Happy workaversary to me! Two years ago, I began on a new career path in the IT field as a ServiceNow Developer at Utah State University. I switched from a customer service focused job to a technical one. Looking back, I can tell you that it was rough, oh so rough. I haven’t felt this inadequate in a long time, I can likened it to when I first arrived in the US, 17 years ago. To tell you the truth, I didn’t know if I was going to cut it. I didn’t know if I had it in me to survive the first 3 months. When I made it a year, I quietly celebrated in my heart. I sent an email to my supervisor thanking him for allowing me the opportunity to play in his playground. And now, here I am, closing the door on year 2, and preparing to open the door on year 3!!! Very grateful for the people who believed in me, for my awesome team who have supported me and carried me when I needed help. Stoked to see what year 3 will bring! Excited to utilize the ServiceNow platform to bring more value to our university. Those first few months were difficult. I am not kidding when I say that I didn’t even know how to turn on my computer—you see, I switched from a pc to a Mac (I will never go back to a PC unless I absolutely have to!). But grit is ingrained in me. I don’t know how to quit. It could be the runner personality in me that doesn’t know how to quit, or it could be the sheer determination to keep on trying—whatever it is, it has carried me through two years. A few years back, in my triathlon... Continue reading

This event is not for another two months, and I for sure would like to crush it, or at least do a bit better than I did last time. 2018 saw me with a 1:42:04, an average of 7:47 which is actually quite impressive for the chubbette size that I was (and still am). I would love to at least erase the :04 at the end of that number. The first few miles are wicked fast, but the end can about kill one over. There are some hills in there too, I want to say around mile 7 and 9, that about killed me. I hate hills! They are my nemesis...my fat butt cannot go up them fast enough and they plainly demoralize me. I suck at them so I get bummed when I see them, which gets in my head and prevents me from even trying. It is a vicious cycle! I am 2 months out. I gotta think strategy. I am practicing my downhill and now I will incorporate uphill too on my weekly runs. And don't ask me how I get these numbers because I cannot get them during my training runs. My training runs are about a 9:30 pace and I am lucky to get them in the upper 8s. But somehow during race day these numbers appear. Now, if I could somehow channel them for training....interesting dilemma. All I want is a 1:41:59 :). Crossing fingers!!! Continue reading

"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." —Walt Disney Spring of 2017, a colleague approached me about a master’s program that was being made available online, the MMIS program provided by the Huntsman School of Business. As an on-campus employee, I could be a hybrid and take both online and on-campus classes. Intrigued, I figured “sure, why not, let’s try it!”. Let me take you back a few years, about 27 years to be exact. I arrived in the US on May 10th, I was 14 years old. At the time, I spoke one word of English, just one! “Hamburger”. I learned it on the plane from California to NY. Ha! Yes, it proves one thing, my life revolves around food! When I arrived, I had two jobs, as a sewing worker, and delivering newspapers that contained the ads for the local stores. I worked delivering papers from 3:30am-7:30am, then I went to the factory to sew blankets from 8-6pm. It was grand! I was living the American dream, working, earning money and not suffering as I was suffering back at home. We had food, so much food. If we wanted to eat steak every day, we could eat steak. Back at home, we had steak maybe once a month! I was having the time of my life and in a sense, I was progressing. However, my heart yearned to be like all the other teens around me. I would see them at the mall on Sundays, wearing cute clothes and chatting with one another. Me, I was there to eat out at the food court with my mom and aunt. Life was not rough, do not get me wrong, it was a good life. We had a great apartment, we had great... Continue reading

Need this for analysis on how I am going to tackle the same course in a month's time. I didn't realize that it was such a good time. Last year when I ran it, I felt like such a failure about it...in hindsight, that was an amazing time! I don't think I can get within 10 minutes of that time now. Injuries suck! Continue reading

I love when I can find a use for my old patterns. Here is another one of my favorites that you can do on the new KB Chunky Premium looms. The Brimmed Beanie uses some of my ultimate favorite yarn, Malabrigo Rasta. Malabrigo Rasta is chunky and luscious! You want to grab it by the handfuls and just sleep on it! New re-worked pattern to work on the new Premium Chunky Round Looms. Grab your copy or save it to your Ravelry. If you have the old KK, looms, you may want to grab the old patterns--this is a link... Continue reading

I love creating little items for babies. I was so happy when KB decided to go forth and design a baby set of knitting looms and I eagerly awaited their release. This pattern uses a simple 2x2 rib stitch for the brim and then the andalusian stitch for the body of the hat. The instructions also include instructions for an adult size hat. However, the sample shown is for the baby size. Also, I cannot express how much I love the Chic Sheep yarn by Red Heart, it is the perfect yarn to use on these looms. You can find... Continue reading

In my constant search for a nice and clean edge for my loom knit items, I have found a few ways to create the cast on. The one I demonstrate in this video is one of my favorites and it has become my go-to for all my items. It is done quite a bit like the regular ewrap cast on, except you skip every other peg. Once you have gone around the loom, ewrapping every other peg, you will get to the next round and you will Step 1: knit the first peg Step 2: pick up the ladder coming... Continue reading

I am so excited to show the latest set of knitting looms by KB Looms, they are my new favorite! The Baby Knit Loom set is truly so cute! They are the perfect size knitting looms to make newborn baby hats and baby booties. Details about what is in the package: The set comes with two knitting looms, a 56-peg Hat Loom in a nice soft mint color and a 24-peg Bootie loom in pretty lilac, as well as a knitting tool. They feel so great on the hands and the yarn slides smoothly on those pegs! I absolutely love... Continue reading

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The next installment for the His & Hers Sock looms is here! Sorry for the delay, my computer didn't want to upload all the videos and then it took like what seem 20-hours to edit and process. So, what exactly is happening in this video? You will be creating the heel of the sock. In this video, you will see demonstrated a short-row heel. Wait, wait, what is a short-row. A short-row is a shaping technique used in knitting. A short-row is exactly that, a row that is not worked all the way to the end. You will partially work... Continue reading

I have received a few nudges to create a video demonstrating how to use the His & Hers Sock Looms by KB Looms. First, let's start by saying that socks are my favorite things to knit. If I only had to knit one item for the rest of my life, it would most likely be socks with cables. The set by KB Looms is labeled as His and Hers, but it doesn't mean that one has to use one or the other. Work with the one that fits you the best. I have a small foot, so for me, the... Continue reading

Somedays all you want is to simply sit and watch tv without having to think about what you are knitting. Yes, it is true, knitters can't really sit without a project on their lap. This Basic Loom Knit Hat is worked with some lovely Noro Silk Garden. Knitting loom: Premium Round Loom Set by KBLooms, used the white round loom (72 pegs). Yarn: Approx 110 yards of worsted weight silk mohair wool blend. Sample used Noro Silk Garden in Train to Tokyo. Notions: knitting tool, tapestry needle. Other: Faux pom-pom (optional). Size: Hat fits up to a 20" circumference head.... Continue reading

A couple of weeks ago, I had the chance to attend Creativation in Phoenix. There, I was able to see of the new yarns hitting the shelves and although I had had the opportunity to try Red Heart Chic Sheep before the event, I had not seen all the beautiful colors in the line. Wow! If you haven't seen this yarn, run and get some, it is truly dreamy! So soft and squishy! Here is the second baby bib that I made for my little Eowyn. This one is ever easier than the Bandana Bib, no decreases at all, simply... Continue reading

I have come to the realization that I rarely knit very much for self pleasure anymore. I am usually so packed full with life and work that I forget about knitting something for myself. Last weekend, I picked up some yarn and knitted something for my little baby girl. The joy that she has brought into my life is something I cannot describe. I know that happiness is something you have to choose for yourself and you have to practice it every single day. Having her in my life has made me realize how blessed I am to be her... Continue reading

Here are three videos demonstrating different bind offs for the loom knitted Messy Bun Hats Elastic Bind Off Basic Bind Off Crochet Bind Off Continue reading

I have been knitting Messy Bun Hats since last Friday. I have knitted 8 with the previous pattern and now I am about to embark in knitting 9 with this new design. The pattern is very similar to the original one, except this one has stockinette instead of single ribbing sections. Also, rather than decreasing slowly, I did the last round as k2tog all the way around. Click here to download the pattern from Ravelry. NOTE: PATTERN IS NEEDLE KNIT. Currently, I do not have a loom knitted version of it. Continue reading

These hats are flying off my needles and to my friends' homes. I have had a few requests for a needle knit version. The above was knitted on size 10.5 and 11 size needles. You can use either dpns or circulars. The pattern is super simple and it goes quite fast. NOTE: PATTERN IS NEEDLE KNIT. Currently, I do not have a loom knitted version of it. Pattern is available free via Ravelry, click on link to be directed to download page. Or also click on the image above to be taken to Ravelry to download the pattern. Continue reading

Hi friends, It has been awhile since I last created a video, but some of you (about 50 requests in less than one day) were requesting a video showing how to do the Messy Bun Hat. I apologize for the small screen. I only have my phone to take video. I hope the video helps out some of you. Have a great holiday! Messy Bun Hat Pattern NOTE: If you are using a different knitting loom than what is called in the pattern, keep the following in mind: Pattern requires a peg count that is a multiple of 4 (40,... Continue reading

The Messy Bun hat allows you to keep your "do" intact while keeping you nice and toasty. My daughter sports a messy bun almost every day, so a messy bun hat was a must for our freezing Utah winters. Materials Knitting loom: KB Hat Loom, set at large gauge with 40 pegs. Yarn: Approx 90 yds of bulky weight blend acrylic/wool yarn. Sample was knit with Mighty Stitch Bulky in Ash. Notions: knitting tool, tapestry needle. Other: Oval Cord Elastic by Dritz, about 1 yard. Used for bind off method 2. Gauge: 6.5 sts x 8 rows=2 inches Abbreviations k=knit... Continue reading

Our sweet Eowyn Ann arrived two weeks earlier than anticipated! Mom and Dad were definitely ready to meet her, even if it took them by complete surprise. Unlike her siblings, who were born on their due date, exactly, little Eowyn started showing signs of coming earlier than planned about a month before she was supposed to arrived. I started having contractions about a month prior, small and not painful ones at all. Definitely manageable. On my first "check up" appointment, which start about 4 weeks before the baby is due, I was already dilated to a 2 and 70% effaced. It was a surprised to me as with my first two, I was dilated to a 2 up to the date I delivered. The following week check up was a bit different, I didn't make it to the appointment as I lost the mucous plug early on Monday morning so I headed to the hospital to make sure my little one was okay. That Sunday night, I was having contractions all night long that kept me awake. I would doze off for an hour or so only to be woken up with some major contractions. Monday morning, I was getting ready to go to work, I went to the bathroom and I had a painful sharp pain and there went the mucous plug. At first, I got scared when I saw the blood, and then I remembered what it was. With my second, I lost the plug and she was born about 5 hours later. I took a shower, got dressed for the day, texted my husband to let him know what was going on and that I was on my way to the doctors to check on my progress. We were two weeks and 3 days earlier than anticipated,... Continue reading

The time is coming for my little bundle to come say hello. Three weeks according to the calendar. Most of the time, I feel really good, last night not so much. My doc check up yesterday may have stirred the "pot" and I had some awful contractions that kept me up from 2:30am-4am. Needless to say, I am exhausted this morning. But that is not the reason why I am blogging. I want to blog these cute little hats that I have been making since this weekend. I picked up some Elysian yarn by Cascade Yarns, it is a blend of superwash merino wool and acrylic--it knits beautifully! There are no patterns for the hats, except the cable hat, this is a baby adaptation of the Quendi hat. I am in love with all of them and I can't wait to see my little Golden nugget wear them. This is the Quendi Hat that I adapted to a baby size. Little Bow Hat with a seed stitch bow (bows can be interchanged). A little bell shaped bow hat--so girly that it makes me want to squee! And the littlest hat of them all. I made this one newborn size, will most likely bring baby home wearing this one. The bow is garter stitch that is folded on the edges to make it more crisp so it doesn't fall over. Count down has begun! My little one could be here any day! Continue reading

Our contest winner is!!!! Steph, please contact me privately at purlingspriteATgmailDOTcom with your shipping information and I can get this to you as soon as possible. Thank you to all of you for participating! Stop by KBLooms.com today, they are having a sale in all of their knitting looms! Continue reading

Feeling very lucky in being one of the first few to have received a complimentary set of the Zippy Master set. Receiving this kit allowed me to try it out and think about the wonderful possibilities of having a kit with all the pieces that I need to create tubular items, in a couple of different sizes. The only thing that I am missing to make this kit complete is a bag to put all the little pieces in so I don't lose them (hint, hint KB!). If you haven't seen the set yet, have a look, here is a... Continue reading

We went running this morning, the first time in a long time. Yep, I got the treadmill going and climb on that thing. I wanted to try it out in safe environment where I could rush to the bathroom if I needed to worship the throne. Went slower than I wanted, but we felt good. I love feeling the sweat drip down and feeling my heart rate speed up with each step. As I was running this morning, I couldn't help but dream of next year and preparing myself for some races. I dream of running a marathon next May, perhaps Mt. Charleston in Vegas. I guess placing a dream/goal ahead of me will keep me motivated during the next few months and the months after. Training in the winter sucks but I did it this last winter and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Nothing like running with a group of gals at 6am in the pitch dark, cold, dreary winter to lift up your spirits. Winter of 2016 will be a bit different and I bet I will be half asleep most of the time, but I really hope to be able to be running and training by mid December. How are we doing? Morning sickness is going down. I still have some very bad days where I feel awful all day long. I attribute it to the days when I have some sort of dairy. I have found that cheese is okay, but having even an ounce of milk can set me for some crappy days.Also, I can drink water once again. I have missed it. I love drinking yummy water, so refreshing! But the baby didn't seem to like it at all at first, it made me gag and feel overall yucky! The baby is growing and I... Continue reading

I don't remember being this tired in my previous pregnancies. Could it be my age? All I know is that I am exhausted by 3pm. I can take naps on demand now, something that was very rare in the past. Last Sunday, I slept all day, I think I took 5 naps, long naps too. It has been a mental struggle getting myself to go to the gym. I know working out makes me feel better, about 100% better, but having the energy to get to the gym is where it is lacking. Lack of energy has never been in my vocabulary, not anymore! I have been diligent in listening to my body and still working out. I am pleased to say that I have made it 5 out of 7 days every week. I always take Sundays off and in the past I used to workout Mon-Sat, but now, I take a break in between. My goal is to continue the trend of working out every day. I want to continue weightlifting, and hopefully soon, I can start running again without the peanut squishing my blatter every 2 steps (he seems to be sitting right on top of it right now). In an effort to help other expectant moms, I want to log my workouts and how I feel. I have heard the myths about exercising while pregnant and I hope that I am able to help others who are unsure. Note: I have been doing crossfit for 4+ years, and have been running for 8 years (running, as in running half marathons and marathons). I am not starting from scratch. My body is used to what I am doing right now, and I am not introducing anything new to the mix. Keep that in mind when starting a... Continue reading