Lacey Scarf - Free Pattern

I saw a scarf in my local LYS - no pattern, just the stitch name. OK, I can do this - so here it is. It's a very simple, one row pattern.

Pattern Inspiration: Barbara Walker - double herringbone faggot and the scarf in the store
Yarn: Ritratto (Stacy Charles) - 1 ball
Needles: size 8 - bamboo OR the shortie kind for kids

After playing with the pattern stitch for hours I came up with the right width and the laciness (is that a word?) I wanted. So here it is:

Cast on 22 sts
Patt row: k1, [YO, k2tog] x 5; k1, [YO, k2tog] x 5.
Bind off loosely, but not too loose. Add fringe.
And that's it. One row pattern.

TIPS: The needles I used are the short #8's for kids from the craft store (Hobby Lobby) and they are blue. They have a sharper tip but are not too slippery to work with this yarn. I used a #10 to cast on.

The yarn is very slippery! It had mohair, but it's not bad to frog because of all the other things in the yarn. The yarn is fingering weight, light and has sparklies! Other yarns might be Shaefer 'Anne' or 'Gioiello' by Filatura di Crosa. I sampled with these, too.

Before you begin, wind off your fringe yarn (I used a small book to wind around) and then you can just knit until you run out of yarn. I used 3 lengths doubled over and pulled through with a crochet hook (lark's head style) for each fringe and used 11 loops on each end. Make sure your loops are on the same side on each end!

The scarf is about 5-6 inches wide, depending on your blocking - it will stretch either way and 60 inches long (about 5 feet + or - to your taste).

The photo on the chair lets you see what it looks like on light or dark fabrics. The scarf has NOT been blocked yet in these pics!

Can We Say OVERWHELMED???

Wow. Got back from vacation and haven't stopped yet. Tons of things to do and the Holidays on top of that! Knitting Christmas gifts like mad right now. Trying to get the house back in order has taken this long, but I am FINALLY getting somewhere with that! Now the studio is a disaster from all the knitting going on.
There's a Donation Day on Friday - so I'm trying to clean stuff out for that. I have 3 big boxes so far and a huge computer monitor (I can't WAIT to get rid of this monster). Plus - and this is the bonus - I am Fall cleaning at the same time.
I am behind on my photos and info in Ravelry - will try to catch up soon. I have knitting class this morning (changed from Thursday to Mondays) and I hope to finish a project this morning. I am very close! Speaking of - gotta go get ready!

"Baby-blanket" Shawl

baby-blanket-shawl-web
Originally uploaded by bren47

Last weeks finished project springing from knitting class is a long rectangle on the bias. At the shop, the pattern was made into a baby blanket - very cute - but not what I envisioned when I saw this color. So.. the muse came out and in 4 days I had a finished shawl.
The yarn: Fandango chunky cotton by Colinette, color way jay 85 I used 4 100g hanks and had some left. I thought perhaps tassels on the corners, but in practical thinking, they would get in my way! So no tassels.

Decisions-decisions For the Trip - part 2

I can never get the blogging software to put my photos where I want them so I have to use flickr to blog from - one pic at a time. Oh well, it gets the job done!

This is the pile of possible projects to take on the trip. Since we are driving from Texas to Tennessee that's a lot of drive time. I am mostly the passenger. (grin) This does not include the painting kit or watercolor pad. There are also some books I've been meaning to read in that red basket along with the old and new trip journals. Oh, and a bag of Hershey kisses! Shhhhhh....

We plan to see Graceland in Memphis on the way to the mountains. I have promised *everyone* to take photos of us in front of at least the Gate.

Noro and Cascade 220 Bag

Today at knitting class I started a bag that I will felt - by machine. This will be a first for me. I tried felting years ago and was not impressed therefore did not do any more. NOW I am fascinated! There are so many beautiful bags all over the internet (especially in Ravelry) that now *I* want to make some too.

I got yarn to make a red version as well. And I have yarn (all Cascade) to make a larger one with blended colors - in the shades of mountains from deep blue to violet to dusty rose. I don't know when I'll get to start the big one since we are leaving Sunday to go to the Smoky Mountains! Our first real vacation in 2 years. I have stuff placed all over the floors so I can see what to pack. What a mess this place is, but it will be worth it when we are packed and out the door!

Remnants of Ike

There was a man in the grocery store today with two carts and a long list taped to the handle of the first cart. He said he was from Houston and buying for some of his friends. They got electricity back sometime yesterday and he was going to head home.

The impact of this encounter didn't hit me until after I had been safely back in my own home for a while. I cannot fathom the reality of what they will face when they return to Houston. No grocery stores doing business. Having to do their shopping in other cities. No gas for their vehicles. The condition of their homes still in question. No telling when the every day business of living will return to normal.

Austin has been hosting evacuees in various places and the roads have been congested (more than usual). This brief encounter with a harsh reality has humbled me and I will not complain about the traffic or long lines for a long time to come.

Seraphina Shawl Greenie in Progress

This is a lovely pattern - yes, it's crocheted and NOT knitted but I am a long-time crocheter, too. This pattern can be found here. If you're on Ravelry, look it up and you'll see all the wonderful shawls that have been and are being made. Just love the 'batwing' shaping.
Yarn: JoAnn's RainbowBoucle - green shades
Hook: N
No mods so far - pattern is very easy to work with. The skein of yarn is huge - no ends to weave in in the middle of work! I have put the yarn in a big clear plastic 'barrel' - like for kitchen storage - it keeps the yarn tangle-free (so far so good) and clean of cat hair and other stuff. The yarn is light and airy - which it puuurrrrrfect for a shawl. KC took a look but it wasn't interesting AND it was in my lap (which means he isn't) so he went to lay down and nap elsewhere.

Copper Liesl finished

I finally got a better photo of this sweater. I tried the mirror - got flash in the pic, tried getting my son to take a shot - well it could be a better pose on my part! This works much better to see the lovely shape. It's been cloudy (no rain but at least I SMELLED rain!)
AND the TRACTOR is GONE! WaaHOOO! We can use the driveway again at last. Next week they bring the jacks and the last of the concrete action - unless of course the weather men are actually on target this time and we do get a downpour. Yeah. Right.

Thought you might like to see what KC has been up to:

PandaSilk Socks, Liesls and New PC

I started these socks today with Panda Silk I bought in North Carolina. 2mm Addis and Magic Loop technique. I am loving how this yarn works up - nice and smooth and very soft! I like it much better than the Maizy which is very splitty and a larger diameter yarn.
The foot shall be just stockinette stitch and then I'll decide on a stitch pattern when I get to the legs. I need something mindless to work on - interruptions are a little too frequent around here just now.
The Blue Jean Sock I started in NC keeps getting frogged every so often because of all the interruptions every time I pick it up to work on it! I'll eventually get the pair done I guess.
The Copper Liesl and the red Liesl are below. Still trying to figure out the easiest way to blog from Flikr. Seems to be easiest to blog each photo (just have to remember to do it in the reverse way I want it to show up here) and then post it. I don't think you can put more than one photo in the blog from there. If anyone knows if there IS - please let me know!
And yes, that darn tractor is still in the driveway. They poured the concrete columns today but said they'll pick up that thing tomorrow. It will be nice to have my driveway back. But the juniper bonsai in the front are dying. Well, so would you be if you got trampled and tools thrown on you!

The Copper Liesl is finished except for buttons (ignore the orange and purple thingys) and tucking in a few tails. I did the picot bind off on this one - sleeves and hem edge. I love the way the sleeves came out - they belled at the bottom just like I wanted! I think this happened because of the picot bind off.
I am going to make a cream Liesl for Mom next.

Here is my red Liesl, almost done. I just have to decide how long I want it. I may stop there. All but one tail is tucked in, too. Oh, and ignore the purple thingy - the button isn't on yet.

Everything we bought Saturday has BLUE LIGHTS. I don't know what the deal is, but now we have little blue fairy lights all over the house! I got a nice surprise when I fired up the computer - the front lit up, too!
This is my set-up for the moment. Have to see if this works out. My desk is an L shape and big, thank goodness!

Here is a close-up of the front of my Birthday Present. Isn't it kewl! It has kind of a Steampunk look and I love it. It has a clear plexi DOOR on it and wait until you see what I do with THAT!

Tractor still here AND Birthday Present!

Well, the guys finished digging the last hole yesterday and Wednesday (we had a tiny bit of rain today) the concrete is scheduled to be poured. Then it's another week or more before the next step and then after that one, another week or more until they can fill in and fix the stuff that got messed up during this whole process! Man, what a mess this is. I will be glad when it's over!

I am writing this from my Birthday Present! I was very depressed about the foundation stuff, so my wonderful hubby took me shopping Saturday for a new computer. We had a good time at the electronics store and I even got a 24 inch flat screen monitor!!! This thing is B-U-tiful to behold! It's huge! I have been loading software and playing around in between laundry today. Now, technically, my Birthday isn't until Sunday, but my terrific spouse knows what I need and do I ever feel better! I still have lots of software to add but I learned my lesson from previous computers - not to put too much on too soon. Add one, let it run for a while and get used to that then add another. And not too quickly! It will take several more days to get everything together and for my new baby to feel like "home". I love the speed and the ability to do more things at the same time. I think I will probably keep blogging from my laptop though. It's got a card reader to load photos and with wireless, I can even blog from outside. Oh my, what did we ever do without computers?? My mother's microwave went out last week - she was going nuts trying to remember how to heat things up without it. It's amazing what you get used to and then have to do without - it's like going cold turkey trying to give up Diet Coke - ain't happnin' people.

No work guys - again

This has been parked in our driveway for a week now:Along with this mess:
And the workers didn't come yet again today. It was predicted by the "weather" people that the storm named "Edouard" was going to give us some rain. HAH! NOT!!! So, the foundation workers decided it would not be a good idea to dig any more holes on Tuesday. I expected they would show up today but NOOOOOO.... I am very disappointed that we have to look at this mess and that the house is getting more cracks by the minute. I am angry, I am frustrated and doggonnit I want this DONE.

It's bad enough they started the job 2 weeks later than they told us. Then, it took forever just to get the holes dug on the first side of the house. Our lovely grass now has dead spots and there are "ditches" in the yard, too.

The noise had chased away the birds - which came back yesterday and I did get to see finches, cardinals and some as-yet-unidentified little birds whose technique at the feeder is to snatch-and-grab. I have to find the bird book and look them up. I did enjoy watching them and didn't realize I missed doing that!

However, when the workers DO come back, they'll vanish again. No rain and wasted days. More frustration than I want to deal with. OK enough about that for now. Here is some fun: This is a Pile-O-Knitting. It's my red Liesl with a sleeve in progress. I put it on a turntable because I always - always - drop double-point needles and this helps! I just spin it around and around as I work and then go back around to unspin the yarn or else I have a very twisted mess!
I am almost finished with the second sleeve on the copper Liesl. I will try to finish before I hit the bed tonight, but wouldn't you know - the yarn ball ran out just before the bind-off!

Liesl Progress

I have completed both sleeves on the red Liesl sweater! Now, I'm going to go back to the copper one and do those sleeves. I really don't like to make sleeves, so I like to get them over with as soon as I can.

I have gotten much farther on the body of the copper Liesl...
Still haven't decided how long it's going to be though. Night photos are not the best.

Red Liesl in progress

Here is the first Liesl I started. Did one partial sleeve, tried it on and frogged the sleeve. I don't like them to fit so close. Soooooo, I will be working out how to make it looser.

I haven't decided on the length yet - want to finish the 3/4 sleeves first. This is basically my test sweater for this pattern. I love this pattern! I was going to try to design a feather and fan from the top down - but now I don't have to! Thank you, Ysolda!

Sleeves coming up....

Copper Liesl in Progress

This is the Liesl mentioned below. It's not much to look at - all scrunched up like that!

July 31 - Past My Bedtime, But Here I Am

I just HAD to post before turning in. My mind won't shut down. I am currently knitting a copper bamboo yarn (Bonsai) sweater in all time fav stitch - feather and fan. The pattern is called "Liesl" by Ysolda Teague

This yarn is a dream to knit with and it's drape is wonderful! I designed and made a v-neck tank top with it in green and I love the way it feels. I don't have photos of the green one yet. I don't know what it is, but I'm having a hard time getting photos ready to post. Maybe it's because I've just got too much to do. Tomorrow will start out with making a new to do list and then I'll see about marking some things off!

This week we are having some foundation work done on the house and it is making me a nervous wreck! I don't think I've had time to actually REST since before going to North Carolina. Knitting is helping me stay sane - I hope.

Leavin' On A Jet Plane

Well, I thought I'd get a shot in here really quick. I'm off in the early am (dark:thirty) to visit my cousin in North Carolina. I really do hate flying, but it's the only way we (Mom and I) can get there! My cousin has promised a yarn shop visit - yippeee - and I'm looking forward to visiting a state I've never been in. I'm taking socks to knit in the airports and on the planes. I did finish all the socks I had planned to wear on the trip and will have pics up when I get back next week.

Quick pic:This is my Charlotte's Web Shawl - unblocked. I made it with Koigu and finished it in 10 days!

I better get to bed so I'll wake up!

EeeeeGADS!!!

I am ashamed to see I have not posted in almost 2 months! THe only excuse I have is "life got in the way". I have been in physical therapy for my re-injured shoulders - rotator cuff - BOTH of them. And I am getting ready for a journey to North Carolina to visit a cousin with my Mom - next week!

I have been knitting socks the last several days - now that I can knit again. I must have some summer socks now that our temps have been at or near 100 degrees for weeks. And they also happen to go with the outfits I am taking on the journey.

No pics right now, but I have LOTS to upload LATER. I got a new camcorder, too. Takes still shots at 10.5 megapixels. I am still learning to use it. OK - this was a quick post just to get one in there before another day passes..... ah well...

Chevron-sock Progress

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Originally uploaded by bren47

I get to start a new journal! A brand new Moleskine! Here he is posing with the Chevron socks in progress. Funny thing about these socks - there was a KNOT in the ball and the color sequence is REVERSED. Yikes. I had to rewind the ball after the knot. How annoying. This is the first time the Meilenweit has done this though.

But still, the socks are fraternal twins - it seems the color sequence is reversed for the other one! Oh well. Perhaps there was another knot I didn't notice? It came from the same big ball - I wound it into 2 and am always careful about which end I am using to continue the second 'cake'. Bery Strange....

Monday, rain and staying inside...

studio shot
Originally uploaded by bren47

Thought you might like to see another studio shot. The typewriter was my Dad's and it sits on top of an antique Singer sewing machine cabinet - machine is inside. My Aunt gave the cabinet and machine to me after I helped her with some stuff. I always did want it!

The closet doesn't have a door - gets in the way - the room is too small. There are books on Elfa shelves in the whole thing - you can't see the left side - it's a walk-in - but there are also most of my bead boxes on the shelves, too. And notebooks of scrap papers and ephemera and collage stuff in general. I just love page protectors. You can see everything you have! Not that I actually have EVERYthing where I can see it - YET. I'm working on that.

Feather and Fan Cardigan/Jacket progress

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Originally uploaded by bren47

Here is a close-up of the yarn and stitch pattern. I have been designing this as I knit so it's been slow going. It is NOT a portable project! (Thank goodness for socks) The yarn is Sonata from Elann and is 100% cotton. It goes great with denim.

The body is done and the shoulder seams are sewn, the sleeves are knitted but not set in yet. I am not sure they will fit (nervous about that) so I will need more time than I have tonight to work on them. And some peace and quiet.

Tomorrow I get my hair trimmed. Yep, I look like a shaggy sheep again - especially with the humidity we have now. Allergies are acting up again, too. Darn it. No relief probably until December!

Finished Jacket

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Originally uploaded by bren47

This is my finished top-down-cardigan. I was waiting for a non-cloudy day to photograph - but it ain't happ'nen so I took pics inside with Matilda's assistance. The details can be found here:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/knittybabe

I am a little worried about this yarn (Lang Mille Colori) as it is a singles (single ply) and very soft. I worry that it will pill and fuzz so I'm going to be careful with it. Of course now that "summer" has hit (the humidity is here folks) I may not even get to wear it!

Chevron Socks to heel

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Originally uploaded by bren47

Here are the (with thrice-frogged yarn) Chevron Socks to the heel turn. I hope to turn both heels today. Hopefully they will fit better than the poor Jaywalkers. I must say, the Meilenweit yarn is holding up very well!

Spring Gardening - Corner Re-do

back-corner---before-web
Originally uploaded by bren47

The back yard is looking pretty empty - the trees you see inside the fence are now gone. The right-hand side of the fence is now new (as you see) The plants are still in pots, waiting for our decision on paver stones for a small patio area in that corner.

Fern (wood river and holly) and a Japanese Aralia wait - among some seed-planted flowers (barely showing their leaves) in the pots.

The weather has been iffy the last couple of days and unfortunately, it's supposed to rain this weekend. Sigh. Ah well, like the patio cover on the back porch, this will eventually get done....

Sunday, March 23, 2008 -Delicato Mitts

Delicato-Mitts-red-lornas-w
Originally uploaded by bren47

Look what I finished today! Delicato pattern. See details here:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/knittybabe
This pattern was easy to do and the yarn (Lorna's Laces sock) was a dream to work with. I had left-over yarn from the Embossed Leaves socks. I still have a little bit left - hmmmm.... must make mini earring socks!

FO - Embossed Leaves Socks

Look what I finished today! I would have finished them last night if I could have stayed awake. Details on Ravelry - I'm knittybabe.

The second photo is closer to the color of the yarn.

I had my last Top-Down Sweater class today. I still have to knit the length of the body yet. It's been too warm to work on it today. We're supposed to have a cold front so maybe I can work on it tomorrow!

Today is E's 12th Birthday! I can hardly believe it. I still remember her as a baby when I took care of her while her parents went to work/school and I do treasure those memories. We plan to call her tonight. Too bad she has to go to school on her birthday. We're going to "kidnap" her and take her out to eat and shop later in the week.

Next Monday is R's 8th BD. Repeat process! Grandchildren can be such fun - take them out to play then take them home again - after they've worn us out!

Sunday March 16

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Originally uploaded by bren47

Nice day out - I sat on the porch swing knitting while DH finished digging the holes for the fence posts. The neighbor had to work until afternoon, when he set them in concrete. Now to wait a couple of days for the concrete to set.

I did laundry and knit. We watched last thursdays episode of Survivor and then watched a DVD - The Gameplan - with The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) produced by Disney. This is a very funny and charming movie! I recommend it!

Got past the heel on #2 Embossed Leaves sock. Took 2 pics - first one has too much flash. This one - no flash at all. It's cloudy out and hard to photograph.

March 15 Saturday

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Originally uploaded by bren47

I also had a skein of Mountain colors Barefoot to ball up. It was too big for my umbrella swift to I had to improvise with a piece of foam core and clothespins! It did work! Unfortunately, this skein had a knot almost in the center. I went ahead and made 2 balls out of it.

Just not my day for winding I guess.

The neighbor started taking down the fence today and DH went out to help.

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Originally uploaded by bren47

Winding yarn: or should I say winding aggrivation! I had 3 skeins of Araucania Ranco (from Chile) to wind. I am NOT impressed by their skein-winding skills. I kept having to stop and un-twist/un-tangle! And I had to tear off the tag labels. I couldn't figure out how the got them on in the first place! They were in the skein somehow - maybe placed as they wound the skein? Weird. The second skein was even worse - no extra (figure 8) separators and the KNOT had to be cut which ended up having 4 tails and I had to make a smaller ball with that part. Annoying for later if I have to make a join.

I sure hope I like this yarn. It is so much trouble to ball it up!

March 14 Friday

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Originally uploaded by bren47

Yesterday- Updates on Ravelry. Net surfing.

Working on E's sweater - sleeves finished - back to the body.

I think there are more martins? I told DS - to count them while they're flying overhead squaking because we're out in the yard!

Today: Finished E's sweater by noon. I'll take it to class Tuesday.

Finished the first Embossed Leaves sock, started the toe of #2.

Saw Bewick's Wren. Finally found him! THAT is the tiny bird that's been making all that noise! He had no tail feathers though. Wonder what happened? Molting? Cat escape?

BJ came over - no grandgirls though. Had a nice visit.

March 11 Tuesday

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Originally uploaded by bren47

Started Chevron sock toes with the frogged Meilenweit from the unsuccessful Jaywalkers. I hope this works this time!

2 more Martins showed up. Such noise! I guess they were doing the welcome thing. Lots of coming and going. Lots of in and out of holes making decisions. There is only 1 pair on the house-facing side of the complex. Wish I could see on the other side, too!

Monday March 10

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Originally uploaded by bren47

Started E's sweater - got to the separation of the sleeves (158 sts) before stopping.

Looked in Ravelry and did some laundry. I also have decided on the Chevron pattern from SKS to replace the failed and frogged Jaywalkers.

Colori-cardigan-class-in-pr
Originally uploaded by bren47

Finished both sleeves of the Colori cardigan for class. worked the body until the ball ran out - then I put it on a yarn strand and left it for later. All I need to do is decide how long it should be and I'm done!

March 8 Saturday - Spring Planting Begins

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Originally uploaded by bren47

DH & I went to Natural Gardner (local plant nursery) and bought ferns for our backyard and a llive oak tree for mom. We went over to plant it 'cause it's too big to sit in the truck! 3 years we've been trying to get a tree to grow in this spot. 2 have died - mom's soil is mostly clay - holds water like crazy. Third time has to be the charm!

Here at home, we repotted the large Japanese Aralia - we want to leave it in a pot so we can move it around - then I repaired the back fence (some boards were missing or broken). I also raked leaves, pulled the weedy runners at the fence line and trimmed some of the bushes.

Just generally cleaned up the yard to get ready for further enhancements! The Purple Martins were freaking out and flying overhead. I guess hoping I wouldn't lower their house again!

My Studio

studio shot
Originally uploaded by bren47

I love my Studio - it's MINE all MINE! No one can come in unless invited. No one can mess with my STUFF. Even the cat has to be allowed to come in!

This photo is a collection of containers atop an antique chest of drawers - which houses some tools, misc small items and incense in the bottom drawers. It smells sooooo good when I open a drawer. I love sandalwood.

The BIG containers hold yarn scraps (in case of repairs or for tags), some small mirrors, marbles and glass drops - with eucalyptus leaves coming out the top for decoration. A collaged tin can holds my watercolor brushes and it's covered with an upside-down plastic soda bottle. Cuts down on dust. Sitting in the front is an undecorated pen pot. I filled the inside with paperclay after making a hole for a pen to sit. I plan to paint and collage the outside and put some moss in the top area. A decorated pen (seen leaning in about the center of the photo - flower that goes on it in a clip) will go in the pot.

There's an antique medicine bottle, a bottle holding various kinds of elastic "yarn", a glass holding tiny bottles, and an ink pad - use it alot.

I think it's fun to look into people's studios. I'll post some more peeks later or you can go to my flickr an see more. Hope you enjoyed this peek!

Embossed-Leaves Socks-no1

embossed-leaves-no1-3-7-08
Originally uploaded by bren47

The first Embossed Leaves sock is now waiting for me in the sock bag.... poor baby. I have to try to finish my projects for knitting class before tuesday - the last class.

I am half-way up the leg and just put this project on Ravelry (I am knittybabe).

Pattern: Embossed Leaves
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, Cranberry
Needles: Addi Turbo size 0
Mods: I am working toe-up - using my own rounded toe start via Judy's Magic Cast On with 1 - 24" circular needle

LOVE this pattern! It seems to go quickly and I don't want to put it down!

stash enhancement Feb '08

stash enhancement Feb '08
Originally uploaded by bren47

My LYS had some new sock yarns last month so I thought I'd try some out. UhHum - what was that I told myself about only *2* yarn containers????

I actually did start using the Maizy - got the toes started because I thought I'd work on them while waiting at the hospital (I didn't tho - worked on Broad Spiral Rib socks instead).

Maggie Sefton's new book #4

Maggie Sefton's new book #4
Originally uploaded by bren47

Found some new books to pass the time - a new genre called "Cozy Mysteries". I've read about a dozen so far and pass them on to my mom and she likes them too. Quick, easy reads - very enjoyable and my fav author so far (mom's too) is Maggie Sefton. Love the way she writes! Nice, easy read but you don't want to put it down! Her descriptions make you SEE into the knit shop and SEE the alpaca and SEE the land. Her characters seem real, too. Mom and I talk about "Kelly" as if we know her! Such fun and I have Mom to share this with!

I finished #4 (A Killer Stitch) and am impatiently waiting for her 5th not due out til June. I started with Ms. Sefton's first book because of the subject matter - I was reading a blog and a pic of the cover was in a side bar and went to see what it was. Oh boy, knitting!

There are more authors and you can find these books at Amazon.com, of course. Another author I like is Monica Ferris and then there is Laura Childs, too.

Socks in the Works

Socks in the works update:

Embossed Leaves (Interweave - Knits issue Winter 2005 and also in the book Favorite Socks) in progress. Sock #1 is almost to the top ribbing. Yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, color is Cranberry. Yum!

Here's a footie using BW's Broad Spiral Rib. This is #1 finished. #2 is in a sock bag for a take-a-long project since I have it memorized!Yarn is Meilenweit - same as the full pair of socks I made last month. I bought several balls of the ivory white. I can see it - even in dim light in an eye doc's office or a dark corner in a waiting room. Been doing a lot of that lately and the 25th, my son goes in for a cornea transplant. Whoa. More hospital and doctors office visits. He got a chemical burn at work over a year ago and the eye won't heal any more so it's time to try a transplant. We're keeping our fingers crossed it works! Meanwhile, I have 2 weeks between docs visits to work on my class homework and get some more sock projects ready to go bye-bye. I have a nice selection of sock yarn just waiting...

Knitting Class

I've been taking a knitting class at HCW (my local LYS) - Top Down Knitting. We are learning how to design and make our own raglan top-down cardigan/pullover sweater/top. Everybody is making a cardigan to start with. This class is so much FUN! Not only are the classmates kewl and the teacher wonderful but the companionship of sitting, visiting and knitting with others is way fun! I am learning and passing on tips, too. Everybody has their own way of doing things and sometimes you just want to clunk yourself in the head (ala the V8 commercials) that you didn't think of "that".

Here's my progress after class one:

Here's my sweater a little later:

The yarn is Mille Colori by Lang, color 586. It's 50% wool, 50% acrylic and it's a singles. (For those who don't know or spin, it means a single twist and not plied). I am using size 10 (6mm) Addi Turbo circular needles. With the Mille Colori I get 4 spi for the gauge.

I am now past the armholes and working the body. This is so neat - almost no finishing (as in sewing seams). When you're done knitting, you're done!

I am going to make another one from this yarn:

It's Kochoran from Noro, color 46. And this is what my swatches look like:

The top one is too tight (size 10) and the bottom just right with size 11. It's looser and softer which is what I'm going for.

I've signed up for another class next month with the same instructor - Fair Isle Socks!

PUUURRRfect Haircut!

Tuesday was a busy day! I went to class (I'll tell about that in a separate post), got my Jenny food, went to the grocery store and got my hair cut. And that's not telling what I did after I got home! Whew!

Now here's the wooly sheep BEFORE story:First, I whacked off about 6 inches myself. This is me (below) in the shop preparing for the shearing. My hair hung down past the middle of my back before the first whacking.This is the first AFTER in the shop. Still too long and full, but I lived with it for a while - just to be sure I really, really wanted to go all the way.

Here is me at home from the front about 3 weeks later. (below)

Wooly, wooly! Too full and full of static as well. Oh man. A good haircut (she's really good!) but too full for me. Here's my new haircut: TADA!

It is very difficult to take a picture of the back of your head. UhHmmm.I've slept on it in these pics, but it lays down better when I haven't. My Stylist is wonderful! I knew I could trust her (and I'm super picky about my hair) because she cut my mom's and it is beautifully done. If you live in Austin and you want her name and info - let me know in the comments!