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!

Yep - Two Cats!

Growing up I was severely allergic to cats... Several of my closest friends had cats and I would load up on sudafed before spending the night and still come back home with red, itchy eyes and stuffy head, nose, etc! Only because I love them so dearly (the friends, not the cats) did I keep going back for more torture!

After many years, I went to the home of a new friend, saw this beautiful, big fluffy mess of a cat (Putz :)) and braced myself for the worst...nothing happened!!! I come to find out that the Ragdoll breed is relatively hypoallergenic and after much looking, I found Magellan. He is a big (already, at only 7 months - I am guess-timating close to 10 pounds) blue mitted ragdoll. He is laid back but funny to watch and does get playful once or twice a day. Okay, so that's number 1. After a visit to BFFLL and her family, I discovered that only short-haired cats bothered me...so, because Magellan (aka, Jelly, Gellan, Jelly Belly) needed a kitten friend, we (really I but thanks DHJ!) decided to rescue a sweet little (less than a pound when we got her) tortie mix. She is very affectionate, purr-filled (can purr and play at the same time - but I don't know, maybe that's not a big deal :)) but she does cause a little more trouble than Jelly around the yarn...the birth of stealth knitting!

My only issue is they don't like their baths very much....

How does a dog lover end up with 2 cats? :)

The Yarn Hunter is back!!! When I picked Bella up yesterday, she was raring to go - hungry, happy and ready to be home with her pack (Magellan, Zoe, Bailey and Riley) The vet didn't think that her pukiness yesterday was a reaction to the three vaccines she had, just general nervousness and anxiety (help - that better not be a trend).

Although Magellan is looking a little bit menacing (his beautiful blue eyes are not that photogenic), he was actually hugging her as they napped! Once she got home, she did kind of wipe out* and today she seems a little sore - the typical rough-housing with Magellan (Jelly Belly) was met with a few hisses, very uncharacteristic of the little sweet girl. Hopefully she'll feel better soon.

* So exhausted .... fell asleep on the back of my chair and fell off!!! (That's #2 of 9 Isabella, you better watch out)

I'll tell you the story of getting 2 cats tomorrow - don't want to bore you with too much at one time!





Here's Bee's Bureau scarf 15" W X 9" L so far (about 1/4 of the way so I think I'll make it :))
I think I need to put some stockinette stitch in the middle - it's really a little too lacy for a bureau scarf!

The Best Laid Plans...

I had planned to write about "The Yarn Hunter" today but she's not feeling so good. Needed vaccines and I had to take her back to the vet because breakfast reappeared (trying to be delicate :)) All of Isabella's furry family was very worried - animals can be so loving...

Knitting-wise: blocking Lacey Cardigan - Yay! And because I don't have enough knitting projects going right now and because I love to work under pressure, I started a design for a gift for my Mom's birthday coming up next weekend. It has been in my head for a long time but hasn't made it to paper. Mom has always liked to have bureau scarves on the dressers so I thought I would design a lace one (out of bamboo) - we'll see if I can pull this one out of the hat...I have 6 days counting today!!! I will show you when I have more than a swatch done :)

I also will let you know how Bella is ...

Off on Saturday errands!

How thick is your blood?

For those of you who don't know, my family hails from the north. We like to call ourselves "yankee transplants"! It sure was a brisk walk this morning at 38 degrees...who would have thought that, being northern-born, I would be freezing at that temperature? We spent years managing happily in close to zero, windy, slushy, rainy, snowy, "you name it" kind of weather and now, temps lower than 70 bring me to my knees (or my sweater closet actually)! My blood has most certainly thinned - perhaps it is a self-induced psychological ploy to wear more cozy sweaters and other handknitted goods :) Now that the closet is full and I almost only wear things once a season, I have had to branch out to designing these comforting woolies so that others may come to feel the wonder of making and wearing non-mass produced winter wear!!! Don't get me wrong, there are ways to wear knits in the heat of Atlanta summers as well - we'll talk about that then.

More soon Friends!

Followers!!!

I was sooooo excited when I signed on this morning and received the most wonderful surprise of seeing followers on my blog! :) To all of you, I appreciate your love and support so much - I am committed to doing my best to make this fun for you.

I am knitting like crazy (what else is new :))! A couple of projects that I am finishing up are my Lacey Shawl Cardi and Easy Peasy Baby Jacket and Hat. I should have the patterns completed, with proper photos early next week. I am embarrassed about my photography skills, please bear with me as I get better :)

Here's Lacey:

and Easy Peasy:
































I have included a few pictures below of patterns that are available now (or as close to now when I figure out how to get them on Ravelry, the facebook of the knitting community, for those who haven't been bitten by the bug)

Cabled Shoulder Capelet :

1 Skein Ridges and Lace Scarf:

Zina's Baby Hat and Matinee Jacket:
Tripple Ripple Scarf:


Yikes - that took all my energy - ok so my technical skills have not caught up to the internet age yet :) Talk to you tomorrow!!!

Cheers!!!

Good Morning... I was a big lazybones this morning - my husband, J, and I usually walk every day for a half hour or so and I pulled the sleep in card! I haven't done that very often because I am generally a wake up early kind of gal - I must have just been exhausted after the grueling day of torture I had yesterday. First, we walked, then business errands and then I had to go to my knitting group (one of them) out near Kennesaw, GA... a little bit of a hike but they are definitely worth it! :) I hope I didn't offend anyone with talk about this business but I am just so excited! I guess I better fill you in so that all this can start to make sense.

More Than Knotz ... Knitting patterns, Beaded stitch markers, Row Counters and this great necklace that can hold the stitch markers. I will post pictures soon...

Anyway .... afternoon and early evening was spent at my favorite LYS ... "Only Ewe and Cotton Too" in Milton, GA. Elyse and Bill Anderson are the BEST shop owners; they have created such a welcoming atmosphere and carry beautiful yarns and spinning fibers – they have an online store as well. It feels like the “Cheers” of the 70s (80s) only we don’t drink too much beer – messes with the knitting!

See ya' ! Have an awesome day!

Ready, Set, Go

Today I start my blog with much trepidation but even more excitement! There are so many great bloggers out there that I can’t help but wonder – will I be able to do this? Up to this point, my means of getting to know people and have them know me is the simple old-fashioned two-way face-to-face communication method. How can I possibly think that I have the credentials and talent to do this?

I love fiber! Knitting is my primary passion but I have also taken up spinning and dabbled in needlepoint, cross stitch and long to learn to weave (my sister B should be happy with this one!) I have been knitting almost non-stop from the age of 4 when my mother taught me so that she could play tennis without interruption – only kidding – she taught me to pass along the tradition through the generations – hopefully one day my daughter – K – will want to revel in the soothing rhythm of the needles – she knows how to knit but has yet to catch the bug!

I plan to share my knitting and life with you, share my new business, and occasionally point you to a few great online venues that I have come across. I will do my best to write on a daily basis and to make this interesting so y’all will keep visiting. I was planning on asking for help naming my business but alas, I had to take the plunge! So, I am open to contest ideas - keep them coming! :)

The blogs that I enjoy reading are most often short and sweet so that’s it, dear friends, for today. I look forward to getting to know you in the coming days, months and years.