Wabi Sabi

Thats kind of how I feel today. I am home alone...I usually like that but today not so much! Anyway, enough of that.

Isn't this cool?! It's the sleeve decreasing of my Wabi Sabi sleeve. I just finished the last of the decreases and am almost home free on the first side.

Now, I just need to decide how to finish the sleeve. Cheryl calls for it to roll up, but I am not sure I like that finish for me. I may just put some garter ridges on the sleeve to tie in with the other garter in the sweater.

Seems like I do alot of that kind of finish on alot of my sweaters lately.

Thank You All!

What a great group of friends and family we have. I could not have gotten through it without the support! I am so ready to get back to work, knitting, blogging and life.

It's quiet around here and there is so much yet to be done. Tomorrow, I have a couple things on my plate. Then on Monday, we are going to see what lies ahead over at the house and where we go from here.

After tomorrow, we are going to take a couple of days and chill and then start the task. Chill for me means, knitting. Hopefully, there will be some good t.v. to watch and I am going to sit in my comfy chair and knit the weekend.

EZ said it best "Knit on with confidence and hope through all crises".

It's Been A Rough Weekend

I'll not be bloggin this week, but hope to be back next week after things have calmed down.

Mom passed away this morning. It is best because she would not have wanted to live the way she was. She was trying at times as was I, but she was still my mom. I feel a little as she said I would. Damn she was right again.

My thanks to all of my knitting pals for their kind words, thoughts and prayers.

Time Out

I'm taking a few days off from bloggin. We had an emergency come up with my mom today and at the moment all my energy is focused on her right now.

Be back soon, hopefully.

Finished!

I've finished my first ever Babies Surprise. It was so much fun knitting it. There is no baby that it is intended for at this time, but I wanted to do one for myself and Meg suggested knitting a baby one first.

I have tried to knit it several times before, but just could not stay on track with it. This time armed with the video and the line by line instructions I did it. Using the instructions to periodically make sure I was on track really helped. That and with the video leading me through made a lot of sense.

I have yarn left so I think I am going to give the heart hat a try to go with it when I find a baby for it.

Happy Mothers Day~

Places You Have To Go

The Internet. Where would we be without it?

Last night when I was contemplating what to watch on t.v. while doing a little knitting, I discovered that there wasn't anything worth listening to. So, I with my handy laptop (that I have now made a place next to me) watched Grey's Anatomy from Thursday night. I popped into abc.com and found the episode and watched from my chair on my lap top.


A little later, the kids in Memphis called me and told me they had made a You Tube (www.youtube.com) video of the grand dog. So, I accessed it and watched it a couple of times. I have only been on You Tube a couple of times from links that people have sent me, but this morning after watching the dog video one more time, I decided to search on it for knitting. Suffice it to say, it is yet another time sucker to watch all of the knitting videos, but if you want to learn how to knit frontwards, backwards, socks, continental, fix your mistakes, knit in the round or just plain anything knitting there is a video for it. Check it out.

And yes, I am still staying home to start the mass cleaning, I am just taking it slow and want to enjoy the experience! After all it is Mother's Day weekend....yes, I am claiming the weekend for us mothers!

Don't Anyone Faint!

I am staying home tomorrow. I have got to clean my house for the kids arrival on Tuesday. First stop is the yarn room so that have a place to sleep.

Then I have go to tackle the front room and living room. I have stuff and knitting and patterns all over the place. Bills to pay. Lia Sophia jewelry to return. Knitting patterns to file away. Books to enter into my database so they can go into the bookshelf. Magazines to be gone through.

Then it is the kitchen and bathroom. Oy.

I really need to do this. I don't think I have done more than dust and vacuum and a little cleaning on the kitchen and bathroom since Christmas!

Lets call tomorrow Spring cleaning...hope I can get it done in a day!

Wasn't That Nice?

A former co-worker sent these to me as a thank you. How thoughtful was that? And just when I needed a pick me up!

New Book

I happened upon Sally Melville's new book at Barnes and Noble on Saturday. There are a couple of sweaters in it that I might want to knit down the road, but first I have others to finish.

I especially like the first part of her book on knitting sweaters to fit and flatter. I know some of it and will take a refresher from Judy Chan next month, but in the mean time, I felt like buying a new book for myself to add to the collection.

One Tank Finished

This still needs to be blocked but it is done. I wouldn't say I love it, but sometimes after blocking, a garment will grow on me and I will wear it to death.

I do have to admit that I prefer winter sweaters more than spring and summer sweaters.

Back On Track

I had planned a whole different yarn for today's blog, but just a few moments ago, while watching the weather channel, I decided on a different thought.

Finally, it looks from the weather channel, that the temperatures this week are going to be at least 70 all week long. Sure, the wake-up temperature is going to be upper 40's and 50's but at least finally, it looks like spring is here to stay.

Lately, I have been telling myself that I'll get back to my exercise and eating routine later. I'll start doing a few things around the house and not just vegging and knitting all Sunday long. It's hard to do those things on Sunday, when it is cold and dreary outside and it seems like Winter will never go away.

Now, all of a sudden, Spring is here and Summer is not very far away and my body is no where near what I want it to feel like.

My knitting has been like that as well....finishing nothing - starting every thing and no focus. So, last night I made a list. What needs to be done and where I should be focusing my knitting. In my head I have made a list of must do work items as well.

I am a new woman today! On track, hopefully! Well, at least in my mind I am!

Judging Can Be Hard

Sure, I said when asked if I would judge the knitting at Peoria Area Stitchers Guild. Little did I know how hard it would be. I hated to grade down on some pieces because I know how much work goes into it. But, there were some truly beautiful and intricate pieces. I wish you all could have seen them!

The lace knocked my socks off. The Vegan Fox Scarf was a hoot. I had seen it in another life, but it was still neat to see one up close and person.

Tonight, I am kicking back and planning my knitting...camp is on my mine today.

Yarn Souvenirs

As a child whenever we went on vacation to Minnesota, there always was some kind of souvenir to bring home. New mocassins, a tshirt, and once I remember bringing home a green blob scented like pine for my drawer.

Now that I am all grown up, the idea of souvenir has not changed. Only this time, I can justify a yarn purchase as a souvenir. This yarn is not going to be for me but rather a baby shower gift for a friend. Her son-in-law is a Braves fan, so I am going to knit it into a little baseball jacket for the baby to be.

I'd rather he would be a Cardinal fan, but I will make an exception for this one baby this one time.

Not Only

did we have a great time shopping in Texas, but I accomplished alot of knitting.

While on the plane and in the car, I got to knit quite a bit too. I am so pleased with what I managed to knit.

The Wrapper from Cheryl's book had it's back finished and one of the fronts as well. Prior to Texas this one was just what I worked on at lunch at work. Now, it is so big it will have to stay at home.

The Wabi Sabi panels are done and now I am finally able to start knitting with the other color.

I still think I might have to find one more skein of this yarn as I don't think I will have enough to complete this one. I'll start with calling the Yarn Shop in Iowa where I bought the yarn last February.

When In Texas

Our fellow radical since moving to Texas has become quite the quilter. She has almost a whole great room upstairs devoted to it among other things.

I used to be a quilter 15 years ago. Then, life took over and I did not have as much time to devote to it. And knitting became my passion. But, when in Rome one must do as the Romans do.
Given that and the fact that the yarn shops are okay in Texas, but far and few between. So we shopped at a couple of quilt shops where I could not resist this little pack of baby fabrics already cut into squares. There was a cute little quilt made out of them in Granbury and I just could not resist them.

We were introduced to jelly rolls at Friday's Bee and I almost bought one on Monday, but put it back. If I decide to quilt it is going be on a real a slow basis. And the fact that I still have quilting fabrics from my stint in the quilt shop 15 years ago.

One of the things I could not resist and I don't know why, but was this pair of serrated scissors. They seemed like a good idea at the time.

Now, I am wondering why?

Last but not least, I found two pairs of sandals that felt good right from the first try on. It would have been three if they would have had them in brown.

Shoes are like pants. If I find a pair that fits well and looks good, I have to buy them in every color available! Heck, yarn is like that too, isn't it?

We Are Back

We had a great time. Jan and Jack took us to all kinds of places and we did alot of shopping. In the next couple of days I'll show you some of the finds and tell the blog all about it.

We ate ourselves silly and I enjoyed several different beers to add to my beer tastings. We spent time with Jan's Quilting Bee and salvated that nearly all of them have either great rooms or studios to pursue their art.

We saw the Pecan Plantation where they live and all of the great things their community has to offer, including golf, pools, an airstrip, tennis courts and more deer in one place than one could ever see. One evening on our way home I counted 16 all in one spot.

We went to the Comedy Club in Ft Worth and had a hoot of a time. Our friend Jack was called out of the audience to participate on the stage.

All I can say is this is a great place to retire! But, for me tomorrow it is back to work. Only for two days though, because I am taking Friday off to judge PASG knitting entries.

Better Than A Bed and Breakfast!

I have never actually stayed at one, but this week has to be better than one!

Norma and I have our own private wing almost. Our friends have seen to everything. Hair dryer, lotions, toothbrush if we need one etc.

Yesterday, we went to Ft Worth. Saw Cow town and the running of the cattle. Visited Billy Bob's and had a great night at the Comedy Club where we laughed til we cried.

Today, we are going to kick back and tomorrow a tour of Granbury.

You would all die if you saw Jan's bonus room....okay I am just plain lusting over it!

Having A Great Time!

Got in yesterday and did a tour of Ft Worth. I could live here.

Went the Gaylord Texan --wow.

Went to a yarn shop, bought some Atlanta Braves colors yarn for a baby sweater...okay it's not the Cardinals, but this is for a special baby.

Went to Central Market! --Double WoW! Makes me want to cook!

Our friends house in fantastic! Their community is double fantastic!

Weather nice...food, fun...friends.

Off To Texas!

Norma and I are off to visit a friend in Texas. My bags are packed and I have way too much knitting for six days, but....one must be prepared.

I am taking The Wrapper, Wabi Sabi and the Pleated Wrap from Debbie Bliss. I really want to make lots of progress on the first two. I'd like to come home and have the Wabi Sabi ready for the solid colors. And the Wrapper, well, that would be nice if it was close to being done.

See you next week!

Just Playin Around

On Saturday, at Knit 4 Together, we got to talking about a class that they are going to have in June. I had alreay bought the variegated yarn sometime ago, and stumbled upon this green that looked good in the shop together. The plan on Saturday was to do a little scarf for me out of it.

After I started the scarf, I'm not so sure that I want to do a scarf out of it. I thought it might look good as a the baby bonnet, but there are no babies that I really want to put that much work into it anytime soon.

I really like the looks of some of the sweaters in the book, but there are so many other things that I want to be knitting right now that I think I'll put the book back on the shelf for now.

I Can Change My Mind

When last we visited the tank, it had seed stitch at the top. After a trip to Dunlap on Saturday and discovering that there wasn't any more of the blue, and looking at the tank, I decided that the seed stitch was using too much of the blue and it really did not add anything to the look. It just made it look busy in the light of day.

So I have now ripped it back and am hoping that I will have enough of the blue to get me through to the end.

Happy 26th Birthday Baby Boy A and Baby Boy B!

Sometimes It Takes A Picture

When I look at this tank straight on, I can't decide whether I wanted to do as originally intended and do the seed stitch at the top. I couldn't tell whether I liked it or not.

So, for the blog I took a picture and I think I really do like it. It is kind of like when I painted by numbers. Up close yuck, get away from it and not so bad.

I am hoping to be done with the tank before we go to Texas on Thursday so I can start the sweater that goes with it.

I'm going out to Dunlap today to get the Belagio to throw with the Soleil. This picture doesn't help me decide if I like the two sweater thoughts go together. In this instance, it takes looking at in person and the light of day.

15 Years

Tonight at a Banquet at work, I got my 15 year award and a really cool portfolio with a little 15 year plaque on it. Where did those 15 years go?

Also, I was nominated for the Rose Award. This was the first year for the award. An award that is given out to an employee who possesses some of the qualities that a deceased co-worker (Rose Bacon) had. What a honor it was to be nominated! No, really...the winner was very deserving.

They gave me my papers showing who nominated me and what they said. I was touched by the three nomination letters. Have I said lately how blessed I am?

Boring Knitting

At the moment, I have some boring knitting on my needles. Both are things I want to be knitting, but frankly they are quite boring. And I find my mind wandering thinking of other things I'd like to be knitting. I must stay focused.

Of course, both of these would have been good Texas knitting projects, but both would be harder to take with in terms of the yarn that might need to accompany me.

Wabi Sabi.....as I have said before the start of this is slow. It is like knitting four scarves, then you get to do the fun stuff. I'm not there yet.

Boring for now.

The tank top. This one I used EPS in reverse. Since I need a wider hip and belly and then narrow to the waist and slightly up for the bust, I decided to cast on 95% of knit and then do the increase to knit. I knitted past the belly length and then decreased for the waist/bust. We will see how that turns out.

Right now, it is just boring knitting in the round. Hopefully, by tomorrow night, I'll have it to the split and am going to see how seed stitch looks in the two yarns. If not, I'll rip back and continue knitting back and forth.

At least for now, I can watch the Cardinals while I knit the boring stuff.

A Brief Interlude

I am taking some time away from the Wabi Sabi and Tweed Jacket to work on a little spring. Even though, Spring has been toying with us in Central IL a little lately.

I truly have put my winter coat away! I AM NOT getting it back out!

Knit Campers

Thanks to Nancy who let me know that the t-shirts and sweatshirts are ready to be ordered through the link that we were sent for Knit Camp.

I need to double check what size I bought last year for my tshirt and I am going to order a hoodie this year too!

Only three months and we'll be in Wisconsin!

Finally With A Little Help

from my knitting pals Linda and Nancy and some dumb luck, I am up and running and typing this from my comfy chair on my new laptop. It was quite the experience that we finally got it rolling right before dinner tonight!

And I did it, without knowing much. I sure wish I did know more about this whole tech thing.

I keep reaching to the side to grab my mouse, instead of this thing at the bottom of the keyboard. This is going to be a little tough using it, but I'll get the hang of it soon with a little practice.


It sure was nice to sit and watch t.v. and check out some blogs at the same time. A little later, I got to catch up on Grey's Anatomy while sitting in the same chair. This is the life!



And my login features a little puppy. It's been quite the ordeal,but I am in love with this thing. I thought the keyboard would be hard to get used to, but so far it is not so bad either. It is that practice thing.

Don't you just love the Spring Green color? And yes, Nancy it is now time to think about searching for a cool pattern for a laptop cover to knit!

I'm Frustrated!

I got the new laptop yesterday....whatever happened to opening it, setting it up and voila it works! Right now, it's a great solitaire player!

We can't seem to get the wireless to work. We bought an access point and I can get to the network, but cannot get from the network to the internet either hooked up or wireless. Some problem with the IP that keeps switchin to 169.254 no matter how many times we correct it.

Now is when I need a really good computer tech in the house. Sort of like when the kids were babies and I wished for a Pediatrician in the family. Now, we have a Pediatrician in the family and need a computer tech!

The Laptop Shipped

The on again off again saga. I emailed Dell to see if it would be a shorter ship time if I changed to a black top. They responded with telling me the laptop shipped.

I am hoping it comes into work tomorrow, so I will have something to play with on Sunday. Saturday is going to be filled with Knitting in Dunlap in the morning, a baby shower in the afternoon and grocery shopping at night.

Before you know the weekend will be over and it hasn't even started yet!

Saturday - Sunday in Central IL

Saturday brought lots of rain!

Sunday brought snow

Today, the snow is melting away and maybe perhaps spring will stay. Is it time to put the sweaters away yet?

Thank Goodness for Ravelry

If it weren't for the search part of it I would be buying some cotton fleece to do this sweater and knitting it. Then, I would not have known that cotton is not a good choice for it. I would not have known that not everyone likes the way it fits them. I would not have known that I might need to knit it a size smaller due to the fit.

Just another reason why I like Ravelry.

I'm Still Here

Just spending alot of time at night working and knitting on this sweater. I am ready to be done with it.

It has been a bear. The directions are none to clear and between Christiane and I, we have been muddeling our way through. She,however is done with hers. I am not sure mine is not going to need alot of blocking before sewing it together.

I, probably won't get to wear it until Fall, but, I want to make sure that I don't need any extra yarn, so time is of the essence with this one.

It's the Final Day


I am heading down to the Civic Center for another day of Boys High School Basketball. Yesterday afternoon, two teams who fought back to win in the last minutes gave a great show. Even having no vested interest in either team, well maybe Champaign but that is a stretch, it had be to clappin the most that I have in a long time. It was a real treat.

And last night, our row was packed tight. You would really have to zoon in and use your imagination, but the directly behind the guy in the white beard is Michael Jordan. His son Marcus played in the final game last night.

Too bad I didn't come home and get the good camera! I will tonight if I hear that he is coming back.

Add Another To The List

I've been invited to a shower for another baby to be born this Spring. I picked up two balls of this yarn a couple of weeks ago thinking that it would turn into to a tank for me. But, when I calculated that the tank would be around $70 to knit, I decided not.

So, this is a perfect opportunity to try it out in a little baby sweater for the upcoming shower. Now, to pick out the pattern and cast on!

Pluggin Along

Who would have known when I started Wabi Sabi that the first knitting I would do on it would be to make four scarves! Basically, that is how it starts. 4 panels of 260 rows of knitting.

Kind of boring for now, but good t.v. watching knitting. Once I get the strips done, the real knitting will come.

I do like how I can see the zig zagging of the colors on the second panel. I did not see much of that in the first one.

It's Basketball This Weekend

The IHSA is in town starting this afternoon, so I am off to the Civic Center to watch boys basketball. Yes, I take a simple knitting project, but generally don't even get it out, cause no matter who is playing, I usually watchin.

The Top Three


I have decided to focus on three for the moment.


The Debbie Bliss Tweed will be done in quiet. Not that I couldn't do it in public, but at times I just need to watch what I am doing and follow the directions. It made the top three, because I need to know pretty soon if I bought enough yarn before it is all gone.

The Pea Jacket. With a couple of days of cold setting in, I might just have a chance to wear this later this Spring if I work on it a bit.

And last of the three, the Wabi Sabi. Yarn constraints again on this one...the stripe is from Iowa City and may be difficult to find more.

Oh there are two more, but they are strictly at lunch projects and lately....work is a little busy for knitting.

My New Laptop?

Dell kept backordering my laptop so I cancelled it.

Probably a good thing because the washer crapped out on Sunday and I had to buy a new one on Monday. So here is my new laptop, at least for now til Dell gets the green in!

Or maybe for now I'll keep my green.

Corralling the Knitting

It's that time again to corral the knitting. It was getting a little out of hand. Going off in many directions and nothing being finished. So, I made some lists. A Wish/Want To List. Since making the lists, some have left the list, some have changed position. Again, they are wish lists or rather directions to go.

Before Camp

Finish the Ravelympics Shawl - even though lace is not my most favorite thing to do right now.
Finish the Round the Bend Jacket - it has been in progress too long AND 1/2 was my show and share last year.
Finish Amy's Shawl (not essential, so this could make it to the bottom of the list)
The Aran Cardigan - this has been on the list for awhile, but I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to knit it out of. Now, with a little help from Linda, I think the Rose Grey (Brown) Alpaca would be great to do this from. Probably not a finished object for camp but definitely on the list.

Cheryl's Knitted Jackets
Cusco
The Wrapper ( my do anywhere knitting)
Wabi Sabi (Kind of important to work on this right now, in case I need to call Iowa City and have her send me more of the Manos Yarn)
Dakota on the Side (tentative as to the yarn this is going to be done from)


For Spring (which is just around the corner, so I had better get these going)
Pea Coat (if I want to wear this year, I had better put this to the top of the list)
Sideways Baby Sweater for Maria's granddaughter to be( April or May)
A Spring Cotton Sweater or two

EZ/Meg/Brooklyn Tweed Tomten - I just don't know what yarn to do this from. I know what I want, but can I find it? Do I have it in the Yarn Room?

It's quite a daunting knitting season coming up, isn't it? But, at least I have a focus now.

Seriously!

You know you have too many projects when you tell the LYS owner that you won't be back for a couple of weeks and she tells you that she thinks you have enough to tide you over!

It's a sign....I think.

Spent this evening cleaning and now I am set to sit down and start knitting.

The Newest Knitted Jacket


While on our way to Arnhild's we stopped at the Yarn Shoppe in Iowa City. We spent a couple of hours there, and the newest jacket began. Wabi Sabi from Cheryl Oberle's Knitted Jackets. The yarn is Manos Silk Blend and the contrast hopefully will be Rowan's Coccon, if it is not too heavy for the sleeve.

Don't you just love yarn souvenirs!

My First Faroese Shawl

And you know what that means? I'm thinking about a big one. Lord knows I have Unspun Icelandic that would be perfect for it.

As soon as I got home, I ordered a book (among other things) from Schoolhouse Press that Lisa at Arnhild's recommended. As soon as it arrives, I'll show it.

Back From Camp

I have no pictures to show, didn't even haul my camera out of my purse. Too busy knitting, shopping and eating.

Arnhild is a gem. The camp is laid back and I did alot of swatchin. We made two yarn shop stops on our way up on Thursday. One in Knoxville IL ( a yarn shop and a beauty shop all in one). I particularly liked her hours 8 - 4. The second in Iowa City, where we spent a good two hours....arriving at Knit Camp just in time to eat.

The weekend was full of knitting, but not so bad that I am pooped, just mildly tired.
Elsebeth Lavold is so nice and knowledgable and her class was good, but the best part is the no cable needle instruction. She was the keynote speaker for last night's Banquet with a great slide show. I won one of her designs all knitted up in Ireland and sent by Knitting Fever. It was toooooo small for me, so Sue and I traded (the sweater looked great on Sue), and I got a subscription to Knitters. Everyone wins a door prize!

I made a little Faroese shawl and now I am ready to haul out some of my yarn and try a big one.

Today, we knitted a while in Arnhild's Clinic and then took off for two more yarn shops in Iowa City. Arrived home tonight and tomorrow I am off and I am going to play around the house....plan some more projects, surf the net for things I heard about and enjoy a day home alone!