knitting by eye

someting knitted!

2011-04-17T23:03:00.003-04:00

I finally finished knitting something!! Well, it's not totally complete as there's some blocking to be done and some the finishing bits, but the knitting part is complete!

Actually I finished the knitting part a while back, but I finally downloaded the photo from my camera.

Here it is...

Cables and Dropped Stitches

Baby blogs

2010-10-16T23:40:00.004-04:00

My niece Marissa suffers from an extremely rare disease called Infantlie Spasms. This disease causes her to have seizures several times a day, severe enough that her development is delayed. Her first seizure was when she was 2 months old...and developmentally this is where she is now.

Marissa's Bunny is a group of traveling stuffed bunnies, all named Fairfax, that travel the world and to spread awareness of this disease. Her parents blog about the bunnies, their journeys and Marissa at Marissasbunny.com.

They're currently on the list to be a top baby blog. The list counter resets every quarter and I'd like your help to make them number 1.

So let prove to the trolls that believe MarissaBunny does not belong on the list because she has special needs. I think it's great that they are in the top ten and she has special needs.

thanks,
eyeleen

chocolate curls

2010-10-10T20:51:00.003-04:00

I had the urge to make chocolate curls today. So I made

milk chocolate cupcakes with chocolate curls

ozzie rolls

2010-08-28T23:31:00.011-04:00

There's a group of restaurants in northern Virginia, that makes these wonderful Ozzie rolls. Fried balls of bread, kind of like a little doughnut, or a tiny beignet, served with whipped butter and poppy seeds. They're best served hot, and they're even better with a dab of sugar.

I've altered and combined a couple of recipes to come up with this:

almost Ozzie Rolls

In a bowl, add:

2 cups bread flour
2 tsp instant dry yeast

In a separate bowl combine the following in mixer using paddle attachment:

1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
1 can evaporated milk

When mixed, slowly incorporate the flour/yeast mixture and beat until smooth, then add:

1/4 cup butter, unsalted, room temperature

On the mixer change to the hook attachment. While beating on medium speed, slowly add:

5 3/8 cup bread flour

add the last cup of flour 1-2 Tbsp at a time. The dough will be come smooth and elastic and will begin to knead itself on the sides of the bowl. Continue for approximately 5 minutes. Shape dough into a ball.

Spray another bowl with nonstick cooking spray or lightly coat with oil. Place dough in bowl and toss gently to coat dough ball with oil. Cover with wax paper, then a towel and place in warm dry place to rise for 2 hours.

Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out until 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into 1 1/2 inch squares and fry in 350Degree oil to approximately 3 minutes, turning frequently.

Remove from oil and drain on rack or paper towels.

Serve hot, with whipped butter. They're also good with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. I like them with Nutella.

a southern breakfast

2010-08-26T22:26:00.002-04:00

Creamy sausage gravy with petite butter biscuits.

Comfort food, yummy and fattening, just what I need. Well, not the fattening part anyway. Many years ago, my first attempt at a sausage gravy, ended in disaster. This one came out pretty good.

Recipes:

Sawmill Gravy from Alton Brown
My Changes

Used butter to make the roux as the sausage did not yield enough fat

Biscuits from Paula Deen
My Changes
Brushed butter on top of biscuits prior to baking.
Baked in Cake pan, as I have no skillet.

No pictures as it was gone before I could find the camera, but I think I'll make it again.

a new post!

2010-03-20T23:33:00.004-04:00

Many thing shave happened since the last post, and the time and energy I put in to crafting ang knitting went on hold as I tried to find my niche in a new job, to learn how to study again with a return to school and to deal with all the stresses that come with family.

It's been almost a year since I made that 911 call, because my Dad was having a heart attack. He's ok now, but anniversaries of big medical traumas freak me out. I don't know why, but they do. My niece Marissa is still having seizures, and her mom, who been on bedrest for most of her pregnancy,is expecting a new baby any day now.

Oh and then there is Mandy...

except for a little weight problem, she's just fine.

the pink sweater

2008-10-13T22:03:00.002-04:00

the pink sweater I made for Marissa finally fits...

knitting again

2008-07-06T21:00:00.006-04:00

The purple thing... I knit it, then ripped it, and knit it again. I would post a picture but it looks exactly the same as before.

In the meantime, here's my niece, the baby pumpkin...

her parents have started a blog to share their experiences in dealing with her illness and to raise awareness about infantile spasms. If you get chance take a look, her bunny is going on journey to share her story.

Happy Knitting!
Thanks for dropping by,
eyeleen

something purple

2008-05-22T19:46:00.003-04:00

I decided to try knitting again.

something purple.

Mandy says hello.

all it took was an earthquake...

2008-05-08T00:24:00.002-04:00

for me to post a blog update. I didn't realize such things happened in Virginia, so the rumblings I thought were construction work on the floor above me, turned out to be a rumbling of the earth 6 km below me. Very strange indeed.

I've been away for quite a while, mainly because I really haven't knit anything since Christmas. In fact I have partially knitted Christmas "gifts" still lying around. There are even some mostly completed knitted items that just need a bit work (weaving in the ends, blocking, etc.) I seem to have lost my knitting mojo. In fact I have large gift certificate (a christmas present from the family) to a wonderful yarn store sitting on my desk, and I haven't a clue or inclination to buy anything. My yarn stash taunts me from my shelves and my knitting needles take up space on my desk. I still buy knitting magazines, yet while I find the patterns intriguing, I still knit nothing.

Life's been a bit crazy these past few months. At first I think I was stressed out from starting a new job and the holiday crush. That and I tend to spend my free time fawning over my niece, the pumpkin. She's a gorgeous baby with a beautiful smile but she's had a pretty difficult few months. She's been diagnosed with infantile spasms, which is a rare type of seizure disorder. Her seizures last 1-3 seconds long but they occur in clusters that last for several minutes. It can be very scary sometimes.

Anyway, if and when I knit something, I will post. Otherwise stay tuned for photos of the baby, the dog, the garden. Right now, photography is easier than knitting and I'm quite obsessed with bokeh.

Thanks for stopping by.
eyeleen

Season's Greetings

2007-12-24T07:35:00.000-05:00

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas
and a Wonderful New Year!

I'm trying

2007-12-11T22:11:00.000-05:00

to knit (stealthily while at work)to dye (with my favorite dyers-in-training Ele & Isa)

to bake (mini marbley cupcakes)

and to blog (please forgive my pathetic attempt at a blog post, I'll be back soon...)

the pumpkin

2007-11-09T07:25:00.000-05:00

For the past few months I've been knitting with one person in mind. She arrived yesterday.

The word for niece in Filipino is pahmankin, but with my odd americanized pronunciation it always sounds like pumpkin.

Here she is

still here...

2007-11-07T07:54:00.000-05:00

and knitting...I just haven't had a chance to take any pictures of my projects. here's Mandy in her Halloween furmiliation...

a literal weight off my shoulders

2007-10-09T21:42:00.002-04:00

Sorry for the blog silence but I've been busy planning (a baby shower) and knitting (baby items). The thing is... my sister found my blog and she thought the last post with the baby booties were for her. They weren't. Those were for Baby Raquel Sofia, who finally made an appearance on October 2nd. I hope you like the booties.

As for my sister, I was able to finish these things just in time for her shower...Pattern: Baby Shrug from Debbie Bliss' Simply Baby

Needles: US8
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease - Pink

Pattern: Trellis from Knitty Spring 2005
Needles: US8
Yarn: Gedifra Korfu - Red
Buttons from G-Street

More baby booties from Simply Knitting, the UK knitting magazine
Needles: US5
Yarn: Patons Grace in Rose & Tangelo

Now that the shower is over, I have a chance to relax and knit without a deadline. I've got a half finished Anouk on the needles and I just started another baby sweater. I think I like baby knitting. Small, sweet and for some reason the FO's make me giggle.

My head feels a lot lighter, the stress of party planning is gone. Just the thought of 60+ guests squeezed into the house in unseasonably warm October weather made my stress levels rise uncontrollably. I also got my hair cut this past weekend...
TWELVE inches to Locks of Love...it's going to take a while getting used to this short hair. Although it's not as bad as my last donation, that was seventeen inches...

bunch of booties

2007-09-09T21:05:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I've blogged, but I have been knitting...
I love the simplicity of baby booties, small, quick, and adorably cute, and I'm filling my house with them. Here are a few...

The red booties were inspired by these. Utterly adorable!

Pattern: Simple Shoes from Uniform Studio
Needles: US 10.5
Yarn: Patons SWS

Ballet Baby Booties
Pattern: from Simply Knitting
Needles: US 5
Yarn: Patons Grace

unseasonably cool

2007-08-20T19:50:00.000-04:00

It's August and I'm cold. It's kinda nice. I'm ready for September and some big wooly knitting.
But it the meantime, there's this...

wooly hibiscusa kind of smoky pink yarn from the hibiscus dye bath

Saturday morning I went grocery shopping at the Latino/Asian mart, an oddly ironic store because peanut butter and cheerios can be found in the international aisle...but they have dyestuffs in the spice aisle.

A bastard saffron, that I'm treating like safflower. The real stuff is $90 an ounce. I got this for $1.49 an ounce. Hence safflower. I'm hoping to extract a hot pink dye from it. I've also got chamomile, great for tea, butI had no idea it could be used for dyeing. And annatto seeds, which give that odd orange color commonly seen in Filipino and Latino foods, hopefully it'll do the same for yarn.
So far I like the ease of solar dyeing, stick it in a jar, put it in the sun, then forgetaboutit. It just takes a while to get results. So I built a solar oven (I applied aluminum foil to the inside of a cardboard box), that got rained on while I was at work today. Oh, well, I tried.

when its too hot to knit...

2007-08-14T23:52:00.000-04:00

the sun does have it's uses...

Dried Hibiscus Flowers

Hibiscus Flower Sun Tea

Wool in Hibiscus Flower Tea/Dye bath

Wool is just too hot in my hands for knitting in this heat, so I used cotton for this...
Trellis (with my wonky cables) is just waiting for buttons.

occupied with everything but knitting...

2007-07-30T22:26:00.000-04:00

There's something about July, I don't know if its the heat and humidity, the holiday and vacations, but I can't seem to knit anything...

I do admit to a problem though...I am a Harry Potter Fan. I didn't wear a costume or wave a wand at midnight on July 21, but I held my knitting and a Coke, while dressed in the comfiest of yoga wear. (I held my knitting, but I really didn't knit). And freakish fan that I am...I woke up and stood in this line for a hour at 9 am on Friday.

these are the people in front of me...

these are the people behind me...I got number 53 and this is my happy crew, who accompanied me at midnight so that we could have Book 7 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 53 isn't so bad, when we left at midnight the line was around the building and they were on 1013. (Yes, we could've gone on the 21st at 9 am, but it's hard to break a tradition...)

Mini flashback....my freaks in 2005 while waiting for Book 6

we started this in 2003 when we wanted Book 5... I finished reading it the next day. It made me cry. A lot.

Now if I could motivate myself to do something more and hold the knitting, I could have actual knitting content for this blog. (I received my Ravelry invite a couple of weeks ago, I haven't had much time for it, but If you see me there, I'm eyeleen)

a little bit of red

2007-06-18T23:34:00.000-04:00

Red is color that is bold and sexy and a sign of good luck. Occasionally, I wear red to try to liven up my mostly black wardrobe. Last week, I found this in a basket of UFO's. It was started it a while back when I wanted to knit something out of Scarf Style. Then I realized, that even though I like red, and it goes well with black, I'll probably never wear a ruffled scarf. It's just, well, I'm not a very ruffly kind of person. But I know someone/something that is...

Pattern: Ruffles fron Scarf Style
Yarn: Knit Picks Merino Style in Holly Berry - 1 skein
Needles: US 7
Pattern Notes: After knitting 1 skein of yarn in the pattern, I realized it would be something I would never wear. Ends are sewn together to make a lovely ruffly dog collar.

And as we're still in the midst of a Project Spectrum, here's some more red...

Trellis

Geranium

and even though this isn't red, it's fruit will be...
Tomato

rainy roses

2007-06-06T23:23:00.000-04:00

It rained this past weekend, and I'm not sure why, but I ventured out in the rain with plastic bag over my camera and took some pictures in the rose garden. I have some of my knitting to show you, but my model, Mandy, is being a bit uncooperative. Apparently I have thing for basset hounds with bad knees/patellas. Mandy has been diagnosed with a luxating patella, it pops in and out, repeatedly and quite easily. She's a trooper though, she still wants to play and run around. We have an appointment with the ortho/surgeon vet next week. All this and she's not even two.

in the pink...

2007-06-01T08:15:00.000-04:00

In keeping with Project Spectrum, I've got more pink knittting. A pink sweater, for me. Luckily for me, I had this yarn in the stash. I had plans to finish it over the long weekend, but all that free time and beautiful, warm, sunny days kept me away from my needles and a bit distracted.

Mandy's adjusting to life with out Em-Em and has even assumed the role of modeling the knitting...she doesn't seem to mind, much. Afterall she loves pink...

a time for flying...

2007-05-17T21:48:00.000-04:00

Thank you all so much for your kind words about Em-Em. It's really meant a lot to me.

By the way, I started knitting again...a hat for Dulaan. I hope I can finish 7 more before June.

Awhile back I made my way over to the library's annual book sale, I always go the first night to find the beautifully obscure knitting books. And for only $2.00 I got this...
a book of 800 stitch patterns and some baby patterns. The best part of the book sale was at the end, the ladies who tallied up my purchases were also knitters and complimented me on my choice of books. One lady even remarked,

"I have these same books at home, I even made something for my son out of this baby book. And guess what?? He'll be 55 next month!"

Very sweet ladies. And while the Baby book is not for me, I'm knitting for someone else, sometime in November you all can call me Auntie eyeleen! I'm so excited, baby clothes are small, I can knit those.

Meanwhile, Mandy loves all the extra attention she's been getting...

she even thinks she can fly!!

good bye, baby monster

2007-04-30T22:00:00.000-04:00

good bye EmEm, everything thing I've ever knit, has a piece of you woven into it. I'll miss you.

an entrelac spring

2007-04-25T20:57:00.000-04:00

Pattern: my own, similar to this one

Needles: US 9 bamboo
Yarn: Patons SWS, Soy Wool Stripes, (the yarn was a present from the family secret santa)
Notions: Bamboo Circular handles from G-Street
Notes: The colors on these photos are pretty accurate. I followed the pattern out of an old knitting guide, but there's a great Entrelac tutorial in the spring Interweave Knits written by Eunny Jang

the other side!I started this bag, the day that EmEm was diagnosed with cancer. It'll be 5 weeks tomorrow.

entrelac for spring

2007-04-04T23:52:00.000-04:00

The weather this past week has been quite wonderful. I've spent a bit of time sitting out on the front lawn with EmEm, she can't walk far but she loves the sunshine. So when she's tired I spread out a blanket and we sit, and sometimes I knitI'm making a springy version of this bag that I made a couple of years ago.

EmEm suffers the indignity of having to wear the knitting, and it's not even clothes...

a anniversary of sorts

2007-03-25T14:55:00.000-04:00

Exactly ten years ago, an eight pound bundle of energy came into my life, through the form of a basset hound that we call Em-Em. (MM) short for some horrific AKC name that I can't even remember.

She's an older dog and has always had problems with her knees, but latest set of x-rays show that she has an osteosarcoma on her left hind leg. Because of her body type (low with short legs) and her bad knees, the vet oncologist advised that she would be a boderline case for improvement with amputation of her leg. So all I want to do is make her as comfortable as she can in the time that she has left. Even though she's in a lot of pain she's still good about posing with my knitting.

emem, the pain patch, and a hat

So here's #2 of 10 for the Dulaan Project

Pattern: My own, I'll post the pattern when I find all the post it notes...
Yarn: Lion's Brand Fisherman Wool hand dyed with Kool-Aid (Grape, Strawberry & Black Cherry)
Needles: US 8

gifting

2007-03-11T19:40:00.000-04:00

Gifts to give...

1 of 10 for the Dulaan Project

Pattern: still my own, but I'm wrote it down this time!
Needles: US8
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Worsted in a neutral tone

and Gifts from my sister,

aren't they lovely? Her bead stash far exceeds my yarn stash!
Background: a soon to be felted laptop bag

march hat

2007-03-06T21:41:00.000-05:00

Well now that spring is approaching and it'll be snowing tomorrow, I have a hat.
Pattern: my own!
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Worsted in some sort of red
Needles: US8

the herringbone rib scarf

2007-02-25T18:18:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Herringbone Rib Scarf, by Li at Life's a Stitch
Yarn: Axelle's Lisa (100% merino) in Highland Heather
Needles: I can't remember, this has been off my needles since last year, I just blocked it this weekend.
Pattern Modifications: I increased the number of ribs by two.

close up of the herringbone rib

Baby Bootees!

2007-02-20T22:08:00.000-05:00

Welcome baby Anaya Noor!!
These are just for you...

2006-07-27T21:53:00.000-04:00

Hello there! I've taken over the blog, so that I could give you a little insight into my human's busy schedule and hence her absence from blogging.

Let me introduce myself... My name is Mandy. I'm a Basset Hound and I just celebrated my first birthday, in human years that it is. I've got a good nose, and I like to eat things, all kinds of things.
See, my human, eyeleen, had to replace some sort of burner thingy on the BBQ, you know the thing that makes fire and smoke, and really good smells, and yummy yummy human food. Well after they finished fixing it, there was this little crunchy bit left on the ground. It was small, it smelled good, and was kind of pointy. So I ate it. Later that afternoon, there was this fuzzy thing on the refrigerator. Well it kept looking at me, so I killed it. There was fuzz and fluff and apparently there was also a magnet. I ate that too.

Well to make a long story short, I had to have surgery. You see, that crunchy bit was a screw, and I guess it met up with the magnet in my large intestine. Since they were right next to each other in different loops, they didn't move through me.

Anyway, I'm all better now, I've stopped trying to eat my sutures, and my belly is all healed. My human is a bit disgruntled, she says I've dipped into her yarn fund. I'm not sure what that means, but yarn sounds yummy. I could eat that.

Goodnight y'all. Happy eating!

a very strange July morning

2006-07-25T23:10:00.000-04:00

On my way to work this morning I found myself singing along to the radio. After a few minutes and a couple verses later I finally realized that I was singing along to "Winter Wonderland", and then the Christmas song. At which point it finally dawned on me, Christmas is only 5 months away. Here I am in the midst of summer, and a muggy July day, thinking of school supplies and Christmas Shopping and ultimately Christmas Knitting. Where has all the time gone?

Well, wherever the time went, I certainly didn't use it for knitting or blogging, sorry for the long absence. In my knitting absence I've realized a couple of things. I'm not a sock knitter, my feet are not very tolerable to wool socks. I do like small objects knit in the round, so I guess I'll stick with gloves and mittens. I like lace, but I have an extreme aversion to ripping anything I've knit. I'd rather start over or simply rationalize the any mistake I've made can simply be called a design enhancement. Although I love math, Knitting math can often times boggle my mind. Logically it makes sense, I just can't come to terms with gauge. I can knit it, measure it, calculate the changes. But things always seem to change along the way.

Ah well, maybe I need to knit more. Or just come to terms with the way I knit. This is it, this is me. this is what I knit. (There will be pictures when I find my camera.)

So Happy Knitting y"all! I hope you're having a great summer. And don't fret, Christmas is 5 months away. That's a whole lot of knitting time.

still here, sometimes

2006-05-03T22:15:00.000-04:00

Real life is kicking me in the butt, and I haven't much time for knitting or blogging. I'll be back soon...

Happy Knitting y'all!

the belated March FO

2006-04-02T22:39:00.000-04:00

Pattern: adapted from several glove patterns
Yarn: Axelle's Lisa (100% Superwash Merino) in Briar Rose
Needles: US4 and US2 for the tips

The end of March has been a bit hectic for me, dealing with work issues, family and health issues (biopsies, hypertensive parents, emergency rooms, and a limping, blinded doggie). Somedays I don't know whether I'm coming or going. The gloves weren't my intended FO to show this month, I actually expected a to finish this...

Li's Herringbone Rib scarf excellent knitting for all those waiting rooms. As I started on the last skein of the yarn for the scarf, I realized that I really should finish off the set of gloves I started last year, (before I run out of yarn) The lone glove has been sitting around for quite a long time. Last Sunday I picked up my dpns, and I finished it up the 4 days!! If I had known I could finish glove in 4 days, I'd probably have a few more pairs lying around. Dealing with all those fingers was definitely easier this time around.

I love the orangey bits in the yarn, eh, it'll be perfect for my April Project Spectrum. Maybe.

Have a great week and Happy Knitting!

sophisticated snowflakes

2006-03-17T22:23:00.000-05:00

At one time or another, we've all made paper snowflakes by folding paper and cutting. Here's a variation on the theme. Kirigami, which in translation means "cutting paper" and Origamic Architecture, 3D Pop-up cards and paper sculpture.

in RED and PINK for Lolly's Project Spectrum

**************
My project spectrum plans of natural dyeing has been slightly delayed. Apparently the tree bark I was planning to use needs a nice cool water soak of several days or weeks....Hopefully I'll get to it before the month ends. (and next time I'll remember to read ahead and plan accordingly...)

Have a great weekend!
Happy Knitting and Paper Cutting!

finally blocked...

2006-03-07T22:41:00.000-05:00

Pattern: River from Rowan 38 by Sharon Miller
Yarn: Rowan Kid Silk Haze in Majestic
Needles: US 10.5

My February FO

2006-02-28T23:18:00.000-05:00

River. Completed. Just in time for my February deadline (my New Year's resolution of at least 1 FO a month.) Yes, I know, I'm a slow knitter.

It's late and as it's past my bedtime. Em-Em won't even wake herself up to see it and you know how much she loves KSH. Details and better pictures after I block it.

G'night y'all. Have a great week and Happy Knitting!

driving with river

2006-02-13T20:49:00.000-05:00

Don't you just love the snow! Yes, but only on the weekends... when I don't have to drive or worry about being essential personnel, and when the sun comes out and melts the 12" of snow to about 7" by sunset...

There has been knitting around here, it's just been quite slow. River survived the attack by Em-Em, a hound with a great sense of smell, finely tuned to mohair/silk blends.

My morning commute took only 10 mintues today. It's pretty amazing on day full of school closings and icy roads. Early morning knitting in the car ensued,,,

Thank you so much for all the comments on the Kristina Bag! Y'all made my day. Good luck to all you knitty olympians...Have a great week! Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Knitting!

my January FO!!

2006-01-31T19:06:00.000-05:00

finally felted...

Pattern: Kristina by Black Sheep Bags
Needles: US 10.5
Yarn: Patons Wool Black and Noro Kureyon #95

This was my first fair isle color work. And the best part... the felting hides my ~~mistakes~~ design enhancements...

finding time to knit...

2006-01-15T19:56:00.000-05:00

It's a bit hard getting back to normal after the holidays. There's always so much to put away and clean up, food to eat, weight to lose, miles to run. Finding time to knit always seems to be a problem. I love knitting, I love the way the fabric comes together while twisitng yarn on these poitny sticks. This weekend I finally found some time for it...

An almost FO! It just needs felting...

Kristina by Black Sheep Bags in Patons Wool and Noro

I've also found time to start

River from Rowan 37 in Kid Silk Haze Majestic

and from the bottom of the UFO basket, I've picked up

Interlocking Balloons from Scarf Style in Araucania Nature Wool

Thanks to everyone for the Birthday wishes, ecards, cards, and presents. Y'all are wonderful, thanks for brightening up my birthday! Have a great week and Happy Knitting!

100 things

2006-01-01T22:41:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! I hope it's a good one!

This is my 100th post. Yay! I've had this blog for about a year and a half, and I'm surprised that I've kept it for so long. The Blog lacks many things. Knitting content for one. I'm not a particularly fast knitter, and I'm a (self diagnosed) ADD knitter. Therefore it is often takes a while before completed knitted objects appear on this blog. Forgive me and thank you for stopping by.

I've made one New Year's resolution this year. One knitted object per month. Wish me luck.

To celebrate My 100th post. I'm taking a page from Kim at Chef Messy. So here's a list of 100 things/people/places that I love, in no particular order...

1. My family
2. My furry family
3. The close friends I consider my family
4. My house
5. Godiva’s Belgian Lion
6. Chocolate
7. iPods
8. Burts bees lip balm
9. the Lawn and Rotunda
10. Harry Potter books
11. Knitting supplies and yarn
12. Air conditioning
13. Heaters
14. Fuzzy slippers
15. Birkenstocks
16. Prismacolor
17. Nikon
18. Macs
19. Fridays
20. Iced decaf soy white chocolate mochas
21. Green tea with honey
22. Dim sum on Sundays
23. Beaded Jewelry from my sister
24. Clementines
25. Mangoes
26. The Smithsonian
27. Photography
28. Knitting
29. Reading
30. Book sales
31. Finding vintage knitting patterns at book sales
32. Virginia
33. Coming Home
34. Kirigami
35. Macaroni and cheese
36. Lost
37. Xbox
38. Playstation 2
39. Gameboy
40. Yankee Candle Clean Cotton
41. Lobster Bisque
42. Korean Popped Rice cakes
43. Snow
44. Snow Days
45. Peppermint Altoids
46. Massages
47. Nags Head
48. Pretty Baby’s Hand Scrub in Citrus
49. DVR
50. DDR
51. Holiday traditions
52. Christmas
53. My Birthday (..in 2 days!!)
54. Yellow cake with chocolate frosting
55. My mother’s mocha chiffon cake
56. Fajitas
57. my chair form Ikea
58. Tea Pots
59. Cadbury Dairy Milk
60. Laughter
61. my Clie
62. the Explorer
63. Purple
64. Black
65. Blueberry scones
66. Clotted Cream
67. Old School Hip Hop
68. Rainy Days
69. Naps
70. Hugs
71. Kisses
72. Handmade cards
73. Yoga
74. Yoga pants
75. Long walks on cool mornings
76. Sleeping in
77. Vacations
78. Holidays
79. Prayer
80. Spirituality
81. Chicken Adobo
82. Drafting tables
83. Sunsets
84. Men in Uniform
85. Hot Steamed Rice
86. Farmers Markets
87. Libraries
88. Target
89. Basset Hounds
90. Modern Architecture
91. Romantic Comedies
92. Period Dramas
93. Action Films
94. Whole Foods
95. Parfaits
96. Mango Daquiris
97. Red Roosters (frozen Cranberry, OJ & Vodka)
98. Frozen Margaritas
99. Peace
100. Happiness

my holiday self portrait

2005-12-23T22:18:00.000-05:00

No matter what holiday/family gathering or any event that requires photos. I'm always more comfortable behind the lens, than in front.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday.

Merry Christmas!
Happy Chanukah!
Happy Kwanzaa!

on being a bad blogger...

2005-12-12T22:44:00.000-05:00

I know, I haven't been paying much attention to the blog these past few weeks. I can try and blame it on the season, (only 13 more days til Christmas), my health (the 2nd bout of antibiotics seems to be working), the dogs (Em requires meds 4-6 times a day and Mandy is rejecting the sutures from her spay, she's ok, but she has the oddest bumps on her belly), work (defies description, but the atmosphere at the workplace is turning me into a cross between a scrooge and a grinch and I'm not very happy). On the other hand, at least I'm knitting. Unfortunately no pictures for now, (I lost 1 of the rechargeable battiers to my camera, and therefore it is currently non-functional).

As for my knitting, I've got half a repeat left to go on my Kristina bag, two repeats left on the Gryffindor scarf (an easy knit but the 2x2 ribbing lulls me to sleep everytime I pick it up), and some assorted knitted holiday gifts. Oh and I need to thank my sister's MIL, Judy, for the goodies, She brought me some Birch bark from her backyard in Wilbraham, MA. (Virginia is not known for beautiful birch trees.) I've been wanting to start working with natural dyes, and apparently birch bark gives a lovely purply color... I also need to thank her for a beaded bag pattern. I can't wait to start it, WIth this pattern pre-strung beads are not a necessity, but each bead is placed on the stitch individually. Hopefully I'll be able to figure it out.

Stay safe, stay warm and enjoy the season. Happy Knitting!

***************************
If you need a last minute holiday gift, how about a t-shirt... all proceeds benefit Heifer International and will go toward the purchase of a Kntting Basket (four wool producing animals for a family in need...)

and now in black...

and NEW...

t-shirts...

so check out the STORE

time to knit...

2005-11-28T21:29:00.000-05:00

After a non stop week of food, family and lots of fun, I'm finally able to show that I'm knitting. But first I'd like to thank the lovely Lolly for being such a wonderful host for the Socktober KAL. Although I have yet to finish my pair of socks. I've got one...

I was one the lucky winners of the Socktober goodies, and I was lucky enough to receive this beautiful skein of Mountain Colors yarn, perfect for another pair of socks, some lovely scented soap and a beautiful cooper bookmark.

I just love the pagoda detail. Thank you so much Lolly!

As for my knitting, I'm getting ready to start my second Socktober sock, but I've been a bit distracted my the Kristina bag. It's my first bit of multi stranded color work, and so far so good. but it's a bit wonky in places. Hopefully It'll all even out once it's felted.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to finish the Gryffindor scarf in time for the new Harry Potter movie, but I was able to knit before the movie started. The kids and I loved this movie and we're quite ready for Book 7 and Movie 5. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long.

Anyway I hope you have a wonderful week...Happy Knitting!

being thankful...

2005-11-24T00:38:00.000-05:00

For the blessings bestowed upon our home and on our family,
For all the days we've had together and all the days to come, 
For the joys and sorrows that bind us ever closer, 
For the trials we've overcome, 
And for teaching us that we can do no great things, 
Only small things with great love...

Wishing you all a safe and wonderful holiday!
Happy Thanksgiving!
 

busy busy busy

2005-11-13T22:22:00.000-05:00

I'm so busy I can't think straight. Extra hours at work are starting to kill me and I only wish that there were more hours in the day so I can sleep, (and knit),

Oh and there's something else keeping me busy...

Mandy,
she's definitely a blue-collared dog...

Sunday shopping

2005-10-30T22:29:00.000-05:00

Apparently the dogs didn't realize that it was Daylight Savings Time, and woke me at 6 am. The amount of early morning sunshine confused me, so no chance to go back to sleep. Pretty good though, as I had signed up for a 9 am lace knitting class at Knit Happens. Flying on the beltway is beautiful thing on Sunday morning. No traffic. no worries, enough time to arrive for class.

Unfortunately, no class. Annie Modesitt had to cancel due to illness. Hopefully she'll feel better soon, and that the store will be able to reschedule the classes. At least we were able to shop away our morning. I came away with Koigu, Kid Silk, patterns from Rowan and Black Sheep.

With one more day of October, my goal is to finish a Socktober sock. Just a bit more. Hopefully I'll be able to knit at work tomorrow. Well, at least I'll be wearing a knitting project. The gryffindor scarf. (still not complete, and only 18 days until the new HP movie. I guess I have a deadline.) A tie, a wand, a cauldron and a cape/robe will supplement my ordinary work attire. I'm thinking of adding this to my ID badge, not bad, eh?
Hope you all have a Happy Halloween!

meet my new man

2005-10-25T23:50:00.000-04:00

he just loves my socks...
and he's very strong...
(look very closely, he's flexing those biceps)

this sock is a little big for him,

but it looks great as a hat!

It's Socktober!

2005-10-18T20:05:00.000-04:00

I've joined Lolly's October-Sock knit along. I tried to make socks a couple months ago, but I couldn't get my fingers to work the tiny needles. With the lure of Socktoberfest I thought I'd try again. On my last attempt, I used some Knit Picks Simple Stripes yarn, which proved to be uninspiring as the sock was soon forgotten. This time, there's a deadline (presumably the end of October) and some inspiring Lorna's Laces sock yarn in a lovely purply pink colorway. I've been attempting the 2 socks on 2 circulars method, but between the twisting of the yarn, the needles, (and my brain). It's taken 3 attempts the get these foot coverings started properly. The first attempt left me in a tangled mess. On the Second attempt, I picked up US1 and US2 needles and started knitting. Unfortunately I only noticed when I realized that one side of the sock was easier to knit than the other, and that my tension and gauge got all wonky. So here we are on my Third attempt on Socktober's socks. I have enough to cover my toes...

After a week of hiding, the Sun made a very welcome appearance this past weekend. Perfect for Klaralaund and hanging out with the doggies.

Em-Em interrupts Mandy's attempt to get airborne

Have a great week and Happy Knitting!

waiting for sunshine

2005-10-11T08:36:00.000-04:00

It's been gray and rainy the past few days and I've been waiting to take pictures of my new sweater. It was supposed to be my late winter/early spring sweater. The pieces had been knit but I didn't put it together in last weekend. Finally I have an an FO! It's a great sweater for fall.

Pattern: Klaralund by Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden #34
Needles: US8

I still have my reservations about the stripes, I'm not sure I like the garter stitch stripe across the chest...

a blessed afternoon

2005-10-04T21:25:00.000-04:00

In the past few weeks, i've noticed that my knitting blog has an extreme lack of knitting content. Not any more! Well, I've finally finshed my "easter" sweater. Klaralund. I'll try to post some photos tomorrow.

Today is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Animals. So I hauled my two doggies, out to church to mingle with the other dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs, and hamsters, for a special pet blessing. Many thanks to St. Michael's Church for blessing my furry family.

Wednesday as Monday...

2005-09-27T20:56:00.000-04:00

Ah well, my long weekend is nearly over, and I'll return to work tomorrow in a Monday state of mind...

I've been quite busy this past weekend, as usual not with my knitting. My long weekend was originally planned as a trip to Atlantic City for Stitches East, but as other obligations arose, I had to cancel my trip north for the yarn fest. Today was the first day I've been able to sit down and knit and get caught up on my 304 unread blogline feeds. Y'all are busy people!

So here's who joined me on the deck today...

Mandy, the new Interweave Crochet magazine, the gryffindor scarf, and my iBook. If any of my neighbors are reading, please secure your wireless networks. The airport card picked up the signals, and some of y'all don't have protected networks.

I'm still here...

2005-09-13T22:08:00.000-04:00

and I'm still knitting...sometimes...

What is it about September? Between work, classes, the dogs, the house, the family, its all so overwhelming at times. Unfortunately , I had to cancel my trip to Stitches East. Converging familial schedules seems to have put my world out of whack. Ah well, I don't really need new yarn anyway...~~oh but I really do,~~ but I'll not dwell on it.. or at least I'll try.

In knitting news, Gryffindor grows.

Albeit slowly. I'm still working my way through continental style. I like it. The stitches seems a little tighter, more uniform, less wonky. My purl technique needs a little work though. I do some sort of throwing movement, (not a true picking maneuver) with the yarn in my left hand when I purl. It feels a little unnatural, but hopefully it'll get easier with time. As I knit a little tighter, I think I need to clear out my WIP's. I defintely don't want my gauge to change in the middle of a project. That could be a knitting nightmare.

While we're on the subject of nightmares. What about frogging Kid SiIk Haze? A veritable knitting nightmare. But I think I've found something worse. Recovering a ball of KSH that had been previously ravaged by the dog.I tried. But in the end, I really couldn't do it. So now I have this...what lies above the dangling circles of KSH is a huge knotted mess. So scary, there won't be any pictures of it. (I forgot to photograph it.) Am I paranoid, or does the beaded scarf hate me?

***************************

Have you seen the total over a Give a Little. Over $85,000!! ! Amazing!! So many generous knitters with very big hearts...

every little bit helps

2005-09-02T00:41:00.000-04:00

so let's all give a little...Thanks to Susan and Margene...

don't forget the animals...

it's been a while...

2005-08-31T00:15:00.000-04:00

Well I finally have a few minutes to post. Work has been hectic...huge project with deadlines and lots of overtime. The dog sare happy, most of the time. And I truly forgot how much attention puppies really need. Whoa, am I tired!

I need to send a very special thank you to my secret pal. She sent a wonderful package I received in the mail today. The book, Simple Knits with a Twist. I'll soon have to start adding other types of materials to my stash: wire, ribbon, tulle, rope. Thank you once again for being such a wonderful pal.

And thanks to all of you for the wonderful comments on my shawl. I've had a very slow knitting summer, so I'm pretty happy that I actually finished something. I've decided to devote Septemeber to finishing up my WIPs. I know I've said it before, but hopefully I'll get it done.

If any of y'all were in the middle of the storm, I hope you and your families are safe. And I hope the rest of the hurricane season, is a mild one

the continental gryffindor

2005-08-17T23:43:00.000-04:00

Thanks so much for all the sweet comments about my pup. Mandy should be blushing by all the attention, especially from the strangers that come up to us from off the street. I think it has something to do with the ears...

So far she's been quite a handful. Pretty good, most of the time.

As for my knitting, I've decided to change the way I knit. I want to pick, not throw. I want to knit intarsia and fair isle. I want to knit faster. Unfortunately my fingers aren't very cooperative, but what I've got so far, I like. A ribbed Harry Potter ~~blanket~~ scarf.

******************
Here it is. Finally.

Pattern: Perfect Pie Shawl by Veronik Avery in Weekend Knitting
Yarn: Dyed Dreams Merino/Mohair Blend (from MDS&W)
Needles: US 10.5

backlit

close up

keeping busy...

2005-08-11T22:58:00.000-04:00

as always, and as usual, not with my knitting. Although I did finish my shawl, it's blocked and ready to be photographed. Yay! I've also started some new projects, a purse like ipod holder, an atypical Harry Potter scarf, and the beginning of some felted bags, which I just may use as Holiday presents. I'm working my way through the stash, so hopefully soon I can indulge in some new fibers soon.

I can't believe Fall is just around the corner. If I weren't buying school supplies, I would've been shocked at the geese I saw today. Flying south in their V- formation. Gosh, it must be cold somewhere. Or maybe they're just practicing. My knowledge of birds and their migratory patterns are somewhat limited.

Oh and there's some thing else that's been keeping me busy...

meet Mandy, my new purling puppy...

* * * * * * *

A very special THANK YOU to everyone who has ordered from our Cafe Press Store. We really appreciate it!

got gauge?

2005-08-06T22:16:00.000-04:00

We all know how important it is to get gauge for a knitting project. Well now you can get the merchandise. All profits will go toward the purchase of a Knitting Basket at Heifer International. Not bad, eh? Many thanks to Cara for all of her help.

So grab a button, and get some stuff...

almost an FO

2005-08-02T21:05:00.000-04:00

Almost. Hopefully, I'll have enough yarn to finish this thing. I've calculated the amount of yarn needed, but I don't know if I'll make it. I've a got a gauge swatch that I'm prepared to rip, just in case I need a little bit more. So I'm pressently in the midst of anxiety knitting. I bought only one skein. Hand dyed from MDS&W. Very unlikely I'll find another. Hindsight is horrible...

I'm still a bit tired from the weekend. I've been dealing with a sick doggie. Let's just say it's been an somewhat of an explosive weekend. Not much fun. Although finding the half eaten carcasses of several cicadas, saved us from a trip to Pet ER. I forgot there are still some of the bugs that come out every year.

Michele has tagged me for the idiosyncrasy meme. As soon as I narrow down my list, I just may share them with you all. Just promise you'll still come back if I scare you...

Many many thanks to Julie for the beautiful crane origami fold...

that's my almost FO in the background...
It has certainly brightened up my day...and it's inspired me to learn origami...Thank you!
seated crane with jasmine blossoms

keeping cool...

2005-07-26T20:03:00.000-04:00

It's looks as though most of the country is experiencing this heat wave in one form or another. Well, me and my frizzy hair have found that it is possible to knit through this humidity as long as we are seated directly in front on the air conditioning vent (which is conveniently right underneath the desk.) There are also a vornado-type fans which provide the lovely swirling air currents. Em-Em has decided that the best place to be is directly in front of the swirling vortex of air. Now, bits of Em-Em are floating and swirling about the room, but I suppose that's why we have swifters and lint brushes. Have you ever seen the book on Knittng with Dog hair? I can't even imagine wanting to knit with the doggy bits.

As for my projects, I've got the shawl, the tempting, the assorted scarves, half a sock, and some other things that are occupying way too much space in the knitting basket. Do I still get to call them WIP's even If I have no clue as to when (or if) the progress will continue?

the half blood prince...

2005-07-18T20:57:00.000-04:00

We had an awesome Friday evening while waiting for the HBP. It's always wonderful to see so many people excited about books. The store created some sort of Harry Potter scavenger hunt, so it seemed as though children were running around in circles. So while the god-kids and the cousins joined the others in the circling, I found a quiet spot in military history and knit. I've made some headway on the shawl, but as my weekend was entirely devoted to Harry Potter, I didn't get much accomplished.

...no worries, NO SPOILERS here...but I couldn't resist this...

'...I was merely reading the Muggle magazines,' said Dumbledore. 'I do love knitting patterns.'

- J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
(p.73 US)

knitting til Midnight...

2005-07-15T21:54:00.000-04:00

As an ardent Harry Potter Fan, I've been anxiously awaiting this book since I finished reading Book 5. So I'll be in line at Borders with my gang (the god kids and the cousins), knitting while waiting til midnight.

As for my knitting, I finally started a shawl. Using the Dyed Dreams yarn I picked up at MDS&W. I'm a bit concerned about the color, as my bamboo needles and cable have taken on a bit of the yarn's essence. They're turning purple. I just hope my fingers don't turn purple as well. So far,so good, although I've made a few ~~errors~~ design enhancements, I think I can live with them.

It's been a good week for surprises. My Secret Pal gifted me with this...
<
a wonderful knitting book, yummy teas, maple syrup, and a cute little pedicure set...thank you! thank you Secret Pal!

I also received a lovely card from Michele. Very thoughtful, very sweet, and it brightened up my day entirely.

I hope you all have a great weekend. With the new Harry Potter and some knitting it should be a good one...

Congratulations Mei Xiang!

2005-07-10T21:18:00.000-04:00

Health and Happiness to the newest addition at the National Zoo!!

a pic from my last zoo expedition...

chasing bumblebees...

2005-07-09T17:16:00.000-04:00

in the garden...

To go along with my yarn diet, I'm clearing out the WIP's. I completed the Byzanz Scarf, finally.

and Misty Garden from Scarf Style.

I hope you are all safe and well. Have a wonderful weekend!

a very sad day...

2005-07-07T19:05:00.000-04:00

peace and prayers to the Londoners...

the good...the bad...the ugly...

2005-06-28T23:54:00.000-04:00

the good...
the AC is back on, and now I'm cold...
the bad...
the 4 digit repair bill
the good...
the functional car in the driveway...
the bad...
the four digit repair bill to put it there...
the ugly...
the current state of my knitting. WIP's everywhere, not an FO in sight...
the good...
a conscious effort to finish the WIP's and to use yarn from the stash...
the bad...
no more new yarn for a while...
and the VERY good...
the lovely origami fold that Maryellen sent...

A wonderful RAOK! Thank you!

no air conditioning...no knitting...

2005-06-20T21:39:00.000-04:00

Well it's been a busy week, although knitting has not been a major part of it. Mainly due to the malfunctioning air conditioning unit that currently lives in my back yard. Thankfully the weekend weather cooperated with it all. Last week's humidity was joyfully absent.

I sent out an RAOK and my Secret Pal stuff earlier in the week. I will admit that I love these types of surprises...the generosity of knitters still astounds me...

So as a throwback to flower picture week, and as I really have no knitting content for my so-called knitting blog...I leave with you with...

Echinacea purpurea Magnus

hot and sticky

2005-06-13T00:11:00.000-04:00

90+ degrees, 100% humidity. I think summer has officially arrived. For some reason, I think the roses like it...

A package from my Secret Pal arrived for me on Friday, filled with many goodies. Kniting cards, I love stationery, bath stuffs, it smells heavenly, and of course yarn. Classic Elite Wings, luscious and soft in a beautiful blue. If I weren't so hot I'd be knitting with it right now. So here's a shout out to my Secret Pal: Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

As for my knitting, I'm still working on my tempting. I hoping to have it finished this weekend. Hopefully the gods will shine on me, and work won't be too stressful this week. (We're stuck in a holding pattern of sorts, as we await the new changes that are inevitable when new management comes.) Anyway here are the sleeves waiting to be joined with the body of the sweater...

Have a great week and Happy Knitting!

little miss muffet

2005-06-06T22:50:00.000-04:00

eyeleen, the knit blogger, sat sprawled on a sofa,
Watching the telly, while knitting away.
Then along came spider, a very BIG spider
That crawled up beside her (oh my &%$#!!!)
That sent her screaming
Then caused ripping
In her knitting today.

a dewy morning

2005-06-05T01:37:00.000-04:00

or it may be just the rain...

Secret Pal 5

2005-06-02T23:34:00.000-04:00

The Secret Pal 5 Questionnaire

After reading all the blogs and seeing the fun and generosity of the online knitting community, I decided to sign up for the Secret Pal. In the midst of preparing my first surprise to my Secret Pal, I took a little time to answer the questionnaire...

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
Well, I think I'm becoming a yarn snob. I love the feel of natural fibers and and the beautiful way it knits up. Red Heart does have its uses, but it is a bit "squeaky".

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
Not a spinner, though I'd love to try one day. As for crochet, I learned when I was about 6. I've used the giant sized afghan hooks, as well as the teeny tiny steel needles for lacy type things. (I've got more than my fair share of doilies.)

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
pollen in the spring, and smoke aggravates the asthma. Thankfully no fiber allergies.

4. How long have you been knitting?
I've been knitting for about 5 years. I taught myself out of Good Housekeeping's Illustrated book of Needlecrafts that I had bought it for the quilting and the crochet, but I was intrigued by the knitting and the enormity of different stitch patterns.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Not really.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I love citrus type scents. For the home, I love Yankee Candle Clean Cotton.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
too sweet for my waist line ;-) but chocolate anytime

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I may not have the time to be as crafty as I want to be, but I definitely have the craft supplies for it. I have stashes of all kinds around here, scrapbooks, quilting, paint, watercolor. Besides knitting, I love photography. I finally had to close down my darkroom, my enlarger was beyond repair.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?
I like all kinds of music. I've got very eclectic tastes. I can play mp3's and I've got a first generation iPod (the battery still works!)

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Generally I like greens, purples, some reds and some blues...jewel tones. Nothing too bright and nothing too pale.

11. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
wool and wool blends, some cottons,

12. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
furry, stringy, novelty yarns

13. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I love felted bags, simple sweaters, quick knits

14. What are you knitting right now?
Tempting,several scarves, socks

15. What do you think about ponchos?
I'm not a poncho person...

16. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I cast on with my straights and knit with my circulars.

17. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
depends on the yarn

18. Are you a sock knitter?
I'm trying...

19. How old is your oldest UFO?
I've got an 8 year old crocheted dog sweater that I started when my dog was a puppy.

20. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving. It's generally a peaceful holiday, with no gifting stress.

21. Is there anything that you collect?
other than yarn and assorted craft supplies?? nothing

22. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
none, if I like what I see, I buy it at the bookstore or the LYS.

23. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
the Loop-d-Loop book and Debbie Bliss' Special Knits

so Good luck Secret Pal, wherever you are! Maybe, just maybe, you'll find this useful.

it's way past midnight...

2005-05-30T03:21:00.000-04:00

and I'm still knitting. Actually, I just started knitting. About an hour ago, I just finished cleaning out the closet, packing up all the cold weather clothes and arranging boxes for Good Will. So after several glasses of sweet southern style iced tea, I'm wide awake and knitting and catching up on all the knit blogs. I'm so glad tomorrow is a holiday. Not only do I get another day to sleep late but it also means there are only 4 workdays until the weekend. Yay!

In the past week, I've been to three LYS in Northern Virginia. Capital Yarns, Aylin's Woolgatherer and today I stopped by Knit Happens. Not a bad week, eh? I couldn't resist the lure of Koigu and trekked over to Knit Happens today. I came home with a couple of skeins of this...

It's such lovely place. I really must go there more often. I was able to see Wendy's Inishmore in person. Of course, as I was behind on my blog reading, I didn't realize it was the sweater until I came home. I can only dream of knitting that quickly. I can't even finish a scarf in 9 days.

Anyway, there is proof that I've been knitting this week. Tempting...

and a closeup so you can see my wonky stitches

hopefully ::fingers crossed:: it will get better when it's blocked.

beads, gems, jewels and yarn

2005-05-24T20:25:00.000-04:00

It's only 3 days until the weekend. At least it's a long weekend. I need a holiday. All I want to do is sleep. I'm tired and achy and I feel yucky. But at least I'm knitting. I've got ruffles and tempting and a shawl from the dyed dreams and I can't find my camera. That's what happen s when I clean.

This past weekend, the gem and Jewelry show came to town at the Expo Center. A while back, my sister and I struck a deal, she would come with me to Maryland Sheep & Wool festival, and I would go with her to the jewelry show. A fair compromise, or so I thought. After the umpteenth table of beads, and jewelry (that I can't afford), she looked at me, and said "you can go to the yarn store, I'll call you when I'm done here." I have a wonderful sister. Luckily for me, Capital Yarns is right next to the Expo Center, and it was a shorter walk to the store than to the car. They had a very helpful staff, and their selection of yarn was quite good. I came out with a bit of Tahki for a summer sweater. My sister can spend hours looking at beads, I can spend hours looking at yarn. We all have our things.

On Sunday, I woke up early headed out for pancakes and Star Wars. It was excellent. The pancakes. And the movie. Now I know why the fanboys are happy.

Have a great week y'all. Happy knitting.

lavender

2005-05-19T19:59:00.000-04:00

It's still FPW and I have no FO's or knitting to show you. I hope you enjoy my lavender rose (my first of the season)

Lily of the Valley

2005-05-18T00:08:00.000-04:00

for Chelsea and her Flower Picture Week

Dyed Dreams and Giant Hosta

2005-05-15T23:05:00.000-04:00

Looking back on my last post, It sounds like I came away from the Festival empty handed. Not entirely. I bought this lovely mohair/merino blend from Dyed Dreams. Here's about 500 yards sitting on my giant hosta.

and some roots!

Madder. And some assorted mordants from Earth Guild. I experimented a bit with Kool aid last summer. Now I want to give natural dyeing a try. I'm quite intrigued with the 25 colors from one dyebath experiment. 5 different mordants, 1 dyebath, 5 modifiers = 25 different results. Now I just need an uninterupted weekend to try it out.

As for knitting content, I'm one ball short...on 3 different scarves. I need another ball of Byzanz and another ball of Jo Sharp Infusion Mohair and another ball of KSH in Marmelade to finish up my scarves. (My Pearl Beaded scarf just celebrated it's first birthday.) I need to finish something so I can start onTempting. Lolly's looks wonderful, so I thought I'd give it a go. I've got my yarn, and I'm all swatched, and I'd like to start tomorrow.

Have a great week y'all! Happy Knitting!

Next year when I go to the MDS&W festival, I will...

2005-05-08T21:44:00.000-04:00

be better prepared. I wasn't expecting that many people. Oh but all the yarn, and the rovings, and the fleeces! I was definitely in fiber heaven for a while. It was certainly a crush getting through to all of the vendors. And the lines. Wow! Some moved quickly and some not at all. Next time I'll remember to buy when I see it. I will not tell myself I'll go back before I leave. Especially when you're on a bit of a time constraint. After wandering for a couple of hours, (4 hours!) I realized I needed to get back to Virginia (an hour and a half away), in 30 minutes. No time to go back and get what I ~~needed~~ wanted.

I really need to learn how to spin...

Spinning straight from the rabbit...

sheep at the sheep festival...

I can go!

2005-05-04T08:27:00.000-04:00

I'm quite excited, I'll be able to go to the MDS&W festival this weekend! My weekend schedule had to be slightly rearranged, but it looks like I'll be there on Saturday. Yay!

Knits certainly have been making the news lately. First Martha's poncho. Now Jennifer's Blanket. Have you seen this? Quite Stylish, don't you think?

finders keepers...

2005-04-28T22:46:00.000-04:00

I love books. I hoard books. I have more books than yarn. To help me with my book obsession, the local library has a humongous book sale every yeat. Hundreds of people. Thousand of books. Yay! I thought I was safe as long as I remembered to stay clear of Military History. Beware of men with their civil war books in Virginia. That is until I realized that there may be knitting books. So after squeezing myself through the throngs of people with their bags and boxes of books. (Why is it no one will say Excuse Me or Pardon Me or Oh, I'm so sorry I hit you when it comes to these things. It's just simply, let me push through you so that I can get the books before anyone else.) Sorry for the rant, but when I finally made it to the craft corner. I was quite happy to get my hands on these...

I love the vintage stuff. A lot of it is pretty dated, the 60's, 70's & 80's. I don't think I'll be knitting the giant tunic sweaters or sweaters needing shoulder pads, but some of the stuff is timeless.

As for actual knitting content, I've started a couple more scarves and I've started frogging my Klaralund. It fits a bit weird over across the chest. I have an idea for some shaping, and if I like how it turns out, I might share with you. If not, it will hide in my knitting basket with Em-Em's, 8 year old dog sweater. (I couldn't completely frog it...after all I may finish it one day.)

Many Many Thanks to Lu for the Flickr PRO account. (I won a contest on her blog). With all that space I'll definitely work on my Photo Blog.

spring flowers and scarves...

2005-04-21T21:46:00.000-04:00

I'm steadliy working my way through my scarves. Soon, it will be too warm for them, but I'll keep on knitting until I find something else...
Until then, I've got a little bit of this...

and a tiny bit of this...

and in a week the dogwood has gone from this

to this...

but the scarf is still...

The other stash..

2005-04-12T20:19:00.000-04:00

Well, after struggling for a few days with these charts. I'm finally making some progress. I dug out a magnetic board I used during my Cross Stitch phase, and it has certainly made life much easier. I'm working on some scarves from scarf style, for presents, for the Dulaan Project and for the red scarf project. My goal is to use a large amount of the yarn in my stash so that I can justify a yarn buying expedition. Have you seen Axelle's new silk boucle. Gorgeous.

During my search for the magnetic board, I *discovered* my other stash. The stash of forgotten craft and art supplies. Well there's the cross stitch, but there's also the paint, the watercolors, the acrylics, Prismacolor, Derwent, Design (is it bad that I like the smell of the markers?), charcoals, the beads, the calligraphy nibs, and pots of ink. And I almost forgot the scrapbooking supplies: the stamps, papers, punches, scissors, and another set of markers (acid free, archival quality:-P) Oy vey, I really shouldn't be allowed in craft stores. At least I've re-purposed my crochet stash for my knitting. I realize that I should probably get rid of them, but I can't let go. One day, maybe someday soon, I might just try them again. After all, I've got ALL the supplies.

Yeah, right.

****

My mum's party was quite a success, family, friends and tons of food. (I just finished the last bit of mango mousse cake. Yummy!) Everyone loved the party favors. Later in the party, people had broken off into groups that later became crochet circles. Those who knew how to crochet taught the others.

Here's my Mum teaching John the basics of crochet...

out of the slump

2005-04-07T00:03:00.000-04:00

Well. I think I've officially out of my so called knittting slump. I've taken advantage of day off from work to tidy up the blog, and cast on for a couple of scarves. I've got a gauge swatch for the tank I'm planning to make with my new flash yarn. Yay.

I've realized I'm crap at reading knitting charts. Of course, I realize that as soon as I get the hang of it it'll be easier, but the repeated frogging and counting of stitches may send my new WIPs into the basket with the UFO's.

Of course my productive knitting day, came to stop while watching Lost. I definitely need to find some mindless knitting for TV time. Did y'all see Jack with that knitting needle?

a slump?!?

2005-04-03T23:35:00.000-04:00

I haven't been a very good blogger. Well, I really haven't been a very good knitter these past few weeks. I guess I've hit a knitting slump.

Of course, this slump has by no means affected my ability to enhance my yarn stash. I recently acquired some lovely cotton Flash and some silk yarn and books from Jaimi. (luckliy for me she's de-stashing.) I'm just waiting for the inspiration to knit up a summer sweater or tank.

****

My mum, will be celebrating her Birthday this weekend. Once again I'm preoccupied with party details. The head count is somewhere around seventy. I keep worrying about the food, the catering, the decorations and everything else that comes with planning a big party. Why does it always feel like I'm forgetting something? Well whatever it is, I hope I remember before Saturday.

At least I've finshed the Party favors...

a ball of yarn, a hook and some basic instructions for crochet...

Mum's a former Home-Ec teacher who is quite crafty and currently obsessed with all things crochet. My sister and I thought it would be nice to share that with all her guests.

Happy Spring!

2005-03-27T12:31:00.000-05:00

I've been a little preoccupied with the Spring (cleaning, gardening, Easter, work) to post, or even knit...

Happy Spring to you all...

Easter orchids from the Big Island

tiny needles...tiny hooks...

2005-03-14T23:17:00.000-05:00

I finally started my socks this weekend. Hopefully ::fingers crossed:: I won't have to frog them again. I've lost count with the number of times I've started and restarted these things. Teeny, tiny needles = sore fingers and eyestrain. I am in awe of all the Sock Masters out there. I started with the size 2 needles, not too bad, but I couldn't get gauge. Then the size 1's, now I think I'm OK with the size 0's. NO pictures yet, as I'm bit unsure about the yarn. I'm using the self striping yarn, but I'm trying to decide if I want identical socks. The stripes should match, shouldn't they?

In between bouts of frogging and reknitting, I pulled out my teeny tiny crochet hooks. It seems so much easier to make these

than the cuff on a pair of socks.

more midnight knitting

2005-03-07T00:52:00.000-05:00

Another busy weekend around here, family, friends, food, drinking, dancing and very little knitting. Well, at least until about 11 pm ~~today~~ yesterday. I still haven't had a chance to block the Klaralund. Hopefully I'll get to it this week.

I received my order from Knit picks earlier in the week. It's some lovely stuff, I've got a bit of

self stripey sock yarn in vineyard...

lace weight alpaca in tide pool

and some merino in hollyberry

and dusk.
I've plans for a pair of socks and a couple of scarves from scarfSTYLE. I think. I do suffer from a bit of Knitting ADD, so this is subject to change.

It's almost 1 am, I'm finally getting sleepy, so g'night y'all. Have a Happy Monday and Happy Knitting.

Almost finished...almost frogged...

2005-03-01T22:10:00.000-05:00

I'm almost finshed with Klaralund. I'm on the last bit of the second sleeve. Hopefully I can finish it, so that I can wear it this weekend. Yay!

My mental craft queue is growing again. Axelle's Seurat sweater looks absolutely lovely, as well as the T-Shirt sweater in the new Mag Knits, very comfy looking, and Gemma from Rowan 37.

Maybe someday...

anyway, here are the pictures of my aged WIP.

I remember starting it, then Em-Em ate/destroyed my cell phone, wallet and credit cards, eyeglasses, contact lenses and birkenstocks, a Nikon flash and a whole bunch of other stuff. The crochet was put away, in favor of obedience training, and then knitting came into my life. So to the frog pile it goes...

with Em-Em's approval.

the eight year old WIP...

2005-02-27T21:56:00.000-05:00

and it's still in progress...

here it is...

(picture later, flickr not cooperative at the moment)

I uncovered it in the very bottom of my yarn stash. It started out as a sweater for Em-Em, who was then just a puppy.
Well she grew quickly, and I forgot all about it. This was way before I learned to knit. It's crochet, and I can't even find the pattern. I like the crochet ribby effect, I think it's a double crochet into the front then back of the stitches. To frog or not to frog... Well if I find the pattern, I can ~~knit~~ crochet it for the new puppy I'm planning to get this spring...

At the beginning of the month, I had plans to finish up all the WIP's.It hasn't been a very productive month. No significant progress on the PBS or the Katia Shawl. I've got a cuff on the 2nd Highland glove and I'm starting the 2nd sleeve of Klaralund. Maybe if I get to stay home tomorrow, I can finish something.

I've read a lot of good things about the knit picks house brand yarns. My favortie is Cari's "It's f***ing fantastic." An excellent review. Consise. Simple, To the point. I placed an order last week. There's even free shipping. I've ordered some merino, alpaca lace weight, and the self stripey sock yarns. I've decided to try the 2 socks on 2 circular needle method.

I know that there are a lot of you that have knit Clapotis. It really is more than a shawl. Check out The many faces of Clapotis Now I can use my clapotis through the summer months as well ;-)

Another Rainy Monday...

2005-02-21T21:42:00.000-05:00

It's raining again...

and there was no traffic today. My stress-less morning commute allowed me to get to work almost 30 minutes early. Yay! Happy President's Day! Early to work means a half an hour of Starbucks and Knitting. A great way to start a Monday.

I've been resting my shoulder for the past week, and it's feeling much better. I just haven't knit that much this past week. This morning I was able to make some progress on my Klaralund sleeve.

Everyone's knitting up socks. and having quite a bit of fun with them. I think the portability factor is the most appealing thing to me. I'm trying to look for the most convenient way to knit them. The dpns vs the 2 circulars vs the magic loop. I found a tutorial on knitting with the circulars. Well, it's for two socks on two circulars at the same time. Seems a bit daunting, but at least you'll have the pair done at the same time.

I hope you all have had a Happy Monday.

Rainy days and Mondays...

2005-02-14T23:20:00.000-05:00

I hope you all are having a Happy Valentine's Day. I am. It's been a strangely peaceful Monday despite the rain. It's also a perfect day for a chocolate induced sugar high.

I can only show you half of the box... the other side is empty ;-)
My knitting has been slow going, as I've had a strange pain in my shoulder for a couple of days. I think I strained some of my muscles during circuit training. I can knit for short periods of time. As for my Klaralund, I've finished up the front and now I'm working on the back. Unfortunately my knitting has acquired a tiger balm-y type smell.I hope it washes away during blocking.

I've added some lovely stuff to my Knitting library. I've finally got my hands on Scarf Style, Knitting on the Edge, a Dyer's garden, the new IK Spring and Knit.1. My mental craft queue grows by leaps and bounds, the minute I open up a knitting book. Now I just need the skills, the yarn, and of course the time, to satisfy all my knitting needs.

A big Thank You to Alison for the lovely RAOK last week, a wonderful card and some extremely yummy recipes.

I hope you all have a great week. Happy Knitting!

Felted Entrelac

2005-02-07T01:23:00.000-05:00

Pattern : I made it up as I went along, following an entrelac tutorial I found in an old knitting book.
Yarn: Noro Kureyon #51
Needle Size: US 10 / 6.5mm

Busy Weekend...

2005-02-06T22:50:00.000-05:00

In between a birthday party and the Superbowl, I was able to do some knitting and felting! Imagine that...

Before I start with knitting content, Birthday wishes to Samantha! (who came down from NYC to celebrate her special day with us).

Don't you just love cake?!? It made the trip with her.

Like many of y'all out there, I've decided to devote February to fixing (or in my case finishing) all my WIPs. Well, most of them...

Noro Entrelac finished
Manos Bag

It's been felted, but I'm not quite pleased with the results...
Pearl Beaded Scarf (PBS)

A while back I dropped a stitch,
today I frogged about 5 inches
of the Kid Silk Haze and beads.
Then Em-Em tried to help
by frogging the extra ball of KSH.
Highland Gloves
Katia shawl
Klaralund

Cast on date: January 31.
so technically a WIP for February...

More Snow

2005-01-30T15:25:00.000-05:00

It's snowing in Virginia again. Two years ago, I would have cursed mother nature for snowing on the weekend, instead in the middle of the week, when I could have a snow day. Unfortunately those days are gone. I'm not quite sure what about my job makes it so essential, but being labeled an essential employee requires that I report to work, on time, in a blizzard. Granted the paltry four inches of snow outside, is no where near a blizzard, but I'm already dreading my morning commute. I hate traffic.

It's amazing how beautiful and peaceful the snow can be. This morning I trekked outside with my camera. Living in the suburbs, pictures of scenic vistas are not quite attainable, so I settled for these...

the tulip tree...

the rosemary...

the azaleas...

the strange looking twiggy tree parts...

and Em-Em, chilled by the snow on her tummy...

I'm starting to feel much better, and I've put a little bit of effort into my knitting. So here's a bit of my Manos bag...

Under the Weather

2005-01-26T23:44:00.000-05:00

It started with sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, and a stuffy head. At this point, I would like to introduce you to my good friend, Nyquil. So with the aches and pains and the general feeling of blaaah, I'd rather sleep than knit.

Fortunately, I did have time to start and finish my fingerless mitts. I love the subtle color variations in the Araucania. I've also started a couple of bags (for felting) in some Manos and Noro from the stash. Simple knitting in the round. Just what I need.

At least now I'll have time to get caught up on all my blog reading, lots of fun stuff out there...

Wrist and Thumb Warmers

2005-01-25T22:08:00.000-05:00

Pattern: A cross between VooDoo Wrist warmersfrom Knitty and Artist's Wrist Warmers
(thanks to Eilene for pattern information)
Modified to include more thumb coverage (because it's cold outside)
Yarn: Araucania Nature Wool in #04
Needle Size: US5/3.75mm

a little bit of snow...

2005-01-17T21:05:00.000-05:00

Thank You for all the kind comments on my finished Clapotis. My first FO of 2005.

Last night, I thought I was having blog problems. I blame it on the weather pixie. She told me it was snowing. Snow! Two days ago it was 70 degrees! Flickr told me they were updating, therefore not my night for blogging.

When I went out this morning, the ground and the cars were covered with with a very light layer of the white stuff. Nothing to shovel or scrape, but enough to freeze the crocus on the ground and shock the hydrangea back into winter. Oh well, it really is January.

I wore my Clapotis at work today. Lovely and warm. It's such a wonderful pattern. I think I like the purl side better. So here it is....

Finished Clapotis

2005-01-16T22:14:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert of Needles on Fire
Yarn Used: Merino Wool in Briar Rose by Axelle
Needle Size: US7/4.5 mm

Lost

2005-01-06T23:42:00.000-05:00

LOST. Unfortunately this is not about my current TV obsession. Although last night's episode was awesome.

In preparing the house for the annual Christmas onslaught of relatives, it underwent a massive cleaning and reorganization. Unfortunately the spare bedroom that holds all the knitting gear: the stash, the needles, the books, the patterns, had to be used it its orginal purpose. A spare bedroom. So all the bits were put neatly away for safe keeping. Very safe keeping. So safe I can no longer find them. They are effectively Lost. Now the questions I have is: Do I keep looking? or shall I use this as an excuse to do some stash rebuilding.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~
With all that is going on in the world today, my thoughts, my prayers go out to all the people who have been effected by the tsunami. I'm thankful that my friends, who spent the holidays with their family in Thailand, enjoyed themselves so much they postponed their trip to Phuket by one day. Stephanie has an amazing total for Medecin San Frontieres. And others have devoted so much time and energy to this cause. I've made donations to Unicef and the American Red Cross in amounts equal to what I've spent on yarn this past season. Every little bit helps.

It's my birthday!!

2005-01-03T20:55:00.000-05:00

Not much knitting content around, as I've been slightly distracted with New Years and my Birthday!! Yay!! Thanks to everyone for all the Birthday wishes.

After a wonderful lunch at Mike's American Grill, that culminated in the destruction of a flourless chocolate waffle dripping with caramel and vanilla ice cream. My long weekend has finally come to an end. Tomorrow I'll return to work. I have the strangest feeling that it'll be a bit difficult getting back to normal. In my quest to save money/eat healthy/knit more. My goal is to devote my lunch hour to kntting. Escape the stress of the evil days, with my needles and yarn. Sounds good.

I'll try and post pictures later in the week, but clapotis, felted entrelac, and the highland heather gloves are almost done!!