PippiKneeSocks.com

Enough with winter already!!

Uncle!!!
I give!
Truce?

My mood keeps fluctuating between okay, and Grumpy! today. I don’t know if it is because Kurt Vonnegut decided to leave earth, the weather, my seedlings getting leggy, all the spam the blog has been getting (I’ve turned off the comments on a bunch of the hard hit posts) or PMS. There is an advisory to stay clear of this little slice of Vermont. There is low lying verbal shrapnel flying about.

And, ooh, look! I do knit.
I finished my Duval street socks about two weeks ago, no fanfare, no pictures taken. I didn’t even set out to take this one, but it happened.

Those aren’t white streaks across my shoes.
My camera managed to catch the snow flakes in action like that.
(effin snow. Bitter, much?)

I should go put the kettle on, sit on my tookas and knit and watch the Smurfs.
If that doesn’t make me feel better… There might be some heavy drinking going on later.

First up, Saturday sky! (*get it sky, spy… Okay, that’s the best I could come up with…punning on demand is akin to the sex on demand….)
Hold your hats on, it’s….. it’s…
BLUE!

A smashing day. Currently 46f!

And now for some actual Spy work….
Fireside Footies in the wild
First up, Shelia’s enlightening near death experience.
(*oh and look, I made an unintentional pun in the comments)
& Amanda’s new floor to go with her new footies. (Amanda, If I were you, I’d put something grippy on the bottom.. Apparently, my footies are dangerous!)

Some of my less treacherous handpaints
Strange days from Maia. (I think I need to take a trip out west & steal visit them.)
Terrapin, coincidently from two of my fellow Deadhead Sisthren
Stella’s (scroll down to see those socks in action!!)
And one of Brenda’s (Who by the way gives much food for thought on the kitchener.)

If I’m missing anyone Hollah!

Also spied, is my spinning project for the day.

It’s called Spring kitchen (*only punny to me, I’m sure…)

One more thing, before it slips my mind, yet again…
Big Yarn Mama could use our knitting help!
Her & her students are making these comfort dolls. The goal is 100 by April First! (Pass it on! They have 40 right now!)
Help make a Orphan with AIDS smile a bit, won’t you??

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!

What is worse than knitting 3 feet of I-cord?
Knitting 4 or 5 feet of it, yes…

It seems 5 can’t hold onto things. (Last week, she lost her snow pants at skool, HUGE bummer! I’m really hoping they turn up soon.) So, knitting all that I-cord seems like a time saver compared to knitting a whole new set of mitts.
The self striping yarn (in some of my favorite colors) came from my Dye-O-Rama swap partner, Monica. (& embroidery done with the same yarn….)
Knit on US 1s & 3s
I plan to line them with some fleece, as soon as I can convince Matt to get my 400lb sewing machine out of storage.
I’ve been patiently waiting for some things in the mail.
Yesterday when I went to the box, I pulled out a heavy parcel. In the short time it took me to see it in the box and pull it out, I had convinced myself that it contained a pipe bomb (heavy, thick, hard, odd shape… paranoid much?) Living on the edge like I do, I decided to pull it out anyhow… Then I recognized the return address to be Anna’s. (And I was pretty dern sure she wouldn’t send a pipe bomb to me.) Therefore, safe to tear into.
Much to my glee and amusement, it was packed, and I do mean packed (!) with post-it notes, memo pads & small notebooks of all shapes and sizes.
This is what 4 pounds of notepads look like (less what the kids made off with.)

Thank you Anna!
I’m so shocked when people actually read this here blog. Let alone pay attention to what I ramble about.
So, on that note, anyone have one of these sitting ’round? (I’ll pay postage!)

Now that you are asleep, or have clicked away it’s time for a bit of political spew.
As many a US citizen is aware, tonight is the megalomaniac’s State of the Union Address. I won’t be watching. (Or perhaps I will, if I want my BP to shoot thru the roof.) Watching the resident megalomaniac is like rubbernecking a train wreck. But, I wanted to make a declaration. For the past few years (since 2000) I have referred to that person (?) as the resident (I don’t quite get the whole respect the office thing….) For seven years that person (?) has tried my patience and compassion. It is insurmountably difficult for me to have compassion for him. Anyway, from this day forward I will no longer be referring to that war monger as the resident, he will be referred to as the squatter.
ITMFA, m’kay? Ahh, I feel better that is off my chest. (Thank Maude that this bill got shit canned.)

That’s all I got.
Oh, wait, I lied! I can see my laundry room floor!! (Aren’t you all proud?)
And aside from trying my best to keep up with housework these days, I’m going to do my best to get my yarn wound for an update this week. It has been at the top of my list for a few days now, right underneath take a shower and take my vitamins. (Guess which one I’ve also been neglecting?)

♥

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.

♥

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.
♥