Give Me a "T"

[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

#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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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.

Cables!

I have FOs for November! [I'll work on the FO sidebar later.] A year ago or so, DD2 and I stopped at a yarn shop on our return trip from taking the grandsons to their dad's aunt for the weekend. DD2 expressed interest in learning to knit. I was so excited - I bought her yarn, a magazine with pattern she wanted, needles and assorted other knitter necessities. But, alas, DD2 probably will never be a knitter. She has a phobia about "sharp things" near her eyes.

So this April I started one of her projects and then set it aside, promising to finish before she really needed them. And, during the past week I finished:

1. Scarf for DD2

It's narrow, with a 4 stitch garter-stitch edge. But, even after steam blocking, the edge still rolled. I looked through several of my pattern books and read that adding a single crochet row on the edge would help. One row helped, but I ended up adding a second row.

2. A hat for DD2

got the pattern off the internet - but can't find my print out now.

3. Urban Necessity Gloves/mitts for DD2

Pattern from Magknits

And there's a little yarn left over. Cross your fingers - there just might be enough to get a pair of little kids socks for CIC out of it.

Yarn for all three projects:

Plymouth Yarn Encore color #153. It's called gray. But, it has a lot of lavender/purple tweedy bits in it.

Still here

No blogging lately and only a little knitting going on. Busier than usual after work these days.

I am NOT going to have my dark green Filatura Di Crosa - Maxime socks finished during November. This will be the first time during a SAM that I will have missed a month. I know I could do a quick pair of little kids socks for CIC...and maybe I will end up doing that over Thanksgiving weekend.

But, I have so many other things that need my attention. [And right now getting ready for work is on the top of the list.]

Have a great weekend and stay warm!!

Young Voters

Yay! The grandsons voted!

Sport came home from kindergarten with an "I Voted" sticker on. The mama asked, "Did you really vote today?" Sport said, "Yes." The mama then asked, "Who did you vote for?" And Sport said, "Barack Obama."

:-)

Buster came home from pre-school (3 yr olds) waving an American flag and wearing an Obama sticker. He wants to be Rock Obama.

:-)

FO - No photo

I was SO excited to finish the pink baby blanket AND a matching infant's stocking cap that I packaged them up to mail to the charity group before I thought about taking a photo. I didn't have another large padded envelope, so I decided to just let it go. I mailed it after work yesterday. :-)

It took a month more than I had estimated. But it was an easy pattern and I luved knitting something pink!

Testing

I've been given a project by my boss that includes photos and linking notes and such. I said, "I think I can. I'll work on it this weekend." So, I've tried the technique with my Flickr account [used for Ravelry.] And I think it works.

Testing: Jakki Mitch's knitting library [old version... majorly need to update the photo 'cos I have a lot more books now!] Hover your mouse over a book cover and then click on the link that pops up.

Yeah, it's almost there.

I'll wait till Monday to create a Flickr account for work - etc.

WooHoo!! I won!!

Ummm... if you have to pay* for something does it count for a "win"? Well, YES - if what you "win/pay for" involves yarn & knitting books!!

WooHoo!!

I've only EVER won anything once before in my life. Really. It was at a fashion show [eh?] at the big department store in town [since gone out of business]. I was in high school. The prize was a black, two piece, knit pantsuit. A size 6. I was a size 12. So I gave it to my sister in junior high.

But, this prize is all mine! It fits great!!

* I was the highest bidder on one of the 200+ items at a Silent Auction at the conference I just returned from. I was SO happy to see knitting stuff! The earlier bidders had pushed the amount up almost to my spending limit. But, I thought - I haven't won yet, so I probably won't get this lot either... and if I do, HEY I'd be a winner!!!

1. Kay Gardiner & Ann Shayne's Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines.

2. Nancy Queen & Mary Ellen O'Connell's The Chicks with Sticks' Guide to Knitting.

3. One 50 gm skein of Knit Picks' Wool of the Andes' in Dune Twist

4. One 60 gm skein of Bernat Cashmere Natural Blends in Coal.

October Socks

Sometimes life just gets in the way of knitting. I'm trying to knit on the baby blanket for the charity group and the dark green, toe up socks for me, but not making a lot of visible progress on either. So I decided to knit up a pair of little kid's socks for CIC while watching a Red Sox game earlier this week.

Pattern: Magic 28

Yarn: Knit Picks' Wool of the Andes worsted in Fog and Blue Bonnet

Needles: size 4 [US]

Knit for: CIC

Year of the Socks (mostly)

I finally updated my Completed Projects on the sidebar. I've been working on socks-for-me and have enough yarn for four more pair. [Acknowledging that 1) that's really not a lot of socks; and 2) I really don't have a lot of time to knit.]

OTN #1: I'm about half finished with the baby blanket I'm knitting for the charity organization that lost all of it's stock in the June 08 flood. That's taking up a lot of my knitting time.

OTN #2: Socks for me [using dark green Filatura Di Crosa - Maxime, and toe up pattern.] I'm not half finished with these. Argh. Should I clean the house and shop for groceries today - or knit and watch football instead? Might have to do quick worsted weight kid's socks for CIC to have an "October" pair for SAM6.

OTN #3: My "car/waiting room" project - when I haven't toted along the baby blanket. Still working on the dyed yarn/felted slippers project[s].

OTN Update with some genealogy news tossed in

Here's what I have on the needles:

1. Baby blanket using Bernat Baby Coordinates in "Sweet Pink" I'll donate this to a community outreach project downstream - the place was destroyed in the June flood, and I read on Ravelry that they happily accept knitting items. The pattern is very easy. However, the yarn I'm having a problem with. It was on sale and a lovely bright pink - just what I wanted. But it has a crinkily white strand that wraps the pink loosely. So loosely that I keep getting it caught when I do a stitch. So the fabic looks a bit 'snagged' I try to fix as I go [or when I go back on the reverse side] - but some snags are not fixable.

Would I use this pattern again -- most definitely. Would I use this yarn again. Well, I'm debating whether I'll make the blue blanket. Bought the yarn at the same time. Did I say it was on sale? I think I know why! If I decide I don't want to fuss with the blue ... I'll donate that yarn some where. And No I would not buy it again.

2. Another pair of socks for me. The yarn is Filatura Di Crosa - Maxime. Can't remember where I bought it at. Not locally that I know. Color is #16 - a dark forest green. I wanted to use Brigit - luv the cables. But the yardage on the two skeins of Maxime is not close to the suggested yardage for the Brigit pattern. Drat it.

Then I worried that whatever top down pattern I used, I might run out of yarn. Drat it again. I dug out Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts' Simple Socks and have two toe uppers started. I can remember my first attempt with PAGR's wraps about drove me nuts. [But, then I was still on post op drugs....] This time, tho. I had only a few minor issues. and now I'm beginning the foots. I'm doing st st. When I get to the legs, I'll do some cable pattern. Haven't decided what - just that it will be an 8 st pattern repeat from Charlene Schurch. I'll wait to look at the stitch patterns when I get that far.

So. I'm off now to knit and to watch Disk 2 of the HBO miniseries John Adams. No bad for a miniseries...and an introduction to John and Abigail. Two very intelligent, very forward thinking individuals. I would be proud to claim them as ancestors. But, alas no connection so far.

OH! Genealogy content: No J. & A. Adams, but, it looks as if Mayflower people are beginning to sprout from my family tree! My grandmother would not be too impressed - she would tell snooty acquaintances who were into the DAR and Mayflower Societies that HER ancestors MET the Mayflower. Maybe. I need one bit of proof tying my mother's mother's mother's mother's mother to a known descendent of four Mayflower passengers. In early 1800s western PA, they didn't leave a lot of records, so I might never find the proof. But. I'm 95% positive I've got it right.

September Socks

Didn't get this finished by the end of the Olympics, but...they're done now! And they're still too blue in the photo. They are really more purple than blue. I tried several different settings. Oh, well.

Pattern: Generic. 1" K2, P2 cuff, then 5" of K3, P3 ribbed leg; and St St foot

Yarn: Brown Sheep Co.' s Wildfoote in Rhapsody

Needles: Knit Picks size 1 [US], two 24" circs

Knit for: Me

EDITED to add: The yarn was a gift from a non-knitting co-worker who visited the Brown Sheep Co. in Mitchell, NE, while on her vacation!!

Awesome Knitter Project

But, I'd rather have a blue one: Knitted Project

Panic Set In - But, Whew! It's All Good

After finishing the striped leg CIC socks, I've been working on the Wildfoote Rhapsodies for me. When I got about half through the foot, I got really nervous - it sure didn't look as if there would be enough yarn.

So, I decided to "quickly" finish one of them to see if I could find another ball of this yarn [or if I'd need to finish the toes with something else.] Meanwhile I started contacting yarn shops in this part of the state. So far haven't found another skein.

But, whew! There was PLENTY left! No problem. Now to finish the 2nd sock. I've got too much to do today, so it's Extremely Doubtful that I'll finish it by the end of the Closing Ceremony. But, I will work on it while I watch this evening.

Eewww... the color is way off. Too blue here. It's really - purplish.

August Socks

These are little ones for CIC, but they ARE socks. Not sure if I'll get the pair for me finished before the end of the month. I'll sure try. My Knitting-while-watching-the-Olympics is going slowly. I tend to either get too involved in the action. Yea! USA!! Or, I dose off mid-stitch.

Pattern: Generic - CO 32 st. for about a 6"- 6.5" foot and using Grumperina's striping method for the leg.

Yarn: A) Knit Picks' Wool of the Andes in Cherry Blossom; B) Knit Picks' Wool of the Andes in Blue Bonnet; C) Knit Picks' Wool of the Andes in Winter Night; and D) Lion Wool in Winter White.

Needles: 4 dpn size 6 [US] I mistakenly blogged on Aug. 10th that I was using size 4 [US].

Knit for: CIC

ZERO

The number of homes I own.

[Had to comment on that one.]

Sport's 5!

Sport was 5 yesterday! Can't believe he's THAT old - that means I was in town five years ago this past week interviewing for my [current] job. And five years ago tomorrow I drove home, sobbing along the way 'cos I was leaving that darling little baby and didn't know when I'd be back.

Obviously, I got the job and didn't hesitate to move back here. I've really enjoyed being able to see my grandsons weekly [if not more often.]

Photos of Sport, Buster, and the two together:










































OTN UPDATE: I'll finish the striped pair of socks for CIC this evening. Normally, I could have completed a pair in less than two evenings. But, doing the striping is SO fiddly. There must be a better way to keep the different balls of yarn from tangling. It was just too much of a mess - so I only did the stripes on the legs and knit the rest in solid. Photo tomorrow.

Olympics!

No, I haven't signed up for any Olympic challenges or projects. Gosh, I haven't even logged onto Ravelry in months.

I thought about joining a Ravelry Olympics group and pondered, "What New Project should I do?" Then, I looked at my WIPs and felt guilty about laying them aside.

So, my personal Olympic challenge will be to finish the 3 current WIPs. That's a lofty goal, considering my knitting time is limited.

[Ah, ...I feel a longing for the days when I was a stay-at-home mom and had time to work on my crafts during the day when the daughters were at school. WAIT... NO!!! That would mean we'd have to go through the TERRIBLE TEENS again. No Way!]

Current WIPs for my personal KOC [Knit Olympics Challenge]:

1. Socks for me. Working two at a time, top down. I've finished the heel turn & have just picked up the stitches from the sides of the flaps. Specs:
Pattern: Generic. 1" K2, P2 cuff, then 5" of K3, P3 ribbed leg; and St St foot
Yarn: Brown Sheep Co.' s Wildfoote in Rhapsody
Needles: Knit Picks size 1 [US], two 24" circs

2. Socks for CIC. One at a time. Using Grumperina's striping method. Heel flap and toe in Cherry Blossom.
Pattern: Generic - for about a 6"- 6.5" foot
Yarn: A) Knit Picks' Wool of the Andes in Cherry Blossom; B) Knit Picks' Wool of the Andes in Blue Bonnet; C) Knit Picks' Wool of the Andes in Winter Night; and D) Lion Wool in Winter White.
Needles: 4 dpn size 4 [US]

3. I didn't blog about these before?? Can't find a post about 'em. Urban Necessity Gloves for DD2. I have one glove about 3/4 finished. Oops. Tried to link, but the page is gone or Magknits is gone - or just down.
Pattern: From Magknits, Sept 05. Urban Necessity Gloves
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn's Encore in what they say is "Gray" but it has lots of lavender/purple flecks. Color 153.
Needles: 4 dpns size 6 [US] --- So THAT's where they were. Been looking for them!!

Photos another day.

Not an Original Idea

...I don't have too many of those. However, I do a lot of borrowing ideas - and sometimes I get crafty enough to adapt them.

Here's one I borrowed from Kathy and from Knitting Geek [Erica, I believe.]

So...the dark green yarn used for the gusset isn't THAT dark. Yes, the cuff is in brown, but it works.

Several knitters in the SnB group that I've started to attend said that they'd like to learn to knit socks. If *I* can knit socks, anyone can...so I volunteered to teach them.

I remembered the photos I'd seen at Kathy's blog and at Knitting Geek, so I borrowed the idea and knit this [one] up yesterday. I think this will be a good teaching tool. I've been looking online for easy directions for new sock knitters, but haven't found what I want, so I'll just write up my "own" directions for a basic CO 32 st, child's size practice sock.

July socks done

I've joined a Sock a Month club again - SAM6. Here's my July finished pair. Details found here.

Mystery Mittens done!

Fun project!

Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes (worsted) in Cherry Blossom.

Pattern: Found at the Mystery Mitten KAL web page.

Rocky Mountain Hi!

We ended up taking Buster with us because Sport wanted to stay home with his daddy.

Buster had a great time in Colorado! We went to the zoo.

We went to a wedding - and Buster danced - alot!



And we went to the Mountains!

Road Trip - WooHoo!!

I'm on vacation for two weeks. We are heading West in the morning to attend a wedding on Saturday. My siblings from California, Illinois & South Carolina will be there, too, along with some of the nieces and nephews.

My DD1, DD2, and Sport are going with me. Plans include a drive up Trail Ridge Rd and possibly camping at 8200 feet. I just checked the weather -- temps on the Front Range tomorrow will be in the low 90s ("but, it's a dry heat.") Lows on the weekend at the camp site will be in the low 40s - brrrrr! Packing wool socks for sure!

Strawberry Creme Socks - Photo!

I dyed the yarn earlier this year and began knitting in April. I finished the second pair for my dear friend's granddaughter in May.

Unfortunately the parcel arrived a few days after DF's birthday.

Fortunately, the socks fit!! [Thanks DG for your assistance so I could make the correct size!!]

Buster's a 3 Year Old

Photos from Buster's birthday. He's such a little man now!

New pjs for the grandsons:

Finished Socks!

Started in May and finished about two weeks ago.
Pattern: CO 64 sts. Knit top down. K1, P1 cuff for 1.5". Then st st till leg was 6"

Yarn: On-Line Supersocke 100/Sierra Color #896
Needles: 1.5 [US]
Knit for: Me! :-)

OTN - YO Cable socks

What? No photo? For now - here's a photo of the yarn and the specs:

Pattern:
"Yarn Over Cable" [a Five Stitch Pattern on pg 43 of Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks]
Yarn: Steinbach Wolle Sockenwolle, #014 from Fall 2004 color card
Needles: Two size 1 [US] 24" circs
Modification: top down, instead of toe up
Knit for: Me!

I've finished the heel turn on both socks and I'm ready to pick up the gusset stitches. I'm considering knitting the sole on size 0 [US] -- read somewhere about doing that to help the soles wear better.

This was the very first sock yarn I bought over a year & a half ago. I didn't know how much to buy, so I got the three 50 g balls. I have plans for the left overs - to perhaps stripe with a 50 g ball of Steinbach Wolle Sockenwolle #180 which is a green, brown, and gray twist.

Flood 2008

The river is back within its banks now. The number of houses and businesses up here that were damaged or destroyed by the flood is much smaller than farther south, but for the individuals who are affected, it is just as devastating.

If I'd known that DD2 was going to take her sons to see the flood, I'm sure I would have freaked out. But, all's well. No harm. Buster still talks about flooded roads - all the detours around town really impressed him. But, he's not so impressed with the smell that lingers.

We [my family and I] all live on "high ground" and didn't have any problems with flooding, but I know several people who had significant water levels - and damage such as basement wall cave in, total loss of contents of houses, etc. It took well over a week for the water to go down enough to get people in from the insurance companies - and from FEMA.

BTW - DD2's camera data stamp is off - these were taken on June 10th.

Lots of photos - no time to post

Well, actually, I have time right now. The problem is that the photos are on my computer at home, and I'm grandson sitting at their house.

Photos I will post in a few days*:

1) the Strawberry Creme socks

2) Buster's 3rd birthday

3) a finished pair of black/gray/red OnLine socks for me

4) a pair in progress for me - camel colored something or other [dang, I should have brought them along, I could be knitting...]

5) flood photos

Hey - I just realized that I, TOO, could have cat photos on my blog. The Princess-in-Residence here just jumped up on the printer and startled the heck out of me. I'll try to remember to bring my camera next time I visit / grandson sit.

*No photo posting tomorrow. I'm off to the races. :-) We have tickets to the Iowa Corn 250. Last year [hmm...I don't think I blogged about this] we left at 8 a.m. for the 2 hour drive and spent at least another hour...and I'm NOT exaggerating...driving the final 2 miles. Multi-lane, bumper-to-bumper. Egad! No wonder die-hard race fans buy RVs and get their on site camping spot days ahead. And then it took us several hours to get OUT of the place.

We are leaving at 6 a.m. tomorrow -- and hopefully will miss a lot of that last two mile hassle. I'm taking my knitting!!

I'm on vacation - yippee - and will be heading back to Colorado mid-week. A niece is getting married on the 28th. I'm taking the car to the garage on Monday. I'm sure it's road-worthy, but it has a rattle in the back - the tailpipe is a bit loose, so I expect that's what's making the noise.

Egads! It's almost Christmas!!

I remember my great grandmother saying [when I was about 8] that the older you get the faster time goes. I thought, "Crazy old lady." But, man, she was right! How did it get to be June? Similar question raised by Sport recently, "Grandma, how did you get to be 60?" He can count past one hundred now, so he knows that sixty is a BIG number. I told him that I kept having birthdays every year and finally got this many. ...seems the bigger the number, the faster they pile up!

Of all my plans for knitting [or crocheting] Christmas gifts, I've only got four dishcloths done [my "gag" gift for everyone this year.] Or maybe 6...if I don't have to frog the two that are in the same color/dye lot as the environmentally friendly shopping bag I'm working on. I'm thinking I'm going to need to use them. Time will tell!

I've got photos from my dear friend in the UK - DF and her granddaughter in matching Strawberry Creme socks. That will be a separate post.

Current OTN 1: Socks for me!! I'm nearly finished with the leg of the second sock.

OTN 2: I've started several practice pieces for felted slippers for CIC. But, haven't been happy with any and keep frogging. But, I think I've found a pattern that will work for me (a no brainer pattern.) I *thought* that I'd take the Kool-Aid dyed yarns along to work on while mom has surgery tomorrow. But, decided I'd better complete one pair -- including the felting process [which I've never done] before I knit additional slippers.

So, not OTN yet, but will be later today. More socks for me. Yarn from my stash [not shown on Ravelry yet] -- think I'd better go with the "camel" color since I don't know about the lighting in the waiting room, etc. Pattern? Hmmm. Maybe a cabled leg. On size 1 [US] needles. The smallest I've used so far are 1.5 [US], but I want a denser fabric.

OTHook: a shopping bag. Details later.

On the genealogy front: I've been adding info from various paper & computer files into my database. There's a national "family" reunion in Kansas City this month for people with my maiden name - and numerous spelling variations. Some share common ancesters with me, some don't. I think it would be loads of fun to go to the reunion & meet some of these distant cousins, but it's the same weekend as the state convention and just two weeks before my niece's wedding in Colorado.

So, I've been busy making print outs, copies, etc. to send to one of the reunion organizers for their display table.

Oops, the grandsons woke up and one is not a happy little fella. Took them to a baseball game last night so they were up late - probably haven't had enough sleep!

Still need to add a blog & photo of the Strawberry Creme socks on feet. Later.

Socks, washcloths, and socks

I finished the Strawberry Creme socks two weeks ago - along with a matching toddler pair. But in my rush to get them posted to the UK, I forgot to take a photo! The parcel arrived a few days late, but more importantly the pair for my dear friend fit! And the toddler pair aren't too small for her little grand daughter. Whew!!

A while back the grandsons helped make soap. [NOT the lye-type] They made a large bar for their mama and each made two small bars for themselves. I had Buster out shopping one day and when we passed the Peaches & Cream cotton, he wanted the green ball. Hmmm... I decided to crochet them each a wash cloth. Buster's in the green and the blue for Sport.

After I'd finished the wash cloths and showed them to the boys, Sport said he wanted two of them. His 2nd will be a variegated blue because [guess what?] his favorite color is blue. Buster's 2nd cloth will be in red. He has several "fave colors" as he calls them...green and red among them.

And, I've started a pair of socks for me! The yarn is OnLine Supersocke 100 Farbe [color] 0896. [The color looked brighter on my camera...??]

Yeah, I know. I'm too old to knit with black yarn. I need really good light to do this. Details later. But, now I'm off to the surgeon for my One Year check up. Yes, I'm a couple months beyond one year. I'd been waiting to make an appt. that would not conflict with mom's upcoming surgery [June 2nd]. Won't be taking the socks with me this morning. I think I'll work on the variegated blue wash cloth.

It's Spring [or so "they" say] and other musings

Love the sunshine, but the cold north winds have made it undercomfortably chilly. However, one morning recently when the wind had subsided, I was reminded of early mornings when I lived below the Rock. I'd take my first cups of coffee on my little back patio. I really miss being able to do that. No area in the back to use and I'm not a "front stoop" sitter.

Mom's surgery that was scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed while a couple cardiologists try to figure out what's wrong with her heart. Or, IS there something wrong. Perhaps the problem is just one more symptom of her parathyroid tumor.

I was planning on having the most of three days to knit. But, now I'll be going to work this week. I just have to kirshener the toes on the two Strawberry Creme socks. Hope to do that today. I'll do a photo later.

I started a crochet project last weekend at the district Dems convention. lordy, we'd been there 14 hours by the time DD1 was ready to leave. Don't know what time it ended, but 14 hrs on a metal folding chair was just TOO much. Just between you and me [who until this year was always a No Party Affiliated person] it's a wonder Dems ever get anyone elected -- at least in this area. Totally chaotic disorganization. DD1 and I have lots of ideas about how to organize and communicate, but we aren't and never will be party big wigs.

The crochet project is the first of several shopping bags that I plan to do for myself. I've made others and gave them all away. Lately, I've been SO annoyed at the plastic bags that I bring groceries, etc. home in - I've decided to make cotton shopping bags and found several patterns on the internet. This is the one I'm working on. Photo later.

Meet another woman who was crocheting, too. She's from my town and told me about a knitter/crocheter group at their church. It's on Monday evenings, which don't work well for me, but maybe I can visit them occasionally.

My next knitting project will be one that I've tried to work on for Months. The dyed yarn projects for charity knitting that should turn into felted slippers.

PS to yesterday's OTN Update

Forgot to explain the yarn's color. The KP's Bare was...bare...until it met up with my crock pot and some Kool-aide. After the first dye go-round I was not happy with the large bits of undyed yarn. [Need a bigger crock pot!]

But, I was all out of Kool-aide, so I mixed some Tone's red food coloring with a little water and poured it over top and gently moved the yarn around. Now there's a smidgen of white left and nice shade variations of the "pink." Or whatever color that is.

OTN update

I've set aside the Urban Necessity mitt/gloves [see previous post] - it's finally spring here [or is it summer now?] so I told DD2 that I'd finish them before she needs them next fall.

In my spare moments - which there aren't a lot of lately - I've been working on the "Strawberry Creme" socks. I have to admit they aren't a reddish pink color -- more of a "coral" pink. Oh, well. I like the color anyway. See here:
Yarn: Knit Picks Bare, fingering weight
Needles: 1.5 [U.S.] / 2.5 mm bamboo
Pattern: "Purl Lace Socks" by Sheri Franz in Socks, Socks, Socks (ed. by Elaine Rowley)

Oops - I see that I haven't fixed the date stamp on my camera. I took the photo today April 20, 2008.

Yes, I'm still knitting

However, life's been busy. Haven't had time to blog, although I *THINK* about blogging quite a lot!

If the grandsons go to their dad's this weekend, I'll be able to upload photos, add text, etc.

OTN 1: Urban Necessity mitt/gloves for DD2.

OTN 2: socks - using Knit Picks Essentials in Bare that I dyed. I'm calling the color "Strawberry Creme." No photo yet.

On Tuesday, I took mom to the UIHC for a consultation with a surgeon and several other appointments. Foolish me - took BOTH knitting projects with me and although we were there seven hours, I only got two "half-fingers" done on the first mitt/glove. They kept us very busy. And then there were the hikes from one appt to the next. Mom in the wheelchair, holding her purse, water bottle, and a vinyl folder with the paperwork we needed to take to - and collected from - the appts., while I pushed the wheelchair & clumsily dealt with my (short handled) purse and (short handled) knitting bag.

She has surgery scheduled for May 5th, so I'll do things a lot differently then - NO purses or short handled knitting bags. I've got a nice, rarely used, shoulder bag that I can fit everything we'll need (wallets and lots of knitting stuff.) One bag, hands free. Why didn't I think of that on Monday? I guess I thought we'd be doing a lot of sitting in waiting rooms. Ha! They were all very punctual. And, I knew it was a big place, but I didn't realize we'd be traveling a half mile from one appt. to the next. Got my exercise!!

In Praise of Crochet

I went to my county convention [Dems] yesterday and decided to NOT take knitting with me. I knew we'd be in a junior high auditorium and I didn't want to be elbowing the people next to me - or dropping a needle on the slanted floor.

But, I DID take a couple balls of Peaches & Cream cotton and a crochet hook along - and came home with 3 completed dishcloths!

I have a new, ongoing, project that I've committed to -- dishcloths. And [except for the 3 crocheted odd ones] I'll be knitting them at work. I know! At work! I usually work through my 30 min. lunch break, but have decided to make those 30 minutes all about me. :-)

I'm now spending about 15 mins. eating my sack lunch and browsing online news sources [msnbc, cnn, & bbc.] Then I turn off my monitor & get out my knitting bag. I figure I can whip out one dishcloth a month at work.

The goal is to have about 10-12 of them completed by Christmas - all the adults in the [local] family will get a dishcloth - even the guys. [Photos posted later]

Dyed Yarn and Other Updates

I finally got around to balling up the three batches of yarn that I had Kool-Aid dyed after Christmas.

I wasn't too impressed with the post-dye results - while it was drying. I actually thought they were all rather ugly- especially the Berry Blue-Lemon Lime-Yellow yarn

BUT...now that I can see the colors "together," I'm actually pleased!

I have finished the Oh-So-Simple Cardigan. I'll get a photo posted eventually. Yippee!! It's finished in time for my road trip!

Now that I have NOTHING OTNs, I'll work on DD2's scarf while I'm away. Hoping there will be enough yarn for a pair of mitt-gloves.

My next project will be to use these three balls of yarn to make felted slippers. :-)

Middle of the night musings

I've got a rotten cold. Slept 3 hours and then was wide awake - the pharmacist told me that the Allegra D might have that effect. So I checked my email and read several news related websites. Then I logged onto Ravelry to edit my needles.

What?? Over 350 people were online. At 3 a.m.!!! Well, sure, I know Ravelry is worldwide and it was 9 a.m. UK time and 11 p.m. [yesterday] in Hawaii. But, I was initially surprised to see that many people online in the middle of my night-time!

Many months ago I bought yarn, needles, etc. for DD2 to learn to knit. She found yarn to go with her winter coat and wanted to knit a scarf she found in a knitting magazine [that I bought also.] Since then, she's decided not to knit. So, I'll knit the scarf for her when I finish the Oh-So-Simple [but huge] Cardigan. When I emptied the bag with the yarn, etc. I found a nice cache of needles & other knitting supplies - cable holder, several small stitch holders, stitch markers, and a Susan Bates "Knit-Check" -- with a ruler, stitch gauge, and needle sizer. The happiest find was the "knit-check." My old one, which pre-dates my kids, doesn't have the metric sizes. This new one does! How handy!!

OTN update: I have about 2/3 of the second front completed. I just *might* be able to finish it by Sunday when I leave for an out-of-town conference. I'd love to wear it there. Better get back to my knitting. I'm still increasing for the arm and I'm at a stitch count of about 100 on the needle. Need to get up to 136 sts. Argh. Easy pattern, but don't know that I'd do it again. Progress is slow. Painfully slow.

Actually, I'm starting to get tired. Maybe if I knit for awhile in the recliner I'll fall asleep. Oh, yeah, I've got today off work, so my messed up sleep schedule won't be a problem.

Craziest thing...it's a comp day for Feb. 17th when I was scheduled to work for someone else, but Did NOT work because we were closed due to the weather. We were closed on the 18th & 19th, too. [Originally I was going to take those two afternoons off.] I DID work on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd. My boss said that I technically had a six day work week, so I could take a day off this week. Well, I didn't argue, but I did have to think that one over. I only worked three days last week and I get a day off for the 17th when I didn't work. Works for me :-)

Can't wait till they can shovel snow!

The Grandsons played outdoors while I shoveled the driveway (again.) If I were a crabby old lady grandma I would have gotten after them for climbing all over "Mt Mitch" - the big pile of snow at the corner of the sidewalk/driveway. But, they were having SO much fun -- and staying away from the road. I figured I could reshovel the snow that tumbled down into the driveway when they went back inside.

That's Sport [4.5 yrs] on the left half way up Mt. Mitch, and Buster [2.5 yrs] on the right.

CIC Vest

[OK - I say it every time -- I need to figure out better lighting....]

I've nearly used up all of the Knit Picks Bulky [but not quite.]

Yarn: Knit Picks' Wool of the Andies Bulky in Emerald, Wine, Taupe, and a little Redwood Forest

Needles: US 10.5 [US] dpns ...need to get a 24" circ!

Size: 2 to 3-ish It fits Buster who wears 3T.

Pattern: Countrywool's PocketVest

Modifications: ribbed neck; I thought the neck opening was too large [and I hate cold air on my neck/upper chest]; No pocket

Knit for: CIC January-March 08 Challenge = Sweaters & Vests in sizes 2-4

Snow

Finally a sunny day! AND, I'm working a split shift today - so I was out & about during the daylight. WooHoo!

This view shows the postal path. My neighbors & I keep a path shoveled as directly as possible from house to house so the postperson doesn't have to go down to the road and then back up to the next house.

Grandsons

The boys from a few days ago. Buster [2 1/2 yrs] on the left...trying to get off the chair; and Sport [4 1/2 yrs] on the right.

Annual Superbowl Tradition and OTN update

Well, I guess if it's "annual" it's a tradition by default.

Just a note for now, since I haven't blogged in a week, and then I'm off to set up a card table in the TV room [aka: living room.] Next I'll arrange the four new boxes of Christmas cards and whatever cards are left over from 2007. Then, with Christmas list/address book and pen in hand, I'll start addressing my 2008 Christmas cards. Yep, that's right. 2008.

I enjoy getting cards, but sending them used to be such a chore. Life is SO busy between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas - and trying to do cards during that month was just TOO much. One year I thought: "IF I do the addressing earlier in the year, then just add personal notes when I'm ready to send them, it wouldn't be such an ordeal."

So, the next Superbowl Sunday [which was during a non-crafting time of my life], I was wondering WHAT on earth I could do while "watching" the game. And, I remembered the Christmas cards. Ha!!! What a stroke of genius! It's been a tradition ever since.

And what do I do if someone moves during the year? Well, that's what large Avery labels are for, right? There are some envelopes that I only write the name on...such as my nieces & nephews. You never know when those kids are going to move again. Usually I only have to slap a label over an old address once or twice a year. This past year - not at all.

OH...and the pen I use to sign the cards & address the envelopes, I store with the cards. Then Thanksgiving weekend - or whenever I get around to do those personal notes - I have the same pen. No mis-matched ink for me!

Lest anyone think I use 4 boxes each year. No...I send about 38-40 cards [including all the nieces & nephews.] Its just that I was nearly out of cards, so when I shopped after Christmas I got 4 boxes. So I won't have to get any next year.

Superbowl: may the team with the most points win.

OTN:
1. The Oh-So-Simple Cardigan. Abt 1/3 of one front finished. I've got to get busy on this - I'd like to take with with me [wear it] to a conference I'm attending in early March.

2. A CIC vest with Knit Picks Bulky wool. It's about 1/4 finished

3. Off the needles, but needing seams sewn - a pair of 6 mos. size bootees for the NA Support group [for the Cheyenne River Reservation.]

First 2008 FO and a tag-a-long

I'm really tickled with this one. Easy pattern and the colors - in person - are great. Photo not so great. Specs:
Pattern: Orphans for Orphans Sweater from Knitting for Peace by Betty Christiansen, pp. 106-107
Yarn: Knit Picks' Wool of the Andies Bulky in Wine and Redwood Forest
Needles: US 9 straights, and US 9, 24" circ
Size: 2-ish
Modifications: ribbed neck; I thought the neck opening was too large [and I hate cold air on my neck/upper chest]
Knit for: CIC January-March 08 Challenge = Sweaters & Vests in sizes 2-4

This one was finished last spring. It's been sitting in my closet since, but WILL get posted to CIC by the end of March.

Pattern: What...No Pocket in My Vest (with Optional Sleeves!)
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky in Emerald and Taupe; with some leftover Austermann Step Melba sock yarn knit into the taupe band across the upper chest.
Needles: sizes 10.5 and 11 [US]
Size: 4-ish
Modifications: Added the sleeves and made the body a little longer than pattern
Knit for: CIC January-March 08 Challenge = Sweaters & Vests in sizes 2-4

Project Updates

There might be a photo or two later today. But, take my word for it, I've finished the back of my Oh-So-Simple cardigan and have started one of the fronts. I thought about doing Two-fronts at a time, but then decided not to since I complained of the weight of the back by the time I was knitting cuff to cuff.

And, I only have to finish the bottom band and the neck of the Knitting for Peace Orphans for Orphans Sweater. I'm doing K1, P1 for the cuffs and bottom band instead of garter stitch. And instead of doing just a crocheted row or two around the neck edge, I'm going to do some sort of K1, P1 finishing. But the neck is not round, but square, so I'm working that out in my head. I know what I want it to look like. Stay tuned.

Oh, yeah. I *WILL* be able to finish it today. We're closed for the day. Woo Hoo! The roads were awful yesterday. In fact Travel Was Not Recommended in the area. We've had another 7" of snow on top of the 5 inches we had a few days ago. Both storms left fluffy snow - easy to shovel, but drifting badly. So - I can knit...and clean. Maybe I'll do 30 mins. of knitting, then 30 mins. of cleaning, etc. I'm so undisciplined. All I accomplished over my three day weekend was watch the grandsons and knit. Sometimes both at the same time :-) now that Buster usually leaves my knitting alone. [Sounds like I had them all weekend. No, just 3 times over the weekend. While the mama went shopping late yesterday afternoon and Buster napped on my bed, Sport and I took the Christmas tree down. He's a such good little helper!]

KoolAid Fun

Learned a lot doing this. #1 lesson - I need a bigger crockpot. I'm not giving directions here. Just google yarn and KoolAid dyeing. I looked at several different directions I found online & then went to work.
I received 3# of undyed yarn several months ago, and I finally worked with some of it after Christmas. First I rolled the skein into approx. 4 oz. balls.




Then I worked with three balls. With one I tried the cold pour method and used 4 pkgs of Lemon KoolAid and 2 pkgs of Orange KoolAid.

Next I zapped the dyed wool in the microwave using 3 two minute sessions on High, with a 5-10 minute rest in between.

Then a rinse.

And an air dry.

Also tried the crock pot method. I liked this best, but a larger crock pot would work better.

I should have left well enough alone with this Berry Blue and Lemon Lime, but I thought it needed a little yellow. So I added some Tones' Yellow [from the box-of-four colors.]

Also used the crock pot method for this one:

2 pkgs. Strawberry and 2 pkgs. Pink Lemonade.



Now to find a pattern for felted kids slippers.