Knittin' & Drinkin'

Stupid Sock Pattern

2007-10-30T14:31:00.000-05:00

My sock saga class continues...........

After working on my sock.....I finally get to the rib of the cuff.....but wait......I notice there's a mistake in the pattern.....(count the 3 in total, now). So I have to waste my time......email the instructor.....and wait.....

And Wait....

And Wait....

When......*ding* my email alert goes off!

I receive a response that says "I made another mistake, I hope you can move forward"

What? Move forward? This sock shouldn't be that difficult! If you're the instructor and it's your pattern.....don't you double and triple check it? When a friend of mine wrote her first pattern she had about 5 of us knit it BEFORE she published it.

Enough complaining.......I wrote the corrections and finished it. Phew! I'll try to get some pics of it soon! Happy Knitting!

Terrible.....terrible.....blogger!

2007-10-22T16:36:00.000-05:00

Slap my hands......take my knitting needles away.........whip me with a tape measure.....but please be gentle! It's been too long since I've blogged......I know!

With my new job and working fulltime....I think I finally can get back to my blog. In my spare time I've been knitting like a fiend. I just finished my second Lady Eleanor Stole and I love it! I'm now working on a pair of toe-up socks that I took a class to learn.....Now let me tell you about the class...

When you sign up for a knitting class, you expect that the teacher is at least an "intermediate" knitter. Someone who will be able to answer your questions and actually have an understanding of patterns, how they work etc; This was not the case!

I took this class with a couple of friends of mine.....first the instructor (and I use that term quite loosely) didn't have the pattern ready when we arrived so we had to wait for her to copy it. Shouldn't all materials be ready BEFORE we arrive?

As we sit down, she explains that she just started knitting a few months ago and the owner of the knitting store thought she could teach a class! We all looked at each other with surprise because between the 3 of us we had about 15 years of knitting.

The class begins and we are having trough with the cast-on.....she explains that she doesn't have her socks to show us, so she grabs a pair of circulars and tries to show us. Instead of coming up to each of us.....she stood at the end of a table and held it up in the air! Wouldn't it have been easier to show us on big needles with big yarn? When I figured it out.....I went to each person in the class and showed them.

Then there was the pattern......I was coming up with a different number of stitches than the pattern stated.....then someone else was, then someone else. Finally, she looks at the pattern and said "Oops! This second page is the wrong one!" What the heck! Needless to say, I won't be taking a class from her!

My knitting group is still going strong......we have lost one of our members to cancer. But we were happy to hear that we made her final months filled with love and knitting......it brought her much peace.

With that said.......I hope you all forgive me in the blogging world. I promise it won't happen again! Happy Knitting!

I got me a job!

2007-03-14T13:16:00.000-05:00

After 15 years of staying home with my children.....I have decided that it's time to go back to work fulltime! I cried the first week.....sad because I realized my boys were growing up so fast! However, by the next week I was fine! The women I work closely with are the ultimate crafters......they knit and quilt! So we have a lot in common! But this "work" thing really cuts into my knitting time! But like my husband said.........it gives you more money to spend on yarn! Whoo! Whoo!

Currently, I'm working on the Lady Eleanor Stole from Shawl Style. I thought this was going to be very difficult....but I was wrong! I love working on it and have already decided that I may have to make two! I'm making it with Noro Silk Garden on 10 1/2 needles...colorway #249. It has light pink, dark blue, browns, grays, and a touch of green. The color is fabulous! I was inspired by my friend Nancy and her stole. She made it her own by adding beads at the bottom of the fringe. It looks gorgeous!

I also just received my flyer for Stitches and I can't wait! I think I might take a beaded envelope purse class and then hang out with the fellow knitters in the evening! Take note Kris......call me! Well, it's time to get back to work..................Happy Knitting!

My.....How Fetching!

2007-01-15T13:22:00.000-06:00

I'm on a roll......two posts in one month! This is a pic of "fetching" that I made. I can't believe how many out there have made this! It was very easy.....I adjusted the pattern a bit and it only takes a weekend to make a pair. I love working with Debbie Cliss Cashmerino Aran yarn. It's very, very soft and is great to work with. I've already made 3 sets for Xmas 2007! (it's a crappy picture, but you get the idea) I refuse to get caught short this year with knitting deadlines. My goal is to have all my knitted Xmas presents done by March! Now we just have to wait and see if that happens.......

Currently, I also have on my needles the Mrs. Beeton wrist ruffles form Knitty. I had never done knitting with beads......what a pain. That pattern had to be adjusted as well, because I had a "ladder" forming with the purl stitches. I told a few people from my Thursday night group....."Don't tell me to rip it out!" Well, guess what? I ripped the darn thing out and started over. Instead of starting with a purl stitch I now started with a knit. Much, much, better! I have one ruffle done and hopefully will start working on the 2nd once soon. Phew!

This week my eldest needs to study for exams next week. I'll be getting lots and lots of knitting done, because all of his friends are going to study here and I'm on watch to make sure they actually study.....no screwing around on my watch! I made some cookies today that will go well with all the science they need to go over.

Someone told me that the Stitch N'Pitch is up and running with the Milwaukee Brewer's hosting on Sept. 16th. It's about time they jumped on board! If you remember last time they dropped the ball and didn't participate through the TNNA website. I've already marked it in my calendar and can't wait. At least at Miller Park you don't have to work about weather, because we have that lovely roof! Not that I'm complaining about the weather......it finally snowed today....about 4 inches, which isn't bad considering the last time it snowed was on Dec. 1st.

This afternoon I'm going to treat myself to some knitting.....seeing that I was on my hands and knees in the boys' bathroom, with a tootbrush, cleaning the grout in the floor tile. Not one of my favorite jobs to do......just glad that I did it!

Christmas is over! Yeah!

2007-01-04T09:24:00.000-06:00

Christmas is finally over and now I can sit back and relax! Things have been crazy here since October with family situations, medical situations and just "situations" in general. However, I can say that everyone is on their way to recovery, whether it's emotional or medical and hopefully this new year will be better than "06!

I finished a pair of hunting socks that my neighbor Jeff loved! Too bad I didn't get them done in time for hunting this year......oops! I made a pair of wool socks for my sis-in-law Joan, which she loved as well......I hope she remembers not to put them in the washing machine! I did have some time to celebrate this year as well.

I knit with a group of wonderful women each Thursday evening. I don't know what I would do without them.......we make each other laugh and have been there for each other during difficult times. One of the best times is when Rose Ann turned 60! We call ourselves the "Yarnivore's", because we are like carnivore's when it comes to yarn! She was so surprised! When I walked in with the cake she said "Oh! I love cake! Who's birthday is it?" It wasn't until I put the cake in front of her that she figured out it was for her. Don't you love the cake?

On the knitting homefront, I'm currently making "Fetching" from knitty. I love them! I already made a pair and working on a second pair. I adjusted the pattern a bit. I didn't think they were long enough so I added another cable and 4x1 rib repeat on the hand portion, before the bind-off. Also, I thought the picot edge would curl so I did a regular old bind off! I used 1 full skein and a little bit of another ball of the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. Three skeins would give you 2 pair. This yarn is so soft and yummy! I'm making these as gifts for Xmas NEXT year! That's right......NEXT year!

My next project is the cable purse from classic elite. Those kinds of purses are so hot now! I see them everywhere in the mall stores. I KNOW that mine will look better than those store bought ones.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful new year and has the opportunity to knit everyday!

Give me a break!

2006-11-16T09:31:00.000-06:00

I'm a terrible blogger........I've been so busy with the kids back in school, me back at work, sports for the boys, medical scare (everythings fine!) .....yada, yada, yada. Have I had time to knit? Heck ya! It seems that all my sons' friends want winter hats, after they saw the london beanie I made my eldest. Very mindless knitting, but it keeps me out of the refrigerator!

I've taken a class in Fair Isle knitting and completed my first hat! I would normally have a picture to show, but it's very cold today so my husband wore it to work. I think that's the best compliment you can give a knitter is when you wear something they make you.

Currently, I'm making my neighbor some hunting socks.......he leaves tomorrow......so it looks like he'll be able to wear them next year. Honestly, he didn't give me a lot of time! I've been feverishly working on them, that I ended up getting a cramp in my hand! Do ya think I can get worker's comp for that! Ha!

With only 39 more shopping days until Xmas, I decided that I needed to get some things done. I baked 3 batches of cookies and completed all my Xmas cards! To make it easy on myself I just downloaded pics from my camera to www.kodakgallery.com, picked a design, an envelope color, a little saying and "poof" I'm done! Now I don't have to worry about that stuff and instead can sit calmly back and knit on those cold, cold, wisconsin nights.

I've also had some guidance on making the new pocket scarf craze. Ann (my knitting guru), showed me how to double knit the pocket, then I cast off half the stitches and am using the moss stitch for the pattern. I have a crapload of cascade 220 stash, so I thought I'd call it the "crazy cascade scarf". So far it looks pretty good......the pocket curls a bit, but I think I can probably block it out.

This weekend I'm hitting a couple of craft fairs and in my house a Sunday wouldn't be complete without watching the Packer game. My eldest turns 15 and is having 4 friends over to watch the game and sleepover. I've decided that's too much testosterone for me, so I'm off on my own. This will probably be a good day to find a nice coffee shop and knit.

I hope that everyone who reads this has a safe Thanksgiving Day.

Twisty Turn Complete!

2006-09-26T10:06:00.000-05:00

It's been awhile, but I have one thing to finally post!

As promised here is the completed Twisty Turn wrap from the Wrap Style book. I made it with Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran yarn I bought at Stitches. It was pretty mindless until I had to put it together! It looked simple enough, but my problem seems to be that I over think things sometimes. What looks easy seems to be hard for me! Anyhoo...all that matters is I love it! I tried to take a picture of it on me, but I was alone and was getting frustrated, so I put it on the chair instead.

The next project I'm working on is the spriral shawl from the same book. Easy enough to do, but you have to pay attention to those dang YO's! I'd post a picture, but blogger keeps screwing up!

Thanks for the encouraging words about that stupid hat! It was driving me crazy! I haven't started a new one......hopefully soon.

I'm still working on my Rowan cardigan. I would have taken a pic, but I started seaming it and I didn't want to have to lay it out and yada, yada, yada! All I have left to finish is the button band and decide on some buttons! Hopefully, I can get his done before it starts to get really, really, cold here. It looks kind of big on me and my husband said that he would be glad to take it off my hands!

Next on my knitting agenda is some socks. I bought some great sock yarn at stitches and can't wait to start them. I told myself that I will not have more that 3 projects going at once! The pattern for these socks are on size 1 needles! I never worked on such small needles and am a little nervous, because they look like toothpicks! Tonight I'm going to Starbucks to do a little knitting, drink a little coffee, and do a little chatting. You need to check out another knitter from our group, Stacy. She has a blog Clickity Click She's got a hedgehog as a pet and has a picture of him. It's too cute! Happy knitting everyone!

Stitch n' Pitch at the Milwaukee Brewer's game!

2006-09-13T09:03:00.000-05:00

So here's Rose Ann knitting up a storm at the Brewer's game in August. But what's wrong with this picture? The Milwaukee Brewer's dropped the ball and didn't jump on board like other teams did.....so......only 18 people showed up! The other yarn shops in the Milwaukee area dropped out....except for one.....The Yarn House in Elm Grove! The owner Shirley showed up and brought us each a gift! What a great lady! She had light up needles and tshirts! Me? I picked the light up needles, because I have enough tshirts! I already used them and they work great when my husband wants to watch a movie, and I want to knit! We can now shut the light off so there isn't a glare on the TV and I can still get some knitting done!

Here's Rachel from my Thursday knitting group (aka The Yarnivore's) knitting her first sock! She certainly was taking a risk attempting to knit the gusset, with all the beer and peanuts being passed, but she prevailed! Sitting next to her is my knitting and drinking buddy Jan! She hasn't been to a Brewer game for 15 years and didn't have a chance to see the new stadium. She sat there and just took it all in! Miller Park is a great place to knit, because they have the roof in case of crappy weather!

Here's Rachel sock in all its' glory! She was so excited that it was beginning to look like a sock. Our whole group is so proud of her......She came to our group as a beginner knitter making a scarf and we told her it was time to move onto socks. With some hesitation she agreed and couldn't be happier with her new knitting talent!

I'm still knitting things for myself! I vowed that this year I was going to try and make more things for me and less for everyone else! I just finished the Twisty Turns from the wrap style book and I love it. Everytime I wear it people stop me and ask me where I bought it! I snootly reply......You can't buy anything this beautiful, this is something you can only make with your hands! Now that it's done, I'm working on the Spiral Shell from the same book. It's pretty easy, but if you mess up on the 12 stitch pattern repeat, you need to go back and fix it. Case and point......I'm watching Dancing with the Stars and I notice that I'm off by one stitch. When I started counting backwards, I noticed that I forgot to do a YO in the row below! Dang! So as I sat laughing at Jerry Springer dance and enjoying a glass of wine.......I went backwards and tore out to the missing YO!

Do you remember my last post about that "swell hat" from Knitty? My wonderful knitters on Tuesday, Kris and Stacey, suggested that I go to the knitty coffee forum to see if anyone else had a problem with gauge. Well, guess what? I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE! In fact, everyone who has tried to knit that hat had a problem with the gauge. So what does a knitter do? Try and make their own pattern.....which is my next task!

This Hat Looks Swell!

2006-08-09T13:19:00.000-05:00

I know that it's been a loooooong time! The weather here has been hot and sticky which makes it not a good time to knit! However, I did see something on knitty that my 11 year old wanted me to make and that's the "swell" hat. I know that from the look of things it looks great! Easy to knit, great yarn, fun to knit etc; etc; etc; But there is one thing that's wrong with it......and it's too dang small!

I'm one of these people that doesn't believe in gauge! I figure....Hey! It's a hat! No big whoop! This hat is so small it would fit a baby! (I hope Sara has a boy!) I knit it exactly how the pattern called, so I will need to go up a needle size to fit on my boys' noggin. When will I learn? Probably never!

This weekend I'm looking forward to attending stitches with my knitting homies! We leave on Friday morning to shop at the market, then we'll be attending the fashion show, and then hooking up with some fellow knitters at the Embassy Suites later that evening! I can't wait! It seems like forever since I last picked up some needles.

On the homefront.......my husband passed his last appraiser test, so he's getting closer to "super appraiser" status. There's another class he can take in CA, but it's so darn expensive and it takes place during the school term for our boys. He told me we both could go, but I don't want to sit in a hotel room or roam around the city by myself.

We just got back from our first cruise and it was quite an adventure. First of all, we decided to drive from WI to FL.......when we left our youngest said "My ear hurts". Not a big deal.....that is until that evening when he's crying in pain! So.....we stop at the medical center in Columbia, SC, where they try to clear his ear out and inform me that it could be a perforated eardrum! What the heck? No swimming, no sun, no ipod, etc; etc; etc; They throw him on all kinds of drugs and tell me to visit the ships' doc on that Monday. But wait.......when we get to FL we are informed that our ship is delayed because on it's previous voyage it had the norovirus outbreak! What the heck?

Now onto the ships' doc.....nice guy......couldn't speak english....but nice guy! Informs me that the infection is so great that they need to put him on a stronger antibiotic! Poor guy! Here we are on a cruise in the caribbean and he can't go in the water! He made the best of it by wearing a hat, 50 sunscreen, and wading in the littlest amount of shade he could find in the pool.

Therefore....I think I deserve to buy something fantastic at Stitches! Don't you think?

Summer Knitting

2006-06-27T14:47:00.000-05:00

Well....I know it's been awhile, but after I got done with the Shadow shawl, I decided to take it easy in the knitting department. Mind you.....I'm still buying yarn and I'm still knitting....but I've downscaled it a bit. Currently, I'm knitting some bibs and dishcloths from Mason Dixon Knitting. I love their website and their book! The book was a little pricey at $30, but I tell myself that if I make 3 things from it, then it's worth the price. The best part of the book are the stories they have concerning knitting. I loved the bibs so much that I designed a shadow knit one! I'm still knitting and working out the kinks, but should have it done by this weekend.

My birthday is on Friday and I'll be 43 years old. I certainly don't feel like I'm 43, and some out there would say I don't necesarily don't act 43, either. Having a summer birthday kind of sucks.......People always have stuff going on over the weekends and such. That's why I always make sure my youngest (who's bday is in August) has an extra special day. Me? I'm thinking that I might take my boys to see Superman and then in the evening I would have dinner with MY Superman...aka the hubby. I could go to Summerfest, the nations best music festival, but on Friday nights it can get a bit crowded and my hubby doesn't like crowds.

I'm also getting ready for a cruise! Whee! I've never been on one and am looking forward to relaxing. I should get some knitting done, since we are driving down to Florida to the port. I'd like to finish a few more bibs and a couple of burp cloths too. Then......I need to begin my Christmas knitting! Argh!

But before the Christmas knitting I get to attend Stitches! I going with a group of fun women who love to knit and have a few cocktails in between! A good friend said to leave my credit card at home, because I'll end up spending way too much! I'll just have to control myself and bite the bullet as they say! Next year I'm bringing my knitting buddy Kris, she's got a cute blog and is so much fun to hang and knit with! We laugh everytime we are together knitting!
But we all know how our schedules are and this year it didn't work out, but wait until next year!

Can we have a drumroll please?

2006-05-16T10:40:00.000-05:00

Yes! It's taken me a little over 1 year.....but the Shadow Knit Shawl by Vivian Hoxbora is now complete! Phew! I received an email from a friend of mine, asking when I would update my blog and I said "Not until I can take a pic of this shawl!"

This is a close-up of the "shadow" that takes place.

A couple of things I learned while knitting this shawl....

1. Don't always go by the colors they have in the book. I really liked how I changed the edge and center colors.

2. Don't give yourself a timeline. I kept thinking that I needed to get it done in a certain amount of time, realizing I enjoyed knitting it more when I relaxed about it.

3. Don't worry about the little mistakes. That's what makes it your own.

4. Make sure to have extra projects going at the same time. This made me from going insane!

5. Expect that not everyone is going to like it, what matters is if you like it!

6. Most of all......BE PROUD OF YOUR WORK!

Now that I have that done, I can finally knit with my "homies" on Tuesday night! I've been so busy as of late, that I haven't had the chance to knit with my friends. Ahhhhh! I can't wait to sit back and show off my new shawl! (Kris and Anne will be so proud of me!)

Next on my knitting agenda? Finish up the raglan cardigan.....I'll probably need help from Kris, Chris and Anne and I saw a tank I would like to make from Knit Picks before I leave on a cruise in July. I also fell in love with the felted rug from Oddball knitting that seems easy enough.

For now.......I'm going to finish up a pair of socks and relax!

Visiting the newest yarn stores!

2006-04-17T14:18:00.000-05:00

I'm still working feverishly on my shadow knit shawl. It seems that I just keep knitting and knitting and getting no where fast! I did take a break though and had the chance to visit a new yarn shop in Mayville called Loose Ends Yarn Shop. (thanks to Kris for helping me figure out links!)

Let me say that our day started by having lunch at a quaint little place that I believe was called the Celtic Cafe. Everything is homemade and was delicious. The staff were pleasant and had a great love for their little cafe.

As we approached the shop, you couldn't help but notice the front window. Beautiful hand knit shawls, yarns, and notions made you want to go in there immediately and take a look around! As we walked through the door we were greeted very warmly by Michele the owner who told us to touch all the yarns and look around. There is a sitting area with a nice comfortable sofa and chair that you can sit and knit. She had jelly beans and store copies of the latest magazines to look at. Michele didn't have as many yarns as some other places, but she made up for it by her georgeous displays. What I loved about her shop was that there weren't all these hand knit scarves laying around. Arent' we tired of scarves? As I was eyeing up some of her shawls, I saw that she too had a shadow knit shawl from Vivian Hoxboro in the works. It was good to know that someone else is attempting this shawl, besides me!

Michele is very knowledgable about her knitting and crocheting. My friend Teri and I spent 2 hours there and walked away with some yarn, free patterns Michele designed , and a class that we are going to take. It was definitely worth the trip.

I must admit thought, that I am working on a very lacy mohair shawl for a cruise that I'm taking this summer. And before Kris blurts it out to the whole blogging world........I've been taking a stripper pole exercise class! Now let me tell you.......it's a lot harder than it looks! After the first class my thighs and arms were killing me! Of course, everyone in the class is laughing because the instructor does teach us "stripper" dance moves! Give me socks to knit anytime and I can do that........but trying to whip myself around that pole is virtually impossible!

Mindless Knitting

2006-03-28T13:49:00.000-06:00

These are the dishcloths I've made while teaching my friend Sara how to knit! I would normally bring my shawl, but it's so big and the lighting isn't very good, which makes it difficult to travel with. So.....when in Rome do what the Romans do! Since she's knitting dishcloths, I thought it was the perfect time to learn some new stitches! My sis-in-law Peg bought me the calendar 365 knit stiches a day so I thought I'd try some! I only had to rip one out, because my husband said it was to "holey" for a dishcloth!

The shawl is still coming along nicely......even though the weather is warming up while the shawl gets heavier and heavier! I'm really looking forward to meeting with the "ladies" and knitting tonight at Starbucks. However, there is one person missing from our group and that is Anne! She will be laid up for a few weeks until the doc says she can drive. Good thing Kris, Chris and Lois are there to help me if I need it! Goodness knows I need it sometimes!

I also found out that there might be a new yarn store that I'm not aware of! I read about it on Kris' blog and I can't wait to find out where it is! Like I need more yarn!

Moving along.........

2006-03-22T08:45:00.000-06:00

I do not have pictures to post, because I'm still working on my shadow knit shawl! I'm bound and determined to get this thing finished if it's the last thing I do! Everyone who knows me thinks it's hilarious that it's the only thing I'm working on.......but I want to get it finished! My youngest has seen me drag this out everyday and has figured out that just one side of the shadow part is 56,840 stitches! That's a lot of stitches! Figuring it takes me about 1 hour to do two rows (there are 280 rows with 203 stitches on size 2 needles), that means that I have worked on one side for approximately 8,400 minutes or 140 hours! Phew! That's a ton of knitting! Currently I'm on row 160.......only 120 to go!

The purses I made for the auction went for $30 and $20 a piece. After talking it over with Peg, we thought I probably should have donated some scarves. I was a little bummed, but unless you knit, you have no idea the time it takes to make something like that.

Right now I'm currently teaching a friend of mine to knit. Instead of a scarf, I'm making her knit a dishcloth. Why a dishcloth? They are fast.....they are relatively easy.....and it's instant gratification! We were at Caribou Coffee (I love the campfire mocha...Yum!) and we're knitting away when all the sudden she drops a stitch! She says *shit* pretty loudly and this woman comes over and says "A good knitter says *shit* and fixes it, a bad knitter says *shit* and gives up!" We cracked up laughing! This woman must have been 80+ years old! She sat with us for awhile and chatted. My friend is now ready for the "bind-off" so I'm meeting her tomorrow to show her how. I'm thinking I might bring her a little knitting gift because she's doing so well!

*Note to Joan.....maybe we should start you off on a dishcloth, I think the scarf was too much!

My husband is planning to take my boys camping this summer for a long weekend! He told me that he felt bad leaving me home alone! Is this man crazy? I've already thought that I should probably meet a bunch of my knitting buddies, hit some knitting stores, come back to my place, eat, knit and drink! Now I just have to get him to set a date so I can put my plan into motion!

Awwwwwwwww!

2006-03-08T11:42:00.000-06:00

Aren't these the cutest? These are the umbilical cord hats I made from the Stitch n' Bitch book. I used 1 skein of Plymouth Encore worsted and got a total of three hats! I'm thinking I should have another baby, just so I could make him/her a hat! Trust me.....there isn't any way I'm going to have another child.....it was just the "knitting crazies" talking!

I'm still working on that dang Shadow Knit Shawl! I've declared that this is my March Madness month and that I'm bound and determined to get this done! Enough already! How many times do I need to look at that and say "Tracy, pick up your needles and get cracking!" So that's what I'm going to do! See ya later socks....I'll be back! Hey you! Rowanspun cardigan! You'll have to wait your turn, because the shadow needs to get done! Don't feel bad dishcloth......it's not personal.....but this shadow has been looming around long enough!

My newest addiction is podcasting! I love to listen to people talk about knitting and give reveiws and such. I've added a few to my blog so try them out! Also, I'm going to put on some "comedy" ones, too! Anyone who really knows me, knows that I love to laugh! Some of these are so hilarious! My son and I want to start our own podcasting, too!

Well, enough of this blogging stuff! I've got me a shawl to finish!

Charity Knitting!

2006-02-26T11:44:00.000-06:00

After much delibiration I have decided to keep the coral/brown bag for myself and donate this Blue Sophie bag with Glamour yarn to my sis-in-laws auction. This one turned out so great! It's a bit bigger than the first one, so it would be a great tote for books, shoes, etc;

This is the close up of the bottom of the bag. I like the "glitzy" look that's achieved with the glamour yarn. I'm also donating a felted purse for her auction. I'll let everyone know how much they both went for.

On the knitting homefront....I'm still working on my socks and I've begun a raglan cardigan using Rowanspun Chunky. I already have the back and left front completed. This time around I'm going to attempt to knit this sweater without any help from my knitting guru Anne! I want to see if I can "go it alone". So far.....so good! Keep your fingers crossed! I would have taken a pic, but my camera battery ran out. Oops! I also have to begin a baby hat for a friend of mine. I think the "fruit" hats are cute, but I also like the umbilical cord hat from Stitch n Bitch. Maybe I'll just make both!

I've missed out on a lot of knitting due to my boys sporting events, however it's almost over and I'm able to see the knitting needles at the end of the tunnel. This Thursday I'm having a group over to knit and drink. It should be a great time! It was an impromptu gathering, because where we normally meet (a Cafe) is closing, and we had nowhere to go on March 2nd, so I told everyone if they wanted they could come to my place! We found a new home......but we can't meet there until the 9th of March, so what the heck! My boys are going to hide out in their room, but said they would come out to see what kind of snacks are out!

Today I'm going to watch the movie Mad Hot Ballroom and do a little knitting. I absolutely love those kinds of days. Happy knitting!

I'm in love with this bag!

2006-02-06T09:18:00.000-06:00

Here's a photo of my first "Lucy" bag! I love it! Shhhhh! This is the one I'm supposed to donate to Peg's auction, but I'm falling in love with it! I made it a little different than the pattern. After round 28, I turned my counter back to 0. Rows 1-23 were made with the coral, rows 24-45 were done in the mosaic stitch (using the brown) , then rows 46-78 were knit in the coral. I then started the strap set-up and only knit that 88 times or 176 pattern rows. Doesn't it look fantabulous? I'm going to felt the one below and see which one I like the most and then decide which one to donate.

Now this is an unfelted "lucy" bag with some glamour yarn at the bottom. This is knit according to the pattern (tall version) along with the strap length. You can see the difference in size and how much it shrinks when the felting process is complete.

On a more serious note......I was referred to as a "yarn snob"! I knew that deep down in the crevices of my soul that I was, but to actually hear it....how painful! I was in denial, I admit it! I love the way cashmere and wool feel against my skin! So I knit with my head held high and my needles pointed upward and announce to everyone that.............

I AM A YARN SNOB AND PROUD OF IT!

My next project is a cardigan from a Rowan magazine with Rowanspun Chunky. It doesn't look too difficult, but it seems that it's always the patterns I think are easy, end up being a pain in the arse! This time I told myself that I would do a gauge swatch.....seeing that I had to rip out 20 rows from my cable sweater, because it would have been too small. Tsk! Tsk! When will I learn.....

Today I'm meeting some women on the North side for some knitting and chatting. These women crack me up! The whole time I'm there I just laugh! They tell the funniest stories about their husbands and their knitting. I can't wait to see them.....I need to laugh today!

Bang the Thrum!

2006-01-31T09:27:00.000-06:00

Here's what "thrumming" looks like! I know that it's difficult to see but I think you get the picture. You knit your cuff in a K1P1 rib for about 3 inches, then you start with another color, along with your thumb gusset and then you start adding your wool according to the pattern. The pattern is from Fox and Geese (or something like that!). Now all those dark blue things sticking out is the wool.....you see....that will be on the inside of the mitten. After time, it becomes matted and kind of felts! I know it sounds weird, but I've been told that's what's going to happen. If you've knit mittens before (like I have) then thrumming is really easy. Also, it can be a little boring, but I'm here to learn new techniques......right?

This week I bought a new knitting bag! Whoo! Whoo! Actually, it's a bag I saw at Bath & Body Works and I decided it would make the perfect bag. It's got two big pockets on the outside! (great for patterns!) Two pockets on the side! (great for bottled water) One zippered pocket on the inside!(great for holding money) Two pockets on the inside! (great for needles, notions etc) It has a handle and a shoulder strap and is made of fabric! It's fairly big, but it prevents me from bringing 2 bags when I go and meet my fellow knitters. So before I use it, I sprayed it with scotchguard, (it stays cleaner that way) and am awaiting anxiously for it to dry!

I've done a fair amount of knitting this week.....but it's difficult because it's been pretty darn nice outside. There isn't any snow and it's been mild, so my husband and I have taken advantage of the great weather and have been outside.

Currently, I'm working on a pair of socks using Knit Picks "dancing" sock yarn! I LOVE IT! I decided to use the pattern that was on their website and so far so good. I remember not to long ago I said that I would never knit socks, because it seemed really difficult to do. What was I thinking? They are so easy to take along and I always get compliments when I wear them! Now back to knitting..........

These are Off the Cuff!

2006-01-13T09:25:00.000-06:00

Hello my fellow readers and Happy New Year! I know that it's been awhile....but I've been rather busy. I had to finish up Joan's scarf.....which she loved! I made her a scarf from Knit Picks baby Alpaca! It was so soft! My Mother-In-Law, Mary made me a beautiful lap afghan! I was so surprised! It's just gorgeous! I'll take a picture and post it, but let me tell you that the picture won't do it justice!

As you can see, I finished my "Off the Cuff" socks! I like the color, the pattern and how quickly they knit. I picked this color scheme from sockotta because it brightens my day! Here in the Midwest all the snow has melted (since it's been in the 40's & 50's), so we are left with the color brown! When I wear these I think of summer and warmer days ahead!

I've picked up my Shadow shawl again in an attempt to try and finish it. It took me one hour to try and figure out how I did it! My persistence prevailed and I figured it out! Phew! I was getting scared!

This is my newest felting project.....the Lucy bag from the Two Old Bags patterns. I'm making it from Cascade 220 (Coral & Brown). The camera makes it look orange, but trust me, it's coral. My sis-in-law Peg has a fundraiser for her church and I told her I would donate something for their silent auction. But the more I knit it, the more I think I want to keep it myself. The stitch sequence in the middle is a mosaic stitch. I wanted to make that part 46 rows, but my knitting guru Anne told me that it could become tighter because you slip a stitch every other row. I caved in and did only 23. I can't wait to see how it turns out. The great thing about felting is you can manipulate it as you go.

This weekend I'm doing a little gambling up in Green Bay........and since I don't have to drive, I'll just sit in the back and finish up this bag! Maybe I'll win so much money that I can put it all in here! Wouldn't that be sweet....

My next project I'm working on is thrumming. This is when you knit raw wool into a mitten which creates additional warmth. The most difficult part is preparing the wool. You need to separate it, roll it between your hands, twist it, then knit it with the regular yarn, making sure the regular yarn doesn't show. What a pain! A friend of mine said she only made one mitten, because it was slow going.........

Again, my apologizes for not keeping up with my blog......but I promise that I'll be better!

Completed Cable Sweater!

2005-12-08T09:11:00.000-06:00

Sound the alarms! I finally finished my cable knit sweater! What a great feeling! It only took me about 2 1/2 months and I learned a lot of different things. With the cold weather we have been having this sweater will be great to "snuggle" in. My son loves to put it on because it's so warm.
I would love to make another one, but I would have to change the yarn to something not so fuzzy like the lamb's pride.

This is a close-up of the cable pattern. I especially like the middle cable and the way that it weaves in an out of each other.

In other knitting news......I have completed the gift bags for my sister-in-law! Whoo! Whoo! I just need to box them up and ship them to her. I haven't been working on my cuff down socks lately because I'm trying to get some Christmas presents done. I'm still feverishly working on Joan's gift. Something I thought I was going to give to one neice is going to another, because I forgot I already bought something for the other neice. Oops! It seems that every year I do that! I see something......I buy it.....then I forget and get or make something! This year I'm going to turn over a new leaf and when I get something or make something, I'm going to record it right away so I don't forget!

Here are my first "slip stitch" mittens with some Cascade 220 that I had left over from my stash! These are from an Amy Anderson pattern called "Over the river and through the wools", which is also a "felted" pattern. When my husband saw me making these he commented that they looked really big! How funny! I had to explain that I needed to shrink them! I did have a bit of a gap when I was working on the thumb, but because it's going to be felted, I just "fudged" some yarn in that little hole and it looked fine. I can't wait to felt them and wear them!

I've been working a lot more hours at my retail job because of the holiday. It gets so hectic and customers can get very mean! If you read this blog.....I ask a couple of things for you to do this holiday season.

Don't wait until the last minute to purchase your gifts. If you see something buy it and don't wait, because it probably won't be there the next time you shop.
Huffing, puffing, and stomping your feet does not make the line go faster!
If paying by check...have it written out ahead of time!
Have all your coupons ready and give them to the cashier BEFORE she begins your transaction.
Make eye contact with employees......we aren't monsters!
Have everything you need before you get to the cashier! Don't leave the line to get one last item! It holds up everyone behind you!
Most of all.......be nice! Treat people how you want to be treated.

For all the unruly customers I deal with, I always get those few who are so kind! In fact, yesterday this woman told me that I waited on her last year and was so excited to see that I was still there! She also said I have really white teeth! Hee! Hee! It made me feel so good! My husband says that because I've had so many jobs in customer service, he notices that I have so much patience when things go wrong in a restaurant, store etc;

Now back to knitting.......I can't wait for the weekend. My son has a wrestling tournament, so that means I can sit back and knit! I forgot one thing.......my family and I went to the Milwaukee Bucks game last week, and of course, I brought my knitting! My husband and kids couldn't believe it, but in my defense....I needed to get some stuff completed AND I really don't like to watch professional basketball. Anyhoo......we walk in.....they check my bag......and actually took me aside because of my needles! This very pleasant old man looks at me and asks me what "they" are and I explain that they are knitting needles and that I planned to knit during the game. He told me "I've seen everything brought into a game, but I've never seen anyone bring in knitting needles!" He patted me on my back and let me and my knitting needles in. By the way.....the Milwaukee Bucks won in overtime and I completed my project! Go Bucks!

No! I didn't fall off the face of the earth!

2005-11-03T09:46:00.000-06:00

Here's the back of my calbe knit sweater! I finished up to the shoulders and have the neck on a holder. I put it on......and I guess I'm ok with it. I'm not a big "sweater" person, so I'm not jumping up and down about it. The reason I made it was to learn cables and to read a pattern a little better. As long as I learn something, I'm pretty happy! Because the yarn is thick, this seems to be going pretty quick!

Here's sock #1 from the cuff down sock pattern. I love this yarn! It's called Sockotta and the pattern is so great! Whenever I'm making this in public, people stop and admire the yarn. I think I'm going to "gift" these to me! They are so fun!

Here's sock #2.....just waiting to be finished! He's sooooo jealous that sock #1 was done first! I keep telling him that I'm trying, but to no avail!

With the fall temps approaching.....it makes me want to stay in the house and knit more. But I was a very good girl today and finished staining and varnishing my front window, and I also did the same to the front door. With all the cold weather and salt the front door looked as if it was about to break into pieces! However, I saved it and hopefully we'll get a couple more years out of it!

So what are my knitting goals for November?

Finish the cabled sweater!
Finish my socks!
Work on Joan's order for felted bags!
Start the "blush" project from knit pixie and finish by Thanksgiving!
Start and finish Amy's scarf for Christmas!

If I get all those things done.....then I'll be one happy knitter!

Some completed projects!

2005-10-10T13:44:00.000-05:00

I know that I've been a bad blogger........but I was so busy finishing up some felted projects. Here you can kind of see what the zig-zag bag looks like! The strap is the Checkmate ribbon with knots tied at about every 2 inches. I crocheted a strap for a button, but haven't found a button, yet!

Here's a project a friend of mine asked me to do. It's a felted compartment bag! The premise is to make two bags, attach them up the side and bottom and you'll have an inside compartment. I made mine with Lamb's Pride worsted and was quite pleased with the way it turned out. My friend has a bunch of us making the purse, so she can "fine-tune" her pattern and hopefully sell the pattern. Another knitter made the purse without the flap and instead installed zippers on the inside.

Here's how the bag looks without the flap over the top.

Here's looking inside the bag. Kind of cool, huh?

I recently placed my first order with Knitpicks! I can't wait to see all the yarn I ordered! I want to work on a gift for someone for Xmas, so I'm anxiously awaiting for my yarn. I can't talk about the gift because this "certain someone" reads this blog. Okay! It's for Joan!

My cabled sweater is coming along nicely. I'm almost to the bind off for the arm holes! Whoo! Whoo! I hope to get this bad boy done by Thanksgiving and wear it in the chilly months!

I also started on a pair of socks for me! I started knitting them at my bowling league, because the women on my team were fighting and I didn't want to get involved. So....I brought my bowling ball and knitting! More women came up to me to find out what I was doing and more than once did they mention how cool it was to be knitting socks!

I finally broke down this week and bought an Ott-Lite! Now I can see! I got it at Joann's with a 40% off coupon. I also do beading, so this really helps with my eyestrain!

The nights are finally getting chilly so that means more knittin' and drinkin'! Lately, I've been drinking reds. My doc told me that every woman should have a glass of red wine or purple grape juice every day. I told him that I have two.....just in case I miss a day!

Also, ladies please remember that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! If you are 40 you should be getting your first mammogram and every year thereafter. There are many women I know who've been diagnosed with breast cancer, but because of their mammogram it was caught early and they are living cancer free lives. So....put your needles down and get a mammogram!

I'm So Stuuuuuuupid!

2005-09-21T08:15:00.000-05:00

So here I am, cabling away on my sweater, when someone notices that it looks kind of small. They say "Is your guage on?" I say "Of course it is, what do you think I am......an idiot?" Guess what? I am an idiot!

When I measured myself for the sweater, I measured and determined that I was an ample 46" across the chest so I thought that's what I make my sweater at! However, I want the sweater to be loose fitting therefore, it would be more appropriate to make it 49-50". Now....there are one of three things I can do.....frog it, loose some weight in the chest area, or keep knitting and give it to someone else! Through much deliberation I've decided that losing weight does not guarantee that I will lose weight in that particular area! Giving it to someone else would kill me, because only fellow knitters know the time and effort that goes into it. Therefore the logical choice is to riiiiiiiiiip it out. The one good thing is that the yarn is very bulky so it won't take long to rebuild it! (I sound like the Six Million Dollar Man!)

So we can all learn a lesson here........make sure you know the difference between finished size and your actual size. A special thanks to Lois, Chris, & Chris for noticing my sweater mistake and pointing it out before I was almost done!

Now I need to open up my bottle of Mad Housewife Chardonnay and start frogging!

I'm Kooky for Cables!

2005-09-19T08:36:00.000-05:00

Ahhhhh! I started my cable knit sweater about 1 week ago and am finding it not too bad. I think I was intimidated by the cable and thought "how the hell do they do that?" Well, now I know and I'm not scared anymore! Anne has taught me how to cable without a needle and at first I was a bit confused. I left my Kooky for Cables class, thinking that there was no way I could work on this by myself. However, I sat down and used a pencil as my cable needle then I figured out what she was trying to teach. So.....I now do not use a cable needle! The women I meet up with on Thursday nights couldn't believe that I didn't use a cable needle, so they sat around and watched me! I was so nervous that I would screw it up.

A couple of things about this sweater.....I'm using Lamb's Pride Bulky (kind of itchy), it's knit in the round (Whoo! Whoo!), and it has seed stitch sides. So far I'm liking it! (let's see what I say when I have to do the sleeves!)

A friend of mine Rose Ann has designed a felted bag pattern and asked me to make one before she tries to publish it. She has a range of knitters trying out the pattern. (I think I fall into the intermediate knitter category) I can't wait to start it, because it has compartments in it!

Here's the purse I made out of the recycled silk yarn. It was a bit tough to work with. The yarn itself varies from skein to skein, so if you wanted to make something (like a sweater), I think it might be kind of difficult. However, the colors are very vibrant and I really liked the way the purse turned out. It stretches a lot, so it would be great to hold paperback books, notebooks etc; I like to describe it as a "grab and go" purse! You grab it, throw your book, wallet, keys, knitting and go! The strap stretched a bit, but you can knot it at the top and adjust as necessary. I handwashed it and the water was brown! Gross! But I rinsed until it came out clear and laid it flat to dry. With the extra yarn, I'm going to make a smaller bag that would hold keys etc; but I'll probably have to line it and I'm not the best seamstress!

Now.....you're probably asking yourself "Hey Tracy! whatever happened to the Zig-Zag felted bag?" My, my my, aren't you knitters curious! Well you see, sometimes Tracy reads too much into a pattern and the result is a "not so good purse"! You see what happened was the pattern said "make your flap slightly longer than the length you want it", well, I thought it meant to make the flap longer than the whole length of the purse! Therefore, when I sewed up the sides I made the flap about 3 inches longer than the purse! The result? A felted purse with a flap that overhangs the purse! I've decided to felt it some more then cut the flap! Can you believe I did that? I'm now in the process of making another one! Phew!

Looky What I Bought!

2005-09-06T08:32:00.000-05:00

Here's what I got in the mail the other day from ebay! It's the recycled silk yarn from Nepal, which is made from the snipped ends of sari's and handspun! You never know what colors you are going to get.....so be careful when you bid on this stuff. Some of the skeins seemed to be tightly wound, while others were rather loose. Also, you must let it dangle because otherwise it twists on itself. My personal testimony is that it would be kind of scratchy to make a scarf out of, but other websites suggest that you carry along a kid mohair with it. Me? I'm making the Unbiased bag from knitty! I know, I know, I know.....I SHOULD be working on the shawl but I was so excited to get this yarn! Wait! I did finish the hunting socks and following bag. So there!

Here's another little bag that I worked on over the weekend. A big shout out to by knitting buddy Nancy for giving me this pattern called the Zig-Zag felted bag! It takes one skein of Noro Kureyon and is simple to knit up. The pattern calls for a ribbon strap which will look great once it's felted. I saw the one Nancy completed and it looked great! Hopefully, I'll be able to felt it this week and then purchase some ribbon!

This is a close up of the stitches on the felted bag. I love how it looks and I hope it shows up when I felt it. This weekend I finished up on all my little projects and had a chance to have some breakfast with my knittin' friends. So here's my shout out for the week.....

Happy Birthday Anne! I was told (by Chris) to make sure I brought a nice birthday hat for Anne to wear! Well, she thought it was funny, but would only wear it for a few moments in order for me to take this picture in the restaurant. What a trooper! Best wishes this upcoming year, Anne!

I'm a bad, bad, girl!

2005-08-23T11:55:00.000-05:00

Okay! So I didn't get to the 100th row of my shawl! How could I? It was mid 80's everyday on vacation with the sun shining and the margaritas & beer calling! I couldn't take the shawl outside, now could I? I really tried to get up in the early morning to work on it, but then the fish were calling me! I caught some perch, blue gill, bass and (yuk) catfish! So don't blame me about the shawl....blame.....the weather! Look at this sunset.....could you really concentrate on knitting with a sunset like this?

I did get a little knitting done, though. My buddy Tim was with us and I did finish one of his socks so he could try it on. He absolutely loved it and can't wait for the next one. This is one of those take-along projects that I hopefully will get done before October! (don't worry...I will!)
If I don't......then I guess only one of his feet will stay warm while he hunts! Then......I'm not making anymore hunting socks until next year!

Slowly but surely

2005-08-12T07:57:00.000-05:00

This week I began with the intention of working on the shawl....however, I needed to get going on the hunting socks for my buddy Tim. I like to buy two sets of dpn's then work on each sock, so I don't get bored. However, I grabbed the "wrong" sock and started knitting around and around and around and then noticed that I didn't work any of the instep decreases! You see I should have been working on the "other" sock, because I was at that point with the decreases already done! So what did I do? I backward knitted around and around and around to get back to the decrease point of the sock! What a pain........

The shawl is coming along nicely, thank you very much! I worked on it while watching the movie "Saved" with my 13 year old. What a great movie! I'm taking the shawl with me on vacation next week and my goal is to get to 100 rows. (I'm currently at 70) Total row count for the shawl is 280, but remember my knitting friends....one row is 203 stitches on size 2 needles! It takes about 45 minutes to complete 2 rows. A friend of mine is curious to know how many stitches the actual shawl is! I told her that I'd figure it out when it's complete.

Last night I met with my knitting group and we had a great time! One woman said her husband was invited to a "meat" party! I guess it's similar to the pampered chef parties, however some guy cooks up a bunch of meat and then the men order what they want! What's next.......lawn tractor parties? Also, Rachel in our group completed her first sock. It was from a pattern back in the 60's where you knit it flat and then seam it up. When she seamed it up and put it on, it looked like those genie shoes from Istanbul with the pointy toe! We could not stop laughing! It was the funniest sock I'd ever seen! She is such a good sport because she was laughing along with us.

I'm gone until next weekend.....I hope to get to that 100th row while I'm gone!

Only the shadow knows..........

2005-08-04T08:25:00.000-05:00

Well, as promised I've been really focused on getting the Shadow Knit shawl done this month. However, it's starting to get to the point that it's heavy and hot! I also wasn't too keen about the "orange" side, but after working on it I'm now getting used to it. I have no idea where I would wear this though. I suppose I could wear it when I'm working on other projects! When I'm not working on the shawl, I have begun another pair of hunting socks! I know, I know, I know.......but socks are so easy! A year ago, I didn't even think about making socks, because I thought they looked difficult....but now I'm a sockaholic!

Here's an angle shot of the shawl. You can see the "shadow" that forms depending on how you look at it. I was surprised at how well this shot came out!

Now enough of this blogging stuff.......back to knitting!

Yet Another Pair of Socks!

2005-07-20T11:50:00.000-05:00

Socks! Socks! Socks! Here's my latest pair I finished after my horrid train trip out to Boston! Now.....I've told myself that I have to stop making socks and finish my shawl and start on some Christmas gifts! Phew! I've got a lot to accomplish in a short amount of time. My next knitting adventure will take me to the "Land of Cables". I've never done them, but I've been told that they are fun and easy! I certainly hope so........

I'm Back!

2005-07-12T14:21:00.000-05:00

What a vacation! We took the train to Boston (late by 6 1/2 hours) and had a great time. I did some knitting on the train, but I couldn't do too much because it made me nauseous. I was working on another pair of socks, and caught the attention of many weary travelers. Most couldn't believe that you could actually knit socks! Most thought that the only way they you could get them was at the store. What a hoot!

I also had the chance to stop at Newbury Yarns, which is a great shop on Newbury Street. While I was there she just received a shipment of yarn, and allowed me to look in the box at it, before she priced it and put it on the shelves. However, the "real" event at her store was the German speaking customer.....

This lady walks in and is trying to converse with the store owner and it's obvious that she doesn't speak English. As she is trying communicate my husband realizes that she is speaking German, because he can speak German! So here's this store owner telling my husband what to say and my husband has to translate this to the German woman! I was laughing so hard, because my husband knows nothing about knitting and he's trying to make sense of it all for this German lady! The store owner was so pleased that we happened to be there at the right time, that she gave me 10% off my purchase of sock yarn.

Here's the book I recently bought! There are a couple of patterns I'd like to make for family and friends for Christmas......if I can find the time. So much knitting.......too little time!

Whee! They're done!

2005-06-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

They are finally done! Since this is my second pair....I've noticed that it gets a little easier as I go along. I think I finally have the "rhythm" of how to make socks!

I've finally have finished up packing and have brought along another pair of socks to knit on the train. I really like taking the train.....I have no horror stories to tell and enjoy meeting all the different people! Therefore, it will be a week before you hear from me again.......Happy Knitting!

Almost Done!

2005-06-19T12:50:00.000-05:00

Guage is god......that's what Sue tells me! But do I listen.......heck no? Now.....I love these socks! However, they are a little big around the ankle, but I really don't care, because they are for me! The first sock seems a little tighter because I was a little tense. I can tell that by the second sock, I was getting the hang of things and felt a bit more comfortable. I'll probably finish these this week and then start on another pair.

We are slowing getting ready for our trip to Boston. Taking the train will give me lots of time to knit! I also found out that there are a lot of yarn shops in the area and I can't wait to check them out!

2005-06-09T16:31:00.000-05:00

Here's my little guy Nick modeling the London Beanie I made. He loves it because it's a tad tight and I guess that's what all the skateboarders and skiers wear. Tonight I can't wait to go to Stormi's and partake in some adult beverages while I continue to make my socks! School as officially ended so that means that my vacation is now over. My yarn diet is going pretty well! I haven't purchased any yarn for 1 week! I bought some Cascade 220 to make the London Beanie in my boys' school colors. I also designed an illusion scarf with my son Nick's name. If time is on my side.....I'd like to try and get it done before Xmas! Now back to the shawl......Happy Knitting!

Socks, Socks, Socks!

2005-05-30T08:29:00.000-05:00

Phew! I now know the difference between the hunting socks and these.........teeny tiny needles and teeny tiny yarn! Actually, it is mindless knitting and doesn't take to long. This is the first sock and what I like to do is stop before I begin the heel flap, put this sock on some other needles and start the next one. That way....I don't get bored as easily and I can check to make sure sure that both socks are going to be close on gauge etc;

My yarn diet is not going very well......I keep thinking about buying more and more yarn and making more and more things! To remedy this I give myself projects or goals that I need to do before I can buy more yarn! For instance, I told myself "Self.....you can't buy anymore yarn until you clean out your half of the closet!" Well, guess what I did clean it (it took me 6 hours!) and now I get to reward myself with more yarn! I should start a group similar to AA and call it YA (for Yarn Addicts) We could just sit around and talk about the addiction we have to yarn! Anyone care to sign up?

A Hunting We Will Go......

2005-05-28T08:23:00.000-05:00

The socks are finished! My son Mitch is the model! They weren't difficult at all to make and I already have an order from one my good hunting friends to make him a pair. Now I need to start on the "girl" socks.......

One Down.....One to Go!

2005-05-26T08:04:00.000-05:00

Here are the "almost finished" hunter's socks! All I have left to do is finish the decrease on the other one, graft the toe and then I'm done! Next I plan on starting a pair with the Paton's sock yarn and make a pair for myself! I was so intimadated by socks because of all the needles you need to use, but I found out how easy and simple they can be! Also, they are so easy to take along "on the road".

I'm now looking at making a tank top I saw, but I've told myself that I need to go on a yarn diet until I get through 1/2 the yarn I already have. I wonder what's more difficult, quitting smoking or the yarn diet!

Sock it to me!

2005-05-23T11:03:00.000-05:00

The left one is worked up until the "heel turn".

2005-05-23T11:02:00.000-05:00

Here's a closeup of the shawl.

More Knittin' than Drinkin'!

2005-05-23T11:01:00.000-05:00

I've been a very busy knitter, lately! I've finally begun working on the other half of my Vivian Hoxboro shawl. My goal is to have it finished by the end of summer. I've also begun a new skill and that is sock making! So far I've done pretty good! I'm an impatient knitter and I love to work ahead so I watched a video on how to turn the heel on www.diynetwork.com! It only took two times for me to figure it out! My husband loves the way the socks are turning out. He awaits for the day when he can slip them on to keep his feet warm. With the extra yarn I plan on making another london beanie! I'll have Marsha model it when I'm done! Happy Knitting to all!

Marsha! Marsha! Marsha!

2005-05-19T08:47:00.000-05:00

Here's "Marsha" (that's the name that was picked) modeling the ruffle scarf I finished. It took me one day to bind off 648 stitches! Phew! Notice how the scarf compliments Marsha's blue eyeshadow?

Hats Off To All My Fellow Knitters!

2005-05-18T09:42:00.000-05:00

This weekend we had a "knitting retreat" at Greenlake. Not pictured is Anne (who's taking the pic) and Nancy who had to leave for a prior engagement. From left to right is me, Peg, Joan and Chris modeling our hats that we made through Anne's guidance. Anne had this project for us to do and it was a lot of work! What's great is how each hat is different. We did a lot of knitting and enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere at the lake. Anne also taught Joan how to knit! I just need to make sure that Joan continues! The weather was a bit chilly, but that's the perfect kind of weather when you want to knit. I'm hoping we can make this a yearly event!

2005-05-18T09:36:00.000-05:00

This is Anne getting the balls ready for our "project".

2005-05-18T09:34:00.000-05:00

After you have finished wrapping the ball with wool, then you take two pairs of nylons and place it over the wool. You need to pairs to cover the leg hole of the first one. You then scrub, scrub, scrub, with a little dish soap and water until the wool sticks to the nylon. You then pull the nylon off very carefully, then begin to hand felt it until it shrinks.

2005-05-18T09:31:00.000-05:00

Here's how the hat begins. You lay the wool horizontal in thin layers, then you lay them vertical. You keep up this process until the ball is covered.

2005-05-18T09:29:00.000-05:00

Here's Joan wrapping the ball with the wool in layers to make the hat.

Scrub-a Dub..Here's Joan and Peg scrubbing in the tub!

2005-05-18T09:27:00.000-05:00

Here's Joan and Peg scrubbing their hats to make them felt!

2005-05-18T09:19:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of Anne teaching Joan how to knit! Once Joan had mastered the cast-on, Anne made her rip it out and do it over again! (that's Chris in the background working on a project)

2005-05-09T11:33:00.000-05:00

Here's a closeup of the scarf! I love the way the ruffles look!

2005-05-09T11:31:00.000-05:00

Here's my latest work in progress...the Koigu Ruffle Scarf! All I have left to do is bind off the 648 stitches left on the needle, press the ruffles and give it a good stretch! The cast on takes forever! I think it took me one day to cast it all on, therefore I'm thinking it's going to take me a one day to get them all off. I really like the way it looks and it will make a great xmas gift! I'm now getting ready for my knitting retreat this weekend! I'm hoping get a little more done on the shawl, and start knitting up some socks! I've never knit socks before, so it should be interesting!

2005-04-28T08:39:00.000-05:00

This is the Fulled Lopi Tote I made from Hello Yarn. I love the way it looks! It was my first time making a handle like that and I got a bit confused.....until Anne the knitting guru explained how to do it! To felt this tote it took 3 cycles in my washing machine. I think this bag will be great for small knitting projects. Now, I really should get back to my shadow knitting project! I'm almost to the center stripe, which means that I would be half way done! I'll take a pic when I get to that point.

2005-04-28T08:33:00.000-05:00

This is the glittering eyeglass case from the book Exquisite Little Knits book. I used 1 skein of berroco mettalic and cast on 36 on size 8, and then followed the pattern. This was the perfect size for a lipstick or a pair of eyeglasses. It was so easy to make....it took about 2 hours from beginning to end. (I think it took longer to find the bead!)

2005-04-19T14:23:00.000-05:00

Here's the pink felted bag I made for my "girlfriend" Moe! To make it more "girly" I went to Michael's Craft store and bought some self-adhesive decorative patches. They came in a pack of 12 and I used 3 on each side of the bag. I ironed them on (per the package instructions) and viola! I am so happy with the way it turned out! I wish it was Christmas so I could give this to her now! I know that she will love it!

2005-04-11T08:30:00.000-05:00

Saturday my boys and I had the opportunity to witness a sheep shearing at Chris' place. It was a beautiful day and my boys found it rather interesting! I couldn't believe the amount of wool on the sheep. Apparently, they got 40 pounds of wool from the sheep. Some will be made into a blanket and some will be made into yarn. I can't wait to see how both will turn out!

2005-04-11T08:27:00.000-05:00

Lots & Lots of Wool!

2005-03-30T08:28:00.000-06:00

Noro "Sophia" bags

Felt like Felting!

2005-03-30T08:27:00.000-06:00

That's right....today I felt like felting! I actually felted 5, but wasn't too happy with the way the pink one felted. There's a ridge on the side and the bottom, so I'm letting it dry, and then I'm going to hand felt it and see what happens. I love the orange one! (that's for me!) The darker pink one I used Cascade 220 Tweed, and you can actually see the flecks of color! I think they turned out great! The Noro bags also turned out! Noro takes a little longer to felt, but I was so pleased. I'm thinking these may be gifts for some people I know!

Taking a break!

2005-03-24T08:56:00.000-06:00

Here's Lois and Tara at our West Side Knitters group at Starbucks, this past Tuesday. Lois took a break from her hat and Tara took a break from her homework so I could play with my new digital camera!

2005-03-21T14:30:00.000-06:00

Here are the "Sophia" bags before they are felted. The orange one is for me and the pink one is for my "girlfriend" Moe! The other three will be gifts....or maybe I'll take them all! With all the scraps of leftover yarn I have from these bags, I'm going to knit and felt up some coasters or trivets. I didn't work on my shawl this weekend....but I've promised myself to get to 200 rows by Thursday! I already have orders from my sister-in-law to make a couple of these for Christmas gifts. (I also have to make her some scarves, too!) She keeps me very busy!

Introducing...The Superwoman of Knitting!

2005-03-18T14:18:00.000-06:00

Here's Ann my teacher instructing me on how to fix some stitches that have splt. I was so nervous that she was going to drop my stitches or move my markers! However, you can see that she "borrowed" some reading glasses from the yarn store (that's why the tag is on), so she could see what she was doing! I doubted Ann could fix it, but she is like the "Superwoman of Knitting"!

2005-03-18T07:06:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was a day of Knittin' & Eatin' in my knitting class because it was St. Patty's Day! Chris is really concentrating so he doesn't drop any stitches while he makes his shadow knit sweater. The colors he picked are variations of blue and should look quite nice when he's done. (Just as long as he doesn't make any mistakes!)

2005-03-14T14:01:00.000-06:00

Go Badgers Sparkle Farkle Hat!

Sparkle Hat!

2005-03-14T13:59:00.000-06:00

This is the Sparkle Hat I made from the Stich n' Bitch book. I used Paton's Shetland Chunky and ordered the sequins online. (the sequins must have a large hole to accomodate the yarn) I have worn a hat similar to this one and get so many great compliments! (except from Chris) Now as for the "head".....I got her from a beauty salon going out of business and paid 50 cents for her! She has been used to scare off trick or treaters, and now is used as my hat model. I have yet to name her.......any suggestions?

I knit....therefore I am......

2005-03-09T12:12:00.000-06:00

Welcome to my blog about.....you guessed it.....knitting! You may find some tips, mistakes I've made along the way, and you'll even get a chance to meet people I knit with on a regular basis!

Currently, I am working on a shawl from Vivian Hoxboro's book Shadow Knitting! (Don't you dare order it from Barnes & Noble or Borders.....go to your local bookstore and support them!) At first I was ready to return all my yarn at my LYS, but my instructor Anne convinced me to keep on going! I think what confused me was the way the pattern is worded. However, after ripping out 24 rows...I figured out how the markers shift in order to achieve the pattern. I'm now chugging along and hope to have this done by the end of summer. Word of advice.....if you have NEVER done shadow knitting, I suggest you make the pot holders from her book first, or try the Alien Scarf from the Stitch n' Bitch book!

I also have little take-a-long projects that really don't take a lot of thinking. My newest craze is the Sophie bag from www.magknits.com. I made one for myself, added a button (thanks to Lois, Anne and Chris!) and get complimented on it all the time! I've got a pink one already finished (this is for my little girlfriend Moe) and an orange one for me! I'm going to try one with the Noro and see what happens, because I find that Noro doesn't felt as nice as the Cascade 220.

Here's my shawl.....I hope you can see the details of it! Enjoy!

2005-03-09T11:12:00.000-06:00

Close-up of Shawl

2005-03-09T11:10:00.000-06:00

Shadow Knitting Shawl!