Instead of Handing Out Candy

Years ago, we used to get a few trick or treaters. But, as our street got darker (less people who were actually home), we have not gotten any (not even friends or family). So, I don't even bother turning on the lights outside. Instead, I'll light my halloween candles and pumpkin, turn on my lighted pumpkins my mom gave me, drink some flavored coffee and knit!

The tall guy goes to the basement and I enjoy a nice night.

Cool Stamps Knitted Stamps

I hope my local post office/Kroger Store carries these. Yes, they can be ordered from the US Postal Service, but there is a shipping charge. And with the cost already being 41 cents, I am too cheap to order them.

They are machine knit designs, but they would be oh so cute on my Christmas cards that feature a knitted stocking! Are we really talking Christmas cards, when the leaves are still green? But, of course, we are knitters, we are always talking Christmas!

My Birthday Present To Me

In just two short weeks, I'll turn 50. I am okay with that. I can't believe it though, I sure don't feel like it. But, anyway, as a birthday present to me I am going to order one of the kits below for Mermaid Jacket by Hanne Falkenberg kit. I am leaning towarad the one one the left as I think I will be able to wear it with dress pants as well as blue jeans. What do you all think? Leave a comment.




While searching for the kits I ran across this website. There is a knit along out there! Great. Once I get my kit, I am going to join. When I have some time, I am going to go and read the posts. Could be a good alternative for the t.v. tonight.


http://hannealong.blogspot.com/

Things I Discovered Early In The Morning

Last night after Radical Knitters' Knit Night, I came home intent on emptying my bags and doing just a little knitting. Throw my bags in the corner, turned on my electric throw (it is not putting out as much heat) and promptly fell asleep. There is where I woke up this morning around 4:15, still fully clothed. So, I get up,might just as well. I figure I can empty my bags, get into my pjs and act like I slept in the bed all night.

Decided to make some coffee and check my email and a couple of websites. I'll be damned if Meg isn't doing a KAL on a Christmas Stocking! What fun, and I need one for the fiance (who is a knitter) and will appreciate it! So off to Schoolhouse Press website I go to get the specifics. I might just have yarn for it. I'll have to check downstairs when everyone else is up. More about that tomorrow or Sunday.http://www.schoolhousepress.com/knittinginprogress.htm

While at the Schoolhouse Press website, I discover the colors I want for my Perlina in Ultra Alpaca, but wait, I see all the colors I wouldn't mind doing it out of Unspun Icelandic. All of that will have to wait until this weekend, but I see an order coming.

Finally, as I am about to log out of the website --I find a correction spot. Readers who knit with Meg or EZ might want to check it out.
http://www.schoolhousepress.com/corrects.htm

Now, off to shower, oops too late someone beat me! I guess I'll go empty those bags now.

I'm Over It

The need to start something new! After sitting down and looking at my new book, I decided to start back on three of the things I have been knitting. A couple of them require me sitting and figuring out where I last left off on them.

So, I pulled out the Adult Babies and Bears Jacket and finished the other half last night and this morning. I feel better about it. I had to use a totally different dye lot on the last couple of rows of the tweed part and it matches pretty good. At the moment, I can't even tell the difference. It is what I am going to use on the kitchener stich of the two together and to do the trim and buttonholes.

I hope to get this accomplished this weekend. And it sounds like it will be a good weekend to stay in and do some knitting. I might have to make a trip out for buttons though, don't think I have any, but I might have to check my button stash and see for sure.

Next project - the baby sweater!

A Cup of Coffee and A Good Book


Look what came in today's mail! After dinner tonight, I am going to sit in my chair, cover up (it's cold in here)drink some coffee and look at my new book. And dream. But, I won't immediately cast on! Cause this is going to take some practice. Sounds like a good New Year's project to me.

I can hardly wait. Maybe by Meg's Camp next year, I'll be ready for it. Maybe, she'll do a mini lesson on it.

Don't cha just love new books? Especially knitting ones. And they don't count on the yarn diet either!!!

Oh The Places You Will Go

It's no secret that I read blogs. And that they get me into trouble! I have come to the conclusion that blogs and email lists are what get me into all the WIPS. I'm happy to knit on what I have on my list and then bam. I read an email and it sends me to the garbage downstairs where, I pull out a bag of leftover sock yarn that I had resigned myself to never knitting. Good thing I wrapped it ever so carefully in a bag (quick retrieval with no lint from the dryer).

You see, I am on a email list that is knitting their way through EZ's Almanac. I started in July with the Pi Shawl ( I actually have one on the needles), made a tree ornament from August (didn't sew it up) and ever since just been lurking on the email list. Now, someone starts up a thought of the November project and of course, I pull out the book and think about it. Ah ha! The leftover sock yarn comes out. I'm ready to cast on! See another, WIP in the making.

Then, I also am on a email list of Knit Campers. And the discussion starts on the Unspun Icelandic. Ah ha! I have a couple of wheels of it. Wouldn't the coat Meg work wonderfully up in it? See what I mean!

So, now I think I have come up with the cause, what is the cure?

There Are So Many

Things I want to start, but in my quest for less on the needles, today, I am working on the Babies and Bears Sweater for my boss' son's new baby tht is due in around 4 weeks.


It is just plain white, since they did not want to know the sex of the baby ahead of time. Kind of boring and the sooner I get it out of the way then I can make way for the other WIPS.

I am going to spend a little time putting some of the other WIPS into Ravelry today too.

These weekends are WaYYYYYYY to short! And as the Tall Guy said this is probably the last of the nice and warm ones too. Sweaters and Sweatshirts soon.

UFOS and WIPS

How did I get so many? Yes, at last count I had over 30 on needles. Do you know what that means? I have more than 30 sets of needles. I have yarn for all those projects!

How does that happen? Well, first, I go to a yarn shop. I can't resist....however, since July at Knit Camp I have resisted, only buying some sock yarn (solids) and a holiday gift one. Back to how this happens?

I read blogs. I can't resist starting something someone has shown. A new magazine comes out, I have the perfect yarn and have to cast on. I come to a point in a project and it requires me shutting off the t.v and not talking. That rarely happens, so it sits there for a time when it will be quiet. The Radicals decide to go to Knit 4 Together for knitting and I feel uncomfortable knitting on a project that I did not purchase the yarn there for. So, I pull out some yarn I bought from them and start a new project. The project that I have been knitting on becomes so big that it is difficult to take to work and knit on at lunch, so I start a new smaller one. I decide that someone "just has to have" one of my knits for a present and I cast on!

Thats kind of what happens and how UFOS or WIPS happen with me. Kind of like eating when I am not hungry. If I could just control both of these, I'd be a lot thinner and have alot more money. Neither are gonna happen. It is what it is. And the nice thing is I am not alone. Just really honest!

I'm In!

I got my invite to Ravelry today. And I set up my profile. I'm pennyj, cause pjknits was already taken. That's all I got set up for today. Time for bed. There is a whole weekend ahead of me to work on it.

Thank God For Socks!

And it is a certainly good thing, that I have a pair in my car in progress. Or else, I would have been sitting at Knit Nite tonight without anything to knit on.

The day started out crazy. I got my knitting bag ready and sat it on the couch. I thought that was a bad idea, but I thought, no, there is no way I'll forget it!

I was running behind for work. I couldn't find my glasses. Downstairs, Upstairs, back downstairs, back upstairs, there they were on the table.

Then I couldn't find my keys. I looked in all the suspect places. I was starting to place the blame on the tall guy. Maybe he had them? So, I take my purse and my work bag out and think I'll check the car. There they were, right where I left them last night.

Off I go down the road, past the cemetery and the river. It hits me, the knitting bag is still sitting on the couch, right where I left it.

But, I had my trusty socks, thank god! Another crisis averted.

I'm Impressed



Last night, one of our local stations ran a story on an 89 year old lady who knits. Not unusual, but, she is blind. She has been since 18. Simply amazing. She has a care giver who comes in and translates the patterns to braile and makes sure her knitting looks as it should.
http://www.week.com/news/local/10577636.html

Now, I have to admit, when I am going round and round in my knitting, I sometimes, close my eyes. Why? I want to make sure that I could in the dark, if need be, or also, what would happen if my eye sight would go, could I still enjoy my knitting? I can. How intricate could I do? Not so sure.

Her story is just amazing. Simply amazing. And I'm Impressed, as was one of my sons. Simply put - amazing.

I'm A Little Dissappointed

In the Holiday Issue of Vogue Knitting. There just wasn't anything that jumped out and said knit me. Sure, there were these two that I might someday, when I really, get good at two color knitting, but nothing that immediately makes me want to go out and buy yarn.


And thats what I want a new issue of a knitting magazine to do to me. Okay, sure someone will come along on a blog real soon, and knit something and I'll say me too, but for now,

I'll read Meg's article. After all, that's really why I buy the magazine.

Did They Create This Ad Just For Me?

I think they must have. There was not a whole lot in the new Holiday Vogue Knitting that I liked, but, this ad for yarns from Knit Picks caught my Caribe Blue eye. And in the Holiday issue to boot. Do you think they know that I'm going to Jamaica in February?

What can I say, I'm a Caribe Blue kind of person.

I'm adding four inches to my Cobblestone Pullover. When I tried it on with the sleeves and 1/2 the yoke, it hit right across the belly. I am also giving thought to ripping back the sleeves alittle and adding a couple of more increases. I could use just a tad bit more room in the sleeve to accomodate the pelican arms.

It Didn't Rain, I Didn't Buy Yarn and I Didn't Complete My List

And I didn't knit much until last night. After running out to the store and stopping by my mom's, I came home and sat in the chair and took a nap.

Then, last night, I cozied up to the computer and watched online the last two Grey's Anatomies that I missed and knitted on Cobblestone. I am having a heck of a time with the short rows again. I always get a hole on one of them. I thought I was over it after camp, but it seems that it is back.

So, after looking at it late last night, I decided to rip back the yoke. When it was off the needles, I tried it on. The body is too short, so I am going to add another 4 inches to it, and then back to the yoke again and short rows. Before then, I'll peruse all of the resources and see what I am doing wrong!

In the meantime, I ready to cast on for a different project! I have startitist!

I'm Sorry, I Want It To Rain

Why? Because it will keep me in side today, picking up, doing laundry, going through some fall clothes, wading through some lia sophia business that I have too long neglected and knitting on things I should be knitting on. And not going to Knit 4 Together in Dunlap!



I have a couple of sweaters on needles that I want to finish before embarking on another shopping expedition. And I want to start this from some Apple Green Galway I once again ran across when I was weeding out some yarn for Norma. (Is that a run on sentence or what? Oy, the high school English teacher would say, I didn't learn a thing!)

But, it's my blog and I can talk how I want--shades of something Elizabeth Zimmerman once said in a video about one of her books.

Rain, let it rain!

My Favorite Blogs

One of these days, I'll sit down and put all my daily blog reading on the side bar, but until then, you can google any of these and take a read. These are ones that I read almost everyday.

Why? Mainly, because they are proliferic (sp) knitters and I like what they do. Secondly, they have really good hints. Check them out.

Tommorrow, an update on the Cobblestone. Radical Knitters, Norma and Karen helped decide how long to make the sleeves and body last night! I'm on the yoke finally.

The Rainey Sisters
Brooklyn Tweed
Wendy Knits
Yarn Harlot
The Panopticon
Earthtones Girl
Zimmermania
Black Dog

Hauling Out The Sweaters

Well, I got my wish. Summer is gone. Fall is here. It is chilly this morning and it is time to haul out the sweaters for work.

And it is really time to finish some winter ones, because you know it will come, it is just a matter of time.

Two Balls Per Sleeve

It took almost two balls for the first sleeve. So, I can deduce that it will take two balls for the other sleeve I am currently knitting on. And I think I have two whole balls left in addition to the small amounts left over from each of the sleeves.

Should I be worried? Yes, but I am not in a panic yet....I am just merrily knitting along. Going on blind faith that I will have enough for the yoke. I hope to get this second sleeve done tonight or at least close to it. I am taking it with me while I get a pedicure after work. Prime knitting time!

This Is It

I think I am going to have to put my summer bag away. The weather people tell me it is going to be finally fall. Not that I am rushing cool weather, but I sure do like wearing the sweaters I have knitted.

And I really like it when my Cilco bill comes and I don't have to give them as big a chunk of the yarn money!

Knitting Is Out There


I just love it, when you open a magazine or watch a commercial and there is knitting involved. In the last few weeks, I have seen several commercials for various products and it shows someone knitting. Of course, most of the products have been to help your hands because you are knitting or unable to knit, but at least it is out there.


Here is a page from the latest Shape magazine, cables and clearly these are knit. I love it, knitting every where, this is our season it appears again. And in a magazine devoted to getting in shape!

Then Old Navy, is sporting their Fair Isle collection of sweaters on young women. I just love seeing it the media. Then yesterday, on our trip up North, I was looking through my niece's Glamour magazine; there were some sweaters being featured and there was in lime green. Both my niece and I both remarked on how we liked it. She for the look, me for the possibilities of reproducing it. She, smart one that she is, thought it looked a little difficult to do. I conceded, but there for a moment we had a knitting conversation about how long it takes me a sweater. Maybe, the next time we can discuss her learning to knit...hmm possibilities.

Knitting is everywhere! Knit On!

Three Hour Tour

Just how far can I get on my Cobblestone on three hours up and back to the birthday party? No, I'm not taking all of the yarn for it, but I have started the sleeve before I am finished with the body.

The body length right now is dependent upon how much it takes for the sleeves. You see, what I have here, is what I have in the yarn, and I am kind of sort of sweating it on if I will have enough for it all.

And I realized with all of the needles I have, I don't (haver read as can't find) my size 8 double points, so I am making do with the 7's which will eat up more yarn until I can put it on the circulars. At the moment, I am knitting furiously to see what the gauge will be on the 7s to see if I might need to go to the 9's before I leave.

Note on the sleeves cast on, it calls for 52 stitches which I cast on and the cuff was just huge (10 inches around), so I re cast on with 40 and will have to increase those extra 12 stitches pretty soon.


Updates tomorrow on how everything goes with the Cobblestone, I love to get a big chunk of the sleeves done today. Guess I'll throw in another ball just in case.

Happy 1st Birthday!


Today is our great-nephew's first birthday. Tomorrow, we are going to celebrate with him and family up north. The good thing, three hours up and three hours back all designated to knitting. I don't have to drive! Who would ever think BK (before knitting) that I'd say a three hour tour was good?


I hope to have the other half of the Adult Babies and Bears Sweater done tonight. And will be knitting on the Cobblestone sweater on the way up. Sunday, it will be back to the Adult Babies and Bears for the sewing up of the back and putting the buttonholes and band on.

At least that's the plan.

Hi Carol!

My fans want me to blog everyday. They actually enjoy reading it!

I have a couple of blogs that I enjoy reading and I check them everyday. When they don't blog, I miss it. And I wonder what is up with them, when they don't.

But who would ever think that someone would actually want to read mine.

I have nothing to show for now. I am merrily knitting on the second half of the Adult Babies and Bears Sweater and wishing it was done. I like it, but am ready for it to be done and sewn together. Hopefully, by the weekend, I can sew it together, block it and be ready to wear it by the time the real Fall Weather gets here and stays.