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.

A Threesome on a Sunday Afternoon...

I've had the most pleasant and relaxing day. I'm currently holed up in a hotel for two weeks before I move into my new place. Yesterday, I spent the day wandering around the beach, something I rarely do, surprisingly so for someone who lives in Florida. Today, I had no interest in sunshine. I woke up at 8AM and couldn't fall back to sleep. I opened the computer and turned to Netflix for a little entertainment over coffee. I knew a film or two was in order as I've watched more television this week than I have in a year! I discovered there's a reason I haven't had television for the past year, it's so dumb and that's sort of generous. Those of you who watch all these ridiculous realty shows, please explain the attraction.

Anyway, around 2PM, I stepped out for lunch and when I got back to the room, I found a film that I loved when it first premiered. Before Sunrise with Ethan Hawke and Julie Deply, I always had a crush on Ethan until the whole nanny incident so I decided to watch it again. I had no idea that they made a sequel called before Before Sunset (original huh?) with the same cast. It was a great sequel and I never like sequels. Both films are all talk, talk, talk and they're smart, funny, sarcastic, sexy, emotional and romantically edgy but still sappy. I love that crap. The sequel screenplay is just as clever as the first one in a 30-something way vs the original 20-something vibe. You should watch it. It's on instant view, there's no risk!

On the knitting front, not much has been going on. Work and finding a place have been all consuming. By the time I get some "me time" at the end of the day, I have just about enough energy to wash my face before heading to bed. I made the huge mistake of bringing only one project with me -- the Stephen West shawl. Great project, just got to the interesting part, counting is now involved and following a pattern, albeit simple, is too taxing for my overworked brain so it's been left collecting dust on the nightstand. And I miss Beauregard. He's all packed up and in storage with the rest of my creature comforts!

And that's knitting content, sort of. More to come when I'm back in my own place and start discovering my new city!

Holding a Torch & So Late to the Party!

Hey, I'm back and I.AM.KNITGUY! Yeah, I still like saying it. I have been busy, life is good, even if ever-changing. I continue to work on my toe closures with some success but not enough to actually post. Instead, I've been working my fingers to the bone on my Stephen West shawl. I'm finally into the lace portion and ready to start the second repeat. Photos will come shortly.

This weekend (yes, my weekend this week was Wed/Thur) was intended to be a knit-fest. If you didn't know, I do not have cable television. Remember a few years ago, the cable companies started telling us that we'd need a box to continue to receive digital cable sometime in 2011? Yeah, that finally arrived in South Florida and I never got a box so don't ask me anything about current television, not that I ever watched much popular television anyway. Instead of the knit-fest, I discovered that the new season of Torchwood finally arrived on Netflix! I love Doctor Who and moreso, Torchwood. Maybe I have the hots for John Barrowman or Gareth David-Lloyd. Well, yes, I do have the hots for John Barrowman and Gareth David-Lloyd but it's so much more! Anyway, the new season is finally on Netflix. This morning, I thought, hey, I should watch an episode. Fast forward to midnight and I've completed the entire season. What am I going to to do now? I know I shouldn't have been such a glutton but I just couldn't resist.

So if you are part of the modern world and haven't been watching Torchwood on cable, head over to Netflix and take it for a spin. It's darker than previous seasons but a much bigger story than the former Torchwood seasons when it was all .... find the aliens, open the rift, don't open the rift, save the world storylines!

Anyone know when the next season starts? Please tell me there's another season!

10 Years...

You may never visit but you'll never forget. Find out more about the 9/11 Memorial and Museum here

Say Goodbye to Hollywood

Well, it's all done. In the end, IamKnitGuy won out. There's something about it that I really like, especially when I say it in my biggest, booming voice ... I_A.M_K.N.I.T_G.U.Y (a la The Wizard of Oz)! I considered Garret's TheRealKnitGuy (thanks Garret!) but it was just a little too long and not universally available. I doubt there will be any drastic changes here at Hooked on the Needle except that we're heading into a major CSM period. There's been little hand knitting lately but sock production is definitely in full swing and hand knitting is not entirely abandoned. A Stephen West design has recently made it out of the "what happened to that project" pile! ;-)

In a few weeks, I'll be meeting a friend to finally learn/see kitchener stitch from waste yarn (as is used for CSM socks) in person! Once that hurdle is completed, the adventure will really begin. Stay tuned for exciting updates and potentially, lots of 'em!!!
knitguyla signing off.