B is for.....

B is for I'm Back cause I'm feeling a little Bit Better! Thanks for all your kind well wishes!

Sneaking in just under the wire for the ABC along B is for Benevolent.

Here's my first benevolent act of the year.....my red scarf for The Red Scarf Project....

Kindly and expertly modeled by the FK Mom (she MADE me cut her head off!!)

And a close up of the pattern

Specs:

"Robert" Seaman's Scarf from Shawls and Scarves by Myrna Stahman

Naturespun Worsted, color Scarlet (more true red than the orange-red on my monitor)

Size 6 Addi Turbo Circs

I know many knitters start out knitting scarves. I guess I skipped that rite of passage since all of my knit recipients live in climates not conducive to scarf knitting or don't wear scarves. This was my very first scarf EVER! and I loved it! The construction of the seaman's scarf is very cool. The scarf has a ribbed center to fit comfortably under a collar and the book gives you two options to achieve this. You can knit in the traditional end-to-end method however one end of the scarf will appear "upside down". The second option is to use a provisional cast on and make each end mirror the other.....was there any doubt which one anal compulsive/obsessive FK Deb chose? :)

I wish I had known about The Red Scarf Project sooner because I would have gladly knit more scarves. Being sick, my Mom was kind enough to drop my scarf off at Einstein's Bagels for me. She told me there was a big sign on the door advertising the charitable project but inside when my Mom asked the girl behind the counter where to leave the scarf, she was met with that blank "huh?" we've all seen....then the girl said, "oh, that must be what this box is for" (the big box sitting on the counter!!) Sadly, mine was the only scarf in the box on the last day for collection.....I know lots of scarves were knit all over the country but I hope next year South Florida does a little better....these young adults deserve at least a warm scarf!

B is also for Beaded Knitting!!

Here's a picture of a secret gift project I'm working on. Isn't it pretty?

The yarn is SEDUCTION by Blue Moon Fibers Arts (of Socks that Rock fame) in the Sedona colorway. It's a lovely, shiny merino/tencel blend with lots of drape.

I'm crocheting the beads on and when I'm finished there will be about 2000 beads! I'm really enjoying it, beaded knitting is FUN!! and EASY! Wanna learn how? There just happens to be a tutorial on my side bar :) Serendipity!! Go ahead, try knitting with beads, you'll love it!

I'll take a pic of this undertaking project when it's done but no sharing til after it's gifted! Yes, I am a tease! See La, I can keep a secret now and then :)

Lastly, B is for Bearfoot....

Here are the first socks of 2006!

Specs:

Pattern: My design: Mistake stitch rib, toe up, YO short row heel

Size 1.5 US (2.5 mm) 40" Addi Turbo circ

Yarn: 1 skein Mountain Colors Bearfoot, colorway: Northern Lights

I used the Turkish Cast-On for these socks and it was brilliant! The perfect way to start toe up socks in my opinion! And once again, I just happen to have a tutorial on my sidebar for those that yearn to learn...more serendipity! hehehe

I also used the Magic Loop for these socks and I liked it! It's still much slower and fussier than DPNs for me but I can see that ML has it's benefits in certain situations. One great thing was that instead of using 2 needles to start the Turkish Cast-On, I used my one Magic Loop needle - MUCH less fussy and easy to do!

I used Elizabeth Zimmermann's Sewn Cast Off and I'm happy with the result. It's neat and not all wavy as some toe up bind offs can be plus it's nice and stretchy.

One last note....this was my first time using Bearfoot and I ADORE this yarn! It's amazingly soft, the colors are stunning and it knits like a dream! Because of the mohair content, the yarn has less elasticity and memory than pure wool so it really needs a ribbed type pattern to give it a bit of spring. It's a truly lovely yarn that I will use again and again! (right Lizzie?)

I leave you with yet another P-Man glamour shot.


He's laying by my side, nusing me back to health while he sneaks in a little *push-push* on my yarn for himself! How can you feel bad when you have a nurse like my Pumpkin?

Enjoy the weekend and knit! It's Back to Bed for me and my B's, Bye!

Down for the count!

I've been stricken by the nasty flu bug and haven't been around much....high fever, sleeping lots. Pumpkin's been good company and a perfect nurse....forgive my absence, I hope to return to the living sometime soon!

Seeing Red and the big reveal!

First I want to thank all the lurkers for coming out of hiding and saying hello!! It was wonderful to "meet" some of my readers and I hope y'all keep coming and commenting :)

Sometimes "seeing red" can be a really negative thing.

My one resolution for 2006 is "THERE WILL BE NO CRYING IN 2006!! so hopefully I wont be seeing red in that negative kind of way!

Now red is a lovely color and I'm happy to see red in this case.....

This is my meager beginning of my scarf for....

THE RED SCARF PROJECT

"Robert" Seaman's scarf from Stahman's Shawls and Scarves
I was visiting Norma who brought this charity to my attention (thanks, Norma, you ROCK!!)

To summarize, THE RED SCARF PROJECT is to provide care packages to foster children attending college. Often these kids have no family and once they reach their majority at age 18, they are often "cut loose" by their foster families. THE RED SCARF PROJECT was established to provide a warm scarf for a college kid that may be pretty alone in this world and putting themselves thru college!

Now the caveat is, these care packages will be delivered on Valentine's Day 2006 - hence the RED! February 14th is not all that far away but think BULKY and knit these kids a scarf, wont you? The deadline is January 31....plenty of time! :)

The scarves can be dropped off at any of the 419 Einstein Brothers Bagels across America or they can be mailed here:

Orphan Foundation of America/Red Scarf Project
21351 Gentry Drive,
Suite 130
Sterling, VA 20166-8511
You can read more about this wonderful endeavor HERE

Now for the big reveal! The first finished object of 2006....The Market Square Bag!

I wanted to give the bag a flat bottom for some stability. The pattern suggests using an empty popcorn tin...OOPS, no popcorn tins here at Casa de FKD! I had to improvise so I found one of the lamps in my living room had a circular brass fixture once I removed the glass lampshade and inner glass hurricane lamp (the white things to the right of the pic) I slipped a dinner plate into the brass fixture and voila! a perfect place to dry the MSB!!


Here's a close up of the bottom of the bag.....isn't it beautiful?


Here's my supervisor throughout the process....all that washing and stretching wore the poor lil guy out!


Here's the finished bag hanging from the very same lamp I used for my drying!


And the glamour shot

Isn't she lovely? I'm really, really pleased with how she turned out! I wanted more of a "purse" than an open tote so I added a felted closure flap to which I sewed a magnetic closure. The button is cosmetic only but I thought it suited the bag perfectly! It's a shell button with irridescent blue, green and purple - a perfect match who's beauty eludes my sorry camera skills.

Specs:

Market Square Bag from Knitter's Magazine Summer 2001 (also in the book: Bags, A Knitter's Dozen)

5 skanks Cascade 220

#8 US (5.0 mm) Addi Turbo Circ

This was a totally fun knit and I highly recommend it. Entrelac is very easy so don't be afraid to jump in and give it a try! One thing that would make it even easier is learing how to knit and purl backwards so you don't have to turn the bag so often! Some commenters asked for a resource on how to knit and purl backwards ....I taught myself how by reversing the path of the stitch but HERE is a good resource for those that asked.

Now, I've got to get knitting on my red scarf!! Deadline, ya know!

I'll be back soon with lots to show and my "B" for the ABC along!

Get crackin' on your red scarf and have a wonderful knitty week!

Lurker, reveal thyself and a little bit of the knit

Are you all aware there's a HOLIDAY goin' on this week?

Why yes, it's NATIONAL DELURKING WEEK!!!

I had forgotten about this auspicious occasion until I visited my Florida neighbor at Bossy Little Dog by way of Cursing Mama via Paper Napkin who actually founded this momentous day for all of blogdom!

Now I don't have the readership of Wendy, or prolific commenters like Margene but I do get a decent amount of traffic here at Casa de FKD(which I'm eternally grateful for!)....but a disproportionate number of comments! Now I'm no comment ho (much, hehe) but would it KILL YA TO COMMENT?? Come on everybody, come on out and say hello when you visit....you know, EXPOSE YOURSELF!!


Let your favorite bloggers know you're out there!
On to the bit of the knit....here's the first FO of 2006.....The Market Square Bag!


I put Gumby in the shot for perspective, mainly because the P-Man was being shy around the paparazzi ......and besides, Gumby is pretty cute himself!

Specs:

Market Square Bag designed by Linda Cyr in Knitter's Magazine Summer 2001

Five skanks Cascade 220 -- I used every inch of the reddish purple that I used for the trim and handles, but only about half of the other 4 skanks.

Size US #8 (5.0 mm) Addi Turbo 32" circ

Unfelted measurements: 20 inches wide x 18 inches high

I loved knitting this fun bag altho towards the end I had had my fill of the entrelac and all the turning, turning, turning. I did purl back backwards for the purl squares because tension was identical for both purling forwards and backwards. Knitting backwards was a whole different ballgame! My tension was horrible when knitting backwards! It's something I will work on in the future because I think it's a good skill to have!

Here's another pic because Pumpkin decided to cooperate, sort of:

I have actually felted the bag already.....It took 4 cycles thru a hot/cold wash inside a pillowcase with 2 pairs of sneakers and a squirt of Dawn Dishwashing Liquid to get a nice size and lose the stitch definition. It looks spectacular if I do say so myself BUT no pics until I sew on the handles and have a finished bag to show.

I'm still working on my Bearfoot socks. Sock one is complete and sock 2 has about 4 inches of toe already. I am really enjoying using the Magic Loop method and I love, love, love the Bearfoot so the socks are moving along quickly. I should have FO sock pics soon.

I've also started a new project as the yarn hasn't come in for the Lacy Aran Pullover but I'll share those pics next time too! And my decision on the color for the Lacy Aran.....Hey, everyone likes a cliffhanger, right? :)

And just because he is so handsome, one more of my P-Man....this one's for you Auntie Agnes!!

Now get out there and celebrate National Delurking Week and show a blogger you care by saying HI!

Showing the Fug!

Those two crazee gals over at JenLa are having a leetle contest.....who's avatar is the fugliest!!

Go, run, hurry! Cast your vote for this all important first real dilemma of the new year!

And because the sisters in snark want to share the fug fun, they're encouraging us all to create even more hideous avatars! Here's mine, protect your retinas!!

I'm especially fond of the mini skirt and the iguana in a snow storm :)

Go here to create some fug of your own!! It's FUN!!!

Don't forget to visit our knotty girls, cast your vote and point them in the direction of some fug of your own! (and check out their great *Best of 2005* list while youre there, too!)

A little old, a little new....

As FKD transitions into 2006 we have a bit of the old and a lot of the new!

For something new, like all the other cool kids on the block, I joined Anne's ABC Along because it sounds like so much fun!!

The plan is once every 2 weeks, members will post pics that have meaning to them and their lives that correspond with the letters of the alphabet. In a year's time each participant will have shared 26 bits of themselves. To start my 52 week journey I bring you.......

A is for ALLIGATOR!!

Now in the interest of veracity, I did nick this suitcase wannabe off google BUT living here in South Florida it is not uncommon to see these guys just strolling around! And I don't mean in the zoo or off an airboat in the Everglades. After all, I live this close to one of the largest swamps in North America and since Florida is built on this guy's house, sometimes he exercises his squatter's rights! I've seen dudes like him in a local park, in a canal on the Intercoastal Waterway and once on a golf course!!! And more than one family pet has gone missing from a backyard :( So welcome to wild kingdom, SoFla style!

To ring out the old, here is the last FO of 2005....The Corded Rib Mesa Footie for fluffy footed me!

Specs:

Socks that Rock yarn in the Mesa colorway on size #1 (2.25 mm) Crystal Palace Bamboo DPN's
Pattern: my own variation on the Elongated Corded Rib Sock from Sensational Knitted Sock by Charlene Schurch and my own Eye Of Partridge Mini-Flap Short Row Heel (isn't that heel so pretty?)

I'm really pleased with these socks because the fit is superb, love the colorway and the yarn has so much "boing" factor! Thanks again, Utah Grrls!! :)

Here's a very special 2005 gift.....Look what my good friend and super knit bud Agnes sent me......

This adorable swatch PIN that she made!!! Isn't this the cutest? She's so generous AND just crazee about the P-Man, how could I not love her? Thank you so much Agnes!!

And what was the lucky Jan. 1 project started at Chez FKD? Why, more socks of course!! Since new years are for new beginnings and expanding one's knitting bag of tricks is always a good thing I decided to re-visit toe-up socks using the Turkish Cast-On. After all, I was voted *Best Tutorial* so I figured I should actually walk the walk, ya know? I LOVE this cast on!! LOOK how pretty and perfect......

I'm also using yarn new to me (Mountain Colors Bearfoot -- YUM!!!) and a technique pretty new to me, Magic Loop. I actually used one needle for the Turkish Cast On instead of two (it's easy!!) so I'll go ahead and stick with the magic loop for the whole sock. I still prefer DPN's but Magic Loop would be my second choice :)

Here's a look at more sock progress. It's Bearfoot in the Northern Lights colorway on a #1 (2.5 mm -actually US #1.5) 40 inch Addi Turbo in Mistake Stitch Rib. I love this yarn, so sweet on the needles! The color is so delicious and rich....and so smooth to knit....so good!


As always, a P-Man pic for the fans....I call this his "I am the pampered Master of all I survey" look....and he IS!!!


I'm still working on my Market Square Bag (tier 8) and haven't decided on the color for the Lacy Aran that's next in the queue altho Valencia is the front runner so far!

So what did you cast on for luck in January 2006?

Addendum: CHIBI SHOUT OUT....As an avid sock knitter I am EAGER to get my hands on the new ORANGE Chibi with smaller needles for things like socks :)
I've had no success finding them on line and have no LYS....anyone know where I can get one?

Pumpkin is......

Looking forward to a MUCH better 2006!!!!


And wants to wish all his blog friends a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous, Hurricane Free, Knit filled New Year!!

WIP's, traditions and looking towards the future

I haven't been knitting lots so I'm not sure if I'll have any more FO's for 2005.

Here is sock #2 of the STR Mesa Footie....these are so pretty and as chilly as it's been here lately, I can't wait to wear them! These have a decent shot at being completed soon.

Here is the progress on the Market Square bag. I'm on tier #6 (of 15). I just LOVE these colors and I can't wait to see the bag after it's felted. It's really fun to knit, I highly recommend it! It goes pretty fast but I think it may be my first FO of 2006, rather than 2005.


Being of a superstitious nature, I have lots of little New Year traditions I love to execute to bring good luck in the New Year. One popular tradition here in South Florida is borrowed from so many of Cuban heritage. On Jan. 1, Cubans eat 12 grapes, one for prosperity and luck in each month of the coming year. Another of my favorites is if you drink a glass of champagne with a diamond in it, you will always have wealth throughout the year. I eat a piece of apple on Jan.1 for good health and I toss a glass of water out my front door to toss out all the "bad luck" as well as the southern tradition of eating black-eyed peas and greens. Hey, I'm a busy gal on January 1!! What are some New Year's traditions YOU observe every Jan.1....I'd love to hear them!!

I believe that whatever you do on the first day of the year, you will do thought the coming year so I try to laugh lots, be happy, tell someone I love them, eat chocolate, cast-on and KNIT! Since I've returned to knitting these last 3 years, I always start a new project on January 1. This last few months my knitting ennui has kept me close to smaller projects but I'm ready to jump back in! After much deliberation I've chosen this as my January project:

It's the Lacy Aran Pullover from Knit One Crochet Too. Isn't it lovely? Looks like a challenging, interesting knit as well.
The pattern calls for K1C2 Second Time Cotton and I've heard really good things about this yarn so I decided to use some of my holiday spoils to try it. Now I need help in choosing a color!!!
I've narrowed it down to these three choices:

L-R : Valencia, Glacier, English Heather

I know what I am leaning towards but help me decide, o faithful reader! :)

I wont be able to start this on Jan.1 since my favorite vendor (hi Judy) is ordering all three colors for me! I guess I'll cast on a new pair of socks on Jan. 1 for luck and wait for my new yarn in January....And for those that are interested, the Ample-Knitters are hosting a Knit-a-Long for this lovely pullover!! The pattern ranges in size from 36" to 54" so everyone is welcome, including the non-fluffy :) If you're interested in more info or where to purchase the pattern, I'm just an email away....come on, join the fun!

Of course, a post from FKD isn't complete without a visit from the P-Man!

Pumpkin wants you to meet his new friend Brittany....

Brittany lives in the same condo complex as Pumpkin and I. I met her when she came around selling candy to support her school. The minute Pumpkin and Brittany met it was love at first site. Brittany's Mom told me that Brittany has a real affinity for all animals and really wants to be a Vet when she grows up (she's six!)

To help Brittany get even more comfortable with animals she chose 3 residents in the condo complex and every Saturday she comes by to provide a "service" for the chosen pet. Every Saturday Pumpkin gets thoroughly brushed by his new pal Brittany. She carries him throughout the condo and I've never seen him so docile, content and well groomed...see?

It's true love, I tell ya!

So what will you be casting on for knitting luck on January 1?

And to all a good night.....

Be it Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa or Festivus.....To all my blog friends Pumpkin and I wish you .....

SEASON'S GREETINGS!!

There be DOOR here!!!

Finally, after 8 LOOOOONG weeks, the homestead at Chez FKD is secure!! YAY DOOR!!!!! I never thought I could find a door so attractive but just have a look at that cheesecake shot! :)

Even Pumpkin is swooning!Bob, the door guy, did a great job and I can finally have some peace of mind! YAY BOB!!! And I can start fixing the rest of my hovel disaster area condo....anyone know someone in the market for a slightly used kidney? heheh....

Despite all the chaos, knitting is the constant at FKD so here is sock #1 and the beginning of sock #2 using the Mesa colorway Socks That Rock yarn. The color on my monitor is very accurate.....it's a pretty vibrant, saturated mix of colors reminiscent of a painted desert. The pattern is a simple lace rib called Elongated Corded Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. This new book is another must have for the avid sock knitter! It's a formulaic compilation of many sock patterns that can be adapted to the yarn/gauge of the knitter's choice! A really good all around book, even for the beginner sock knitter! (Thanks Darilyn !!)


I've again used my two new favorite sock knitting techniques.....a 2 x 2 tubular cast on and my new Eye Of Partridge Mini Gusset Short Row heel. Both of these really help with the perfect fit for fluffy feet!

I've finally been able to overcome my indecision depression ennui and focus on a project other than socks! I've chosen these five colors of Cascade 220.....


To make the Market Square Bag from Knitter's Magazine Summer 2001. This entrelac, felted bag has been making the rounds on blogs since the magazine came out with a resurgence last year because the pattern is also featured in the book, Bags, a Knitter's Dozen. I've loved the bag ever since I first saw it and collected the yarn that's been marinating in stash for about 2 years! I figure it's a small enough project that will hold my interest cause I love doing entrelac! Yes, shoot me now, I'm one of those weirdo knitters who actually loves to pick up stitches.....hey I even love mattress stitching and you know I'm the Kitchener Queen, right Margene? I love these colors and I think the bag will be spectacular!

And finally since happiness abounds at FKD Pumpkin is seen here doing something that makes him VERY happy! He loves to jump onto the back of my office chair and balance precariously! The chair is quite "swivel-y" so he really does have to hang on! You can see how badly scratched the top is cause he digs his little nails in HARD! I guess this is the P-Man equivalent of Space Mountain, hehehe.....



Enjoy your week, don't stress over last minute gifts and hang on just like Pumpkin!!

Everything's coming up orange!

I'm still hanging in there, sort of...

I never mentioned my little "accident". The day before Thanksgiving I had ventured out for the second time since the hurricane (a month prior) because I STILL have no stable front door. Walking back thru my parking lot I tripped over some hurricane debris that I didn't see because the lights in the parking lot that were damaged have not been replaced (yes, it was one of the dreaded hunks of roof that were still not removed in over a month jutting out onto the sidewalk!) When I fell I cut both my hands and really slammed my knees into the concrete. Both knees were bruised but my left knee was badly damaged. It swelled to the size of a small watermelon and I was black and blue from mid-calf to mid-thigh. I went to the doctor the Friday after Thanksgiving and have lots of soft tissue damage but nothing was broken. My knee is still very swollen and completely numb but the only treatment is keeping it elevated, anti-inflammatory meds and a warm heating pad until all the blood that seeped into the joint and tissue is reabsorbed. So even if I had a front door that locked, I wouldn't be going very far....Lovely, hmmm? Is 2005 done yet???? 2006 HAS to be better!

There is good news on the horizon tho....I have an appointment for a NEW DOOR on Sunday! Now let's hope the dude shows up!

On the knitting front, the bad news is the Jaywalkers are no more and the real expensive Opal is in the trash! I did ok with the pattern for the leg portion but even tho I was still getting gauge, the foot portion came out way too big. After ripping and re-knitting a good portion of the sock three times I decided the Jaywalker pattern, being designed as close fitting with negative ease, was not the best choice as a gift for someone who's feet were not accessible to me for ongoing fittings. In addition, the Opal did not hold up to frogging very well and altho it hurt my heart to toss the skein that was so dear and spendy, I couldn't live with the now fuzzy, worn appearance of the yarn! Sometimes a knitter's just gotta cut her losses so Jaywalker and $500 Opal, R.I.P!

Seems all I can knit these days is socks. Perhaps I need the relatively quick sense of accomplishment or it's all my present short attention span can handle. Here's the sock that took the place of the Jaywalkers.....It's the "Child's First Sock" from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush made in Louet Gems Quartz....a light sportweight, ultra soft merino in a orange/terra cotta marl. I adore this yarn and the pattern is a very fun knit. For any sock knitters, the Knitting Vintage Socks book is a must have! Full of lovely patterns for men and women with lots of history and various interchangeable toe and heel treatments.

The pair is finished but I'll allow the recipient to show off the completed pair on her blog if she wishes. I just hope they fit and she likes them!

Since it's been all orange all the time here lately next I give you........drumroll please.......

THE PUMPKIN SOCKS

I've been wanting to design the perfect pair of footies for my extra fluffy feet and I thought, what better yarn to use than the extra special, dyed just for me, Pumpkin Yarn?

A bit of math and a bit of experimentation and these fit PERFECTLY!! And I love, love, love how they came out! They are sooooo soft and I love how the color goes from apricot to almost rust, just like the P-Man!!

Specs:

Knitpicks "Dye Your Own" Fingering weight yarn, expertly dyed to match my Pumpkin by La of JenLa fame
Pattern: My own.....top down, tubular 1x1 rib cast-on for cuff, 2x2 rib for leg and instep.

I really like the look (and less bulk) of the YO short row heel but I find the heel cup a bit shallow. To combat this I unvented my own version. Here's a close up......

NEWFANGLED HEEL

After dividing the stitches for the heel, I worked eight rows even before beginning the short row/yo decreases forming a "mini-flap". I used an Eye of Partridge slip stitch pattern starting with the work even rows and throughout the rest of the heel construction for extra cushion and strength. I worked the heel as I normally would for a yo short row heel but when I had completed the heel I picked up nine stitches on each side of the "mini-flap" for a mini-gusset.

MINI GUSSET CLOSE UP

Once I picked up the gusset sitiches and joined them with the instep, I decreased one gusset stitch (two stitches per row) every other row until the stitch count was back to the original number.

I'm really proud of the look of this heel and the fit is superb!! I think I've finally found my "formula" and can expand on more sock design from here.

La, thank you again for this lovely sock yarn that's inspired me to build a better mouse trap and will always make me think of you and my P-Man!

Even the P-Man has a thing for orange these days.....LOOK!


He was huggin' the Gems Quartz like no tomorrow! He knows soft and delicious orange yarn when he sees it! Just like him....orange, soft and delicious :)

Now a girl can't limit herself to only the orange spectrum, especially when she gets something like this in the mail......


Yes, it's a beautiful skein of Socks That Rock yarn in the Mesa colorway!! My favorite grrlfriend Margene and her buddy Susan sent me a splendid care package that included this amazingly beautiful yarn, some patterns, a cute quilted bag, and a few other little goodies to make me smile! Thanks Utah Grrls! You made this knitter's day (week, month....) I'm planning another pair of footies, this time with a bit of textural interest that should do this lovely yarn proud!

Thanks for all the ongoing support and kind words, now please think good "door fixing" thoughts for Sunday!! See ya soon!!

Finally!

As promised, here are some finished objects.....

These are the socks I knit as a thank you gift for my generator endowed neighbor who was so kind and helpful during our EIGHTEEN DAYS without power!!

Specs:

Mountain Colors Weaver's Wool in "Wildnerness". 2x2 tubular cast on and 4x2 rib, my own design, on size #2 US (2.75 mm) Crystal Palace Bamboo DPN's. LOVE this colorway and the yarn is sooooo soft! My neighbor has already sampled sock #1 so he is eager for his first pair of hand knit socks!

It is with great joy, I announce the completion of the Ocean Lace Stole!! Since I've been bitching about the "ick" factor of this yarn since I cast on, I'll spare you yet another harrangue!


Specs:

Ocean Lace Stole Kit from Just One More Row. Knit on #9 US (6.0 mm) Denise Interchangeable Needles. A very easy lace pattern and a lovely stole in the end if you don't stab yourself with your needles because the yarn is THAT heinous!
The color in the above shot is true and it's a gorgeous turquoise, teal, purple and green colorway. It's a light, airy stole and a classic that can be casual or dressy. I think the recipient will LOVE it!!

Ubiquitous over the rail close up

Altho the end result is a winner, I would NOT recommend this kit....The lace is a basic one and it would be much easier to choose a suitable lace pattern from any stitch dictionary and knit up a comprable stole in a nice soft alpaca or merino and step away from the nasty boucle!! Thank god this is finally DONE!!

They say out with the bad, in with the good right? Well the boucle was very very bad but look at the "good" that showed up in it's place!! Two glorious skeins of Diakeito Diamusee Fine yarn! My great friend Liz sent me these as a "cheer up" gift along with the cutest hand made survival kit, some kitty-themed doodads, some treats for the P-Man and the all important chocolate! Won't these make the dishiest socks EVER?? I'm not knitting so much now but footies for me with the Pumpkin Yarn are next up in the queue and then these little beauties if I can stop petting them long enough! Thanks so much Lizzie Lui!!


I wanted to show off one of Pumpkin's most unique features. Aside from his devastatingly handsome face he has tufts of hair growing from the tops of his ears like a Lynx! Doesn't he look ferocious? Har.


I've gotten some emails inquiring about my well being because I haven't been posting much. I really try to keep the content of this blog focused on my knitting but I am really having a hard time coping with my ongoing situation. Knitting is really my only salvation because I am emotionally, financially and spritually spent. I'm not sure when I'll feel up to posting again but I'm greatful for the concern and that I'm missed. I'll be back when I'm able.

The World's Most Expensive Sock Yarn

See this innocent ball of Opal? Yeah, it's vintage. Yeah, it's pretty. But is it worth more than $500??

Here's the story....

Last week I decided to join Cara's Jaywalker Knit-a-Long so I shopped the stash that ate Ft. Lauderdale. I wanted something unique cause I have a special recipient in mind. And I came upon this REAL EXPENSIVE skein of Opal.

You see, about 2 years ago, I signed up to participate in the "Great Stash Redistribution Project" but I was reading more and more disappointing reviews of huge boxes of Red Heart and the like transversing the nation! And my yarn snobby soul grad student's budget said "NO WAY am I spending my yarn $$ to mail a half ton of Red Heart to Outer East Jabip, Nebraska!" So I bowed out.

Then to my delight I was contacted to join the "Snob Stash Redistribution Project" so join I did! SNOBBY.YARN. ROWAN!!! The SSRP guidelines were you could only put in "a projects worth of yarn - no snippets and left over ends, Rowan and other 'snob-worthy' yarns, and only high end acrylic blends like Rowan Calmer or All Seasons Cotton." NO RED HEART. NO LION BRAND HOMESPUN , NO POUND OF LOVE :::::shudder::::: I was so excited, I even agreed to "donate" stuff to start the box off. I donated a Philosopher's Wool Cardi Kit - $200, ten balls of pure French Angora - $200 and two hanks of Charisma New Zealand Wool - $40. Posatge to mail all this to South Dakota - $30

Now, dear reader, you know JUST where this is going don't you? (yes, there is a sucker born every day and her name is DEBI!)

Again, the snobby yarn morphed into lots of acrylic, kitchen cotton and the like. Then the box totally disappeared never to be heard from again!! (why do people sign up and act like this?? - sheesh!!)

To try and make things right, the organizer started a new box....which finally arrived about a month ago. I had earmarked some new donations which then allowed me to "double dip" since I had already donated a bunch of stuff. I put in some Bryspun DPN's, some Addi Turbo Circs, the book "Style at Large" and 4 large skeins of Shetland yarn- enough for a shawl - that totalled an additional $100 or so. What was in the box? It had improved from the dreck that it started out as but still it was small lots of many yarns I've never heard of, lots of novelty acrylics, some cottons in odd colors and a very few "name brands" like a bag of 20 odd balls of Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran and some cotton/silk blends.....

And what did I take out of the box? One skein of Opal Sock yarn! ~~~

Yarn donations and mailing costs: $500 plus

Skein of Opal yarn: $15 (or $500 - $15 = $485!)

Lessons learned: Painful but priceless!

But the good part is the yarn is lovely, I think it looks great in the Jaywalker pattern and in honor of the special person I'm making them for, I'm changing the name from Jaywalkers to L.A. Walkers (hint hint) and she's definately worth the world's most expensive sock yarn!

Today I got the most amazing package! My friend La (who lives in L.A. - imagine that?) sent me all sorts of comfort type goodies for my ongoing "still living in a hovel without doors" distress....chocolates, candles,chocolates, herbal teas, chocolates, yummies for Pumpkin....oh, and did I mention chocolates? AND THE MOST AMAZING YARN!!!!

LOOK! PUMPKIN YARN!!!

She hand dyed this lovely sock yarn to match my P-Man!! How cool is that??? La, I'm overwhelmed and amazed and crushing on you, big time!! I can't wait to make some Pumpkin Yarn footies for me!! And look, it's P-Man approved too...... (please excuse my cement living room floor!)


One second after this shot, he did the "Bite, hug and kick like crazy with your back legs because you're so happy" cat dance so I know he loves it! And isn't it s great match??** Thanks La for the unique and gorgeous yarn and for being a great friend to both me and the P-Man!! (tell the furries and Mr. La thanks too!!)

I finished the Neighbor Thank You socks which are on the blocking board drying as I write and the dreaded Ocean Lace Stole has grown slightly despite days of knitting so both will be available for their close ups next week Mr. DeMille!

Enjoy the weekend and knit lots everyone!!
** in person, Pumpkin's actual color is much more orange than brown as it appears here and in person the yarn and the P-Man are a much closer match!

If you're looking for GREAT Knitting pics...

Don't look here :)

I'm plugging away on the Ocean Lace Stole and I'm convinced this thing is laughing in my face! I knit, knit, knit and the thing never seems to get any bigger nor the "skank" any smaller!! I even place a stitch marker on the last row when I pick it up for the day....I knit, knit, knit and the marker shows me I've knit 4 inches....I hold up the stole, and it's the same length it was yesterday!! D'OH!! So no pics til this thing is finished (if ever?)

In addition, because I am so focused on the stole, the Neighbor's Thank You Socks go untouched. I WILL have both of these projects done sometime next week, I WILL!!

As a distraction, I've seen this on so many blogs and found them all so interesting! After reading a friend's list and sharing some similarities, she encouraged me to do my own list so here goes!!

100 Things About Me

1. I am a Florida native, born in Hialeah
2. I grew up in a small town on Long Island, New York
3. I’ve lived in Florida since 1989
4. I’m a published contributing author of a professional textbook
5. I’m very superstitious and collect good luck charms
6. I have one sibling, a younger brother
7. When I get dressed I ALWAYS put my right shoe on first
8. I’m very sensitive and cry easily, sometimes just as a release of stress
9. My parents have been married for 52 years and I’m very proud of that fact
10. I don’t think I want to get married
11. I’ve been engaged 3 times
12. I will never have children
13. I’d love to be a foster parent to an older child
14. I have very strong nails and can grow them quite long
15. Almost every day, someone comments about my nails when they are long
16. I always start conversations with strangers when I’m out and about
17. I hate flying
18. I’m currently in grad school for the second time in a field unrelated to my profession
19. I lost both my precious cats, Jaxon and Mickie this year (2005)
20. I had my tonsils out when I was 25 and my gallbladder out at 32
21. I love the color green but look terrible if I wear it
22. I wear only cool, blue toned colors like blue, gray and pink
23. I’ve been fluffy my whole life
24. I think diets suck and make people miserable (and fatter in the long run)
25. I love veggies and try to eat a least 5 a day
26. I am trained as an Oncology (Cancer) Clinical Specialist
27. I smoked for twenty years – 1 ½ to 2 packs a day
28. I myself am a cancer survivor
29. My Mom is a cancer survivor too
30. I miss my childhood sweetheart sometimes
31. I am really very shy but know one knows it
32. I am very confrontational
33. I have been an assertiveness trainer
34. I am a very eloquent speaker and writer, especially subjects I’m passionate about
35. I often think I would like to run for Mayor of my city and probably will someday
36. I worry about America’s future and fear for it’s children
37. I wanted to be an ichthyologist when I was young
38. My favorite toy in my youth was Play Doh Fun Factory and Creepy Crawlers
39. I have owned 5 cars in my lifetime: an orange Plymouth Vega, a blue Ford Maverick, a silver Honda Civic, a blue Mitsubishi Gallant, and a green Toyota Camry
40. I lust after a Porsche Boxster in Midnight Blue (of course I'll need the jaws of life to get me out of it! hehe....)
41. I am not religious but believe strongly in God
42. I believe God has no religion and we are all his children
43. I’m a registered Democrat but always vote my conscience
44. I pray often
45. I love swimming in pools but hate swimming in the ocean except in the Keys
46. I’m pro-choice
47. I am very fairskinned and burn like a lobster in the sun
48. I love to fish in the ocean
49. I’ve never freshwater fished
50. Someday I dream of catching a Black Marlin, but I’ll release it
51. I think about becoming a vegetarian but I would miss fish a lot and chicken a little
52. I met Sissy Spacek while shopping in Kroger
53. I stood next to Harvey Firestein during the opening ceremony for the Names Quilt in Washington DC
54. I learned to crochet when I was 8
55. My mom tried to teach me to knit then too
56. I couldn’t warm up to knitting
57. About six months later I wandered into a LYS near my home and the “old ladies” there taught me how to knit again and that time it took
58. My Mom still thinks she taught me…I let her :)
59. I knit until I moved to Florida and then stopped completely for about 15 years
60. In 2002 I re-discovered knitting via the Internet
61. Now I knit just about every day
62. My favorite food is pasta
63. I love Thai and Sushi when eating out
64. I love to cook but don’t do it all that much
65. I’ve only had one non-romantic roommate once in my life for one year
66. I did not go away to college but lived at home
67. I went to Adelphi University in Garden City, NY for my BSN
68. When I took my nursing boards, it was a 2 day long test held in Nassau Coliseum. If I failed, I couldn’t re-take the test until December
69. I took boards in July and didn’t get results til November. Now nurses go to a proctored computer center, take a computerized test that shuts down when you get to the question at which point you fail or continues to the end and tells you you’ve passed on the spot. If you fail, you can reschedule at a test center in two weeks
70. I went to the University of Miami for my MSN
71. I’ve only been to one football game in my life, the Peach Bowl in Atlanta
72. I love baseball but only live (in Joe Robbie Stadium!!! Go Fish!)
73. I was at the World Series when the Marlins won it their first year as a team
74. The first person I ever met from the internet was a Dutch ex-pat living in San Jose. I was in Cali visiting my brother and I met Frans – I was unable to recognize him from the pic he had sent, it was that different!
75. I was engaged to a man I met on the Internet
76. He had a nail fetish, we met in a “long nails” chatroom on AOL that I popped into thinking "what on earth could people be talking about in here??"
77. I moved to the convent shortly after ….just kidding :)
78. My favorite place to visit in the whole world is the Florida Keys
79. Looe Key is the #1 dive spot in the continental United States and in the top 5 in the world. I have snorkeled there many times
80. I am fascinated by tornados and would love to see one someday but not one that hurts anyone
81. I would love to see a waterspout too
82. I almost never remember my dreams
83. A recurring dream I do remember is about many tornados spinning around a city
84. When I was young my dad had an office in the Empire State Building on the 84th floor
85. He used to take me with him to work and he would take me to see the World Trade Towers being built
86. When I was about 4 my Dad had a horrible case of chicken pox that nearly killed him. It was so bad he had pox on every inch of his body including in his mouth, eyelids, “privates”
87. I slipped into the room despite my mother’s admonitions and two weeks later had one lesion on my forehead, no fever, no other pox or symptoms.
88. I have one tattoo, a small flower on my left upper arm
89. I don’t like cut flowers, I think it’s very wasteful
90. I have horrible insomnia and sometimes go 2 or 3 days without sleeping at all
91. I’ve often been told I have a very soothing/sexy voice and once auditioned to be a phone sex operator on a lark – I got the job but turned it down
92. I have a phobia for elevated highway on and off ramps and will NOT use them and ask people I am driving with not to either. If they must, I close my eyes and sing as a distraction so I don’t freak out
93. I’m very romantic
94. When I die, I really don’t care what happens because once my soul is gone, who cares? It’s not “me” any longer
95. When Jaxon died, against everything I believe, I took his ashes – somehow they gave me comfort and I am still comforted looking at his urn
96. I’m a perfectionist in many ways and in other ways things can go to hell in a handbasket and I’m unconcerned
97. I used to cross stitch all the time and have a closet full of floss, fabric and charts. I haven’t touched them in at least 8 years
98. I find intelligence very very attractive
99. I once worked for a brilliant Oncologist who I had such a horrible crush on I sometimes couldn’t speak - the feeling was mutual :) the other women in the office realized it when he nick named me “Pookie” – our feelings remained unrequited :(
100. Writing this list was a real adventure in “flight of ideas” and it was easier than I though it would be
101. This list was my clever ruse for your distraction from the absence of the %#$@* Ocean Lace Stole....muahahahahahahaha.......
102. I'll be back soon with a finished stole and socks, promise!! :)

Happy Thanksgiving to those that celebrate and happy knitting to everyone!!

Meet the Ribbys

Meet Manly Ribby....

I'm always knitting socks for Dad but haven't knit him a sweater in about 25 years and I thought it was about time to revisit that even tho we don't need warm woolies very often 'round these semi-tropical Florida parts. We *do* have seasons and it's all relative as we Floridians are acclimated to HOT so when the thermometer hits um, 60, we're all freezing!! :)

I wanted a nice, warm comfy sweater for the 'rents and Ribby fit the bill!

I knit the Mom Ribby a few months ago and finished up the Dad counterpart during my powerless Wilma days! Here's Dad's....

Specs:

Pattern: Ribby Cardi designed by Bonne Marie Burns of Chicknits - flat front, ribbed back, collared version Size 44 - 45

Yarn: Elann Peruvian Highland Wool in Redwood - 13 skeins

Needles: US #7 (4.5 mm) and US #8 (5.0 mm) Addi Turbo circs

Mods: I knit the sleeves to 20 inches and the body to 17 inches before the raglan decrease for a more manly fit. I also did the sleeve increases as a flat panel rather than increasing in rib to decrease the cling factor. Despite these mods, I used less yarn than the pattern specified...odd!

Custom length separating zipper from Zipperstop - mailed them a butterfly of my yarn and in 3 days I had a perfect zipper for $5 including shipping!! I HIGHLY recommend Zipperstop for your zipper needs!

Wonderful pattern...well written and super easy to follow but we already know that about Bonne Marie's patterns! Just a great all around basic sweater for any member of the family that I plan to knit again and again! And now I present

The Ribby Family....

Even tho my photography skills are rubbish (it was too sunny, yeah, that's it!) I'm including this pic so you can see my "new" post Wilma view! There used to be two huge trees outside my balcony that now R.I.P....as do so many now. So many that I practically have an "ocean view" condo :(


On that note, post Wilma update: things are still pretty ugly at FKD and the rest of south Florida. Some people are still without power! I finally got a service guy to come and give me an estimate on the door repairs....almost $7000 for "just" my front and sliding glass doors! I may have to sell a kidney :) I keep telling myself "that which doesn't kill me, makes me stronger!" and I know there are people worse off than I. At least I have my blog buds, knitting and the P-Man! See, he's chillin'...


What? Me worry? Doors? We don't need no stinkin' doors!
I'm working on sock #2 of the Neighbor's Mountain Colors Thank You socks and yes, I am still working on the Ocean Lace Stole. It's not like me to procrastinate on a project like this but I really hate the yarn!! I'm not a boucle lover and it's the first time knitting is more a chore than a pleasure! So I'm determined to finish soon so I can move on to some fun knitting.

Enough whinging, is it December 1st* yet?? :)

One last note.....Thanks for the great response to my Fluffy Hurricane Sock pattern. Seems many of my fluffy footed bretheren have been making do with very cold feet while knitting "regular" socks for everyone else! I know when you are outside the "average" it can be daunting to change a pattern to suit your needs. I've been knitting socks, so many socks, for three years now and the Hurricane Socks are only my second pair! So enjoy the pattern and keep contacting me if you need a copy. I plan to design more fluffy socks that I'll share as they develop. No foot should be unsocked no matter how fluffy :)

Knit on, friends!!

*hurricane season ends on November 30th, please God!!