Hey all! I finally got a photo of the cowl. It's unblocked and probably never will be so I figured I'd post it before 3 months elapse. I actually love the off-centered buttonband because when I wear it, the bottom edge flares out and it doesn't creep up - bonus! I tried to get a photo of it on my neck but we're au naturale at hookedontheneedle today -- off from work, pj's, sans shave and pool/hat hair. Not a good look for blog photos!

In the comments...

Garret, I am not easily offended, be yourself! And Krystal, everyone should knit with Madeline Tosh yarn. We are going to have to get you to a fiber festival so you can fondle some amazing yarns. In the meantime, I hope you like the green skein because it's my gift to you! Let's call it ... Random Acts of Generosity day at casa IamKnitGuy! PM me your snail mail (over on Rav) and I'll send it to you but you have to promise to make something grand and post plenty of pictures!

Next up...Koolhaus in the red Cascade posted earlier! I know how to cable but I've never done a project with them. Let's see how that goes.

Question: What's your favorite baby blanket pattern? I'm looking for recommendations.

Well, I had to frog the lace section of the Stephen West shawl AGAIN! I can't seem to figure out what I'm doing wrong. I needed something easy peasy to rest my weary mind, so I found a simple cowl to knit today. A perfect,lazy Saturday afternoon project. All that's left is the button row and a few garter rows and this project is done. Just what I needed. I knit it a little smaller than the pattern called for so it would stay up on my neck. It's knit in Cascade 220; one of their best colors. There's all sorts of flecks and bits that are hard to see in the photo but in person, it's quite lovely.

Stash has also been enhanced and as they say, pictures or it didn't happen. Two skeins of Madeline Tosh sock yarn and one super wash Cascade for my next project, Jared Flood's Koolhaus in red. I don't wear hats, and for those who know me, I look terrible in hats but it's too cool not to knit. It's been in the queue for years. I'll keep you posted.

Buttonhole row to commence! If I screw it up now, I may have a breakdown!

Edit: Well, I screwed it up. It was supposed to be a 2 stitch buttonhole but I did a 3 stitch (having never done a buttonhole row I just followed the first youtube instructions I found) so it's off centered across the edge. I've decided it's a design element and I'm not going to change it. Time to sew!

Lots of stuff is going on at hooked on the needle these days but there's so little time to post. I've got a new project nearly completed, an old project that's been improved and some new yarn has been added to the stash! For now, you'll have to settle for my newest knitting toy! It's Buffy Anne Designs Stitch Light (photo from her website) and for those who know me, I am blind! I'm always struggling for more light but I think this is going to finally solve that problem. You wear it around your neck and the light can be directed right at your project. The light beam can be adjusted so if you're knitting in the car, you can decrease the circumference of the beam. It's an LED bulb and stays cool - bonus! Even in a brightly lit room, it gives you just that extra punch. There's even a little pouch to hold stitch markers and the like. And for fun, it flashes which could really come in handy if you're knitting in the car and you break down. Actually if you're knitting in the car and driving, you're likely to encounter bigger problems than breaking down. ;-) It's a little pricey but search the web, there's a coupon out there! Thumbs up on this little light!

If you're interested, here's everything you ever wanted to know about the Stitch Light!



Photo Credit: Buffy Anne Designs.

If you're not a Doctor Who fan, then you may not get this but if you are, you'll laugh out loud!!! I needed a good laugh and this surely fit the bill. As a massage therapist, I often used guided meditation with my clients. I wonder how this would have fared? Happy Sunday!



Now I need to watch a few episodes of DW. Hmmm? David Tennent or Matt Smith? Decisions? Decisions?

You know, Doctor Who was filmed in Cardiff, which reminds me of my trip to Wales, which reminds me of the UK Men's Knitting Retreat..... and that's knitting content! I'm all done here. ;-)

Testing 123

I'm trying out a new app to let me post from my phone. Theoretically, it could make me a better blogger but I'm not completely sold on the likelihood of that actually happening!

For now, let's see if it works.

PS. Typos will be plentiful!

Sunday with Granny

So I always see patterns that have lovely crochet borders and I think, I wish I could crochet. Then I pause and think, I don't want to freakin' crochet. Yesterday, while I was surfing the web for yarn porn and the like, I came across a new blogger, Matt. He's a phenomenal, crocheter and his latest post of a granny square blanket is breathtaking in its simplicity! It's multi-colored granny squares, bordered in white. Follow the link on his name, it's worth the look!

I thought, I wish I could crochet. Then I paused and said, I'm going to teach myself how to crochet a granny square!

Well, it's been 24 hours and I wouldn't actually say I've master the granny square but after many failed attempts, I have a square-ish, crocheted piece of fabric. That's the best I can say about it. You be the judge.

This is what I don't get about crochet.

Video bloggers explain how to crochet in step by step directions. The problem ... my swatch doesn't even remotely resemble their swatch so who can really follow step by step directions.

They say things like, insert the hook into the 3rd double crochet. The problem ... I wouldn't recognize the 3rd double crochet if it had a red, neon arrow pointing at it. Damn, I can barely recognize a PSSO when I'm tinking and I've been knitting for years!

Then they say things like, simply continue double crocheting into the same space/hole until you have 3 shells separated by 2 chain stitches for each corner. The problem ... who the hell can tell where the hole is from one double crochet to the next and for that matter, who can find any of these holes on command (the damn thing looks like swiss cheese)!

Then they say things like, pause the video if you need to catch up. Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it. You've been warned. The problem ... who can tell where you left off and then where to queue the video so it's in the same place. The whole thing is so repetitive and it looks exactly the same (but it's not) so it's impossible to match the video to your swatch. Just try to keep up and pray they'll get distracted by the dog barking or a screaming child in the background so you can catch up!

In the end, this little square was fun to crochet! Don't expect any major crochet projects but if I can master a color change or two, a pillow like Matt's blanket would be cool.

Edit: I realized that I didn't give credit to the one YouTuber who finally helped me figure it out! Bethintx1! She said all the things everyone else said but somehow, she made sense!

Fine, yes, I'm a bad blogger. My name is Joe and I'm a bad blogger. I need a 12-Step Program for bad bloggers (maybe I should start a blog about bad blogging but I'd probably let that one fall defunct as well. ;-)

Today, I opened the ottoman and a plethora of unfinished projects were still there! It's amazing how that happens. In no specific order...I have the Stephen West shawl, the teddy bear (that one's at least 3 years in the making), the scarf for me (that one's not my fault, I don't think I'm going to have enough yarn so what's the point), 8 pairs of CSM socks that need kitchener stitch, the cowl and a baby blanket.

I've decided to begin with the Stephen West shawl.

I've reached Section 2 of the Column Lace and the k1/p1's into the double yarn-overs. I know it's easy but I always end up losing or gaining a stitch with that, Kerry had to undo several rows for me when we were in Wales and I didn't want to spoil all his hard work. Here's a random shot from Wales since it came up. Build the house right here and I'll meet ya there.



Back to the matter at hand. I don't know why I end up with extra stitches but hell, what's the worst thing that could happen, I can't wear it with the Addis sticking out of it. I never could pull off punk.

So I begin again and miraculously, I left myself excellent notes as to where I should start. Section 2, Row 2!

So I should stop typing and knit, right? Okay, I'm gonna go now. As soon as the commercial starts. Oooh, Star Trek the movie is on. I love that guy. I wonder if I bought apples yesterday. What was a I talking about?

Oh yeah, that guy from Star Trek!

Catch Up of Sorts...

yes, lots has happened over the last few months.

I attended the Men's Fall Knitting Retreat back in September. It was great and this year I didn't have the plague. I was well and had more fun than imaginable! WonderMike puts on quite a show and the weather was amazing! I've been to Seattle several years in a row now, where did they get this reputation for rain and gloom? It's sunny and tepid every year! All the boys were there except Joe but I'll hopefully catch up with him in May!

I moved but still in Florida. Yes, I can not get out of Florida. It's my cross to bear. ;-) The new location is wonderful. Practically on the beach with water views from my 8th floor vantage!

I love my new place, it's new and no one has ever lived in my condo. It's got more bathrooms than any condo should have and I've got a sock studio dedicated to making Beauregard's Boxed Socks.

I can't get Beau working perfectly to save my life so Beauregard's Boxed Socks is currently on hold/in production (depending on how you look at it). I'm 1 week into "The Weekend Novelist writes a Mystery" so my gay, science fiction epic has begun and the protagonist resembles me in many ways but with better abs.

I'm suffering from a cold and haven't left the house since Friday. I've spent my time with Sam Tyler. Have you seen Life on Mars, it was a short-lived series in 2009 and I loved it. Jason O'Mara plays Sam and he's the current hunk occupying my desktop. 'nuf said. He kinda reminds me of what's his name from PS I love you. Gerard Butler!

I've already queued the BBC version because the story is great and the crazy guy from Doctor Who plays O'Mara's character and he's a hoot if not as equally handsome.

Let's see, I'm supposed to put knitting content in here somewhere, aren't I? I organized the stash. Does that count? It's going to have to, dropped stitch socks aren't really content worthy. What can I tell ya?

Did you see the photos of Jason O'Mara?

Never, Never, Never....

screw with your blog template without saving the original one. I was just playing, thinking it would be fun to make a change or two for 2012 and then I couldn't revert back to the original. WooWho! New blog look! I love it! Actually, I have no choice so yay, I love it. ;-) It's a work in progress, so keep an eye out for changes.

I hope you had a great holiday season! Wishing you all a wonderful 2012!

Updates & Holiday Greetings!

Good grief! I had no idea anyone was still reading my blog! Hey Krystal and Lisa! First off, Happy Holidays one and all from the beautiful, Florida coast! If you're on my Christmas card list, read the last sentence, it's all you're getting this year!

To start, I hate when people say they're "busy" but this time I have to concede, I'm busy! The holidays are coming and I'm not even remotely prepared. I've just moved to a new city and don't even know where the grocery store is or where to shop for gifts. Yikes!

I'm pretty sure the tree is stuffed in the laundry room but the ornaments and trimmings are who knows where! Today, I finally rid myself of the last of the boxes and am fairly certain that the major furniture pieces are in their final locations. It may seem like a simple task to put the boxes out with the trash but when you live on the 8th floor, all logistics and ease are out the window. Up and down, up and down, it's quite a process! I love the space. It's brand, spankin' new. No one has ever taken a shower here, heated up a Lean Cuisine in the microwave or sat on the balcony and enjoyed the inter coastal water views. I love it!

Needless to say, knitting has been scarce. Beau, my sock machine is in storage at a friend's house and will be returned next weekend. I can't wait. I unpacked the yarn and set up the den as a craft studio/office. Everything fit and my indestructible, craft table (that I thought would have to go to Goodwill) fit in the space with no more than a half inch of room to spare! Is that fate or what?

So stick with me folks and soon enough, I'll be posting socks, shawls and the miscellaneous dribble of my life.