PippiKneeSocks.com

I did say I would be back *yesterday* with happier posting, no? Well, I suffer from a terrible illness that blocks me from doing the things I say I’m going to do. It’s horrible really. Most of the time, I wind up keeping my mouth shut until whatever it is, is complete.
Take for instance these:

My Fireside Footies.
I got many an email regarding them when I posted the Noro version & wrote out the pithy instructions for them more times than I care to remember, I finally got my buttocks in gear and wrote an actual pattern for them. (With tons of thanks to Boogie for giving it a once over for me!) I figured, I should (try to) write industry compliant patterns more often…. That way Mandy won’t pull all of her hairs out when she sees something from me. (She tells me my patterns aren’t horrible, but, I know she is only being nice.)
The only real downside was, while writing this up, I realized I could write a whole freaking book on slippers. I had to employ mind quieting tricks so I could remain focused. Sheesh, on step at a time, one slipper at a time one book at a time.
Anyway, for your knitting pleasure, I give you, Fireside footies written for both commercial yarn and handspun yarn. With a handy dandy printer friendlier version, as well.
AND! (yes, there is more!) they are even in their very own flickr set, thanks to Tina who gifted me with a flickr pro account. (Her amazing photos are under Xao_T on the flickr) A totally overwhelmingly heart felt gift. It touches me deeply that someone, anyone would do such a thing, let alone someone who is facing the heavy duty stuff that she is. From the bottom of my heart, Tina, thank you again! (Send that woman a lifetime supply of chocolate & good karma, will ya, universe?)

Speaking of heartfelt gifts…. I wasn’t able to get to SPA last weekend :~(
But, SPA came to me, via Amy Boogie

A lovely wool & mohairy blend. From “Friend’s Folly Farm” YUM!
Because she loves me!
I’m sorry that the shot of their phone number and address isn’t clear. When I realized that, I put that slip someplace “safe” so I could pass that 411 along. Alas, in staying true to my dysfunctional style, I have no idea where that safe place is…. If and when it turns up, I’ll be sure to post it..

I believe that is all from me, as I’m being consumed by a fever at the moment & it is Mr. Pipp’s birthday today, so I need to do a few things.
& For those of you who haven’t fallen sound asleep… Yes! There was a small kitten let out of a tiny bag up there, between the lines.

I had a friend many years ago, who used to call February ‘Banshee Season’. For good reason, people, especially those of us blessed (*cough*) to live in colder climates start to go a bit batty in February. Typically sane, rational people do some crazy stuff that they would otherwise NOT do. Such as drink too much and go outside naked trying to summons UFO’s. Not that I have any personal experience with that one, besides bearing witness to it.
I digress, this winter has been a particularly tough one, filled with very high highs, and super low lows… I won’t go into the details, everyone has ‘em. No need to air the laundry, or seem like a braggart (well, not today, anyway.)
But to round out this month, my grandfather decided to die earlier this week. (& today is the 16th anniversary of my Nana’s passing, the woman who taught me to knit.) I wasn’t close to my grandfather… In typical dysfunctional family style, he had mistresses & I resented him deeply for it. I believe him living his lifestyle was shitting all over my Nana.
Now, I’m faced with the decision of ‘going home’ for the services. Without a doubt this is churning up a multitude of feelings & shit that I’ve managed to sweep under a rug, nice and tidy like. Maude dammit, if it all isn’t undone and messy now…. If I do wind up going, it would only be to support my mother. Tons of logistical things need to be worked out, still. Not to mention the compromise of my personal boundaries.

Sheesh.

Hopefully, I’ll be back tomorrow, posting some happy stuff. (There is some happy good stuff lurking!)

& I need to say how grateful I am for my friends, who seem to know better than I do; that staying in my PipCave too long, isn’t a good thing. Thank you lovely ladies!

It’s done, or so they say…
The VD storm, the storm that keeps on giving.

This mound you are seeing is our car… Not an SUV, but an SOV (Snow over vehicle)

More snowy pictures on my flickr (not in a fancy set or anything, too cheap thrifty to buy a pro account..)
But they are the first 8 or so pictures.
What those pictures can’t show you is how cold it is… Currently 3f above.
Winter has arrived.

Stay warm!
XO!

(more great cards here)

Happy VD!
I’m going back to bed. I love you all so much I used sheer will power (and coffee) to get out of my sick bed (okay, the lazee-boy) to send you a virtual love note.
We are in the middle of a big snow storm. Woohooo! My theory is, if it is going to be eleventy billion below zero, we best get snow…. And it best be state of emergency snow, too. Matt is home from work (yay, he can dote on me. ha.) The roof has been shoveled, schools are closed, the chess game is set up, and I’ve found some new love for all of my WIPs. Life is good. Now, I only hope our heat holds up & the day-quil kicks in soon (because, owwww, my head!)
Happy chocolate day!!!!
Love your neighbor & yourself.
XO!

Ayeeeeeeeeee!
Anyone care to take a gander of what happened here?
Jessie, I think you may be able to relate….

Not a pretty picture, is it?
A few pounds of the same freakin’ colorway, in assorted freakin’ weights.
*eats head*
Yea, it’s freaking Monday, wooohooo.
If this is the way the rest of the week is going to go, I want OUT now.
Jane! Stop this crazy thing.
*hides in corner*
The official word is in… I’ve buckled under the pressure.

On the upside (but, really, is there one??) At least I know, without a hair of doubt, it won’t bleed.

Sit down, pour yourself a cuppa, and pass me the earplugs, will ya?
I’m awaiting a propane delivery, so I can get some dyeing done. Until then I figured I’d flash the latest things to come off the needles…
More Mitts.

3.2 oz 2 ply handspun,
hand dyed, hand cleaned Montadale x Leicester & nylon
with a ply of handpainted domestic
DK wt. on US 3s & 5s

Mr.Pippi heckled them. (But he always heckes my knitting, I hardly every pay any mind to it…)Saying they were too pointy and the thumbs looked like sausages.
Next pair, I’ll go with the afterthought thumb. Thanks Mr. Pipps!

And to prove it hasn’t been all mitts all the time here over at the love shack

Some fulled slippers in Noro Kureyon #88 on US 10s
I tried to get a photo of them in their natural habitat, but, urggg.

And, (yep, one more!) I got on the bandwagon…
Calorimetry from Knitty

I made a few changes..
I cast on 98 st with a handspun DK wt. single on size US 2s (yes, you read that right, US size 2)
I really love the button… Of course, it is from Moving Mud.
I tried my best to get a good close up of it.

Curse you flash photography!
*shakes fist at sky*

Today is my kick off of Project Spectrum V 2.0

Three cheers for Lolly!
I’m normally not a big -along-er, but, I loved the first version and I’m back for more!!!

Have a happy Groundhog day!
I heard the when he came out he made a comment about global warming.