A knitting group on the road...

So I finally finished these from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch.


Sorry for the crappy grey photo. I've been working a ton of hours lately and not often home in time to catch any natural light for pictures. Anyway, I did finally get used to the really stretchy Cascade Fixation yarn and actually felt pretty comfortable with it. I probably will use it again at some point, it's a stretchy/cottony type sock that would be perfect to wear in summer or in warmer climates. (hmmm...) And I'm happy with the stitch pattern, it was pretty easy and kind of cute I think. But it's onwards and upwards with this book, with stitch patterns that go up to 12 stitch repeats, it will probably be awhile before I knit any plain old stockinette socks again.

In other knitting news last night my knitting group spent some time at a local nursing home.

This outing was coordinated by Tracy who I knit with (hi Tracer!) and her mom. Tracy's mom is an activities director at this nursing home near where we meet each week and they thought it might be nice if we dropped by one night for a Stitch and Bitch with the ladies. It was a great night, chatting with the women, some knew how to knit or crochet already but just wanted reminding or just wanted to see what we were working on. One woman was just happy to sit and wind some yarn into balls and just chat with us. All in all it was pretty rewarding and entertaining. A few of the women mentioned they'd like us to come back sometime. I think that is probably the sign of a successful evening.

Torino... And beyond...

I really thought I might have some finished objects to post today but seeing as I'm still in my bathrobe more than half way through the morning and am nowhere near the intended casting off, I'm throwing in the towel and figure I'll just divert your attention with something else. Something that I do feel needs to be addressed. This would be the upcoming Knitting Olympics.

(Cue trumpet music)

How neat is it that there is going to be a Knitting Olympics???? Now for some reason I have been been totally psyched about the upcoming Athletic Olympics for weeks. (Note how I need to call the Torino games the Athletic Olympics now, because the Knitting Olympics have already gotten so huge, and I don't want you to get the two confused) Anyway, it's surprising for me to be excited about the Athletic Olympics because I'm not a very athletic person myself and most people think there is already more than enough sports viewing going in this house. But I don't know there's just something about it, I feel like the Athletic Olympics is one of the few places where people are still competeing from sheer love of sport. Not for the fame or the fortune. I don't imagine too many people competeing in the luge or curling or women's hockey have many groupies. But these people still go out there and give it their all, and manage to become the best of the best.

Knitters also do not have groupies. Sigh... But they should. Especially Stephanie Pearl-McPhee aka Yarn Harlot who has given us this wonderful gathering called the Knitting Olympics. Stephanies blog is a usual must read in and of itself, but this Knitting Olympics is just taking it to a whole new level. Anyway the concept is you cast on a new, challenging project during the Opening Ceremonies and must be finished by the Closing Ceremonies. Pretty neat. And the coolest thing? A few days ago the number of people participating reached over 2500!

That is more than the number of actual olympians in the Athletic Olympics.

Wow.

Unfortuately I am not taking part. I currently find myself with 2 projects I'm smack in the middle of and well, I'm just taken with them. Sigh... The Knitting Olympics are not in sync with my current project schedule at all. Drat! However, I have posted a little button in the sidebar to show my support (I really am supportive, despite the sarcasm of the button, it was just my mandatory choice, it has a Simpsons character on it. Hello!) and I guess I'll just hope maybe sometime in the future something similar may come along...

And when it does... I will be ready... (cue trumpet music again)

Sexy? No. Comfy? Heck yes!

This week I finished knitting what I can only think of as the sock equivalent of granny panties.

Simple short socks knit out of some Cascade 220 I had left over from making a Sophie Bag. I had made socks like this previously out of acrylic but they weren't as warm as I had hoped, so these are wool and I tightened the gauge up a little bit and I love 'em. And the Cascade really does have quite a depth of color, you might not be able to tell from the picture but the purple really does have little tones of red and blue here and there that make this such a great color. I know the design isn't sexy but hey, it's January and here in Jersey we have some frosty days. Actually today happens to be a lovely miserable gray that could only be compared to like British fog meets a Bauhaus song meets a hangover. This is my interpretation of the weather today. Makes me glad to be staying inside and knitting!

So there's some big football game coming up next weekend (I don't know if it's true or not, I just heard it somewhere...) and for some reason this has come to mark the big yarn/craft store sale season around here. (It's like being a football widow is so pitiful, the yarn stores even feel bad for me... Sigh...) So yesterday I went to the LYS where I purchased my ball winder and got myself a swift at a lovely 20% off. Woo hoo! Then I had the nerve to keep going so I went to A.C. Moore which I forgot was hosting the "Knitting and Crochet Party" (it was insane, the knitters had like lampshades on their heads and the crocheters kept doing Tequila shots and picking fights with each other) so I just picked up a few little things and went on my merry way.

Yay washcloth yarn! The lavender Sugar & Cream doesn't translate that great in the photo but trust me it is sooo pretty. The other items are supplies for stitchmarkers themed after guess which holiday coming up? No, not President's Day...

Ok purist maybe, elitist no way!

Ok so a lot of it's true, but I don't think I'm a yarn snob, after all I did make the cat bed from Stitch and Bitch out of Fun Fur!


You appear to be a Knitting Purist.
You are an accomplished knitter producing beautiful
pieces with a classic feel. You sometimes
lament losing half of your local yarn shop to
garish novelty yarns. Perhaps you consider
fun fur scarves the bane of knitting society
and prefer to steer new knitters towards the
wool and cotton blends. Some might call you a
bit of an elitist but you know that you've
been doing this craft long enough to respect
the history behind it and honor it with
beautiful piece that can last a lifetime.
http://marniemaclean.com


What Kind of Knitter Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

I'm back!

Back from a great visit with my sister and her husband and my new niece! You know as soon as I got there I made my sister open her birthday gift first thing! I had gotten her a few things she wanted for the house, and of course made her the socks she had been asking for for months.

Oh and after I made her socks I had some of the yarn left over so you know what I had to do with that!

These were for my beautiful niece Adelaida. Now just a footnote: the yarn is Knitpicks sockgarden yarn in Daffodil. I am aware that these are colors that might make a normal person somewhat woozy, but again if you know my sister, you know that orange is a big favorite color for her, and just the orange and the green and yellow in this yarn, well, it was meant to be. While my sister's socks are a pretty straightforward, basic sock pattern, Addy's were a different story. This pattern is the Hugs and Kisses Better than Booties Baby Socks which involved this way intricate short row heel and toe thing I had never done before. All with a special zig zag bindoff. Yeah, I know, it even sounds hard. On the first one I did the toe 3 times before getting it right. Now, I don't know as much as a lot of knitters out there, but still I had not been this challenged in a long time. So much so that honestly, that second little baby bootie almost did not get made. But it was worth it I guess. I learned from it. Also in the end it was worth it of course, just to see this...

Oh they're so cute! They just make all that frogging and swearing worth it! Oh and for anyone paying attention this yarn was the issue I had at the beginning of December where I didn't think it was going to come in time for me to get the socks done for my sister's birthday and stuff. Knitpicks had said the delivery would take 5 to 19 days. Of course, being December you know that package had to come on, yep, the 19th day. But still I love Knitpicks, just look at that picture? How could you not?

So I spent a lot of time in Florida just catching up with my new niece and my sister, cooking, eating, knitting, taking lots of lots of pictures.

Sorry, I had to include that one too, I just thought it was so cute. It's my sister, Adelaida and my mom. My mom by the way was a really good sport and did accompany me to the one yarn store I visited. She is a non-knitter but always a very good recipient of knitted gifts and a pretty well behaved companion for yarn crawls. Which I imagine must be pretty boring for them. It's like if I ever had to accompany my husband to a football store, or like a Lord of the Rings store if they existed, I would probably be reciting nuptials over that. But my mom is pretty good. We took a drive out to Sip and Knit in Maitland. A really neat little shop, the people working there were very friendly and there was a pretty good selection. Knowing that whatever I purchased needed to go in my suitcase somehow, my purchases were somewhat limited, but I am nonetheless very enthusiastic about them.

Sock yarn ahh, lovely sock yarn. Two kinds I have not seen in any stores around here. I love the stripey one, it's like a brown and green and cream mix and the one on top is actually a dark burgundy. (I know this is a not good low lit picture) I bought the chibi more because I had lost my tapestry needle somewhere in my luggage, needed another and also figure this case might be a big help so I don't lose more needles in the future. I also did a little shopping for my secret pal too. I hope she likes what I have to send!

Vacation all I ever wanted...

Signing off for a few days! Tomorrow I'm going to sunny Florida with my mom to meet my new niece (yay!) and celebrate my sister's birthday (just a couple of days late). I'm so excited! I've already got my travel knitting (socks of course) and the camera packed, ready to relax and take lots of pics. Happy knitting all!

It's done!!!!

My Clapotis is finished! Isn't it pretty! I used 7 1/4 balls of Noro Silk Garden. Regular old size 8 bamboo 29 in circular needles. It's not blocked in these pictures but I just couldn't wait! I really loved this pattern. It was uninvolved enough to do while watching tv or listening to a podcast but involved enough that it was fun to watch the different steps. And I didn't think it would work but it is just like in the pictures, you really could use it as a wrap or a scarf.

Knitting South of the Border

My father and his wife recently spent some time over the holidays touring around Mexico. They actually have a lovely home in a beautiful town there called San Miguel De Allende and this December they finally had some time to get out and explore the surrounding areas. One of the places they visited was the town of Pátzcuaro where they visted eljorongo a knitting and weaving business that uses wool from local sheep. Just look at these great pictures that my dad sent me

this is dyed wool that has been hung to dry

this is one of the weaving looms

Interesting isn't it? The website for eljorongo is definitely worth checking out. I love where they describe their business and talk about the "team of expert knitters" used to handknit many of their goods. (What do you say Erin, maybe our group could try out for the team? You can be team captain because you can translate :) There's also a section of the website called the art of wool where they have pictures of the team at work.

I emailed El Jorongo today to see if maybe there's a way I could just purchase some of their yarn. Just to see what it's like. Maybe I could get one of those fluffy brightly colored skeins for myself? We'll see, details to follow!

It's Friday!!!!!

And Fridays are great!!!!! Especially when you have a 3 day weekend like me! Yay! And now I'm really in a good mood because I just got the cutest e-card from my secret pal!!! Thank you so much nice person out there! It was so cute!

Well, not much planned for this weekend, I have lunch dates tomorrow and Sunday but other than that I'm really up for just some relaxing and catching up on my knitting. I know it's late for it but this is pretty much my first weekend I get to recover from the holidays. Plus it's been a crazy week because my husband at the young age of 37 somehow managed to get the chicken pox this week! Yes, the chicken pox! We knew he had never had it but never thought about it much until he woke up Monday feeling really sick completely covered in red bumps. He did get to the doctor and has been resting, but it's really knocked the wind out of him so he's still a little out of it. I asked if I could take his picture for the blog but he said no, he's not feeling so pretty I guess.

I do however have a picture from knitting the other night!

As you can see we had some visitors! Four brave guys throwing down the shackles of society and picking up the knitting needles! How cool is that! I love how this picture perfectly captures me on the far left just running my mouth, babbling about knitting (I do this in my sleep now, it's pathetic) and Erin second in from the right looking at me thinking "Jana is telling them the completely wrong way to cast on!" And then there's Chris our resident crocheter on the end smiling and looking cute, trying to pretend it's all normal. Haha!!! But no really, other than me screwing up the casting on lesson it was a great night. We all had fun and the guys were so interested in the knitting and so polite and they really picked it up, even if the instruction might not have been that coherent at times...

TMI: Too much information!

So my knitting group comrades talked me into doing the Secret Pal program. I think it will be fun. But I had to fill out this questionnaire and well, I don't want to put anyone to sleep here but honestly at times I can be a bit wordy. So my apologies, especially to my Secret Pal who probably never wanted to know this much about me!

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
I don't think I am a yarn snob because I do love Lily Sugar and Cream yarn that is like the cheapest thing they sell at most big craft stores. I love this cotton yarn for washcloths which I love making and using, and my family is now addicted to them too! I might however be an acrylic snob. I never use Red Heart, I use Lion Brand sometimes but really not a lot. I don't mind acrylic if it's going to be a good acrylic, I like Plymouth Encore a lot, most often I'll usually use acrylic to knit baby stuff for my new niece a lot. Especially some of the new cushy ones out there by Caron and some of those brands.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
Don't spin, used to crochet, not so much anymore really. Totally, sadly obsessed with knitting...

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I made the 'roll your own needlecase' from the Stitch and Bitch book. Circulars are in a case I got free at stitches last year, which is really filling up and doesn't do that great a job. And the situation with the double points, well it's just sad. And I use them a lot, I love knitting socks, but they just haven't found a home yet, they live in the very cold and lonely bottom of my knitting bag.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Hmm.... On and off since I was a kid. Obsessively for the last 2-3 years. I guess I might be intermediate or advanced intermediate? I'm really not that scared to try anything. Although Fair Isle and lace knitting are both things I have little to no experience with.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yep, Amazon and Knitpicks. Looove the knitpicks....

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Honestly not a big scent person. Taste, now that's another story! (See question #7)

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Favorite candy? I can't offend the other candies by picking just one! I am a equal opportunity candy lover. Chocolate, fruity, anything really. Although honestly I do have to say I really, really don't like some of the gross ones, like gummy bugs, worms, etc. That's like candy abuse to make it into something gross like that. Really.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Umm, cooking would be the big one I guess. Love to cook, the food network is on in this house a lot. That's about it really. It's a good companion to knitting.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I always say I like all kinds of music as long as it's good music. If you look at my cd collection you would immediately say there is a strong punk/alternative/80's connection there. Some bands I guess I'd have to mention would be the Replacements, the Cure, old Liz Phair, Sublime, NOFX, Operation Ivy, Face to Face, Bad Religion. But I also like some country, only the really good stuff though like Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Nickel Creek, other bluegrass. And I like the Beastie Boys a lot but I wouldn't say I'm a fan of rap at all. Oh and I also do really like a lot of old jazz and big band stuff, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Holiday, Louis Prima, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, love, love, love that type of stuff. And I even like some oldies/soul type stuff, Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye... See? I could go on and on and on.... I think my computer plays MP3's. I think that's how I listen to the podcasts but I'm not sure...

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Unfortunately I still wear black like I it's going out of style. But I also really like dark-jewel type colors, purples, reds, greens, etc. Not into anything too bright, and I really don't like yellow or orange that much.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married for 5 great years. We have an 18 pound cat named Allister and he pretty much rules the roost. It's his world we're just living in it.

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I'm becoming a scarf person since I'm finding so many to knit that I like. It gets cold in Jersey sometimes so I have been known to wear hats and mittens too. As for ponchos, sorry, don't like 'em. I love Martha Stewart (I know I'm like the last one left on earth) but she can leave that poncho at home!

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Basic wools pretty much. Lamb's Pride, Cascade 220. Also Plymouth Encore. All sock yarns and anything from Knitpicks. And of course, Lily Sugar and Cream for washcloths.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Not to big on the ribbon yarns actually. I knit a couple of pieces with that railroad yarn Plymouth Eros, and honestly they just don't get worn.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
I'm really obsessed with the new knitting podcasts, Cast-On and Knitcast. They're just so fun and interesting to listen too. And blogs. I could just read blogs for hours and hours.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I guess socks. They're just so portable and fun. I seem to always have a pair on the needles. But I also like sweaters and washcloths and scarves too.

17. What are you knitting right now?
Clapotis in Noro silk garden after all the cool ones I saw on different blogs. And of course, socks.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Not so much, I just feel like most things handmade I could probably make myself. Although I'm really into stitchmarkers, they would be neat.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I appreciate both some are good for some projects some for others.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Bamboo/wood and addi turbos are my favorites.

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
A winder yes, a swift not yet, maybe someday...

22. How did you learn to knit?
My godmother taught me when I was 5.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Honestly I don't think I have one. I really just have current projects. I don't like to let things build up.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Love the Simpsons and South Park and that kind of stuff. Love Hello Kitty. I guess I also like penguins, and I'm hoping to go see the new panda bear in D.C. soon.

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving. It's that taste thing again.

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn? Knitting books? Otherwise I guess I collect cookbooks. I have a lot.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Knitters and Interweave knits.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I would really love some bamboo double points. I have 2's but I'm sure at some point I should have size 1 and size 3. I have double points in 7 and 8 in metal but I'd love to replace them with bamboo. As for patterns I love the knitting pure and simple patterns and fiber trends patterns but only have very few. I'd really like to have more.

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Definitely lace.

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
My feet measure about 9 inches around but I usually will knit a sock for 8 1/2 around so it fits good. And my feet are not small unfortunately. I wear a size 10 and my feet are wide. Gosh, this is embarassing!

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
March 20 and I'm a Pices!

Thanks Dad!

Just had to post a little something to give a belated thank you to my dad. I just can't go another day without mentioning all the wonderful Christmas gifts I got from him.

This is a bunch of knitting books I have wanted for a long, long time. Of course the Amazon wish list helped identify them, but I really give my dad credit for buying me knitting related stuff. I can only imagine what goes through the head of a non-knitter when they see these. (Yarn Harlot?) My dad was like "All those books are about knitting?" Yeah dad, they are. I know you don't get it but, trust me, these are really, really, really cool. I haven't taken a picture of them sooner because when the box came I pretty much tore it open and have been devouring them since. I'm a good part of the way into Knit's End already which I'm really enjoying. It's so easy to identify with her writing. It's so nice to see there are others out there who also obsess over, oops I mean enjoy, knitting just as much. :)

Also I'm already planning my first project from the Scarf Style book. This book is absolutely gorgeous by the way, there's just something so beautiful and simple about just such a quality group of scarf patterns like this. So yesterday of course I had to get out there and buy some more yarn!


Specifically the green yarn which is a gorgeous Lana Grossa Merino I'm going to use for the Falling Leaves scarf which I have in mind for a Christmas gift for someone next year. (See? I'm already planning ahead!!) The blue is a terrific Cascade 220 for a neckdown raglan which is another gift for someone. The one on the top is shaped different because I also caved and finally got myself a yarn winder. So much easier than just trying to wind a ball with the yarn wrapped around a chair or my feet or just laying on the floor. And I got some addi turbo needles which I love.

On another positive note I finished the secret gift project I've been working on today and will probably post pictures in the next week or so for the big reveal. (Ooh! Ahh!) This one was tough, I have to say it was a challenge like I haven't had in awhile. But I made it! Going back to Clapotis will be a walk in the park...

Happy New Year!

A new year has begun. For the new year a new blog look! The product of much lip biting and and several do-overs I was hoping to make the blog look a little lighter, a little friendlier and more colorful. A color other than pink that is... While I think a new year is a good thing I'm not much of a resolver. I listen to a public jazz station out of Newark at work and one of the dj's I really like was saying that he would not make resolutions but that he had "a few things on the board." And I guess I could say that, I have a few things on the board. Knitting-wise they would definitely be

1. I'm still committed to being more ready for the holidays next year with more knitted gifts for people. I'm trying to make specifics plans of what to give to who and next weekend plan on going to the local lys to try to start to make things happen. Ask me where I'm at in July with this one.

2. Try lace knitting. Again. Yes, my previous attempt may have ended in a flurry of naughty swears and a very pretty ball of laceweight flying through the air but try, try again. There are just too, too many gorgeous patterns (birch, kiri, etc.) taunting me. I have to get in on that, I will weather the swears to make this happen.

3. Try socks on circular needles. This I think will be easier than #2. I'm doing pretty good at the socks lately, they seem to be going pretty quick on the clover toothpicks, I think circulars will be really cool.

4. Be a better blogger. Better photos, better stories, better something. Just better.

On a completely separate note I just wanted to mention I have a link in my sidebar to a podcast called Cast-On hosted by Brenda Dayne. While I do not have an ipod this podcast is definitely my new addiction. Brenda is witty and entertaining and educated and interesting. She plays pod-safe music on her show which I think is really cool in and of itself. These are unsigned artists, putting their music out there for the love of it. And you can just listen to the podcast on your computer just by clicking the link on the website like I do. When the main tv is monopolized by football or some dumb war show or when there's just nothing on the 8 gazillion channels we have (which is 99% of the time) it is just heaven to sit and knit and listen to this show. I know it sounds bizarre, I know my family is concerned about my knitting addiction ("Now she's making up something about a knitting talk radio show???" It's just so sad to see her going on like this...") But I swear it's true and it really exists and if you have the tiniest knitting bone in your body, please check it out, it is really, really just a very cool thing!

This is just disappointing...

I expected a much higher score. Where were the knitting questions? I think my score should definitely be raised due to my vast knowledge about knitting and the Simpsons alone. And what about that big box of comics in my closet! That has to count for something! C'mon people! Who made this test anyway!

Gifts revealed...

So while the secret mystery gift I'm working on is still under wraps I can at least reveal the 2 gifts I did manage to finish and give for Christmas. Sister & her husband got some nice washcloths as promised...

And mom finally got the socks she wanted...

No more white socks after this people, I'm just done with the white socks they are so boring!

And lucky me, I got (be still my beating heart) this!!!

Not only do I have the best husband ever who always helps with the piles & piles of dishes after a huge holiday dinner but yes he did get me the much-coveted 3 tier lantern moon basket I've been wanting forever. I realized after I re-organized my stash into that I had not taken a "before" picture like I had wanted to. But then again, what good what a before picture have done really, it was pretty pathetic, nobody wants to see that. Nobody!

Best wishes

Whatever your beliefs, whichever path you follow, best wishes for a happy time of year full of friends, family, good food and fun times!

Preparing...

Last night I finished my Christmas baking! I don't do a huge baking event like some amazing people do this time of year (my mother in law's best friend makes 30 different kinds of cookies!) but I still feel accomplished...















The stuff in the middle is 7 layer magic bars which are sooo good. The other stuff is cashew brittle and mixed nut brittle I made in the microwave. Tasty stuff, just don't tell the dentist!

Look at my new socks!

So I have a certain special birthday deadline in January that I'm trying to make someone socks for. I ordered a very particular yarn from an online company I've ordered from before. The yarn is perfect, it has colors that simply embody this person to me. I ordered that yarn December 3. Today is December 19. The yarn is still not here. The company tells me if my package does not come today they will gladly replace it & send another. Which is more than I would expect from a lot of companies. But this does not help me with this deadline. So in a panic yesterday I began this.














It's a sock from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. The pattern is called Elongated Rib. I like it. I'm using Cascade Fixation from my stash which is an adjustment for me. The yarn is very stretchy and I find I kind of have to hold it with my whole hand as opposed to my fingers to keep it tight. Plus I'm not crazy about the color, you'll understand when you see the yarn I wanted to use... Anyway, if the package comes today I'm casting on with the yarn I ordered for the gift & these socks will be mine. With my luck that is what will happen. I started this other sock and now along the correct yarn will come. But just in case it does not, I guess I'm prepared and I'll finish these socks for the gift.

** Footnote- Of course as predicted when I got home the original yarn I had ordered was here safe and sound. I did not need a replacement sent after all. Sigh... The yarn is just what I expected, the colors amazing and I've casted on and am now an inch or so into the secret gift sock. Of which I will write nothing more at this time- I've already said too much! I promise, future pictures will follow!

Knitting in action!

No new knitting pics today, but how about a picture of the cutest baby in the world? (Not that I'm biased) She's wearing booties I feel like I made ages ago..



















This was a pattern from my knitting a day calendar called 'Stay on Baby Booties'. My sister says they do stay on very well.

Aww... She's so cute!

Procrastination...

Ok so I'm finally better. Yay! And I'm knitting again and it's fun. I'm working away on clapotis. It's the only project I have going right now which kind of makes me happy. I just feel like I progress so much faster that way. So it might not look like much here but it is going relatively fast.

And I do like how it's coming out so much. It's going to be huge and I love that. In addition to enjoying the knitting I think I'm really going to like the finished project and that's so cool when that happens!

In other news I feel like I got better just in time for the holiday insanity. I feel like I did nothing but shop this weekend, and if you know me at all you probably know I hate to shop. I do as much online as I possibly can just to avoid the parking lots! Next year, I'm knitting more gifts. (I am! I am! I am! hitting forehead) I really am, I want to start in January if I can. So many people I know don't need anything, or could buy themselves whatever they wanted, or just are not materialistic at all. So I think next year they just might appreciate some handmade gifts. Come to think of it, this might just be the kind of New Year's resolution I might be able to get somewhere with....

Fever inspired knitting

I couldn't sleep last night so for some reason I just got up, got the needles and yarn for a project I've been dying to make but has been intimidating me a little. This is the beginning of my (first?) Clapotis from Knitty.

Note the use of the previously described stitchmarkers! Ok, so it doesn't look like much now, but I can't believe how easy this pattern is. For some reason when I had read through it before starting it just looked so hard. Maybe it was the required 18 stitchmarkers? But in the end it just goes step by step, and it's making a lot of sense. I'm using Noro Silk Garden, as an unabashed imitation of Cari's Clapotis from Dogs Steal Yarn. If you've never read the post in her blog called Thirteen ways of looking at Clapotis, go read it now. It's just so great. So I know this is not very original but hey, imitation can be flattery right?

What the????

I feel like I fell asleep and woke up in winter. I can't remember the last time it snowed in December here. Unfortunately my sickness has not left me yet so a lot of things look funny lately. I won't go into any gory details but lets just say there's a lot of disinfecting and lysol going around this house lately in hopes of stopping the madness. That and I've been mandated to be at the doctor first thing tomorrow morning by various family members, so maybe we'll have some answers and some relief then!

In the meantime I haven't been knitting much. Every once in awhile I poke my head up from the blanket, knit a few rows, then nod off with the needles in my hand. Which really goes to show just how easy these socks were

Because they're worsted they went really really fast. They're comfy but not really that warm. I think for them to be warmer they'd have to be wool or something. I know I mentioned making more for holiday gifts but I didn't get to the yarn store to buy that warmer wool, so I think I may be done with the holiday gifts. Maybe next year.

Blechhhh....

Sorry to whine but somewhere along my travels I must have picked up a horrible case of the asiatic bird flu. My husband is sure it's just a very bad cold but I don't know, I have yet to see his medical degree. whatever! Anyway, being unable to pick my head up half the time has already caused me to miss my regular knitting group which totally bummed me out. I'm also fearful I'm slowly becoming addicted to nyquil. In the meantime I still feel the need to hold something soft and warm and knitterly now and then so I have managed to knit very few rows here and there on this.

It's a sucky photo but bear with me. It's just a simple little sock of everyday, run of the mill, found it in the stash might as well use it wool-ease. I'm considering whipping up a few pairs for Christmas gifts if they go fast enough. Which may happen. I think I can find the strength. Nyquil don't let me down! There is knitting to be done!

British people are....

Cooler than us. Check out this website http://www.castoff.info/album.asp If you can get past the knitted wedding pictures (ok, which are kind of bizarre at times) and check out some of their videos it's really cool. They are like a british knitting club of men & women that just knit in all kinds of surroundings and stuff. Why can't I take my knitting to the bar at night? Oh that's right, the brits are cooler than us...

A rant, a necessary one.

Ok the nice part of this post, Tracy proved to be a much better knitwear photographer than my husband and for that I am grateful!


So that is the gray cardigan. I'm happy with it. It's warm and wearable. Don't know if I'd recommend the knitpicks andean silk really (sooo fuzzy) but it's a keeper.

And then the ugly. Why oh why oh why did I buy this?

I don't understand. I've bought it before. I've hated it before. The fact that they first published it without the girl in the photo and then added it later (why to attract women, or repulse us more or????) just plain skeeves me. And all too often I've joined in the ridicule of the patterns at http://youknitwhat.blogspot.com/. (Face it the magazine could practically be the website) But no, for some reason I bought this. And maybe I'll give them like one teeny tiny speck of credit on having a 'men's issue' for originality. I guess. But still, nothing, nothing, nothing could ever make up for this:

That's right folks it's a knitting centerfold!!!! Like the pages fold out of the magazine and you can hang it in an auto body shop or something. What the?????? Does someone else get this that can explain it to me???? The caption so helpfully tells you where you can get the pattern to knit the fun fur faux bearskin rug. Oh thanks.... And I hate to point it out, but the way he's holding the one needle in his right hand as if he's... Ew ew ewwwww!!!! Sorry bub, maybe I'd think you were cute if I saw you on the beach or something but for now please keep your equipment away from my knitting equipment. Thanks!!!! And knit 1 thanks for burning out my retinas yet again. Next time I'll just flush that money down the toilet and make it a lot less painful.

But what have I been knitting?

Well the gray cardigan is finished.

And I'm much happier with it than I thought I was going to be. I have a couple of pics of it with me in it, but they were taken at the end of the day and let's just say I'm looking a little weary. But they will follow I promise. They have to because that's one of the things I like about the sweater, it really fits me and it is presentable. It's not like I'm just wearing it because it feels good and I like it because I made it. This is actually a very nice sweater, which was a nice surprise because god knows when I was seaming it I had my doubts!

My other main finished project for this week is this

No unfortunately it's not for my beautiful new niece Addie :( This is for a pregnant co-worker of mine who was very heavily hinting that she wanted something handmade after she saw what I had made for Addie. This one is kind of interesting, it's the strangely-titled 5 hour baby sweater. The version of the pattern I used is found here http://www.minidata.co.nz/major/freepatt/patt01.htm. Or there's another here http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/kp3.html. The sweater came out lovely, but 5 hours? Surely you jest! It was at least 8 or 9 easy. Maybe the next time it will be 5 hours, maybe. And next time I'm definitely making the seamless version. I made the version with seams why? I forgot I really, really, really don't like seaming I guess? Anyway, I think my co-worker will like it and I think I probably will make again in the future. The hat is actually the umbilical cord baby hat from Stitch and Bitch which is a pattern I love and have made several, several times. This one is a little different because rather than doing the I-cord & tying it I decided just to sew up the top & make a little bobble in it's place. I like it, I think it's a neater, cleaner alternative to the pom pom. Plus, making pom poms is a technique that continues to elude me. They're never tight enough or shaped right. Despite investing in the proper pom pom device, it's just hopeless, so I'll go with the bobbles.

Oh and the yarn is a yarn that is new to me, Bernat Satin. I loooove this yarn! So, so, soft for an acrylic. Which makes it washable, which I think it necessary for baby wear. And so affordable it's a crime. Definitely, will be using this again also.

Bright and shining and new

Yesterday, Friday, November 18, 2005 at 4:45 in the morning Adelaida Grace was born...

We are so happy to be able to say mom and baby are both doing very very well. Adelaida is a strapping 6 pounds 13 ounces already. She is eating and sleeping and living her new little life already. Best wishes and welcome to you little Addie! Oh the adventure that awaits!

Guess I better go buy some pink yarn!

The scene of the crime...

Sometimes we use the dining room for entertaining. We have friends or family over, I prepare a meal, we have some libations, laugh freeley. And sometimes the dining room is the place where I jump in and drown myself in whatever it is that's trying to be expressed here...

Today's story is one told with wire and glass and those dangerous looking tools. Ohh scary... See I have an upcoming knitting project that happens to call for 18 (yes 18, I'm frightened also) stitch markers. And rather than use the same old safety pins, random yarn pieces, crap I find in the carpet, I've decided to treat myself. So I invested in some jewelry making supplies, scratched my head and bit my lip a lot and somewhere pulled these our of the air

I am quite happy with them. They've bought me some comfort, I now figure hey, if I get the yarn on and it doesn't work and I'm totally confused, at least it will look pretty with some lovely danglies hanging off of it. Perhaps.

Now am I cool?

A photo from yesterday's Daily News...

Titled 'Spin in the city' (how witty) shows Sarah Jessica Parker knitting on the scene of a movie set. Sarah Jessica! Oh my! I knew we had so much more in common than our jet set lifestyles... So there. Knitting is cool. The Daily News says so.

November already... (In which the males of the house make a rare guest appearance)

Fall has come to lovely Matawan...

Fall can mean a lot of things, pumpkins, apples, football (groan), shorter days, back to school. Unfortunately in our household it also means this...

Having a spouse who works for waste management gives us the luxury of having garbage/leaves/old furniture picked up whenever we have the slightest desire. Having 2 huge trees in our front yarn gives us the obligation to rake leaves almost every weekend in the fall. And of course this is just a precursor to the next season where we get to shovel lots and lots of that four-letter word white stuff that is also always such a pleasure....

On a knitting note I am pleased to announce that we have a button band!!!

Last night me and the Mr. decided to stay in thus giving me the time to accomplish said button band. For dinner he made lovely chicken enchiladas (in this house nothing says 'I love you' better than a meal laden with cheese) and I made some rice & beans. We watched the movie A Home at the End of the World which was a pretty good movie based on a novel by the writer who wrote "The Hours". And I finished the button band, which I'm not disappointed in but I'm concerned the neck is going to be a little higher than I normally care for. I don't know, maybe it will be totally different once I have the sleeves on, maybe it's something about the gray color I chose but for some reason I can't help but think without the sleeves right now it looks like one of those colonial vests someone would wear at Williamsburg for a re-enactment of something. Like I can just see one of those Ben Franklin-types wearing it. Not the image I'm really going for here. I think that's just my general aversion towards vests speaking though (sorry vest lovers). I'm going to go forward and try not to make any more judgments about it until I get those sleeves on, and the sides seamed. Right Allister?

Look, they're marketing to meeeee!!!!

Check this out, I got a catalog the other day from a website where I keep my online photos & stuff. They're always coming out with new products you can stick a photo on and check out this one:


So you see the new product is a totebag you can put any photo you want on, how interesting they have chosen to display a knitting picture on their example? (I know it's hard to see, but it's some balls of yarn and needles, I swear) What does this mean? Knitters like totebags? Knitters will like totebags they can put a picture on? Veddy intervesting!