Book Reviews

A few newly published books were obtained from the county library. Here's my review on them...but you really need to see them for yourself.

My number one criteria for a knitting book to land in my book shelf is just how many of the patterns in the book that I like/to my taste.

Rated on a scale, 1-10, 10 being the best.

Sally Melville's The Knitting Experience Book 3: Color
Gets a 5 rating, just because the instruction pictures were very detailed and just great. The patterns however, left my mouth dry (no yarn drooling here). I picked up the book last night and returned it today for....

Big Knitting by Sophie Britten.
Right now it gets an 8. I would purchase this book. I'm trying to get away from "chunky" but there were some very simple, make it and wear it patterns in there. It's not the size 2 or 3 needles like in Vintage Knits, but this one, along with Vintage Knits will land on my book shelf. The reason it didn't get a 10 is due to the fact that the one pattern I am looking at knitting up used a yarn only available, or so it seems from research on the web, in the UK. Textere Destiny Mohair. I couldn't find a whole lot on it. I have some Divine that could be used up easily with this mohair t-shirt type pattern. Perfect to go with my skirts for work. Will read more of the pattern to decide.

Off to finish din-din...happy snow to all and to all a good knitting time.

Sheep Socks-Finished

These socks will be my "spinning socks"...especially if Santa Kevin brings me the Kromski Spinning wheel I asked for. Though more than budget allows, I know he's working on getting it for me.

If not, then the sheep socks will be for spinning on my old wheels...they are a warm, snuggly wool pair of socks, perfect for my winter boots, but too bulky in the intarsia area.

Talking on the phone tonight, my hands were starting to hurt...time to give them a break. Will go peruse the KnitPicks site to see what I can add to my wishlist for 2006.

Happy knitting to all...and only 26 days till Christmas...may all your handknits be merry.

A gift box from my Holiday SP

What a lovely surprise to find at the post office as I went for mail today after work. Look at the wonderful goodies inside the box...3 skeins of soysilk, some beautiful stitch markers (5 in all), Dancing Spirit Pins Kit to make some groovey pins for my scarves/shawls, T-w-i-z-z-l-e-r-s...(SP you Rock) and a beautiful, handknit scarf, so soft, fluffy and lacey. Diving into closet to find proper attire to wear with said scarf.

Thank you, Holiday SP. You made this a wonderful exchange.

Intarsia Sheep Sock

Well, here is a close up of my Intarsia Sheep Sock. Does it look like a ewe? I'm off to start the second sock, would like to get it done by tonight so I can move on to something else. Nothing like SSS (second sock syndrome). I'll take a pic of the pair one done...the foot portion is perfect for my long feet. The calve portion is a bit bulky...due to intarsia. Why do I hate intarsia, all the finishing of weaving in those loose threads. Yuck.

Holiday tree is almost done, Alex still needs to get her ornaments up. I put up my Santa collection and my little village as well. The wreaths are up by the front door, the lights are on the timer out on the Garden Shed. Stockings are hung on the handrail on the staircase. I'm done. Except for finishing making presents to give and wrapping them, and the cards too...but I'm done decorating.

To my holiday SP...thank you for the emails and keeping in touch. I'm sure my blog at times sounds depressing...i.e. my pre-lit christmas tree disaster. Lesson learned.

My other accomplishment today was cleaning up my book shelf in my craft loft...all my knitting, spinning, dyeing, rug hooking and quilting books are straightened and in a nice order. Mags too...Interweave Knits, SpinOff and Wild Fibers...ready for my perusing.

Baa...off to knit.

Willy Wonkand Intarsia

No pic to show what I decided to start tonight while watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory..."you're weird". LOL

After six hours of my life, actually more than six, as I was up by 5:20 a.m., out the door and sitting in front of JoAnn's at 5:55 a.m. waiting for the rain to hopefully slow down and that really, really long line extending from JoAnn's past Safeway to dwindle down. I had my 20% off total purchase coupon and I was set to by a 7' pre-lit Monterey Pine Christmas Tree. But...oh, no...no coupons on what they called a "best value". I didn't buy the Monterey Pine they had sitting there, mocking me...Ok...so I bought yet another Ott Light...this one for my work table in my craft area in the loft. I LOVE my floor Ott Light I always use when knitting (my eyes are getting old).

I get home around 6:30 a.m., didn't go back to bed, got the woodstove roaring again, had a cup of coffee, fed the rabbit and sat to knit....still working on the simple v-neck pullover I started at retreat...it's mindless knitting, it won't be a quick project to get done, too boring. After knitting for several hours and watching HGTV...I kept thinking about that tree. Alex said she would go with me to go purchase it...so I didn't get $20 off, I'd live.

Another long line, grabbed another pair of Clover shorts as I can't find my size 9's, had a 50% off coupon for that...only $2.25 for the needles...bonus. The box was smashed for the Christmas tree...it was the last one...it wasn't the Monterey, it was the Slim Poleline tree. "Can I bring it back if there is a problem, being that the box was smashed,?" yada, yada. "Yes, with a receipt".

Well, home we went...I read the instructions, I put things together and what happens...the middle section has only half the lights working. Ok...how does one fix this. What's this...a busted bulb on the top section...unplug tree lights, take out light...get spares that came with...spares do not fit these lights. Kevin was willing for me to keep the tree just to make me miserable as he did not want the tree in the first place. A branch is broken...ok, time to load it up and take it back.

Needless to say, three trips today...all spaced out in good time...and they were fine about giving a refund, but not the happiest and I felt like I was the evil one for bringing it back. I hate to take things back...Kevin knows it too.

Since debit was my choice for payment...I get cash back (they already had my money being it was a bank day). Kellie and I are on our way back to Graham to get the mail from the post office and I swing by to get us a Frosty. Num. Going up the hill past LRI, but to the new light at the Graham Fire Station on Meridian...the Tahoe sputters and spits...I ran out of gas...turned onto the new street, verily, as there is NO steering when the power goes off in the Tahoe. Luckily I had my cell phone with me and I called Kevin. We were only three miles from home...but three cold miles as I had been eating a frosty and I didn't have jacket (I was soooo hot from putting up and taking down that damn tree). Kevin didn't get mad, didn't say a single comment as I never have run out of gas and he has it happen to him a few times. Silly goose.

Have I mentioned I'm not a fan of Intarsia...half of the Sheep Sock (pattern which I printed out from the internet April 30, 2001 <----notice the year)I did in intarsia...then went back to my trusted and faithful fair isle technique. What was I thinking?

Enough...I've given you the low-down on my day...I still have kids to take home from Alex's movie night...only a half hour more till I can drive them home...

Looking forward to some zzzzzzz's.....we will be off to get the usual Christmas tree at one of the Orting tree farms...why break tradition, right?

Drum roll please...

Yup...just finished another present...drum roll please as we roll out the next one to be worked upon.

Shhhh...can't tell what it is...as I see old people....the hills have eyes, yada, yada.

Another present just rows away from being done...

After dinner it's off to Fred Meyers (ugh) to pick up a few last things for the Thanksgiving feast at Randy's place. What a treat to get to walk through the "Drunkard's Path" (for you quilt makers out there...I know you've heard of this pattern) to go from our house to Randy's. Kind of like "Over the river and through the woods (we have alot of both) to Randy's house we go, with a bottle of wine and pies devine, we won't miss the snooooowwww....".

I am just rows away from being done with yet another handmade Christmas present. That still leaves me quite a few for my co-workers to create and my dd#2 wants a green and black ribbed hat. That'll be a stocking stuffer.

Off to iron tomorrows work clothes, finish making dinner, shop and get home to watch last weeks "Lost" before tomorrow night hits.

Catch you on the RS...

Chocolate, Chimes & Cheer

I was so flattered that Krissa asked me to make invites for the EPSOC Friends of the Arts Chocolate, Chines & Cheer silent auction and more event that I rushed home to get dinner done, banana-choc.chip muffins made for the kids for breakfast and right up to my craft loft. Two hours and 12 cards later...this is it. It still doesn't have that "pop" I'm looking for...but I had fun making them. Krissa will get to do the inside invite announcement tomorrow.

Kevin just shakes his head...I don't think he will ever understand.

"Cluck Cluck"

Tada! Here it is, the Chicken Pillow I made for Marjorie for her birthday. She was good enough to open it early so I could snap the photo at work. See the container of pencils/crayons that is tilting it up...her classroom.

Off to create or is that make dinner...catch you on the purl side.

Chicken Pillow all done

Well, as I look at the handstamped paper on the box that now holds the "chicken pillow" for my co-workers birthday, I realized, a piece of scotch tape too late, that I did not snap a pic of it before wrapping in said such box.

Oh well, I can always try to snap one after she opens it up...will have to bring in tomorrow to get her to open it.

Robots is playing...better go join the family.

Karma Baby, Karma

Yep, just when the clock strikes 3 pm on Friday, Warm 106.9 went to continuous 24/7 Christmas music...life seemed to be going well then all crap hit the fan faster than anything.

The holidays just went from green to blue to black...now back to blue. I won't go into too much detail other than my DH is a bit upset with moi. Yeah, moi. What could I have done? There are just a few main things couples fight about...what is the number one thing...money, of course.

Ok, I feel better. Though I am the most thankful for my dear, dear girlfriends, Cindy and Mary who can look past my idiot moments, who know I'm stubborn as a mule. Who give me great shoulders to cry, scream, rant, rave and knit upon. This Thanksgiving, these two gals will be what I am thankful for, along with my three kiddos and the mad man I call husband.

Even though life was looking a bit black last night, I was still able to craft. Yeah, I really would have to be in the deepest, darkest hole not to work on something.

I started on a few Christmas cards and the Chicken Pillow for a co-workers birthday. There is something said for having craft supplies in abundance...you can make just about anything one would want to make without spending any more $. Will post picture later of Chicken Pillow as I need to finish the embroidery, then get it sewen together.

Buy Nothing Christmas...No...not Bah Humbug

Buy Nothing Christmas
Thanks to Theresa for giving me the heads up on this link. I will have to read
more up on this...v-e-r-y i-n-t-e-r-e-s-t-i-n-g.

Can it be done? We will see.

Mini Sweater Ornament

Here's the link for the Mini Sweater Ornament Very simple...uses very little to no yarn and quick...as long as you don't try to be the master of the ninja knitting needles of death. Could just be me, as my shoulders are killing me...too much knitting? Too much stamping?

I was able to get a good 30 minutes of knitting in during my lunch break at work today. Tonight I was able to get 75% of the Thanksgiving goodies I am making for co-workers done. Can't show such goodies as said co-workers seem to frequent this blog.

Well, I have a book to peruse and the pillow to lay my big ol' head on.

Friday, good ol' Friday...just a few hours away.

Modified Irish Hiking Scarf & another ornament

I modified the Irish Hiking Scarf...took out a cable repeat for a slimmer scarf. It will be about 5 inches wide instead of 6 as the first one is. I wanted to make one in a Knitpicks Alpaca/Silk blend...was a great feel, but not a good "body" for this wonderful cabled scarf. Bagging the idea and sticking to the merino wool...it has the "body" to hold up to the cables.

Notice the third sweater ornament. This was the ornament from H-E-Double-Toothpicks! What a pain. It took me two hours to knit this little, itty, bitty, one oz. sweater. Why? Because I totally can live without doing seams and thought I would try with double points for the sleeves. Two pair of double points going on this little thing at one time...ackward, disfunctional, never again. I will stick to the two minute sleeve seams on this pattern. Talk about the knitting ninja needle of death...yikes.

Still waiting for my next box from KnitPicks. It shipped on the 10th and it's now the 16th. Where or where is the yarn of my dreams, oh where, oh where can it be? I know, "patience Grasshopper, patience".

I'm taping "Lost" tonight...need to get 8 hours of sleep tonight...lots of yawns out of me tonight.

Good knitting to all and to all a good night...

Cookies, Ornaments, SilPat is a "good thing".

Ok...so I watch Martha...I know that a true friend will ignore my obsessions. Dh is peeved at me...what's new? I decided to make some cookies (to make him un-peeved at me) and use my new SilPat mat I saw on Martha's show last week and found it on sale for a mere $20 for one mat at the kitchen store at South Hill Mall. If this will save me from purchasing all that parchment paper...it's worth it. I think I need to go back and buy one more so I can have two sheets going at one time. It is sooooo cool.

Figured I would take a pic of the two ornaments I've finished last night with the SilPat and cookies. Nummy...cookies. White chocolate & butterscotch chip...nummy.

I started another present tonight...using a pattern with a modification in it...we will see how it comes out.

I'm on a "no credit card, just say no to commercialism for Christmas, mother earth-kind-of-mind". Give me "It's a Wonderful Life", a pocket with a few bucks and I'll be happy. Ok...off to knit...

Yeah...a knitted present is done

What is behind this wrapped gift? You got it...a gift and not to be disclosed until said holiday arrives...how many days? 41. OMG. I did manage to get two of the five christmas ornaments knitted up...will post pic of them as soon as they are all done. One for each of us...that way, when the kids move out and take all of their ornaments with them, we will not have a bare tree.

We wish you a de-stash Christmas....

The countdown begins...43 days and some 12+ hours until Christmas Day. As a knitter, crafter, spinner, quilter and such, why do I wait till 43 days to start making presents. When will I get it in my little pea brain that one must start Jan. 1st. LOL

Here is what I spent an hour this morning working on, check out the pattern for the
Irish Hiking Scarf. Oh so easy, once you do the 8 row repeat a couple of times you are on your way. I want to de-stash and this is perfect for doing so. Though I estimate it will take me a mere 7 hours to complete the scarf.

Given the day off for Veteran's Day...I find myself joining more KAL's. A Warm Hand KAL and a Holiday Gift KAL. I've at least started on the Holiday Gifts.

Off to knit and read blogs while doing so....

See you on the knit side....

"I hear silence"....

Wait a minute. Is this a dream or did I lose my hearing. Wait, in the distance I hear a plane. Ok...I'm not loosing it. Silence is golden around here.

Dh left for work at 6 am. "Baby Duck" did a fly by, TWICE, right past my bedroom window, "quack, quack" = "bitch, bitch". I know she does this on purpose. She wants us to get up and let everyone out of the chicken/duck run. How can such a runt-of-a-duck be such a big pain in the butt.

No rain on the roof, no washing machine, no t.v. going. I love it. I also love the fact that I have today off and didn't get up to go grocery shopping. I can buy potatoes later, right?

Today I will work on my Top-Down sweater while I watch Martha or a movie. Bake a pumpkin pie (made apple pie last night...nummy, apple pie for breakfast...) and work on my recipe box.

Ah...my newest and grandest idea of "too much" in my life is to clear out and clean up my recipes. From baking to main dishes to all my canning recipes. I purchased a cute wooden recipe box at the kitchen store last night to move my favorite recipes to, after I went to Target to buy the, you got it...a "sheep robe" that Funny Girl Bonnie saw while shopping. It is soooooo soft and warm and comfortable. The only draw back, it's in light blue...I'm not a blue girl...but I don't care...it is toooooo cool.

Catch you on the purl side...

Top Down Sweater and next project

I am being a patient little knitter, after three hours last night and an hour so far tonight, I have yet to get to my 205 sts for the body of my Top Down V-neck sweater. "Lost" is on tonight, new episode, so I'll be up watching that...trying to knit. 205 sts, what was I thinking.

I ordered two different colors of Wool of the Andes yarn from Knitpicks for the Long Cable Vest you see pictured. I did a light, camel brown color and a darker Maple Sugar brown. I also ordered 18 skeins of the same in "Spruce" for the Inishmann sweater I have been wanting to make for years. Sally was finishing up a beautiful fisherman's sweater for her son at retreat and it just made me want to get going on the Inishmann. I really, truly, need to show what bit of knitting skills I have at the next retreat, maybe even the Winter retreat. Hmm, can I get it done by then? Well, there's always Winter Break from school. Two full weeks of staying home. They say (friends and family) that I can't stay home, that I'm always on the go...well, I'll show them. :)

Off to do what we all love...KNIT.

The rest of November and when I grow up

I believe the rest of this month should be committed to cleaning out and using everything in the freezer and pantry month. Yeah, it's just days before payday and the wallet is empty.

Also, when I grow up I want to be a fabulous knitter, a fantastic spinner and dress like a million without spending it. Must be my mood today.

SP5: You are a sweetie for writing today and asking if there is anything else I would love. I love all that you have sent...you are the best. Looking forward to the last package.

Holiday SP: Again, thanks for the card, you were sweet to think of me.

Oh you Jester, you...

Well, Blogger is not being a very cooperative program tonight. I finished the pom-poms on the Jester Hat I knit at retreat...it's for Levi, a co-workers adorable six month old baby boy.

edited the next day: whew...finally I can post the pic of the hat. Loads of fun, but I suck, I mean, SUCK at making pom-poms.

Kickoff of the Knitty Holiday SP

The Knitty Holiday SP round is off and running...I received a Autumn card in the mail. Very lovely. What a great day to get it too. Thank you Holiday SP for thinking of me, you are a lovey to think of me.

Tonight I will finish the pom-poms on the Jester Hat for Levi. Then back to my sweater. I need to go grocery shopping for the "baking" staples as it's only two weeks and a half weeks till Thanksgiving, then we are off and running for Christmas. At least my lights are up on my garden shed...which by the way, Buttercup and Oreo thought that digging in my garlic bed, that was just planted a few weeks ago, was a hoot. Well, I fixed that. A lot more twine to make a grid on top, some of those flowers that spin (to keep the moles out of the garden) should do it. I love my chickens...but they must learn to stay clear of my garden beds. Will ponder how to make it more chicken friendly while I knit on my sweater.

Off to finish dinner..

363 days till I go to next years Ft. Worden Knitting Retreat

Flat Stanley had a lovely time. So did I, though I am very tired and the weather is a downer. It was just icky weather when I got home...but a hot shower, cup of coffee and a bit of internet has me feeling better. It's now 5pm...I'll be in bed by 7pm for sure.

Ready, Set...sleep

Again, I am up late, doing laundry, as I hate, just hate, to have to come home to do laundry or clean. I always want it done before I go. Well, the kids can do their own laundry, having done Kevin's last night, I'm good to go.

All packed, just need to wait for the dryer to finish so I can put my work clothes away and then crawl into bed.

No knitting tonight as Alex had her Varsity Soccer banquet...more like potluck. No awards/certs were actually given out, as the vendor did not have them ready, so it was a quick evening. Leesa took me and my neighbor, Sheryl for a tour of the new high school. I had not been in it until tonight, hard to get there considering I work at another school in the district. Beautiful, just beautiful. Worth the 40 million they spent. The library is amazing, the view of Mt. Rainier is amazing as well.

Sleep is all I can think of at this time. I promised my crew of three (kids) that I would drive them all to school since I am not going into the office tomorrow.

Oh...I have another passenger besides Ms. Mary. Flat Stanley is going along for the ride...for C/E's board outside their classroom. I hope Flat Stanley enjoys a room FULL of knitters.

Today Bonnie came into work and gave me a t-shirt she made for me. It says KnitWit with a sheep on it. The book I picked up to read from the library talks about a yarnshop called KnitWit...way to weird for me. I get spooked when things are mentioned or such and then it appears again, usually that same day. (I will win a million dollars, I will win a million dollars). Let's see if it works.


Best knitting to all and to all a good night...

Quick as a Rabbit...

.Rabbit Tracks Pattern
Well, it is done. Three hours after dinner of non-stop knitting. Why, oh why do I do this everytime before knitting retreat...I always have one project I am determined to get done, this was the one for this year. Thankfully I went to bed at 9pm last night and slept for a solid 8 hours. Tonight, the pics are a little grainy as it's after 10:30 pm and the wood in our log home just loves to absorb any light at night...but here is the finished scarf and a close up of the "rabbit tracks".

So I didn't properly soak and block it, I cheated and steamed it really, really well. Yes, it's lace, but is is a scarf that I need to wear tomorrow to work and then to retreat...again, what in the world was I thinking. I could have had this one done several weeks ago...but no, must put off till last minute.

Scarf stats: 4"x72", used size 7 bamboo that I sharpened with old fashioned crank pencil sharpener in barn, then used steel wool to smooth...need pointy needles for lace, ya know. Two skeins of Rowan Yorkshire Tweed 4 ply, each skein 120 yards. In the color of "Grass"...much darker color and tweedy than tonights pics...gotta love my five year old digital camera..."hey Santa Baby".

Now time for some sleep...happy knitting to all.

I must, I must

Ok...everyone chant with me, "she must, she must", finish the Rabbit Tracks scarf tonight...so I can soak and block it to wear to knitting retreat. Besides, I really don't want or need this project hanging over me like a "nagging wife" (compliments of my husbands description of moi).

My day was so bright at 3 pm...we are back into having knitting classes at EPSOC. I decided on twice a month, barring holidays, for an hour...more of an "assistance" session. While there Jill stopped by with a package from my friend Debbie over at Rocky Ridge. What was in it? A beautiful sheep card, just like the one I purchased at the Holiday Food and Gift Festival with a Starbucks card wishing me a swell weekend and to enjoy coffee while I was at retreat. How cool.

The evening got even brighter, did you all have to put sunglasses on for a brief second, as I was sooooo excited as Ms. Mary emailed to say my "spending budget" just got a bit better as she was buying dinner for me on Friday, since I was driving the boat up. (Tahoe...better than Silverado truck for gas mileage in my book, not dh). Mind you, we do get breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. Friday we are on our own. The food was pretty darn good last year...and you could even purchase a glass of wine to go with it. I will take a small bottle of wine for my 1 or 2am winddown so I can sleep.

Ok...I will go work on my Rabbit Tracks scarf as I wait for the quiche to finish baking...quiche, salad and thick sliced french bread for din-din.