I hate knots and photo time...

 A little late in posting, but we had a very nice Mother's Day around here. Mom in her new outfit...

And with the flowers she received.

 

My kids spoiled not just Mom but me as well. We are two lucky Moms!

Now, for the knitting updates. 

Last summer I started reknitting through each of my patterns. I came up with the idea of having a sample on hand for each of the original patterns I have posted. Some are faster than others. Yesterday I picked up some more of the stripes yarn that I used for the first set of Simply Striped Dishcloth pattern. Now, it has a new label on it and I'm not posting the pictures here. I'm not happy with what I found. Why put in knots? First of all, if you follow the pictures...not only did they knit the cotton...

but they didn't even keep it going in the same direction! They reversed the direction and sent the colors backward. Makes me frustrated.

So I took the next two balls I had and made them into cakes to double check, no knots here. Thankfully.

The dishcloth on the left and top had no knots and should have been the way the one on the right looked. Yes, I'll keep it because after all, when it hits the garbage disposal, it doesn't matter what pattern or direction after knots it was knit in. It all just chews it up without a care in the world. Yes, I am a bit bitter. I loved the original P&C yarn, and to have their 'new' label on the old Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Stripes, well...I'm not happy and I'll leave it at that. Seems to me you need much more than just a name on a label to make it count.

I finished the double stranded Basketweave Blanket that I was working on. I used Bernat Softee yarn in mint. It turned out nice and thick and soft. The momma-to-be picked the color and without all my yarn with me, this fit the bill for her baby boy. Before I popped it into the mail, we needed a little photo shoot.

I went to a park nearby and laid it out on a bench to 'lounge' under the trees. Gorgeous day!

I have been reknitting the same pattern in Lion Brand Cotton Ease in one of their original colors to keep as a sample. Here I laid it down on top of the double stranded version to get a visual of the difference in gauge. The double stranded version is knit with (US)8 (5.0mm) for the borders, and (US) 10 (6.0mm) for the body of the blanket. The cotton ease version is knit with a single strand using only a (US)8 (5.0mm) needle. Here the blanket was at the 50% mark of the length. Currently it's 80% done and shouldn't take too much more time so long as I don't keep finding other projects to escape off to. *wink*

Well, we're off to have some lunch and take Mom for a haircut today...Yes, I'm bringing the blanket with me...my socks that I started at the end of March? Well...you know how that goes, right? 

Until next time! Happy knitting!

Does this sound familiar?

 This morning I spent a bit of time reading another book. Then I spent a bit more time texting my friend Cyndi back in California. She would for certain understand the parts that made me laugh. There are times when only a knitter will 'get it'. Not my kids, oh, no. Not at all. Not Mom. While she used to crochet, she never bought yarn or knitting books like I do. For many years she's provided me with the 40% coupons from the Sunday paper so she could "keep you in yarn" as one of her notes said years ago. And yes, she did.

Now, at the same time, those 40% off coupons went to much more than just yarn. They've helped out with a lot of books, and threads, and fabric, rubber stamps, etc... Back in 2003 when I fell, I wanted my time to 'count for something.' To find a positive from time away from teaching that would be something good down the road. So I started actually reading some of the books and magazines that I'd been amassing all my life. It was time to actually learn something from all those knitting books and subscriptions that I'd collected over time, and not just look at the pictures. HA! Imagine that?! Actually reading the articles and learning from them.  

 

So figure out what shot through my head today when I read the above section?  Yep, more and more signs are pointing to me having to rip out my grey cabled sweater I'd finished back last June. Between having been brain dead when I measured the length of sleeves and the weight I've lost, I have to admit that the sweater is far too big. It's even too large for Mom and she's taller than I am. Those sleeves look like something that belongs on the Fantastic 4 from old Saturday morning cartoons. Now, I'm not in a hurry to rip it out, I do have a to-do list. But I have accepted the fact that it needs to be done. 

Where is that knitting wine glass when I need it? ahahahahah....

So then, as I continued reading....I came across this passage. Yes, I wrote in my book. I underlined the part that made me laugh..and then added my 'editorial'. And then I pulled out my cell phone, took a picture and sent it off to Cyndi. She would for sure 'get it'! After 'shopping' in my stash to pass some yarn onto her....she would totally 'get it'. 

Why? Because yesterday I went to Joann's to return some yarn. (Don't laugh, it could happen.) I had picked up 2 different shades of green last week for my daughter to pick from for the baby blanket that is underway. I saw no reason to keep the color not picked as it wasn't one that I particularly like. (stop laughing, yes, you. I mean it this time.....) However, (stop it!) as I walked into the store and went to the customer service counter and the cashier was beginning to process the return, my alter ego pipped up noticing that the yarn had been bought on sale and it would be foolish to have wasted a sale price on yarn if I could just exchange it for a better color that I would be certain to use somewhere down the line. I asked if I could take a minute and see if they have another color I could swap them out for. Yep...not a problem! So off I went! Sure enough....4 blue swapped for the 4 sage green and another 3 blue to come home. That's when I saw the '40% off all knitting and crochet books' sign right there in the middle of the racks of books. And that's when I found the book.

The book, that had the section that made me laugh, made me pull out my cell phone and show Cyndi that Maggie obviously knew who I was and what had happened yesterday. But really. I am the only one who has a 'wee bit' of extra yarn sitting around the house and who buys yarn that she had absolutely no plans on buying when she's intending to return left over- never will be used yarn.

RIGHT?

Stop laughing. :-)

When Last we met....

I have been knitting, yes I have.

 

Yet another Watch cap, out of Plymouth Encore and this time it's for me! Doesn't happen often, does it?

We celebrated a little bit of March Madness...complete with cake and....

Basketball rings. Mom and I are modeling them here. Guess who has the bigger fingers?

 

Here in town is a big St. Pat's parade....Mom got into the spirit when the lady came by with a green can of hair spray. I can say, this was a first! I have never seen her in Green hair before.

These guys were Mom's favorite.

We celebrated another birthday. Check out the cake!

Pink AND purple so the daughter didn't have to choose one over the other.

Yep, she got some socks. Pink, of course.

(Lace Rib socks from the Little Box of Socks)

 

Baby daughter got some socks, too. These are called City of Boston by Regia. Can you remember why I would pick these for her?

 

 These are going to be for me. At some point. Another Regia pair. Because the Moment I start to knit for me,....

There turns out to be a baby girl on the way that needs a blanket. I'd share this one with you, but....it's not quite ready to be unveiled. Soon, I promise! But the purple sockies are pretty cute, right?

 

Check out what was finally mailed! Did you order your copy that was due out last year? Well worth the weight...errr....wait!

Just in time for Mom's Easter basket, I knit up and 'Easter Bonnet' for her. I think the watch caps are a good pattern for her to wear. No matter which hat I make her, she insists on folding up the cuff. This is the perfect pattern for that use. And this time, I used a skein of the left overs from her 'Too Teal' cabled sweater I made her a few years back. Yep...perfect match when you have the same dye lot.

 

I have decided a bit ago, that I wanted to start knitting up one of each of my patterns to keep on hand as a 'sample'. That way when I want to show someone a particular pattern, or take updated photos, I'll have them available to grab at a moment's notice. So, of course, as soon as I got this one started (can you guess which one it is?)....

 

Daughter went to a Bridal Shower last weekend. So, in the best UCLA colors we could find, came a set of Bridal Shower Lace Kitchen Hanging Hand Towel and Dishcloth and a few others to round out the knitted portion of her gift. Yes, she had a really good time with some friends.

How often do you look on Ebay? Check out what I found for $14 just two weeks ago! Yes, I believe it's about to be reprinted, if it hasn't been already, but having an original hard cover copy in terrific condition for $14, what a find! Yes, I have 3 sweaters already picked out and in my to-do list. 

But right now, I am trying to get this done for Baby Daughter's friend. Her little boy is on his way and I'm racing to get this finished and mailed back to California before he's ready to make his grand entrance. I'm using a double strand of Bernat Baby Softee in Mint. It was the closest I could find quickly in a green that says wrap me up and snuggle me all day long!

What are you working on? Sorry I took so long to pop back in. I know...I know...that's on my to-do list, too.

Our Valentine Sweetheart

Happy Valentine's Day!

happy superbowl knitting

 

Check out how I'm spending pregame on Superbowl Sunday! Yes, those are the new long Lace Tips, Addi Clicks. The newest in their line of Click needles. 

 

 Here's a good look at the length of the needles

 Here's the cable goodies-see where I put the tip? That's in the cable to add a lifeline! How ingenious is that?

 

Here is an original turbo click on the left side, long lace tip on the right. You can see the difference in the tips. Blunt vs pointy.

 Here's the box they came in...even that is pink!

 ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...now this is the way needle tips and needles should make knitting feel! Amazing! Yes, if I had not been a fan before, I certainly am a fan now, and my hands are loving the longer tips! But we know I've been a fan since the first time I picked up a pair of addi needles. Even the old 'questionable' chords-but I can't say I miss them now.  I am sold, and heading back to this blanket....go so many things on my knitting to do list! happy knitting!

'Tis time!

Aren't we all supposed to be buying local this year? What is it that they keep saying, $64 of goods from USA saves a bunch of jobs? I'm trying!

Since I'm not near mine, this just 'popped' up on Amazon at a ridiculous price. Bring on the cookies! Thank you Santa!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOhhhhhh.....SNAP!

Don't you hate when that happens?

 I am not impressed with the 'featherlight' type of Lantern Moon double points. I adore the ebony and the rosewood kinds, and I've used them a whole lot without a single one of them breaking. I've only had the featherlight ones for about 2 weeks. I'm not amused. I'm going back to the ebony and the rosewoods. Those I 'heart' as much as my addis.


So, until next time! May your needles stay sharp and not snap!

How I spent my Saturday

Ok, so this is first up on today's show and tell...for over a year now, my Auntie has been trying to bring me to a LYS in her neck of the woods that she thought I would like. Yep. Sure 'nuff!  No only did they have another great selection of my new found fav Shepherd's Wool, but check out the glass that came home with me! Knit 1, Sip 1. Rumor has it that they now have some Rip 1, Sip 1 in stock, too. But they came after we visited last week. Cute, no?

 Oh, the store is called Ewe to You Yarns down in Grand Blanc, MI. Stop by. When I was there it was like a meeting of the Cathys. Mom loved the pattern books with lots of babies and my uncle was asking if I was buying enough to open my own store. (Nope, I didn't tell him what I have back in California. hehe ). I tell you, they know a lot of great places to find fun stuff around this state!

 It's that time of year again. Hat knitting in a quick bit of time kinda season. Here's another Stockinette Watch Cap from my fav book, Hat's on! This time, I stripped the cuff.

 Top view of the hat.

When I got finished with the stripping, I turned the hat and made the cuff inside out, so that after it's turned up, you don't see the inside. Hope it wears well. That yarn is soooooooooo soft!

 Don't you love how right on the label, it's says proudly, 'Made in Michigan'? Love buying something locally, and to have it such a great quality, even better. You should call around to your LYS and see if they can carry it. It's sooooooooooooo very soft! It's a joy to have in your hands.

 The skeins are 4oz, not just 100 g, but 113 g and after making this hat, here's what I had left over. Plenty to use for another hat.

Of course, this one is made with their new 'Michigan Blue' color! Yep, GO BLUE! And incase you haven't heard....they're heading for the Sugar Bowl! It's about time! 

So, until next time, Happy Knitting!