What my son knit in 3 weeks

He actually knit 4 scarves and, that fourth one is already packed away. Don't you just love the way the multi-directional one looks?

Knitting in WA on winter break

{Mike}

{Kevin, Shea and Frank}

It was like a whirlwind while the "college" friends, of my son's, were visiting. I taught three of them how to knit since my son already knew how.

Two (Kevin and Shea) finished knitting a pot-holder, fulled it and gave it to their mothers. Mike got about 7 rows done.

It was nice to see they wanted to learn something out of the ordinary. Made me smile, too. :)

The Boys.....

....posing for me during the Underground Tour in Seattle on the 16th of Dec. Left to right: Mike, Kevin, Shea & Frank (my son).

The three friends, of my son, learned how to knit with two of them completing their small projects. Congratulations!!!!

They are all now safely back home. I really enjoyed getting to know them!

Warm thoughts.....

Wishbone or Hurry-Up Last Minute Sweater

After waiting 3 days for this sweater to dry, I put it in the dryer. I used that contraption that keeps the dryer from tumbling the clothing.

This is one BIG sweater for my very tall, college son. The fitting will take place when he comes for a month long visit this month. [trying to contain my extreme happiness here without shouting!!!!]

Ahem......

Elizabeth Zimmermann was right in that it didn't take long at all to knit up at 2 1/2 stitches to the inch. I used the best wool - Sheepsdown - and you can get that at SchoolHousePress. I finished the inside neck, cuffs and hem off with some red wool and a hidden message on the inside of the hem in purl stitches.

It's not too late to start YOUR Hurry-Up Last Minute Sweater with others at EZFans. It's the December project in Knitter's Almanac. The group is very nice and helpful!

Spanish Infanta test crocheted.....

CraftyGryphon said...
How about this one: Spanish Infanta Tablecloth

So, I made it yesterday and here it is. Hmmm, not too bad. It was only 10 rounds.

The pattern suggested sz 20 thread with a US sz 9-10 hook. I used a US sz 7 hook with my sz 10 thread.

I think I like it!

Variegated knit into ?

I am just itching to knit a tablecloth out of the two balls of Steinbach Wolle sz 10 Cotton. So, I have 1200 yards to work with.

What I need is a pattern that won't get "lost" with the colors.

Any ideas?

Moccasin Socks

I wanted to share my first moccasin sock from Knitter's Almanac! I have hesitated on knitting this for a few years. I could not fathom how I would know when knitting the "top" was long enough for my foot.

I decided to plunge right in changing only one thing......I knit it in the round.

I used Briggs N Little worsted using US sz 3 dpn's. I am a loose continental style knitter and usually have to resort to smaller needles to get gauge ~ 5 sts/inch.

I doubted EZ regarding the length of the "top" knitting so I made it shorter. As I was knitting merrily along, I got all kinds of ideas swimming in my head with ways of using this technique, as well as, several "Aha!" moments. Thank you EZ and Meg!

Since the top was made shorter, they will be gifted to my lovely mom whose feet are slightly smaller than mine. I can see my mom now (the woman pictured in my header and who taught me to knit) .....turning it that way and this way and saying out loud, hmmmm.

It makes me smile just thinking about it.

SOTS iii prize......

....was brought home from the mail box! It's a beautiful shawl pin made exclusively for the theme of the stole ~ "Estes Park".

I was also awarded a 20% off coupon, on my total purchase, from Robbie of RubyVegas.

Thank you, Nautical Knitter, for a wonderful adventure into lace knitting and for the great experience on the group!

I love my prize, my stole and am styling now with my pin.......

A Contest!!!!!

....by Nautical Knitter! Okay, you all...head over there and follow the very simple rules [3 to be exact] and be entered into a contest.

I joined the contest because there were no essays involved.... ;)

Wishbone (EZ) sweater for my son

After I knit my son the hat of his choice, I asked him if he would like the Wishbone sweater. He took a look at it and without missing a beat, said he would indeed!

All EZ fans know this comes from the Knitter's Almanac. I used the Sheepsdown wool that she used but not the size needles she used.

EZ got 2 1/2 sts/inch using US sz 10 needles. I tried that and I wasn't even close. I had too many stitches. So.....I experimented with many needles and found I got gauge with US sz 13!!!
What's with that?! I am a loose knitter but with this thick wool, I am a tight knitter. I would love if someone could explain that to me.

It didn't take long [see picture] to knit the sleeves and then the body (a few days) but I had to wait to join to make sure everything was long enough before joining. I found I need to knit the sleeves a bit longer. Once I join, the knitting is going to go so fast! My son will have a sweater to go with his hat and will surely be warmly surrounded by my knitting.

So, I'm off to knit!

Secret Of The Stole thru Hint 9...and Finished!

Well, I've finished this beautiful stole on Friday and am finally posting my picture. It still needs to be blocked and I still need to guess the theme....Fall Leaves or Snow falls?

I am sad it's over......but not all is lost as there will be another one next year!

I've had a great time with this.

Double Basketweave Reversible Scarf..for my son

Many, many of you know what it's like to buy yarn you just HAD to have. You don't know what you're going to do with it.....but you have to have it!

I bought three balls of Plassard Merinos (100% SW Wool) in Couleur 241 and Bain 42. [I'm guessing that's Color 241 and Lot 42.]

I knew I wanted to knit my son a scarf from this wool but I could not find a pattern that "spoke" to me.......until 10-11-08. Why that date?

Well, that's the day Terry's group posted that pattern. I instantly could picture my son wearing a scarf with THAT pattern and THAT yarn.....TOGETHER. Yea!!!!!

It's a great knit and looks like cables. I'm about half way through with this project to keep my son warm.

Smoked Salmon..........the best!

On September 26th I watched the Foodnetwork channel with The Neely's. They were in Montana, visiting a gal that takes Salmon to a whole new level!!

Her business, Montana Mountain Smoked, is one place I knew I had to look at! She not only smokes the wild sockeye, she makes a salmon dip that you could eat like ice cream!

My mother LOVES smoked salmon [and that's an understatement!] so I ordered the biggest package they had - for her birthday.

I wish I had a picture of my mom digging through the box that she said she thought didn't have a bottom! It was HUGE!Needless to say, my mom is in salmon heaven!

I will be ordering some for my college son during finals week in December. A smaller gift package of smoked salmon and salmon dip should feed his brain!

Excuse me while I go and order some for me!

Do you eat Cashews whole?....

We got these from Costco and the brand is Kirkland.

I happened to see something sticking out of a whole cashew and went to break it off. You know how some of them have a little 'tail' sticking out of the wider end?.....

Well, this one wasn't firm and it left a trailing web-like silk thread when I pulled at it.

My curiosity got the best of me and I opened the cashew.

The picture shows what I saw.

I was telling a friend about it and she said, "Well, since it's roasted, the little guy is dead and sterile so it won't hurt you". That made sense..........but I'm still not going to eat it.

I used to wonder why I always ate the halves and broken pieces.

I do not wonder any more.......

Secret Of The Stole thru Hint 8

I don't want this knitting to end........yet I do, so I can wear it.

For me, it's like being pregnant and enjoying the feeling of the baby growing, moving around and kicking. I couldn't wait for the birth to see what my baby would look like.
Oh, the happy day to finally see, touch and share with family and friends. After his birth, I felt a little empty inside, missing the kicking and developing and secret of what my child was going to look like....

I know it has to end........but the good thing is [like Nautical Knitter said]....there's next year and another SOTS!!! I checked on the yahoo groups and there it was! SOTS iv!!! I am going back there and signing up, after I publish this post, so I don't miss out!

**Important UPDATE: I found out you should be signed up with Nautical Knitter Designs at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nauticalknitterdesigns so you can get an email when sign ups are open!

Mystery Stole thru Clue 5

I like the contrast of the Ebony colored wool/silk and clear silver lined beads on this stole.

I finished too soon and now have to wait until Friday for Clue 6.

It's luxurious.

Something really, really FUN!!!!!

This is a peek into the excitement that's happening in Terry's group!

It's not too late to join in the chatter and fun that's going on there!

I can't remember the last time I laughed and smiled so much!

You won't be disappointed.........there are also all kinds of small ideas for Gift Giving in knitting AND crochet.

Terry is a fabulous host and check out her blog, too!

Socks for my ex...a second pair

My ex said he liked the socks so much that I couldn't resist asking him to pick another color so I could knit another pair.

He picked black for daytime wear in Iraq.

I am happy to report they are finished and have been sent off on Tuesday.

MS4 update

This is Mystery Stole 4 through Clue #3.

I LOVE, LOVE knitting it.

I need to get busy and knit Clue #4 now!

SOTS iii update

This is my Secret of the Stole iii - through Hint #6.

I LOVE, LOVE knitting this.

Did I say that I LOVE this? Mmmmm.......

Holiday Mystery Gift Along

Okay.

This is BIG!

How can you resist having all your gift ideas for knitting and crocheting in one place?
Well, it is.

Terry is starting this on Saturday, September 20th!

I'll see you there!!!!

SOTS iii

Here's what else I'm doing......Secret of the Stole iii.

The yarn is Grignasco Merinosilk in a pale pink. The beads are, once again, from Beadwrangler and are 6/0 Clear Crystal Silver-lined. I'm knitting with US sz 4 needles.

It's a wonderful knit and the crocheted Rosette is from Piecework Magazine. :)

Reba..........

Reba came to our house on August 5th.

This is a really good story about a gal [me] who really didn't care all that much for dogs - especially in the house. I mean, this gal, grew up with the knowledge that German Shepherds were to be outside to guard/protect the home. That kind of dog is useful.

One day, that gal was looking through the WA shelters [on-line] and saw this little face.........and just had to have her.

She's a 7 month old rescue (8 months old now) and she lives in the house. Yup, you read/heard right. She weighed almost 6 pounds - very underweight. She now weighs 7.45 pounds and loves, loves ME.

Reba is so smart. This gal has trained her to heel, sit, come, and not be anxious. Reba is a relaxed and happy pooch.

What is her breed? Someone mixed Poodle with Chihuahua so she's a Poo/Chi. :)

I love Reba.

Mystery Stole KAL #4

Okay, folks, here is a picture of the first clue completed x 2.

The group closes it's membership tonight at midnight. You can find it here: Mystery Stole 4.

I'm using Ebony Jaggerspun Zephyr 2/18 and size 8/0 Clear Crystal Silver-lined beads. The best place to get beads is through Beadwrangler! Lydia is a wonderful businesswoman with a personal touch.
[Background is my Orenburg Diamond Triangular Shawl] :)

Socks..and How does your garden grow....

Well, the post office thought it would take two weeks for the socks to get to Iraq. My ex got them in 5 days! What did he think of them? He said they were Perfect! and Comfy!

Then my mom sent me some potatoes. These aren't just any potatoes......she grew them in her garden. She had over 90 hills of them! Now, most of my friends know that my mom grows her own vegetables and fruit...and then prepares them for the freezer to last her until next garden season. She's an amazing woman. What she learned, in school, helped her survive on next to nothing.

So, I prepared the two biggest potatoes weighing in at 1 pound EACH. The two under the pink ruler weigh over 11 ounces. It's going to be really hard going back to store potatoes. Maybe, mom shouldn't send me stuff like that..........

Autumn Lace socks finished!!!

I have another pair of socks and they fit great!

If you would like to knit a pair like this for yourself, please come check out Six Sox KAL. A FREE new pattern is introduced each even-numbered month of the year.

So, that's what was next.......now what?!

Two designs in one?

I even like the Autumn Lace socks inside out!

Just LOOK at that texture!

Socks for ex.......ready to go!

Whew! Done!

These are leaving for Iraq on Monday. They have been washed in hot water and dried in the dryer - inside out [to keep them new looking].

Hmmm, what's next?

Autumn Lace

I've had this gifted yarn since Christmas. When I saw the Autumn Lace title in Six Sox KAL, this yarn (with the many colors of fall) came to mind.

This Unknown Yarn screamed - "Pick me to be made into those socks!" I just know you know what I'm talking about.

This pair is knit with a shorter leg than the patterns suggested knitting of 8 inches. I also knit the picot hem with a size smaller needle than the gauge needle. It flares out less that way.

The selfish side of me is knitting them for me. :)