New pictures are always fun!

I've been busy with life. High school softball is nearly over for DD2 and now she's starting ASA. This is another league of fastpitch softball. It continues thru the summer. Prom is done now. They had a wonderful time and looked really great. I won't post pics without asking her permission first.
I've been knitting away on Sam the Ram. I have his tail done now. That's the little bump on the Left side of the body. Now, I'll knit around and around until I get to the underbody and legs.



I finished knitting and felting the handbag from the Knitter's book. The handbag just needs handles. Then I'll post that pic too.

I also finished 2 pr of socks for CIC. That's a charity that knits socks, vests and sweaters for orphans in Russia. You can check it out more at the Yahoo group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CIC-knit/
I'm still sitting on sleeve island on my FLAK too. I'm beginning to believe those gorilla arms. I did finish the one sleeve and I'm on the final stretch of the second. Then I'll pick up and work down the body. I was feeling that I was falling so far behind on this project. But there are still people starting to swatch...so that made me feel a bit better. Check out the FLAK at the link on the Right of my blog.

Keep knitting!
Dee

Flu and knitting time...

Wondering what I did most of the day yesterday? Well, the family (all 4 others) had the stomach flu all weekend, since Friday. Nasty stuff! But in between caring for the sick and fetching more drinks and doing more of the laundry they were generating....I knit this....

Here are some pics of Sam The Ram in progress. First pic is of the head section of Sam. It's shaped with increases. I'm using Galway 100% wool on a size 3 circular needle with the Magic Loop method. The second pic is of the neck wedge added to the head. This has the start of the aran patterns.

The third pic is of the back strip. This is worked

from the neck sts in a continuing pattern of XO cable. I worked the strip on 2 dpn's because it was easier to handle.

After this strip is completed, I picked up around all the sts and started to work down the body section. I don't have a pic of this yet, because it's not really much longer than this one at the moment.

This is a well written pattern but you do have to be very careful to follow it exactly and count your sts frequently. I've had to back up only a few times to fix things. Usually increases that I missed. But thankfully, the frequent counting caught it quickly and I only had to frog a tiny amount.

DS1 is better today, he went to work. DS2 is still sick, DH is still sick...and poor DD2 is too. She had to miss her band concert yesterday and a softball game today. She's a busy little lady and being sick just isn't in her schedule! I think she's had it the worst of them all. Hopefully, by the end of today, they'll all be on the mend and I won't get it at all. So far so good for me. I think because I work in health care in a nursing home, I'm maybe a little more immune to these things. At least I hope that I am.

Happy knitting to you all and may the bug pass you by.

Dee

Been busy...update of life,spinning! and knitting

I've been away from "blogland" for a while. Sometimes life gets in the way. I'm still knitting away on the FLAK. I've finished one sleeve and I'm nearly 1/2 way down the other. I 'm beginning to think that I've got "gorilla" arms! It seems like I knit and knit...and the sleeve doesn't get any longer. Maybe I've got knitting gremlins who are sneaking in and "tinking" my sleeves???
I'm knitting a new bag for DD2. It's from the Knitter's dozen bags. The pic from the book is shown here. I'm doing the On Pointe Hand bag in ice cream colors. I have both sides finished and I'm working on the bottem gusset.


I've also been learning to spin. I've tried both top and bottem whorl. I like both ways so far. My first yarn is lumpy and bumpy. It's the brown Jacob shown here. This was spun on a Louet bottem whorl and then plied. It's 2 ply but very thick.


Then I spun some white Shetland top on the Louet bottem whorl. This was a mistake yarn that I fixed tho the shop owner said she didn't think it could be fixed. I spun it ok, but when I plied it...I did it backwards. The result was a really curly yarn that wouldn't "stick" together. So DH and MIL helped me pull it apart and I re plied it. This is the finished result. Pretty good if I do say so!

I also started to spin a Blue swirled Merino.
This is wonderfully soft and spins smooth like butter! I'm using top whorl with this roving.
Both the white and the blue are a much better attempt. They are about a sock wt yarn so far as a single. When I ply, I got a sport wt on the white. I expect about the same sport wt with the blue.
I'm also working on Sam The Ram. As if I need more projects! I started him yesterday, this morning I finished the neck wedge. Now that's fast knitting! He's very detailed and you need to count the sts frequently. The pattern so far is well written and easy to follow. There's a yahoo group doing this pattern as a KAL. And if I could get blogger to work...You could see the pic! But I've tried a bunch of times and the pic won't load. Maybe next time....
That's about it for now...happy knitting and spinning.
Dee

little knitting

I've been a slacker on my blog. I've been doing some little knitting but not posting much.
I'm plugging away on the sleeves of my FLAK, but not far enough to have a new pic yet.
I finished two dishcloth samples for the monthly dishcloth project on Knit and Chat...click the link and go check out this forum. I think it's the best on the web. Friendly, experienced and inexperienced knitters. Lots of patterns and links and many KAL and other projects on the go all the time.
I finally finished my Entrelac socks. They feel wonderful on my feet! The entrelac stretches in different directions all over the sock so they feel nice and snug but not too tight. I also made these a little higher than I usually do. I'm finding that my calfs get so cold sitting at ball games. Tho I did not make them quite as high as the pattern called for...I was afraid that I'd run out of yarn if I did. Good thing too....I only have a little bit left...certainly not enough to have made another round on both socks.
The yarn is Regia Clown knit on size 1's.
I'm sad today...as some of you know...I work in a nursing home in a mostly AZ unit. One of my favorite ladies is very sick and probably won't make it thru the weekend. I'm off this weekend but she's still very much in my thots. It's a case of wishing I were there and being sort of glad that I'm not. If you think of it...send up a prayer for Emily. She's lived there a very long time ( over 13 yrs) and is very old, so in lots of ways..she's ready and it will be a blessing to her to pass. But I know we'll all miss her very much in the unit.
Dee

Spring is springing!

I've been up early this morning...and have a lot done already. This is what I saw first thing . Oh what a beautiful sunrise!
Yesterday, I told DD to watch along the way to the bus...that I was hearing birds singing...This morning, guess who's sitting on the wire???
Yep...the first robin that I've seen this yr. YEEEEs....spring is definately springing...Keep watching for birdie updates...as I start to see a variety at my feeder, I try to post pics of them. I get quite a good variety here...I think some are just passing thru.

Dee

Knitting away

I've been busy knitting but just haven't had time to post since I had to work this weekend.
I worked on the second entrelac sock. It's really hard to take a pic of entrelac like this. I've got the 2n'd round done. The first sock was so lonely sitting in the bag with just a ball of yarn for company!
Now they can sit together and keep each other company.


Next, progress on my FLAK, I've got the sleeves joined into the round and I was working on 2 circulars together the way you can do socks. BUT,,,ran into trouble when I tried to decrease and found that the stitch that had to go was on the other side of the wrong needle...AAAAAAARGH. So now the sleeves are again on seperate circs and waiting til I get over the angst and work on it again. I know I can do them seperately...but I'm always looking for a shortcut...maybe there aren't any in arans!
Here's the back of the 2 Sticks Aran. It had a different diamond in the middle than the fronts did. I'm enjoying the crossing cables on the sides. The trinity has been good practise for the next project.
NEXT PROJECT!!! yes, of course, I've cast on another! Did you think I wouldn't???
Here's the start of my Great American Aran Afghan for the Knit and Chat Forum on Delphi. I'm hosting this great group of knitter's as we work on the pattern together. We're knitting any square that strikes your fancy, tho as a group we can ask and get help from each other. And it's a lot easier to keep on task , if someone is asking how you're doing and what square you're working on. I'm using Encore in Blues and Greens. This is the Ginette Balanger square.
Knit on...and always cast on more!
Dee

Ufo's and FO'S or Before I start another Project

I'm trying to finish up some of the things in my bag before I start the Great American Aran Afghan Along on Knit and Chat. This is really hard for me...since I like to start new projects. But I know that I must...when the knitting bag is overflowing and there are other bags surrounding it...then DH asks...do you really need all this here right now????
YES!!! I really DO need all of that there! See this project is for So and SO ...and that is for SO and SO....see? I really do need it all!
Then Why do we have to go to the LYS??? Well....see there's this new project that I want to start...
No....I did need to finish something first. So here's what I did...
I finished this baby sweater for a gift at church. The shower for baby Dorothea was on Saturday and I gave the little hat and a "promise" of a sweater since I was behind on finishing it. Now it can be delivered.
I used a light pink acrylic and a ribbon strand together for the hat and yoke of the sweater. The hat is more of the true coloring.
It is the Precious Layette pattern from Leisure Arts. I like this pattern because it's made all in one piece...no seam to sew. And it works up quickly. There are 4 different variations but you can make up a lot more with colors or stripes. Check out the Babysweaters group on Yahoo for some more neat pics of the PL pattern.

Next, I've been working on the Entrelac socks...and NO>>>I'm NOT running a drawing for these! LOL...I've had so many people ask for them...I wish I could knit faster and faster. I've finished one of the socks. It's a fun pattern to work and I'm enjoying the color changes with the Regia Clown.
The pattern is from Knitter's magazine #75. I'm knitting it on size 1's. It calls for you to work on dpn's but I found that I just kept dropping the "toothpicks" out of my work. So, I've switched over to Magic Loop. This is working well but I have to be careful that I don't get turned around and work the next square the wrong direction!
It was getting late and I didn't want to start anything new last nite, so I worked a few rows on the 2 Sticks Aran...yes...it's still in my bag...No new pic of that yet, it didn't grow enough.
Also the FLAK part for the sleeves has been posted, but I'm being good...I'm finishing something before I get going on that again. AND...some have started their Aran afghan, but I'm being good...
Just keep repeating...no new project til something is done...no new project til something is done....AHHHHHHH no,,,I gotta go cast on something!
Knit on
Dee

You Are Kermit

Hi, ho! Lovable and friendly, you get along well with everyone you know.You're a big thinker, and sometimes you over think life's problems.Don't worry - everyone know's it's not easy being green.Just remember, time's fun when you're having flies!

The'>http://www.blogthings.com/themuppetpersonalitytest/">The Muppet Personality Test

Life is happening...but no new pics

Life goes on....we got the new furnace in and it's wonderfully warm now.
I've been knitting a bit, but no new pics yet. Probably I'll have some after the weekend. I had 4 more tteth filled yesterday, so my jaw and mouth are still really sore. But I had to work today...Can't wait til bedtime when I can take more pain killer and go to sleep.
Most of the family has been sick all week and now my little Birdie has it too. So most of this evening has been sitting cuddling with a sick baby. Poor little tyke has a runny nose and fever...just not feeling well. He keeps trying to get down to play, but feels so bad that he falls into things and keeps getting bumped. So he's sitting on Mammam 's lap with his blankie just waiting til his mama gets off work to go home.
I've added a new tag to the sidebar on the right. I really like this scripture tag.
Knit on
Dee

project CLOG completion

Well...I had a little time and a lot of wool...so here's the completed felted clogs.

Pre felting, they look like they'd fit a giant wearing flippers!



Post felting, they actually fit the feet that they're made for.
The recipient is my DD 1, She had to try them on as they were shrinking...some of the comments...
OOOOhhh. they're yucky feeling, wet and slimy! Will they really shrink enough? remember to take them out, mom....don't want them too small...When can I wear them?
YEAH! I like the last one best! They currently sitting on the kitchen table with newspaper stuffed inside to help them dry.
It may take a little longer because the appliance saga continues....now, the FURNACE has gone out! Late last nite, DH realized it was getting awfully cold in the house and when it wouldn't turn on he went to check the pilot light in the furnace. He wasn't able to relight it so at 2am he came to wake me to ask if I would call someone...well...who's going to come at that time of nite????
So at 7 am I was on the phone with the furnace man. The house didn't get too terribly cold. I had my gas oven on high and a space heater. The furnace man came around 11 am and re lite the pilot and changed a part...but about 1/2 hr later...it was cold again in the house...and guess what??? NO PILOT again.
So he came back and said we need to change the furnace. They'll install one tomorrow.
I'm glad it's not in the single digits and windy...or my house would be very cold now.
OH>>>WELL>>>>life goes on as usual
Knit on thru ALL crisises....
Dee

NEW pics and New projects

I've been a very busy knitter....just can't resist starting new projects...even without completing the already in progress ones...tho I've been good...I'm still working on the WIP's.
Here's some new pics. First, the continued saga of the 2 Sticks...I've got the back stitches picked up now. and started to work the patterns. They're worked to the underarm then I'll pick up the fronts again and join under the arms to work the body.

Next, I've turned the heel of the entrelac sock. This is a bit of a variation from the pattern as written. I don't like the afterthot heel, so I'm turning the heel now and then continuing as if I had used a waste yarn line to hold the heel sts. I will return to the entrelac blocs for the foot part as written in the pattern. It looks a bit funny in the pic, because there's no way to hold the heel open as it will on my foot and still take a good pic.

AND next....I've started a NEW project. I needed a pair of felt clogs for a gift to someone who just won't keep her socks on. So for the last few days, I've been trying to purchase the Fiber trend clog pattern. I found it yesterday and started right in! I'm using Galway wool since I know how well that will felt. Pink is her current favorite color so these had to be PINK!...doesn't it just scream PINK!!! I showed them to her last nite and she was thrilled...says Hurry up so I can wear them! Don't worry...her feet ARE NOT this big...they will shrink up wonderfully and actually fit when done....right now they look like BIG foot clogs. and you'd think she wore about a size 25 shoe. NO, she's not 8 ft tall with that big of feet.

Last but not least...I will be hosting an afghan along on Knit and Chat using the Knitter's pattern for the GREAT AMERICAN ARAN AFGHAN.
If you'd like to join us in the knitting...come over and check it out. Of course, I'll be posting my pics along the way. So stop back and enjoy the show.

And NOW>>>an update on the electric issues...yesterday...I killed the coffee maker...wouldn't turn on to make the coffee...and ALSO killed my alarm clock, couldn't set the time last nite...I think I will go back to no electric...it may be safer!
Knit on thru all crisises.
Dee

Entrelac socks info

For some dumb reason, I'm unable to reply to comments thru my email. So this is for all of you who emailed me with questions on the socks.
The yarn I used in the Entrelac socks is called Regia, it's a Ringel color. this particular color is #5048 63151 The back of the label says Farbe Partie. It's called Clown.
You can buy it here
http://www.theknittinggarden.com/rg-sock.htm
but I'm in the US and the Canadian shipping was a little high. That's why I had my friend find it for me.
the pattern that I'm using is from Knitter's magazine # K75 Summer 2004. The issue is still available here
http://www.stitchesmarket.com/xcart/customer/home.php?cat=191
The patten is called A Step Above
I hope this answers all the questions. Thanks for visiting. Please keep commenting...and check back here for the reply. If you email me thru your own regular program and not Blogger...Then I can reply directly.
Dee

I had to catch up with loading my pics here today.
Here's the FLAK. It's now done down to the armholes on both back and fronts. Now, I'll wait for the next installment.



Here's a pic of the entrelac socks that I'm working with Clown Ringle. Purchased from my friend Marja...check out her shop at
http://www.yarnboutique.us/
and here's a new Sophie pic...a face only a momma could love!



So until next time...Knit on thru all crisises.
Dee

Outlet fires and frayed wires...WARNING

We had a minor emergency last night at my house. It seems that an old lamp had a bad wire. GS had been playing under the table that this lamp was on for a few days. We would always move him and tell him "NO". Well last nite when he was going under the table I asked DD2 to unplug the lamp and move it away from him. When she reached for the wire, it zapped her hand and it sparked and fire flew out of the outlet. She jumped back and screamed and of course GS screamed. So I reached for it to unplug it quickly. The the fire really came out! It broke the one plug metal off inside the outlet and burned the wall for about 6 " around it. The fire stopped but with the metal still in there, I was really worried that it would start up again. So while DD2 watched the outlet, I tried to figure out what to do. couldn't find a flashlight, didn't know what fuse to pull to cut the power. DH wasn't home...I didn't want to call the fire company, with 10 trucks and 30 volunteers on a snowy Saturday nite....I ended up calling a man from church who happens to be a fire chief in town. He was wonderful, he came right over and checked it out and took apart the outlet for me. He said we were very fortunate...the wall could have been burning inside because the outlet was still "hot" meaning had current in it. It never set off my smoke alarm...because there wasn't a lot of smoke...it just had fire spitting out of the outlet.
MORAL of the story...have flashlights ready for emergencies...check your lamps and wires regularly for breaks or frays. AND know where the fuse or breaker box is and which one runs which rooms.
I'm so thankful that my GS didn't pull that cord and get zapped really bad and my DD is fine. she had a tingly arm for a while. so this morning I went and bought new smoke alarms and flashlights.
Knit on thru ALL crisises
Dee

I'm baaaaaack.....

It's SO FAST!!!! We upgraded to cable internet yesterday. DS1 was up very late getting everything working . There are still cables strung in places they are not to stay permanently....but WOW! this is so fast!
I'm very impressed with the speed and connection. I even feel very computer smart this morning...I actually managed to set up the email by myself!
this is really impressive since I didn't have directions!
I haven't taken any new pics of my FLAK but it's coming along. I'm working on the 2 fronts together. So later this week I'll probably get it finished down to the underarm part and then I'll get some new pics up.
for today...you will have to be happy with a new puggie pic. Sophie is now 7 months old...the cat (Lucy..tho she's a he...male cat with a dumb name) is 4 yrs old...The cat is about 22 lbs. So he really outweighs the puggie. But they run and chase each other all day. This pic is one of the few times they're sitting still....The puggie was trying to get the cat going again...and needless to say...it didn't take much!
Dee

updates...emails...teeth..life in general..internet changes

First...my FLAK is progressing nicely, I've got the fronts cast on. I'm doing a cardi with a rounded neck and working both fronts at once. I've got about 2 inches below all the increases. So that means about 7 more inches til I hit the armhole depth.
Second...LOREN...I still can't get the email to go to you for the Thompson aran book. It keeps coming back as undeliverable. If you 're on the FLAK site, try to send me a post there. for some reason Blogger doesn't let me reply. I can't even get it to go in my regular Outlook program.
Third...thanks to all of you who prayed for my teeth removal and dental visit. I had a really hard time even going to the office on Tuesday. I had my CD player turned way up and a little beanie baby chicken to squeeze...and even so as I sat in the office....tears were streaming down my face, I was so upset. Even after taking the meds to help keep calm. Dh just sat and held my hand. I'm so thankful he was there. The removal wasn't too bad. My mouth is still a bit sore. but it's healing nicely. I do have to go back again for more fillings...but that should be a little easier.
Fourth....I had DD2 to the ER last nite with lower abdomen pain. Thot it was her appendix...but thankfully not. We spent about 4 hours in the ER...I got most of an entrelac sock knitted while I sat and waited. She's currently home and in bed to take it easy for a few days and then recheck at the dr. Please remember to pray for Caiti.
Fifth...and very important....I'm changing my internet to cable tomorrow...so I may not be on the puter til after the weekend until they get all the new wires and programming done. So if you try to email me....don't think I'm ignoring you....I'll be back real soon.
I just hope that I can get all my groups and such changed over to the new email quickly and don't lose anyone.
When I get back, I'll get some pics posted. They will load much faster on cable internet than they do on this dial up.
Knit on thru ALL crisises.
Dee

Email me and Flak and teeth

For some reason, the wonderful people that are commenting are not receiving my replies. I've been trying to reply to each of you that are posting comments. But the email is just being returned to me. :( this is so sad!
I'm trying to reach Loren concerning the Gladys Thompson Book but the email is saying "annonymous unable to reply"
Please Loren, if you're out there, email me thru your regular email program.
I've got my Flak back done just in time to start the next part which came out this morning. I don't think I'll get to it tonite tho.
Please remember to pray for me tomorrow...I'm getting a tooth pulled and I'm very stressed about it all. So today, I'm keeping very busy cleaning up and doing laundry so that dear hubby won't have to do it later this week.
dee

Book sale!

I have been clearing out some of my books and I'm offering some for sale. Price includes shipping to continental US...if you're somewhere else...let me know and we'll talk. All are very good to new condition.
1. Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys & Arans by Gladys Thompson $10.00
This book has patterns and lots of pictures of cables and fisherman type sweaters
2. Two Sticks and a String by Kerry Ferguson $22
This is the book with the pattern for the 2 sticks aran that is on my blog. It also has many other patterns. But only one other aran.
3. A Close Knit Family by Melissa Leapman $15
Family sweaters...similar, not identical lots of styles and sizes. nice pics
There will be more, I'm still digging in the book bins.
Email me if you're interested. I'll accept money order by mail. and mail them out as soon as received.

I like my dentist...but I HATE dentists...

I just started to go to a new dentist because the dental insurance at work is only taken by certain offices. I went last week to have a toothache checked out. and let's just say...I HATE GOING TO THE DENTIST! I have a bunch of work needed to be done but here's the problem
I need to have a tooth pulled and some cavities filled in February. I'm so "dental phobic" I can hardly even go for checkups. I had to take a little stuffed hippo with me to keep squeezing. Poor hippo...has nearly no fur left after just xrays and a checkup. They gave me tranquilizers to take before I go to the pulling. I'm already stressing and it's not til next week. I remember the head phones idea from when my kids went yrs ago. The dentist was fairly young and new...and he used it in his office.That was the first I ever heard of it. He had tapes and headphones to borrow for the kids so they wouldn't hear the drilling and filling. I'll be buying a cd player and some relaxing music tomorrow for my visit. Please pray for me...since I know it will be really hard for me to actually go thru with the work that I need to have done. I think it was easier for me to go have my appendix out and go for an overnite in hospital heart check than it is to go to this appt. I wasn't nearly as stressed as I am now.
The new dentist and all the assistants and everyone in the office seemed really nice and my insurance will be paying for most of it. But I still have to actually GO and have it done. PLEASE...please remember me to help me be calm and get this work done. I think I need more yarn today...and tomorrow...and maybe even the next day..just to hold and comfort me. As it gets closer and closer...I'm stressing more and more....the knitting will help...
Here's the prescription:3 times daily....
take 4 tylenol...one antibiotic and LOTS AND LOTS of wool ...and wait for the dental appointment on Tuesday. Knit on thru all crisises...(and In MY mind...this is surely one of them)
Dee

Progress on Sticks and Flak and life in general

I've been working hard on the 2 Sticks Aran. So far, I've completed the fronts down to the armholes. Now, I'll hold them on strings and work the back to the same depth. The color isn't true to life on here tho. It's a gray/ green color that is really pretty. But the photo looks very dark gray. I like the texture of the Encore at this gauge. It's solid, but not too heavy. The cream colored SOA that I did earlier in my blog, is also Encore. But it's knit at a bigger gauge and it's a bit more soft and loose. I plan to use this 2 Sticks as a jacket in the spring, so the tighter fabric will be welcome.

I've also been working on the FLAK. I'm not quite finished with the back but here's a picture anyway. I think I saw on the posts that the next part will come out on Saturday, so I'm trying to get this done this week and be ready to move on to the front. I'm thinking it will be a cardigan so I plan to knit the fronts a bit differently. I'll probably remove the center horseshoe to make the front bands. I saw someone post that they're making a V neck. I'm hoping there are instructions for a regular neck, since I don't wear V's. I'll just have to wait and see. I'm so pleased with the cables that Janet chose for this project. They're very easy to memorize and not have to keep watching a pattern. The only thing that I changed from her design, was that I didn't do the wave cable, I just kept turning the 6 st rope in the same direction to make it a regular rope cable. Since I'm already doing the double wave on my 2 sticks aran, I didn't want them to look too similar. I think the white is turning out very nicely. I did have a bit of trouble thinking I wanted a color instead...but there's always the next one for that!...yep...already thinking ahead to the NEXT aran.....they're like potato chips...can't make just one!

On the home front...Birdie is getting 2 upper molars...and he's been a miserable little fellow the last few days....I almost wish that babies came with dentures or full teeth! It sure would save a lot of fussing. And poor DH has been sick all week with a stomach bug. This time he's been down for quite a few days. Thankfully , no one else has gotten it.

High school Softball practise has started inside for DD2. She's a sophmore this yr and played on the JV team last yr. Since the coach from last year retired, they got a new head coach, and she's been working them hard right from the start. On Tuesday they started using exercises called Biometrics to help build endurence and strength. This involves a lot of "jumping around" as DD2 says. They jump rope...then jump over cones...then jump steps ...then jump onto things in higher and higher successions. She thot she was in good shape until she met up with these exercises! They really whooped her good! Poor little girly...she can hardly move even this morning. Thankfully, she said, the coach only plans for them to do the exercises once a week. She said a lot of girls came out to the first weeks practises...we'll see how many last thru the hard stuff until they actually see who will make the team in a few weeks.

knit on thru all crisises.

My FLAK saddles are done. I'm using Galway white. It's 100% wool. I've picked up the edges and started on the back. so keep watching for more pics later this week.

saddle up and let's get knitting!

I finally made a decision...I'm using Galway 100% wool in just a plain white for my FLAK. There are several reasons for this choice.
1. While clearing out my closet and drawers, I realized that I do not own a plain white sweater.
2. Wool will wear better and longer than any acrylic.
3. It's soft and nice to the hand to knit.
4. I already have some to get started and know that I can get this again in my LYS.

So now, I have 2 arans on the go at the same time. This is a first for me...since I usually have a bunch of projects on the go...but not 2 arans at once. I usually have socks and a sweater and maybe an afghan or something for long term. Arans need more watching so they don't twist and turn the wrong ways.

I also finished a hat for a baby set gift and I'm working on a pink pr of socks for February wearing.
Birdie ( my grandson who is just over 1 yr old) got his first haircut from Mam-mam ( that's me) last nite. He's needed his bangs trimmed out of his eyes for weeks..but his mama didn't want his curls cut. finally she agreed that the little man needed to see where he's walking. Don't worry...the curls are fine...Mam-mam had strict orders....only the bangs...don't touch the back or the curls!
He was so good...he sat in his high chair and didn't even try to grab the scissors. Then everyone had to look at how cute he was...he ran all over the house showing everyone. Bab-bab (that's what he calls granpa) was called down from upstairs to see.
I also finally tried out the Sudoku puzzles....those things are HARD!
it took me 2 days to finally figure out how to do them...but now they're fun.
www.websudoku.com

Back to the knitting....knit on thru all crisises.
Dee

Gee, it's hard some days...

I had a terrible time getting the pics to load today.This is the pink scarf for DD2. I'm thinking I may make more for my BreastCancer Survivor friends. February is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Remember to check out the "girls" regularly. I like having all my friends to chat with here in cyberspace.
This is the progress on my 2 Sticks Aran. It's being knit in Encore in a nice heathery grayish green color. It's not exactly true color on here for some reason. It's wonderfully soft. And the Encore is part wool/ part acrylic, so it's washable. I'm measuring as I gom just like Janet taught us on the SOA project. So I'm sure that it will actually fit me when it's done. I did have to modify the book's pattern a bit. It was written for a much larger size than I needed.
knit on!

Progress and no progress

I'm enjoying working on my 2 sticks aran and I'm definately making progress. I had started it in the beginning of January and now I've finished the Left front to the armhole bottem and that's holding on a string. I've picked up and started the Right front now. This aran is knit all in one piece from the collar and saddles down. First it's worked seperately L front, R front and Back. Then it's joined below the armhole and worked to the bottem ribbing. Then you go back and work the sleeves right onto the body. This avoids any seaming, which can be a real bugger in arans trying to match patterns and keep from stretching things out of shape.
The FLAK aran is being done in a similar way, but they're not starting with the collar just the saddles. I'm a little behind on my FLAK. I did work the swatch for the filler and then I worked the saddles. But I'm still not satisfied with any of the yarns that I've used. The best fabric that I got was using a plain old acrylic....OH HORRORS! the knitting police will be knocking on my door! That old Red Heart worked the best for me! I really like 3 of the colors that I have too, a baby blue and a cornflower yellow and a carrot orange.....now I just have to decide if I want to go buy more yarn or actually do the aran in Red Heart. RH has good and bad points. It's washable and dryable and wears like steel wool...otoh....it can get pilly and floppy if it's not knit tight. I'm hesitating because I know the time involved in an aran and don't want to work on it for a month or more and not like the finished product. I think I need to do more swatching.;(
I also finished a couple of simple Garter stitch scarves. One for my DD2 in a pink ribbon called NoBo from WalMart. I hadn't seen this ribbon yarn before there. It has little flags of different pinks. I used it with a white yarn to show the contrast. Caiti being a teen...thinks it makes a great headband for her hair, and a good belt....anything but a scarf around the neck!
The other that I finished is a blue wool with a ribbon yarn that I got from an exchange buddy a long time ago. It's aqua/ purple/ blue. Thanks Marja! I actually wear it around my neck!
Oh, and my EZ workshop book finally came...lots of techniques that I want to try. I especially like the one baby blanket that is knit from the center and then around the edges. I still need one more gift for church babies, so maybe that should be on the list of TO Do's.
Back to the swatching and 2 sticks.
Knit on thru all crisises.

2 sticks and a string ...oh my!

I'm constantly amazed at what we're able to create using just 2 sticks and a string. This was really brought to my pondering by the book...2 sticks and a string by Kerry Ferguson. I was gifted this book by my DS1 for Christmas.
While I'm trying to get my yarn and gauge correct for the new FLAK, I'm working on the Aran Cardi that is on page 36 in this book. I like that the construction method is similar to Janet Szabo's that is being used for the FLAK.
When I did the aran SOA that she had written, I realized that there are a lot more ways to work arans than just all the pieces and then try to sew them smoothly together. I like constructing things all in one piece. To me, it feels like I'm making more progress when I hold it up and it actually resembles a sweater.
The 2 sticks aran is done with a collar that the FLAk is not using. First you work the ribbing for the collar then the saddles and then continue as Janet does on her arans.
I'm posting some pics of the work in progress.
I'm using Encore on size 3 for the ribbing and size 5 for the rest. Since the book aran is quite a bit too large for me, I'm making it a bit smaller than the gauge is called for in the pattern.
I also finished a quick scarf for a friend at work. It used ribbon type yarn and galway wool and cast on 7 sts. Then I just knit every row until it was the length that I wanted. Then I put one strand of ribbon and one of wool as a fringe. Christabel really liked it and it will go with a lot of her wardrobe since she wears a lot of browns and autumn colors.
Knit on thru all crisises.
Dee

A New Year's Knitting

It's been quite a while since I've posted here. Life just gets in the way sometimes.
I have been knitting and wanted to start regularly to put the pics up here.
I finished a dishcloth sample for K&C. They're doing a dishcloth a month this yr. so be sure to pop over there and check those out.
This month is called Oat stitch and it's pretty whether you use a large needle or a smaller one. The pattern is free on K&C.
I also finished my Son of Aran sweater from Janet Szabo's tutorial. This pattern is still available on the net too.
http://www.cs.oswego.edu/~ebozak/knit/soa/index.html
I learned a lot about measuring and gauge and making a sweater that actually fit! This was the first time that I knit saddles for the shoulders. The sweater is knit all in one piece and it's not hard to follow her excellent instructions.
She is currently leading another aran tutorial called Follow the Leader Aran Knitalong. You can find the instructions here
http://www.bigskyknitting.com/FLAK/knitalong.html
There is a Yahoo group that is working together to knit this sweater here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FLAK/
This is my next project tho I'm a few days behind. That doesn't matter...since you can work at your own pace.
Come and check out the groups and join the knitting.
Knit on thru all crisises.
Dee