Two Cables n' A Frapp. . .

Happy Holidays From My Home To Yours!

2011-12-24T11:15:00.003-05:00

Enjoy !

Tea Cozy

2011-08-28T23:24:00.000-04:00

I had a busy weekend. I ended up working but was able to take a project along. It's an easy peasy pattern simply called Striped Tea Cozy.

My mom is a real tea drinker and I thought she might like this. I purchased this swirly button from Joann Fabrics. The swirls match the stripes in the cozy. Neat huh.

Only after completing the project did I notice that my letters were skinnier than the designer's photo. I did it as charted but I noticed that her letters are a column thicker. It's okay though, it looks decent. As you can see, I have not blocked this yet.

This is an okay pattern, I don't think I will make another but this project came in handy this weekend and I'm happy to send my Mom another gift.

Pattern: Striped Tea Cozy - Here is the pattern.

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool

Needles: US 7

Positives: Quick and Easy

Negatives: The cozy came out really, really large.

This may be my last small project for a while. I have to make more shawls and there is that sweater I started a while ago. Oh dear. Anyway...

Have a good one !

Nothing, Just Nothing

2011-08-23T08:18:00.006-04:00

Nothing is going on with my knitting. Or should I say nothing much.

I promised Connie a few items for her granddaughters doll. I've made two tops and a skirt so far. I'm only showing the skirt for now because the top may be one that I present as a simple pattern.

The pattern is Eyelet Hem Skirt (Rav link)

A Seemingly Non-Rotatable Photo

I should get myself fired up to make another shawl. Next thing you know Thanksgiving will be here and I have only seven shawls done for 2011. I have four more to make. You know, that 11 Shawls for 2011 Group on Ravelry. I'm happy I joined in because otherwise I would never make shawls for myself.

So for now I'm just thinking about what I might knit next. No real plan. Just nothing for now.

Enjoy your day !

So Incredibly Sad

2011-08-16T11:35:00.004-04:00

My history with sock making that is.

Yeah, I've made a few pairs and then taken them down, gotten bored with them or lost them. Anyone looking at my Ravelry project page can see that I have little interest in sock making.

Don't get me wrong, there are some absolutely beautiful sock patterns out there. I just don't get the colored sock thing. Orange socks, hot pink socks, yellow socks, screaming green socks. What is that all about ?

Don't laugh but when I was living up north in Detroit and Ann Arbor you just didn't see people with colored socks. I had lots of socks but they were mostly black. Black lace, black netted, black jacquard. Black, black, black. Even all of my tights were black. I did have a couple pairs of socks in charcoal grey, I mean a really, really dark charcoal grey. I had a couple pairs of navy in case I was going to wear my deep dark blue jeans or my navy cords. So you see, coming from a culture that only wore dark socks, all of the pretty socks I've been looking at on Ravelry over the years have mystified me. My comment and question is always;

"Well those are pretty and all but what the heck is she going to wear them with ?"

I still don't know. When you make brightly colored socks do you wear them with jeans? Can you wear them with anything else?

Pictured above are a few of my attempts at completing socks. As you can see the first sock is a Jaywalker. There were actually two of them. I started them in 2008 which is the same year that I moved (yes, I know I just moved but this was a previous move). I stopped both socks right at the heel. Why? Why not just continue ? Anyway, one of the Jaywalkers was lost in that move and guess what. I didn't care. I just chucked the other one in a box.

The pink sock was started in the spring of 2010. I worked on that sock for three days and then stopped. Do you see that all I had to do was complete the foot? I only had a few inches to go and I stopped. Forever. Why?

The third pair of socks is out of a discontinued yarn that I love. It was Wisdom Boston. I stopped the socks right at the ankles then threw them in the box. Why? Last weekend I discovered them and started on a heel then realized I had knitted too much calf and would not have enough to complete the second sock. You see I was just winging it. I had no pattern but didn't care enough to figure out how much yardage I would need for both socks.

I asked myself a few questions this weekend.

1. Do I have a fear of sock completion?

2. Do I have a fear of success with socks?

3. Am I knitting socks because I feel obligated to?

I have no idea.

A Funny Thing

Most of my stash is fingering yarn and the funnier thing is that NONE of the yarn was purchased for socks.

Stepping Forward
I was on Ravelry yesterday for a couple of hours looking at sock patterns. There are sooooo many patterns. At least ten million! Kidding. I chose a few and then ordered yarn which I will share with you at a later date. I have decided to try more socks. Socks are not painful and I can make them. I will bring my colors up a bit from black, navy and charcoal grey. I can make a pair in maroon, dark green, dark blue, dark variegated.

Yes, I will try.

Wish me well and have a wonderful day !

I'm Calling It Amber Wave

2011-08-12T13:34:00.002-04:00

Here are photos of my Annis shawl which I have named Amber Wave.

I think I will make another one of these because I love the short rows and how quick the pattern went along.

In these two photos the shawl looks like a mild yellow color.

The photo above shows the true color of the yarn. It really is an amber or gold color. I loved working with this yarn, I love the pattern. Oh and I purposely blocked my points in a way where they are not too pointy. They are just pointy enough for me.

Pattern: Annis

Yarn: Sunshine Yarns Sunsilk

Colorway: Mustard Seed

Needle: US 9

Positives: Everything about the pattern and the yarn

Negatives: No negatives

Have a wonderful weekend everyone !

The Pink. The Quick

2011-08-08T12:42:00.004-04:00

I had a really good weekend. I got a bit of reading, sewing and knitting done. My pal Connie and her hubby came in from out of town for a visit.

Do you remember some months back when Connie had me make a few American Girl outfits for her granddaughter. In case you missed that post, here they are. I have actually made a few more since then but forgot to take photos.

Friday Connie called to say that she would be over our way for a visit. She asked me if I could whip up something quick for her granddaughters doll.

"Nothing special Carolyn, just something quick and cute."

I didn't exactly say yes. I don't know what happened with that but I wasn't busy anyway and it was early in the day. I didn't feel like sewing so I browsed Ravelry patterns in hopes of finding a quick knit.

I did. The pattern is Fishtail Lace Sundress (Rav link) by Janice Helge. This is an easy peasy and really quick project. I made it in less than a day. The shape of the dress is the same as Janice's design but I did not want the three rows of lace. I wanted an interesting bottom though. Whether it was scalloped or pointed I wanted to put either buttons or bows on the bottom of the dress.

I have no idea what I did with my dolly's shoes.

In my rush I sewed the middle button down a bit lower than it was supposed to be. I started to clip it off but Connie stopped me telling me it was fine. I just didn't look at anymore because it really urked me. She was happy though.

This doll is not Connie's granddaughters' but mine. I purchased her last December so I could see how the doll clothes fit. Though I haven't given her a name yet I think she is adorable. For some reason she totally creeps my daughter out. She says she is weird looking and calls her Lady Chucky ! Could my daughter be jealous ? Just kidding.

Here is Connie holding the dress.

I forgot to mention that I used size 7 and 8 US needles. The yarn is Lion Cotton in Fuschia.

Did I mention that this pattern is QUICK ? :) !

Enjoy your day !

Three Hours Of Cool

2011-07-29T10:30:00.012-04:00

To my surprise I was able to sit outside from 7:30am to 10:30am this morning. It was cool, there were no mosquitoes to interfer with my knitting and coffee drinking. I hope this is an indication that the heat has decided to subside for now.

I'm taking a break from my shawl knitting for now

with a bit of Wollmeise in the color Orient

A few days ago the temperature here was 77 degrees. That was 5:07am. So you can imagine how the rest of the day turned out. Like the entire country, it's been unbelievably-miserable-science-fiction-like hot.

Michigan where I was born and raised can get hot but at least the air circulates thanks to all of the surrounding lakes and rivers. Not here, not in Athens. There seems to be no air, just a stand still heat. I go outside and feel as though a burning building is following me around or that I have stepped into an oven. It's pretty bad.

I stopped buying plants for my garden a couple of weeks ago. I planted a beautiful Holly Hock in the early morning, came back from work and 90% of it was burned and dried. I water my garden late at night or before the sun rises but some days it doesn't matter.

Well, I guess we all have our Summer of 2011 Heat Stories though.

No matter how warm it is gets, enjoy your day !

My Nubby Aqua

2011-07-20T07:45:00.007-04:00

I finally took a bit of time to block my Acadian shawl (Rav link). I really like this one and plan to keep it for myself. I loved working with this yarn but would not purchase anymore because the small percentage of acrylic and nylon caused the ends to curl. The curling is not the bad kind though. You've probably seen when a garments ends curl like a tootsie roll. It's not like that, it curls here and there and also ruffles a bit. It may be hard to imagine but it is a curl that complements.

See how the end of the shawl is kind of wavy. I like that.

The other thing I really like about the pattern is how easy it is to lengthen it. The yarn helped with the length also stretching far more than expected after blocking.

Pattern: Acadian Shawl

Yarn: Stellina

Needle Size: US 9

Rating: Easy Peasy

Positives: Easy pattern to remember, mindless knitting, relatively quick to complete.

Negatives: None

Well, on to more knitting !

Enjoy your day all !

Just For Jeans Clockwork

2011-07-12T12:08:00.002-04:00

This is what I plan on wearing it with so far. Just jeans. I need to buy some though. I think it will go well with black slacks also.

If you want a different type shawl I highly recommend this pattern. It's quick, fun and easy. I can see myself wearing it in the winter wrapped around my neck a few times. I may make a coordinating pair of mittens and hat. Who knows.

I like this pattern so much I am seriously thinking of shopping for yarn to make one for my mom and myself. Check out the project pages. The color schemes are endless.

Here she is all stretched out.

Pattern: Clockwork by Stephen West

Yarn: Kauni Wool 8/2 Effektegarn in ES and Kauni Wool 8/2 Solids in SS1

Needle: Size 5

Positives: Quick, easy with a good length for a tall woman (like me).

Negatives: None.

P.S. Thanks for all of the compliments on my new living room. Enjoy your day !

Radical !

2011-07-08T11:56:00.014-04:00

Well, my furniture was delivered this morning and I am sooooo happy to be looking at new stuff ! It's not really red (maroon) but it's in the RED family. Red is a color that I never wore, always disliked. As you can see, the seating pillows are quite puffy with newness. I want to see how they look six months from now. By the way, the fabric is a plush corduroy material. It's really silky feeling.

My camera is not getting the colors of the chair quite right. It's maroon, taupe, chocolate and a little bit of grayish-tan. Crazy Man !!!

I only have a couple more pieces to purchase as well as new lamps. This collection was set up as an entire room in the furniture store but the cocktail, end tables and lamps were too modern for me. The tables looked like space ships. I like being able to mix contemporary with classic styling. I'm using my old cocktail table (which is chocolate colored) for now. I plan on adding a nice mid-height shelf for sure. There is no rush now. I have the major pieces.

Okay, I love the other things but these bar stools are my absolute favorite ! I have been shopping for bar stools for about three months and the only one I liked was one I knew I wasn't going to purchase because of the price. It was at Pier 1 for about $299.00 a stool. They were beautiful and sturdy but I really didn't want to come out of almost $1,000.00 for three stools. --

I went into my furniture store a couple of weeks ago to change my delivery date and was wandering around when back in the clearance room I found these stools. Please forgive me for talking money but the regular price on these was around $179.00 each. They were clearanced down to $48.00 a piece and they are beautiful. The wood is so pretty.

Anyway as you can imagine, I'm a happy camper today.

Enjoy yours !

It's A Mystery To Me !

2011-07-07T18:47:00.019-04:00

Okay, this is just between You and I.

It's Thursday and close to 7pm and I'm elated, excited and a bit confused but I'm holding it together. You see, tomorrow morning my new sofa, chair and bar stools are due. - I'm all jumpy inside, I feel like a kid. Sure, sure, I've had new furniture before but there is something about this sofa and chair that excites and confuses me at the same time.

Since my children were young I've always bought living room furniture that was some type of blue. It was always soothing and easy on the eye. I have always had furniture that was hardly noticed, you know, it was pretty but didn't stand out.

As soon as I saw this sofa in the furniture store I knew I had to have it. I told my salesperson that I would think about it and would come back in a month or so (which I did). What's funny to me is that my mind was made up in a snap. Yet a little voice in my head kept asking me how could you? You know you hate that color.

Well I did get it and I love it.

I purposely did not bring my good pal Richard or my daughter or Mr. Willie in to the store to see my sofa because I thought there was a possibility that one of them would disapprove. I can see Richard's face frowning up and Mr. Willie I'm sure would have said; "Aw Baby, don't you want to look at some other colors ? Get a color like my new sofa, I'll pay the extra."

No, no. I wanted no part of that.

About the confusion. I 've purchased furniture that is in my least favorite color family. How could I fall in love with a sofa that is in a color that I've almost hated all my life ?

Beats me !

I'm not going to tell you the color. I will post a photo tomorrow I hope.

P.S. Though the sofa pictured above is a very lovely sofa, it is nothing like mine.

A Bit of Clockwork, Apologies and Say What ?

2011-07-05T16:00:00.004-04:00

One of the projects I worked on and completed recently is Clockwork (Rav link) by Stephen West. This is a fast moving, mindless and simple shawl to make. I would definately call it an easy peasy with super results. I love the shape, lines and simplicity of it. It's very generous in length also.

I chose to use two skeins of Kauni Wool. I used Kauni Wool 8/2 Solids in blue ss1 and the other is Kauni Wool 8/2 Effektgarn in ES blue. The Effektgarn is the darker and shade changing of the two. This was my first time using a Kauni and I would definately purchase more. I chose the blues because I specifically wanted a shawl to go with my jeans. The colors are perfect.

This is a not-so-good photo of my Kauni Wool 8/2 in #SS1 but the color is almost dead on.

The heather really shows up in this Kauni Wool in Color ES

I especially like the heather in the Effektgarn. Both yarns have a rustic look to them. My Clockwork is bathing as we speak. I hope to have it blocked and photographed soon.

Apologies to Joansie, JelliDonut et al.

I spent many hours online during the 4th of July. I wanted to catch with all of the blogs I read. I was able to comment on about seven blogs but there were five or six that I could not comment on. It went like this;

I was already signed into blogger. I would leave a comment and most times was asked to choose a profile. Even though I had already signed in, I would have to sign in again. I wait... then it would come back with my comment but my identity was Anonymous ! What, wait, noooooo ! I go through this scenario over and over until giving up. If I wasn't asked for a profile, I would have to sign in again.

I give up.

Today I was out and stopped by the library to try commenting on the blogs. I didn't want my blog buddies to think that I'm ignoring them. - Again I tried and failed. It was the same old same old. You know what's worse than trying to comment without being able to ? Knowing that I am going to have to contact Blogger and wait for their response and then wait for them to correct the problem.

So, Joansie, JelliDonut, Lupie, Caroline, Yarn Harlot and the rest just know that I have not ignored you.

Is It Me or What ?

I was on the Transunion website the other day checking on my score and grade (yes, Transunion gives a credit grade) when I couldn't help but notice that right beneath the score and grade was this;

Are they serious ?

Enjoy your day !

Happy Gardening. Happy Knitting

2011-07-01T02:10:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite things about my new place is the small plot of land that I've turned into a garden. I had plenty of plants before but they were all potted due to the fact that the dirt at my previous residence was so dense and threaded with roots that I couldn't get the tip of the shovel in even two inches. My garden is right on the front patio where I sit every morning knitting, reading and sipping coffee.

I love purchasing that dried out half dead plant on the clearance rack at Walmart, Lowes or Home Depot. When I bought this rose bush it had only three green stems on it.

I pretty much love all perennials especially the exotics but I have to say that anything from the daisy family or resembling a daisy always makes me smile.

Here are my Becky Shasta Daisy. If you look really close you can see the little smiley faces on the center ! Just kidding.

I ran across this Ice Star Shasta the other day at Lowe's and had to have it.

These tried and true 'Jethro Tull' Coreopsis make me happy too.

Knitting

I've been working on the Annis by Susanna IC. I'm using Sunshine Yarns Sunsilk in the color Mustard Seed. It's a lace weight but a bit thicker than most. It feels really good and is beautiful. I've had fun with the nupps so far. To me they are just a variation of bobbles !?

I really love all of the short rows in the Annis and would love to make another one. I'd like to try it in a worsted next.

Happy Belated !

Happy belated Mother's Day to everyone. Here's a photo of the cake, card and tulips my daughter and son bought me. She just happened to go into the store and purchase my most favorite color tulip. I will have to look up which tulip it is but I had a garden full of them in Michigan when my children were small.

Well, I'm going to bed now. Enjoy your weekend all !

Que Pasa ?

2011-06-24T14:39:00.007-04:00

Well hello to everyone and thank you for all of the emails, letters, cards and gifts ! You touched my heart and I really appreciate all gestures.

About a month ago I began to wonder whether I would ever make it back to my little blog world. So much has happened in the past few months.

When I left I had just moved and was beginning to unpack. I still have about ten boxes to go and am waiting for my new living room furniture to arrive.

A week or so after I posted photos of my Hitchhiker I became ill and went into the hospital. I was in for almost two weeks, came home, then got ill again and went back in for another 15 days. Whew ! Talk about nerve wrecking !

All is well though. I'm okay, fine, all is good ! The whole moving thing coupled with the hospital stay has me feeling a bit lost and wacky. It may take a post or two or three to find my blog voice again.

A good thing; I did knit while in hospital. Not a whole lot but enough to make me feel as though I'd accomplished something.

I don't have any photos at the moment except this one of my new haircut. Yup, I got it all chopped off.

I probably should have taken the photo before my nap. Oh well.

Happy Father's Day to Everyone !!!

2011-06-19T14:51:00.001-04:00

Enjoy !

Thirty Nine Green Teeth

2011-03-29T17:53:00.006-04:00

is what I named my Hitchhiker on Ravelry. Had I used a smaller needle I could have squeezed in a few more teeth.

I absolutely love this pattern. One Raveler came up with a straight stitch variation in a striping yarn that is interesting. I may go for that one later this year.

Pattern: Hitchhiker

Yarn: Little Traveller (Sanguine Gryphon)

Colorway: Weeping Isle

Needles: US 6

I promise to talk about the mystery pattern in my next post. I don't want another subject to steal the show from my Hitchhiker.

Talk to you soon !

Little Productions

2011-03-28T08:50:00.003-04:00

I really took it easy this weekend, knitwise that is. I didn't work on a shawl, a sweater or anything significant. I found the cutest pattern on Ravelry that wasn't a download but a link to a knitter's blog. I copied the pattern onto Word and forgot to get the knitters name. I've been searching off and on all weekend for the pattern so I can put it onto my Rav project page. Have you ever had this happen ? You find a pattern on Ravelry then look for it again (without the title) and it's not there the next time or the time after that. -- You know, like if you find a nice house shoe pattern. You forget the name so you put in house shoes and Ravelry shows you every pattern but that one. This is what I worked on this weekend. It took less than 1.25 hours to knit these. They are the same two projects out of Noro Silk Garden on size three needles. I can see clearly what they are but can you ? Take a guess. I will post in the next day or two and hopefully I will have found the pattern so I can give you the link. Toodles all !!!

Nothing Too Exciting...

2011-03-25T11:58:00.007-04:00

Forgive my writing, I'm just a bit tired. Tired but fine.

A couple of weeks ago I talked about this aqua wool yarn that I planned knitting into another shawl. While packing I found a skein with a label and to my surprise it is a Joann Sensations yarn called Stellina. It is a discontinued yarn and I really don't remember purchasing it. I only know that I've had it forever.

I've chosen the Acadian Shawl pattern and started on it about 5:30 this morning while watching reruns of Grey's Anatomy on Hulu TV. That's right, I'm a real early bird.

As you can see the yarn has a nice nubby texture to it. It knits up nicely too.

So as the post title says, nothing too exciting is going on these days. I'm holding my sanity together as I pack things up. I should have everything moved within two weeks.

Here is a photo of my new little kitchen.

For my first get-together I want to see how my friends will maneuver hovering over the stove and me in this spot. I think they will be forced to stay in the dining room, the porch or living room while I do my thing.

I actually have a master bedroom but I've chosen this one for myself based on the closet. The closet reaches from one end of the wall to the other. Of course this is what I need as an excuse to purchase more clothes, shoes and yarn. -- The other bedroom will be an office/guest room.

I really don't mind crossing the hall to use the bathroom. I can do without the bathroom in my bedroom. I think.

Moving for me is much less stressful if I have a good amount of time to do it. I like at least three weeks to move.

Well, I'm off to take another load across town. Enjoy your weekend !

Three Things

2011-03-21T11:09:00.004-04:00

I had a really good weekend and started this pattern The Birthday Cake Cowl (Rav link) on Sunday and completed it the same day. I love the cowl and so far it is mine ! I’m claiming it and have no plan to give it away. On my Rav project page I have named it No One Is Talking Me Out Of This Cowl !

Pattern: The Birthday Cake Cowl
Yarn: Noro Taiyo
Color: I don’t know. I have misplaced the tag
Needles: 10.5 Dpns

The Second Thing

I am in the process of moving across town. I had the plan this year to post a minimum of twice a week but that will have to hold off for a month or so. I love visiting and commenting on blogs so if I miss a post or two or more, I’m just crazy busy getting things together. You and your blogs are never forgotten.

The Third Thing

Most prizes have been sent out. I am mailing the few remaining prizes either today or tomorrow morning.

Just keeping everyone informed.

Toodles !!!

Prizes Galore

2011-03-17T20:32:00.009-04:00

Hello Everyone ! Based upon emails with their addresses, here are the prizes being awarded.

To Susan the pattern Aria Delicato by Anne Hanson.

To Camille the Made in Brooklyn booklet.

For Marti this skein of Malabrigo Lace in colorway Lavanda because she is a scarf person.

For Melodye a skein of Cascade 220 in purple. She said she likes Cascade 220, purple and wants to make fingerless mitts and cowls.

To Amybel two skeins of Araucania Nature Wool Solids because she said she wants a greenish kettle dyed.

This skein of Malabrigo Worsted in Paris Night goes to Sheila because she said she likes black/grey and wants to try Malabrigo. This is a beautiful color (and difficult to get ahold of).

To Sinead this book of Poems In Color which I ordered from Amazon UK. They actually have a currency converter right at checkout !

So, If I missed anyone please just email me.

Enjoy your week !!!

A Good Weekend

2011-03-13T20:37:00.007-04:00

All was well in the northeast part of Georgia this past weekend. The Atlanta news predicted and promised beautiful weather for us and they were right! We hit the mid-70s, sunny but not humid. Beautiful.

I was outside at around 8 am with my Multnomah on Sunday. I love the morning sun. It always reminds me of being on vacation. Of stepping out on a balcony and marveling at how different the mornings can be away from home. It doesn't matter whether it's a vacation in the mountains, off of the Mediterranean, Pacific or Atlantic. Beautiful mornings always remind me of being on vacation. This Sunday felt like a wonderful vacation.

For sure I will be making another Multnomah but larger the next time around. Question is whether I will lengthen the garter portion or the feather and fan portion.

If I were going to wear this, the above photo is how I would wear it. Not so much as a shawlette.

This is not the best photo but it shows the true colors. Now I see why they named this colorway Butter Pecan.

Pattern: Multnomah

Yarn: Claudia Hand Painted Yarns Fingering

Colorway: Butter Pecan

Yardage: 525 Yards

Needle: US 5

One Thing: I really need to work on my blocking. I don't have much patience in that area.

Enjoy Your Week !!!

Twenty Five And Counting

2011-03-10T09:34:00.008-05:00

Teeth that is.

I'm not going to say much in this post except that I have never been close to being a mathematician. I'm not much of a pattern maker so most times I am in awe at those that create patterns. This Hitchhiker is an amazingly creative ingenious yet simple pattern.

I love it !!!

How Many Teeth Will I have ?

2011-03-07T08:53:00.019-05:00

This morning I went though my fingering yarns trying to picture which yarn I would make my first Hitchhiker out of. Hitchhiker author Martina Behm seems to have created the pattern with Wollmeise in mind. I went through all of my Wollmeise and thought about making it in the colorway Orient. It would look nice but when I went to the Hitchhiker project page there are already two done in Orient. Something like that wouldn't normally stop me but I really did want to make my first Hitchhiker in something more unique.

I put all Wollmeise aside and chose my Little Traveller in the colorway Weeping Isle. Weeping Isle is an electric green with flecks of lime, yellows, orange and rust in it. It sounds yucky but you would have to see it to understand what I'm trying to describe.

When I opened the package and saw it for the first time my mouth dropped opened. I loved it, didn't like it and was intimidated by it. This colorway sparked quite a few emotions in me.I thought about sending it back and/or giving it away. Sometimes the more complicated a colorway, the harder it is to choose a pattern.

As you can see, this photo was taken with my cell phone.

I thought about another Multnomah or Swallow Tail even though I wasn't feeling a fever for those shawls with this yarn. A lightbulb came on just last night. I had over looked Hitchhiker. Well, so far I'm liking what I see.

The question on my mind is; How many teeth will my Hitchhiker have ? You see according to Martine, one skein of Wollmeise Superwash (575 yards/150 grams) creates 42 teeth in the Hitchhiker. My Little Traveller is only 560 yards. Perhaps with my tight gauge I can eek out the 42 teeth. I will have to check non-Wollmeise Hitchhiker projects to see how others faired, how many teeth did they end up with. I'm sure different variables apply.

Will I be able to get 42 teeth ? We shall see...

Waiting For Sunshine

2011-03-04T13:40:00.005-05:00

Yesterday was overcast in this part of Georgia. It rained all night and most of the morning without a hint of sunshine.

My Multnomah is blocked and ready to make an appearance. I'm pretty pleased with it and contemplating making another. It dawned on me earlier today that my last two shawls have been knitted out of Claudia Hand Painted yarns. Well, I'm sold and will be purchasing more. The only thing I've heard about this particular sock yarn is that it does not hold up well. So, I know not to use it for socks.

I'm going to have a really busy weekend and hope to post final photos either Sunday or early next week.

Contest Prizes

I have almost every one's prize in my possession. I'm waiting on two packages and then I can send out every one's gift. Just thought I'd keep you informed.

Everyone enjoy your weekend !!!

Easy Pumpkin Pie and Knitting

2011-03-02T08:21:00.008-05:00

I promised Marti a few weeks ago that I would post an easy recipe for pumpkin pie. This is my go-to recipe when I need a pie in a hurry. The recipe is a good, always smooth and is a dependable one. You can find it here.

I made this pie yesterday and it was eaten up yesterday.

What I change in the recipe;

Sometimes I will add a bit of allspice. I don't add the entire can of condensed milk because I want my pie to taste more pumpkin like. Most times I will add only 1/2 of the condensed milk but you should tweak this to your liking.

A Few Of My Tips:

I usually put aluminum foil around the edges to keep them from getting too brown and dry. I tear a strip like so then fold it in half.

It took four strips to surround the entire pie.

This does work and it works better than the pre-coiled foil sold in stores. I have found them to be loose fitting.

Knitting...

I purchased this dk wool yarn about three years ago. I think it's from Joann Fabric. I'm looking at scarf and shawl patterns to suit the color and texture. It's really pretty, very soft. -- When I find out which yarn it is and what pattern I'm going to use I will let everyone know.

Okay, that's it for the knitting portion.

Enjoy your day !

A Painted Shawl

2011-02-27T20:34:00.009-05:00

Here are photos of my mother's shawl knit from the Claudia Hand Painted Boucle. Too bad my camera cannot capture just how beautiful it came out.

I was really nervous about the blocking thinking that most of the color would run out. The color loss was minimal.

On my Ravelry project page, I changed the name from Mom's Birthday Shawl to Mom's Painted Desert Shawl.

You can see why.

Nothing Too Exciting...

2011-02-21T20:24:00.005-05:00

Well, I have completed my mom's shawl except for the blocking of course. So now that makes three projects I have to block. My mom's shawl, the Multnomah and daughters green hat. If I didn't have this blog I think I would knit item after item and then block everything at the end of the year. I know, crazy. I do like the totally completed product but sometimes I just enjoy the fact that I've knitted until the bind off.

I have been putting in a lot of extra hours at work. I was taken to Atlanta on my birthday to eat out and shop but didn't do anything with my pals here in town. I know they were expecting to be invited over for a celebration but honestly I have not had time. I don't think I've had a get together in months.

My daughter surprised me on my job the other day. Look what she put on my desk. The cake was really yummy too.

Here's The Thing...

2011-02-18T10:12:00.000-05:00

I'm liking the shawl !

The pattern calls for a size 13 needle which I didn't have. I had a 50% off coupon for Michael's crafts and purchased a size 15 thinking that's what I needed. When I looked at the pattern again I just shrugged my shoulders because my gauge is always tight and the needles have a really pointy edge which is good for working with this type of yarn. Besides the yarn being hairy, there are little curly loops so I need a needle that is pointy and sleek. -- It's working.

This project is going really fast but looking at what I have so far I'm sure my mom will love this shawl. It kind of looks like teddy bear hair or french poodle hair but the painted colors make it really pretty. -- This doesn't reflect too much in the photo but take my word for it, it's nice.

So, just thought I'd keep you updated on my mohair shawl adventure.

P.S. Does anyone know, does mohair block okay. I'm feeling a bit queasy about blocking this thing.

Back To That Contest...Winners !

2011-02-16T08:52:00.009-05:00

Okay, I Confess. I tricked you all. Guess what, everyone that entered and is a follower of my blog wins. That's right, I'm sending all of you a gift !

I have Melodye and Sheila as the last two to enter the contest.

Please email your names and addresses to twocables@yahoo.com and yes, Sinead in Ireland, that includes you also.

Just to let you know, I'm still waiting for a few packages and want to post photos and mail them at the same time. So again, you will have to wait a little while.

For those of you that were curious about my questionnaire, this should explain what I was up to.

Some good things have been coming my way and I want to do a few Pay It Forwards this year.

Enjoy your week all !

Really, Who Came Up With This Stuff ?

2011-02-15T11:00:00.004-05:00

Boucle, how do you feel about it ?

If I were going to base my opinion on this Claudia Hand Painted Boucle gifted to me two years ago, I would say that I really, really dislike boucle. -- Had you asked me last year I my response would have been;

"I HATE THIS STUFF !!!"

Last year I tried five different needle sizes with about three projects. It doesn't matter what size needle you use or how slick the needle is, this boucle is just difficult. Nooooo, it's not me, it's the boucle.

Claudia Hand Painted Boucle is a combination of mohair, wool and nylon. I think it's the natural fibers in the boucle form that are a problem for me. I don't plan on knitting with a acrylic boucle ever but I will say that an acrylic would be a much easier yarn to knit with.

There are approximately 102 projects on Ravelry using this yarn. If there are that many projects, then I should be able to make something.

It is a really pretty yarn though. The color is Terra Cotta, 432 yards and it's soft. I have chosen a shawl pattern for my mother. The pattern is Janet's Shawl (Rav Link) and shows the sample knit in Lion Brand's Homespun. This will be another quick easy peasy knit.

See, all I did was lay it down to be photographed and look at what it does. All potential for tangles with no possibility of ripping back.

I may start this one next week. I have completed my Multnomah. I just don't feel like blocking it.

Toodles all, have a wonderful day !

Happy Valentine's Day To All Of You !!!

2011-02-14T00:26:00.000-05:00

I received these early Sunday from my dear pal.

Everyone enjoy your day !!!

Happy Birthday Alma Yvonne

2011-02-08T15:14:00.000-05:00

Well the sun decided to show it's face today.

Pattern: Lacy Baktus
Yarn: Noro Sock #S240
Yardage: 739.2 yards
Needle: US #5
My Rating: Beyond Easy Peasy

Have a good day everyone !

Thanks, Progress & The Funniest Question

2011-02-06T21:13:00.003-05:00

Thanks to everyone that participated in my little questionnaire. Many of you wondered what my plan is. I will only say that Yes, I have a plan. I have a definite plan. Try not to think about the Contest part. I needed this data first. The contest won't happen for a few weeks.

My Multnomah is coming along nicely. I added the third skein and should have been finished by now except while watching the Sunday Law And Order marathon I either missed row two or knitted row three two or three times. In any case, I found myself taking it back a few rows a couple of times. I put Multnomah down to relax the Sunday away. I will tackle and complete her early this week.

My Baktus is blocked, dry and ready to be photographed. Oh let the sun come out tomorrow so I can take these photos, please !!!

My daughter, Mr. Willie and I were at our favorite Waffle House here in town. The above photo shows my daughter's platter of hash browns, Texas toast and a T-bone. As the cook was putting the t-bone on the grill she came over and asked my daughter;

"Honey, would you like your steak cooked in butter?"

Is it me or is that a hilarious question?

Talk to you soon.

A Contest Questionnaire

2011-02-04T11:04:00.005-05:00

I was off work yesterday and worked on the garter portion of my Multnomah. This went quickly and I will be starting the feather and fan stitching sometime tomorrow or tonight. The original pattern is worked up in a fingering (Bugga) and completed at 412 yards. Soooo, this is a shawlette. I have 3 skeins of the Claudia Fingering which is 512 yards. I've decided to knit this out until I can knit no more. The modifications for a slightly larger shawl with this pattern will be slight.

I am very pleased with the way the shawl is coming out. The Multnomah is an easy-peasy.

My baktus will be ready soon to be photographed. The skies have been over cast here for more than a week. I would like to take a photo in a little sunshine.

The Questionnaire

I plan on doing another contest soon for my followers so if you are not presently a follower, please join. The prizes awarded will be specific to each winner. So, if you please;

Name three of your favorite type of projects.
What are three colors you like/love.
What three fibres are your favorites.
Name three of your favorite yarns you've worked with.
What three yarns do you desire to work with.
Would you say you are mostly a lace, fingering, dk, aran, worsted, bulky or super bulky knitter/crocheter.
Are you more of a shawl, sock, mitten, hat or scarf knitter.
Are you a knitter that prefers fibres with no acrylics.
Which brand, yarn or fibre would you NEVER work with again
What are three patterns you want to knit but have not purchased.
What knitting/craft book do you desire but will probably never purchase.

You are not obligated to answer all of these questions in your comment.

Everyone, have a wonderful weekend !

Baktus & The Father Of Black History Month

2011-02-01T09:18:00.003-05:00

In the excitement of casting on this gift for my Aunt Alma coupled with the relief of finally being able to use my Kureyron Sock, I forgot to tell you a few things.

I don't think I ever mentioned that I've made my Baktus into a shawl. My goal was to use all 924 yards of the Noro for the shawl but I only used 739 yards. This is more than most knitters have used for the Baktus. Though not tall, the shawl is very, very wide.

I was going to name it Aunt Alma's Lacy Baktus Shawl but I have named it Lacy Baktus Shawl. Good enough.

As you can see my shawl is getting her early morning bath so I can get her ready for photos and shipment up to Michigan.

My Next Project

I'm looking at the combination of my Fingering by Claudia Hand Painted for the Multnomah. I'm still looking at other shawls but this one might be the one. I hope to start this or another shawl by the weekend.

This photo doesn't show the real richness of the yarn. The yellows are a bit understated here. The color is butter pecan. I went through quite a few project pages of the Multnomah and I really like the variegated ones.

Black History Month

February is my favorite month. Not because it's my birthday month but because of Black History Month.

Since being here in this small southern town for the past few years, I haven't seen much celebration regarding Black History Month. The public schools are probably doing something but the town, nada. I would have to drive closer to Atlanta to see any type of celebration.

Wikipedia and other online sources say that there was an original Negro History Week which was created by historian, author and journalist Carter G. Woodson in 1926. Mr. Woodson is known as the Father of Black History Month.

Carl Godwin Woodson

12/19/1985 - 4/3/1950

The quote from Mr. Woodson stated ;

"The goal of Negro History Week was to educate Blacks about their cultural background, and instill in them a sense of pride in their race."

Black History Month has been celebrated in the US, Canada and the UK since 1976. Living in Detroit in the 70's, 80's and 90's the month of February was a huge deal for the city. All bookstores had table upon table of fiction and non-fiction books about and by African Americans. I would wander through the stores wondering where did they get all of these books on black people from. I wanted to read them all.

Because Detroit is majority African American, Black History Month within the Detroit Public School system, libraries, museums, community centers and churches were taken seriously. There are so many little programs, parades and plays that go on throughout the month just to enlighten and educate all but especially the children about their black culture and history.

Talk to you soon !!!

I Only Saw The Pretty

2011-01-31T11:51:00.012-05:00

Here are a pair of Fetchings I made to go with my daughter's Dogwood hat. The yarn is Nashua Creative Focus which is 75% wool, 25% alpaca. I luvluvluv the color but never thought about the content or how said content would affect the recipient.

I cannot remember who I had in mind when I chose the pattern and yarn. As always, my daughter wants almost everything that comes off of my needles. So, the hat was given to her. Yesterday she decided to break in her Dogwood.

This is my wip photo. I have yet to take the FO photo.

During our entire trip in the car her fingers kept digging under the rib of the hat and pulling the hat off of her forehead.

We had a good laugh at the realization that she is allergic to alpaca. I told her I would make her another Dogwood that will be kinder to her but she said no. After about ten minutes more of pulling and scratching she gave in and handed me the hat.

I will try wearing the hat myself and do an alpaca check. I've learned a lesson here.

If I'd only known.

Again I Am Gifted

2011-01-25T06:48:00.007-05:00

I just wanted to show off a few of the gifts I've received from some of my knitting/blog buddies.

Here are skeins of Icelandic, Lopi and Brown Sheep wool from Amybel. Amanda and I had communicated and I knew the package was coming but I had no idea she was sending so much wool. I was almost jumping up and down when I opened the box. I love it, love it, love it !!! I don't know what I have planned but it will be something cute. I may do some type of accessory. We'll see.

By the way, Amybel/Amanda is the wonderful creator of the Braded Cable Handle Tote (Rav Link). One hundred and forty six people have made this tote (so far). The tote is a free pattern and I really am going to make it one day. That is, after I get over my fear of felting. I will share that tale with you another day. So again, thanks so much Amybel !!!

This is a Fiddlesticks packet of the Peacock Feather Shawl Gale had sent to my home. I am so impressed at the professionalism of how the pattern is put together. There were 12 pages listing Fiddlesticks products alone and the front page with the photo of the shawl. All pages were printed in color, even the sales receipt/shipping page. The pattern itself is double sided and on legal size paper. All of this is packed neatly in a plastic holder which is binder ready. Wow.

Here is a close up of the Fiddlesticks Peacock Feathers and here is Gale's link to her Peacock Feathers shawl. Make sure you scroll all the way down when looking at this post, you need to see ALL photos of how wonderful her shawl is.

It's an amazingly beautiful pattern and Gale tells me; "It really isn't a difficult pattern Carolyn" or something like that. If I were going to label people shawl-wise, I would label Gale as a professionally-high-leveled-lace-knitting-shawl person. I'm just saying. So, when she tells me this I kind of laugh but on the other hand perhaps it's true. Perhaps I can make this shawl. By the way, Gale is working on her second Peacock. I will try this year to make this shawl. So, Thank you Gale for the vote of confidence !

My next and last gift is from my blogless buddy Consuelo. This is half a skein/870 yards of the much coveted Wollmeise Lace-Garn. She lives in the same town as I so this was handed to me in a pretty little bag over lunch during the holidays. -- When I pulled it out I began to laugh hysterically (I really did). I was so happy. She began laughing at me because I was laughing so hard with a few tears in my eyes. I'm sure the other patrons thought we were two kooky chicks.

I thought at first the color was Spice Market but Consuelo says it is Rhabarber. She bought it from another Raveler and it had no tag. The true color will show when I knit it up. I have been adding Wollmeise to my stash lately. This is only my second piece of the Lace-Garn. I would like to knit more shawls starting this year and I am loving anything that is Wollmeise. The colors are so vibrant, so beautiful. I didn't understand a few years ago why when looking at stash pages a Raveler would have maybe 15 or more Wollmeise skeins. Since I received my first skein, I truly understand now.

This Rhabarber will make a really nice something come fall, that is if I can hold back from working on it before then.

Thanks Consuelo !!!

Present Knitting

I have completed my Baktus. I have to block it and it's ready to be shipped off to my Aunt Alma in Detroit. Hopefully I will post photos soon.

Enjoy your week all !!!

Oh How Many Ways; The Baktus

2011-01-19T16:27:00.002-05:00

When I did a search of the Baktus under patterns in Ravelry it gave me 26 patterns (Rav Link). There were so many different ones that I was almost swayed away from my original plan. You can have a Baktus almost any way you want these days.

Lets see, ya got the lacy baktus, ruffled, two colored, scalloped, picot edged, plain, eyelet edged, ribbed, skinny, fat, shawl size, fancy edged. There is even one that’s Clapotis like. You name it, you got it. Over the years, the Baktus has become ever so versatile.

The Baktus by Strikkelise went into my que years and years ago. I always thought it was the cutest little thing. It seem to make it’s appearance before shawlettes became popular and I kept saying to myself as I do about my other 1,200 qued items. I’m gonna make you some day.

Well the day has come and I am working on my first Baktus. I’m using Noro Sock #240. It’s pinks/purples/grays and reds and very pretty. I have always adored the Lacy Baktus by Tehri which is turning out to be a wonderful project.

Simple yet so pretty.

Ooooh I think I will be making this one again soon. It's a free pattern and television compatible. No real concentration needed for this one.

Coveted

2011-01-17T10:20:00.006-05:00

This issue of VK Fall 2008 is out-of-print and much desired by the world. Well, part of this statement is true anyway.

About every other year my VK subscription slips, gets away from me and I may miss an issue or two or three... I want and covet every issue of Vogue Knitting and I really did want this issue. I mean, look at those mittens.

I never worried about purchasing the issue because even a year and a half later, it could still be ordered. My LYS had two or three on their shelves. No, I did not need to rush to pick up a copy.

The funniest thing happened. I was spying on some Ravelry forum and part of the discussion were on the Druid mittens and Jared and how no one could find the VK Fall 2008 issue. Huh ? What ? -- I opened up another internet window and began looking for places to order the issue. Vogue Knitting showed Out-Of-Print, I called my LYS and they had sold the last copy the previous week. I went back on the forum and jotted down a few of the suggested LYS's that might still have copies. I called and nada. No more copies.

EBAY !!! I went to Ebay and saw that there were two copies up for bid. One had 11 bidders and the bid was already at $16+ dollars with five days to go. The other copy was at $11.00. I was not sure if I wanted any part in this frenzy and surely didn't want to be impulsive so I closed the Ebay window. Reluctantly.

When I checked back some days later, the first issue up for bid topped out at over $25.00, the second one sold for a bit over $15.00. Fifteen dollars would not have been out of my range, nor twenty. I wondered if I should have bid on the magazine. Too late. A few days later another issue was up for bid and again I closed the window.

Hmmmm, I was a little upset that I hadn't bought the issue over the year and a half but then again, it's only a knitting magazine. Although more expensive, the patterns can be purchased individually on the Vogue Knitting website.

Someone Was Actually Listening To Me...

A Blogless buddy of mine (that wants to remain nameless) took to heart my chatted frustration about not getting the VK Fall 2008. This was her gift to me! My first response was ohMyGoshWhereDidYouFindIt?!!! She has not told me and is enjoying keeping this information from me. I'm so happy to have my own actual issue though so, who cares !

I had forgotten about these mittens in the issue.

and these big yellow ones.

Well, just thought I'd share this gift with you. I started to title this post "Little Things" or "Oh Happy Day" but that may not have grabbed much attention.

Enjoy your week and Happy Martin Luther King Day to all of you.

If You Look Over My Shoulder...

2011-01-12T10:50:00.006-05:00

All you see is snow, snow, snow.

Yes, Georgia was hit with that traveling winter storm a few days ago. The snow wasn't even three inches and most businesses shut down. So, I've been sitting at home for the past few days taking advantage of Netflix and knitting. I went out back and took more photos of some of my older projects. I'm still working on making my Ravelry project page look better. So many of the photos were dark due to an old not-so-good camera.

This is an old bulky Lopi sweater that I only wore once or twice. It is incredibly itchy so for most of it's life, it has stayed in the closet. I gave it to my cousin and mom and they gave it back because they could not take the itchiness.

I took brighter photos of my mohair cardigan also.

It looks good in almost any light though.

The Big Snow

The night before the big snow, I was chumming around with friends. We were sipping Zinfandel, playing cards and watching television. All of us are from somewhere north of Georgia so we were making cracks and laughing at the Georgians panic over the little snow that was coming. The news showed people filling their gas tanks and going to buy water and food. All of this for a few inches of snow.

The next morning I went out, warmed up my car to go to Walmart. There were hardly any cars out. Where was everyone ? I mean, it's only snow.

Though I had laughed the night before with my northern pals, the joke was also on me because most of the food sections in Walmart had been cleaned out.

Here is the sugar shelf. I was fortunate to find one box of turbinado sugar.

Here is the egg section. Only the over priced eggs are left.

I always purchase a gallon of 2% milk. There was none. Vanilla Silk was nowhere to be seen. All of the organic milk was gone. I had to settle for a half gallon of whole milk.

I guess the next time we are anticipating a snow day, I will take it more serious. Not because of the snow but because I may want to buy food.

Here Are My Projects From 2010

2010-12-31T19:51:00.000-05:00

Oldies But Goodies

2010-12-23T12:18:00.007-05:00

Remember my Tempo Vest from November 2009. I promised to post better photos. -- Well, I took better photos and I really like them.

Here are new photos of my eyelet vest that I made in 2008.

Aaaaaah, these photos are so much better to look at on my Ravelry Project page. Yeah, I had not a lot to do this morning.

Mom's Matching Hat

2010-12-20T15:30:00.002-05:00

So, after sweating over hat patterns for my mother the past couple of months, I think I've got a winner. I think she will love it.

The pattern is the Ruched Slouch Beanie by Mary Shaw. I really like the pattern. As you can see, it's an easy-peasy.

My gauge is normally a tight one but this hat actually came out a little big. Not so big that it can't be utilized though. As it happens, my mom has a lot of hair and the hat pulls down comfortably over the ears. This is perfect for those cold Michigan winters.

Here is my daughter modeling my projects again. We love that the hat color goes so well with the shawlette.

Happy Knitting everyone !!!

Mom's Simple Yet Effective Holiday Gift...

2010-12-17T21:03:00.011-05:00

That's what I named it on Ravelry anyway.

Now this isn't what I would call a good photo but somehow, I like it. I just couldn't get it right. Also, I was in such a hurry to get this thing mailed off.

I am happy with the completed project. If you remember, I used the Patons Lace which is 100% acrylic. I know I shouldn't have but I couldn't walk away from it. It really is pretty.

I've knitted a stingray

One of my friends asked me if I would knit with this yarn again. I probably would, especially if I am knitting for someone that uses the washing machine only to clean items. It's very soft to knit with also. Even after I soaked it, the shawl acted as if it were a wool or natural fibre. I was able to block it and the edges curled just a little here and there. Otherwise, it worked out fine.

I shouldn't say this but do you realize that tomorrow makes seven/one week away from the big one (Christmas) !!!

Talk to you soon.

For Alma...

2010-12-17T05:32:00.003-05:00

Happy Eight-Days-Before-Christmas to everyone (heehee) !!!

Alma is my aunt that lives in Detroit. She is my mother's sister and an awesome and together lady. I started this wonderful project for her yesterday. I won't go into detail about it because she actually follows my blog and she IS going to see this. Hence the black and white photo.

To my knitting pals I will say this; BrooklyntwdLaurelJared. You get it, right ?

On to more knitting !!!

OTK - Other Than Knitting

2010-12-14T00:38:00.013-05:00

I feel as though this holiday season is chasing me down. The 25th is less than two weeks away and I'm asking myself; Where did December go ?

One thing I am happy about, I don't have a lot of knitting to do. Whew !!!

For the past couple of weeks I've been sneaking sewing into my busy days, work and chores. These little doll clothes are for my friend Connie's granddaughter. The granddaughter along with her American Doll and her mom were taking a flight and the bag that contained all of the dolls clothing was left aboard. It was never recovered. Most of the clothing items were American Doll brand but many were hand sewn. Connie asked if I would make her granddaughter's baby an entire wardrobe. Sure, no problem.

These are two little peasant tops to go with slacks / jeans.

Here are jeans and another peasant top. I have no idea why this photo would not rotate.

Baby dolls need pajamas too.

The pattern is Simplicity 7083

Connie lives in another part of Georgia (closer to the Tennessee/Smokey mountain border) and sent me a box full of material. Though I may not post about it, I will be sewing throughout the new year.

Everyone enjoy their week. -- I predict that my next post will have some actual knitting done by ME. No promises though (smile) !

A Tuesday Find

2010-11-23T13:45:00.003-05:00

The library here in my town has a bin that is full of magazines and soft cover books for the taking. It's probably common practice all over the US and Canada.

Almost every time I'm there, I hit the bin up for no more than five magazines. I had to put a limit on my collection though. Last year I was taking as many as I wanted and I'll just say it got out of control. -- Every blue moon I'll come across a knitting or craft or a wonderful cooking magazine in the bin . Well, earlier today I was at the library and tried to walk by without looking in the bin. I kept walking but had to ask myself "Was that PHILDAR that I saw in the bin?" I went back and indeed there were three Phildar knitting magazines in pristine condition just waiting for me to rescue them. All were from 1998 and as you know, the year a pattern is created means NOTHING to a knitter. I happily snatched them up !

Sooooo adorable are the patterns. I love the little teddy bear above. I may use that motif for another pattern.

So cute !!!

First chance I get in 2011, I want to make this little yoke sweater. Oooooooooo so cute !!!

Okay, I'm in love with these little peach colored booties. Can't you just see the little garter strap around a baby's fat ankle !!!

This pattern is just an advertisement but again, too cute !!! Who doesn't love Babar ?!!

Well all, I'm off and away again.

P.S. Feel free to continue commenting on my previous post. I'll talk about the Thanksgiving dinner again this weekend.

What Would You Do ?

2010-11-22T14:30:00.004-05:00

The person you work for whom you've known for less than a year has offered you and your family to their Thanksgiving celebration with no less than 80 of their friends and family. Keep in mind that this is a personal dinner, very few of your coworkers if any will be attending.

What would you do ?

Wasn't I Holiday Knitting Just a Few Months Ago ?

2010-11-04T15:46:00.012-04:00

The shawlette for my Mom has come along quite nicely. So well in fact that I only need to do the edging.

This ball of lilac colored yarn below has been in my bin for a few years and is either a Galway or a Sirdar. I really cannot remember. It matches the shawl well enough and will be one of the two hats that I make to coordinate with the shawl.

A few days ago I cast on the Anemoon hat because I really like it. After about two inches into the ribbing and being dogged by thoughts and doubts of my mother perhaps not liking it, I tore it down and decided to make her a hat similar to the Debbie Bliss 04 Cabled Beret that I made for her last year. She absolutely loves that hat. This weekend I'll do some slouch and beret-pattern shopping on Ravelry and print out a pattern that is similar to the Cable Beret. My mom is a bit picky.

How Is Your Holiday Knitting Coming Along ?

Have You Started ?

I've purchased most of my yarns and have even worked on a few projects. I'm knitting with less stress than last year because most of my family and friends have expressed the need for other-than-knitted items this year.

Hooray for that !!!

Wordless Wednesday...

2010-11-03T04:08:00.001-04:00

A Treasure Trove...

2010-10-29T14:30:00.006-04:00

My blog anniversary was two days ago.

What a wise decision for me to have started this blog. It's been a couple of years now and I must say I'm very happy that I expanded my horizons by allowing knitting and non-knitting buddies like you into my world. Thank you for allowing me into yours.

What a richness you and others have brought to me with funny posts, comments, concerns and at times comfort.

I love blogging !!! How about you ?

Soooo, happy blog anniversary/birthday to my blog !

A Post About Almost Nothing...

2010-10-21T14:18:00.005-04:00

Not much knitting has been going on with me these days. I've been working a lot with little time to cook or craft. I have hope and faith that in the next few weeks my work life will have quieted down.

I started a simple pair of socks this morning. The yarn is Boston by Wisdom Yarns Marathon Socks. Its sort of a self striping yarn in colors of golds and browns. It's really pretty.

If you follow my blog or have looked at my Rav project page you know that I don't do socks. I love and have used sock yarn but never knit socks. Over a year ago I successfully completed one Jaywalker but lost it and the uncompleted one during my move.

This yarn is soft and has a nice feel while knitting. I tried to picture it in a scarf, gloves or hat but it spoke SOCK to me. So, I started a pair.

Hopefully by my next post or the post after I will have gotten much further.

Atlanta

My daughter and I had to travel (70 miles away) to Atlanta to do business. It's a given that there are specific shops that she and I will definitely go to. We always go to Whole Foods, Sevananda Natural Foods Market, Lenox Square Mall and one or two of our favorite resale shops. We have a lot of fun shopping at these places. We don't think about it, we just go for the shopping.

Things change a bit when it comes time to choose a restaurant. My daughter loves most types of African and Caribbean food. She would eat it ALL of the time if she could. I really like it also but wanted something different this trip. She and I sat in the Whole Foods parking lot trying to figure out what we wanted. With all of our deep thinking and trying to recall which restaurants serve what, you would think Atlanta has a poor selection of restaurants.

Just as I was driving out of the parking lot I noticed a small eatery a few doors from Whole Foods. On their poster board was Falafel, Tabbouleh... I told my daughter "that's where we're eating". She was tired and did not protest.

So, we ended up at the Olive Bistro and loved it ! The food, the quaintness, the food, the service and did I mention the food !!! My daughter had something that looked like falafel in pita bread with a bunch of olives, dried tomatoes and other things. She special ordered it. -- I however ordered the Mousaka. I should add three exclamation points after saying Mousaka (sometimes spelled with two S's) because I haven't had it since living in Michigan and missed it dearly. It's possible that a restaurant in my little town serves it, I just haven't come across it.

This is the actual photo of my Mousaka after a few bites. Ummm Good it was.

So, everything went well as far for the choice of restaurant. My children and I love many types of foods but tend to lean towards the exotic. I guess some would call our choices exotic.

It's always nice to eat out but especially nice to eat out of town.

Step Away From The Acrylic Carolyn... NOT !

2010-10-08T22:52:00.009-04:00

Let me confess right not that I fell off of the wagon the other day. My yarn wagon that is. Yes, it’s my own personal wagon having to do with acrylics. I’ve been struggling with the will power to not purchase 100% or near 100% acrylics. They’re just sooooooo pretty though. I mean, the colors are vibrant in a way that no natural yarn could ever be vibrant (unless it’s a Wollmeise).

I have a lot of acrylic, most of it was given to me. I hardly ever knit with it and yet, I can’t seem to just throw the stuff away. I won’t give it away or donate it. Why can’t I step away from the acrylic?

I was in Hobby Lobby the other day picking up a bunch of candles that were 50% off. I could have just grabbed my candles and headed towards the register but no, I ended up crossing to the other side to look at the yarn. Why do I do it? Why do I even take the time to look at the Hobby Lobby yarn? The store in my town has a good amount of yarn, only thing is about 80% of it is acrylic. I can’t really do a thing with it. 100% Acrylic turns me off. Yet, those colors lure me into thinking that I could make a sweater out of this Red Heart along with a matching hat and scarf. -- Just as I’m about to grab a few skeins of the acrylic, the rational/stronger Carolyn says; “You know you’re not going to knit anything with that stuff don’t you?” So instead of grabbing a few skeins, I may take one then return it on my next visit to Hobby Lobby.

This trip however, I came across a Patons Lace yarn and yes, I bought a skein. It’s just soooooooooooo pretty. It is not entirely acrylic but the majority of it is. I purchased a skein of the purple/white/green for my mother.

The photos were taken with my camera phone in Hobby Lobby.

Green was always her favorite color and purple is a really majestic and spiritual color for her. The white mellows those two colors out. I’m going to quickly do another Simple-Yet-Effective for her holiday gift. My plan is to have it finished before she can call from Michigan to request something. If I remember correctly, last year she said she ‘simply wanted a hat’. That simply-wanting-a-hat had me tearing down two hats before I finally made her the hat the way she wanted it made. So, when she calls my daughter and says something like; “Tell your mother I’d like a hat, mittens and scarf with this and that and this and that…” My daughter will only be able to reply; “Oh Grandma, she already made you something”.

I thought of doing a shawl with a lace edging but my mother would find something to say about it so I’m sticking with straight lines baby.

I think she will be happy when she unwraps this gift.

A Fall Shawl

2010-10-04T13:33:00.000-04:00

You may already know that I'm living in the northeast part of Georgia. Some of my friends here claim this part of Georgia as being much cooler than the rest. The weather seems to either range from warm to very warm to hot as heck. It's all the same to me. There doesn't seem to be a spring or winter. Just long and very hot summers and short falls that end with a bit of cold. There is a day or two of spring and then it's summer again.

I had no real plan for where my straight stitching versus garter stitch rows went.

When my first spring came of living here in Georgia, I was rearing to do go shopping. I love seasonal shopping. You know, little spring cotton sweater sets, cotton cabled sweaters, nice slacks and skirts. My daughter laughed when she told me that there is NO spring here. Let me correct that statement, there is not a long enough spring for a person to really shop for.

This was a little heartbreaking for me but I've grown use to it.

Lately the weather here has been lovely, very Michigan like. The mornings are so cool that I'm walking out with a sweater over a nice long sleeve shirt. We've had some beautiful wet days also. I love a nice fall rain. The leaves change slower down here than up north. I'm enjoying it just the same.

Above is my Simple Yet Effective Shawl by Laura (Cosmicpluto) that I started and completed some months ago. I just got around to blocking it last week. I love that it's a bit rustic. This is my first fall shawl and I probably won't work on another shawl for a month or more. So i's a good thing this the colors go with many of my clothes. This pattern is an easy peasy and there are two versions of the shawl. This is the free one.

The yarn is Ditto from Universal. The color is Red Rocks. I used size 7 needles.

The Dogwood Hat ; A Short Post

2010-09-20T16:23:00.001-04:00

I saw this adorable hat on the Rav Patterns page last week and had to make it. I love that even though it's an eyelet pattern, it's simple also. The pattern is straight forward and what I have rated as an easy peasy. I would like to whip out another one or two for holiday gifts. Everyone loves a free pattern so here is the link to the Dogwood Hat by Emily Benson (RAV link).

The Dogwood Hat by Emily Benson
Yarn: Nashua Creative Focus in Carolina Blue
Size 7 Needles

This was actually going to be a photo heavy and long worded post but I could not get a lot of my photos to rotate as you can see with the top photo. I was going to talk about resale shopping and the weather and a few other things. Oh well, perhaps next time.

Selbu Satisfaction

2010-09-03T17:00:00.001-04:00

Here are the final photographs of my Selbu Modern. This is a simple pattern with clear instructions. I am pleased with the colors and satisfied with the project.

This is another hat my daughter is coveting (which attributed to her eagerness to model it). I thought I would keep this for myself but she may find it wrapped under the holiday tree this year. I have another skein and a half of the Palette Calypso Heather left over. Wouldn't that be nice if I could eek out matching mittens ?!?

Here's the link to the Selbu.

Have a good weekend all !

Sometimes It's The Little Things...

2010-08-24T00:39:00.007-04:00

Okay, upon receipt of my Knitpicks catalog I usually scan it for new patterns then set it in my catalog pile. I have to say the new fall issue really had me excited. The excitement did not come from any of the new patterns but from the color charts.

I think Knitpicks really did it this time! They hit the nail on the head with photos that are close to a 100% match of their yarns (this is my opinion anyway). Did anyone notice this? -- I have a lot of the Palette yarns and when holding them next to the fall photo, they match almost perfectly. Wow! The same thing for photos of the Andean Treasure, Wool of the Andes, Shine Worsted and others. I am really impressed!

I have always wanted the color cards and planned to purchase them, I never had the willpower to get them. That’s right, I said willpower. Let me explain. -- We all know the color cards are only $1.99. For all the years I almost bought them, I could probably had them ten times over. Every time I do a Knitpicks order and write down the color cards on my little 'to purchase' list, just as I am about to tell the customer rep about the color card the purchase just never happens. The thought of the $1.99 spent on a color card is pushed back. I always think to myself;

“Why should I get a color card for $1.99 when I can get a Pallet or Wool of the Andes for the same price? They are the same price. Heck, I can’t knit with a color card but I sure can with an extra skein of yarn!” Happens every time.

This isn't the best photo of a photo but believe you me, the colors are wonderful !

Over the last couple of years I have entered a few contests offering Knitpicks color cards but have never won. I know, this is sad. There are moments when spending $30.00 and up for a skein of yarn was a real pleasure yet I will not purchase a little $1.99 color card.

Finally A Selbu Modern

I have wanted to make this hat since the pattern came out. I mean, who doesn’t love the Selbu Modern? Well, I love it and I finally started it Sunday Morning. The yarn and colors are Knitpicks Palette in Calypso Heather and Cream. I can't say for sure, but I think a pom-pom might end up on top of this baby!

Also, thank you all for your kind thoughts, comments, cards and gifts in regards to my dad. Much appreciated !!!

Luv, luv, luv !

A Better Place

2010-07-05T13:54:00.009-04:00

I had not mentioned this to you but it’s going into the third week now since my Father’s passing.

I was grateful and happy that my Aunt Velma was the one to call me from Atlanta to give me the news. I took it like a trooper, turned things around and began asking her how she was doing and told her to call me if she needed to talk. Shedding of tears has been less than sparse on my end. I am still numb, still in shock.

One of my best friends in Detroit of 33 years became very upset with me because he did not think I was grieving. Is there a proper way to grieve? I don’t think so, it has to be an individual experience wouldn’t you say? In any event, my friend is disturbed by my calmness and actually found grieving counselors in Georgia and had them call me. I appreciate his concern.

I’d recently received a beautiful strand of pearls and was saving them for a special occasion. I imagined that occasion to be a dinner or theater date. I don’t mind that my first wearing of the pearls was to see my dad off.

I won’t say much more in this post except that I may be ready now to take some real time off of work and I may not post for a while.

You understand I’m sure.

Bored ? Then Knit Slippers !

2010-06-23T09:55:00.003-04:00

The other day I took a break from my Freyja sweater to work on the Diamond Rain Vest, now I'm taking a break from the Diamond Rain to work on these slippers.

The slippers are the Plain-or-Flowery-Slippers by Sara M. Hughes (Rav link). As you can see, I've used Noro Kureyon color #102 which is mostly bright, shocking pinks and oranges with a tinge of blue-purple thrown in. I have about four skeins or more of this color that I purchased last year. I wonder what I had in mind at that time.

The pattern has an optional flower that can be added. It's one of the nicer knitted ones that I've seen. It's not at the level of a Nicky Epstein flower but it is very nice. One day I may make another pair and I will add the flower. Since Kureyon puts on it's own show, it doesn't need any adornments. So, flowerless it is.

Both pairs of my house shoes have wedge heels of about 1.5 inches. I have really high arches and seldom if ever wear flat shoes. These are comfortable and I've been wearing them as bed shoes mostly. It's almost like being barefoot.

This pattern makes a wonderful stash buster.

Wips and Some Lovelies

2010-06-21T11:54:00.009-04:00

I'm working on two projects that are almost brainless, both have a lot of straight stitching which is good when watching a movie or working off stress. I've completed about 3/4 of the body of my Freyja sweater (I don't have a photo). So, it's coming along nicely.

I've completed both back and front of the Diamond Rain vest with the exception of the shoulders. I should be working on those tomorrow. I'm not only pleased with my choice of pattern for my little cousin but I love the color and Wool-Ease is such a soft joy to work with.

Lovelies/Lovely's

This skein of Cherry Tree Hill Silk & Merino DK is oh so soft and would make a lovely cowl or hat or scarf or even gloves. I haven't decided yet. The skein is 313 yards so the potential for either of those options is great. The color is Spring Frost. It's really all baby pastels but I like it.

I'm in love with the blue of this Nashua Creative Focus. The color is Carolina Blue. This is the only skein I have and with it being only 220 yards, it's destined to be a hat. I've rubbed the skein against my face and neck over and over and it doesn't appear to be itchy. It just looks itchy to me so, hat it is. So far.

A Few Things About My Dad...

2010-06-20T10:05:00.000-04:00

Sunday, June 20, 2010

A week after my birth...

he nicknamed me Cat. No one knows why.

Dinah Washington was his favorite singer when I was a child. We went to see her at the Michigan State Fair

To date, Red Velvet Cake is his favorite dessert

Happy Fathers's Day To My Dad and to Everyone Else !!!

A Berry Pie For A Friend

2010-06-15T12:30:00.003-04:00

Monday, June 15, 2010

This is a there-abouts conversation between Mr. Willie and I a couple of weeks ago.

Mr. Willie: Baby, I think I would like some fried green tomatoes one day and a berry pie.

Carolyn: A blackberry pie ?

Mr. Willie: Yes.

I turned to look at his profile as he watched a basketball game, thinking to myself that this must be a hint that he wants me to cook these things for him. I do after all, have some knowledge of what he has cooked and what his specialities are. Fried green tomatoes and blackberry pie are not things he has cooked.

Carolyn: Who is going to cook those things for you ?

Mr. Willie: I'm hoping you will. Have you ever cooked fried green tomatoes ?

Carolyn: Well, I could speak with my mom, she fries eggplant all the time, it can't be any...

Mr. Willie: Baby, have you ever cooked fried green tomatoes? Ever made a berry pie?

Carolyn: No.

Mr. Willie turns to look at me with a slight look of disappointment on his face. He then pats my knee and gives that beautiful smile of his and winks.

Mr. Willie: I am confidant that when you make either of those, they're gonna be good.

He turned back to look at his game.

A Bit of My Cooking History

As a youngster I would imagine Sunday after-church-goers marching in line to eat at my dad's restaurant in Detroit

I was born and raised in the Midwest but my parents are southerners. My mom was born in Tennessee, her mother died when she was five years old so my mom never learned to cook, even this day. My father was born in Georgia, he has/had many siblings, they all come from a long line of people that can really, really, cook.

When I was young, my dad had a soul food restaurant in Detroit in the 1960s. He was the main cook and as his restaurant became more popular, we had to hire other cooks. My dad was very particular, cooks were always easy to come by but whoever worked in my dad's restaurant had to know how to cook as if they were from Georgia. If the person could not cook exactly like he wanted, they had to at least be open minded and able to learn, and fast.

Sundays at my dad's restaurant were very big and busy days. It was the only day that I got to waitress. After church let out, our restaurant was bombarded with church-goers from the east and west side of Detroit. Our little restaurant looked like your average greasy spoon but had you stepped in on any Sunday you would be walking into a room of dramatic hat wearing, bejeweled ladies with their suited and coiffed men waiting for a good meal. A good southern meal.

You see, many people think that soul food is soul food but it really isn't. Or should I say, it isn't all the same. Soul food like any other food is regional. I mean, it's basically the same but slightly different ingredients and methods make all the difference. Let me give you a for instance; I was always taught that a real sweet potato pie is only spiced with nutmeg. Other places in the south might add allspice or cinnamon or both. Some of my friends in the Carolina's will add pecans to their sweet potato pies. A friend of mine from Alabama adds molasses and coconut to her pie. She says her entire county and two counties over use molasses and coconut with their pies. It just depends.

Whenever we went down south from Michigan, I always came back a few pounds heavier. I was a bit envious that my Georgia cousins knew how to 'throw-down' in the kitchen. My cousins were learning all cooking tips from their parents. My dad was the cook in the family but never had the time to teach my sister and I. He was always working.

As years went on, when I was out on my own, I began purchasing cookbooks. My parents, sister and I had traveled a lot when I was younger which made us open minded and adventurous. On those trips, my mom was always trying new things to eat. My dad never would.

I began to eat and cook things that my family had never heard of, much less ate. My children to this day will say how fortunate they were because their mom (me) was always cooking up something unique. They are open minded and adventurous as I am.

I was raving to Mr. Willie about the sale I got on the couscous and he asked me what it was. I explained that it is a pasta mainly from Africa and that I'd had it in Morocco years ago. I told him that I thought he'd like it. He told me no, no couscous for him. He said he was just fine. I laughed and wondered how I was going to get him to try the couscous.

The past few days here in northeast Georgia have been really hot. The temperatures have hit over 100 degrees. No matter how many times we see each other during the week, Mr. Willie and I try to have Sunday dinner together. This past Sunday it was so hot that I was ill all day. Two of his cousins surprised him with a visit from another county this kept him busy. I was relieved.

Monday was hot as heck so I didn't cook. Tuesday was also hot as heck but I just went for it. I had purchased fresh shrimp and blackberries and these things needed to be cooked. -- I made a shrimp casserole which only required about 20 minutes in the oven. The pie's total time in the oven was about 50-55 minutes. After cleaning the shrimp and preparing the pie mixture and with the oven being on, I was exhausted from the house heat already. I was suppose to cook a pot of brown rice to go over the casserole and I had bought eight ears of corn to make fried corn with. Not the oven or grilled fried corn but the kind where you cut off the corn and fry it in a cast iron pot.

It was about 6:15pm and Mr. Willie was due between 7:30-8:00pm. Now, I had plenty of time to do the rice and the corn but the house had just become suffocating. Okay, what to do ? I decided to replace the fried corn with frozen mixed vegetables and the brown rice with, you guessed it, couscous. I had to.

By the time Mr. Willie (arrived at 7:58pm) knocked on the door, the house had cooled down. As I sat the bowl of couscous down I began explaining how the house was just too hot to continue cooking the rice. He interrupted me in mid-sentence and said; "Baby, I'm happy with whatever you cook me." and he smiled.

As it turned out, he loved the shrimp casserole over the couscous. He asked me how I cooked it so fast and said he would like it again.

So, what's my point to all of this ? I guess to say that my horizons were expanded also with cooking Mr. Willie the berry pie. I make pies all the time but would have never done a blackberry pie. I've only know blackberries as something to gather off of my mom's trees on her property in Michigan. They are so plentiful up there that the first time I saw them packaged and for sale at a market, I burst out laughing. I couldn't imagine paying for them.

I'll stop talking now so you can look at the recipe.

Blackberry Pie

I was hot and tired while slitting the top of the pie. It came out okay though !

Have the oven ready at 425 degrees F.

Ingredients

2 pie crusts for a 9 inch pie pan.
2 12 oz packages of fresh blackberries (around 3.5 or 4 cups)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3/4 cup of white sugar (add a little more if you want a sweet sweet pie)

1 cup of Turbinado sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice
1.5 tablespoon butter

1 teaspoon of Merlot (optional)

Now You're Ready to Cook

Have the oven ready at 425 degrees F (230 degrees C).
Line a 9 inch pie pan with half the pastry.

Save remaining pastry for top crust.

Make sure the crusts are kept refrigerated during the preparation.

Combine berries, flour, sugar, wine and lemon juice.

Stir in the melted butter.

Spoon into pie shell.

Cover with top crust, and slash in several places.
Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Continue baking for 35 to 40 minutes, or until browned.

Sounds silly but this amazed me. The berries cooked up so pretty, light and bright.

In the summer months, I never roll a homemade pie crust, I usually buy one. This is a really good one, from Publix of course. There are two crusts for just under $3.00.

Now, I have to find a really good fried green tomatoes recipe !

The Find & The Savings Make for A Good Weekend !

2010-06-13T08:11:00.029-04:00

The Find...

Do you do garage sales, flea markets or do thrift/resale shops ?

I use to do all garage sales, never flea markets but always, always resale shops. In this town we have one Salvation Army which is good for books and the occasional new piece of Tupperware. We have a GoodWill which is way over priced. The GoodWill has a really excellent selection of books. I will say though that I can always find a really nice dress or top with the price tag still on it. We have a couple of other little shops but they are not worth mentioning. Most of their items are broken or ripped or have pieces missing. Why bother.

One resale shop in town is raved about by everyone. Going in there, I could never figure out why everyone loves the place. It is messy, the furniture is broken, dirty and torn. Dishes are chipped or bent. The clothes are in no type of order and are strewn all over the place. I wondered where the attraction was ?

Until I got to the book section. Okay I will admit, no matter how a book section looks, I am not turned off or discouraged. Even if the books are on the floor. This place has so many books and they are in order. I mean the math books are not in the cooks book section and so on. I fell in love when I discovered they had a foreign book section. To top it off, they have a foreign cookbook section. Be still my heart ! I have already bought two Puetro Rican cookbooks and three Cuban cookbooks.

My mouth dropped open when I ran across their craft section, particularly the knitting books. Unlike the other books that are on shelves, the craft books are in front of a bookshelf in a box on a rickety old end table. To the average shopper this cardboard box would not look like much but look at what I purchased this past Saturday.

YES !!! Interweave Knits Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter of 2006. Interweave Knits Winter 2004 and Vogue Fall of 1997. The knitting magazines are 25 to 50 cents a piece. She charged me 25 cents this time around. Only $1.50 for all six.

The Savings

For years I didn't purchase Interweave Knits. I would buy one here or there according to what I saw inside. So, I'm missing a lot of issues. It's funny that I ran into these because the issues for Interweave 2006 is crucial to my collection of patterns that I want but may never be knit. I was just about to purchase four patterns from Ravelry this week three of them being from the Spring 2006 Interweave Knits. I went through the five Interweave's recently purchased and see that I've saved over $70.00 in pattern purchasing from Ravelry or Knitting Daily for the total patterns I planned to purchase. You may chuckle at this but I can assure that over a short span of time, I would have purchased all of these patterns and more !

Whew ! That was close !!!

More Finds and Savings

Have you ever heard of Publix Supermarkets ? We don't have them in Michigan so I'd not heard of them until I came to Georgia. Well, they are wonderful sort of upscale markets. When I say upscale, I mean there is top customer service, top brands, top bakery, top seafood market, top deli, gourmet brands in every section. The Publix brand of items are just as or sometimes better than the brand name products. Everything is top, top, top. With all that said, you know of course that Publix is a bit pricey and pricey is relative to the consumer. I say they are pricey. I find that some of the items such as meats and fruits are exhorbitant whereas prices for dairy items are reasonable.

Where is this all leading ? Okay, Publix has great sales. I don't mean to throw my food shopping into the knitting mix but I caught the best ever sale this weekend.

I normally pay $8.99 to $9.99 a bag for my Starbucks coffee. Well, Publix had all Starbucks on sale for $5.99 a bag ! I had $1.00 off coupons so I actually got my coffees for $4.99 ! Unheard of in the world of purchasing Starbucks !!!

Taboule and Couscous are low carb

I'm not sure whether I purchased enough though

Publix had a buy-one-get-one-free sale on Near East products. My children and I are great lovers of couscous. I love taboule/tabobouleh and who doesn't like pilaf.

I usually pay about $2.37 for Near East side dishes at Walmart and about $2.73 at Kroger. I had no idea that Publix has them priced at $2.19 so at buy-one-get-one-free, I only paid about $1.10 for each one !!! Had I purchased these eleven boxes of Near East at Walmart at 2.37 a box, I would have paid $26.07, Kroger for $2.73 I would have paid $30.03 and regular price at Publix for $2.19 would have cost me $24.09. Instead, I paid approximately $12.10 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh happy day !!!

One More Thing...

I picked these on my walk this morning. Dandelions and dasies.

What a good weekend.

Body Parts

2010-06-12T14:50:00.004-04:00

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Thought I'd put the Diamond Rain Vest down for a day or so to fit in a knitting-quickie. I've had this pattern Bear in a Bag in my folder titled Quick Projects for a while and felt like whipping out a little toy. -- I haven't knitted or crocheted many toys and thought I'd do this pattern since it looks as though it would knit up quicker than a hat.

The yarn chosen from my stash is Jamieson's 2Ply Spindrift. What you see in the photo above are two arms, the body and head (one piece) and on the needles is the leg. This pattern would fit into the easy-peasy category. The directions are very simple and are pretty open ended. Direction wise, there is a lot missing.

The body and head are a long rectangle and there is no neck shaping. I guess after knitting up the sweater for the bear, the ribbed collar from the sweater provides the neck shaping ? I guess ?

I plan on shaping the neck somehow and perhaps the body a little since I'm making this a girl bear. I've already added shoes and socks. I'm thinking of a skirt and top instead of the sweater.

We'll see what I come up with.

My World of WIPs

2010-06-08T23:20:00.004-04:00

WIP 1

I don't have any photos to show but I have completed 10.5 inches of the Diamond Rain vest back. With 5+ inches of the 4x2 ribbing and the rest in straight stitch, the back has gone relatively quick. I have put all stitches on a stitch holder. I'm holding off beginning the arm holes until the front is completed. This is a refreshing, brainless and easy-peasy pattern.

WIP 2

I talked some months ago about the Freyja Sweater (Rav link) from the Interweave Knits Fall 2009 magazine. I love this sweater and have drooled over project pages of it on Ravelry. As always, I'm behind with my patterns but can happily say, I cast on last night.

I'm using Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool. I've had this in my stash for a while just waiting for the perfect sweater. Looks like I found it ! -- The color is #58 Columbine. You've probably seen this color but the best way to describe it would be to say it's like a periwinkle. I'm loving this yarn right now because it feels more raw silk than wool.

I've gone on the Yarndex color chart a few times looking for colors for the yoke of the sweater. I can't figure out which colors to combine with the blue. I want to work no less than four colors and I have yet to figure out which way to go. You know, dark or light contrasts or both. Decisions, decisions.

By the way, I found the Tuscany to be an easy and enjoyable knit !

WIP 3 to be Taken Down

Over a month ago I started the Tuscany Shawl by Amy Singer (rav link). This is a shawl that I've wanted to make for a long time. I grabbed 8 skeins of Queensland Bamboo Cotton out of my stash and started knitting. This is a very soft dk yarn, feels really good. I knitted about a foot or so and decided that I didn't like the choice of yarn. The shawl was coming out okay however, it was not how I envisioned MY Tuscany. So, I am breaking the bond and will be taking it down this week.

To my sweet Tuscany; another day, another yarn !

A Shortie

2010-06-05T20:01:00.019-04:00

I love this Diamond Rain Pattern and have wanted to make it for a long time. So, here I am making it for my little cousin Isabella in Detroit.

The pattern photo of the vest is adorable. The pattern looks pretty standard but I think the vest is more on the petite size. I was reading Ravelry notes from the Diamond Rain project pages and the consensus seems to be that the vest runs short. In fact way too short.

A good majority of knitters either found the vest too cropped after completion; a good deal of knitters who viewed those notes then lengthened the vest in one way or another.

Yarn Harlot chose to add one repeat of the diamonds. Many others added an inch or two to the ribbing. I may do both. I want to add one diamond repeat and one extra inch to the ribbing. When I make the vest for myself, I will do the same.

Again, this is the Lion Brand Wool-Ease in the Rose Heather. This photo shows the color more accurately. Pink is Isabella's favorite color.

The Case Of The Woman Who Would Not Listen

Here are some of the wildflowers I picked the other day.

Forgive the wilted rose in the back.

It's my first flower from Mr. W. and I can't make myself throw it away yet.

I love flowers, particularly wildflowers. Or pretty weeds even. I love driving through the country and pulling over just to pick a few flowers. I will go into the backyard and pick buttery colored dandelions and bunch them together with fuschia roses and white daisies. I have a knack for really beautiful arrangements.

A couple of weeks ago the lot in back of my house had small Shasta looking dasies that seemed to have bloomed all at once and all over. It was as if I was on a free flower shopping spree ! I had a bunch of dasies on the kitchen counter, the cocktail table, the dining table and the kitchen table.

When Mr. Willy found out I'd gotten them from out back he told me not to go back there again because of all of the poison ivy. Yes, I'd seen the poison ivy. I had it in my yarn up in Michigan. I know poison ivy very well. Okay, I said. I'll be careful.

I had pretty much picked every blooming thing from out back so I began to pick wildflowers off the side of the roads. My daughter and Mr. Willie said that was no good either because of the snakes. I scoffed at them, that is, until Mr. Willie had the episode with his own rattlesnake. Okay, I get it.

Yesterday morning I went out for my walk which takes me out of the neighborhood and onto a busy backroad. When I say backroad, I mean backroad. I'm walking past cattle and barns. I noticed some fluffy white flowers (probably weeds) on the other side of the road and made a mental note to get enough for my small vase at home.

I broke off a couple of the stems which shook the plant and about three wasps flew at me. I am not a person that will harm themselves getting away from a bug but I did have to back into the road to get away from them. I think they were actually going to hurt me. I walked back up to get more flowers/weeds and stepped a little further into the red clay. I was pleased and had just enough blooms for my little vase when my ankles and calves began stinging and I mean bad. I looked down to see that I was standing directly in a fire ant colony.

I quickly brushed them off of my legs and stomped my feet to get them off of my shoes. I knew from an experience a couple of years ago that I should not take off my shoes but instead I dug down and smashed the ants that were heading downward. All was well.

When I got home, my daughter asked, "How was your walk? I see you got more flowers." As I headed into my bathroom for peroxide, cortizone and Benydryl I answered "Oh, it was fine, just fine."

We're Half Way Through

2010-06-04T08:40:00.002-04:00

Well, that was a short month. Did you notice how short May was? Here it is June and we are halfway through the Knit/Craft year already.

Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Rose Heather. So Pretty.

So... How is your crafting going so far? Are you chugging along, staying on point or exceeding your expectations ? Me? Oh, I'm chugging, or just barely chugging. I don't know where I was last June in terms of how many projects I'd done. For 2009, I had 19 projects posted and 7 unposted. Twenty six projects total for 2009. Not a lot but more progress than I've made this year. We're halfway through the year and I've only got six projects. Okay, it's been a challenging first six months for my 2010. Now if I were to count the wip's, that number would go up from six to thirteen projects. I won't count the wip's though because most of them are going to be taken down.

Have You Ever Heard the Expression

si quiere hacer risa de Dios le dice sus planes

If You Want to Make God Laugh

Tell Him Your Plans

January of this year my thoughts, intentions and plans were very industrious. Then health and care issues came up with my dad consuming a lot of my time, keeping me stressed which did not allow me to knit. On the other hand though, I've met a wonderful person to put his arm around me and say "It will be alright". This is a good thing but new relationships can take one away from knitting also.

I don't feel guilty about not knitting but I do miss it. So, as things have settled down, now that my dad is more stable, I can relax a bit more. Mr. Willy being a retired gent allows us to spend a lot of time together. I'll just have to work my knitting in, that's all. Sometimes, Change is good.

Knitting

Remember the shawl I was working on with the Malabrigo Lace. I called it my Pooling Shawl. Well... I'm not going to complete it. I am going to take it down and put the yarn away for a while. I can't explain why. It wasn't all of the flashing of the yarn, the yarn is really pretty. Instead of keeping it as a wip, I'm taking it down.

I owe gifts to my cousin's two daughters. I'm making his oldest Isabella a pink vest out of the Lionbrand Wool Ease which is pictured above. The plan is to make her the Diamond Rain Vest by Sandi Luck.

Though I didn't want to, I may have to start on a hat also. You know, just to get me going. Hopefully my knitting-hat-addiction will not take over. I should make a note to myself to stop at four or five hats.

Oh well, I must go now so I can choose a nice little hat pattern and yarn.

Toodles !!!

Do You See This !!!

2010-05-30T13:50:00.002-04:00

The Weather Channel says today and tomorrow we are to have scattered showers. Mr. Willie says tomorrow's rain will be worse than today. I told him in that case, we will barbecue this evening. He suggested that we just cook the food in the oven but I told him I want true charcoal-barbecue taste. Rain or no rain, I want to barbeque !

I'm the Cooking Queen this time around so all things go my way.

Most of the day is going to be crazy busy. I cooked my green beans with smoked turkey wings day before yesterday. I usually cook with smoked turkey drumsticks but they were nowhere in town. The only thing I have to add to them tomorrow are diced potatoes and baby carrots. I will take about a pint of the pot liquor from the green beans and simmer the potatoes and baby carrots in it. Then put the potatoes and carrots in with the beans. Ummm.

I have to make a cake today and my macaroni and cheese. I have a few other things to make but I don't want to think about that right now because it will stress me out.

My friend Anita's mom passed last week. She, her daughter and grandchildren drove from Georgia to her family's home up in New Jersey for the funeral. I received a text from her this morning telling me that they are driving back to Georgia today and hope to see me tomorrow. I wanted to text her back and tell her that she could stay home and didn't have to come if she didn't feel like it. Perhaps she needs to come.

A family friend and her sister are driving from Decatur tomorrow. I really hope it doesn't rain any harder.

I have to go for now. I have to check on my roux.

In Happier Times...

2010-05-29T10:02:00.012-04:00

Gary Wayne Coleman

February 8, 1968 – May 28, 2010

Snake In The Grass

2010-05-26T07:04:00.014-04:00

or should I say; What's Going On In The World of the Non-Knitting.

Non-Knitter, that's what I've become these days. I have about four or five WIPs sitting on needles just taking up space. In all fairness, I shouldn't even call them WIPs, none of them are past row three. They look like colorful pasta strung on a knitting needle. A knitting kabob if you will.

It's okay though, I can't say that I am unhappy with this unproductive knitting stage because I've been busy. I'm having a small Memorial Day bash at my place that I'm really excited about. The place I was at before was much too small to have even four people over without feeling crowded.

There has been much shopping going on and so far the menu looks like this;

Macaroni n' Cheese, barbequed chicken, beef barbequed hotdogs and kielbasa. Hamburgers. Mr. Willy may bring a few slabs of ribs for he and his friends. Pork n' beans, green beans with potatoes, potato salad, whole kernel corn (possibly fried corn if I have enough time). Sodas, sweet tea (I am in Georgia) and punch.

Desserts are up in the air. So far I may do a Lemon Pound cake, peach pie (a special request) and a store bought sweet something.

Did I Say Snake ?

My buddy Mr. Willy drives two counties over to his sisters home and works on a huge family vegetable garden. He drives out sometimes twice a week. So last week Mr. Willy is just working away with his hoe and hears something. He turns around and there is the largest rattlesnake he'd ever seen. I think he must have startled the snake because it turned around to slither away. Mr. Willy said he was just standing there in shock when something told him;

"Fool, you have a hoe in your hand, use it !"

With that, he went after the snake and caught it in the back of it's head. He hit it a few times and it was dead. He then grabbed it up and threw it towards the road.

Whew !!!

A little while later his brother found the snake to get the rattle off, I asked him why didn't he get the head for me. His brother scolded him about the way he killed the snake. Apparently hitting the snake in the back of the head releases the venom throughout the body. His brother wanted the snake to sell for the meat. Mr. Willy says a certain kind of folk eat rattlesnake meat.

Mr. Willy killed the snake because he didn't want to run into it again in his garden. My reaction would have been the opposite. You see, I would have immediately dropped the hoe and made a really quick b-line past the house and to my car. Oh, and then I would have driven home.

Yeah, it's tales and moments like these that remind me that I am no longer in Michigan. We do have dangerous critters in Michigan but they will be in certain areas. Like way up north or in the forest. Georgia is pretty scary especially outside of the city. Not only are there rattlesnake here but there are coyote. Now I have to be really careful about where I go to pick wildflowers.

I'm-a- learnin'...

Two Really Good Things !!!

2010-05-14T10:15:00.014-04:00

Really Good Thing ONE

I Won a Contest !!!

Carrie of Knitfiber or Daisymum (Rav name) held a contest a little while ago on her blog and awarded a few of her cute little handmade wallets as prizes. Carrie allowed the winners to choose their pattern combinations. I received my wallet in the mail the other day and I love it ! It’s perfect for credit card sized items.

It's the Perfect Size to Slip Into an Itty Bitty Bag

Really Good Thing TWO

His name is Willie but most of the time I call him Sir or Sir Willie or Mr. Willie.

I don’t know whether you remember my Dreams of Springs post from last year where I lamented when my pal Kalina moved out of the US. That was a sad time for me because though she was married, she and I did things together up to four times a week. I have spoken about my challenges of connecting with people in this town. I won't say that it's because I am a northerner but, something is definately amiss, compatibility being one of the things. The few friends or associates that I have are like myself, they are NOT from this town.

Almost two months ago I met this very sweet person. He is adventurous and open minded (like me)! We go out for coffee and eat out a lot (a few times a week or more). I feel very blessed to have met him and he says the same about me. We have declared to each other that we are good and trusted friends. Sigh ! By the way, he is becoming a family friend also. My daughter adores him.

Mr. Willie was born in Georgia but lived in New York (Brooklyn baby) for over 40 years. So, he’s kind of an out of towner. He’s now retired and moved back to his birth state.

These days I am happier and this is very important to a knitter.

Formula for the Day

Most times Happiness=Less but Good Knitting !!!

Crayola Chaleco (Crayola Vest)

2010-05-03T11:43:00.007-04:00

I completed my Baby Cable Vest some days ago. I love working with simple little patterns and changing them around or using a yarn with big personality to make the pattern look totally different.

As I mentioned before, this is Noro Silk Garden (I luv, luv, luv this yarn) which as you know is always soft and very pretty. I had about four of these skeins just hanging around. I didn't like them well enough to make something for myself so gifting it is. Now that I think about it though, I may use the two other skeins to make a pair of mittens and a hat. In the near future I hope.

So Colorful !!!

I had fun photographing these in a nearby park yesterday. I was able to catch a bit of sunshine here and there. Good thing too because it's raining like cats and dogs today !

Happy Knitting Everyone !!!

Pooling Schmooling

2010-04-26T09:42:00.000-04:00

I've been known to be under a rock from time to time.

Hard to believe that this serene skein of lace could pool on it's owner

What’s all of this talk about pooling?

Are any of you familiar with the terms pooling, puddling and flashing (as yarn goes)?

Back in the day I worked with variegated yarns a lot. You've seen the show and performances (so to speak) put on by a variegated. Only recently have I been acquainted with the yarn-lingo of pooling, puddling and flashing. From my investigation, pooling and puddling are similar actions. While the pattern or striping of the knitting is going, along comes a solid which continues for a while and forms a ‘pool’ of that color within the knitting or striping. Puddling has to be the same but the solid comes together in a smaller amount.

This cowl I made for my son is flashing all over the place

This Calorimetry I made is an example of what knitters fear in terms of pooling, puddling and flashing

I’m a yarn crafter from years ago and in the 1970’s the use of variegated yarns was a big and common thing. It was fun to work on a project ooooohing and aaaahing as the yarn did its thing. The end result was always pleasant and appreciated back then. It was like getting that prize at the bottom of the Cracker Jack Box ! Through my research it seems that many crafters don’t care for some of the variegated performances. They are switching from one skein of the same color to another to keep the pooling under control.

Though it is flashing more than anything, I've named this piece 'My Pooling Shawl'

I have been working on the Wandering-The-Moor shawl (shown above) with a Malabrigo Lace in Emerald Blue. As you can see, there isn’t much pooling or puddling going on here, just a lot of flashing. I suppose someone might think this piece as being busy but I like variegated yarns. Since Wandering-The-Moor is 1/3rd straight stitch, the lace portion at the bottom will show up nicely.

I suppose concerns of variegated performances depends on what a person is knitting. I’d always made medium to larger items like hats, scarves, vests and afghans so the variegation is spread out. This morning as I went through Ravelry and Google forums about variegated yarns, the consensus seems to be that socks are the real victims of the pooling, puddling and flashing. This makes sense because socks are so small that a large pool could overwhelm one sock, giving it a huge blotch. What if the blotch is your least favorite color in the yarn. This would be a nightmare for me and a sure tear-down and redo.

According to The Knitting Fiend, it seems to be common knowledge that Lorne's Laces Variegated are notorious for pooling and flashing in a not so good way. I found plenty of blog posts talking about how many times socks were ripped out because of all the ugly variegations. The Knitting Sutra came up with a super post titled No-Pool-For-You. Check it out, it's interesting and informative.

I won’t be the bad knitter and point out socks that even the knitters said were ugly. You can search this forum though for those.

Pooling Colors Scarf

Though not the best example, this project is dedicated to pooling.

It’s all relative though. Since I was around when variegated yarns were really popular, I don’t mind them. I love that over twenty five Ravelers have embraced and knitted the Pooling Colors Scarf. Who am I to talk though ? My Knitting With Salmon post reveals my aversion to certain Noro colors and the way I manipulate the yarn.

Here are a few posts about working with pooling and variegated yarns by the Yarn Harlot, Knitting-Help, and Oregon Live.

Back to Normal, Back to Knitting

2010-04-23T09:30:00.004-04:00

My family matters have settled quite a bit. I’m feeling more comfortable, not stressing as much. I think I’m back, I’d like to be back (to blogging). In any case, I’m posting today.

Over the past few weeks, I have picked up wips here and there working on them a little then putting them down. I must have done this over ten times with not much work to show for. My concentration is working it’s way back. I hope to be operating on a full tank pretty soon.

What usually works to bring me up to speed is to work on small projects. I looked at hat patterns but turned away because I know that if I begin one hat my hat knitting will lead into another six or more. I’ll stay away from that addiction for now.

A couple of nights ago I began working on this cute little Cable Baby Vest by Julia Kroyan (rav link). I’m using a Noro Silk Garden. Since I removed the labels long ago and wound the skeins, I have no idea which color number it is.
The colors are pretty primary though. It goes from rust to citrus colors to greens and blues. No purple though. I chose to use the rust/citrus colors for the back of the vest. The blues will be used for the front. This pattern is a quick and easy-peasy one.
It’s a start to get me back into the swing of things.

Life !!!

2010-03-13T14:16:00.006-05:00

It happens and keeps happening.

Normally I would have posted twice since my last post. Well, I've been bombarded by a few family situations that are taking up my time, my knitting and my mind.

I will be taking a break for now but will continue to visit blogs and Ravelry as I can fit it in.

Talk to you soon !

Carolyn

Projects

2010-03-01T14:32:00.009-05:00

Happy March to Everyone !

I have not posted for over two weeks. I thought about posting many times but just couldn't do it. The last time I posted, I was in a bit of a slump; a knitting slump that is. Well, I pulled myself up and feel much better. I’m awake ! I’m alive !

Now I won’t tell you that a lot of knitting was done. In fact, I hardly knitted at all.

Isn’t life gratious and generous in that we can always start over !

I knitted up this hat some weeks ago and finally blocked it last night. I made it to go with the heart mittens (still to be blocked). I have oogled over this hat for months and swore I’d make it. It’s called My Rose Red by Knitti-Christie. -- I just love this little pattern.

Initially I thought I’d make it for myself. I never planned on using red (not one of my favorite colors) but, it is one of the few fair isle hats with hearts that is a quick knit. Also, the needle and gauge size were close enough to my mittens.

The last time we spoke, I discussed my search for a simple shawl for the busy sock yarn I’d selected. I chose the Simple Yet Effective Shawl by Cosmic Pluto. There are approximately 220 yards in each skein of the Ditto yarn and I’m down by 7/8ths of a skein already. I’m using a size 7 needle so what I have now is close to the size of an Ishbel size shawl. I have two more skeins but may only need to knit just one ; unless I want a larger shawl. As you can see, the colors are very fall-like. I’ve been working on this shawl during rides in the car, my lunch hour and as I’m watching movies. I’m in no rush to complete this. I may put it down and pick it up right before the fall in case I need to change my knitting mood by working on a lighter color to put me in a spring/summer mood. I’m very happy with the shawl and I may even keep it for myself.

So, that's all for now. I hope to post again by either this weekend or very early next week !

Thanks for your patience.

Contemplation...

2010-02-14T15:36:00.019-05:00

Restlessness has taken over my knitting for the past few days. I did complete my heart mittens. Now if I could just weave in those little ends and block them. I've told myself that my reward will be posted photos and a bit of gloating over the mitts when and only when I complete them. Alas, these days I just don't care.

The restlessness and lack of 'hot for knitting' does not feel like Mr. Mojo has crept upon me. I don't know what it is. -- I will confess something though, I picked up the startitis bug and have about three projects on needles. There is no significant amount of knitting with these projects. It started out hot and heavy and has simmered down to a whimper. Sigh.

The Yarn above is Universal Yarn Ditto (which is now discontinued ? When did that happen)? Anyway, I love it and I'm contemplating on making a shawl. I have to figure out which shawl. It will be pretty simple, that's for sure. This yarn is vibrant and striping so the pattern will not have to work to show off the yarn.

More to Contemplate...

You've probably come across this sweater/vest thingy in the past Interweave Knits 2009 Fall magazine. It's called the Scoop Pullover by Cathy Carron. I just love it and will be going through my stash this week to see if I have anything suitable for this wonderful pattern.

Snow In Georgia

We had a snow storm here in Georgia the other day. It wasn't too bad. While driving, I did slide a few times but kept my cool. The snow was here Friday, there was no freezing of snow overnight, the sun was melting the snow away by 11am Saturday morning. Happy ending, Yeah !!!

Okay all, I'm out of here.

I just may post some actual knitting in my next post !

Wonky Gauge

2010-02-08T13:24:00.011-05:00

Warning!!! Those with perfect or near perfect gauge SHOULD NOT read this post.

Okay, you got me, I confess. I have gauge issues. Yes, yes, my gauge is almost always off. It’s off about 90% of the time. I think mostly because I’m a tight knitter with small needles but my swatches come out too big if the needles are over a size 5. What’s a knitter to do ?

The pattern directions always tells us after giving the gauge; “or size needed to obtain gauge”. So here are my heart mittens done in various sized needles. The pattern initially calls for size 4 needles done in Novita. I have never used Novita yarn but I’m guessing this particular one is a sport size.

I had enough sport and fingering in the red and cream for mittens but not enough to make mittens and a hat. I wanted the mittens and hat to be stitched close in needle size. I have plenty of fisherman’s wool and a lonely skein of Patons Classic Wool in red (220+ yards) so this is what I chose.

I swatched three different times on three different size needles and was not successful. I ended up casting on the cuff with size 3 needles, worked the stripe for 14 rows then moved up to a size 5 needle for the first (red and white) set of hearts. I moved up to a size 7 for the white and red hearts and after about eight rows, it just didn’t look roomy enough. I tried it on and it was not roomy enough so I tore down those eight rows and worked eight rows in a size eight. Perfect. So, for the most part, these mitts go like so:

Cuff – Size 3 Needles (not shown)
Area between wrist & thumb – Size 5 Needles
Hand – Size 8 Needles

I have never had to use three different size needles for mittens but this actually worked for me.

Using larger needles for this project gives the mittens a kind of raw look but I like them. I've got plenty of mitten patterns to make that are daintily done in tiny needles.

Also, I took a better photo of my "Bird In The Hand" mittens. You can see it here.

I promised in my last bleary post that I would have the pattern for you. It is called Heart Mittens as I thought !

Just Call Me The Harried Knitter

2010-02-06T13:39:00.017-05:00

I've been driving back and forth from my town to past Atlanta helping my family out quite a lot in the past week or so. I will admit that I am tired. Not too stressed, just tired and wishing that either I lived closer to them or that they lived closer to me. Seventy miles to Atlanta or Eighty Five miles or so to my dad's home does not sound like a lot but after doing it a couple of days in a row or twice in one day or even a few times a week, it has made me feel as though I'm exhausted.

It's funny what we give priority to when running out of the door...

I left my laptop cord and flashdrive over my dad's house one evening. I had my knitting though. It's been traveling with me everywhere because a knitter never knows when they will be able to sneak in a row or two or ten.

I've been working on another pair of mittens. These are for Valentine's Day and the pattern is really cute. I'm posting this away from home right now and don't have the pattern print-out with me. I must have the pattern name wrong because I thought the name was something like Sweet Heart or Heart Mittens. I searched Ravelry and was not successful in finding it. Well, when I do my final post, I'll have the pattern for you.

Again, please forgive my terrible picture taking (this was also taken just before I went out the door) and it's a sideways photo to boot. I hope to complete them by the end of this week.

Talk to you later, I gotta take a nap.

Mittens, Mittens & Prizes

2010-01-31T15:42:00.017-05:00

Well, here are some semi decent photos of my "Bird In The Hand Mittens". They are all done and entered into the NaKniMitMo2010 KAL. Today is the last day as you probably know.

The grey/taupe and the turquoise yarns are Scottish Campion that was gifted to me a while ago. I don't think it is made any more. I don't have a lot of it but I have quite a few colors that can be used for more mittens. My gauge was spot on so I used the size 3 needles the pattern called for. If ever I do these again, I will use a size four.

The purple is KnitPicks Palette in eggplant. Looking at this particular photo, the second bird doesn't look like it has a beak but it does. I should have straightened the mitten out better. I'm not so much the photo taker.

These mittens are going to my daughter. She fell in love with them and wants a hat to match.

I don't know why I like the inside of the mittens so much. As you can see, I opted to leave the 'bird' out of the hand. I just didn't care for it.

Blue

Here are final photos of the blue mittens I completed a couple of weeks ago. This set is also going to my daughter.

Lately, she is asking for whatever I have on my needles. So funny !

Prizes, Prizes, Prizes...

Remember that contest I had over a week ago. The winners were Jody and Nik.

The first prize going to Jody is one skein of Malabrigo Lace in Shocking Pink.

Jody is also receiving three skeins of Universal Yarn Ditto sock yarn. I recall the color as Purple Cascade or something like that. I was going to send only two skeins but decided on three because a little bird told me that Jody is known for making a particular scarf out of lots of sock yarn. So... just in case, I sent three.

I have a few colors in this yarn. I should be churning out socks for my son soon.

Second Prize for Nik is two skeins of Knit Picks Shimmer yarn. The color is Fennel.

This is an alpaca/silk blend and it's really, really, really soft !

So to Jody and Nik, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy !!!

Homestretch

2010-01-27T12:13:00.007-05:00

I have been working diligently on my Bird in the Hand Mittens. They have knitted up relatively quickly considering I started on them about a week ago. I will be completing a thumb and a half this evening. I hope to block them also.

If all goes well, I will post photos by this weekend !

Inside of Hand; Row 15

2010-01-25T12:49:00.006-05:00

Warning !!! : This is written in chart-language.

Two blacks, white, black, white, white, black, black, white, black, white, white, four blacks, white, white, black, white, black, black, white, white, black, white, black…

A Bird in The Hand Mittens by Jorid Linvuk (2008)

Once Upon A CPH

2010-01-19T16:29:00.010-05:00

A Long Time Ago...

I joined a mini-CPH KAL started by 2 Sistah’s Knit Together/ CiCi and Cjtalk. It was in 2008.

I hadn’t knitted a sweater in a while and thought it would be fun. Heck, the sisters are fun! They were passionate and enthusiastic which made me want to knit right along with them.

The sisters were blogging about their CPH’s and had quite a few knitters to encourage and support them.

When they were half done with the backs of their CPH, I had not even thought of yarn I wanted to use.

I was online and catalogue browsing trying to figure out the best color, the best texture and what would go well with my slacks. I stopped in Michael’s to pick up a pair of knitting needles when I noticed a few colors of the Patons Classic Wool on clearance. What can I say, I am a sucker for sales and clearance sales are even better. I think the skeins were marked down from $4.99 to something like $1.99 a skein. Each skein is 223 yards. I cleaned up !

These are the first real photos I’ve taken of my CPH. I just put them on Ravelry.

Being that the yarn was on sale, the colors were limited. I didn't cared for the other colors so I purchased 15 skeins of the Natural Mix color. The yarn was for my CPH but, I had holiday gifting projects in mind also. Before sales taxes were put on, my cost for just over 3300 yards of merino wool was less than $30.00!

By the time I completed the back and sleeves of the sweater, I was completely bored. The color was not moving me for this particular sweater. Though I like the CPH, let’s face it, there is nothing about the pattern that challenges. I put it down and never blogged about it again. When the Ravelympics came around, I entered the sweater and completed it but never posted pictures of it or blogged my completion. I really disliked the sweater. It was hung up in my closet and ignored. Sometime later, a bulky sweater was hung over it. For the time being it was gone and forgotten.

This past weekend I was rearranging my close, I noticed the CPH under the other sweater. It had been a while and was sort of a pleasant surprise though I still don’t like the sweater. Oh well, I guess absence does not always make the heart grow fonder.

I first decided that I would donate it to the Salvation Army but decided instead to give it to a family member that would delight in receiving a handmade gift. This sweater is being shipped off to Michigan to my little cousin in Detroit as a belated holiday gift.

Goodbye CPH, goodbye.

Another One for The Neglected Pattern Challenge

2010-01-17T15:31:00.011-05:00

Happy Sunday to Everyone !

There is a small amount of knitting going on with me these days which I plan to show later on this week. For now I'm showcasing the hat I recently made for my pal Matt.

It's Smariek's Utopia Hat done in Lion Brand Wool Ease. It's the perfect yarn for a university student seeing as it is machine washable and dryable. I followed the exact instructions on this one but when Matt put it on I thought it was a little short. He doesn't have the larger than normal noggin just really thick and curly hair. I hadn't even remembered that as I was making his hat.

I offered to take it back to add more rows at the top so it will cover his earlobes more. Guess what ! He really, really likes the hat and refuses to hand it over.

Okay Matt !
(isn't he a cutie-patootie!)

Yarn Trickery and Contest Winners !!!

2010-01-15T16:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks to all of you that sought to answer my questions about the two balls of yarn.
The yarns in question are Patons SWS and Debbie Mumm Traditions. Patons is a soy/wool/silk blend (hence the SWS). Debbie Mumm Transitions is a wool acrylic. If the ball bands are not on and the skeins are caked or in a ball, it is almost impossible to tell them apart. At least it was for me.

This top down cardi I made in 2008 is out of Patons SWS. The mitten is from the Debbie Mumm Traditions. As you can see when knitted up there is quite a difference in coloring and striping.

Sheila got the Patons part right off as well as CICI. Tea got the Patons SWS part of it and I pretty much thought the contest was over.

Amybel said in her comment that I had not mentioned a point of reference. This cracked me up! I wish I were that organized of a knitter to think of something like that.

To Del, Nik and Amybel I agree, in the photo the yarn could pass for a Malabrigo or a Lanaloft.

I was absolutely blown away when Nik gave the exact name of the Debbie Mumm yarn. Clearly Debbie Mumm Traditions is an obscure brand and only those of us that wander into Joanns to look at the cheap stuff because we are nowhere near an LYS know what it is.

The Winner !!!

Because she answered the most questions giving the brand name, all three fibres, the exact color and the main complaint of the yarn which is that SWS tends to fuzz; Jody/Javajem is the winner !
Congratulations Jody ! I have to email her first and get a bit of information before announcing what her prize is.

I'd also like to attach and award a second prize to Nik/Niks Knits because she was the only one that mentioned the second yarn. Congratulations Nik and I'll be getting with you next week.

Thanks, that was so much fun !!!

How This Whole Thing Started…

So, I needed another pair of mittens for the NAKniMitMO and chose the Cabobble pattern. This is a really, really cute and easy pattern. It’s well written and goes oh so quickly.

I went through one of my stash draws with the slate colored Patons SWS in mind. I grabbed a ball and started knitting. A day later when I was at the top of the mitten, something struck me as funny. I think it was the striping. The striping seemed more precise and intense than SWS striping. The grey seemed lighter, the black seemed darker. My stomach began to sink as I realized that I may have grabbed something other than SWS. I went back to my stash and found a skein of SWS with the band on it. I compared it to what I had knitted.

Darn ! I’d been duped !!!

This is one of my yarn caddies. There are a lot of the naturals mixed in with the acrylics all willy nilly ! Do I contribute this stuffed caddy to my mix up? You bet !

(We won’t discuss how stuffed this caddy is or that I have to push really hard to get the drawers closed or that I haven’t been able to even open the middle drawer for a while and can’t remember which yarns are in there or that my other two caddies were far too messy and stuffed to show… )

I was a little upset; not because I had knitted a mitten in an acrylic/wool blend. I was upset because I knew I only had one skein of the Debbie Mumms Transitions (which was gifted to me). The one skein would not be enough for two mittens. The Joann fabrics here in my town is not a Super Joann Fabrics and they don’t carry Debbie Mumm anything. Unless I could find it online or unless I was going out of town before the end of January, this mitten may not be entered into the NAKniMitMoKAL.

Who would ever think that an acrylic yarn could pass for one of natural fibres? If it happened to me, it can happen to you !

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it !

A Contest With A Prize

2010-01-07T19:45:00.000-05:00

Okay, here's a contest that may be easy for some, for others it may give them a headache.

Here are two different yarns pulled from my stash. Though they are just slightly off colored from each other; they are totally different yarns.

Is it me or do you also think they look alike? Just alike. The feel is only off a bit too.

Well, I pulled one out of my stash thinking it was the other and as I was completing one half of my project I realized that I was knitting with the wrong yarn.

Here's the Contest Part:

Can you name one of the yarns?

Can you name both yarns?

Can you name one of the yarn producers?

Can you name both of the producers?

Can you name what one of the yarns is made of?

Can you name what both yarns are made of?

Can you list the main complaint about one of the yarns?

Can you list the main complaint about either yarns?

For the person that answers the most questions; I have a prize to send to you. Yes, it's a knitting-related prize. It's a pretty nice prize I might add.

What's that ? You want a hint ? Okay, here's your hint.

Neither of these yarns would fit in the 'Yarn Snob' category

(I probably lost half my audience with that).

Oh and something else. I have temporarily deleted one of these out of my 'Stash' on Ravelry. The other yarn was never listed.

Oops, there goes the other half of the audience !

and most important ! I'm ending the contest in seven and a half days. That comes out to around next Friday evening or there abouts !

Good Luck All !

New Ravelry Groups and A Ham

2010-01-04T16:03:00.028-05:00

The Ravelry Stash Knit Down Group has created within their group the Neglected Pattern Challenge. If any of you are like me; you probably have over 100 print outs, over 50 books and booklets and we won't even talk about what's saved on our PCs.

I like the idea of picking up stashed and neglected patterns. A few of the members committed to a certain number to work on throughout the year.

I will have to go through my patterns and pick ten. At the moment this number does not seem too daunting an amount. Especially since it is the very beginning of 2010.

The first pattern I've chosen is Yarn Harlot's Unoriginal Hat. I've been wanting to make this thing for as long as the pattern has been out. I could just never get around to it. A couple of days ago I went through my yarn stash and pulled out two skeins of Moda Dea Tweedle Dee yarn. It's labeled as a super bulky (I would call it a bulky though). It doesn't exactly stripe but changes from dark to light to dark subtly. To top it off, it's also heathered. I love the way the hat turned out.

The second group I came across is the NaKniMitMo where mittens are to be knitted in the month of January. It doesn't matter whether you began your mittens before now. The last day to submit them in the group is January 31st.

Spillyjane's new mitten pattern Anna is the chosen mitten pattern for National Knit Mittens Month 2010. This is a truly lovely pattern.

I love knitting mittens. Again, I have so many neglected patterns with mitten patterns being one of the largest groups.

I needed to make a mittens to match the Unoriginal Hat. I have almost one mitten down. I hope to cast on tomorrow after work for the second mitten.

There is no pattern for this one. As long as I've got a decent rib, I can wing it from there. The rib is a bit larger than normal because the yarn is dense. The thicker rip allows an air flow. I started to add a design on the hand part but the yarn is so pretty, I think it's good to go.

Here is Actual Proof That I Can Be a Ham…

My town is 70 miles from the big ATL (Atlanta). Every time I leave town headed towards Atlanta, I get all anxious and goose pimply. Watch…

I’ve made it to Gwinnett County. Ya got Lawrenceville, Snellville, Buford and other towns. Almost any exit at this point will take you to a shopping and restaurant heaven! It’s not Atlanta though. Highway 316 is still looking a bit country, I’ll be hitting I-85 soon! Ooooooo!

Okay, I’m on 85, can you see how it’s beginning to look citified? Wow, more cars and buildings ! Amazing !

There she blows! The tip of Atlanta ! Yippeeeeeeeeeee !

Woo-woo baby! This is what I’m talking about! Look at all those tall buildings!

Okay, okay, where is Turner Broadcasting and my beloved CNN Headquarters. Hmm, should I take a short detour and pick up an Americano at Starbucks in the CNN building? Oh, it’s New Years Day, it’s probably closed.

Well, that felt good! Now, further south to my daddy’s home in Fayette County.

Pretty sad huh?

This post has been brought to you from a city girl living in small town Georgia. Sigh…

Goodbye Knit Year 2009

2009-12-30T20:40:00.020-05:00

Well, here we are saying farewell to 2009 and hello to 2010. I'm always amazed at just how quickly the year flies by as I'm sure you are.

I have much enjoyed this past year of knitting, blogging and communicating with all of my friends out in that never ending blog universe. I really appreciate your encouragement and kindness. Many of you supported me through my first full lace shawl project. Thanks again.

I was able to get in more fair isle projects (which I love). Hopefully, I will be able to do more next year.

There were a lot of small projects knitted which pumped up my holiday gift pile (I'm still proud of this accomplishment). Next year I again hope to knit more of what I need than what I desire.

One of my biggest accomplishments (though knit related) was not a knitted project. That was the overhaul of my Ravelry Project Page. This was very important to me and after accomplishing this task; I felt as though there was a huge load off my back.

This year I incorporated more stories from the past and present. Though I like my fan story, my favorite is this one. I want to do more story telling in 2010 along with more of my favorite recipes. This will continue to be a 'mostly knitting blog' though.

So, thanks to all of you for visiting my place, the nice compliments and comments. All of this feedback kept me going even through my terrible move from one place to another earlier this year.

Enjoy your celebration of the arrival of 2010. Stay safe and I will be speaking to all of you next year !

Sincerely,

Two Cables (Carolyn).

To All of You...

2009-12-24T10:56:00.003-05:00

Christmas already ! My did the year go by quickly. I did pretty well this year as far as gift knitting goes. Because of pattern mishaps; I will have to completely redo two of my gifts over. It's okay though. The gifts were for children so I substituted toys instead. I'll tackle their projects later.

I will be cooking most of the day and staying home tomorrow. Between the day after Christmas and New Years, I'll be back and forth from Athens to Atlanta then to Fayetteville, Georgia. I've got relatives flying and driving down from Michigan.

So to everyone Happy Holidays !

Pointless !!!

2009-12-17T12:01:00.006-05:00

Or should I title this post cotton candy? That is what this shawl looks like.

Here are the FO's to the recent Forest Canopy made for a dear family friend. I purposely blocked it without pulling out the points. My original plan was to put some type of scalloping on the edge. I tried three different scallops. Neither one moved me. I really like the no point/no scallop/no fancy edging. Call me crazy but I do. I'm not a pointy kind of gal.

The ball bands to this yarn were tossed long ago. I only had about three skeins of it. It appears to be a mohair and nylon with something blend. In any case, I am pretty pleased with it. I will be shipping this off today or tomorrow.

Happy Holiday Knitting to all !

Just A Little Contemplation...

2009-12-14T16:54:00.002-05:00

These pretty yarns are called Hometown USA by Lion Brand. I chose these two colors for my little cousins vests. Rebecca's will be blue, Isabelle is the pink. I've been waiting a couple of weeks for a new delivery of yarn to bring me more of the blue. It hasn't happened yet soooo, I will have to purchase another blue (thank goodness there is another blue). It's more of a cornflower/denimy type. I was upset for a day but it's okay.

I'll be searching for edgings this evening for my Forest Canopy.

Otherwise, all is going well.

How is your holiday crafting going ?

Holiday Knitting; No Sweat !

2009-12-10T15:00:00.003-05:00

So, here it is the second week of December and I have just completed my first knitted gift. I had to do a shawl so I went with what I knew, the Forest Canopy. I do love the simplicity of this pattern. It was cast on and completed within six days. This is for a dear family friend.

I haven’t blocked it yet. I’ll post FO photos soon.

I'm thinking of changing the edging. I may do scallops instead of the points.

Last year I started most of my projects in October and November and remember kicking myself and swearing that I would be better prepared for Holiday 2009. Was I, am I better prepared? The answer to that question is yes and no.

Pre-holiday 2008 had hats and cowls flying off of my needles. I gifted no less than 10 knitted items. This year, not so much. I am only knitting five or six items, smaller items. I'm feeling so together and cocky that I even consider the Forest Canopy as a small item.

Many items I knitted earlier this year were done for the sake of blogging or de-stashing. Well, these items actually put me ahead as far as gifting is concerned. The Yoke Pullover will be going to my Aunt Yvonne in Detroit. She visited my blog a couple of weeks ago and loved it so, I told her she could have it. A few unblogged hats will be going to other relatives in Michigan also. I’ll be giving away both Dreams of Spring hats away as well as my Gathered Scarf.

This is what I have left to make;

· A hat and cowl set (for my Aunt Virginia)
· Two Girls Vest (for my Cousins daughters)
· Possibly Two Boys Hats for their little brothers)

I know I can, I think I can, I know I can…

A Quick Post

2009-11-30T21:22:00.007-05:00

Well, it's November 30th and even though these photos of my Tempo Vest are not the greatest, I vowed to have them posted before this months end. I will have to post better photos at a later date.

My next project... A few holiday gifts I think.

Enjoy Everyone !!!

2009-11-24T11:59:00.001-05:00

Have a good one !!!

2 X 2 Ribbed Cowl

2009-11-22T04:05:00.001-05:00

Again I'm doing road trips for work and between work. I started and completed a quick (sort of) cowl for my son.

I knitted this in Patons Classic Merino in gray.

I used size 7 16inch circulars. I cast on 90 stitches. I did 2 rows in garter the it was K2, P2 all the way until the cowl was around 51/2 inches. I finished with another 2 rows of garter.

I made it tall because my son likes his scarves and cowls this way.

I should have non-travel days ahead. Now I can get back to my regular knitting and prepare for the upcoming holiday activities.

Measurement By Hand

2009-11-08T16:21:00.030-05:00

From the time I was a child, my sister, parents and I took road trips from Michigan to visit with my dad’s relatives down in the Atlanta area. This was a trip we took two or three times a year. Come to think of it, my family and I did a lot of road trips and covered a most of the US. My sister and I looked forward to the Georgia trips the most because we had ten or more cousins in the same age range as us. It was like having extra brothers and sisters.

My dad is from a family of preachers so bringing our Sunday best was a must and attending my Uncle Marion's services was mandatory. No matter how many times we visited and sat in the church pews, we were always treated special afterall, we were ‘family’ of the reverend.

In the 1960’s and early 1970’s churches were not air conditioned as they are now. Before service began we would fight over the paper fans that were handed out. Church fans were a big deal to us younger folk. The fight was always over getting what we deemed as the prettiest fan. Some of the fans had beautiful photos of African Americans on them and were attached to what looked like big popsicle sticks.

A Mahalia Jackson church fan

One fan was beautifully photographed with a girl and boy sitting (what looked uncomfortably) on a pew. Their heads were tilted upwards as if they were hanging onto the preachers every word. The little girl had on an ensemble (a blue dress with a matching coat) and a beautiful straw hat the exact color as her ensemble. I could not find a picture of this fan on the internet but, this one was one my sister always chose . My cousins always picked fans with choir singers. I chose one that had a beautiful mother, father, sister and brother. I don’t know why but that was always my favorite. I would imagine this perfect looking family was my family.

Because my family and I were visiting my uncle’s church , there was always a special dinner held. The preparation of our visit involved the entire church. Almost every member was responsible for some task in preparation of the our visit. Church ladies young and old scrambled, planned and organized a huge potluck. For those ladies that were not chosen to be on the usher board, for the men and women that were too shy to sing or did not sing well enough to be in the choir; this was their moment to shine, by cooking the best meal for the Reverend and his family from up north. The dinners were held in the church basement during cooler months and outside during warmer months. Though the meal was set up as a smorgasbord, the Reverend’s table never had to serve themselves. Ladies in crisp white ruffled blouses and dark skirts and opaque stockings were there to serve and reserve us. They were quick and light on their feet and there was never an accident. The food was heaven. This was back in the days of true southern cooking. The kind of food cooked with bacon grease, lard, seasoned with pork and plenty of butter. The nation was not yet concerned about what this type of food could do to one’s cholesterol or arteries.

I can recall at almost every one of those dinners my mother asking one of the church ladies; “Could you find out for me who made that coconut cake please, whose biscuit recipe is that or what is in that barbeque sauce?” In a flash, the cook of whatever my mother had asked about would show up, ready to give her the recipe. My mom was always elated to receive these recipes. She always shared with me her plans to fix up this and that for my dad. For most of their marriage she would strive to cook as well as his family.

One of the frustrating things about the recipes given was that there were no true measurements. Back in those days (1960’s) folks that we knew down south never used measuring cups. Though my mother was born in Tennessee, she came up to Michigan after her mom died when she was five and was raised by my grandfather. My mom is more of a city girl that never learned to cook. It used to drive her crazy when one of the church ladies would say “that’s right baby, just take three handfuls of flour, that’s all you need”. Of course my mom’s product would never, ever turn out the way the church ladies had made it. We knew it was about the hands.

Velma’s Biscuits

When I was a young woman divorced and with children of my own; I began taking trips to Atlanta. Our first three or four trips were by air. The flight from Detroit (DTL) to ATL is only two hours. My son was only two our first trip. I didn't want to think about driving with a two year old for 11 or 12 hours. You understand I'm sure.

We always stayed at my Aunt Velma’s home (my dad’s baby sister). This was during the late 1980’s while my dad’s mom was living with Aunt Velma. We are all early birds and were at 6 AM. It was important for me to be up with them so I could catch up on the family news (gossip). Though my grandmother Bea was very old and stayed back in her room 80% of the day, somehow she knew everyone’s business. Sitting at that table with them, I would learn things that were going on with my relatives in Michigan from my folks down in Georgia. I mean, I was right in the in Michigan and sometimes didn't know what was going on with my family.

Bea insisted on having her coffee out of a percolator. This was how she’d always done it. You know the kind that you have to warm on the stove. This coffee was very, very strong and was not for the faint of heart. It was excellent coffee though. Coffee was always accompanied with bacon, sausage and Velma’s homemade biscuits. These biscuits were the best biscuits I had ever had in my life. Every year I would ask Aunt Velma for the recipe and every year I'd try my hand at it again. It was a really simple recipe too. Something like flour, buttermilk, lard, butter, salt and baking powder. I think that’s how I remember it. I could never make them like Velma; I mean they were not even close. Okay, they weren’t even edible. Mine were always rock hard and went right into the trash.
I could never get the recipe right because there were no measurements at least not what I viewed as measurements. Velma would tell me to put in a handful of flour, a little bit of lard, a three finger scoop of butter, buttermilk, a few dashes of baking powder and a pinch of salt.

Velma is a petite woman with small hands, I am not a petite woman and I have slender but long hands so the recipe never worked for me. Even to this day some 20 years or so later, my aunt doesn’t have a measuring cup in her house. She always said they were a waste of space and she never saw a reason for one. When she is in a teasing mood, she will poke fun at me and ask me to cook up some of those biscuits from the recipe she gave me. Very funny Velma.

Biscuits

I am not so much a biscuit cooker or eater but here is a recent recipe that I tried because I had someone over for brunch and I decided to try my hand at biscuits. It’s out of The Flavors of Bon Appétit 1999 cookbook. I’ve had this book for years and am just now getting around to the biscuit recipe.
These biscuits are very tasty. I would do this recipe again but next time I have to remember to have my dough rolled thicker so my biscuits would not be cut so thin. We put butter on them as soon as they came out of the oven.

Featherweight Buttermilk Biscuits

2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup (1/2 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch pieces
¾ cup chilled buttermilk

Preheat oven to 450F. Sift first 6 ingredients into large bowl. Add butter and rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add buttermilk and stir until dough forms.
Turn dough out onto floured surface; knead until smooth, about 8 minutes. Roll out dough to 1-inch thickness. Using 2-inch diameter cutter or cookie cutter, cut out biscuits. Gather scraps; roll out to 1-inch thickness and cut out additional biscuits.
Transfer biscuits to large ungreased baking sheet. Bake until golden, about 12 minutes. Serve warm. Makes about 12 biscuits.

Enjoy !

Back Home With The Children

2009-10-26T14:18:00.004-04:00

Now that I’m back home to stay for a while I can commit more time to my Tempo Vest. Sometimes I feel as though my knitting controls me instead of my controlling the knitting. When I laid Tempo down over a week ago to travel and work longer hours, I actually felt guilty, as though I was neglecting a child. I suspected that my Gathered Scarf was secretly smirking as it was always with me, being continued and completed while poor little Tempo sat next to my magazines in a basket waiting.

I picked up Tempo a couple of days ago and will be shaping the armholes soon. I could have made two of these by now but things got in the way. Oh, that’s another thing, why do I always feel like I have to knit up a project quickly? I tell you, the knitting is controlling me.

I hope to have FO Photos of my Tempo very soon but now I must get back to my neglected child.

On The Road With My Gathered

2009-10-23T11:19:00.015-04:00

Recently, I had to make a few road trips to Atlanta, Florida and Alabama. Some were business, some pleasure. All of these trips were a welcomed surprise seeing as I've been dying to do some no, any type of travel out and away from this little town that I reside in.

Luckily I did very little driving. My coworker just purchased a very big, very nice SUV and does not want anyone sitting behind the drivers wheel but herself. She has not even let her husband drive. This sat well with me because I'm squeamish about driving other people's cars anyway. So, I got to chat and knit.

Knowing I would not be able to cable, chat and see the road, I left the Tempo Vest at home and decided to finish up my Gathered scarf. I am very happy with the way the striping turned out. Now I have to decide whether this is going to be a holiday gift for someone or another knitted gift for me.

This first picture is nice but the headless photo below shows a better depiction of the colors.

Normally I would have/should have had the Tempo completed. I was about three pattern repeats in and it felt like I was knitting a sweater so I put it down. I needed a non-sweater project after the Yoke Pullover.

Knitting With Salmon

2009-10-12T15:17:00.037-04:00

I'm speaking of the color salmon in Noro yarn. Have you ever been knitting along on a really colorful and yummy Noro sock yarn and BAM ! Suddenly there is a splash of yucky salmon, putrid pink or snotty green ! What did you do ? Were the colors just fine with you ? Did you stress a bit about how they were going to mess up your beautiful socks or did you... Dare I say it ?

Did You Cut The Yuckies Out ?

Here is a bit of yucky salmon next to actual uncooked salmon. Had I poached the salmon even for 2 minutes, it would have been the color of the Noro Sock salmon. In fact, it was that color but I ate my salmon before I had a chance to take a picture. You get my point though.

Where is all of this going you ask ? Well, I started the Gathered Scarf pattern this morning and spent a good deal of time cutting out the colors that I reeeeeeally don't like. This particular 'Sock' is heavy with citrus colors. Fortunately there is dark green and raspberry to mix it up a bit.

Now that the salmons, snot greens and pinks taken out, I'm a happier knitter.

Snotty Green , Putrid Pink and a Yucky Orangish

This is what my Gathered looks like so far. It will make a nice holiday gift.

Pardon my use of the word snotty. This is usually a half way decent blog.

My Tempo

2009-10-10T14:00:00.015-04:00

First of all, thank you all very

much for all of the nice compliments

on my Yoke Pullover !

I haven't been up to much lately.

It's been mostly work and a just a little knitting.

The main cable is about a 24 row repeat incorporated with eyelets.

This is not a cable that I would have chosen to work if it were pared with other cables. Rosi has pared it with a simple straight stitch throughout the body. I love this combination.

I was on Ravelry one day last week searching patterns and saw the Tempo Vest by RosiG (she's the Soapy Knitter). I know a lot of you know Rosi but for those of you that don't; she designed the Capitan Hat and who hasn't heard about or seen the Capitan hat ?

Her newest pattern is called the Tempo Vest. When I saw that big eyeleted cable running up the front of the vest, well, I had to have it. I am using Cascade 220 Heathers in a kind of deep mauve. As you can see, it't a really beautiful color.