Knit it All

Things to remember

2010-08-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

Spent some time in my old homestead yesterday. Last weekend while we were there, we heard machine running and running and couldn't quite figure out what that was all about.

Then, we remembered, my old elementary school had a fire the year or two before and had not been in use. The sounds and noises we heard were of our school being torn down.

I didn't have the heart to go then to say good bye, but this weekend, I thought I should.

Basically, there was nothing left but rubble and some machines loading more of the school into the trucks that were waiting.

This school was built in the 50's, after my parents built their house. They live about two blocks away, and at that time, there were no homes around the school. My parents could watch my brothers walk all the way to school and home from the kitchen window. By the time I came along, and was ready to attend 1st grade, many homes had been built and my mother walked me to and from school, every day.

I met and made some of my best, and life long friends at this school. Lisa Fernandez, whom I have lost touch with. Moody Malone, which we still have contact, Alissa Sherman, Stacey Beckner and lastly, Lori Stafford. We've all gone in our own directions in life, and gone in and out of each others' lives. But the friendships we had then, I think, are what shaped us to be who we are today.

There was a plaque on the wall inside the school, it was called Memorial school, because it was built as a memorial to all the "boys" from East Brunswick who died in the war. One of them was my Uncle Henry. His name was on that plaque and I can remember how proud I was as a kid that my family name was on a plaque in the school. Not really knowing what it was all about then, just glad that our name was up there.

I don't know what happened to the plaque, I can only hope that someone removed it and put it away somewhere safe. There were lots of "boys" names on that plaque.

I love trees. You don't see many REALLY, REALLY tall trees around anymore. Many have lost the great battle, either from mother nature, or from man. I decided it was time to record some of the trees that have been in my life forever.

These are just two of many in the cemetary where our family is. I don't know how tall they are, but they have been there forever, more than my 47 years. They are just magnificant to look at.

This is another picture I want to remember. This is my dad. He and I went to the cemetary to see my mother. I have been here hundreds of times, not just to see my mother, but many family members who have gone on. Dad has cared for all of them, in life, and now in death. Dad is going to be giving that job over to my brother and my cousin, so he doesn't go as often as he used to. It's something I was always remember about my father, his dedication to his family.

Here, to make this a knitting post, is my latest project (one of many), It's called the THINKING CAP. A very cute and well written pattern by one of the gals over on the Hats! Hats! Hats! list that I belong to.

I have some awesome friends!!

2010-08-05T05:03:00.000-07:00

I just have to say I have some awesome friends. Last night at knitting, look what my friend Annie brought to me!!! Sock yarn for my blankie!!! And while we didn't actually talk about the yarn, I know atleast two of them are from her hand dyed yarns that she did.

The first shot is a better representation of the colors. I'm trying to learn how to use the different settings on my camera, so the below picture didn't come out as nicely, but I just love that she brought them to me! I can't wait to make the mini's out of them! And the SQUARES!!

Here are the 16 squares that I have done so far, hexagons rather. They have all of the first four colors used in different order. Last night at knitting I worked on the last few and then tucked in the ends that were sticking out.

Considering I only started them on Saturday, I'm not making bad progress with them.

So perhaps I will be done with making all the Hexagon's before November! That would be good.

These colors seem a bit dark, however, some of the next ones have a bit of lighter color in them and I am hoping it will help to lighten it up a bit.

The next issue will be HOW to place them in to a blanket shape...... hmmmmmmmmmm......

I MUST be CRAZY

2010-08-04T04:02:00.001-07:00

I asked Rachel and Matthew if they would like me to make them something, not telling them what, with stripes or circles. Rachel picked circles. Then I asked the colors and they both said like a duck. Well, that wasn't much help, so we narrowed it down to a mallard duck.

These are the first four color combos. I have a total of 8 now, need to get the other four cards pictures to post.

Then, I spent time figuring out the four color combination possiblities. For the 8 cards of color.

The most dominent colors are green, brown and a varigated, but I needed to add a bit of color to make the HEXAGONS pop. So I did add in a Truffle and a Natural, as well as a lighter green.

Here are just a couple of the first Hexagons that I made so that you could see some of the colors together.

With the pattern, you can crochet them together as you go, here's the crazy part, but I have decided, like a few others, not to. WHY? Well, I tried and it is fiddly. Also, I wasn't sure of how my colors were going to go, and I wanted enough of a variety of hexagons that I didn't know how, exactly, I was going to do them when I started, so I am going to put them together LATER!!!

I am taking the advice of others and I am crocheting in most of the ends as I go, which will help alot!! in the long run. Each Hexagon is 4 inches in size, and my son is 6 feet 2 inches, so I am in for making ALOT of these things, to make a decent size afghan to cover him and have room for Rachel as well. I figure if I do atleast four, or one card a week, I should have them done by November?

sigh..... why do I do this to myself?

Doesn't Matt look happy? We just spent the last 9 hours doing yard work at dad's and now we're going to a SWEET 16 party!!!

We both did have a nice time though, I don't think he was thrilled to be going.

Until next time....

I'm Back!

2010-07-28T05:06:00.000-07:00

My knitting companion abandoned me today. It feels like the temperature is going up again, as well as the humidity, so he wanted to be as close to the outdoors as he could. I can't blame him, I'd rather be outside too!

The girls at Wednesday night knitting decided to do a shawl knit a long called Fizzi, using Zauberball yarn. This is the first time I'm working with it. I like it well enough, I only have a few balls of it.....

The pattern is in german, loosely translated into english, and we were having a hard time of it, but Carolyn helped us with the numbers and all is well and back on track again.

These are my July socks, it's the first time I'm using the Red Heart Heart and Sole sock yarn. They knit up nice enough, however, the color and striping do not match, even though it's the same dye lot. I don't mind fraternal twins, it's never bothered me, but not having the colors be the same is not good. But, I'll wear them!

Here is my latest gift!!! I asked my friend Katie, if she had any sock yarn scraps she would ike to contribute to my sock yarn blankie, and here they are!! A GENEROUS gift. I asked her if she just wanted me to take bits off of them and she told me no, I could have them all! That she'd never get to using them, so she was happy someone would.

Thank you Katie, you made my day!

I am so fortunate to have such great knitting friends. They've really become special people in my life.

Life without the internet

2010-07-27T03:00:00.000-07:00

Just a short one today, since I haven't been on in a few days, and I was doing so well..

I came home last Thursday to find that we had no phone service. Our development was built 30 years ago, and apparently, the builder was not that great and didn't feel he needed to follow the guidelines. So while my neighbor was having their driveway replaced, the contractor pulled up/out the phone lines.

I am not happy with verizon at the moment. They told me Thursday, "well put you on the same ticket that is open for several of your neighbors and you'll be back up on Monday."

Being the gullible person I can be at times, I believed them! THEY LIED!!

So, now, hopefully, if this supervisor EILEEN, was telling me the truth, someone will be here today to make sure that I have a dial tone. I'm not holding my breath this time though.

The one thing I can say, is not having the internet adds SO MUCH more time to your life. Though I love the internet and all that I get from it, I am rethinking how important it is.

Look what I got!

2010-07-22T04:01:00.000-07:00

This may just look like a bunch of yarn balls, but it's not! It's a gift I got from my friend Katie. She's a sock knitter too. She's a fast knitter. She knits in the movies!

I know I mentioned that I will be starting a sock yarn blankie. I'm planning to cast on August 1st. So I mentioned to Katie this, and asked her if she had any scraps she might like to contribute to my blankie, as she has used much different yarns than I have. She said, she'd be happy too!!

When she showed me the bag she brought, I told her I wished I had brought my scale and she asked why and I told her so I could weigh out five grams and she said oh no Catherine, these are all for you, I don't want them back.

I was floored and forever grateful. Thank you again Katie. I can't wait to see how these scraps will look in my blankie.

Now, keep in mind, when you knit, you usually have a pattern. This is my Mystery Hat. I do have a pattern, which I am following. My problem is, I am using the WRONG size needle!!! I am supposed to be using a 7 and I cast on and got most of the way through the hat when I realized I was using a size 5 needle. UGH!!

No, I have not and will not rip it out, it will just be smaller and warmer for some child's head.

Remember the picture from my purse the other day? Here is the completed sock as well as the beginning of the second one. Finished it up last night and began the second one. I love "plain vanilla" socks. Where Katie loves "cookie A" socks. You can find any comfort zone with knitting, it's great.

And lastly, this is FIZZI, it is our new Wednesday night knit a long. I'm using a Zauberball as the other girls are. I can't wait to see how it finishes. I have not knit anything with one yet, though I have ..... a few... And this pattern has an extensive chart, so it will be a challenge and I certainly won't be knitting that part at knit nights on Wednesdays.

Knitting Obsession

2010-07-20T03:52:00.000-07:00

Today I wanted to start out with a picture of the "birthday boy", my nephew Paul, from his party, and his favorite gift! It's the one we gave him. The darn thing, and kid are just too cute together. Boys and their toys!

Next we have our Mystery knit along Hat. I am making it out of some Cascade 220, one of my favorites, and some yarn that I dyed with Kool Aid a while back. I am not sure how much of that I have, the pattern said that I needed a total of 100 grams of yarn, so there were 25 grams of it, hopefully it will be enough.

I love the way this is knitting up and it will be a hard one to give away.

Here is my garter stitch charity square that I talked about yesterday. It is a simple 34 stitches and just knit. I checked my gauge and it's 8 x 8 square, which is what they asked for in blue. I will send it off in tomorrow's mail.

Now here is a smile on my face. I was searching Ravelry to look at patterns for the sock yarn blankie that TONS of people have done, and I found several that I commented on, some I even asked for their suggestions about doing it. "Lyn" over in Oxfordshire, England wrote me back her thoughts and said she'd send along some of her extras to help me with mine. IMAGINE my surprise and JOY yesterday when I got a package and these were enclosed?!!! Knitters are great people (crocheters too)

These will really help me along my way and I have will a special memory when I put them in.

And lastly, this is what I carry at all times, in my purse, a sock to knit. I am never without one. I feel as if there will never be enough time to knit everything that I hope to. I should have started 30 years ago.

Until next time,

Busy Weekend

2010-07-19T04:43:00.000-07:00

I don't know if I have ever posted a pic of hubby and I but, here goes. We don't usually get many pictures together, as I am the one taking them. So now whenever there are others around, I always try to get a picture of us.

We went to my nephew's first birthday party this weekend. It was hot, but the pavillion it was at was just lovely and a breeze came through the whole time. The food was good, seeing family for a happy ocassion was great AND I think the birthday boy liked our gift best! It was a real boy toy. (pictures tomorrow)

Knitting this weekend was truly productive, sitting in a car for many hours there and back I was able to get another pair of socks completed! For which I am happy and grateful.

Then, yesterday I worked on a "grow with me baby" hat for Karen's infants that she collects for. It is really a simple and great hat, can be sized up or down just by changing needle size and yarn weight.

I also did a square for the "over 40" group at Ravelry, they are collecting them for blankets for headstart kids.

AND I started, though a little late, the Summer 2010 Mystery Hat and Mitten along over on the "wool aid" group list over at Ravelry. I spend too much time one there.

Life is good. Be nice to those around you.

Here they are!

2010-07-16T05:03:00.000-07:00

Here they are! Aren't they just adorable? The pattern said they would be for a 4 year old. I am not sure about that, or perhaps it means size 4 shoe size. They're small. Made of Worsted Weight yarn that was donated to me by a RAK list knitter over on Ravelry.

Here are some of the hats I'm doing for Karen's charity group that needs infant hats for the babies. They are crochet and it is a very quick and easy pattern.

No companion picture today, he spent some time in the "man cave" with his dad this morning instead of being stuck with his mom.

On the needles this morning are another pair of those socks! They are just too cute.

Also to note, I have used up 4 skeins of the yarn that was donated to me! Yeah for stash busting.

Progress and promises

2010-07-15T03:26:00.000-07:00

My sleeping companion. Yes, he's back near my feet in a different position this morning. He went to the vet yesterday, had his booster and was told he's 5 lbs overweight! So, that means an extra heartworm pill a month. We're going to work on that.

I've made nice progress on my child's sock. I finished the first one last night and that is how far I was this morning with the second one. It's alot of ribbing, which makes for alot of boredom, but it makes a cute sock.

Does it even look like any of the stash yarn is gone? No, it doesn't does it? Small children's socks do not use up much very quickly, but it is going to make a child's little toes warm and that's more important than emptying my stash box. (one of them anyway)

Promises. We all make them. Do we keep them? I'm trying, really, REALLY hard to not buy anymore yarn until Christmas in July on the 25th, only then may I buy some sock yarn. Then the next time to buy, will be the Fiberfestival in Sept and then at Rhinebeck. I have enough yarn to keep me going in sweaters, socks, and other projects that I don't NEED any yarn, I really, truly don't. But it's like an addiction sometimes and I can't help myself.

So, my promise is also to knit from what I have and share the projects and progress with you all.

These are the first few balls of what will some day be my own sock blankie. I asked a friend if she had any scraps to spare, so that I could have a memory of her in my blankie. If anyone ever reads this, and would like to contribute to my blankie, I'd be proud to knit a square with about 5 grams or 30 yards of your fingering weight. Just leave me a comment and I'll send my address along.

My husband thinks I'm crazy for this one. I explained it to him last night, when he saw me with the kitchen scale..... Yes, I went and bought a kitchen scale so that I could measure out 5 grams and make little skeins of sock yarn. This way, I have for my future blankie, to share and for monstersocken socks. He shook his head, but he understood the concept, "it's like a quilt made out of little squares. Why would you want that?"

People who don't knit, just don't understand, but he supports me and my quest to knit and be happy.

Life is good.

Almost a year

2010-07-14T04:04:00.000-07:00

It is one day short of a year since my last post. I wish to change that. I hope to be able to find the time to update this blog and that someone, anyone, will read it and leave me a message. Ravelry has taken over my life and so I spend too much time there, too much time dreaming of all the things I have yet to knit.

My morning knitting is a pair of children's socks. Believe it or not, my first pair of children's socks and yes, they are on double pointeds because that was what I could find, plus they are zephr super smooth anodized aluminum, still in the package, from my mother, and they are MADE IN U.S.A. and when they were purchased, they cost .60.

These socks will be donated to WOOL AID, for their many charity knitting donations.

Here is my trusty knitting companion, he sleeps all night and most of the day and I can usually find him right under my feet!

Here is what I am currently knitting from, a container of donated to me yarns. I need to get some of my stash out of here, so I found the donations from a RAK list friend and have been making hats and now socks for a WOOL AID campaign. I want to empty the full container, which I have already used up two full skeins and most of two more, but here is still yarn in there, sigh.

Until next time,

keep on knitting!!

I have been knitting you know!

2009-07-15T16:57:00.000-07:00

HERE IS THE SWEATER! It is the third in a series of Three sweaters that I commited to knit for Warm Woolies. It has taken me the longest amount of time and effort. I don't know that I'll EVER do another STRIPPED sweater again! Please remind me if I ever mention the want to do one. It is really cute though and I can't wait for all my Cozy Cabin friends to see it.

I decided NOT to join the KAL for the Companion Bag, because I wanted to finish the sweater and then I had to wait for the yellow to arrive, so I got "The daybag" pattern and started that, but now I feel I will need more of the purple, so this one is on hold until Cozy Cabin opens again in August.

Here is the Lobster Basket Bag that I am making for Baby J. It just needs the bottom sewn up and to be felted. He hasn't arrived yet, so there is no hurry. I was planning this one more for Christmas anyway as I hope to make some toys to stuff it with.

Here is the ballband bag that I did. It needs to be felted also. I loved doing the pattern and will probably make another one.

This is a pair of socks I will be sending along to WW. They are made of the Lionbrand Fishermans wool that I had left over from the mystery sweater I did for them.

I am still working on my June Personal Sock Club socks. They got set to the side last month. They are the "kindness" pattern and it took some attention to it, which I didn't have much of in June, so that's why they didn't get done.

Also on the needles are a pair of WW socks for the 10 for 10 challenge, this is pair number 4. I should have the second one done tomorrow.

I have been browsing Ravelry again for ideas and patterns. I have been very good with my yarn diet, but it has been EXTREMELY difficult to NOT buy any new yarn.

Sorry, life happens!

2009-06-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

Hi there

sorry for the absence. I can hardly believe nearly three months of my life has gone by and I didn't blog anything.

But, then again, I didn't knit very much either.

Life is becoming more back on track so I can feel good and safe again, so I have begun to knit more again.

I will post some pictures of the things I have completed over the months, once I figure out exactly what they are.

My current projects are June PSC socks out of Knitpicks yarn, "DayBag" out of Nature Spun and Cascade, a pair of Warm Woolies socks with yarn donated by Cascade to the Cozy Cabin, and MY NEVERENDING warm woolies top down ragaln with stripes that has been taking me FOREVER to finish! Thanks to Toni at Cozy Cabin, the yellow has been found and is on it's way to me, so now I am SURE to finish!!!!

I promise to not be gone so long.

OH, and a friend at work talked me into a facebook account, so if you know me, friend me!

Updates!!!

2009-04-10T07:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I still don't think I have this blogger thing figured out. But, atleast I am doing it, right?

Here is a picture of the bibs and some of the matching clothes that I made for Baby J for the shower. I finally found buttons and sewed them on this week with button thread as it is real sturdy.

I also managed to sew on two of the patches I got to put on these burp cloths. Someone else on Ravelry had done it with theirs, and I just thought it was so adorable.

Here are my extra February socks. They look finished, don't they? Well, I am currently redoing the toe on sock two. I thought it felt kind of funny, and then, upon further inspection that sock was SMALLER than the other. I have to learn to write things down, instead of trying to remember.

Here are my Personal Sock Club socks for March. They are out of Knit Picks essentials Tweeds in Shiraz. They came out nice.

These are my February Personal Sock Club socks. I finally got a picture of them. I like them alot, they are made out of KnitPicks Palette, however, they have felted alot just from wear.

Boy, it's been a while!

2009-03-29T08:31:00.000-07:00

SO MUCH TO TELL YOU!
I have been very busy, I just haven't had the time to post. Plus the batteries were dead in my camera. I can hardly believe it's been this long.

First, these are the socks that my awesome swap partner, Gladcat, did for me. They are made of Rowan Denim and they fit me perfectly.

Also included in her package to me was a homemade card. Cadbury hot chocholate AND eggs! Some Araucania Copihue, which she had made herself a cowl with, and then sent me the rest AND the pattern, so I could make one for myself.

Some great buttons and stitch markers. A coaster from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. AND some Mohair yarn in great colors that I love, I just don't know what I will make with it yet, as I've never used Mohair before.

Well, we officially know that Baby J is going to be a boy, so here is the first, official BOY thing I've knit for him. A hat out of Cottontots. It is New born size, but seems large, so it should fit for quite a while.

Lots of sock knitting going on. I did complete my February socks for the Personal sock club, no pictures though, yet. I made them out of Knitpicks Palette in Brindle Heather. I have been wearing them, and enjoying them.

Below is a picture of the extra February socks that I am making. I'm still working on these, but I have one sock finished and I am on to the foot.

Here are my Personal Sock Club socks. They are in Knit Picks essential Tweed, in Shiraz. I am almost done with these. I will most likely finish them today.

As I said, Baby J is a boy, and will be using Cloth diapers, at least part of the time. So I found a nice pattern for Soakers. So, as you can see I have made three pairs. I plan to pair them with a top so if they aren't used as soakers, they can still be worn as an outfit.

Warm Woolies. A continual passion. Here are two pairs of socks for the 10 for 10 challenge. Cascade, the yarn company, has donated yarn to Cozy Cabin and our group is using it to make items for the 10 for 10 challenge.

This is the Warm Woolies Mystery Sweater. Lots of firsts in this for me. One of our group members made this pattern for all of us to make a larger size sweater, also for the 10 for 10 challenge. I used Lionbrand Fisherman wool, which knit up into a nice fabric, however, I was VERY DISAPPOINTED in it, because I didn't realize til after I had purchased it, that it is made in China now, not the USA.

The firsts in this sweater for me are, bottom up, three needle bind off, and picking up stitches to do the sleeves. I really enjoyed the pattern and the constrution of this sweater and I know some child will be warm next winter while wearing it.

Below, is a picture of the top down ragaln sleeve sweater, also for WARM WOOLIES. It is made from Patons Classic wool. (Which by the way is not merino anymore, but still a nice yarn to use)

I have signed up for a TOP DOWN sock class at Cozy Cabin during the month of April, which I purchased some Trekking 6 ply to use for these socks. I can't wait. It is something I've been wanting to learn for some time now.

My father gifted to me the purchase of TWO awesome books! One of which I got yesterday in the mail. "Fishermen's Sweaters" by Alice Starmore! I can't wait. I have been drooling over this one trying to figure out which sweater to make. And what yarn to use for it. Watching Carolyn make her sweater from this book has been so fascinating that I just have to try one for myself.

I hope not to be away for so long next time. That's all for now.

Weeks 6 & 7

2009-02-15T03:04:00.000-08:00

I know, I know. I didn't post last week. I was lazy in that area, but not with my knitting!

First, week 6 I completed a bunny blanket buddy for Baby J in some of the left over yellow of the cottontots. I had a light bulb experience with that one. You knit the head, then stuff it, but while knitting, the head looks flat and has no dimension to it. I kept looking at it thinking, "how I am supposed to stuff this?" Well, thanks to a few fellow ravelers for the help, I was "double knitting" the head, which, I didn't know and the pattern doesn't TELL you that. So, now I just need to get some fiber fill, embroider on a face and WALA! (The pattern is free on the Lionbrand website)

Along with the bunny blanket, I did a Genius Burp Cloth from the Mason Dixon book. Thank you Carolyn! It is really cute. I only did it 30 stitches wide instead of the 50 stitches. It is as wide as the other bibs and the other burp clothes, though it does take more yarnage to complete.

For week 7 I did my Personal Sock club socks. They are done in the Knit Picks Palette, Brindle Heather colorway. It's the first time I've used this yarn, and let me tell you for $2.19 a skein, the fabric it made is very nice, and soft, though while knitting it can be a bit "splitty" I enjoyed working with it. Completed the socks in four days and wore them the fifth day!

My Warm Woolies sweater is coming along. I have the body done and I am working on the first sleeve. I am going to Cozy Cabin today. Toni has decided to support Warm Woolies as a shop and has got a challenge for us as a group to knit for WW and she will be giving out the particulars of knitting and the "prize" we will get at the end.

I've also decided that I am going to rip out the handbag I started. I love the colorway too much to felt it into a handbag!! So I am still looking for one to make. sigh....

I spent the afternoon with Carolyn on Wednesday. She was so nice to have me over to her house and we shared some of our books and some yarn and talked. It was just wonderful. Then, she made some awesome clam chowder for dinner and I just have to get the recipe from her. It was wonderful and I think m would have loved it. I have tried, unsuccessfully, in the past to make Manhattan clam chowder for him, but have failed. So I think this one will be the keeper.

I'm sorry there won't be any pictures this week again. I really have to do that and get some new pictures up. Just haven't had the time. And, I've just been too lazy about it.

Until Next Time!

Week 5

2009-02-02T02:01:00.000-08:00

Busy week and I'm a day late with my update.

I finished the Blankie for Baby J. It came out cute and soft. It will make a nice carseat/stroller/crib blanket. I have TONS of the yarn left though so I have to figure out another project to get it used up.

I also completed two more bibs, one wash cloth and a burp cloth.

I took all afternoon Saturday (almost) trying to find a pattern for a hand bag. The squatty that I am carrying has been with me since May 08 I thought it was time for a new one. I have finally chosen (after a false start) a bag by Moda Dea called simply "felted knit bag". I am using Bartlettyarn in Dark Lovat. Looks like a nice demin blue color. It's been a few months since I've used any Bartlett and I still love the smell of it!

I chose my Personal Sock club package. I will be using Knit Picks again, only in Palette, Brindle Heather is the color. A new yarn again this month, but I have to choose the pattern. I will try to do that this evening to get to work on it in the morning.

Week 4

2009-01-25T13:11:00.001-08:00

Finished objects for week four.

First, the pair of green socks in the photo below are last weeks Warm Woolies Socks. They were done in green patons classic merino. Done with 36 stitches, 10 rows of 1x1 ribbing and 15 rows of stockinette, 18 rows of heel flap stitches, 11 gusset stitches each side, back to 18 stitches for bottom, then 20 foot rows before decreases. I think this makes a nice sock and started the second pair, which I finished this week.

I sent off my other package of socks to Warm Woolies this week. I will probably make two or three more pairs before I send these off.

Here is my first waffle rib scarf for the Seaman. Sorry the picture is so dark. It is a lovely color burgundy, doesn't do it justice, the picture. I finished this at the beginning of this week. (I think)

Here are the beginnings of the baby gifts for Baby J. I have decided on Bibs and cloths to match as well as burp clothes. Finished these two, plus another two this week. Michaels had a great sale, $1.00 a skein, so I stocked up and will make as many as I can.

Also in the works is this Blankie of Baby J. It is made of Bernat Cottontots. The yarn is very soft. I am using size 13 needles and double stranding. It doesn't show it very well in the picture, but the colors are Sunshine, Lemon Berry, Sweet Green and Pastel Dreams in ombre.

I do not know the sex of the baby, or what colors they've chosen yet, but I know J's favorite color is yellow and yellow and green are good baby colors.

I have worked a little on the top down ragalan for Warm Woolies. I took that with me to knit night this week. We had a lot of people there this week and it was so nice seeing everyone again. I really have missed going.

It's been a long hard week and the winter is not doing much good with my depression, this week has been bad and I imagine it is going to get worse again before it gets better. I keep trying, but I am just not snapping out of it all.

Week 3

2009-01-18T02:36:00.001-08:00

Here are my completed Hedgerow socks! I am so pleased with how they turned out. Done on magic loop, size 1, with Knit Picks Essentials Kettle Dyed in Wine. I can't wait to wear them.

I finished the socks in 14 days so now I have the rest of the month to work on a Sweater for the Warm Woolies 10 for 10. (I think that's what it's called). Anyway, after a great deal of searching my Leisure Arts Pattern book for the Top down ragalan, I found it! and I began early on the KAL. There are some of us over at Warm Woolies on Ravelry who are doing sweaters for the challenge.

And here is a SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!

I finally got to go to see my knitting friends. It's been so cold and the weather has been too dreadful most Thursday nights for me to venture out. Anyway, Cozy Cabin had a cabin fever event yesterday (and today, I believe), prizes, sale, food.... and sit and knit.

Anyway, I got to see my friend Carolyn and she had a birthday gift for me.

Look at it!!!

A skein of the Socks that Rock yarn! I have only seen it and touched it at Rhinebeck. (didn't buy it because the line was HUGE to say the least) Anyway, I don't know where she got it from, but it is called "rare gems" and it is just marvelous. I truly think that other knitters are the only ones who "get it" when it comes to giving a skein of yarn to a fellow knitter as a gift.

I would love to make a pair of socks, but I just can't see hiding something so pretty on my feet! So I think I have decided on a scarf pattern. This way I can enjoy it and show it off to others while I wear it, then, maybe if there is some left over, maybe I can squeeze a pair of shorties out of it too. We will see!

Thank you Carolyn.

Now, I know I've mentioned I am in a Stash Knit Down group on Ravelry. Well, I ENHANCED my stash yesterday! I had christmas money that I was saving just for this event and I was able to get - MORE SOCK YARN!! Like I need more!? But I did. A skein of Opal in Blues and a skein of Trekking XXL in Neopalitan colors, and some others, but I can't mention everything because I am in the Oddball stashbusters swap and I don't know if my downline will read my blog at all and I don't want to spoil her surprise.

I was also bad and I did order from Knit picks the beginning of the month. That order came in and soon I hope to be showing you some Selbuvotter knitted mittens.

OH! I almost forgot, but I don't have a picture. For my 52 in 52 this week, I did finish a pair of single strand worsted weight socks for Warm Woolies.

Week 2

2009-01-10T10:43:00.001-08:00

Week 2 - the post is a day early! How about that?

Here is a picture of lasts weeks socks for m. They both fit. Which I am pleased about. He has a size 13 foot.

I did find out from Warm Woolies though that for the larger size socks for kids they can be just single stranded, so my wrists and hands are SO HAPPY! These really were tough on them.

Here are my Peekaboo mittens for week 2 of the 52 in 52. They are made with Cascade 220 in a lovely blue colorway. (They were part of my snowman from the Magic Ball Swap. Thank you Toni!!)

Here is an update on my January Personal Sock club socks. This is the wine colorway in the Knitpicks Kettle Dyed Essential. I like the yarn just fine so far. It gives a nice stitch pattern, though the picture is showing rather pink, they are more of a burgundy.

I was able to start the second sock on Friday and I hope to be done with that one by next Friday and then I will have one sock club completed!!

I am still trying to decide on my 52 in 52 project for this coming week. I plan to cast on tomorrow. We are currently having a snow storm, so tomorrow will be a pajama day!! and lots of knitting will be going on.

Week 1

2009-01-05T02:50:00.000-08:00

Well, I have decided that weeks start on Sunday and end on Saturday. Novel thought, huh? I decided this for my 52 in 52 projects. I have also decided that and item/project is an item/project and that the personal sock club socks don't count towards this goal.

Last week I started and finished the socks that completes a pair for m. This is his first pair of socks, I did double strand worsted in Patons Classic wool.

This week I started "peekaboo" mittens for me for work. I have one mitten complete already. They are made of Cascade 220 with 5 DPN.

I have also cast on another sock for Warm Woolies.

My Personal Sock club socks are coming along nicely. I am past the gusset decreases and I am doing just plain stockinette for the foot. I love the pattern for this sock and that it travels down the heel. A technique I have never done before. I guess I have to get some nice clogs to wear?

The NEW YEAR!

2009-01-01T13:34:00.000-08:00

These are the first installment that will go to Warm Woolies this week. I used up some of the yarn from hats that I made for the holidays. Two strands held together is a bit tough on my wrists so I have to slow down a bit. I did these four pairs in about 5 days. They are a "quick fix" project.

Here is the sock I have made Warm Woolies style that will fit m. I had him try it on while I knit it to make sure that it fit well enough.

Here is the box that holds my Personal sock club bags and my other project bags. I waited until about 7:30 this morning and chose a bag.

My Personal Sock Club will be "Hedgerow" in Knit Picks Essential Kettled dyed in Wine. The color is very subtle, not quite what I was expecting. But I like it.

The New Year

2008-12-31T13:18:00.000-08:00

It is December 31st and I have put alot of thought into the new year coming.

I never make actual resolutions, -- to exercise more, to eat better, to join a gym.... -- Those things don't happen in my life, I learned that YEARS ago!

So, this year I have decided that each month I will knit something for charity. And I have chosen Warm Woolies and Seaman's Institute. As I mentioned earlier. WW is having a "10 for 10 by 2010" contest. They don't get many donations for the older kids, one's who will "graduate" out of being in an adoption center. They come of age. So they are asking for 7 pairs of socks for a size 11 or larger foot and three large-ish sweaters. The details will follow after the first of the year. I am so fortunate and lucky to have a wonderful son that I have decided to do boy's things. I can't wait until they post the sock pattern. I've been trying to do one on my own, they have you use double worsted or bulky. Apparently alot of these kids don't have shoes, they wear sandles, so the socks need to be extra thick and warm. Well, I am on my fifth pair of trying. I keep having M try them on and when they don't fit, I just complete them as they are and I'll send them along anyway. Warm Woolies wants mostly to all wool.

Now Seamans they want easy wash, so they will accept acrylic or blends with acrylic or nylon. I will make some hats and scarves and probably some socks.

I also joined Stash Knit Down 2009, on Ravelry. I joined the "Personal Sock club" , where you bag up your own sock yarn and pattern and then put them in a box and pick randomly each month and act as if you got it from one of the sock clubs. I have more than enough yarn for that.

Plus I joined their 52 in 52. You make one item a week for the year. I think I can manage that with the charity knitting as well as the socks.

Plus, I did pick out some mitten and hat patterns and put the yarns and patterns together in ziplocks to do also.

SO those are my "resolutions" for the coming year.

Christmas was quiet. Dad and Dingo came and stayed a few days. I wasn't very good company though. Actual, I was rather cranky the whole while. Just haven't been myself lately, for many reasons and it is showing. The weather isn't helping much either.

I promise to be better about my blog also, to post atleast once a week (can't I do it?) Should I make a 52 in 52 for blog entries? I could manage one a week perhaps when I finish an item? Maybe that's what I'll do.

I don't even get time to read the blogs of others like I used to. I miss that. I miss alot of things.

Well, here's to the new year!

Updates!

2008-12-15T03:10:00.000-08:00

I know, lame. I haven't updated in a while, but I have been busy and sick.

So this is a quick one.

I'm not going to get the french market bag finished in time.

I have gotten hats done for nearly everyone.

Toni was nice enough to let me use her sewing machine and I was able to get the linings done for four of the stockings. I just need to sew them in now.

I am trying to make the perfect fit hat. Seems either my gauge has loosened up, or I don't know what. The hats fit okay, but they aren't as snug as we'd like. I am making another one using 78 stitches and size 6 needles this time.

I have decided, after a BAD visit at Walmart Friday, I am NEVER SPENDING MY HARD EARNED MONEY THERE AGAIN! I don't care if I have to spend an extra hundred dollars to buy what ever it is I want or need. I AM NOT GOING THERE AGAIN!!!

Birthday came and went quietly. I did manage to score some yarn. The kids bought me four skeins of Kroy Sock yarn in the SAME colorway...... Plus I placed a knitpicks order..... plus I did some stash enhancement at the Cozy Cabin!! (MY favorite LYS)

I am thinking about which charity to knit for this year. I need something. So I have been looking at Warm Woolies and The Seamens Institute. Years ago, Carol Kerbel, a women I knew, went to minister there. I may do both to help get rid of some of my stash.

I am also trying to make a Baby Surprise Jacket right now. It is such a cute pattern.

Well, we put the tree up yesterday, and R decorated inside and out. So that is done, and we managed to get some cleaning done.

OH MY! Busy am I!

2008-11-23T07:24:00.000-08:00

First I just have to send a belated thank you to my SP Jeanine. She is just so awesome! She has sent me a subscription to Interweave Knits!!! I am so thrilled about that. I can't thank you enough Jeanine. You are just great.

Now, on to some knitting.

Thank you Ali for helping me to obtain this pattern for the "farmers market bag" I have been working on this one for a gift. It is made with Soy Wool Stripes and it going to be awesome. Notice, more stranded knitting!!

Aren't the colors just great? Wish it wasn't a gift!

These are the pair of peds for R. She asked for some of them for christmas. A super quick knit done in the Red Heart Heart & Sole yarn. Almost used the whole skein. Perfect.

This is the completed scarf for my brother for christmas. Done in Brown sheep Nature Spun. Love this yarn. Love that it's made in the USA! You should try some.

Here is the waffle scarf I made for my sister in law, Jill. It's a lovely color yellow. Also Nature spun.

I also did one in Victorian Pink for R. Also in Nature Spun!

NOW! Stash enhancement! These little cakes of Beauty are Berroco Ultra Alpaca purchased at the Cozy Cabin http://www.cozycabin.biz/ (hope that link works)

I also bought my first addi Turbo needles to try for some sock knitting. I have been told they are just awesome and I can't wait to try them.

Toni has had the store in her home since June and has done so well, that she has expanded to a store front! How cool is that?!! I think it's awesome! Plus she got in new yarns, AND she also has fabrics for quilters. She is getting more of those in in the coming weeks. It is all so exciting.

Yesterday was her first day in the new store and I went to cheer her on and sit and knit for a few hours. It was such a thrill to share with her and my knitting friends.

Oh, and I have to say thank you, once again, to Carolyn for letting me borrow her ball winder. It will get tons of use this next week as I make more of these adorable cakes out of my hanks.

I have updated my Ravelry projects and added some more of my stash, primarly the sock yarns. And boy does that eat up alot of knitting time!

Gotta go!

Gifts to make or complete

2008-11-17T08:39:00.001-08:00

Well I have put up my list of gifts to make or complete by Christmas. I don't have much to do on the stockings. I just have to get them done. I will work on them next week.

I have to ball up the yarn for the hats and then I can begin on them.

OH! I forgot, peds for R. That is one things she asked for.

As for myself, I am STILL working on my socks from Rhinebeck...... sigh....

This is the kind of snow man I like!

2008-11-12T04:51:00.000-08:00

Isn't this guy just adorable?! I can't bear to take him apart. He is my magic ball swap item from Toni!

When we exchanged I found out that she loves snowmen and look what she made just for me? Isn't he great!

The package to the left of him is Toni's magic ball from me. I bought some real yummy alpaca at the PA Fiber Festival in Sept for her and I just couldn't bear to wrap it all around everything, so I wrapped it up inside of the other presents and used white kitchen cotton to ball it all up. She even liked that because she said she could make a new snow man out of it!

My Snow man has some of my favorite yarn, Bartlett for the bottom in Dark Lovat, (And of course I didn't have any of this color yet and had to buy a hank before I left) and some blue Cascade 220 in the middle and some Brown Sheep Prairie Silk for his head and she even hand made a hat for him. The spooky part, are his eyes. They are from some of her taxidermy supplies!! yikes!! His arms are dpn in bamboo, plus a cable needle for his mouth and stitch markers for earrings and more stitch markers on the front button. PLUS she said there are goodies inside and I just can't bear to take him apart yet!!! I just love it. What a cool idea.

I have been very good. I am nearly done with my last stocking, then I can do the heels and make the linings. I finished a waffle scarf for R and am in the process of another one for Jill. I am making slow progress on the socks I have going STILL from Rhinebeck! Can hardly believe it's nearly a month ago already!

Magic Ball Swap!

2008-11-05T02:56:00.000-08:00

I can't share the pictures yet. YES, I did remember to take some!! But let me tell you, Toni of the Cozy Cabin out did herself. I absolutely love it. I will tell more about it and post the pictures, of mine to her and her's to me, over the weekend.

We exchanged last night at the Cozy Cabin and she told me all of her new and exciting news! She is expanding her shop and opening at a new location in the next few weeks! I am so happy for her and I think that is so awesome! She does have a website, so I'll give her a little plug www.cozycabin.biz . I am so glad and so lucky to finally have a local yarn shop and I want to be sure to pass the word. Customer service is awesome, she offers my most favorite yarn, Bartlettyarns, plus Cascade, Brown Sheep, Lamps Pride and has begun to offer Opal and soon Berroco will be in her shop. Be sure to keep an eye on her shop, I am sure it is going places.

I am nearly finished with my first "holly" stocking. I have finished the penguin scarf, just need to block it. I am nearly finished with the one pair of socks, the wild salmon ones. AND as always, I am trying to figure out what to do next!

Oh, and I want to wish Carolyn and her mom an aweseome time at Stitches East this week! I hope that the two of you have an awesome time!!!

Pictures~!

2008-11-01T06:14:00.000-07:00

Ok, here are the pictures that I didn't post from my last swap package from the awesome Jeanine! She had found another ball of the DB that she forgot to send along with the other package. Now I definitely have enough for that needle case in the DK magazine! She also sent some great burts bees lipbalm, which I've never tried before and have since had to HIDE.

She also sent along the great stitch markers. Better photo below!

I had such an awesome time in that swap, once things with the other upline were worked out. I am so glad that I have actually met Jeanine and that we both have enjoyed spoiling each other.

I have been busy, knitting. Every spare minute that I find, I knit!

Here is the one sock of the Aisling yarn. This one is the last wild samon. I am done with the cuff on the second sock.

Here is another Aisling yarn, called the christmas story. I started this one the morning we went to Rhinebeck and it is the Campfire pattern. One sock completed.

Now for the STOCKINGS! I have of course fully finished the original Polar Bear.

The second one is complete to the toe and just needs the heel done.

Here is the one Moose. And yes, the pattern calls for it to have a FLAT BUTT! It does look odd, but that is the pattern. Completed through toe, except the heel.

The second moose stocking was completed, to the toe, minus the heel this week.

I did start the first of two Holly stockings, no picture yet. These two will be gifts for my brother and his wife. Same yarn. (LOVE the bartlettyarns)

Now one picture of the stash enhancement of my SOCK YARN from Rhinebeck. I didn't and don't need ANY sock yarn, but I just couldn't seem to help it.

This is Lorna's Laces fingering weight, which I have never used. The top is Purple Iris and the bottom is Seascape (I think) maybe it's seaside.

Here is the everlasting bagstopper that I did. I took it along to Rhinebeck. I used the baggstopper pattern but the handles are from Ilene, I also used smaller needles, a size 7 for the bag portion. I wanted smaller holes. Talk about STRETCH! This is going to be a great shopping bag to gift. I have more of this kitchen cotton and plan to make these as a few gifts for christmas. I hope!

Well, I hope you have enjoyed these pictures. I have to get all my errands done now. It's saturday and I have the day off.... some day off.....

Working hard

2008-10-27T04:00:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged because I am working hard on knitting projects and I just spent 45 minutes getting the basics entered into Ravelry, without pictures, to atleast have a track of what it is I've been working on.

I finished my Polar bear stranded stocking, plus I completed another one (except for the heel) for DH. I have completed a Moose Stocking (Except for the heel) and have started the second one.

I have completed one plain rib sock for myself and started the next, doing it with magic loop and loving it.

Plus, I completed one Campfire sock - which is what I started in the hotel at Rhinebeck - and have started the second sock for that pair as well, doing the magic loop.

I started on Kelly's Penguins Scarf. Making it with superwash Lambs Pride. Never used it before and I am liking it very much.

Went to Cozy Cabin yesterday for a sit and knit. Had a very nice time. Wore my nubby, WITH the buttons, that I put on the day before, but I am still not liking the closing of the sweater. This one was a true learning experince. I have decided that I DON'T want to take out the button band and try again! So I will find snaps and put them in the two places where it is gapping. And Barb! I'm sorry, still no picture of me wearing it. I am so bad about getting pictures taken of myself for things. Keep watching though, I promise one soon!!

Rhinebeck!~

2008-10-19T07:13:00.000-07:00

I just don't know where to start.

First, I have been so busy working on knitting that I haven't been blogging, and I haven't been visiting anyone's blog and I haven't been spending much time on Ravelry either.

SECOND, Rhinebeck was this weekend and it was just awesome! Carolyn, her mother and I left Friday night after work. Carolyn drove, thank you so much Carolyn!!! And we arrived at our hotel without any problems with traffic or directions.

We all talked and shared knitting stuff for a while before going to bed. After rising early and having a great breakfast, we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Poughipsee, NY, which was very nice.

We got to the fair grounds about 8:50 with no lines for parking or entering and began our adventure. (I will not post pictures today ~ oh, and Barb I promise to have a picture of my nubby cardigan!)

We went through every barn, every stall, looked, touched, smelled, admired everything. The people watching was fun too. All the gorgeous things that people were wearing! Just wonderful.

Then, we ate lunch and began to walk around the "lettered" buildings and while in a stall getting ready to purchase some Lorna's laces and some Austermann step (like I need MORE sock yarn), I looked up and there was JEANINE!! My secret pal! We had hoped to meet, but both of us have been so busy working on projects we never finalized a place a time. I saw her right away and knew it was her, she is such a beautiful woman. Anyway, I said "Jeanine?" and she looked at me, and I said "catherine" then we both squeeled and hugged each other! It was so awesome! And I have to hang my head though, she finished her vest and I failed to comment on how lovely it is. Please take a visit over at her blog http://knittershaven.typepad.com/ and leave her a comment on how lovely her vest is. She looked so great in it! It was such a treat to actually meet her.

When we finally decided to leave, the three of us had felt we saw it all, we bought what we liked and wanted and we were ready to go home.

I had such a nice time, it was a lovely, fall day, cool but not cold. OH! And I wore my Nubby Cardigan, even though I didn't have buttons for it, I pinned it closed and even like that, I got several lovely comments from people.

Steam Blocking!

2008-10-01T02:50:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought?

The nubby cardigan, and my unhappiness with the way the top of the sleeve was fitting, had me put it on the side to think about it for a while. Very sad. I have worked so hard on it. I could hardly bare to pick it up.

Then, last night at my knitting class, Carolyn, showed us how to steam block our stockings to help even out the stitches. I have never done steam blocking and I hadn't blocked my sweater yet, so I ask Carolyn about my sweater and she said if I worked at it gently, the stitches should relax some and it may work without having to take the sleeves apart and put in a gusset.

So, I came home and out came the iron!

IT WORKED! It was nearly 9:30, but I called Carolyn anyway to tell her that the sweater now fit the way I had hoped and that I was so happy!! Thank you again Carolyn!!

Catching up to do!! Picture intense post!

2008-09-30T02:44:00.000-07:00

I got a package in the mail from my SP 12 pal! How cool is this? I was looking at this DB magazine when it first came out (Linda at sit and knit was going to look for one and brought me one to look at too!) Anyway, I decided against buying it then, but never mentioned it to my pal. She thought I would like it.

Plus she sent along three skeins of Rowan handknit DK cotton. I have never knit with any Rowan before and this has to be the softest cotton I have felt to date. I also love the color. I have been into greens and blues and teals and even rusts and oranges. I don't know where my color palette is going, but I'm liking color lately.

Anyway, I have had the most awesome "angel" pal. You see, my original upstream, fell off the face of the earth. It really hurts when that happens and you don't know why. I can only say, that I feel bad and hope they are okay.

But, it all turned out.

AND, even though I am not sure yet if Jeanine received my reveal package (I am her upstream) Jeanine is my "angel" pal! How cool is that? I don't know if they did it on purpose or not, but it worked out great and we are hoping to meet at Rhinebeck!

Jeanine, I enjoyed getting to know you and having you for my first SP pal. I hope you enjoyed the goodies I sent you. It was great fun.

Now, here is my stranded stocking! Tonight is the last class, and I've been bad! I got the heel done but I haven't kirchnered it yet. (I don't think I spelled that right) Anyway, class has been an absolute BLAST and I have enjoyed every week and will miss going. I learned how to do an "afterthought" heel, and while I don't think I would ever do that for a sock, I will definitely do it for more of these stranded stockings. I also learned how the knit with two hands and two colors. OH! And I learned how to "pick" too. I am a thrower. Carolyn has done a great job as a teacher, always willing to jump right in with each one of us, no matter where we are at in our knitting and help us get over the "hump".

I am now planning on doing a few more stockings as christmas gifts.

Here is the dish cloth (the yellow one) I received from my friend Barb (Hi Barb!) I loved the pattern so much that I want to make more myself. BOY! Am I a tight knitter or what? I started out with a #5, got that far and decided it was too small, so went up to a size #7 and believe it or not, it came out smaller! So I ripped it back and I am going to try again!

Here is just the beginning of a completed project. I had bought this "honking" skein of kitchen cotton when it was on clearance, with the idea of market bags as gifts. like the one I eventually ended up with. Forgot to photograph it though. Anyway, I will probably make more, but do a different pattern.

Okay, I didn't tell you anything about the Fiber Festival Carolyn and I went to. This is just a small amount I am showing you. This is the sock yarn that I purchased from an Indie dyer. She names her yarns after movies! isn't that neat!? I fell in love with several, just for the names they were named after! Silly, I know.

We had an awesome time at the festival. It wasn't too large or overwhelming for me. Carolyn did the driving, and it was a rainy day, but we got there and I think we both enjoyed it very much. It was so nice to see the different animals and to pick up some new fibers to use. (I promise to post more of that on another day)

Alpaca! I am a touchy feely type of person. Alpaca! I could have stood there, eye's closed, arms out, and feeling Alpaca yarn ALL DAY! I bought enough of it to keep my happy for a while! OH! And Alpaca roving!! While I haven't bought any, if you ever, EVER have the chance to feel it! FEEL IT! It's like what you would imagine a cloud to feel like.

I still have not dealt with my nubby cardigan. I just haven't had the time. I talked with Carolyn about the slight tightness in the upper arms and I am going to gently block it first and then see if it loosens just a bit. If not, I am going to knit two gussets to put in just under the arm. I think it was the stitch pattern that makes it feel "tight". But, I think I will have time this weekend and hope to get to that project then.

I have not done much at all on my socks for september. Sad, but true. I did get them onto my new knitpicks needles and I am doing them magic loop. Which is fun so far.

Well, that is my update for this week and for the end of September.

Knitting is done!

2008-09-22T18:27:00.000-07:00

Well, the knitting on my Nubby is done! I have LOTS, and LOTS of ends to weave in. I also have buttons to buy. I am going to put a loop up a bit to be able to button the top of the sweater. I still have to block it, and I am hoping that it will "soften" up some when I do that. I am planning to wear it to RHINEBECK!!

Carolyn and I have made our reservations and we are making plans for that weekend! I can't wait. I am so grateful that Carolyn will drive. I know I could never have done it alone, let alone done it by myself. I would just be too wiped out. We were very lucky to get a room. I think this also prepares us for next year! BOOK earlier!

I have more things to tell, but I'm too tired.

The END is near!

2008-09-22T03:53:00.000-07:00

No posts from me, as I have been using EVERY SPARE moment to get this collar on my nubby cardigan done! I am near the end and I can't be happier! About three more rows and I can bind off!! Yeah!!!!

I have had so much going on that I have neglected my blog, my SP, and my writing of anyone.

I promise, more to follow before the weekend and hopefully pictures of my finished cardigan!

My Secret Pal is Happy!

2008-09-13T12:14:00.000-07:00

I got an awesome package in the mail. Quite a surprise. It is from my "angel" secret pal "happy" (That's what I call her anyway). You see, in the world of secret pal, you have someone who is your "upline" who spoils you. And you have someone who is your "downline" whom you spoil. Anyway, my upline, for some unknown to me reason, dropped off the face of the earth with just a post card and a few emails. Quite disappointing, considering that I had waited to join and was so hopeful after reading other peoples blogs.

ANYWAY, my angel Happy emails me alot and we are getting to know each other, which is just great.

She sent me this package that I received in the mail today. It is sockpixie yarn and it is Bambino, which is part bamboo and part supermerino in the colorway "LeCollier" Apparenly, sockpixie only makes so many colorways, names them, and once they are gone that's it! How cool is that? I have never heard of it before and I just think it's great that my angel thought to send me such great sock yarn in such a great colorway! I just love it and now I need to figure out what it will become.

Thank you Happy for making my day with such an awesome package!!

I am in the final stretch with my Nubby cardigan! YEAH! I have both sleeves done, finished the second one this morning and I seamed together the pieces today. I can't believe that all the modifications I made WORKED! And the seams look AWESOME! Now I am working on the button band and then the other side band and then on to the collar. So I figure MAYBE another two weeks and this one will be done! I can't wait. I have loved working on this project so much.

I also can't wait. I ordered some more knitpicks needles, circulars and I am going to go Magic Loop for socks now. I have a pair I cast on, on the 1st, on to the dreaded double pointed needles and I haven't picked them up since.!~

Well, gotta run! Thanks again Happy!

Sigh!

2008-09-09T02:41:00.001-07:00

I have managed to finish one sleeve and have begun the next one. I can't wait to see this all put together as I have not done a "piece" sweater like this before. The sleeves have "caps" on them and I hope this all works out. If worse comes to worse, I know they will be under the wonderful, large collar and any thing wonky won't show.

I am still in love this yarn and keep dreaming about things to make with it.

I was given a demonstration on how to do magic loop and I have taken the plunge and ordered a set of longer cable needles from Knitpicks. I had started a pair of socks on Sept 1 to keep going with my one pair of socks a month, but I only have dpn in a size 1, and I have decided "NO MORE DOUBLE POINTED NEEDLES!" I just feel like I am using two left feet to knit with them.

Then, I am starting the stocking class up at Cozy Cabin tonight and my brain fog is not helping. I can't find my size 6 needles, so since I knit tight anyway, I am bringing along my size 9 and 7 needles to use instead.

Yesterday, at work, was just a horrible day and I am hoping there is no repeat today. Somedays I truly think my brain has left me and I end up looking like a total ass. I don't know how long I can make such mistakes and still have a job.

Projects!

2008-09-01T06:34:00.000-07:00

Well, it's a new month. I have to begin a new pair of socks and I'd like to try them on a size one needle, only I don't have any circulars in that size, so I will have to use DPN by default. I didn't have a chance to pick a pair up. I am going to use the wildfoote yarn I bought and see how I like it.

I am feverishly working on my nubby cardigan. A little behind where I'd like to be, but I have already done the armhole shaping on the right arm and only have about 22 more rows to complete it and begin a sleeve. I think this may be why I like top down sweaters so much. You don't have all these pieves to be worrying about. But, I am loving the sweater and I am planning to have it done for Rhinebeck to wear there. I still have to look for buttons.

I need to start another project, I am not sure what yet though. I bought some LOVELY bartletyarn in the colorway Medium Green Heather, from Cozy Cabin this week. What a GORGEOUS color green. I don't know why I am liking greens so much lately, but this color is to die for. Perhaps I'll have to buy more and make Lady February out of it...... Otherwise, I was thinking of making another clapotis out of this. Love the pattern. Love the yarn.

Well, today is a holiday and I've dubbed it "pajama day" so I will stay in them as long as I want to today and knit as long as I feel like it!

I have been bad

2008-08-30T06:23:00.000-07:00

I haven't answered any of the SP12 questions lately.

So, here goes:

Question 6 : My favorite thing to take along is socks. When I prepare to travel, I always have more than one project with me. Mostly small things that don't require alot of attention. Love socks.

Question 7: Favorite place to knit. I usually knit at the dining room table in the quiet of the morning. That is when and where I can do my concentrated knitting. Is it my favorite place? Not exactly, it's just what I have that works.

Question 8: Favorite supper? summer? well winter or summer, I'd say it's about any meal that someone else fixes. I LOVE to cook, don't get me wrong. But when it comes to having someone else think of something, shop for it, prepare it and put their love in to it, what could be better?

Question 9: Entries in the fair. No, I haven't done this, YET. But I am considering going to our county fair this year and seeing what it is like. When we lived in NJ, the fair was just awesome. I could spend hours in the exhibit tent. In WI, well, I wasn't so impressed. I haven't been to the one here yet, it's been two years, I guess I should make a point. I would love a ribbon.

Question 10: Olympic event. That is a hard one, I am not an athlete by any sense of the word. No, no event for me or my knitting.

Question 11: best thing received in the mail? Hmmmm... I love mail, letters are great. They are a lost art. I have had many pen friends over the years, but haven't done that in a while.

Question 12: My proudest moment? Since I am mostly a self taught knitter, my proudest moment is whenever I learn something new and successfully complete it. Then I call my aunt and tell her "I have a sock!" She likes that, and so do I.

Well, that's all from me for now. It's going to be a busy weekend with lots of running around and knitting.!!

Thank you.

2008-08-23T10:02:00.000-07:00

I don't have a picture for this post, but I just had to say thank you to my special friend Barb for the wonderful, wonderful knitted dishcloth she made for me. What a dear. She is one of the few people who actually read my blog and she saw about the dishcloth swap I was in and she took the time to knit up one for me in lovely shades of yellow. I can't tell you how much it really made my day!

Yarn. Notes to myself.

2008-08-20T04:50:00.000-07:00

Have you seen Alpaca Sox by Classic elite? The plum blueberry peacock looks fun for a clap! Seattle Haze and Woodland in Autumn look nice too. Decisions, decisions.

Socks!

2008-08-19T15:10:00.000-07:00

I have been looking at all the sock patterns there are out there and wondering, will I ever get to knit them? Will I ever get to try new sock yarns? Because, you know, sock yarn doesn't count as stash. At least that is what someone once said.

It is hard to imagine that there is all this yarnie goodness out there and I haven't experienced nearly any of it. I have knit mostly with Opal, which I love. I have also done some Regia, and some onLine. I don't nearly have enough. Only two solid colors, which are in browns, and no handpainted or hand dyed.

Colors. There are so many colors to choose from. How do you choose? Do you go by what you want to knit? I mean, some people choose by the color. I look at a pattern and see whether I like it or not.

I was thinking of maybe trying to do some colors that are out of the ordinary for me. I have done lots of blue, mostly self striping Opal colors. I would like to do some semi solids. I like a little color in there, just not plain, but I would like to get away from self striping for a while. I would like to be able to do some that I could get away with wearing to work, so nothing too loud. It'd have to be business like, but fun at the same time.

No, I don't feel I have nearly enough colors, pattern's or time when it comes to socks. I love doing them.

Just for the heck of it.

2008-08-16T18:32:00.000-07:00

I love looking at littleknits website and it seems as if she adds more each day.

I'd love to try
araucania ranco sock multi
303 , 308, 305 are nice
ranco sock semi solid
103, 105, 108
Noro silk garden sock
8, 64

Then, I also like to look at yarncountry. They have some great Elsebeth Lavold. I love the silky wool. I did my clap scarf in that, and I would love to do a full size one.

I want to try to knit with different yarns.

I would love to try anything to make another clap or two out of. I would love to try some hand painted sock yarn. I have so many socks in my queue to try and I just haven't gotten around to it. Isn't it funny how you get the idea that you are going to be able to knit all these things and you just keep adding them?

I love knitting with the Bartlettyarns. I love the texture, smell and feel of them. My nubby cardigan is coming along nicely. I have done the first set of bind offs for the armholes. It will probably take me a better part of a month to complete. But I am so happy with it!

The Nubby Cardigan

2008-08-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

I started this on Saturday. With a few trials. I think I've already blogged them. I finally have the hang of it and I'm LOVIN' IT!

The pattern is not really hard to remember, just keeping track of what row you are on is the key.

I heard from my pal, she received her package. I can breathe again.

News! Pictures! Packages!

2008-08-08T17:01:00.001-07:00

Okay, first things first. I came home today to not one but TWO packages. Both are from the dishcloth swap that I was in. The first package is a great cloth by beginknitter. Also included was a neat bracelet with the word "hope" on it. We all need that, don't we.

Next, a package all the way from Stafforshire England! The package says "royal mail" on it! I love it. Ceri included a cloth that is so squishy and not one but TWO skeins of kitchen cotton in perfect colors for my kitchen!

If either of you take a look at my blog, thank you so much. I enjoyed the swap alot and I hope that you did too.

Here is the beginnings of my CLAPOTIS. I am using Elsabeth Lavolds silky wool. I absolutely love it. You can see some of the stitch marker that I got from Glitterbear, from the odd ball swap. They came is SO handy and made me smile while knitting.

I finished the clap today, scarf size and I still have some stitches to drop, and to weave in the ends, but I just love the weight of it and the look. It is a definite gift possiblities to it.

This next photo is of the new Bartlett yarn I purchased at the Cozy Cabin (HI Toni) last night before going to sit and knit. Anyway, the colorway is "terra cotta" it is the 2 ply and I am planning to make the Obverse Jacket, by lisa shroyer from the fall 2008 Knitscene magazine that I bought last week.

There are so many FABULOUS patterns in this magazine. I really, REALLY want to make the nubby cardiagn by deborah newton, but I am afraid I am just not experienced enough for it. I am going to make it though. Because I just love the classic look of it.

I would also LOVE the big ivy scarf by christine lorin made of Aslan Trends Artesanal. It just looks so soft and cuddly.

Those are my favorites. but I like a LOT more of them!!! smile

I sent off my package to my downline SP and the tracking says it has arrived. I got an email from her this evening, but she didn't mention the package. GEE I hope no one stole it!! I'll be on pins and needles until I hear from her.

Pictures this weekend, I promise!

2008-08-08T02:51:00.000-07:00

Well, last night was knit night at B&N and we had a nice crowd. Two tables! It was great!

I have managed to get to the decrease rows on my CLAP and I am extremely happy with it. I am already planning on a full size one. Now just to decide which yarn to use...........

Since I have been working on this, my socks are on hold, somewhat. But I will finish them right after this before I start the next project. I want to get back to a pair of socks a month.

I sent along a wonderful package to my downline and the tracking number says that she got it yesterday. However, she didn't post it on her blog yet, or email. I sure hope she received it and it didn't get stolen. These things make me worry! sigh...

Okay, tomorrow is Saturday and I promise (hand over heart) to put up some pictures of all the things I have been working on.

A Postcard!

2008-08-05T14:32:00.000-07:00

Today I received a postcard from my upline in SP12. It is a picture of the Japanese Garden pond at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. She visited them recently for the firs time. She has lived in California all her life, I guess, as that is also the post mark.

I got some knitting done while on vacation. But not nearly enough. Spent too much time in the car. sigh.... long story.

I have finished my cowl, a scarf, that pair of socks and I have started another pair of socks in cotton, plus I have finally plunged into doing a CLAPOTIS and I am having fun with it. I am already planning more. This one is with Elsebeth Lavold silky wool that I had already. I wouldlove to do more in it and in some of the other fun yarns. I would love to do one in Noro, and in malabrigo as well as Kauni. I have to find a good deal on them I guess.

My depression has been bad, very bad these past few weeks. That's part of the reason why I haven't written or taken pictures.

My first Swap package has arrived!

2008-07-24T15:11:00.000-07:00

This is the package without the mailing stuffing in it. Look at the awesome colors! I hope they show up well. It is from the "Odd Ball Stash busters Swap" on Ravelry.

This is a scarf that is woven by "glitterbear". I absolutely love it. I love the colors of it and I love the fringe! It is just wonderful. I have never received anything like it before and I plan to wear it to work tomorrow.

Also in the package is some 100 % cotton. I have never seen this brand before but I can't wait to try it out. I'll be searching Rav to see what to make. Also included is a circular needle in a size 2.

Then, look at this sox book! Isn't this awesome?! I think it's great and I love to make ankle length socks so this book is right up my alley.

And, a set of stitch markers, which, I don't really have many of so these will come in handy as I am hoping to finally start Clapotis and will need these.

Plus, SugarBabies! I haven't had these in YEARS and they are one of my favorites.

Thank you Glitterbear! This was an awesome first swap for me and I had a great partner. I hope your's has been/will be as good to you!

New Questions

2008-07-20T11:07:00.000-07:00

I know there are new questions to answer for the SP12. Mostly they deal with vacation. Where you like to go, what you like to do, where would you like to go.

Considering it has been nearly 10 years since we've done any kind of family vacation, I am not sure how I would answer.

The place I love most in the world is the ocean and the jersey shore. I grew up in the summer at on Barnegat bay in a bungalow. No heat, no air conditioning, no telephone, no tv, no shower, well water and the bay. Dad sold the house nearly 30 years ago and I miss it every summer. I wish that I had been able to help him with it more and being a teen had wanted to go more often. But as a teen I wanted to do "teen" things. Be with friends at home, not at the shore. So he sold and my heart has stayed behind there with all our happy family memories. Memories that I have not been able to give to our son. It makes me truly sad to think about.

Life goes on.

I need to see the ocean every year, preferably for a few days. It is my connection to happiness. I could sit at the bay or the ocean for hours, regardless of the weather and literally feel myself recharge from it's energy. Life energy. I love the colors, the smell of the water, the feel of the sand on my feet, whether hot or cold. The dampness of the air. The smell of the salt and the seaweed. The sight of the water coming in and going out. The sea spray. It breathes life into me, life that I don't get but a few days of the year.

Someplaces I would like to go some day are Savannah, Georgia. I had hoped to go there last year, but it didn't work out. I want to see all those old home and go to the water there. I want to eat at Paula Deen's restuarant.

Really, any coastal place I'd like to go to. I've never seen the Pacific. I'd like to go there someday, perhaps Seattle. Is that near the water?

I have also dreamed of some day seeing Alaska, on land, rail and cruise ship.

This year though, I am working. And I only get four days. I have to follow the guidelines of my employer. So I will have two days and a weekend down the shore with my Aunt and I will drink in as much of the water as I possibly can. I am hoping that Matt and I will be able to fit in one long weekend at Cape May in the fall. It is my other favorite place, because of all the old homes and architecture there.

I finished my socks! Yeah! I got a pair done for July. I am so very, very happy about that.

I have now started a roll brimmed hat for quad riding this fall and winter. I am using the Bartlettyarn that I got from the Cozy Cabin and I am absolutely LOVING it! I love the feel of it and the smell of it. Very natural. I am so pleased also that the yarn is from sheep from America and it is made in Maine and it has a very reasonable pricepoint that makes it extremely affordable. I am so in LOVE with this yarn.

On Thursday night I met Carolyn there and I got some to make a Cabled Hobo bag for myself and some to make a scarf with. Then I picked up some things for my Odd Ball Swap Partner. I am getting her package ready to go out this week. I can't believe how fast this month went by. I also have to get my SP 12 package ready to go out. It's not "THE" biggie, it is just another teaser.

Sorry there aren't any pictures this time.

Knitting has been slow

2008-07-16T03:24:00.000-07:00

I'm not starting out this post with knitting. I hope you don't mind.

This is a picture of the butterfly house that R made for me. We put it into the garden area in the back yard. There are bleeding hearts all around it, as well as impatiens. I love flower gardening and I try so hard each year to improve what it was the year before. I was and still am so thrilled that R took the time to make this house for me and I love it.

Now on to the knitting. This is my wonderful sock. It is made from Opal Cotton and the yarn has been a dream to work with. I just love the colors and the feel is so soft. I have managed to complete one sock and I am at the gusset of the second sock.

Sorry this next one is a bit blurry, but it is for my SP 12 pal. It took two tries at this pattern to get it right, but I finally did it and I think it came out good. I had hoped to have it in the mail on Saturday, but with visiting dad it just didn't happen.

I am in several swaps now and I am so excited. First, I joined the SP12 swap. This one is really cool. I have enjoyed getting to know my downstream. She is a busy mom also, and she updates her blog as she can. I am having so much fun knitting for her and I can't wait until the big reveal. She is just going to LOVE what I've chosen for her.

My SP, my upline as they say, has been very busy traveling for work and I don't hear much from her, but she keeps telling me she's putting together a package. I have to be patient, but it's so hard, when you read the other's blogs and they are being spoiled already.

I also joined the Odd ball swap, Hi Lois! and I have already got her knitted item done and I am going shopping this week. I had hoped to have it out for her birthday, but it's not going to make it, but she said that was fine.

Then, I joined the Dish Cloth Swap. I have those done and I have to get them into the mail this weekend.

Now on to life. How do you keep the stress in your life low? Someone needs to explain this to me. I just can't do it all. Going back to work full time has been nothing but frustration for me. I am not happy with how the house is or isn't being kept. But I am so tired when I get home, getting dinner on the table is about all I can manage. I don't even get to knit most nights, because when I do, I usually screw it up and rip it back the next day.

I have been a worrier most of my life and I try not to be, really I do. But my health is really being affected.

A visit to the COZY CABIN

2008-07-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

After work yesterday, and a quick dinner with dh, I took a run over to the "cozy cabin" our new LYS and met Toni the owner. The shop deals with quilting supplies and with yarn. She is offering a few classes beginning in September, that will be taught by Carolyn from our Thursday night knit group. Anyway, the shop is really very cute and the perfect size. She offers lovely choices in Wildfoote, which I have never used before and picked up two skeins to make a pair of socks with. It is in the colorway "mums". Then after much "touching and feeling" I decided on one skein of Bartlett yarn in 3 ply, 145 yards of Md. Sheeps gray. I'll be using this for a pull over cowl, and a skein of Bartlett yarn in 2 ply, 210 yards in Dark Sheeps Gray, for a hat. Both of which are for myself and for winter when we go quad riding. I like the color, as it is not really a gray, but more of a brown. I like it alot.

As a matter of fact, I liked a lot of the colors she offered. There was also some other yarns, but I had to be good and I went with the hat and cowl in mind and perhaps a pair of socks. So I stuck well to my budget and to my list. Though I would have loved to have purchased more! And probably will in the future.

I have also signed up for Carolyn's class that she will offer in October. It is making a gorgeous colorwork christmas stocking. I can't wait.

I heard from my SP12 spoilee, she got the goodies that I sent along. I can't really mention what at the moment, just in case she happens along this blog. Which, hardly anyone reads my blog, so I don't know why I worry or wonder, but I have been looking at everyones blog who has one listed on the website trying to think who could be my SP. My upline as they say. She must travel an awful lot for work. I have not heard from her this week and last week she told me that she had been to Mexico on business so that was why I hadn't heard from her. That must be hard to be away from family.

I find it very interesting reading other peoples blogs. It is so much fun when they are from another country and they talk about their home and the pictures! It's just great. I have always lead such a boring life, I just love being able to see what other peoples lives are like.

I had some "ripping" yesterday. Well, the cabled hobo bag had a noticeable mistake about 5 repeats back, so RIP. And continue on. Then, I had all the decreases done on my toe of sock one, and it would have been just a tad too tight, so RIP. All the way back and put in five more rows and then began the decreases.

I have to work tomorrow, but I promise to get some pictures on here. It's been too long since I've taken any. I want to show the yarn I got.

SP Question #4

2008-07-02T14:28:00.000-07:00

1) What yarn (that you don’t have/haven’t used) would make your stash “complete”?

Let's see, I would have to say some of the garnstudioEskimo or Silke alpaca. I have never tried it and would love to.

2) What yarn do you never want to be without?**

For this one, I would say cascade 220. I love all the different colors. I would also add Elsabeth Lavold Silky wool

I Did really knit in June, didn't I?

2008-06-30T12:49:00.000-07:00

I feel like the month has flown by and I haven't knit a thing.

I did one thing for my SP. That went out last week with some goodies in it for her. I hope that she liked it.

I have the one sock in progress, I am on the foot part.

I worked on the June bag, but I am mixed about the results with the yarn I used. I like the pattern well enough though. I love cables.

I am still working on my "Lace Ribbon Scarf" from the Spring 2008 Knitty. It's my second one and I keep going back to it.

I have been wanting to get to the Cozy Cabin. It is a quilt/yarn shop that has opened in a local ladies home, however, weekends are hard for me, and she is only open Thurs and Fri evening and on the weekends. I hope to make it there this week, I want to see some of the yarn and sign up for one of the classes. At least I am thinking about it.

July is nearly here. I am so excited to be having a few days away with my Aunt, that the whole month will fly by, and I fear it will be winter soon.

Isn't it terrible how we wish our lives away?

What would you consider to be the perfect amount of stash?

2008-06-25T05:08:00.000-07:00

Yarn stash that is.

I never really thought about this, as I do have a yarn stash, not in my notebook though. I have 4 dresser drawers full, plus two drawers of one night stand, plus two underbed storage containers, plus two smaller shelf containers, plus a LARGE ziplock with my reclaimed yarn and yarn yet to be claimed. Plus there is the "sock" bag, with an additional three skeins, and a J.Knits back with about 8 skeins, plus a shopping bag with some kitchen cotton.

And I still feel the NEED for more!

Terrible as it is. I am on a yarn diet, and I have been VERY good. I have only purchased a few skeins that I needed to make a project or two since February. Otherwise I have been using what I have in my stash, and this is helping to keep me happy, and not broke!

My perfect size stash is whatever I need at the moment to get me through the moment I am in, so I guess, for right now, I have the perfect sized stash.

Question #2 and other updates...

2008-06-23T03:25:00.000-07:00

Question 2 for the SP what did I look forward to most on summer break.

Our bungalow at the Jersey shore and reading. We had no tv, no telephone, we didn't even have a shower, you bathed in the kitchen sink. For a kid, that was heaven! Those are the memories that will always be burned into my head and my heart.

This weekend was a waste! I got absolutely no knitting done. I hate weekends like that.

We got TONS of yard work done though, which, I really shouldn't complain about. It needed to be done, damn weeds! I hate to use chemicals on them, and when I was home, I could keep after them, everyday for a few minutes, but now! FORGET IT! I had to put down some Preen after I weeded. I am going to have to put several applications down and then in the fall use something a bit stronger. I can't be spending hours weeding, and weed wacking.

Saturday night, I was so exhausted, I couldn't even enjoy the deck with DH. I ended up falling asleep around 7:30! That is a bit early, man am I getting old.

Since I last wrote, I have finished the cuff of one sock, and I have gotten 9 inches done on the June bag. It is working up a bit small, but I am hoping that it will soften up once I wash it. The cabling is just awesome on it.

Well, I haven't heard from my SP last week, I hope that she is doing well.

Socks on the needles.....again!

2008-06-16T03:57:00.000-07:00

Well, last night, I decided, it was time.

I went to my sock cabinet and looked for THUJA, a pattern from knitty that I have done before, and LOVE. AND, it wasn't there.... hhhhmmmm....

I have several "bags" for my yarn things, so near the sofa was my sock bag, and inside was my pattern. Thank goodness.

I decided on a pair of Opal cotton socks this time. I wish I knew german, so I could tell you the colorway, it is #1339. Beautiful pink, cream and a light chocolate color.

So far I am liking it alot.

I didn't make a pair of socks last month, and I feel bad about that. I love making socks. Really, I haven't made a pair since the beginning of April, and I don't know if you could REALLY count those as April socks, because I started them in March and finished them inside the first few days of April.

Well, anyway. These will be my June socks and I'll be happy.

I haven't made a cotton pair for myself yet. But I am liking them so far.

Summer Drink?

2008-06-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

Well, this is the question for the week for the Secret Pal swap.

I drink coffee. Summer, spring, winter, fall.

It's a terrible habit, and I really need to drink more water. At one time, I had gotten very good about my water versus coffee intake. I have to get better at that.

So I guess I am going to say. My drink for summer is water.

(Even though my coffee in the morning keeps me going!)

I have finished my charity scarf.

I have made one gift, a small one for my Secret Pal. I hope that she will like it.

Every girl should have one, not that most NEED more. But I thought she might like a little something made just for her. I have to figure out though how to wrap it. I am a horrible wrapper. In fact, I HATE to wrap anything.

Yes, I know how to wrap, I just hate, dread doing it. But I want her to feel special so I am going to have to figure this out over the weekend and send it off next week.

Here's a little tip. I used a vintage button on it.

FO and frustrations

2008-06-09T16:13:00.001-07:00

Here is a picture of my completed, modified Arnold bag. I didn't have the chunky weight yarn that was called for in the pattern, but I had some Patons classic merino in my stash that I wanted to us up. So here is the completed bag. I love it! It is the perfect size for carring my mindless, work, knitting, and my lunch and snacks in.

Next, we have the mindless, work, knitting. This is a scarf, made of Gleam, that will be sent to a charity group that will in turn send it along to a chemo patient. At work, I can fit in knitting here and there, but I can't bring anything that takes real thought. So I figured this time can be used well to knit for charity.

I don't remember if I showed this one well enough. This is the scarf I made from some of my reclaimed yarn. I love this pattern and how this one came out.

That I immediately cast on this one when I was done with the above one. It is also of reclaimed yarn, of a light weight, lambswool. It is a gray/purple shade with flecks of colors in it. I think the tag in the sweater said "woodland". I like the weight of this one. It will make a nice indoor scarf to help dress up some of my conservative bank outfits.

I feel bad about this next picture. The color is just not what it really is. I will have to take another one when I am done. In the picture, it looks gold, but really it is this wonderful shade of green. It is some of the J. Knits yarn in Montana colorway.

This pattern is "Falling Water Lace Scarf" by Bonnie Sennott. It is a great pattern and I have gotten through the repeat 15 times. I will probably do 25 repeats to make it nice and long. It is a fingerweight yarn.

I found out who my secret pal is and I am so excited to start this new adventure. I do not have a clue what it is all about, but I'll learn.

My spoiler has contacted me today as well. It is so exciting!

Part of my frustration is my work. Last week, I made a mistake, one that perhaps could have been avoided if I weren't new, if I could "hear" better, and if an additional hold had been placed on a check. I can't really say much more, but let's just say, the bank is out several thousand dollars because of a bad check and me paying part of it out. sigh.... The others have told me, they would have done the same, the hold was off of the check, the money was available. They would have given out the cash as well. BUT, they didn't, I was the one who did, and while it's not like I'll lose my job or anything, it is now up to my boss to track the person down, and to try to get the money back OR to go through all the paperwork to take this person to court. I feel and felt horrible.

I know I need to move on about it. Things like this happen. I try to believe that people are good, but you know what? People who are bad, shit on people who are good. And that's just the way things are and I should get used to it, I know.

But, I still feel bad, like it was my fault, like I should have known better.

I am now more careful about everyone, and every check. I check every account, and if I'm not sure, I call one of the others who are more familiar with the families and the customers.

well, that's enough bellyaching.

Saturday update

2008-06-07T03:46:00.000-07:00

I don't have any pictures today. I am hoping to get some on here tomorrow.

The week has been another busy one. Getting used to working and now DH has started his new job. It makes life interesting, but it doesn't help me on the knittnig front.

I have found a way to get some plain, garter stitch knitting done at work during the down times, so I will be working on some charity scarves out of stuff in my stash to help me pass the time along.

I am so excited about the SP12 swap. I just can't wait for it to start already!

A Day without Knitting! Oh MY!

2008-06-01T04:09:00.000-07:00

On Friday, I did not one stitch of knitting!

Working a job, and keeping a house and all that goes with it, then comes the monthly! Well, by the time 7pm rolled around, I was too exhausted to even pick up my needles. I just sat on the couch like a vegetable and fell asleep watching tv by about 8pm! I haven't done that in a few years and I don't like it!!

I determined that yesterday, I was going to do some form of knitting. I have some projects in mind and I have ton's of yarn, I just have to get on the ball, so to speak.

So I got out my swift and and balled up the J.Knits Montana sock yarn, which I am now through two repeats of the "Falling Water Lace Scarf" and I'm loving it. I also balled up the J.Knits Felters Dream Bulky that I have. I am thinking I want to make a bag out of this. At first I was thinking Cowls, because I know they will make a great accessory for work, but I am still searching for the perfect handbag.... And I think these three colors will look great together in a felted handbag. I am thinking "Seashells and Sand" hand bag by Anita Moore. It is a free pattern on Elann.com . I like the shape, and will probably felt the whole thing.

I love all the free patterns that you can find on the internet. I appreciate all the designers who offer their patterns free. I don't think enough people tell them that.

No pictures today, sorry about that. It's early and I am trying to "squeeze" in some blog time and some knitting before I begin doing more "chores"!!

SP 12 Questionaire

2008-05-30T03:16:00.000-07:00

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? This is really a difficult question to answer. I have not knit with tons of yarn or fibers yet, so I don't really have a true favorite, but I love knitting with J. Knits mernio yarns. Any natural fiber or fiber blend. I like to purchase from Little Knits because they have good sales for trying things.

What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I knit with all kinds, however, I am allergic to cats and rabbits, so all angora is out for me.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? At the current time, I keep them all in a seal tight lid plastic container, my spare ones, if I am using them, they just travel with me.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? I have not been knitting for very long, perhaps 10 years, however, I really began to learn and enjoy knitting about two years ago. Since then I have learned to knit socks and sweaters and tons of other things!

Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I would like to think I am an intermediate, however, I believe you can't know everything and that you are always learning.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I will have to get back to this, I do have one on Amazon, and I would like to make another wish list. I tend to keep them in my head as I "window" shop.

5. What's your favorite scent? I love anything with sandlewood, but also like citrus.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Anything with chocolate, caramel and nuts.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I crochet, though I haven't done much in quite some time. I used to scrapbook, but have given my things to a dear friend. OH, and recently I started to reclaim yarn from thrift store sweaters.

Do you spin? No, and I don't really think I will learn this craft.

8. What kind of music do you like? I like mostly 80's music, but I listen to just about anything rock.

Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I don't really know to be honest.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? As far as colors, I love ocean related ones. Blues, greens, purples. I have also been drawn, lately to colors I had never really thought about before, such as tangerine and coral.

Any colors you just can't stand? I would say neon and black.

10. What is your family situation? I am married and we have one son.

Do you have any pets? We have one dog, who is our "four legged" boy. Spoiled nearly as much as our son!

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I am currently seeking scarf patterns. I recently started working and need to dress conservatively and thought scarves would be a way to add a little bit to my outfits. I do wear hats in winter, but not for fashion. Mittens are always great, would love some that are also fingerless gloves with the mitten over top. I am a not very tall, so I haven't ventured for a poncho yet. This is the one nice thing that I love about knitting, I can make my clothes to fit me!

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I love to knit socks. Though, if you look at this blog, you will see I didn't get a pair done in May because of working on other things and because of now having a job, but I would say they are my favorite. Just too many yarn choices. Also, I love to knit felted bags. I feel as if I have been in a search, most of my life, for the perfect handbag. Making my own has helped alot, though I am still searching. I am currently carrying a Squatty Sidekick, that I lined, that is the near perfect size for me, now I just need to modify it a bit. There are tons of patterns in my queue.

13. What are you knitting right now? I am working on "Lace Ribbon Scarf" by Veronik Avery from the Knitty Spring 2008 issue. It is my second one. Though, it's not on my projects page. I recently started "Falling Water Lace Scarf" by Bonnie Sennott. I am using some J. Knits Superwash Me Sock in "Montana". I am really liking the way it is coming out.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? I love handmade gifts. To me there is no other sign of friendship or love that says it all.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? I have problems with my hands, wrists and elbows, and I have found straights are a problem, so I tend to use circulars for everything. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I have some in each, but have found that I really like the ones fom Knit Picks.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? My brother made me a simple swift, which has worked wonderfully, but I have no ball winder and have been searching for an inexpensive one.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? I would say two years. There is a scarf I started to learn how to do cables, and it is long enough for me, but it is still on the needles.

18. What is your favorite holiday? I don't really have one

19. Is there anything that you collect? yarn, yes, I could say yarn. I want to try new kinds, things I haven't tried before, so one skein is good. I say one skein because it is a good way to try out a new yarn to know if you are going to like it. With one skein, you can usually make something useful and fun without alot of expense.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? There are several patterns, Central Park Hoodie is one I can think of as far as patterns go. (There are some in my queue on Ravelry and in my favorites). Yarns, I would love to try are different sock yarns: Lisa Sousa for one, CherryTree Hill, Mountain colors. Any sock yarn other than Opal I guess. Though I do love Opal 6 ply. I don't have any solid color sock yarns and now that I am working a conservative job, I can't really wear the loud colors and stripes that I usually knit with. So some subtle handpainteds or some solid colors, but not black. I don't think the eyes could handle it.

What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? None, I would LOVE interweave knits. I have been buying these as they come out since last fall, so any back issues from 2006 would be nice also.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I am slowly trying to learn how to do lace, but lace weight still intimidates me, so I have been trying with dk and fingering weight to learn. I am not sure that I will ever get below a size 2 needle. Even for socks in fingering weight I end up using a 2 because I do tend to knit tightly.

22. Are you a sock knitter? YES!

What are your foot measurements? I wear a size 7 shoe.

23. When is your birthday? December

24. Are you on Ravelry? Yes. If so, what's your ID? Knititall

I guess the only thing I would really add is that I am allergic to cats and rabbits, that nearly any kind of yarn (except maybe novelty, because I have tons of that in my stash already) in a natural fiber I would love to try knitting with. I am easy to please and I am looking forward to being a part of SP12

SP12

2008-05-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

What you may ask is SP 12? Well, it just so happens it is a secret pal swap that has been going on for some time now and I've decided that I wanted to give it a try.

I am new to all this swap thing, but it has to do with spoiling someone else. A knitter. What could be so hard about that?! I can't wait to find out more.

I will be posting my questionaire here, but I thought I'd say a few things about me and my knitting now.

I started out learning from my Aunt a few years ago. She is still my best knitting pal and though we don't see each other much, she is the first one I call when I accomplish a new skill.

I taught myself how to knit socks last year, and they have been a favorite of mine, though this month, May, I have worked on so many different things, that I haven't knit a pair! They will be the first thing new on my needles for next month. We all need goals, don't we?

I love most colors. Some, I have been surprised lately, I have been drawn to, that otherwise I would not have considered liking. Though I do tend to go toward purples, blues, and earth tones, I have been liking tangerine, yellow and shades of brown. Who know, surprise me I guess!

I have not knit any lace yet, and I think, for me, that will be a LONG way off. I just don't have the fine motor skills for that yet. But I have been practicing with fingering weight and I am liking that alot.

I have recently fallen in LOVE with J. Knits colorways. They are all so beautiful. I would love any of those in Superwash ME sock.

I tend to go toward natural fibers, wool, bamboo and stay away from novelty and acrylic, except for charity knitting.

I have also learned how to reclaim yarn and I have been using that lately and I really enjoy it.

I do not have a ball winder, ,and would love one, as I have so many hanks of yarn to wind....

I would love a subscription to IK. I have the most current issues for the past year.
That's all for now.

J. Knits ROCKS!

2008-05-28T03:20:00.000-07:00

This is a photo instensive post so get ready!

In the mail yesterday, arrived my package of goodies from Julie. To say I was speechless......

Since I was not totally familiar with her line of yarn, I left the choices up to her and told her what I liked to knit and the colors I favored

Here is one package. It came with two great skeins of her sock yarn. It is 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon. For colors she chose "Montana" in the green colorway, and "Reno" in the variegated. (Which I am totally surprised, I think it is a favorite!). Then she sent along a two skeins of Felters Dream Worsted, one in "Kentucky" and the other in "Minneapolis". I can't wait to try those out, they are 85% wool and 15 % Mohair. I don't think I've ever used Mohair before.

PLUS, she also included not one but TWO patterns. One is designed by herself, which is the "mom's Sock". They are dedicated to her mother. Then the other pattern is a Mother - Daughter pattern, called "Teagan's Socks" by Gail Gelin, one of her designers.

And as if THAT goody bag wasn't enough!

There was more! In the second bag, were three skeins of Simply Luxurious. It is a 60% Superwash Mernio, 15% Bamboo, 15% Nylon AND 10 % SILK. I have never used anything with SILK in it. These three lovelys I am hoping to transform into a Clapotis. It will be a challenge for me. But, Julie knew it was something I wanted to try.

Then, also included in this goody bag were three skeins of Felters Dream Bulky. In Louisiana, New Jersey and Mississippi. I can't wait to try them out either.

And not to forget the little bag of goodies, which I didn't get a picture of, it had candies, lotion, gum and "knitting girl" mints! I have never seen those and they are so cute!

And here I am, holding all the yarnie goodness! It is not something you will see often, as I don't usually post personal pictures on here, but I thought this was a very special and fitting occasion. I felt like I had hit the jackpot and I am going to have SO MUCH fun working on projects. It will keep me busy for some time to come.

Thank you Julie.

And here are just a few more close up shots of the yarn colorways to give you a better idea of how truly lovely they are.

Catching up!

2008-05-24T03:18:00.000-07:00

I have disappeared, I know.

This working a full time J O B is cutting, seriuosly, into my knitting time and my life.... sigh..

It's a good job though, and I am very happy and fortuante to have it. So, believe me, I'm not complaining.

However, it means that I seem to find no time to update my blog, and I'm sorry. Like I have TONS of people reading it?! But, I like to use it to keep track of my projects, learning and progress.

Knitting is my SANITY!

Okay, since Mr GreenJeans.

I have done THREE "Amanda's Squatty Sidekicks". The first out of Patons Classic wool mernio. I used a nice deep blue and a varigated, to make like a stripe. That came out nice, ended up going to R. Then, she liked that one so much, she wanted another one to wear with her jeans, so I found Paton's Classic has a cute "new demin" and "washed" denim and THAT one came out really cute. Then, I made one for myself out of Noro Kuyeon, that was meant for a Booga bag, but became a sidekick in stead.

Boy, is that Noro difficult to felt. But I love it. Then, I also learned how to make a lining and I sewed that one in place and I am now sporting that bag around. It has a vintage button on it.

Then, I started, out of Trekking XXL, sock yarn, an "old shale scarf" which is a feather and fan pattern, and I had some difficulty in the beginning, but then I was just perking along. Went to take a picture of it, and when I went to do the close up, I realized, somewhere along the half way of what I had already done mark, I messed up the rows and it had to fronts, one at the top on one side and one at the bottom on the other side.

sigh....

STOP AND ADMIRE YOUR WORK!

Which, I didn't do.... So after a few minutes of thoughts, I ripped the WHOLE thing out, and have decided I will try the scarf AGAIN, but another day, in another colorway and pay closer attention!

I also made a Arnolds Felted bag. It is a small tote, that I didn't have chunky wool for, so I used the rest of the denim yarns, and it came out cute! I am hoping to line that one as well.

Now, my current project is Lace Ribbon scarf, by Veronik Avery. I have been wanting to do this one for a while, and now I am, and I'm enjoying it very much. It calls for Classic Elite Alpaca sox yarn, but I am using some of my reclaimed yarn, it is a lighter weight wool and I reduced the amount of pattern columns to make it a tad smalled because of the slightly heavier weight yarn. It's coming very nice and I am really enjoying, AND ADMIRING my work.

Went to knit night on Thursday. When it is just Carolyn and I, I feel like I just talk too much and don't let her get a word in edgewise, but I so enjoy the company. And having someone to talk with about knitting.

I am enjoying my job and did get my first pay check AND I haven't really spent it yet, just have it deposited in my account, looking pretty.... sigh

FO's, Updates on my life,,,,

2008-05-11T05:38:00.000-07:00

Here it is!! My Mr GreenJeans. I finished it last weekend and I have since found a button for it and I will block it and wear it this week to work!

That one sleeve was such a bear, in my rush to finish this, I truly messed up the sleeve and had to rip the darn thing back TWICE!

But I love this cardigan for several reasons and I am so happy that I made it.

Here is a felted clutch that I will add buttons to and some velcro closures. I will probably use this as a make up bag for my purse.

Here is my first Amanda's Squattty Sidekick. It's a cute bag. I made it while going through my job training, during those down times (smoking breaks and lunch mostly) I was glad to get it done and felted because all of the girls wanted to see it when completed.

Then, I had bought some Noro, months ago and I decided to make this one for me. The one above, I gave to R. She loves it.

Anyway, it's the first time I've used Noro, let alone for felting and it has been difficult. Since I have a front loader, felting is slow, so for small bags, I use hand felting in a bowl and then throw the item into the dryer, which works wonders by the way. Anyway, this one just has taken FOREVER to get near to felted size. I will probably end up having to line this one as the fabric is not quite as sturdy. But I think it will make a great summer bag. Love the colors!

I had a weeks worth of training last week. It was okay, however, they should have done a basic "this is how you count large sums of money" day and a "this is how you use an adding machine" day. The younger people just don't have a clue, and so I was BORED out of my whits! But, I made it, I wonder if they will.

It just amazes me, I must be getting to be an old fart or something. Several showed up late, each day. Several did not follow dress code, when we spent at least an HOUR going over what was considered acceptable, and what was not.

This week I will have my own window and I am confident things will be much better for me. I will also get my first pay..... sigh.....

For mother's day, we went up "north" and "got rocks". The flat kind that you can use for landscaping. I love the natural look of them and the rustic feel. I am hoping that these will be enough to finally finish the yard off and not have to get any more. It's hard work, but they are free, so I can't complain.

Well, today is mothers day and I am doing nothing but knitting. I am working on a Sidekick for R in the colors she chose. Then I don't know what the day will hold for me.

Projects I've worked on this week!

2008-04-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

Boy, the week sure went by quickly, now that I am working. Can't say it makes me happy, as my knitting time is cut WAY back by it.

I made this tote bag last weekend. It it made out of a men's sweater that I felted and then cut and sewed, BY HAND. Not my favorite activity, but it came out nicely and I've been carrying Mr GreenJeans in it all week to work.

I get about 15 minutes at lunch time where I can knit, the other 15 is for eating. sigh...

Here is the child's sweater that I knit for Julie this week. I spent each morning, during my quiet time working on it. I will send it off to her tomorrow.

I can say that I learned alot from this little vest. It was a test knit and I had to "rewrite" some of the directions along the way, as the designer took alot for granted from the knitter and they were very vague. I need to make sense of my chicken scratch and send that along to Julie as well.

I had to rework the button band three times to get it to look nice. There was alot left to be desired with the instructions, and with no skematics or pictures to go by, I still think that the one button hole is TOO high up, but I will let Julie decide when she gets it.

I grafted the shoulders, which I really like how they came out, I"ll have to remember doing that, as I graft alot of toes and can do that well, only with shoulders, you don't want to pull a tightly as you do with socks.

I continue to work on Mr GreenJeans and I am determined to finish him this month. (Thumbs pressed). I have two more rows on the right sleeve to do, the whole left sleeve and the button band. I think I can get it done.

At the moment, I have two more sweaters felting to make tote bags out of. These will be much larger, as they were XL men's sweaters. One I will make for R as she found it and liked it.

Work this week was good. It is just going to take me time to realize that my time is no longer my own, it is ruled by someone else and that I actually have to ASK for permission to take vacation! BUT, I am happy, I get 4 1/2 days of vacation this year, so I can't complain. But having to plan and ask for it is hard.

This week, I plan to finish Mr GreenJeans and decide on what will be my next project. I am trying VERY HARD, not to buy some yarn. I have quite a bit in my stash and I don't really NEED anymore yarn, but......

It's a Surprise Vest!

2008-04-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

No pictures today, just didn't have the time to down load them.

I got another package in the mail from Julie at J-Knits. This project will be a test knit and a sampler for a childs vest. I've never done one of these, so it will be fun. I love the colorway she sent this time, it is blues and purples, one of my favorites.

I sent off the sweater to her last week and I can't wait to get my yarnie goodness surprise from her for knitting it up. I am sure it will be a good one.

Why couldn't we have found each other sooner?

Well, tomorrow is a new day for me. I am very sad that I will not be an at home mom anymore. But I know it is for the best, and it will get me out, and meeting people and it is a good job. For that, I am grateful.

Yesterday, I spent nearly the whole day making a Felted Sweater tote. Pictures soon. I had great fun making it and plan to make some more. This one I will use for toting back and forth to work my knitting in progress.

Which, besides the vest, is my Mr Green Jeans. I have the body done, and one sleeve up to the ribbing. I am pleased so far with the fit.

I may never get to Ireland~!

2008-04-19T07:29:00.000-07:00

But, I have a hand knit sweater, made of 100% Pure New Wool from Ireland!

Isn't it lovely? It is one of my Salvation Army finds this week. We found it in the Men's section, though I do not think it a Men's Sweater. There is no size in it.

At first, I was going to reclaim the yarn. It is a natural colorway, so I thought, maybe someday, if or when I learn to dye yarn... or to knit my own aran sweater with it.

But, then, I tried it on this morning, and I thought. Hmmm. It really isn't TOO big. And M hates my pink, fuzzy robe. He's been after me to make a robe to wear. So I tried it on in from of him and didn't say anything and he said, that could be your new robe!

Though I could never wear it next to my skin, it does cover my butt, and it has pockets in it and it buttons if I want.

So, now I have myself a handknit sweater from Ireland. I tell you, I don' think anyone ever wore it, that it just sat in someone's drawer.

OH! And one of the nicests parts?! I got it on family day, where everything, except one color tag, is half price. This only cost me $3.00. And if or when I tire of it, I have more than a sweaters worth of yarn to make something new! How awesome is that?

It's a surprise!

2008-04-17T03:38:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is! I am finished and it took about 10 days. It's the first time I've done a child's garment and it is just so darn cute!

This picture is before blocking and the yarn was wonderful then, NOW, OMG it is just gorgeous and so soft it's incredible.

One thing I had forgotten though. This garment reminded me why I usually make top down in the round sweaters. THE FINISHING! I haven't done one in a while, so I admit, I was rusty. But all of the seams came out undetectable. The one arm though...... sigh...... One arm, which was actually the second one, went on perfect, looked great. The first arm. LOL. I ended up doing that one THREE times, because I just wasn't happy with it. I figured if it were for me, that would be different. But I was making this one for someone else, and they would be showing it to I don't know how many people, I wanted it to be PERFECT! Believe me, both arms are perfect!

I now understand why so many people have UFO laying around, or hiding places so their spouses and family don't see them. M knew I was making this one for someone else, and that I would get yarn out of it . I was truly so surprised the interest he showed while I was knitting it and all the under-my-breathe talking that I did while seaming, he even asked how things were going?! I could get used to having him around so much.

On a side note, I don't talk much about myself, only my knitting, but with sadness and I guess I should be happy. I got a job. It's full time, the pay is decent, it's right here in town, it's a job I've done before and liked (years ago), and ....... I really don't want to go. I have liked being home these past two years and with the nicer weather coming, there is so much yard work to do yet. I like making dinner every night and not feeling rushed. I like having a neat, orderly and clean home. sigh.... So wish me luck, I start Monday.

I hate when the paragraphs run together, I'm sorry, it's not the way I typed it, just the way it is coming out! UGH!!

No pictures today.

2008-04-15T03:17:00.000-07:00

Sorry about that. But I wanted to get an update on here and I just don't have the time to do it all!

The excitement knitting is coming along nicely. I just have to seam it, do the collar and block it and it is on its way! I can't wait as that means, I'll have some new yarn!

My thrift shopping was so good last week, but wrought with frustration! I got the gray/black sweater apart easily, but that nice, pink smooshy lambswool one, just wouldn't come apart without breaking! I was about ready to scream! So I have been working on felting it and I am going to make it into knitting totes.

Then, one of the one's I didn't photo, was this really nice tweed orange one, made in Italy. The construction left alot to be desired. Was a BEAR to get apart and THEN when I finally got to the point of unraveling it, every other row is another strand. Meaning, there are two strands to make the garment! So I have to slowly, tediously pull one strand and wind it, then pull the next strand and wind it. SLOW! Pretty yarn though and I want it! AND the best part is? I noticed I have a second one made by the same manufacturer!!

After these two sweater frustrations, I decided to go on to an easy LL Bean sweater. A great Men's size Large, made of Lambswool and nylon and a nice color of blue grey. Guess what? In my bleery eyed monster stage at the thrift store, I guess I didn't look well enough and it is SERGED at the seams! I tell you! So, what to do? What to do? What to do?

I felted it, twice in the wash and now it is THE PERFECT size for me to wear. A nice thick fabric, with lots of stitch definition yet, and it was very warm when we went out on the 4 wheelers yesterday. So, it worked out in the end.

R and I went and bought some ornamental grasses for the yard last week. Got tons of compost and peat moss and planted them. The other plants we are going to wait until the end of this week to do. We have had very cold, freezing night temperatures the last few nights, which meant covering the grasses, but I am so glad to have them done, as I have wanted them for two years now.

We also were able to put in two of my mother's hydrangeas. I don't think they will flower this year, but I am glad to be getting the side yard worked on as well.

Excitement!

2008-04-10T05:58:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is, the Yarn cake I have been telling you about. Isn't the hand dyed color just Awesome!

Now we'll talk about my reclaiming day that I had yesterday. This charcoal grey one is 70% shetland wool and 30% Acrylic. It is a mens XL and I am planning to make this one into a cobblestone sweater for my brother for Christmas. I think it will be great!

This pink one is just yummy, it is a Ladies Large Gap stretch. 98% Lambswool and 1% Lycra and 1% other fiber. That part has me a bit worried, other fiber.... but it is so yummy I couldn't resist it~!

And here is the AWESOME sweater!
It is 100% ALL PURE WOOL Made in Ireland and it is a Women's XL. I have it in the sink as we speak I am so excited about this one.
It was a beautiful knit sweater, hardly worn and too large for me, so I am trying to think of what to make of it. I was able to get almost 1,400 YARDS out of this sweater~! I could make TONS of small stuff or I bet 2 sweaters if I plan it all right! Yahoo for me. And for only $2.50!

Tonight is sit and knit, I am so excited that this group seems to be starting and going. I have such fun knitting with new people, seeing new projects and yarns, and most of all talking with people who have the same interests as me!

It's about reading directions!

2008-04-08T17:11:00.000-07:00

Like I said the other day, it's about reading the directions.

Here is the apple pie that I made, before baking and after. I love before and after pictures, don't you?

I can't take credit for the crust. I have tried, believe me. I am not a crust maker by any means, I use Pillsbury.

Now, it's been a number of years since I've made bread, and before we moved, we HAD a bread maker, but someone felt we wouldn't use it when we moved, so it didn't move with us, instead it went to Goodwill with TONS of other things.

Anyway, I kept my very good bread book with tons of recipes in it and I chose to make some buttermilk bread.

In a rush on Sunday morning, (need I say more) , I put the dry ingredients into the kitchenaid and put the liquids in the pot on the stove, got that to 120 degrees, added it to the dry, added more flour, and boy, it sure didn't look right, but I thought perhaps it was just me, miss rush. So I put it into the oven, a nice warm spot to rise, and it didn't rise. It was a cannon ball!

So, with the help of the bread book, I found out why it was a cannon ball, not enough liquid,,,, hmmmm

Go back to the page of the recipe and it was 1 cup of water, 3 Tbs of buttermilk powderAND another cup of water!!!

It was a slow process, but I was able to put the water into the mix and get it to the correct texture. I split it in two and was able to make two acceptable loaves of bread. Not quite as high and fluffy as it could have been, but it's been good just the same.

Here is my Squidge dishcloth that I am doing for the dishcloth weekly KAL on ravelry. It is actually last weeks pattern, and I am STILL working on it. But I am also working on my
Mr GreenJeans as well as my "exciting" project. I'll share a picture of the yarn cake I made tomorrow.

Life has kept me busy

2008-04-07T17:26:00.000-07:00

I have taken some wonderful pictures to share and haven't had them time to down load them.

We were so busy all weekend and even today that I took some great pictures that I will just have to share on Wednesday when I have some free time, unless I can squeeze it in tomorrow morning.

I received my package of yarn and pattern in the mail on Saturday. I didn't think it would arrive so quickly, so I didn't check the mail until nearly 7 pm and it had been there ALL afternoon!! sigh.....

I still don't know if I can talk about it or not, but I will share the "yarn" cakes I made up with them from the hanks. Atleast then you could see the colorway, which is absolutely GORGEOUS!

I am working away at Mr GreenJeans, though I haven't done much with such a busy weekend. And I also started another dishcloth, as I needed something small and quick to do, but haven't finished that either!

I will say that DH has managed to get the bathroom portion of the utility room done, now just one wall, the shower and the ceiling and that room will be complete! Yeah!!!

OH, and the most important thing I learned this weekend, which I will explain more when the pictures are up, BE SURE TO READ, and READ the directions!

I am SO excited!!!

2008-04-04T07:23:00.000-07:00

First things first.

Here is an update on Mr GreenJeans. I have gotten through the sleeve increases and I am working on my pattern/ribbing repeats now. Very easy pattern to remember, and I even successfully learned how to cable without using a needle! Makes life much easier.

I think have even learned how to use my camera well enough to get a pretty good close up shot. I am anxious to see it when it is done and blocked. I have to spend more time doing this as I can be intimidated by new things when I don't understand them.

So far, I have to say, I like the stitch definition I am getting with this reclaimed yarn.

Last night was Sit and Knit night. Met two new NE PA knitters. Both of these lovely ladies brought wonderful yarns with them for their projects and I got to see up close and personal, Manos and Debbie Bliss Cathay. Both very nice choices.

That is one things about living in an area where there are no local yarn stores, you don't get to touch and feel things. So this was really nice being able to see and touch these two yarns the other gals were using. I'm already looking forward to next week.

NOW, for the REAL exciting news!! I was eavesdropping, using the radar feature, at Ravelry yesterday and there came up a note about someone looking for sample knitters. I didn't know what that was, so I looked further at the group. I won't mention who it is yet, because I don't know if this type of thing is for general public (like the general public reads my blog?!) Anyway, it is a yarn company, they send you their yarn and a pattern for you to knit for a sample for their trunk shows. Then as a thank you for knitting, they send you some of their yarn for your personal use. Isn't that COOL? And I was chosen. I am so excited about it. I can't wait to get the package in the mail. That really made my day yesterday.

Finished Objects and those in Process

2008-04-01T16:42:00.000-07:00

Here are my finished Twin Rib Socks. I had hoped to get them done in March, but I just couldn't concentrate enough on them to get those toes done. Just finished them this evening, so they are my first April FO.

It is also the first time I have done a second pair of socks with Opal 6 ply where I came THAT close to running out of yarn! They came out nearly identical and I didn't even try. I love when that happens, even though if they don't match, it doesn't bother me.

I began Mr GreenJeans on the 30th. I just couldn't wait until the beginning of April. Here is the first days worth of knitting.

You can see the stitch definition and since this is the first time I am using reclaimed yarn, I am very pleased with how this is looking.

This is a picture of the second days knitting and I think it shows the color sage green that it is. There are specks of white and black in the yarn as well. It almost reminds me of a hand spun yarn as the thickness goes from wide to slim throughout.

This is the first time I am using a kfb and I am really enjoying how easy it is to do.

Today was a good day. I went out to the lakes and picked up some more scrap wood to be used in our wood burner. Thanks to Felicia and Bob. I don't think they really realize how much we appreciate their generosity.

Mr GreenJeans!

2008-03-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

I have started! I decided that I really need to get to work and start on this cardigan. I have been wanting to make it for some time now, and since I have that 100% Lambswool from a reclaimed sweater, I figured it will become my April project.

I have to have goals, or it seems that things just don't get done. I guess my knitting is that way, project oriented. Though I do feel I am a very texture type person and I love the feel of the yarn as I knit.

We had some company for the last few days, and last night, I had the bright idea to make chicken wings, buffalo style. Well, for three men and two ladies, do you know how long that takes? I started at 4:15, between cutting the legs up, coating them and frying them. It was nearly 6:30 by the time I had them all done and we were able to eat! I feel like I was in the kitchen all night and didn't get anything else done. But, they came out good and there were only 6 left over. So I can't complain, but I don't think I will be doing that again anytime soon.

My socks are in the finishing stretch, however, this is the first time I am going to be coming VERY close to running out of yarn. It's a good thing that they are for me and if I do run out, I will just use a complimentary Opal to finish off the toe.

Knitting

2008-03-28T05:41:00.001-07:00

I am knitting on my sock, desperately trying to get it done before the end of the month! But, at least I am knitting!

The yarn from the Lord and Taylor sweater is just so yummy. I am hoping to get it washed up today. I want to finish pulling apart another sweater so I can do the two at one time. I am not sure that I will get that done though, as it is raining outside and I have learned to ONLY pull a sweater apart outside so that my allergies don't rear their ugly head. However, I really NEED to get a ball winder. There is just no doubt in my mind that that would make things SO much easier to accomplish. The swift has helped to reduce my winding immensely and I am so grateful that my brother was able to get that done for me so quickly.

I have been thinking about purchasing two Dale of Norway booklets. They are on sale right now and I have seen some of their patterns before, but I do not know for sure what is included in these two booklets. It is one of the bad things about shopping online and not having a LYS to go to.

Obsessions.

2008-03-26T16:58:00.000-07:00

Can you really become obessed with something so quickly?

This happens to me quite often. I get so involved in something new, that I don't even think about the world around me. It fills my time and my day and I am happy.

Today is Wednesday and I left for the 9 am opening of the Salvation Army and I was there for nearly an hour and a half JUST looking through the sweaters!

First, I did find a few that I or R will wear now and next winter. I found her a lovely Lambswool zip up cardigan. I was so glad she liked it and that it fit her so nicely. Otherwise I would have taken it apart.

I did find a number of very good buys and they were all half off! So that was even better. I used some of my saved fun money and now I have several more sweaters to take apart for new things. I am so excited!

Yesterday I washed the "Mr Green Jeans" wool and also that Shetland that I got the first time I went "reclaiming". They both came out just wonderfully and I will work on getting Mr Green Jeans balled up tomorrow.

Today I worked on a GORGEOUS Lord and Taylor, 100% Lambswool sweater. It is such a fine yarn, 2 strands. If I use it I will have to double it. I will wash this and then leave it in a hank until I can get a ball winder, there is no way I am doing that one by hand!

I have to get to knitting though. I think I have only picked up my socks twice in a week. I need to make the time to get those done before the end of the month. I really would like to get one pair done a month for the year.

Fiber Goodness

2008-03-24T10:52:00.000-07:00

100% Wool from Ireland Cakes! Aren't these lovely?!! This is the total hall from the sweater that I reclaimed. I just love how cute they are like this.

This is my first Dish Cloth from the Ravelry list Weekly Dishcloths. I really like the pattern and hope to do more of them to have on hand for gifts.
Here is my next quest. It is a reclaimed sweater that I will make into Mr. Green Jeans, a cardigan that I have been wanting to make and trying to figure out how with having no real yarn budget anymore.

I am so lucky to have this swift that my brother made for me. It is really working out awsome for me.

Good Things!

2008-03-22T12:29:00.000-07:00

First, I need to say thank you to Felicia and Bob for the wonderful offering of wood scraps for our wood burner. I met Felicia last week at my first Knit Night and she gladly offered the scraps to me if I were to come and pick them up. They have already helped me to get the "fire" going in the morning and to get us toasty warm again. It's a good thing!

Now, on to what I have been doing, among other things, these days.

I was able to find a pattern for a swift on line and I asked my brother, who is a wood worker, if he could make one for me without too much trouble.

Imagine my surprise when my father showed up with it this weekend! I was and still am so excited.

This was my first ball made with my new swift. Isn't it a good thing? I sure think so. This is going to help out my arms so much from the pain that winding around the backs of two large diningrom chairs does.

And here is the whole sweaters worth of Wool from Ireland that I bought at the thrift store this past week. Don't they look great?
WhileI don't really like to quote Martha, I sure think they are a good thing!

It will be even better for the next sweaters that I unwind, as then they will fit on the swift properly. Right now, I can only put three of the pegs in. BUT, those three pegs do measure out to 36 inches, so atleast I have approximate measurements now on the yarn. I am not sure it is very accurate, I have a feeling there is more yarn not less.

I am currently working on the blue wool/acrylic blend, that I hope to make Clapotis with. I am doing it outside as my allergies are still bothering me.

No Knitting

2008-03-20T04:33:00.000-07:00

Well, my allergies have reared their ugly head.

I guess I can knit with wool, but I can't rip back sweaters in the house, or without a mask for that matter. My nose ran all day yesterday, to the point where I couldn't do a thing without having a tissue near my face. I didn't sleep the night before, so I dragged my butt all day long. Finally took a two hour nap around 6 and then got up and went to bed! I did manage to sleep, and I did have the thought about an allergy pill in the afternoon and so far this morning, that seems to be working, but I look like death!

I go somethings done around the house yesterday, but today I will have to do my Friday running around to get ready for the holiday weekend.

SO there probably won't be any knitting today either.

I have decided to ONLY go to the Salvation Army to look for sweaters on Wednesdays, as that I have come to find out, is family day and they usually offer discounts on three to four different color tags..... I wish I had known that Tuesday. I went and picked out a few really nice ones, but I can't do anything with them for a few days and these allergies calm down.

OH! I ask my brother to make a swift for me. I found directions on the net and they use scrape wood. Well he called me yesterday to say he did it on his lunch break! I am so excited. He will send it with dad, so I will have it later today.

Before and After

2008-03-18T04:16:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few of the sweaters that I purchased at the SA that I have begun to reclaim the yarn on. This first one is the "Northern Isles" 70% Shetland new wool, 30 Acrylic in a fingering weight, two strands held together. When I took it apart, I lost the V neck area of the front, but as you can see in a later photo, I have more than enough yarn from this one. It was a men's XL.

This is the one "Made in the Republic of Ireland" of Pure New Wool. And believe me, it looked like it was taken out of the gift box, put into a drawer and NEVER worn! I am not sure of the size of this one, I would say it was a Ladies Medium. A truly odd shape as the arms were way long. I didn't try it on, and at may have fit me as it was, but I want to make something more to my liking with it.

I was so hesitant to put this into HOT tap water, as the instructions said in the article on reclaiming yarn. So instead, I did tepid water, with a little liquid Ivory soap and it came out nearly free of any waviness. It just came out so yummy it makes me want to find MORE of it.

This is that Shetland Wool Sweater that I talked about yesterday. It is 100% Shetland Pure Wool in a Men's Large. I was able to reclaim ALL of the yarn from this. It is a fingering weight or perhaps even lace weight yarn, two strands held together and it was so soft and squooshy knit up. It was the first sweater I took apart and so far the easiest. I have saved the label, from this and all the others, simple because I believe this is probably a vintage sweater, that once again was probably given as a gift and never worn.

The back pile of skeins, in the next picture, is of the Woolrich, Men's XL sweater. This is also vintage, because when was the last time you saw a tag that said "Made in British Hong Kong"? It is 85% wool and 15% nylon. I will probably use this for hats, scarves and mittens that match for all of us, with enough left over to make something else.....

The skeins in the front of the picture are of the "J. Crew" Mens Large sweater in 100% wool. This is the one that I just loved how smooshy it was knit up. I am hoping that it will be as nice when I do it. This one must have sat in a very dusty corner, because as I was taking it apart, I decided to do it outside, you could just see all the dust flying out of it as I went along.

NOW, here are the pictures of the wool from Ireland and the wool/acrylic blend sweaters while drying in my bathroom. Perhaps you can see how nicely the Ireland wool has straightened. the other still has a bit of kink in it, but much less than it did have.

One of the nice things about doing this with yarn, is that you get very LONG skeins. Most of the fronts and backs are continuous pieces of yarn. HOWEVER, I have learned, rather well, how to felt two pieces of yarn together. It really isn't that hard, just takes some practice and is well worth learning how to do.

The one thing, or rather two things I am going to need are a swift and a ball winder though. Currently, I am making due with what I have, and that is, an embroidery stretcher that I am putting the yarn onto to skein it. I usually ball wind by hand and with this much yarn, my wrists and fingers will never make it. I will have to keep it in skeins until I can get one.

On a sad note, my coffee maker died this morning. It's a good thing it was after it perked the pot of coffee. I truly enjoy my coffee in the mornings.... so I will be having to buy one today.

Seam Rippers

2008-03-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

If you ever decide to undertake learning how to reclaim yarn, be sure you have a SEAM RIPPER HANDY!

I do not know where my sewing basket is. Haven't seen it since we moved. I see it in my minds eye, but it is not anywhere in this house.

So I went and got one and life became much, much easier.

In my last post, I went on about my yarn diet. You know, it's like any diet, makes you feel like you're missing something. Like you've given something up....sigh....

I have seen several times mentioned on Ravelry about reclaiming the yarn in thrift store sweaters. I thought those people were crazy.

Well, welcome a new crazy person to the world!! ME! I went to the Salvation Army on Saturday and walked out with 7 sweaters to reclaim AND a Vintage Dale of Norway cardigan. I was going to put that one back, figuring that I couldn't take it apart because of the steeking of the sleeves, then I thought I could manage to copy the stitch pattern and learn from the steeking by taking it apart. I also thought I could salvage the body and arms of the yarn, but the front is probably steeked as well. It is too large for me, and it has a rip in the ribbing, BUT it has great puter closing that I could reuse some day which would cost me more than 4.00 to purchase new. So I bought it.

I got one black 100% Shetland wool sweater, upon taking it apart, it is either fingering weight or lace weight, two strands held together. It was a great first sweater to take apart. No real construction issues.

Next, was a natural, undyed 100% wool sweater from Ireland. There was some pattern work in it, so upon ripping it apart, it yielded alot of yarn. It looked as if the sweater was never worn at all. What a shame.

Then, another Shetland wool, fingering weight, 2 strands together, men's sweater. So I have TONS of that yarn, but did lose some, as I didn't think about the V neck portion. So I just cut across the chest. There was cabling in this sweater.

Then there was another men's sweater from Woolrich. It is a Wool/Nylon blend. An Extra Large, so tons more yarn. I figure this is what I will probably use for hat, scarf and mitten sets.

I found a nice brown, smooshy sweater, that I really liked, but was way too large for me. It is also a wool/nylon blend, worsted weight. Taking it apart I thought I was going to have trouble, as the inside seams, seemed to be felted, but they really weren't. It came apart easily, but was very dusty. Good thing I did that one outside.

I am currently working on an Acrylic/Wool blend. I know, why waste time on an acrylic, but it is a women's size 18/20 and it is a beautiful blue, and nice and soft. I am thinking the perfect yarn for a Mr. Greenjeans, plus probably a Clapotis.

This is the one thing about the yarn. I have no idea of how much there is. I just know, since I bought larger than my size sweaters, that I will have enough to complete projects my size.

I still have to wash the yarn. I have got it in hanks and I will wash and dry it, and then I'm thinking it will be put away in hanks and balled once I am ready to use it. My arms are killing me. I am going to have to find a swift and a ball winder now for sure if I really wish to continue on this journey.

My family must think I'm nuts, but they know how much I love to knit and make things. This is perfect for me as I love the hunt and the bargain. It is quite a bit of work though. But with a SEAM RIPPER the work is much, much easier.

I will try to post some pictures tomorrow.

Cozy

2008-03-15T04:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been thinking. About my "Cozy"
http://www.knitty.com/issuefall04/PATTcozy.html
( I hope I did that link right, not sure though)

Anyway, I have been thinking alot about it. I just love the pattern, and I love the yarn, but I have set it down and not picked it up in nearly a month. Why? I believe the reason is, I am definitely not liking knitting it. Why? Because even with a life line I have had to rip back too many times and I don't like that.

So, I've been thinking and reading others thoughts on the Ravelry group KAL for the Cozy. There are some having the same problem, and some who have decided to go with a worsted weight yarn and make it an item of more substance rather than lighter like a scarf.

Since I am on a definite yarn diet, I need to consider all projects that I want to make to use up the yarn that I do have, because I can't buy any yarn right now. So, I am seriously considering frogging the "Cozy" using that yarn for something else, because I LOVE IT, and making the "Cozy" at a later date out of another yarn.

I finished my last Dish Cloth for Jill, so now there are six. And I am going to try this weeks dish cloth pattern from the Weekly KAL group that I joined. I am going to do it in ecru and see how it comes out. Ecru and white are the only two solid colors of cotton kitchen yarn that I have left.

Well, I guess that is all for today. I am going to try hard to update this blog more frequently though I may not have pictures every time.

Sit and Knit!

2008-03-14T05:12:00.001-07:00

Sit and Knit! I met two really nice knit friends last night. Michelle and Felicia, from our Ravelry group, Northeast PA Knitters. I really enjoyed the night, all the talking, and just being out with other knitters. I sure hope that more people will join us in the future. We are hoping to do it every Thursday night.

Here are the dish cloths I have been working on. I am making them for Jill for Christmas. I have one green one left to make and then I am going to try doing the one for this week, a bit late, on the Dishcloth Weekly KAL that I joined on Ravelry. I have also joined my first swap on that list. Michelle and Felicia talked about the swaps they have been in and it really seems like a fun way to meet people and to get a surprise in the mail.

I was able to get the toe decreases done last night while we talked. I didn't want to do the kirchner for the toe because I always like to try them on before I do that, and being in B&N I really didn't want to take off my shoe and sock to try it on.

On a life side note, I taught Rachel how to touch up dye my hair after school yesterday. She did a very nice job and I am happy with how it came out. Makes me feel much better to have my roots done!

Dishcloths

2008-03-11T12:49:00.001-07:00

Well, I am doing the mundane. I am knitting some dish cloths. I have several skeins of Lily Sugar and Cream Cotton, and since I can't buy any yarn right now, and just want some mindless knitting to do. I have decided to try doing some dish cloths.

I know in Wisconsin they were very popular. I had never seen them until we lived there. I haven't really seen them here, but then again, I haven't seen much here as I haven't gotten out to do anything here.

So I have decided on a few patterns to try and to make the whole lot for Christmas to give to Jill as her gift. She and Edward are trying to be very green so I figure these would be the perfect thing to give her. They will be in different colors and styles, so they could be used for dishes, body or even for cleaning.

Flowers!

2008-03-09T06:19:00.000-07:00

Aren't these just wonderful!?

They are from Rachel and she gave them to me last week after I got home. I love daisies, as I also love sunflowers, garbara (sp?) daisies, pansies, iris's..... just to name a few.

The color in these is just so vibrant and late 60's, aren't they? They really made me happy and a week later, I still have them on the table. I only removed the white daisies as they faded first.

These are the garter ribs, that were technically finished in February. The original is on the right, and the reknit one is on the left. It's amazing how 6 stitches can change the size of something so easily. I think that is why I have grown to love knitting so much. If you don't like it, change it.

I have still made no progress on my bottom up. I haven't picked it up again. I guess I am just in too much of a sock, instant gratification, type mood. Plus, life has a way of clogging your brain and I just need mindless knitting to keep me busy now.

A New Month

2008-03-06T03:34:00.000-08:00

I have been bad about updating. I hope to do better now that things in life have calmed down some.

I don't have any pictures today, but I just wanted to give an update on my garter rib socks. I got both of the socks done and the feet were just too tight. I knew they wouldn't wear well. So, I ripped one out, and went in the gusset area to 62 stitches and worked 42 rows instead. They were too tight and just a tad too short. And I followed the toe decreasing instructions correctly. I don't know why that area always draws a blank for me and I screw it up. BUT, I have finally, after over a year, remember how to kirchner the toes with out the instructions.

So I did finish those socks in February, technically, but redid them and finished them in March.

I have not picked up my "Cozy" at all, for which I feel bad. It just takes so much concentration. I guess I won't be too good at lace knitting. I am glad I have tried this though, as I do like it and will finish it. I like the yarn also and hope to be able to make a garment with it someday.

I have stalled on my bottom up yolk top by EZ. I want to put some colorwork into the top, but I've never done it before and I can't decided what to put up top. Typical me, can't make a decision, so don't do anything till you can.

I did pick up the new IK. Some very lovely patterns in there for dreaming about.

With life being what it is right now, I can not purchase any yarn and will have to knit totally from stash until it changes. Which is okay. I have plenty of sock yarn and I have some projects worth of yarn already stashed, but it's hard to browse patterns and to not be able to try them right away.

I guess that is why I like Ravelry so much, you can save the project ideas that you like to come back to at a later date.

I have started another pair of socks with the same 6 ply Opal that I used for the garter rib. I was trying to do the "Laburnum" pattern from Sensational Socks and I just could NOT get the hang of doing a K3tog. It was just too difficult to do. I know it was only every third row, but it took me so long to get just a few of them done, I'd never be able to finish the socks. So instead I am just doing the P1, K3, P1 and repeating to make a ribbing pattern. I cast on 60 stitches and I have gotten to the heel so far. I may keep the foot at 62 stitches like the last pair though.

I have found, that since most of my socks are knit with only a crew to ankle length on them, I can usually get two pairs of socks out of each ball of yarn. Which is just fine by me, as it reduces the per pair cost and then I don't feel quite so bad about spending 15.00 + dollars on one skein of yarn. I know that Rachel would love another pair of socks, but I have a feeling that these will be for me also.

And Life just SMACKS you in the face!

2008-02-23T09:56:00.001-08:00

The Amanda Hat! I made this in less than a day for Rachel for Valentine's Day. It looks lovely and she wears it often. She said "A hat. Awesome" When I gave it to her. Made me smile

It was an easy pattern to follow, though I did not follow it completely. I used size 9 needles. Did the second pattern repeat for two rounds instead of three, and did not do the garter rib rows and that hat fits just perfect. That is one of the things I love about knitting, you can make things to fit you~!

Here are the next socks I am working on. From Sensational Knitted Socks, the garter rib. Using size 2 circulars, I cast on 56 stitches, did 8 rows of 2 x 2 ribbing. Then a total of 20 pattern repeats for the leg, used 28 stitches for the heel, ding 29 rows. Picked up 16 gusset stitches, twisted them, then began the decreases. Did 38 rows for the foot.

I think the colors in these are so cool, they remind me of the circus!

Life really knows how to smack you in the face, year after year after year. I can't even talk about what has happened, but every year I keep saying "Next year has to be better......" I've been saying that for three years , no four, now.

Finished Objects and those in Process

2008-02-08T05:12:00.000-08:00

Here are the socks that I have chosen to knit instead of the Friday Harbor socks that just weren't working for me. The top picture is of the finished sock, except that I finished while I was away from home and I STILL can't kirtchner stitch without the directions. So I had to place the stitches on a cable needle and a DPN to hold them.

I have decided that while the pattern is Twin Rib from Sensational Socks, in Opal Owl 6 ply, that the colors look just like dad's dog Dingo, so these will be my Dingo socks!

With this pair of socks, I am trying something different. I am doing the ribbing and leg in size 3 needles, then for the heel and the bottom of the foot I switched to a size 2 for that part and kept the size 3 on top. I wanted to see if I could make a tighter heel.

Here are a couple of pictures of Rachel wearing her sweater. I am still not that great with getting good pictures of my knitting with the camera, so I can't figure out why the top of the sweater looks wavy, but it's not really.

We had to pin down the color sides.

Here is the Tychus hat that I made for George. This was a fun knit and I will probably be making more in wool though not acrylic. Great pattern for stash busting and it will fit many sizes.

Here are pictures of my Cozy, from the KAL I am doing. Boy! What a bear! I had to rip back a number of rows in the beginning. So once I finish one complete repeat I put in the life line. This is the first time I am doing something even close to lace and it's not easy. I love the yarn though. This is the Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool. I know I will use it again, but I'm not sure on what.

Also I know I will knit this again, with a thicker weight yarn. The pattern actually calls for Aran I believe, but I think I will use Worsted.

If you're cold, put on a sweater. That's what they're for. Brenda Dayne from Cast On

2008-02-01T04:12:00.000-08:00

No pictures today.

I just love that quote. I hope Brenda doesn't mind that I've used it. I call her Brenda like I know her, personally. She does the Podcast "Cast On" that I have found on iTunes and have been listening to ALL the back ones for the past several days. I tell you, these podcast things are almost as addicting as Ravelry has been. But atleast with the podcasts, you get to knit while they talk! And listen to some really great music. It is like having a knitting friend in the room with you and having a conversation. It's really great.

Finished objects! I have a few of them. I finished Rachels top down raglan. I did take some pictures, I just haven't loaded them yet. It fits her wonderfully and she even wore it to school yesterday, which was such a compliment to me that she wore the sweater I made her. It is such a great feeling when you make something for someone and they just love it and wear it!

I also finally, found a pattern for a hat for George. It is Tychus and I did it in acrylic. He's a kid. It was a super simple pattern. Would be/will be a great stash buster hat as you use two skeins of yarn, different colors, and use the yarn doubled throughout. It ends up being a thick warm hat. I only did four repeats instead of the five suggested by the pattern,which makes this large enough. I tried it on, Rachel and Matthew tried it on and it fit all three of us just fine. For the last row, instead of doing the last MC set, I stopped at the CC with 36 stitches, at the suggestion of Patchworkjester on Ravelry, then bound off and seamed and pulled the yarn through the last two loops. This way the striping sequence stays in order. I do need to learn how to wrap my stitches though. The pattern says you don't have to, and really you don't because they are hidden, the holes, in the hat, but I would like to see what the difference is. I started the hat Wed. evening and finished it last night while watching the original version of "the birds". What an awesome movie. Still love it every time I see it. Alfred Hitchcock knew what he was doing. And the scenery! WOW!

Today is February 1st and I will be casting on Cozy, for the KAL that I have joined on Ravelry. It is the first time I am using this elsebeth lavold Silky Wool yarn. I am really excited about this. I purchased the yarn with this shawl in mind and I guess you could say this is my first lace type project. Even though it is not lace weight yarn. But, it is a new yarn for me and that is one of the things I menioned I wanted to do this year, knit with yarns I never have before.

Remember, if you're cold, put on a sweater. That's what they're there for!

Finished Objects

2008-01-28T15:04:00.000-08:00

Well, here are some pictures! This is my fake Noro Vest that I have been working on for a bit. Sorry that there is no picture of me wearing it. The one we took was distorted, we'll have to try again.

If I ever make this again, I would make the back a bit wider. I believe this one was only 70 stitches wide. And I probably would have made it just an inch or so longer. I seamed up the side about 9 inches to form the arm holes. I have worn this twice already and it fits wonderfully and is very warm.

Remember the Friday Harbro socks? Well, they are now Twin Rib from SKS book. I needed a simpiler pattern to work on. Having the vest and the sweater going at once, I needed an easy, quick project and I was struggling and not enjoying the chart. I guess it take a bit more learning to enjoy it.

Here is my top down raglan that I finished last month. After working on Rachels and making hers a bit longer, I decided I liked the way that one fit much better, so I ripped out the bottom ribbing and I knit 20 extra rows and I am now going to put the 25 rows of ribbing back on it. I am hoping that this will help with the "climbing up" this sweater was tending to do.

Here is Rachels sweater. I am almost done with the first arm and I can't wait to be done with it. I have gotten so many more ideas just from this sweater.

I have been very bad. I placed another order today with Yarn Country for more Cascade 220. Enough to use what I have in order to make 3 more sweaters.

Plus I ordered some Malabrigo in Lacy weight merino (I think that is what it is called) in Hummingbird. Mom will be gone a year next month and before she left, she had tried on my second pair of socks, made with Gyspy Girl Creations 100% Superwash Merino wool in Painted Desert by Stonebarnfibers. It was the first purchase I made of fancy hand dyed yarn and I completed them while mom was ill. She tried them on and I haven't been able to wear them or really haven't taken them out at all. They still sit in the bag I carried around with me, back and forth to the hospital and lived out of for weeks. Mom loved hummingbirds, and saw real ones at our house in WI. I am not sure what I will make with this yarn, but I figure, every year, I will choose a yarn and make something special to remember mom by.

Stash and Burn

2008-01-24T06:08:00.000-08:00

Stash and Burn is the name of the podcasts that I have currently been listening to. Nicole and Jenny are really cute with their banter between each other. But I've been learning alot about different kinds of yarn. Also they talk alot of their projects, or rather, unfinished projects. They've also included some interviews that were very enjoyable. For someone who has never been to a fleece or fiber event, they did a great job with their descriptions of Stitches West and how hard it was for them to keep control of their buying. I could so relate.

I also like that they include web addresses for other on it. If you have a chance, go over to their website or to iTunes and look up Stash and Burn, it's really nice listening.

I am still progressing on my "noro" vest. I am hoping that once I am done it will fit properly, since I really don't have an actual pattern for it as I am knitting. It's all about learning. I have made some modifications to the pattern to fit my body.

I have stalled at the moment on my top down, just because I need to do some quick projects to have something done. I know as I knit I am finishing the top down, but it is just a longer knit.

I started using the Opal 6 ply in Owl from the Friday Harbor socks that I frogged. They are a part of my Mission Possible 08 list. I am using one of the patterns from Sensational Socks. I am doing them on size 3 two circulars, which is my preferred style for socks anymore.

I am sorry there aren't any pictures again. I have to get some taken of my current projects. That is what also makes me feel like I am making progress of the items I'm working on.

Still enjoying Ravelry alot. Come on over and check out my projects pages if you are a member, if you aren't, sign up. It's awesome!

I learned iTunes and Podcasts

2008-01-22T06:13:00.000-08:00

It may seem silly, in this day and age to not know about such things. But as I said, I like to learn and while it can seem intimidating at times, the only way to over come it is to seek it out.

I have been hearing alot about these podcasts, and really didn't know what they were all about. So I talked with Matthew about iTunes and what that was all about. I also talked to him about iPods, because I just knew they were a small thing, like a Walkman (now is that dating myself or what?) Anyway, I don't have the money to invest in an iPod, so if I can do the same thing on my computer. That's great!

I am a very visual learner and so I figured that with the podcasts there would be video also, so this morning I have been watching "lets Knit2gether". I still have to check her website out, I've been too busy watching video and knitting.

I am so excited to learn this and to have something to listen to while I knit instead of the silence.

I don't have any pictures today, but I can say I have gone quite far on my "noro vest" and I am very pleased with the look of the Patons SWS so far.

I received my second order from yarncountry on Friday and I just love the colors of Cascade 220 that I picked out. I have to look at them again and decide what colors to use for some of the projects I have been thinking about. I know I said that I wasn't going to buy any yarn, but use what I have, but.......

More Finished Objects!

2008-01-18T09:59:00.000-08:00

Here are the completed Campfire socks! I thought the second sock would never end. I don't know why they seemed to feel as if they took forever. I think I've decided that gift socks will have only fancy tops and stockinette feet.

They came out very nice. The end fabric feels so yummy. Rach was so happy she wore them today. I can't wait to see how they wear.

Here is my next project. It is Paton's Soy Wool Stipes in the Natural Plum Colorway. The pattern is one I got from Knitnride, she's on Ravelry. She had this pattern on her blog, using Noro, but I just couldn't afford that just yet. So when Michaels had their yarn sale, I thought I would try it using this yarn.

The directions are to CO 74, knit for 57 inches. Then for the back, pick up 82 stitches from the middle and knit 15 1/2 inches. There are no other instructions for it, but I think from the picture on her blog I should be able to duplicate it. At least, I hope so. It's all about learning!

I was bad. I have placed an order for needles from knitpicks and Ialso ordered some yarn. I went to Michaels and to ACMoore and neither store had exactly what I needed or wanted. So, they will come with free shipping sometime in the next two weeks.

Aches and Pains

2008-01-15T05:47:00.000-08:00

Here is a snapshot of the top down raglan I am working on. Yesterday I did about 10 rows of ribbing before having Rachel try it on, and it was a bit short. So this morning I ripped back all the ribbing and have decided to do 12 more rows before beginning the ribbing.

My arms always give me trouble, so I tend to ignore them when it comes to my knitting. But as of recent is a pain in my neck that makes it nearly impossible to knit. I have been trying, over the past few days, not to put so much concentrated time into knitting and to move around more, in the hopes that this pain will go away. I don't know what I will do if it decides to stick around.

I have been holding off starting another project. I like to accomplish what I am doing. I have been looking at how many projects people have going at one time on Ravelry and I just can't understand how they get anything done. Well, really, it doesn't seem for some that they do get anything done, but for others, they have tons of stuff on their page.

I also realized this morning that it's been a year since I started to knit socks and to really take up knitting to keep myself busy in my free time. I look back and only wish that I had done it sooner in my life. But I did alot of crochet for so many years. Mostly just lap blankets and baby blankets. I enjoyed that. But now, I get to enjoy what I have made and to wear it myself every day. I just love opening my sock drawer and seeing all the lovely socks I've made this past year.

Objects in Progress

2008-01-13T10:15:00.000-08:00

Here is the first completed Campfire Sock that I am making for Rachel. I said that this year I wanted to try new yarns and this is ONline Supersocke 100 Summer color #789 that I had in my sock stash since last years buying spree. It is a cotton/wool blend and I was a bit worried about the give it wouldn't have. But, this yarn and pattern have worked wonderfully together. The sock is very giving and very soft. We both just love the way it has come out. Even though, I must say it seems like I have been working on it forever. I cast on last week, however, I was not home the whole week, so really alot of the knitting was done over a few days, not the whole week. I will start the second sock today.

Now for some pictures of stash items that were ordered in 2007 but that didn't come until this week. Here are some lovely Cascade 220 Heathers, and one solid. I bought these for trying out hat patterns. I have several on my list and I need manly colors. The reds are not quite as pink as the picture shows. One is a brick and the other is a wine. All lovely colors. This order came from Yarncountry.com and it is my first order from them. I was so happy with it and they sent me a coupon for 10% my next order, but the deadline is today....

This yarn is the Reynolds Lite Lopi that I ordered to make the Lelah top I found a pattern for. Alot of people used this yarn for this top, however, upon receiving it, I am not sure if this is going to be an itchy top or not. But, I am willing to give it a try. New things, that what I am opening up for. New experiences with fiber.

Now, this is just wonderful and I can't wait to use it! It is Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool and I bought it for the Cozy pattern. It is the most dreamiest yarn I have seen in a long while and it is really what is tempting me to go and spend to get the 10% discount..... I have already seen several things to make with this lovely yarn.

This is the Malabrigo I ordered to make the Foliage hat. It is a bit pricey, at $10.75 a skein, but they say if you are careful you can get more than one hat out of it. So I am hoping. I believe the color way is crushed grapes. I can't wait to knit with it as if feels very soft to the touch. So many people seem to like it and love it. I just don't have the budget for it.

I am still working on my top down raglan and I am almost to the bottom ribbing. I have made this sweater a bit smaller than the last, however it is still coming out a bit big, I want a snugger sweater. I like doing top down, as I really don't like to do purl stitches as they hurt my wrists, and believe me, right now, I am having definite issues with my wrists, arms and neck!

But, I am obsessed with knitting and wanted to try new things and make new things that I almost can't stop myself.

Finished Objects

2008-01-07T04:36:00.000-08:00

Now I have my own bag! This one is made out of the Araucania Nature Wool chunky, just like I made for Rose. I modified the pattern somewhat to make the bottom larger and the height a bit taller. I plan to use it as my travel bag.

In this picture you can see how nice the colors are done and that it looks almost like I used three different shades of blue, but I didn't. It was the same blue, number 103, but it seems this yarn does not have actual dye lots. I guess thats what causes the variations in color. I like it.
Here are my Cape May, Plain Vanilla Socks! I haven't worked on them since before thanksgiving, I think. I had one sock done up to the heel flap. I completed that sock on Saturday and began sock two on Sunday and completed it Sunday night. My shoulders are killing me for it, but i just wanted to get them done! I certainly learned something with these socks though. Take better notes. I put these down and somehow either I lost my pattern notes to myself or I didn't write any.... and I think that the heels on them are just a touch different inn the amount of stitches used. But, thats okay. I consider it something learned and they are socks for me.
This is how far I am on my Top Down Raglan out of Moda Dea Visions in Forest colorway. The picture does not due the color justice, I took it in the light of the room, no sunshine yet this morning.

You can see the neckline that I chose to try with this one. A smaller height in collar but a longer depth in the V neck. I really like this yarn, but I haven't washed it yet to see what the after sweater will look like. No, I don't plan to felt it, just want to see how it looks after washing.

On Ravelry, I finally joined a list! I joined "Mission Possible 2008" You had to list 12 things that you needed/would get done in 2008 and if you don't get them done you either have to donate them, or burn them and make a video of it for YouTube. You are supposed to do UFO's that you have, or only use yarn that is in your stash. I thought this would be a great list for me to keep me accountable for some of the things I want to get done this year. I can already check one off, my Cape May socks!

I try not to have too many things going at once as I like the sense of accomplishment of finishing. It helps to keep me going. Though I LOVE to look at all the patterns and yarns and dream!

Bags, I-Cord, and Felting, Oh My!!

2008-01-03T08:23:00.000-08:00

Well Booga Bag has struck! I was trying to figure out what to make for Rose and the girls for christmas (of course only about three days before) and I happened upon this pattern on Ravelry and thought I would give it a try. Have I learned alot! This bag is done out of Patons Classic wool and I made it for Samantha. It will be a nice size for her with shorter handles. I used the yarn doubled through out for this bag. As you can see it did felt, but all the stitch definition did not go away. but I am happy with it for a first try.

This one is actually my fourth bag, done for Rachel. We went to Michael's the day after christmas and I wanted to try the Patons SWS yarn. She chose the colorway and I made this one for her. I am still, even four bags later, trying to get this felting thing right. Part of my problem is I have a front loader. I have begun the felting process with boiling water in the kitchen sink and that seems to help some. I hope to be able to line this bag for her to give it a bit more structure. I did cut a piece of plastic canvas for the bottom to give it some definition.
This is prefelted for Rose. It is made from some Araucania Nature Wool Chunky that I picked up at AC Moore that was on clearance. Still not cheap, but a much more affordable price. I really like the way this one came out. If used just about all of three skeins and this line does not have dye lots, so even though the label said the same color, it ended up with a lighter stripe in the middle. I have to take an after picture of it so you can see how nice it came out.

This is the one I made for Amanda, prefelted. I did this double stranded and I also added a few stitches to the bottom and went a few rows further. I also made the I-Cord handle a bit longer. She is a young teen and I am sure she will be wanted to put lots of "stuff" in here.

Learning to do the I-Cord was easy. Watched a video on knittinghelp.com. I just love that website. I am a sight learner for the most part. The thing with i-cord is, I don't have double pointeds in a size 10 or 10.5 so I had to use my circulars to do them. Which, really wasn't bad, but it was such a time user. Plus, being new to it, I was very slow with the first 2 and a half and they seemed to take all day! But, I don't mind doing them now.

The New year has arrived and I have been thinking for days on to what to do. I don't usually do resolutions. I pick things that I want to do and then I do them. Last year, it was to learn how to knit socks. And I am so glad I did! But I've been learning so much more than just socks that I haven't knitted a pair since Edward's went off the needles.

I have done a few things towards making a list of things I'd like to make this year. And after I chose them, I went shopping on line for wool that I have never used before so as to expand my horizons. So I guess that is one new thing to add. Try new yarns throughout the year.

I also went through my queue in my notebook at Ravelry and printed off those things that I ordered the yarn for so that I would have the patterns handy when the yarn arrives. This way it will help me to be more organized and the yarn won't get appropriated to another project.

Would I say that I am going on a yarn diet? Knitting only from my stash? Well, yes, and no. I did order the above yarn before the end of the year, with christmas and birthday money, and I did have a project in mind. Several. Will I buy any more yarn for a while? Probably not, unless there is something that I really HAVE to make and I don't have some yarn already. As for knitting from my stash, I have TONS of socks yarn right now and I really need to just get making some for me as well as for others. Share the joy! Right?! However, I only have colored sock yarn and some people I would love to make a pair for are not colored yarn people. So, if I really, truly need to order, it can only be a solid color.

How long do I plan to keep this up? Well, I'm not really sure. But for now, I will say for three months. From now until April 1st I will not purchase any impulse yarn. The only yarn I will purchase has to have a specific purpose, such as a gift for someone.

Something else that I have also decided to do is to update this blog every Monday. It seems to be the only day of the week where I know that I am going to be at home. I like the idea of having a blog and recording the things I learn and make, even though no one actually reads it yet, but me. If there is someone reading, please say hi!

Currently on my needles are a top down raglan sweater made from Moda Dea Visions. This one is in the Forest colorway and I have made the v-neck of this sweater longer than the previous one. I have just cast off the arms and I am working on the body now. I love how it is coming out and I can't wait for it to be finished. I have been wearing and enjoying the other one I made from this yarn and I will probably purchase more of this yarn for other projects. (Though I haven't washed it yet)

Well, I am going to close here. I am so glad to have gotten this much accomplished and I will write again on Monday.

See, I have been busy!

2007-12-17T07:13:00.000-08:00

See, I have been busy, Knitting at any rate. But not as productive as I could be. I have been searching patterns on Ravelry and the searching and dreaming about yarn to purchase to make all the lovely things.....sigh.

The hat on the left, was too small, so it ended up being gifted to Rachel. The hat on the right was suppposed to be for Edward for Christmas, but when I had Matthew try it on for sizing, he said , "Gee thanks mom." So I ended up having to make a third hat, and that one went to Edward for Christmas.

This is the Reversible Winter Capelet in Red that I made for myself to wear Christmas eve. I first made one in Rose for Rachel, but I haven't taken picture of it yet. I made it with Lion Brand Suede, which probably wasn't the best choice for this project, but it did help me to learn about cardigan construction, and how easy it really is. HOWEVER, my wrists and hands HATE doing that much purling.

Because of the Capelet, I thought I would try to modify the top down raglan and see what kind of different neck line I could do. I like making these sweaters because it is all knit and mindless depending on the pattern, but the neckline makes me crazy. SO I did several rows before connecting in the round. I like the fit and the way it looks, however, for the next one, I will make a deeper V.

This is the first time I've used this yarn, Moda Dea Visions. It is a Wool / Acrylic blend. I like the feel of it, it knits nicely and I already went out and bought some more for the next one. The true test will be the washing.

Speaking of washing, Poor Rachel. She washed her wool socks in the washer and they shrunk and felted..... I felt so bad, I think she wore them twice. The first time I had washed them with mine. So I will be having to make her a pair out of one of my Opal yarns I think in the near future. I will also end up making for her a sweater as she is not shy about dropping hints about what I am making and what she likes! Which, to me is a good thing. I fear I am becoming too attached to that girl though...