The Jo Sharp Ribbed Jacket is DONE!!!!!! Here it lies after seaming and blocking. I don't like finishing very much. I never have enough time all at once to just seam the whole sweater. This is very frustrating to me.



Ooooh sneak peek of a design in Koigu Painter's Palette. This book will be available in December. I loooove this sweater!













Sea silk is in progress. I have made it once through the pattern. I think this will make a great first lace project. It is very simple. What is the deal with Fleece Artist patterns making you slide back and forth? I like the way it works, but I'm annoyed with trying to get the yarn started back at the other end. It got better as I went along. At first the stitches were a bit tight, making it difficult.

I had a very uneventful weekend....sort of. No knitting.... that's a shame.

More Farewells................

Sara and Molly

Donna, a.k.a. Glenda, the good witch. : )

Tonia, Leslie, and Sara sharing some last moments.


Sara, laughing hysterically.

It never ceases to amaze me how knitters gather. We are all like "the same". We have something in common. Even though it is a small something, it opens doors that may normally remained closed. I always love this about knitting when I see it happening.
We had a great time tonight. I think it was a swell send off.
I think I will elect myself as coordinator of Camp Maui. We must trek to Maui. Hey a Maui Trek Along. Christina, you will fly, and like it.

Sara, I sincerely wish you the best. I hope that you have an easy transition. I know that it must be difficult. All will be well for you, I'm sure. I will miss you very much. Thank you for all your encouragement in my beginnings with knitting. You have been very helpful.


Here is the recipe of "Gooey Butter Cakes" courtesy of Paula Deen

Cake:
1 18.25 oz. box yellow cake mix
1 egg
1 stick butter, melted


Filling:
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 16 oz. box confectioner's sugar
1 stick butter, melted


Preheat oven to 350`
Lightly frease a 13x9x2 in. pan.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine cake mix, egg, and butter. Mix well. Pat into bottom of cake pan and set aside.
Still using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth; add eggs and vanilla. Dump in confectioners' sugar and beat well. Reduce speed of mixer and slowly pour in butter. Mix well. Pour filling onto cake mixture and spread evenly. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Check the cooking time. You want the center to be a little gooey so don't bake past that point. Allow to cool before slicing.

Farewell to our dear Sara! What will we do without her to brighten our days? Seriously?


Sara laughing at the ongoings!

Everyone digging in! There was quite a spread of food. We ate. Ate some more.

This photo is of Rita's fabulous veggie tale. It had such great details! Potatoes as islands with carrot and green pepper palm trees, little sail boats with cheese flags, little radish mice. Even a cucumber shark. It was really very cool. This is also the same woman who "claims" to not be a knitter. I have been told she knits beautifully.

Leslie assuring Sara that her seashell bra will fit wonderfully!



Christina and leslie scoping out the food options.

ahhh peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! (way too much Sesame Street in my life) : ) I have been working on Jo baby and she is almost done. I'm on the collar. I'm slowed down by the change to a dk weight yarn, but there is progress. The collar has actually grown to a near 70 cm. Woo hoo! Only about 70 more to go. I will not knit the Ribbed Jacket twice. I'm very sick of ribbing. I just want to knit around and around for a moment please.

A friend and I went to Yellow Springs this weekend for "A Wool Gathering" fiber festival. I used to love Yellow Springs so. For some reason it didn't have the same sort of magic it used to have. Or maybe it has something to do with me being about twice the age I was then. The festival was just okay, it was geared more toward spinners. I don't have the strength for that yet. I'm enticed by it, but after I start thinking of the whole process of plying and all that, I say forget it. I will knit whatever is spun for me. Thank you very much. I did manange to snag some Seasilk and some sock yarn from Fleece Artist. I was happy with that. I've eyed the Seasilk for some time so I was glad to get to actually see it in person. The Storm Shawl by Fleece Artist will be my first lace project. I read somewhere that after two repeats you can do it from memory. That sounds easy enough to me. I'm thinking of getting it started next as mindless knitting. I'm still trying to force myself to begin Dale.....again :p

I must knit this........I'm being hounded by my husband to "finish" his sweater. This is his sweater.

Come on! Take a closer look. This is purely knitted shit. Sara I am sorry I wasted your time picking this back. You see, not only did I knit this far this crappy, I even went as far as starting the fair isle. I knitted away knowing it looked like crap, knowing I had already made many mistakes. Why did I just keep knitting like it was just perfect????? I haven't been able to make myself even look at it again until just now, the same time as you. It's a mockery of a lovely sweater. I'm glad that I have progressed somewhat to be able to call it bad knitting, very bad knitting, when it is.
Anyhow, let's get on with the story of this sweater. It's to be St. Moritz, Dale of Norway. You all know the one.Harlot has mentioned it a time or two. I love it. I want to knit it right. I would like to finish it by December. I don't know if I can or not. I'm haunted by it. Hubby speaks of it way too often. The steeks creep up on me when I start thinking of it and I shudder at the thoughts. The Harlot suggests cocktails prior to the first cut. Preferrably a stiff one. Not too many though. She told me so herself. Maybe there could be a steek cutting party??? Maybe a steek recovery area? It's not the actual cutting that bothers me, it's the cutting of the exact measurement that scares me. Where to cut exactly. I think I will need some moral support on this one. May the force be with me. Or something like that.

I love that she has an interest in nature. She looks at these and says "flower,pretty"! So cute!

Everytime I open my book to check my pattern for the Ribbed Jacket, this sweater is staring me down. It's calling to me. It's really starting to annoy me with how much it calls. It is threatening to jump in line in front of others.


Have I mentioned how much I love Jo Sharp lately? This woman must be a very wise woman. The yarn is splendid. It has just a touch of color suprise in it that I don't get bored knitting so much with a solid. I am very ready to be done with the sleeves though, I must admit. I'm ready to get this one done. I'm proud of my loyalty to it. I have only been taunted a time or two, but I've remained strong and true to the Ribbed Jacket.

Peek a Boo through the hydrangeas. I love that!

Proud recipient of new socks : )

I love when the mojo rubs off on to others....especially those close to me. One trip to the yarn shop with me when we went to Indianapolis is all it took. She bought needles and some yarn for dishclothes. She's hooked. The end.

OOOH MY Newest Love...
This is going to be the Ribbed Wrap Jacket from Jo Sharp's Contemporary Knitting Book. This yarn is so delightful in every way. I Love It! I can't wait to finish this. I have been working on it as much as I can. It will be a great sweater for the fall. I knit the majority of this on the way home from the lake.
The weekend was good. The company was good. The time was too short. Back to the humdrum of everyday life. I'm glad to see the first hints of cool weather. I love fall and all it brings with it. I love sweatshirts and jeans and rainy fall days. I love the campfire smell that seems to linger in the air during fall. I love that blue, blue sky on a sunny, fall day. It never seems that blue any other time.
Welcome Autumn!!!!

This is my Clapotis. I know it has already had it's day....but I wanted one! It is knit with Noro Silver Thaw. I really enjoyed knitting it, it became so mindless. I like that kind of knitting during the day. The yarn was quite nice. I love the way it feels and the drape of the fabric. This will be warm, yet lightweight. I haven't finished all the drops yet. I don't like doing that. No explanation.

This is my Blue Moon Swirly wrap. It is fun in a swirly wrap kind of way. I knit like a mad woman on it. I'm hoping it will shape up with some blocking. This was not an exciting knit. Repetitive, boring. The yarn was much, much fun though. I want to start a Blue Moon sock very badly. That is going to be a treat. I must finish up some other things first.
In non-knitting news....my little tot had her first gymnastics class this week. Oh what a hoot! Just imagine eight little girls from 18 months to 3 years jumping on a trampoline. This is unbelievably chaotic to me. Most of these children are performing the tasks with some help. Mine,however, is running a muck. This is my reason for taking her to class. I feel some socialization skills would be very beneficial at this age. These are the "most" formative years....right? I'm trying to find ways for her to express some of her energy. Some acquired listening skills might not be so bad either. We'll see.

Off to the lake for as much knitting time as I can possibly get.
Safe Holiday to all!

Links, Links, Links......I think I can do it thanks to Tonia
Woo Hoo I did it!
Knitting photos eh? I shall share some things of my knitting journey : )
I made this entrelac bag last summer. The yarn is Manos Del Uruguay. It would still like some handles.

This was my olympic project. I was so proud of it at the time. I see it now with it's flaws, I will not let that impair my judgement of it's worth. I may have developed arthritis knitting it, I may exceed normal human body temperature when wearing it, but I will wear it! Yes I knitted it in the time allowed but I did not come near the podium with this baby! I will commit to hard work and training for the next winter olympics : )
In my latest knitting adventures...a pair of socks knitted for my sister-in-law. I got this on sale at my LYS Opal six ply. Also in this pic is my Norwegian mitten from Stitches. LOVE the mitten!Again I must say what a great class and excellent teacher with Beth Brown-Reinsel.What a kind person!


I also have pics of my Blue Moon Swirly Wrap .....but blogger does not want to cooperate. I have tried like five times to post the rest of my pics. Did I mention I do not like blogger so well? I will try again later.

Hail to the King......of frickin Applebee's. If you do not have children you may teeter with this one, but give me a break already! O.k. Lexi is 21 months old. She lets out unpredictable bursts of sound whenever she feels fit. I have no control over this. I cannot beat her into submission? Whatever. Anyway this asshole,seriously he was, two tables away turns around and tells me "She is really just too loud."
I reply with "Really, would you like me to put her muzzle on her?"
He says "That would be nice"
The nice asshole man turns back around.
I say "You were this age once as well Sir."
He says "She's ruining everyone's dinner." and proceeds to ask the other people in the restaurant if "she" is ruining their dinner.
I'm about to send my little rice bowl flying through the air at this point.
All the little customers say "she" is not ruining their dinner.
He,asshole man, says "she" needs some discipline.
I then tell nice asshole man that "he needs to mind his own damn business."
Asshole man obviously has no children, or is he ever subjected to any. He is dining with his very elderly parents, who agreed with everything he said, with their little head nods.
I'm back to flying rice bowls again.
Lexi lets out a few more squeals for pleasure, and I ease on out.
Really was that sooo necessary. I will admit when I have a naught child. Naught she was not. I believe it was very normal two year old behavior. I apologize to the world for not raising a "Nell".

Why are my posts so jacked up?
I must learn to blog properly.

Blue Moon Fiberart
need I say more. Hello?
Where the hell have I
been? These girls know
socks. I got the new book
"Fair Isle on Blue Moon"
Two hanks lightweight
and four hanks of mediumweight.
On the left is 100%
Bamboo. I believe they
call it Habu? This wants
to be a "so yummy"
tank they had on
display. It is so "yummy"!
On the top are four hanks
Kidmo and one hank
of Rio, it is a silky, shiny,
thin weird like stuff.
That will all make the
Swirly wrap shawl. I
also bought some yarn
for two pairs of mittens
which will not be making
an appearance today.

Philosopher's wool. What
a sweet and lovely woman
Anne Bourgeois is in person.
I am obsessed, not really,
but I like their things for their
simplicity. I dig that. Their
wool is very "raw" in it's
finished product. It is an
acquired taste. I chose the
Mandala kit in the colorway
Fall. I will say there are
many items ahead of this.

My newest love, that remains
untouched. Koigu Oriental Jacket.
Ahhhh I want that is all
I could say, I told Sara
I have to think about it.
Let's see five minutes. O.K.
I'll take it. With No restraint
from others! Thanks for nothing!
: )
I love it, love it. I plan on it
appearing soon, really soon.
I can't wait to get my hands on it.
I don't know why I have grieved
over this purchase, it is
truly amazing when done.




















































Happy little bag I made

the night before leaving.

Full of Blue Moon sock yarn.

Happy, happy bag.

eight skeins of Koigu







Ozark Handspun
I am a yarn tease.....and a yarn whore.....and a yarn snob. I thought this had already been established. : )
Before my stash makes it's grand debut, I must comment on my thoughts of the market. I am a fairly new knitter, this was my first "market" experience of this size. All I could say when I walked through the doors "OH MY, OH MY!" I am in serious trouble. There was yarn everywhere, many very tempting yarns. I honestly did not know which direction to head first, so I just dove right in.
My first purchase, which I later questioned the validity of, was some Ozark homespun jazz that I like to describe as puffballs. This is what you see above. I was taken by it's wooliness and untamed strands. I hate scarves but it would make a nice one. I see it as decoration in my home, lying in a bowl.

I had so much fun soaking everything up. There were some very talented artists. Some very beautiful yarns. I bought a shawl pin from Moving Mud. Very unique blown glass. Beautiful buttons and pins. They do have a website, but I have no clue how to link yet. Sorry, I'm a dork.

I bought a few books, Traditional Gansey's by Beth Brown-Reinsle

Hot Knits by Melissa Leapman

I also bought "Knitting Nell" for my wee one.

I truly had a great weekend.

Off to Baltimore?

Alrighty then!!!! I'm back from Stitches Midwest. I must say I had the most lovely time! Friday night myself and the girls from the yarn shop, Lambikin's Hideaway. Donna's daughter took us to Greektown to a great restaurant "Greek Islands". The food was delicious, the company was great, the train ride was well.....let's just say it derailed sometime early the very next morning. Imagine that?
Anywhoo most of my classes were just o.k. however my norwegian mitten class with Beth Brown-Reinsel was wonderful! I almost completed one mitten in class. This little mitten brings me much joy! Kudos to Beth for a great class! I would love to take more with her.
I also had classes with Edie Eckman. I didn't feel the love so much with these. Sorry Edie. I did learn a great way to seam, but that's about it. I wasn't feeling a connection with her at all. She is very nice. I just don't think her way of teaching was my way of learning.
I feel that these classes need to be rated in some way for beginner to advanced. I believe that would make selections of classes much easier. I think alot of my problem in Edie's classes was boredom. So better choices if I go next year.
I musn't fail to mention the highlight of the whole weekend...The Beatles Convention was being held at the hotel....oh my I lost track of the John's and Paul's that I saw in my first twenty minutes in the lobby. The Beatles were being played throughout the hotel as well as by the look alikes that were EVERYWHERE!!!!! I do mean everywhere. They had everything Beatles! It did make for good entertainment for Saturday night knitting. Unbelievable I'm telling you, you had to experience it.
O.K. already are you wishing I'd get to the good stuff? My lovely new stash enhancements!!!!
Be patient my pretties because you will have to come back for more. Hah!
My dog he lies dead.

I did not teach her this....on purpose. Monkey see. Monkey do.

Miss Gypsy in the background, wondering what all the fuss is about.

Oh yeahhh, I really do have a blog. I really did post on Annie's site.... I must have blocked it all somehow. : )
I will post again because I have something to be excited about....Stitches Midwest!
This will be my first "knitting convention" type event. I'm looking very forward to it. Just being in Chicago works for me. Not to mention a weekend totally to myself. That is just going to be Fabulous! Knitting, shopping, dining....what more could you ask for? I'm contemplating an extra suitcase for my purchases. I've really been trying to conserve until this coming weekend. I'm sure there will be many temptations.
O.K. Boring to all who aren't going! I'll post after I get back with some lovely pics of my finds!