Been busy working on this sock. Finally got the first one finished. It's a feather and fan stitch done in Katia Mississippi 3. Nice yarn but for some reason I had trouble with this pattern. First,the sock is very stretchy and had to rip it out and go down a needle size. Second,I dropped 2 stitches somewhere along the way and had to tear out alot of it and do over. But,finally, the first one!

Made them short for spring/summer socks for A. so they didn't take horribly long; just enough to be annoying.

Sunday is Summerfair-http://www.summerfair.org

A.and I have gone every year for years. We pack some food for lunch and spend the day. There's so much to see and watch that it usually takes most of the day. Jill and Sheri are also going and maybe our new member,Shanna. We shall have a potluck and have lots of fun. Last year we had lots of good food and I enjoyed it immensely.

"Flava Flav"

Ha ha I win.

Okay, don't ask but just know that I won and I am awesome. LOL! More later.

I've been busy finishing up socks and I have made progress! I finished mom's pair and also the knee highs that I made for myself. These are made from Kertzer Northern worsted and so soft.

I have been watching Crossing Jordan since the first season just came out on dvd. I didn't really start watching it until the 3rd season or around there so it was nice to be able to get some of the background stories. And it's good to knit to as well.

Do you think that people that write on their blog about other people do so because they know that person is reading their blog? Or just to blow off steam? I don't really "air" my problems but would never do it on here. I have a journal and can sound off there but have seen someone's blog that gives me pause. I'd hate to think they write because they want the person to see it but have no other explanation since they know the person they wrote about reads the blog. Hmmm. I just don't know.

I am working on another pair of socks using Cascade Quatro. It's a pretty purple/pinky tweed color in a mock-smock pattern for Amanda. I think she'll like them. That's one more pair of store bought socks she can get rid of soon!

You know what happens when you are just knitting along, feeling rather smug because you have gotten to the point where you can turn the heel on the second sock? Well, you put all the heel stitches on one needle and then count and the sinking feeling comes over you because you are 4 stitches short. So you count and then count again and find still 4 stitches short. Then the hyperventilating starts. Calmly you put the stitch marker down about 8 rows then pull it all out and place them back on the needles ...only to find out that still those pesky 4 stitches are nowhere to be seen. I then realized that when I cast on it was supposed to be 68 stitches (16,16,16,20) and I did cast on but then thought it was 64 and pulled off the 4 stitches. Then went blithely on my way...lalalalalla. At least I've gotten alot of practice on the pattern.

I know...bad blogger. I just haven't been in the mood to even turn on the computer, much less be online. I have just been knitting and watching movies. Lazy blogger. But I have gotten knitting done. That's always a good thing, right? I finished the Monkey socks and LOVE them. The pattern was so fun to knit and the color of the yarn is just fun. It is going to be a little chilly again tomorrow so I can probably wear them. We have been having rain all day and windy so socks were appreciated.

Speaking of socks (quite the segue huh?) I am so pleased to be able to knit a pair for mom. She just really didn't want a pair but then I made her try on a pair of mine. And she was sold! haha. These are a slip-stitch pattern from Knit Socks! done in KnitPicks Palette (fingering) in the color Fog. I'm not sure what I think of the yarn. It seems to be nice and soft but maybe just a little "splitty". But so far it is knitting up fine. I am almost finished with the first so we'll see what mom thinks. I think she'll like them. She has already picked out a few more colors from the catalog.

Didn't do anything for Mother's Day as it isn't a big deal for her. She really just wants to be treated well all year, not just one day. Fair enough. Plus the weather was just gruesome so who wanted to be out. We watched the Laker/Jazz game (boo...bad Jazz) but don't get to see my Spurs play as we don't have cable. As long as they make to the playoffs and I can see them play then.

Alright.Back to the socks and I'll be back soon.

Here is my first finished Monkey. Doncha' just love it? I do and the colors are so bright. They don't show very well but, trust me,they are. I am halfway through the second sock. I probably would have gotten more done on it today but was in the car going on a day trip to Dayton. Well, not really a day trip; more of a few hours' trip. I did get the heel turned and the stitches picked up but it was so pretty and green out that spent alot of the time just looking out the window, enjoying the leaves and flowers. Turned out to be a beautiful day.

Went to the super Jo-Ann's up there (can't wait for the store to open here) and so much yarn. We don't have anywhere near the amount at the small,boring stores here. I bought a huge skein of Bernat worsted weight (545 yds) in the color Neopolitan...looks just like the ice cream. Thought everyone could have a pair of nice worsted weight for the cold weather.

Here's what I did yesterday...well, for a while anyway. Vegan chocolate chip cookies. MMMmmmmm so good. I think I will have one now!

I just love this yarn! It's Malabrigo and I think it shall be....hmmmm...I know, a pair of socks. It's soooo pretty. Went to a couple of yarn stores last week and some yarn had to come home with me.

Here's what I have been knitting on this week. Want to see? Okay. It is Monkey from http://www.blogger.com/www.knitty.com 2007. I really like this pattern and I think it looks really good. Not so much a great looking picture (it was in a moving car while driving to the chiropractor-Amanda driving,not me). It's Lorna's Laces Sheperd sock in Rainbow. You can't really see it too well but the colors are just like the rainbow. So pretty. And soft. I will show some more yarn pictures for you. Until next time. And maybe I'll have some more socks to show.

Well, we got high-speed on Monday and just now have gotten all the issues resolved that have kept us from actually getting online. Everyday I have spoken to people from Roadrunner, AOL, and Panda software trying to fix whatever the problem happens to be. FINALLY! we have connection. Found out that it was the Panda anti-virus/firewall blocking everything. As well as having 2 other anti-virus programs on here that I had no idea were running. So far so good.

I have gotten knitting done though. Wanna see? These are made from the Hobby Lobby "I Love This Yarn" in the color Peacock ombre. I made the pattern myself and think it's cute.

I did get another pair of socks half done because I so did not want to even be in the same room as the computer after all the drama.

Then this morning I was changing a 4' florescent lightbulb when I dropped one and then got a shock from the casing. So I called the electrician 'cause better her than me. No,actually, I figured that she knows what she is doing and I'm not fond of "playing" with electricity. After all of this I just wanted to lie under the kitchen table and curl into a ball. No more stress! Next time the post will be better, I promise.

Here are the lacy,mock cable socks that I finished for A. I think they came out really well. A fun and easy pattern.

The other socks are a bell lace pattern done in Red Heart Supersaver in "Camo". Now you see them, now you don't. Lol.

Well, we survived the earthquake yesterday morning. I woke up 'cause the bed was shaking. At first I thought I was just having a bout of vertigo--I have occasionally had those since having my wisdom teeth out--coincidence, maybe. But when I realized that my eyes were open and it really was shaking I thought..."huh, that's weird." Then m. called up and said we had an earthquake. Sure why not. I remember the last one so it wasn't too much different except I was in bed instead of the car. So that's where I was during the '08 earthquake!

Went to Lambikins today (www.lambikins.com) and got some needles (size 5 dpns Brittany birch 5")and a bee-u-ti-ful skein of Malabrigo for a pair of socks for me,me,me. I will have to post a picture next time. It is simply gorgeous and just keep looking at it. I think I will have to cast on something for it next. Sorry all you other yarns. Or maybe I'll show some willpower and use one of the other yarns...nah. Off to watch a Brit comedy-"My Family" and work on my socks.

This is what I did the last two days. Made myself a lovely pair of worsted weight socks out of the Hobby Lobby "I Love This Yarn". If you like acrylic and want a soft,cheap yarn then this is the yarn for you. I made a nice length pair of socks(not quite knee length) out of one skein. And you can't beat $2.49 for a pair.

Well, you know how I went to the park the other day to enjoy the weather? It's a good thing that we did because it is cold and windy and just yuck this weekend. Winter just doesn't want to let go yet. But here's a picture of the lovely trees that are on the way to the library. They line the street all the way and it is just breathtaking. Hopefully they won't get frozen this weekend.

Okay, off to make more socks. Have a wonderful weekend.

I know, I know....bad blogger. I have been very lackadasical about getting on the computer this week. No excuses but I have a terrible sinus infection. Some days I feel as if my head is stuffed full of cotton balls. Well, cotton balls filled with ball bearings. But feeling somewhat better now.

Of course now it's supposed to rain for the next 3 or 4 days so that's always fun...not. Today was a beautiful day. About 75* and just fabulous. Went down to the park and sat and enjoyed the day and knitted. Almost finished with the lacy mock cable socks. They have taken entirely too long. But not much longer. Here's a shot of the little waterfall at the park. It's nice to just sit and listen to the water running over. Last year it didn't run hardly at all due to the drought so it's nice to see it going again. So far it doesn't seem like we're going to have a drought problem this year. If anything we've had too much rain. The backyard is still a slough in some spots. I found that out today when I went out to pick up some of the branches that were all over. There were some great big ones,it looked like a herd of caribou dropped their antlers all over...heehee.

Went to one of the lys here that is moving from the other side of town to my side of town (happy dancing abounds!). I'd never been to that one because I really never go over to that part of town but.......... they had a 25% off everything coupon and you know that it's just wrong not to use a coupon when they go to all the trouble of sending one. Plus, I thought it was a nice thing to relieve the owners from packing all the yarn. So 2 skeins came home with me. A nice tweed wool ( I forgot to look at the label but I will) that is destined to become a sock monkey hat for Amanda. And a skein of Trekking XXL for some socks for me.

Speaking of which, I must go and try and finish the socks. I am tired of looking at them.

I finished the Linked rib scarf from the "Knitting New Scarves" kal we played. Yah! for me. Once I buckled down and just started knitting, the pattern was quite easy. Jill finished hers as well so Yah! for her also.

Jill is right, it does rather look like a snake...heehee.

I am very proud that I stuck with it when it just seemed like it was never going anywhere and I could not figure out what I was doing wrong. I think that I would probably make another from this book now that I have tackled this one.

I think that we are going to play along to the knitting Olympics. At least our own small little way. I think I'm going to knit the Nora Gaughan scarf/wrap from the last Vogue Knitting. It's made with Berrocco's Ultra Alpaca light and I have the yarn in the yummiest color of blueberry. Looks like it will be challenging but easy enough once I get going. Of course that's all the way in August so I could change up my mind by then.

Kind of a lazy day...BIG sinus/allergy so mostly just sat around and basically stared at the wall. I did finish the first of the lacy mock cable sock and cast on for the second so at least I wasn't totally "sloth-y".

You know what is really annoying? Nope, never mind. I am not going to get into that now as this is read by people now and just not going to do it. Cryptic, no? Maybe soon. We shall see.

Just been busy knitting on that Linked Rib scarf for the kal. Last night I brewed up a pot of Trader Joe's White Pomegranate tea (I don't really care for it too much...I think it's the hibiscus in it...not my favorite) and grabbed a book on cd and just knit on that scarf. Before I knew it over 2 hours had gone by and I had made considerable progress. I am going to try and get it finished this weekend so I can start something else. I think I'm going to do a top-down sweater next.

Also working on a pair of socks for A. They are knit in KnitPicks "Dancing" in a lacy,mock cable pattern. It looks pretty good but I don't think I care for the yarn. At least not for me. I think it's the elastic. But she will like them.

Ta-dah! The socks are finished. These are the Broadripple socks from the summer 2003 issue of www.knitty.com. A very easy knit and fun to do. I thought I took a picture of the finished socks but guess I didn't. Will have to do that when the phone is done being charged.

I like the yarn as well. It's Regia cotton and super soft to knit. I also have been working on the Linked Rib scarf kal. I finally got the pattern down ( I find it really helps when I read the pattern instead of just skimming through it) and it's going along swimmingly.

Had alot of time to knit on Tuesday and Wednesday as it absolutely POURED rain. We had almost 5" and the basement leaked in all kinds of new places. The upside is the floor is very clean! The backyard was/is swamped. The low spot where the swimming pool used to be is quite a pond. We have had 4 ducks here all week. They are going to be sorely disappointed when the water is gone. Which will probably be tomorrow, although the backyard is still a swamp. It was some crazy weather. On Wednesday night the rain stopped as it started snowing like mad. Big, fat, wet flakes. Luckily it only lasted for about an hour or so but still...

Crazy weather here. Had almost 5" of rain in 2 days...basement just kept having water come in places that it's never come in before. I've never mopped and swept up so much water ever. The backyard is a lake and we have ducks that are hanging out on the "pond" that exists where the swimming used to be. They are going to be surprised when it's gone.

Just a quick post and I'll write more tomorrow when the socks are done.

I swear I don't know how that yarn came home with me. Thursday was the first beautiful,warm,spring-like day so we decided to celebrate by taking a small road trip. (Of course we had to wait until gas went so high but that's another story). A. came and picked us up and we drove up to Waynesville to have lunch at Der Dutchman. They have a nice salad bar and m. and A. like their buffet. Plus we can sit by the window and they can look out and enjoy the stream and nature. Plus they have this "killer" whipped peanut butter spread that goes on their warm bread with some apple butter...mmm...mmm....mmm. Just tasty.

Afterwards we decided to take a little bit farther drive and went to Sugarcreek so they could go to Sugarcreek Bird Farm. Not my idea of a good time so I stretched out across the back seat and knit. Now that's my idea of a good time.

After they walked around and looked at all the birds (none are allowed to come home with us unless one of the ones we have here leave...lol) I suggested that we drive home another way. (See how the idea of yarn is infiltrating my mind)? We ended up going through Springboro where....wait for it...there's a yarn shop--Wooly Bully. I wasn't sure if they were going to be open because they used to have really odd hours. Luckily they were open till 5:00. Unluckily it was 4:45. But again, luckily, they had a stitching group from 6:00-8:00 so they didn't mind if we browsed for awhile. Here's what came home with me.

It will make bee-u-ti-ful socks!
Then on Friday we went to Yarns and Fabrications because I had a 25% coupon that just had to be spent. I had my eye on some of the Berrocco new sock yarn Sox and just had to decide on a color. But as I was standing in front of the display the owner was unpacking a magical box of NEW Sox and it was the most beautiful colorways. It hadn't even been checked into the computer yet so A. hovered around the counter until the owner checked them in and then I picked my color (a lovely purple/blue/green colorway) and put a sticker on them and handed it into my hot, little hands. Woohoo, much happy dancing!! The yarn is mine.Bwwwaaaahaaaaa.

Okay, we will have some good looking pictures for a few posts. Amanda was nice enough to take some pictures with her lovely digital camera and send them to me.

Here's a shot of the scarf KAL that we are all doing. This is the Linked Rib scarf from "Knitting New Scarves.'' I like it much better now that I ripped it out and switched to this yarn. It is somewhat thicker-even though it is also a worsted weight-and I think the pattern shows up well.

Last night at "art night" at Borders I could not get the pattern to work. Never mind that I've done it several times and thought that I had it down. I had to tear back several times but continued to work on it when I got home that night. I know I can follow a pattern; I've got a college degree (oh, alright...it's English Literature but still....) I seem to be fairly intelligent. I just don't understand why from one week to the next that I can not seem to follow a simple 4 step pattern that I have been working on since January?!?

Here's Jill's scarf (and some extra "friends"). I really like her color choice.

I am sick and tired of shoveling snow! We had 11-13'' with blizzard conditions and lots of blowing snow. What a crock!! I would no sooner get the walk cleared then it would be covered again. But at least it has stopped snowing and it's only cold,cold,cold. And the roads are terrible.

The upside of this is that I have gotten some knitting finished. I decided to work on my ufo's (I really only have 2 that I've been working on ...well mostly off) and I finished one today. Yah for me. It was the slim-line tunic from Lion Brand and I'm pretty pleased with it. I made one for myself last year but decided to make it a size bigger 'cause I thought it might be a little roomier. Actually it is a little large but I can always wear a turtleneck underneath if it's cold. I feel really good about getting it finished so I will work on my celtic sweater/poncho next. Because other than running across the street to the grocery store I don't think we will be going anywhere tomorrow. Still COLD and cruddy so stay at home will be fine.

Here's a picture of the linked rib scarf from "Knitting New Scarves" that we are knitting for the kal. The color doesn't show well but it's the "surf and turf'' that I used for Amanda's socks. It makes a nice,thick scarf and so far I like it alot.

Got it!! Praise Jesus. It has now been relocated and my chimney is raccoon free. Woohoo!

Knitting went really well tonight. Now that I am using different yarn it is showing the pattern quite nicely and I am pleased. Also have finished some socks for me.

This yarn is a worsted weight Kertzer Northern and made some bee-u-ti-ful socks. Did them toe-up and bobbles. Very fast and fun. Love the yarn. So soft and the colors are great.

Muffins! These are mixed fruit cornmeal and they are wonderful. They are really good with a nice, hot cuppa. I just ordered some tea from Harneys and can't wait for it to get here.

Also just ordered some sportweight yarn from Herrschnerr's today. Going to make a sweater from the book "Indigo Knits" that is gorgeous. A loose "sloppy'' kind of sweater with cables at the top and I think that I will really like it. I ordered it in a medium purple color that should show off the cables really well.

I've been cranking out socks like crazy lately. Finished both pairs for A. and she seems to be pleased with them. I am almost finished with the pair for myself ...about 10 more rows of ribbing to go and then bind-off.

These are a pattern that I adapted from several patterns. It's a bobble rib pattern that I switched to work from the toe-up. It worked really well and I'm pleased with them. I am going to try and finish up some UFO's that are on the needles so I am going to try to NOT cast on anything new until at least one of them is finished. I think that I will finish the v-neck sweater first. Only have half a sleeve and the front to knit so it shouldn't take too long.

Still working on the scarf kal with Jill and Sheri. We are knitting the linked rib from "Knitting New Scarves" and I ripped mine out Monday night and decided to use a different yarn than the stuff that I had gotten on Ebay. The new yarn seems to be much better for this and shows up much better. I sense light at the end of the tunnel. You should see how Jill's looks. It's absolutely stunning and made mine look just sad. But I'll catch up...hahahaha.