mommacrafter

so i recieved some socks yesterday and I’m out of the game. it was a fun game and I got to kill 2 people and my socks actually were knit by 3 different people… what a beautiful way to die! I had to sew in the ends for the socks which kinda was annoying but not a big deal by far. I enjoyed this sock war much better than the last but i’m unsure if i’ll be doing it next time. I may just stick with the death by socks group i’m a part of. we’ll see how i feel when the next war starts!
have a great weekend!

Life has been crazy around here. Sock wars started last friday and I sent my socks off for a kill. hopefully they’ll get there and I’ll get SIPs soon!  As you can see my Daughter drew a pix for me to send with the death socks. I am concerned as the pattern when it was uploaded at 12:30 or so, had an error it was posted with out a photo so no one knew what it was supposed to look like. Well I didn’t get online again till the next day even though I didn’t get much more time to knit on it after sit and knit Friday afternoon. On ravelry the corrections were made  and people were told if they weren’t that far by 2:51 they had to frog. Luckily I  was that far by that time so I left it. Though I  read a bunch of people who’d finished one sock and started another then went online Sunday or so and had to redo it b/c the original pattern had a mistake.  It stinks so bad. Other things that are different about this war is there were 3 patterns to choose from, not a problem b/c I like socks, but it kinda changes the whole game. Instead of everyone doing the same pattern people are able to choose what pattern to knit.  Just like last year’s changed with getting  sponsor. so those few things have left me a little unsure about SW… we’ll see how it goes, but i’m unsure if i’ll be participating in the game in the future. Only b/c it’s changing far from what it started out as.  I’d love to hear what you think.
I have found another sock “war” game.  Called Death by socks . it’s a yahoo group. I participated in it last year and had a really great experience I didn’t get to do it this time as it started the same time as SW4. But I hope to get in the next round!

Also about socks if you just like knitting them there’s another yahoo group called Six Socks Knitalong, and every other month you get a new pattern to knit. It’s a nice group! i’ve been a member of it for some time now. not always do i make the socks but some times i do.

anyways gotta jet.

Sorry it’s taken so long for me to tell you who’s won. If you didn’t win but you’d still like a WIP bag check out my etsy store . If you see some fabric i’ve used before but I don’t have a bag in my store contact me and see if I have any fabric left to make you one. 

With any more delay our winners are…..

bag #1  the winner is  Sally aka Wicked Knitter

bag #2 the winner is Mara, aka Citizen Skein

Congrats!!! if you would please contact me with your mailing address I’ll send your weapon bag to you! 

For Easter I made some Easter eggs for my kids and my niece and nephew. Though I didn’t get a photo of the light blue one for him.

This brown two toned one was for the Bub, she wanted it in brown and picked out the colors from my yarnlets.

The purple one is two-toned b/c I simply ran out of yarn… it was for my niece. and the Green one was for the Bead as it’s her fave color.

As I was trying to take a photo my niece wouldn’t let go of them. it’s pretty funny and leaves a cute photo of hands grabbing the eggs.

The pattern I found on ravelry.   It turned out eggs bigger than I thought.  it’s a really cute and easy pattern.

They’re really interesting and the girls just love their eggs.

Ya knot what Else is  interesting? what you can find on Yahoo!  Just now I searched “sock wars” and this was the result , I can see more than 11 pages.

When I clicked on this site, I found it was closed down by lucas film .. interesting! Maybe that’s why they’re not promoting this Sock War 4 as much as Sock War 3. They’re still sponsoring it as I understand. (but they don’t have anything about SW4 on their website though) And the New Tofutsies power stripe is supposed to be the yarn for the war. But by looking at their website you wouldn’t know they were sponsoring the game.

More interesting, here’s some links I found about Sock Wars but not the knitting competition.  I guess it’s actually a war that kids play by throwing socks at each other like snow balls. HILARIOUS! There’s even movies on You Tube check them out:

http://community.livejournal.com/sockwar/profile
http://reslife.net/html/pwithp_1001b.html
http://www.themanicgardener.com/the_manic_gardener/dueling-bloggers-an-outli.html
http://ourfriendben.wordpress.com/2008/07/06/sock-it-to-me-uh-them/
http://www.tintisha.net/clients/sockwars
http://www.knittersreview.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=63618
http://www.monkeyspit.net/comics/sockwars/sockwars2.php
http://www.helium.com/items/1262292-games-for-snowy-dayshttp://www.thebigt.com/movies.htm (scrolldown)
http://www.kevinberryman.com/drakenstudios/

In a similar way to the SWTC site(but not by lucas film ), though it’s my understanding that  “sock wars”  isn’t copyrighted,   I’ve been asked to take down my contest for the Weapon Bags. which is sad b/c there’s nothing out there like them,  but good for those of you who entered. I’ll be pulling 2 names shortly and letting you know who’s won shortly (read tomorrow or the next day) If you didn’t win but you’d still like a bag check my Etsy store for those you like. If you remember one, I’ve made contact me, via etsy or my email,  and we can work something out!

I’m hosting a contest. Starting Today April 11th running through April 20th.

You can win yourself an unofficial (of course) sock wars weapon bag. I made a few of these last year for sock wars and this year I’d like to give away another one this year. here’s the description of the two

This bag is the perfect size for your smaller on-the-go WIP’s. It’s especially nice for knitting or crocheting socks, scarves or hats. Small enough to take anywhere and inside there are 2 pockets so you won’t loose the things you’ll need.(i.e. needles, hooks, scissors, even a pattern) It’s small enough to fit inside your bigger project bags to hold your yarn so it won’t roll around while you’re knitting it.

Bag #1

The outside  fabric is a brightly colored swirl pattern 100% cotton.
The inside fabric is 100% cotton a green bubble fabric

The pocket fabric is a blue ice crystal wave pattern 100% cotton
there is a metal eyelet opening with an intertwined pink nylon cord and plastic push button stopper to hold it closed.
10 inches high with a 3 ¾  inches squared bottom..

 Bag #2

The outside  fabric is a brightly colored striped pattern 100% cotton.
The inside fabric is 100% cotton blue flowered fabric.

The pocket fabric is a green bubble pattern 100% cotton
there is a metal eyelet opening with an intertwined pink nylon cord and plastic push button stopper to hold it closed.
8 inches high with a 3 ¾  inches by 4 inches bottom.
For both bags machine wash delicate cycle in cold water. lay flat to dry
There’s multiple ways to get yourself entered to win. each one gets one entry. 

1. Comment on this post with which bag you’d like to win. Make sure you leave your email address so I can get in contact with you.

2. Visit my etsy store and LMK what’s your fave, or if there’s something you’d like to see more of.

3. blog about this contest on your blog and leave me a link here in the comments (if you link to my etsy store i’ll give you double entries for this one)

4. Visit the Sock Wars website and sign up for the carnage! leave me a comment that you signed up with your warrior name.** ETA: if you’re already signed up just LMK your name and you get this one!

And that’s it so you can have your name entered 5 times in this drawing. on April 20th i’ll put everyone’s name in a bag and let one of my daughters pull out a name to see who’s won. 

So I found a quiz and it said i’m totally additcted to knitting! Go take it and tell me what it says about you! here’s what it said about me:

You scored 83%.  Yes. You are addicted; you are a compulsive over knitter.  Your stash and projects are the envy of many other knitters, but family members may be a bit tired of being asked their opinion about stitch patterns.

It’s so true isn’t it?

Most people I run into think you can’t felt with a front loader. also many books or tutes you read tell you that you can not felt with a front loader. I have a front load washer. (Actually I’ve had it longer than I’ve known how to knit) I am here to say that is UNTRUE. Some of the things I do when felting (in no particular order) you may find it’s the same thing you do in your top loader.

1. My front loader has a hot/cold water setting. I normally use warm/warm to wash clothes but for felting I switch it to HOT. (don’t mind the dirty washing machine)

2. I use a whole load of jeans (jeans and only jeans no towels or anything that leaves fuzzies)  they create the agitation that I need for felting

3. I don’t use a zippered pillow case, i just throw in my bag (or whatever) into my washer. I think that’s partly b/c i’m lazy and I don’t have a zippered pillow case laying around to use.

4. I  put in regular laundry detg. (half a capful) and start the cycle.

5. I let it run through the WHOLE cycle at least one time.  but that’s mostly b/c I get distracted when felting and usually forget. If i’m doing a bag I do the cycle  a couple of times

 6. if I’m doing something that needs to fit (slippers, hats etc) i use the Prewash cycle that is shorter if it’s not getting the desired felting I run it through the regular cycle and push to stop it at different intervals to check the progress. it mostly depends on my mood. if i want to keep popping downstairs to check i do the regular cycle if not i use the prewash.

7. For faster drying I let the project go through the final spin to get the extra water OUT of the felted object. if you’re worried about creasing don’t worry you can always get it wet  again (in the sink) for spot blocking so to speak.  (i actually use the final spin when i’m blocking sweaters and such to get tat extra water out)

I think that’s about it.  LMK what you think!

I found this on Penny’ s blog. I thought it was funny!

1. You’ve contemplated naming your children and/or pets any of the following: Knit, Purl, Frog, Rowan, Malabrigo, Cascade, McPhee, Addi, Dolores, Bob, Freckle Girl, Lime, Violet..

2. When hugging your SO, you quickly take a ‘hands’ measurement of the width of his/her shoulders so you know how wide to make his/her sweater

3. You have more pictures of your FOs than of your children

4. A co-worker sees a picture of your family on your desk and comments, “How adorable.” And you say, “Thanks. I knit that sweater with Noro and I just love how it worked up.”

5. You judge your friends by whether or not they are ’sock-worthy’

6. When you walk into your LYS, they all know your name (Like Norm from Cheers)

7. Your personalized credit card has a picture of your knitting on it

8. You’ve friended Franklin Habit, Vickie Howell, Eunny Jang… on Facebook

9. You’ve also friended them on Twitter

10. AND, of course, you have friended them on ravelry

11. You’re in line at the bank and it’s finally your turn. You signal to the bank teller that you’ll be with her in a minute once you finish the row

12. Your friends and family have started calling you ‘Crazy Yarn Lady’ behind your back

13. You know they call you this behind your back and love it!

14. You friends have closets lined with couture and your closet is full of yarn

15. Your friend shows off her latest Kate Spade handbag and you show off your new Namaste bag

16. Your daughter needs to have her hair put up for her ballet recital and you can’t find any combs or clips. You put her hair up using DPNs and stress to her that she can’t lose them!

17. You belong to how many Ravelry groups?

18. You try to recruit everyone you meet to come over to the dark side

19. You read about it; blog about it; talk about it; and tweet about it

20. You’re being treated for knitting elbow

21. Your hubby suggests you buy “something sexy for tonight.” You buy a gorgeous silk-cashmere blend yarn and CO right away.

22. You have Knitty Gritty, Knit & Crochet Today, and Knitting Daily on season pass on your TiVo

24. As you’re watching movies, you’re reverse-engineering all of the knitwear you see on the screen

25. You’re in an airport and spot both Brad Pitt and Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. You can only stalk one of them for their autograph. You choose the Harlot because she may be able to help you with your gusset problem.

26. You think there should be PSAs about the dangers of moths

27. You absolutely believe that if world leaders and heads of state would all knit, the world would be a peaceful and better place

28. You think World Wide Knit in Public Day should be a holiday

29. You’ve started decorating your house with your knitting supplies and yarn because you no longer have any place to stash it.

30. Your hubby turns to you and asks you what ’stash’ means. You slap him Dynasty-style and tell him that if you have to tell him then he obviously doesn’t know you at all.

31. You find yourself wanting to fondle complete strangers’ sweaters

32. You have 10 knitting Podcasts on your iPod at any given time

33. You feel so badly for your newly sheared sheep that you knit them sweaters

34. You whole-heartedly believe that an Alpaca would make a terrific house pet (agree 1)

35. You research available treatments for second sock syndrome

36. You frequently quote The Yarn Harlot

37. 3/4 of your friends knit

38, You feel as though you’ve won the lottery when someone comments on your FO in Ravelry and count your fan club daily

39. You feel like a total rock star if more than 5 people visit your knitting blog in a day

40. You’ve knit your hubby a wallet-cosy

41. You husband whispers knitting patterns in your ear in place of sweet nothings

42. You think that knitting is a privilege, not a right

43. You’re convinced that G-d WANTS you to knit in church/synagogue/mosque

44. You know when your ‘knitterversary’ is

45. The kids have no clean clothes. There’s no food in the pantry. AND you haven’t seen the living room floor in a month. But you’ve finished your sweater!! (And a few little sweaters for the dust bunnies that have taken up residence under your furniture.)

46. You dream about laying in a bed of wool (think ‘American Beauty’)

47. You haven’t bought yarn in a month and your LYS, credit card company, and bank all call to see if you’re okay.

48. You knit presents based on how much you like the recipient: Scarf= I tolerate you. Socks = you’re a pretty good friend Lace = I trust you with my life

49. Your Christmas wishlist looks like the menu bar of WEBS

50. You’ve made a blanket out of your gauge swatches

51. You absolutely will NOT pay $80 for a sweater that you can make yourself for $200

52. You get regular manicures.. not for vanity’s sake but because your nails are snagging your yarn.

53. Not only do you count sheep at night.. you count skeins

54. Your psychologist keeps saying, “I think you’re knitting-obsessed.”

55. You’re a firm believer that yarn is the universal language

56. You’re less interested in who will star in “Friday Night Knitting Club” and more interested in what yarns will be featured.

57. You’ve knit a sweater for your child’s guinea pig

58. You know the entire history of Aran knitting.. American History, not so much

59. You have a bumper sticker that reads, “A skein is a terrible thing to waste.”

60. You secretly wish there were knitting soap operas

61. Everytime you see a celeb knitting in a pic OR a movie or commercial depicting someone knitting, you post it on your blog and/or Facebook.

62. While shopping in the produce isle, you wonder if Malabrigo makes sock yarns in all of those colors

63. More people know your Ravelry name than your real name

64. You go out to eat at a Chinese restaurant and procede to rip your napkin into strips and knit with your chop sticks

65. You’ve switched from paper books to audio books so that reading doesn’t impede progress of your socks

66. You have your LYS on speed dial

67. You switch your college major to Bachelor of Fine Arts in hopes you’ll get to knit more

68. You find ways to incorporate knitting into your lesson plans

69. Your Weight Watchers Leader checks your daily planner to see what might be derailing your weight loss and sees that you’ve assigned 10 activity points to knitting..

I’ve bee busy! I made some Knitting Bling as Christmas presents for the ladies in my classes. Well they loved them. (they still rave about them!) So i decided to make more and put them up in my etsy store to see if anyone else would like them.
I like them. They brighten the knitting up and make you smile as you slip them to the next needle. Just a little added something!
Go have a look and LMK what you think!

I signed up for the Knitter’s Coffee Swap 4. I love this swap it’s the one I wait for. Here’s my questions answered.

1. Whole bean or ground? I like beans but will take both. sometimes the kind I want is only ground. so I’m not picky about that.
2. Fully-loaded or decaf? fully-loaded (still don’t know the reason for decaf)
3. Regular or flavored? Both, but only certain flavors i love hazelnut, vanilla creme, toffee. etc. I don’t like fruity flavors or chocolate flavored coffee.
4. How do you drink your coffee? with cream. (half and half)
5. Favorite coffee ever? It changes with my mood/tastes
6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? I like to buy higher end stuff b/c the flavor is richer and the acidity isn’t bad (no heartburn) I try to buy from local roasters/coffee shops. I don’t prefer starbucks b/c I think they over-roast their beans and “gasp” burn them.
7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? Chocolate covered coffee beans, brownies, cookies (my fave are oatmeal raisin with pecans), anything sweet really, and Popcorn
8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? it changes but but mostly i like a full flavored strong coffee. but i will enjoy anything you send.
9. Yarn/fiber you love? anything super soft, baby alpaca has caught my eye again and again but i like most all yarns
10. Yarn/fiber you hate? I don’t mind acrylic as long as it’s super soft…but red heart super saver and the like are OUT.
11. What’s on your needles? Lets see, all my (all ravelry links) HP Knitting/Crochet house cup OWLs: #28 Hoodie, 20 baby bibs, and a felted bag, I’m sure there will be more on the needle soon. I’m surprised I don’t have a pair of socks on the needles.. i normally do, hmm that’s weird. also on the hook is my babette blanket and a blanket I’m designing to teach crochet.
12. Favorite colors? I like most colors.. but i really don’t like pastel colors or orange. I love blues, pink and chocolate brown (together) , green and purple (together), greens, purples, pinks. I’d say bright is the way to go.
13. Allergies? nope
14. Anything you really love, really don’t like, or just need to get off your chest? Um how about a little about me. I like to read. But i find it cuts into my knitting time so I’ve been doing the whole borrow from the library the books on CD it helps a lot. I love to take photos (hence the project 365 I’m doing) I also like to bake bread and sew. I have 2 daughters but i don’t really knit for them b/c they destroy everything. My DH i will knit for but get annoyed b/c he doesn’t always appreciate what I make him. um i think that’s all if you have any questions just ask!