tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40451850350455600932024-03-13T05:19:40.905-07:00Vykky with "Y"sA weird woman in the Northwest who touches on all sorts of topics from knitting and spinning to cat rescue, sprint car racing to slug battle and gardening plus "who knows what" in-between. <br>
Let me know you were here!
(Would it kill you to comment?)Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-91088666310935828542007-11-11T17:06:00.000-08:002007-11-11T17:21:48.067-08:00The Turtle Found Over-DrivePoor Hemi looks tired out from helping me work on my Secret of the Stole. Here I've been back and forth from Hint 3 into Hint 4 and so on far too many times. The cool thing is that just a few weeks ago, I wouldn't have noticed my errors. Worse? I wouldn't have bothered to "fix em". I just would have incorporated em into the project and thought of em as my own interpretation of the design. I know Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-55888171665166479612007-11-05T18:49:00.000-08:002007-11-06T09:11:39.277-08:00Friends RockSo...my friend calls me yesterday and casually mentions that she'll send a bag of yarn home when the Old Man comes by. And THIS is that bag. It looks innocent enough. It's just a bag of yarn...right? But...that's an awfully big bag! Hmmm...peeking inside, there's a whole lot of varigated and rug yarn. Wonder what else is in there? With my friend Janet, there's no telling! Wowsers! That's a whole Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-4477915858101885612007-11-04T21:13:00.000-08:002007-11-05T18:49:24.326-08:00Thinking and TinkingVykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-58484175218732154332007-11-03T19:52:00.000-07:002007-11-03T20:03:28.991-07:00The Turtle Plods Steadily OnwardI got a few things done today...like setting up the canopy so I could split firewood in the rain without getting wet...like trying to learn how to pick and clean Dungeoness crab meat and then catching the dog scarfing down about a pound of it...and some knitting.Yes, I finally finished Hint 3 of our Secret of the Stole KAL. This is one pretty piece of work and I can't wait to see what else Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-81994005849097626052007-11-02T21:28:00.000-07:002007-11-02T22:13:39.053-07:00Busy Couple of DaysI've had a busy couple of days. That's a good thing...boredom sucks. But honestly? I am seldom bored...there's just too much living to do! It's been a fibery few days for me...I got to visit our newest yarn shop: Apple Yarns, right in Bellingham. This shop is a MUST VISIT if you're in the area! Unfortunately, I tend to spend a wee bit of money every time I go but I've not been too awfully naughtyVykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-11016386132197267912007-10-27T10:59:00.000-07:002007-10-27T11:05:17.415-07:00Helping HandWe're all hearing about the wild fires in San Diego and of how many folks are losing their homes, their memories, everything. Offer a helping hand by joining me in making 8 inch squares to be joined with love into blankets for these people. Any machine-washable non-allergenic yarn (say...that Red Heart stuff in the back of your stash?) is perfect. It'll be quick, easy and while it makes you feel Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-20135039412660065812007-10-24T19:05:00.000-07:002007-10-24T19:25:11.367-07:00Better a Turtle Than a FrogSorry about the slightly blurry pic but it's the best Puddha Kitty and I could manage today. Yes, that's my Secret of the Stole he's sprawled on. And yes, he's making it clear to me that I've done enough on it for now. No matter that I'm only on row 201 and the next Hint is released tomorrow. No matter that I really was on a roll and wanted to keep going for a bit. But...he was probably right. I Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-77582520550842661352007-10-19T12:54:00.000-07:002007-10-19T12:56:51.862-07:00No Title NeededIn case this doesn't make any sense, read the last part of the previous post.Now, break time. I'm off to the Library. A few months ago, I saw this book on lace work...Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-6172888088739670142007-10-19T10:38:00.000-07:002007-10-19T11:04:45.262-07:00Lace Knitting is Fun. Not.Completed. In my own twisted way, of course but Hint 2 of The Secret of the Stole is done. Just in time for Hint 3. Seriously. Just as I clicked to add my photo and post to the Group that I had finally finished the 2nd Hint, my email alerted and poof! There was Hint 3. Waiting. Mocking. Pointing at me...the World's Worst Lace Knitter. Oh, and the World's Slowest Knitter too. Aack, it's all good. Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-51433840709010684872007-10-10T15:47:00.000-07:002007-10-10T16:04:13.320-07:00Hint 1 of the Secret of the Stole Complete!The Bad News is that the Old Man whacked out his back again. His surgery in late Feb. was immensely helpful in relieving pain and enabling movement. But a few days ago, he walked HARD into an immoveable object at work and jarred a couple of bad vertebrae out of place. Today, he was unable to get up to even think about leaving the house for work so he's been home with me and the critters. Of Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-32743273859973457792007-10-09T15:59:00.001-07:002007-10-09T16:19:35.437-07:00Secret of the Stole ProgressWink Wink - I started my version of the Secret of the Stole 9 times just to make sure it was correct. Yeah, right! But at least I know it's ok now. Notice I didn't say "right" because I'm just not sure - that's a lack of confidence showing, huh. It's all good - I'm learning SO much! Look, you can see my notes to myself...like writing down exactly where I put in the latest lifeline. Oh, and using Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-88286214176340719012007-10-09T15:43:00.000-07:002007-10-09T15:58:16.783-07:00October's New TreasureI've found new treasure! Well, truthfully? I found this a couple weeks ago but wasn't able to actually farm it out until today. It's a Utility Cart - Timothy Lawrence the Lawn Tractor has a new play buddy. I'm just tickled. Now, all the stuff I was dragging around by hand, smacking myself in the glasses with tree branches and huffing and puffing with the wheelbarrow...I'm cartin' it now!And look.Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-60243190901595544902007-10-05T19:53:00.001-07:002007-10-05T20:15:14.011-07:00Rippit - Rippit All OutAss deep in the Frogging Pond again. Sigh. I spend entirely too much time in there. At least I have proof that I AM able to follow a pattern and that I CAN use a chart and that I can even do modified lace work. I'm just an easily distracted idiot who worries too much about saving electricity and therefore knits in the dark. And now this after all I went through this morning just to get started. Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-3902506402488415952007-10-05T12:45:00.000-07:002007-10-05T13:14:06.925-07:00First Hint for the Secret of the Stole!This is what I'm supposed to be doing...sorting and organizing all of these sockets for one of our many tool boxes. Sneakers; our "antique" dog of 17 years, agrees and is patiently waiting for me to join her on the floor. In the mean-time, she's helping by mixing up the 3/8 inch drive with the 1/4 inch drive and making sure the metric and standard ones are all well blended - again. Sigh.But THIS Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-38966138578245913022007-10-04T10:39:00.000-07:002007-10-04T11:10:52.016-07:00So Far Behind...I'm so far behind, I think I'm back in 1st place! Actually, with this, our first storm of the season still hanging around...the focus is starting to shift indoors. I'm thinking it's the shift that's making me feel behind and somewhat out of sorts.OK, to begin the "catching up": note the Progress Bars have been adjusted. The Baby Blanket That Won't End will be gift-wrapped today - so it's gone Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-19649191678647244682007-09-25T19:57:00.000-07:002007-09-25T20:17:20.329-07:00Catching UpCatching up here as there's been a whole lot happening but not a lot to show for it. Doncha just hate that? You work your fanny off but when you step back and look at the source of your sweat, the only thing you feel is frustration. Grrr. Anyhoo, you might have noticed my progress bars to the right are all wonky. Well, it's not the bars - it's the projects. Let's see...the Baby Blanket is done Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-61516798682197544422007-09-18T19:54:00.000-07:002007-09-19T08:49:49.777-07:00A Treasure Hunt for You and MeI've written previously about working on my "wood pile". That's because - when you heat with wood, you need to have wood and you need to store it properly. Well, it's been rather chilly here the past couple of days and it got me to thinking about finally digging out/clearing/building/stacking my wood pile. This is what I was starting out with...a week or two's wood but in the "tall-as-me" grass Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-9658305592750792072007-09-16T19:39:00.000-07:002007-09-16T20:27:22.529-07:00Stitch Marker ExperimentationsI love a rainy day. They mean I can light up the wood stove and stay inside with my knitting and other fun stuff. I was in need of some stitch markers and had finally dug out my beading supplies from the storage loft so it became a "stitch marker making" kind of afternoon. Here's some of my ideas that sort of put themselves together......These swirly red glass beads are so cool! Hand-made and Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-28048411319420540272007-09-14T12:02:00.000-07:002007-09-14T12:22:30.377-07:00Progress on the Home FrontIn recognition of my new Progress Bars (to the right in the sidebar), for which I thank Yarn Tomato...here is the infamous Moebius Cowl. Yes, I'm way late in jumping onboard the moebius boat but hey, better late than never, right? Besides, I just love Love LOVE this yarn and it's taken a few frogging adventures to find out what it wanted to become. At first, the whole cast-on and progress fought Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-25302470664761241042007-09-10T16:58:00.000-07:002007-09-10T17:11:18.942-07:00Slugs Are SpeedierHaving a totally detached lazy sort of day here. I should be looking for my box of beading supplies for the perfect beads to use on my SotS KAL stole. I should be working on the wood pile at the side of the driveway. I could be working on cleaning up my fiber den/craft room. I could be giving the bunnies a hair cut. Instead, I will probably curl up in my favorite Mama Bear chair with the Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-90151085046776468682007-09-09T15:02:00.000-07:002007-09-10T08:50:52.307-07:00Swatching FoolAlrighty then - I've been a swatching fool. This is the new colorway - it's called Mist. I sort of like it but it's not at all something I would have chosen for myself. But...I cornered my fav gal at the ole LYS and a poor unsuspecting customer (her husband wisely hid behind the chunky yarn while this was going on), and they were both just adamant that this colorway is perfect for me. It reminds Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-13912398240294213512007-09-07T10:47:00.000-07:002007-09-07T11:14:49.609-07:00I've Been Found!The perfect yarn has found me! Well, as soon as I decide which of these 3 colors it is - LOL. (Oh, and this is for my very own - not to give away - Secret of the Stole KAL). The yarn itself is a Jamieson's Sprindrift Shetland. It's a 2 ply to hold stitch definition and it's in fingering weight. I seem to remember that it's about 14 wpi whereas the lace-weight I first chose was about 32 wpi. FunnyVykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-26988051891809309352007-09-06T20:46:00.001-07:002007-09-06T20:47:49.737-07:00Secret Swatch for Janet's Stole Secret Swatch for Janet's Stole Originally uploaded by vykky3630 OK...here's my second try on selecting a yarn and doing up a swatch for the SotS KAL. It's a sport-weight but it feels rather fine to my clumsy fingers - lol. It's quite soft though (as a 50% acrylic/50% merino wool) and knits up pretty nicely. The colorway is called "Marina", which should appeal to our noble leader; Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-59741686689100091392007-09-06T18:06:00.000-07:002007-09-06T20:28:01.564-07:00Monster Zucs Become Zuchinni BreadAre you overwhelmed with zuchinni from your garden? Has your elderly neighbor been giving you those monster zucs that are as big around as a softball bat? Well, here's the recipe to beat all recipes for Zuchinni Bread...with options too!3 eggs - organically raised are the best!1 cup vegetable oil - a better quality is good and canola is best2 tsp vanilla extract - and not the cheap imitation Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045185035045560093.post-63509100099022162102007-09-06T14:44:00.000-07:002007-09-06T15:06:38.863-07:00Techno Weenie AlertMy "Techno Weenie" self has climbed out of her closet for a brief appearance. I've allowed her to post here a few of my favorite reference charts. This first one (to the left) is a Conversion Chart - handy for taking centimeters to inches and such. I use this one more than I thought I would for more than knitting projects.This next chart will be useful to you fellow dye pot fiends. It helps Vykkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04809094747459079121noreply@blogger.com0