I'm so Happy I could Spit!

I finished the bleepin' pink linen dishcloth!!! When I first started this awful item, I followed the recommended needles from Mason-Dixon Knitting and I used my brand new KnitpPicks options needles bought especially for this project and the recommended yarn, Louet Euroflax Linen. I neglected to check gauge and this thing has been a mass of rough spaghetti from the start. Here is the finished project unblocked.... You can see that it is a bit loose. Blocking did help a lot.... However, the stitch definition is nothing like those in the book. I gave it to my mother-in-law who is visiting this week and she loves it. I am just thrilled that the #@%^&* thing is finally off the needles!


In slightly happier knitting news, I popped out a rolled brim hat in Diakeito.... I have no recollection of needle size but I used the formula from The Knitter's Book of Handy Patterns. I ended ripping out the crown about three times because I made it too short and I wanted to use up as much yarn as possible-trying to use up the one skein I thought I owned. Of course after I finished the hat I found a second skein. Whoops. Need another project now or it will be another hat that is destined for the Christmas pile. Patty if you can get this yarn, try it out. It's a nice wool worsted and I love the colors.

Jenny, if you are reading this, go away...



I'm waiting...


Ok, she's gone back to the glam life in Naples. I've completed 2 of the four projects for baby July boy... a bib and burp cloth from Mason-Dixon knitting (yeah shocking that I used their pattern, NOT!) out of basic Peaches and Cream cotton. I still need to add a button for the bib and I altered it slightly and made 2 buttonholes, each about a 1/2 inch apart, for more wear time.

My Harry Potter Sock Kit partner will be happy and so is eldest. The swap requires a handmade bag for the goodies. So I had some Reynold's Utopia in the stash and knit her up a bag from Hip Knits:65 Easy Designs from Hot Designers. Eldest saw the bag and begged for one for her birthday since she is a mega Harry Potter fan... swap partner's bag is on the left and eldest's is on the right. However, the swap partner's bag has the gold dominating colorway on the back. Eldest wanted hers to be gold dominating on both sides. This was a fun, easy purse to pop out in about a week's time.

As part of the swap, we are also giving Harry Potter sock yarn in our swap partner's house colorway. That required a yarn purchase. A good excuse to finally order from Morehouse Farm. The results of this purchase were.... The yarn is luscious. I got a bunch of the laceweight and couldn't resist the Monet colorways. Go drool at their website. Turnaround from order to delivery was just under a week so I highly recommend them. The picture does not do justice to the colors.

Happy knitting!

Bold for stuff you've done, italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and normal for stuff you're not planning on doing.

Afghan
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with bananafiber yarn
Domino knitting (=modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Baby items
Knitting with your own handspun yarn- HAHAHAHA
Slippers
Graffitti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colours I tried!
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies...)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone elses handspun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living (want to do a lot)
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Knitting two socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars simultaneously
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with selfpatterning/selfstriping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
JewelryKnitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/armwarmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

It's going around. Do it if you want.

HSKS Trivia

Trivia

1. Who is the Fat Lady's friend?
- Violet


2. When the Fat Lady was attacked by Sirius Black and fled her portrait, who took over for her as guard of Gryffindor Tower? Sir Cadogen

3. Usually when Harry is in Dumbledore's office, what are the portraits of previous headmasters doing?

- Snoozing

4. Which one of the Triwizard champions did not go to the World Cup?
Fleur Delacour

5. Who did Harry give his Triwizard winnings to?
- Fred and George Weasley

The next two are anagrams. Rearrange the letters to get the correct words.
6. Live gong cram la man (two words)Minerva McGonagall

7. Owl or video- Oliver Wood

8. What author's name appears on the book "Quidditch Through the Ages"?
- Kennilworthy Whisp


9. What does the Keeper do in a game of Quidditch?
- Guards the goal


10. In the Goblet of Fire why did the Mad Eye Moody imposter put Harry's name in the goblet?
- He wanted Harry to win the tournament


Picture Scavenger Hunt

Find these pictures and either post the pictures on your blog or links that will take us to those pictures.

- Dobby holding his sock from Harry
- Cho Chang and Harry's first kiss
- Viktor Krum and Hermione at the dance
- Mad Eye Moody

Fun Questions

. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I swear Lisa Marie Presley because my dad was an Elvis fan but parents deny that. My middle name, Marie, is after my mom and her mother.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Yesterday- my dad's birthday, he would have been 66.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Not really despite the nuns' best efforts
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Rare roats beef
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Two
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Sometimes
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Yes.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope, lost them at 15.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Hahahahaha, ummmm no-afraid of heights, death, stuff like that.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Crispix
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No, I wear Birks every day- even in winter
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes-emotionally, not physically
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Ben and Jerry's Phish Food or Four Seas Ice Cream-Chocolate
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Hair and smile.
15. RED OR PINK? Red
16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Tummy.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Jenny-you live too far way dammit!
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU/ANSWER ON THEIR BLOG? Yes.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black shorts and no shoes
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Banana and pineapple smoothie
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Spongebob
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Razzmatazz
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Vanilla, coffee, roses, ocean, marshes
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My husband last night.
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Red Sox - I know they themselves are not a sport but if I'm watching baseball it's them!
27. HAIR COLOR? Ask me Monday-getting highlights
28. EYE COLOR? Brown
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS Yep since I was 12.
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Chocolate
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Best in Show
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? White TShirt.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Both
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Creme Brulee
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Don’t know
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Don’t know
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? George Washington's War by Robert Leckie
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? A drawing made by my youngest.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Best in Show and Stunt Junkies on Discovery
42. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles.
43. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Barbados
44. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? No
45. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Needham Mass
46. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Anyone who responds. Let me know in my comments if you post to your blog!

HSKS weekly Trivia

Trivia #1
What's the name of this potion? Felix FelicisThis potion has the colour of molten gold, and while exposed to the air, large drops will leap like goldfish above the surface without spilling.

Trivia #2
Which book is this line from? Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"Harry and Cho were now too embarrassed to look at each other, let alone talk to each other; what if Ron and Hermione started going out together, then split up? Could their friendship survive it? Harry remembered the few weeks when they had not been talking to each other in third year; he had not enjoyed trying to bridge the distance between them. And then, what if they didn't split up? What if they became like Bill and Fleur, and it became excrutiatingly embarrassing to be in their presence, so that he was shut out for good?"

Trivia #3
Who utters these words?
"Oh I am glad I'm not on duty. I wouldn't fancy having to go and tell the Irish they've got to stop celebrating." Mr Weasley

Dishcloth Swap Questionaire

I apologize to the swappers out there. I have signed up for several swaps so you'll just have to poke through to find the appropriate questionnaire, Today's is...
Dishcloths!!


When did you learn to knit? Who taught you?> I learned back in 1995 the first time and relearned (when I became addicted!) in 2004. Both times I learned at the same shop in Virginia Beach, The Knitting Corner from the owner, Carol, who has since passed.

What was your very first completed object? Your most recent? My first was my daughter's baby blanket and my most recent was a hat from Diakeito yarn- simple rolled brim.

What was the very first thing you sent to the frog pond? (pulled out and started over)Not sure, can't remember. Your most recent? That would be the hat, I pulled it 3 times to get the length right. I self designed it from the Handy Book of Knitting Patterns and kept getting the length too short before the decreases.

What is currently on the needles for you?A pair of socks and a baby blanket

What types of needles do you enjoy working with? What have you tried and hated?
I haven't met one I didn't like but I tend to live on circulars, mostly bamboo or Addi Turbo.

Have you knit dishcloths before? Yes

What was your favorite one? I really liked the one I did back in my February 11th post.

Least favorite? Don't have one

Do you use homemade dishcloths or face cloths yourself, or give them as gifts, or both?Both

What are your favorite and least favorite scents? (For your body, such as soap/lotion/etc) I tend towards floral or food scents but I don't like sandalwood or patchouli

What are your favorite colors?Jewel tones/brights

What colors (if any) are your bathroom and kitchen decorated in?Blue and White with an ocean/beach theme- Post Christmas Tree Shop for the New Englanders!

What other hobbies and crafts do you enjoy?Photography, scrapbooking and reading

Chocolate: Dark? White? Milk? Ew? Milk and White but all really just no nuts

Do you like salty treats? What kinds?Not really but I love low salt wheat thins

If you could go anywhere in the world for one day and spend the day any way you wanted, where would you go and what would you do? I would get all my girlfriends together- all my Navy, church, college, kitting and other buddies, and spend the day at a spa rented out just for us!

Do you have any allergies? (Yarns, foods, etc. that might impact what your pal can send) Other than no nuts in my chocolate (a preference not an allergy) I have no allergies.

Answer to Trivia Question

Just answering the trivia question for the swap-Voldemort!

Also I have to brag...I got a 185 on my Praxis I Reading and a 180 on Praxis I Math. Still have to wait for the results on the Writing part but I have successfully validated out of all future math courses!!!

HSKS Questionaire

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? Gryffindor

2. List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length. any wood really prefer size 2 or 1 normal-not shorter length.

3. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length? Sure any work for me.

4. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference?

5. If your pal decides to send candies or chocolates are there any that you don't like? no nuts or jelly types, chocolate better

6. What are your favorite scents? not into musk or sandalwood but any other fine

7. Do you have any allergies?nope

AAAACCKK

Sorry - I do live. I PROMISE to update in May. This is a brief note. Going back to school was a good idea but it kicked my proverbial butt!! I have done a LOT of knitting between classes. Here's a teaser...

In the mean time..check this out.

If anyone is still reading, could you let me know? Thanks - I am pathetic!

2007 Goals

THUD!!! That is the sound of Tanya, Patty and Mary hitting the ground in amazement at my actual update AND 2007 progress. I've started school and I am busier than I thought I would be, really no surprise. The Developmental Math (Algebra II) is going much better than I had feared, I think I'm actually understanding it this time. The English Composition class is interesting. The online Physical Science class is challenging, not because it is online, just that it's a LOT of work. I'm hoping now that I've adjusted to all of this, that I'll start making at least weekly updates to this thing.

Well looking at my progress, 2006 was a very good year. I only have 3 UFOs hanging out- the ripple scarf thingy, the crayon box jacket and the failed Jaywalker socks. I do actually work on the scarf but because it is short rows, I feel like I NEVER make any progress on the damn thing.

I've already finished, My Constant Companion in Noro Kureyon # 95 for the main and Noro Kureyon # 88 for the contrasting outer pocket and handles. I also added 3 inner pockets.
I am so loving this bag that I am using it for a purse. If I had any sewing skills, I would add a snap closure. Hey Patty, is Noro cheap in Japan??

I have finally finished up my sister in law's 2nd sock for Christmas. I got one done, sent it to her so she could see and then she sent it back so I could match it up. It's the Tiger Eyes pattern from Socks, Socks, Socks.. I used another pattern from that book for the Sockapalooza last winter.
This is a good shot of the leg with a lace mock cable-

From a rather large Knitpicks order last fall, I pulled out the pattern for their Bella Scarf (the pattern is not on their website anymore, hmmmm) and finished it in the Suri Dream Twilight...



I made my oldest Calorimetry for a ski trip. The pattern calls for casting on 120 stitches. With that and the repeats, it is even too big for me...
so it has been sent on to my sister in law (the one to whom I owe socks) since she lives in Maine and has gorgeous thick dark hair and therefor a chance of this fitting her. BTW I used Karabella Aurora 8, color #1547. I have cast on another but this time only using 80 stitches, so hopefully it will be wearable by someone in this house!

I also joined the Yahoo Monthly Dishcloths group since these are easy and small to bring along to knit between my classes. Here's January's Three Cable Cloth... done in some ombre of Peaches N Cream cotton.

Finally I did my first charity knitting project. I completed a scarf for Red Scarf Project 2007. I made it out of Red Heart since I wanted it to be care free for washing, even though I am one heck of a yarn snob! The pattern was unisex, I thought, done in Moss Stitch...
Here's one with cat for scale...

One last picture is from Kris. I stupidly forgot to take any pics of my Christmas gift knitting but one of the Woods' cats, Tuffy, posed nicely in one of the felted boxes I made...


OTN...

Well I have a few projects going...

I'm trying out a Euroflax linen wash cloth from Mason Dixon
I have about 4 out of 12 repeats done.

I'm making some fingerless gloves (uses up some sock yarn), the other caliometry, and I'll probably cast on for KnitPicks Candleflame shawl soon. Here's a list of planned projects to keep me going through my stash of epic proportions...

-Amanda-
Waterbottle Sling
-Katie-
Waterbottle Sling

-Shawls-
Candle Flame Shawl
Adamas Shawl
Faroese Peaks Shawl
Rowan #34- Birch Pattern

-Home-
Linen Washcloths
Log Cabin Throw
Entwined Squares Table Runner-Creative Knitting 1/2005 -DK Cotton 1400 yards
Place Mat Set-Creative Knitting 1/2005-worsted weight cotton 1200 yards

-Scarves-
Bella--1 for Jenny
Diagonal Scarf-Morehouse Farms Merino Knits-Koigu
Leaf Cravat-Interweave Winter02/03- LouetSalesGemsMerino Sport 1 Skein

-Socks/Feet-
Felt Clogs

-Hats-
76 Stitches Hat in Manos
Aran Tam- One Skein Wonders

-Bags-
Booga Bag
Buttonhole Bag

-Mittens/Gloves-
Hip Winter Warmers-Gauntlets-Creative Knitting 1/06- WorstedWeight-Plain &Variegated 210 yards total


So the epic post comes to an end...until next week TTFN!!

2007- a new year

Hello my few readers! So I ran away for a few months- what of it??

Here's a quick knitting summary from August on...I finished the Clapotis and Lorna's Lace's Lion and Lamb is my yarnoin addiction now. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!! I also did a LOT of Christmas gift knitting. I made 2 sets of 3 nesting felted boxes from Mason-Dixon Knitting (I adore that book), a pair of socks from Sock That Rock yarn for my brother in law using Knitty's RPM pattern, 2 hats in Patriot's colors for my other brother and sister in law using Fiber Trend's School Colors Hatpattern, and a pair of Bev's Stay on Booties for a Navy friend. I also have been working on a pair of socks for my sister in law and finished one for Christmas but still have to finish the other one.

I started another blog to keep me honest. As you might have noticed, I have a weight loss ticker at the top. I need to lose body weight AND stash weight. So to that end I started Yarn Dieter to help me out. Go check it out and join me.

My next post will have my 2007 goals. If I don't get this junk up publicly, I'll never get anything done!!

PS Tanya- what is Patty's blog- don't think I have the address TY

01. Seen the Grand Canyon Yes
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain Yes, I went up Mt Tom in 86. It was hell.
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive.
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath . Absolutely.
08. Said I love you and meant it Daily
09. Hugged a tree Yep
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris.
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea No,
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise Yeah
14. Seen the Northern Lights Sadly no
15. Gone to a huge sports game: Baseball
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa Not yet.
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables Yes!
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars In a cabin and a tent
20. Changed a baby's diaper: too many times.
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon Nope
22. Watched a meteor shower No
23. Eaten alligator Tastes lchicken. NokeNo But I ate frogs legs- yep taste like chicken but I kept memory whiffing formaldehyde from high school Bio
24. Given more than you can afford to charity- No but I do give regularly to the food bank
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope: at home.
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment: of course.
27. Had a food fight- yes, with hubby and whip cream- you do the math
28. Bet on a winning horse- no but I love the ponies and the track
29. Asked out a stranger-- yep
30. Had a snowball fight Yep
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can Yep
32. Held a lamb - no
33. Seen a total eclipse I think so as a kid.
34. Ridden a roller coaster - yes and hubby proposed about 15 minutes after we rode Space Mountain- lucky I didn't puke
35. Hit a home run- No
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking Yep
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day - No
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment - Yes
39. Had two hard drives for your computer Yes.
40. Visited all 50 states- I have been to about half.
41. Been to Austria Not yet
42. Had amazing friends Yes
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country Yes.
44. Watched whales - Went whale watching but saw none
45. Stolen a sign No.
46. Backpacked in Europe No
47. Taken a road-trip Yes
48. Gone rock climbing No
49. Taken a midnight walk on the beach Yes
50. Gone sky diving No
51. Visited Ireland - No but I really want to
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love Yes!- what do you think High School was?
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them- No
54. Visited Japan Not yet
55. Milked a cow No
56. Alphabetized your CDs No
57. Pretended to be a superhero - as a kid
58. Sang karaoke No
59. Lounged around in bed all day Definitely.
60. Played touch football - yep- got in trouble in catholic school for organizing girls against boys during recess
61. Gone scuba diving Nope but have snorkeled
62. Kissed in the rain Yes
63. Played in the mud Yes
64. Played in the rain YES
65. Gone to a drive-in theater Yes
66. Visited the Great Wall of China Not Yet
67. Started a business Three times- if you count the home businesses
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken YesÂ…like right now!
69. Toured ancient sites No
70. Taken a martial arts class- no but I've watched many of my daughter's
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight- just sold hubby's d&d books on eBay
72. Gotten married Yep.
73. Been in a movie - no
74. Crashed a party Yes
75. Gotten divorced No
76. Gone without food for 5 days- no I do not choose to be on Survivior
77. Made cookies from scratch Yes
78. Won first prize in a costume contest No
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice No but really want to
80. Gotten a tattoo no
81. Rafted the Snake River no
82. Been on television news programs as an expert- not really but was on local news demonstrating scrapbooking
83. Gotten flowers for no reason - no but hubby gets them for me for Valentines and anniversary
84. Performed on stage Yep
85. Been to Las Vegas No
86. Recorded music No
87. Eaten shark No
88. Kissed on the first date Yes
89. Gone to Thailand No
90. Bought a house Yes, bought 2
91. Been in a combat zone - Yep Boston's- that should trigger memories for some!
92. Been in a marching band No
93. Been on a cruise ship Yep- honeymoon
94. Spoken more than one language fluently no
95. Performed in Rocky Horror - well not the movie but yes at showings
96. Raised children In progress.
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour- no but my brother in law and sister in law follwed Phish
98. Passed out cold Yes- I hate fainting
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country Yep- down Blue Mountain in Jamaica at breakneck speed on rickety bikes- Is it exotic if a guy jumps out of a bush offering weed and coffee beans to you?
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over. Navy does it to us all the time!
101. Driven on the Golden Gate Bridge No but have been to San Francisco
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didnÂ’t stop when you knew someone was looking DoesnÂ’t everyone?
103. Had plastic surgery Never
104. Survived an accident that you shouldnÂ’t have survived: came close
105. Wrote articles for a large publication - does the Flagship count (newspaper for Norfolk navy base)
106. Lost over 100 pounds No, I have lost a total of about 60 and am about to try to do it again- uggh
107. Ridden on a boat down the Danube River No
108. Piloted an airplane No
109. Touched a stingray yes at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
110. Broken someone's heart I am sure I have.
111. Helped an animal give birth NO
112. Won money on a T.V. game show No
113. Broken a bone Yep
114. Dyed your hair Never no really that's my natural color and highlights- honest!
115. Shaved your head Never
116. Caused a car accident Yes.
117. Been elected to public office- does student senate in college count?
118. Skipped all your school reunions- High School
119. Built your own PC from parts no way
120. Gone back to school - I'm about to in January
121. Read the Iliad and the Odyssey - No but I've translated parts of the Aeneid
122. Ridden a horse couple of times
123. Eaten Kangaroo meat No
124. Had stitches No
125. Toured castles in Europe - vicariously through my best friend
126. Had your picture in the newspaper Yes
127. Eaten sushi Yes
128. Sold your own artwork to someone you didnÂ’t know No
129. Published a book No
130. Written poetry No
131. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears No
132. Fired a rifle, shot gun or pistol- No
133. Had major surgery No
134. Had a snake as a pet No
135. Gone on an African safari Not yet
136. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild No
137. Visited more foreign countries than US states Nope
138. Visited all 7 continents no
139. Lived in a foreign country for more than a year - The navy has not deigned to allow this yet
140. Been swimming in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans Atalantic yes, waded in the Pacific- to damed cold to swim in!
141. Been to Niagara Falls yes
142. Lived on both sides of the Mississippi river Yes and I live less than 15 miles from it now
143. Sang in a foreign language in front of an audience . No
144. Been to the Berlin Wall No
145. Taught a child to read Yes
146. Been a DJ Yes in College

My Fortune Cookie told me: Your reasoning is excellent -- it's only your basic assumptions that are wrong. Get a cookie from Miss Fortune

Pal Packages and Woad

Do you want the good news or the bad news??

The bad news....in order to dye with woad, you need about 1/2 a pound of leaves or 32 ounces. How much did I have? 2 ounces, obviously not even close enough. But all is not lost, I had ordered a pile of dye-your-own yarn from Knitpicks in lace/sock weight and worsted weight. Once I pried Zoe off of the yarn, the girls and I did some dyeing with Wilton's frosting dyes and Kool Aid but more on that later,

The good news...In the space of 4 days, I received packages from my August Birthday Pal, Eva, and my SP8 pal (Ok who are you, I am clueless!!). Here's my birthday pal package... Dontcha just love Lorna's Laces sock yarn? Those delicious skeins on the right are Valentine. Eva lives in Slovakia and that reddish skein is Sockenwolle Unipo which is made where she lives. More sock needles are always welcome since I leave a trail of them everywhere. Poncho's and Wraps: A Knitter's Dozen has been on my Amazon wishlist for a while so now that's taken care of! The green floral tote is just darling! Ironically the card comes from Ikea. I sent my August birthday pal a set of floral boxes from Ikea! And I love the little lady ornament. Thanks again birthday pal!

My sp8 pal also sent an awesome package. Look how beautiful everything was wrapped...and here's the loot.... As Jenny says to Clare in Dragonfly in Amber, un embarrasement de richesse!! More Lorna's!!! 2 skeins each of Sand Ridge in Lion and Lamb (Which I am LOVING in my clapotis!!!)and a teal and cream blend in shepherd sock!! I've been lusting after some light-up needles and my SP8 pal provides with a set of Knit Lite #8's, a great new way to embarrass my family! She probably doesn't know it but the I heart NY mug is great for my hubby since he's from Long Island (Bellport). I love the pen, my girls are NOT appropriating it! The zephyr stitch markers are, to quote my knitting friend, Mary, just great knitting jewelry. Ummm, the chocolate is almost 1/2 gone, how shocking after the crushing woad disappointment. And finally, more needles, are always welcome so I can keep knitting along and leave my trail! SP8

In knitting news... I made a blue and white ball band dishcloth from Mason-Dixon Knitting (It's turning out to be one of my favorite books) and I also tested the felted boxes as a possibility for Christmas presents. That's the box in it's prefelted state. I used some leftover Noro Kureyon doubled and some leftover red Brown Sheep Bulky also doubled. The Noro was thinner than the Brown Sheep, not surprisingly so I'll be curious to see how they felt out.

Well I still have a lot to tell about my dyeing and the holiday grand plan but I'll wait on those for a post later this week. Don't forget to bid on my lot of Lion Brand- 34 skeins!! TTFN!

A quick post...

This is a quick posting. Tomorrow is my great woad dyeing experiment. Wish me luck. I'll have pics of that and of my gifties from my August Birthday pal swap on Sunday.

If anyone's interested, I listed a LARGE lot of Lion Brand yarn at my store, so go check it out.

I'm also prepping for Christmas so I'll try to put up pics of my recent yarn orders!
TTFN!

Lookee Pictures!!

Well I'm sorry I've held off between posts but I have a surprise! I am now the proud owner of an Olympus digital camera!! It's a simple point and shoot that I got off of eBay from a certain store that I know well.

First. I finished the Trekking socks for my friend, Kris...
. I used the basic sock recipe from Yarn Harlot's latest book-Thanks again SP for that giftie!

I've also made some more progress on the clapotis. We were at another Redbird's game on Friday,
so of course the Clapotis came along to the game! We sat behind the Redbirds dugout and my youngest caught a ball at the top of the 9th inning. Well, the minor league player threw the ball to her so well that it bounced off the dugout and hit her in the mouth!! She's OK but not a way to end the night. Here's a progress pic of the clapotis...
So I'm now up to 4 sections of dropped stitches, only 8 more to go .
Anyhow, I am now excited that I can finally take part in most knitalong challenges that require pictures in a timely manner. So now when I don't put up pics, I'll have no excuse but laziness!!

Meme and a Laugh

Accent--Used to be very Boston but I've lost it over the years and the frequent Navy moves
Book I like--anything by Diana Gabaldon, Janet Evanovich, Nora Roberts classics-Gone With The Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird
Chore I don't care for--Most of them.
Dog or cat--one black and white old girl cat.
Essential electronics--Computer and TV
Favorite movie--Princess Bride, Gone With the Wind, Harry Potters, all Star Wars, Romancing the Stone
Gold or silver--Gold
Handbag I carry most often--Right now it's the buttonhole bag
Insomnia--nope
Job title--???eBay lister??
Kids--2 daughters 14 & 10 1/2
Living arrangements--House.
Most memorable moment/time--College
Naughtiest childhood behavior--Lying through my teeth
Overnight hospital stay--5 different ones
Phobias--heights, snakes
Quote--Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy shit - what
a ride!"
Religion--Roman Catholic
Siblings--only child
Time I wake up--school starts next week so 6:45
Unusual talent--I got nothing....
Vegetable I refuse to eat--acorn squash, olives
Worst habit--needing to talk all the time-can't enjoy the silence
Xrays--Teeth and a few broken/sprained bones.
Yummy stuff I cook(or make)--Lasagna, Christmas cookies, bread
Zoo animals I like most--Pandas, big cats

Consider yourself tagged if you wanna play!

Now for the laugh for those who know me... I'm going to try this. Ok I should start a pool as to what week I forget and/or ditch this plan. But in all honesty the last 2 years for the holidays have just not meant a lot for assorted reasons. So I'm hoping by playing along with this plan, even if I ditch it, I get way into the spirit this year.

SHHHH- don't tell my hubby...

I am a lame blogger! But my 5-10 readers (I'm being optimistic) know that already. What have I been so busy at that I don't have time to post??? Well work has been busy. For the last 2 weeks I've been working almost double, but now that school starts next Monday (!!!) I'm back to normal. But that means I'll be a walking zombie next week adjusting to an earlier schedule. Shall I post a picture of what I look like when I wake up?? Yikes!!!

The Trekking socks are progressing nicely. I've turned the heel and picked up foot stitches on the second sock. The clapotis is currently stalled over a fit of guilt. I picked up my ruffles scarf and I'm going to try to finish it before I finish the clapotis. I'm going to get rid of 1 UFO this year.

So what am I shhhhushhhing you about?? Well, some of you might already know and others may throw things at me for not sharing this info, but last week was Interweave's Hurt book sale! I loaded up like I was heading to a desert island! I got:

Domino Knitting by Vivian Hoxbro

Folk Knitting in Estonia by Nancy Bush

Folk Mittens by Marcia Lewandowski
Folk Vests by Cheryl Oberle

Interweave’s Compendium of Finishing Techniques by Naomi K. McEneely

Knitter's Stash Edited by Barbara Albright

Knitting On The Road by Nancy Bush

Knitting Ganseys by Beth Brown-Reinsel

All of that for...$91!!!! And I was pleasantly surprised that all of the books are like new. I can't figure out why they were designated as hurt books.

I've also been to Rainbow Fibers and loaded up for my SP, my birthday pal, and myself but that's another post when I mail out boxes. And I eventually want to make a log cabin blanket a la Mason-Dixon knitting, so I've been loading up on Tahki classic cotton on eBay. My knitting shopping is out of hand!!!

My friend, Tanya, asked about a KnitPicks substitution for Lorna's Laces, Lion and Lamb. She's thinking about a clapotis. I was thinking maybe Andean Silk since it is a silk and wool blend like Lion and Lamb and same weight. Any other ideas?

Crazy Week/Blog Stuff

Work has been nuts. Go to my store and you'll get an idea of how busy we are. So knitting has fallen by the wayside a bit but I did finish my Trekking sock and have started the second! Yay.

So for today I have some random blog stuff...enjoy!

What kind of yarn are you?

You are Shetland Wool. You are a traditional sort who can sometimes be a little on the harsh side. Though you look delicate you are tough as nails and prone to intricacies. Despite your acerbic ways you are widely respected and even revered.
Take this quiz!








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And check out this, this, and this. I may not knit the first or the second but I probably would the third! How about you?

Hello all!

Hi everyone! You know how I don't have a digital camera? Well, I've been neglectful of the fact that my daughter is now in possession of a camera phone!! So pictures will be more frequent if I remember this concept! To start off,
here is the fair isle purse I knitted for my daughter. The pattern is Cabin Fever's Blue Jeans purse and I knitted in yarn from Knit Pick's. See my post from June 24th fore more info.

For Trek with Me, I started a sock for my friend we visited in Atlanta over 4th of July. Here is my progress on that...


Here is my progress on my Clapotis through all the increases and 1 repeat of the middle section



I never showed my buttonhole bag in its finished state...

It's working well as my summer purse. Very sturdy.

A garden update...

Here are some current pics of the cotton



and woad.

Thank you so much SP8! I love my latest package...
I wish that computers had smellovision so I could share how beautifully fragrant the soaps and candle are. And I know you must like me since you sent me the BLACK lantern moon sheep tape measure. They are very popular. The Lamb's Pride will probably go to either another buttonhole bag or felted slippers. Many thanks again.

TA TA all!!