Friday, June 30, 2006

New Ott Lamp

Was in JoAnn's Fabric Store earlier this week and saw just what I needed...a new floor Ott light. The sale was fabulous and this model included a nice magnifier. I have not attached the magnifier for knitting but plan do to some counted cross stitch this weekend and will try it out. I haven't cross stitched in about 18 months since I got back into knitting with a vengence. I have some pieces started that I want to finish and others I really want to stitch. Once I finish my contract with the Bob Casey for U.S. Senate campaign I will have more time to do both.

Counted cross stitch is a slow process, in my opinion, but I do love the results. I want to get some pieces stitched. My husband and I are beginning to think about a "winter home" in a few years and would like to have some pieces done to hang on the walls.

I have the front, back and 1 sleeve completed on O'Connor's sweater. The second sleeve is half finished. Will post a photo when it is done and blocked. Roberta has promised to show me a nifty method of sewing seams together. I bought the correct size crochet hook so will be ready to do the seaming next week when we get together.

Also stopped at Knitter's Underground on Wednesday for pizza with Molly and Billie. So nice of Molly to invite me to join them! I do miss the companionship and conversation. We had a lot to catch up on. Molly has some beautiful new yarns in stock for worsted sweaters perfect for children. Also has some new cotton sock yarns that are lovely. The Sockotta knits so nicely.

I bought some DK weight Encore in a gorgeous teal for a baby blanket for my niece's pending addition. Also got some baby yarn in yellow for a sweater, hat and booties to go with the varigated worsted weight stash yarn I will also use for a blanket. Will be a nice coming home outfit. Will take some photos this weekend to show the colors.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Knitting for a baby (or babies)

Am searching through my stash for baby yarns. I found some nice pastel soft yarn that will make nice stripes on a blanket. Have some others and am planning a sweater or two and some baby socks.

No, not for my use! My niece Stoef told me today she is expecting her first child (possibly twins!) in January. So, Auntie Kim better knit a bit faster I think.

I have some yarns tucked away that were given to me over the past few years. This is where a stash does come in handy.

I have one baby blanket made from some brightly colors worsted yarn. Would work for laying on the floor and putting a baby or babies on it.

During a recent visit to Rosie's Yarn Cellar in Philadelphia I bought some yarn and whined because I don't live close enough to take the bootie class. The people in that shop are so customer-service savvy...they gave me that pattern and one for a baby sweater. I just remembered the sweater...it was made from Koigu sock yarn. I won't use Koigu...too expensive and too warm for Savannah, GA but I will find a nice substitute and make that sweater or sweaters.

Good grief...she is making me do plurals!!!! As long as the baby or babies are healthy and she does OK in delivery...I don't care how much I need to knit.

Monday, June 19, 2006

Happy Birthday Teddy Bear!



Our youngest Golden Retriever, Teddy Bear, is celebrating his third birthday today, June 19. He came into the rescue at age 4 1/2 months and I just couldn't let him go. He is a total love sponge but also is a handful some days. Fortunately, his Golden brothers seem to love him as much as we do because they tolerate a lot of yipping, nipping and wrestling from this guy. He loves laying his head in his daddy's lap while he gets belly rubs. Teddy is just a loving Golden boy.

Happy Birthday my little sweetheart and may you have many, many more!!!!

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

My SPECIAL knitting bag



The UPS man came to my door late yesterday afternoon. I wasn't expecting him. He brought a medium sized box and it was from a yarn shop. I had not ordered anything...well, not anything that large.

Upon opening the box I found a GORGEOUS knitting bag made by Lexie Barnes www.lexiebarnes.com inside. I was stunned. I had looked at this bag during a recent trip to Virginia but even though I dubbed it the "perfect knitting bag" I would never spend the $$$ for it. My husband had the shop order one in red and have it sent to me for our anniversary. Sometimes he truly amazes me!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this bag. It is somewhat bowling ball bag shaped so the wider bottom accommodates a large number of projects...which is what I usually have in the works. The outside can be wiped off with a damp cloth and is waterproof...I think. The shoulder handles are just the right length for me and are made not to slip off the shoulder. A wonderful concept!

As great as the outside is the inside is almost beyond description but I will try. There are many pockets of many sizes including long angled ones for knitting needles. I quickly loaded up the bag and still have space for a wallet and keys.

What a wonderful gift! Now I suppose I better go to the golf shop and buy him a present...gee...Father's Day is Sunday and our anniversary is Monday....yes, it is time to shop.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Shaped Socks


Aren't these lovely?

My friend Roberta is an even more avid (or is that rabid???) knitter than I am. Recently, during one of our jaunts to a local coffee house she told me about the wonderful pattern "Shapely Secrets Socks." Well, of course I just HAD to do that internet search and purchase a copy of the pattern for myself. This came after our discussion of whether or not I should decrease the number of cast on stitches. I felt that socks made from fewer stitches might not fit and then all of my work would be wasted. I don't mind frogging...really I don't...but I don't like frogging that much!

Dawn Adcock, the designer, has come up with a wonder basic sock pattern that helps eliminate the bagging that can occur above the heel flap at the back of the ankle of stockinette stitch socks. She also creatively adds a bit of leg shaping to the cuff by using a graduated ribbing into the leg. The sock is great for 64 or 72 stitches cast on for cuff down knitting. Dawn's website is www.dawnadcock.com

I am working on my first sock with this pattern and if it fits as well as I think it is going to fit...well this WILL become my standard basic pattern.

And, this pattern works well with the wonderful self-patterning yarns that are on the market for today's knitters. I am using a Regia silk/wool blend that I bought at Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. It is going along more quickly than usual. Why? Because I am not as bored as I sometimes get with knitting around and around. I need to pay attention to Dawn's pattern.

Dawn thank you for sharing your talents with others and Roberta thank you for being such a good friend and pointing me in the direction of this pattern.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Part Deux...






Got some time to take a few photos of projects in the works. Here you will see a photo of the vest (which I am soooo anxious to knit) and the lovely hand-dyed alpacha yarn I am using for it; the lacey scarf from a heavy weight unspun wool for a friend ... yarn is lovely colors of greens, blues, raspberry and a little gold; the beginnings of a toddler sweater (frogged this yarn from another project that he already has outgrown...so now I am knitting a size 3...learned my lesson); and, of course, the Embossed Leaves socks in the multi-colored Koigu. I think the colors in the yarn are very Autumn like.I was going to enter these socks in the Centre County Grange Fair competition, however, I'm not sure the judges will truly see the "leaves" in the design. So, the jury is still out on what I am going to do. Maybe knit another pair in a non-patterned yarn as was suggested by my friend Roberta and also by a woman on the socknitters list who has knit two pair from this pattern. I do love the pattern. It goes quickly and keeps the knitter's interest!

Friday, June 02, 2006

Blogging Fun!

OK, I have caved in...again! I love other people's blogs and do miss posting my knitting projects and photos. Will work on photos this weekend and show my works in progress.

Am working on a number of projects -- a few pair of socks (Of course!); a beautiful scarf for a friend; a size 3 sweater for the toddler son of another friend; a long wrap for myself; and now a vest for myself.

The last one did not come easily. I have some beautiful hand-dyed alpacha yarn that originally was intended for a triangular shawl. I don't think I would ever wear the shawl. The yarn is gorgeous so there is no way I will "waste" it. Well, the few inches of the shawl were frogged. Next, I decided it would be a long wrap...well, I still don't think it would get worn often enough. I ended up deciding on a vest. I found a great one in a nice book I have owned for several years,
25 Gorgeous Sweaters for the Brand-New Knitter by Catherine Ham. I selected one called "Indian Vest" which has a cute squared bottom band and scooped rounded neckline. It buttons up the front.

I might do the gauge swatch tonight to make sure I am using the right size needles. I despise gauge swatches but have learned their importance.

Will post some photos in a few days. Happy Knitting.