Category Archive for ‘friends’ at adam knits!

Archive for the 'friends' Category

Gimping It In Style 16 Mar 08

Thanks for all the well wishes about my knee everyone! Unfortunately, I’m not quite back on the wagon yet. I was starting to do better after a week of resting, so I decided to ride my trusty geared steed to work this past Monday. That turned out to be not such a great idea. Gentle spinning isn’t bad, but any extra effort required (i.e. speeding up to change lanes, etc.) caused a little wincing.

So a doctor’s visit and another week of rest later, and it looks like I might be off the bike for possibly 2-3 weeks. The diagnosis was not a pulled ligament, but a bad pull or slight tear in my hamstring where it connects to bone below the knee. So here’s hoping for a quickish recovery, because the weather is quite lovely outside, and I’d love to be riding my bike!

On the bright side, I have been taking the bus to work and school rather than riding, so I’ve gotten in some good knitting time. See, I finished some socks!

Alright, well maybe not socks plural, but it’s a start. This is actually the mate to a single sock that the talented Megan knit for me back in aught seven. I finally got around to finishing the pair, and it was quite worth the effort. The pattern initially had hearts instead of diamonds, but Megan was wise enough to know that I might not be head over heels for the hearts. But I’ve definitely got a twinkle in my eye for those diamonds. (Alright, I’ll stop torturing you now.)

pattern: I ~~Love~~ Diamond Gansey Socks
yarn: Rowan 4 Ply Soft in Espresso → 1 ball per sock
needles/gauge: US #1 (2.25mm) / 8 spi
mods: Save the diamonds, the only other modification was that I changed the standard toe on Megan’s sock to a round toe, and duplicated that on my sock. My toes end quite abruptly, and the round toe seems to accommodate my hobbit toes best.

At least if I have to hobble around, I can do it in style eh?

I have another sock on the needles (almost completed actually), in a nice brick red/orange, in honor of Project Spectrum. I’m also looking forward to April and May, as I have a surplus of brown and green yarn, and plenty of project ideas. Cause you know, it’s important to have plenty of wooly hats, mittens and socks in April and May in the New Mexico desert. ;)

Finally, the mystery knit is all wrapped up and on its way. I think it’s gonna be a hit, and I can’t wait to see it modeled by the tiny little recipient! Tune in next time for the full reveal. :)

Published

Adam

in biking, finished objects, friends, knitting and socks

Subtle Hints 10 Sep 07

28 Comments

It seems like so many knit bloggers these days are turning their thoughts to Fall, with visions of pumpkins, sweaters and delicious ales, and I was starting to feel a tad bit jealous. It’s still been pretty darn warm here in New Mexico, but I think that tide is beginning to change. Although it’s not fully here, there are small signs of Fall here and there, if you know what to look for. Subtle hints such as the return of the comforter to the bed, a nippy morning ride to work, and the beginning of the State Fair are making me dizzy with anticipation. So Fall? Hurry up, cause I’m ready. Case in point:

Progress is now cruising along on my Seamles Hybrid, as I’m about halfway to working the yoke. Even though it’s a forest of stockinette, I’ve added a bit of spice with some green stripes (I was so struck by the hem that I just had to include the green in the body). Also, in a fit of bravado, I decided that this was the project that I was going to use to hunker down and learn continental knitting. (That’s holding the yarn in your left hand for my non-knitting friends.) It was a bit of a gutsy move, especially considering the problems I’ve already had with gauge on this sweater, but it seems to have paid off. It was a lot easier to learn than I thought (although I did have some practice with the We Call Them Pirates Hat a month or so ago), and my gauge is the same. And the main reason for this move? Well, let’s just say I’m a crazy speed demon now. Sometimes I come close to doubling my English Knitting speed, which makes for a quick sweater.

Here’s another sign of Fall that I received today. Although soap is a good thing to use year round, this stuff makes me long for the days of cold tile floors and hot showers. I acquired it through the witty and talented Megan, in a soap and yarn swap. It’s pretty much a win-win: Megan gets some cool Yarn Nerd yarn (which she made into an amazing sock), and I get to smell amazing and be squeaky clean. Pretty good deal if you ask me. So thanks Megan, you’ve made this Nerd very happy!

Now you’ll have to excuse me, I’m going to go take a hot shower before bedtime. ;)

Published

Adam

in continental, friends, knitting, sweaters, techniques and works in progress

Ah, Dry Heat, I Love You. 11 Aug 07

18 Comments

So I’ve been home since yesterday morning, just spending the time unpacking, dyeing up and shipping Yarn Nerd orders (thanks guys!) and hugging the dogs. Both Dallas and Emma are super happy that I’m home, and keep following me around like I might leave them again at any second. Needless to say, I’m glad to see them too, I missed waking up to Dallas’ big wet tongue every morning (well, maybe not the tongue so much), and coming home to Emma’s howling chorus every afternoon.

I don’t have too much to say now, except that I had a great time. Can you tell?

It was a really great trip, and most of the week after the wedding was spent just hanging out, walking around and drinking ridiculous amounts of coffee. My friend Holly kept telling me my heart would explode from all the caffeine ;) Oh and buying yarn too. I actually ended up shipping my yarn back to myself, since it would have been a stretch to cram into my suitcase, and I really didn’t want it smelling like dirty clothes when I got home. I just got the box a few hours ago and am super excited to dive into the stuff. Want to see?

Austermann Step → I loved using this stuff for my Broad Spiral Ribbed Socks, and this color called my name
Trekking → Who can resist the Trekking? This stuff is destined to become some fancy evening socks, since I’m tired of wearing lame black socks to formal events.
Rowan Calmer → For a Shedir hat. My head will be happy this winter.
Hemp for Knitting → I’m doing a soap/yarn swap with Knitting Philistine, and figured a hemp washcloth would go with my soon to be here soaps perfectly.
Blue Sky Alpaca’s Dyed Cotton → This stuff is the softest cotton I’ve ever felt. I know exactly what I’m making, but it’s a secret! ;)

I also scored some Yarn Pirate Knitting Needles (thanks Georgia, I love them!), along with a mini-soap from Knitting Philistine/Good Soap Works of Athens that Georgia had leftover from last month’s Yarn Pirate Booty Club. (I packed that w/ the yarn, and now the yarn smells so nice, ah….)

I certainly got spoiled, and spoiled myself in Seattle, eh? It’s not too often that I get such a great vacation, so I just had to take advantage. ;)

I also got to spoil my friend Holly, with a moving away present that I’ve been sitting on for quite a while. You may have seen the finished pictures of this hat back in July on my Flickr page, and now I’m happy to show off pictures of it being worn by it’s happy recipient. (Can you tell that she likes pirates?) Not bad for a first stranded project ever huh? I think it’s pretty swank myself. Hope it keeps your head warm this winter Holly, it’s gonna be cold up there in Seattle!

I’m gonna go have an Arrested Development marathon now and see if I and finish up a pair of socks that’s been languishing on the needles for a bit. I finished one pair in Seattle and am hoping to get this one cranked out before casting on some new stuff. I’ll let you know how that goes…

Published

Adam

in dallas, emma, finished objects, friends, gifts, hats, knitting, the stash and vacation

Caffeination Nation 06 Aug 07

23 Comments

Ah, nothing like a good vacation! Especially when it’s filled with lots of relaxation, friends, knitting and tasty coffee. I may not even come back. Anyone know of any engineering jobs up here? ;) (Don’t worry Mom, I’ll come back for Emma and Dallas!)

The wedding was really beautiful, as it was right outside near the shore of the Puget Sound. Nothing like a beautiful lodge, a dynamite view and a nice sea breeze for a great wedding. Oh, and waking up to this nearby view helps too. ;)

The flowers at the wedding lodge didn’t hurt either.

I’m also getting quite my caffeine fill these days too. Nothing like some perfectly extracted espresso and smooth microfoamed milk to start out the morning with. Or an hour after morning. Or an hour before lunch. Or after lunch. Or…ok, I think you get the picture.

Then I met up with Georgia and Sarah for an afternoon yarn crawl. Those gals sure know how to get a guy to buy lots of yarn! They were both super fun, and I’m so glad to finally meet them! Sarah took a picture of Georgia and I, and it wasn’t until later I realized that we never got a picture of her! Sorry Sarah!

We hit up both Hilltop Yarns (the clerk had a blog and was super nice, but I don’t remember her blog name! trash!) and Fiber Gallery (where we saw Jessica who works there!) I’ve never met anyone I’ve only known online before, so 2 people in one day was lots of fun! Thanks so much to both Georgia and Sarah, I had a really awesome time, and got some awesome yarns.

I’m looking forward to the rest of the week, hanging out with my awesome friend Holly and just relaxing. Check out the view from her apartment’s roof!