I have some awesome friends!!

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

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!

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.

Look what I got!

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

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

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!

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.

I have been knitting you know!

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.

Boy, it's been a while!

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

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

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

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

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.