Knitting for Him

I'm moving January 19

2009-01-19T09:21:00.000-08:00

I'm moving to www.katzendog.wordpress.com. Probably won't post anymore there than here but I just like some of Wordpress' features better. Give me a few and look me up.

Folk Festival and New Guild

2008-09-08T08:36:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, Rockingham County Weavers and Fiber Artists Guild which is in the process of organizing had a booth at our local folk festival at the community college. My new friend, Beth, who is a weaver, set up the booth and did a beautiful job. Here's a picture of Beth at her loom in the booth.This young man is checking out a rug woven from plastic shopping bags (plarn) by Beth. Isn't it interesting?Also my friend, Liese, was there. Liese is a spinner, weaver, dyer, knitter and fiber-producing animal "farmer." She and her husband own and operated Little Meadows Farm which is located in a neighboring county and about 20 minutes drive from my home. Here she is at her wheel giving a demonstration.
I basically gave a knitting demonstration by working on my TLE Family Frolic Sock on Saturday and my Orchid Lace Scarf on Sunday. I made some contacts for knitting group as well as the guild. The sock is interesting. The designer suggested stranding the sheep but my stranding caused sock to be too tight to go over my heel so I frogged and worked it using intarsia technique which as Cat Bordhi said is "mind-boggling." After about 3/4 finished, I did a head-slap doh and will work sock 2 in slightly different manner. Here's a picture of sock 1.
Of course, my friend, Liese, had some of her handspun/handdyed there. She had some of her corriedale Bettie's yarn in fingerweight so I had to have it to make some socks. I'll probably use stockinette toe-up pattern. They'll be known as Bettie socks. Here's a picture of it.
I didn't finish any projects since last post that I photographed. Still on the needles in addition to socks above are Allspice Vest, Orchid Lace Scarf, prayer shawl and newly-cast-on market bag. I'm still spinning the Creatively Dyed Fairy Dust which I hope to finish soon.

I'll be venturing over to Rising Meadow for a small fiber festival over the upcoming weekend. I'll try to take pictures for Monday.

Birthday Loot and Last SoS 08 Socks

2008-09-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago I had my last 50-something birthday. Several friends and relatives gave me cash and, of course, yarn addict that I am I had to buy myself a present also. Here's what I bought:This is Keegan Lane Yarns En Pointe Sock Yarn in Mint Chocolate Chip.This is also Keegan Lane Yarns En Pointe in Princess and the Pea.This is Penny Rose Emily Laceweight in Seaspray. Game plan for it is to become a Creatures of the Sea Shawl.I got lucky and scored a skein of the elusive Wollmeise in Suzanne. This is the superwash. While this yarn is slightly difficult to work with, the colors and the fabric it makes is awesome. Izzy thought this was hers and shredded the tissue paper it came in (bad kitty). Fortunately, I rescued it before she damaged the yarn. (She loves to shred tissue paper and Debit (the dog) likes to eat it.)
This is Sophie's Toes Christmas Cactus. This is new yarn to me but colors are beautiful and it is very pettable.
This is also Sophie's Toes in State Fair.

I spent most of my long Labor Day weekend finishing up my Asparagus Cable Socks designed by Wendy D Johnson. These are in Dream in Color Smooshy Spring Tickle. I bought enough Classy in the same colorway to make a sweater with an asparagus cable panel up the front. It's in the queue but have some other stuff that is ahead of it. These are my last Summer of Socks project so am now waking up my hibernating Allspice vest. I'll also be working more on my Orchid Lace Scarf.
I'm still spinning my Creatively Dyed Fairy Dust. I'm on the last bobbin. I'm still only spinning about 30 minutes a day. On the needles I also have a prayer throw for Al who has MCL, the aforementioned vest and scarf. I'll be casting on Family Frolic socks tonight and Sunday will start another market bag.

I enjoyed Summer of Socks but found that having deadlines and goals (even self-imposed ones) was a little frustrating at times. I've been knitting-a-long for a couple of years now and don't know why this was more frustrating. I seemed to spend a lot of time at the frog pond or tinking instead of knitting.

Where has the summer gone?

2008-08-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

My last post was shortly after summer began. Now it's almost over and I don't have a clue where it's gone. I've been busy trying to make my Summer of Socks goal of 5 pairs of adult socks. Today I cast on sock 2 of pair 5 but will not finish in time for deadline on September 1. Completed Summer of Socks projects are below:These are my Anklebiter Socks designed by Terry Ross and knit in special Don't be blue colorway of Dream in Color Smooshy. These socks were from consolation kit for those of us who didn't get into The Loopy Ewe's sock club. Yes, they're snakes.
These are Moselle socks designed by Cookie A for those of us who attended The Loopy Ewe's Spring Fling. The colorway is Spring Fling from Wollmeise. Cookie A stated that she name this pattern for a German river and this color way reminded me of the color of the rivers we saw there.

The pattern for these is Wendy Johnson's Spring Fling Toe-Ups. The yarn is Wollmeise Veilchen (violet) that my exchange partner gave to me. I found Wollmeise yarns to be splitty and kinky but the colors are well worth the slight hassle of knitting them. They make a wonderful fabric.

These were made with Keegan Lane Sparkles in Ballerina. This was the first skein of this posted on Melissa's site. It has real silver in it. The pattern is Fresh, Again by Sarah Nopper and is availble for sale from Sarah on Ravelry. This is a toe-up. If you don't belong to Ravelry, you can sign up to do so.
This pair is still OTN. It's Wendy Johnson's Asparagus Cable (toe-up) made with Dream in Color Spring Tickle Smooshy. I'll be making a sweater with an asparagus cable panel using Dream in Color Classy in the same colorway. DIC is one of my favorite yarns.
Several market bags--these were made using Plymouth Fantasy Naturale and a free pattern from Plymouth. I made another using Bernat Handicrafter Cotton but didn't take a photo.

This is Elizabeth Zimmerman's baby surprise jacket made with Thank Ewe DK Superwash in Spring Melody. I really need to sew buttons on it.
This is a chakalaka made from Peaches n Creme double worsted cotton. I'm hoping to give these with candy in them for Christmas gifts. I hope that when blocked they'll stand without candy dish inside. I made 2 of these.

I also finished a prayer shawl but failed to take photo of this. Will post a picture next time.

On the needles and wheel

On the needles and hibernating is my Allspice vest. I intend to wake it up on September 1. Also OTN is an Orchid Lace Scarf from Knitspots using Dream in Color Baby (laceweight) in Wisterious. This is my first real laceweight project and I'm hopelessly addicted to something else. I'm knitting a handtowel for a gift and a prayer shawl.

I'm spinning some Creatively Dyed roving in Fairy Dust. I've plyed two bobbins of this and am almost finished with bobbin 3. One more to go and then I'm not sure what's up next for the wheel. I only spin about 30 minutes a day which takes a while.

Lake Junaluska

Last but not least I spent a weekend at Lake Junaluska. I apologize for the run-on post. I'll try to post more often.

Summer begins

2008-06-23T09:10:00.000-07:00

Well, it's officially summer! So I cast on my first socks for Summer of Socks 2008. I'm working Anklebiters by Terry Ross using DIC Smooshy. I'm working gussett increases on sock 1. My goal is to finish at least 5 pairs of socks.

This may be an ambitious goal as I always have a prayer shawl in the works and I'm working another sweater. Yeah, I know I said no more till cool weather.

The sweater is Allspice vest using Anna's yarn. This sweater has about 15 different colors and I had to decide what to use where. I'm not a very good color theorist but the picture below doesn't look bad.

I finished my Greenjeans design socks. They match my Mr Greenjeans sweater and are made from DIC Smooshy in Into the Mystic. I designed these with the help of a sock design class at The Loopy Ewe Spring Fling led by Cookie A. I did a couple of things that I'd do differently if I make them again. I decided that I need to be more consistent with taking notes. As in, WRITE IT DOWN WHETHER YOU THINK YOU'LL REMEMBER OR NOT!!!! I had to drag out the magnifier while making sock 2 to figure out what I'd done on sock 1. I did take notes while working sock 2.
Also OTN is a prayer shawl and a market bag. I finished a couple of Chakalakas and will post pictures next time.

On the wheel is some Creatively Dyed Roving in Fairy Dust. It's 70/3o wool/seacell. I'm on the second bobbin. Looks like I'll have enough to spin two more. I'm beginning to be very pleased with my singles. Hopefully the plyed will look good too.

Getting ready for Summer of Socks 2008

2008-06-09T09:23:00.000-07:00

Last week I finished up a sweater project I'd had OTN since February. The last few days I worked it temperatures soared near 90, and the dog and cat still insisted on be lap animals. Needless to say, a lap full of dog, cat and sheep was hot at that point.

Now temperatures are close to 100. I cast on a sweater vest which will very likely hibernate in a few days.

Now I signed up for Summer of Socks 2008 which officially starts on June 21. At my house the socks only knitting will start sooner. I'm working on my design sock based on Mr Greenjeans cable and rib pattern using Into the Mystic Smooshy.

I worked yesterday on my second baby surprise jacket that I'm making using DK superwash from Thank Ewe. I was short about 50 yards (oops) so had to custom-order more.

I started making Chakalakas which are small baskets made from cotton. Since I'm not making dishcloths much anymore, this is a good project to use that stash. Also I found a pattern for knitted market bags. I'll be making some of those. These will be good gift items.

I also spent some time yesterday organizing queued projects--gathering patterns and yarn and putting in bags. I also organized my sock patterns because I keep buying Wendy's patterns and was concerned I'd duplicate. Guess what I had! The next few days I'll be winding yarn for Summer of Socks projects which will be:

Anklebiters designed by Terry Ross. Yarn will be DIC Smooshy Don't be blue
Moselle designed by Cookie A. Yarn will be Wollmeise Spring Fling
Spring Fling toe ups by Wendy. Yarn will be Wollmeise
Asparagus Cables by Wendy. Yarn will be Smooshy Spring Tickle. I'll be designing a sweater to match these in the fall.
TLE Family Frolic by Debbie O'Neill. Yarn will be Claudia Hand Paint fingering and Louet Gems
fresh, again by Sarah Nopper. Yarn will be Sparkles sock yarn from Keegan Lane Yarns.
St Louis socks by Wendy. Yarn will be Claudia Hand Paint fingering

Now I probably won't finish all these and I may cast on Anklebiters before June 21 so they may not be counted as SoS socks.

I've used enough stash to free up a small tote and this allowed me to stow kitted projects. Yay!

Finished projects:

Opal toe-ups based on Wendy's pattern. Please note Debit's paw. I suspect had these not been on blockers she would have grabbed one. I started these before Spring Fling and called them my travelling project. I started out making both at once. Never again!!!! Half way up the toe I moved one to waste yarn. Then I failed to make good notes (bad knitter). Obviously I figured it out.

In progress: Allspice vest using Anna's yarn, design sock, chakalaka, baby surprise jacket, prayer shawl

Gonna sign off for now. Stay cool--knit socks.

IT'S FINISHED--FINITO--OFF THE NEEDLES

2008-06-06T05:34:00.000-07:00

(This has a lot of pictures of finished projects. I didn't post all. Those of you on Ravelry can see all. My id is timspinknitz.)

In January I attended a knitting retreat at Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC. One of my classes was a sweater design class led by Varian Brandon. She used part EZ percentage, part Alice Starmore, part from a book titled Knitting the Old Way and part her own method. In February I started my first design sweater. It's had a couple of naps but mid-week this week I bound it off. I'm not overjoyed with the neck. It's a little scoopy but I learned and will adjust the next one. Here's the picture:

I also finished my Mr Greenjeans sweater. A couple of changes I made to this pattern were using larger needles for cable work on body and making full length sleeve. The yarn is Dream in Color Classy Into the Mystic. I highly recommend this yarn you can find it at The LoopyEwe.
Here's a picture:

Here's a prayer shawl I made for my aunt. It's the basic k3, p3 shawl made in Lionbrand Homespun. I'm not sure what the colorway is. I bought this on eBay and it didn't have a label.

This is a Rocketry sweater for a new baby at my church. It was designed to use Dream in Color yarns. I used some Knit Picks Swish because I was being cheap and didn't want to spend the price of the kit on the gift. Since I'm totally lacking in color theory abilities, I didn't think this was a very baby-like sweater. I suspect Tristan will get this sweater.
Another reason I wasn't overly thrilled by the above sweater was that I made an EZ baby surprise jacket. This was from some superwash yarn dyed by my friend Laura. I also made a matching hat from 101 One Skein Wonders. Now when I first finished this little jacket, I thought "It's okay but not the cutest sweater I've ever seen." Then I found these little bear buttons at Walmart. When I sewed them on, it was like magic. I'm now making a baby surprise jacket for the "church" baby.

These are my exchange partner's socks. Pat is from near Chicago. She gave me a beautiful pair of socks made of Claudia Handpainted, some qiviuk to spin, some chocolate, some Wollmeise, a tape measure, some note cards and a basket. Her socks are Wendy's Loopy Laces and the yarn is Regia Stretch in Skater colorway.
This is the finished Argosy wrap. I gave it to a knitting friend who has breast cancer and is undergoing chemo. It's made from Fantasy Naturale and the colorway ought to be red hatters delight but I don't know the name.
I think this is most of the big items I've finished in the last two months. I finished Janelle's dorm socks and some hand towels. They're in my Ravelry notebook.

On the needles now, a pair of generic toe-ups based on Wendy's pattern using Opal sock, a pair of design socks to match Mr Greenjeans sweater using Dream in Color Smooshy, a baby surprise jacket using some DK superwash in Spring Melody from ThankEwe, and Allspice vest from Anna Zilbourg from kit. I'll also be working on some market bags for Christmas gifts soon. Bye for now. Hope to be back sooner.

Fiber Festival in the Back of Beyond

2008-05-25T19:18:00.000-07:00

It's Memorial Day weekend. A knitting friend suggested that I might enjoy attending a fiber festival in Big Island, VA. So Saturday morning I took a trip to my first fiber festival. I printed driving directions from the festival's website but also set my GPS while waiting at the drive thru for the barista to make my mochaccino. The GPS kept saying that my current location was at my home and I tried to reset it but that didn't work.

Now let me say that this was a beautiful area of Virginia and the scenery provided many Kodak moments. BUT...the directions from the website took me down a small, really small, road. On one stretch a dually would have needed a wide-load escort. While on this stretch I was behind a Uhaul which had the right wheel on the shoulder and the left over the center line. I stopped before I left civilization to buy a soft drink and, after about an hour, I began to appreciate how Sandra Bullock's character felt in "Two Weeks Notice." I didn't see any RVs but I was about ready to stop at some stranger's house and ask if I could use the facilities.

I took "Little Loopy" with me and wanted to stop and take pictures of her with the beautiful scenery but this road had no pull-offs--of course, I could have stopped on the road as traffic was pretty much non-existent. Finally I arrived. Here's a picture of Loopy on the car at the festival
You can see the Virginia Blue Ridge behind her. Here she is having lunch with Wanda, Kelly and Robin who are members of the Danville knitting group.My main purpose in going to the festival was to buy roving. Of course, I had to have sock yarn and a knitting bag too. Here's a picture of the yarn from Misty Mountain Farms and the roving from Kid Hollow Farm. The bag's on order.Before I left to return home, Robin, Wanda and Kelly gave me directions home on the "good" roads. The drive was a little longer but much easier.

Later this week I'll be posting about knitting projects. Gotta go spin...

More Preemie Hats

2008-04-02T18:59:00.001-07:00

preemie hats
Originally uploaded by katzendog3

Here are more preemie hats. All made with Knit Picks Shine Sport. They are so tiny. Thanks to my KF Robin for the picture. I keep forgetting to take pix and send the hats to her to distribute.

What's up lately

2008-03-26T09:43:00.000-07:00

I've been pretty busy on weekends lately. I've had to work a couple of Saturdays, Project Linus meets on Saturdays, the dog went for routine vet visits a couple of Saturdays, and I had spinning lessons on Saturdays.

Spinning is going well. I'm spending about 30 minutes a day at the wheel and am loving it. I wish I had more time. I've got one bobbin of yarn that will be used to ply, dye and knit something. I will start a second one sometime this week. Finding a drafting "hold" that worked for me was not easy since my thumbs are different from most folks. Now I've got it going and am pleased with my handspun. I can't decide whether to use the yarn to make something for myself or to make something for Tristan.

I'm getting ready for my trip to The Loopy Ewe's Spring Fling. I'm making a pair of "secret socks" for my exchange partner, and Wendy Johnson (wendyknits) who will be leading a toe-up class at the Fling has given us a homework assignment. So those will be OTN and possibly another pair of socks for a gift.

Also, OTN is my design drop-shoulder sweater. It is hibernating until I finish the "secret socks." The body is finished and I've knit up my first sleeve and worked to first decrease. I hope to finish it before I leave for Fling.

On the gift knitting front, I'm making a baby surprise jacket using a friend's handdyed. This is an interesting pattern but then EZ's things usually are.

In the wings are several socks I want to make and my DIC sweater KAL and some more baby sweaters.

Below are some pictures of finishhed projects and works in progress.

Snowflake closeup

2008-03-26T09:42:00.001-07:00

031908 002
Originally uploaded by katzendog3

Snowflake prayer shawl

2008-03-26T09:41:00.001-07:00

031908 001
Originally uploaded by katzendog3

I might not have my sweater or my socks finished but, at least, I've finished a prayer shawl. This one's been finished a while but I didn't have time to take picture. It's snowflake stitch from Harmony Guide. Yarn is Red Heart Plush in Marina. I bought this yarn on an e-bay deal and I've almost used it up. I think there's enough for one more shawl. I'm going to post a close-up of stitches up above with no post.

Happy Birthday Paulette

2008-03-26T09:38:00.001-07:00

031908 004
Originally uploaded by katzendog3

This is Paulette's birthday present. It's knit-wits heaven's angel of love. I used the nativity handtowel pattern to shape the top and number of stitches to cast on. Yarn is peaches n creme ecru

Argosy Wrap for Brenda

2008-03-26T09:35:00.001-07:00

031908 006
Originally uploaded by katzendog3

This is Argosy Wrap for my friend, Brenda. Brenda was eternally healed Saturday and will never use this. Prayers were offered on her behalf while I knit this. The yarn is Fantasy Naturale.

Wendy toe ups

2008-03-07T05:45:00.001-08:00

Wendy toe ups
Originally uploaded by katzendog3

This sock 1 in Colinette Jitterbug Castagna. I love this yarn. I used size 1 needles and magic loop. Sock 2 will be done this weekend. Then I'm starting some secret gift socks.

What's OTN and other stuff

2008-03-07T05:43:00.001-08:00

Chevron in progress
Originally uploaded by katzendog3

The sweater above is my first "designed" sweater. I'm actually a couple of rows past the start of neck shaping. It's made from Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed on size 6 and 8 needles. I hope to start the sleeves next week and finish this in a couple of weeks. I have another sweater project that I'm itchy to start.

The coffeehouse in Reidsville finally opened, and I was very excited to learn they'd have evening hours. I went by and asked the owner about a knitting group meeting there on Thursday, and he said sure. We established a couple of ground rules. Two weeks later we arrive for our first group meeting to learn that the owner had decided not to remain open on Thursdays. What a BUMMER!!! I was so disappointed. I have been "stalking" this place for months watching for its opening and planning to start a group.

The upside is that I joined a group in Greensboro that meets on Thursday. This group meets at Panera Bread. It originally met in a location that was too far and too congested for me. They changed locations to a place much closer and easier for me to get to. I also attend a group in Danville on Mondays. I listen to knitting podcasts on my way to and from.

I'm still figuring out all this flickr stuff so may have some other project pictures without a whole lot of comment.

Wow I learned a new trick!

2008-03-06T21:24:00.001-08:00

Roll brim preemie hat
Originally uploaded by katzendog3

Since joining Ravelry, I haven't blogged as often because I felt that uploading pictures in two places was too much. Most of my knitting friends belong to Ravelry, but some non-knitting ones view my blog. Tonight at knitting group I mentioned this and one of the group members told me how to upload pictures from flickr. So now I can load project pictures one place. I belong to K2Tog which is a knitting group that meets on Mondays at Starbucks in Danville. As a service project we're making preemie hats. This is my first one and I'm now working my third.

Since my last post and some leftovers

2008-02-17T16:44:00.000-08:00

Since my last post, I had my first spinning lesson on my wheel. I still need to work on drafting and am practicing treadling while knitting. I also started meeting with a knitting group at Starbucks in Danville VA. I will be starting a knitting/crocheting group in Reidsville at the Backstreet Buzz on February 28.

OTN--my chevron pullover, a mini-sock, Wendy Johnson generic toe-ups, another pair of dorm socks and mid-month dishcloth KAL.

Next in the queue--another pullover which will be a multicolor using a stitch from the Harmony guide, Loopy Laces socks, Lancet Braid socks and an Angel of Love fingertip towel.

Here are some pictures of projects completed either since my last post or left off from last post.

These are dorm socks from Red Heart Strata. Pattern is free from Coats and Clark website. They're a Christmas 08 gift.

This is a Bookmark KAL designed by Karen Bonter. Yarn is Patons Grace.This is January dishcloth KAL. There's a football in there somewhere.This is mid-January KAL. Yarn is potpourri ombre from PnC. Designer is Janet Nogle

Finished projects

2008-02-03T16:18:00.000-08:00

Here are some finished projects. I haven't blogged in a few weeks. So much for being resolute. I hopefully will be back on Saturday morning schedule next week. I had a meeting, retreat weekend and a nice visit with my 94 year old aunt. She taught me to knit. These are my Monkey socks designed by Cookie A. Yarn is Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome Cherry Blossom. I love this yarn.
This is a bath mitt from Rhonda White's Bath and Spa Sets leaflet. It's PnC. Below is facecloth to match. It's a birthday gift for a friend who received soap sack for Christmas.
At long last this is Julie's Pi Shawl. Yarn is Red Heart Plush in Marina. If I make another of these, I won't make the faux increase rows. They were a pain.
These are Tea Time Socks in Lana Grasso Meilenweit designed by Adrienne Fong. They're mosaics. I've purchased red and green yarn to make Christmas socks. While knitting these, I had several "chats" with Adrienne on Ravelry. Being able to chat with designers is fun.

Why no Saturday posts?

2008-02-03T16:04:00.000-08:00

On January 17 through 21, I attended a knitting retreat at Kanuga near Hendersonville NC. I took classes in sweater design and working with color. We learned to design a drop shoulder sweater a la Alice Starmore/Elizabeth Zimmerman/Varian Brandon. These are pictures sent by one of my fellow knitters. Most were taken after breakfast Sunday morning while waiting for worship service. Kanuga has a huge "great room" with a big fireplace and that's where we are. Some pictures were at the guest house I stayed in and are pictures of my housemates.

Lady on the left below is from Toronto. She probably traveled the farthest. Most of us were from southeastern US.

I'm the one on the left in picture below. I'm working on my pink sample sweater.

House mates--Mother and Daughter from SC I'm still working on my sample sweater but have already cast on my first real "designed" sweater. I'll be posting pictures of it in the future so stay tuned.

It must be Saturday morning

2008-01-05T06:12:00.000-08:00

This week I've been confused about what day it was. All those holidays had me confused. If I'm blogging, this must be Saturday. I made a resolution to blog on Saturday mornings. This means I've been resolute for 5 days.This is sock one of my Cookie A Monkey socks. The yarn is Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome and colorway is cherry blossom. The yarn feels yummy and I can't wait to wear them. I'm about 1/2 inch down on foot of sock 2.
This is a pumpkin hat from www.lettuceknit.com which was on my SnB calendar in October. I thought Tristan should have one so here it is. The yarn is from my scrap stash so I don't have a clue other than acrylic. You can see from the striping that I used two different yarns. The striping trick worked well for hiding the fact that I had two dyelots.
This is Mid December Monthly Dishcloth KAL. Yarn is Bernat Handicrafter Cotton. Pattern is called snowflake. This one has a seam which was not a happy experience.

I'm still working on Julie's Pi Shawl. I'm working the border so--soon!!! I also made a bath mitt for a birthday gift and will make washcloth to match tomorrow. I'll post pics of these next week.

Till then....

Where has time gone?

2007-12-29T06:28:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year (almost)! It's hard to believe I haven't blogged in a month. I've been busy with Christmas preparations and have been "playing" on Ravelry. Since becoming a raveler, project pictures seem to get uploaded there instead of here. One of my New Year's resolutions is to get back onto my time management track. So Saturday mornings will be blogging/computer play time. Here are the past month's completed projects:

This is Rachel's Knitting Room KAL for December. Yarn is PnC Ecru. Designer is Marilyn Wallace. These are Autumn Leaves socks designed by Debbie O'Neill for The Knitter.com SOTM club. The yarn is Classic Elite alpaca sock. I used size 1 needles and used magic loop for last sock. I really liked magic loop.
This is a gift. Soap sack is from Rhonda White's Spa & Bath Sets to Knit. This one is Refresh Soap Sack. Yarn is PnC. I can't remember colorway.
This is another Christmas Tree hat. This one I made for my mother-in-law for gift. This one was designed by Norma Brinkley-Staley. I had some issues with the pattern and had to wing the last few rows. Hat is made from Red Heart Supersaver worsted paddy green. I liked Reenie's hat pattern better. I used this one because I had some worsted in my stash and didn't want to drive 25 miles to craft store for bulky.
This soap sack is a gift. Pattern is from Rhonda White's Spa & Bath Sets to Knit. Pattern is Tranquility Soap Sack. Yarn is PnC.
This is another TheKnitter.com SOTM selection. I love this sock. I will make another pair later with longer cuffs. I wear, wash, feel them every day until they dry and put them back on. Yarn is Reynolds Soft Sea Wool, pattern is A Little Twisted Sock by Debbie O' Neill.
This is another gift. Pattern is Diamonds and Lace Fingertip from http://www.knitwits-heaven.com/. Yarn is SnC painted desert.

This is dishcloth to go with fingertip above.

My mother-in-law's gift funded the purchase of a spinning wheel which I'm learning to use. The wheel is named "Rusty" after her. Thanks Rita.

OTN--Julie's Pi Shawl which I hope to finish by next post and Monkey socks by Cookie A.

In the queue--theknitter.com SOTM Tea Time kit, some toe up socks, more prayer shawls, a sweater project starting February 1.

Another resolution is to work socks, KALs and charity knits on odd months. Even months will be used to make sweater projects. I also will work on Christmas gifts on Sunday afternoons. Saturday afternoons will be used for sewing/spinning projects and rubber stamping. Hopefully this time management plan will work out. I'm usually good at adhering to schedules. Weekends will have to be a little flexible due to trips, spinning classes and stamp camps.

Again HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2007-11-27T09:27:00.000-08:00

Christmas tree hat is from http://www.materialwhirled.com/. Isn't it cute? Yarn is unique handspun by Reenie and tree ornaments added during spinning.

This is angel of love dishcloth from http://www.knitwits-heaven.com/ using PnC Ecru.This is mid-November monthly dishcloth KAL. It was designed by those ladies at knit-wits heaven. There was a mistake in the rows that we didn't catch till finished so I intend to frog this and make another later using different color yarn. That's why ends aren't woven.
This is fishtail lace bookmark using DMC traditions and size 1 needles. It is the monthly bookmarks KAL mid-November.

This is Rachel's knitting room's KAL for November. It too was designed by Alli and Lisa at Knitwits Heaven. Suggested yarn was solid yellow which I didn't have so I used this. It's SnC. I'm not up on my cartoon characters so I don't know the name of this.

This is the other half of the mid-November monthly dishcloth KAL. I was expecting Christmas theme so will frog this and make another using different color.

This is Pretty Kitty fingertip made with PnC ecru. Pattern is from http://www.knitwits-heaven.com/ (yes, I like their patterns).

OTN--pi shawl for Julie, Little Twisted socks, Tranquility soap sack. I have about 4 more Christmas projects to make. Then I can knit more socks which I truly love to do.

Shopping's done--still knitting

2007-11-18T16:28:00.000-08:00

I'm still doing Christmas knitting. I finished Pretty Kitty dishcloth this week and started a matching fingertip. Pretty Kitty was designed by www.knitwits-heaven.com. I also finished sock 1 of A Little Twisted Socks and am working on my pi shawl. Christmas knitting is caught up but still have some to do. So I'd better go knit.

Christmas is a coming

2007-11-14T16:28:00.000-08:00

Busily making Christmas gifts here as well as making a pair of a little twisted socks for me and a pi shawl for a friend. Here are projects finished the last few weeks.

These are not a Christmas gift. Well, maybe they are. They're my Dublin Bay sock-a-long socks made with Regia Bamboo on size 0 needles. They were a little big in the foot so will probably cut back about 8 sts for next pair. I tumbled them dry and that helped.
This is Nativity washcloth from www.knitwits-heaven.com using PnC ecru. I made three of these for gifts. Recipients will receive matching fingertips on their birthdays.There's little squirrel in there. I liked this pattern. It's the November KAL for monthly dishcloth group. Yarn is Bernat Handicrafter sage green. Yes it's a UFO. This is November KAL from monthly bookmark group. Designer is Liz Hanson. I was short about a yard of this very special hand-dyed DMC Traditions dyed by my friend Brian (www.brileyknits.blogspot.com). I will frog this and rework using about 6 stitches less.

Another Christmas gift. This is Lighthouse washcloth from www.knitwits-heaven.com made using PnC ecru.

OTN--a little twisted socks, Pretty Kitty dishcloth, and Pi shawl for my friend.

Another shawl finished

2007-10-31T04:43:00.000-07:00

Happy All Saints Eve! Here's the completed baby shawl using pine cone stitch for Harmony Guide vol 3 using 10.5 US needles and white TLC Amore. The shawl is used by our local hospital's chaplain to give to parents who have lost a small child. Gotta go to work so I can support my yarn addiction!

Where does time go?

2007-10-28T18:43:00.000-07:00

Have had a crazy few weeks. Had a health scare that turned out okay but was blue for a couple of weeks and focused on projects that had to be done--socks, prayer shawl and Christmas gifts. I have finished a few things since last posting. This is a hairdryer dishcloth designed by Lisa Millan (www.digknittydesigns.blogspot.com). It's made of Bernat Handicrafter.
This is also a Lisa Millan design and is a curling iron in Bernat Handicrafter cotton. Both of these are gifts.

This is Eva Hat from SnB 2007 Desk Calendar. The white yarn is TLC Amore, and the red is Caron Simply Soft. This is for Tristan.
Another version of Eva Hat in Caron Simply Soft. This is a gift.
This is monthly bookmark group KAL. It is called Pine Tree Bookmark and designed by my cyber-friend, Annette (www.annette2u.blogspot.com). She won the group's design contest. It's made on size 1 needles with #10 crochet cotton.
Frog bath puppets above and below are designed by another cyberfriend, Brian McGaunn (www.brileyknits.blogspot.com). They're gifts for a couple of kids I know along with some kid-scented goat's milk soap in the shape of a frog. They're made with Sugar n Cream. Brian has several other free puppet patterns.

Since I last posted, I received my Ravelry invite. My id there is Knitter4Him. I'm gradually getting my projects loaded.

On the needles, a white baby afghan (prayer shawl), nativity washcloth, and my Dublin Bay socks. All of these will be finished by end of the week. Future projects are a twisted little sock (the knitter sock of the month club selection), more nativity cloths and a prayer shawl based on Elizabeth Zimmerman's Pi for my friend Julie. Since Julie is from UK, I thought an EZ design appropriate.

Grace and peace to you all.

Been A While 10/7

2007-10-07T19:02:00.000-07:00

This is a prayer shawl for a lady who lost her teenage son in a car accident. It's made from TLC Amore persimmon using a pattern based on the Pine Cone stitch from the Harmony Guide Vol 3. A close-up of the stitch is below. http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KNITTER4HIM/pine-cone-prayer-shawl
This precious little guy is my great-nephew Tristan who was born in June. He was a preemie but is doing super now. His mom took lots of pictures of his smiling face.

This is my Monthly Bookmark mid-September KAL. Yarn is Grace. I probably should have used #10 cotton on this one.
This is the October Monthly Dishcloth KAL. I used red SnC.
This is a Christmas gift for Debit's sitters/groomers. I made three of these. All are made with Bernat Handicrafter. Pattern is from http://www.knitsbyrachel.com/. Rachel van Schie is designer. I know this dog is a lab but head shape and ears are a little like Debit.
Finally a picture of the twin set!!! It was made from Filtes King Kim. The pattern called Mella Cardigan and Shell is from a pattern book by Needful Yarns. Now if it would just get cool enough for me to wear it.
On the needles are Dublin Bay socks, a cute hat for Tristan's Christmas gift, monthly bookmark KAL and a baby blanket shawl which will be donated to local hospital and given to parents who've lost infant/toddler. I'm also finishing up this year's Christmas cards and gathering supplies for Christmas gift projects.

Pray for my friend, Julie, who has cancer and may not be with us much longer.

What's up 9/23/07

2007-09-23T15:49:00.000-07:00

Here they are--second pair of socks. They're made from Elann Esprit using Cat Bordhi's Sinple Socks pattern and size 2 needles. I really like the 2 circular method. Of course, a couple of times I used the "resting" needle to knit from the working one. That wasn't a major problem. I started my Dublin Bay sock-a-long socks last night for the First-Time Socknitters group.
This is mid-September KAL from monthly dishcloth group. Pattern from Knit Sew Studio. I almost frogged this when I discovered what it was. I've tried this before and had trouble with the crochet. This one did okay. Yarn is SnC Painted Desert. I'm thinking of making a hand towel and dishcloth to match for a gift. There is a witch on this cloth somewhere. She's in profile from neck up and right facing. This is Rachel's Knitting Room KAL 6 and designed by Marilyn Wallace. Yarn is Hot Orange SnC.
This is knitdishcloth KAL. Pattern is creation of Kayleen Clements. Yarn is Bernat Handicrafter Twist.
This isn't a knitting project. When I'm not knitting, I do a little rubberstamping. Usually I do this on Sunday afternoon but lately I've been knitting more on Sunday. This is my Christmas card for 2007 and 2008. Members of my church exchange cards so I start in January making "church" cards. I'm almost finished with 2007 ones. This card will be mailed to friends who do not attend my church this year. I go to a friend's home for Christmas Club once a month on Monday and this is card I'm working on. The design can be found on www.splitcoaststampers.com in the gallery. The stamp set is Stampin' Up City of David. I'm sorry I can't remember the "designer's" name. I'm not very good with designing cards.
I had an interesting thing happen this week. I welcomed Flo who works for Elmore-Pisgah in Old Fort, NC to monthly dishcloth group. In my post, I mentioned that I lived in Reidsville. Another Reidsville knitter responded and hopefully she and I will meet. I want to start a knitting meet-up group here. My new cyber-friend knows the young man who mows my lawn. This was just TOO COOL!!!!

I've really been working

2007-09-15T19:45:00.001-07:00

It doesn't look like I've done much this week. Here's my bookmark KAL. It's done in DMC Traditions size 1 needles. This is my first DW cloth. Someone sent me one in an exchange and I really liked it. So I made one of my own. It is a great cloth for variegateds.
I'm not resting. I have projects OTN--scarf KAL, prayer shawl, dishcloth KAL and sock 2 of Cat Bordhi simple socks. Tomorrow is another KAL start up and will start another on Monday. Hopefully next week will have more finished.

In memory of Sunny D

2007-09-10T20:43:00.000-07:00

I lost my 17 year old Himalayan last night to old age. Sir Sundance Kit-of-Rosedale, as he was officially known, (aka Grumpy Cat, Sunny D, Big Guy, Sundance) was a good cat. He was almost like a dog. I miss him but have Izzy and Debit to keep me company.

I don't have a picture of him that can be posted. In his younger days he was a beautiful cat. He adapted to most things--Debit (the dog) took a while. Debit for some reason was a little frightened by Sundance. If Sundance was laying in a doorway, Debit would bark until he moved.

I love you Big Guy and will miss you...

Fruit of the needles 9/10/07

2007-09-10T20:32:00.000-07:00

This is Eleanor the Elephant designed by Rhonda White. I recycled a KAL that was Yin Yang kitties. I think I had some problems so decided to use this lovely SnC blue (in NC we call this Carolina Blue) to make a birthday gift for my friend who loves elephants.
This is September KAL for Monthly Dishcloth KAL. It was also given to my friend.
This is my first completed Christmas gift. The pattern is Fore Towel from Knit Wits Heaven. It will be given to a golfer for use as a golf towel. It' s made from Bernat Handicrafter Sage Green. I really haven't been resting. I have on the needles a scarf KAL, dishcloth KAL, sock 1 of a pair, a prayer throw, and a bookmark KAL. I also did test knits for Monthly Bookmark design contest. I can't post those pictures. I did get my twin set assembled and will work trim as soon as I finish my socks.

This week's completed projects

2007-08-26T20:20:00.000-07:00

Monthly dishcloth KAL. This colorway is SnC Rainbow bright ombre. It worked up nicely and will match. Handtowel I made earlier. One Christmas gift--done!

Below is mid-month KAL from Knitdishcloth group. Bernat Handicrafter. I suspect this one will be sailing on the Just B Gunn. Capt Noah Gilligan Gunn did me a favor so this dishcloth and M&Ms will be his reward. I may try to work out a handtowel.

Here they are my first pair of socks. It's 90+ degrees so can't wear up yet. I'm pleased with how they turned out and am starting pair two tonight. I'm going to try the Cat Bordhi method. This is a prayer throw I made using persimmon TLC Amore and size 10.5 needles. Pattern is flickering flames from THE HARMONY GUIDES vol 3.

The bookmark to the right is mid-August KAL designed by Liz Hanson. I have a couple of children that will receive one of these. I'll probably buy some brighter yarn and use #10 cotton. Both of these were made with DMC Senso which is fairly heavy. Bookworm was on size 3 needles. The other bookmark is Brian McGaunn's flowering vine. I'm going to try this one also with #10 cotton or Grace. Rachel's Knitting Room KAL is a Kool K-9. Yarn is SnC Robin's Egg Blue.
I also made 4 more prayer throws from the Serenity Prayer panels. My flannel shrank badly so these are small than first. That's what I get for buying cheap flannel. I get to work on socks next weekend.

I went to stamp camp this afternoon. We made Halloween favors. Taped a scalloped and stamped piece to a sucker. Also made a get well card and matching envelope.
I'm up to the neck shaping on my twin set. I hope to finish it over my long weekend. Next week I'll start Christmas projects in personal knit time.

First Sock

2007-08-15T21:21:00.000-07:00

Here's my first sock. I followed tutorial at http://www.cometosilver.com/. Scariest part was grafting the toe. I had not had success with grafting before following the tutorial. It really helped. Yarn is Elann Esprit which is elasticized cotton. I think the colorway is English rose garden. I'm becoming addicted to sockknitting. I love handpainted yarns and interesting colorways but knitting other garments with them is way out of my budget. Socks will allow me to use them. I'm also considering dyeing my own yarn.

Also I'm working on modular coasters from Knitty Gritty. I've knitted entrelac dishcloth a couple of times but I keep having to frog these coasters. I'm knitting one of Brian McGaunn's bookmark patterns.

Bookmarks and project progress

2007-08-12T21:09:00.000-07:00

These are my versions of the August 7 bookmark KAL. I used 4 different yarns. From the left, yarns are Elann Adara, Knit Picks Shine Sport, Patons Grace and LionBrand Microspun. I liked the Shine and Grace best. This pattern is available at www.knitwithkt.blogspot.com.

The bookmark on the left is made from Adara and from another pattern found at www.knitwithkt.blogspot.com. There are other free patterns on this site. The bookmark on the right is my second attempt at the July bookmark KAL.

Other projects progress: twin set about 12 inches up the back of the shell. I start armhole shaping in another inch. Hopefully this will be finished by the end of August. Then I'll start working on Christmas gifts. I'm working on my first sock and am about 6 inches into the gusset. I want to finish it by Thursday so that I can work on the second one on my Lake Junaluska trip. I'm also working on a prayer shawl that should be finished in about a week and, of course, I'll have KALs to do this week.

First week of August

2007-08-06T19:57:00.001-07:00

I'm beginning to use different yarns for bookmarks. The one above was made using LionBrand Microspun on size 3 needles. Pattern is a freebie from www.knitwithkt.blogspot.com. I really liked the pattern. It is pretty on both sides.

This is Dudley the dolphin designed by Janet Nogle. He's Aug 1 KAL from monthly dishcloth group. I used SnC.
This is one-piece bathing suit from www.knitsbyrachel.com. It's made using SnC. I used it for an exchange.

This is a prayer shawl that I sewed using a quilt panel donated by Chaseline. It has the Serenity prayer. I "lined" it with flannel. Chaseline is a local company that makes sample quilts. They donate material for our local Project Linus chapter. Our coordinator gave this to the shawl ministry as she felt it was better suited to adults. I have 33 more of these to make. Anybody know where I can get a deal on flannel? I'm watching our local Walmart and Joann which are the two closest fabric outlets.

The rest of the story

2007-07-30T20:38:00.001-07:00

This is Bumbles. He's made from yellow SnC from a pattern from http://www.knitsbyrachel.com/. He's a gift for someone. I really like Rachel's patterns but have decided that I need to use size 5 needles as cloths are fairly large. She also recommended blocking by spraying with water and smoothing out with fingers. I've found this to work very well.

This is Knitdishcloths Christmas in July KAL. It's red SnC on size 7 needles.

This is Rachels_knitting_room KAL. Beep-beep. I entertained
my co-workers at VBS last week by explaining how kals work. Everyday they'd ask "what is it?"

I got my first "puffy" today. Seeing someone else's handy work and checking out all my goodies was fun. My exchange partner's knitting reminded me of my mom's.

I also received some hand dyed yarn that I commented on from one of the Monthly Bookmark group members. I'm beginning to be interested in hand dyeing and am beginning to check out sources.

I'm working on another "gift" dishcloth and a prayer throw using a flame pattern using persimmon TLC Amore. I plan to start working on my twin set again on Wednesday. I'm also working on my first sock. I'm thinking of frogging this and trying one of the two needle cast on methods. I used larger needles but by problem is that I pull my "long tail" pretty tight which doesnet allow much elasticity. I'm concerned that sock will not go over my heel.

As usual I'm posting at bedtime. So goodnight...

Monthly KALs

2007-07-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

In response to a comment, I belong to 3 dishcloth KALs and the bookmark KAL. All are Yahoo groups.
Dishcloth KALs are MonthlyDishcloths group, KnitDishcloth group, Rachels_Knitting_Room group. Bookmark KAL is MonthlyBookmarksKAL group. I enjoy all these groups. I've been knitting for 40+ years and really like KALs and learn a lot through them. The first 2 dishcloth groups and the bookmark KAL have 2 KALs a month.

Mid July

2007-07-29T21:01:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy week. I worked with VBS and so even though KALs were finished didn't get pictures made. The center bookmark is mid-July KAL. I used DMC Traditions and size 1 needles. The other two were made using an angel from a dishcloth designed by Carol Callaway. I'm thinking to make the next one with some metallic thread around the angel.

Two of my dishcloth KALs were made with red yarn which didn't show well when photographed. I'm going to try pictures again tomorrow. This is the one from monthly dishcloths and it's not showing too well either. I like this yarn. It's SnC Twist Naturals. It's "tweedy."

This is prayer shawl I made for friend who had back surgery. I used Elann Adara and a pattern from Elann called Rainbow Shawl. This is the one I had such a hard time keeping up with the pattern for some reason or other. When I washed it, I discovered a dropped stitch that had to be repaired.

I also made a "quilt" by lining a serenity prayer panel with flannel and tying. It was my first quilt attempt and I delivered it to a young man who's just out of rehab. I forgot to take a picture.

I'm making dishcloths for exchanges and also my first pair of socks. I'm going to start working on my twin set again Wednesday. I hope that I can get back on my schedule this week.

KAL--KAL--KAL--KAL

2007-07-15T15:49:00.000-07:00

These are bookmarks made from the July 1 KAL. All are made with DMC Traditions #10 cotton and size 2 needles. I liked this pattern. The pattern is available to members of the Monthly Bookmark KAL (Yahoo group). I pray when I make these and they'll be given to friends as gifts.

Click on any of the pix for bigger view.

From the Heart of Texas is a charity oriented Yahoo group. This is the July 1 KAL. Yarn is Red Heart supersaver acrylic. I'll send this to Colleen Ponzani for her "spare squares." She sews the squares together to make afghans for kids at a hospital near her.

This is Knit Dishcloth Group KAL. I used SnC yellow. This one will be used as a dishcloth. I'm donating some to a fellow group member for a charity craft show so this will probably go to her.

This is Monthly Dishcloth KAL. I cheated. This is an afghan square. It is made with acrylic. It's some I bought in a surprise package from e-bay. This will also go to Colleen.

Now I'm all caught up and it's time to KAL again. Fortunately only one of the KALs I belong to started today. I'm ready for tomorrow.

What I did on my summer vacation

2007-07-15T15:19:00.000-07:00

Well as the commercial says "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." In my case, my driver's license stayed in Vegas too. Fortunately I travel with my passport. I will however say I had a good time and a restful one. I completed several knitting projects and worked on my rainbow shawl which I hope to complete tonight.

I went to see "Love" by Cirque du Soleil. If you're ever there, go see it or any other Cirque show they are worth the money.

On the trip out nasty weather closed Dallas-Ft Worth which caused my flights to be delayed. I spent 5 hours in Greensboro airport and 2 in DFW and did some knitting on the first flight. So I had about 9 hours of knitting time. I spent about an hour unknitting my shawl (two times). I think the lesson learned from that episode is don't knit late at night unless you count stitches after every row or use a lifeline.

This is a washcloth I made from a pattern I bought from Rachel van Schie. Pattern is called Shovel and Pail. Needle size 7 and yarn is Knit Picks Shine Worsted. This is a very soft yarn and makes up nicely for bath cloths.

This is fingertip towel sans button designed by AlexSandy Thompson from the Dishcloth calendar that was compiled last year. The yarn is SnC and I don't know what color as the label was one of the things that "stayed in Vegas." I've bought buttons for these towels several times and who knows where they are. Hopefully I'll find them by Christmas.

Here are some bookmarks I made. Actually made 2 each of the two on the right side. Sorry the picture is not so good. I will drape the sewing cabinet with cloth next time. The bookmarks on the left and in center were designed by Brian McGaunn. The third bookmark is last month's KAL. Used size 1 needles and DMC Traditions.

While I was on vacation, Tristan, my great-nephew, came home from the hospital. Thank you, Lord. He's doing well. He is the apple of his granddaddy's eye.

Saturday Stuff and Shawl Pics

2007-06-30T11:07:00.000-07:00

This is prayer shawl made for our local hospital to give as needed. The yarn is Red Heart Plush Pomegranate. This yarn is also marketed as TLC Amore. It is very soft and lightweight and makes nice prayer shawls. I used size 10.5 needles and the stitch is diamond lace and I'm not sure which source I used. HARMONY GUIDE has this stitch. (Right hand pic is close-up.)

This is prayer shawl for Scott who has cancer. Yarn is Red Heart Supersaver Camoflage and looks like I had 2 lots--so much for "no dye lot." In the past I've used Bernat Camoflage which I prefer as it's softer. Needles were size 10.5 US and pattern is fish hooks stitch from page 56 of THE HARMONY GUIDES 440 MORE KNITTING STITCHES volume 3. (Right hand picture close up of pattern)

I'm still pretty new at this and haven't figured out how (and if) you can rotate images. I also wanted to move the close-ups so they overlapped the whole piece. I guess that's a lesson to be learned another day.

Now I have to clean my house. I cannot knit again until my house is a lot cleaner than it is right now. I'm not posting pictures of this mess.

Friday Fritterin' on Saturday Morning

2007-06-30T06:41:00.001-07:00

Last night I worked on Patricia's rainbow shawl and finished another bookmark. I'm trying to get ready for my trip so this is brief. I'll be posting pics of the camoflage "shawl" and another shawl I made for the hospital later today. Later...

2007-06-28T22:05:00.000-07:00

I finished Scott's shawl tonight and will post picture over the weekend. I also started a bookmark using Chain of Hearts pattern and variegated #10 yarn. I worked on Patricia's rainbow shawl.

I'm trying to get ready for my trip and had a gazillion errands tonight so didn't read.

2007-06-27T22:18:00.000-07:00

Finally have pics of mid-June KALS. This is Moss Ivy Facecloth from Monthly Dishcloth KAL. I used Knit Picks Shine Worsted Wave and size 7 needles. Love the way it worked up and will probably use this pattern again.

This is design by RaAnn Clegg, moderator of Monthly Bookmark KAL. These need to be blocked. They're knitted from DMC Traditions #10 cotton. The center one was knitted on size 2.5 mm needles. Others were on size 1 US. I'm going to make more of these and use some variegated yarn. The bookmarks are ideal for prayer time. Patterns are short which makes "multi-tasking" easier

I'm almost finished with Scott's prayer shawl. I should finish up Thursday evening. Then can focus on rainbow shawl. I think I'm going to make a hand towel on my Vegas trip.

June 26, 2007

2007-06-26T21:25:00.000-07:00

Wow--what a weekend! I attended my 40th HS reunion and had a blast. I was major recliner potato Sunday and had to play catch-up on some things last night.

I'm working on my third bookmark. I received some aluminum size 1 needles today. I only had bamboo and was concerned they'd break. I really like making these. I've printed another pattern which I'll use for my next one.

Still working on the camoflage prayer shawl for Scott. It will probably be finished in two days. Hopefully by then I'll be taking pix and posting them. Also worked some more on rainbow shawl . I'm having to use markers as I had counting problems with it.

Through From the Heart of Texas group, I'll be participating in traveling needles. This sounds like fun. I bought some goodies to forward on with the needles.

I finished reading THE PAINTED VEIL last night and watched the DVD tonight. Hollywood changed the story slightly (of course) but movie was pretty good. I'm now reading THE DOUBLE BIND by Chris Bohjalian.

I'll think I'll see if I can find my camera book now. Later...

June 21 log

2007-06-21T19:43:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I finished my first knitted bookmark KAL. I decided knitting bookmarks while praying might be less frustrating and thus more suited to the objective. I'll give the completed bookmarks to those on my prayer list who are not shawl recipients and to others as birthday mementos. I used size 1 needles to make the bookmark. The only ones I have are bamboo which will break easily so spent time today in pursuit of aluminum ones which I finally had to order on-line.

I listened to "No Boundaries" CD by The 5 Browns during prayer time and worked on my second bookmark as well as finished up my dishcloth KAL. I hope to post pics of both over the weekend. The dishcloth was Janet Nogle's Moss Ivy cloth and I used some left over Shine Worsted. I worked up beautifully.

I'm working on a prayer shawl for Scott, my friend Brenda's son, who has cancer. I'm using Camouflage worsted and a pattern called fishhooks from the Harmony guide. I hope to finish it by month's end. I'm also working on a shawl for Patricia, hospital chaplain, who had back surgery. I'm making a rainbow shawl using Elann Adara. I'm using it for my personal project right now. I'll start to work on my sweater again after vacation.

I'm reading THE PAINTED VEIL. I have about 50 pages left. It is an interesting read. I'll watch the DVD made from this book when I finish.

Now it's time to go to sleep.

Tristan

2007-06-21T16:49:00.000-07:00

Here's my great-nephew, Tristan. He was six weeks premature. This was taken his first day here--June 9. He's 2 weeks old now.
We call him "Jelly Bean" because when Dad (Daniel) saw his first ultrasound, he said Tristan looked like a jelly bean. Tristan is doing well. He only weighed 3 lbs 6 oz at birth but was breathing on his own and was okay. He's still in hospital at this point so pray for the little guy.

Family

2007-06-21T16:36:00.000-07:00

My family consists of me, Debit (my sweet dog), Izzy (my young cat) and Sundance (aka Grumpy Cat 'cause he's pretty old). The picture above is Debit and Izzy. I think they're having a discussion of who's territory the chair is. This was several years again and now we pretty much sit and sleep together. Sundance is still a little leery of all this and seldom sits/sleeps with us.

This picture was my first upload so now have to find camera instructions so can add more pics later. I promised Debit a ride around the block and she's getting impatient so better go.

I love to knit

2007-06-21T09:21:00.000-07:00

If I could just be on a porch in a rocker with my knitting and my MP3, I'd be a happy camper. I am looking forward to my annual pilgrimage to Las Vegas. This is my first post and so it's short. I will eventually be posting pics of my knitting projects and my four-footed baby but this will have to do until after vacation.