tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-238976672024-03-13T15:56:19.635-04:00Monica Knits ...A LOT!!" No really, just this one last one row and then I am ready to go.....what do you mean I said that a few minutes ago????"monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.comBlogger191125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-76525455507776380952010-07-19T13:19:00.006-04:002010-07-19T13:38:36.562-04:00Secret Knitting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/TESKDeaZ_0I/AAAAAAAAB8A/hZzO0Yp7J40/s1600/Kayra+005.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/TESKDeaZ_0I/AAAAAAAAB8A/hZzO0Yp7J40/s320/Kayra+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495669237606907714" border="0" /></a><br />.... no more. Sheri has posted a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/loopy-groupies/1220353/1-25">spoiler picture</a> on the Loopy Ewe Ravelry site so I think it is safe to share one of the stealth knitting projects I have been working on. I designed the sock portion of the July Socks and More Club for The Loopy Ewe. DD's feet (she is my foot model) are about an inch shorter than mine so the fit is not perfect on her, but they fit me perfect. The yarn is Alchemy Juniper and was lovely to work with. So very soft. More stealth knitting in the works, but it will be a while before I can share that with you.<br /><br />We have been busy getting things together for the college girl. I really don't know where the last 18 years have gone. It is so hard to believe that in a month we will be packing her off to college. And goodness, it is like setting someone up in a new house. So much to buy. We have been busy shopping for towels and sheets etc, and lamps and clocks and the list goes on. She is enjoying it, and I am happy for her, but I have a knot in my stomach the size of a boulder. I know she will do well, she is a wonderful young lady, level headed, responsible, intelligent... it is me I am worried about. Crazy huh?? I keep thinking she is leaving and in 2 years her brother will be on his way, and then the youngest 4 years after that. It boggles the mind how quickly time seems to go once you have children. The hubby and I will definitely have to get some new hobbies so we aren't sitting here staring at each other 24/7. Not that the kids are hobbies, but they do consume a large portion of the day.<br /><br />Well I guess I ought to do a little housework before I get my haircut. More later. Stay in the AC if you can, it is so nasty hot and humid out.monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-32683560467045826082010-07-14T10:25:00.005-04:002010-07-14T10:45:44.173-04:00Work, Work, Work.....It sure has a way of interfering with the knitting. But I really do love my new job. Who knew I would like working in public health, even with the big pay decrease. I find it very rewarding and interesting. You definitely encounter all kinds of people. Last week I was in Indy for training and enjoyed that also. However, as I mentioned before, it sure does interfere with the knitting time.<br /><br />I mailed a box of patterns off yesterday to Allison at <a href="http://www.simplysockyarn.com/servlet/StoreFront">SSYC.</a> The girls at work, all non knitters, were intrigued about just what it is I do. I mailed the package on my lunch break. So I pulled up my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stores/monica-knits-a-lot">Ravelry</a> web page and showed them my designs. Can you believe I have been there since April and have not once taken my knitting to work. I really don't have time to knit at this job, so no reason to bring any temptation. I think they may all be looking forward to knitted Christmas gifts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/TD3LVXZMBPI/AAAAAAAAB74/4hEygY8bWYI/s1600/Pacific+Rim+002.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/TD3LVXZMBPI/AAAAAAAAB74/4hEygY8bWYI/s320/Pacific+Rim+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493770688379225330" border="0" /></a>Remember the Cherry Tree Hill Fingerpaints yarn from the previous post? I know it has been a while ago, so I will wait while you scroll down to take a gander. It has become this. This yarn is nice to work with, very soft and smooshy. I do love Cherry Tree hill yarn. This pattern and Deverell from the previous post are on their way to <a href="http://www.simplysockyarn.com/servlet/StoreFront">SSYC</a> and are in my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stores/monica-knits-a-lot">Ravelry</a> store if you are interested in them<br /><br />I have done some stealth knitting, but I can't share that with you. Well I need to get ready for work. I have a very short day today to make up for the extra hours I would last week. I hope to have more later. Have a great week all.monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-63786710777873940992010-06-06T15:09:00.009-04:002010-06-06T16:44:51.581-04:00I Think The Knititng MoJo Has Returned<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/TAv607mkxbI/AAAAAAAAB6w/Vxj_b63kePk/s1600/sock+yarn+and+new+socks+006.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/TAv607mkxbI/AAAAAAAAB6w/Vxj_b63kePk/s320/sock+yarn+and+new+socks+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479749158885967282" border="0" /></a><br />Well, after a long hiatus, I think the desire to knit has once again returned. I am so happy!!! It is sad when something you truly love to do no longer becomes desirable. Almost like losing a best friend. I don't know why it went away, or what brought it back, I just hope it sticks around for a while. I still have not finished the sweaters, it is much too hot to sit and knit with either of those on my lap right now. They will be first on my list of things to complete in the Fall.... I hope!! I have knit something I can't share with you yet, stealth knitting, but I have finished a pair of socks. These are knit in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Woodlawn</span> colorway. Lorna's is always a pleasure to knit with. I have named these socks <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Deverell</span>. The pattern is available in my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stores/monica-knits-a-lot"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Raverly</span> shop</a> if you are interested.<br /><br /><br /><br />And I have made a few <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/TAv8qTfIUTI/AAAAAAAAB64/jjaui7eIe5U/s1600/cth+Fingerpaints+002.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/TAv8qTfIUTI/AAAAAAAAB64/jjaui7eIe5U/s320/cth+Fingerpaints+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479751175341887794" border="0" /></a>yarn purchases. Cherry Tree Hill has a new yarn available, <a href="http://supersockstore.com/product.php/prodid/51"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Fingerpaints</span></span></a> which is a self striping yarn. I am knitting in the Pacific Rim colorway right now. I have the first sock just about finished but have not taken pictures of it yet. The colors are much richer in person with the lighter blue shown in the picture being more of a Teal. It is very pretty and wonderful to knit with. Pictures to come soon.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/TAwDcNO8LBI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/k69lThm1Rbk/s1600/sock+yarn+and+new+socks+012.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/TAwDcNO8LBI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/k69lThm1Rbk/s320/sock+yarn+and+new+socks+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479758629726596114" border="0" /></a>This past weekend was the Hoosier Hills Fiber Festival. DD1 and I went. I unfortunately forgot to take my camera, so no pictures of the lambs or the Angora bunnies, and there were plenty of bunnies. It was pretty hot this weekend and the AC was not functioning properly in the buildings, but it was still a good time. I showed great restraint, and only purchased yarn for 2 pair of socks. DD1 will get a pair in this. She does love her blues. This is <a href="http://www.macyarns.com/index.php?main_page="><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">MacKintosh</span> Yarns</a>, it doesn't have a color name on the label. I think she just likes it for the puppy on the label : ), I have been instructed to let her have it when I am done knitting... the label that is, the socks are a given. She took the pictures so I am surprised the puppy is not showing in the picture.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/TAwDJKG58GI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/5cx32sCOx_s/s1600/sock+yarn+and+new+socks+008.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/TAwDJKG58GI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/5cx32sCOx_s/s320/sock+yarn+and+new+socks+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479758302470074466" border="0" /></a>And for me, also something in blue. I really had to show great restraint at this booth. I loved her color combinations. There were so many semi solids to choose from, and they were all calling to me. However, my stash really is lacking in blues so I went with that. Greens and fall tones I have oodles of, and she did have some lovely ones of those. It was so hard to leave them behind, but I was strong. This is a Merino, Bamboo, Nylon bend and is very soft. It is from <a href="http://www.ogledesign-fiberarts.com/">Ogle Designs</a> The color # is 440. My daughter informed me that I look very strange when I am yarn shopping. I have a confession to make. I sniff yarn, I love to smell the yarn. I can't help myself. What can I say, but apparently she finds this shopping habit of mine embarrassing. Are any of you yarn sniffers?? Please tell me I am not alone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/TAwGu9SyW6I/AAAAAAAAB7g/vDkvqPfSqO8/s1600/Kaitlin%27s+graduation+May+29,+2010+001.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/TAwGu9SyW6I/AAAAAAAAB7g/vDkvqPfSqO8/s320/Kaitlin%27s+graduation+May+29,+2010+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479762250400160674" border="0" /></a>On a different note, last weekend my eldest graduated from High School. We are so very proud of her. Next fall she will be off to college, and I fear I will have 4 years of no sleep. Even though she has turned into a wonderful, intelligent and responsible young adult, I fear I am not ready to let her go. But go she will. I know she will be fine, me, I am not so sure about. Here she is with her 2 younger siblings. As you can see, I will have another one leaving for college in a few short years. So I guess in reality, I will not get any sleep for the next 12 years or more. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/TAwHoDWIEII/AAAAAAAAB7o/ic1U5AN3EyY/s1600/Kaitlin%27s+graduation+May+29,+2010+004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/TAwHoDWIEII/AAAAAAAAB7o/ic1U5AN3EyY/s200/Kaitlin%27s+graduation+May+29,+2010+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479763231277322370" border="0" /></a><br />Until the next time, and I hope it will not be as long apart as the last one.monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-61134448616723180272010-02-16T17:17:00.008-05:002010-02-17T14:42:49.467-05:00OK.... so the Sweater is not Finished.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/S3xGYT3HZOI/AAAAAAAAB6o/IEoKJe3YpEg/s1600-h/IMG_2627.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/S3xGYT3HZOI/AAAAAAAAB6o/IEoKJe3YpEg/s320/IMG_2627.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439299833418966242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Edited to add a better picture of the sweater on 2/17/10</span><br />But I will show pictures of what I have so far. I am still stuck on sleeve island and not making much progress since the last time. It is a terrible picture, I will take a better one when I am finished. I am losing the daylight already today for anything better. Here is the front, back, and 1 2/3 sleeves. The pattern is Gathering Intentions by Fiona Ellis from the <span style="font-style: italic;">Inspired Cable Knits</span>. I am knitting it in Cascade 220 I don't have the color # though, as I bought this yarn years ago and no longer have the labels. It is a denim heather color.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/S3sbt51u6eI/AAAAAAAAB54/SMP9iFlVvq4/s1600-h/fingerless+mitt+Regia1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/S3sbt51u6eI/AAAAAAAAB54/SMP9iFlVvq4/s320/fingerless+mitt+Regia1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438971450414262754" border="0" /></a>I started a new mitt design the other day. I am knitting them in Regia solid sock yarn. I have had a hard time getting a good picture of what I have so far of these also. I had bought some Fibre Company, <span style="font-style: italic;">Road to China</span> to knit these with, but the yarn is too soft and has too much drape to show the pattern well. I will knit something else with that. If you have not touched or knit with <span style="font-style: italic;">Road to China </span>yet, I can tell you it is lovely.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/S3sdAtnR-8I/AAAAAAAAB6A/uX8VrPpGVJc/s1600-h/shibui.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/S3sdAtnR-8I/AAAAAAAAB6A/uX8VrPpGVJc/s320/shibui.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438972873061563330" border="0" /></a>And today, the mailman finally delivered my new Shibui Sock yarn. According to the USPS tracking, it was delivered last week, but not so. I was very disappointed when I remembered yesterday was a no mail day. I have a sock design in mind for this yarn, but I will make myself wait to wind it until I finish at least one of the above projects.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We have finally gotten some of the promised snow for this winter. The last two weeks has brought us quite a bit. I love the snow and the kids are loving the snow days. We will see how much they enjoy making them up at the end of the year though. The eldest won't have too since she is a senior and they don't make them make up snow days. This is the view out my front door yesterday. It sure took me a while to shovel the drive and I am sore today, but I loved doing it and being out in the snow and wearing my hand knits to keep me toasty warm. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/S3sesAXfL2I/AAAAAAAAB6I/g4hV9NOHEIM/s1600-h/snow+day+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/S3sesAXfL2I/AAAAAAAAB6I/g4hV9NOHEIM/s320/snow+day+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438974716341596002" border="0" /></a>I will be back when I have something finished. Take care and stay warm.monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-83290877402151324332010-02-07T18:19:00.002-05:002010-02-07T18:21:35.023-05:00Still KnittingI am still working on the sleeves of the sweater. I am on the second one and about half way finished with it. Pictures to come soon. See you when it is finished. Need to go make pizzas and watch the football game. Go Colts!!!!monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-51612680544443319022010-01-19T00:58:00.002-05:002010-01-19T01:09:11.811-05:00I will Be BackOh my gosh, I have been gone forever. I have been doing some knitting (not a lot, mind you, but some). I have no excuse other than life has just gotten in the way of blogging. So for anyone that has been checking in, I am sorry for not posting. <br /><br />I am working on a sweater right now(for me, me, me!!!) and I am approaching the completion of the front (the back is finished), then onto the dreaded sleeves. Everyone in my family knows my history with sleeves, but I will prevail and finish them in a timely manner. I want to wear this sweater before Spring... umm I mean this Spring. So with the next post, which I hope will be in the next week or two, I hope to have a finished sweater. I will also show some mitts and socks I have knit since the last time I posted.<br /><br />And I will try to get back into some sort of regular blogging routine : )<br />Until the next time Happy Knitting!!!monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-20225819688176994412009-06-10T15:08:00.007-04:002009-06-10T16:11:27.990-04:00Rain, Rain go away........at least until we get the new roof on please. Torrential downpours are not a good thing when the roof really, really needs to be re shingled. It also means no Parks and Rec for the youngest, which makes for a very sad young lady. She is keeping herself busy with practicing her clarinet. Summer band began last week and she is really doing well with it... hardly any squeaking at all.<br /><br />I have knitting to share. I have been busy with socks. I am on a yarn diet and I have lasted 2 whole weeks with no new yarn purchases. I am starting to get a little twitchy though so, we will see how long I last. I have been going through the stash to see if there are any long forgotten sock yarns hiding out that I absolutely need to knit and I think I really do have enough to keep me busy for awhile. However, I didn't knit with any of the yarn that has been in hibernation. Instead, I knit with some of my most recent purchases.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SjAHB9wV95I/AAAAAAAAB4g/k-N4ItNwUHA/s1600-h/socks+and+sadiw+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SjAHB9wV95I/AAAAAAAAB4g/k-N4ItNwUHA/s320/socks+and+sadiw+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345780488027371410" border="0" /></a>I finished a pair of socks knit in the <span style="font-style: italic;">Monica's Sunset</span> from Sheepaints. The design is <span style="font-style: italic;">Malu</span>. The design kind of gets lost in the contrasting colors of the yarn, but I like how it plays with the yarn. I knit them again in the Claudia Hand Painted in the <span style="font-style: italic;">Shells on the Beach</span> color. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SjAHfd6v0sI/AAAAAAAAB4o/uQ8nl-xTZAM/s1600-h/socks+and+sadiw+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SjAHfd6v0sI/AAAAAAAAB4o/uQ8nl-xTZAM/s320/socks+and+sadiw+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345780994877149890" border="0" /></a>And I have found a short row heel I really like. It is the boomerang heel. It is fast and easy and most important, no holes. I may have even convinced <a href="http://www.yearnsforyarn.blogspot.com/">Karen</a> to give it a try. I am also really beginning to like the Magic Loop method for knitting socks. I tried to knit with dpns the other day and I find I really didn't care for it anymore. I can't believe I just wrote that as I have always been a die hard dpn gal. I guess I will have to purchase more long cable circular needles as I don't have near enough of those to keep up with my start(itis)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SjALCQ04BXI/AAAAAAAAB4w/gW1EJURoYeE/s1600-h/socks+and+sadiw+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SjALCQ04BXI/AAAAAAAAB4w/gW1EJURoYeE/s320/socks+and+sadiw+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345784891193165170" border="0" /></a>Also finished, the Tempted <span style="font-style: italic;">Glam Grrl</span> in the <span style="font-style: italic;">Bruisenberry</span> colorway that I raved about in my last post. I loved knitting with it as much as I thought I would. It has a wonderful tight twist and knits beautifully. This design is called <span style="font-style: italic;">Katrin</span>. Both of these designs are available in my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/monica-jines">Ravelry</a> shop and will be at <a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/">The Loopy Ewe</a> soon. The box of pattern s shipped today.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SjAMXNyaWrI/AAAAAAAAB44/W4ybaON_NHg/s1600-h/socks+and+sadiw+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SjAMXNyaWrI/AAAAAAAAB44/W4ybaON_NHg/s320/socks+and+sadiw+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345786350666406578" border="0" /></a>And last night I started a new pair with a design I had been working on some time ago. I had originally started these in some CTH Sockitome, but I think that yarn may be a tad too fluffy for the design. It kind of flattens out rather than defining the stitches as I would like them to be. I will probably still finish it in the Sockittome, but wanted to try it in the yarn Karen gave me for Christmas. Araucania Ranco Semi Solid. I don't know the color number right off the top of my head but it is heathered grays and blues. I had the design already typed up, but I making a few changes to it as I re knit these. The back of the sock is a twisted baby cable.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SjAOdF3JlgI/AAAAAAAAB5A/FzQlOLxFvK0/s1600-h/socks+and+sadiw+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SjAOdF3JlgI/AAAAAAAAB5A/FzQlOLxFvK0/s320/socks+and+sadiw+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345788650641266178" border="0" /></a>Look at this precious little ball of fur. My sister's dog had puppies and one of my other sisters was able to bring one home to join their family. Her name is Sadie and she is just as sweet as she can be. She will be even sweeter once she is potty trained. The driving daughter is so happy that she is going to be puppy sitting for her when her aunt needs to go to the office to work. I heard plenty of whining the last few days about how much they would like to have the last available one, but the allergies and the asthma make it impossible. Sorry kids!!! And no I won't give in even if you keep nagging nonstop.<br /><br />I think that is about it. I need to straighten out a few things and then get myself ready for a date with my dear husband. Today is our 20th wedding anniversary. I don't know where the years have gone, but I feel so blessed to be married to a man I love more today than I did 20 years ago.<br /><br />Have a good week all!!monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-79408954829097467172009-05-21T15:50:00.011-04:002009-05-21T17:12:43.248-04:00Ahhhchooo.......<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ShWxWST2JAI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/m4YAfFdr4rs/s1600-h/spring+shrubs+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ShWxWST2JAI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/m4YAfFdr4rs/s320/spring+shrubs+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338367929747907586" border="0" /></a>Does anyone else seem to be having worse than usual Spring allergies. We are having a sneeze fest here. I was hoping when the trees were finished budding and blooming it would improve, but the sneezing continues. Maybe I should buy stock in the company that makes Claritin.<br /><br />Oh, and so much for trying to blog<span style="font-weight: bold;"> every</span> week. It would seem I don't have much to share every week. I haven't been knitting as much for some reason. Maybe once the kids are out of school I will have more knitting time and less taxi time..... wishful thinking, right!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ShWzvztDzBI/AAAAAAAAB3o/s0nV2CHsrcM/s1600-h/may+21+sock+yarn+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ShWzvztDzBI/AAAAAAAAB3o/s0nV2CHsrcM/s200/may+21+sock+yarn+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338370567232015378" border="0" /></a>I got some yarn goodies. I was stalking the mail box today. We <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ShW0daIiWHI/AAAAAAAAB3w/9qaWNPEpjWk/s1600-h/may+21+sock+yarn+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ShW0daIiWHI/AAAAAAAAB3w/9qaWNPEpjWk/s200/may+21+sock+yarn+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338371350641924210" border="0" /></a>must have a temp. mailman because he was unusually late. But better late than tomorrow. On the left is Lorna's Laces Sock in Maple Grove and on the right is Claudia Hand Painted Yarns in Shells on the Beach. Both from <a href="http://www.sonnyandshear.com/mm5/merchant.mvc">Sonny and Shear</a> That Claudia is so soft, and I love it, but I wish it had just a tad more yardage.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ShW1Sqs_HhI/AAAAAAAAB34/G0jDfjrTRDs/s1600-h/may+21+sock+yarn+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ShW1Sqs_HhI/AAAAAAAAB34/G0jDfjrTRDs/s320/may+21+sock+yarn+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338372265622838802" border="0" /></a><br />Last week I bought my first <a href="http://www.temptedyarns.com/">Tempted</a> Good Girl in Bruisenberry, and as soon as I finish a pair of socks, this is getting wound and knit. I think I am in love with this yarn. The colors are so rich and saturated and the yarn feels nice a soft and has a good twist. I am sure it is going to be a wonderful knitting experience.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ShW2vFMzgmI/AAAAAAAAB4A/7rYgoIKKT_s/s1600-h/may+21+sock+yarn+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ShW2vFMzgmI/AAAAAAAAB4A/7rYgoIKKT_s/s320/may+21+sock+yarn+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338373853283582562" border="0" /></a>On the needles: A pair of socks I started about 2 years ago... yes, that is right, I said 2 years ago. This is not one of my favorite yarns to knit with however, I like the finished product. If it just weren't so splitty. These will be finished today and as soon as they are the Bruisenberry is taking their place on the needles.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ShW3qV25RHI/AAAAAAAAB4I/BAVJgTmWqKw/s1600-h/may+21+sock+yarn+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ShW3qV25RHI/AAAAAAAAB4I/BAVJgTmWqKw/s320/may+21+sock+yarn+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338374871367369842" border="0" /></a>And I frogged the <a href="http://shop.strato.de/epages/61303040.sf/en_US/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61303040/Categories/%22Sock%20Yarn%22">Sheepaints</a> Magic Potion from <a href="http://worksforyarn.blogspot.com/2009/04/happy-easter.html">this</a> post and it is becoming this. I had hoped that this would be my first Christmas project of the year, maybe for one of my nieces, but the Driving Daughter has laid claim to them. They are a much deeper purple in real life. Sorry A or E as one of you two would have been the recipients of these come Christmas. I fear I will have to do all my Christmas knitting on the sly or the Driving Daughter will lay claim to everything.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">WARNING!!!</span><br />Now if you are a <a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/">Loopy Ewe Sock Club</a> member, and you haven't received your May sock club and don't want a spoiler, read no further. OK.... are you leaving, there are going to be pictures.... I warned you.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ShW657i3r-I/AAAAAAAAB4Q/F65bp9IqWoA/s1600-h/sock+club+sock+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ShW657i3r-I/AAAAAAAAB4Q/F65bp9IqWoA/s320/sock+club+sock+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338378437716848610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ShW66VY6GZI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/ymvlnw2oHcw/s1600-h/may+21+sock+yarn+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ShW66VY6GZI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/ymvlnw2oHcw/s320/may+21+sock+yarn+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338378444654385554" border="0" /></a>I designed the May Sock Club pattern. The yarn is <a href="http://www.dyedreams.com/">Dye Dreams</a> Luster Sox in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Shades of Ireland. </span>The design is named <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kinvara</span>. At first I was sent a mini skein, which was enough to design the sock, but not enough for a pair. So I designed the sock with the mini skein and have since frogged it and re knit with a full skein, you know, so the socks would match. The mini skein will no doubt become a pair of fingerless mitts. The yarn was a challenge to design with due to the dark color, and the fact I was trying to design it when my father in law was ill, making it even more of a challenge to knit, let alone design. All said I am quite pleased with the results. If you are a club member I hope you enjoy knitting them.<br /><br />Sorry this has been so lengthy. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Holiday weekend. Hopefully I will be back next week..... but no promises.monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-89971559095218478332009-04-26T14:18:00.008-04:002009-04-26T15:01:12.354-04:00What happened to Spring?????It seems like we only have 2 seasons any more.... Summer and a chillier than usual Fall. After a pretty mild winter, temperature wise anyway, (we had plenty of freezing rain and ice here) we seem to have skipped Spring and jumped right into Summer. Temps yesterday topped in the high 80's ... ugh!!! It is much too early for that kind of weather. I would like some nice cool weather to be able to go out and work in the flower beds. Not 80+ degree and high humidity weather in April. It just isn't right. And of course the few days we have had in the 60's have been rainy<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SfSoHy3NBAI/AAAAAAAAB3A/JDxCDo6HQPU/s1600-h/sunset+out+the+front+door.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329069110952002562" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SfSoHy3NBAI/AAAAAAAAB3A/JDxCDo6HQPU/s320/sunset+out+the+front+door.jpg" /></a>OK, enough complaining about the weather and onto some knitting related material. I won a contest on Ravelry from the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/sheepaints">SHEEPAINTS</a> group. Submit a picture of something with your favorite colors or a picture with colors you would like to see in a yarn, other members in the group vote for their favorite photo, and that person gets a skein of yarn inspired by the photo. Woo Hoo!!! Driving daughter took this picture from our front porch and I loved the colors in it, so I submitted it. Now, I had to order a few more skeins to go along with it, I mean it is a long trip across the ocean and I didn't want the prize skein to get lonely. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SfSon6PLcSI/AAAAAAAAB3I/7dvDQaSTPd0/s1600-h/Sheepaints+yarn+and+finished+malabrigo+socks+001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329069662687424802" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SfSon6PLcSI/AAAAAAAAB3I/7dvDQaSTPd0/s320/Sheepaints+yarn+and+finished+malabrigo+socks+001.jpg" /></a>This came in the mail Friday<br /><div><div><div></div><br /><div>The colorways are Tulip, Monica's Sunset and Splash. Didn't <a href="http://shop.strato.de/epages/61303040.sf/secGBsACjoEZyA/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61303040">Sabine</a> do a great job with the colors of the sunset. I can't wait to knit it up.... but which to wind first. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SfSsGiTBGYI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/5hmGUruUYsY/s1600-h/Sheepaints+yarn+and+finished+malabrigo+socks+004.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329073487371901314" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SfSsGiTBGYI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/5hmGUruUYsY/s320/Sheepaints+yarn+and+finished+malabrigo+socks+004.jpg" /></a> I am <em><strong>so</strong></em> in love with <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/pages/yarn/sock.html">Malabrigo Sock Yarn</a>. I have finished my first pair of socks with this wonderful yarn, and it will definitely not be my last pair. This pair was knit in the Solis colorway. I think the next color I will get will be the Archangel. If you haven't already knit with it, I highly recommend it. I have named this design <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aislinn">Aislinn</a> (according to the Gaelic translation, Aislinn means dream, and this yarn is a dream to work with) The pattern is available in my ravelry shop at the link above and will be at <a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/">The Loopy Ewe</a> soon. I just sent some patterns yesterday. <div></div><div>I frogged the Sheepaints sock I had started earlier. I think it needs a few modifications made to it. Due to the tight cables there was not enough <strong><em>give</em></strong> as I was knitting it<strong><em>.</em></strong> So, to the frog pond it went and will be re knit at another time. I have, however, started another design with the same yarn and will share that when I get a little more done on it. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I think that is it for today. I am going to go find a cooler place to sit, enjoy some iced tea, and knit for a while. I hope you have all had a wonderful weekend and have an even better week to come!!</div></div></div>monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-54180495185017816322009-04-12T12:57:00.011-04:002009-04-13T08:16:47.148-04:00Happy Easter!!!........And many thanks to all of you for your wonderful comments and prayers the last few weeks. They are all greatly appreciated. My Father in law will be missed deeply by all who knew him.<br /><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323853561477346034" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SeIgm3AOMvI/AAAAAAAAB2E/cU1eorDMTa4/s320/Vickie%27s+sock+003.jpg" />While sitting in the hospital room I managed to do some mindless knitting. I knit a pair of socks for my sister in law. My brother said that she really liked the pair I made for him and hinted that she would love a pair too. He knew her shoe size, but when I asked if she had skinny ankles, wide or narrow feet etc. he was no help ... "you know... they are normal". Here is the obligatory picture of them on her feet, they fit perfect ... H, your wife has skinny ankles. She says she will wear them a lot more often than my brother to which he replied , "he is afraid he will wear them out, and who knows when he will get another pair" I guess five years in between pairs is a bit long to wait.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SeIiXnOXiCI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/8geLr9I555o/s1600-h/chrismas+and+socks+006.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323855498566928418" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SeIiXnOXiCI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/8geLr9I555o/s320/chrismas+and+socks+006.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I also started a pair of plain socks for the driving daughter. She picked this Cascade Sassy Stripes out 4 years ago and I think it is done marinating. Not one of my favorite yarns to knit with, but she likes it. I have knit 2 other pair of socks for her with this yarn and they have worn well, so I can't complain too much, esp since the yarn is inexpensive.The second sock is started and half the leg if finished. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SeIjPu9WRRI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/AlCCpoBRkdc/s1600-h/chrismas+and+socks+001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323856462715700498" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SeIjPu9WRRI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/AlCCpoBRkdc/s320/chrismas+and+socks+001.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div>I finished the first sock in the <a href="http://www.shalimaryarns.com/">Shalimar Zoe Sock </a>yarn. There is an error in my knitting, I was silly enough to think I could stay focused enough to knit on this after days of no sleep and sitting at my FIL's bedside. I noticed it several pattern repeats later and will leave it there. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SeIlp0vep9I/AAAAAAAAB2o/8NFMg8jBhJg/s1600-h/chrismas+and+socks+007.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323859109967996882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SeIlp0vep9I/AAAAAAAAB2o/8NFMg8jBhJg/s320/chrismas+and+socks+007.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><br />Also on the needles, some <a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/browse/yarns/sheepaints/sock-n-go/">Sheepaints</a> yarn from The Loopy Ewe (I have start"itis" really bad right now). The colorway is Magic Potion. Lots of lovely shades of purple, and I am lacking in purple in the sock collection, so I <strong><em>needed</em></strong> it.... right!. I think I may <strong><em>need</em></strong> the Lederhosen colorway too, even though it is not purple.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SeInPfLKhdI/AAAAAAAAB2w/j_y-JlqHInk/s1600-h/chrismas+and+socks+005.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323860856525194706" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SeInPfLKhdI/AAAAAAAAB2w/j_y-JlqHInk/s320/chrismas+and+socks+005.jpg" /></a>We also had a little Christmas in April here, (well in Ohio). Yesterday was my niece's 19th birthday. We had not had the opportunity to have Christmas with them yet, so we celebrated a late Christmas along with her birthday. I love this T shirt Karen got me. I was actually tempted to buy it for myself when I was in the yarn shop getting things for her... So glad I didn't. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SeIoOqfd6NI/AAAAAAAAB24/joW8DIMjQgs/s1600-h/chrismas+and+socks+009.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323861941894899922" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SeIoOqfd6NI/AAAAAAAAB24/joW8DIMjQgs/s320/chrismas+and+socks+009.jpg" /></a>She also gave me a skein of Araucania in color 107. Lovely shades of gray and blues. Hmmm ...what to make with this...I did buy another size 1 circular needle while I was there, so I have empty needles. I got a Ped Egg too, I have really been wanting one of those. Thanks Karen for all the goodies!!!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>More Prayers Please:</div><div>A wonderful online friend of mine, <a href="http://helenknits.blogspot.com/">Helen </a>is in need of prayers. Her husband has been fighting cancer and lost the battle. Please keep her and her family (esp their son) in your prayers as they mourn his passing. And thank you again for keeping my family in your prayers. </div><div></div><div></div></div></div></div>monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-75091874244139227722009-04-04T14:42:00.003-04:002009-04-04T14:49:11.953-04:00Prayers PleaseJust a quick post. My FIL passed away on Thursday evening. He was a wonderful husband to my MIL, a loving and caring father and FIL, and the best grandfather,( he was the only grandfather my children knew as my dad passed away when I was 19). He never knew a stranger and was loved by all who knew him. Please pray for comfort, peace and healing as we morn his death.<br />Thanks so much .monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-87165233703071634852009-03-26T12:02:00.002-04:002009-03-26T12:05:47.525-04:00No Knitting Content TodayJust a quick post asking for good thoughts and lots of prayers for my FIL. He has been on a ventilator since Monday. I have spent most of my time at the hospital, so only very mindless knitting has taken place. <br /><br />Your prayers are very much appreciated. <br />Hopefully we will have good news soon.monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-87746391000404761362009-03-19T12:54:00.005-04:002009-03-19T13:40:58.693-04:00Spring Break and......unfortunately, we didn't go anywhere. Unless you count a short trip to Bloomington. The kids are beginning to get on each others' nerves, which in turn drives me a bit crazy. When we went to Bloomington the other day, I was really wishing I had taken along some knitting, but since I was driving, ( I can't convince the driving daughter to drive the van) I didn't think I would need any.... and then we sat at a stand still for nearly 45 minutes for a traffic accident. I need to remember to put the van knitting back in the van, where it belongs. We did visit a new to me yarn shop while we were there, <a href="http://www.inayarnbasket.com/">In A Yarn Basket</a>. It is a small shop, with mostly Cascade, Brown Sheep and Plymouth. But they also carried Tilli Tomas (I think you can go broke just looking at that yarn) and Blue Sky Alpacas. The sock yarn selection was limited, but I did see the Cascade Heritage Handpaints I have been looking at online and decided there were a few colors I am going to buy next time. I wanted to feel it first. The weather has been beautiful this week, except last night when we had some pretty nasty thunderstorms, but it is nice again today, a bit cooler than it has been at the beginning of the week, but still, very nice for this time of the year. <div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ScJ8BKspLxI/AAAAAAAAB10/Z8QXpQrVIrk/s1600-h/Zoe+and+CTH.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314946869743922962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ScJ8BKspLxI/AAAAAAAAB10/Z8QXpQrVIrk/s320/Zoe+and+CTH.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I have done a little more knitting on the Zoe sock. I have been busy on another project so this one has been a bit neglected. It will see more knitting time soon. As I said before, I <em><strong>really</strong></em> like this yarn. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ScJ8jG5bw9I/AAAAAAAAB18/U5fVia-g85A/s1600-h/Zoe+and+CTH+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314947452839379922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/ScJ8jG5bw9I/AAAAAAAAB18/U5fVia-g85A/s320/Zoe+and+CTH+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Also on the needles is a sock I am knitting in CTH Sockittome in I think the Indian Summer colorway. I hope to finish these both soon, and maybe have a chance to wear them before it gets to warm. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Well the girls have a doctors appointment this afternoon, so I must scoot. It is just a check up. They are not happy about it, but I need to get a medical release form signed for the youngest for her school trip, so they are both going. The boy child went last week. Their regular doctor is on vacation, so they are seeing his partner, which neither of them are thrilled about. I am sure they will survive. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Oh, does anyone have any hints for deterring chipmunks or moles or what ever critter ate all my bulbs. I have a few lonely tulips poking through, and that is it. No crocus, no daffodils, just holes where they used to be. I am so disappointed. Any tips on this would be appreciated. </div><div>Have a great weekend!!!!</div></div>monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-78396119930524287662009-03-12T15:33:00.006-04:002009-03-13T08:33:13.152-04:00Fleeting Signs of Spring....<em></em><em></em><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SblkBvzfGMI/AAAAAAAAB1c/P2358U8NBjo/s1600-h/Zoe+and+flowers+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312387216635271362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SblkBvzfGMI/AAAAAAAAB1c/P2358U8NBjo/s320/Zoe+and+flowers+008.jpg" border="0" /></a>For nearly a week, we have been teased with Spring like weather. Temperatures warm enough for shorts and flip flops, windows opened to let in some fresh air, flowers popping up and then......yesterday morning it was 20 degrees...argh. It was 74 the day before that. My kids were none too happy to have to bundle up to go catch the bus, and it took quite a bit of convincing that it would be necessary for the rest of the week.... esp. for the youngest who put shorts on under her jeans. It was in the high 30's when she came home from school with her jeans in her backpack, donning her shorts. I was not a happy mom , but <strong><em>she</em></strong> was a very happy child. I guess she thinks that by wearing shorts in 30 degree weather she is the victor in this temperature war mother nature is fighting. Now I want you to know, <strong><em>I love winter</em></strong>, I love crisp, cold air and clear blue skies. I love snow. I don't like 74 one day and 20 the next. <br /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SblmQdoRxNI/AAAAAAAAB1k/z4_ju0z0DYY/s1600-h/Zoe+and+flowers+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312389668477715666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SblmQdoRxNI/AAAAAAAAB1k/z4_ju0z0DYY/s320/Zoe+and+flowers+002.jpg" border="0" /></a>The sock yarn I received from Kristi at <a href="http://www.shalimaryarns.com/">Shalimar Yarns</a> is knitting up beautifully. I love this yarn. It has fantastic stitch definition, it is very soft and has a great twist and it feels wonderful going through your hands as you knit. I love a semi solid yarn, it is the best of both worlds, a little color variation, but still great for showing stitch design. I will definitely be purchasing this yarn in the future. Thanks Kristi for allowing me to try it!!!! I am working on the heel now so I should have a finished sock soon. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/Sblp2_MzPrI/AAAAAAAAB1s/Lz-Cyt07FWI/s1600-h/Numma+Numma+Blackberry+Jam+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312393628859186866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/Sblp2_MzPrI/AAAAAAAAB1s/Lz-Cyt07FWI/s320/Numma+Numma+Blackberry+Jam+001.jpg" border="0" /></a>I did finished the Blackberry Jam socks I was working on. I love the feel of the Numma Numma Yarn. It is so light weight, and the finished sock weighs next to nothing. It has a nice twist and is a pleasure to work with. I was a little disappointed with the unevenness of the dye. It got progressively darker as I knit, so one sock is noticeably darker than the other. I doubt that will deter me from purchasing more of this yarn though. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I think knitting wise, that is it for this week. Driving daughter came home today all excited. She is being inducted into the National Honor Society next month. I am so very proud of her. She takes her academic studies and responsibilities very seriously and willingly participates in community services. I couldn't have asked for better children, I have been truly blessed. Also congrats to her best friend M for also being accepted. </div><div></div><div>I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!! Until next time.</div>monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-36082270492498457612009-03-05T12:17:00.007-05:002009-03-06T20:25:59.467-05:00March Madness Sales......and the temptation is overwhelming. Too bad the yarn budget was spent for a school trip for the youngest. Do you think she would mind staying home for a week while her classmates are away in VA? I am thinking I better just pretend I haven't seen all these fantastic yarn sales. But.... being the enabler that I am, I will pass them onto you, just in case you aren't aware of them and your yarn budget isn't going to VA. These are some of my most frequented yarn shops that have wonderful sales going on right now. <a href="http://www.theyarngrove.com/index.html">The Yarn Grove</a>, <a href="http://www.simplysockyarn.com/servlet/Page?template=SockYarn"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SSYC</span></a>, <a href="http://www.pickupsticks.ca/">Pick up Sticks</a>, and <a href="http://www.sonnyandshear.com/">Sonny and Shear</a>. Go ahead and check them out. I will live vicariously through your new yarn acquisitions. I know there are probably several more shops having March sales, but these are the ones I get newsletters from with sale notices.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SbAMZSa2T-I/AAAAAAAAB08/tQDj1RVxqMg/s1600-h/malabrigo+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309757589250527202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SbAMZSa2T-I/AAAAAAAAB08/tQDj1RVxqMg/s320/malabrigo+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I have to confess, I did take advantage of one of the <a href="http://www.theyarngrove.com/index.html">sales </a>and bought my first skein of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Malabrigo</span> sock yarn in the Solis color. I wish I had purchased this yarn sooner. It is wonderful...what was I waiting for?? I now understand the love affair with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">MMMMalabrigo</span> Sock. I have knit with worsted weight <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Malabrigo</span> and loved it, but this is simply wonderful. I cast on last night, but was so tired I only knit a few rounds.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SbAPlyIjJHI/AAAAAAAAB1E/x915nGXyhqw/s1600-h/Shalimar+Passionfruit+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309761102457021554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SbAPlyIjJHI/AAAAAAAAB1E/x915nGXyhqw/s320/Shalimar+Passionfruit+001.jpg" border="0" /></a>And today the mailman delivered more goodies. Kristi of <a href="http://www.shalimaryarns.com/Yarns/Yarns_02.cfm?Pk_Yarn_Family_ID=8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Shalimar</span> Yarns </a>has given me the opportunity to try their Zoe Sock yarn. It is 100% <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Superwash</span> Merino, and it is lovely. I will have to get out the swift and ball winder after I finish posting and wind it. I have an idea for this yarn already. She let me choose any color I wanted, and after drooling over all the colors on her site and projects knit up with the yarn on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ravelry</span>, I chose <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Passionfruit</span>. And I am glad I did, it is even more gorgeous in person than on the monitor. Hopefully by the next post I will have something knit with it to share. The yarn is very soft, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">smooshy</span>, it has a nice tight twist and the shadings are gorgeous.<br /><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SbARGkWjGDI/AAAAAAAAB1M/R3etn-QfwPA/s1600-h/harolds+socks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309762765204953138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SbARGkWjGDI/AAAAAAAAB1M/R3etn-QfwPA/s320/harolds+socks.jpg" border="0" /></a> I do have a few finished projects to share. I am so happy to say that the socks I was knitting for my brother fit him perfectly. And I even had some yarn left over. I could have made the legs longer. Here they are on his dainty size 13 feet. He loved them and I am sure if the weather gets cold again they will get some wear. His biggest problem will be keeping them away from Sophie, their Golden Retriever. She seems quite enamored with wool socks. It could prove to be a challenge.<br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SbASk12wNyI/AAAAAAAAB1U/TW-TbYiqjLE/s1600-h/and+mini+mocki+mitts+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309764384811136802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SbASk12wNyI/AAAAAAAAB1U/TW-TbYiqjLE/s320/and+mini+mocki+mitts+002.jpg" border="0" /></a>Remember the Mini <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Mochi</span> I bought a few weeks ago? It has become my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fronds-fingerless-mitts">Fronds Fingerless Mitts </a>pattern. This is a single ply merino/nylon blend. Because of the single ply and extremely loose spin it is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">splitty</span>, making the k3tog's in this pattern a challenge, but I am very happy with the finished results. It knits up to a very soft fabric, and the colors are beautiful. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Well it is simply gorgeous outside today, maybe a little on the breezy side, but temperatures are in the 60's ( it was in the single digits at the beginning of the week). I think I may <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">wind</span> my new yarn and go sit on the back porch and enjoy the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">sunshine</span> and knit. I hope the weather is beautiful where you are too and you have the opportunity to enjoy it. Have a great week!!</div></div>monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-43956811261405568532009-02-27T13:07:00.004-05:002009-02-27T13:31:33.879-05:00Has It Been A Week Already.......I spent the last week with sick kids. All three of them have been to the pediatrician, 2 of the 3 are on antibiotics and feeling better, the 3rd is all viral and just has to wait it out. I would much rather they all needed antibiotics, at least they feel better much faster when they have something bacterial that can be treated with medicines. And with the puny kids comes all the extra hugging and cuddling which leads to a sick mommy.... of course the viral stuff. We have gone through a lot of kleenex in the last week and a lot of hand soap too. <div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SaguL-Y9OuI/AAAAAAAAB0k/BQ3E9qph2AU/s1600-h/harolds+socks+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307542944117242594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SaguL-Y9OuI/AAAAAAAAB0k/BQ3E9qph2AU/s320/harolds+socks+005.jpg" border="0" /></a>The little knitting I have done in the last week has been on a pair of socks for my brother. I have a wonderful brother.... but gosh he has <strong><em>big feet. </em></strong>He wears a size 13 shoe which = a really long foot. I was worried about yardage so I knit the heels and toes in black. I also knit a short row heel so I wouldn't use a lot of yarn for gusset decreases. I have enough yarn left over that I now wish I had made the legs longer. I just have the toe to finish on the second one. I know he will enjoy these. He wore out the last pair I knit for him.<br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/Sagvd-XamhI/AAAAAAAAB0s/Yr7mu1MggjY/s1600-h/harolds+socks+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307544352860051986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/Sagvd-XamhI/AAAAAAAAB0s/Yr7mu1MggjY/s320/harolds+socks+002.jpg" border="0" /></a>I worked a little on the blue Knit picks sock too while waiting in Dr's offices. Not a finished sock yet but soon. Once I get the toe finished on H's sock, these will see a little more knitting time. The driving daughter would really like to have this pair. She keeps letting me know just how nice they will look on <strong><em>her</em></strong> feet. She is too funny. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>That seems to be all the news I have to share this week. The week almost slipped right by me without a post. Hopefully a little more knitting for next week. Have a wonderful weekend all!!!!</div></div>monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-19145217399006468772009-02-17T15:24:00.007-05:002009-02-17T16:28:28.091-05:00A Little This and That...First let me say, that it is my intention to blog at least once a week again. I started out doing really well, blogging at least weekly, but usually twice, and then it became once a week, then every 10 days.... you get the picture. So my goal...weekly blog posts, hopefully with finished knitting content.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SZshbnDhkrI/AAAAAAAABzw/e8Gg4m0iIU0/s1600-h/Lauren+finished.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303869744382841522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SZshbnDhkrI/AAAAAAAABzw/e8Gg4m0iIU0/s320/Lauren+finished.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I finished a pair of socks. The <strong><em>Lauren</em></strong> socks I showed last week. They look a little odd in the picture, but I really wanted to show the front cable. I couldn't get an angle that didn't distort one or the other sock. Anyway they are finished and I love them. The pattern is available at<a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/browse/byvendor/monica-knits/"> The Loopy Ewe </a>and at my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stores/monica-knits-a-lot">Ravelry</a> store. </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SZsjqgFQGuI/AAAAAAAABz4/faLk8eRIn-8/s1600-h/blueberry+socks+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303872199232330466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SZsjqgFQGuI/AAAAAAAABz4/faLk8eRIn-8/s320/blueberry+socks+005.jpg" border="0" /></a>Also on the needles and close to completion are a pair of socks knit in Numma Numma Toasty in the Blackberry Jam colorway. This is a very soft and super light weight yarn. It took me a while to find a gauge that worked well with it, but once I did I loved it. I will definitely be purchasing more of this yarn. It is hard to capture the correct shading of this color, it is much prettier than it looks in the picture.<br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SZslYBFYl-I/AAAAAAAAB0A/yifKT89yWnc/s1600-h/mini+mochi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303874080696997858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SZslYBFYl-I/AAAAAAAAB0A/yifKT89yWnc/s320/mini+mochi.jpg" border="0" /></a>I also knit a few dish cloths, I don't know why since I certainly don't need more right now. I now know that you can <strong>almost</strong> make 3 dish cloths from 2 balls of Peaches and Creme cotton. I will have to finish the 3rd one with some left over cotton in a different color. I gave one of them to my sister, so only 2 in the picture. I also knit a pair of mittens for my great niece in some very pretty Blue Faced Leicester, but gave those to my sister before I took a picture of those too. I will have to remember to take my camera over next week when S is visiting and take a picture of them on her sweet little hands. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I had to drive up to work today to sign my yearly performance appraisal. It is electronic now so I <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SZspQbmiANI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/4UlU0MxHnb0/s1600-h/mini+mochi+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303878348422906066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SZspQbmiANI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/4UlU0MxHnb0/s320/mini+mochi+002.jpg" border="0" /></a>have to drive an hour one way just to sign on to the computer. I liked it so much better when they would just mail it to me, I would sign it and take it back when I worked next. It was due a little while ago, but I was never there when the manager that did the evaluation was there, it is so complicated. Anyway, since I had to drive up there, I decided to make a little stop at a <a href="http://clementinesdrygoods.com/">yarn shop </a>along the way. A couple of the girls at work were talking about it, so I thought I would take a looksee. They also sell fabric there. It is a small shop with a small assortment of yarn, but the ladies that were working there were very nice. I will no doubt be going back again. I bought a ball of Crystal Palace Mini Mochi in color 107 that will soon become a pair of fingerless mitts. The driving daughter was oohing and awwing over the color of the yarn so she will no doubt lay claim to them when they are finished. I also bought a pair of Knit Picks fixed circular needles there. I didn't know they sold to retailers. I love my Harmony needles so I thought I would give these a try, even though I have heard from numerous people that the join is very susceptible to breaking. At least I know they replace them. They also had some lovely colors of Rowan Pure Wool Aran that I think I must have for a sweater. </div><div> </div><div>Well that is all for today. I hope everyone has a pleasant week. Until next time...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div></div>monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-72326446191152900572009-02-06T14:11:00.010-05:002009-02-10T13:09:19.371-05:002 Posts in One Week....... how unusual for me. I am so happy I am knitting again. During my 2 month absence I was really worried about my total lack of desire to knit. I didn't even miss it. That bothered me more than not knitting. For the last 3 or 4 years I have not gone a day without knitting, unless I was sick or just crazy busy,and then ...nothing. Even my husband commented on the situation, and he doesn't "get" the whole knitting thing at all.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYyNzUWw3_I/AAAAAAAABzQ/MiCq93VGxm8/s1600-h/K+socks+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299766774285262834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYyNzUWw3_I/AAAAAAAABzQ/MiCq93VGxm8/s320/K+socks+003.jpg" border="0" /></a>I have more knitting to share. I finished these a while ago but don't think I ever posted them. A pair of socks I knit for the driving daughter. These are knit in Regia Crazy Color 6ply that I won in a blog contest from <a href="http://romancingtheyarn.blogspot.com/">Romancing the Yarn</a> I also have a pair started for Little Miss (the youngest) in the same yarn but a different colorway. Little Miss's feet aren't so little anymore, she is 11 and her socks are 9 inches heel to toe. I seem to have misplaced the second ball of yarn so <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYyPlkLnjsI/AAAAAAAABzY/TjZW7gr8vrA/s1600-h/square+needles+and+mirasol+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299768737038569154" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYyPlkLnjsI/AAAAAAAABzY/TjZW7gr8vrA/s320/square+needles+and+mirasol+008.jpg" border="0" /></a>these are on hold right now.... much to her chagrin. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYyQ6hh2rtI/AAAAAAAABzg/do_WPM2-Yn0/s1600-h/square+needles+and+mirasol+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299770196615409362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYyQ6hh2rtI/AAAAAAAABzg/do_WPM2-Yn0/s320/square+needles+and+mirasol+003.jpg" border="0" /></a>I got some yarn this week from <a href="http://www.yarn4socks.com/servlet/StoreFront">Yarn4Socks</a>. It was on clearance. I can't resist a good price on yarn I have not tried and this was on the list of "want to try this yarn" It is Mirasol Chirapa color 702. It is bright and cheerful. It is a sport wt yarn, so it will make some nice, thick, warm, socks. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYySyWUS7ZI/AAAAAAAABzo/JsBNlvpFMQU/s1600-h/square+needles+and+mirasol+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299772255190052242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYySyWUS7ZI/AAAAAAAABzo/JsBNlvpFMQU/s320/square+needles+and+mirasol+007.jpg" border="0" /></a>I also ordered Square Circular Needles. These are supposed to be more "ergonomically suited to your hands, decreasing stress and strain for those who love to knit" OK, I was sold... but I am not so sure I really enjoy knitting with them. While they may decrease stress and strain on your hands (they don't weigh a thing, virtually light as air) the cable is driving me batty. It has an extremely thin cable that really doesn't kink and has no memory, but is a bugger to glide the stitches onto the needle portion. I spend more time getting the stitches from the cable to the needle than I do knitting them. Though I have to admit, it seems to be getting a little easier as I progress, I still find it somewhat annoying. So less hand stress, but more mental stress. Can you see that tiny, thin, cable in the picture?? it is thinner than the yarn. I have read reviews (after I bought them, of course) that state the larger sized needles have thicker cables. I am also getting about 12.5 stitches to the inch with these, so I probably should have bought at least a size 2 or 3 instead of the size 1. I normally knit 9 stitches to the inch with size 1's. The yarn is some Knit Picks I won from the same contest as mentioned above. It is extremely soft. </div><div></div><div></div><div>Well I think that is it for today. I need to get some things organized for the fund raiser garage sale at the elementary school tomorrow morning. I am not looking forward to that, but it will be nice to have some of these no longer needed items out of the house. </div><div></div><div></div><div>Have a wonderful weekend all!!!</div></div></div>monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-48315274140436061092009-02-02T13:09:00.009-05:002009-02-02T13:48:45.116-05:00We Finally Got Snow!!!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYc31cXQ6qI/AAAAAAAAByM/qzLUuslhn8k/s1600-h/the+girls+and+their+snow+man+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298264877911042722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYc31cXQ6qI/AAAAAAAAByM/qzLUuslhn8k/s200/the+girls+and+their+snow+man+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYc6LVKRjXI/AAAAAAAAByk/2QGxtMQPj8k/s1600-h/the+girls+and+their+snow+man+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298267452957887858" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYc6LVKRjXI/AAAAAAAAByk/2QGxtMQPj8k/s200/the+girls+and+their+snow+man+007.jpg" border="0" /></a>.....and unfortunately a lot of ice too. In fact, I really should be outside trying to get the remaining ice off the driveway since they are predicting more snow tonight. I do love snow, but am not fond of the ice at all. Driving daughter got her first experience in driving in the winter mix, and her dad says she did really well. They had a great time while they were off from school. Patricia the "snow woman" is wearing a hand knit Merino scarf and has choc chunks for eyes and a mouth... what more could a snow person ask for. It was so much fun to see them playing in the snow. DD is not thrilled about making time up at the end of the year though.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYc5jFrH7HI/AAAAAAAAByU/0e-a9TOKAt4/s1600-h/lauren+018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298266761605934194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYc5jFrH7HI/AAAAAAAAByU/0e-a9TOKAt4/s320/lauren+018.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div>And I have actually done a little knitting. I designed and knit a new pair of socks. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298266985139137826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYc5wGZl7SI/AAAAAAAAByc/Aa-EToHK2N4/s200/lauren+015.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><p>this pair is named Lauren and is available at my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lauren-8">Ravelry</a> store and soon at <a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/browse/patterns/monica-knits/">The Loopy Ewe</a>. Knit in Araucania Ranco Solid in color 102. Lots of cable(y) goodness. </p><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYc80p56xEI/AAAAAAAABys/j66wTqPZ7WY/s1600-h/roving+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298270361924322370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYc80p56xEI/AAAAAAAABys/j66wTqPZ7WY/s200/roving+006.jpg" border="0" /></a>I am also making the girls each a pair of Thrummed Mittens. My first time for this. I bought some lovely roving from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5101775">Poppy Flower Fibers</a> . The colors are gorgeous and really much too pretty to be hidden inside mittens, but I am not a spinner ...yet, so this lovely BFL roving is reduced to be used for thrums. It sure is time consuming making all the thrums. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYc-IBNQI8I/AAAAAAAABy8/Ym9EH9HNgM8/s1600-h/mittens+and+thrums+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298271794108572610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYc-IBNQI8I/AAAAAAAABy8/Ym9EH9HNgM8/s200/mittens+and+thrums+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298271435819628674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SYc9zKeguII/AAAAAAAABy0/1qvT1RfyPMg/s200/mittens+and+thrums+005.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><br /><p>The mittens look so funny because they are so fluffy and fat from the roving, but they are so soft inside and will be incredibly warm. I was originally going to use Cashmerino for the mitten but went with some Heirloom 8 ply. I think it will hold up better.</p><p>I think that is all I have to share today. I hope everyone is having a lovely new year so far. </p><p>Oh and I ordered some square knitting needles, I will let you know how I like those when they arrive. </p>monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-51424806656682744032009-01-07T17:04:00.002-05:002009-01-07T17:05:32.527-05:00I Seem To Have Lost My Knitting Mojo, Will Be Back When It Returns... Hopefully Soon!!!!monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-74337349483536272722008-11-25T17:18:00.011-05:002008-11-25T18:34:56.655-05:00November Must Be With October....<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSx7KjF-rHI/AAAAAAAABvk/KjlbzxuHSgk/s1600-h/yarn+mitts+and+hat+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272724684893236338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSx7KjF-rHI/AAAAAAAABvk/KjlbzxuHSgk/s200/yarn+mitts+and+hat+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />...because it seems to have slipped away from me too. This year is just passing by much to rapidly. Why does that always happen when we seem to need more time. The holidays just appear to make time vanish. Please tell me I am not alone in this time factor dilemma. November did bring our first dusting of snow, and it was just a dusting, but I was ever so happy to see it. When it was falling, one would have thought we would have had some accumulation, but it was short lived. North of us had the lake effect, and had almost a foot of snow.... they are so lucky.<br /><div><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSx9elLwA-I/AAAAAAAABvs/baj-Mp4IQoM/s1600-h/cic+socks+and+mittl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272727228074951650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSx9elLwA-I/AAAAAAAABvs/baj-Mp4IQoM/s200/cic+socks+and+mittl.jpg" border="0" /></a>I really need to get back into the habit of blogging more. With the big time lapses, I forget what I have shared. I was a fortunate winner of a sock yarn give away on <a href="http://romancingtheyarn.blogspot.com/">Romancing the Yarn</a> A Priority Shoebox size box crammed full of yarn, how generous is that?!! It is an assortment of Regia, Knit Picks and Elann sock yarns. The driving daughter promptly went through the box and claimed the yarns she wanted socks knit out of. I have a pair started for her, but have not taken a picture yet.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSx_ROFOfUI/AAAAAAAABv0/LzEqUVVZvj8/s1600-h/cabled+mitts+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272729197558529346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSx_ROFOfUI/AAAAAAAABv0/LzEqUVVZvj8/s200/cabled+mitts+004.jpg" border="0" /></a>I have started and finished a few pair of fingerless mitts. The first pair is knit in Louet Gems fingering wt in the CrabApple color. A cabled pattern. I loved knitting these. I think I will have to look through the stash for yarn for another pair of these.<br /><div><div><div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSyAT8bW9aI/AAAAAAAABv8/EGyD60YKumU/s1600-h/cic+socks+and+mittl+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272730343870756258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSyAT8bW9aI/AAAAAAAABv8/EGyD60YKumU/s200/cic+socks+and+mittl+003.jpg" border="0" /></a>This weekend I knit these in Jojoland Melody. I don't know what I did with the yarn label, so no color number...sorry. I had tried this yarn for a pair of socks and just really couldn't get a gauge that I liked, but it seems to work nicely on size 2 needles for mitts. I still need to write the pattern up for this one.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I have finished the baby blanket from the last post, but it is in desperate need of blocking, so I will wait to take a picture of that. </div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSyCGJtxUWI/AAAAAAAABwE/jWcbAxNi3zU/s1600-h/yarn+mitts+and+hat+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272732305942729058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSyCGJtxUWI/AAAAAAAABwE/jWcbAxNi3zU/s200/yarn+mitts+and+hat+008.jpg" border="0" /></a>This weekend I also knit a hat for CAS (<a href="http://www.seamenschurch.org/484.asp">Christmas at Sea</a>) I will have to go through the stash and see if I can get another one or two knit up before the end of the month.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSyDJkwV7OI/AAAAAAAABwM/hTdbvLEx8ys/s1600-h/cic+socks+and+mittl+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272733464252509410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSyDJkwV7OI/AAAAAAAABwM/hTdbvLEx8ys/s200/cic+socks+and+mittl+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />And I have knit a few pair of socks for CIC. I really need to work more on these. I have been quite the slacker this year in knitting for charity. It doesn't take long to knit up a pair of these so I really have no excuse. </div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSyEZEP_tEI/AAAAAAAABwc/Ta_o71av5Xo/s1600-h/yarn+mitts+and+hat+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272734829916435522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSyEZEP_tEI/AAAAAAAABwc/Ta_o71av5Xo/s200/yarn+mitts+and+hat+005.jpg" border="0" /></a>I bought some yarn from <a href="http://www.sonnyandshear.com/">Sonny and Shear</a> in their Thank Ewe sale a week and a half ago. Some Fiesta Baby Boom in Adirondack and<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSyEYhkR_II/AAAAAAAABwU/YdzOXO6Y8y0/s1600-h/yarn+mitts+and+hat+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272734820606278786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSyEYhkR_II/AAAAAAAABwU/YdzOXO6Y8y0/s200/yarn+mitts+and+hat+004.jpg" border="0" /></a>some Blue Ridge Yarn Jubilee in the Rainforest color.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>And from The Loopy Ewe I got some Spindle City yarn in the "A Day at the Beach" color but apparently didn't take a picture of it yet. I will post it when I get around to doing that. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSyImPnYPJI/AAAAAAAABwk/f2vxRXiT6UU/s1600-h/kaitlin++after+a+day+in+the+mud+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272739454352112786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SSyImPnYPJI/AAAAAAAABwk/f2vxRXiT6UU/s200/kaitlin++after+a+day+in+the+mud+002.jpg" border="0" /></a>And I wanted to share this picture of the driving daughter. She is in a program at school that allows juniors and seniors to take college credit courses while in High School. There are a handful of state colleges/universities that work with the High School on this. One of the things required of this program is for the kids to do a certain amount of community service. They have worked on houses that were affected by the flood in June and they have also been doing work at the Youth Camp. It is all manual labor, something she is not used to, but I think she enjoys it... for the most part. Anyway, we had about 3 or 4 inches of rain just before they went to Youth Camp for the last time for this year and she sunk into the mud up to her knees and got stuck. I am so glad she had the fore thought to call me and ask me to bring some sort of covering to protect the car seat and floor. She even cleaned everything up on her own. She doesn't even look upset about the whole situation. And thankfully she wasn't wearing hand knit socks. (Ignore the messy garage.... please) </div><div></div><div>Sorry this has been so long and I will try not to wait so long to post again. </div><div>Wishing everone a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!<br /><br /></div></div></div></div>monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-57993931062658133822008-10-22T14:51:00.009-04:002008-10-22T16:07:03.929-04:00Where Has October Gone????<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SP94otzxKsI/AAAAAAAABu0/x4VQ1HhiVYk/s1600-h/blanket+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260055530678856386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SP94otzxKsI/AAAAAAAABu0/x4VQ1HhiVYk/s200/blanket+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I cannot believe it is the end of Oct. already. This year has just flown by. It is finally starting to feel like Fall here. It was a brisk 30 degrees here this morning, and there are hints of snow flurries Friday morning.... I am so happy. I love this weather!!!! I don't think there is anything prettier than a clear blue October sky and the changing leaves. Soon this tree will be a beautiful yellow and orange, it is always one of the last to change colors. I wish the colors of Fall would last longer.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SP95OREpCzI/AAAAAAAABu8/xyqIiRwuiWk/s1600-h/blanket+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260056175800027954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SP95OREpCzI/AAAAAAAABu8/xyqIiRwuiWk/s320/blanket+002.jpg" border="0" /></a>There seems to be something in the water again at work. Several of the gals I work with are pregnant. Here is the current baby blanket in progress. I am knitting this one in Bernat Baby Softee. One of the other girls is expecting twins in April and will find out the gender, (hopefully they will cooperate) in a couple weeks. I was commissioned to make a blanket for her first child and it was eaten by the puppies of the person I actually did the knitting for, so she never got it. So, I am thinking I will make some thing for the big brother too. I am hesitant to make anything with wool again though , since the puppy incident. And I will be bringing my own water to work :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SP98lfvJsjI/AAAAAAAABvE/cdWYzff9LGo/s1600-h/blanket+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260059873408299570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SP98lfvJsjI/AAAAAAAABvE/cdWYzff9LGo/s320/blanket+001.jpg" border="0" /></a>My sister, Y, has been taking care of her elderly mother in law. She is approaching the end of her time here on earth. Y asked me if I would make a pair of mitts for her since her hands are so cold all the time. She has lost so much weight and just seems to always be chilled. I had some left over Lorna's Laces in the Devon colorway, so I knit a pair. I ran out of yarn just before I finished the second one. Thankfully, Karen had some left over in the same color (thanks Karen) and she was able to drop it in the mail. I finished these yesterday. Y says her MIL likes them and they fit really well.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SP9-YratVgI/AAAAAAAABvM/UpejFaXt1ns/s1600-h/louet+gems+in+Aqua+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260061852228736514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SP9-YratVgI/AAAAAAAABvM/UpejFaXt1ns/s320/louet+gems+in+Aqua+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I started another pair of mitts. I need to finish typing up the pattern. I am knitting these in Louet Gems fingering wt. in the Aqua color. I have another design in mind and have the yarn wound, so I just need to finish this pattern and then I will start on the other one. These fingerless mitts are such quick knits. It is almost instant gratification.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SP9_hbiMW5I/AAAAAAAABvU/IN96nX4cdyQ/s1600-h/falling+leaves+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260063102095612818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SP9_hbiMW5I/AAAAAAAABvU/IN96nX4cdyQ/s200/falling+leaves+003.jpg" border="0" /></a>I started another pair of socks too, but they are going to the frog pond to be tweaked. There is just way too much bias in these. They will be similar, but different enough to eliminate the excessive twist.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SP-BXGq4LuI/AAAAAAAABvc/5eSpHexuY24/s1600-h/i_love_your_blog_2%5B1%5D.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260065123719458530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SP-BXGq4LuI/AAAAAAAABvc/5eSpHexuY24/s200/i_love_your_blog_2%5B1%5D.png" border="0" /></a>Oh, and I almost forgot, I was awarded the "I Love Your Blog Award" by both <a href="http://knitaway.blogspot.com/">Jennifer</a> and <a href="http://missysknittingmess.blogspot.com/">Missy<br /></a>I love their blogs also, go on and check them out, I will wait for you.<br />Here are the instructions: 1. Post the award on your blog 2. Post a link to the person who awarded it to you. 3. Nominate four other bloggers 4. Add links to the bloggers 5. Notify the recipients<br /><br />OK, well I already told you I like Jennifer's and Missy's so here are the other 4, I know that is cheating, I should do 8 but this post has been way too long already.<br /><br />Well of course <a href="http://yearnsforyarn.blogspot.com/">Karen</a>, it is a great way to see all the stuff she is making, we talk all the time on the phone or online, but without her blog, I wouldn't get to see pictures of all the stuff.<br /><br /><a href="http://woundtootight.blogspot.com/">Deb</a> of Wound too Tight, I love that name for a blog. Anyway, she just cracks me up. I love to read her blog, and see what she is knitting, and now spinning. And her blog always makes me smile and laugh.<br /><br /><a href="http://bethscrochetandknithome.blogspot.com/">Beth </a>I met Beth online about a year or two ago and we have become friends. We live in the same state, but at opposite ends of the state. She makes beautiful knitted and crochet items. Go and look at the lovely afghan she just finished. I never would have had the stick-to- it-iveness to finish that.<br /><br /><a href="http://helenknits.blogspot.com/">Helen</a> is another fellow knitter/blogger I have met online and consider a friend. She knits beautiful lace, and socks and sweaters.<br /><br />I really could go on and on, there are so many blogs I love to read, but I will stop with these 4.<br />I hope you all have a fantastic week and get to enjoy the beautiful Fall weather, and wear all your hand knit goodies. Until next time.monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-22921000516772242882008-10-07T12:40:00.006-04:002008-10-07T13:35:56.167-04:00Thank you(s) and a little this and thatFirst of all, I want to thank all of you for sending your thoughts and prayers to our family. Karen and her children are doing as well as can be expected and greatly appreciate all the prayers and well wishes. I forwarded all the responses to her, and they mean so much to her. Thank you all again.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SOuUw5JCqMI/AAAAAAAABuM/oWPIkxTkcY0/s1600-h/Lauren%27s+run+and+yarn+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254456957951191234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SOuUw5JCqMI/AAAAAAAABuM/oWPIkxTkcY0/s320/Lauren%27s+run+and+yarn+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div>And thank you to <a href="http://helenknits.blogspot.com/">Helen</a>. Helen was my partner in the first Hot Socks swap. She was the person I sent to. We have stayed in touch with emails and by leaving comments on each others blogs. She lives in Australia. It amazes me that through the Internet you can develop friendships with people you have never met in person. Helen is one of those people, and I am so happy that knitting and the Internet have allowed us to meet. I was surprised to receive a package in the mail last week from Australia. And a lovely package it was. I love Jo Sharp designs <strong>and</strong> The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Knittery</span> yarns. The Merino Slim Sock 3 ply is a yarn base I have not knit with and it feels lovely. I will soon wind it and decide what to make with it. And, I have found several designs in the book that are calling to me. Thank you again Helen, for your kindness, friendship, and generosity.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SOuWvZ09jMI/AAAAAAAABuU/zCNTNfDxtRk/s1600-h/felted+tote+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254459131388857538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SOuWvZ09jMI/AAAAAAAABuU/zCNTNfDxtRk/s320/felted+tote+010.jpg" border="0" /></a>It seems like it has been so long since I have blogged, I can't remember what I have shared, or even finished since the last post. I knit a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ballband</span> Tote for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">DDK</span>. I knit it with Cascade 220 in Navy and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Schaefer</span> Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Priss</span> in (what I believe is a discontinued colorway) Mr. Funny. She loves this bag and has been putting it to good use. I think it has (for right now anyway) replaced all her other bags.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SOuXcMXxHYI/AAAAAAAABuc/av3x_DCaBlQ/s1600-h/cabled+hat+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254459900870860162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SOuXcMXxHYI/AAAAAAAABuc/av3x_DCaBlQ/s320/cabled+hat+003.jpg" border="0" /></a> With what was left over from the tote, I knit a cabled hat for her. Her younger sister is modeling it and would also like one. Apparently K gets all the "cool" hats. I will have to find something in the stash to knit a "cool" hat for her. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SOuZVVQfCtI/AAAAAAAABuk/H24T4O1zihc/s1600-h/Lauren%27s+run+and+yarn+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254461982020405970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SOuZVVQfCtI/AAAAAAAABuk/H24T4O1zihc/s200/Lauren%27s+run+and+yarn+001.jpg" border="0" /></a>I was lucky, and was able to get a skein of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Wollmeise</span> in the last <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Wollmeise</span> restock at <a href="http://theloopyewe.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">TLE</span></a> The color is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Dornroschen</span>. I also got some of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">CTH</span> in the Burnished Berries<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SOuZVnvn1KI/AAAAAAAABus/hX1R8QmiI_4/s1600-h/Lauren%27s+run+and+yarn+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254461986982843554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SOuZVnvn1KI/AAAAAAAABus/hX1R8QmiI_4/s200/Lauren%27s+run+and+yarn+002.jpg" border="0" /></a> color. Both are lovely and I must think of what to knit with each of them. And I haven't taken pictures of either of them , but I purchased some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Louet</span> Gems in Aqua and and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">CrabApple</span> Blossom. They will become fingerless mitts. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I am working on a shawl for Karen. It was originally intended for her Birthday, but she has seen me knitting on it and knows it is for her. I am knitting this <a href="http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/showphotosearch.php?d_nr=98&d_id=21">pattern</a> in Dream in Color Baby in the Deep Sea Flower color. No pictures of it as I can't spread it out to get a good picture, but I am close to finishing it. It just seems to take for....ever to get across a row now. I have also been working on another pair of socks for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">CIC</span>, pictures of those when they are finished. And I hope to start on some Christmas knitting soon. Can you believe it is October. It is hard to believe with the 80 degree temps we have been having here, but I am sure sock weather will be here soon. </div><div> </div><div>I think that is about it. I hope you all have a wonderful week and Happy Knitting!!</div></div></div>monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-23580213432798315052008-09-29T19:41:00.003-04:002008-09-29T20:14:28.645-04:00SadnessI know that this blog is usually all about knitting, but this weekend has brought great sadness to our family. Saturday morning , my sister <a href="http://yearnsforyarn.blogspot.com/">Karen</a> lost her husband. His death was quite unexpected, and the entire family is in shock. He was only 48, soon to turn 49. I ask that you keep Karen, her children and Tim's parents and siblings in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this trying time and that they would find strength and peace in their time of grief. I was with her this weekend to offer my love and support, there is really nothing more anyone can do at a time like this.<br />Again, I ask that you would keep Karen and her family in your prayers.monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23897667.post-53810239910284775592008-09-05T14:27:00.008-04:002008-09-05T15:19:32.144-04:00It Is All About Socks......That is all I have been knitting. Now that the SoS 08 is over, I think I am ready to work on a sweater for the DD's upcoming Birthday. But for now, all I have to share....that is right...socks.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div>I finished 2 pair of socks that I had started and shared in the last post. </div><br /><div>The Victorian Swags knit in the Opal Petticoat. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242607288804763634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SMF7jXoU5_I/AAAAAAAABNs/CAa4T6PhIJI/s320/finished+Victorian+Swag+004.jpg" border="0" /></div></div>And also finished is Miriam knit in Pagewood Farms Chugiak<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242608079918362754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SMF8RawgcII/AAAAAAAABN0/u0TGFKjNfP8/s320/miriam+in+Chugiak+finished+003.jpg" border="0" /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SMF9aoYwpsI/AAAAAAAABN8/uuBFqLInPMA/s1600-h/finished+socks+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242609337707308738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SMF9aoYwpsI/AAAAAAAABN8/uuBFqLInPMA/s320/finished+socks+006.jpg" border="0" /></a>This is a pair I started several months ago and put away when SoS started. They wouldn't count, due to the start date. These are for the eldest girl child. She is happy these are finished. I didn't weave in the ends until after she left for school though, so I could take pictures of them before she wore them. She thought they looked way too long in the foot for her, but they are a perfect fit. I keep telling her that her 5'9 1/2" tall body would look funny on size 7 feet, but she still can't believe they are that long. These are knit in Regia Cotton Surf. I knit a pair of anklets for my niece with this yarn too. 2 pair with one ball, what a deal. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SMF_uve1oJI/AAAAAAAABOE/KDRCcThmlss/s1600-h/finished+socks+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242611882232488082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SMF_uve1oJI/AAAAAAAABOE/KDRCcThmlss/s320/finished+socks+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div>And I started and finished a pair of socks knit in ShibuiKnits Sock in the Blossom colorway. I love this yarn, and I love the fabric it knits into. These are the Coral Bell socks and will be available at <a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/">The Loopy Ewe </a>soon. I mailed a box of patterns yesterday. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SMGBJ_rIA9I/AAAAAAAABOM/ucugezOKrjo/s1600-h/finished+socks+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242613449947087826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SMGBJ_rIA9I/AAAAAAAABOM/ucugezOKrjo/s320/finished+socks+007.jpg" border="0" /></a>I also knit a pair of socks for CIC. A knitting friend of mine has developed an allergy to wool. She has always been sensitive to it, but I guess it has progressed enough, that it has caused her to need to visit the emergency room. Anyway, she gifted me some of her wool. Most of it is remnants, and will be perfect for CIC knitting. This pair is knit in a variety of colors <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SMGBKEMsmzI/AAAAAAAABOU/yZhP0Nrrp94/s1600-h/finished+socks+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242613451161639730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mQPY7pYnPIc/SMGBKEMsmzI/AAAAAAAABOU/yZhP0Nrrp94/s320/finished+socks+003.jpg" border="0" /></a>of Lambs Pride Bulky. And here is the youngest modeling one of them. I ran out of the off white a few rows short on the second one, so it has a little more of black, but I think it will be OK. Knit on size 7 dpns, these are tightly knit and will surely be toasty warm for some little child. I will be able to knit several pair with the wool she brought over. And I get to try some wools I have not knit with. Her husband travels abroad a lot with his job and would always bring back yarn from wherever he was. Some of them just have hand written labels on them, so I have no idea where they came from, it just says "really soft merino" and the yardage. DD1 has laid claim to the alpaca, but we will see. </div><div> </div><div>It has been gray and raining off and on all day today. But if feels a little cooler, thank goodness. It was in the 90's on Tues and not much cooler the last 2 days. I am ready for some cool, crisp, Fall days. That is about it for this week. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!</div>monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16774976566064027341noreply@blogger.com23