CHristmas and Knitting Gifts

I have waited to post fully about Christmas and my knitting gifts because for me and my family it didn't end until this evening. My aunt and uncle were away visiting their son over christmas and didn't get back until last night. We held off with their gifts until tonight.

As you saw in my previous post I did get my KP Options needles, from my parents, which I am very excited about. My sister, her husband and their 3 children gave me a bunch of Red Heart yarn. I'm planning on making an afghan with it. My case manager and that program also gave me a bunch of yarn. I guess they didn't know what to get?! One of the most exciting knitting gifts besides the needles though was what my aunt and uncle gave me.

They got me a pattern for an Aran sweater and about 12 skiens of Paton's Classic Merino Wool in the Aran Color.

I just have to share this gift even though it's a non knitting gift. I was also given my grandma's wedding band. She passed away 13 years ago and my dad has been holding onto it for me all these years.

I got the Knit Picks Options needles!!

Yay!

One of my longtime friends has started knitting. We've known each other for 8 years. She started knitting to make her kids scarves for her children to give for christmas gifts. She's on a roll now. I'm so happy.

Pictures

I found the camera and have gotten some pictures for you (if anyone reads this at all). The first one is of what my Secret Pal sent me. I also have pictures of me knitting at a holiday party and of Cliona.

Last Words On 2006 X-Mas Knitting Progress Here

X-Mas
All my X-mas Knitting is done. I am knitting no more gifts till next year. I don’t care what creeps up. The next project is for me. I need to do something for me with the way the weekend started out and went. I was having to call and check in with staff all weekend to reassure them I was ok. Now that the week is here, my meds are back in my posession and I have met with my therapist, I need to make something for myself. The last step to my distressing over what happened Friday. Also to destress over the holidays.

Thank You SP

I got ADDI TURBOS today!! I am participating in SP9 and I got my package today. In it was a set of 5, size 3 dpn s that are Addi Turbos. I also got: A pair of earrings that she made, a felted bowl that she also made, 2 skiens of 100% natural colored virgin wool from Wilde yarns (Peach and Clover),a package of dyed hemp twine for beading, gold bagler cord, glass stones with sayings, butter bar soap, tea, birthday confetti, a tinkerbell pen that lights up, a card telling me about herself, a hank of Koigu KPPPM 100% merino wool yarn, a christmas ornament, marshmallow snowmen and trees, a little photo album, a magnetic notepad (she must know I have a horrible memory), a little wooden basket with Savannah Bees Company's Minj Juliep Body Wash and Lotion, an issue of VOgue's Knit Simple Magazine, and Sandpiper Soap Company's Whipped Body Butter (apricot). My SP rocks. I'll provide pics as soon as I find my camera I'll post pics. THANK YOU

I have officially finished knitting for my family when it comes to this years Christmas! My dad's scarf totaled out at around 7 feet. Danged bulky yarn. I now have definitley 18 hours, and if I'm lucky 37 hours form now to finish a scarf for a friend for her daughter's cancer benefit fundraiser. It's only aobut 1/5 - 1/4 done. Thankfully I am going to be attending a Christmas party tomorriw afternoon where I can sit and knit for the majority of the party. I then have to whip out another 2 more by noon Tuesday. GOtta thank my dad for reminding me about those 2. Just as I thought I could relax. Oh well. At least I had a good birthday.

I started dad's scarf thinking that it wouldn't take too long to knit. 2 weeks later I'm still going on it. It measures 6 and a half feet and it's just getting to the just long enough length. It's taken on the nickname of "Green Monster" I went to watch a movie that a friend rented yesterday. I sat and knit through the whole movie (2 or so hor) and it seems like I got nowhere on it. It seems like I've reached this rift in time. Maybe it's the fact that there's so little time before christmas is here.

I also have until Friday to finish a scarf for the benefit/fundraiser for a friend. Not much time when you factor in all that I'm doing this week: 1 group; 1 therapist appt; another appointment with someone else; possibly babysit 2 afternoons; 2 holiday parties; going out to dinner for my birthday with the family; a birthday party; and a couple late nights at the store. I have to finish by early friday afternoon. I'd go to the benefit, but I need to get up early the next morning.

I have come to face the truth. I will succeed in knitting all of my family's gifts, but my "family's" gifts are going to be a no-go this year. I will have to start earlier next year. SO the list of knitting is:

IMMEDIATE FAMILY (referred to as Family)
Dad --- Cable Scarf
Mom --- Branching Out (Scarf on Knitty)Ruffle Hat
Aunt Shelly --- Embrace (Scarf on Knitty)Ruffle Hat
Uncle Herbie --- Scarf & Hat (both of my own design)
Aunt Bo --- Scarf (drop stitch)Ruffle Hat

OTHER FRIENDS

Don (not going to have time for)

Robbyn --- Slipper Socks

Diane --- Slipper Socks

ADOPTED AS FAMILY (referred to as "Family")( I'm unfortunately not going to have time to make items for anyone on this list. thankfully they understand).
Pam, Jon, Mandy, JR, Julie, Nicky, Carlie, Ally, Kirsten, Madison, Sydney, Sammy, Jonny

Holiday Knitting

It seems like I just can't get ahead this year in the christmas knitting this year. As soon as I get one person off the list, another person replaces the project that just got crossed off. I'm starting to stress and can see some late nights coming up.

Below is mylist of christmas knitting that is to be done as it stands now. Red = Done, Wrapped, & Tagged.
IMMEDIATE FAMILY
Dad --- Cable Scarf
Mom --- Branching Out (Scarf on Knitty)
Ruffle Hat
Aunt Shelly --- Embrace (Scarf on Knitty)Ruffle Hat
Uncle Herbie --- Scarf & Hat (both of my own design)
Aunt Bo --- Scarf (drop stitch)Ruffle Hat
ADOPTED AS FAMILY ( Completely Subject to change or if time doesn't allow, elimination)
Pam --- Slipper Socks
Jon
Mandy --- Drop Stitch Scarf (purple)
JR --- who know what yet, but in orange
Julie --- Slipper Socks
Nicky --- Scarf
Carlie --- Scarf
Ally --- Scarf
Kirsten --- Scarf
Bubby --- Scarf
Jonny --- Felted Paint Brush Holder
Sydney --- Slipper Socks
Sammy --- Fingerless Gloves
OTHER FRIENDS
Don
Robbyn --- Slipper Socks
Diane --- Slipper Socks

Interesting Knitting Group

What an interesting day Saturday was. I finally returned to knitting group after a 2 week absence. It was from watching my landlady's store while she was away on vacation. Knitting group was wonderful. Afterwards one of the people in the knitting group (we've been friends since we were toddlers) was going to drop me off at the mall, but her car battery was dead. So another member's husband jumped the car. It kept dying so my friend called a couple friends. It turned out that the battery was truly dead. We went to Wal_Mart to get a new battery and since it was a long wait my friend our other friend did it ourselves. We should have gotten pictures.

I am admitting defeat in the time department. I have come tot he realization that I will not be able to get the Irish Hiking Scarf done in time for Christmas to give to my Dad. I tried plan B, but that didn't work si I have moved on to plan C. THat one is working out great and I will be able to get that one done in time. Also just when I thought I was done knitting scarves done for the year I Have another one to make. It's being donated to a Cancer benefit. My friend's 18 year old daughter has cancer. She has to go tomorrow to have a cone biopsy and that will determine if she has to have a hysterectomy. Later this month there will be a benefit/fundraiser held in her behalf to help raise money for her treatments. I'm going to be donating a scarf to the raffle they will be holding.

Otherwise knitting has been going quite well. All the major people's gifts are done (besides dad). I am finally returning to my knitting group this weekend and man I cannot wait. I haven't gone fore 2 weeks and I've been gatting cranky and antsy about it. My landlady knew I was going this weekend no matter what was going on at the store.

I know this has no knitting content, but I just had to share it with you guys. It's my adventture the other night with my cat and the animals I was petsitting.


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Cliona freaking. Cast: Cliona, Nikita (a fully grown Alaskan Malamute), and me. For anyone that is not familiar with Alaskan Malamutes this is what I got from the American Kennel Club and Nikita fits it "There is a natural range in size in the breed. The desirable freighting sizes are males, 25 inches at the shoulders, 85 pounds; females, 23 inches at the shoulders, 75 pounds." Nikita isn't a show dog though.
Now my apartment has a set of stairs that you can go down to go into the house where my landlord and lady live and I have access to the house at all times. The weekend before thanksgiving I was down in the house letting Nikita have roam of the house. I went up to the 2nd floor and Nikita followed me. I heard Cliona meowing and opened my door to check on her. Nikita started charging up the stairs. THe following events happend so fast. At the sight of Nikita, Cliona at the top of the stairs jumped higher (like there were springs in her paws) than I ever saw her jump before. She started hissing and growling (and did so through the whole thing), launched herself off the banister, across the stairway, then off the wall. Nikita is now up the stairs. Cliona is coming down out of the air (thank you gravity) and I have to duck. If i didn't I would be like the person in the comics with a cat hanging off my face, with the front claws in my face. I'm trying to keep Nikita from getting all the way in to the apartment, but decide it's a loosing battle. Cliona hits a wall, lands, sees where Nikita is ans up she goes again. I manage to catch her midair. Ad I catch her I see that Nikita has found Cliona's favorite toy, a fur covered mouse and is licking it and proceeding to destroy it. I manage to get Cliona into the bathroom and shut her in it. You can her her grown through the door (solid wood). I quickly make a peanut butter sandwich (she loves em) to lure the dog away from the toy which is now mutilated and out of the apartment. I get Nikita squared away and go to check on Cliona. She's curled up behind the toulet. She lets me hold her for about 10 min., then wants down, only to walk around with her back arched and tail like a bottle brush for the rest of the night. I never did see her in the morning. I laughed myself to sleep. To make it even better the cat invites himself up 2 nights later. Trust me I was in the cat house for that.

Recipe for a potential disaster here:

Ingredients:
1 mischevious cat named Cliona
1 Foolish human
1 6.5 foot artificial Christmas tree (prelit)
Christmas Decorations
More Tree lights

Directions:
Have human assemble the 6.5' tree. Leave Cliona unattended with the tree.

Where's the disaster: Cliona has never experienced a large tree in her 2 previous christmases. SHe has only experienced a small tabletop one. Now that I have the room for a larger one I went and got one. TOnight will be the first night for her with the tree. In a stroke og genius though I have tied fishing line around the tree and anchored it to the wall so that she cannot knock the tree over. THere is stil potential for disaster though.

Coolest Thanksgiving Knitting Haul

I got the coolest haul today. It was almst like Christmas a month early this morning for me. My mom's mom (my step-grandmother) used to Knit and I mean Knit. I never really got to know her and see her knit though. Over the past year I have been inheriting her knitting needles that mom has saved since her death. Well today mom gave me a bag of needles. They were all circs!!! We're talking 17 pairs of circs ranging from size 2 to 10 and from 12" to 32". Most are all plastic, a few are all metal (including the cable), and some are metal tips and the rest plastic. Most of the needles are bent near where the needle becomes/joins the cord. It was so cool.

I need another needle case now.

Also my Secret Pal got her package and liked it. I'm happy about that.

Hidden info for my SP

I got this from my SP.

A - Age: 26 (counting down to 27)
B - Band listening to right now: Led Zepplin
C - Career future: For the next week and half: Running my Landlady's Paint your Own Pottery and Stained Glass Studio After that: Job Hunt Eventually: Social Worker
D - Dad's name: Richard
E - Easiest person to talk to: It's a combo of: Ada, Robbyn, Diane, and Jessi
F - Favorite song: any of the songs from "The Phantom Of THe Opera" never could choose a favorite.
G - Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms: Gummy Bears
H - Hometown: Waterford
I - Instruments: (I'm assuming this means musical instruments played) It was standard that in 3rd grade everyone played the recorder. I later played the Flute and was Horrible at it.
J - Job: Volunteer most of the time
K - Kids: None myself, I live vicariously through friends and friends adopted as family. Through that I have in girls: 3,5,7,9,12 year olds and in boys: 2, and 13 year olds.
L - Longest car ride ever: New London, CT to Cape Canaveral, FL
M - Mom's name: Biological: EggDonor Step-Mom (a.k.a. Mom): Nancy
N - Number of people you've slept with: I don't think about this topic as it sets off flashbacks and nightmares.
P - Phobia[s]: Snakes, Pekinese dogs
Q - Quote: "Everything great that has ever happened to humanity since the beginning - has begun as a single thought in someone's mind. And if any one of us is capable of such a great thought, then all of us have the same capacity - capability - because we are all the same. " -- Yanni
R - Reason to smile: I'm alive!
S - Song you sang last: La Vie Boheme -- Rent
T - Time you wake up: Saturdays: 7 a.m. Sun & Mon: 11 Tue - F: 10
U - Unknown fact about me: I'm an only child and love it.
V - Vegetable you hate: brussel sprouts
W - Worst habit: Tempting fate with my latex allergy. Example: Trying to get a rubberband on or off something (using something else to pry or using paper towels as a barrier which are a bad idea) that I know I definitley can't without help.
X - X-rays you've had: Mre than I can remember.
Y - Yummy food: Sweet potatoes
Z - Zodiac sign: Sagittarius (and i do take after the sag's traits)

FYI

If I seem to go missing over the next couple of weeks I haven't forgotten about any of my secret pals. I haven't forgotten about updating. I haven't forgotten at all. Starting Thursday Night I am taking over running my friends store while they are away on vacation. I know it will be hectic for me and I fully intend to do my best to get here during the time that I am watching over the store, I just wanted to post this just in case.

Note to my SP: Your package went out today.

Busy Weekend

The past weekend was one heck of a knitting weekend. I did so much knitting that at one point my index fingers didn't want to completely straighten out without hurting much. Between SnB Saturday morning, the bus ride home afterwatrds, and watching TV in the evening I knit just about an entire hat (all but 1" of ribbing) including making up and one whole slipper sock. The hat took longer than most hats since it was the first time I did a hat without a pattern. Yes I ventured into the land of creating your own patterns. Sunday after housework I started the mate to the slippersock I did the day before. I had a birthday party to attend, and a migraine to sleep off afterwards which meant sleeping through most of monday, but by 7 yesterday evening that slippersock was done. Like I said it was one heck of a knitting weekend. I got more done in 3 days than I did all week.

knitting X-mas List Updated

Below is mylist of christmas knitting that is to be done as it stands now. Red = Done & Ready To wrap

IMMEDIATE FAMILY
Dad --- Irish Hiking Scarf
Mom --- Branching Out (Scarf on Knitty)
Ruffle Hat
Aunt Shelly --- Embrace (Scarf on Knitty)
Ruffle Hat
Uncle Herbie --- Scarf & Hat (both of my own design)
Aunt Bo --- Scarf (drop stitch)
Ruffle Hat

ADOPTED AS FAMILY ( Completely Subject to change or if time doesn't allow, elimination)
Pam --- Slipper Socks
Jon
Mandy --- Slipper Socks (purple)
JR --- who know what yet, but in orange
Julie --- Slipper Socks
Nicky
Carlie
Ally
Kirsten
Madison
Jonny --- Felted Paint Brush Holder
Sydney --- Slipper Socks
Sammy --- FIngerless Gloves

OTHER FRIENDS
Don
Robbyn --- Slipper Socks
Diane --- Slipper Socks

A new week, what trouble can one get into?

Yay! It's a new week. One thing not everyone knows about me is that I love Monday nights. Not because the first weekday is over, but because I get to see a bunch of friends the next day at DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy). Having DBT is my Monday.

I started DBT because (and I'll be quite frank) back in 2001 I started cutting myself as a form of release. I have since stopped cutting thanks to DBT and other things. Through this group I developed several friendships. We're like family to each other. What's different about these friends (my groupmates) is that even though they are non-knitters, they understand about me and my knitting. They don't mind if I ask if I can call them back in a few minutes because I am i in the middle of a row and need to finish it or "I'll be messed up when I return to it." They know to approach my bags with caution as you never know where a knitting needle or whatever else I may have for knitting may be in it. They don't try to take me away from my knitting. They let me talk about knitting even though they don't understand what I'm talking about. Heck when they come upon free yarn and they grab it for me. One of them gave me a skien of Lion Brand's Homespun for christmas last year. They don't ask questions. They just nod, smile, and let me carry on.

As for trouble I can get into, I have several WIP's, I started another, and looking at another to start. Oh and I'm planning on starting a couple stained glass projects this week too.

My Secret Pal's package is all ready to go out. I'm just waiting for a couple things I ordered to arrive. Once they come in...out the package goes.

Is it Saturday yet??????

It's been one of those weeks. The time change has messed me up. Yeah I appreciated that extra hour of sleep. My body though took a few days to adjust to it. I adjusted to a 5 hour time jump 9 years ago better than I adjusted to changing the clocks back an hour. The 5 hour time jump was when I went to Ireland and then returning from. They're 5 hours ahead.

I haven't been able to get much knitting done this week since I've been sleeping. Trying to adjust from the time change. Also allergies are doing me in. Gotta love it when the leaves fall and you have an allery to mold. We had tons of rain and wind over the wekend so that helped the leaves fall and now that it's nice out the mold is growing. I'm stuffed up and miserable. Also busy helping out at the shop and babysitting. Well more like adolescent sitting, but what are you going to do with a 12 and 9 year old after school nowadays. Daycare isn't an option as they are too old and you can't leave them home alone. So I watch my niece and nephew (ok landlord and lady's grandkids, but they're like family).

Hope to get back on track with my knitting come Friday. If not Friday then I'll efinitley get back on track Saturday. I'm definitley looking forward to Saturday. Knitting group, friends, great coffee with chocolate in it...what else can one ask for. Ok maybe not having to get up at 7:30 a.m., but I can deal with that part. Why so early? Well on most weeks I take the bus and on the bus it takes 90 mins and then a 10 min walk to get to knitting group. It's only 2 towns away, but busses around here it can take 30 min to get a regular 10 min drive away. There are times I can walk half the bus route faster than the bus can drive it. Last week, this week and for a couple more weeks a friend is picking me up. We have a couple places to go first before knitting. It's all worth it though. To get out of town, see friends, and knit elsewhere, when you don't have a car...you'll deal with getting up early. So is it Saturday yet??

4.5 Days Away Translates into…

er… 4.5 days of knitting. Yep that’s what it meant here. I just back this afternoon. Was house and dog sitting while I was away. My days basically consisted of knitting, taking the dog out, knitting, vegging out, going to knitting group with my aunt Saturday morning, talking on the phone, and relaxing. While I was gone I was able to get my aunt’s scarf done, baby booties made, the back of a baby sweater (Knitty’s Chaos) made all the way to the arm shaping, a pair of slippers, and working on my IHS. Pics are below. Left to right, the project pictures are: Baby booties from SNB Nation; Slippers; Chaos from Knitty.com; Irish Hiking Scarf; Drop stitch scarf; My parent's dog modeling the previously mentioned scarf. This is all knitting I did over 4.5 days. Exception is that I started the hiking scarf during the week, but only had 2 or 3 twists in it.

Relaxing Away

I'm off at my parents. Just me and the dog. OF course my knitting has come along too. A whole diaper bag's worth. Go figure, I don't even have kids, yet I have a diaper bag. It was originally for my computer, but became a bag for knitting. THose progress bars will be getting updated next week.

I'm having a blast. I haven't forgotten about my SP9 pal. I'm working on something for her this week. I've been gathering a few other things to put in her package. I'll be emailing her when I return from my parents. My other pal and I have been emailing each other.

So this week the only people that can reach mehas been dramatically reduced. It's nice that way. Usually I spend tons of time on the phone working on projects. Not this week. Less than 10 people can find me. The phone won't be driving me batty. Yehaa. Oh and I won't be on the computer much either.

ISE 3 Scarf in the mail

My ISE 3 scarf went in the mail today. I also got a postcard from my pal sending me a scarf today. It was showing me where my scarf spent a weekend. Pretty cool.

Playing Catch-Up Posts

Looking back I have realized that I have left a bit out of some posts.

1.) Last month I went for a search of yarn made in Ireland. Preferably wool. Just so you know I was brought up to be proud of my Irish heritage and I sill am. When I went to Ireland 9 years ago I was more at home there than I had ever been until then in the states. In face I didn't want to come back home, but I did. I'm still looking forward to the day that I return to Ireland. Well during that search I found a store in Maine called The Irish Ewe. On that site I found some Irish Aran yarn. It's even form the county my great grandmother came from and the county I visited. It's 100% wool. Well, this month I ordered a hank of it. I just had to have it. Plus I wasn't going tohave any normal dreams until I had it as the yarn was invading my deams.

2.) I've started the Irish Hiking Scarf and joined the kal for the scarf. I'm using the previously mentioned yarn for this scarf. It only seems appropriate. THis is the first time I'll be doing cables. Now that I have lace down (I think) it;s time for me to get cables down.

3.) I've decided to do the Red Scarf Project.

4.) Maybe I've mentioned this, but I have quit teaching knitting on mondays. It was getting to be too much on my schedule. I also counldn't handle the people. They just wouldn't pay attention or listen to me.

I'm DONE!!!

Yep I've finished my ISE scarf. At this very moment is blocking in my living room and Cliona has been banned for the night. I've even gone as far as to close the door to the living room when I'm not in it. Cliona's got this pitiful little look on her face since I practically never shut her out of a room. The scarf looks pretty good. Pics will be coming in a couple days.

Knitting Questonairre

Went to a blog and they had this knitting questionairre. It came from here

1. What's your worst habit relating to your knitting? I don't read patterns all the way through so sometimes I'll get partway through a project and discover thatI need or don't know something. Also my knitting bag is my purse.

2. In what specific ways does your knitting make you a better person?

3. How might you or your life be different if you were suddenly unable to knit?
I'd need something else to do with my hands. None of my other arts are easily portable or as inexpensive.

4. If money were no object, what one yarn, and what one tool or gadget would you run out and buy first? For yarn I'd be buying yarns that were from Ireland. For gadget I'd probably get the Options needle set, or a Knitting bag. My current one is a diaper bag.

5. What knitting technique or project type are you most afraid of (if any)? What, specifically, do you fear will happen when you try it? Fairisle. I can get easily confused so I just think that working with a chart and mutiple colors can be a bit intimidating. Felting I've survived as well as lace.

6. Who is/are your knitting hero(es), and why? I'm not really sure

7. Do you consider knitting, for you personally, a mostly social activity, or a mostly solitary activity?
I consider it a good mix of both. I do a good bit of knitting alone at home. Yet, I do a good abount of knitting out during the week while socalizing. It's a pretty even mix.

8. Is there a particular regional tradition in knitting that you feel strongly drawn toward (e.g., Fair Isle, Scandinavian, Celtic, Orenburg lace)? I'm always drawn to the Irish Sweaters yet I haven't done any cableing or any of the stitches that go into the Irish Fisherman Sweaters yet. I do want to make some one of these years.

10. Some statistics:
(a) How many years have passed since you FIRST learned to knit? 1

(b) How many total years have you been actively, regularly knitting (i.e., they don't have to have been in a row)? 1

(c) how many people have you taught to knit? Successfuly taught 2 and attempted to teach a few others.

11. How often do you KIP (knit in public)? Multiple times a week. My landlady owns a store that I kip in a few days a week. Then tere are the busses and another place I am each week.

12. If a genie granted you one hour to stitch-n-bitch with any one knitter, living or dead, who would you choose and why? My Great-grandmother. I've hard such incredible things about how she knit when she was alive and got to see some of her work that I grew up admiring.

13. What aspect or task in knitting makes you most impatient?
Casting on and Making up.

15. Describe how and where you most often do your knitting - where do you sit, what is going on around you, what tools do you use and how are they (dis)organized? At the shop I have everything I need set on the table in front of me and I sit in a chair with my yarn ball on the chair next to me or on the table. THe goal is to take up as little space as possible and be ready to move if a customer comes in and needs the spot. At home I sit in a comfy blue recliner with my yarn ball in the kitty condo sitting on the floor next to the chair. THe condo doubles as a coffee table. All my things are in a bag on the shelf in the condo.

16. Which one person is the recipient of more of your knitting than any other?
Me. Igive my family in general the majority of the knitting though.

17. What's the oddest thing about your knitting, or yourself as a knitter?
My favorite needles are the ones that are older than me. THey were my Step-great-grandmothers

18. What do you see yourself knitting - if anything - twenty years from now?
An O'Shea Clan Irish Sweater

19. If you were stranded on a deserted island and could have only ONE SKEIN of yarn, which yarn would it be and what would you do with it?
A really long skein of wool that I could just frog and reknitting.

20. If you were allowed to own only one knitting-related book, which would it be? (you'd be free to browse others, but you couldn't keep them)
I really don't know yet. I don't have too many. Of the ones I do have: The big book of Knitting.

21. Is knitting the new yoga? Why or why not?
No. Knitting has been around for centuries. Yoga is exercise.

EDIT: This last question added by Caroline:
22. What important thing are you trying to put off doing whenever you knit? It changes from day to day.

10 Knittery Things You Didn't Know About Me

1. Egg donor and her mom tried to teach me how to knit when I was a child, but drove me away with all the screaming they did at me for making the slightest wrong move.

2. I was obsessed with a skein of wool yarn.

3. I finally learned how to knit from my (step)mom and aunt.

4. DPN's and I do not agree.

5. I want to learn how to spin.

6. I can't get the hang of reading charts

7. I've have yet to knit a sweater

8. I prefer circular needles to straights

9. While moving last spring mom went to get my clothes to bring over to the new apartment and I insisted that I have my yarn and knitting go first.

10. One place I frequent wonders if I'm ok If i don't have knitting in hand.

Have I Lost It?

One guy that works in downtown had a unique evening this evening. Before I go on I usually don't talk about guys since most guys my age in my area are one way or another immature, rude, or in some other way not my type. This guy though was different. I know it's a long story, but I'm just trying to lay the groundwork so you understand the whole story. Here's the story.

I am going to ramble about a guy. A good looking one at that. To give him more points he's about my age!!! It all started Tuesday evening. I went to get a grinder and long story short, the guy working at Subway gave me a sanwich for free because the first 2 I asked for they were out of the meat and he didn't see me go into the store and left me waiting for a minute or so. I was with my neice today coming back from the marina whin I got this undeniable urge to go back and get another grinder. I walked in and there he was working again today. Still hot looking. I got my grinder and while we were talking in introduced to my neice. I called him the coolest guy that works there right to his face. Somewhere in the conversation he told me he had to show me his socks. When he came around the counter he slipped his shoes off and he had the coolest mismatched socks on. One was white and black checked socks and the other was green and black checked. He likes to wear mismatched socks. It was great. I just wanted to hug him right then and there, but didn't. I don't know why, but a guy that cares about socks is just so cool in my eyes. Didn't really realize it till a couple weeks ago though. Maybe it's the knitting??? I looked at him and said to him, "Finally I've met a guy that cares about socks." My 9 year old neice looked at me like I was nuts. I got the greatest idea then (and I still think it's a good one). Surreal_rebirth please check my sanity level please. I told him, "I'm a knitter and please keep that in mind please to understand where the next question would be coming. But could I please make you a pair of socks?" I told him it may take me a little time, but I will make him a pair. He told me he doesn't have a pair of toe socks and would really love a pair. I told him I'll try to find a pattern. I've found 2, but haven't looked them over. He told me he'll give me a free sandwich if I do. I even asked his shoe size. I can't wait to see him again. I may give him my phone number. BY the way, I've never knit socks before!!!

Yes I did change the screen name from relaxing knitter to Knitting Mause. I had a heck of a time remembering the first one and needed something easier.

Great Day/Technology Is Wonderful

This week is off to a great start. It's only monday and I've already accomplished quite a bit. I've managed to: quit teaching knitting, get the printer working again, freak my therapist/group leader out, find out that the place I wanted to work is no longer hiring, have the printer print 3 hours worth of knitting patterns, and reorganise my knitting patterns.

I wish I could have kept teaching knitting, but I just couldn't. Mondays have been my errand day and has been for years now. WHen you have a routine to your week and your week is filled up it just doesn't wrk to take a 2 hour block in the middle of the afternoon to go and teach. Maybe it would have been easier if I had a car, but I don't. I rely on the oh so wonderful bus system we have here. Yeah right with the busses. Can't complain though. At least there are busses. THen there is the fact that the people I'm teaching act like tey know what they are doing and don't wnat to listen or I just can't communicate with them.

As for freaking my therapist out, i had called her yesterday because a friend/groupmate hadn''t been heard form for several days. Quite unusal for the person. A few of us were getting worried so I called my theapist to let her kow about our concern. WHy is it that I'm usually the person that does the speaking up??? All is well the person is ok.

My printer was being a pain and didn't want the refilled ink cartridge and I had to breakdown and buy a new one. That got it to work again. I've been finding patterns galore to rpint and when all was said and done ti took 3 hours to get them all printed (only 3 months worth). I finally got the past years worth of patterns sorted too. Thank goodness for file folders.

So now tomorrow I can get knitting again.

Back To the Pond It Went

Yep had a frogging fest this evening. Cliona was one heck of a happy cat with all the yarn that was on the living room floor after all of the frogging I did. I had already done half of Embrace on knitty and half way done with the other half when i realized that the guage was off between the 2. Considering I have done Embrace 2 other times in as many months and 3/4 of it again I have made the decision th go wiht a different scarf this time around for my aunt. I am just not up for that much tockinette at once again this soon.

SP9 Questionairre Answers

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I've worked mostly with acrylic, polyester, nylon, some cotton, and wool. Wool has become my favorite. I feel that I haven't been going long (only been knitting for a year) enough to have one to despise yet. I like to stay open to other experiences. I've also pretty much worked with the same yarns and not really gotten to work with new yarns until the last few months.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? The great majority are in a needle case. The rest are in a big sewing box.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? My aunt and mom (step) taught me how to knit last October after I tried to teach myself to no avail. I consider myself an intermediate knitter.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yep, I have a wishlist at Amazon and Wists.com

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) ? I like light scents and also fruity scents. I'm not too fond of the very strong overpowering scents.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Definitely a sweet tooth here. Fave candy is white chocolate. Nothing with tropical friuts though please. I'm severely allergic.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I don't spin as of yet. As for other crafts I: make stained glass, dichoric glass pendants, beaded jewlery. I also paint (acrylics or watercolors) and draw. Also I hang out in a paint your own pottery studio and besides helping to pour the pottery and all, I paint a fair bit of pottery.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) My musical interests are pretty open. I listen to a lot of Country, Musical Soundtracks (i.e. "Phantom of The Opera" and "Rent"). Also like Classic Rock and New Age (Yanni & Enya). I tend to shy away from Rap, Heavy Metal. My computer plays cd's and MP3's. I do have a CD player and as right now I don't have a Ipod or other type of MP3 player like it, but hope to be getting one from family soon.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I like purples and pinks. I tend to stay away from white since I'm one of those people that manages to spill somthing on themselves always. Can't realy think of any colors I can't stand. Not too fond of black, but do have uses for it. Looking around I pretty much have not flashy or really bright colors around, but bubbly/friendly colors. Not cheerleader bubbly/friendly though, normal bubbly.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I have 1 cat who is spoiled rotten. I call my step-mom mom and see my dad and mom often. My apartment is a great one withan awesome landlord and landlady. They (landlord & lady) tear me like one of the family as do their kids and grandkids. I call them my extended family. I've disowned half of my family and that is the "Egg Donor" and all of her relations. Egg donor is waht i call my dad's first wife. I give her no maternal credit. Yes there are a lot of hard feelings towards that woman that is also called my mother.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I wear scarves, hats, mittens and gloves, shawls, but not ponchos. I cannot stand ponchos. Ponchos bring back memories I'd prefer not to have.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I've done lots of hats and scarves. I like to do shawls and am working on my first sweater. I also have taken to lace.

13. What are you knitting right now? I'm knitting slippers for my dad; scarf for my great aunt; scarf the my ISE3 pal; and Chaos for my cousin due in March.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Anytime. I think handmade is always better than storebought. The great majority of gifts I give are handmade and I always live to get handmade.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Definitely don't like plasticor acrylic needles though. I usualy use aluminum needles, but I am starting to use bamboo. I usualy prefer my aluminum needles unless the yarn is slippery then I like the bamboo needles. I'm also starting to prefer circulars over straight needles. Ohand if I have the option to use circulars or DPN's I'll go for the circulars anytime. That's the main reason I haven't learned socks yet...DPN's.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Don't have either yet. Haven't really needed a swift yet and have been doing well without a winder.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? A baby sweater that's 3 months old. Baby's not here yet though.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas. Most all my fond holiday memories are centered around Christmas time. Just keep snow out of the picture. Despite my having lived in an area that gets snow I cannot stand it. Snow is a 4 letter word in my family.

19. Is there anything that you collect? Starting to collect antique knitting needles & patterns. I also collect things having to do with my heritage (Southwest Ireland), dolphins, Phantom Of The Opera, and American Thread Company items. I guess one could say I collect books since I don't give up any of the books I get.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What
knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Magazine Subscription to Creative Knitting. I have: SnB, Snb Nation, & Snb Journal; Knitting Rules; Zen & The Art of Knitting; and Secret Life of A Knitter. I have been looking at the Folk Shawl book and books on Aran knitting. As I get books I'll update this spot.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Intarsia, Cables, Fair Isle, Socks

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I'm not a sock knitter yet. Hope to soon. Measurements (I hope I did this right, never did it before): Ankle Circumference: 26.5 cm Toe to heel: 26 cm Width: 4 cm

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) December 13

Branchng Out

I finished my mon's scarf for christmas. I did Branching Out. The first time i did lace. It came out pretty good. Once I replace the batteries in hte camera I'll post the pics. This now gets 2 people off my list of people I'm knitting christmas gifts for. I now have 18 people to knit for. 3 are people that are definitey have to knit for the rest are ones I really want to get gifts done for.

Casted-on (Again)

I've casted on for the ISE scarf. I'm about to get into the heart of it. This time I have the patern well hidden from Cliona so I know it will be kept safe from her.

ISE Scarf

Finally found a scarf that I am going to knit for my ISE pal. I had one, but Cliona gave her input (a few posts back tels about it). I really liked the one I picked out, but I don't remember the nace of what I picked out and can't find it again. So tomorrow I'll get going on the my ISE pal's scarf. I haven't forgotten. Just trying to deal with my cat.

Mom's Scarf

I've been working on my mom's scarf for her christmas present. It's been going great. I'm doing Knitty's "Branching Out". I've done 9 pattern repeats so far. It's being done in James C. Brett's Marble yarn with size us13. I didn't like any lace weight yarns for my mom. Once I get this one done I'll have 2 people off my christmas knitting list.

Teaching Knitting

I'm supposed to teach knitting on Mondays fron 1-3 p.m. I didn't last week because I had been called for Jury Dury (Uhg!). I ended not having to go to jury duty, but needed to run errands so didn't teach. One needs to grocery shop at some point? Right! Well this week I had a lovely migriane last night into today. I get enough mirianes to know that I better not go teach today. I'd be rather unpleasant to be around and pretty much wouldn't be able to teach to save my life. Well, the person leading the group called and was mad because I wouldn't be there today. SHe also tried to lay a guilt trip on me. What can I do? Go, rip everyone's head off, and not be able to teach that well. Or stay home, and hope that the migraine goes away (has partially). I'm tempted to just quit teaching. I'm getting more grief and stress than anything else.

Damn cat

Well, I have to go back to the drawing board with my ISE scarf. Cliona, my lovely cat, shredded the scarf pattern last week while I was asleep and I don't remember where I got it from. She likes to shred paper when under the influence of catnip. Gotta love it (note sarcasam). Otherwise she is the ...

Gahhh

Ok, I love my cat Cliona, but sometimes she commits some knitting crimes that make me want to scream. Sometime last night into this morning while I was sleeping she committed one of them. She knows that the only yarn she can play with is the yarn ball I gave her. SHe is to leave my yarn stash and knitting alone.

Cliona has a toy box that can rival some children's. Somewhere in that box is a toy that contains catnip. She has found that lovely toy and hidden it. Quite well at that. I have searched this apartment and cannot find it. I can find the otehr catnip toy i keep hidden and the catnip that my parents gave me (they're in the freezer). I can't find the other toy. Sometime last night though Cliona got this toy. I know because she did someting she does only when under the influence of catnip. She went and shredded some paper. Not just any paper though. She shredded the 2 sheets that the pattern for the scarf that I was making my ISE pal's scarf was on beyond repair. To make matters worse I forget what site I got the pattern from.

So now I'm back to looking for a pattern. Oh and picking up a bunch of tiny bits of paper courtesy of my lovely cat.

The first Pic is: Cliona in Her Fave Window
Left: Cliona After She Climbed into A Build A Bear Box

Everything is as it should be

So far this week things are going par for the course. Mom's hat is going well. ANother 6 inches and I'll be binding off. I'm still working on my scarf for my ISE pal. Today will be the test. Can I do the scarf while at a paint your own pottery studio? It's my landlady's. I hangout there most days. Also, can i do either project while my carpal tunnel is acting up in both wrists? I'll say whether or not tonight.

I have to laugh. I went to a thing called "The taste of Italy" last evening. Because of all the people that were going to be there I left my stuff at my landlady's store including my knitting. I regretted that part within an hour of getting to "Taste. " Yes it was interesting and I was in good company. Thing is my hands were craving something to do. They were craving their yarn and needles. All tey wanted to do in knit and they had nothing. Absolutely nothing. For a few hours at that. I couldn't tell the people Iwas with either. THey wouldn't understand what I was talkinga bout as I was with non-knitters. Well, only 1 knitter.

As for my ISE scarf, it's going well so for. It's started. Only had to frog it completely from the beginning it once so far and undo a couple single rows a couple times. I''m doing a lace pattern. I'm Looking forward to tomorrow where I can work on it more.

Long Week Over

Such a long week, yet it was a 4 day week at that. It's over though. The hilight...getting and hearing from my scarf pals. Oh and getting to go to knitting tomorrow. I did find out this evening that my jury duty appearance on Monday has been cancelled thank goodness. I wasn't looking forward to it, but the court I was going to did allow knitting at least.

So I finished half of my aunt's scarf. Saved myself a lot of frogging on it by remembering that i can pick up stitches. I figured that was the lesser of 2 evils. Let's see..pick up 4 stitches (you have to look for it to tell), or frog 18 inches (that had already been bound off). I went for the picking up. I'm making Embrace from knitty. It's basically a big H once you make the 2 halves and put it together. So now to make the other half and put it together.

I have also got a good idea of what I am making my scarf pal. Going to start it tomorrow as long as i remember the yarn (very bad memory this week).

Yay!

I got the email today telling me who my scarf exchnge pal is. I've been so eager to get my assignment so I can start the scarf. Off to find a fun pattern now. Yippee!!!

1 down .... too many to go

Well, I finally finished my aunt's hat so I have one person off my list of people I'm knitting Christmas gifts for. So an updated works in progress list:

1. Then a baby sweater (Chaos) from Knitty.com. that's barely started. I's cast on and about 5 rows done, so maybe 1% or so.
2. I'm also working on a svarf (knitty.com's Embrace) for another aunt's christmas gift. That's about 25% done.
3. Finally, I'm making another pair of slipper socks. That has about 1" done on the first one, so maybe 10%.

Wha Is On The Needles??

What in the world am I working on? and how far am I int on the projects???

Well, I usually have more than one project underway. As of right now I have 4.

1. For starters is a hat for my Aunt's Christmas present. That's about 50% done
2. Then a baby sweater (Chaos) from Knitty.com. that's barely started. I's cast on and about 5 rows done, so maybe 1% or so.
3. I'm also working on a svarf (knitty.com's Embrace) for another aunt's christmas gift. THat's about 25% done.
4. Finally, I'm making another pair of slipper socks. That has about 1" done on the first one, so maybe 10%.

Also I'm reading Knitting Rules by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (The Yarn Harlot). If you haven't read it yet, You're missing a great book.

Do You Have A Knitting Addiction?

1. Do you lose time from work due to knitting? I don't have payingjob so nope.

2. Is knitting making your home life unhappy? Nope. Just me and my cat. Actually, thinking about it, my cat does get mad when I don't let her play with the skeins and she wants to. So sometimes yes. My landlady knits so my landlady and I get along fine. SHe understands about the quirks of a knitter.

3. Is knitting affecting your reputation? I guess it is. My staff wonder if I'm ok if I'm seen without my knitting.

4. Have you gotten into financial difficulties as a result of knitting? Not that I can tell.

5. Does your knitting make you careless of your family's welfare? Nope.

6. Has your ambition decreased since knitting? No. My ambition has increased.

7. Do you crave knitting at a definite time daily? At night.

8. Do you want to knit the next morning? If I'm near finishing a project or particular part.

9. Does knitting cause you to have difficulty in sleeping? Yep, it can at times. I've even had strange dreams about my knitting, or yarn.

10. Has your efficiency decreased since knitting? Sometimes yes.

11. Do you knit to escape from worries or trouble? Heck yeah.

12. Do you knit alone? Yep, and with others.

13. Have you ever had a complete loss of memory as a result of knitting? Yep, and lost chuncks of time.

14. Has your physician ever treated you for knitting? Nope, but she has almost been needed to be treated because of my knitting. :P

15. Do you knit to build up your self-confidence? Sometimes

16. Have you ever been to a hospital or institution on account of knitting? Nope, not yet.

So – how about you? Got a knitting addiction

Yay, I'm participating in my first exchange. It's International Scarf Exchange. I'm so excited.

Intro

So this is the new home of my knitting journal. Posts tend to come in spurts. will be moving the entries I have made in a journal on another site over to here over the next few days along with pictures.

I started knitting in October of last year. It took me a little while to get the hang of it, but once I did I was off and going. Actually it was my mom and Aunt that got me straightened out and going.

Just to keep from any confusion people that will probably be mentioned a lot are listed. Actually there will be others, but these are the ones that I confuse people with (except dad).
Dad -- My father who has been there for me throuh a lot.
Mom -- Actually my step mom, but I call her Mom. She is like one to me.
Aunt Shelly & Uncle Herbie -- My mom's sister & brother in law
Egg Donor -- the woman who gave birth to me. Dad's ex-wife. I don't give her any maternal credit and have not talked to her in 3 years.
Jon & Pam -- my landlord and lady. They treat me like family.
Mandy, Julie, Jonny, Sydney, & Sam -- Jon & Pam's kids. I call them my sister's & brother.
Nick, Ally, Kirsten, Carlie, Madison -- Jon & Pam's grandkids. I call them my nieces & nephew.

Yay!

Yay!I finished The slipper socks I started a week ago yesterday. Originally I was going to make just 1 pair, but now I'm up to 4 pairs. Go figure.

1 down 1 to go

I finished my first slipper sock. It took me what 5 days. I now have to do the other one. Learned a couple things in in and did a couple things I've never done before. Oh and someone is eyeing them and might want to buy them when they are done. I have a request from a friend for a pair for christmas. I was planning on making a pair for myself.Also my aunt's scarf is done for christmas. So that's 1 embrace done. 3 more to go.

Mental Note

If you are trying to teach knitting to someone that doesn't speak English and that's all you speak you're in for a rough time. On Mondays I'm teaching knitting. Last week was the first week, but noone showed up. So this was the first week of me teaching. There's also stampin and drawing being taught. Well I had 1 student and that was more than enough for me today. I speak English and only English. I've attempted to learn Spanish, but my mind just isn't able to grasp it. Heck, if you have an accent, I can barely understand you. You're better off communicating with me by writing. That is unless you have an Irish Brogue or an English or Scottish accent. I can lso Anderstand Austrialian accents too. I think my understanding the Irish, English, and Scottish is because I grew up hearing a lot of Irish brogues. Heck I was a newborn hearing the Irish brogue and it must have stuck with me. So back to what I was saying. My one student was enough for me today. She didn't speak english. I also didn't have an interperter the whole time. If i needed help I could get someone to help me out, but let's just say I could have gone for an interpeter the whole time. I have no clue how I'm going to handle this for next week. sure hope that I can figure something out.

Cool

I sold a scarf saturday after knitting group. I told the lady 20 and she ended up giving me 25. The lady asked me about buying it. Caught me completely off guard. Guess I have to make another for my aunt now. It was her christmas gift. At least this time my aunt's will have the exact color she likes.

I haven't forgotten about here. The summer's been a bit busy. ALso I;ve gotten into a couple other crafts. Besides doing a few stained glass pieces, I've gotten into beading and fusing glass.
I settled down last night though and figured out what I'm making my family for christmas. I had the general idea of scarf, hat and shawl, but I picked out the patterns and yarns last night. It comes out to at least 5 hats, 5 scarves, 1 pair of legwarmers, 1 wine bottle cozy, and 3 shawls/wraps.. Oh and that's just to start. Once I get those done I may decide to do other things. It's just my goal to get those done in time. I started on one of the scarves today. It's from Knitty.com. The one called embrace. So far so good. I'm halfway through the first leg on the first half.

Felted Pics

Finally I have pictures of 2 of my felted finished projects.


Potholder Set (Washed 3 times)







Pair of Slippers (washed 2 times)

Felting

I’ve discovered felting. So far I’ve done a pair of slippers, a hot pad and a potholder. I’m working on a draft stopper now. Pictures will be coming once I find the camera.

Finished the Capelet (again)

Yep I finally finished the blasted cpaelet. It came downt to a came of race the clock. I was in my friends car sewing it together. It came off the needles shortly before 4 friday afternoon and I needed it for 6. Thing is, it was tay too long. I followed the pattern and all that jazz. I don't know what i did wrong! It was just way too long. I had to fold it in half and sew it together. It was funny. There I was, standing on the sidewalk waiting for my friend and sewing the thing together. It looked good though. I may try to do another one eventually.

pic of the capelet

Ok, i told you all about the capelet that came out too small....well here it is!
see what i mean...definitley not for an adult!!! Cool though that the homespun striped itself.

Finished the Capelet

Well, I finished the capelet I was working on for Friday's dinner. I figured out with 4 rows to go that I was doing something wrong which probably contributed to this upcoming thing. When I finished the capelet, it was too small. Not just a lottle too small, but way too small. It's probably the right size for a small child. At least I decided part way through to make a new one out of different yarn that will show the lacieness of it better. So, off to do a new one. This time it will be done right. I'm keeping the mistake to remind me and who knows, it may come in handy for something else.

Project Update

Saturday I got the Stitch'N Bitch Nation. I'm now working on the Spiderweb Caplet in there. I tried starting the Belt Du Jour, but ran into a problem as soon as it came to working with the cable so I'm going to have to wait until I can get help. I finished the black scarf. It's a little over 60". A huge thanks goes to a good friend thanks so much with the help with the fringe. Your telling me about doing a crochet chain was wonderful. I never would have though of doing that. Everyone down here that saw it said it looked like dreads. Mind you that everyone around here is an artist.

Wanna Borrow My Cat For a Couple Days?

I swear my damn cat has a death wish when it comes to me and my knitting supplies. Last week it was my crochet hooks. She chewed on one and lost another of them. She also got a yarn ball unrolled all over my apartment. I keep my knitting stuff away from her, but she still finds a way to get into them. So yesterday I go to start the socks again. Yes again. I startd them months ago, frogged them. Well I frogged part of them and the damn cat finished the job. Well, that plan got scrapped when I discovered that on that particular set of dpn's that were neeeded she brought me from a set of 4 to a set of 3. She was eating one of my patterns too. She's also into other things. I love her and wouldn't give her up. Just venting.

Retirement Dinner Scarf

Well I finally finished the scarf I was making for the retirement dinner later this month. Came out pretty cool. I mad it out of Incredible Yarn (carnival) and on Size 15 needles. I have a pic of the original version and tomorrow I'll ahve a pic of the new version. I had started it and realized that the stitches were too loose at the beginning and that I wated to add beads to it so I frogged it and started over. The pattern below is for the new version. I don't mention about the beads since that is completely optional and The beads are completely random. The only predictable thing about the beads is that there is 1 bead betweed every set of holes.

CO 10 rows 1-4: knit 5-9: stockinette (NOTE: the 1st and last stitch of the purl row i knit to keep scarf from curling) 10: K1 *yrn P2 tog* repeat to to last (4 times) K1 11- 25: stockinette 26: repeat row 10 repeat rows 11 to 26: 11 times if you have only 1 ball or until desired length if you have more. knit 4 rows Bind off on 4th row. fringe is desired

Knit Crutch Grips I made

Ok in case you don’t know (I know 1 of you do) I have a severe latex allergy. I needed to come up with a way to cover the padding and grip cover that were on the crutches that I have for my sprained ankle. Well the pattern and pics of what I came up with this afternoon are below. I used a double stranded Red Heat yarn.

Patterns GRIP COVERSize 15 needlesCO 12Approx 22 rows Stockinette stitch or long enough to go around hand gripI was binding off on purl row.Make up with wrong sides together, turn right side out, put on hand grip, put grip on crutch. I then stitched the loose edge together around each end.

PIT PADDINGSize 15 needlesCO 28Approx 25 rows in Stockinette stitch I was binding off on knit rowMaking Up: Wrap over pit padding and stitch together, tucking short ends in and sewing the long ends together

Last Night's Knitting Group

Well last night was the first knitting group over at Kokopelli. It was small with only 3 of us. Despite it's being small it was good. We all had fun and that's what counts. We decided to meet every Wednesday from 5:30 - 8:00 and the first Sunday of the month.

Shawl & Scarf News

Yippee!! I found out today that the friend I made the scarf & shawl for liked them and appreciated them very much. That made a hectic day much better. Knitting group tomorrow evening. Maybe i can finish the dishcloth or get further in the scarf I'm working on.

Coffee Shop knitting adventures

Well it was a quiet day with nothing for me to do so i decided to spend the afternoon at the coffee shop knitting. It turned out to be a day for me to teach the girl (K) working there how to knit instead of me just working on the scarf I'm making for her co-worker. It was cool though. By the end of the day she was going along on her own doing good (i think). As for the scarf I was working on, that's another story. It started out with one pattern and that just wasn't working out so i switched to another idea. Finally afoter the 5th pattern idea I am finally rolling along with it. I had planned to originally use 1 set of yarn for it and changes to another set of yarn. Well I'm now using a mix of the 2 yarn sets. What a fiasco this is turning out to be. When it's done though it'll be nice though I think (hope). Oh and the knitting froup starts at Kokopelli wednesday from 5:30 - 8 down on broadway if anyone is interested. All are invited. Feel free to share the word. I'm excited about that.

Shawl & Scarf

I recently made a Shawl & Scarf for a friend. She hasn't been feeling well and thought that they might cheer her up.
The scarf is made with fun fur and has tassels on each end. Also where the tassels attach to the scarf I added a gold button with a sun, moon, & stars. The color scheme was picked because I wanted it to match the button theme. The pics of that are below.
A Part of the scarf (It's about 5 - 6 feet long)


Close up of the end of the scarf



The shawl is about 5 feet long and each color section is for 4 rows. It took me about 2 weeks to complete on size 11 or 13 needles. I got to use "scrap yarn." It was all yarn that I had bought or been given. It was all new and nice and thick. I don't like to use the term "scrap yarn" becaues there was so much of it and idk how to describe what I want to say.

Dishcloths

So I have gotten back on track with my knitting. I've gotten the dishcloth bug. So far I've done 2 in as many days. I'm using the Lily Sugar'N'Cream yarn. It's 100% cotton. I've gotten 2 out of the regular sized skein and still had a little left over. The Twilight is a fun color to work with. I also have Natural Ombre and have yet to use that. I need to find another pattern. Still working on finding the pattern that I like best. Can't wait to get one of the 1lb. cones. These are making up so easily I may just see if my friend that's doing a fundraiser wants some for it. I'll post pics as soon as i get them on the comp.