of ibuprofen.

So yeah, I've done like nothing today. Layed on the sofa, knitting, cuddling with the dogs, and listening to Twilight. Good bood by the way. If you haven't read it yet i would recomend it. I'm about halfway done with it now. It is very well writen.

EEEEK!!! I can't wait for tomorrow.

Don't expect to many blogs durning the next 17 days. I'm going to be knitting like my life depends on it. ha.

Bethany

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Now playing: Avril Lavigne - He Wasn't
via FoxyTunes

Put another dime in the jukebox baby...

2008-08-06T23:33:00.003-04:00

Oh how much I love mindless easy knitting. even more so when I'm as stressed as I am.

Honestly? what would I do without my knitting.

I've decided on pinwheel baby blanket [pattern].So i started that. I've made this pattern before and it is so EASY! I love it so much. It's something I can very easily knit while I watch tv, or in the case tonight, listen to the twilight audio book.

Yes, it's true. I've started reading twilight. about time right? I was going to read my sister's copy, but Jama borrowed it and is still reading it. So i've bored Mel's and i'm about 4 chapters into it. So far I am enjoying it. It's very well written.

Have I said before how much I love audio books? I love them because they leave my hands free to knit. So i can knit and listen. This is one of my favorite ways to spend and evening.

The Ravelympics start in 2 days!!! OMG!! I'm starting to wonder if maybe i've bitten off more than i can chew. if I can just get one event of the 3 that I'm signed up for compleated that would be awesome. I can't wait to cast on. Its seriously tempting to cheat. ha. I'm not going to let myself do that because i won't be able to forgive myself for it later. I know that it will be more fun if I play by the rules.

In other news, I had my Mercy Ministries phone interview today. I feel that it went well. So I just want to thank all of you that prayed for me and for that. It means a lot. Thank you all. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as i try and get the application process completed.

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Now playing: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - I Love Rock and Roll
via FoxyTunes

ack. stress knitting

2008-08-05T23:43:00.003-04:00

I'm a little stressed right now. So I thought that I would grab and easy knitting project and knit. right?

well mom had asked me to make a baby blanket for a baby boy. So I grabbed some yarn and set off looking for a fun pattern. I normally despise following a pattern, at least when it comes to things like baby blankets. (have I mentioned that before?). I would so much rather just figure it out as I go. and if i do use a pattern it has to be something that i can easily memorize.

Well I decided to try crocheting something (cause i couldn't find the right needles, and kinda wanted something different.) and i decided on the Baby Stargan [pattern here].

So off i set. and I got about 6 or 7 rounds into it. when i looked at it and decided that crochet just wasn't want i wanted to do for a whole baby blanket right now.

so.... it hopped off to the froggy pond.

Bethany

Run Run Run... As Fast As You Can....

2008-08-05T08:57:00.006-04:00

You can't catch me I'm the Stinky-Cheese-Man!!

So I've had several emails and requests for this pattern. So I've decided to post it.

Mr. Cheese
by Bethany Mills
Difficulty [Hard]

Being a fan of children’s stories, I have always loved The Stinky-Cheese-Man. The doll is a pretty faithful representation of the Stinky-Cheese-Man. Even though it is not the easiest pattern to knit, with some bit of courage, anyone with intermediate knitting experience should be able to bring The Stinky-Cheese-Man to life.

Not being a huge fan of finishing, I decided to knit the entire body in the round. The legs and arms are worked first then joined together to make a seamless body.

SIZE
One size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Height: about 13 inches

MATERIALS
Caron [%100 Acrilic; 157 yd/143 m per 3oz. /85g skein]
[MC] color: Mango; 2 skeins
[CC] color: Sage; 1 skein
[CC] color: Rubine Red; 1 skein
[CC] color: Off white; 1 skein

1 set US #4/3.5 mm double-point needles
1 set US #6/4mm straight needles
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers
Safety pins
Scrap yarn
Tip holders

notions required
3” 8 x 8 polly foam.

GAUGE
22 sts/30 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch (on US #4)
20 sts/ 28 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch (on US #6)

PATTERN NOTES
The olives are worked in crochet.

This pattern can be a bit tricky, So I really suggest reading all the way through it first.

PATTERN

Top and Bottom of head (make 2)
With MC, CO 18 sts on oto US #6 straight needles
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: purl.
Row 3: K17, W&T.
Row 4 and all even numbered rows: Purl back.
Row 5: K16, W&T.
Row 7: K15, W&T.
Row 9: K14, W&T.
Row 11: K13, W&T.
Row 13: K12, W&T.
Row 15: K11, W&T.
Row 17: K10, W&T.
Row 19: K9, W&T.
Row 21: K8, W&T.
Row 23: K7, W&T.
Row 25: Knit all stitches (Knitting stitches together with wraps)
Row 26: Purl all stitches
Repeat rows 3-26 five times.

Shape Slice
Work rows 3-14. BO.

Side of Wheel

With MC, CO 15 st on US #6 straight needles

Work in stockinette stitch for 20 inches.

Legs (make two)
Using provisional cast on, and scrap yarn, CO 21 sts on DPN
NOTE: I find it easier to leave CO sts on one needle, work one row, and then join on DPNs. The provisional CO is so that later you can close the hole like you would the top of a hat.
Work 15 rnds in ST st.
Rnd 16:K1, m1, K7, m1, K7, m1, K6.
Work 4 rnds in ST st.
Rnd 21: K1, m1, K8, m1, K8, m1, K7.
Work 12 rnds in ST st.
Break yarn, place sts on scrap yarn.

Arms (make two)

Using provisional cast on, and scrap yarn, CO 21 sts on DPN
Work 15 rnds in ST st.
Rnd 16:K1, m1, K7, m1, K7, m1, K6.
Work 9 rnds in ST st.
Break yarn, place sts on scrap yarn.

Closing bottom of arms and legs
Using darning needle, pull tail through CO sts, remove provisional CO, pull tight, and sew in.

Leg Join
Place both legs on 2 needles as follows: place the first 14 st of leg 1, and the first 13 st of leg 2, on needle A. and the last 14 st of leg 2, and the last 13 st of leg 1 on needle B. 27 st on each needle.
Rnd 1: K14, CO 6, K27, CO 6, K13.

Body
Working sts on to 3 or 4 needles (to make the work less awkward), woke in ST st for 3 inches

Arm Join
Evenly divide stitches for first arm and place them on needles (as follows, place last 12 on first needle of body and last 12 on working needle) This is going to be the beginning of your round. Place safety pin or something here to indicate this.

Join Rnd 1: pm (to indicate beginning of rnd), Knit first two stitches of arm together, k 10, pm, k2tog, k27, place last 12 sts on back needle, and first 12 sts on working needle, pm, k2tog, k10, k2tog, pm, k to next arm join, pm, k2tog, knit to end of rnd.

Shoulder Decrease
Knit to 2 stitches before marker, ssk, knit to next marker, k2tog, knit to 3rd marker, ssk, knit to last marker, k2tog
Repeat 8 times.

Rnd 1: ssk, ssk, k1, ssk, k29, k2tog, k1, k2tog, ssk, ssk, k1, ssk, k28, k2tog, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2tog.
Rnd 2: ssk, k1, ssk, k27, k2tog, k1, k2tog, ssk, k1, ssk, k26, k2tog, k1, k2tog.
Rnd 3:ssk, ssk, k6, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2tog, ssk, ssk, k6, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1.
Rnd 4: k1, ssk, k20, k2tog, k2, ssk, k21, ssk, k1.
Rnd 5: k1, ssk, *k3, k2tog* (repeat from * to * till end of round)
Rnd 6: k1, ssk, *k3, k2tog* (repeat from * to * till end of round. You should have 31 st)
Work one round even.
BO.

Bacon

With red yarn, CO 36 st, onto US #4
Knit 6 rows in garder st.
Change to white yarn and work 4 rows in garder st
Knit 2 rows with red
Knit 2 rows with white.
BO

Olives
Sc = single crochet
Ch = chain

With green yarn, Ch 7
Slip stitch into first chain to form a circle.
Sc 7 (round one)
Sc 7 (round two)
Sc 7 (round three)
Sc 7 (round four)
Sc 2, skip one ch, sc 2, skip one ch, sc 1, tack down with slip stitch.

Olive pit
With red yarn, ch 6.
Work in sc for 5 rows.
Fold in half, picking up bottom edge of fabic and top, slip stitch to sew together.

Stuff red pit into green olive.

FINISHING
Weave in ends. Stuff body with fiber fill. Cut foam to shape of wheel. Sew top, bottom, and side of wheel around foam. Attach wheel to body. Sew on face.

If you have any problems just comment and let me know!

OMG! 4 DAYS TO GO!!

2008-08-04T12:58:00.005-04:00

YAY!! Only 4 days till the ravelympics start! WEEE!!

I'm really excited. I've picked out colors for my Tubey sweater. Lime green, pink, yellow, and white. I can't wait to get it started. Its gonna be awesome.

I've also enrolled in yet another project, a baby blanket. I need to knit one anyway. So yes, i'm taking on 3 events. haha. It's official I'm insane. I think you all already knew that tho. ha.

Its really hard to type right now because I have Emma and Bella (the puppies) cuddled together on my lap. they are way to cute to move.

I've not decided on what tote to knit yet, but I'll figure it out. I think that I'm going to knit Knitty's everlasting-baggstoper. I've already started a bag for lisa, I've decided that to not make hers the ravelympic project, cause i just wanted to start it and get it done. I have it about 50% of it done.

I'll probably just end up doing a simple square baby blanket too.

I can't believe that I'm taking on 3 events.

Don't expect to hear from me at all during the olympics. ha.

Bethany

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Now playing: Lily Allen - Absolutely Nothing
via FoxyTunes

I thought it was a bird but it was just a paper bag...

2008-07-25T06:56:00.001-04:00

Well I decided on a pattern for the Sweater Sprint. I am going to be knitting Tubey for the Ravelmpics. :). Now if i could make up my mind on colors. any ideas?

I'm really excited to be knitting this sweater. I've wanted to attempt it for a while, just had the hardest time finding the motivation. this was the perfect reason.

I still need to decide on a project for the Bag-and-Tote Backstroke. And colors for it. ha. I need to make a choice because i'm going to run out of time.

In other news, I'm housesitting this weekend. that shall be fun.

I'm also working on a 3rd pair of knucks and a baby blanket. the goal is to have those done before the ravelmpics so that i don't work on them during the ravelmpics. ha. i can't stick to one project to save my life.

yep. gonna go pack for the weekend.

love ya all
Bethany

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Now playing: Fiona Apple - Paper Bag
via FoxyTunes

Ravelympics 2008

2008-07-21T02:49:00.003-04:00

As I said in my last post I've signed up for the 2008 Ravelympics.

I'm excited!

I still need to decide on a pattern if i'm going to use one so that I have time to "train" (swatch to check the gauge). I think I might make my own pattern tho. I personally hate following a pattern most of the time.

This is going to be fun. I love a good challenge. I'll try to keep this blog more updated too.

ttfn!

Bethany

Oh how I suck at updating this thing.

2008-07-19T13:24:00.002-04:00

Well I'm taking part in the Ravelrympics. I'm signed up for the "Sweater Sprint" and the "Bag-n-tote Backstroke".

i've not decided yet if i'm brave or insane :P

Knitting Scout

2007-08-25T23:07:00.000-04:00

You may have noticed the new image at the side of my blog. My knitting badges. These are just to funny not to post.

The “Proselytize Knitting” Badge - A requirement for all Knitting Scouts, the recipient must do his or her bit to present knitting in a positive light, whilst at the same time avoiding all references to “hipness”, grandmothers, and yoga.

I think I do my part with this. I knit. I don't do it to be cool. I don't do it because its whats popular or "hip" I do it because I love it. and I try to help others to find this love.

The “MacGyver” Badge (Level One) - The recipient must demonstrate clever use of a non-knitting tool in a knitting-related scenario. For instance, recipient has used paper clips as stitch markers, or successfully whittled and then utilized bamboo skewers as dpns.

Paper clips make wonderful stitch markers. really they do.

The “MacGyver” Badge (Level Two) - The recipient must demonstrate clever use of a knitting tool in a non-knitting-related scenario. For instance, recipient has used a strand of Regia Bamboo to slice cheese, or repaired a small appliance with a metal knitting needle.

Oh man... I thought I was the only one. I've used my size US 1 metal needles to pick the lock on my door once. hahaha... and I've used then to push the "reset" button on things. they work well.

The “I’ve Been Rejected by a Knitting Magazine” Badge - The recipient has had a design or article rejected by a print or online knitting magazine.

Knitty rejected my Stinky-Cheese-Man pattern.

A Few FO's, WIPs, and random stuff about my life as of lately. ha.

2007-08-21T17:04:00.000-04:00

So I basicaly suck at updating this. I'll admit that. But hey.... I have some FO's to post!! Yay for FOs!

I think I'll post about my WIP too :). something interesting to read? Well.... I'll try to make it of interest. ha. I'm bad at that.

I've been saying for a while now that I wished someone I knew was having a baby. Be careful what you wish for? yeah. FOUR of my friends are all having babies (and possibly a 5th?). All by March. haha. So I've been busy with blankets. Luckly I can knit fast when I'm in a crunch. So I've got 2 our of the 4 (5?) done. I'm on my 3rd (For John and Holly :) ). Don't get my wrong tho, I love knitting baby items. the yarn is so soft and fun to work with. I've yet to venture into baby clothes yet tho. if I have time I might try a sweater. We'll see. I can always knit something after they are born too. sooo.... on to the FO's and WIPs

FO: Blanket one. For Randee and Phil. knit in the bias, with a crotched edge. I'm quite proud of my edging on this one :)

FO: Blanket two. For Katie and Dan. Also knit in the bias. With a self striping baby yarn. I LOVE how this one turned out. the stripes are just to cool :).

WIP: Blanket three. For John and Holly. This one is quickly becoming one of my favorites... if not my favorite I've done. It's %100 cotton. super soft. In a basket weave pattern and seed stitch border. I love working with this yarn so much. I'm about 6 inches from being done with this one. I'll be sure to post photos of this one when it is completely done.

WIP: lace. It's true... as much as I've knitted I've been kinda scared to try knitting lace. But then I thought... It's just knitting. there isn't anything to be afraid of. So I have been messing around with this. this is my first attempt at any knit lace.

And finally.... Drum roll please.... I've been wanting to post this one for a while... I just was waiting to hear back from Knitty.

FO: The Stinky-Cheese-Man.

When I'm done with the current baby blanket I'm going to start working on one for Adam and Emily. the goal was go have most of them done before I start school because I'm not sure how much time I'll have to knit once classes start. so I'm doing well.

School starts... next week. Its hard for me to believe. I'm so excited about it. I really haven't even thought about what to pack... I should do that soon.

This is my last week at my current job. That is kinda bittersweet. But it has be a good summer job. Hey, who else gets to sit at work and knit? haha.

I think that's all for right now :).

Bethany

2007-06-19T15:47:00.000-04:00

So I have the day of work today and its... lovely. Absolutely lovely. Except dad took my book to work with him today so I can't set around and read like wanted to. I'm reading Saint by Ted Dekker. Its a good book. And Ted Dekker is one of my favorite authors. But dad took the book with him to work.

I got a new phone Friday. :). So I've knitted a case for it. I just needed something really fast. so I whipped up a phone case. nothing to hard. I just needed something to keep my screen from getting scratched.

I've been helping out with the knitting class at the library now for a while. Its so much fun for me. Our last project we did as a group was me made caps for cancer patients. that was so much fun to do. As a group we made almost 30 caps. :).

I think I want to get some red, white, and gray yarn and make a hoodie for school. I should do that soon

Yeah, I have nothing to say today.

Bethany

2007-06-13T19:38:00.000-04:00

Ha! I'm soooo bad at keeping this thing up to date. So sorry about that. I'm not sure anyone reads this thing anyways.

hmmm....

So I've started a new job and life has been kinda busy. So I haven't had time to write much. Or knit much for that matter. I'm working at a small bookstore in town. its not a hard job. but its a dangerous job for me. Me? work at a bookstore? There are so many books I want to buy now. But I'll just read them when I'm bored at work :). Haha.... I should be glad I'm not working at a yarn store... I'd spend all my paycheck on the yarn.

I'm working on a baby blanket for my cousin Katie (who is due in October). Its a really easy progect. I need to start something a bit more challenging. I've just not had the time to get to the yarn store.

I hate that I don't have much time to knit lately. But it makes the time I do find to knit that much better. It feels so good to have yarn running through my fingers and needles in my hands. I love that feeling. The soothing "click-click" of the needles. The joy of finishing a project. *sigh* there is nothing better than a night by the fire, with a good chai latte, a good movie, and a knitting project. That's what i need right now. Life has been so stressful lately.

I just submitted my first pattern to knitty *crosses fingers*. I highly doubt it will be published... but hey... why not try. Its by far my best work. :). And it was a fun pattern to write.

I think I'm gonna get some yarn in Grey, red, and white and knit myself a hoodie for school. Those are IWU's colors. So I think I might do that before I start class in the fall :).

yeah... don't have a lot to say today.

Bethany

Sock Knitting

2007-01-04T16:52:00.000-05:00

Its true, I'm lazy at updating this.

Its also true that I've become addicted to sock knitting.

My reasons to knit socks

1. Its FAST! Its such a quick, and easy project. and the possibilities are endless! stripes, thin stripes, fat stripes, color work, cabled, lace. I have free creative reign. Weee!

2. Its cheep. Depending on the sock, you don't need that much yarn to knit a pair of socks. And sock yarn is generally not to badly priced. Right now I'm using this lovely microfiber yarn that I got for $3 a ball. Its so soft and makes a lovely pair of socks. Yarn for say the hoodies I made, cost me $30 a hoodie, and that was with cheep yarn.

3. Its on DPNs. And I'm also in love with knitting-in-the-round, because that means... guess what.... NO SEAMING! yay! can it get any better than that? (yes its true, I hate finishing.) DPNs have become my new love, its funny to think back on the time I was afraid of them. They aren't scary at all. they are fun :).

4. Hand-knitted socks are sooo much fun to wear, or give as gifts. They are so much nicer than store bought. Yes, I know I could go to the store and buy a pack of socks for so much cheaper than my yarn. But those aren't near as comfy and fun as handmade ones. those of you who have never worn hand-knitted socks are deprived. And I know I could start a war by saying this so... yeah.

I was warned of the dangers of socks before I started knitting them. I was told they are addicting. But for some reason I thought I could be stronger than that. But its true, I'm addicted. Socks are dangerously addicting to knit.

I'm working on a pair of pink and blue striped ones. 16 rounds of pink, 2 rounds of blue, 1 round of pink, 3 rounds a blue, repeat. Thats the color change pattern I've come up with. The issue I'm going to have now is I'm going to need to get more pink yarn if I'm going to want them to match. Or I could reverse the pattern for the other sock and just have semi-matching socks. Hmmm... decisions, decisions. hehe.

I finished and blocked the pair I made for April. I mailed them yesterday. I can't wait for her to get them.

I've found an ingenuous way of blocking them too. Metal hangers. Just take a metal hanger and bend it into the shape, and size of the sock you want. put the sock on the hanger, spritz, let hang to dry. :). easy.

In other Knitting news, my order from Kpixie arrived last week. I now own a pair of Needle lites. OMG these needles are sooooo cool!! I also got some plymouth tweed yarn in gray and pink and knitted the twiggy tweed purse from knitty.com. pictures coming soon when I finish sewing it all together.

Bethany

Sweet Action!

2006-12-06T20:10:00.000-05:00

I finished the Knucks!! *dance* I'm so freaking proud of myself. I can't wait to wrap them up and give them to my friend. *bounce*

Picture here.

*spoiler* if you're Angela DON'T look until after tomorrow. :-P

2006-11-26T15:17:00.000-05:00

So I'm attempting to make a pair of Knucks for a friend.

I'm not sure if undertaking this was brave or just stupid

This is the hardest thing I have knitted

I'll post pictures when I finish them.

short update

2006-11-25T11:50:00.000-05:00

I guess I should update this blog. I'm so bad at keeping up with it.

I've mastered knitting in the round. Its so much fun know that I understand it. I've completed one sock, and I'm almost done with the second, I'll post pictures when I finish it :).

I've completed two out of 3 hoodies. that's exciting. So I've got one more to do before Christmas.

I'll try to post pictures soon.

Knitting-in-the-round

2006-09-24T08:56:00.000-04:00

*bounces* I figured it out!! YES!!

I feel rather accomplished now.

I'm making the socks of doom in bright lime green. hehe.

Knitting-in-the-round

2006-09-23T15:11:00.001-04:00

I bought my first set of double point needles today. I'm attempting to learn to knit-in-the-round.

this is impossibly hard. I'm about to cry from frustration. How the heck am I supposed to hold 4 needles at once without dropping any stitches?

anyone have any tips?

2006-09-22T19:53:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking about what I want to make for April for Christmas. hehe. I'm knitting everyone presents this year. hehe.

I think I want to knit this. hehe that wouldn't take me too long.

hehe I'm having to much fun. I think I've got my Christmas list done :)

2006-09-22T18:13:00.000-04:00

I finished the front side of my current hoodie. That's exciting. So i started on the first sleeve. I realized today though that I'm going to need more yarn. I have one 3 ounce skein left and 2 sleeves to do. I knew that I didn't buy enough.

waves

2006-09-21T15:08:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone!

I'm Bethany. I'm 17, and I love to knit.

I taught myself to knit 2 years ago and it has become my addiction. I can't hardly stand not having a pair of knitting needles in my hands. I taught my friends and family to knit too. If I get the time I might post a tutorial later :).

So this is my knitting blog. Where I will post about all things knitting. The stitches I'm learning, the projects I'm working on, yarns I'm in love with, ideas... anything knitting.

I would love to hear from you if you have any thoughts or ideas. Feel free to email me at knittery@gmail.com.

Right now I'm working on a hoodie for a Christmas present. I have to get 4 of them done by Christmas. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I agreed to take on this much work. Thankfully they are getting done somewhat quickly. It helps that I'm using super bulky yarn and size 13 needles. The last hoodie I made took me 3 weeks. I would have been done sooner but I messed up the sizing on the sleeves. so I had to rip them out and completely redo them. that was depressing. So I'm being careful this time about getting the sizing right. I'm getting bored tho because its all in stockinette stitch. I want to do something more challenging. But then again getting 4 of them done by Christmas is a challenge in itself. hehe.

I think I want to try to make the "twiggy tweed" purse off Knitty.com. I think that's going to be my next challenge. I should be able to do it easily.

I'm in love with these knitting needles. I'm going to try to get a pair for Christmas. How cool are those? I could knit in the dark! yay! hehe.

Bethany

_Knittery

Lily's Hat

Summer break has started!

Back at School!

Thoughts

Welllll.....

Funny break from knitting for a moment....

Have I mentioned that i fail at blogging?

I suck at blogging

Yay for FOs - Easy Tank Top

Recovery Buddies

FINISHED!!

I have sharp pointing sticks....

Sharp Pointy Objects Turn Me On ... :P

Put another dime in the jukebox baby...

ack. stress knitting

Run Run Run... As Fast As You Can....

OMG! 4 DAYS TO GO!!

I thought it was a bird but it was just a paper bag...

Ravelympics 2008

Oh how I suck at updating this thing.

Knitting Scout

A Few FO's, WIPs, and random stuff about my life as of lately. ha.

Sock Knitting

Sweet Action!

short update

Knitting-in-the-round

Knitting-in-the-round

*waves*

waves