STICKEE CREATIONS

Prep Day

2010-02-12T06:47:00.001-08:00

Tonight at 6pm the Winter Olympics’ opening ceremony begins. At the same time the Knitting Olympics' (Click the link to learn more) will begin. I, some what impulsively, have decided to take part. And to add to the insanity I have chosen the Central Park Hoodie as my project. It will most certainly be a challenge for me to complete it in 17 days. I plan on spending today going over the pattern and making sure I have everything I need to cast on. I’ll be using the yarn I won from the Old Mill Knitting Company, Naturally’s Merino et Soie in the #104 color way. I hope to post here on a regular bases with my progress and with any luck I’ll be able to get a few pictures.

I'm a winner!

2008-06-17T18:35:00.001-07:00

Every month the Old Mill Knitting Company gives away a knitting kit to three lucky Canadians. All you have to do to win is to be one the the first three people to submit an entry form when they open the contest. The catch is that they don't tell you when the contest will open. The only way to know that is opened is to keep checking their website.

I just so happened to be one of the three winners for June. I am really excited about it. Each kit consists of a pattern and the yarn required to knit it. Every winner gets a choice of pattern and yarn colour. Of the choicest available I decided on this one. As for colour I went with #104 (the light blue) as my first choice and #105 (the light green)as my second.

From what I've heard from past winners Old Mill Knitting Company is really good at mailing the kit out and most people have received them within a few days of winning. So hopefully by this time next week I'll be fondling some gorgeous new yarn.

Oddball Knitters

2008-04-06T21:45:00.000-07:00

I don't know how many people actually read my blog on a regular basis. Or how familiar they are with my blog layout but you may have noticed a new button in the left-hand sidebar.

This one...

If you click on the button (both this one and the one in the sidebar) it will take you to the blog which will give you more information on what it's all about.

Guess what month it is

2008-04-06T21:19:00.001-07:00

And yes I've written my name across it. I live with 4 other people who all love these cookies and would not hesitate to eat my cookies and claim they were theirs.

Master of Illusion

2008-04-03T16:42:00.001-07:00

Or maybe just an apprentice. In knitting their is a method of knitting something that isn't there. Or at least it isn't when you look at it straight on. Adjust the angle a little bit and it magically appears. This is known as "illusion" or "shadow" knitting and there are some amazing patterns out there that take advantage of what is really a very simple technique. Simple because all you have to know in order to do it is how to knit and purl. That's it. Okay, you might want to have some familiarity with reading charts but other then that...it's easy.

I've been wanting to try it for months but didn't want to invest the time or money into something that I wasn't sure I was going to like or be good at. While surfing through Ravelry I found a pattern for a "Illusion Heart Dishcloth". I always have cotton yarn on hand and happened to have both white and pink so decided to give it a try. This particular pattern was written out rather than in chart form which made it easier for me because I hate reading charts. I can do it but it always takes longer.

Now you see it!

Now you don't!

Teacher I am

2008-03-25T00:20:00.001-07:00

As I mentioned in my "100 Things About Me" post I am a knitting instructor. Or was a knitting instructor. You see I was a knitting instructor at Michaels. And since they decided to discontinued all there classes, except the cake decorating courses, I am no longer teaching there. Since my only other source of money comes from child-minding at a local church one morning a week I decided I better find another job. As a high school drop-out I don't have a lot of options when it comes to jobs. There are many jobs that I think I could do just as well as a high school graduate but the companies won't even look at my resume because I don't have that darn diploma. The jobs that I could get I don't think I could handle. I don't want to work in retail. Although I am a very well-spoken, polite person the majority of the time if someone pisses me off they'll know about it PDQ. I can just see me getting frustrated with a customer and telling them to bugger off. Some how I don't think that would go over well with my boss. It's pretty much the same thing for fast food joints and regular restaurants. I can so see me pouring someone's drink over their head or dumping their meal in their lap. Again wouldn't go over very well with the boss. So it's best to stay away from situations like that.

It's also one of the reasons that I hated working at Michaels. That and the fact that even though I was suppose to have control over when I had my classes I still had to work around when the other instructors were having their classes. I had to teach what they wanted me to, charge what they said and use only the yarns that were available at Michaels. It made it vary difficult to plan classes when I wasn't sure if they were going to have the supplies required for the class. That's why I have decide to start offering private knitting classes. I can set my own hours. I only have to deal with a small group of people at one time. And I don't have to limit my supply list to one store. I actually like the idea that I'll be able to recommend the two LYS. My students can still buy their supplies at Michaels or Walmart but at least they have more than one option.

I still have to work out the details and figure out the best way to advertise but hopefully I'll be teaching by the beginning of April.

Happy Easter!!!

2008-03-23T01:12:00.000-07:00

I promise I'll post something more in a couple of days but for now enjoy these baby goat pictures.

Me + 22 Brownies =

2008-03-10T17:28:00.000-07:00

Chaos!

That's the easiest way to describe it. There were 22 girls that we split into 2 groups. I only had about a half-hour to teach each group and it was no where near enough time. None of the girls got past the cast-on. I'm not sure many of them even mastered that. Some of the girls were left handed. I really didn't have the time to concentrate on each girl individually to make sure they were getting it. My mom and sister did help a bit but neither one of them knit the way I do.

The next time I'm going to establish some ground rules.

1. Limit of 5 girls per group.
2. Find out ahead of time if any girls are left handed so I can adjust my presentation for them.
3. Have multiple sessions.
Sessions 1 would be to teach them how to cast-on and the knit stitch.
Session 2 would be to check on their progress.
Session 3 could be for bind-off.

I also think I'd teach a different cast-on. The knitted cast-on is great because it is so similar to the knit stitch but it takes so long to do. I'm not a huge fan of the thumb cast-on because of how hard it is to knit from. The only other fairly simple one is the long-tailed cast-on. Which my nieces and nephew all use. I would just have to make sure I know a head of time how much yarn they would need to do it.

I hadn't expected amazing results abut I was still disappointed that the girls didn't get farther along on their squares. They group is going camping this weekend and they have set time aside for knitting but I'm not sure how much will actually get done.

I just hope the girls had a good first experience with knitting. I'd hate to think I did something that would put them off such a wonderful craft.

The only thing I can do is wait and see. I hate that.

Knitting Brownies

2008-03-05T21:00:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow night I'll be teaching about 20 Brownies how to knit. The troop has 22 girls and I know for certain that two already know how to knit and one other told them last week she already knows how but will have to wait and see. When I first agreed to do it I really didn't think anything about it. But now I'm really starting to freak out. I've never taught that many people to knit at one time. I'm hoping some of the moms will be able to help once I get the girls started.

I'm going to use the "Learn to Knit" poem that's been around for ages. I'll have to print out some copies so the girls have something to take home with them and I'm going to see if I have anything I can use for a poster that I can use during the lessons. Lots to do. So what am I doing here then?

I'll try to remember to post how it goes but it might not be until Sunday or Monday. Friday I'm going to the Fibrefest in Abbotsford, Saturday is shopping (just groceries nothing fun) and Sunday is family day.

101 Things in 1001 Days

2008-02-29T19:37:00.001-08:00

Hildie over at KH put me on to this. Sounded interesting so I thought I'd give it a try. I've started a blog to keep track of my progress. You can find it here. You'll noticed that one of my 101 things is to keep this blog updated so you can expect a little more activity here.

Writing Well...

2007-10-05T23:16:00.001-07:00

is not required during November. At least if you're like me and signed up to participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).

The idea is to write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November. It doesn't have to be written well. In fact, they encourage you to send your inner editor on vacation for the month. Save the editing for later. Just write.

This will be my third year as a NaNoWriMoer. My last two attempts failed miserably. I can only hope I do better this year.

This is what I think I'll be writing about:

A story centred around 4 sisters the first few months after their grandmother's death. The sisters will be responsible for going through their grandmothers things.It will explore how each of them deal with this lost. Each chapter will be written from a different sisters POV. They'll be flash back scenes from the girls childhood but also from their grandmother's life. They will of course be something that they'll learn about their grandmother that will shock them.

Haven't worked it all out yet but I've got a few weeks before I'm allowed to start writing.

Frog Happy!

2007-09-25T22:20:00.001-07:00

I frogged the lacy afghan-like scarf and started the Irish Hiking Scarf. I've gotten three repeats in and am ready to frog it.

Hopefully this dislike of everything I start to knit will end soon and I'll be able to finish something. I'm going to attempt Silver's Palindrome Scarf next. Wish me luck!

100 Things About Me!

2007-09-24T20:19:00.001-07:00

As promised....

1. My first name is Jodi.

2. My middle name is Mae.

3. Most people call me Jodi.

4. My BIL name is Jody.

5. So my family calls me Jodi Mae.

6. I'm not a huge fan of it.

7. I would prefer Jodi or Jo.

8. I hate it when people misspell my name. It's with a 'I' no 'E' and definitely not with a 'Y'.

9. I am a knitter.

10. I grew up on a farm.

11. But never owned cows.

12. In fact, I'm kind of scared of them.

13. I don't know why.

14. We did own horses, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks and rabbits.

15. And dogs, of course.

16. We have 2 right now. Sweetie and Thor.

17. I should probably mention our cats.

18. Right now there are 7 that call our house home.

19. They are, in order of age, Mickey, Dilo, Brat Cat, Snorten, Rip, That and Punk.

20. We have 3 goats, Patches, Andromeda and Nebula.

21. Two sheep.

22. We never named them.

23. I still live with my parents.

24. Yes, I know some people find that weird.

25. But it's what works for me.

26. Currently I am working as a child-care provider.

27. And a Knitting Instructor.

28. I enjoy both jobs.

29. I'm a Christian.

30. But I don't go to church.

31. That is probably the only time I'll mention it.

32. I don't drink alcohol.

33. I don't smoke.

34. Or do drugs.

35. I've never had a boyfriend.

36. I have not read the last Harry Potter book.

37. This does not mean I want you to tell me all about it.

38. I like country music.

39. I also like Rock, some Hip-Hop, R&B and some Pop.

40. I use all those terms in the broadest sense of the word.

41. I am really unorganized.

42. My room is a mess of paper, books and clothes.

43. And yarn.

44. I would love to write a book someday.

45. I would be great if I could get that book published.

46. I am number 4 of six children.

47. I'm the only one born in an odd year.

48. I have 2 brothers.

49. One older and one younger.

50. I have 3 sisters.

51. Two older and one younger.

52. I weighed 8 lb 2oz. when I was born.

53. I was my mom's smallest baby.

54. There are 5 years between me and my oldest sibling.

55. There are also 5 years between me and the youngest.

56. Making me the middle child.

57. I was in 4-H for 9 years.

58. I dropped out of school in grade 9.

59. It was my second year in grade 9.

59. I took some correspondence courses.

60. But never finished.

61. I am an amateur genealogist.

62. I would love to travel to Scotland.

63. And Ireland, England, Wales and Germany.

64. I'm a Sagittarius.

65. With a Virgo rising. Makes an interesting combination.

66. My Chinese Zodiac is the Sheep/Goat.

67. I broke my arm when I was 4.

68. Never broke my leg.

69. Torn the ligaments in both ankles.

70. Not at the same time.

71. One was in July.

72. The other was in February.

73. I went to Summer School for Grade 8 Social Studies.

74. It was the only class I passed in Grade 9.

75. I took band in Grade 8.

76. I hated it.

77. My other electives were Clothing and Textiles, Food and Nutrition and Drafting.

78. I didn't select Drafting.

79. I wanted to take Woodworking.

80. Or Metalwork.

81. Apparently so did everyone else.

82. My maternal grandfather died when I was 18 months old.

83. My maternal grandmother died just over 25 yrs later.

84. My paternal grandmother died one month after my fourth birthday.

85. My paternal grandfather died two days after my 27th birthday.

86. I have 1 nephew.

87. And 2 nieces.

88. I'm teaching all three of them how to knit.

89. My maternal grandmother taught me how to knit.

90. I met my best friend when we were in Grade 8.

91. I raised Netherland Dwarf rabbits.

92. They died after a mink got into my rabbitry.

93. I want to buy more.

94. But am waiting until I can secure the rabbitry.

95. I would also like to own Lionhead rabbits.

96. And maybe some Jersey Woolies or Fuzzy Lops.

97. We raise Alpine and Nubian goats.

98. I want to learn Sign Language.

99. And Gaelic.

100. Scottish, not Irish.

Colour Coordination

2007-09-24T18:41:00.001-07:00

Last night I started knitting a scarf using Bernat Soy Natural Blends, in Tidal, Seasalt and Celery. I've only did one repeat of the pattern and I think I'm going to frog it.

The pattern I'm using is the one that came with the yarn. I'm having two problems with it. One is the colours. The pattern calls for 3 colours. The sample is knit with Oatmeal as the Main Colour (MC), Tidal as the secondary colour (A) and Celery as the third colour (B). I decided to use Tidal as my (MC), Seasalt as my (A) and Celery as my (B). And I'm not sure I like the combination. I could switch the designation. Making Seasalt my (MC) and Tidal my (A). Or even making Seasalt my (B) and Celery my (A). But that won't help with the second problem, the pattern. It is a sort of Feather and Fan design and I just can't see it as a scarf. I keep looking at it and thinking afghan. Probably because that's the pattern that my grandmother knit most of our afghans in.

You're suppose to repeat the colour change until the piece measures 7" and then continue in MC for another 33" before moving back into the colour change again.

I'll probably end up frogging this and using the yarn for another pattern. Maybe the Irish Hiking Scarf or Silver's Palindrome Scarf.

Maybe someday I'll use the pattern that came with the yarn. Probably for an afghan.

First Post

2007-09-16T22:16:00.000-07:00

Ideally this post should have some inspiring content that makes you want to keep coming back. Especially considering I've had a couple of months to come up with said content. Alas, as my family well knows, I'm a procrastinator and I've put off doing anything. Mainly because nothing was really happening in my life and I figured people might get bored hearing about how I slept in pasted noon, again, and spent the rest of the day playing on the computer and watching TV.

Luckily, my life is starting to get busy. Work is finally starting to pick up after the summer break. Nanowrimo will be starting in just over a month. And I'm starting a local Stitch 'N Bitch with a fellow knitter. If all goes well I'll be relaying some interesting stories.

Since I hate trying to describe myself (I feel it always comes off as sounding like a personal ad. ie: SWF, who enjoys knitting, writing etc.) I'm going to resort to a "100 Things About Me" list. Which I'll try and complete in the next day or two and get it posted.