On My Mind

This Pea Coat is still on my mind. Now, I know that winter is setting in and if I bought the yarn for this coat, I would not be able to wear it til Spring, BUT....

Wouldn't it be great to have it actually done in time to wear for Spring? I am thinkin real hard about this one. But, first I have to finish the sweater I am working on now.

Aren't you proud of me?

A Week Of Birthdays

I think my birthday is over now. It took about a week of celebrating with lunches, dinners, cakes and partying.

And really cool gifts.

It was a great week! Thank you all.

Red Letter Day

I went into a yarn shop on Saturday and came out with nothing!!! Yes, I said nothing. I must be coming down with something.

I did come home and worked a bit on my Noro Silk Garden Scarf. I like working on it. It is kind of cool waiting to see what colors will come up next. It is going to be a great Memphis car project.

Burning A Hole

I told myself that I would stay home today. I NEED to clean my kitchen and bathroom. I NEED to block the two Carol's Clever Shawls and the coat. The weather is supposed to be crappy. But---

I got some birthday money and it is burning a hole in my pocket. I want to knit something out of the Debbie Bliss magazine but it can really wait to be ordered when my Alpaca comes in at Dunlap, maybe next Saturday then I can go out there.

BUT, Morton is closer and I need to see what is new over there. And I don't think Dunlap carries Noro Silk Garden and I think I need a third color for a scarf I want to do. But, I really want to go to Dunlap.


I know as sure as I am sitting here that I am going to a yarn shop today! It is kind of like a Saturday ritual for me. As much as I go to Dunlap these days, they should hire me!

New Books


For reading and knitting this week. The first is Franklin's book. What a hoot! It is a fun read and his cartoons are a good laugh.

I seem to be collecting these one skein knitting books. This one has several things I want to knit. The only problem is most of them are yarns my local shops do not carry so I will need to investigate the yarn weights on them.


I ordered this book at Stitches in August. Elaine Rowley showed me the technique in Chicago. I can hardly wait to try it out. It might me a great project to take on the road to Memphis at Thanksgiving.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, where is this month going to?

To Fringe or Not To Fringe

Finished on the way back from Aurora from my great-neices dedication. Now, I just need to fringe and it will be ready for those cold winds and my long gray coat.

Time to start some sox as my traveling/lunch project!

The Tale of Two Sweaters

I am working on two sweaters at once. Quelle surprise? Both of them I am afraid are going to have similar fates. You see, I am not sure that I will have enough yarn for either of them. In both cases, I bought all my local yarn shop has.

This raspberry number has two yarns combined. Cascade 220 Tweed and Mohair LaGran. I am kind of rewriting the pattern to adapt for the much larger gauge than specified in the pattern and the need for more sleeve width.


With this little stripe number, I bought just enough yarn! None to spare.

So as I plod along on both of them, I am knitting with baited breath to see what the outcome will be. I am living on faith and a prayer.

Another One Is Done

My second Carol's Clever Shawlette is done. I actually finished it more than a week ago, but so much has been going on that this is the first I got a chance to brag, I mean blog on it. It still needs to be blocked as does my coat, but at least for now this is on the finished list.

It is knitted from Alpaca With A Twist. I was hoping that it could be knit out of just one huge skein, but it took a little more than that. So it is a good thing Karen and I split a second skein.

And finally, the election is over! What will the news report now? I am sure we will have a few days of post election interviews, but I for one am glad it is done. Now, we can get back to our regularly scheduled programs.

Have You Been Shoppin Lately?

Yesterday, I went out to our little mall and did a little shoppin/lookin. All kinds of possibilities out there in ready to wear. These pieces are just being begged to be reproduced at my hands.

I just could not get over all of the possibilities. I just had to blog about them. At somepoint, I have to try one or two of them, but not at the moment. Too many other projects are awaitin in the shadows.

It's Official

Tomorrow, is my official start of a new position at the College. Pinch me I can't believe it. I just know I am going to wake up from this dream soon.

I spent most of Saturday cleaning my old area and moving into the new office. The only thing I could not do is switch the computers, scanners, printer and phones. That will have to be done by the CIS and Physical Plant in the next couple of days.

Judy in the office next to my old spot asked me on Friday afternoon if it felt like my office now or if it seemed like it was still the boss' office. I said yes, that any minute now, he was going to walk in the door and tell me a mistake had been made. She looked at the nameplate on the door that still had his name on it. She proceeded to take it off and slide mine on. Now, she said at least it says its yours.

I am giddy with excitement for tomorrow to come. There is a ton of work and training of the person who starts tomorrow as well. I know I should go to bed, but I am just to jazzed to do it right now. Guess, I'll go knit something!

Got It!

I Better Get On This One

With a little chill in the air and November just a week away, I'd better get busy on this scarf. I have been searchin for sometime for the perfect yarn to make a moebius out of to go with my gray winter coat.

No, this is not a moebius, but it will be just perfect for my winter coat. I picked this yarn up at Mass Ave Knits. They had one knitted up and it caught my eye. It is my carry around knitting for now, but soon to be a scarf for me. And I should have it ready by the time I pull the coat out.

1st Stop

My first stop on the way to Indy was Needleworks in Champaign/Urbana. I've said it before, but this place has it all! Lots of great yarn, ambiance and a Cheers attitude, no matter how long it has been since you have been there.

And a couple of resident designers. This is another from Matthew Hession. I could not resist his side to side sweater from sock yarn.

It includes the American Doll Sweater. I have a couple of little girls that I might knit this for them out of some leftover sock yarns that I have. Not immediately though, just a thought down the road.

Of course, I had to buy some sock yarn for a couple of them. The Caribe colors are for me for socks.

The Feral Knitter turned me onto this yarn. And Needleworks had it!


Yarn for the tulip sweater. This is probably going to be a late Spring sweater for the new great neice. There is no rush to do it right now.

These are not the same yarns the original was knit from, but one that someone at Needleworks knitted it with. I love the pastels they chose.



The other cool find was the pattern for the same sweater in an adult version. I thought this might be kind of nifty to use up some leftover Cascades?

Yarn Souvenirs, don't you just love an excuse for buying more yarn?

Tomorrow, part 2

Life Is Hectic!

I barely have checked the home email this week. And next week will just be insane. There is so much to accomplish this weekend too. The weather has finally went to fall and I need to get down and get the turtle necks out and fluffed up. The windows need to be switched over. Bills need to be paid. And I need to see if I can recover my calendar from my archives for my Palm.

Two weeks ago, we made a switch at work on our computers and I discovered late last week that I lost ALL of my Palm stuff both on the desktop at work and when they synced it erased ALL on my Palm Treo. All meaning my contacts and my calendar!

So, being so smug, I said no problem, I have it at home. Well, when I just synced the Palm over rode the desktop and in turn wiped both my calendar and contacts away. No problem.....I'll go to my Archive. It's there, I just need now to wade through it all and reprise it. Thank GOD! I was this far from going back to paper!

I was reminded that I had not shared my yarn souvenirs from last week's trip to Indy. I'll do that starting tomorrow. They really are quite cool!

This Is Some Kind Of Record

One month later and all I need to do is put the buttons on it and block it. I may get to knit my Top Down Swing Coat next week.

It does feel good to have one done and off the needles.

Now, back to Carol's Clever Shawl.

The Trip

I took an extra half day from work on Wednesday, so that I could do a little yarn shopping on my way to the Conference. First stop in hand was Needleworks in Champaign. I have said it before, but I will say it again. This is like the Cheers of yarn shops. Even after several years of not getting there (we now have yarn shops in are area), Sharon greeted me by name and asked about the tall guy as well as the recent wedding. Of course, she has had help from a couple of yarn buddies, but still it means alot to be remembered.
http://www.cu-needleworks.com/

Of course, I bought yarn and patterns, I'll show those when I have the time. But, suffice it to say for now, there are a couple of projects out there to be done. Nothing really big though.

Second stop, Mass Ave Knits. That place has everything. Except for two things, downtown Indianapolis is the pits to get around in. The one way streets the NW SE quadrants, the construction. Oy!

The owner of Mass Ave was not in, and I could tell. I must have been in the shop a half an hour, and no one approached me at all. Not a hi, not a can I help you. Nothing! I was not acknowledged until I went to pay. Consequently, I didn't buy much.

I did get to see a yarn that I was contemplating for a sweater from the new Mason Dixon book. Rowan Calmer. I was glad that I got a chance to see and feel it. It was not what I wanted.

Then at rush hour, I headed back downtown to find my hotel. Again, Oy....it was not well marked, it was on a one way street that went the opposite direction I was coming in, there was construction, there were people going places. Good thing I had a full tank of gas! I finally made it, checked in, went to my room and knitted. Had dinner with the group, met some new people, went back to the room and knitted!

End of a great day with some minor annoyances.

I'm Home, I'm Beat!

You wouldn't think you would get tired just sittin around for two days, but it happens. Maybe it's the stayin up late and getting up early? Nah! However, last night I did tell myself that I was going to bed early and then my knitting kept me up. That and waiting to see if Tampa Bay was gonna clinch it. They didn't.

I finished the body and started the sleeves, but now I am going to need a couple of balls of yarn. Oh no, that means a trip to Dunlap. I guess I'll just have to grin and bear it! Or is that bare it?

Tomorrow the trip. And what would a trip be without a couple of yarn shop hops? That reminds me, where did I put my yarn shop guide? Hope I didn't leave it in the car with all the vendor items I came back with. I'm gonna have to check that out, but not now the chair and my blankie are callin me.

Tomorrow

I am on my way to Indy for a work conference. If all goes well, I am planning to hit Needleworks in Champaign on the way over and Mass Ave tomorrow afternoon. I am as excited about the two yarn shops as I am the conference.

I am doing the conference solo, and will be meeting new people all over the place. I am so looking forward to that as well. Thursday night we are at the zoo in Indy and when I lived there, I did not even get to the zoo. That should be a great night!

I'll blog when I get back! PS I am taking sweaters...it looks like Fall is here!

For Linda P in OK

I Just Had To Buy It

Well, it was just too darn cute to pass up. It was the right color. And it is functional. I'll put it in the yarn room next to my chair and it can hold things.

Did I say it was the perfect color?

And cute?

Purchased at Knit 4 Together in Dunlap.

Making Progress

One week later and I am at the decreases on my Carol's Clever Shawl. I just love Alpaca with a Twist. It is my new favorite yarn.

I'm quite impressed with myself. I have been knitting only on the shawl this week. Thats a record for me. Well, not really, since I was pretty true to my Olympic knitting. It may be time for a break though. This would be a nice project to take to Indy with me next week. And I'd like to have my Swing Coat done so I can wear it this Fall.

I've Been A Slug This Weekend

I've knitted a bit. Found some errors in the Carol's Clever Shawl with variations that I typed up while knitting it. Read a little. Watched the Cubs lose! Yea and Double Yea! Did some laundry. Sat and watched some Bravo stuff. Fell off the WW wagon.

The weekend is almost over and the days are getting shorter (as in getting darker finished). Tomorrow it is back to work and the days til my boss retires are counting down. Hopefully, in a about a week or so, we'll know what we will all be doing when he retires.

This retirement thing is going to be weird. I've worked with him for more than 14 years. I told him on Thursday it will take me til about Thanksgiving (or the first crisis) to realize that he is not on vacation! It's kind of scary thinkin about it. So, I won't for now.

Back to being a slug!

It's Been A Few Days

Since I blogged. I have been busy doing some knitting. I have been concentrating on the Cabin Fever Top Down Swing Coat. The weather this past few days would have been perfect for it. But, I am not even to the sleeves. These top downs are like that. Now, I know why I like bottoms up more.

Last night, Karen and I met out to Knit 4 Together for knit night. I managed to get out with Norma's yarn, Jo's Yarn and my yarn that Karen and I ordered a few weeks ago for the second Carol's Clever Shawl with Variations. I'm intent on getting this one done, because it too would be perfect for at work right now, when I don't necessarily want to put the whole jacket thing on.

Pictures will follow this weekend on the two projects above.

I took a couple of hours off this morning. I'm going with mom to the doctor for a consult. But, until then, I am enjoying myself. Having a whole pot of coffee, watching the Today show and knitting. Amazing what a couple of hours can do for one!

Well, maybe it being Friday doesn't hurt either!

Isn't It Cute?

The Baby "J" Cardigan from Cabin Fever. Buttons courtesy of my friend Jo. They are perfect for it!

Now, I need to find the perfect little outfit to go under it. Maybe a hat is in order too.

Can You Believe It?


The band on the bottom bought in Morton. I got their last two balls and I needed a third. So, I went on-line.

The ball on the top came in yesterday's mail from Carodan Farms. Same dye lot. That is the second time something great like that has happened. Or was there only every one dye lot made for the entire color? I like to think I am just lucky.

On a sad note, someone I used to work with passed away last week out East. He was only 29. We kidded when we worked together, that I could have been his mother. It was a stupid motorcycle accident. He leaves behind his wife and real mother. He was a great guy. He will be missed from this world.

Can You Believe It?

It's been out of normal warm the last few days here in Central IL. But, I think Fall is going to come and see us for real starting Monday.

Tomorrow, I am doing a Fall Fling in Washington. Going to try and liquidate some of the lia sophia jewelry samples. Yarn money! I hope I do well.

I'm taking my knitting too.

Here We Go Again

I got my new Mason Dixon book in the mail yesterday. What do you do first? Read it from front to back OR start at the front and look at all of the pictures FAST.

Me, I start reading it at the start, even the dedication page! Get about to the second page and say what the heck, fast forwarding and flipping the pages like crazy. Ooooo, ahhhhh.


And then just a few pages in I see it, Bonne Marie Burns Pea Coat that she showed off on her blog last week. Well, you know of course the color hits me right off.

And I just happen to have some Apple Green Galway that I have been saving for about five years or more. It was going to be a sweater from the Shetland book, but I think now it is just beggin to be the Pea Coat!


Course then I stumble onto this sweater in the book. I like the idea, except that it is knit from the top down. No, the apple green is not going to be this, but I would like to use the bottom treatment and the raglan cables in maybe Meg's Raglan. I'll add that to my Knitting Journal for a later to be decided yarn.

I like the new book, at least the first half of it. The last half is not some of my favorite stuff, at least not for now. But, you do know how I can change my mind as the wind blows.

Isn't she adorable?

I can't wait to get up to see her.

I ran out of yarn and had to order some to finish her sweater and hat. In the meantime, I'm knitting on something for me.

Finally, I'll be able to shop the pink aisle!

Happy Birthday Nancy in PA!

It's A Girl!

My neice had a baby girl last night. So, I am busy finishing the knitting on a girl sweater. For those of you who read regularly, you will remember I finished a boy sweater last week.

At least with "having" to finish the girl sweater now, I am really starting to focus back on one project. Linda helped re focus today. Thanks Linda, I needed that!

We Had A Great Day Today

Norma, Karen and I met over at Knit 4 Together in Dunlap for some yarn shopping. The first surprise of the day was that since last weekend was so rainy and crappy for their Dunlap Days and sale, they continued the sale today! Well, you know what that means? Yep!

I got a really good deal on yarns for three sweaters. Two, I know what they are going to be, the third, when, I left the store, I knew what it was going to be. Now, I am having another thought and can hardly wait to knit a gauge swatch and see what it is going to be.

The second surprise of the day was that instead of closing at 1:00, they stayed open until 3, so we sat around and knitted, went over to Joe's and had lunch and then came back for some more yarn shopping and knitting. Claudia stopped in and brought some to die for cookies.

The third surprise was at lunch. When we walked in we saw one of our older knitting friends (not old as in age, but old as in knew along time) at Joes. Joe and Char had biked out to Dunlap and were having lunch. What a surprise!

What a great day it was, and that is what I like about Knit 4 Together. It could be a Cheers type of yarn shop. I hope this Fall and Winter we are able to do this more.

The best surprise of all of the day -- all of the new yarn they are getting in and soon to be in Galway. I tried on Karen's sweater again today that she knitted and I think I can get away with it. I have to get knittin on some of what I bought today so I can get some Galway when it comes in. Oy! This is a sickness, but one I love having.

If She Doesn't Have A Boy

I'll be ready for someone who does have a boy. My neice insists on once again NOT finding out what she is having before the birth of her next child. So, what is an Auntie to do. Knit a boy thing and then knit a girl thing.


Whichever, she does not have I'll put in a drawer to save for a baby that is sure to come along at some point in time. And I'll be ready. No mad dash to knit something, I'll have it covered.

Maybe.

Really, The Yarn Just Hopped Into My Bag

I've been drooling over this for sometime. And since there was a sale, I had to buy it. Never mind that, I could knit two if I wanted out to of what I bought. My mom always said my eyes were bigger than my belly.

But, seriously, with the leftovers I see, maybe another Pelerine only in Kidsilk Haze.

It's A Good Day For Knittin

Ike is making it's way to us, seriously today. Before Ike, I am not sure what we had, but today is day 3 of rain. If I had places to go I'd be ticked, but since I don't, I'll pop in a couple of videos and sit and knit.

Sure, I have tons of things to do....clean, laundry, clean this desk off and do some serious lia sophia business, but for now, there is knittin to do!

Yesterday, I went over to Ewe-nique Yarns in Morton. They had a sale what, what more can I say? More on that in the coming days!

It Took Three Nights

I watched the DVD that Al from Knit Camp sent with all of the pictures on it. It was fantastic! I am seriously thinking about leaving my camera at home next year. Well, maybe not, cause then I couldn't give you all the Camp Wrap Up blogs and I know how you all want to see that.

Seriously though, it is a great thing that he did for ALL of us at camp. How generous are knitters? You know the answer to that one.

My New Bag

On the way home Monday, I glanced over at my purse on the seat and told myself it was time to put my summer purse away. I hate to do it, cause I like it so much.

When I arrived home and saw a box on the table, I could hardly believe it! My Namaste bag from Gourmet Yarn Company was here.

I hoped, but really thought it would be the end of the week before I got it. Nope, there it was.

It is so cool. The magnetic closures are STRONG....and see, look, my knitting fits in it. I'm always ready now when I get those 4 am phone calls. No, need to wonder what to take...just grab my purse and go!

The color? Peacock.

Happy Birthday Char!!!!

It Started With Knitters

I'm not sure where it all began, but I love coming home and checking the mail to see if there is anything good in it for me. I don't want just bills and junk mail, I want cool stuff. It must have began when I started taking knitting magazines.

Yesterday, was a bonus day for mail. Even the tall guy remarked that it was ALL for me. Well, not all, but almost.

It started with Knitters magazine. Not only did I get one, but I got a second in a separate envelope. I think it is because I renewed. This must be my "extra" issue they were giving with renewing. Hmmm.....

Just a quick glance through it, but I see several things I might want to make out of this one. I think, hell might have frozen over.

This Was A Good Mail Day

My Knitters magazines, Woolgathering, the DVD from Al with Camp pictures and my new bag!

More Tommorrow.

I'm A Little Ticked

Why is that both of my LYS have their new Fall Knitters and mine has yet to be delivered?

The Paperboy Went Thump

At 4:30 this morning. It scared me a little. I had, once again, fallin asleep in my favorite chair. Let me qualify this, he/she went thump with the paper on the porch, not as in thump falling. So, I figured what the heck, might just as well get up and knit some while it is quite in the casa.

So, I'm swatchin on several things at once as you can see by the mess around my chair. I'm going to go pre-sale yarn shopping today. Next week, both of my LYS are having sales and I want to scope out what I "might" buy.



I think it is going to be a fun day!

All I Need Is Buttons

My neice is having a baby at the end of the month and we don't know what it is. So, I am knitting both a pink and a blue sweater. Not the same pattern, though. I will give one to her and save the other for a later baby to be born.

This is the Baby V Cardigan from the Cabin Fever book I picked up at SMW. They are the cutest darn sweaters. I will need to get another skein because I want to knit a matching hat and sockies out of it to go with.

Until, I get back there, I am going to start on a little girl sweater next.

This Weekend's Favorite Podcast

Oy...this weekend I am trying to listen to some podcasts that have been on my iPod for quite sometime. I started with Double Knit. So far, I am through #3, but just with those first three have I got into a lot of trouble! And I do mean alot of trouble. In the coming days, I'll show you how much.

It is good trouble. It has been sucking alot of time. As I listen to them in my comfy chair and knit, I keep a pen and paper close by and make notes of things I want to go back and check out. They have show notes on their podcast page with links that take me straight to what I want to see a little more of. That part is so helpful, because a little research can save me some $$$ and then cost me some too.

I recommend you all check this podcast out. If you don't have an iPod, you can still listen to it from your computer.

http://www.rose-kim.com/doubleknit/

Tomorrow, it is back to work for me, but I am looking forward to it. I have a "big" meeting tomorrow morning with the Dean. I am not 100% sure what will happen or how to prepare, but I should know more by lunch tomorrow. Cross your fingers for me!

I've had a great weekend! Hope you all are enjoying your holiday.