The WIPS Are At 32

Or is it 33? With the completion of the Tomten, they were at 32. But then I cast on the Baby's Surprise Jacket and they were at 33. But, I had taken the Cutaway Jacket off of the needles, that made them at 32. But the Cutaway Jacket is not complete ( I have to RIP back a bit.) So, I guess it makes the WIPS upstairs at 33, but on the needles at 32.

This is for my great nephew in Chicago. I am hoping he will be able to wear it this year a couple of times yet, and then still be able to wear it in the Fall. It is sitting out in the sun drying today.

It is such a gorgeous day, that I have a couple of felting projects that are going to see some sun time too, it I get them felted.

I Too Feel The Need

I want to A - buy yarn and B - start something new!

Blame the Radicals....we are going to knit next Thursday at Knit 4 Together. That will mean shopping and I have not been out there since cold weather.....what to buy?

In the meantime, there is only TWO, I said 2 months til Knit Camp....I want to start something new from one of either Meg's books, EZ books or the Spun Outs. And I must use stash for it.

This morning I think I'll take my books, my spun outs and my memory of the stash I have and see what I can come up with...I've only got two months!!

Yippee Skippee!

New Socks For Lunchtime Knitting

Well, actually not new, I have had these on the needles for probably two years. But have been working on others. So, now these are back and they are for me. It was so nice to have at least one rib done. Maybe a pair won't seem so long to knit!

Yarn is Lornas Laces and I bought at Needleworks in Champaign the last time Norma and I were there. This summer, we need to make some road trips and buy some souvenirs!

I'm An Indy Race Fan

So, how do I pick who I cheer on. Well, first, it has to be an American. Second, (it used to be the age of the driver, that was when I was much much younger!), but now, but of course it is the color of their car.




And the winner this year, is Jeff Simmons, solely based on the colors on his car. Not his sponsor or his age, but simply, the colors in his car --Caribe Blue and Lime with a little black thrown in.

Love it!

Happy Mother's Day!

We spent some time with my mom, the tall guy's mom and the boys. Now, we are home and I'm going spend the rest of the day, knitting, watching baseball, Indy time trials and generally doing nothing.

My kind of Mother's Day!

Finished

The girls I eat lunch with actually clapped for me yesterday, when I announced that these socks were done. You see, they have watched me knit on these since last December and wondered if I would ever finish them. Of course, in between, I did knit on a few other things. They know how fickle I can be when it comes to my knitting!

To Nancy- you betcha my Linda bag (that is what I am calling it), is filled with knitting! But, I am sure you knew that! When a person has 34 projects in progress and on needles, one always will fill a new bag! It's the deciding which project bag to carry that stumps me most! Some day, I'm going to get all of my knitting bags together and take a group shot. Next year, when the oldest is married, and I have his room converted to the Knitting Room seems like a good time!

Never Enough

Knitting bags are like t-shirts.

One can never have enough! Isn't this neat? My knitting friend, Linda made it for me. I love it.

Now This Is Interesting

Or rather timely. Just as I was contemplating the WIPS that were surrounding my chair. And while I decided to knit on a summer cardigan that I started last year to go with a tank that I completed two years ago. (And may I add -that I have been knitting like crazy on this past weekend)

Just five minutes ago, I opened the Windy City Knitting Guild Newsletter and read our President's message. Talk about seeing the light. Evidently, last month Nina attended an event where the presenter discussed UFOs. It is a fantastic message that Nina wrote, but basically said....knit what you want to not what you think you should. Knit with the best you can afford not with that free stuff or nearly free stuff someone gave just because it was.

Life is short....knit and be happy. Hmmm, food for thought. And as Nancy commented, Knit Camp is not all that far away.

How To Work The WIPS

How does one decide on how to work a WIP when you have at least 35 on the needles? Do I start start with number one on the long list in my knitting journal? Do I scan the list and see if any are needed for gifts? Do I start with the ones that are out of cotton so I can still wear them this Summer? Do I start with the ones for Meg's Camp? Do I pull a sack down from the dry sink and start with what is on top?

Or, do I pull out one that I said has to be finished before I go back to Knit 4 Together? Of course, I go for the one that has to be done before going back to the yarn shop. Oh, all right, I do have a couple of others that need to be finished before I can go back. There is the sock yarn and another shawl! So, I guess it will be a few more weeks before I can go back. I did make a promise with myself.

I guess that is how I will work my WIPS for the meantime.

And She Knits

The oldest twin got engaged on Saturday. We could not be more thrilled. She is a nice young lady. And best of all, she knits. She knitted him this afghan last winter. It has cables. I don't/won't even knit him an afghan with a cable!

When A WIP becomes A WIP Again

You know the problem with working on WIPS? When they are old WIPS, you can't remember where you bought the yarn. You can't just pop in and buy one more skein. So you toil with a WIP and get down to the last sleeve and don't have enough to complete it. You can't add another color, say white, because you have already finished off the bottom of the sweater and the other sleeve.
So what do you do? Well, in the case of the Tomten, I knitted off some yarn from the hood which was not finished off yet, completeing the second sleeve. So, now, if the shop I think I bought it from does not have another skein of it, I'll make it a collar instead of a hood.

So, the WIP goes back into the WIP pile for a week, or tomorrow night, I might just make it a collar, I think I have had enough of it.

What's next?

What Is This?

It's a blue sky! It seems like it has been so long since there was one, I had to take a pic of it. It is supposed to be a fantastic weekend! And this is the first weekend in at least two months that I have free! Don't have to go no where or do nothing.

Well, yes, I do have to do laundry, and the house is definitely in need of a cleaning and vacuuming. But, I am saving those both for tonight, when the sun isn't shining. Today's plan is to sit out in my chair, soak up some real sun and knit (I'm working on WIPS Linda) and read a little.

Funny, how doing just what you want makes me feel real good! Just Knit It!

I'm Knitting

I just don't have anything to show. I am working on my WIPs, well actually only one of them. But, anxious to finish it and move onto the next WIP. All of sudden, I've got a burr to work on some old things. It is mainly because I couldn't make my mind up of what I really wanted to be knitting on.

The weekend is supposed to be gorgeous! I am so looking forward to that! Maybe a little knitting in the sun listening to some podcasts!

Conclusion

If you don't want to be knitting it, DON'T. Knitting is suppose to be fun and relaxing. Not a have too! This is not a job. And I have to remember this. When you want to be knitting on something - do.

The baby sweater is done, all but the buttons. I need to shop for three blue buttons later this week. Sew them on and then wrap it up for the end of May gift giving.

Now, I am going to knit on what I want to! But, which of the want tos?

New Toys

Cool huh?!
This is just three of the five I invested in.


I bought new displays for the jewelry business. Now, I can set up and tear down in about 5 minutes. Tomorrow, I'll use them for the first time.

I'm all about saving time...and earning yarn money.

Happy Birthday to Da Boys!

It Feels Good

No, not the yarn. To make a decision. These two are too small. I'm tired of knitting on baby stuff, but I do HAVE to do one baby project. It is for my boss and we have been friends for a long time and he has been the boss for 13 years. So, I am going to knit one for his first grand child.

But, the lavendar one I DO NOT have to finish right away. It was for a co-worker's first grand baby. I have been helping her knit a baby blanket for her new grand child to be and thought it would be nice to knit a coordinating sweater. When this one turned out so small (barely fits my 17" Snoopy), I thought about giving it anyway for a sort of coming home sweater. I just don't have it in me to finish it and give it to her. Besides, I stopped and thought, one of the girls that works in her department is a very good friend. I didn't even knit her one for her second baby she had last year. Now, how would that look?

And the other, well, I'm going to put them both aside for now and pick them up later to finish at a later date. They will make great presents for the hospital in Peoria for Preemies. It feels so good to make a decision. Now, I can knit on what I want!

I'm Kind Of Tired

Of these baby things. I'm ready to go back to my Camp Knitting projects. I am working on two of the Babies and Bears Sweaters. Both out of a DK, both I think are really small. And the babies they are for will probably wear them a some total of a month.

How do I get myself into these things?

Happy Easter!

Some total of what I accomplished yesterday---a bib, thats it! And I read alot. So much for a plan!

Tonight, I started seriously working on two baby presents that MUST be completed in less than six weeks. And I am working on finishing a sweater I started oh so long ago for my great nephew. It's time crunch now, people.

Today Is All About

#1 - Knitting, I 'm going to knit alot today!
#2 - Laundry, while Knitting I am going to knit today!
#3 - Paying Bills (I must before the lights get turned off, the cable gets turned off and my credit cards starting charging me astronomical interest)-kidding on all of it, but I must pay some bills.

I talked the older twin into taking my car this morning to it's appointment, so I don't have to get dressed until I want to. Actually, it was more of a bribe. Since he had to run to catch a bus from Chicago yesterday (all of the commuter flights were cancelled to Peoria from there yesterday), his luggage hasn't caught up with him and since he has plans for the weekend, I made a deal. Take my car to it's appointment and you can take my car for the weekend. I think it is a good trade off!

Just In

Well, not really, I guess it was announced in November, but I just discovered it.

Julia Roberts is set to start in a movie based on the book "The Friday Night Knitting Club". The movie should be released in 2008. This is one I'm going to have to have!

I can't wait for a couple of the Radical Knitters to read the book so we can discuss it!

I'm Not So Sure

I am not a 100% sold on the corn stitch at the bottom of the Guernsey. I may have put too many rows in between the stitch. I may end up pulling it back out after a few inches. I'm going to knit another row and then see how I like it.

I'm still knitting on a 24 inch needle, but I have jumped up to a size 4. I tried a 2 and a 3 and both are getting me about 6 stitches to the inch. I really want to be more like 5 3/4 stitches to the inch. Funny, how you can swatch on a 16 inch needle and get a different gauge then when you knit an actual size garment sometimes. And then again, it could be that the stitches are so tight on the 24 inch needle that it makes for even a tighter gauge.

I Did It

I did the Channel Island Cast On for my Guernsey sweater. It took Meg's DVD instructions and the pictures from Beth Brown-Reinsel's Gansey Book, but I finally got two pieces cast on and the garter stitch done.

I am using the Rauma Yarn I bought from Arnhild in February. I'm getting a pretty close gauge with a Size 3 needle. I started out with a 24" needle. EZ said all I would ever need is a 16" and a 24" size needle, but I think I might have to disagree. You can get all of the stitches on a 24", but, I like to see them when they are spread out a bit. I think when you have 200 plus stitches on the needle, a 29" or 32" is better for my taste. And it seems to be easier knitting, I am not having to keep jerking the stitches around.

The Guernsey makes #35. Do you think I have a case of startitest?

We're In!

Today's post was to be about the Guernsey, but the email came today. Linda, Char and I are going to Knit Camp 2 in July. We are all so excited! I can't believe it! Yippee Skippee!

What Are Those?

Leaves on the trees must mean that Spring is really coming. And I should be knitting on some Summer sweaters, but yet I'm not. Project #35 is on the needles as of this morning. Thanks to one of my sons.

Sundays are usually for catching up on the lia sophia business and laundry. But, thanks to my younger son, who has been doing a little laundry for me on Fridays when he is off, there is not nearly as much to do today. And since most of yesterday was spent at a function where I was showing lia sophia, I took today off to knit, before going to a little birthday get together.

Now, that baseball season has officially started on t.v., there will be plenty of opportunities to knit and watch the Cardinals. Yes, I believe Spring is here, even if it is going to be around 40 later this week .... one more chance to wear some sweaters!

I've Been Swatchin

I got this book from Schoolhouse Press last week. There are several to choose from, but most of them are vertical designs and Meg suggest keeping it horizontal for women of a certain age. I think I'm probably one of those women.

So, I'm testing a few of these out. 1, 3, 4 and 6. I don't like the looks of 2 so I am not even trying it. And I like 5 but am not going to swatch it for now. I know I'll like it if I decide to add it to my Guernsey. Problem is there is a pattern I like in the Knitting Workshop too. Who would have thought it would be this hard to decide on a pattern.

I'm using the yarn I bought from Arhnild when at her camp in February. When I was doing a little research on colors of yarn that were available, I happened onto a site that had Guernsey Yarn in a cream, a gray, a blue and a red. I figured the red could be used for mine, but I am not sure that the textures of the stitches are showing as much as I wanted them to.

I Didn't Knit At All Tonight

I finished reading The Friday Night Knitting Club. All I can say is --excellent. It reminds me of everything some of the Thursday Night Radical Knitters dream of. And of things some of us hope to never have to go through. And of great women who become friends. You have to read it.

I Was So Proud

I did the kitchener stitch on this sock, without turning off the t.v. and without having to give it a lot of thought....it was short lived. Just as I went to further pat myself on the back, I noticed a dropped stitch way down from the start of the toe shaping. Ugh!

I thought some time back a stitch seemed a little loose. I should have investigated it more. But, now I have finished it and sockie #1 looks good. On to it's brother.

This Is What I'm Reading

A Tale Of Two Gauges

A little less than a week ago, I bought yet another baby yarn in blue. I did not need it, but the Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino felt so soft and I could only imagine what a soft sweater it would make.

I did a gauge swatch according to the pattern I had chosen and was all the way down to a size 1 needle and still a bit off. But, I refused to go any smaller and figured the baby could stand it to be just a tad roomy. So, I cast on the sweater on the right. Funny, how un-soft it feels when you go down all the way to a size 1. I was going to give it up and even looked at other patterns.

I was close to chucking the project for now, when I decided what the heck, I'll go up a couple of sizes of needles and see what that gauge look like. The sweater on the left is the result. It is softer and I think I am going to like it. I just cast on the smallest size of the pattern on the larger needles and the measurements are right around where a 9-12 month baby would wear.

Easter is the plan end date, yes this Easter!

One thing is for sure, I do not need any more baby yarn. And I realized something when I was knitting on the size 1 needle, I don't like knitting baby things, they take a lot of knitting despite their smallness.

Russian Prime

I wanted to show a picture of my progress on my Russian Prime sweater today, but unfortunately there is none. You see I ripped it out last night. Yes, I said ripped it out.

Uncharacteristically for me, I shut the t.v. off last night after the Bradley basketball game. I have to post that I NEVER watch Bradley basketball. The reason, many years ago, our local t.v. station started running the games even when they were playing in town. IT always was on a Thursday night and Hill Street Blues was re - routed to 1:00 am. Do I hold a grudge or what? But, because there was nothing on t.v. that I wanted to watch, I tuned into the last ½ of the game. Basketball, for me can be nice background to knitting. When it was over, I thought what the heck, I'll turn it off and work on my Russian Prime for just a little while.

It has been awhile since I worked on it. I think, I knew that there was a little problem with it and subconsciously that it was kept me from picking it up. Amy D., uploaded a file on Yahoo of the chart that I have been kicking around using, because it also has the side panels chart on it. So, I popped it into my new KnitPicks chart holder. I'm not real keen on the chart holder. I think I like my old metal one and the block of wood holder better. But, I digress.....

Back to the Russian Prime (can you tell how I am feeling about it?) I want to start the Guernsey from the new Woolgathering. But, I am not sure that I want to use my Apple Green Galway for it. And I have definitely decided NOT to use the purple Galway. After all, I can't keep making the same color sweaters that the model's are knitted out. Besides purple really isn't my color! And I cannot pull out the Circumnavigated Cardigan that already has about 6 or more inches to it. But, I wonder if Galway makes a nice Caribbean Blue? You know I never checked that out! And, I am going to Morton tonight......where was I?

Oh, yes, the Russian Prime (those two words as my other conscience reminded me, a.k.a Char). I worked a row around and discovered that I was missing two stitches. No, not dropped two stitches, but more like did not cast them on. Not a big deal, they can be handled later when I increase. So, I keep working. I am using a 24" needle and a 24" just does not seem to be long enough, to spread out the stitches to see what it is really going on. So I dig through my needles. All I have is a bamboo in a Size 5 and it is about 27 inches. So, I used it for the next round. I just don't like the way it drags on the bamboo. And I am not a 100% sure that I did not twist the join 5 rows ago.

So, I started ripping it out, and then got so frustrated, I just snipped it loose, tossed it and tonight when I go to Morton, I'll buy a 32" Addi, re cast it on with the correct amount of stitches and begin again. I've learned a couple of things from my first cast on of the Russian Prime and now it will give me an opportunity to get them right the second time around!

That is if my trip to Morton, doesn't get me into trouble!

Does This Not Just Scream My Yarn?

The latest Woolgathering just screams make me out of my purple Galway. The only problem? The purple Galway is two skeins into the Circumnavigated Cardigan. But, I do have some great Apple Green Galway that would look pretty cool as a Guernsey Pullover too.

The best news, there is a video just out at Schoolhouse Press on it. After posting, I'm off to order it!

I Might Just Have To Bid

The ensemble is so cute! I have named it St Patrick's Day in the Caribbean.

I'll keep watch on the bidding and if I see that it is going kind of slow or not going for a decent amount, I'll bid on it myself.

Can You Believe It?

My box of yarn from Arnhild arrived on Saturday as I was walking out the door to the Basketball Tournament. It still sits un-opened.

Unbelievable!

I'm working on my silent auction items for work. Finished pictures tomorrow. Thanks to Linda for the yarn for the downsized version of the booga bag. And Norma gaves me the Encore Chunky for the scarf. It is going to be hard to give it away. She had to have bought it with me in mind! It really is going to look great with the bag.
I found just enough of the eyelash to go around the top.

And if the bidding does not go high enough, I might just bid it all back into my hands!

Wearin of the Green

Every year at work, we do a silent auction at St. Patrick's Day. Last year, I knitted a felted bag in green with eyelash. Added a eyelash scarf and some green lia sophia jewelry. Most of the pieces that are auctioned off are in gift bags are wrapped pretty in green paper. I put mine in the felted bag. It was a hit.

This year came too fast and there was no time to do anything. So, I ignored it. Then, yesterday, my friend who is in charge of it, whined. How last year's mine was such a hit. Wouldn't I please consider doing something again? I have no time to shop. I had no stash. I went to my friends, they have no stash either! So, I figured I would shop at Hobby Lobby tonight and maybe in between ball games on Saturday and then knit like a fiend come Sunday, felt on Sunday night, take it to dry in front of my heater at work on Monday and have it in the case by Tuesday. Oy!

So, I slept on it! And remembered my one skein book, my dear friend Jo gave me. It has some possibilities! And then, I remembered some one skeins stash that I do have.

Here they are. I think I can do this and NOT have to felt any of it.

I see a scarf. I see a couple of washrags. I see a small little purse. One of the greens are not exactly kelly green, but I thought I could maybe get a way with it. Stay tuned.

The Last of Arnhild - for this year
My final purchases at the store that brought Arnhild's yarn and patterns (Purls). This baby yarn is so soft, I could not resist, even though I have a similiar color in Dale. This is for my great nephew for Christmas next year! Arnhild is only doing wholesale now, so she has Martha, the new owner of Purls sell the products.
This is my baby Circumnavigated sample from Marcia's class. Ignore all of the strands hanging. They are holding stitches or my guide stitches for the saddle shoulder. The pockets are very interesting, they are fused. Now, I know unless you actually see them being done, you are asking huh? I started a big version of it last night, and so I hope to have a couple of the future blogs that will show you the fusing in action.

The cool part of the sweater, is that when I am done, there is no sewing together. And you know how I like no sewing! Stay tuned for more on the Circumnavigated Cardigan in the weeks/months to come.

And so we are coming to the end of what I can tell you about Arnhild's Knitting Retreat. Oh, there is so much more, but, I don't want to bore you with for another week. Suffice it to say, I am going back next year. The cost is just right, the food is good, there was real hot chocolate one afternoon with marshmallows, tea breaks in the morning, some great show and share items to see one night all laid out for us with the info on each one, and of course a nice hotel to sit and watch the snow come down. It was a great weekend.

And the Mexico clothes are still sitting where I left them when I unpacked almost two weeks ago. Oh well, back to reality! When is Meg's camp?

Souvenirs

As a child whenever we would go on vacation, I would have to have a souvenir of the trip. So, it is no wonder that as an adult, I would need a yarn souvenir to remember my knitting vacations. And Arhnild's would not be any different, would it? Even though the WIPS and Stash are now to the point of a sin.



Even though, this appears to be a young person's size, I tried the hat on and I am going to make this for me for next winter. The dark color in the picture is a dark teal.




I am currently swatching the cardigan and awaiting for the rest of the yarn to make it's way to me. I tried on Arnhild's sample while at the Retreat and fit really well except for the sleeves that were a little long. Arnhild's daughter designed this sweater and she is the one on the left.


And last but not least, I bought this book for the mitten patterns. No yarn, but the book screamed, buy me.

Tomorrow, the last of the souvenirs, a pic of my little Circumnavigated Cardigan and a final wrap up of Arnhild's Knitting Retreat.

Classes At Arnhild's Knitting Retreat

I did the Circumnavigated Cardigan all weekend. We knitted on a very small version to get all the techniques. The instructor was Marcia Carlson. I am so glad I took this class because without it, I never would have made it through a big one. Medrith Glover is the designer and her pattern was in Knitter's years ago.

I first stumbled across the pattern when I was at my first Meg Swansen Knit Camp. I could not get the issue of the magazine from Knitters so I ordered it from Medrith Glover. I always intended on knitting it and never quite got to it.

I am anxious to start on a big version of it now, but it will have to wait til the weekend, because I just can't concentrate on it right now. The yarn I had planned on using for it all weekend is a Cascade 220 Tweed. Now, I am not sure I will have enough of it. This sweater to me screams tweed or variegated.

Back to classes though. Arnhild had four classes for our choosing. And the nice thing, is if you wanted to get up from where you were and go off and listen to another one you could. No problem. And the equally nice thing is that for three of the four classes, Short Rows, Shadow Knitting and the Cardigan, all of the class materials were included in our folder when we registered. The other one was Arnhild's clinic, where you could bring your problems and get help from her or others or just sit and knit.

I just can't tell you how relaxed the classes were. What a great feeling it was. The most stressed part was not having my yarn to start my sweater with while I was there!

Arnhild

I met Arnhild once at Stitches Midwest when I bought her Poncho Kit. I wore it Friday night. Two things happened almost simultaneously. She personally greets everyone when you see her. I held my hand out to introduce myself and she says "no (in her delightful Norwegian accent), I get a hug. At the same time, she is saying to me, you are wearing my poncho, you bought that at Stitches Midwest, no?" I am amazed!

Friday night during dinner, Arnhild lets us know what the weekend will be like. Very easy going, do what you want, bounce from class to class, knit whenever you want enjoy. She personally introduces everyone and makes them stands up. Tells us how long you have been coming to her knitting retreats, where you from and she mentions to the crowd that I am wearing her poncho that I bought at Stitches Midwest.

Arnhild did not teach any classes, but rather was in a clinic where you could take your knitting problems whatever they may be and get help with. She is such a sweet lady, and I love to listen to her speak. She is very open about her life, family and trips to come. She is currently selling her trip to Norway this summer and talked to us on Sunday at dessert break quite in depth of future trips. By the end of the time I spent with her, I am seriously thinking about going on her Knitting Cruise to Norway in two years!

I know I'm going back to her Knitting Retreat next year. It is already on the calendar!

It Was A Beautiful Weekend in Iowa

As long as you did not have to go anywhere! And I didn't! If we were not talking about knitting, we were watching the weather outside. And fortunately for me, I could call my boss on Sunday night and let him know I was snowed in in Iowa and did not feel bad about it.

Unfortunately, there are no pictures of Arnhild's Knitting Camp. Not that I couldn't have took some, but while in Mexico, I got too close to an ocean wave. It slapped up at me, must have hit my little Fugi camera just right and seized it up and now it will not work. I will have to investigate having it repaired or start looking for a new one, but that subject will be put on hold for awhile.

Julie and I made it just in time on Friday night for the start of knitting camp. The weather started in full force after we got there and for the rest of the weekend, whether it was from our hotel room window or from the classroom, we kept tabs on a quite beautiful storm. We all felt we were quite lucky that we had electricity the whole weekend. Some places in Iowa still did not have any yesterday.

Anyway, that will all I will say about the weather. The real purpose of my visit was Arnhild's Knit Camp. Camp is held every year the last weekend in February in Ames, Iowa. It took us a little more than 5 hours going and 5 hours going back. People who attended this year had been new people like me and some who have been going for 11 years. We came from Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. As far as I could tell, no one is turned away.

Cost for me was $335. I paid a $100 deposit last year, and did not have to pay the balance until I was at Camp. I can't believe what all I got for my money. I shared a room with Julie and her sister which brought the cost down a bit. The bed was so fluffy, I had four pillows on my bed and a fantastic comforter that just swallowed me up. The room was really quite nice! Also included, in the weekend, was the classes, my meal on Friday night, continental breakfast on Saturday, lunch on Saturday, Dinner on Saturday, brunch on Sunday, and dessert bar mid Sunday afternoon. I was pleased with what I got for the money.

Tomorrow, Arnhild.

It Was A Beautiful Weekend

I Have Alot To Tell

But, at the moment, I just want to sit in my chair, drink a diet coke and do nothing!

Short version - Julie picked me up on Friday around 12:30. We went off to Ames, Iowa to Arnhild's camp. We stopped at a yarn shop on the way. The weather turned into rain, hail, freezing rain, back to rain.

Friday night, it began to freeze rain. Saturday afternoon, after a morning of freezing rain, it commenced to snow. It was what they were calling a two sided storm in Iowa. It snowed another 10 -12 inches on top of the freezing rain!

We could not get out on Sunday, so we spent another night! It took us over an hour to clean off the car and get the doors to open. I just got home.

I had a great time and Julie and her sister and I have already put it on our calendar for next year.

More info to follow in the days ahead! Suffice it to say, I'm glad to be home and after just a bit of a rest I am going to swatch for a new sweater!

I Have To Go Back To Work

I could get used to this not working. But, then I would not be able to go to Mexico or to Knit Camp or to Arnhild's this weekend.

My friend, Julie is picking me up tomorrow at work around noon tomorrow and we are off to Ames, Iowa.

So technically, I am only working 11 1/2 hours and then I'll be off for the weekend.

Next week, however is going to be one LONNNNNNNGGGG week!

I'm Back!

And no, this is not a flattering picture! But, I was a little tired this last day in Mexico, and really ready to come home!

We had a blast! I've got everything put away this morning. Went through the mail, paid the bills and filed the rest. I still have laundry to do, but the nice thing is none of the laundry needs to be done for the trip to Arnhild's this weekend! So, it will wait until I get back.

I am glad I only took sox with me to knit. I think I knitted only about three rows the whole time I was gone! Now, I'm ready to knit. I think that is what I'll spend the rest of the afternoon doing.

Tomorrow it is back to work!

My Bags Are Packed

I'm ready to go. And boy are the bags packed! I was packing light this year, right! Then why does it seem like I have everything I own, but yet don't? I did however decide on just these sox. Because when given alot of thought, I know that they are doable in a week.


Adios All, see you in a week!

Finally At Gauge

I have knitted this convertible mitten up this far three times. I started with the size called for needle, size 3. Then I went to a four. Then, what no #5s? So I went for the six and that is what it is going to be.

This is just one of the projects that are going with me to Mexico. I figure when we fly back into Chicago in a week, I am going to need the mittens to wear home on the bus. And I am taking my sox, for the same reason. And finally, I am taking a spare. I never do that. But, I feel like tomorrow may bring a lot of knitting in the airport (if all that snow comes our way).

Now, why couldn't it wait until I at least fly out before it starts? Answer me that one!

Do I Look Like A Jewelry Salesperson?
This is the new stuff that I have added to my lia sophia jewelry samples. And yes, it was hard to decide what is going with me to Mexico. It is just about as bad as what knitting/books and shoes to take! One must be ready for all contingencies. After all, it the lia sophia business that allows me to take these trips.

Tomorrow, decisions must be made....well not the shoes or books, or jewelry, I've packed them. Tomorrow, I decide on what knitting will accompany me. If we get the snow they are predicting for us on Monday pm/Tuesday am, I may be sitting in the airport in Peoria knitting.....and bitching about the weather too.

Think good thoughts and that the weather man is once again wrong!!!

What to Take?

The convertible mittens I just started? I am taking them to Mexico to work on because I know I will need to wear them when we fly back in. I am still wondering if the cuff is too small. It fits on my little wrists(one of only two of my body parts that I can say is small). I just keep knitting waiting to see what color comes next. Soon, I'll be at the stockinette portion and then I'll see what the gauge is. I may need to go up to a size four needle.
Or shall I work on these sox that are a past due gift?
Or shall I take sox for me so I can also wear them when I get back into the country? Up until today, they sit at work, as a just in case project.

All other projects are off the table until I get back from Mexico.

This Is Just Too Much

Even if I do like wearing my sweaters!!! All of next week is supposed to be like this. That means another chance to wear my sweaters again!

To NancyJ --Yes, the Icord will be a trial! Thats a whole lotta icord that has to go on this sweater. I am letting it veg their for awhile, cause now I want to start my Russian Prime. I am doing the KAL, so if you get a chance, check it out over at www.russianprime.blogspot.com

Everybody, be warm! I have to go out tonight and I am NOT looking forward to it.