Decisions Decisions Decisions

Kilts could be misconstrued as cross dressing?

2009-05-17T19:07:00.002-05:00

I saw this article it was in the AP.

Utah school forces student to change out of kilt

Sun May 17, 3:52 pm ET
WEST HAVEN, Utah – The principal of a Utah middle school has been asked to apologize for forcing a kilt-wearing student to change his clothes.
Weber School District spokesman Nate Taggart says Craig Jessop has been asked to extend an apology to 14-year-old student Gavin McFarland of Hooper after the school official's comments Wednesday.
Gavin says he wore the kilt twice in the past two weeks to Rocky Mountain Junior High as a prop for an art project. Jessop told the boy that the outfit could be misconstrued as cross-dressing.
Taggart says the district recognizes the kilt as an expression of the boy's Scottish heritage and that the kilt was not inappropriate.
Kilts are traditional Scottish apparel generally worn by men for formal or special occasions.

I was outraged! Craig Jessop you need to do some research on Scotland and Kilts you need apologize no only to Gavin McFarland, but to all the Scots and to cross dressers. I am a firm believer of people wearing what they feel comfortable in and not being dictated to by fashion.

Silence

2009-04-01T01:03:00.006-05:00

Xena the Warrior Corgi

It may seem odd to us what normal sounds are around us especially when one of those sounds is taken away. My home now in silence... so silent it's almost deafening. Gone is the sound of little paws hitting the floor. Gone is the "Ellllooooh" that greeted us when we came home, now 6:00 comes and there is no one to tell us it's here and gone. Gone is the barking at the thunder gods and the cold wet nose that followed because she needed protecting from their noise. I will have to fend off the evil vacuum cleaner when it comes out of it's closet, I will no longer have my protector that will attack it.

Gone the is my sweet baby girl.

She was 12 1/2 yrs old when the faeiries called her back to their land.

It all happened so quickly. We left to go work on Thursday, she was fine, she assumed her position in the living room as we left. When we got home from work she looked and acted like she had a tummy ache. We kept checking on her all evening, and agreed that if she is not any better in the morning we would take her to the vet and pick her up when we were coming home. Friday morning she had not eaten nor had she had any water to drink.

Vet time.

Good ole Doc Cooper and Doc Parker ... they were her docs since the first check up.

Doc Parker was headed into surgery but when he saw Xena he examined her immediately. Words that I remember from that conversation

perinea hernia

intestines in chest cavity

Surgery

Specialist in Dallas

No guarantee

Age

We thanked him because he knew we needed time to absorb and process, into the surgery he had scheduled. We began to look at pros vs cons,

she may not survive the surgery

possible complications after surgery

may need additional surgeries

So a difficult decision was made, a responsible adult decision was made, we talked to her held her while she went to sleep. She enriched our lives so much, she gave us so much we owed it to her to give her dignity at the end. We will meet her one day across the rainbow bridge, she'll be smiling and give us a "elllooh" once again.

Victorian Diamond Lace Socks by Susan Lawrence

2008-12-28T23:36:00.006-06:00

I tried to do this last year but well failed because I lost the first finished sock. So this year I attempted it again.At the end of the year, I knit a pair of socks that I will wear on new years eve and into new years day. While knitting it I think about what I have done the past year, ask forgiveness for those I may have hurt or harmed through thought or action, I focus on new goals for the coming year, not only knitting but personal and/or professional. It reminds me somewhat of grandmother making prayer ties.
The pattern was originally available through knit picks. It’s my attempt at lace yes there are mistakes in it, but they are going on my feet, no one is going to see them under my pants and the only person that close to my feet is my husband when he’s massaging them.The only change to the pattern I made was to carry the yarn over down the foot until the toes. The yarn is Louet Gems . The color is called cloud, it’s mainly gray but in certain lights it has a slight purple tint to it.

Dye Day

2008-11-30T15:26:00.005-06:00

I have been toying with the idea of growing a pomegranate tree one because I am one of the strange people that love eating the fruit and second, I thought it could be potentially a great source of natural dye. I read several places that only the skin is used for dye and not the seeds. I could not find a reason why the seeds were not being used since the juice on the seeds dyes everything it touches. Not finding a reason I have decided to try to dye with both the skin and the seeds. I am boiling the skin for about an hour. I have taken the fruit/seeds and put them in a pot on the stove on simmer. My thinking hopefully the juice will come out of the fruit and I can try to dye with it. There may not be enough from 2 pomegranates but it's worth a try. I'll update later.

10 Rules for Thanksgiving dinner at my house

2008-11-27T01:22:00.002-06:00

I may have a warped sense of humor but I found these entertaining.

You can follow these 10 RULES FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER AT MY HOUSE
1. Don't get in line asking questions about the food. "Who made the potato salad? Is there egg in it? Are the greens fresh? Is the meat in the greens turkey or pork? Who made the macaroni and cheese? What kind of pie is that? Who made it? Ask one more question and I will punch you in your mouth, knocking out all your front teeth so you will not be able to eat anything.
2. If you can't walk or are missing any limbs, sit your ass down until someone makes your plate for you. Dinner time is not the time for you to be independent. Nibble on them damn pecans and walnuts to hold you over until someone makes you a plate.
3. If you have kids under the age of twelve, I will escort their little asses to the basement and bring their food down to them. They are not going to tear my damn house up this year. Tell them that they are not allowed upstairs until it's time for Uncle Butchie to start telling family stories about their mommas and papas.
4. There is going to be one prayer for Thanksgiving dinner! JUST ONE! We do not care that you are thankful that your 13 year old daughter gave birth to a healthy baby or your nephew just got out of jail. Save that talk for somebody who gives a damn. The time limit for the prayer is one minute. If you are still talking after that one minute is up, you will feel something hard come across your lips and they will be swollen for approximately 20 minutes.
5. Finish everything on your plate before you go up for seconds! If you don't, you will be cursed out and asked to stay your greedy ass home next year!
6. BRING YOUR OWN TUPPERWARE!! Don't let me catch you fixing yourself a plate in my good Tupperware knowing damn well that I will never see it again! Furthermore, if you didn't bring anything over, don't let me catch you making a plate period or it will be a misunderstanding.
7. What you came with is what you should leave with!! Do not leave my house with anything that doesn't belong to you. EVERYBODY WILL BE SUBJECTED TO A BODY SEARCH COMING AND GOING OUT OF MY DOMAIN!!!
8. Do not leave your kids so you can go hopping from house to house. This is not a DAY-CARE CENTER ! There will be a kid-parent roll call every ten minutes. Any parent that is not present at the time of roll call, your child will be put outside until you come and get him or her. After 24 hours, I will call DHS on your ignorant ass!!
9. BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM BEFORE YOU COME INTO TOWN!! There will be no sleeping over at my house! You are to come and eat dinner and take your ass home or to your hotel room. EVERYBODY GETS KICK THE HELL OUT AT 11:00 pm. You will get a 15 minute warning bell ring.
10. Last but not least! ONE PLATE PER PERSON!! This is not a soup kitchen. I am not trying to feed your family until Christmas dinner! You will be supervised when you fix your plate. Anything over the appropriate amount will be charged to you before you leave. There will be a cash register at the door. Thanks to Cousin Alfred and his greedy ass family, we now have a credit card machine! So VISA and MasterCard are now being accepted. NO FOOD STAMPS OR ACCESS CARDS YET!

Texas in October

2008-11-09T19:57:00.013-06:00

Pictures taken in early October 2008 coming back from Del Rio Texas. This is the South Llano River. Despite it being 85 degrees the water was ice cold. No I couldn't resist stepping into it. It does my heart good knowing that there are places left in the world that the water is crystal clear.

What has been on my mind?

2008-09-20T03:03:00.005-05:00

When I first started this blog, I just wanted to write about positive things happy memories and not vent my personal feelings out on the infinite vastness of the Internet. But after some soul searching, where else but in a diary can we write about some of our deepest feelings? So without further adieu here is what's been going on.

Since the middle of the summer I have had several things to think about. Several things have been on my mind. Not to my surprise I had something come up that triggered memories of the past. My 33 yr old niece Heidi called to talk to me, she had some news that may or may not change my life. Heidi is the oldest child of my middle sister Lulu. I knew that Heidi has been going through genetic testing for quite some time. She is a very beautiful intelligent woman that I have had the pleasure of knowing since the day she was born. I have watched her grow from being the tiny baby dependant on her mother for everything to the woman she is today. Heidi told me that this last time her test results came back abnormal. Her doctor gave her a few choices put her on a drug for the next five years so that her body could go into an early menopause and then after the five years are up take her off the drug and maybe her body might come out of the temporary menopause or to have a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. My heart sank into the pit of my stomach. I closed my eyes and didn't hear anything instinctively I realized I had stopped breathing, I took a deep breath and focused on breathing. Several thoughts invaded my mind, not Heidi, I could not bear the thought of loosing another to the murderer cancer. I had lost both older sisters. This cycle could not be happening again! I tried to focus in on Heidi's voice 90% of all women who test positive for having the gene that creates breast cancer die, only 10% survive. Scientists don't know why the 10% never get breast cancer. Heidi has opted to have the mastectomy. I almost had a panic attack, all I could hear was pounding in my ears, I took a deep breath and continued to listen to Heidi. OMG to feel that self mutilation of her body would be the only option. I was having a hard time with accepting this but, I could not let my personal feelings in, I could not influence her decision. For me personally it would be no. I would go the route of other treatments perhaps look into oriental herbs etc. But this was Heidi's decision, it was her body, it was her mind that had to accept the choice. All I could do is tell her how I felt but that I would support her in her decision. If she had a chance she had to know that she did the right thing and that there was someone other than her husband that supported her decision. I told Heidi, that for me personally I could not do it, however, the choice was not mine to make it was Heidi's. I told her I supported her decision. I may not agree with it but I would not be an obstacle.

During the next few weeks I was reliving the last year of Lulu's life, memories, sounds, etc came flooding back in. I thought I had dealt with all of this in the past, I thought it was all folded up neatly and tucked away safe in the dresser drawers labeled, breast cancer. I could not help but focus on this, this was weighing heavy on my mind. My loving DH gave me enough space to dwell on it for a weekend and then told me that I couldn't dwell on it . It was his way of trying to protect me and to keep me from hurting. I couldn't turn it off like that there were issues that kept popping back up that needed to be taken care of before I could move on to functioning again.

In the mean time mom's doctor told her to go the hospital because they could not regulate her blood pressure and she was badly dehydrated. For those that don't know Mom has a mechanical heart valve that is failing, in addition she has a regular heart valve that does not work at all. Her legs swell there is fluid in her abdomen and fluid in her lungs. They can draw off the fluid for a bit but it comes back, and it's coming back faster. She was in the hospital for about 10 days. she has been sent home with oxygen to be used as she needs. One doesn't have to be a an MD to know that her condition is getting worse. She has one valve that not working at all, her blood is not getting enough oxygen, diuretics are not working as well as they did, she's getting weaker, she's walking with a quad cane, and now add the oxygen to it, It's another thing to show her condition is getting worse. She says that maybe she will get better again. I a not sure how much longer she will be around. She's not sleeping allot, but she's still eating which means that she isn't ready to leave yet.

So this has been what has been occupying my mind. There are times when I can't pick up my needles, and there are times when I can't put them down.

Finally Knitting picutes

2008-09-01T22:51:00.003-05:00

Finally I made time to take pictures of newly finished finished objects. The first on is my surplus lace top from Nashua's North American collection I started it in February and have finally finished it. It took forever for me to finish the lace section of it. I am not very good at lace and maybe I don't have the patience for it. I love the yarn, it is from Elan, Peru Naturtex Partners Pakucho Organic Cotton, the Color is Green Forest. The cotton is so soft I love the way it feels. I am working on the Katlin's Tulip sweater using Dream in color yarn. I have it all knit up and now just to weave in the ends and block it. It is so pretty. I may have to make it for one of my nieces.

I am currently working on a pattern from Fuzzy Mitten. I could take a picture and show you but it's only legs, a body, and arms. More on that later.

A hole in the sky

2008-07-22T23:04:00.008-05:00

This was how it this bush looked before The Gator got a hold of it. It has to go its within the 3 ft easement that is needed for the fence. So give a man a gator and the next picture is what you get.

A hole in the sky! There is sunlight on the fish pond now, I'll be able to put another water lily, in next spring. I had to find one that grew in the shade, it was difficult but I found it. I am hoping to see tadpoles soon in the pond. We have toads. Gulf Coast Toads as a matter of fact. Ever hear one croaking or better known as "advertising"?

And here is the hole in the sky. It's amazing how different it looks in the back without the bushes. Once the new fence is in place, we can start visualizing what I am going to plant against the wall. We won't plant until mid to late fall.

This is what one bush looks like after it has been cut down. The last time I saw something like that was after Hurricane Hugo.

I should have some knitting content soon.

Dissasemble #5

2008-07-06T21:24:00.008-05:00

Sorry everyone no knitting content this time, we've been busy.

Our neighborhood has formed a PID. Now for those that do not know what a PID is it is a tax entity which can finance, construct and maintain public improvements. What does that mean exactly to us. It means that the butt ugly seven foot tall wooden fence that faces the street will be replaced with an 8 foot tall 4 inch thick concrete fence. In preparation of this event we need to ensure that the fencing company will have a 3 foot clearance to work with once they start putting the fences in, for us that's not a big problem just remove some bushes that I've want to get rid of for a while. Others in the neighborhood have to move sheds, I believe one couple has to move a hot tub and a gazebo. The bushes are photinias they were planted I am assuming by the previous owners. When we moved in they are seven to eight feet tall. They are not about 15 feet or more taller. I have always had a love hate relationship with them. I loved the shade they provided but that's about it. In spring they dropped leaves and then they would have pretty little white flowers but the scent is of cat piss. In the summer they provided great shade, in the fall they would drop leaves again. I have tried for may years to grow plants in the shade under them but the only things that have grown are Gerber Daisey's, a couple of ferns. Oh yes and the English Ivy has finally started to establish itself.

In preparation for the disassembling of the bushes we purchased this sweet little chainsaw called the Black and Decker Gator. "A lonely gator meets an alluring chainsaw. They fall in love, marry and bingo! They make short work of all those pesky tree branches hanging around. The Black & Decker Alligator Lopper is the happy ending to this story. It’s a foolproof, can’t-hurt-yourself, tree-limb devouring tool with a 4.5-amp motor, a heavy-duty cutting bar and innovative clamping jaws (aw, just like his dad) that grab and cut in one easy motion.
I love this thing, first it's electric, second it's super safe, you have to hold both handles down for it to work. If you don't it turns off. It's lighter than a regular chainsaw which means I can use it too.
Here is a photo of Number 1 before it met Mr Gator.

This is the photo of number 1 after it met Mr Gator.

Now all that's left to do is grind the evidence. 1 down 4 more to go before the end of August. We are finding out since we will remove the bushes for the fence company if they could remove the stumps, I believe that they will, just want to make sure.

I know this will give my back yard more sunlight than it has now. I am doing allot of research as to how to landscape the fence once it's put in. Looking at native bushes, grasses perhaps some metal medilians, maybe have a bird bath.

R.I.P Pine Tree Socks

2008-05-10T13:04:00.007-05:00

Some of you may remember The Great Sock Tragedy of 2007 , with great sadness I must announce that the single sock that still remains here with me will be Frogged in the near future. I have exhausted all efforts in looking for the missing sock, I have posted signs offering a reward, I have searched for another skein of the same color and all ends in no. The socks were going to be theory for me, a symbol to be worn on New Years Day. It was going to be a visual symbol of me letting go of the negativity of 2007 and welcoming in of the new year filled with new experiences. I'm not going to get rid of the yarn I'm going to knit it into my sock yarn blanket.

What will happen is that my knitting group Sisters of the Wool aka SOWs, is going to have an UFO R.I.P. Frog Night. Come now Knitters, we all have at least one UFO that has had some tragedy, or we have knitted a part of it and thought What was I thinking?!!! I'll never wear that. Love the pattern hate the yarn. We all have at least one. Maybe I should have a contest,. Something like the best, "Worst UFO that should be Ripped" contest. Stay tuned, who knows what may happen.

Bluebonnies!!!

2008-04-15T22:51:00.005-05:00

The blue bonnets are out and in full bloom. I have been knitting the Berrylicious Socks, the colorway is Indian Paint Brush. I have finally turned the heel and am now working on the leg I love this part of socks. It means I am in the home stretch. I like the yarn, that pattern is really easy, and the Eye of the Partridge heel, I love it. I am going to have to knit a pair for myself.

I started a sock yarn blanket, of course knowing me I want it big enough to fit a queen size bed. I know this is going to be a long time project, but it's a way to use up some of the left over sock yarn. I have a very tiny section complete. I am not just pulling a color out of the bag I try to at least pull one like color from the surrounding ones. It's not quite planned, but it's not just chaos.

Kidney Stones, and bronchotis, ok enough

2008-03-18T23:54:00.008-05:00

Lets see, I found out that once again I had a kidney stone, this time on the left side. They blasted it away in March, and for now I am kidney stone free again. The bad news is that I have a 50% chance of having them again. A week after having the lithotrypsy to blast the stones away I came down with what turned out to be a pretty bad case of bronchotis. I have been working on three things Nashua Lace surplus top, a toe up version of Cookie A Monkey sock pattern and the sock yarn mitered square blanket.

I work on the lace top and the sock on alternating weeks, one week the top, one week the socks, the blanket is going to be a work in progress since it's going to take allot of squares to make one queen size blanket let alone two.

These are the toe up monkey socks. So far so good, ya but I'm doing nothing but the pattern and stocking net stitch so I can't mess up too badly.

This is the beginning of my mitered square sock yarn blanket. I have allot to go, and need allot of left over sock yarn. I have gotten some from Angele and some from Laurie from Ruby Sapphire Yarns
I've bought some from Ravelers that are destashing.
Anyone that has 3 grams or more of sock yarn that that want to be rid of please let me know I may be interested in taking it off your hands. Please leave me a message here or on Ravelry just look for KnitstressMaryI love this blanket so much.

Last and not least the 1st bottom piece of the Lace top. I have to knit another bottom piece before I can start on the top parts. So far the only change in the pattern that I have done is add one more row of the lace pattern.

Jaywalker sock mojo

2008-01-27T20:41:00.000-06:00

This is the first jaywalker sock that I have made, I was quite pleased with the way it turned out. I cast on the second sock, and ran into a few problems, well first the cable broke right at the join between the needle and cable. In addition, I have knitted this several ways, from the middle of the skein and the end of the skein, I am using the same amount of stitches, and the same size needle, and still I come up with something that resembles this. This does not look like the other sock at all. Anyone with any ideas as to how to fix this? or am I just doomed?

This is the first sweater I knit for my DH, he feels it is cut too low and would like me to some how fix it. I measure it to where he wants it to be open. If I sew up the seam it's going to look like a vagina. I can go in and pick up stitches a and knit straight rows until I get to the marked place. I could then put an icord edge on it so that it would match the original sweater. What do you think?

Yoo Hoo Hoo and left over of Yarn Pirate Shamrock

2008-01-03T00:35:00.000-06:00

It's been almost a week since I last saw Sock #1 No one has found her, I keep looking searching and nothing. Though I will continue to look I have to come up with another plan of action. Following the suggestion of the Sisters of the Wool, I am going to ask, if any other knitters has some left over Yarn Pirate in Shamrock that they are willing to part with so that I can knit the other from the left over I have. I have some but not enough to finish the other sock. Does anyone have any they would be willing to part with so I can finish the sock?

The Great Sock Tragedy 2007

2007-12-28T01:10:00.001-06:00

When last you saw the Pine Tree Socks in Yarn Pirate's Shamrock colorway they were both together, just side by side, happy peaceful. A waiting patiently the time when they would come off the needles and be placed on the feet of the knitter who loving knit them.
. Tah Dah!!! The firs sock done! I'll be wearing these by New Years eve she thought. Quickly but carefully she proceeded on, then on that fateful day she took it to work to measure how long to knit the 2nd sock. Somewhere between 2:00 and 9:00 sock #1 disappeared. She's checked her knitting bag 3 times, first frantically, then slowly calmly. The cafeteria at work, checked, the car, checked, and double checked, under the bed around the bed in the bed, checked, around her desk, contacting Facilities to check lost and found and nothing. No sign of the sock.

So here sits sock #2 alone, without it's mate, so sad so lonely. Please come home sock 1.

Making signs up to put them up all over work, "Lost 1 green and brown hand knit sock, worn only 1 for one hour. Answers to the name Shamrock. If found please contact Knitstress. There is a reward of 1 skein of Yarn Pirate's Icicle.

Pine Tree toe up Socks

2007-12-17T21:58:00.000-06:00

So here I was I was looking for the next sock pattern to knit for a man, but I was going to use Yarn Pirate's Killer Bees colorway, so it just couldn't be something too simple. When low and behold I stumbled across The Pine Tree Toe up Sock pattern . It's Christmas time how perfect these would be if I had some Evergreen... WAIT A MINUTE!!! I have some Yarn Pirate, in the Shamrock colorway.... How absolutely perfect Darling! Can I get them done before Christmas?

Anyone with any ideas about what sock patter would be perfect for the Killer Bees please leave me a suggestion.

My Ceilidh Socks

2007-12-16T19:52:00.000-06:00

These lace socks feature two Celtic lace patterns, with the name coming from the Gaelic "ceilidh" (pronounced kay-leigh) meaning a social gathering, usually with entertaining and dancing. The large lace panel which extends down the front of the sock looks similar to the lace-up pattern of traditional Irish dancing shoes. When a friend saw these she said they looked like gillies. I changed the pattern a bit, I did these toe up on two size zero circulars. The yarn I used was from my friend, Jenny at Wooly Boully The colorway is Texas, Fields of Sunflowers,The skein is 400 yards50% Super wash Merino, 50% Tencel. This Woolly Boully colorway contains yellows, greens, browns, and was inspired by sunflowers fields in Texas. Each yellow section contains a spot of brown to mirror the sunflower's brown center. The Celidh sock pattern can be found at http://www.woolywonkafibers.com/

I love them and the way they fit!

And then there were four

2007-12-15T14:48:00.000-06:00

This evening is the First annual Sisters of the Wool Christmas Party. We are going to have a Chinese Gift exchange of Sock yarn. I have been preparing for this for a few months. You see, I would find the perfect skein for the exchange I would get it and I fell in love with it and .. well and I had to have it myself so I had to start the process over again. So today I had four to choose from.

I have already made my choice, but if it were you which one would you want? 1,2, 3 or 4.

Yes I have removed the lables from the picture so that none of my sisters has an idea as to which brand.

I know that several sisters have had the same dilemma. There is talk of some of the sisters bringing two skeins and giving an alternate should someone not like what they end up with. What I see is a bunch of sisters stealing from each other, chaos, and much laughter. I will let you know which one I chose.

I have not posted in a long time there has been allot going on with me that I will catch all of you on the next time I post.

Ok Ready?

Dream in Color, Smooshy sock yarn, color way Gothic Rose
Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Socks that rock, Korppi
Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Socks that rock, Corvid
DK Knits, technicolor dream toes, Professor Plum meets Penelope Peacock

Now what?

2007-10-20T01:32:00.000-05:00

I have finished the Basalt Tank Top, I need one big project to work on. The dilemma now is do I start the DH's fall sweater or do I pick up a UFO?

The DH's 2007 Fall/Winter sweater is The Unisex Seeded rib v neck sweater by Sue McCaina design from Vermont Fiber designs. I bought the yarn for it over a year ago but I could not bring myself to knit it over the summer, just to hot to knit a long sleeve merino sweater.

Or should I work on this UFO? This is the Cardi Wrap that I started last year and did not get too far on.

Let me hear your opinions on the subject.

knitting updates

2007-10-18T00:05:00.000-05:00

Since finding The Sisters of the Wool, and that one night earlier this spring, when they showed me how to do a magic 8 cast on and knit socks Toe up I love knitting socks. Right now I have two pairs on needles. This is the latest one. It is the Ceilidh Sock Pattern from Wooly Wonka Fibers The yarn is from the wonderful Wooly Boully the color way is Texas Field of SunFlowers
This sock pattern was originally knitted cuff down and on three needles. I am knitting this toe up and on two cable needles. Yes on Knit picks needles. I have turned the heel and have done one pattern repeat of the lace pattern on the back of the leg.
My chevron scarf, maybe half way done? I am using a solid red and then alternating with left over sock yarn and some of the samples that I have gotten in the past. It was going to be for the Red Scarf project but, after reading that they wanted to make sure that it was gift quality,it sounded as if they had more scarves than they wanted, so I am going to find someone else that is going to need a red scarf .

And this, is the DH's second sock. Now just the leg I think I can do it.

Now tomorrow I will post a dilemma that I want your help with so stayed tuned.

BaSalt Tank Finished!!!!

2007-10-16T00:34:00.001-05:00

The pattern can be found in the book Knitting Nature.
I started this in July 2007 I am using South West Trading company' bamboo. I changed the pattern some what, I added 1/2 hexagons to the bottom front and back. I just didn't want my 40 something year old belly button exposed. I did not add the half hexagon to the back. I added a few rows of garter stitch to the bottom to make it look finished. Though pretty it took too long to knit for my tastes. There are other tank tops that will be completed faster.

Toe up Question

2007-10-06T01:29:00.001-05:00

Did you ever see a sock pattern and fall in love with it wanting to knit it only to your disappointment it is a Cuff down pattern? You have vowed an oath to knit only toe up because it's the only way you seam to get a great fit. Knowing others have converted a cuff down to a toe up pattern, you attempt it. Sure this week at work was not challenging enough, so why not find something challenging this weekend. Am I nuts or what??? The pattern is the Ceilidh Socks Pattern from Wooly Wonka Fibers .First the pattern is written not only cuff down but the stitches have been redistributed on three needles. I have graphed out the pattern for two. I have no clue what to do with the heel, but I will most likely do the same heels that have done on other patterns. The edging is what is vexing me I am nowhere near the cuff, but it starts out with a picot edging. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to do this or alternatives? Am I making a mountain out of a molehill? Normally I find the longest most difficult way to do things, why I don't know I guess I am wired that way. This is the only photo of it I have so far. The yarn I am using is one of Wooly Boully's its called Field of Texas Sunflowers. It's a 50/50 blend of tecel and merino wool. Any of you that have an idea please leave a me a message.

I Dyed twice on Saturday the 22nd

2007-09-23T23:24:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, September 22ND, some of the Sisters of the Wool went to Heritage Arts on the beautiful Beaumont Ranch to learn how to dye yarn. It was a quaint shop,the tables were set up up, the yarn had been soaking overnight in water, we were told to take a piece of foil, to put our skein on top of it and pick out our colors. The colors we chose were all individual as all of us. I had a slight idea as to what I was going to do with one but the other would have to come to me.
The first color I chose was of course purple, my next color was going to be what I thought was a dark forest green, based on the name on the jar was Spruce. To my surprise and wee bit of annoyance turned out more blueish than greenish. So I punted when it came to a third color. I kept adding the second color thinking what would I use for the third.

I punted and added Silver Gray and was somewhat surprised. Someone had made a comment that my colors were not weak. it did not bother me one bit. I it thought looked fine to me.

We were told that when we finished, we were to fold it into a burrito then into a cinnamon roll. So off our aluminium silver foil cinnamon rolls went to bake in the oven for half an hour. We waited, patiently, we went inside the chapel to cool off. We chatted, ate, knitted while we waited. Then suddenly someone came into the chapel and told us the first of the yarns were coming out. We all went and saw many of our skeins hanging on the dowel to drip dry. I did not come up with a name for my skein until I saw it there the silver twinkling at me in the Texas sun. Arora Borealis. I had dyed and named my first skein.

Each skein was rinsed out in cold water and hung up. Some of the rinse water dripped down onto the boards below.

After another half hour had gone by, the rest of the yarns came out. The next skein started with Crimson, it looked like a deep dark raspberry, followed by Scarlet, and then last was Fire Red. So I toyed with naming it Friday the 13th. Can you spot the skein below?

Here it is all by itself.

And now Ladies and Gentlemen let me introduce from Mary's Little Lambs

Arora Borealis

Friday the 13th

I hope you have enjoyed my first attempt at dyeing. Now that I know how to do it. I may do it again for myself for special projects.

Still the same.

2007-09-17T22:05:00.000-05:00

I am going to make a Red scarf this year for the red scarf program. I am using red as the main color and then adding odds and ends of leftover yarn and samples. I am going to use the Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I made some more progress on my tank top, the very middle circle needs to be finished, then I can sew it up. Then the bottom half and 1/8 of it for the sleeve.

I am having issues with making a hat. I've tried two different hat patterns and they both were coming out wonkie. This is the third hat pattern that I am attempting. It is called Jewel Baby Hat pattern. I like the way it's starting out with the patterns in the yarn. Two of the girls at work saw it and hinted, I wear hats....

Progress on my sock, I've turned the heel. now only to knit it long enough to match the other and I am done. I have to finish it by 9/30/07 to be entered into the connect. I bought another skein of this yarn but in a nearly solid purple.

And now back to the boy friend sock for DH. Well, the last one took me six weeks of working on and off of it. I have found a little bit of a faster way to knit this one. I have put stitch markers every where I have to change stitches, that way all I have to keep track of is what row I am on. It seams to be going faster. I will see.

This weekend some of the Sisters of the Wool are driving out to a place called Heritage Arts and we will get to learn how to dye yarn. I am considering purchasing a student spindle. It might be time to learn how to spin. Maybe then I can have some more of the Sock Hop yarn for socks and not have to wait until the next update. Oh and don't get me started on shop updates. There is one that gives a select group of customers a heads up that new products or products in high demand are up for sale and leave the rest of us fending for ourselves. I will have some new yarn porn but I will post it in a day or two. Tomorrow is knit night.

It's Fall, well almost.

2007-09-12T23:36:00.000-05:00

The weather in Texas has gotten more hospitable. It's been in the mid 80's during the day and 68 during the night. I had to get this kit from Natural Dye Studio, it came with a basic toe up sock pattern 5 double point Surina double points, and 2 skeins of luscious skeins of beautiful British Blue Faced Leicester wool the colorway is Orchid. The Natural Dye Studio is on Ebay Progress my sock well I almost ready to start the gussets I love, love love this yarn. The pattern is super easy and it's a quick knit, it s Lanas Puras Melosa-Fingering Weight and the pattern is The Lacy Mock Cable Socks pattern yes of course it is toe up, you can find it at One Yarn and Fiber.Com

Well sock two of the Boyfriend Sock pattern has been cast on. The first one took quite a while to work on only because I work on 3 or 4 different projects at the same time, I have to switch projects daily or I get bored. I have to start working on the red scarf for this years red scarf program .

I am working on the last full hexagon for this tank top, then all that is left is half of on at the bottom and on small section on the sleeve. I am going to add straps and a border around it to finish it. My next on is waiting in the wings I already have the yarn for it.

This baby hat is driving me batty. I tried one pattern and twice it came out wonkie, so I tried another pattern twice, it too is coming out wonkie. I am going to rip it out and find yet another hat pattern.

Mom's health is concerning me more and more, it is decorating more and more each day. The other day when I talked to her she was totally out of breath as if she had been running a marathon. It sounded like she was breathing through a harmonica. She said her legs are swollen from her crotch to her toes and that they were so swollen that she could not even put on her shoes. It's obvious the latest strongest diuretic they gave her is not working. Cousin D was going to go take her shopping for shoes today. I bet mom didn't take her diuretics today because she was going shopping. I can hear how tired she is on the phone. I can also hear her giving up. All I can do is to tell her I love her.

Secret Pal Strikes

2007-09-08T03:23:00.000-05:00

Thursday I got home from work, it was another long day, I don't understand the logic of recruiters waiting to the last minute to get things done. I was sent 6 marriages with providers going to work in 24 hours and they all needed approval. They tried to make me stressed but I would not give into their hysteria. I didn't create the problem. I am going to do my best to get them all done but There will not be any wigging out over it.

When I got home, there was a pink envelope in the mail box, with a stamp, "Royal Mail" on it. I immediately scan over my package looking for any clue. Gingerly I squish the package.... it's yarn must be yarn. Then I see it the return address label, "Posh Yarns" Posh yarns?!? I believe we all as knitters have one yarn that we hold as if you will the "Holy Grail" of yarns. One more prized than all the rest. One that we try to obtain but it keeps eluding us time and time again. Posh was one of these for me. I could only imagine what color. Ripping open the tissue, there it was the glorious soft green yarn so soft so decant. Thank you so much to my secret pal!!! I love it.

One Sock Two Sock Red Sock Blue Sock

2007-09-03T22:36:00.000-05:00

I finished 1 sock of the pair of socks for DH!!!! I've used one entire skein. Now all I have to do is start the second one. By the way if I haven't mentioned it before this is the Boyfriend Sock pattern.
I did see that the Knitting Zone had this yarn for sale so there is still some left for those that are looking for it. http://www.knittingzone.com/catalog/product_info.php?pName=fortissima-socka-stars-and-stripes-1776&cName=fingering-weight-super-fine-sockaAs if 1 sock wasn't enough I finished a second, not the pair to the BF socks but the 1st of my Lacy Mock Cable Socks made out of Lanas Puras Melosa, fingering weight, that I got from One Planet. I love the way this yarn feels. The pattern is easy peasy.

I also started on sock 2 for the pair. Gosh my foot looks soo little.

I've now made progress on this tank that it resembles a tank. All I have left is 1 whole hexagon, one half and one eight I didn't make enough for one of the sleeves so I am going to add it in. Then the arm straps and I think I am going to put a plain solid pink band around the bottom.

This is my first Baby Surprise jacket by Nancy Zimmerman. Made out of Cider Moon I believe in Glacier, and the colorway is Pandora Rose. I will be making a hat to go along with it, just have to find the right pattern.

Late but better than never

2007-08-25T20:34:00.001-05:00

Ok here is the update from last week. I know I know but, it's better than never. This is my Lacy Mock Cable sock. I'm excited I've finished it and will be casting on the 2ND one. What I have to do is undo the bind off edge and go back and do a I believe it's called a sewn bind off. It will be allot looser. I wonder if I can add an edging to it at this point. This is the first sock of the DH's, I am finally on the RIBBING!!!!! Who knows I might finish the ribbing next week.

My BaSalt tank top is coming along so I am excited

But, all I have left to do on the Surprise jacket is to sew in the thread, and sew on the buttons and I'm done!!!!! Now I have almost a full skein of the beautiful Cider Moon yarn left I need to find a hat pattern and maybe booties for a boy.

I went shopping to Elann and got the yarn for my Surplice Lace Top by Gayle Bunn

Why do I knit with wool in 104 degree heat???

2007-08-12T22:33:00.000-05:00

Why do I knit with wool in 104 degree heat??? Because I live in Texas and it's August. Summer finally made it to Texas with a vengeance. Last week went a little nuts,I didn't get as much knitting done as I wanted. The BaSalt tank is coming along. I am now on octagon 4. I am hoping to have it finished before September 1st. The DH's sock (The boyfriend sock pattern) keeps growing, but I am finally starting to decrease, soon now I will be working on the ribbing and binding off. He loves them. He's realized how much work goes into knitting a sock and how much more goes into knitting one.

The Baby Surprise Jacket. I'm so excited it's half done and I haven't even touched the second skein. Now I have started to look for the buttons. Anyone out there know of any good places for handmade buttons?

I had to start another pair of socks, I know it goes against what I said a few weeks ago about projects but I joined Sock Knitter's Anonymous and the Ravelry group is having a year long sock down challenge
Sockdown: Ravelry is a year-long personal knitting challenge that will begin on August 1, 2007 and end on September 30, 2008. Members of Sock Knitters Anonymous are NOT required to participate in the KAL. It is to help us challenge ourselves by knitting socks using different techniques. This first month we have a choice of either knitting a pattern by The Sock Bug or any lace pattern. Though I like the patterns by The Sock Bug, and will probably knit at least 1 or all of her sock patterns, I had to knit this one next. I bought the yarn and the pattern from One Planet Yarn and Fiber was made from the yarn. The yarn is from Lanas Puras Melosa Fingering and the pattern is Lacy Mock Cable Socks. The colorway is Golden Rose. My camera does not do it justice. But here it is, the pattern is so easy, I am already making the gussets. Yes, it's a toe up pattern. The yarn is so super soft.

Secret Pal 11 Questionnaire

2007-08-12T01:40:00.000-05:00

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Well for socks, I like using super wash 75/25 combo but I have used 100% merino for socks. I love Alpaca, merino, blue face Leicester, silk, I want to try sea silk, and camel. You know how some of us collect patterns also? Well... so do I but my favorite is fingerless gloves. I have only knit one pair but I love to knit them. Now as far as which yarn I use, in no particular order Yarn Pirate, Lorena's Laces, Woolly Boully (She's on Etsy ) Cider Moon , Lanas Puras and Koigu I am drooling over Briar Rose Fibers, Socks that rock, Alchemy Yarns, Hand Maiden, Fleece Artist, Beaded Rayon by Blue Heron yarns, Sock Hop yarn by Crown Mountain Farms.... I could go on but I will never respond to all the questions so I'll stop. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?I don't like mohair, no acrylic 2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?I use knit picks options mainly so I use their binder and their plastic sleeves, I could use some more of the 1 pocket page, I have enough of the 2 and 3 pocket page. 3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? It will be 2 yrs in December. Mom tried to teach me when I was 10 I hated it then, and I started again by what I remembered from what she taught me and Knitting for dummies. Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I think this year it would be safe to say intermediate. 4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes but remember only the knitting things on the Amazon list are mine the rest are gifts the DH wants. 5. What's your favorite scent? Crisp clean air, lavender, vanilla, 6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Yes Favorite candy?Chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate covered nuts, graham crackers, M & Ms with nuts and without. 7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?Surfing Ravelry. Do you spin? Not yet but hopefully in two years. 8. What kind of music do you like?I'll get back to you on that. Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?No (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)9. What's your favorite color(s)?Vibrant Greens, purples, Reds Any colors you just can't stand?Orange 10. What is your family situation? Married Do you have any pets?1 very spoiled welsh corgi and 2 spoiled cats. 11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?yes to Scarves, no to hats, yes to mittens and yes yes yes to ponchos. 12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?Its a toss up between fingerless gloves and socks. 13. What are you knitting right now?BaSalt tank from Knitting Nature, Boy Friend sock pattern socks for DH, Sup rise baby jacket and Lanas Puras pattern Lacy mock cable socks. 14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes 15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?Circular Bamboo, aluminum, plastic Knit picks, ebony and rosewood. ?16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?Yes and Yes. 17. How old is your oldest UFO?1 year 18. What is your favorite holiday?Halloween 19. Is there anything that you collect?Yes, mice, dragons, faeries and pirate stuff. 20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? Yes the new Cat Bordi sock book New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One,Knit Kimono: 18 Designs with Simple Shapes and Stitch 'N Bitch Page-A-Day Calendar 2008 What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?Interweave Knits 21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?I am still working on cables this year, next year it's lace and fair isle 22. Are you a sock knitter? Yes What are your foot measurements?It's 10 inches long, not sure of the rest of them but if it helps I have a wide foot and have thicker calves 23. When is your birthday? 05/06 24. Are you on Ravelry? yes I am. If so, what's your ID? Look for Knitstress.Mary

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?My gauge ruler, I don't know how I used to measure gauge without it before I found it. Since I found it, it's been so easy.
2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? Of course. If so, how much and what type of project?At least 2 projects, because what would I do if I finish what I bring? It's whatever I have on my needles. I take my knitting with me every day there are at least 4 projects in the bag. 3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?The Blue Ridge Parkway, The outter banks of the Carolina's, Rocky Mt National Park. 4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Knit Kimono: 18 Designs with Simple Shapes by Vicki Square and New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One by Cat Bordhi Do you own it?Sadly no not yet. 5. Do you listen to podcasts? I used to Which is your favorite(s)?I did not have any one that was a favorite.

Updated progress from last week.

2007-08-07T01:08:00.001-05:00

I've been a little busy with .. ok I will admit, I got sucked into Ravelry. At least last week I stuck to the new plan. This is the new blanket square I have been working on. Only a little big more to go and then I can start on a new one. The DH's first sock. Still not done, he wants them to his knees so I have about 5 more inches to go. Now for cindybmw2004 who was kind enough to leave a comment. This yarn is
Fortissima Colori Socka:1776. I purchased it last year, at a yarn shop in Arlington Texas. It's a bit rougher than what I am used to but, I am told the roughness will go away with the first washing.

This is the progress on my BaSalt tank top. I have hexagons 1-3 finished, I have added half of a hexagon to the bottom of #1. I think that will give me the length I am looking for.

I started a baby surprise jacket! Surprise! I ripped it out after 30 rows.... There was one mistake in it that I could not live with so back to the drawing board. I hope baby Jaxon doesn't decide to surprise his parents and come before his ETA date of 10/26 . I have also found out I get to make 2 more of these. Surprise!!!

I have signed up for Secret Pal 11. With the pictures that I am going to post at the end of this week, there will be hard evidence I have faltered off the knitting plan of one new project, one sock project, one UFO. You will all soon see.

Aristocratic names

2007-08-03T01:41:00.001-05:00

A Delightful ball of energy

2007-07-23T22:42:00.000-05:00

July 19th we all gathered at Borders for a extra Thursday night knit night (Tuesday nights are knit nights except when there is a special reason). We all were patenting waiting. Her plan landed late because of a storm in Atlanta. We got a little antsy, The Pattern Whisperer was trying to whisper a pattern, Joyous was busy contemplating knitting of course. Then they were stuck in traffic, proceeded with the usual yarn porn, aka show and tell aka the blessing of the yarn. Shared new books, patterns or tools acquired since last week, congratulated the ones that had finished objects and yes knitted. All waiting for the arrival of our special guest, our Sister from across the pond.

Then she appeared in front of us. There was Jo. So happy and bubbly, so excited even though some of us just met her for the first time, she hugged each one of us individually. I don' know where she got all her energy she was up for 20 some odd hours when we saw her. She was almost in tears because she had waited for so long to be with us. Our time together passed so quickly. Jo was able to spend the next two days with Angluna for 2 days on her world wind journey to Texas. She flew home on Sunday morning, we know she will come back to be with us again some day. I finished another square. This is just all simple seed stitch. Not very pretty but it used up some more yarn that was leftover.
This one is a diagonal stitch. This got a little wonkie it kept growing and growing even when I was decreasing. I did slack off for a bit and didn't knit squares for a while. I am making an effort to knit 10 rows a night.

And this is the progress I have made on Tim's sock, only 10 more inches to go before I can add 2 inches of ribbing. He's really happy with the way it's turning out. I am impressed with myself on the way it's turning out. Next sock yarn for him will be out of a different yarn. I have several skeins of sock yarn and want to start knitting socks for me but Nope... have to finish these for him.

This is the 3rd hexagon for the BaSalt tank I am going to knit half of one to put in at the bottom of #1. We will see if it turns out the way I want.

I am still working on finishing the shrug for Rene, I am not sure if it is turning out the way I want, one sure way is to finish it and then I will see.

Tomorrow is knit night, the highlight of the day.

Waiting for a Sister

2007-07-18T01:44:00.000-05:00

The Sisters of the Wool are excitedly awaiting a visit from one of our Sisters that usually does not make it on Tuesday nights. We are having a very special second meeting this week to welcome one of our Sisters from far far away. Travel safely Jo. We will all get to meet you soon.

It's here!!! It's here!!!! It's here!!!!

2007-07-17T01:26:00.000-05:00

My invitation to Ravelry is finally here!!!!!!! To find me on Ravelry look for KnitstressMary

2007-07-15T22:46:00.000-05:00

I caught Smudge in the bathroom window, with the sunlight streaming in, he just looked so regal, so Smudgley, upon his throne of books. That is one of his many thrones. Now onto Knitting!!!! First the update on the DH's socks. Foot is done heel is turned and now onto the leg. He would like these up over his calf so I am not 100% how long I have to make it but the good thing about toe up I can keep trying them on. The back of the sock will have the same cable design, I am going to be adding stitches to the sides to that it will allow for his bigger calves. first now not sure how many stitches, but again toe up will help so I can check them once a day. He is thrilled with them so far, he loves it that it fits so well. I am pretty amazed at how well it's fitting.

Next update my Basalt Tank, I kind of frelled up on the second hexagons, some of the knitting was on the wrong side but it's going to be like that.

Also this week I am working on fixing my niece's shrug. I need to add about 3 or 4 inches to both sides of the shrug. I also am working on a square for charity. I will take more photos of things this week

I am only 205 people away from my Ravelry invite. I should have it by knit night. I did want to mention that I ordered yarn from someone new to me Cider Moon I ordered on the 12th and by the 14th it's in my freezer. I saw the right purple for the Baby Surprise Sweater that I am going to be knitting for a firend. I haven't even gotten the pattern yet but I have the yarn. So with service like that I have to put them on my list of people I will use.

Ravelry wait time

2007-07-15T15:36:00.000-05:00

Found you!
You signed up on May 28, 2007
You are #5738 on the list.
205 people are ahead of you in line.
10559 people are behind you in line.
33% of the list has been invited so far

DH's First socks

2007-07-09T21:29:00.000-05:00

I promised the DH a pair of socks after I was satisfied with making a pair that fit me. Well I finally learned and now the DH is getting a pair of red white and blue socks. When I found a pattern called the Boyfriend socks pattern The pattern was designed by a lovely person called the Slipped Stitch. Well... it was a knitting disaster for at least 3 days,the socks had to go into time out. it was just coming out way big. The stitch count was fine while I was increasing, but as soon as I started the pattern it grew by a quarter of an inch. It was quite vexing. I had to finally go down to size 1 needles, and medium size and finally it was coming out right. Well except for now, I just noticed an error I made in the pattern. Now do I leave it as it and call it a pattern alteration or do I frog again??? I will decide that later. At least I have a safety line in where the toe decreases stop. I also thought I would try doing things in 3 so I started with the increases on the 3rd stitch and not the second as I typically do, by the 6th time of increasing the sock started looking too boxie so I did the increases on the second stitch.

Tomorrow is knit night and I am going to take Rene's shrug with me because I have to add at least 3 inches to it maybe even 4. I have a few questions for my Sisters in Wool.

Still no invitation to Ravelry, but I had an email from them yesterday, there are about 1000 people in front of me so I guesstimate somewhere within two weeks I should be getting my invitation.

I have been experimenting with doing a rag rolled effect in the bathroom. I think I like this We will see how it looks on a whole wall.

And presenting the new floor in the guest bedroom. It's beautiful, it took DH and a friend about six hours to do. Our bathroom is done except for the shower rod and a new liner. I think we will need a new shower curtain in the hall bath. I will see when we have finished painting.

And now back to Knitting

2007-07-02T00:57:00.000-05:00

First I knot it's been a while but when you work full time, work on remodeling the house part time there is little time left for knitting let alone blogging. We will start this episode with a cat and his modern day mouse. Smudge looked too sweet so of course I had to take advantage of the moment. But with no further adieu .....

My Baudelaire's! SKOŃCZONE!!! I used a pattern called Baudelaire.

The pattern is created by the very talented Cookie A and can be found in the Summer 2006 issue of Knitty.

I used one skein of Madeline Tosh Sock yarn in a colorway called Martha Stuart. Sorry everyone I am told the color is no longer available, there is one that is close called Robin's Nest. This was my first socks done with a Magic 8 cast on and knit on 2 Knit picks circulars size 2 and knit toe up. Thank you my Sisters of the Wool and the Pattern Whisperer for helping me when I got lost. The first one I knit in the large size, the second I knit in the medium size, I like the fit on the medium better. I have to learn when to stop knitting the foot so that I can start working the gusset. Remember to use safety lines. I will make these again but not next. the next set of socks are for the DH.

Now this next little pretty is the Very Berry T- Shirt found on Mag knits Look in the March 2007 issue to find it. This one is the one I made for my niece Bella. The yarn is The color is called Cotton Candy. I made and identical one for my other niece Jada out of a color called Sherbet. I had hoped her mom would send a photo of her in it but nothing yet. Bella's mom better take a picture of her in it.

Lastly my first real piece with cables. Called the Shell Tank, from the book Knitting Nature.
I made it out of Rowan's cotton knitting yarn. I can see in the photo that I did not have the same dye lot, oh well.

I have a plan for knitting. I get bored easily with one project. So I will have 3 projects on needles all the time. One will be socks. One can never have enough socks, one will be a new project and one will be a UFO.

If anyone has any patterns for toe up socks, women's or men's... can you please leave me the info I did not realize it was this difficult to find patterns that are toe up. We start phase 2 of the remodel tomorrow. Oh joy!!! This one involves the guest bedroom, the hallway and the hall bath.

I will try to blog again no later than a week from today. Enjoy and leave me comments.

End of SP10

2007-07-02T00:53:00.001-05:00

The end of SP10 "Lucy" revealed herself to me. She is a wonderful person. Her name is Lora, she is brilliant, and extremely creative. She is also very caring. When she read about the "tornado knitting" she was so concerned that she had to email me to ask if I was ok.

She read my blog several times to find things out about me. She went through my wish list.

She's brilliant, she somehow figured out I like pirates, and sewed me this lovely pr irate bag and made me these awesome stitch markers.

I was speechless when I saw them, they are just perfect. Now all I need is one of these Yarn

and I am all set for Knit Night.

Lora, has a cute little shop on Etsy, so go forth to her store and buy her stuff! Lora's Keyhole

I'll have one more post before we start on phase 2 of the house remodel. Hall bath, guest bedroom and hall way. The computer room/husband cave is scheduled for August. Be safe and dry everyone.

Oh by the way the DFW area did not break a record for the most consecutive days it's rained. We have had rain every day for 10 days straight. We would have been tied at 11. It rained so hard on Tuesday there was at least 8 inches of water on the road that we had to go take to go home on. Thank the Goddess I married a man who's name is, Take the Scenic Route.

Lots of things

2007-06-13T23:28:00.000-05:00

My wonderful SP10 in fact spoiled me. May's surprise included this beautiful hand knit bracelet, it is loaded with tiny seed beads. It's beautiful I love it!!! Everyone always compliments it and want to know where I got it. Sorry everyone my Secret Pal made it for me.

Then under the bracelet were these darling little faerie stitch holders. They are darling, I love them Thank you so much for spoiling me "Lucy". Memorial Day weekend, we were on our way to Scarborough Faire, we were driving down the road to the fair and saw this lump in the middle of the road. As we drove past it again, we noticed it was a turtle. So, we turned around and yes right there in the middle of a two lane road, was this lump, he looked whole, looked not to be damaged, just looked like he was taking a break. We could tried to figure out how to move him... Well we found out quickly that he was a snapping turtle. And not a happy turtle. Every time we tried to move him he either lunged or turned and snapped. I've never seen a turtle move that fast. The DH managed to slide him across the one lane and we got him up and over the curb. We thought he would be safe but... he started to follow us back across the road. I tried to push him towards the creek, but I only had an umbrella and was afraid of puncturing Mr. Grumpy Snappy T . Searching in the grass, we spy with our little eyes a piece of wood laminate flooring..... We have a plan.... If we can flip him over or get him to chomp down on the plank we can pull him closer to the creek. It worked slightly, he would not cooperate. I tried to distract him in the front, and DH tried to push him from behind. Every time Mr Grumpy Snappy T saw DH behind him he wanted DH and not me. Oh I didn't mention, DH was dressed in his kilt, kilt hose, boots, and ren shirt, me I was dressed as the fierce pirate captain Stormy O'Malley. Yup, pirate boots, velvet tights, a long vest, and a short chemise. So imagine what this looked like as you drove past us. The wood laminate flooring broke and we had managed to get Mr Grumpy into the tall grass. He should be safe there. We did not see any damage to him or his shell, his feet had some minor abrasions probably from walking across the asphalt. We were both pumped because we saved the life of this 20 pound snapper. Grandmother White Mouse would be proud of us.

Drum roll please!!! Ta DA!!! the new closet floor!!! Isn't it beautiful??? I cant wait to share the photos of the bedroom progress.

I believe either tomorrow or Friday I will have time to post photos from my SP10 present #3. My Lucy sent my present and I am totally floored. She picked the most perfect things. I know at least one of my sisters in wool on Tuesday will love the bag . I adore it!!! And the stitch markers.... MINE MINE MINE!!@!!@... and the yarn...l. mmmmmmm yummie.... I am the luckiest person to get such a wonderful SP10.... and now I finally get to read her blog!!! I don't know what's been driving me nuts not knowing who she is or not being able to get to know her better through her blog. Thank you Lucy, this has been very special to me.

!!!!1

One Sock

2007-05-28T23:13:00.000-05:00

This is a photo of the Baudelaire socks that my knitting group knitted in our first knit along for 2007. I have one done completely and one all that is left is to put in the cuff. I am going to get very little knitting done over the next week. We are painting, and putting in flooring in the bedroom We started with the closet, My rather our closet is about 5 by 8 it's painted, and I have painted the trim. We still have the trim that surrounds the door and the door to work on. The DH is going to put flooring in, no it's not wood but a laminate. I am hoping that he is able to put the flooring in tomorrow so that when I get home from work we can put things back in the closets and start moving things out of the bedroom so that we can start that project. The bedroom is only 16 x15 ft and there is a cathedral ceiling. The builders down here put that Styrofoam crap on every ceiling, yes I know we could scrape it off but it's just way too much work to do that and put the floor in. Also down here, they put texture on the walls. I am getting very little knitting done right now. I am making some progress on my shell top but no where near finished. The sad thing is that I will be skipping knit night Tuesday night. I would love to go knit but I can leave the DH home alone and go off with my friends to knit. It's pretty much rained all weekend long maybe some day the sun will come out again.

I'm off to bed tomorrow another day of approving medical professionals to work.

This is what the new floor will look like.

BAUDELAIRE SOCKS!!!

2007-05-11T00:31:00.000-05:00

We are close to having Baudelaire Socks!!! My Tuesday night knitting group is doing a Knit a long, we are all making the Baudelaire Socks by Cookie A. I love this pattern allot. I am feeling brave enough to try out some more of Cookie's sock patterns. The pattern can be found in the Summer 2006 issue of Knitty. Mine are in the back row, on the right side. I am using a yarn that I bought at the DFW Fiber Fest. It's a Madeline Tosh yarn. The colorway is called Martha Stewart.

This is the left foot ready to start the leg.

This is the right one I have one more pattern repeat and then the cuff.

This is a close up of the lace it travels up the back of the leg and the front of the leg. There are also cables on the inner leg and outer leg. Cables are part of the plan for this year. I have learned the figure 8 cast on and love it. This is a toe up sock and I am convinced that toe up is the only way to knit socks. I am also using two 16 inch cable needles and not the magic loop. Magic loop is nice but it's too much cable that is left loose for me and I wasn't happy doing that way. I always knit two socks at the same time because it's the only way I avoid the dreaded SSS (second sock syndrome). I will probably do this pattern again but in another colorway. I suddenly have an abundance of sock yarn

My goal for this weekend is to weave in the yarn on Rene's shrug, take photos of it and get it in the mail. I also want to work on the secret present and finish this square. Oh I have started knitting the Shell tank top from Knitting Nature in a bright yellow cotton. I have only started the back and have about 4 inches knit. This one may take a while.

Happy Birthday to Me!

2007-05-07T00:46:00.000-05:00

May 6th was my birthday. It was a quiet remembrance. DH bought me roses, took me out to dinner, a dueling piano bar, I spent most of Saturday flat on my back, it appeared that it, my back, decided to go out that day. So any plans that we had were squelched. Today we went to Simpatico yarns and I didn't buy any yarn. They give you a 15% discount on your birthday. I couldn't find anything I liked and when I did they didn't have it in the color I wanted. So no yarn for me today.

This is a photo of the Baudlier socks that we are working on in my knitting group. Mine are the ones in the lower right hand corner. I haven't done much knitting this weekend. I think this week will be more productive.

Baudelaire

2007-04-30T01:35:00.000-05:00

This is the beginning of my Baudelaire socks pattern by Cookie A. It's in the summer 2006 issue of Knitty. The yarn is by Madeline Tosh and the colorway is Martha Stewart. I was able to do both socks up to the gusset. I am so excited they are turning out better than I expected.

Coffee swap part 2

2007-04-26T00:42:00.000-05:00

QUESTIONS1. Whole bean or ground?Ground is better 2. Fully-loaded or decaf?Fully - Loaded 3. Regular or flavored?I love flavored but will drink regular 4. How do you drink your coffee? Splenda and unsweetened creamer. 5. Favorite coffee ever?So far it's country harvest blend by Carolina Coffee Co http://carolinacoffeecompany.com/index.asp 6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do?Well somewhat fussy, I don't like the grocery store coffee and yes I have found some gourmet places that have better coffee than Starbucks. 7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee?Yarn, knitting needles. 8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? No, 9. Yarn/fiber you love?Alpaca, Merino STR, Koigue, Yarn Pirate, Wooly Bully Madeline Tosh. 10. Yarn/fiber you hate?itchy wool 11. What's on your needles?socks, shrug, thong, sweater, scarf, lace poncho I'm sure I'm missing something. 12. Favorite colors?Jewel tones, colorways that look like roses, purples, greens reds, blues 13. Allergies? No 14. Anything you really love, Briar Rose Fibers really don't like, or just need to get off your chest?When I think of something I will let you know.

Secret Pal presents! Mom's vest, and roses

2007-04-20T22:53:00.000-05:00

I came home from work Wednesday night from work to find my first present from my Secret Pal better know to me as Lucy, a special name we decided on for her, I would rather call her Lucy than SP10. I was thrilled with the stitch markers she sent, I just love them they are cats. Then there was this adorable tiny sock form with a pattern to make a tiny sock key chain.

Then there was the yarn... the yummie scrumptious Cherry Tree Hill, Glitter Alpaca. The colorway is called Martha's vineyard, deep purples, soft greens, blueberry blues, and a touch of glitter. I know it will make a gorgeous pair of fingerless gloves....

Then a sweet bag to hold my new stash in. I love it love it love it!

Lucy your the best. She is so sweet that when she heard about the tornado's that touched down she emailed me to make sure we were safe. She's wonderful.

This is the first rose of spring. This rose bush is always the first. I have buds on the others also but they are still green. The oleander has buds and finally the Confederate jasmine is almost there too. I don't know if the tomatoes will make it because of the rain they are looking a little yellow. I'll have to wait and see what happens.

Well it's finished here is Mom's vest. Yes I changed the pattern a bit, she really liked the double seed stitch that was on the wrap so I put it on the edge of the vest. I also sewed the one of the pockets on, she has the other pocket. I hope that she likes this one. If not I'll be knitting her another.

The next installment of the 12 days of Yule. I now have Five golden rings. I am now working on Rene's shrug, the thong from knitty and another square. I am having problems with the thong, I've tried to do the short rows twice now and each time they are off. I am going to have to read some more on wraps and turns.

I've been working now for two weeks. I am either grasping it or making mistakes. I have been told they like the way I write my emails, I communicate well. They are the most meetingest company.... Let me get a routine down let me learn the ropes then let me start going to meetings. We are supposed to be working two weeks out and in my first full week of being on my own I am at two weeks out. I've had the managers come and tell me they hear I am doing well. I have befriended the Senior Analyst. I still feel unsure of things, but I will say one thing it's easier than mortgages.

Tomorrow I am going to get something I have missed sorely.... A PEDICURE!!!! It's sandal season here already.

Secret Pal 10 Robyn's group contest #3

2007-04-13T21:35:00.000-05:00

My favorite pattern? I've noticed that knitters for some strange reason will become obsessed with certain patterns we have the sock knitters, sweater knitters, the dish cloth knitters etc. My knitting obsession is fingerless gloves. The moment I saw the Eowyn fingerless gloves in an issue of Rowan I knew I had to have the pattern. I bought the issue of Rowan but I also googled knitted fingerless glove pattern and found many patterns. I have printed them, put them in a page protector and put them into a binder Something about fingerless gloves just appeals to me, I think they look sexy especially the Eowyn. I've made 3 pairs of them and have been asked to make another.

Now for the least favorite. I don't know if it's the colorway or the pattern or my knitting but I am not happy at all with the way the Bella is coming out. I don't know it might be the energy that is associated with the yarn but I have decided to frog the whole thing. I will make it again but in a different color. I will also use the tips that I have been given and maybe this time it won't come out so wonkie and look terrible. I can't bring myself to work on it.

Mom's vest

2007-04-12T21:29:00.000-05:00

First I am flattered very flattered Kathy from Irisheyes Knitting blog was so fascinated by the Tornado Knitting she referenced me in her blog. Thank you Kathy.
It's taking some time but I am working on Mom's vest. The back is completely finished. I work on it before I start work, during lunch, and on the drive home, Right we we are car pooling DH works about 15 minutes from where I work so for the next week we are going to car pool twice a week to see how it works, will it safe any money on gas? Don't know but I know I can knit while he drives (yes my sisters in knitting you see my diabolical evil plot!). But on those days that I drive, I do knit while I drive. Don't worry, I knit at red lights and Stop and go traffic. Most of the progress that I have had on Mom's vest is because I knit in traffic. I have changed the pattern a little bit, Mom liked the double seed stitch I put on her wrap, so I am putting that on the vest also. The original pattern is called the Albion Vest. She wanted something plain no buttons nothing at all, So I am not even making the ties. I'll just sew on the pocket she sent back

I have been working on my monthly KAL's in the evening This one is from the group From the Heart of Texas the designer is the very talented Kayleen Clements. You will have to join her group to get the pattern it's listed in the file section under monthly KALs & CAL. No I did not knit it out of cotton, I knitted it out of left over yarn. Yes another square to add to the afghan. I thought that 9 squares would be enough but it doesn't look right, so I will have to add 6 more for it to resemble an afghan, I need to get the afghan done and sent to The Lone Knitter before the end of June to be eligible to be in her contest. I need to start the Five golden rings square to add to the the blanket. I will work on it tomorrow. I also have to post something for the SP10, probably again tomorrow. I still have another coat of nail polish to put on my fingers.

Things happen so quickly sometimes

2007-04-08T23:12:00.000-05:00

Lets see the last entry was for Tuesday well that evening I went to my knitting group at the Starbucks at I 20 and Forest Hill. It had been raining that day. Angele got rear ended but thankfully it was not too bad. So there we are 6 of us knitting, looking through books, going over that weeks yarn porn, drinking coffees, talking about husbands, jobs, cats, sock camp etc. The last thing we expected to hear was one of the employees coming up to us and saying, "Excuse me ladies, but we have been informed that we are under a tornado warning, and you have the choice of either going to sit it out in the bathroom or leaving, but we have to lock up. Well I have never heard of anyone out running a tornado so we choose to all go to the bathroom, it was in the back away from the windows and the building is cement. Six of us piled into the bath room the employees were in the back room. We had cell phones, coffee, water, a toilet, yarn, needles, books, a flash light, and each other. Thankfully, nothing happened. The Starbucks employees were wonderful and should be commended for doing a great job. We all were safe. When I got home I found out that there had been a tornado that touched down in the area and the Starbucks we were at had a hook of the tornado over it. We were very lucky.

The next day I received my swap from the knitting book swap exchange. The book is One Skein it actually has been on my wish list. Thank you!

Thursday was the start of my new job. Yes I have finally gotten a job after being unemployed for
almost a year. I was exhausted. It's not only a change in jobs but also fields. I took a cut in pay but I am getting paid what I expected for someone with my skills and changing in fields.

Saturday was and interesting day. It snowed yes it snowed here in Texas. It was opening day at Scarborough I had to go in my jarwoll socks, my hiking boots, black jeans, thermal long sleeve shirt, sweat shirt, and my winter fleece lined cloak. It was cold. I've got a all the photos in it in my flicker account but here are a few teasers.

Queen Margaret

Queen Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII catching snowflakes on his tongue. King Henry is quite playful especially when around the wenches.

I have made some progress on mom's vest, and actaully finished another square. I will have photos of them very soon.

Bluebonnies!!!

2007-04-03T02:37:00.000-05:00

Today the mailman was nice to me, he brought me my package from the Yarn Junkies Unite Purple swap. And lookie lookie what I got. There is this beautiful sock yarn from J Knits. Looks like I have yarn porn to share at my knitting group tomorrow. We always start off with show and feel in our group. She also enclosed my first my one and only Fancy Schmancy Stitch marker. I don't buy these for myself because when one is unemployed it's a luxury one can live without. But I finally have one!!! There was also a little tube of lotion. Wow, did she look in the mirror with me this morning. I woke up and saw little faint lines around my eyes, No not the tiny crows feet in the corners the lines.!!! YIKES... who is this old crone in the mirror looking back at me? And now for a special treat, for those that don't know it the official state flower of Texas is the Blue Bonnet. The grow along the road sides, open pastures, fields etc. Literally there are patches of blue. It's a beautiful site. Last spring we got sickly blue bonnets because of the drought. This year, it rained for a few days, and the temps spiked up into the 80's and the blue bonnets popped! To give you an idea of how many is needed to make a sea of blue, here is a photo of one, just one blue bonnet.

This is allot more than one

And this too. Easter Sunday families will be out in force taking photos in their Easter clothes in the blue bonnets. No I didn't spell it wrong up on the title. When mom was able to fly and visit us she would come out here during the early spring because summer would be too hot for her. I told her that they were blue bonnets when she asked me what was that blue flower that was growing so beautifully. She repeated blue bonnies. And in our family, it's been blue bonnies ever since.

Speaking of mom, I have the entire back of her vest finished and have started the left front. I have both wrist bands done for Garren, and now working on the head band. I am also working on the Monthly KAL's for Monthly Dishcloths and the Heart of Texas groups.

Gee has it really been a week?

2007-03-30T02:17:00.000-05:00

I know it's been a week since I posted . Bad me. Heidi's sweater is done, I am putting it in the mail later today so it will be going out to you soon Heidi. The pattern is not one of my favorites, but it wasn't a difficult pattern. I had to weave in the loose ends and it's done. Now to work on mom's vest. She's asked me if she will get to have the vest before she dies. I asked her if she's planning on dieing anytime in the near future and she said no, so mom you should have it soon. I've already knitted it up to where the arm hole starts. I also used up the two skies of yarn I had left over when I was knitting the vest as a readers wrap.

I belong to a group called Rachels Knitting Room. Rachel's extremely talented and it is a pleasure knitting her patterns. This one below is called Lacy Butterfly Dishcloth. Which I am sure it would make a lovely dishcloth, but when I saw this pattern I saw this as a baby's blanket. So I decided to knit it up and put in my squares to sew and be blankets for charity pile. I think the color should have been darker so that you could see the pattern better but it will do.

This is dishcloth is called Knitted Music Notes and it is by Rhonda K White Right now this is part one of a four part project that a friends wife has requested. He plays in a band and did not have a band towel. So this one is perfect. I am working on part two now. Will post it when I finish it.

This is another mitered cloth that was done out of left over cotton. I am pleased with the result.

This is another mitered dish cloth made out of sockatta

Last Sunday we had the opportunity to go to Fossil Rim. It's a wild life park that you drive through. They let most of the animals out to roam freely. Well except the carnivores they stay locked behind bars... (hummm didn't Jurassic Park say something like that too??) These are the European Red Deer, I thought they were elk.

I thought that these were reindeer but they are called fallow deer, and yes they actually did get that close to the car.

Thought I was kidding? Nope this is one of the Aoudad goats. They would sand one on each side of the road, waiting like sentries, you could almost hear them saying "Papers please get your papers." No they actually were collecting a toll. They were waiting for some feed. We were given a bag of feed to feed to the animals as we entered. One of the European Red deer stuck it's entire head into the car through the window. MY WINDOW!!!

It was pretty funny we were waiting to get through and there were several cars up ahead of us, and a few ostrich's. I think the dad in that car was purposely making the ostrich put their head in his car because we heard little screaming voices and we were 3 cars behind them. This happened more than once.

We had a good day I've been a little busy with things and will post what's going on as soon as I can. Right now I don't want to say much about it.

What were they thinking???

2007-03-23T01:37:00.000-05:00

Do you ever sit back after seeing a commercial and go what on earth are they thinking? I saw one today for Always sanitary pads, that really set me off. It was pretty, floral, lacy etc, just the thing that I never felt when I had a visit from Aunt Flo. At the very end the announcer says, "And have a happy period." ERRRRRRRRR Brakes!!!! put the knitting down and stand back because she is about to talk with her hands. No I'm not Italian but grew up in a neighborhood that was primarily Greek and Italian. What did they just say? I don't think I ever recall have a happy period. Did I ever wish anyone a happy period, no, but maybe from now on, gee... is there a Hallmark card for that? If not just imagine the monthly revenue that they could get! Thank goodness, I've been fixed and don't have to worry about ever having a Happy Period ever again.

Wishing you and yours ..... A Happy Period!

Secret Pal 10 Robyn's group contest #2

2007-03-22T01:18:00.000-05:00

Yes I finally have a secret pal, I finally exist. I have left her a message already. I have read over her Secret Pal questions and found one item that is very very interesting and coincidental. Now I am just waiting for mine to contact me. In the mean time, we were asked to comment about our favorite knitting accessory... Let me think, gauge ruler, stitch markers or knitting bags? Let me think about this in another way, if I were on alone on an island what one accessory would I need .... it has to be stitch markers anyone that knows me knows I have stitch markers. I don't have any of the fancy schmancy kinds, you know the ones with the pretty glass beads, just regular old plastic clover. Not that I wouldn't love a pair of those pretty ones, but, truthfully, thats a luxury I cannot afford at this time. I put them on and keep them on until I am binding off, I am very very anal about keeping count. I softly laugh because sometimes I leave a trail of stitch markers behind, sometimes, in my pockets, laundry, car, doctor's office, restaurants, the local pub, yes I knit when I go to the pub to listen to "Free Whiski", the car... you get the idea. Gotta have my stitch markers

Thank you

2007-03-21T14:29:00.000-05:00

First and most important I want to thank all of you that posted to my blog. You words touched my heart deeply. Knitting is more than just fiber and sticks, it's people. People from one end of the world to the other. I have a feeling that much will be accomplished in this world by just the simple act. Knitting. Look how it knits us together. I believe it is the Yarn Harlot, "If you know how to knit and purl you can rule the world." Rule the world? well maybe not in this life time but we can make significant changes.

I know I have posted in several days but things like yard work, gardening, laundry, housecleaning, running errands, and having a stomach virus for about 24 hours all get in the way of knitting and blogging. You know if I don't want to knit or blog, I've gotta be sick. I am feeling much better now, sides still hurt from the internal sit ups my stomach was doing.

The DH updated me on his idea of the pond area and it's going to involve more mulch. I'll just let his creative genius take over he built the entire area for it, installed it maintains part of it, my job is to take care of the fish, and the flowers in and around the pond. My job is also the rose garden and the raised bed. We kinda share the rest. But anything to do with flowers or plants that's me. Unless the DH has input. No photos of the yard yet, not until more work is done. I can say that one of my roses already has a rose bud on it. Yes I am watching over it like a mother hen. Usually after the first bud appears so do the aphids. And I have found out who has been eating our parrot grass in the pond. Those blasted grackles aka around our house the raptors. I swear that's what they used as a model for the raptors. This big old male was in the upper pond drinking water splashing about, and then as he took off to fly away in his talons was a beautiful piece of parrot grass. I'm going to have to sit outside kitting with a hose near by to chase them away. Yes we have tried the plastic owls, the dog barks at them and the grackles, shit on them. I think we need to get some netting.

I have had time for some knitting. The update on Heidi's sweater, I am to the point of decreasing. Yeah for me! And to answer your question Heidi, no I have not made the thong yet, but it will be soon. I have to finish your sweater, make Babcia her vest, and Rene her shrug, I'll squeeze the whole thong project in there somewhere. I have to have it done by a certain date, but I can't say because someone might read the blog.
Here are a few things I have been working on.
The 4th day of Yule. Four calling birds at least one thing is on schedule.
This is another square I knitted to be put in the box to be joined for an afghan for charity. The pattern is pretty simple.The reason why this is in two colors, I am getting rid of scrap yarn that I have a tub full, I finished the green but not the square so good old white to the rescue. I found the pattern for this on http://www.p2designs.com/ look under patterns for charity. This square is called 3-squared#2 multi-sized square

Since allot of you are asking about the square that I knit for Larissa's book, I am very sorry but I cannot give out the pattern for that particular square. However, Knit Picks has a similar pattern, it's free and it's called the Geo Modern Throw Personally though just my opinion, I prefer the one from Larissa, to me it's easier to knit. (And no I am not sucking up to Larissa, well ok maybe just a little.) As a matter of fact did you know there are hundreds of knitted square patterns on the internet for free? Yes really all you have to do it so Google free knitted square pattern. That's how I found the 3 squared and this one. This one was done with Sockotta Sock yarn Colorway Brite Multi, Size 2 circular needles

This one is from my Monthly Dishcloth group. Done with Peaches and Cream in Desert Sand, Size 7 needles to find the pattern go to http://monthlydishclothkal.blogspot.com/ It was suggested to make this one in a yarn that was compatible with the previous dishcloth which I haven't done yet, well I did but I frogged it because is started out looking like a rabid squirrel. Some day I'll make it or not.

This last one, I like the pattern, but the yarn, umm welll looks like the Easter bunny ate too many jelly beans and threw up. Oh come one now, there has to be at least one mom, aunt, grandmother, child care giver that has seen the pink cool aid vomit at least once. You know what I am talking about. I originally chose this from the scrap yarn because it looked springie and Eastery. Anyway back to the square this is from another yahoo group I belong to called From the heart of Texas, the designer on this is Kayleen Clements and it's called Rapid River. The yarn is Bernat Satin Colorway Bermuda

I do have an up date on the Secret Pal 10, I finally exist, I have been taken under Robyn's wing. Gee can it be fate or coincidence that my favorite spring bird is the robin. Discuss amongst yourselves. Hello Robyn! She emailed me last night that I would have a partner soon. I have been so envious of all the the others already having a partner... and I don't have one... I had partner envy. That's ok soon I will have one.

It's Official

2007-03-15T13:55:00.000-05:00

Remember a while back I was in something called the square along? And remember when I announced I had made it to the first round draft or rather my square did? Well .... I found out that YES!!!!(ooops sorry) yes, my square is going to be in the blanket that is going in Larisssia's book. I am soooo floored. Me? me? who has only been knitting for 15 months me. Who currently is unemployed, who tried and failed at carrying a child and giving birth to it, me who only went to college for a little while, who at times feels like a failure, yes ME! Don't ask me what the name of the book is yet, I don't know it, as soon as I know I will let you all know. It is to be out next spring. I will keep you updated.

The link below is the link to Larissia's flicker group for the blanket. See if you can find me, I am in the second row from the bottom, thrid one on the right.

http://larissmix.typepad.com/stitch_marker/2007/03/a_blanket.html#comments

Progress & Yarn Porn

2007-03-13T14:49:00.000-05:00

I have been a little busy this week. I am trying to get a hold of a head hunter that called me Friday but it appears that we are playing phone tag. In the mean time I am still working on Heidi's sweater but also knitting some St Patrick's day wash/dishcloths. They were all easy patterns sometimes I just make little mistakes and choose to just live with them.

Lucky Shamrock pattern by Carol Callaway Lacy 4 Leaf Clover Dishcloth designed by Rachel van Schie

Knitted Shamrock Cloth by Rhonda K White

The front of Heidi's sweater What can I say I just love this yarn. It's so soft and pettable. It's like holding a soft kitten or bunny. I am working on the sleeves, yes once again knitting them both at the same time. To me it saves time, and doesn't give me the second sleeve syndrome very similar to second sock. It's a little confusing keeping the two balls separate but it's ok I would rather do both of them together than have second sleeve syndrome. I am almost half way to where I need to be before I have to start decreasing. Once that is done, all that I have to do is the collar and it's done.

Heidi, did send me the prettiest hand dyed with natural dyes yarn. It's from Catskill Merino Yarn in colorway Cochineal. From what I read is that they sell their yarn at the Farmer's Market in New York City. The color is created from the flower of the prickly pear cactus. I love natural dyes being used. Thank you Heidi

If you remember I recently knitted a pair of the Eowyn fingerless gauntlets in some beautiful pink malabrigio. Well she went on a trip and brought back two skeins of Claudia Hand Painted Yarns in colorway Knitting Sisters. I love these colors!

I am in a swap that is going to be for the next 12 months. It is called Yarn Junkies Unite Each month there will be a color of the month. This month it's PURPLE I chose malabrigo because it's my newest favorite yarn to knit with. The color way is Pearl Ten. Now in different lights it looks different, sometimes it's brown. sometimes is purple. I may change my mind and find another one that is more purple. Malabrigo Yarn Company in colorway Pearl Ten.

Now normally when I see my lovely Alpaca yarn, I don't ever see it chunky. This is definitely chunky. This is from another swap score!!! Misti Alpaca Chunky in colorway Lipstick Red

That's about it for now. I may have some exciting news in the next few days so stay tuned.

Want Knitting Stuff

2007-03-13T13:41:00.000-05:00

If you ever are looking for that perfect gift for a knitter or something to do with knitting to put into your swap or secret pal package try here http://www.cafepress.com/buy/knitting/-/go_0
they have over 2900 designs that can be put on 40,900 products, from tee shirts, totes, coffee mugs, buttons, magnets, note cards, thongs, etc. and if anyone wants to get me a tee shirt probably a 2XL would be good, it will be big but I like it big.

First Robin

2007-03-08T05:29:00.000-06:00

It's official I saw my first robin today. Spring is here officially even though it's not March 20 something. I still have three more weeks of winter nail polish.... Wait, that's another weird thing about me. I polish my finger nails once a week. I have the colors separated for spring/summer and fall/winter. So that I don't get confused as to what color I have used and what is next, I set them in alphabetical order. Yes I know it's weird. That and the whole banana thing. For me I can only eat a banana if it's still green. Even a tiny bit of green. Without the green in it, it just doesn't taste right. The mailman brought me goodies from Canada. This is from my International Sassy Sock Yarn Swap. There was this adorable tape measure, and perfect timing, since my tape measure has pissadeared into some black hole or alternate universe. It's shaped like a little chick, you press his beak so that the tape goes back in. Lovely little note cards that I believe say a note from "Mary" and lastly the absolutely gorgeous yarn it's in different shades of green! I am sure they will look awesome.

From the Heart of Texas March KAL it's a Shamrock square. Very quick very easy. Now with the Monthly dishcloth KAL, well I already had that one on my list to knit next month. I tired several times to knit it but, it just wasn't working for me. So I frogged it one more time and put it up and started a shamrock.

I finished another square for an afghan or blanket for charity.

Ohhhh and this, this is the back of Heidi's sweater, I made a few mistakes, the pattern got confusing so I went on line looked to see if there were any corrections to the pattern and as soon as I read them, I had it figured out. I have already started on the front and it should be easier since it's identical to the back. Back to the salt mines.

NTIF

2007-03-06T02:25:00.000-06:00

NTIF is short for North Texas Irish Festival. It was held this weekend in Dallas. The weather cooperated with the festival this year. The winds didn't but you can't ask for everything at this festival. The festival had musicians, dancers, Irish and Scottish Beer and whisky, cds, dvds, books, trinkets vendor after vendor demo after demo, performer after performer.... but something was missing. I didn't really notice it was missing until I took up knitting. Besides all of the above there is one thing that Ireland and Scotland are know for... Anyone want to take a guess??? What about wool??? What about knitting??? Crocheting??? Weaving???? ETC???? not one ounce not one skein no where to be seen. If it wasn't for me pulling out my knitting at the Shannon Stage that would not have happened either. My knitting did catch the eyes of a few prepubescent ones which just made them point and giggle.... I am pretty sure their Grannies knit them a jumper or two. I am really surprised, Dallas has a Dallas Handknitters Guild. I have been involved in The National Knitting in public day, the Stitch and Pitch. Ladies, it sounds to me like we need to become visible in other places also. I am off to ponder a battlecry to gather the knitters together for the next Celtic festival.

Another pair

2007-03-05T01:19:00.000-06:00

I was asked to knit a pair of the Eowyn gloves for someone, they bought the yarn. They choose to use Rowan Kid Classic in the Moss colorway.

March Lamb or Lion???

2007-03-01T18:44:00.000-06:00

I finished my Rachel sweater today. I will update blog with pictures later I am wearing it Saturday. I started it on the 19th of Feb and finished today! That's amazing! One week and four days. That's the fastest I have knit a sweater. I really love this yarn it it so soft, it is the Plymouth Yarn Baby Brush Alpaca in Green #1290. The sleeves are just a little to long, I can cuff them, but maybe I will take it to my new knitting group and see if they can suggest anything to fix them.

I knitted this for a friend of mine, she's really into Elvis and when I saw the pattern at Marilyn's Knitting Heaven on Earth I had to knit it for her. She is putting it in her Elvis shrine.

I am casting on Heidi's sweater today, because I won't cast on a new project on a Friday. Old wives tail, if you cast on on Friday you will never finish. I have decided to use the same Plymouth Yarn Baby brush Alpaca but in color 1805. I am totally in love with this color, it looks so alive. Heidi your going to love it totally. (Why am I talking like a valley girl???) I will have to find a pattern for me to knit something out of this yarn in purple for me. When I finish casting on, I have to finish DH's felted clogs. Speaking of which they are ready to be felted up.

Mom sent her yarn, remember I knit her a reader's wrap and she asked if she could rip it so that I could knit her a vest because the vest would work better for her. Just take a look at how she wraps. how she made them into oval shape I have no clue. Mom said to go ahead and make Heidi's sweater first then make her vest.
Fingers don't fail me now.

Quote of the day

2007-03-01T01:48:00.000-06:00

I saw this quote and had to laugh

Funny Quote of the Day - Saint Augustine - "O Lord, help me to be pure, but not yet."

Kinda sounds like me and if Augustine became a saint, I guess there is help for me.

The Secret Pal 10 Questioinnaire

2007-02-27T05:25:00.001-06:00

The Questionnaire
Here are is the questionnaire for SP10. Please be sure to post it in a spot on your blog where your pal can easily find it. Since your pal will use this to help create your packages you'll want to have it posted to your blog no later than the last day of February.
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Favorite yarn I love Malabrigio, Lorna's Laces, Yarn Pirate and Yarntini. Favorite Fibers Alpaca, and Blue Faced Leicester and superfine Merinos What fibers do you absolutely *not* like. Itchy scratchy mohair.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Knit Picks options binder.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn?I have been knitting since Dec 2005. Mom tried to teach me when I was 9 or 10 and it just wouldn't work for me. Nov 2005 I was home recovering from an abdominal hysterectomy and needed something to keep my hands and mind busy. Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Beginner to Intermediate
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I have a wish list just look to the left under wish list.
5. What's your favorite scent?Escada collection, sandalwood, lavender, lilac, jasmine.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Yes Favorite candy? Milk chocolate or anything with almonds and chocolate.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?Who has time for other crafts? Do you spin? Not yet but possibly in the future.
8. What kind of music do you like?Depends on my mood. My wish list has some cds that I want. Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?Computer (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
9. What's your favorite color(s)?Purple, green, black, red & pink Any colors you just can't stand?Orange
10. What is your family situation? Married with no human children Do you have any pets?1 very spoiled corgi, 2 cats, 10 goldfish in the pond.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?Scarves Yes, Hats NO NO NO Hats, Mittens yes, Ponchos ohhh yes Ponchos yes.12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?hummm I think I would have to say.... I don't know I like to knit it all
13. What are you knitting right now? Sweater for my niece.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Circular Aluminum Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?Yes to both
17. How old is your oldest UFO? Bella shawl October 2006
18. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween
19. Is there anything that you collect?Mice, Pocket dragons and faeiries
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Interweave Knits
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?This year I am concentrating on learning how to knit cables.
22. Are you a sock knitter?Sometimes What are your foot measurements?
23. When is your birthday? May 6th

Getting there

2007-02-27T03:39:00.000-06:00

Progress update on the Rachael sweater. The back is knit and blocked, the front and sleeves are knit and blocking. That means I really can't do anything with it until tomorrow evening. Still have to knit collar and sew the seams. It may be ready for the North Texas Irish Festival (NTIF) on Saturday. The temps are going to be mid 5o's so it won't be too hot to wear the sweater. That would mean that I finished the sweater in a week and a half??? damm that's fast. I have been asked to make another pair of the Eowyn gloves oh and by the way have them ready for Saturday too. I've got the body of one done and blocking. I need to make an Elvis wash cloth and have it ready Wednesday evening. It's a gift for some Elvis fan that DH knows at work. I have to start on Heidi's sweater The Tribecca finish DH's felted clogs make Todd's hat poor man his ears are going to freeze in New York, make a pair of gloves for consignment.
Well at least today I got the roses trimmed, tomorrow I am going to rake the rose garden itself. Have to cut everything dead out of the raised bed and see if the lavender will come back or if I have to replant. The rosemary is doing great. DH has to work on the pond but has to first clean up his mess in the front yard, he trimmed a section of one of the oak trees and our front lawn looks like the aftermath of a wind storm.

Cough, Sniffle, Weeze

2007-02-24T16:34:00.000-06:00

It's official I can now say that I have been in a dust storm. Yes you heard me right today we have wind gusts of over 55 mph, and it's kicking up dust everywhere. The plastic covering for the green house is torn to shreds. The patio chairs have a red dust layer on them. It's nice and warm about 66 degrees but I will not open a window I don't want all that dust in the house. Visibility is about half a mile. Good thing I am staying in and knitting today.

I've been busy

2007-02-23T12:04:00.000-06:00

I finished the February Mid month KAL. This is done in Peaches and Cream in the Denim colorway. It's a lace pattern, and I made one mistake in it, but unless you know where it is you can't see it. I also joined a group called From the Heart of Texas. They are a group located in Houston, they have w monthly KALs and CALs. They knit squares join to create blankets and donate them to local charities. You have the choice of knitting them and either sending them to the group or donating them to the charity of your choice. It was interesting both groups used a ssk2po stitch.

These are the Eowyn fingerless gloves but this time in Malabrigio in a colorway called Little Lovely. I love this pattern these are made for a friend.

This pattern comes from http://www.knitty.com/ it's called Calorimetry http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTcalorimetry.html I had a little bit of Malabrigio left over from my Eowyn gloves in the Velvet Grapes colorway so I knitted it up. It's very quick, very cute, the Malabrigio makes it very soft, and it's warm. I despise hats, this is perfect for me because it covers my ears to keep them warm and it buttons in back under your hair. Perfect.

This is the back of My Rachel Sweater, I started it Saturday the 17th. I am trying to get it finished before March 3rd. I would like to wear it to the North Texas Irish Festival. So far I have about 3/4 of the front knitted then all I would have left are the sleeves, then when I finish it I can start on Heidi's sweater.

The weather has been beautiful, it's be in the high 70's I have to get out into the rose garden and cut the roses back, get algae remover into the pond and plant my flower seeds in pots and put them in the green house. I have to hurry with the seeds get them planted while we are still in a waxing moon. Grandfather always told me to plant flowers from the new to the full moon. Thank goodness we are really not doing much this weekend. Gardening and knitting what a better way to spend a weekend.

She's amazing!!!

2007-02-21T00:38:00.000-06:00

One of my nieces (this is the niece that is the proud owner of the Kittyville hat from SNB) is studying at I.C.E. (The Institute of Culinary Education) in New York City. She is taking classed in Baking/Pastry and also in Culinary Management. Well on the 19th she learned how to pull a sugar ribbon, you know the kind they have on the Food Network the contests that have these ginormous sugar sculptures that break and smash into zillions of pieces. Hers will never break..

By the way, we have reserved her ot make our cake for our 25th wedding anniversary... She's got 15 yrs to prepare.

Rachel Sweater for Me

2007-02-19T02:54:00.000-06:00

In a book Hot Knits by By Melisssia Leapman and Joe VanDeHatert has several lovely patterns I will probably knit several of these. However the first sweater I have choose to knit is the Rachel I have chosen Plymouth's Baby Alpaca Brushed in Green 1290 I have never seen nor touched this yarn, knew not much about it other than it being 75% alpaca and 25% acrylic, so I went to www.knittersreview.com to see if I could find a review by them for this yarn. There it was and to quote them "Yarn Profile: Plymouth Baby Alpaca Brush
First Impressions Baby Alpaca Brush has a built-in soundtrack that goes something like this. Every time someone picks it up, they let out a delighted "ooooooooh!"This unusual yarn has the plush softness of angora and the cozy blur of mohair, yet it contains not a trace of either fiber.Instead, it consists primarily of four plies of alpaca (taken from the first shearing) that have been blended with a small amount of acrylic, spun into one strand that is then brushed to a dreamy cloudlike texture." (To read more go to http://www.knittersreview.com/article_yarn.asp?article=/review/product/040930_a.asp) I was almost sold, the price? Very affordable. Ok now I was sold. I hoped and prayed that it lived up to the review. When I received it... OMG! It was softer than I expected. It feels like a soft fluffy cloud. When I was a little girl I had a special word for things that were really really soft, I have no clue where I got this word but this was very very cheecho. The only issue I have with this yarn is because it's brushed it tends to tangle when I try to pull it from the middle of the skein, I could either keep the yarn frozen and take it out of the freezer one at a time as I knit or I could start on the outside of the ball. I'm starting outside of the ball. It's hard enough for the DH to see the yarn in the freezer when I first get it but to have it stay there??? I think that would send him over the edge. (lol) Maybe next house I will have my own freezer to store the yarn. I have to hurry and knit this as quickly as possible I want to wear this at the North Texas Irish Festival. I also have to start Heidi's sweater and Rene's shrug.

Fini! Almost

2007-02-18T14:43:00.000-06:00

The first of unfinished. I was making these clogs for the DH, I purchased what I thought was enough yarn to complete it well take a look at the right clog, The two are not similar, the one on the right is not finished. Yes they are ginormous but they have not been felted, once felted they will shrink.

This is the first square I made out of my leftover stash. I am going to make squares and then going to join them to send to either The Native Elders Program or to Friends of the Pine Ridge.Another square

A house warming present for a friend. She just moved into a new condo and likes blue white flowers and kitty's. The flower patter is called Flower Power and the link is:http://www.knitalittle.com/ Yarn is Peaches & Cream colorway is Denim.

This second one is called Miss Meow it can be purchased at http://knitwits-heaven.com/AnimalWashcloths.htm and you guessed it about for rows before the border, I ran out of yarn.

If anyone is wondering about the Bella shawl, it's still alive, the knitting is very slow on it, I have to take the lace pattern across the top over the shoulder and down the back to the knee. I'll finish it some century.

This is the Third day of Yule, Three French Hens.

And here it is DH's sweater I finished knitting the sleeves by 10:00 am on Saturday, laid down took a nap from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and then started finishing sewing seams, weaving in yarn, sewing the buttons on. Etc. I believe the next time I will make the sweater I will make it smaller. Even though he says it fits I feel it's too baggie. He did not like the seed stitch ribbing so I put in a knit 6 purl 6 ribbing on the bottom, sleeves, and neck. The pattern can be found at Vermont Fiber Designs http://www.vermontfiberdesigns.com/patterns/unisex/149.php

This is a very easy pattern to knit. This is my second sweater. I only would like to see the company go more into detail as to how to set the sleeves in, I knew how to do it because I have sewn in the past. The yarn I used was Elizabeth Lavold, silky wool, it's 65% wool, 35% silk, The colorway is Denim Blue (32) Washing instructions, hand wash cold, lay flat to dry.

The world is much smaller due to the internet

2007-02-18T12:30:00.000-06:00

I was reading a blog today about a woman who in her mind feels she has failed at a project. We all have bee there at one point or another. She needs our support and encouragement. http://lenealve.blogspot.com/2007/02/failures.html

DH's sweater

2007-02-16T04:09:00.000-06:00

I finally got the yarn that I need to finish the DH's sweater. All that is left to finish are sleeves. Sleeve length is 28 inches, I've knit 14 of the 28. I am trying to finish this by Saturday so that he can wear it. Will I make it???

Stay tuned.

Kittyville hat photos

2007-02-15T04:28:00.000-06:00

I promised everyone a photo of my niece in her Kittyville hat and here she is with her husband in New York. I think she looks quite lovely in it.

What's up with not enough to finish.

2007-02-12T01:40:00.000-06:00

DH, sweater sits waiting for the yarn to come to finish his sweater. The yarn for Heidi's sweater is in the same order. Well dang since I won't be able to finish the DH's sweater because I am waiting for delivery, I thought I would knit and felt him a pair of the Fiber Trend clogs... I literally have 10 more rows to finish on the second cuff, and I'm done, I run out. No one in the area has that color so again I must order from on line and wait for the shipment. gggggrrrr. Ok so next thing make 2 wash cloths for Imp she just moved into her own place and having the wash cloths should make it feel more like home. The first one the flower is done and blocking the second, Fark!!! out of yarn and still need at least 10 more rows. Thankfully all I have to do it go to Walmart to get this one. So three projects sit waiting. I finally got Nancy her sweater for her chihuahua Isabelle. She adored it. Asked me to knit another in purple and green, well I had turquoise, and black. I'll post those soon. Onto next project, making another pair fingerless gloves but this time for someone that asked me for a pair of them. I have one skein of this pink colorway in malabrigio which is perfect for the gloves. Don't fret I have found shamrock dishcloths and they will be made to in addition to knitting the sweater for DH.

Thank you

2007-02-09T01:45:00.000-06:00

I want to thank all of you that replied to the call for help on my DH's sweater. I frogged it and knitted it once again (the collar not the sweater) It now has a lovely 6/6 rib to match the ribbing at the bottom of the sweater and it will match the ribbing on the sleeves.
I knitted the Calorimetry pattern from the current issue of Knitty with left over Malabrigio and I still have enough Malabrigio to put into one of the squares. I'll be posting photo's tomorrow.
Oh goodness, I almost forgot, my DH wants to learn how to knit. He's been watching a few of the Knitty Grittys with me. There was an episode on knitting with wire. One of the types of knitting with wire was called Viking Knitting. Naturally that turned DH's head since the forefather of the clan originally was one of the Norse countries before he decided to come and live in Scotland. He also wants to see if he can knit with leather cord. I don't see why he can't. I did tell him though he needed to know how to do basic knitting with yarn before he moved onto wire and/or leather. So tomorrow evening at MacHenry's http://www.machenrys.com/waiting for the Austin Lounge Lizards to start playing I am to teach him how to cast on and how to knit. I won't get him to try purling yet. I have my bamboo size 8 ready for him along with giving him 3 starter books to read, and I have the scrap yarn for him to start out on also. He will be using the same needles and yarn I started with when I picked it back up in 2005. I will be teaching him continental since that's the only way I know how to knit.

It's alot

2007-02-08T01:21:00.000-06:00

Hold onto your hats. This is a big one. First I even though I have personally emailed her I must thank Wendy for my wonderfully thoughtful package that arrived from Royal Mail. I was Wendy's secret pal for the Yarn snobs swap. First layer in the package were some very lovely Pony needles. I have never tried the Pony so I can do so soon. Second layer I spied some tea.

Wendy sent some lovely echinacea and raspberry tea, to help keep me healthy during this winter. Next I found a delightfully sinful package of Chooca Mocca chocolates. The flavor is Real Strawberries with cream. I slowly untiled the little black ribbon, and opened the paper containing the delights. First the aroma of strawberries and cream wafts from out of the package. I popped one into my mouth, and closed my eyes. My mouth was an explosion of summer tasting fresh strawberries and the sweetest squishie cream. No, it can't be, what did I just bite into? I had to have another, this time I bit one in half, there it was without any doubt, there were real dried strawberries in the creamy white chocolate. This is really exquisite chocolate.

In a gray plastic package I felt the yarn, carefully I ripped the plastic package open, in it was the softest yarn, I thought surely this must be alpaca. Reading the card that Wendy included I found out that this is 100% wool from Blue Face Leicester sheep.The yarn comes from The Natural Dye Studio, now before you go and get excited they are located in the Suffolk Country side in the UK. They use historical plant dyes & avoid using chemicals ensuring their yarns are safer for our skin & for the environment. The colorway is called Golden Poesy, she chose it because the colors reminded her of the flowers in her garden.

Attached to the yarn was a cell phone charm, it is a pink ribbon charm. Wendy is selling these to help her raise funds for the Brest Cancer walk she is doing. I have been thinking about getting a charm for my phone for a long time, just couldn't decide. What Wendy doesn't know is that my mom is a survivor of breast cancer, she's had both breasts removed and she has been free and clean for over 20 years. Also I lost both my older sisters to breast cancer, so it it in honor of them and my mom that I wear the ribbon.

Wendy had been reading my blog and knew I was looking for a pattern for fingerless gloves, she bought me this kit again made from the Blue Face Leicester sheep. I believe this colorway is Apple Blossom, Wendy says that this colorway reminded her of the Apple tree she has in her yard. I have seen a similar colorway and have always loved it.

Lastly she had included a cd that she burned for me, it has many of her favorites and coincidentally I like them too. Wendy spends allot of thought and time into her swaps, anyone that has her is very lucky.

And finally we have Two turtle doves. The second square for the 12 days of Yule blanket that I am going to make.

So far I have A partridge in a pear tree and two turtle doves. If I want the turtle doves to be placed horizontally then vertically, I will have to add to the border. Just like Scarlet O'Hara, I will worry about that tomorrow. Right now, knit a verse (square) a month.

One more thing, I want to thank all of you that responded to my plea for help on DH's sweater. I have ripped the existing collar out and am attempting to put in just a straight single knit stitich. I'll let you know how it comes out.

Quick post and help please

2007-02-07T14:36:00.000-06:00

I finished this months KAL. It's very pretty and done in Sugar and Cream This one is for a friend of mine, she loves squirrels and when I saw this pattern I had to kit it for her.

Ok here is where I need the help, I am knitting the DH a long sleeve polo. I have added the section for the buttons and button holes and the collar, its the same stitch. on the button holes it looks fine but when I look at it on the collar it looks too feminine. This is a man's sweater not a woman's. Anyone have comments or suggestions? I think I need to rip it out and do a simple stocking net stitch. The pattern calls this stitch a Seeded rib.

Close up.

I have more photo's and more blogging to do I need to get this sweater done by this weekend. I did receive a fabulous package from Wendy for my Yarn Snob Swap. I have photos and will fully post later.

Not much eye candy this weekend

2007-02-05T20:14:00.000-06:00

Well some weeks you have Mel, Heath and Orlando and some weeks it's a little girl. This weekend we watched Whale Rider Netflicks summarizes it this way, "Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. A Maori tribe must contend with the distinctly non-traditional concept of having a female leader when young Pai's (Keisha Castle-Hughes) twin brother -- the intended heir to the throne -- dies during childbirth. Now, she must struggle to prove herself. Stars Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton, Cliff Curtis and Grant Roa. Written and directed by Niki Caro. Netf" It was a movie that Tim wanted to watch and I was pleasantly pleased with the movie.
I have had very little knitting today, I have been a housewife. laundry, cleaning house organizing stash... Then the door bell rang, And what did my eyes see... a box from Royal Mail.... that's right, My swap for the Yarn snobs swap got here!!! I will post pictures and tell you a bit more about what was in it in the next post. right now, I am here checking on what I should be knitting next. I think I will just weave ends in on previously completed projects. Start new tomorrow.

Me? First round draft!!!???

2007-02-05T05:32:00.000-06:00

I am a test knitting in a group for a new book that is being written. We were given an assignment to knit a square, the pattern was given, instructions given for the needle sizes yarn type and list of colors to be used. We were given a date that our squares were due. I knitted and submitted three squares. I just checked the groups photo page and found that one of my squares has made it to the first round draft, it's not set in stone, but I'm excited to even have it considered. I'm speechless. I've been knitting a little over a year and the possibility of having one of my pieces in a book....

I have completed the front of Tim's sweater and it is now off the needles and blocking. The back already finished and blocked. I need to get a couple more skeins of yarn for the sleeves, because I had to double the yarn to get gauge I have run short on the yarn. I know it won't be the same dye lot, but I am hoping that it won't be too noticeable because it's being used on the sleeves. I have enough of the first yarn to do the placket and collar. I am hoping that it won't be too much of a difference.

It's supposed to be a high in the mid 60's today, that means I can go out and trim the roses, it should have been done last month but it was so cold that I didn't want to do it. The repair man is going to come out and take a look at the dryer it's still under warranty so we only have to pay for him coming out. Hopefully he'll come and fix it and I can start laundry if it isn't fixed I have to go to a laundry mat or as they are called here in Texas a washateria, and do laundry there.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

New Day....GO BEARS!!!

2007-02-03T11:37:00.000-06:00

Well the sun is out it's currently 39 degrees, I am waiting to go out with a friend on a LYS crawl, time to heal up the wounds of yesterday.I did a few things last night to help process the feelings of yesterday, yes combining Roman Catholic and Pagan. The sun looks a little brighter today.

I am going to be knitting wash cloths and afghans for my favorite charities Friends of the Pine Ridge and The Elders program. Friends of the Pine Ridge is for the Native Americans on the Pine Ridge reservation it's very close to my heart, Grand mother White Mouse lived there, I still see her twinkling eyes. The Elders Program is for the Navajos.

I am outraged!!!

2007-02-02T15:09:00.000-06:00

I just saw a terrible video of babies in Russian hospitals orphans with their mouths taped shut so that the nurses would not be distracted when they cry. http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/world/2007/02/02/chance.russia.baby.gagging.reut&wm=11
Some had pacifies taped to their mouths, the nurse on duty explained to the reported, the babies spit the pacifiers out this is the only way to keep them from spitting them out. What if the baby spits up like many babies do??? They will choke and die. It's things like this and times like that I have a hard time ... a hard time believing in a merciful and loving God.
We would have done and did mostly everything we could to have a child of our own. I felt the death of each one of the six separate children I carried. There are times it's still difficult for me to accept it. I suppose that pain will never completely go away. Our first born would have been 4 this year, but instead, they are being taken care of by their aunts, uncles and grand parents. One of these days when I get up there I am going to have a long talk with God so that he can help me to understand this and a few other things. Are we such monsters? I know we would never tape their mouths shut. Did we do something wrong in a past life?

Happy Candlemas/Groundhog Day!!!

2007-02-02T04:10:00.000-06:00

Here's to whatever day you recognize today. Let the Sun burn brighter and warm us the hell up, cause I am sick of cold, ice, cold, snow, cold and cold. Let Winter End!

According to the old English saying:
If Candlemas be fair and bright,Winter has another flight.If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,Winter will not come again.

From Scotland:
If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,There'll be two winters in the year.

From Germany:
For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,So far will the snow swirl until May.For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day,So far will the sun shine before May.

And from America:
If the sun shines on Groundhog Day;Half the fuel and half the hay.

Husbands, Mothers, Ruffles and ridges, and Coffee & Yarn swap.

2007-01-31T03:06:00.000-06:00

I was ready to do this to my DH when I thought how ridiculous I would look in the head dress and that make up, so I let it drop, but here is what he did. As we all know when we reach the magical (cough) magical age of 40 something our eyesight starts to slowly go. I have accepted and embraced my "Grannie glasses" to knit and to read etc. However I thought I was going blind. We have always had a 100 watt bulb in the ceiling fan over the bed ALWAYS.... I even asked the DH what he put in he assured me it was a 100 watt. Well a friend of ours came over and offered to help DH install the new ceiling fan (that had been sitting in our garage for over a year). The light fixture comes down, and I look at the bulb.... it's a FRELLING 60 watt.......ggggrrrrrr...... For a moment I looked like Johnny Depp as the chief and I saw my DH as Orlando Bloom. Mom on the other hand gave me a compliment today. She told me how good of a job I had done on her wrap, how well my stitches looked, how even the gage was, she was very impressed that I did a border and pockets in a different pattern then stocking net. The wrap was good but... it still left part of her back exposed and cold it would be better if I had made her a vest. Would it be ok if she ripped the wrap and send it to me so that I could knit her a vest? What do you think I said to an 83 yr old woman. Sure mom, go ahead and enjoy ripping it out and sending it back to me. I will find a vest pattern and knit you a new one. Not a problem. She sounded happy knowing that I was going to knit her a vest. Now all I have to do is find one one the Internet which I am sure I can do.

Well Finally!!! as of today the Fiber Trends Ruffles and Ridges shawl is done and off the needles!!! Ahead of schedule I was giving myself to Sunday to finish it. Now onto Tim's sweater, I have already finished the back and will block it tomorrow, I've cast on for the front.

And the best for last! My package from my Coffee and Yarn swap arrived today!!! I got mail from not US Postage but Royal Mail!!! Yes my swap partner is from the UK, actually she's from Cambridge studying bio medicine. When I opened the package this is what I found, things were wrapped in tissue and the lovely scent of lavender.

There was this beautiful card

The Starbucks gift card

This lovely cup cozy no cups around so had to use my wrist to demo

This beautiful hand knit wash cloth and handmade lavender soap I have fresh lavender growing right outside my bathroom window. The DH loved the washcloth.

The coffee I can't wait to try it. I may invite one of our friend from Guatemala for a cup

And finally the yarn, this is the richest purple I have seen in a long time, it's so soft, I couldn't stop touching it. I have this Louisa Harding pattern for fingerless gloves she calls them garden gloves, I believe that this will make a pair of them. Lyndsey-Jane Thank you so much for the wonderful things.

Test along, swaps, Yule, and contest

2007-01-29T02:02:00.000-06:00

I joined a test group http://knitalong.net/testalong/ Martin and Larissa are writing a book and need test knitters for the book. This time around we were given a pattern, told what colors to use, and given a dead line. These are my submissions, it would be a great honor to have one of these three squares used in the book. The squares that are not chosen will be knitted up into afghans and donated to Warm Up America. http://www.warmupamerica.org/home.html
This first square is from Yarn Pirate http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=44421&sort=recent&page_id=1 the colorway is called Shamrock.
This is from Lorna's Laces the colorway is Funky Stripe. This little left over of yarn is very special to me because, it's what is left over from the first pair of socks I knitted.

This last one is from Handspun and Dyed Too http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=20393 the colorway on this one is Pizazz.

I am also in a potholder and recipe exchange, this is one of the pot holders, the pattern is called, Piece of my heart http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=20393

And this one is simply called Heart Dishcloth http://members.cox.net/designs.by.emily/patterns/Designs%20by%20Emily%20Heart%20Dishcloth%20Pattern.pdf
Yes they are washcloths however, what I am doing is knitting two identical ones, joining 3 sides, adding a piece of quilted material, then sewing the final side up, and adding a loop to hang it from.

This is the first of the 12 days of Yule Dish cloths by Ketutar http://fiberneed.blogspot.com/2007/01/12-days-of-yule-dishcloths.html I am not making dishcloths, instead the DH thought they would make a great holiday afghan. So I am knitting them up individually and will join them all when finished. I decided not to wait until the last minute, so I am going to knit one each month, this one should have been done in December. This is the partridge in the pear tree. I was supposed to make Two turtle doves in January, but haven't even started it yet. I have a few days left in January... so it's possible. Not likely but possible.

I also could not find a tree skirt that I liked that was less than $50.00 I am sorry, but to me that is just too much for something that is going to sit under the tree. So I decided to make one also I found this pattern http://www.gallentine.org/Knitting/Christmastreeskirt.html Yes, it has cables, but I think I can handle it. It's made from seven separate sections and then are joined together. I have already started on it but already frogged it because the directions are written a little wonkie and you have to keep jumping from top to bottom to middle of the page, I am going to print the pattern out again and cut and paste them in order for myself.

I also joined a contest from The Lone Knitter http://theloneknitter.blogspot.com/2006/12/my-first-contest-blanket-drive-for-mom.html This one the due date is not until June so I have time to make up a few squares. The will be donating the squares, blankets or afghans to the hospital that her aunt was a patient of while being treated for cancer. This will help to get rid of the small bits of left over yarn in my stash.

This week I am going to be working on the Fiber Trends Ruffles and ridges shawl (see side bar for pattern). I am not sure how many more rows I have to go but I am down to 250 stitches from the original 1095 that were cast on. I want to finish it this week.

Adults only Offical Kittyville Hat

2007-01-26T01:08:00.000-06:00

This is an email I received from Heidi:"Yes, yes yes! I got the hat and I love it. (I did call you over the weekend to let you know, but maybe you did not get my message.) I love it! It’s so very fun, and unique. Many people here wear black (the NY uniform), but NO ONE has a fun cat hat like mine. I’m certain people are envious. I need to get Todd to take my picture in it and I will post it on the blog. I think I vaguely remember the bunny hat babcia made for me. Is that possible? P.S. Oh, and the yarn is divine. Sooooo soft."Yes Heidi it is possible to remember the bunny hat your grandmother mad for you. Now my next question does your husband have a small, medium or large head?

Here finally is the photo of the finished hat. The pattern comes from Stitch N Bitch Nation, it is the pattern is the adults only official Kittyville hat. I used two skeins of Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk Aran in black of course. This was an easy and fun pattern to knit. It's very good for beginners. Oh one more thing, I knitted it while watching The Patriot, what better eye candy than Mel Gibson and Heath Ledge to knit by... ...I wonder what eye candy I'll be watching this weekend while knitting.

Finished Mid Jan dishcloth KAL

2007-01-23T02:17:00.000-06:00

The Mid January dishcloth KAL was a pattern with cables. To me this pattern looks like ears of corn.

Finally finished, but not blocked, I will do that when I block others

This is for my pot holder and recipe swap. We are to send 2 potholders, knitted, crocheted etc along with two recipes. I plan on making two identical wash cloths adding a piece of quilted fabric in between the two pot holders 2 recipes. If I get a chance I will also see if I can get a dish cloth made if time permits.

A little humor

2007-01-18T17:30:00.000-06:00

I saw this one someone's blog and laughed. I thought I would share it with all of you.

Dr. Phil proclaimed, "The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you've started and never finished." So, I looked around my house to see all the thing's started and hadn't finished, and before leaving the house this morning, I finished off a Bottle of Merlot, a bottle of White Zinfandel, a bottle of Booker's bourbon, a bottle of Kahlua, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my old Prozac prescription, the rest of the cheesecake, some Doritos and a box of Godiva
Chocolates.

So, I prepose a toast, onto unfinished projects to find our inner peace.

Eowyn completed!!!

2007-01-18T08:53:00.000-06:00

I finished my Eowyn fingerless gloves, that's very fast considering I started them on Sunday. And they have a cable in it. I had a skein of Malabrigio in my stash, the color is Velvet Grapes. This yarn is so soft. I just love it. Smudge decided he needed his tummy rubbed so he was a happy cat.

This is day 3 of my monthly dishcloth KAL. This is one that is going to have to get blocked. Yes another pattern with cables.

Bella update

2007-01-17T03:30:00.000-06:00

First before the Bella update. I want to know who upset the Texas weather gods/goddesses??? It's like Chicago cold. It's not supposed to get this cold in Texas. The temp has not been above 32 degrees in more than 24 hours. I shouldn't complain too much, Summer is right around the corner. And yes this is typical the Stock Show opened last Friday, normal weather for the stock show is an ice storm.
The Bella shawl by Fiber trends. I think I can say I am in the home stretch, I have to repeat the pattern up the front, around the shoulder down the back and then 5 for the end. It's going to be a while still on this. I think that it's worth the wait. I already have plans to make another one for the spring/summer since this colorway is more of a fall/winter. My Eowyn fingerless gloves, the bottom of both of them is done, now to knit the ruffled lace edging and sew them together. I am rather proud of myself I was able to figure something out on this patter by myself. This patter, comes out of the Rowan magazine, one that I love but can't afford a subscription for, it's just out of my price range for now. Rowan is out of the UK, now, the instructions have centimeters instead of inches, but I was able to figure that one out quickly the tape measure is two sided one with inches the other with centimeters. What did throw me for a loop at first was "yarn forward" ok I'm thinking and what??? slip the next stitch? what? A "yarn forward"is a "yarn over". Sometimes I amaze myself. And yes I did put a subscription to Rowan on my wish list. Hint Hint Hint.

As promised photos

2007-01-16T20:03:00.000-06:00

As promised here is a picture of Lucca's "Fur Coat" the pattern is free at Lion Brand and the colors were picked by his mom Cousin Di. As soon as I get her address Lucca's sweater will be out to him. This is the wavy ribs washcloth, its from the book . As I said it's a little wonkie but it's good practice.

Another Washcloth finished

2007-01-12T12:09:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I finished another wash cloth. I am practicing cablesbecause one of my goals this year is to make a cabled sweater. I figure, it's a wash cloth no one will care if I make a mistake. Well this last one is wonkie, I made several mistaked but I didn't care was not going to frog it was going to live with it the way it is. I have learned that when knitting cables, do not use multi colored yarn.Stick to one color, but again they are just wash cloths. So I am therei n bed knitting of course because the world would fall apart if I stopped knitting, and I hear this hysterical laughter from the shower the DH then bellows, "It's like washing with Fruit Loops." I had used theSugar and Cream Over the rainbow colorway.

Mom's wrap Finished

2007-01-10T03:54:00.000-06:00

I have finished mom's wrap. Just in time to get it in the mail and to have it there for her birthday on the 17th.

I've been tagged!

2007-01-10T02:08:00.000-06:00

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the ‘6 weird things about you.’ People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says ‘you are tagged’ in their comments and tell them to read your blog.”
1. When I am walking with someone and there is an immoveable object that would separate us, I won't walk around the object at the same time as the other person or I will say bread and butter and walk at the same time. Old wives tale is that should you walk with the immovable object you will become separated from that person.
2. I won't cast on on a Friday. Old wives tale is you cast on on a Friday you will not finish the object.
3.I can stay up all night long when I am home, but get me camping and I fall asleep by midnight. 4. I don't like cream gravy, and to a Texan like my husband that's just weird.
5. I like dipping my French fries in mayo.
6. I start to panic when the gas gauge on the car gets to 1/4 of a tank left.

And the Next six lucky people to get tagged are:
Knitting Skwerl Gurl
Knittymama
Crow Calling Woman
The Thrifty Knitter
Diva Knitter
Heidi (Heidi's Adventures in Culinary School )

January Washcloth KAL

2007-01-05T16:17:00.000-06:00

The first washcloth for the Monthly washcloth KAL is done! I know it's hard to see because it's white on white, but I believe it's a snowflake. A very easy pattern I loved making it. That's one completed project for 2007!!! I guess that Smudge approved of the washcloth, I went out to run a few errands and came back to find him asleep on it. But I think he's playing a joke on me because he's got his face covered with his paw but one eye is open. This cat is making me want to study cat behavior to see if his is normal.

Updates

2007-01-04T08:41:00.000-06:00

First, this is a picture of our dog, she's a corgi, her male owner named her Xena, and yes, she does live up to being a princess. I woke up the day after Christmas, and one of the pillows that normally is at the head of the bed must have fall off and landed on her pillow. The pillow is 400 count cotton. I found her asleep on this pillow so yes our little girl lives up to being a princess.I have made some more progress on Frog's compression bandage, I will get to try it on him on Saturday. Keep your fingers crossed.

I started Tim's new pullover long sleeve polo sweater. This is the first piece. It's already halve knitted to the right length.

And lastly the fully completed Vilma. I think it turned out pretty ok.

Lots more knitting to do back to the needles.

Two QTD

2007-01-02T16:46:00.000-06:00

This is the part of the blog that I want input from any of you knitters that happen to read it. OK Question one
If I were to subscribe to one knitting magazine which would it be?

Question two
I want to knit a pair of fingerless gloves anyone have any pattern ideas for a person that has never knit gloves???

Division Champs don't need to win every game

2007-01-02T02:14:00.000-06:00

I couldn't believe it they lost to Green Bay at home??? But wait... my thinking this could have been Bret Farve's last game and The Boys wanted to give him something to remember. ... Ya, that's right. That's it.

To Heck with New Years Eve. THE BOYS ARE PLAYING TONIGHT!!!

2006-12-31T16:40:00.000-06:00

Sorry, but when your football team plays their rival at home field advantage you tend to forget about things. Yes that's right Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears The Packers (7-8) travel to Chicago to take on Lovie Smith's 13-2 Bears tonight at 7:00 PM.
This could be a very interesting game for me. You see my best friend Deanna was born and raised in Milwaukee WI, I have forgiven her many times for that she couldn't help it her parents didn't see that it would have been better for them if they lived in Chicago vs Milwaukee. I love Deanna very much but when it comes to our teams the only thing we agree on is it doesn't matter who the boys are playing as long as they beat the Vikings. I am going to Machenrys tonight to celebrate New Years Eve, to listen to Free Whiski to be with friends to bring in the New Year. Deanna and I will be watching out teams play against each other while our husbands watch us so that we don't get too excited. This could be the last game for Bret Farve, I know it will be emotional for Deanna. I just wonder how she is going to keep entertaining from the stage while watching the game. She may not have to watch the game she may just have to watch my reactions. D you know I love you... but GO BEARS!!!

New Years Eve 2006

2006-12-31T03:57:00.000-06:00

Sighs.... It's good to see this year come to an end. Being laid off, having a monster kidney stone, almost loosing mom. I am happy to see it go. I did get to meet new people that have become very dear to me this year. I got to know my niece a little better and feel closer to her than I have in a while. The dreams about Daddy still concern me. We shall see what will happen. I am still waiting to hear about the job I interviewed for, I was told the longer I don't hear from them the better. They don't make offers until after they have received back ground checks. So I sit. I wait and I knit. I no longer make resolutions. Resolutions sound so final. I have goals that I establish. There are two right now that I can think of other than working. One is to loose 11 more pounds so that I can get down to the weight I was when I got married and maintain it. The other is to knit a cabled sweater. I think those are reasonable.
I frogged the Fiber trends ruffles and ridges shawl, it was totally off center. Could I live with it??? Nope. So into the frog pond it went. I'll cast on those 1095 stitches again in 2007. I will also post pictures probably on Monday of the other items I have finished. I start my first KAL on January 1st. I have one more sweater (with long sleeves) to cast on before I start knitting short sleeves and sleeveless for me. It will be that time of year again soon. If I don't get the cardigan done to wear for this Winter/Spring it will always be ready for next winter.