Still Knitting

I am still trying to get some knitting done. Lots of folks are doing some crazy knitting during the Olympics. I have decided to just try to finish as many projects as possible during this time. I actually could finish a pair of shorties today. I have some shawls that need attention. So much to do so little time. Also check this out. It is a beautiful Estonian Lace Christening Shawl that I am seriously thinking about getting. I am doing several KAL right now and probably do not need to start a new one. But I have visions of this one in a nice white alpaca lace.....
I am also getting ready to try something new and that is lace knitting with beads. I am hoping to find some beads at hobby lobby. But knowing me I will get them online. Here is the KAL that I will be doing the beads on. I am pretty sure it is still open to new members. I have become addicted to the lace knitting lately and instead of looking for more projects I guess I could try to finish up some. LOL

New Knitting

Finally got started on my first Anne Hanson project over at Knitspot. I am very happy with how it is turning out and how wonderful her patterns are to knit. She is truly one of my favorite designers. Now I just need to start my to do list of projects.

Lifelines Again

Got a good tip from my LYS yesterday. Use dental floss for your lifeline. I was having trouble with my yarn wanting to catch on the other yarn so it was very hard to get it through the stitches. So now I have yet another reason to go to Wally World considering we do not have the regular wax stuff here. Have I mentioned that other than shopping for yarn or fabric on the Internet I really hate shopping......

Hemp and Wool Dishcloths

I have been looking for an alternative to those yucky sponges and plastic dish things that simply do not work. Well I got myself in gear and actually knitted some dishcloths out of my hemp and wool yarn stash. I should have done this a year ago when I got the yarn because let me tell you my dishes are actually clean. My glasses do not have that film on them at all anymore. It is so weird because all this time I thought it was my dish soap that was causing the problem but it wasn't. It was my sponge. The great thing about hemp and wool is they both have wonderful antibacterial qualities occurring in them naturally. Not to mention you just throw them in the was and hang them in the sun to dry. I have recruited my oldest into helping me make more because this week I am throwing out all of our sponges. Great thing too is my new dishcloths are environmentally friendly. If you are in search of some hemp/wool to make your won I suggest going here. Stacey is great to work with.


Edit: Forgot to mention Wool felts so if you use 50/50 Hemp/wool there will be some shrinkage if you wash it in the washer.

Knitting OCD

I have to admit that I have a little bit of OCD going on off and on in my life and it is interesting to me to see how it will manifest itself in the different areas of my life. With my kids it is their names. My first child's name has 5 letters and each child after has one more letter than the previous. There are other number things that I do but that would take a book to explain. :-)

I have recently noticed the OCD creeping into my knitting life. In my knitting bag I feel the need to have on the needles something for all the parts of the body. What this means is I currently am working on a hat, sweater,mittens, shorties, and several pairs of socks. When I finish up a sweater it is replaced with another sweater project. I am currently trying to figure out if a shawl is in the sweater category or if it will fall into it's own little area. I am thinking it will have it's own special place but if that is the case I need a bigger bag. :-)

Hmmm I think I will make myself a new knitting bag. I have this bag pattern by Amy Butler that I have been wanting to make for a long time. The question is do I use my current stash of fabric for it or do I wait for my Midwest Modern to show up. I have an idea for a little bag for my sock projects. I keep losing my tape measure and my extra DPN's in my bigger project bags. When I start digging around for them I end up with a big ol' yarn mess. So I hope to have that pattern worked out this weekend. Well looks like I have a lot on my plate so I better get going.

Went To My LYS Today

I am terribly excited. I went to my Local Yarn Store (Knitwicks) today and sat and knitted for a while with some wonderful ladies. It was the first time I have ever done anything like this. Since becoming a mother I have had a horrible time connecting to other women. In the mommy and me type groups I was always too crunchy. In other groups I was not crunchy enough. Then when the kids got older I started looking for a nice homeschooling group to join but found it very difficult to connect to any of them. In some we were to religious and in others not enough and then there was the crazy one where we were too poor.
But here age did not matter, religious preference not a problem and money not needed. All were welcome and knitting advice shared freely. It felt a little surreal at first because I have not felt this welcomed in a long time. I was so excited to see a group of women of all ages come together in such a positive environment. I have been looking for something like this for a really really long time. I am so excited about getting to know all of them better.
We just recently learned of the passing of a close friend that had suffered for many years from MS. She was very close to my age and it made me realize that I have become isolated from other women and I need to reconnect. I had to make myself go today and at first I just looked at the yarn in the store and felt like I could bolt at any minute. After a few minutes I realized that they were not going to bite me and it is okay to be afraid but not okay to not try. I am very glad I did. Well now I had better go save my husband from the kids.
Peace

Been Busy

Well things have been busy around here lately. I have been doing a lot of knitting, sewing, and cooking. I am almost done with my son's picky pants and have made a lot of progress on some socks for the kids and my sister. I am also working on some Halloween costumes for the kids. We are clearing out the last of the summer veggies from the garden and hopefully will put it to sleep this weekend. Gosh that reminds me; I need to get the garlic in the ground. We also plan to make a trip to see my Grandparents this weekend and I am getting really excited about that. I am taking them some purple hull peas from my garden 'cause Grandpa was so kind to give me food from his garden for years. I might just have to dig up some of his garlic to bring back just to make sure I have enough. It surrounds his entire garden and looks so pretty in the summer.

I do have a confession. Yesterday I took the day off. I was so tired I just watched old movies all day. 2 of my favorites Giant and Doctor Zhivago. I am an old movie junky. I have no interest in new movies unless there is a classic movie actor in it. It's almost like I was born in the wrong era. I especially love how my kids can watch the movies with me without me being afraid that they will be scarred for live. I also spent a ridiculous amount of time on Ravelry. I spend more time reading there then in my e-mails. Which is a good thing 'cause I am spending less money on coops. Well I think the little one is up off for now.

New Books

I love getting mail. Especially when it contains artsy craftsy stuff. I got a wonderful book through paperback swap by Good Housekeeping. The Illustrated Book of Needlecrafts. It has so much information that I am overwhelmed with excitement. I cannot wait to practice some of it with my girls. I also got 20 vintage knitting and crocheting books/magazines from the 1950's. I am so in love. I love the vintage styles. I cannot wait to get started on my new retro wardrobe. I love the styles and how feminine they are. I will hopefully get pictures up soon for everyone to see. They are in great shape. Off to do some reading.

What Fun!!!

An Anne of Green Gables KAL and Read along!!! Check it out here:
http://anneknits.blogspot.com/

Got Yarn?

I have new yarn!!!

The pink is Tahki Stacy Charles cotton classic and the other is knitpicks yarn. I am going to use the pink to make a cute little chirt from knitty.com for my 5 year olds next birthday. The other is to be socks and a winter hat. I am still not sure what patterns I will be using for them but I could not pass up the price. $1.99 and 2.99 a skein and I had to give it a go. :-) Now I should be working on the UFO's that I already have on the needles or should I go make dinner?

Another Knitter is born

I got an earlier Mother's Day gift from my 8 year old daughter. She made me a glasses case. I am forever losing my glasses so not only is it practical it is also hand mde. Wonderful gift. She is really doing well with her knitting. I am so proud. Enjoy.

Gotta Love Yarn

Yesterday I recieved some wonderfully wrapped yarn from Wear Your Art. My husband got a glimpse and thought it was chocolate. Nope for me it was even better it was sock yarn. It was wrapped so beautifully that he demanded he get to see it. Of course I got the yarn to knit him a nice pair of socks for Father's Day so he ruined his surprise. But let's face it I have 4 kids so he can expect them by Christmas at the earliest. This week was a great week for yarn in the mail. I also got some Aplaca yarn through my natural living swap group. It just might be my new favorite yarn. It is very soft and heavenly. Well I am going to give up hope for a bit on getting pictures up and will go ahead and post this so I do not have a naked blog. :-)