sleepy, and yet sleepless in north ca.

I was so stinkin tired after my busy week....complete and total brain strain! So I went to bed at 10:00 last night...I never do that. Of course...bink!!!!! 1 am I'm awake and then dozed restlessly until 3 am when I was wide awake and starving... don't remember eating much of a dinner. So finally I got up...ate some cereal, watched Kevin Bacon on Jay Leno (neither of which hold much appeal for me) and then went to bed with the newest Yarn Harlot book til I could sleep again. I hate when that happens!

So this morning I got up and went for coffee, spent some time reading a journal...mailed off a package to my sp....and am about to go mow the lawn. Now mind you....the lawn hasn't been mowed due to rain last weekend, and my busy schedule (didn't have my usual free Tuesday this week) so it's dang ugly! Must. Do. Chores. I gotta hire a lawn guy! The worst part about not having one ....today....is that my back is aching...and....there's a lawn service doing a couple of lawns across the street, so while I'm out there pushing my (self propelled) mower...I have to try to ignore the fact that right under my nose is someone who for a fee, would do it for me!

OK, that's enough feeling sorry for myself! Happy Weekend Everyone!

crazy!

It has been a crazy busy week so far....and it's only getting busier!!! today I actually had half a day off and it was my LYS workday....(which is so much fun it can't really count as work). I've been at the office til almost 8 pm the rest of the week and Thurs and Fri don't look like they'll be any different. I've come home and spent my evenings knitting or spinning with the drop spindle or both....it's a nice way to chill after a busy day! I guess it's my yoga :)

Back at it tomorrow...think tonight I'll watch Lost and spin some....that sounds weird hehehe

Hope you all are having a great week...where-ever you are!

I Dyed

Yep....that's right.... I dyed this weekend for the first time! The lovely Ruth of The Dizzy Ewe was in the area and did some classes at the local (Paradise) spinning guild. Unfortunately I could not make it to the Thursday and Friday spinning classes, but I did head up the hill for Saturday's class which was dying roving in graduated color shades from a single pot. It was so much fun and luckily we'd finished the dying process and were at lunch when the rain came! After lunch we did the spinning portion where Ruth spent her valuable time teaching me to use my drop spindle!!! ok she spent some time with the 5 other ladies in the class as well with their wheels...it wasn't all about me but I was the only one playing with a drop spindle...besides Ruth.

here are some photo's taken with my phone --


Ruth is in the brown jacket :






First batch:





after the rinse: (where's that salad spinner when you need it!)



Ta Da! (mine's purple just left of the red)






graduated shades:




Look what I can do!





In other knitting news.... I cast on and am almost finished with this:

Yarn: Fiesta La Boheme in the Malibu colorway
Pattern: Fiesta Yarns Biased Stole
Needles Addi US 17 circulars (way too slippery)
Recipient: my mother....for mother's day (it's coming up ya know)


I bought this:
Lorna's Laces sock yarn Mixed Berries colorway



And I've been working on this:


Yarn: Claudia Handpainted Merino sock yarn
Pattern: Yarn Harlot's basic sock recipe ....
Needles: Crystal Palace US 2 Dbl Pts (love em)

and that's what's new with me....I'm going to put together my sp10 pal's next package and send off a little card this week, working an extra day this week....so, I'm going to get off of this computer and get as much knitting and kspinning in as I can today. I rented The Last King of Scotland to watch while I'm at it! Happy Weekend everybody!

so sorry

I've not been a very good knit blogger this week....it's been a little busy around here.
My dad's in town for a visit so .... that keeps it busy. Ya know, doing the family stuff, dinners etc. We all (dear:brother,sister,son,father and myself) piled into my car on Sunday....seemed roomy enough when I had the idea....and drove/rode 5 hours to my Aunt and Uncle's (dad's brother) house for a visit. Which was very nice! Had lunch and visited about 4 hours or so and then piled back in the car....(hey, how did I get the middle of the back seat both ways??? just wondering heehe) and drove/rode back home. It was a very long, but nice day.
And I must say that if I have to spend 10 hours in a car.... I was in great company!

Today, we made a trip to the mall to get a new cell phone for dad....ok technically to see why his phone won't charge right....and we came away with a new phone for dad....and mom (2 for 1 ya know). So tonight, we'll be learning to use said phone before he leaves for home (Idaho) tomorrow. Wish us luck.

Pics of trip and knitting while on trip....in the middle of the back seat ... on next post. :)

what a difference.....

My dear sister tells me that if I don't update my blog soon, there will be dire consequences....well that's probably so, miss queen of the one paragraph blog posts...but I say hey... if you're gonna blog then save it up and blog big!

So, here goes.

What a difference a few days make...from this:

To this!

check out how differently they striped.....at first I was bummed but now I like the second sock better! The yarn is hand dyed for me by my sp9 spoiler Nicole H of allbuttonedup.wordpress.com

the needles are US size 2 crystal palace.

the pattern the yarnharlots basic sock recipe

From this:

To this!

that's alot of iris

From this:

To this:

the yarn is some scratchy feeling patton's wool that I bought last year before I knew better.
the pattern: Fiber Trends Dandy Dog Sweaters design by Evelyn Clark (Hey Nicole H.)
needles: Clover US #9 straights for the body, Addi US #7 circulars for the turtle neck.

the recipient:

my parent's spoiled miniature wire hair daschound or doxin or something like that.

This one:

is just disgusted by the knitting of dog sweaters.

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

Busy week ahead, work is picking up and my dad is coming to town. We'll be doing some family stuff while he's here so that will be fun! I like spending time with my favorite people, I'm lucky they happen to be my family too!

my favorite pattern contest

Without a doubt, I love this pattern. It's the Danica Entrelac Scarf from Knitty.com. I love everything about the way the scarf turned out. I love the colors, I love the Noro Silk Garden, I love that the knitting, while not exactly "mindless", is diffferent, yet not difficult. And most of all I love what blocking does to it. It's completely flat, drapey, and soft!! Not scratchy at all.

my new goal....

ok, here's my new challenge to myself.... I'm going to make myself use up the beautiful yarn sent to me by past Secret Pals....and then post pics or, ok post as I go.... I've been a bit of a slacker in that department...I don't know why, it's all very nice and I like it very much. I think it might be that I've just been petting and coveting it (must. get. life.) and thinking about what it might like to be! yeah that must be it.

Ooooh maybe I should cast on a project from each of the yarns at the same time!!! eeeh that might be fun!


So I started on a sock from the hand died merino from the lovely Nicole H. And I chose the Retro Rib Socks pattern from Favorite Socks by Interweave. I like the pattern...but it distracted from the beautiful yarn colors, and the colors took away from the pattern. So, it just wasn't a good match. I knitted about 4 inches and ripped it out last night, I'll just stick with the basic stockinette and so far I'm liking it much better....what do you think?

I think yes....I like it!

In other news....It was a busy but good week! Well, busy as my weeks go I guess. I went with my DB to see 300 tonight. It was interesting....it was done almost like a comic book or something...but it was good for what it was. And does anyone else out there think Gerard Butler is hot? You know, Gerard "Phantom of the Opera" Butler! well...um if you do...you should go see 300...where we see alot more of ol Gerard....very nice.

Ok enough of that! I've got a sock to knit.

Happy Weekend.

Package #1

Woohoo... I just mailed off my pals first package!! Yay!

And I finally started working on my Noro Blossom sweater again....I'm knitting the neck and then I'll sew it up and hopefully be able to wear it before it's too warm. It actually has been too warm lately, but we're having a little cool down this week, so we'll see.

The second sock is almost finished. I'll graft the toe today then I'll post a picture. I like the striping better on this one. I have no idea why it's different. oh well.

And that's my exciting life....hahaha.... work has been busier lately, but today, I'm having a leisurely day off. Gotta love it.

Life's Good. Happy Knitting.

ps....Rachel, remember the little pepper plant in a can you sent me in sp8? Well...I took a pic today with my camera phone but it hasn't arrived in my e-mail yet....it's not only blooming but it has peppers on it...one of them is even red! Very cool....oh and it's still in that little can!!!

OK, here's the pic!!! Isn't it cool?

How Cool is This?

My Hostess for SP10 is Robyn. Robyn is already offering a second contest....two contests and it's only been 6 days since the start of Secret Pal 10. Now that's pretty cool! You go Robyn.

So here's the deal:
She wants us to blog about (and show a picture of) our favorite knitting accessory. Here is mine:




It's my Constant Companion knitting bag from the book Knitter's Stash.
I knit it for myself from Cascade 220 worsted wt wool.
I love love love this bag.....I loved knitting it... I loved the way it came out of the washer after felting with perfect corners...I loved the way my first attempt at chart work (the pattern on the pocket) turned out. I love the way the handles can be short and doubled or long and single. But mostly I love this about it:

It does a lovely job of containing all my other favorite knitting projects and accessories. (It doesn't look bad sitting next to my couch....and looks very nice against my carpet!)

ps...Rachel, if you're reading this, look closely into the bag....I really do use the needle rolls and the small project bags you sent me. love them too!

ps...I finished the sock!!!

weird striping huh? I think it's because of the rib pattern, I'm thinking I'll decrease the cast on to 60 in place of 64, on my next pair, which should fit fine and might make the striping a little bit more like the foot/toe area. maybe.

new day, new season and a new attempt at posting....

OK, let's try this again shall we? Happy Spring everyone...it's officially spring, or so they said on the news tonight.

I got to sleep in today, until the phone rang waking me up to remind me of my dentist appt. tomorrow. I hate waking up to the phone ringing, I'm always afraid I'm supposed to be somewhere and overslept! I did have to go in to the office for a little while today, but not long. Had a quick lunch with my sister first, and then I went to the LYS and looked, found a few little things for my secret pal's first package, and in general just hung out and visited. (note to self: take your knitting next time).


Here are the pics I couldn't post last night...


The sweater sleeve mentioned in the previous post:
the yarn is Noro Blossom, it's the ladies striped sweater from the Noro pattern book vol. 20

And the sock and really white foot (with the fancy toes):
the yarn is claudia hand painted 100% merino, size 2 dbl pts and just a generic sock pattern with the leg in k2p2 ribbing. (i'm getting tired of ribbing...not good on the first sock)

And that's what I've been working on!

I'm procrastinating on making up the sweater, hence the sock in progress!

I love knitting socks...have I mentioned that? No matter what else I'm working on....I like having a sock on the needles too. And I have the sock yarn stash to prove it. In fact, when I started this sock, I was being kinda lazy. I had my sweater pieces all pinned out blocking on the dining room table, which also happens to be where I usually set up the winder, sooo I had the winder put away. Soooo I just grabbed the claudia which was already wound instead of setting up the winder and swift and winding what I really wanted to use which is this :

Lovely hand dyed (specially for me by my sp9 spoiler Nicole
100% Merino. Isn't it beautiful? I can't wait to see it on my feet. Tell me people, is it ok to knit socks in from a beautiful dyed yarn like this in a pattern....like some fancy stitch pattern verses stockinette? would it take away from the color? or would the color variation take away from the pattern?

Oh and while I was looking for that picture, I remembered that I don't think I've posted a picture of this: The Danica Enterlac Scarf in Noro Silk Garden. I can't tell you what a nice blocking in a little bit of wool wash does for this scarf. Soft, drapey, so nice!!! I just love it!

And on that note, I have to get going.... I bought my sp's favorite candy for her first package....and um... I had a moment of weakness.... ate it...finished it off today.... now I need to go find real food. At least it's gone and it's over. I'll have to pick up some more tomorrow...shhhh don't tell her!

Third time's a charm!

Alright....I've just about had it with this thing...this is my third attempt at blogging and posting pics tonight. I'm not sure where the problem is but I'm tired of trying.

close your eyes and picture the sleeve from what will be a beautiful sweater knit from Noro Blossom....and my beautiful half finished sock from Claudia hand painted , it's on my very white foot with fancy nail polish from my pedicure last week...woo. hoo. There was much more enthusiasium in the two previous posts with actual pics!

happy monday woohoo woohoo.

secret pals...and....lies

OK...I heard from both my secret pals this week! (my spoiler and my spoilee) Yay!!! I think it's going to be great fun! And today I went shopping....and have all sorts of ideas for my pal's first package....

oh the lies part....well that's all me, last post I said I'd post pics this time...not going to happen. I'm not supposed to be at the computer, I'm supposed to be cleaning the house and I'm being a slacker instead. So....I'll try to post pics later....really I really will! Honest!!!!

Happy St Patty's Day everyone!
Beware of green beer ( you don't really know where that's been!)

finished objects

ok...pics next post....but I'm feeling guilty about neglecting my blog....so here's what I've been doing.

1. I knit a sweater for my mom for her birthday from Noro Revisited by Cornelia Tuttle
Hamilton. It's called Avesta and it's knit in Transitions. (forgot to take a pic before I mailed
off this morning.

2. Finally finished the hat for my son knit in sock yarn.

3. Finally sewed the suede bottoms on the felted clogs I knit him before Christmas.

4. Tonight I'm supposed to be blocking the pieces of my sweater so I can make it up.
It's also in Noro, Blossom. Its from Noro Knitting Yarns Volume 20. It's the Noro Blossom
Ladies Stripped Sweater. I will post a picture of it soon.

5. I made a feeble effort to learn to use my drop spindle....feeble but an effort .... it's going to
take some practice!!

6. Soon....very soon.... I get to start something new!!! Yippeeeee! I'm ready to start some new
socks or something!

Knit on my friends!

sp10 questionnaire

Can't believe it's already time for Secret Pal 10!!


Here is the questionnaire for SP10.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? I really enjoy using Noro yarns, especially the
Silk Garden. Love Manos Del Uruguay and Malibrigo. In general I prefer "natural" fibers, wool, silk, etc...
What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I'm not a big fan of acrylic.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a couple of great needle rolls that my first sp made for me, and a wonderful Della Q
circular needle case which was a Christmas gift from my mother.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn?
I learned briefly when I was about 10 but don't recall finishing anything. Then about
one year ago I taught myself to knit. Since then I haven't really put the needles down. I've
had a lot of help from my friends at the LYS, and friends in my knitting circle.
Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? no.

5. What's your favorite scent? hmmm I like the spice scents, citrus scents, vanilla, lavender.
Not a big fan of the flowery scents.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Chocolate, Chocolate. Chocolate. But I'm trying
to behave.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I do a little sewing, have quilted
some in the past. I used to cross-stitch but haven't in years. I do most home
improvement/repairs myself or with the help of my son and/or brother.
Do you spin? Well....actually....I recently purchased a drop spindle kit. But I haven't used it
yet.....I'm hoping that soon my friends Brooke, and Heatherly will help me get started with
that!!!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants
to make you a CD) I like all music with the exception of really hard rock and rap.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I guess I pretty much like
them all.

10. What is your family situation? I have a grown son who has his own house now.
Do you have any pets? One elderly cat and one goldfish.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Scarves yes, gloves vs mittens...not much
hats or ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I love to knit socks....just love it. And anything I
get to knit for my son!

13. What are you knitting right now? I have two sweaters in progress both from Noro. One
beanie for my son knitted from Claudia hand painted sock yarn.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Well....Yeah!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I like bamboo and
Addi circulars. Crystal Palace dbl points for socks.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Well yes...yes I do...thanks sister!

17. How old is your oldest UFO? maybe a month or two.

18. What is your favorite holiday? I like Christmas I suppose.

19. Is there anything that you collect? hehehe yarn.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
hmmm, I'll have to get back to this one.
What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Creative Knitting (thanks Jenny)

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Intarsia!

22. Are you a sock knitter? Yes...What are your foot measurements? length = 9 inches, 8 inch circumference I think, and a pretty standard size 8 shoe.

23. When is your birthday? Feb 7.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

last weekend

Can you tell where I went last weekend?

Yep, made a quick trip down to the City to see my friend Tammy. (this is the trip I was supposed to make for New Years Eve but didn't.) I stayed for a day and came home, it was a beautiful day in San Francisco. We did walk to Greenwich Yarn and Needlework. It's a cute little store. I was hoping to find an extra skein of the Claudia for the hat, (which has turned into the hat from hell.) But since I've ripped it back completely, and am decreasing the cast on by about 2 inches, I'm pretty sure I don't need a second skein anymore!

This is the funky little Constant Companion Bag (from the book knitter's stash) that I made for my sister for her birthday! Cute huh?

All signed up for sp10 even though I told myself I was going to skip it this round...it's just too much fun!

Rachel - I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to get in touch and make plans to see you in SF. I promise next trip I'll drop you an e-mail and we can make plans to sip hot chocolate and knit together!!!

bad blogger....

I've been a bad blogger ...again! Sorry, I'm having a bit of a blogger's block. :)

I am not however having a knitter's block so all is not lost!

Yay! I finished the socks from hell for my son. They fit him very well after multiple starts and frogs and customizing, which is great because now I have that pattern down!! woohoo!!

The yarn: Claudia Hand Painted fingering weight 100% Merino in the colorway Black Walnut
(one skein for each sock with a tiny bit left over and I'm hoping to get the hat done in one skein)
Needles: size #2 dbl pts from crystal palace.
Pattern: is pretty much the Yarn Harlot's basic sock pattern with some customizing by me (ankle decreases).


And I'm halfway through the beanie he asked if I could make from the same sock yarn....(what was I thinking when I said "sure!")

Same yarn as the socks...the Harlot's basic hat patttern and size 2 dbl pts

But all that knitting on tiny size 2 dbl pts....I needed a break, and I got one when I made my sister a companion bag for her birthday. (forgot to take a pic but should have one soon).

And so I'll have a diversion while the hat is in progress, I started a sweater for myself!

Yarn: Noro Blossom color #9

Needles: size 10 addi circulars

pattern: From the book Noro vol. 20, Y763 Noro Blossom Ladies Stripped Sweater

Now the sweater looks a little short but it should be ok when it's blocked. the stitch pattern is alternating 6 rows St st with 6 rows reverse St st. So it has a horizontal ribbed effect until it's blocked. (wish me luck) I'm finished with the back and halfway thru the front!

Off to work, ta ta and have a great weekend.

Secret Pal Strikes Again.....

Extra...Extra....wow...extra is right. My secret pal (Miss Nicole of allbuttonedup.wordpress.com) went way above and beyond!! Really....this was waiting on my doorstep when I got home tonight. This is a full box:

what you see here is: well the contents of the box of course

That's a copy of KnitScene, the magazine. The book: Knitting Under the Influence. Knitter's Coasters, notecards, perfume (White Cherry Blossom), the sheep tape measure, an assortment of Tazo Teas, a cute little decorative box, 10 buttons, and a book of stamps with the Gee's Bend Quilts on them .... and.... a skein of cotton chenille which I'll use to make a washcloth. And a very nice card where in she reveals herself (so to speak). But wait....that's not all:

This is a scarf pattern, not just a scarf pattern but a pattern designed by my secret pal! I can't wait to knit it. Oh wait....and then there was this:

This.....this is a skein of hand dyed (by my pal) merino sock yarn in of course the white cherry blossom colorway!!!! And cute little stitch markers labeled 1 thru 4 for sock knitting and of course one that says "I heart Sox" (too cute Nicole) And what's that? An Indiana U pin.....hmmm looks like Stanford colors though hahaha.

I don't know what else to say..... I love it all.... I'm sooooo spoiled!!!! Hey Friends....didn't she do a great job as a secret pal???? !!!! Thanks Nicole!!!

I'm Sorry.....

I’ve been a baaaaad blogger! And the only excuse I have….which really is no excuse is that…well…. I have no excuse, so here’s a feeble attempt at trying to catch up!

First….. My lovely secret pal….sent me this in the mail:





(It arrived yesterday) its theeeee most wonderfully delicious chocolately nut covered crunchy buttery toffee I’ve ever….ever …eaten….and when I say eaten… I do mean, ….eaten…. as in ALL OF IT! Holy crap was it yummy. Here you see evidence of what it looked like….this morning, before I ate that piece….ya know…that LAST piece. (I may be a candy whore) YUM
Thank so much secret pal!!! You were right….it’s theeee best. (Well it was the best).
Now Teri and Julie, stop laughing at me….I had one day…and a half of horrible dietary indiscretion…but I assure you both…I’m back on track now…I have to be, there’s no more candy in the house.
I’d been doing so well too….today is day 9 or 10 of eating healthy and no caffeine well except that wee little bit in the chocolate ….rats. and except for Red Lobster last night, can’t resist the cheesy biscuits!


And…moving on…this is my niece Jenny, myself and my sister Teri knitting before Christmas (told you I’m behind).







And this… is the sweater I knitted for Christmas for my other niece Lindsay. It’s from the Naturally Noro pattern book, but I used Debbie Bliss. Still waiting to here if it fit so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for that.




This is my little Christmas tree…. (I went fake tree a few years back while in school, and I love it. Love the size; change it up every year, easy clean up…and the lights stay on it!)


This is my Christmas loot:


The Powerbolt 1000 yes that’s right friends…it’s a keypad door lock!!! Been wanting one for awhile and my DS got it for me for Christmas….(he was looking for a spinning wheel…but luckily changed his mind, I think I should try a drop spindle or a spinning class first before he invests in a wheel for me hehehe there’s always my b-day!)

He actually was going to get me this:



But my dear sister and her hubby beat him to it! Thank goodness for Joanne at Heartstrings, she was my Christmas gift coordinator this year!!! Seriously, she helped my mom by a gift certificate and this over the phone:



And my dear brother gave me the home depot gift certificate…because…that’s what we usually do (I disappointed him with an afghan this year hehehe) my poor family…they may be getting sick of the knitting. ha! but I’m not! He also got me a couple of books. The new Denzel book and

"The Ghost Map.

My son got me the new John Grisham, loved it. I gave him an afghan, and a scarf both which he seemed to like, I held back the felted clogs, mostly because I haven’t felted them hehehe.

This is what I’ve been working on:
this is the sock from hell. Started these for my son, made them bigger than I would for me of course (him being full grown and all) and then after multiple frogging incidents…no, I mean halfway done or more and then frogging the whole thing….measured his leg and foot, figured my gauge and designed the sock to fit him with his muscley calves and skinny ankles….and it’s finally going to be perfect… I think. While I’ve put way more time than usual into this pair of socks….I have learned a lot about sock knitting and I think the next pair I make for myself might actually stay up rather than slip down around my ankle! But we’ll see. Hehehe

Also, my sister had a birthday!!!! On the 3rd. Still working on her gift….but it’s going to be way cool when it’s done. I ran into some logistics problems but they’re worked out now! So with the sock shaping up, and the logistics all worked out…I feel like my knitting karma is back on the good side…I hope.

And Happy New Year!!

I wish you all a healthy happy knitty new year!!!!!

Merry Christmas!

I'm sitting here, just finished the last Christmas scarf! It's A Wonderful Life is on. aaaah that's nice.
DS and I went to my sis's house for dinner tonight...(her homemade soup and rolls yum!) and did the gift exchange! She and her DH got me a winder and swift, and I got her a winder and talked her DH into getting her the swift....So, we literally exchanged gifts really....the same gifts pretty funny. So Long story short...we're happy knitters tonight!!!!

Tomorrow.... a nice quiet day with my son, more gifts, movies, dinner with son and brother!!!

Hope everyone else is having as nice a holiday as we are!

Happy Holidays!