Where you been?

If you've been checking my blog, hopefully you haven't given up on me. I've been busy taking care of my mother while she is ill. I have, however, been doing some therapy knitting and I will have some pictures up very soon. I'm working on my UFOs as previously mentioned so some of those items are DONE. I also have one new project started and finished. It's a beautiful shrug and I can't wait to show you.

See you soon.

The power of blocking!

My friend Joan made these beautiful pillows last week and when I asked her about them, she said they curled up beyond recognition and that they were unable to become the two pillows they were meant to be. I said, let me at them.... I will give them a go on my blocking board. I had to stretch them hard after soaking them up with lots of water.


Look at them now! They look beautiful!! Ahh... the power of blocking.

Another hat for Mom. It's a beautiful multi colored cotton yarn. The picture doesn't do it any justice.

They call it Mellow Yellow....

Another hat for Mom. I think she told me no more hats but I like making them and when she's all done with the Brain Cancer thing and we've moved on, we're going to donate them to the Cancer Care Center!

It's what you do...

Mom and I with our new haircuts!

What do you do when....

What do you do when you learn that your Mom has brain cancer? I read this on another blog and agree that "knitting is my stress relief valve".

The list gets smaller

My bathmat is completed. I was very excited. The reason that I wanted to make this specifically is because I wanted it to exactly fit the space between the tub and the wall. You just can't buy a store bought mat this perfect. It just plain garter stitch but I love it. It is so soft and cushy on your feet when you get out of the shower. And at the end of the week it goes right into the washing machine to get cleaned up for the new week ahead. I've washed my log cabin bath mat several times and they just come out perfect out of the machine. Thank you Sugar and Cream!



Went this weekend to see our friends in PA. Yvonne picked up this book below for a knitting muggle like myself. I can't wait to comb through every page and see what I can make!

So now that the list has one less UFO on it, I've moved on to the said baby blanket. I have one more ball of yarn to complete the bulk of the blanket and before I start on the edging. I will shoot a picture tomorrow to show! I'm so glad to have an extra day off this weekend. Tomorrow will be some chores but some knitting too! It's turned very very cold here this weekend (20 degrees!). It's just perfect weather for knitting.

Happy Knitting!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year all. No resolutions here but one of the things I'm going to strive to do is to complete some of my UFOs. Here is one of them. It's a bathmat. Just knit. I had made one in the past for my guest room that was the log cabin pattern from the Mason Dixon book but wanted one for my bathroom too (they are so soft on your feet!). I'm making progress and should be finished shortly.

I really don't have many UFOs but here is the list in no particular order:

1. The above mentioned bathmat 85% complete

2. Button/stripe child sweater 75% complete

3. Koigu Socks 20% complete

4. Beaded scarf 5% complete

5. Adult sweater 5% complete

6. Baby blanket 60% complete

Keep on knitting!

Last minute holiday knitting

Grace's cardigan is finally finished. It still needs to be blocked but I'll have it ready for her when she gets back from her trip to New York. The holiday knitting is OVER.

Here we are at my mother's place in Floriday. Must be difficult to decorate in the 80 degree weather! All the lights look great.

My holiday slippers were waiting for me under the tree at Mom's. They sure are keeping my toes warm!

What have I been doing?

Holiday Organizing! I've got my list and I'm getting all my crafts ready to deliver!

I did, however have time to create this beautiful hat made from Manos del Uruguay that Mandy had given me as a gift. I made something for MYSELF and I LOVE IT! Heee Heee.

More HOliday gifts ready to go.

This is a wonderful gift that I received from a co-worker Joan. How cool is that?? What a thoughtful gift. I can't wait to put those on my holiday knitting. This way, people will always know who made it for them. Joan also gave me two Addi-turbo needles. A size 7 and a size 9 16". These are hard to find and I already used the 9 to make and complete MY hat I have shown above. These are the best needles ever!

RIP Rosewood DPNs

Oh no. I broke one of my Rosewood DPNs. Waaaa

Where am I?

Well.... yes, of course, I have been knitting but times like these when we're so close to the Holiday time, we just can't post everything on the blog...... also... NEWS. I have another blog that I've started - you can see it by clicking here. If you check it out, you'll know why (1) I have not had a whole lotta time for knitting and (2) I have not been posting on this blog! But rest assured I'll be back with lots of exciting things!

Baaaaa

l

Lamb scarf completed!

New yarn! Ohh, love these colors... wonder what this will be??

Hey watcha doing?

Finished this scarf with the wonderfully soft and delicious baby alpaca!

Remember this? I'm making the lamb scarf for my friend Yvonne. She really liked it when we saw it at the yarn store in Williamsburg. So far, so good. It's a nice small project for the train ride to work and back. Fits nice in my new Lantern Moon bag.

A new centerpiece!

And why shouldn't we use our knitting notions to decorate our homes? They're beautiful! Thanks Mom.

A trip to Kennett Square, PA

So, this weekend we are visiting our friends inKennett Square, PA and I visited the yarn store Wool Gathering. Oh how I wish it was closer! The owner is so nice! I picked up this yarn which is Cascade Yarn - Baby Alpaca Chunky. It's soooo soft. I just had to have it. I think I'm going to knit short scarves with it for Christmas. They had made one that was a knit 2 purl 2 rib and it was so wonderful. More on that as soon as I start. The other pictures, yes... I know... is another bag. I think as I get older, I'm becoming more into bags. Hmmm... I wonder where I get that from (MOM). The bag is from Lantern Moon. It's wonderful. I just couldn't leave it at the store!!

Hey... whatcha doing?

So.... I've started this sweater this week for my little friend Grace. She's only 6 months old. This will be her Christmas present. Since she doesn't read yet, I think it's prettsy safe to post this up on the blog. Below is the back. It looks very big right now but my gauge is correct for the 9-12 month size and since it's my first baby sweater, I will just have to carry on and go with it.

Below is a picture of what the sweater will look like. The colors are very different from what I purchased and as I continue on with the knitting, you will see them. Grace likes ladybugs and that is why I picked this sweater kit. I picked this up at the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival. The company that makes this is Peace Fleece.

Also, below is the progress on the blanket that I have been working on. It's moving right along but since I don't have an intended recipient for it. I don't feel bad putting it to the side to work on Grace's sweater.

I worked on the sweater just a small amount this weekend since we went fishing on Sat and Sunday which kept me from knitting. I did, however, knit in the car on the way there so all in all, it was a good weekend. Sure wish I had just one more day.

Where am I?

Well, I've been working on my blanket and been very busy with work..... rest assured that I'll be back to blogging soon. I can't wait to unveil the beauty that is my next project.

:-)

MY NEW KNITTING BAG!

OMG.... This weekend we are in Charlotte, North Carolina and we went to a street fair in Marshall and I found this. The bag is absolutely beautiful and it's hand made by a knitter! It is the most "knitting functional" bag I've ever seen. See below! I told these 2 ladies that they simply must have a website! They can't keep these a secret for too long!

The bag is just the perfect size. It isn't too deep where you cannot find anything in it! I love the colors and the prints that they have used.

I love the "Knit"... it's embroidered and it looks great.

Here is the inside. It has wonderful side pockets as well as a zipped section for something special.

The bag came with four other items of interest. These beautiful smaller matching bags for your knitting notions! I love them....

And look at this gem! This bag is a wonderful place to put your yarn for the current project you're working on. The top has elastic to keep it closed but not so much so that it allows your yarn to pass through while you knit! Here it is holding my yarn for the blanket!

Oh, progress has been made on the blanket... 6 hour drive to North Carolina will do that.

Blanket progress

I didn't have too much time for knitting in Italy but here's what I've got done so far. It's moving along.