Jumping Ship

I'm done here. Going over to the new place:

http://cafe-eclectic.net

Come check out the new digg.

Honeycomb - Completed

Pattern - Honeycomb Socks by Chris Carroll for Schaefer Yarn
Yarn Used - 0.5 skeins of Schaefer Anne in Purple and Green
Needles - Option size 1
Gauge - 9 sts per inch
Knit - December 24, 2007 to January 05, 2008
Modifications - Lots. But I'm writing the directions and sending them Schaefer Yarn so they can update the pattern to the way I did it.

Overall this pattern isn't too hard. Once you figure out the special stitch, it's a piece of cake, plus it's easy to memorize where you are once you get a hang of it. The special stitch is always done on the purl stitch.

I was rather frustrated at first when I started because I had to rip back so many times. But once I realized that it wasn't me, I paid a lot more attention to the pattern and making notes on what I would do differently. Laura from Schaefer was happy with what I did and had asked me to write out the modification I did so she can implement to the pattern. I'm glad my hard work is being recognized.

By doing this pattern, I learned that a knitted in the round gauge and a flat gauge can be very different. I'll be doing all my gauges differently now for knit in the round projects. I also learned the Kitchener Stitch. Click to go to the Knitty tutorial. I really like the pictorial Knitty provided. I had heard horror stories about Kitchener stitch, but it was so easy! It's not easy to memorize but it's not very complicated. So glad I had the opportunity to try it.

And no, I didn't line up the colors intentionally. It just happened. I probably couldn't even plan it to make it happen!

On a completely different topic, you probably noticed my side bar looked a little different. I reorganized the order and I added a Work in Progress bar, courtesy of Ravelry!!! If you have Ravelry and you would like the status bar, just click here and ask for it. Speaking of Ravelry, I figured out how to add tab and reorganize my forum page. It's pretty nifty. Oh, and I also added my Finished Object Gallery - it's a slideshow from one of the widget. I had an album in Picasa Web called FO and just linked it and it works! missburrows had suggested me to use treasurelicious, which I had considered, but when I saw the slideshow widget, it was just easier.

Tomorrow, I'll probably get back and work on the much deserved Irish Hiking Scarf... It's only been on the shelf for only a year...

Oh, and did I tell you that my puppies are pushy and likes the bed more than I do?

31 Days, 31 Posts

I DID IT!

I had made a little promise to myself that I will post everyday for the month of October. As I am sitting here tonight, wondering about what were some of the exciting things that happened today, all of the sudden, it hit me that today is no longer October! Wow, where did the time go?

And looking back, I don't think I posted anything boring! I am so proud of myself. I think from now on, I am going to stick to the same guideline. I find it much easier to post a little everyday, than a lot in one day for the past week.

31 days, 31 posts. I did it.

Rockin' Girl Blogger

I have the honor receiving an award from Anphoe:

Yup! You see that right! :) Rockin'! And now I'm suppose to select five of you that rocks... Oh... this is hard... How about this, if you are reading my blog, then you are DEFINITELY Rockin'!!! YEAH! So consider yourself had received this award and proudly display a Rockin's Girl Blogger badge and display it on your own blog! And if you are a guy? WHO CARES? You rock anyways!

When I have some time, I'll have to tell you all about my Atlanta trip for the Primerica Convention!

Rock On!

ps. I finally finished Clue 3 of MS3.
pps. I joined Hanami KAL... yeah...

Note: Just make sure you kindly save the image to your own server first then upload to your blog. Thanks!

Happy Belated Blogiversary to ME!

It was January 31st. I was even posting! But I forgot that it was a whole year since I started a blog! Time really flies!

I was putting all the labels to my older entries so that every single post gets sorted instead just the newer ones. That's what I realized the date of my first entry. This blog has grown since a year ago - I have lots of new friends now, David and I are engaged, we have three dogs, a new jeep, a camper, and a new house! Of course, these are just the major things that happened this year. And yes, one of these days, I'll post a picture of my new house!

Can't wait for the trip with the girls tomorrow :)

Meme

I think this is my first meme... From Lilith.

What is your all-time favorite yarn to knit with?
Right now is the elsebeth lavold Classic AL. I think I just like anything merino or alpaca or cashmere.

Your favorite needles?
I love my Denise, but I also like my addi. Clover when I am working with rayon type material.

The worst thing you've ever knit?
Clapotis - I used the wrong yarn. I am going to try it with thicker yarn when I get to it.

Your most favorite knit pattern?
I don't think I have one particular pattern that I am completely in love with. yet. Right now - anything cable!!! But once awhile I like the soothing stockinette.

Most valuable knitting technique(s)?
Knitting cable without the third needle!!! It's going so fast now!

Best knit book(s) or magazine(s)?
I like the Jo Sharp Summer Vacation. As far as for books, I don't really own any.

Your favorite knit-along?
I am on two, but I haven't really made anything yet. Too busy with my cabled pullover!

Your favorite knitblogs?
There are a lot!!! Check out my sidebar.

Your favorite knitwear designer(s)?
Right now, Kathy Zimmerman.

The knit item you wear the most?
Any of my scarfs! I AM A SCARF FREAK!

Who's next?
Anyone who cares to...

New Template? Not so easy to use!

So if you have been wanting to switch to the new blogger template, but don't know how - Google hasn't really make it easy for us not so code savvy folks, but I finally figure it out - somewhat.

To keep your bottons and the links, You have to do the following once you are in the customize page:

1. Add a Page Element
2. HTML/Java Script
3. Copy and Paste your old code with the bottons and links
4. Hit OK

Viola!

I just deleted the stuff they "imported" into the new templates and started from scratch.

The only issue I am having right now is with the Java script - the damn thing changes my code every time I save it! Hence the blank space on my side bar right now. I emailed them, but who knows when they are going to email me back...

well, with that, i'm off to my Sunday SnB...

Happy Knitting, and Happy Sunday!

Bandwidth Theft

SO apparently, I was a bandwidth theif. You would think a engineer would have known about blogging and everything technical, but I guess I'm not the typical engineer. Thanks Lauren for letting me know and sorry to my friends that I was taking your bandwidth away from you... I promised I won't do it again! To find out more about bandwidth theft, please visit here.

It Works! :)

HA! I finally got the knit tracker to work! I don't know how I figured it out, but I did... I am super excited now :) Thanks to indigirl and FoKnits for their code and graphics :) Now I can sleep happy! :) Maybe my next step would be create my own set of graphics! :)

Welcome to Café Eclectic!

Well... I FINALLY got sucked into the blogging world. I've been reading, following, and posting on other people blogs, so I suppose that I should STOP leaching off other people's blogs and create my own!

The name Café Eclectic came from David, my honey, who came up with the name while we were traveling home from Vermont after a collegiate ski race. I've been thinking about opening my own place that sells coffee (hence the Café) and other arts and craft stuff made by yours truly, or consigned from other artists, and "eclectic" is the best word that describes all the good stuff!

Thank you for visiting, and welcome to Café Eclectic!