New Obession

I was so agony for last two days with back spasm! I could not move my left arm because it was so painful from the pulled muscles. I felt that I was so crippled and could not go to work for two days. I finally feel better this morning and the doctor prescribed me the medicine for the muscle relaxer for next 5 days. No fun at all!!


Sooooo, I must tell you that I'm secretly obsessed that cardigan from the Patternwork catalog that I recieved in the mail two months ago. Every night, I eyeballed that cardigan and dreamed to knit one. I made myself the new rule that I must NOT buy any more yarns till I use up few yarn stash that I brought last year. Well, I'm glad I did because I went out with my DH to Woodworking Show in Dulles Expo Center last Saturday. Captial Yarns is on the same location where the Dulles Expo Center is. I could not resist but told my DH that I rather go to LYS over the Woodworking Show. I walked over and fell in love with the store because they carry Nashua Handknits books!!!!! I was sooooo excited and drooled by looking at the book for 20 minutes. I decided to buy it but no yarns for the cardigan but four "perfect" yarns for the socks for my DH! As soon as we got home, I immediately looked up my yarn stash to see if there is any good yarn for the cardigan and FOUND perfect yarns that I brought from Stitch DC last year. I knited a swatch and checked the gauge. Perfect!!! I'm ready to go!

So what I did last two days - of course, I was in bed and knitted that cardigan all night after long day of nap. I'm in love with the silky tweed but it's hard on my wrist from knitting small and thin strings. I could knit faster on knit side but knit slow on purl side!
















Sock News!!

It is time for me to reveal to you the world why I'm so addicted to sock knitting.

I shall leave you all with a photo of the Sock Yarn Hall of Shame!! I could not believe that I kept buying or ordering the sock yarns. Now I must STOP buying more sock yarns because from I could see this basket, there may be about 20 pairs of socks that wait for me to knit! I'm so glad that I joined the Project Spectrum and plan to knit one or two pairs of socks based on monthly color. I have enough sock yarns for next 5 months! I'm done knitting the mate one for the orange sock and am going to save to share with you on April Project Spectrum!
















Happy Hump Day and Happy Knitting!!!!!!!!!!

Ahhh.....

Look what the mailman brought me the catalog of.....

Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival !!!!!!!!



I really like the design this year. The event will be on May 6th and 7th! I'm going there again!!!











I'm thrilled to report that I finished knitting one sock last night. I really love the color so much! I'm definitely going to make the mate one tonight!

Pattern: Basic Sock
Design: Fleece Artist
Fiber: 100% Washable Merino Wool
Needle: Size 1 - 12" circular needle

Close up: Isn't it beauty??

New Hair, Caps and Socks!!

All curls are gone for good!!!

I took myself a snap before heading to a salon. I had last perm. (please ignore my double chin!)

I met Mark, my hairstylist. He was so nice and made me so relaxed. I really liked him so much. Jerri Lyn was not very nice because she laughed and laughed hard standing next to me while talking with Mark. She knew I was so nervous wreck about haircut!! Mark played with my hair and decided that he would not cut much off from my hair. He didn't think short hair and bang would look good on me but left my hair little longer and cut the most of my top hair off.

Now...my hair is really straight and layered. I'm not sure if I like the front but LOVE the back of my hair!!! I don't need to use hot curler but I have to learn how to brush my hair through blowdryer.

Here are my dearest friends.... Marfy, Jerri Lyn, Mary and me at Cheesecake Factory. They were there witnessing my haircut and went out for lunch celebrating my overcome fear of haircut. They really like my hair and I have to get used to new change, especially very straight hair. We spent all afternoon pigging with appetizers and sandwiches!! I had so much fun spending with my friends. Marfy is leaving back home in Houston today. Sure miss her so much!!!




Knitting News......................

Here are the preemie caps that I have been knitting for our local hospital. I used four different patterns and they were found in the internet. Feel free to use them!!

Knitted Preemie Hat
Knit-Baby Hat
Preemie Hat Pattern
Spiral Preemie Cap





Real Sock Confession time!!!

My name is Susan and I'm sock addicted!!! I have four unfinished sock - yes, four DIFFERENT socks! I'm a really scattered knitter!! I can't focus on one project these days.

The orange sock I'm knitting is in my tote bag that I carry to work everyday. The yellow sock is in the living room where I sit and watch tv. The bright orange sock and blue/purple sock I knit are found in my bedroom...just right next to my bed.

Seems that I could not stay in one sock to finish but jump around with different socks!! I get bored easily on one pattern. I must NOT knit other sock till I finish four socks along with second pieces!

Seems that I want to knit EVERY project NOW. I want to knit with every different type of yarn, NOW!! I want each one of the million projects I have started to be done, NOW!!! Am I only knitter who feel this way? Is there any excellent support group for knitters out there?

What can I do? Nah...I'm not going to stop but keep knitting!!!!

Drink GREEN?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

I'm wearing GREEN sock, GREEN shoes, GREEN vest, three GREEN pins, GREEN necklace, and GREEN underwear!!!!

We are invited to a party tonight to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!! I'm so sure that they will serve GREEN beer!!!!

ENJOY yourself tonight!!!

Tomorrow morning will be my BIG day!!! HAIRCUT!!! Definitely not GREEN hair, for sure!!!!

Me at WORK makes me DULL!

It's 6:05 p.m. and I'm still at work!!!! No pictures this time!

It's Spring Break week!!! I don't understand why I'm still overwhelmed at work!!! I'm so glad that the students are not around on campus but my workload is suffering the most. I wish I could have times to catch up all the paperwork and organize my files but I spent last two days in meetings, meetings and meetings!!!!! Hopefully, I will find some times to catch up my work this week.

I have to stay here till 7 p.m. to meet with apartment residents to update them about incoming emergency preparedness drill. Yes, we conduct the drills two or three times a year.

My old college classmate/roommate Marfy from Texas is here this week. It is so good to see her. We went out to Mexican restuarant last night with other old roommate of mine, Mary catching up all the news. They were my bridemaids for my wedding. We will get together again for a long weekend!! I hope I can teach her how to knit...I doubt she is willing to learn!!! She is into scrapbooking world and her artwork amazes me!!

Four more days to go..... why am I sooooo NERVOUS???? Four more days to go.... Jerri Lyn already made an appointment for my haircut and will be there for my emotional support!! Marfy and Mary will be there, as well!!! One thing you don't know about me is I'm so scared of haircuts! I would freak out every time the stylist cut my hair. I would be hussy fit and make the sytlist nervous cutting my hair. Don't ask me why? Jerri Lyn knows me for 15 years and my hairstyle is the EXACT same for 18 years!!!! I'm so sick and tired of my hair. My hair is actually real straight, thin and oily. I always get my hair perm for years and years and sadly, I use hairspray to stiff my hair up!!! I told Jerri Lyn that I give up and will let Jerri Lyn's stylist to do my hair. I will NOT decide what style I should wear, how many inches off and tell him what I would like to do with my hair. I will sit and shut up. I will let the stylist DECIDE what he thinks! Jerri Lyn already warned him about me and told him NOT to listen me! I guess Jerri Lyn may be right. (maybe I should blame her if I'm not happy with my hair!!!) Jerri Lyn, no worry and I still love you!!! So FOUR more days to go!!! I'm kinda of exicted but very very very NERVOUS!!!!!! I promise I will take some pictures of me - before - during - and after!!! Maybe I should take one or two shots of whisky before go over to the salon!!!! Wish me good luck!!

Oh oh oh....knitting news!!! Last two days, I have been obsessed knitting preemies' caps for the hospital. Jerri Lyn forwarded me her friend's message asking her friends to knit more preemies/newborns cap for the hospital. They are out of caps and would love to accept more caps. I immediately go for it. Jerri Lyn and I went over to All About Yarn last Sunday and brought some yarns. I already made four caps so far and plan to knit more caps this week. I wish I have camera with me but I will take pictures this week to show you. It sure makes me feel so great about giving back to community who are in need for caps, blankets, scarves and teddy bears. I plan to make some blankets and give it to Project Linus.

I better stop and get ready for the meeting at 7 p.m. tonight. Happy Knitting!!

OMG!!!!!!!!!

My poor blog has been sooooooooo neglected for a long time because I was so swamped at work and home life!!!! Can't believe it's March!!

Perfect timing for March- Project Spectrum!!!! I have a lot of RED things to share with you!!

Good news!!!! My very first FO of 2006 is beautiful socks!!!!!
Sorry for crabby picture... could not get it it more clear!! I really love that socks so much!!! Thanks to Nancy Bush!!!

That socks are joining with other bloggers' Red Hot Sizzling Socks.

Pattern: Child's First Sock in Shell Pattern
Book: Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Lana Grossa - Meilenweit Cotton
Needle: DPN Size One and 12" circular size 1

More RED and PINK stuff ....
More yarns for socks!! I haven't decided what patterns should I make for these yarns. Two dark red yarns for

I made the wall hanging quilt 15 years ago. This is one of my favorite quilt. I always hang this up during the month of February.

I can't believe that I actually brought RED purse today. I was shopping for a new purse and was going to get the black one till I saw that design. I'm in love with that design and thought it would be a good change for me to carry colored purse this year. The design is Liz Claiborne.

Here are my Raggedy doll collections. All dolls except for the medium one in the middle were made by me. Raggedy dolls are my favorite and I have a lot of them around the house.... from wooden ones to stuffing dolls. Aren't they look so happy. Every time I feel so stressed or down, I would go over to my craft room and see the dolls sitting at the corner.

Oh oh oh..... I forgot to share with you. My DH finally got that new car he's been wanting for a long time. It's a 2006 Honda S2000. Hmmm.... I thought he is CRAZY and I made fun of him that he is mid-life crisis. Guess what!!! I really love it so much!!!!!!!!

Oh...oh...oh.... RED and black inside!!!

I'm going to make more RED/PINK stuff....especially the penny rug that I have been eyeing for a long time.

I promise that I will not neglect my blog!!! Happy Knitting!!!!