Blocked!

I had so much fun yesterday, after I went to the nearest craft store to stock up on pins. I did not buy another tomato pincushion. Yet. I gave Charlotte a little soak in some ivory snow and then brought her outside for a block party!

Happy Charlotte
You told me how much it would open up upon blocking, but I'm still amazed at the beauty of it all!
Today, she gets the crocheted edging treatment! Nothing but the best for Ms. Charlotte web!

Do I dare ask for another happy dance?

The knitting on Charlotte is done! I cast off last night, then immediately gathered the materials for a block party. Towel, check. Charlotte, check. Pins, Pins..Pins?? Dang it! Where did I put that pincushion?!!
Missing!

Have you seen me?
Tomato red, with small strawberry hanging off top
Many, various style pins sticking into it
If found, please return.
So, Charlotte sits in a heap, waiting for me to visit AC Moore today to stock up on pins. And then you know what's going to happen, don't you? That's right! I'll find the pincushion upon arriving home. Probably right there in plain sight. Someone's playing tricks. I hope they are having fun!

A finished Charlotte, but not mine!

Today, due to a queasy stomach and dizzy feeling (from what? Who knows! Too much vacation??) I am going to have a guest blogger! One of our blogless Charlotte Women finished her Charlotte and she gave me permission to post it here. Without any further ado, I present to you...
Li, from Vancouver and her wonderful Charlotte's Web

Join me in OOOOOh....Ahhhhhhh!
She used Cherry Tree Hill glitter alpaca with some kid mohair accents and it was a wonderful alternative choice, I'd say!
Great job, Li!
Off to drink something bubbly to ease the quease.

What I am doing on my summer vacation, 2004

My official 3rd day of vacation. Let's review what I've done so far, shall we?
Cooked many dinners~ without grousing
Did dinner dishes on the same day that they were dirtied ~nuff said
Shopping in Newburyport
Lunch with friends ~yummy on so many levels
made headway on the stack 'o laundry that has been haunting me
vacuumed
managing major TMJ pain with blinding headaches from eating homemade granola that was a bit too crunchy, but OhSoYummy!
finally picked up poor neglected Charlotte~knitknitknitknitknit
These are the highlights. The list goes on and on. All of it good. But you may have noticed that I mentioned Charlotte! Did you think that I had forgotten her? Yah, me too!

bunchy Charlotte squished on the needle!
I now have 6 more rows until completion. Are you doing a happy dance along with me? Yes, I'm sure you are!
"Everybody dance now!" ~suggested music for your dance along!
There is one thing about Charlotte though. I'm not sure I like the final color. Kinda.....orange. I'm having an inkling of doubt tingle in my mind, but I'm trying to ignore it. Like advice from a family member, I'm trying to drown it out. Give it a chance and all that. I do think that I will use the light blue from the beginning of the shawl for the crocheted border. Maybe that will bring it all together. No? Yes?
Come along and vacation with me! My house is almost clean!

Conwy socks! Insert Foot!

Sock it to me!

The pattern is from Knitting on the Road, Conwy pattern
The Yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock in the colorway motherlode
Needle Size: US 1
Here's a closeup of the stitch:

Cold toes anyone?
It's a chilly morning here, I think I'll wear them a bit! I did alter the pattern a bit to accomodate my taste in socks. I like a short cuff, so I shortened them and consequently did not make the shaping of the calf, since these do not reach my calf!

How much do I love thee? Priceless!

This is my first lorna's laces and it won't be my last!

Merry Christmas or how Sandy spends her money

Right around this time every year I get bitten by the Christmas bug. Yes, you read that right! Christmas!! I can't help myself! All of a sudden, I'm humming Christmas music, fantasizing about the house decorations and planning the Christmas cards! Unfortunately something happens around November. Life gets crazy and Christmas becomes less jolly and more harried.
This doesn't help. 2 days of Christmas in July on QVC!
I am dreaming of a white Christmas and of many things on QVC. This is the only thing I have bought so far. Although it is not quite so yellow as in the picture. A 3 foot Alpine tree. I PINE for this tree.
Shhhh, the next item is up. And I'm knitting..

The power of glove

One glorious glove is finished

Can I get an A-men!
Although the pinky side looks a bit wonky in this photo, the glove came out great! I am so happy with it! I cannot wait for a cool, fall day! One hand will be warm and content!
I cannot believe that I am knitting gloves all by myself! No one else? No one? One? So lonely. One is a lonely number!
My mind cannot stop thinking of the possiblities of the glove puns. It's a curse!
Mailcall!

The wonderful, Ingrid, who has moved away(boohoo) sent me this in trade!
Classic Elite Flash in the colorway crocus. Crappy color on this photo as it's impossible to get a good picture when it's overcast and icky humid. Okay, the icky humid has nothing to do with picture quality. And our humid will only last one day since we escaped the rest of the days with our seabreeze. But even the best, most wanted seabreeze will veer off.
You can see the yarn here also, maybe the color is better!
I plan to make this sweater from Knitty, called Flashy Lace. Ingrid made this sweater and I fell in love with it. (Not glove this time, love)
Starting at noon today, I will be on vacation from work for 2 weeks! No plans yet, but plenty of this....

Sandy's beach

Hands and feet. This has turned into a blog about hands and feet. Don't let your fingers and toes get chilly. Knit them something. I'm not going to bore you with the finger du jour. Let me say, though, that the hole problem mentioned a couple of days ago is fixed. Instead of the M2 (which the pattern describes, by the way, as wrapping the yarn around the needle 2 full times. It doesn't however mention the gaping holes that are left in it's wake) I picked up more than 2. I picked up quite a few more on the ring finger. It needed it. So I dealt with it and moved on. My whole philosophy on life as a matter of fact! Works for me!
The summer weather has slammed into these parts with a fury. Previously cool and comfy, Massachusetts and New England has been having the hot and humids. Except for where I live. We have the most delightful sea breeze lately, keeping our temps in the delightful low 70's! Get yourself a sea breeze, you won't be sorry!

Singing Beach, Manchester
Bethany and I went to Singing beach last night, about a 15 minute ride from our home. With the fog rolling in off the water, it was a delightful evening. I love to go to the beach at that time of day. There are only a handful of people left on the beach and the seagulls are out cleaning the beach of any leftover snacks.

Taking a dip!
Singing beach is named for the sound that the sand makes when you scuff your heels along. It "sings". A high pitched squeaking noise unlike any other beach I've ever been to. The phenomena is explained here, if you are interested. It has something to do with the silica content in the sand.
Now if someone could just turn the heater on in the water. Refreshing my foot. The water is downright frigid! Only the brave went in the water yesterday.
What are you looking at me for? I'm not brave!!

my house, is a very, very, very fine house

The Charlotte women need a bit more attention, don't you think? I have been a negligent host. I have updated my blogrolling list to indicate the finished Charlotte's with a * If I have missed you, speak up, so we can all hear! I'm sure I have missed a few.
Last night I was quickly reading through the new Oprah magazine (August 2004 issue) when I came across a small article by a man named Carl Honore who is a self proclaimed activist for inactivity. He believes that in our desire to fill every moment, we are losing out on some of life's most precious commodities. Connection with other people. Balance is what he states it's all about, not moving to a little house on the prairie! Choosing the right speed for what we are doing.
I agree with everything he said. Although, I started to think about how the computer age has led to less connection with people. Since I have started blogging, I feel the opposite. Blogging has connected me with more people. Many women and a few men that I never would have met in my small corner of the world. Most people noodling around on the computer are avoiding the human connection. I seek it everytime I log on.
You are my Prairie. This blog is my little house.
And I knit gloves. Life is good, is it not?

Floozy finger, be gone!

I have decided to take out the ring finger of the cashmere gloves! I don't like the way the hole is gaping. This is easier said than done. I get a little, um...enthusiastic about weaving in my ends and it will be challenging to say the least to find where to start the tugging!
The pattern calls to take 9 stitches from the front holder and 9 from the back holder to knit each finger. However, in between each finger, it has me M2. This just doesn't cut the mustard. This lets the finger just kinda float there, unattatched to the rest. I need fingers that are ready to settle down. Mature enough to have an attatchment that will last, not run after every floozy finger that comes along! :)
So, I will rip. And instead of M2, I will pick up 2. Or maybe even 3. I'll just willy nilly pick up stitches as I see fit. As usual!
Get yourself a Sock Made especially for you!
Justin has generously offered to make a lovely pair of socks especially for you. A donation to Jesse's family is all that's in order. Remember Jesse? See my July 9th entry for refresher. Go check it out here. You will help a family in crisis and will end up with a special made, hand knit pair of socks. They will keep more than your feet warm. They will warm your heart as well.
Picture of the day
No naked post here. I delve into the photo files of my camera.

I call this: Rhododendrum with Bee!
Gotta Buzz!

Holey Fingers, Batman!

Are these turning into Church gloves? Holy?

Holey, not Holy!
Following the directions, I "M2" (make 2) at each edge of the finger. Thus leaving a gaping hole. Seems as if these will get a tad chilly, don't you think? I do think I need to pick up stitches to attatch the fingers together. Now there is a novel idea, no? Or. I could leave it as is for some well needed ventilation. Don't want my fingers to get all stuffy!
Dream a little dream for me!
I had a dream last night of my friend who recently died of lung cancer! He told me he came to see me to tell me he is okay. I told him I didn't know how he could be okay and then he hugged me, transferring to me all the wonderful feelings. He really is okay. Peace, serenity, happiness, health. It was all there. I am thankful for that message. I feel blessed today as I go on my way. Holey gloves and all!

Summer fun

Summertime, Summertime, Sum-Sum-Summertime!
It's finally here. Here in the Northeast US, it took long enough. I sat on my porch for the first time last night, with the citronella candle flickering, the crickets chirping. This is what it's all about!
But it's also about this!

The first Corn on the Cob of the season!
And believe me, it won't be the last!
Once the corn is ready, I hit the farmstand once a week. One cannot get too much corn or fresh tomatoes, beets, green beans. Oh, my mouth is watering! Our growing season is just too short not to enjoy every blessed moment of it! And, as a bonus, I have to do none of the work! Weeds? Who's got em? Watering? Picking? not me~ I just pay on my way out!
After the rain:

Look up in the sky!
If you look closely, you can see a faint double rainbow on top! I looked, but I could not locate the pot of gold! Drat it! Imagine the cashmere purchases!
Corn on the Cob and Rainbows. Can life get any better?

Snap it up!

Saturday is here. One more blessed week until the start of my 2 week vacation! There is no end to the fun and frolic for today. For instance, grocery shopping. Along with the rest of the city. A stop at the Garden stand. There's gotta be some kind of veggie cropping up in the stand today! But then, the real fun starts. The cooking, the cleaning, the vacuuming. Oh joy! Could it get any better than this? Maybe even some laundry thrown in for good measure!But my reward? Oh, come on, I dont' have to say it aloud, do I? Of course, the sitting on the porch later today, knitting my little heart out? Wanna join me?
Buttoning up the ChildHood!
It remained buttonless for quite a while but I finally took a trip out to Joannes and settled on the perfect buttons.

The pattern called for fake buttons, with snaps inside to close the sweater. I did not intend on doing it this way. I planned to make buttonholes. Even the best laid plan goes awry at times.

Snaps to the ChildHood Sweater!
I forgot. So I snapped it up. Works for me. Pumpkin sweater has been given to it's intended recipient and I got the lovliest thank you card that could bring tears to my eyes just thinking about it. People can be lovely sometimes.
Off to do my shopping. If you are at the grocery store today, think of me, jostling the crowds with you!
May the freshest of foods be with you! On sale, of course!

Where is Pinky?

HELLO BLOGGERS!!
I'm back. Sweet Goddess of computers, the motherboard has landed! 5 long days in my home with 4 people going through serious computer withdrawals. Plans are now in place to have a back up computer for emergency use. I have missed you all mercilessly. How are you? What you been up to?
I have been knitting. Which one of you is surprised? I am glove addicted. It's all about the cashmere, baby!

Giving you the surfer sign!
ahem.....where is pinky, where is pinky, here I am, here I am, how are you today sir, very well I thank you, run away!
Did you sing along?
Got the feet covered!

Motherlode sock
Couldn't let my feet get jealous while working on covering the hands. This pattern is Conwy from the book Knitting on the Road. A wonderful pattern that I can do anywhere!
Okay, the real world awaits. I hope to check in with everyone sometime today. Missed ya!
Geez, I hope there are still people around to read this! :)

A Mother Blog

Computers, schomputers. They are wonderful until they act up. And like a 2 year old, they always act up! I have been reduced to public computering. And I view using the public computers the same as using a public restroom. Ick. The keyboard. God knows WHO used it! AND WHERE their hands were. ICK. Double ICK.
I did get a progress report on the computer and it's the motherboard. Do you see a theme around here? I am knitting the motherlode socks and the motherboard gives out? Am I imagining it?
Oh, mother.
Don't give up on me. I have 30 minutes of computer time here at the public rest rooms, er library. I'll catch up with all of you tomorrow or the next day!
Miss ya, ya mothers!:)

I have a dream!

Raise your glove if you thought I'd wait until I was done the lorna's lace sock and Charlotte before starting the glorious gloves?? That's what I thought. NONE.

Glorious, Indeed!
I wish you could reach out and feel the richesse et soie!
The funny thing about this glove is that not long ago, I could be heard spouting to all who might listen, "I will never make gloves! Too fussy for me! I hate gloves anyway! I need mittens!" It's true. In fact, even as I had the richesse et soie and glorious glove patten in my shopping basket, I planned to make them into mittens. I even went so far as to have a discussion about it with the Patternworks worker. Mittens . That's for me! Mittens. Not hard to do. Just don't make fingers. All of a sudden, I am thinking about gloves! Hmm. What an appealing idea! My fingers get pushy and start demanding their own cashmere covering. FINE. Gloves. I'll try them. Who knew?
And then, the earth stops spinning for a moment. Words were spoken that I had never thought would be uttered. I'll never forget them as long as I live. Bethany, while fondling the glorious gloves said, "Will you knit me a pair in black?!"
I paused, thinking that I was hearing things. I must be. This is the teen that has forbidden me to knit her ANYTHING. EVER!
"Beth, did you just ask me to knit you gloves?"
"mmmmhmmmm. In black. With the mitten finger thingy that I can pull off to play my flute in band."
"Okay"
The conversation that stopped time. I am heading to the Patternworks site right now. Knitting for my family! Thought it would never happen!
Pinch me, I must be dreaming!

Socks of the heart

Every now and then I hear something that simultaneously touches my heart and outrages me. This is the story of a boy named Jesse. He is a son, a brother, a friend, a young man with a long, full life ahead of him. Oh, and he happened to be gay. What does being gay have to do with anything? In this story, it does happen to mean a lot. You can read Jesse's story here.
He was a 23 year old college student and if you don't think that hit close to home, I don't know what would. A 23 year old gay man/boy from Missouri is murdered. What does that have to do with Sandy from Massachusetts? I have that feeling that this could be any of us. Is my son gay? No. I don't think so. I hope to God he would tell me if he were. Would it matter? Nope. But murdered because of an affair with a POLICE OFFICER??!! The people sworn to protect and serve us all? My heart.
In wonderful knitter fashion, JJ has set up an ebay auction to help the family. In the midst of this mother's nightmare, she lost her job. I don't think the bills vamoose because your son was murdered. Go on over to ebay and bid from your heart on a pair of lovingly knitted opal wool socks, all proceeds going to the Valencia family to help with the bill paying.
Thanks for listening. Spread the word.

I'm in Glove!

As I was shopping around and around Patternworks, trying to zero in my sights on one thing, wanting them all, I kept coming back to a small basket set in a corner. It seemed to call my name. While I was fondling the Koigu, a little voice at the back of my head said, "What about the basket?" What was in the little basket, you wonder?

Heaven in a ball!
I'd like to introduce you to Richesse et soie, in the colorway Fawn! 65% cashmere 35%silk! Pure heaven! Fingers have a mind of their own near this yarn. They are compelled to touch. So, one must be careful what one knits with a yarn that makes people compelled to touch, don't you think?
As luck would have it, this pattern was with the yarn. Coincidence? I think not! heh! Glorious gloves, indeed! A glove with a cable?? What?! Have I died and gone to heaven? Wait! It gets better! A glove with a cable in yarn that is cashmere and silk? NOW YOU ARE TALKING!! I have a feeling that I might need to knit the long string to these to attach them together and through my sleeve. You know, to hang from my coat so I won't lose them?
But Wait, there's more!
2 skeins of koigu.

Although I did not travel with Charlotte, I wanted an extra skein that matched in case I decide I need more. Maybe a bigger Charlotte. Maybe a bigger crocheted edge. Maybe fringe galore. Who knows. So, I bought these on Charlotte memory and they both match well. Go figure. I got lucky that day. Knitting gods, or something.
That's it. Oh, OKAY. One more thing. But I'm not going to show you yet. It is tucked away for the next blog contest giveaway! When? Not sure yet. Maybe a "welcome fall" contest.
Say it with me, "Richesse et Soie!" You need some too!

Weekend fun and Secret Pals II!

Our fourth of July long weekend was lovely and over way too soon! We spent 3 glorious days at the lake! I miss it already!

Our Friday night welcoming committee!
I swam, I sunned (safely slathered in sunscreen of course, don't worry!), we barbequed. And of course, I knit. Did you have any doubt? Saturday after a full day at the water, I broke out the motherlode sock, sat on the porch and began. Then, the ball of yarn rolled off my lap, across the porch floor, under the railing, over the edge and into a bush. See?

A challenge, yes, since I was about 12 feet off the ground with the knitting part of this equation! Alas, the problem was solved and motherlode knitting continued, without any further incident!
And, how can one be 40 minutes away from this place without taking a road trip!

YARN!!!
YES, but what did I buy? Tomorrow, my friend, tomorrow!
I ate more than my fair share of these:

Marshmallow anyone?
And to top off the July 4th evening, we had a cool fireworks show choreographed by Derek, who had shopped with Andy on the way up at Three Finger Eddie's

People from around the lake cheered for Derek, shouting out, "YOU ROCK!" He beamed, as any almost 18 year old would! I'm happy and excited to report that Derek is not 3 fingered and all of the existing homes and trees still exist, with no singeing around the edges!
And now I sit, bleary eyed from all the fun and excitement, getting ready to go to work. Dang nabbit!
Are you still reading??
Lots of Finished Charlotte's around. I'll post the list as I know it tomorrow.
Secret Pals II
Interested? The wonderful Heidi will be your host! Thank you Heidi for being the hostest with the mostest! Go on over and sign up if you are interested! BUT. Only if you are seriously interested. No dead beats allowed this time. You know who you are! (And I"m speaking to you only if you did not send a gift or ever acknowledge yourself to your pal! I am not referring to anyone who sent more than one gift and revealed as planned! )

Muppet lover!

Blast those thunderstorms that start at 3 AM and rumble their way through until the alarm goes off! Someone should keep them awake and see how they like it! Hrmph!
Later this afternoon my family is packing the car and heading up north to Freedom, New Hampshire! A lovely and appropriately named place to spend Independence Day weekend! Which is a long weekend for us! I am actually jumping up and down with excitement! Which is not easy to do while typing, let me tell ya!
If you happen to have a long weekend, enjoy it! If you don't , well, enjoy it anyway ! My knitting is packed and I'm ready to go...I hope I can keep my eyes open!
Muppet Lover!

How can I resist this bookmark? won't Anna Karenina be jazzed up with Beaker holding my place!

I'm bold again!

Last night, at approximately 7pm, while I was making popcorn , slathered with butter and salt, the motherlode contest came to a screeching halt! With Fig the cat presiding over the event as security, Miss Bethany reached her hand into the official New Balance Sneaker box/entry bin and pulled one slip of folded paper from the 95, handing it off to me. I calmly read the name, showed it to the judge, Fig the cat, so that there will be no accusations of impropriety later on.
With the salty, buttery popcorn in hand, I moseyed on over to the computer, where I emailed the winner, leaving behind some evidence on the keyboard. Fig, the judge gave me some dirty looks on that one. What kind of contest is this, anyway?

"She got butter on the keyboard! Oh, the humanity!"
Without futher ado....
The winner is.......(Please, drum roll on your computer desk for at least 2 seconds to heighten the suspense.....
Susan Hallock! She hails from New Mexico, USA and that is all I know about her! Congrats, Susan, you won the motherlode!
The astute blog reader will notice that I got my boldness back! I can emphasize! I can call attention!
And I can link!
Have yourself a bold day! And link often!