Thursday, February 01, 2007

SHhhhhhhh!

I'm really doing my homework.

You know that little yarn shop I told you about? I finally got to go to it last night, and it's really wonderful! This new delightful shop is called A Tangled Skein. It's in an old bank building (think thick walls, wooden floors) and is right in front of the Hyattsville Municiple Building on Baltimore Street.

They're planning on having a Sit-n-Knit every Wednesday -- everyone is invited -- and (are you sitting down??) they're keeping the register open for shopping!

I got a tour of the shop from Pat. A very knowledgeable knitter. The shop is laid out well, with easy access to all the shelves of goodies. The lighting in the evening leaves much to be desired but there is a good light at the knitting table to see some true color. They're carrying a large selection of Lamb's Pride, and a line that I've never heard of before called Ella Rae (100% wool, 219 yds, $5.00) and it's knitting up very nicely! And of course they have Noro, Debbie Bliss, and Filatura Di Crosa to name a few.
So while I don't think I'll be going every week, I do think it's worth the trip once or twice a month.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Now before I go back to my homework (gotta study, I have a test next week) here's a pic of my little guy. He's dressed to go to the BSO with his class today.



Isn't he handsome!

Friday, January 26, 2007

Newsflash!!

Contributed by Lola. You can read her exploits here. And, she has pictures too!
Run along now. Check out this new store!!

Just opened a few days ago:

A Tangled Skein
Cheryl W. Hoffman
5200 Baltimore Ave (rt. 1)
Hyattsville, MD
301-779-3399

Yes, my fellow fiber hounds A NEW YARN STORE!!!

To get there, go south on Rt. 50, take exit to 410 W (stay on the left
lane - that lane turns 90 degree to the left at the 2nd traffic light),
then turn left onto Baltimore Ave. Turn right at Baltimore Ave -
Gallatin St. You'll see a sign for public parking - it's on the left.
25 cents per hour, I believe. The store is in a building that looks
like it used to be a bank and has "Professional Building" chiseled in at
the top. you won't see the yarn store until you've turned right into
that intersection. I have some pictures and will be blogging about this
place later tonite. They have a website but it's under construction.

Hideehoo!!

I gotta be honest, homework is seriously kicking my butt! There I said butt, let's see what demons Google unleashes on me this week! HA bring it on!!

I've started taking classes in order to obtain my degree from AACC here in Annapolis. I'm studying to be a certified paralegal. Yes I do already work for District Court. Yes, I've already worked as a legal secretary. This is different. Plus I'll have a degree.

I go to class once a week. Class is three hours long, and that after working all day is taking a toll. And I need to get my brain back into learning school type mode. Any suggestions are most welcome!

I have been knitting, just not much and only on certain projects of which I don't feel I can disclose at this time. So you'll haveta wait.

But to get some knitting goodies you can go here: www.knitmittens.blogspot.com

The ladies in my knit group have been turning out some more beautiful work.

Here's a pic of my "granddog" Tantum. Yes, he's named after a firetruck. And he's a good dog!

Monday, January 15, 2007

It really makes one CRANKY!

Running out of yarn that is. The class that Marseille gave on knitting entralac was really quite good. So I used the yarn that I had purchased from JoAnn's (see previous post) to start knitting a scarf/shawl. Just like eating good potato chips, you can't stop at just one block you need to go on to the next.

The changing of the colors was great! It really looks lovely if I do say so myself. Here's a shot for ya.



You'll notice the stitch holder on the one end? That's because I've RUN OUT OF YARN!!! I really hoped that wouldn't happen, that the four balls I had would be plenty (come on folk, it was over 350 yards that I had) but alas no. Not enough. So back to JoAnn's in Annapolis I go. Nope, they still have the kits but not the right color.

I go to the JoAnn's in Warrenton, Virginia. Yep, they have the kits too. Nope, not the right color. So I bought two kits in this color:



See, I've already started another scarf/shawl. I'm looking at the colors and they could possibly swing to either being for a gentleman or lady. What do you think? Hey folks, yes this means I've started knitting for the holidays!!

This past weekend was my dad's birthday. So we drove out to help him celebrate. While out there we also went to Washington, Virginia. There are lots of lovely little shops on Main Street, including a 5-Star restaurant/hotel called The Inn at Little Washington. One of the shops we stopped at was the Geneva Welsh Gallery. She's an artist and it turns out a vendor at the MDS&W Festival. There I bought these:



They're note cards - yes, even so I blog and write email to friends and family I still write letters and notes using pen, ink, and paper. Aren't these lovely! Here's her shop. She also does really sheep. And chickens.



You can see some more of her work and read about the Artist Studio & Gallery Tour of Rappahannock County here.

Well, gotta fly! I need to get those needles a clickin cause not only did I buy the two kits from JoAnn's this past weekend but I had also purchased and received this from Laurie.



This is a whole tub full of Lion Brand Cotton-Ease. Which by the way is now back on the shelves in new colors and still just a lovely as ever! What am I planning to do with a whole tub of Cotton-Ease? Stay tuned to find out.

By the way, the next meeting of Annapolis Knits & Crochets at Borders is January 24th! Come join us!

By the way, anyone interested in a trade? I have two packets from the yarn kits that I bought from JoAnn's that has the knitting needles (circular size 10-1/2 (6.5mm) 24 inches long, crochet hook size J (6mm) And I have two of each. Contact me if you'd like to trade or know of anyone in the need.

Monday, January 01, 2007

Amazing Thing!



I was at JoAnn's today with thee Wyldman and there was a lot of things that had been marked down being as Christmas is over. We were in search of some sort of sewing kit that he could have to sew something him self. Of course we couldn't find anything suitable for a little boy or anything that wasn't Christmas'y. We settled for some camo fleece for him to make a couple of scarves and a bear.

Myself was in search of some variegated yarn to use in a scarf project that one of my knitting groups is going to start soon. I found the perfect yarn and got a bit of a bonus and a great surprise!

See in the photo there's four skeins of 100% wool yarn; a crochet hook, a circular knitting kneedle; a little knitted flower broach with pin attached; flower sequins; matching beads; a spool of thread; with a sewing needle; pattern for a felted either knit or crocheted bag and this very cool little plastic box with Velcro closure and handle to carry it all in. This is without a doubt the most complete kit I've ever come across. The only item missing would be snips to cut the thread. And the price (are you sitting down?) was $9.00. Yes, I said nine dollars.

I think I'll go pick up more tomorrow. Here's another more complete photo.



OH Right, the bear Camo:



He did a pretty good job!

Sunday, December 31, 2006

Happy New Year!


Well, we made it through the madness sometime known as Christmas. I was given something that I shall cherish for a very long time to come!!

ALL my kiddies were home for Christmas this year! I LOVE IT!!

And we all want to wish you and yours a Happy and Safe Holiday and New Year to come. May all your fibery wishes come true!!

Monday, December 18, 2006

It's Christmas Time



Add in a bit of knitting by the fire and sharing a cuppa with your honey and that pretty much sums it all up!

I grew up with those wonderful Christmas time specials. And still really enjoy them when they come on TV. So finding this one was really a treat. Hope you all like it too.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Artists Studio Tour

This year Alana, Kari (her friend from Seattle, Washington) and myself went on the Artists Studio Tour. You can read more about it in my previous post. Here you can drool (or not) over some of the goodies I got. As well as Debra's goodies. She didn't take the tour with us but she did have a grand time.


These lovely beauties are from Kiparoo Farms! Destined to be mittens cause we all know how I just love to mitt knittens!

Great yarny goodies from Dancing Leaf - and I got two of them. To be something for me.
How exciting! Dalis also had some great bag lunches. She called them Shepard's Bag Lunches - good bit of bread, great selection of cheeses, carrots, sweet peas, bottle of water and a chocolate! Kept us going all day. And it was a good thing too, there really wasn't anyplace out there to stop for lunch -- much less coffee or gas!


Debra's goodies from the Studio Tour! Also from Kiparoo Farms.

I also purchased some lovely alpaca from Rainbowpaca's while at the Lahara Studios. It's quite wonderful and will soon meet up with needles to become something wonderful. I just can't tell you what yet.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

A Great Weekend

A Jacob from Dancing Leaf Farms

I spent Saturday doing the Countryside Artists Studio Tour here in Maryland. Some 14 artists open up their studios for tours, goodies, hot cider, and shopping fun. You do the driving and go to whichever studio suits your purpose. They only open their studios a couple times a year and it's just for the weekend but the countryside is beautiful and I was in good company! Here are the studios we went to:

Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard (yes, vineyard as in wine tasting! and chocolate too!!) I bought a very lovely bottle of Chardonnay there. They also make red. All very good. New vineyard too!

Seneca Creek Joinery = beautiful hand turned wood items. And lovely little mini long haired dachshund named Kitty. They served a wonderful cuppa cider too!

PlumStuff - They were a unique furniture place done in tiles with iron legs. Also she had some lovely glass bead jewelry. And a young lady who's information I didn't get who greeted you outside the studio with very happy looking dinnerware.

Morningstar Studio - Tina Brown is brilliant with a paint brush! You've got to go see her work.!

Morningstar Studio isn't it lovely!

Lahara Textile Gallery - Another brilliant place. This is a small shop that leases out space to work your fibery wares. They also have classes. And of course sell their wares. I scored some beautiful alpaca (Rainbow Pacas) Sport weight-2ply 320 yards at a price that would you make you wish you were with me!

Lindenwood Farmgoods - Beautiful setting.

Kiparoo Farm - No, I didn't get enough of Annie during the MDS&W Festival. And yes, I bought more yarn there and some lovely soap. And no I don't have any pictures to post cause it was really really really dark by the time we got to her studio. And I'll post pic of my goodies later this week.

Dancing Pig Pottery - Really nice pottery! If it weren't quite so heavy I would now have the coolest looking coffee mug with a dragon most gracefully wrapped around it. And the art work was really unique.

Dancing Leaf Farm - Yes, I know I can see her work at the MDS&W but her studio has always been spoken of fondly by fellow knitters so I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to see it and Tasman.
These are my traveling companions for the day. Kari (from Seattle, Wa) and Alana. This was taken at Dancing Leaf Farms. There besides scoring some lovely yarns, cards and jewelry we also got a Shepard's Bag Lunch. Very yummy and perfect for being on the go!

Here's the three of us with the famed Tasman. He was really more interested in our lunch.

The Blacksmith Shop - You know a true blacksmith is rapidly becoming an art of the past but this one still has a forge. And it was HOT! Truly worth the drive to see it. Bill Allen was also sharing his studio with two neighbors; one who had some beautiful wooden cutting boards and boasts that all his work is done from trees that already fallen (No trees harmed) and a lady who wove baskets using old saddle parts and bridle bits. Very neat to see.

Art of Fire - Was a HUGE glass workshop. And possibly the warmest stop of the whole day. They also give classes. I've always thought about taking a glass working class. Now I know where to go!

Alden Farms - Very unique type lawn ornaments and garden items. They also have a garden shop that's open in the spring. I look forward to a return visit there.

Most all of the studios were converted barns or sheds. And all were filled with curious shoppers and fiberholics of all walks. The weather was absolutely beautiful which was really good cause driving for the first time on some of those country roads can be tricky business! Pics of my goodies will come later this week. But I leave you with Tasman's buddy. We never did get his name but he was a very sweet guy!

Thursday, December 07, 2006

It's December

The Two 'N's Nik and Nathan

And it's almost Christmas! But before the Zoo and really start celebrating Christmas we've got a few birthdays to get out of the way. One is the Wyldman's. Here's a pic of him with his bigger brother and best friend, Evan. This was taken just before he ate two plates of fried calamari -- by hisself.


Thee Wyldman is the one in the middle. I think hunger was propelling their goofy faces or it could be that I was the one taking the picture.

Too cute for words? Here's another one for ya.


Here's the Divine Miss M and her beau, Dan

For the record, he informed me (not that long ago) that he was not a knitted sweater kinda boy. This has been denied as he has seen a couple of designs that can only be knit onto a sweater -- such as a skull and crossbones. Looks like there will be a bit of Wyldman sweater designing in my future! WHAOO! Not to start happening until after the holidays thank you very much!

Okay, I've gotten some knitterly type pics up on the mitten blog. For you new folks (HA! the ones that found this blog totally by accident) the mitten blog is one I've put together for my friends who have no blog. There are is a handful of people out there who don't blog believe it or not. But people like me who maintain 5 certainly make up for those who do not. I've put some of my holiday knitting there too.

Speaking of mitten knitting, Annapolis Knit and Crochet will be meeting at the Seattle's Best Cafe in the Westfield Annapolis Borders on Monday at 7:00pm. Grab your project bag and come join us! Or just come and join us for the chat. We have plenty of that!

And speaking of holidays and gifts and the like (yes, I like getting gifts.) A totally awesome friend sent us a brand spanking new computer printer/scanner/copier for Christmas. And it even works with my camera.....once I figure out how to. But the kids know how to use it already and that just makes my work even easier.

Point is, Awesome Friend -- Thank you very much!! You know who you are.


BTW: I really like my new job but it's kicking my butt mentally. We all need a good butt-kicking every so often.

Friday, November 24, 2006

Yes, I'm knitting

as fast as I can. Have you seen just how many more days there are until ..... gulp ..... Christmas? And even closer is thee Wyldman's birthday, and then there's my favorite SIL's birthday, and then there's the Tall One's birthday too!

But in the mean time, I did get two stockings completed for my friend. She's giving them another friend who's helping to decorate some of the homes in downtown Annapolis for the walking tours. Here's what I've done:
Don't look at the mess on my deck. It's passable to get to the door. Here's a foot photo:


They were really really quick and done in two balls/skeins of Lion Brand Woolease.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Monday, November 20, 2006

Severn River Madness

For those of you coming to check for photos of two dopes jumping into the River please be informed that the Jump was called off (jump would have this past Saturday 11/19). This mom just couldn't allow such madness to occur.

However, to the two young ladies we met in Ram's Head Road House....Yes, I had a great time. And we had no problems finding the car once you pointed the way.

Thanks. And maybe we'll meet again.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

New Job

New job has been started! And I made it through the first week without any mishaps. So I'm officially an employee of the State of Maryland.

And since I'm now working in an office I'm in need of clothes for work! Hmmmm, seems I've said this before. Probably. So I've started working on some sweaters. Natch, because winter is just around the corner. And because while searching through the stash for something for mittens I came across a forgotten stash of (are you sitting down?) Cottage Craft! In a color Lobster, and enough to knit a cardigan for moi!

So using my trusty size 8 circular I've cast on the body (142 stitches thank you very much) and have started knitting. I figure about 13 inches to the arms, then I'll cast on some dpns the sleeves, add a bit of fair isle and finish the top of the cardi knitting in the sleeves as I go. Then add a button band and I just may be sporting a new sweater next week. WHEEEEEEE!!

And in case you've already written up a score card, the fair isle parts will done with Cottage Craft 1ply and some lovely varigated mohair -- also found awaiting it's turn in the stash.

Do you think that by knitting a sweater only from the stash that that would entitle me to a yarn store trip for some more yarn? Seems fair. What do you think?



Here's a couple pics of Guji. These are pre-pounce....the pouncee being me coming up the steps.



He's growing so fast!

Monday, October 30, 2006

WOW!!



A month has just about past. November is just about here and I start a new job on the 1st. Folks I haven't worked in an office environment in over 7 years. That's a long time! I'm a nervous wreck! Truly! And it's a job where jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers are not really accepted. I need to do some shopping! I need to dig through the stash and pull out some yarns I know I have to knit some tops. I need to pull myself together! Really, now.

Monday, October 09, 2006

Well, we could just meet at

Barnes & Noble! LOL!!

The Borders Cafe in the Annapolis Mall is "revamping" the cafe. It's being taken over by Seattle's Best. hmmmmmm, I wonder if this means the coffee will be better? Anyway, when I asked where they would be able to put "Annapolis Knit & Crochet Group" they said "Well, what about out in the Mall?" and I said "What about just moving to Barnes & Noble." There will be chairs set up for us over by the Childrens' DVDs and exercise books/videos. Same time, second Monday errr tonight at 7:00pm. Hope to see you there.

Anyway, I've got some knitting to show you. A neighbor has a niece due sometime this month as asked me to knit a sweater for the wee one. Something not too cutesy, or gender specfic and not newborn sized. So out came my favorite book Beth Brown Reinsel's Knitting Ganseys. Done in Cestari cotton/wool blend 3 Ply DK lightweight in green heather. Not bad to work with. Took just about 2 skeins. I think I have enough to knit up a quick hat to match.



The mittens are on the other blog now. Here's a preview, it needs a thumb.



I'll have more stuff later. Right now, I need to write a note to go with the sweater and get started on the hat.



Sorry, Guji is basking in the last of the Autumn sun and refuses to pose today.

Friday, September 15, 2006

The Knit-Geek Questionnaire

1. What's your worst habit relating to your knitting?
Startitis. I’ve so many projects screaming about in my head all wanting to be done first. And then there are those skeins of yarn not patiently awaiting their turn to be knit yelling at me!!

2. In what specific ways does your knitting make you a better person?
I’m sure most knitters will say that it’s given them more time to things over, to be patient.


3. How might you or your life be different if you were suddenly unable to knit?

*****speechless*****

4. If money were no object, what one yarn, and what one tool or gadget would you run out and buy first?
ALL of Lobster Pot Cashmere. What Carol does with color just pleases my senses to no end! Gadget? First? Ball winder. No question.

5. What knitting technique or project type are you most afraid of (if any)? What, specifically, do you fear will happen when you try it?
Entralac. No question. The idea of all those bobbins and then having to weave in all those ends. What would happen if I tried it? Insanity, just forward all my mail to St. Elizabeth’s.


6. Who is/are your knitting hero(es), and why?

Elizabeth Zimmermann, for saying just do it and be proud of what you’ve done. Beth Brown Reinsel – come’on. Sweaters without seams and making it easy to understand.

7. Do you consider knitting, for you personally, a mostly social activity, or a mostly solitary activity?
It’s something I do every free moment of the day/evening/night. I always have something with me. I’ve been told that I’m distracted and difficult to talk with if I don’t have any knitting with me, whether I am actually knitting or not.

8. Is there a particular regional tradition in knitting that you feel strongly drawn toward (e.g., Fair Isle, Scandinavian, Celtic, Orenburg lace)? Any theories as to why it calls to you?
Ganseys. I suppose it could be the wee bit of the Irish in me. Or the desire to go to the Isles. But mostly I would have to say that it’s the patterning and mechanics of knits, purls, and cabling that draws me in

9. If you were a yarn, which yarn would you be?
Sorry, can’t even fathom this one. I’m so damned ticklish that just idea of someone handling me sends me into fits.

10. Some statistics:

(a) How many years have passed since you FIRST learned to knit?
Do we have people actually admitting to this one?!

(b) How many total years have you been actively, regularly knitting (i.e., they don't have to have been in a row)?
Geez, just come out and ask me how old I am! LOL (can you tell that age can be a bit touchy with me???)

(c) how many people have you taught to knit? Lots - really!

(d) Roughly what percentage of your FOs do you give away (to anyone besides yourself, i.e., including your immediate family)
98%

11. How often do you KIP (knit in public)? i.e., once a week, once a month, etc. Where do you do it?
I’m truly never without my knitting. I knit at stop lights, in traffic, in backups, waiting for people to get off work/out of school; walking the neighbors’ dogs; just walking in the neighborhood, around town. So the answer is probably daily where ever I happen to be.

12. If a genie granted you one hour to stitch-n-bitch with any one knitter, living or dead, who would you choose and why?

Eleanor Roosevelt. I would love to have a sit down and hear her talk about what was going and the ways that she thought things should go. She was at the helm of our nation for quite a while when her husband was the President. I think it would be a total blast to get into one of those hot political discussions with her.

13. What aspect or task in knitting makes you most impatient?
Seaming, putting all those pieces together.

14. What is it about knitting that never lets you get bored with it?
How just the process of creating a few stitches can calm me and allow me to again think rationally, even if just for a few minutes before the crisis.

15. Describe how and where you most often do your knitting - where do you sit, what is going on around you, what tools do you use and how are they (dis)organized?
Our house is rather small for the amount of people living in it. There are 5 of us and only one bedroom. The bedroom is where the kids sleep, homework, do their reading, talk on the phone (you get the picture.) The living room is my “bedroom” though it is also the living room. So where I knit is on the bed. Usually watching TV/movie; keeping an eye on the kids using the computer (also in the living room); knitting in my lap; pattern to the right; necessary tools to the side of the pattern; book of choice also in my lap. To the left, glass of water or cup of coffee.

16. Which one person is the recipient of more of your knitting than any other?
My niece.

17. What's the oddest thing about your knitting, or yourself as a knitter?
ummmmmmmmmmm....that would imply that I was not a odd person to begin with.

18. What do you see yourself knitting - if anything - twenty years from now?
Hopefully, delightful little sweater sets and socks for the grans.

19. If you were stranded on a deserted island and could have only ONE SKEIN of yarn, which yarn would it be and what would you do with it?
Desert Island, something cotton. Cascade. Lots of yardage, beautiful colors to choose from. A towel/face cloth. A grrl’s gotta be clean!

20. If you were allowed to own only one knitting-related book, which would it be? (you'd be free to browse others, but you couldn't keep them)
Beth Brown Reinsel’s Knitting Gansey’s. I have it in my collection and is probably THE most referred to book I own. Though I’ll admit that I’ve recently checked The Knitting Answer Book by Margaret Radcliffe from the local library.

21. Is knitting the new yoga? Why or why not?
Well, now this is a tough question. Knitting could possibly be almost as old as yoga. It’s just a matter of people finding what works for them in relieving stress, tension, mind invading chatter (yarn screaming from the attic.)

22. What important thing are you trying to put off doing whenever you knit?
Talking on the phone. I really hate talking on the phone and I’ve friends (bless them really, I love them all) who like nothing better then to call and talk, talk, talk, talk.

Okay, so much for the questionnaire. Now that I've completely bored you sillier then silly.....in knitting news

First commerical (just kidding!!) Here's a photo taken somewhere out West taken by my newly graduated son while traveling from here to Atlantic City, Nevada. It's for Sandy who is always sharing and inspiring others to share "Sky Shots." By the way, WARM HANDS is back!!!! Go check out Sandy's blog.




I've finally finished a pair of mittens for our friend, Alex. She's a grrl who works with my DH and has most graciously bailed us out of a couple of tight spots. I thought a neat pair of mittens would be in order (you know, warm hands, warm heart.) I did not manage to get a pic of them. I will however get DH to take the camera with him to work to possibly get a photo.

The gansey that I've been working for a neighbor will be taken out of the knitting bag today and worked on possibly finished. That reminds me, I need to call the Yarn Gardne and see if I can get that last skein of Cestari.

And now a shot of above mentioned son (also called The Tall One) with his grrlfriend.



And two life shaking events have happened....

1) I have a JOB INTERVIEW!! OMG! What am I going to wear? What shoes should I wear? OMG my hair!!! I need a shot! JIM!! JACK!! JOHNNY?!?! Jose!!!

2) ---> You might want to sit down for this one..... Thee Wyldman informed me the other day that he is no longer a knitted sweater kinda guy.

nuff said.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Something different



Here are a couple of pics taken of two of Baltimore's finest. DH and I took these while shopping in Fells Point this past Friday.



And of course one cannot visit Fells Point and not stop in at A Good Yarn. Lorraine is carrying a fine line of sock yarns now. One that has really caught my eye and that I do believe once I have some free size 1 needles (or decide I can't wait and just go out and buy more) is Austermann from Skacel. It's called "Step" and is a LARGE ball (you can get a rather long pair of socks from it.) Each ball is 75% new wool, 25% nylon; 420 meters; and has aloe vera and jojoba oils in it that will last for at least 40 washings!

She's also carrying one of my favorite sock yarn Trekking XXL in lots of great colors with more on the way!

I have been knitting. Really. Tomorrow night is Annapolis Knits & Crochets at the Borders Cafe in the Annapolis Mall. I've volunteered to teach a two-color mitten class so I've been putting together notes, gathering graphs, and supplies to make this a good class. Wanna see?



What you see here (besides it being a bit blurry) is:
a book of graph paper - the blocks are two sizes!;
4 sets of spare needles;
little sock needle holders
stitch markers
colored paper
pencil
pencil sharpener
more needles (from my own collection)
bright green cotton yarn for thumb marking
bobbins and sticky notes
Folk Knitting in Estonia by Nancy Bush
Sweaters from New England Sheep Farms by
Candance Eisner Strick

Also I've knit two little mitts sans the thumbs using some the technics that I'll be helping my friends with. One of the things I'm trying to stress with this class is to be creative and design something on the mitten that you like.



So, that's it for tonite. Oh, would you like to join us? Monday night, 7:00pm - until we're thrown out; Annapolis Mall Borders Cafe. Upstairs. Wave your knitting and the people in Borders will point you in the right direction.

Get on with yer bad knitterly self!!

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Real Life Knitting!!`


This is a "knit blog" after all. But first, here's a photo of what we've been dealing with for the past couple of days.

So last week we had these really incredibly hot days (my kitchen was 93 degrees F) then Friday it decides to rain. The weatherperson called it a tropical depression -- Ernesto to be exact. Came to visit from the Florida area. With the storm we lost all power. So what does any sane knitter (hmmm, is there such a thing as a sane knitter?) do when power is lost? Cast on socks. Hold on to yours, here's some proof that I have been knitting.



These are Regia 4Fadig in all their stripy goodness. Done on size 0 needles with a cast on of 72 stitches and traditional type heel flap. These will go to Socks for Soldiers.



These are the official start of holiday knitting and intended for a special young lady in my family. They are done with Fortissima Colori 1000 on size 1 needles with a provisional cast on (with crocheted chain) with 64 stitches and again traditional heel flap, just not as deep. These girls don't have much of an arch to their feet.

I'll finish off both socks with a star toe down to 8 stitches and then kitchener the rest. Myla has said that the socks are more comfortable that way.

Also, I was asked to knit a sweater for friend. So here's a pic of the progress as of last Thursday. I can knit socks in the dark, but not ganseys.



This is being done in a cotton wool blend from Cestari (spelled?) Farms. The pattern is partly my own, learned from the fabulous Beth Brown Reinsel and her book Knitting Ganseys. It's a green heather color and the size is probably between 12 and 18 months. I've put a button placket on the shoulder just to make dressing a bit easier. Also, I love buttons and am always looking for ways to use them.

So folks, I'm off to finish a sock and cast on for it's mate. Speaking of mates, I for one am going to miss "The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin."

And because it is after all my blog, here's a pic of the rapidly growing Guji. Though it's really a pic for Miri. You can check her out here.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Some Quizzes are GOOD!







What Kind of Knitter Are You?




You appear to be a Knitting Goddess. You are constantly giving and are unconcerned with reward, you simply want others to love knitting as much as you do. If someone wants to knit miles of novelty yarns, you are there for them. If someone wants to learn short row shaping, you can help. There are no taboos in knitting, only opportunities to grow. Everyone should have friend like you around if they want to learn to knit, and there's a good chance that your passion has rubbed off on a few others.http://marniemaclean.com
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