Full-Contact Knitting

Bishop John Shelby Sprong

2010-10-26T16:16:00.001-04:00

This is a free sample from the website of Bishop John Shelby Sprong - I wanted it save it here so I'd be able to read it at length. :)Your Free SampleThe Word of God? "This is the word of the Lord" That is the liturgical phrase used in Christian churches to mark the end of a reading from the Bible. It is a strange, even a misleading, phrase. Yet Sunday after Sunday it is repeated,

Death crept in on little knitted sock feet...

2009-05-23T16:59:00.006-04:00

When we got home late last night from Boston, I found...a...package...in my mailbox. EEEEEEEK!!I started to open the package, gingerly......and then...SOCKY DEATH!!Here's a close-up of one of the weapons, & the raw material:Isn't it PURTY?? :)My Assassin is the BEST - she also sent me UK Chocolate!! She's in England, BTW...but I forgot to take a pic of the KitKat, as I tucked it right in the

Moving right along!

2009-05-23T16:55:00.002-04:00

From Tuesday, May 19, 2009:I have finished Sock #1, and started the cuff on #2:I'll post pics of the finished sock later on - I think they're Purty, and I hope my Target likes them! :)

Update

2009-05-17T08:45:00.005-04:00

Time: MorningDay: Sunday, the 17th of May Status: Just finished Pattern Repeat #2 of 3 on first Barcelona Sock. Pattern going smoothly, some counting is necessary, but not outrageous. Food & Drink readily available, child & husband still able to amuse themselves and if not, each other. Looking Good so far!Pictures taken approx. 7:30am Eastern Standard.

Pause for Sustenance

2009-05-16T10:13:00.003-04:00

I'm taking a quick breakfast break from knitting; I thank you for your encouragement & good wishes!! I'm cookin' along on my sock - chose Barcelona, and come to find out, so did my Assassin! Out of three, we both picked the same, and that amuses me...of course, mine isn't going to my assassin, MY target is in Arizona...but still, I'm amused. :) I can't wait to see what kind of yarn I'll be

It's On Now!

2009-05-15T14:54:00.001-04:00

The War is officially ON - and I don't know when I'll get back here to update, so this is it for now: I am officially a participant in Sock Wars IV, and am still deciding between the three patterns issued by our Supreme Commander. They're all so pretty!!! I think I'm going to choose between Air Raid and Barcelona....Insidious looks pretty, but I'm not comfy with cables yet. :) Have a great Friday

Remember Sock Wars III?

2009-05-15T14:51:00.002-04:00

(Originally written January 26, 2009)You may remember, back in May of the past year, I became involved in a knitting competition/swap called "Sock Wars III". I finished my socks and mailed them off to my "target", and that was the last I heard. Oh, she got them, and loved them - Yay! However, I never got MY socks. I contacted the 2nd organizer - because the first organizer? She decided that a

Notes from the Front

2008-05-28T12:35:00.005-04:00

ARRGGGHHH.Thank you, I feel better now. I've been having computer issues, which is why I haven't been able to update lately. Okay, "able" isn't the right word, but it's not been convenient - that's the truth. My PC has been overheating regularly, and even after taking it apart and cleaning it out, it still did the overheating thing. My husband is my HERO, tho, because he fixed the bugger! He took

Battling along in the Sock War!

2008-05-13T11:04:00.007-04:00

Sock Wars III progresses apace. :) I've gotten through the gussets/instep on Sock 1, and I'm liking both the pattern, and the way the tofutsies is knitting up. I hope my target likes them!Here's sock #1 as of yesterday:My cat Murphy is a big help in "modeling" the sock in progress. ;) He's a good sport, hey?Home sick today, so I'm gonna get back in bed & get knitting. Happy Hunting, Sock Warriors!

Little By Little

2008-05-10T22:32:00.011-04:00

FINALLY got my Dossier, at around 5pm today. S'okay, I know Our Supreme Commander has an incredibly hard job on her hands. It's all good. :) So, I found out who my target is, and I emailed her to find out her sock/shoe size, so then MAYBE I might get her socks done before I get assassinated. I only have one cuff done so far, tho, so it depends on how much I get done tonite & tomorrow. If my

Sock War III Update

2008-05-09T22:46:00.001-04:00

I'm about 14 hours into The War, and still haven't recieved my dossier yet. Grrrr...I'm not the only one, by far, but I'm thinking - and again, I'm not the only one - that a knitting tournament that has over 1000 knitters is really too much for ONE WOMAN and two email accounts to manage.What with family & life, I have only now managed to cast on for my first sock; it was pointed out on the

Girding my loins...so to speak.

2008-05-06T23:27:00.003-04:00

On May 9th, I will be a willing participant - I should really use the term "combatant" - in a war. On that day, I will become an assasin...and a target. I will be presented with my dossier containing the information I need to accurately eliminate my subject. I have selected my weapons with care, and have been acclimating myself to their heft & style. I will be doing all of this with the knowledge

Ambitious Knitter Here!

2008-05-03T17:35:00.003-04:00

Well, I've just started my 3Day Breast Cancer walk journey: I signed up. :) I will be training from here on out, and soliciting donations. That sounds naughtier than it is, darn it all. Please check out my Personal Page - I will be keeping a blog over there to update people on my progress. I may just copy & paste to here - it's easier that way, I think.Here's where I have a fundraising idea that

Succsessful Fiber Hunting and Gathering, AND a Yarn Harlot

2008-04-28T13:34:00.002-04:00

I mentioned the CT Sheep & Wool fest before, but didn't post what I got there. I can't show you the Dark Chocolate Alpaca Pops (C'mon, they're Lollipops of Dark Chocolate shaped like an Alpaca head!), 'cause the Husband and Childe ate them Immedjitlee. Which is good, 'cause it was hot by that time, and melted chocolate is yummy but no fun to clean up. I aquired Sheep's Milk cheese rolled in Herbs

Testing Email Posting and a Name Change

2008-04-27T08:38:00.002-04:00

Greetings, Fiberfriends & Muggles alike. Wilkommen! At CT Sheep & Wool yesterday, I met lots of Ravelry folk - and lamented the fact that I had no nametag. Then I had to explain why I'd been calling myself "Claire" to a few, since that's not my "real" name, but a nickname - unfortunately, there are a LOT of Claires out there, and more than one of my friends/readers of the blog tended to get a wee

Finally Finished!

2008-03-28T21:16:00.003-04:00

They are FINISHED, and she loves them. :) YAHooo!! The "she" is my sister - and she is really the ideal sock giftee. She LOVES them...wears them out...and tells everyone she knows/sees/meets that she's wearing handknit socks from her baby sister. :) She's sent a few commissions my way for felted bags, scarves, hats - not socks yet, which is okay; those are hard to do for someone I'm not

Wouldn't you know...

2008-03-21T20:30:00.002-04:00

This is the pair of socks I've been working on for my sister C since December. Originally, they were to be a Christmas present; then when they weren't done, they were to be a birthday (February) present. Well, they still weren't done...so my new deadline is Easter dinner on Sunday - 5pm. Yep. Day after tomorrow. I've got one finished, and am at the heel on the 2nd. Actually, I was past the heel

Still Alive!!

2007-05-24T22:49:00.000-04:00

Yes, still alive, but not kicking very much - not yet, anyway. GAH, have these last two months been horrible! First my Stepfather gets Pneumonia...Mom runs herself ragged caring for him. Mom then goes to the hospital by ambulance with Pneumonia. I run all over taking care of my Stepfather ("Pop"), ferrying my daughter & brother around, and would've gone insane were it not for my incredible

Sigh. Spring!

2007-05-12T12:19:00.001-04:00

Well, I HAVE been knitting...but I've also been felled by Bronchitis and a "touch of" Pneumonia. :( It was inevitable, I hear; my Mother had it and was hospitalized two weeks ago, and my Stepfather had it two weeks prior to that. Who's been taking care of them? Me. Hopefully my husband Edwin won't get sick taking care of ME, now!! I will try to update here on my knitting projects in the next few

Spring Felted Bag Exchange Questionnaire

2007-04-13T21:31:00.000-04:00

So, I've gone & Done it - I've joined an exchange - and it sounds like it'll be fun! The "Spring Felted Bag Exchange" - I love felting bags, and well, it seemed like the thing to do at the time. :)Without further ado, my answers to the questionnaire!1. How long have you been knitting or crochetting? How did you learn?I have been knitting for two & a half years now, and just learning to crochet in

Must. Start. Spring. Knitting!!

2007-04-13T11:59:00.000-04:00

Or, perhaps that should be, "Must. Finish. Winter. Knitting..."?Let's see, what's OTN right now...(On The Needles)1 Balaclava. Status: Crown Decreases to finish, ends to weave in, to be mailed to Ohio.1 sock. Status: 2nd sock of pair for my sister, finishing Cuff. Leg, Heel, Body & Toe still to be knit.1 Entrelac Scarf. Status: Wearable as it stands now, but recipient would like it to be longer (

The Yarn Harlot Takes New York

2007-03-23T21:32:00.000-04:00

Long story short, I got an email late Wednesday night from another knitter friend saying, "Hey Claire, you still interested in going to NYC Thursday?". I responded that I had childcare lined up & $$ set aside, just couldn't get to the train. She doesn't live far from me, and said she could drive to the train - she wanted to go, and wanted company. WOOHOOO!! We finalized childcare Thursday morning

WA-HOOOOOOO!

2007-03-22T21:31:00.000-04:00

I'm Goin' to NYC!!! I'm GOING TO THE BOOK LAUNCH!! YAAAAAY!!

Finished!

2007-02-20T21:21:00.000-05:00

Here's Himself modeling the finished balaclava:I ran out of brown at the beginning of the crown, so I switched to black, in the same brand. I think the crown came out VERY well, and I'm quite pleased with it!

Bitter Cold Monday

2007-02-19T21:15:00.000-05:00

Here's Edwin's Balaclava: The eye opening/slit wasn't quite lined up in this shot, but you get the general idea. :) I'm using my Denise needles for this, and here's what it looks like on the needles:I'm at the point now where I'll start decreasing & shaping for the crown...and I'm supposed to have size 8 US Double-Pointed needles. I don't, tho - I only have 7's. I now have to figure out if I need

Doesn't FEEL like Tuesday...

2007-02-13T21:10:00.000-05:00

February 10, 2007 - Newest knitted cotton dishcloth: February 11, 2007 - Typical Sunday Night Event - Laundry:February 12, 2007 - Progress on my Entrelac Scarf:

Cold. Mittens.

2007-02-06T21:07:00.000-05:00

February 6, 2007Since it is so cold here in CT (20's), I decided to knit my daughter her very own pair of hand-knit mittens. They had to be warm, so, wool. They had to be soft - so, Malabrigo. All of my sock needles are tied up, so - they had to be done on two straight needles. So, This fantastic pattern. Started 11:30pm Sunday, took Monday afternoon & this morning off, finished tonite at 8:30pm.

Later on 1/09/07

2007-01-19T03:00:00.001-05:00

Boo & I are okay. The knitting needle is drying. It may or may not be usable, but I'll try. It's a needle, and while it's a special one, it's still a thing, and Boo & I have had our talk about this. She needs to pay more attention to what she's doing...and hopefully, she won't get hurt before she actually DOES start paying attention. It's a growth spurt plus overloaded brain circuits - and since

YARGH (written on 1/9/07)

2007-01-19T02:56:00.000-05:00

My daughter is not paying attention to her surroundings lately. Walking over things/creatures. Falling down onto things she shouldn't sit on - plates of food, etc...kicking people she's walking by...accidentally, but she's NOT PAYING ATTENTION, and it's getting rampant. It's also getting me VERY, Very angry. The latest - her overreaching for something - which we've talked about. She tries to

What day IS it??

2007-01-19T02:52:00.000-05:00

I'm in a quiet-ish mood today. Headachey...partly the weather I'm sure, partly this damn cold that's hanging on. Edwin has offered to come home early from work and do my afternoon Dialysis run, and by golly, even though I'm NOT on death's door, he hasn't offered this kind of thing before, and I'm going to take him up on it. *Turns out Edwin is stuck at work solving a DSL issue, and there's no way

I DID IT!!

2007-01-19T02:49:00.000-05:00

Yes, I FINISHED!! I finished the 2nd sock IN the car, sitting in front of the Cousins' house, about one minute after we arrived at the party. :) I took it in to Edwin, and he put on BOTH of his brandy new socks. He says he loves them - and that makes me very happy!NOW...just have to finish the socks for: My sister, my friend's Granddaughter, Myself, My SIL, and my daughter. :)

Almost There!!

2007-01-19T02:46:00.000-05:00

I am SO CLOSE, I can almost TASTE it. ...well, not Taste, exactly. Not Socks. I mean, ewwww...But, Look!All of us are feeling pretty good these days...I might have mentioned that Boo had a fever a week ago today, and I got her right on the Zicam. She's feeling better, and Edwin started on it just in case. Two days ago, I felt a cold sore starting on my lip, and worried what it could herald. Sure

Feed the Birds...Tuppence a bag

2007-01-19T02:38:00.000-05:00

I'm not a huge fan of Mary Poppins, but I do love Julie Andrews...and that song is my favorite from "Mary Poppins". Today, Boo & I will go feed the ducks & geese at a park one town over from us; we've got crusts and stale bread & stale popcorn bits to throw...I just wish I had galoshes for us both, for our shoes. The pictures in my last entry were from my Stitch & Bitch's meeting at a yarn store

Comfort Food For the Eyes

2007-01-19T02:29:00.000-05:00

...otherwise known as "Yarn Pron".Then this...this is COOL. Check it out.The Ball:The Knitted Hat-in-Progress:VERY cool.Went to Stitch & Bitch tonite (in a yarn shop)...it was okay. I feel down, so I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped. I came home early to watch "Mythbusters" with my family, and that was nice. :)Edwin has put down the Air Mattress, and our futon on top of that - so the three of

The Specifics

2006-10-28T13:41:00.000-04:00

I felt It wouldn't be fair to leave y'all with just a picture of The Stash in it's entirety - I need to explain, give you specifics with pictures. So, without Further Ado, may I present -The Sum of the Parts: First - The Stash:The bags & rubbermaid tubs in the background was where SOME of this was stored. BTW, that's a Queen-sized bed covered in yarn. :DNow, the specifics - On the couch, we have:

NY Sheep & Wool, part 2

2006-10-24T14:06:00.000-04:00

As tight as the budget was on Saturday, I still planned to get a thing or two to take home with us, and I'm happy with what I got. I'm debating trying to learn to spin with a drop spindle, so maybe next year, a drop spindle will come home with me. ;)I also wanted to purchase some Jacob Roving (from Jacob Sheep), for my friend Cinderella to spin for me...but decided that I have to concentrate on

Stash & Rhinebeck

2006-10-23T01:01:00.000-04:00

Fall, already? Yeesh...I guess the saying is true - "Life is what happens when you make other plans." Well, "Life" sure has been happening around here, but I've managed to keep getting up every day, and getting myself & the wee one fed, clothed, and basically occupied. :)I was challenged by a friend to "Flash my Stash", so I did...and here's the proof. (That's a queen-sized bed it's all laid out

F.O.'s, FINALLY!

2006-06-15T10:55:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm finally back, and I've got pictures for ye! First off are Boo's finished socks. She really warmed my heart with what she said when I told her they were finished. She stopped playing, and stared for a second - then said, "Can I wear them??" We slapped 'em on immejitley, and she was VERY happy & proud. They (mostly) fit, and they feel good on her feet! Then there was that Tank Top I was

As Promised

2006-04-22T22:26:00.000-04:00

Hello, my friends...as I promised yesterday, I am back to impart to you (and just write down before it's lost forever in ma brain) my personal recollections of the Grafton, MA stop on the Yarn Harlot's 2006 Spring Yarn Crawl...er, book tour. Same diff, when it's knitting, eh? Go 'head, disagree with me.Thought not. ;-)I'll start at the beginning by saying that when I realized WEBS might not work

More to come tonite, but for now...

2006-04-22T11:42:00.000-04:00

Priscilla and I got to go and hear The Harlot last night, in Grafton, MA - it was HYSTERICAL, and we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves...we were laughing so hard, we were wiping tears off our cheeks throughout. A Wonderful night that included some Co-Blogging, so I have to post the pics and recap later on, when my wee monster isn't begging for attention.A funny; Stephanie held my 4th sock (Boo's

Little Bit More Monster

2006-04-21T00:17:00.000-04:00

Who can resist more pics of The Homespun Monster??

YAY, I'm going to see Ms. Pearl-McPhee!!

2006-04-20T23:47:00.000-04:00

YAHOOO! I decided, "Dammit, I'm GOING to see this woman speak, one way or t'other!" . So I looked at the tour schedule...and called my friend Priss-cilla. ;-) She's a knitter, but not a blogger...yet. YET! We had planned for Saturday, but that won't work at this point - and now, we're doing Friday night in Grafton, MA. WOOHOO!! It'll be tight, as I can't leave here before 4pm...and we need to be

Hats, We got Hats!

2006-04-20T23:16:00.000-04:00

This past winter (and for my Knitting Olympics project) I made hats. Part of the reason was that I like hats. No, really, my friends all call me the Hat Lady...as do their kids. :) The other reason was to teach myself DPN's before I took my Sock Class. Here's some of the hats - I LOVE the H2O pattern from ChicKnits, and then I just used a few free patterns off the 'net. I ended up making 3 H2O

My Second Ever pair of Socks!....Well, my third ever SOCK. ;-)

2006-04-20T11:46:00.000-04:00

Okay, so this is my third SOCK, which is the START of my 2nd ever PAIR of sockS. ;-)Working on them now, for my daughter....finished up a few of the Curley Purley Easter eggs, but no pics of THOSE yet. I DO have a pick of the first Boo sock, tho!I'm working on it's mate, and should have it done for this weekend. I had HOPED to see The Harlot at WEBS, but I don't think that's gonna happen. Turns

It has been brought to my attention...

2006-04-04T18:22:00.000-04:00

...that folks haven't seen BOTH my socks at once. Together. :-) I DO have two of 'em, and HERE they are!See?? TWO socks. Two. 1, 2. There's the 2nd sock on it's own as well, so you can see the difference. D'you believe me Now?! ;-)

Happy April!

2006-04-03T16:21:00.000-04:00

I've been learning to knit Socks this month. Not an excuse for not blogging, but a real reason - Truly! It's taken ALL my concentration, but I now have TWO SOCKS that I MADE all by MYself. YAAAAY!!! I only hope these pictures show UP!

I have been knitting, really I have...

2006-01-23T03:04:00.000-05:00

I've just been knitting too much to blog. I actually set myself deadlines for giftknitting, which as we all know, is the path to madness...so I'm taking valuable knitting time here to let you know that I will be back with photos and more bon mots - and even Knitting Olympics buttons and news...SOOON...I promise!!Now, just have to finish a scarf and balaclava by Saturday (28th), a scarf by

Man, has it been THAT long???

2005-08-22T22:15:00.000-04:00

YIKES - two months?? ...and THEN some, huh...Sorry 'bout that. Had a rough summer, but I think I'm getting a handle on things, so I should be blogging more now. :-)Finally making some progress in my knitting - have my tank over half done, and have my daughter's dress almost half done. I've set them both aside tonite, because I have to knit up something for the person I'm assigned to as a Secret

Decisions

2005-06-16T12:05:00.000-04:00

Okay, thank you for your opinions - and those of my fellow Bitchin' Stitchers last night - I'm keeping Full-Contact knitting as my blog title, and I'm gonna be happy with it!!In other news, I got to the point of needing to M1 in my project last night. Of course, this happened AFTER I got home, so I didn't have anyone to show me the practicals. I mean, I can learn some things from a book, but last

New Title? I need advice!!

2005-06-15T12:03:00.000-04:00

Which name do you like better for my blog? "Full-Contact Knitting" or "Designated Knitter"? Okay, I admit it - I'm slightly fond of puns, LOVE plays on words - and baseball. :-)Open Forum, let me know what you think!!

It's always something, right?

2005-06-15T02:03:00.000-04:00

This is what I'm knitting for myself right now:This is how it's coming:I treated myself to some Brittany Birch size 5's to start this project...I really like them!So, so far so good. Yea, there are some mistakes...but I'm okay with that...plus, I found them when I was past the point of frogging - not couldn't but wouldn't. LOL!Then, I was in JoAnne's today, and found some yarn for the dress I

My Turn

2005-06-10T10:04:00.000-04:00

My husband's been saying lately that he doesn't want me to knit anything for anyone else until I make something for myself - and I haven't been able to afford the yarn yet for the project I picked. However, I recently scored some on eBay, and it's gorgeous - and, of course, it's .... not enough. So, off I go to my LYS to pick up some more.Nope.What I bought was a colorway that is no longer

Secret Pal Questionnaire - in which I answer...the questionnaire, silly!

2005-06-08T01:23:00.000-04:00

Here's the questionnaire from Secret Pal 5 - Please, Secret Pal, forgive me for not getting this up sooner!! I'm still using my husband's computer, as mine is BACK in the shop getting "fixed". Urg.1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?At this point, I'm NOT a yarn snob. I like pretty much

Answers to Questions - FINALLY!!

2005-06-08T00:10:00.000-04:00

My good friend Chris at Woolybuns was "interviewed" in her blog, and then asked for anyone else who would be interested. I was, of course, one of the first to volunteer, since on my GOOD days, I'm an attention slut. :-) Yea, Yea, I'm not sugar coating anything, there it is, and reputation be damned. Still like me? ;-)So here are Chris's very cool questions, and my attempts to answer. Anyone who

It WORKED!

2005-06-07T23:55:00.000-04:00

I like to scrounge at my local Goodwill & Salvation Army for sweaters to recycle. You know, unravel, and use the yarn for something else - usually I find a sweater that's got cool yarn potential, but hideous design...or even, good design & good yarn, but not a good match.I've had varying degrees of success with this, LOL, but here's my latest, and I'm REALLY pleased with it! <---My daughter's

So near, yet so far...

2005-05-18T13:42:00.000-04:00

I have this GREAT scarf that I knitted in response to a "commission" from my Brother - he requested it the week after St. Patrick's Day, and it took me WEEKS to find the right colors of yarn. As a result, I found the right colors in TWO different kinds of yarn, and Brother being consulted, the natural fibers were purchased. I found it in TLC and in a Cashmere/Merino blend - and ohhhhhhhhhhh, is

Welcome!

2005-05-17T13:55:00.000-04:00

This will be my first post here at It's About Time with WORDS in it, aiiiiieeeeee!! HOLD me back.:-)Welcome to my newest blog - I will attempt to talk about my knitting here, of which there is usually enough to keep me busy. At the moment I have just finished my first prayer shawl, and I'm working on a lap robe for a friend. Edwin (my DH) says I'm not to knit anything for anyone else until I knit

2005-03-31T13:22:00.000-05:00

Goliath Groupers - and small child.

2005-03-31T12:52:00.000-05:00

Yodel-ay-HEEEE-HOOOO!!

2005-03-31T12:40:00.001-05:00

African Blackfoot Grooming Session

2005-03-31T12:40:00.000-05:00

Group of Africans

2005-03-31T12:39:00.000-05:00

Herself being a Pufferfish

2005-03-31T12:38:00.000-05:00

The Girls

2005-03-31T12:35:00.000-05:00

King Sized Fun!

Okay, here's my first attempt at this new venue -

2005-03-31T10:13:00.000-05:00

Hello and welcome to my "New" digs - this is in addition to my other journal, but I wanted this so I could try it for photosharing purposes. Perhaps for knitting info too, who knows?So - Here goes!