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

chevron-sock-progress-heel-
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

feather-and-fan-cardi-close
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

finished-top-down-cardigan-
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

chevron_socks_to_heel_turn-
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!