Saturday, June 25, 2005

Gone Fishing!!

I wish!!!


I've been having major computer issues of late so it's time I sent my really expensive piece of shit *great* computer in for a serious overhaul! And since I'm on school break until the second week in July, no computer access! I will have my ancient but beloved old laptop but I probably won't be posting until my really expensive piece of shit *great* computer returns!

So hopefully lots of knitting and some blog visiting for now....I'll be back as soon as I can! Try to miss me a little? .....hehehe...

Happy Summer and Happy Knitting!

PS - The spectacular pic of the sailfish above was taken off Key West, my favorite place on Earth (so far!) and about 3 hours south of me. I didn't catch it but I could.....maybe.....someday....you up for it, La?

Friday, June 17, 2005

Lotsa prezzies, lotsa pics, a thank you and some knitting!

It's been a busy week, finals and final papers coming due. Little posting so lots to catch up on!

First of all a great big thank you to Knitty Kim for being such a great Meet-Up organizer and making sure World Wide KIP Day was a rousing success for us Broward County knitters! Well done Kim!!

Now if that wasn't exciting enough, I got a gift from my Secret Pal this week!

First I got these really cool knitting post cards. Aren't they adorable?

Next I got these way cool *personalized* stitch markers!

Isn't my SP the BEST?? She also sent me a lovely sympathy card for losing Mickie 2 weeks ago (and Jaxon in February!) that really touched my heart! Thank you SP!!

Since class/study time is prime knitting time for me, I've been really productive. I finished the back of the AV Shaped Top (my KIP Day Project) but as it is just a rolling blob of stockinette, I didn't think it was pic/blog worthy yet.

I did finish Rob's Twined Rib Socks (free pattern on sidebar) and I thought they were very blog worthy so here they are.

And.....since I am participating in Alison's Image hosted by Photobucket.com
I started some socks for my sock pal....
I thought these sunny socks would make my sock pal smile!

But wait, there's more!!!
I recently became acquainted with a fellow blogger Liz. I helped Liz with some HTML for her blog and she so generously sent me these:
More beautiful stitch markers!! And a wee mousie for Pumpkin! Getting to know Liz has been reward enough but all these wonderful stitch markers sure made me smile! Thanks {{{{LIZ}}}}

And last but certainly not least, I leave you with this cool pic of the P-Man....he was on my back porch when he spotted a pigeon! Doesn't he look fierce!! heheh....
Have a great weekend and keep knitting!!!

Friday, June 10, 2005

Stash Enhacement and a Reminder!!

OOOO how pretty!!

The yarn on the left is 400 yards of Seduction in the Sarong colorway. This was a gift from someone special ( hi Toni! ) and is a fingering weight hand dyed 50% Merino/50% Tencel blend. My camera doesn't capture the luster of this beautiful yarn nor the decadent softness!! It is so delicious!! This would make the ultimate pair of socks but I'm thinking maybe a beaded shawlette too. Ah, such tough decisions :) This yarn is dyed by the same talented artist who produces Socks That Rock yarn and if you haven't checked that out you can find it at The Fold It's a great *sproingy* sock yarn in amazing colorways...go on, you know you wanna :)

I saw the yarn on the right, Kelly, in a catalog and fell in love! The Kelly is a cable constructed cotton/acrylic worsted weight yarn in a beautiful light to dark coral and lime colorway. Now I may have the stash that ate Florida but don't buy yarn "just to have it". All my yarn is earmarked for specific projects* I couldn't justify the purchase until I met this:

mmmmmmmm, sweater ::::best Homer Simpson drool:::: Isn't she lovely? Her name's Dibs-On-Ribs and she's from the "Subscriber Only" area of the Interweave Knits on-line site. She's constructed with all sorts of interesting short rows. Itchy Kureyon, feh! Soft, brilliant Kelly, goooooood!! Won't she make a lovely summer sweater?

Now don't forget, tomorrow is Image hosted by Photobucket.com so get out there and KIP all you amazing knitters!! And bring an extra set of needles and some scrap yarn to teach someone to KIP for next year!

*altho all my stash has a purpose, I reserve the right to change my mind at any time...it's a knitter's perogative, n'est ce pas? :)

Thursday, June 09, 2005

Between the raindrops...

Finished shawl pics!!
Here she is being blocked on my bed.

I had to be a bit creative :)

Here she is outside reclining on the railing on my front catwalk.

And a close up, Mr.DeMille!

Specs:

Myrna Stahman's Catharina Shawl from Knitter's Best of Shawls and Scarves in Blue Heron Mercerized fingering weight cotton in the colorway Opal on #6 US (4mm) addi natura bamboo circular needles.

I really loved this project!! I **HEART** this Blue Heron Cotton and I plan to use it for many more shawls in the future! It's very shimmery and soft and knits like a dream...very easy on the hands for 100% cotton!

This was my first Faroese shawl and I love the shoulder shaping that really makes the shawl stay put! The pattern was impeccably written and really fun to do! I made the back panel 29 inches, as suggested for a "large" however the *wings* were a bit long, they were down past my hands! I guess *fluffy* and short don't go so well together, hehehe... So after I broke my back *dressing* her to perfection as specified (see above!) I.....decided to.....toss her in the washer and dryer!! I was scared (right, Ada?) but I figured I couldn't wear her as she was and worst case, I would gift her to someone else. BUT....SHE IS NOW PERFECT!! ::: another Debi Happy Dance ::: I really enjoyed this process (hi Margene!) and the product is now perfect too.....ALL HAIL THE Summer Of Lace!!(Thanks Wendy!)

Pumpkin just takes it all in stride, see?


Now please come back tomorrow for some stash enhancment and a reminder!!

Monday, June 06, 2005

Extraordinary Kindnesses

The knitting community is so amazing! I want to say a heartfelt thank you for the outpouring of kindness and support for this very difficult time.

Losing BOTH my beloved boys in the space of less than 3 months has caused my heart to shatter. The things that keep me sane are the generosity of my knitting friends and my sweet Pumpkin. I thank god for both!

As a way of saying thanks, I've posted two free sock patterns on my side bar. The first is Rob's Twined Rib Sock.

This is written for sportweight yarn (I used Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in Camouflage and Cedar) and a men's size 10.5. It's a nice stretchy rib with manly appeal! It would look equally nice in bright colors for a woman's sock.

Next is the Toddler's Twined Rib Sock. My sweet friend Ada adapted my pattern for her almost 2 year old son, Joey.
Aren't they adorable? Also written for sportweight so they fly off the needles!!

Pumpkin loves these socks and couldn't resist trying to steal the show. You can glimpse his little white foot sneaking into to the frame on the Camo socks. Since he's such a cutie, I decided to allow him to be my spokesmodel....
I finished my shawl (lots of stress/insomnia/grief knitting!) but no pics until the daily rain, rain, rain let's up!! Hopefully one day this week! I've got some lovely stash enhancement pics too :)

Just one more BIG thank you to everyone for being so supportive and showing me what RAOK really means!!

Thursday, June 02, 2005

Good-bye my Miclette....


Mickie 1993-2005


Good-bye, sweet boy. Run and purr with your brother Jaxon now. I'll miss you both forever.....