Something old, something new..

Something old (me) learning something new (3 needle bind off!) :)

? 3 Needle Bind off, anyone?

This is the front and back of the ChildHood sweater, attached at the shoulder. I used the 3 needle bind off method, which is the first time I have tried it. A 3 needle bind off virgin, as such. I found the instructions here. All this was done in the comfort of my own childless home while watching the movie Matchstick Men, without anyone? pouting that they were missing Simpsons or South Park or such. It's a wonderful life!? We loved this movie! Nicholas Cage is really great!? Have you seen it? And if you have, can you please tell me, was the shrink in on it I feel like I have to watch it again to see what was really happening.

Friday is almost here. Hang on, it will arrive!

How much is that birdie in the window?

Spring has sprung around here and I couldn't be happier!? The birds are squawking, tulips are poking their heads out of the soil, daffodils are blooming, lilacs buds are getting bigger. And the smell of spring is here! Do you know what I mean? It smells...well...green!? And fresh!? I am a happy camper. (Disclaimer: no camping has actually taken place during this blog entry)

I knit about 1/2 of the second sleeve on the child hood sweater. It is staying, which you suspected all along. Thank you for your color support!?

Tonight we will be getting the kids ready for their band trip to NYC. They will be gone Wed-Sat night. I imagine that Andy and I will feel like we are having a second honeymoon or something. But it will only last the first night I'm sure. It's not like we are in some Bed and Breakfast in Vermont or anything. There will still be things like laundry, dishes, vacuuming, leaks in the roof, yard work to do, fungus among us. You know, reality? It's hard to sustain romance when those things are calling out your name!?

Rainy days and Mondays

This is the part of the ChildHood sweater that I was getting nervous about.

? I don't want this baby looking like a dork!

Usually I don't feel a lot of anxiety about the colors that I've chosen. Maybe? it's all the Christmas Tree talk, I don't know, but I'm just so unsure of myself on this one. At other times, I would take that as a sign and pick something else. But I've come so far that I don't want to turn back now. Wishy Washy. That's how I feel about this, when I love to be IN love with it. Meh. What do you think? Does it work? Does it look dorky Go ahead. We can be truthful with each other after all this time.

Yesterday was the little league parade in town.

? Little Leaguers as far as the eye could see!

This is just a fraction of them. The littlest T-ball players are so cute. It's hard to remember that my kids used to be that cute small!?

We are having a rainy Monday. Enjoy yours!

Sunny Flowers

Thank you, Secret Pal!

A wonderful card and sunflower seeds showed up in my mailbox yesterday. No, kids, these are not the seeds to eat. Get away!? Thank you, secret pal! Perfect timing! Perfect surprise!? I will look forward to planting these and watching them grow!?

The ChildHood sweater grew last night while we watched School of Rock. I loved this movie!? Funny and quite touching, when it was all said and done! Tonight we have Matchstick Men to watch. More knitting!?

The sun is shining, it's cool enough to eek out another Everyday Cardigan day, What a wonderful world it is.

My mission, should I choose to accept it

I have been dreaming of Mission Falls Cotton since I visited my new to me local yarn dealer store. I knew I had to make something out of it. But what As luck would have it, I stumbled across this sweater.? And I have a new boy baby to knit for. Serendipity? Perhaps. These are the colors I came up with.

? Colors: Chili and Fennel. Hungry anyone?

After much (sometimes heated ) debate with my darling, opinionated daughter, I now do not know whether this is orange or red. Some of you may remember the "iceberg" fiasco with the all season's cotton. I guess sometimes my eye is opinionated and sees what it wants to see. Bethany is now calling this the Christmas tree sweater. I think it is more orange. I was going for a warm, pumpkiny feel, as this would probably fit said baby in the fall. Pumpkin season. But with christmas not far off. I digress. So, I headed over to a site that would tell me the name of the yarn, not just the number. Color number 207, according to this source, is called Chili. Color number 301 is named Fennel. Chili. Not orange. And not red. Must we settle on orange red (as opposed to red orange! That would be admitting defeat! :)

Child in the HOOD sweater!

So far,I really enjoy working with mission falls cotton, red or orange.

? Happy Earth Day!? Hug a tree. Oran animal. Or me.

Me? I have to attend a friend's funeral today. Could there be anything worse? So, ladies (or men, for that matter), hug your husbands today and send up a prayer that they are with you. I certainly will.

Suck it up!

Here's a picture for closure....

Everyday cardi, buttoned up!

Thank? you everyone for leaving such wonderful comments about my EC!? I really do love it. The weather conspired against my wearing it yesterday as it turned out to be 84 degrees. With no previous warm up, it was HOT!? Today should be a bit more seasonable.

In fact, I loved the EC so much that I was in such withdrawal without it. I missed it. It was such a comforting, easy knit to have around. When I needed to knit and not concentrate on the knitting, that is what I reached for. It left a hole in my knitting life. I pined for it.

Meet everyday cardi in Buffalo Brownski!

OY! I may be toeing some kind of line here. The obsessive middle aged knitter, knitting the same cardigan over and over again, giving them away to family, who cringe at the thought!!? You have permission to shake me if I turn into that pathetic person. Surely ONE more EC won't hurt?

In totally domestic, boring news, that thrills me beyond belief, I got a new vacuum yesterday!? The amount of happiness this little thing has brought me is almost scary!? I should work on getting a life, eh It is very similar to this one, but it is blue and it is amazing. It's name is Magic Blue. And it is, believe me!

Hungry?

? Soda bread, anyone?

Sometimes when I go to the grocery store, I find interesting things that I cannot pass up no matter the cost. This was one of them. For the price I paid, this particular Hurley could have come into my kitchen and baked it fresh. Okay, it wasn't that expensive, but you get my drift. I just couldn't resist. Makes great toast!

I have seen this on other's blogs. Looked fun, thought I'd try it. (Taken from Princess Knits)

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 23.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the sentence in your journal with these instructions.

"Oddly, you can't be too clean seemed to be the moral of the story."

This is from a book called, Sticks and Scones by Diane Mott Davidson. Very good light book, if you are looking for one. A murder mystery whose main character is a mystery solving caterer. The book always includes some great recipes, some of which I have made and are delish.

KNitting? sure. I knit some more on my everyotherday cardigan. But you dont' want to see another inch.

I guess the theme of today is food. Breakfast, anyone?

I'm in love with a sweater! Should my husband be jealous?

Peace Fleece Everyday Cardigan in colorway Zarya Fog, meet my knitting buddies. Knitting buddies, meet EC!

Don't hate me because I'm beautful!? (Pft!)

I love this sweater! LOVE! It fits wonderfully. The color is great! This is the first sweater that I have made for myself that I will wear, well......everyday. Okay, I promise I won't wear it everyday, but I'll want to! The only thing I would change for the next one, and believe me, there will be a next one, is to make the sleeves about an inch shorter. Although, this still has to be washed. Yes, that's right. I'm wearing it sans washing. So sue me. :)

Look what arrived in my mailbox yesterday!

?Must spin!

Some wonderful roving in the most luscious colors! I can't wait to spin these babies up! I've got the urge! Thank you, Secret Pal! You really are the best! I don't know how I got the best secret pal out there, but I guess I was lucky! This really made my day!

Head on over to Anne's place, The three women blog, and read up on a wonderful blog contest! You've got to get in on this one! The most beautiful needles are being given. Gotta get my name in for those! And then there will be 4 skeins of NORO! Oh, my knitting needles are rubbing together just thinking of it all! We've only got until May 2nd, so skedaddle!

We got some great news yesterday. Derek got accepted at his college of choice! I am so happy for him! So, if you see me in front of the local grocery stores with a can in hand, could you spare some extra change? haha! College. I guess that means less yarn for me. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make!

just ducky

Is it Friday yet?!? It has been such a long, long week!? UGH!? I have to get through today to make it to the other side!? But the good thing is that tonight is "take out" night. No cooking on Friday. Ever. Ever. Ever. I swear if for some reason we did not have money to take out, we would be eating bowls of cereal!?

With plenty of support and good company, I ripped out the everyday cardi button band last night and reknit it. I am much happier with it now. The collar is all that is left. I was hoping to get it done to wear today, but the Apprentice kept me busy last night. I will finish it tonight and of course, it will be in the 70's tomorrow. Local knitters, you can thank me later!

Bethany gave me this little guy!? She collects rubber ducks and this is one she got. But she thought I'd like it because it has a scarf! Isn't that the sweetest thing Teenagers...go figure!

? Can I get a quack, quack!

Well, that is the sweetest duck that anyone has ever given me. Of course, it is the only duck anyone has ever given me. But I digress!

My favorite online Yarn sources

My Favorite Online Yarn Sources
Blackberry Ridge
Black Water Abbey Yarn
Beaverslide Dry Goods
Peace Fleece
Halcyon Yarns
Morehouse Farm
Threadbear fiberarts
Fiber, Nooks and Crannies
The Village Knitter?(soon to be online)
Apple Laine Yarns

kspp ring

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Will it ever stop?

Do...Redo

Sometimes I get a bit carried away. This is a perfect example!

? The band on the left is much wider than the band on the right, no?

I like the smaller band. I guess I'll be doing the one on the left again. The buttonhole is centered nicely on the wider one though. I think I'll have to figure this out a bit when I redo.

It's Thursday. Friday is looming. It is welcomed here!?

Wanna neck?

I have been very, very busy. Pouting. It takes a lot of time and energy to pout effectively. I have even considered a temper tantrum. But that would be childish.

Brigitte finished, all but the buttons

Yes, I finished Brigitte. I spent long hours putting the finishing seed stitch edging onto her. Did she appreciate it? No. I couldn't wait for the moment to arrive when I slipped her off the needles and onto my arms. With the big moment here, the excitement was high. It felt a little funny around the shoulders. Bunchy and uncomfortable. I told myself it was okay, it is not blocked yet. Then it hit me. The sweater was sorely lacking in the hip area.It's not just that I wouldn't be able to button it around myself, it's that the two sides are not even in the same zip code area. The low wailing began. I have pouted since. Has it helped? Some. My plans are to stick it in a closet and let sleeping brigitte's lie. I will take her out again at a future date, when I lose weight, or I'm ready to give her away.

But there is some good news. I am almost finished the everyday cardi. This has a more pleasing outcome. At the first fitting, things are promising.

Necks galore!

There is something a little wonky on the right side neck decreases. See them What the? I don't know what went on, but I have already cheated and stitched up some hole like things going on there. I have great hopes for this little everyday cardi. My knitting hopes and dreams are riding on it's perfectly seamed shoulders. Can it take the stress? Time will tell!?

Yes, there's been a whole lotta seaming going on around here.

easter buttons

Here it is, Easter Sunday, and me, with no foil covered chocolate easter eggs hidden in my house. It's the first year this has not happened. The Easter Egg Hunt. Frankly, I miss it. I hid them last year and the kids did not want to participate. They said they were too old. Hrmph!? If I'm not too old, then you're not too old. No dice. I had to find all the eggs myself. How sad was that A forty something year old woman with an easter basket roaming around her own house finding the chocolate easter eggs she hid herself? Seems to me, one cannot get more pathetic than that. So, needless to say, there is not an egg around. The bunny does not stop here anymore!? ~sigh~? Easter just doesn't seem what it used to be.

But I am excited about something!?

? Buttons, anyone?

I found these buttons yesterday at the LYS. They excite me very much. These will be the finishing touches on Brigitte. Remember her Ooooooh, be sure to stay tuned.......

? Chocolate, anyone?

Okay, just because I don't have foil covered eggs, doesnt' mean I dont' have chocolate!? These babies arrived in the mail yesterday!! A great big Thank you to Greta! Have you heard of these? I had not. They are a new one on me. They are wonderful chocolate filled with, what they describe as "a flowing center"? that seems like marshmallow, but is alot better than that!? Sure, the center flowed out a little during the mailing process, you know, those postal peeps arenot the gentlest around, but it did not stop the enjoyment. If you must know, there was some licking of the wrapper involved. But that's all I will admit to! :)? Thank you, Greta for the wonderful seratonin boosting surprise!?

Happy Hunting!

Eggstra special blog entry?

My secret pal strikes again!

I am a marked person!

A lovely bookmark!? Is it handmade It is so lovely!? And what perfect timing, I'd say, wouldn't you? Just when this blog turned into Sandy's Reading (Sandy's Sleepwalking may not be far behind. You might be able to read some juicy stuff on that blog!) What you can't see in this picture, is that there are little, delicate beads in the middle of the flowers and embroidery on the stems and outer edge! A sincere Thank You, Secret Pal!

I did knit 3 whole rows on the everyday cardi last night! That's right! 3!!? At that rate, I'll be finished in no time. 3 was better than none, though.

Are your Easter dinner plans done yet? House all clean for the guests? Yah, me either!

?

Knit? Nah!

No knitting yesterday. Not one stitch. What? Was I being punished? Sort of. I have the aching hands syndrome again, specifically wrist related. As you probably know, it happens. If I baby it, it will go away. So, what does a non knitter do with their time That is the question. I read. Very enjoyable evening, by the way. But after about an hour of reading, my eyes just would not stay open!? I guess non knitting leads to more sleep!? I'd be rested, but very unhappy indeed.

What was I reading? It is called the Center of Everything. I am enjoying this book very much. It is told through the perspective of a ten year old girl from Kansas. Her voice is clear and easy going. I happen to love coming of age stories and this one is great so far!? If you are looking for a good read, check this one out.

Well, I see this has become Sandys Reading. For now, sure. But with all the snoozing between chapters, I guess it's SandySnoring too!? We won't mention the drooling. Ick.

Felt me up!

The Transitions sock from Blackberry Ridge is so fun to do, I can't keep my knitting fingers off of it!? (Thank you Andrea for leading me to their site!:)

?
The colors are fabulous, the yarn, heavenly. I love the stripe pattern on the foot!? I only did one repeat of the checkerboard type pattern, although the pattern called for 3 repeats. I like short socks!? And the sock, because of the color work, is not the stretchiest of socks. And well, erm, I don't like tight socks.

Anyone interested in how peace fleece felts? Come in closer. Okay. It is wonderful! See?

Got Hair?

Mohair, that is. In peace fleece, you don't really notice the mohair. But felted? The texture becomes a delight to the senses!? It is beautfully hairy!? This is the color Georgia Rose. The hints of orange highlight the felted fabric. A beauty to behold. It also has a stripe of Bartlett yarn, color, garnet, ?thrown in for good measure. A nice contrast to the georgia pink.

The act of felting peace fleece It did take a bit to happen. Patience is the word. This went through 3 wash cycles. That is not unreasonable. I have felted other things that took as long. It was worth the wait. Smell?? Funny, I did not notice any strong sheepy smell during this process. I figured that the minute it got wet, my kitchen would smell barnlike. But it did not smell. Okay, I did not bury my nose in it or anything.? I wouldn'trecommend it!

Go felt some peace fleece, you know you want to!

Play ball~!

?

Baseball season has arrived. The Red Sox had their season opener last night. I am not a huge fan of baseball, but there are things I do love about the game. I realized last night, that I love the sounds of baseball. The murmur of the crowd, the crack of the bat, the excited tones of the normally hush announcers. I don't often pay much attention to the game itself, but the sound of the game on the tv fills me with quiet joy. The sounds of summer. The promise of lazy, hazy nights. The little league boys and girls popping up in fields around town!? Sitting on my porch at dusk, iced tea, fireflies lighting the night sky, thunderstorms (not bad ones though!), the fan whirring during the night, blowing it's cooling breeze on me. Could it be? summer is almost here Today it was hard to spot through the snow showers. But mother nature has not let us down yet. It will be here. Let's not think about the other side of summer. You know, the humid, sticky, icky sleeping weather kind of days. Let's just rejoice in the good things for now!?

Knitting? Sure!? The transitions sock progresses. Sleeve number 2 of the everyday cardigan, Dad's sock. they all make slim progress. Not enough to show yet. The peace fleece surprise Oh, it's more heavenly than I could have imagined. I can't wait until May 31 st (the end of the secret pals) to share with you what I learned! :)

Go turn on?a baseball game and enjoy the sound with me!

On the banks of the River Hurley

The flood waters are receding. We did not need to call in the Coast Guard after all. It got quite dicey for?a while, but things are back to normal around here. Albeit a tad soggy. This is a good excuse to get rid of all the crap er, stuff down in the basement that has collected for years. You know the stuff, don't you? It's too good to throw away, but not good enough to use That decision is now made for us. Waterlogged, borderline stuff is now considered endangered to be extinct stuff.

In the meantime, I knit.

The blackberry ridge tranisitions sock. Autumn colors

This is a fun pattern. I can't keep away from it. I have no intention of putting this knitting to the top of the list, but my hands pick it up no matter what the mind is saying. ~sigh~ I guess I'll just stop fighting it. I am still working on the peace fleece sleeve number 2. Almost half done that!? I can't wait to finish it!? I need to order one more skein of yarn, though. Better get on that!? And there is a secret knitting project. I'm almost done with that. Wanna see it? Yah, well, I wish I could show it. It's a secret pal kinda thing. And I wouldn't want to blow it for my secret pal, if indeed she does read here. BUT....I will tell you that it is made with peace fleece!? A color that looks something like this...

Have I told you how much I love peace fleece? Yes, oh.

Secret knitting is fun!? Happy Sunday to all!? I won't be at knitsmiths again this week due to a pretty bad headcold. Don't want me sneezing and blowing all over you? now, do you

Rain, Rain go away, come again some other day, Sandy's basement is sick of it!

Over the past day and a half, we have had over 7 inches of rain. YIPES!? I now own lakefront property!? That is the good news. The bad My basement is part of the lake!? In the 15 years that we have owned our home (or rather, paid the bank a hefty amount to live here:)? we have had water in our basement 2 times. Now 3. It is only in extreme weather and this sure does qualify!? Anyone planning to build an ark Can we bring 2 of each skein of yarn on boardThe sump pumps are pumping, the husband is grumbling, the shower water is tepid. April showers my foot!?

Where shall we build the dock, honey

This picture was taken about 5 pm last night. Believe me when I say it has gotten worse. I may need a rowboat to get out to work today.

In actual knitting content, the transitions sock kit has been singing it's siren song since the moment I opened it. 2 days it sat. I'd say that I was being very brave in ignoring it. I had no intentions of starting yet another project!? Last night, I kept gazing over at it. And I thought, "Oh, I'll just roll up one of the hanks." You know, I just needed to get my hands on it. Feel the wool. I rolled. "Look at how beautiful the cranberry color is. I'll just roll that too."? Just to get the feel of the yarn, of course. ~You can see what's coming, can't you~? "Well, there is only one left. I may as well roll that one too!"? A search ensues for the size 3 needles that the pattern calls for. Found em!!? "Okay, I"ll just cast on. Just that. Then I"ll go back to the peace fleece sleeve."?

Ahem....

Well, what would YOU have done?

All of a sudden, I"m done the ribbing. What a pleasure it was too. The guilty little pleasure of doing something I wasn't supposed to be. It's like being a kid again.

Now, if you are going to hang around here, grab a pail and start bailing, will ya

No foolin'

?

Happy Birthday to Kim!? And this is no April Fool's! Go on over and wish her a happy one!? She is one special friend, I'll tell ya!? Hope it's happy, girl! I will have a cup of tea today in celebration of you!

Don't sleeve me alone!

The peace sleeve, part 1 is finished. Is it possible that a person could love a yarn so much that sleeve hell does not even happen Well, there still is sleeve number 2, so let's see how far this honeymoon carries me.

And there is small progress on the sock. This will be a father's day gift for my dad!