Friday, May 30, 2008

And You Thought I Was Gone!

Which means that the Blog would not have any more pre-wedding discussion. Well, that is partially true.

Yesterday was a busy day at work with the Retirement Party pre and post set up and clean up. But, I still managed to get over to Morton to pick up some yarn they had ordered for me. But, I'll blog about that next week. I promise, after the wrap up post on the wedding next week, it will be back to knitting content. I have alot of I am keeping for posts.

A co-worker who happens to be leaving today for other employment, wished me well yesterday and told me to go home last night and get all those little things done, like last minute laundry and packing and she said "no knitting". Huh, she just does not understand does she?

This morning I just have to finish packing which will include my knitting....after all it is about an hour and half away....The tall guy is making me breakfast AND I am still trying to figure what clothes to take for the rehearsal tonight (black pants with something- I have several options) and Sunday brunch at the Inn.

Have a good weekend all, I'll blog when we get back.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

There Is No Time

This is the start of a busy day which will just keep on snowballing. Originally, I was going to take today off too. But, a good friend is retiring today and I am one of several doing a retirement party for her and one other at work. That and Baby Boy A has to be in Springfield for dance lessons at 11 am, so there is really no need for mom to stay home and help him pack.

Suffice it to say, he did not get all of his packing done here, so next week after we return will be a week of shuffling through all of the leftovers and getting it packed up.

So, until, we return from the wedding, there is just not time to blog, hardly enough time to knit, so I'll return next week with a wedding report for all.

I know you will be glad to hear the end of it and onto Knit Camp.....40 some days away.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

What Is Going On?

Should I get the sweaters back out? I actually had to turn the heat on last night, I just could not get warm....and here I was running around with my sandals on last night after my pedicure.

46.6 °F / 8.1 °C
Mostly Cloudy

Monday, May 26, 2008

It Was A Good Day of Knitting

I accomplished what I wanted to.
I wanted to get my Wool Peddler's Shawl to the lace portion of the pattern, which I did. Now, it is going back to time out, because it became evident to me that it is going to require my attention when knitting it. And there are other things that I want to do before camp gets here.
My other project for yesterday was to get my New Zealand Sweater past the garter hem and one skein of the black yarn used up.

This is going to be what I will take with to knit on next weekend in between the wedding activities.

Today, the NCIS Marathon is on so in between laundry, I'll sit and do a little knitting or rather tearing out of the Round the Bend Jacket.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

It's Going To Be A Great Knitting Day

If the rain holds out for Indianapolis, I will sit in my favorite chair and knit while watching the race. I'm not really rooting for anyone specific this year, but I love to watch the race, and it is a good time to knit for me.


And then, mid afternoon, the Cardinals are playing and so I'll have another couple of good hours of t.v. and knitting time.

I have a movie for tonight to watch. So, I guess, basically, I am going to be nice and lazy today. The calm before a full week of pre-wedding/retirement party activities. Unfortunately, it is not me who is retiring!

Saturday, May 24, 2008


This Is Funny!

And oh so typical....I am going 2 hours away for Baby Boy A's fiancee's medical school graduation. I don't have to drive. The tall guy is. And I have three projects in my knitting bag to work on! And of course, my socks that are always in the back seat.

Think I have enough for a four hour tour?

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

My Fairy Yarn Mother

I have my own personal shopper. Isn't that nice?! My friend and fellow radical knitter, Norma shops for me if I need it. See, she is retired and I still have to work. So, when I had an epiphany on Sunday (after I had been to the yarn shop on Saturday) that a set of Denise Needles would be a great gift for a medical student who is graduating on Saturday and who knits and who just happens to be almost my daughter-in-law. And after I realized that I have absolutely no time to go and get them, unless I didn't (not a chance) go to dinner before knitting on Thursday.

So, I emailed my FYM and she said she would shop for me. So, I thought yarn for a scarf would be nice to include in the bag. Only problem is.....I'm not sure I am giving both of them to her....I kind of like the one on the right, just don't don't know what for.

Thanks Norma!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

You Can Run But You Can't Hide

Or otherwise, Linda, when you don't call your friends and tell them that you are going to the yarn shop, you will be discovered! You thought you would just slip in and out and no one would be the wiser, huh? Well, I caught ya or did you catch me?

What is worse, being discovered with an arm full of yarn or having a "friend" who has a blog that you just know is going to have to spill it for you? Sorry Linda, but I just had to.....I still smile and chuckle when I think about it.

Imagine my surprise when I looked up yesterday while I was over in Morton picking up a set of Denise needles for a gift and there was Linda heading right for me. What a hoot.
Lucky for me Ewe-nique Yarns only had the pattern and not the yarn for this cool vest. But, Debbie told me they had just ordered some and it should be in a week or so. Double lucky for me that I am pretty well tied up the next 3 - 4 weekends so I won't be able to go yarn shopping for it!

I was on a mission before I stumbled upon Linda, but, I couldn't miss checking out a little side to side baby sweater they had displayed out my favorite colors...so I had to pick it up the yarn and buttons, heh, it was only one skein!!!!

What a beautiful day yesterday was and today looks to be just as good! Without the yarn shopping excursion....

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Good News

Baby Boy A found out yesterday that he will be transferred to Forest City Arkansas. It is about 45 minutes from Memphis where they will be living, BUT he will keep all of his benefits that he now has AND most of all will maybe only have to spend a week here tops working before he has to report.

Good news for them, good news for me and my yarn room!

Two weeks til Wedding!!!! Where did the time go?

Friday, May 16, 2008

Places You Should Go

Besides my blog of course. But, below are some of my favorites for internet surfing for knitting. They always inspire me and I learn oh so much. And then there are times they just plain get me in trouble....

http://techknitting.blogspot.com/

http://theraineysisters.com/

http://fibernating.blogspot.com/

http://zimmermaniacs.blogspot.com/

http://knitaddict.pahdoco.com/

http://www.sailingknitter.blogspot.com/

http://www.stashandburn.com/

http://www.ravelry.com

Thursday, May 15, 2008

#29

No, not #29 in the project list! It is pattern #29 in the booklet. This little tank will not be a quick knit that is for sure. It uses slip stitches every two rows and they are slipped either with the yarn in front or in back which is a little time consuming.

I probably should have used yellow as the blips because it would go with a jacket I have, but I just kind of thought the green was a nice accent.

Yarn and pattern is one of those that I bought last Saturday over at Ewe-nique Yarns in Morton. Wow, is all I can say about there new store. Loads of room to wander the yarn bins. Go stop by if you are in the vicinity and tell them that Penny sent you!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Sunrise

I thought I would start off the next few blog posts with my mounting number of WIPS. And what better to start off with then the Sunrise Circle Jacket. I like it! I just hope it fits. My gauge is on. The measurements are on. But, when laid out it sure looks narrow. But, again the pattern says fitted and that is what I am going for.

The jacket is being knitted out of Cascade 220 Handpaint. The perfect colors for denim. It seems I am going on that track lately....trying to find sweaters that go with Friday casual day and are comfy too.

Even though tomorrow's entry is not specifically geared for denim, it did catch my regular color combos....Caribe Blue and Lime.

Monday, May 12, 2008

And You Thought I Was Done

With the wedding shopping, huh? Got the dress, got the jewelry, picked the shoes?
So, now I'm wearing funky sox and trying to stretch the shoes out a bit.

Went on a purse shopping excursion and bought one in silver and one in gold.



Surprisingly enough the silver goes with the shoes. The two blend and it definitely goes with the jewelry. The gold I am keeping for fun!

Tomorrow - Friends don't let Friends shop in yarn stores together!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Happy Mother's Day

Realistcally, this will probably be the last Mother's Day for about three to five years that the boys will pose for a picture like this with me. It's kind of sad as I sit here tonight thinking how we have had 25 Mother's Days together. But enough of that! Look what they surprised me with. Who would a thunk it?


I love it. I have bitched and moaned enough about our old sweeper, that the boys bought me a new one for Mother's Day. And does this think pick up?! It just amazes me how much dust is in the carpet in so small of an area!

What a great day it was today! Even though it is cool and quite rainy at times, it has been a great Mother's Day.

Now, I am off to sit and do some knitting and watch a movie or two.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

I Gotta New Book

I love it! I want to make almost everything in it! This is NOT good. Especially since I am off to Morton in about an hour. This could be serious.

I think I have an illness!

There is no hope. Aren't my LYSes glad?

Friday, May 09, 2008

Venting

They have lost three in a row. And to the Brewers who have lost 6 straight! Izzy has blown 5 straight saves. Come on guys, what are you trying to do to me?



The Cub fans at work and the Cardinal fans have a contest. Which ever team finishes the lowest in the standings at the end of the regular season has to wear the opposing teams shirts all day long!

I know it is early, but we gotta start winning some games! It plays havoc with my stitch tension when they lose a game!

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Look What I Found

It amazes me to go through a tub and find a long lost WIP. I can hardly wait to move into the Yarn Room later this Summer. Just imagine the finds!

Probably during my first or second time at camp, I picked up this gray Alpaca from Joslyn's. I did not know what I was going to do with it, but LOVED the feel of it. I can remember one summer in route to St Louis for a CARDINAL game, knitting on it in the car.

From Folk Shawls, it is the Wool Peddler's Shawl. For now, it is a really idiot knitting piece, so I can take it with me to knit night and work on it. And if I get it done in time for Camp, it will add some warmth to a sometimes cool room.

Wonder what else is buried in a tub?

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

I'm Torn


While searching for an old WIP, I found this yarn. Ah ha, I said, it would be perfect for a Baby Surprise Jacket.

Then, I found this in progress. I vaguely remember it, but who I was I knitting it for? It doesn't really matter because whomever it was for is probably at least in high school by now.
For a moment, I gave thought to continuing to knit on it and give it to my friend at work who researched my mythical beast for me. She has granddaughters that could probably wear it. And Gail is the recepient of several old sweaters that I have knit and cast off to her. She wears them so proudly and it makes me feel good.

But, then, wouldn't this be so cute in a Baby Surprise? I have never actually knit a whole one and this would be a good start. I see another project started in my future, but....I would also elimnating a WIP so it really is just an exchange. Right!?

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

This Is All You Get

I bought the yarn for my Mythical Beast Contest entry. With a little help from my lunch buddies, I think I have an idea. Now, all I have to do is put it to needles. That could be the hardest part.

Stay tuned!

Monday, May 05, 2008

Kiri

I knew when I saw the yarn that I wanted to do something form it. I knew that I had a pattern that called for it at home. So, I bought one ball (I'm doing alot of this right now). I brought it home and searched Ravelry. Sure enough, I had the pattern and this is the yarn it is done in down to the color I believe.

I'm having fun with it. Even though it is suppose to be a eacy lace pattern, it requires me to shut the t.v. off and kind of concentrate on it. The yarn is Rowan Kid Silk Haze and I love it. Did I say that already?

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Yarn Shopping

It's time again! To go out and do a little yarn shopping. It's going to rain today, and what better way to spend a few hours. Well, yes, I could stay in and knit, but there have been a couple of things on my mind that I want to check out. And I have discovered that if I do not act on them, I won't be with a darn in my knitting.

First, I am heading out to Knit 4 Together to check out some patterns for a first sweater. Not necesssarily for me, but there has been that thought percolating for sometime that I want to see about.

Then, over to Ewe-nique Yarn, because my lunch buddies turned me onto a possibility for the Mythical Beast Contest and I want to see if the yarn that I am thinking of can be found there. Gail, one of the library research staff, searched for some details for me and the rest of the table helped me come up with some possibilities to add to it. And then the tall guy gave me yet another idea on how to incorporate it. I nixed his idea, but came up with an alternative.

Then, I came home and googled it. Low and behold someone has sort of came up with the idea in the form of a pattern several years ago. Who would have thunk that was possible? But, that is not making me stop.....I think I might give it a whirl, if not just for fun!