Christmas Knitting

Well it's been a busy time here knitting away and sewing up gifts and goodies. For most Christmas has come and gone, but here it's on Saturday. It was postponed due to young nephew wouldn't be visiting until Saturday. In years past he's come down to my parents with his father on Christmas day. But that was after he had gifts at his Great grandmothers Christmas eve, gifts at his house Christmas morning, then to his maternal grandmothers later for lunch and gifts.. then finally my brother would drive the hour (one way) to get him and bring him to my mom's later in the day. The result a tired pooped cranky child who just wants to play with his new stuff! So it was decided to postpone the gift giving until all could be there and take our time and enjoy the day! Good idea I think.

We had snacks and card games at my mom's on Christmas day and we had our stockings, but that was all. Margaritas were made and rum and cokes were enjoyed. It was a nice quiet day. The best part, an extra 5 days of knitting/crafting time before the "BIG" day! Whoo hoo. Resulting in pics today.

We'll start with a couple of sewing projects. My nephews room was just decorated in a Camoflauge motif. I made him a throw pillow for his bed. It's a sturdy cotton canvas fabric that will stand up to some serious pillow fights and anthing else a six year old can do to it. Also is a "Purr Pad" ,I call them. I just sew a piece of fleece and a cotton backing together with a piece of batting in middle. I also sprinkle some loose home grown catnip inside. You lay them where you cat has decided to call home. I take Berkleys' when we travel somewhere and where ever I put it is where he lays, cause he knows it's his spot. I found some cute kitty fleece and had already purchased the coordinating quilters cotton in the same print which I used on the other side. It's for my moms cat, Doc. She's been asking for one. (Notice my model in the background).




In knitting news I finished the wool boot socks for my Dad! FINALLY. I wasn't sure if I was going to have enough green so I just did the toes in the blue.




Also I finally finished the Cashmere Feather and Fan scarf. I didn't knit all the skein like I intended. But its the length she wanted 48" and I was getting soo bored. Now I have a small ball left, which I think would make some pretty lace bookmarks. A good stocking stuffer idea for next year.



I also knit up some Fingerless mitts too. One in a Elann Peruvian Sierra and the blue in the Knitpicks Superwash Merino. I have to finish the other blue one still. But they go fast.

Long time no post

Wheew, I can't believe it's been so long since the last post. I blame Ravelry for that. If a post was equal to everytime I go to Ravely, there'd be volumes by now.
Well there's been plenty of knitting and some sewing going on. Trying to get ready for Christmas. But the elves can't seem to knit fast enough and the fabric is still sitting waiting to be cut, though it has been washed and pressed.
Mostly I have a couple of Christmas projects on the needles. But there's at least a couple more I'd like to cast on for yet. No pictures to share, : (.
I started a Cashmere scarf in the Feather and Fan pattern for my mom. It's on size 4needles and taking FOREVER to knit! I haven't measured the length of it but I keep weighing the skein. I didn't take an initial weight before I cast on but it was supposed to be 55grams and now it's 21grams. The pattern is soo easy and nearly mindless so you'd think it would go faster, guess I'm just slow. I was worried at first that the length was going to be kind of meager for one skein. But I think it's going to be plenty long enough at this point.
I'm working on a pair of boot socks for my dad as well. They started out being for my brother but they are 100% and I'm afraid his gf will not remember and toss them into the dryer. I'll make him another pair next year out of some superwash or something. At least if I gift them to my Dad, I know that Mom won't felt them up. She's good about hanging things to dry and asking how to wash it first.
I still want to knit my dad a winter hat with some ear flaps in some green yarn that will match the green scarf I knit him a couple Xmas's ago. I'm thinking that I will dedicate the rest of this week to the scarf and then I'll just start the hat.. I can motor on a hat in the round faster than I'm going on this scarf!
Did anyone else besides me take advantage of the Black Friday specials? I got a couple of items and they were both for ME! Whoo Hoo. I got a new set of anondized cookware that was a great price at Linen's N Things. Now I can part with my mismatched oddballs. But my best new toy yet is this pretty boy. Just in time for Holiday Cookie Making too! Its hard to see in this pic, but I got the Cobalt Blue one and it's sooo pretty. It's makes awesome Popovers! So light and fluffy can't wait to whip up some Oatmeal Orange Raisin cookies, and breads. I want to try some breads after the holidays.

An itch I soo want to scratch!

Ahh Fall is in the air. This is one of my favorite times of the year. Everything is changing but in some ways it's staying the same. The air is criper (but not too cold yet,not for me), the leaves are coloring up (many still on the trees just new colors) the grass is still green and growing but slowly (but not so slow I can't get another mow in! bleck!) My flowers are still blooming but at a slower pace (at least until the frost kills them for good). Seems like things are just slowing down. Except for my knitting needles! Now those are picking up the pace. Moving faster and faster, but not fast enough. Not enough for all the "Want to knits" I've added to my list lately.

This is the time of the year when my mailbox fills up with catalogs full of potential Christmas gifts. Warm sweaters , fleece jackets and flannel sheets. Toasty and cozy stuff. They're all so tempting, everything from Eddie Bauer to LL Bean to Cabela's and back again. I can't get enough of these Fall/Winter catalogs. Ohh the mail lady left me a stack today! Make the hot chocolate and grab the wool afghan, I'll be on the couch a while browsing, looking, drooling and ear marking pages. Some things just tend to jump out at me more than others. Like certain knitted cardigans and pullovers. Some I think "I can totally knit/sew that!". So then I'm on a mission to find a pattern for it. Something maybe similar that I can modify or is close enough. But it's not just the pattern I have to hunt down but also the perfect yarn or fabric too. One item that has been bugging me for the last few days is a cabled cardigan from Eddie Bauer. I've been wanting to knit a cabled cardigan for myself for a while now. But I just haven't entirely settled on a certain pattern. Of course I LOVE this one! Just not the price so much. Also I've been finding that I'm less than impressed with store bought sweaters lately. Seems like what I expect the yarn to be has been dissapointing. The fiber isn't soft enough or it states wool cashmere nylon blend and it ends up being more like Nylon, some wool and maybe a hint of cashmere... and completely scratchy! So dissapointing when I can go and buy yarn with a 80/20 blend and it's SOFT. Not to mention cost is more reasonable or at least even. But of course there's nothing like instant gratification either. Here's a shot of the cardigan I love. It's the Open Cardigan Cable Sweater from Eddie Bauer.



I love this cardigan because:
1. It's cabled. What says Fall like a cabled cardigan?
2. It looks classic and modern at the same time.
3. I think it would look good with a skirt or jeans or dress pants.. whatever!
4. I like the idea of the wool cashmere blend. Soft but durable?
5. I love the transition of the cables into the open lacework on the yoke area. Very pretty.

I haven't seen another cardigan like this though I know I could probably modify a pattern and do any kind of lace work at the top. Also this comes in a deep green shade. I keep thinking I'd like a sweater in an Olive/dk. Green Heather shade.

Also another sweater thats moved itself from Catalog to swatch mode is the Jacket Deconstructed by Lion Brand Yarn. It's a free pattern from Lion Brand and I think you have to have/create an account to be able to print it. But hey it's free so what the heck.



I like this pattern because it looks super easy and I love the simple modern look it has. I think though I would like the front to be a little lower hanging perhaps. I have swatched up some Jo Sharp Rare Comfort Kid Mohair for this. It would have a nice light airy quality I think. Plus it's a stash yarn too. So kudos for that.

So it's these two projects that are really tugging on my brain and keeping me from finishing current WIP's.! I blame them for my lack of motivation on anything else. Like the baby hat that I need to have finished by this Sunday for a shower.
Anyone else completely distracted or in love with something new? Oh if anyone has a favorite cabled/aran cardigan pattern they'd like share I'd be so happy to hear it. !

Net Worth

My blog is worth $1,693.62.
How much is your blog worth?

Sock Model

Ankle sock in Leaf Peep by Spunky Eclectic

New Stuff

Ok, so I finally finished my Sockapalooza socks!!! yeah! I'm posting a picture here as my receiver doesn't have a knitting blog. I sent these to Anne. I knit the Hourglass Sock pattern from Magknits. I was a pretty easy pattern even though I had to rip back the second sock umpteen times. Due to my lack of paying attention. But in the end they came out good and I was happy with them. I will definately do this pattern again.

So now that is done I've been working on some WIP's and a new sock for me. No new pics on that yet. I did also receive my Harmony needles.. Love them! I love those very pointy tips.. makes doing SSK and k2tog a snap. !

Busy Busy Busy

This last month has been too crazy. For about two weeks I was busy canning various types of pickles and salsa. The weather has cooled off and I've been busy doing outside home improvement. I've been knitting on my late Sockapalooza socks. After about 3 rip back episodes I'm finally a repeat and a half away from the toe! Finally they are almost done. Seems like these socks were the most uncooperative socks ever! It's not like the pattern was that complicated either, pretty easy actually.. easy to mess up.

I also picked up an old WIP project that I hadn't touched in months. Its a Turtleneck pullover in Silky Wool. So far I only have the back done up to the armhole dec., I cast on for the front.

I ordered some size 1 Harmony Knitpicks circulars. I haven't received them yet but so far on Ravelry I keep hearing good things.

Well today I leave you with my garden loot. This year I ended up with Yellow, Orange, Green striped, Purple and red tomatoes.

Mom always said I was part Cat

You Are: 10% Dog, 90% Cat

You are are almost exactly like a cat. You're intelligent, independent, and set on getting your way. And there's no way you're going to fetch a paper for anyone!

New Socks!

This week I received my package from my Sockapalooza pal. They are Great and fit like a glove!
They were knit by Shari! New socks and a new blog! She used the Seduction pattern from IK knits. Very cool as I had this pattern on my list... now I can see how it looks. Thanks Shari!

She also sent me some other goodies! Like a clam chowder mix, post cards from Nova Scotia.. (her home), salt water taffy (thats almost gone) and a really really really cool star fish!

slacking

I've been so slacking on my Sockapalooza's socks. They WILL be finished though and soon. I thought I'd get them wrapped up this weekend camping. But after a couple of drinks while waiting for the pig to roast I decided it wasn't in anyones best interest to knit under the influence of alcohol. So I never knit a stitch all weekend.. but I did motor away for a while on Monday. I need to finish because I'm NOT starting anything new until they are fini! Which is really hard with the new Fall IK tempting me. Plus I already have two projects I started in the Winter/Spring that would be great for Fall if I get them done.

I got nearly all my stash of yarn on Ravelry. I thought I had all of it listed, then I remembered another hideout of mine.

I forgot to take my camera to the Pig roast campout, so much for scrapbooking that. Next time I camp in Craftsbury I'm bringing an extra blanket or two... freakin' cold up there at night! Especially those late night/early twilight trips to the outhouse. I'm thinking the alcohol in my blood kept me from freezing totally!

Stuff

I haven't got any new pictures to post. Just plugging away on my Sockapalooza Pal's socks and hoping (really hoping) to get them done by the deadline. It's gonna be tight!
I got most all of my stash I wanted to login on Ravelry. Well at least the info is there. No pictures. That will be another undertaking some other day. At least I can see what I have or don't have or thought I had. If your on Ravelry and want shout out to me I'm mj05461.
It's kind of old news now but I see that the new sneakpeak of the Interweave knits issue is up! I'm really excited about this Fall 2007 issue. It's been a while since they've had one that there were actually more than one thing that I MUST knit. My subscription was up this Summer and I really debated renewing it. Seems like most of the patterns don't appeal to me or my body style. Well thats my personal view. But there are at least 3-4 sweater patterns I've got on my "to list" this issue. I say it's about time IK! Honestly the only reason I renewed my subscription was because Eunny is on board. I thought I'd give it one more year. I'm looking forward to see what she brings to the magazine. Some new ideas and new concepts.
I picked my first cucumber from the garden yesterday. The leaf lettuce is still going strong as well. I keep having to give it away. I think the "Deer Tongue" variety jumps up faster than anything I've planted before. Definately have to look for that next year! I haven't had to buy lettuce at the grocery for two months. My radishes didn't do much, all tops and no bottoms. My dad has the same problem.

I got my invite!

I got my invite to Ravelry! I know what I'll be doing on the next rainy day, like we haven't had enough of those. Also I've been working like a dog on my Sockapalooza socks. I hope they are done in time.. it's gonna be close! Then I have a couple of projects that I require me to pull the sewing machine out for. Busy Busy Busy!

Oh and the garden is going crazy. I'm gonna have cucumbers and tomatoes galore I think.. which translates to pickles and salsa to me. : )

Buttons

Secret Pal Exposed!

I received my last package from my Secret pal yesterday! I found out that its Mia from "Way Past My Bedtime". ! Mia your the best. I loved everything you sent! Your sooo generous! She sent Cascade 220, a Chibi, 2 Denise extenders (soo needed, Thanks!), soap (I like to put these in with my yarn.. makes them smell good), choc. mint Altoids, a dishcloth (I love those), Sugar and Cream cotton (I can make my own dishclothes now),beads (lapis stones are my favorite!), sock yarn (cool colors, I love the lime w/ the dk. blue!), mini muffins (those are so yummy), Scarf Style (yeah!), artyarns yarn (did you see they have a pattern on the label for a belt, would be cute I think), cute chicken tin can (how did you know I collect little tin cans?), 3 spools of ribbon (love the colors) and some first edition Quilt Stamps (never saw those, not sure if I even had quilt stamps, too cool!). What a haul! Thanks Mia, you rock!

Too hot to knit

This past week there was too much of this ..........

to do any of this...........

The sock on the left is my dads and the one on the right is for my sockapalooza pal. I haven't made much progress on it, especially in this sweltering heat! Of course the k2p2 rib is sooo much easier to remember than the Hourglass pattern of the other one!

Charity Knitting!

These are 6 squares that my Aunt and I made for Lone Knitters Aghan Collection. Four of them my Aunt crocheted and the other two I knitted. I'm sending them out tomarrow.

Local Yarn Shop Closing!

I got a postcard in the mail last week. Knitters Laine in Shelburne is closing : (
All inventory at least 20% off and some items even further discounted. It's too bad, its a cute little shop and owner is so friendly. If anyone reading this is close by go check it out. She has ALOT of inventory... I'll be going back myself with a more prepared list.
It's almost next door to the Shelburne Country Store.

I can't believe she's closing!
: (

Transformation

This............

has become this.............

oh yeah.. and Happy Blogaversary to me this month! Yeah Berkley !!

Sock and Berkley still life

One project done! Socks for my nephew.

I'm all done Monkeying Around!

I've been slacking on posting lately. It's certainly not for a lack of projects to post on either!

First up, finished Monkey Sock! Yeah!!

Monkey Stats: Pattern from Knitty
I used one less repeat on the leg, but other than that I pretty much followed the pattern. I used size 2 circ's and Spunky Electic in Mahagany from the Yarn Aboard Swap mate Jennifer. I loved working with this yarn. Its a superwash wool and it really softened up after a wash and dry. The pattern was really entertaining. Easy to remember and it was just enough to keep me interested without being boring or complicated. I think there will be more Monkeying around in my future!

Next up is the amazing box of goodies I received from my Secret Pal. Let me just say that Secret Pal knows how to pack a box!

She sent me some fingering weight wool from Knit Picks and a book on Scandanavian Mittens/Gloves. Totally awesome for when I learn colorwork!!! I love all the colors too. I got some Wildfoote sock yarn which I have been wanting to try in a sweet teal/blue color! She also made the cotton crochet bag for me... I think the bag will make a cute "sock in progress" bag! Also theres a spool of cute ribbon and there was some sweets, but they didn't make it to the photo shoot. Now last but sooo not least.... she sent me a drop spindle and some Roving (which I've been itching to learn!) !! SP10 also sent some instructions and I have been playing with it a bit but I don't really have much to show so far. Anyway it was an awesome package!! Thanks SP10!

What's going on...

I have no new knitting progress or lack of progress pictures today. Well, I do have pictures but they are in my camera at home and I'm at work.

I received a package from my Secret Pal yesterday. I'll post all the juciy bits on that later with pictures. But I will say it was a very AWESOME package!

I've frogged about 3 seperate projects in the last couple of weeks. One of them being socks for my sockapalooza... which I'm having a rough start with. Mostly dumb errors on my part. But I may change the yarn I'm using and go on a differant path. Another frog was one the front of my brown alpaca/wool vest. I messed up the ribbing and stitch count. I hadn't gotten very anyway.

That's all for now. I'll leave you with some kitty kat porn today!

More New Stash ( yeah, like I needed it )

This last week the LYS had a sale on some Berroco Ultra Alpaca. The new colors are coming in for the Fall and they're making room! My kind of sale! I got some in Fern and Cobalt Violet. I have enough of the Fern to knit Ticuna from their free patterns site. I only purchased two skeins of the Cobalt Violet.. I'm thinking of mixing it with some other colors and felting up a bag of some sort. By the way, the greens are more darker in life.. the morning sun kinda washes it out... no that I'm complaining about the sun! Shine on!

I also got some Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock in the Purple Iris colorway on sale too! I'm thinking now I must've been on a Green and Purple kick.

Not much new on my Monkey Sock progress. I messed it up on my trip to Ohio and was so annoyed with it I hardly touched it at all! Nearly 24 hours cumulative time on the bus ride and no knitting to show for it. I just wasn't feeling the love for my knitting back I guess. When I got home I ripped back and picked up again. Now I'm on the heel. I'm just happy to be at the heel!

New Stash

Last week before I left for the weekend I received another package from my Secret Pal.
Today I'm getting around to posting about it. Little late on posting... but I definately thanked them as soon as I got it! My sp sent me the Vogue Stitionary book. Which is very cool and is loaded with differant fair isle patterns. I love it and can't wait until I get a chance to practice with all the yarn she sent too! Theres a couple of skeins of Koigu Kersti and some chocolate bars. There were actually three bars but of that theres about one and a half left. I also got a sticky pad and some really pretty handmade stitch markers! Also not pictured but totally awesome non the less... were the special edition stamps with matching envelopes that were stamped on the day of issue. One was the Vermont State bird/flower and the other were the 4 stamp set of Cats. Very cool if your into stamp collecting! I have to admit that I've lost my enthusiasm for the new self-stick stamps. To me they're just fancy stickers. I like collecting the old ones better.
Thanks secret pal.

On another note Ohio was great. I probably spent too much but you'll have that. Glad I could help out the local economy there! I have to post this picture I took of this basket Building!

Greetings from Dresden Ohio!

No pictures to post yet. Just posting a quick note from Ohio. I'm out here for the Longaberger Collectors Club Gathering event. No yarn here just lots of baskets! Plenty of pictures and sock updates next week.

PS. My secrect pal sent the best package ! Sock yarn... and chocolate and stitch markers too! More on that next time as well. Thanks Secret Pal your the best!!!

Now she wants socks!

Conversation from Easter Sunday at my moms..........

Mom- "Who are you knitting those socks for?"

Daughter- "Me."

Mom- "Who are knitting those other ones for?"

Daughter- "Me too. I'm knitting both of these pairs for me."

Mom- "Oh........" ( in a clearly dissapointed tone)

Daughter- "You said you didn't think you could wear my knitted socks. You said they were too thick." (spoken in a "Mimic my Mother" voice only a daughter can pull off)

Mom- "Oh well, I think I might be able to wear them with my new wool clogs...I could wear thinner ones.... I think. "

Daughter- "Sure!!!!! Now you tell me. Now you want socks!"

All talk and no new pictures

I have no new pictures to post of my progress... so I'll just tell about it instead. I've finished one sock of my Monkey socks so far. Looks awesome. I've started the second one and I'm maybe about a third done on the top so far.
I had to rip back my other sock of the Lorna's Laces that I had started. I messed up the pattern and there really was no fixing, so I frogged back to the cuff. I've restarted the pattern. I thinking maybe a lifeline wouldn't hurt on this pattern.
I started another new project... actually there are two new ones that I haven't blogged about. At work on break I've been working in a Ribbed Turtleneck Pullover in the Silky Wool. So far so good. It seems kinda lightweight for a wool/silk blend. I should've washed the swatch to see how it would bloom up.
Also I started a new Crewneck Vest in the Peruvian Sierra Aran from elann. I'm about ready to start shaping my armholes on the back. I've been motoring along on that. The pattern is a combination of one from an old Family Circle Knitting and an Interweave Knits issue.

So those are my new projects... now I'm gonna recap on some old stuff thats been hanging around too long. I was looking at my knitting pile this Winter/Spring and decided there were some things that could be frogged. One in particular is a sweater I've mentioned before. I bought the sweater kit at one of the local craft shows. I had completely drooled over the yarn at previous shows. I finally decided to splurge and purchase one of the kits. It's a mohair boucle handpainted yarn. It's really a gorgeous colorway.. called Mixed Berries... raspberry, blueberry and a tealish green. The pattern in the kit was for a roll neck with ribbed bottom and cuffs. At that time I wasn't a fan of the ribbing.. I was stuck on making all my cuffs and hems in the roll. So I modified the pattern... casted on, frogged, and casted on a few times before I finally had something I liked. However as I knitted the body in the round the colors began to pool and pool and pool and I liked it less and less. It languished for extended periods of time before I finally got as far as I did last winter. I felt like I HAD to finish it... that I'd come so far.. sleeves finally done and attached. So close to the neck area. But after being mere inches away from complete last May, it went back to the WIP pile again. Nearly a year ago now. Now after some time thinking about it, I've decided that the pooling is whats holding me back. I don't like it. At least not on a sweater. I know if I finish it, it will only lay in the closet and never see the light of day either. I think it's time to let go of the sweater and the guilt that I should finish it because it was a "kit and thats what it was supposed to be." The pooling only happened on the body and not on the sleeves. I'm wondering how it would be differant if I tried it on straights and maybe at a differant gauge. Either way I love the yarn, love the colors but this pattern isn't working for me!

Secret Pal Goodies!

On Thursday I got a pacakge from my Secret Pal.

I got toally spoiled with a 4lb. jug of Jelly Belly jelly beans!!! A skein of handpainted Peace Fleece, Opal and Regia sock yarns and a mitten pattern to go with my Peace Fleece!! WOW.
Thanks Secret Pal you rock! The colors are perfect! I'm really going to have to watch those handfuls I grab of jelly beans.... they are soooo addicting!

More new stash sock

I picked up some deals on ebay last week......a ten pack of Jaeger Trinity in Cornus and a ten pack of Rowan All Seasons Cotton in Purr.. yummy Spring colors. Makes me think of Easter eggs.


Also my Monkey sock is coming along. I'm working on the heel now. I had to do one less of the repeats to accomidate my leg.

Stash enhancements and New Socks

Last Saturday I went the LYS and checked out what she had left for her 1 day only Winter sale. I really didn't expect to find much as I arrived only 20 min before she was closing for the day. However I did manage to come home with 11 skeins of Classic Elite Skye Tweed in Dungeon which is charcoalish black tweed. Also I snagged one last skein (in this colorway) of Noro Big Kureyon in this amazing mix of colors. It looked so loney... I couldn't leave it behind!

Also sock progress.. or lack of it. I started another sock.. in some yarn I got from a swap in the Monkey pattern from Knitty. For once I'm actually knitting something that is currentish in the blog world. Imagine that. So far I have only accomplished one repeat but I think its looking cool.
I ran into a snag on my Columbine Peak socks... I had a moment of stupidness and instead of starting on row 7 of the chart (where I had left off the last time I touched it) I started at row 1... then after about 4 rows I wondered why all of a sudden it was looking strange. DUH! I figured it out and ripped back those rows but with the yarnovers and such I just couldn't seem to make it look right. I was only 1 1/2 repeats into the pattern anyway.. so I ripped all the way back to the ribbing and now I have to start it again. Maybe I should use lifelines on my socks! At least I hadn't gotten too far.. and what I did get done knit quick. So thats ready to start again. I definately learned something from that lesson.

Violet

I am a Violet What Flower Are You?

"You have a shy personality. You tend to hesitate before trying new things or meeting new people. But once people get to know you, you open up and show the world what you are really all about."

Secret Pal 10 Questionaire

Secret Pal 10 Questionaire.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Mostly I knit with wool or any blend of wool and a natural fiber. I've knit a little with cotton. I'm not a fan of novelty yarns or 100% acrylics. I love hand dyed yarn. Self striping is ok too.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I use tall narrow basket for the straights. My circulars store in the Denise Case they came in.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting since 1997. I learned in a 3 session course at the Local Joann's Fabrics Store. I haven't learned yet how to do Fair Isle or Intarsia. I only stripe if I do multiple colors. I've done lots of differant stitch work. I have done any lace work but I do have yarn and patterns for it and look forward to starting something for Christmas this year. I would say maybe Advanced Beginner or borderline Intermediate because I havent done multi-color work.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes. Amazon

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I like woodsy, floral, food scents. Really most anything.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I like chocolate with or without nuts. Milk and Dark Chocolate. My favorite is chocolate and peanut together! I also love Jelly Belly Jellybeans.. any flavor and anything peppermint or spearmint flavored.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Other crafts I enjoy are cross stitch, embroidery of most kinds, sewing. I haven't learned to spin. I have thought about getting a drop spindle and try to learn. I've become a Do-it-yourselfer around the house. Woodworking and building and remodeling have taken up a lot of my spare time lately. I like to garden and cook as well.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
My computer plays MP3's. I like country and classic rock mostly. But I will listen to others as well.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
My favorite color is Blue (any shade). I like darker or rainbow shades including woodsy tones too, greens and browns. Lately a lot of Brown and blue or pink combos have found their way to my stash.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am single, one cat and no kids.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
yes, I would wear a poncho, just havent knit one yet. I knit hats then never wear them. I love mittens and scarves.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
things i can get a lot of wear out of, sweaters, vests. I seem to be knitting a lot of socks and mittens too. I also knit scarves because they are quick and easy.

13. What are you knitting right now?
I have a sock started from a Secret Pal 9 package. I started a new sweater as well.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes I love them.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I have the Denise circ. set and since I cant use my aluminum straights without my wrists getting sore. Guess I prefer circs. now. Except for my wood size 9 straights. They dont bother me. Bamboo are ok, but I think wood are better. I just started knitting my socks on circulars using either Addis Turbos or Knit Picks circs. I love socks on circs now.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes to both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
2 years at most, but its near done.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?
The question should read "Is there anything you DON'T collect?"... I collect stamps, postcards, tart burners, dishes of all kinds, baskets, antiques... all kinds of stuff.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I subscribe to Interweave Knits. I've never knit with Koigu or Wildfoote sock yarn.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I would like to learn Intarsia and Fair Isle.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes. I wear a size 8 womens med. width shoe and sock.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
February 19th

Did someone say SNOW!

Yesterday and last night was our turn (North East) to experience the snow that everyone else seems to have gotten already.... Here's what I woke up to this morning.


This is from my deck... I did shovel out the car on Wednesday.. can't tell that now.


This is before I ventured outside... my front steps... somewhere.. there was A LOT of drifting last night.. 4ft+ in some areas on my lawn...

I had to walk around to get my shovel on the back deck where I left it yesterday from shoveling out around the bird feeders... I couldn't open the back door it drifted up so high.

Berkley really really thought he wanted to go outside... well he went after I shoveled off the back deck a bit... but where he thought he was going I don't know...there was no way he was going to venture over those snow banks...
Now he's wishing he stayed inside.. the batteries in the camera died so I missed the shot of him turning around and heading into the door... thats as far he went... first step! Smart Cat.
Last night my butt stayed HOME! This is what I worked on in front of the tv.. my new sock .

Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock in Tahoe from my secret pal.. on size 1 circs's in the pattern "Columbine Peak" from the book "Socks Soar on Circular Needles".... cuff is getting there.. !

I Love Mom

Happy Valentines Day to my sweet boy Berkley!
(Kitty love is the best Love)

Finally something finished!

This weekend I finally finished the mate for a sock I started last year! Well it only took me less than two weeks to get the mate done this time. The second was done on my circ's. I was definately feeling the love for these from the beginning.... all the way to the end. Now I can't wait to get started on another pair.. of course after I finish my brothers boot socks.

Pattern Specs
Patons Kroy Sock in Vista Sea
Size 2 needle dbl's and circs. k2p2 rib

Of course even though I have other projects waiting for me in limbo.. it didn't stop me from starting another one. But I also frogged one too, so it evens out.