A spooktacular day!

Well, well, the halloween goblins are in blog city this morning. I can't post any of the fine pictures I had planned for you today. But, it seems that I COULD post somone else's pictures that have shown up in my photo album. SPOOKY!!!!

So, I leave you with this....http://www.kraftmstr.com/halloween/humor/halotrks.html

Go eat some candy and I hope the Great Pumpkin visits your pumpkin patch today! Hope you get lots of trick or treaters! And not many tricks!

frogs in the rain

This is the Booga J bag made from Kureyon number 80. Now you see it, soon you won't. It has come out alarming small. Remember, my first Booga J was with the over the rainbow icelandic yarn. So, I"m kind of spoiled. When the needle size says 10.5 in a bag pattern, and I don't own a 10.5, I don't fret. I just reach for the nearest thing. I started this with a size 11. Which would have worked fine, except that it was a 32 inch long needle. Too long for a booga in the round. I then took my size 10 needles. We see how successful this decision was. Pre felting, this bag is about as wide as 8 inches. this will be one tiny bag. So, I frog and drop in at the yarn store to buy a 10.5 needle. This time, remind me to pass the yarn. I don't need any more. Yet.

Today it is raining. It is pouring. In fact, the old man is snoring. It would be a great day to stay in and knit. And nap. If you are able today. Do it for me!

Handleless in Beverly

Felting day has arrived! Here's the Booga J bag felted, in all it's glory. For comparison, the pre-felting photo shoot also.

This is the Handpainted Icelandic yarn from Over the Rainbow yarns. I am very pleased with the way the colors felted.

bag pattern......5

yarn usage......5

auxillary..........5

knitting..........5

overall effect...5! A gold medal!

Okay, you band groupies will now know that I spent my Sunday at the MICA high school marching band finals!

This is about 1/4 of the kids that were there yesterday. They are awaiting the judges decisions. the orange and black that you see on the right side is the Beverly High School kids. Can you see my kids?? No? Well, you are not looking hard enough.....;) Beverly got two 5's (the coveted) and the rest 4's! Overall a silver medal! Beverly is proud this morning!

Oh, the weather outside was frightful...

Yesterday, that is. Well, it wasn't exactly frightful around here but it brought visions of Christmas to my head. It snowed. YIPPEEE! More on Christmas later...

Here's my progress on the BGJ bag. I was going to call it BJ bag. But, you can see the problems with that name. This yarn is wonderful and I just cannot wait to see it felted. And as an added bonus, when knitting a bag from the bottom up, I can keep the ball of yarn in the bag. Beautiful yet functional. Go figure! I'm not sure if I will have enough of this yarn to do the handles. Mull. Mull. What to do? A trip to my local yarn shop, of course. I"m sure I can find something companionable!

Here's some Debbie Bliss cotton denim aran that I have adopted. You may wonder why. This project has been stewing in my brain for awhile. While the Rowan denim is wonderful and available to be ordered from Cranberry Quilters, (which is also a yarn place) I figured I'd try this yarn on for size.

I hate to break it to you, but there are 2 months and 1 day to Christmas. It really does not leave much time for Christmas knitting. These 2 bags are my Christmas knitting. We'll see how that goes. Maybe it'll end up to be a felted Christmas this year. Did you start your Christmas knitting yet?

On the subject of spinning. Since there has been so much talk of it by former spin haters... I have a spindle full. Now what? I know. read the book! But, do you always have to ply it together? Or as my first spinning, do I leave it alone, shrinelike?

Friday! Enjoy it!

Sandy goes on a shopping spree!

I have just been on a shopping spree and I wish you could have come with me! Since hubby won't get excited over my finds, I share them with you! Hang onto your wallets, here we go!

First stop, Cranberry Quilters and Yarn. No Noro Kureyon in sight today. But I did buy a skein of Lamb's Pride bulky which will serve just fine as handles for the BGJ bag, which is done and awaiting it's dip into the washer. Stay tuned...big felting weekend! The excitement is building around here! But I did come out with some of this. Who could resist?

This is Katia reno plus, color number 613. The most wonderfully shaded, soft yarn that is destined to be a scarf for me. Hey! MY neck gets cold too you know!

Then it was onto Arbella yarns, which in retrospect was not the wisest of choices. I have forgotten that one does not casually venture into Salem during the week before halloween. Tourists were EVERYWHERE! They are all hoping to catch sight of a witch. I dare say, I was there! cackle cackle! But as luck would have it, I found a parking spot near the yarn shoppe, and found this!

Noro kureyon, color number 102 for yet another BGJ bag. Bright enough for you?

Back into the witchy poo mobile for the traffic filled drive home. As I pass Abbot Yarn, I pause to think.....maybe...Nah! But....she did have some Noro the last time I went in. The car miraculously parks itself and I find myself walking into the store. I look around and can't find any Noro. I ask the owner lady and she says that she is not carrying it anymore but she has some out back she wants to get rid of. Oh, really?? she brings out 6 skeins. And then says........I'll give them to you for $1.99 each if you buy them all! Well....OKAY! Here they are in all their glory! I have only 2 of one color and one of another, but I'll deal. Oh, Roooob???

Noro Kureyon (with the japanese labels) 3 skeins of color number 80, 2 skeins of color number 51 (this picture is not that clear, but, meh!) and a lone skein of 57.

I sit back with my lovely purchases surrounding me, in a particular knitting nirvana, of which you no doubt understand. I wonder how my family will take the news that the menu of the week contains lots and lots of macaroni and cheese?

Doctor, doctor give me the cure, I've got a bad case of loving you (booga J bag, of course)

I blame Chris. Or should that be "I thank Chris?" NO matter. I have been feeling like I'm on the hamster wheel of life. What is the perfect cure for that?? Starting a project, of course. So, here it is. The cure to my humdrums...

This is the Booga J. Felted Bag using the desertnite yarn that I purchased from Over the Rainbow yarns. I know it won't be funky striped, but the colors should be interesting! I can't wait to see it finished. It may be a Christmas gift. I had a fever and this is the cure. Just what the doctor ordered! Startitis strikes again!

Oh! The humanity!

Poor Fig! What he puts up with around here!

Stonering has been found. Turns out she wasn't lost at all! Just misplaced! Go visit her here at http://gestaltknitting.bigguymedia.com/

TaTa!

Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't!

My life is on the repeat schedule of the "lather, rinse, repeat" schedule. There is a whole lot of taking care of everyone else going on all of a sudden, with me being too tired at the end of the day to take care of myself. And, of course, by "taking care of myself" I mean, KNITTING! What else? Life all of a sudden gets crazy, but happy and then things settle down. Is it the change of season? We are like the squirrels frantically gathering nuts? Or maybe we just feel like the nut. Being carried around crazily. In any case, it's a happy time, just better to sit back and enjoy the ride. Tonight I WILL knit. For sanity's sake.

I have been having trouble reaching Gestalt knitting. Stonering, are you out there? Can anyone else access her site? Did she change her blog site?

Enjoy your Tuesday! Do something nutty!

the letter of the day is A! Award and apples

A couple of days back, my comments hit the 50,000 mark. That is a wonderful milestone! And I'm pleased to give this award to the 50,000 customer here at Sandysknitting. Oh, wait, that's the wrong one. Um.......it's here somewhere.......OKAY. THIS award goes to my faithful reader and commenter, The Gibster! Here's to 50,000 more! Thank you to everyone who reads here!

What comes to mind when you think of fall? The beautiful colors? The crunchy leaves? Crisp days and frosty nights? Pumpkins? Sure......that's all true, but what about this??

That's right, hot apple crisp right from the oven. Nothing says fall like homebaked apple products. This pan looks a tad different now as it's empty. Apple crisp does not last too long around here!

I've been knitting on the knitting pure and simple sweater. It's the easy knitting that is just right for the stomach rumbling, not feeling very well days! I'll take a picture in the light today and show you tomorrow.

Teen Heaven

It's an odd thing that Blog city advertises down time today and I have not seen it yet. So, I'll share. That will make it go down!

Look what's happening in the Hurley household!

Yes, that is Derek's "new" car. A 1991 Toyota Celica along with SWEET stereo system. (teen terms, not mother's standards!) The base cube fills the whole hatchback. Wow! My ears sting just thinking about it. I can feel the vibration inside the house. Luckily, we have a couple of week reprieve from the worrying. He does not as of yet have his license. November 1st, I believe will be the day. Do you remember how happy you were when you got your first car?? I do.

Here's a look at the mittens with Mountain Colors yarn, in ladyslipper shade. Mittens are fun! When closing the top, do you thread the yarn through all the live stitches and pull closed? Or do you kitchener? I pulled this one shut and then there was little unacceptable hole on the top, so I fudged some and I'm not too thrilled with the end result. Gotta figure it out for Mr. Thumb.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian Friends! I hope each and every one of you have lots of blessings to count!

loony ville

well, LIFE has gotten in the way of sandysknitting lately. It seems daily living has been Kicked up a notch around here! It seems that life is a little like a crazy daisy lately. Crazy. Sure, I've been knitting. But my stomach has a touch of something nasty lately so if I could locate knitting and computer in the bathroom I may get more done. But that would be wrong.

So, I will let today pass and we will hope for good health, more time in a day and less looniness around me. How are you?

wish list

Here is something I am drooling over. Join me? I absolutely love this knitting bag! But do I love it $120 dollars worth?? I think not. Well, it's time to save my pennies. But will I spend them all on a bag like this? Where are the knock offs that I so crave?

On Monday, Blog city is going to shut the gates for some maintenance. I will be awol for the day. But they claim it will make it a better city. Easier to get in and out of. We'll see. Improvement is good. Especially lately! So, I'll see you on Tuesday, I hope.

And knitsmiths.....if you are reading.....I won't be at knitsmiths until November. Band season you know. I must be the supportive parent! I miss you guys. Knit on, see you soon. I will be in Methuen for the band competition while you are meeting this week!

haunted happenings

Last night there was no knitting in my house. But there was a parade. Well, not IN my house, but the kids were in a halloween parade as part of the kick off for the annual Haunted Happenings in Salem. Being famous for the Witch trials, halloween is a big TO-DO around there. It's always fun and festive! The Beverly High School band gets to dress in halloween costumes instead of their band uniforms.

Here's a picture of my son, along with the trombone line. He is the second from the left.

They are the Green Monster, along with scoreboard. If you are not baseball initiated, this is the outfield wall at Fenway Park. Go Red Sox! One of them has a coke bottle on his hat and another has the citgo sign, which is one of the landmarks of Boston. Another has a santa hat, which is not understood at this time. But I've learned in life that one cannot fully understand the workings of the trombonists mind. They got a lot of cheering for wearing this timely costume.

And my daughter was one of the Teen Girl Squad. Bethany was the "ugly one". She said, "Mom, somebody had to be her!"

I unfortunately couldn't get a picture of her at the parade because of the digital camera. I was too late every time, so I have plenty of pictures of the backs of her line. Drats. She looks great doesn't she?

Well, off to start my Friday! Have a happy! Knit something!

Good!

Did anyone miss me? Do you remember me? Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care? I feel strangely detatched from my blog. I've missed you. I have to admit to you that I posted the hand knit socks Dr. Seuss rip off poem and then the crickets started chirping around here at blog city. I thought I had laid an egg. So, please do my fragile ego some good and read it if you haven't yet.

I've been knitting on my mandatory blog hiatus. Can you tell what I've been knitting?

(playing Jeopardy music in my head).....What are mittens?!! Right! Mittens! Using Mountain colors in the ladyslipper colorway. Have I ever told you how much I love mountain colors?? haha! Remember in the movie American Beauty how the girl was laying with roses all over her? That's me, only with clothes on and with mountain colors around me. Every color, every hue.

Gotta run, though. Life awaits! Have a good one! It's Thursday, that means Friday can't be far off!

Knit socks with San

My apologies to Dr. Seuss.

I am San

Do you like to knit socks?

I do not knit them, san I am..

I do not like to hand knit socks.

I would not knit them here or there

I would not knit them anywhere.

I do not like to hand knit socks.

Would you knit them in the round?

Would you knit them on 2 circs?

I would not knit them in the round,

I would not knit them on 2 circs.

I would not knit them here or there

I would not knit them anywhere!

Would you, could you with a friend?

Would you, could you it's a trend?

Not in the round, not with 2 circs

Not with a friend, who cares if it's a trend?

I would not knit them here or there

I would not knit them anywhere!

Would you, could you in a car?

Knit them, knit them, here they are!

I would not, could not in a car!

I do not like to knit socks,

I do not knit them San I am.

Could you, would you with a mohair goat?

I would not, could not with a goat!

You do not knit them so you say

Try them, try them and you may!

San, If I knit them, you will see

I won't like them, let me be!

Say! I do so like to knit socks.

I would knit them here or there,

I would knit them in the round,

I would knit them with 2 circs

I would knit them with a friend

I would knit them in a car, and I would knit them with a goat!

Real women DO knit socks, so you see

Go knit some socks, hear my plea!

tap, tap, is this thing on??

Can you hear me now??

Mitten weather, coming right up

Can we talk about mittens? I want to make a pair of mittens. The criteria? Women's mittens, with a rounded top, not square-ish. Do you have a favorite pattern you can direct me to? Or recommend a book? Guide me, my peers!

And I stand corrected about the goat talk of yesterday. While I was picturing the straggly, mangy goats of petting zoo fame, Alyssa and Rob set me straight. There is indeed a mohair goat. Who knew? You probably did. NOw I know. Here is a great picture of one.

I"ve been baaaaaaaaad

You would think that a girl has enough yarn. But a small white package arrived in the mailbox at my home yesterday. Wanna see?

Some Mountain colors, ladyslipper. Can a girl have too much mountain colors? I think not!

This one is called Mountain Goat. Yes, that's right. Goat! I was picturing a goat's hair which is well....not the softest of the bunch in the herd and said "NO WAY!" But, Rob said, "WAY"! He so patiently explained that it is in fact not goat hair, but wool and mohair. Well, blow me over with a mohair feather, this is the greatest yarn! Not goaty at all. Go and buy some. Really. You can be baaaaaaad too....

This goat is a beauty, eh?

And I believe I will use the goaty stuff to make this..

This looks like fun, doesn't it? I must work on getting me a treasure, maties, to put inside of it. Can't be caught treasureless.

Can you stand more pictures?? Sure you can. I just hope you dial up folks can hack it.

Take a gander at the sky this morning.

And it also looked like this a bit to the left....

Please hum to yourselves,

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Louis Armstrong...