Waiting for the kids to be done at the movie theater...relaxing times!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Eggnog continues ~
Thankfully there is still eggnog at some of the Starbucks, and I'm enjoying an eggnog latte while knitting with Venezia.
Chatting about:
kids,
knit scarves
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Done late ~
These were socks that I was supposed to finish for Christmas, but I had to restart them due to wrong gauge and odd stripes. She didn't like the stripes, so I added the other color only in the afterthought heel ~ very fun, indeed!
So now they are done, and a late Christmas gift....for H, that now has three pair of hand knit socks for Christmas!!!
Lucky kiddo!!!
Chatting about:
cast off,
Christmas knitting,
kids,
knit socks
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
More Christmas Gifts ~
I have to show this great picture of how excited someone can be over hand knit alpaca socks. They turned out so beautifully, and are now appreciated very much, indeed!
Great holiday surprise ~ H received two pair of hand knit socks from me!!
Chatting about:
christmas gifts,
Christmas knitting,
family,
kids,
knit socks,
Natural Dye Studio
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Christmas Gifts ~
In my girls' Christmas Stockings, there was a special treat. Hand knit socks from me....Perfect, to receive socks in one's stocking? (Clever, you say?!)
The 2009 Birthday Socks in Claudia Hand Paints for E, as she loves the Tropicana Orange just as much as I do... and blue Jitterbugs for H, as she loves all things socks....
They loved getting hand knit socks from me....and they appreciate them very much...so they will stay on my list of people that receive my hand knit gifts....
The 2009 Birthday Socks in Claudia Hand Paints for E, as she loves the Tropicana Orange just as much as I do... and blue Jitterbugs for H, as she loves all things socks....
They loved getting hand knit socks from me....and they appreciate them very much...so they will stay on my list of people that receive my hand knit gifts....
Chatting about:
christmas gifts,
Christmas knitting,
family,
kids,
knit socks
Monday, December 27, 2010
Qiviuk forever ~
Another luxury of the holidays is to be able to work on knitting that is not part of the, "items that must be knit by Christmas" and so I pulled out this amazing Qiviuk scarf that I started awhile ago. I was having trouble reading the chart in Arctic Lace, so I wrote all 33 lines (just the odd rows, as the even rows are purl back) on individual index cards. What a big help that is!You can see the lime green index card under this wee scarf start. Can you see the rosewood needles as well. I may be knitting on this qiviuk scarf with rosewood needles forever....but that's not really a bad thing.... :)
Chatting about:
knit lace,
knit scarves,
qiviuk
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Holiday Spinning ~
When the preparations for the holidays wind down a little bit, it is so wonderful to take some time to relax with some spinning and knitting that is not part of a due date. I brought out my drop spindle won at the Sock Summit and spun the rest of my yellow merino that I bought 2 years ago, determined that I would learn how to spin.
I think I'm getting better at drafting, and a little better at spinning thinner one-ply. I took a spinning class this month at a great LYS and am signed up for January as well. I am still in Park & Draft mode, but am hopeful I'll get better with more practice!
I need to drag out the hat I cast on with my first plying adventure of the yellow merino, and perhaps make it into a scarf. It was too thick-n-thin for the hat...so I stopped! Now I want to use that yarn to show myself that it isn't so bad, really!!!!
Chatting about:
drop spindle spinning
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Holiday Gifts ~
Wishing you all a wonderful and amazing holiday. May all your family be close by, happy and healthy, and may all your knits be cozy.
I can't tell you what this is yet, but it shows all the love and caring that knitting friends have for other knitting friends. The friendship and caring are the most important message here, we care about you being cozy and surrounded by a knitted hug....not the perfection of the knitting (or lack of perfection) but the knitted hug itself.
I can't tell you what this is yet, but it shows all the love and caring that knitting friends have for other knitting friends. The friendship and caring are the most important message here, we care about you being cozy and surrounded by a knitted hug....not the perfection of the knitting (or lack of perfection) but the knitted hug itself.
Chatting about:
christmas gifts,
Christmas knitting,
friends
Friday, December 24, 2010
Sold out ~
A knitting friend bought the new Interweave Holiday magazine the day before we went on the tour of the Cascade Yarn Warehouse Tour. I looked through the magazine when we stopped for coffee afterwards, and liked several patterns, especially the cover Paprika hat and mittens. By the time I was out shopping and started looking for my own copy, I couldn't find them. All sold out everywhere I went. Major Bummer.... Then, Hurrah! Look what another knitting friend gave me for Christmas!!!
HURRAH!!! Guess who cast on the Paprika Hat!! (a very excited me!)
Chatting about:
cast on,
christmas gifts,
friends,
Interweave knits
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Manos Craving ~
I have been craving more Manos yarn for weeks, since the Jitteryknitter was crocheting a lovely purple and green scarf at one of our Starbucks visits. I've only one Manos project on my needles now, and that is my car project - always in the car in case I need to have some knitting on the go.
So after we looked at all the Manos in the store, even the green and purple worsted wool, I still chose more of the silky wool Manos...
I can't seem to have enough.... these will be soft mittens, and perhaps something else....it is so lovely.... and I feel better to have more Manos....
Chatting about:
friends,
knit mittens,
knit scarves,
more yarn
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Martha Mistake ~
A very odd thing happened as I was getting the mail out of our box this weekend. With all the catalogs and cards, I noticed one that looked very out of place in our box. I smiled as I saw the title of the magazine and thought it could be Mary Jo's, or Carla's, or even Laurie across the street....so I checked the name...
It was my name and address on the label....I started to laugh....I have one thing in common with Martha Stewart, we both have chickens..... that's the end of the "in common" list for the two of us. I don't cook much, I don't enjoy cooking at all.... baking is OK, and I'm thankful that my hubby is an excellent cook and I've not had to cook much for the family. I have many other talents, so I let him do the cooking... so...who sent me this magazine...(no idea)....most people know that I don't cook....perhaps there are those that think this would nudge me into cooking enjoyment.... my hubby thinks it is too funny, and we are hoping the mystery will be solved soon.... meanwhile, I'm still chuckling at the article, "recipes, tips & tricks to use all year" Can you imagine????
Chatting about:
christmas gifts,
family
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Yarn Graffiti ~
While driving one of my kids to cross country practice, we noticed a delightful bit of excitement on the high school driveway corner.
Yarn Graffiti ~ beautiful and fun and colorful!
Done by the same ladies that created the marvelous yarn graffiti exhibit at our library this spring.
On this corner they are decorating several dead tree trunks that were going to be carved into statues, but funding ran out.... and I think this is a perfect way to share some art!
Yarn Graffiti ~ beautiful and fun and colorful!
Done by the same ladies that created the marvelous yarn graffiti exhibit at our library this spring.
On this corner they are decorating several dead tree trunks that were going to be carved into statues, but funding ran out.... and I think this is a perfect way to share some art!
Chatting about:
kids,
knitting,
yarn bombing
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Eggnog and socks ~
Another Sunday night at Starbucks with my knitting, and there is still eggnog to be enjoyed. While kids were enjoying their holiday party, I was enjoying an eggnog latte, gingerbread and these crazy socks.
Not sure if I can knit them completely before Christmas, but I can dream about it! I'm almost to the point of putting in waste yarn for the afterthought heel....
Chatting about:
Christmas knitting,
kids,
knit socks
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Finish something ~
When I can't get a new pattern to work, or I really want to cast on something new, or I'm frustrated with some knitting that seems to be taking forever...well, I just want to FINISH SOMETHING ALREADY!!!!
So, I looked around my projects for some instant gratification....and saw Jitteryknitters scarf on those lovely rosewood needles...and thought, "This is the closest project I have to completion" and off I went....
Turned out very nice, indeed...and what a great feeling to finally finish something!!!
Chatting about:
cast off,
friends,
knit scarves
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
More Venezia ~
Remember when I took a little vacation from my serious knitting to take a break with the silky smooth Venezia scarf? Well, as these vacations often go, I didn't pack completely before jumping off into the scarf pattern, and found that I didn't have enough to complete the scarf. However, did I want to search around and pay top dollar for one skein for completion? Well, I do hate to pay full price for anything...so I started looking for a sale....
I found a sale on 10 skeins...so, well, I couldn't refuse such a great sale....and the yarn is so great...
plus it looks so festive with our little sleigh, don't you think so?
Chatting about:
knit scarves,
new yarn
Monday, December 13, 2010
Again, cast on ~
Here we go with the crazy socks again, without the yellow stripes, for oldest daughter. So now they are cast on, and pictured here with my "knitting bag for the holidays" that I love to use for Christmas knitting...
Not sure if these socks will be done and under the tree for Christmas, but we'll see if I get any help from those knitting elves....
Chatting about:
cast on,
Christmas knitting,
family,
kids,
knit socks
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Gift ideas ~
If you're thinking that this post will have some great ideas for what to get those knitters in your life for the holiday season, sorry, not this post. However, I need some gift idea help from you. Let's say I have this knitter friend who is a rock star knitter, and is one of the few friends of mine that "gets it" when it comes to knitting. What do I give her for a holiday gift?
Well, I could give her a knitting calendar... (I already did that a few years in a row)
I could give her some blocking boards, as she borrows mine - that she gave me as a gift (bad idea, as sometimes that's the excuse we use to get together, as one of us needs to borrow the blocking boards)
How about giving her another pair of rosewood needles, so I don't have to keep borrowing her only set (nope, then we would lose another one of our excuses to get together, sharing the one set of rosewood needles...we do have some great excuses to make knitting time!!!)
Hey, how about a gift certificate to a local yarn shop, with the request that I have to be with her when she spends it (whoops, I did that last year - but it did work out well for both of us...)
What about yarn or pattern books (no way would I know what to choose, except she love-love-loves yellow and orange...and 'last years' colors...)
Or, perhaps.....
Hey, great idea!!!!
Well, I could give her a knitting calendar... (I already did that a few years in a row)
I could give her some blocking boards, as she borrows mine - that she gave me as a gift (bad idea, as sometimes that's the excuse we use to get together, as one of us needs to borrow the blocking boards)
How about giving her another pair of rosewood needles, so I don't have to keep borrowing her only set (nope, then we would lose another one of our excuses to get together, sharing the one set of rosewood needles...we do have some great excuses to make knitting time!!!)
Hey, how about a gift certificate to a local yarn shop, with the request that I have to be with her when she spends it (whoops, I did that last year - but it did work out well for both of us...)
What about yarn or pattern books (no way would I know what to choose, except she love-love-loves yellow and orange...and 'last years' colors...)
Or, perhaps.....
Hey, great idea!!!!
Chatting about:
christmas gifts,
friends
Friday, December 10, 2010
Crime and Punishment ~
I hate to even say this, but it needs to be said. I have not knit since Saturday evening. This picture shows the newly cast on Paprika Hat from Interweave, that I think I messed up in the wee hours of Saturday night...and my last thought was, "I'll look at this with fresh eyes in the morning, and perhaps rip back or start over."
I've not been able to get back... and it is a crime to not knit for five days..... five days... I really cannot believe it, until I see my sad little cast on hat by the Christmas tree... waiting for me to decide what to do next.... What is the punishment for no knitting for 5 days (as if that isn't punishment right there...) other than a triple dose of knitting fantasy....or being banished from the blog... or....
Chatting about:
friends,
Interweave knits,
knitting fantasy
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wee Harry Scarf ~
Well, I'm at a bit of a crunch time with the holidays coming faster than I can knit...Is anyone out there having this same dilemma? When I'm wrapping gifts, all I can think about is, "I wish I could knit now" and when I'm shopping, "I could be knitting now" and when I'm working...well, then I work, work, work...until we get to walk outside and then we talk about knitting.... Well, when I get home from work, and I'm too tired to knit on something "real" as I know I'll make mistakes....I have this delightful project by my rocking chair by the fireplace and the Christmas Tree.
Yes, a wee Harry Potter scarf.... I'm knitting it for one of our reindeer stocking holders that looks like she could use a scarf...cute, eh?
Chatting about:
Harry Potter,
holidays,
knit scarves
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Socks Restart ~
As I was knitting merrily away on the newest crazy socks for my oldest daughter, I noticed that the stitches seemed to be getting bigger as I was making the color changes. How could this be? After comparing them to her other crazy socks, I realized that, yes - these stitches are bigger in the new socks.
I asked her if I should keep going, or start over with smaller needles for a tighter knit, and her answer was, "Actually, I don't really like the yellow in there ~ how about start over with just the blue?" So, there I go.....I will be ripping them out and restarting soon.....she also said, "If you kept going, you know I would love anything you knit for me...." that's why I'll rip out and start over....she is worthy.... :)
Chatting about:
kids,
knit socks
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Birthday Socks Done ~
P.S. I've been corrected that Rockstar's knitted vest was fair isle....I must have needed more coffee during that posting!!!
Another great day of finishing this weekend! I cast off my 2009 birthday socks using Jeny's surprisingly stretchy bind off, and it works so well.
I love this yarn, Claudia Hand Paints, purchased at the magical sock summit....
I'm already itching to cast on another pair with this yarn....
My daughter loves being the model for these photos....
I think she's a bit too comfortable in these great socks!!!
Another great day of finishing this weekend! I cast off my 2009 birthday socks using Jeny's surprisingly stretchy bind off, and it works so well.
I love this yarn, Claudia Hand Paints, purchased at the magical sock summit....
I'm already itching to cast on another pair with this yarn....
My daughter loves being the model for these photos....
I think she's a bit too comfortable in these great socks!!!
Chatting about:
birthday socks,
cast off,
kids,
Sock Summit 2009
Monday, December 6, 2010
Clapotis Done ~
The clapotis is done. I had no idea how long it would take to "run" all those stitches along the length of the shawl. It took awhile, and I kept thinking that if they were stitches that I did NOT want to run, they would have turned into a major hole before I could blink....but since I wanted them to run (which felt wrong wrong wrong - against all Good Karma....) they would not run fast... but now it is done....After much discussion, I've decided not to block it... it seems to look fine as it is now...
It looks good, and I do hope my mum likes it.....I'm already thinking about another shawl for her, without dropped stitches....
Chatting about:
cast off,
Christmas knitting,
family,
friends,
knit shawls
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Rockstar Knitter ~
I am blessed to have a few Rockstar Knitters among my knitting friends. They inspire and motivate, and support and encourage. Plus, of course, they knit as only Rockstars can knit. Amazing....
Here is the Jitteryknitter in her Rockstar fair isle vest knit out of alpaca....oh so lovely, oh so soft, oh so perfect.... Hats off to you!!! Hurrah!!!!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Magic of Christmas ~
I came home late from work to find the magic of Christmas...
My sweeties had been busy putting up the tree and outside lights, plus decorating the tree! It was magical to drive into our driveway and see such a beautiful sight!! Here's another beautiful sight, my youngest going to her first junior high dance, with the theme, "Winter White"
She looks great!!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Majestic birds ~
While on our lunch break walk today, look what we saw right by our path!
There are two bald eagles in this tree. They are so beautiful, and we're thrilled to have such amazing birds in our community. We are lucky to have such wildlife so close to our office so that we can enjoy nature on our lunch walks. Of course we talk about knitting while we're walking!!! Today is my Dad's birthday ~ Happy Birthday Dad!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Almost done ~
I'm almost done with these 2009 Birthday socks. Almost time for Jenny's surprisingly stretchy bind off...
I can hardly wait!!!! Casting off socks is magical!! All that hard work, all those hours of knitting on itty bitty needles...and then *poof* they are ready to wear!!
Chatting about:
birthday socks,
cast off,
knit socks
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Eggnog and Birthday Socks ~
Remember last Sunday when it was just me, the Clapotis and a Starbucks eggnog latte? Tonight was another Sunday, and Starbucks still has eggnog (yum!) and I had a different project...
Yes, the birthday socks that I cast on on my birthday in 2009...yes, I should be done with them by now, and they are still very lovely....and I still love this yarn, even though I'm knitting on these itty bitty needles...
plus I had some great company tonight to share my hour and a half at Starbucks ~ a perfect evening!!! (are you wondering,"Where is the Clapotis?" well, it is done, and I'm busy letting those pesky stitches run.... I still don't like that part!!!)
Chatting about:
birthday socks,
family,
kids,
knit socks
Friday, November 26, 2010
Venezia snow ~
I keep hearing voices telling me to get back to the clapotis...but I keep taking stolen moments with the Venezia. The one row pattern is easy, yet looks so lovely in this lavender yarn. Oh-so-soft as well, and I marvel how beautiful it is looking.
I am glad of a snow day to get some knitting in, plus other holiday endeavours that seem to be behind schedule...a chance to play with some silk merino and rosewood needles...ahhhh, good times....
I am wondering if there will be more snow days this week?
Chatting about:
knit scarves,
snow,
vacation
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Venezia Vacation ~
Monday night, when I heard there would be a snow day on Tuesday, I thought that I needed a way to celebrate. As I sat in front of our fireplace with the grey/black clapotis on my lap, I realized what I needed.... a Venezia Vacation....
So I found my one ball of Webs Sale Venezia, and I cast on the Yarn Harlot's one row scarf, and I am loving this vacation!!!
P.S. The rosewood needles really help, too!!!
So I found my one ball of Webs Sale Venezia, and I cast on the Yarn Harlot's one row scarf, and I am loving this vacation!!!
P.S. The rosewood needles really help, too!!!
Chatting about:
cast on,
knit scarves,
snow,
Stephanie Pearl-McPhee,
vacation
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Snow evening ~
We just heard at 8:25 PM that we'll be having a snow day from school on Tuesday! Hurrah for the kids being home! Hurrah for my boss that knows that I'm too scared to drive up and down our big hills in the snow, so if the kids are off on a snow day from school, I stay home too!
As soon as we heard the news, my daughters put on all their winter gear to play outside, and I happened to see my oldest daughter putting this scarf item around her head...sort of looks like a dinosaur tail along the back...a free form knit and crochet piece she made years ago... and I had to get some pictures as she's on the phone making sledding plans for the snow day...
As soon as we heard the news, my daughters put on all their winter gear to play outside, and I happened to see my oldest daughter putting this scarf item around her head...sort of looks like a dinosaur tail along the back...a free form knit and crochet piece she made years ago... and I had to get some pictures as she's on the phone making sledding plans for the snow day...
Chatting about:
family,
kids,
knit scarves,
snow
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Eggnog and Clapotis ~
Sunday night knitting at Starbucks, just me and Clapotis...
and an eggnog latte......yummy!!!!
Chatting about:
knit shawls
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