Knit, Cro(chet), Spin, Sew, Quilt & Sing...

Of Snow and Slippers

2011-03-18T01:42:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, Denver tied the record high temperature for the date, 74 degrees (F). Today's high was 62 degrees. Tonight, it looks like this:

Yes, those are big, fat snowflakes. What is that old adage, "If you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes," or something to that effect? And it is supposed to be back up to 51 degrees tomorrow.

In my last post, I reported on the current knitting projects. The slogging continues on the a4A sweater. The red Cotton-Ease swatch is napping right now, while I concentrate on crocheting more slippers, this time for the Pink Slipper Project.
(The last twelve pairs were sent to Cheyenne River.) Seven and a half pairs are completed so far. I need to find an appropriate box to pack them in, and keep making them until the box is full. That seems to make more sense than trying to find the perfect size box for a certain number of pairs. As soon as I figure out how to make a photo collage in Picasa, I'll post pictures of the completed slippers.

Signs of Spring

2011-02-24T13:46:00.000-07:00

Daffodil shoots are poking through the mulch; winter won't last forever! Actually, the weather has been very agreeable the last two weeks. Any winter day that doesn't involve shoveling snow is a good day!

Well, since this is, in part, rumored to be a knitting blog, I guess I should report what's on the needles. The current big project is a sweater for afghans for Afghans. The deadline I was hoping to meet has come and gone, but part 2 of the youth campaign isn't due until late April. Surely I can knit two sleeves in two months. (I know, don't call me Shirley.) Probably the biggest impediment to completion is the bulkiness involved, since the sweater is seamless. It's become a bit of a pain to carry around, so I usually only work on it at home.

The other project OTN is a gianormous Cotton-Ease swatch. I've always liked Cotton-Ease, but the colors that have been available locally since its reintroduction have been rather uninspiring (pastel earth tones - REALLY?). But the last time I was at Michaels, I spotted, way down on the bottom row, skeins of Cotton-Ease in "Cherry," a "deep, bold red" according to the Lion Brand website. So I used my handy dandy coupon to purchase one skein to try. Using my Denise needles, since that's what I would be using to knit a sweater from the stuff, I cast on 30 stitches on a US#9. After a few rows of garter stitch for curl prevention, I continued in stockinette for about 4 1/2 inches. Then I switched to US#8 tips, did another garter ridge, stockinette for 4 1/2 inches, lather, rinse, repeat down to US#5. The next half of the swatch will be reversing the needle size order, while knitting in the round. When that's done, I will check and record my gauge on all of the sections, then wash and dry the swatch exactly the way I plan to launder the garment. Finally, after removing it from the dryer, I'll recheck my gauge and see how the knitted fabric fared in the laundry. If, after all that, I like what I see, it will be time to choose a pattern and find a good price on the yarn.

Next time, I'll talk about what's on my hooks these days; you won't want to miss it! 8-)

New Day Dawning

2011-02-14T23:05:00.001-07:00

Now, don't get too excited, it's only one picture and not much text. But at least it is finally a post! (I hope my faithful reader doesn't keel over in shock!)

We enjoyed this beautiful sunrise this morning, and gorgeous weather all day. Tomorrow is forecast to be even warmer, and it's supposed to be close to 70 degrees (Farenheit) on Wednesday. I'm sure glad I live in Colorado!

More later, honest.

Ooh, Shiny!!!

2009-07-20T09:26:00.007-06:00

Meet the new baby in our driveway, my husband's brand new 2009 VW Jetta TDI. The TDI officially stands for "Turbo Diesel Injection", but I've decided it actually means "Tremendous Dollar Investment." It was time, though; the car he's been driving (a 1990 Geo Prizm we bought used from a neighbor) has over 200,000 miles on it and has been falling apart, bit by bit. To soften the pain of the price, we will be getting a good-sized tax credit for buying it, and a nice tax deduction for donating the Prizm to charity.

In knitting news, there are now 15 pairs of mittnz completed, and I've started on the 16th pair. I'm thinking I'll go ahead and finish 18 pair before I quit, so that shouldn't take too much longer. Then maybe there will actually be knitting for something for me! Well, probably not; I really need to get started on Christmas presents. There's only a little more than five stitching months left, after all!

MITTNZ 2009...I'm on a roll!

2009-07-09T12:11:00.008-06:00

As soon as I heard that Mittnz 2009 had begun, I cast on for my first pair. Naturally, since I'm easily bored, I used a variety of patterns as well as lots of different yarns (all from stash, of course!) to make these nine pair. The two pair at top left are crocheted from this great pattern, and the pair at bottom left are from the adult version of the pattern, in the single crochet style. The teal pair at top right and the teal and variegated pair second from left on the bottom row were knit from the basic mitten pattern in Ann Budd's Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns. The rest were knit using Kate Gilbert's Gifted mitten pattern, which has become my new most favorite mitten pattern. I've done some tweaking of the pattern (the instructions are only guidelines, right?) with just about every pair, until it's just darn near perfect (for me, anyway!). As a matter of fact, I like this pattern so much that I've continued making mittens, even though the official goal for Mittnz 2009 is just the nine pair.

Now, admittedly, the pair on the right in this second picture is NOT from this pattern, but a girl has to try something new now and then, right? That pair is actually an adaptation of a pattern in Knitting New Mittens and Gloves by Robin Melanson. But I'm back to the "Gifted" mittens pattern on the pair I'm knitting now. I wonder how many pair of mittens I can make before I go totally bonkers? Hmmm....

So, it really IS November!

2008-11-15T17:59:00.004-07:00

And we were greeted with the proof yesterday morning. Of course, being Colorado, the temperature may be back in the seventies next week.

Let's see, what have I been up to? Well, I'm to the wrist on the first knitted arm warmer/long fingerless glove. It's taking so long because I'm redesigning it as I go, from the original shorter pattern. You know, knit 20 rounds, frog 12 rounds, re-knit those 12 and get another 30 done, just to frog another 5. The second one will be much faster to make, just replicate the first!

The knitting for the troops is going well; I've now completed three hats and am working on the second neck gaitor. The last of the set of squares for Close Knit Hugs is done, and I'm in the process of weaving in all the ends (something I should have done as I finished each one!). Last, but not least, I finally frogged the scarf I had been making for last year's Red Scarf Project (more here) and rewound the yarn into balls. It has now been cast on again for the Red Scarf Project for 2008, as they have extended the deadline to December 15. The pattern I'm using this time is the Palindrome Scarf, so I can just knit from one end to the other - no need to graft two halves together!

Well, I suppose I should get some dinner made, before the natives get too restless.

A Photographic Record of My Day

2008-11-04T23:56:00.003-07:00

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Mittnz and Wristrz and Troop Hats, Oh My!

2008-10-01T20:37:00.005-06:00

Actual FO's to report, can you believe it?!? Above on the left are the five pair of mittens and three pair of wristers made for the 2008 Mittnz Blitz, now on their way to the Cheyenne River Youth Project in South Dakota. On the right, modeled by LizaBeth Bear, is the hat I finished yesterday for the Knitting for the Boys Project, and at bottom left is the new one I'm working on.

I'm also knitting another pair of wristers for the daughter of a friend, altering the pattern to make them elbow length. And I still haven't gotten back to my second sock, which is waiting for me to pick up the gusset stitches. Oh, yeah, there are those afghan squares I still have to finish, too. Well, it should all keep me busy and out of trouble, anyway!

The Last Sunrise of Summer

2008-09-23T00:30:00.004-06:00

...and I'm really NOT going to miss it (summer, that is, not sunrise)! While I realize that we can't enjoy all the wonderful fruits and vegetables that the season brings, I just HATE the heat. I can hardly wait for consistently cool weather (though I'll be more than happy to accept intermittent chilly days in the meantime).

Just thought I would drop in to say that I'm still alive, in case anyone is listening. There may even be more posts in the near future, if you can stand the shock!

Time Bandits

2008-07-04T01:53:00.003-06:00

Okay, who made off with May and June? We can't possibly already be halfway to Christmas, can we? Surely I'm not the only one feeling the rush of air as the days, weeks, MONTHS go rushing by (I know, don't call me surely)...

Well, I have been busy. I received my invitation to Ravelry in late April, and have spent more time there than I would like to admit. It's scary to contemplate just how much yarn has already been cataloged from my stash, especially when considering how much more there is to be entered. Just how many socks worth of sock yarn do I own, anyway? I'm not sure I really want to know.

There has been actual knitting occurring, with multiple FO's to report. The red vest for Warm Woolies that I was working on in my last post has been finished, along with another one in the same yarns with the colors reversed (pictures to be posted soon). I've also started making afghan squares again, and am determined to get a boxful mailed to Close Knit Hugs by the end of July. The most exciting 1/2 FO, though, is my very first sock knit using sock-weight yarn and US#0 needles (otherwise known as dental floss and toothpicks).

(Charlie Cat added for scale - LOL)
I can't wait to start on the second sock, which will be intentionally fraternal. No obsessive stripe matching for me!

It's WAY late, or REALLY early, depending on your point of view, so I'm off to bed now.

Tax Rant and Progress Report

2008-04-18T14:17:00.005-06:00

Did y'all see the flare I sent up on Tuesday, when the $#@&* TaxCut program finally let my e-file my returns? They were done Monday afternoon, but every time I ran the "review and check for errors," it came back telling me the payer address from DH's 1099-R was incomplete. Never mind that I typed it exactly as it appeared on the form. Never mind that when I entered the exact same info into the TaxCut program last year, it accepted it with no problem. It insisted that it was an error, and if you choose to ignore said "error" instead of fixing it, the program won't allow you to e-file. Arrrggghhhhh! After deleting and reentering the info numerous times, I had DH take a look at it. He also deleted and reentered it a few times, but then apparently said some sort of mystical incantation over the computer to get it to accept the info. Of course, then it came up with another error, for which he also deleted and reentered the appropriate info, successfully, this time. And there was much rejoicing in the land...at least for the success of the e-filing, if not for the payment to the IRS.

As you can see from this picture, progress has been made on the Warm Woolies vest. I
am just starting on the garter stitch borders for the armholes, after which I will be binding off those sections and working the back and front separately.

And here is the sock-in-progress, just about ready to start the heel flap. You can also see the ever present Ballband Dishcloth, being held down by Tigger's butt.

In health news, I am pleased to report that DH's shoulder has been less and less painful as the post-surgery days have gone by. Yesterday, he even said that it was (dare I say it?) pain free! The still-stitched incisions are apparently itching like crazy, but that will be taken care of next week at his post-op doctor visit.

Well, I'd better get back to it...

Springtime in the Rockies

2008-04-11T16:22:00.003-06:00

This is what I woke up to yesterday morning - poor little daffodils! The good news, though, is that all the white stuff was gone by late afternoon.

This has been an interesting week; DH had his shoulder surgery on Monday (the second surgery on the same shoulder in the past 16 months). We're all very hopeful that this will finally relieve the pain he has been suffering since the initial injury in August of 2005, during his deployment in Mississippi and Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. I was able to convince him to take an additional day off, so he didn't return to work until yesterday.

I did get quite a bit of knitting done while we were at the surgery center. The Warm Woolies vest now has about four inches complete, and I had done about the same amount on my first Broadripple sock. Unfortunately, the sock has made multiple visits to the frog pond, primarily due to "gauge of the moment" issues. I am now about eight rounds into the pattern (again!), this time on US#1 (2.5 mm) needles. For someone who usually has to go up at least one needle size, using this small a needle for Regia 6 fadig yarn is a bit bizarre.

Well, back to work...

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T21:24:00.005-06:00

The angel up on the tombstone said,

"He is risen, just as he said."

Quickly now, go tell His disciples

that Jesus Christ is no longer dead!

Joy to the world,

He Is Risen, Alleluia!

History Making Event

2007-11-07T23:47:00.000-07:00

I swatched for the Formal Boot Bag in Bag Style last night, and made gauge right out of the gate. This is definitely a first; I usually have to go up one needle size, and even then, I rarely get both stitch and row gauge at the same time. So, after picking my jaw up off the floor, I proceeded to cast on. The bottom is finished, and I'm five rounds up the side, woohoo! I also had a money saving idea as I was once again perusing the book. I'm already planning on making the Knitting Needle Knitting Bag next, and have purchased the handle needles for it with my 40% off coupon on Michael's. But if I want to make a second (or more) bag from that pattern, I plan to purchase a hardwood dowel rod in the correct diameter (10 mm) and finish the (unpointed) ends with wooden beads (or glass, if I can figure out how to best attach them). Have I mentioned how much I like this book?

Whoa, Nellie!

2007-11-07T00:24:00.000-07:00

What is up with the price of gas (no pun intended)? Ten days ago it was $2.69 a gallon, and now it's $2.99, a thirty cent jump. If it gets any more expensive, I may have to take to pogo stick riding to get around!

Today was election day - did you vote? If not, then you have NO business complaining about the government.

Okay, now off the soapbox...

Remember that scarf for the Red Scarf Project, the one for which I went off the yarn diet? Well, here it is in it's two halves, being checked out by senior cat inspector Tigger. I thought I was almost done, only needing to graft the two halves together. Wrongo, moose breath! I couldn't figure out how to graft the ribbing to make it look right; it's always half a stitch off. Of course, I had no one to blame but myself. I'm the one with the bright idea to do it in two halves, instead of end to end like the instructions called for. In my defense, I decided to do it that way because of all the mistakes in the first half of the pattern that I had needed to correct; I really didn't want to have to do that for the rest of the scarf. Anyway, long story short, it is now languishing in the UFO's while I decide what I want to do with it, since it's now past the deadline. Oh well, live and learn.

At Long Last...Blog?

2007-11-05T19:23:00.000-07:00

Okay, just what is it about blogging that's keeping me from getting it done? You would think it was as exciting as root canal surgery or something...sheesh! Perhaps I should try something I did to finally get in the habit of flossing my teeth. I'll let you know if it works. (Obviously, if I don't let you know, it didn't work.)

Let's see, where should I begin...how about what's currently OTN/H? I'm on the home stretch on the afghan squares I'm knitting for Close Knit Hugs. Just seven more to do and I'll have enough to send in for an entire afghan. Several six inch granny squares have been on the hook for Share a Square. I'm also going to be swatching tonight (during Heroes and Journeyman) for the bag on the cover of Bag Style.

Well, that's it for now, time to watch TV (prime knitting time!).

2007-10-16T00:54:00.000-06:00

GO ROCKIES!!!

Yarn Diet "Slip"

2007-09-21T01:41:00.000-06:00

Well, as you can see from the graphic above, I had a little "slip" in the Yarn Diet. I'm not feeling too guilty, however, as it was for a good cause. After a thorough search of my yarn stash, I found that I had NO machine washable, soft, worsted weight red yarn to use for the Red Scarf Project. My solution? The use of two 40% off coupons for Michael's, each used on one skein of Red Heart Soft in a deep wine color. Total cost for the yarn, including tax, was $4.24. I'm using the "Hugs & Kisses Seaman's Scarf" pattern adapted from Besotted Scarf by helloyarn.com. Pictures soon to follow, I promise!

How weird are you?

2007-07-06T22:04:00.000-06:00

You Are 50% Weird

Normal enough to know that you're weird...
But too damn weird to do anything about it!

How Weird Are You?

Happy Birthday, USA!

2007-07-05T00:48:00.000-06:00

I only hope we can survive until January 2009!

Heeere's Nancy!

2007-05-30T20:33:00.000-06:00

Yes, I know, I haven't posted in ~~forever~~ over two months. I offer no excuses, I just haven't gotten it done; but like Finnegan, I begin again.

Let's start small, shall we; how about a cute kitty picture? From left to right, this is Tigger, Charlie and Shadow, sometimes known as the Three Musketeers.

Well, that will have to do for now. More later, I promise.

FO's, AFO's and WIP's

2007-03-10T22:48:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are some pix:

First, the FO's...these are a couple of pairs of handwarmers/wristwarmers/fingerless gloves that I made earlier this year, but hadn't yet posted. Both are made from Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky. The pair on the left are my size, the ones on the right are about an inch bigger around for what I guess would be a size large. (I made them for my voice teacher, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis.)

Next, the AFO's (almost finished objects, because the knitting is done, but they need to be felted). The top picture is of two pot holders and an oven mitt that I made for my niece. The other picture is of my second project started in the Magic Moebius class, the Butt Basket or Moebiass. I did not, however, choose to make it in pink, so it doesn't look quite so much like its name.

Finally, the WIP's. The red project is the Shawl Collared Cardigan from the December 2006/January 2007 issue of Knitnet, knit from the same Lamb's Pride Bulky as the wristwarmers. The green project is a vest for the Warm Woolies charity. Last, but definitely not least, is a hat for DS, made from a wonderfully soft fingering weight alpaca, quadruple stranded. And if that yarn wasn't so soft (and warm), I would have pitched it in the trash long ago. I've had to splice it dozens of times when one or more of the three plies has been broken in the skein. But the kid really likes it, so hopefully it will have been worthwhile!

Well, that's enough for now, since 6:45 will be here an hour earlier than it should be, thanks to those yoyos in Congress.

New Beginnings

2007-03-05T23:56:00.001-07:00

Isn't life wonderful? Every day we get a new beginning, a fresh chance to start again.

And such a beautiful start to a new day this morning!

Just wanted to see if I remembered how to do this, since it's been so long since I last posted. The last week and a half could have been titled, "The Puke and Snot Show," and it's not even Renaissance Festival time yet! But I think I'm finally (reasonably) healthy again, so will post pix in the next day or two of some FO's not yet seen by you, my adoring public {snort}. But it's nearly midnight now, and 5:40 comes really early. Later...

F.O. Report

2007-02-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

First, though, the sky from last Saturday; yes, I was up early! Had to be up to get ready for the second of my three Moebius classes. I had gotten a few more rounds done on my hat, but was nowhere near done, as I had hoped to be. But the two hours of uninterrupted knitting time in class were just what I needed. I came home with only fifteen rounds left to do, and finished up that evening. So, may I present my fourth finished (knitted) object of the year, the Reversible Lotus Blossom Hat.

Yes, I know, I haven't posted pix of any of the other F.O.s. I'll try to remedy that situation soon. Now it's time to start my second moebius project, so that I can get help in class if I run into any problems.

In other news, I did some yarn dyeing this week with my two favorite Koolaid colors, Berry Blue and Cherry, as well as some Wilton's frosting color in Violet. The Koolaid yarn came out great, just as I had envisioned. The Wilton color did not dye as I had hoped; it's more of a variegated blue and purple, but I still like it. Now I'll have to try again for a deep purple. I, of course, forgot to take pictures of the yarn before winding it into balls, so this picture will have to do...
Yes, as a matter of fact, I do enjoy bright colors; why do you ask?

Onward!

Of Moebius and Migraine

2007-01-31T18:38:00.000-07:00

Oh, yeah, and that Saturday sky thing; notice much difference between this pic and the shot from my last post? The more things change, the more they stay the same, at least as far as the weather is concerned.

Had my first Magical Moebius class on the 27th; we're doing the hat from Cat Bordhi's "A Treasury of Magical Knitting" to start, then we'll each pick what other project we want to do. I've only gotten as far as the beginning of the crown, which is what I completed in class (see semi-crappy picture). All knitting, as well as pretty much everything else in life, came to a screeching halt Sunday morning when I woke up with a magnificent migraine, complete with up-chucking (TMI?). Missed singing at church (obviously), and spent all day Sunday and part of Monday in bed. Way to get the work done, Woo Hoo! Finally felt halfway decent yesterday, so we were able to go up to my folks' house to finally exchange Christmas gifts. Now, if the weather and everyone's schedule will cooperate, we might be able to get down to the Springs to do the present thing with Bev and Nick. Hope springs eternal...

Saturgrayday

2007-01-20T14:23:00.000-07:00

Oh, look, another gray Saturday; at least it isn't snowing (yet)! Just the kind of day to make a pot of soup and do some baking to help warm the house. Why is it that the same temperature inside feels colder when it's cold outside? Inquiring minds want to know! Anyway, think I'll put a chicken in the oven in preparation for soup making, and maybe get some navy beans soaking, too. I would probably be happy having soup for supper every night when it's cold, especially with some fresh baked bread - yum!

We had an intruder alert this morning. Our cats are strictly indoors, but our neighbors to the east let their cat wander free. Said cat seems to enjoy coming over to our deck and harassing our cats through the sliding glass door, which especially upsets Tigger. There was much fur raising, tail lashing and caterwauling for several minutes until she apparently got bored and moved on. Such a fuss!

Don't you just love the expression on Tigger's face!?!
Well, back to the grindstone...onward!

The Paralysis of Perfectionism

2007-01-19T18:55:00.000-07:00

I am a perfectionist. This is not exactly a news flash to my immediate family or probably even close friends. Now, a modicum of perfectionism (if there is such a thing) is not necessarily a bad thing. But when "anything worth doing, is worth doing well" becomes "if it can't be done perfectly, there's no sense in doing it at all," then life can be quite difficult. Case in point: I haven't posted anything to this blog in almost seven weeks. The reason, actually reasons? I can't get my pictures in the post the way I want them, I can't think of a good title for the post, I don't have any good pictures to post, I don't have anything "witty" to say, etc., etc. I think you get the idea. So I've decided to do something I don't normally do; I'm going to make a couple of New Year's resolutions, even though we're already well into the new year. First, I'm going to start posting on a regular basis, even if my posts aren't "perfect." Second, I'll be working on taming the perfection monster in other areas of my life, as well. Remember, you heard it here first. LOL

It's that Saturday sky again!

2006-12-02T21:37:00.000-07:00

And no, the lens of the camera isn't dirty; those spots are fat flakes of snow. We haven't yet gotten rid of the snow from the storm earlier this week, so this isn't exactly what I wanted to see when I got up this morning. The snow probably won't melt for awhile, either, since tomorrow's high won't be above freezing. Oh, well, what can you do?

My answer to that is, I can knit! I finished the hat that matches this Touch of Whimsy scarf that I made for ISE3, but I still have to wash and block the hat, so no pix of it yet.

I've also been knitting Freedom Warshrags from the Mason Dixon Ballband Dishcloth pattern, in blue, of course! I've finished one and am 3/4 done with the second one, after which I'll be knitting some non-disposable Swiffer cloths. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rock On!

Giving thanks (a week late)

2006-12-01T17:41:00.000-07:00

What a marvelous Thanksgiving sunrise; how can I not be thankful for such beauty!?

Other things I am thankful for? My parents still being alive, especially after my father surviving a second battle with cancer, and living near enough to see them regularly. My sister & BIL living in Colorado Springs, and their daughter & her fiance' in Ft. Collins, so that I can see them semi-regularly (though not often enough :-). A wonderful DH who never questions the size of my fabric or yarn stash. A loving DS, now cooking for us on a regular basis. Five crazy feline furballs and one Cockatiel, endlessly entertaining and amusing us. Abundance in just about every category I can think of. I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the idea...

Saturday Sky

2006-11-25T23:52:00.000-07:00

Well, would you look at that; she's actually posting a Saturday Sky picture on Saturday! Even the same Saturday that the picture was taken! Wow, what's next, pictures of FO's and updates on life in general?!?

Well, not tonight, at least. Just a picture of Tigger flipping me off. There, now you've had your kitty porn for the day...

Saturday Sky x 2

2006-11-24T17:20:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm incredibly far behind on posting...deal with it. Here are my Saturday Sky pix for 11/11 and 11/18. I'll be posting more stuff later on, as soon as I take another break from the excitement of laundry.

Sad Day

2006-11-09T00:07:00.000-07:00

Today we had to have our dog put down. Kaitu was about a year old when my husband got him "at a discount" from a Malamute breeder. Kaitu was injured as a young puppy when his mother picked him up incorrectly by his head. As a result, he was brain damaged. We often called him "dumber than a box of rocks," but he was the sweetest dog you could imagine. We had more than eleven wonderful years with him, a fairly long life for a dog his size. But now he's no longer in pain, and he's crossed the Rainbow Bridge to be with Sitka again, where they both can run and play freely while they wait for us.
Rest in peace, Kaitu; you will be greatly missed and loved always.

Make Your Voice Heard!

2006-11-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

Did you vote today? I did. If you are a US citizen eligible to vote, I hope you did too. If you didn't, you have NO BUSINESS complaining about your government, be it local, state or national.

Okay, now for some knitting related content. About three weeks ago, I woke up with a muscle spasm in my neck that made knitting wonderfully painful. I did make a couple Cof attempts to knit through the pain, since I was facing my ISE3 deadline of 1 November. But my doctor told me to stop knitting for a couple of weeks, as it was exacerbating the problem. Stop knitting? But I have a deadline to meet! Oh well, s*** happens! Anyway, I am now knitting again, but I still need to limit how long at one time that I work. As a result, I haven't yet finished the scarf, but I do have about 45 inches completed (I'll post pix when it's done).

DH's scarf
did get finished before my hiatus; here he is, proudly modeling it, and a closeup of the stitch pattern:

Had the opportunity to meet and talk with Cheryl Oberle last night at one of our local Barnes & Noble bookstores. They were having a "Knit with Cheryl Oberle" night, and she had signed copies of her books for people to purchase. I already owned Folk Shawls , so I took it along for her to sign, and I purchased Folk Vests while I was there. Cheryl was wonderfully friendly and down-to-earth, and I really enjoyed speaking with her. She even gave me some great tips for avoiding seaming in garments that are not made circularly in one piece. For example, instead of sewing side seams in a sweater, you can pick up stitches along the selvages of the front and back pieces, and then do a 3-needle bind-off on each side. I don't think I would ever have thought of that! Cheryl is working on her third book, this time about jackets, which is to be published in Fall 2008. I know I'll be wanting to add it to my knitting library!

Saturday Sky

2006-11-04T23:10:00.000-07:00

Here it is, and it's even still Saturday!

I will write more, I promise. But it's already after 23:00, and I have to get up at 06:15, so I need to get to bed now.

Saturday Sky and Tuesday snow

2006-10-18T03:17:00.000-06:00

Hurray, Blogger is working again! Here on the left is my Saturday Sky; you can see just how gloomy it was. I don't even know whether it was as cold as it looked, since I never left the house that day.

I can tell you, though, that it's certainly as cold as it looks in this picture (above right). Today was our first snow of the season, which will hopefully melt ASAP. I love to watch the snow fall, I just don't want to deal with its removal, or have to drive in it with the fools who don't know how!

This is where I am on DH's scarf. I'm holding a strand of Muskoka worsted in "Berry Red" with a strand of Regia Jacquard sock yarn in the "Eskimo" (of course, LOL) colorway to give it faint stripes. The pattern is My So-Called Scarf. Both of these yarns, I'm proud to say, are from my stash - four balls down, 19 gazillion to go!

Last, but most definitely not least, is this promised presentation of kitty cuteness. This is Charlie, our youngest cat (he's only 3), looking up at me as if to say, "What do you mean, this is the dog's spare water bowl? It's obviously been placed here for me to use as a bed! See how nicely it fits me? And am I not the cutest thing you've ever seen?"

Stupid Blogger!

2006-10-16T15:49:00.000-06:00

The title of this post WAS going to be "Saturday Sky posted on Monday," but Blogger refuses to upload any pictures. Grrrrr...
Anyway, it was overcast and gloomy on Saturday, the kind of weather that makes me want to sleep instead of getting anything done. It was just as well, though, since I woke up Friday morning with a muscle spasm in my neck and was still sort of scrunched up and in pain on Saturday. Thanks to better living through chemistry, however, I am now at least able to stand up almost straight. Still can't turn my head very far to the left or tilt it back, but oh well!

Progress on DH's scarf proceeds, albeit slowly. I am just past 36 inches long on it, so it is over half done. I could really use a plain stockinette or garter stitch project about now, since this herringbone pattern requires me to actually pay attention to what I'm doing. And when I don't, tinking it back is a royal pain (ask me how I know). I'll post a picture, as soon as Blogger gets over its problem.

Will also post some kitty cuteness, as soon as ... well, you know the rest! Later-

ISE3 (International Scarf Exchange) goodies

2006-10-10T13:04:00.000-06:00

Hey, it's only been ten days since I received my package, and already I'm posting pix. (Can you hear the sarcasm in that statement?) Well, here I am, wearing my beautiful, warm new scarf. I really like this pattern (Inner Truth from Magknits), and the colors are gorgeous. My scarf partner hand-dyed the yarn herself and did a wonderful job on both the dyeing and the knitting.

The scarf did not arrive alone, however; it had this adorable stuffed rat and yummy Jelly Rats candy to keep it company.

The rat's name is Rodney (or so he tells me), and he's wearing his very own knitted scarf to match mine.
Here's a shot of Rodney getting acquainted with Shadow; notice how thrilled the cat looks. :-)
Well, I suppose I'd better get started on something for dinner...onward!

Saturday Sky

2006-10-07T11:53:00.000-06:00

Here's my very first Saturday sky, taken at 8:30 this morning. What a beautiful blue it is! We probably won't have another one like this for at least the next three or four days, since a cold front is due to come in tonight. Temps are forecast to drop more than 20 degrees from today's anticipated high of 80, and skies will most likely be overcast and/or rainy.

I'll be posting pix later on of the scarf I received from my partner in the International Scarf Exchange 3. Later...

She's baaaackkkk.......

2006-09-28T17:50:00.000-06:00

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth; time just seems to get away from me more and more these days. If it's this bad at 50, I don't want to think about how fast time will fly by when I'm 80, provided I make it that long!

I have accomplished something in the last couple of weeks; I finally bought the yarn to make my ISE3 partner's scarf. You can check out the yarny goodness in the picture above. The color's not quite accurate, even though I played with it in Picture Manager, and you really can't see the depth of shading that's there, either. Nice stuff!

I've started working on the scarf pattern that I've selected to use, but haven't gotten far enough into it to know whether it's what this yarn wants to be. Stay tuned... (and I promise, it won't be another two weeks before I post again!)

Rainy Days and Fridays

2006-09-08T22:03:00.000-06:00

Well, I've finally done it - joined the blogging world, that is. Today is wonderfully cool and rainy, a great day to stay inside. So I figured, why not just bite the bullet and start my own blog. Truth be known, I've been considering it for some time, but couldn't come up with a good title. I don't know how GOOD this title is, but it does list my favorite ~~addictions~~/hobbies/activities. And it also has a nice, rhyming rhythm to it, don't you think?

Anyway, here's where you can read about my ongoing knitting, crocheting, spinning, sewing and quilting projects, intermittent actual FO's (finished objects), and my frequent visits to the frog pond. I'll also probably talk about my upcoming trip to Italy (in April 2007) with my church choir, and the excitement and anxiety that entails. There will most likely be the occasional political rant, personal whine, and/or soap box pronouncement, as well.

Since today is DH's birthday, I need to get something "cake-ish" baked, so I'd best sign off. Stay tuned...