Knitting is a Romantic Drama

Baby Surprise Jacket for a Surprise Baby

2012-03-13T16:51:00.000-06:00

We recently found out that I have another great-great niece or nephew on the way. So what better for a surprise baby but a BSJ (Baby Surprise Jacket). My sister Spooky (the surprise baby's great grandma) gave me a few skeins of Red Heart SUPER SAVER multi color yarn, so I decided to make the baby's sweater out of it. Another surprise is that there may be more than one surprise baby on the way... TWINS! We should find out in a few weeks. But to be on the safe side, I will start another sweater soon.

#962 Seascape

Cable Sweater for our Easton

2012-03-06T18:35:00.000-06:00

Well... I started leisurely working on this sweater for Easton. Low-n-behold the little darlin decided to show up on February 17, 2012 -- 6 weeks early!!! I had already decided to make the sweater for next fall since he was supposed to arrive in warmer weather.

Mazel Tov!!! Clarice and David!!!

All I need now is buttons...

Easton Bradley

My Beloved... My Bershert

2012-01-22T21:53:00.000-06:00

Shortly after midnight on the morning of January 6, 2012, precious husband passed on to heaven to be with our Lord. Most of you know him by my pet name for him... Big Daddy. I cannot grasp that it has been over two weeks since we spoke our last words to one another.
He came home from work early on Thursday to spend time with me before we were to pick up our new spectacles. I asked him...as I was getting ready, if my hair looked ok. He took my face in his hands and looked into my eyes and said, "Beautiful..."
Shortly before 10 PM he said that he was tired and wanted to go to bed. As we prepared for bed, he helped me put on my gown because my shoulder was hurting and said, "I will help you... it is my job... it is my pleasure."
As always he loved to read a little before shutting off his light, and as our custom... he kissed me and said, "Good night Mrs. Price, I love you", and I replied, "Good night Mr. Price, I love you too. Sleep sweet my Prince."
We never said goodbye... but good night...

Our daughter Kat and Big Daddy at the Winter Ball 2011

The vows that my Billy wrote for our wedding

Hook Em Horns Danny!!

2012-01-05T10:34:00.002-06:00

My granddog Danny has been visiting for the holidays. He forgot his sweater at home and therefore has been fighting my knitting to sit in my lap. Now he is resting warmly on the sofa in his new sweater.

Danny's Sweater

Pattern designed by: TxDove

with KNITWARE DESIGN (Version 2.50.2) from Morningdew Consulting Services Ltd

ph: (250)652-4097 fax: (250)652-5285 web: www.knitware.ca email: info@knitware.ca

Earflap Hat for my Charlie

2011-12-31T20:05:00.001-06:00

Charlie's new hat

No... not a hat... but so darned cute!!!

Earflap Hat for Sara

2011-12-31T13:53:00.003-06:00

Adult Earflap Hat for Munchie

2011-12-23T12:09:00.004-06:00

This earflap hat is based on Roberta Rose Kelley's design. The earflaps and brim are double-thick and warm. Remember MY NOTES are just that... my notes... Check out Roberta's video on YouTube! She is AWESOME!!!!

MY NOTES:

KP3
Worsted weight yarn scraps
Open cast on: 80 needles
K 20 rows
Short row the earflaps
K20 rows
Join the brim with the beginning open cast on
Reset counter to 0
K 28 rows
Row 29: Decrease by 1/2
Row 30: K
Repeat rows 29 & 30 until there are @ 10 stitches remaining
Cut yarn (leaving enough to stitch up the top of the hat, the back edge, and the brim)
Slip the remaining stitches on the tapestry needle and draw up then stitch the edge and brim

Hang 4 stitches from the bottom of the earflap and I-cord 100 rows for each tie

USM Furish Hats

2011-12-18T08:23:00.000-06:00

LION BRAND FUN FUR

KP3-45 needles (EON) - Crochet CO - K 30 rows - Reduce by 1/2 EOR to @ 10 stitches - Gather & sew side

Using 2 strands of Lion Brand Fun Fur (Black/Silver)

KP3-45 needles (EON) - Crochet CO - K 30 rows - Reduce by 1/2 EOR to @ 10 stitches - Gather & sew side

This makes a tighter and smaller hat.

Haute Fur by Hobby Lobby

KP3-40 needles (EON) - Crochet CO - K 25 rows - Reduce by 1/2 EOR to @ 10 stitches - Gather & sew side

This makes a looser more airy hat.

OCD Obsessive Crochet Disorder: Galvan Name Doily for CoCo

2011-12-18T08:01:00.000-06:00

OCD Obsessive Crochet Disorder: Galvan Name Doily for CoCo

OCD Obsessive Crochet Disorder: Eden's Reversible Slouch

2011-12-18T07:43:00.000-06:00

OCD Obsessive Crochet Disorder: Eden's Reversible Slouch: My Dearest Eden had to have a hat to go with the cheerleading skirt that I knitted for her. This one is reversible and crocheted using basic...

Melon Head

2011-12-08T09:19:00.000-06:00

I spotted this yarn while shopping for something for Big Daddy and I just just JUST had to have it. It is so soft and cozy. Alas... as I was knitting it up into a slouch for me, it curiously took on the appearance of a watermelon. O well...

Xman Sideways Cable Hat

2011-12-07T11:13:00.005-06:00

He is growing up so fast!

Worsted weight yarn

KP4

Hang rag hem on 30 needles

Knit 1 row of ravel cord

Knit 90 rows of main yarn (make cable every 10 stitches on the left side)

(Cable: drop and latch up 4th stitch from the left of knitting, 3X3 cable, drop and latch up next stitch)

Knit 8 rows of waste yarn

Remove from USM

Kitchener beginning and ending rows together

Remove waste yarn and ravel cord
Pick up 90 stitches (size 5 circular needles) (main yarn) along the right side of the knitting
Row 1:Stockinette stitch first row decreasing 10 stitches evenly around the hat (80 stitches)
Row 2: K2 tog, knit 2. Repeat
Row 3: K all stitches
Repeat rows 2 & 3 until there are approximately 10 stitches on the needle
Cut main yarn leaving @ 10 inch tail, thread onto needle and slip the remaining stitches to draw up
Weave in tail
Pick up 90 stitches on the bottom of the hat using contrasting yarn
Row 1: K2, P2 (decreasing 10 stitches evenly around the hat (80 stitches) (2X2 ribbing)
Continue rib for 1 to 1/2 inches
Bind off using a stretchy bind off and weave in yarn ends

TurBeanie

2011-12-07T09:38:00.003-06:00

Lightweight or baby yarn
KP1
Hang rag hem on 35 needles
Knit 1 row of ravel cord
Knit 90 rows of main yarn and place a marker.
Knit 120 rows of main yarn and place a marker.
Knit 90 rows of main yarn
Knit 8 rows of waste yarn
Remove from USM
Kitchener the beginning row and the last row to form a tube
Fold in half making sure the markers placed at rows 90 and 210 meet
Blanket stitch and gently gather the back of the TurBeanie
Pick up 180 stitches on the open (front or face side) edge of the hat using size 3 circular needles
Row 1: K2 loops together (2 times), P2 loops together (2 times) Repeat across creating a 2X2 ribbing for a couple of rows then bind off using a stretchy bind off.
Weave in loose ends.

Super Quick Sideways Slouch for Charlie

2011-12-05T12:34:00.003-06:00

This is another version of the Sideways Slouch knit on the USM for Charlie. The hand knit band did not photograph well.

KP4

CO 40 needles
Knit several rows of waste yarn
OPEN CAST ON
Knit 90 rows of main color
Knit several rows of waste yarn and remove from USM
Kitchener stitch beginning and ending rows of main yarn to form a tube
Remove waste yarn
Gather one edge to create the top of the hat
* Pick up stitches along the bottom of the hat with contrasting color (size 5 circular needles). Make sure to mark the beginning of the row.
Knit 2 rows of 2X2 ribbing
Switch to size 3 circular needles and continue ribbing for 1 to 2 inches as desired.
Bind off using a stretchy bind off.

*Purl side is the right side in this version of the hat so remember to pick up the stitches for the band with the purl side facing out so that the seam will be facing the knit side (inside of the hat)

Sideways Slouch

2011-11-18T07:19:00.000-06:00

The Sideways Slouch is basically a rectangle knitted on EON (30R;30L), Kitchener stitched on the beginning and ending row... gathered on one edge and an 8 row 1X1 hand knit ribbing. KP4... Worsted Wt yarn.

Oh My Aching Back!!

2011-11-15T07:53:00.000-06:00

I took a lil trip... well I was tripped... Meka decided that she wanted to go outside and I was not cooperating so she tried to change my direction since she could not change my mind. I ended up meeting the dining room floor with a goodly thump! I was getting ready for a dinner date with Big Daddy. It was time for him to get home so I had unlocked the door and headed back to the bathroom to complete my toilet (Ok... the first layer of paint had dried and I was gonna apply a second coat).
Well... you know how they say, "it happend so fast that I didn't know what to do"... well... to me it seemed to be happening so slow that I had the presence of mind to think about what I had heard someone say years ago about when you are falling... try to roll... ya know... like parachuters do... to lessen the impact... So... I tried to roll.. ummm no... didn't help... well it did allow for more of me to make contact with the floor... and twist my already hurting back.
My next thought was... "O SNARF!! I have to get up before Big Daddy gets home!!" Well... my back locked up and the newly skint knee (the good knee... I have arthritis in the other knee.. which is dubbed my bad knee... ) was throbbing... not to mention the elbow that was screaming... Alas... Big Daddy found me rolling somewhat and what does he want of me? TO GET UP! Well don't you think that if I could get up... o never mind...
Now I'm walk'n like Tim Conway's Old Man Shuffle and making old lady noises... but... there is a silver lining... I'm getting in some hand knitting time!

Boo's hat

Top of hat

I finished a pair of wool slipper socks for Big Daddy... this is the first time I've used Cat's Sweet Tomato Heel technique and I love it!

Cat's Sweet Tomato Heel is knit in wedges

Hat for Boo

2011-11-11T18:57:00.002-06:00

Finally found an opportunity to start on Boo's slouch hat. I am using a pattern that I found on Ralvery called Etta by Kim Whelan

UPDATE January 4, 2012

Boo received her hat and emailed me a photo of herself wearing it...

Gooooo Teammmm!!!

2011-11-06T08:33:00.000-06:00

Eden has been wanting a cheerleader outfit and being a dye'd in the wool Bulldog (Royal Blue & White) it was really difficult to purchase Gladiator (gold & black) colors to make it for her. Alas... a Goodie's heart will suffer anything for her Grand Diva!
I'm almost finished with the skirt and still need to design or settle on a cardi or a pullover for the top.

I just have to add a waist band

Cheer skirt: KP 2. Knit on 50 needles

Moved, Unpacked... and Back to Knit'n!!

2011-11-01T09:41:00.002-06:00

Almost finished with the move... well with the unpacking that is. My yarns are safely snuggled in their resting places and I have even been able to start some projects. I wanted some claw weights but have not been able to find any to suit my needs... so polymer clay to the rescue!

Polymer clay claw weights (adjustable)

1X1 and 2X2 latchhook ribbers

Adult Slouch hat based upon Diana Knatter's Short Row Baby Hat

KP .3 for the main hat and KP 1 for the ribbing

and a ruffled scarf made from Hobby Lobby's Yarn Bee CHRYSALIS (Bog Copper # 112) for my dear Sprite!

Link for sweetside

It is Official... The Beast is Packed Up!!

2011-08-28T10:14:00.001-05:00

The bulk of my yarn and jewelry making supplies were packed last week... I've had a bad case of the shakes ever since my babies were boxed up! I've been trying to finish up a few projects so they can be shipped to their new homes. Yesterday was Xander's 8th birthday and I did get his afgan completed on time to send it home with Zero today. Originally, it was going to be a blanket for his bed but time did not allow me making it any bigger. Next time little man...

The Beast is resting comfortably in 4 sections in a box ready to travel to his new home. I have told myself that I will need to get the rest of the house in order before I allow myself to reassemble him... we all know that I am just fool'n myself...

GASP!!!! I think I heard him calling my name from his box in the corner!

Oops Slippers & Completed Little T

2011-08-10T07:59:00.003-05:00

In my never ending quest to use up as much of my stash as possible... my "So that I don't have to pack it!" plan... I finally completed Little T's blanket. Unfortunately, I found a bag with an old slipper in it that was given to me by one of the kiddo's therapist.

She had an old pair of worn out slippers that she loved and wanted me to see if I could repair them. They were worn well past their good use and so I told her I would knit or crochet her another pair.... OOOPS I FORGOT!!! So in-between packing, school, and trying to survive this lovely hot weather I completed a pair of slippers in her favorite color.

Oops Slipper NOTES
I am not adept at writing out my patterns. Please read completely and feel free to contact me for clarification.

Plasti Dip can be applied to create a non-slip bottom for slippers

Little T's Blanket FINALLY FINISHED!

Crochet'd point edging

Too Much to Do... and Too Little Time to Do IT!

2011-08-04T10:59:00.000-05:00

Well it is official... we are moving this month and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed... OK A LOT OVERWHELMED!! I am in my last 5 weeks of school and moving week is also finals week. I so need to strangle my event planner!!
As part of the moving process, I am trying to get rid of some of the extras and scale down so I won't have to pack it and tote it to the new place. I'm finding it downright impossible to pack my knitting stuff. I need it... I must have it...
I have been trying to use up some scraps and odds n ends on quickie projects... and face it... I MUST KNIT! So I make these lil bargains with myself... pack 3 boxes and you can knit for 30 minutes... shampoo the carpet in one room and you get an hour!!
I also worry about setting up my new workroom space so we went over to the new place and measured. Big Daddy was focused on where to put the projector and screen... me... I was mentally arranging where the Beast was going to go and where I am gonna store my supplies...

A few of my scrap projects this week

Fuzzy hat for a friend taking chemo

cute but really hot

Watermelon scrap hat... I may make seeds out of polymer clay or use buttons for seeds

A hat for Xander

Pastel Scrap Hat for Eden

2011-07-21T13:49:00.001-05:00

I am trying to use up as much of my scraps as possible so I won't have to pack it for the move... yep... that sounds like a good excuse as any to justify how much I am knitting.

Hootie Whoooooooo

2011-07-19T11:48:00.001-05:00

Well, this has been an eventful summer so far... I'm in the middle of packing to move next month... Kat and the grandmonsters moved out last week... I have 6 weeks left to complete my BBS/HRM... and yes I have been sneaking in some knitting here and there. I have to or I'd lose what little mind I have left!
My Charlie loves owls... he makes paper sack owls and owls from toilet paper tubes (aka dooders), and he draws owls on 85% of the pictures he colors. I have been missing him something terrible and decided to work on an owl hat for him while I listen to lectures online.
I found Eudyptula's "Who" pattern last December on the Penguin Purls blog and knew that it would be perfect for Charlie.

I am debating on adding buttons for the little owl eyes.

UPDATE: Charlie came to spend the night and found his hat on my desk... he knew right away that the "whossssssssss" belonged to him...

No time to put eyes on the hat...

Please Send Rain!

2011-07-11T14:37:00.000-05:00

We were slightly threatened with the possibility of rain last evening, but alas... nada...

Between house hunting, grandmonster sitting, and melting... I have managed to get some knitting accomplished. I am still working on the crocheted edging on Little T's blanket, and Suzie Q's gift. However, I cannot not knit on the Beast! He gets all cranky and I just hate that. So I started a sweater out of scraps this morning. I soooooo love having 2 carriages to work with.

I'm not so sure I'm digging the color...

Back of the arm decreases...

Beginning the front panels (right)

Summertime and the Living is EASY!

2011-07-05T10:24:00.001-05:00

I don't know about you, but I find it difficult to work on some projects during the summer simply because it is so hot. I've been working on crocheted edging on baby blankets and I have just about melted. I think I have found a... eh... possible solution. I have been spreading the blanket on a coffee table and only pulling the part I am working on into my lap.

When working a project... or rather "projects" in the past, I have either placed them individually in a laundry basket or plastic bins. That way I can sit the project on the floor in front of me to protect the yarn from husky hairs and this makes the project portable as it grows. Most of these boxes will also sit between my feet in the car as we travel... NO... I'm not driving!

One of my favorite ways to organize WIP's is with my converted laundry separator cart thingie.

I cannot remember where I saw it, but I saw a special yarn cart that looked just like my laundry separator... well... like the one I inherited when Big Daddy and I married. His was a mess! Years of holding stinky boy clothes had taken a toll on the poor thang. So, I removed the existing cloth and replaced it with some colorful fabric and put some extra pockets for various tools, patterns, and even to hold multiple skeins of yarn for knitting with different color strands or for two-at-a-time socks and mittens. I can even drop the yarn in the cart and roll it under my knitting table to use with the USM...

Little T's Blanket

2011-06-29T22:26:00.000-05:00

Ever have one of those days that it seems you don't accomplish anything? I'm having one of those weeks! Charlie has had a bad couple of days and that makes me have a bad day... o wait... STOP WHINING CARLA JEAN! I just get too caught up in his inability to slow down sometimes and it wears on us both. Between the house hunting and my knee making it difficult to navigate the stairs I can get cranky. Other than that... all is good.
I started on a baby blanket for Major T's upcoming bundle of joy, or as I call him... the soon to be T. Major T works is married to Major T... confused yet? Anyhoo.... the "she" Major T is the Major T that works with Big Daddy and he always speaks so fondly of her that I wanted to make something for the little one...

I really like making the random stripes for these blankets. Big Daddy picked out the colors for this blanket.

I decided not to cut the different colored yarns but let them travel up the side of the blanket.

Once the blanket is off of the USM and the latching completed, these runners will be hidden beneath a crocheted border.

Meka has absolutely nothing to do with Little T's blanket, but she is just so darn purty I had to sneak a pic of her in here.

Does it show that she is a bit tired of me snapping her photo? I think that look has more to do with the fact I scared her lizard away.... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Suzie Q's Flapper Hat

2011-06-29T12:08:00.001-05:00

I have been working on a hat and shoulder warmer set for my niece Leslie or Suzie Q as I call her. I wanted it to be special so I incorporated some antique buttons into the design that has some significance to the both of us. Suzie Q is 3 years my junior and has been more of a sister to me than a niece because we grew up together... usually got into trouble together and we share many memories. We also share Spooky (my sister and Suzie Q's mom).
The buttons... the 3 buttons, came from my mother's button stash. I have no idea why she kept them or where they came from before she had them. I just remember always seeing them among her button collection. Funny thing is, when I was a kid, I thought she should throw them away because they were not especially pretty... certainly not new, and they were too big and too few to do anything with.

Suzie Q Hat modeled by Eden (aka Yarn Diva!)

When mom gave her buttons to me... I almost threw them away but by that time I was no longer a kid and had begun to appreciate the need to hang on to things even though there was no apparent use for them. Last fall when I purchased the yarn for Suzie Q's gift, it didn't even cross my mind to add buttons to it. I wanted the gift to be special so I didn't use a pattern but just started knitting with her in mind. The hat had to be something that could have been worn by a flapper. Why? Well Suzie Q was a flapper in a dance recital when she was a wee one and I just have that thought of her in my head.

Only 2 buttons.... hmmmm.... Where could the other one be?
to be continued...

Arthritis Knitting Aid

2011-06-29T11:43:00.000-05:00

Yes, the Crazy one is still alive and kicking and still knitting! Often my hands will hurt too much to crochet so I am working on finding the best aid to make it easier to hold the hooks. This morning, I was as usual going through my e-mail to recreate my morning attack upon the Knitting Paradise forum digest. I get lost for far too many moments than I would care to admit to. I literally have to set a timer or I would be following links for hours. Presently, I could never live long enough to attempt every pattern that I have stored in my Evernote, nor would I want to... live that long that is. This morning I found a wonderful link that I thought I should share with anyone who knits or knows of someone who knits and has arthritis. If you have this product please share your experiences with me.

Stitch Simply Knitting Aid

This is a photo of the knitting aid from their website.

Diaper Covers (Soakers)

2011-06-12T06:44:00.004-05:00

I have been working on designing diaper cover/soakers patterns on the USM. Had a terrible headache yesterday so I went to bed around 9 PM... bad move! I was up by 1:45 AM and could not go back to sleep so here I am knitting...

Kiss Me Cate Soaker & and The Hud Soaker

Pattern: Kiss Me Cate

Pattern: The Hud (Version 1)

Kiss Me Cate in process...

My angel dragon Neil... she was waving at me while I was working.... now just who could resist that sweet face?

Sparklie Thangs...

2011-06-02T15:25:00.000-05:00

I have grown weary of purchasing flimsy stitch markers for my knitting and crochet projects... so I decided to make the time to put a few together.

Stitch Holders

A portrait of my mother done by Eden... "She is happy because she is in heaven"

and of course... her drawing of me preparing to hug her... I think she captured my good eye quite well....

Baby Mine Sweater for Catherine Olivia

2011-05-31T16:20:00.001-05:00

I have been working on designing a pattern that would not have to be seamed beneath the arms making it difficult to match the stripes when using a self shading yarn such as the Premier Angel Pink Dreams yarn.

The body is knit on the USM. The sleeves were knit by hand

The body is knit in one piece to maintain the shading pattern

Pink Dreams

Catherine the Great!

Thank You Kitty Kat!

2011-05-27T13:23:00.001-05:00

I was busy collecting husky hairs and dust bunnies and scrubbing the turlets when Hark! Is that the doorbell I hear? Why yes it is... And what did I find awaiting at my door?... well this here little angle girl was delivered along with beautiful flowers from my Kitty Kat... o SNAP! Did I forget something?

Knitting is a Romantic Drama: Eden's Graduation Shrug Instructions

2011-05-27T01:22:00.000-05:00

Knitting is a Romantic Drama: Eden's Graduation Shrug Instructions: "If you have any questions or need clarification, please feel free to email me here.

Hang rag hem and knit 1 row of ravel..."

Eden's Halter/Tank Top

2011-05-25T17:14:00.000-05:00

In my quest to eliminate some of my stash and project leftover yarns, I decided to make this onne piece halter/tank for Eden.

Eden's Graduation Shrug

2011-05-22T16:43:00.000-05:00

Little Miz Eden graduates from kindergarten soon and of course this means that Goodie must make something new for the special occasion. A girl only graduates from kindergarten once... right?

A great project using scrap yarn left over from making CoCo's blanket.

Working cables and eyelets on the USM is so much fun!

I have been hand knitting booties for new babies and a great great nephew that is due very soon. I will be making matching sweaters on the USM

BSJ Update

2011-05-04T16:35:00.002-05:00

I'm making progress on Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket. I knit while I listen to lectures for class. One would think that the knitting would distract from the lectures or visa versa, but the knitting seems to help me to focus and retain the information.

Crocheted collar

Sleeve edging (1 row sc, 1 row crab stitch)

All I need to do now is to block and add buttons

The Beast's New Throne!

2011-05-03T21:55:00.000-05:00

Big Daddy finished the table for The Beast and it is now set up in my office/studio! I will not repeat here the words I used while we attempted to carry the table up stairs... We got stuck trying to make the corner and ended up having to back track and remove the legs...

Big Daddy built a Big Table for The Beast!

8 feet long, @ 4 feet tall, and @ 100 pounds of solid back breaking wood!

I was productive too...

Starting to look like a sweater...

Sunday... Sunday...

2011-05-01T15:37:00.001-05:00

This has been a busy day for all of us... Big Daddy is building a new table for The Beast. The existing table is not long enough to give the machine the support it needs.

I won't be able to use the Beast until tomorrow so I am busy winding yarn and organizing my studio/office which includes playing with Callie and cleaning her cage...

Can she be any cuter?

Umhmmm...

Tator Tot is such a good boy... he offered to help me clean Callie's cage....

Tator Tot likes to fill Callie's food cup...

He is very helpful...

Now I know why Callie's food cup runs empty so quickly!

Since I cannot use The Beast... I'm working on the Baby Surprise Jacket...

Our New Baybee!!!

2011-04-24T11:55:00.000-05:00

Big Daddy surprised me this morning with a new addition to the family! Meet Miss Callie Jean Price!

Sinkers or Floaters?

2011-04-23T21:03:00.001-05:00

I am so thankful for my family and for the blessings that Ya has so abundantly poured out on us. Zero and CoCo joined us to celebrate Pesach (Passover). Listening to the children as they read along and repeat the blessings just makes my heart spill over with joy.

Documented proof that my matzo balls are floaters!

My girls preparing the table for the seder.

Can you tell they like purple?

Next year in the rebuilt Jerusalem!!

For my friends that celebrate Easter tomorrow... may Ya bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you....

HUGGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!

She is finally here!

2011-04-20T22:48:00.000-05:00

Catherine Olivia Cline - 8 lbs - April 19, 2011

Happy Birthday Beautiful Catherine!

Wish'n the Weekend Could Last...

2011-04-18T11:48:00.000-05:00

With only 13 weeks left before I am a free woman, I can't seem to get a handle on accomplishing all I need to to finish school. I had great plans for the weekend and didn't realize a single one. Big Daddy pulled me out of the house for a drive on Saturday and to visit several pet supply stores. He does know how to cheer me up.
Thanks to Tina for posting the knitted ball project. I was needing something to be able to "finish" so that I could feel better.

This is a fun and fast project. I think I may knit a few more pieces to add to it and make it tighter.

gevlochten-bal---braided-ball

Within Spit'n Distance!

2011-04-10T13:54:00.002-05:00

Neil helping me download photos. She supervises all of activities that take place in my studio...

I'm making progress on CoCo's afgan. I am ready to remove it from the Beast and start the long hours of handwork.

Unravel two stitches all the way down leaving 4 rows unraveled

Latch up 2 row (2 strands) up until there are 4 remaining rows (strands)

Latch up the 4 remaining rows individually

Secure the loops at the top

Danny approves!

Spooky & Crazy

2011-04-10T13:40:00.001-05:00

One must reason that there may be a problem when one sister is called Spooky and the other is Crazy... hummm... Well I won't get into the reasons why exactly, but then why on earth would parents name two of their daughters Carlene and Carla? I suppose after awhile one just runs out of names or creativity. No matter...

1991- This hang in mom's kitchen for years. Mother hated that hat and could not believe that Spooky wore it for the drawing. Miss you mom.

My sister Spooky and I are both March babies--sixteen years apart... Pissy Pieces if you will. Spooky (Carlene) was born on the 12th and 16 years later, Crazy (me) was born on the 9th. Needless to say when we lived closer to one another, we did not narrow our celebration down to simply one or two days... oooo no no no! We had Birthday Month! Then I moved to Oklahoma and we rarely got to see each other. I accused her of planning to be out of town when she knew I was coming to Texas... Not true, but it seemed that every time I was able to make it down, she was out-of-pocket.
Well, I have been back in Texas for more than a year and due to scheduling problems, we had not seen each other until yesterday. This was at IHOP for our birthday lunch... a month after.

I miss her so much... sigh... When I was working in Hillsboro as an optician, I would drive past her house on my way home every evening. More evenings than not, she would have supper ready for me or a cup of coffee, or cocoa. Now, I love my sister and that is the absolute truth... One of the meals she loved to make for me was potato soup. I never told her that her potato soup sucked nuggets, but I would eat it anyway. Her company and the fact that she loves me enough to cook for me was worth sucking down that nasty stuff. I would still eat her potato soup with the greatest relish just for the opportunity to visit with her in her kitchen filled with roosters and hens and overflowing with sisterly love.

Catherine Olivia is STILL not here! O my she is really a stubborn girl... she takes after the rest of the women in this family and making a fashionably late entrance. My Kat was almost a month late and my niece Amy Lue (Mangie Woo) was a month overdue! The wait is well worth it.

15 Weeks!

2011-04-05T21:05:00.000-05:00

Today is the first day of the third to the last class I have to complete my BBS/HRM... yessssssssssss! Only 15 weeks to go!!!!

Another plus is that I completed the handwork on several projects and am preparing to get them out of the house and to their new homes.

Catherine Olivia's Strawberry Milkshake Blanket and her Diamond car seat blankie are good to go, but I am debating on putting them into the mail or just wait until she makes an appearance. Which can be at any moment!

I finished Zero's scarf, but he won't get it until his birthday in October. Now I just need to make a couple of beanie hats to go with it.

Big Daddy and I picked up the yarn for CoCo's afgan and I plan on starting it tomorrow.

Antique White

Caron One Pound Deep Violet 547

Caron One Pound Lilac 577

I finished Hudson's blanket several weeks ago and only need to get it in the mail.

Someone With Autism Loves ME!

2011-04-01T16:02:00.001-06:00

I have my blue lights ready!

Light It Up Blue

I'm Sposed to be Study'n...

2011-04-01T15:50:00.000-06:00

My poor babies, (Eden & Charlie) both are so not feeling well. The past 2... no... three weeks has really been rough on them and in turn on me and their mom. Eden has had sinus problems sin birth and is getting over a double ear infection and this morning, Charlie came into my office, his little chubby cheeks all aglow and told me his ears were hurting too. Enough already! Sunday night he came in to kiss his old Goodie goodnight and just as soon as his lips parted from my cheek... he said... "I don't feel good." crapola! I immediately started to wash my face and hands...
Of course he was urping by the time the bus arrived on Monday morning. Big Daddy has been all urpy too... double crap! Lord love their little hearts... and Lord, please don't let me get it...
All I have left to complete Catherine Olivia's blanket is to steam it and I am... or I was almost finished with her car-seat blankie. That is until Charlie decided to frog part of it for me. AKKKKKkkk! My fault for leaving it on the sofa... grrrrrrrrrrr me...
I cannot be mad at the little sick darlin... at least... not for long. Funny, I must be mellowing somewhat in my old age, because I sure could hold a mad against my children for awhile when they did something like that. Or, my grandmonsters simply are less irritating than their parents... hmmmm... Anyway, they are down for a nap and I should be using this time to work on finals for my business law class, but here I am. Yes, I have been looking at crochet and knitting patterns online. Hey, it is not my fault. Someone emailed me a link to a free pattern and I went to download it and there were other free patterns... even more since the last time I was looking... so of course I had to download them all... o gawd I have to get control of my OCD!
O yes, I had an email from Artsonia too. Charlie has two new pieces of artwork posted.

Line Turtle by Charles Bolin (age 7)

I am so dig'n this turtle!!

Wild Things by Charles Bolin (age 7)

I so hope this is not a depiction of his old Goodie in the mornings...

Big Daddy... my hero!

2011-03-31T12:49:00.000-06:00

I prefer to stand when I knit on the USM, and to sit when I am doing hand manipulations like eyelets or ribbing. Unfortunately, the table was not tall enough to allow me to knit comfortably either way. So Big Daddy to the rescue!

He cut 4 lengths of pipe to slide onto the legs of the table. Then he drilled holes 1/2 though the 2X4 to add stability to the legs and to protect the carpet.

Catherine Olivia's Strawberry Milkshake Blanket

2011-03-27T19:48:00.002-06:00

I am within spit'n distance of completing Catherine's blanket. Just need to crochet the trim and steam it... Yeah I shall finish it before she gets here!

Before I can make the blanket, I had to knit up a rag hem that would keep the work weighted properly... It just happened to be pink!

Two carriages were used in the making of the blanket

Through out the process I regularly received advice from Kat and Eden.

Close up of the drop-stitch conversion.

I don't care for strawberry milkshakes myself, but this reminds me of how the milkshakes look at Fuddruckers.

I'm still here!!

2011-03-14T15:09:00.000-06:00

Sheesh! I'm tired... Big Daddy was gone last week to San Diego... I won't mention that he was gone ON MY BIRTHDAY! I did use the time wisely, especially since I could not sleep. I have been watching Cheryl Brunettes videos on YouTube and I broke in the Beast and finished a blanket for Monica and Big John's soon-to-be here little bundle of joy.

The Beast's first project

O You Sessy Beast!

2011-03-04T19:10:00.000-06:00

Where have I been? I promise that I have been fondling yarn and ciphering graphs and patterns, but I have been too tired to do much else. Over the past year I have slipped into a major funk, tired all the time... hurting all of the time... and dare I say it... a smitch bit moody.
A few weeks ago, my knees totally rebelled and would not cooperate with my need to travel up and down the stairs. My fingers were so stiff and sore that I was not enjoying the gift of knitting or crocheting. The bouts of depression were really starting to worry me. Mom had rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis and although I knew that I have arthritis in my knees and back, I was really starting to get concerned when the pain worsened and was constant so I caved and went to see the doctor.
The tests were ordered and I was so sure that the doctor thought that the pain was all in my head... well he did mention that "depression hurts"... and yes, that pissed me off. So they siphoned an ungodly amount of my bodily fluids... found that I had a UTI... I was hurting so bad everywhere else that I didn't realize that I had the infection... Well, the results are in and I am thankful to learn that I do not have rheumatoid arthritis. What I do have is a Vitamin D deficiency. Normal levels are above 30 and my level is 10. Well I am taking supplements to correct the problem and expect to start feeling better soon... come on soon...
The reason that I am sharing this with you that often Vitamin D deficiency is over looked. My doctor told me that at this time, I don't have enough Vitamin D to help protect me from cancer. The symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency for me includes: tingling in my hands, wrists, and legs, constant pain, traveling pain, chronic fatigue, insomnia, migraines, memory loss, unable to concentrate, joint pain, IBS, depression, moodiness, and inability to think clearly.
If you are experiencing anything like this please talk to your doctor about the possibility of a Vitamin D deficiency.

PUBLIC SERVICE PORTION OF THIS POST IS NOW OFFICIALLY CONCLUDED!

I want you to see my beauty... which I call "The Beast"

Big Daddy found it online for $129

2 extensions and 2 USM's = THE BEAST!

The board that THE BEAST is mounted to = 8 foot in length

Kat told me to either wear roller skates or get an electric wheelchair to operate the length of THE BEAST!

Wool Dryer Balls

2011-02-14T01:18:00.002-06:00

I quit using fabric softener sheets a long time ago. Well, I quit purchasing fabric softener sheets a long time ago. I just did not feel right adding more chemicals into our living space, but still didn't care too much for having my clothes hug me in an unseemly manner. I have tried the DIY softener sheets using coffee filters and Shaklee fabric softener liquid, rags soaked in liquid fabric softener, and those really loud banging around in my dryer plasticish balls that have the sponge inside of them. I must admit, I have not been too impressed.
This weekend I made my own set of wool dryer balls.

Wound and secured

Prepared for washing

Washed & dried 3 times to felt

Wool dryer balls are supposed to save money, energy, and drying time. They contain no unwanted chemicals and are made of 100% Pure virgin wool containing natural oils.

I used Fisherman's Wool from Lion Brand Yarn. The color I had on hand was Oatmeal.

Spiral Hat for Big Daddy

2011-02-10T01:39:00.002-06:00

The extremely cold Texas weather inspired me to whip up a spiral hat for Big Daddy. The pattern is based on Moriarty: two colour stripey crochet beanie on the "little house by the sea" blog

The original pattern is done using a single-crochet stitch throughout. I started with single crochet and added hdc and dc stitches

Eden's Too Sick to Go to School Hat

2011-02-08T20:10:00.002-06:00

My precious Eden woke up this morning with a nasty tummy bug. So I concentrated on making her feel better... yes... a new hat did the trick!

The hat is based on the Little House by the Sea pattern Moriarty: two colour stripey crochet beanie.

Eden's Granny Squarish Hat

2011-02-07T16:11:00.000-06:00

The cold weather has played nasty with my arthritis and I'm limping around for the past few days. I swear someone is following me around making old lady noises. I sure don't sound like that!

I took a break from the USM and dabbled in some crochet this morning and was able to surprise Eden with this hat when she got home from school.

The hat is based on Susie's Kid's Granny Hat (C) pattern and I added a crochet rose.

Baybee its cold outside!

2011-02-02T23:15:00.001-06:00

My dear Sprite is on vacation and I am so blessed that she is spending it with me. We have experienced beautiful sunshine, rain and freezing temperatures. SNARF! I am so not a winter person! Ms Fancy was kind enough to donate her sweater to my granddog Danny Boy and in return I made her a new sweater on the USM.

Fancy Pancy surfing the net in her new sweater

The written Fancy Pancy Sweater pattern can be found here.

Tator Tot is Born

2011-01-26T12:00:00.002-06:00

Finally, our baby Tator Tot is finished! He is a happy healthy monkee based on Monkee Maker's pattern.

My next monkee will be created on the USM.

I'm proud to say that his last stitches were formed while I was watching a Metallica biography.

Ok... this is not Tator Tot... but this is the look I get when she thinks that she is right and I am wrong.

Eden seems to think I may be off my rocker since I told her that Tator Tot is technically her uncle... yet he is a monkee's uncle.... see the looks I get when I try to have a deep meaningful convo with my grandmonster?

Little Red Cape Pattern (Photo Heavy)

2011-01-24T13:50:00.001-06:00

This is the first time I have every written out a USM or any pattern. Please read carefully and ask for clarification if you need to.

Hood

KP#3 throughout the project

PF (pull forward) 80 needles

Hang rag hem or weighted hem

Knit 8-18 rows WY (waste yarn)

Knit 16 rows of main yarn

Using the transfer tool pick up the beginning loops and hang them on the working needles to create a casing.

Reset RC (Row Counter) to 000

Knit 44 rows of MY (main yarn)

Bind off using a crochet bind off (closed)

Fold the rectangle in half and Kitchener-stitch the edge opposite from the casing.

Mark the center of the back/bottom of the hood where the row of Kitchener meets the back edge with a stitch marker or contrasting yarn.

Mark the center point between the Kitchener row and the join of the casing with a stitch marker or contrasting yarn on both sides of the bottom edge of the hood.

Back

PF (pull forward) 110 needles

Hang rag hem or weighted hem

Knit a few rows WY (waste yarn)

Reset RC (Row Counter) to 000

(Optional eyelet row– knit 4 rows, create eyelets as desired. My eyelets are 5 needles apart. Continue to knit to row 80)

Knit 80 rows of MY (main yarn)

Decrease stitches to EON (every other needle)

Move stitches over so that there are no empty our out-of-work needles

Knit 10 rows

Bind off using a crochet bind off (closed)

Mark the center of the back at the top edge with a stitch marker or contrasting yarn. This is where the center hood and center back will attach.

Remove rag hem and WY

Front

PF (pull forward) 110 needles

Hang rag hem or weighted hem

Knit a few rows WY (waste yarn)

Reset RC (Row Counter) to 000

(Optional eyelet row– knit 4 rows, create eyelets as desired. My eyelets are 5 needles apart. Continue to knit to row 50)

Reset RC (Row counter) to 000

Right upper side of front

This will create a slit in the middle of the upper front

PF (pull forward) 55 needles on the left side of the front piece to FNWP (forward non-working position).

Knit 30 rows of MY (main yarn) adjust weights accordingly.

Row 31 - Decrease EON (every other needle).

Move stitches over so that there are no empty out-of-work needles

Knit 10 rows

Bind off using a crochet bind off (closed) but leave the right side of the front piece on the needles. PF (pull forward) the needles to FNWP (forward non-working position)

Reset RC (Row counter) to 000

Left upper side of front.

Push the 55 needles on the left side of the front piece to FWP (Forward Working Position).

Knit 30 rows of MY (main yarn) adjust weights accordingly

Row 31 - Decrease EON (every other needle)

Move stitches over so that there are no empty out-of-work needles

Knit 10 rows

Bind off using a crochet bind off (closed)

Joining

(Right sides together) - Match the Hood center bottom with the Back center bottom and sew together using a modified mattress stitch.

CE (casing edge)

M (stitch marker)

CM (center marker) (also marks Kitchener row on bottom edge of the hood)

FLS (first left stitch of a row)

FRS (first right stitch of a row)

CFS (center front split)

Bottom edge of Hood

CE………………..M………………..CM………………..M………………..CE

Top edge of the Back

FLS………………..M………………..CM………………..M………………..FRS

1. Match the Hood bottom edge and the top of the Back here. Remember that the outer ¼ edges of the hood are to be seamed with the front of the cape.

(seam here)

CE………………..M………………..CM………………..M………………..CE

FLS………………..M………………..CM………………..M………………..FRS

2. With the knit side (right side) facing you, seam the Back and Front shoulders together.

(seam here) (seam here)

FLS………..HOOD & CENTER BACK SEAM…………..FRS

FLS………..………........……..CFS.…….……....…..………….FRS

3. Stitch the remaining ¼ edges of the Hood bottom to the remaining inner edges of the Front on either side of the CFS (center front split)

DO NOT seam the casing to the front, but leave it extended over the edge of the center front split.

(seam) (seam)

FLS………..………........……..CFS.…….……..…..………….FRS

4. Blanket stitch the side seams of the Front and Back

5. The shoulders will have a sharp corner, which I stitched down to give a soft curve to the shoulder. This area can also be trimmed, add epilates, etc.

6. CFS (center front split) Beginning on the left side of the CFS at the base of the Hood, sc (single crochet) to the end of the CFS on the right side. Chain 1, turn and sc in the next 3 sts (stitches), chain 4, skip the next 4 sts and sc in the next 8 sts, sc in the remaining sts of the CFS slst (slip stitch) in the last sc. Crab stitch to finish the edge of the CFS placket.

Sew the buttons onto the left side of the placket. This is a garment for a female so the placket should have a right-over-left flap (if you are wearing the garment, the right flap will lap over the left side. The buttons will be on the left side.

REMEMBER: I used large buttons. Adjust the number of buttonholes and the size of the buttonholes to your buttons.

Trim

Bottom of the cape trim

Trim color yarn (white) sc 1 row. Crab stitch 1 row.

Edge of hood trim

Where the casing is folded (face edge), sc between the knit stitches for 1 row. Crab stitch 1 row.

I-Cord

I don’t use a rag hem for the I-Cord tie.

PF 4 needles and double ewrap cast on. Hang some weight and knit the length of cord desired. Bind off. I use the yarn tails to do a quick 1” seam along the beginning and ending of the I-Cord. Pull it through the Hood casing and steam the cape.

Spending Time with CoCo

2011-01-22T19:08:00.001-06:00

Today I was able to combine some of my favorite things... spending time with my beautiful CoCo and playing with yarn!

I completed a yarmulka based on Cynthia's spiral hat video.

The photo is terrible!

and... CoCo is learning to crochet...

CoCo and her first Grannie Square

Eden's Cape Day 4 FINISHED!

2011-01-21T13:48:00.004-06:00

Eden Lee

I'm glad to have this one finished. Red was Grannie Prince's favorite color, not mine! I like a splash of it now and then and I like red roses, but too much red irritates me. I could never work at Target, even shopping there can get me wired and I usually come out of there with a "red overload headache".

The buttons are reclaimed from jacket approximately 30 years old.

Crocheted button hole

Eden's Cape Day 3

2011-01-21T13:37:00.001-06:00

I decided this version of the cape should be constructed in three pieces (front, back, and hood). Then Eden decided it needed some white trim.

Yes, Meka has her head on a pillow. She is such a spoiled baby.

I spent most of my Thursday 11-11 weaving in yarn ends and crap-stitching. Couldn't get any photos to load.

Eden's Hooded Cape Update

2011-01-19T23:35:00.004-06:00

I was pert near finished with Eden's cape and decided that I did not like the direction it was taking. So... Yep I ripped it our and started over.

Big Daddy downloaded "The Wire" and I worked on Tator Tot through a couple of episodes.

Little Red

2011-01-18T22:09:00.002-06:00

Wow! It is after 10 PM and I am just now finishing up an assignment for school.

I did get a few rows in this morning on Tator Tot and started a red hooded cape-thingie for Eden. Over all, it was a frustrating mess!

The was a weekend of darkness and misty weather, the dogs tracking muddy paw prints on my hardwood floors and O my aching back! I did manage to get the floors steam-mopped.

Hey, looks like I was not as unproductive as I thought... GO ME!

Tank Top for Eden

2011-01-17T17:51:00.001-06:00

This has been a very dark, very could have been dreary weekend. I know technically, the weekend was over yesterday. Big Daddy was off from work and the kids off from school so I'm call'n it the weekend. Eden was looking at my yarn and picked out a variegated skein that I had purchased to make another tam. She needs another hat like... well... This is what we came up with for my 11-11 project for today.

The yoke an body are knitted separately and then kitchener stitched together.

GRRRRRRRRRR!!!! It is simply too dark to get a good picture of the tank.

The second row has a few eyelets to give a soft scallop to the bottom. Then I single crocheted a row along the edge followed by a row of crab-stitch.

The photo is too dark to see the detail... I just had to use it for the Cutie Pie in the pic.

The neckline has a row of single crochet and a row of crab-stitching. The sleeves have a single row of crab-stitching.

The back of the neckline is lower than the front.

Tator Tot is my 11-11 excuse to fondle, bend, twist, and caress fibery goodness today.

2011-01-16T10:18:00.002-06:00

Heather has issued a "fibery goodness" challenge that is designed to get one's Mojo back. I'm in... not sure if I ever had Mojo and I'm not sure what Mojo we're tawk'n about but I WANT MOJO DAMMIT!!

Heather's rule of engagement (Yep, I smurfed em... )

11 Minutes for 2011 Rules (For Heather Thompson)

1) I will spend 11 Minutes in pursuit of Fibery Goodness EVERY DAY of 2011.

2) I will make notes and blog entries detailing each day’s pursuit.

3) Thinking about knitting without a specific project will not count.

4) Spinning, hand knitting, crochet, yarn shopping, meeting attendance, class preparation, class time, fiber bearing animal and plant care and collection all count!

5) Reading counts but only if it is pattern, technique, or industry related. Reading a Debbie Macomber book does not count, sorry!

6) Posts must be made daily.

7) Writing blog entries does NOT count!

8) In the event of my death, maiming, dismemberment or significant illness a Doctor’s note will be provided!

9) No quitting just because the MOJO seems to be back.

10) Napping with or blankly staring at yarn, tools and books does not count.

11) Failure is not an option.

I haven't settled on my own rules just yet... I'm tired cuz I stayed up until 3 A.M. watching the last season of Dexter. My back was hurting too much to lay down. WHINEEEEEE

Tator Tot is my 11-11 excuse to fondle, bend, twist, caress, fibery goodness today.

I have been working on Tator Tot off and on for about two weeks. When the grandmonsters are napping I don't use the USM because the click-click-pop-click is not conducive to speeding up the winding down processes. I do tend to Bondercise quickly! So, I work on hand-knitting projects and Tator Tot is what is filling my relax knitting time.

HE IS TAKING FOREVER!

Tator Tot legs & feet

Tator Tot hands

The Idiot String

2011-01-15T15:03:00.001-06:00

When I have multiple items to knit on my USM that require the same weight and approximately the same number of needles, I will piggy back the knitted pieces to save time and work more economically.

This works well when I have a set of dishtowels, dishrags, etc.

There are few ways to accomplish this task without having to rehang the hem or knit waste yarn over and over and over…

I usually start out by hanging my rag hem and then knitting about 8 to 10 rows of WY. If there is not much yarn I will knit it all to avoid cutting it into shorter un-reusable pieces.

Then I knit 1 row of yarn (or ravel cord) that I call idiot string, some call it pull-row, release-row, or slip-row. Why I call it idiot string? Because when I forget to knit it in, I smack myself in the head and say “Idiot! String?”

Mamma would really be upset with me if she knew about this little conversation that I have with myself because she never let us use the words: idiot, stupid, and fool. But, we won’t tell Mamma now will we?… grrrrrrrrrrrrr…

How many items that I plan to knit will determine the number of idiot strings I will add to my beginning WY. There are times that I only knit one idiot string and have faired well with it.

Let’s say I am going to knit four pieces so I would begin in this way

Rag hem – waste yarn, idiot string, idiot string, idiot string, and idiot string.

Then I would use a double e-wrap, crochet cast on, or any other cast on that my project required. Then knit my first piece. Cast off in the desired method.

Now, instead of ripping out the idiot string and the waste yarn to remove the knitted piece, then re-hanging the rag hem, knitting the waste yarn and another idiot string—I simply pull up the beginning of the knitted piece and re-hang the next row of idiot string (make sure the knitted piece is hanging to the back of the hem. Cast on for your next piece and knit!

The original knitted piece is laying behind the newly added piece.

Another method I use is to complete the first piece, then add some waste yarn or another idiot string and cast on the next piece. This works really well when knitting small items like dishrags assembly line style.

Crochet cast of using the latch tool. Leave the knitted piece on the USM

Knit 8 to 10 rows of contrasting waste yarn.

Cut the waste yarn

Afterthought Idiot String - Pull out the loop on the right end (or left end) opposite of the end of the waste yarn.

Cast on the second piece.

Push the cast on row against the waste yarn and USM bed, push the needles into forward working position and make sure that the latches are open.

Knit the desired number of rows

Cut the loop on the opposite side of where you cut the last row of waste yarn.

Pull each end of the Afterthought Idiot String at the same time

Then pull from one side or the other GENTLY DAMMIT!

The knitted piece will begin to separate from the waste yarn.

Now remove the waste yarn.

TA DA!!

Zade Hudson's Blankie Finished!!

2011-01-15T11:51:00.001-06:00

Third time is the charm.... right? Sure it is! I finished Zade Hudson's blankie after 3 attempts at it. The first one looked great but I decided I wanted it BIGGER!! So I ventured off and tried another pattern that well... sucked nuggets and so like a good girl, I went back to Diana and followed her direction only expanding the amount of cast on needles to 81.

I took these with my iPhone and no flash. The sun has decided to take a vacation far away from Temple, Texas

The blankie is lying on a queen-size bed.

The edging.

Zade Hudson... little sweet man

My horizons are expanding or The USM Power Workout

2011-01-14T10:32:00.002-06:00

I spent the better part of my life as a farm hand of sorts. I was up in the early mornings feeding animals before my first sip of coffee for many years. There are actually times that I get a pang of longing for milking the goats and feeding the turkeys and chickens… but, cold winter mornings snaps me right out of it! I do miss the sweet kisses that baby goats give you and the cackle of a hen as she lays her morning egg. One thing about farm work is that I never needed an exercise plan.

I spend way too much time sitting. I sit in front of a computer. I sit while hand knitting and crocheting, making jewelry, painting, blah, blah, and so forth. My last working positions were… yep, sitting in front of a computer. Well, I have developed the USM Power Work-Out to bust that every expanding waistline and bounding bottom that plagues every sitter-downer! And the best part is… I am sharing it with the world

FOR FREE, or for 3 easy payments of only $39.95! Your choice!

Here is the free part:

To combat those lovely middle-age bat wings, do not purchase an electric yarn winder. Stand with your feet apart, elbows lifted to about shoulder height and extended to the sides. Hold the end of the yarn in one hand and begin wrapping the yarn into a ballish shape with the other. If you do this to a heavy metal song and wiggle your tushie and nod your head for added calorie burning bonus. Do not forget to switch the ballish yarny thing to the other hand half-way through winding or you will end up with one fine looking arm and a bat-wing thingie flap’n on the other.

WAIT THERE IS MORE!

+Do not bother with checking the gauge required to complete the pattern you are working on and you will have lots of yarn to rip out and re-roll!
++ Do not secure your ball of yarn while using your USM and every time the ballish thing rolls off of your knitting table you will burn calories chasing it.

Sculpt that expanding waistline (saddlebags for us old-timers) by sitting on a tall stool in front of your USM and sway from side-to-side with the motion of the carriage. For added fun, sway in the opposite direction. Be sure to firmly plant your feet on the floor with your legs spread apart (my mother is probably shake’n her fanger at me from heaven for this one because nice southern girls keep their legs together!) or you will fall off of the stool and probably need emergency medical attention.

This one is for your back and shoulders… Drop your claw weights (actually any weights will do), or your transfer tool as many times as you can during a USM session. Bending forward from the waist and stretch your arms out from the shoulder to retrieve them will give your back a real good workout.

Please let me know of your special USM workout secrets. I'd be glad to sell them too.

Tulips (WARNING: PHOTO HEAVY)

2011-01-14T07:19:00.002-06:00

It has been so dark here for the past week and I received an e-mail this morning from Cheryl (aka Blondie) that really brightened my day...

Ok my yarnaholics... are you seeing the possible combinations that I am seeing?

I hope this brightens your winter day too.

Trip'n

2011-01-13T14:26:00.001-06:00

A couple of days ago, I decided to get into a hurry... a REAL hurry it seems and ended up falling down the stairs from the living room to the lovely garage floor. Ironically, I had just cleaned that floor. Had my trip happened 15 minutes earlier and I would have ended up falling on glass recycling and bins that we use to hold recycling materials before carting them off to the Temple Recycling Center.

I hurt... not particularly in the places that I thought would be hurting, but in various regions and enough to make me really cranky. I have been trying to knit a a test glove from a pattern that Cynthia sent to me a few days ago. I've had the glove hanging on the USM and have progressed to just past the thumb. The side-to-side motion has proven a bit too irritating to my shoulder.

Starting the thumb. The yarn looks like royal blue in the photos, but it is really a deep purple.

O well... I won't mention that my trip happened almost to the day that I fell down the very same steps last year. I'm so graceful!!!

Who do you share your space with?

2011-01-10T13:26:00.001-06:00

When we moved to the Temple, TX house, Big Daddy and I had to share our workspace. This meant that we had to combine our offices plus my studio/work room. In addition to that, the room had to accommodate three very special family members: Neil, Ziggy, and Lil Sami. I am forever arranging and rearranging this room. Well winter decided to move to Temple, Texas this weekend and I am chasing the light. Soooooooo that means I have to move things again. Ok, in all fairness... I am OCD. Not a joke, but hey if you can't laugh about it... I move stuff all of the time. Thankfully, I am anal about organization. I just wish the rest of my brood was too. They move my stuff and I will search for hours thinking I was the one who didn't put it in the right place.
There, now you know more about me than you probably wanted to, or needed to.
Here are my roommates...

Sami (Chinese Water Dragon)

Ziggy (on-top) & Neil (Bearded Dragons)

Big Daddy (aka Pop Pop) He does not always wear a tux, but since my computer crashed this is the only pic I could find.

Meka (aka MekaChooPrice when she is in trouble, aka Freckles)

Eden (aka DD, Deedles and Cruella DeVille)

Wishbone (Wishie) the Jack Russell not me!

Charlie (aka Chuckles or Chub Chub)

The pretty girl is our daughter Kat (Big Daddy with hair and Big John)

Danny (aka Lil Man, Dan-Dan, Dougie, and Lycan) our granddog

Winter in Texas!

2011-01-09T14:25:00.001-06:00

I should probably apologize to all of my fellow Texians... I brought winter to Texas with my big ole Texas braggin MOUTH! I was razzing my Okie Bro (Jeff Byers) about the weather that they are about to get this next week in Enid, OK and that must have opened the floodgates because lookie here....

My oldest Grandmonster, Xander playing in the snow

Well, in all fairness this photo was taken a little bit north of where I am and this is what I am looking at while I sit at the computer....

The sky was darkened and it began to sprinkle about 15 minutes after I took this photo...

Big Daddy traveled to Austin to pick up my iMac (Macalla) at the Domain Apple Store. She has been gone over a week for major computer surgery... a total of $1,785. worth of surgery. Thankfully we had purchased extended Apple Care and the event only cost us the fuel to take her there and back. I LOVE APPLE!

Between moving, cleaning, and rearranging... yep, there goes my OCD, I managed to get the grandmonsters down for a nap and since the USM is too noisy to use during nap-time, I took some time to work on my newest baby... Tator Tot!

Diana's USM Slipper

2011-01-07T18:01:00.001-06:00

I took a break from writing... errrrr typing my team assignment and tried my hand at Diana's USM Slipper.

to be cont....

Now I have to work in some time to work on a new glove pattern that Cynthia sent to me this morning...

Questions that haunt me...

2011-01-07T12:25:00.003-06:00

Just had to share this email from Vivian...

If you have sex with a prostitute against her will, is it considered rape or shoplifting?

Can you cry under water?

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

Why do you have to "put your two cents in"... but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going?

Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

What disease did cured ham actually have?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

 Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

Why do doctors leave the room while you change?

They're going to see you naked anyway.

Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?

Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?

Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?

If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours?

They're both dogs!

If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

Why did you just sing the two songs above?

WHY DO WE DRIVE ON A PARKWAY, BUT PARK ON A DRIVEWAY?

Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride; he sticks his head out the window?

Why is it that Mickey Mouse wears pants and no shirt, but Donald duck wears a shirt and no pants?

Do you ever wonder why you gave me your e-mail address in the first place?

Hudson's Blankie: Day 2

2011-01-06T14:28:00.001-06:00

I decided that I wanted Hudson's blanket to be a bit bigger and therefore I have started over casting on 141 needles, beginning with 3 needles in WP and adding 3 needles every-other-row.

Kat has visited my studio several times today to see if the sewing machine has miraculously produced a dress for her... SNORT! I have accomplished moving an old computer desk upstairs and pulling the machine out of the box. I have such a mess and I really need to finish Hudson's blanket and finish my team assignment too. I am too distracted by the mess that has invaded my workspace!

One more slice to knit then on to Kitchener stitching the completed circle and edging.

My mother did not knit, but she is with me when I do. She had a cuckoo clock that she loved and when we moved to Milford, Texas in 1972 the cuckoo clock was broken. I still have that clock, broken bits and all. I use the weights to anchor my knitting on the USM and every time I look at them I think of mom.

Today's Project: Zade Hudson's Blankie

2011-01-05T18:12:00.002-06:00

I started working on Zade Hudson's (my new great nephew) blanket today using Diana's USM Baby Blankie videos.

He is the spit'n image of his daddy

This morning I sent Kat to Handcock's to pick up a couple of pounds of yarn and she returned home with 8 pounds and a Brother sewing machine.

I'm love'n this pattern

My fancy schmancy weights upclose

A few days ago, she called to ask me "if you have a sewing machine that sews straight seams can you make me a dress?" She then returned home with a pattern and material... and today... the machine!

Happy Happy Joy Joy

2011-01-05T13:06:00.001-06:00

When I went to bed last night, I had already planned out my schedule for today... exercise... Zone 1 (FlyLady)... check out some diet options... work on my team assignments for the week... and continue to organize my studio...
Well how could I do all of that when I get an alert from YouTube that clogden21 has posted a new video?
I appreciate all of the hard work and time that clogden21 and dianaknits put forth in creating educational videos. Since I have been fortunate to find these lovely machine knitter gurus, I have learned so much about the USM. Yet very little time to exercise!
Check out these awesome videos (among many)

Clogden21 (YouTube Channel)
Bondaholic (Blogger.com)

Entrelac Part 1-5
Stitches_Cables

Diana Natters (YouTube Channel)
Diana natters on... (Blogger.com)

Baby Blankie Part 1 & 2
Ultimate Sweater Machine Tam

WARNING: You will lose all sense of time so make sure to gather liquids and finger foods to sustain you while you watch these videos.

OCD....Obsessive Crochet Disorder

2011-01-04T14:12:00.001-06:00

Over the years I have posted various projects on the Internet and over the years I have lost track of where I posted them. I have resolved (o crap another resolution!) to get all of my ducks in a row and find one spot or one program to store them. Sooooo--- I have come back to Blogger.com and have moved OCD - Obsessive Crochet Disorder and My Dearest DD into one combined site.

Liquid Laundry Soap Day 2

2011-01-04T13:03:00.004-06:00

Time to pour up the liquid laundry detergent (recipe here) that I brewed up yesterday...

Looks just like lemon curd

Whisk to break up the curd

Ladle into 1-gallon jug (X3)

Ready to do laundry

Dark Winter Day

2011-01-04T11:45:00.005-06:00

I don't mind dark days... even stormy days... that is as long as they don't last too long. It is a balmy 57 degrees here in Temple today. I have the window open next to my desk in the office/studio/exercise room. I got up early to get so much done... LOLOLOL! So far all I have accomplished is finishing Charlie's mittens and getting caught in a whirl of knit pattern surfing.

I really get lost while surfing for knitting patterns and I must try to get that obsession under some control. My Evernote account is overloaded with knitting patterns and pictures of things I want to knit. If I were to start knitting from my Evernote files today, I would be around 200 years old by the time I finished all of the patterns in there. Barring adding any more patterns.

1st Day of 2011... sort of...

2011-01-03T12:58:00.001-06:00

My day started out in a tizzy. My alarm went off at 6 AM and Big Daddy was already in the shower so I hit the snooze hoping to catch a tad more sleep. Then my 6:30 alarm went off to remind me that it was time to put the grandmonsters on the bus for school. I waited for them to bust through the bedroom door to kiss me good morning but... I waited... and waited. I went down to Kat's room and found them all still asleep! BON JOVI! They are going to be late on the first day of the new year!! However, Kat informed me that we all were misinformed... school is not back in session until Wednesday... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Beginning on the fanger end... 2 at a time...

Ok... need coffee... and cast on a pair of mittens for Charlie to match his hat and scarf.

I put off making a new batch of laundry detergent until today. Normally I start a new batch as soon as I open the 3rd gallon, but that even took place last Thursday and I didn't want to spend my holiday making liquid laundry soap. So, with the kids eating breakfast I set out to brew my first batch of the year.

Secret Ingredients... LOL

Looks delish... smells soooo good

Pour it up.... stir

Rest for 24 hours... the detergent, not me

Well, FlyLady tells me that I am to focus on Zone 1 this week! Lord love her heart! I'd never make it through the week without her!

Prayer Scarf for Charlie

2010-12-30T12:20:00.002-06:00

I have been promising to make a prayer scarf for Charlie. His favorite color is blue (and sometimes green) and since I had a skein of I LOVE THIS Yarn #80 Royal and was up at 6:30 AM so I decided to knock this one out.

Icthus, Magen David, & Menorah

The eyelets are really not wonky, I just have not completed the blocking of the scarf. I had a bit of yarn left so I made a yarmulke based on the top portion of Diana's Tam.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

2010-12-29T17:22:00.002-06:00

It seems that everyone is either pregnant or just had a wee one and therefore gasp I am behind on knitting! I am coveting a new USM so that I can have the Queen Kong of Bond machines. Until then, I am knitting small baby blankets and adding a decorative crochet edging. I spent most of the weekend knitting up some new rag hems that will accomodate the larger sizes that I intend to knit with the monster machine I am dreaming of. I told Big Daddy that I needed longer weights and he came up with two 4-foot and two 2-foot lengths of rebar and even painted them for me.

They work great!
I do love a man who knows how to fulfill my wants and needs and does it while recycling too. I wanted something to hold the larger 1-pound skeins of yarn so that the yarn would roll off like paper-towel or... err toilet tissue... The result is what I call my "Holy Roller"

Big Daddy's creation made of left-over fence posts, a dowel and an old 2 X 4

A man that recycles makes me hot... oh wait... that could just be menopause!

The Holy Roller sure made knitting the diamond baby blanket flow so much easier than chasing the yarn around my studio. Not to mention having to pick out Siberian Husky hairs from the yarn.

Katherine Olivia's Diamond Blanket off of the machine

I will let the blanket rest for awhile before starting the crochet edge. Eden watched the process all the time remarking just how beautiful the blanket is (pink is her favorite color) and just who is this baby that Goodie is taking time away from making her things? Eden loves to talk and practices talking and talking and... She was looking at photos that are on my screensavor, one of which is a photo of Big Daddy when he graduated from medical school. She said, "Pop Pop is a docter, is that right Goodie?" I told her that she had it right. She was unusually quiet for a few minutes then she put her little hand on my shoulder and stated, "Pop Pop is a doctor Goodie, but you are the Queen and I am the Princess!" Now that girl certainly does have a firm grasp on the natural order in the universe. I can't wait until Big Daddy comes home...

Eden's Fiesta Skirt

2010-12-21T15:37:00.002-06:00

USM
KP 2
MY= Caron - Black 4-Ply (You will not need all of this yarn for the skirt)

Trim Yarn= Red Heart CLASSIC Mexicali (You will not need all of this yarn)

CO 100 needles - closed CO

Knit to desired length (this skirt = 12 inches)

Waistband - change to the Mexicali yarn and knit 20 rows, fold to create a casing for elastic.

Mattress stitch the edges of the skirt and waistband.

Cut elastic 2 inches less than waist measurement. Insert elastic into knitted casing and bind edges of elastic.

Using a size H crochet needle, single crochet around the bottom of the skirt. Join. Slip-stitch in first sc space of first row, 2 double-crochet in next sc space, single-crochet in next sc space. Repeat all around the bottom of the skirt evenly. Bind off. Weave in ends.

NO MORE FEATHERS!!

2010-12-21T14:23:00.006-06:00

Eden is a princess. Every princess has to have a feather boa... well... Meka (Siberian Husky) thinks she has to destroy every boa that comes into the house and it takes a toll on my carpets. I am knitting some hats from Haute Fur that I purchased at Hobby Lobby and slowly I am replacing all of the feathery, fuzzy, float in the air boas.

Kat wore one of my boa creations to work and now the older princesses are wanting one to wear as a skinny scarf.

Knitted on the USM

7 needles (every other needle) N 0 N 0 N 0 N 0 N 0 N 0 N (N=needle 0= no needle)
Loosely crochet cast on 7 stitches
KP 4
Knit until there is only enough of the fur yarn left to crochet BO

Carefully brush/lift the fur fibers on the knit side of the boa. Don't actually brush it, simply begin at one end of the boa and lift the fibers up with a brush without catching the stitches in the brush.

This boa passes the twirl-test with flying colors!

Scrap Dawg

2010-12-21T13:50:00.001-06:00

He doesn't look like much of anything... yet.

My mother always used her fabric scraps to make patchwork dogs for all of the kids and she would donate them to local churches for bazaars and fundraisers. Her dogs were always a hit and I so wish I still had mine or at least one of the kid's. They were used as pillows and to hug while sleeping. Back in the day when mother's didn't know better than to prop a baby's bottle on a pillow, these dogs held many a bottle upright so mom could use her hands for other things like sewing, knitting, crocheting,...

I am finding that I have so many little balls of scrap yarn left over from projects that just are not big enough do do much with. I am using these scraps to make a patchwork puppy pillow.

Cocoon Winder Thingie

2010-12-21T11:01:00.003-06:00

Age has crept up and smak'd me in the joints! So I am always interested in ways to avoid situations that puts stress on them (yep I am aware that my grammar is wonky). I prefer to "cocoon" my yarn instead of rolling the yarn into a ball which always seems to get away from me. A cocoon will sit where I want it to and rarely knots up. I've been knitting many a scarf over the past few weeks as gifts for the grands' teachers, bus drivers, and Big Daddy's staff members. I have fallen for a yarn that I found at Hobby Lobby called Espais A Colorfusion Yarn. There is simply too much of it to wind a cocoon the old-fashioned way (around the hand) so Big Daddy made me a DIY winder.

Top of the Yarn Cocoon (This will become the bottom as soon as it is removed from the frame)

The bottom of the cocoon (Now becomes the top or where you pull the yarn from the cocoon)

Big Daddy's Cocoon Winder - simple but effective

Washing of the Hands

2010-12-20T14:14:00.001-06:00

One of the sweetest moments of my week is to watch my Bershert and the grands welcoming the Sabbath...

Tam Set for Eden

2010-12-20T13:24:00.005-06:00

One would think that since our family celebrates Chanukah that I could avoid the Christmas gift making/giving frenzy... think again! The children attend a public school that promotes Christmas themed activities and Big Daddy works at Fort Hood. Most of my friends celebrate Christmas and we exchange Chanukah/Christmas gifts. Ok, any excuse to play with yarn! and my Bond USM!!

Last Friday was hopefully the end of the parties and I still cannot tear myself away from my USM (code-named Knettie). Yes, I named her. Yes, I name my other appliances too... and my cars.

I love, love, love knitting and crochet'n for Eden. She is such an ego booster for this old bird. Any time I pick up yarn and needles she gets so excited and wants to know what Goodie is making for her. Usually, I am knitting something for her. She saw a sales advertisement in which a young girl was wearing a tam and asked me to make her one. I went looking for a pattern that I could use on the USM and I found one, a perfect one, while doing a Google search on Diana's blog "Diana natters on..."

It is a 81 degrees outside and she wants to wear her new tam and scarf

Alternate the beginning row to create scallop

Spun Sugar Stripe