Kathy's Knitting & Knothings

Lobster Newburg in popover

2009-05-24T12:17:00.000-04:00

May KAL

2009-05-24T09:14:00.006-04:00

May KAL - I think this one was supposed to have one bobble in the middle, but I interpreted the directions to make 2.

May mid-month KAL - this one was WAY too long. The directions called for 7 rows of seed stitch and there were too many repeats. Then the directions only called for 4 rows of seed stitch at the end. I added 3 more to balance the design. I blocked it so it would be a bit more square.

Oh well, I don't use dishcloths anyway and hubby teases about the stack of cloths that keeps growing :)

Monthly Dishcloth KAL

2009-05-24T08:45:00.009-04:00

February Mid - Month March Pot-O-Gold March mid-month Pinwheel April - Illusion Eggs April mid-month - Rain Drops

Caitie

2009-05-24T08:37:00.002-04:00

Marilyn was kind enough to send me this pattern to test knit, for my darling granddaughter.

Love this one!

2009-02-18T19:47:00.001-05:00

http://www.charmcitycakes.com/images/gallery/knitquilt.jpg

Another view

2009-02-18T19:44:00.000-05:00

Cool Cakes

2009-02-18T19:43:00.001-05:00

Where have I been?

2009-02-14T09:39:00.017-05:00

I’ve been checking some other blogs and realized that it has been forever since I posted! Knitting has taken a back seat for a few reasons. But I am back at it. I’m working on the Tomten sweater form Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Without Tears, for the baby due April 17. I’m using up stash yarn in Pingouin Country color 004 for the trim and 008 for the body. (Fiber Content: 40% Acrylic/ 30% Wool/ 30% Mohair, Made In: Turkey, Care: Machine Wash/ Dry Flat, Gauge: 20 st/4 inches 4.0 mm (US 6) 50g (1.75 oz) ball Yardage: 96 m (106 yards). Also on the needles is Sunny Baby Blanket in icky Red Heart 1926 Sweet Dreams mul ti.

I've also recently kept up with the Monthly Dishcloth KAL.

January 2009 - Ice Skate

January mid-month 2009

February 2009: Kiss Me

I really need to get over to my favorite LYS to get some nicer yarns, but I've been trying to use up the closet full that I already have. I did commit to the monthly dishcloths and ordered all the colors for the year. I still don’t know why I do them, as I don’t use them. I have a friend who does use them and since her birthday is coming up I might put together a spa basket for her. I would like to make the February Lady Sweater and need to check if there is enough of the yarn that I bought at Webs. I think I would be a skein short :( But I have unfinishitis: The Mac and Me two color sweater that I knit ~~last year~~ in 2007 still needs seaming and all the ends woven in. The Clapotis is not finished The flag socks are not finished

AND I have a ton of papers to grade this week.

Off to get ready for a Valentine’s Day lunch!

Easter & April KAL done

2007-04-08T11:32:00.000-04:00

Had the fam over for Easter Saturday dinner yesterday. 15 in total.

2 8 lb Hams with Raisin Sauce
Roasted Asparagus with Hollandaise sauce
Horseradish Potato Croquettes (a recipe that I made up on the fly: boiled ~ 7 – 8 lbs. potatoes, put them through the food mill, melted some butter in them, added about ¾ container of sour cream, about ¼ jar prepared horseradish, salt and pepper; shaped them into large crab cake sized circles, dipped them in egg and water wash, then in Panko.

The fam brought veggie tray, cheese tray, nuts, sour cream salad, mushroom soup, and a lemon chiffon pie. Hubby had made a strawberry cake the day before, so we had plenty of food!

KAL - Still not sure why I do these. They just get stacked up in a pile. And truth be told, I wouldn’t have done a “religious” theme for a cloth if I had known.

More Yarn & Cloths

2007-04-01T11:25:00.000-04:00

Picked up another skein of Manos from Marji’s yesterday. She called just as I was heading that way anyway, for a hair appointment. Being the impatient one that I am I HAD to go get it. Tried to email and cancel the skein I ordered online, but it has already been shipped So now instead of being short, I will have plenty left over…

Also picked up a ball of Schachenmayr Catania 100% cotton, for more cloths of course. The color is really pretty 143 Flamingo. I still am not sure why I do these cloths; they just sit in a pile. But I think I am addicted. ;)

I finished the 2 10 stitch swatches for the Stockinette, ~~reverse stockinette~~ (NB: need to redor the reverse stockinette since I didn't pay attention to the rs vs the ws :( and seed stitch. Now to block them and seam them. Started the blended twisted decrease swatch. Giving the lace a rest. :(

Swatching and waiting

2007-03-28T11:20:00.000-04:00

OK, so I refuse to give up. I spent a good amount of time on Sunday with the lace diamonds pattern. Had to rewrite it 4 times to get the stitch count right. I worked the pattern in some kitchen cotton just to practice. I have frogged the actual swatch 3 times now. I am still not sure my decreases are “perfect”. There are 3 lace swatches required.

There are a number of lace cloths here that might be modified.

Got an email yesterday saying my yarn might be in in 2 days, THEN will be shipped to me. Aghhhh!

Test Knitting

2007-03-25T10:20:00.000-04:00

from http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EnidsDesignsKAL/ Went through the washer and dryer, needs some blocking for a better pic. Still waiting on 1 more skein of yarn to finish my sleeves from Marji or Laura. Agghhhhhhhh, the frustrations of the Level II program. I tried to alter one of the lace patterns from the cloth KAL and after 3 tries just couldn’t get the count right. I am going for a new pattern today. Still plugging away at the KPS sweater too.

March mid-month cloth done

2007-03-20T06:30:00.000-04:00

OK, so the instructions aren't completely posted but it wasn't a big deal to figure it out, so I went for it!

Thursday March 15

2007-03-15T20:23:00.000-04:00

So, I took the day off to get some PT for my upper spine. Here's hoping I get relief soon! Got the body of my sweater done, including the buttons! Working to get the sleeves done soon!

New Do For Effie

2007-03-11T15:35:00.000-04:00

WIP, Queens, MKP, Travel, Children

2007-03-10T07:33:00.000-05:00

Slowly progressing on the sleeves for the 2-color jacket. Slow because every once in a while I pause to weave in all the ends on the solid color, as a result of changing skeins every row due to the color difference in the Manos :(

Slow progress on Level II of the TKGA Master Knitter’s Program also. Presently working on getting my binder in order, and rearranging all the updated changes since I originally started.

The 4 swatches that I did before are no longer required. Figures I worked on those that would be eliminated! I am left with 1 Lace swatch - unfinished and unblocked, out of the 22 required!

Participated in my first judging event for this year's Shad Derby Queen last night. Social hour followed by kick off speeches and then a 1 minute speech by each of the 12 girls. As each one finished each of the 4 judges had to score them: 1 - 15 - speech 1 - 10 poise 1 - 5 appearance

It was a lot harder than I thought. The girls presented in order of height, from shortest to tallest. I was quite impressed with the poise and personalities, let alone the accomplishments of these high school senior young ladies! This event counts as 15% of their total score. This was a “by invitation only” event.

The next judging event, the Secondary Judging, will be private and a little less formal, yet represents 60% of their score, on Tuesday April 3, 2007. As I understand it, the 4 judges along with the Judge’s Chair will formulate 4 questions to present to the young ladies. Each of us will present the same question to each of the Candidates.

"Each candidate will be evaluated based on: Involvement - community and schoolOutside interestsKnowledge of current eventsAppearancePoisePersonalityAttitude in answer to question "Why do you want to be the Shad Derby Queen?" It should be noted, the judges determine the questions and content of the interviews."

The last event is the Coronation Ball on May 5, 2007.

III. Final Judging Coronation Ball - 25% Each candidate will be judged on: EssayPoise Appearance “Coronation Ball - 25% Each candidate will be judged on: EssayPoise Appearance”

Still working on processing our trip to China this summer. So excited! I finally was able to get the invoice, cc authorization and visa documents last night, so we can fax the deposit in hopefully today. We just realized that we need passport photos (2 since we will have a double entry visa - from US and Hong Kong). So we need to get to AAA for those. Thankfully we both have current passports.

Child #2 is moving closer! Yes, after almost 3 years on the West Coast, in SF, she is moving to NYC. She is in the process of working with travel nursing agencies. It seems that with her experience at UCSF she should have no problem finding work at a large teaching hospital. And they find her housing, a fully furnished one bedroom apartment in NYC. We have friends who have purchase a studio apartment for $250,000!

I’ll visit with Child #1, wife and grandson tomorrow. I need more pictures!

TKGA Level II

2007-03-03T08:38:00.000-05:00

Decided to pick up The Knitting Guild of America Level II master knitter program. OK, OK, I decided to get serious back in August of 06 :( I happened to check the boards and noticed that not only they change the directions which I ordered back in August, but there are corrections posted as of November 15, 2006. So I went ahead and emailed for the directions. I have to say they got back to me right away with the new information. I was quite impressed. Now if only I could get this level done with some type of speed. So I am organizing for the binder. I had many of the swatch tags and instructions done, but now they have to be redone with the changes :( Still working on the 2 color jacket. Up to the last button hole, so now I need to finish the neck decreases and then the sleeves.

Snow Day

2007-02-26T09:23:00.000-05:00

Well schools are closed today. After I posted the announcement on the school website at 5:15 this morning I went back to bed and slept until almost 8!

Not that we needed another snow day, coming off a week of school break. We had a snow day on the 14th also, and every snow day needs to be made up at the end of the year. So now we don't get out until June 21! We are planning on leaving for China on the 30th, so I'd like to have some time to get out and buy all the things we will need...

Here is the view out the back kitchen door:

And out the front door:

Effie is taking it easy too! Now off to watch a bit of TV and get some knitting done :)

Buttons

2007-02-25T13:43:00.000-05:00

Well I changed my blogger template and all seems to be finally working!

Yesterday Hubby and I took a drive about 1 hour north of here to Webs. Oh my!I found some great buttons that will work perfectly with the 048 Mac and Me Adult Two Color Jacket– yes!

I also picked up a 10 skein package of Queensland Uruguay DK! Color 10 - not sure exactly how to describe the color, and I can’t find color names anywhere on the web. A yummy merino/alpaca/silk blend, Uruguay DK is perfect for light garments and accessories.Content: 70% Merino/20% Baby Alpaca/10% SilkWeight/Yardage: 50 Grams/124 YardsGauge: 5.5sts=1″ #6 needlesKnitting Weight: DK

Not sure what I will do with it, but I was having so much fun getting overwhelmed with all that yarn. I had a few picked out and then just decided to make a choice!

Well back to work tomorrow. Overfall it has been a good week in spite of being sick for part of it. Didn’t get as much accomplished as I had planned, but did get some of the kitchen floor stripped, hair cut and touched up, manicure and pedicure, dry cleaning done, and a couple of girly lunches. Got some new baby pics up.

The baby sweater is done except for the snaps and ties sewn on. Worked a bit on the Mac N Me jacket, and the KPS top down raglan.

Vacation?

2007-02-23T08:47:00.000-05:00

Been down and out with the flu most of the week Effie did get to the spa though. Don’t you just love her braid? Managed to get the 2 February cloths done, the Hearts and the Lace Diamonds mid-month cloth.

I had intended to have more progress, but spending 24/7 in bed asleep didn’t help Working bottom up in the round, now split so using 3 skeins at once. Started both sleeves. Mangaged to fininsh the kimono, need about another inch on the sleeves. Then I can sew it together, put on the snaps and ties and be done with it. Plenty of time for the May baby! I missed Phil’s BD being sick in bed, but some friends delivered this:

Knit From Your Stash - NOT

2006-12-31T09:45:00.000-05:00

Knit From Your Stash 2007! I already have plans to fall off the wagon: "Top Down Sweater $40 I was asked to schedule a class for a man’s sweater. This sweater works for man or woman. Ellen is knitting the sample in scrumptious Misti Alpaca Chunky to create a cuddly and toasty warm sweater. Basic knitting skills required. Fee includes pattern. Sun. 1/21 3-5pm and 2/4,18 3/11 3-4pm " Misti international - thinking green since Phil's favorite color is olive, this might be close. The 1776 socks, top down sweater and Clapotis as well as the 2 color cardigan are still not finished. My thinking was that if I took a class I might actually FINISH! Would also like to take: "2Socks –2Circulars $60. Don’t care for double pointed needles? Knit two socks on two long circular needles. When you are done you have a pair completed. Basic knitting skills are required. Fee includes pattern. Tue. 1/9,16,23,30 6-8pm" - but Tuesday night? Have to wait and see if they offer it during the summer.

Winding Down

2006-12-27T10:02:00.000-05:00

Got V off to the airport and back safely to SF yesterday after a nice lunch. Had a little time to kill :) so I dropped in at my LYS. Had a Mac & Me pattern just crying out for yarn :0 So I picked up 10 skeins of Manos del Uruguay: 3 #55 olive green and 7 #101 jungle variegated. They were having a 25% off sale and I still had a $35 credit from a gift certificate! Leisurely coffee time this morning, then off to the dermatologist for me bi-annual skin check and lunch with some friends. Ah, vacation week! Update: He found another skin CA spot :( Da*^ blogger still won't let me upload pics!

Orphan Foundation of America

2006-12-27T09:26:00.000-05:00

Orphan Foundation of America - "Send warmth and encouragement to America’s college-bound foster youth. OFA needs thousands of handmade scarves to put in our Valentine Care Packages to these parentless youth attending college on their own. Your handiwork will truly be the personal touch in these packages and bring students the encouragement they need to move forward and graduate to a brighter future. For over 25 years, OFA has provided funding and family-like support to foster youth in transition. www.orphan.org "

Knit & Spin Links: Main

2006-12-27T09:22:00.000-05:00

Knit & Spin Links: Main

Christmas 2006 and updates

2006-12-25T09:23:00.000-05:00

So this morning I changed the template and now it seems I have a blog again after all this time! BUT IT STILL WON'T LET ME UPLOAD PICTURES!!! Been a long time since I posted since I couldn't get the da*^ thing to work. I still have to spend a little time figuring out why it won't work nicely with Wo#@ Pre*^ :( V arrived home Friday night. J was nice enough to pick her up since she didn't get in until after 10. Left her a panini to warm up along with some Christmas cookies. Saturday night was our usual Christmas Eve (Eve) fondue dinner party with the kids. Yesterday was our usual Christmas Day (eve) dinner for the family of 20. The roast beast/au jus turned out well (spoon roast) and since V wasn't home for T Day I made Stuffed Artichokes Supreme and Stuffing. To round out the dinner I made garlic mashed potatoes and oven roasted asparagus with mushrooms and Hollandaise sauce. Phil made his awesome cheesecake and the fam brought along a variety of hors d'Oeuvres and desserts. Today will be low key as J, wife and son do the morning thing at her parents and will be here later in the day. They got me a Cuisinart Griddler and the plan is to make paninis, exchange gifts and pop in a movie or two. Last night after everyone left (at a decent hour of 7 or so compared to the 11:50 at Thanksgiving!) V, Phil and I watched Little Miss Sunshine a gift from C & S. A dysfunctional-family-road-trip movie, but enjoyable, none-the-less. We also got Capote and The Hunt for Red October (obviously not for me!). Last weekend we took a Christmas meal of ham, mashed potatoes and cheesecake, along with other friends apps and dessert to some friends who are somewhat housebound. Fun, but I don't think I've missed a weekend of major cooking since the grandson was born. I really haven't cooked this much in years it seems. On the knitting front I've been filling in my time with the Cloth KALs. Went back to work on the Clapotis, still working on the Fortissima 1776 socks, and KPS 991 sweater. November cloth was a turkey (Nov 13 entry) and the Mid-November was a Pointsettia that I turned into a towel. December KAL was an Rocking Horse and the Mid-Dec was a lace called Snowy Drops and I also made an illusion Candy Cane cloth. I also need to upload Christmas pics as soon as blogger will let me :( Did I also mention that I went to see Emeril Live in NYC? It was a deep sea fishing episode to be aired later in the year.

Cloth Gift Idea

2006-12-25T08:49:00.000-05:00

As a gift wrapped around a soap or lotion bottle idea: Mid-September Dishcloth KAL

Cloth, Scarf

2006-11-13T06:29:00.000-05:00

Finished the Turkey Cloth from the KAL: Grabbed some yarn on Friday to make a sample scarf for the Club. Note to self: used size 35 needles and cast on 20. With the bulky yarn and fun fur (yuk!) use maybe 12 - 15 stitches. Got the heel flap finished on one of the 1776 socks.

test

2006-11-05T10:57:00.000-05:00

can't figure out why blogger isn't working.

Jake, New Microwave

2006-10-22T19:18:00.000-04:00

Had a nice visit with Jake and parents today. He even had his eyes open. What a cutie-pie, even if I am partial :) Auntie V and Jake: By Saturday afternoon P had the microwave/oven installed, stainless splash and all!

Mid Sept Cloth KAL, cooking

2006-10-22T10:13:00.000-04:00

V is home for the weekend to visit with Baby Jake. This weekend I made sauce, meatballs and sausage; chicken noodle soup; and apple pies. Phil made lasagna. Last weekend I made stuffed red peppers; meatloaf and macaroni & cheese. The weekend before that was long grain, wild rice and chicken casserole, puttenesca and now I forget what else. Trying to keep the kids fed for at least the first month. Finished the Illusion Candy Corn Cloth last night:

Raglan Hat Pattern

2006-10-21T09:26:00.000-04:00

Jake, Socks, Stove

2006-10-21T08:21:00.000-04:00

My first grandson! Grandpa and Jake: Finished my Boobie Socks last week, but just got around to taking a pic: We bought a new convection/ceramic top range. The microwave/oven is coming today! And my watermelon sock yarn arrived! Pattern?

Cloth KAL

2006-10-07T08:48:00.000-04:00

Saw the grandson again yesterday, all is well! Hubby and I will go today. They come home Monday, and fortunately I have the day off. Not sure why I do these cloths... They are quick and fun, but I really have no use for them. Maybe I'll package up some of them with some home made soap for little holiday gifts? This is the October KAL; a cat. Definitely needs a blocking, and the ends weaved in.

Laura, from CF called while I was at the hospital and said there will be no Mitered Square Jacket fashion show - good thing because I never did knit one :)

My First Grandchild

2006-10-05T20:39:00.000-04:00

Yeah! http://www.justintara.com/ Grandma and Jake Dad, Jake and Mom

Hyphenboydesigns Modular Felted Backpack

2006-10-02T11:02:00.000-04:00

Just ordered the Modular Felted Backpack . Not sure when I will get to it, but there is a KAL.

Long time

2006-10-02T08:43:00.000-04:00

... no blogging. With school, and then this nasty cold that seems to hang on forever!

Baby Jake is due to be induced on Wednesday :)

No school today due to Yom Kippur so the plan is to get my classroom website up to date since I planned out the nutrition unit over the weekend. Then I'll run out for gas and another eggplant (what does he think I can do with 1 little eggplant?), make some eggplant parm and get in a little knitting.

Got tickets for the Susan Koman benefit with featured speaker Stephanie Pearl-McPhee aka The Yarn Harlot (November 5th- Granby, CT, 2:00pm at The 2nd Annual Fall in Knits Benefit Fashion Event for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, CT Affiliate, at the Granby Memorial High School (hosted by Marji's Yarncrafts) ).

Finished the Mason Dixon Baby Bib except for the button:

and a Baseball Cloth for Baby Jake

Leaf Patterned Lace for the Cloth September mid-month (looks like it needs some blocking - just out of the washer and dryer) KAL:

September 1 Oak Leaf Cloth for the KAL:

Finished an Angel Cloth:

Getting close on the Boobie Socks:

Next up are the Fortissima Socka 1776 socks. I wound two balls this morning, my hope is to get the blue band at the top cuff of each sock - we'll see! I've seen a couple of pair on the net 1, 2

Baby Boy BBQ, Pumpkin Hat, Effies Bath Day

2006-09-04T15:33:00.000-04:00

So we made it through the Labor Day Baby Boy BBQ in spite of the rain that let up a little after the party started. I finished the Pumpkin Hat - a little late, but it's not Halloween yet and the baby isn't even here! Somehow in the flurry of paper and gifts my "J" washcloth got lost, so I guess I need to make another :( It was good to have daughter V home for both showers and to help with some of the errands! She leaves for SF tomorrow and then next week off to Hong Kong and Thailand for a month.

1 week of vacation left

2006-08-21T10:02:00.000-04:00

So call me impatient. I saw the repeat on the Mid-August KAL, and after all it's only a cloth! So I finished one, and decided to reverse the colors and make another. Still procrastinating on other projects, I decided to use the same colors to make another gartrlac cloth. All 3 are smaller size than usual.

V sent flowers to thank me for taking care of "stuff" while she has been in Africa. She is somewhere in South Africa right now. Her fight is scheduled to get into Heathrow on Thursday and she is going to try and get an earlier flight to Boston or New York before the one she had planned on the 29th. She might get back in time to go the the Baby Shower on Sunday.

Effie is doing better. Phil bathed and groomed her. She is so much better about all that, especially getting her top knot up. Dropped the car off for the new bumper yesterday. Did take a picture but haven't off loaded it from my phone yet.

The weather here is so much better today. Much less humid. Off to get a mani/pedi and lunch while the house cleaners come in today. I need to find a new hair dresser and soon! At some point this week I need to finalize the menu for the Baby Boy BBQ and do some shopping for that.

Also going to try and pick up tickets ~~tomorrow~~ (not on sale until Sept. 15) for The Second Annual Fall in Knits Benefit Fashion Event for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, CT Affiliate Featuring: guest speaker and booksigning by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, author of Knitting Rules!, At Knit's End and The Yarn Harlot: November 5, 2006 at Granby Memorial High School.

Anniversary and Updates

2006-08-18T08:45:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of my husband's death. J called twice and then offered to take me to lunch. We went to the cemetery together and placed some flowers. It was a sad moment. Got an email from V from S. Africa too. Hubby was very sensitive about it.

I've turned my obsession from Food Network to Court TV. What's up with this? I had been watching the Perry March trial and then this guy gets arrested. I think I NEED to get back to work. April seems so long ago.

Finished another martini cloth. The intended recipient who had asked for the cloth is, shall we say, a bit flaky. Well she screwed up enough that I am not going to "donate" my time to someone like that. The cloth is going with it's mate to the person I had originally started it for and where I know it will be appreciated.

I'm keeping up with the Monthly KAL too. I really need to get the ball cap felted for the baby, the ears, eyes, nose and neck done on Bobbi Bear, and I plug away a row or two here and there on the Boobi Sox. I got about 25 rows done on a MD bib too.

Joe being goofy:

Back to work on the 28th. Time to think about a hair cut and some new clothes. The bumper on the car will be replaced Monday and Tuesday of next week.

Smokin' Credit Card

2006-08-14T21:07:00.000-04:00

Got my stitches out today :) then drove to a gf's house to drop off the martini cloth. Figuring BabiesRU wasn't that much further I went and did major damage. Couldn't fit everything in the car, so I have to go back. Bought:

Went for PT and on my way in to pick up Effie to go to the vet ran into the garage again! So have to have the garage door molding replaced and it looks like I'll need a new front bumper! Effie has been gnawing at her legs and a lot of the hair is gone :(. So we had the office visit, skin scraping, steroids, spray, Revolution and bought some new shampoo.

UFO -> FO

2006-08-13T09:13:00.000-04:00

Finished:

Incredibly Boring Baby Blanket (did I say how much I hate Homespun?)
Martini Cloth for a friend (Sugar'n Cream Hot Pink from Michaels)
Bobbi Bear's second ear

Bobbi Bear and Effie:

Bobbi Bear's Ears:

Martini Cloth: (Not sure where I got the pattern. It says it's from here. I do like it better than others I've seen since it has the stirrer. There are some mistakes in the pattern though.)

Incredibly Boring Diagonal Baby Blanket:

WIP

Started another Martini Cloth for someone who "suggested" that they would like one
Booby Sock
KP&S Sweater
Need to duplicate stitch Bobbi Bear's neck, attach ears and stitch eyes and nose (reminder to buy a big blue ribbon)
Baby ball cap needs to be felted and then needle felted with the Boston Red Sox "B"

Need to start the MD bib. Bought some baseball buttons to use on them:

So plans for today are to work on the Martini cloth, get at least a few rows done on the sock and cast on for the bib.

A friend who went fishing in Alaska got home yesterday and is bringing us some fresh salmon today. I need to figure out what to do with it :)

Tomorrow the stitches come out of my butt and I have PT in the afternoon. Only 2 more weeks until school starts. The baby shower brunch is on the 27th and the Baby Boy BBQ is on the 3rd. Need to get to BabysRUs to add to the pile that is accumulating upstairs ;)

Need to try and order Spamalot tix tomorrow when they go on sale!

The Happy Hooker Interview @ ExpandedBooks.com

2006-08-10T06:46:00.000-04:00

First "J" cloth finished. Cast on for the "Martini" cloth for a friend. It was a toss up between that and the MD Bib. DH chose. The Happy Hooker Interview HUH? (NOT work or child friendly!) You Knit What?

Cloths

2006-08-09T11:01:00.000-04:00

Managed to get the Garterlac, using cotton off the large Peaches & Cream cone that I have, cloth done. Took a quick run to Michaels (Sugar & Cream) and Walmart (Peaches & Cream). Started the "J" cloth for GS using light blue Sugar & Cream. The ombre is for a Mason Dixon baby bib, and the pink is for a gf who's hubby is ill. I think I'll make a martini cloth for her and get some nice soap to go with it.

Compulsive and Bored

2006-08-08T08:04:00.000-04:00

OK, so I need to finish up all those UFOs! But meanwhile I cast on yesterday for the Garterlac Cloth. I seem to have this compulsion to start new things. But at least this is a quick one! I did take an Entrelac class last July and really wanted to see if I could do this. It's working up pretty quickly but I have to follow the directions since my mind doesn't quite grasp it. I am determined to own this concept though!

DROPS Design ~ Free knitting patterns

2006-08-08T06:41:00.000-04:00

DROPS Design ~ Free knitting patterns

Ordered

2006-08-07T09:06:00.000-04:00

Just ordered Spa & Bath Sets to Knit and Brokeback Mountain.

August FOs Goal

2006-08-07T07:17:00.000-04:00

Beautiful weather here in CT all weekend! Raining this morning though. Figures since I was up before 6 washing the outside garden window, the sliders and the bath window off the deck. I am determined to finish my UFOs! I will finish the incredibly boring Diagonal Baby Blanket. Want to get Bobbie Bear done before the shower too. Did I mention how much I hate Homespun?

Meanwhile, I joined the Monthly Dishcloth KAL. Directions are sent out in installments over 6 days, twice a month. No pictures, and no clues as to what it is. I really should have paid more attention, and been more patient, and waited until I could pick up some solid color cotton yarn. None-the-less, I started on day 4, and had to wait until day 5 and day 6 to finish up. Which I did yesterday. A solid color would have shown the Lighthouse up nicely! I'm hoping through this group or in my Internet travels I can find some sports themes, preferably baseball to match the GS's nursery.

The next one starts Aug 16 "Yarn color: you need 2 different colors. One can be plain and the other vareigated or both plain.Needle size: 7 (US) = 4.5 mmYarn amount: 2 small balls". KAL Blog suggests solid colors for the first one of the month, and vareigated or solid for mid-month.

Not sure if I will get to Michaels or the LYS today since I have mani/pedi and pt appointments and will probably stop for lunch in between since I need to be out of the house while the house cleaners come. I could use the variegated for the Garterlac. These pictures might help, even though I have done some Entrelac before. I don't even use dishcloths but they are quick satisfaction even if I am an incredibly slow knitter!

Part of the ensemble that Phil picked up for Effie sans the matching shirt and bandana:

Taken May 28, that's the Big Guy on the left:

Happy 58th Birthday to Joe

2006-08-04T07:02:00.000-04:00

TKGA 2

2006-08-03T11:35:00.000-04:00

So I decided to get serious about completing Level 2. I just sent an email off to see if I have the most up-to-date instructions since my revision date is 9/27/2004! I pulled the binder out of my craft room, and found that I had 5 swatches done, and finished the seed stitch boarder on one of the lace swatches, so that makes 6 done. ~~However I can't find the directions I was using for the lace pattern :(~~ I've never done an Argyle Sock before, and never wear vests. Maybe I'll just find a child's pattern and make one for my grandson. The directions I have say it needs to be an adult or child size and a picture of it being worn has to be included. Hmmm, I would need to find a model. After searching my new computer I found that ~~I don't have the questions backed up on my drive :(~~ Yes! Just checked my USB drive and there they are! Now let's just hope there aren't too many changes in the new directions. I even found the directions for lace swatch # 11. I've "heard" revisions are due out this month. I need to check the Master Knitters Ring, and the boards to see if I can find out.

Almost August

2006-07-30T08:23:00.000-04:00

Where did this month go??? Did finish the Baby Ball Cap, which needs to be felted and then needle-felt the red B on it.

Made some progress on the Diagonal Baby Blanket and the Booby Socks.

I HATE HOMESPUN!

Effie got spayed this week. She is doing great! Such a trooper. She's being very restful this morning.

I had a treatment on Wednesday that left me somewhat sore, but the treatment yesterday seemed to help. He is on vacation next week, so have to wait until the following Monday. Meanwhile I'll keep icing and flexing. Got a frantic text message from V that the bank had shut off her ATM card because of so much recent activity in Africa. After a trip to the local branch here I finally got a collect call phone number for her to use. Heard back this morning that she is doing well on Zanzibar.

I did manage to get the Baby BBQ invitations in the mail this week. That is after another trip to pick up invitations after I managed to put a bunch of them in the printer the wrong way and walked off :( Labor Day might not be the best date but at least V will be home for that weekend. All told there are 60 invited, but I know of 5 that will not attend right off the bat. Hey that was cute since the nursery theme is Baseball!

Still haven't decided on a menu although I had an interesting lunch this week: Baby Spinach with scallions, cukes, tomato, red onion, black olives, sun dried tomatoes with a raspberry vinaigrette, served with Crostini that was spread with pesto, sun dried tomato, sprinkled with blue cheese and melted under the broiler. Very tasty and filling.

Was thinking a Baby Back Ribs, Baby Spinach Salad etc... menu, but may just go with doing one of my "famous" make-ahead menus. I par-boil chicken the day before, prep the veggies and marinate overnight and then crisp and warm up on the grill. Lemon thyme rice that can be heated up in a chaffing dish. Need to work on the baseball/boy theme decorations though. I already bought favors.

Need to finish up Bobbi Bear.

July 14, 2006 Update

2006-07-14T07:27:00.000-04:00

It has been a long time since I posted here. I have been mostly trying to spend time with family and to recuperate. I've ditched all the medical people and have appointments twice a week with Dr. Brian. We're going slow, but with 1 electric stim, ice and flexing exercise treatment the pain in my right leg is mostly gone :) I've been driving a bit each day for a week now and trying to get further and further each day. Yesterday Effie and I went to the LYS and then I treated myself to a "Miss Piggy Goes to Paris" lunch.

J & T (27 weeks pregnant now) have been fulfilling their promise to Callie to take her to the dog park I discovered. Effie really is too small to be running with all those big dogs. The vet suggested we not take her there or to puppy day care because of communicable diseases.

Vanessa was home for the 4th for a couple of days before her African safari. Have only heard one story, about the attacking baboons in Nairobi and the half dressed guide running from the "rest room" to scare them away!

Made some progress on the knitting front:

First of the Booby Socks

Hubby's Top Down Raglan Sweater (still not sure if it is going to be big enough ;)

Some new patterns that just arrived:

The incredibly boring Diagonal Baby Blanket - makes for mindless knitting though...

I just had to cast on the Baby Ball Cap last night. Effie and I went to the LYS and picked up some ella rae classic Yardage: 219, Fiber Content: 100% Wool, Stitches: 5.5, Needle Size: 6, Weight: 100g. Since this will be felted I'm using US 10 DPNS which I had to purchase also.

AND I just had to post a new Effie pic. In 3 weeks she gained 9 oz and now weighs 4 lbs 5 oz! We really need to get her some white dog shampoo and conditioner. With all the rain we've had her beard is starting to discolor.

Effie's Car Seat

2006-06-29T06:54:00.000-04:00

Effie's new car seat came. She loves it, jumps right in!

Name, Website and Photos

2006-06-28T07:02:00.000-04:00

http://www.justintara.com/

Summer of Stash

2006-06-27T07:17:00.000-04:00

Summer of Stash - how much yarn can one person accumulate?

Grooming

2006-06-25T15:14:00.000-04:00

Effie's daily grooming session with Dad.

Effie's Chaise Lounge

2006-06-25T12:32:00.000-04:00

She just loves it! Tres chic, non?

"Real Children"

2006-06-23T20:50:00.000-04:00

OK, my REAL daughter, whom I love dearly, is packing up her apartment in San Francisco to put in storage while she is on some safari stuff in Africa for the next 2 months! Stories and escapades to follow, I am sure! And my Real son and Daughter-In-Law are expecting their first child. I love them both! We don't know the name yet, but we are calling him TP for now... Long story, another day. Look for his upcoming website: www.JustinTara.com But for now here is MOM, due October 11, 2006!

New Needle Keep, Effie, and Needles

2006-06-23T07:28:00.000-04:00

Surprise in the mail. I really LIKE these PVC NeedleKeeps! The larger opening was better for my Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock Booby Sock: Well, Effie went to the vet yesterday and other than a little ear hair and wax in one ear, she is just fine. Started the HeartGuard and Frontline. Here she is in her favorite spot. We put a spa towel on the floor for now until we buy her a bed. She is just so cute. After we play she picks up all her toys and brings them back here. She even takes her little treats there! KnitPicks is having a clearance sale on Addi's - my favorite needles. Too bad the credit card was so close :)

Booby Sock & Effie

2006-06-22T07:13:00.000-04:00

Managed, in spite of Effie to get a little done on the Booby Sock. I'm down to the Breast Cancer Awareness band, having finished the "Awareness Walk" and cuff.

There's nothing like an unruly child or dog! So I started training Effie right away. She had never had a color or leash, being raised in the home. Bought the cutest little color and matching leash. That along with a brush, pillow, car restraint (which I am going to return), 2 boxes of treats and a couple of elastics for her top knot that the groomer gave me and all the usually new customer "gifts".

Then to PetCo to get a bed for her crate, a few toys, travel water bottle, longer leash for outside and a booster seat. She did OK with it for a bit yesterday, but I am still on the look-0ut for something to go in the back of the car. That's where you put a baby car seat so they have to make something.

Effie never had a collar, and is not leash trained. So I started with just the collar. She did NOT like that, and spent the next couple of hours trying to rub it off. After a nap she seemed to settle in to it, so I attached the small leash and that took a while before she would move much with that on. No way is she going to walk on a lead yet, she would just lie on the floor.

Today she was much better with the long leash outside, and actually stayed out and played on the deck with it attached for a while. She is good with the smaller one inside too. She goes to the vet today, and the groomer next week. She seems to be getting "come" when she is in her playful mode, but tires of that game easily. Will have to try and work on the leash this afternoon.

She went to sleep at 9 last night, and at 5 this morning she was just sitting in her crate awake, not making a noise. She promtly went outside and did her duty!

Effie Update

2006-06-21T05:34:00.000-04:00

Ok, so she got up at 4:30 AM, I can deal with that. We crated her upstairs with us. She fell alsleep on the couch about 8, and we woke her up and took her out at 9:00. This morning we heard the FIRST sound out of her, sort of a combo whine/woof ;) 7.5 hours, not bad. After we took her out she so wanted to play! Big tough girl! Phil tries to set the timer last night to capture a "Family Portrait". Effie is the only one that looks anywhere near cute! Settling down to hear the morning birds.

Yup, she really has turned us into OLD lap-dog people!

Effie!

2006-06-20T21:12:00.000-04:00

OMG, Phil bought the cutest little puppy for me! We had been thinking Bichon, but am so glad he called about a Maltese. We had been doing a lot of research and had narrowed it down to those two. Both of us are so happy with the decision. She is so even tempered, friendly, affectionate - what else can you want. I wasn't able to go look at the dog, but I trusted his judgment. Actually he kind of planted the seed, since I've been home so long, not being able to drive, thinking it would be good company for me.

She had a little accident in the car on the ride home, but actually backed up and pooped in the little dish attached to the crate! We got her and the crate all cleaned up and she has been a delight.

She just follows us around, and sits on our laps. Right now she is asleep on the sofa with hubby.

My son and daughter-in-law came to visit and just fell in love with her. They even picked up some baby shampoo and a little doggie toy for her! They are definately BIG dog people, Callie is a, well they say not so large, Golden. Compared to Effie, she is HUGE!

Effie doesn't seem to want to use the doggie pads, but has been fine with going outside right off our deck and she goes every time we take her out!

Took her for a car ride to get my husband's car, and she was awesome!

Isn't she adorable? All we've done is play with her since she got home. I want to get her groomed but we just love her!

Effie perched on the sofa. Just sitting in my lap! Too cute! Hmmm, you talkin' about me?

Gotta scramble tomorrow to set up vet and grooming appointments. If the leg and back are OK in the morning might chance a trip to PetCo... We'll see - the driving is still a MAJOR issue for me! I've only driven about 15 minutes for the last 2 days - just to pick up Phil 'cuz his car died, and to pick up his car today.

Booby Sock

2006-06-16T09:35:00.000-04:00

This arrived on my doorstep on Wednesday for the Whenever Sock of the Month Project. ! 2 skeins Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock: 80% Superwash Wool, 20% Nylon; 215 yards, 7 sts = 1"; Machine Washabe; Dye Lot 8053 Pale Pink.

So as I was looking over the pattern, I decided I would add the beads on later using a crochet hook method I found on the web. Then I decided to swatch. The pattern calls for 8 sts/in on size US 2. I get 10 sts/in on size 2, 9 sts/in on size 3, and finally 8 stitches on size 4!

My ankle is 8.5" so @ 8 sts/in I really need 68, but that only puts me off by 1/2" so I think that will be OK, without looking too holey.

So I have been playing and fretting. I really prefer the denser fabric on the size 2, so I recalculated for that and would have cast on 80 instead of the 64 called for. Then I could go back and use the pattern for Simply Splended Socks to complete the heel flap and foot.

And then I got to thinking maybe use the size 4 for the cuff and decrease only down to 84 for the foot. Then I would have a lacier pattern on the cuff and a nice dense fabric for the foot. These would be clog socks anyway. Need to figure out how to do the toe. I'll use the Eye of the Partrige heel.

Maybe I am just thinking too much!

Still working on the sweater for hubby, and the Sixth Sense Socks.

Had epidural injections yesterday, and the Valium kicked my butt. Came home and slept for 2 1/2 hours!

Watermelon Socks

2006-06-15T06:18:00.000-04:00

So excited! I contacted Suffolk Wool Yarn and they should have the Watermelon self striping yarn sometime in August. Don't ya just love these socks!

Effie? & Weekend Getaway Satchel

2006-06-14T10:37:00.000-04:00

Hubby and I have been discussing getting a puppy to keep me company while I am home. I'll be home for the next 10 weeks, and since I have a vacation week every 7 - 8 weeks, I really am home alot.It's pretty isolating to be housebound, and I really don't know when the doc will let me drive. Hopefully the epidural injections tomorrow will help.

Had been considering a toy dog but I think we settled on a Bichon. He called this moring and found a local breeder not listed here but in Marlborough. A co-worker has had 2 of them. Knowing him, he'll call and most likely surprise me!

I think this is a very cool project.

It's from Interweave Knits magazine Fall 2005 issue and there is a kit that can be ordered. Substitute WOTA? Also found a KAL . I have no Intarsia experience so it would be a real learning experience!

Ugggg Word Press Frustrations

2006-06-10T14:07:00.000-04:00

Hubby went to see Spamalot on Broadway today. I couldn’t go along since I am still not mobile I am having epidural injections AGAIN on Thursday, and have to see the dermatologist on Wednesday. I hate for hubby to have to take all this time off, ~~so I may see if I can get a friend to drop me off, and then he can pick me up after work. The timing should work just fine.~~ Edited @ 9:23 hubby is not in agreement. He wants to take me.

So I played around with WordPress blog. I copied all my entries over to Blogger, deleted the entire database and reinstalled, then imported. I finally figured out how to get an image in the header, but not how to get rid of the box in front of it. Worked a bit on the sweater. Not sure I entirely understand the sleeve directions, but I am sure I will figure it out when I get there. This past Thursday a GF picked me up and we went for pedicures and lunch . Off to rest before a friend picks me up for dinner…

Stash and WIP

2006-06-07T11:59:00.000-04:00

Have to see the doc this afternoon. I am convinced that I will need the 3rd round of epidural injections, and will not finish the school year :( WordPress is still not playing nice. So I am coming back here, and will try reinstalling Word Press again. You can't carry over your comments though. With a technology degree you would think that I could figure it out. Maybe it's the meds. Knitting Progress: Top Down Sweater for hubby: The 24" circs are really full!

Meilenweit Magico Sock Knitting Yarn Color: C-2524 from The Naked Sheep arrived.STRETCHY CIRCULARS TO KNIT SOCKS! Also from The Naked Sheep Aluminum needles and clear polyurethane cord. The 10" elastic circular knitting needles work the same way as other circular knitting needles. Haven't tried them yet. http://theknitter.com/17standstfco.html " 1776 Stars and Stripes is printed to make red and white stripes alternating with a field of blue and white stars. The star shapes may vary depending on your gauge and number of stitches. Each 100 gr. ball contains a generous 460 yds. 75% wool, 25% nylon." Haven't decided for sure on a pattern. I think I like the look of starting with the blue for the top ribbing.

Still plugging away on the Sixth Sense Socks, making slow progress, that was the April/May pattern of the Six Sox KAL.

2006-05-28T11:21:00.000-04:00

I made a little progress on my Sixth Sense Sock. I’ve never done this heel before. I think I need to tighten up a little on the short row increases when I knit the wrapped stitches. The pattern was written by Susan Pierce Lawrence. Now for some reason Word Press doesn’t want to let me upload photos! Started to swatch for the Donegal Tweed Sweater…

IT'S A BOY!!!!

2006-05-26T10:52:00.000-04:00

The umbilical cord that the doc said was in the way on Tuesday turned out to be his little winky! Guess there will be no Ugg Baby Booties in the next week But this box arrived! V had her teeth done and is in a world of hurt, but sounded much better this morning.

New Blog

2006-05-25T12:28:00.000-04:00

Still trying to work with my Word Press blog. It is not playing nice today, and I lost my sidebar :(

Baby, Wisdom Teeth, FO & WIP

2006-05-25T09:21:00.000-04:00

Not too much progress, as I am waiting for the corticosteroid injections to kick in. The doc worked on L3 & 4 on Tuesday. If I sit too long, the pain kicks in. The initial ultrasound that the doc did, due to the tech being out sick, on Tuesday showed the umbilical cord in the way. She said she is 85% sure it is a girl. The tech is supposed to do another today at 1. Now I can start knitting some cute little girly stuff, instead of these benign colors. Hubby said he would take me to the LYS on Sat to pick up the yarn for the Ugg Baby Booties using my gift certificate! The youngest in SF is having all 4 wisdome teeth out today. Thank goodness that both she and her roommate are nurses. Being that far away I am just thankful that she will have full time nursing at home! FO: Jamie Classic (Lion Brand purchased through Smileys), Pistachio, used 8 skeins for the (Boring) Easiest Baby Blanket pattern, yarn doubled throughout. Finished size 30 x 36. Siz US 15 Addi 24″ circular needle. Remind me again how much I hate knitting with Acrylic. At least they can wash it with ease, and it is a heavy warm blanket which will be good since the baby is due in October. And I bought 10 skeins, when I was doing an order for the club, so it only cost $16 since I only used 8. Made for some mindless Vicodin knitting though. OTN: Sixth Sense Socks from the Six Sock Knit Along which is closed for membership right now. I am so late in starting this since the new sock is due out at the beginning of June. I’ll just continue to work at my own pace. Sixth Sense Socks, Vintage Reynolds Monte Carlo, 100 wool, Color Olive, Dye Lot 62628, 50 gms, 205 yards, on 5 size US 2 dpns. Also made a little progress on the T3, pattern from Knitty.com. Vintage Brunswick 100% Pure Shetland Wool, S 79 Lowland Green, 1 oz skeins, on US 5 Addi Turbo 40″ circular. Also there was some chatter on SockKnitters about the Fortissima Socka Stars and Stripes # 1776. I could only find it, doing a Google Search from a place in the Netherlands, so I posted to the Yahoo Group for help. Mary from The Knitting Zone, along with some others responded with sources. I ended up ordering from The Knitting Zone and Mary told me it would be shipped out today! AND with a 10% discount for SockKnitters! Just looks like a fun yarn to work up. I think I need to get back to work soon, since I have been spending like a wild woman! I also ordered labels from Herrschners - 1 pkg with my name, another with Mom, but I forgot to order “Grandma” I also ordered the 10 inch stretchy circulars in size US 2 for a new toy to play with. Of course I needed yarn to try them out so I ordered Meilenweit Magico Sock Yarn in Color C-2525. I contacts Webs yesterday about the Donnegal Tweed. Seems my order got misplaced but they promised to ship it out today, with free shipping. That’s for the Top Down Raglan for Hubby. I measured the rest of the Cherry Tree Hill Silk and Merino DK. I have 2 balls of 94 yards each. I’m going for the pedicure socks! Like I don’t have enough stash already. AND, What was I thinking?

Gifts

2006-05-20T08:59:00.000-04:00

These came in the mail yesterday! Gifts from son using the gift card he gave me for Mother’s Day! Making progress on the incredibly boring baby blanket. Still waiting for yarn delivery to start Knitting Pure and Simple Men’s Top Down Raglan #991. Son took me to the doc on Wednesday. Having more epidural injections on Tuesday, and am out of work until June 7. This is getting real old!

Cherry Tree Hill Panorama Socks Done!

2006-05-15T11:21:00.000-04:00

Actually did finish these on Saturday, just had to finish weaving the ends on the second sock. These were done in Cherry Tree Hill Old Rose on #2 dpns - 8 sts/1 inch. The pattern is Panorama Socks from the Knitting Patterns-a-day Calendar, July 21. I brought the pattern all the way down the instep, and used a Twisted German cast-on with 64 stitches. I also used a little trick I learned from the Magic Loop booklet and twisted all the picked up gusset stitches (ktbl). What I didn’t like about the pattern is how far down the gusset goes. The toe should start 2 - 2/14 inches before the end rather than the 1 1/2 the pattern called for. ALSO one should really think about beginning a project with $36 yarn @ 313 yards when the pattern calls for a sock yarn @ 211 2 balls for a total of 422! So these are now my $72 socks!!! AND now what do I do with the 200 yards left over??? Also got some progress on the baby blanket yesterday. Hope to get that done over the next few days. Someone please remind me how much I hate knitting with acrylic!

The Donegal Tweed should be on my door step soon, and I have the doc on Wednesday, and am assuming the injections on Thursday.

Had a nice brunch with son yesterday, and hubby bought and steamed a 2 1/2 pound lobster for me last night!

Saturday

2006-05-13T08:43:00.000-04:00

Still can’t driveso can’t get over to spend my birthday gift certificates unless hubby will take me after work. Not sure that will happen since I feel so bad that he is working on a Saturday. AND they are having a 15% off everything in the shop sale It’s also their premie hat day, and since I am on the K2Tog committee I really should try and be there. Haven’t been to any meetings though with this back issue. I feel really bad about that… Still convinced that I am going to have another round of epidural injections next week. Fortunately J is off on Wednesday so he can take me to the doc. Hubby will need to take another day off for the injections though. I will get those socks finished today. I will get those socks finished today. I will get those socks finished today. The Vicodin is kicking my butt today. Ordered some Donegal Tweed for a sweater for hubby. Originally ordered 826 Navy, but they were out of that so I ordered the denium #899. I think he is more of a denium guy anyway

Content 100% Irish Wool Weight/Yardage: 100m gm/183 yards/ball Gauge: 4 1/2 sts = 1″ #8 or #9 needles Knitting Weight: Worsted Price: Normally $10.99/ball , closeout at $5.29

On the door-step last night was a Mother’s Day surprise! OMG, smells so awesome! From the San Francisco daughter of course!

Birthday, Garage and Knitting

2006-05-11T08:42:00.000-04:00

Still out on sick leave with these 3 bulging discs, at least until next Wednesday’s appointment with the doc. Had a nice birthday yesterday. Cards, cakes, gift certificates for yarn and for the nail salon and some handcream! Besides hitting the garage door when I tried to drive on Tuesday, not doing too much. A little knitting, still working on the socks. Picked up my new glasses yesterday. Still trying to get used to the increase prescription in the right eye. Of course I had to wait until hubby got home to take me Finally got a pic of the finished sweater:

Got Yarn!

2006-05-07T14:53:00.000-04:00

OK, got another hank of Cherry Tree Hill, and in the same dye lot! I will have enough left over to make the pedicure socks from SpunMag or Knitty. And YES, one of the other Bobbi Bear knitter had a left-over hank of Blue Sky Alpaca Bulky so now my Bobbi can get his other ear, and his neck trim. Got a couple new patterns Knitting Pure and Simple Men’s Top Down Raglan #991 and Fiber Trends Felted Clogs. And a pic of the blanket beginning: Hubby was so patient while I picked up what I needed, and didn’t need . Laura, the owner of the LYS even offered to come and take me to lunch tomorrow, since I can’t get out myself. She is just so sweet!

Yarn Shortage Again

2006-05-07T11:19:00.000-04:00

Don’t ya hate when this happens? I ran out of Cherry Tree Hill Silk & Merino dk. A 50/50 silk and merino blend dk weight with a put up of 4 oz / 313 yards. Gauge: 20 sts and 29 rows to 4″ on size 5 needles. I’m using #2 dps and Old Rose. I should have know, and of course I did The pattern called for Phildar Preface, 70% superwash wook, 30% nylon 193 m = 211 yards - 2 balls for a total of 422 yards. I even shortened the leg from 8″ to 7″. I opted to continue the 4 round lace repeat down the instep. Since I can’t drive yet (due to the epidural injections last Thursday, but mostly because of the Neurontin and Vicodin) so hubby offered to take me over to the LYS to pick up some more. They don’t open ’til 1 though. At $36.00 a hank, these are going to be the most expensive socks I will own. They will look cute with my new birks though! With the remainder of the yarn I am going to make pedicure socks from SpunMag or Knitty. I also want to pick up a felted clog pattern. I started a new baby blanket in Lion Brand Jamie Classic: Pistachio.

For K/C Club?

2006-04-30T07:53:00.000-04:00

http://www.wovenspun.com/fp_logcabin.htm Crochet Log Cabin Square

Limited Knitting

2006-04-30T07:30:00.000-04:00

Not much news on the knitting front as the MRI that I had on the 14th showed 3 bulging disks that are impinging the nerves. Saw the orthopedic surgeon who referred me to the Psyiatrist that my PC originally wanted me to see. Both PC and orthopedic surgeon are thinking epidural cortisone injections. That appointment is on Wednesday. Living on meds for much longer is not an option! Made some lifestyle changes. Bought 5 pair of Birkenstocks, and am ordering a couple pair of Dansko. Getting rid of all those cute little shoes I have; giving up the heels. 50 years old and wearing sensible shoes! Knitting:

I just noticed that I didn’t take a picture of my finished Caviar Sweater – need to do that.
Finished 1 of the Cherry Hill Tree Panorama Socks, size 2 US. Almost to the heel on the second. I hope I have enough yarn! At $36 a skein this will be a very expensive pair of socks. If I do have to buy another hank I’ll make the pedicure socks with rest.
6” done on the Cotton Tots blanket, with the sweater needed to be finished sewing up, and the hat binding finished.
Cast on, and have 3 rows done on T3 . Of course mine will be a little longer! Using Brunswick 100% pure Shetland wool from my stash and size 5 40” Denise circular rather than the straights suggested in the pattern. This is my first attempt at altering the pattern this way. It just doesn’t make sense to me to have to do all that sewing at the end. The front and backs are done the same way up to a point, so why not do both at the same time and eliminate the seams?
Still waiting on some Blue Sky Alpace Bulky so Bobbi Bear can have 2 ears! Might have to buy a hank if the LYS can’t find any.
I am determined to make a sweater for hubby. Thinking Knitting Pure and Simple Knitting Pure and Simple Men’s Sweaters - 991 - Neckdown Pullover for Men but I have the Top Down Calculator, and The Knitting Fool Calculator looks easy enough
I’ve bagged the mitered square jacket. I like the techniques and at some point want to do something, just don’t like the hand of the fabric, as written.

Pedicure Socks

2006-04-12T17:45:00.000-04:00

Just what I need so I don’t have to wear those flimsy paper ones! Have about 6.5″ done on my first Panorama Sock (from 2006 Knitting Pattern-a-Day July 21), size 2 dpns, using Cherry Tree Hill Silk/Merino in Old Rose.

Yarn Shortage

2006-04-07T10:03:00.000-04:00

OK, so I worked on Bobby yesterday. Finished his arms, and got one ear done - but now I am out of yarn! A one ear bear! I’ll go back to CF and see what they have tomorrow since I need to return a couple of stitch markers to the ML instructor anyway. Not doing the Mitered Jacked Class. Working on second pair of Guinea Hen Happy Feet Sock and just cast on with Cherry Hill Tree yarn for a pair of socks for me.

ML Socks Done!

2006-04-06T10:54:00.000-04:00

Now to finish Bobby Bear, and the baby blanket. We won’t find out if it’s a boy or a girl until sometime in May. So far I’ve decided not to continue with the Mitered Squares Jacket. I really don’t like the look of it and am pretty sure it would not be something I would wear so why bother?

Sock Progress

2006-03-31T06:49:00.000-05:00

ML US#5 40" Addi Turbo, Encore Worsted Weight

Socks - Lots of Links

2006-03-31T06:46:00.000-05:00

Monday

2006-03-20T05:57:00.000-05:00

Got a new PC built for me over the weekend! Managed to get the heel turned on the 1st ML sock, and started the second. Finally got the seams done on the Caviar Sweater. 4 Mitered Squares are done. Not sure if I am going to like the colors or the weight of the fabric. Found this one that I liked in the black/white colorway. Need to get the camera out!

Sunday

2006-03-12T11:36:00.000-05:00

Beautiful weather. Too bad I’ve felt so awful, adjusting to starting on Atenolol for bp. I just know that chol meds are going to be added next week. We got to see sonogram of the 9 week old on Friday. The 2 future parents are just so darned cute! The baby is about 1” long, but heart, head, limbs can be clearly seen. I think I am more excited to get going on registry items, colors for the room and getting stuff made for the baby. Knowing the sex will help. Glad they are going to find out. Names are another issue. I tend to agree with J’s choices and am not overly fond of T’s. Guess I should just keep my mouth shut:) Knitting update: Magic Loop – frogged the Cherry Tree Hill Silk & Merino DK, and went with the Plymouth Encore, color 403 Dark Greys Heather. I had actually bought this for these projects (Dec 27) but completely forgot. I think I am getting the hang of it, but still am concerned about ladders. We’ll see. Have about 3″ done, but need to have 8″ - 9″ done before Saturday.

Mitered Squares Jacket class starts next Saturday.
Baby Ensemble Sweater is almost together, booties are done, need to pick up and finish the edging on the hat, and working on the blanket.
Sweater is still sitting with 1 shoulder done.
Bobby Bear needs arms.
Chain Link Scarf has been abondoned I think.
Still working on Happy Feet Socks #2.

Catching Up

2006-03-05T07:19:00.000-05:00

We’re back from SF. Didn’t get to any yarn shops but had a wonderful time. During the week I got a sweater, booties and hat done using Bernat Cotton Tots, Sweet Dreams. The blanket is started.

Went to a Magic Loop Sock class yesterday. Think I have the hang of it, but not liking the joins. The instructor said to leave them loose but I think I may have some serious ladders. So far I prefer dps but I am going to give it a chance. I’m using the Cherry Tree Hill Silk & Merino DK in Old Rose (50/50 silk and Merino blend, 313 yds/4 oz.) My guage is 6 sts = 1″ on size 5 needles. Caviar sweater is done and just needs to be put together. “Happy Feet” socks are progressing.

Felted Patterns

2006-02-08T11:56:00.000-05:00

Free Felted Patterns Freebie Felted Patterns & Links

SF Here We Come

2006-02-08T11:50:00.000-05:00

SF SnB Noe Knit - http://noeknit.com/ 3957 24th Street San Francisco, CA 94114Open 7 days a week Monday - Thursday 11:00 am - 8:00 pm, Friday - Saturday - Sunday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm. Located on 24th, between Noe and Sanchez. Directly across from Bell market. Atelier Yarns - http://www.atelieryarns.com/1945 Divisadero StreetSan Francisco CA 94115Fall/Winter Hours: * Tuesday - Saturday 11 am - 6 pm * Sundays Noon - 4pm * Closed on Mondays Greenwich Yarn and Stitchworks - http://www.greenwichyarn.com/Tucked along a side street in the popular Marina district:2073 Greenwich StreetSan Francisco, CA 94123(415) 567-2535Hours: Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri 11am-6pm; Sat 10am-6pm, Sun noon-4pm, Closed Wed ImagiKnit - http://www.imagiknit.com/ 3897 18th Street at the corner of Sanchez, a block west of Mission Dolores Park (I went here last year) Artfibers - http://www.artfibers.com/124 Sutter St. San Francisco, CA 94104 Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm (I went here last year)

J & T are Pregnant!

2006-02-08T06:45:00.000-05:00

Need to get busy! Letters Baby Patterns More

Lighted Knitting Needles

2006-01-29T11:32:00.000-05:00

Check this out! http://stores.ebay.com/Lighted-Knitting-Accessories

Free to Stitch, Free to Bitch

2006-01-28T11:24:00.000-05:00

http://freetostitchfreetobitch.org/index.htm

Moving

2006-01-28T09:27:00.000-05:00

Still attempting to move!

Knitting Olympics

2006-01-20T11:22:00.000-05:00

Besides the craziness at work, and the blasted sweater/class/teacher/monster I am going to attempt the Picovoli for the Knitting Olympics (see sidebar). The meeting with the LF went just as predicted yesterday… On the home front we’ll get to meet the newest grandson tomorrow. Feb - CATS & Beach Blanket Babylon

It's Official

2006-01-18T03:42:00.000-05:00

I am a dork and KALer. I am determined to get this WP thing going. I downloaded it and have been playing but it still doesn’t look exactly like I want it to be. I did download another template. I would prefer a 3 column layout, but couldn’t get that to work with the template I downloaded. Looks like I will need to upload all the pictures again, if I don’t want it to continue to reference blogger. I cast on for the Pivocoli (pattern by Grumperina). I joined the SKC KAL. I cast on to swatch Reynold’s Saucy that I picked up at The Fabric Place last summer. Color 396. 5 1/2 sts = 1″ on US 9. (100% worsted weight mercerized cotton 100 GR / 185 yards Machine washable and dryable). And looking ahead, actually got some good info: “Here’s how it works.You know the knitted cast-on, just in general? You have a stitch on the left needle, insert right needle into stitch as if to knit, pull a loop through, then put it on the needle. Rinse and repeat.Here it’s the same idea.When it’s time to cast-on for the underarms, you will need to take your work and turn it around. Okay, now you have some stitches on the left needle. Proceed with knitted cast-on BUT instead of doing pseudo-knit stitches, do pseudo-purl stitches. Insert needle as if to purl, wrap yarn, pull through, place on needle. Repeat until it’s time to join the other stitches (at which point, turn your work around again)!It makes such a nice, clean edge on the right side. SO nice. HTH Grumperina”

Mermaid

2006-01-15T09:27:00.000-05:00

Mermaid Seriously thinking about ordering this. The cost at LYS is $250, but look here! And a KAL.

Picovoli

2006-01-14T14:53:00.000-05:00

MagKnits KAL Designer Notes Tivoli KAL (I think this is the older pattern)

Sweater and Sock Progress

2006-01-14T09:21:00.000-05:00

Sweater back is finished, and front done up to v-neck armholes. " Happy Feet" Socks # 2:

Bag Patterns List

2006-01-13T05:41:00.000-05:00

http://www.blacksheepbags.com/booga_bag.html http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATTsuki.html http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter03/PATTfrenchmarket.html http://www.magknits.com/warm04/patterns/sophie.htm http://www.oakenking.com/bobblebag24.jpg http://home.earthlink.net/~bruxknits/pats/BelleBag.pdf http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/bagcellphone.htm http://freefriends.org/~mare/pattern1.html http://www.viv.dk/EDownloads/DominoBag.pdf http://home.pacbell.net/kapleo/blog/domesticspherepatterns.html http://www.livejournal.com/users/purlewe/2004/03/15/ http://www.jenanne.com/PATTERNfeltedbag.htm http://www.knitkit.com/SpecialCompanion.htm (from the Felted_Bag_KAL)

2006 Knit-Alongs

2006-01-12T06:20:00.000-05:00

2006 Knit-Alongs

Rambling

2006-01-09T19:59:00.000-05:00

OK, I am officially miserable. This cold is still kicking my butt! I also remembered that Miss Know-It-All teacher also told me that I might want "to wash my swatch to see if that is really the effect" that I wanted for the sweater. Good Gawd. Sure, now I am going to rip the whole thing, and what pick out another $100 or so of yarn??? Maybe use the yarn as perlite for my house plants? Back at work, my supervisor stopped by to see if I had any documents for her collection. When I told her they would be coming during the next rotation she asked me "Is that in your yearly map"? Aggghhhhh, I could scream! As AR as she is, she has got to know (remember) that I have got to be one of the most organized, on-top-of-things person she has in the department. We received, once again, a duplicate email from one of her superiors, just to make sure that we knew it was a good idea! When I reminder her that we already receive it, she told me that her group addresses included all of us. So I told her I just love the delete key. Her response "just take that sword and turn it harder". She really needs to get a life! Hubby teased me that I only got another 3/4 of an inch done on my sweater. I am determined to teach him to knit! I need to pull out that camera. Maybe tomorrow...