What is a CSM?

I went to the Lacey Retreat, this past weekend, with my antique circular sock knitting machine. It's a Legare 47 and was built to knit socks for the troops during WWI.

When you click on the picture, look for the two black cones of wool and scroll up.
I mainly knit socks by hand since I love to do a lot of fancy stitches. The CSM is a great one for ribbing and stockinette stitch. Lace patterns and flat work can also be accomplished. Every time I work with my Legare, I learn something new!

Feta and Papaya - together again

Feta - Another Creature, Great and Small

Here's a bit about Feta [named from the Cheesiest Litter]:

6 week old Feta Hart (a female Agouti Berk was born January 29, 2005, and died June 7, 2006) came home with us from Portland, OR.
Feta was very trusting and an avid explorer. My husband, Ed, would put his hand out to her and she would climb into it without hesitation. He soon learned that Miss Feta would rather use his hand as an elevator than walk down the ramp for breakfast, lunch or dinner! She loved to eat and Ed nicknamed her his little Buddha.
She wanted to see and smell everything. She was fearless! Ed, used to say if she was out in the wild, she would be the first one in a trap!
Miss Feta struggled with the silent respiratory killer. On June 7, 2006, an x-ray showed air in only one lung. Feta was miserable and very scared. With much agony, we let her go to rat heaven that day. She was a little over 17 months old. The joy she brought to us, as all rat owners know, was priceless. We miss her dearly.

Papaya - A Creature, Great and Small {Final Chapter}

Sweet Papaya was laid to rest on April 2nd, 2007.

I didn't think I was going to make it back home.

She is missed deeply.

Papaya left deep rattie prints on our hearts.

Papaya - A Creature, Great and Small

It doesn't seem to matter what animal you fall in love with....they become a part of your family. [Picture is of Papaya - so named from the Fruity Litter.]
It all began when I wanted to get a little pet for my son. We're in the pet store going our separate ways checking out all the possibilities. I hear the pet store owner, standing next to my son, calling out my name. As I approached them, the owner places a small animal in my hands. I cup it so it can't fall. He, later named Skittles (like the candy), licked my hand. Oh, my gosh!, it's tasting me!!! I reluctantly agreed to get my son this cute little male ratling. Skittles and my son grew to be best friends. They even took naps together.
Now after several ratties have come and gone, I talked my hubby into two wee ones I found on the web. I was making sure to find ones that were bred for health and disposition.

Mod Coasters

Well, here's my coaster. {Warning: This is not for the person who easily loses ones place when interrupted or when looking at your knitting and then back at your pattern. Have some good markers AND a quiet room so you can concentrate.}

After the first garter-stitch triangle (right bottom corner), I got better. I think I was slipping or SSKing the wrong way. Needless to say, I got the hang of it -- finally.

I pattern is from a Knitty Gritty episode. I used 'Butterfly Mercerized Cotton' that knits 22 sts to 4", rather than the merino suggested in the pattern. It makes a wonderful sized coaster. I was wondering if I knit five more and sewed them all around this one, if it would make a good place mat. Hmmm, you could do more with this than I originally thought and make it oblong as well! Just imagine matching coasters with your place mats!

Here is a picture of more colors this cotton comes in.

Something about....me

As you might have guessed...I am wearing a police uniform in that picture.

I used to be in law enforcement and did that on and off for 10 years.

How or why did I do that? Here is the story:

I dated and married a Yavapai County Deputy Sheriff when I was 21. We later moved to Coconino County where he, at the age of 39, made me a widow just after I turned 26 and 2 days before our 5th wedding anniversary. (His children were from a previous marriage -- we had none together)

I learned a great deal about law enforcement from him and how to ride a motorcycle. An Arizona Highway Patrol Motor Officer once rode next to me as I was on my way to work. He was in the same lane I was in!! Not a whole lot of room with his big ole bike and me on my 650 Kawasaki. He turned to me after the ride and said I was a very good motorcycle rider! I came to realize that it was a great compliment coming from a person who graduated from the Motorcycle academy.

So, back to why I decided to become one of those people with the ticket book.

I like to give back to the community where I live. I wanted to do something not everyone could do. I found that since I had good credit (yes, that counts), respect for the law and physically fit, I would try out for the sheriff's office AND the city police department in Washington state. I went through the testing (background, psychological, polygraph, physical agility and THE INTERVIEW) and passed for both departments. Now I had to choose which one I was going to join. Mind you, I would have to KNOW the entire area I would work in so I decided to join the city police department as it didn't seem as big as the county.

I went through the 6 month academy while I still worked 40 hours a week. Did I mention, I was not going to get paid for the police position? It is called being a Reserve Police Officer. Your duties and training were the same as a paid officer. Like I said, (I knew) not anyone could or would want to do this and it was my way of giving back to the community.

I made a good name for myself there. I didn't have a chip on my shoulder as many of the female officers I've met did. The Chief and other officers respected me and could count on me.

I loved the white collar crime part of the job with traffic stops second. I very rarely cited anyone for speeding but did cite for no proof of insurance.

I'll never forget one of my first traffic stops. My training officer and I were walking back to the patrol car when he asked me if I believed everything the guy said. When I said I did, he just slowly shook his head and said I had a looooong way to go. My response was, "He lied to me?!!!" That was a hoot! I grew up in the country where a handshake meant something and never thought about people lying. I have come to realize that people who lie are very busy. They have to remember who they lied to and then what they lied to them about. That's a lot of work!

I haven't been in law enforcement now for over 6 years. It was an interesting part of my life to be a part of the "Thin Blue Line" as a widow and an officer.

Horcrux Socks

If you knit and you (or someone you know) loves Harry Potter, you will love these socks!!

I am using On-line yarn (color unknown since it's being held hostage by my yarn stash!) and 6" Inox US sz 0 dpn's. The yarn is a superwash and is knitting up very nice.

This pair is for my son who wears a 13 shoe!! I have a ways to go before I can start the toe. The heel was knit with the other end of the "cake" (yarn from yarn winder). I then picked up one side of the gusset with that same yarn but dropped it and started with the leg yarn to go around the rest of the sock. That way the heel can be replaced when, and if, the time comes.

You can join the sock group and knit up a pair, too!

NOTE:

{This pattern is for the personal, non-commercial use of the members of the Six Sox Knitalong only. You may not reproduce the pattern for free distribution, sale, or any other purpose without the designer's prior consent. Items made from these instructions may not be sold under any circumstances.}

The woman who taught me to knit...

This is a picture of the woman who taught me to knit. I bet she wore knee high socks for the same reason I did...to 'hide?' the skinny legs'.

It all began in Texas. Killeen, to be more exact. This woman was very patient and my knitting was very tight. I could hardly get the needle through to knit the stitch off. I started off with 30 stitches and dark-colored worsted weight yarn. I don't recall the needle size or what I was trying to make. Maybe a scarf. Okay, so my 30 stitches measured about 4 1/2 inches across. Just a little tight, right?

Eventually, I began to relax and my knitting now stretched out to measure 6 inches across. I wish I had that piece of knitting so I could frame it. I imagine it's out there somewhere....still on those needles as I didn't bind off.

I will tell you a little more about this woman pictured in her best for the first day of school. She's 6 years old and almost dresses like the children do today (with a backpack, too!).

This is the same woman that taught me how to appreciate all the nice things in life, like digging for worms to go fishing, riding a horse, dancing around the house, singing little songs together, and more.

It was easy to cook great-tasting German food as she was a gourmet cook. My favorite is pork roast with sauerkraut and potatoes! When it comes to sweets, I am always grateful when she makes her orange-slice cake. While it's still hot, she soaks it in orange juice (the grown ups got the rum soaked version). Um, um, good!

This picture is of me at age 7. Ya just can't escape the passing down of 'skinny legs'!!

The woman who taught me to knit is my mother. She's an amazing woman with many talents and stories of survival in eastern Germany.

I would love to hear about your story.

Chain Link Socks

Do these look like they'd take up a bunch of precious brain cells to knit? I sure thought so when I first saw them!! Even after reading the pattern that was presented in December 2006 at the Six Soxs KAL, I thought it was beyond me.
I have been knitting socks for about 20 years and if it's more than two colors I get cold hands and feet! So strange since I can adjust the number cast on to the type of heel and toe I want, etc, without blinking an eye!
Okay, I thought...I'm going to just knit it and not think about fainting or panicking. At least, it was cuff down.
I cast on long-tail using 2 needles, US size 0 in bamboo, held together (so the cuff would get around my heel). I had some lovely Lorna's Laces yarn in Brick and Natural. When the k2, p2 ribbing was finished, I took a deep breath, looked at the pattern and sighed with relief. The pattern, itself, was a slip stitch pattern to make those beautiful chains! Okay, I can do this!
As you can see, they turned out pretty good, even if I DO say so myself. I sure could have saved myself a lot of grief, if I had done more than skimmed over the pattern.
Don't cheat yourself out of a fantastic pattern that you, and/or, your whole family will enjoy. You can even adjust the number of chains you wish to use. The finished socks, from all the other participants, are so much fun to see. It's great to see the choice of colors and yarns used, too.
Once again, it's never too late to join the group (click on link above) for an abundance of excellent patterns.

Thank You

I wish to take this opportunity to thank all the people who ordered my crocheted 4-Leaf Clover with pattern: THANK YOU!!
I hope you can use it for years to come!

On another note: Who is this picture of? Why...it's me about 10 years old on Sweet William (or Old Bill)!
My mother got him for me after she showed me the correct way to ride a horse without hurting his mouth. He was the type where if you dropped the reins, he would stop and stand there all day! He didn't inch away from you as you tried to get on him, either! He taught me well. I will never forget him.

Springtime in Paris

Here is my sock..."inside out". I know, I know. It looks "right side out."

You could actually leave it this way and call the design "Rain drops". I prefer it to look like the Eiffel Towers as was originally designed at Six-Soxs KAL. (the next picture)

I used Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn in the colorway Green Valley and 5 bamboo size US 0 dpn's.

The pattern is toe-up (my second one!) and a delight to knit. I absolutely LOVE to try new ways of knitting socks. Not just patterns but different ways to knit the heel and toe! This one was very, very interesting and I've now added this way of knitting socks as a favorite.

The foot of the sock appears long and lean but it really fits nicely around my 9 inch foot circumference.

If you would like to knit this sock pattern AND be included in the drawing at the end of this month, check out the KAL mentioned above. It would need to be completed by the end of this month! A new sock to knit is introduced the first day of an even-numbered month.

If you would just like to knit it to have in your collection, join the group anyway for a fantastic new way to knit socks! There are other past patterns still available at that site, as well as, others to help who are knitting the SAME sock!!

It's NEVER too late to join!!

Almost three-year-old socks

I absolutely love these socks!!!
Everytime I put them on it feels like butter! Even though I made them almost three years ago, they look brand new. There is NO reinforcement in the heels and toes with this merino from Pat Fly's collection of Monarch and none is needed. Not ever! It is 100% pure merino. There isn't any sign of a hole or thinning, even though my big toe usually sticks up (as a shoe repair doctor once told me). I wear them all year round.
I love the striping, the colors and the feel.
Hubby has a pair, too, and likes the way they keep his feet dry.
No need to be hesitant on adding her merino to your collection. Pat is as honest as they come.

The Illusion Scarf, my way

Someone thought this scarf said dor-v.... :O) It actually reads the name of the motorcycle hubby used to own, by Harley, called the V-Rod. We still have the scarf, though.

Well, I watched Knitty Gritty's show on Illusion Knitting (another word for Shadow Knitting) a long while back and decided to give it a try.

I downloaded some knitter's graph paper with a grid of 70x120. After charting my design, I realized I only needed the grid to be 40 wide. The design seemed simple enough...once I got the understanding down. The smaller letters took up 56 rows each with the letter 'V' taking 109 rows.

What helped was having the book Shadow Knitting by Vivian Hoxbro.

With Cascade 220 in black and one in a dark orange, I started my project. I used size US 6 24" circulars and cast on 40 stitches, in black, over both needle tips held together using the long-tail method (my all-time favorite cast-on). With very little time into it, I found myself ripping back because I lost my concentration. This is soooo much like lace knitting! There should be 'No interruptions!'

Needless to say, I have lots of time into this and had to make very good notes. It turned out great at 8.5" wide by 49" long.

Even with all the 'frogging' throughout the whole process, I enjoyed seeing the letters 'pop!' When you look at the scarf straight on, you only see stripes. Then when you look at it at an angle, like in the picture, you see the magic!!

After I finish the ever increasing project list, I want to make another (designed by me) scarf.

Glint of silver in these socks

A person would wonder if any metallic yarn/thread in a sock yarn would be comfortable. I tried it and found no difference in wear with these socks vs. my non-metallic socks.
I made a pair of socks for my SIL from a 100-gram ball not caring to match anything up...but they did...and perfectly at that!! No matter how hard I tried to match these up (two 50-gram balls to boot!!), it was only accomplished from the cuff to the ankle. Must be because they were for me.
I used Schoeller + Stahl, Fortissima Colori #9051 and size US 00 dpn's to get my gauge of 9 sts to 1" (always a smaller needle with me ~ the loose knitter). They knit up real nice and I absolutely LOVE the hint of silver colored yarn/thread throughout! I need to knit more of these up. I get more compliments with this pair of socks than any of my others.

Dog Hair - what can you do with it?

Not just any kind of dog hair but the undercoat of a black German Shepherd.
Here is the story: Just after I learned to spin, my mother asked if I would spin her shepherd's undercoat. I thought it would be a way to spin something I didn't have to buy! Yipee!
Through the shedding months, mom religiously combed him and saved every bit. Now came the time I received a pretty good sized package in the mail. I was so excited! After getting home, I opened it and immediately took it to the bath tub for a wash. I used Dawn Dish washing Liquid (mind you, I was very new to processing fiber, too) and pushed the soft down into the soapy, warm water as I leaned over the tub. It was at that moment, I got a whiff and wondered how in the world a wet dog got in the house! Oh, boy!! Okay, after I controlled the dry heaves, I rinsed it with Downy. Alright, I can handle the very clean smell now!
I drained the water out of the tub squeezing the water out of the ready-to-dry down. It was a chore to get all the damp dog hair off me but I succeeded and laid it out on a towel.
Days later, with dry fiber in hand, I was ready to card it. Hummm, it didn't card very well, so I skipped that part. Here comes some spinning time! At the time I tried to spin it -- is when I finally paid attention to the length of the fiber -- a little over 1". After several attempts to get a good enough twist, it worked!! Not only did I spin it, I had enough to fill two bobbins and then plied it! I even went ahead and set the twist, rolled it into a huge ball and sent it back to my mother.
She sent me the sample I scanned and told me she was able to knit a scarf, headband, and two wrist warmers. The color turned out to be a rich chocolate and, unbelievably, does NOT shed!! It is also so very soft and warm.
Anytime I show the knitted sample, people try to guess its origin. When they ask me, I tell them it is called "Quanah."
Where did my mother get a name like that for fiber? It was the name of her gorgeous male Shepherd!
I would certainly work with dog undercoating again...as long as 'mom' washes it!

Eagle's Flight sock

I knit this very fun, cuff-to-toe, pattern called Eagle's Flight with sock yarn called Monarch and using US size 1 bamboo dpn's. The picture shows what it looks like in Pat's fabulous hand-painted yarn! Can you tell I am absolutely crazy about Pat's yarn?

The pattern isn't hard to memorize with it's 4 pattern repeat, and knits up quickly. I love the wavy edging on the cuff and it fits like a glove!

I prefer the leg about 6 inches tall but it can easily be knitted taller per your preference.

Here's to another wonderful sock pattern!!

My Three Socks

Yes, you are seeing three different sized socks!!
The pink ones are the Dancing socks (fitting my feet that fit into a size 8 1/2" shoe). I wanted to show the heel off since I didn't do that with the original post. Very fun to do with no feel of ridges.
The next little sock (approx. 4" tall) is actually a Christmas Stocking Ornament by Mary Spanos from the booklet entitled 'Socks - A Spin-Off special publication for knitters and spinners' edited by Rita Buchanan & Deborah Robson. I used US 0 size needles and baby yarn. I really wanted to see if I could knit them up. Well, I could and they ended up being a stocking for our little pet to be put up alongside ours at Christmas time.
The last of the socks is the teensy pair (approx. 1 1/8" short). I knit these using fingering wool and 4" US 0000 needles from a pattern by Carol Breitner of Carol's Sockery. They are going to be earrings for my SIL to match the socks I made her.
The first teensy pair I knit, I used 8" US 0000. Don't attempt to do that or you may poke your eye out trying to see what you are doing!!! I was thinking about cutting back my long needles when I saw that Carol sold a shorter pair! My long needles sighed with relief (well, so did I) as I placed my order.
I hope you will be able to find these patterns either in your library or by purchasing them.
Well, I'm off to knit on another 'work-in-progress'!

NOTE: Before posting this, I called Knitter's Magazine (re: Strong-heelSocks) to ask permission to post the pattern and was declined (very politely, I might add). Their Issue K72 is still available for sale along with a very short correction on their website.

Dancing socks

These socks are one of my favorites! I knit them with KnitPicks Dancing and size US 0 needles (alas...downfall of a loose knitter).

Once again, I 'colored outside the lines' and used a method different than my own by knitting to the directions of Gerdine Crawford-Strong. Her pattern is found in Knitter's Magazine Fall 2003 on pg. 36 and is titled 'Strong-heelSocks'. (check out your local library for a copy of this informative magazine)

To quote her, 'The Strong-heel sock is different. It has no flap....A small triangle of short rows and decreases contours around to the underside of the foot.....'

They knit up real quick and kept my attention. They are very comfortable to boot! Hope you can give them a try!

Home-Spun Wool for my mother

Okay, if you look closely at the blue skein of wool...it was my first attempt at spinning. I don't remember how I dyed it as my friend was giving me instructions and I was doing but not remembering. If I tried to spin like that, on purpose, I wouldn't be able to do it. sigh....
The cream-colored wool was given to my mother for purchasing a Kromski spinning wheel...about 2 lbs. of ready-to-spin roving! Well, to make a long story short, mom is having a difficult time recalling how to spin. She sent this wool (from Colorado) to me so I could spin it for her.
[My wheel of choice was a Fricke after I got to try out almost a dozen different ones that my spinning teacher had available.] I must say, this time it turned out pretty good!! The spun wool will go out tomorrow so mom can knit herself more socks. My next lesson will be...how to twist the skeins better. Can anyone tell me?

Best-Friend Jacket for me

Here it is, just in time for the cold spell!

Out of the book 'The Knitting Experience' by Sally Melville and with some luscious Lamb's Pride Bulky (85% wool/15% mohair) in the color Blue Blood Red.

This pattern is over sized so I made it in size small. I used 9 skeins plus a little of the 10th with US 9 & 10.5 24" circular needles.

I followed the instructions to the limit and that entailed using a crochet cast-on. The jacket is Asymmetrical (something I don't normally do as I like to 'color inside the lines') and is made by knitting cuff to cuff. No purling in sight!! It made up quickly and I had a great deal of fun.

I topped it off with four 1 1/4" wooden buttons that I sewed on with woolly nylon. The holes in the buttons were too small for wool.

If you haven't 'colored outside the lines', you've just got to try it! It only took me 14 days to complete!!!!

Wimples - The Old/New way to wear a scarf

Isn't this a lovely piece of work? What is a wimple? It's a fantastic scarf that doesn't fall off from around your neck while you work and/or play!
Here's how to make your own:
The yarn used is Pat's Monarch from her Fly Design and the pattern is Wavy Feathers. Caryll is the pattern designer and a joy to know.
The yarn is a sport weight and hand-dyed. I used US 9 and cast on only 88 stitches. Mind you, I am a loose knitter so you may have to use US 8 instead. When I look at a pattern, I know I will have to go a needle size down from their suggested needle.
I cast on with the long-tail method (my favorite - thanks to my mother's way of teaching), knit 3 repeats of the design and used EZ's sewn cast off to mimic the cast on.
I soaked it in wool wash and, without rinsing it, spun it in the washer for a minute. I was looking around the house wondering what I could block it on and found the right sized bag of rolled-up batting for a quilt I will make one day. The wimple slid right onto the bag and dried overnight with the help of a fan.
Today, the light and soft wimple left my house and is on its way to a special and well deserving friend clear across the US.
So now I can say I knit a wimple! I found another pattern that I plan on knitting and will share that in the very near future. :)

Branched Fern Sock Finished!

I finished these around my other 'Works In Progress' (WIP) on Sunday. They were sent on Monday to their new owner who received them Thursday. I'm happy to announce they fit her perfectly!! This pattern was very fun to knit up. The lace around the leg hugs without choking. I can't say enough times how wonderful it is to find a toe-up pattern with my favorite of all times heel flap! Rochelle is amazing! If you haven't done so already, please join the KAL for a great pair of socks!

Okay now, one WIP down and how many to go?

Orenburg 'Diamond Triangular Shawl', Part 2

I'm definitely knitting along on this shawl as I am approaching Row 99. It's smooth sailing as long as the house is quiet and I count out-loud. :)

I found a symbol missing on Row 7 past the 7 repeats of the outlined-in-red box. There should be a ^ (k3tog) between the 2 yo's.

While I was knitting back on Row 66, I noticed one yo, k2tog. Just one! I think I checked and rechecked several times before I decided it was 'supposed' to be there.

Don't forget while knitting this that beginning Row 7, of the Border, with the 1st Turn (and thereafter every 16th row), the first yo, k2tog should be 'k2tog, yo'. I circled them all the way up the pattern so as not to knit as shown.

So, with that said, it's knitting up real nice.

Argyle Socks For Hubby

Have you ever made/attempted argyle socks? Or argyle anything?

I finally gave in to the calling. The calling was hubby. I finally convinced him that wool socks were the way to go.

Luckily, I had 'Leisure Arts leaflet 261' that is dedicated to Argyle Socks in two different weights (fingering and sport).

I used Dale of Norway Heilo in shades of medium blue, light blue and cream with gold for the duplicate-stitching.

My adventure began with knitting on two needles back and forth from the cuff down to the top of the foot with my bobbins of wool dangling. I was surprised how smooth everything was going.

The heel stitches were put on a holder and were knitted next. After completing the gusset, I joined the sock in the round to knit the foot to the desired length less the required inches for the toe. I finished weaving the toe stitches and began (and completed) the duplicate stitching. It was time now to carefully mattress stitch the back seam and sides of gusset. I saved the best (?) for last...weaving in the ends of the diamonds. Well, all in all, the socks were worth it. I did not reinforce the toes or heel as I sometimes do.

Would I make them again? Sure...because hubby is VERY happy and takes great care with them...not right now, though. :)

Branched Fern Sock

I started this sock when the invitation to join the Branched Fern Sock KAL appeared on a sock knitting group. Rochelle is the designer.
I have made many socks and since this is the first time I would be doing a toe up, I couldn't resist. It is such a nice toe. Then comes the pattern. Wow! I couldn't wait to make the heel flap as it is my all time favorite AND it's done backwards (or upside down)! It's the *sl1, k1; rep from *. I prefer it for the strength and extra cushion. If you follow the instructions, you can't go wrong.
Have you ever seen a more beautiful color!? The color is called African Violet from Knit Picks Essential.
Hope you will decide to join the group and make these yourself! The pattern is free and you get free help. How much better does it get?

'Worth Checking Out' sidebar

I have this sidebar for the best sites to visit. The owners are a pleasure with whom to do business and have great customer service.

You won't believe the color variety of luscious, hand-dyed merino at 'Angora Valley Fibers'. Two weights to choose from. I have knit socks from her wool and they hold up without nylon reinforcement. Amazing!

'EZ and Meg Swansen' don't need much of an introduction and if you haven't heard of them, please visit the side bar with their name. If you want to be able to knit items that fit YOU with YOUR gauge and YOUR wool, this is the way to go. You will definitely be set FREE.

On a sock knitting group I belong to, I read about a woman who was traveling across country. As she was knitting along with her small wooden dpn's, one broke. She stopped at a yarn store in Springfield, Missouri. To her surprise, she was greeted by a most gracious, helpful and friendly Sandy at 'Simply Fibers'. Her store is beautiful! A must see.

The 'FREE knitting tutorials' by Kristin should be a must for all knitters. Beginners will definitely benefit. Even though I am a more experienced knitter, I left a tip for her. I was in awe of all she offers.

For you lace knitters out there, 'Knitted Heirloom Lace' is a dream come true! Gloria has some eye candy in her gallery that will make you drool. She offers a free pattern you've just got to check out.

I have seen some wonderful 'Vintage Linens' at this link. The owner has a wealth of information on vintage items. I have first-hand knowledge with some tatting supplies I acquired from her.

While knitting away on a sock with my 5"dpn, US 0 'Brittany Needles', one broke! I stared at it for, what seemed to be, minutes in disbelief. After contacting the company, via the web, an e-mail was sent back to me stating they would be sending me a replacement the next day. Now THAT'S customer service!

I hope you will take a moment and look at these websites. In the future, if I add new names, I will mention how I came to meet up with them. In the meantime, please keep those needles clicking!

Orenburg 'Diamond Triangular Shawl', Part 1

My friend, Courtney, and I have started a long project with this shawl. It is out of "The Gossamer Webs Design Collection". So far, I have a little over 12 hours invested. I am using a lace weight natural colored merino wool on size 1, 24" circular needles. It is knit back and forth.

Courtney has found a possible error at Row 7 when turning the 1st corner. The border pattern is correct (if you have the 3rd printing). She has e-mailed Interweave Press and is awaiting a reply.

This knitting is very fun and enjoyable.

On another note - it's been snowing on and off all day. A great day to be in and get some serious knitting done.

Other objects on the needles: socks, socks, socks; sweater for my mom; sweater for my sister-in-law; dishcloths knit in the round.

Things I want to do: sew, knit some doilies, crochet some doilies, clean fleece so I can card and spin it, knit my son another sweater and a couple of tams, write a book about knitting, have my own shop, make things for everyone I like.

Sweater for my son

My son designed this sweater that I finally started in Feb. 2006. It was completed Dec. 30th!!

He wanted cotton so I used Wildflower DK. I had the help of EZ and Sweater Wizard to knit it in the round with phoney seams. Since I planned on using duplicate stitch for the diamonds, I left them off. I gave up after several attempts to make the stitch look good. I thought I was going to cry until my dear hubby suggested I knit the diamonds and use my serger to shape them. Hmmm, I thought, that sounds like it might work. Needless to say, I knit the rectangles one color after another and cast off. I sandwiched the piece between two sheets of tearaway stabilizer (thank you Nancy's Notions); stitched the diamond shape with the sewing machine and then serged the edges. An embroidery chain stitch holds the diamonds in place as well as, a little whip stitching with sewing thread. Voila!! Son has his sweater now and it is as unique as he is.

This isn't easy

Okay, I just spent 3 hours working on my blog and I was only adding "one" thing.
I think I'll quit while I'm ahead. I can't be the only one. Am I?

On another note, I just ordered some more sock yarn and lace knitting yarn. When I figure how to link websites I think are awesome, I will do so.