I've Spent Alot Of Time Planning

First, I measured a sweater that fits well and I like wearing. That's how I want the new one to fit.

Next, I hauled out the books and patterns. I put them away, I pulled some back out. I thought I would make the same sweater that Nancy was knitting on Saturday. But, after all looking at it a couple of times, no that wasn't what I really wanted. I didn't really want a cardigan for this one.

So, I continued knitting my swatch. I really wanted to do a EZ/Meg Sweater. So, back to the books and magazines.

And settled on the Hybrid Pullover. Instead of a rib bottom, which is NOT flattering at all on me , I am going to try my hand at a hem.

I Was Positively Giddy!

"I'm going yarn shopping, I'm going yarn shopping" That was my little tune as I made my way to Knit 4 Together yesterday. What will they have, what can I buy? Will the Taos be in? Can I cast on as I sit there?

Nope, it is on back order. Nancy shows me in person the color I am getting. Cool. And I can wait cause I have two, no three sweaters that are real close to being finished. So, maybe I will just buy needles and be out of there!

I saw a gal in Walmart on Friday night that had a below the waist knitted bolero jacket that looked really cool with jeans. It struck me that I could knit that. While, congratulating myself for still being on the yarn diet, Nancy shows me a flyer from Brown Sheep that has a varigated that would be just perfect for the bolero. Heck, I don't even know where the pattern is or how much I need, but I order it. Now, I know I'm getting out with just needles! At least today!



But, damn, I came to buy yarn and I did. Thought I had a clue as to what I was going to do with it, so I bought it.

Norma and Jean just happen to stop by and Norma sees what I am buying. She trying to help (read as save me from myself) gives me insight "aren't those the same colors you bought for the other cardigan?" "Well, yes, BUT, this is going to have black in it is my reply."

I've been too long without a new yarn purchase, I don't recommend it! I feel so much better after having an infusion of yarn. So much so, that I may go back again next Saturday.


Hi, my name is Penny and I am a yarn addict. And I want to remain one.

I Love It!


http://www.peoriamagazines.com/as/2007/nov-dec/knitting-revival

A couple of weeks I blogged about how knitting was showing on commericals and in magazines. Our boss at work gets the Chicago Tribune and he always gives me the articles that show up with knitting related material in them. He also keeps an eye out for snoopy related articles for me. It is so cool when he does that it, and I get a kick out of it.

The fact that I knit and that I am a Snoopy collector is well documented at work so when I got an email with a link in it that mentions knitting, I feel oh so special!
Check the one out above.

I love it when local shops are mentioned as my fave Knit 4 Together is mentioned it. I just happen to be going there today. Getting those needles I need don't cha know!

It's Getting There

Just the arms, sewing the buttons on and blocking. I'm hoping for the weekend for it to be complete. But, first, I have to go to Knit 4 Together and get some size 8 double points.

Good excuse for going out, don't cha think? Besides, I hear they got some new yarn in recently! Gotta check it out and encourage them to buy more.

I'm all about supporting my local yarn shop!

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.

Ignore The Yellow

The yellow Cascade will now be used as a stitch holder. But, one half of the new Babies and Bears Sweater is now done. I had just enough tweed to do one half. The rest of the rows as you can see or the solid red, blue and olive that I found in various shops. Knit 4 Together had a new shipment of the tweed in but not in the same dye lot, so I picked up a skein on Thursday night. I'll see what it looks like with what I have while knitting on the second half.





I'm not married to the stripes yet, and so we will see!

She Laughed!

On Friday, at lunch, when I was telling a few people about Thursday night's Knit Nite and how we decided that sock yarn does not count when you buy it ( I called it my souvenirs from my trip to St. Louis) and if we trade amongst ourselves it does not count either.

And you know what that Jo (one of the Radical Knitters who did not sign the pact)did?

She laughed! Can you believe that?

This Is Post #601

Can you believe it? Who would think I would have 601 things to say?

Today was going to be a cleaning day and a knit day and maybe I was going to go to Dunlap just to see if they got any more of the Green Cascade Tweed that I needed for my Adult Babies and Bears Sweater I am working on. Regular readers will remember that I had bought only four skeins of the green and was going to use it for the Ribwarmer. After several starts, I decided that the Cascade was just not substantial enough for it.

So, I decided to use it for another Adult Babies and Bears Sweater. My plan was to knit with for as long as two balls would go and then take the red, blue, and yellow that I picked up along the way to finish 1/2 of the side up. I found a solid olive green that would go good for the button bands and finishing. That was the plan.

Then, as I was knitting I kind of like just having a tweed one. At that point I was hopeful that I would have enough tweed. Not happening. Not enough. So, now I am going to revert back to the original plan without the yellow and see what the blue and red look like and use the solid olive as I first intended. I'll try the two colors toninght. If they don't go, then maybe have Char pick me up a skein of the tweed next weekend down in St. Louis.

So, why didn't I go to Dunlap? Well, around 10:00 this morning, we discovered that the tilet wasn't flushing quite right (remember a couple of weeks ago, when there was no water?), well, now it seems that the roots from the tree out front was clogging our wastewater line. So, we had to call Roto Rooter out and $230 later, we have an unclog line.

God, what else? No, really, I don't want an answer, I was just questioning! Or maybe, yet, just inquiring, I don't really want to know the answer.

The Yellow Is Gone

I have tried working the yellow Cascade in again to my latest Adult Babies and Bears Sweater and it is gone. Never to make another try again. It just does not go. It jumps out at me every time. Even when I try to add just a blip of it my knitting it from the wrong side.

It just doesn't go, no matter what. It is making it's way to the stashbin for a future felting project.

In My Quest

to use up some leftover balls of sock yarns, I am hoping the book I preordered will have some ideas. I just can't toss the leftovers, and I have this need to use them up.


I am also hoping that there will be some ideas for some of those balls that I bought that may not make it into socks. Not, that I don't like doing socks, it is just sometimes, they seem to take forever to complete a pair.

I have taken a couple of classes from Candace at past Stitches Midwest. It sometimes amazes me as to how a designer's mind works.. Just how do they come up with new and fresh designs that make people want to knit them.

I wish I could figure that out.

Does Sock Yarn Count?
Or are they just souvenirs of my trip?
If it does, then, this was in my stash. If it doesn't, than I bought these in St. Louis last Thursday.

First stop on my way to training on Thursday was Knitorius. Can I say un real? Cascade, Aracuna, Debbie Bliss, Encore, (Trekking, Opal, Regia Sock Yarns), Rowan...okay I can't remember them all, but I was impressed. The needles, the books, the yarn. It is one that I would go back to and shop for yarn if I could.

Second stop was Hearthstone. Not as impressive as Knitorius, but that could be that by the time I got there, I was ready to beat the rush hour traffic and check into my hotel.

I couldn't NOT buy anything, after all of the time I spent wandering. Consider kind of a rent payment for the fun. My sock stash really does not have too many solids in it, and there are a couple of patterns from the books I bought a couple of weeks ago that I want to try out and need some solids to show the stitches off.

So, I really did just buy souvenirs. When you go on a trip, isn't that what you are suppose to do?!

Is It Against The Law?

To go down the highway with your MP3 Player Headphones on? After all, as I discovered going to St. Louis on Thursday, the State Police do not always turn on their sirens when they are zooming down the interstate in pursuit of someone.

No, they weren't after me, but they could have been....and when he continued past me I just knew it was the other guy I was following along, but no, not him either.....we both survived.

Back to the original question. I think my mom always told me it was, but I don't remember what the rules of the road really says. So, I put mine on today on the way home and tried to catch up with some Knitting Podcasts. It sure maded the trip go by fast. Normally, if I put them on at night, they put me to sleep, but today it was quite entertaining. Only thing, I wanted to make a couple of notes, and writing and driving aren't easy.

Later this week, I'll tell you about my working/learning weekend and yarn shop finds! For now, I'm going to sit in my chair and do some knitting. It's back to work tomorrow. It's going to be a long week!

I'm Off To St. Louie

For training for work all weekend. But, when you go alone, you can do a little sight seeing once you get there. So, I am checking out a couple of yarn shops. Got my directions to Hearthstone and Knitorius.

And of course, I have my knitting. Do you think 4 projects are enough to take along for the evenings! I can hear you laughing!

There Are Worse Things

Than not having access to email and the internet. Try no water for two days, well not really, we were getting water from our neighbor via a hose from their house to our house. And as of yesterday, we have our own water, but boiling it for drinking and eating.

And finally, I have a computer that I can actually see what I am looking at while typing or reading. It seems after a second trip by the Dell tech that it is some bad memory. Everyone needs their own personal IT Dept to come and actually trouble shoot a computer problem. Thank goodness for mine. He will be back tomorrow with new memory to bring me up to speed.

Life then will perhaps go back to somewhat normal!

Don't You Just Love Em

My mug from Jen the Potter arrived on Saturday. I got to choose my color. The funny thing was the business card Jen enclosed is in black and Caribe Blue too. Amy at Knit Camp had hers in the lighter blues and I just could resist owning one myself. It was kind of expensive, but a nice add to the collecton.

I hope I have enough yarn for my Cobblestone. This is going to cut it close. But, I do think that I am going to be able to cut down both the length in the sleeves and the body. I am going on blind faith that it will. Once I get the right gauge , I am going to be just knitting merrily along for some time. I hope this does not come back to bite me in the butt.

I think the last of the hot weather is behind us. It won't be long now, and Fall will kick in and sweater wearing weather. I had better get moving, there is so much to accomplish!

Willpower

Char, Linda and I made a pact at Knit Camp 2. No new yarn purchases for a year! We are all having a tough time holding to this. We also said we would eat sensibly, I am having a tough time with that. But, in today's paper it is possible that my Losers are Winners Team could win more than $3000 in January, so I have to at least try for the team!

And today is a new day. Hopefully, I'll get a call from Dell and we can get my computer issues resolved. It's been a week now. I think it is time for a tech to come out and take care of it. Did I say that yesterday?

Today, I am at Baby Boy A's computer, so no pics.

Back to the willpower thing, so I was so close to yarn shopping today, when I ran across a blog that had knitted the Cobblestone Pullover out of Cascade. So, today, I am going to the stash to see what might be lurking there in either Galway or Cascade.

I think I can make it....healthy eating, exercising and staying true to the pact! We can do it!

I Love My Dell

But, not necessarily the service. And anyone who has tried to talk to them know what I am talking about. At the moment, I am almost typing this blind. I'm getting strike throughs all over the place. One week later, and my problem is still persisting and now, I am waiting for Dell to research the problem. Now, you cannot tell me I am the only one who ever had this problem.

And when you say call after 4:30 pm CST, why would they try to call you at noon? Then, have another Dell person call and say wait for my call and not call back.

Here I sit and wait! Love the product when it is working, but NOT when it isn"t!

Bear with me, hopefully, I'll be back in commission before I go to St Louis on Thursday.

Computer Problems

I'm having computer problems so I will be in and out for the next few days. Dell sent a Tech out to replace Motherboard on Tuesday, but the same problem was back last night. So, I called Dell again. Oy! That is all I am saying. The problem is starting back again this morning which means another phone call. Oy again!

Tune in for more details or a rant on how I hate computers. But love what they can do.

Yesterday Was A Good Day

Bob and I both took the day off and went over to Bloomington Normal area. Me to check out two of the three yarn shops, him to check out a place that might have guns. We had lunch, no big deal at Arby's.

The first stop was Mary Lynn's. I had directions via MapQuest. We must have drove around the area three or four times before we found the building. Bob was so patient. Mary Lynn's is located on the fourth floor of an office building. I, vaguely rememberd that when we found the number on the side of the building. We found a parking place on a side street (has a couple of antique shops that look interesting if you are into antiques, I'm not), but Bob actually came in with me and sat at the knitting table while I looked around.

I held tight on my deal. I bought the two sock books below and a ball of Encore to go with my ongoing new Babies and Bears Sweater. Oh, and I bought a Hanukkah present, but you can't see it, you'll have to wait.


Then onto, Ewe Knit in Normal. It was easier to find and I only came away with yet another skein of yarn for the Babies and Bears Sweater. Almost the exact color as the Encore I bought, but it is Cascade and I liked it a little better.

Finished off the day with grocery shopping and we were home before it would have been time to get off from work! It was a beautiful day for being off!

Happy Birthday Norma! Happy Birthday Karen!





Fellow Radical Knitters are having birthdays today. Enjoy and Eat Cake!

SIP

AKA Shawls In Progress
Kiri from All Tangled Up with Crytal Palace Kids Merino. This pic has it on my Denise needles. I have been back and forth with it on my new Addi Lace Needles. My problem with the Denise needles has always been the drag of the yarn along the shaft of the needle. The size from the needle to the cable is pretty uniform, but the join and the little indentation at the base of the needle always cause me problems. I like my stitches to slide easily along and they just don't with the Denises, especially with this hairy yarn. I do like the points on them though. So, for now, I am going to give the new Addis a try with Kiri.

Pi Shawl from "The Almanac" out of Schoolhouse Press' Laceweight. I'm using my regular Addis for the Pi shawl at the moment. Originally, I was going to order Addi lace needles in a size 9 and give it a try with this yarn. But, then I discovered that at the moment, size 9s are not being made in the lace needle. If I had known at the time that they were not being made, I would have ordered a pair of the Knit Picks needles in a size 9. For now, I'll keep on with my regular 9 Addis.

Wing Of The Moth from Joslyns Wool and Silk. I bought this yarn a year ago at Knit Camp 1. I am hoping to get this done by next May for the older twin's wedding. I'm using the Knit Picks needles for this one. And I really like them. The shaft of the needle is pretty uniform all the way down to the cable and the points are pretty decent.

In comparison, I like the Knit Picks needles the best. I think I'll get another order together for Knit Picks and order the 9 needles and give them a try with the Pi shawl.

What Am I Doin Up So Early?





I'm waiting/watching the lunar eclipse and knitting! God, am I going to be tired at work today! I should be sleepin. But, I just could not resist getting up to watch it.

**Pics are in reverse order of the Eclipse**

Searching For The Perfect Blue

How many blues are there? And how hard is it to find just the right one? Well, it appears that there a tons of blues, and before it is over I will probably have one in every shade. And, I'll probably own them all before the right one works.


I found that I had drop a stitch on my sleeve right above the cuff on Saturday. I ripped back the 20 rows and was just going to knit those 20 rows back on. Almost a sleeve later, I can't put it down.

I wanted to see how the Addi lace needles worked, but the Adult Babies and Bears Sweater #2 just keeps calling me. I think it is because it is almost brainless knitting and I need some immediate satisfaction with my knitting.

I Got Lace Needles

Yesterday, my Knit Picks needles came and today I got my Addi lace needles. I'll let you know how I like the Addis later. And I'll show you some pics of my three shawls I am working on. I never thought I'd do shawls let alone lacey ones, but I am actually liking it!

Tuesday Tidbits

I finally finished Harry Potter #5.

I am working on the Pi Shawl, but I have to rip back the row I just did.

I may have to change the color of my dress for the wedding. The color they may choose may be a variation of the dress I was thinkin about. But the shawl color will be okay.

Thursday at noon, begins five months of a Losers are Winners Contest. That means less eating, more exercise and more knitting so I won't eat.

I felted my Pyth Jacket, unintentionally.

I have not bought any yarn since camp.

I have ordered a couple of needles from Knit Picks and I AM WAITING for them. I come home every night expecting them to be here and still I wait.

I ordered a pair of the Addi Turbo Lace needles too. AND I AM Waiting for them too. See above.

I am tired of the rain and humidity! Isn't everyone?

The Tall Guy Is Off To The Yarn Shop

Read that as the Gun Shop for him. He needs a project and his hobby is guns. I said, "well, maybe I'll go to the yarn shop, then". He said, "so much for your pack with your group". I said, "I'm not really going to the yarn shop, but it is enticing since they are having a sale".

But, no, I'm not going- the weather is so cool outside we turned off the air, and I'm going to knit today. It is a good day for knitting with wool. And I have three new Fall knitting magazines to keep me occupied. Vogue, Interweave and Knitter's came yesterday. I can peruse them and see what kind of stash I have that can be knitted up.

So, there! I'm not going to go to the yarn shop. I wish not eating un-healthy was as easy!

2 Out Of 5 Ain't Bad


I love it when I can cross things off my list. At first when I finished the first off the five list, I immediately knew I could add the Kuani Cardigan to it and begin working on it. After a couple of false starts on it (operator errors), I tossed it aside and went back to the other four on my list. Then, when I finished another off of the list (you can't see them until the end of the month), I thought about what should join the list.

Well, heck, I said, why not keep plugging away on the list instead. So, I am knitting on my Pi Shawl from Knitters Almanac and having a heck of alot of fun with it. I'll see tonight, if I can knit on it and at the same time be in a room with other knitters.

If not, I do have a pair of socks that used to be my at work knitting I can work on. So, I guess, they have joined the five list.

I'm really enjoying being focused on my knitting for a change. And I have Camp to thank for it.

Focus on Five Friday

Or than there was four, but not for long! I knit a little Christmas tree tonight from Knitter's Almanac....kind of fun, kind of interesting. But, don't want to do a whole lot of that kind of knitting. I guess that is why Elizabeth called it Fiddle Faddle.

Now, what should replace the Ribwarmer on the Five List? The Kauni Cardigan? It is just beggin me to start swatchin it. The yarn has been sitting there a whole week tomorrow. Can you believe I have not succombed(spelling) and started it before now?

I even surprise myself. What surprises me even more is that I am not jumping right into it. I am even entertaining other possibilities. I must be sick. Or I want to be very sure and what takes the place on the list....Okay, I must be sick.

No, I'm just a knitter.

Yes, I Am Tired


As you can tell from my eyes, but the Ribwarmer I started at Camp 2 is done. What an interesting knit. I started knitting it directly from Knitting Workshop. With the help of Char who is also knitting it and Linda who knit some years ago, I made it! But, man was this tough. I could just not visualize it. But that is so typical of EZ, she makes us think even when we think we know what we are doing!


This one is a combo of the Knitting Workshop directions and the directions from one of the Spun Outs. Next time, I make it, I think I'll do it from the Spun Out, and make it maybe a little longer. I did add some width to the side so it would fit me and I am pleased. I would, however want any more across the shoulder. The Spun Out also has directions for a shaped armhole which I think I'd like to try.

And I liked the Unspun Icelandic in two ply. Since I bought a bun of the silver I could do it from that, but not real soon, there are other things on my list to knit!

Sox on Sunday



But of course, and just before midnight last night, I kitchenered the first one together. Now, I am eager to get the other one finished so I can move onto another project!

Look What We Got

The yarn for the Kauni Cardigan. I cannot start it until one of my current projects are done! That's the deal, that's what we said. But, who said I could take the yarn out and look at it? Maybe I'd better sit down and sew the ribwarmer together!

Linda has a really good plan of attack for her knitting. She could not narrow it down to five, so she narrowed it down to categories. Let's see if I can get them right. I can't remember all seven of hers, but they go something like this:

Color Work
Technique
Aran
Socks
Lace

Focus On Five Friday

Oh no, I still have more camp to talk and show some pics of, but around the last evening of camp, the other two Radicals and I discussed how out of control our/my knitting and knitting related shopping had become.

We made a committment to each other that we would concentrate on the projects we have and buy no new yarn, unless it is needed for a current project to be completed. I think we also committed to not starting anything new until something is finished. Me, I have decided to concentrate on five things at a time. Before, I can start or move to a wip, I must complete (and I do mean complete) one of the five things on my list.

I am using my new journal from Schoolhouse Press to keep track of my knitting between now and next year's camp.So far, I am doing really well with my commitment. I almost cheated the first day we were home, and ordered some laceweight from Meg, telling myself that I could always lie and say I ordered it on the last day, but I held tough, and I did not order it.

So, I have dubbed Fridays, as Focus on Five, on the pjknits blog! My five for the moment are:
1 - Socks (Char and Linda say socks don't count, but for me, they really are a major project and warrant their own spot)
2 - Ribwarmer, the knitting is done, it just needs to be sewn together. It has been in that state because
3 - The Gansey, I've been knitting along on it and am at the pattern part of it as of a couple of nights ago. I am using Gaffer's Pattern for the pattern. The yarn is my Rauma Wool from Arnhild
4 - The Wing of the Moth Shawl for my son's wedding next May. It can only be worked when no one is around, because I really need to pay attention to it
5 - The Pi Shawl from the Almanac.