Moving Day!

I'm all moved in! Come on over to http://noolieknits.typepad.com/
Don't forget to change your Bloglines subscriptions or bookmarks to the new address :)
Entries still being taken for the contest until midnight tonight. Post them on the new blog, here

Teal + Black + Green = Crap

Holy Cow - look at the number of comments on the contest post! I know this doesn't seem like a lot to some of you, but for me it's huge! You people are really quite amusing. I was showing the captions to Samm today and we were both laughing our asses off (oh,if only that were possible). One more day to enter your caption and Moogie weight guess. I'll be announcing the winner at my new home on Friday. I'll post the link here Friday morning. I've had some nasty stomach bug for the last couple days and have been home from work. Two days in the house - you'd think there'd be lots of knitting to show for that, wouldn't you? Nope! Hardly any. This is proof positive that I've not been feeling well. I did do some knitting on my sweater, then I did some frogging and some more knitting. I knit about 1 1/2 inches with the green and it looked like crapola. So I ripped out all the green and then continued ripping all the black. I decided to do the entire bottom of the sweater in black ribbing (the first black was stockinette). I'm hoping that I have enough black to also do the bottom half of the sleeves in black. If not, I'll just do them in teal. Here's the sweater now:

I'm liking it so far. This black yarn is weird though; it's turning my hands black. I hope it doesn't bleed onto the teal when I soak it! You wouldn't think it would since it was sold together as a kit. Speaking of the kit, I keep wondering why the colors looked good in the picture of the sweater in the kit, but didn't look good here. Strange, very strange.

I also managed to turn the heel and complete the gusset decreases on the sock. I'm not going to bore you with a picture; I'll wait until I have the sock completed.

The mailman was good to me this week. I received my order from Chappywoman; I ordered the pattern for the Faina Scarf Knitalong and also these:

Kitty purse handles! I'm going to make a knitting bag using them. Aren't they just too cute?! There was a little surprise in the package too. An adorable kitty stitch marker.

Farm-Witch sent me this yarn just because I Knit for the Kidlets. She sent everyone a prize; wasn't that nice? I think I'll make something for Colin with it.

Well, that's it for tonight. I'm gonna go rest some more; I'm hoping to be able to go to work tomorrow. No, I don't miss work but I have some stuff I really need to get done this week. Besides, I'm going a little stir crazy.

Have a great night!

Sunday Sky

Since I didn't take a picture of yesterday's boring sky, I took this one for you this morning.

This was taken around 6:45 this morning as the sun was rising.

Isn't it pretty?

I sure am glad that I'm going to use a random number generator to select the winner of the caption contest! I have been having a really good time reading all your entries and let me tell you, I'd never be able to choose a favorite.

Moogie made out fine at the vet the other day. The reason he had to go was that Samm found a lump on his tail. At first I figured it was probably a clump of fur, but when I felt it, I could tell it was definitely a lump under the skin. Samm brought him to the vet and said he was the best kitty ever. He didn't fight them at all, not even when they shaved his tail and had to extract a sample from the lump. He really is the best natured kitty. They ran some tests and determined it is a benign cyst. Whew! I was a bit worried. They did weigh him (nope, not telling yet) and didn't even tell Samm that he needed to go on a diet. I guess they figured he had been through enough humiliation with the whole tail shaving bit and didn't want to embarrass him further.

I didn't get as much accomplished this weekend on my sweater as I thought I would. Yesterday, I got dressed, packed my knitting in my bag, and headed to work at the gym. When I pulled into the parking lot, I saw Bob (he works the Saturdays that I don't) walking into the gym. It seems he thought he was scheduled, and being the nice person I am, I told him he could have the shift :-) I really don't want to work Saturdays anymore; I've been feeling really run down lately and a 7 day work week is just too much. So, Bob worked and I came home. You'd think I would have accomplished plenty of knitting since I wasn't at work. Well, if you thought that, you'd be wrong. I decided to check out Typepad in more detail and ended up signing up. I spent about 3 1/2 hours working on that. So far, it seems very easy. I'm almost all moved in! I should be all set to go by the end of the week; maybe I'll be ready in time to announce the contest winners over there.

This is what I did accomplish on the sweater:

I have about 1/2 to 1 inch of black left to knit and then I'll begin with the green ribbed section. I'm kind of having second thoughts about how the colors will look together, but I bought this yarn as a sweater kit and like the way they look on the intended pattern, so hopefully I'll like the combination on this sweater. We'll see.

I would have gotten further on the sweater, but I brought a sock to work on at the gym this morning. I was itching to get going on the yarn I bought from Amy. So I started this sock which counts as my February socks for SAM3 and also for the Green Sock Knitalong.

This is what I was able to do in between checking people in, doing the regular cleaning that needs to be done every shift, and cleaning up the remains of THREE long flourscent light bulbs. Yep, I've been at it again. I was in the room where we store the cleaning stuff (and anything else that doesn't have another home) putting the vacuum away and winding up the long cord when I hear a crash from behind me. The 3 bulbs were leaned up against something and they fell just inches away from me. I'm lucky they didn't crash right on my stupid head. Sheesh, what a freaking mess! Shattered glass and a bunch of white powdery shit that, for all I know, is going to give me some deadly disease, went EVERYWHERE! It took a good hour to clean it all up. Honestly, I don't know why I don't get fired! I am the only one that has all these stupid things happen while at work. Things like this flood, or the time someone shut the doors to the b-ball court and I couldn't find the keys to open it, or the time someone else tried to "help" me by changing a flourscent light bulb and smashing it all over the cardio room and getting glass in all the equipment. Wouldn't you fire me? I think I would.

After work, I ran a couple errands then came home and relaxed with a good movie and knit on the sweater until Samm made some of her famous Cheesy Broccoli Soup for dinner. Now, I think I'll go to bed. It's been a long day.

Eye Candy Friday - Contest Edition

Mr. Mugatoo

(aka Moogie, Moogles, Moogaleze)

Hubby took this picture the other day and it just cracks me up.

CONTEST: There are two parts to this contest.

First part: post a caption for this picture in the comments. I know there are a lot of witty people out there, and I'm sure I'll have quite a few laughs over the captions. I doubt that I will be able to choose a favorite, so I will put the names of everyone who does this in a hat and draw a random winner for this prize:

Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles

by Cat Bordhi

Part two: Moogie goes to the vet today and will be weighed while there. For this part of the contest, leave a comment with your guess of how much you think he weighs. I will give you a hint; he's HEAVY! It is nearly impossible to hold onto Moogie; he's so big that when he is held, he's very uncomfortable. Poor Moogaleze, he needs to be on a diet. Whoever comes closest to guessing correctly, will win some Socks That Rock yarn. If there's a tie, I'll put the names of everyone who guessed correctly in a hat and draw one at random.

Fred Flinstone colorway

You can enter both parts or just one. I'll take entries until next Thursday, February 8th, and draw the winners Friday morning.

Okay, now on to the knitting.

I did finish this pair of socks on Wednesday night as I was hoping. All the time I was working on the second sock, I thought I was matching up the stripes exactly. Wrong. Check out the toes; this is what happens when you are just ONE row off. When I realized the toes were ending up different colors, I took a closer look at both socks. It seems I started the second heel flap just one row later than the first. Oh well, I guess I can't always be perfect ;-)

Yarn: On-Line Supersocke

Needles: Crystal Palace size 1 dpn Pattern: same old, plain old, stockinette stitch, top down

As you may recall, I started this pair for Samm but they are too loose in the leg so they are going in the pile for Christmas. This brings my gifts finished total to two.

I finally started my sweater last night! I have just two rows to go before I join it and start knitting in the round. Here's a lousy picture of what I've done so far; the stitches are all squished on the needles, so it looks much smaller than it really is:

I did knit one other super top secret item the other night, but I can't show you yet. I made it for someone who reads this blog and I'll be mailing it to her tomorrow. I'll show you as soon as I'm sure she's received it. Yes, MissaLouise, it is the item we were discussing :)

Have a great day and get your entries in!

F.O.A.D. Thursday

I stole this from the women who always tell it like it is, JenLa.
Today, I'm going to tell it like it is: BLOGGER BITES THE BIG ONE! WTF is up with Blogger today?! Sometimes I can access a blog, but mostly I get an error message. I went to their help page (which is never any help at all) and it seems that everyone is having this problem today. And while we're at it, WTF is up with new Blogger? Their "new and improved" version has made it more difficult for readers to comment and also they've made it nearly impossible to reply to comments. With old Blogger, you'd get an e-mail address of a commenter at least once in a while, but now, never! I hate it. I have spent the last few weeks collecting e-mail addresses from my readers and from blogs I read by going to each blog and looking for an e-mail address. There are a lot of people who don't put their e-mail on their blog, so there's no replying to them. I've got quite a collection of addresses now, but I've lost many hours of valuable knitting time in the process.
I think it's time to move. I'm considering TypePad and would appreciate any and all comments from TypePad users about it; pros and cons. Also, any suggestions of other good blog services are welcome. It'll probably take me a couple weeks to decide on a service and to move; but damnitalltohell, it's time.
So, F.O.A.D. Blogger!
BE SURE TO CHECK IN TOMORROW - THERE'S GOING TO BE A CONTEST (complete with yarny prizes)!

Breaking the Rules

Maryse is having a contest. It seems she has a muggle friend who has very specific ideas on what socks should be worn with what clothes. Show Maryse a combo that breaks these rules and you could win a prize. Here's my entry:

My socks do not match anything I'm wearing and they rarely do. I like to have fun with my socks - the wilder, the better :)

Go ahead, show her yours.

I have a lot of random stuff to show you today. First, let me show you something the mailman delivered last week and I forgot to post about.

Yarn I bought from Amy, because, as you know, you can never have enough sock yarn. I really do need this yarn, though. I have two very good reasons: 1) it's been very cold out and I need some heavier weight socks, and 2) I want to do the . Good enough reasons for me (actually, any reason to buy more sock yarn is a good enough reason for me ). Which yarn is it? The top is Spunky Speckled in colorway "Water Nymph" and the the bottom is Maine Sock (I forget what the colorway is called, but it is gorgeous!)

I've been having some more fun with fur; I started this hat yesterday morning and finished it last night at Chicks with Sticks. Super fast knit for a super good cause. This is the fourth furry hat I've finished and I still have enough fur for a couple more. The deadline is February 28th, so I have plenty of time to use up the yarn. A few of the Chicks are planning to make some as well; how about you? You know you want to.

Let's see, next up is the finished gauge swatch hat. I'm so glad I decided to make a hat as my swatch. Since I've decided not to use this yarn for the sweater, I would have felt like I wasted time if I had just made a gauge swatch square. This way, I have another charity hat.

"WTF is that?!?" It's another gauge swatch hat, of course, sitting on a silly cat I crocheted for Samm when she was 2 or 3 years old (that makes it 18 or 19 years old). This silly cat sits on my couch in the living room; it's weird looking but for some reason, I love it. This is definitely the yarn I'm using for the sweater (no silly, not the cat yarn, the hat yarn!). What you see here is the bluish teal that I plan to use for the top of the sweater; there will also be a little bit of black, and the bottom half will be what I would call a Forest green. I'm hoping to get this sweater going by the weekend. I have to work both days at the gym and I'd like to have this to work on while there.

As you can imagine, with all the distractions, I haven't done very much on the second sock. I have managed to get a little way down the foot, though.

I'm going to try and crank the rest of this out tonight. We'll have to wait and see how tired I am after my Yogalates class.

Okay, so have I bored you to death? Don't worry, I don't have anything else for you today except to tell you to keep your eyes open for a contest right here on this blog in the very near future :-)

It's Official

I'm old! I went to the eye doctor this morning and tonight I'll be shopping for bifocals! I knew it going in; I can't see worth shit anymore. Oh well, we all get there eventually, I guess. I promised you knitting content today and knitting content you are getting. I finished the first of Samm's socks.

They aren't quite as bright as they appear in this picture, but close. I used size 1 dpn's for this pair of socks because Samm always says that they're too loose. I really thought they were going to be too snug, but she tried them on and the foot is perfect; only problem, she still thinks the leg is loose and will fall down. I'm thinking the only thing I can do is make her socks out of Fixation or a similar, stretchy yarn. I thought maybe a ribbed cuff, but I'm not sure that'd feel any tighter. I've gotten as far as the gusset decreases on the second sock and I'll finish it up and they'll go in the pile for gifts. I have an idea of who I may give them to, but I haven't really decided yet. Is it a gauge swatch or is it a hat? It's both! I wanted to make sure to get accurate in the round gauge when doing this swatch for the sweater I'm planning, so I decided to make a hat. It always feels like wasted knitting when doing a swatch (I know, I know, it's not wasted time) so this way, I'm gettin a swatch and a finished item. While I like the swatch, I've decided not to use this yarn. I'm fickle like that. I still want the same style sweater (V-neck, stoockinette to just under the boobs, then ribbing for the body) but I want a couple colors. I purchased some yarn about a year ago for a long sweater coat in three colors; teal blue, black and green. I've since decided that I'd be bored out of my gourd knitting all that stockinette so I'd like to use the yarn for this sweater - teal for the top, then about 1 1/2 to 2 inches of black, all in stockinette, then green for the body in ribbing (maybe K3P2). So, I guess I'll be making another gauge swatch/hat. Just one more knitting item: remember this sweater I made Colin for Christmas? Well it seems he can't get his big noggin through the neck opening :-) So, tonight I'll be taking out the rolled neck and redoing it. Hopefully, I'll be able to add enough stitches so it'll fit. I may have to change from a rolled neck to a ribbed neck so it has a little more give. I'm really hoping it'll work with the rolled neck because I think it's really cute the way it is. He's such a handsome little guy, I can't wait to see him in this sweater! I'm going to end this post with a little piece of advice for you: When waxing your own eyebrows, be extremely careful that you don't drip some of the hot wax on your eyelashes or you'll end up with a bald spot in your lashes!

Providence

I have lots of pictures for you today. As you may have guessed from yesterday's Saturday Sky, I went to Providence, RI yesterday. My sister and I went to see my niece, Jena, who is going to school at RISD. We left at 10:30am and returned at 7:00pm. I was pooped (and I didn't even have to drive)! Before I begin the picture show of our visit, I just want to tell you that I gave my sister her mittens and felted camera case (the one I thought was too thick) and she loved them! Makes me happy :) On with the picture show: Another shot of the view from Jena's room. Her room is huge for a dorm room. This shot doesn't even get the whole room; to the left there is still enough room for a desk, a drum set, and a really good sized closet!

The desk of an artist (notice the crayons; sure sign of a true artist).

Jena getting ready to go to lunch.

We drove past the Pineapple to "Little Italy" for lunch. This neighborhood is filled with Italian restaurants, groceries, and bakeries. I just love an Italian neighborhood! We ate at a great restaurant called Andino's. The lunch was fabulous! After we ate, we went to one of the Italian grocery stores and looked around a little and then visited the bakery which was a part of the store. I bought 4 canoli to bring home (unfortunately, not all for me). YUMMY!

After lunch, Jena directed us on a tour of the area; showing us the different buildings which are part of her school. She then took us to see where she works:

This is the entrance; on the other side of the building is this:How cool is that?

She gave us a tour inside where there were all kinds of fun things for kids to do. As she was showing us around, we could see just how much she loves this job; she gets to play all day and gets paid for it, too!

This is one exhibit she particularly likes: Obviously, the mirror needs to be cleaned.

This was my favorite - Mother Nature:

My sister Sherri, Jena, and me.

We also visited the RISD Store, which sells items made by RISD alumni. There was some pretty neat stuff in there. They even had a few knitted items! All in all, we had a great day.

I do have some knitting content for you, but I'll save that for tomorrow.

Goodnight :)

Saturday Sky

Brought to you from my niece's dorm room in Providence, RI Real post tomorrow :)

A Poem

WINTER

"SHIT, It's Cold!"

The End

My Wallpaper

Kat is kurious and would like to see your desktop wallpaper. Here's mine:

Bet you're surpised to see it's kitties :)

Now, let's see yours.

Ted's Return to Modeling

Ted has been feeling a little left out, not having had anything to model lately. Not wanting him to lose his self esteem, I hired him to model the Cozy in Cables vest I finished for the Dulaan project.

This was a very quick and easy pattern by Marguerite. The only modification I made to the pattern (other than using the wrong size needles, resulting in a smaller size vest) is that I did a little neck shaping on the front (very little). I really enjoyed this pattern and I think I'll make the sweater version for my next Dulaan project (only I'll get some of the right size needles).

While I'm on the topic of charity knits, let me show you what Lisa brought to Chicks with Sticks last night.

She didn't want me to take her picture; but I did anyway :)

She made this hat on a round knitting loom with leftovers from a couple sweaters she made for her sons. She brought it in for me to send out with my charity knits. Thanks, Lisa!

I also finished my sister's mittens.

I hope she likes them; they'll certainly keep her hands warm!

All I'm working on right now is the gauge swatch for my sweater. Samm would like another pair of socks, too, so I'll probably cast on for those tomorrow (always need some socks on the needles!)

This next picture is for you, Heidi. I told the kitties what you said about them and here is the response from Marsha, Cindy, and Jan:

Anyone else have trouble coming up with titles?

The hardest part of writing anything is coming up with a title. I've never been good at it and guess I probably never will be. Oh well. I've so enjoyed the comments on my last post. Let me answer a few questions that were asked: Luckily, I only have to feed the babies on Sunday mornings because I'm the first one up. The rest of the week, hubby feeds them. There is no getting away with not feeding them as soon as I get up; they follow me around and try to trip me if I take too long getting their breakfast ready. It can be pretty tricky getting the cans open and on the plates with all those cats trying to get it. Actually only 2 or 3 of them jump up on the counter and try to get the tuna before I can even get it out of the can. The rest are on the floor yelling at me to hurry up. Breakfast is the only time all nine of them are together in one room and the only chance for a family photo session. Yes, they are all indoor kitties (which probably accounts for the little weight problem they seem to have). As for the litter boxes, they are probably the cleanest litter boxes in town! Hubby takes care of those, too. He is pretty obsessive about them, so they are always clean. All I have to do is enjoy the kitty love :-) I know, I know - I'm lucky. They certainly are a constant source of entertainment. Yesterday, after working in the morning, I came home and slept for 2 1/2 hours! It took about another hour or so after that to feel with it enough to do any knitting. Sometimes I think this getting up at 4:30 every Sunday morning is going to kill me! While at the gym I started some mittens for my sister. She mentioned when we were talking on the phone the other day that she's been wearing her daughter's gloves and she has to give them back to her when we go to visit her at school next week. So, being the wonderful sister that I am, I offered to make her some. I made almost an entire mitten while at work and frogged the whole thing when I got home. It was just coming out too big - I knew it while I was working on it, but I guess I was hoping that if I ignored it, it wouldn't be so. Anyway, after my nap and a few cups of coffee, I started over. Here's what I got done last night:

I'm using some old Bernat wool that I have in my stash with a strand of Portrait mohair yarn knit along with it to make "Faux Felted Mittens". The pattern is one I got when I took a class a few years ago. I've made some modifications to the pattern, but it's pretty much just a basic mitten pattern. They are knit on size 7 and 9 dpn's. I usually find that the cuffs on mittens aren't long enough, so I made these FOUR inches. They look a little silly, but they'll certainly keep her wrists warm. The mohair combined with the wool makes the warmest, softest mittens ever!

Saturday, I started a project for Dulaan. This is Marguerite's Cozy in Cables vest pattern. The yarn is Lamb's Pride Bulky, color #120, Limeade. I'm using size 10 Addi turbo's instead of the size 10 1/2's called for. The only 10 1/2 circulars I have are too long for this pattern. This vest will end up a little smaller than the pattern specifies, but it'll fit someone. This is a very quick knit. I only worked on it for about 45 minutes and this is what I've got done!

Tonight I am going to finish the mittens and then hopefully get to the gauge swatches for my sweater. Guess I better go get started.

Have a great night!

Breakfast at Noolie's

Saturday Sky

A pretty Saturday Sky on a very cold, windy day.

Socks are finished and I love them. Even after making the legs longer than usual, I still had plenty of yarn left. I think next time the legs are going to be even longer still.

Yarn: OnLine Supersocke

Needles: Crystal Palace size 2 dpn

Pattern: same old, plain old, stockinette stitch, top down

Here's a not so great picture of the scarf I finished the other day. It was very difficult to get a good picture of this.

Yarn: Artful Yarns Heavenly

Needles: Size 10 Addi Turbo's

Pattern: Airy Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts

I made this a bit longer than the pattern called for, but still shorter than most scarves I make. The yarn I used is a bit heavier than the yarn called for so it's not quite as "airy" as the one in the book. But, I like it. This was my January project for Holiday Headstart; I think February's project will be a pair of socks, or maybe a sweater for one of the little ones, or maybe a Christmas stocking, or..... I guess I have some time to decide. Next up for me is to do a couple swatches for the sweater I want to design, a Dulaan knit, and a pair of mittens for my sister (not from my great mitten kit I received, though).

Speaking of mittens, in my last post I asked which mittens you thought I'd be making first. I don't know how you did it, but many of you guessed right - the kitty mittens :-) Of course.

Last, but certainly not least, I give you a picture of the world's most comfortable kitty, Jan:

Look closely, her arms (kitties do to have arms) are right up in the air. She was sound asleep like that!

SPOILED!

What do you suppose was waiting for me when I returned to the office after lunch today? My KMKS package. Swap packages were all scheduled to go in the mail on the same day - this past Tuesday; as in two days ago. I really didn't expect to receive my package until tomorrow at the earliest, so it was a very pleasant surprise. Take a look at what Heather sent me:

This bag she made is fabulous! The colors are perfect for me (the solid portion of the bag is a really nice olive green although you can't really tell in this picture). Take a look at the inside:

There's a nice big zippered pocket on one side and slots for needles and things on the other!

The bag was stuffed with goodies:

Crystal Palace bamboo dpn's, a pattern booklet, "Magnificent Mittens" by Kristin Nicholas, "Julia" yarn in 5 scrumptious colors also by Kristin Nicholas, a great post card (which I forgot to take out of the pattern book and get a picture of), and a wonderful mint chocolate bar!

Can you guess which pattern I'm going to start with?

I have definitely been spoiled with this package! Thanks so much, Heather :-)

In knitting news:

I completed the scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Of course, it's not a last minute knitted gift since it is for next Christmas! No picture yet; it's on the blocking board right now.

I have one inch to complete on the leg of the second sock and then I'm ready to start the heel flap. I can't wait to wear these. Isn't it funny how fast knitting a sock with self patterning yarn goes compared to using a yarn that isn't self patterning? Even though the changes come at even intervals, I just never get bored with it.

I spent a good amount of time the other night looking through all my knitting books and magazines trying to find "just the right" sweater pattern with no luck. I have an idea of the sweater I want to make, so I've decided to bite the bullet and design my own. With the help of this book, I plan to start figuring out the pattern right after finishing the socks. It shouldn't be too hard because what I'm envisioning is a very simple sweater with a V neck and some ribbing on the body and arms. Wish me luck.

I Did It!

I managed to finish one thing I had planned for yesterday. I finished knitting the first sock with the On-Line Sock yarn that I picked up last week. I got up this morning and sewed the toe; here it is for your viewing pleasure:

I love this sock! The colors make me happy :)

I tried Grumperina's method of picking up the gusset stitches. It really is "the pretty way".

Picking up the stitches this way really looks nice with the Eye of the Partridge heel flap, don't you think? I plan to cast on for the second sock tonight.

The countdown begins! It is just one month until NETA's Spa, Knit and Spin in Portland and I can't wait. I've never been, but read about last year's event on many blogs and it sounds like a blast. I'm really excited to meet some of my blogger friends. How many of you are going?

Check out the pictures my Dad sent me (no, that's not his cat; it's just an e-mail going around):

Have a great day!

The Best Laid Plans

Today was supposed to be a day filled with snow and knitting. It turned out to be neither. The big storm we were supposed to get ended up being a morning of sleet and freezing rain, followed by a few hours of snow and then more sleet and freezing rain. What an effing mess! I've been outside for about 1 1/2 hours shoveling this sh*t. Let me tell you, I'd rather shovel a foot of snow than this wet, heavy, icy stuff. Damn, my body hurts! At least I got some exercise in :) Take a look at what my world looks like today:

I took these pictures around 10am. Under all that slush in the road is a layer of ice; and the car, that's solid ice. Luckily only 2 of the doors were frozen shut.

The only knitting I've accomplished so far (it's 3:30 right now) is a gauge swatch for the sweater I want to make. I'm not sure the yarn I have is going to work for the sweater, though and since I really don't want to buy any more yarn until I go to SPA in February, I'm going to have to decide on a different sweater for now. The stitch count is okay; the row count is even okay; but I don't like the feel or look of this yarn knit in this pattern. This is the swatch (obviously not blocked). I think the cable is too stiff. Maybe sometime after SPA, I'll buy the Softwist the pattern calls.
I did get a lot of knitting done yesterday, however. I started a new sock on Saturday night and I managed to get quite a bit of it done yesterday. I'll finish this sock tonight if all goes as planned (what are the chances of that happening?).

These are knit with the On-Line yarn I picked up the other day on size 2 dpn. I'm just using the plain ole top down, stockinette stitch basic sock pattern. I knit the cuff 8 1/2" before beginning the heel flap; I really like this longer length.

I also got quite a bit done on the scarf I've been knitting for my January Holiday Headstart project. Actually, Saturday night I ripped out what I had done because I wasn't really liking the pattern. I started fresh with a new pattern and I'm sailing along.

Of course, Ralph had to do his job as Chief Scarf Inspector!

Here's a close up of the pattern:

Once it's soaked and blocked, the pattern should really open up. The yarn is Artful Yarns, Heavenly; I'm using a pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts but I'm using a heavier yarn than called for because I wanted a heavier look to the scarf (does that make any sense?)

Well, I'm gonna go knit now so it won't be a totally wasted day. I'll leave you with a picture taken from my kitchen window this morning.

Why Yes, Yes, That is Fun Fur

Actually, the two on the left are Fun Fur; the one on the right is a different hairy yarn, Firenze by Plymouth.

You may be wondering why on earth I'd be knitting fun fur hats. Well, the answer is simple; Kate is collecting hats, specifically Fun Fur hats, for the kids at Children's Hospital in Boston. Apparently, there is a ward of 10 to 16 year old cancer patients who would like Fun Fur hats. Hey, if I can put a smile on a few sick kids' faces by the simple act of knitting a few hats, I'm gonna do it. After all, it puts a smile on my face just thinking about a bunch of kids walking around that hospital in colorful, furry hats. Each of these hats took me about two hours to complete. I had the yarn in my stash (come on, it's been there for years). I have enough left for a couple more. I'll bet a lot of you have some in your stash too. Why not take a couple hours and knit a funky furry hat for a sick child? Check out Kate's post here for details; she's even giving out prizes!

My Saturday Sky picture today is pretty boring; it's a gloomy, grey day here:

Getting ready for a snow storm coming on Monday. Actually, we're supposed to get some tomorrow afternoon and another 6+ inches on Monday. I was really getting used to this warm winter; I guess that's over.

Can you tell what's wrong in this next picture?

Yep, too damn tight! I've been knitting this sock for the past week and I've been loving it. Until I got to the heel flap. As I was knitting it, I was thinking it seemed a little skinny, but I just kept going. Turned the heel (teensy, tiny heel), picked up the gusset stitches, and knit 40 more rows. The heel and foot just seemed so much smaller than the leg so I decided to try it on. C.R.A.P! Way too tight. And then there's this:

Can you see it? The pattern called for a "seam stitch" down the center of the back. I contemplated leaving it out, but figured there was a reason it was there and maybe it'd look good. Wrong! It just looks like a giant ladder going down the back. So, guess where this sock is currently residing. You got it - I threw it into the frog pond! Damn, so much wasted time! Oh well, whatcha gonna do?

On a happier note, take a look at what I got the other day:

Because I need more sock yarn ;-)

I picked this up using a gift certificate I received from my Dad for Christmas. I've decided that one of the balls will end up a pair of socks for him for next Christmas. I've never used this yarn before, it's On-Line. It feels pretty soft though, and I love the colors.

I'm also working on a lace scarf for a gift for next Christmas. I don't have a picture yet, but I'll get you one soon. I joined the Holiday Headstart Knitalong with a goal of knitting at least one gift a month all year. I figure if I can do that, I can sit back in December and knit selfishly without any guilt :-) The scarf is my January gift project.

You may have noticed that I've been knitting a bunch of small items recently. There's a reason for that, you know. I've been feeling the need to knit a sweater, but I haven't been able to decide which one. I think I've finallly made a decision; it's this one. I think I'll use some yarn I have in my stash, so I'll be doing some swatching over the next day or two. MissaLouise, I think this sweater would fit the bill for what you've been looking for.

Well, I'm gonna go knit on the scarf for a while. Have a great day!

Eye Candy Friday

Sunset in Costa Rica

Photo by Samm

Finally!

Thanks to some good lighting at my LYS, I was able to get a decent picture of the finished felted purse while at Chicks with Sticks last night:

I've also finally gotten around to typing up the pattern. I've put a link to it in the sidebar. I've also typed up the Fingerless Mitts pattern in case anyone is interested; it's really very basic. Link for that in the sidebar also.

While at Chicks with Sticks, I picked up a few scarves knit by Lisa (one on left) and Patti (center and right) for the Red Scarf Project. I have one more to pick up today and I'll be shipping them off tomorrow (a total of 12 scarves!). Have you sent yours yet? There's still time to make and ship one.

I finished a couple things since I last posted:

Felted Hat for Dulaan

Felted camera case.

I'm not so sure about this; the felted fabric is pretty thick. The camera does fit perfectly in it but I carry a very small purse and the case takes up too much space. I think my sister has a bigger purse, so she might like this. I did buy some fingering weight yarn last night in green and purple; I'll try again. I was thinking of knitting with a strand of each color and I'm hoping the felted result will be thinner than using the worsted weight as before. Then again, I may just knit the case without felting. What would you do?

I have made some progress on the sock mentioned in the last post, but didn't get a picture. This sock is knit on size 1 needles and doesn't progress nearly as fast as a sock on size 2's!

I really don't have anything else for you today, so I'm just going to leave you with this great picture of my nephew, Tony, and Samm which was taken a couple weeks ago. It really makes me smile.

Scattered Brains

I haven't been able to stay focused on anything for any length of time this weekend! I've been jumping from one thing to another and feeling bored the whole time. But, I did manage to get a couple things accomplished. I bought a bead to put on the front of the felted purse I made the other day. I sewed velcro as the actual closure and glued the bead to the front. I took a picture, but alas, it sucked! I'll try again. I started to write up the pattern, but as I said, I couldn't stay focused long enough to finish it. I'll try that again too.

I did finish Samm's fingerless gloves. Of course, she may not need them this winter what with the strange weather we've been having.

Samm's fingerless gloves

Yarn: Handspun by Gina

Needles: size 6 & 7 dpn

Pattern: none

Doing the fingers on the second glove didn't seem nearly as troublesome as the first glove. Was it because I'd already done one or (more likely) was it because I wised up and put the stitches not in use on yarn instead of leaving them on needles. Yes, I left them on needles with the first glove, so I had needles all over the place! Duh.

I started a hat for Dulaan. After seeing this felted hat, I decided I had to make one too. I'm such a copycat. I'm using the same yarn I used for the purse. I bought 3 balls of it not knowing how much the purse would take (it took just a little more than 1). Plenty left for the hat.

Got bored with the hat fairly quickly and went on to this:

Can you guess what it is? No, it's not a mini purse; it's going to be a camera case after I felt it. My camera is just a little smaller than a tin of Altoids (the curiously strong peppermints), so I'll use an Altoid tin to shape it. I've been using a sock (tee hee, I just typed cock) that I had laying around. I had knit the stupid sock bigger than its mate and made another, so I cut the big one down to hold the camera. My sister received the exact same camera for Christmas and told me that I'd need to knit her a camera sock too. I decided to go one step better and make a felted case with a flap so the camera won't slide out. This test one will be for me and if it works out, I'll make another for her. I'm using Lion Felt-It that I picked up at one of the big craft stores. It was cheap, I liked the colors, and it looked like it'd felt up nice; we'll see. I'll have a little felting party when I finish knitting the hat.

I told you I couldn't stay focused on any one thing; here's something else that I started:

It's the "Little Child's Sock" (it's sized for a woman) from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. I'm using the Soctoberfest yarn I bought from Scout. I love the colors of this yarn, but I'm thinking the sock pattern doesn't really show up very well with it. I think I'll probably just do the leg and foot in stockinette (it's the top part of the sock pattern that I really like anyway).

Let's see, what else? Oh yeah, I received a very nice surprise in the mail yesterday. Colleen sent me the cutest little stitch markers:

That's me in the middle ;-)

I love them - Thank You So Much, Colleen!

Oh, I also started to clean the Spare Oom; I managed to get the stash organized. Well, the stash that was upstairs; I still have my downstairs closet with the sock yarn basket (which will stay downstairs) and some other yarn that ended up in there. Sometimes (most times) I'm lazy when I get home and just open the closet and throw the yarn in there instead of taking it ALL THE WAY UPSTAIRS.

Well, that's it; I told you I was scatter brained this weekend. Hope I didn't bore you to death!

Crazy Saturday Sky!

We have a saying here in Maine; "If you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes."

I present to you the reason for this saying.

Sautrday Sky

12:10pm

Saturday Sky

12:20pm

I kid you not! The clouds were moving so fast that one minute it looked like we were going to have a storm and ten minutes later, almost blue skies and right now - even brighter!

And even stranger than that, check out the temperature at 10:45am:

This is MAINE, people. It is January 6th! WTF?

(not that I'm complaining - I love it!)

It seems that Scout, in New Mexico, has been getting the weather we usually get.

WIERD!

Eye Candy Friday

Samm

(or is it Edith Ann?)

Look what arrived in my mail on Wednesday:

A package from my Secret Knitty Pal.

from left to right:

Sensations Bellezza Collection Dolcetto-Peach(wool /cotton blend)

Ironstone Yarns, Harmony-color 16173(wool)

Sensations Bellezza Collection Dolcetto-Lime(wool/cotton blend)

A "Love to Knit" iron-on transfer

and some chocolate (which was all eaten during a 2am binge!)

The yarn is soooo soft. Everytime I look at it, I have to rub it against my cheek. I think each of the Sensations balls will become neckwarmers for Dulaan. No immediate plans for the Harmony yarn.

Last night's knitting was all about Samm's fingerless gloves. I've completed one and the other just needs some fingers. I have to tell you, I'm not loving the knitting of the fingers! Not that it's difficult or anything, but oh boy is it tedious. I'll be finishing up the second one tonight and then I think it'll be a while before I feel the urge to make anymore :)

On the fitness front:

I took my first yogalates class on Wednesday evening. OUCH! It's a lot more work than it looks. There was one move where we held the exercise ball behind our backs and lifted up with arms straight. Looks like nothing - hurts like hell! That little move of only a couple of inches made my triceps feel like someone was slicing them with a knife! And my ass? Lordy, lordy, what a workout. I'm definitely going back every Wednesday. Luckily I had done my 45 minutes of cardio before the class because I never would have had the strength afterward. I took last night off from exercise and tonight it's cardio and weights.

I'm working on getting the felted bag pattern typed up and it'll be posted on the sidebar this weekend (hopefully). I decided to leave the strap the way it is but I think I'll take Chris' suggestion and make a braided i-cord strap for the next one. I still need to find a button for it too. I've got nothing that works with the bag in my button collection, so I'll be hunting one down this weekend.

Have a great Friday!

Title? What title? I don't need no stinkin title!

I put together a gallery of the 2006 finished objects I have pictures of. All but one sweater and two pair of the socks were done since starting this silly little blog in June. Another benefit of the blog - a record of how much I've done. It kind of surprises me how much is in there!

I just don't get it. Remember the felted stockings I made for Samm and Jay? Remember how I told you the blue one took 3 times as long to felt even though it was the same type of yarn? Remember how I told you I had enough of the green left to make a child's hat? Well, with the blue, I had enough for a child's hat and a baby hat and I'm thinking there is almost enough left for another baby hat! What gives? Both hanks were the same size (supposedly), both stockings were knit the same, so why the big difference in the yardage? Oh well, I either got more than I should have in the blue or less than I should have in the green.

The blue hats:

Plassard Symphonie Yarn

(This yarn is very nice - it's soft and seems like it'll be a very warm hat.)

Needles: Addi turbo circular and bamboo dpn size 8

This is the felted bag I told you about in my last post. I designed and knit this on New Year's day. I'm not too happy with the way the strap felted (should have known better than to use garter stitch). I think I'm going to attempt to felt it further by hand; I did that on the little button flap and it worked great. Next time I think I'll try a different stitch on the strap, maybe just plain stockinette or seed. I still need to find a button - the plan is to use a snap for closure with a decorative button on the flap. I made it so that the little button flap is about 1/2" down from the top and comes from the inside back through a "buttonhole" in the front. This isn't really a great picture, but it's the best I could do with limited light. After re-felting the strap and adding the button, I'll try to get a better picture.

Yarn: Lion Wool Prints, Magestic Mountain

Needles: Addi turbo circular size 11

Pattern: My own (I'll post it to the sidebar in case anyone is interested)

Has everyone started working on their resolutions/goals? I went to the gym last night and did 45 minutes of cardio (25 on the elliptical machine and 20 on the recumbent bike). It was knit night so there was no time for weights. Tonight it'll be 45 minutes cardio and then a Yogalates class which should be amusing. I've never done Yoga or Pilates and I'm not at all flexible or coordinated. I'll probably laugh through the whole class (either that or I'll be crying).

Looks like Marsha has made a New Year's Resolution of her own:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's almost 2:30 and I haven't begun the planned stash organization; chances are it won't get done today. That was a pretty safe bet since I've planned to do this several other times and haven't. You see, it's a much bigger project than it sounds. The stash is located in my spare room which also houses my dressers and all my clothes along with a crapload of other junk. This means that in order to organize the stash, I'd have to clean the rest of the room too. It really MUST get done, but I'm thinking its just going to have to wait for another time. This rainy day is just too perfect for knitting and napping, which is what I've been doing. Last FO's of 2006: I finished the crocheted scarf yesterday and also knit a hat from leftover Symponie yarn from one of the felted stockings. Both of these are going to Farm Witch for the Kidlets. I plan to make another hat out of the leftovers from the other stocking and get them in the mail on Wednesday.

First FO of 2007:

No picture yet. I knit a bag today and felted it. It is currently residing on a plastic covered cereal box to dry. I saw some Lion Brand wool in a really pretty colorway the other day and thought it'd make a nice bag. I think it came out nice; I'll post it tomorrow and you can tell me if you agree :)

Favorite FO of 2006:

Some have been listing their finished objects of 2006; I've only been blogging since the end of June and rarely recorded what I made before that so I just don't have a complete list. I plan to get my photos organized a bit better on Flickr and then I'll put up a gallery of the items I've made since starting the blog. Others have listed their favorite FO's of 2006. My favorite happens to have been completed after starting the blog, so I do have a picture of it:

Pattern: Fibercrack by La

Yarn: Piazza, a lovely, soft cotton blend

I enjoyed everything about this knit; the pattern was wonderfully written, easy to understand, the yarn was so soft with just the right drape, and I just truly enjoyed the knitting. It was very difficult to give this away, but it was given to my niece who truly, truly appreciates the handknit. The look on her face and all the gushing when she received it, made it all the more special.

Goals for 2007:

I'm not making resolutions; instead I'm setting goals.

Knitting:

• I plan to get to the point that I can knit continentally with a certain amount of ease. I do know how, but my left hand just doesn't think it should be doing the work of wrapping the yarn. I plan to practice this mostly on felted knits first; that way I can hide the difference in tension. I already started this today while making a felted bag.
• I'd like to do some colorwork. This is the main reason I want to get comfortable knitting continentally.
• I'd like to be brave and design a sweater for myself. I've had an idea in my head for the past year and just haven't taken the time to figure it out.

Health:

• Eat healthier. A little over five years ago I started a diet and within a year and a half, I lost a huge amount of weight. I've kept the weight off since, but I do always seem to put on about 8 pounds in the late fall and keep it on during the winter and get it off in the spring.. Well, I did put it on this past fall, but I do NOT want to keep it on for the winter.
• Get back into exercising REGULARLY. I'm throwing this out there to keep me honest. If I tell you I'm going to do it, I'll feel an obligation to do it. My plan is to get in at least three good workouts a week, making sure to get both cardio and strenth training in 3 times each.
• Take vitamins every day.
• Try not to obsess over the number on the scale. This will be the hardest of my goals to achieve. I'm one of those crazy people who look at the number on the scale at the very least once a day (often 2 or 3 times a day).

There, I've put it out there; now wish me luck.

I wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

ETA: I spoke to my sister today. She is feeling MUCH better; still very tired but out of pain. It was an exhausting illness for her. She works for the Federal Government, so she doesn't have to go back to work until Wednesday. Another day to rest up some more. Again, thank you all for the well wishes!

Snowy Saturday Sky

I guess winter is finally here. I knew it had to happen eventually, but I really was enjoying our unseasonably warm weather.

This is where my pool is in the summer - doesn't look very appealing right now.

On a more pleasant note, I am well on my way to accomplishing my weekend goals. I stayed up last night watching a movie and working on the foot of Chris' second sock. I knit the foot up to the start of the toe decreases during the movie. I finished it this morning.

Yarn: Opal color 5003 Needles: Crystal Palace size 2 dpn Pattern: Top down, plain stockinette stitch

Next up was the second mitt. I worked on that this afternoon and evening; I really, really wanted it done tonight because I wanted to be able to wear them when I leave at the ungodly hour of 5:40 tomorrow morning to go to work at the gym. I did it!

I'm calling these my "Fireworks Mitts"

Yarn: Handspun by Gina "Fireworks"

Needles: Sizes 8 and 9 dpn

Pattern: My own

Hand Model: Samm

I still have quite a bit of this yarn left and it's a good thing; after Samm put them on, she asked if I'd make her a pair only she'd like fingerless gloves instead of fingerless mittens. Add another item to the "to knit" list. (Maybe I should actually write that list sometime.)

Have a great night!

As Promised, a "Real" Post

Feast your eyes on this; handspun by the one and only Sheep and it's all mine!

I had trouble getting a picture that captures the true beauty of this wool. Why is it so hard to get a good picture of anything brown? Maybe it's just me, I don't know, but I've never been able to get true color with brown. This yarn is the most beautiful natural brown. I am giving much thought to what it should become. The one thing I do know is that it will become something for me and no one else. I'm selfish that way :)

Speaking of handspun, I've finally begun something with the gorgeous yarn I got from Gina way back in the summer.

This mitt was started Tuesday night at Chicks with Sticks and finished before work on Wednesday morning. I then put it aside to work on the Hubby's socks as its been quite a while since I made him a pair and I didn't want to get SSS. I finished the gusset decreases on the second sock this morning and now have just the loooooooong foot to finish. Let me tell you, while scraping the ice off the windshield this morning, I was really wishing I had just gone ahead and made the second mitt. Brrrr, I hate cold hands! I'll work some more on the sock tonight, but finished sock or not, a second mitt will be knit tomorrow.

Plans for the long weekend include finishing the sock, knitting the second mitt, and finishing the crocheted scarf which will be going to Farm Witch for the Kidlets. Also planned (again) is the organization of the stash; maybe I'll succeed this time. It is going to be a big task, but I really want to start the new year knowing what I've got.

Planning just a quiet night at home for New Year's Eve; I can't remember the last time I've done anything to celebrate the new year. Hell, I can't remember the last time I was awake to welcome in the new year! I'm too old for all that; too old and too tired.

Eye Candy Friday

That's Rico thinking he's a Big Mac

I'm not gonna say what I think it really looks like; use your imagination ; )

I'll be doing a "real" post tonight, but thought you'd enjoy this eye candy.

A Sheepish Post

First, I want to thank everyone who sent well wishes this way for my sister. I visited her this morning and she is doing much better. She had her last dose of morphine at 3am and is now on Vicodin. She still has the anti-viral medication through the I.V. and will until tomorrow morning. She will be released from the hospital tomorrow with a supply of anti-viral pills and vicodin. Apparently, the virus that causes this stays in her body and lies dormant until something (who knows what) triggers it. She has been taking some anti-viral meds since the last episode, but she screwed up and didn't get her prescription mailed in and was off the medication for a week when this episode hit. I'm guessing this is what triggered the episode(just call me Dr. Noolie). Anyway, thanks again for the well wishes. Next, a few pictures from Christmas Eve; I don't want to bore you with all the gazillion pics, but if you'd like to see them, you can click here.

Ella the Bud Girl

You know you're a redneck when your 1 year old drinks Bud from a can!

(The can is NOT open. Apparently whenever her Daddy has a beer, she wants one too)

My Dad and Samm

Hubby

Mandatory cat inspection of gifts, performed by Cindy

Loot

A Giveaway:

Do you see the Stitch 'N Bitch page a day calendar in the last picture? Well, apparently more than one person thinks I'm a bitch because I got 2 of these. My boss gave me one and my husband gave me the other. Since I only need one, I'm giving the other away. The first person to comment and tell me they want it, gets it. How's that for easy. And let me just tell you that there is a Valentine's Day Thong pattern in this calendar - a must knit for everyone!

The Sheep:

Yes Virginia, there is a Sheep!

Annie made the journey down to The Yarn Sellar for Chicks with Sticks last night. She even brought me some of her handspun yarn! How cool is that? (I am a bad blogger though; I forgot to get a picture of the yarn. Tomorrow for sure). It was so much fun; she's as great in person as she is on her blog. I was so happy to meet her and I'm hoping she'll travel this way many times more to knit with us!

It was Lovely

We had a lovely Christmas. I have 516 gazillion pictures to sort through and edit. I'll give you a small sampling tomorrow. Christmas Eve was not the crazy, chaotic day it usually is. Sure, there were even more people this year (with the addition of 2 new babies in the past year) and just as many gifts, but somehow it didn't seem like quite so much madness. I ended up getting out of work at the gym at 10:30, which left me time to go home and get cleaned up and relax for a few minutes before heading over to my mother's for noon. We were home by 6:00 on Christmas eve, having enjoyed time at my mother's and then my father's. Christmas day was very peaceful and relaxing. We didn't open gifts until noon because Samm didn't get up until then. It was like I was the kid all anxious for Christmas to get going this year while she slept peacefully. I think the only reason she managed to get up as "early" as she did is because that's what time Jay came over :) We all enjoyed the opening of gifts and relaxed a little before I headed over to the hospital to visit with my sister. She had called in the morning and asked if I'd come over and eat Christmas dinner with her (believe it or not, the hospital she's in has pretty good food). She's doing a bit better than she has been, but is still getting the morphine. She has a button she can push to get it through her IV when she needs it and she was still needing it ever 20 minutes (which is the max they allow her). I just spoke with her nurse and will be heading over to see her in about 1/2 an hour. (ETA: just got a call from my sister; I won't be going to see her after all - she's not up to it. Damn, this seems to be even worse for her this time than in the past!) Tonight is Chicks with Sticks night and we are having a special visitor! This will be the first time meeting a blogging buddy and I can't wait! Full report tomorrow. Have a great day!

I AM SO DONE!

Whew! With Hubby's help, I just finished all the wrapping. Does anyone else hate that part of the whole Christmas thing? I dread it every year and every year I say I'm gonna wrap as I go. I never do. Maybe I'll be better next year :) I should be motivated a bit by this.
Tomorrow (Christmas Eve) is the beginning of the madness around here. First, I have to get up early and work at the gym from 6 to noon. Then I come home and quickly get cleaned up and get to my mother's by 1 at the latest (everyone else will already be there). Then it's madness and mayhem (not Mayhem) with brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephew, mother and stepfather. There are 20+ people in a small house opening way too many gifts! From there we all head over to my Dad's house where there is less chaos (and no Chaos); not because there are fewer people, but because most of the gifts have already been opened at my mother's. It's a very tiring day!
Christmas day is a nice quiet day at home (I may not even get out of my jammies). I will make lasagna for dinner, using my Nana's sauce recipe. The smell of the sauce always brings back such fond memories of my Nana. It's quite a contrast to Christmas Eve!
Since this will be my last post until after Christmas (or at least until Christmas night), I'll leave you with a little Santa funny. Click here

Stockings, Scarf, Sock, and Stuff

First a request for some good thoughts for my sister. She went to the hospital today with viral meningitus. I think this is the 4th time in the last year and a half! She has had it several more times over the last six or seven years. Each time, she ends up in the hospital on morphine for about 5 days. They haven't been able to figure out why she keeps getting it. She'll be spending her Christmas in the hospital. On to happier things. The felted stockings:

They really are the same size even though they don't look it in this picture.

Moogie approves.

Half a crocheted scarf:

Color in the top picture is accurate; don't know what happened in the next picture (Ralph looks kind of blue)

Of course, Ralph the inspector kitty had to check it out.

I'm crocheting this scarf lengthwise, the wide black section is the center and the rest will mirror the other side. Samm chose the colors but has decided that she doesn't really like the black, so this one will go to Farm-Witch for the Kidlets.

Half a sock for the hubby:

Yarn: Opal color 5003

size 2 dpn

plain ole stockinette stitch

Hubby mentioned a while ago that he'd like some "wild" color socks; I think these will fit the bill. They are not a Christmas gift; I'm done, done, done with all that. They will, however, probably be done either Christmas day or the day after.

I've been off work since Wednesday hoping to get a bunch of stuff done; buy stocking stuffers, sew tags in the gifts I've made, felt Samm and Jay's stockings, wrap gifts, buy groceries, and sort through and organize my yarn stash! I made some good progress on Wednesday, getting the stocking stuffers, felting the stockings, and sewing in tags. I went grocery shopping first thing yesterday morning and that was the end of the progress. I have spent all day today and most of yesterday just vegging and feeling like crap! I've had a migraine all day today. Not a single gift has been wrapped. Guess I'll be busy tomorrow, sick or not! (I seriously doubt that I'll get the stash organized though).

How are your preparations going? Better than mine, I hope.

Six Hours!

That's how long the tree has been cat free! I went to the pet store today and bought some "No Scratch", brought it home, sprayed the hell out of the tree and the tree skirt, fixed all the branches and plugged in the lights. The tree still looks exactly as it did when I finished. There are not even any sleeping cats under it. As a matter of fact, Ralph just hit one of his mice under the tree and he's just sitting there looking at it. The secret knitting is no longer a secret. The plan was to knit and felt stockings for Samm and her boyfriend, Jay. Samm knew I was going to fill a stocking for Jay and last night (while I was knitting on his stocking) she came over and asked if I had bought him a stocking yet. When I said yes, she asked to see it. Oh well, I just held it up and then she wanted to know if I was making her one, so of course I showed her. That's okay, now I can show you :) Stockings before felting:

Stockings placed next to Ralph (no small kitty) for scale.

Peaches and Ralph perform an inspection

Moogie and Cindy get in on the act.

Obviously, Ralph is the supervisor.

They have since been felted and are right now stuffed with plastic bags and sitting in front of a fan to dry. They were both knit with the same yarn, Plassard Symphonie, but the blue one (Jay's) took 3 times as long to felt as the green one (Samm's). Weird!

Today I received a nice little surprise from Sara inside a Christmas card:

It's a Kleenex holder. How damn cute is that?!

Thanks, Sara.

You know, I feel so very lucky to have met so many new friends through this blog. I never in a million years would have thought that just by starting a blog, I'd make a whole new circle of friends. Even though I have not yet met any of you in person (although I'll be meeting a certain Sheep next week), I really do count every one of you as friends!

Okay, enough mush, gotta go work on the scarf I'm crocheting for Samm.

Just for Fun

I've got nothing for you today so you're getting this. These are old but they always give me a chuckle. Enjoy :)

Stockings and a Birthday!

I finished the Christmas stockings (well, I do still need to put a loop on two of them). Here are the last two I did:

Shannon's (the Mom)

Colin's

You may remember that I posted a blue stocking and said it was for Colin. Well, apparently I am somewhat braindead. I re-read the e-mail telling me the preferred colors and realized that the blue one is actually for Ryan (the Dad). Good thing I didn't knit names into them!

Here's a shot of all 4 of them together:

This picture is actually a pretty good representation of the true colors.

I'm pretty happy with them; I hope they like them.

There has been some other knitting but I can't show you right now. I'll have to show you after Christmas; you know how it is.

Today is Samm's birthday. I can't believe that this picture was taken 21 years ago!

Happy Birthday Samm!

CAUGHT IN THE ACT!

Uncle Rico - The Devil Cat!

I've been tagged!

Farm-Witch tagged me with this meme. First “THE RULES:Each player of this game starts with the ‘6 weird things about you.’ People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says ‘you are tagged’ in their comments and tell them to read your blog.”
Six weird things about me:
1) I was happy to be tagged. Makes me feel like one of the cool kids ;) Weird, huh? 2) While I know I am a very, very weird person, I have had a hard time thinking of 6 weird things about me. I've obsessed about this for days now. I went so far as to ask my coworkers what was weird about me. That in itself is pretty weird, I think. 3) I have 9 cats. Yes, I'm the weird crazy cat lady. 4) Most of my cats have people names: Ralph, Ruby, Phoebe, Marsha, Jan, Cindy, Uncle Rico, Mr. Mugatoo (in my defense, my daughter named Uncle Rico and Mr. Mugatoo). 5) I love peanut butter and dill pickle sandwiches. Hey, don't knock it until you've tried it! 6)I don't put salt on any of my food - except PIZZA.
There, that's 6 weird things about me; I'm sure there are plenty more. Basically, I think I am a very weird person - especially when I get together with my bestest buddy, the blogless Missa Louise (aka Carolina, Chica, Carolina del monico, Carol). Hmmm, perhaps that should have been on the list.
Anyway, on to the next rule. I'm tagging Gina, Sara, Debby,Jeanne, Jackie, and Kelli.
Now I'm off to leave comments on my tagees' blogs. Knitting content, complete with FO's tomorrow. Have a great day!

Eye Candy Friday

Ralph.

It must be Groundhog Day

Secret Santa gifts from days 1, 2, and 3

Are you sensing a theme?

Wonder what I'll get tomorrow :)

34 Hours and 50 Minutes:

I e-mailed my final exam to my instructor yesterday afternoon with 34 hours and 50 minutes left before the deadline. This is so not like me - I must be ill. Or maybe just so sick of this class that I couldn't wait to hit that send button for the final time!

Chicks with Sticks know how to party!

We had a little Christmas celebration last night at Chicks with Sticks.

Would you believe me if I told you that Lisa and I both walked into the shop last night and walked right past this without even noticing! It was set up RIGHT NEXT TO THE DOOR! I have no idea how we missed it, but I know that once I was told it was there, I visited it a few times throughout the evening!

We all had a great time:

Lisa, Martha, and Carol

Carol is leaving for Florida for the winter next week;

we are really going to miss her!

Carol and Patty

Patsy, Pam, Amy

And to end the evening, look what Patty gave us:

Knitting Queen and Yarn Goddess slippers

Aren't they the greatest?

Those are my footsies in the middle :)

THANKS PATTY!

(and thanks to you too, Roger!)

Oh Christmas Tree

What's wrong with this picture?

Moogie checks it out.

Besides the tree having no ornaments, it seems to have a gaping hole!

There will be no ornaments on the tree this year. The kittens have taken to climbing up the center and sleeping right there on the branches. They don't do it when I'm around but each morning when I get up and each evening when I get home from work I have to bend the branches back up where they belong (benefit of a fake tree). I woke up this morning and actually caught Marsha asleep in the brances. The few ornaments I put on the first night I set the tree up have been distributed throughout the house. Therefore, I'm stuck with a naked Christmas tree. That's okay, it still looks pretty in the evening with the lights on. Hopefully by next year I'll be able to add some ornaments.
Today was the beginning of our Secret Santa week at work. This is what I found on my desk when I got to work this morning.

Luke, my coworker said, "That must be your present."

Me: "You think? Must be, it's on my desk." Luke: "And it says HO." What a smart ass. I'm no Ho (I'm too old to be a Ho).

This is what was in the bag:

Not too bad for the first day!

I bit the bullet tonight and changed over to the new version of Blogger. Please let me know if anything looks screwy to you. Have a great night :)

2 Down 2 To Go

I don't have much to say today other than to tell you that I finished Ella's stocking last night. I spent the first 2 hours at work this morning weaving in ends. Does anyone else hate weaving in ends as much as I do? No? You love it? How strange; must just be me :) Anyway, here it is:

I apparently can NOT take a picture that reflects the true colors of anything!

The top, heel, and toe are actually a lovely cream color.

That gray looking color is actually a pale lilac color that Knit Picks calls Hush.

The medium purple color is pretty accurate.

And the dark stripes are a very dark purple called Hyacinth by Knit Picks.

I enjoyed knitting this stocking and I love the colors. Tonight I begin Shannon's stocking. (the Mom).

Ella

Sky, Snow, Stocking

This week's Saturday Sky.

It's a pretty day out today; much different than what I woke up to yesterday:

Our first snow of the season.

Not only was there snow, it was VERY WINDY as well. Very cold, bitter day. We have been spoiled here in Maine so far this winter. We had an unseasonably warm November and just last week there were days in the 50's. Yesterday we got a taste of the sad reality of winter in Maine. To top it off, I was supposed to travel to Augusta (100 miles) for a meeting. I was looking forward to driving 2 hours, having a meeting for about an hour to an hour and a half, then having the rest of the afternoon to myself! I hate driving in the snow, so I didn't go. Instead I was stuck in the office all day. Bummer!

I finished Colin's stocking Thursday night and weaved in all the ends yesterday morning before work. Blocked it during the day and here's the result:

I'm pretty happy with the results. I wasn't thrilled with the colors when I started it, but I think it came out quite nice. I didn't have a pattern; figured I know how to make a sock so why not just make a big sock. I made the top rib and heel a little fancy schmancy and the rest is just stockinette stitch. Started Ella's (Colin's sister) stocking last night and think I just might have it finished tonight. I have to work at the gym from noon til 6 today and should get some good knitting time in then. Hopefully, I'll have a picture of her finished stocking for you tomorrow. At this rate, I'm thinking I should have no problem finishing these in time to give them as gifts on Christmas Eve.

Have a great Saturday!

It's Starting to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Well, maybe not A LOT like Chirstmas, but a little:

After 4 years with no tree, I finally broke down and got one. It's not fully decorated yet; figured I'd give the kitties a night to get used to it being there before dangling too many of what I'm sure they'll consider cat toys from it. So far, so good. I woke up this morning and it was still standing! The kitties mostly just seem to want to sleep under it.

In knitting news, I'm making socks for Big Foot.

This is the first of 4 Christmas Stockings I'm making for my nephew's family. (This picture doesn't show the colors very well - the top and heel are gray and the stripes that look gray are really blue) Disclaimer: I did NOT choose the colors, the color schemes were requested by my nephew and his wife. This first one in blues and gray is for my great-nephew Colin.

Isn't he the cutest?!

Finished!

Well, I finished the Rainbow Ripple socks and just in time to gift them.

Pattern: Rainbow Ripple

Yarn: Opal

Needles: size 2 dpn

I haven't mentioned that this pair of socks and this pair were being made as gifts for two of my aunts who are turning 60. Tonight, my mother, sister and I went to meet up with my aunts and cousins to celebrate.

Here's a shot of the whole bunch of us:

The two 60 year olds are the 3rd and 4th on the left.

My mother is the 2nd on the left and my sister is the 1st on the right.

That's me way in the back.

And this is Georgie, our wonderful waitress:

Climbing right up on the table to get a good shot :)

We had a blast and my aunts loved their socks.

Just stuff

I feel like the day was wasted. I got up, as I do every Sunday morning, at 4:30 and went to work at the gym from 6-noon. While there, I finished the first of the Rainbow Ripple socks and started the second one. Sounds good, doesn't it? Well, how's it sound when I tell you that I started the second one three times before I got it right? Not so good now, eh? I guess I was just so excited to be on the second sock that the first time I just jumped right into the ripple pattern. No K2P2 rib like the first one. I knit a complete pattern repeat (6 rows) before I realized what I was doing! Obviously, I didn't have nearly enough caffiene in my system. Ripped that out and started over; knit about 3 rows and realized that I can't count to two. My ribbing was all screwed up. I couldn't even figure out where I first went wrong. Rippit, rippit, rippit. Third time's a charm. I managed to do the ribbing and 2 pattern repeats before I left work. Had I not had so many false starts, I could have been well on my way toward the heel. Oh well. Here's the finished first sock; I won't bore you with progress photos of the second one. Hopefully, I'll be able to show you a completed pair in a day or two.

After work, I fought the shopping crowds to look for a pre-lit Christmas tree. I currently have no tree; haven't had one since Peaches, Ruby & Ralph were kittens. Four years without a tree. Peaches was absolutely wild and climbed EVERYthing she could until about a year ago. I thought I'd have one this year and then we got Marsha, Jan, and Cindy. As you know, this makes 9 cats. I had no intention of getting a tree this year, but Samm (my human child) really thinks we need one. So, I left the gym at noon (in workout clothes) to look for a tree. NO LUCK! I did see one I liked at a reasonable price and asked the clerk to get one from out back for me and naturally they were all out. I came home empty handed at 3pm. Tired and wanting a nap, but too tired to sleep. I hate that. I've spent the rest of the afternoon reading blogs. No knitting (but I'm getting to that sock as soon as I finish this).

Last night I read a post by Farm-Witch that nearly made me cry. Go here to read it and then here to help if you'd like to.

Remember my last minute paper from last week? Well, I guess it pays to procrastinate; I got an A. :-)

The sock is calling; I must go now.

I'll leave you with the picture I promised of yesterday's finished scarf.

Saturday Sky and Magic

You'd never know from this picture that we had a thunderstorm last night.

Yes, thunder and lightning on December 1st in Maine!

What a difference a day makes.

MAGIC:

Okay, so how many of you thought I could turn this:

into this:

It's magic, I tell ya!

Last night I was doing what I do best, procrastinating. I was dreading bringing out the sewing machine. I really truly do not like to sew, even if all I needed to do was sew a couple of straight (or somewhat straight) seams. I just didn't really want to do it. I was putting it off until today, the last day of Knit Unto Others. I decided to work on the latest scarf for The Red Scarf Project.

Then something really great happened. I got a comment on my "Decisions" post from Edith explaining how I could just cut it and tie the ends for tassels. It was one of those "duh" moments where you think to yourself, "Duh! Why didn't I think of that?" I immediately put down the scarf I was working on and got out the neverending scarf and some scissors. I took a deep breath and started cutting. About 1/2 hour later, I had 2 scarves. Two scarves measuring 64" each (measured without the tassels)! Thanks for waking me up, Edith!

I did finish the black and red scarf I showed you yesterday. It's on the blocking board right now, so I'll show you pictures tomorrow.

As I said, today was the last day of Knit Unto Others. I just want to make a point of thanking Carole and Margene for hosting this knitalong. I've really enjoyed devoting so much time to charity knitting. I completed 6 scarves for the Red Scarf Project during KUO (and 2 others before) which really makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Hopefully, they'll make 8 college students feel warm inside and out :)

Decisions, Decisions

Since I know of no giraffes who'd like the neverending scarf, I figure I have three choices for it. 1) Trash the damn thing, 2) Frog the damn thing, 3) Cut the damn thing. I have absolutely NO desire to frog this and I just might end up trashing it, but first I'm going to try #3: cut the damn thing. If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you know how much I love to sew. However, if this scarf is to be saved, I must give it a shot. So, tonight or tomorrow morning I'm going to pull out the sewing machine and see if I can stitch a few semi-straight lines and then CUT MY KNITTING! Stay tuned. After the scarf's photo shoot the other night, I worked on my Rainbow Ripple sock. I've gotten quite a bit accomplished:

I've finished the gusset decreases and am now working on the foot. Can I just say again how much I LOVE this yarn? Of course I can, this is my blog after all :) I really, really, really love the colors! This pair is a gift and I have to say, it's going to be mighty hard to give them away!

Last night's Knit unto Others time was spent starting a new scarf. I think I started and frogged about three different pattern ideas that I had and ended up going with plain ole garter stitch. This is being worked on size 10 needles over 16 stitches. I found another stray ball of red yarn in my stash, so decided to put a block of red at each end of the scarf. The remainder will be solid black. I'm carrying 2 strands of worsted throughout, making for an extremely warm scarf. On the red section, I decided to see how it'd look with one strand of black and one of red:

I like it. I think it makes for a smoother transition in colors. Hopefully, I'll have this finished tomorrow, the last day of KUO. I better do a lot of knitting tonight; I've got a looong way to go (I think I'll stop at around 60 inches - not well over 120!)

Save the Kittens!

I've seen this thing on many blogs over the past few days, but it was Rabbitch's post that finally shoved me into action. Apparently, there is a graduate student doing some research on how fast meme's travel across blogland. All you need to do to help him is link to his post here and then ping Technorati. That's it. Easy Peasy. Your turn. You have to read Rabbitch's post to understand my title :)

FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT

Remember in yesterday's post I mentioned that I had no clue how long this scarf would be?

Remember I thought I'd possibly have to add fringe to make it the 60 inches I needed?

Well, I don't thing any fringe will be needed.

Warning....
If you tend to pee your pants when you laugh too hard, I suggest you go use the bathroom before looking any further!

Marsha, Ralph, and Peaches perform an inspection.

"Can you believe this thing? WTF was she thinking?"

It needed to be how long?

Ruby can't believe her eyes!

I guess it could be wrapped around once or twice or 15 times.

At least it didn't cost much.

(yarn purchased many, many, many years ago)

Okay, you can get up off the floor now, there are no more pictures to amuse you.

If I wasn't laughing so hard at my own stupidity, I'd be pissed at the wasted time put into this!

I have just two words for this:

GAUGE SWATCH!

P.R.O.C.R.A.S.T.I.N.A.T.I.O.N.

What's up with Bloglines today? It listed 136 new feeds this morning! Now begins the chore of weeding through those because God forbid that I should miss an ACTUAL new post. Didn't post Sunday because I spent the day (and night) doing what I do best - a last-minute paper. Procrastination - that's my middle name. Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow? I had a 5 page paper due by midnight on Sunday for my online business class. I've known about it all semester and have known the requirements for 5 weeks, so naturally I started writing it on Sunday morning at work at the gym. I had done the research (well, I downloaded a bunch of info) the week before but kept putting it off and putting it off. I worked on it at the gym until noon, then stopped and picked up some Chinese food on the way home (because I haven't had nearly enough to eat over the last week!), ate lunch and took a 2 hour nap. Got up from the nap and worked until I thought I'd go out of my mind. I hit the send button with an hour and a half to spare. What's the rush, huh? Because of the paper on Sunday, there wasn't a single stitch knit all day which left nothing to post about yesterday. So there you have it; my excuse for not posting for 2 days. I was, however, able to do a bit of knitting last night. I finished the Raindrop Lace Socks:
some have asked where I purchased the sock blockers; I got them here.

Yarn: Regia Silk

Pattern: Fiber Trends Raindrop Lace Socks

size 2 dpn

I'm pretty happy with the way these turned out. They were a little slow going simply because I have committed myself to spending at least 1/2 of my knitting time each day Knitting Unto Others. So, after finishing the socks, I worked a bit on the latest scarf for the Red Scarf Project. It's going pretty slow because, as I said the last time I posted, I'm knitting it length wise and the needles really aren't long enough. I have to keep stopping and cramming the stitches over to get them out of my way. I also have no idea how long this scarf will be - I'm just kinda winging it. The needles are the 24" length and the stitches are really crammed on them, so I'm hoping it'll be long enough. I may have to add some fringe to get the length to 60", but we'll see. I may not even come close. I've decided to show you the progress even though it just looks like a big blob right now.

I had just enough red yarn left to stick a little red stripe in the middle. I don't really have too much further to go, but who the hell knows how long it'll take me what with all the stopping and cramming and such.

I cast on for another pair of socks this morning before work. I'm making another Rainbow Ripple pair - I really like this easy peasy pattern and it looks so pretty. I'm using yarn I received in my Yarn Aboard package. It's Opal in an absolutely gorgeous colorway.

Didn't get too far, but hey what do you expect before work in the morning? I won't be working on these again until tomorrow morning because tonight I'll be working solely on the scarf. It's Chicks with Sticks night and that means mindless knitting only! Too much chatting and laughing and carrying on to work on anything that requires the least bit of concentration!

Have a great day!

Saturday Sky

Last week the geese were flying south; this week the planes are.

The weather has been crazy the last couple days; sunny and in the 50's! I'm definitely NOT complaining. I would be thrilled if the entire winter were this warm - ah, but that's just a dream. Before you know it, it'll be freezing and snowing and all that fun stuff.

It's been a week since the beginning of Knit unto Others and I think I've done pretty well so far. I've finished 3 1/2 scarves for the Red Scarf Project. What's that? You've only seen two? Well, here is proof of the third It's not the best photo, but you get the idea. It's done in seed stitch with some unknown yarn from the stash. (This yarn diet is really causing me to take a closer look at the stash - I'm finding stuff I forgot I had.) The newest scarf is gray and off white knitted length wise. No picture because it's on needles that are really too short and it just looks like a scrunched up bunch of junk. I'm not too sure about this one. It's made with yarn that has been in the stash for about 15 years (yes, before I even knew there was such a thing as good yarn). It's Lion Brand Up Country (I don't think they even make it anymore). We'll just have to wait and see what it turns out like when I get it off the needles. It may not end up going anywhere but the trash.

I decided today to brave it and head out and FINISH up my Christmas Shopping. I was very pleasantly surprised. Even Toys R Us wasn't crowded; didn't even have to stand in line at all; which was good because I only needed one item there and it really isn't my favorite store to go to. As a matter of fact, it's been YEARS since I've stepped foot in there.

After Toys R Us, I had to head over to Best Buy, another store I thought would be a mob scene but was surprisingly quiet. Again, good news for me. Next a trip to Michael's and then to one store in the mall and I was done.

Total time spent - from leaving the driveway until returning to the driveway - was 2 hours. Can't beat that! All I have left to do is knit 4 Christmas stockings and figure out what to get hubby. Woo-hoo! This feels pretty good. No stress this year. :-)

Eye Candy Friday

Peaches and her boyfriend, Ted

Happy Thanksgiving

To all those who celebrate, I hope you had a great Thanksgiving; to those who don't, I hope you had a great Thursday :) I saw this over at Gamecockdoc's and had to try it. You Are The Cranberry Sauce

A little sweet, a little sour - you've got the flava!Though, you do tend to squish in people's mouths...

What Part of Thanksgiving Are You?

WTF Wednesday

I already posted today, but I was sitting here knitting and watching Oprah and saw a commercial for this. All I can say is WTF?

It's a diaper rash cream and I have to tell you, I think it's great that someone actually had the nerve to call it what it is. Too damn funny!

I'm a Cheater

I cheated on my diet last night - but I'm not going to count it as a cheat. You see, right before going on this yarn diet, I ordered yarn from Knit Picks for some Christmas stockings for my nephew's family and some for a scarf and gloves for my daughter. Well, the yarn for the stockings is fine, but Samm wants a "fluffy" scarf so the yarn for her won't work. Thus, the cheating. I bought 2 skiens of Lamb's Pride Bulky for her scarf last night. Not really cheating, right? I'll use the yarn from Knit Picks for something for the Dulaan Project and Samm will get a "fluffy" scarf. All's good.

I finished the two scarves I showed you in the last post for the Red Scarf Project:

Top: Mistake Rib with Cascade 220 on size 9 needles

Bottom: Garter stitch with Lion Brand Woolease Thick and Quick on size 15 needles

They were both pretty quick knits, but I don't think I'll be knitting with the Thick and Quick again anytime soon. It produces a soft scarf, but it really doesn't feel good to work with. Especially on those giant needles! I'm also not sure I'll be making any more scarves out of the Cascade 220; it's not as thick as I think a scarf should be. Although I do think it'll still be warm. Hopefully, the recipents will enjoy them. I'll be starting another scarf tonight for the project, but it won't be red. I don't think I have anymore red yarn in the stash; hard to believe considering I have a room full of stash yarn!

That's it for today; gotta get ready for work - only working 1/2 day today :)

24 Years ago today, I married my best friend.

We didn't have a typical wedding; we got married in the back of an antique doll store. The woman who owned the store was also a Justice of the Peace. It was just hubby, myself, and the JP. I guess you could say we had one guest (although, it was an uninvited guest). Right in the middle of the "ceremony" some guy started banging on the front door of the store. Apparently he could see us in there and even though the store wasn't scheduled to open for another 1/2 hour, he felt he should be let in. He banged on that door for quite a while! He must have really needed his dolly. We didn't care; it just added a little something to our wedding story. We eloped - didn't tell ANYone until afterward. It was the best way to get married. The only downside - the gifts or lack thereof ;-) Serously, it was so nice. Our married life has had its ups and downs just like everyone's, way more ups than downs and I can honestly say that he was my best friend then and he's my best friend now. I'd marry him again in a heartbeat! Okay, enough mushy.

Knitting news:

I finished the first of the Raindrop lace socks on Saturday morning:

The yarn is Regia Silk; soft, soft, soft. I really like the way the lace pattern looks with this coloway. I deviated from my usual way of knitting lace socks in that I carried the lace pattern all the way down the instep to the toe. I ususally only do the lace on the leg and do plain stockinette on the foot. This is an incredibly easy lace pattern - only a 4 row repeat which is easily memorized.

Haven't yet cast on for the second sock because Saturday was the start of : I started a scarf for the Red Scarf Project as soon as I finished the sock. I'm using Cascade 220. The pattern is mistake rib over 27 stitches using size 10 1/2 needles. I worked on it for a couple hours on Saturday and brought it to work with me at the gym yesterday. By early last night, this is what I had done:

It's about 3/4 done; the only reason it isn't finished is because I am L.A.Z.Y. I didn't feel like walking up the stairs to the room with my swift and ball winder to wind the second skien of yarn. I had some maroon and some charcoal grey Lion Brand Thick and Quick Woolease downstairs, so I cast on for another scarf. Man, this yarn knits up fast! I'm using size 15 baseball bats, I mean knitting needles, and just doing plain old garter stitch. Here's what I completed in about an hour last night:

I worked on it for about 1/2 hour this morning, so it's a bit longer now. The plan is to knit with the charcoal grey until I get to the other end, where I'll duplicate this side. This yarn not only knits up really fast, but it is very soft and I actually really like the look of the garter stitch in such thick yarn. This will be put aside for now and tonight I'll wind the second skien of Cascade 220 and finish the Mistake Rib scarf. Hopefully, I'll have a little time to start the second sock and do a couple repeats of the lace pattern too.

That's all I've got for today - have a great one :)

Saturday Sky

Saturday Sky with Geese

Good News!

First, the BEST Good News:

The Dutchicans have arrived and are doing well!

They both weigh 4 pounds and are able to breathe on their own.

Congratulations to Kristi and Noel

and welcome to the boys!

Today was spent sitting in a workshop all day. It was our annual Assessor's Meeting held at SMCC. We all look forward to this particular meeting each year because we are lucky enough to have lunch provided by the Culinary Arts Students. YUMMY! However, we do have to endure an educational presentation as well. Today's workshop was "Reading and Understanding Leases". I know, sounds riveting, doesn't it? It was difficult to keep the old eyes open. I kept wishing I had my knitting with me - but that just wouldn't have been appropriate here. Oh well, I survived and I'm home in my jammies (at 4:30 in the afternoon) sitting in my corner of the couch - my favorite place to be :)

Good knitting news: I finished the double knit hat last night! YAY! Actually, once I made the decision to rip out, things started going rather smoothly. I think the Knitting Goddesses were happy with my decision. I was a little nervous about the top decreases, but as it turns out, they are not difficult at all. I have a couple (crappy) pictures for you:

I just can't seem to get a picture that accurately reflects the celery green color on this hat. Oh well, just imagine celery green. I have to say, again, that this styrofoam head really needs a wig - all my hats look huge on it! This hat really isn't huge; it fits me perfectly (of course I do have a rather large head).

With the completion of this hat, I now have 6 hats ready to be packed and shipped to Rabbitch tomorrow morning to help in her quest to warm the heads of the homeless.

Tomorrow begins the big Knit Unto Others knit along hosted by Carole and Margene. My plan during the next two weeks is to spend at least 1/2 of my knitting time every day working on scarves for The Red Scarf Project. Are you participating? What are your plans?

Frog Pond

Can you guess what my decision was?

I went back and forth in trying to decide whether or not to rip the hat back to the wonky stripe and fix it. In the end, I decided that I would not feel good about sending something that I didn't think was as good as it could/should be just because it was going to someone I don't know. While I realize that whoever receives this hat will surely be grateful for its great warmth, and probably wouldn't have noticed the wonkiness anyway, I would know and that is reason enough to redo.

So, here's where we stand on the hat - yesterday morning it measured 6 inches; this morning (after about 3 1/2 hours of work) it now measures 5 inches. Oh well, the stripe looks good and I think it'll be smooth sailing from here - until I get to the decreasing, but I'm not thinking about that right now.

Double Knitting is Kicking my Ass!

I've completed almost 6 inches on the double knit hat. Damn this thing is taking forever - a hat should not take days to complete! I am enjoying the process though; or at least I was until I noticed this:

Apparently, I wasn't paying close enough attention when changing colors. Now I'm torn between wanting to frog the stupid thing back to the misbehaving stripe and just saying "Screw it" and continuing on. This is for Rabbitch's hat drive for the homeless; do you think they'll mind a hat that's just a little bit wonky? Am I only considering leaving it because it is going to somebody I don't know? Is that fair? What to do? Help me out here; what would you do?

On to some happier knitting; I've started another sock. I started it Saturday night so I could bring it to work at the gym on Sunday. It's working up fast; this is what I had done by the time I left work at noon:

Yarn: Regia Silk (obviously)

Pattern: Fiber Trends Raindrops Lace Sock

I set this aside after turning the heel and picking up the gusset stitches so I could complete the Hat from Hell. I really want to get the hats in the mail by the end of this week.

After seeing this, I'm thinking I may need to revise my Christmas shopping list to include at least one of each :-)
Have a great day!

Yummy!

Cheesy Creamy Broccoli Soup

an original recipe by Chef Samm

I think I could get used to having a Culinary Arts student in the house. Samm prepared this wonderful, YUMMY, soup for dinner last night. If this is what she can accomplish after just 2 months of school, imagine what wonderfully delicious treats lie ahead.

SS, FO, and DK

Saturday Sky:

Such a pretty sky; such ugly leafless trees!

It's a lovely day here today.

Beginning tomorrow - 3 days of rain!

Finished Object:

Colin's Sweater

Pattern: Knitting Pure and Simple, Children's Neck Down Pullover #9730

Size 2-4

Yarn: Schoeller and Stahl Big Mexiko

I just love this sweater - I cannot wait to see the cutest little boy in the world wearing it!

Double Knit:

This if for you, Jofrog. I always keep my promises :)

I joined the Double Knitalong quite some time ago and have FINALLY begun! I'm knitting this hat out of some more of my ancient stash wool. I'm using Alison's pattern, Doubleknitski. The only modification I'm making is in the placement of the stripes. I'm just going to change colors whenever the mood strikes (meaning, whenever I get bored).

Normally it takes me about 4 hours to knit a simple adult hat in the round. Since this is double knit, wouldn't you think it would take twice as long? If you did, you'd be wrong. I have only 2 1/2" done and I've already worked on this for about 4 hours! Sheesh - you really have to pay attention. Plus it's like doing ribbing, only worse because you are moving the yarn front, back, front, back. Don't get me wrong; I AM enjoying it. And let me tell you - this hat is warm! It'll be perfect for Rabbitch's homeless hat drive (hmm, that sounds like the hats are homeless). This is hat #6 and when it's done, they will all be shipped to Rabbitch. What a good thing she is doing!

And speaking of good things, have you heard what Carole and Margene are doing? They are hosting, for the 2nd year, Knit Unto Others. The idea is to take some time during this holiday season when we are all so blessed, to think about, and knit for others less fortunate. They are asking us to knit for charity for 2 weeks, November 18th thru December 2nd. Go read about it and do what you can. There are so many worthy causes to knit for, surely you can find one that touches your heart.

Of Diets and Temptations

Have you ever noticed that as soon as you decide to go on a diet, you find temptation everywhere? Wake up in the morning, decide today is the day that you will eat right and stick to your diet, just to get to work and someone has brought in your all time favorite pastry, or candy or whatever. I'm not on a food diet (though I probably should be) but instead I have put myself on a yarn diet. I decided this after placing an order on Monday for several skiens of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes to make Christmas stockings for my nephew's family and for Samm's scarf and fingerless gloves. After all, I currently have all the yarn I need to make the planned Christmas gifts (truth be told, I have enough yarn in the stash to make Christmas gifts for many years to come) so I don't need any more until after the new year. Well, I really won't need it then, but since when is needing yarn the reason for buying yarn?

Since making this decision, I have seen so much yarn that I want. Now, normally when I'm on a diet I try to avoid situations that I know will tempt me. But to do that with my yarn diet would mean I'd have to stop reading blogs (not gonna happen), stop going to Chicks with Sticks (not gonna happen), stop reading Knitting Magazines and books (also, not gonna happen), and not look at any of the many, many wonderful dyers sites (again, NOT.GONNA.HAPPEN). So I guess I just have to be strong. That's not so easy. Luckily, I don't have to go without receiving new yarn for a little while; I have that Knit Picks order coming in and I received some great Soctoberfest yarn yesterday that I had ordered from Scout. Check it out; is it not gorgeous?

That eases the pain a bit.

I also found out yesterday that I won some great yarn (the Fino) just for knitting for the Dutchicans. I most certainly didn't knit for them because I wanted to win a prize, but still, isn't it fun to win things, especially yarn :)

Back to the temptations. Yesterday, on Kate's blog, I find out she is starting to sell her hand dyed yarn. Go check it out; it's really beautiful. Hopefully, she'll do well and continue to sell it after the new year when I have a feeling I just might go on a binge!

Another temptation; my friend Betty at work came in today and handed me this:

Now, while I can't go, that doesn't mean you can't. I've never been to this store, but if you live nearby, it's worth checking out. I'd be checking it out if it weren't for this damn diet.

Just because I can't buy new yarn, doesn't mean I can't buy a new book now does it. I picked this up Tuesday night at my LYS after Chicks with Sticks:

There are 4 sweaters that I definitely want to make, so I figure I had to buy it. You would have too. I have the perfect yarn for the first one I want to make:

(Sorry about the fuzzy pics, it's really hard to photograph books, at least for me)

Isn't that just beautiful. It's all double moss stitch and I just LOVE it. I have some great green yarn that I think will be perfect for this.

The yarn for this next pattern will be my first purchase after the new year.

(another fuzzy pic, sorry). Isn't that pretty though?

Okay, enough of that. How about some knitting progress. I have finished the body of Colin's sweater:

Actually, since taking this picture this morning, I have finished the neck and started a sleeve. The colors are brighter than they look in this picture. Hopefully when the sweater is complete I can get a good outdoor shot for you.

Well, I'm gonna go knit now. Have a great night :)

WTF Wednesday

He sees you when you're sleeping,

He knows when you're awake,

He knows if you've been bad or good,

So be good for goodness sake!

Are you sick of hats yet?

Because I think I am. I decided I need to take a break from the hats for a little while. I did, however, finish Jay's hat and also another hat for Rabbitch's hat drive. I still have a couple weeks to make more for Rabbitch. I'm planning at least one more.

Jay's Hat:

Yarn: Paton's Classic Wool

Size 9 addi circ.

K3, P1 over 84 stitches

Rabbitch Hat #5

Yarn: blue Paton's Classic Wool, grey Bernat Wool from stash.

Size 9 addi circ.

roll brim (with a purl row after the brim) then stockinette on, yes, you guessed it, 84 stitches.

Believe it or not, it's the same blue Paton's Classic on both hats; the color is most accurate int the picture of Rabbitch's hat. I'm happy with the hats, but I really do need to knit something a little different for a while. So, after completing the hats, I frogged an old UFO. I had nearly completed a sweater for my great nephew, Colin, before Christmas last year and just never finished. (I had already made him one, so it was no big deal that it wasn't finished last year). I decided I didn't really like it and used the yarn to start a new one for him for this Christmas:

I know, it just looks like a colorful blob right now. Give me a break, I just started it. I think I'm really going to like it in the pattern I've decided on. I'm using Knitting Pure and Simple, Children's Neck Down Pullover #9730. Yarn is Schoeller and Stahl Big Mexiko. I love the colors - kinda wild.

The following is for my Knit Mitt Kit Swap pal (but you can read it if you want):

The Questionnaire:

What are your favorite colors? My overall favorite colors are any shade of green, purple, and rose pink. I also love all earth tones Are you a new mitt knitter? No. How long have you been knitting mittens? Around 3 or 4 years Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn? I like both What fibers do you prefer in mitten yarn? Any soft, warm wool. I also like to mix in mohair sometimes Where do you usually knit mittens? I usually knit everything in my knitting corner on the couch or at Tuesday night Chicks with Sticks. I also knit at work on the weekends at the gym. How do you usually carry/store small projects? I have a few small project bags. I love them; can never have too many project bags. What are your favorite mitten patterns? The simple pattern I received when I took a class around 3 or 4 years ago. It is just a plain mitten knit in the round with a strand of wool and a strand of mohair held together. Super duper warm! What are your favorite mitten knitting techniques? I like to knit my mittens in the round on short double point needles. What new techniques would you like to try? I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I'd like to try some colorwork in mittens. What are your favorite needles for knitting mittens? short (5 or 6 ") dpn What are some of your favorite yarns? This is too hard to answer. there are just so many nice yarns out there. There aren't many I don't like!

What yarn do you totally covet? Hmmm, there just isn't one in particular. Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object? I really haven't given this much thought because there just isn't much of a chance of time and money being no object - unless, of course, hubby decides to buy the winning Powerball ticket instead of the losers he usually buys :)

Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)? I use addi circulars for most of my knitting. I like short bamboo dpn for sock or mitten knitting. I just recently tried Crystal Palace 6" dpn and really, really like them. I only have one pair in a size 2 right now, though. If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be? Gonna have to cop out on this question too. Again, there are just too many nice yarns out there (and of course, I'd be a nice yarn)

Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack?I like caramel, toffee, or nugget type candy the best. I am a coffeholic - love my flavored coffees (everything except hazelnut!) What’s your favorite animal?Considering I have NINE cats, I guess I'd have to say cats :) Would you prefer super warm mittens or something more like fingerless mitts? It gets really cold here in Maine so I like me some warm mittens, but I'd also like to make myself some fingerless gloves. If you were a color what color would you be? I'd be green. What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature? the ocean Do you have a wishlist? Not an official wishlist. It'd be way too long. I have a wishlist about a mile long in my head. I pretty much wish I could have at least one of almost everything :) Anything else you’d like to share with the group today? No, not really.

Fugly yet Functional

As the title of this post suggests, I have finished the Fugly socks. I'm dubbing them the Fugly Fraternal Twin Socks:

I know the cuffs look like they are different sizes, but honestly they aren't. I must have pulled the one on the right up higher on the blocker and didn't notice it before taking the picture. I wore these today and they really are functional - comfy and WARM. I do still think it looks like I just stuck some radom yarn in the middle, but that's really just the STUPID way the yarn striped. I couldn't finish these fast enough! As soon as they were off the needles, I cast on for something enjoyable:

Another hat for Rabbitch's hat drive:

Hat #4 Yarn: Cascade 220 & Bernat Wool (old stuff from stash) stripes 84 stitches on size 9 addi circs. - K1P1 4 row rib

I finished this hat at work at the gym this morning. I've started another one, done in a k3 p1 pattern using some denim colored Paton's Classic Wool. This yarn is just soooo affordable. 100% Merino wool, 223 yards, for $4.99 - can't beat it! Not sure if this next one will be for Rabbitch or for Samm's boyfriend, Jay. If Jay likes it, it's his. I still plan to make at least 2 more for Rabbitch. These hats knit up so fast and I just love that they are going to be keeping some homeless heads warm. I am so very lucky; I have plenty to eat, a roof over my head, clothes to keep me warm, a family who loves me, and sooooooooo much yarn. I feel like I have to give something back for all my blessings. This is really such a small thing to do.

Next up is a scarf and some fingerless gloves for Samm. She got a new coat the other day and of course, a new coat means new accessories. She wants me to make a black scarf with a mint green star (color of her coat) on each end. She also wants a green star knit into the gloves. Not sure how to do that working in the round. I'm thinking I'm going to have to do the hand portion of the glove working back and forth and sew a seam. Anyone got any suggestions for me? Can it be done in the round?

Well, back to hat knitting :) Have a great night.

Saturday Sky

Eye Candy Friday

Ralph & Peaches

My Calendar

Chappysmom is having a contest (if enough people participate). All you have to do is post a picture of your November calendar page (must be 2006 or 2007) and leave her a comment that you did. I always have great pictures on EVERY month of my calendar. Why? Because my Dad makes a "Romano Family Calendar" every year. He puts pictures of the family (some are recent and some are old from our childhood) and also pics of places he's travelled to. Here is this year's November picture:

That is my nephew during the HS Championship football game last year.

The 2 up top are my brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

The three of them have birthdays in November, so they are featured.

He also puts pictures of everyone on their special day.

I love the calendars he makes. He's been doing it for about 6 years and I've saved them all.

Now, go take a picture of your November calendar and post it on your blog. Don't forget to leave Chappysmom a comment. Remember, there will be prizes if enough people do it (I know I love a chance to win a prize).

Here's the picture of the hat I forgot to upload yesterday. This is the third hat I've made for Rabbitch's hat drive. I'm hoping to make 2 or 3 more in time to send them out at the end of the month.

And the first fugly sock is done. The reason I bought this yarn was because of the little bit of brown mixed in with the blues. As I said yesterday, it took forever to get to the brown. Once I did, well, YUCK. I mean, if you're just going to through the brown in there all willy nilly, why even bother. It really looks out of place. Kind of looks like I just stuck some random yarn in the middle of my sock.

Oh well, I tried it on and it is comfy and will be very warm. I cast on for the second sock immediately after finishing this. I knew if I waited any time at all, I'd probably never do it. I'm hoping to finish it by tomorrow so I can move on to something I can actually enjoy knitting.

That's all I've got for ya - now go take a calendar picture.

Another First

Don't you just love seeing a knitter friend's first sweater and sharing in their joy? I know I do. Last night at Chicks with Sticks, Lisa showed off her first ever sweater and what could I do? I couldn't let the moment pass without recording it for history (and for blog material):

What a fantastic job she did on this sweater. And look at it; it isn't even just a plain sweater. Here's a close up of the pattern:

WoW, I am just so impressed.

As for my knitting, well let's just say I'm not feeling so impressed. Check out this fugly sock I'm working on. The yarn is Opal sport weight (or dk weight or something like that). I'm really hating the way it is striping. I don't like that the stripes are all the same size (except that one in the middle - what's up with that?) and I really thought there'd be more brown in it. I mean, look at the ball, there is definitely brown there. I have knit the entire leg, turned the heel, and am starting the gusset and still no brown. I did pull some yarn out and brown is the next color in line, but come on; don't you think there should be more? Oh, and as far as having matching socks - I'm thinking not. I haven't even worked one complete color pattern repeat and I just know that I'm gonna end up with the toe being at the point where I'd need to start the second sock if I want them to match. There just isn't enough yarn in the ball to pull out that much. What's a girl to do? Guess I'll just finish the fugly socks and make sure they are always hidden away in my shoes.

On a happier note, I finished another hat for Rabbitch's hat drive. Again, just a plain ole stockinette stitch, knit in the round hat with a k1p1 rib.

Oh crap, I just went to get the picture and realized I didn't upload it to Flickr this morning. Guess you'll get that picture tomorrow.

That's it for today. Have a good one!

Dedicated Town Employees

My Boss, Tax Assessor Rick

Tax Collector (Turtle), Mary-Anne, and her crew

Bee-April, Tigger-Melissa, Tourist-Deb, Witch Joyce, Witch Mary

with Rick

Are they a professional looking bunch or what?

Me - I'm a party pooper - I dressed up as myself

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

My Nana

Onorina (Jennie) Sbardella Romano

Born 29 February 1912, San Giovanni Incarico, Italy

Died 30 October 1991,Boston, Massachusetts

early 1950's

1952 (front left)

1956

1967

1973

1986

4 Generations

Always loved, never forgotten.

Why is it that I'm so tired?

Whenever we have to change the clocks, whether we spring ahead or fall behind, I feel all out of sorts for the day. It was great to sleep an extra hour this morning before going to work at the gym, but by 11am I was ready to go home and I still had another hour to work. I wish we could just leave the time alone. Enough whining, I have pictures to show you. I have accomplished quite a bit over the last couple of days. First let me show the the 2nd hat I made for Rabbitch's hat drive (I posted about it without a picture the other day):

Why do they make these styrofoam heads so small? I think I need to find a wig for it so you can really see how the hat would fit a normal head. Maybe after Halloween, I'll buy one on sale. Maybe a funky colored one :)

This hat is made with the same yarn as the last scarf I made for the Red Scarf Project; Paton's Classic Wool. Just a plain old stockinette stitch hat with a 4 row k1p1 rib. I love the way the colors pooled in this hat.

I also made another black hat like this one for Jay, Samm's boyfriend. I made just one change on Jay's hat; I added a row of k1p1 rib on the bottom so it wouldn't roll. It worked, but I think next time I'll add 2 rows. He liked it so much, he wants more in different colors. Don't you just love it when your hand knit items are appreciated. I think there is no greater compliment than being asked to knit something for someone you care about.

Another FO:

Does anyone else have trouble photographing brown? This neckwarmer is actually a beautiful deep chocolate brown color.

Pattern: Gaiter, from One Skien

Yarn: Fantasy Cashmere (found it at AC Moore, it's only 5% cashmere, but it's sooo soft!)

For: My Dad for Christmas

This really looks much better on than it does in this picture. I was afraid it was too big, but hubby tried it on for me and it looks really nice.

Next up, a special request by a special friend:

Faux Felted Mittens

Yarn: Cascade 220 and LaGran mohair held together throughout

These are some warm mittens! Made from I pattern I got when I took a class a few years ago.

That's it for FO's, but I have more pictures for you. I received a package in the mail Friday from Amy at Spunky Eclectic. Damn, she's fast! I just ordered this at the beginning of the week.

First, I saw this bag on her blog and HAD to have one.

Isn't it great? It's a small knitting bag and I plan to put a ball of sock yarn and some dpn's in it and stick it in my glove box so I am never without some knitting if I find I have some unexpected waiting/knitting time.

The rest of the package:

Yes, That is a Learn to Spin kit!

And just look at this spindle; is it not the cutest?

I decided it was time to see if I'd enjoy spinning my own yarn. Let me tell you, that fiber is so fluffy soft! And the colors you see in the top picture are pretty darn accurate. I love it! Only problem? I read the directions and don't quite "get it". What I really need I guess is to actually see someone use a drop spindle. I have no clue what to do. Anyone know where I might find a good video tutorial online? I'm ready for another obsession :)

Phoebe isn't as excited about this acquistion as I am.

SSS-

STORMY SATURDAY SKY

This was the "good" part of the day -

The rest of the day was a total washout!

I've been Sheeped!

For two days, while I was sick, I just left my mail in the mailbox across the street. Finally, yesterday I was well enough to go to work so I was well enough to pick up my mail. I marched myself across the street to the mailbox and what did I find? In amongst the yarn catalogs, bills, and junk mail, a small envelope from the Sheep. I was very afraid, for I knew what was inside that small, unassuming envelope. I had been warned! I carefully opened the envelope. Tucked inside the cutest little kitty card was a school picture of the Sheep. And it wasn't the least bit scary! Now it's your turn to be afraid, Sheepie, for I just might decide to post that school photo one day :-) In knitting news: I give you some FO's.

I've finished two out of three pair of Dutchican socks:

Green pair - Cascade Fixation yarn

Blue/green pair - K1C2 Wick yarn

both pairs made on size 2 dpn worked from the top down

One pair left to do and they'll be on their way. (actually I made another sock last night but it turned out so big that it would fit a baby elephant foot; might be a tad too big for the Dutchicans, ya think?)

I also made 2 hats for Rabbitch's hat drive. I only have one picture for you right now; I still need to take a photo of the 2nd one.

Plain ole roll brim stockinette hat made from some black wool from my stash.

And lastly, I finished the scarf I was crocheting for the Red Scarf Project:

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool

Crochet Hook: size K

Pattern: my own

Haven't named this scarf yet, but hopefully by tonight it will have a name and the pattern will be posted in the sidebar.

That's it for now. Have a great day!

Cindy contemplates writing a blog of her own.

"If I could just figure out how to type with these big double paws!"

A Picture Post

This is just going to be a quick post with lots of pictures and not many words. I am home sick with some nasty bug and can't sit up for long periods of time. So let's start the picture show:

Socks I've made that still reside in my house. (for The Giving Flower's contest )

There are also at least this many that are currently living elsewhere.

Basket of Sock Stash

(basket made by my favorite (only) sister)

Contents of the basket (I think I need more sock yarn)

Noolie's Fruit Punch sock yarn

Hand dyed by Gina and named for me :)

This picture does not do this yarn justice - it is GORGEOUS!

finished baby socks which ended up going to my new great niece

Speaking of the new great niece - I went to visit her on Sunday. Here she is:

Sherri (my favorite sister) and Kayla

This is how I spent most of the visit.

She made some great faces while sleeping :)

Saturday Sky brought to you by Sir Francis Drake

You're getting Saturday Sky on Sunday because Blogger wasn't playing nice last night! Sir Francis Drake arrived at my house Thursday afternoon carrying some great loot from my Yarn Aboard pal Cathy. Check it out:

Look at all the goodies! Here's what we've got: Opal in the gorgeous colorway, 2 skiens of Clown cotton blend yarn in a really fun colorway, a ball of Cascade Fixation in an absolutely stunning green color, a set of size 1 sock needles (how did she know I was going to bust one yesterday and need it?), some yummy smelling pineapple facial scrub, a BEAUTIFUL Thomas Kinkade notebook which will fit perfectly in my purse or knitting bag (I love, love, love Thomas Kinkade), a yummy Lindt chocolate covered wafer bar (you may notice the package in this picture looks suspiciously empty), and last, but most definitely not least, a beautiful rose quartz necklace that she made herself. It is so pretty! Cathy, you really spoiled me; Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

Sir Francis is only with me for a few days and so Hubby and I thought he might like to see some sights in town. We took him to see the Nubble Lighthouse:

Check out the beautiful Saturday Sky (but pay no attention to the scowl on my face - the sun was in my eyes and it was FREEZING standing there!).

Sir Francis had heard about a witch buried in York and wanted to see the grave. So, the next stop was the Old Burying Yard: where we showed him the grave of the "witch", Mary Nasson.

He enjoyed seeing the sights and told us there was just one more thing that he'd like to see:

A LIVE MAINE LOBSTER.

He had a nice time while here, but tonight he has to pack his things and tomorrow he moves along to the next stop on his journey.

Socks, Sock yarn stash, FO's, and baby tomorrow. Have a nice night.

Eye Candy Friday

Jan and Rico - still best buds.

I can't believe how big Jan is getting!

Look closely and you'll see she is hugging Rico.

It's a Girl

I have a confession to make. While it is true that I am knitting for both a boy baby and a girl baby, I really did have the girl baby in mind for the hat. Thank you all for your honest opinions. In the end, I decided to add a little crocheted ruffle to girlie it up a bit. I think it came out pretty cute (if I do say so myself).

I am really getting a lot mileage out of this one skien of Opal Ladybug! I made my first Rainbow Ripple socks back in September with it, then the baby hat, and now this:

(beginning of) Socks for the Dutchicans

size 1 dpn's

Yankee Knitter Pattern #25

My plan for the Dutchicans is to make 3 pairs of socks (one for each) out of some of the many leftover balls of sock yarn.

Speaking of leftover sock yarn... The other day during my lunch hour, I decided to clean up my downstairs yarn closet (as opposed to my upstairs yarn ROOM!). My sister made me a lovely wool basket (no the basket isn't made out of wool *grin*) a while back and up until this point, it was being used as a bed for Peaches. She took it over the minute I brought it in the house and set it down - she loves a good basket, or box, to sleep in. Anyway, I reclaimed the basket, pulled out all the yarn in the closet, and sorted it by type. I put all the partial balls of sock yarn in the bottom of the basket and put all the full skiens of sock yarn on top of that. OMG! I have waaaaaaay more sock yarn than I thought. I filled the basket! No picture of it for you right now, but just wait. I'm planning to take a picture of that, as well as all the socks I've made that are still in my possession on Saturday (in honor of Soctoberfest and for The Giving Flower's contest) . It's supposed to be a nice day, so I should have some good light for a sock photo shoot :-)

I have been feeling a need to crochet lately. Last night it occured to me that it must be because we are coming up on the 15th anniversary of my Nana's death. She died on October 30, 1991 and I still miss her. She is the person who taught me to crochet when I was 10 and whenever I crochet, I think about her. I think about how patient she was with me as she taught me to make a granny square; I remember the few months I stayed with her when I was going to school in Boston after high school and the stories she shared with me. I remember when I was 10 and watched "The Birds" and she let me sleep in her bed with her so I wouldn't be afraid. I remember the smells we would wake up to on Sunday mornings when we lived with her. She was your typical Italian grandmother. EVERY Saturday, she would make homemade pasta and roll it out into these huge thin circles that she'd drape on every bed in the house to dry. She was one strong woman, let me tell you. She used a rolling pin (if you can even call it a pin) that was about 3 feet long (I am not exaggerating; it may have even been longer than that!) and rolled that pasta out so thin. She taught me to make pasta, but I never had the strength to roll it out like her. Back to the Sunday morning smells; after making the pasta on Saturday, she would get up very early on Sunday and start the sauce, which included the sauteeing of garlic and frying up of meatballs. All this before church! That is the Sunday morning smell I remember so fondly. I have her sauce "recipe" and sometimes I'll make it just so I can smell it.

Sorry, I got a little sidetracked, there. The reason I mention my "need" to crochet lately is that I have started another crocheted scarf for the Red Scarf Project.

Yarn: Paton's Classic Wool

Pattern: My own (I'll post it when I'm done)

Hook: Size K

I know, it's not red, but I figure there will be so many red scarves that I'd like to make some that are good for those who don't like red. And besides, there's a little reddish maroon in there. Sorta. Kinda. Peaches approves of it.

Before I end this post, I need to say thank you to everyone who commented on yesterday's rant. I did give some thought to the idea that there could have been a man in there, but that would have been too easy to hide; she could have just shut the bedroom door. So, even if that were the case, and I really don't think it was, that doesn't excuse her. I think the Sheep hit it right on the head when she said "She is either hiding something big or has moved on to some larger mental health issues. " She has always been a little off; perhaps things have gotten worse. Oh well, I'm over it, no longer pissed just kinda sad at the end of a friendship. Anyway, thanks again to all of you.

and MissaLouise: since I know you would never deny me a toilet, you have nothing to worry your pretty little head about; you will always be my bestest friend whether you like it or not! :-)

WTF Wednesday

I'M PISSED!

This is going to be a long rant about something that happened Monday.

A little history first:

I have (had) this friend who I met when our daughters were both 5 years old (we're talking almost 16 years ago). We hung out together a lot; the girls liked each other and got along well and so did the grown up girls. We had lots of fun. As the girls grew up, they each went in different directions and made new friends, but my friend and I were still great friends. About 8 or 9 years ago, her husband got transferred to Alaska and they moved away. A couple months later he informed her he wanted a divorce and she moved back here in a state of total and utter depression. I mean serious, clinical depression. I was there for her (once at 2 in the morning when she felt like ending it all and called me. I went right over.). She made it through that tough time and we continued on with our friendship. She was always there for me and me for her. Eventually, our schedules were such that we only saw each other occasionally and in the past 7 years or so, we probably got together only 2 or 3 times a year. She was always invited to Thanksgiving at my house (to which she could never seem to make it on time). From the time she came back here to live, she has had Thanksgiving dinner at my house every year but one. I put up with all her idiosyncrasies (like ALWAYS being VERY late for anything, never turning her heat up past 60 degrees even when she invited me over and other things) and she put up with mine - because we were friends.

When you have been friends with someone as long as I have with her and you have seen her at her worst and she's seen you at your worst, you expect you'll remain friends.

Now, you may think I'm over reacting here, but I AM PISSED! Here's the story:

I was out doing inspections on Monday afternoon (I'm a tax assessor as many of you know) and suddenly had to pee. Now, you need to know that I have never been one who could really hold it and the older I get the harder it is to hold. So, I'm trying to decide if I want to drive all the way back to the office just to use the bathroom and leave again. (This is where it'd be good to have external genitals - if that were the case, I could've just hid behind a tree and whipped it out and been done with it.) Then I realized I was just down the street from my friend's condo and I knew she would be going to work in an hour, so she'd surely be home. I knew she wouldn't mind me dropping in unannounced because she does it every now and then to me (and stays for hours I might add). I could stop in, say hello, and use the bathroom. Problem solved.

So, I drive there, ring the bell and no answer but her car is in the parking lot. So, I ring again; still no answer. I walk back to my car (praying that I don't end up with a stream running down my leg before I get there). Once in the car, I get out the trusty celly and call her. She answers the phone! Says the doorbell had just woke her up and she had to get ready for work. I told her it was me at the door and that I was sitting in the parking lot, please can I come in and use your toilet.

I'm sure you can guess where this is going - she said NO!!!!!!! Can you believe it - she said NO and she wasn't joking!

EX-friend: "No, you can't; my house is a mess."

me: "big deal, I just need to pee. I don't care what your house looks like. Can I just come in and go? I'm gonna piss my pants out here."

ef: "No; no one is allowed in the house; it's a disaster."

me: stunned silence

ef: "I'll talk to you later."

me: a few more seconds of stunned silence then "yeh, bye"

Tell, me. Am I over reacting? Would you turn away your friend no matter how dirty the place was? Well, that's it. She is no longer my friend! Next time she drops by she's getting "Sorry, you can't come in, the place is a mess." and a door shut in her F-ing face! If instead, she calls to chat, she's getting - "can't talk, the phone's dirty. click."

I still can't believe it - WTF kind of friend is that?

Give me your opinion

I need your help. I am knitting this baby hat and need your help to decide if it is going to be for a girl or boy baby. Be honest with me; I'm knitting for both so I'm not hoping for you to tell me one over the other.

Yarn: Opal ladybug colorway

Pattern: From Grandview

Needles: size 2 addi's (12" circ)

Model: Lamby crocheted in 1990 for my daughter (I love this lamby)

Please leave me a comment with your opinion. Lurkers, please come out of lurkdom and help me out here :)

I finished my second pair of Soctoberfest socks:

Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill, Quarry Hill colorway

Pattern: Rainbow Ripple

Needles: Brittney Birch size 2 dpn

I love the way these socks came out. I wore them yesterday and they are so comfy! Love this yarn; I'll definitely be using it again.

I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed with what I need to get done over the next couple months, so I decided to make a list. Here it is:

1. Socks for Dutchicans (by Nov. 2)

2. Hats for homeless for Rabbitch (by Dec. 1)

3. Red Scarves for Red Scarf Project (by mid-January)

4. Neck warmer (for Christmas)

5. Scarf (for Christmas)

6. Scarf (for Christmas)

7. Toddler sweater (for Christmas)

8. Baby sweater (for Christmas)

9. Double knit along project (I'll combine this with #2)

10. Lonesome skien project(this can be combined with #2 and #3)

Looks like a lot, but I'm pretty sure I can get it done. I may put this list in the sidebar to help me stay on track.

I'll leave you with this:

Cindy just relaxing on my bag.

(she doesn't really have devil eyes - gotta figure out how to edit those)

Have a great day!

IT'S DONE!

YeeHaw! I finished the paper from hell. It was another slow day at the gym and I was able to finish writing my paper while at work and even had time to spare to get started on a new book. I can't tell you how relieved I am that the paper is done - I feel like a huge weight has been lifted. I was beginning to get pretty stressed out and was *thisclose* to just saying the hell with it and dropping the class. Give me a math class any day, but this business class is B.O.R.I.N.G. Oh well, just under 2 months and 1 more paper left and it'll be over. I'm hoping to take Statistics (but not online!) next semester; I'll still stress over my work, but I'll enjoy it. I love numbers :) I know, I'm weird. Anyway, this paper is done and has been e-mailed, so it's out of my hands now.
After work, I went grocery shopping and stopped in at the new A.C. Moore store that just opened next door to the grocery store. I was all excited; everyone said it's a great store. Yes, it's a nice store, but great? It's a bit better than Michael's, a larger selection of knitting and crocheting books, and they actually had some decent yarn, which surprised me. I did pick up a couple small project bags (pics tomorrow - it's too late right now) for $1.99 each! I'm gonna save one for a secret pal gift and I figure the other one is great for smallish projects, like scarves, hats, and baby items. You can never have too many knitting bags, don't you agree?
After the groceries were put away, I napped for 3 hours!!!! Guess I was trying to make up for the sleep I didn't get last night. I was awake all damn night!
Well, it is 9pm and I haven't knit a stitch all day! Appalling! I must get going and do something to change that.
Have a great night.

Saturday (afternoon) Sky

Isn't this a pretty sky?

It was a nice clear day today, a little cool but nice; a good day for all the bazillion folks who went to Harvestfest. Luckily, I did not have to be anywhere near there today. I did, however, have to work all afternoon at the gym. That's okay though because it was DEAD. I was all alone for about 1/2 an hour and for most of the afternoon there weren't more than 2 or 3 people at a time there. Everyone must have been enjoying the beautiful day.

This gave me plenty of time to work on my paper. No, it isn't quite done, but I'm hoping I'll have time to finish it tomorrow morning when I'm back at work at the gym. No day off for me this week :(

Last night was spent working on the second Rainbow Ripple sock. I think the sock was trying to tell me that I should have been working on the paper. Damn sock just wouldn't cooperate with me! After about four hours of knitting, I finally managed to turn the heel and complete the gusset decreases. FOUR HOURS! Turning the heel gave me no problem, and I didn't think the gusset was giving me any problems either. Until I suddenly realized what I was doing - I was decreasing not just the one stitch on each side, but I was also decreasing on the front! When did I notice this stupid-ass thing I was doing? Oh, let's see, it was after I had done all but 2 of the decrease rows! Tink, Tink, Tink, Tink, Tink..... and on and on and on. Because I didn't dare to frog the rows, I had dropped a couple stitches earlier and they were really hard to pick up with this sock for some reason. So, it was one.stitch.at.a.time! Hopefully, I'll have better luck tonight and have a FO picture for you tomorrow.

Harvestfest

There is not a helluva lot of work getting done here at Town Hall today! This weekend is the annual Harvestfest here in York, and it is right outside our windows. Traffic is hideous; I had to park blocks away from the building; there is terrible music being played all day; there are smells of wonderful food invading the building (I am trying very hard to ignore them); and EVERYONE is coming in to use the bathroom - gross! I hate this day! Usually. One thing has made it worth all the trouble this year. I went out to scope out the booths and found a booth selling Beads for Life. They are not only beautiful and very inexpensive, but they support a very good cause. I bought a BUNCH of them for Christmas presents. I am so happy to have knocked a huge chunk out of the Christmas to-do list and to have helped such a worthy cause. There has been some knitting going on - I finished the first Rainbow Ripple sock and am ready to turn the heel on the second one. Paper writing, on the other hand, has not been progressing as it should be. I'm so not into this class!

WTF Wednesday

The headless adult mannequins are bad enough, but this -

WTF

Socks, Scarf, Sock

I promised you knitting content and I'm gonna give you knitting content. I know, I know; I promised it for yesterday. Hey, better late than never, and because you've been so patient, I'll even add in some crochet content.

First up:

Pattern: (not so) Heeless Sleeping Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks. Yarn: Regia Silk

You can't really see the patterning on the legs on these blockers, but oh well, that's what they're gonna look like on anyway. I only did the ridged patterning on the leg; I like a smooth sock on my foot. And boy are these babies smooth. Silky soft :) Love this yarn; I see more of it in my future. As you can see in the picture, I added a heel; I don't plan to wear these babies to bed (well, not just to bed anyway).

Saturday morning I went to my LYS to see if, by some miracle, there was any of the blue yarn that I ran out of while crocheting the scarf for the Red Scarf Project. (I bought the original blue yarn at least 2 years ago!) There wasn't any, but I couldn't leave empty handed, especially with Roger there ;) so I picked up a couple skeins of Cascade 220 to make another red scarf. While I was standing at the register gabbing with Patti, Martha (store employee) brought up a skein of the red I had been using with the blue on the scarf. Not the same dye lot, but close enough. She didn't know I had used that yarn; she was just letting Patti know that it was the only one in that particular dye lot left in the store. Well, I took that as a sign that I needed to rip out a bunch of the work I had done, and put a red section in the middle of the scarf (making it mostly red instead of the mostly blue I had planned). That's exactly what I spent yesterday doing. I'm actually quite pleased with the result:

Yarn: Plymouth Galway Highland Heather (blue) and Encore (red)

Pattern: My own Size: 6" x 72" after blocking

Again, you can't really see the pattern; I'll try to get a close up of the pattern tonight. I was taking these pictures before work this morning and was somewhat rushed.

Finally, after finishing the scarf, I cast on for another pair of socks (because I don't have enough things going!). It is Soctoberfest, after all. This is the Rainbow Ripple pattern, using Cherry Tree Hill Supersock yarn. First time working with this yarn and all I can say is "YUMMY". This is nice yarn. Unfortunately, I think the pattern is getting a little lost in this colorway, but I still love it. So, so, so, soft.

Now, I must make a confession. All this knitting and crocheting was accomplished because I was putting off starting work on a paper that is due THIS coming Sunday! I haven't even started it and you know what - I'm still going to Chicks with Sticks tonight, so it ain't gettin started tonight either. GAWD, I should have known better than to take an online class - I have absolutely no discipline. All I want to do is knit. I mean come on, can you blame me? The paper is for a Business class and it's on OPEC and what it is, who it is, how it works, how it has affected us, etc. B.O.R.I.N.G.! Anyway, if you don't see much posting going on here the rest of this week, you'll know why.

Etta James - INCREDIBLE

Hubby and I saw Etta James at the Zieteron Theatre in New Bedford, MA last night. It was a great show. If you ever get the chance to see her, you MUST go! This woman can sing! And let me tell you, she puts on a good show. We couldn't have asked for better seats - check it out:

Our seats are the ones in red, right up front!

Etta (at 68 years old) Struts Her Stuff

Sorry the pictures aren't the greatest, but we don't like to use flash when we're at a show; just think it's rude.

I have to tell ya, she's right up there with my all time fave, BB King. If you know me at all, you know that is saying A LOT. She has such a strong, absolutely incredible voice. And boy, does she have a sense of humor - she had us laughing like fools at her antics. She also had me near tears at times; she makes you feel the songs.

Definitely worth the 2 1/2 hour drive down there (through Boston traffic and all!)

Now I know you are all waiting for the pictures I promised you of the lovely view outside the front of the hotel where we stayed in Newhaven (the next town over from the show). I won't keep you waiting any longer. For your viewing pleasure:

This is what we saw as we turned the corner going to the hotel (minus the drunk sitting on the curb in a sweatshirt that read "Got Beer"). And right next to that building, was this:

Both buildings were directly across the street from the hotel. I didn't hold out much hope that the room was going to be decent after seeing the neighborhood, but thankfully, it was. It was a Holiday Inn and it was nothing special, but it was clean and that's the important thing!

Believe it or not, I do still knit. I promise you knitting content tomorrow :)

Saturday Sky

This is the view out the backside of the hotel we are staying at tonight. If we lean far enough to the left, this is what we see out our window.

We are in Fairhaven, MA. We're going to see Etta James tonight in the next town over, New Bedford.

Coming tomorrow, for your viewing pleasure, a view from the front side of the hotel.

Eye Candy Friday

Kayla Marie

Born 10-5-06 at 9:18pm

8 lbs. 5 oz.

20" long

Oh yeah, and that's mom (Kristen, my niece) and dad (Shawn) with her.

She Lives!

Thank you to everyone who sent me well wishes over the last couple days. It seems that spending two days in a drug induced stupor seems to have done the trick. The headache is pretty much gone and I do believe I shall live to knit again! There was actually a teensy, weensy bit of knitting going on in between naps today. There was even some crocheting going on tonight. I thought I'd crochet a quick scarf for the Red Scarf Project (it's actually mostly navy with a little red thrown in). I thought I had plenty of this blue yarn in my stash, but I seem to have run out after crocheting 3/4 of the scarf. The yarn is Galway Highland Heather which I purchased about 2 years ago. What are the chances I'll find some more in the same dye lot? I know, I know; not likely. Oh well, if I can at least find the same color (even in a different dye lot) it should still be okay. I'll just attach the new yarn after a red section and hopefully it won't be noticeable. I'll have pics for you tomorrow (hopefully of a new great-niece who is at this very moment trying to push her way into the world!)

She Lives!

Thank you to everyone who sent me well wishes over the last couple days. It seems that spending two days in a drug induced stupor seems to have done the trick. The headache is pretty much gone and I do believe I shall live to knit again! There was actually a teensy, weensy bit of knitting going on in between naps today. There was even some crocheting going on tonight. I thought I'd crochet a quick scarf for the Red Scarf Project (it's actually mostly navy with a little red thrown in). I thought I had plenty of this blue yarn in my stash, but I seem to have run out after crocheting 3/4 of the scarf. The yarn is Galway Highland Heather which I purchased about 2 years ago. What are the chances I'll find some more in the same dye lot? I know, I know; not likely. Oh well, if I can at least find the same color (even in a different dye lot) it should still be okay. I'll just attach the new yarn after a red section and hopefully it won't be noticeable. I'll have pics for you tomorrow (hopefully of a new great-niece who is at this very moment trying to push her way into the world!)

Soctoberfest has begun!

I finished the green baby sweater on Friday as predicted. This was such a quick and easy knit. Only took me 2 evenings to complete. That's the good thing about baby knits - quick!

Pattern: Knitting Pure & Simple, Baby Pullover

Yarn: Brown Sheep Co. Lamb's Pride

Color: Limeaid

Sunday was the offical beginning of . This is the perfect knitalong because you can make it pretty much whatever you want. I'm choosing to use the month to knit with the many sock yarns I have in my stash that I've never used before, and to use some new patterns. Sunday I cast on a pair with Wick, from Knit1 Crochet Too. This yarn is really very soft but I think I used too small a needle because what I produced was a very thick, very dense sock which is not soft at all! But did I stop when I realized it wasn't going to be what I wanted; NO. I just kept going thinking that by some miracle, it would suddenly become soft and wearable. I gave up last night after knitting the leg, heel, and most of the foot. I tried it on and it just felt AWFUL! So, off to the frog pond with that sock! I will use the yarn again, but I'll use bigger needles and perhaps a different pattern.

After tossing the Wick sock into the pond, I cast on for a new sock with another yarn I've been wanting to try. Regia Silk. Very, very nice yarn. This is as soft knit up as it is on the ball!

Aren't those colors just gorgeous? I love them. I haven't completed enough for you to really get a feel for the pattern; it's the Heelless Sleep Socks, from Knitting Vintage Socks. Only I'm not going to make them heelless and I'm not going to sleep in them. I plan to do the pattern on the leg portion only (I don't like any texture on my foot) and do a heel flap heel and stockinette foot.

Other yarns in my stash to try: Koigu, Socks that Rock, Cherry Tree Hill and I know there are others, but my brain isn't working so well today.

In other news, prizes will be mailed by the end of the week - hopefully even sooner.

There probably won't be much knitting going on in the next couple days; I've been fighting a migraine for a week now and none of my meds have worked so I called the doctor today for some Vicodin. I'm picking it up after work tonight and plan to be heavily drugged for at least tonight and tomorrow. This is not conducive to knitting; just ask the Sheep what happens when you try to knit while drugged.

Have a great couple days and I'll be back when I come out of my drug induced stupor :)

YOU ARE ALL WINNERS IN MY BOOK!

I wish I could send a prize to every one of you! Without you guys, I wouldn't have come anywhere close to raising what I did. Before I announce the prize winners, here's a little look at the walk.

Betty: Betty's Husband, Scott and Son, Zach Dedication banners hanging up from prior years and this year's banner Captain Chemo walks every year. Before the walk. The starting line; this doesn't even begin to show how many people were there.
And finally, my Saturday Sky. This was taken along the walk.

It was a beautiful night for the walk. It was only about a 3 1/2 mile walk, but I was exhausted after it was finished. I've been fighting a migraine headache all week, but this walk felt really good. We walked from the York Beach Ballfield up to the Nubble Lighthouse and back down to Short Sands beach. I know this doesn't mean anything to those of you who don't know the area, but it is a beautiful walk. I tried to get a picture of the lighthouse, but by the time we reached it, it was too dark.

Now, for the prizes. I used this random number generator to pick the winners. Each person was assigned one number for a donation (money or prize) and one number for a mention on your blog. Here are the winners:

Ruth Kampen

Kristie Naranjo

Jeanne Dawber

Janice

Debby

Gina

Carol (aka MissaLouise)

Patti

Laura

Laura Ambrose

Ann

A Successful Walk

Just a quick post tonight - I'm exhausted! The LTN walk was tonight and it was a big success. There were over 500 people there and the estimate is that $55,000 was raised! A great big THANK YOU for all your support; with your help, I raised $1,218! WOOHOO! Pictures and more about the walk tomorrow. Need some rest right now. I'll draw names for the prizes tomorrow as well :)

Eye Candy Friday - The Movie

It's all about babies

A fellow Chick with Sticks has jumped into blogland! Go check out Heidi's new blog and welcome her. I have an FO for you (and this time it's mine):

Pattern: Child's Placket-Neck Pullover from Last Minute Knitted Gifts

Yarn: Plassard, Layette Plus, Color 209

A close up.

This sweater is for my daughter's friend's new baby. She requested "white with specks of baby colors". I think this fits the bill. This was a quick and easy knit. Done from the bottom up and attaching the sleeves as you go. First time I had tried this method; it was a little awkward attaching the sleeves, but I enjoyed it.

I started another baby sweater as soon as that one was complete last night. This one is for my co-worker, whose shower is October 8th. Her baby is due in November, so I decided to make the smallest size so he can wear it right away. I'm making Knitting Pure & Simple's Baby Pullover in Brown Sheep Co. Lamb's Pride yarn. This sweater if flying! I should have it done by tomorrow. Good thing too, because I'm having sock withdrawal symptoms. I need to start some more socks. Never thought I'd say that, but let me tell you - I'm hooked on socks! I also need to finish my cardigan before I loose interest.

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JUST 2 DAYS LEFT TO DONATE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN PRIZES!

GOAL $1,000, CURRENT DONATIONS $1,138!

Good Bye and Good Luck Ruth!

One of our Tuesday night chicks is fleeing the coop. Ruth is moving to Chicago to take a new job. She'll also be near her parents. It's a good thing for Ruth; for the rest of the chicks - not so much. Ruth is so much fun; she's always making me laugh! It's fun to watch Ruth knit; she takes such pleasure in it - stopping every few minutes to admire her work. It's such a joy to watch. Last night was our last Tuesday night Chicks with Sticks with Ruth (except for when she comes back to visit us, which you will do, right Ruth?!). We tried to get her to come back every Tuesday night and she could take the red eye back to Chicago and be back in the office Wednesday morning, but she's not buying into that. Too bad.

Here's a couple pictures of Ruth from last night.

She has been working on a bag for a friend and brought it in so we could see it completed. We have all been anxiously awaiting this particular FO. Her friend asked her to knit this bag (The Lucy Bag by Two Old Bags) and picked out the yarn - Transitions, by Noro!!! This is one very EXPENSIVE bag. We were all horrified at the thought of felting such lovely (and expensive) yarn. But let me tell you - that stuff felts up beautifully. Soooo, soooo, soooft! You could stuff it and use it for a pillow, it's so soft. Ruth you did a fantastic job!

Goodbye and Good Luck Ruth, we will truly miss you!

A Little of This, A Little of That

Look what came in the mail on Saturday:

I was moved to tears when I opened this. Jeanne, a lovely lady I met at Grandview, sent a donation to LTN along with a nice note and 2 of these Angels of Courage pins, one for me and one for Betty. Her brother makes them to raise money for cancer research. He has donated over $50,000 from the sale of these. The colored beads on the front represent the type of cancer, Multiple Myeloma in this case.

Over the weekend, I finished one front piece of my cardigan. No picture; it looks just like the back only 1/2 the size :)

I put the cardigan aside to start some baby projects. This is a sweater I'm making for a friend of my daughter's (well, actually for her friend's baby):

This is worked in the round from the bottom up to the armholes then set aside to do the sleeves. The sleeves will be knit on and it will continue in the round. I've never worked a sweater this way before; it's kind of neat.

After this, I'll be making another baby sweater for a co-worker whose shower is October 8th. Then back to the cardigan.

And finally, isn't this the cutest "chef-to-be" you've ever seen? Who cut off the bottom of her legs? These pants are about 8" too long. There are 3 pairs that I'll have to hem and you know how I feel about sewing! I must really love her.

Here she is with the pants tucked up to the right length.

(pay no attention to the toilet in the background - the bathroom was the only place with enough light to take pictures)

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

KNITTERS ROCK!

Not a lot of time to post today, but I just had to take a minute to say:

KNITTERS ROCK!

Check out the updated LTN info in the sidebar - WOWZA!!!! Thanks to the generosity of so many, I have surpassed my goal and there is still almost a week to go!

I am filled with such a warm and fuzzy feeling, thank you so much!

Saturday Sky

A good day to nap.

Eye Candy Friday (and it could be yours!)

"Good and Plenty" Hand dyed and donated by La Donate and it could be yours!

Goal $1,000 Current Donation $728

FO's (but not mine)

First up - Patti finished her shawl for the store. She's thrilled to be done with it. Rows over 460 stitches long - I'd be thrilled too! It is absolutely gorgeous, though. It's made out of Berroco Suede and it is oh so soft.

Here's a close up view. The colors are fantastic. Do you think she'll notice if it goes missing from the store?

Next up, my bestest buddy Carol (aka MissaLouise) has completed her first pair of socks! Can I hear a "YAY, Way to go!"? Take a look at these. She did a fantastic job. I'm so proud of her.

Yarn: Cascade Fixation Pattern: Yankee Knitter #25

(She's already working on another pair - for her hubby)

Finally, I give you the lining from hell:

(kind of looks like the fires of hell in this picture) It's so hard to photograph this color.

This picture captures the color better.

I think it came out pretty good (damn good thing too because as I said before I never want to line another bag!)

I finished the back of my cardigan. It's coming out quite nice, if I do say so myself. I laid the Bamboo Gable on top of it and the colors are perfect!

That's all I've got tonight. Gotta go take a shower before Grey's Anatomy - last episode of last season at 8, first episode of this season at 9! I love that show.

Not Your Typical WTF Wednesday

This is not going to be your typical rant. Not that I don't have a list of things for a good long rant; but because this is a special Wednesday.

TODAY IS BETTY BOOP'S BIRTHDAY!

(no, not that Betty Boop; this Betty Boop)

And I say, "WTF, Let's Celebrate!"

In honor of Betty's birthday, I am adding a prize to the Light The Night drawing. Don't know what this is about? Go here and find out how you could win one of these great prizes.

Betty LOVES, LOVES, LOVES, pins. She has more pins than anyone I know; she wears one every day and I don't think I've seen the same one twice! So, the new prize is this:

Isn't it great? It's a 2" x 3" pewter filigree sheep pin from Ram Wools.

So, what are you waiting for, help me celebrate Betty's birthday by donating!

Goal $1,000Current Donation $660 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOOPIE!

Stick a fork in me; I'm done!

Or perhaps, more accuartely: Stick a needle in me; I'm never lining a bag again! Finally, the Samm Bag is done! I spent all afternoon yesterday putting in the lining. After many, many, many needle pricks to the fingers; I finished. My poor fingers look like hamburger! Did I mention I stabbed myself MULTIPLE times with the needle? I told you folks that I'm no seamstress; do you believe me now? Please, please, please - if I EVER say I'm going to line a bag again, remind me of my bloodied fingers! Friends don't let friends line bags (maybe you'll offer to do it for me and save my fingers for the more important task of knitting). Anyway, here is the completed bag (minus the button Samm has decided it needs).

And, a side view:

The top has elastic in it to keep it partially closed so that nothing falls out. I didn't get a good picture of the strap, but it is a continuation of the seed stich sides. I also meant to show you a picture of the lining, but I forgot to upload the picture - maybe in the next post. As I said, Samm would like a button on it too. She'll have to pick one out and I'll attach a loop closure for it. I took very good notes while making this, so I'll post the pattern once I type it up in case anyone is interested.

I actually did much more than stab myself repeatedly this weekend. While working on Saturday, I nearly completed the Red Socks. I worked through the pain and finished them this morning.

Yarn: Opal, Color: Ladybug

Pattern: Rainbow Ripple

I think these are going in the Christmas present pile - can't say who they are for; she may be reading this.

Sunday morning while working at the gym, I started this:

Doesn't look like much right now, but it is the bottom border of the cardigan I am making to go with my "Bamboo" Gable. Yes, Chickies, I finally started it. No, Chickies, it won't be done by tomorrow night's Chicks with Sticks :)

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Less than 2 weeks left until the Light the Night Walk!

12 Days & Counting - Click button to donate (You could win prizes) Goal $1000, Current $660

Saturday Sky

It was an absolutely beautiful day today.

But, alas, this is where I spent my day:

It's okay though Look closely, you'll see there was knitting to be done :)

Actual Knitting

But first, an update:

16 Days & Counting - Click button to donate(You could win prizes) Goal $1000, Current $600

Now for the promised knitting. Samm's bag is finished, well kind of. I decided that I do need a lining in it so I need to get some fabric and sew in the lining and then I'll be putting some elastic in the top and then it'll be done.

I think Samm will like this; I know I do.

There has also been some progress on the sock; I'm just a few rows from starting the toe decreases. Not worth taking a picture of though. I'll give you another picture when it is done.

That's all for tonight. Gotta go do a little homework, then some knitting.

Grandview - Part 2

Before I get to Grandview-Part 2, I have some other goodies to show you.

First, I received the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino yarn from Carole for one of the "Light the Night" prizes.

I have to tell you, this yarn is soooo, soooo, soft! I had to force myself to put it back in the bag and hide it in the closet after I took the picture.

Next, I won Gina's Giveaway! And all I had to do was act selfish and beg (I got a little carried away and threw in a little whining, too). This is what was delivered to me on Thursday:

4 different hand dyed (by Gina) skeins of yarn, 2 books - The Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting and Crocheting & Zen and the Art of Knitting, some hand cream, foot cream (MUCH needed), a nail file, 2 candles, and a GORGEOUS pin! Can you believe her generosity???? I see a baby sweater in the future for the Jiggly Jellow (blue & yellow supersoft) and a baby hat for the Green Apple Martini (front). Not sure yet, what the other 2 will become, but they are beautiful!

Here's a closeup of the pin:

Isn't it pretty?!

Grandview - Part 2:

Friday on our way up to the White Mountains for our "Two Days in a Yarn Shop", Carol and I stopped at Patternworks. First time either of us had been there. What a nice shop, and the ladies working there were very friendly. As a matter of fact, one of them agreed to take this picture as proof that we were actually there:

That's Koigu sock yarn I'm holding; I haven't worked with Koigu yet, but I can't wait. This yarn feels sooooo nice, and the colorway I chose - beautiful! Carol got some sock yarn as well, Austermann Step - very pretty.

Here's a close up of the Koigu:

Here's most of the loot I purchased at Vivian's:

(I bought a couple other patterns, too)

The Minnow Knits patterns were on sale for a buck - how could I resist? There's Artful Yarns Broadway and Heavenly in the center and some Opal DK sock yarn.

It wasn't easy to be in a yarn shop for 2 whole days and only come home with this - I think I did pretty well controlling myself :)

Saturday morning we went into the little town, where they actually had an internet cafe, and I posted my Saturday Sky. We went in the few gift shops they had, and look who begged to come home with me:

His name is Lambert - isn't he adorable?

I brought him to work to keep me company (and to keep him safe; at home, the kitties would have thought I brought him home for them!)

I promise actual knitting content in the next post;

butt for now, this is

THE END!

A Grand Time at The Grandview

MissaLouise (aka Carol) and I went to Randolph, NH to spend "Two Days in a Yarn Shop". We met some really nice people and had a grand time. There was lots of knitting, talking, laughing, shopping, and, of course, eating.

Kay, Vivian (the owner), and Jeannie

Kay, Jeannie, Laura (with her newest prized possession, a Kacha-Kacha), & Carol

Kay, Jeannie, Me, Sue, Kelly, Liz, Vicky

Sue, Liz, (I'm sorry, I didn't get the name of the nice woman standing in front of the pics - she was working the shop on Saturday afternoon - I'm bad), Vicky, Vivian, Marilyn

There was a lot of beauty surrounding us - besides being completely surrounded by yarn all day, all we had to do was step outside or glance out the window to behold some of the most beautiful sites.

On the way up on Friday, we spotted this house:

Incredible! This picture doesn't really show how spectacular this house is. It sits in the middle of the mountain, all by itself - nothing for miles around it. Can you imagine?!

Pictures of the loot tomorrow. Have a nice night.

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SATURDAY SKY

View from our room at Grand View

Grand, isn't it?

Eye Candy Friday

I think Moogie needs to learn how to relax, don't you?

New Baby

Check out my new baby!

It arrived Tuesday afternoon, and I think I'm in love! The baby is sitting in my knitting corner of the couch - I must really love it because not only did I let it sit in my knitting corner; I also let it use my back pillow. No one else would dare to sit there!

I got absolutely NO knitting done last night. I know, shocking, isn't it? But, you know new babies need lots of attention, and mine got just that last night :)

There has been some progress on Samm's purse though. It's still not as big as she usually likes, but I'd need twice the amount of yarn I have to make it that big. I've made her huge bags before, so I don't think she'll mind this one being a bit smaller. The GORGEOUS yarn more than makes up for the lack of bigness.

The color in this shot isn't quite right - it's not as bright as it looks here.

This is a shot of the side, seed stitch section. The color in this picture is closer to the true color.

In other news, tomorrow I leave to spend "2 Days in a Yarn Shop" with my bestest friend, Carol (aka MissaLouise). I'm counting the hours!

That'll have to do it for today - gotta get to work

WTF Wednesday

Okay, so I was sitting here trying to decide what to post for WTF Wednesday. This may surprise some of you, but I was having a hard time thinking of anything that deserved a WTF today (any other day I'd have a gazillion WTF moments!). Anyway, while sitting here freezing to death because, for some stupid ass reason, the people in charge of the AC in this place seem to think it is still necessary to keep the place like a walk-in cooler, it hit me.

WTF - why is the AC on at all? Now, if you've been reading my posts over the last couple of weeks, you know that I was on vacation for 2 weeks and it wasn't hot a single day of that 2 weeks, it was actually cool - and it still is! Should I be forced to sit here with a jacket on (and still be cold)? Isn't it bad enough that I have to spend my whole day (time that would be better spent knitting) sitting at this desk just so I can help pay the bills? Must my lips turn blue as well?

WTF?

VACATION'S OVER

Well, after two weeks off, I had to go back to work today :-( I tell ya, I could easily get used to not working! Even though the weather wasn't as I'd have liked, the time off was wonderful. At least my desk didn't look too bad when I went back - the inbox wasn't even overflowing. When I was gone for just a week of school at the beginning of August, I came back to an inbox overflowing all over my desk - it took two weeks to find the top of my desk again.

As promised, a picture of my finished Bamboo Gable (Green Gable):

Here's a close up of the top lace portion:

I'm very pleased with the way this turned out. Before blocking it, I soaked it for a few minutes in Eucalen and after drying, it is nice and soft. Can't wait to start the cardigan to go with it. I don't have a picture of the pattern for you, but here's a picture of the yarn I'll be using. I put it on top of the Bamboo Gable so you could see just how well the colors go together.

It is Frog Tree yarn and it is almost the exact color as the lightest shade in the gable.

Peaches says it's a nice color for her.

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Sheesh! Is Blogger acting weird for anyone else today or am I just special? It just took me 4 tries to get to this page to post! Anyway....
Bamboo gable will be finished today - just have the sleeves left to do. I'll have a completed pic for you tomorrow.
Samm's purse has gone from this:
To this:
Well, actually, it went from about four inches more than the first picture shows. I knit it to about 6" and then stopped because I thought it wasn't coming out quite big enough for my daughter. She likes her purses B.I.G! So, I'm designing her one myself.
I started my sock for the Red Sock Knitalong while at work at the gym yesterday. I really like the way it is coming out. I was really tired of doing plain stockinette socks so I'm doing the Rainbow Ripple pattern. I was a little concerned about how it would work with this self patterning yarn, but I am pleased with the way it's coming out.

Well, that's it for today. Others want to use the computer - won't have to worry about that anymore after a day or two. I'm expecting my new laptop any day now :-) :-) :-) :-)

Have a great day!

SSS

No, not second sock syndrome - SUCKY SATURDAY SKY!

Looks like my 2 week vacation is going to end just the way it started! It feels like mid-fall out there. I've been off work (from my full-time job) since August 19th and during all this time I have ha