Sunday, December 31, 2006

happy new year

let's just hope 2007 is better than 2006 was. it's ODD, so it should be. and you know how I love my ODD numbers!!!!!

I finished my Clapotis...but it's not blocked yet. started another pair of sox too. just about to finish up the heel. also started another throw which I will trade w/wabbit for a spinning wheel. guess who's getting the better end of THAT deal, eh??? ha ha ha!!!!! of course I told her that would include a lesson. does my greediness ever end???? I think not.

my son & his GF will be coming over tomorrow to welcome the new year & to also celebrate her birthday. should be a very pleasant day. I'm having a crown pork roast along w/other assorted goodies. today I'm working on taking down all the xmas decorations. it went by so fast, as usual, didn't it????

we also got a new cat....so now we have tabitha & kitty kitty (the only name she answers to) & they have been doing the usual hissing at each other but no problems other than that. giving lots of love & playtime to tabitha so as not to hurt her lil feelings.

hopefully I'll have some pics soon as possible. in the meantime, I wish you all a very happy, safe & healthy new year!!!!! ollie

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Webster, my ol pal...is he cute or what???!!!!

this is Webster. He's my buddy. He's a black cocker spaniel & man, is he smart. He belongs to Maggie. She sings "what'll I do, when you, are far away" etc & he sings along. well. she THINKS he sings along. he hates it but he does it just to make her happy. I wish she'd stop. so does he. but this is Webster. He's my buddy. He has many important jobs to do. Hi Webster. It's me, Ollie, wavin atcha. I hope you get lots of goodies for Christmas & I hope your mom doesn't make you sing. Bye Bye.

Saturday, December 23, 2006

oh brother

this is what my dear friend, woman of the world that she is, wrote on my blog:

maggie said: ok kim, that's a really NOT cleaver way to try to get a blanket, esp. THAT blanket!!!!!!! I'll be watching to see how this one plays out!!!!! Oh yes I will!!! M

and one more thing, what the hell is a sp9????

maggie dear, you really do need to get out more. SP9 is a secret swap where 1 person spoils another w/goodies for a few months. in secret. you don't know who your pal is until the end. it's fun!!!! maybe we can talk YOU into signing up for the next one, yes?????
MY SP9 writes to me, in secret, & I can even write back but it's all anonymous. you'd love it!!!!!

Friday, December 22, 2006

fingerless mitts

very busy right now. not much time to blog. I wait all year for Christmas, the most wonderful time in the whole world!!!!!!!! it takes forever to get here & then whizzes by in a flash. & all the ideas I had LAST christmas are now forgotten. write them down, people...you WON'T remember, even if you think there's no way you'll forget!!!!
here are some fingerless mitts I made in 2 evenings w/some Interlacement Toasty Toes I had left over from the sox I made a while back. the pic does no justice at all to the gorgeous colorway. maybe it's the white background?? who knows.

gotta go, lots to do.

just in case I don't get back here until after the holiday, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!! and a safe & happy for whatever holiday you celebrate!!!!

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

facecloth frenzy

no pics to post. everytime I'm ready to snap a pic, it's blocking on the board, which has the red & white checkered background which just messes up the look. when I'm all done, if I haven't already given them away, I'll take a group photo....maybe.
also on the needles is the Shedir cap from Knitty, my triangular shawl, still...& a Clapotis.....geez, do I get bored easy or what......
till we meet again.

Monday, December 04, 2006

Christmas Trees??????????????????


this picture came out AWFUL!!!!!!!!!! I have the sweetest 3 lil trees & they look precious but in THIS pic my big boy in the middle looks like he's floating in the air! and they sit in the corner but since my walls are 2 different colors it looks....well.....odd!!!! but still, they are up & decorated & loved so what the hey, eh???!!!!

sock pic...maybe...I hope....finally?

Friday, December 01, 2006

one sock done


I put the sock in the scanner to take the pic...because I'm not speaking to joe at the moment. it came out ok, even tho it's a bit cramped in there. the scanner, that is...not the sock. I really have no desire to cast on for a 2nd sock at the moment so instead I cast on for..........Clapotis....yes, that's right. I wasn't thrilled by it. It looked almost exactly like the magic shawl where you knit in stockinette until you feel like puking & then drop the stitches (yes, that IS the best part) only I did mine in Berroco Suede & it kept sticking to my fingers & I kept having to stop, emery board my hands, & pile on lotion. then I made it too darn short because I just couldn't stand knitting it anymore. anyway, this is a bit different. it's diagonal. its got "knit in the back loops" which I like alot. And this time I'm using Mountain Colors in a dark black/purply really soft yarn on size 5 addi's so yes, I'm enjoying it a bit more. I have to admit. I saw Gracie from the yarn shop in 1 that she just made out of SWTC bamboo or soy or something & it was really stunning. I like to copy things I see, didja notice???
and thank you to Colette (the knit witch) for directing me to a wonderful penguin pattern to knit for my son's GF!!!

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Pinstripe part well on the way


I was corrected at knit night. apparantly I am knitting a green & purple sock. not a green & pink sock. it's a very pale purple but purple it is. the pinstripe part is very easy. knit 1 stitch pink knit 1 stitch green & so on & so on......... I keep the green on top & the pink underneath & carry both in my left hand. can't knit w/my right hand anymore to save my life...at least not until I practice & practice but why bother.

and just let me say that it is cold in these here parts. in the 50's. that's cold. who says it never gets cold in arizona. I'd like to take them outside & slap them around a bit. that's all for now.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Mosaic Sock


getting ready to start the heel....I don't really like to do sox from the cuff down or do sox w/the gusset...I'm partial to short row heels & no picking up of stitches or decreasing or any of that silliness. but as you can see, I'm giving this version another try. I'm just too easy, I tell you!!!
the yarns are green & salmony pink. no idea why, I guess I wanted a gardeny look?? who knows. the mosaic is really fun to do. I'll post the finished sock if I ever finish...I might just get disgusted & rip the whole thing out.

Monday, November 27, 2006

thank you, ladies....

thank you so much for all the nice comments!!! I'd love to just click on you guys to reply but alas, I am illiterate w/certain web stuff...but just know that I thank you all very much!!!!

Holiday Knitting

I really don't have many people that are interested in anything knitted so that's 1 thing I don't have to worry about. getting them to tell me what they want is another. so while I wait, I cast on for a mosaic sock. it's color knitting at it's very best. no worrying about the strands being too tight...you just have to remember to do every row twice. maybe I should have done a larger project 1st, like a felted purse, just to get back in the swing of it but I guess it's too late now. I shall post a pic when I've got something you can actually see. that's all for now.

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Baby Alpaca Throw




Here are some pics of my throw that I finally finished today....the throw itself was done months ago. it was the edging that has taken me this long to do. that is 1 heavy blankie, lemme tell ya. it's a bulky weight & the edging is worked back & forth so I couldn't even do my knitting back backyards as most of the edging was knit on both sides & I haven't quite mastered purling back backwards so I wasn't gonna take any chances. the edging is pretty tho, & it matches the leaves almost perfectly. it wasn't even part of the pattern. Maggs found the edging in a book somewhere & told me if I didn't put an edging on it after all that work, that I was nuts. she was right as always. no blocking has been done yet. I'll probably have to lay it on the floor on top of a clean sheet, of course. the thought of it on the floor at all makes me cringe. I have issues after all. anyway, it was a fun project & I really like the way it came out. very naturey!!! even with all those damn bobbles.
happy thanksgiving everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Multidirectional Scarf




that Karen Baumer...boy, she really is something. look at Hester now, all dolled up in 1 of the most enjoyable patterns of all time. I hope I did her justice by capturing the colors that her multidirections take...and yes, that's Noro Kureyon in a gorgeous purply/red colorway. I went to a garage sale when I 1st moved here & got the bargain of a lifetime....all for 20 bucks. besides the Noro, there was some Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride & a lovely silk/wool too. most of it has been knitted but I wanted something special for my 3 balls of Noro & this is it.

I've been searching for a penquin stitch pattern so I can knit my son's girlfriend (a penguin fanatic) a scarf or facecloth or something. so if anybody knows of 1 please let me know! now let me get back to my baby alpaca throw....I'm making some mad progress on that edging, by golly!!!!

oh, and I read all my comments...just don't know how to reply in there now that I foolishly signed up for that stinkin beta program...it makes me log in all over the place just to do something simple. anyway, thank you all for your kind comments!!!

Brown Sheep Cap all done


heaven knows I can't just work on 1 thing at a time...oh hell no. but I did manage to get this lil cap finished, blocked & on the way to the giftee who will be using it to ski. it's brown sheep lamb's pride & it was simple but boring. I hope it keeps his lil head toasty while shushing down the slopes.

Friday, November 17, 2006

I'm a thief

stole this from somebody else's blog...there must be a coffee swap going on & nobody told me. ME!!! biggest coffee trollop of all time. ME!!! who drinks NOTHING but coffee from the time I get up until I go to bed.
who is responsible for this outrage, I'd like to know!!!!!!!!!!!??????????

Coffee swap questions

1. Whole bean or ground?
why whole, of course!!! my coffeepots (oh yes, I have many many many) can grind beans themselves, thank you very much.

2. Fully-loaded or decaf?
fully-loaded

3. Regular or flavored?
I mix 1/2 columbian and half or 3/4 hazelnut, vanilla, or chocolate.

4. How do you drink your coffee?
1/2 coffee 1/2 whole milk.

5. Favorite coffee ever?
Frangelico. tastes & smells like Nabisco Sugar Wafers. I can't eat the wafers anymore because of my wheat intolerance so Frangelico is just as good.

6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do?
not fussy really, as long as they're fresh.

7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee?
the coffee by itself IS my treat.

8. Anything else about your coffee preferences?
not that I can think of.

9. What treats do you enjoy with your coffee?
is this a trick question?? see #7.

10. Yarn/fiber you love?
anything new & gorgeous that I see!!!

11. Yarn/fiber you hate?
novelty, acrylic, extremely furry or hairy.

12. What’s on your needles?
a baby alpaca throw that I am STILL doing the edging on....a cap for a friend, 2 pr of sox, a triangular shawl.

13. Favorite colors?
I love all colors. all time fave would be flame colors (red/orange/yellow mixed together) & jewel colors (deep dark purple/royal blue/emerald greens/black)

14. Allergies?
just to gluten as far as I know.

15. Anything you really love, really don’t like, or just need to get off your chest?
I love to watch people knit. I would like to see more dvd's/videos made. I have a hard time learning from the written word so if I can see it done, then I can learn!!

very plain. very gray.

round & round & round..... k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl k1tbl purl and so on & so on.....in the grayest shade of gray on & on & on.................................................................but I AM using lamb's pride by brown sheep which is a great choice for warmth & durability. a picture soon, I hope....if I can stay awake.

SP9 pal o mine...I would most definitely knit a hat for you...anytime!

on a lighter softer note....I saw & touched the most awesome yarn the other day...it was Handmaiden sea silk (if I'm not mistaken) & it was luscious!!!!!! the color was lily pond which was pinks & greens but in any color it would be gorgeous..the girl had made a shawl out of it....oh my!!!! I have just the shawl pattern that would befit such an outstanding procurement...now I just need to save up all my pennies because I have no idea how much it would cost; pricey to be sure, & I would need alot to cover my fluffy self...the site is from canada I do believe....nobody in my area carries it...and they are somehow connected or affiliated w/fleece artist too, more gorgeous yarn!!!!

better check under the couch seats while I'm at it!!!

Thursday, November 16, 2006

cap sent to florida

well, I ran the elastic around the ribbing, tacked it down so there was no chance of it being seen & sent it off. I'd like to cast on for another cap but this time, just a plain warm wooly one that a friend wants to go skiing in. I have some nice manly wool I could use so I better get started. I had also cast on for the Birch (by Rowan) but already need to look for something else to do in the meantime. I cast on for a cap for caps for the capital, which should take no time at all. and now I plan on having a nice relaxing weekend!!

Sunday, November 12, 2006

updated hat all done




I ripped out the white on black hat & reknitted it to become the black on white hat. tomorrow it will be on it's way to my SIL in Florida. I already warned her that it might be a bit too big so maybe she'll have to wear ear muffs underneath!! ha ha ha!!!
Donna, I hope you like it.

I think the ribbing could have been longer, at least 3 inches, but I followed the pattern specifying 1 inch which was a mistake. next time I'll make it longer. I think I love the inside almost as much as the outside...it has it's own pattern going on! here are a few pics, hopefully showing all the details, modeled by my dear sweet Hester.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Fair Isley-ish Cap


I think I did something awhile ago w/2 colors but it was hard & annoying so I gave up & ripped out.....maybe I put something small around the top of a sock...who can remember. but I thought I would try it again & I am in love! I started it 1 evening & by the 2nd evening (altogether 2 hours TOPS!!!) I had 3/4 done....I'm using my left hand for both colors because it's next to impossible for me to knit w/my right hand anymore; and it is fun!!! I could probably loosen up my strands even more next time, but this is a practice piece & I don't wanna stop. the pattern I'm doing is from Hat's On by Charlene Schurch & it's called Ullared Cap. I'm not following it exactly because I wanted a different pattern look. It's not Fair Isle, it's Swedish actually, but I'm calling it that just so's I can remember what I did....so if you're some kinda fanatic, my humble apologies.

Friday, November 03, 2006

Red Featherweight Shawl


here is the red shawl made of berroco pleasure from the knitter's scarves & shawls book. very easy pattern & here it is being blocked. I think I should have made it longer tho....I might just rip back & add 2 more panels. after I finish the edging on the baby alpaca throw, that is!

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Ethereal Fichu completed & blocked by Maggs




I cannot tell you how impressed I am by my lovely & talented bestest bud Maggie....she has taken my Ethereal Fichu from the blob of rosy, messy stitches & turned it into a creation of beautissimissness....she really has....
and as friends go, she is pretty awesome ESPECIALLY considering the fact that she has been feeling less than perfect or even just blah for the past few weeks. I understand that old age takes its toll but this was too much even for her!!! LOL!!! but in all seriousness, I can never thank her enough for taking the time & trouble to do this for me. Maggie....well, you know how I feel about you, old girl....many, many thanks...

now, give me a moment & I shall present....ta da....my Ethereal Fichu in all its glory.
I shall attempt to post them in order from the pile on the floor to the glorious, in the blocking stage, completed item.

when last I spoke to Maggs, earlier today, she had stretched it another 8" or so & straightened it out because she said the line was crooked, but you sure couldn't tell if it was crooked from what I could see...to me it was just PRETTY!!! REALLY PRETTY!!!! she is a perfectionist tho & that's 1 of the things I love about her. especially when she is being picky with MY knitting!!! ha ha ha!!!!! anyways, I'll post another pic if she decides to send it to me but if not, these will just have to do!

Jasper, I will miss you.


One of my dear friends, Wabbit, lost her wonderful dog Jasper recently. He was tired & passed away in his sleep. He was one of the sweetest dogs I ever knew. A section of my heart is broken forever & I will miss him always.
I also know that he is running around with my Sandi & my Spike & having a ball.
I love you, Jasper.

Monday, October 30, 2006

Sandie's Sachets


I should be taken out & beaten for the way I screw things up on the computer. dear Sandie was kind enough to send me a pic of the lovely sachets she gifted me with when we finally met face to face at the Rhinebeck Fiber Festival in New York & it has taken me THIS long to post them. I swear to you the intention was there, it was just time bashing that got the better of me. so here they are....and they are lovely!!! and they smell great, each a different scent from the others!!! I have 1 in my closet, 1 in my "craft" room & 1 in my bedroom & they are heavenly. Thank you so much, Sandie, for scenting my life so sweetly!!!!!!!!

Sunday, October 29, 2006

happy halloween from my SP9 bud!!!!!


is this the most adorable lil punkin you ever did see???? secret pal o mine, did you knit & felt that yourself????? it came out just lovely!!!!! and check out the card that she made just for me me me!!!! yes, I know she did!!! I can tell!!!!
and look really really closely now......fobs that say I for Increase & D for Decrease....I have NEVER seen anything like that before!!!!! they are adorable!!!!! thank you so much my dear SP9 pal...you are the best!!!!

Saturday, October 28, 2006

news!!!!

so much to tell!!!!!!
my SP9 sent me a very special goodie today!!! I'm just waiting for my pic so I can post it properly....thank you so much, my awesome goodie giver...I'm delighted by what you sent!!!!!! happy halloween to you my dearest!!!!

maggs was kind enuff to take my fichu today & will block it for me as soon as she can....but my sweet friend has a bad tooth & it's been paining her for quite some time now. there's no hurry, dear friend...you just take care of that tooth!!!!! and thank you for all that you do for me....even tho I threatened you with bodily harm altho I really don't think anybody needs to know that if you get my drift.

I'm still moving along on the triangular shawl but decided to take a break & do the edging on the baby alpaca throw that's been done now for almost a year. it's the nature tree of life lionbrand pattern & it's just beautiful w/all the leaves & trees on it. it's also buttery soft as only baby alpaca can be. I just love it so I better hurry up!

and sandie is still whipping out hats for caps for the capital http://www.savethechildren.org/capstothecapital/ so please check it out & get started on those caps for those innocent lil babies. It’s a truly worthwhile cause!!!!!

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

home...safe & sound!

well, it's been a hectic 2 weeks but I'm now back home....I couldn't just come straight home from the airport...no....we had to stop for groceries on the way. I thought my bladder was going to explode!!!! (yes, I have issues & never ever use the bathrooms on the plane...all 2 of them for 300 people...I'd rather pull my eyeballs out thru my nose)....and having a window seat meant I could just sit there & try to sleep for 5 friggin hours...yeah right. but who's complaining???? I managed to finish 2 of the 3 projects...my Fichu (yes, it still needs to be blocked 1st) & my red scarf from the Knitter's Scarf & Shawl book...very easy but it looks fabulous!!! I might be able to finagle maggie to block the Fichu for me since she is such an expert & does a truly awesome job. we shall see.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

sandie & me


this lady is awesome....finally we meet in person!!!! more to come!!! (let's just hope I can post the pic of the 2 of us!!!)

Monday, October 16, 2006

contest questions!

http://javajem.blogspot.com/2006/10/get-to-know-you-questions.html#links

a contest!!!! answer before the 18th...whenever that is....I'm still so confused being away from home!

1. Where is your favorite knitting spot? in my bed, where the light is great & it's quiet & nobody can distract me. did I mention I miss my bed being 3000 miles away from home??!!!

2. If you suddenly could never knit again (shudder) - what would you do instead? what a horrible thought!!!!!! I don't know....oh my.....what was the question???? well let's see....watch TV & tuen into a big ol vegetable, what else!!??

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world - where would you go and why? I would go to vienna & austria because I've always wanted to. no idea why. not for the pastries, in case that's what you were thinkin!!! LOL!!!

4. When you were little - What did you want to do "when you grew up?" Are you doing it? I wanted to be an actress & a singer. I can do neither. I can't sing a note & I'm extremely shy but in my dreams....ahhhhhhhh!

5. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? anything vanilla w/nuts & hunks of chocolate!

Sunday, October 15, 2006

hello from NY

no pics to report but I did hit a few yarn shops so far. my nephews wedding was wonderful & there was alot of tears along w/seeing long lost relatives. the weather is gorgeous...typical autumn in upstate NY...I love it & I don't wanna come home...cept to see my sweetie & my friends of course. more to come!

Sunday, October 08, 2006

what am I doing anyway????



I've been so busy trying to organize myself for next wednesday when I leave for NY that I've really had nothing to post about. I have projects, this is true. my triangle shawl appears almost done but in actuality I have a really long way to go & will be forced to wear my sweatshirt jacket instead. maggie made a gorgeous pi shawl last year & has offered to lend it to me so I'll have something to wear over my dress while heading to the wedding. I already told her that when folks start complementing me on my shawl I shall say that I made it. and why not??? they can't PROVE I didn't. well, if they read this I guess they can. but now your talking technicality & I ain't gonna go there. let's just leave it at that.
my friend kim had emailed me the other day, all in a dither, telling me to go read the yarn harlot...like right away!!!! so I went to her site & saw a pic of a lacey thing & in the title was the word ETHEREAL. stupid me thought she was working on the ethereal fichu that I'm also working on & my 1st thought was "wonder if she had the same problem as me"...I emailed kim back splaining my thoughts to her & got chastised for not noticing that the yarn harlot had gotten married!!!!! how the hell am I supposed to know???? I thought she WAS married!!!! that's what I get for reading her books when she says "my husband joe". oh well, at least I'm posting. if you want quality you'll have to go to somebody else's blog.
I should probably take a pic of my triangle shawl while I'm here. but the pics never come out w/the nice bright color of the yarn I'm using. everything I make appears neon & beleive me, it's really not. I use some really nice stuff. but then it's really not my fault because I'm not taking the actual pic...joe is. I'm at his mercy because I'm too damn cheap to buy myself a camera. yes, sandie, I know what you're thinking & you can just yell at me at rhinebeck. better not have your camera with you to take my pic either. I just might steal it & then what'll you do, huh??? it's a real long way from your house to mine, sugar puff!
I must tell you what joe did. I was chatting w/him the other day as we sat on the porch smoking our cigarettes & I just happened to mention that maybe I should get 1 of the sony portable cd things...for my plane ride all by my lonesome for which I will be a basketcase. it would at least keep me occupied. never being 1 to keep a secret, he told me that he had ordered me a portable cd/dvd player & sure enough it arrived the next day & it's just wonderful! so now I can watch my knitting dvd's (yes, I love to watch knitting, in any shape or form & think more people should make dvd's so that maybe I could finally manage to knit without looking...my goal in life...that & being able to fake burp. did I just say that out load???) while on the plane in between knitting the backyard leaves scarf, the 2 sox on 2 circs, or the ethereal fichu (maybe I should hold off on doing the fichu on the plane since I am easily ditracted & could possibly make a mistake. ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!! no, really.
geez louise have I been babbling on & on over nothing for the past 1/2 hour? let me see if I can get a pic taken of that triangle shawl. wish me luck.
and as a spcial added treat, here is a pic of Tabitha, who didn't want to move while the pic of the shawl was being taken.

Friday, October 06, 2006

SP9!!!

yep, I joined...1st time for me & I'm very excited. excited to meet & become friends w/another knitter...excited to hand pick goodies just for her/him (?) & excited to get goodies myself!!!!! this is the questionaire we are to complete & I tried to be as honest as I could but I was heavily sedated so you know how that goes. and I'm leaving next wednesday for NY to meet more knitters at the Rhinebeck Fiber Festival (especially my great buddy Sandie!!!....hiya Sandie!!!!) & also attend my nephew's very posh posh wedding in Tarrytown so I'm nervous & very flustery & not even sure I understood the questions!!!! but here it is anyway:
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? My all-time favorite is alpaca…baby alpaca especially. And also quiviot which a dear friend gifted me with after her trip to Alaska. I whole ounce of it! I DO NOT like acrylics. Of any kind. Not even for children. Especially NOT for babies as they are a fire hazard. Some lovely baby yarn in the softest of wool is so much nicer


2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a holder w/pockets on the back of my door for my double points & assorted sized crochet hooks & a Circular Solution for my massive addi turbo circular collection. I never use straight needles at all…for anything… Cept for maybe testing the doneness of cakes.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I’ve been knitting off & on since I was a teenager but still consider myself just an intermediate. I get easily distracted & bounce from project to project, rarely finishing anything. Very immature, I would say!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) vanilla is 1 of my favorites. Or anything spicy or oceany.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I like chocolate…hard chocolate candies too like Nips!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I have, off & on, but can’t say I’m very good at it. I stick to knitting mostly.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) yes, most definitely. Not into hip hop…prefer soft instrumentals or dance music w/lots of drums, almost tribal!!

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I love flame colors…oranges/reds/yellows…also love the purple/babyblue/pink colorway…adore chocolate brown…greens…geez, I love color!!!!

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Recently lost our dog. We just have a beautiful, mature female cat named Tabitha. I live w/my soul-mate, my best friend, my babis; Joe.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? All but hats…never got into hats much.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Lace shawls. Not that I’m very good at it, but I love to attempt them. They boggle my mind.

13. What are you knitting right now? 3 shawls, 2 pr of sox & 2 purses.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? absolutely

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I love the circular addi turbos. I have several in every size. I recently acquired a rosewood circ which I adore & would love to own an ebony circ…..I expect to find them at a garage sale 1 day.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes, both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Not very old as I recently ripped them all out.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect? Other than gorgeous yarn?? I have a collection of hideous trolls from Norway that I love…well I have 6 but 3 or more is a collection, in my mind.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Lace lace lace….I would love Fiddlesticks or maybe something unknown that I never heard of…trust me, I am very easy to please!

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Would love to improve my cabling w/out a needle & my fair isle…among many many others…..would kill to knit w/out having to look at my hands.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Definitely!!!! I love handknit sox!!!!! I’m a basic 8-1/2 but my feet know enuff to fit into just about anything.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) march 7

Monday, September 25, 2006

lace lace & more lace


I'm going crazy in lace. I'm a fairly new lace knitter. I've started maybe 20,000 lace items in my lifetime & finished 2. it's my own fault. but w/much help from dear friends maggs & liz, I am finally moving along on the Ethereal Fichu by jackie erickson-schweitzer (heartstrings patterns)....I fell in love w/this the moment I saw it but did not realize that markers could float. I assumed they were glued in their spots for all eternity. so I repeated & ripped the same row out about 10 times, swearing up & down that the pattern must be wrong. well kids, markers move. known as floating I beleive, but don't quote me because who the hell knows. not me.
the color here is awful...mine is a deep rose color knit in Optim by SWTC (discontinued I think which is a shame because it is very soft airy merino that has been stretched)...anyway, I'm still working on it but just had to take a pic so you can see the pretty lil patterns & my pretty lil markers on my pretty lil styrofoam blocking board held on by my pretty lil t-pins.

Friday, September 15, 2006

new sock book!!!


check out this amazing new sock book!!!! it has a little of everything & I got it from dear sweet Laura Andersson. her blog is here siriusknitting.blogspot.com and has all the info you need if you'd like to order it. this talented lady makes some awesome patterns & she is truly a gifted & generous woman...thank you Laura!!!!
(& please excuse the poor pic which I scanned...unable to get a pic w/the camera at the moment & couldn't wait to share!!)

mason dixon dishcloth


I must tell you that I started this cloth about 3 times & just couldn't quite "get it". I ripped it out & decided that allllllll these people that had made it must know something that I don't....so I gave up.
I love the look of it so I decided to cast on again & just take it slow & put my lil post-it under every row & tra la la....it was as smooth as could be. so what was I doing wrong in the 1st place?? I have no idea. I do know that that same dilemma happens to me more often than not & that I just need to get over myself. my friends who know me well know to just accept my whining; they tell me to shut up & try again, and so that is what I usually end up doing. bless my dear friends hearts.
and not for nothin, but I heard nothing about contaminated spinach until I got home tonite, sprinkled my italian dressing over my spinach, bacon, grilled chicken, olive & hard boiled egg salad & was about to plow into it when joe informed me or should I say, jumped up in front of me flailing his arms all about screaming NO NO NO, you can't eat that!!!!! so I picked out all the chicken, bacon, olives & eggs & proceeded to eat them. that didn't please him much either as apparantly I had contaminated them by just being in the same room w/the aforementioned. that didn't stop me. I was hungry. well, I'm still alive & am just about to wolf down a nice cold raspberry yogurt. If I die before the morning, say good-bye to this blog because I know joe ain't gonna keep it up. ha ha!!! I made a funny!!
ok, here's my dishcloth, made from some unknown cotton....butterfly I assume (the lilac) & sugar & cream (the navy). next time I think I'll use a very fine cotton for the dips in between..might make a nice change!

bamboo lace dishcloth


it wasn't until I had this on my blocking board that I finally remembered what the yarn was...bamboo!!!! anyway, it was fun to knit & the blocking wires are homemade & I'm quite proud of that because I really do not have the money to buy a set for 25 plus dollars. the blocking board is nothing more than a piece of styrofoam that has a checkered cloth over it. the cloth makes it easy to even things out & they are all equal sizes so you can really shape your finished item. I could have said "garment" but I never liked that word. ever. do you have a word that you've never liked...that just rubbed you the wrong way???

Friday, September 08, 2006

yellow baby sweater


this is for charity & the yarn is wool & something else for $13.99 a ball....must be wool & gold!!!! LOL!!!! anyway it was given to me for my charity knitting & the label is blue & white but all in japanese, I believe??? no idea...but the sweater is a top down which I just finished....ends not woven in & no buttons either, but I gotta pose when the camera man is ready or else I wait & wait!!!

blue cotton dishcloth


very easy pattern from 1 of the dishcloth sites...a mock cable....sorry, I have the site listed somewhere but I can't find it at the moment...nor the pattern to check it!!! done in navy blue w/sugar & cream cotton.

red poncho all done


just finished the child's poncho in the jelli beanz yarn. wonderful to work with & the pattern is just round & round, increasing at either side. I added a rounded hood too.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

all better!!!!

look what my sandie did. she fixed my blog & made it all better & took out all those nasty multiples that somebody managed to put in & get all screwy. how did I deserve such a good friend anyway??? she knows how snippy & greedy & nasty & moody & poopie I am & yet she is always there for me. I think she might have me confused with somebody else. somebody oughta tell her. in the meantime, thank you sandie, my dear dear dear friend for all you do for me. you are the very bestest!!!!!

I am nearing the end of a child's poncho; very simple style knit in the round & increased every other row. the yarn is jelly beanz by plymouth & it is a wool/acrylic blend w/bits of colors here & there. I am really enjoying it & I don't care for acrylics at all but this stuff is soft & sweet & it looks like it would split but it doesn't & all I can say is.....I really like it! if I have any left I shall attempt a child's beret perhaps, to match. pics shall be coming soon!

Monday, August 28, 2006

water bottle holder


I am amazed at how nice this came out. it was my own pattern that I started w/an emily ocher crocheted beginning of 8 stitches increasing up to 32, in the round, of course, #5 addi circs (2) w/worsted weight wool. I knit to about 8" including the 1 " of ribbing. then I just picked up 7 stitches on 1 side & i-corded a length of handle & sewed it on the other end. I might have made it a bit too long but hey, that's life. the i-cord is real nice it's 7 stitches where you knit 4 then slip 3 w/yarn in front & turn around & do the same thing for as long as you like.
let's hope only 1 pic goes thru & not 4 like the last time...sorry bout that.

sandi, I hunted all over the place trying to find a spot to delete the xtras...it was probably right in front of me & I never even saw it!!! LOL!!

kerry, thank you for the nice note on my sox!!!

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Cherry Tree Hill Socks


ok, let's try this again......couldn't do it earlier, kept giving me an error. I'll be less chatty & if it works I'll just post again & be specific!!!

Saturday, August 26, 2006

beaufort hat info

http://ahknits.typepad.com/knititude/2006/06/beaufort_hat.html

this is the link to that awesome hat...lotsa people seem to be making it too. I just love it!!!

Friday, August 25, 2006

chemo cap



what a pleasure knitting w/this yarn. it's rowan cashsoft & this hat took me 2 evenings to make. It will be a new batch of donated caps going to those in need of chemo caps. I have another already on the needles. I'll find the pattern link & post it here tomorrow if anyone is interested.

Monday, August 14, 2006

baby cable cap


this is just precious & I got the pattern from www.purlywhites.typepad.com & it was easy & adorable. I thought it came out a bit bigger than baby size tho...more like toddler size. but what do I know?? there has been no baby around here for awhile unless you count the cat & she wouldn't even try it on. then again, I've been known to never do a gauge swatch & have knitted things that came out just the tiniest bit HUGE!!!
so thank you, purly girl, for a wonderful pattern....some nice head will be very pleased indeed.

sweet lil baby hat to match the sweet lil sweater

Sunday, August 13, 2006

back to normal

I'm back to knitting normal stuff & just waiting for a pic of the baby hat to go w/the baby sweater I recently made. no more nasty knitting for me guys, sorry.
as for the baby hat, there was a tricky spot where the cuff pattern goes 1 way & the rest of the hat another. needless to say, I screwed it up & didn't notice it until I was down to the very last 7 stitches on top. why these things are not done in the round to begin with I'll never know. so I ripped way back & after I did the 2 pattern sets I joined & worked in the round. less sewing for me which is a very good thing if you ever saw my sewing. I should have it up tomorrow. I'm off to bed... ta ta!!!

Friday, August 11, 2006

lil boy cozies - XXRated - all stuffed!!!!!!


this was taken by himself, in the privacy of the men's room. I shant mention his name unless he wants me too, but some things are better left unsaid.

no small animals were harmed during this procedure.

lil boy cozies - XXRated



this was just too fun to make!!!! I used some Cascade Fixation I had left over from sox & it has just the right bit of elasticity. next post will show one of my peeps modeling it.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

say hello to my lil friend!



meet henri. he's a hedgehog. he's hot.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

baby sox in fortissima


I recently made a pair of sox out of this yarn. I like short sox so there is always plenty of yarn left over. all the babies I know at the moment are several months old & too big so they will have to wait for the next lil teeny totter to come around.

more sox


here is a pair of sox I'm knitting out of Interlacements Toasty Toes in a colorway I just fell madly in love with. I'm designing my own pattern for the front so the pic here is just the back & the joyce williams heel which I just love & which is the easiest heel ever. they are done at the same time on 2 circs. heaven I tell you!

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

finished orangy koigu sox



finally got my man to take a pic...these are toe up w/a short row heel that I just love. the bind off was done on size 10 needles & the sox were knit on size 1's so go figga. I always end up w/the tightest bind-offs & besides, this gives them almost a ruffly effect!!! there is also a k2 p2 rib going right up the front so they are very un-tight, soft & squishy...I love em!!!

Sunday, June 18, 2006

awesome blog!!!!

just so ya all know, my sweet bud Sandie doctored up my blog; added links & buttons & oh my, she did such a terrific job.......thank you so much, Sandie!!!!! it's nice to know I got a PC literate friend to bale me out when I need it...you're the best!!

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

nuther charity cap

I just loved these colors!!!!
no pattern tho, just my own design. the cap started off w/berocco hip hop which is a real pretty thick & thin wool, followed by lopi, an icelandic wool. I usually cast on any multiple of 7, do a ribbing w/a knit 1 or 2 in the back of the stitch then a purl 1 or 2, depending if I end up w/an odd number "accidentally" (how did THAT happen???) & go for about 3" then just plain knit till I get sick & tired. then I knit 10 knit 2 tog all the way around. then a plain knit row in between. then knit 9 knit 2 together then a plain knit & do this same thing all the way down to knit 1 knit 2 tog, plain knit, then knit 2 together until I'm left w/7 stitches. then just run the yarn thru the 7, pull tight, tie off & waa laa!!!!!