Webigail

It’s been quite some time since I knitted socks. I thought, after spending several months knitting,
or better yet, bitching, over the long-suffering afghan, I’d knit something quick-n-easy.

So, I started the first sock, got to the gusset and realized that I was rapidly running out of yarn.

r-i-p

No problem, this time, I’m going to knit both socks together. After fussing with the cast-on,
ensuring that I had the right needles to start and joined the second sock properly, I realized that the socks
did not match.

Why, oh WHY did I decide that I was going to tackle two firsts at the same time?!

Laboring over the cast-on, was not my only problem. After completing 10 rounds of ribbing on both socks,
I soon realized that my stripes were not matching. This was the first time that I was using self striping.
I thought that I started each sock in the same place, but it turned out that I started on blue, for both socks, but the patterns were in reverse. Oh joy.

r-i-p

I guess the third time really is a charm, because this time I got the cast-on taken care of relatively quickly AND I managed to get the stripe patterns to line up, all while not getting my balls tangled up. No pun intended.

It should be easy sailing until I get to the heel flap.

Tune in later, to see if I run into problems.

I don’t know why, but I have been putting off lacing.
I’ve done socks, sweaters, hats, even an afghan, but no lace…

That is until recently. I needed an excuse to try lace, so used
Christmas as the perfect reason. I whipped up two lace scarves
for my rascal’s preschool teachers.

I don’t think I’ll be able to go back to stockinette.

*Sigh*
Where do I begin?

The store is officially open tomorrow, Friday, November 16th. However, I had the good fortune of being invited to a private screening. This is not going to be good. Not good at all.

From the moment you walk in, there’s a sense of “let me take a load off.” I do not take kindly to the yarn snobs, who rather than share the art of knitting, want to make it an exclusive, elite little club. Knitting is something that can be enjoyed alone and definitely is best alone, if working on a complicated pattern, but the bonding that takes place when knitters sit around, helping each other, admiring each other’s work…well, that is not limited to a select few. Any and everyone, who enjoys knitting, should feel welcomed, particularly when they enter a YARN SHOP! But, I’ve digressed.

So, back to the store…well, after you get over the inviting ambiance, you are engulfed in color. Hues seem to leap out at you from the four walls. Reds, greens and greens (soy, organic, etc.), blues, variegated, lace weights, worsted weights, sock weights, you name it.

The store is incredibly organized, down to the books – Which I could not resist. Since I stocked up on my “practice” stash from a local craft store, I decided to use up most of what I have, but I purchased three books: Knit One, Felt Too, One-Skein Wonders, and Felted Knits. I also purchased some delicious lace-weight Malabrigo, which is my current favorite yarn indulgence. I selected a hank in a red, spicy color – Vermillion, to make knitted flowers to decorate my first lace project.

Natural Stitches had every color of Cascade 220 you can ask for…and I mean that literally. They have, what is being called the “Rainbow Wall” lined with every, single, luscious color that Cascade makes. WARNING – Bring a non knitter with you when you visit that section, as it’s easy to succumb to the intrinsic magic that permeates from that area. In fact, had my rascal not been with me, screaming in the background, I fear that I may have been sucked up by that Rainbow Wall, never to be seen again.

Oh, did I mention that the prices are GREAT?!!! If I didn’t…the prices are GREAT!!!

Natural Stitches is a knitter’s heaven. You have needles, including the beloved Denise Interchangeables available for purchase, along with many other needles, such as Addi Turbo and I also saw some needles that I doubt I would ever be able to handle in size #32!! And, men are welcomed. There will be a knitting group for the fellas.

Natural Stitches is destined to become a hub for knitters in Pittsburgh.
If you stop in, tell them Webigail sent ya!

The Village of East Side
6401 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: (412) 441-4410

Ok, it’s not my birthday, birthday, but rather my knitting birthday.

I took my first knitting class with Carla K, on Sunday, November 19th, 2006.
It was the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

Ironically, I initially registered for a crochet class, but taught myself in the week prior to the class.
So, on the day of the class, I asked if would be possible to learn to knit instead. As luck would have it,
I was the only student scheduled and Carla had no problem teaching me to knit.

It’s been love, ever since. I haven’t stopped knitting since then.

Within the first week of taking the class I had already knitted two hats (in the round).
By the beginning of the second week, I purchased my first set of interchangeables (Denise).
I am now a die-hard Knit Picks Options fan, cannot use resin, but I have fond memories
of my first needle set.

I soon found myself registered for several additional classes with Carla:

• Sweater
• Socks
• Pinwheel

I had tackled the most challenging projects (for me) within the first 3 months of learning to knit and I find that each new project builds my confidence and shows improvement.

I’ve even tackled lace *sigh*

I don’t know why, but for some reason, I was seriously daunted by lace.

And my library, my how it’s grown!

I own the first two editions of Barbara Walker’s A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, Knitting on the Edge, Knitting Flowers, and more.

I have knitted with, lace weight, sock weight, fingering weight, worsted weight, chunky weight and novelty yarns. I’ve even knitted with two colors simultaneously.

Do I love knitting as much as I did from day one? Absolutely!
What haven’t I tried yet? I haven’t knitted mittens or gloves yet, but they’re coming soon.
What do I like most about knitting? I have always enjoyed working with my hands, and revel in giving hand-made gifts. This is the first Christmas that I can give gifts to friends and family that have a very personal touch. I pick patterns for each person that I think reflect their personality. For instance, one of my son’s teachers has a bubbly personality. For her scarf, I picked a bobble pattern. For another person, I picked a lacey, leaf pattern, because they remind me of all things beautiful and natural.

Learning to knit…what a great gift to me!

What exciting holiday news. Natural Stitches will be opening very soon, perhaps in the next week or so.
I’ll be going to the private “yarn party.”
I’m going to try NOT to buy anything else, as I am overloaded on yarns already, but I doubt I’ll be able to resist LOL.

I finally, (deep breath), finally finished that afghan!!

In fact, I almost made it too long and nearly passed out, from relief, when I measured and discovered that I had come to the end of my journey.

Knitting this afghan was more than me keeping my promise to my sister-in-law. It was a challenge for me. I tend to start projects with fury. I get excited, filled with ideas and then somewhere along the ride, I become bored. What could I have done differently? I could have maintained a steadier gauge, but just the fact that I completed this project means so much to me.

This is a personal milestone.

As soon as I get some fresh batteries, I’ll post pics.

I’m so excited *pant-pant*.

One of favorite people has decided to open a local yarn shop. The mentor of the person, who taught me to knit is opening up a store.

What will be in the store…well, can you say, “EVERY-THING!”
What will NOT be in the store is yarn-snobbery. I cannot wait until the store is open for business.
I don’t want to jinx them, so I’ll keep the name and details under wraps until the store is official.

However, I wish this knitting diva the best of luck.

OMG!!! Why, why, WHHHHHY Did look at the new KNO catalog today?!

Pass the smelling salts!

I know I don’t need a new set of needles, but I admit, having a wooden set of interchangeable needles, especially ones that are so beautiful, is awfully tempting. Wow, I’m the same person, who said I’d never bother buying their classic circs.

I also noticed that Knit Picks has come out with a needle case. I prefer the one I made, as the needles fit snuggly and fit into the nice binder that the needles come with. However, it’s great for those who want a way to organize their needles, without the fuss.

Someone, please talk me out of buying another set. After all, I’m still working on that dreaded AFGHAN!!

Summer is winding down and I didn’t do many of the things I planned on doing, including visiting with my mum and family in Manhattan. So, while my new vehicle was being worked on, I decided to rent a car and drive to NYC for a week or so.

My husband reminded me that he had a 50% off coupon for Enterprise Rent-A-Car that would be perfect to use. The coupon was awarded to him as result of a class action law suit against Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Although my time with my family, despite the constant rain, was incredible, the rental portion turned into a NIGHTMARE!

I made my reservation online, so I had no clue that I was going to a Toyota dealership to pickup my rental. Not only is it a dealership, but it’s the repair center. Then when they finally get to me, my reservation is in the computer for the wrong day AND there’s not vehicle available at this time. But it was my lucky day (can you smell my sarcasm?). Not only did they find a vehicle for me, but it’s a brand new, 2007 Toyota Hybrid; I was going to get an upgrade for the same price, PLUS my 50% off. Oh Joy. However, I must mention that I declined the additional insurance, as it would have taken my total from $150 to over $350!! Are they NUTS?!

So, I made it to Manhattan, over the bridge, down the busy ave, to mum’s house without incident. Once parked, we hardly even touched the car, because the subway is so close by. Why fuss with trying to park again? Also, it rained so much, we just stayed in and enjoyed catching up.

Fast forward to yesterday, August 23, 2007. I am thrilled that not only am I on schedule for picking up my own vehicle, but I’m actually 3 hours early for dropping off the rental. I filled up the gas tank, despite being told that the tank was full when I got it. It was not. I then expected to walk out with the attendant to inspect the vehicle TOGETHER, but after disappearing for 10-15 minutes, he returned and told me about some damage he “wanted to show me.”

WHAT?! DAMAGE?!

I had to remind myself to breath, and not let the NY’er in me loose it. One more deep breath and I was able to follow this guy outside, with my toddler and one of my rat terriers in tow. The car was dirty, but all I see are hand prints in the dust enveloping this HUGE DENT (I think I almost passed out at this point) on the rear, passenger quarter-panel. The dent was in a strange place; up pretty high and there was no transfer of paint, nor were there any scratches.

Being a little dazed, confused and even second guessing myself, I didn’t say too much, because I really did not know what could have happened. However, I my mother mentioned that the same attendant had been out by the vehicle prior to coming to get me. She couldn’t see everything he was doing, but who is to say that he was not out putting a nice hand sized dent in the car? After all, this was a repair center and body shops know ALL of the tricks.

To add salt to the wound, Isaiah M. Embry, the Assistant Manager, the same person, who did a walk-around without my knowledge, had the audacity to tell me that they were going to charge $500 to my card. He said that they had to charge my entire deductible (I’m calm on the outside, but I’m seething on the inside). I then said, “Look, I’m here 3 hours earlier than I need to be. Let me take the vehicle to my brother’s shop to have the dent removed. You cannot tell me that it’s going to cost more than $500.”

He said that he couldn’t release the vehicle, yet no one could give me an estimate. I left Enterprise befuddled, stunned and questioning my own actions. I did not know that Enterprise was notorious for running so many scams. Getting back to the insurance…since I decided to opt out of using their ridiculous insurance, they pinned existing damage or the attendant manually put a dent in the quarter-panel.

I’m not taking this lightly. I’ve already filed a consumer complaint, contacted my insurance company, as well as my credit card company.

Tune in later to see how this plays out. If you have similar happen to you, please share it…others need to be made aware.

I ordered a few lupine products from KV Vet Supply (via Amazon.com).

There was a mistake with my order. I received a H-harness, instead of a Roman-harness.

Much to my surprise, not only did KV Vet Supply have no problem with shipping out the new product, but when I asked if they wanted me to send the incorrect product back, they told me to just donate it to a shelter or someone else.

I will be giving this harness to one lucky person, who NEEDS it. This is a small 1/2″ H-harness. It fits 9″ – 12″ chests.

Rules:
1. You must submit a photo of your kitty or puppy.
2. You must write an essay about your pet and tell why your pet needs this harness.
3. You must give permission to post picture of your pet and essay.

I am not making a profit from this and will pay for shipping, but this harness will go only to someone I feel genuinely needs it. Otherwise, I will donate the harness to a shelter. Period.

UPDATE 08-25-07: Those bastards really did charge my credit card and when I called to dispute the charges, I was told that car rental charges cannot be disputed!! Even after explaining that the charge for the use of the vehicle and the charge for “estimated” repairs were two, separate charges, they still refused to remove it. I ended up having to write a letter and faxed it in to CC company.

Mind you, Enterprise Rent-A-Car was able to charge my card, but they never called in the claim and I have still not heard from their Loss Control department. Those flipping BASTARDS!!