Gee has it really been a week?

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???

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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???

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

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

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

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

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

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!!!

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

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

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.