Knittin Brit in WI

Baby Love

2012-02-02T17:21:00.000-08:00

This week I had yet another baby shower to attend so I to go along with a gift I was going to give, I always like to knit something. So I quickly whipped up this hat (thanks to Beth at Black Purl who had knitted the original and was the inspiration for this hat). It was ridiculously fast (an hour) and so much fun to make. Classic Elite Ariosa yarn (one of my go to yarns these days) and scraps for the x's and o's. The baby is already three months old and I felt she needed a valentines hat, I mean who doesn't need a valentines hat?! I cheated a little and stitched the hat and duplicate stitched (rather quickly and a little shoddily - though we'll call it rustically) the x's and o's on the hat with scraps. I love it. Madison wants one in her size for Valentines day but I have a different hat in mind for her, so I'm sure she'll live.

Pattern: Beth at Black Purl
Yarn: Classic Elite Ariosa 0.7 White and scraps of Red and Yellow
11th Project for Warm Up to Winter 2012
13th Project for 2012

I do love how much my children appreciate the knits I make for them. The boys are starting to complain that they have been being neglected and I'm going to have to work on that very shortly. I'm struggling to find just the right green for Declan's ski coat.

Here is a picture of Declan skiing which he and his friend made that shows his Sexy Ski Outfit (his words not mine - he's 13 just go with it) Any suggestions on colors? Jess, what cascade color would I use and do you have it in stock, oh Queen of 220?!

This is off topic, but doesn't he have the most beautiful eyes, if I do say so myself. I made a good one there. Pat on mine and husband's back.

I also knit another Viveca Beret in Berroco Flicker Black for a friend. I have friends galore asking for this hat. I don't mind, it's relatively a fast knit. I just dislike the k4tog. Never a fave of mine. It's not hard, just a pain in the hinder.

Pattern: Viveca by Berroco
Yarn: Flicker by Berroco Black
10th Project for Warm Up to Winter KAL
12th Project for 2012

I'm currently working on a cowl to match the Beret for the same friend. Once that is done I have a couple more hats to knit and maybe a couple mittens to knit before the Warm Up to Winter KAL ends on February 8th. It has been such a great motivator for me and I have used a lot of stash and crossed some projects of the queue. I've felt so productive. In between I have made some progress on some of wip's but they still have a little to do to get done. February seriously needs to get some focus on them. I also have a red sweater that I'm planning on casting on and working on. I've been so excited to knit this for a while and now is the time. More to follow on that soon.

Color Me Hatty

2012-01-29T21:08:00.000-08:00

I've been whipping out hats left and right this month since participating in the Warm Up Winter KAL. Although that's not to say that they all haven't been needed or put to good use, but many of them hadn't been a real stretch of my skills or a challenge to complete in any time period, so I dug into Ravelry and my queue and fave's and came across a Kate Davies pattern that had caught my eye. Peerie Flooers Hat. It seemed the perfect project.I could use a new hat to wear under my ski helmet or before I put on my helmet at the ski resort and want to look cute, and this looked like fun to knit with lots of color changes, small needles needed (a personal favorite of mine to use). I dug in the stash and found I had colors that would work perfectly.

The project flew off the needles as I was excited to see each new phase of the hat emerging. I really love that about chart knitting. I'm a sucker for a good chart. Give me small yarn, size 1 or 2 needles and a intricate chart and you have one happy camper.

I only have the ends to weave in, which don't worry those followers who have seen me procrastinate in the past, I've already started and will finish it up tomorrow and take a modeled shot later in the day... promise! In the meantime, enjoy some pics of the fun project. I highly recommend it to those who want a fun fast color project. Remember Meg Swansen also says that knit hats as often as you can, there's always a head out there that needs a hat somewhere. That's why I tend not to swatch for hats, I just figure if it doesn't fit me, i have at least five other heads in my house alone, and many other friends to try, plus charities that are always looking for hats in the cold northwoods. I don't feel naughty at all about not swatching, as I know that Meg S. herself doesn't swatch either and usually considers her hats her swatches. See, I'm in good company.

Pattern: Peerie Flooers Hat by Kate Davies
Yarn: Jamieson & Smith 2 Ply Jumper Weight - Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift
Needle: Size 1 Circ

10th Project for 2012
8th Project for Warm Up To Winter KAL

If At First You Don't Succeed

2012-01-24T19:24:00.001-08:00

I've obviously been on quite the hat kick lately with the Warm Up To Winter Knitalong and have been happily checking lots of hats off my to-do list for others. A lot of the projects I've been doing however have been fast and quick and that's starting to get a little old. Like really fast, a few hours fast! I feel like I've been dumbing it down. I want to do some hats for me and a couple friends. I'm liking the Jane Richmonds hats and have never knit one of hers. I have knit the Rustling Leaves Beret before, but am thinking I'd like to do another one as it's such an interesting knit. Maybe some more complex gloves or mittens. I'd really appreciate some suggestions. How about a real humdoozie?! One that really challenges me. Like a five alarm project. Please give me your best suggestions. I'm up for it.

Pattern: Snappy Hat

Yarn: Ariosa

Needles: 10.5

No modifications

6th Project for Warm Up to Winter KAL

8th Project for 2012

IMAG0483">
Pattern: Easy Peasy Eyelet Wristlets

Yarn: Ariosa

Needles: 10.5

No modifications, but pattern has an error on row 29, states there will be 25 stitches when there will only be 24.

7th Project for Warm Up to Winter KAL

9th Project for 2012

IMAG0502">
Pattern: Flurries Baby Beanie

Yarn: Flicker

Needles: 6

No modifications

5th Project for Warm Up to Winter KAL

7th Project for 2012

In the meantime, I've whipped up another snappy hat. Madison had fallen in love with the pink one I had knit for a friends granddaughter that she modeled so I made her one. It takes just over one skein of Ariosa, so I looked on Ravelry for a pattern to make some mitts for her using the remaining yarn. I came across the Easy Peasy Eyelet Wristlets, which besides the crazy amount of typos (pearl=purl) and a couple other mistakes, were very simple. I decided to knit these using the magic loop method, which is a method that I usually detest, but thought I'd give it another whirl. Remember they say it takes 21 tries before it becomes a habit (don't know if this is actually true or just something my mum said to get me to east liver and onions, which I now actually love). Well, maybe this was try number 21 or I finally learned the correct way to do it because I didn't hate it, I actually liked it. I still wouldn't say it was my favorite method... 2 circ's is still at the top of the list, but it's yet another tool to put in the tool belt. It's always good to being open to new things.

I also hosted a baby shower this weekend, which I'll post about later this week (I think I did a bloody good job if I do say so myself and thanks to Pinterest - thanks Earthtonesgirl for getting completely hooked on it). One of the gifts I had gotten for Baby Lucy was a chic little Black and White outfit. It needed a cute blingy black and white hat. I know that black isn't always the color you expect to see at a baby shower, but I like blingy things and luckily so does Lucy's mum. I still have to whip up some Blingy Saartje booties like I have knit before to finish the whole ensemble. Forget pastels or naturals for babies when you can have bling!

While we're talking about Madison, here is a picture she snapped of Sir Winston on my phone this afternoon using the Poster setting. Could he be any more handsome?! No, I don't think so. I'd make him a hat if I didn't know that he'd eat it within 30 second.

Quick as a Snap

2012-01-19T17:59:00.000-08:00

It's the middle of January in the Northwoods and as usual that means the bitter windchill and freezing temps are in full force, currently it's -6F with a windchill of -25F. Strangely kids still play outside and we still ski, ice fish, snow shoe and cross country ski. So warm hats are a biggie. I had been asked to knit a couple of hats for two girls at Madison's Ballet School, so I wanted something quick but very cute. The colors requested for the sisters were Red and Pink, and knowing the mother I knew I was safe in going with better quality yarn. Let's be honest, the only way I was going to knit these hats was if I could knit with whatever yarn I wanted to.

I decided on some Ariosa yarn (merino/cashmere blend) and found the Snappy Hat pattern on Ravelry. The first hat (pink) took me about 2 1/2 hours and the second hat (red) took me closer to 2 hours. The difference being I was reading a book with the first one.

I asked Madison to model them for me and she fell in love with both of them and has now requested that I make her some more as her coat allows her to pick and choose whatever color suits her mood. She looks so darn cute in them that how can I resist.

Pattern: Snappy Hats (Free Pattern on Ravelry)
Yarn: Classic Elite Ariosa 1.1 Skeins
Started: Pink 1/18/2011 Red 1/19/2011
Finished: Pink 1/19/2011 Red 1/19/2011
Took approx 2 1/2 to 2 hours each
5th & 6th Project for 2012
3rd & 4th Project for Warm Up Winter KAL

This is a great project for quick gifts. Highly recommend!

What's your go to quick gift knit? Any suggestion for what hat or mitts I should knit next?

Norwegian Star Earflap Hat

2012-01-17T21:41:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Norwegian Star Earflap Hat
Size: Adult
Yarn: Cascade 220 and Drops Karisma Superwash (stash diving)
Needles: Size 6 circ - 16"
Started: January 15, 2012
Finished: January 15, 2012

This is my fourth project for 2012 and my second project for the Warm Up Winter luvinthemommyhood KAL.

It was a fast and interesting knit. There are two sizes to knit - Child and Adult, and you adjust the size of your hat by your gauge. My gauge was a little larger than I thought, but I have a lot of head sizes in my house (my hubby's is enormous) so I kept knitting and enjoyed the chart knitting and how fast it whipped off the needles.

Now it's done, it does fit dh's head but as you can see from the picture on me (sorry for the sad looking picture in which I look every bit the tired and sad and pj wearing mother of four kids) its a little bit for me. I will say that in reality it looked a lot better on me than this goofy picture shows and it doesn't squish my curls - it gets points for that. I think I'm going to try felting it a little in the washer, which will probably give it more of a fulled look i think. We'll see.

I do recommend this pattern, but be smarter than me and check your gauge, but as Meg Swansen always says at Knitting Camp.... Hats are gauge swatches and there is always someone who is in need of your knitted hat. If you can't use it in your home and pass it on to those charities who might be able to put it to good use.

Love that woman.

Twists and Curls

2012-01-15T20:25:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, Caleb was in a Curling Bonspiel (tournament) and I went to watch my son do this thing. While watching him, and in between helping in the clubhouse, I worked on my first hat for the luvinthemommyhood's Warm Up Winter Knitalong. I had decided to join in as its ski season here and I have four kids in my house who feel that they need new hats every ski season and I've got my eye on one or two myself. Plus Madison is interested in a pair of mitts and I might just have to make myself a pair too. So, this seemed the perfect motivator to getting those things crossed off on my to-do list.

Pattern: Twist Hat by Mandie Harrington (a friend from knitting camp).
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.
Size: Child 18-20"
Needles: Size 2 circs 16" then 2 circs when working the crown.

Caleb Throwing a Rock

Caleb Sweeping

The Winners!!!!!! after three days of matches and some sore arms, legs and muscles.

Caleb's rink (team) did go on to win the Men's Bonspiel. What a clever boy. Which made my freezing my rear end off at the rink, worthwhile. A hat and a win. Double wins.

More Sweetness

2012-01-12T21:48:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to post these pics for a few days now, but just not got around to it. I finally took down the tree and cleaned up the Christmas Dec's around the house and feel like I'm getting back into the groove. However, I did manage to take a modeled picture of the Honey Cowl as requested. Please note, I am usually the least photogenic knitter. I usually enlist the help of one of my boys to help snap a picture for me which requires multiple shots to find one half decent one, and lots of stroking my pathetically sad and deflated ego, but they're good sports and help out their mum anyway.

Here are the modeled shots of the Honey Cowl. I know I said this last time, but I love this cowl. I have worn it quite a few times since finishing it and every time I do I have gotten compliments.

In my humble experience, one Honey Cowl is Madelinetosh is just not enough so I headed straight to the Black Purl and grabbed another skein of yarn and this time knit myself the smaller sized cowl with one skein of Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light held double in the colorway Mare. I had it knit in two days and loved every minute of it.

Carrie had asked me if Madelinetosh was worth all the hype. In response I would definitely say that with my limited experience it is well worth every penny. It truly is divine. Such beautifully dyed colorways and feel to the yarn. If you do not have some, go buy some right now. .............................................................No seriously, I'll wait.

The Honey Cowl 2 was made started Jan 8, 2012
completed project: Jan 10, 2012
Pattern Cowl: Honey Cowl by Madelinetosh (free on Ravelry)
Needles: Size 8 circular
This is my second start to finish completed projected in 2012!!! I've been working on some of my wip's

Sweet as Honey

2012-01-07T21:15:00.001-08:00

Because this is a New Year and I am now known as a Finisher of things and not just a Starter! (Cough, Cough! Well, at least for the last seven days that is - oh ye of little faith) I would like to show you my latest finished project - The Honey Cowl.

I love, love, love, this project. It's pretty mindless knitting, which is usually not my fave, but it's perfect for drs. waiting rooms and movie knitting and it's done before you know it then. The yarn is so beautiful that I loved the feel of it gliding between my fingers and the stitch pattern brings the colorway to life. It knits up into such a squishy and inviting cowl that I was eager to knit it so that I could start wearing it and, let's be honest, start getting the compliments.

Pattern: Honey Cowl by Madelinetosh
Yarn: Madelinetosh tosh merino light - 2 skeins - double stranded
Needles: Size 8 circ

I loved it so much that I've already wound some yarn to make the smaller version of the cowl in a different colorway. It's the perfect mindless project to have on hand. I highly recommend it. I'm sure I'll have it knit up soon, because as I mentioned before....I'm a finisher these days! ;)

Public Service Announcement

2012-01-06T22:04:00.000-08:00

This is a Public Service Announcement. As of 10:40am CST today, I have an official Teenage driver free to roam the streets ALONE. You might want to update your wills, kiss your loved ones one last time before leaving the home, say a prayer for yourself, say a prayer for Caleb, say a prayer for me who will be left to ponder what he is up to in the big bad world. I will be left to be at home knitting to calm my anxieties....

On the other hand, Whoopeee!!!!!! I have another driver in the house. Someone who needs to earn lots of driving time privileges from me, so that means I have someone to hand off pick ups and drop offs to and from ballet, curling, soccer, orchestra, piano, skiing, skiing club, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, sledding, scouts, chamber orchestra, choir, pop/jazz choir, football, swimming, youth night at church, play dates etc. of the younger kids. Excuse me while I break into song "FREEDOM! FREEDOM!"

I think there's an upside to this whole thing.

Although you really might want to drive carefully out there and watch out for a goldish looking Jeep. He tends to take wide turns and he's awfully cute. Just sayin!

Turning into a Mad Hatter

2012-01-05T22:18:00.000-08:00

In the last few months of 2011 I really did get a little hat crazy. I'm slowly posting all of them one by one on Ravelry as I get the chance. I had forgotten just how much I liked wearing hats. Now, you're hard pressed you find me without one.

Here are a couple more that I knit during October and November. Note that Winston is involved in the pictures. He just had a haircut. Usually he looks like a big ole' puffball, but he had gotten a little matted and had to go for the Jason Statham haircut on his body. He thinks he's pretty hot stuff now and struts around the house quite proud of himself. As I was taking pictures of the hats he managed to snag the Brambles Beret for a closer inspection, I managed to blind him with the flash while Declan stole the hat before someone lost a finger or the hat lost some stitches. He really needs to learn to look with his eyes and not his teeth, but I guess I should be glad that he has an appreciation for the knitted arts.

Rustling Leaves Beret from Coastal Knits by Alana Dakos. Sunday Knits Eden 3ply.

Brambles Beret by Amanda Muscha. Cascade 220.

Any good hat pattern suggestions? I'm due for a new hat.

Being Selfish

2012-01-03T21:15:00.000-08:00

Don't be completely fooled by the goals I mentioned previously posted, I have no intentions of ONLY knitting for others. I am not that nice of a person. I love knitting and I know from the number of completely knitted items that are sitting in my closet that only need sewing together that I love the process, but I DO love the finished product for me too. Saying that, this year I have set a couple of goals for myself that involve the finishing up of those projects that are languishing in the depths of my closet. I know there are at least ~~seven~~ ~~ten~~ ~~twelve~~ oh heck! lots of projects that are completely done with the exception of some finishing. Really, 98% done! It's so sad. To quote one of the knitters at camp last year when I showed three shawls I had had knit for over a year but never blocked and woven in ends "It makes my heart hurt!" There is no excuse. I really need to use this blog for some accountability, so I will try in the next week or so to gather together the mound of wip's and post their sad carcasses here for all to see. Then over the next few weeks and months I will strive to bring the life to them that they deserve and make them "happy!".

In addition to finishing wip's for me, I have quite the growing list of projects that I'm eager to knit this year and can't wait to get cracking on them. I'm currently working away on a Honey Cowl in some Madelinetosh Merino Light in Georgia O'Keefe colorway that I'm in love with. I should be done with it soon and then I've got another cowl to knit for someone and will then allow myself the joy of starting my next big project. I'm excited to tell you about it, but for now it will wait. Let's just say... it will be 'incredibly awesomeness' (to quote my little Ethan)!

New Beginnings

2012-01-01T21:12:00.001-08:00

Starting as I mean to continue I thought I'd write a quick post.

Although I've been off the blogging and ravelry radar for the past few months, it doesn't mean I haven't been busy with sticks and string. Although this past year was the toughest in my near forty years, yet again it has been proved to me that the gift of knitting that my wonderful Nanny Taylor gave to me provides me with so much more than just woolen goods to keep away the cold Wisconsin winters. It has truly given me so much this year, stitch after stitch pushing me on. The past few months I knit item after item for others with a stronger desire than ever to show them how much I appreciated them and their continued support. It felt so good to see how much they appreciated each gift and to see them time and time again wearing the items I had made for them. I knit a hat and a cowl for a fundraiser for my daughter's ballet theater group and was so excited to see the response and the battle taking place on the silent auction for the items and the amount they raised for the event. It was nice to see others valuing a knitters work.

As I start the New Year, I have set some goals for myself. I don't like to call them resolutions as those never seem to last, so I trick myself by calling them 'goals'. My main goal related to knitting is to continue to knit more for others and show my love for them by my love of knitting as I feel inspired. I had a appointment with one of my doctors on Friday and she loves bright and colorful clogs. She has been a lifesafer in the past few months and I kept finding myself thinking about how I really wanted to knit her some beautiful fun colorful socks. I have a doctor's appointment with a different doctor tomorrow and one of her receptionists just had a baby. She has been such a bright smile and kind voice throughout this past year and I'm taking in a baby sweater and angora saartje booties to give to her. As I knit them, I thought of her and how her smiling face sometimes helped me from wanting to run the other direction when I walked into the office and how she would chat to me and relax me before my appointments. I have a friend struggling with colon cancer at the moment and my mind is ticking over what knitted good she is in need of.

Here is just a very few of the items that have come off the needles in the past month or two.

As the year progressed I hope to share with you many items that I have knit for others, knitting love and appreciation into each stitch.

Tomorrow I'll post about more goals for the New Year and how I'm working on those.

Joyce Williams

2011-08-04T12:15:00.000-07:00

At 12:25pm, our dear Joyce Williams passed away. She will be sorely missed. I met Joyce five years ago at Schoolhouse Press' Knitting Camp and was instantly drawn to the little elegant lady in green (which I soon discovered she had a love for, as her partner in crime, Amy Detjen, had a love for purple). Although small in stature, she had a larger than life spirit and passion for knitting. I admired her desire to continue growing and learning in her craft, and love to hear the stories she would tell.

I'm a night owl and have struggled with insomnia over the years, and was delighted to find a fellow knitter to knit away the midnight oil. We also are such loose knitters that we have to go down usually 2-3 needle sizes and it felt good to find someone who enjoyed knitting on size 1 and 2 needles or smaller.

A few years ago, she asked me to model the Morocco sweater from Latvian Dreams and I don't think I took it off the rest of camp, I was in love with it. This year, Meg asked me to model The Star cardigan from Latvian Dreams and again my heart was stolen. However, it was a little more than that. I felt a little closer to Joyce and her absence not so harsh with the sweater on.

As I was thinking about Joyce this morning, I thought about that sweater and the little bit of comfort it had provided me, and pulled the Latvian Dreams book off the shelf. I opened to the front where I knew that Joyce had signed the book and read what she had written, my finger slowly tracing where her pen had traced. I then turned to the page that had The Star sweater on, thinking that maybe I should consider knitting that sweater now while thinking of her. I was surprised to find that Joyce had actually signed my book a second time and was deeply touched.

It reads "Kim, Knit Your beautiful dreams, Joyce Williams 7/07"

(A picture of Joyce next to her dear friend, Meg Swansen.)

Joyce will be missed my many. For such a petite gal, she sure did make a big impact. Dream on!

Thou Wretched Cable Needle...

2011-08-02T22:12:00.000-07:00

Where Art Thou???? Why must you play tricks with me? I have loved you and cherished you. Sure there are other needles I could use in your place. Admittedly I do have a collection of needles that would fill in on a moments notice, but they mean nothing to me like the way you do. They are meaningless fill-ins. You... You are my true love. The one I turn to for the twists and turns that I stumble across in my knitting path. Together we conquer those tricky roads together. Or should I say, we did!!! (insert dun, dun, dun!!!! sound effect here please - Thank you, you're most kind) Now, you have abandoned me. I turned my back for one moment and you took your chance and fled. Are you hiding? Is this some cruel game? Or have you left for good? Am I now left to wander alone through the cabled road without by my side? Won't you please give me one more chance?!!!!

Cable Needle, if from your hiding place, you observed that this afternoon I used another needle to satisfy my need of cabling on my Hand to Hand Cardigan, please know that it wasn't the same. I was just going through the motions, but I had to progress on the cardigan and you knew that.

I now have the sleeves and yoke completed on the cardigan. Now, I just have to sew up the sleeves seams and then start on the body, then it's LOTS of garter stitch. This will be the perfect cardigan for our chilly Wisconsin Fall and Winters.

I hope Cable returns to my side by Fall.

Adam's Rib

2011-07-28T21:08:00.000-07:00

After being ill this year, I was very wary of going to knitting camp and almost backed out, but luckily I have a wonderful husband who knows what I need better than I do. The cute guy pushed hard for me to go. So last week I was lucky enough to spend wonderful quality time at the foot of the master, Meg Swansen, and lots of fun time with my favorite long time roomie Jessica (of RoseKimKnits), and giggled and knit with Stephanie and Janet.. and many other wonderful camper friends. We laughed, we knit, we ate more deep fried pickles than any person should, checked out my swatch :) (inside joke). It was just what I needed. That cute guy is a smart man.

I took my Adam's Rib Cap Sleeve Wrap (pattern by Carol Sunday of Sunday Knits) to finish while at camp and it is everything I had hoped it would be. Many of the campers fell in love with it as it looks wonderful on so many shapes and sizes, even though I haven't blocked it. Well, to be honest my lazy blocking consisted of hanging it on a hanger in our very humid hotel room - I know, pathetic, but I'll get around to it.... soon... maybe. The yarn by Sunday Knits is Nirvana 5 ply and is a merino and cashmere blend. It is aptly named. Such a heavenly yarn to knit with and spit-splice beautifully. This really is a project that I think I would knit a second project. Rarely do I really like to repeat a pattern when there are so many wonderful designs out there to knit, but this could absolutely be an exception. Carol is so very clever and writes a beautiful pattern.

(pictured above left to right: Me in Adam's Rib Cap Sleeve Wrap, Amy Detjen, Jessica in our traditional camp photo taken by the lovely Michelle - Cully Swansen's wife)

While at camp, Janet started teaching me how to spin on the spindle. Uh-oh.... new addiction has been formed. I do think I will be contacting Mielke's Farm to schedule a private Spinning lesson once the wee-one's return to school. I really appreciated how excited Janet was to take the time to teach me a skill that obviously brings her so much pleasure. Knitters and spinners are such a generous bunch.

I find myself so grateful for the gift that knitting gives me. For the first time in a long time I feel excited about something and am able to plan ahead to future events with excitement and optimism. Knitters do not just give gifts of yarn or of their time, but their warm and caring hearts.

Emerging

2011-06-26T21:23:00.000-07:00

I know, it's been months since I last posted. Things have happened. Some good, some bad. Due to illness, the past few months have been the roughest and darkest times our family... I have gone through. I don't wish to publicly hash any of it out here, as it's private and I'd prefer to keep it that way. I will say that since I was five I've had knitting as a constant companion. It has helped me through dark days, celebrated good ones, and been there through everyday life, but for the first time since my love affair with sticks and string started, I had cast it aside a few months ago. I was angry and decided to deny myself the benefits of knitting. My family and friends encouraged me to pick up the needles but it took me a long time before I turned to my friend and allowed it back in my life. I had missed it.

And so the knitting returns....

It seems that when you turn your back for just a moment in knitting that there is an amazing new yarn discovered or the most interesting and appealing pattern or designer discovered. Help me catch up please. If you would please consider commenting on what has been your favorite new yarn, pattern, or designer (or all three) of 2011.

It seems that there is an epidemic of Pregnant Moms about to have Baby Girls in the Northwoods, so I've been whipping up some baby gifts the past couple of weeks. So far, I've made one DB Baby Matinee Jacket, two Maile Sweaters, one Autumn Leaves sweater and one pair of Fleegle's Seamless Saartje's Booties.

I've also started work finally on my camp project. How last minute can I be?

I'm still on the search for a couple of buttons for three of the baby sweaters but here is the Baby Matinee Jacket in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.

Getting my feet wet

2010-09-26T19:29:00.000-07:00

No, literally, we were getting our feet wet.

In case you missed the news, Wisconsin was hit with a lot of rain the past couple of days. Unfortunately, many of us found it wanting to visit our homes and experiencing the joys of flooding in one form or another. Although we live on the top of one of the biggest hills in the area, there is an underground spring and our water table sits high. This past Thursday, with the help of an overheated sump pump, it sat higher than usual and our basement flooded. We were very lucky and it was not as bad as many of our neighbors and friends, but as many know who have experienced flooding or water damage of any kind, a little water is still a very expensive and extensive amount of water to remove. Add to that the fact that Madison suffers with severe Asthma and is highly allergic to mold. Although we called immediately to get the Water Extraction crew to our home, they were so busy that it was still 24 hours before we moved to the top of the list (which was shockingly fast actually). During that short time, mold had already tried to form and they got to work to rid us of the pesky stuff. Luckily we're on our way. It will still be a while before our house is put back together. Our basement is completely finished (usually) and houses our family room, play room, Caleb's bedroom and bathroom, and a storage room.

I'm very frustrated by the loss and expense, but reminded that these are just material things and our family is safe and well, which is what is most important. Things will return to normal soon enough.

My positive attitude has nothing to do with the fact that no yarn or fabric was damaged in the flooding. I'm sure of it. I think.

I've got a feeling....

2010-09-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

I've got a feeling that I shouldn't have ignored the gauge swatches I did for the Adams Rib Cap-Sleeve Wrap. They told me to knit it in an 8, the gauge was right in an 8. I had also knit the swatch in a 7, because I'm a loose knitter and always have to go down a needle size. It was a bit tighter, but I preferred how it looked. I also thought that seeing as this was a rib, it would be easy to block it to the size I want. I had seen many people of different sizes (large to small) try on the size medium sample at Stitches Midwest and it looked good on them all. I thought that if I knit the medium with a seven, it would be around a size small and would fit little ol' me. I'm getting nervous though now. Why would I choose to ignore the gauge swatch?!

Have decided that I'm going to keep knitting on this and hope it blocks close enough to size. If not, I've just knit my daughter a really nice sweater that I'm going to be totally jealous. The next day or so will tell the fate of this project.

Little Blogging, Lotta Knitting!

2010-08-27T19:54:00.000-07:00

Since camp, I've been knitting like a maniac. It's not like I wasn't knitting a lot before camp, but I always get so excited after camp that I become a little obsessed.

As mentioned on my last post, we headed out of town for a vacation to our favorite Upper Peninsula Island - Drummond Island. From the deck of the cabin, I spent many hours knitting watching the kids drive the boat around, fish, and kayak; and lots of time kayaking myself (one of my favorite things to do and I have the blisters to prove it).

While at camp, many of the knitters had the cutest shawls and wraps. Jessica was busy knitting on one right next to me most of camp. You know knitting is contagious, don't you?! Next thing I know, I've whipped out three shawls. They have yet to be blocked because we've been running around since the end of July and I haven't had the opportunity to get it done. It's one of the first things on my "to do list" for when the kids head back to school next week - all four of them. EB will start Kindergarten and my oldest is heading off to High School, with two others in between. Does this mean that I need to change my status from Stay at Home Mum to Housewife????? shudder

Last weekend, I headed to Chicago to hang out with Stephanie from camp and meet up with some other campers at Stitches. It was a blast and I fell in love with so much - surprise, surprise!!

My two newest loves are Miss Babs (I know, I'm slow to get on the bandwagon) and Sunday Knits. I've admired Sunday Knits before, but to feel her beautiful yarn close up and try on the samples, just pushed me over the edge. I ended up buying the yarn and pattern for Adam's Rib Wrap Vest and plan on starting it this weekend.

I also purchased a DolceKnits pattern called Savannah and Miss Babs Yowsa in Pewter to knit it. I cast on very late Friday night and as of today have everything but the last sleeve finished, which should be completed by tomorrow morning. It was a very fast knit. The yarn is delicious and I HATE superwash. Normally, that is.

I have mixed feelings about the kids returning to school. I go through bouts of excitement and sadness, anticipation and tears. At least I'll have all this knitting to keep me company.

Need your help, quick!

2010-07-30T21:44:00.000-07:00

No, not finding the missing skein of Malabrigo. I haven't found it yet, but I'm ignoring it, so I'm sure it will show up soon.

I was going to use the Malabrigo for a Damson Shawl by Ysolda Teague, but in the absence of the yarn, I grabbed some Cascade Heritage I had lying around and have been whipping it up. I would have finished this morning but ran out of yarn 4 rows before the end. Grrrr. Have some now in my hands and will try to finish it by tomorrow.

Anyway....

As I was saying, I need your help! I'm looking for a great tam pattern. Do you have any favorites? I'm heading out of town for a week to Drummond Island, which is located at the tip of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We rent a cabin there each year. I will have lots of time to sit on the deck overlooking Lake Huron and knit happily away watching the sail boats and tankers go by and the kids kayaking and swimming and fishing in the bay. It's my favorite vacation every year. I can't wait, but I need some good knitting to take.

Help!!! Please!!!

Frustrated

2010-07-26T13:04:00.001-07:00

I may or may not have quickly stashed away a new yarn purchase last Wednesday before the Cute Guy could ask the inevitable question "Did you just buy MORE yarn?" It's not that he minds, but sometimes I'm a little embarrassed to explain my yarn hoarding habit. So, I hid it away. Now, I can't find it. Am tearing apart my house trying to find this one ball of Malabrigo Sock Yarn.

On the up side .... I did find a cashmere hoodie/sweater that I purchased over a year ago which still had the tags attached and I had completely forgotten about.

Again.... I obviously have many issues. Will seek help just as soon as I find that ruddy ball of yarn!!!!

Hiccup

2010-07-20T22:18:00.000-07:00

Just found a little mistake in my Lloie cardigan. I finally had a few minutes (it's after midnight) to sit down and start knitting the applied i-cord edging and discovered that somehow I didn't center the stitches I used in the steek to crochet and cut. It'll be fine, but one side will be a little different than the other on the wrong side. Noone will know it's there (I hope - well, except all of you now that I've opened my big blogging mouth), but I'll know. I will try to not let it annoy the snot out of me.

Here's a tip: don't try to knit an applied icord edging on almost 7 stitches to the inch and 10.6 rows to the inch in a semi-lit room after midnight. It's a guaranteed way to become frustrated.

She gets it!

2010-07-19T21:11:00.000-07:00

Knitting Camp was a wonderful experience as always. Jessica and I had such a great time and met some wonderful new knitting friends. I had the opportunity to meet some online knitting friends in person and reacquaint myself with old camp friends. Jessica and I managed to act a little more our age this year.... okay, maybe more like fifteen year olds instead of the thirteen-year olds last year. Camp has that effect on you though. We're all so giddy sitting at the feet of greatness (Meg) that we forget to act like grown ups. That mixed with the fact that very little sleep occurs at camp. I averaged around four hours of sleep a night.

(Left to Right: Jessica, Amy Detjen, and me - it always takes us at least three tries to get a picture where at least one of us is not talking.)

I knit like a maniac while at camp on my Lloie Cardigan and finally finished crocheting the steek at cutting it at Breakfast this morning with Amy Detjen, Jess, and the Indiana girls cheering on. Now, all I have to do is knit on the I-cord edging and sew the underarms.

I love this cardigan! It is probably my favorite project I have knit in a long time. It turned out exactly, if not better, than I had imagined. The colors worked out; the fit is perfect; it was fun to knit. So much fun, that I picked up the yarn to make another one for me and one for my daughter, Madison.

Talking of Madison.... Upon returning home I was showing her the yarn that I had purchased to knit her Lloie Cardigan, which she loved. I reminded Madison, who herself is a knitter with spot on tension and skill for a 9 year old), that it might take me a month or two to complete it. She replied "Well, that's the beauty of knitting!" I looked at her a little shocked and asked her what was the beauty of knitting. She replied "The fact that the cardigan will take a month or two to make is the beautiful thing. Knitting is all about knitting in lots of caring and loving stitches. That's why I love it! That's why you love it!"

Wow! She gets it! She really gets knitting!

Talk about a wonderful mum/daughter moment. Now, I'm really motivated to knit her sweater. Clever girl!

A possible overshare

2010-07-13T07:32:00.000-07:00

I'm finally ready to come back. Life has continued to throw some interesting things our way this summer. My oldest son developed pneumonia this summer! Who gets pneumonia in the middle of the summer? Must have been the non-stop traveling and lack of sleep that he experienced while traveling to DC, New York and Virginia, then headed back home to leave hours later for a Scouting High Adventure kayaking trip Up North. He's better now, and our summer still is the busiest we have ever had. We've taken the time though to have some fun thrown in the midst of all the craziness. On the fourth we went tubing down a river for an afternoon with friends. It was a blast and a wonderful stress reliever, even if it did start to pour down and thunderstorm the last hour of the 3 1/2 hour ride down the river.

Camp starts Thursday and I'm knitting like a maniac trying to get the body completed on my "Show and Tell" project, the Lloie Cardigan. I only started it two weeks ago even though I had purchased the yarn last year at camp so that I'd not be rushing at the end. Apparently procrastination should have been my middle name. Jessica (www.rose-kim.com) arrives on Wednesday and I'm looking forward to hanging out with her and other knitters at Knitting Camp. I'm especially looking forward to the deep-fried pickles with mustard sauce at the micro-brewery in Marshfield. I swear they make the best deep-fried pickles ever! I despise pickles normally. I think they taste like I imagine urine to taste (I know, I'm oversharing), but when they're deep fried..... they're delicioso!!!!! I know, I have issues.

Back to the knitting. Why does it seem that stocking stitch in the round on the body of a sweater never seems to progress, no matter how long you knit on it?????

Getting back in the saddle

2010-06-11T19:35:00.000-07:00

That was a longer break than I had expected. Thanks for the patience.

No sooner did I feel like I finally recovered from the surgery, I had a dear friend become suddenly very ill. Sadly she never woke from her coma and passed away on Memorial Day. Before and after that I ran around in circles with helping her family and keeping my kids running to the end of year activities where I could, and then following that, helping her family and helping prepare for her funeral. I've been in a bit of slump since her funeral last Saturday. The busyness meant I didn't fully embrace the pain of her loss, I think. Then I was busy getting Caleb ready for a trip to DC with his 8th grade class. He's on his trip now, and reality sunk in but dear Trudy, wouldn't want me to wallow. I'm going to finally join the quilt guild that she had been bugging me to join for the past few years and of which she was the librarian. I'm going to try and get back to normal.

I'll be back now. Knitting camp is only a month away and I've got a sweater to knit. I'm looking forward to a dose of Jessica - she'll be just what the doctor ordered. And to hear Meg's soothing voice sounds like heaven.

Again, thanks for your patience.

Slow progress, but still progress!

2010-05-10T19:12:00.000-07:00

Surgery went well last Wednesday, but recovery is a lot slower than expected. First, my body always reacts badly to anesthesia, so they tried to do something a little different but still it throws me for a bit of a loop. The doctors had told me that with this surgery nausea really seems to be a big problem. Throw in the trouble with anesthesia and they thought they'd try to ease it up a little by giving me anti-nausea meds in advance and putting a patch behind my ear for nausea that they use normally for chemo patients. It was working pretty well until I had a reaction to the pain meds the first night and start to itch head to toe. I scratched the patch right off. I even managed to scratch a mole until it is no longer recognizable. No patch meant no help with the nausea. I guess that's one way to lose weight. Not the way I'd recommend though.

We expected recovery to be fairly fast from this surgery, but my body was wiped out from what it's been going through for the past year and a half, and isn't cooperating with my speedy recovery plans. Energy is at a 2 out of 10 at best. The girl who never sleeps, now wants to sleep 12 hours a day and not only wants to sleep, but actually can (apparently surgery is my cure for insomnia - lets hope it lasts). Unfortunately, four kids and that low energy don't mix, so I tried to kick it up a notch today and get more done. My body responded and let me know that it was in control, and caused some problems that the doctor is now telling me to chill out and take it easier.

I'm not a very patient person.

Luckily, I have such an awesome husband. The Cute Guy has out done himself with running crazy amounts of errands, clearing his patient schedule so he could take care of me last week and forcing me to lay down when the dark circles around my eyes made me look like I was trying to impersonate 'The Cure' look. (google the 80's all you young 'uns). I am so lucky to have him in my life. Best thing I ever did - marrying that man 18 years ago.

I've felt so cruddy that I've not knit... at all. The girl who can't stand to sit still and not have her hands busy, has laid in bed, napped, listened to audio books and stared out the window. (Thursday we had a triple rainbow and sun shining after a shower, Friday evening we had four inches of snow, Sunday the sun was shining again and snow all melted and the blossoms reappeared from the covering of snow).

Apparently, I'm not the only one feeling a little peculiar.

Watch this space until the weather and I return for regular programming.

May 5th

2010-05-05T05:24:00.000-07:00

Some days seem to be more important in our lives than others. May 5th is mine!

Some of the most impactful events to my life have happened on that date.

May 5th 1993 - My Nanny Taylor - one of the most lovely and special people I have ever met - passed away suddenly on this date. I was in the states, newly married, and poor, and couldn't afford to fly home to her funeral. It was a very sad time and I was heartbroken.

May 5th 1995 - I found out I was pregnant with our first child, Caleb! We had desperately wanted a child and had been told that it didn't look hopeful for my being able to get pregnant (hard to believe four kids later). I still remember looking at that test in the bathroom and jumping up and down crying and laughing. I quickly jumped in my car ran to the hospital lab and had a blood test to confirm it as I couldn't believe it. I then drove to Steve's work and excitedly told him the news, while he sat in shock listening. He continues to be such a huge blessing in our life, as have the other three special children that have since joined our family.

May 5th 2010 - Today I head off to the hospital for surgery to resolve a medical problem that has been progressively getting worse. For the benefit of my health I have to have an alternative to a hysterectomy that would make it very dangerous to both my health and a baby if I were to get pregnant. So, today, my baby making career ends. It's such a hard thing in many ways to do. I know that I have been blessed with four wonderful kids and have a lovely family. However, I love being pregnant and feeling that baby move inside of me. It is when I have closest to my Heavenly Father as being a tool of his creative powers. I do know it's what I need to do though and am blessed to have the options offered to me that will enable me to be free from the health problems that have plagued me recently. I have an amazing doctor, who is also a friend and I trust him completely.

So, instead of feeling sorry for myself. I am going to celebrate the four miracles that have entered our family, and celebrate the life of my beautifully Nanny Taylor. She continues to be an inspiration to me of strength and courage when faced with adversity.

Next chapter of life, I'm looking forward to seeing what you bring.

Oh Dear

2010-05-04T20:06:00.000-07:00

I promised I'd post with some knitting content showing some finished projects, but the day has gotten the best of me. I've been running around trying to get ready for being able to take it easy after surgery - cleaning, cooking, chores, laundry. It's funny that as a mum we have to work extra hard in order to take some time off. Hmmmm, something seems a little off there.

Oh well! Seeing as I never got a chance to take any pics today to post. I'd thought I'd fill you all in on what I need to cast on and get cracking knitting for my camp project. Yes, I get to go gain this year and Jessica and I will be rooming together, but we have promised to act like adults this year and try to calm down our inner 13-year old selves. No really, I put it on the application that we'd grow up for everybodies sake this year.

Last year at camp, I decided that the Lloie Cardigan was on the 'Need to Do' list.

Here's a picture of Jenny the Potter (who was rather pregnant at the time) and her Lloie was G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S. I found myself coveting her cardi and knew it was time to make Lloie my own.

If you recall from post camp photos last year, Jessica and I spent a great deal of serious time selecting colors for my Lloie. (uhhh, look how skinny I was - hate getting older - very frustrating to find yourself growing no matter how much you work out or eat less tiramisu)

Okay, well maybe not that serious, but who could resist those lovely necklaces of yarn?!

Camp is only a couple months away and it's time for me to get that important Show and Tell project on the needles. I'm determined to get it done. So feel free to prod me on a regular basis for updates on Lloie and with your help, Lloie and I will be hanging out at camp together.

Hold that thought

2010-05-03T19:00:00.000-07:00

Now, why is my blog titled Knittin' Brit in Wisconsin when there's been so little mention of knitting????? Good question. Well, hold that thought. I promise I'll post something about it tomorrow.

Things have been so hectic here. The dog (thanks everyone who emailed/commented about his health) is doing lots better. Apparently dogs rebound a lot quicker than humans from Lymes Disease. He is responding fast to the medication and you'd never know that he was sick today.

To add to our crazy life/month, last Monday I received a call from the school telling me that Declan (my 2nd oldest son) had been injured during recess and was considering calling an ambulance. I happened to be driving by the school right at that moment and was looking at the kids out on the field, so I told them to hold on as I turned into the driveway. I ran in to find that he was having a hard time breathing. He had been playing football and after a play had gone for the ball as had his friend. They were laughing as they were both trying to get the ball. His friend put Declan in a headlock. Still they both thought they were pretty funny. Declan tried to arch his back to get away and then there was a loud cracking-popping noise. All around heard it. His friend let go immediately as the noise scared him and Declan collapsed to the ground and couldn't get up.

I checked him out and decided I would drive him myself. The school had been concerned it was his neck as he said that his neck hurt when he moved it, but after calming him down I discovered it was mainly his upper back and chest that hurt the most. I took him to the Walk-In and they quickly did xrays. Apparently he had dislocated a rib, but it looked like it had popped back, but he had also fractured his sternum. The radiologist was very concerned as the injury didn't make sense considering how it happened. The sternum is supposed to be a lot stronger than fracturing because someone arches their back and especially concerning as he is a child and his bones should be less likely for this kind of fracture. It would have taken usually a much harder direct impact to the chest to cause a fracture like this. Usually they see this in a child when he was sat in passenger seat of a car and the air bag goes off. The Radiologist recommended we immediately follow up with his doctor for further tests to check his bones. He's had a lot of test so far and has more to come. Next week he has a bone density test which should maybe give us some answers. I'm not worried though. I'm sure he'll be fine. The cute dentist is very worried about his little guy though.

The following day, Ethan (our five year old) experienced his first all-out migraine, with vomiting, flashing lights and intense pain. He's a little young for a migraine so again they wanted to check him out.

Between Declan's tests, Ethan's tests, and my pre-op appointments (did I mention I'm having surgery on Wednesday - we'll talk about that another time) I spent a ridiculous amount of time at the doctors last week and precious little time getting any knitting done or sewing.

So today I've been sewing like crazy to get some bee blocks finished and sent out, and all caught up, plus lots of chores done so that I can rest after surgery.

But..... tomorrow, I WILL have knitting content for you. I do so solemnly swear!!!!!!!!!! ... maybe!

Now I'm Really Ticked Off!!!!

2010-04-19T19:33:00.001-07:00

Last night, our puppy, Winston was his usual self - getting into all kinds of trouble. This morning he woke up limping and yelping with pain. As the morning went on the pain and limping got worse. By 9:30am my heart was breaking for him. I'd checked him all over and there were no ticks I could see, or thorns, so I called the Vet who told me to bring him right in. (The above picture of his him in the waiting room at the Vets. He doesn't look as sick here as he did in the afternoon. Those sad puppy eyes.)

They did a blood test and my special puppy, Winston, has Lyme's Disease. He was vaccinated last fall, but as I've since found out is fairly common, it didn't work. They gave me antibiotics but didn't want to give anything for the pain as a common side effect of Lyme's in dogs is Kidney problems/failure, and the pain meds could further complicate that.

As the day progressed he's been getting worse, but the Vet said he may get worse before he gets better. I spent a fair amount of the day holding him and snuggling him. The puppy who never stays still barely moved and when he did, he yelped with pain.

I hate Ticks! Of course, I did find out today that we live in the Lyme Disease Capital. Now, do you all see why I love the freezing winters here the most! Then the ticks are all dead.

On a good note... I participated this spring in a Napkin Swap hosted by Lisa from Stitches Under Oaks. My swap partner was Larissa from Stitches In Play. I found this fun fabric that I felt would work for both Spring and Summer, and couldn't resist throwing together a coordinating Dish Towel. Hope she enjoys it! I found I loved whipping out these napkins (although I think my corners suck eggs!) so I've whipped out 12 different yet coordinating napkins for our family. They are such a instant gratification project.

Surely you have some fabric stashed around that you could whip up some for your house.

Mum-ME Time

2010-04-18T19:10:00.001-07:00

I did get quite some sewing done on some projects this weekend, in addition to lots and lots of not expected running around with the kids. I think I need a t-shirt printed with the following statement: "It's Mum-'ME' Time - Please ask your Father!" I'm sure they'd still ignore it. Oh well.....

I did get some time for me though and went to Johanna May's Fine Tea Shop with a friend. It was delicious. I had some Cherry Vanilla Herbal Tea - which was out of this world, and a wonderful Warm Croissant Sandwich with Turkey and Ham, Havarti Cheese, Granny Smith Apples and Blackberry Preserves. For desert (please note above picture, and yes, I did eat them all and may have possibly picked up every crumb from the plate) I ended with some Petit Fours. Two were vanilla with lemon and white chocolate and two were Black Forest Gateau. The only disappointing thing was that they claimed to have scones with Clotted Cream but admitted to me that it wasn't really Clotted Cream, because they're not allowed to sell unpasteurized dairy products, so they make their own with cream cheese and powdered sugar - which is most definitely NOT Clotted Cream.

It was a lovely place, albeit an Americanized version of a British Tea Shop, but still very enjoyable.

It was such a lovely time and a nice get away. It helped curb a little bit of my homesickness. I really do miss a good tea shop.

What's your favorite tea?

A Free Weekend!

2010-04-16T19:56:00.000-07:00

Look what I found today to help me with my freeform quilting! It's a sampler panel with all different quilting designs so that you can practice on it. It was just what I was looking for. There are only so many pot holders a girl can make. I know, I could of gotten some muslin and drawn out the designs myself and saved some money.... blah, blah, blah, blah. Where would be the fun in that?!

For once the weekend isn't too packed, only three scouting things for the boys to attend, but I can talk the Cute Guy into handling that. This weekend I plan on getting lots of sewing in on various projects and block party bee's that I belong to. Now, let's see if I can convince the family to cooperate with my plans.

What do you have planned for the weekend?

http://boogaj.typepad.com/knitting_blogs/

Why, of COURSE!

2010-04-09T19:37:00.000-07:00

I've been really wanting to take my journaling to the next level and have been checking out some books from the library and perusing journaling books at Barnes and Noble.

One of the blogs (ArtsyMama) I read on a daily basis tipped me off to an e-course that Hope from Nostalgic Musings is starting on Journaling. It looks like exactly what I'm looking for.

So, I signed up, of course! Wanna join me?

Prediction

2010-04-07T20:12:00.001-07:00

I love learning! Love to continue to grow and develop my skills and knowledge. If I had my way I'd be a professional student, studying whatever took my fancy.

Last Saturday I had a class at the Quilting Workshop on Freeform Quilting. I'll be honest. I thought I was going to kick some booty. I have studied art and thought it would be a cake walk. I was wrong. That is definitely going to take some practice. I've been trying to practice a 10 minutes every day so that I can get the feel of it.

Tonight I had a class on Borders and Binding. I have issues with borders and binding. Mainly avoidance issues, but from yesterday's post we all know I tend to have some procrastination issues. My main problem with borders and bindings is my desire for it to look perfect and then being frustrated if it doesn't turn out just so. My reason for taking this class was to learn some new tips and tricks so maybe I'd have a little more success. It was a great class and I'm actually excited to put some borders and bindings on some of the projects hanging around.

I predict a lot of Potholders in my future. The perfect project for practicing both techniques.

Any tips?

Keep Calm

2010-04-06T14:51:00.000-07:00

Keep Calm...

when I actually post when I say I will.

Keep Calm...

when you have a six and a half hour hair appointment because you're getting hair extensions.

Keep Calm....

when you have five sweaters knitted in their entirety that need to be sewn together (some have been that way for almost two years). I'm committing to you all that I'm going to tuck into these this week and get my procrastinating behind cracking on finishing these once and for all.

Keep Calm.....

when I promised a little something heading out to the first commenter on this blog post.

Keep Calm.....

and Carry On - this is one of my favorite British sayings from the Second World War. Doesn't that just sound so British. I can imagine my Grandmother sitting knitting in the bomb shelter saying to herself - Keep Calm and Carry On (knitting).

The first commenter on this blog post will get this lovely notebook/diary that I found in good old Barnes and Noble. The sayings a little modified (although they do have the original saying on a red journal too). Everything is better with a cupcake!

Marching Right Along

2010-04-05T20:20:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I missed an entire month of posting... I was busy living and never quite got around/made the time to blog. Sorry!

Tomorrow, I'll get back in the saddle. Don't believe me? Well, wait and see. First person to comment after I post tomorrow, will get a little something something sent their way.

Priceless

2010-02-25T21:36:00.000-08:00

Before the Cute Guy and I head out of town for the weekend early tomorrow morning, I had to take my oldest son (14y) to the mall to get some new jeans and a new suit (Solo Ensemble is this weekend and his choir likes them to dress nice - his was getting a little on the snug side). After getting the rest of his shopping done, we headed to get his new suit. I was sure that he'd be able to get one in the young men's section. He tried a 14, then a 16, then 18, then 20 - the max size in young men's. As I stood there looking at the little toddler and little boy tee shirts and realizing that I had to head to the Men's Suit Department to find something to fit him, I burst into tears. He's not a little boy anymore.

Then as he found a suit (and not the smallest men's suit either) that fit perfectly and didn't need any tailoring, I started to cry again and how he really looked like a (dare I say it) "Man" now. The sales clerk stared at me and my son showed how special he really was. He didn't try to hide from me or shush me, as most teenagers would, or die from embarrassment. He walked over to me and wrapped his arms around me and told me "I'm still your little boy; always will be. It's okay." So I cried some more.

The added bonus was the sales clerk must of thought I was out of my mind and decided to give me all kind of extra deals that weren't supposed to be available until Saturday and then gave me an extra 25% off everything - just because!

But having a special son who loves his mum unconditionally and isn't embarrassed by her sobs - Priceless!

Now, must get back to the packing and then knitting of the sleeves... tick tock, tick tock - time seems to be creeping up on me in all aspects of my life!

Fly By

2010-02-23T19:56:00.001-08:00

I'm doing a quick fly-by as I must get back to knitting my Ravelympics event cardi. I'm over halfway there, but am not sure how much time I'll have this weekend to finish up as it's my anniversary (and Dental Midwinter meeting) and the Cute Guy and I are heading to Chicago, so I've got to get cracking on it.

I admit, I probably could have achieved a lot more if it weren't for all of the reading I've been doing. Denise recommended The Help, which had been on my list for a while, so with her suggestion I downloaded it to the Kindle and was instantly hooked. I highly recommend it!

Not sure what's next on the reading list, but I have downloaded a few samples to try out including some of the following: The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey; The Postmistress by Sarah Blake; A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick; The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker; House on Tradd Street by Karen White; and Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley.

Anyone read any of these and have some reviews? or other suggestions.

Going for Gold

2010-02-15T20:19:00.000-08:00

Thank you everyone for your suggestions as to what I should knit for Ravelympics 2010. I still struggled deciding until the very last minute. I thought that I was going to do Lloie until five minutes before the games started, but I was concerned as I didn't want to rush it as I wanted Lloie for my camp project (did I mention, I'm in!!!!!!), so I decided with minutes to spare to switch to the Elise cardigan by Black Purl. It's the perfect project! The gold silk yarn is very motivating in achieving my goal of getting that Gold Ravelympics Medal. I'm 25% completed already!

In addition to the Ravelympic Knitting, I've been squeezing in all the reading I can (again, there are benefits to insomnia I find.) I've read a few books on it now and am looking for some more suggestions of good reading material. Any books you suggest?

SOS

2010-02-11T12:35:00.001-08:00

Talk about waiting to the last hour. I have been struggling to decide what to do for the Ravelympics and seeing as Opening Ceremony is tomorrow, I better get my bubble butt moving.

I need some help deciding. Please, please, please help me.

Here are the contenders:

Elsie by Black Purl in Tilli Thomas Disco Lights. The picture does not do it justice.

Staghorn by Lisa Lloyd from a Fine Fleece in Mountain Mohair by Green Mountain Spinnery.

Lloie's Cardigan by Schoolhouse Press in J&S

Or maybe I'd just do a bunch of socks. One in each color of the Olympic rings.

Or maybe I'd finish some of the many UFOs hiding out in the house.

Or maybe.....

Help! I need it (obviously, but for once not the psychiatric kind, the knitting decision kind.)

Hurry.....

New Love

2010-02-10T08:10:00.000-08:00

Shhh, don't tell the Cute Guy, but I've fallen in love.

Oh, Kindle, How I Love Thee

Let me count the ways...

I have books downloaded in less than a minute

Surprisingly I read so much faster on you (I think there should be a study down on why people claim to read faster on the Kindle. I didn't buy it at first, but after reading a couple of books on it. "I'm a Believer")

You save me money. Well, you would, if I hadn't started reading so fast and am flying through books.

You give me free books. And not just the classics.

You fit in my purse and I can read whatever I feel like depending on my mood and don't have to have planned in advance what I'd feel like reading.

I can accessorize you! I know, I'm so girly, but what's not to love about having cute covers and skins to protect your Kindle.

I can email myself pdf's of my knitting patterns. Yes, you can actually store my knitting patterns, so they don't have to get all crumpled and spotted with chocolate. Yes, I do eat chocolate when I knit, do you have a problem with that? (Oh, apparently my ever growing backside has a problem with that, but I'm going to continue to ignore it)

I've also been knitting away on the Tapestry Cowl that I'm knitting for a class I'm teaching next month. I'm halfway. I'm really enjoying it, but am finding I like one side more than the other. Which is your favorite?

Okay, I still love the Cute Guy. Especially when he takes our cute girl to the Sweetheart Daddy/Daughter Dance.

I guess I'm just full of love!

Wednesdays with Winston & More

2010-01-27T20:41:00.000-08:00

Yes, I've been gone from the blog. We took a little family vacation for some fun in the snow and had our first trip without Winston.

No one wanted to say goodbye to the cute little pup. Just look at all that yummy hair (remember Cockapoos have hair, not fur).

This is how he looked when we picked him up. I think I screamed when I saw him. Ethan announced that he looked like a Chihuahua (okay, maybe not, but we think he looked like he had been in rehab or juvi). Madison is allergic to dogs so he was supposed to be "trimmed" and washed before we picked him up. The groomer obviously didn't listen to a word I said. She did, however, get to listen to quite a lot that I had to say the next day.

While on our trip I did work hard on a project and have almost completed some yummy fuzzy mittens for me, but have one thumb left to do so show and tell before the weeks out.

I've also been busy this week with a couple of projects for samples for classes I'm teaching at the Black Purl. One is the Citron Shawl and the other is the Tapestry Cowl (double knit). Will head upstairs to finish the last couple rows on the shawl tonight and after blocking will post pics later this week of that one. It's such an easy fast knit. Took me around three days. I worked on it while watching "24" DVDs. Love, love, love, that show. Don't you find knitting is the perfect thing for catching up on tv watching?! Somehow I feel more productive that just sat on the couch.

I never did post some blocks I had to do for December and January for the Tethered Threads Block Party. I "heart" paper piecing. I just love doing it. Maybe I should pull out the paper pieced quilt I started more than two years ago and finish it. Maybe....

Here's my dilemma: I have the month of February for the Block Party and I'm struggling to decide on a quilt and need to get everything sent out this week. Do we like this quilt? Any other suggestions? Please, please, please. I love suggestions. I don't want overly traditional. A lot of the quilters around here that I know like to do the more traditional quilt styles, which I enjoy, but want something a little edgier. And what exactly is Zakka style quilting? Questions, questions...

Wednesdays with Winston

2010-01-06T19:55:00.000-08:00

Found the coolest thing at the pet store the other day.

You take your old mismatched socks, sweaters, blankets, towels and put them in this nice washable mesh bag.

Then take this lovely Molly Mutt Duvet Cover....

and insert mesh bag and zipper up. Then you have this lovely "green" doggy bed.

Here's a blur of Winston discovering his doggy duvet/bed.

And finally here's a picture of the dashing Sir Winston Humvee the First proudly sitting on his throne. Okay, it's a dog bed, but humor me.

He is a crazy, militant, naughty, wild puppy who loves to try and chew his mummy's knitting, but how could you not love that face.

Must share a funny Ethan story though: Today at dinner Ethan was begging for soda. We rarely let the kids drink soda (dad is a dentist and mum is a soda addict) so I told him No, he could have milk or water. He said "Well, I WANT a Sprite", which Caleb immediately followed with "Well, I want a million dollars". I said "Me, too.". Ethan said "I want a million dollars too, so that I could have my very own puppy to taunt!!!!" Followed by a wink in my direction.

Should I be scared or impressed that my four year old knows the word taunt and has such a dry sense of humor?

Wrapping Up 2009 and Opening 2010

2010-01-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

To start with a bit of unfinished business:

Follow up for those who asked: Thanks for your kind thoughts towards Declan. He is doing well since his procedure. It did show some problems that initially were rather scary, but the biopsies have come back negative. He has some issues to work through, but nothing we/he can't handle. We are so proud of him for his strength and attitude of just doing what needs to be done. ..

Declan on procedure day - poor baby! Even though we have so many nice blankets and quilts in our home, it's the cheap $15 blanket we bought in Mexico sixteen years ago that he wanted to drag to the hospital. Whatever makes him happy!

And to show you how fast he bounced back! This was the next day, when we went to go and cut down our Christmas tree.

Back to his old tricks! While Caleb tried to hurry us along so that he could go skiing, he claimed he was the perfect (yoga) tree and there was no need to look any further. Dec offered to cut him down for us. Which resulted in......

Caleb attempting to bury him alive. EB helped out, but tried to prove he was a little angel immediately following, just in case he'd get in any trouble.

Mummy's little angel! How could I ever be mad at that face?

Finally the perfect tree was found. Unfortunately the guys thought it was hilarious to leave Madison and I holding the very heavy and VERY prickly cut tree while they wandered off for a mini-snowball fight.

It was one of many fun filled days this holiday, with lots of my favorite kind of weather - very cold and lots of snow! Pure heaven!

Christmas was a lovely time with just our immediate family, although I have to admit I was dreadfully aware that this time last year we were visiting my Mum and Dad in England. I missed them terribly this year and worried about Dad and his health. A visit has to happen by summer this year, I've decided. Somehow I must make it happen.

We had friends over for a New Years Party/Get-together and we had a blast. Steve and I crawled into bed at 4:45am. I woke up with a froggy throat as some of the girls and I formed our own awesome "Band Hero" band on the Wii and we played and sang our hearts out. I think we should take the kids Wii and Band Hero to Knitting Camp next year. That'll liven up the evenings and keep everybody awake - or give them a raging headache.

New Years Day was exactly what the doctor ordered - I'm stayed in my pj's all day. I relaxed, knit, napped, played with the kids, watched movies and, of course, ate. Our November and December was so incredibly busy this year. The Sunday evening before Christmas was literally my first evening home since before Thanksgiving. Needless to say I've been a bit burned out.

This year, I plan on clearing out the many wip's that are languishing in the knitting and sewing closet (room). I plan on being realistic and know that I'll cast on new projects before all the wip's are done, but I do plan on trying to whip out at least two of the ufo's a month in addition to any others that I'll be starting. It feels like a reasonable enough plan and certainly not over ambitious.

I also plan on doing a project for the Winter Olympics, but haven't decided quite what yet. I do have a project or two in mind though, so more to follow.

I do, however, plan on trying to reduce the stash. It overwhelms me. I feel suffocated by all the yarn and guilty if I want to start a new project and need to purchase yarn for it when I have so many potential projects and materials already on hand. I plan on taking a much closer review of what's in the stash and what needs to move on to others and free some space.

I won't make a firm promise as to blogging regularity. I hope to blog regularly, but am realistic that I am a busy mother of four children and involved in many things that demand my time. To be honest, if I have to choose between finding time to work on a project that day or blogging, the project will win. Does that make me seem rather bratty and taking you readers for granted? I'm sorry to say, so be it! I'm sure you understand.

I don't want to set a lot of goals for the year as if I've learned nothing else from 2009, things change and priorities are required to shift. However, I do have some shorter term goals for this month.

Complete two of the long term knitting projects that have been languishing around the house and two sewing projects. To do this, I will knit at least one inch on an old project every day or sew one seam before working on current project.

Begin journaling on a regular basis

Have already knit two hats this year and expect to knit two more this month.

Cook at least one new recipe each week and blog about my kitchen adventures

Blog at least twice a week (wait, didn't I just say I wouldn't make any promises - oh well, I told you things change; obviously sooner than you thought)

Begin some destashing - will post items on ravelry groups

Need to get together my materials and pattern for Tethered Threads Block Party 2, and send out by end of month. February is my month. Any ideas???????

It's a good start!

It's a Hatty New Year

2010-01-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

The cold has hit Wisconsin and the requests for Ski hats has flooded in from the kids (their friends are asking for them now also).

One Fusili Scarf knit in Manos Silk Blend for a friend. I'll admit I loved the colors of this scarf and had a hard time giving it up. (Look how pretty it looked on my tree, it could have been a pretty garland on the tree)

All four hats were knit in Berroco Pure Merino. I love this yarn. It's a joy to knit with, wear and take care of.

Happy New Year!

Prep Work

2009-12-10T22:22:00.001-08:00

I'm up late prepping Declan for a procedure at the hospital tomorrow. It's exhausting. It's icky! It's no fun for me! It's less fun for him! We're tired! I just finished cleaning up the bathroom and scrubbing a carpet! I'm going to bed! However, I just can't lay my head down on the pillow unless I knit at least one row, even though I can barely keep my eyes open. Does this mean I have an addiction problem? Notice, I don't ask if I have issues. We already know I have those!

Yawn

2009-12-06T20:11:00.000-08:00

This weekend has been insanely busy. It has involved the following:

Two Piano Recitals
Too many hours of ballet practice
Three Nutcracker Ballet Performances
144 mince pies and jam tarts made for Christmas Around the World Party at Church
One Cute Guy's Work Christmas Party
One special program at church for son moving out of Primary (Priesthood Preview)
One big ol' headache
One new addiction to a game my friends husband created (addiction formed in the wee hours when I should have been sleeping) - check it out, then we'll all form our own 12 step program together
Zero knitting, sewing, stitching, crafting!!!!
One tuckered out Mummy

and now..... I'm off to Bedfordshire to chill out, catch up on the DVR and knit a little (if I can keep my eyes open).

I would ....

2009-12-03T20:14:00.000-08:00

be posting a very interesting post with lots of pictures but I'm busy baking these right now.

They are so stinking easy. I feel incredibly clever and talented making them. Why did I never make cinnamon rolls before?! Maybe it's because whenever I eat cinnamon I get a little bit of an itchy mouth. Do you think that ever stops me from eating cinnamon? No, that's why Benadryl was created, silly! A life without Cinnamon Rolls.... I don't even want to imagine!

p.s. trying to figure out how to make her frosting without Coffee. We don't drink coffee and so have none in the house. Do you think Pero would work?????

One is the loneliest number...

2009-12-01T20:37:00.001-08:00

IMAG0075
Originally uploaded by KnittinBrit

I did promise an update on some of my projects, but then promptly forgot to charge the battery on my camera. Ooops!

In the meantime, here's one of the projects I've been working on (courtesty of smartphone camera - the picture does not do it justice). Twelve Christmas Tea Towels by Crabapple Hill. I've got to get stitching to get these done and mailed out in time for the holidays, but they're so fast that it shouldn't be a problem.

Now, if I could just finish up the many other UFO's that are dangling around. I think I really need to put together a list and see what's doable and what's not.

I have decided that there are a few projects that it is time to part with, either to the frog pond or elsewhere. My Mimbres Vest is one of them. It's probably 85 - 90% done and no matter how I try, I have absolutely no desire to finish it. I don't want the yarn for anything. I think we just have to say goodbye. I don't, however, want to throw it in the trash, so I'm mulling on it's fate at present.

Do you have any projects that you know you're done with? not ones that you think you might come back to, but projects that are similar to that boyfriend in college that you're over, it had it's time, but you've moved on and grown, and know you're no longer a fit?

Diagnosis: Pecan Pie-itis

2009-11-29T19:31:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if I've eaten too much turkey or stuffed myself on pecan pie, but I'm feeling a bit poorly. We've had family in town and I've been waiting on them the past few days. Sleep has been very limited and I it might be catching up with me, because I feel like I've been hit by a truck. My body aches and I have no energy. I might be sick or I might be craving some alone/me time.

I have had very little time to myself so project progress ground to a halt. I had done some knitting but a certain little puppy has decided that it should be his chew toy and snagged it off the couch and did some damage which I just finished fixing. It appears that he's a little confused and thinks he is a kitty, because balls of yarn fascinate him. Maybe he's getting back at me because he heard me talking to the vet about getting him neutered. (although who could blame him for that). Any tricks on how to train your puppy/dog not to eat your knitting?

I did get some sewing time in with Madison on Saturday for some doll blankets for her American Girl Doll bed. I was pretty impressed with her eye for design and how she told me what she wanted and went a very different direction than I had planned. It almost bought a tear to my eye.

Hopefully I'll find a minute tomorrow after company leaves to take some progress pics.

I'm tired and I need to head to Bedfordshire and relax.

Before I go:

The winner for the "Sweet" Sundara Giveaway is:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:2
Timestamp: 2009-11-30 03:31:22 UTC

Jessica from RoseKimKnits!

Sweet

2009-11-25T20:34:00.000-08:00

In England we refer to Candy as Sweets. "Please Mummy, can I please go to the Sweet Shop?"

The holidays always gets my sweet tooth salivating. I spend quite a bit of money stocking up on some of my favorite British sweets (as well as American. When it comes to sweets/candy, I do not discriminate). Some of the holiday necessities include: Box of Maltezers, Box of Roses Chocolates, Chocolate Eclairs, Lots of Flakes, Cadbury Milk Tray, Twiglets (okay not a sweet, but still a snack must have for all Holly Jolly Brits!), Quality Street Chocolates, .... okay, the list could go on and on (good job, I'm married to a dentist).

In keeping with the "Sweet" theme of this post I dug in the stash to see what would tie in nicely for a Thanksgiving Giveaway.

How about some Sundara Sock Yarn in Creamy Toffee?! This yarn is delicious, just like the name implies. I love knitting with this yarn. You will too!

Want some Creamy Toffee?

Just leave a comment with what your favorite holiday sweet is and what you'd like to make with this sweet yarn.

Get a second entry if you link this on your blog (just leave a second comment leaving the link to your blog).

Winner will be picked on Sunday at 8pm central time and posted on the blog.

In the meantime, have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Whether you live in the USA or elsewhere in the world, take time to pause and be grateful for all you have.

I'm grateful to the Cute Guy, wonderful kids, true friends, a strong faith .... many other things not forgetting sweets, yarn, and something to be passionate about like knitting.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Watch Out

2009-11-24T20:59:00.001-08:00

I'm super tired. The Cute Guy's family flew in tonight for Thanksgiving and I'm always a bit ridiculous about cleaning my house before company to the point of crazy cleaning. I reorganize every cupboard. Clean cabinets. Clean behind refrigerators and ovens (again, I know, no one will be looking there - but I'd know).

Am I the only one who does this? Should I call my therapist?

Now, they're here I've got some serious baking to do tomorrow.

However, watch this space! In the spirit of being Thankful, I want to share some of my over abundance of stash with you.

Check back tomorrow for giveaway details!!!!

Amnesia

2009-11-20T20:01:00.001-08:00

I forgot!

I forgot that kids would still need to be ready and on the bus by 6:50am.

I forgot that another child would need to be driven to their school for an early morning meeting.

I forgot that I still had a preschooler to care for, drive to school, and have a play date.

I forgot that less than three hours of sleep is pushing it, even for me and my insomniac self. (3 is my minimum, 4 hours and I can function well)

I forgot that it's a bad idea when you're tired, the mountain of cola that you've pumped into your system so that you'd keep being pre-holiday productive would eventually wear off and you'd not be thinking very clearly.

I forgot that it's probably a bad idea to grab a few rushed minutes to cut out backing for the "place mats" (in case you were wondering what they were) as I ended up with cutting them too small.

I forgot that after 9pm on the night that you got less than three hours of sleep would be a bad time to decide to quilt place mats.

I forgot that I'd have shaky hands.

I forgot that I was trying not to swear anymore.

I forgot to immediately fix my mistakes.

I forgot to go to bed early so that I wouldn't make bad judgement calls.

But.....

I just remembered. I'm off to "Bedfordshire" and will try to remember tomorrow.

Midnight

2009-11-19T19:41:00.000-08:00

I had planned on putting a better post together today, but time got the better of me. From kids ballet, to listening to Caleb's solo and first time as First Chair in Orchestra, it just didn't happen.

I'd post something really cool right now, but...

I'm heading out to go have late/early breakfast with the girls and then off to watch the midnight showing of New Moon.

Pathetic? Maybe.

Excited? Absolutely!

Mature? Possibly not! But that's no surprise.

Enjoy your zzzz's.

And it begins!

2009-11-18T20:59:00.000-08:00

Holiday crafting and gift making has officially begun here today. Besides the usual mountain of chores, today I got to work on some holiday projects.

I'm about half way there on this project.

Can you guess what it is?

Time changes everything

2009-11-17T21:01:00.000-08:00

Growing up in England, whenever we had a friend visiting the states I would beg them to bring me home some Suzy Q's. They were my favorite treat.

Yesterday while doing some grocery shopping I spotted a box of Suzy Q's who literally begged me to take them home. I'm such a softie and couldn't resist their oh so sweet plea's.

As soon as I got home and had given Ethan his lunch, (and after snapping a picture of the box for blogging purposes) I ripped open the box and pulled one out to devour. I think angels were singing, and possibly there were fireworks, I can't be sure. Then, I took a bite..... "Hmmmm, that's not how I remember it." So, I took another bite, and then another. I finished it off, but with a lot less enthusiasm than I had started with.

It was so ordinary and I felt so let down.

Some things are just better in our memories.

Has this ever happened to you?

Moving on....

Finally fixed a little problem with the sewing machine and finished up the two blocks for my Tethered Threads Block Party.

Wednesday, I plan on getting lots of sewing done on a gift project for a friend. I really should be getting my house ready for Thanksgiving and starting all of the baking I need to do. We have family coming into town and I'm nowhere need ready. Still, procrastination isn't just my middle name....

Now what was it you were all waiting for???

2009-11-15T20:01:00.000-08:00

Oh yeah! Now I remember! You were all so excited to see my new Socktober Mystery Socks pictures. Made in Sanguine Gryphon Bugga in the Carabus Colorway on size 1 needles. (smallest size, although I wonder if I should have done the larger size)

This yarn is truly to die for. It knits like Butter! I definitely plan on getting some more of this. I actually bought some more and had gotten two skeins of Mystery Bugga. One of the skeins was the Carabus colorway again. I'm debating what to do with it. We'll see....

I loved knitting these socks. The pattern was interesting, but not so complicated that you couldn't easily memorize the lace patterns and knit away on them. In fact, I watched some Netflix DVD's with the first season of Lie To Me while knitting these. (such a great show)

Today, the Cute Guy and I had our monthly mum and dad/kid "Catch Up's" with the kids. Having four kids (plus lovely puppy Sir Winston) keeps us so busy that if we don't schedule to sit down individually and chat with the kids about everything from school to church to friends to chores, that important information can be missed. Don't think that we don't take special time for them other than once a month, it's just that I've found that our kids like the formality of scheduling a time to sit down one on one with us and have as long as they need to chat, just about them.

We've been concerned lately that something has been bothering our oldest son. He really is the perfect kid. I'm probably jinxing myself by saying that, but he's just been so easy to raise (so far). He really made it easy for us to want more kids. I think he's been 40 since age 5. For example, for his 5th birthday he asked for a suit and a robe. Why? Because he wanted to be like James Bond. Please note: we are unsure where he ever learned anything at age five about James Bond - still trying to figure that one out. However, he's just seemed a little off lately. After talking with him, we've found out he's fine. Just normal teenage stuff, but just to be sure, I informed him during his meeting with us that I could read his facial features and decipher whether he was lying to me and what each facial expression he made meant. Of course, it was complete trollop, but still... I had him going for a while there. I think I may use it on the younger kids, they're much more likely to buy it. (insert evil laugh here)

Anyway.... I know why you're all here today. Although my new socks are lovely, you want to know who won the Wollmeise.

Insert Drumroll here.....

The winner is (by random number generator - care of Random.org)

Number 49 - Philigry

I just spent the past hour reading through each comment and reading their blogs if linked. It was so much fun. Some of the comments made me laugh; a couple made me tear up. I loved discovering more blogs to add to my list to read.

I think I'm going to have to do this again. Maybe with that lovely Carabus skein. Hmmm, maybe this next week.

Philigry please email me at knittinbrit at charter dot net to claim your prize. I'm looking forward to seeing what you think.

For everybody who participated, thank you. It was fun!

Rust

2009-11-11T21:54:00.000-08:00

I was teaching a class tonight at the Black Purl and one of the students asked about a problem she had with her blocking. She didn't have any blocking pins on hand so had used regular pins which then rusted leaving small rust marks on her white baby sweater.

Any tips on how to get them out?????

Don't forget to enter for the giveaway.

Wollmeise Pay It Forward Giveaway

2009-11-10T21:51:00.000-08:00

Last December I posted about my frustrations of not being able to get my greedy little mitts on some Wollmeise. No sooner did I have my little vent, the lovely Tonia paid it forward and so generously sent me a package of some delicious yarns including... Wollmeise. Knitters really are such a generous bunch - I'm still a little shocked at that. (unless of course, you are at an amazing yarn sale - then they'll gouge your eyes out with their knitting needles so that they can get the last of the Socks That Rock bargain skeins).

As mentioned earlier this month, I've been on a bit of a shopping spree lately.

Notice that the yarns on either end are the same. Wollmeise Twin yarn in the colorway Kurbis. It felt a bit greedy to have two of the same colorway when I only need one. So it's time I followed Tonia's example and paid it forward.

To enter for the drawing, leave a comment stating why you're thankful for yarn (let's go with a nice thanksgiving theme - now isn't that special!) and check back on Sunday evening around 9pm ct for the winner to be announced.

You can get an extra entry if you link this giveaway/pay it forward on your blog. Just post another comment with your blog addy.

Can't get ruddy easier than that, can you?!

I must dash now as I've misplaced (please do not say "lost") a cord for my Addi Clicks. I hate it when I can't find things, so although it's after midnight and everybody else is asleep, I'm going to be digging around my house until I find the darn thing. If I make a lot of noise, accidentally on purpose, and wake up the Cute Guy, I'm going to make him search with me so that he can have the pleasure of helping his sweetie. I'm a giver that way!

Dear Cute Guy

2009-11-09T19:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Cute Guy,

If you happen to be reading our blog (which you had better be doing on a regular basis) I thought I'd make life a little easier for you this Christmas and put together a grouping of items I'm loving and maybe you could pick one (or two, or ten) for my Christmas gift. I should probably warn you that if you ignore such very obvious hints that I will be forced to utilize your credit card on your behalf. I know how much you like to make me happy and I can assure you that any of the items on my wish list would make me happy, very happy, almost as happy as your H2 makes you happy. Remember the car I bought for you (okay, purchased with your credit and then handed you the payment book - which I still consider one of my greatest scams yet).

You've told me before that you'd give me the world if you could, but luckily for you, I don't want the world - I've never really been fond of Ohio, Arkansas or France, so I'd settle for a nice new coat or lovely new pair of boots and purse instead. A bargain at half the price!

Thank you in advance for the wonderful life we life together with our four lively kids and the cutest puppy in the whole world (who secretly I know you love, even if you continue to call him Little Turd when you think I'm not in earshot). I look forward to many more happy years with you.

love and hugs,

Your Kimmy

Kimmy's Christmas List 2009 by knittinbrit featuring Burberry bags

Items in this set:
Joe's Jeans jeans, $235
GUESS? outerwear, $198
Maruione.jp coat, $188
Toast.co.uk cardigan, 155 GBP
Joe's Jeans jeans, $139

P.S. This may or may not be a test!!!! Ignore at your possible peril!

Full Bellies

2009-11-08T19:53:00.000-08:00

With everything crazy that went on this last month I probably could have gotten away with not feeding the family very nutritious meals and hitting the take out lines regularly. Luckily, I had discovered this wonderful website and book that I cooked from on almost a daily basis.

Think Julie & Julia type blog, but using the slow cooker every day for one year. It's amazing what she came up with.

Not only are the slow cooker recipes in this book, not the usual casserole, soup, pot roast type recipes, but they are so fast and Stephanie O'Dea also shows how they can be made Gluten Free. It almost brings a tear to my eye. Fast and Gluten Free - who knew that the two went together. I think we should also add that the recipes are VERY tasty. Definitely not a word that comes easily to a GF menu.

Declan, who has been known to ask if I'm feeding him poop before (yes, he did get to see how tasty a bar of soap was for that rude comment) literally jumps up and down with excitement when he sees that I'm cooking something in the Crock Pot.

The Beef Bourguignon was delicious! As was the Pasta Fagioli Soup. I've made everything from Indian to Asian cuisine in the crock pot lately.

I love a good food blog. Others that I have been using a lot lately are Karina's Kitchen, Tasty Kitchen, and Bakerella. I'm always looking for good suggestions. What are your favorite food blogs?

Arrived

2009-11-07T21:38:00.001-08:00

After reviewing the patterns I was contemplating for the Lustra, I arrived at a decision. I'm going with my original plan - Seneca.

Today, I was a little busy with taking a sick puppy to the animal hospital at 7am this morning. He's still there - should be home tomorrow - sniff, sniff.

A day spent Up North doing this....

And in between all the ups and downs of the day, I swatched for Seneca. Started with a 8 - what was I thinking. I'm a very loose knitter. Then switched to a 6 - perfection! (fun centered increase and decrease - it's the small things that make me happy!)

Now, I have to be strong and not go any further until I sew up Claudia. Unfortunately, I have no willpower. zippo. It's why I spend my life desperately trying to work off a few pounds - diets just aren't my thing. Again, it's that willpower thing.

Character flaws... I have many. What's yours?

Remembering

2009-11-06T20:36:00.000-08:00

Per Carrie K.'s suggestion, I spent some time today going through my faves and queue on Ravelry to see if I could find whatever pattern I'd originally had in mind for the Lustra. Perseverance won.

I'd originally planned on knitting Seneca by Jared Flood from the Made in Brooklyn Booklet.

I'm still pretty sure that's what I'm going to knit with it, but during the search I came up with a couple of other ideas for it too. Now, I'm dithering on which to knit.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/novak-2

Novak from Twist Collective Fall 2009

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beryl

Beryl by Bonnie Marie Burns of Chic Knits

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mondo-cable-pulli

Mondo Cable Pullover by Bonnie Marie Burns of Chic Knits

Decisions, decisions, decisions! I wish I possessed the gift of Decisiveness, I'm so flippy-floppy! What virtue do you wish you possessed and why?

Evidence

2009-11-05T21:36:00.000-08:00

Evidence that the yarn acquisitioning may have gotten a little out of control....

Around a month ago, I purchased a sweaters worth of this yarn.

It's Lustra by Berroco in Auburgine. Beautiful, eh?!

When I purchased this yarn, I had a plan. I remember making sure I had the right yardage and had Beth wind it for me to start asap. Only problem, I have NO idea what that project was for. I've searched high and low for a pattern and can't figure out why I bought it. Maybe a sign that the purchasing was getting a little out of control.

Any ideas what this yarn wants me to make it into?

Note: gauge is 4.5 sts to the inch.

More is More, or is it Less is More?

2009-11-04T20:46:00.000-08:00

I still need to get you all caught up on my October going-ons!

As mentioned yesterday, there were some acquisitions - Wollmeise in Kurbis Colorway. It's a bit darker than this in person.

Wollmeise again, in Arlene.

Claudie hat. Whipped up while on a road trip in Shepherds wool. It's a little pointy on top, but fits my big ol' head just fine. I purchased the yarn and pattern at the Blazing Needles in Salt Lake City when I was there in February and promptly set it aside until road trip knitting was required. I've overlooked this yarn before, but it's beautiful and would definitely like to knit with it again.

When Jessica was here for Knitting Camp she really encouraged me (read: strong armed me) into finishing some of those UFO's that have been hovering around. This is one. It's called Claudia, by Black Purl (it's strange that both knitted items I'm showing you today have very similar names - purely coincidence). It's knit in Organik, which is definitely not my favorite yarn - won't be knitting with it again - too splitty. It felt like the black hole of knitting projects but really didn't take that long in actual knitting time. I've just got to sew it together (this could cause major stalling for a few months if I didn't think that Jessica would hunt me down and beat me silly with alpaca). I'm a little worried about it fitting. I knew my gauge was a little off, but felt like blocking would fix it. However, I've gained a few pounds and am nervous the "Hi June" arms might not fit in the armholes. More to come....

Finally, we end with a quick glimpse of how the wrong yarn can really suck the joy out of a project. This is the Socktober Mystery sock which I started in this Trekking yarn. Yuck, it looked terrible. The color variation hid the pattern and I just wasn't having any fun. I set it aside to decide whether to plug on and see if it grew on me, but then my Bugga arrived and the naughty little skein just begged me to be the Mystery Sock. I'm a sucker to a begging bugga yarn, so cast on I did and it was Love, pure love. Too tired to take pics of those socks tonight, will get them posted soon.

Do you ever feel guilty about yarn acquisitions? Do you get caught up in the fun of snagging a wanted yarn and then fret later over whether you really need to have piles of sock yarns stashed around your house? or are you a frugal franny and only buy exactly what you need for that moment? How do you keep your yarn wants and needs balanced?

Catching up

2009-11-03T14:27:00.001-08:00

October was a truly crazy month. It involved the following:

Clusterous Migraines (I'm new to these and don't want any more- she says stamping foot)
Football injuries
Preschooler falling out of bed and cutting his head open
A car wreck (poor black beauty - I miss you - hurry home to me)
1 suspected case of Pertussis
1 case of Flu
80's Murder Mystery Halloween party
One hosting of a baby shower
Trip to Madison to see Caleb perform in the Wisconsin Mid Level State Honors Choir - it was truly amazing - professional quality
Luckily, less puppy accidents than last month
Finishing of some knitting - woo hoo - still need to seem together one sweater that for some strange reason appeared to be the black hole of sweaters
Many friends families completely hit with Swine Flu - so many meals delivered to sick families
One funeral
New addiction to Sanguine Gryphon yarn - me likey's alot!!!

It's been crazy at times but certainly not boring. Now we're heading into the Holiday season and I've got a mountain of projects I want to work on.

Blog posting was set on a back burner for a few months really, but I'm feeling motivated to post again and get back in the saddle.

I have one quick question: I was at the gym today and the trainer had me doing lots of jump-roping to warm up. Which part of "I have four kids" seemed like this was a good thing to have me do. Having given birth to four kids and jump roping definitely do not go together. What strange thing did you have to give up after having kids?

While you mull over this, enjoy some pics from this past month. Bugga in Carabus - used this for my Soctober Mystery Sock. This stuff knits up like Butter. More Sanguine Gryphon! Someone stop me. The children's college funds may be at risk!!!!

Finally, he has a name - Sir Winston Humvee the First - seriously, it took us a month to come up with this. He normally goes by Winston. He's my baby and I love him.

My outfit for the 80's Halloween Murder Mystery party. My character was Polly Abdool. Winston is in the picture for cuteness factor. Adorable, isn't he?

Here's the one showing off the Queen t-shirt I scored at TJMaxx. I'll be honest, I love this. It will not just be for the benefit of the costume party.

Black Beauty in the shop. All I got to show for it was a bump on the head, a bloody nose, a miniscule cut on my finger and a major bruise to my ego.

Okay, maybe I didn't mention the Wollmeise addiction that got under way too.

Ouch!!!! Still he felt the need to tell his mum how he loved her all the way to space and back again while we were waiting for stitches.

His stitches before they took them out. This kid is sooo brave. I love him more everyday.

Annual Halloween Video

2009-10-06T06:35:00.000-07:00

Our families Annual Halloween Video including all my babies: Caleb, Declan, Madison, Ethan and Winston the Puppy (although Sherlock is being debated as a name at the moment - think about it.... "No S*&# Sherlock!")

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Want to come over for a Block Party

2009-09-30T21:29:00.000-07:00

Marty at http://aseemlylife.com/ is having a block party. She has one just started and has extra quilters so is going to do a second block party. She still needs to fill some spots, anyone up for it? Come to the Block Party with us? If you're interested check out Marty's blog and comment that you're interested.

Lots of knitting has been taking place on my Rebecca cardigan, but it seems like a black hole of knitting for some strange reason. Maybe because I was sat there with a book in front of me every time I sat down to knit. Finished the 2nd book in the Hunger Games series and then devoured The Lost Symbol. Loved it, although I think the end was rather self indulgent on Dan Brown's part. He got a little carried away. Almost done listening to the Time Travelers Wife. I only listen when I'm on longer road trips, so it's taking a while.

Have been doing a little sewing, but am geared up to get hustling on a pile of projects that I've been prepping.

Last night I was watching my oldest son playing football against a team that their smallest player was as big as our biggest. I'm pretty sure that they've been giving the kids on that team the cow hormone, (can never remember the name B-something). They were huge and mean, and quite frankly played dirty. I've never watched a game this year with the 8th graders that had that many fouls. I'll be honest, I was expecting someone to get hurt and thought it would be bad. I actually thought it was likely to be Hubbub as he was up against the biggest guy on their team and had been doing a fairly good job, but this punk kept taking some late hits (and getting fouled for it, but that doesn't stop it from causing an injury). Luckily, he survived the game. I wandered off the field because the mama bear in me wanted to kick their coach's butt for such poor sportsmanship when one of the players came running over and told me that Dec (my 2nd son who was practicing on another field) was badly hurt.

It's amazing how fast you can run in heeled boots across a football field when the mood strikes. Dec was laid flat out with some EMS' checking out his foot. Apparently he'd heard a pop and he'd try to continue to playing. The second time it popped, he went down hard and couldn't get up. They had me take him right to the ER where it was checked out, xrayed, you know the usual good stuff. He luckily didn't break it, but had apparently bruised the tendon and had a bad sprain. They splinted it up, drugged him up and came home.

Now, I admit, I was almost excited when I awoke this morning that I would have to cancel all appointments and stay home and take care of Declan. Okay, I'll be honest, I was planning on having an excuse to stay home and sew and knit all day. Didn't work out. Around 9:30 he had his medicine as it was starting to hurt. By 10:30am, very uncharacteristically for Declan he was crying out which eventually turned to screaming and begging for the pain to stop. It completely freaked me out and Steve when he heard him. Seriously, this is not Dec's style. He was white knuckled for a few hours. The Ortho Surgeon decided he wanted to see him that afternoon as the pain wasn't letting up. They finally determined that he may have shifted his growth plate and because of all the swelling and trauma to that foot his leg was spasming and the splint was restricting him for moving his foot to ease the cramp, which ended up being a 3 hour charlie horse. Anyone who has had these remember how miserable they are. They took the splint off and gave him a boot and he's doing much better. Of course, that's after he stopped reacting to the Codeine they gave him.

So, an entire day has passed and I managed to knit 4 rows and only glance at the sewing machine. I have big hopes for tomorrow. He's supposed to be home still, but I'm trying not to jinx myself by dreaming of all that I'll get to do. Fingers crossed.

Just in case I actually get to play a little tomorrow, this is a list of some of what I'd like to work on:

1. Finish left front of Rebecca cardi and make progress on right side.
2. Sew apron for Madz
3. Sew some holiday place mats
4. Find next book to read and read a good chunk of it.
5. Bake something yummy - will need to be Gluten Free to make Dec's smile return
6. Bake something in the Crock Pot for dinner so I can play more
7. Make list of ufo's to finish by year end
8. Take pics for blog
9. Card for mum and dad's birthdays
10. Post on blog

I actually think it's a fairly manageable list if only I could get some free time. But then there is that matter of my four year old best friend who wanders around my house wanting me to play with him and the puppy who whines for me to play with him. Hmmmmmm, maybe I should revise my expectations....

So, what's on your list??

I found my new Twilight

2009-09-09T21:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, maybe it's not Twilight, but I've found a new series of books that I can't put down. It's another Teen Fiction series (like Twilight) and I started reading it yesterday while I was at the hospital waiting for them to take me in for surgery and I've had a hard time putting it down since. Don't you just love a good book that sucks you in right away. So, what is it about Teen Fiction? I loved The Book Thief and then the Twiling Series. What's next Judy Blume for the second time around... I don't think so!

Everything went well with the surgery, but will have to wait a little bit for the lab results. They gave me the drug that Michael Jackson had, Propofol as the surgery was so short. I wasn't worried at all, until they said just before they took me back "You may find yourself feeling some of the surgery or being aware of what's going on.. it will probably make you move and then we'll know to give you more of the drug." Not exactly the most encouraging words to give a patient before surgery. Don't you think???

I promise I have knitting to post later this week. This puppy thing is kicking my butt. I get to take him to the vets tomorrow for the first time. To be honest, I'm nervous. Not sure if I mentioned that I'm actually afraid of dogs and am nervous of the other dogs at the vets. Pathetic, I know!

Clarification

2009-09-07T20:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, I've heard that I was a little too vague on the last post, so here are some details.

The dog is a Male Cockapoo that turned 10 weeks on Sunday. We picked him up on Saturday. We got him from a breeder because we needed to be sure of the parentage as our reason for getting that type of dog is we have three people with dog allergies in this house. We never thought we'd be able to get a dog because of them and we are thrilled to have him. Unfortunately, Madison has been having some problems this weekend that we are still trying to determine if they are dog allergy related or something else. She was having problems with her asthma due to season allergies earlier in the week. We're all worried that if it's dog allergies then we will have to return the wee one, but we all understand and agree that as cute as he is, it's not worth risking Madison's ability to breathe. Seeing as the Cute Guy and Caleb are doing fine with the dog and they normally have pretty bad dog allergies, the doctor is not suspecting that to be her problem. The pollen count has been in red alert in our area this past weekend and that may be the problem. Say a prayer, cross your fingers, meditate postive energy our way or whatever you may do, as we love this little pup already and would hate for Madison to feel bad about our having to return the dog.

We do not have a name decided on yet. I'm not sure if that's partly our way to not get too attached to the puppy in case we have to return him, but that hasn't seemed to stop us from repeatedly telling him how much we love him and snuggling him lots too. The majority of the kids like Humvee for a name (predictable, aren't we?!) but I love the name Winston (the british part is coming out - and yes, I know he's not a british bulldog). Other names that have been thrown around are ORVie (after Off-Road Vehicle - again predictable), Churchill, Sir Licksalot and calling him Slick for short, snooker and many Austin Powers and Harry Potter characters names. I had wanted a brown cockapoo but those were all gone, and then i was going to call it Cadbury, no questions asked. oh well! Any ideas?

As for the surgery, it's just a minor surgery to remove some growths, biopsy them and do a couple of other things. The idea is that I will be home the same day. Unfortunately I have low blood pressure (about dead type low blood pressure - the kind the nurse double and triple checks when they take it) and I don't seem to wake up from anesthesia and react a little bad to the drugs, so have normally ended up staying in the hospital longer after surgery. This time the surgery is very short and I think it shouldn't be a problem. Only thing really working against me is that it's late in the day 4:30pm so that gives me less time to get feeling better before they decide to keep me in. For the record, I am not worried about this surgery or it's outcome at all. I have a good feeling about this one.

Can you see the resemblance of the puppy and my hair do when I was a teenager? (Could be worse, I could have the mall bangs my friend has in the photo)

One more reason to "Just Keep Knitting"

2009-09-06T20:04:00.000-07:00

Wow! That was one very busy summer, but full of fun. I will post about the knitting that was accomplished, but maybe later this week. Have been very busy with kids returning to school this week and getting a new puppy that Madison may or may not be having allergic reactions to. The next couple of days look equally busy with staining the deck tomorrow and surgery on Tuesday.

In the meantime, found this interesting article that gives us yet another reason (like we needed one) to keep knitting:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7896441.stm

Bugging Out

2009-08-19T21:24:00.000-07:00

Okay, this finishing up thing is starting to drive me crazy. I'm desperate to start something new and have the worst beginning case of Start-itis that wants to rear its ugly head, but I'm holding true to the faith of honorable finishing of projects. Not sure I'm liking it. I'm almost done on my second sock of Glynis, which is a nice somewhat entertaining sock, but I have about 20 projects I want to start so it's sucking the joy out Glynis.

I'm using Smooshy and its okay yarn - don't love it, don't hate it. Where has Jessica's hands are turning blue from her yarn, mine are red/pink from mine.

EB says "This is what happens if you keep denying yourself from starting a new project - your eyes bug out!"

No Apologies, No Regrets, Just Busy with Summer!

2009-08-13T22:34:00.000-07:00

I'm sure I should feel guilty about posting, but I'm really not that much. This summer has been so crazy busy. So busy that we had planned on taking a family vacation to Washington DC this August and when we gave the kids a choice of DC or going to our favorite vacation island in the U.P. (Upper Peninsula of Michigan), the kids chose a week at a cabin in the UP. We'll boat, swim (although Lake Huron is not the warmest lake), watch the sunset from the deck on the private beach, read, knit, ride ATVs, kayak, fish, and throw in some off-road exploring to Fossil Ledges and Marblehead. I'm looking forward to a nice relaxing time.

I have got some knitting done this summer (four times a week), but not as much as usual because the kids soccer games got way more interesting this year and I'm British, so soccer (although us Brits have it named correctly with Football) requires me jumping up and down, cheering, and yelling (possibly occasionally yelling at the Ref's and I may or may not have been asked to shut up or leave by a ref or two, but I'm not going on the record on that). After finding I was throwing my knitting to the floor one too many times, I stopped taking it with me.

I've been on a big finishing kick thanks to Jessica and lots of sock knitting as I was trying to make myself feel better about not going to Sock Summit and being quite jealous in the process.

Camp was so much fun and I was lucky enough to have Jess at our house a day before camp as every year she has hit terrible delays and missed the first few hours of camp or more, so this year she thought she'd be smart and beat the weather by leaving a day early. So Mother Nature laughed and invited Murphy over to prank Jess with perfect non-delaying weather this year of camp.

We seemed to forget that we were grown women at camp and acted like silly fifteen year old girls. We fell in love with these purses (there was a whole collect of them) that one lady had knit. They are stunning. Jessica and I were tempted to take off with this one while the knitter was watching show and tell.

I fell in love again with the Lloie Cardigan this year at camp, so Jess helped me pick out some yarn. First it started with me and Jess playing with the Satakelli.

We then decided to shift yarns to the Shetland. Schoolhouse had a new system this year for previewing the Shetland yarns with eight or so balls of yarn on a string... necklace maybe! Here I am trying out my colors to see if they work with my skin tone per Jess' direction.

The final selection!!!

It was a wonderful time and we met, as usual, some great knitters. Jessica had her usual camp fling - this year with Ann. But, we really missed Denise but were so excited for her to be playing with her new little baby instead. Miss you, Denise.

These are my Kai-Mei socks in yummy Sundara yarn.

Plain old garden variety socks in Plucky knitters sock yarn.

Another plain pair of socks in Chewy Spaghetti.

And the WIP, my Glynis socks from Sock Innovation in Smooshy.

While I was packing for camp I mentioned to Jessica about my insane pile of UFO's. She was having none of that and insisted that I get cracking on finishing up my many 95% finished projects. So while at camp I finished my Claudie Cardigan, kitchenered two pair of socks, and knit start to finish a Butterfly Vest. Quite a productive time. Since returning from camp I have completed another pair of socks from Sock Innovation and am 75% done with another pair. Also have been sewing together Madison's Libby Cardigan which has sat since March just needing sewing together and a neck band. Pathetic, I know! Also I've been pulling out an old project or two to work on rather than starting lots of new ones. Although that may change with today's fun package that arrived in the mail....

Twisted Stitch Knitting arrived from Schoolhouse - hot off the press! I preordered it while at camp and am so excited to play with it. I have a project or two in mind using twisted stitch, which I really enjoyed last year at camp.

I'm trying to be strong, Jessica, honest, I am!!!!

Tick Tock

2009-07-14T23:11:00.000-07:00

Seriously time flies! This summer has been insanely busy. Mum and Dad flew across the pond to visit, a couple of vacations so far, plus one long one for the Cute Guy and the two oldest. The Cute Guy unfortunately returned with Shingles and is suffering very quietly. I offered to stay and not run off to Knitting Camp (with toes, fingers, eyelashes and everything else crossed that he wouldn't accept, but I would if he needed me to - I promise). Luckily for me, he assured me that I should go and have fun. Pick Jess up at the airport tomorrow so that she doesn't have to miss the first day of camp (a chronic problem with air transportation and storms that materialize mid-July every year) and then Thursday we hit the thriving metropolis of Marshfield, Wisconsin for Knitting Camp with Meg and the gang.

I have nothing put together yet to take and still need to prep oldest boy for Scout Camp (he leaves while I'm gone). The Little Princess had four of her teeth pulled today by her daddy dentist so that she can get impressions at the Orthodontist tomorrow for braces. I have a silly amount of things to accomplish tomorrow and all I can think of is what to take to camp and can I squeeze in some time to work on a quilt and get in as much snuggle time with the munchkins as possible.

Oh well, tick tock! times flying!

Seeing as I will be kidless at camp, I think I have a better chance of actually getting some posts on here in the next few days.

But, don't count on it.

In the meantime, to quote the lovely Meg, "Knit Onwards"!

Destash Time!!!!!

2009-06-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

I'm tired of all the stuff in my house. I can't find what I want for what I have. So, a little Spring cleaning.

Handpaint Country Book - $15
Isager Highland Wool - 6 skeins - $45 incl shipping
The Best of Knitters Book - $10
Moroccan Days Kit - $50 incl shipping
Tess Petite Silk - $8 incl shipping per skein (have a total of nine different skeins - check Ravelry for my stash)
GGH Bali - 6 skeins - $25 incl shipping
Elsebeth Lavold Cotton Patine - 7 skeins (some were used for swatching) - $20 incl shipping
Interlacements Oregon Worsted Stripe - 1 skein - $7 incl shipping
Araucania Ranco - 4 skeins - $8 each incl shipping
GGH Sportino - 10 balls - $40 incl shipping
Unspun Icelandic - 3 skeins - $15 incl shipping ($5 each)
Tess Designer Superwash Merino - 1 skein - $15 incl shipping
14 skeins of jamiesons Shetland Spindrift - Col 187 Sunrise - Lot #7309 - $65 incl shipping

Knitters Magazines
Issue 84 Fall 2006; Issue 68 Fall 2002; Issue 76 Fall 2004; Issue 79 Summer 2005; Issue 75 Summer 2004; Issue 78 Spring 2005; Issue 80 Fall 2005; Issue 81 Winter 2005; Issue 69 Winter 2002; Issue 82 Spring 2006; Issue 73 winter 2003; Issue 83 Summer 2006; Issue 72 Fall 2003
Selling for $2 per magazine or $24 for the lot!!!

More will be coming.

If interested, email me at knittinbrit at charter dot net or send me a message on Ravelry - my id is knittinbrit

Feeling left out

2009-05-26T17:27:00.001-07:00

I'm trying to be a grown-up and not stamp my feet and have a tantrum that I'm not going to the Sock Summit, but I'm not sure I'm succeeding. I'm moping around, sighing, wishing that I could figure a way for it to work this year and hoping that there will be a next.

I will just have to live vicariously through Jessica who is going. Wish I was rooming with her there. Oh well, I'll just have to enjoy my time with her at camp. (I know, I really shouldn't be complaining, but still.......)

Sigh!

Grumble!

Where the heck is the chocolate? Maybe that will cheer me up.

Oooh look who's having a Giveaway/Drawing!

2009-05-25T20:59:00.000-07:00

Check out Skeins Her Way's blog, where she has some of the wonderful new yarn from Spud & Chloe that she's giving away. It's Blue Sky Alpaca's new yarn line and it looks wonderful! Hmmm, I think I'm going to have to get me some of that.

Wings

2009-05-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I spent the day (well, the majority of the day) at my friend Deb's house working on a quilt for one of the teachers at the Elementary School who is retiring. The teacher has taught three of my four children, and no matter how I beg won't stick around to teach EB in second grade in three years time (how rude of her).

She loves Red Cardinals, so we took one of the art class slots and had the kids work on drawing Cardinals with Oil Pastels. We then scanned them and printed them on Electric Quilting Companies Fabric Sheets (got the tips from Erin when she made some class quilts - thank you, Erin). We have 22 kids in the class, so to make things even, I embroidered two blocks. One with a quote and the other with the name of the quilt "You gave us wings!". On the name block we made sure to use the teacher's signature where she uses a sun for the last part of her name. I had to be a bit sneaky for that and ask her to write it down for Madison's scrapbook.

We have to get it to the quilter today, so I'm off to finish the borders, which has a cardinal print and four more of the kids birds set in the corners. It's such as easy quilt to make and has been so much fun. Will post finished pictures when I have them. In the meantime, here's a glimpse of it in progress.

Pantry Challenge

2009-05-21T06:16:00.001-07:00

Every so often I feel like the pantry is getting overloaded and out of control, so to clean it out we have "Pantry Challenge Week". Basically, I don't go to the store for anything other than the necessities such as milk, bread (although often I'll even make that and use up some of the baking goods in the pantry), and some fresh produce as needed (although I really try to use up what produce is lanquishing in the vegetable basket).

Then I dig in the pantry and freezers (we have three, but that's another story) and make our meals from what can be found. Sometimes this leads to adapting recipes to suit the ingredients we have rather than those called for in the recipe. Usually we discover some great new favorite recipes to use on a more regular basis.

So far this week our we have had the following for dinner:

Monday: Spanish Rice with Beef (this is a much meatier version of spanish rice) with salsa and corn tortillas.
Tuesday: Grilled Salmon with a Lime-Chilli Rub, butter rolls, Corn on the Cob and potatoes.
Wednesday: Sweet Asian Glazed Pork Loin Cutlet with brown rice and mixed vegetables.

I love the feature on Allrecipes.com where you can type in what ingredients you have and what you don't and find recipes to suit. I hardly ever make a recipe exactly as written and am usually playing around with different ingredients and trying to change them up a little.

We have quite a large food storage (remind me to post about that one) which helps out when faced with a recipe like Monday's that calls for Tomato Sauce and I seem to have only a pantry full of diced and stewed tomatoes and tomato paste, but no tomato sauce. I headed to our food storage and found the Tomato Powder and threw some together with some herbs from our Pasta Sauce garden (again, another thing I need to blog about). Of course, I also have to adapt the recipes to work for a Gluten Free Diet for Declan. It can get tricky, but actually makes deciding what dinner is and making it a lot less tedious and more of a game.

I'm always amazed how usually I can spend over a $150 a week at least on groceries and reduce that to $30 or less and feed a family of six for a week, and this family likes it's food.

Why not give it a try and see how you survive the Pantry Challenge?!

To Do

2009-05-18T17:51:00.000-07:00

Things to do in the crafting and reading arena this week.

1. Finish knitting neckbands for Claudie
2. Finish weaving first project on new Ashford Knitters Loom
3. Warp and start Noro Sock Yarn scarf on Loom.
4. Embroider two blocks for teachers retirement quilt
5. Finish sewing quilt top for teachers retirement quilt (top to go to quilters on Friday - argh!)
6. Cast on Seed Stitch Jacket
7. Finish reading Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton and return to library
8. Block Claudie and finish.
9. Finish Libby Sweater (has been sat 90% completed for a couple months now - pathetic)
10. Do a destash - I feel like I'm drowning in so much stash that I can't appreciate what I do have.
11. Need to decide what show and tell project will be for camp and then get moving on it
12. Embroider one block for Madison's quilt
13. Sew a new sleep eye mask for Madison - (she became hooked on these when we went to England - I'm tired of the Virgin Atlantic ones she keeps wearing and am going to make her something cuter)

I am such a dreamer, but I love lists. It's how I accomplish things. I just love the crossing off part.

What's on your to-do lists this week?

Seeking your Support

2009-05-14T05:25:00.000-07:00

Here's a message from my son, Declan : (he is such a motivated kid who really wants to make a difference. He is the Student Council President at his elementary school and is walking along with his Student Council member team mates.)

This year in my community, I have committed to participate in the Relay For Life.

I have learned that this year, hundreds of thousands of people will hear the words "You have cancer”. I know that some of those people could be people that I care about. Instead of being afraid of that, I have chosen to do something to fight back against this disease and I’m asking for your help.

Will you make a donation to my Relay For Life efforts? To donate online now, click the link below to visit my personal page.

I am walking in honor of my Grandma who is a cancer survivor and our family friend, Whiz Beck, who is currently battling cancer. They are an inspiration to me.

By making healthy lifestyle choices such as eating right, exercising and not smoking we can reduce the chances of getting cancer by as much as 50%! As someone I care about, I’m asking you to take up this challenge to fight back against cancer by making healthy lifestyle choices and supporting my fundraising efforts.

Thank you in advance for your support. Together, we will celebrate, remember, and fight back!
Eliminate it!

Click here to visit my personal page.If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09MW?px=11062115&pg=personal&fr_id=16190&fl=en_US&et=kVloIGsBpA0sozsZ9-hLFw..&s_tafId=276850

Click here to view the team page for Stettin Council CatsIf the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09MW?team_id=501427&pg=team&fr_id=16190&fl=en_US&et=PldTse0LE-X6vfZUPxiWUA..&s_tafId=276850

Picture Day

2009-04-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

Completed Sam socks in Sundara Sock Yarn in Deadly Nightshade. They are delicious to wear and the pattern was very pleasant to knit.

It's interesting how I'm more prone to make mistakes on the second sock than the first. It's probably because I get cocky and think I've memorized the 24 row pattern with multiple jogs - yeah right! The second sock took a little longer than the first due to distraction with family, weather, classes and multiple ripping back which is not the easiest to do with slick-ish yarn and multitudes of cables.

I know it's a pathetic picture. I snapped it really fast after the attempts of a certain four year to take pictures miserably failed. New hair cut, new color with new bangs. I decided that bangs were cheaper than Botox as it appears that with each child I have developed a deep furrow on my brow (four to be exact). Some appearing so deep that I've considered planting potatoes in them. Hopefully the bangs will help.

Do you recognize any of these socks? Yes, they are the ones from Cat Bordhi's book - New Pathways.

Here's a very poor picture of Cat and I with one of THE socks at a class I took with her on Saturday. Her class was wonderful. I love teachers that don't hold anything back. They love teaching and sharing all they can with their students. I have had classes with some teachers who seem very guarded that they are giving too much away. Cat is a very generous teacher and loves to empower her students to take what she has given them and improve upon it.

I would highly recommend taking a class with her if you ever get the chance.

Now, what should I knit on next? I think I have an idea of what I'd like to cast on, but I have those pesky UFO's who keep calling out to me - they're so rude. Can't they tell I'm trying to ignore them?!

Also, am strongly considering taking up weaving. Spinning just doesn't have the appeal to me, but weaving is definitely on my mind lately and I have been doing some research. I don't think going to the Leigh Yawkey Museum and seeing Chiluly's collection of Trade Blankets helped tame the weaving bug from trying to take hold. Any suggestions for starting?

Confusion

2009-04-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

Update: it's snowing! Well, snow mixed with sleet. As I was just folding some clothes and had the tv on, they just had the alert flashing on the screen that our county had a Winter Weather Advisory. But isn't it spring already????? Just to keep us thoroughly confused, it's supposed to be 70 F on Thursday.

I don't know about you, but I'm going to take this all in my stride with some nice sock knitting that needs to be finished up and shaking my head as I look confused out the window. If all else fails... start knitting.

To come tomorrow: pics (sadly a very few, I was too engrossed in the class and samples we were knitting) from Cat Bordhi's class and hopefully Sam's finale.

Mother Nature, I hear you laughing

2009-04-20T05:52:00.000-07:00

That Mother Nature has a very annoying sense of humor.

This weekend, it was 75 F. Even those of us who enjoy the winter were happily trotting around our yards. Woke up this morning and it's snowing, well trying to - it won't stick fortunately. The high should be around 45 F.

I know you think you're funny, but I think your just plain bloody cruel.

Heard at the Drive Thru

2009-04-15T20:55:00.000-07:00

Picked up the littlest guy from Preschool today and had a bundle of things to do and not enough time to do them and desperately wanted to have some play time with him rather than just ignore him and tell him Mummy was busy. So, I swung by McDonalds with the promise that we would eat it outside on the deck together and I'd push him on the swings for a while. He quickly ordered at the Drive Thru his Happy Meal (which always makes me feel rather unHappy at cheapening my food standards for him, but that's life, sometimes something has to give). I then thought maybe I'd order a salad and pretend to be healthy and following my diet (ignoring fact that had wolfed down a couple of handfuls of oreo's earlier in the morning).

In case you haven't been to McDonalds lately they have attempted to have some healthy choices and have a few salads on the menu. One of the salads was called Southwestern Salad and I wanted to know if the salad had olives on (I despise olives - no, I'm not exaggerating - I literally despise them.) so I asked at the window "Could you please tell me what exactly is in the Southwestern Salad?"

The girl responded, with a blond 90210 duh attitude of "Uhhh, I think it has salad and dressing?"

????

I thought maybe she misunderstood what I was asking (maybe my accent was a little strong at that moment, I had just finished talking to my dad and that tends to whip out the old limey accent pretty fast) so I asked again "well, obviously it has salad, but could you tell me what exactly that consists of?"

I couldn't see, but I was sure she rolled her eyes and said "well, lettuce and maybe southwestern ranch dressing?"

I gave up and told her not to strain herself with adding anything else to the order.

The smart four year in the back seat commented after we had picked up the order "Mom, that girl wasn't very smart. She was a dumb rock."

My thoughts exactly.

Good news: Managing to squeak in some time late at night to work on Sam. Should be finished with second sock tomorrow.

Bad news: Managed to drop cell phone in Target on Saturday where it was ran over, twice. Still works, if you pound it first against the steering wheel and threaten to flush it down the toilet.

Good news: Insurance on phone, meant new phone shipped promptly to me and received next day. Have cell that works again, all is right in the world.

Bad news: Some arse stole my credit card info and ordered a bunch of stuff online. Spent most of day closing accounts or putting freezes on them. I have their email information though. Wish I knew someone who could send these buggers a virus and mess with their lives.

Good news: Received some traded Sundara yarn on Monday.

Bad news: Dad suffering chest pains and seeing specialist, while his baby girl lives across the Atlantic.

Good news: Dad receiving care and doing good. Just a scare, fortunately.

Bad news: Tax Day. 'Nuff said.

Good news: class with Cat Bordhi on Friday.

This could go on forever. I tell you, a lot has been happening lately. Major Ups and Downs. I feel like I'm on a See Saw (English name for a teeter totter)

That Toe Socks!

2009-04-13T05:54:00.000-07:00

One of the Sam socks is down, now to hurry and get the other finished. I have a class on Friday with Cat Bordhi, so I want to whip out one more of her socks from the New Pathways books. To be honest, I might only get it started at best. I have a large to-do list this week so I'm not sure how much knitting will get squeezed in. That tends to make me a little grumpy, so I'm sure I'll find some time each day or ignore my to-do list so that I'm kind to my family.

Quick Question: any tips on making the last two stitches on your kitchenered toes of your socks not look strange? (i.e. loose, baggy, not lying flat, just plain annoying.) The tension is perfect on the rest of the kitchenered stitches. I'm sure there is some handy dandy technique out there for making these stitches behave. I know I can always get rid of it when weaving in my ends, but just wondering.

Therapy is Sweet

2009-04-08T20:23:00.000-07:00

We had snow last weekend. Yes, I said snow. I keep seeing pictures on other peoples blogs of flowers growing in their gardens or windowsills with their cut flowers and I'm starting to get a little jealous.

I love winter. Love living in the Northwoods. Enjoy the fact that our winter lasts at least six months. Don't mind that it usually snows in April. Well, not until recently, when I felt the need for some sunshine and brightness, some pretty flowers.

I prefer not to whine about what I don't have and make do with what I do.

Here's some sweet therapy I put together for me to drive out those common winter blues that occur in this part of the country.

Don't have flowers (or anything for that matter) growing in the garden/yard, so I headed to the store and found some bright smiley flowers. They help cheer things up around here.

I decided that the flowers were pretty in the kitchen, but could look prettier next to a pretty cake. So, I borrowed the recipe that AngryChicken had made, and whipped up (seriously, this is soooo easy of a recipe) a Almond Cake. Yum Scrumptious!

Last weekend I whipped up a quick no bake pie that has become a family favorite. I've made it three times already. A Banana Caramel Pie. I've made it a couple of different ways.

The first time I made it by melting 24 caramels with a couple of tablespoons of milk to make the Caramel layer. It turns out very nicely.

You can also make the Dulce de Leche (much better than regular caramel) by boiling a can (still in the can) of Sweetened Condensed Milk for three hours and it becomes magically Dulce de Leche. You feel rather clever doing this method and might feel the need to call your mum long distance and tell her how clever you are, but I wondered about how much money it actually cost to run the stove for three hours, and then I went for the best method....

I ran to the store and bought some Gourmet Dulce de Leche and this turned the pie from good to truly heavenly without all the work. (10 minutes tops to make it)

Recipe:

Make or buy one 9" graham cracker crust (or you can make a crust by crushing up one of those many girl scout cookie boxes you have, or in our case, gluten free cookies)

2 banana's, sliced

1 cup Caramel (you decide which kind you want to use.)

1 Vanilla Pudding Instant Pudding

1 cup milk

1 cup of thawed Cool Whip

Layer one banana on the bottom of the pie crust. Then cover the banana's with the caramel. Top caramel with the other banana slices.

Mix pudding mix with one cup of milk. When thickened, fold in the Cool Whip.

Cover the banana/caramel layers with the pudding mixture.

Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Can decorate pie with banana's and whipped cream, if desired.

The flowers on the counter wasn't quite enough flora for me, so I whipped up some quilt squares for a rag quilt with lots of flowers on.

I no longer feel gloomy and have a spring to my step, if not in the chilly Northwoods air.

We'll see how long this tides me over before the real Spring shows up.

Sam, I Am

2009-04-05T20:51:00.000-07:00

I know that I have a bazillion projects that need to be tied up, but after getting Sock Innovation by Cookie A., I just couldn't hold on any longer. So last night while the littlest guy did strange and funky things to my hair (I may possibly have a bald spot on the back now from how he was yanking that comb through) I cast on Sam in my yummy Sundara Sock Yarn.

From the past couple of posts you can tell that I've been building up quite the Sundara stash, but hadn't let myself cast on a project with it yet as I've been trying to get other things tied up. It was worth the weight. It's beautiful. The colorway is gorgeous. No funky color splash surprises that sometimes you get with hand-dyed yarn. It glides on the needles and produced a beautifully even fabric. Love it!

As for the sock pattern, I am thoroughly enjoying it. It keeps your interest, but you're still able to listen/watch TV while knitting it. I like that the pattern doesn't continue past the ankle. I usually wear my socks with boots and find patterned feet a tad uncomfortable sometimes.

I completed the ribbing and the set up rows last night. This morning when I woke up and discovered at least a couple of inches of snow outside (yes, that's Wisconsin for you - no jacket weather Saturday and then snow overnight - it is Spring isn't it?!) I curled up in a comfy spot and happily got some knitting done. Now, I have the almost the second repeat done on the leg.

I'm looking forward to trying a few of the socks from this book and also give the designing part a try to.

It was late when I took these pictures and so had a hard time getting the color to show correctly in the dim light. The color is probably closer to the dark/slightly unclear picture below, but it has more sheen to the yarn - giving it almost a silky looking texture.

2009-04-02T20:46:00.000-07:00

Back in February I had the opportunity to attend a class in Eau Claire with Elsebeth Lavold. Actually two classes. The first one was about Viking Knits, which admittedly I have knit one of her Viking Knit patterns before and love it, but come on, I was actually going to hear it from Elsebeth Lavold herself. What else would I want to do on yet another snowy, windy, cold day in the Northwoods?

The second class of the day was on Cabled Mitered Corners.

I always find it very interesting to see how a designer/artist of any kind found their "call" and what draws them to a particular part of knitting, such as Viking Cables. Her style of teaching is very brief speaking and then just get down to samples and projects, with her there to guide you. You learn a lot, because there is little initial direction. She provides you with a starting point, and then adds at little teaching moments that crop up throughout the project. She did shock a few of the people in the class when she said "here's a shape, now knit it in cables on your swatch - no need to chart it, just knit it." After a moments pause, we did.

I did preview some of her pieces for her upcoming book that looked beautiful and that I'd be interested in doing one of them. So keep your eyes peeled. The way she whips out books it should be out soon.

The day of class it was a nasty snowstorm, and we had to drive an hour and a half to get there. It was that thick slushy kind of snow that makes you wish you hadn't even bothered attempting to look presentable, because it was wasted the moment you stepped outside. As evidenced, by the picture of Elsebeth and I at the end of class. Don't we both look like we need to go and take a nap in front of a nice warm fire?!

I do wish I were more photogenic, but alas I seemed to not have that gene - I'm more of the "oh quick, they're taking a picture of me, I must look as strange as possible. I wonder how many chins I can make myself have for this picture? or Quick, do that goofy grin that cameras like you to do." Please excuse the moment of vanity. But, maybe my knitting bag should include a mirror. Remind me, when I pack for camp.

Sshhhhhh! Don't tell anyone - More Stash Enhancement

2009-03-31T20:02:00.001-07:00

Here's some more of the Sundara Yarn that I'm so lucky to have acquired. Pictures are not quite giving the right color as I only thought to take these at 10pm tonight and I can't stand bright lights, so my house is full of dimmed warm tone bulbs which tend to distort color, but make me feel happier as fluorescent lights tend to make me want to grind my teeth.

I know this looks like the Desert Sage Sock yarn from yesterday (again the lights) but its a light more golden tone. If you've seen any of the pictures of my entire main floor of my house, you'd see that this is a color I love. When you know what you love why fight it.

I don't have blue anywhere in my house, but I love it. Thought I'd try changing it up a little and go with something a little more in the purpley range.

Sundara Deadly Nightshade Sock Yarn.

Just because the sock stash was growing dramatically lately (I haven't posted even a quarter of my sock yarn on Ravelry), I thought I'd go with some Silk Lace by Sundara. I'd really like to knit a wrap with this. I'm not really into foofy lacey things. I admire them and how they're made, but wouldn't really wear them. Hasn't stopped me from knitting them before either. A wrap in a nice dark rich shade in an elegant wrap is something that I could see myself wearing.

Space Odyssey was perfect.

Now, I'm surrounded with so much gorgeous yarn (okay, I had lots of gorgeous yarn before - now I just have more of it) and haven't cast on anything new, because I'm trying to complete lots of UFO's that have been hanging around or need to hit the frog pond.

I mentioned in my post the other day about the quilt I'm busy stitching on for Madison. Here is the piece for it that I'm trying to finish up by tomorrow. I have four more of these purses to sew, before I even start the crazy quilting, piecing and then lots more stitching on top. I have a month to get this done and sent off to be quilted. Can you say P.R.E.S.S.U.R.E?!! However, I do well under deadlines; I can remain fairly focused and will get this done. I think.

Okay, so it's not Saturday

2009-03-30T19:47:00.001-07:00

I know!!!! I said I'd post pictures on Saturday and then didn't. I don't know what I was thinking. Our Saturday was spent enjoying one of the last days of Spring Break with the kids. We played a new video game with the kids (Hummer Badlands - I know, we're pathetic!) and drove out of town to take them to eat - we don't have a Chili's in Wausau and it's one of the few restaurants that has a Gluten Free menu for Declan, so Drive 30+ minutes to Stevens Point for late lunch/early dinner seems completely reasonable.

Sunday was busy with attending a friend's daughter's baptism, church and then quite honestly... lazing around watching MI-5 episodes and weaving in some ends on a scarf (unfortunately not all of them), tracing out an embroidery design for Madison's quilt that is supposed to be completed for her 8th birthday and I have oodles of stuff to do on it. I haven't even gotten to the crazy quilting and all of the embroidery on that. It was very busy earlier in the day and then our favorite kind of Sunday, just hanging out together being lazy. Well, and then there was the issue of my sneaking off every minute I could spare to read a few more pages on The Host. I'm shocked, but I've really enjoyed this book. Push through the first couple of chapters and then it takes off.

So.... pictures of some of the latest acquisitions. Here are some. More will follow on the next post (see, I'm getting very non-committal now).

First up, the second shipment for the Sundara Sweater Club. It's three skeins of lovely Fingering Silky Merino in Ember Over Flame colorway. I love this yarn. Love it. Haven't decided what it will become yet, but am still having fun fondling it and smiling affectionately at it.

Then there's two skeins of Sundara Sock yarn in Desert Sage. Sundara sent these to me after there was a little mix up with the yarn quantities that were supposed to be available and one of the skeins of yarn I had ordered was not available, so they credited me my money, including the money for the yarn of Creamy Toffee sock yarn that I had ordered and was supposed to be available for shipment. I contacted them to say that I still wanted this yarn and they were unsure as to whether or not the order had been sent. So to make sure I was happy they sent this yarn to me. The Creamy Toffee yarn did show up anyway and they wouldn't let me pay for it. Now, if this company didn't already have me hooked as a customer because of their delicious yarn, their wonderful customer service went way above and beyond and how I totally crushing on them.

Here is one of the FO's that was finally completed last month. You know it's sat around too long when you have no clue as to what the yarn is that you knit these socks with. I know I got it from Loopy Ewe and I think it was a Numma Numma yarn, but I could be wrong. Who cares, they're lovely to wear and was very nice yarn to knit with. Just your plain old garden variety sock recipe that I have lodged firmly in my brain and knit up with no actual pattern in front of me. They need blocking, but wanted to finally get them posted. Will try to determine the yarn origin.

Another FO is my scrappy scarf using lots of left over sock yarn. Admittedly this can be quite a tedious slow going project, but once you hit the half way mark, you start getting really excited to get it done. That much linen-y type stitch is enough to drive me crazy after a while. But, it was perfect knitting for watching Season 5 of MI-5. Did I mention I am pathetically hooked on this show. I watched the first four seasons for free on my laptop with my Netflix account and then couldn't wait for season 5 to show up at my door so I ran to B&N and snatched it up. Steve and the kids claim that my accent is now fully out of the box and that they can tell when I've been watching it because the Devonian accent is at his peak.

Although it sounded like I was complaining about this pattern, I must say that I will absolutely do another. I still have lots of sock yarn leftovers hanging about and the fabric this pattern produces is beautiful. A densely woven fabric, that either side is beautiful. To be honest, I think I prefer the wrong side. Of course, if you had a loom, you could probably whip this out a lot faster. Hmmm, maybe I should reconsider that loom purchase after all??!

At least it's something

2009-03-27T20:14:00.000-07:00

Just happened to look and see that it's been almost two months since I've posted. That doesn't seem write, because I know I've wrote a hundred posts in my mind - doesn't that count.

Too tired to write much today as the kids were on Spring Break this week, so I took them out of town to have some fun in Minneapolis. Last night we came home late, leaving 'The Cities' at around 10pm. The majority of them fell asleep within minutes of entering the car - one didn't even make it out of the Mall of America parking lot before crashing. I made sure that I was wide eyed on the way home with four snoozers in the car by drinking Diet Coke and listening to The Host by Stephanie Meyer on audiobook. It was a great choice, because although I had devoured the Twilight series last year, I had struggled with getting into the Host. It had sat on my bedside table for a few months now and this was the perfect way to dive in. Hooked. So, what did I do once I got home and got the munchkins into bed at 12:30pm. I laid in bed and read the book from where the tapes had ended (23.5 hours of audio - it's only 2.5 hours from the Cities to the Northwoods). Finally at 2:30am I forced myself to turn off the light and attempt to sleep. Sleep is not the easiest for me at the best of times and caffeine and the addiction to a book does not help. Still lots more to read, but I'm trying to keep focused and got a couple of things done today.

Sometime over the past couple of weeks (I don't recall when) my package from the Woolgirl Sock Club showed up. To be honest, lots of packages have been showing up at my door recently - the Sundara yarns I kept ordering and the Sundara Sweater Club yarn too showed up this week as well - will post pics tomorrow of those goodies for you to drool over.

There was so much stuff in the kit:

one skein of Zen Yarn Garden Sock Yarn.

2 patterns, one for a sock and one for a scarf

one pyramid gift box with one silver dusted and one gold dusted chocolate - eaten within seconds of opening package (yes, i have no self restraint)

A note card by one of Jen's favorite artists (involving sheep)

one magnet calendar with the shipment dates marked

a soak sample

a Mama Llama stitch marker

a Lantern Moon project bag

Container of some handmade hand cream

and a queen of knitting pen.

All nicely tied around the Cleopatra theme. Haven't cast on for the Majestic sock pattern yet included in the kit, as have been finishing some single socks that were hanging around and needed their twins knitted. I've slowly been finishing up some UFO's and it feels good, but I'm itching to start a new project.

I did start a new quilt that just's a quick little thing, I have the top done and need to put together the backing and then quilt it. It's very simple, fast quilting. Hopefully will be able to get that finished when the kids get back to school.

Intervention Needed

2009-02-05T10:19:00.000-08:00

I can admit it.

I'm out of control.

I can't stop buying Sundara yarn. Since Sunday, I have purchased three seperate orders from her with each limited batch of yarn she has been selling.

2 different sock yarns on Sunday.

1 sock yarn on Tuesday.

1 Laceweight yarn today.

Must..... Stop....Am losing control....Help requested!!!!!

Paper Packages

2009-02-02T12:03:00.000-08:00

On returning from picking up my little guy from preschool today, I discovered this wonderful package on my doorstep. Is there anyone out there who doesn't get excited when a package arrives for them? I most certainly do.

After soliciting some suggestions/advice from the blog readers, I went with my initial choice for the Seaweed Wrap from Virtual Yarns and am thrilled with the color Crotal that I selected.

Doesn't it just look mouthwatering. Yarn feels lovely. Nicely presented. Clear pattern.

No, I haven't cast on yet. Am trying to work on another project before I allow myself the opportunity play with this kit. Any bets on how long I'll last before my weak little control button flips off and I cast on? I'm not counting on holding out for long. I know my strengths and weaknesses.

Did anyone else buy a kit from Virtual Yarns? The drawing is still going on.

Need a quick chocolate fix?!

2009-02-01T16:04:00.000-08:00

What's one to do when you're watching the pregame to the Superbowl, have a house full of chips, dips, meat and all other salty football-gamish products and are craving a chocolate fix. You could make some brownies or a cake, but that's 20-plus minutes away at least. You could run to the store, but who wants to miss the game... not me. So, I turn to The Most Dangerous Cake Recipe which a friend had emailed to me and five minutes later - I'm in chocolate nirvana.

Here's the recipe for those of you who need a quick fix yourself, but beware ... once you realize how fast and easy it is to whip up a chocolate cake you might find your knitting projects not fitting you anymore around the waistline. Continue at your own risk.

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

4 tablespoons of flour

4 tablespoons of sugar

2 tablespoons of cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons of milk

3 tablespoons of vegetable oil

3 tablespoons of chocolate chips (optional, but really the cake needs them - so do you)

a small splash of vanilla extract

1 large coffe mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.

Add the egg and mix well.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.

Add the chocolate chips (if desires - but seriously who doesn't desire chocolate chips) and vanilla extract, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at high (1000 w).

The cake will rise over the top of the mug while cooking, but don't be alarmed, it won't spill over.

Allow it to cool a little and then tip out on to a plate.

Eat!

I cut mine in half and added some raspberry chocolate vanilla ice cream.

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now you know you are only ever 5 minutes away from chocolate cake - day or night.

Squeezing In

2009-01-31T17:00:00.000-08:00

Squeezing in at the last minute is Lima from Penzance. For those of you who don't know, I hate finishing - HATE it! Have no problem with happily knitting numerous projects to the point of needing finishing and then my putting it happily away until I get sick of it and get my mum to sew it together when she comes for a visit.

However, this is a new year and I'm trying new things. It's not that I can't finish things, I just don't like to. I quite happily sew away on numerous projects, but sewing finished items together is just not my idea of fun. I set myself a goal this year that I stop all this silly business of not finishing projects and make sure that at least one project a month crossed the finish lines.

Hence, our first FO of the year.

I guess you could say that she's not completely finished because I haven't blocked her, and I hear that there is quite a bit of growth that takes place with this yarn and pattern during that process, which would be very helpful considering the weight I gained over the past month eating Cream Teas (every day) in England, and then sitting next to EB in his bed while he recovered coloring and playing Thomas the Tank Engine DVD Bingo. Thank heavens that I have an appointment back at the gym on Monday, and a deadline of two weeks for my friends wedding and seven pounds to lose. I can do it. Mind over matter. That's what I did when I got down to business and announced to the family today that I would be busy sewing together this project and weaving in fifteen skeins worth of ends .... blurgh!!!!

I did also manage to bake some Gluten Free Brownies for Dec. I discovered this week Amazon Prime and I have been fully taking advantage of it. Almost every day this week a package has shown up at our door with two day shipping for Free! I also discovered the benefit to buying Declan's Gluten Free products online in bulk at multiple discounts.

So, six boxes of Cherrybrook Kitchens Gluten Free Fudge Brownies arrived on Friday. Whipped up a batch this morning and I'd show you a picture of the brownies, but they have disappeared already. In between working on his Cub Scout Pinewood Derby car, Dec appears to have had brownie fever. I'd normally not let the kids splurge on sugar like that, but this kid needs some serious fattening up and gluten free food isn't always the best, and believe me, these brownies most definitely were the best! Celiacs and non-Celiacs in our home proclaimed them some of the best they've had.

January

2009-01-29T22:07:00.000-08:00

Thanks everybody for the suggestions on the Virtual Yarns Seaweed Wrap - I ended up going with the Crotal and am anxiously awaiting the package delivery. Hopefully soon, but have plenty to keep me busy in the meantime.

My youngest son, EB, had his tonsils and adenoids out last week, so I have spent the past week playing nursemaid, and just hanging out with him. We had a blast. We colored, played games, watched movies and explored every soft food I could find. I did get some knitting done because I have trained EB well, and he would ask me to sit on his bed and watch a movie with him, and it was okay with him "if you want to knit, Momma". That's my boy!

I finished the knitting on the Lima cardigan in Mirasol and just have to sew it up. I cast on for it on the plane home from England. I purchased the yarn in Penzance, Cornwall (one of my favorite places to visit) and although the yarn wasn't from the UK (although I did get some of that - to be blogged about another time) it did remind me of the dark blue waters surrounding the Cornish Peninsula at Lands End.

I'm planning on this being my January sweater for NaKniSweMo, so I've got to get cracking tomorrow and finish the seaming. urgh! I hate that part - but strange seeing as I like to sew other things.

Have also been working on a blanket for Little Princess in Cascade in the Soft Waves pattern from Jan Eaton's book 200 Ripple Stitch patterns. It reminds me of Pansies and fun bright flowerbeds, which we often need reminding of in Wisconsin when our ground is covered with snow for more than six months a year. Not that I'm complaining, I love our cold snowy winters. Bring 'em on! Twisted, aren't I?! Anyway, the blanket has a goal of the end of March, maybe sooner - we'll see how distracted I get.

I also received my yarn from the Sundara Sweater Collection subscription. It's Aran Silky Merino in Green Tea. I love it. Love the color. Love the yarn. Now, what to knit??? Am leaning towards Liesel, and then I should even have some left over for some other fun projects. Need to decide fast as it is going to be my February project.

Am also trying to finish up other projects that have been hanging around from last year (okay, let's be honest, and the year before). This is the year for finishing projects and you can quote me on that!

Opinions and Enablers Needed

2009-01-17T20:26:00.001-08:00

(Me on the London Eye admiring the sites.)

Am back from the land of Limey's. Had a wonderful visit with Mum and Dad, family and friends. I have been updating our family blog with lots of pics and stories, but still need to get some updates on the trip on here.

Will try to get moving on that over the next couple of days ... until then, here's a pic of the family at the Tower of London with Tower Bridge in the background.

Okay, now this is where I need your help.

Am trying to decide on what color yarn to pick for the Virtual Yarns Seaweed Wrap. Really liking Crotal, Summertide, Spindrift and Solan Goose. Had not planned on purchasing this kit this month, but the wonderful enabler, CarrieK, made me do it. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it. So, help me guys. Let's get a vote on what color you like best (for me).

While you're at it, you might want to check out the drawing yourself and treat yourself to a kit.

'Tis the Season ...

2008-12-22T09:41:00.001-08:00

....to be completely swamped with too much to do.

I have been running around like crazy trying to attend all the kids plays, concerts, Nutcracker ballet spotlights, basketball games, work parties, recitals and all the other extracurriculur activities that pop up at this time Not to mention getting ready for Christmas and family vacation to England, plus preparing for son #1's 13th birthday (Ahhhh! a teenager is about to be on the premises). Of course, being a crafter/knitter I felt the need to add to my workload by pulling off some quilts and other crafted gift items. But I love this time of year, I'm a happier person for the busy, yet cheery schedule.

I mean what's not to love about watching your daughter perform for the first time in the Nutcracker Ballet as a Angel. Priceless!

Son #2 score his first 2-pointer at his basketball game. Priceless!

Son #1 directs his first school play. Priceless!

Son #3 is in his first Christmas Program at Preschool and waves the entire 20 minutes to his mum and blows her kisses throughout. Priceless!

But I do have some catching up to do on the blog:

First, if you recall my last post was about my frustration with trying to get my hands on some Wolmeisse. I didn't post with the intention of someone saying "oh, you want some Wolmeisse? well, here you go have some of mine." But that's exactly what happened. Tonia, whom I have never met but who reads my blog, decided to send me some Wolmeisse. She wouldn't let me pay for it. Said she was "paying it forward". Well, if that's the case, I think she paid forward enough for an awful lot of good in her life. I opened my mail the week after I posted, to discover a package with not only a beautiful skein of Wolmeisse, but four other sock yarns to play with. She thought I'd "like a sampler". Her generosity overwhems me. The Cute Guy was amazed, and kept saying "so, you don't even know her and she sent you that?!" Of course, I am aware of the generosity of knitters and know how we take care of our own. But still, I was a little gobsmacked at beautiful the yarn was.

Aren't they absolutely beautiful. They will be perfect knitting for on the plane and travelling in the uk.

I've also been whipping out Son #1's quilt, then promptly stalled. The top is now done, although in the picture below doesn't have a border on and still needs the two main halves sewn together, but will wait until I return to be tied (I decided the flannel would look really nice tied rather than quilted) and the binding added. I should be able to get that done when I return for him and the quilts finished for the other three kids.

I'm not sure if I'll get a post in before I leave, so for now I'll leave you with wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year.

Okay, Now I'm started to get annoyed!

2008-12-01T13:16:00.000-08:00

I've been hearing about Wollmeise sock yarn for the past year or more.

I've been desperately trying to find some Wollmeise sock yarn for the past year or more.

I've searched Loopy Ewe at all the weird times of the day hoping that I would catch them when they had a shipment, that usually disappears in five minutes.... no luck.

I've checked the Wollmeise website religiously on all the days she says that she is going to update the in stock store, plus many days that she hasn't planned on updating....no luck.

I've checked peoples stash on Ravelry to see if anyone is interested in selling their yarns, but have discovered only knitters who wish to swap for a different colorway....no luck.

I guess I could break down and pay some crazy prizes on ebay, but to be honest, I'm starting to get more than a little frustrated at how hard it is to find this. I've been a little put off by the owner of the Wollmeise who is annoyed that you ask if she'll ever have any yarn in stock on her website again. I'm starting to think that this is some big conspiracy, that is yarn really isn't THAT special, that you're all a bunch of followers and crazemongers.

Truth is.. I want to be a Wollmeise groupie myself. I don't care if I'm being a follower. Yet, still am annoyed at those who purchase the yarn only to mark it up 100% for pure $$$ reasons. I guess that's perogative, but I don't like it. I admit to getting a little tired of the search and am thinking of snubbing Wollmeise and turning my back to the yarn forever, but I'm not sure I have the backbone.

Tell me, is it really as nice as they say? does it glide through your fingers? does it make you salivate? Wait, don't tell, I don't think I really want to know. It would only add to the frustration.

I'm starting to get a little annoyed though..!!!!!