Some Thursday Humor!

Have a great Thursday!

Wednesday Website

http://thishandknitlife.blogspot.com/2015/11/favorite-bits-bobs.html

A Days Worth of Work

At the end of the day, I am ready to separate for the heel on Poppy's stocking.  I spent almost all of Sunday, glued to my chair, watching Hallmark movies and knitting on his stocking.  Every once in a while I would fist pump myself and talk out loud about how darn cute it is!!

You will remember a couple of days this is what it looked like!

It took a bit of plotting out on the name band to get it just right, but thankfully, I bought this book of graph paper from Fringe last Summer, so I had plenty to plot it out on.

The most time consuming part was trying to figure out what motifs to use.  I had all my resources out  trying to figure out what should be a part of the stocking.

Tonight, when I get home from work, I'll tackle the heel and then onto the foot motifs.  I'd love to have this one off of my Christmas Knitting List by the end of the week. This is the major one that needs to be done before the 18th.

Stay tuned for Christmas knitting updates later this week.  How is your gift knitting going?

Interesting Stuff Found This Last Week

In Knitcircus' Podcast #67, I learned that I may be a process knitter.  And I don't need to apologize for it.  Process knitters like to cast on, and even though we may get a wild idea to design something, we realize that there are so many great designs out there that we really don't need to design anything new, we just need to knit the wonderful designs that others have done, and tweak them to fit us if that is what we want.

In Woolful's Interview with Pam Allen,  http://woolful.com/episode-40-pam-allen-motherhood-nursing-school-coastal-maine-and-quince-and-co/ I learned that one of  Pam's influences was  Elizabeth Zimmerman as well.  This interview was so enlightening to listen to.  Pam reminded me of a time before there was the internet when we as knitters were so dependent on magazines and books and libraries for our patterns.  How easy we have it now?!  I really enjoyed listening to this interview and I think readers would too.

From the Gauge Class over on Craftsy,  http://www.craftsy.com/class/getting-gauge-perfect-knit-fabric-every-time/5246?_ct=sbqii-sqjuweho-dum&_ctp=1&rceId=1449368471881~twttrk1i , Sarah Peasley had some great tips that were re-enforced for me while watching the class last weekend. I picked up the class at 1/2 price over the Thanksgiving Holiday.  

Over at http://www.onetwistedtree.com/blog/2015/11/2/shawl-style-take-fashion-by-the-dangly-bits , Danie followed up a discussion on  podcast # 80 of Prairie Girls Knit and Spin with a video on how to wear three different shawls.  I especially liked her way of wearing a triangle scarf as I do have a couple of those in my knitting chest, which I wear in the same old way to keep the back warm.

And if you do not check in with Tech Knitter every once in a while you should.  Periodically she takes a bit of a vacation from posting, but the last few posts are very much something you should read about when it comes to picking up stitches.  http://techknitting.blogspot.com 

BTW, how is the Christmas knitting going?  Tomorrow, I'll show you my progress.

Procrastination Is Making Me Wait

Anticipation is keeping me waiting…remember that line from a Carly Simon song?  That is what tune I heard as I typed the title for today's blog.

Despite there is less than three weeks until I have to have two of my scarves done and I not quite half way done with this first one.

And despite that I need to have this stocking done in less than two weeks.



And seriously, despite the fact that the jeans are getting  a bit too tight, I comforted myself with some of these tonight.

Telling myself that tomorrow is a new week and I will get back on track with watching what I eat between the holiday events that are happening at least once a week and that I WILL spend the whole day tomorrow (in between laundry) working on Poppy's stocking and I WILL get back on the treadmill tomorrow.

How often do all of us say that to ourselves, tomorrow?   Well dear readers, tomorrow is already here so lets put the bag of M and Ms somewhere else besides next to the knitting chair, like upstairs or downstairs, so you have to at least physically get up and walk somewhere to get them.  Lets put our knitting in our hands instead of food and get busy so you can start knitting for yourself really soon!

I feel so much better after this little talk with myself.

On tomorrow's blog, what I learned this week about yarn and knitting and books from a bunch of different places.  Talk at you then!

Wednesday Website

Little Cotton Rabbits

I love these patterns and the colors are so soft and scrumptious too.  No, I don't own any of the patterns and have not knitted any of them, but they are so stinkin cute that I might have to just for the fun of it!

Must Knits This Week

If I knit until midnight tonight, soak this, put the fan on it, maybe I'll have it ready to take to down to my friend tomorrow.  If not, I'll have to make a special trip out to her house on Wednesday to get it to her.  It is part of a birthday present for Thursday.  Yep, I'm cuttin it close.  The other one is done already though.

And as soon as I get the block done, I've got to get busy on Poppy's stocking.  It has to be ready to go to him by the 18th.  This though, is a strictly at home project, no public knitting on it, there is just no way I can follow and talk at the same time.

By the way, where did November go?  See you in December!

And The House Went Quiet

After almost 2 1/2 days of playing, eating and hugs, Friday afternoon, the house went so very quiet.

No more baby's smiles and a most empty house, it was really quite a letdown.  I totally love holidays when everyone can be together.

And then the realization hits, that it is back to work tomorrow and there are a bunch of days before there is another holiday.  So, I am spending today with my new Craftsy classes I bought at 1/2 price, a cuppa and a block that has a deadline of Tuesday to be done.

I'm easing back into this work thing.

Things I Love This Saturday

I am such a fan of Adele, and you just have to click on these links and watch !

Adele as Adele

Adele and Jimmy Fallon

The Silver Shed - Bags

And -

Craftsy Classes are 1/2 Off.  Just saying I added a couple to my list.

Finally Finished Friday

Finally, I have finished objects to show!

I don't even know how long ago I started the Boneyard Shawl.  I cannot find it in any of my project notebooks, but while looking I did have some fun going down memory lane.

The Boneyard Shawl by Stephen West, a perfect in public knitting project,  will be making it's way to the Hospice Home next month.  I really want to be able to take a shawl or blanket each time we meet next year.  It just feels so good to be involved in this ministry.

Also, finished was this super quick knit cowl.  I cast on one day and finished the next.  The yarn is Berroco Brio, a super chunky with some great colors  and a thread of iridescent in it.

This one is the first of many cowls, scarves and neck wraps to go into a bin that I am starting for the Girls Holiday Bash in 2017, which hopefully will be commerating my final full year of working.  Every year, two of my friends at work and I host a party for all of the females at the College to celebrate the holidays.  There is a fun theme and games, and food and prizes.

 Several years back I and my dear friend Norma, knit scarves for all of the ladies (40 ish in total) as their  surprise gift.  I thought it was quite fitting that the last one I am going to be involved in should be another scarf or cowl.  I don't have Norma to help me, but I think with a couple of years to get them done AND the many patterns and yarns I have in the Yarn Room that it can be easily done.  And I can make use of the knitting in public time for them.

But not yet, because I've got some Christmas Knits to be done first!  Until tomorrow, have a great knitting day!

Happy Thanksgiving Dear Friends!

Wednesday Website

How To Hang A Sweater from April Dawn


This is so super cool!  If you are like me and are running out of spaces to put your sweaters and worried about them stretching out if you hang them up!

Contemplating

 What a drop dead gorgeous sunny day!  Chilly yes, but from my chair this morning, it is beautiful.  And I love watching the little sparrows jump around or our porch.

You know when I went to bed last night, I had every intention of posting today about sweaters and sweater knitting, but the truth of the matter is that this morning, my mind is every where but sweater knitting.  Oh, it is very much on knitting, but more towards warm shawls and cowls and scarves and things to keep the upper body warm.  As I found out yesterday when I was wearing my cowl.  You know I discovered I liked those things up and around my neck.

A few weeks back before the shop closed, one of my knitting friends, Kathy came in with a cowl she had knit fairly quickly out of one skein of Boboli.  It did not take long and we were all oooing and aaahhing over it and before you know it, we I was buying two skeins of Boboli (because I like mine doubled as above and then I bought some  Peruvia Quick to make a second one for me.  I mean seriously how many of these things do I need?!  Maybe one for every day.

Fast forward to my birthday (I know you are saying get to the point) when we went over to Bloomington to a new shop that opened up, Le Mouton Rouge and I tried on a super cute little hat that I would totally knit and wear (what is happening to me as I age?)  And decided the aforementioned

Boboli would be great in this hat for me.

Or lets just buy another skein of Boboli for the hat in a different color way or make a cowl in the shorter version.

While there, I zoned in on a yarn that Knit 4 Tog only had one bag of red last year (of which I didn't managed to get any of), and bought for me for oh you already know where I am going with this - a cowl.  

Now, you know the story of why I am not blogging about sweaters today.  Well, kind of.  Because with Thanksgiving rapidly approaching (we are having everyone here), there is just no time for knitting sweaters.  Cowls and scarves and easy to throw down knitting when baking pies and greeting grand babies as they wake up is the knitting for me for the next week.

I've got a couple of posts percolating for this week in between work (yea, it's a short week), cleaning and Thanksgiving prep, have a good week and I'll catch you on the purl side.

What Was Your Week Like?

It seems like the week flew by and here we are on a snowy Saturday in Central IL.  I had a great day planned with the Knit Wits, eating, knitting, making stitch markers and doing a Ravelry tutorial,  but changed my mind after I got on the highway and it was a bit dicey.  So, I'm home in my comfy chair watching it snow from my window and making sure Snoopy is still to be found.

I've got a cuppa by my side and I'm sitting on my electric blanket and I am really hoping this Hospice Shawl (you can really see the differences in skeins from this pic) will be finished and bound off by the end of the day so I can block it tomorrow.  And if it is finished then I can maybe cast on a sweater for me (even though my Christmas scarves and hats are not done yet).

The local yarn shop that I spent a lot of time (oh and yes money) officially closed last Tuesday.  I met almost all of the Knit Wits through the shop so it is really bittersweet that we will not be meeting there anymore.  But, we've made alternate arrangements, although just not in a yarn shop, and our friendships will strengthen all the more, it's just sad.

On Thursday, I went to Tinsel the Town (a venue where some local boutiques had booths), the hi-lite was the photo booth.  Although, this isn't a great picture, you get the jist of what is going on.  Since then, I have read about Smug Mug somewhere else.  It is kind of a cool idea.

Yesterday, I broke down and went to the doctor for my foot.  She told me more than likely it was arthritis, gave me a stronger anti-inflammatory and gave me suggestions on how to handle it.  Ideally, a nice warm climate where I could where comfy sandals would make it all better!

And then here we are today, snow and cold and wind.  And I've got a bowl full of Oreo Fluff.  Good side, I've got a warm blanket, my knitting and by Thursday it is going to be in the 50's, you can't beat that with a stick now can you!

In the coming days, lets talk sweater knitting shall we?

Blast From The Past

Who is that skinny blonde in the background and where can I find her?
And where did 10 years go?

Thursday Cuteness!

Saturday Miscellaney

Just a few items to show you this Saturday.  I picked up these two fun things today at the shop for a steal.  Both are being added to my collection of knitting related statutes and stuff.  

Isn't this the cutest and when I say a steal  - $3.00, yes $3.00 

And for 50 cents -- really, plate hanger and all.  About 25 years ago when I worked in the Stationery Dept at Bergner's I started collecting Prescious Moments figurines, never plates though.

Not picked up at the shop, but a fundraiser item at work, my Thirty One bags came in this week.  This is my fave!  It is going to house all of my Christmas knitting projects/yarn so I know exactly what I have still to knit!

And for my go to work bag…

As I told my assistant at work, if you hear me say I am going to buy another bag, you had better speak up and tell me I have enough of them now!  But, as you all know, I am still searching for the perfect bag, and I just have not found it yet.

See you on the purl side!

Just A Little Funny Today - This Made Me Smile!

To All Who Served and Serves

Thank YOU!

The Best Birthday Ever!

I've just about had the best birthday ever.  First, I took it off from work and had breakfast with some friends at Cracker Barrel in Morton.  From there, we headed over to Bloomington/Normal to see a new yarn shop that came to town, Le Mouton Rouge Knittery.  On the way, I got a call from Mona Lisa and Baby Boy A, wishing me happy birthday.

While in the car, I got presents!  From Becky, I got the  Snoopy perpetual calendar above will go to work with me and sit on my desk.  Isn't it cute!!

Then Debbie made these two chart holders for my knitting charts (I've been whining forever that I needed her to make me one) and the snoopy tablets.  These will all get major use!

After the new yarn shop, we headed back to Peoria to The Fiber Universe who is having their sale this week, then had lunch at One World where I had to die for Sweet Potato Pie.  I never realized I would like Sweet Potato Pie until my friend Brenda let me taste some a few weeks back.  Yummo.  I totally like Sweet Potato pie now!

On the way home, my nephew called to wish me a happy birthday.  He never fails to call me on my birthday and it warms my heart that he takes time to do that every year no matter where he is!

The Tall Guy and I ended the day with pizza and wine (me, not him).  We don't buy birthday presents for each other any more, but that doesn't mean that I don't buy my own.  Which I did.  I've got knitting to do down the road!

It has been a super birthday, I have birthday hugs, birthday greetings on Facebook and Ravelry and I cannot tell you how it makes me feel to be remembered.  I've got the bestest friends and family.

It's Hard Stayin On Task

All I am  seeing  is cool stuff I want to cast on and knit for me.  But, I made a promise to myself at the start of November that I would stay on task and finish some things on the list and  so I am. 

 

The Harry Potter Scarf - it was a great project to take to the kids this weekend.  I could throw it down in a second and play pizza with Mona Lisa.  It is my purse project for now, oh so portable!

 



Poppy's Christmas Stocking is getting some love as of last night.  I could hardly put it down, I wanted to see where it was going next.  I am getting the rhythm of the two color work.  The pattern and yarn are from Schoolhouse Press, Eli's Stocking.  I think if I shut the t.v. off every night about 9 or 10, I can do at least an hour maybe two on it and it could be done by the first of December.

And finally, Boneyard Shawl for Hospice.  No, that is not your imagination, that is actually what is happening to the yarn when I changed the ball.  I bought the Malabrigo so long ago that at the time I started the shawl for an unknown recipient, I did not know anything about how these new yarns needed to be knitted.  And no, I am not ripping it back, I am hoping the 3rd ball will give me yet a different color way to add some interest to it.

 

And a side note, this weekend with Mona Lisa was so much fun and I am reminded of how much a 3 year old can retain.  First, she remembers how much I like Snoopy and asked me if I would be wearing my Snoopy pajamas when she comes home at Thanksgiving and she mentioned my knitting as well. 

 

There is hope!

How We Spent Our Weekend

Back to knitting tomorrow!

Look What Came



 

in my mail this week.  From Knit Circus!  Can't wait to knit on them, but for now, I have to finish some projects.

 



In the meantime, they are sitting there on my table and when I pass by them, they are my reminder that I cannot cast on either of them until, I've finished at least two things on my list.

Happy Weekend!  We are off to cuddle some grand kids.  See you later.

Wednesday Website

Tutorial - Sewing in Sleeves

The tutorial from yesterday's post!

Listening to Your Knitting

It took me a while, but I finally decided my Inlet Sweater was just not what I wanted out of the yarn.  

The sweater probably was talking to me the whole time I was knitting it, but I just was not listening.  Right from the beginning, I was torn as to whether to knit it in pieces or go the easy route and knit mostly in one piece.  A plus for the Custom Fit Sweater patterns is that Amy also includes instructions for mostly knitting in one piece if you choose.

But, I decided to knit mine in pieces.  My rationale is that I would like to practice my sewing skills again on sweaters and this would be a perfect learning lesson.  Inlet is a simple cardigan and I had Custom Fit produce a pattern with shaping and 3/4 sleeves, something that is supposed be good for my body type.

I knew that I would be cutting it close on yarn, but was hoping that the 3/4 sleeves would help me save on some yarn.  When I really listened to the knitting, it was obvious I was going to need some more yarn.  My friend Pam, let me use some of hers, but her color of Well Water was lighter than mine.  I used it for some of the body, alternating skeins so it wasn't super obvious that I had two different lots going.  Then I got really lazy and used all of her skein at the back of the neck, where the long hair was sure to cover it.

Then, I got to sewing in the sleeves.   Amy has a great picture tutorial on her website on how she sews in the set in sleeves - a great refresher, but by the time I was ready to do that, I took a good hard look at mine on the floor, and decided there were so many things wrong with my sweater that I just was not loving it.  

I waited a while before I really listened to it, begging to be ripped apart and something else done out of my darker color way.  Finally, I gave in, ripped and balled it all back up.  

And now, I am listening and waiting for it to tell me what it really wants to be.

I Hereby Declare

Weekends are for me!  Does anybody besides me have that problem that when you finish a huge project whether it is knitting or on the job or just around the house and you just take a moment or a week or maybe even two to decide what's next?!  It can get a bit overwhelming as I can attest to after having just come off of major baby knitting, I had  commitments every single night except last week except for  Monday.  Usually, if I have a week like that, I get Fridays to just come home and decompress, but this week I got together from some retirees (I'm not one of them yet [sad face]).  It was a great time, but I missed my Friday.

And now, it is Sunday and I am staring down at Monday, but it is a new week, and I have had a little talk with myself because it is time to start this month out right.  First of all, get moving!  With a hectic life lately, my eating habits and moving schedule has been a bit off and the scale is just not going anywhere.  Mentally, I've made a little list of where I want to be in 30 days.  I am super glad that today is the first and it starts on the first day of the week and is a new month.  I'm sorry to bore you with the details, but if I don't put them hear who will hold me accountable, so where do I want to be in 30 days?

I want a weight loss of at least 5 pounds, heck, I want more, but one a week is my first goal.  How to accomplish?  Well, I've pulled out a few Weight Watcher Recipes and pinned them over on Pinterest.  I need to make my lunches healthy and different and I need to get away from my desk and take my whole hour.  If I can talk someone into walking with me for at least the first 1/2 hour on a consistent basis (that doesn't always happen because of the meetings are drop in visits I have in the office), but when possible I need to be up and walking.  I'm going to use the 30 Day Walking Challenge from Leslie Sansone starting on Monday to see if I can't bump my totals up.  If I don't do it at work, then it is going to have to be on the treadmill at home BEFORE I sit down to knit at night.  Weight loss is my primary focus in the next 30 days or  else!!

Secondly, I've got some knitting to do and I really want to knock about 4 things off of the list, but most importantly, I AM NOT going to let that stupid list get in the way of knitting for me and for fun!   I still need some sweaters and starting next week, I am going to actively blogging at least once or twice a week about sweater knitting and my experiences with sweaters.

And finally, weekends are going to be for me!  If I want to knit on something other then what is on my list, I am going to.  It's my knitting and I am in control and no one made a rule that I have to clothe the entire world this Christmas now did they?!  (Thank you Norma for that bit of advice so many years ago)

Go out and enjoy this lovely weekend wherever you are, I'll see you on the purl side.