Stitches Midwest

I went to Stitches Midwest this weekend. Flew into Chicago on Friday, shopped all most of the day on Friday in the Market. It was fabulous! Just when you think you can't possibly knit another thing, along comes wonderful stuff. I bought a kit to make a wonderful wrap designed by the person, Maggie (sorry I forgot the last name) who does the wonderful Irish designs! The kit came with her latest book! I had to ship it home since I am not going home til Friday of this week. Can't wait to start it. I bought enough Tango to make 3 scarves, and enough yarn to do 2 vests.

The greatest part of the weekend was that I chose to show my Wright Wrap - from our previous post at the Student Show on Saturday's banquet.



I had been watching some fabulous pieces be shown, absolutely beautiful lace - which is really hard to do, so I was getting embarassed about showing the wrap and wished I could back out, but couldn't. My right arm is in a splint due to a tendon injury, so I got someone else to model it for me. I was so surprised when she started on the runway at all the applause! Then she turned around to show the back and you could actually here the audience do a collective gasp. Needless to say, I was so proud. Then at the end of the show they decided to give 3 prizes and they called my name as a winner of one! They were polite enough not to name them 1st, 2nd and 3rd, so I really don't know what they thought except it was a winner! I received a certificate for $100.00 off a 2008 Stitches event. But an even better situation is that I met the owners of Cascade Yarns and they were thrilled that the wrap was made from Cascade 220. So thrilled that Jean told me to send her the pics for her to put in their company newsletter. I hads stopped by her booth on Friday and showed her the pictures of the wrap. She thought the pics were great but told me after the show that the real object was so much more breathtaking. She also said that they always had extra yarn, (seems they bag into bags of 10 but the suppliers don't always send an even number of skeings) so for my next piece she can give me all the yarn I need to make it! Others were taking my picture in the wrap - which I had to model on stage in order to get the prize. Others stopped me after the show and on Sunday to tell me how much they liked the wrap, including some of the instructors who had stayed for the show. Needless to say, I am still pretty excited. This was an awesome moment in my knitting career.

Craftster.org

OK, I should never have looked at this web site, I found the knitalong sites and am hooked! There are too many great patterns and projects that I want to do. I found the Irish Hiking Scarf Knitalong and pattern. I didn't join the KAL, but bought Knit One, Crochet Too, Gourmet Collection, Creme Brulee DK Superwash Merino and knit the scarf. Here is the finished scarf. I love it and think I will enjoy wearing it.

I've knit too many scarves this winter. Not sure why except they are easy and fast to knit.
Any thoughts about going to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival? I'm still thinking about it.

Too funny

That's too funny. You know what? I found the book on sale at Herrschner's and ordered a copy last week. I'm looking forward to knitting some matching sweaters.
I'll post those later.

I've also joined the Red Sweater Knit Along. I wanted to knit a jacket so I liked the thoughts of red and a knitalong. This is the first one I've joined and hopefully I'll have a jacket at the end. I swatched and cast on just before the Super Bowl.

Here is my pattern and progress so far.




I chose Knit Picks Elegance - 70% baby alpaca and 30% silk in Barn Red.
I'm also joining the Traveling Cables Cardigan Knitalong. I'm using the same yarn in Silver. I'm looking forward to this challenging pattern. Here's the picture of the pattern.

I haven't started this one yet, but I'll post progress to both the Knitalong and our blog.
Now, I think we should plan a trip to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival in May. I went in 2001 and really enjoyed it. It would be fun to go and perhaps meet some other bloggers and podcasters. It's a great wool and yarn event.

The Perfect Knitting Book for You

Mom and I found the perfect knitting book for you and Heidi, Knits for Girls & Dolls. We thought you would have fun knitting matching sweaters for Heidi and her doll, Sasha. As far as knitting books go, this one is as reasonably priced as they come! $13 bucks! How can you beat that. I can't wait to see what you create. I looked at all the major retailers to find a copy of this book without luck. The Home Sew catalog that my mom buys doll shoes and such out of for her cloth dolls was the only place I could find a copy.

I've finished all the pieces of the Fisherman's Shrug and now the assembly begins. I hope to start sewing tomorrow night. Then all that is left to do is pick up the stitches around the collar and knit the ribbing. Not too bad. It's been cold enough to wear it the last few days. Maybe I'll be able to finish it and enjoy it next week.

Looks good to me

There is something to be said for finishing a project. I think the dishclothes are perfect for that. I must say that I haven't ever knit one. Isn't it a good feeling to finish a project and without all those seams to sew and ends to weave in?

My mother, your Nana, not only knit them but also crocheted dishclothes. I am sure it must have been the same reason, just to have a project finished in a short time. She also did some pot holders - I think crocheted - but I still have a couple that she made. I haven't used them very much so they are ratty from use. They should last many more years that way.

Dishrag Diva

Well, I've got several unfinished projects in several bags laying around my office/knitting room - the Einstein Coat, Fisherman's Shrug and Clapotis to name just a few. But, this week I've focused on knitting up five (count em') five dishcloths that will be a gift.



I have to admit, I've become slightly obsessed. I'm knitting dishcloths like they are going out of style, starting on number six this afternoon - for no good reason. Maybe it's because I have so many unfinished articles laying around that it makes me feel good to finish something in just a couple of hours. It sure isn't because I like to do dishes!

Happy New Year

Sounds as if your new year has been busier than mine. I'm so glad you have learned how to work the knitting machine. Would you recommend it to other knitters? I've thought about getting one, but it's never gotten beyone thinking about it. Next thing you know you'll be turning out sweaters faster than you can buy yarn to support the habit!

My new year hasn't been too great so far. I went to Jersey City on Jan 2nd and worked a few days. I didn't feel well - felt as though I was getting a cold all week and by last weekend had a full blown cold. I was due to leave again on Tuesday for Jersey City again, but didn't feel like going. I've spent all week at home and finally decided on Thursday that I needed to finish some knitting projects. The only reason I wanted to finish, of course, was so I could start a new one! I did complete the Nora Gaughan sweater from Interweave knits. I made it in black Wool of the Andes from Knit Picks. There are one row of eyelet stitch on each side of the front and back. I chose to weave some satin ribbon through the eyelets. I think it looks pretty good. Today I made a couple of boot length skirts to wear with the sweater. I'm hoping that it will work for me to wear at work.

We're having a weekend of bad weather - sleet storms and expecting snow tomorrow. It was 70 degrees here on Thursday afternoon, then didn't reach 20 during the day yesterday. We had one sleet storm yesterday and another today. Expecting snow tomorrow. So the knitting weather is great. I started the Harmony sweater with Louet Gems Merino. I'm using the blue colors which I don't think show up right in the picture. This is the right front, started the left back today. It requires concentration to keep up with the rows, but I like the way it is looking at present.

Can't wait to see how the finished sweater looks.

I'm due to leave tomorrow for Spartanburg SC, late in the afternoon. I'm not sure that'll happen, given that the weather is calling for 3 - 6 inches of snow tomorrow. I can't take this sweater with me, since there are so many balls of yarn. I wouldn't have room for clothes, but if I can find a way to take it, I will do so.

Christmas was so great, thanks for all you and your family did to help us enjoy it. Heidi still talks about wanting to live in NC. I'm not totally opposed to that idea, as I am getting pretty tired of flying from Wichita. I can't seem to be able to make a connection to save my life. This last trip to Newark arrived 1 hour late on the outbound flight and then I missed my connection on Chicago - due to a delayed flight from Newark to Chicago, so I had to stay overnight in Chicago on Friday. I'm just as glad to be home sick this week. At least I don't have to deal with the delayed and missed flights.

Nothing Has Happened

In spite of a motivational rally cry from a perfect stranger, I've made no additional progress on my Claptois. So in the absence of knitting to share, I though maybe a little caffeine motivation would help get things going. So, if I were coffee, what kind of coffee would I be? Let's see what the all knowing Internet has to say?

You Are a Frappacino

At your best, you are: fun loving, sweet, and modern At your worst, you are: childish and over indulgent You drink coffee when: you're craving something sweet Your caffeine addiction level: low

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

It is true - the Internet does know all! I hope to have knitting progress of some sort to show later today.

Let's Make Something Happen

I'm not as positive of a person as I want to be. I want to be positive. I really do, but I'm more of a realist. You know, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst kind of outlook on life. But today, I sat next to a very positive businessman who let you know he planned to rub some of that positive energy off on every person he talked to on the phone.

I was sitting at a B&N while a colleague finished up a business meeting before we went to the airport and the positive businessman sat down at the table in the cafe next to me. At first I thought he was talking to someone he knew when he answered his phone "Joey Brown, Let's Make Something Happen." How many people answer the phone with a rally cry? While I thought this was a one time fluke, he proved me wrong by answering the phone 25 or more times over the next two hours the exact same way, sometimes asking someone to hold and picking up call waiting on the other line this exact way. So here's what I figure:

1. He has great self-esteem
2. He truly believes his product/service can make things happen. What that product/service is, I have no idea. I never heard him say. Obviously a soft sale kind of guy.

I attempted to "make something happen" with my Clapotis on the flight today. I'm slowly but surly getting there. It took me about 30 minutes to figure out where I was in the pattern, but I got things back on track and did a couple of the straight row repeats. I hope to be starting on the fourth section by the return trip home.

On the Road Again

I leave for Scottsdale, AZ tomorrow for the rest of the week. While I didn't take the time to pack my actual luggage for tomorrow's trip tonight, I did spend 20 minutes deciding what I would take with me to knit.

I bought new yarn, a new US 5 circular and printed out the instructions on how to knit two socks at the same time on two circular needles for this trip over the weekend. But when it came down to packing time, I decided I wanted to finish my Clapotis that I started oh about six months ago. I just hope I can figure out where the hell I am in the pattern. So in she goes for my trip to Scottsdale tomorrow along with some directions, an empty floss case and my iPod with new music to jam to and podcasts to catch up on. I should be set for my 4.5 hour flight there and back, right?

I'll get to the sock thing on next week's trip.

New Year Tension

This year has been full of tension, so far. Knitting machine tension that is. I've enjoyed playing with my new Christmas toy - an Ultimate Knitting Machine.

Now that I think about it, it's been a long time since I got a real toy at Christmas. I really don't remember the last time I got something that I could play with. I think that it might have been a badminton/volleyball set that was a gift to both me and my sister when I was 15. Now, I'm not athletic in the least bit and I'm not sure why my parents thought it would be a good gift. Maybe they were hoping that I would suddenly become coordinated or graceful. While neither of these two things happened, I do remember playing with it, so maybe it wasn't a bad choice after all. When it comes to gifts, I'm more of a clothes, jewelry and music kind of girl.

This year my mother made another good choice and gave me an Ultimate Knitting Machine. I thought I'd like to have something to use to knit things that require a lot of stocking knit or large pieces, like blankets. After playing with it while being banished to my sewing room for two days straight while my husband watched football, I think it will be perfect for those two things.

I knit 200 rows of 50 stitches in about 20 minutes, and that's with screwing up several times. It made me want to open the window and shout - "I'm the fastest knitter in the world." Prior to this 20 minutes of success, there were plenty of lessons learned. The most important - tension is EVERYTHING! Even the smallest amount of tension on the yarn impacts the needles. When there is too much tension in the wrong place, the needles hang up. When there isn't enough tension in the right place, the stitches fall off the needles and you have a mess on your hands.

I've experimented with making cables, changing colors and doing a bit of fair isle. It really is very easy. The hardest part is really doing the ribbing. The machine knits with the wrong side facing you, so all the purls are facing you. In order to create a knit stitch on the side facing you, you unhook the stitch, unravel and reladder it so the stitch is now basically reversed. I stink at reladdering normally, but with the weighed hem that hangs on the bottom of your knitting it's not so bad, but it is time consuming. Right now I think I could hand knit ribbing faster than I could reladder it on the machine and evidently a lot of people think this because there are instructions for how to remove your knitting from the machine and hand knit the ribbing in the instruction guide.

I'm using Caron Simply Soft right now to experiment and make baby blanket. It's wicked cheap and the machine likes it - which is the most important thing right now. Of course the edges curl into a tight little tube without any blocking. I think I have figured out a way I can create a garder stitch boarder while it is on the machine, but this requires me having to reladder four or five stitches on the left and right sides of the blanket, then pick up the bottom and top hems and do those by hand. Being a total yarn snob I'm trying not to think about all the acrylic that my hands are touching and just focusing on the fact that people who have babies need something they can wash over and over again and they won't care that it isn't a natural fiber - although, the sweaters and booties I will hand knit will be of a cotton blend I'm sure.

Needless to say, I have a lot of playing to do to decide how I want to use this new toy. There's a lot of details and handwork involved in this machine, even though it is every quick for basic kind of stuff, you've obviously got to know what you're doing to make anything useful. More tomorrow. Happy New Year!

Well, I can certainly appreciate your migraines. I have a friend with those and she is incapacitated more often than she would like. Glad yours are under control. I'm sure that you don't like taking the meds but its better to take meds than experience the headaches. I wouldn't be knitting either if I had a migraine, so it's understandable.

I'm still working on my sweater and on Lisa's. I really enjoyed frogging her sweater and knitting it again. I also altered the pattern to knit it in one piece rather than 2 fronts and one back. I've completed everything but the sleeves. I'm starting those right after the holidays.

My sweater from Interweave knits is turning out great. I decided that I wanted to make long sleeves, instead of the 3/4 length sleeves in the pattern. I hope they work out. One sleeve is done the other just needs the shaping at the upper end. So after the holidays I'll work on finishing that sweater as well.

You know, I am on the road this week, not to return home til the 30th. Because of this I had to have something to knit on. Neither of the sweater projects that I just wrote about are portable at this time, so last night I drug out some yarn and started a scarf for my hairdresser. I'm too late for Christmas, but I have a hair appointment for Jan 6th, so I'll have a scarf to take her as a gift. I played with the yarn and created a pattern that I like. Then I got some knitting time on the plane today. Here's what I've done so far. What do you think? I just started knitting without a plan in mind, I'm sure that violates all we've read about knitting, and Steven Covey - Start with the end in mind, right?


I think it will end up OK. The yarn is the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, which I've heard that despite the label doesn't contain any cashmere. Don't know what makes it so soft without cashmere. At least it is a knitting project for the trip when nothing else would work.

Oh, I still have the socks, that I'm working to finish. I just got caught up knitting the sweaters and dropped the socks. They are in my briefcase, so I can finish them this trip as well.

Looking forward to sharing Christmas with you, Heidi, Kevin and your mom. We'll see you Thursday or Friday somewhere. My Heidi is taking skiing lessons, 10AM - 3:30 PM on Friday and Saturday, so you know where to find me. Knitting by the fire and watching her progress. See you soon.

Rally Warmer

Football in the south is a religion and it really doesn't matter what level of football you're talking about - high school, college or professional. The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) State Championships are this weekend and my alma mater, Northside High School, is in the AAAA State Championships for the third time in six years and the second year in a row. The Eagles have a great chance to bring it home this year and we lucked out and won the coin toss to host the game this Friday night.

Now it's been a little cool out in the evenings these last few games. Last week, the semi finals were held indoors at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, so no winter gear was needed. Thank goodness for indoor football since it was an unseasonable 16 degrees last Friday night. But this week it will be 30 something at game time and I felt like I should make something blue and white for the occasion.

The new winter issue of Knitty was out and this cute little head scarf seemed to be a quick and easy answer. Then two things happened that I never thought would:

1. I was in Walmart buying groceries and saw this cheap and perfectly colored blue and white colored yarn, which I thought would be interesting. I'm kind of a yarn snob. I really don't like acrylic and I knew, since it was at Wally World, it was acrylic, but I figured it was for a once in a while kind of thing, I'd take a second look.

2. The yarn, upon further inspection was actually camouflage colored yarn. Yes, camo yarn. I never in my life have liked anything camo colored. But this yarn seemed interesting to me. And I still can't quite figure out how blue and while qualifies as camo, I mean, maybe if you're hiding in an ocean or tropical area, but not in Middle GA.

Anyway - I bought the yarn. Acrylic, camo yarn to make this great pattern.

Now, I didn't make a gauge swatch. Why should I? There really wasn't a size. It was just a head scarf. I guess if I wanted to make something that didn't end up the size of my youngest cat, Nomie, I should have made a gauge swatch. Although, my finished measurements do match up to those of the pattern, the size is way too big and I hated the way it looks on me.

So, first try was no good. Second try I cast on 90 stitches instead of 120 (yes I know that 90 is not divisable by 4, but neither is my head), and it came out great. So, now I have a great head scarf to rally my Eagles on to a win on Friday night. I'll be sure to have my DH take a photo of me in it as we cheer the guys on to a victory.

Oh - by the way, both of our college alma maters are in the IAA National Football Championship Game this Friday night. UMASS (my husband's school) and Appalachian State play each other at 8p in Chattanooga, TN. It was a hard to decide which game to go to, but since we have cheered the Eagles on all season and we could both sit on the same side of the stadium, we decided to go to the NHS game.

Bad Blogger... Bad Knitter...

I'm ashamed of my neglect of this blog. I couldn't believe how long it's been since I posted here. I've been struggling with migraines lately and now that it seems that I have those under control, thanks to some new meds that I take everyday, I am back up to speed. But for about three months there I was struggling with as many as 8 or 9 headaches a month, which really interfered with my knitting time, not to mentioned made me pretty much useless in general. Things are much better now.

I did finish a few things since my last post:

1. My Somewhat Cowl is now complete. Photo to come later. I hate finishing. I really need a class on this to feel more confident.

2. A great hat and fingerless mittens. Photo to come later.

On the needles:

1. My Einstein Coat - yes, I'm still working on this darn thing. It gets so darn hot in GA during the summer that I can't work on it or else I burn up. I want to have it done by Christmas. I WILL have it done by Christmas. I'm 1/2 way there.

2. The Fisherman's Shrug - even though I've read that people continue to have trouble with this pattern online, I've started the large size of this pattern as it is written, while using the revised measurements and keeping my fingers crossed. I'd like to try and finish this in a couple of weeks. We'll see. I got a great deal on the Lion Brand Yarn at Handcock Fabrics a week ago when it was 2o% off the regular price and I had a coupon for an additional 10% off.

I'll drag the camera out tomorrow and take a few photos of the finished objects. The good news is I have two new work assignments in Orlando and in Phoenix this winter - two places warm enough to wear short sleeves in January.

Knitting again

I've really enjoyed being off work this week, so I could do more knitting. I finished the sweater for Lisa, but was disappointed that I had made it too large. So I got to rip-it out and start over again. In a way that was good as I was able to improvise a little. I decided rather than knit it in 3 pieces, back and 2 fronts, to cast on enough stitches to do it in one piece to the underarms, then split it for fronts and back. I have done that and am now working on the back separtely. I will knit the 2 fronts at the same time, but that will need to wait a while.

I got really fed up with the Sunrise Jacket. It wasn't working out with the row gauge. The stitch gauge was OK, but my rows count was off. This sweater requires too much math and too much time for it not to work out great. I decided to frog it as well. About that time I bought the winter Interweave Knits and fell in love with this Nantucket Jacket on the front.

I thought the black Wool of the Andes yarn that I was using for the Sunrise Jacket would be perfect for this. So, I started it as well with the frogged yarn. I have knit about 6 inches on the back and I really do like the pattern. I hope that I like the finished jacket and don't find my self frogging it.
I really should get back to my pair of socks, but frankly haven't been too interested in finishing them.
OK, so much for the knitting or frogging of this week.
Here is the scarf that I did a couple of weeks ago from the front of Vogue Knitting. I used Lion Brand Wool Ease and it's OK. Color is great, but it isn't as soft as it could be if I had used another yarn. I'll be glad to use it for the winter and it really stands out on a black coat. It was so much fun to finish - can't believe I'm saying that. I hate finishing, but the weaving of the long tubes to produce the scarf was amazing.

Catching up

That You Tube video was too cute. I really identified with that poor lady. She must have been knitting the scarf from the front of the new Vogue Knitting When I got the magazine, I was so impressed with it that I went right out, purchased ome Lion Brand Wool Ease (I know, but I wanted to start it right away and since I really don't have a good LYS I decided Wool Ease would work.) Well the scarf is clever, but seems to go on forever. Seems that it is knit as gigantic "I" cords, 9 sitiches each on 2 sock needles. I spend more time changing needles than I do getting into a knitting rhythm. There are six of the cords each about 90 inches long. So far, I've finished 4 of the cords. When I finally finish all six they are braided.



I thought I would post the pictures of my latest finished projects. Here is the baby sweater I knit for a friend of mine. I used a ribbon yarn called Phoenix from Yarn Market.





Now I am working on the scarf from Vogue and some socks. Here is what the socks look like.

I'm using some Cascade Fixation yarn, very colorful and I think will look great with my Crocs flip flops over the winter months. I used the Jaywalker pattern for the top and then I'll use a pattern for summer socks for the foot portion. I'll post again when I finish them.



I've finished the Selkirk jacket from Ram Wools.
The yarn is great, but full of pieces of straw, sticks, weeds, etc. I was constantly picking all that stuff out as I knit. The yarn softened up when washed for blocking. It also "bloomed" and makes my knitting look great. I did like knitting with it and think the finished product will be super, once I get time to finish it. I would much rather knit than finish, right?


I'm also doing the Sunrise Circle Jacket from Interweave Knits, using some great wool from Knit Picks. I wish I could post a picture of that project, but can't. I got the pattern free with a subscription to the Interweave Knits on line magazine. It's a pretty good deal, free and has free downloadable patterns. I'm hoping I can wear it for work, since I'm making it in black yarn and the style is fairly professional.

Now, to work on the socks tonight, before going to work tomorrow. I've got the socks and yarn in my brief case and since there is nothing to do in this location (near the airport in Newark, NJ), it will be a good night for knitting. I'll be doing an engagement here for the next few months, so maybe I'll find your favorite yarn shop in Manhattan. If you are going to be here, let me know and we'll plan a dinner and yarn shopping trip.

No FO

That's right - it shouldn't be a shock that I have not finished my Somewhat Cowl sweater. I feel like the slowest knitter in America. I read all of these blogs with people who finish sweaters in three nights. I can't finish three inches in a night, much less any significant progress. The good news is that it does fit and I'm almost done with one sleeve. By the end of the weekend I hope to have the other done and at least pick up the stitches on the neck. We'll see.

So instead of looking at my finished sweater, a good friend of mine sent me a link to this great Knitting Animation on You Tube. Enjoy!

Closer and Closer

Well, I'm down to the bottom ribbing of the Somewhat Cowl sweater. All that's left is the sleeves and neck. I'm hoping that maybe by this time next week I may have a completed sweater to brag about. But of course, I'm already looking for other things to work on.

I joined the Sexy Knitters Club (SKC) and I think I'm going to start their KAL for either Sizzle or the Simple Knitted Bodice (SKB). I love both patterns and I've enjoyed Wendy's top down pattern for the Somewhat Cowl sweater. It really all comes down to yarn. I've not found a substitute yarn for SKB that I'm crazy about. I cannot spend $140 on the yarn that the pattern calls for. Finding something for Sizzle would be easier, but even though it won't be cool enough around here to wear something with long sleeves until November, it will take that long for me to finish either of these pieces with the work schedule I've been keeping lately.

I did treat myself to two knitting magazines today: The new BHG Knit It! and the newest Vogue Knitting. Hidden in the editorial section was a note that there was a pattern correction to the Fisherman's Shrug pattern from the Winter edition of this magazine. I loved the pattern when I first saw it - chunky yarn, big needles - sounded like instant gratification to me. Plus the yarn called for was inexpensive and looked like something I could throw on even around the house. Well, while lurking in the Blog-o-sphere, I found out that there were SEVERE problems with this pattern and it required way too much math for my math-challenged brain to figure out. Needless to say I didn't attempt it. Maybe this corrected pattern will be easier to follow than redoing all of the math.

Fingers crossed - we will have a FO photo to post here next week...

I'm In the Same Boat

Well, I've neglected this site as well during the summer. I've not had the energy to knit since I've been working 60 to 70 hours each week. I hope that this insanity is coming to an end soon, but I'm not so sure that is going to happen.

I've picked up the needles, determined to finish my Somewhat Cowl sweater that I started in March. I've knitted about an inch or so after the join. I like knitting from the top down so far. Here's what it looks like so far (sorry for the bad photo).



I may wish that I had knit this in a size smaller, but it seems to fit fine, just seems big right now in the arms. Maybe that will be better determined once I actually do the knitting on it.

Oh, I have to introduce you to my newest "child." This is Clyde. He is the new love of my life. He'll be 2 in November, so too young to ride, but I'm doing a lot of ground work with him right now. I work with a trainer once a week with him and it is amazing to watch a 1000 pound animal learn like a child would. It's the one thing I really force myself to make time for once a week and I just love my time with him. I'll have a reason to knit some cute hats, scarves, sweaters, finger-less gloves, etc. to wear at the barn this winter!

Mea Culpa

I am feeling like the worst blogger on the face of the earth. I haven't posted here in forever, but I guess that is because I haven't been knitting either. This summer has been like a blur to me and now it is about over. Of course with the heat, it sure doesn't feel like summer is anywhere near ending. Today it is supposed to be 101, right now it is 97 and tomorrow's high is forecast to be 105. Somehow, I can't get too excited about knitting while it is baking outside.

Part of the problem with the weather is also how it affects flying. Due to the weather and forcing me to miss connectioning flights, I have been stranded for the night twice in Denver, once in Houston and once in Pittsburg. I hate summertime flying. In the winter they keep the runways clean of snow, de-ice the plane and off it goes. But in the summer, let there be a thunder cloud anywhere in the vicinity of take off or landing and the pilot keeps the plane on the ground. I hate summertime flying, or did I already say that?

I've also been too busy with work to have any free time to knit. I used to knit in my hotel room at night, but this summer I have had so much work to do, analysis and reports that I've been putting in some very long days work. I've got to get my priorities straight and put knitting farther to the top. I have been working on a baby sweater which is almost completed. I will see the new father this week, so I plan to finish it tomorrow. It is a pattern from Yarn Market called Nana's Hooded Baby Jacket.
The yarn is a ribbon in a cream color and the size is supposed to be 1 - 2 years old. It looks a little small to me, but then it's been a while since I've been around a baby. The baby who is getting the sweater is a few months old but lives in Chicago, so the sweater should come in handy this fall.
After the weather cools down, I want to knit a sweater coat for Lisa. I picked out a kit from Ram Wools. It is wool so I am definitely waiting til it is cooler to start it.
Will try to be a better blogger in the next few weeks. Keep adding to your stash. The urge to knit always hits at the oddest times (usually when the LYS is closed!)