PippiKneeSocks.com

Good morning!
Fist order of beeswax….
I spent all day yesterday fighting the children so I could slowly plug away at adding stuff to Pippi…
It seemed like every time I sat down, someone needed something, or someone was getting hurt, or something.
(I’m sure Mamas far and wide, you can relate with this, AssAlarm theroy; After giving birth, my midwife double crossed me and implanted an alarm in my tookas, assuring that every time I sat down, it would alert the family.)

Okay! So, Ta-dum!

The shop has been updated!
I’ve added:
A new handspun single, with plenty for those large type projects.
Three artier types, featuring mohair locks (& one with silk cocoons!)
&
One of new colorway of handpainted yarn!

The spinning fibers page has also been freshened up with 6 new wool tops
You can view everything in the shop using this link or you can see everything that is new

Second:
Happy Birthy-day Scout! (And Abbs, if you are reading!)
You both are important people in my life I hope each of you has a beautiful day!!

Third:
Wish me luck!
I am headed out to the DMV, right after I scrounge up my ID. I have no idea where I put it.

Okay, things are getting crazy around here already. Time to put out a fire.
XO!

It took my ego a good amount of time to recover from this disaster.
And I only managed to save the sport weight…. Oh well.
It might seem like I’ve been hoarding all of my handspun yarn for myself these days. All for a good cause, I assure you. But, I am willing to part with some of it today…

The shop has been updated!
I’ve added:
A few handspun singles, with plenty for those large type projects.
An artier type, featuring hand cleaned, Vermont grown Navajo churro
&
One of new colorway of handpainted yarn!

You can view everything in the shop using this link or you can see everything that is new

On the knitting front, I finally (after 2 years!!?!?) finished my pinwheel blanket. (alluding photos at the moment.)
Just in time for the arctic blast… When I woke up this morning it was -10f, with a -30 something wind chill… (currently -8f, no idea the wind chill!!) BURRR!

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.

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.

I was knee deep in the middle of updating the shop when Scout gave me a jingle to tell me that the Knitty surprise was up!

Looky looky!

My Mitts!

Remember these buttons?

Yeppers!

The shop has been updated!

I’ve added:

Bunches of new colorways of handpainted yarn!
Fingering and sport weights for your sockies.
AND!!!
New Worsted weights!!!
*For a limited time I will be taking orders for Custom Sweater Yarn.
The base of the worsted weight is the ultra lush Louet Gems, so, it is a bit spendy, but worth every cent.

Also today I’ve added some great hand painted spinning fibers
Including some Hot Merino/tencel!!

And I gave the 2 ply page a bit of attention, too.
With one 2 ply added.

You can view everything in the shop using this link or you can see everything that is new

Wow, alla that has taken me all day! Now I need to run and pick up Gurly Gurl from skool.

XO!

For once, I would love for our usual morning chaos, not to happen. I dream of quiet mornings, where everything runs smoothly, no one gets hurt, everyone is healthy, & no one yells.
A snippet of this morning’s yelling:
3: It’s a pineapple
5: No!! It’s a house!
3: It’s a pineapple
5: No!! It’s a house!
3: It’s a pineapple
5: No!! It’s a house!
(Wash, Rinse, Repeat until mom interjects)
34: It is a pineapple AND a house!
3&5 (in rebellious unison) NOOOOOOOO!

They do good work, turning it on me. (never fails.)

I have no doubt that if I was not a slob better at housekeeping, and was more organized, things would be smoother, because as much as I need to be by the seat of my pants, I loathe it too.
This is what happens when I run out of post-it notes.

(Gasp! I lost my pen, too!)

And, speaking of my less than stellar housekeeping.

Our tree, still standing (even tho 3 keeps trying to change that.) Lookit all of those needles!
I have started to refuse to vac them up. It is principle. It’s going to keep dropping those little effers. Why waste good vacuum effort? (You will be happy to know Sue, that all Polly Pocket shoes have been swallowed up by the sucker machine, in a stealth move, per your “advice”. Although, I did feel some guilt. I suspect that the makers of Polly Pockets anticipate such a scenario, and earn their living from that: Using MotherGuilt against us, inspiring us to buy yet more of those little buggers, only to be vacuumed up, thus inspiring more MotherGuilt. Vicious cycle.) I digress, that tree should come down already….

I fear, I’ll never get the hang of our mornings. It has been four months since 5 has started started skool & I’m still not running the show in any type of smooth & effective manner. In fact, I suspect 5 has developed some deep resentment with my apparent shortcomings.
Again with morning snippet:
5: Not that shirt, I want the kitty shirt
34: No, you just wore the kitty shirt.
5: grumbles in protest.
34: Thank you, now get your socks on…
5: NOOOOO! Not those socks!
34: Why not?
5: They AREN’T glitter sparkle socks!!
34: Sorry, just put them on please, we are going to be late.
5: MOM! YOU ARE RUINING MY LIFE
34: Well, sweets, it was bound to happen sooner or later, get used to it.

(note: She is 5, not 15. & this happens to be the second time I have been told I was “ruing her life.” The first time was over some pigtails that weren’t up to her exacting standards. Sheesh.)

I suspect I’ll miss these times in 16 or so years. Until then, I suppose I will have to rework my schedule & start to get up at 4:30, just so I can have some quiet time with my coffee and my sticks & string.
Speaking of my sticks & string, you surely didn’t just come here for the parenting rant, no?
Formerly known as Hand Things
Now Mitts in Progress

Much better.

& My yarn from the other day

Has turned into a scarf,

I was going for “dramatic” but I wound up with “Muppet”.
It told me the other day that it should have been a wrap, not a scarf. I told it to go screw, the only thing worse than frogging plain mohair yarn, is frogging mohair locks. yup. Perhaps, I’ll be sorry down the road… Can’t win ‘em all.

And on that note, I am being summonsed by 3, to go build a snowperson. (Yes! Colorado & New Mexico have decided to stop hogging all of Vermont’s snow.) So, I best get out there before I’m accused of ruining his life, too.

♥

Happy New Year!

It’s our James Bond year! (Was I the only fool suckered into going to see A view to a kill because Duran Duran sang the theme song???)

Yes, I know, I’m a few days late… But trust me, you would thank me for not posting a few days ago! After all, this is supposedly some kind of knitting, spinning blog, right; not some type of therapy.
Good thing I’m not superstitious about ‘New Years’, I spent the first few hours in tears, and New Year’s day covered in vomit. Sounds like it was a good high school party, no? Well, It isn’t what you think. Plus, I was never one of those types to get drunk and cry, I left that one up to Rob. He was the drama queen back then. The vomit came from my young, ah! the glamorous life I lead. The tears, well, apparently, I slid down the dark PMS abyss. Add the power of hormones to the magical change that is supposed to happen with the turn of the new year, multiply that by the expectations I have for myself, viola, tears.
If I was 20 years younger I would have been held up in a dark room listening to Cure records smoking cigarettes and writing bad poetry and doing stipple… (And you know, with having two sick kids to contend with, this seemed like a really great option.)
Instead, I threw myself at the mercy of my spinning wheels.

I’m not one for resolutions at the beginning of the fictitious calender change; but I do have a bad habit of looking backwards over the year and finding all of my faults. The thing that bothered me the most was I felt like I wasted the gifts that were bestowed on me in 05. It was a difficult year, but the amount of personal growth that was granted to me by the universe was astounding. I feel like I’ve almost betrayed my compassionate path. I feel like what I do is totally trivial given the state of the world. In my heart, I hope that isn’t true. And I know I can take steps to correct that, if it is the case.
Out of all that came my Fiber Friday.

It is called ” 58,408 ”
185 yards
10 ounces
apx 11 wpi
2 ply,
One ply of black wool top & mohair locks with an itty bitty ply of wool, nylon and silk sari.
The topic this week was Grief.
58,408 is the number of Iraqi civilians killed since the resident and his cronies decided to stomp up in there. For what? Money and oil? When the greed of a few men can cause that much human suffering, and not be held accountable for such shameful acts; we truly live in an unjust world. I wonder how they can sleep at night? (Perhaps large quantities of sleeping pills washed down with alcohol? )

I know, you must be thinking “……and this ISN’T depressed?”
Believe me when I say you would not like to have read anything I would have posted a few days ago, before my new favorite cure for hormonal induced insanity…
For those of you who want in on the cure, take 3 to 4 pints of neopolitan dynamite (I would highly recommend 4, just to be on the safe side.) Put this on repeat, (Thank you Brenda & Muggle!) and do something you find joy in. Stir well and often.
I think that will be a new mantra for this James Bond year; Find the joy.

♥

I don’t know about anyone else, but, I’m thinking of calling off the month of December next year. Or at the very least, I wish to be heavily sedated. (Hells, in the 1950’s the docs freely prescribed us mothers speed. Get with it, medical community, it’s a whole new century. This mama needs a clone!)
I am so exhausted from yesterday, my house looks like a bunch of Frat boys held a kegger in it, my children are still slightly bonkers & I have some unexplained green paint on my arm.
To spite our efforts in keeping things simple (ie: we only got the kids one gift each) They made quite a haul. Thanks to friends and family, they were still unwrapping gifts 45 minutes after they started.
Pony Attack!

I don’t think the Baby Jesus Had this sort of thing in mind when he was birthed.

I’ve managed to keep Barbie out of this house for over 5 years. This year Bella got one from the lovely Amy, so, I broke and let her keep it. Barbie is QUEEN of all she surveys, I tell ya. Bells thanks you from the bottom of her heart, Amy. Barbie is the end all and be all of the Xmas gig. Barbie rules that pony castle like the beotch she is.

Another interesting thing that showed up here, (amazing that I get anything any more, since my letter carrier has started to refuse to deliver to me any longer & lost a few insured packages on me this week. ~ more on that story later….) are these ‘Polly Pockets’ things. Who on earth came up with this shit?

That is a Polly Pocket shoe. I give them another 5 minutes of existence. Virtually indistinguishable from dried bits of play-dough. Speaking of dried play-dough, thanks Jess & Pat, the kids are so loving their favorite Aunt & Uncle. One year we can all have Xmas together. Jess and I can bake our famous cookies, Pat can mix some cocktails and tunes, & Brad and Matt can play vidiot games while alternating searching for p0rn on the intrawebs… A good time will be had by all!

As far as holiday knitting went, I gave up sometime a week ago. Then on Xmas eve, I felt a big twinge of guilt. So, I cast on a scarf for my MIL. (Who has been really very helpful the past few weeks!) I was washing and blocking it at one am.

I did a terrible job at the blocking, it will need to be reblocked, with out the pressure of December 25.
A simple YO pattern, but what makes it uber special is the yarn (duh!) and the kick ass glass buttons from Moving Mud.

Now that it is the 26th of December, I’m feeling a bit less stressed. The dry erase board has been hung over the desk with great care. I can get down to really focusing on the tasks that are ahead of me.
First up, getting the shop updated with all the new yarn I’ve made the past few weeks.
Second, getting my returned packages back out. (Sorry to those affected! I hope! hope! hope your Xmas wasn’t spoiled!)
Third, take some time for the Childabeasts. My son has donned a princess dress and is ramming his new RC monster truck head on into our Charlie Brown Xmas tree, all while wielding a light saber. He’s not so covertly trying to take the sucker down. I’m going to need in on this one.
♥