Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy (Almost) New Year
I believe I have reached that point in my life when I am simply too old to care about "ringing in the new year" and so, you can believe me when I say that I expect to be sound asleep at midnight!
Instead of staying up with Dick Clark, the Other Half and I watched the second disc of Season 4 of Lost, shared a bowl of popcorn and drank diet soda of choice, while I finished up the last two knit projects of 2008. That would be the two pairs of slippers in the photo.
The "official total" for the year was not so hot.
I've been tracking since 2002 and this is the "middle" year (3 better, three worse as far as finished objects are concerned).
Here's the rundown:
2 adult sweaters
3 pairs of adult socks
27 hats
3 scarves
6 pairs f slippers
8 preemie/baby caps
afghans 2 4200 53
15 child sweaters
5 laprobes/baby blankets
9 pairs of booties
2 shawls
2 dishcloths/facecloths
11 pairs of mittens
1 christmas stocking
22 afghan squares
8 toys
finishing on 2 afghans from squares other people made
1 baby dress
10 christmas ornaments
1 frog suit (romper)
1 potholder
1 pillow
8 bibs
1 bag
8 cat mats
That's 159 FOs in all. Not shabby; not great. I used up more than 38 pounds of yarn--24.6 miles of it. Some of it was actually even stash!
I am ending 2008 with absolutely nothing on my needles. I am not sure how that bodes for 2009.
Tomorrow: my fibery resolutions
Labels: current events
Monday, December 29, 2008
To the Feed Store
We got a bird feeder for Christmas, and you know what that means!
Yep, a trip to the feed store in Germansville (hard G) where you can buy pretty much any farm or animal -related product in the whole world!
Need Absorbine (not the wussy "junior" variety), they've got it. Suet by the case? Yep. Rabbit Chow? Deer Chow? Yep, and yep. Bag balm? Mane and Tail? Do you need to ask?
In the spring, you can buy your chicks, and ducklings, and poults there. It's a fun place to visit.
What we got, yuppies that we are -- and they saw us coming! We were the ones without the feed store ball caps!: Peanut hearts and pieces and sunflower hearts and pieces. No mess to clean up in the spring.
You should have seen the look we got!
Labels: current events
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Drive-By Blogging
He got it right!
Boy, did he get it right!
This was my Christmas gift from the Other Half. Yep, it's a Schacht Flip Rigid Heddle loom. The one I was lusting after, then back-burnered because of a more serious need. I am so looking forward to breaking open the packaging.
But first, there's the matter of exchanging the yarn that he bought with it. Salmon pink is so not my color!
Fact is, I have a LOT of yarn that I could play with until the exchange goes through, but there are a couple of books I
Maybe if I looked at the booklet that's packed inside. . .
Scumble is finished! It's roughly 33"X45". I used about 1300 yards of odd bits of yarn (some of it was lighter weight, doubled to match the thickness (grist) of the worsted weight basic stuff). It weighs in at about 23 ounces. All garter stitch, so nice and smooshy.
Some of the yarn (the Patons Astra--the stuff I doubled) is incredibly baby soft, but sturdy. Some (the Caron Soft) is also baby soft, but feels like it will pill and disintegrate. Some (the Red Heart Strata--the rainbow looking rectangles and the border) was scratchy as all get out in the knitting.
A trip through the washer and dryer evened out the stitches and softened the whole thing to very niceness.
I am pleased. I will offer it to himself when the Tiny Prince comes to visit in February.
Cruising toward the new year, I am finished with all of the On The Needles stuff except for a black wool beanie that I am making for Ship Support. I might actually ring in the year with only one project going. That would be a first! I have lots of things in the planning stage, though, so 2009 promises to be a banner year!
And on a sad note, I discovered last night that some of the wonderful superwash yarns that I have stashed. . .there's no easy way to say this (no, not the dreaded "M" word--do you think I would be sitting here typing if my stash was infested??)--the Tiny Prince has outgrown the yardage!
How can that be?? When did that happen? ::sniff::
Labels: baby things, current events
Friday, December 26, 2008
Where's Your Bone, Girl?
Christmas 2008 at Casa Sheepie.
No little kids to torment Princess Sparky, but instead, Belle of the Ball came to visit, sans her companion animals: Beetle, the Badly Behaved, Katie, the Current Foster Dog, and Raven, the Magnificent. They stayed at the Younger Kid's Home for Wayward Animals, because, frankly Casa Sheepie is not prepared for that sort of
I tried mightily to get a good picture of Belle.
I swear that she was nicely framed before I snapped each of these.
That Goggie moves fast!
Belle (and the other animals) all got new chew toys for Christmas.
Since she was here, Belle got first pick and selected a manufactured "marrow bone" (the kind with the smelly faux beefy crap in the center). She nibbled a bit then "buried" it in the living room chair.
Since we really didn't want to find it there later, I fished it out and gave it back to her.
First, she ran downstairs. Then she ran back to the bedrooms. The next time we saw her, there was No Bone in her mouth.
That was when the search commenced. Hey, Girl, where's your bone? Which, of course, caused her to jump onto the chair and to look for the missing treat.
Who knew that dogs could suffer short term memory loss?
After a long look under all the toss pillows, all the throws, under the skirts of every piece of furniture, under all of the furniture for lord's sake, under all of the piled up blankets, there was still no bone.
That was when she jumped on the bed (!) to communicate with Princess Sparky (who was having none of this "talking" with dogs crap and immediately disappeared under the bed) about the missing bone.
The dog can jump that high! (Our bed is very high.)
Bone! Behind the Other Half's pillow! Wouldn't that have been fun to find at 3 in the morning!?
Finally, she settled down and we got a couple of good photos.
Christmas at Casa Sheepie.
Over for another year.
That's the bone in my hand. It went home with her.
(Did I mention that she tried to bury it in the litter pan?)
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Happy Christmas To All
And to all, a good night.
It's been raining all day here in eastern Pennsylvania. Kids are starting to wonder if Santa will be able to make it. I mean, no snow, no sleigh.
Listen up, kids.
Santa's coming, just like he always does.
So get your skinny little butts into those new jammies that Grandma sent and crawl into bed. Now!
Else, who knows what will happen.
And to the grown-ups, happy assembling!
Labels: Christmas greetings
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Happy Solstice
Solstice arrived at 7:04 today to the cheers of many who thought that the sun was going away forever! There was no naked dancing (the traditional way to celebrate the return of the Light) nor were there presents. (Though I gave serious thought to wrapping up the ice scraper that was going in the Other Half's Christmas stocking).
That slight dip in the snow is the street. No, I don't believe the plows have been through yet.
Monty is getting a workout this week (with even more nastiness predicted for the coming week). I figure that it's about 6 inches deep where he is standing. (I am not going out in my jammies to measure! Maybe later.)
The forecast is for "Snow...mixing with sleet and freezing rain. The precipitation will end early this afternoon. Total snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches. Highs in the lower to mid 30s. East winds 5 to 10 mph...becoming west 15 to 20 mph this afternoon. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent."
Well, they nailed that one!
My weather link promises improving conditions through the week. We're counting on it!
The weather doesn't faze those who don't have to go out (you know, to go to work and such).
My upcoming week is jam-packed with activities and Things I Must Accomplish. Friday's storm destroyed our Well Laid Plans for deliveries and pick-ups. I must get to a vendor to pay for soup (300 cases, why?) that was ordered, and on Tuesday I need to meet with a donor for a photo op (he wanted to do it Wednesday, but I talked him down off that ledge).
And look who turned up when I was digging for Christmas decor!
Daniel Brown Bear (named after Daniel Striped Tiger). Notice the resemblance?
He was my Best Bear from the time I was about 7 until
My plan is to make him a new sweater, to match one I am planning to knit for the Tiny Prince and pass him along to his Next Owner.
He's had a good 50+ years. May he have many more.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
D.O.C.
I should have worn this Habit shirt, (two people suggested it would be sort of cool) but I wound up wearing normal business attire instead. It was the right decision!
Seven hours of my life that I will never get back, though I was able to cross another thing off my Bucket ListTM.
Today, I visited not one, but two state prisons!
The first was by mistake (we took a wrong turn), but the guy at the desk set us straight, gave us a map, and we were on our way again. Apparently we are not the first to make this mistake. Who knew that there were two state prisons in the same county? Certainly not MapQuest!
On the way out we passed a tractor trailer with a decal: Big House Industries. I guess it's what replaced stamping license plates! Photos are not permitted. (Nor are cell phones, drugs of any kind, nor weapons.)
We made it to the right place with minutes to spare. Only to sit and wait, first 30 minutes in the outer waiting area, then 2 hours in the inner.
We (some folks that I work with, but who are not coworkers, if you get my drift) were there for a parole hearing. I cannot go into details. I do not know the outcome. I can say that the prisoner was clearly not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Probably because knives are not permitted.
My wait to testify (the sum of which, besides stating my name, employer, and position, was to say, "No, that is not permitted") was eye-opening.
We were instructed to wait in a section of the visitors' room that was cordoned off from where the actual prisoners and their actual visitors were, well, visiting. It was nothing like they show on TV! Prisoners and their families are permitted to touch, hug, kiss hello. There is a children's playroom (for children and visitors--prisoners are not permitted to enter), tables, vending machines (no outside food, but lots of choices of snacks and meals--for a fee, provided by the visitors--and a microwave to warm up pizza and hot wings and such), reasonably comfortable chairs, a cabinet full of board games suitable for kids and adults.
Granted, this facility is relatively new.
The visitors looked just like ordinary people you would see in the grocery store.
There were a number of small children and at least 2 infants visiting. That was sad. Then there were periodic announcements that those with "photo tickets" could proceed to the Christmas tree for photos. That was very sad. Imagine the album five years down the road: "Oh, that was the Christmas that Uncle Billy was in The Big House." I'm pretty sure these won't end up on Christmas cards!
Important! The thing that I really, really need to stress, though, is that prison garb is not orange. The Parole Officer that was with us said that she thinks only one state still uses orange, and as far as she knows, the black and white horizontal stripes are a thing of the past everywhere. I am really glad that I just found this out as those stripes and that ugly orange were the only thing that stood between me and homicide quite a few times when my kids were teens.
In Pennsylvania, prisoners wear stylish brown jumsuits that zip up the front. The short-sleeve ones have a very chic yellow band at the edge. There are also long sleeve ones without the yellow trim. Outerwear is a fashionable brown corduroy barn coat. The only downside that I could see was the large, white "D.O.C. " on the back of the jumpsuits. Well, that and the $5 white canvas slip-ons. Trustees wear 2-piece white suits and leather shoes. They have "D.O.C." in black on their backs. I could so wear those brown ones!
And though I could not knit in the waiting room (see explanation of Things Not Permitted, above), I was able to get in a fair amount of knitting on the way there and back, since I was the backseat passenger. I figure about 17 "small squares'" worth on the Tiny Prince's woobie. So the day wasn't totally wasted!
Labels: current events, silliness
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Well, That Didn't Last Long
Selfish Sundays, what a concept.
Too bad it won't work!
I mean, it's not like I didn't try (oh, for about 18 minutes) but the Other Half is craving a new Wallaby himself, and I am sad to say, Janice, that the yarn he selected is the dark, dark, dark. . . you guessed it: Magpie. I'll leave you my Starmores instead. And my grandmother's jewelry. That should about make up for it. Almost.
The thing is, we are swapping. He'll get the new navy blue Wallaby, and I'll get his old one, Brown Sheep worsted weight in Mill Blue (which is more of a lavender than a blue) so I'm sort of getting "something for me" even if it isn't brand new (or a color I would have picked for myself).
In the meantime, I suddenly realized that the Tiny Prince does not have a woobie
I mean, he's barely 1, but a kid needs a woobie!
So I dragged out the odd ball bag and started to scumble him up a blankie of the sort that is so very ugly that no one would ever consider stealing it.
The concept isn't new. In fact, it's in the genes. The Younger Kid requested a hat of exactly that sort back in high school. For wrestling. By the time he graduated, I had made dozens of those "ugly beanies," one for each member of the team, the coach, the coach's kids, and on and on.
In drawing, scumbling is used to describe a random, scribbled texture, with figure-eight and concave shapes used to create a spiky texture, rather than the common circular scribble. In knitting and crochet, it's also called "free form" where the creator makes a sort of random shape, then adds to a side, then adds again and again in inceasingly random bits until it is the size or shape needed (or until the fibre artiste runs out of wooly bits).
In this case, I'm using odd bits of ack, actually, my "scrap bag" that the Tiny Prince plays with when he comes to visit Mammo. It really is odds and ends of all sorts of former projects. Nothing he can hurt, and the makings of the ultimate cast iron woobie.
It's not truly free form, but all mitered squares and rectangles, based on multiples of 8.
Right now, it's the size of a doll's blanket. I expect that by the time I see him again (at the end of January), it will be "just right," to quote Goldilocks.
Unless I run out of fibery stuff. And they stop making Red Heart.
Too bad it won't work!
I mean, it's not like I didn't try (oh, for about 18 minutes) but the Other Half is craving a new Wallaby himself, and I am sad to say, Janice, that the yarn he selected is the dark, dark, dark. . . you guessed it: Magpie. I'll leave you my Starmores instead. And my grandmother's jewelry. That should about make up for it. Almost.
The thing is, we are swapping. He'll get the new navy blue Wallaby, and I'll get his old one, Brown Sheep worsted weight in Mill Blue (which is more of a lavender than a blue) so I'm sort of getting "something for me" even if it isn't brand new (or a color I would have picked for myself).
In the meantime, I suddenly realized that the Tiny Prince does not have a woobie
I mean, he's barely 1, but a kid needs a woobie!
So I dragged out the odd ball bag and started to scumble him up a blankie of the sort that is so very ugly that no one would ever consider stealing it.
The concept isn't new. In fact, it's in the genes. The Younger Kid requested a hat of exactly that sort back in high school. For wrestling. By the time he graduated, I had made dozens of those "ugly beanies," one for each member of the team, the coach, the coach's kids, and on and on.
In drawing, scumbling is used to describe a random, scribbled texture, with figure-eight and concave shapes used to create a spiky texture, rather than the common circular scribble. In knitting and crochet, it's also called "free form" where the creator makes a sort of random shape, then adds to a side, then adds again and again in inceasingly random bits until it is the size or shape needed (or until the fibre artiste runs out of wooly bits).
In this case, I'm using odd bits of ack, actually, my "scrap bag" that the Tiny Prince plays with when he comes to visit Mammo. It really is odds and ends of all sorts of former projects. Nothing he can hurt, and the makings of the ultimate cast iron woobie.
It's not truly free form, but all mitered squares and rectangles, based on multiples of 8.
Right now, it's the size of a doll's blanket. I expect that by the time I see him again (at the end of January), it will be "just right," to quote Goldilocks.
Unless I run out of fibery stuff. And they stop making Red Heart.
Labels: baby things, current events, silliness
Saturday, December 13, 2008
I Am Honored!
Amy presented me with this prestigious blog award!The Spreader of Love award rules are:
1. Post a copy on your blog
2. Mention who gave you the award
3. Pass the award on to 6 others. I choose the following:
Rabbitch, but who else?
Steph
Janine
Dez
Jaya
Mary
because each, in her own way, spreads the love to me personally or to the world in general.
4. Leave a message on their blog letting them know the honor has been bestowed upon them.
Okay, I'll get right on that part!
A Proclamation:
Tis now the season for Selfish Knitting. I believe I will declare 2009 to be the Year of Selfish Sundays.
The Rules (because it's all about the Rules): No knitting on Sunday unless I first knit upon something that is for me, myself and I, alone. No wooly afghan for the family room, no baby booties for charity, no Ship Support beanies or slippers, and absolutely no gift knitting of any kind until I have first put forth the effort on something that I alone will use or wear! Period.
The possible contender for my selfish endeavor:
Several years ago, I made a swap (on Knitswap) for this luscious Royal Blue Wooly Goodness.
It's put up in three ginormous hanks weighing 19, 15, and 18 ounces respectively. The seller assured me that there was enough to make a sweater.
Well, yeh! That's more than 3 pounds of wool. I could slipcover the Prius!
Last night, I put the first hank on the swift and started balling it up.
I will admit that I wondered how in the holyhell I was going to ball it on my normal size winder.
I should not have worried! Whether the yarn is degrading, or it was that way to start, there were numerous breaks in the hank, so my winder was in no danger. At. All.
I'm using the smaller balls to swatch.I'm not sure I like the wavy edge that's forming on my swatch. That's the nature of a thick and thin like this one.
I'm getting roughly 5 stitches/inch on size 8s. The two patterns I am considering (both Oat Couture, both from Elann.com) are knit at that gauge. One is a fairly conservative cardigan, knit on the diagonal (GU411-SouthSlope Cardigan). The other is a little more casual (EK709-West Side Raglan).
So, will you be a Selfish Sally in 2009? Join me. You're worth it!
ETA: Wait, wait! Wallaby!!!
Labels: big people clothes, current events, silliness
Friday, December 12, 2008
And the Winner Is
Goggies!!
Honestly, I tried to sew the dinosaurs on.
But they really are too big and too bumpy, and most of all, too heavy. They need something along the order of Lopi doubled to work.
The Tiny Prince is growing, but it will be a couple of years before he can carry the weight of a sweater heavy enough to support those buttons.
(And I have some buttonsaurs that are even bigger.)
So, for the moment, let's stick to the cute little doggies.
I got them at ButtonDrawer.com
Their name is Augy. They also come in blue.
And here, looking a bit strangely shaped, is the finished sweater.
It is 2X2 rib, lightly blocked. The hanger is what's making it look so odd. I promise, it's normal-shape.
Yarn is Elann.com Superwash Worsted. Pattern is Twizzled Ribbed from Kids to Grown-Ups Seamless Sweaters (Rich Designs) also available at Elann.com
And to recap the other two Christmas Sweaters:
Pattern from Knitting Pure and Simple (neck down, wrap cardigan #263) also available at Elann.com (do I detect a theme?) for the Daughter In Law in Berroco Ultra Alpaca (50/50 blend of alpaca and wool), color Mahogany Mix from Webs (ha! I got ya!).
For the Older Kid, Jared Flood's Cobblestone Sweater in Filatura Lanarota Puno (100% alpaca) that I bought at Smiley's.
All three sweaters are in the hands of the U.S. Postal Service (whose clerk was having a minor meltdown today, but who could blame him? His computer froze right in the middle of taking my money!). They should be at the Palace of the Tiny Prince before ::sob:: the family leaves to spend Christmas with the other grandparents.
Not fair, is what that is!
Honestly, I tried to sew the dinosaurs on.
But they really are too big and too bumpy, and most of all, too heavy. They need something along the order of Lopi doubled to work.
The Tiny Prince is growing, but it will be a couple of years before he can carry the weight of a sweater heavy enough to support those buttons.
(And I have some buttonsaurs that are even bigger.)
So, for the moment, let's stick to the cute little doggies.
I got them at ButtonDrawer.com
Their name is Augy. They also come in blue.
And here, looking a bit strangely shaped, is the finished sweater.It is 2X2 rib, lightly blocked. The hanger is what's making it look so odd. I promise, it's normal-shape.
Yarn is Elann.com Superwash Worsted. Pattern is Twizzled Ribbed from Kids to Grown-Ups Seamless Sweaters (Rich Designs) also available at Elann.com
And to recap the other two Christmas Sweaters:
Pattern from Knitting Pure and Simple (neck down, wrap cardigan #263) also available at Elann.com (do I detect a theme?) for the Daughter In Law in Berroco Ultra Alpaca (50/50 blend of alpaca and wool), color Mahogany Mix from Webs (ha! I got ya!).
For the Older Kid, Jared Flood's Cobblestone Sweater in Filatura Lanarota Puno (100% alpaca) that I bought at Smiley's.
All three sweaters are in the hands of the U.S. Postal Service (whose clerk was having a minor meltdown today, but who could blame him? His computer froze right in the middle of taking my money!). They should be at the Palace of the Tiny Prince before ::sob:: the family leaves to spend Christmas with the other grandparents.
Not fair, is what that is!
Labels: big people clothes, children's things, Christmas
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
What a Difference a Day Makes
Yesterday:
Today:
I love this sweater. I love this yarn (Berocco Ultra Alpaca).
Wanties!
.
Today:
I love this sweater. I love this yarn (Berocco Ultra Alpaca).
Wanties!
.
Labels: Christmas
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
I'm On a Mission
Couple of times a year, I take a planned break from the work-world and stay at home. I do not SOMA (sit on my @ss), though. Oh, no. This is a planned Cleaning Break.
Yep, every 6 months (or so), I clean my house, whether it needs it or not!
It needs it!
Truth be told, I planned to take the whole week, but work-life interfered and so, I went in yesterday, but the rest of this week is mine, mine, mine!
This morning, I woke to yet another deary pre-winter Pennsylvania day.
(I will add as an aside, that it is the spring that keeps us here--that and needing to have an income for a few more years, thank you, Wall Street. We are not skiers or snowboarders. We do not like winter weather!)
And it is cold yet again today. It never hit freezing (0 C or 32 F for those keeping track). The weather person (we have a "gal") promises that tomorrow will be warm (near 60) but rainy. We will save errands for warm. Rain trumps ice.
The rhododendron outside the front door is an indicator of just how cold it is. The tighter the leaves roll, the colder the temperature.
That's what 25 looks like. In the sun. Next to a warmish brick wall. Yesterday, the leaves looked like sticks.
So, today is the ideal day to check out my cleaning supplies, add to my shopping list if there's anything in short supply, and print out my List TM.
I am obsessive. I keep a cleaning list on my computer.
Room by room, it guides me through the boring tasks that need to be done once in a while--like wiping the jelly prints off the cabinet knobs. Yes. Yes, it is.
And one by one, I will cross those tasks off the list.
I have been known to add the occasional tasks that aren't needed every Cleaning Vacation TM (like finishing two sweaters and taking Princess Sparky to the vet).
It feels good to cross them off.
Please note that the first item on the list is: Make List.
One task accomplished!
So I sat to eat my breakfast: decaff coffee and a gingerbread muffin (yum) from the Amish bakery at the fairgrounds, and looked over the comics (I'll catch up on the rest later).
Our local paper is part of the Tribune family. Tribune's filed for bancruptcy. We are shocked (not).
First, the pages got smaller, then the Editorial page went away, the comics were downsized by half, and Dear Abby became a 1-letter column.
Surprised by this latest turn of events. No, not really.
Yep, every 6 months (or so), I clean my house, whether it needs it or not!
It needs it!
Truth be told, I planned to take the whole week, but work-life interfered and so, I went in yesterday, but the rest of this week is mine, mine, mine!
This morning, I woke to yet another deary pre-winter Pennsylvania day.
(I will add as an aside, that it is the spring that keeps us here--that and needing to have an income for a few more years, thank you, Wall Street. We are not skiers or snowboarders. We do not like winter weather!)
And it is cold yet again today. It never hit freezing (0 C or 32 F for those keeping track). The weather person (we have a "gal") promises that tomorrow will be warm (near 60) but rainy. We will save errands for warm. Rain trumps ice.
The rhododendron outside the front door is an indicator of just how cold it is. The tighter the leaves roll, the colder the temperature.
That's what 25 looks like. In the sun. Next to a warmish brick wall. Yesterday, the leaves looked like sticks.
So, today is the ideal day to check out my cleaning supplies, add to my shopping list if there's anything in short supply, and print out my List TM.
I am obsessive. I keep a cleaning list on my computer.
Room by room, it guides me through the boring tasks that need to be done once in a while--like wiping the jelly prints off the cabinet knobs. Yes. Yes, it is.
And one by one, I will cross those tasks off the list.
I have been known to add the occasional tasks that aren't needed every Cleaning Vacation TM (like finishing two sweaters and taking Princess Sparky to the vet).
It feels good to cross them off.
Please note that the first item on the list is: Make List.
One task accomplished!
So I sat to eat my breakfast: decaff coffee and a gingerbread muffin (yum) from the Amish bakery at the fairgrounds, and looked over the comics (I'll catch up on the rest later).
Our local paper is part of the Tribune family. Tribune's filed for bancruptcy. We are shocked (not).
First, the pages got smaller, then the Editorial page went away, the comics were downsized by half, and Dear Abby became a 1-letter column.
Surprised by this latest turn of events. No, not really.
Labels: current events, silliness
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Where We Stand
Many years ago, I worked in a furniture store (in the design department). We had an inventory clerk who fancied herself quite the comedienne. Whenever someone would say to her: "Where do we stand on Famous style #432?" (insert manufacturer and style of your/our choice), she would reply:
"We don't stand on the furniture."
Okay, point taken.
Where, though, you are probably wondering, do I stand on the Christmas knitting?
I planned 2 sweaters (one each for Older Kid and Daughter In Law). I finished Sweater #1 (Cobblestone) back before Thanksgiving and plunged ahead on Neck-Down Wrap Cardigan.
Then Thanksgiving intervened.
With the soon-to-be-owners visiting, it became apparent that No Knitting on that project could occur. So I did what any self-respecting knitter does. I cast on another project:
This is a top down "Twizzled Ribbed" Cardigan from Rich Designs Kids to Grown-ups Seamless Sweaters for the Tiny Prince. (Note that following the Growly Dog and Tomten I had not planned to make another TP skin this fall.)
I really like this book (got it at Elann.com if you're interested) and have used it as the jumping off point for several small sweaters. I am currently eyeing some thick and thin wool that's marinating in the stash as a potenial Me Sweater. But I digress.
This yarn is Elann.com Superwash Worsted. Nice stuff to knit with.
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I am auditioning buttons to close this puppy. And speaking of puppies, I have cute little tan puppy-face buttons that would be perfect, but they might be too small.
Also trying out are (eyes left) wooden toggles, boring flat buttons in the perfect shade of teal, and crayons in 6 colors that are acceptable, but not great.
Let the voting and comments begin!
Each one has its drawbacks: too boring, too big, not really washable, too bumpy, too small, not quite the right color. ::sigh::
I am leaning toward puppies or plain or maybe the stegosauruses. Just saying. Just looking for validation. Remember, he's one.
I need to knit one sleeve and the body from the underarm to the hem, then sew on the buttons.
Then, just imagine my delight this morning when I reached his momma's Sweater In Progress off of the high shelf where it was perched during their visit and discovered that the first sleeve was half finished. Yay!
This one needs one whole sleeve, part of the first sleeve, the neckband, and 3 miles of I-cord.
They need to be in the mail in time to reach their destination for December 19.
I will be alternating projects this week with plans to mail ::eep:: Friday.
Will Sheepie make it?
Stay tuned!
"We don't stand on the furniture."
Okay, point taken.
Where, though, you are probably wondering, do I stand on the Christmas knitting?
I planned 2 sweaters (one each for Older Kid and Daughter In Law). I finished Sweater #1 (Cobblestone) back before Thanksgiving and plunged ahead on Neck-Down Wrap Cardigan.
Then Thanksgiving intervened.
With the soon-to-be-owners visiting, it became apparent that No Knitting on that project could occur. So I did what any self-respecting knitter does. I cast on another project:
This is a top down "Twizzled Ribbed" Cardigan from Rich Designs Kids to Grown-ups Seamless Sweaters for the Tiny Prince. (Note that following the Growly Dog and Tomten I had not planned to make another TP skin this fall.)
I really like this book (got it at Elann.com if you're interested) and have used it as the jumping off point for several small sweaters. I am currently eyeing some thick and thin wool that's marinating in the stash as a potenial Me Sweater. But I digress.
This yarn is Elann.com Superwash Worsted. Nice stuff to knit with.
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I am auditioning buttons to close this puppy. And speaking of puppies, I have cute little tan puppy-face buttons that would be perfect, but they might be too small.
Also trying out are (eyes left) wooden toggles, boring flat buttons in the perfect shade of teal, and crayons in 6 colors that are acceptable, but not great.
Let the voting and comments begin!
Each one has its drawbacks: too boring, too big, not really washable, too bumpy, too small, not quite the right color. ::sigh::
I am leaning toward puppies or plain or maybe the stegosauruses. Just saying. Just looking for validation. Remember, he's one.
I need to knit one sleeve and the body from the underarm to the hem, then sew on the buttons.
Then, just imagine my delight this morning when I reached his momma's Sweater In Progress off of the high shelf where it was perched during their visit and discovered that the first sleeve was half finished. Yay!
This one needs one whole sleeve, part of the first sleeve, the neckband, and 3 miles of I-cord.
They need to be in the mail in time to reach their destination for December 19.
I will be alternating projects this week with plans to mail ::eep:: Friday.
Will Sheepie make it?
Stay tuned!
Labels: baby things, big people clothes, Christmas, Tiny Prince
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Doing My Bestest
Santa's watching, folks, and so, it's time to shift that do-gooding into high gear.Observe! Over there on the left. A hat, two scarves, and a pair of mitts. They'll be winging their way on Monday toward NOLA (Katrinaville) with a side stop in the Knitting Asylum where they will meet up with others of their kind before the final trip to Covenant House.
Because there are other needs besides warm woolies, I am including some towels and toothbrushes and a couple pairs of purchased socks.
The towels are of the inexpensive variety, but serviceable. Or so I thought until I got them home and next to the ones we use. Then I realized how rough and scratchy the sizing in terry cloth makes it feel. So I washed a beige, a tan, a yellow, and a navy blue together and threw them (together) in the dryer.
Now I know why the lables all say "wash with like colors."
Oh.
I believe that I am now officially done with "charity" knitting until after the Solstice.
Moving into high gear on the family sweaters. Tiny Prince's cardi is ready for the sleeves. They will be tonight's movie knitting. Boring buttons are selected. Looking for something more exciting.
Labels: big people clothes, charity, Christmas, FOs, WIPs
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Sing, Sing a Song
The title references a song that has been going through my head. "Quiet entertainment" for the Tiny Prince included You-tube viewing of (mostly) Muppets and Sesame Street vids. This one is stuck in my brain!
I have been "away," dear readers, wallowing in self-pity and grief and feeling like, yes, with all that has gone on in the past several weeks, it is absolutely "normal" to feel more than a little sad.
First off, the Tiny Prince's visit was, in many ways, far too short. He's such a fast moving kid on his knees and soon to be on his feet. He wants to feed himself, but falls asleep over his meal, because, Mammo, it's a whole lotta work!
And then, I discovered that the kids will be spending the next holiday with The Other Grandparents, which is, I guess (in my logical mind), Only Fair (but in truth, my emotional mind is saying So Not Fair). It stinks, truthfully.
Since I heard this, I have had a hard time working on the Christmas Sweaters that remain half-done, but instead, threw myself into a quick-knit project:
From Knit U contributor Dez Crawford:
I wanted to remind everyone that Covenant House, serving homeless teens in New Orleans, was Aunt Gail's favorite charitable cause and that I am collecting hats, scarves, mitts and socks for a special holiday delivery in Gail McHugh's memory.
I know you are all in the middle of your holiday knitting, but if you have an extra hat, scarf or other warm item laying around, or if you have time to whip out a hat en route to your holiday dinner, please consider dropping it in the mail soon.
U.S. residents, please postmark no later than December 13 so I receive the item(s) in time for delivery Christmas week. International residents, please drop your item in the mail ASAP.
Although Covenant House accepts donations of garments year round, I like to make a special delivery each holiday season. If you don't have time to knit, they also accept towels, washcloths, toothbrushes, toiletries, and easy-care black pants and white shirts for teen boys and teen girls (many of the kids they assist are trained for jobs in the restaurant business and the black/white combo can be worn to work).
Send to my shop:
Knitting Asylum
8231 Summa Ave.Suite B
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Thanks in advance for your generosity!
I am looking forward to making that delivery Christmas week, and thanks to local knitters who have already donated hats and scarves. Let's help keep Gail's memory alive through her favorite causes!
Dez Crawford, in Baton Rouge
I've finished a scarf, hat, and pair of mitts. When I finish this second scarf, I will wash them all and pop them in the mail to Dez with a quartet of inexpensive but colorful bath towels. (Photo, then.)
Other sad-producing events included the deaths of two folks that I have worked closely with for several years. Bob was a few years older than me, Stephen, a couple years younger. Though neither death was totally unexpected, I will miss them both greatly. The package to Dez will be sent in memory of Stephen, who would understand.
It's not depression, I keep telling myself, but just Normal Sad. If it's still here at the end of the month, I will seek help. I promise.
I have been "away," dear readers, wallowing in self-pity and grief and feeling like, yes, with all that has gone on in the past several weeks, it is absolutely "normal" to feel more than a little sad.
First off, the Tiny Prince's visit was, in many ways, far too short. He's such a fast moving kid on his knees and soon to be on his feet. He wants to feed himself, but falls asleep over his meal, because, Mammo, it's a whole lotta work!
And then, I discovered that the kids will be spending the next holiday with The Other Grandparents, which is, I guess (in my logical mind), Only Fair (but in truth, my emotional mind is saying So Not Fair). It stinks, truthfully.
Since I heard this, I have had a hard time working on the Christmas Sweaters that remain half-done, but instead, threw myself into a quick-knit project:
From Knit U contributor Dez Crawford:
I wanted to remind everyone that Covenant House, serving homeless teens in New Orleans, was Aunt Gail's favorite charitable cause and that I am collecting hats, scarves, mitts and socks for a special holiday delivery in Gail McHugh's memory.
I know you are all in the middle of your holiday knitting, but if you have an extra hat, scarf or other warm item laying around, or if you have time to whip out a hat en route to your holiday dinner, please consider dropping it in the mail soon.
U.S. residents, please postmark no later than December 13 so I receive the item(s) in time for delivery Christmas week. International residents, please drop your item in the mail ASAP.
Although Covenant House accepts donations of garments year round, I like to make a special delivery each holiday season. If you don't have time to knit, they also accept towels, washcloths, toothbrushes, toiletries, and easy-care black pants and white shirts for teen boys and teen girls (many of the kids they assist are trained for jobs in the restaurant business and the black/white combo can be worn to work).
Send to my shop:
Knitting Asylum
8231 Summa Ave.Suite B
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Thanks in advance for your generosity!
I am looking forward to making that delivery Christmas week, and thanks to local knitters who have already donated hats and scarves. Let's help keep Gail's memory alive through her favorite causes!
Dez Crawford, in Baton Rouge
I've finished a scarf, hat, and pair of mitts. When I finish this second scarf, I will wash them all and pop them in the mail to Dez with a quartet of inexpensive but colorful bath towels. (Photo, then.)
Other sad-producing events included the deaths of two folks that I have worked closely with for several years. Bob was a few years older than me, Stephen, a couple years younger. Though neither death was totally unexpected, I will miss them both greatly. The package to Dez will be sent in memory of Stephen, who would understand.
It's not depression, I keep telling myself, but just Normal Sad. If it's still here at the end of the month, I will seek help. I promise.
Labels: charity, Christmas, current events, Tiny Prince
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