Fall Knitting and Yukky Weather

It would have been nice if the rain could have been spread out a little at a time over the summer instead of coming all at once. There is flooding everywhere here. And it is cold. And when it gets cold, all I can think about is winter knitting. This didn't help:

I think this is a great issue. There are several things in here I would knit. (If I had time)

This is one of them:

I think I have enough of the yarn from Ireland left over to do this sweater. I'm going to have to measure it out. This would be great with jeans.

There was another cable V-neck sweater I liked in this issue but it is too similar to something you buy at T.J. Maxx to take the time to knit it. I have a rule about knitting sweaters. If the pattern is something you could buy very easily, then why bother knitting it? Case in point:

Very cute. Very "me". But I could walk into any store and buy a very similar sweater. The sweater above is unusual and unique. I couldn't find that anywhere so might as well knit it.

There is another very unique cardigan in this issue that I'd knit. It has a tangled cable yoke. Cute cute cute.

The beach was great. I want to go back.

Off to the beach!

As for beach knitting, I'll be taking it. I just don't know if I'll be DOING it.

I've been working on some spa cloths... experimenting with different patterns... more about that later. Kertzer Butterfly Cotton is an awesome yarn for those cloths if anyone is thinking of getting started on some Christmas gifts.

And the surprise project is....

Knitty's Monkey Hat!

Pattern: Sock Monkey Hat by Sheryl Lange (on knitty.com)

Done is size M

Materials Used: Kraemer Summit Hill superwash wool - worsted weight - two strands held together throughout.

Colors: Topaz, Pearl, Ruby (I used left over black yarn for the eyes and nose)

notes: I started the small for Colin and realized it was too small. I did the medium and it barely fits. However, I used substitute yarn and I did not check gauge so that's what happens. I'd knit the large for a toddler if I was doing it all over again with this yarn. The yarn the pattern calls for is no longer available.

Yay! Friday!

I'm not sure what I'm "yaying" about because I have an insane work day and an insane work weekend ahead of me. I guess it just sounds good. Friday. Thank God it's Friday. I can dream.

Anyhow, I have a secret project. I'll share it when it's finished but it's a surprise for someone who lurks here from time to time. It's so darn cute I can't stand it. And of course it wormed it's way in among all the other things I have started and put the kabosh to those projects. I guess that's what knitting is all about. I will say one thing about it. I'm knitting it with worsted weight superwash wool (Summit Hill) by Kraemer Yarns. That is one nice yarn. It feels good and looks good. I'm not knitting a sweater, but this yarn would make an awesome sweater. I got it here:
Victoria's House of Needleart

I'm still stuck on Colin's sweater. The dirctions are so wrong. I think. I'm going to try hard to find time to get some help tomorrow. I was zipping right along on that until dang row 14 of pattern. It's so wrong. And no errata to be found anywhere. That is so frustrating.

Have a great weekend! Knit on.

C'mon n' Vogue

It's out. I wait for this. I'm always fascinated by this magazine. If someone said to me... There will only ever be one knitting magazine printed again and you can choose which one, this would be it. The patterns are incredible. The modeling and photography are awesome. I think what sets it apart is the presentation. It's what you would expect from Vogue.

Now, having said all this, here's the thing.... If it was the only knitting magazine ever printed again, I'd be up the creek. I KNIT from other magazines. I utilize them. I wear them out. I've never knit anything from a Vogue Knitting magazine in my life. But I keep a pile of them a mile high. I throw other magazines out after time. I keep these.

I'll never figure it out. When I analyse it, I think that these patterns are patterns I aspire to someday when I get good. (and, really, they aren't that hard!) Do they just seem intimidating because some super fashion model with weird lipstick and eye make-up has them on? Do I attempt even more difficult patterns from Interweave Knits because the people wearing them look like they might have walked out of the house next door?

Interesting. Huh?

Oh, by the way, there is a really neat Debbie Bliss cabled jacket in this issue and the pattern can be downloaded free at www.vogueknitting .com. (I don't know if I'd use the DB cashmerino aran yarn it calls for though... from the looks of things, the sleeves in the photo are already looking a tad fuzzy)

Weekend Knitting... and lots of it!

I was a bad bad girl. I neglected housework. I neglected the shopping I needed to do. But I did knit. Since I didn't have any socks on needles I decided to stash bust with a pair of little toddler socks. I forgot about all the pink in that Trekking yarn when I started them for Colin. So, now, I may just include them in some charity knitting.

As you can see, the back of Colin's sweater is coming. I am on row 14 (after the moss stitch border) and it isn't making any sense at all so I'm wondering if there is a mistake in the pattern (or, more likely, a mistake in my brain) These cable patterns usually flow, and you can tell what you're doing makes sense, and this row is not making sense. I've knit it and ripped it 5 times now. I guess the next step is ...HELP!

I put a few rows on the never ending pink lace shawl too. I think I'm done with that until my new needles come. I need POINTS!!

Thank Goodness For Lifelines

In the last two weeks, I have ripped down to the lifeline 3 times on my shawl. I'm not sure what my problem has been after not making any mistakes on it for months. But those lifelines sure are handy little things. I've even gone so far as to keep two lifelines in the piece just in case. (I'm a little neurotic)

















I keep thinking that if I had known about lifelines when I started (and started, and started, and started) the Michaela shawl, I'd be wearing it now instead of having it on the "to do" list.

Colin's sweater is a blast. I LOVE cables! It's going to be so cute. Photos soon!

Colin's Sweater

I started Colin's new sweater last night. On size 2's. Ugh. It's going to be a long haul. I bought this book last year and I'm happy to be using it. She wanted the pullover for him so that's what it will be. It's being done in Kraemer yarn's Tattamy Tweed (dk) which I have used before.

As for the pink lace shawl, I'm using the rationale that it has to be put on hold until I get the proper tool to finish it. I ordered a new addi turbo circular needle specifically designed for lace knitting with much pointier tips than the needles I had been using.

I bought a book last night with patterns for knit toys. I'm sure that was a wise investment. Because I have so much time to sit and knit toys. :-)

The latest Meme

BLAST FROM THE PAST
Blast From the Past
A High School Meme, borrowed from CHERYL

1. Who was your best friend? I had two.. Terrie and Linda
2. What sports did you play? Softball and Tennis (not well either)
3. What kind of car did you drive? My mother’s Buick something or other.
4. It’s Friday night, where were you? Probably at Terrie's house.
5. Were you a party animal? No.
6. Were you considered a flirt? No.
7. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? I think I was in the chorus.
8. Were you a nerd? I wouldn't say nerd. But I was probably one step away.
9. Did you get suspended/expelled? Oh, I was WAY too boring for that.
10. Can you sing the fight song? We had an alma mater. Not a fight song. I know the first line.
11. Who was your favorite teacher? Mr. Thompson. He taught personal typing. I took one year.
It was the most intelligent thing I could have done. No other class has served me so well.
12. School mascot? A tiger
13. Did you go to Prom? yes
14. If you could go back and do it over, would you? I wouldn't go back, but if I had to, I'd do it
a lot differently.
15. What do you remember most about graduation? It was inside due to weather and I kept thinking my boyfriend, who was in the Air Force would show up and surprise me. He didn't.
16. Where were you on senior skip day? There was no senior skip day. Or if there was, I was
unaware.
17. Did you have a job your senior year? Yes, I worked at Grant's department store.
18. Where did you go most often for lunch? No one left the building. Lunch was the cafeteria
and ONLY the cafeteria.
19. Have you gained weight since then? I was never thin. But to answer the question, yes.
20. What did you do after graduation? Went to college for one year.. then work.
21. Who was your Senior prom date? My boyfriend at the time, Tim.
22. Are you going / did you go to your 10 year reunion? I went. I'm over it now.
23. Who was your home room teacher? I remember one. He was gay when no one was gay.
24. Who will repost this after you? Beats me.

Finally Socks

It seemed to take forever for these socks. First of all, it was the first pair I ever did two at a time using two sets of dp's. I made the mistake of cutting the yarn every time I started work on the second sock instead of separating the yarn into two balls to start. So that was a mistake that created a lot of unnecessary loose ends to weave in at the end. Lesson learned. It was nice to have a pair of socks at the end of my knitting but I have to say that I may go back to one at a time. These were made using Tofutsie yarn available here:
Victoria's House of Needleart

I have misplaced my blue trellis and vine wrap. I spent about an hour looking for it the other day and I'm just sick that I mgiht have accidently left it somewhere. It's the perfect wrap for cool nights at the beach with a white shirt and jeans. So tonight I will go through some boxes of winter clothes (I can't believe I would have put it away) and tear apart a few closets in search of it.

I am STILL plugging away at the lace shawl. Every night I have to fight with myself to work on it and not start something new. I know for a fact that I won't finish it before I do start something new but the game now is to see how long I can last before I do it.

I've watched the last two edisodes of "Saving Grace" with Holly Hunter. There was so much hype about that show and I have to say that I'm sort of up in the air with it. I can't decide whether I like it or hate it. I really like Holly Hunter. But if push came to shove, I think I'd have to say ... two thumbs down. It's not that I don't like the whole fantasy angel thing. I just think the writing is below average.

I think it's time to get some work done. But I'd love to go home and knit.

note added later: I finally got Colin's chest measurement. It's looking bad for the pink lace shawl!

Hump Day

This week is dragging. I just want it to be the weekend. My sinus infection is once again slowly gaining momentum. Obviously one antibiotic was not enough to kick it's butt. So I'm feeling lousy again. The good news is that I have an already-scheduled doctor appointment today for a check-up so I can address the issue while I'm there.

On to knitting...
One of my favorite blogs is Brooklyn Tweed. This guy can knit. And he knits fast. I wonder if he works. Probably. I must not have read that far back to see what it is he actually does besides knit. Anyhow, I found this pattern there this morning. I may have to make these soon just because I want to. They are adorable. http://members.home.nl/tdpj/Patronen/Bootees/Saartjes%20bootees.pdf

I don't know of any babies coming but I'll have them ready when they do.

Work is slowing down now. It always does the end of July and August. It will pick back up in September. I'm happy for the break. I found myself at home yesterday at 5:00pm and it was just plain weird! I put two more repeats on the pink lace stole and I have 5 to go to start the borders.

My Love Affair with The Wrap

I have knitting on the brain all day long. I take time out from thinking about knitting to get some work done occasionally. Lately I've realized that all I really want to knit are wraps. Take this one for example:

A free pattern in PDF format from Kraemer Yarns.... done in their alpaca yarn.

http://www.kraemeryarns.com/patterns/pdfs/vintage-shawl.pdf

I really want this wrap! And I have the yarn to make another Lady Eleanor which I also really want to start. And I've seen about 3 other wrap patterns that I love as well.

Instead, what I did start the other day was Colin's new sweater. After I got about 3 inches into the back I realized that it might fit me. What's with those British patterns? Are their size 3 toddlers like HUMONGOUS? Needless to say I ripped it out and am now in search of a different pattern since that was the smallest size.

Not to change the subject or anything but I went to the gym to work out this morning and there was this 75 year old woman walking on the treadmill beside me going about 10 times faster than I was at in incline that would have put me into cardiac arrest in about 30 seconds. What's up with that? What a show off! :-)

Goin to go get my 3's today!

I'll make a quick trip to the LYS today to get my size 3 needles to start Colin's sweater. Hopefully I'll have something to show for it next week. I just can't wait to get started on it. I love knitting easy. My brain needs a break.

Here is one of my miniature sunflowers. I planted a million sunflower seeds and the birds and chipmonks dug them up and ate most of them. I actually watched them do it and there wasn't anything I could do about it short of putting some kind of wire screen over top of them until they germinated but I wasn't into going to all that trouble. Anyhow, this one survived.

I'm sure you're wondering how the gym is going. Here is the thing about not exercising for 25 years and then jumping into it full force... I'm just happy to be alive. I had three days of muscle aches that I thought might kill me. Now it's gone, I've lost 5 pounds since Monday, and I'm feeling pretty good about myself. I have been dieting as well so the exercise is not fully responsible for the weight loss. I just hope I can keep it up.

For those of you who exercise on a regular basis, there is an energy muffin recipe in this magazine on the newstands now that is just what your early morning work-out calls for:

And there are some other great recipes in this issue as well.

Don't worry. I'm not going to turn this into a diet and excersise blog. That would be pretty far removed from my usual state of mind. But I was just really reaching today since no knitting is going on.

What Happened To My 3's??

The bad news is that I decided to start Colin's new sweater when I really shouldn't have and the good news is that I couldn't find any # 3 needles to do it. So I was saved due to lack of equipment. What this means is that as long as I can resist going to buy new needles, I will continue to work on the pink lace shawl which is what I should be doing. Here is the sweater and yarn Kelly chose for him:

Should be very easy. I like easy. Easy works for me.

I finished the skinny scarf. Just need to weave in loose ends.

Cute yarn.

Knitting Some...

I've been an absentee blogger, I know. But I have been knitting a little. I finished Kelly's skinny scarf (photo tomorrow maybe?) and now I have to figure out what to do about a hat to match.

We went to the LYS (finally) the other day and I got some new yarn to make Colin a sweater for Fall. My intention is to put a few more repeats on the pink lace shawl before I start his sweater. I'd like to at least get to the point where I start the border. I have not read ahead in that pattern. That's probably a good thing. Because when I get to the point where I read that I don't know how to finish it after all this work, I'm going to scream.

Since my life isn't crazy enough, I joined a gym this week. My intention is to go Monday through Friday at 7:00AM and work out and take the weekend off. And if I miss a day through the week, I'll try to get there on Saturday. I really don't have time for this, but I also really need it. I need more energy to get me through my days and the only way I'm going to get it is by charging up my metabolism and energy level. It's kind of weird that you have to expend energy to get more energy. But I guess that's how it works. And if I get stronger, and lose some weight in the bargain, well then I guess it will all be worth it. Anyhow, I have to say, it feels good so far.
(well actually every muscle in my body aches but I think you know what I mean)

Hopefully I'll have some photos tomorrow.

I miss knitting!

I put one repeat on the pink lace shawl the other night and haven't touched anything since. I'm so tempted to start Kelly's scarf and hat with the manos del uruguay we bought in NYC. They will go quickly on big needles. But of course, if I do that, I'll let the pink thing sit just like I did before.

I want to start so many things. Fall is coming and I'd like to start a sweater for Colin too. He got a little boy haircut yesterday. His baby curls are gone. He looks a year older. I'm going to miss his curls.

Tonight is the big yarn sale at my LYS. I don't need yarn. I'm commited to busting my stash. But it won't hurt to go and LOOK, right?? And I do have the Mother's Day gift certificate. I miss all of my knitting friends. But work will settle down soon and I'll be back at it again. I have an easy day today in fact. Which is a mighty rare occasion these days.

Here is a photo of me and Colin taken last week (before his haircut)
















And Colin after:

It's been a while...

I know. I've been a bad blogger. That's because I've been a bad knitter! Who has time? But I did finish this:

Cate was supposed to model it for me but we haven't been able to catch up with each other long enough to get it done.

I finally got the kitchener stitch. It takes all of my concentration. I'll think I'll just continue doing my socks the way I always have... the wrong way!

So it's back to the pink lace- weight wrap again. When I have time. I sort of started to enjoy that process a little more the last time I worked on it, but I hated putting in the lifelines. The lifelines have saved me more than once though, so they are a necessary evil and must continue to be inserted. Maybe I could just do them every 16 rows instead of every 8 rows. With my luck, I'd screw up on the 15th row and want to kick myself! More on the pink thing later.

Random Rambling

I have no knitting. I'm still staring at the kitchener project. Staring, not doing.

I have the bug to read lately and that's not good. I can't read and knit. I have so little free time it's one or the other. I've always wanted to read Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina so I purchased it yesterday at Barnes and Noble. I'm going to try to get into it before our beach trip in August so I have something to read at the beach. I think it's not a book to start at the beach, but one to be pretty well into before beachy distractions. I get it into my head that I want to read the classics and then when I start one of them I get so bored I have to quit. We'll see how this one goes.

I realized the other day that my saved "favorite places" on the computer are out of control and need weeded out. It takes me forever now to find what I'm looking for. When I see a knitting pattern online that I like I automatically put it into my favorite places. So I got rid of a lot of them yesterday. Here are a few that have to stay. These are definite "someday" patterns for me. Take a look:

Knitty: Spring 2007 - Dashing

Knitting - Free Knitting Pattern, Grace Wrap Sweater


http://www.candis.co.uk/mediastore/FILES/100646.pdf

Berroco® Free Pattern Michaela

Kidsknits' Free Patterns

Holly Hat

About.com: http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/projects/baby.html

Knitting - Free Knitting Pattern, Allison Bolero Sweater

These have to stay. Truthfully, I've already printed most of them out. But I like keeping them here where I can see them to remind me for someday when the spirit moves.

Busy day.. busy weekend coming up... better run!

FO... (almost)

The Clementine Shawlette... almost complete... with one little glitch. Imagine finding out that what you THOUGHT was the kitchener stitch (after knitting about 50 pairs of socks) isn't really the kitchener stitch. Apparently I've been doing it wrong for years. And what I was doing with socks, I cannot do with this. Because after I was finished doing it with the socks, I pulled and gathered it. So I'm reading the real kitchener stitch and it's just boggling my mind. (keeping in mind that my brain is wired a little differently when it comes to sequential tasks) Easy for most, difficult for me. It's the whole "keep this stitch on the needle" thing that gets me. But the good news folks is.. my niece is home from London and she has already made one of these...heh heh.

(Erin.. help!)

Send good vibes to Cate today. She has her first real job phone interview today. From past HR experience (yes, I have some) this is where they weed out the candidates and decide who gets the face to face interviews. She needs this job! Good luck Cate!

I listed an ADORABLE Bed and Breakfast this week. If anyone would like to quit the rat race and run a B&B in a cute little town, let me know. :-)

Weekend Knitting

I worked on my socks to and from the golf tournament. I turned the heel on both so it's all downhill from here. I imagine these will go into the box for Christmas gift giving which means I only have one more pair to knit for Christmas and then I might be able to make myself a pair!

The U. S. Open was fun. I got to see Tiger up close and personal so that was something. By far the one who seemed most personal with the crowd was Jerry Kelly and, of course, Fred Funk who is always a crowd pleaser.

I don't think I can get off the Open topic without saying a few words about

Oakmont Country Club. We had been there for two previous U.S. Opens. When we got there this time, I didn't recognize the place. They cut down over 4000 trees to make it look more like a links course. How sad. It was gorgeous. It's not now. It is just barren and drab. I don't profess to know a lot about golf. But surely this was a mistake. Why do we want our golf courses to resemble the links courses in Europe? To me, Pennsylvania is one of the most beautiful states in the country. We should try to keep it that way. Oh, I know they brought the trees in to Oakmont after it was built and they were not there originally. They said they wanted to get it back to it's original state. Sometimes improvements are made for a reason.

An interesting tidbit about the day.... We ended up sitting in the grandstands with his daughter. Amazing.

Work and Play

As I was leaving for work this morning at 6:30am my DH informed me that he thought I was "out of control". He made me go to breakfast with him instead of to the office. I guess I do get a little out of control. But it's a busy business. If I'm not busy, someone else will be. And so it goes...

Of course all the talk around here these days is the U.S. Open. The people across from us at Eat N Park were on their way to the Open and the people behind us were talking about what time coverage starts on TV. And when I finally did get to the office everyone there was talking about it. Then the conversation turned to why don't I play golf if I find it so enjoyable to watch. Well I used to play golf. In a previous life. Now, one thing is certain... if you can't find the time to paint your nails, you're certainly not going to find the time to play a round of golf. But I do not miss it. Not one little bit. There is no frustration in WATCHING golf. There's a ton of frustration in PLAYING golf. And I have enough frustration thank you very much.

I stopped at my sister's last evening before dinner. What a day care center! Two nieces and one daughter there with a combined 4 toddlers aged 2 and under. One two year old and three little toddling things unsteady on their feet waddling around like little penquins. (and one Westie following them around waiting for them to drop food) I had white pants on. What was I thinking? They are now on my back seat waiting to be dropped off at the cleaners. It is SO much fun to see them all playing together. Even if they do have dirty hands!

Once again, no knitting news but I hope to have a Finished Object next week. Will it happen?
Stay tuned.

Who turned the STINK on?

Gaaa.... The dog rolled in something outside for sure. Why do they do that?? What possesses a perfectly clean dog to roll around in dead animal? So on my way to the groomers this morning, I caught site of her in the rear view mirror. I thought this was a funny photo. But I wasn't laughing at the time because we were stopped in the construction zone and the odor coming off that dog was making me gag. Obviously, if she had to stick her snout out the window for fresh air , she was making herself gag too!

Soapy Stuff

I worked a lot this weekend but I did manage to find the time to wrap my soap for giving or selling... whatever. I find that when I give it away, people come to me later wanting to buy it, so at least it's ready and looks cute. I've got Plum Spice and Lemon Verbena. Next in the pot will be Lavender... hopefully this coming Sunday.

We finally found tickets for Saturday for the U.S. Open at Oakmont. Maybe I can get some knitting done going and coming from that. I'm estimating that I only need another good 5 hours to complete the Clementine Shawlette. I'd knit while sitting on the edge of the tee, but DH would be appalled. He has no sense of humor.

No Knitterly Knews

All work and no play this week. And that will continue through Sunday and then I'll start all over again next week. But that's ok. I'd rather be busy. I do miss knitting though.

Went to the grand opening of the covention center here last night. What a great place. It's about 1/2 hour from home but I'd go there for a weekend just to relax. I imagine it would be exceptionally beautiful there in the fall. I can just picture myself sitting on the porch overlooking the lake... knitting....

My mother is waiting for me to go to her house and plant flowers. I'm thinking I may have to buy one of those construction lights and set it up and do it in the middle of the night. I'm not sure how else I'm going to get it accomplished. I need more hours in the day.

Here's the latest cutie photo.
















He's walking and he can say "Ball". He loves Baby Einstein and he is constantly trying to get you to sing and do the "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes" routine. He loves to watch grown-ups make fools of themselves I think.

Open House Knitting

Tofutsies Socks... this knit two at a time thing rocks! I can't believe I was so late to that party.















The second half of Clementine. I really want to get this finished so I can work on the pink lace shawl. I need to get this stuff out of the way so I can continue on my quest to de-stash. There comes a point when you really just have to stop buying more and use what you have.

I think my next project, after I finish these, is going to be this:
Berroco® Free Pattern Michaela
Remember this? I started it 4 times and gave up. I have the yarn and I LOVE this pattern. Since I have done some more lace knitting since I tried this, I might have better luck with it now. I am "getting" lace knitting a little more and I didn't know about lifelines back then. That would make all the difference. I think I got eight inches into this one time and had to rip it all out because I got lost in the pattern.

I did lots of knitting while sitting at Open Houses yesterday. I'd rather be selling houses but that usually doesn't happen from an Open House. But, having said that, the first house I ever sold was the result of an Open House. It was also the last one I ever sold as a result of an open house and I've been doing this for 10 years so what does that tell you? And I do LOTS of Open Houses. Generally speaking, they just make the seller happy... they don't sell houses. But enough about real estate!

We watched Colin for a little while on Saturday. We stuffed him full of food that had little to no nutritional value and took him to Barnes and Noble for a new book. The kid loves books. He is walking now.. short distances. He doesn't have the nerve yet to really just take off so he just goes from point A to point B and grabs on to something and then looks up at you waiting for you to make a big deal over it. He's such a cutie.

I dropped off the Bishop's scarf yesterday. I think the woman who asked me for it liked it. One thing about that Homespun yarn... it looks and feels better as a finished product than it does while you're knitting it. It's very soft. I think it would feel wonderful around your neck. But please don't ever make me knit with it again!

What was once a dining room....

is now a total mess.

Although you can't see it, my blocking board is at the other end of the table with the bishop's scarf on it. Thank. God. That's. Finished. Lion Brand Homespun....never again in this lifetime.

It's obvious I need an extra room somewhere.

I started the other half of the Clementine Shawlette last night but didn't get very far before exhaustion kicked in and I had to go to bed. It's been a rough few work days and we're dealing with all kinds of vehicle problems at the moment. I find that mental strain will exhaust you much more quickly than physical exertion. Although I really can't say I'm well acquainted with physical exertion these days. Who has time for excercise when there's knitting to be done??

1/2 down, 1/2 to go

What a terrible backdrop to photograph this, but you get the gist. This is now on a holder and you make another one exactly like it and kitchener them together. I feel like I'm making progress on this one. The pink lace is another matter. That thing is never-ending. I've decided that this shawlette will look great with a yellow blouse. So I'm on a mission to find a nice one.

Here is the cut soap:

I had fun playing with this last night. I'm disappointed that the brown dots are not more noticable. Oh well, it smells fabulous. None of the bars are cut exactly the same since I have to do it by hand. I used to have a cutter but it got lost over the years, probably thrown out. After looking at these, I realize now that I need some more professional molds and a new cutter. In years past, people REALLY wanted to buy this stuff at holiday time and if that happens again, I need the bars to be uniform in size. They are perfect stocking stuffers and that "little something" to give to people when you need something small. I think I'm getting addicted to this hobby all over again.

A little of this... a little of that..

My weekend was filled with a little of this and a little of that and not a lot of any particular thing. I spent a great deal of time with my mother since my siblings were all out of town for the long weekend. We went to and from dialysis, ate a few meals out, shopped for and planted some flowers and visited the graves of my grandparents and my dad.

I got the nursery finished. Hopefully Colin and future babies will be comfortable in this room. I think it turned out nice.

I also found some time to make soap yesterday:

This will be approximately 35 bars of Lemon Verbena and Plum Spice scented soap with shea butter added. It should be awesome. I embedded some pink and brown "melt and pour" soap dots for a sort of neopolitan look to add interest. Hopefully I'll have some photos of the cut soap later in the week. I'm going to use a lot of this for Christmas gifts this year.

In knitting news, I finished the bishop's scarf... must block it soon... and I'm within two inches of finishing the first half of the Clementine Shawlette. So, there was a little knitting too!

Yarny Goodness

Candace asked about the yarn I'm using for my Clementine Shawlette. I purchased this yarn at Maryland Sheep and Wool from the Tintagel Farm booth.

She has beautiful hand dyed yarn. The way I understand it, she has the sheep and goats and produces the fiber and sends it to a commercial enterprise to be spun. She gets it back and dyes it. I headed straight to her stand this year because I found this last year:

I haven't done anything with it yet, but I think it is destined to be one of those spiral scarf thingys. (I do have more of it) Gorgeous colors.

We got a wedding invitation in the mail yesterday. I love weddings. I hate having a summer go by without attending at least one wedding. So that made me happy. (my husband... not so much!) And I believe we have another one in August to look forward to as well. The parents of both the bride and the groom are friends of ours and the kids have been dating since junior high. I'd say they are about 25 years old now. What a happy day for both families.

Knitting Update

This is the progress so far on the Clementine Shawlette. I have to say this is a fun knit. I had trouble putting it down over the weekend. If I could change anything about it, I would use larger needles the next time. It's turning out smaller than I would like. Did I check gauge, you ask? I did not I answer. :-P

I did take a few days off work last week to try to get my house in order and I accomplished about 1/2 of what I wanted to. I consider that some type of victory. 1/2 is better than none. We ripped carpeting up in our upstairs hallway, having NO idea what was underneath it. Turns out that it is hardwood that was in great shape... until we got to the bathroom door. Obviously there was some sort of disaster there at one time. I think it calls for new carpeting. I don't think refinishing is the answer.



I put a few rows on the Bishop's scarf last night. I hate to pick that thing up. The yarn makes my skin crawl. It actually squeaks. I'll never be so happy to finish something. I should have gone out and found substitute yarn for the sweet soul who requested it. But how do you do that diplomatically?

Lots of Stuff

First... the graduate... Congratulations Cate!

Way to go. We knew you could do it.

On to knitting...
I've been asked to knit a prayer "scarf" since the recipient probably wouldn't wear a shawl... being a bishop and all.

I was given the yarn to do it. Lion Brand Homespun.

I've seen cute patterns calling for this yarn and I've always wondered about it. Now I know. Ugh. The ply separates and bunches up as you're knitting. You can actually see it in this photo. Look at the yarn on the end of the needle. This yarn has been around for a long time in a million colors so obviously someone likes it. What do I know? Actually, when it's finished it will probably look ok and it will be soft. Other than the fact that I will sincerely pray for the gentleman who will be receiving this scarf, that's all I have to say.

I started my first pair of socks two at a time on two sets of DP's. It will be great to have them finished almost at the same time. Thanks for the ladies in my knitting group for the suggestion. This is something that I could have never come up with on my own. (sad, but true)

And today is my 30th wedding anniversary. I was totally surprised when I got home from work yesterday to find a gorgeous oil painting of a field of sunflowers for our new "grandchildren" nursery. :-)

Happy Mother's Day!!

Big weekend ahead. Cate graduates from the Rock tomorrow.
Yay Cate!

I will work on Mother's Day... clients don't really care that it's Mother's Day, so we will make the most of our day at Slippery Rock tomorrow and call it a family celebration. After all, what could make a mother happier than to see a child graduate from college?

I hope all you mothers out there enjoy the weekend. Demand breakfast in bed!!!

Clementine

This is how she's looking so far. This is fun to knit but I wish I had one of those magnetic boards with the strip magnets to move on the chart to keep your place. I'll have to get one of those. I haven't worked with too many charts before so I never had the need but it is hard to keep your place without it. At least it is for me. My eyes aren't what they used to be.

I know that Spring and Summer is when people back off a little from their knitting but for some reason, I just want to knit more than ever. I wonder if anyone ever took their vacation days to knit!

One!

So where did that year go? #1 Grandson is one. (tomorrow) His party was Saturday so his actual birthday should be rather anti-climatic. Happy birthday little guy!

I worked on the Clementine Shawlette all evening last night while watching two movies on DVD. It's been a while since I've seen anything recent so I made one of my rare visits to Blockbuster and rented Little Miss Sunshine and Catch and Release. I loved Little Miss Sunshine. Catch and Release not so much. Kind of boring.

And speaking of boring... I had a great suggestion regarding my boring felted bag from Laurie. She suggested I dye it another color. I guess I could probably get it to some sort of a chocolate brown from what it is now. This could be a job for Shelley. Hey Shelley... what do you think? And I've decided I'm definitely going to run it through the washer again. It may turn out smaller than what I wanted, but I'm more concerned about it looking ALL THE WAY felted.

One of these days I'm going to have to stop knitting and get my house in order. Really. And my garden. I wish there were more hours in the day.

New Yarn is Like a Drug

Even though I knew I shouldn't start another project I had to. This yarn was practically jumping out of the bag. There's just no stopping now. My niece made this shawlette from Interweave Knits Spring 2007 for my sister. I just love it. I wanted to do cotton, but when I saw this wool/mohair blend at MS&W, I knew it was the yarn for the project.

The felted bag is finished. It was a really quick knit. But I am wondering why I chose this boring color. I'm also wondering if I should run it through the wash again. I don't think you should be able to see the stitch definition like that in a felted piece if it's done correctly. But it IS the size that I wanted it to be. What to do...what to do....















This little mini-sunflower was a gift from Vanessa (son's GF). It's called a Pacino sunflower and they grow to be 15 to 20 inches tall. Perfect for planters. I'll have to get some more of them. It's adorable.

One Small Purchase!

This is it. This is all I bought at MS&W. I'm proud of myself. I don't know what it's going to be yet but I couldn't pass up the colors.

Sunday is much more sane there than Saturday. I've always gone on a Saturday before. I will say though that I could tell the yarn had already been very picked over. So I guess if you want to buy a lot, you should go on Saturday. I missed one of my favorite vendors there this year. The Good Shephard. I couldn't find her anywhere. I don't know if she didn't come this year or if I just missed her. She always has great stuff.

Below is the finished felted purse. I'll throw it in the washer tonight I think. I screwed up the bottom of it but hopefully you won't notice when it felts.

I need to decide what to "stash bust" next.

Adventures in Stash-busting

I started a felted bag with yarn from my stash while watching the two hour Grey's Anatomy last night. In two hours it is half way finished. Talk about instant gratification! Of course you know the problem here will be that I'll want to make another one of these as soon as I'm finished with this one and that means buying more yarn instead of knitting with what I have. I will try to resist and begin thinking about what to knit next from the stash.

I've decided to allow myself to buy yarn for ONE project at MS&W on Sunday. I still have the yarn, untouched, that I purchased there last year. While I don't plan on a shopping spree, I'm still really looking forward to the trip. It's always nice to spend time with your sister and we don't get to do it very often. Busy.... both of us.

Tomorrow is Colin's one year birthday party. Where did the year go?