Today's the Day

Not very exciting probably for you to read about but very exciting for us!!! New furnace being installed today :)  Have been just a little too cold.  This is just in the nick of time - low 20's are coming

Working hard to get DHJ's vest done, still working on spell 4 (probably a pic tomorrow), and working on a special prezzie for DGNJ (he's home now so I will have to check with DNL to see how everything's going :))  DNL has had a couple of sleepless babies; DGNJ, being her third baby, maybe he will be good to her and DNILB!  I hope so :)

MDNs are duking it out

I think DNK is in the lead with this picture of DGNC doing laundry - what do you think?
DNK - make sure you keep up the training - DDK is awesome at doing her own laundry even now :)!!!

Knitting-wise, I am making progress on all fronts...spell 4 is moving right along but you will have to wait for a picture because my fingers are freezing....why you may ask?

When is the WORST time for an old furnace to call it quits?




On one of the coldest days of the year.  When is this not really THAT bad?





When one lives in the South, y'all!!!  Lows in the high 20's / low 30's, an upstairs furnace still working and a heated mattress pad!!! (5 furry friends looking to get cozy helps too :)) Plus...it's not "chilly" like it was in Kentucky and I get to go knit with friends at Warm and Wooly Only Ewe and Cotton Too this morning...

Bippity Boppity Boo

Before I start today's post about the shawl I am designing for the KnitWitch (makes GORGEOUS hand-dyed yarn), I have to share the winning photo for today (do we have cute babies in our family or what???:))  I think I should ask my dear nieces to submit photos everyday for "Battle of the Babies".

Sorry but for some reason I can't get this to be any bigger!





Ok ... here we go ......ABRACADABRA.......

This is the base triangle and "Spell 1" :)  I am not sure if I am calling this design "Glenda" or "Enchanting" or some combination or permutation of the two....NFB (aka Knit Witch ) - what do you think?

A little closer up!!!

Spell 2 is the garter stitch ridge and spell 3 is the beautiful Multi Colorway "Capricorn" which is horrendously displayed here ("Fail" as the kids would say :()

I am working on a second garter stitch ridge now and then (who knows :)) - you'll have to tune in to see......

It's Picture Day!

And the winning photo is.......

my brand new great nephew J (DGNJ)!!!  Isn't he beautiful???!!! DNL, you did an amazing job delivering this big boy (9 lbs 10 oz)  - I think he looks just like his sister (DGNE)!

DGNC - you win second place - Sorry!!! (Only because DGNJ is brand new and shiny :))

I wonder if you like your new stocking - you look a little overwhelmed from your first Christmas!!! :)




I am making progress on Jon's vest (Scotch & Soda?)  I am proud of the armhole decreases - they were a little tricky to calculate... Bella likes them too! :)

 And .... Finally, a little preview of upcoming cotton top for Stitches South...the light color is Ecru (buttercream) and the red is actually fushia - this is just a swatch to figure out some colorwork for the design...

Avatar Yesterday!

Saw Avatar with DHJ and DDK yesterday - DSJ was too tired (do we have the plague?) - great entertaining movie!!! DHJ said it was the best movie he's ever seen.  There could be others for me but it was great...great story, interesting science and exciting screenplay (plus on top of all that you get cool 3D glasses)!!!

Merry Christmas (Good Kitties:))!!!

They didn't touch a thing although Bella is now intently checking out stuffed Christmas Stockings!  In past years, we might have already been done opening gifts but now our kids are full-fledged teenagers and we have been instructed to wake them up at 10!  DHJ and I may have a hard time waiting that long! :)

I hope you all have a blessed Christmas! 

Happy Christmas Eve!!!

Presents are all wrapped but unlike previous years, nothing is under the tree yet...it used to be that we were worried about prying kids' hands now we're wondering whether packages would even survive til the morning!!! (Prying kitten hands, teeth, and claws!!!) My guess is that we will not take the risk but will wait until we can supervise :)  Have a magical evening with family and friends - may Santa be good to you! :)

The New Food Pyramid!

We watched the movie Elf a few nights ago (if you haven't seen it you should - pretty funny) - anyway the elves' favorite foods are Candy, Candy Corn, and Syrup (the fourth is escaping me right now).  We have a developed a new diet here:  Coffee Cake, Nuts, Chocolate and anything with Peppermint!!! Back to the drawing board on Dec 26th!!! :)  At least DHJ and I are still walking (and we have been pushing each other to do longer and more hilly walks) - hopefully that has helped things a little - I am afraid to step on the scale!

Question to the universe - why can't my children be trendsetters and want things before anyone else wants them?  I looked like a poor distressed waif as I wandered (not aimlessly but fruitlessly) in the mall yesterday!!!  At least I got more walking in!

Gotta Brave the Shopping Scene

May the experience be similar to the Post Office :)  Luckily not too much to do this year - wish me luck...

Procrastinating our Walk!

We will be walking this morning as soon as I blog - it's chilly here but nothing like the northeast.  I need to check on my family today - I think they are getting a LOT of snow! 

Here's a little peek at DHJ's vest - "Lattice Lug Vest", "Criss-Cross Applesauce","A bit Vent-y"  - I think I will need to hire a consultant for naming all these things!!!

Excuses, Excuses....

Yesterday my excuse is that I had to go to the post office and get packages mailed off only that really doesn't count because it was the best post office visit ever!!!  I walked in (knitting in hand just in case), literally walked up to the counter, placed all the bundles on the counter and left (after paying of course!) - awesome Christmas present to me!!! I think it was perfectly timed, not early mailing like I have done a few times or barely early enough like I have mostly done!

Today my excuse was finally a little Christmas shopping for DHJ, DSJ, and DDK but then I felt guilty for ignoring y'all so here I am...

Christmas knitting nearly done (at least the pressure's off) - just completing a little something for local knitting friends... Also, Cast on yesterday for a vest for DHJ. Started off with a brioche (fishermans) rib and am using an awesome stitch that I can't remember the name of right now. I am using Cascade 220 and am loving this - hopefully everyone else will too :) 

I even straightened up around here a little bit this morning - it always reaches chaos when I am in the middle of the Christmas frenzy.  I can now enjoy the remainder of the preparation in the midst of (at least the semblance of ) organization... The infamous coffee cakes tonight - no self-rising flour planned for this year :)

Why do I always get great Christmas Knitting Ideas at the last Second?

Do I thrive on chaos and stress?  While finishing up presents for family, more ideas are going through my head...one of which I was able to act on...a miniature garland for Bee's miniature Christmas tree...Must say ....pretty proud of myself :)
Sorry ..pretty hard to photograph!

Website is Coming! Fa La La La La La La La La!!!

Successful people always say that being successful doesn't require knowing everything or doing everything yourself, it just takes surrounding yourself with the right people who know and can do the things you need to do...I am incredibly fortunate to have all the encouragement in the world from wonderful family and friends and also DNK and DNILJ who are technical enough (and young enough)  to know how to do really cool web stuff :)  DNILJ is going to build me a website so pretty soon this blog will be reachable through www.morethanknotz.com!!! And when people that I don't even know search for "knitting patterns" or "stitch marker necklace" , they will be sent to me!!!  How cool is that?  So... someone who used to know how to program in COBOL can have a web presence!!!

An Angel, Baby Jesus, A Golden Trumpet and a Bow

Thought it was Bella but it appears to be a two-kitten job! Magellan is pretty darn laid back but he does have the endearing little habit of dropping things into the water bowl :)  We are not quite sure why he does this except maybe that he wants to check that we are keeping the water full enough for his liking!  Anyway, regarding the items mentioned, they have all mysteriously been removed over the past couple days from the Christmas tree!  Bella is the more curious of the two (Magellan will only try to get what he can comfortably reach from the arm of the chair next to the tree :)) so we thought it was all her but ... when the Baby Jesus ornament that DDK made at a young age was found in the water bowl, we knew there was more to it.  Then I found an angel ornament (soaking wet) on a blanket in the family room.  DHJ thinks Magellan was trying to atone for his sins!  Let's hope that they start to lose interest in the tree pretty soon!

She Likes Me - Hey DGNC!

It was such a joy to meet my DGNC - I have only a couple of pictures but hope DNK or DNILJ will get a picture with the secret Christmas project (not so secret anymore - Christmas stocking).

 I am so happy that she let me hold her for a really long time and that I was able to make her laugh (actually I think it was DNK that was making her laugh).  And she likes the snake!!!Pretty soon DGNC won't be the baby in the family - new cousin arriving VERY soon!

Boy is my face red!

Please forgive me friends for my lack of blogginess:)  I won't even try to make excuses - I will just get back to it!

Had a great trip cut 1 day short by exhaustion!  I came home from Cincy on Friday as I desperately needed to escape the "chilly" weather as they call it up there...chilly - Ha!  19 degrees does not qualify in my book as chilly!   So sorry I didn't get to see DNL as planned but soon (after Winter) I will head up north again...

Gotta go test the "recipe" at Only Ewe and Cotton Too Christmas party!!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (Imagine a snappy little tune) :)

Snowing in Louisville !!!  We hardly ever see snow in Atlanta but when we do, people (children and adults alike) dance and spin around catching snowflakes on their tongues :) I haven't seen anyone here showing that kind of joy regarding snow but I would imagine that they see snow a little more often than we do :) I went to a number of great little shops yesterday - I have never been to Lexington, KY and I visited a great little shop (Magpie Yarn) where all the fibers were arranged by color rather than brand.  Jane, the owner, told me that other shops do that too but I have never seen it and was delightfully inspired!

I will be sitting tight at the hotel a little longer - definitely don't want to deal with any commuter traffic.  The rest of Louisville and Cincinnati today - then I get to meet my DGNC and deliver the completed secret Christmas knitting :)  Can't wait to see family and hold DGNC (I hope she likes me!)

Good Morning :)

Rainy (pouring) travel day yesterday as I shlep my samples around (need a new compact "trunk") for the show :)  Chattanooga not much of a knitting town but Knoxville has a couple of great shops that I visited "Loopville" and "The Yarn Haven"  Both shops have a beautiful selection of Yarns (and as usual ... very difficult to resist ...) and Jenka at Loopville was really helpful with ideas for marketing and getting my name (More Than Knotz not Susan :)) out there in Local Yarn Store land.  Louisville today and then tomorrow I get to visit MSS and family...Can't wait!  Gotta map out the rest of my trip ... have a great day!

At the Mazda Dealership

Yes everything is ok but I thought I better get my oil changed since I am a little overdue and about to head out on a pretty big trip.  This is really fun to be able to blog using their wireless network !:)  Working hard on printing lots of patterns for the shops I will be visiting to snap up for a song :) I now officially hate my printer - while at Staples to get more cartridges, I will be investigating Laser printers and the cost per page to see if it would make sense for me. 

Multi-tasked this morning while printing and clearing paperjams...arghhhhh... I am now almost finished with charts on my secret Christmas project - DSB, if you are working on a similar secret Christmas project, Row 30 is a major milestone....

I had better go because I do have some other knitting to do that is quite intriguing to Bizzy-Izzy so it would be great to work on it without having to fight off the stalker! :)  I will touch base tomorrow night.  Rain, Rain Go away !(not looking so good in TN)

Phew!!!

Smoke Rise Craft Show!!!  Wow - was a blast being with MFZ and her daughters and getting to meet MFZ's SO - (yes Z I liked him :))  I made enough to cover my trip this week which is awesome and I learned a lot about craft shows in general.  There were a few true artisans at this one but if I could do it over, I would bring more small items.  Although I sold a couple of larger items (Funky Fringe also sold out :), it seemed as if the people shopping here liked inexpensive little items.  Also learned that I will come up with a few fun designs that I make on an ongoing basis so that I have an easily portableinventory that I don't drive myself crazy over (but I think I did learn that lesson before yesterday)!

On to the next focus - planning my trip in detail so I can actually tell MDSS when I will arrive.... (Of course a little break to go to Only Ewe this afternoon :)

That is an anti-Hate poster in the background!!!

MFZ, another pic of the table and the (now) famous Fabulous Funky Fringe!!!

Totally Lost Count But Made it For Sure!!!

Made one last Fabulous Funky Fringe and sewed in all the ends on all the other projects yesterday.  Cast on and halfway done with a scarf out of Boku...I think I am ready for tomorrow - yay!  Still need to card stitch markers and print a few patterns then off to Only Ewe for a day with the Knit Witch!  Beautiful hand-dyed yarns - can't wait! :) 

Feeling a little overwhelmed with everything to do to get ready for my trip - Planning which yarn stores to visit, mapping out the trip, getting accomodations lined up, printing a gazillion copies of patterns....Just in case MDNL is reading this today, are there any great yarn shops in Indy?  I will probably come by so I can visit 3 great children even though I won't get to really see 1 yet. :)  I know you probably won't feel up to a drive to your Mom and Dad's!!!

I don't think I will get the chance to write tomorrow so everyone have a great Saturday and I will talk to you on Sunday!

Missed You Yesterday :)

Where were you yesterday? :) (Sheepish smile) My day got away from me yesterday starting with a teen whose alarm was somehow turned off without waking her up!  DHJ and I usually don't need to check on DDK in the morning - she is usually very quiet as she goes through her (extensive) morning routine and we didn't realize that she had slept in.  After that somewhat rocky start to the day, I just jumped right in to the crazed knitting routine of this week - 2 headbands, 2 small diagonal scarves, 1 long prism scarf and 1 fabulous funky fringe completed over the past 2 days - 1 more to go!  I may try to make one more warm kind of scarf and hat set which would put me over the goal :) 

Planning my next business trip for this coming week but no lapse in blogging because I got this great teeny netbook ( by big Iphone) - an Acer Aspire One named "Knotty"  - 160 gbyte hard drive which is twice the size of our desktop hard drive in an itty bitty package.  I am going to deliver a certain Christmas Stocking to DSS in Cincinnati (for her 3rd grandchild and the 4th is due any second)  and plan on visiting 20 LYS over a 4 day period - that would be an excellent goal to reach!

More on the trip later - gotta keep pressing on to get ready for the craft show and setting Knotty up!

7 More :)

Two new Loosey Goosey Capelets are blocking! :)  I am on a roll - should I up the goal?  Actually, I don't think I will - I'll just exceed the goal - that's always fun :)  Gotta cut this short today because my "to do" list is long and not that much time before going to Only Ewe in the afternoon!!!  Have a great day!!!

Freakin' Out

Finished 2 more scarves ... Fabulous Funky Fringe scarf not so fabulous in Plymouth Buckingham (needs more weight) ...may try sock yarn next but first need to knit a Loosey goosey for the craft fair - 9 to go (5 days left)  That's why I am freakin' out!  Not really because I know I can always knit cup coozies...

DFZ - by the way, I probably won't have anything for you on Tuesday night - will just bring with me on Saturday.  Just in time knitting :)

I guess I have achieved focus because I am unable to do anything else except knit for the fair (not even a shower yet today!)

Stupid hat!!!

Stupid hat!  Why didn't I try to make something simple with a ribbed brim to match the scarf?  No....I had to try to design something quickly that was an exact match ...you might think, what's the big deal?  It's just a hat - well...I have not mastered hats yet (new goal)...tried to count on the gauge as the rib gauge...thing would have fit Shrek...knitting away...maybe it won't be so big when it's done - what was I thinking?  Oh well, time to move on...time wasted but I finished another fringed scarf and cast on another - only 11 more...

Focus, Focus, Focus

Shopping was pretty fun - always is with DDK - I am very fortunate to not have shopping battles with my daughter but this trip was using all her own money so it was even easier to take.  She looks so cute in everything that it is tortuous to resist buying things for her that she doesn't have the money for, e.g. really cute Vneck sweater at Ann Taylor Loft - she may go back for it when the cash stores are replenished but also a great design possibility... waffle stitch with a deep V, crossover shawl collar....yummy!  The trip was well worth all the ideas I got but this week I really need to focus on completing some goods to sell at a craft fair I am doing with MFZ...the clock is ticking - how many scarves, hats, shawls, stitch marker necklaces can I make in 7 days?...last 2 days I made 3 scarves and almost 1 hat.  My goal is 12 knitted items and 5 necklaces...focus,focus,focus!!! :)

Black Friday Shopping :(

Going shopping this morning with DDK to use some birthday gift cards she has - if that isn't love I don't know what is! :)  After checking the weather for our walk this morning, we saw that several malls in the area were more than 50% full at 6:00 am!  I am very thankful that we won't be heading to a major mall just a small one near us...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

What could be better?  Yummy Thanksgiving dinner, kids at home with us, family playing "May I?" with me....Me winning "May I?" - priceless :)   Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday!

Arghhhhh...Ink Cartridges

Why are ink cartridges so expensive and why don't they last very long when you are printing a bunch of patterns with color pictures?:)  I guess that's a good thing but seriously, I am not to the point where I can afford to stockpile a bunch of these things.  If it's not the black one, it's the color one (and vice versa) and always at a bad time - thanks to MFL's suggestion, I think I will investigate the cost of color copying!:)

Giving thanks...MFS asked for reasons she should be thankful for having to work on Thanksgiving - I thought of some more and I hope this is helpful...You have a great talent and you get to share it with others to help them (they will be thankful for you), you have a great job during this time when many do not, and you get Holiday pay (hopefully)
 
Have a Happy Thanksgiving Everyone - I hope you can find ways to be thankful for whatever is going on in your lives!  I, myself, am thankful for many things, not the least of which is running out of ink!

Itching for Independence

DSJ is in that tricky place between being a boy and an adult man - not that I would know anything about this place :)  My only experience comes from my DBC and I don't count that because I was the bratty little sister who was oblivious to any struggles and declarations of independence that DBC may or may not have had with my parents.  So ... I feel poorly equiped to guide DSJ through the maze of decisions and consequences that a young man faces - thankfully DHJ has a level head and more experience in these matters :)

The dilemna, which doesn't seem like such a big deal now, was that DSJ was invited to go to Hilton Head, SC with a friend's family for Thanksgiving.  DSJ asked very nicely if it would be alright if he went - what to say?  It's just the four of us this year (probably one of the last that will be just us...let me clarify...I don't expect that it will expand quite yet but we sometimes visit extended family over the holidays ) but if we "make" him stay home will he be a pleasant dinner guest? :) DHJ and I pondered this for a while and decided to follow our hearts.  Just let him know that we would REALLY miss him and would like him to be with us over the holiday.  Plus...it's just about the only day that my non-game-playing family will play games!  No problem - (big sigh of relief and a smile)

Enjoying knitting some little things - these are handwarmers to go with a cowl I made - I am WIDE open to photography tips (beyond recommendations for expensive cameras :))

A Surprise and a Faux Pas

How many times have you written or typed the term Faux Pas?  I think I have only typed it twice (it looked odd to me so I had to google it :))  Sunday afternoons are terrific - yesterday especially so... I had a little bit of a short knit group (the shortness not so terrific but I am fortunate to be able to spend time with these women whenever I can) when, shocked and amazed, my DHJ walked into Only Ewe and Cotton Too!  As a bit of explanation, it was me that was shocked and amazed, not DHJ :) I really should have corrected the grammar but, as easily amused as I am, I thought you might enjoy it too!  He looked great in the shop - I think I should get him there more often!  Bill looked happy to be able to shake a man's hand - he is such a trooper to put up with boatloads of crazy knitting women all the time!... Here comes the Faux Pas (ok, that's three times:)), because I was so surprised to see DHJ come inside the shop, I totally forgot my manners and did not introduce all my friends by name to him!  I apologize and promise to do so next time DHJ deigns to enter our domain.  It could be a while ..... 

DHJ and I spent an hour or so looking at real estate in the Crabapple area (not to move just for fun) - I do so love looking at houses - I may need to get my license so I can look anytime I want :)

Finished Country Cuffs - having a class at Only Ewe on Wednesday at 10:30 - turkeys only (ha ha)

Which picture should I use for the pattern?

1

 Or 2

 

Too Little Time

I used to simply have knit-itis now I have pattern-itis - my head is nearly drowning in ideas for patterns and not to mention available time, my hands cannot keep up!  I have seen some amazing designs in catalogs and stores recently that I am struggling to resist beginning (buying more yarn for). My mantra is quickly becoming "No I don't need that...focus on what is on the needles now...keep plugging away and you'll get there....." And then, DSB mentions cleaning her house...what's that you say?  The trouble about working at home is that you never stop working, or it is hard to anyway :)  Add to that the thrill of working in your passion and well, not much else gets done!  I keep thinking about time blocking as an organizational strategy to manage my time but there's just too little of it - maybe I'll wake up at 4 from now on :)

First (and last) (probably) Movie premiere at Midnight

Wow am I ever exhausted!  I took DDK to the 12:01 showing of New Moon (actually 12:30 as the Movie people thought that they should start all the trailers etc at 12:01.  Arggghhh...didn't get home until 3:00 am Poor DDK - has to be at school all day long - hopefully she won't fall asleep in class!  The movie was pretty good - it was almost as much fun watching the movie as it was listening to the screaming throng of college girls reacting to werwolves bearing chests and vampires sparkling in the sunlight.  I was not permitted to speak to anyone around me (and I repeat the mantra - I will not take this personally, I will not take this personally...) but we did have a really nice time together - I savor every moment I have with DDK, growing up way too fast!

Lots to do today! Not much energy....

Fascinated by Authors

This is an author, Terri Dulong, taking a picture of a few of her fans (mostly from The Noble Knitters group which meets on a regular basis at The Barnes and Noble at The Forum in Norcross, Ga) We really packed out the place!  Terri has just released her latest book, Spinning Forward, which is a fictional work about (you guessed it - Knitting and spinning!) I have not had the chance to read the book yet but from what I understand a key theme is about the regenerative healing power of these crafts!!! 



Terri is a transplanted (Boston area) Yankee who relocated to the south so I could truly relate :)  Her charming accent was a little tricky for some of my southern friends to understand but I felt right at home.

Terri - thanks so much for sharing your personal and book stories with us!  I greatly admire authors especially since starting this blog as I have personally experienced the dedication and self-discipline required. 

I seem to be able to manage little tidbits of writing but am sure that sitting down to write a full-fledged book with hundreds of pages would knock me off the chair.  I must need instant gratification or something:) 

I have a gazillion of ideas for new patterns in my head and even though I am a fairly quick knitter, my hands are having a bit of trouble keeping up.

So.....

What's this?  you ask...


An instant gratification design :)  This is the first of a pair of "Country Cuffs" which I am frantically preparing to make my Knitting Class participants at Only Ewe feel that they received a good value!!!  This design will be knit using one skein of Elsebeth Lavold "Silky Wool", has a twisted rib and a bit of simple lace.  I will be holding a drop-in class next Wednesday for anyone not travelling over the Thanksgiving holiday (free pattern included with the class).  Here's what the lace looks like up close:

Happy Knitting!!!

Yikes - Time Flies!!!

I am begging all of you to not hold me responsbile for any typos or poor grammar in this post!  Please, Please PLEASE!  I am astounded at how quickly today has disappeared... but, I am committed to writing every day and I promised an account of my return trip from Philly (although it may be quick - the account not the trip :))

I definitely was running out of steam on my way home so I only stopped at two shops; however, I sure picked two great ones!  Both in Charlotte, I chose Charlotte Yarn and Knit One Stitch Too (another winning name - being a knitting and needlepoint shop :)) Charlotte Yarn is another smallish shop but uses the space incredibly well, showcasing a marvelous selection of some of my favorite yarns (hopefully will include some of my very own handspun someday soon :)) including Malabrigo to which I vowed eternal dedication to the first time I used it (oh well, I think I must be a little fickle as I must admit I have strayed once or twice) Knit One Stitch Too almost was skipped as my Garmin was not assisting in the way that it should but I am glad that I perservered. It was a treat to take a look through their giant selection although torturous to pass up on a Hanne Falkenburg kit (I was determined not to lose too much money on this trip :) ) I truly enjoyed a brief knit in with Betsy and her needlepoint customer - a very relaxing break.

Here are the pics I got - need to run - will linger a little more tomorrow with you!

Family, Yarn Shops and New Friends

What a wonderful  long weekend I just had! :)  Started up to PA on Thursday and spent a knit night with Lola (cutie pie little shop dog) and company at "The Fibre Studio at Yarns to Dye For" in Charlotte, NC.  I was warmly welcomed at this tiny treasure of a shop which was packed with lovely yarns especially Debbie Davis' (the shop owner) gorgeous hand dyed creations!  I couldn't resist a skein of a silk wool in Caribbean colorway - can't wait to create with it!  Here's some pics:

After all this hard work :), I rested and off on my journey again on Friday morning, next stop "Lettuce Knit" in Richmond - shop winning the cutest bunny logo award!

Again - warmly welcomed and thoroughly encouraged in my business pursuits!  Thanks Lynne and Trish!:)  I am fortunate that I made it out of the shop with my Double Ruffle Scarf - thanks to Lynne's generosity, the small gauge version will have a big sister shortly out of Merisoft and Noro Maiko!  They also loved my Lacey Cardigan which, like the travelling pants, seems to fit everyone beautifully (well, it has been witnessed that it fits Size 34 - 42)  and will be published shortly in this one size fits most!  Here's more pictures:

I have limited experience in visiting not-so-local yarn shops and again was thrilled beyond belief at the variety that is offered!  It was nearly impossible to leave "Lettuce Knit" - way too many beautiful fibers to see and touch in a short driving break!

 

Next stop "Knit Happens" in Alexandria, VA - the prize winner according to DHJ for LYS name! I am very lucky to have made it into this shop, parking was a little tricky and I even had to parallel park for the first time in a LONG while - definitely worth the extra effort!  This lovely shop exhibits a yummy selection of Rowan (one of my personal favorites), Classic Elite and Teva Durham among many others.  Again .... WAY too little time.  My picture journal follows:

I humbly apologize to all for my horrific camera skills - I'll get better I promise! 

Phinally to Philly!:)  I had a nice quiet dinner on Friday with my Mom and Dad, catching up after too long a time before visiting, then off to my favorite Sister M, Brother-in-Law D, and Niece D's  house (to all of my siblings and their immediate families - you are all my favorites :)) They showed me comfy-cozy hospitality for the couple of nights I was in Philly.  As usual, I felt completely at home - thanks Guys!  Saturday was a whirlwind:  toy shopping for the newest great-grandkids (NOT mine - my Mom and Dad's), a delicious birthday lunch for my Mom (try a Salmon Club Sandwich sometime - yum yum) and then hanging out with Mom, Dad, M, and my favorite weaving sister B!  B came down for a quick visit from New England - we all had a wonderful time although way too short a visit.  B got one of my stitch marker necklaces for a friend.

I hope she enjoys it B!  We had a nice brunch and visit Sunday morning and then I was On The Road Again - I must take an intermission until another day or I will get nothing else accomplished on my first day home!

p.s. Bee liked her bureau scarf :)

Back Home Again!!!

After a long time on the road, I am finally home again!  I have missed writing to ya'll and will resume in the morning - I am too exhausted to do anything but have a little dinner and KNIT!!!  :)

Talk to you in the morning!

Disaster Narrowly Averted!!!

Good Morning!!! (Clearly not an early one :)) I apologize to any of you who have come to expect an early morning post but I was busy with a capital B.  I have finished Bee's Bureau Scarf !!!  Yay!  But before I show you the pictures, I would like to ask a question...What is worse for a knitter than running out of time on a project deadline?
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Hmmmmmmm .... Do you think there's enough to complete the project?  

I did not so I went out to pick up some more.  I mean, after all, I didn't think getting more white crochet thread would be an issue.  Unfortunately, this is "Bamboo" crochet  thread only carried at one store.  I went in the store confidently and started toward the needlwork area, walked up one aisle and didn't spot it (not worried yet), walked down the next aisle and stopped to look at the wide variety of crochet threads (starting to get worried), turned to walk down the next aisle...PILLOWS (very worried - because as you are well aware, I don't exactly have a lot of time to finish this !!!  Also thinking, why am I using this - I don't like big box yarns...seemed appropriate for the use) Ok, so I took some big deep breaths and thought "clearance section"!!!  Guess what - 1 ball left in the whole store - this gift is meant to be - I mean the stars are all aligned and

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it's done :) I hope my Mom likes it

p.s I probably won't be able to post for a few days but keep checking, you never know!

Not About The Skein

My LYS, Only Ewe and Cotton Too, is the absolute BEST!  Actually it's not the LYS, it's the owners, Elyse and Bill Anderson!  Sometimes the simplest little things can be the most powerful illustrations of character and love. 

It's just a quick little story that hopefully will make sense to the "not-yet-knitters/spinners" among you ... Once upon a time...there was a fiber festival in Ashville, NC,  SAFF, and many knitters/spinners look forward all year long to a weekend of fun in October.  There are contests and lots of cute angora bunnies to look at (that many promise their husbands they will NOT bring home no matter how cute their floppy ears are :)).  Spinners and Knitters all over the southeast (if not the world)  invest themselves in their crafts and prepare their best work to submit in numerous categories.  My friend SH entered such a contest as did many others from the shop...she won the Novice category with a beautiful handspun skein of wine colored yarn!  This yarn is amazing but beyond that, it's SH's creation, could not be duplicated...

Elyse and Bill, being the incredibly supportive friends that they are, displayed winning entries at OE and posted about them on their blog, a gesture that I am sure made us all feel warm and fuzzy.  Anyway...somewhere along the way, SH's skein went missing!!! Emails from E&B went out and the shop was turned upside down in a PDD (public display of devotion) for a customer friend!  I mean, it seemed as if most everything was dropped for the efforts to find the skein - E&B knew how much it meant... Does this kind of service happen at any other kind of shop? Online?  I truly don't think so.

Thanks Elyse and Bill for all you do! 

p.s. Elyse broke into song (and pretty much a happy dance) upon finding the skein beside the water cooler

Girls LIKE "Boys like Girls"

Went to my first inside concert a couple nights ago since "The Cars" (I will let you try to figure out just how long ago that was!!!:)) Took DDK (darling daughter) and a couple of friends to the Tabernacle in Atlanta. Wow is all I can say. Actually it was a pretty nice venue - easy to get into and out of, relatively clean and the water was reasonably priced (not! $4!!! - what is this world coming to?) The Tabernacle has general admission (the in-thing for teens) that is pretty well supervised by the security guys who were about three times the size of a normal human so that they could easily pick up anyone who needed rescuing from the heat of the crowd! Thankfully, very thankfully, the T also has seating in the balconies (we lasted there for 2 of 5 bands) and :))))))) lounge areas for all the parents to watch the show on flat screens and keep an eye on the excited teens!

The girls actually loved the entire concert - DDK's favorite was Cobra Starship but BLG was the bomb! (DHJ (Dear Husband) says I am cool if I call them BLG so now I am officially cool, right?) You're not going to believe this but the girls actually were invited onstage by the band at the end of the concert! Nervana!

Status of Bee's Bureau Scarf - needs something to break up the stockinette in the middle - my task for today - a little over 1/3 done - 3 more days! Hastily dryblocked for a quick look - I am not so sure that it will be a very practical bureau scarf but with a little tweaking, I think it could be a great rectangular shawl!