gardenmommy knits

2006-12-30T11:42:00.000-08:00

Have you ever *gasp* returned yarn?

There is still no definite date on when we will have our family-get-together with grandma yet. Before I knew that, I went out in a panic and bought some yarn locally for what I thought I would be making my aunt, uncle, and grandma. Didn’t really find anything that truly tripped my trigger. I had started the Column of Leaves in the purple sport weight superwash, and got through a couple of repeats, but the yarn just wasn’t really saying that much to me. It’s okay, nothing spectacular though. I think it might make some great socks, especially in a lacy pattern, but for a scarf, kind of bland. I think that pattern needs something a bit more luxurious, I was thinking along the line of one of the washable cashmere/merino blends like Debbie Bliss Cashmerino or Rowan Cashsoft. Something soft and squishy that you can bury your nose in and feel all cozy. And this yarn wasn’t that. So that has been set aside. Here’s how far I got. That contrasting yarn is my lifeline, in a bit of Baby Cashmerino I had leftover from Baby H’s bolero.

Then I thought for expediency’s sake, I’d try something bulky. Hemmed and hawed and found a pattern with some potential, Natty. Although I prefer designs with more than one cable, this one could fit the bill. It also says it is reversible, although I don’t see what the other side looks like. So I went to town, and half-heartedly bought some gray and forest green Wool-Ease at Joann (I was really wanting a navy blue and a tan) for the supposed fake double-knit hat, and found some sorta interesting novelty type Sensations yarn called “Halo” in a nice red, that was quite soft, on clearance too, which I was thinking for Grandma’s scarf, to do in sort of a horizontal wavy pattern, like the first pattern. Then off to Hobby Lobby for some Lion Brand Jiffy in Plum, plus some TLC Amore in Red Velvet as a carry-along to go with the novelty stuff from Joann. And then they sat. I had no desire to pick any of it up. The idea of the clogs is still in the back of my mind, so if I get to the At Home Store where they have Cascade 220 and Lamb’s Pride, I think the clogs it will be, and back to Joann’s and Hobby Lobby the yarn will go. I sure hope I still have the receipts. I probably can’t return the Halo since it was on clearance, but it was the one I spent the least on anyway.

I mean really, what was I thinking?

I had been also working on the ruffly hat in the Lorna’s Laces for my cousin’s baby girl, but after about four inches, realized it would barely fit a doll at about 11 inches in circumference, let alone a three-month-old baby. So I frogged it back to the ruffle and started it again on size 5 circulars instead of the size 2 DPNs. I hope it doesn’t end up too loose and holey. No I didn’t swatch. I may just have to start it completely over. I really was thinking about making a matching pair of baby socks too if I had enough left after the hat.

So one afternoon, since three out of four kids were spending a few days at Mom & Dad’s, I thought I would sort my stash. It was basically overflowing out of the 50-gallon tub it normally resides in, plus some of the skeins and balls were getting loose from digging through it and it needed a general revamping. So several Ziploc bags later, it is improved. I kind of had to rush at the end, R was coming home from work, and I didn’t want him to see the extent of the stash, which I’m sure is miniscule by some people’s definitions, but still a sizable investment on my part. And while going through, I realized there were some yarns in there I just didn’t care for or would ever use. So those may go up for swap or sale. And I still need to organize my knitting needles and other tools. I realized I have no size 4 DPNs, I’m not sure how that ever happened, I think I have every other size from 11 Brittany birches down to 000 in a sock set. I need to find a plastic box that is long enough for the 14 inch needles, the shoe box size ones just don’t quite cut it. Although I don’t think I plan to keep may straights either, I will probably swap or sell those as well. And my crochet hook set is missing, not that I crochet at all, but handy to have for fixing things. It may be in the bottom of the diaper bag, guess I better check there.

Before unloading

In progress of sorting. Never even touched the knitting implements.

2006-12-23T13:06:00.000-08:00

A Reprieve

My poor grandma called today, saying that Christmas just wasn't going to happen on Christmas. She has had a cold and a cough, and just didn't feel up to cooking, and was fearful of spreading the not-so-joyous bug to the young 'uns in the family. Usually we get together on that day with my side of the family, and on Christmas Eve with the in-laws. My grandma is 78 but could easily be mistaken for many years younger, in fact people have asked if she is my mom (not that *I* look that old! LOL). But she is the main cook for the family holidays, enjoys doing it, and we all definitely enjoy eating! So our holiday has been rescheduled for some time the following weekend.

But on the up side, that gives me a whole week to complete things that I hadn't even hardly thought about starting for grandma, and my aunt and uncle. I'm thinking for my aunt the Column of Leaves scarf in some of the purple superwash sport that I had picked up the last time I was at the At Home Store. I really don't want to gift anything to someone that has to be handwashed and babied. For my uncle, I'm thinking a "fake double knit" reversible stocking cap where you knit a hat from a provisional cast-on, and from the provisional cast on, knit another hat, stuff one inside the other and presto, a double-thick hat. I'd probably do that in Wool-Ease, since it is machine washable. I was also thinking about making the felted clogs/slippers with the Fiber Trends clog pattern I have had for quite some time, but still haven't tried yet. I might even have enough yarn on hand, I have some dark grey Paton's Classic Merino and some black Cascade 220, I think they would look smashing together. I think I may do a scarf for grandma too, there is a neat diagonal rib and lace pattern in my Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns. Or else I will look through a couple other books I have for a stitch pattern that strikes my fancy. And hopefully some yarn in my stash will do the same.

I also received from one of the clinics that I type for a $100 Visa gift card! Whoa! So if I do go on a yarn diet after the first of the year, I think I would be able to purchase yarn with that card (relatively) guilt free. My other knitting pal noted that Crazy Girl Yarn Shop is opening a new yarn shop in Coralville soon too. If I ever get up there some time (supposedly I have to take Baby H back to the University Hospitals for a follow-up of her heart murmur), I would need to stop by there! There is also the Knitting Shoppe in Iowa City, but I have heard from several sources that the owner is not the friendliest person on the planet.

2006-12-21T17:47:00.000-08:00

So even though

I have a gazillion other things I should be doing…I blog.

I was able to get four out of six Special Companion bags done. I needed to have them all done by early Thursday afternoon, and I just didn’t see (on Wednesday) how I would have been able to get the last two done. I got exactly two out of one skein of Felt-It, and used some narrow satin ribbon for the handles. I really like how the SWS one on the left turned out too, others were right, it does felt in a flash, just one trip through my front-loading washer did it! I did a single-crochet felted cord for the strap for this bag, it was much quicker than doing an I-cord yet still in proportion. I also managed to get one done in the Patons Classic Merino in "Regency" on the far right. Isn’t it wild how the colors pooled? That one I had made a bit wider 25 stitches for the base, and probably a bit shorter than the others since I was in a hurry to get it done and felted. I ran it through the wash once Wednesday night, and kind of decided at the last minute to put it through again Thursday morning, and I am glad I did, it really firmed up nicely. When I went to the quasi-LYS to get the Patons Classic Merino, they had two more colors of the SWS, Natural Plum and Natural Geranium. Sooooo tempting. But sooooo pricey, at least by what they had it marked, $7.99 a skein. And I really want to see the Natural Pink too, I think I'd like it better with the hint of green. But it did sound like the lady was going to order more, what they had been getting in had been selling quickly. One odd thing though, just in doing the very small bag in Natural Navy, I had THREE knots/reties which broke the color sequence in not even the first half of the skein. Very strange.

For the last two teachers, I decided instead knit them up some tiny sweater ornaments from the Miniature Sweater Ornament pattern with an orphan skein of Lion Brand Magic Stripes in Jelly Bean. I did tweak the pattern a bit, I did the sleeves in the round instead of seaming (can you blame me?) and on the second one I did a different increase for the raglan and just did a garter stitch hem instead of the K1P1. I also used size 3 needles instead of size 4, so I had to add more rows than the pattern called for. The hardest part was finding the yarn pattern to make the sleeves match! I was able to get one done in time, but the other I was still working on the body and didn’t get it done until school was out, so I think I’ll put it in the mail on Friday, she should get it by Saturday. I’m already thinking ahead for Valentine’s Day, red felted heart shaped coasters…how does that sound?

I did get the Warm Cable Braid Wrist warmers done and sent, but didn’t have enough time to get the coordinating headband done, so that will be done later and send…hopefully my secret Solstice swap partner doesn’t mind! I think the left is a teeny bit smaller than the right, but the right might be stretched out from trying it on so much. I really did like how they turned out though.

I haven’t decided yet about what to do about some other gifts. I should do something for my grandma, aunt, and uncle. I think for my cousin’s family, I will put together a “cookie kit,” usually we give each other a whole-family type gift, like a movie and popcorn, and last year I gave them a “sundae kit.” I think I could probably knit a hat for my uncle in time. I’d really like to do a nice scarf or cowl for my aunt, but I probably wouldn’t have enough time. I could do a couple dishcloths for my grandma. We’ll see! I’m researching scarf patterns right now that are quick, but not drop-stitch, I just am not crazy about drop-stitch patterns, looks like a lot of snag potential to me!

My mom called the other night too while she was at Goodwill, apparently there was some Patons “Jenny” which I am pretty certain is long discontinued, and some Lion Brand Wool-Ease either Chunky or Thick & Quick, and some Bernat Soft Boucle there, so she picked them all up for me! Yay! I am thinking about a yarn diet for a New Year’s resolution, but we’ll see how long that lasts! LOL I’m hoping to get back to the At Home Store in Fairfield some time over Christmas break with another knitting friend, so there will be definite temptation there! I really should reorganize my stash tub and weed some things out and put up for trade, along with all those extra straights I picked up.

2006-12-09T13:45:00.000-08:00

Well I know what comes in third

after yarn and knitting books…knitting implements. I saw a classified in the local free weekly advertiser, which included some quilting stuff plus KNITTING NEEDLES, $30. There was an e-mail address in the ad, so I sent one off, inquiring if it was straights, circulars, DPNs, or what. The advertiser quickly responded back that it was all of the above. So I told her that I would be by later in the week to pick up said needles. Today was my chance before Big Bro K’s basketball game, and oh-so-conveniently this person lived quite nearby there. She said she had used to have a knitting store a long time ago in Wisconsin, and she had used to knit professionally, but her wrists gave out and she can no longer do it. Poor woman! She had a large narrow box and another baggie with a few more. So here is what I got…

13 stitch holders of various sizes

3 small boxes of stitch markers

2 cable needles

1 unopened package of yarn bobbins

7 inch plastic ruler

A pair of point protectors

A couple white plastic things that I am assuming are needle threaders for yarn

A double-ended crochet hook…I’ve never seen such a thing before! I don’t even know what size hook it is, but it’s pretty large, 14 inches long.

A tiny plastic size F crochet hook

14-inch aluminum needles in sizes 1, 3, 4 x 2 pairs, 5, 6, 7 x 2 pairs, 8, 9, 10, 10 1/2 x 2 pairs, 11, 13, and 15.

10-inch aluminum needles in sizes 2, 4, 6 x 2 pairs, 7 x 2 pairs, and 8 x 3 pairs.

7-inch aluminum DPNs in 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8 in sets of four, prices on them from $1.95 to $2.25

7-inch Crystal Palace bamboo needles in size 2.5 (3 mm), set of 5, with an $8.50 price tag on them!

10-inch aluminum DPNs in sizes 5, 6, and 7, and turquoise plastic in size 9, sets of four each. I don’t think I recall seeing 10-inch DPNs before either!

Size 3 24-inch Boye aluminum circulars – the picture of the girl on this package is hilarious, it reminds me of something that would be on a feminine hygiene product in the 1970s, with price tag of $2.25

Size 4 Susan Bates all plastic circulars in 16” size 4, 29” size 7, 36” size 8, price tags from $2.75 to $4.00

Size 4 20” Addi (probably predate Turbos, but they are very similar), price tag of $8.50

Unknown brand, metal circulars in size 6 29” (Inox maybe), and size 8 29” (guessing Boye)

Size 10 1/2 36” Susan Bates Quicksilver circular, price tag of $6.00

Inox circulars, 16” in sizes 6, 7, 8, and 9

Whew! Does it mean you are an addict if you hide an object/s in your vehicle to bring in AFTER your spouse has left the house? ‘Cause that is exactly what I did! I’m thinking I’ll put the straights up for trade on Knitting Help, along with a few other odds and ends from my stash (for exactly what, I’m not sure…I’m thinking KnitPicks gift certificates to go toward some Options…maybe…). I love 16-inch circulars, so I’ll keep those, and I really wouldn’t expect anybody to be interested in the all-plastic ones, but you never know. I’m sure they are vintage judging by the label. I think I would keep the DPNs too, some of the packages don't even look like that they have been opened.

Here is the first Special Companions bag before and during blocking, literally, those are some of the kids’ wooden building blocks in a baggie, with a quarter for size reference.

They go really quickly and easily, I was knitting some of this in almost complete darkness, lying in bed watching Jay Leno. I have been using my 11” size 10 circulars, little freaks of nature that those needles are, yet I have ended up using them for a lot of things! I think I have enough yarn left in the skein to do one more, then hopefully enough I-cord for both. The pattern calls for the twisted cord, but I think I like the I-cord better, or else I could use something like a ribbon if I don’t think I will have enough. I’m going to do another pair in some of the SWS I have, since I have heard it felts like lightning, and maybe if I can get to town again soon, see if the quasi-LYS has some of the Paton’s Classic Merino on some of the variegated colors, since they didn’t at Joann’s. They did have some felted purse kits a Joann’s but after doing the math, even with a 50% off coupon, the Felt-It would still be cheaper and I could get another color.

I’m also knitting from a chart for the first time on these
Warm Braid Cable Wristwarmers! Although the pattern isn’t that terribly complicated, and the way it printed out over two pages, I still have to refer to each to remember which symbol refers to what stitches.

They are going to be a gift for a Secret Santa type swap, and I plan to make a headband to match. I’m using the Kool Wool in “Khaky” (more of a deep olive) I was able to pick up cheap at Hobby Lobby, and I think one skein each should do it for each wrist warmer and the headband. I really like these, they are quick knit with the bulky yarn. Another KH person had made them, and she added a thumb on (it’s just basically a buttonhole), so I plan to do that as well.

2006-12-04T19:37:00.000-08:00

I think knitting books come in a strong second...

after my yarn habit. I don't have time for pictures right now because I spent most of my day running around town doing errands and then had a meeting for the parent volunteer group at school, but boy did I score today at Hobby Lobby! I went to get some Caron Felt-It with a 40% off coupon since I decided I wanted to try to make these cute felted bags as teacher gifts this year (I better get crackin', I'll have to make five!). I have three skeins of Kureyon in my stash, but I wanted to save it for a project for myself (exactly what, I don't know, but anyway...) so I thought I'd try it out on the Felt-It. I scoped out the magazine and book rack they have now at the front of the store, but didn't see anything new, but after getting the yarn, I went by the racks of all the fiber/needle related pattern books, and a couple clearance stickers caught my eye. I got The Sock Calendar, originally marked $18.00 for $3.89, and Lavish Lace, originally marked $22.95 for just $4.96. I mean how could I resist? Can you blame me?

I also stopped by the library again to return the books from before, and get a few more. They had the new Tracey Ullman knitting book and a few more, but my stack was definitely smaller than last time. I also have Itty Bitty Hats on request too, but it wasn't in at the time.

Pictures tomorrow. Maybe recipes too! I had to bring a couple dozen cookies for my meeting (they get divvied up among some of the school staff from us parent volunteers) and I'll share my recipes.

2006-12-01T14:06:00.000-08:00

Snow Day!

Just when I had all sort of plans and errands to run in town! I had a doctor’s appointment scheduled for this morning with my nurse practitioner (yes, that kind of appointment) and then I was going to go the library for knitting books (of course) and a few other places, but just as I was going to pick up the phone to call the office to reschedule due to the weather, they called me to reschedule since she was snowed in at home and wouldn’t be in the office. Actually I’m kind of glad too…now I can stay home and get caught up on work and maybe be able to knit a good portion of the weekend! Isn’t it ironic though, on regular school days it is a huge struggle to get the kids up and out of bed and ready…today Sis M and Little Bro J were up by themselves and in snow pants by 7:30. Little Bro J had to wear Sis M’s purple snow pants from last year that she had outgrown, hee hee. I’m guessing we got about 10 inches, it’s hard to tell because it is kind of drifty, but it is a fairly light, dry snow, not that wet and heavy kind.

The kids are already asking for hot chocolate, so I better whip up a batch of homemade mix. I have a really easy recipe, and cheap too. Maybe not quite as fancy as the ones requiring the dry coffee creamer (which are especially good when you use the flavored ones like French vanilla or Irish cream), but that is just something I usually never have on hand. You can sure add it if you want though.

1 1/2 cups cocoa
3 cups white sugar
6 cups dry instant nonfat milk
1/2 tsp salt (optional)

Sift all together. Use 1/8 to 1/4 cup of mix per cup of hot water, depending on your preference. Top with marshmallows if desired. You can see it’s a pretty easy ratio of 1:2:4 of cocoa/sugar/dry milk, so you can make a big or small of batch as you want at a time.

I think I’m going to make some homemade chicken-something soup today too, haven’t decided if it is going to be dumplings or noodles or stew. And probably some chili too. With cornbread of course.

Also a bonus, my Merino Style came in the mail today too! Woot! Part of my plan for tomorrow’s errands include swinging by Joann’s for the sale on Patons Classic Merino, and I have a 50% off coupon for any non-sale item too, I'm thinking toward a knitting magazine since they never go on sale. Maybe see if there is anything decent on clearance at Hobby Lobby too. What did I tell you, my hobby is collecting yarn?

2006-11-28T07:54:00.000-08:00

Maybe my hobby is collecting yarn instead of knitting…

Well Thanksgiving came and went, and I hadn’t gotten any baby gift knitting completed. I spent most of Wednesday running around town doing errands, like taking the kids to the dentist since the kids didn’t have school that day. I did start to CO for the ruffled edged hat the night before, I didn’t want to try to cast on 360 stitches in the waiting room! I even made one round before the kids were done there, and by that time I was ready for the K2tog round. I got a bit more done during the oil change for my minivan too. It’s gotten a bit tricky on the 16 inch circulars, I may switch to my size 2 DPNs, but at the moment they have the eternal sock on them, but I did discover that bamboo shish-kebab skewers are a size 2, so the sock will probably go on a skewer temporarily as a stitch holder.

Here's my progress so far. There is obvoiusly a ruffle there. It's a lot easier going now it has been decreased to 80 stitches around.

My IL’s gave me a gift certificate to the only place even closely resembling an independent LYS in town for my birthday! The store is sort of a crafty/home décor kind of place, and they actually had a bit more in stock than in the past in the yarn department, albeit it is still pretty limited, they mostly have Patons and some Reynolds and a bit of Fun Fur. Ack. I picked up three skeins of the new Paton’s SWS, in the Natural Navy. I asked if they were going to get other colors of the SWS, and it sounds like they will in the future, the Natural Pink, Geranium, and Plum look like my style. Then I saw some Reynold’s Smile in the 201 color, a gray with pink and limey-green, on clearance for half price, so I picked up three skeins of that. Yesterday I had to take Baby H in for a doctor appointment for a croupy cough, so I used that as justification to go back and get the last three balls in that color! Now I just have to find a pattern. I’m thinking maybe a V-neck sweater for myself, but I’m not sure I have enough. I’ll have to look through my copy of The Knitter's Handy Book Patterns to see if I can come up with something as searching on line hasn’t come up with much of a V-neck in bulky. I should see if the The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns is available at the library, it might have more specific patterns. I'd REALLY like to find something mostly in the round too with minimal seaming.

Here are four balls of the Smile and the SWS.

I bought a couple books second-hand from people on Knitting Help too, Knitting on the Edge and Knitting Rules. KOTE has some great ideas for jazzing up plain designs, but I haven’t had a chance to start reading KR yet. I also bought six skeins of Knit Picks Merino Style in Asparagus from someone on KH, I can’t wait for that to arrive! That may end up for something for my friend M, as she loves green. Maybe fingerless gloves. I also have another test pattern to knit, for an American Girl-type doll sweater. That one should be fun too, it uses Magic Loop, and it will be a first time for me doing that. I’m sure Sis M would love and addition to her doll wardrobe. I need to finish up the baby-in-a-bag too, I just have the hood and sleeves to go, plus the hem and I-cord for the drawstring.

Thanksgiving was absolutely marvelous! Since SIL and her kids and my grandma didn’t get back from Colorado until Thursday, so it was decided to make our Thanksgiving on Friday. Mom was kind of nervous about it since this was her first time hostessing something this big. Sis M and I made seven pies on Thursday, including French Silk in both the authentic raw-egg version and an attempt at pasteurized egg version, Key Lime pie, cheesecake, crumb-top apple, lattice-top cherry, and Oreo. I also made a broccoli-cauliflower casserole and a creamy pasta salad. Let me know if you want the recipes. On most of them I used a premade graham cracker pie crust, except the lattice top cherry, I used a premade dough crust. Sis M and I did the tag-team pastry weaving for the top, that was fun. The weather was absolutely marvelous, and we were even able to eat outside on the deck! I wish I had brought back more leftovers!

2006-11-19T07:58:00.000-08:00

Books books books!

I finally got a chance to stop by the new library. They took my card without batting an eyelash about my address….whew! I made a list before I went of the books I wanted to get, plus I had the book on hold. At first the hold book was no where to be found, but it was located in the New Book section after some searching, plus another book I had on my list that wasn’t back in the regular shelves.

So here they are. I grabbed a nonfiction book on jeans...just because it caught my eye and looked interesting too!

I haven’t started anything new…yet. I am at the hood portion of the baby-in-a-bag, I should try to finish that up this weekend if I can. I’m itching to cast on for the sock yarn hat for my nephew, and I should really get going on that baby hat too for my cousin’s new little girl. I think I might try a ruffled edge. I wonder if it is possible to knit a regular hat with a ribbed brim, but then just above the ribbing pick up stitches for a ruffle. I guess I’ll ask the KnittingHelp forum, usually somebody there knows the answer or has a suggestion.

I survived Friday night’s five extra 9 to 10-year-old boys too! Whew! Between a bit out outside play before it got too dark and cold, pizza, cake and ice cream, Nacho Libre, Playstation, and the computer, they were pretty well occupied. They were pretty much settled down by 11:00, because four out of the six needed to get up early for a basketball tournament. Of course MY kid was the one who was up until 3:00 a.m. playing on the computer while all the others were asleep. It was funny because before they went to bed, Big Bro K asked the guys what time they wanted the alarm to go off, and they all agreed to 6:00 a.m. Yeah, right. LOL I set my own alarm for 6:00 and turned his off when I heard it going off and let them sleep longer, but I got myself up and ready and started breakfast for them and got them up at 7:00.

And Saturday I was actually able to get out before going to Big Bro K’s basketball game up to a craft show in a nearby town. I met up with
Miss Moonbeam there who has some truly awesome handmade soap and lotion sticks at her Mississippi Moon Natural Soap Company booth. What is a lotion stick you may ask? Think of a giant-sized lip balm, but you can apply it anywhere to your person your skin needs some extra attention. So much better that a bottle that might leak! I bought two lavender scented ones, one for myself and one for MIL for either Christmas or her birthday. It’s amazing stuff, it has already cured my sandpaper-consistency knuckles that I get in the winter from dry skin after washing my hands so many time after changing diapers and other worthy activities. I also bought some soaps too, an almond-oatmeal bar for my face, and a Fresh-Cut Grass and Digger’s Gardening Bar for MIL too. Yummy stuff!

In some time to kill between the basketball game at the Y and the last of the tournament, we swung by Hobby Lobby to check out the yarn of course. Sis M decided she wanted a hat to cover her ears, like an earflap style one. It seems like most of the yarn there is hand-wash novelty stuff, or else Red Heart. Ack. I did find some machine washable Bernat Velour on clearance, which is a super bulky, in an acceptable purplish color, so we’ll see what comes of it. I was even able to find a free earflap hat pattern using bulky yarn online at http://earflaphatpattern.blogspot.com/. The gauge is pretty close even, but I’ll have to play around with it size-wise too, it looks like it is more an adult size but shouldn’t be too hard to tweak. I’m still not sold on the Velour though…I really should dig through my stash tub instead and maybe use the Velour for something like a pillow.

My Camelino sample from Knit One, Crochet Too arrived in the mail the other day too, it came really quickly! You can get your own too by mailing a SASE with .63 postage on the SASE to

Knit One, Crochet Too, Inc.
91 Tandeberg Trail, Unit 6
Dept. IK - Camelino
Windham, ME 04062

It’s 90% merino wool, 10% camel. I’m guessing it’s hand-wash, no directions were given, but the gauge is 5 st/size 7 needles. I love the sage green color. I can’t even imagine shearing a camel though, that can’t be a fun job. Or maybe camel is the kind of fiber you have to pluck straight from the critter instead of shear, which I think would be even worse!

Here's my sample, along with the lotion stick from Mississippi Moon, and a regular size lip balm for comparison.

2006-11-13T10:42:00.000-08:00

I’m such a sucka

For a beautiful yarn! I headed to Mom & Dad’s early Friday afternoon. By the time I got to Fairfield the weather was utterly craptastic and raining hard. First I stopped by the Bargain Box, but didn’t see any yarn that tripped my trigger, but I did get two sleepers for Baby H. There were two skeins of Sugar ‘N Cream for 50 cents each, but they were a dusty teal color that didn’t really appeal to me. Then I headed over to the At Home Store. Ahhhh…sweet bliss.

I love that they have their toy area back by the yarns with demos available for the kids to play with! They sure can pack a lot of gorgeous yarn in such a small space, I bet the yarn area is about the size of my living room which isn’t very big! I did notice also that their prices seem to be a bit less than Crazy Girl Yarn Shop too.

I wasn’t in as much as a hurry as I was at CG on Wednesday, so I took a bit more time. They had lots of cute samples knit up of course, and there was one of an adorable baby sweater out of Colinette Fandango. I was really interested in this because I have some in the “Popsicle” color way that I received in a RAOK from IowaChicksKnitting earlier this summer. It’s such lovely stuff! I asked the lady there about the pattern. At first she thought it was in the “Yarn Girls’ Guide to Kid Knits,” which I already have, but she leafed through the book, and it wasn’t in there. I mentioned to her that they now have a big kids knits book out, and she seemed really interested in it and said she would have to get it in. The lady (she had a British accent too, very cool) then thought that it might be a free pattern they had as a handout, and sure enough she went off and found it and gave me a copy! So then I felt obligated to buy something. ;)

I think I found the most beautiful yarn on earth. I simply couldn’t resist. It’s Manos Del Uruguay, color 113, AKA “Wildflowers.” They had several skeins that were supposedly all that same dye lot, but some were really different from the others, which is to be expected in these hand dyed types of yarn, but I found three that were very close and picked out those. I also got a skein of Lorna’s Laces superwash sport in Sherbet that I want to knit up for baby girl hats and booties for my cousin’s newest baby and a friend’s first girl after four boys. I also got an orphan ball without a band of some type of Regia self-patterning sock yarn that I’d like to knit up as a hat and booties for Nephew J. I wondered if they had a clearance yarn section, and didn’t really find one, but I did find a couple skeins of Stahl Schewolle Limbo Superwash in a nice purple color that was only 4.95 a ball, but there were only two in that color. There are 125 meters in a ball, I’ll have to see if 250 meters is enough for maybe a cropped sweater for Baby H. They had some in a cream color too, I should have picked that up too. It was sooooo hard to resist stopping by there on the way back Sunday. Maybe I can talk R into stopping on the way to Mom & Dad’s on Thanksgiving.

On Thursday the baby bunting test knitting pattern and yarn from Andee on KnittingHelp came in the mail too! It uses Bernat Breeze, which is a super soft bulky acrylic, which knits up incredibly fast, gotta love that! I was able to cast on that day and worked on it throughout the weekend and got it done up to the shoulder decreases by the time I had left Mom & Dad’s. I had forgotten to view the KnittingHelp video of the cable cast on which I needed to span the arm holes, but I did bring my Vogue Knitting book, so I think I figured it out from that, but I’m still not 100% sure I did it correctly. I can’t wait to get it done, it will be so cute!

And FINALLY…after I guess seven months as a WIP, the Debbie Bliss Bow-Tie Bolero is DONE! I lugged it to Mom & Dad’s, pinned down on a chunk of thick foam and all, and seamed it up Saturday night and Sunday morning! Best of all, it still fits Baby H. I had made the 9 month size, figuring I’d have it done by the time she was 9 months old (she’s now almost 13 months!). I had done the fronts once but just wasn’t happy with how the supposed short rows turned out, as the directions given weren’t for real short rows, so there were gaping holes. I then ripped back both fronts to the top of the tie band and did them over with real short rows this time, plus when I redid the shoulder seams the second time, I used Kitchener stitch instead of the three-needle bind off, and they turned out sooooo much better when I picked up the stitches around the front. I was really happy with how that part turned out compared to how they had been before.

See? Yucky holes before.

Now, not so bad.

Seaming wasn’t really as bad as I thought, but it took me a couple false starts prior to this attempt. I had started with more of a whipstitch type seam, which looked terrible, then I found the proper technique in Vogue Knitting, but started at the armpit edge and by the time I got around had a lot of excess sleeve, so I took it out again, and this time started at the tops of the shoulders and worked my way down each side. Then the sleeve and side seams. Of course they went fast on a 3/4 sleeve, cropped baby sweater. ; ) I’m not sure that seaming has entirely turned me off pieced sweaters, but I’d really like to do some raglan or other type of more seamless constructed ones. I really like the look of Debbie Bliss’s patterns, but I don’t think I’ve seen any of hers with that type of construction, they all seemed to be pieced.

While we were at Mom & Dad’s, Sis M started throwing up. Repeatedly. She slept almost all of Saturday. Then when I talked to R after Big Bro K’s basketball game, he said that HE had been puking and felt lousy. They were supposed to head to Mom & Dad’s after the game, but obviously it wouldn’t be worth it. We were supposed to go out with M and her boyfriend B, so I ended up going up with them by myself to Des Moines. We ate at Cheesecake Factory (yummmmmm), and walked around the Jordan Creek Mall. M and I went to the girly places like Pottery Barn and kids’ clothing places, and B went to the sporting goods stores. When M and I were at Dillard’s browsing the clearance bedding, on the75% off shelves I found a circular canopy thing that I knew that Sis M would just love. We finally found a tag, and the original price was $40.00, but I wanted to check on that for sure. I took it up to a register, and asked the sales gal behind the counter what it would be, and one of the other sales people there said “It’s $5.00” so I bought it then and there. I think I’ll save it for Christmas or her birthday though, so she doesn’t yet know about it, it’s still hiding in the back of the minivan.

So back to the puking…Sis M started feeling better by Saturday evening, but just before I left, Baby H puked a good one, luckily when we were outside on the deck. She wasn’t acting sick or fussy at all though, just her usual good-natured self. I decided to go with m and B anyway, and she ended up sleeping most of the time I was gone anyway, but when I got back later, I let her nurse and not 2 minutes later she puked it all back up again, it seemed like twice as much as she must have taken in. I changed her and got myself ready for bed, but I knew it would be tricky to do without letting her nurse (and thusly puke again), but she did doze for a bit in her car seat carrier while I worked on seaming her bolero. She woke up again, and I walked around with her until she fell asleep again, but it seemed like she woke up every hour or two. I tried sleeping with her on the sofa, the floor, and finally at about 5:00 a.m. got into the bed where Little Bro J was sleeping and let her nurse again, and she kept it down. Until 6:30 or so. But then she was good for the rest of the day and even had some baby food and kept it down all day. R was feeling better by the time we got home Sunday afternoon as well. Big Bro K was all proud of himself too for helping take care of R and had made mac & cheese all by himself. Not bad for someone almost 10!

2006-11-09T10:38:00.000-08:00

Ya'll are going to think I'm nuts

I went to lunch in Wapello yesterday (had a reuben sandwich, fries which I shared with baby H and salad...yummmmm). Afterwards I high-tailed it up to Muscatine to Crazy Girl. Of course the maps I had consulted on line beforehand weren't quite accurate and didn't take into account some one-way street action going on, but I did find it and a prime parking spot right in front nonetheless! When I first entered, there was a group of ladies sitting around a large low table knitting and chatting away. How I wish there was something like that near me! I had to speed browse, but I think I touched every yarn in there! Lots of Cascade, Mission Falls, Brown Sheep, Encore, Plymouth, Dale of Norway yarns, Schaeffer, and the more novelty stuff toward the back. There was some 100% cashmere that was UNBELIEVABLY SOFT (and expensive) along with some 100% silk that was AMAZING. Then I found the bargain bin! LOL THey had leftover skeins packaged up (and marked down in price) so I found some Dale of Norway Baby Ull, and some Encore and Mission Falls and some Bazic Wool too. The
Baby Ull will go for the Beatrix Hat, which I frogged the first few rows in the Paton's Bumblee. Since I didn't have 16 inch circulars at the time, I had started it on two cirs, size 3, but wasn't really loving how that was going. I had then picked up some size 1, 2, and 3 16 inch Boye circulars at Hobby Lobby, meaning to use those. But then I found the Baby Ull...and the rest is history. I did get three full skeins in the yellow, blue and green. I'm hoping there is enough there to make three Beatrix hats. The other worsted weight stuff will hopefully be for some boyish fair isle (if there is such a thing) for my newest nephew. I also got a skein of Plymouth Dreambaby DK to go with another skein I had gotten in the KH Yarn Swap, so hopefully I have enough now to make something for Baby H.

Yes, there are Addi Turbos there too. I couldn't remember on the Beatrix pattern if it started with 0 and went to 1, or started with 1 and went to 2. And I couldn't remember which Boye ones I had bought. So I bought BOTH the 0 and 1 Addis. Turns out I didn't really need either. I wonder if I should try to sell them. I should probably try them first and compare to the Boye (although I have a clue which ones I will like better and try to sell the OTHER ones).

So here is the take for the day.

And Friday will be a stop at the At Home Store! Woo hoo!

Now where will I EVER get the time to knit all of this? Tonight are parent-teacher conferences at school, and I have three of them back to back, going from 6:15 to 7:00, but before that I have to be up at school to pickup the kids and set up the shirt sales table for the Parent Volunteer Group and sit there at the table from 4:00 to 6:00 before the conferences, and while I'm there I need to tally the order so far (and THEN maybe knit a bit, I was able to get a couple more repeats done on the braid earband). Sis M and Little Bro J and Baby H will be with me too. Poor Little Bro J got a gash on the back of his noggin last night on the woodburning stove (it wasn't lit at the time, but those cast iron edges are sharp nonetheless). I debated about taking him to the ER for stitches but his cut seemed to stop bleeding, but I noticed it was oozing this morning, but it's probably too late for anything now. I wonder if they can still glue it at least. And this happened probably about 15 minutes after I had just given the boys haircuts! And Big Bro K started feeling pukey last night, but he was feeling better by this morning and went to school. I am SO looking forward to going to Mom & Dad's this weekend!

2006-11-08T06:56:00.000-08:00

A Wild and Crazy Girl

Today I'm supposed to head up to Wapello for Linda's going away lunch. It will be nice to get out of the house, plus it's supposed to be over 70 degrees today, go figure! Then I had a thought...Wapello is very close to Muscatine, I might as well swing up to Crazy Girl Yarn Shop while I'm there! I'll have to double check on the miles and make sure I can get back in time to pick up the kids from school, but I think I'm going to do it! And if I stop by the At Home Store on Friday, that will be TWO LYS in one week!

Also a picture finally as things needed some enhancement around this plain ol' blog...I had an idea to knit just the band from Coronet from Knitty as an ear band as it would be much smaller and quicker than a scarf. I'm using the one odd tan/brown skein of Kool Wool. It's just so cool to see the braid forming! Plus this is my first time trying provisional cast on, and I used the crochet method from Knitting at Knoon. It was easy to get it cast on, now I'll just have to see how easy it is to get it off! This is four repeats in and how much I got done yesterday. I figure it goes a bit faster with the bulky Kool Wool compared to something worsted.

Also in other knitterly knews, I found out the library in the nearby big town had
The Yarn Girls' Guide to Knits for Older Kids! Woohoo! It is checked out until November 15, but I put a reserve in it, I'm next in line. They just built a new library and they aren't even open until Friday anyway. I hope I can even check it out, there has been an ongoing conflict with this library board and the surrounding small communities regarding the smaller towns contributing their share to the library for services in proportion with the big town people. So if the small towns didn't pay up, those residents can't check out books, and my town didn't pay. HOWEVER, I am actually rural/county, and the county HAS paid, so hopefully I'm in that category. Guess I'll find out when they call me to let me know that it is in, and I can ask them then.

2006-11-07T06:21:00.000-08:00

I've gone and done it again...

I've started on new projects without finishing anything else! LOL I started on the Reversible Cable Scarf with the Kool Wool I picked up. I'm only 9 rows in, so it's hard to see the cables yet, but this is my first cable project. I'm afraid the yarn is a bit bulky for this project, but we'll see. I had thought about making it for Linda at the one of the clinics I type for, she's leaving for a new job but her going-away lunch is tomorrow and her last day is Friday. Not seeing me getting it done by then. Ha. And I still haven't started on anything I'd like to have done by Thanksgiving. I started it on regular size 10 straights, and it was so awkward working with them, I definitely prefer the interchangeables and switched it over! Another interesting thing I noticed is that the aluminum straights said size 10/6 mm (they are Susan Bates brand) but my Boye interchangeable size 10s are 5 3/4 mm. The straights were a VERY tight fit through the Boye needle sizer, but the interchangeables slid easily in the size 10 hole.

I also got out some beeeyooooooooooutifful Mission Falls 1824 wool in color 536, Aster, that I had received with the KH Yarn Swap earlier this summer. I'm thinking they will go for Fetching. I never thought fingerless gloves would be my "thing" but the more I think about it, they will be great for typing and keeping my hands warm but fingers free. It gets pretty cold in the house during the day (it was built in 1846, efficiency wasn't foremost on their minds back then), and these should help. I love the DB Cashmerino Aran, but my budget doesn't and it's hard to justify buying MORE yarn when I have a 50 gallon tote full already. However, I did make some space in it recently, I gave some acrylic stuff away that I had picked up cheap on clearance at Jo-Ann when I very first learned to knit and didn't know any better and discovered REAL yarn. It's going to a new Daisy Girls group that a friend started for her daughter, so it's going to a good cause.

But speaking of buying yarn, this Friday I'm going to head back home to visit, and on the way I will HAVE to stop at the At Home Store in Fairfield, just because R and Big Bro K won't be with me, so I can take a bit of time to browse and touch the yarns there. And just maybe some will end up in a shopping bag with me. Since R and Big Bro K are riding separately, I might just have to stop on my way back too! LOL And I also want to stop by the second-hand store there, last time there was some odds and ends of acrylic stuff, which would be great for kid-related projects or pet cuddles or crafting, and I'm kicking myself for not getting them last time, although I'm sure they are not there now.

2006-11-02T18:53:00.000-08:00

New hair, new book.

I got a haircut today, and I'm so happy with it. I was half-watching CSI Miami last week, and I really like the hairstyle of one of the characters. But I couldn't figure out the character's name let alone the actual actress, so I went to IMDB.com to discover it was Eva LaRue. I guess she was a soap star, but I never watched soaps, probably why I didn't know who she was. So with some image Googling, I found some pictures of her with her hair I liked and took them to the gal who cuts my hair, and she did a great job. I just had lots of dry, icky ends, and it just looks so much better and more sophisticated. Me, sophisticated, ha.

So after my haircut, I headed over to the small grocery store in the town to pick up a few things. They have day-old Pepperidge Farms bread products for 99 cents that I like to stock up on and toss in the freezer, plus they have a really good meat counter, where they cut the meat right in front of you and wrap it up in white paper, not the prepackaged in plastic type stuff. Anyway before I had even gotten to the first aisle (out of four in the whole store) out of the corner of my eye on the magazine rack I saw a booklet "Knitting for Babies, Blankets, Booties, Bibs & More." Pixywhispers over on the Knittinghelp.com forum had mentioned buying this the other day, and from what she described it sounded lieke it had some really cute patterns in it, so I made a mental note the next time I went to the big city to look for it. I never ever expected to find it where I did! So I grabbed it right away, I was so happy to find it! It does have a lot of cute stuff in it. There are some adorable Mary Jane booties and a cute teddy bear pattern, and a cable cardigan I really like too. I can't find any information on the publisher's site about it (www.pubint.com), otherwise I'd put it up, and I'm too lazy to take a picture at the moment.

I haven't even worked on any knitting in the past couple days, new or old projects. I did rip out the first few rows of the Beatrix hat so I can restart it on the 16 inch size 2 circulars I got the other day, but I haven't recast on for it. Still thinking about what to do with the Kool Wool. Probably a simple ribbed scarf. I don't know if I'll get a chance to get it started soon or not, I need to get things cleaned up tomorrow before M and her kids come to visit Saturday.

2006-10-31T07:48:00.000-08:00

Wow, two posts within one week, I'm on a roll! LOL

I did end up going knitting Sunday afternoon, and I had a good time! (and I didn't buy anything either). It sounds like it will be a regular thing on Sunday afternoons from now on. I worked on Baby H's pumpkin hat, which I worked more on Monday afternoon at Sis M's piano lesson, and just finished up this morning so she can wear it to Big Bro K's fourth grade class Halloween party that I am the "party mom" for. Fun! We're doing nachos, and grapes (AKA ghoul's eyes) and baby carrots (AKA goblin fingers). The kids get so much candy and sweet stuff this time of year, I figured that nachos would be something a bit different.

Another UFO came to my list that I had forgotten about as well, Cozy from Knitty, which I had started this summer during the kids' swimming lessons, in Cascade Pima Silk, intending it to go to R's dad's girlfriend in Florida for her birthday October 1, but obviously that never happened. Maybe Christmas instead. The pattern wasn't in the Ziploc bag I had it in, and I'm not even sure what row repeat I am on, but I did put in a lifeline. Hopefully I will be able to figure that out and not have to frog back.

Mom will be having Thankgiving at her house this year, which is a new event for her, and my SIL will be there with her three kids including the newest, my new nephew, born the end of September, and my aunt will be there with her three grandgirls, the youngest born the first part of September, and I really should knit something for them both. I'm thinking maybe a simple fair isle with hearts hat for my cousin's baby girl, maybe some socks too, and maybe I can get those Uggs done for my nephew if they're not too big. I think I should go down a needle size on them, I'm not using the Berroco Suede, but a much cheaper "Dreamy Chenille" from Hobby Lobby in almond color. But this weekend I have my good friend and her two kids visiting, and next weekend we're going to visit Mom since it will be the sixth anniversary of my brother's death, and I figured she needed the support and the distraction of the kids. Plus trick-or-treat tonight, lunch with Little Bro J sometime this week, haircut on Thursday, plus a load of typing to do, so maybe in between there I can get them done.

Last night in the mad rush to finish up Big Bro K's Halloween costume (he's Captain Underpants, and we managed to find a skin colored body suit at the costume rental store, yeah!), I stopped in quick at Hobby Lobby since I don't get the chance to get to town that often. I wanted to get a 16 inch size 13 circular needle (with a 40% off coupon, woo hoo!), plus I picked up 16 inch in size 3, 2, and 1 since I didn't like how the Beatrix hat was starting out on the size 3-2 circs. I'm thinking I'll take that down to size 2 and 3 instead of 3 and 4. I also cruised by the clearance yarn section and picked up four skeins of discontinued Kool Wool in a beautiful olive color, and one skein in a tannish-heathered color. Very rich, manly colors, I'm thinking a ribbed scarf, maybe for my uncle or my brother J for Christmas. But it's very soft and it was half price. Double woo hoo.

2006-10-28T07:57:00.000-07:00

Decisions, decisions.

I received a phone call the other day from a woman I know tangentially from the ICK blog. She and a few other gals are getting together Sunday afternoon at a restaurant/bar to knit. However, another knitting friend of mine and a friend of hers had a very bad experience at said restaurant involving the owner yelling at her kids for not even doing anything. I wouldn't be bringing my kids, well except for Baby H, but it's the principle, should I frequent a place with such a bad attitude? I've heard rom other people how bad the service is and how overpriced the menu is (although I don't plan on eating anything while I'm there, at least a tea would be nice). However, the woman who called said that one of the other knitters who would be there is the girlfriend of the owner. Would that put him on his best behavior?

Also if I decide to go, what project would I bring? A brief tally of what I have going so far:

1. Pepper from the Daily Knitter in a Barbie-pink Jo-Ann's boucle for Sis M. It hsa been sitting at my bedside since I cast on.
2. One almost done faux suede bootie from DIY (AKA Baby Uggs)
3. Baby H's Debbie Bliss Bow-Tie Bolero (done but needs seamed).
4. Silver's Sock Class sock. I swear I've been working on this sock for like nearly a year and I have 4 1/2 inches of ribbing done on the FIRST sock.
5. The Reversible Winter(Anthropologie) Capelet from Peony Knits in Malabrigo, color Hollyhock for Sis M.
6. A pumpkin hat for Baby H, Red Heart Super Saver of all things, but lacking a decent LYS, it was the most pumpkiny color I could find locally.
7. The Beatrix Hat from The Garter Belt.

I won't even list the things I would like to get going as well.

I suppose the smallest and most mindless project would be the most appropriate one to take. Seaming would be impractical, so the bolero is out. I really want to get that done though. Maybe I can seam it up today so Baby H can actually wear it tomorrow...there's an idea! I'm leaning toward the capelet, but I think I am nearing the point where I divide off for the sleeves, so I'll need to measure Sis M to see how it is fitting her. Plus I want other quality LYS-deprived knitters to experinece the joy that is MMMMMMalabrigo.

Well the oldest 3/4 of the posse as left with DH to get wood, so I better get crackin' accomplishing real work so I can justify going to knit on Sunday.

2006-10-23T18:11:00.000-07:00

OK, let's try this blogging thing. I'm not making any guarantees, but we'll see how it goes. I like to have time to knit too y'know. And sleep.

I was working on a "what I want to knit wish list." It's long. Very long. I'm not sure when I'll ever find the time to get any of it done. But I do have the stash to accomplish it I think.

Well I think I'm going to go grab some buttons and figure out how to put them over -->

2006-05-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

OK, so let's try a test picture here, since I am quite cluess as to what I am doing...

My first Booga bag

Poppy's sweater

Woo hoo, it worked.

So I guess I'm blogging. It's pretty plain for now, but hopefully I'll get the hang of it and start snazzing things up here a bit.

2005-11-23T17:01:00.000-08:00

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