Must Knit Faster

I Believe

2010-03-30T06:46:00.001-05:00

Reprinted from

I don't believe anyone is evil. I don't believe demonizing helps us in any way, shape or form. It leads us to easy targets instead of hard choices.

So, what DO I believe?

I believe every person carries the light of God within them from birth. When I attack another of God's children, I turn my back on that light and disrespect not only the person, but myself as well. We are better than that.

I believe if we only do what cannot fail, we miss the best of what we have to offer the world. We must not run or hide or hang our heads if we are less than 100% successful in everything we do. We have so much potential in our hearts & souls and the world needs every blessed one of us.

I believe we should reach high. That way, when we come up short, which we usually do, we are still above the mediocrity so much of our world wallows in.

I believe we are still learning and evolving. We may not be what we will yet become, but, by God, we are not what we once were. And that is progress of the best kind. Whether it is a new knitting stitch or a new way of seeing the world, no one has all the answers. To each of us is given a piece of the puzzle; we must work together to make a harmonious whole.

I believe only she who is without fault can cast the stones. Don't know about you, but that definitely leaves me out of the rock throwing business.

I believe in the communion of saints, and by that I do not mean those marble statues in church. I mean us. Quakers are often accused of eliminating the clergy. We have not. We have eliminated the lay person. All of us are saints. All of us carry God within.

I believe we can accomplish more by working together, than we can by pulling apart.

I believe it is better to build up than to tear down.

I believe girls like Legolas, but women prefer Aragorn ( oops - wait a minute - I digress - my bad!)

I believe in purposeful living. We are not just marking time. We are here for a reason. Our lives matter. They mean something.

I believe it is the responsibility of each individual to discover for themselves what that purpose is.

I believe my purpose is to love and support those I come into contact with on a day to day basis, whether that individual is a member of my family, an unhappy customer, or the man selling brooms outside the downtown post office door.

I believe, when we fall, we should pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and not waste time in moaning about it; we must learn from it, and go on about our business, which is, to paraphrase the Ghost of Christmas Present, "[hu]mankind."

I believe forgiveness is the hardest challenge we face in life, and the one that builds the most character.

I believe in the power of love to overcome death, war, pestilence, anger, sloth, selfishness, petty argument, bigotry, and all the other ills which our world is heir to.

I believe that even as we wind our way to the end of our journeys , we plant the seeds for a new beginning.

That is what I believe. What about you?

Disney 2009

2009-03-10T20:58:00.003-05:00

Our Disney trip. MG loved the swimming, she was a little intimidated by the dolphins, we saw the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom, Discovery Cove (where MG swam with a dolphin - Lester) and SeaWorld. I would have to say that Discovery Cove and SeaWorld were our favorite. For some reason the thin filter on my camera wasn't working (I am surely much thinner than I appear in those pictures). We could not have wished for better weather, the company was perfect. It was really a wonderful trip, but I was glad to be home.

When I called home on Sunday, Michael said, "Are you coming home, mommy?" Melted my heart.

For some reason, I can't link to my flickr account. If you want to see the photos, go to www.flickr.com, click the people tab and search for amarshall102, you will then see all my pictures, the Disney pictures have their own folder.

I Laughed Until I Cried

2009-03-01T19:32:00.005-06:00

This past weekend, I had the distinct pleasure of attending a gathering of friends. Somehow I was fortunate enough to get included in a weekend retreat of quilters last year and I behaved, so I got invited back. This year, I took extra precautions and I made some kick-ass cinnamon rolls, so I think I'm in next year, too.

It is hard to explain what is so much fun about these gatherings. This weekend, there was 14 ladies, mostly quilters, but some knitters/quilters. Basically, everyone hangs out and quilts or knits and what is so fun about that? Well fellowship, humor, commiseration. My dear, dear, bff, Janette is a hoot, she is silly and she gets me going and we enjoy playing off of each other and it ends up to be kind of like dinner and a show. Last night we literally laughed so hard that we cried (and it wasn't just us laughing alone), I don't remember the last time I did that, probably last year at the retreat. I got some knitting done, got some catching up done (I usually only see these ladies once per year) and recharged my batteries. I came home a tired, but happy to be home mom. Friends - Such a blessing.

Mr. Greenjeans

2009-01-29T13:37:00.000-06:00

I blocked the Greenjeans sweater and it fits (good thing), but it is too long (butt hugging isn't a good thing) and the button is too low on the sweater. That Dream in Color really grew in length. The good news is that I can pick the button band off and rip an inch or so off of the bottom and then re-knit the button band putting the buttonhole in the proper place and then the sweater will be perfect! Or at least I hope so, this is the first time I have ever done any of this. I am not going to do anything until I come to knitting on Tuesday as I want some help with marking how long it should be. TGF (hubby) didn't see anything wrong with the sweater, but what does he know?

I am slightly sick about it, but I won't wear it the way it is and I'd rather rip the whole thing than have a sweater I won't wear staring at me. Or so I say when I'm not looking at the sweater. We'll see what the knitting group says about it.

One word

2009-01-29T13:00:00.007-06:00

Your hair? Thinning
Your mother? BFF
Your father? Protective
Your favorite thing? Knitting
Your dream last night? College
Your favorite drink? Tea
Your dream/goal? Weightloss
What room are you in? Office
Your hobby? Knitting
Your fear? Abandonment
Where do you want to be in 6 Yrs? College
Where were you last night? Home
Something that you aren't? Thin
Muffins? Yes
Wish list item? House
Last thing you did? Lunch
What are you wearing? Shawl
TV? Yes
Your pets? Dog
Friends? Treasured
Your life? Grateful
Your mood? Hopefull
Missing someone? Grandmother
Drinking? Coke
Your car? Cadillac
Something you're not wearing? Necklace
Your favorite store? Kohl's
Your favorite color? Sage
When is the last time you cried? Christmas
Where do you go to over and over? Bathroom
My favorite place to eat? Chinatown
Favorite place I'd like to be at right now? Home

RRRRIIIIIIPPPPPPPPP!

2009-01-28T07:09:00.004-06:00

I have never done this before. I have just finished the Giant Clapotis Ipictures by Lor-raine). I think I look rather like Pocohantas wrapped in it, but I do love it. Could have probably made it a little smaller, but it is done and I love it.

THEN

I finished the third and final button band on my Mr. Greenjeans and to seal the deal on it, I BLOCKED it. Done, done, done, it is, well, except for the button. I have contacted someone on etsy.com to make me a custom glass button, but I can't find the (*#&$(*@#&$(*@#&$(*@#&*($& swatch that I made for the sweater. And so goes my life. I will sew a button on it when it was dry and replace it later with the glass button. Pictures next week when it is dry.

THEN

See, I have had these two pairs of socks laying around, both half finished, both less than satisfactory for many reasons. The guilt was cumbersome, but socks wouldn't have been up to snuff and I would have remembered that every single time I put them on, so RIP! They are now again in cake form and ready to be re-knit in a more satisfactory manner.

It feels so good!

Plans

2009-01-11T19:34:00.002-06:00

I was reading blogs the other day at work of course and someone was posting about their things to do or "wishlist" for 2009 and I thought that was a good idea. I want to do some things new in 2009. However, before I list my wishlist for 2009, I want to post about 1 more FO for 2008. In early March, I was lucky enough to attend a little get-together at a friend of a friends "cabin" in Galena, IL. I think I posted about it back in March. Anyway, Martha Stewart doesn't have anything on Maureen. Later in March, while on a yarn crawl with my Tuesday knitting homies, I came across some Noro Aurora in a colorway that I thought would look wonderful on Maureen. It followed me home and I began knitting a Clapotis (from Knitty.com) for Maureen. I finished it some time in November (thank heavens for swim meets) and finally mailed it to her around Christmas time. I got a lovely, lovely note back from her and even better than the note, she sent me a picture of her wearing it on New Years Eve oh, that is her handsome husband at her side.

I don't usually make things for other people. There are precious few people who appreciate how much time and effort goes into a handknitted item or a quilt or basically a lot of crafts. Anyway, Maureen is a knitter and I knew she would appreciate it. I'm glad that she looks as lovely as I thought she would wearing it.

Ok, 2009, what kind of things would I like to do.

1. Make a sweater or 2 for myself, a sweater that fits.
2. Knit winter accessories in the summer so I can focus on cold weather knitting during the cold weather rather than making accessories at the speed of light because we desperately need them
3. Go to Knitting Camp
4. Steek a sweater for myself
5. Stranded knitting - do some
6. 6 pairs of socks

Well, that's that, I have a plan, now for the execution.

Finished Projects

2008-11-27T20:12:00.003-06:00

I have been occupying my time on weekends by attending Swim Meets with MG. I can barely swim myself, but MG swims like a fish. She decided that she wanted to learn to swim and she has taken to it. She has said that she wanted to try out for the swim team. Wellll, swim team starts the end of September and we at the Marshall house have some pretty important things going on the end of September (harvest) and I didn't push the issue at home. Enter school swim lessons at which she announces, "I want to try out for swim team" and they tell her that she can join, anyway, she loves it, GCM tells me that he "did" archery and I get to do swim team - not a problems for me, as it provides lots of opportunity for knitting. I finished....Clapotis for Maureen, started in the spring, March, April, May

And I finished the Brioche Hat using my friend Ellen's handspun yarn.

I finished my "All Shawl" (Doris Chan) using a single skein of hand dyed sock yarn. I would have liked to put more on the bottom so that it is lacier and closer to what the pattern called for.

Huge thank you to Lori Nicoli for taking the pictures for me, she is an awesome person and an awesome photographer.

In case you are wondering, the glasses are from Target Optical, believe it or not, $99, purchased in 5 minutes flat. I lurve them and get lots of compliments on them (that is nice).

November 4th, 2008

2008-11-04T06:49:00.005-06:00

I want to get this in before the election results start to come in. I was raised in a Democratic family and married a Republican. I don't agree with everything the Republicans support and I don't believe in everything the Democrats support. I have not yet had the opportunity to support a candidate, rather usually I find myself voting against a candidate rather than FOR a candidate and this year is no exception. I hope and pray that whomever wins does the right thing, steers this country to self-sufficiency, brings this military campaign to an equitable solution, fixes our health care system, brings our troups home triumphantly and with the respect and praise they deserve, provides opportunities for all citizens to be productive active members of our world, allows folks to enjoy the fruits of their labor. We are an innovative, resourceful nation, I fear whomever wins will need us to remember that and act upon it. God Bless America - Heaven knows we need it.

The February Lady Sweater

2008-10-07T20:54:00.003-05:00

She is done. Thank you Lor-raine on Ravelry (Lori for you non-Ravelry) for the awesome pictures. My normal body double (Julia Roberts) was busy, so I had to model the sweater myself...9 skeins of Cotton Fleece (80% cotton, 20% wool). I made the xxl size, #6 Knitpicks chrome plated. I am not too crazy about the neckline, I think it is a little saggy, but perhaps I used the wrong cast-on. I used long tail. I bought the yarn at www.littleknits.com, it was a second because they said the color was a little off from the card, I didn't have the card to compare it to, so that didn't bother me, it was about 1/2 price making the yarn for this sweater about $40! Yippee! I received 2 unsolicited compliments on the sweater before I even got home! I did put the buttonholes in, but until I find the "perfect" buttons, I plan to use a dpn or cable needle as a closure, I think it is fitting.

An advertisement for Ravelry. If you are a knitter, get thee immediately to Ravelry.com and get thyself on the waiting list. While you are waiting, think hard about your log-in name, they are about 2-3 weeks behind. Ravelry is a blast. Want to see how many versions the February Lady sweater are done? Go to the pattern tab, type in February Lady and search = pages and pages of sweaters, if you click the yarn tab you will see all the yarns that folks used to make the sweaters. Want to see how many designs Brooklyntweed has listed on Ravelry? Go to the people tab and type in Brooklyntweed, you can search for patterns, download patterns into your ravelry library, there are free patterns and patterns for sale. It is awesome, however, beware, if you think blogs are a time suck, Ravelry is a HUGE time suck, but it is fun, fun, fun....

An update on the kitten. It was fading fast this afternoon, but my big, burly, Grumpy Farmer husband stuffed the helpless kitten into the front of his shirt to warm it and got it to eat some very watered down cows milk until I could get home with the milk replacer. He/she is sleeping and I am feeding it every hour about 8cc's of replacer and it seems to be improving, the recouperative powers of little bodies. As I type this, it is inside the front of my shirt twitching in its sleep and even growling a little bit. For now, all is well with the world. I hope yours are as safe as this baby kitten.

My brush with Greatness

2008-08-17T15:23:00.002-05:00

Just to prove that I DID go to knitting camp and not just fantasized about it, I present the following photo's as proof that I was truly amoung some of the Greatest minds in traditional knitting.

The Goddess and Me

Joyce Williams (Author, Latvian Dreams, Armenian Knitting) and me

Joyce is truly one of the humblest people I have ever met, she creates these amazing designs and says things like, "Oh, I just added a few short rows here in the front and left off an entire 1/12th of the pattern, but other than that...."

Amy Deitjen and me

Amy is one of the quickest witted, funniest people I have ever met. I don't know who her comedienne hero's are, but they had better be happy that she is in central Wisconsin, their job would be in jeopardy. And knows her stuff? Amy knows her STUFF, any cast on, any cast off, amazing.

These 3 ladies along with the remaining staff from Schoolhouse press are as normal as can be, despite the fact that to those of us who have been to Knitting Camp, they are Rock Stars.

It is almost time....

2008-08-17T15:08:00.002-05:00

I am competing in the Ravelympics. I finished my Mr. Greenjeans (knitty.com) for the WIP Wrestling and I've started my February Lady Sweater, I dont' know if I'll finish it, but I'm going to try.

On the home front, DS18 (how did he get to be 18) leaves for U of I on Tuesday. My mom and I will take him down, but he took his "stuff" down on Thursday. Here he is exhibiting his best imitation of a studious student. It is as if my heart is being ripped from my body to think of him going away, but I have given him all the tools I can and it is now time for him to make his own way in life. I hope I have done my job. There will be 2 boxes of kleenex in the car on Tuesday, be sure.

DS#3 doesn't get to make the blog very often, so since I'm on a family "bent", I'll post his picture. He will turn 3 on 8/25.

To round out the family theme of this entry, I present DD#2, she was a flower girl in June for her cousin (thank you Katie) and she was lovely. She'll be in therapy over the shoes, but if that is all she's in therapy for, I'm lucky.

Knitting Camp 2008

2008-07-29T21:06:00.003-05:00

It has been a week since I returned to "real life" after knitting camp. Have I finished any of my camp projects? No, but for me it wasn't about finishing. It was about learning how to do things I didn't know how to do or was afraid of. I learned about trapping for Armenian knitting and colorwork, I learned that Brioche in the round can kick my butt multiple times, I learned that unspun icelandic is really, really wooly and fun to work with, I learned about i-cord of all types, I learned about uploading EZ Knitting Glossary to my i-pod (still a work in progress). I am asked by those who are interested, what is knitting camp like? Well, first of all you have to pick someone who's work you really, really admire, someone who in your wildest fantasies could be your mentor, and then imagine sitting at their feet for 4 days.
Meg Swanson, Amy Dietjen and Joyce Williams are rockstars of the knitting world. Quietly knitting away in their central WI homes, writing, publishing, editing books that are important books to be written researching and documenting old techniques and figuring out how to recreate techniques who's usage and history is fading. Really important books that may never be on the top ten list because they might not be "trendy", yet books that need to be written. Elizabeth Zimmermann before them and now they spread the word about circular sweater constructions, Elizabeth's EPS system, garter stitch garments. Perhaps not the trendiest items/garments, yet, interesting to knit, wearable, practical garments with ingenious construction techniques. Their colorwork is traditional, yet absolutely breathtaking. Pictures can't capture the true beauty of the colorwork documents. To touch them in real life and in fact to wear them (as I wore the Aran Cardigan-even in grey, I loved it) is an honor. I hope that some of the genius rubbed off on me, time will tell. Meg, Amy and Joyce as I said before are truly rockstars, yet, a more unpretentious, down to earth, helpful, friendly 3 ladies, I have never met. Truly an honor to be in their company. In the morning, Meg would teach, demonstrating techniques, illustrating by knitting on camera projected to 4 tv's placed throughout the room, if you have a question, you simply ask it and it is answered. If you need help with something, simply pop to the back of the room and Joyce and Amy will be more than helpful. After lunch, show and tell occurred, where campers showed what they had made either in an EZ sytle or otherwise. Camp 2 was one talented group of knitters. At 3pm, class ended and we knit in the classroom and then dinner at a local WI establishment. WI is really a neat place. Kind of organic, healthy, interesting place.

Projects, I started a Brioche hat, an Armenian hat and a Bavarian Twisted hat. The Brioche has almost defeated me on several occassions, but i am still at it. I will conquer it! The Bavarian Twisted is fun, I will finish that and the Armenian, I scrapped, I want to make a hat with a skull on it and I didn't have a chart at camp, so I used the sample to learn how Joyce traps. I also bought enough unspun icelandic in brick red and chocolate brown for a bog sweater (I think) and I also bought enough Quebequoise for an aran cardigan, again in red. I am again having a red fetish. I didn't even knit on my little Russian Prime sweater, oh well, next year.....

I made some (actually a lot)new friends, Ellen and Thi from St. Louis, Kim from ....I don't remember, Shelli from Seattle, Kathy, Robin and Leanne from Denver, Sandy from IA, Eileen from Madison, Sara and re-acquainted with my Camp 1 roomie, Jen, Karen and Toni from CA, Devittles from New York city. Wow, that is a lot of new friends! Good times! I spent a long time talking to Michelle Swansen, she was a treasure, and we have kids the same age, so the talking was easy. Re-entry was hard, but I did survive. I can't wait until next year. Keeping my fingers crossed that I get in.

My Latest Obsession

2008-07-26T22:39:00.004-05:00

I am not a computer expert, I don't play one on TV. It is all K2Karen's fault. At knitting camp, she told about how she uploaded her copy of Knitting Glossary onto her I-pod so she always had EZ & Meg at her fingertips. She put some instructions in her blog (July entry) and I HAD to do it too. Go to www.handbrake.com, download the free software, select the appropriate pre-set (mine is Low-Rez Ipod) Hit the Browse button in the "Source Box" and choose the Video-TS, hit the drop-down box for Title and you should notice 4 selections (my Glossary seems to have 4 different parts) Select Box 1 and then Start at Chapter 1, end at Chapter 2 (they are introduction)Browse the destination file to save the Chapters of the DVD where you want them. I didn't change anything else. Once you get each Chapter set up, you can select "Add to Queue". At first I uploaded the files one at a time and then I got braver and put 4 into the Queue. Sometimes the uploads went quickly, some took more than an hour. At this writing, Chapters 77 and 78 didn't upload, but I'll try them again. The chapters are then saved as chapters.(chapters 1) I had to open each one individually (they will automatically open into Itunes) and get the titles for each chapter. Then you have to delete the item from itunes (steady, you'll get it back there), go back to the source, right click on the title of the chapter and re-name it (I-cord Cast-on) and double click on it which will pull it back into i-tunes. I will list the chapters here when I am done in case anyone wants to do the same with their own PERSONAL copy of Knitting Glossary. This project is taking longer than I expected. Some of the upper chapters (90's) are taking 1+ hours per to upload. I know it will be worth it, but it is tedious

Oh Goodness!

2008-07-06T21:54:00.002-05:00

I can't believe it has been 2 months since I posted last. Spring kept me busy in my gardens. I planted the front triangle with roses, hydrangeas, coral bells, hosta's and some really neat ground hugging evergreen plant. I am watering, watering, watering. The hydrangea's keep wilting on me. I don't think it has rained since I put the bed in. Oh, well, it will be beautiful next year or the next. I also planted what I call my "Fairy Garden" in the back under the remaining apple tree. DS#1 repainted the flamingo and I dug an ice cream chair from the barn, I also put a bird feeder on an old porch post over there for a platform bird feeder. I planted some creeping thyme and some other low growing "carpet" type perennial over there. I put in a russian sage, spirea, hydrangea (it must be the year of hydrangea's). it will look good when it fills in as well. I have also planted the "divorce garden" with herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and annuals, it really looks lush and I also bought some patio furniture to put out there and some unfortunate umbrella's, as my friend Sandy says, "Umbrella's just don't work in the country" and she is right. Even closed, they fall over, I've used my old friend duct tape already and I haven't had them more than a week, oh, well, it's only money, right?

What am I knitting? Well, I am working on an EZ Pie are Square shawl in my 50% Merino, 50% Angora Fairy Hare. I am into the last ball. I want to get it to the edging part so that I can get help with it at knitting camp. I completed a Mobeius with help from Beth Rosene at Quilters Garden and need to start another one before I forget how to do the cast-on, perhaps tonight. I'd like to make a baby bog so that I can learn to graft garter and put in an afterthought pocket while at camp, but I don't know if I have time. I am also getting around to making a massage appointment in Marshfield, during camp so that I can get a good massage, but I can't decide what day/time to get it. Actually, Saturday night might be good, I don't want to miss Friday night Wisconsin fish fry! Back to knitting, I'd also like to whip up a pair of EZ magic mittens, I could learn to graft garter on those, too.

Tomorrow I am off to a B&B in Algonquin with my friend Lynn and her son, Antonio. The kids are taking a "manners class" on Wednesday and we are taking a restful night in the B&B for some R&R. I've never stayed in a B&B, mostly 'cause I kind of live IN one, but this will be a new experience for MG and I and we'll get to have some "Mommy-time". Pictures later

His Senior Prom

2008-05-06T07:44:00.003-05:00

Friday, May 2, 2008 was JLM's Senior Prom. Where did the years go? The kids were all decked out in their finery and paraded in the decorated HS gym to the delight of parents, grandparents and etc. His date was Heather who is completing her first year at Monmouth College. As you can see she is a lovely girl on the outside and inside as well (as far as I can tell). We got to meet her parents and both sets of grandparents. I persuaded JLM to take a nice picture with MG , but I had to take it fast before the "bunny ears" entered the scene.

On Sunday, MG made her First Holy Communion. I completed her bolero at 1am on Sunday morning. I don't really have a good picture of it (yet), and it isn't that exciting anyway, but it is my 2nd finished garment and it fits her beautifully. She gets cold in the summer in restaurants and the like due to the low airconditioning, so I hope she will get some good wear out of it. It is made from Berroco Comfort yarn (which is Acrylic, but a really NICE Acrylic), DK weight, US 4 needles. From the Summer 2005 issue of Interweave, purchased at Wild Fibers, Galena, IL the first weekend in April. started April 13, completed May 4. Hat tip to Wild Fibers for finding the pattern for me, it was exactly what I wanted.

The Handsomest Couple at Prom

2008-04-25T20:24:00.001-05:00

The best looking couple at Marquette Prom, 2008. Even if I do say so myself, that is one handsome boy and Hattie isn't bad either. (Love you Hattie)

Clapotis #1 = Finis!

2008-04-13T21:08:00.002-05:00

Started 3/31/08, completed 4/13/08 Thanks to a long weekend in Galena Clapotis is done. I love it. While I would not have selected this colorway for myself, it is perfect for me, it will go with anything! I love it.! MG models.

ANOTHER yarn crawl!!!

2008-04-09T22:01:00.002-05:00

More of the ladies in the Tuesday knitting group planned an outing to Champaign to visit . We departed Jeremiah Joes coffee shop at 8:30 a.m. following Marge's directions we made our way to Champaign. Marge's daugter, Becky hosted us for coffee at her home. Becky and evidently Marge are incredibly talented artists. Becky exhibits at Parkland College and she had 2 of Marge's watercolors hanging in her stairway. Becky laid a luscious fuit and coffee cake snack out for us, we toured her garden. I want THIS... After touring the garden and Becky's award winning dollhouses,we proceeded to Needleworks. WOW! It takes us 2.5 hours get there, but it is definitely a destination yarn shop. They carry needlepoint, some cross stitch and yarn, yarn, yarn..nice yarn and a good amount of it. I bought 3 skeins of the Cotton Noro, 5 skeins of another Noro for a secret project and 3 skeins of a cotton Araucana yarn for yet another Cl*p for me, me, me...We had lunch at the Courier Cafe for lunch. I recommend the milkshakes (I had chocolate)and the sweet potato chips. The turkey club was enormous, more than enough for even a big eater. I had the Rueben, loved it. Yummy. Then off we went to Prairie Gardens garden center for a tiptoe through the tulips. I bought 4 cactus for my summer cactus garden. I don't even know the common names for these cacti, so I won't embarass myself, but when I get it planted, I will post a picture. We arrived home about 6:30, it was a long day, but we had many laughs and it was great fun!

A good time was had by all

2008-04-09T21:33:00.003-05:00

I am so thankful, I spent last weekend with the most wonderful group of women. Most are/were quilt shop owners and they have been getting together for about 6 years. We sewed and watched movies and talked and laughed and poked fun at each other. It was a weekend to refill my well and that I did. Thank you so much Janettie for inviting me, thank you Maureen for your wonderful hospitality. I hope I behaved well enough to be invited back. My goal was to make the top for DS#1's graduation quilt and I accomplished that "barely", I spent most of the weekend with my arse parked on the couch in front of the tv knitting away on my Clapotis. I brought all the yarn for that and also for my Mr. Greenjeans. I thought I'd finish the Cl*p and get a good start on the Mr. Greenjeans and make the quilt top. I finished another ball on the Cla*p and the top, that was it. Before you accuse me of goofing off the whole day, it is true that on Saturday I ventured into Galena with some of the girls, but I found a pattern and yarn for the shrug that I want to make for DD#1's 1st Communion which should be sometime in May. My knitting que keeps re-arranging itself. I'm going to try and finish the Cla*p and then hit the shrug hard, hoping to finish that when I go to Paducah with Janette, along with the back of the graduation quilt. Turkey totem, don't fail me now....

Yarn Crawl - Chicago

2008-03-27T18:45:00.002-05:00

On March 25, Knitting Homie, Cindi and I embarked on a Chi-town yarn crawl. We took the 9:20am train from Aurora, got off of the train in Downers Grove and walked to Knitche . Really nice shop, well worth the stop. The folks there were friendly and quirky and offered to wind our yarn, really nice yarn, some purchases were made, then back onto the train we hopped arriving at Union Station about 11:45. Next we hopped a cab and headed to Arcadia , In case we do it again, for future reference it was a $21 cab ride (it is WAY up North). We entered Arcadia at 12:05 (it had opened at noon). The lady (who I think was the owner/manager)greeted us. Her manner was bruske and Cindi and I both thought she was going to tell us that the store was closed or she was going to throw us out, but we were later to discover that this was simply her manner, she was helpful and friendly in a "city" kind of way. Some yarn was acquired, I bought Big Girl Knits at 40% and enough yarn to make a sweater for me. The owner/manager then helpfully gave us assistance in heading back downtown to The Melting Pot A $1.00 fare on the #22 Clark Street Bus transported us through several interesting ethnic neighborhoods and past the front of Wrigley Field and landed us within a block and a half of The Melting Pot where we proceeded to indulge in a lovely 4 course meal, Cheese fondue, salad, meat and of course DARK CHOCOLATE! I have to admit that until I tasted this chocolate fondue, I hadn't been too impressed with Dark Chocolate, but I am now a Dark Convert - Yummm, Lunch took 3 hours, it was heavenly. Next we caught a cab down to Knitwerks . It was my first experience of being "buzzed" into a store. It was a very nice shop, not huge, but the proprietress was friendly and helpful. They had a nice selection of really nice quality yarns and accessories. Despite my personal policy of usually purchasing something at every stop, I didn't see anything (despite the fact that ALL of the yarn in there was lovely)that desperately needed to go home with me, so I refrained. However, if I am again in the area, I will definitely stop, lovely yarns, really nice folks. We again asked for directions back to Loopy . Again we walked across the street and caught the #29 bus North ($2 fare this time) and got off at Balbo which was almost directly in front of Loopy. This is where the wheels fell off of my bus. I had been a super organizational freak, (yes, you who know me know how unusual this is for me) and I had made notecards with the names, addresses, phone numbers and business hours on index cards and then on the back of the card, wrote what I wanted to look for at each store. I was looking for 6 skeins of Dream in Color Classy for the Dream in Color KAL sponsored by The Loopy Ewe and I wanted to feel up the new Manos silk for a Clapotis 6 Skeins of Dream in Color was nowhere to be found, but at least I got to fondle it. I found the Manos Silk at Loopy, toyed with knitting it in Lorna's laces Black Pearl, but they only had 2 skeins and I would have rather had 3, and based on the staff recommendation, I purchased 4 skeins of Manos Silk in the Wildflowers Colorway I also purchased 4 skeins of a luscious black alpaca silk in ww for my BIL a lovely Koolhaas and a skein of something Noro for another hat. I passed up the brown and cream ribbon yarn that was 60% off, it was lovely, but I wasn't excited about knitting or wearing a brown/cream sweater. I loved the staff at Loopy, they were sassy and quirky and fun. I would go back to any of the shops again in a Chicago minute. We were lucky, we didn't have to walk too far before finding a taxi when we wanted one and we didn't have to wait too long for busses or trains, along with having good karma that day, we also had good CARma as on the way home we met a deer crossing the road up close and personal (i.e. we could see the whites of her eyes), but didn't hit it.

It will take my "mad money" a while to recover, but I am looking forward to another yarn crawl!

I'm going to knit warshcloths

2008-03-27T18:16:00.003-05:00

About 3 weeks ago, I started a top down raglan from the Barbara Walker book, Knitting from the Top Down, I wanted to make it a University of Illinois (Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in U of I blue and orange) color theme putting a ... sequence in orange (because I couldn't get enough of the blue yarn)Anyway, I practiced jogless jogs and of course got a funny spot in the boobular area where I changed skeins of the blue yarn. Ignoring the funny disappearing orange stitch directly over my left breasticle, I bravely knit on. I knit an entire sleeve, diligently marking the rows in a little orange book that I kept in my knitting bag, circling the row when I decreased so that the sleeves will turn out to be the same. I got to where I thought the bottom of the 1st sleeve should be and I had a bit of yarn left, rather than finish the sleeve, I transferred the stitches to a holder to await final adjustments when #2 sleeve was complete. I joined a new ball and carefully mirroring the 1st sleeve, I knit about 1/2 of the 2nd sleeve and decided to admire my handiwork. I looked at the front and there was only 1 set of increases, that is odd, there should be one on either side of the straight part....upon further examination, you all know what I did, I made the sleeves on the stitches that I was supposed to use for the FRONT AND BACK of the sweater!!!! Grrrr, not being a small girl, this involves a fair amount of knitting. My mother bless her soul said that she would chop it into tiny pieces and throw it away. She thinks that I have the patience to re-knit the sleeves. I don't know. The sweater is in time-out for a while. I did rip sleeve #2, but don't know if I have the heart to rip sleeve #1, quite yet. I suppose I would feel better if I picked up the proper sleeve and knit it for a while before I rip #1, I don't know. I'm going to knit warshcloths for a while...

Knitting Camp 2008

2008-02-28T21:18:00.004-06:00

I'M IN! Meg Swanson's Knitting Camp 2008, Marshfield, WI, July 17-21! Hurray!!! I attended back in 2003 and I was so out of my league. Thos, folks KNIT! I am still out of my league, but the other campers were so very kind and welcoming, it was a really nice experience. I wonder if I can even finish my Baby Russian Prime which I began in July 2003, pictured above.

Hello to Sally Bridgewater, she was at the 2003 camp and is in my camp again this year, HI Sally! Looking forward to seeing you again!

What Year am I?

2008-02-25T12:26:00.002-06:00

You Belong in 1975

Bold and brash, you take life by the horns. Whether you're partying or protesting, you give it your all!

What Year Do You Belong In?

I seem to remember 1975...I would have been 11. Oh, the good old days.

Michael's Blanket

2008-02-19T23:05:00.004-06:00

It started out as a vague idea, make a giant basic washcloth. Purchased 10 skeins of Tatami Tweed (Ginger) from The Yarn Exchange in DeKalb and start knitting, make the triange, make a straight, center section and then the decrease triangle. The little voices in my head started to go off when I reached the "straight" section, but I ignored (never ignore your little voice). Well much to DS17's delight, I have knitted DS2.5 a blanket in the shape of a stop sign-sort of. Oh, well, it was good mindless knitting, DS2.5 won't know the difference and it gives DS17 something else to laugh at me about. It will keep him warm and that's all I care about.
Specs: Knitpicks Options #11
Yarn: Tatami Tweed (doubled) 10 skeins (Ginger Colorway)
Started: 2/9/08
Finished: 2/20/08
Mods: Well, I think a square would have been sufficient. I knitted 4 skeins in the increase triangle, 2 skeins in the "straight" section and the remaining 4 skeins in the decreased triangle. Either make it more narrow or buy a LOT more yarn for the straight section. There is a LOT of knitting in a blanket. If I doubled a WW yarn again, I would prefer a larger needle, I was going for the thermal blanket look and I know this blanket will work well, the yarn would have gone much further if I had used at #15 or #17, but I didn't have one in the house when I started. I have a picture to post, but it is a horrible picture. Just imagine a giant orange washcloth. I enjoyed knitting it and it was a quick knit, about a week and a half.

Now back to Foliage hats, my dear, dear friend, Janette's daughter has asked for a hat like her moms only blue....Her wish is my command especially when she asked so nicely. I purchased a skein of Brown Sheep Worsted in the blue variegated colorway (I am such a sucker for variegated colorway)

I also got sidetracked with another attempt at a super quick beret AND mittens. I finished the beret and then started the mittens only to discover that I think I need 24 stitches for the ribbing instead of 28. I returned to a project at least 2 years old, Marguerite's Cozy in Cables Big Kids sweater. I had been supposed to be a test knitter so long ago and went great gangbusters on the body and stalled at the sleeves. I want to keep at it. It won't take long and I'd like to get it off of my UFO list.

What do I need to finish

CIC sweater
Foliage hat for Beth
Mittens to match my hat
I Love Gansey Socks
WW socks

What I want to start

University of Illinois Sweater for ME, ME, ME
WW Chevron Scarf from Boomerang
Poppy from Yarnplay

I need to knit more.....and perhaps faster...

Babette is finished!

2008-02-11T11:35:00.001-06:00

I love it! Of course MBM christened it with a cut of the scissors, I think it is only in the outermost row of the border, I think I have a little more yarn that I can use and patch in a hole. The little monkey. I will have to keep a closer watch on him. I have started his blanket. It is orange I bought the yarn on Saturday at the yarn shop in DeKalb. I'm doubling it an using #11's, I wish I had a larger needle, but I don't so that is that. Had a delightful visit from my friend Janette. She was in WI and stopped by on her way home. I am thankful that she feels comfortable calling and dropping in/staying over with me with my messy house and chaotic children. We had a nice, nice visit. A couple items of note, she helped me finish most of my quilting UFO's and had expressed interest in one of them. I had that one quilted first with the intention of finishing it and sending it to her for Christmas and her Birthday (12/23-she and Jesus are close). Of course, I didn't finish it and it has sat partially bound since November. She arrived and picked it up and proceeded to work on the binding. I suspected that she would and on Sunday she finished the binding. She said, "Hey, look, the binding is done on this quilt." I said, "Good, because it is yours, Happy Birthday". Much hugging, and "you're the greatest-ing" commenced (from both sides). I don't have a pic of the finished quilt, but I do have a pick of my Janettie working on the binding of her own quilt. Hee, hee, I am so sneaky!.

Its been a long, long time...

2008-02-01T11:31:00.000-06:00

I miss blogging, a number of reasons have prevented me from blogging, but I'm back and I'll try and catch y'all up.

I have been most prolifically (for me anyway) knitting away, several pairs of socks since I last typed and a couple of Folliage's, a Koolhaas, 2 more Chev's (Yes, I know, it is an obsession), 2 pretty neat scarves for my DD7 one of which is too "itchy" (Lambs Pride worsted) and the other that is just right (Joann's Sensational-yes, I KNOW, but it was close and soft enough), 3 pairs of gloves for DD7, a hat for DS2.5 and ....let me think, but anyway, you can tell it has been a while.

I have been thoroughly enjoying getting 1 day per week off from work, it is usualy Tuesdays and I have been taking it as a ME day, I send DS2.5 to the sitter and spend it doing things for me. Shopping, working out, massage, ear candling, but really the most fun is KNITTING! There is a local group that meets on Tues am (they also meet on Saturday afternoon) and I have been able to drop in with them I think 3 times now, a finer group of ladies I have yet to meet. A diverse background of strong, intelligent, talented women who welcome me warmly. So nice, such a treat for me.

I am trying to make 2008 the Year of Me. I need to recognize that the most important thing I can do for my family is take care of myself. I need to fill up my "Well", work out regularly, drink more water, get my chakra's aligned, whatever it takes. I'll post the progress.

Its not easy being Green

2007-11-26T12:31:00.000-06:00

Your Brain is Green

Of all the brain types, yours has the most balance.You are able to see all sides to most problems and are a good problem solver.You need time to work out your thoughts, but you don't get stuck in bad thinking patterns.
You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about the future, philosophy, and relationships (both personal and intellectual).

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorisyourbrainquiz/">What Color Is Your Brain?

Avatar

2007-10-25T11:44:00.001-05:00

I've been wanting a cool picture for myself when I comment online and today I finally figured out how to do that. I have to post it here first....

Where did the summer go?

2007-08-28T15:10:00.000-05:00

We are almost upon the Labor Day holidays. Wow, it seems just yesterday it was May and from my posts, it was just about the last post I have made. I made it onto http://www.ravelry.com/, my name is Angie, how original, I'm just not cleaver enough for anything more exciting. I have posted my finished Chevron Scarf and my in Progress Babette from Interweave Crochet, I am currently DCing around the edges of the blanket in an effort to use up the remainder of the yarn. Michael loves the blanket so it will become his, like the wand, the blanket chooses the baby. It made a good "on the go" project this summer and I am pleased with myself for keeping at it, I am traditionally not good at finishing. BTW, what is it about these magazines and their sizing issues? The Babette is pictured draped aluringly around a girl, making it appear as an ample blanket, but when I look at the pattern, it calls for Koigu (who wants to make a $300 blanket). At a fingering weight, it calls for a finished blanket that I would consider baby blanket sized. When I look again at the photo, the girl in the pic appears about 7 years old. Not fair, not fair! I am glad that I used WW yarn, it is large enough to cover my lap and that works for me. I love the Cotton fleece, I think I'd like a Wallaby from it, but would like to buy it a little cheaper than $8 a skein for a sweater my size. Knitting isn't a cheap hobby, is it? Or crochet either for that matter. More time, I simply need more time...

7 Things about me

2007-06-27T09:33:00.001-05:00

This meme has been going around for a while. I haven't posted in a while and thought I should post on it even if no one reads my blog. So here we go, 7 unusual things about me.

1. I NEVER leave my house until my bed is made. I actually prefer the dishes done as well, but don't always get that. I do the dishes immediately after I finish eating.

2. I have food mixing issues. I would like one of those divided dishes as I don't like my food to touch. I generally eat one thing at a time and then go on to the next item. Some foods are ok to mix, potatoes and gravy for instance, but never potatoes, gravy and peas (YUCK). Biscuits, yes, biscuits and gravy, no way, you get the idea.

3. While I was born in IL and have lived here all of my life, I consider myself a dis-placed Southerner. I feel Southern in that I love Southern food (think Okra, fried chicken, collards) always like to make sure my guests are well fed and taken care of which I feel is the ultimate in southern, BUT unlike 99.9% of Southern women, I will constantly leave the house without makeup/lipstick/beautiful clothes. For some reason, I can't get the personal appearance part of the Southern-thing down. Paula Dean is my hero and I have eaten at The Lady and Sons twice. I loved Savanah and would go back in a heartbeat.

4. I am not very political. I am a registered Democrat married to a Republican. I find myself disillusioned by the Democrat's "leanings" and find myself siding more and more with the Republicans. I am not against Gays, but I am against abortion, I don't really care if the Dem's or Republicans are in power, but I wish that they would come out and fix things the way that each side always swears that they will when we elect them.

5. When I dream, I see myself thin. Why can I see myself thin, but can't make myself thin?

6. I have sewn and tailored my own clothes, I quilt, I knit, I crochet (basically I craft), but no one else in my family does. My grandmother wired my grandfathers shirt buttons on with left-over bread ties. I don't know if that had so much to do with her dislike of sewing as perhaps her dislike of Grandpa, but it is interesting. They don't understand my need to make things and also can't understand when I start projects and never finish them. It makes me feel wasteful.

7. I am the first one in my family to finish college. Blue collar family. It was their goal for me to go to college, but now that I have done it, I feel like an outcast of sorts, like they feel I'm smarter or better than them. Having a college education simply means, I spent the requisite hours in a classroom and earned a degree, not a huge accomplishment in my book, but an accomplishment none-the-less.

There are probably a lot more than 7 wierd things about me, but here they are.

An Ode to My Chair

2007-05-18T09:18:00.000-05:00

Dave http://cabincove.com/, is shopping for a new chair for his new diggs. I was inspired to post about my knitting chair. Here it is in it's glory. http://www.flickr.com/photos/88424487@N00/503194810/in/photostream/
I love the fabric, it has fern leaves in relief on the fabric, not as good as the dotty chair http://www.masondixonknitting.com/archives/2007_05.html#002023 but it is my chair and I lurve it. It sleeps pretty good, too. :)

KIP - 4/21/07

2007-04-20T07:17:00.000-05:00

We wanted to get to the BodyWorld2 exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industrywww.msi.org and we consulted the calendar, today was the day. I let DS#1 drive all the way to Navy Pier and then we cabbed from there to Fogo De Chao for lunch, excellent and then walked back to Navy Pier, drove to the museum. I couldn't resist a KIP pic with the bronzes outside of Navy Pier. It was a good day and I needed it. Got a lot of knitting done in the car on the way up, in between driving instructions (he's 16-you know)

I love Socks!

2007-04-15T20:20:00.000-05:00

I've been away from socks for a while, probably 6-9 months or so. I have cast on for the STR club sock and am working away on that. I learned about http://www.aswellyarnshop.com/cart/home.php, I already own the alien colorway and I had ordered the Exclamation colorway. It arrived on Friday and so Friday night, I wound it and cast on. I was having trouble with a stockinette toe, so I used the garter toe from the STR club sock and away I go. I am almost done with the 2 feet of the socks. Yea!

I kicked the Provisional Cast-On's *SS!

2007-04-11T11:08:00.000-05:00

I have been afraid to start the STR club sock because I have never done a provisional cast on of any sort. I hemmed and hawed and hemmed and hawed. Tried to think of how to do the same sock differently. Who am I kidding, I'm not that experienced a knitter. This morning, I got up at 5am, the house was quiet, all the kiddies were sleeping peacefully and I grabbed my trusty crochet hook and as Nike says, "Just Did It"-well, you know what I mean. I started with some WW yarn and I thought that would make the stitches too big when I unzipped the provisional, so I got some sock yarn, but it was too similar to the club yarn and I accidentally started to unzip it before its time. I got some scrap STR in a very contrasty yarn, chained 38 instead of 34 like the pattern says (just for some un-zippage insurance) and away I went.

WHO was afraid of the Provisional cast-on? It was so easy-peasy, I can't believe I have procrastinated on this for so long!

Not exactly to plan

2007-04-03T11:21:00.000-05:00

I had planned to see the Harlot in OakBrook, but Michael had a fever and I did what all mom's do, I stayed home to take care of my baby bird. Not a lot of knitting accomplished, but I did on Sunday night finish CHEVRON! I love it, and it fits beautifully. It was a mindless knit, but it seemed to go on forever and ever, now that it is done, it wasn't so bad, I'd like to make another in the heavyweight yarn. We'll see.

Status

2007-03-19T15:11:00.000-05:00

Status on the current projects.

Cozy in Cables larger kid sweater for CIC knitting in Chocolate brown, body = done, 1 sleeve started (abt. 2")

Chevron Scarf = About 2" done, love it, but HATE, HATE, HATE all the purling, using STR Fairgrounds and Fire on the Mountain - Mediumweight

More Stripes Vest (Newest Knitty) = Swatched for (yes, it is a first for me), in Silk Garden 226 (my favorite colorway of SG), patiently waiting to be cast on. I plan to steek the armholes on this as well as the neck and I need to order the gansey DVD from Schoolhouse press http://www.schoolhousepress.com/videos.htm so that I have a handy tutorial for this. I've never knit a garment for myself and I have discovered the extent of my hatred/dislike for the dreaded purl stitch, so I'm going to attempt to do it in the round, what the heck? the pattern is written that way for the neckline, why not do the sleeves.

STR Club Sock - yarn wound into ball, patiently waiting for a quiet moment to interpret the directions for the club sock. I've never knit toe up.

Cabin Cove fingering weight in a purple/green/cream colorway that is desitned to become a forest path shawl. It is loverly as is all of Dave's yarn...

I have an acrylic hat in the wings needing just the decreases at the top and it is done.

I think Birch in KSH is dead, done, never to be resurrected. I have an error somewhere and I can't rip it back, I think it is destined for the burn pile, it was an interesting experiment, I don't think I"m ready for laceweight yet.

I have startitis. I'm hanging on bravely trying to finish the Chevron scarf before I start another project. I desperately need to finish the Cozy in Cables sweater, there are cold kids in Russia, you know...Will I triumph over Statitus? Stay tuned...

Wasted day

2007-03-05T05:51:00.000-06:00

I've needed a win for several weeks. I'm working on a WW silk scarf that just doesn't want to be a scarf, I should have frogged it a long time ago, but what can 1 skein of WW silk become if not a scarf? I screwed up the simple Feather and Fan pattern, while knitting at my moms, I have to rip it back again! I have so many things on my plate that I want/need to make. DS#2 has had Rotavirus since Tuesday, thankfully it is mainly diarreah and only vomiting 1 night, but so I've gotten little sleep, although, DH has been taking the day shift while I work. My quilter called and it's my turn, I have about 5 quilts that need to be quilted, so on Sunday, like a good girl, I set to piecing backs for said quilts and etc. I found a quilt I thought I was done and spent about 3 hours trying to jerry-rig it to be done, nothing worked, the back that I pieced will be too short, I have enough fabric, but I just lacked the engineering ability to clearly see the solution. So I spent 3 hours doing something I didn't want to do - and then suddenly, I had a pitty attack. I seem to always be stuck doing the things I don't want to do, in fact, I spend so much time doing what needs to be done that I don't think I even know what I WANT to do anymore, I just keep swimming, doing what everyone expects me to do. I had a worrysome visit to the Dr. last week and need to go back for a follow-up and I am freaked about it, although I know in my head that it MAY be nothing, I'm just tired, and scared, this too, shall pass, right? Am I doing something wrong? Am I doing anything right? A Pitty party, that is what I need....and some sleep.

Help

2007-02-21T09:15:00.000-06:00

Don't people have better things to do, I am glad I don't live in Conn! However, I'm sure there are just as many idiots in Illinois. Please go here http://www.scoutj.com/2007/02/20/pr0n-of-a-different-kind/, read and donate.

Shut up and Knit your Cabin Cove = Done

2007-02-18T08:39:00.000-06:00

I love these mittens! I love their matchy-matchy-ness, I love their fit (snug), I LURV them! I think they have helped me grow as a knitter. The first one I thought was a little too snug in the wrist (I forgot to allow for my watch) and when I finished the 2nd one, I ripped the 1st one back and re-knit the cuff - Who's the boss of her knitting?

My current dilemma - what to knit next, sure, I have the Cozy in Cables to the neck and am ready to bind off those stitches and start the sleeves, sure I have Birch and it's Kid Silk Haze-ness that is 2/3 done and has been on the needles since 2005 when everyone else was knitting this EASY lace pattern. This KSH is kicking my *rse. I am considering burning it in a little ceremony in the driveway, I keep coming up off on my count, I think it is time to bury that project. I have shawl yarn for 2 shawls in the stash and I am cravin' me some shawl knitting. Perhaps the highland triangle from Cheryl Oberle's book or perhaps Maude and then there are those socks in the Raggi that is a heavier weight that will whip up quickly, but then there is the Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino that I just purchased last week for fingerless mittens that I don't want to use for that, but perhaps, a simple hat???? I don't know where to start.

Isn't it Lovely?

2007-02-07T02:56:00.000-06:00

I was surprised yesterday by the snow. I was out on Monday evening and didn't see the weather. When I got up it was misting snow and by the time I headed to work, it was a tad packed and I drove carefully, but then the sky let loose with a lovely, fluffy, soft picture perfect snow. The bonus of it being so cold, the DD#1 didn't even go out and mess it up on me so that I could take this loverly picture this am.

Driving around noon was treacherous, but as any good country woman would, I headed across the street to the grocery store for some provisions to make sure we are covered in case we get snowed in, yes, we are rural and sometimes we simply get snowed in, nothing to do about it but sit and knit - oh the horror!

I had the added stress of a new driver (6 months) loose behind the wheel which caused my blood pressure a little rise, but once I got my kidlets all safely tucked into the house for the evening, I was a very happy hen.

I am participating in a Swap-bot http://www.swap-bot.com/Winter Scarf kit swap. I am a newby there with no rating so I made sure to contact my partner right away and am working on her gift, but I haven't heard from my partner. Not a good sign.

Shut Up and Knit your Cabin Cove - progress

2007-02-07T02:43:00.000-06:00

I think I am sooo clever. I have been wanting to try the Meg Swanson/EZ I-cord mittens from Meg's book - Handknitting http://www.amazon.com/Handknitting-Meg-Swansen/dp/0942018087/sr=8-2/qid=1170861228/ref=pd_bbs_2/105-7760038-5535641?ie=UTF8&s=books. Then the Cabin Cove a-long came around. I thought, great! I will knit fingerless mittens and use the i-cord technique to knit the partial fingers, but I want ribbing at the ends to prevent curling, that's ok, I'll p1k1 and then ladder up the extra one as a knit and all will be well. I scored some Kaleidoscope sock yarn from Dave - LOVE the colors, after consult with the fabulous Dave, I decided to split the ball and play all matchy matchy with the colors so that I could knit my mitts double thick and warm. I've never bothered to do this with my socks, I don't care if they are fraternal, but I was concerned that with the double strand the colors would get a bit muddled and I didn't want that. So I accomplished the winding off well, knitted the 8 initial fingers and away we go. Since this picture, I completed the first mitt and I am wearing it, a la Michael J*ckson and if I do say so myself, they are fabulous. I have lovely, warm Hermoine mittenshttp://knit4angie.blogspot.com/2007/01/hermoine-mittens-and-hat.html, but am always taking them off and then my hands are cold. I would have rather that the color not pooled quite so much, but I think they are loverly in their poolie-ness. The yarn is 75% Merino and 25% nylon, I haven't blocked this one yet as I am waiting for the pair .

BTW, just exactly WHO ordered this cold snap, it is downright rude! I know it is Central Illinois and all, but seriously. Actually, I laugh at this cold snap. Afterall, it is February 6, we only have at best 6 more weeks of this, I may not be a Canadian or a New Yorker, but I am made for this weather. Bring it ON!

Red Scarf Project

2007-01-26T08:20:00.000-06:00

I know I've shown them before, but all wrapped up, they are just too cute.

I heard from my friend Katie last night that the ladies in the assisted living home that she is recreation director of have made 15 red scarves! That's just since January 2. I'm thankful that I spread the word to her, they are looking for yarn donations for hats/scarves for the Dulaan project.

I'm still knitting on the CIC Cozy in Cabled sweater. I have split for the front and have been stuck at 8" for...it seems like days. However, with that Lambs Pride Bulky, it is really a pleasant knit. Thank Goddess, I am not alergic to mohair.

Bejeweled = DONE

2007-01-23T08:13:00.000-06:00

My 2nd Red Scarf for 2007 is done, done, done. It is a 2-fer, one for the Red Scarf Project ...why won't http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com/red_scarf_project_2007/ and the Bejeweled knit-a-long sponsored by: http://lollygirl.com/blog/?p=569/ I used Brown Sheep superwash I believe it was a DK weight, it took FOREVER to knit and the yarn felt a tad scratchy, but once washed and blocked, it is soft and snuggly. I think it is the perfect length, I love them looped through as in the photo, especially because it is a sort of lacey scarf, I think it needs double thickness to be warm. I'm tempted to give it a "test drive" in our cold Illinois weather, but I'd best not. Please excuse the bad pic, it was a self portrait in the mirror, harder than it looks. I have 1+ balls of this yarn left and it will become fingerless mitts for me, as soon as I get the Cozy in Cables CIC sweater I am working on done.

Hermoine Mittens and Hat

2007-01-03T20:26:00.000-06:00

I finished!

The Hermoine hat and the Hermoine mittens.

The Stats:

Misson Falls Wool

Burgundy/red colorway

December 2006 - about 2 weeks to complete

I used #5's for the mittens and I used a #7 for the hat, should have used #7's for both, but they are beautiful and I love them.

I hope the weather here in IL doesn't get cold enough to wear them... :)

What Tarot Card am I

2007-01-03T13:03:00.000-06:00

This is me:

http://www.flarn.com/~warlock/tarot/winged/3.html

Interesting...

Cleaning up

2006-12-29T12:10:00.000-06:00

I wish that I had the forsight to take a picture of my "sewing room" before I started cleaning it up. I have come to the realization that I have too much, too much food, too much junk, too much fabric and perhaps even too much yarn for what I will be able to accomplish in my lifetime. Somehow I missed the line for too much money, but I do admit to adequate supply.

About 7-10 years ago, I reduced my fabric from fashion and quilting fabric to just quilting fabric and again this year before Christmas, I have reduced the volume of my Quilting fabric. I simply have too.much. UFO's that will never be completed, kits purchased that are still in the wrappers with the price tag on them, bundles of fabric with the pattern in the same bag, just waiting for attention.

With a toddler, a 6 year old, a 16 year old, a husband and a full time job, I simply don't have the time. I realized back this summer that I hadn't quilted in about a year and I was unlikely to quilt much in the coming year (DS#2 is 16 months old) and the "sewing room" was threatening to overflow, I felt as if I were drowning in "stuff" - great stuff none the less, but drowning. I e-mailed my quilting friends and told them that I was cleaning out and that if they wanted anything, they had best claim it, or I could make no promises. Gretchen came and bless her heart, not only did she take a bit of the stuff, she stole 2 UFO's that needed to be pieced together and finished the tops. (THANK YOU GRETCHEN), both were projects near and dear to my heart and now they are patiently waiting for their turn at the quilter. Before Christmas as we were preparing for the annual Christmas Eve feast, DS#1 helped me haul stuff to the attic and I took down the 2nd sewing machine, collapsed the quilting table, sent yet another box and check to Janette for finishing and a box to her for charity quilts and we have renamed the room, "The Media Room". We dragged in 2 rockers and are in the market for a cheap couch of some sort that we have a line on. I feel like it is the end of a chapter in my life. At one time, I was a QUILTER, no doubt about it, but now....knitting has captured my heart, it is so portable and fills the waiting gaps. I will still quilt and I hope that my quilting friends will not abandon me, I can't see why I can't hang with them and knit while they quilt, but we'll see.

My Hobbit Name

2006-12-27T10:49:00.000-06:00

Daisy Hamwich of Buckleberry Fern Go Here: http://www.chriswetherell.com/hobbit/, get your Hobbit Name. I LOVE the Lord of The Ring Series...LOVE, LOVE, LOVE... I even wanted a genuine Elvin cloak until I found out that they cost $500! $500! REALLY, well, I'm sure I wouldn't look as good in it as I imagine I might...

Quick Knit

2006-12-21T13:53:00.000-06:00

My BIL is bringing someone to Christmas eve dinner and I decided that he should have something to open (as all the rest of us do). I bought some Brown Sheep wool (Black) at my LYS http://www.eweandmefiberstudio.com/ about 2 weeks ago, but did I start them at that time??? Heck no, why would I do that???

So yesterday am, I finally arrived at a proper number and cast on 32 stitches, ribbed for a while and then proceeded to make some fingerless mitts for him. I am hoping that his hands aren't too much bigger than mine. I finished one of them (sans the "thumb") this am between 4:30 and 6. I decided that I liked the ribbing at the top of the mitts. I sent DS#1 to the LYS this afternoon for an emergency skein. I looked at a pattern in the Knitting with Balls book, which called for 200 yards, and I have 200 yards, but I doubled the yarn and well, it is an emergency skein, plus if I get his done with one skein, I can use the other skein for me, me, me or exchange it for something else....I got most of the ribbing done on Mitt #2 at lunch, and I am hopeful that I will finish before Christmas Eve.

I still have to bind the quilt that I am giving to my BIL as I sneakily arranged to receive his name in the family drawing. I have the binding made, just need to sew it on and bind it back...of course by Christmas eve.

Edited to add, Christmas Eve was a good time. Mitts finished, they fit, he loved them, Quilt finished, he loved it. Dishes all cleared away, put away safely for next year by noon on Christmas day, all and all a good even. Oh, number of bottles of wine consumed....only 2, what wimps we are, but what we drank was very, very good wine.

A Shawl for "Granny"

2006-12-13T07:02:00.000-06:00

I started knitting this back in July or August 2005 when I was pregnant with DS#2, it was from the Mystery Shawl-along. I knit diligently along on it and it helped with the sanity and the waiting and the laying around (forced), but anyway...I was sick the first of this week, sent the kids to school/sitter and had the day to myself (mostly, DS#1 was home with me) and I decided that I was well enough to block this.

I have never started or completed a lace project, I used some Harris Tweed Shetland 4ply that I purchased from Elann.com. It is a lovely rustic, tweedy barn red-ish. I see now that I might have done a straighter job on the triangle sides, but I love it. The bad thing is that I wore it to work the very next day with black turtleneck and black khaki's and my boss said, "Hey Grandma, hows it going". Hmm, not exactly the response I was hoping for....He was immediately embarrased that he had said such a thing, but now I have something to tease him about. I was a little surprised that no one else at the office made a comment negative or positive especially since I was wearing it so proudly. I am surprised at how warm it is and that eventhough the yarn was fingering weight, when soaked, it bloomed and it does look to be a heavier shawl. I need to take myself to the local welding shop and purchase some stainless steel wires for blocking, it would have been much easier and I need some T-pins. For all the years that I have quilted, I had a tin of straight pins, I must have thrown them away in my cleaning/purging frenzy and I was forced to use thinner pins, but they worked...

More Hats....

2006-12-13T07:00:00.000-06:00

For the Soaring Eagle project this time. My Co-worker, Ruth, knits and she has helped me with some hats. She knit her hats in Acrylic (what she had) and I am passing them along to Soaring Eagle. I think there will be at least 10. THANK YOU RUTH!!!

Red Scarf Project

2006-12-12T16:13:00.000-06:00

I had promised myself that I would knit on this scarf until it was done and I almost did. I worked on it until I ran out of yarn before the scarf was long enough. Thankfully the LYS, http://www.eweandmefiberstudio.com/ still had some. It is the simple knitted scarf from Stephanie http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/, I tried to link to the specific day, but it is back a bit in the archives the one before Rhinebeck in which she implores a fleece supplier not to sell her fleeces and she spun some lovely yarn from the fleece and left this scarf pattern. Oh, since I can't link it, it goes like this, k1...oh, I can't remember now, I only did it a million times, perhaps it is k2, k1tbl, p1 and repeat, it is a multiple of 4 (duh), but was very simple and soothing for my pea brain. Have the address and will mail it on time,
a rare thing for me... :)

A new Knitter???

2006-11-25T19:41:00.000-06:00

She said..."Mom, I want to learn to knit". I said, Ok, let's go the the LYS...

Saturday Sky

2006-11-24T14:50:00.000-06:00

It has been a beautiful few days here. I am off to the LYS for one more skein of Manos (Red) for the Red Scarf project. Each skein only makes about 2 feet of scarf - 6 feet is the requirement for the project, so off to the LYS I go...It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it.

Ganome Hat

2006-11-21T05:38:00.000-06:00

I saw them on the Zimmermania list http://zimmermaniacs.blogspot.com/2006/11/waiter-can-we-get-another-ganomy-over.html. I snatched up some Lopi and began a knitting. I didn't take a picture, but it turned out like this one, only a solid color and kind of fuzzy like Lopi. I was considering felting it, but I went outside on a windy day and felt no breeze on my noggin thanks to the warm guard hairs of the Lopi. That is 6 for Dulaan for me.

Next I started my Red Scarf project. I used the Yarn Harlot's pattern found at http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2006/10/12/one_row_handspun_scarf.html My yarn of choice is Manos in a nice red, love the colors, the thick and thin works well in this scarf pattern and it is mindless and quick. I am practicing purling with my left hand. I usually knit left handed, but the only kind of Purl I know how to do left handed is the German Purl which involves a lot of wrist movement and I'm more comfortable (if much slower) purling right handed. I don't know which is American/Continental, I don't know if I care. I breezed through the first skein of yarn and it only yielded about 2 feet of scarf ( I need 5 feet), so I e-mailed my LYS to see if she has one more skien that she will hold. If she doesn't, the scarf will be shorter than planned. I was just there on Saturday and I'm nervous as I don't recall seeing much of the red on the shelf.

Saturday Sky

2006-11-14T06:16:00.000-06:00

Saturday sky out towards the West. Don't the clouds look so low that you could touch them. Can you see the sort of airplane in the clouds?

Dulaan Challenge

2006-11-14T05:43:00.000-06:00

I finished my "5" for Dulaan last week. 2 scarves, 3 hats so far. I am working on a Ganome hat from EZ's Knitters Almanac, it is in Lopi and is going FAST. I think I will slightly felt it for more warmth. Before I went to Franklin's Chicago Knit-in, I mentioned it to a work friend. Yesterday, Ruth presented me with 5 more hats for Dulaan. She made them during her "sit-time" in the evenings in her chair. Aren't they fabulous? So 10 for Dulaan from Chez Angie. Do I get a Woo - Hoo? It feels good.

In the company of others

2006-11-08T10:32:00.000-06:00

This past Saturday, I had the extreme good fortune to participate in the Chicago Dulaan Knit-in hosted by the incomparable Franklin Habit http://the-panopticon.blogspot.com/. I met several new friends, but had the pleasure of the company of one Rochelle of Glen Ellyn that I car pooled with. I think my family thought I was a little odd that I wasn't worried about car pooling with someone I didn't know. What could happen, SHE'S A KNITTER! Karen from Yarn is my Metier, http://www.yarnismymetier.com/, gifted me a skein of Regia cotton for simply offering to give her a lift to the event. Knitters are the greatest. It is a lovely skein of blues, just lovely.

The venue was lovely, did I take pictures...uhhh, no, as a matter of fact Rochelle and I were so excited to get into the event, we forgot to put Rochelles' handicapped parking plackard in the window, no tickets, though, but really, we were authorized to park there. Food, there was food, lots of food, good food, after all, we're knitters. Comfy spaces, nice, nice people. Great cause.

I am dedicated to finishing my 5 projects for Dulaan, I finished the Wool/Hemp hat and gladly chucked the tiny ball of left over yarn into the trash, it hurt my hands, I was knitting it at a tight guage, but none the less, it hurt my hands. I am now back to good 'ol Cascade 220 in the yellow and green, use it up. DS#1 pointed out that I had knitted a Green Bay packer hat the first time, so I will try to avoid that again. Anyway, I have 4 finished items, 2 scarves, 2 hats and #3 hat on the needles. Received my Handy Book of Patterns book and perused it prior to bed last night, I might actually follow some directions instead of just knitting as I am wont to do.

Am I knitting for Christmas? Ummm, no, not really. I am woefully incapable of completing projects under tight deadlines. I need to make some mittens for DS#2, but he is tiny so it won't take too long, I am wondering if I have enough left over Malabrigo from my mittens to make him some, perhaps I'll have to buy more...shame, wouldn't it be a shame. I am however resisting additional yarn purchases. I have been on a "No Credit Needed" stint and have been trying to make sure that what I buy is what I NEED rather than what I want. I have an awful lot of yarn here that I can knit up for charity and heaven knows there are enough charities around that need warm things, so .... Don't clap too loud, my reserve could break at any minute, I'm still LOOKING, just not buying right now..."They will make more yarn, They will make more yarn" is my mantra.

SOCKTOBERFEST = DONE!

2006-10-31T05:42:00.000-06:00

I present...my Soctoberfest socks. Finished. On time! A first for me.
The Specs:
Pattern: 52 stitch socks from Simply Sensational Socks using the Broken Rib Pattern
Yarn: Artyarns Supermerino 8 (Worsted)
Needles: #3 US DPN's and Magic Loop
Time: 10/14/06 - 10/30/06

I made the leg of these twice. I started them and was almost done with both legs and I noticed a counting problem in one and a dropped stitch problem in the other. The dropped stitch was fixable, but it was a the VERY beginning of the pattern, so RIP, out they both came and I started over on about the 14th of Socktober...BUT, that yarn was very expensive, the socks deserved to be as perfect as I could make them. I had them race each other, knitting one on #3 DPN's and the other Magic Loop. Speaking of the yarn, it was interesting, it was probably 10 teeny, tiny plies, and it doesn't have a lot of twist, I was worried about it being splitty, but for some reason, it wasn't. I'd love to use this yarn again, but for the price where I bought it, I could have gotten Cashmere, so I doubt unless I find a killer sale, no more Artyarns Supermerino 8 for me, but at least I can say I loved it when.

What will November bring for Chez Angie? Well, on Saturday, I am off to the Dulaan Knit-in, I am giving a ride to a new friend, Rochelle. It is a rare treat for me, but harvest has been long and grueling, so I am giving myself the day and DH can take care of the kiddies, surely they will all survive one day. I'll get to rub elbows with the known bloggers, and hopefully don't make an arse of myself. So, November is all about Dulaan and CIC charity knitting. I am working on a hat right now and I want to make a sweater for each and fulfil my 5 items for Dulaan, I have 2 items finished so far, so I should make it, but want to focus on sweaters this year. We'll see, what is life without grand plans?

Knitters Tea Swap 2 Report

2006-10-21T06:31:00.000-05:00

WHAT A HAUL! I received from my spoiler, Debbie in Montana. I got, 2 booklets, Mittens, mittens, mittens from Leisure Arts, and a sock book compiled from Spin-off, AWESOME The mittens are 2 needle mittens and are adorable. 3 skeins of Regia 6 (I like thicker socks), 1 skein of my fave color, lime green Lambs Pride worsted, Tao tea (Awake), an assortment of loose tea from Cahoots, a local tea company, a peppermint and camomile tea from Montana, some chocolate covered sunflower seeds, Piroette cookies, some yummy smelling candles, a luscious goats milk soap (I am using that, yummy), a "tea spoon", a new tea ball, I need that, a hand knit scarf in my fave colors (thank you), tea towels, and a box of her sentimental favorite, Red Rose tea and a note about why she loves it so much. I fixed a pot of the spice tea from Cahoots immediately and it was luscious, I've been drinking Red Rose for breakfast. Thank heavens for the weekend, it will be all tea, all the time for me.

I don't know if the stash ghosts are here or not, but I HAD the 2 booklets, I was leafing through them at the kitchen table, someone cried and I went to assist/referee/doctor, something and now I CAN'T FIND THEM! I have turned the house upside down looking for them, I hope I can excavate them this weekend as I.WANT.MY.BOOKS!

Progress?

2006-10-11T15:59:00.000-05:00

I turned the short row heel on the socks from hell and I'm still not sure of them, I am considering frogging the whole project and making a hat for DS#2, I'm just not feeling the love. Update, frogged the socks, if they don't want to be a hat, I will burn the yarn in a little ceremony in the driveway.

I'm still knitting on the Shadow scarf that I started in Geneseo colors for a friend's daughter, I saw them this week at a Volleyball game and it would have been convenient if it had been finished by then. I covered in a remote office for work for a day and a half last week - I was the only one there. I SHOULD have gotten a fair amount of knitting done, but I ended up working more than I thought - how did that happen?

I couldn't resist Socktoberfest any longer and I cast on for some socks of Artyarns Ultramerino 8, they color is the most beautiful muted pink and green I have ever seen. The yarn looks like it might be splitty, but so far, I have no complaints. Have you ever bought Artyarns Ultramerino? Lets just say, I'd best be burried in these socks, they are too expensive to wear, but I'm worth it, right?

I want to cast on for a red scarf for the Red Scarf Project to try out the new Brittany Birch #7's I bought at my LYS. I want to cast on for the Black Bunny Fibers Hop-a-long, I just received some new yarn from Carolyn http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=19807 and I can't wait to cast on with that...so many projects, so little time

Happy Birthday to ME!

2006-10-06T20:33:00.000-05:00

I participated in the October Birthday swap hosted by the gracious and generous Bev Diaz. This is not a secret swap. My swap partner was Lori Bean of http://yarnbeans.typepad.com/yarnbeans/ She is a busy, busy wife and mom of 2, she is a waitress and sommelier in the evenings and still has time to not only knit, but churn out some awesome looking hand dyed yarns. In the box was....A milk chocolate Truffle bar (don't remember the name as it was consumed immediately, but I do remember that it was very yummy), a birthday card, 2 postcards from her town in Oregon, a Cherry Tree Hill Glitter mill end in a blue/green/teal which was the yarn that I listed as most interest in knitting with, a hank of STR in the Colorway "Rare Gems", a couple of bars of yummy soap, a beautiful glittery, feathery butterfly and 2 skeins of her own hand dyed yarn in Winter Blue and Pumpkin Spice...All I can say is...THANK YOU, it was a real treat, I get to spoil her on her upcoming October birthday so hopefully I can pack her box as full of surprises as she packed mine.

I'm workin' on it...

2006-10-05T21:31:00.000-05:00

Yes, last night I turned the short row heel in my socks from Hell, Only 1 more to do and I started that one today whilest waiting at the bank to get my debit card re-issued. I accidentally threw my checkbook away in the trash on Tuesday and didn't realize it until today when I needed it again. Bad news is that the trash was picked up this am around 8am, I noticed it was missing around 8:30am...bad karma, that's all it is. I hope I saved someone with less facilities to cope with such a royal inconvenience the grief. I have broad shoulders, I can take it...but not for much longer, thank you...

I'm on a roll

2006-10-01T12:55:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I posted about finishing MG's Wonderful Wallaby and today I get to post about my finished STR socks and the story behind them...It started innocently enough, http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/ started a Socks that Rock Club (STR) and I of course had to join. The first yarn was this sock yarn, I don't remember the color...Jungle something perhaps? I started knitting socks and I knit, and I knit and I knit. They are on Size 1's something like 68 stitches, I chose the ribbing pattern that is K2, P2 for 1 round and then straight knit the next round because I'm lazy and don't like to pearl. I liked the socks but they were taking forever and they weren't going to fit me, they would fit my mother who has trouble wearing shoes and thus needs woollen socks to wear with her Birks in the winter, (It snows here in Illinois), so any whoooo, I love my mom and I don't mind knitting her socks, eventhough she has a size 10 foot. She appreciates them and I am glad that I can comfort her. Anyway, I was about to the heel flap on sock #2 (sock #1 was done) when I used sock #1 to measure the length (very scientific) and as I set #1 down, I thought, I had better be careful where I put this sock as I would hate to mis-place it. That was Friday night, by Sunday night, I had lost sock #1, I called the restaurants I ate in between Friday and Sunday, I scoured the parking lots that I had visited, I stripped the car(s), cleaned the house (now you know I was desperate), no sock...I was almost suicidal, these socks took me forever, it was the club yarn, how was I going to get enough for a THIRD sock! I didn't know what to do, but vetoed burning the sock in the driveway in a fit of anger, I doggedly continued to knit on the 2nd sock. I was telling some of my knitting homies this story about a month later and my DD MG says, "Oh, that other sock, I threw it behind the couch to keep it away from DS#3". I ran to the living room, heaved the couch from the wall and there it lay, my missing sock...Only 1 small problem, there was a cut in the ribbing at the top...wonder how that got there, $10 that DD MG cut the yarn and threw the sock behind the couch to hide the evidence, but I really didn't care, my sock was back. I begged some additional yarn from Blue Moon, and one night while the kiddies slept, I carefully unravelled under the snip, picked up the stitches and re-knit the top 1/2" of the sock, last night I executed the Elizabeth Zimmerman, sewn bind off (very simple, very stretchy, I recommend it) and voila, the socks are done....

Completion

2006-09-29T07:34:00.000-05:00

I did it, I actually did it, I completed a sweater! First one in....well, around 15 years, and it fit the intended recipient! Behold DD in her new Wonderful Wallaby.

Specs:
Pattern: The Wonderful Wallaby, by Cottage Creations
Yarn: Cascade Sierra and Cascade Bollicine held together as one
Needles: Size 7 US for body, size 5 for ribbing
Size: Warren Wallaby - 8 year old
Time: February 06 until 9/28/2006. I put it down because I knit one of the sleeves too big, but resurrected it when we drove to Wisconsin Sheep & Wool festival and I worked on it faithfully until then.

More Wallabys are in my future for sure. This was a nice easy pattern to make and I think it turned out great, obviously, she has some room to grow in it, but at least it will fit her for a year or 2...AND she voluntarily wore it to school today! My heart swells with pride.

Warm Hands

2006-09-26T21:44:00.000-05:00

Hurray for Warm Hands. Last year, I knit some ...oh, what were they called, mittens with the little tufts of wool in them, made my hands look more like linebacker hands than they normally do...oh, fulled mittens, in purple with white fulls. This summer I found some Malabrigo in my almost signature, lime green and then I wandered into the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool festival.... but it wasn't my fault, my friend Lori said, "If you find anything interesting, get some for me, I prefer earth tones", what was I to do when I saw more Malabrigo. Hers (which I of course didn't take a picture of) was creamy and tanny and brownie all in that pleasing Malabrigo way and I bought for myself....Good friend that I am, I offered it to Lori as well. What will I do with it? Why more mittens of course.

My Morning Ritual

2006-09-26T07:48:00.000-05:00

This is my morning ritual, the tea pot is from my Grandmother, she wasn't a big tea drinker, but she did collect pots. I USE them. The mug is a Christmas present from my son. He went Christmas shopping with his scout troup and this is what he chose all by himself for me. It made me cry then and still warms my heart. I bought a 2nd one just in case the first one gets broken...

On the knitting front, I am to the hood (read boring back and forth) on DD's Wonderful Wallaby and I can't wait to show pics. It is a tad big, but at least it isn't too small. She looks adorable in it, but I doubt she will wear it until she grows into it a little bit. Unlike her momma, she likes the form fitting stuff.

When it is done...what to do, what to do. I am contemplating more charity knitting, finishing Birch that was cast aside a year ago due to a mysterious error that I can no longer find, there is the Warm Hands knit-a-long and the (*@#&$*(@&$(#*@& opal socks to finish..or burn in a pile in the driveway...
Have a good day all, I'm late for the grind...

Black Bunny Fiber has ARRIVED....

2006-09-19T21:06:00.000-05:00

In a fit of joining, I also have joined, (or attempted to join) the Black Bunny Hop, http://blackbunnyhop.blogspot.com/2006/09/black-bunny-is-wild-animal.html it isn't hard, you just need to knit with the ellusive Black Bunny fiber of some sort and blog about it...I stalked Carol's etsy shop for a while and then called Rosies Yarn Cellar http://www.rosiesyarncellar.com/ for the low down on what was there. Blindly I ordered 2 skeins of DK weight (225 yds per) in the colorway named Grape Juice.

I don't know where the color came from, but it is the varigated denim-ish yarn that I have been searching for. I plan to make Susan Pierce Lawrence's Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl http://http://ma2ut.blogspot.com/2006/09/forest-canopy-shoulder-shawl.html at any rate, joined or not joined, I'm going to cast on for this as soon as I can get the project from hell off my needles.

You see about a year ago when I was expecting my 3rd child, I started a pair of socks from Opal Rodeo, I love the colors, and I'm sure it will bloom, but that yarn is like knitting with SEWING THREAD (just my opinion). To add insult to injury, I am doing them 2 socks on 2 circs, I think I will never live long enough to finish these socks. I have taken them off the 2 circs and am now racing them one against the other (1 magic loop, 1 on dpns) and I am thinking it is time for the heel, this is my first attempt at Wendy's generic heel pattern. Wish me luck ...

Knitters Tea Swap 2

2006-09-19T20:44:00.000-05:00

Well, I've gone and done it now... joined the KTS2. I missed it last time, and I am afraid of making a commitment that I have trouble fulfilling, but darn it, I'm going to join this time...no more lurking for me, no mam/sir....

So without further adieu...My Stash

Well, Blogger doesn't want to cooperate right now with that oh wait there it is.... Suffice it to say, I have a small stash, I drink hot tea every morning, usually P.G. Tips or TyPhoo, although I bought a new one that was on clearance (box was dented - Lyons) that I haven't tried yet. Last night I had a cuppo (or rather a potto) Valentine tea from Adiago teas, luscious, is all I can say, to me it tastes like a wonder pipe tobacco (dry) smells...love.it. and tat got me going on the chocolate tea...took that to work for a pick-me up.

So there it is, I'm eagerly awaiting my swap partner and then I'll re-review the rules to make sure I do it right. Thanks for looking.

Wisconsin Sheep & Wool

2006-09-10T21:36:00.000-05:00

Greetings!
I don't know if anyone will ever read this, but this is my first post. Reading blogs for over a year now, I decided to "unlurk" and start my own Blog.

This weekend, I dragged the DH and kidlets to Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival in Jefferson, WI http://www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com. About a 2 hour trip. Left about 8:30am, remembered to pack extra clothes, and etc for all but ME!

Fortunately, once at the festival, I spied a woman in a rather smashing sweatshirt advertising the festival. She directed me to the vendor and I secured the last item in my size for her. Good for DH as the alpaca sweaters were $175 and up...

I won't try and fool anyone, I could have cared less about the sheep and pelts and roving and locks of dirty fleeces, I was there for the VENDORS... cased the joint, making my wish list with the kids. When the kids got tired of the vendors, had some lunch at the conveniently located lunch stand (shredded lamb sandwich $4, lamb hot dog in natural casing $1.50, and BEER, yes, Beer sold by the Jefferson Lions Club. What a hoot, never see that in IL) we checked out a shearing demo, the arms on that man...oh, wait, I digress...I said to MG, isn't that cool the way he just peels the wool off of that sheep. She said, "But won't the sheep be cold". I thought that was cute and assured her that the sheep grows fleece very fast and it would be fine.

Shortly after that, DH returned (he went to look at a tractor about 35 miles away) and took on the task of entertaining the kiddies and I hit the vendors pocketbook in hand.

I'd have to say that I was focused and restrained. Recently, I've been trying to be on a finishing tear and I focused on the things I can't get locally. I bought a book for MG (Knitting Nell, http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Nell-Julie-Jersild-Roth/dp/0618540334/sr=8-1/qid=1157943566/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-0067682-3875011?ie=UTF8&s=books, which is a cute book, 1 skein of Sea Silk in a pinky orange color, as I can't find it anywhere here, 3 skeins of DK alpaca in cream for a Swallowtail shawl, 2 skeins of Malabrigo (one is for my friend Lori) and 4 skeins of Softie from Kimmet Croft Fibers http://www.fairyhare.com for the Stora Dimun Shawl from Folk Shawls. Now, I just have to get knitting.

I didn't see as many knitterly sightings as I would expect to see at say, Stitches, but there was a woman wearing a shawl much similar to the Stora Dimun Shawl that insipred me to get the yarn from Kimmet Croft. I saw a couple of intarsia bags.

Since I mentioned shawls. How do y'all choose what color to knit shawls and it is only me that seems to always pick a color that I have nothing to wear with?