PMS or Silly Knitter Syndrome

I don't know what is wrong with me the last couple of days, but I seem to be awfully "weepy".  I was reading Elizabeth Zimmermann's book "The Opinionated Knitter" and started crying because she passed away back in 1999.  I knew that already.  In fact I am plenty old enough to remember clearly when it was announced.  So what was I doing yesterday crying over it 11 years later?  She was THE most awesome Knitter ever!  She slapped a whole generation in the face and said, "Stop being a bunch of sheep and think for yourselves!"  There should be some kind of sculpture, statue, or monument built of her somewhere honoring what she did for knitters, maybe even just "plain people", everywhere--who knows how many non-knitters out there have her to thank for their marriages, lack of therapy bills for their spouse, lovely knitwear that keeps them warm and comfortable each winter, etc, etc.  What an amazing person!

Ok, so that's not all.  I found myself in tears again as I gazed at the most beautiful sweater I've ever seen.  The Yarn Harlot (Stephanie Pearle McFee) made a sweater from a Dale of Norway Pattern called Whistler.  I honestly think I have never seen a more breath-taking sweater.  It is absolutely gorgeous.  Go see it!!  She posted about it on March 3rd.  I must have one!  In fact, as a result of seeing it on her blog the other day, I went and bought some yarn to make me something similar.  I haven't made too many sweaters in my knitting career so I won't start with something that detailed, but I plan to make something very Scandivian!  (Unfortunately some other projects will become UFO's because I feel very obsessed with knitting this sweater right now.)

Speaking of obsessed, I am in the process of making my third, yes I said THIRD, Trinity shawl.  I just can't get enough!  They are so much fun to make.  This one will be for my grandma's birthday.  I will get some pictures taken and post them later.  I wonder how many of them I am going to make before I burn out on them?  I don't usually make the same pattern over and over just to see what it looks like in different colors.  I think I've even thought up a way to make it into a circular shawl.  We'll see if I remain obsessed enough with it to try that out.

Happy knitting!

My Trinity Shawl

I know I just barely started this shawl, but I couldn't stop working on it and as a result.....it's done!

I love IT!  HB says that he likes it the best out of all the things I have made for myself lately.

The yarn is Cashbah from Hand Maiden.  It is a superwash merino/cashmere/nylon blend.  I don't remember the name of the colorway.  The way the colors play out in the pattern it almost looks like peacock feathers.  The pattern is called The Trinity Shawl/Shawlette.  You can find the link to the pattern here.  It really looks difficult, but it was VERY easy! and so much fun to knit.  

(It almost looks like a butterfly here).

I have made plans to make another one, but much larger, out of some precious handspun yarn I have been hording for years.  It is the last of my precious satin angora bunny Copper's fiber.  He has been gone several years now, but I am sure he would approve of this shawl pattern for his lovely fiber.  I will definately post pictures when it's done.

Happy Knitting!

Good Stuff!!

TADA!  Here is the sweater I started in Florida.  It took all day Saturday to sew up!  It turned out wonderful and I LOVE IT!!  It's a great pattern, but the fact that the entire sweater is knit in separate pieces means I will probably never knit it again.--You know how I feel about sewing--

It is made from Svale by Dale of Norway.  The drape of the fabric is unmatched!  The silk/cotton/viscose blend makes it soft yet crisp.  Great stitch definition!

Now I can start another sweater!  Probably another Lopi one.  I have yarn to make two more of them.  I just need to make up my mind which one.

Look what HB bought for me!!!  He really knows how to make a lady feel loved!  Not only does he listen when I tell him about knitting stuff--that I know he really isn't interested in--but he is willing to support my habit.  You gotta love a man like that!

He also bought this gorgeous yarn for me!! 

It's Casbah by Hand Maiden.  Merino/cashmere/nylon.

I already started a shawlette with the blue blend. That yarn with my new needles is HEAVENLY!  So heavenly that I was up until midnight knitting because I was enjoying it so much! 

I'll post pictures of it when it's done.

Happy Knitting!

I Feel a Knitting Fest Coming On!

We found out Monday morning at 8:30 am that HoneyBunny's surgery was not only authorized--FINALLY--but that it would happen first thing this Friday. I guess if he's going to get it done, the less time he has to think about it the better. He wants to get it really bad, but knowing what goes on during surgery and then the aftermath makes him VERY anxious.

Of course, a nice long day and night in the hospital means...............LOTS and LOTS of knitting!!!! With careful planning I should only need two or three projects. The Sockamania sock of the month is mournfully behind, so that definately has to come along. The Turkish socks that I've been working on FOREVER should come along--maybe I'll actually make some progress on them. OH! OH! and that new shawl I found on elann.com. I should take that and start it!!! I could take that pair of "Ripples" socks that I started a few months ago and work on them. Let's see, and the knit pants for The Daughter--well, no, that's too big of a project (the rest of the projects wouldn't be able to come along if I took the pants). I know! That cashmere lace scarf that I've been DYING to make! I will take that along, after all nothing is as comforting to pet and knit as cashmere! Hmmm, that should probably do it. I need to make some socks for Pooh Bear--he is in serious need of some new socks!!!! He is just about to the age where his feet have hit a lull in growing. Maybe I should take some yarn and make up a pair of my Utimate Basic Socks. I think I need help (with my packing......not my psyche). What do you think? Let me know what you think I should take.

Happy Knitting!

Could I Have Any More UFO's or WIP's?

Of, course! There is always room for more UFO's and WIP's in a knitters life! Unfortunately, they are really getting in the way if I want to do anything on my computer. More than half of my desk in covered in yarn, WIP's, and UFO's a good eighteen inches deep (that's about 46 cm for those outside the US). I don't remember EVER having this many projects going on at once! It really is completely out of control!First, there is the hooded sweater that I started the day after Christmas. I am using recycled yarn from a sweater that I had made for HoneyBunny two Christmas' ago that just never fit him right. I re-did the neck at least four times but it still was messed up. I finally gave up and just ripped the whole 10 skein sweater apart and started this instead--so far so good.Next is my Sockamania project for January--New Years Socks. I have the first one done and the second one started. It is a super easy pattern! I have neglected to mention where all of these Sockamania patterns can be found. So here is a link. Anni sells some great yarn as well!!! Which reminds me.................
This was in my mailbox Saturday. I ordered the Sea Scape 100% lace weight cashmere from Anni's etsy store. The blue, bamboo/wool sock weight skein was my prize yarn for the Sockamania December drawing--also found in Anni's store. I can't wait to get a project started with them!!!!!The next UFO sitting here is the beginnings of a pair of Mad Color Weave socks. (I can't find the link--it was on one of the SAMKAL Blogs). I love this pattern! Even in plain yarn it is gorgeous!

This is the other pair of socks that I am working on right now. The yarn is some that I swapped for with Hege. I love the color! I am a sucker for olive greens and tans. These are going to be for HoneyBunny's birthday. I have them about half done.

Not pictured are the Turkish Socks--that are definately in the UFO status, the lace shawl--UFO, the silk/wool lace socks--WIP, and the green pants for the daughter--UFO.

I can't believe I am looking for a pattern that I can use for my new yarn! Where is my self control?

Happy Knitting!

WIP's and the Podcast

My story that is featured on the YarnCraft podcast came out this week and you can listen to it here. I found myself feeling nervous and getting sweaty palms as they introduced it. To think that people all over the world could listen to something I wrote, wow!

Now for the WIP's I promised Monday to post Wednesday, but took off on a joy ride with HoneyBunny instead. First, the mittens I started last night. Now, I already have way to much to do, but these mittens have been harassing me for months to start them. Telling me, "I knit up REALLY fast. I have thrums, which you know you've wanted to try forever. You could make the smallest pair for the neighbors daughter. Etc., etc." So, the lure of a quick and easy project hooked me finally and I found myself half way through this mitten before I even realized that I had cast on. Now I have to make me and my son a pair for our walks to the bus stop in the morning. They will be PERFECT! Who ever thought of thrums should win the nobel peace prize or something. WOW! If you don't have a pair of mittens or socks that feature these little items YOU SHOULD! They are the ultimate for warmth!

Second are the Sockamania socks for November. These will be for the daughter for Christmas. I LOVE this pattern. It is officially my new most favorite sock pattern. I am making them out of SWTC's Tofutsies yarn. I don't like pink, but I really like the color pattern of this yarn!

Third project that I am working on this week is the shawl that I started a month ago or so. Now that I have the lace pattern figured out it is going much faster. I really like it! In fact, I am having a hard time deciding whether it should be "Merry Christmas to me" or someone else.

Next, I worked on these the other night when I had had enough of all the other projects and got past the place for the inserted heel and started the foot. Three more inches and a toe then put in the heel and the first of this pair will be done. If I would just sit down and work on them instead of the other 20 projects I am making they would have been done a long time ago. They are for me, though, and I feel like I am savoring every minute of them. They are the most beautiful pair of socks I have made in a long time.

And FINALLY, the last project that I have been working on this week--in fact they are the project I took on my joy ride Wednesday--are the pants for the daughter. Yes, I know they are very GREEN! She loves to wear grass green and looks good in it and even requested that these be this color. So, there they are. I altered the pattern so that the front and back of the leg is knit at the same time. Otherwise there are four leg pieces and you know what that means--hours of handsewn seams. I HATE sewing up seams, especially when things can be knit in the round. I would knit these in the round completely, but I still haven't figured out how to make the crotch area turn out right if I do. Two seams are better than four!

Whew! At least I am not getting bored with any of the projects. There is plenty of variety!

Happy Crazy Knitting!

P. S. Only 39 (40 if you want to count Christmas Day) knitting days until Christmas!

It's D-O-N-E done!

FINALLY! The Daughter has her afghan! and not a minute too soon. As I worked the last few decrease rows I began to count-down the sts left and giggle histerically. (My children were quite concerned that something was wrong.)
This is the Daughter all wrapped up in it, refusing to let me have it back long enough to tuck in the loose ends.

This is the size it ended up. My daughter and I are both taller than 5 feet 5 inches, so you can see that it is pretty big. She loves it!!

I got the November Sockamania pattern over the weekend and can't wait to get started. The pattern is for a pair of lacey socks and will probably become a Christmas gift since Christmas is now only 50 days away.

OOoOOOooooooOo! That sounds scarey to say! I better get busy if I am going to get all of these gifts done! Now that the afghan is finished I should be able to accomplish a lot more!!! Our family has made a committment to make all Christmas gifts this year. With all of the recalls going on it seems like a good idea! Plus, handmade gifts are so much more fun and meaningful to give. If you are on my gift list you know what's coming!

So, with a sock to cast on, a hat to finish, two pair of socks to finish, a shawl to finish, etc. I am off to start my Selbuvotter mittens!!!!!!!

I love knitting!

I Love Knitting!!

Surgery went well and I am on my way to recovery. In fact I couldn't wait any longer to start that really exciting project I mentioned before. So here it is!!


(Just ignore the ugly mark on my finger, yes my finger is a little swollen and greenish)

Isn't it LOVELY!!! I could barely sleep at night with this yarn sitting on the bookshelf singing sweet seductive songs to me about how lovely and soft it was. And I don't even want to mention what that pattern has been whispering to me as I sat next to it on my desk (I blush at the memory of it).

Anyway, the flaming, colored yarn is a fingering weight that I hand painted two weeks ago and promptly named "Desert Sunset" (appropriate don't you think?). The black is that sinfully delicious "Gloss" (70 % merino 30% silk) from KnitPicks (I love that yarn!!!). And the sweet-talking pattern is one of the only two socks I haven't made, at least once, out of "Socks--A Spin-Off special publication for knitters and spinners" from Interweave Press. That book has special significance and meaning for me because it was my very first sock book and it is what got me addicted to sock making. I don't even know if it is still in print, but if it is pick one up. It still has the best sock patterns ever--well next to any book put out by Nancy Bush (I looooovvvveeee her sock pattern books. Her book "Folk Socks" was purchased the minute I saw it for the first time).

The shawl is almost finished! I have only about 50 more rows and it will be ready to send off.

(It is taller than my son, so the whole thing didn't fit in the picture.) I love this pattern! It is so easy and looks so good. The nurses at the Surgical Center were "ooooing" and "ahhhhing" all over it (yes I was working on it while I waited for surgery to start). When it is all done, and ready to send, I will take one final picture of it wrapped around my daughter--I will probably have it for the next post.

Well, I am off to see if I can do some spinning. I need to get that yarn done still.

Happy Knitting!!