Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Running For the Finish Line
These cuties are Nancy's.
Jean put hers in the mail. Scroll down a teensy bit to see the great patterns she has written for Community Knitting. There's a mitten (the one with the cabled snowman) and a really cute sweater. Check it out.
This is just a little something I whipped up for a friend's hypothetical granddaughter.
I used the bib pattern in the latest Cottage Creations booklet: Comfort Gifts for family and Community and some Bernat Cottontots yarn.
It's 100% cotton and very soft.
The Tiny Prince has an entire wardrobe of bibs. I think this gift will come in very handy.
Here's a little bit of whimsey that I added.
I love this button!
I just hope that it isn't too heavy.
Labels: baby things, mittnz
Monday, September 29, 2008
Mittnz, More!
These are the ones Suzanne made.
Well, these are 7 of the pairs Suzanne made.
Suzanne is an Overachiever. She made 20 pairs all together.
Way to go!
Labels: mittnz
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Rainy Days and Sundays
The annual Celtic Classic was a wash-out today. The creek that borders the festival grounds overflowed its banks and so, no Classic. No caber tossing, no sheepdog trials, no massed bagpipe band.
When the day dawned gray and nasty, we abandoned plans to attend, electing instead, to shop.
The parking lot where we shopped was also under water. Nearly knee-deep in spots.
But on the sunny side of things, DJ finished her mittnz and mailed them off.
Aren't the colors cheerful?
I have been tabulating the 2008 Mittnz donations as folks report in. I am amazed at the number that have been made and bought.
I believe you will be as well.
Report in: abmcmanus ::at::verizon ::dot:: net
Judy in Washington (state) sent these lovely pairs (and 7 more for a total of 15 pairs).Look! Shadows! It's sunny in Washington.
Share, Judy, share!
On a serious note, mailing needs to happen this week in order for this "blitz" thing to work. And anyone who mails at least 8 pairs of handwarmers and reports in (with photo and total number of warm woolies mailed) will be included in a drawing for one of eight fabo prizes including books, and patterns, and woolie goodness of all sorts.
You do not want to miss out!
Labels: current events, mittnz
Thursday, September 25, 2008
In Case You Thought That I Was Idle
One center-out baby blanket. Finished. Finito. F period O period! It's 40" across and very soft.
And washable! Don't forget the important part!
I really have been busy working my knitting fingers to the bone (wadda you get? bony fingers! ::humming::) on this baby blankie from something called Sidar Ultra Denim (see earlier post for fiber content and other specs--I threw away the ball band).
But not before snapping a picture of the leftover ball (I had 5).
What do you mean, there's nothing there?
Oh.
O!
Well, here's a shot of all I had left.
Yep. Snippets.
I had to frog part of the bind off to have enough to finish. That last strand was about 8" long.
Ends are woven. It's put on the pile.
For the Cheyenne River Blanket Blitz.
Coming now! And on through the end of the year.
I am concentrating on baby-size and baby (sort of) colors. This one is "boy" in shades of blue, beige, and yellow.
There's another in pinky shades that I hope to finish this weekend (and then get back to the entrelac -- I just really needed a break!)
And these, in case you couldn't guess, are for Ship Support.
They are 100% (shoot me now) acrylic. Red Heart Strata in Mosaic. The picture at Smiley's looked like shades of brown and black and gray.
In real life (like in my "studio") it's actually gold, sage green, navy, purple, burgundy and that gray and white flecky stuff.
Note: the Pinball colorway is lots brighter IRL than it shows on my monitor, too.
These were fun to knit (basic sock pattern starting with 36 stitches on size 6 dpns --it's definitely worsted weight). I used two different balls so that I could make them as close to identical as possible.
Need a pattern? Check the sidebar for the spot to look in the archives.
There's easily enough on the two balls to make another pair. So I will. Later.
I want to try out the Pinball first.
Labels: baby things, charity, ship support
Monday, September 22, 2008
Mailing Week, Day 2
Linda got carried away and didn't stop at 8 pairs.
Way to go, Linda!!
I'm packing up my box and will be mailing it, too.
So, show us your Mittnz!
Labels: mittnz
Mailing Week, Day 1
Marla made these eight pairs and will be mailing them this week.
::EEP:: it's time to mail the Mittnz.
Remember, to be in the draw:
1) Take picture of your 8 pairs and email it to me.
2) Put your Mittnz (and any other goodies you are sending) in a box and mail to:
Cheyenne River Youth Project
P.O. Box 410
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
Labels: mittnz
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Don't Touch
I am not a touchy-feelie sort of person. Never have been. I tolerate, but don't especially enjoy, most body contact, especially with strangers. I don't like being in crowded places. And I really despise when people move into my personal space and touch me while they are talking.
I just want to say "hands off!" (but usually, I restrain myself and don't shout it out loud).
::well, I feel better having shared that:: Do you think I am strange?
It's Funday. The day after Catterday. I am feeling a little rested, despite having fielded a couple calls from the alarm company. I will need to hop in the car and do the driving thing later on. Then I will stop and get my hair trimmed. It's a party a minute around here!
Mittnz Update: Jakki finished and mailed a pair of mittnz to the reservation. You can see a picture of them here.
The mailing deadline is fast approaching. If you would like to share photos of your completed Mittnz before you drop them in the mail, email them to me (abmcmanus *at* verizon *dot* net--you know what to do to make that address work!)
I'll put them here, and put your name in the hat if you mailed 8 pairs or more.
Prizes? Did someone say "prizes?"
There are books and accessories and yarny goodness and patterns. You do not want to miss out!
I just want to say "hands off!" (but usually, I restrain myself and don't shout it out loud).
::well, I feel better having shared that:: Do you think I am strange?
It's Funday. The day after Catterday. I am feeling a little rested, despite having fielded a couple calls from the alarm company. I will need to hop in the car and do the driving thing later on. Then I will stop and get my hair trimmed. It's a party a minute around here!
Mittnz Update: Jakki finished and mailed a pair of mittnz to the reservation. You can see a picture of them here.
The mailing deadline is fast approaching. If you would like to share photos of your completed Mittnz before you drop them in the mail, email them to me (abmcmanus *at* verizon *dot* net--you know what to do to make that address work!)
I'll put them here, and put your name in the hat if you mailed 8 pairs or more.
Prizes? Did someone say "prizes?"
There are books and accessories and yarny goodness and patterns. You do not want to miss out!
Labels: current events, mittnz, silliness
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Mittnz Mailing
Lyn made these. Aren't they pretty?
She's mailing them soon. And Lyn's name is in the hat. She might win a lovely prize.
Good luck, Lyn!
Labels: mittnz
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Did You Miss Me?
MIA for a couple of days or so. Overwhelmed and crazy-busy. Sorry. Nothing I can write about. Sorrier.
I did manage to get in some knitting, though not nearly as much as I would like.
The two car blankies have been joined by 2 more Works In Progress.
The lavender blob is a center out baby blankie in Sidar Denim Ultra ("Mega chunky" acrylic/cotton/wool blend. It's machine washable and was a gift from Nanna--thanks, Nanna). I'm knitting it on 15s and it's going very fast. 500 grams will work up to about 40" square. Perfect!
The stripey thing center front is a "bed sock" (slipper) for Ship Support. It's Red Heart Strata (Yes, I know I said there would be no more ack in my stash. I lied. Bite me!).
I was intrigued by the self-striping colorwys. Bought this (Mosaic) and a brighter one (Pinball) at Smiley's. So far, I am not impressed. The stripes are not "engineered" in the way that self-striping sock yarns are, and it is very scratchy. I hear that it softens when washed. It had better. Stay tuned.
Also on the needles (just barely) is a Chrismas sweater. This is all I plan to post about this one until it is finished and on the recipient.
Newish pattern from Knitting Pure and Simple.
Berrocco Ultra Alpaca in Mahogany Mix from Webs.
By contrast, this yarn is a real pleasure to knit up. It's soft and lovely. I could knit on it all evening. And the KP&S pattern? Top down, seamless. What can I say?
(Other than, I hope it fits and that the recipient likes it, of course.)
And last but not least, a baby blankie in Elann's Superwash Worsted. Again, soft, yummy, a pleasure to knit.
The colors aren't ones I would choose for a baby (or maybe I would. . .) but I have it on good authority that they will match the baby's Pack and Play (porta-crib to the uninitiated).
And get this! It's entrelac. Okay, why was I avoiding this technique? It was on my "do it this year" list of resolutions for two years at least.
Piece of cake!
Pattern: House of White Birches Knitting for Babies and Kids.
I did manage to get in some knitting, though not nearly as much as I would like.
The two car blankies have been joined by 2 more Works In Progress.
The lavender blob is a center out baby blankie in Sidar Denim Ultra ("Mega chunky" acrylic/cotton/wool blend. It's machine washable and was a gift from Nanna--thanks, Nanna). I'm knitting it on 15s and it's going very fast. 500 grams will work up to about 40" square. Perfect!
The stripey thing center front is a "bed sock" (slipper) for Ship Support. It's Red Heart Strata (Yes, I know I said there would be no more ack in my stash. I lied. Bite me!).
I was intrigued by the self-striping colorwys. Bought this (Mosaic) and a brighter one (Pinball) at Smiley's. So far, I am not impressed. The stripes are not "engineered" in the way that self-striping sock yarns are, and it is very scratchy. I hear that it softens when washed. It had better. Stay tuned.
Also on the needles (just barely) is a Chrismas sweater. This is all I plan to post about this one until it is finished and on the recipient.
Newish pattern from Knitting Pure and Simple.
Berrocco Ultra Alpaca in Mahogany Mix from Webs.
By contrast, this yarn is a real pleasure to knit up. It's soft and lovely. I could knit on it all evening. And the KP&S pattern? Top down, seamless. What can I say?
(Other than, I hope it fits and that the recipient likes it, of course.)
And last but not least, a baby blankie in Elann's Superwash Worsted. Again, soft, yummy, a pleasure to knit.
The colors aren't ones I would choose for a baby (or maybe I would. . .) but I have it on good authority that they will match the baby's Pack and Play (porta-crib to the uninitiated).
And get this! It's entrelac. Okay, why was I avoiding this technique? It was on my "do it this year" list of resolutions for two years at least.
Piece of cake!
Pattern: House of White Birches Knitting for Babies and Kids.
Labels: baby things, charity, Christmas, ship support
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
It's Official
My email address is changed.
In another day or so, we will wave goodbye to the old ISP and save, oh, 20 or 30 cents a month.
Bah, humbug!
In another day or so, we will wave goodbye to the old ISP and save, oh, 20 or 30 cents a month.
Bah, humbug!
Saturday, September 06, 2008
It's a Great Day For Mittnz
Carol K who lives in Ohio sent me this photo of the Mittnz and Hatz she has made.
I really like the green ones (I lerve all things green).
Carol has herself a place in the prize draw.
Do you?
Labels: mittnz
Friday, September 05, 2008
Where Did The Week Go?
If I said that I have had the week from hell, would you believe me?
It's like everyone I come in contact with has taken a "stupid" pill.
Last week, someone stuffed paper towels down the men's room toilet which caused a back-up into the ladies' room. The plumbers got it snaked ($600) but broke the ladies' room toilet in the process (another $700). It's an old building with funky plumbing. What can I say? (If I ever find out who did it, he's dead!)
And that was just the tip of the iceberg.
Since I don't usually talk about "work stuff" here, I won't break with tradition and spill all; let's talk about knitting instead!
Here's a photo of the current car project:
Car Project= one that requires little or no looking. These are both garter stitch "log cabin" style baby blankies for the current Blanket Blitz for Cheyenne River Reservation.
The recipe is simple. Cast on some stitches. I started with about 10 if I remember correctly(tThe yellow and green center squares).
*Knit every row until it's as long as you want or until you nearly run out of yarn. Bind off. Using another color (or the same one), with right side facing, pick up and knit 1 stitch for every "valley" along the left side of the bit you just completed, or when the time comes, one stitch for every stitch. **Knit back and forth some more. Repeat from * to ** until it's as big as you want it. Add an edging all the way around using the same method, but use the same color on all 4 sides. (I plan to do this with both of them. I have a pristine skein of light blue and another of pink that I plan to use for this. I might add acontrasting I-cord border, too.)
I am aiming for a finished size of 40" square. The blue and yellow one is currently 32" X 36" and too hot and heavy to knit in the car. The pink and purple one is 16" X 18" and still travels with me. They should both be finished by the end of the month.
Here's what's happening to the "bits and bobs" that are left from the bigger blankets.
Mitered squares and center-out squares, all knitted, though in the photo, some of them look a bit like crocheted grannies.
All of the yarn in these projects is various brands of acrylic something or other. Worsted weight.
I've already started planning next year's fair entries (shut up!) and would actually start the actual knitting if I could only find my copy of Domino Knitting.
I've also started planning the Christmas Knitting but have hit a road block. The yarn I planned to use for one of the sweaters won't be enough no matter how I stretch it. ::sigh:: Plus I am still deciding on a pattern. And I can't find the other yarn I bought with a specific project in mind, though I do have that pattern.
Would someone like to come here and help me find my sanity?
It's like everyone I come in contact with has taken a "stupid" pill.
Last week, someone stuffed paper towels down the men's room toilet which caused a back-up into the ladies' room. The plumbers got it snaked ($600) but broke the ladies' room toilet in the process (another $700). It's an old building with funky plumbing. What can I say? (If I ever find out who did it, he's dead!)
And that was just the tip of the iceberg.
Since I don't usually talk about "work stuff" here, I won't break with tradition and spill all; let's talk about knitting instead!
Here's a photo of the current car project:
Car Project= one that requires little or no looking. These are both garter stitch "log cabin" style baby blankies for the current Blanket Blitz for Cheyenne River Reservation.
The recipe is simple. Cast on some stitches. I started with about 10 if I remember correctly(tThe yellow and green center squares).
*Knit every row until it's as long as you want or until you nearly run out of yarn. Bind off. Using another color (or the same one), with right side facing, pick up and knit 1 stitch for every "valley" along the left side of the bit you just completed, or when the time comes, one stitch for every stitch. **Knit back and forth some more. Repeat from * to ** until it's as big as you want it. Add an edging all the way around using the same method, but use the same color on all 4 sides. (I plan to do this with both of them. I have a pristine skein of light blue and another of pink that I plan to use for this. I might add acontrasting I-cord border, too.)
I am aiming for a finished size of 40" square. The blue and yellow one is currently 32" X 36" and too hot and heavy to knit in the car. The pink and purple one is 16" X 18" and still travels with me. They should both be finished by the end of the month.
Here's what's happening to the "bits and bobs" that are left from the bigger blankets.
Mitered squares and center-out squares, all knitted, though in the photo, some of them look a bit like crocheted grannies.
All of the yarn in these projects is various brands of acrylic something or other. Worsted weight.
I've already started planning next year's fair entries (shut up!) and would actually start the actual knitting if I could only find my copy of Domino Knitting.
I've also started planning the Christmas Knitting but have hit a road block. The yarn I planned to use for one of the sweaters won't be enough no matter how I stretch it. ::sigh:: Plus I am still deciding on a pattern. And I can't find the other yarn I bought with a specific project in mind, though I do have that pattern.
Would someone like to come here and help me find my sanity?
Labels: baby things, charity, Cheyenne River, fair entries, silliness
Monday, September 01, 2008
Nothing to Blog About But Mittnz
I started off the day with lots to do (purging a file drawer--DONE!) and very little to blog about.
The fair is over (except for the picking up of the stuff and the waiting for the check to arrive) and though I have plans to start my fair-knitting early for 2009, it seemed a bit too early, even for me.
So, I am sitting and knitting 4" squares in baby colors. (Pictures tomorrow, perhaps, when the ends are woven in. )
In the meantime, I thought I would update on Mittnz 2008.
These are Alina's. Simple, straight forward.
Nice and cozy.
Julie, who, living as she does in Wisconsin, (I'm pretty sure that's right) knows a bit about cold hands.
She made these (and then made some more).
Nice job, Julie. Eight kids will have warm hands, thanks to you.
And Amy announced on-blog and on-list that she was mailing hers off today. Amy gets a serious pass because she lives in Israel where it doesn't get as cold as Wisconsin, and where mail might be a bit delayed because of distance.
This is just one of Amy's pairs. They are all this cute!
Mailing of the Mittnz is scheduled for the end of this month so that they arrive in South Dakota before the snows.
I hope that these photos inspired you to get knitting (or to get to the nearest Mart or Tar-jay) so that you can mail your eight pairs by the September 30 deadline.
If you'd like to be in on the prize draw (for one of 8 fabulous fibery prizes) check the Roolz here . The only change from March is that photos should be emailed to my new address: abmcmanus@verizon.net .
Get those pictures to me, ya hear!?
Labels: mittnz
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