Knitting Is In My Genes

An FO for January 2012

2012-01-18T06:31:00.004-06:00

Yay! Off to a good start this year. I received this yarn from my DD3 a year ago. Wearing them to work today. (Temp is -2 F. Love my wool socks :-)

Pattern: plain vanilla, top down, with 2 inch 2x2 rib and then ss
Yarn: Deborah Norville's Serenity Sock yarn in Chili
Needles: 1 [US] / 2.25 mm
Knit for: Me!!

Now off to get ready for work & cast on for another pair of Toxic Socks [a Ravelry link.] This time for DD3.

Quilt blocks!!

2012-01-16T19:56:00.006-06:00

I'm going to Kitchener a pair of socks tonight (more on them another time.)

But first - I've got two quilt blocks completed. My first "real" quilt blocks! I signed up for the (free) Block of the Month course from Craftsy.com.

The wonky pound sign block really IS 12.5" square, just photo graphed at an angle.

Happy 2012!

2012-01-01T08:06:00.001-06:00

Wishing a happy & healthy 2012 to all

Projects 2011

2011-12-17T05:51:00.011-06:00

There probably were a couple pair of socks that I can't remember & didn't get photos of, and I still need to take a photo of my February Lady Sweater and four chemo hats. But, here's what I can show you now:

I started the "Toxic Socks" [Ravelry link] in March or April, and finished them last weekend.

The pattern is not all that difficult, but it's not one I could memorize. Thus, I could only knit on them when I could concentrate. A lot of the year I needed totally mindless knitting (or crocheting), so that's why these took nine months.

Pattern: Toxic Socks
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Sock "Duchess Heather" and "Bare"
Needles: Size 1 [US], 2.5mm
Knit for: DD2

About the same time, I started socks for the grandsons. I knit them top down & waited to do the toe decreases until October after measuring their feet :-)

Pattern: Ribbed legs, stockinette feet
Yarn: ?? in "Pumpkin" and some blue
Needles: I think US 2
Knit for: Sport & Buster

DD2 got a new living room set, and the afgan I'd crocheted for her years ago was looking rather sad. So... taking colors from the new chair, I crocheted long strips, alternating "beige" and the colors in random-ish stripes. No pattern. The yarn is Vanna White's.

(Photo taken on my sofa, not hers.)

5 Years

2011-12-13T06:40:00.002-06:00

My calendar reminded me that five years ago today I began this blog.

My goal for the remainder of this year is to add photos/info about several projects I've done this year, but haven't blogged. And my goal for 2012 is to blog more! Not promising how often, but at least more than 2011.

MONDAY MEME - on a Saturday

2011-10-01T12:08:00.003-05:00

Spent some time this morning reading knitters’ blogs like I used to when days weren’t so full. Dee had a Monday Meme posted, so here’s mine. (I’m posting this today, because there won’t be time on Monday.)

Age: 63
Bed: Very firm.
Chore that you hate: Shopping.
Dogs: Had one a long, long time ago. A toy poodle named Vida ~ short for In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. Yes THAT long ago!
Essential to start my day: Two cups of coffee.
Favorite color: It used to be blue. But, I’d say now it’s a dark cranberry color.
Gold or silver: Gold.
Height: 5'5"
Instruments that you play: None in the past 50 years.
Job Title: Reference Librarian
Kids: 3
Live: Beatles!!!
Mom's name: Beverly
Nicknames: Jakki
Overnight hospital stays: At least seven as a patient: T&A, appendectomy, pneumonia, three C-sections, and a total hysterectomy. And probably at least six or seven this year during my daughter’s hospitalizations.
Pet Peeves: My favorite college football team not being on TV every game day.
Quote from a movie: Unfortunately, I rarely remember memorable lines. Although, I’m sure my favorite would be from one of the Lord of the Rings movies.
Right or left: Right.
Siblings: Four younger sisters, and a “little” brother.
Take-Out-Food: Chinese.
Underwear: Cotton
Veggies: Yes. It’s a requirement for a vegetarian.
What makes you run late: Other people
Xrays: Try to stay away from them.
Yummy food: Veggie pizza!
Zoo Animals: Oh, those poor caged animals.
Now back to more blog reading!

March 2011 Socks

2011-03-12T15:03:00.002-06:00

My March socks were started several months ago, but finished just a few days ago.

I Have been working on the Toxic Socks, but that's far from mindless knitting. And lately I've needed Mindless Knitting. (See previous post.)

These used up leftovers from at least five, maybe six earlier pairs. Not too bad looking, if I say so myself. These are for me, but are a bit large.

However, the goal was to knit House Socks to keep my feet warm during winter months. And, these will definitely do that!

Helluva month

2011-03-12T14:57:00.005-06:00

I'm OK, but two of my DDs aren't. See: Lynch Syndrome. DD1 will have surgery on Monday.

DD2 (the mama) has a colonoscopy scheduled for Mar 31. God, I hope it's "just" ulcerative colitis for her.

Probably won't post much after today for a while, but I WILL be knitting. (A lot healthier [and cheaper] than smoking & drinking!)

2011 February Socks

2011-02-06T08:51:00.004-06:00

I had intended to do a "big person" pair of socks during January. Great intentions, but no product to show for it!

So, about January 24th I decided I could quickly whip up a pair for the toddler son of DD1's friends. I had him in mind when I ended up with plenty of leftovers from this pair last summer.

Great intentions, but I didn't get them cast off until February 2nd. Too late to qualify for "January Socks," but early enough in Feb that now I can get a good start on my "March socks."

I haven't done colorwork in, oh, probably 43 years [...I started knitting very young :-] so this next pair will be slow going. And I'll get to try out that "knitting thimble thingy" [see last post.]

I'm Baacckk!

2011-02-03T20:23:00.004-06:00

Tonight's post features what I bought several weeks ago with the gift certificate my DD3 gave me for Christmas.

Thanks again, Honey Bunch!

I plan to use the sock yarn for myself. I think the buttons will be used on my February Lady Sweater. That's looking like it will be a February 2012 Sweater.

The "knitting thimble" thingy, if it works, could be handy when I start knitting a pair of colorwork socks (2 pair are planned.)

Oh, what a busy month! & December Socks

2010-12-29T06:36:00.006-06:00

I finished Christmas shopping /wrapping early and that should have given me some "free" time, right? The month was full of busy-ness -- all good, but I'm still waiting for free time. I've been contemplating this and have decided that:

I shouldn't be so selfish to expect ME time
Spending time with people is more important than a clean house, etc. etc.
I need to prioritize and schedule (really good at this at work, and not at all good at this away from it)

On the other hand, knitting IS 'me' time and I have been knitting all month - while visiting, waiting (in waiting rooms, in the car waiting for my DD to get off work), etc. I finish a pair of socks:

Pattern: Celtic Spirit from Sock Club by Charlene Schurch & Beth Parrott
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll in Sapphire Heather
Needles: Size 1 [US] /2.25mm; two circs
Knit for: DD1

Click on the photo for a closer view of the pattern.

2010 November Socks

2010-11-27T11:12:00.007-06:00

This pair was finished early this month, but I forgot to get a photo of them before Sport and family moved out of town. But, when I visited last week the socks were sent back home with me - they'd shrunk in the laundry.

A cool soak with fabric softener and a blocking session - and Yay! They fit Sport again. He visited yesterday, and I tried to send the socks home with him. But he wanted to keep them at my house, because "Mama doesn't know how to wash them."

SO...since I had several pairs in need of a wash, we had a lesson in hand washing and air drying socks :-) Sport asked for the steps to be written down "with everything in words." Later, he happily took the socks and his detailed washing instructions home with him.

Pattern: Garter Rib version of Mix-and-Match Socks from Chrissy Gardiner's Toe-Up!

Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks FX

Needles: US 1.5

Knit for: 7 year old Sport

OTN Update

2010-11-09T06:33:00.003-06:00

1. A Christmas project - I hope to finish soon.

2. February Lady Sweater - I dig this out occasionally and I've worked to below the sleeve division. Woo Hoo! My goal is to finish it by... February 28, 2011. That might be possible :-)

3. Socks for DD1 - Using a top down pattern from Sock Club. Just finished row 9 at the top of the cuff.

Photos eventually.

Oh - argh - I forgot to get a photo of Sport's socks to post here & at SAM10. Now that they've moved I can't just walk next door with my camera anymore. [sniffle] I'll try to remember to take my camera along this weekend.

Way to go, Prince Charles!

2010-11-05T06:16:00.002-05:00

Thanks to my non-knitting DD1 who passed along this article from the NY Times.

OFF the needles: I finished Sport's socks a few days ago and I'm hoping to get a photo of them on his feet this weekend.

Other news: Don't think I said that the grandsons (& their parents) moved last Saturday. Too far to visit everyday, but close enough to see them every weekend or two. I'm missing them a lot already. But... the plan is that each of them will spend a weekend with me once a month. This weekend is Sport's turn and Buster's will be in two weeks.

It's that time of the year

2010-10-27T11:20:00.006-05:00

Halloween costumes for the grandsons:

Buster

Sport

And for the grand dogs, too! (Sorry, I can't tell the triplets apart...)

October 2010 socks & other updates

2010-10-03T10:55:00.010-05:00

September was an incredibly busy month - so was August, July, June…. I tried to get this pair of socks finished by September 30^th, but - Hey, I’ve got an early submission for October :-)

Pattern: “Mix-and-Match Rib Sock Recipe” in Chrissy Gardiner’s Toe-Up!, using the Cable Rib version

Yarn: left over Paton's Kroy Socks FX in Clover Colors (see this post)

Needles: two circs, Size 2 US

Knit for: 5 year old Buster. They're about a 1/2 inch too long, but I'm thinking by March his feet will have grown that much.

Other Updates:

I’ve been knitting. Buster had asked for a scarf back in April, I think. I promised I’d have it done before it was cold. It’s cold and it’s done. Also made him a hat and a pair of mittens. I took him to Hobby Lobby and let him select from any of the “I Love This Yarn” varieties. [I know, I know… but, for a very busy mama with very active boys Easy Care was the most important.] Buster did a great job of picking out navy blue on his own. His winter coat is gray with navy trim. I used a waffle stitch pattern on his scarf.

Sport of course got to pick out his yarn. He selected a dark olive green. Also made a hat, scarf & mitts for him. I used a Mistake Rib pattern on his scarf.

On the Needles Update:

Finally CO for the February Lady Sweater! I bought the yarn on April 4, 2009. I love the color - Cascade 220 in #7811 Purple Jewel Heather. As I said in the post, I intended to get something burgundy (more reddish) and came home with Purple!! I’m knitting with an old 29” circ needle (my grandmother's) that has a very stiff cable (even after soaking in very hot water.) So, I’m going to go submit an order for several new circ needles - etc. (Probably not yarn, tho. My yarn totes are full already. Gotta get knitting!)

An August Birthday

2010-09-07T18:08:00.008-05:00

Sport's 7th birthday was in August. We had a big family cookout at a state park for him. He's now in 2nd grade. Amazing that it's been seven years since I moved back here. I've probably said it before in one of these posts, but I'll say it again -- I miss the mountains and the mild weather of the Front Range. But, I'm glad I gave that up to live close to family. Sniff.

And not to leave out the little brother: Buster (now 5) started kindergarten and is happy to now be in a big kids' school.

PS - Happy BD to The Mama, too!

A political statement

2010-08-31T18:59:00.004-05:00

I try to stay fairly neutral about politics and I'm a life-long independent voter, but DD2 (also known as The Mama) wore this T shirt to Sport's birthday picnic :-)

Click on photo for a larger version.

2010 August Socks

2010-08-31T18:43:00.002-05:00

Busy month! Only had time for a quick pair that are destined for parts unknown and currently residing my my "charity" knitting bag. Yarn - leftover worsted weight Knit Pick's Tidepool Heather and some "natural" and something else. Probably Lion Wool or Patons's. Ball bands long gone.

A June Birthday

2010-08-18T06:32:00.005-05:00

Buster turned 5 in June. He's getting tall and certainly not a "baby" anymore. If his eyes look a bit red, he was having an allergy day.

Big brother, Sport, reads the cards to Buster.

Did I say "tomorrow"?

2010-08-13T06:35:00.004-05:00

I meant "in a few weeks."

I just looked at my blog and realized that I didn't post any photos from Buster's 5th bd. I will... one of these days. But, for now, here's a pair of socks I knit at the end of July for afghans 4 Afghans. Sent them off w/ a few w.w. pair I had saved up.

For now, I'm taking a break from a larger project and working on another pair to save for the next time a4A collects socks. Photo... one of these days.

Weather report: High temps and high humidity, flood warnings. What a summer!

End of the month update

2010-07-31T12:26:00.002-05:00

Yes, I've been knitting. I even have some photos, but they are still on the camera. Maybe tomorrow I can post details. But, yes, I'm still here, still knitting and when not knitting, just plain busy. Heading out of town in a few minutes with a van full of kinfolk. :-}

July 2010 Socks

2010-07-05T09:36:00.006-05:00

Finished this pair this morning and mailed them off to Colorado already. I remembered to include the ball band in the parcel, but forgot to make note of the color #.

Pattern: My own. Top down. CO 68 sts. with a ribbed leg (and upper foot) that includes a 4 st. cable down the center of both front & back. I adjusted the socks on the blockers to show the cable. (Enlarge to see)

Yarn: OPAL Cotton. #2092, I think. It's white and shades of denim.

Needles: 1[US] 2.25mm; two circs

Knit for: My DS in Colorado

June socks

2010-06-20T17:17:00.006-05:00

Yay!

Pattern: Based on Yarnissima's Brainless (a Ravelry link). The legs are st st with just the cables up the side (set off by P2 on each side of the cable)

Yarn: Paton's Kroy Socks FX in Clover Colors

Needles: 1[US] 2.25mm; two circs

Knit for: My little (tall) Pud in SC

One skein had a hunk of bright orange that the other didn't have. Sure was fun watching the colors change.

These will be warm. You'll have to wear them while camping in the "mountains" :-)

FO and Weather

2010-06-19T07:01:00.003-05:00

That would refer to Finished Objects - socks. They are drying on the sock blockers. Photo later.

Meanwhile, here's a photo my DD1 took yesterday with her Droid when she & her nephews (Sport & Buster) picked me up after work.

Buster said, referring to that roll cloud, "It looks like 3D!"

And the winner is...

2010-06-04T18:35:00.003-05:00

I don't know yet. But, I'll be checking SAM9 later tonight (after hockey - Go BHawks!)

I fell in love with this colorway, but only bought one ball to send off to SAM9.

And the more I looked at it after getting it home, the less I wanted to part with it.

Kinda of a Frodo/Ring thing. Sorta.

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T08:38:00.006-05:00

I grew up in a family that didn't do "cemetary-ing" on Memorial Day weekend. It might have started with my Great-Gran who said, "If you don't bring me flowers while I'm alive, don't bother when I'm dead." But, DD3 asked to go to one of the cemeteries in town where a whole room full of relatives are buried. So, we'll go later today.

It's been a busy week: out-of-state visitors, along with the requisite eating out; DD1's birthday & BD cookout; the first high school graduation of the youngest generation of the family (and he's off to the Army within the week!); a little knitting; etc.

DD3 stayed overnight and we (DD1, too) watched Operation Petticoat (Tony Curtis, Cary Grant.) I'd forgotten how funny it was. As the young folk say: I lmao :-)

No yarny photos - I'm doing another toe up pair [i know!] and I'm about half finished with them [2 socks on 2 circs.] My visiting sister from CO asked me to knit her a pair of socks, too. That's good, because I counted how many pair I've done for myself and I'm up to 15. I probably don't need anymore for a while.

Buster graduated from 4 yr old preschool. Here's a photo:

2010 May Socks

2010-05-14T22:29:00.007-05:00

I received this yarn from a friend in England (Thanks D!) The balls felt so warm and soft & I knew I wanted to do a pair of socks with it, but wasn't sure the yardage would be enough.

So... Toe-Up! by Chrissy Gardiner to the rescue. I used the Non-shaped round toe and the Hybrid heel. The socks fit perfectly! I'm so tickled!!

Also wanted an easy pattern, so I just did a 4 stitch x 6 row cable up the center of the instep & leg. And to make sure I didn't run out of wool, I did the toes & the top of the leg ribbing in I Love This Wool in Winter White ( I think.)

Pattern: Mine with toe & heel help from Toe-Up!
Yarn: Rowan Tapestry in a purplish color (SH179) & I Love This Wool in Winter White
Needles: Size 3 [US] - two circs
Knit for: Me :-)

It's April and I have a New Pair of Socks!

2010-04-29T20:30:00.004-05:00

...Or, how I learned to be friends with a wrapped stitch, toe-up pattern.

Pattern: "Gull Wing" which starts on pg 76 of Toe-Up! by Chrissy Gardiner
Yarn: Knit Picks Memories in Cape Cod
Needles: two size 1 [2.25] circs
Knit for: Me

The pattern says to use "your favorite toe up method." What do you do when you don't like toe up methods? I read over Chrissy's book and decided that she did a good job with directions & photos.

I didn't have to frog the toes. Not once! I followed the heel directions in the pattern. Evidently this is a "hybrid heel." I like it MUCH better than the normal wrapped stitch heel.

Yay! I'm so pleased that I'm casting on for my next pair yet this evening. I'll use worksheets included in the book to do the toe and a hybrid heel in a worsted weight. Details later. Not looking forward to winter, but I'll enjoy the warm socks when it gets here. :-)

My other blog

2010-04-14T18:33:00.003-05:00

Have I mentioned this before? It's an international community effort: Midwest Meets Midlands. We've only had a few projects so far, but more are in the works...or recipe books.

I'm knitting, too. And yikes, I'm missing hockey - Go Pens! (Tomorrow it will be: Go B'Hawks!)

More on knitting later (socks, need you ask?)

Truckers Do It, too!

2010-04-01T17:57:00.002-05:00

From the online Wall Street Journal What a great article!

2010 March Socks!

2010-03-29T06:38:00.004-05:00

Finished these last evening :-) Specs:

Pattern: a varied rib over 72 st.
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll in Blue Violet Multi
Needles: Size 1 [US]/2.25mm
Knit for: DD3

And then I started a practice pair (child sized) of socks, using Chrissy Gardiner's "Toe-Up!" and the Syncopated Rib Boot Socks pattern. I think I have enough leftover Louet Gems worsted to make a small pair. Like I said Practice.

Yes, I've completed several pair of toe-up socks, but not happy with the wrapped method of toes and especially not happy with wrapped heels. Chrissy says a different heel is needed for high arched feet.

Earlier March Socks

2010-03-19T15:48:00.004-05:00

I mailed these socks to my sister in SC on Tuesday and she received them today. :-)

Pattern: Paton's Spiral Tube Sock pattern
Yarn: Paton's Stretch Sock yarn in Plum (click on "free patterns" tab)
Needles: 2 [US] / 2.75mm - two circs

ETA photo sister took w/ socks on feet via her cell phone:

March Madness Socks!

2010-03-19T08:41:00.004-05:00

I knit like crazy last night while watching the NCAA basketball tournament games. I'll admit that I'm not much of a basketball fan, but each March I follow the Big Event.

Since I know nothing at all about the teams, I fill my brackets out after the winners are announced. Saves a lot of erasing or scratching out :-)

I finished a pair of socks last weekend, but can't use them for SAM9. So will blog about them later. DD3 had a birthday this week, but the timing is only coincidental.

Pattern: a varied rib over 72 st.
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll in Blue Violet Multi
Needles: Size 1 [US]/2.25mm
Knit for: DD3

Oscar Knitting

2010-03-07T18:45:00.002-06:00

I'm getting all set for an evening of Oscar watching and my plans are to knit -- SOCKS!

I know! Who woulda guessed? I've been working on a pair for my sister (mentioned at the bottom of this post.) I'm on the 2nd sock and just over 1/2 done with it. I'm sure there aren't many more stitches than in a "normal" sock, but these tube socks seem like they go on forever!

So, to change the pace, I've started a pair for DD3. They'll be top down, ribbed leg & instep, heel flap & gusset. These will be my March SAM9 socks. More about them later. Need to fix a cuppa Yorkshire Tea and then I'll get knitting.

Happy Oscar Watching to all :-)

2010 February Socks

2010-03-01T07:07:00.003-06:00

My grandson called them "Weird." I call them warm. Got rid of a lot of little bits & bobs leftover from other sock projects. :-)

Curling and Purling

2010-02-24T07:24:00.003-06:00

- and knitting, too.

I finished the Dove Moebius, but I'm very disappointed with it. How difficult are Ks and Ps and YOs? Well, actually my problem was with tension. I got gauge OK at the beginning, but while watching the various events, I lost focus on the tension. Many inches along I thought about frogging, but talked myself out of it figuring I could block it right.

Not going to bother blocking. (How do you block a moebius scarf anyway?) I'm going to to something I've never ever done before with a FO. I'm going to rip the whole thing out. (She takes a deep breath here.)

This project was going to be a Christmas '10 present, so I have time to figure out what I want to do. Reknit Dove or use a different pattern.

And then I looked at the Yarn Harlot's sweater. Makes my little, simple, but flawed scarf look mightily pathetic.

False starts

2010-02-15T10:45:00.004-06:00

In the Olympic Games, too many false starts can get you disqualified. However, in the knitting Olympics, too many false starts just gets you closer to the Closing Ceremonies and less time to complete the project.

Argh. Friday evening, I cast on for the Dove moebius. I thought I had put a twist in it, but an inch of width later, I realized there wasn't a twist. Frogged. Cast on 159 sts again. Got 3 inches into the width and checked gauge again. Cor! Need a larger circ. AND... at this rate the yardage will give out before I cross the finished line, even with a larger needle. Frogged.

Cast on 159 sts AGAIN, this time on a size 9 circ. This looks better. But, I placed an order with Knit Picks for another skein of Andean Silk in Cream. Also ordered a book, Chrissy Gardiner's Toe Up!, because I'm still trying to conquer toe up socks.

Pre-Olympics FO

2010-02-13T19:17:00.002-06:00

I was a test knitter for Kala over at Vegan Craftastic. Her Slippity Do Da Cowl is a quick & easy knit. Here's a photo of the finished project.

Yarn: Vanna's Choice in Purple Print and Dusty Purple.
Needle: Size 10 (6mm) 16" circular

No! NOT socks - Knitting Olympics Updated AGAIN

2010-02-12T07:08:00.005-06:00

Changed my mind - no socks. I remembered another project I could do instead: the Dove Moebius Scarf & Hat. A free pattern at tahkistacycharles. Using Knit Picks; Andean Silk in cream.

I tried to post to Stephanie's web page about the change, but it's not showing up. Oh, well. She won't send the knitting police after me :-)

I just took a photo of the balls of yarn.

I owe, I owe, so off to work I go....

2010 Knitting Olympics

2010-02-10T20:30:00.004-06:00

Change of plans. Not doing the Feb. Lady Sweater during the Olympics. Not since signing up for Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's 2010 Knitting Olympics. Rules state that the project has to be CO during the opening ceremony (was going to do that anyway.) Rules also state that the project must be finished before the end of the 2010 Olympics. That eliminates the sweater!!

So, I'll be doing socks for me :-) Yarn: OPAL Cotton 2008 in #2092, & using a "generic" pattern -- actually Stephanie's Step-by-Step Cheat Sheet for Socks (pg 144 of Knitting Rules.)

The socks will (and I emphasize WILL) be finished by February 28 - so they will also be my February SAM9 entry.

WooHoo!

2010-02-05T05:43:00.003-06:00

I woke up early this a.m. with a sinus headache. The weather is changing - and not for the better. My first thought was, "Dang, I don't feel bad enough to call in sick at work." So, I got up, took some Rx and fixed a pot of strong coffee. Then I sat down at the computer to check emails & blogs. The first blog I checked was SAM9 and right at the top of the page I saw in Big Letters:

JAKKIMITCH

My first reaction was the same as I get when I look in the rear view mirror and see a squad car - Now What Did I Do?

It's all good, though! What I did was finish a pair of socks in January and post to the SAM9 blog. Yay! I won sock yarn & a circ. And I was just thinking last week that I need a pair of bright green socks. Double Yay!

OTN Update: One sock [refer to previous post] finished for my sister, 1" of second sock completed - that means 18" more till the toe decreases. :-| Photo eventually.

As Requested

2010-01-24T07:19:00.007-06:00

My grandson, Buster, told me that he wanted mittens "outa the same yarn as my socks." Yeah, those Fern Rose Jacquards in the previous post. So, I bought a second ball of yarn, used double strands, and was able to match the color repeats fairly well. I didn't get a photo of Buster's mittens before he started wearing them. The mama says he loves the mitts and wears them all the time. He wore them over here a few days ago, but didn't want me to photograph them on his hands. So here they are - needing a good wash and a few fuzzy bits trimmed.

Sport said he wanted me to knit him a pair of mittens, too, but, he wanted to pick out different yarn. Surprisingly, he selected HL's I Love This Yarn in Boo Ombre. I used US 3 needles to get a tight fabric. This photo was taken before I gave them to him. He wore them to school last week :-)

Pattern: Panda Man's Paw Warmers as a guide.

OTN: another request (!) My sister in SC (recipient of a previous pair of socks) asked me to knit her a pair of tube socks. She sent yarn (actually enough for two pair) and pattern. Paton's Stretch Sock yarn in Plum & Paton's Spiral Tube Sock pattern (click on the "Free Patterns" tab.) She's tall, so I'm using the larger size -- knit 19" and then dec for toe. I've got 9" on the first sock done. Easy pattern, but 19"?? Hope the ball of yarn lasts!!

Grandsons' Socks

2010-01-12T18:45:00.005-06:00

I knit these during November-December '09. I took the grandsons, separately, to HL and let them pick out the yarn for their socks.

6 yr old Sport selected Walk Away Sock Yarn in Pettitoes - a black, grey, white variegated yarn. 70% superwash wool, 23% polyamide, and 7% PBT [what's that?] This colorway fits him to a T.

I tried to steer 4 yr old Buster to several variations of blues, but he insisted on Patons' Kroy Socks in Fern Rose Jacquard. Funny thing...THIS colorway screams "Buster"! As I mentioned in an earlier post -- busy, bright, fun :-)

If you enlarge the photos, you'll see lots of nubs - they've been washed a lot.

First FO of 2010!

2010-01-05T07:22:00.007-06:00

DD2 asked for socks - and picked out the yarn from the online photo at Knit Picks.

Pattern: generic rib - K6, P2

Yarn: Knit Picks' Stroll Multi in Pansy

Needles: size 1 [US] / 2.25 mm circulars

Knit for: DD2

She's happy with them. :-)

Also introducing Sock Blockers - a Christmas gift from my niece!!

Gotta hurry & get this posted. My ISP has been unreliable the past few weeks. Never know when it's going off line. Bummer.

Knitting keeps me out of trouble, too!

2010-01-01T21:22:00.002-06:00

I like to knit (OK and crochet sometimes) to unwind after a hectic day. The big plus is that I've got something positive to show for all the time I spend on it.

While catching up with the Scotland news at the Beeb online, I found this. What a great project!

My Almeara Gloves: FOs

2009-12-30T07:54:00.003-06:00

They are finished - finally - and surprisingly warm. Must be the garter stitch on the palms and all that cabling on the tops. :-)

The cables don't show up very well on this photo [the best of several I took.] And I think this colorway is not the best for showing cables anyway. But, they match the scarf my Dear Friend from England sent me last year [or the year before? Sorry, J, I'm notoriously bad with details.] And that was my goal - to have gloves that went with the scarf - and at the same time make those gorgeous Jared Flood Almearas. See my previous post. And Jared's.

I Gotta Knit!

2009-12-23T16:52:00.002-06:00

Traditionally we have had the week of (or before) Christmas off - depending on what day of the week it fell on. But, this year we're doing a "better business" model and were open M-T-W. So I took some vacation days last week to finalize my Christmas shopping, etc.

Today the freezing rain started about noon. Then the power for the whole complex went out at 1:15 and was off 30 min. I called security and asked if there was any chance we would be sent home early. Hmmm...learned that there was no one at work who had the authority to shut us down. ARGH!!

Only two of us in my dept worked this week - everyone else took vacation time. V. and I were each working in different areas of our building when someone came in and said, "Didn't you get the email - we've closed." DUH. No we weren't at our desks.... I verified that we were shut and then we were out of there!!

Icy drive home, but I got here safely. Gotta unwind with yarn!

Happy Christmas to all!!

Grand dog's new sweater

2009-12-18T22:25:00.003-06:00

DD3 emailed this photo of Q, the grand dog, in the sweater she knit him. :-) Not sure how Q feels about it, but I think it looks great.

Blogoversary #3

2009-12-13T06:27:00.017-06:00

I've really not done a good job on this blog lately. I'm still knitting, but not "active" in the blogging world. I used to have about 25 blogs bookmarked in my favorites and would read about half of them each morning with my first cup of coffee. But, haven't done that in a long time. And then, my computer crashed. Most of my files were recovered, but none of my favorites OR emails in Outlook. So, I'm slowly rebuilding my Blog Favorites. Sadly, I can't remember all of the names of the ones I liked to keep up with. Hey...I just remembered two more. I'll be back....

Got 'em saved. Whew!

So, yes, today marks 3 years since I started this blog. I've spent some time reading through the first few months worth of posts. Great reminders! I have never been a diarist, but this blog comes close to being one.

While I've been not blogging, I've done socks for the Grandsons. Sport actually asked for a pair! Yay! I took him to HL and showed him the available sock yarn. He picked out Yarn Bee's Walk Away in a black/grey/white multicolor. He's very happy with the socks :-) And several times while I was knitting them, I discussed why I didn't want him to wear them to the daddy's on the weekends. (My excuse was that they needed to be washed in a special way. They're supposed to be superwash, but this way I know they won't get lost, or misplaced down at the dad's.) He's helped me wash them in Woolite.

So Buster wanted a pair, too. I tried to steer him to the variegated blues, but he selected Kroy Sock in Fern Rose Jacquard. The colorway is definitely Buster - busy, bright, fun.

I'll try to get photos of the boys socks one of these days soon. For now - they loved playing in the first snow of the season!

Finished a pair for myself a few days ago:

Pattern: Sunday Swing by Kristel Nyberg in the Knitty.com Summer09 issue.

Yarn: Malabrigo Sock in "Stonechat" -- however, all of the photos I've seen online for Stonechat are not even close to the color of my yarn. This looks much darker in person. However, this colorway is Perfect for my work wardrobe.

Needles: Two 24" Size 1 [us]/2.25mm circulars

Knit for: Me!

I'm Baackk!

2009-12-05T11:38:00.003-06:00

And with a new computer. The old one was terminal, and I knew it. When it finally died, I didn't want to spend the $ to get a new one. But, it's difficult to carry on a "normal" life without a computer. So, here I am with a super fast HP Pavilion. Pages load in a snap - and I mean snap!

When I logged onto my computer at work on Thursday and it took all of 5 seconds to load my desktop, I was starting to feel impatient after 3 seconds.

Windows 7. I'm liking it, too. 20" flat screen monitor...takes a bit of getting used to. But... watching tv (hulu.com) or movies is awesome on it. :-)

I've done some knitting. Will report on that next time. Still need to get photos of the grandsons with their socks on. They were not co-operating when I tried last week.

More to come.... later.

This is for you, MG

2009-10-24T11:41:00.000-05:00

I found this video on Howcast. I'm sure there are other videos out there for lefties. If you use another method to "load" the yarn around your right hand fingers, use it. I use the same method for knitting as I do when I crochet.

Stitches on the Bridge

2009-10-23T22:54:00.002-05:00

One of the events for Homecoming Scotland is a knitting project stretching across the 1,640 ft Skye Bridge.

Horcrux Socks

2009-10-18T16:34:00.003-05:00

Yay!

Pattern: Horcrux Socks by Susan Pierce Lawrence
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Tidepool Heather
Needles: Size 4 [US] dpns
Knit for: Me :-)
Modifications: Thought the leg was too short, so I added an extra zag in the zig-zig pattern.

Since these are knit with worsted wt. yarn, they are super warm. Love 'em!

Early Trick or Treaters!

2009-10-11T21:09:00.005-05:00

My doorbell rang this evening and these two guys were standing on my porch.

Wolverine I recognized, but I called the guy in white a "ghost." I was corrected - he's Storm Shadow from G I Joe.

So, now I know. :-)

Lap robe for the Elders

2009-10-09T06:31:00.006-05:00

I finished the sampler lap robe/afghan last weekend, but just photographed it this morning. I'll box it up this weekend and get it mailed to the Cheyenne River Elderly Nutrition Services on Monday. And I'll also box up all of my leftover red heart to mail to my sister in CO.

At the moment I have a total of ZERO on-the-needle projects! That won't last long, because I just finished the first Horcrux sock and it needs a mate. Also need to do the second Almeara glove. After the lap robe, these will seem like very quick projects.

Then... Sport has asked for a pair of socks - from yarn "just like my blanket" (this blanket.) I could buy more acrylic yarn, but I told him that we'd look for "real" sock yarn and he could pick out what he wants. Of course, I'll lead him to H. L.'s better than it used to be collection of Heart & Sole or whatever else they have of machine washable sock yarn.

Also told Buster that when Sport's socks are finished, he will get to shop for his sock yarn. :-)

Egads! Yes, I'm still knitting!

2009-09-20T16:20:00.003-05:00

I'm on block 10 (of 12) for the lap robe for the CRR Elders. I'm using blue, dark green, burgundy (or is it cranberry?), and off white. It's one of those projects that I can't put aside...

*partially because I want to get it done & on its way to South Dakota

*partially because doing 12 different patterns is loads of fun and makes the process seem to go quickly

*partially because when I'm finished, the left over Red Heart will be shipped to my sister in Colorado (she doesn't like wool & I've decided I don't like Red Heart - it feels so rough)

So, I'm driven. Photos eventually.

August Updates 1

2009-08-22T21:24:00.010-05:00

Sport is 6!

Here he is with some of the presents from his aunt DD1 (and the mama and great gran in the back ground.) Sport luvs to cook, so he got a set of measuring spoons & cups, a variety of mixing spoons, bowl scrapers, and even a timer.

Among the gifts from me was a Nickelodeon Kids Cookbook: Stir, Squirt, Sizzle.

Buster needs equal timing, so here he is, the bubble blowing champion of the family.

A New Sock Knitter! (August Updates 2)

2009-08-22T21:16:00.006-05:00

I'm pleased to introduce D, one of my English friends who visited recently. Here she's casting on for her first sock. Yay!

D has emailed that she's finished the first sock - and has purchased more yarn for another pair :-) Don't ya just luv it?

Socks Forever!

August Updates 3

2009-08-22T20:53:00.004-05:00

Warm Hands (for me!)

1. Knucks
Pattern: Knucks by Pamela Grossman from Knitty, Summer 2006
Yarn: Bernat Cashmere Natural Blends in Coal for the hands & I Love This Wool in Winter White for the ribbed wrists and fingers
Needles: 4 [US]
Knit for: Me :-)

2. Jared Flood's Almeara Gloves - I think the "natural" color would probably show the pattern better, but I'm knitting them in Knit Picks new City Tweed DK in the Habanero colorway. I'm nearly finished with the hand of the first glove.

I'm using dpns and started out with metal ones - but size 8 metal dpns are just TOO heavy and too slidey. So, I set this project aside and ordered bamboos dpns from Knit Picks. Wow! what a difference! I recently got a digital "kitchen" scale (but have only weighed yarn -- why didn't I have one of these before now?) One of the metal size 8 dpns weighs 8 gms, but one of the bamboo size 8s only weighs 3 gms. And not so slidey either. Photos will follow eventually. And so will a blog about the project I'll do with the yarn I ordered at the same time as the size 8 bamboos. :-)

August Updates 4

2009-08-22T19:44:00.006-05:00

A. CIC Socks
I had leftover yarn from the Dune Twist socks (see previous post), but I didn't think there was enough for a pair of smaller kids' socks, so I ordered a ball of Chocolate Wool of the Andes. As it turned out there was enough of the Dune Twist added to the Chocolate to get two more pairs of socks for CIC. The earlier "Magic 36" socks have a 7" foot, these two smaller pairs have a 5" and a 6" foot. And yes that's the end of the Dune Twist and Chocolate.

B. Stash busting for a good cause
CIC knitters are encouraged to Go Local (sort of.) I have a bin of red heart worsted on the shelf in my closet and keep thinking, "I really ought to do something with this." In the past I've knit a bunch of hats, but this time decided on something for the Cheyenne River Rez Elders. I found a Red Heart pattern: Knit Sampler Afghan and it will work wonderfully. Smallish squares, variety of patterns, etc. The yarn is in dark (forest) green, off white, blue, and burgundy.

I've Been Censored - and FOs

2009-08-02T07:54:00.008-05:00

I learned recently that this blog *does* have readers who don't leave comments. Hi, y'all.

D, a teacher from England, said that she'd tried to show my blog to a co-worker (on a school computer), but this blog was blocked because it contains "Malicious Content." My blog? Malicious Content?

The school's content censoring software probably didn't like the name of a pair of socks I referred to in the July 5th post. So I've edited. Wonder if I have to find every instance of that naughty word?

[ETA: I think I found every post with that word in it & swapped the "a" for "@" - except the tag/label won't allow an "@", so I just left that vowel out: Move Your Fnny. Hope this helps!]

On the FO front - yippee! - I got 'em:

* A cap for the group that CIC knitters are helping. Just one, but one is more than Zero
Pattern: generic watch cap, knit flat

Yarn: Left over bulky Wool of the Andes, with the white strips being double stranded worsted WofA

Needles: 10 [US] straight needles

Knit for: Hand of Help [via CIC group]

* The bigger kid's socks (the "Magic 36" pair) - thanks to my recently received Knit Picks order

Pattern: based on the "Magic 28", but for a larger foot -- this is a "magic 36" variation.

Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes [worsted] in Dune.

Needles: size 5 [US] bamboo from Crystal Palace, I think.

Knit for: CIC

* Mom's OPAL Cotton "2009 July Socks"

Pattern: generic rib on leg and borrowed the K1, P1 for the instep from the Move Your F@nny pattern.

Yarn: OPAL Cotton #2095. Bought at Knots & Bolts in Traer, IA.

Needles: Legs: 2.50 mm, 24" circs, and for the feet: 2.25 mm, 24" circs.

Knit for: Mom

I LUV Caramel Macchiato!

2009-07-19T08:56:00.004-05:00

I'm so tickled! I never win anything. Well, OK, I've won a few things [like last year], but not many.

But, I'm the lucky winner of Jen's quiz prize!

So, J & D - if you check this blog before flying across the Big Pond - we're going to Starbucks on Friday! :-)

Baby Surprise Jacket #2

2009-07-17T19:01:00.004-05:00

Yarn: Louet Gems Topaz in French Blue, Mustard, and Eggplant

Needles: Circular, US 8

Pattern: Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket from The Opinionated Knitter / Newsletter Leaflet 21 (Fall '68)

Knit for: The soon-to-be born Baby B, if said Baby B is a male. [If Baby B is female, she'll get the February Baby Sweater and another baby-on-the-way will get this one.]

Long Time No Post

2009-07-05T09:09:00.012-05:00

My perpetual excuse is: I've been busy. There's
* Work
* Housekeeping
* Grandkids (photo below)
* Knitting (photos below)
* Genealogy

WORK - the good news is that I still have a job. For now. There are threats of more layoffs in the New Year.

HOUSEKEEPING - Never ending isn't it? I've been trying to do a few extra "spring" cleaning things, because I have visitors coming soon. But, the older I get the longer it takes for me to do anything.

GRANDKIDS - They're gone to their other grand parents' lake home for the long weekend. They have SO much fun down there...a huge extended family, the lake, the beach, etc. I can't compete with all that. But, I take them to parks, & to a local ice cream shop, I let them help me cook, we read books, and they can get on my computer - their desktop has icons for Dora, Barney, Thomas, Sesame Street, etc. I let them print activities & color sheets, etc.

KNITTING -

1) Sent 3 pairs to CIC at the end of June. I've got another pair almost finished - but ran out of Knit Picks' Dune. I was making a bigger kid's pair and decided instead of Magic 28 I'd do "Magic 36." I didn't understand the geometric proportional difference until too late. Should I frog or buy more yarn? I'll buy more yarn and finish them later.

2) Working on a BSJ - possibly for Baby B, if Baby B is a boy. I still have the same 20 rows or so left as when I blogged on June 14th.

3) Mom's OPAL socks. I luv knitting socks! I've misplaced the ball band, but (-it was difficult to find an image online) I think this is #2095. Legs knit on US 1.5, foot on US 1. Mom requested that the instep be knit in K1, P1 (like the "Move Your F@nny" pattern.) The color changes make the knitting seem to go quickly. " Oh..! A new color!" I'm hoping I can get a matching 2nd sock, but mom said she'd be OK if the stripes don't match.

GENEALOGY - I've been working on collecting evidence to submit to the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. Yippee! Got it! Except for my marriage license. Thought I had a copy, but can't find it anywhere. Maybe I tossed it out when I got a divorce? Now, I'll have to take time off work to go to the court house.

Belated Birthday Photo

2009-06-22T06:39:00.003-05:00

Buster turned 4 [yeah, four!] on June 4th. I've downloaded the photos, but haven't tweaked the size/cropped etc. Actually, there are photos from as far back as April to deal with. Ugh.

Anyway, Buster's 4! Seems like he was just a baby ... wasn't it only a few months ago? He's talking in big sentences that if written out would include commas or maybe even semi-colons. He's all action, all risk-taking, all imp. Just like his mama was/is!

In photo: Sport [nearly 6] and Buster at his bd picnic..

Blog Browsing and other musings

2009-06-14T07:15:00.005-05:00

Buster and Sport stayed overnight, and B. was awake before 7 a.m. as usual - even though they were up until 11 p.m. [Shhh...don't tell their mama!] He's content to watch a DVD so I can have my first cuppa and check my emails and my Internets.

Among this morning's browsings, I stopped over at Stitches of Violet and saw that her mom is doing better [looking good, actually.] She also mentioned, a few days ago, that Jean at Knitting Garden is having a Blogoversary [and a contest!] I never win anything, but left a "Happy day" message anyway. :-)

It's Charity Knitting Sunday here at the Mitch digs. I hope to finish another pair of CIC socks today. That will make 3 pairs for this challenge. Kathy has already sent in 12!! Way to go Kathy!!

Other OTN:

1) About 20 rows, or so, left on the BSJ...that I haven't blogged about yet. I will when it's finished. Promise.

2) Socks for my mother (2009 June). She picked out a ball of OPAL Cotton when we stopped at Knots & Bolts in April. I'll blog later with a photo and details. The ball band is in my room and Sport is still sleeping. The colorway is gorgeous - I think she'll like the way it is striping...I sure do. I was skeptical about how it would knit up - being part cotton and all. But it's met with my approval - Yay! For my next pair of big-people socks, I think I'll use the denim & white OPAL cotton that I bought last year at Knots & Bolts.

Gotta get ready for the day. Have a good one - whatever day it is for you :-)

Socks finally!

2009-06-12T07:12:00.006-05:00

I started this pair in late March, I think. Finished them May 30th, took the photo May 31st, downloaded the photo this morning. I mentioned these earlier here. I'll call them my May 2009 socks.

Pattern: Generic ribbed
Yarn: Steinbach Wolle Sockenwolle in "brown" (think tan) #014 and a green/gray/brown twist#180
Needles: Size 2 [US]
Knit for: Me!

I'm not convinced

2009-06-08T20:19:00.008-05:00

I've jumped on the Twitter bandwagon. Ugh. I'm not convinced I really need this. But...you see, my boss thought we needed a blog for work. So I started this blog to learn how to "do" one, since the work blog would fall under my job description. I think the work blog has been vetoed.

Now the online world is atwitter with Twitter. Same scenario as with the blog...just in case we decide to have a Twitter account for work, I want to be familiar with it. I've got mixed feelings about Twitting / Tweeting.

However, I got a big chuckle over Conan O'Brien's prediction for YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. Take a look, if you missed it.

NOTE: knitting or grandson or genealogy content coming soon. Stop by in a few days.

Mother's Day update

2009-05-16T08:28:00.002-05:00

I didn't have to cook! And I got flowers and balloons and cards! And Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's Free-Range Knitter: the Yarn Harlot Writes Again.

DD1 said she selected the book because, "Every time mom reads Stephanie's blog, she laughs out-loud."

That's right. I do :-)

In which I admit to not having knit much lately

2009-05-13T17:48:00.002-05:00

I've been busy. Just with busy-ness.

It's been so long since I've worked on my blog - I didn't remember that I'd changed the layout last time I was on! When the page open, I was startled!

I've knit a few rows on the socks mentioned here. And I started a BSJ -- possibly for the soon-to-be Baby B. More on that on a later date.

One of the things that's kept me busy is working on genealogy. I dabble here and there and don't make much progress. But, once in a while that dabbling yields results. A reply to a letter I sent to a county court house in Pennsylvania ended up giving me more information than I could have dreamed of. DD1 was here when I opened the envelope - I was so excited when I browsed through the contents, I jumped up and down. Believe me, it's been a long time since I'd jumped up & down!!! And of course, after that my spare time was spent on scanning the documents, organizing them in folders, and doing more searching.

But, tonight, I'm going to knit on those two projects. And watch hockey [Go Penguins!] And American Idol [switching back and forth as necessary.]

My DD3's BF is starting a soy candle business. He's test marketing various scents - so I'm a designated tester. Last night I burned the Lilac - very nice scent - lilac-y, but not too over powering. Tonight the scent is Mandarin Orange. I'm not a citrus fan, but this is OK. He has another orange candle - "Fresh Squeezed Oranges" -- that one I think I'll like! I think it would be a good scent for a Saturday morning - perky & peppy. You see, I'm NOT perky or peppy on Saturday mornings. I need some motivation - like smelling fresh squeezed oranges! :-)

April 09 Socks

2009-04-26T12:49:00.008-05:00

Started these last Sunday [as a Sunday Charity Knitting project] and finished them on Wednesday. [No knitting on Monday or Tuesday.]

Pattern: based on the Magic 28 pattern

Yarn: Paton's Classic Wool, I think, in white; Knit Picks Wools of the Andes in Hollyberry; and On-Line Supersocke 100/Sierra Color #896

Needles: Size 5 [US] dpns - bamboo

Knit for: CIC

These look huge for CIC socks, but the foot length is 5.5"

After several attempts to get the photo closer to the actual color, I went to the room with the best lighting in the house. Yep, the bathroom.

Click on the photo to see the socks better.

Charcoal Vest an FO

2009-04-18T17:50:00.004-05:00

I finished this project a few days ago. Nice, easy pattern. Yay! But it took me four months to finish it :-\ Details are in this January post.

OTN Update: I'm about 1/2 finished with a pair of socks - using left over Steinbach Wolle Sockenwolle from this project. Plus another ball of Sockenwolle in green/gray/brown.

I mentioned this pair in the previous post actually.

Baby Sweater on Two Needles (AKA - February Baby Sweater)

2009-04-04T17:49:00.007-05:00

Yippee! It's done and I'm happy with it. (My photo taking skills are another matter.)

Pattern: Elizabeth Z.'s

Yarn: Louet Gems Topaz in Eggplant
Needles: 7 [US] / 4.5 mm
Knit for: Baby B (due in mid August) - that is, IF Baby B is a girl. Parents to be are friends of DD1 and live just down the street.

On The Needles Update:

1. I'm about 75% finished with the The Vest.

2. I've started a pair of socks (generic ribbed pattern) for me - using Steinbach Wolle Sockenwolle in "brown" (think tan) and a green/gray/brown twist#180. Not enough of either for a pair, so I'm doing stripes. Not pretty. But, this pair will keep my feet warm. (And that's why I knit socks for myself - to have warm feet!)

I bought wool today for a February Lady Sweater for me! I went to Knots & Bolts with a deep red/burgundy color in mind. But, I decided to live on the edge and came home with Purple! Actually, it's Cascade 220 - #7811 Purple Jewel Heather. Can't find any photo online that show's the true color. They're all much too dark. I'm going to try to finish the vest before I start the FLS. Try.

Major Time Suck

2009-03-21T12:47:00.002-05:00

I've just spent the past 3 hours updating my projects on Ravelry. Egad! But I'm caught up (as much as I care to be....)

Wish I could say the same for my genealogy projects. ;-}

On Ravelry as: jakkimitch

OTN Update

2009-03-17T06:33:00.003-05:00

Busy times at the Mitch Manor. Little time for the computer and only a little more time for knitting. But, I do have two projects in the works:

1.) The Vest - started in January, the back is completed and I'm about half through one front panel. It's on hold as I work on:

2) A February Baby Sweater. For DD1's friends' baby due in August or Sept. (They know the date, I can't remember....) Details in a future post.

As my DS who lives down hill from The Rock (see photo at top of blog) says: I owe, I owe, so off to work I go.

March 09 Socks

2009-03-09T21:10:00.003-05:00

Kirschnered the toes on these yesterday. I started them in January, but finished other projects first. Yummy soft and toasty warm these are :-)

Pattern: Started out with Priscilla's Dream Socks from Favorite Socks. But strayed (see "Project 2" in the January 24, 2009 OTN Update post.)

Yarn: Knit Picks Swish (DK) in Cinnamon and Nutmeg

Needles: US 3 [3.25 mm] on the upper legs, and US 2 [2.75mm] for the rest

Knit for: Me!!

Tea Contest entry

2009-02-25T11:23:00.005-06:00

Not *MY* contest, tho.

Over at the Mason-Dixon Knitting blog, Kay is running a contest. I just logged on a few hours after she posted (and was something like the 346th comment!) The "contest" includes telling what your favorite tea is. Kay's is Yorkshire.

AND -- mine is Yorkshire!!! My current box came from my dear friend from over the pond. So, as proof... just in case anyone anywhere wants it... I photographed my box in front of the MDK blog and my comment box. As seen here :-)

Click on flashless photo to enlarge.

CIC Socks Feb 09

2009-02-21T08:25:00.005-06:00

I *was* going to title this post: "The older I get...the faster time goes." But, that would only describe my current state of mind and not the actual content I want to post.

CIC socks - All I need is a big padded envelope and these will be ready to send. I've blogged the particulars previously. Here, here, here, here, and hmmm, must not have had a post about those blue ones.

We had a few inches of snow overnight, but the winds are howling [really] from the north. So I think the snow flying by my window probably fell in Minnesota. :-\

I have to work tomorrow [noon to 8 p.m.], so today is my whole weekend. Should I get busy and clean the house - or - get out my knitting and listen to a book on cd??

Actually, I'm going to try to do both. 30 mins of housecleaning and then 30 mins of knitting/audio book. When I'm done with my list of chores - it will be all knitting!! The local Salvation Army is having a craft day. I'd like to go. We'll see how my day goes.

Sunday Charity Knitting

2009-02-15T10:38:00.010-06:00

Don't know how much knitting I'll do today. I actually finished a pair of socks for CIC yesterday. These were started two weeks ago and also based on the Magic 28 formula. Look HERE for details on the previous pair. The difference was in the needles.

Yarn: Patons' Classic Wool in Winter White + left over sock yarn: On-Line Supersocke 100/Sierra Color #896
Needles: size 6 US dpns
Knit for: CIC

I'd used size 4 dpns for the previous pair and size 6 for this pair, but decided size 5 would probably work out best. The only problem was that I only had one set of 4 dpns in size 5 and I prefer using five dpns for socks (or 2 circs). Enter Friday's road trip and a visit to Home Ec in Iowa City. I resisted the temptation to buy more yarn - although I squeezed nearly every ball and skein in the place. I purchased a set of five size 5 [US] dpns - bamboo by Crystal Palace.

Today's Sunday Knitting for Charity goal is to wind up (by hand) the yarn I Kool Aid dyed last week. Orange & Grape. The Orange is nice (for orange) and the grape is lovely in the right light.

But it looks a bit gray in my bedroom.... ??

Felted Slippers for CRR

2009-02-14T10:40:00.005-06:00

I mailed these off several days ago to The Main - Youth Project at Cheyenne River Res. Kool Aid Dyed last year, finally finishing that batch. These are basic, cuffless, felted slippers.

The yellow ones are not as "done" as the others, but still felty-fluffy and thick-ish.

Portraits by Buster

2009-02-05T20:38:00.002-06:00

I don't think there is a picture of me on this blog...until now. Buster, age 3 1/2, made this portrait of me a few days ago. I'm not sure if that's arms coming out of the side of my head, or the bows of my glasses.

He also drew one of himself: "That's me with my Rock Star hair," he said.

Grandsons are so much fun!

Breaking Tradition On Superbowl Sunday and CK

2009-02-01T13:15:00.003-06:00

It's Superbowl Sunday! But, I'm not going to be participating in my annual Superbowl Event. Instead, I'm taking DD2, Sport & Buster to the 4 p.m. Bob the Builder (live) performance. After the show, the mama is going to the belated Christmas Party at her work and I'll bring the boys back here -- and hope I can see the last half of the game.

Usually my sentiment for the Superbowl is "May the team with the most points win." However, gosh, the Steelers are my third favorite team (after the Broncos and the Bears.) So I *would* be cheering for the Steelers today if it weren't for Kurt Warner. Sigh. Gotta go with Kurt Warner. Go Cardinals!! (Or... Steelers!)

If it's Sunday, I must be knitting for Charity. Today I'm working on another pair of kids' socks for CIC - similar to last week's pair. This one, using Patons' Classic Wool in Winter White along with left over On-Line Supersocke 100/Sierra Color #896 used for this pair of socks.

Sunday (& Monday) Charity Knitting

2009-01-27T06:31:00.004-06:00

I started these socks for the current CIC project Sunday morning and would have finished them yesterday morning, if I hadn't had to go to work. But, Hey, I still have a job, so I can't complain!

They were finished last night - finished the 2nd heel flap and got half way through that foot at SnB. And then completed it later at home.

Yarn: One strand Patons Classic Wool in Winter White (worsted weight) and one strand of left over OPAL Petticoat #1295.
Needles: Size 4 [US] dpns
Pattern: based on the Magic 28 pattern found at NowNormaKnits. The leg has a top K1, P1 rib for 6 rows and then I switched to K3, P1. The foot is StSt.
Knit for: CIC

OTN Update

2009-01-24T08:18:00.006-06:00

I keep trying to be a project monogamist, but I have a wandering eye and lust after yarn and patterns and FOs. [Sigh]

Project 1: I was given a lovely, dark green, velour top that goes beautifully with a pair of dark green slacks. The only problem is that the top has a wide (and deep) V neckline. I don't feel comfortable with so much of my skin exposed, so I decided it needed a scarf.

Until that point I didn't think I'd ever want to knit lace. Just don't have a need for a shawl - at least a lacy one full of "holes" for cold air to attack through. But, hmmm... didn't want a silk, or silky type scarf. It needed to provide some warmth to my neck and chest. Wool. But, it needed to be light weight to wear all day at work. Lace?

I also wanted a quick knit. No fiddly pattern. I searched blogs, and dang if I can remember where I found the pattern, I found one that works! I had in mind [dangerous, I know] a lace weight yarn of a lovely tweedy mixture of greens, browns, and muted golds. Does anyone produce anything like that? And what would it cost? The project was on hold while I contempted searching the Internet for the perfect yarn. Meanwhile, while on a stash dive, I found the remains of yarn I'd used for a pair of kids socks last year [Reynolds Swizzle.] The ball felt like it had enough yardage for The Scarf. The green is a near perfect match. It has funky yellow, blue, and pink stripes to add "interest" or maybe just "contrast." OK, then. The original pattern is wider, but I CO 23 stitches on a size 10 [6mm] 16" Addi Turbo. One row pattern! I have about 15" completed. I'm hoping for a 48" total. Should have weighed the ball before I started.

Project 2: I *was* going to use the extra Knit Picks Swish (DK) to make a pair of Knucks for myself. But, I wasn't sure if I'd really have enough, I ordered a contrasting color of the yarn. When I got the two together, Nutmeg and Cinnamon, I thought SOCKS - for ME. [I still want Knucks, but I'll have to buy more yarn.]

I looked for a pattern for DK weight socks. Requirement: not an online pattern, but one from my collection of knitting books. I settled on Priscilla's Dream Socks from Favorite Socks. I read through the pattern and decided that I don't want to fiddle with short row heels. Actually, I don't think they fit as well as heel flap heels. I have a high instep and need some extra stitches to start the foot - which I get by picking up 2 or 3 extra stitches on each side of the flap. So modification 1 will be the heel. I haven't committed to the toes, yet. I have knit "quite a few" [it's all relative, I know] socks with the leg entirely in ribbing, but have not previously used this pattern's method of switching from a larger needle [US 3 / 3.25 mm] to a smaller one [US 2 / 2.75mm] half way down the leg.

I could only find one [24"] size 2 circ, so I switched to dpns that are US2/2.75mm. A few days ago I found the other size 2 circ and this morning decided to move the stitches over to the circs. But, WAIT. This doesn't feel right. The circs are larger. Sure enough I could not get the circ through the size 2 /2.75mm hole in my needle gauge. I looked on the package and, naughty word, they are "Size 2/ 3.00mm" Drats. I'll keep using the dpns because I want a firmer fabric for the foot. These will be my February Socks for SAM7.

ETA: Yes, I did use the CO the pattern calls for - "Old Norwegian" - I love it!!

Project 3: The Vest. I have 9" completed on the back.

There and Back Again

2009-01-22T11:38:00.002-06:00

After work last evening I drove five hours (round trip) to pick up my DD1 at an airport. (...I just deleted a paragraph ranting about the traffic. The important point is that I got there & we got back safely.)

And, she got THERE and back safely! She went to the Inauguration!! I heard a lot about it on the drive back - I'll hear more in the days to come, I'm sure. Good trip. Awesome experience. She has the day off work today. Good thing as her ankle (the one with the plate and 6 screws) was very swollen last night.

She knew a slew of (young) people who were going. And amazingly, in that sea of people, DD1 and her friend SA were found by a friend from NC. I asked if someone in both groups had GPS on their phones, and she said No - it was just a coincidence - or providential. Amazing!

I personally know at least 7 people who went and I know OF a dozen or so others that people I know know. If there were 2 million people and there are about 300 million Americans, then 1 out of every 150 people were in DC. Amazing.

Snow, the 2009 version

2009-01-15T19:03:00.008-06:00

About eleven months ago I posted THIS photo. The new photo here was taken farther back from the front door, but from a similar angle. Click this one for a larger view. So far this winter we've had 10" more snow than we'd had by Jan. 15th last winter. And last winter set a record for total snowfall.

Darned cold here, too. This a.m. the morning local tv weather guy said: "Do the math -- it's -23 F. outside. Add the indoor temp at your house to 23 to see why it's such a shock to go outdoors!"

OK. It was 67 deg. F inside - 67+23= 90 degree difference.

Then he said, "But the windchill is -45 F, so figure out the 'feels like' difference."

67+45= 112 degrees. No wonder I've been saying a lot of naughty words when I go from the house to the car and from the car to my office.

Ravelry Updates

2009-01-11T14:43:00.004-06:00

Egad! I've been on the computer for 6 hours: several posts here, blog-browsed (that took about two hours), and I worked on one of the items from my To-Do list mentioned earlier today.

I've added a few books to my Ravelry library and added a bunch of stashed yarn. One of the things, OK the MAIN thing, that kept me from working on my Ravelry pages is that I don't have photos of my stash and didn't want to be bothered doing photos. But, I added the stash without photos, just details. :-)

Another day I'll work on updating projects and wish lists. Hmmm... Maybe that will be on Tuesday, if we Do get that blizzard.

You can find me on Ravelry at jakkimitch.

OTN Update and Mid-January Musings

2009-01-11T12:17:00.011-06:00

Last evening, as soon as I finished the earlier-posted-about socks, I swatched for an easy vest to go with my turtle necked tops & slacks [for work.] Requirements for the yarn:

1. Inexpensive

2. Easy Care

3. Chunky

4. Colorway to "go with" my collection of current & proposed turtle necked tops: black, red, white, pink, burgundy, green. dark lavender. [I currently only have the first four colors.]

I had in mind a yarn that was maybe "homespun" and in a white-black-and shades of gray colorway. Keep in mind, that Inexpensive was my first priority and Easy Care was my second, so I headed for H.L. with a Christmas gift card. There was absolutely Nothing that came close to what I wanted. However, what I settled on will work. I was thinking of something with more white and less gray. But, it's OK.

And now I have about 5 rows of the back OTN.

Pattern: Lion Brand free pattern - "Denim Vest"

Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun #312 Edwardian

Needles: Size 10 [6mm] circ

Knit For: Me :-)

Mid-January Musings

* I'm still working on my To-Do list that I wanted to finish during my 17 day Holiday Break. I thought it was a do-able list, but I needed two more weeks [at least] to finish it!!

* It's awfully tempting during Mid-January in the upper midwest to question WHY I live here. Oh, yeah. Grandsons, daughters, mother, and a much better job than the one I left five years ago [in the shadow of The Rock (see photo at top of blog).] But, Dang, winters are long here. The weather.com alert icon is flashing red in my computer's task bar. It's trying to tell me about the blizzard watch for this area. Last winter went into the record books for all-time-record snowfall. This winter, so far, we are more than 10" ahead of last winter. I'm typing "DANG," but you can be confident that I'm saying other things.

* Knit projects on the horizon include a pair of knucks for me, and a secret project that will use some of the same yarn as the knucks. More important to finish the secret project first. And I might have to improvish with my pair of knucks. Or buy more yarn. The yarn is Knit Picks DK. I'm thinking that I could probably use some leftover sock yarn from my stash in a coordinating color [and doubled] to do the ribbed wrists. I'm also smitten with a cardigan [to knit for myself] = Berroco's free Rosebud pattern. And then the day after I mused that I probably would never have to buy another knitting book, I bought: Knitted Jackets by Cheryl Oberle. There are five or six patterns I'd like to do. Decisions, decisions.

January Socks

2009-01-11T11:18:00.007-06:00

I finally finished this pair last night while watching the Arizona Cardinals defeat the Carolina Panthers. [Well, I think Carolina helped defeat themselves. But Kurt & the guys took full advantage of the situation.] Editorial comment: the news is full of reports of the "bad eggs" in pro & college sports, but we rarely hear about the good guys. Kurt Warner (and wife Brenda) are Angels in disguise.

I started this pair in October [or was it September], but only worked on it sporatically due to knitting other things, and then there were the holidays, and family time, etc. etc.

As I mentioned in my Tuesday, Sept 16th post, I was concerned there might not be enough yardage to to the pattern I'd originally picked out. Thought I'd better do a toe-up sock - which I did.

Lessons learned:

1. I CAN do respectable looking toe-up short row wraps - eventually. There were numerous froggings.

2. I do NOT like to do short row wraps.

3. I do NOT like the way the toe box fits my feet with the toe up method I followed. [From P G-R's book.] I suppose if I really, really wanted toe up socks, I could use a different approach. I've seen a few others that might work better for my feet. But, the only reason I'd ever do another toe-up sock would be if I had short yardage again. And I sure as heck will try not to ever ever again. I'm completely happy with the fit of the "standard" top-down toe decreases I use.

Pattern: Toe-up, short row wrapped toes & heels; leg: 5" of pattern, then 1" of K2,P2 rib

- leg pattern "Oblique Openwork" an 8 stitch pattern from Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks.

Yarn: Filatura Di Crosa - Maxime, Color #16. It's a dark foresty green in real life.

Needles: Size 1 [2.25mm] dpns [my Knit Picks order with two size 2.25mm circs will probably arrive tomorrow]

Knit for: Me!!

Peanut Butter Fudge

2009-01-02T07:15:00.004-06:00

Sometime before Christmas I found a recipe for peanut butter fudge over on Tea's blog. Dreamy, creamy, peanut butter goodness! It was a hit on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. :-)

Give Me a "T"

2008-12-30T20:11:00.002-06:00

[Genealogy content]

...for "Tara."

I've had my mitochondrial DNA tested and the results are that my maternal line is from "Tara" see also the National Geographic's Genographic Project pages for "T."

While "T" mtDNA is found across Europe, it is a smallish population and IS found in Scotland where the MacNeals are from. [I've always enjoyed bagpipes!]

Christmas FOs

2008-12-26T15:54:00.005-06:00

#1. Pattern: Knucks

Yarn: Knit Picks' Swish DK in Nutmeg

Needles: Yikes - I think 4 [US] dpns

Knit for: My dear friend J across the pond

Instructions on Knitty.com call for embroidery on the "knucks," but I left them plain. J can add stitching, if she wants. The pair I will cast on tonight [same yarn, same pattern] for myself will have "DAMN COLD" embroidered on the fingers. These will be my computer gloves - and maybe my knitting gloves too! I prefer the nickle coated Knit Picks needles or Addi Turbos over bamboo, but the bamboo needles don't get cold like the metal ones!!

#2. Pattern: generic. CO 68 stitches. K2, P2 rib for 1" and then K3, p1 for the leg and instep. Top down.

Yarn: Red Heart's Heart & Sole [70% Superwash Wool & 30 % nylon] in 3950 Watercolor Stripe

Needles: 0 [US] bamboo

Knit for: Mother for Christmas

Buster, Sewing, and Sunday Knitting

2008-12-22T06:59:00.006-06:00

Buster's preschool Christmas program was last Monday. The kids [and their teachers] did a great job with all of the songs. Buster's been singing lines from the songs for weeks. He's such a ham, I thought he'd be all into the performance. But, he stood in the front row and just smiled. Didn't sing, didn't jingle the bells. Just smiled. Cute smile though!! [We asked why he didn't sing, he said, "I didn't want to."]

I think I could have both sets of PJs finished for the boys by Wednesday afternoon. But, I decided yesterday to lift the stress level and NOT have them be Christmas presents. When the mama and the grandsons stopped by last evening, I had Sport try on the bottoms. I showed him the half finished top... and the sleeve pieces. Showed them both the pattern cover. And showed Buster the material for his PJs. But, I didn't promise that I'd have them finished by Christmas.

Sunday knitting for Charity. Yes I did. A few rows.

December FO - and Winter Storm Warning!

2008-12-18T06:07:00.006-06:00

Yippee Skippee!! I have an unbloggable (for now) finished project. However, there is a post about it over at SAM6.

After last year's record setting snows, I was hoping for a milder winter this time. But, we have a winter storm warning for later today & tomorrow. I have mixed feelings about this. When my daughters were young and I was a stay-at-home mom, I wasn't bothered by winter storms. We had a fireplace and I always kept the pantry and refrig full - we could stay in and warm and bake bread & cookies.

But, now we all work. The girls have jobs that don't close for winter storms. So, that means they have to be driving in sometimes hazardous conditions. Me too! I'm not happy about this at all.

The "mixed feelings" -- I'm hoping my work is closed tomorrow. But, that would mean it's reallly bad, and I don't want that either.

Two Years & One Day

2008-12-14T16:38:00.003-06:00

My blogoversary was yesterday. When I blogged earlier today, I thought, "Hmmm... must be about blogoversary time." But, didn't check on it.

No, I haven't had to go into work (yet) -- I've called twice. Everything is OK, so I'm probably free for the rest of the evening. Haven't had time to knit yet. It was just one item on a list of 14 things to accomplish today. Watching the boys tonight while their mama and her friend go out for supper was not on my list, but is now #15. Gotta go work on the list before I head up to DD2s.

Sunday Charity Knitting 2009

2008-12-14T08:13:00.003-06:00

I've been blog browsing and read that Ruth over at knittingbloggyblog will be focusing on charity knitting on Sundays [and maybe other days] during 2009.

That's a great idea! I'll do that, too!! I haven't been doing much charity knitting lately [OK - the pink blanket took two months, but since it was only one project, my numbers are down....]

Today's knitting goal, though, will be to finish the 2nd Christmas sock for someone. Will blog about them after the 25th. However, later today I might at least cast on a watch cap for a charity.

All of this knitting will depend on whether or not I have to go to work today. I'm "on call" for a Noon - 8 p.m. shift.

In Praise of Chicken Soup & Matzo Balls

2008-12-06T19:20:00.003-06:00

I admit it. I'm a horrible patient. I moan and groan. And if my throat didn't hurt so bad, I'd be calling people to tell them how awful I feel.

Maybe because I've been medicated today and not thinking clearly, it wasn't until an hour ago that I thought about making soup. I didn't have any chicken, but, plenty of chicken broth, garlic, onions, etc.

I've only had a few spoonsful so far, and already I feel better.

Very basic recipe:

Make the matzo balls following the recipe on the container - add a half teaspoon (or more) of dried rosemary. Refrigerate 20-30 mins. Then gently saute a small onion, chopped, and thinly sliced celery in a tablespoon of canola oil. Add a couple teaspoons of minced garlic and plenty of coarsely ground black pepper. Add about 4 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Add chopped chicken, if you want. Drop matzo into the gently boiling soup by spoonfuls. [It doesn't bother me if the soup gets a bit cloudy. Some people cook the balls in water first, but I like the flavor when they are cooked in the broth.] Cover, turn heat down, and simmer for about 20-30 mins. - depending on size of matzo balls. Ladle into soup bowl. Splash with Red Devil pepper sauce. Serve with a box of tissues.

Works every time!

When I finish this bowl of soup, I'll work on sock 2 of my December socks. Don't think I've blogged about them yet - that will give me something to blog about tomorrow :-)

6x6 Meme

2008-12-04T19:16:00.004-06:00

I should be getting clothes and things lined up for my trip to IC tomorrow. But, instead, I'm blog browsing. Something I haven't done in quite a while. Over at Stitches of Violet, Marguerite posted a 6x6 Meme. Basically: go to your 6th photo folder and post the 6th photo.

Ha! I was tickled to find that the 6th photo in my 6th folder is of Sport when he was 6 months old! :-)

Reader(s) - you're tagged! (Hi, Kathy :-)

November socks!

2008-11-29T19:22:00.002-06:00

Well, they are for little feet, but they ARE socks for my November SAM project. I have two "real" sock projects started - so I should be able to get one finished in December. Should. What a funny looking word.

I used the leftover yarn from the scarf, hat, glove/mitts I finished earlier in the week. Whew! I wasn't sure I'd have enough for the second sock!!

CO 32 stitches on size 4 needles & used the same cable as DD2's hat.