Monday, March 31, 2008

Projects on the Rise!



This week:

In the sewing arena, I made a blanket and 2 burp cloths for my grandson.







I've also started on a replacement for the sweater I felted last week. Making good progress. Have the back and both sleeves done and only need to work on the front. I just haven't decided yet on whether I want to add a cable to the front or not. I am doing it in Berroco Air (discontinued) and the pattern is called Doreen, Free pattern off of Berroco site




Received the package in from my swap partner for the Sockittometwice swap. She sent a pair of socks, gorgeous, smoochy sock yarn (really feels nice, can't wait to use it) 4 skeins of cotton classic (which I love) a Loopy ewe project bag (can't have enough) a book called shadow knitting, a sock pattern, starbucks coffee and some stitch markers. Although the package was late, it was well worth the wait! Yahhhhhh! :)


Happy knitting all!

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Boy, I've been busy!




Big Bag KnitAlong&Swap This is the bag pre-felted, made with Galway








And after felting. This is the first felt project that has come out. The first 2 projects I made, did not look at all like they were supposed to and I ended up throwing them away. :(








Remember this: Well it is no more......I accidentally felted it. Now it is no good. :( I have no idea how it happened. I hand-washed in cold water (like normal) and when I went to get it out, it looked funny. Yup, it felted. Yarn was Lang Breeze (discontinued) and composition was 68% wool and 32% nylon. Any ideas?






And these are finally done! Hubby gets a new pair of socks but boy did they take a longgggg time to knit. I think it was the color, I found them boring!









I want to thank Sarah for the beautiful box she sent to me for the Longing for Spring Swap! It was filled with gorgeous goodies. The lorna laces sock yarn, the journal, the Chocolate, the stitch markers with little garden items at the bottom, and on and on! Thank you so much Sarah!

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Monkey Sock Four Questionnaire!

The Measurements:
Shoe size: 8.5
Foot length in inches: 9
Circumference: 8.5

Yarn Preferences
What are your favorite colors? Blues/Reds
What color clashes with your wardrobe? None really
Do you prefer solids or variegated yarns? Hmm.....both
What are your favorite brand sock yarns? Wildfoote, jitterbug, STR, Jawall, ummm any
Is there a new sock yarn you really would like to try?Anne by Scheafer?

Cookie A. Patterns
List the patterns you do not have but would like to receive: Flicker or Twisted Flower or Mona

Allergies
Do you have any allergies that your pal needs to know about? (animals, fiber, sensitivity to smoke etc.) No
Will you knitting be exposed to animals? 1 dog
Will you knitting be exposed to cigarette smoke? I smoke but only outside. Shouldn't be as I wash and block before sending

Shipping
What country do you live in? US
Are you willing to ship outside your country? Yes

Spring Fling Coffee and Yarn Swap Questionnaire

Coffee
1. What is your preference? Whole beans or ground? Dunkin donuts – regular - ground
2. What kind of coffees do you enjoy? A rich, bold roast; a light, fresh one, or something in between? Leaded or non? Regular roast, nothing too strong
3. If you were headed out right now to buy some coffee for the house, what would you be picking up? Dunkin donuts if I can find it, otherwise Folders
4. Do you drink for caffeine, pleasure, or both? Both
5. Do you enjoy flavored coffees? How about add-ins or flavored creamers? No, I do not like flavored coffee….I will drink a mocha frap occasionally
6. A large, lovely mug or a small, dainty cup? Definitely a mug
7. Describe your perfect cup - not JUST the coffee, but how you'd enjoy it! Sitting outside in the early morning hours, watching the sky lighten, listen to the birds chirping, drinking my first sip!
8. You're sitting down to enjoy a nice cup in the local coffee shop, knitting bag in hand, iPod all tuned up - or maybe you're there with a few friends for knit night! What treat do you pick up to enjoy with your coffee? A sweet, rich brownie, or something more healthy? How about a salty treat? What goes best with that great cup and company? Blueberry muffin or coffee cake (Drakes)
Yarn
1. Do you knit or crochet? Both
2. What are your favorite types of yarns to work with? Cotton, wool blends
3. What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now? A big wool bag to be felted and socks
4. What are your favorite colors in yarns? What about those that you'd never find in your stash? I seem to tend towards reds/blues and lately greens. I know I don’t have any neon in there and hopefully never do :)
5. What sort of needles or hooks do you enjoy using? Any you just detest? I like my knit-picks, denise, addies, hiya-hiyas. I don’t like wooden circulars or Plymouth needles (don’t like the ridge)
6. Are there any particular notions you absolute do NOT need? Some of us swap a lot - are you sure that you have enough tape measures to last your lifetime? Enough stitch markers to mark every stitch of a 10 foot wide afghan? I can’t think of any notions I do need!
7. You walk into the yarn shop and have exactly and only enough money to purchase 2 skeins of yarn in their 2 for 20 special they have going..The choices are a soft, thick cotton/viscose blend in your favorite colors, slightly variegated..a beautiful sock yarn that's just squishy and sproingy in your hands.. a soft, worsted weight wool like malabrigo.. and a lovely bamboo blend with colors to just die for. Which do you walk out the door with? The sock yarn!
Spring
1. We're starting sign-ups on the first day of Spring - is it already truly Spring-like where you are? Well it was, but then we got a cold front so it’s been in the low 30’s and upper 60’s
2. What's your favorite spring flower? Do you have one? Daffodils or tulips
3. What do you most look forward to about springtime? Working in my gardens before it gets too hot.
4. They've predicted a gorgeous day tomorrow - Sunny and about 65 with a nice breeze - how do you spend your day? Working in the yard in the morning and then just sitting outside in the afternoon
5. The day after, it's going to be cooler and pouring down rain - does that impact your mood? How do you spend that day? what helps cheer you up? I love the rain occasionally, especially on a weekend as I love to open the blinds wide, watch the rain come down, and knit or read
Odds n Ends
1. Do you collect anything BESIDES yarn and needles? Piebirds
2. Are you allergic to anything? Dust/Work? LOL
3. Do you have pets? Yes, 1 dog
4. Is this your first swap, or are you an old pro? What are the last 2 swaps you participated in? I guess I would be considered a pro. The hot cocoa swap and the defeat the winter doldrums swap
5. List 3 of your favorite blogs - craft related or not - and tell us why you love them: These are listed on my blog for addresses.

Luvs2knit: Love seeing what she is knitting (which is phenomenal), watching the kiddies grow and her life.

WishingIwasknitting: Wow, I feel like I know her very well. Her baby knitting and dishcloth knitting is wonderful and love getting recipes, and reading about her family life.

14wheelerknitting: Traveling on the road with her hubby and son. Seeing the different areas they travel too, pictures, etc.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Grandson takes alot of time! Little Knitting done!


Presto Chango by Valerie Wallis. Done is Brown Sheep Serendipity tweed color of African violet. The socks and the hat is just a basic knit project of:

socks 32 sts, 3 inches, double wrapped short-row heel, foot of 4 inches decrease to 8 sts for toe, graft

hat 90 stitches, 2x2 rib for 1 inch, stockinette for 4 in. total and decrease
This is for my great-great-niece. No, I didn't stutter! Hubby is youngest and oldest sister is 14 yrs older than him, her daughter's daughter's daughter! Wow!



And of course, we can't forget my little possum.....LOL He doesn't like strangers so he has a habit of keeping his eyes closed when anyone else besides the family is around. As soon as that person is gone, pop goes the eyes! It's so funny!

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Dishcloth swap and forgotten Mood Buster Buddy


This young lady decided she didn't want to leave tennessee so when I mailed my package for the Hot Cocoa Swap, she was left behind. She is on the way to Marie to her new home! Hope she likes her and she's happy!







Received by swap in today for the Defeat the Winter Doldrums Swap from AmandaT.

WOW! Look at all the goodies! A book I have been eyeing but didn't buy, Dunkin Donuts coffee (my favorite) 4 - count them 4 dishcloths in burgandy and off-white. Beautiful smelling soaps she made her self with shea butter. They smell wonderful. A passport to Texas to mark off the cities you have been to.



A candle stand and candles from the yankee candle company, chocolates, look at the little lamb. So Cute

Lip balms, and it keeps on going........






Inside the small project bag was 2 skeins of yarn that are gorgeous colorways, needle protectors, some markers and a case with beautiful stitch markers.

Amanda you are the best! Thanks so much!