Goldilocks and Knitting!

Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog on March 3, 2008.

I’ve been feeling like a slightly (ok, more than slightly) older version of Goldilocks.

A new baby girl in my family is due to arrive mid-May. I don’t know if Kaleigh Noella will receive any other hand-knitted items but I felt that at least one from me was warranted. That’s not counting the six pack of bibs I knitted for her and blogged about a couple months ago.

I revived the above project that was started when I first learned Mothers Day Weekend of 2006 that I would be having another grandchild. I already had two grandsons so I quickly purchased pink yarn and started knitting only to discover it would be another boy. (By the way, loved just as much!) I abandoned the sweater even though the yarn, Plymouth Dream Baby” is wonderful to work with. I made a lot of progress last week on the sweater since picking up from just above the “lacy” portion.

Because I am knitting with size 1 needles, I decided I might not be able to complete it in time for the baby shower on April 13th. After all, I haven’t done my taxes yet and I don’t want my yarn dollars to be awarded to IRS penalties and fees, or worse yet, end up knitting in jail. Hmmmm….do they allow knitting needles in jail? Maybe for good behavior?

Then I decided to knit this Elizabeth Zimmermann baby sweater that I have just been itching to knit. Problem is the yarn is not soft enough! Will it soften up once washed with conditioner? What would Goldilocks do? She’d try something else, of course.

So last week, while at Webs, I purchased Valley Yarn’s cotton and bamboo yarn. It is a dream to knit with…..and on size 4 needles, it feels JUST RIGHT!

The rosettes have not yet been permanently attached. I love the buttons. This project is costing quite a bit more than I anticipated but it is special.
All of this knitting explains some of my absence from the blog world. Crazy as it may sound, I’ve also started a couple of other projects. I’ve also completed one that has not been mentioned yet as it has not yet been mailed to the recipient.

Which sweater is your favorite?

Happy Knitting!

Not So Many Mitts!

Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog on December 31, 2007

Pattern: Manly Mitts (<----click) (from knitty.com)

Yarn: Knit Picks - Telemark - Colorways Cardinal and Drift Needles: Size 4 DPs

I saw these mittens on someone's blog and wondered why they had to be "manly". I decided that the choice of color could make a difference and acceptable for a woman to wear. I wanted to knit these mittens to compliment a favorite red scarf.

This is a close up of the gusset (and soon to be thumb) that is a different pattern from the main portion of the mitten. I like the contrast.

The days of partying on New Year's Eve are behind me. I used to host a dinner party with an evening of games for my friends but have stopped that as well when some drank to much and had to be driven home. I'm now content to sit in front of the TV with my favorite munchies and knitting. Of course, I will have "tourtierre" (pork pies) for dinner as that has been a lifelong tradition. My daughter made 20 pies this year and always sends me home with a frozen one. I think she has outdone herself this year as they are delicious. The only time I eat pork pies is at Christmas and New Years.

Happy Knitting/Crafting!

Petal Bib

Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog on February 24, 2008.

This was another one of those projects that I thought would be “mindless” but it really wasn’t. I was going to make another “six pack” but decided it was too much work with all the loose ends as each petal is started individually and then knitted together. The “tie” portion is an I-cord with a 3-needle bind off. Perhaps I’ll make more in the future, but for now I am content with just one to add to my “gift stash”.

I love this book, “One Skein”. I purchased it by mistake with my 50% off coupon thinking it was another book that I liked with a similar name. However, it is a “keeper”. Don’t you just love those coupons!

I started and completed another project but I can’t tell you what it is just yet as it is a gift. Once the recipient receives it, then I can post pics. I hope to mail it out within the next two weeks once I find the right packaging and extras.

Yesterday, I went to my LYS. I was so bad that I can’t tell you how much I purchased till I get over the “guilts”. I did purchased Debbie Bliss alpaca/silk DK which normally sells for $8.95 /50 gr. ball. I purchased the yarn for $3 a ball. I arrived at exactly 10:02 a.m. as the doors were opening at 10:00. I had difficulty finding parking and it was a madhouse. I should have known better. The shop has an old dog that you trip over as you enter. He barks because most customers bring him a dog bone and he expects you to have one. This poor black lab was nearly trampled in the rush of customers.

I’ve almost completed the bunnie sweater and hope to start assembly tomorrow night. My goal is to bring it with me to R.I. this weekend when I visit the grandkids. Pics coming real soon, hopefully!

Happy Knitting!

Not Your Ordinary Six Pack

Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 on February 28, 2008.

Not your usual six pack, this is a six pack of newborn bibs.

My family in Maine is expecting a new addition in May. The due date is May 20th and we know it will be a baby girl. First name has not yet been decided but the middle name will be Noella after the paternal grandmother’s middle name. The grandmother passed away December 2006 at the age of 49. If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, the parents are Jeff and Jodi.

Remember the wedding shawl I knitted for Jodi?

Here’s the little “punkin” sucking her thumb. Ultrasound taken early January. As I needed “mindless knitting” on my bus trips back and forth to work, I started knitting a baby bib from “Mason-Dixon”.

Here is a link to a free pattern that is identical to the one in Mason-Dixon. baby bib (<—click). Once I knitted one, I had to knit another and so on. They are addictive in their own way when you are tired of knitting intricate patterns. The bibs will go to the grandfather to keep on hand when the baby visits. Just a little something to put a smile on his face every time he looks at them.

The thought of a 4-day holiday weekend and being isolated because of bad weather is enough to push me over the edge. The highlight of my weekend at this point will probably be a trip to the grocery store to stock up on healthy food and perhaps a good bottle of wine and munchies. Yes, I have knitting lined up and will probably finish the “bunny” sweater.

Briley suppose to visit this weekend but that has been canceled as well as the weatherman is forecasting snow late Sunday with snow/sleet and freezing rain on Monday and more snow again on Tuesday. We’ve had snow everyday this month but one.

Every month I try to do something I’ve never done before. I’ve milked goats, made cheese, tried kayaking, went to see Clinton, Obama and Edwards in New Hampshire, etc. This month is difficult because of the weather but I do have something in mind. I just need someone to take a picture as otherwise it will be meaningless. I’ll surprise you later but new ideas are welcomed.

Who knows, your ideas may be better than mine :>)

Happy Knitting!!

Bunny Sweater

Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog on March 3, 2008.
I was quite pleased with the results of the bunny sweater for my 15 month old grandchild, Jakob. It was a UFO for quite some time and did not make my Christmas deadline. I justified the tardiness by thinking the sweater would be more appropriate for Easter anyway.

I was short on buttons as JoAnn’s was out of them so Kim, a quilting blogger friend, sent me buttons so I would have enough. Thank you, Kim…….you’re the best!

Once I returned to the sweater, the knitting went quickly except for picking up the stitches for the bands. I think it took longer to assemble the sweater than it was to knit it.

My signature touch!!!

Jakob is quite “busy” these days. It was difficult to get a good picture of him as he was more interested in checking all the Brio train pieces he had just received from my other two grandchildren who had outgrown them. I think there were enough trains pieces to go around a city block.

Happy Knitting!

Entrelac Socks

Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog on February 9, 2008.

Sock Pattern: “Interweave Holiday Knits – 2007 Issue”
Yarn: Knitpicks Essentials /Cape Cod Needles: Size 2

When I started these socks I had the intent to gift them. As I progressed with the socks, I quickly realized this was not my best work so I will have to knit some other gift. These are some of the problems I encountered.

The pattern called for Size 1 needles (yikes!!). I decided to use Size 2 which later caused problems. There is a 24 stitch decrease after the cuff and a 24 stitch increase after the entrelac portion of the leg and that is where I encountered problems. There is a “hole” appearance everywhere I increased. I’m sure had I used size 1, the appearance would have been quite different. My tension was also off as I was trying to decide whether or not to use the short or the long dps. Using the shorter ones is easier.

A close-up of the pattern!
We’ve had over 17″ of snow this week and it is snowing now. I curtailed some of my activities today as a result. I did get together with a friend as planned last evening and again today.

As for the snow, I am quite winter weary. I was unable to drive my car into work one day this week and had to take a bus. After standing outside in the elements for 1 1/2 hours for a bus that never came because it was stranded in another town, and the whirling of sirens in the distance, I returned home. What a waste of time as I had to claim vacation time at work for my absence. We did have a little humor at the bus stop as we watched cars drive around the block several times as all road outlets were bogged down. There was a guy standing at the bus stop wearing only a “muscle shirt”. Wonder if he came down with pneumonia.

I am having a sleep apnea test tomorrow evening and wonder if I can knit for awhile though hooked up to wires. They claim there will be no movement restrictions. More doctor’s appointments early week as well. Wish me luck!

Happy Knitting!

Magnificent Mittens!!!

Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog on January 23, 2008.

After blogging about the bad week I had been having, so many of you responded with comments that were so heartwarming, funny, and more. Some of you were going to take me yarn shopping. Kim was trying to calculate how long it would take her to drive from NJ to Vermont and stop and pick up alcoholic beverages along the way…lol. Some of you said you would go grocery shopping for me or to the pharmacy. Thank you!!! Reading your comments lifted my spirits.

This morning when I arrived at work, a co-worker, Amy, put the pictured book on my desk. OMG, I was so excited. I have been wanting to see this “out of print” book for some time. It is on loan to me for awhile. This book sells on e-bay for anywhere from $175 to $1,000. It all started when I saw a pair of mittens on someone’s blog and the pattern was from this book.

The mittens are knitted fingertip up as oppose to cuff down. There are so many valuable knitting tips as well. I’ve decided that the only way that I will be able to add this book to my permanent knitting library is if I locate at an estate or yard sale. I’m so fortunate to have a great group of women that I work with.

Here are pics from the book!!! Wish I had knitted these mittens!

A thumb and a spare! The book stated that fishermen wore out mitten thumbs quickly, thus the 2nd one!

Many of the patterns have the large cuffs on the mittens as shown in this pic.

I’m going to knit the below pattern!


I must, I must, I must be disciplined and not start another project till I have my UFO’s completed.

Happy Knitting!

I Promise Not To Delete Post Today!!!

Disclaimer: Topic is not about knitting today but about the unsolicited political e-mails I have been receiving.

Yesterday I wrote a lengthy post and quickly deleted it. Some of you may have been able to read a portion of it if you have Google Reader. I was afraid that perhaps it was a little “too strong”.

It seems that I am being inundated with anti-Obama e-mails. Also, see Lizzie’s post for today regarding a similar situation.

Ok, I’m proud to say that I voted for Obama. If you didn’t, but you did exercise your right to vote as an American, great!!! I am not about to try to convince you about the pros and cons of any candidate unless you ask me. I may not agree with everything regarding our president but I do respect him and trust him.

So, I just don’t understand why people who barely know me and probably couldn’t even tell you how many children I have, feel compelled to send me garbage ….trashing Obama with no supporting documents to back what they are saying. I am now taking the practice of if there is an FW: in the subject line of an e-mail, it gets deleted and will soon be filtered to do so automatically.

Yes, we do have freedom of speech but there is a measure of responsibility that goes with that. I watched the unfolding events happening in Iran with some skepticism this past weekend, accepting the pictures but wary of the “tweets” that CNN seems so proud to promote these days. Anyone can pretend to be whoever they want to be and say what they want behind a cloak.

I don’t understand why the topic of politics would even come up at a family holiday dinner. But it has for me. Of course, the guest was a “drop in”, creating an air of uneasiness and then left. He bashed Obama but would not say who he had voted for. So please……….just shut up!

So, yesterday, out of curiosity, I Googled myself. Try it with your name. You might be surprised.

This is what I (deleted) (ß-click) for myself. You might say that there is more than one person with my name but it also has my middle initital. I was quite active campaigning and was interviewed by several TV/radio stations. So someone apparently decided to comment on my behalf on this web site with misinformation.

I've deleted the above to protect my privacy in case there are "crazies" out there. Just to note that if you are a registered voter and someone knows what town you live in, your address is a public record and they can find you.

I never would have written the above. (quote has been deleted)

Now really…………..some people need to get a life.

Yahoo 360 to Blogger

Some of my readers have noticed that I am transferring my Yahoo 360 posts to Blogger. Yahoo 360, as we know it, will close on July 12th . If you do nothing, it is goodbye forever.

There is no easy way but this is what I have done to make it less painful and avoid the stress of July 12th fast approaching.

Open the Yahoo 360 e-mail that you received and select "take entries elsewhere". Make sure that your e-mail address is correct as a confirmation when the files have been downloaded will be sent to you. Wait about 30 minutes and if it appears to be "in limbo", close that screen and check your e-mail. It will probably be there.

REMEMBER WHERE YOU HAVE DOWNLOADED THOSE FILES. There will be a "zip folder" (a compressed file). If you open that folder, there will be two files, one is for the text and the other is for your pictures. It IS IMPORTANT that you keep those two files in the same folder. (I learned the hard way.)

Go to WordPress, select upload Yahoo 360 posts and upload that zip folder. You will find that link in the left side panel. You may have to look closely as I didn't see it at first.

Once uploaded, all of your posts, including pictures will be in posts on WordPress including the comments.

Unfortunately, there is no getting around it. You will have to copy and paste to Blogger as Blogger has not developed a tool to do that. You will save yourself the pain of July 12th.

I schedule my posts in Blogger ahead of time, one or two per day, selecting "post options" at the bottome of that post entry screen. Otherwise, your regular readers will have their Blogger Reader flooded. I note that it was a previous post on Yahoo so that my longtime readers do not feel they have to read my posts or comment again.

Hope this helps. If anyone reading this knows a better way, please comment.

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!