Men Who Knit!!!

Originally posted on Yahoo 360 on March 4, 2008. Thus, I'm transferring my posts to Blogger.

Men who knit seem to add a new layer of creativity when it comes to knitting. Briley, for one, writes a blog regarding his knitting adventures, his charities, his family and much more. He is always eager to help others with their knitting.

Another favorite of mine is Brooklyn Tweed who is also known as Jared Flood, a designer/knitter for some of your top knitting magazines.

It took awhile but I was able to convert my daughter, Amy, to learn to knit and become addicted to this art form. Last weekend, while I was visiting, I began to realize that my grandsons shyly displayed interest in my knitting. Awhile back, Joe (age 12) thought my moebius scarf was “cool”. I consider that quite a compliment from a soon to be teenage boy.

My daughter and I decided we could get my other grandchild interested by telling him he could knit hackysacks. Hackysacks are like small cube shaped beanbags that boys kick into the air and try to keep it aloft. Nick, age 10, has knitting classes offered to him at school but is too shy to participate. So, last weekend we taught him how to cast on, knit and bind off. He really enjoyed it.

Here is Nick knitting just before leaving for his soccer game.

I just had to share this picture below with you. My daughter went to check on Nick about an hour after retiring for the night. He had snuck his knitting to bed with him and fell asleep with the needles and yarn in his hands. Isn’t he precious!!!!!!

A gentleman where my daughter works told her he had started to learn to knit. She encouraged him to continue and last week he purchased Denise Needles and the book “Son of a Stitch and Bitch”. He has also joined Ravelry so I would say that his interest is serious.

So…………men of the world……….keep on knitting!

Waving Lace Socks - Part #2

Happy Father's Day to any dads who may be reading this or to moms who have had to be both mom and dad to their child/children.

First sock waiting for Kitchener stitch.

I love the ocean. I have salt water in my veins. I have many touches in my living room to reflect what I enjoy. My apartment is not sterile and when you walk in you immediately know that I love knitting, the ocean, plants, books and music.

If you are trying to figure out what those slats are in the above picture, it is my lobster trap coffee table with a very thick glass on the top. A relative drove four hours (from Maine) to deliver it to me. She mentioned the person's first name that she got it from. "Chreatch" was the original owner. Unbeknownst to her, "Chreatch" and I graduated together and our pictures are side by side in the year book. Makes my table that more special!

Elsie was so kind to provide me with decorating links as a result of her post on her beautiful napkins.

Here's a couple of my favorite blogs. Be careful, they are addictive even if you are not much of an entertainer. The photography alone is gorgeous. Designs By Gollum and Between Naps On The Porch are must reads. I located the laser cut cupcake wrappers used in the "ocean theme", Cupcake Wrappers. Now really, how could I resist those. My blog name tells you as well as a few items around my apartment as seen in the first pic.

Debbie Bliss at Webs in Northampton, MA on Tuesday for only two hours for her book signing. I've registered to attend but I need to check the checkbook before making a firm commitment.

Clutch Bag - Check this little bag. This pattern has moved its way up the list on my knitting dream list. How about red with black beads to go with that "little black dress". I've never had a little black dress. When I was thin, I was too busy with babies to wear one.

I desperately want to learn how to tat and make this bracelet and this pendant (especially the pendant).

I often go to the lake to relax and knit. You can see the New York Adirondack Mountains in the distance. It's much more beautiful a scene than I could capture in this picture. You don't see the many pine trees in the foreground. The sun was playing "hide and seek" today.

The point of this picture is that I watched in anticipation to see if two people would try to get into this boat. The wife dutifully helped her husband shove off to fish by himself. Apparently, he needed the solitude on Father's Day. I was aghast that he did not put on his life jacket! Yikes!

Bone scan scheduled for tomorrow for a possible stress fracture to my toe/foot area. It's always something!

Gratitude for the day....not sure, but I think this is a lily as seen at the entrance of a local restaurant.

Happy Knitting!

Teacher Quilt Gifts

Every year, on the last day of school for my grandsons, my daughter, Amy, presents that year's teachers with a wall quilt she created. My older grandson is entering high school in September so the wall quilts are a well-established tradition.

This wall quilt was presented to my younger grandson's social studies teacher. My grandson, Nick, was involved in a geography contest and honorably represented his class. I remember him studying intensely while I was visiting him. My daughter tells me that the teacher choked up when she received her gift.

Plans are to put together a photo album of these quilts. My grandchildren are holding their quilt gift so we'll be able to see how they have changed through the years.

You can walk up and down the halls at school and see the nameplate wall quilts my daughter has made.

I was showing a co-worker these pictures and she commented that my daughter is very talented when it comes to crafts. She smiled as she said, "I wonder where she gets that from!". I quilt also but haven't in several years.

Waving Lace Socks

Pattern: Waving Lace Socks by Evelyn A. Clark
Book: Interweave Favorite Socks
Yarn: Angora Wool Blend-Dyed by Maine Yarn Shop
Needles: Size 2 4" dp needles

This yarn is a dream to knit with. It glides through your fingers like being on a slippery slope. It is an angora blend. I purchased the one skein, enough for a pair of socks, while I was in Maine a couple of months ago. It was a little pricey, but hey...besides my being worth it, I was on a mini-vacation.

I was disappointed when I unskeined it to put it on my yarn swift. The yarn was faded in the areas exposed to the store's floodlights. It was a bear to wind as all the little angora hairs wanted to hug each other like a velcro strip.

The yarn also has a scent from candles burning in the store which allows me to knit for only short periods of time as the odor becomes overpowering. Be assured that I will wash these socks before gifting.

A closeup ....I really enjoy my "Shirley Temple" cup. I purchased this item back in the late '80's at an antique shop in Maine. It had a minor chip in it (sigh).

When life is difficult, as it was this past week, I usually return to my gratitude journal. Usually, the things I enter are usually things like a baby smiling at me at the supermarket, a cardinal chirping "good morning" to me as I leave for work, contact from my loved ones, etc.

This morning I was awakened by a well-known "swish" sound outside my open window. (It's safe to have it open....high off the ground.) I grabbed my bathrobe and my camera and ran out on the front lawn in my bare feet. I must have been a pretty site to passer-bys!!! Hopefully, they didn't have a camera. You never know when you might end up on Youtube.

This is what I saw......

Are we crashing? Are we taking off? A little scary as there is no open space in that immediate area to land safely.

Alison, this is for you........the name on the balloon is "The Inn at Essex", which has been mentioned in a previous post.

Up, up, up!!!!............

......and away!!!!

Happy Knitting!

Ilga's Socks - Part 2

I am feeling the love for this knitting project. It’s not really that difficult, but it is a little time-consuming. However, the fact that is is straight knitting for part of the leg and all of the foot speeds up the project. I like the way the pattern is centered on the front of the sock.

Unfortunately, I didn't remember to follow these knitting rules...... changing yarn colors or yarn dominance....but the philosophy of a very wise, older knitter (a/k/a Joansie) is:

"If you make the same mistake more than once, it is now considered a pattern."

The inside looks pretty good! You think? Rule of thumb is that floats should be no longer than five stitches. I may have stretched the rule in a couple of places.

I hope I don’t have that dreaded disease called SSS (single sock syndrome). I've yet to find a cure for that illness. I’ve started two other projects since completing this one. My excuse was that the pattern was too difficult to follow on my plane trip last week, so I forged ahead with other knitting.

Thank you all for your support regarding my last post regarding difficulties with my mother. I truly am happy to be home again from Colorado and regain some sense of saneness and normalcy.

I had no time at all to knit while I was with my mom. I should have clarified that mom's is actually two hours away from Denver. The Denver area has some beautiful places but the area my mother lives in is rather unscenic (i.e. ugly). I left just in time as the day after my departure, the area had more tornadoes and so much hail that the plow trucks had to be used to clear the roads.

Check out this site Resweater. It is one of my favorites. Two posts back has the neatest mittens.

Don't forget that tomorrow is "World Wide Knit In Public Day (WWKIPD)". Ravelry.com groups for your state will tell you where one is being held in your area. There are several locations in Vermont, one being in City Hall Park in Burlington starting at 9:00 a.m.

I think you will like the other two projects I am knitting. One may be a contest giveaway and I’ll decide on that as soon as I figure out if my alterations to the pattern are acceptable. I know, I’m teasing you but doesn’t everyone like a surprise. So, stay posted.

Happy Knitting!

Good Riddance Denver!!

I arrived in Denver last Wednesday and was so very happy to see my mother again. My sister was there also.

I wrote a lengthy post in a word processor, debating if I should share with my readers everything that transpired during my visit. It was not pretty. I was unable to copy and paste it and decided that it was meant to be kept private.

I will tell you that my mother's surgery went very well. Unfortunately, my mom became abusive, furious at my father for leaving when I was only three years old and wanted me to leave when I became upset and told her to stop. She survived three other husbands who were very good to her. She is under a tremendous amount of stress, having to make very important living decisions and is unable to do so and will not let anyone help her. She is 89, but age is not an excuse as she has been this way most of her life.

The third day I was there I freaked out when this happened.

There were warnings for our area and my mom doesn't have a cellar to her home for protection. There were five separate tornadoes and one touched down and hit a shopping mall, overturning cars and tractor trailers along the way. I ran to a neighbors for help.

A phone number scrolled across the screen but I was not able to capture it in time. By calling the number and listing your own phone number, you will be contacted if it is your neighborhood that is in immediate danger as opposed to a county. I also learned that the town has a siren to warn people and the police cruisers will drive up and down the streets to alerting residents.

Most people laughed that I was so scared. I'm told this is a normal occurrence. Sorry, I'll take my winter snow storms and stay safely indoors with homemade soup.

Can you see the tornado in the upper right of the picture?

This hail was minor. Some areas had baseball size hail.

So, when mom started to call a relative and complain that I was not caring for her properly, that was the last straw. I did everything I could. I called her eye doctor because she was not taking her glaucoma drops, spoke to her other doctors about various issues, took her to visit friends, cooked, was up with her during the night and never complained. So, I decided my sister could take over. She just returned from her vacation. I left...........

Continental had a 1 1/2 hr. delay leaving Denver, more delays leaving Newark. It was a very turbulent flight and a scary landing.

I'm happy to be back home.

Denver...Here I Come!!!

Above is a picture of my mother, Germaine, taken 20 years ago when she was 69 ....and now 89. (I did the math for you...hehe.) I'm flying into Denver next Wednesday to visit with her for two weeks and also help as she is having carpal tunnel surgery two days after my arrival.

It's been nine years since I've seen my mom. Circumstances and life got in the way for both of us. I so wanted to visit her, and often felt very sad and teary that I couldn't. I've not seen my sister in 18 years. All will be meeting me at the airport....my mom if she feels well enough.

I’m starting to have terrible withdrawal symptoms. It’s my addiction again…..to yarn, fiber, knitting books, etc. I’m leaving Wednesday for Colorado for two weeks and will only have internet access on my cell phone which is very cumbersome. I can’t remember the year that the internet came to life, but I was there at its birth as I was for DOS, etc. This will be the first time in all these years that I do not have the internet at my fingertips.

I longingly look at my spinning wheel and wish I could bring it with me. I look at my laptop and want that along also. How many of my sock knitting books can I lovingly stuff in my luggage and not go over the weight limit for my bag? This is pretty bad when I’d rather pack knitting items than clothes. If I were smart, I’d pack the clothes, leave the knitting at home except for my project on the plane and buy knitting paraphernalia in Colorado.

I’m very emotional regarding this trip. I feel this may be the last time I see my mom. Her health is not good, but I will be able to assess things more closely when I arrive. I think she probably realizes this also as she keeps telling me, “We’ll have to do this again next year.” She is the last surviving sibling of a family of seven (or was it eight?) kids.

I will be able to read e-mails on my cell. Not sure if I will be able to read blogs or leave comments. Perhaps a short trip to the local library will allow me to do that and save my sanity.

I'll have lots of pics from my trip to share with you. I'll also have a fair amount of new knitting items I've been working on, some you have not seen yet.

See you when I return!!

Good News!!!

Because everyone likes to see a picture included in a blog post, I'll tell you more about these pics after I tell you my good news.

I returned to see my ENT doctor today for my MRI results. I DO NOT have an acoustic neuroma. I am relieved. They think I had a viral infection that affected my hearing instead. Thanks to so many of you for your prayers, support, e-mails. etc. It was very heartwarming!

The pictures of the hot air balloons were taken about three years ago. The flight path for the balloons from the festival goes right over my house. It is fun, fun, fun!!!

Many of you asked me what is a "Johnny Gown" (<--click) that was mentioned in my previous post. I guess I didn't realize that it is a geographical term. It reminded me of a blog post from a few years ago where readers commented on terms they were familiar with depending on where they lived. So here goes....add any that you can think of.

Johnny Gown - patient gown - exam gown
Creemie - soft serve - ice cream
Loaded - the works - everything
Bag - sac
Soda pop - tonic - Coke, Pepsi

Fair Isle Knitting/Ilga Socks By Nancy Bush

I often like to have a mindless knitting project that I can just tote with me. I also like to have a project that is challenging and a learning opportunity.

This blogger has great instructions and links to learn Fair Isle. http://fairisleknitting.blogspot.com/ Be sure to check out this link as there is an absolute wealth of information for any type of knitting. Not sure why but I am not able to create shortcut hyperlinks in Blogger lately. Any solutions?

I was knitting Fair Isle as a teenager. I wish I still had some of those knitted projects to compare my approach.

Notice the chart above. I have a sticky note with the row I am working on just below the edge of the note. This allows me so see the row below and quickly tell if I am making an error on the row I am working on. In other words, I am looking at two rows at a time. It allows for quicker knitting.

Fair Isle has a double layer of yarn as you are carrying the various colors across the row. Intarsia involves blocks of color in a single layer.

The rule of thumb for "floats" (how many stitches to carry a color not currently knitting with) is five stitches. It is to avoid toes (or fingers, if a mitten) from catching as you slide it on your foot. When working with wool, the scales of the yarn (stitches) have a tendency to nest themselves and mildly adhere to the other color. This happens with only wool. It works out very well.

The Ilga Sock pattern is from this sock book. I love the selection of patterns. I used by 40% off coupon at JoAnn's which made it very affordable.

Happy Knitting!

Ilga's Socks - Nancy Bush

Pattern: Ilga's Socks by Nancy Bush from the book "Favorite Socks" (by Interweave)
Yarn: Knitpicks Palette Fingering Yarn
Needles: Size 2 dp's

This pattern fascinates me. The reason is the braided cord on the top edge. I couldn't understand how this could be knitted unless sideways. Uh, Uh, the look is achieved by purling on the right side and is accomplished by how you carry the yarn. I'm totally in awe as to how these patterns come to be. Obviously, someone with a very creative mind. I closer look at the braid which is "raised" from the rest of the pattern. I made an error in color selection for the graph. However, I always say, "If you make the mistake more than once, it is now a pattern."

A little blurry, but wanted to give you an even closer look.

I have quite a few more rows completed at the time of this writing. At first I felt that I was wasting my time with this pattern. I could use "self striping yarn" and get the same effect. However, further into the pattern is is more noticeable that this is indeed intarsia knitting.

Happy Knitting!

Magic Loop Lacy Socks!

Yarn: Sockotta Fingering
Needles: Size 2, 40" cable
Pattern: My own (modified) available later

The socks that are pictured are the socks created during the current sock knitting class that I finished teaching last night. I was so excited to have this class “sold out”. I’ll only accept a maximum of eight students.

I was “bumped out” of reserved space at the library for the first two sessions with no forewarning. There was a 30 piece tuba, trumpet band in there in my place. I definitely could not shout over that noise. So getting a room five minutes before the start of class was a little stressful as well as trying to gather everyone coming in from different directions.

So last week, I overheard one of the gals say to another, “This is so much fun!” I was delighted, absolutely delighted to be doing something I thoroughly enjoy, meeting new knitters, and getting paid good money for doing so.

I’m headed to Denver on June 3rd. I need to finish one neck warmer, start another and knit at least six dishcloths. Think I can do it?

The MRI for a possible acoustic neuroma was two days ago (no results yet) and I’ll post about that separately.

Now don't laugh too hard, but getting ready for an MRI is quite humbling. They have you peel most of your clothes and put on a "johnny". You are told you can keep your socks on. Way to go......I was wearing a pair of handknits and the technician noticed them. You just have to look at the little pleasures in life!!

Which reminds me, when I was about to have my first baby many years ago, my wonderful aunt presented me with a gift of three "johnnies"...all were pastel in color, frilly and feminine. It's one of my many precious memories of her.

Happy Knitting!

What The Heck!!!!

I do not have a picture for my post. The battery is charging and I've misplaced the project I am going to tell you about. Tomorrow, tomorrow, everything will fall into place.

Murphy has taken up residence in my life this week. You know, Murphy from Murphy's Law. He's trying to become my best friend. He's running me ragged right now but he knows that in the end, my competitve self will win the battle. I'm too smart for him....silly guy! So, why does he even bother to try to make things a little difficult. He's not contributing to the positive side of things so I am kicking him out.

A former worker returns to her country of Denmark each year and always purchases beautiful yarn. She started two sweaters for her grandsons awhile back was not able to complete them before they outgrew them so I inherited the task of completing them. I completed one and gifted it to my own grandson. I'm trying to complete the second one.

So what is the problem?

The directions are in a foreign language. Do I dare scan the pattern and use BabelFish to translate the directions. (See the link in the box to the right.)

It's been a challenging week and that is where Murphy comes into the picture.

A few months ago I failed a free screening hearing test held at the university where I work. I was told to see an otonorologist. The cost of a hearing aid just has not been able to squeeze itself into my budget. There was no indication from the technician that it was imperative that I make this appointment soon. Finally, I made the appointment. Instead, the doctor told me he thinks I have an acoustic neuroma which is a benign brain tumor on the 8th cranial nerve. You could have knocked me over with a feather. So, the plan is.............

an MRI to determine if indeed it is a tumor and then proceed with radiation if the tumor is small enough or surgery to remove it if it is too large. This means a possible loss of hearing in my left ear as well as a compromise in my balance. It could also affect my taste buds. Now, that's a new diet plan I had not planned on.

Another option is a "wait and see" approach as that kind of tumor is extremely slow growing and I could possibly outlive it.

Before all of this happened, an airline ticket was purchased for me to travel to visit my 89-year old mom in Colorado departing June 3rd. Today, I found out that my mom needs carpal tunnel surgery and we are trying to schedule it while I am there so I can be of some assistance. I will have the results of my MRI and the action plan, if one is needed, before I leave for Denver.

My new specialist is wonderful. He personifies calm, caring, reassurance and whatever other qualities one wants in a doctor. I'm pretty fortunate.

I think all of the above justifies my contributing to the economy and making a major yarn purchase while in Colorado. After all, they may have yarn not available in the Northeast.... you think???? Anyone reading the blog from Denver, please tell me about yarn shops in your area. I'm sure there are many.

On a side note, I am feeding he birds again and the variety of song birds that are visiting me is unbelievable. I am enjoying them thoroughly. Mr. Cardinal chirps at me in the morning as I leave for work, as if to say "Have a good day! Thank you for the seed."

This week is the last knitting class that I am teaching for this session. It sold out and I was delighted. It appears that the next class will be filled as soon as the brochure comes out. I love it!....absolutely love it!

Happy Knitting!

Another Neck Warmer!!

Not a very good picture as the lighting is difficult today but I didn't want to write a blog without pictures.


This neck warmer is my latest project. I was able to knit this in an afternoon. I need to knit two of them in different colorways and I should be able to reach that goal as it is an easy knit. The neck warmers will be for two women distantly related to my mother through marriage that have been trying to help her with her many medical appointments, etc. I have never met them but will on June 3rd when I arrive in Colorado for two weeks. It feels a little strange gifting a winter item in June.

I tried inserting a couple of hyperlinks to the other neck warmers using this same pattern but Blogger is being stubborn so I will try tomorrow. The others are very lovely.

The color in the picture is more representative of the true colorway. Notice the yarn problems I am having. The yarn is Manos silk/wool and a little $$$ so I expect it to be better quality.

Here's another problem with yarn on the toddler sweater that I am knitting.

Jakob's Hoodie Sweater - It was a very long row and I didn't want to frog back so I will mend it when completed and no one will know the better. I only have the sleeves left to knit and then it will be done. It seems it took as long to knit the hood as it did the body of the sweater. I will tease you and tell you that I found the perfect buttons, absolutely perfect. I'll show them when the sweater is finis!!!

I was reading a very interesting article while waiting in the doctor’s office today. It was about the making of a sweater and "The Golden Fleece" . (<--click) The sweater pictured in National Geographic (August 2008) sells for $4,575. Yes, that amount is correct and not a typo. So I went on the web to find out more. How about this Vicuna suit. (<----click)Obviously, some folks are not experiencing the recession. The fiber sells for $250/ounce.

I’m really bummed that I didn’t get to go to the NH Sheep and Wool Festival. I understand the weather was nice there (thunderstorms here) and that it was fantastic.

For those of you who live along the East Coast somewhere, have you received your “Stitches East” brochure? The convention is being held in Hartford, CT this year (October). There are 151 different classes being offered, never mind all the fiber you can purchase. (Google it!) I plan on going to that one.

Happy Knitting!

Flowers - Knitted and Crocheted

I often hesitate to purchase a knitting book unless I’ve had the opportunity to peruse it from cover to cover. However, after searching for free flower patterns on Ravelry with limited success, I decided to order the above-pictured book from Knitpicks.com along with the needles needed for my students at my next class so that I could get free shipping.
It is fantastic!!! There are knitted flowers as well as crocheted ones. The flowers are grouped according to their natural colors in nature. There are also vegetables and different leaf types. Also in the book are projects with which you can use the flowers/leaves/vegetables as accents. Included are beautiful crocheted flowered buttons. This book is definitely a winner!!!

I’ve been preparing for my next knitting class. I’ll be teaching the magic loop sock knitting method using a lacy pattern. The sign-up was near capacity the week after the brochure was mailed by my local recreational department.

I was pleased when I received an e-mail from the director asking if I would make an exception to the age requirement for my class. A mother went to her office accompanied by her 14-year old daughter who really wants to take my knitting class. The 14- year old really enjoys knitting. I was delighted that the young girl was interested enough to go the extra mile. Of course, I’ll accept her even if her mother is not participating. It’s a great opportunity to pass the craft down to the younger generation.

Last Saturday I attended a newly-formed spinning group in Burlington. We’ll be meeting monthly. I’m really excited about it. About a dozen women came to the first meeting. Not sure...did I already tell you this in my previous post?


It’s been a stressful week. Yesterday felt like it was a real test of my patience. So I put this guy on my desk to remind me to smile. I’m not sure if he is smiling or gritting his teeth. When you squeeze him he says the following:

Relaxxxxxxxxxxx
Calm downnnnnnnnnnnnn!!
Don't stressssssss!
Take it easyyyy!!!

Happy Knitting!

Pirates!!!

I puchased the yarn and buttons before a local Vermont hero made the news last week.

The sweater will be for my grandchild and I fell in love with these pirate buttons at my LYS.

After the incident described below, I was no longer liking these buttons very much. I wondered if there are "good pirates" sorta like Robin Hood...you know!!! Is there? There must be because wasn't Johnny Depp's role a good guy?

Captain Phillips of Underhill, Vermont made international news when he was held hostage by pirates. He volunteered to be captive in order to save his crew.

Captain Philips with his children upon arrival at the Burlington International Airport. Not shown in the picture is his wife, Andrea.

Signs along the way expressing gratitude!

Sign on the side of a barn almost directly across the road from the Phillips home.

The crews were reporting from the Underhill General Store which is almost directly across the road from the Philips home. It's a very quaint community where everyone knows everyone else. Most folks have farm animals. I live a short distance from this location.

Coke machine in front of the Underhill General Store. When was the last time you saw one of these?

When news broke that Captain Phillips had been rescued, many of the news folks had just ordered steak dinners at this lovely inn, jumped up from their seats and hollered that they would be back to pay the bill.

The food is divine. Notice that it is a culinary institute.

The inn is much larger than is shown in this picture. The other buildings give a horseshoe effect. This is a favorite place to hold wedding receptions. The view of the mountains is phoenominal.

Marble Child's Hooded Jacket

Yarn: James C. Brett Marble - Colorway MT16 Size 5 needles
Pattern: Child Hooded Jacket from Knitpicks.com (download $1.99)

This hooded sweater will be for my grandchild, Jakob.

I try to be considerate when knitting for a baby or small child. Moms are so busy these days that they don't have time to deal with "fussy" garments. I'm not an acrylic fan but will resort to it.

I was all ready to tell you how much I loved this yarn. The pink colorway is also gorgeous. However, I was unhappy when all of a sudden, in the middle of a very long row (the back and sides are knitted together) there was a break/fraying of the yarn. I also began to realize that the WPI (wraps per inch) were inconsistent making it difficult to achieve gauge. Ha!! I never swatch. I hate to swatch. I suppose if I were knitting a fitted garment with expensive yarn, you bet......I'd swatch.

Then to add to my discontent with the yarn, when I started the second skein and pulled from the center, I realized that yards and yards of this yarn were just one color and had not been dyed liked the previous skein even though it had the same dye lot.

Notice the edge of the band down the front of the sweater. It has an I-cord appearance called SES (slipped edge stitch) and is done as so.....

Slip last st of each row as if to purl, with yarn in front of needle.

Knit first stitch of each row straight into back of stitch

I purchased this yarn at a LYS so it should be reliable. I will inform them as it is a new brand they are carrying.

Aside from knitting.........

We've all heard the term "don't judge a book by its cover", or "it's what is on the inside that counts." I was reading about this (<--click) in the news today and it absolutely warmed my heart and got me misty eyed. Folks in the audience had her pegged as a "loser". This clip has had over 3,000,000 hits on YouTube in the last two days alone. I've listened to one version or another several times already.

I didn't mention in my previous post that one of my relatives sent me home with a tourtiere. This recipe/tradition goes back to the early 1600's. I was so pleased to receive one.

Usually served at Christmas along with pickled beets, extras are kept in the freezer for other holiday occasions. About three years ago, my daughter and I made 24 of these pies. We use cinnamon/cloves/allspice for seasonings with a 50/50 ratio of pork and beef along with potatoes. We do not use store-bought pie crust to lighten the work. Hard workers we are, for sure. I don't need to tell you how exhausted I was after that marathon. My daughter gives some of these pies to her repairmen, etc. Smart girl!!! She always gets a quick response when she needs them.

Also, Rachel from NZ, I am not able to respond to you because of your settings. I do enjoy hearing from you and don't want you to think I'm ignoring you.

Happy Knitting!

If You Are Age 50 or Older - Fixing The Economy!!!

A relative sent this to me and I just had to pass it along.

If you are age 50 or older, you will love this idea! Sounds like plain, common sense to me! But then, I am over 50 so I may be a little prejudiced.

This was an article from the St. Petersburg Times Newspaper on Sunday.

The Business Section asked readers for ideas on "How Would You Fix the Economy?" I thought this was the BEST idea....I think this guy nailed it!

Dear Mr. President,

Patriotic retirement: There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force - Pay them $1 million apiece severance with the following stipulations:

1. They retire immediately. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2. They buy NEW American cars. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.

3. They either buy a house or pay off their mortgage – Housing Crisis fixed. It can't get any easier than that!

P.S. If more money is needed, have all members in Congress and their constituents pay their taxes.