Well, after a large amount of whining, stomping feet, looking at faq files to see why I started getting "Http status 500" between the two editing windows in blogger each time I attempted to publish to my blog things seem back to normal. A friend suggested that I try a reboot to see if that would clear up the problem with not being able to upload the new graphic and post that I had made earlier Thursday evening. I did and now, the new top picture showes up as well as the message.

Things seemed to correct themselves after the reboot and now, I'm trying another post. Cross your fingers everyone!!!!!

For today, part was knitting and part was working on the new graphic for the top of my blog. It's not done yet as I still have more wading to do through the coding to see if I can find where I need to change things to let the graphic show up.

As I mentioned before, I've done some intarsia before. Here is the sweater that I knit a little over a year ago. The stag on the front and the color for the background are the symbol and colors of The Kingdom of The Outlands which is the area of the SCA world that I live in. The sweater is worn by Lord Connor Graham, one of my many friends in the SCA.

HHuummm, anyone know of a way to get men to smile when you aim a camera at them?

First of my three days off from work and I haven't knitted yet today. Not to worry, though, I'll be picking up my needles after dinner. I just wanted to do some blog editing today so please enjoy the added buttons and the stores that I added links too.

I send out a huge thank you to my friend, Ognir, for designing my site's link button! Please feel free to download it and host it on your own site as a link back here.

Thank you all for the comments you have been leaving. I love hearing from you!

Two more days of work over with and now I can relax and knit..... unless something very interesting comes up.

In the KBTH knitting group, Kilts were being discussed recently along with Kilt hose. I knit a pair of Kilt Hose for a fellow member of the SCA for his Scottish personae. I knew it was going to take a while to knit them so decided to use Lion Brand Wool-Ease Sportweight in Wheat. I got 7.5 stitches per inch on 3 mm (US 2) circular needles. I started the Kilt Hose on August 15, 2002 and finished on September 6, 2002. Shoe size 10, calf size 17.25 inches, cuff size 14.75, and leg length of 17 inches. I did a very rounded flap heel with a round toe.


Here is a close up of the cable stitching I did that appears on the cuff and goes down the outside of each stocking. Though it doesn't show in either picture, the leg was shaped by decreasing stitches on the back of the leg.

I have Knitting Scottish Kilt hose & Hiking Socks by Joanne Gibson Hinmon but found that I hated the worsted weight she used as it has too loose a fabric for socks for my liking. I used much smaller needles and the fabric is nice and tight and will wear well. These socks actually were a design of my own. Rather simple but I think they turned out nice and my friend likes them. :)

Look what was waiting for me when I got home from work! Hurray. Of course, I have about 3 projects for other people that need to be done before I can even think of starting this cardigan. Anticipation! I've made argyle sweaters and aran sweaters and ganseys and I've done intarsia. The black and white royal socks are the closest to two color stranded work that I have ever gotten.

I'll still have a pair of socks on the needles for a small, carry along type project and I still need to keep working on the Shapely Tank Top. My WIP's are multiplying!! heeheheheh


Here are the books that I got. Poetry in Stitches, Dalegarn #116 that has some more sweaters that I want to make, and Dale Familie #109 which is the book with Frogner as well as the offwhite, very colorful cardigan that I will eventually make for myself.

One more day to work then I get to have days off again! I live for my days off.

I'm home from the latest SCA camping event and it will be my last one for a while since it is getting near impossible to get a weekend off from work as we are down to the bare bones when it comes to staff. As it was, last weekend's camping event was almost totally denied untill one of my part time co workers decided she wanted some extra money. I work every other weekend and almost all of the SCA camping events are scheduled for the weekends that I work.

On to the knitting fun! This is the start of my Shapely Tank Top. I figured I didn't do too badly considering I had to drive 2.5 hours to the camp and set up my tent and camp before I could settle down to knit. It's so fun to sit and knit and chat. Another in the group, Mistress Claudia, was working on her loom and was weaving a belt. I need to see if I can get a picture of her working on her loom. Dummy me, had her camera with her but didn't think of taking a picture while we were there. DUH!! hehehehe

All in all, it made for a very relaxing weekend, though I'm very tried now and have to work 12 hour shifts the next two days. Nothing like crashing back to the real world without a rest between but many of the SCA people do that.

Nothing major knitting wise today since I had to work but I thought you might like to see the socks that I knit for the preceeding King and Queen. In the SCA, the Royals reign for 6 months before a new King and Queen are decided by combat.

I used Regia sock yarn for both pairs of socks. Queen Kathryn wanted knee high socks and I was able to get the calculations done so that they fit her foot and calf.






For the King Jax, I reversed the colors. His socks were boot length. Both pairs have the checks done at the top because the family that the King and Queen belong to have the black and white checks as part of their family's colors.






I still need to hunt out that extra size 5 Addi so I can take it with me camping this weekend. I'll take the yarn and pattern for the Shapely Tank Top as well as the socks that I have started. Don't know how much knitting I'll get done but it's a very relaxing activity to do while chatting with friends.

I hope that everyone is looking forward to the weekend as much as I am!

::heavy sigh:: This is the last day of my vacation before returning to work tomorrow. Work sure does interfere with my knitting time! Right now, I'm waiting for the Advil to kick in so my hand will quit hurting. Yes, I have Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. Typing doesn't affect it near as much as my knitting does. I do wear a splint to sleep in.

Here's my swatch for the Shapely Tank Top. I love the color. The needles I did it on were my Denise interchangeable ones. I've had my set for more years than I can remember. The price tag is still on the container.... $24.95. I tried some Clover Bamboo Circulars and found that I definitely don't like them. Maybe the Cotton-Ease isn't slick enough to slide on the bamboo plus I hate the stiff clear plactic cable between the needles. I tried hot water as well as my hair dryer set on high and couldn't get the cable to relax at all.

HHHuummmmmmm, I just remembered, I think I have an Addi Turbo in size 5 in a 32 inch length somewhere around here! I really love my Addi needles. I don't use straight needles for any of my projects. The last pair of straight needles I owned were the first ones way back when I learned how to knit and did a simple shell. I must have been around 8 or 9. I quickly found that I kept poking myself or the arms of the chair with them and lost interest in knitting. I don't remember when I found circular needles but once I found those, my love of knitting returned because I could sit and knit and not get poked.

Speaking of knitting! Time to do a few rounds before lunch today.

Got a bunch of shopping done today. Found a nice inexpensive broom to take camping. No! I don't sweep the forest, I like to sweep the dust and sand and dirt out of the tent before folding it all up and putting it back in its bag.

I did swatch for the Shapely Tank Top today. The gauge is 5 stitches 7 rows. The pattern calls for size 6 needles but I wound up getting the gauge with 5's. The Cotton-Ease is very different to work with. Definitely no where near as stretchy as wool as this is 50/50 cotton Acrylic.

Here is a friend receiving her scroll she has been waiting for for quite a while. Margarita, the artist who did the work, is absolutely amazing and does the most beautiful work.




I wish I could have gotten a closer shot of the detail to show you the beauty of this work.











Well, I had to frog 20 rows of a current project because I had miss counted so I'm back to knitting for the rest of the evening. Yikes! Just remembered I need to finish my laundry so I'll have some clean dresses for Camping this weekend! Oh well, I'll do it tomorrow. :) Knitting is for tonght.

Aaaahhh, such a nice relaxing day! Lunch, shopping then home to knit.

Okay, I admit to being very very bad while out shopping. I bought some Cotton-Ease from Lion Brand to make the Shapely Tank Top by White Lies Designs. This yarn feels very soft and I'm looking forward to trying my hand at this pattern. I always could take socks to knit to this weekend's camping event but I thought I might take this tank top instead so long as I get the swatch done and the needles selected so I can get the correct stitch/row count.

This is a picture of our camp at the Lonely Mountain SCA event. My tent is very very hard to see, unfortunately. It's just to the left of the white tent directly under the tree. A very nice shaded spot that kept the tent very cool. I'll be doing my best to take pictures at this coming weekend's event, Clan Wars in Lincoln National Forest near Ruidoso, New Mexico.

I've ordered more yarn for another sweater. This one will be a cardigan for me. The background is offwhite and not quite as dark as shown in the picture. I ordered from Bea Ellis and am waiting for the gold color to come in before she sends my order. A big thank you to Wendy of Wendy Knits for having posted that she wanted to do this pattern. I never would have known about it as my local yarn store didn't have Dale book #109.

Dinner time here then home for more knitting!

Wow, just had a wonderful weekend up in the mountains! Tall trees, relatively green, about 75 degrees during the day and in the high 50's at night. No fires. We had heat lightening the first night... no sound... just flashes without steaks. Second night, the clouds came in and we had some regular thunder and lightening and maybe a whole whopping 24 drops of rain. Our luck held. We were all packed and ready to leave when it finally did start raining. Back home, the temperature is 97 and it's as dry as a bone. Definitely no rain down here.

Here is the view that I woke up to. Tall trees, nice big meadow and tents across the way. Now, you wouldn't want to go traipsing across that meadow without being very very careful since it was the archery range and they shoot real arrows with sharp pointy tips. We had a nice view of the archery target competition, though.

Over all, this was a weekend for pure relaxing... especially since we were at an altitude of 9500 feet. You got short of breath if you did too much. Friday night was the Bardic competiton for the Southern Windover Bard competitor. There is a Northern Windover Bard competitor already chosen and now, the two of them will compete at Crown Tournament on Sepetmber 13 where the Windover Bard will be chosen. This is an office that is held for one year. My friend, Cailte, won the Southern Windover Bard competiton. ::Huzza!!::

For my knitting friends, I did finish the socks for Queen Rosalind. She was not at this event so they were presented to one of the King's Retinue to present to her when they return to their home in Colorado. The picture isn't the best as they were photographed in a chair on my veil out in the sun and I couldn't really see if I had gotten them in the best light. I think you can get a pretty good idea, though. Everyone who saw them seemed to really like them so that made me feel good about my work.

Now, the adjenda for the rest of the day... SUV is all unpacked though my camping gear isn't stored away since I have been invited to attend another event this Saturday and Sunday. Camping just for one night but I now have my gear divided out into what I need for a short event and what I need when we camp for a week. Takes me about 20 minutes to set up camp...... longer if I take breaks. First load of laundry is in presoaking. Gotta try and get some of the mountain out of my clothes. We may have had a few drops of rain but New Mexico is extremely dry and dusty.

More pictures for you tomorrow!

Packing packing packing packing!!!! This will only be a 2 night camping trip with my SCA friends. We are going up into the Jemez mountains of New Mexico. Altitude of 9500 feet and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the fires stay well away from us!!!

My camera is charged and the second battery for it is charged. I now just have to remember to pack it so I can take pictures to share once I'm home.

I'll take some small knitting projects... a scarf and some yarn for socks. I'm about 1/2" from starting the heel of the last of the Queen's socks so should have that done tonight and be working down toward the toe. This way I can give her her new pair of hand knit socks personally since this is the last trip the Royals will be making to the southern part of the kingdom.

Any way, for a 2 night camp, I'm taking much less than I do for when we camp for 6 nights. I'm trying to put my basic every day stuff all in one carry box.... thank heavens for Rubbermaid! Not period to the SCA but great for storage especially with the threat of bears.



Ooops, forgot the most important part!!!! My desktop is back in working order after having a new power supply installed. Hurray!!!!!!!! Of course, while at the computer store, I had to wander around and admire all the neat toys that they have there. They have a computer case that is clear acrylic. Really neat with neon lights inside (actually cold cathode lights) but the one that caught my eye has a clear panel in the side and you can put one of the cathode lights inside plus it has spiraling color on either side of the front.

Time for more packing. Depending on how things go, I just might post another note before I leave tomorrow am.

Well, let's just say that Tuesday was not a great day.... woke up as usual, got ready for work and went into the computer room where I knit and chat with a few extremely early risers only to find that my desktop computer was off. HHuummm, I hadn't turned it off. Pressed the power button and nothing. Unplugged it and plugged it back in.... nothing. PANIC!!!!!!

Quick boot of the notebook that I use when I travel and found some of my early riser, computer friends online... explained what happened. My mind is going a mile a minute thinking worse case of needing to replace the motherboard and/or chip. Fortunately, my online friend calmed me down with the possibility that the power supply went out. Much nicer prospect expense wise so please keep your fingers crossed as I take the desktop computer into the shop today.

Next, I get to work and find out I'm in charge and no one had bothered to tell me that. Fortunately, I get to work early enough that I'm able to do the extra checking duties that are required first thing in the am.

Okay... things are settling down. Assignments are made and report is almost ready to start when we realize that we are missing a nurse!! UHOH!!! Frantic call to the nursing office where they try to contact the nurse... no answer...... time to redivide the patient load and we are now overloaded. ::sigh::

Found out that the nursing office had forgotten that the nurse was on VACATION and had left him on the schedule. DUH!!!

I wish I could say that the day got better after that but, in this day and age of nursing, I can't.

Fortunately, once home, my notebook is still working just fine and I'm able to chat with my friends and relax and look forward to my current 8 days off (mini vacation). Today will start with a Dr's appointment then off to pick up a friend and then off to the computer store. Again, keep your fingers crossed!!!

What can I say... I'm a knitter and a computer lover but if I have to get a new motherboard and chip, it means I probably will not be able to buy the yarn for a cardigan I want to make... and the yarn is currently on sale.

No pictures today as the notebook has a very small and very full HD and I can't transfer any pictures to it for editing before posting. I promise to post pictures as soon as the computer is home and feeling better. And I don't want to leave my computer at the store without me!!! AARRggghhh. I'm like a mother hen with a sick chick. hehehehehe

Off to knit a few rounds before heading off to the Dr's.

I'm melting!!! Aarrgghh, it's hot here this weekend. I think the temperature peaked at 102.

Wanted to get some pictures of the firecamp up in Taos but wound up not being able to go as the equipment we were to take up didn't make it untill after 5pm. It's a 7 hour round trip and with me having to get up at 5am tomorrow, I didn't get to go. The equipment will be delivered... just without me.

So... instead of pictures of the fire and/or firecamp, here is a picture of the progress of Queen Rosalind's socks!



Attending the SCA camping event this weekend is iffy right now. The main reason is we were going for a Bardic competition and the person we were going there to support has been sick and we aren't sure if she will feel up to the competition as well as the physical heat we are having right now. Another reason is that it's horribly hot and, in addition to that.. Yes, there is a fire up there, too, and I don't know how close it is to the camping area.

The nice thing is that I won't have to rush on the socks, now. If we go, I can work on them there. :)

Speaking of socks. I'll knit a few rounds before bed and a few before work in the am as usual.

Another day at work and now... TGIF!!! Hurray, I have the weekend off.

Up at 5am and ready for work and was able to knit 4 rounds on the toe of the sock before leaving for work. Now, I'm home and getting relaxed and comfy so I can finish the toe. I should be able to get it done before I fall asleep.

My trusty guards are watching over me while I knit. They sit on the top of my monitor and keep an eye on things




Now, has anyone seen the top of my desk? I can't find the darned thing. hehehe It's sorta buried under way too much stuff. Time to get that straightned up. Well. not exactly now... maybe Saturday... or Sunday. Will depend on how much knitting I get done. I really hate working against a deadline! Thank heavens one of my MidWinter presents is almost done and then I just have to design and knit another present and then maybe a scarf and and and..... Gee.... when do I get to knit something for me?

Actually, I think I enjoy knitting for others more than for myself.

Off to knit!

Wwwooooo!!!! Am I ever glad to get home. Just another one of "those" Thursdays at work. Very busy and not enough time to get everything done and everyone wanting you at the same time. Only one more day and I have the weekend off.

I started the toe decreases on the first of this pair of socks. If I work a lot on them Saturday and Sunday, I just might have the chance that the socks for Queen Rosalind will be done by July 17th.

I love working with Lorna's Lace yarn! It's so soft. As for wearing them.... I need to knit some more for myself so I have more than just one pair made out of it.

Sorry that there are no pictures for today. Just 12.5 hours of work that stretched into 13 before I could leave and come home. Now, that I have had something like for dinner, it's time for some knitting before bed.

Welcome to my very first attempt at a Blog. Almost as addictive to create and work with the HTML coding as it is to actually be knitting!

My current project that I absolutely need to get done by Julyl 17th is a pair of socks for Queen Rosalind, current Queen of the Kingdom of the Outlands.

QUEEN?? !! Yes. hehehe I'm a member of The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) which is a medieval reinactment group. Knitting is period to the latter part of the era of the SCA world which begins with the fall of Rome and ends with the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603.

I'm working on the socks on 2 circulars but one at a time. The yarn is Lorna's Lace sockweight Experimental color from when the new owner was learning the dying techniques. The colors remind me of crushed grapes. With the Queen's favorite colors being navy blue, burgyndy and silver... I figures 2 out of 3 colors will work nicely.



For fun things, my niece dogs are visiting. Miniature Schnauzers. Tasha is the one on the right and Krissi is the one on the left.



Time now for a touch more knitting. I have to work tomorrow so can't stay up too late.