Devistation

Today I found out that my divorce was final.

After over four years I am a free woman, but the price is too high.

When I originally filed for divorce back in '03 the person in charge of the divorce class informed all of us that the papers only stayed on file for 3 years. Procrastinator that I am this was both a good thing and a bad thing. It was too much time to force me into action, and not enough time for me not to be a dumbass. I have been seeing Andre since '04 so one would think that I would take care of it but I am a true procrastinator.

It means that tonight I am spending the night without my son. That I can only show him how much I love him 3 weekends a month. The pain in my chest whenever I think of it. Well, I have been galvanized! I must win this battle. I must have my son back with me before his father can do him more emotional harm. He won the first most important battle, but he had to cheat and misdirect the court to do it. Today when I found out the terrible news he asked me, "You didn't change your address with the court did you?" He knew that I hadn't, because I would have been in court on the appointed day if I had.

I was not there, I never received any notifications and as far as I knew my paperwork had expired. So, my last name has changed, I am sure Andre must be pleased about that. It hurts so much that I can't spend the day helping my son with his homework, or going to the park, or to Shawna's, or just seeing his beautiful freckle covered face. We have all this weekend, but then I have to give him up again. It is like a knife twisting around in my throat, not enough to kill me but it hurts like hell.

Tomorrow I am going the to courthouse first thing in the morning to get copies of all of their paperwork.

Tonight Andre asked me if I would be willing to sell my knitting. Apparently the wrist warmers I made for her have garnered a lot of attention. http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/60159A.html
I wish I had a picture of them, but she never sent me one. They turned out pretty fabulous though! I have only knit for money once. Shortly after I first learned Andre's mother asked me to make something for a co-worker. The lady had commented on the items I had made for Xmas. Since she was retiring soon Andre's mother wanted to give her a gift, what better than something hand made that actually looks nice, right? Well I hated it so much it is a wonder that I am still knitting at all. Maybe it was because I was still a new knitter that the deadline sucked so bad, but I am inclined to think not.

I don't think I want to knit for strangers. So much goes into each one of my projects. I can't help but put a little piece of me inside each one. The simplest project could take me hours to complete. It isn't worth it to knit for money if the item takes more than a few hours. Most of the time people are too cheap to pay what it would be worth for the time alone, before one even considers the materials. I love knitting for the people I care about. For strangers it is only a chore. I would rather do house-work.

Drop Stitch Tam

I made this tam to go with the Clapotis for my mother for Xmas. I used KnitPicks Shimmer, on size 3 needles. The tam is 20 inches around unstretched. I do still need to weave in elastic to the brim, alpaca doesn't take ribbing too well. I don't want the thing to fall off moms head every few minutes.

Basic Pattern: Check gauge before deciding how many cast-on stitches you need. I used a lace weight yarn, so I had about 8 stitches to an inch. I also found it easier not to use a bunch of stitch markers so I purled the stitches that were to be dropped.

Cast-on 162 stitches. Join without twisting. Place marker at the beginning of round and carry it through out project. Work 1 inch worth of 1x1 ribbing. Next Rnd: *k2tog, yo, k4* all the way around. For 5 inches *k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3* each round.
Next Rnd: *k1tbl, drop next st, let it drop down several rows, pick up top bar with left needle to form a new st (make sure this st isn't twisted), k this and the next stitch tbl, k3, (k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3)twice* to end of round.

[Each of my decrease sections started with 18 stitches. I decreased 9 times every other row. 18x9=162 and 27x6=162 decide how many decrease sections you will want depending on your gauge. For instance if you are using a worsted weight yarn you will probably cast on something around 96 stitches. Which would mean you would have 8 decrease sections that are 12 stitches wide.]

Decreases: Rnd1:*k2togtbl, k1tbl, k3, (k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3)twice* to end of round. [17 sts/section]
Rnd2: *k2tbl, k3, (k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3)twice* to end of round. [17 sts/section]
Rnd3: *k2togtbl, k3, (k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3)twice* to end of round. [16 sts/section]
Rnd4: *k1tbl, k3, (k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3)twice* to end of round. [16 sts/section]
Rnd5: *k2togtbl, k2, (k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3)twice* to end of round. [15 sts/section]
Rnd6: *k1tbl, k2, (k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3)twice* to end of round. [15 sts/section]
Rnd7: *k2togtbl, k1, (k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3)twice* to end of round. [14 sts/section]
Rnd8: *k1tbl, k1, (k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3)twice* to end of round. [14 sts/section]
Rnd9: *k2togtbl, (k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3)twice* to end of round. [13 sts/section]
Rnd10: *k1tbl, (k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3)twice* to end of round. [13 sts/section]
Rnd11: *k2togtbl, p1, k1tbl, k3, k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3* to end of round. [12 sts/section]
Rnd12: k1tbl, drop next st, let it drop down several rows, pick up top bar with left needle to form a new st (make sure this st isn't twisted), k this and the next stitch tbl, k3, k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3* to end of round. [12 sts/section]
Rnd13: *k2togtbl, k1tbl, k3, k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3* to end of round. [11 sts/section]
Rnd14: * k2tbl, k3, k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3* to end of round. [11 sts/section]
Rnd15: *k2togtbl, k3, k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3* to end of round. [10 sts/section]
Rnd16: *k1tbl, k3, k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3* to end of round. [10 sts/section]
Rnd17: *k2togtbl, k2, k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3* to end of round. [9 sts/section]
Rnd18: *k1tbl, k2, k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3* to end of round. [9 sts/section]
Rnd19: *k2togtbl, k1, k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3* to end of round. [8 sts/section]
Rnd20: *k1tbl, k1, k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3* to end of round. [8 sts/section]
Rnd21: *k2togtbl, k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3* to end of round. [7 sts/section]
Rnd22: *k2tbl, p1, k1tbl, k3* to end of round. [7 sts/section]
Rnd23: *k2togtbl, p1, k1tbl, k3* to end of round. [6 sts/section]
Rnd24: *k1tbl, drop next st, let it drop down several rows, pick up top bar with left needle to form a new st (make sure this st isn't twisted), k this and the next stitch tbl, k3* to end of round. [6 sts/section]
Rnd25: *k2togtbl, k1tbl, k3* to end of round. [5 sts/section]
Rnd26: *k2tbl, k3* to end of round. [5 sts/section]
Rnd27: *k2togtbl, k3* to end of round. [4 sts/section]
Rnd28: *k1tbl, k3* to end of round. [4 sts/section]
Rnd29: *k2togtbl, k2* to end of round. [3 sts/section]
Rnd30: *k1tbl, k2* to end of round. [3 sts/section]
Rnd31: *k2togtbl, k1* to end of round. [2 sts/section]
Rnd32: *k1tbl, k1* to end of round. [2 sts/section]
Rnd33: *k2togtbl* to end of round. [1 sts/section]
Bind-off and sew hole closed.

Name Change...

Well, I decided to change the name of my blog. For years now I have used the name Corseted Pirate. Yet when I made a knitting blog I wanted to make sure people knew it was about knitting. So I called it Knittin' Pirate. I didn't bother to check if that name or a similar name was taken. I since have, and it was taken, so I decided to go with the handle I use everywhere! After all, most of the hits when I searched it were either mine, art, or Ren Faire stuff. You can even tell what video games I play by searching it, lol! Not a person using the name. I can still talk about knitting, it doesn't have to be all about corsets, hehe!

I am glad that I decided to make the change.

The people I Love

My best friend who I have known for 13 years now recently lost a loved one. Just days after our car accident her father-in-law had a bad fall. He went to the hospital on Sunday, his beloved dog died the day after on Monday, and he died on Tuesday never knowing that his dog had passed on. I guess little Pandora knew that her pet human would never be coming home. They were inseparable those 2, even in death. His absence makes the house feel so empty. He loved to argue with anyone that would give him just a moment to get started. Every time I called he would always yell "that lady is on the phone" knowing full well that I hated being "that lady". He did love to get a rise out of people, because he could.

A week later, this Tuesday my boyfriend called me to tell me that his Grandfather was in the hospital, dying. I really like his Grandpa, he was a very nice man. I didn't know him too well, but he always came over to watch the important boxing matches. He must have been a really special man to win the heart of the nicest woman I have ever met. I am so worried about his Grandma now, the lady has never paid her own bills before, they were married for 50 some odd years. She is so nice the world will be a little less bright without her. I do not want these people I love to feel so much pain. I wanted him to make it, just because he needed to damn it! They need him! He didn't make it though. He passed away, into the night on Wednesday in the wee hours of the morning.

The next day my boyfriend went over to feed his dog, Kaya. He has had this dog since he was 14, but she can't be at his new place with him. So she stays at his moms, and he visits her. He brought her treats and wanted to play with her to cheer himself up. She had passed away Wednesday morning too. Before he came, when his Grandpa was dying. He went over to play with his childhood friend, only to find that she had died.

It hurts me that those so close to me are in such pain. I love them so much. My heart aches for them.

Car Accident Frustrations

My life has rather sucked recently. On July 19th I was in a car accident. My son and my best friend were in the car with me. I was taking him to his fathers house, then my friend and I were going to go to the yarn store. I was rear-ended by some jerk who never even bothered to hit his brakes. We were at a complete stop and he just wasn't paying attention during rush hour traffic. We were so lucky that my car was totaled but everyone was fine. It had a long life being a 95' and all. I was going to start looking in to new cars next year anyhow. I feel like a child again needing to get rides from my parents.

CHP seemed to have lost all of the information about the accident. I was sent to the emergency room to be checked for spinal injuries right after the accident. Which means I wasn't able to get any of the other drives information. CHP was on site and they got it. I was not given the info when they came to question me at the hospital, nor was I even given the officer in charge of the reports name. It took me 9 days to get that info from them. Nine fucking days!

I found out that 13 days after the accident the person who hit me still hadn't reported it to their insurance. If he had the 9 days with CHP wouldn't have been a big deal since he had my info and his insurance would have contacted mine. It didn't work out that way at all. I guess he thought that he could hide from the fact that he was the cause of a 4 car accident. So the ball is finally rolling with our insurance, after I reported the accident to his representative.

I am still without a car though. It is driving me crazy to lose my independence like this though.

Tempting Cables

I made this sweater for myself which I adore. I wanted to make something really simple since I was my first sweater ever. So I looked around and I found something. It had a simple construction, but I couldn't stand the ribbons and bows up on top. I decided to change it a little. After fooling around with cables a to make the Cabled Wrist Cozies I was in like with that particular cable. It could be adapted into the pattern too. Instead of putting in a ribbon on top I could have glorious cables! So rather than Tempting, I have Tempting Cables.

I followed the instructions for the original pattern until the last 2.5 inches. The only change is that I needed to make sure that my stitch count was divisible by eight. The only size that needs to have stitches added or removed was the large. I ran a life line in the row before starting my cables to make sure they would work out ok. It also marked the end of a round, I found it easier than using a stitch marker. I do know some people love the stitch markers though.

STITCH EXPLANATION:

2LT (left twist) Slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, p1, then k2 from cable needle.
2RT (right twist) Slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in back, k2, then p1 from cable needle.
CL (cross left) Slip 3 sts to cable needle and hold in front, k2, then slip purl st from cable needle to left needle, p1, then k2 from cable needle.

rnd 1: *2LT, p1, k2, p2* repeat to end of round

rnd 2: *p1, k2, p1, k2, p2* repeat to end of round

rnd 3: *p1, CL, p2* repeat to end of round

rnd 4: *p1, k2, p1, k2, p2* repeat to end of round

rnd 5: *2RT, p1, 2LT, p1* repeat to end of round

rnd 6: *k2, p3, k2, p1* repeat to end of round

rnd 7: *k2, p1, YO, p2tog, k2, p1* repeat to end of round

rnds 8&9: *k2, p3, k2, p1* repeat to end of round

rnd 10: *2LT, p1, 2RT, p1* repeat to end of round

rnd 11: *p1, k2, p1, k2, p2* repeat to end of round

rnd 12: *p1, CL, p2* repeat to end of round

rnd 13: *p1, k2, p1, k2, p2* repeat to end of round

rnd 14: *2RT, p1, k2, p2* repeat to end of round

rnd 15&16: 2x2 ribbing in line with original pattern

BO in pattern.

Heres hoping I didn't screw anything up when I wrote it down. Feel free to message me if you have questions. Message me with pictures if you make one, I would love to see them.

Finally...

Well I finally decided to make my own knitting blog. So many people have them, and it is pretty cool to be able to share your patterns. Share your progress on all of your projects. Show how your skills have advanced over time. Write down your thoughts on occasion. Perhaps I will be better about it than I have been in the past.

So, I knit my first object for X-mas 2005. I made a couple hat and scarf sets that didn't turn out too terrible. Then I took a break till it was time to knit X-mas gifts again in 2006. I wanted to create for a couple more people, and decided to do ponchos. The one for my Mom didn't work out, I found out she was allergic to the yarn I had picked out. The others turned out well enough. I learned just enough to get myself hooked on it all.

The time consuming purple poncho for my best friend taught me all about yarn overs. Yarn Harlot may have busted it out in fairly short order because of it's simplicity, but it took me FOREVER!!! It cut into my time so much that I couldn't make my mom a different gift after I found out she was allergic to the one I had nearly finished. I was so disappointed that I could not make my mom a gift. At least I learned something though. Give myself plenty of time for mistakes and the learning curve to learn the basics of the pattern. On the plus side my friend absolutely loved her gift and decided she wanted to learn how to knit too.

Then I made myself something and it was easy and fabulous. I learned how to do a decrease. I made the Nautilus Hat and some matching wrist warmers. The problem is I didn't make them out of quality yarn. Despite how much I love them, since they are the first things I ever made for myself, they just don't feel great against my skin. They look nice though. I love how the swirl turned out. I even got a request from a really good friend for some wrist warmers. So I decided to try my hand at cables and made the Lion Brand Wrist Cozies. They were fun, but also made little sense. I mean why make them flat then sew them together? I did it anyways. I had no idea how to adapt the pattern sadly. Still a bit of a beginner after all.

I don't feel like a beginner any more I have learned how to adapt patterns a little bit. I know more than one kind of increase and decrease. I have developed an insane need for yarn. I am an addict. I even bought a new purse with small KIPs in mind. After all non-zippered sections are good for projects on the go. It holds all of my stuff too!