Again.... It's been a while.

I write to you again.... after much time, after much knitting, and much going on in life.


I am still knitting, that is true.

I am actually designing a few things right now. I am using codewords for them right now, you'll know when they go up, I'll try to post here.... I will say they are pretty awesome. You'll just have to take my word for it right now.
Early July my mother and I will be venturing for 10 days into Montreal, now this is my first trip out of the United States... ever. I am kind of nervous about it and very excited. We have plans to go visit Vieux Montreal, Downtown, Mont Royal, the Latin Quarter, maybe go up to Trois Riviers, and lots more. Yarn stores are on the list and we are going to hit them (especially if for any reason my knitting needles are taken away, they shouldn't, but who knows). I will try to talk about my time there on here. I do have a design that I am working on that I will be starting for this trip (no it won't be finished before we leave, I'm fast... not that fast). But I can say it's going to be amazing, the color is amazing, I found a stitch pattern I really like, now it's number crunching time.
Through there is a problem I am facing with my knitting. We are planning on performing the next Knit Against at my LYS, a group of us coined this. What is a knit against you ask? Well that's a good question. It's similar to a knit along, where a group take on a the same pattern and knit it all together, but a knit against you are seeing who will finish first. It's quite amusing and a great motivator to get it done. The last one was pulelehua a pattern by Romi Hill, where there were a group of us doing it. You can see minehere, it was such a fun knit. The problem I'm facing is that we are going to be starting on July 1st, and then July 6th I'm leaving for Montreal, so I might not have a lot of knitting time during. However, on top of that I might have a new deadline with something completely different, so we will have to see. At any rate it should be fun. The next knit against will be RosaFlora another Romi Hill and I will be working mine in... wait for it... Madelinetosh Pure Silk Lace in the color of Saffron. It's gorgeous and I think perfect for this pattern.

Must go back to number crunching.

The Tour de Fleece

Tomorrow, 6-30-12 marks the beginning of the Tour de France, which I think is awesome and an incredible athletic event. However, there is a smaller version of the Tour de France which is more fibery in it's intention. The Tour de Fleece, which is described in the Yarn Harlot's Blog and in several posts this being one from 2010. Someone at my local shop has been infected with the spinning bug, I will not name her, she knows who she is... is going to be doing the Tour de Fleece. In fact, she is so infatuated with spinning, I will be letting her try my Lendrum double treddle. I think we've gotten another one. Let's get back on track.... This whole thing has gotten me thinking, I've been spinning since around 2008 and I have not done a Tour de Fleece, so I think this year I will be doing it. My goal however is unknown, officially maybe a goal of spinning everyday, and an unnofical goal of 2 lbs of fiber spun at the end of it, or a skein every 2-3 days, I'm unsure. Let the spinning begin...

Taboo tuesday...

I know I have not posted a while, I've been busy with work and finishing school. Now that it was over, I thought I had time to be able to catch up....Nope! Work consumed everything, even knitting time, but no fear I'm back knitting more and more.



Look...do you see the octopus, spider, and praying mantis? I knit those for a display for a local library. My mom asked me to make them for her work, so I agreed and there they are, I feel famous....

Other then that I have a finished Pagona, working on socks, Rock Island Shawl, cardigan design, a tank for me (I need something cool). And... the book... is still a go. I'm still working on it slowly, I just need to go through my stash and see what designs that I need to work on or finish for it.

All for now. Till next time, knit and stay hydrated

Ticklish Tuesdays

Ok ok I know it's been a while but I've been doing a lot. And I'm sure you're wondering what is so ticklish about tuesdays, well.... It's the day before wednesdays known as hump day so it's as if you're so giddy and ticklish that you can't wait for wednesday. But I digress.

I finished the February hat right in time for stitches, I actually finished it at 2am that day. Speaking of stitches... I did some stash enhancing. And even though I said no fiber, no fiber, I had to when I saw Abstract Fiber's Roving, it's AMAZING.





So pretty, the lefts is Rockstar in a Optum fiber (so soft) and the right is a Yak merino bamboo blend I believe. Then I bought some more yarn from Lisa Souza, and I was spinning the other day and went "hmm this color looks familiar....well....




That's because it is the same color, just bought about 1-2 years apart.







That right one is cashmere from MissBabs. I think it's going to be a cowl for myself, I couldn't pass it up.

The solar dyers are almost done and hopefully it will start to be sunnier here so I can do it.

Fiber festival hopefully this summer....

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Tired Tuesday

Ok that doesn't sounds like the most exciting title for a blog post but I am really tired. I don't sleep well but I knew it was time to post another post here so here we go. (If this is a little weirder or boring more then usual I do apologize in advance).

I am working on the february hat, which is going very slowly. It is another Steven West pattern. Don't get me wrong I love the hat it's just doing double knitting on needles I'm not sure if I like yet and with fingering weight yarn and slip knit slip knit till my eyes fall out will drive and is driving me nuts. But I digress... I am using Frog Tree Pediboo and I love the yarn, so soft and warm and lovely. I need to finish this hat in the next 4 or so days so when I go to Stitches West it can be my yarn money holder, kind of a way of keeping myself in check when I am there. I'm not sure what I want to get there, but I know I see more Lisa Souza Yarn coming home with me, like it tends to do every year. I got another knitter to go "OOOOOOOO EVIL YOU ARE!" which is true.

I am an enabler. Pure and simple I am the dyeabolical, supreme enabler. Everyone who knows me knows this is true. So I am going to announce that Macek Designs is coming out of a hibernation and will be putting up the new new new website, since the first kinda got erased when my old laptop had to be whipped and I stupidly didn't back up the file. But I have a better one now and I will let you all know when it goes live. Be prepared for sock made on Robert (sock knitting machine from 1870) and sun dyed yarn. I know that sounds crazy but doing it that way will be better for me and everyone I live with and not to mention the environment. And the electricity bill that will help too.

Finally, guess what I am going to be knitting now that I said I would never knit again? That's right socks, socks. The things that I had a pair of my argyle hand dyed socks eaten, and vowed that it would never happen again. But now I am back, but I will not ignore Robert, he will be used in conjunction with hand knit socks. Kinda like having the production and the artsy ones. Best of both worlds. That's what I'm telling myself.

Things on my needles:
Rick from Cookie A's Sock Innovations
Skinny Skid from Stephen West's First Book
Crochet Scarf I'm replicating from a picture for my boss

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Wacky wednesdays

I'm thinking that any day I post anything there should be a theme to it, like a random day, or a day where I have to use a specific word in every sentence, while still making some sense. Today is wednesday and I thought it would be appropriate for me to make it a wacky wednesday. Why wacky you say? Here's why:
1: They both start with W

2: Wednesday that day in the middle of the week, it's not really the beginning or the end it's just there

3: Wednesdays are the day known as hump day, so that's just wacky enough

4: Cause I think I'm clever for thinking of those 3 things listed above, but that's besides the point

Ok lets start with the wacky, unless I've already started....here we go

1. I finished my hat for the month, took all of two day...I'm thinking I might have to add more to this 12 hats in the year thing....

2. I added a button on it, it's a pirate button, makes me feel all clever and pirate like

3. " 'ey matty where's me yyyyyyaaarrrrnnnnn"

4. I am going to making the pretty thing for my mom's birthday next month, going to be out of a yak, bamboo mix 75/25

5. I'm going to be dyeing and spinning a lot more yarn

6. I still need to get that 15 lbs of fleece processed

7. Stephanie Pearl McPhee is funny by telling us that in "American it's a size 4" and it's true, we can't do metric, or we just don't wanna

8. I know I don't wanna, I like my inches, and feet, and pints, and cups, and US 4, watts, all of that....maybe I should learn more metric....

9. I'm rebuilding https://macekdesigns.com it's going to be awesome. You gotta love iWeb

10. This is a random post....distract with a picture


I will post a picture with me wearing it and a button when I get a chance, and when I'm not so camera shy.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

its been year

A year has come and gone, lets take a minute to reflect on it...ok I'm done. Now onto the first monday of the first full week of the new year. The self imposed hat knitting is finally taking shape now that I've decided on a pattern, I will be doing the Piece Out by Steven West (Westknits). I think I'm going to use brown, red and for the accent color orange. Not sure, I just need to dig out the size 6 or 7 needles, I don't know where they are. But once I find them, some cables for them and then I'm in business. I still need to finish the top for my mom. I'm working on the shaping on the neck edging and then have her try it on and see how it fits. She says it looks too short, but I'm hoping it's right. I don't want to knit more garter on the bottom.... Anyways lots to do, like the design for Twist Collective I'm going to submit. Pics of the swatch to follow soon, it's probably going to be a cardigan in a slip stitch pattern. More to follow...



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

3 hat patterns, which to start first

On the self imposed 10 hats in 2011 I have three options, the botanic hat, the collision, and one of my own design. I'm still not sure, I have to dive into the stash to see if I have yarn to knit one.

Thoughts?


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Its going to be that time of year

Well hello to all, it's been a while and i've been a bad blogger. I know, but I have been busy with finishing my semester at school, working almost full time or more, and having jury duty (which I never got called in thankfully). But I'm here now, which is what counts. I come bearing good news, I did finish my cabled shawl collar cardigan, and I love it. Its soft,
warm, cozy, has the perfect buttons at the same shop which the buttons are made from nuts, needs a little blocking, and to top it off I made it while going to school and working full time, in 1.5 months. Which I think is impressive. And no I did pretty well in school thank you. I don't slack, I just knit quickly, from what I've heard.





Also, I designed a new hat pattern called the bounce back hat. I'm selling it on revelry (it needs test knitting which I have details on a deal I have with that on ravelry), but I'm thinking as a special thing for a month I'll make it a free pattern, which might be forever. Who knows for sure, depends how many people actually download and knit it.



I have been reading the Yarn Harlots blog with her self imposed sock club and I thought to myself, "wouldn't that be cool to do something like that." But I don't knit socks by hand anymore (ever since I got the antique sock machine), well then maybe I will knit hats. You might be thinking, hats? But those take no time at all. That is true, however, for someone as busy as I am, it is the perfect solution to this little dilemma I had. So this year in 2011 I will be making 12 hats, which some might be kept, others as gifts.

For the yarn dyeing I will be back, after I redo my new website. I will be doing solar dyeing, to see if that is a good option for me, because I need to be able to dye and dry quickly and without disrupting the house. More to come on that topic.

Well for now, Happy New Year, hope your holidays were good, stay safe tonight and happy knitting.

P.S. I am testing a new app for my iPad to see how this blogging on the go works, I think I like it so far.

Long time no talk to

I know i know it's been a while, but i have excuses. I started a new job, started school again, and general life has been crazy and all time consuming. So i think a random tuesday blog post will be in order.

1. I no longer work for Jamba Juice, my assistant manger days there are well done. I did learn a lot from that job and I'm grateful for the opportunities I had there. It gave me a lot of great experience and I really think that It helped me get the new job. That new job, i will not say what it is. All i will say is that I'm in retail and a company that is amazing to work for.

2. My car is fixed. Its still running and kicking. Looks a little ghetto, because I had to replace one of my wheels. Its a after market one, which fits on it just fine, but just looks funny, but I don't care, it runs well and thats what matters.

3. I'm finishing up my last semester at the community college I'm attending. I can finally go to a state or university school and start my degree. I cant wait, i miss taking my French classes and i need to find a place locally that offers a ASL as a degree.

4. I got another knitting injury on saturday. I have been trying to get this cabled cardigan done, which i have pics, but Im not using a computer to write this so I will upload pictures when I have a computer to use that doesn't like to kill itself, more on that later. I'm a combination left handed and right handed knitter. I knit by throwing with my left hand. So my entire shoulder and arm just went into pain on Saturday so i had to slow down, which is ok, it's getting warmer here? Thats really weird its november last time I checked.....

Verizon rant....... with some knitting

OK so I have been dealing with my cell phone company since I got the plan back in February 2009, I am at ends and I am tired of dealing with them. I want to get out of my contract, but I would have to pay $310 to do that. I want to get the iPhone cause I get a discount on my service with at and t if I am with them.


I recently started a new 2-year contract with Verizon Wireless in February of 2009. My service worked well until it hit June, that's when I began having service related issues. It began with my service cutting out for around 6 hours. During this time my messaging didn’t work at all, I had few to no service bars, and my voice calls became unreliable. After that point I have repeatedly called Verizon Tech Support at least once or twice a month. I really had questions about why I was having these issues since I never had an issue with service when I was on my Mother's Family Plan. First I went to a Verizon Wireless Store and the representative told me that it was my phone, that the internal antenna was broken and that it would need replacing. I promptly did this and I got a new phone from Verizon. This phone was the LQ Voyager VX1000, and I had an issue because the touch screen did not work. The next day I went into the same store and talked to a representative, he asked if I calibrated it and I told him that I had done so on multiple occasions. As a result, he called over the LG representative that was present in store that day. He took a look, asked me the same question. I explained to him that I just got the phone the day prior and that I already calibrated it. He finally admitted a while later (in his exact words), "Yeah it's broken." I had already told them this and they proceeded to send me a "new" voyager. In the meantime I requested my old EnV be activated until I receieved the replacement (this is the phone I used prior, on my Mother's account previously). The replacement phone I received also had the same issues that the other two voyagers had and so I went back into Verizon. Once there, they told me that it was my phone because it was so old, however I had already called Tech Support and updated my software. I finally negotiated a new phone, the EnV Touch as a replacement and for the trouble I was experiencing. Once I replaced my phone, my service began to work again until a week later my service was acting up yet again. I had maybe 2 calls dropped my whole time with Verizon, I do not get a reliable signal anywhere, calling quality on all of my phones were terrible, I loose service randomly, when I send a text message sometimes it never sends, delays them for up to an hour, I get "send failed would you like to retry?" on a daily basis, and I also get "Cannot send, no signal. Would you like to resend in digital?" I have called probably 50 times since June, with everyone having me update my roaming, my phone software, or saying that they have no idea. In July 2009 I had a trouble ticket opened for the signal and it came back as "the towers are perfect in your area, so it's not that." As a result, I went into the Verizon wireless store on Prospect Rd and was told by the representative in store that it's my service. I questioned how can 4 phones (1 that worked perfectly on another account) all could not work and was told that it was a problem with the various phones. Soon after, I had another trouble ticket opened for picture and text message issues, they traced the text saying that once it got to the other provider that they couldn't track it anymore. I feel that this is a poor response because it has occurred with not just other carriers but within their own Verizon network. Finally I talked to a friend of mine and he took me to a different Verizon Wireless store. There I spoke to the Manager and he has appeared to try and rectify the situation. At the store, we opened a 3rd trouble ticket, which was escalated to a higher level. I got a call much like the first one a few days after calling in the trouble ticket, saying that they don't know yet and that they would get back to me. I called a week later and the phone representative told me she had no info on it, wanted me to try to update my roaming and told me it was my phone. Two days later to give them more information about it and they were just dumfounded just like all of the calls I made so far, she told me I needed to buy a new phone. One solution that was recommended by the representative was to wipe my account clean and get rid of my number and give me a new number. They said that someone with the same problem came in and they did that and her service was fine. I really don't want to do this because it’s a huge inconvenience, my number is associated with a myriad of places, my job and all other locations have my number, my bank, all of my friends, my school, etc. and to change all of them seems ridiculous.
On 12-1-09 I finally received a call from Verizon, I couldn't answer because I was working The message said that they checked my service area and that it's perfect and that it's my device and have a store update it's software. No direct call back number was left to discuss the issue and when I went to the store to follow their directions it did not rectify the problem.
After all of this I decided in March to upgrade to the Droid, which I was told incorrectly by the Target representative that it would not extend my contract. It in fact did and when I talked to them about it they told me that I was told incorrectly and that there was nothing that they could do to help me. I then contacted Verizon and they told me the same thing in store. I called later that day to ask about canceling and if I could get the fee waved because nothing was done about all of the problems that I’ve had beforehand. The supervisor I talked to said that he couldn’t/wouldn’t do anything for me. I called back multiple times the next few days, with people contradicting the other, but they all said no they can’t/won’t help me.

So I'm going to try again tomorrow and get to the highest manager I can speak to and make them do something. I already contacted the Better Business Bureau and I will drop it if Verizon fixes this.

Knitting wise I got new yarn, for my birthday coming up on the 13th, thanks to Green Planet Yarn and their birthday discount. I got 2 sweaters worth. Knitting is going along slowly, but I'm at least getting out of the slump.

Stuff finally stopped happening....

Alright I know it's been a while since I last posted anything, as you may recall I had a car accident last month. I had to deal with everything myself and I must say I did a pretty damn good job. The car is back with me and looks just like it did before the accident, or maybe a bit better. I am more careful with it now, I don't wanna have that happen ever again.

On the knitting front, there isn't too much. I'm slowly working on my designs, one which is a fair isle vest/sweater (depends on how much yarn I will have, might cheat though and get just a different color and bring it in.) I am also going to hopefully design something for Twist Collective, I sent them an email, so now I just wait to hear when their submission dates are.

Finally, after months and months contemplating this, I have decided to finally go for the Knitting Masters Program. I know that I am at least skilled enough to make and design things for this. That and I want to expand my knowledge and skill as a knitter, so I figure this is a great way to do it. I will start once I have enough money to start the first level. I will definitely blog about it, but I have to make sure I pay off all bills for the car fist.

I will make sure to blog more, now that I am done with my assistant manager job at Jamba Juice. I am a Specialist at the Apple Store now, so I'm hoping I don't have to work as much as I did at J.J. But we will have to see how things go, hours aren't bad, just wanna have a life too.

Back to the knitting and all of the other stuff.

Ok, this day is just crap....

Sorry I haven't blogged at all, I have been so busy, and as of today things are pretty bad. I got into a car accident, I rear ended someone on the freeway, my brakes locked and skidded. We were both ok, I'm still shaken, my nerves shot and I just need something to do to keep my mind off of it. I really cant believe it happened, but at least no one was hurt, and I've avoided so many accidents it was bound to happen I suppose. I've already called my insurance provider, I need to take it into the body shop and I do not have pictures of it. It's just bad, giving me the look of "WTF HAPPENED!?! OWWWW." Though where I took it to see if the damage was bad, they said it looks worse then it is, but it still looks bad. Mostly body damage.

Time to knit something complicated so I don't have to think about the accident.

And it's been a while, but I have my reasons

I kinda had some work accidents and stress that just wiped me out. Don't worry I'm fine and the nice weather made working more stressful.

On another note I bought a Droid, I know I know what I've said about Verizon, hear me out. I was mad that my service was bad, my phone, no matter how indestructible (even dropped, unintentionally, in a floor drain at work), I wanted out. However, my service was not as glitchy and I figured, hey what if I switched and that service was even more horrid. So I broke down and got the Droid, added the unlimited data, and I love the thing. It's like when an iPhone user first gets their iPhone they have that moment, that moment I had, "how did I live without this smart phone." This thing is so amazing, I am sold on android phones, love mine, and I hope to see many more coming out.

Knitting wise, I've been super lazy to not post these, may I unveil the Olympic Sweater.






I love this sweater, I love the yarn, I love everything about it. It was fast, it is warm and soft, and I want to make everything out of this yarn, not really but I was rolling with it. 2 weeks made this sweater, so I'm impressed with working and going to school full time that's pretty impressive.

Knitting wise I caved and started the gams from knitty and I ran out of the first yarn, so I had to stripe in some contrast. I love these things, mindless and fun.

Not going well....

I know I know, I have not posted for a while now, I have my reasons.

1. I got a new phone. I decided after much battle with Verizon and the phone I had, that I would just stay with Verizon and I broke down and bout the Droid. I love it so far, it's a great phone and I can not imagine not having this smart of a device.

2. I have had some health stuff I had to go deal with, still am dealing with, gotta go back in to deal with. Will post about that more when I know.

3. I have not been knitting a whole lot. I mean here and there, but nothing to blog about. Besides the 348 sts sweater for me I'm contemplating casting on.

Pics of the Olympic Sweater are here, but I just need to get them and upload. Too tired.

Just writting

I have not forgotten about the blog, it's more the blog has forgotten me. Well that and my creativity to knit is not here right now, please leave a message and it'll get it when it decides to come back.

Randomness and breaking stuff...

1. My flatbed Brother KH 910 knitting machine's computer is acting funny lately, it seems like it likes lace more then it does fair isle. But patterns are not really working on it. I busted my first needle on that machine and so I need to get some new ones. I really hope I can get the computer at least working properly for a bit longer. I have barely had the machine less then a year.

2. The sock machine is living now, user error. The yarn carrier was too high and caused it to drop so many ribber stitches. Now it makes socks like no other and it's loving life. I sure hope so, cause about 100+ years and counting for it.

3. When life throws you lemons you make lemonade. That's all fine and dandy as long as it's not lemonade from my work, cause that stuff is STRONG! But really, so much personal stuff going on right now that I need to sort out.

4. Knitting......what's that? I really have not picked up my needles for a while, and I probably should do that soon. I don't know what else is in line for me to make. I already have 2 projects done for the book, 18 to go. Is it silly that I'm doing this? It's not like we need another knitting book out there, when there are so many good ones already. Though I guess we could use more men's books. And I have the perfect title for the book! Thanks to a fellow knitter :)

5. Is it normal to be so tired all of the time? That and I don't know if I'm just having allergies or I'm getting sick, but I'm sneezing, sniffling, blowing my nose, etc a lot right now. Eh.

6. I really need to figure out how to get rid of the sleep thing. I mean yeah it's nice and all, but I could do way much more everyday if I didn't need to sleep. I could get this book done so fast! I could have so much knitted things and lots of these projects done that I want to do, that are non knitting related. Which I know is a scary thing to think about, things that are not knitting related, gasp! What crazy talk! I better go do my hail Elizabeth Zimmermans again. Or just jump into stash, swim in the wool, or just smell some of that alpaca yarn, dyeing to be knit.

Maybe I should scheme with that yarn. Who knows, it might need to be a machine project, if the thing would work properly.

Gold Metal

As of February 28th at 5:46am I am finished with my olympic project, earning me a Gold Metal. I did fiddle with some of the stuff I wanted on it, after the knitting was complete. However, I couldn't keep the integrity of what I wanted, so I left it off. I've shown off my finished item and it looks great and everyone loves it and can't believe it took me 14 days to make. However, it's not as impressive as some, but still for me, working and going to school, I think it's impressive.

Pictures to come.

Knitting not much lately. I did buy a big skein of sock yarn at Stitches West and I'm contemplating making a sweater with it.

I must apologize....

I'm sorry for taking Elizabeth Zimmerman's name in vain, calling her a beeyotch, saying she didn't know what she was talking about, and wanting to resurrect her from her grave slap her, ask her what she meant and put her back in her grave. I should not have doubted her infinite wisdom and talent, I must now do Hail Elizabeths on circular needles with beaded knitting on them, or probably more appropriately fair isle, and then I must stockinette on 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 sts until I have learned my lesson.

Enough of that, well a cup of tea, many hours (going what the $&^@) and 2 ibuprofen later the olympic design sweater is coming along. The sleeves are joined onto the body and I just ripped back 4 round deciding to do something differently. I feel so close to finishing I can taste it, well that or I tried to eat a skein of yarn with the colorway called berries....either or, both are made of wool. Lets go with the first one...

I'm not posting pictures because I want it to be a surprise when it's done, though I'm soooo not going to enjoy the last part of this project. Well it's among a myriad of things I don't like to do in knitting, which isn't that many, but still I digress. I only have a few days left, I can do it? I hope.

Race to finish and steeking good cutting BAD!!!

So I'm working on my Olympic Challenge Project and it's going, well? I'm on the sleeves right now, I want to get them joined by wednesday so I can finish it all by friday, cause that would be nice to get it done early but who knows. I hope I have enough yarn to do what I want to do with this sweater.

In other news, don't I repeat DON'T cut what you "think" is a seam yarn when you're altering previous knits. My Hardangervida sweater I knit about 2-4 years ago I decided to take out the collar and reknit it, snipping the back in the process. I had the local Knit doctor fix it and it's as good as new. I just need to reknit the collar with shaping, and do the zipper plackets again. I'm very glad I kept the yarn for this. I won't post pics of the holes, but when it's done I'll post new pics.