beware the egg.......

I submit to you, THE EGG! Yes, it looks innocent enough! Beware it's bewitching power......When dyed into pretty colors for Easter, then made into egg salad. Ahhhh, there is where it all turns rotten! HOW can a person get an egg salad injury? You ask. Well, I'll tell you. I had about 8 left over pretty colored easter eggs just wanting to be turned into egg salad sandwiches. So I complied. It was the mashing of the eggs with the fork that got me. Yes, it's true, my hand is still hurting from it. A cramp. That won't go away. Drats. Not just any cramp. A cramp in my right hand. You may know that hand, as my knitting hand. So, as I knit on the cool ocean sock, I can feel the cramp speaking up. More and more. So, I put the sock aside and go to bed. And I proceed to sleep on it funny or something. OUCH! So, today I will be nursing my egg salad injury. will I knit? Probably. But probably not as much as I'd like to. drat!

I am still itching to start the Missouri River blues sock. But due to , well, the egg, I can more easily put it off (In body,not in mind). For now.

Peeple who need Peeple

Hello Peeple! Who would have thunk it????

Yup! Peeps have gone Patriotic! Now we can fly flags, wear red, white and blue and eat peeps to show the love for our country! And this page is hilarious! Peep Research! A study of how peeps react to cold, heat and low pressure environments. Science at it's most entertaining.

Oh, knitting? sure I did some! I got some work done on the second cool ocean sock. Hopefully they will be done in 2 days. Yup, that's right! 2 days! I am past the heel! I did not have the same trouble this time. I am almost done the gussets. How exciting is that? Well, for me, very!

It is a curious thing, when we are rounding the finish line on a project, isn;t it? For instance, I have a hank of Mountain Colors, in the color Missouri River Blue (this swatch does not show the true beauty of the colors!). It has been sitting there for about a year. Sure, I look at it every now and then. Admire it. Move on. For some reason, yesterday, I took the hank out, rolled it into a ball. And while doing so, I realize just how beautiful the colors are. I am getting more and more entranced as I wind. WOW! Now my mind is racing. I gotta make some socks with this beautiful yarn! My mind is planning, planning! I can't wait to start! My knitting needles are rubbing themselves together in anticipation! I will wait until I am done the cool ocean socks, even if it kills me!

hemmed in

You will be pleased to know that there is no fungus among us, anymore. It has been eradicated. For now. It'll be back! I made myself do it right away yesterday because I knew that I was in danger of hooking up with the knitting needles!

Later that day........I knit on the the cool ocean sock mate. I am half way through the heel flap. (shhhh.....don't mention that I usually have trouble with it. It seems to be going smoothly this time. Geez, I hope my psychi did not hear this......)

I must get going though. The kids are marching with the BHS band in the Little League parade in town. I need to lengthen my son's pants. He's grown so much this year, he looked a bit like Steve Urkel when he tried them on.

There is talk of a Suki knit-a-long! Any body interested? The bag looks fun to do! Check it out and let me know if you are in! Can't have enough knitting bags!

rainy days and Saturdays

I have been given the day off due to extreme rain. Mom called and doesn't want me to drive out there in foul weather. I appreciate the day off. I hope that I will do some cleaning around here! I hope! After all, there is a fungus among us. Bathroom is first up!

I finished the cool ocean sock last night. I wore it while starting the other sock. I got about 2 inched done while I watched the movie, Happry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets! It was great, but long! The visuals in the movie and the book are spectacular! If I don't immediately cast on for the second sock, I set myself up for the second sock syndrome! My mind starts wandering......"ohhh, I wonder what that yarn would look like?" And I talk myself into just starting it. Then the poor left behind sock sits around, forgotten while I get excited about the new one! For instance, here's one....

It's a pretty nice sock, done in opal brasil. And it's lonely. Waiting for its mate! Playing the singles scene!

Bethany took this cute picture of Fig the other day, and she'll be thrilled to have it seen here.

He really is a spoiled cat. He is the apple of our eye! The baby of the house, I guess!

Happy Saturday, a good day to knit, er, I mean, clean the bathroom! :)

The weakest link!

I am half way through the toe on the cool ocean sock. How exciting is that!? The sock looks so small compared to others I have done, but with the 2X2 ribbing pattern throughout, it is quite stretchy. I love that I can try the sock on comfortably with the 2 circular needles. I put it on my foot every now and then to check it's progress and to dream.

As I perused the morning blog around, I noticed another controversy brewing. Although I have definite opinions (who doesn't) I guess I'll keep out of this one. If you want to "discuss", email me....

Emma introduced me to Pelizza Yarn yesterday in her blog. I have to admit I had not previously found an eyelash yarn that I was too thrilled about. And I have been yearning to make myself a tote bag but I had not been struck by any inspirations as of yet. The minute I saw the Pelizza, I knew that I would be making Suki. Oh goody, another project to get in line!

And, because I'm the Queen of Links today, I am asking you to please, please go on over to Kazaa and download the audio file of comedian Brian Regan. The name of the album (do we still call them albums???) is Brian Regan live. Download the whole thing, it is an hour long. He is SO funny. Maybe you've noticed that I appreciate humor. He is one of the rare comedians that you can listen to with your children and is hilariously funny! Go ahead, if you don't like him, I'll refund your money! hee hee!

Oh, and I know where they are selling Opal cool ocean yarn right now. They happen to be one of my favorite shops, besides Threadbear, of course that goes without saying! But, it wasn't me that mentioned their name here. <whistling innocently>

I would say that I have learned the imbedded links well, wouldn't you say?

Happy Friday!!

let's open the Sandy's Knitting vault! Or should we??

Well, today is starting off well. I posted an entry and it disappeared into blogging cyberspace. blech. Okay, here goes again..

Mare mentioned to me the other day that blogging is like moving into a neighborhood of knitters. I agree! In fact, I think the strange dream may just be all about that! So, you want to come over this afternoon after work for coffee and some knitting?

Here is cool ocean sock as it looks right now...

It is getting there. Soon it will be time to start on the toe. How exciting is that? Dare I say that I may be wearing these by the end of April? Is that a goal I just set? hmmm....could be!

Now that you've gotten to "know" me, I think it's time we open up Sandy's vault of knitting and peer around a little. Oh, there's not much in there. I am a beginner knitter, remember.

I'd like to introduce you to The Butt Ugly Scarf!

Yup. Orange and Black. Well, Beverly High School's colors are orange and black. I made this scarf last fall to wear to the marching band's competitions. It really did show my school spirit and it kept me warm. It fullfulled it's purpose! But, it can't really be worn for anything else, dont' you think? I have to tell you though, that it was borrowed a couple of times to attend a school event! It serves a purpose. It is certainly NOT versatile! Wanna borrow it??

Have a good Thursday. It can be whatever you make it.

Must have been something I ate....

I had the weirdest dreams last night. The first one was a nightmare and I won't talk about that, but the second dream I will talk about, because it has to do with knitting.

Here's the dream.....I was waiting in line to enter an old, beautiful, ornate Church. We had to be announced to the parish as we walked in.(whaaat?) I was wearing Inishmaan and carrying 3 scarves in my arms. (Strange in itself, because, of course Inishmaan is not done and I have not knit 3 scarves) Instead of announcing my name, the woman with the microphone said to me, "Should a person felt a scarf done in Cherry Tree hill yarn?" The church grew very silent as everyone waited for my answer. As I looked around, it was obvious that most people had hand knit items on. I had no idea what the answer was, having never used Cherry Tree hill yarn. I finally said, "I would imagine that it depends. You could felt it if you want or you could keep it as it is knit." The woman said, "That's exactly right! It depends!" And the crowd all said it together, "IT DEPENDS!"

I was then led to the back of the church to a pew where two brown husky puppies lay on the pew on an Inishmaan throw. I sat down and said to someone next to me, "Does everyone knit here?" The answer was, "of course, everyone knits at this church."

Weird? Oh yes. So, can you felt with Cherry Tree Hill yarn? I wonder.....

Last night I knit happily on the the cool ocean sock. It goes much faster now that I am not strugging with every stitch!

I love it when it rains in the spring. It really does bring a promise of beautiful things to come! The air is left smelling fresh and green, if you know what I mean. There are tulips popping out of the ground, daffodils blooming, lilacs swelling....Life is good!

Knitting breakthrough

Yesterday I reached deep inside myself to find my knitting fortitude. Some people were running the Boston Marathon. I happened to be participating in the "I'll knit this heel or kill myself trying Marathon!" I'm talking the slip one, knit one heel of the cool ocean sock, just so you know. Marney told me that if I couldn't get it to work, I could always slip the first stitch and knit across. I thought, "Yes, I could do that". That was the revelation that made the difference. I don't HAVE to do it this way. I COULD choose to do something else. Well, then the stubborn french in me came out and I got determined to do it. Or kill myself trying. Thanks Marney, I needed a little distraction for my brain. Well, it's obvious that I did not die in the attempt, so I give to you......(drum roll please)

The cool ocean sock, done on 2 circular needles, slip stitch heel completed! Thank you very much! It looks a little scary with the shape, there. But you get the drift. I have not finished the gusset yet. I knit until my hand felt like it was going to fall off. The Boston Marathoners are all sporting blisters and sore muscles today, well, I join them in having a hand cramp. I think because the yarn and the needles are so fine, working for any length of time makes my hand cramp. I'm not really complaining. It's kind of a badge of honor. Every time I feel the twinge of pain, I think, "ahhhh, the freaking heel is done!" It's a good thing.

A BIG THANK YOU! to Chris who ( a week or so ago) gave me a lesson on How to link successfully. I now have a bair isle knitalong button that actually links to something and I'm also able to do the fancy little name links that you see in this post. Previously I only knew how to put the whole link in. Muchos Gracias, Amigo!

Today is Monday for me, having yesterday off as a holiday. It feels so good to have a short week ahead, but I know from llife experience that short weeks usually end up feeling even longer!

Trifle Talk

Well, another Easter come and gone and all that's left are the candy wrappers and leftover colored eggs! I was asked about the trifle recipe, so I thought I would post it here. If you dont' want to read a recipe, look away.... A trifle is the easiest of desserts and doesn't really have a recipe. I bake an angel food cake. From a mix, I'm not that good! You can also buy a made one at the store. I then tear it into bite size pieces. I used about 3/4 of a cake. Meanwhile, make 2 small boxes of chocolate pudding. Then whip the cream, or open the cool whip, either way. Cover the bottom of big bowl with torn angel food pieces, spoon 1/2 of pudding over cake, spoon 1/2 of whipped cream on top of pudding, sprinkle some heath/skor bits on top (crush your own if you can't find them already in bit pieces), repeat the layer, generously sprinkling the candy on top of the whipped cream. YUM! It is very chocolatey-rich. The thing I love about it, is that you can change the recipe. In summer, specifically the 4th of July, I use vanilla pudding, stawberries and blueberries with the whipped cream and angel food cake. You can lighten the dessert, if you want, by using the sugar free pudding and fat free cool whip and fruit, and of course the angel food cake is fat free. So, make it and enjoy it! If you let your imagination go wild, you can come up with some great combos.

I fixed the mistake on Inishmaan, but it seems that there is a bigger problem simmering under the surface. I (thought) I was keeping good track of the row count, but I think the real mistake was a count problem. So, some of my cables (mainly the large center cable) is off from the smaller ones. I don't think this will matter to me in the long run. I keep staring at it, trying to come up with some kind of inspirtional answer. The sweater has not spoken to me yet, in case you are wondering...But I think that the center cable will just be a tad shorter in that spot, which won't be noticeable to anyone, INCLUDING me. I'll just have to keep two numbers going for the count. sigh...

I have today off from work. It felt great to sleep in a little, but I woke with a headache. It could be from all the sweets and general overeating of yesterday. I'm going to try to drink a lot of water today, and plan to putter around the house, rewarding my "putterings" with some knitting time!

Talk to you later!

Friday is good...

See this? The heel flap is getting on my one last nerve. Yes, heel flaps are easy enough. But for some reason, slip one, knit one is some very extremely complicated maneuver on my part. I can't get it right to save my soul. This is the second sock I've had this trouble with, so it's not just a fluke. I keep dropping stitches. I keep just generally screwing up. You would think that the rhythm of slip one, knit one would be simple enough. But when I rip out stitches (which I have done MANY,MANY times now), I get pockets of slip 3, knit 2's. I know I'm not a stupid person, not even a stupid knitter. I just can't seem to get it right. Darn heel. And to boot, I've got split stitches all over the place. It just generally looks crappy. Last night I attempted it 4 times. Yup! 4 times!!!! hmmmpf! silly thing. Another attempt at it tonight.

I have decided to rip out the llama/bra. I am afraid that the messed up row will affect the end-llama. I'll start it again, this weekend. And I bought more yarn for Inishmaan. Now, the winding. I bought more cable needles while I was there, because they seem to grow legs and walk away. I have lost a couple of them, and I can't figure it out. I only knit Inishmaan at home, so it's got to be here. I guess it might be in the wasteland I like to call, under the couch. Yuck.

So, happy Friday. The sun is shining, Easter is coming, it's a long weeked for me (no work on Monday). It really is Good Friday.

In appreciation..

Well, for some reason on this Easter morning, I am waxing sentimental. I think it must have to do with the memories of Easter past. You know, the kids running down the stairs looking for their Easter baskets, the easter egg hunt that spanned the morning, the easter outfits and going off as a family to Church all spiffed up, looking FINE! I have to admit that I couldn't drag my kids out to church if I paid them. And isn't that just defeating the purpose of worship? I know I could pull the "I'm your Mom and you'll do as I say" card, but in my experience, that doesn't much work. Our family agreement has always been that after making their confirmation, they can decide whether they will attend church, although it was strongly suggested that they attend for the important holidays. Bleh. So, as I sit here fondly remembering those easter mornings, I turn to you, my blogging friends. As I started blogging, I figured that I may find some support for the beginning of my big sweater project, Inishmaan. What I did not expect is that there would be such wonderful people communicating about life and making me feel so welcomed into their life. The comraderie, the friendship, the amusement, the fun, the support and the joy I get from each and every one of you is priceless. Thank you Bloggers for touching my life. And to those who read and do not reach out, thank you too. Leave a message, let me know you're here! If not, thanks anyway.

sniff sniff.....Wait, let me get a tissue....

okay. Last night I knit more on Inishmaan and then it hit me! A mistake! about 5 rows back I did not make the cable that I was supposed to, so there is a big empty spot where an "O" is supposed to have started! And not only did I do it on one side, but matched it on the other side. Well, at least I'm consistent!

Happy Easter, if you celebrate! Happy Sunday. And Thanks, you're the greatest!

Food and more food

Well, here it is, Easter eve. We are having dinner at my in laws house tomorrow, as per tradition. I am busy today with my contributions to the meal. I am making homemade baked beans, because they go so well with ham and the most important reason, the kids and hubby love them. If that's not motivation, than I don't know what is. I am baking an angel food cake, which I will then assemble into a trifle with chocolate pudding, REAL whipped cream and skor candy bits. YUM. Then there's the stella doro anginetti cream puffs. Double yum! And to top it all off, there's the jello jiggler eggs in bright colors (half grape jello and half orange jello). It is obvious to me that tomorrow weight watchers will have to become WAIT WATCHERS! Monday is another day. With all of that in my mind, you wouldn't imagine what I am sitting here munching for my healthy breakfast! (No, Rob, not more Guacamole!!) Something even more unhealthy....leftover chinese food chicken fingers. Oh, they are my addiction! Guess I'd better plan on an extra long walk today to try to work some of it off!

I spent a lovely night last night planted on the couch knitting more on Inishmaan. I feel the push to work on it at top speed (which is STILL pretty slow going) because the bair isle knit along will be cranking up in May. I have been dreaming of yarn and colors for that. I know that it is not a crucial thing, because after all, a BEAR will wear it. But it is my learning experience for fair isle. And I want it to be a good one. If this works out okay, I can see that there will be a bair/fair isle in MY future! I think I am a little over half way up the back of Inishmaan. I hope to straighten out the cool ocean sock slip one knit one heel of yesterday's blog post. If it kills me.

So, The sun is shining, my home smells good with all the good food cooking, my family is milling around today and I will fit in knitting whenever I can. All in all , it's a good day! Hope yours is the same!

Lazy Bones

Thank you for sharing your family's favorite "games" with me. I had a good laugh, and we play along right with ya! The newest game is dinner roulette! Who will eat tonight, nobody knows. In particular, last night, I made alot of the potatoes, because last time I made them, they couldn't get enough of them. You know what happened, don't you? Yup. Lots and lots of leftovers. sigh...

I knitted on Inishmaan last night. I knit until I had only a couple inches of yarn left. When I picked the yarn at the LYS, she offered to keep it put away in the back room so it fit my budget nicely. I could come in and get a couple of skeins/hanks and be on my way. Of course, I need to go in today and resupply myself. Right as I'm coming to the home stretch, knowing I will have to end here for the night, I see it! OH NO! A mistake on a cable. RATS! I hate when that happens! And me with my crochet hook all the way across the room! You know, when the kids were little, I could say, "hey sweetie, get mommie that.......whatever" . Now they would look at me as if I were evil, so I didn't bother. I didn't bother to get up, either. How lazy is that??? well, very. So, today, I head to the LYS AND fix a mistake before heading onward. I would like it to be nearing completion soon.

Yesterday was about 85 degrees F until about 2:15 pm. Then the wind whipped up and the temperature dropped at least 25 degrees in the same minute. You know, they say here in New England, If you don't like the weather, wait a minute. That was certainly the case yesterday!

trash talk

A great big Thank you! to everyone who took the time to comment yesterday with such nice things to say about Inishmaan. I am gushing and getting a bit of a big head! I thought I would answer Carolyn's question (of http://www.girlreaction.prettyposies.com/index.html), who is having some cable dreams. lately! She wondered if I was working the front and back at the same time. No. sorry. I am done the front, but stuck the front in progress picture under the back picture just to show the center cable better. I just thought that picture was a better detail picture. So, forget champagne wishes and caviar dreams, around here we have yarn wishes and cable dreams!

This is son Derek and daughter Bethany Leigh! before the concert last night. (They are standing in front of the neighbors house, in case you're wondering....) Don't they look thrilled??? They are full of the teenaged attitude. It is definitely NOT COOL to have your mother gush over you and take pictures. I mean, what is someone is watching????? They clean up well! Yup, that's a three stooges tie Derek has on. Hey, a tie with a statement is allowed!

Do you know the game Jenga? You stack the blocks up as high as you can before they fall? My family seems to be playing a warped game of such. Trash Jenga! "Let's see how high the trash will pile up vertically until it falls or Mom finally gives in and takes it out!" It's apparently a fun game. One that the matriarch does not approve of. Last night, the trash met new heights. I should have taken a picture of that. It reached the window sill. Oh goodie....If we get better at this game, the neighbors might be able to play along too, by keeping tabs on the growing pile! :) Does your family play this game? Well, they say that families that play together, stay together!

Tax day

Happy Tax Day! I hope you are getting a refund. And if you are not in the US, you are lucky that you owe Uncle Sam nothing. I'm sure that you must owe another Uncle something, though:)

Today is supposed to be near 80 degrees F!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my. Straight from winter to summer! Of course, by Thursday, it is supposed to be back in the 30's . Tonight the kids have a concert at the high school. The hot temperatures should make that very pleasant, indeed!

Here is the picture of the back of Inishmaan. And on the right is the front of Inishmaan. See how the center cable differs?

And this last picture is back tracking in it's history, but it shows the front cable a little better than the 2nd picture!

Last night Andy had bowling night, Derek had driving school and Bethany had band practice. Poor me...Home alone! what do you think I did? Well, knit would be the obvious answer. I did knit, but not until later. I got about another inch done on the front. Mostly, though I spent time on the computer! Boy, can that waste some time in a hurry! Hours can pass fast. I also went for my walk. I forced myself off the computer chair for that! I have been stalled on the llama. I'm trying to decide if I should rip it out or not. I made a mistake in my counting stitches in the last row, which is really like 10 rows with all the wrapping and turning. I think I'll have to rip the whole thing out. I'm wondering if it will make a difference to the shape or not. Ponder.

Enjoy your day, thanks for stopping by...

Monday, sigh

Monday, Monday.....

I got some knitting done on Inishmaan yesterday. Not as much as planned. I will try to take a picture in the sunshine (GASP) today to show you the cable on the back. It is different than the front cable and is so interesting to do!

For someone who had nothing to do all day, I sure was busy most of the day! I went skating with Bethany one last time. The rink is not open weekends anymore and will close up in a couple of weeks for the summer. I think next winter, I will break down and buy my own skates. I have been renting them and it is a hit or miss thing. Sometimes they are great, and like yesterday, sometimes they, well, suck. They hurt and can't skate very well.

And because I really have nothing, here is Fig giving his approval to the knitting projects.

This was taken before the demise of the bumblebee socks. They are now just a memory.

And one last thing today, I want to remind you that the Sandy's knitting button made by Kerstin is Me when I was 12 years old. I don't want anyone thinking that it is me today. I am not fond of the pulled back, flipped up "do" and do not sport it at all today. Just remember that. And I am not scrawny anymore. K.

llamas or monkeys??

Morning, already? I feel like someone glued my eyes shut. Maybe if the sun would shine once in a while, I would get the "upandatem" attitude back! I went out last night to my quilt guild meeting and today I'm exhausted. Since when should a quilt guild meeting be so strenuous??? You know, as I get older, I think I could easily turn into a hermit. Of course, a hermit with a computer and lots of computer friends. As long as I don't have to stay up late or go out into the cold for y'all. :)

I started the knitted llama. I'm wondering, what are the chances that when I get finished knitting these flat pieces, that they will end up looking like a llama? Oh, I don't have a good feeling about this. Well, if it comes out looking like a monkey, than so be it. Then I"ll just unveil the mystery knitted monkey I have been working on and when everyone clamors for the pattern (which you know you will do, hey, who wouldn't want a knitted monkey????????) I'll have to make believe that I lost it, or sumpin.

So, in lieu of no knitting pictures, mainly of the llama/monkey, I give you this..

Yup, that's right. Fig is thirsty. Whenever I set my water down, he feels this is an invitation for him to come on over and have a drink. Help yourself Fig. Need a napkin?

Happy Hump Day.

pushing my buttons...

This morning I have been sitting and pondering Joe's blog.http://www.queerjoe.blogspot.com/. Read over his newly posted rules for posting comments. I respect Joe and his cause, but I want to say here that this is MY blog and I welcome the daily banter that I have come to love. I live for people to pat me on the back and say, "Hey, I love the sweater/llama/bag/whatever!" Call me shallow, but I do enjoy that! So, please bring it on! And stimulating conversation is welcome here too! I'm not trying to make an impact on the world (but if I do, then that's a good thing!) But I am trying to impact MY world. Under my blog name, I state, that this is knitting and my life. So, each blog entry carries some of ME with it. so there....

I want to publicly thank Kerstin....http://crazydaisy.prettyposies.com/ for making me such a nice button for Sandy's Knitting. Oh, surprise! You don't see it here, do you?? Yup. I'm still trying to make my way around the world I call blog-city. I can't for the life of me figure out anything more challenging than posting. I wish you could see it. You would have liked it. So, my dear Kerstin, I haven't given up . I will ask my teen aged son for help. The next time I see him and it is a "good time" to talk to him. He'll do it for me. He is a wonderful computer geek. And I say that in the most loving way. And I'd like to thank Carolyn at http://www.girlreaction.prettyposies.com/index.html for reaching out with her computer know it allness and trying to help me as well. She tried to get me to help the bair isle knitalong button to actually link somewhere. Now that would be a miracle. thanks' Carolyn for trying to cure the computer illiteratness of the world. But as you can see, the bair isle still does not link. I am a smart, educated woman. But buttons are pushing me over the edge. Pushing my buttons, if you will. (Hey, what is it with those pretty posies girls??? Are they helpful or what?? do you have some kind of community service requirement or something? )

I did not knit last night. I planned to. But my eyes wouldn't stay opened. Another thrilling Friday evening in the Hurley household! Happy Saturday!

Blog on

Well, Happy Sunday to ya! Doncha just love Sundays? I plan to put in some computer time catching up with you all, then I plan to sit and knit. For quite a while! I have had two whole days without ANY knitting. That has gone too far! I will knit on Inishmaan today, as it is feeling neglected! My mind is a dangerous thing. It is rushing around trying to plan many, many knitting projects. STOP IT! I saw the beautiful sweater from Knitty that just came out, Sweetness. Who wouldn't want to knit it?? Every project in the Aran Knitting book is calling out my name. And I am practically going broke buying yarn in my mind. I have drooled over every type of yarn there is. It is obvious that I have married for love. Otherwise, I would have a cedar lined yarn room. It would look like a yarn shop, but it will be my stash! I wish I could knit while I sleep!

Did you see it!?? My new button for Sandy's Knitting! This is the official unveiling of the great button, courtesy of Kerstin http://crazydaisy.prettyposies.com/ (pssst..... over here.....she's the greatest! ) A BIG thank you to Kerstin. It is nice to help the underpriveleged computer dunces of the world! Your good deed for the day is done!

Sandy's button by Kerstin

Future llamas of America

What the &*^%$#&* is that???? You may rightfully be asking yourself right about now. "Did Sandy knit a bra????" is the question on your mind, possibly! um....no....it is a future llama. No really. Did you see Mamie the llama, or rather the alapaca on Leigh's site? http://woolflowers.prettyposies.com/ Now, after seeing Mamie, are you joining me in saying, "This is going to be a llama??????????" We'll see.

I have some llama observations for you today. Just in case you want to knit your own llama. Hey, you never know. I did not plan it. It just happened.

1. Knitting a llama hurts my hands. This is one of those mysteries. You would think that my knitting muscles would be in shape and ready for the llama knitting. NO.

2. Knitting a row on the llama reminds me of this story.......stay with me, it relates......When my kids were in the middle school band, at the concert each group got three songs to perform. As there were many groups, (6th grade chorus, 6th grade band, 7th grade chorus, 7th gr.....and so on.....) this ensured that the parents would only have to sit there through HALF of an eternity! The band would take their seats and play 3 songs. The various choruses would take to the stage and techinically sing only 3 songs. But one of the songs would always be "A medley of songs from West Side Story". Which in reality would mean, "We are going to sing every single note of every single song from West Side Story. And even dance a little too!" So, technically, was that really 3 songs? No, I submit that it was not. SOOOO......back to the llama. KNitting one row is not really knitting one row. It has you W&T (wrap and turn) in the middle of the row, many, many times in a given row. So, You've knit one row, but only on the sides of the knitting. In the middle of the knitting, you technically put on about 5 rows per one row. Techinically one row. But it takes forever. And it comes out looking like a bra. For a very small person.

3. When it becomes apparent that a mistake was made, it is impossible to figure out how to take out the one/85 rows that the offending mistake is in. Knitting the one/85 row takes a lot of concentration and when knitting last night, my usually sullen teenage kids decided that it was time to talk. I should have put it down, but if I made any sudden moves, the mood may have abandoned them. So, I knit on while having a conversation. No No. In the future, I will pick up a sock to knit whenever this happens again. If it ever happens again. So, I may have to rip the bra-like llama out tonight. I'm not sure if the shape is right with the distracted mistakes made.

I thought I would address the question of where the "insert your own expletive" I got the Aran Knitting book. Very good question. As I said, luck had a lot to do with it. I got wind of Interweave Press having a clearance sale, I popped on over, and ordered the book as quickly as I could when I saw it on the list. After picking myself up off the floor from the faint, that is. I had been, like alot of you, trying to get one for a while. I am not willing, however to pay more than I would for a piece of nice jewelry. I would pay as much as that only is Alice herself will come to my house and knit me a nice sweater. Not gonna happen. It's only a book, and in my opinion not worth hundreds of my hard earned dollars. So, I really got lucky. For once.

Happy Friday....

sit and roll

This morning I'm all verclempt! give me a minute. Discuss among yourselves. I'll give you a topic. How much would Sandy pay for the book Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore, if indeed one ever came up for sale? Discuss.

There I'm better now! The answer is, she paid $19.98!!! OH, YA BABY!!!

The luck o'the Irish really paid off big time. Even though in fact, I am not really Irish. Just because a person has a last name like Hurley......Of course, that makes my husband and kids Irish. So, I am Irish. At least the ring finger part of me is. And my heart!

So, last night was very busy with me having a date with the couch. It went well. I sat. And while I sat, I rolled balls of yarn. MANY of them! I am getting ready for the felted bag project, even though I haven't quite decided what to do yet. But one must be ready when the inspiration strikes! After I was done winding yarn, I spent the rest of the evening drooling. Over the new book. I like, nay, even love all the patterns in there! It will be hard to choose one to knit.

Thanks for reading, talk to you later!

luscious yarn

I have decided to join in the Bair Isle knit along starting sometime in May. It may just be a sneaky way to allow myself to buy more yarn. But the real purpose is to learn how to knit fair isle. Or in this case bair isle. See? I even put the knit along button on the left. It does not link you anywhere like it is supposed to though. Since I am such a computer dunce, I can't quite get it. I'll work on it more later. The link under the button will take you to the site, though. At least I got that to work.

Look what I got!

Where else but from the great guys over at http://threadbearfiberarts.com/. This is Cascade Pastaza yarn. It is a wool/llama blend. I am telling you that this yarn is THE softest yarn I have ever felt! If you think that Cascade 220 feels like buttah, then this is like BUTTAH!! The yarn is a bit thicker than cascade 220 and I think it will felt wonderfully! That is what I have heard. If you do nothing else for yourself, PLEASE, PLEASE go get some of this yarn. You won't be sorry! I WILL be buying more. I can picture myself wearing a wonderful pair of mittens next winter made out of Pastaza!

oooohhh, there's more......

This is the butter and celery colored cascade 220 I have waiting to be made into a felted bag. I thought it needed more, so Matt http://threadbearfiberarts.com/ (where else??) helped me pick a coordinating color. I don't know what the name of the color is yet, but it is a dark green. It think it adds so much more to the two bright colors! What do you think? I can't wait to get started, but alas, I am waiting for the delivery of the needle that I need to begin. Rats.

I'm late today, so I have to get going! See you later!

knit on

Well, the Knitting Basket Recovery Program of this weekend was overall successful. I fixed the opal brasil lacy rib sock. It still needs a mate. And I FINALLY fixed the toe problem on the Demark sock for my sister in law!(Hear that, Cheryl?? Done! finally!) Poor thing has had only one sock since her birthday. Now she can have two warm feet.

Here's a shot of the two. I know one is a gift, hey, my feet were clean! I had to test it out! Pretty cute pair, no? Remember the bumblebee sock? Well it is just a memory now. As I was fixing that mistake, I realized that I was not happy with it. It was too wide. I will start again using less cast ons. So, the only sock I did not fix was the excedrin sock. That one will just have to stew a while more. I was looking at the knitting basket wasteland all wrong. Marney, of http://marneysworld.blogspot.com/ gave me food for thought by suggesting that I look at it as revisiting the joy of knitting the socks. This helped alot. Mental knitting. So, I felt pretty good about things in my knitting basket. So good in fact, that I started the socks soar on 2 circular needles. here's a look

The yarn is cool ocean in opal. I love the color! It was for sale for about 15 minutes and I was lucky enough to get some. I feel blessed.

So, all in all, a good knitting weekend.

I have shed a few tears for my favorite reporter, David Bloom of NBC who died in Iraq of a pulmonary embolism. I have watched in awe at his wonderful reports from Iraq. He brought a human perspective on the war that touched my soul. I am sad for his passing. http://www.nynewsday.com/entertainment/ny-iraq-bloom0406,0,4484115.story?coll=nyc-ent-short-navigation. Thank you, David.

don't hate me because I am so exciting!!

Well, enquiring minds might like to know what a hopping Saturday night might look like here in the Hurley household. Well, I dont' blame you for wondering, knowing what kind of party animals live here. I have no pictures, so I"ll paint the picture with words. Derek went out to a concert and Bethany planned on babysitting. Which was going to give Andy and I some much needed time together. We won't get into what kind of activities might have followed. But alas, as life likes to do, the babysitting was cancelled. So Bethany, who just happens to be sick with a cold, was happy that she got to stay home. So, Andy played computer games all evening, while I planned a gourmet dinner of Papa gino's pizza while knitting. Not just any knitting. Oh, no. some exciting kind of knitting. Some knitting that I have never done before. I learned the "Socks soar on two circular needles" method. It took some getting used to. And the jury is still out on whether I really like the method or not. But I will keep an open mind and continue with it. As I got more hours in under my belt of experience, it became less awckward (hhmmmm.....I can't seem to spell that word, dang) So, tomorrow I'll show you pictures of the creation. Then, I had to go to bed around 10:30 because of closing eye syndrome. Which really was 11:30 because of the clock change.

You might have noticed that I was home yesterday which is unusual because that is the day that I go to my Mom's. But thanks to the snow, sleet, freezing rain, rain and hail that was thrown at us, I didn't dare drive. I was released from my daughter-ly duty for this week. But the good news is that Mom is starting to come alive. She is cooking for herself and doing dishes, all sitting down of course. Hey, it's a start! I am pleased! Today the sun is shining and I plan to knit, clean and cook a nice dinner (not like the pizza feast of last night).

Bet you are jealous of all that fun going on for one person, huh? Don't hate me because I am exciting! Just be exciting all on your own!:)

health food

Well, thank you to everyone who attended the Bring out Your 70's and 80's inner child party of yesterday. I think I 'm feeling a little hung over from all the laughing I did. It was fun sharing with you one of the most humiliating moments of my life. I figure if you can know that and still come by today to visit, well.....I've got a friend!

So, as far as healthy breakfasts go.....how does leftover guacamole and tortilla chips stack up? That's the question I am pondering this morning as I just polished them off. It's only 8:30 A.M. for cripes sake. Well, I suppose it's appetizer time somewhere in the world. I guess I am now officially on a health food kick! ha ha

I knit last night on Inishmaan until I thought my fingers would fall off. A good Friday night, when all was said and done. And in an effort to clear out the Knitting basket wasteland as mentioned a couple of days ago, I took apart and re knitted my sister in law's Denmark sock. http://files.blog-city.com/files/aa/2797/p/t/DSC00872.JPG So, one project is now graduated into the Finished Category! Yippeee!

And here I am, itching to start a new project. What is wrong with me? After the knitting marathon of last night, I sat with the book Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles, drooling, planning, dreaming. Geez. I really need to grow more hands.

my oven, may it rest in peace

Well, my oven has gone to the cooking zone in the sky. Yup, may it RIP! Of course, you do not figure out that your oven has died until you are ready to cook dinner. So, there I am, meatloaf in hand, with an oven on the fritz. The coil actually caught on fire. A one inch piece of it was burning! HEy, I was ready to get my knitting basket and run out of the house! Are you kidding me???? I'm not leaving that stuff behind! No way! But, the fire extinguished itself when I turned the knob off and I was left holding the meatloaf. Sure, the thought crossed my mind to cook it another way. But how? Fry a meatloaf? nope. Grill a meatloaf. Uh, no. Boil? Oh, let's not go there. Poor me. We had chinese food. And a meatloaf still in the fridge. They will make good meatballs for some spagetti. Isn't it funny how life can go from meatloaf to chinese food without you even knowing it? So, no baking anything for me until that oven gets resurrected!

I worked on Inishmaan for quite a while. Well, I had extra time with no cooking and all. It is exciting because the back center cable is different than the front center cable. I'll knit more tonight and then show you pictures.

April showers are coming our way. It is supposed to be rainy until Sunday. blech. At least it stopped snowing!

The year is 1973, I am 12 years old...

Well, Kerstin, over at http://knitone4me.blogspot.com/ has invited all bloggers to a "Remember your 70's and 80's inner child party". I'm game. She intends to post a prom picture. I will delve further back in time to a more embarrassing time . Check it out...

Yup. My First Communion Picture. Now to fully understand the horror behind this picture, you have to know THE STORY! Most good Catholic kids made their First Communion (FC) in the third grade. My parents were not good Catholics much to the chagrin of their parents. So, third grade came and went for me in oblivion. Along about 6th grade (age 12) I wanted to make my FC. (there was a good Catholic girl in me trying to get out) So, off to CCD class I go, for the first time in my life. The nuns did not know what to do with me since I was older than the others. So, in all their heavenly wisdom, they placed me in what would be known today as the "special needs class". We did not call "them" that back in the 70's, but here in politically correct 2003, we'll stick with that. I was mortified! So, when the nuns would call the classes to line up, I would hide around the corner so the other kids would not see me with "that class". Oh, Yeah, being late to EVERY CCD class put me right in favor of the Nuns, too. So, finally we make our way through all the humiliation and arrive at the big day. And here you should know that I was a tomboy type. Still am, really with my "uniform" of choice being jeans and turtlenecks. Back then, I wore pants.....we didn't widely wear jeans yet. My Mom thought they were a disgrace. So, now take this chance to gaze at the picture. See the outfit? Yup. Pink. And Poofy in the front. Worse yet.....See my hair???? If I think back, I can still feel how tight my Mother pulledmy hair. It hurt my eyes. My Mother CURLED my hair to achieve the fashionable flip at the ends. AND a ribbon in the hair?????? Ya, shoot me now! NYLONS??? Yes, this is the first time I wear them. Yeah, and that led to a life long love of them. Phfeh! And finally, lets gaze at those toothpicks I like to call legs. Oh, if only the same legs looked like that today. AH, but I now know what was in store for those legs. FAT! Well, look at my gene pool! But on the left is my Great grandmother Adele. This is one of the only time I saw her wear something other than a housedress. She saved my life by tipping me upside down when I was choking on a nickle once. Then it's my Grandmother, Simone. She was the greatest. My Mom. Wearing the black cat style glasses.. Oh yes, my family was a vision of fashion back then. <cue Barbra Streisand singing Memories.....fade out......>

Oh, yes, I knit on Inishmaan last night. I tried to take a picture but due to the SNOW and ICE this morning there is not much natural light and the picture did not come out very clear.

cleaning frenzy

Well, blog-city was down all day yesterday (well, all day after I got home from work) and I went through some kind of blog withdrawal! Geez!! They could at least warn a person! I couldn't find any of my favorite blogs because my pea sized memory couldn't possibly remember any of the site addresses. Oh, except for Chris, because she is at blog city too. But of course, her site was down too. So, they did all this new stuff, so now I don't know where to find anything, but it will be a better system, I think.

Derek started driving school yesterday. Oh, my aching heart! My son driving BY HIMSELF???!!!! hmph! There better be some guardian angels getting ready to be sitting on his shoulder when he goes out. The money???!!!! I pale thinking about it all! Let's just say that yarn purchases will have to dwindle! Between the exorbidant price of the driving school and the ridiculous price of putting him on our insurance, it's lucky that we don't need the food stamps! ha ha! Is there some kind of welfare program for yarn purchases?? You know, yarn stamps? No? drat!

Bethany got new roller blades and she too needs a guardian angel. Zipping around town on 8 wheels.....FAST! Oh, the worries of parenthood just go on and on.....

Knitting? Yup, finished the ribbing on Inishmaan, but mostly I cleaned yesterday! Yup! No more dust bunnies in Bethany's room. One room down, 5 to go! Once you get bitten by the spring cleaning bug, it's all over for the dust bunnies. They should be feeling like they are an endangered species right about now!

Pardon me while I go clean something!

knitting basket wasteland

Lately, I have not been getting in the water consumption that I should. I really do notice the difference when I cut back. (it's also good for weightloss...) So, yesterday, I stepped up the drinking o'water. My body thanks me, and I think I figured out why it is good for losing weight. Well, you get lots of exercise all day long running back and forth to the bathroom! :)

I took a good look at my knitting basket and saw things I didn't like. I saw a bunch of things I am avoiding. Mostly mistakes that need to be fixed.

The first sock is in opal brasil, lacy rib pattern (sock of the month ). I kitchenered the toe wrong. It is crooked. Needs to be fixed. The second sock is Denmark from Socks on the Road. My sister in laws birthday present. She's still waiting for this one. I decreased the toe wrong so that the decreases are on top and under the foot, instead of the sides. this is waiting to be fixed. And Cheryl has one cold foot while waiting! (By the way, the yarn is Mountain Colors, the color is winter sky! This is the greatest treat of yarn! AND Threadbear has the yarn on special! Go! Get some for yourself! YOu'll love it! I promise!). The third sock is the bumblebee sock. I have a mistake on the last row, waiting to be fixed. And then we come to the excedrin sock. Ahhhhhhh, the devil incarnate. Yes, a mistake waiting to be fixed. I had an extra stitch at the end of the pattern row. You don't know how I was unravel the darned thing and wash my hands of it. But, thanks to Chris (http://chrisknits.blog-city.com/) I will stare at it a little longer, giving it the evil eye it deserves and give it another try! Thanks Chris! I needed that encouragement! much obliged! So, the excedrin sock lingers.

Also, in the basket is Inishmaan, which is going smoothly, thank you. I am almost done the ribbing on the back. It does not join the rest of the projects in the knitting basket wasteland.

But, do you see a theme here? All mistakes waiting to be fixed. I think I am going to dub this coming weekend as "Empty the knitting basket weekend!" I really need to concentrate on these mistakes to get them off my mind. Care to join me?