Dishcloths and Yarn

So much to tell about today and I have pictures. Let's start with Dishcloths:

Here is the Diagonal Dishcloth I was knitting and finally finished:

I enjoyed knitting this cloth, but it really gets a little crooked. I had to stretch it around to get it to look right. I love the beach ball blue color from Sugar and Cream.

This is a ripple dishcloth that I made from a pattern from my DishclothsRUs yahoo knitting group.

This one was very enjoyable to knit and I loved the pattern.

Here is a dishcloth from my Monthly Dishcloth Yahoo group. It was the June KAL for the beginning of the month.

It's a Unicorn and I really like it. The sizing is different on this one.

My favorite dishcloth in this bunch is the from my DIY exchange in Love2Knit Dishcloths Yahoo Group. This was a different exchange. You sent a ball of yarn and needles to your partner. When you got your needles and yarn, you picked a pattern to knit from the yarn. My partner Judy, sent me a skein of Honeysuckle Yarns in the color shrimp. Apparently, Peaches and Cream makes this yarn. After using 3 skeins of Sugar and Cream yarn and then switching to the Honeysuckle yarn made by Peaches and Cream, I now know why everyone loves Peaches and Cream. It is much softer and does not split. I chose the pattern Turq by Harvest Moon Designs. I adjusted it a bit. According to the directions there would have been too much space between the crossover pattern. So I eliminated some rows and I love how it turned out.

My partner also sent me Size 7 needles from Boye and a squiggly needle wrap. I really like both the yarn and squiggly.

Since, I'm talking about dishcloths, I may as well tell you that I was arm twisted into ordering the Sugar and Cream Twists yarn and the Robin Egg Blue yarn. No one had to twist my arm too hard. ;-) I wasn't sure about the Twist yarn, but I finally saw a dishcloth made out of one of the colors and that did it for me. I got just about one in each color:

I also purchased Lornas Laces Lion and Lamb yarn to make a clapotis scarf. I have been dying to make one of these but just couldn't find a color that caught my eye. I finally saw the Dessert Flower color, but it was discontinued. I did find it on ebay from Yarn Bazaar. It was a great place to order from. I have to finish off some current projects before starting on this one.

Much to my surprise, I finally was able to purchase the watermelon color yarn from Freshisle Fibers. I have probably been on a waiting list for this yarn for about a year. I got six skeins and I'm in heaven! This picture of socks got me hooked on this yarn.

I have been crocheting away on my soft wave ripple afghan. I really like how it's coming out and definately love the colors!

I was determined to keep on with this after being told that it's hard to crochet a ripple afghan.

I have been researching swifts and will probably be buying one from Kirtland's Yarn Barn. The problem I am having is deciding on which one to get. Anyone have any suggestions? I think I am leaning toward the alternate one. Hopefully, I will do a post with some of the swifts I have found. There are more out there than you would ever think about.

And, what would my blog be if I didn't post a new picture of Maggie May. She is getting bigger. All of her adult teeth are in except her fangs. I think she may have to have some of those pulled since the new ones are coming in, but the baby teeth aren't getting loose. She gets spayed at the end of June, so I imagine that the vet will do it then if they haven't come out by then.

I'm in Heaven

Who said that staying at home was boring? I'm not bored at all. In fact the days are flying by. I can't believe that I haven't been employed now for 22 days. I knew that this would be a good thing. I'm in Heaven! My husband loves it because I am cooking more. Maybe I can finally lose some weight. That is next on my list of things to do.

The problem with being at home is finding more knitting projects that I want to do. I found this baby sweater on the Yarn Harlots blog and I just love it! You can find it under her post dated May 25th called Hometown Jitter. The yarn is called Dream in Color. I called Lettuce Knit for 2 kits and also ordered at kit for the Rocketry Baby Cardigan in the same yarn. I have also been wanting the one skein shawl in Handmaiden Sea Silk, so I also ordered that along with two different colored skeins of yarn. Can't wait until I get my order. I really wish I lived in Toronto. They have such neat yarn shops there. That is one place on my wish list of places to visit. Expensive yarn crawl isn't it?

I have finished the zigzag dishcloth and have moved on to a ripple dishcloth (I will post pictures next time). I have finally gotten the hang of the soft wave ripple afghan that I am crocheting. I must have frogged that thing 5-8 times to try and get it right. Unfortunately the problem was me and not following directions. I am ready to change colors. I was getting nervous that I would not have enough yarn, so I went out and got more skeins before the dye lots ran out.

Last Friday, I found out that the knitting shop I go to for knitting lessons will be closing in 90 days for renovations. They sold the building that they are in and will lease it. They are going to renovate it and reopen as a yarn shop, but we are all concerned that they will only be selling Kraemer yarns. The yarn shop is at Kraemer yarns. Hopefully, I will find out more when I get there tomorrow. They are also telling us that the shop will only be closed for about 3 weeks. They are going to add more classrooms and they will be nicer than they are now. That is a plus.

I also found out that they make the yarn for Moorehouse Farms and Cherry Tree Hill. They do sell Cherry Tree Hill right now, but not Moorehouse Farms. They are apparently not allowed to sell it there.

I have read the following books since I last blogged:

Morning Comes Softly by Debbie Macomber: She never disappoints me with her books.

First to Die and Second Chance by James Patterson: Great Womens Murder Club books. I can't wait to read the next one in the series.

First Impressions by Jude Deveraux: I couldn't put this book down it was that good. I really love Jude Deveraux. I think my favorite book of hers is Knight in Shining Armor. This book is a must read.

Priviledged Information by Stephen White: He also has a series of books and this is the first one in the series. I'm ready to read the next book on the list.

Maggie May got groomed this week and she looks really good. She is losing her teeth like mad now and I have an appointment at the end of June for her to get spayed. She is getting better and calming down. I'm sure once all of her teeth are in and she is spayed she will be even better. She is a great companion and a very loving puppy. I really miss Sadie and wish she were with us too. I am so glad to be home with my puppy.

Can you believe that I have poison ivy (I think). I have no idea where I got it. At first I didn't know what it was. Now I am treating it. I was ready to go to my doctor today, but found out that he isn't in until June 7th. I am going with the treatment that my husband found at a pharmacy and if it gets worse, I will go to emergency to be help. It's mostly on my torso, but I has been spreading. Hopefully, I have it under control and it will start to go away. Any suggestions out there?

On a real upbeat note, I found this on another blog and wanted to spread the word. It's a great story and a great legacy. Check out the information on Hug Nation. Grandpa we love you and give you a big hug.

A Summer of Knitting and Reading - What Fun!

I'm unemployed! Due to downsizing at my company, I no longer have a job. However, I am getting a nice severance package and will be able to collect unemployment. What timing! I can enjoy the summer to read and knit. Since I commuted an hour to work, this came at a great time because of the price of gas. I am loving it!

The great thing about being home right now is spending time with my puppy Maggie. She is a terror and needs to have me home to give her the attention she needs. She is 5 months old today. Happy Birthday Maggie May:

She needs a hair cut and bath badly, but next week she gets to visit the groomer.

I have been knitting more. Right now I have been knitting dishcloths. Here is the May Mid-month dishcloth:

I really like how this pattern turned out. I used Sugar and Cream Violet Veil Ombre.

I also completed the Dafodil dishcloth from my monthly dishcloth group:

I loved working with the yellow Sugar and Cream yarn.

Here is the mid-month Dishcloth from April:

I had trouble with both the April and May mid-month dishcloths. You would think I would learn. The yarn overs kill me! Inevitably I forget to do a yarn over and as a result don't have enough stitches. Then I have to frog back and reknit. The trick is finding what row I frogged back to. Luckily I can read the stitches and have no trouble determining where I'm at. The May Mid-Month Dishcloth was the worst. I must have frogged that cloth 5-6 times.

Knitting and Reading

I can't believe it's been over a month since I have posted. Where has the time gone? I know, Maggie is taking a lot of my time. She needs a lot of love and attention. Soon she will be getting a lot of it since I am losing my job and will be home with her full time. I am counting the days to relaxing, knitting, reading and doing whatever!

I haven't gotten much knitting done, but I have finished these two dishcloths:

One is the Mid-Month KAL for my monthly dishcloth group (this is from February):

This is another from March:

Here is another in progress from April (I know, I know, I'm a little behind):

Not being able to knit hasn't stopped me from buying yarn. I got my Socks that Rock club yarn:

Then I got a skien of laceweight yarn in Cherry Blossom from Sundara. I just love this yarn.

I couldn't pass up trying to make a crocheted afghan once I saw the blogging group on the web for the book 200 Ripple Stitches:

Here is the book:

I am making the soft waves pattern in the colors below:

The yarn is from Patons called Canadiana.

While I haven't been knitting too much, I have been reading. I finished the book The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs and A Killer Stitch by Maggie Sefton. Both are great reads and I couldn't put them down.

I am currently reading Hey Good Looking by Fern Michaels. Once finished with that, I will read Back to Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber.

I should be posting more soon once I am done working. May 15th is my last day, so I only have one more full week of work. Then it's sleep in time and enjoy the summer! What timing!

Not Destashing

Still not getting much knitting done. Puppies are a handful, especially this one! Here is a picture of the dishcloth I am knitting. Its a pattern from the Yahoo Monthly Dishcloth KAL group.

I am also knitting a scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. It's called the Chevron Scarf and you use two different color yarns. I am using Socks that Rock Farmhouse and Watermelon Tourmaline. This is the first time I am knitting with two different colors at the same time.

What I am really excited about was being able to purchase yarn from the Yarn Pirate. I had signed up for her mailing list for any notifications. She was stocking her Etsy shop this past Saturday. The yarn went fast and I didn't think I was going to get any, but much to my surprise I was able to buy the following skeins below:

1 skein of Paris:

2 skeins of Dogwood:

3 skeins of Cannon Beach:

I had to be really quick on getting them into my cart and making sure they were all mine. Now, I can't wait until they get here so I can figure out what I will make with them. I am still dreaming of getting the following two colors:

Crocus:

Somona:

I'll either have to be quick to get them or see if I can special order them. Glad I'm not destashing. I am a Yarn slut!

Frogging Away - Rip it, Rip it, Rip it

Well, Maggie May is a ball of fire. She sure keeps me hopping! She's not quite three months old and already she has attempted going down steps. We had three other dogs and I had to teach them how to go down steps! I don't think she fears anything, although the other day she got her head stuck between the back of the desk and the wall and started screaming. I did get her out and the good news is that she doesn't go under the desk and chew on any wires that are there anymore. Hmmm, now if I could just get her to stop chewing my bedroom slippers.

I have been knitting more. I am currently working on the February mid-month dishcloth KAL (I know, I'm a little behind) from my monthly dishcloth group. I really like the pattern, but I keep messing up one row and having to frog it. I come up one stitch short and I know it's the yarn over's. You would think that I would get it by now.

I got my Socks that Rock yarn and started the chevron scarf. This is the first time I am knitting something where you change yarn colors. I also got the first installment of the Socks that Rock Club for this year. Really nice notebook and yarn came this time. I will post pictures next time I write.

I am also working on the Candle Flame Shawl from knitpicks. I had to frog that all the way back because I messed up and didn't know where. At least it was towards the begginning and not further along. There seems to be a pattern here with having to frog so much.

Maggie May

We have a new addition to the family. Her name is Maggie and she is a handful! I like calling her Maggie May. She is a very loving puppy and loves to be held, but she is a puppy and has lots of energy. We have her about a week now and she keeps me hopping. She's a cutie though. I usually like a black dog only, but I love the white that she has on her. I'm just hoping she remains a healthy pet for a long time.

I haven't had much time for knitting since we got her, but I did finally finish some projects:

There are the fetching gloves:

I also completed a dishcloth from the Monthly dishcloth group. It was the pattern from the beginning of February.

And I finished off the snuggly baby blanket I was making:

I have a few things on the needles, but I am waiting for some yarn I ordered from Blue Mountain Fibers (Socks that Rock). I plan on knitting the Chevron scarf that is making it's way around the blogging world from the book Last Minute Knitted Gifts.

I also joined a bookmark knit-a-long group that is on yahoo. Since I love to read and knit, I thought it was a perfect fit. I recently finished the new Barbara Delinsky book, Family Tree. I really enjoyed the book, but then again, I love all of Barbara's books.

Speaking of books, there are a lot of new knitting books coming out. I am anxiously awaiting their arrival as I am sure I won't resist the urge to get them.

Well, I'm back to blogging. Now I just have to get back to knitting.

To Catch a COLD

Haven't blogged lately since I had got a bad cold. I caught it from my darling husband. I am finally feeling like my self again. It hasn't helped either that the weather has turned bitter cold here. Hopefully, it will warm up next week. By warm I mean in the 30's.

On the knitting front, I am finishing up a dishcloth and working on a baby afghan. I need to get back into the knitting mode since I have several projects close to being completed. I haven't even been to knitting class for three weeks! I am getting the shakes. Hopefully, I will be going this week.

Finished reading the series of knitting novels by Maggie Sefton. They are Knit One, Kill Two; Needled to Death; and A Deadly Yarn. I really enjoyed all of them and wish there were more. I have a couple of other knitting novels by other authors that I can read. I also heard that Debbie Macomber is coming out with a new book in April called Back on Blossom Street. I can't wait. I just love her books.

I recently purchased the book Cables Untangled by Melissa Leapman. There are really nice illustrations on cabling and different types of cable patterns. I might try the reversable scarf as my first project. What a great project for a cold day!

Knitting for my Sanity

Well, even with all that has been going on in my life, I am still knitting. I finished the monthly KAL for one dishcloth knitting group.

I completed another dishcloth from Harvest Moon Designs for a Dishcloth swap in another knitting group.

I really enjoyed knitting this dishcloth. It was challenging because I kept making mistakes, but it really is a pretty cloth for Valentines Day.

I also, am finishing up my scarf using the mistake rib pattern.

So, I have been keeping busy. It has kept me sane and calm. Which is a good thing.

A Tribute

Sadie

1/25/04 - 1/19/07

What a shock! Our Sadie is gone. She was diagnosed with Auto-Immune Disease at the beginning of the month and went quickly. She was a wonderful dog. I can describe her as a loving, obedient, happy, giving, vocal, animated dog. She will be greatly missed and it has put a big hole in our hearts. We love you Sadie and always will. You are in a better place now and will be there to greet us when it's time.

A Tail that Wags

What a week it has been. It is all revolving around a 23 pound cocker spaniel named Sadie. She means the world to us and she is sick. After taking her to the vet we found out that several things could be going on with her and one of them didn't look good at all. Of course the vet was leaning towards the worse case scenario. He took urine and blood samples and sent them off to the lab. We don't have all the test results back, but the good news is that he is pretty confident that the worst case scenario isn't in the cards. What was it? Auto immune disease or AIDS. With that option, she would have about a 50-50 chance. Fortunately, for us she is improving with the medication (steroids and antibiotics), but slowly. Today was the happiest day of my life when I came home from work and her tail was waging. I haven't seen that since before last Thursday. She stopped waging her tail for now, but at least I can hang on to that vision when I came home and it gives me hope.

With her being sick, I have been knitting to keep me from losing it. I finished the one dishcloth for an exchange and then completed another one for another exchange. However, I have noticed a mistake on the second dishcloth. So, I guess I will be frogging it. Fortunately, it's not too far from the end and I can live with frogging after seeing that tail wag.

Reflections

It was a great holiday week. I had off for most of the week and really enjoyed the time away from work. My husband was wonderful to me as always and got me an Ashford Joy spinning wheel, with a wooly winder. Of course he had input from me. He also surprised me with some little gifts and I was really touched that he had kept them from me and even made a half decent attempt at gift wrapping. Now, I have to spend time learning how to spin.

2007 has arrived uneventfully here, but it is time to look back at what I accomplished as far as knitting is concerned. I knit 17 dishcloths, 1 coaster, 1 baby afghan, 1 regular afghan, 1 pair of socks, 2 scarves, 1 lace shawl, and 1 poncho.

I also read 28 books (4 less than last year). I have been keeping track of the books I have read since 1985. It's interesting to look back and see how many books I have read through the years. So, at the end of last year I decided to keep track of what I knit for 2006. The best book I read was the Glass Castle by Jeannette Wells.

As far as New Year resolutions go, I am bad at keeping them. But, I do want to knit more, read more and learn to spin. I have a large stash, but I am not participating in the knitting from my stash this year because I don't want to be confined to not buying yarn.....at least not yet (even though I should be). I also want to try and knit each dishcloth for the knit a long's in the Monthly Dish Cloth KAL yahoo group. Lastly, I want to be a better blogger. I want to post more and take more pictures of my finished and in process projects. At least it will be a record of what I am knitting (or crocheting and spinning). Oh, did I tell you that I also wanted to try to go back to crocheting too?

I am proud that I did finish up projects that I had in progress. However, I couldn't stand it any longer and have started on several new projects. Of course, I am knitting dishcloths. I love the patterns that are posted for sale on the Harvest Moon blog and Knitwits Heaven. Here are two that I am making for an exchange:

I'm also working on a mistake rib scarf using Manos (this yarn is so dreamy that I couldn't help myself).

And a baby blanket using Sirdar Snowflake Chunky. I'm told that baby's just love this yarn because it's so soft. Isn't the striping cool? I love the colors.

I also want to start on a lace scarf made with the qiviut that I got from the Arctic Lace KAL. The yarn is really beautiful. I wanted to start it this week, but I need size 3 needles and don't have any. So, I may need to wait until the weekend to buy some. I was able to get two skeins, plus a tote bag and an issue of Wild Fibers Magazine. I'm so excited to start this project.

So, it'll be interesting to come back here on January 1, 2008 and see what changes are in store for me, what I have accomplished and what new resolutions I will try and keep.

Eeek.....it's almost Christmas

Well, best laid plans of mice and men. I had hoped to give some knitted gifts for Christmas this year, but that isn't going to happen. Work has just been crazy and I'm lucky I find time to knit at all.

I was doing so well catching up on WIP's; however, I went crazy and started several projects. Added to my list is now a baby blanket knit in Sidar Snowflake Chunky. I am still working on the second Fetching glove, but should finish it over the weekend. I hope to start another pair in Aurora 8 in black.

I was busy tonight wrapping Christmas presents for my husband to take into work. At least that is now complete. I still have to wrap his gifts. Oh, for a moment alone! I guess that tomorrow is another day. I will look forward to Saturday when I am off for a week (except for a one day training session). I am dreaming of a relaxing holiday week.

Lessons Learned

I'm close to finishing the shrug. I have very little to do, but have been side tracked because I started the Fetching gloves. They are a little tricky to do at the thumb. My knitting instructor had to help me. I think I know now what I need to do on the next thumb. One glove down and I'm working on a second. I don't know if I will get three pairs done for Christmas. The last two weeks I have been traveling for business, so that hasn't helped. At least I'm home now for the next two weeks. I need to start sooner on knitting for Christmas.

I did get the qivuit yarn that I was drooling over. Two skeins of a dark purple. It is soooo soft. I really need to get started on knitting that too.

I am so excited! I have been looking for the Interweave Knits magazine for Summer 2004. I think I have found a copy. At least I ordered it. Hope I get it. Last time I did this they canceled the order because they were out of stock. It has the pattern for the Madli shawl by Nancy Bush that I would like to knit. The ironic thing about this is that I probably had the magazine but threw it away. That was in my early knitting days and I didn't know the importance of hanging on to my knitting magazines. I have learned my lesson.

I have been reading more. I finished Black Notice and Point of Origin by Patricia Cornwell and Motor Mouth by Janet Evanovitch. I enjoyed them very much.

Time Flies.....and so do the stitches

The week has flown by. Where did it go?

Spent time learning to spin on Tuesday. It went better than Monday. At least I got how the treadles work. Handling the yarn is getting better. Practice is definately necessary. Judy was really a nice person and very informative. I learned a lot from her.

Thanksgiving we went out to dinner with family. There were 10 of us and it was an enjoyable dinner. Only problem was that it took forever to get our food. Our reservations were for 1:30 PM and we got out of the restaurant around 4:30 PM. Food was good though and hubby got to eat a turkey dinner. I had crab cakes.

On the knitting front, I am on my last skein of yarn for the shrug. I had hoped to finish it up this week, but that didn't happen. The end is in sight though. I did start on the fingerless gloves on Saturday when I went to knitting class. They should finish up quick enough. The tricky part will be around the thumb. I think I will wait until next Saturday to finish up the one glove.

I also started the Candle Flame shawl from Knitpicks. I have a business trip this week and wanted to take some knitting with me, so I figured that this was light enough and would keep me busy at night. I leave tomorrow and will be back late on Wednesday. I am just hoping for good flights, no delays, and no bad weather.

I'm looking forward to Christmas vacation. Still have a lot to do for Christmas, but I should get through it. I have cookies and a ham ordered and we made our reservations for New Years Eve dinner. Nothing like planning ahead.

Spinnin' Wheel got to go 'round

Ah, Blood, Sweat, and Tears. Brings back great memories. What a group they were!

Yeah, I'm on vacation! As much as I am glad, I feel that this week is going to fly. I remember when I was a child and the time went by so slow! I wish I could put the brakes on now!

Today, I had my first experience with spinning. I tried two different types of wheels: an Ashford traveler and an Ashford Joy. I really liked the Joy. I was able to see my feet better and had a clear view of the bobbin. So, I bought the Joy. It's a combination Birthday and Christmas gift. I got it for a better price with the cover than I saw on the Internet, so my darling husband even let me buy a spinning chair.

The first hard time I had was learning to use the treadles. It took me a little while to get started, but then I got the hang of it. The second part and the most crucial part is twisting the roving to the right thickness and feeding it into the bobbin. You have to get your feet moving just right, let the yarn twist and pull the roving to the right thickness all at the same time. Needless to say, I bought a pound of roving to practice.

Tomorrow, I will be visiting with someone who I met on a Yahoo spinning group. I am sure that spending a couple of hours with her will help get me on track. It is amazing what I have picked up by just reading information on the Internet. Now, I guess the only thing I need yet is a niddy noddy and practice, practice, practice.

On the knitting front, I am diligently working on my shrug. I am determined to finish it this week because I want to start on the Fetching fingerless gloves found on Knitty.com as a Christmas present for my nieces. Plus, I would also like to start on the Candle Flame shawl found on knitpicks.com.

On another good note, I did join the Arctic Lace KAL and was able to order the kit, which includes 2 skeins of qivuit yarn in twilight (a purple color). I won't receive the kit for several weeks, but that is okay. I probably won't be able to start a project with it until Christmas is over.

More to come on my spinning and knitting later this week. Hopefully, I can get this song out of my head by then.

......Talkin' 'bout your troubles it's a cryin' sin.
Ride a painted pony let the spinnin' wheel spin

My Head is Spinning

What a week it has been. First I received an order of books from Barnes and Noble. I got the new Victorian Lace Today and Artic Lace. These are two beautiful books. I am currently reading Artic Lace and really would love to buy the qiviut yarn; however, it is soooo expensive. I may just cave and buy two skeins though. There is a pattern for a beautiful shawl, but it takes 6 skeins. Oh, to be rich!

I finished another dishcloth. This time it was a turkey and I'm currently working on a dishcloth that has a Christmas ornament on it from Harvest Moon Designs. It was a free pattern and is very pretty. I still need to finish the shrug though. One of these days very soon I will just do that.

I have been reading a lot about Spinning and toying with the idea of trying it. Well, I joined a yahoo group called Spinning and got some good direction. I found a local store that sells spinning wheels and gives lessons. I really need to try before I would even think of buying. I also heard from a couple of the members and one lives close to me and we are going to meet up the week of Thanksgiving so she can show me how to spin. Looks like my vacation is filling up fast. One more week to go!

NO Stitches East - But I do have yarn!

It's been a busy week but I finally got through it. Two more weeks and it's Thanksgiving. Time is sure flying. At least I will have vacation that week.

I wanted to go to Stitches East, but alas I couldn't go. Hopefully, they will have it close next year so I can make an attempt to go. But, that didn't stop me from buying yarn. I was quite busy ordering yarn for some future projects:

For Scarves (maybe my so called scarf?) Manos - I just love the colors!

For a shawl - Handmaiden Sea Silk in pumpkin:

For a hat - Brown sheep Burley Spun (Sorry, the colors are dark and a little hard to see).

And, I got my Socks that Rock from the Rockin Sock Club:

Projects I have completed:

THE PONCHO:

Some Dishcloths:

A Cat:

An Apple:

A Pear:

I have also been searching for the pattern for this slipper:

Someone had made this for me years ago and I wanted to attempt to find it. It's on the Needlebettle web site and is called Aunt Alms dorm boot. It appears that the pattern is very close and the person who did the boot for me adjusted it a little.

So, I'm knitting along and getting projects completed. I am still currently working on the shrug. I have passed the half-way mark. Finishing is in sight.

While I have bought quite a bit of yarn for projects, my next project will be Fetching from Knitty.com

I figure that this would make a great Christmas present for my nieces and have been told that they knit up quickly. Quick projects are good right now.

I'm also proud of myself. I believe that I am finally getting the hang of using Flicker with Blogger! I better go back to knitting before my head swells too much.

Catch Up

What a knitting week! I finished the poncho and knit two dishcloths plus started another. I will post pictures later today. My WIP's are going down. Next is the shrug.

I started to order yarn for projects. I got Handmaiden sea silk in pumpkin for a shawl, Manos in several colorways (boy are they gorgeous) for scarves and Brown Sheep burly spun for a hat. Can't wait for it to come.

I haven't been to knitting class in two weeks but got there on Saturday. I really enjoy those sessions.

I had a long weekend this weekend (4 days). It's been really nice and helped me to work on knitting and catch up on other things. Next vacation is Thanksgiving week. Can't wait.

Picky, Picky, Picky......Sadie is being Picky

Couldn't go to knitting class this week. Sadie had a grooming appointment and I had to pick her up. All of a sudden she doesn't want to eat her food. Had to get her chicken and cook it. I'm using that until I get to call the vet on Monday. It's funny, she picks out the food she wants in her bowl and doesn't eat her regular food. As a result, I couldn't get the poncho done. Can't wait to see what we have to go through with her now. She is so picky!

I did order a smaller blocking board from Joann's. They had a 50% off coupon and I took advantage of it.

Satisfaction is finding something you want on the internet. I wanted the fall 2004 Interweave Press issue. After some digging, I found it at the Mannings online. Yeah!

So many projects are dancing in my head. I really want to make a couple of scarves, fingerless gloves and another lace shawl. But, I want to be so good and finish the UFO's.

Can't wait until this weekend. I have off for 4 days and I will go to kntting class this week. Monday and Tuesday will be crazy, but Wednesday and Thursday should be wonderful. Then I can knit, knit, knit.

Knitting away.....

Finished up the poncho except for sewing the seams. I will take it to my knitting class next week to make sure that I'm doing that right. I always have trouble finishing up.

I was able to knit a dishcloth from my monthly dishcloth group that has knit-a-longs. It was a cat. I used an orange cotton yarn. Will try and post a picture later in the week. A new knit a long starts tomorrow. I'm not sure that I will participate in that one.

I am currently working on my shrug. I am almost half way completed with it. I need to put a lifeline in since the yarn is tricky to use and I have made mistakes in the past. Ripping is not fun without a lifeline with this yarn (Bernat Softy). I wasn't sure that I would have enough yarn to finish it, but it looks like I will be okay - thank God! I am so proud of myself that I am working away at these works in progress and actually finishing them up.

I ordered the knitpick needles and got them very quickly. Haven't tried them yet since I haven't started anything new.

Finishing - Close to the end

I'm getting closer to the end of the poncho. I have about 6 more inches to knit and then I can finish the shrug. I'm dreaming of lace after that and maybe a scarf.

I even completed a dishcloth from my monthly dishcloth knit a long. It was a cat. I like knit a longs where you only work on so many rows a day. I hate knit a longs where you are on your own. There is no incentive. I am also working on a square for a comfortghan. It's for my other dishcloth group.

It's so nice to be finishing projects.

I ordered the knit pick's options needles. Can't wait to get them.

On a Roll

I'm working on my poncho and have passed the half-way mark. Cheers! Once I complete this, I will start again on my shrug.

I did start on a new dishcloth with the Monthly Dishcloth group and I'm working on a comfortghan square for my other dishcloth group.

It makes me feel good to be able to start something new. These two projects are short and sweet and won't detract from finishing the poncho.

I want to start on another lace project. Maybe after the poncho is complete.

Finished!

Many things got finished this week of vacation. It was pretty productive week:

1. I finished the afghan I was knitting.

2. I finished the half-pi shawl and I'm now blocking it. Blocking is not as easy as I thought it would be.

3. I read a great book by Jeannette Walls called The Glass Castle. What a book! I highly recommend it. It's about a family that has dysfunctional parents. Actually, the parents are irresponsible and only think about themselves and not about their children. While this is a negative, there were many good things about the story that is a biography of Jeannette Wells and her upbringing. It just goes to prove that if you put your mind to something, you can succeed.

4. I am getting better at figuring out how to post things to this blog (i.e. the sidebar). I certainly need to read more about html, but I'm slowly getting it after making a few mistakes. The tricky part was trying to post tags on the sidebar. What an accomplishment to have figured it out. I feel as if I'm back to the old days when you had to put codes into a word processing program for line breaks, capital letters, and other punctuation.

5. And, last but not least, vacation is finished. That is a sad thing. I enjoyed this week and got to relax and do what I wanted to do (well, most of the time).

Now, I am working on a poncho and shrug. These are two more things that I started a long time ago and never finished. I am now down to 8 projects from 17. Not bad. After I complete these two, I will start something new.

Well, this week will be crazy after a week off. I will have alot of catching up to do.

Time to Relax

I am on vacation again and boy am I glad. I hope to complete my afghan this week as well as my half pi shawl. Then maybe I can move onto something else. I am itching to knit the Entrelac dishcloth and the Ball Band dishcloth from the Mason Dixon book.

I will post pictures as I complete them. Right now I will post the picture of the comfortghan I received from my dishcloth sistas. It's gorgeous! I love the colors and there is not a square that I don't like.

Busy Knitting and Working

Well, I attempted to finish the floral washcloth. I broke a stitch as I was trying to knit it. It just broke into two pieces. This is the second time that this happened with this chenille yarn. So, I gave up. It's in the trash and I am done with it.

I am currently working on the bind off row on my half-pi shawl and did cast on for the last afghan strip. I started to get forearm pain, so I held off knitting too much this week. It seems to be going away.

One surprise I had was that I got a comfortghan this week from my dishcloth group. It is gorgeous! I will post a picture either later this week or next weekend.

Work is very busy and I go away for a three day meeting this week, so not much else to say today. But I'm looking forward to Friday night because it's the start of another vacation. So I do have something to look forward to. Like maybe finishing two projects?

I can't get no Satisfaction ......

All I want to do is finish three projects. 1. An afghan 2. Half Pi Shawl and 3. Floral Washcloth

I started sewing the strips of the afghan together. Not as easy as it looks. I must have ripped my sewing out several times for each strip. Finally got to the last strip and what do my eyes see? A dropped stitch. Can you believe I dropped a stitch! Of course it wasn't at the end of the strip. It was at the beginning. So, after some consideration and disgust, I have decided to reknit the strip. Fortunately, I have another ball of yarn, plus leftover yarn from the other strips and if I need to, I can rip apart the bad strip (I just don't feel like ripping it apart unless I need the yarn). So maybe I can finish it up in a week or so.

I am working on completing the half pi shawl. Maybe if I am lucky, I will get it done this weekend. I have about 11 rows to go. Will I survive? I hope so.

I do plan on working on the floral washcloth this weekend too.

I am chopping at the bit to start a new project, but just refuse until I finish something. If I get the half pi shawl done, I may cast on a scarf or dishcloth.

After I finish these three projects though I still have 8 more projects to go.

I am dreaming of Handmaiden sea silk, lornas laces, koigu, and brown sheep wool (Possibly Manos del Uraguay too). I have been eyeing the Knit Pick needles and think I will succumb to buying them as well as the knitting bags they now have.

Too much to knit, so little time.

Catching Up

Finally, I am on vacation again. I may still have to do some work at home this week, but that is okay. At least it's quiet and I can get more accomplished. I am almost finished with my afghan. I just have to sew the strips together. Hopefully, I will be able to get this done this week. I have also picked up my half-pi shawl again and hope to complete this by the end of the month. I will post pictures of both of these as I complete them.

We have to take Sadie to her allergist this week and have planned a trip to Gettysburg. My husband loves information on the Civil War. I'm not really into that, but there is a yarn shop nearby called the Mannings....so, something for him, something for me.

I have been reading and need to post what books I have finished with pictures so I have a record of that. I did start a journal years ago that I listed the books I read each year. It was really a cool thing to do. I can see years where I read alot and other years where I read very little. I started this in 1985. What a long time ago, but at least I have a record of the books I read. Sometimes, I try to at least read the same amount of books I read the year before. It's a game, but I love to read.

I would love to belong to a book club where we meet to discuss a book we have read. Nothing around here at the moment, but maybe in the future when I have more time.

Too Much to Knit - Too Little Time

I can't believe that it is almost a month since I last posted. I hate it when I find a blog I like and they don't post for a long time. I'm just as guilty.

I am finally on the last strip of my afghan. I should make my deadline of completing it by the end of August. But, I need to get working on the shrug and finishing up my lace project of the Half Pi Shawl. I really like knitting lace and I'm already looking for other projects. The Icarus shawl is calling but so is the Candle Flame Shawl from Knitpicks. There are so many other neat lace projects that I would like to start. But, what yarn should I use? I am leaning towards Handmaiden Sea Silk.

However, I really need to finish off some projects before starting any new ones. So, I will attempt to resist and maybe deviate by knitting a few dishcloths.

I will have to start thinking about blocking my completed shawl. I have never done this before. Do I need a blocking board? Which one should I get?

Too many questions, too little answers and not enough time.

There just needs to be more than 24 hours in a day.

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N ...... is OVER

Today is the last day of my 10 day vacation. We didn't go anywhere special, but I got to relax (I really needed that), read, and knit.

On the knitting front, I was away on business in Baltimore (the week before vacation) and took along an afghan that I started awhile ago. You knit it in strips and sew it together. It's a really easy pattern so it was great to take along on this trip. I got quite a lot knitted so I kept going with it this past week.

I'm using Reynolds Utopia yarn and will knit three navy strips and two camel strips. Three down and two to go. The picture below shows how the strips would look once they are sewed together. I will add a navy strip on the end of each camel strip.

This is the fourth strip I am working on. Only 36 stitches on the needle, so it knits up fast. Just like knitting a dishcloth only longer. My goal for completing this is the end of August.

I worked on my shrug. It's going better now and getting longer. The picture is a little blury, but here it is.

I have been progressing on my half-pi shawl, but didn't really knit anything this week since I was on a roll with the afghan. I am going to have to block this once it's completed. I never did that before. Wonder if anyone has a great recommendation for a blocking board or some other means of doing that?


I was able to finish three books this week. I read the following:

The Devil Wears Prada - Lauren Weisberger (good book but maybe a little over the top - although I am sure there are some bosses who are like that).

Everyone Worth Knowing - Lauren Weisberger (enjoyed this one too).

Twelve Sharp - Janet Evanvich ( loved this one and I read it fairly quickly, now I have to wait forever for her next one).

I started to read Swapping Lives by Jane Green.

Well, I have my to do list to get through today since I procrastinated all week. Hopefully, I can get some knitting in today.