First of all let me say that I'm glad to finally be blogging. I have been trying to get in after switching to "new blogger". It has not been fun. It seems so slow.
Anyways, on to more important matters...... I had wonderful holidays. Tot was overwhelmed by all the hoopla. She has been a sleepy girl the last few days. What fun she was this year. She is still saying "ho, ho, ho!". Very fun age I tell you. I have some pictures I will post soon.
I have been knitting on my Chunky Malabrigo. It's coming along nicely. I'm not totally into the pattern but I wanted mindless, and mindless it is. I'm not certain what's going to come next. I'm thinking Kate Gilbert's "A coat for Arwyn" or whatever that sweater is called that Kate has in the latest IK. I'm going to use Reynolds Rapture in green. I love that sweater. It will have to be a bit longer. I'm nervous about running out of yarn. I will do it anyway. We have a plan to hunt more if i'm short. Donna kindly gave me her leftovers which are very close to a skein! Thank you Donna. She knit a gorgeous sweater for her daughter with this yarn. I was very smitten by this sweater. I had to knit with this yarn. "Arwyn" is perfect for this.
I'm also eyeing Nora Gaughan's cover sweater on IK. Loving that. So feminine, but bold. Just lovely. I was suprisingly gifted with yarn and yarn related items, gift cards etc. Imagine that.
So I'm looking to see what provokes me that hasn't already. I also want to make that "Irish Hiking Scarf" that Yarn Harlot has just posted. I really like that too. I can totally see myself styling in the Bavarian Alps in a Irish Hiking Scarf. Ich bin gehen zu Deutchland.......or something like that. I'm going to Germany and Austria for Oktoberfest. Ich mochte ein bier, bitte! I do believe I may have been correct with that one : ) I have never been to Europe so I'm quite excited, even though it is nine months away. At the current moment everything I want to knit is to take to Europe.
Pictures of hubby to come......enquiring minds want to know! I'm tossing around posting one he would probably not be real thrilled about. He's knitting....Shhhh.....don't tell anyone.
I hope everyone had a great holiday.

So it has taken me one week to come around to talking about "the sweaters". They were a hit at the party. I loved wearing Gatsby. Hubby loved his sweater but complained of being hot. He got over it. Everyone then decided to ask for a knit something or other....sorry folks, I only knit for those I really love....alot.
These are pics of Gatsby and Hubby's after a washing.
I have been so busy Christmas with Hubby's family is this weekend. Tot and I have both been deathly ill. Seriously. So bad Tot had her first hospital visit. Not good. Thankfully, we are all well again.
Also in the pics are new chunky Malabrigo. I love everything about it. It's going to be mindless knitting. Holiday knitting. The colorway is Hummingbird. It reminds me of an old bermuda bag I had when I was younger. Does anyone remember those? With the little wooden handles? The bag buttoned and was reversible. Snappy they were!

I have arrived......in so many ways.
Both sweaters are done. We will be wearing them to the party. I say we'll be wearing the hell out of them at the party. I'm so in love with Gatsby. Hubby's in love with Gatsby. Finally there is some light. The sweaters are done. I'm free.

Have a nice trip Gatsby. Gatsby is off to my aunt in Michigan for some crochet work! My part is done. Unless I rip the arm seams out for a third time. I really don't know if there will be time for that. I'm glad it is done. It will be in very good hands for it's final touches. Big Thank You's to Christina and my Auntie for all of the help. It's greatly appreciated. I tried it on tonight. I love it! I can't wait to wear it. I think it's so way cool.....and I made it! It means so much more to me than anything I could ever buy. I hope someone says "Where did you get your sweater?" so that I may reply "Oh, you mean MY sweater, THIS one? I made it : )" That is something I really love about knitting. It is such an opportunity to show your work and a part of yourself.
Off to knit sleeves.

Gatsby front and back completed. I'm extremely happy to make it to this point. I still have time. Everything will be alright. Right?

Happy Birthday to my precious baby girl. Here she is at just over one month. This was Christmas day actually. Isn't she beautiful!

This is a pendant made by Moving Mud. I can't link. I have issues. But do check them out at www.movingmud.com. They are glassblowers from Vermont. A husband and wife. They are great. Very talented. I love there stuff. They made my buttons for Gatsby, which are pictured below. They were truly a pleasure to do business with. I would definately go to them again for glasswork.

Tot in all her birthday glory. She wasn't into it at all.....

I have been so busy lately it seems. I've been neglecting the blog. I will try to post with more knitting material soon. I just don't know how exciting two sets of sleeves can possibly be. I do have some great things cooking up for future knitting though. I plan to start the New year out with a real clackety-clack!
Everyone have a wonderful holiday.
Viva Bien!

Tonight was Knit Night, of course. We also had a party for Mindy. Part baby shower, part 30th birthday. So Happy Birthday...a little late. Really try to enjoy the time that you have to prepare for your new bundle. Relax and take a minute to soak it all in. It's such a beautiful time.

Hubby's sweater is 60cm. That's it. No photos, no nothing. I'm sick of it. I don't want to look at it, or even talk about it really. This sweater has pained my body. Seriously. It aches. Everything aches.
So, how long do you think it will take to knit the sleeves? Will they go quick? I have visions of a vest looking really nice.

Here is my progress on the front of Hubby's sweater. Almost 40 cm. arm shaping starts soon! Woo Hoo. There may be a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm ready for some Cashsoft again, my am I ever ready.

The little cabinet that toppled with the tot. This is it. It's actually two pieces. The top part is what fell over. This could have been just horrible. Somehow, thank God, she ended up away from the crashing chaos. She must have jumped or something???? Jars and veggies came crashing down. It scared me to death. I moved it into the guest bedroom right then......doesn't it look charming! I can just see it bubbling over with yarn! I'm only using it for sock yarn right now. The fullest shelves are Koigu, Lorna's Laces, and Opal. There is also Socks that Rock!, Mountain Colors, Claudia Handpaints, Schaefer Lola, and some of Scout J's sock yarn. Just for you curious natured ones. I think it is hysterical because I don't even have one pair of socks that I've knit. I have given every pair away. How sad for me. I have no time to even knit a pair of socks due to "the sweaters"...........
which leads me to progress.........Hubby's back is done. I cast on at knit night for the front. I'm amazed at the progress I've made this week. I have had a serious knitathon the last couple of nights. It's just been Jo at it's best lately! Moving along nicely. I hope I can keep up the momentum. I'm really wanting to pick up Gatsby, but I hate to break the spell with Hubby's when it is coming along so well. I would like to have one finished right now!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to my Mom and my Aunt!!!!!! I won't tell the age, but they look FABULOUS!!!!!
We got you!
I love you both!

OOOOH Scary! This is what welcomed me home from knit night last week! Creations of Hubby and the Tot! I loved it!


You mean strangers give you candy? Isn't that a no-no? Oh well! It's fun! Let's get some more!
Happy Halloween, a week late.

Jackie wore her Cocoon Shrug to Christina's party! It looked great on her. She finished in one month!!! These pictures don't show the colors or the trim she chose very well, it is really pretty!



Mary knits, happily, as always. : ) I love that about Mary.

Lisa shows her Jo Jo off. It's a great color for her, a deep green, so pretty! Jackie has to touch it. Be careful Jackie.....Jo Jo has a way about her.

Has anyone seen Elmer????? Elmer is the hottest thing going in Hamilton, Ohio! At least he was at Christina's birthday party on Monday night! I loved the extra tight Calvin Klein jeans that fit him just so! I was jealous he wasn't all mine.....o.k. maybe not.




Sara, you should have seen Christina when Elmer arrived. Her face was more pink than the shirt she was wearing. It was hysterical, until he dropped his Calvin's. Thank you Elmer for stopping there. We laughed. We knit. We had great fun!

I'm blogging in the wee hours of the morning. I'm not totally insane. I fell asleep with the tot, so I'm wide awake for some reason????

I have been trying to post pictures since Monday. Blogger is not my friend. I'm going to try to get some more pictures up of "the knitters".

Happy Birthday Christina.....it will actually be your birthday when these make it out to Blogland!


Once again....so much food!

I think this is a great picture of Christina! I think she might have had some fun!

Some form of adornment....which of course is necessary.

I think Tonia was doing something to the cake???

That tape says almost 40 cm. how about that? These pictures do not do this sweater any justice. It is nice. I want to meet Jo Sharp. I will go to Australia to meet Jo. I wonder if she would mind? I must converse with Jo.
Hubby's sweater is just flowing right off the needles, I love constant repeats over and over. I just whip right along. Watching with great admiration as Jo, once again, rolls off my needles. I imagine hubby wearing it and how wonderful it will be. Oh that glorious day!
Never mind my middle finger on my right hand that is dangling. Or the wrists that lies limp.
Jo is coming right along.


Look what I scored....the brand new cookbook from Paula Deen. I love Paula lots too. She is my most favorite place to search for recipes. She knows food. Any kind of food. I'm very excited to nestle in with my new book. I love to read her stories about each recipe. This book has "pearls of wisdom", just little tidbits dashed throughout. I want to meet Paula too. I really don't think she would mind. She would probably cook for me, no we would cook together, and it would be big, huge fun! The yarn in the photo with the book is Mountain Colors new "Twizzle" in "Gold Rush" colorway. It looks great in person with Ms. Paula's shirt. Lots of oranges! Nice fall colors!

Well, I'm off. I have plans to knit to 43 cm. tonight. It is already like 1:30 a.m.
I will so be sorry when my little love says "Up Mommy!" at the crack of daylight. I just can't seem to stop. I'm obsessed. I must knit, knit, knit. I must take ibuprofen so I may continue knitting. Will this phase pass?

This is Hubby's sweater. It is the Cabled Tweed Sweater. I'm moving right along with it. I want Gatsby and this one done. I don't like pressure knitting. I want these done, the sooner the better. I think time could get away with these two. I don't have any to waste.
I still love Jo Sharp. I love her patterns so much. They are well written. Her styles are very classic. I like that too. Hubby will wear this sweater forever more. It's a great man sweater.

This is Boy...with my most favorite tree blazing in the background.

Look at these colors. Imagine what they look like in person. This is a Japanese Maple. It's variety is called "Waterfalls". This is it's first year in the bed and I must say it is simply stunning. I want yarn the colors of Waterfalls!

So pretty :O

Here is my Brioche coming along nicely. Thanks to Christina. Somehow she made it click. I've got it now. Look out! It's very fun to do once you get the hang of it. I'm contemplating another if I like the fit. I love the wool so much. It is a constant suprise.

This is my Great Aunt doing a mosaic tray, which was part of our trip. They broke plates and used the pieces to make picture frames, bird houses, trays, and trinket boxes. I opted to knit. Go figure.

This is my Mama.

This was just captured. My aunt who knits, in the sun by a window. : ) This one, she's a wise old owl.
There is nothing quite like quality family time. There were times my knitting was just lying in my lap. It was that kind of family time. The stories were the same ones I've heard a million times, but I always find myself hanging on every word. I love to hear them. I love to ask questions to get them going again. I'm always the one that wants to plan the next gathering before the one we're having even ends. I love my family.

The back of Gatsby is done. Now to do another just like it. Then sleeves. Having the back done is a good feeling. It didn't take to long. The pattern is simple once you get going. I love it still. I love how it feels. This yarn, Rowan Cashsoft, has a great drape and feel to it. It is delightfully soft. It is a great choice for next to your skin. Babies too! I can't wait to see this finished. I hope it is everything I'm expecting it to be.
Hubby has picked out a sweater and hat....all out of Contempory Knitting.....Jo Sharp! This makes me EXTREMELY happy!!! I can let go of my guilt now. He has finally picked something that I can knit and allow him to wear. He still demands a Dale, but will make an exception....this time. I'm glad that he wants to wear something I've made, but that kind of puts the pressure on. These both must be done completely by the end of November. I better go knit now.

Brioche Smrioche. I have frogged this about five times now. I'm not so much having trouble with the stitch pattern, actually that's not it at all. I have done everything that I know not to do! I've turned it inside out and knitted two rows, I've cast on and knit three inches and discover that ohhh it's twisted. Darn. I have forgotten the ridiculous purl at the end of the row. I have dropped yarn overs. YO I've done it all. I love it still though. My pretty Naturwolle looks like it had an encounter with electricity. Aye Aye Aye! I will master this and I will Brioche all over the place. You'll see.
I'm off to the lake in the morning. No internet. No civilization. Knitting is plentiful. Other knitters will be there. Lots of knitting going on. OOOHH I can't wait. Lots of knitting talk too! A gathering of my family, women only, on my Mom's side. Big fun. Lots of food. Maybe I'll share pics. Of our cabin too. I've neglected it lately. I'm rekindling my love for it. I do love it. I love what it means to me too.
No news from me until Monday. Sorry kids. All of the maybe five of you who read my mindless chatter.

Don't hate me because my yarn is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is Naturewolle in colorway "Chicago". Isn't it so much fun? I like to call it Good and Plenty. It reminds me of the box the candies came in. Yucky candies too. :p

Here is what I have planned for "Good and Plenty"......... this is the Bulky Brioche Sweater from last fall Interweave Knits. The pattern calls for this yarn. Christina, at my LYS, has this started in this yarn. It's so fuzzy soft. Love it! Imagine that. My fickle, fickle heart. I believe brioche may beat Malabrigo. We'll see!

Gatsby is coming along, I'm into the lace pattern. I've also discovered why I don't like lace. It is because I have no idea what it is supposed to look like. I have an idea, but I don't know for sure. That drives me crazy. Count, count count! That also drives me crazy. I have to concentrate. I can't just go to town like I usually do when I knit. I must devote every little bit of attention. Strong urges to sling Gatsby into a bag, pick up something mindless. Something new. Something that is fun! I'm trying hard to resist the urges. I can't keep my hands off Naturewolle.

Look at this will ya! This is Dale of Norway's new Norwegian Ski Team sweater for 2007. This is looking great for hubby. I'm playing with the idea. It doesn't look quite as daunting as St. Moritz for some reason. I love the style of this new one too. I think the black would look great on hubby. I may get this started soon.

Here is my newest love. The Gatsby Girl from this fall's Interweave Knits! I love Gatsby like I loved Jo-Jo. It's a pure, true love. I haven't strayed from her since we started our little romance, but let me tell you the fruits have been tempting.............I have big, big plans for Gatsby. I do hope she serves me honorably! : )


This is my that little bird thingy is a link to my LYS. I can not figure this out right now. Sorry.
Anyhow, for October they are doing a Malabrigo knitalong. Not that you really need an excuse to knit with this. It is great yarn. It has been a while since I've done anything with it. I have it in my stash. Christina found this great pattern. I had the book. I'm totally into cables right now. This sweater is gorgeous. The color of my yarn is perfect for this. How could I possibly NOT do the knitalong? The name of the pattern is The Frost Jacket. It is from Norah Gaughan's Knitting Nature book. Great book as well. I'm going to swatch this weekend. Maybe tomorrow???


Now, back to Gatsby. I love her. Oh you already know that. Well, she's coming along quite nicely. Quickly too. I'm about ten rows from starting the lace pattern on the back. The cables have really made it go alot faster than just plain work. I'm really enjoying doing them. They are fun! The yarn is Rowan Cashsoft. It's very lovely. Machine washable too. That's nice. Even though it will probably never meet the washer. I have a hard time washing handknit socks....a sweater? Nah. I plan on getting this done. I have other things awaiting.

I'm considering crafting a knitted boat at the moment. It has rained so much that my creek is overflowing our little bridge, the water is up on our gazebo, almost into the flowerbed by our house. I haven't seen the water this high in a very long time. Years. We don't live in a flood area, so that doesn't concern me. It just really reeks havoc on the yard and beds. I will take pictures in the morning if it is still bad. Or of the damage. It can really stop raining now.