Crafty Girlz

Today is the day

2008-11-04T23:46:00.005-05:00

Today is the day - hope won over fear.
Today is the day - history was made.
Today is the day - the youth and under-represented roared.
Today is the day - peace won over war.
Today is the day - we begin as a nation to heal.
Today is the day - unity won over division.
Today is the day - America won over race.
Today is the day - I never thought I would see.
Today is the day - the power of we won over the power of I
Praise the Lord. Thank you Jesus.

Our Future

2008-10-28T14:39:00.001-04:00

I saw these kids on CNN and was jaw-dropping amazed. They knew the party's platforms, what each canidate stands for, and could articulate it. What excuse does an adult have - if the kids can interpret the race and write this rap?????

Educate yourself - and vote!!!!

Why I love my wheel

2008-10-22T23:41:00.003-04:00

These were spun on my Hitchhiker - 2.7oz of superwash for Jada's Baby Suprise Jacket.

I tried to spin it fine - in some places too fine. But it was only my 2nd roving on the Hitchhiker. I think it turned out great!

And I also plyed my first pencil roving spun on the Hitchhiker. Much less fine, but still - I love how it turned out. I'm just not sure what to make with it.

I love my spindles, but this is so much faster.

And portable - I took my HH to Charlotte Purls meetings twice so I could finish the superwash.

Here I am at the Purls meeting with my HH :)

Thanks Stacey for the snapshot of my portable spinning :)

I'm still working on my 8oz Roving on the Kiwi - pictures of that soon.....

The Capelet's outing

2008-10-18T18:13:00.003-04:00

Today - I wore the cape after a reblocking and adding buttons. It was the perfect fall accessory.

Fall in the Carolinas has arrived.

I Voted!!

2008-10-16T20:24:00.007-04:00

Early voting started today in NC. So I took some time off work and voted!

It's done - after months of breathless anticipation, concern that my canidate would not making through the rough primary season - it's done. My vote is cast.

I was suprised at how many people were there. Half were senior citizens. And due to the ridiculous setup where you carried your ballot for EVERYONE to see across the room to machine. I was not suprised to see these Concordian's voting for McCain.

Figures - all the McCain/Palin signs I see around Concord. I hate living in Concord sometimes.

But we are a battleground state, and every vote counts. So - go Davidson, Chapel Hill and Charlotte and other more progressive areas - I'm pulling for you to swing us to Obama!

Our neighbor and I are going to put up lawn signs - just to buck the tide a bit......I'll have to let you know how long they last before they are ripped up and destroyed.

As I'm on a political roll - I have to release this into cyber space to get it of my chest. I'm so unsuprised, but incredibly disappointed in the contingent in America who is unable to look past someone's skin to the ideas and abilities they possess. I can totally respect someone who cannot vote for Obama due to his positions or platform. But the vague - "He's not like us", "I just don't trust him" and worse that is moving from whispers (you always knew it was there) to statements and shouts in Palin Rally's is dispicable. I almost wish McCain on you if you are that ignorant. Too bad my children would be left with the consequences. America has come a long way, but clearly has territory to cover. I pray these next few weeks remain peaceful. And if we are fortunate enough to have an Obama Presidency - that it ends in election or after 8 years - not due to the close mindedness of some among us. And if that happens -- maybe a few more will realize that just because someone is browner than them - doesn't mean that they are less American.

Now back to the safe world of fiber......

Actually- I'm very worried about the fiber world, if it can withstand this downturn. But that's another blog.

But - two scarves I started to coordinate with my cape:

Crochet:

The yarn is Ella Rae Lacy Merino. So squishy and soft. Incredible yarn and dying.

Look at this cake of lovelyness:

I decided to try the nice yarn out on crochet. And the results are wonderful. The stitch is the crazy stitch. It's my second scarf using this pattern, and I think I'm going to write it up and publish it (for free) - I've gotten a few questions on the first scarf with Malabrio Lace.

The 2nd scarf is made with Fleece Artist Woolie Silk 2-Ply.

I think this color Purple looks so nice with the Split Pea Green in the cape. I'm using the Ruffle Edge Scarf pattern by Mac & Me. Easy and simple - but with a bit of an extra touch with the ruffle. I love me a good ribbed scarf. So scruncy and adds so much air and fluff to the yarn if it's knit loosly.

Look at this cake. I don't know which one is prettier. I can't wait to have my two 08 scarves for the fall/winter!

To Cape or not to Cape

2008-10-15T19:00:00.003-04:00

The Incredible's Edna had the unquestioned position - "No Capes!".

But I wanted a cape.

So I made one myself.

It needs buttons - I just picked up some at Charlotte Yarn. Yes - I visited their new diggs in East Charlotte. NIIIICE! Too much temptation of course - so I need to keep a healthy distance in these sober times. Well - perhaps a weak, sickly distance....

The cape was fast and easy - except the collar. I'm not happy with how it turned out - very severe blocking is required to get it to lie flat. I need to soak and reblock as it curls up unattractively.

The pattern is in the book Wrap Style - and was the "Grand Plan Caplet - lace version" by Ann Budd. She gives you so many options - I will make another plain one, cardigan style.

I'm in jewel tone heaven with this color - and am making a matching deep purple/maroon scarf to match, or perhaps better stated coordinate. The colors look great together.

Speaking of scarves - I have so many to finish before Christmas. Much knitting must take place - soon!

The neatest two year old eater in the world

2008-10-10T19:56:00.004-04:00

So Jada spends a lot of time with daddy, and daddy has a bit of an OCD issue with messy eating.

Hence, my video, I hadn't realized how much of an influence he had on her....

Thanks to the Charlotte Purls, EZ Video and our CP KAL - I made my first Baby Surprise Jacket. I WILL be making more of these, I'm on my 2nd and I'm spinning for one for Jada.

Turns into this:

Before I could put buttons on it - Zuri and her mommy whisked it away. It was too cute on her and I'm so mad all my pictures went poof due to no memory card in my camera!!!!

I've been spinning. Much more exiting stuff than this - but this was the first I spun, plyed, washed and knitted:

Yeah - I know - not enough twist in my ply and in places too much twist in my yarn. It was my 1st one on the wheel, and I'm proud of it! :) Makes a nice water bottle cover too!

A Blogging Deficit

2008-10-03T00:34:00.003-04:00

Dear blogging world, I have no abandoned you. I can't imagine how many blog entries I am now behind on in my RSS reader. Too scared to look. I do peek on Ravelry now and then and keep up with everyone's projects. I find it so inspiring. But miss the details of the blogs. Maybe in October I will get to catch up.

OCTOBER - can you believe it! 2008 is flying by. My year of lace is almost up. What will next year be - I think the year of the sweater. I am feeling a definite sweater mojo kicking up.

So much to catch up on - and I won't do any of it justice.

First of all - I have wheels.

4 to be exact.

Yes, Four. Not expensive wheels mind you, but they do add up!

It was either a matchless or my 4 babies. I went for the quantity.

I need to name them - but basically - they are:

1> My Kiwi - my office wheel. She was so easy to start on. Took her out of the box, built her and was off and running right away!

I have a bobbin and a half - and that is just because I only got to spin on her a day before I took off on a three city tour.

Side note - Can you believe I went to Dallas, St. Pete/Tampa and New York and didn't visit one yarn shop. That proves I was very BUSY!!

But here is a single spun on her:

So fast and easy!!

2. Hitchhiker - this is my favorite wheel I think. My travel wheel. I used him first and had a hard time. I went back again - and did a bit better the next day but it still was rough. But go figure - I came back from vacation and can spin just fine on him. And I love carrying him on my shoulder anywhere I need him. With a baby around - he's great - I just take him out at night and carry him away in the day. Take down is seconds.

And in travel mode:

3. Spider Chakra - I wanted to be able to spin cotton and silk, but didn't want to spend a lot of money. She's not pretty, but I'm having fun with her. But wish perhaps I had waited for something more portable.......

Ok - I couldn't figure out cotton yet - so I wimped out with some unspun Icelandic. I'll get back to cotton......one day......

4. And lastly - my lazy girl plying electric wheel.

Won't win any beauty prizes, but it spins FAST! Once I'm done with the joy of spinning, I want to ply fast and get to knitting. This works perfectly for that goal. Parts are cheap to - if anything get's broken and needs fixing.

When I'm less tired, I will have to blog more on my entry into the world of wheels. I will just say I can't thank Shiori, Marie, and Nancy enough for introducing me to spinning. I LOVE it!

Only one project to blog on before I wrap.

My Onda Shawl. It combines several loves - shawls, Koigu, Feather N Fan, Green, Purple and Pink.

Once I started knitting it - I couldn't put it down. First of all to move to another Koigu color, then to see how the blended, and lastly I wanted to wear it.

I wanted a green base - but The Needlecraft Center had mostly purples in stock. But I managed to work in a bit of green - yay!

I need a photography lesson to do a better job taking pictures of it. I'm not doing it justice.

Well - I am a good hour past when I should be in bed, so I'll stop now. But you see why I'm not blogging or reading blogs. Between work and travel - there has been so much to do!

Happy Knitting/Spinning Y'all.

Edit - Stacey and Doreen told me my sad photo skills is not doing the Koigu justice.

So - a few more pics....

Anticipation, Anticipation, is making me......

2008-09-10T11:26:00.003-04:00

Stalking the mailman. My wheel(s) are on their way. Yes, WHEELS!!!!!

The lady at the Woolery was like "um, may I asked why you ordered more than one wheel"? So - why. Well - I had budgeted for Matchless, but then I thought. Hmmmmmm - I can get a less expensive wheel for a couple of other tasks. Plus - since wheels hold their value pretty well - I can always sell it and get the Matchless later if it was a mistake.

Soo... I ordered....

Well - I'm going to string it out a few blogs. Why should I be the only one waiting?

Let me get caught up on a few other projects.

First of all - I wanted to knit Jada a fall sweater. I found this cute pattern in the One Skein book, that had never caugth my eye before but this time I fell in love with it. I roamed around Cottage yarns for an hour searching for the perfect yarn. I decided on Malabrigo, where I should have started but didn't because I didn't think it was Chunky enough.

This project is full of colors I love - and for a baby it's pefect. Squishy soft, colorful (she won't get lost!), warm, loose, moveable, easy to take on and off. Plus - it was a fast knit.

See - fits her perfectl - ie. a little loose with room to grow! I decided to crochet the buttons with advice from Doreen and Jenny. I had a fruitless search for buttons, but they were right. Crochet buttons were perfect - I don't have to worry about lead in the metal buttons I was looking at and/or a choking hazard.

This is my favorite project in a while. It makes me want to make sweaters, something I've never wanted to knit before.

So - I stareted another one - Victorian Baby Tee - for Jada with Serendipty Tweed.

I love the color, the lace and the garter bands. I also love the neckline of the sweater. This is going to be another favorite project.

I'm working on a ton of lace scarves for Christmas gifts. My gift of choice this year. Not sure if I will make it on all of them. I get a little bored....

Have you seen the newest knitting magazine out? I am in LOVE with so many patterns in this little gem.

I'm not a fan of the DB yarns, to pricy with too little yardage for me. But she knows how to make an attractive patterns. Her sloucy beret is on my short list of fall projects. Just working on the perfect yarn for it....

Look at these little friends in our yard/garage:

Sorry for the blurry picture on the last one. I was trying not to get to close, he was a bit jumpy. Ha, Ha, Ha :)

What's up with Coat's and other company tring to get exotic on us? The Auntie Lydia line has come out with a Bamboo Thread - that looks exactly like a high price lace yarn. For $2.49!

So - of course I got some to experiment with.

I'm currently obsessed with My Onda shawl. You take 7 Koigu colorways that vary from dark to light or really anyway you want them to - and blend them.

I'm knitting each section obsessed with joining in the next yarn - I'm so excited to see them together. I think this will be my travel project over the next few weeks while I visit Dallas, St. Petersburg FL, and New York in order. Lots of plane, airport time to hopefully get her finished. And she will be a great conference shawl for the next batch of conferences I will have to travel to.

Let me end with some pOrn - of the yarn variety.

Camelspin, Vintage, Pure Luxury. Yum.

Next blog - I will be spinning. Squee!

A Golden Gift

2008-08-27T22:27:00.006-04:00

Lookie Lookie what my sister gave me for my birthday. It just arrived, and I am sooooooooooo excited.

Ooooh - A Golding!!!!!!!

The excitment builds - which Golding is it. There is not a bad one.....

Aromatherepy? In a spindle? Lavender? So relaxing. What a great idea!

Let me describe my spindle. It has the distinctive Golding brass ring. You see it and know it's a Golding. It's quality in a spindle. Solid feel but lightweight. It has a little pot at the top to hold a bit of cotton with an essential oil. So you can receive healing aroma while spinning. It comes with a 1/2 fl oz. of Mood Mender - a mix of Clary Sage, Lemon and Lavender. Ahhhhhhh. I need that. After having a headache for a day and a half - non-stop - it's such a soothing scent.

The cherry wood is luxurious. The detail in the top whorl is a fan shape. It spins a lovely circle when the spindle is in use. The Walnut shaft (7 3/4") has smooth grooves about half way down to give the spindle a nice grip, but then is smooth and solid in the upper half to hold the spun yarn.

The whole spindle is .95oz - light.

And I almost forgot - this was not her only gift to me!!! She made a lovely trade on Ravelry for this beautiful lace yarn.

I can't wait to make someting soft and warm with it. As well as spin someting extra special on my Golding.

I Lurve it!!!! Thank you so much Doreen

I've been so lax in blogging and even worse in reading blogs. Between work, vacation, start of school - I'm so out of touch. Sorry my friends for not keeping up on your knitting adventures - I've got a lot of reading on Google Reader to catch up on soon.

My knitting has also slowed down - I'm working on Christmas gifts - lace scarves. I have several in progess - and started the final ones. If I get them all done by Christmas I will be so pleased.

I'm using a diagonal lace pattern that is easy but I like the look. The first one is in SWTC TOFUtsies - and I love the color and yarn.

I expecially love the mix of yellows, browns, oranges, and even a pale green. Beautiful. I should have picked up another ball for socks! This was a beach purchase at my Myrtle Beach shop away from home - Knit -n- Purl run by Phyllis and Terry. Once you meet them, you will love them they are so sweet. I'm looking forward to seeing them in December when we are there for Christmas, and maybe a bit of Christmas yarn shopping :)

And I loved the pattern so much - I started another one for my friend Connie who loves the color Red. It's hard for me to find Red yarn. I found some Red Alpaca, and am making a scarf in that too. But I think this one will work best for Connie. I'm using Baruffa Cashwool. Very soft, and tons of yardage for not a lot of money. And as I picked this up at Pacific Wool and Fiber when it was closing - it was even less expensive at 50% off! I want to make it nice and long, lacy, but light.

I started Hey Teach - but thanks to the Olympics had THREE holes in the stockinette portion. I frogged it back to before the wholes and haven't done much on it b/c I hate frogging and am a bit miffed. But I saw Doreen's and am getting over it - I think I'll start back on it soon.

Schools back in session. And I'm definately "Meh." about it. The weekly Monday onslaught of paperwork has something to do with it. So far - so good. I can't believe I have a 4th and 2nd grader!

I'll have to blog about our vacation - it was fabulous. We had a lot of time to relax as well as spend time with some of my college friends who were vacationing the same time as us. We enjoyed vacating at the same time and location with them so much, we are hoping for a larger group of friends next year. It was fun to get the families together, and to have our next generation develop friendships at the same time. I have a ton of pictures on our family blog.

I'm typing this while watching the DNC. I've been so impressed each night. I hope we get it right in Novemember as a nation. The stakes are so high. So - if you haven't registered. Do it NOW!

Off to a slow start

2008-08-15T00:08:00.004-04:00

The Beijing Olympics have been fabulous. The opening ceremonies - breath-taking.

My Ravelymics - not so much.

I did finish one project - start to finish:

I used Handmaiden Camel Spin. The online reviews were that the yarn was to die for. I somehow ended up with colors I was not in love with. And when I got it - I was less than impressed. It felt like cotton to me, not the silky soft I was expecting. But after knitting with it the fabric grew on my - and I love the result now. It almost has golden tones to it. I think it will be a gift - a pricy one- but I'm glad I used it. It was in my sell stash for a while, but I decided I couldn't get what I paid for it and I'm glad I decided to make a special scarf for someone. Camel hair - that's rare! The pattern is Rivolo - it was a easy - but didn't make the nice little rivers at first. Once I tightened my gauge it was better. It knits on a bias - so it's hard to see - you have to block it severely to get the nice pattern. All in all - a nice fast pattern that looks more complicated than it is. The scarf is a little short, but functional - and I may make it narrower if I make it again. The yarn was classed as laceweight, but it worked out closer to fingering with size 5 needles in my book.

I also made a market bag - finally!!!!!

I found this new yarn at the Ben Franklin in Redmond - NaturLin - a Rayon/Linen blend. It looks like Linen, but with a softer hand and very shiny. Less rough to work with, but strong. I tried to break it when I was on the plane without scissors. NOT. Almost tore my skin.

The pattern was called Hadley Mini although there was nothing 'mini' about the bag at all. It holds 4 HUGE balls of cotton yarn.

I loved the yarn and pattern. I will use both again.

I'll close with a few pictures of Sweetie with her shawl:

Next week - we are headed to Myrtle Beach for the week and I get to work on Hey Teach! and hopefully make up for my slow start. Happy Knitting everyone!

Take Two

2008-08-06T23:00:00.006-04:00

My browser just blew away my entry. This is take number two. I so do not need this right now.

This was going to be a long entry. We will see now. I have a lot to update as I've been away so long on the blog. Travel, summer camp, work, LIFE. I'm still knitting, never fear. And spinning too. I've done very little blog reading - so I'm out of touch with my virtual knitting friends too. Here is hoping life returns to something resembling normal in September!

Hmmmm, let's start with a few yarn purchases of note. For my birthday my sister totally enabled me to pick up Schaefer Andrea in the colorway Rosa Parks. Even if you don't see the yarn, it sounds beautiful doesn't it? But the deep hues that the silk just soaked up are so lovely. I have it in a nice little ball waiting for a little treat for me.

The photo doesn't do it justice.

Another great find is Knitch. I was able to visit when in Atlanta at a conference in July. I have no pictures. But I found the softest laceweight cotton you can imagine. Habu Cotton Boucle:

I fell in love. Another project I will be not wanting to part with.....

They had lot of Habu - I was in bliss in the display that housed these yarns. I of course had to get the Kusha, Kusha scarf kit - and am almost done with my first one. I will love wearing this mixture of silk and wool this fall.

I have a Black/Green kit too! I will perhaps gift this scarf. Then again - green is my favorite color these days! I actually want to try this scarf with Jojoland Harmony. I think I will like to subtle color changes and the wool weight is close to the Habu wool. So I may just use the green wool for another project as my sister gifted me another cone of it - so I have enough for something bigger.

I've been knitting shawls again recently. Today I wrapped up one for my daugter. I used naturallycaron Spa. It's a Acrylic/Bamboo blend, and makes a super soft fabric. I was so pleasantly surprised at how it knitted up. I had used some before for a baby kimono (disaster, not the yarn but my effort). But perhaps because it was dyed, it didn't seem as soft. This was soft and squishy in the Naturally colorway.

The pattern is Angel Lace by Evelyn Clark. I thought it is perfect for a shawl for her in church where she is always cold. I didn't tell her I was making it until today when it was done. She loves it, so I'm glad I kept it a surprise. I forgot to show her the little angel pattern, I'll have to tell her that later. I think she will like that.

I put little glittery blue pony beads at the end to add a bit of her favorite color and make it special for her. I had her pick out the beads w/o telling her what it was for.

It's soaking now, I'll have to post pictures once it was blocked. But she did get to try it out tonight.

Update:

Here it is blocking.....

On a work note - this was one of the most interesting weeks of my career. My job is being relocated to Washington. Not surprising because despite the frequent travel - I really needed to be there full-time. It could have been a RIF, but I am being offered another job. And 3 days to accept it. I'm full of mixed feelings - it's a significant career change for me. High profile, and sort of exciting. Almost too exciting. Like going down in flames with a new job I know nothing about, creating a bit ole mess exciting. Nothing like fear of failure to get the heart racing. So - this week knitting has been a refuge. I've got to make a decision by Friday, but the decision is basically this or good luck finding something else in NC when 70+ other people at the site with similar skills are looking. So I know what I am going to do, I'm just burying my head a bit before I put it in writing.

Let's get off this topic - too much reality is sinking in.

I'm gearing up for Ravelymics. I'm most excited about Hey Teach!. I picked up the yarn on my birthday as well.

Doreen is doing it with me in the same colorway. Squee!

I have some other things lined up - tackling WIPs, and a lace project. I'm sort of tempted to use my Rosa Parks, I guess I need to decide by tomorrow! Yikes!

Well - it's late and 45 mins past when I was supposed to head out for my walk. And I forgot I need to block Janeen's shawl before bed. Nite, nite.

Travel Projects

2008-07-13T00:47:00.003-04:00

I'm on the road 3 weeks in July. I'm especially bummed because I was in Seattle last week, sick (again) and didn't get to go to any of my favorite places. Especially to Crossroads to see the Eastside Stitchers .

So - I'm not chatty. I've got another cold that turned into a sinus infection, so lots of late night coughing and very little sleeping. Travelling while sick is not fun, and I'm sure my plane partners and the people I was in town to meet probably wish I had stayed home. But the meetings sort of had to happen - and all things considered it was probably good I went. but that doesn't mean I have to be happy about it!

Next week - I'm in Atlanta for a company conference and meetings. Grrrr.

But then the week after that - we head to Asheville to take Janeen to Summer Camp. Smile. Finally, a trip I'm happy about!

So - while on the road - I'm knitting socks and crocheting.

First - My flat feet socks:

See the fabric, you can see the results of unravelling, but as I've said before, I sort of like it. It should all block out though. I also like the mini-stripes that are forming in the foot. Better than the pooling in the ribbing.

As if I didn't have enough socks on the needles - I felt a desperate need for some travel socks. Soft ones. Panda Wool is very yummy and fits the criteria nicely.

Travel socks you may say. Typically - I'm not really a sock person most days. I like my feet free and loose and wear flip flops most of the summer. I do wear my handmade socks in the house, in lieu of slippers. But rarely are my socks seen in public - except when I travel. I hate taking off my shoes barefoot and I also hate wearing shoes on the plane. Now that I make my own socks - they are perfect for travelling. Comfortable and perfectly fit for me.

Here are my feet with Socks and my favorite travelling shoes in Minneapolis - waiting for the plane during a thunderstorm. The picture was taken with my cell phone, so excuse the quality.

So - if you haven't started knitting socks yet. You have to give it a try!

Lastly - My crochet shawl was my travel project of choice this trip. And she made progress:

Not as much as the socks...

Next week I hope to visit Knitch in Atlanta, that will be a nice little side trip? If only I can go and keep my wallet out of danger - I'll have to let you know how it goes next post :)

Little bit of this, little bit of that

2008-07-06T16:42:00.005-04:00

I have several big projects I want to do - but for some reason I'm gravitating to little projects these days. The Charity wash clothes are the perfect project for this mood. Especially - with the bright and variety of colors available in the cotton yarns.

Each one is fun and colorful, but I'm done before I get too bored. I can also finish a row while waiting for the kids to get off a ride at the Carowinds or Spash Country - so it's a great travel project too.

I finished 3 this week, and am working on the 4th.

I've been making this from the booklet "Knit Dishcloth Sampler" I like that these are all large - 50 stitches across. Except for the one I knit diagonally, that's just a plain diagonal, garter pattern. My default pattern when knitting totally mindlessly.

This yarn - Salt and Pepper in Lily Cotton - makes me think of Cows. :) I knitted most of this at Carowinds after the "Night of Fire" fireworks on the 4th. The fireworks were truly impressive. But even more impressive is the total lack of ability to leave the parking lot for 2 hours. With - 3 cranky, tired and thirsty kids. If we ever go back - we will leave a lot earlier! I can't believe they planned the traffic control so poorly.

I've also been knitting socks for the same reason - small and mindless.

I started this one on Sock-Ease - I wanted to test out the new Lion Brand yarn and I like the colors. I so far have not been able to tell there is any Aloe Vera in the yarn, but it's not bad to work with. May be a tad bit crunchier than most yarns. Definitely not as nice as the high-end yarns, but a nice yarn for $9 a pair of socks. Good yarn for kids socks.

I also have been working away of my Flat Feet socks.

I do love the feel of this yarn, very soft. Because it has been knitted, it has a crinkle too it after knitting - but the sock yarn maker said it will block out. If it doesn't - oh well - I sort of like it :)

I found some crochet flowers I had made using craft floss - I love the colors - and the yarn is glossy and very colorful. I was playing with the color combinations. I would like to find something to make it into - a throw or shawl. But I haven't decided and am not looking forward to sewing a bunch of flowers together. So who knows. For now - they just look pretty on their own :)

I also found some Bookmarks I crochet as gifts. I had forgotten about them, but they do make nice quick gifts. I made these out of Opera crochet thread, but I wonder how it would look with a lace-weight wool, starched.....hmmmm...

Just a few :)

Kinko's is my friend

2008-06-21T17:59:00.004-04:00

I've been wanting to do this for a while. I've found so many free patterns on the internet - especially now through Ravelry. They quickly get out of control. Especially some of the new shawl patterns are several pages with charts. Interweave Knits also published a multi-page 5 Top Patterns. I have them all saved on disk, but I like having the hard-copies. But don't want to kill to many trees, reprinting them. What to do?

Bind those babies! FedExKinko's is about 1 mile from my house. The trip was worth it - I brought my little expandable folder of patterns. And 9 bindings later I was a happy girl. I bound several lace shawl patterns, a great Shetland Lace book I bought on Etsy by Elizabeth Lovick. A great little mini-lace class with scarf, bookmarks, shawl, charts, lots of great info. But 65 pages, too much to manage loose leaf.

I'm going to bind some more when I have time to sort it out. It's easier to work with. I might even bind some knitting magazines - it would be much easier to work with the pattern when I can fold it flat. I wouldn't want to do it for every magazine. Just the ones with several patterns I love.

I'm making progress on my socks - Two of my socks who started the week at the gusset are now almost to the toe! Here is one of them, an Opal Rainforest yarn with colors I Love. Why did I take so long to get these on my feet!

Opal yarn is as good as it's reputation. It's deceptively soft, and I believe it will wear well. It just looks solid and durable. But the colors are lovely. Especially in their Rainforest series. This sock was the Peacock yarn, I need to decide what animal I will knit up next. I like the caterpillar yarn - a nice green with browns and yellows. Maybe that one.

And Doreen reminded me of a project that is over 10 years old. I dug it out to post pictures on Ravelry. I had one of these given to me as a little girl. I played with it in church, and Doreen did too. When I saw the pattern - before I had my babies - I knew I had to crochet it.

Everything except a bit of cardboard inside for stability and the doll is crocheted. I made this 10 years ago before I knew of "nice" yarn. I want to make it again with some lovely fingering. Maybe some hand-painted sock yarns?

It has a hidden basket in the bottom for extra clothes and dolls.

I
This tells you how much I used to crochet before I discovered knitting. It's a great art form - and I love it for projects like toys. It's sturdy and durable. Even though this is over 10 years old, and endured a toddler/little girl play from my oldest. It looks as good as the first day, except a few ends I need to weave back in. Of course - Red Heart yarn doesn't hurt. You can't damage the stuff from what I can see. Back then, Red Heart was all I knew!

I have several afghans I need to photo and upload to Ravelry, and I know I gave several away that I don't have any record of. It makes me a bit nostalgic for crochet. Maybe I need to find a nice crochet pattern to mix into my WIPs.

"Only the Lonely"

2008-06-17T14:26:00.004-04:00

Only the lonely sock, knows how it feels........

I have a bad 2nd sock syndrome going on. As I have been cataloging stash, I've been finding various socks in progress - none of them complete. June and July are dedicated to completing these socks pairs......

A little ode to my lonely socks. Here is to several new sock pairs over the next two months.

I know I should knit 2 at a time, but I have a huge mental block against it. I guess I think it will reduce the portability having 2 long needles and two balls of yarn. Plus, I'm worried it will end up in a tangled mess.

I also love sock yarn - there are so many pretty yarns out there and it's so easy to cast on.....

Lastly - I always get stuck at the gusset. I go so fast on the leg and the foot, but the gusset bores me for some reason. If I could figure out the short-row heel perhaps I could jump over this hurdle. But for some reason I've never been able to complete one that I thought looked as good as a gusset heel.

Update: Check out my Meez! I've seen them on other sites, so I had to get me one. She's a little thicker - like Me. :) I couldn't get the face and eyes just right, it was taking too much time. I'll have to work on her when I have some more time.

Hemlock Anyone?

2008-06-07T14:28:00.003-04:00

She's done!!!!

And I get to use my Mother's Day gift - Knitter's Block! It's not big enough - so she spills over the sides. But I love it!

Jada loves Hemlock too!

As previously mentioned, the cast off takes a while, but after you get used to it, it is not too bad. I will still use the crochet cast-off for any future versions.

And - Hemlock has a sister Rona that is coming along....

I lurve Rona. She is silky and sexy.

And she is not boring, while it's pretty easy to see what is going on. Each row is sort of different. There is some knitted lace, some lace knitting, even some ribbing which I had not done in lace before. She keeps you going each round. I only wish she had a chart - too many words! But not to difficult to visualize and follow what is going on.

Baby girl has rice all over her face, Babee Tenda and bib. I question how much is in her stomach. Back to being a mommy.

Things not to do when you are tired

2008-06-05T02:22:00.006-04:00

1. Knit lace. I had to take a break from knitting lace before I made a mistake - and especially since I have no life line.

I will leave SanDiego on row 58 of the Rona Lace Shawl. I got to attend NONE of the conference I came to attend and I didn't get to go back to LaJolla or see the Ocean. Waah. Instead - I spent the week in the hotel room with a cold. Use my best Godfather voice in phone meetings and work on my shawl.

In case you missed my ravings about Curious Creek Meru - this is one nice yarn. I have loved every moment of knitting with this and will absolutely luv wearing it.

3. Suduko. I stink at suduko when tired.

4. Find a movie on TV, there is never anything good to find on TV when tired.

5. Listen to NPR. Love, love NPR. But not when I'm tired.

6. Take surveys to test your smartness. for some fun - I saw this on Dani's and Jane's blogs. It gave me a headache, because I was tired and was trying to think. Mistake.

I'm not sure if I'm 19% Stupid. But I am 99% tired.

7. Blog. Nuff said.

Good Night.

Historic Night

2008-06-03T21:18:00.003-04:00

There are not too many times in your life you witness history being made.

I can recall September 11, 2001 and the tragic realization that I would remember that day the rest of my life. It was the first time I had the feeling of being a part of history, even just by witnessing the news on TV.

But tonight is a proud historic moment. As an African-American my heart soars and the tears fall. I will remember this day for the rest of my life.

On the Road Again

2008-05-31T22:17:00.005-04:00

Well - I can't say "Just can't wait to get back on the road again", so let's just settle for I'm on the road. This week I'm in Sunny San Diego at the ASTD International conference. I'm excited about the conference and the opportunity for training. But it's a killer time at work, I'm not sure how much conference I will actually be able to attend - and I'm missing my family after being away 2 weeks ago.

One benefit of traveling frequently is getting a little taste of Local Yarn Shops in different places. This is my first time back to San Diego as a knitter, so I'm taking a few roadtrips during my stay. Today I stopped at Knitting in La Jolla recommended to my by my Seattle knitting field Marie. It was a nice little shop stuffed absolutely full of yarn. There was hardly an inch to turn around in. I frequently had to move out of the way when someone needed to pass. But they had THREE great finds there. The first was Curious Creek Fibers Meru, a Merino and Silk Laceweight yarn. This was the recommended yarn for Goddess Knits Mystery Shawl 7 and it was pretty on her site. But it was stunning in real life. The yarn is shimmery - it almost glimmers. Silk/wool blends are rarely not pretty, but this is just special. And the Semi-Solids are just lovely. I picked out an Orange and Plum blends. I'm using my hotel yarn winder - AKA an up-side down table - to wind the Plum now, I'm CO tonight so I have something to work on at the conference. I have an idea for a great portable project I can make progress on this week while listening to sessions.

I dont' know which color way is lovlier.

And there were several more that I had to pass over to settle on these two. I didn't see a colorway I didn't like, at that's rare!

Another find was Conjoined Creations Flat Feet. I have seen it in magazines, but wanted to see it in real life. The concept is the company machine knits the yarn and then "paints it" while knit. Then you unravel it as you knit the socks. It has a section in the middle you can cut if you want to make socks 2 at a time. Because it is painted as knitted instead of in a hand, each one is unique. Creative huh? I've been focusing on lace yarn versus sock yarn lately - but I could not resist......

I picked up two of them, this is just one of the pictures. I have few details here on my blog because it's all in >Ravelry under my username jc3smama. I just don't have the energy to duplicate it all on the blog. I figure if you really want to know you can look it up! I have the good/bad/ugly stash story for all to see. Well not *all* but I'm getting there.

Lastly - they had this huge display of little balls of yarn every color you could imagine. Solid and heathered. All lace-weight. I asked what that was all about, because it didn't really look knitting yarn. I wondered if it was a new needlepoint yarn or something. It is new - The company EPiC creates yarn for commerical knitting. But she is branching into a yarn that can be knit, sewn, used for needlepoint, and many other uses. The base yarn is lace weight - but you use it single, double, triple or quad based on the thickness you want for knitting. You can also mix the yarn in creative ways to get differnt effects. It's something to play with and I didn't have time. It looked fun - I picked up two balls to play with because she really didn't have yarn to "buy" - she let's her customers play with the colors they want and then order the number of balls they need. Since I was from out of town, she graciously let me take two of her colors so her customers won't be able to play with them.

Intersting concept, I wonder if it will catch on?

So - Knitting in La Jolla is a winner. I would go back if I came back to San Deigo, no doubt.

I also went by The Needlecraft Center. Funny - same name as a LYS in Davidson NC :) I wasn't so impressed, it was like the Davidson shop with Needlecraft and Knitting/Crochet. But the lace selection was tiny - only Malabrigo Lace (of which I have a more than enough) so I passed on it. I didn't see anything there I had not seen before.

Not a shop I would go back to.

Thankfully - there is about oh 15 or so more shops in the area. I will get to visit a few more in the week. Yipee - lunch breaks will be fun!

I also went to Seattle and visited my two favorite shops there - Weaving Works and Acorn Street Shop. I left a sizable portion of my wages in Seattle, let's just say.

I'm especially happy about my Greensleeves Spindle. She is the must be the most balanced spindle I have because she spins forever. There were cuter ones, but this one was the best performer of the ones I tested. They had wheels too, but I resisted.

I also picked up some fiber - Soy Silk and Soy Silk/Cashmere - that I think will be fun to spin. I picked up some Organic Cotton for Doreen - as well as a WPI tool for both of us.

Here is some Merino on my new spindle.

I learned to spin on a wheel!!! Shiori (who taught me to spin on a spindle) was teaching a class, so her husband Shane brought her wheel to the meet up and taught me to spin!!! I dont' know if I'm more impressed that he gave up an evening or that he knows how to spin. I'm so appreciative because I AM IN LOVE WITH SPINNING ON A WHEEL!!!!!! He taught me on a Schacht Matchless and so now I think I want a Schacht Ladybug - I'm a bit spoiled on some of the features.

While in Seattle - I picked up some Crystal Palac Panda Silk yarn - and started a Christmas Gift scarf. It's a cable and lace pattern that is easy but lovely - I will use it again. The yarn is soo soft - it feels like a cloud on your neck.

I also picked up Classic Elite Silky Alpaca Lace and started another gift scarf. This another new - and luxur

I'm done with the first and almost with the 2nd. Two more gifts out of the way. I think that's 4 scarves out of fingering or lace weight done for Christmas. Guess what my theme is this year? After all - it is my Year of Lace .

I'm casting off my Hemlock - during my brief stay at home I decided to wrap it up and cost off. I had only about 1/5th of it left when I had to leave, I'll finish it up when I get back. It is one fugly mess right now, so no inprogess pictures until it's blocked. I can tell, though, after it's blocked I will love it. It will be my home office lap blanket. The Cast Off is ackward and takes a long, long time. Had I thought about it for 1/2 a second, I would have done a crochet loop bind-off. Better believe that when I do another Hemlock, that is what I will be doing. The knitted version isn't worth the extra time IMHO.

So - I told Stacey that I would take pictures of the LYS I visited on the road. I had the best of intentions, my camera was......in my car each time. This week I walked out of Knitting in La Jolla about 1/2 a block and turned to see the Pacific Ocean!!!! I so wish my camera wasn't an additional 3 blocks away.

Stacey - I will have to do better next shops I visit. I have my travel purse with me and my camera doesn't fit. I need to put it in a visible place so I don't leave the car without it.

That's enough typing for now - I want to CO tonight so I can have some mindless lace knitting at the conference tomorrow!

Excuse the spelling and grammar - I'm so tired and lazy right now. I'll have to run a spell-check later on and read it more closely!

My, how things have changed

2008-05-21T08:04:00.002-04:00

I'm missing my knitting blogs as I am on a business trip, neck deep into business planning and in training. I got to visit two of my favorite Seattle knit shops: Weaving Works and Acorn Street Shop - and am too busy to even play with the yarn.

Whine, whine.

But I had to post this comment - as CNN drones on in the background while I'm working on slides this morning - the topic is of course the election. And a conversation with my daugther came back to me out of the blue.

Let me start by stating the obvious - my daughter is female and African-American: two traits which has previously ensured that she would never be President of the United States.

Her dream is to be President. I think I've blogged on that before.

One of her future platforms that she has discussed with me - I don't think she has discussed them all as this is a long standing topic with her. However, she has commented a lot on "bad people". And she wants a portable jail that can drop down on someone right before they do something bad. That way the police can come and stop them before something happens. A bit Sci-Fi - but I like how the girl thinks!

She also has strong feelings about the "news". Her presidency would focus on news that was decidedly more positive in nature.

She was a little miffed to find out that there may be a woman president before her, she wanted to be the first.

This weekend she asked me can someone run for President twice?

To my self I think - after watching this race I'm considering telling her I'm questioning why anyone would want to run for President once! But my better self prevails, and I put on my supportive parent hat. I explain the 8 year limitation of anyone to be president and discuss why, this history etc.

Janeen thought about it a moment - and I said more to herself than to me - I need to figure out when I want to be president then since I can only be president once!

We often discuss if we can get a bit of our children's energy how powerful that would be.

I think if we can just capture some of our children's dreams - and see the world through the possibilities of their eyes.

Dream on Janeen - plan your Presidency. No matter what the future holds - we will all benefit from you setting your sights so high.

Mother's Day Surprise

2008-05-14T20:25:00.002-04:00

Lookee what my dear hubby bought me for Mother's day. All thanks to a little birdie who told him this is what I wanted and hadn't got a chance to order yet!

I had been looking for the perfect blocking kit. And I almost ordered the Lace blocking kit from KnitPicks, but it seemed like it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. When I saw CoCoKnits kit - I knew it was the one.

You get 9 lovely blocks you can customize the blocking shape and steam block! with, a cotton cloth for steam blocking, T pins. Wow - I LOVE it.

OK Doreen, you will only see this on my blog once.

Sqweeee! I 'm not even sure I spelled it right.

My man is so sweet.

What's up?

2008-05-13T12:58:00.003-04:00

So much to say - so little time. I've been trying to blog more this year - but with work, Jada, family, Ravelry, Knitting, etc - blogging is hard to do!

I was supposed to be on a stash Knitdown for 2008. That has gone just a tad bit to the wayside. It's so hard to resist the new yarns out there. And as I learn more about what I do and don't like - I find new yarns and sigh. I have found out how to destash on Ravelry, that allows me to at least get rid of some of the yarns I've fallen out of love with or no longer need.

Knitting! At Peace of Yarn, Cindy showed me an Evelyn Clark shawl in Noro Kureyon Sock. That was it - I had been waiting for a yarn to make a replacement Flower Basket Shawl. I didn't want to use Cascade 220 again. It made a lovely first shawl, just didn't want to cover the same ground again. I wanted something light but practical. Noro fit perfectly - and the colors were better than the first version. It knit up very quickly and I love how it turned out.

I will have to do a few more as gift scarves - quick and pretty.

I wanted to do another Evelyn Clark pattern after this one, and started her Angel Lace Shawl with JaggerSpun Zephyr. But wasn't feeling the lace-weight love. I have several L on the needles, and they can get tiring for me after a while with the slipperness and small needles. So I frogged it and started it again on Kauni. Ah yes - it's scratch but soft. I can feel the lanolin in the wool. I think a good Soak will soften it up. I'm excited to see how the slower color progression of Kauni works out. I've been dying to use my Kauni but didn't want to launch into Fair Isle right now. I'm saving that for later on during summer vacation and longer knitting times.

Speaking of vacation and knitting - we took a quick trip to Myrtle Beach. Colin had a conference to attend, and I didn't want to have the kids at home so we went down with him. My sister and her husband tagged along to. We stayed with my friend Rita - AKA Trouble - over Mother's Day weekend. Everyone who knows me knows of my knitting obsession, and Rita found a new knit shop for me in Myrtle Beach!!!! Every time I'm at the beach - I'm disappointed because the two that are there were not close to where I have stayed. This new one is in a perfect location and very cute. I love some of the yarns she had too!

And the owner - Phyllis - is really nice. Willing to help with anything. I will definitely make a return trip!

I picked up Lyndon Hill - a lovely Cotton/Silk fingering weight yarn. I also picked up some Cotton Bamboo she had on clearance. But she had so many other new yarns I hadn't seen - a lovely Linen/Silk Blend. Yummmm! And the Cotton you see in the photo that the owner is in is a lovely - kettle dyed, thick/thin cotton. So soft. If I knew of a project for either of these yarns, I would have picked them up. But I didn't have any projects for them in mind at the time. Oh - I also saw Cascade's new sock yarn. It was also nice - good solid sock yarn (tight twist it seemed to me) in a variety of colors. I can made 100 pairs of socks with the sock yarn I already have - so I passed it buy - but it's in the back of my mind if I need a good solid color sock yarn that is not already in my stash.

Rita also introduced me to my new favorite Summer Sweet spot. Rita's! Not my friend Rita's - but they share a name. They have Italian ice and Custard. And they create this drink that blends the two.

With the creamy custard, and the flavor filled Italian ice. Yummmmm! I do not want to know how many calories are in this. Igorance is bliss.

On the way back I swatched a bit of the Lyndon Hill - I had one ball of the Watermelon color that was on clearance.

I love the lace it produces! It has the structure of cotton - but the silk gives it a softness and steps up the luxury of the finished fabric.

I got back to several online yarn purchases. A nice treat! One I have to talk a bit about is the new Knit Picks Lace packs. I picked up two - the blue/green and rose/pink. I think Knit Picks lace is one of the best buys on yarn around. Generous yardage @ 440 a hank. For prices ranging from $1.99 to $4.99. And lovely colors - much better than their other yarn lines in my humble opinion. There are some creative ideas out there to use the various yarns together in the packs. I'd like to think of something like that to do. But even if I just get 5 gift scarves out of each lot - I think it's still a great buy and a lot of knitting fun.

Well - that's all for now. I'm heading to Seattle next week. It's been great to have a traveling break - but I'm looking forward to seeing the Eastside Knitters again and having my required trip to Weaving Works. With the frequent shopper cards Shiori gifted me - this trip promises to be more fun than usual! I'll have to snap a couple of pictures of the shop - so all the non-Seattle readers will know what to look for when you are in Seattle. :)

Photo day

2008-05-04T17:01:00.004-04:00

Today was just a pretty day for photos - I wanted to capture a few of my caplet - but we got a few more. So - this blog is just an update of photos we took after church.

Oh - I had to come back and edit this blog entry to draw attention to my Romi shawl pin. The perfect fit for this caplet.

Spring is finally here. For good.

Teacher's pet

2008-05-01T23:08:00.004-04:00

I voted this week - have you?

Why not? Do you want to wait to stand in long lines next week?

Of course not - vote now!

You may never have another chance to influence a primary again as a NC voter!

WIP update - I seem to be determined to distract myself each week from my existing WIPs with a all consumming project.

This week's purchase of Noro Kureyon sock & a little inspiration from The Peace of Yarn has sparked me to replace my lost Flower Basket scarf that I loved. But I think I will love this one even more.

I'm now convinced that Kureyon sock is much better as a lace yarn than a sock yarn. I have visions for my other sock balls!

And lastly - men!!!!

Guess what my husband did to make me take this picture:

After 14 years, I have not grown used to his tooting. It will still get on my nerves when we are in wheelchairs next to each other.

He will kill me if he ever checks out my blog. But I told him I was going to get him back for letting it loose in my office.

Me-o-mi-yo Tiayo

2008-04-28T00:12:00.006-04:00

Noro has struck gold with it's new cotton blend - Tiayo. What a totally yummy yarn - with surprisingly generous yardage. It's a cotton/silk blend that I would say is almost a chunky to heavy worsted. It feels like cotton, but has a sheen to it so you can see the silk. It is a great spring/summer yarn for someone in the South like me. When I saw Stacey's, I really liked the yarn. When I saw the color way #1 in Cottage yarns - I could not resist. Lovely browns, Greys and Pinks. It will go with so many colors and outfits - dressy or casual.

And using the Anthropologie Inspired Caplet pattern it was a fast knit. I did make it larger - casting on 74 and knitting it a bit longer. I used size 10 needles too.

I used about 1 and 3/4 balls perhaps? I bought 3 and am not sure about the last ball. Perhaps a hat? Or, I can take it back and get another colorway. I'd love a caplet with blue in it for jeans. I'm not sure if I would repeat this pattern or find another one, perhaps a bit more boxy?

I like the reverse side too - so I won't put on a button. I need a smaller "shawl" pin though as I will stick myself or someone else with the long one!

All in all - a satisfying project. I've enjoyed this KAL - I'll have Pi, Hemlock and Caplet out of it! Stacy picked great projects!

BTW - this is the first time I've used Ebony on my blog. I picked her up when Rave Knits closed. I had wanted a "model" for my projects. She is a bit small. Her shoulders a bit narrow. I have to clean her up and polish her up a bit. She is destined for my office/crafting room when we get our bonus room done and I get the furniture and couch out of my "Office".

A Jada update - her leg was worse than I thought. She has a little square of pink flesh that really grosses me out. But the brave little girl - who was tearless during the event - turns positively hysterical when you try to remove her band-aid. The mere mention or sight of a band-aid has Jada running and screaming in the opposite direction. Her hands very fast to hit you if you get any where near her leg.

Go figure - scraping her skin off - no tears.

Band aid removal - freak out.

sigh.....

Not a girly girl.....

2008-04-26T00:44:00.003-04:00

We have noticed that Jada is tough. But she has rarely gotten hurt because her reflexes are so good. But recently she has had a few falls.

And she never cries. Or if she does- it's a tear or two and then she just stares at where it's sore.

This was her latest and worse fall.

Colin scared me half to death when he saw her. He ran across the room and I thought she had broke her leg the way he was carrying on.

Jada didn't say a word, or shed a tear. Even Janeen cried, just looking at her.

What I am I going to do with my tough girl. I thought I had escaped broken collar bones, and noses - Jada is going to be a challenge.

In my knitting life - let's pause for a KAL caplet.

I was inspired by CrimsonPurl's caplet and fell in love with colorway #1. I'm hopeing to wear it Sunday.

All other projects on hold for an urgent fashion emergency.

How about some yarn love....thanks to my new best online friend the Loopy Ewe...

Oooooh

Ahhhhhhhh

The last hank a gift for becoming a Loopy Groupie. Yipee!!!!! Along with a few other goodies. What a nice surprise and treat!

Thanks Heather for introducing me to the Loopy Ewe!

Congratulations Dad and Mom!!!!

2008-04-21T23:40:00.002-04:00

Congratulations on 40 years together! I hope you have a fabulous time in Florida!

Goodies

2008-04-19T23:21:00.003-04:00

A few goodies that have come my way. Something to smile about while work is the typical crazy pace it always is during this time of year. It's planning time - lots of deadlines, meetings, and decisions. Although I've done this for many years - it has not gotten easier except I now know it's not going to get easier. So my acceptance level is set.

Having a few knitting goodies come my way is a welcomed break from work.

First of all - from my sister.

She was able to attend The Yarn Harlot's stop in Charlotte, while I was working (yes, planning) and watching the kids. She was so sweet to pick up a book and get it signed for me.

I wasn't expecting that, I'm a lucky girl.

She also gave me some lace yarn she picked up in a swap. She thinks it has bamboo content, I'm curious after seeing it. It looks like Zephyr to me. So - I'm wondering if it has silk in it. It's lovely - and I will definately put it to good use!

I mentioned in an earlier blog my knitting tragedy.
One word - PROTECTION thanks to Amazon and speedy shipping.

'Nuf said about that subject.

And last goodie:

The Knit Witch lovely yarn bowl! Actually, my bowl has a sister that is downstairs. I wanted an upstairs bowl and downstairs bowl for my areas when I usually sit and knit more complicated projects. The bowls are beautiful and perfect. I will have to take more pictures later of the nice features. Thank you Brittney for two lovely bowls!

Lastly - I stretched out my shawl a bit and got a few more lace pictures. I'm still on the fence about the yarn for this project. I love the yarn and colors - still not sure it was right for this. Thoughts?

Closer....

I worked on Hemlock at the Charlotte Purls meeting today. No pictures though until he's done!

Last goodie - do my pictures look nicer? I got tired of my little Radio Shack clearance special I picked up for my blog/yarn photos. I have a Canon Rebel SLR camera my friend basically gave me for my "real" photos of family. But it's too big and heavy for my crafting and blog shots. So - I picked up a little camera last year but I could never get good results with it.

Today - I picked up a little Sony Cybershot DSC-T70. Sony introduced me to digital photos before most people had a digital camera. I had one that took a "floppy drive". Remember those? It worked great, actually, for it's day. I loved it and have been hooked in digital photos ever since.

Excuse the fuzzy camera phone picture:

So - I'm happy to return back to a Sony. This camera is fun - with a touch screen interface. And the best feature - it can tell when the subject is smiling! Not really useful for yarn - LOL - although my yarn smiles. Doesn't yours? But it will be for those quick shots of the kids.

OK - I procrastinated enough. I'm supposed to be working on two presentations and an online survey for Monday. Planning season! Back to work....

ABC - Anything But Content - Debate

2008-04-16T23:26:00.002-04:00

OK - you can tell by my blogging today I'm a bit peeved.

I like Charlie Gibson and had hoped for a return to a more sensible conversation.

Boy - was that a crazy expectation.

Maybe 10% issues, 90% silliness.

Good thing I know who I'm voting for, because I would have learned absolutely nothing tonight.

Except for how not to look irritated when asked a silly question.

I'll get back to the knitting blog that this is - I've broken 350 barrier in stashed yarns on Ravelry. I'm not proud of that fact. I'm stashing so I can catalog what I need to destash. Clearly - I need to destash quite a bit. I've found yarns I thought were so cool in my earlier knitting days. Now I can't imagine what I was thinking.

Or - maybe the yarn is cool - I just don't like it. Like I'm apparently the only one that doesn't like knitting with Noro Silk Garden. I love the look of it. I had stash of it and projects to make with it. I found I would start - then quickly loose interest in any project with that yarn. I think I have sensitive hands. Not in an allergic way - I just am sensitive to feel. I love the feel of wool - even wool that is not smooth. But I've always struggled with silks. Something about the stickiness of it maybe? Some blends I don't have an issue with - but in general I've had a "blah" factor for Silk Garden and Silky Wool. Oddly - I loved working with the non-exotic Moda Dea Silk N' Wool. I say it's non-exotic, but I think it's a hidden gem. The yarn rocks.

They say the first step is admitting there is a problem. I guess publishing your yarn addictions for the world to see in Ravelry is step #1 for me.

As a result - I didn't get as much knitting done as I would like. I got pass the knitted lace section on the first 1/2 of the Sampler Shawl. Yeah! On to the rows and rows of lace knitting which I like a LOT better.

I also started my first of 10 squares for the blankets of many colors I'm knitting for the Black Purls charity project - I have 10 to do before May 2 so I'm trying to pace myself. A little lace, a little Hemlock, a little square. Repeat :)

OK, enough ranting now some fun

2008-04-16T10:31:00.002-04:00

Here is my latest WIP in a maddening puzzle. Enjoy!

A little knitting, a little ranting

2008-04-16T08:37:00.004-04:00

First the knitting - I have always wanted to make something from Victorian lace Today (). The smaller of the Two Sampler Shawls especially caught my eye.

I cast it on last week and have been totally besotted with it. I cannot put the thing down, almost like Pi did to me. I seriously need to finish Hemlock. But I'm in the endless feather and fan rows, and it is truly mindless. So - I use that for when I really need no concentration on knitting at all.

All other projects are sitting there, getting on my nerves because I want to get more done and am so stuck on the sampler shawl.

I'm not convinced I picked the right yarn. I decided to use handpaintedyarn.com lace stash. I love the green, but I think a light solid yarn would have stitch patterns more effectively.

So, I'm actually dreaming about when I finish this shawl and start another one. Crazy - as this is a month long project *at least*.

Getting a good picture has been a challenge - if I don't stretch it out and hold it it looks like a big blob of yarn. But the frequently changing patterns totally have me interested. Plus there is a mix of lace knitting and knitted lace. I've decided I'm not a big fan of knitted lace (yarn overs on every row not just the right side rows) - but it is interesting to see the difference in the fabric.

It's a great pattern to really explore lace in multiple aspects. I'm going to stop feeling guilty about neglecting my other projects and give into enjoying it!

Now the ranting.

First of all - full-disclosure. I'm voting for Obama. My mind is made up. I have a lot of very real reasons for voting for him - I've watched many, many, *MANY* of the debates. I've looked into the issues. I've listened and read the fact checkers. I'm an NPR, BBC and CNN junkie - so I have my reasons. Most of which are completely missed by the pundits "guessing" on what someone like me considers important.

Early on - I was in love with the debating of the candidates. I thought it was great that we had such a wide variety of topics being discussed. Yes, of course, in the land of politics much was superficial. But every once in a while, we dug into a real issue. And the sheer number of conversations means that the real stuff bubbled up more often than normal.

But now - I run like the plague when ever politics comes up on NPR, CNN or anywhere. Only on BBC can I listen with out silliness. I'm so sick of hearing one sound bite analyzed to death. If anyone makes up their mind on that crap (I don't care who it is from Obama, Clinton or McCain) they are crazy. OK maybe not crazy, but let's just say gullible? And I happen to think many Americans are a bit smarter than they are being given credit for right now.

The obsession with "reality" TV makes me question this assumption, but that's for another rant. Let's just say - my opinion is forget "Reality TV" and just be "real". Live your life, not someone elses. When I watch TV, I want it to be "Fake TV" or Information (ie. News). When I want reality - I have "Life". :)

I'm tired of being treated like I have to have my thoughts spoon-fed to me because I'm incapable of making up my own mind.

I'm sick of people speaking to me in 3rd grade English. Even my 3rd grader is past 3rd grade English!

I don't need someone to reinterpret what is said for me, I'm capable of hearing it and evaluating it myself. Just give me context.

Things can change, we are not doomed to blindly repeat the mistakes of the past.

I'm sorry if your experiences and life views make you cynical and unable to discuss topics with an open mind. I can - so let me decided what is best with the benefit of information not commentary.

Am I making myself clear?

Just give me my NC ballot and let me vote.

Pi Anyone?

2008-04-07T10:57:00.003-04:00

Pi is finally done.....well almost done. I discovered while knitting in the sleep center - under apparently very different lighting - that there is a very slight difference between the two undyed yarns. One is slightly tan, the other a bit creamier. Now that I can see it - it bugs me and I am going to dye Pi with a natural dye. At first I was upset, but now I'm a bit excited - and looking into natural dye options. I don't want to ruin the luxurious softness of the fabric, so I'm taking my time to find the perfect dye options.

But she's done. The border seemed to go on forever because I was so excited. I decided on a plain knitted on border. It was my first knitted on border, and I love the concept. I didn't want it too frilly, so I'm happy with the plain garter stitches.

I will most definately make Pi again. Either with a different set of lace patterns or just the plain eyelets. This was too much fun! I cast on on Pi Day and am done less than a month later, that is one of my fastest larger projects. Of course - it helps to be flat on your back for a week during that time!

I also need to figure out how to block this Alpaca - it already has so much stretch to it, I don't want to stretch it anymore. So it will be very, very lightly blocked. But I love the feel of it now, and don't want to loose the drape and feel of the fabric. More research is needed for blocking Alpaca. I won't do that until after I dye it anyway.

Pi anyone?

PI-ck me up

2008-04-03T22:36:00.003-04:00

I've been blue all day. First of all - trying to go back to work caught up with me and I was so tired. I basically slept most of the day - I just couldn't wake up. And I was *supposed* to be working a half-day. I barely made meetings but that was it and slipped by most of what I needed to do. My body is so tired of viruses and being sick. I need spring and outdoor air!

Then the little "M"s I found last night bugged me (pardon the pun) to no end. But I had no energy to check my stash today. I'll have to check it this weekend.

I was dragging around Pi to work on when I had a chance and had it down stairs while watching a bit of "Alvin and the Chipmunks" with the kids. Jada walked up to me and just won me over. She stroked Pi - then she leaned her little head over, grabbed in her arms, leaned her head into it and just snuggled and loved on it like she does her teddy bears. Her little face read "Mommy it's soooooo soft and yummy". She made me smile. Sometimes I feel a bit selfish sneaking in knitting time. But her pure enjoyment made me smile.

I'm past the lace on Pi and just adding in some plain rows before binding off with a lace edging I need to pick out!!!!!! I have a sleep study tomorrow night - maybe I'll get a a ton of it done then while waiting to be observed sleeping. Well, that's something to look forward to.

A Knitter's Nightmare

2008-04-02T23:27:00.002-04:00

I decided to take pictures of my little stash beside my bed - it a small basket, nearby, close at hand. It's not my best yarn. But it's nice yarn. Had some lovely lace hanks/balls I wanted to catalog.

I was happily digging in it taking pictures, writing notes and then I saw it.

A ball that looked like it had been chewed on.

And yucky white powdery dust.

And deeper still little carcasses.

I was too upset to get a decent picture. I couldn't get it to focus in on the mess the little pests made.

I'm also suspicious that this ball arrived with these little pests inside b/c it was almost totally destroyed and I couldn't see any other balls that were touched. Although most were thankfully in Ziploc bags.

I'm sort of anal about putting my yarn in Ziplocs anyway. It's sort of rare I have anytyhing I really like that is not in plastic. I figure if one bag is destroyed - OK, but not a whole basket or bin of yarn.

Nevertheless, I had a few sock balls in there that were untouched. Maybe it was the nylon? Anyway - I can rest a tiny bit that perhaps as it was my smallest section of yarn the rest is ok. You better believe I will inspecting the rest tommorrow.

This sad little bunch is getting all of their rear ends frozen solid. Hopefully - this will kill any remaining that are hiding. I even threw in the offending ball in it's own little baggie although I cannot see how I can salvage the yarn. I would have to dig down so far to get to untouched yarn and the little droppings gross me out.

They even pooped on my crochet case! Yuck.

Oh well - it had to happen being the stash queen that I am. My upstairs stash has industrial strength moth protector in some of the bins. Strong enough to keep even me away.

But down stairs - where I live I have relied on either herbs or little baggies to keep it all safe. Maybe I will have to rethink - or buy an industrial strength freezer to store my yarn lovelies.

Waaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!

Family Hobby - DONE

2008-04-02T20:42:00.002-04:00

Hubby came in on the last 30 or so pieces and tried to hurry up and get them all in - alone. And of course claim he single handedly solved the whole puzzle.

Men, why do they love to take credit for things they didn't do?

While we women quietly - put 580 puzzle pieces in place only for the hubby to come along and solve the last (and obvious) pieces - while wife is sick with the shingles?

Sigh, this is why I knit. He can't take any credit for that!

All jokes aside - I bought two more puzzles this weekend for when I can figure out how to flip this one, paste it and take it to get framed.

Isn't this face the cutest. This is Jada's "smile". She is trying a bit too hard.

The other two are clowning off after celebrating for the complete puzzle:

Let's hope Janeen never knows I put that picture of her on my blog.

Lastly - I'm doing something I said I would never do. I'm starting, barely putting a dent in it actually - to catalog my stash on Ravelry. Gasp. I figure this is the first step of admitting, you know ala AA. Plus - it helps me destash and get some cash for some supplies I want like blocking wires and a blocking board. I have no idea how I'm going to block Pi and Hemolock. But I need to figure it out faaaast - no pictures but Pi is dangerously close. Watch this space soon!

Hempathy Swallowtail

2008-03-28T13:49:00.003-04:00

After finishing the lace Swallowtail, I figured out how I could fix the edging on this Swallowtail. I started her on vacation last year. I had seen Hempathy before, but thought it was too rope-like. But in Gordonsville, VA - I saw it again and picked up a ball to swatch. I loved the feel after it was knitted. I went back to to Limerick Yarns and snatched up all of her Teal and Yellow and started Swallowtail that week. The nupps were so much easier with DK weight than lace weight. I flew through the shawl. Until I got to the edging and my count was off and I couldn't find out where.

So - off she went into a little ziplock bag in the bottom of my workbasket - only to find a bit of light this week. And with the experience of ONE swallowtail behind me - I'm an expert now of course - decided to figure out how to get the edging on regardless of the lack of stitches at the end of the repeat.

Got it - and it looks great. It's so different with a hemp/cotton/modal blend versus wool. The stitch definition is great, but it still needs a bit of blocking to see the lovely edging points. I used 5 balls and like 20 feet of the 6th ball. Couldn't believe I ran out of yarn on the last 12 inches of the cast off!

I think this yarn would be so pretty in a lovely spring/summer lace shell. Maybe the Interweave Knits Bonsai. I will use Hempathy again!

And I have 4 balls left - not sure if I'm going to trade on Ravelry or find something small to make:

Well Worth the wait - Year of Lace Spoiler!!!!!

2008-03-27T18:48:00.002-04:00

Don't proceed if you don't want to be spoiled as to the March Year of Lace project.

OK - now for everyone else. I signed up for, paid and patiently waited for the Year of Lace since last fall.

First of all, you have to understand how much I love laceweight yarn. My first love was sock yarn. And my stash is evidence of this. I still like sock yarn a lot, but I'm sort of maxed out until I work through my stash.

But then I discovered lace yarn. Which, by the way, was hard for me to discover. Many LYS in my area do not care it or carry a very limited amount. But then I discovered buying Lace yarn online. And oh - the possibilities are endess:

- Yarnplace
- Webs
- Knitpicks (which has new colors and a new lace line - Gloss)
- Schoolhouse Press
- HandpaintedYarns.Com
- ColorSong
- Fearless Yarns on Etsy
- Others on Etsy and Ebay I have forgotten.

Are all some of my favorites. And I know I haven't found all of the great places. Then slowly - I started begging at the LYSs I visited, and they started carrying them too.

So - I have a bit of a stash in Laceweight now and need to slow down because you can knit forever with lace weight yarn. That's why I love it. You can get 1800 yarnds for $16!! And such pretty colors and fiber. Ahhhhhhhh.....

So - when the Year of Lace signup was announced too much temptation. And I wanted to be challenged to try something new. I couldn't wait for the first package and it was finally announced to ship from Canada on Monday - March 24.

I received it today - and it was worth the wait.

1100 yards of 100% silk in a unique colorway just for the Year of Lace participants. It's a brick red color - chosen by Sivia Harding who wrote the pattern. The yarn is made by Claudia Handpaints.

The picture makes it look a bit more orange than it is.

The pattern is lovely - a triange shawl with beads - a first for me.

I have so many WIPs, I need to hold off on starting this but it is oh so pretty. And well worth the wait. I can't wait for the June installment - a non-triangle project. Yeah - I'm sort of at my fill of triangle shawls at the moment so this is coming just in time!

5 Days of Seclusion

2008-03-26T21:56:00.003-04:00

What do you have with 5 days of forced seclusion and when your manager refuses to let you work so you can stop getting sick!!

Pray.....a lot.

And knit of course.

Now that I've stopped long enought to take a breath - I realized my WIPs are totally out of control. Just ltake a look: and I don't even have all of them loaded. My goal this week is to complete Pi and Hemlock - and hopefully the Split Leaf Shawl (another WIP forgotten in a bag in my room) that I am going to give to a coworker that has been so sweet to take over my meetings this week so I can rest.

First of all - the family project is so close. I didn't expect us to get this far this fast. We are cruising. It would be done if I wasn't in quarentine.

I'm on the last section of Pi before the border. Each round takes around 30-45 mins depending on how medicated I am. I'm so excited though. I want to see it blocked!!! This has been the most exciting project *evah* I think. It's simple but so cool. I want to do another one - but I think I am going to do a Pi Are Square next. I've been trying to figure out the yarn.....

I restarted the Mystery Shawl with JaggerSpun Zephyr 2/18 in Basil. I have a cone of it - 5000+ yards. I'll be 90 before I finish it I'm sure. But it is perfect for this shawl. The Morehouse yarn because it was a singly ply and varigated, didn't really show the pattern as well as I would have liked. It made it look too casual. When I saw others on Ravelry or in the Yahoo group, it needed a more elegant yarn. You can never go wrong with Lace and JaggerSpun I have found. And this time is no different.

Hemlock is going along. I discovered a mistake I've been making I'm too embarassed to confess. I was being too cocky and not really looking at the chart closely enough. I'm back on track now.....

Poor Mr. Greenjeans - I love you and want to give you the time you deserve. You have to remain on hold waiting for the sleeves and body until I get past my Pi obsession.

I'm making this Split Leaf scarf in NatureSpun Sport - I so love this green. Yeah that I have a cone of it left for a much larger project. I just took a bit of it off for this scarf. My friend Liz has been so great this week doing her job and taking on mine so I can rest in peace. I'm going to suprise her with it in April. Shhhhhhhh.

Lastly - finishing the lace swallowtail shawl gave me courage to find my Hempathy version. I love the yarn, color and feel - I just got a bit mixed up on the edging and then stuffed it in a basket in my office and for got it was there - along with another shawl that I have no idea why I stopped knitting on. Sigh. I will have to take pictures and add it to Ravelry another day. But I did add the Hempathy shawl. I love this yarn and will use it again for something else one day.

That's enough for now. I am getting to the poing where I need to take another set of meds. And trust me, you don't want me to blog as high as these little babies send me. Why anyone would voluntarily take on this feeling, I don't know. My brain slows down the the pace of a snail, and I'm suprised my knitting hasn't been impacted - although I do knit slower.

Chat with you later.

Days of My Life

2008-03-22T23:28:00.004-04:00

I swear my life is like a medical drama these days. Like some strange episode of "Janet's Anatomy" or "Urgent Care - Myrtle Beach".

We went on our 14th anniversary trip this weekend to Myrtle Beach. It was a quick trip - we knew it would be. We wanted to get back for Easter Service. My husband is music minster, and directing the children's choir. But we needed a break. It was a nice weekend. The weather was terrific. Today we took a walk, sat on a swing, and then napped on hammocks. What could be nicer.

Let's say a sleepless night rolling over in pain. An early morning trip to Urgent Care. A diagnosis of Shingles. A prescription of VALTREX. Great - why don't the advertisements make it clear it is for something other than .....well you know what. I'm a happily married woman. I'm not supposed to be on Valtrex.

Sigh.....

Let's say a sleepless night rolling over in pain. An early morning trip to Urgent Care. A diagnosis of Shingles. A prescription of VALTREX. Great - why don't the advertisements make it clear it is for something other than .....well you know what. I'm a happily married woman. I'm not supposed to be on Valtrex.

Sigh.....

And so it goes.

I did make some progress on Pi.

Even more on the return trip - I just haven't taken an updated picture. But I'm in the last section before the border. It barely fits on my needles and takes about 45 mins to complete a round. Or maybe just because I was tired.

Oh - and my little hobby on vacations is to take $20 (no more) and blow it on lottery tickets. That has been my history - $20 spent and lost. But this time - I cashed in my loot for $55!! That's a $35 gain! Not too bad - the teller said it was pretty rare. This link is not pulling in correctly from facebook, you will have to click on it and the next link if you are really, really curious.

And I caught this gem:

14 years - and I still enjoy waking up to that face.

Making Progress

2008-03-19T21:03:00.004-04:00

The Family Hobby is starting to get the family interested one by one. First of all Jason started showing interest. Then today Janeen got interested when she saw the frame and then she took a good luck at the puzzle box and saw all sorts of cool fish, ships and rockets on the map. She has always been interested in science and travel, so now she is getting interested. Then even Colin got tired of my bragging (since I've done most of the work today) and started to say he could solve it faster than me. He can't.

Even mom got involved, she helped with the top of the puzzle.

So - it's working - family hobby is making progress!

Excuse the picture - Blackberry was upstairs and I was too lazy to go and get it.

Not that I need another hobby......

2008-03-17T07:51:00.004-04:00

I wanted to have a hobby that we could do as a family. My attempts to teach my daughter to knit have failed miserably. No one else except the baby is interested.

So - I picked up a new challenge for us to do as a family. Cleared off the dining room table - which was horribly cluttered (another sad matter). And setup something for us to work on together.

Except guess who has spent the most time there :) I can tell right now this is going to drive me crazy until it's "done". When complete we will have a huge map of the world - I'm thinking about framing it for the play room. Especially if I can tempt the rest of the family to join it.

600+ pieces, so we will be working on it for a while. If you stop by my house - you MUST help us out!

Also - I started another Pi on 3/14, Pi Day. Thanks to Dani and Allison at Knit Night, I had no idea about Pi day - but I had always wanted to take another stab at a Pi shawl. My first mini-Pi was a dissappointment. I thought I would make a plain Pi, but I was sooooooo bored by it I ended it early. It's a great stroller blanket for Jada though.

I made this with Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport - the yarn is perfect for it. I still have over 1/2 the cone left and will use it gain. I just can't get enough of this yarn - such a great basic, work horse yarn - great for lace, garments, color work, socks - anything. And such a great color range.

My current Pi is made out of the softest alpaca you can imagine or atleast that I have in my stash. DK weight and not dyed, just a pure creamy color. I picked this up at Weaving Works i n Seattle where they have generous hanks for 600+ yards for a reasonable $14-15. I picked up 2 hanks of this for a triangle shawl, but I think the Pi will be nicer. I think this will be my home office shawl. For my shoulders or lap and so soft. I want to try to finish it and the Hemlock around the same time - working a little on both of then when the other one get's boring. I'm using the instructions in the Knitter's Almanac and the Charts in Shawls and Scarves.

Hemlock is also growing, I'm in the growing feather and fan section - nice and peaceful knitting. I can take this along with me when I'm outside watching Jada learning about bikes, balls, slides, and spring time. Watching a 15 month old discover the wide world is so much fun. I'm enjoying it so much more this 3rd time, maybe because I know for sure it's the last. THE LAST.

The color on my Blackberry is sucking all the life out of this yarn - it's really a dusky purple, but looks washed out in these photos.

Poor Mr. Greenjeans and Mystery Shawl have been on hold this past week. I have to get back to them. I'm at the sleeves section on Mr. Greenjeans, and just love, love the yarn but I needed to wind a few more hanks and stalled b/c I've been too busy taking care of Colin and Jason to get upstairs to wind more. Yes - my boys have the flu so our house has been a zoo the past week and I can only handle the most mindless of my WIPs.

So the Mystery Shawl was definately out - couldn't handle the counting each and every row right now. If Colin gets well by Friday we are hoping to make a quick trip to the beach and I will get to make some progress on both of these on the trip down. I'll miss another Charlotte Purls field trip!!! It is just not been my luck to make any of these since I have been in the CPs. I'm on a yarn diet - so it's probably for the best.

Distracted

2008-03-10T23:41:00.002-04:00

The Charlotte Purls KAL has totally distracted me. I had been looking for an excuse to knit the Hemlock Ring Blanket - and then there was one.

It has been a fun knit through the flower, now I'm in the feather and fan - let's hope it stays fun - I've always had trouble with FnF - I usually get really, really bored.

I'm also a bit distracted by my Mr. Greenjeans Malabrigo sweater in Lime Blue.

And I am still trying to work on my Pethathalon socks, Mystery Shawl, 'lil Janet socks - I'm in a bit over my head!

Atlast, a Swallowtail

2008-03-07T20:55:00.002-05:00

I've wanted to make this scarf/shawl forever.
I started out strong, and faded in the face of THE NUPP.
But at last I finished it.
Success at last.

Patiently waiting for blocking.....

Nupps, nupps, and more nupps.

Flu revisited

2008-03-06T15:10:00.004-05:00

It's baaaaaack. Yes, the yucky flu 2008 came back, meaner and nastier this time. At first - it was just sleep and rest for me. I was miserable with fever and body aches. I'm starting to get over that - just a few moments of being unbearably hot here and there - but I've got no energy and little appitite. Maybe I'll loose weight? :) Let's hope for a bright side of this experience.

It's so great you can knit when you are sick b/c TV is really terrible. I can't stand realtiy shows or the talk shows and soaps now get on my nerves. Had I of known I would be housebound for a few days - I would have stocked up on DVDs. Thankfully there was some political drama on March 4 to keep me a bit glued to the TV, although I wasn't happy with the outcome and am afraid to see the Democratic race degenerate into negative nitpicking. All the nonsense drove me straight to www.barakobama.com to make a donation for a new day in America. Instead of just getting angry, I had to do my part to bring some common sense back into the discussion.

In the midst of the fever, the thought of so many UFO - Unfinished Objects - drove me nuts. So I was inspired to knit on some of the items hanging around waiting for the last few stitches.

First of all was my Malabrigo Loafers, which I stalled on during the first bout of the flu. They are a bit big and I'm thinking about slightly felting them, but don't want to over do it.

I love both of these colors independantly - having them together is growing on me. Not my favorite, but not terrible. They need a crochet flower on top, but I didn't have the energy. Maybe later.

I also rescued my Swallowtail shawl from the bottom of my bedroom yarn stash bin where it had fallen in it's little zip lock bag. I was working on this (and another SW that I'm not sure where it is actually) like mad when on vacation in August! But the nupps drove me crazy with the super fine JoJoland Harmony yarn. But for some reason this week it wasn't so bad, I blew past the last 6 nupp rows and am on the edging! Yah! This will replace my lost Flower Basket Lace scarf.

Hopefully - will wrap this up by end of the day.

I also have been working away on my SKP 2008 sock - my first toe up!! The gansey pattern is enough to keep it interesting, but it's not difficult. I like the diamond pattern and the little ladders on the side. I'm loving the handspun BFL, I have a few BFL hanks in my stash but this is my first time knitting it. It's sooooft. And the sock feels really springy. I can tell it's wool, but it feels different than my other socks. I love it. I'm glad I have another hank from this spinner in blue. Maybe by then I'll be good enough to make my own handspun sock yarn. What a refreshing change of pace for socks. Also - I love the subtle color changes, no set pattern, but very pleasing. I just love the way the yarn is behaving in this pattern. It probably wouldn't have been as nice in lace, so it was a good chose for a knit/purl pattern.

I didn't realize SKP 2008 would be a gansey pattern and had previously started (on a whim) another gansey sock - this time with the pattern in the cuff. I decided not to carry the texture down the instep and onto the foot as I was afraid moss stitch on the top of my foot would drive me crazy. I like this yarn to - it's a handpainted yarn, frogged from a failed scarf attempt. I'm trying to finish both of these pairs of socks this month. My green sock month!

I put the mystery shawl on hold to finish swallow tail. I hope to get back to it tomorrow.

I also have to cast on Mr. Greenjeans - but need to FU some of the UFOs and get them into my FOs. :)

Last note - on Stash Burning 2008 - last week was a mixed bag. I did so well in Seattle for a while. No yarn, just a bit of fiber. But I slipped up on Ebay. My friend Jill showed me her Kauni hat, and then I found some on Ebay. It has a shetland feel, and the slow color changes remind me of Noro but the yarn is a 2-ply (I think) fingering weight. Yummy. There is a pretty cardigan made famous by Yarn Harlot using this yarn. I'm not sure what I will make with this - it would be beautiful in anything fair isle. I also have some some really pretty lace made out of it. What you can't see in the photos is these babies are huge - the smallest one is 700+ yards! The largest is ~1200 yards. So many choices!

Yummmmmmmmm:

Malabrigo March

2008-03-02T17:28:00.003-05:00

March is shaping up to be a great month.

First of all - I received my lovely gift from my swap partner in the Ravelry Malabrigo swap. I was spoiled. She gave me 2 - two - lace weight hanks of Saphire Magenta. I love lace weight because you can make something really, really big with two hanks. The color is lovely and even better - not in my stash. I've been so spoiled with Malabrigio in February so I have got to make something with it in March.

Then - she made me matching stitch makers. The greens and purples of the yarn are duplicated in the beads she choose. Won't I look cool with a project where the stitch markers match the yarn :)

And then for the goodies. Dark Chocolate Truffles mmmmmmm :) And Good Earth Organic Sweet and Spicy Decaffeinated tea. I came back from Seattle a bit run down - sore throat, coughing, etc - and the tea has really hit the spot. It is so lovely and flavorful and sooths my throat and makes me feel all over good.

What a great treat!

I'm having so much fun with the Mystery Shawl - I've just finished clue #2.

Starting Clue #3 this week.

And - the first Sock Knitting Pentathlon started this week. I have yet to start - hope to cast on tonight. It's my first Magic Toe cast on, Toe-Up, Short-Row heel sock. I've been sort of stuck on the traditional top down. The pattern looks good - a gansey diamond pattern. This contest is great for trying new patterns and styles. I know I won't win, however. The first winner from Germany finished both pairs in 9 hours of straight knitting! And there were several shortly after her. I won't even try to stay in their league. First of all my neck, shoulders and arms would kill me. I have to take breaks just to keep from tightening up. To knit 9 hour straight sounds like a recipe for being totally locked up in bed for a week. I love to knit to much to put myself out of commission for that long. :)

Here's the pattern - and I picked out some green handspun BFL sock yarn for the sock. yum.

I've also started back on Jada's Tomten Jacket. I was a bit irritated with having to pickup the stitches, the first few times looked terrible. This go around it is a bit better and I'm tired of frogging it.

Mystery Shawl Clue #1

2008-02-27T01:11:00.003-05:00

I'm not quite done but not sure if I will be able to post pics before I move to Clue #2. I will be visiting the lovely ladies of the Eastside Stitchers tomorrow and hope to move past clue #1. That is if I can resist spending time with my new spindle.

I decided after a lot of deliberation to use Morehouse Merino Varigated lace weight. I'm only knitting from the stash these days, and I was going to use this for something else, frogged it, and decided to use it for this project. So far - I like it - it will be the perfect colors for spring & summer. We have several vacations planned - I can see this shawl going with me stuffed in my bag for a chilly evening or dinner AC.

A Square Peg.....

2008-02-26T22:38:00.005-05:00

I finally got my little light spindle. The lovely lady at Weaving Works recommended this little beauty - and she is square!

She spins fine and true. I love it!!!!! They let me practice in the store, and I was so happy with how long it spun and how light it is. The spindle is made by Spindlewood Co - owned by Steve and Connie Paulsen. Their spindles are so lovely - it was hard to choose just one. I chose a little dark beauty - like me :)

I'm getting almost cobweb weight on this spindle. But I drop it too sometimes going a bit too thin. I'm getting better with some fiber I picked up to practice on.

Yummy colors!

I managed to resist getting yarn except for a birthday gift for my sister. She will have to wait and see what it is though. No pictures!!!

Handspun

2008-02-24T19:40:00.003-05:00

I'm slowly getting better, emphasis on the slowly. This isn't a craft for those who like instant gratification. I'm working on my patience.

Green Merino - I was aiming for a sport weight. I need to check the WPI, it looks to be more like DK to me.

And this is a mix of lots of different fiber samples I have - including a 1/4 silk hankie. Also a wool, angora silk blend - yummm. Not much fiber of any sample so I spun it thin, and then just did a simple 2-ply. I liked spinning silk :) And softness and feel of this hank is so different than the wool handspun, even the merino. It is soooooo soft and it feels very fine. Begs for lace IMHO.

I also bought some superwash wool on Ebay from Brown Sheep. It is very silky and soft, no grip to the yarn at all b/c it's superwash - duh - didn't expect that one but it makes sense. I'm still learning how to spin it because without the little grip on the yarn my small spindle keeps flying off into space. Maybe I'm spinning it too thin, but I'm just not a fan of thick yarn.

I'm now really wanting a wheel. Must resist.

On another note - this is my year for fearlessness remember!!

I've signed up for 1) the Year of Lace 2) Mystery Shawl and 3) Sock Knitting Pentathlon 2008 on Ravelry. Let's see how this goes - it may not be Fearless Knitting, but Foolish Hoping. Let's hope it doesn't turn into the latter! I've also joined Stash Burning on Ravelry - I've got to knit all above from the stash! Bust the stash in 2008 :)

Flu

2008-02-21T16:55:00.002-05:00

Despite getting the flu shot, I've managed to get the flu this year. I suppose it is milder than usual. But nevertheless a pain in the rear. It is an awful time to get sick. First of all, I have missed two classes of my fitness class. Right when I was starting to get stronger. Secondly, I have a lot to do at work in preparation for my trip next week. Thirdly, and more importantly - I can't hug and kiss my kids.

But here and there, when I'm resting I have been knitting. Here are a few of the items I've been working on. I've totally neglected the shawls I was supposed to be working on. Instead - I've.......

Completed a crochet scarf. With my lovely gift from Mimi - I decided to use some Malabrigo in the same color way but a different dye lot than the group of green hanks I have. Those will be a nice big shawl for me soon. But I always wanted to know how it looked crochet. Of course, being Malabrigio it looks fabulous.

I found a cluster stitch pattern and just started crocheting until I ran out of yarn. It is light and fluffy, and will be a great scarf to wear into the spring. The yardage is so generous, it made a very long scarf I can wrap around my neck once. It will be with me on my trip next week!

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I also finally started my Malabrigo Loafers for the Charlotte Purls KAL. Stacy encouraged me to join her in the Malabrigo Loafer KAL to also fit the CP KAL. I sort of burned myself out of felting a few years ago and didn't want to make the felted slippers. Although looking at everyone elses, they look great! So I was considering sitting this KAL out. But I'm glad of Stacy's suggestion. These slippers will be great for travelling. They are light and soft. I don't think I can wear them everyday - they will melt away for sure. But for trips - mmmmmmmmmmm - luxury. I made them a bit too big. But I love this pattern for a quick gift - I know I will make it for others as a Christmas gift or even a gift for a new mommy. I will make sure to use smaller needles.

Here is a picture of the soles:

I decided to stash bust, but didn't have 2 of the same color except for some I am using for a sweater, and another lot for a vest.

So - I decided to use green for the top of the loafer.

I've also been working on a sweater for Jada. It was supposed to be for her now, but will most likely fit her when she's 3. It's a bit larger than I expected. The pattern is easy and fun - I will make her some more of these but with a smaller needle size. Link to pattern: http://www.verypink.com/Toddler%20Tunic.pdf. I used the yarn Wendy Aran - it's 25% wool and 75% acrylic. The ball is HUGE - 400g or 800m. The sweater is only taking a small portion of it. I have another one in burgandy - and may make her a sweater mixed with the two colors. Or something else. I'll have plenty of yarn left.

I restarted the Noro socks with DPNs instead of magic loop. For some reason I cannot get a tight enough gauge with the ML. I'm loving these socks. I have an urge to just work on these so I can wear them w/ clogs next week.

I'm also trying to finish these Koigu Jaywalkers. I'm not too happy with the pooling. So - I have not been motiviated to pick them up in a while. But I want to use the DPNs, and need to wrap them up.

Lastly - I need to wrap up these socks. They started out as gift socks. I'm not sure now. I love the colors so I may keep them :) I have more balls in this Opal line, and I want to make a more adventurous sock next time.

That's all - now back to listening to audiobooks and slowly knitting while I get rid of this flu.

Random Thoughts

2008-02-12T07:55:00.000-05:00

I have been getting my butt kicked for 2 weeks now. Well, really 4 - but for 2 weeks it's been really hard. I finally decided to commit to fitness.

First of all, by way of explanation, you may think this should have been a conclusion of mine a long time ago. I have been overweight basically since my daughter was born 9 years ago. But I'm an all or nothing sort of person. I can't just tip toe into fitness, either I need to be fit or I won't feel any motivation to do anything. Colin getting his personal training license tipped the scales for me. I finally had no excuse and I knew I had someone who I would be accountable to do it right. I told him 4 weeks I ago, I wanted him to be my personal trainer and I wanted to see results quickly. Not to lose a lot of weight, I know that is unreasonable. I want to lose weight the right way, so it stays off. But I wanted to build muscle tone and endurance.

Almost immediately after I made this decision, his fitness company started a 12 week fitness challenge. Hence - the butt kicking I've been speaking of. But it has been good. I feel muscles in my abs for the first time in years. They are under layer of fat, but they are there struggling to emerge.

However, there are no short cuts. Going from knitting being your primary form of exercise to regular butt kickings means injury. And my poor neck felt it yesterday. So - today I head to the chiropractor so the butt kickings can resume. And I can lay off the hydrocondone which I hate to take.

But the time on my back let me finish a few things:

Trekking XXL socks of my own design. They took so long to make, I completely lost gauge on the second one and it is noticeably bigger than the first. That's OK, it gave me a chance to keep them instead of give them away!

Another view - these will be my jean socks. I love the tiny stripes and jean friendly colors.

Mmmmmmmalabrigo Lace in a simple 2X2 rib. I wanted to feel the squishyness, and this is the most squishy scarf ever. It feels like you are wearing air, seriously. It's so soft and compfy. A portable lovie. It will be hard to let her go, but I think she wants to be a gift scarf.

Poor Jada- mama has discovered headbands. I can't get enough of these, and now I converted it to crochet - I can whip one out in 15 mins in any color! This is what Jada thinks of mama's headbands:

Janeen loves them too - she is begging me for blue and pink ones.

Lastly - the mail had gifts. 4oz of lovely fiber I haven't taken a picture of and this cutie spindle.

Now I can really spin *anywhere*. It is so tiny and cute, Laceweight is no sweat on this baby spindle. But It's so tiny it doesn't spin very long or maybe I don't have the technique down yet. Nevertheless, I love it! it came with a silk hankie that I've seen in books, but I have no idea what to do with. I'll have to experiment with spinning silk.

Look for more finished objects soon - I'm on a kick - I want to work on some fair isle but I can't CO w/o getting some of my current projects (mostly shawls that I've been working on for Christmas gifts for 2 YEARS!!!!!) done!

Thank you Mimi

2008-02-09T21:24:00.000-05:00

My Purly Valentine really spoiled me :) She gave me a lovely, lovely shawl pin, Malabrigo, A cute shrug pattern, and Milk Chocolate Bing Cherries - Yum.

Not many FOs to show yet - I'm soooo close on several of them. But I did take a break to make a few headbands for Jada and Janeen. Here is Janeen sporting one of hers made with Cascade Fixation.

Yarn by Janet

2008-02-05T07:49:00.000-05:00

Thanks to another lesson by TurtleGirl76 and an FairieGirl at Charlotte Yarn - I'm spinning!!

It's the weight I want and a lot less bumpy. Let's hope I can keep it up.

And - I actually spun walking the kids to the bus. Spinning and Walking, now that's an improvement!

With the help of Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts and a book I have had a while but didn't understand "Spinning the Old Way" - it's starting to make sense and I actually figured out how to get the single off the spindle and ply it off my hand! I washed it in hot water and hung it to dry. It's to special to knit with yet, however. LOL.

This yarn was a bit bumpy - but hey it was my first plyed yarn!

This is my new one - I'm going to spin 50g of this lovely green merino and hope I have enough for a neck warmer or hat. Then mission accomplished for my next Seattle trip where hopefully - I will learn a bit more or get some *great* fiber. Last time I was there Marie had BISON fiber. Yum. And all the ladies will have went to the Medrona fiber festival. I'd love to buy some lovely fiber from one of them. That reminds me - I better put in some emails to see if someone can pick me up some!

Here's my latest "bus stop" yarn. Much more even!

This is one of the most destressing things I've ever done. Even more relaxing than knitting. Something about the gentle drafting motion and maybe the hypnotic (sp?) spinning of the spindle. You just breath slower and relax. Being a mom - I so need moments like these.

Off to spin some more before work!

Go Giants!

2008-02-03T23:04:00.000-05:00

What a stunner - I left my parent's house with the Patriots ahead and came home to SHOCK! The Giants win.

Score 1 for the good guys.

During the low scoring (but exciting) Superbowl - I finished a little vest I started yesterday for Jada. I actually picked up the pattern to use some Baby Grande Alpaca in my stash for me. But when I read the pattern - I thought it would be easy to convert to a baby or kid's vest. And it was.

I CO 60 instad of 120 and use Size 10s instead of Size 11s. I also didn't use Alpaca because I didn't want to mess up nice yarn on a big mistake. It took two evenings to knit, really quick.

Here she is:

She actually won't be able to wear this very long. I need to make a bigger version now that I know how it works and better how to gauge the size. I think it may also need a button or toggle since I can't put on a pin.

I tried to take a picture of the back, but she wouldn't stay still!

I made it with a huge ball (100g) of Bernat Softee Chunky I picked up at A.C. Moore for kids sweaters and things. Basically yarn to experiment with.

That was a nice instant gratification project, now back to completing some of my scarves.

What a Week

2008-02-02T01:53:00.000-05:00

No blogging this week. And I say Ravelry is to blame. I spend so much time on Ravelry that I have no time to blog. Ravelry is such a temptation. So many patterns and yarns to drool over and dream about. So many great people to keep in touch with, meet, and learn from. I've got to find a way to make better use of my time so I can blog, Ravelry lurk and of course knit!

This week I got fiber from Etsy. Super soft merino. I need to post pics - but am too lazy right now to drag out the box and take pictures. Now if I could only spin the kind of yarn I want to - nice and thin. I know I shouldn't be so impatient - I've only known how to (barely) a week. But the fiber is so tempting.

I did go through the motions with my first batch from the 1 oz. of fiber I purchased in Seattle. I spun it - about 1/4 was the weight I wanted. The rest sort of ranged from probably DK to worsted. I soaked it, and then let it dry. It's just an energized single, I haven't figured out yet how to get it to ply. I saw Shiori wrap it around her hands in Seattle, but how she did it was a blur. Hopefully I will learn this weekend when I stop by Charlotte yarn to get some spinning help from Fairiegirl and TurtleGirl76.

I also started a Vest from Knitting Classic Style. Why? I'm not sure. I had more projects I wanted to do more, especially Fair Isle. I've been itching to start a vest or sweater not that I've had a little taste of it. But I had the yarn in stash, and thought the texture was nice and before I knew it - it was cast on! I didn't need another project mind you. I had hoped to get 2 malabrigo lace scarves done this week so I can start another, larger project.

And I haven't even started the Charlotte Purls KAL yet- My lovely Malabrigo Loafers.

I can't explain my knitting this week - except to say I was distracted. All yarn looked good to me and I wanted to start something new much more than I wanted to finish what I already have in progress.

I cast on this too:

This is 2-ply Morehouse Merino Farms. I bought 6 skeins and was a bit disappointed because the color was not what I expected. I couldn't decide how to use it - but then decided to make another Checkerboard Lace Shawl - My 3rd. It's an easy pattern - sort of mindless, but I like the look. And this yarn is working up great in it. But again - I did not need to start another project.

So - I'm promising myself except for spinning I won't start anything next week until these 2 scarves are done:

With any luck - I'll have some FOs to report very soon. Maybe during the Superbowl- I'll get a bit of knitting in. Colin's heading to a Superbowl party, but I'm going to be a good mom and stay with the kids, knit, and anxiously wait for a CP Lady to win the Superbowl Pool we tested this year. It's been a fun experiment - mixing yarn and football. Perhaps next year w/o the last minute nature of this pool - we can get a bit more creative.

Basically - anyone who wanted to participate had to put $11 into the pool (~ the price for a lovely Malabrigo skein. Guess who offered up that as the yarn of choice :)) Then they picked the 4 conference champs, League Champs, and Super bowl winner. There was a point systems for each level of correctness - and then they had to have a tie breaker guess of the final score of the SB. So - on sunday - someone will have $88 to spend on lovely yarn. Not me - I lost pretty early when Dallas and the Colts were eliminated. So much for my Football skills. But it was fun, and we will have to try something like it next year.

Anyway - it's time for me to head to night, night. I've got to wake up my husband off the couch - Disturbia (our Friday night movie) put him to sleep - and migrate to bed.

I can spin now!

2008-01-24T03:14:00.000-05:00

I'm too tired to recreate this entry :) It's a duplicate of my post to Charlotte Purls - but I'm too excited.

Thanks to my friend Shiori from Eastside Knitters - I can now spin with a Spindle!!! I can also ply a 2-ply yarn!!! I'm sooooooo excited!!!!

Why I am a dog person

2008-01-22T22:42:00.000-05:00

I know I will get in trouble for this. When I look at blogs, Knitters all seem to like cats. Why?

A friend and worked shared this with our team and I thought it was funny. I wanted to share it with my knitting friends.

Here's a bit of yarn p0rn that made me drool and break my yarn diet. Why was I at a yarn store while on a Yarn diet? Especially Weaving Works one of my favorite shops in the USA? If you have to ask, I wouldn't be able to explain it to you!

Yes - that is Noro Sock Yarn. I saw it online and was like that sounds intereting. I saw it in the shop and the colors just POP. The single ply yarn looks differnt too. It knits up so pretty. I can't wait to wear my socks!!! Too bad for my current sock projects with 1 complete - I will have to put them on hold to get these done. :)

And one other knitted update - let's start with a question. Why does the most simple projects get the most rave reviews from total strangers (who don't knit)? I made this super quick Calorimetry (my new instant gratification project - LOL) and super, super quick, tiny scarf (using only the yarn I had left in the ball) for my trip to Seattle because last time I was so cold. It's in the 20s to 30s this week, so I am very glad to have it and wear it everywhere. I have been stopped and asked did some one make it for me. Everyone is so surpised that it isn't a hat but a headband when the see the back. In a knit shop - since this is Moda Dea Tweedle Dee yarn - I was asked what yarn it is b/c they haven't seen it before. And I was suprised that they weren't aware of the pattern. I thought I was the only one in the knitting world that hadn't knitted one yet looking at the number on Ravelry! I can wear the most complicated lace with *no* comments but a simple head scarf and scarf get's the most attention. Not that I wear my knitting for comments, but I'm just saying.....

Ladies Leaving a Legacy

2008-01-20T14:09:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was such a lovely day. Our Site Community organizer - Michelle Thomas [who literally knows everyone and I mean *everyone*]- sent email out to the African American women's alias for tickets because Microsoft was a sponsor of the event. I had not heard of it before - although Microsoft has participanted since the beginning for 5 years.

WOW - the event is a fund raiser for UNCF. Ladies Leaving a Legacy is organized by Vanessa Mitchell. This lady has a heart for service and love - and a really great time! Her favorite color is Orange and it showed. The decor was lovely with splashes of orange everywhere. Ladies who have been for a while know Mrs. Mitchell's tastes and the lovely organge outfits were all stunning. Let's just say everyone was dressed - as several speakers said - wearing our "dress up clothes". And the furs! I have no furs and can't really get into depriving a little animal of it's skin. But they sure were beautful on the gorgeous ladies.

The day was so positive and uplifting. There was prayer, a poem reading and just positive messges. A doctor of integrated medicine spoke on wellness and taking care of yourself in body, spirit, mind, socially and civically. POWERFUL! I have already started to take steps in this area and the overall message was so confirming. A lovely lady was honored for her service to the McCory Y and community. She was so lovelly and cute. Such an example of the Prov 31 woman. I want to be her one day. I just was amazed in her commitment to give back. And she was even working the crowd as she accepted her award!!! Gracious lady. I have to look up her name and update the blog.

I forgot my nice camera and brought my Radio Shack special, so please excuse the photo!

My tablemates were Microsoft employees and/or the wife of an employee and my friend Monica. We had the best, most positive converation. I am inspired to start a mini-LLL luncheon once a month at MS. We all decided that we need to regularly inspire each other in career, health, and overall wellness. Just drawing from their strength for 3 hours was so uplifiting to me. I want to spend more them with them. We all committed to also stay in contact and grow our network in LinkedIn. Of course with Michelle at our table, and she knows *everyone* so many leading ladies of Charlotte stoped by and was introduced. Especially if they were from Spelman or a Delta as Ms. Thomas is! :) I'm so bad with names, but I remember faces. One of the most memorable is a Lady is is chair of the newest community bank in Charlotte - Legacy Bank. It's in the capitol raising phase now and if I had some expendable $$, I would invest. It is a chance for *us* to be in at the ground floor of a bank! Not to many of those opportunities come around. Mrs. R. Flowers, a coworkers wife, sat next to me. She is just a spark of joy. We chatted about our babies, organic food, detoxing and loosing baby weight! We have a lot in common!

I can go on and on about LLL. My friends of color - next year I will be encouraging you to go!!!! If you are in Charlotte, don't miss it!

And lastly because it was not the most important part - the freebies :)

Vanessa loves orange and has a generous spirit. She spoiled us - this was my little loot.

A lovely bag - given to everyone.
A beautiful butterfly pin - given to all 1st time attendees.
Lovely hoop earrings - for those at a sponsor's table.
A program and wellness tips.

Something to remember a great day by! I'm looking forward to the pictures to be posted to the LLL site for 2008 and ladies - please join me in 2009!

And to make this a bit knitting related blog entry - I forgot to mention my Eastside Stitcher's friend Shiori is going to teach me to spin this week when I'm in Redmond!!! She had promised she would teach me when I came back and she found me in Ravelry so I could keep in touch with her. I let her know I'm coming and she is going to bring a hand spindle and fiber for me! I am *soooooooooo* excited. This group spins the most beautiful yarns. I've been drooling each meeting seeing what they have come up with. I so can't wait. And with the great SAFF news - Diane from Creatively Dyed Yarns is going to host Charlotte Purls at SAFF!!!! And feed us too!!!! I'm going to try to be able to spin well enough to spin some laceweight for a super special shawl/throw for me at home. Portable hugs is what I call them. :) And I've always wanted one that I spun the yarn. I'm so excited!

Joleen

2008-01-20T02:56:00.000-05:00

Janeen gave me a well deserved tongue lashing for not getting Joleen done by the end of her birthday. Her lovely house gifted by her Aunt and Uncle arrived on time, but Joleen was not available to move in. I had to stay up on Saturday to finish her.

First of all - Joleen is my little made up pattern. Given that - I am very proud of how she turned out. I'm most proud of using sock making techniques to put short rows and decreases in her feet to turn at the heel! I need to write the pattern down before I forget - my next doll will be a lot better because I learned a lot. Her hair is crochet chains, looped and secured in her scalp. Better than my first doll for Janeen - Flo's hair turned out. Overall all I think she's cute. I'm not impressed with my stitch work on her face, but I have never been good at needlepoint.

Joleen is hanging out at her new home with another gift Janeen received - a Nientendo Dog. Her arms are a bit straight - that's another feature I will change next time. But her head is stable, much better than the knitted doll - Flo.

I finished Jo so late I didn't have time to make her any clothes - so she is wearing a little swatch for now :) I have to make her something tomorrow before I head to Seattle so she isn't cold during the week.

I have sort of resisted making toys, they aren't my favorite thing to knit for some reasons. But seeing how proud Janeen is in showing her friends her first doll and this one when it is in progress makes me feel so good. I have to make Jason a bear and Jada a doll now!

My 2nd Tam

2008-01-16T16:35:00.000-05:00

These are addictive little projects. I started this one at the Saturday Charlotte Purls meeting and just wrapped it up. This one was made with Cascade Ecological Wool and Noro Kureyon. Both were great in this project - and it knitted at a larger gauge than her sister did. It could also be that I held the yarn a lot looser this time too having learned my lesson with the 1st project.

I like how the color work emerged. Here is #2 with her sister #1.

I think this pattern is a bit easier than the first one since there are many rows early on that have just one of the yarns. But that said - knitting with the two yarns isn't too bad. I did trip my self early on by trying to talk and knit and lost count. I had to frog a few rows because I didn't realize it until later. But once those rows were in place, I could knit the rest with less concentration.

I have to now start #3 - I'm thinking about making this with 2 solid yarns. I saw a hat that TurtleGirl made with Silky Wool that I liked the photo of. I have some of that yarn, so I may try it with that yarn. But I also wanted to try a sport or fingering weight and see if I can adapt it for my 14 month old. I think she would be so cute in a baby Tam. I'm headed to Seattle next week with lots of time to knit - so, I will have time to experiment!

Busy bee, Busy Me

2008-01-14T21:37:00.000-05:00

2008 has really been my year of knitting so far. I have either been working on quick, satisfying projects or trying to complete some of my many, many WIPs. I have to get some WIPs out of the way so I can start some fabulous new projects I have planned but don't want to start with so many incomplete projects!

The main item I want to make is a sweater. I really want to knit a nice., nice sweater. With some super soft alpaca yarn I have and something I could not buy in a store. I don't want it overly complicated and ornate, but simplistic beauty. I've been on the hunt for a pattern for a while.

I also want to make a Fair Isle vest - and I have some other Fair Isle projects in mind. Fingerless gloves, a headband, a hat/tam (with more than just 2 colors).

So much to do, so little time. But this blog is to catch up on my busy January.

First of all - it's my mother's birthay month. She had commented that she liked a crochet scarf I had made - the color of the yarn. So I decided to knit her a scarf in that color for her birthday.

I love that color way too. It's Moda Dea Sassy Stripes in the Crush Colorway - I made it on Size 5 needles. I'm thinking about making a matching hat for her, but I haven't decided on a pattern. The pattern I used is the same one I used for the teacher's scarves. It's so fast, but it's nice and chunky feeling.

I love that pattern so much - I wanted to make one for me.

I'm using SWS in Natural Russet, needle size 7. This is my first time using this yarn, though its been in my stash for a while. It's a nice feeling yarn - although a bit hairy. It also sheds. I'm interested to see how the scarf will wear after a while and if the cables will stay nice looking or if it will get floppy due to the single ply and fuzziness. I want to wear this before I make anything bigger in this yarn. I knit so loosly, I don't want to make something larger with the yarn only to have it descend into a loose, floopy mess in a few washings. I would be very dissappointed.

Next up is a pair of socks that I have been working on for a while. Well actually, I completed everything but the heel in July, and then lost interest. So - last week I finally put in the heels.

The yarn is Ditto and Pace by Universal yarns. I bought it at Rave Knits when the Universal ladies would come and visit. I liked how both yarns knitted, not super luxurious like the merinos I love, but they seem to be longer wearing that some of my merino socks.

Here are another pair of socks that were unfinished. These were on hold at the heel. I don't know why I loose interest at the 2nd heel, but that is my typical stopping point and it take me to get on one of my finishing kicks to pick it back up again. I'm working on wrapping these up this week. They are knit with XXL purchased at Knit One Stitch Too. I love XXL yarn colors, but the yarn is a bit splitty, not my favorite to work with. These are a set of sock yarns I purchased to wear with jeans.

Once complete - I have to finish these two Fleece Artist Merino socks:

Aren't the yarns just simply wonderful? I love the colors the dyers choose. I'm having a hard time giving these socks away. I think that's why I haven't finished them yet.

I didn't make this hat - but I helped! Ashley - a young lady that I know and helped (along with my sister) teach to knit - wanted to make a hat. I helped her get started with this Stitch and Bitch hat. Didn't she do a fabulous job!!

Joleen has already been named by her "twin" Janeen. It's Janeen's 9th year birthday present from mommy. I have to get her and her clothes done by Friday!! I'm sort of making up the pattern as I go along because I forgot I gave my crochet toy book to my sister! So I didn't have a pattern to use. But so far - it's working out although the hands are a bit weird looking!

And last but not least - I had to start another tam. This is the #2 version, and I think one of the easist of the bunch because there are several rows with just one of the two yarns.

I guess you can tell I've been in a lot of phone meetings! :) My favorite time to knit, it keeps me listening and not doing email. At least that is what I tell myself!

2008 is Shaping up to be a Year of Knitting

2008-01-05T00:16:00.000-05:00

This week I've been on a hat obsession. You saw my knitted and crochet Tams. But the I saw the pattern Three Tams on Knitty and it fit exactly what I was looking for for my first Fair Isle project. Easy Fair Isle!

I used King George a Wool, Alpaca, Cashmere yarn for the Black solid yarn. It was a very soft and luxurious yarn. I had never seen it before, but could see myself using it again.

For the Colorwork - I used Colorchanges by Ironstone. Again, another new yarn to me. Very, very soft - a wool/acrylic mix. I really liked the vibrancy of the colors and pace of the color changes worked well for this hat.

It was my first time knitting with two yarns. I had been practicing trying to knit American style so I could use both hands when I decided to plung into Fair Isle. It did make it easier than picking up the yarn each time, but it took a while to get used to. Especially in the ribbing, it seem very slow at first.

But once I started knitting and didn't have to purl it speeded up quite a bit. I found it was very addictive because I wanted to see how each row built out the pattern. Plus - you uncover new colors in the yarn and it's sort of exciting. As a result - I finished it in a couple of days pretty much knitting only on this hat. It was faster than I thought it would be. I'm very happy with it and will make the other 2 versions.

Here is the hat post blocking on my daughter.

I also wanted to make a hat for my sister but she said she would prefer Calomitery another Knitty pattern. Now this was a fast knit. I started it today while at the hairdressers and made most of it there while getting my hair done! I only knitted a few more rows at home and cast off tonight. I like it and will have to make one for me too. But this one is for Doreen, the new mom.

I Need a ReTouch ...... Crochet Tam

2008-01-02T07:32:00.000-05:00

While on vacation I picked up this cool crochet book that I just had to start using. Hip Hats and Cool Caps by Afya Ibumo. It's rare I find a book where I want to make everything. But I do with this one. My daughter has picked out her favorites and I have to make Baby Jada some cool caps too. This book has crochet hats that are in fashion and doesn't take expensive yarn to look good. I'm not usually a Red Heart type of person, but it made sense for this hat as I wanted to make it immediately and wasn't near my stash or a yarn store while on vacation. And It's durable and long lasting.

This hat may end up as a gift as I know a young lady who will love it. I still have to add the bill, but it was too cute and I hat to post pics. I have many more of these in my plans for the future because it was super fast and easy crochet. And did I mention cheap? As it's super cold in NC this week & I really need a ReTouch - I bet I will be working some of these hats by end of week too!!!

I decided it would look better with a brim, so I added that on afterward.

Plus - it's my first finished object of 2008!!!!!

On a sadder note - I seem to have returned from vacation with out my lace scarf. I really need it this week and am so sad to have lost it so soon :( I hope I left it at my friend's place. It was my most prized knit and I wore it everywhere - it's so sad to loose something you have spent so much time creating :(

Myrtle Beach Finished Objects

2008-01-01T13:34:00.000-05:00

I love vacations! We don't get to spend as much time as a family as I would like, so vacations are great for spending quality time with C and the 3Js. For the past 2 Christmas vacations we had hoped to get to Orlando and Disney World. I hear it's great to go Christmas time - no crowds! And really pretty. But - due to the arrival of Little Miss Jada - we have stayed a bit closer to home and went to Myrtle Beach. It is also great about the lack of crowds, but you get to see the beach and relax. This year we stayed in a new place Sea Glass Towers. The Condo was a bit small - 1 bedroom - for 5 people! But the view was great. You could see all of Myrtle Beach and the water. 2 1/4 walls were solid Glass :) C and I want to go back just the two of us perhaps :)

Here are the pics of our trip. I didn't get to go to the beach because my Blood Pressure was high that day and I had a headache. How can your blood pressure spike when you are on vacation? :( Another reason I need more vacations right?

Windows Live Spaces

I also love that I get to knit a bit more. This trip I wanted to make a Tam. I bought a book at the Seattle Weaving Works called Knitted Tams by Mary Rowe. First of all - Weaving Works is an Amazing store. I have a new love when I go to Seattle!!! You can find not just knitted items, but items for spinning and looms. But the yarn - so many choices. I was in heaven, except but broke! I bought some Shetland yarn because I have been wanting to try out Fair Aisle, and I thought a Tam would be a great project because it's small. The Knitted Tams book gives you great possibilities and teaches you how to design a Tam not just copy a pattern.

I didn't want to start out with color work until I was familiar with the shape, so I had some natural wool that was the perfect weight.

Not bad for my first try!! Now to try color work.

I also decided it was best to try to finish my present for Jada, and apparently just in time!!

This was a pattern I found in The Wheel, a magazine produced by Ashford who makes looms and fiber tools. They had a cool pattern called simply Cache that I have never seen anything like it before. It is sort of like a wrap for babies and innovative pattern. Soon as I saw it - I thought Zuri!

But it was a little big :( It fits Jada. But Zuri will grow into it!

Details for both projects (Yarn, needles, etc are on Ravelry).

I just need to add the buttons.

UPDATE: I updated the photo to include the Cache with the updated buttons. Aren't the Cows too cute! I found the buttons at Rave Knits when she was closing down. I bought several cute sets of buttons for future kids items. Now I just have to get knitting because these buttons are too cute to just sit in my stash!

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T00:14:00.000-05:00

What could be better for the New Year than a new Niece! Happy New Year Everyone!!

Zuri Elizabeth Ray was born on Dec 30, so she arrived a little early. But she still is a sweet New Years gift to the Ray/Manuel family. And me as Auntie :) I've made her a little wrap - I'll post pics once it is done blocking!

Windows Live Spaces

Perfect!

2007-12-23T22:57:00.000-05:00

Can a Christmas gift get any more perfect than cute little stitch markers, a mini-wood swift, a yummy candle, and a offer of personally dyed lace-weight wool of the color(s) of my choice?

Thank you sis!

Don't join the Rat Race

2007-12-23T00:10:00.000-05:00

I have a friend who has had a job roller coaster this past year. I saw this pattern on Morehouse Farm and just had to make it for her. I'm barely getting it done before Church tomorrow when I will give it to her. I still have to sew on some more beady red eyes, but I will do that later. I hope she likes it!

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

2007-12-21T17:56:00.000-05:00

Why did I wait until the last minute to realize I only had 2 teacher's gifts made and I needed 4!!!

Time for the One Skein Book by Leigh Radford. Her book is a life saver. I decided to make the 2 cable Scarf - part of her 4 Cable scarf options. Last year I had made a ton of the 3 Cable version. This was just as quick and satisfying a knit. I love these scarves because they look at lot more difficult and complex than they are!!

I made the Blue version with some Lamb's Pride I had, and then I purchased some 1824 Wool at Rave Knits. Wow!!! I love that yarn - it is fabulous!!!

Speaking of Rave Knits - my stash swelled after a trip to Rave this Tuesday. Unfortunately - the store is closing. I hate it when a Local Yarn Shop closes. And this was our only option in our town. It hate it for the owner, because she was really working hard to make it work out, but owing a LYS isn't easy I hear. She offererd a few of us loyals first dibs at a sale and look:

And this is just the yarn!!

....Yes....I have a serious yarn habit!! But I wasn't the only one! :)

I also picked up a few needles, notions and fixtures.

So - Please, please support your LYS!!!! We don't want any more to close!!

Brrrrr - It's Cold in Seattle!!!!!

2007-12-18T17:34:00.000-05:00

During my last trip to Seattle I was cold. I picked up some $1 gloves to keep my fingers toasty, but I couldn't bear to buy a scarf when I have to hands that love to knit!!!! I found some Casacde 220 in the colorway Celery - a nice heather color. And decided to make one of the Evelyn Clark shawls I have been wanting to make, but to impatient to wait for the shawl to be done! It knits up much faster in a Worsted Weight yarn - the scarf size! But it is suprisingly big. It is really a small shawl size after blocked. I love it. I can crunch it up under my coat to keep my neck warm, and I can use it in the office for a shoulder shawl if I get a bit chilly. Best of all - I started and cast off in a week!!

Yes, it was a bit of a diversion from Christmas knitting which is in a bit of a crisis state right now. But it was just so much fun to see it grow :)

I have all the details on Ravelry user name 'jc3smama' for those of you in Ravelry. If you are not - what are you waiting for? It's the best way to blow a few extra hours on the computer :)

My Funky Circle Vest

2007-12-10T00:19:00.000-05:00

I am done with my Funky 70's vest. I saw the Circle Vest pattern in Silk Knits and just invisioned it in 70's blues, browns, Orange, etc. I saw this yarn that was so yummy at Charlotte Yarn called Scotia Silk by Fleece Artist. One of the yarn companies I love. I bought to skeins in to complimentary colorways and decided to knit two rows in each color. I wasn't sure how it would turn out - but I love the look. I would have wanted it to be a bit larger, but I used up almost all of the yarn and since each round was getting longer and longer was afraid to start another increase.

The pattern is pretty easy and not to boring because you increase every other row. So you have to pay attention. The increases are a bit strange, since you are increasing ribbing. But once it's all down it looks better than when you are knitting it and it is sort of spreading out a little bit each row. I will make this vest again. I saw one in another LYS made in a light cotton yarn that would be great for a summer vest. I don't think I will use the 70s colors for that one, maybe something with the striped yarn this vest typically calls for.

I finished this vest on our trip back from Florida. We drove all night last night and into today so I can make it back to fly to Seattle tomorrow. We were blessed and I just have to share that in my closing thoughts! We heard a knocking sound about midnight last night that we hadn't heard before. We decided maybe the car engine was cold (yeah, in FLORIDA, we were a bit tired I guess). Today it got worse and Colin decided to check it. The van had NO OIL. We drove all last night and through 3p today with NO OIL in our engine. We are truly blessed to not be stuck in Florida, Georgia or South Carolina. Our mechanic couldn't believe our engine didn't seize. We started our return trip with a prayer. And it was answered. We didn't get too sleepy and we arrived home safely. My vest will always remind me of that trip. Oh - had we had a wonderful time visiting Colin's family and some college friends. Check out the family blog for photo albums of both vists. I have to post a blog on that site with more details of the trip, but after I'm in Seattle and can gather my thoughts and get some sleep!

My Karalund is done!

2007-12-01T18:26:00.000-05:00

I hate sewing, but I buckled down and sewed up the Karalund today at Stream Of Praise (SOP) practice and Charlotte Purls.

First of all SOP was a real teary session today - I love the SOP prayers and today Dad really prayed for all of us. It was needed as this week was not a good one for most of us. But we all knew who brought us through. Thank God for friends to cry with when you need a good cry.

Karalund has been done since Monday, and blocked since Thursday. Today I stitched her - although I noticed a few places she needs better stitching. I made the sleeves too long though - and I'm trying to work up the enthusiasm to take her little sleeves apart to reknit that part of them. I sort of like to be done with projects when my little brain thinks I'm done. But I know I wont' be happy with it looking like a little kid that borrowed her mother's sweater. I love the feel and look for Karalund and I want to wear her a lot, so I need to suck it up and do the sleeves correctly. Thanks Stacy for helping me realize this :)

Here she is:

She is knit out of Moda Dea Silk n'Wool, which is fairly affordable and available at a non-LYS *gasp*. It is one of my favorite yarns actually - I made my daughter socks in this and have washed them several times with great results. It's a great sweater weight - not too heavy or thin. And the drape is fabulous. I will knit with this yarn again.

Most Karalunds are made with striped yarn, but I'm glad I went with a solid. You can see the stitches very clearly and I think it makes the sweater a bit more dressy. I can see myself with some sexy jeans and spiky boots in this baby. It's date night tomorrow with Colin - and Miss Karalund just may get to go out on the town. Long sleeves and all!

Half Pi Shawl?

2007-11-24T17:22:00.001-05:00

I'm sort of embarassed to call this a Pi Shawl. I got bored about 1/2 way through it and just decided to bind it off and make it a blankie for Jada. I guess you can tell my lack of commitment through the very poor blocking job I did on it too. I will make one again but I will put lace in it b/c making it plain is pretty boring knitting. And I didn't have a good vision for what I would do with it w/o lace. I love EZ's patterns, they are so well thought out and easy to follow. I just should have learned lace before I tackled this one. After sitting unfinished for over a year I decided to rescue the cone from obscurity so I could use it for something else. Lesson learned - I now know how to make a nice circle shawl and now that I can knit lace the next one will be much improved!

Yarn: Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport
Color: ??
Needles - 8,9 and 10 (increased needle sizes while making it to make the edging slightly larger.
Pattern: Elizabeth's Zimmerman's Pi Shawl about 1/2 way complete :), using her recommendation for a crochet edging.

Blue a4A hat

2007-11-24T16:14:00.000-05:00

.

Again - details at Charlotte Purls!!! Now on to trying to complete my Christmas presents!

Baby Hat

2007-11-23T15:43:00.000-05:00

Details at http://charlottepurls.blogspot.com :) I missed the other hat I knit for Afgans for Afgans. But it's on the CP blog too :)

Who is that masked man?

2007-11-22T11:08:00.000-05:00

I had promised Colin a helmet liner for his motorcycle helmet *forever*. When I was in Cottage Yarn, the Yarn Lady mentioned she had made one out of Malabrgio for her husband to go hunting in. So - I purchased a ball in the colors he likes - plain black/browns/greys and went at it. I also wanted to practice the pattern since I want to make some for the troops but I had a hard time envisioning how the pattern works. It turned out OK except Colin says the part around the nose needs to be a bit tighter.

It was a suprisingly fast knit. I thought it would take longer. It is basically a turtle neck with a hat attached :) I think I can now tackle making some to send over for the troops. Here is the link to the pattern if you want to make one for the troops too: Helmet Liner Patterns.

Finally.......Cold Weather!

2007-11-18T20:00:00.000-05:00

It's finally cold enough to justify making something to keep warm! I made Jason a hat out of Manos del Uruguay. I got the yarn for free!!!! I wanted to try it and decided to by a skein. But then found out I had a $75 coupon to spend and I had to spend it in one day!!!!! Such bad luck to have $75 to spend in a yarn shop!!!

Unfortunately - I didn't have a good game plan. Afterward, I realized I should have gotten some cashmere or something purely luxurious that I would never get otherwise. But I got 4 hanks of the Manos, 1 of Malabrio lace, and some stich markers to use every last penny.

These is the 100% Wool yarn. It's think and thin and fun to knit. It is not as soft as Malabrigo - another kettle dyed yarn. It's great for a hat - perfect weight. I wouldn't use it for a sweater though - even though it's beautiful - but it would be a tad too scratchy for me. I'm hooked on the idea of Malabrigo as the perfect sweater wool.

I also made another pair of Fetchings out of Moda Dea Bamboo Wool. These will be a gift for one of the kid's teachers along with the other pair. The yarn was great to work with, seems like a much more expensive yarn than what you would usually find at A.C. Moore. The color selection isn't that great, however, or I would think about it for a sweater. If I decide to make a dark grey sweater, then I would consider using this again.

Death of Family blogger - Birth of Family Space

2007-11-17T20:37:00.000-05:00

Our family Blogger site died a slow, painful death. I haven't blogged on it in over a year. And blogging isn't Colin's thing. So - I've started one on Live Spaces because it does a bit more of what I need in a family blog - basically combline my family blog and photo album.

Here's the link: Family Blog to check out what are the latest antics that our family is up to. The latest excitement is that Jada turned 1!!! I didn't get as many birthday pictures as I would have liked but I snapped a few. I can't believe it's been a year, yet it seems like we have had 3 kids forever.

I felt bad b/c I had to send out our family pictures recently to some college friends and it was all very old. Now I have a new site to send them too. And I will do better about keeping it up.

Meet EastSideKnitters

2007-11-14T18:01:00.000-05:00

I found a new knitting group in Redmond!! I was crusing a local mall looking for a bite to eat and a place to knit, and I found a very busy table of knitters (and spinners). They invited me to join them and now I have a home away from home :)

It was great to hear them talk about the knitting community in their area. It's very different than Charlotte. Alot more people who actually produce their yarn, spinning and getting very interesting sounding fibers. I've always wanted to know how to spin, maybe I will learn through hanging out with them when I'm in Redmond. Since I am there once a month - you will know where to find me on Wedensday evenings!!

All done!!!

2007-11-02T19:26:00.001-04:00

The are done. They took a tiny bit over 1 hank of the Lana D'Oro. The Thumbs were ok, not too fun but not too hard. How does my neighbor aka babysitter model look modeling them?

My Fetchings

2007-10-28T16:45:00.000-04:00

I decided last night when I couldn't sleep to join in on the Charlotte Purls KAL. Here is how far I got. The yarn is Lana D'Oro Tweed by Cascade Yarns which has been in my stash for ever. It was one of my first "real" yarn purchases off ebay a mix of Alpaca and Wool. I have 3 bags of the stuff and this poor hank has been in a ball for 3 years. Miss Fetching is a perfect fit!

Double Dare Me

2007-10-20T21:12:00.000-04:00

I'm off to Seattle tomorrow and have some serious knitting to get done.

1. I need to complete a prayer shawl we will delivery to a mom next Saturday. Her son is in a coma at CMC after being hit by a car. He's 7 years old. As a mom - my heart goes out to her anyway. But as we have put our time at CMC with Jason during his 6 years, I empathize even more. So - please say a prayer for Jeremy and his mom that wakes up from his coma. And a quick one for me that I suspend my dislike of Homespun enough to concentrate on getting the shawl done!

2. I have a sudden, selfish need to finish a vest and sweater for me. I can feel the coolness in the air......occasionally. Well, rarely, but I know fall is coming if only for a day. And I am going to look good in my retro vest and sweater!

3. My Christmas shawls have been sidelined for way too long. I can't knit lace to well while in meetings and that is when I do most of my knitting so I can concentrate and not do email! So - I've got to get back to the lace.

4. And lastly - I have to resist adding to the stash. It's totally out of control.

So - I'm double daring me to come back with more than one FO and while I'm not sure I can go on a trip and not by some yarn. Let's just say I need to limit it to yarn I can fit in my suitcase without paying for extra poundage on the plane. I think I left myself enough wiggle room there to win my dare :) Let's see. And hopefully a few pics as well for the blog.

Oh - and I get to hopefully meet the founder of my company at my 15 year service award dinner :) He's a little someone most people have heard of before :) If I do - I will make sure I have digital camera in hand to capture the moment!!!!!

Near Instant Gratifcation

2007-10-08T23:43:00.000-04:00

Due to my constant bouncing between projects - none of the socks I was working on were progressing fast enough - and I wanted a new pair of socks!!! The owner of Rave Knits had waved some Universal Classic Worsted yarn in front of me - 20% Wool/80% Acrylic. Normally the yarn snob in me would have ignored the yarn, but after having my 100% wool socks burnout in the sole, I'm not as hot on all wool socks anymore. So I thought that yarn may make a great sock. It does!!! And I finally got Green socks on foot instead of on needle - after two days!!! It's a quick knit on size 2 needles, almost as quick as Jada's socks.

So tonight - I'm wearing my near instant gratifcation socks!!!

Christmas Presents - Caterpillar Scarves and Hat

2007-10-02T23:48:00.000-04:00

I decided to make these cute scarves and hats from Merino Farms for Christmas presents for the little kids in my life. I still have to add the eyes and eye brows but they are a quick cute knit. I love using bright colors. The Brown/Yellow is knit in the Merina Farms 3-ply worsted. The Green/Blue is knit in Malbrigo. Ahhhh - that is such a lovely, soft yarn. Doesn't feel anything like wool. I have GOT to make a sweater in it. It's a pretty big hank too, 2X as much yardage as the Merino Farms at about the same price. I like MF too - it's very soft. But I like the variation of color in the Malabrigo and you can't beat the price for the ultra softness. It's almost like knitting roving though. Be careful - I broke the yarn trying to bind it off twice!!

Jada's Silky Socks

2007-09-22T23:47:00.001-04:00

I found this yarn at AC Moore. I know - and me being the yarn snob that I am couldn't believe I found something I like at a non-LYS. It's Moda Dea Silk N' Wool - 85% Wool and 15% Silk. Worsted weight, has a tweedy look and great colors - especially the Green and Dark Pink (Sangria).

So - I got some balls to make Jada some socks. I wanted to use them to make the great new style of socks in Cat Bordhi's book - New Pathways for Sock Knitters ().

But I couldn't wait and decided to make up a sock using a standard knitting formula.

They knitted so fast and are so soft and so cute on her. I started last night while Colin was playing at the Grape - yes, I knit in a wine bar while my husband's band plays!!! That makes me a die hard knitting freak, I know. I have brochitis, so I was sitting by myself - so that's my excuse. If I was sitting with others - I would have not knit...........as much.

Anyway - I started last night and wrapped up the last one today.

Isn't she the cutest in them?

Here's my attempt at a pithy pattern if you are interested:

Yarn: 1 Ball (you will only use 1/2 half) Moda Dea Silk N' Wool - Sangria
Needle: Size 5, 32" (if you use the magic loop method as I did)

CO 25, Join in a circle and knit the first and last stitch together.
K2P2 for 16 rows.
Heel Stitch on 12 stitches for 14 rows.
Heel Stich is:
R1: *S1, K1*, repeat stitches in * * to end of row.
R2. S1, P all remaining stitches to end of row.
Repeat R1 and R2.

Turn heel:
S1, K 6, SSK, K1, Turn.
S1, P4, P2tog, P1, Turn.
S1, K5, SSK, K1, Turn.
S1, P6, P2tog, P1, Turn.

Hmmm - I hope I got that right. I'm going by memory!!

Anyway - I had 8 stitches on the heel not 9 so something is off......note to self to edit blog later!

K 8, Pick up 8 stitches on the side of the heel for the gusset.
K 12, Pick up 8 stitches on the other side of the heel for the gusset.
Decrease 2 every other row until there are 14 (not 12 b/c babies feet are fat!!) on the sole.
Knit another inch or so depending on the babies foot.
Then make your favorite toe. I made a wide wedge toe. But the star would be nice too. I decreased to 8 stitches and just drew them together b/c I didn't want to graft it. These are quick remember!! Total - maybe 2 hours knitting time. I did them on a magic loop with my Harmonies since I don't have Harmonies DPs in 5s.

If you haven't made worsted baby socks, they are quick & satisfying, and with lovely, silky yarn - so cute!! Next - I will make the Green sock the Cat Bordhi way - I can't wait!

Dead batteries, Rain, First walking moments and USPS Brings Joy

2007-09-17T14:59:00.000-04:00

I got back from my trip to Seattle, tired, cranky, but happy to be home. I had hired a driver because I didn't want to leave my car at the airport (hubby needs it) and I really didn't want to drive. But upon arriving at the airport - the drivers car wouldn't start!! The battery was dead. He was embarassed, it wasn't his fault. But the last thing I wanted to do was sit for 45 mins in the airport. And then when we got going thei Humberto rain caused accidents on 85. And since Charlotte drivers find it impossible to drive in the rain without either crashing or causing back ups to watch other people crash - it tooks us another 45 mins to an hour to get home.

Grrrrrrrrrr.

But - upon arrival, my Knitpicks Harmony Needles had arrived.

A lot of other good things happened, of course - but this is a craft blog.

I'm in love with them. They are smooth and hard, but warm as wood is. The sharp points are heaven. I like them better than the nickel plated and the Addis. The KP lady hit gold with these, every knitter will have to have a pair I suspect.

Both the DPNs and the interchangable are both great. Wonderful joins, and the tips, the tips!!!

I took off 2 sets of DPNs I had on socks immediately. One I knew I was not enjoying b/c of the rounded tips on the pony pearls. I like pony pears feel, but the round tips are not working out on the jaywalker socks. I dread the row with increases and decreases b/c to knit tightly but try to scoop out the inc or dec with blunt needles wears on you after a while.

But my new Harmonies are great!! I love you get an extra DPN for breakage - that has happened to me with my Brittney 0s before - grrrr-. But I now have a cure for that. ON my Seattle trip, I found out about the Nancy KnitNacks DP WIP tubes (check them out at: http://www.nancysknitknacks.com/). No more broken wood needles for me!!

So as a knitter I'm now happy.

Now for the non-knitting grumbles. Jada started walking - as I knew she would. Just like Janeen did 8 years ago. She isn't consistant yet, but she can walk. She's smart enough to know that walking may not be the best thing right now - ie. less carrying - so she holds out for special occasions or when we aren't looking and she is playing in her play area. But once again - I missed this special event in one of my children's lives. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Harmony - nice!!!

Missing Jada walking - not nice!!!

I have no pics of WIPs at the moment. So - just use your imagination. Lots of lace, socks, and yummy yarns of course. :) Stay tuned for pics.

The blog name is Crafty Girlz....

2007-09-09T00:07:00.000-04:00

not crafty girl. And I have been trying in vain to get my daughter interested in crafts. She is very creative. Her thing is writing movie scripts. Career wise, she is probably on to something. But I'm a crafty girl, and have dreams of sitting down with my daughters and crafting.

So - I think I finally found something she at least tolerates. I got her making potholders for Christmas presents. I started her on the loops and then did some yarn potholders so she can see how much better they are. She likes them. The brainwashing may be starting to work.....

She likes me to knit for her though. I have a cool book - "Knit a Square make a Toy" that's going with me to Seattle this week. I have a little snake (Janeen) and Rabbit (Jason) that have been ordered from the kiddies. :)

Playing with cotton and linen yarn for washcloths

2007-09-08T23:51:00.000-04:00

Can you tell the fibers?

Universal Yarns Flax Sampler

2007-09-08T23:41:00.000-04:00

Yummy Linen Yarn called Flax from Universal Yarns. It is divine and I have 8 hanks with a sweater (in this color) for me written all over it!!!! I have several other hanks for faceclothes!!

Potholder Weaving

2007-09-08T18:33:00.001-04:00

This is my potholder weaving. It's so fun with yarn, better than loops. Thanks Noreen! Janet sent with Treo on the road.

Neglected

2007-09-08T12:19:00.000-04:00

My poor neglected blog. I have been knitting, and even crocheting. And now - I've added weaving as my new fiber art. I've bought a ....errrrrrr.... few looms, and also learned how to weave on a pot-holder loom with the great tutorial on this site - http://www.hankeringforyarn.com/how-to-weave-with-yarn-on-the-potholder-loom-part-1. It's so simple. No need for those pesky, horrible loops. What a great idea!!

I've also fallen in love with linen yarn, and hemp. All types. Thick, thin. For face cloths, shawls, and I'm even experimenting with a baby blanket (perhaps) or a shawl in crochet linen.

Hemp is yummy to. I've ordered some hemp yarn from lanaknits.com and the local LYS. And I also picked up some hempton (Hemp and cotton) from knitpixie.com.

Let's see - what else have I been doing. I have 2 swallowtail shawls almost done, but I've been intimidated by the ending, so I'm pausing to get up my nerve!!! They are so pretty, I will be so sad if it doesn't end well.

I've discovered knitting groups. The Concord, NC knitting group that meets at Rave Knits has been one that my sister and I attend. It's been great getting to know more ladies (and a man) who love knitting as much as I do. And talking with them about different projects, getting inspired by what creative things they come up with, and we have 2 ladies from Universal Yarns that come by and tease us with new yarn on a regular basis. That is like a bartender visiting an AA meeting!!!

I heard from a nice lady about another knitting group that meets in the University area that I think I have to visit. It's becoming another addiction - knitting groups :) My AA meetings.

Oh - and have you seen the new Knit Picks Harmony needles - I've GOT to get me some of them! They are beautiful and I have a bit of a needle fettish.

I've discovered via blogs Japanese Lace knitting books - and I have a few on the way :)

I've fallen in love with lace, and have many many projects in the works.

So it's obvious I'm to busy to blog!! So my poor blog is suffering. But the bright side is I should have lots of cool pics soon.

The baby is getting big. She is scooting holding on to things all over the place. But she isn't walking yet. It is just a matter of time. Her little personality is so funny to us. She is very independant (not anything like her mother of course!! NOT!) and sneaky. She gets very quiet when she is sneaking out of her play area. That's our only clue that a 9 month old is on the loose. If you delay 10 seconds, there is no telling where she will be. She is very attached to Colin these days, sort of hurts my feelings some times. She isn't talking to much, but she doesn't have to - she's pretty good about letting us know what she wants. She used to have a very quiet wheezy cry, but that's gone. She has replaced it with a high-pitch, back of the throat screech. I guess we weren't reacting fast enough to the low wheeze. Being a momma of a baby again is tiring but so much fun. I guess because I know it's the last time - I'm not ready for any phase (even bottles and diapers to end. And I was super depressed when I had to stop breast feeding due to high BP. I still wish I could BF her today - she has a lot of skin problems and I wonder if BFing would have helped. But overall she is as strong and healthy as we could have hoped for. We are blessed.

Well - Jason has asked me for the 10th time for pizza so my sad little blog post will come to an end. I'm travelling next week for work. Perhaps my blog will get a few entries while I'm on the road.

Chat with ya latter.

Posting some pics

2007-08-06T17:07:00.000-04:00

I am doing a lot of knitting, but not a lot of posting. I'll try to get a little caught up this post.

Last week we had a "Yarn Tasting" at Rave Knits - our Concord, NC Knitting Store. It was a lot of fun. Universal Yarns, also in Concord, brought by 4 of their new yarns in sample sizes for us to test. We spent a couple of hours testing and lovin on the new yarn. My favorite was Flax - their new Linen Yarn. At $8 a hank for about 136 yrd, it's the best buy I've found on 100% linen yarn and the colors are vibrent and rich.

Here is a sample swatch knitted on Flax: :( Blogger wouldn't post pics.

Linen Leaf Lace Shawl

2007-07-07T13:52:00.000-04:00

Between family, work, family, work, family, more work, more family - and knitting (of course). I have not had any time to blog. I've been to Seattle probably 3 times since the last update. We also went to Ashville to go along with Janeen to summer camp since I couldn't bear to send her away by her self at age eight. We had a good time, and my sister and I even managed to find a new knit shop (Yarn Paradise) curtosy of her GPS system. My score there was 2 skeins of Jitterbug (a sock yarn I've wanted to try), and 2 lace yarns. One of them is 2 seins of Malabigo. It is soo soft and wonderful. I am trying to find the perfect project to use it's soft goodness on.

And despite starting many more WIPs than I have finshed, I have finally completed the Linen Leaf Lace Shawl. I didn't really enjoy working with the linen, it's rough on the hands to knit with. But the end result is lovely and much warmer than I thought. I was completing it last night and trying to position it on my chilly legs to keep me warm. It's larger than I thought it would be too. Here is a picture of it being blocked. And a picture of the stiches close up. The Pattern is from the book "Knitted Shawls, Toles & Scarves" The pattern is technically called "Lavender Leaf Lace Shawl". It is very easy (and fast) to memorize and do. I have 2 more on the needles in a laceweight yarn - one in Jaggerspun and one in Lorna's Laces Helen's Lace yarn.

1 down, 1 to go....

2007-05-05T02:25:00.000-04:00

And I finished my first Jaywalker. I like this pattern - it's a great next step if you are as bored with straight knitted socks as I was. This one is in pink Fleece Artist yummy yarn. I love them. I think these may not make it to the gift sock pile.....

More socks......

2007-05-05T02:13:00.000-04:00

I finished a pair of socks my friend Trouble, yes, that's my name for her Trouble has asked for. Before I was half way done. I guess I'll have to make them her Christmas present. I've got 3 pairs of socks done as Christmas gifts!

These are a DK weight Merino yarn, by Sunshine Yarns on Etsy. It's nice and soft and a huge skein, I probably have enough for another pair. I like the fall colors. Warm and cheery.

I made up a patter with a after-thought heel and toe both done in 4 corners. They fit sort of baggy and comfy.

Two little crazy kids

2007-05-03T19:17:00.000-04:00

This was a fun day when we got out the face paints and had some fun. That's crafty right?

OK - now I am just bragging

2007-04-06T19:14:00.001-04:00

Jaywalkers

2007-04-06T18:53:00.000-04:00

I have two jaywalkers on the needles. I now know why these socks inspire such rave reviews, they are very easy but so fun. I made one following the pattern and one with a fore-thought heel. An idea I got out of the Sensational Knitted Socks: by Charlene Schurch (get yourself a copy here: http://www.amazon.com/Sensational-Knitted-Socks-Charlene-Schurch/dp/1564775704). I like the heel - I need to knit a bit more to see if it fits as well as the after-thought, but theoretically it should.

The pink socks are made with Fleece Artist yarn, and the blue are made with Koigu. It's one of the wildest Koigu color's I've seen. More stripy than I expected, but fun.

I'm rockin and rollin on these, so hopefully I'll have one each very soon.

Running through the wildflowers socks.....

2007-04-06T18:47:00.000-04:00

I finished my socks using the Wildflowers colorway from Sunshine Yarns (purchased on www.etsy.com). I love, love these socks. She also has a new tighter spun yarn in the same colorway that would probably make even more durable socks. But these are soft and yummy. It started pooling in a weird way on the 2nd sock and I didn't stop it. So that sock looks a tad weird - but I love them anyway. I am going to make a matching scarf of of the extra yarn I have left over.

I used my own pattern - plain ole' knit stitch - with a standard heel and a 4 corners (janet's no-grafting) toe. They fit me perfectly - and that's good because they are mine!!! I've taken a break from gift socks to enjoy a pair or two :).

In the picture one looks way bigger than the other. It's an optical illusion folks. The are the same size! Blame the photographer - me :)

Koigu socks are finished

2007-04-04T19:04:00.000-04:00

I finally finished my green koigu socks. First of all - I love, love, love green!! And secondly I love, love, love koigu. So - you know I love, love, love these socks!

I 3 needled bound off the toe and foot because I have lost patience and confidence in my abilities to graft effectively.

The top of the sock is a garter rib pattern - the heel is an after-thought heel. The toe and heel yarn is Fearless fibers - Midnight Blue. I'm making another pair of socks with the rest of this hank.

Finally- I finish a pair of socks - now on to the other lonely 1 completed socks I have in my WIP bin.

Jason's glasses

2007-04-03T17:41:00.000-04:00

Poor Jason has eye's like his mommy and needs glasses. The standing close to the TV and holding his DS close to his face were our main clues. The kid's styles are a lot nicer than when I started wearing glasses, but I was hoping my kids wouldn't have my eye weakness. This blog item has nothing to do with knitting, crochet or crafts. But I was just sharing.