SNOW!

We got some snow over the weekend. It was nice because I didn't have to go anywhere and I could stay home to knit and read and feel all cozy and warm. It does look pretty, but it is cold outside now. I am looking forward to spring. The picture below is from my front porch. The bad part about the snow is that I didn't get to go to my knitting class on Saturday. I certainly hope that I can go this week.

I was finally able to finish off the January KAL in my dishcloth group. It was a nice pattern to knit. I used size 6 needles with Peaches and Creme in light blue. The pattern is called Ice Skate Dishcloth.

I also finished my first book of 2009. I read Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs. It was a good read.

Some of the last yarn I ordered at the end of 2008 came in. I finally was able to buy Vesper Sock Yarn in cinnamon stick.

I also found a new indie dyer called Sunshine Yarns. I got three skeins of yarn from her and I really do like the yarn and colors. From top to bottom: Classic in Bitterroot and Shorelines and Twist in Wildflowers. I was very happy to get Wildflowers.

I have been good in that I haven't ordered any yarn from the Loopy Ewe the last two times, but I did sign up for her sock club. Please keep your fingers crossed for me that I get in this year. I should find out next week.

I signed up for Facebook and I'm really having a great time exploring the features. There is so much to learn.

Well, it's off to work tomorrow. At least I only work two days this week and teach one evening. Now, it's off to knit on one of my socks.

Reflecting back on 2008 and Planning for 2009

It's time to look back to my goals for 2008 and see what I accomplished and what I missed the mark on.

Goals I hoped to achieve in 2008:

1. Complete installing files and programs on my computer (hard drive crashed) Completed this

2. Organize closets and cabinets and purge items (or maybe a yard sale in spring). Had a yard sale, but didn't organize all closets and cabinets.

3. Organize my yarn stash better and continue to update Ravelry. Did a good job keeping Ravelry updated and did check out my yarn stash, but didn't really organize it.

4. Update my blog at least once a week. I didn't always post once a week, but I did post a total of 55 times, so I did make up for the weeks I didn't post.

5. Do some stashbusting - I really need to stop buying and use up my stash. But, I know I will be tempted and will allow it occasionally. Let's just say this didn't work.

6. Knit 24 comfortghan squares for my Yahoo Dishcloth group. Completed

7. Knit 12 socks (one for each month) if not more. I knit 21 pairs of socks this year.

8. Knit a patterned sock - I knit three patterned socks.

9. Knit a Christmas stocking or two - I couldn't find a pattern I liked

10. Knit the Ice Queen pattern on knitty.com - Nope, didn't happen.

11. Attempt two color mittens (Icelandic type) and a fingerless glove with cover. - Nope

12. Finish some UFO's - tried but did not complete

13. Read 65 books - I made this goal.

What I knit in 2008

24 Comfortghan squares

2 10x10 afghan squares

2 Caliormetry hats

34 Dishcloth/Washcloths

21 Pairs of Socks

1 Dog Leash

1 Phone Cozy (that I lost and now have to knit another one)

2 Preemie Hats

2 Ribbed Hats

UFO's

Mystery Stole

Berocco snowflake

Two pairs of socks

Sock that Rock scarf

Inside Outside scarf

Silky Tie Wrap

Shrug

Sweater

Candle flame shawl

Pair of fetching gloves

Ripple Afghan

Prayer Shawl

Habu scarf

Stuffed mittens

What I did do this year that was not on my list was: I worked more part-time hours than I had planned, discovered Shelfari and started entering all my books, lost some weight (approximately 25 pounds), learned how to knit 2 socks on 2 needles, and knit hats, which I have never done before. Plus, I think I did relax more this year and that is a good thing.

Goals for 2009

1. Organize closets and cabinets - have another yarn sale to purge items

2. Update blog at least once a week.

3. Definately do some stashbusting and buy less (much less) new yarn.

4. Knit 12 pairs of socks.

5. Knit a Christmas stocking

6. Finish some UFO's

7. Knit a Clapotis

8. Knit the Central Park Hoodie

9. Finish updating Shelfari with the books I have read and the books on my bookshelf that have not been read.

10. Lose weight and exercise.

11. Read 65 books

12. Do some charity knitting

This is a little smaller list than last year, so let's hope I can accomplish more.

I hope everyone has a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Well I made it! I made my goal of reading 65 books in 2008. This last month has not been good, but I made sure that I got the last couple of books read to meet my goal.

I read the following:

Foul Play by Janet Evanovitch

Knit Two by Kate Jacobs (this was good but slow reading)

Bride on the Loose by Debbie Macomber

Same Time, Next Year by Debbie Macomber

By the weekend, I plan to look back on my goals for 2008 and make list my new ones for 2009. It's good to have a goal as it gives you a little push.

I have been putting the books I read into Goodreads, but recently stumbled upon Shelfari. Shelfari has been acquired by Amazon and it is wonderful! You can even enter the books you haven't read. I buy a lot of books and sometimes get confused by what I have, so this is great for me. Plus it lets me see what I have on my bookshelf to read, so maybe I won't buy so many new books. They also have groups you can join where you might have common interests. You can find me at http://www.shelfari.com/karin_pa . You can see what books I have read (I'm still entering them) and if you join, add me as your friend.

Final Day of 2008

Today I'm sad. It's the end of 2008 and tomorrow starts 2009. I start back at work on Friday. My knitting and reading will be curtailed until April 16th. At least I can look forward to spring!

I have been knitting more now that Christmas is over. I am working on my prayer shawl. I think I may knit more of these in 2009 and donate them to a prayer shawl group that one of my knitter friends belongs to.

I have been lax in knitting socks this past month, so I picked up two socks I started in November and December. One pair is the Yarn Chef socks in Moldy Jack O Lanterns. I am currently working on the heel. For this pair, I am using double pointed needles. I really like how this is striping.

I am also working on the Malabrigo socks in Tiziano Red. This yarn is so soft. I am using two circular needles (size 1-1/2). I got past the ribbing. I really hate ribbing.

I also knit a washcloth using Unique Sheep's Pima Petite in Brillant Blue. It's a really neat cotton yarn. I used the Sheepy Washcloth pattern (designed by Sarah Wilson) that I bought from their website. I need to knit a soap sack that was included in the pattern with the balance of the yarn.

I will end the year with a few more yarn purchases. I got more Jojoland Melody Superwash from the Loopy Ewe. This is color 29. I am not sure if I want to knit socks with this or knit a scarf.

I bought a santa hat kit from Morehouse farm. This just looks too cute. Guess it will have to be for next year. They also sent me a free pattern and yarn for a mini cardi.

I love the Yarn Chef sock yarn so much, I bought two more skeins. This is her Minestrone Yarn. On top is Plum Tart and on bottom is Tussie Mussie. They are 75% superwash merino and 25% nylon.

Have a safe New Years Eve. We are going out to dinner and then coming home to spend a quiet night knitting and reading.

Merry Christmas

Whew, I made it. I got the second hat completed before Christmas. I like knitting in the round, it's different and fun to do. I like this pattern too. You can't get much easier than knit two, purl two.

Pattern came from Holiday Knits. I used a size 6 needle with Kraemer Yarns Summit Hill in pearl and green stone. I like Summit Hill. It's a nice yarn to work with.

I'm ready for Christmas. All presents are wrapped, food shopping is done. My brother and his family were here this evening and my in-laws will be here tomorrow for lunch. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.

It's almost Christmas - Yikes!

Geez, Christmas is coming so fast this year. Fortunately, I am not doing much knitting for Christmas, but I still want to get some projects finished before the end of the year. I did finish the hat for my husband. I used Kraemer's Summit Hill yarn in Black and Pearl (he is an Oakland Raiders fan) with a size 6 needle. This was a fun knit and I really enjoy knitting in the round.

I couldn't stop with one hat, so now I am making another one in Green and White for my father-in-law. I should have it complete in time.

I knit two dishcloths this month. One is Grandma's Snowman using Peaches and Creme yarn in Ecru. I used size 6 needles for this cloth. It's cute, but there were quite a few problems with the pattern.

The second cloth was the final dishcloth in for the year. The pattern is the Doily Style Dishcloth. I used Peaches and Creme cotton in the Mar Di Gras colorway with size 7 double pointed needles. I really, really liked this pattern and especially the color. It was a great project to end the year. I like the color so much that I want to get a cone of it. But, I will have to wait. Shipping on just one cone is high and I really don't need any other cotton yarn. I will wait until later in 2009 to get more of this colorway. But that won't stop me from making more in another colorway.

Speaking of dishcloths, I like to knit dishcloths because they are small projects and you learn new stitches with them. I have been knitting dishcloths since 2004 when I began knitting again. I have them all over the place and have never used them. So, I dug them out and kept the ones I really liked and my husband took a lot into work to pass them out. I am saving some too for when my family comes up for Christmas. This will give you an idea of the pile that we are passing out to anyone who wants them. I don't have too many left, so I should be able to get rid of them all.

Maybe in 2009 I will have a contest and see who can come close to the number of dishcloths in the pile and give away some yarn to reduce my stash.

Of course I had to buy more yarn. I got another skein of Malabrigo sock yarn in the Lettuce colorway. I love this yarn. I am working on one sock now, but I need to take a picture. I'm just at the ribbing though, so I'll wait until I get a little further. Sock knitting has been on the back burner this month.

From Knitpicks, I got some of their Cotlin yarn to make some dishtowels. The colorways are royal plum, glacier, and key lime.

In my knitting class at Kraemer's, we are going to have a sweater project starting in January. I am going to knit the Central Park Hoodie using Kramer's Tatamy Tweed worsted yarn in the purple colorway. I am looking forward to starting this project.

I also couldn't resist buying Fannies Fingering Weight Yarn in the Arizona colorway from Kraemer's Yarn Shop.

And, the Loopy Ewe drew me in again. I bought Toe Jamz - Happy Hands Yarn in the Mr. Bojangles colorway.

Also, I got the new Creatively Dyed Calypso Yarn in Travel and Quick Step as well as Jo Jo Land Melody superwash wool in two different colorways (005 and 001). I believe that Jo Jo Land caused quite a stir at Stitches this year. You can use it for socks or scarves. I may have to make one of each.

I think that's enough for now. I need to go knit and get ready for Christmas. I am having family for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. I am just about ready, but need to do some cleaning. Yuck, I hate to clean. I have better things to do than that (like knit and read).

It was a Good Week

I've had a good knitting week. I was able to finish the last two comfortghan squares I needed for my commitment of 24. I used the pattern Simple Garter Lace Square by Mary Dixon and did two using Red Heart Super Saver yarn in the Hunter Green colorway and size 8 needles.

I got them blocked and sent out to my Yahoo Group sister, who assembles the comfortghans.

I also did two premie hats for the Knit One Save One project. Kraemer Yarn participated several years ago and sent around 700 hats to them, so they are working on sending more again in January. I used the pattern on the Knit One Save One web site, but knit it in the round, so I didn't have to sew it together. This was my first hat and it was really easy.

Next, I plan to knit a hat I saw on the Purl Bee blog using Jade Sapphire silk cashmere yarn and Rowan Kid Silk Haze. I got two colorways (Tea Leaves in Jade Sapphire and Majestic in Kid Silk Haze and Pebble Beach in Jade Sapphire and Pearl in Kid Silk Haze). I can't wait to cast on. Maybe this weekend.

Jade Sapphire in Tea Leaves

Kid Silk Haze in Majestic

Jade Sapphire in Pebble Beach and Kid Silk Haze in Pearl

I got the first shipment from the Unique Sheep Rubber Ducky Club. It's so cute and the colorway is great. It's in Pima Petit cotton yarn in the frosty colorway. The soap is also called Frosty. Isn't the Santa Rubber Ducky cute? I also love the project bag that game with it. I think I'm going to love this yarn club.

Sundara Yarns also sent out the first shipment of Sock Yarn. The colorways are from left to right: Bronzed Forest, Wine, and Brown Sugar over Buttermilk.

I'm excited because I was able to buy more Sweet Georgia Superwash Sock Yarn. The colorways from top to bottom are: Cranapple, Suspense, and Lichen. I love her yarn. I'm so glad that she is back dying yarn again.

Well, off to knit. I want to knit on my scarf tonight and I started a sock using the Malabrigo sock yarn, plus I would like to cast on for the hat using the Jade Sapphire and Kid Silk Haze.

Squares, Squares and more Squares - Two more to Go

I have been busy knitting comfortghan squares for my dishcloth group. I need to get 12 done before the end of the year. I feel better because I only have two more to go.

I finished 2 in the Seven Inch Square using Red Heart Supersaver in Cornmeal with 7 inch needles.

I did 2 in the Seven Inch Square using Red Heart Supersaver in Woodsy with 7 inch needles.

I also completed 2 in the Basket Welt Square using Red Heart Supersaver in Woodsy with 8 inch needles.

So now I have to pick out another color yarn and a pattern (or maybe I will just use one of the two patterns above) and get them completed by the end of this week. I shouldn't have any problem doing that. At least I hope not. I still have to block the squares I have completed and will also work on that this week. Maybe early next week, I can mail them off. Keep your fingers crossed.

My Thanksgiving Day was very nice. We went to my brother's for dinner. My niece and her new fiance were there. Yes, she is planning a wedding for sometime next October or November. How exciting.

I picked up more yarn recently. I had to get Vesper Sock yarn in Christmas colors. So I got Candy Swirl and Merry Christmas. I may have to wait until after Christmas to knit these up.

I also got some Malbrigo worsted yarn in Stonechat to make a sweater. I love the new Malabrigo knitting book and saw the sweater there. I just had to make it.

I was also intrigued by Polar Knit yarn. Loopy Ewe is carrying it, so I got 2 skeins in Deep Red to make mittens.

Off to plan on the last two comfortghan squares so I can be finished with this project and goal.

Read, Read, Read to Make a Year End Goal

The end of the year is fast approaching and I am getting closer to my goal of reading 65 books before the year is finished. The most recent books I have read are:

Stand in Wife by Debbie Macomber

Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger

8 Sandpiper Way by Debbie Macomber

Return to Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux

Summer at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs

The Winter Lodge by Susan Wiggs

Why Women should rule the world by Dee Dee Myers

Dockside by Susan Wiggs (I love this series by Susan)

A Cedar Cove Christmas by Debbie Macomber

The Funny Thing Is by Ellen Degeneres

Foreign Body by Robin Cook

Fleece Navidad by Maggie Sefton

Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison

Return to Promise by Debbie Macomber

Mail Order Bride by Debbie Macomber

I love books and I love to read. I recently decided to purchase a Kindle (ebook reader) from Amazon.

I didn't know if I was going to like it because it's different from a book, but I love it. It's nice because you can increase the size of the text and you can store books on it (saves paper and space). I also think that I read faster using it (it may just be my perception, but I did talk to a few other people who have one and they feel the same way). You can bookmark pages and highlight passages. I have read two books on the Kindle. They are:

One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell and Pieces of My Heart by Robert Wagner

This brings me to a total of 61 books for 2008. I only have 4 more to read to reach my goal and we aren't at the end of November yet. So, I think I have a good chance of making my goal (as long as I don't get too side tracked by knitting).

I did get some sock club yarn this month. Socks that Rock sent a medium weight skein of Muddy Autumn Rainbow. I love the colors!

I also got my first skein of yarn from the Color Coop by Unique Sheep. The yarn is fingering weight superwash merino by Tactile Fiber Arts. I like the color and the softness of the yarn.

And, this wasn't from a yarn club, but I got a washcloth kit from the Unique Sheep that includes a skein of their Pima Petite cotton yarn in the Brilliant Blue colorway. It also includes a bar of soap and a pattern for the Sheepy Washcloth and Soap Sack Set. Can't wait to knit up the pattern.

Well, off to knit or ........ maybe read!

Time Flies when you are having....fun?

I can't believe that it' over a week since I posted. The holidays are just sneaking up so fast. I got some decorating done for Christmas and I am ready for Thanksgiving. But, I have been knitting.

I started another sock using Yarn Chef's Bouillabaisse yarn in the Moldy Jack-O-Lanterns colorway. I really love the yarn. It is very soft and I like how it's striping. I am back to using double points for this sock with a basic sock pattern and size 1-1/2 needles. I was lazy and wanted something easy.

I also knit up two 10 by 10 squares for a surprise afghan for a member in one of my Yahoo groups. I used the Belt Welt Square pattern by Mary Dixon and adjusted it for a larger size. I used size 8 needles in Red Heart Supersaver yarn with the Cornmeal colorway and knit another in the Woodsy colorway.

I liked this pattern so much that I did two 7 by 7 inch comfortghan squares for another Yahoo group. I am committed to 24 squares by the end of the year and I have not knit 16. Eight more to go. Will I make it? I knit two in the Cornmeal colorway and will do two in Woodsy.

I finished the November Mid Month KAL in my Dishcloth group. The pattern is the Candy Cane Illusion Cloth. I used size 6 needles with Peaches and Creme in Red and White. This was a fun knit.

I was listening to the Webs podcast and they are starting a KAL for a scarf. I checked out the pattern and liked it so I checked my stash and found Noro Silk Garden in the colorways 201 and 205. With a size 10 needle I cast on for the Inside Outside Scarf. The pattern is from the book Knit One Below by Elise Duvekot. The scarf stripes vertically instead of horizontally because you knit in the stitch below. The pattern is free at this site. I am enjoying knitting this scarf.

Time is flying by too quickly. Soon it will be Christmas. Yikes, I better get moving!

My Pocketbook is Hurting!

I have been knitting, but mostly dishcloth or squares for afghans.  I have to get 12 squares finished for one Yahoo group I belong to before the end of the year.  I am currently working on my third square, so I have to get knitting.  For another group, I have two squares to make.  They are finished and I blocked them.  I just have to take pictures and mail them off to the person who is putting the squares together.

I did finish the November Dishcloth KAL.  It is called Native American by Lisa Millan.  I used Peaches and Creme in Army Tan with a Size 6 needle.  I think it came out pretty well.

I have been buying yarn.  From the Loopy Ewe I got sock yarn from Zen String.  It's Lotus Toes and Loopy Legends.  I just love this yarn and I'm glad I got some.  From left to right:  Lotus toes in Bart & Louise in the Garden, Stephen, Loopy Legends in Lauries Carolina Morning, Michelles Pretty Pink Cactus, and Ronnis Jewel Box.  Aren't they great colors?

From the Loopy Ewe, I also got The Sanguine Gryphon Bugga in the colorway Periodical Cicada, Eidos sock in Cleitophen, Claudia Handpaints in Antique Jeans and Eat Your Veggies.

Of course I had to get the Malabrigo Sock yarn from the Loopy Ewe.  I got Malabrigo Lace in Natural and Malabrigo Sock in Tiziano Red and Cote D'Azure.

The Loopy Ewe is hurting my pocketbook!

Vote Today!

Thank God it's Election Day. I will be so glad it is over. I am so sick of the phone calls, the junk mail, and the TV commentators. It's as if they know who the winner is so why should we vote? I know there is free speech in this country, but they over analyze everything and I believe that they make things worse.

Back to knitting....... I finished the Sereknity socks I was working on. They were a fun knit. I used size 2 needles with a basic sock pattern. The colorway is Vineyard. I finished them just in the nick of time for the end of Socktoberfest 2008.

I also completed a dishcloth called Spooky Pumpkin Face by Rachel van Schie. I saw this on another blog and knew I had to have the pattern to knit it. I really am not fond of the seed or moss stitch, but it was too cute to pass up.

I'm currently working on afghan squares for some knitting groups I belong to and I am trying to finish up some projects that I started awhile ago. Next up is the sweater I started a number of years ago. I am determined to finish this so I can start a new sweater.

I still have my cold, but I found the perfect solution. I used the neti pot. I saw this on Oprah awhile ago when Doctor Oz was on the show and bought it, but was chicken to use it. I finally couldn't stand it and got it out a couple of days ago. What a great invention. It wasn't bad to use at all. You can find more information on it at this web site.

It's been awhile since I posted a picture of Maggie. She loves playing with a ball, so I had to buy her a football. She just loves it can't you tell?