moohlahknits

2008-09-22T07:28:00.000-07:00

I know, I am really, really good at blogging-one post every year or so. It seems that life has been hectic and often I think I have nothing to say that would interest anyone.
Since my last post we have had a new grandson, Hudsen, in May and he is a cutie patootie. Lots of hair and a drop dead smile. Carsen, his older brother, has entered 1st grade and it is an adjustment-long day and everyday. Bedtime hasn't been an issue-he is ready ! Caitlin ,now 8, was here for the summer. They have moved to Virginia by Washington ,D.C. and are stationed at Quantico. Amanda has been all over Europe and to Thailand since joining The Presidential Helicopter team and is loving it!! They stay in 5 star hotels(because the Pres does) and she is looking forward to seeing the rest of the world with the next President. London has been her favorite even though she did have to purchase $40.00 panty hose there-the weak US dollar and the high cost of everything in London made for an expensive purchase. Her husband, Ken, is an instructor at Officer's Candidate School and an MP.
Caitlin spent the summer horseback riding,swimming,and even took sewing lessons. She also had fun learning to dye yarn at The Yarn Garden in Charlotte. I am making her socks from the yarn she dyed.
Just got back from The Yarn Garden Retreat at the Potowatome Lodge in the Pokegon State Park in Indiana. What a place!! It is less than an hour and a 1/2 from my house and I never knew it was there. We had a great time-Lindsay from TYG organized a great retreat! Chis DeLongpere(spelling?) was our teacher and we learned lots by knitting a frog! Too cute. It must be my month for animals because I just knit Amanda a Hedgehog. She used to own one . It was a hit with all who saw it-never thought I would enjoy knitting stuffed animals or toys but it was fun.
Lots of knitting going on at my house. Slipper socks for Xmas gifts from the Kalamazoo Knits pattern-love doing socks on 2 circs,shawls/scarves including the entrelac "Watercolor Dreams" scarf and the JOJOland Swirl shawl. Today I get the yarn from TYG for a Norah Gaughan sweater-love her designs. Also 3 baby sweaters for Nov/Dec. due dates.
Took 2 classes from Cat Bordi, went to Stitches Midwest(WOW!) and the retreat. Planning on going on Rae's retreat too.
If anyone reads this, please leave a comment so I know if I should keep on blogging.

2007-12-17T06:05:00.000-08:00

Well, here it is a week before Christmas and,as is par for the DeLeeuws, Chaos has taken over. I said that this year I would not be knitting presents . Well, I had a small fall down and am knee deep in unfinished presents. I have finished a cabled purse(pattern from Sarah Peasley), 2 Victorian neckwarmers(Pattern on Etsy-love that site-from Jenny Hofer in a PDF-the ultra quick answer to a scarf )Dragon Scarf for Grandson-he loves dinoaurs and dragons-this was a really fun knit!!! Easy but changes enough to keep your interest. Other "presents" on the needle include the Baby Bump sweater from Lousia Hardings Natural Knitting for Moms and Babies. This may not make it to completion before Christmas but my daughter-in-law will understand. The Baby is not due til May so if it is finished in January she will get lots of use out of it.
Daughter and family arrive at the end of the week. :) They will return to South Carolina just to get their house packed up and then move to Quantico, Virginia-the land of inflated rents and house values. On the waiting list for base housing(six month wait) and their SC house not sold they are renting a townhouse for a measly $1600 a month! Plus utilities and their house payment in SC. Apparently SC housing market is as in the toilet as Michigan's is. She will be flying with the President(AT least that is what the Marines say this week) so we hope the move is worth it. Caitlin said she will move this time but after this "You People(her parents) can move but I'm just going to live with Grandma and Papa and go to the school around the corner. I already have friends there." She has it all figured out.
Back to knitting(my mind is really disjointed) the neckwarmers were out of Malibrigo(still my f avorite,the Yarn Garden, the purse is Pastaza by Cascade(Yarn Garden) the dragon is cascade(YG,Hmm,I see a pattern here) and the Baby Bump is out of a superwash from,yes, the YG.
Happy knitting to all and to all -it will be over soon.

2007-11-29T09:04:00.000-08:00

OK-here is my latest list of why I haven't blogged.
1. my mother came to stay while she recovered from knee replacement surgery. I am changing my name as a result-I still hear her bellowing "Pattie" in my dreams. Love her lots really-but love her best when she is with my Dad in Kalamazoo.
2. my son-in-law came to stay to deer hunt(he got an 8 pointer)-at the same time as my Mother-my dishwasher went twice a day-Kitchen is now closed til Christmas.
3. working at Community Ed/Registrar's office more than I planned
4. knitting for Christmas,after I swore I would not put myself in this position again! I am so weak.
But, I have been knitting. Making the Bump sweater for my daughter-in-law as she and my son are expecting #2 in May. It is from Natural knits for Mothers and Babies by Louisa Harding.
Knitting away on the KAL some of us joined with Gwen Bortner who was our teacher at Drummond Isand. By the way, she starts a new KAL in Jan. -something to do with color if you are interested. This KAL is a Kimono Jacket done in strips-one strip per month (unless you come in late like we did,then Catchup is the word) and it has been great fun and a learning experience. Baby socks and sweaters til I got tired of them-all have found homes .
Now I am trying to finish up a purse,sweater(see above),and a dragon scarf(for Grandson) before Dec. 25th. Plus 2 Harlot Hats out of STR.
Took a great class from Amy Singer on the Tuscany Shawl at Threadbear. Lots of fun-she is a hoot. The shawl is going along but I have had to set it aside to Christmas knit.
We also adopted 2 kitties from the Humane Society to fill the hole left by the passing of Spike the Shihszu. They are brothers and doing great. It was buy one get one free day so ...we did.
Dirty Gertie, the German Shorthair, is used to cats so she is cool with them but my daughter and her family are bringing their min-pin,Doberman and sugar glider for Christmas as they are leaving South Carolina and moving to Quantico,Virginia. Both are Marines and my daughter is going to fly with the President on the helicopter!!! She has passed all her security clearances so we have our fingers crossed that it is a go. It's a 4 year commitment-with a by for having to go to Iraq. Yes!!!! They want her husband to be a Drill Instructor for the Officers Candidate School at Quantico but he hopes to avoid that. It is quite intense and he has already done that for 3 years at Parris Island. He just wants to be a MP again. DI also carries a by for Irag but he doesn't want a by. Since they haven't sold their house in SC yet it looks like they will live on base(a 1st for them) in a base house and Caitlin can then go to Base School which is considered one of the best schools around. And they will be closer to us!!!!
Maybe when they are here I will learn how to put pics on this stupid thing so I can show you-I really do knit!

2007-10-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

Okay, So this time I have legitimate reasons for not blogging. Not that I am feeling obligated,Kristi!!!
First my computer died-I managed to save my knitting patterns(Thank God) thanks to Bert the computer guy but after trying fix the old harddrive he was forced to start from scratch.
Second, I went to California with Sarah. We had a great time-and a $12.00 Margarita!!!! I hope I get "invited" to a stitches event sometime with her. Hint,Hint! The TKGA was fun and both of us fell completely down in the Vendors Fair. Me especially! We also went to the best Farmer's Market I had ever seen! All Organic and so much we had never seen before. That California growing cycle is something.
Then, I went to Drummond Island with several friends to Rae's Retreat. We had a great time-Gwen Bortner,the teacher, was wonderful and we learned lots. We stopped at Cynthia's in Macinaw City both ways!! Yes, both, and we bought both times. Great little shop jammed full of knitting! Worth the trip if you are in the area.
I did get lots of knitting done-baby items for various showers I will be attending and have given. My neice was thrilled with the baby shrug,Tulip Cardigan, baby kimonos,hat and more that I knitted for her. In California I bought a great book with a knitted sundress-I made a large size for a demo for the Yarn Garden and now a small size for her soon to be daughter. And, Big News, My son ,Adam and his wife Mel, are finally expecting #2. Carsen is 6 so I had given up hope. Can't wait to find out what it is so I can get knitting. A cashmere purchase (or 4) that I made in California is waiting .
My Dad loved his vest-Carsen got dog hair hunting socks like his Dad's-and a purse or 2 are awaiting Christmas.
My last news, we have adopted 2 Kittens!! The loss of Spike(I still see his shadow every day around the house) called for a new family member. We said,"NO more Dogs"-but we have had cats over the years too. Our new family members are an Orange and White and his brother an Orange Tabby. They are named,repectively, Calvin and Hobbes after my favorite Cartoon boy and his stuffed Tiger whom our Hobbes is a spitting image . I had to sign a paper promising to keep them inside-or I couldn't adopt. So far, they are fitting in perfectly.
I have been making lots of baby socks from a plymouth yarn from Cynthia's. They are so cute-and some baby sweaters from Lindsay(Yarn Garden) out of Her new Organic wool(O-Wool) which are also to die for!! That organic wool and cotton washes up so softly!!!! Perfect for Babies!
So is her Cash Vero!
Soft,Soft,Soft and so beautiful to knit with!! Come to Charlotte and see all her new yarns-
If Kristi can blog with her busy life-I will try to blog more often. Does anyone read me????

2007-09-17T20:31:00.000-07:00

Ok-I know I am the worst blogger!! I read lots of blogs everyday and have good intensions about posting but somehow....and I am still hoping for a tutorial on posting pictures.
I have been in Registrar Hell for the last few weeks-I swear nothing in this world can surprise me as I have heard it all. Now that school has started I have moved up to Registrar Pergatory-most of the "Oh, did school start last week?" crew has made it into the hallowed halls of the Charlotte Public Schools. Now, half of them will start leaving and that means more hell.
On the knitting front , after a long period of starteritis I have managed to finish a few items.
The Shawl collar Vest is done and my Dad looks great wearing it. I have finished several baby items for my neices shower on Saturday-a bunting, tulip sweater,a baby bonnet, hat and the cutest baby shrug from the last issue of Knit Simple. I made in white as it was in the picture from Sublime cashmere mix yarn. I still have a "vest" to finish. It is a short sleeved sweater with eyelet trim around the neck where a ribbon winds through from "Cherished Babies" . I used O WOOl-an organic wool from The Yarn Garden. So soft. I liked the idea that the yarn is organic and made without chemicals so I hunted for the right pattern and made it in just a couple of days.
Knitapalooza was lots of fun. Kristi opened her home and lots of knitters showed up with food and yarn. Rae's gave everyone involved 15% off and many people and shops(including Threadbear) gave prizes for the drawing. We ate, we knitted, we enjoyed each others projects and company and left reluctantly 1/2 hour past our alloted time. I spent money on yarn that I should be saving for my trip next week with Sarah P.(I am her Roadie) to California. I did resist some silk yarn at Threadbear but it is still calling my name. Luckily, pergatory continues this week so I don't have time to head to Lansing.
On a health note, I have been swimming every day after work and taking a swimming exercise class. Really eases the stress-but I have found a few muscles that are very angry about my exercising them. I say-Freekum if they can't take a joke!!

2007-08-05T13:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a fun one! Spent the day at Threadbear taking classes from Annie Modesitt and they were full of information and fun knitting. Learning how to make a cool plaid with your yarn was a highlight and so were the breaks when we wandered in a huge store full of yarn.
After I left there I made a stop at Sarah P.'s to finalize flight plans for our trip to California at the end of September. I am so excited. Sarah is going to the TGKA in Oakland to teach for Beth Walker who can't and she asked me to go along. I get to sit in on Sarah's classes that she is teaching and I am taking a class on my own one day. I am taking a class on how to make mittens on one long circular and how to do 2 at the same time. I really wanted the class on how to do 2 socks at the same time but it was already filled. Maybe I can sneak in for a few minutes???
There is also a large vendor sale . I know I don't need any yarn but think it will be fun to see what the west coast has to offer that maybe we don't see around here. Anyways, I think we will have a great time and am really looking forward to it. If this works out well and Sarah and I enjoy our time together maybe I can accompany her again as I am sure this is going to lead to Sarah becoming a National teacher! Someday we can all say, "We knew Sarah when she only taught in the Lansing area"--:-).
I have so many projects on the needles right now, I don't know what to knit first. I seem to really be into baby projects. I have the Surprize Jacket, a lace sweater by EZ,a Black Purl baby sweater done in sock yarn(from the Yarn Garden, and I want to do a baby hat-it is a red beret with a leave and a worm on the top-get it?-an apple beret for baby. Got that pattern at Threadbear yesterday.
I am trying to give up all pop. Did you know that only around the Mid-west is Soda referred to as pop?? In the east it is Soda and in the south it is Coke. At restaurants in S.C. and Georgia they ask if you want a Coke, which means any type of pop. Anyways I read an article that says that even one can of Pop(either diet or regular) can contribute to diabetes and even heart problems. Dan gave up pop a few monthes ago(it was easy for him) but I love diet pop,especially the new Coke Vanilla and Vanilla Cherry. Yum. Because of my kidney stones I am suppossed to restrict any pop with caffine(sucks the calcium from your bones into your kidneys) and tanic acids(any colored pop) so I usually stick to diet Sprite or Sierra Mist. Wine also has tanic acids but we aren't going there-there is a limit to what a girl can stand. I am already sick of plain H2O as the article also said flavored waters are not good for you.
Getting old should be a lot easier than this.

2007-07-25T11:46:00.000-07:00

Good news-Bad news. Bad-Caitlin flew home this am. She was actually in South Carolina(well, Savannah, Ga.) before we made it home from the airport! 2 hours away by plane, yet it seems like the other side of the world. Good News- We had a great time while she was here and did so many fun things. She did 2 sessions of swimming lessons and at age 7 is already loving the diving board. She took the train to Chicago to American Girl and other sites. She took horseback riding lessons and is hooked(Paybacks are hell Amanda!!). She took a crafting class, we sewed and knit. We went to a lugnuts game and she got to dance on the big screen with her cousin Carsen 3(yes, 3) times. She swam in the pond when we didn't go to the pool, she went to the fair with friends(thank you-I hate fairs). We watched movies at home and the theater(yeah for Hairspray) and read most of Nurse Matilda(the original Nanny MacPhee) and some Junie B. Jones books. She rode the ranger and even drove, she feed the fish and caught some, the list goes on and on. Now I have the rest of the summer to myself-but the house is quiet as a tomb without the Blond Bombshell.
Can't wait for Christmas!!!!!!!!!
I have been doing some knitting in the lulls. The Tulip cardigan is finished and another is taking shape. 2 more baby kimonos are ready -with some help from Sarah,my Dad's vest collar is almost done(thanks, Sarah for interpreting EZ and Meg) and a baby surprize sweater is almost done. I took Lynn's Turkish Sock class and learned a new toe up cast on. And, Ta Da, Sarah who will be teaching in Oakland Ca. in September(check her blog for details) has asked me to go along. I am smiling all over-Stitches West!!!!!!!! And with a true knitter.
I also got the word I am on Raverly. Not sure what I will do with it yet.
Having a little lie down now-we got up at 5am to take Caitlin to the Airport and there is usually only one 5 o'clock on my clock and that ends in PM not AM!!!

2007-06-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

It was a sad day yesterday at our house. Spike the wonder shihtzu passed on to doggy heaven about 12:30 in the afternoon. He had had a bad weekend-wouldn't move,eat, go out etc. so I knew it was not good. The vet said a massive infection was taking over his body. We had been fighting skin infections issues since January. While most of his bloodwork was good ,his white cell count was skyrocketing. She said he might have just an infection-(old dog something or other, who listens when your heart is breaking?) or even a cancer, probably luekemia ifi anything. So I made the horrible (but she said right) desicion to have him put to sleep. Caitlin and I spent some time with him and he was given a tranqulizer to calm his fears. I asked for one too but apparently vets don't have people pills on hand-I thought a horse tranquilizer would do fine-she disagreed. In a moment of child wisdom, Caitlin told Spike that now he would go to doggy heaven and meet up with past pets and Greatpapa DeLeeuw and he could be up his butt for awhile . The running joke was that Spike went everywhere I did and could be found, if missing, up my butt. Leave it to a child to bring some smiles to bad day!
Baby bunting done. Need more of 1 color to finish the Tulip Cardigan. More on knitting next time.
I'm going to miss my buddy.

2007-06-18T13:43:00.000-07:00

Hello Knitters,
Is this hot weather killing you?? My husband and I are at odds because he hates Air Conditioning and ,while it is not my favorite thing, I absolutely NEED it on days like this. I can't take the heat anymore-I get a tad grouchy and while I try to explain that (like PMS) this state will subside when my house cools to 70 degrees F.
It has not slowed the knitting. I have a Tulip Cardigan almost finished(original version) and a baby bunting out of Malabrigo about 1/2 done. Going to swimming class with a 7 year old each day allows for lots of knitting time. Caitlin's sweater coat (Malabrigo Chunky) is blocking and I am awaitning some Rowan cotton to make a cute little sweater from a Mother/Child book by Rowan(actually RYC) for one of the babies due in my circle soon.
Caitlin's yarn for her Polkadot Circle coat has arrived. I am anxious to start it and I bought some more Bamboo from the Yarn Garden to make a summer top for Amanda-who can wear it til December in South Carolina.
On a non knitting note-go see Waitress with a girlfriend-it's a hoot and while I have mentioned it before , it is worth mentioning again.
My reading these days is Nurse Matilda(Nanny McPhee was the movie made from this book) and Junie B. Jones books. Great way to bond with a 7 year old girl. Movies are "High School Musical" (for this one you need insulin) and The Princess Diaries , Home Alone 2 and Jump.
TV(I did get to watch "Resue Me" with Denis Leary on Wed. night) is mainly Hannah Montana.
Loving it though!!!!!!!!
If you haven't seen the Tulip Cardigan go to the Yarn Harlot's blog. It's a cutie. Threadbear has kits in many colorways and Lettuce Knit in Toronto also is doing kits. They take telephone orders.
And , check out the Yarn Garden. I can't believe the changes already. We are so lucky to have so many LYS in the area. Robin's (Rae's dog) brother is also at the Yarn Garden. Noro is his name. Isn't it a small world.??
Sloppy Joes for dinner and a night of knitting-intersperced with UNO. What a life I lead!!

2007-06-05T20:26:00.001-07:00

Okay __I just wrote a long blog and by mistake I published it in the Dutchicans-GAWD!!!!
I don't know how to get it back into moohlahknits so if you go to the Dutchicans you can read it. I am not typing it all over again. I am grumpy, I have poison ivy, I am alone with a 7 year old and I need a nap.
Please go to the Dutchicans and read it-then tell me how to transfer it.
It really was a nice blog entry. :(

2007-05-20T16:20:00.000-07:00

Lots going on in DeLeeuw land.
Went to South Carolina for the annual dance recital. Yes, I really go every May just for that. Other Grandma's out there will understand. The weather was beautiful and am now waiting for the end of the month when school is out and Caitlin flys here for her 6 weeks or so. I plan to get lots of knitting done while she takes 4 weeks of swim lessons!!!!!
My Daughter has been selected to go through the process of joining the HMX team which is the Marines that guard and stay with the President on Helicopter trips . This is a long process which involves Security delving into every aspect of your life since birth. Seriously! We had to list our neighbors. It is an honor just to be chosen so she is pretty serene about the whole thing. I just hope that when they finally get to Quantico that Virginia has yarn shops. South Carolina is seriously lacking.
I have given all the baby Kimonos away-which gives me an excuse to buy more Malabrigo. Love that stuff. Got lots of baby alpaca for a song at the last Guild Meeting from the tables of "I don't want this anymore,can we trade??" A really great reason to belong if you need one.
Also got some wonderful 100% Bamboo from The Yarn Garden. Lindsay is wasting no time making changes and is going to TNNA on a shopping spree!! The bamboo is rapidly turning into a baby dress from a Knitting Pure and Simple pattern. It is going into the "Another Baby shower pile??" as everyone seems to have drank from the same water fountain and found themselves pregnant. Not me or any of mine, thank God!
I really want to start a new big project-a sweater from a Rowan book-but I need to finish my Dad's vest, Caitlin's ballet sweaters and ...
I am not buying the yarn for the Rowan sweater until these are completed. I'm not. Really. I can show great restraint at times. Really.
And I don't appreciate the laughter. Oh, that's me laughing. Sometimes subconsciouses can be annoying. Really.

2007-04-29T15:51:00.000-07:00

Hello to all,
Yes, I know, I haven't been blogging! I will do better. I have been knitting. Mainly baby things like a beaded baby bonnet out of Artyarns beaded yarn in pink chocolate, several baby kimonos in Malabrigo(which may be my favorite new yarn-check out Threadbear, but leave me some).
The Yarn Garden, my LYS, has been bought by Lindsay Harmon. She is only 24( I have fat older than that) but is multi-talented and a fabulous knitter. Soon all new stock will arrive. Be there. She is now open Mondays and Two night-Tues. and Thurs. Support her please-she will have a website and of course will ship anywheres.
Been very busy with Kindergarten Roundup-2 more days to go and they are long ones-8am to 8pm. One mother asked for a weekend appt.-sure, you bet, like I don't want to have a life. So the day after that nightmare ends I am off to South Carolina to visit my Marines and see my Granddaughter's dance recital. They are still in S.C. but will be moving to Quantico by Jan.(stay tuned the military changes its mind more than most people change their underwear) and hopefully(please pray and cross your fingers) Amanda will be joining the group of Marines that guard and travel with the president on the presidential helicopter. It is a great honor to just be considered and they sought her out for the job so we are hoping for her that she passes the background check(all crazy relatives are requested to lay low) so that the job is hers. And it will keep her out of Iraq.
I am taking knitting to S.C.-my new STR club yarn and pattern and some other UFOs--but Jumproping may get in the way. It is Caitlin's new passion and it may kill me.
Go to sarahpeasley.com and link to her blog to see the blanket that many of us made squares for to surprise her after a bad winter. I think she was pleased and tears were in many eyes.
I got some of the new Beesweet African yarn at The Knitting Room in Rochester. Any ideas what I should do with it? Dreamweaversyarn.com has a cute cardigan pattern to go with the yarn but I don't know if I have enough. The Knitting Room is a great shop. Also went to Skeins on Main and Have You Any Wool. Skeins was great-Have you, was so so. My knitting partner Norma grew up in that area so she knew the hot spots.
More soon. Did I mention that mothers of 5 year olds are annoying? Yes, we know your child is a genius but he is a boy and a late November birthday means his social skills may need tweeking(til he is at least 26 research shows!) so maybe Young 5's may be the better placement. Yes, I know he is a genius--just wish you were!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-04-02T06:53:00.000-07:00

Maybe all this happened because it was April Fools Day.
Yesterday Kristi(Reddog), Kelli(Knitterbunny), Julee,another Kelli,Erin(Eblog) and I headed for Ann Arbor and the Harlot. Since Knitterbunny and I had attended last year we knew we had to leave early, sit on the front right side of the room and bring yarn. We left with great breakfast burritos(many thanks to Kristi's husband and Mother-in-law) and our well thought out plan. Now, you know what happens when you plan. Yes, the best laid plans ... We arrived in AA full ,gifted(Knitterbunny gave us all shower gels from Bath and Body Works-YUM-I used mine this morning-I smell like apples-YUM) and ready to knit while we waited for the 2pm arrival of the Harlot. At 1:15 it was announced that she had flown to Detroit, but due to fog(I was confused-it was sunny and beautiful in AA, a mere 20 minutes away) her plane had returned to Chicago and she was trying to get another flight to Detroit so ... they hoped she would arrive by 4:00. Long faces all around. Then in walked Jane Hathaway from the Beverly Hillbillies(don't tell me you don't know who this is--watch TVLand!) . It was really a woman (Kristi actually gave her this pen name due to her remarkable resemblence to Jane) from the LYS called "Busy Hands". She handed out flyers and since we had 2 hours and since it was only 2 blocks away and it housed yarn-Everyone went .I am sure this little shop had no idea what 200 knitters with time to kill can do to a shop. Plus, the malabrigo was on sale. I love it when a plan looks to be thwarted and then comes together..I scored(I mean needed) some chunky for a cute kids sweater and then I found some malabrigo lace weight (baby merino wool) and needed that too.
Chunky in Saphire magenta and baby in geranio and red mahagony. Everyone found something that sang to them-even Kristi ,who never buys yarn without a plan and doesn't have stash, bought some malabrigo without a planned pattern of use. I think we have brought her to the dark side-one more knitter whose soul now belongs to us. Cue evil laugh.
Stephanie did show(at about 4:30 or so) after being stranded at Detroit Metro and driven to AA by a knight in shining armour who had never met her but felt her pain and wanted to help. She talked for a short time(Bummer) and signed all books. Our plan to be 1st in line was thwarted by a man from the AA Library who sent the left side if the room up 1st -rats-but we persevered and got our books signed.
All in all, good company, good knitting, good yarn buys, Stephanie, a new book by Stephanie, meeting Kristi's twins(who are even cuter in person. Loved Gangles crooked smile he gave Mommy) made for a good day.

2007-03-12T06:32:00.000-07:00

In answer to my 2 comments-Thank you! Yes, Erin I know you sent me a "how to" but I need hands on , in the room tutoring. I am old-I can remember when the word computer meant "someone who adds and subtracts". Soon , I know pictures will appear-you guys know where I live-whats the hold up???????
Oh, and the reason I don't answer the comments-you guessed it-I don't know how!!!!!!!!!!I have lots of "wisdom" gained from living so long but again-computer knowledge,not so much-!! Even the computers at the school ask me to do only specific tasks already programmed for me by someone who is 17,but looks 11. Amazingly I trust them-they know their stuff-they come when called. They do give the big sigh but they set us up. I can take attendance ,put money into lunch accounts, look up any student and their families(scary sometimes) and many other things but since we are discouraged from doing personal things on our school computers (they watch us like hawks-your tax dollars at work) I lack skills in real life windows computing.
But I have hope-I can remember when I could only knit and purl and the item had to be flat-now I can(well, sometimes) knit most anything. Pattern dyslexia(my term for "what the hell does this mean) can slow me down but I know in kniting if I do it wrong I can just frog it.
I am trying the "SECRET" to gain new skills. So far, not so many.
Kelli (Knitterbunny) said she was on a yarn binge. I feel her exhiliration(er-Pain) . Today I may hit "The Little Red Schoolhouse"-if we had sound(we don't do we???) you could hear me give an evil laugh as I go out the door to get yarn(I mean groceries) .
Stay tuned to this station for pictures. But don't hold your breath!!

2007-03-10T12:41:00.000-08:00

Well, that month flew by-I may not be really great at this posting ritual!! Today is finally a beautiful almost ,maybe soon spring day and the sun is really out!
I don't know what it is about the last month , but I can't seem to stop buying yarn. I now enough yarn in just this new explosion of retail heaven to last all of us a lifetime. I love the new line of Sublime(see some at Rae's or lots at Lavender and Peonies in DeWitt. I love the new wool Blam Boo from Classic Elite(i think) ,see it at The Clever Ewe in Ada or Threadbear. I am making Caitlin a ballerina style wrap sweater from the WBB and it knits up so beautifully! Yes, I know I need pictures-hopefully soon my daughter will arrive to save the day-unless she or hubby heads for Iraq. Do I need to say what I think of WB???
I am still finishing the Shawl Collared Vest by Meg for my Dad. I have ripped the collar out 4 times because I don't like the way the increases look so I have ignored it's pulsating presence and made a mobieus, a baby sweater and the ballet sweater. It is like the Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Alan Poe--bu-bump,bu-bump next to my chair.
It is time to sign up for Knitting Camp but due to the possiblity of deployment to Iraq by my Marines I am not going this summer....:(- I need to keep July open in case Caitlin needs a home for the summer and beyond. Also , I want to go to Rae's Retreat in Oct.(see her website for details) and any retreat the Guild chooses so perhaps I need to think thrifty. My yarn budget leaked over my food budget this last month-no, we are not any thinner-Mac and Cheese is cheap and filling.
My Quivet is also pulsating-I just can't find the perfect lacy pattern for either a scarf or mitts. Suggestions are welcome.
There is also a Candace Eisner Strick weekend of classes in Marshall put on by the South Central Michigan Knitting Guild. It is March 31 and April 1 but I do really want to go see the Harlot in AA on April 1st.... so many choices and a bored husband to leave behind.
Can't wait to get a new large Go Pouch--I plan to try knitting while I walk for exercise. This should prove interesting as coordination and I have never been personally introduced.
On to knitting-but if you know of any shops or retreats I may have missed, please fill me in-I don't have a thing to knit or a square to spare.
Happy Trails.

2007-02-12T10:32:00.000-08:00

Just spent a great weekend at the Kellogg's Biological Center on Gull Lake. Not sure if that is the "real" name of the place but it's close. The Mid Michigan Knitter's Guild went on a retreat there this past weekend. Kellogg's beautiful Manor House(built about 1929) is at this site. Wow-a beautiful old Mansion in a Tudor style on the shores of Gull Lake. I grew up around this area and I can tell you that the mansion is set on some of the highest rent property in Michigan. People buy houses for a million or so dollars on Gull Lake-tear them down and put up bigger houses worth more money than I will ever see, have, or know of. Millionaires are common as dirt there-and multimillionaires are looked down upon by the billionaires. This East Side Kalamazoo girl can only dream-but at least I know some people who live there-none of which will be leaving me any of their money. Our nephew married into a Gull Lake family whose home went 1 million over budget-and they are not thirty yet! Sigh-too much pressure for me !!! Talk about trying to keep up with the Jones!!!! It's impossible if their names are UpJohn or Parfet.
We were not in the Mansion-it was the summer home of the Cornflake King from Battle Creek, Kellogg. Like in Tony the Tiger Frosted Flakes. MSU owns it now and hopefully it will remain well kept and open. Our retreat was held in the adjacent buildings and really the place was very nice. Dorm rooms(better than I remember) and all the food was handled by the staff. Great food-enough to feed a small country-snacks too!
Two workshops were held-one on Shadow knitting and one on the Moebieus. Great fun! I didn't ever really get Shadow Knitting before the workshop-but once the teacher showed us how to view the "hidden" pictures I found it fascinating! And easy! I had done a couple of Moebieus(I have no idea what the plural of that word is or even if I am spelling the word correctly) but the cast on still throws me-It is like rubbing your stomach and patting your head at the same time! Like the Kitchner Stitch it is easier to have someone else count while your concentrate on under/over casting on -unless you are multi-talented and ambedexterous(God, my spelling has gone to hell). Rae from Rae's Yarn Boutique(soon to be a published author-watch this space) taught this workshop and it was fun to see the different yarns others had chosen and what their projects looked like.
There was tons of free time to knit-no interruptions-and everyone was friendly, nice and fun to get to know better. Jessica did a great job setting up the retreat-applause, applause! Can't wait to do it again. Rae is planning a retreat at Drummond Island in October - I will be there God willing and the creek don't rise!
My shawl collar vest for my Dad, which has been a breeze thanks to Kim Torrko's video, has only the collar to finish. I have torn it out 3 times-I just don't like the way the increases look so I am starting it again and again. Dan is making antler horn buttons for it out of deer antlers we have-so far they are too small but I think he has the idea now.
My thrummed socks are cozy and I love the "afterthought heel" which I think is one of Lynn H.'s favorites . It was my first time to try these and I will use this heel again-I mean, you just knit a tube with a little waste yarn where the heel belongs, tear out the waste yarn and stick in your needles for the heel. Cool.
I have also started a "ballerina" cross over style sweater for Caitlin out of Wool Bam Boo that I found at the Clever Ewe in Ada. Very nice yarn!!! And booties for N. Curtis's new granddaughter out of Sublime from Rae's. Norma went on the retreat and was very patient-she waited and left for Cinncinatti for quality baby time after the Sunday free knit time.
Another storm is headed for Michigan(they say) but even with the below zero wind chill and snow we are better off than that town in New York on Lake Ontario-100 inches and counting-dear God!!! I hope the knitters there were prepared with lots of new yarns and projects. Almost sounds good doesn't it!!! LOL

2007-01-23T09:39:00.000-08:00

Well, here is my second post of the day.
I had 267 e-mails to look through(deleting265) and now I am ready to vent.
Savannah is a beautiful historic city-take a tour it is worth it. The Historic downtown area and Riverfront are fabulous and full of shopping, restaurants and a very walkable area. When those of us in the north think of Savannah and food I think many of our thoughts go to Paula Deen-the food network phenom with cookbooks, magazines and of course, her famous restaurant, Lady and Sons located in the historic section of Savannah by the City Market. Since we had heard so much about Paula we thought it would be fun to go to her restaurant for dinner. We called her restaurant where a recording informed us that to sign up for prioity seating(NOT Reservations-those are only for groups of 10 or more) we would need to come in person to the restaurant at 3:30 PM and leave our names. Being the best Grandma ever, I walked to PD"S arriving about 3:20 PM. The line was over a block long. I assumed the hoard was there for a late lunch-how naive of me- no, they were all there to put in their names for prioirty seating. I should have kept walking and shopped at the city market-I should have kept walking and gone back to the hotel. I did not. I got in line.
One hour and a half later we had seats for the 9:00 seating. We were told to be there at no later than 8:45 or risk losing our precious place.
We arrived at 8:30. We were greeted by a thundering hoard of people-all with 9:oo priority seating. We were escorted into the restaurant at 9:30 PM. We should have kept walking.
The inside of the restaurant on the main floor is small with small tables and a spot to buy everything Paula's marketing group has thought of that someone might want to spend a fortune on. We were escorted to the 3 rd floor- they said the "banquet area"-I say a warehouse! It was dingy, for the most part undecorated,loud as it has warehouse ceilings and full of long , old wooden tables with wooden chairs. It reminded me of my elementary school which was old (really old) in the 50's and 60's. The lighting was the old school type lighting. There were no tablecloths, no ambiance at all. It was so crowded that squeezing between tables was an effort.
There was a buffet(the specialty of the restaurant) or a small menu. On the menu the Chicken Pot Pie (Paula's trademark) was $24.oo. It could easily feed 4 but ... The buffet was okay-stocked with her fried chicken, catfish, assorted southern veggies and dishes, potatoes and her Mac and Cheese. It had a small uninspriring salad bar. It was crowded-but they kept it well stocked. In other words-a giant disappointment and a tourist trap rip off. It was so loud you couldn't hear the person next to you speak-thus making everyone yell and adding to the chaos.
There are many wonderful small Mom and Pop restaurants in the area with wonderful southern ambiance and homemade seafood. Go to them. PD's made Yoders in Shipshewana look like a four star Hollywood restaurant. We ate at several of the small Mom and Pop's-wonderful.
If you still have even an inkling of desire to go-walk in the restaurant area on the main floor-go to the booth where the mixes and cookbooks,etc. are located, spend your money for a overpriced item and keep walking til the smell of fresh seafood fills your nostrils -then go in to a small Mom and Pop's and dine on some of Savannah's best. You won't find it at Paula Deen's.
My work is done here-don't say I didn't warn you. There is also no yarn.

2007-01-23T07:43:00.000-08:00

Home from the deep south last night! The weather there was in the 50's and 60's but not too much sun. Had a great time and thousands of games of UNO were played! Abslutely no knitting was accomplished-- and since there are no yarn stores to speak of in the area no new yarn was purchased. I am starting to twitch.
Caitlin was the hit of the jewelry show-every vendor gave her something free, from earrings to candy. She was also a hit with the ferry Captains that took us from our island hotel to the historic riverfront of Savannah. On her last night and her last trip back to the hotel the Captain even gave her a big TOOT on the ferry horn! She was so thrilled!!
Time to try and catch up on my thrummed socks before Rae gets back-I missed class two.

2007-01-16T12:00:00.000-08:00

Sarah Peasley has made it official-my blog is listed on her blog .
Leaving for Savannah,Ga and Lady's Island, S.C. in the early morn. A business convention mixed with a visit with our daughter and her family. Little knitting will be accomplished but many games of Sorry! and card games and stories will be the order of the week. Plus some shopping in Savannah and downtown Beaufort,S.C. Great area-love it there!! This will probably be my last trip down to that area because the Marines are moving to Quantico,Virginia. At least they are moving in the right direction! North!
The steek cutting and armholes went well on the shawl collar vest-now on to the collar and it will be finished! My thrummed socks need more thrums before I can go on-as I said I wish they could be bought in plastic bags like pompoms. Boring to make! And they stick to everything and I seem to lose them-often. They are probably stuck to my big butt and I can't see them.
Going to Guild tonght-even if the packing isn't done. 2M and aYoyo will not be able to pack without me-I am needed.

2007-01-13T09:32:00.000-08:00

Hello Knitters,
Hope your January is going well-the weather has been such a departure from the norm-I keep waiting for the BOOM to be lowered on us!
I have been keeping busy working at Community Education and Aquatic Center for the schools. It is so fun to sub there-great group of people. Although, it does cut heavily into my knitting time!
I have my father's shawl collar vest(Meg's pattern from her Handknitting book) ready to cut the steeks!! Do you think they intentionally had the word steek rhyme with EKK??!! I have also been working on several mobeiuses(sp?) using Cat's method-although I did find a different method to cast on which I have yet to try. I used cashmere for the small version and am now doing a couple larger versions which I hope will be shawl like-it is hard to tell till you remove them from the needles.
I am taking a Thrummed sock class from Rae at Rae's Yarn Boutique. They look like they will be really warm!! I am using an Artyarn from her and some of her cashmere roving for the thrumms-are you getting the idea I like cashmere?? Rae herself will be meeting Cat as she is going to Cat's island(off Seattle) for a workshop on doing a knitting book. Rae is already publishing a few of her own patterns and is in the new SWTC book of Hats.
I met Susie Grogran from Grayling (she dyes sock yarn and sells it on her blog(perchance to dream) at Threadbare on Sunday! What a nice lady with beautiful yarn. Some of her handdyed is for sale there and more to come. She also gives you a beautiful marker with each purchase.
I also bought some of Rae's new yarn-Sublime(75%fine merino-20%silk-5%cashmere) to whip up a small pair of ballerina booties and a ballerina wrap sweater for a friend whose daughter is having a baby soon. Patterns in The Little Sublime Hand Knit Book. This yarn is so soft!
Tonight Dan and I are going to Jeff Daniels at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center. I love him.As you know , he lives in Chelsea where he grew up so that he can keep his kids from the Hollywood excesses.
Next week it is off to Savannah, Ga. and Lady's Island ,S.C. for a convention and as a bonus to see my daughter,son-in-law and Granddaughter!! They will soon be moving to Quantico,Virginia as Ken will be a Drill Instructor for the Officer's Boot Camp which is located there. There is no joy over this(well,from me yes-it means closer to Michigan) as Ken had volunteered to head to Iraq but was stationed at Quantico instead. He is very disappointed(sense of duty big time) but with Bush(can you all now boo very loud please-He is an idiot!!) sending even more of our precious sons and daughters over there ,who knows, maybe Ken will get to go after all. I just hope they don't take Amanda! Then Dan and I would get Caitlin for a year at least-great for us, but horrible for ken, Amanda and Caitlin. I know they are Marines and we knew this could come when she joined-still I hate our country being involved in this senseless war that is looking more like VietNam every day.
Remember, Knitting first-housework never.
Pat

2006-12-29T10:07:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year-hope everone's Christmas was full of family, friends and hope.
Since it is soon to be 2007 and I found a few extra dollars after Christmas I decided to donate to Doctors Without Borders through Stephanie Pearl- McPhee'a blog.
So far, since Dec. 15th, over 120,000 Dollars has been donated by knitters to this worthy cause. Be careful world, we are a huge group and we carry pointy sticks!!
All my company has gone home. sigh I miss Caitlin already, but am ready to have my house back and some time to knit, shop, listen to the new books on CD I got for Christmas and watch the knitting videos Santa(well, actually,me) left in my stocking. I also have cash burning a hole in my pocket from Hubby to buy yarn with!!! What to buy first???? I can't just go off whilly,nilly now can I? Yes, I can!! It is found money to spend as I see fit!! It is enough to seriously add to my already multipying in the dark stash. It makes me smile. So, to feel even better, I donated a little to Doctors Without Borders.
No snow in Michigan yet-no white Christmas, but I am looking forward to the blizzard which I know will come (it is only a matter of time-this is Michigan) and force me to stay home and just knit!!

2006-12-24T09:56:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all and to all Zen knitting!! Talk to you after Christmas.
Santa Comes tonight!! Miss Caitlin is very excited and so are we as it is so much fun to have Santa come to our house again.

2006-12-16T06:49:00.000-08:00

Good Morning,
My kitchen is open again-all is wrapped!! I have finished my "absolutly must be done for Christmas" knitting. The necklace with the Maggie clasp looks nice and the Newfoundland Dog hair/wool socks for my son-in-law are wrapped. My index finger is killing me!!! My daughter's shrug is so cute and soft-I hope it fits-Phoenix Bess must have anorexic arms. I may continue to knit on "possible" presents.

On a "it only happens to me" note-our 10ft. prelit tree is slowly dying. When we put it up one string of light at eye level were out and changing fuses and bulbs did nothing so I put my peek a boo Santa (his head peeks out from behind the tree and his arms wrap around it) that the Grandkids love in that spot. Problem solved? For a few days. Then I noticed the lights at the very top level were out. Damn. Again, no fuse or bulb replacement helped. I am afraid by Christmas the whole tree will have died. And now, it is all decorated and impossible to reach because it it surrounded with presents that stick out past the tree for 6 ft. NO, I am not taking it down and buying a new tree at this point. I no longer care- and my husband had fear in his eyes at the very thought that I might consider doing this. His little"2 monkeys and a yoyo"brain was spinning as he calculated the time factor of taking away the presents, undecorating,taking down the tree, shopping for a new tree,..well, you get the idea. Since my Marine daughter and Granddaughter are flying in Monday(God willing and the creek don't rise) I will let her deal with it. I'm tough(I did RAISE a Marine afterall) but she IS the Marine and if it positively has to be destroyed and rebuilt overnight she is the one to do it!!!!!!
Merry Christmas to all-may your knitting be finished and your family/friends delighted with it!!!!!!

2006-12-06T11:19:00.000-08:00

There will be no cooking in my kitchen until further notice. My island is covered in presents, wrapping paper, bags, ribbon and tags. I am trying to get some things wrapped and organized so that I can figure out what I have for everyone and what I still to need to buy-hopefully not much because my husband is going to have a coronary when the Visa Bill arrives as it is.
My shrug for Amanda is almost finished-doing the ruffle on the collar (about 800 stitches I swear) and then just a quick sewing up. I have started the dog hair/yarn socks for my son-in-law's birthday(dec. 23) and am starting my Mom's fuzzy slipper socks today. Someone please make me stop beginning new Christmas projects!!
My tree is not up yet because I need 2 strong men to carry it up from the basement storage room so decorating is at a standstill. I suggested the small tree that goes in the foyer-my "grown" children threw hissy fits -I suggested they put up their own trees in their own homes to compensate for the smaller Grandma tree-they threw hissy fits. TRADITION-Apparently they are really 3 Russian Jewish men on a roof top.
On a lucky note... my husband ordered a Guardian Generator that hooks up to our propane tank and kicks on automatically when we lose power-which is more often than you would think in the 21st century. I was kind of against it-I hate spending that much money on anything except jewelry or yarn but I kept my mouth shup(made my teeth hurt to do so) and low and behold on Friday(dec 1st I think) we lost power!! That baby kicked right in and we had heat, toilets(wells need electricity),showers, freezer,fridge, stove, t.v., and lights!!!!! No one around us had any of these things.Is my husband smart or what???!!! But don't tell him I said so-he thinks I think his brain contains only 2 monkeys and a yoyo. It is better that way.

2006-11-30T09:27:00.000-08:00

This has been the wettest and worst November I can remember. Tonight is "Ladies Night" at our Jewelry store(Carl V. Reck's in Charlotte-ok a shameless plug) and we serve champagne and homemade chocolates to ladies coming in to make out their wish lists. Last year it was standing room only out into the street, but this year we are expecting freezing rain and snow........... guess we will find out how bad women want free champagne and chocolates-and jewelry!! I am also heading for Chicago on my annual bus trip with a Kalamazoo friend on Saturday. I hope-the snow is supposed to be heavy here and that means tons more in Kazoo and Chicago(good old Lake Michigan loves to dump both places) so who knows???
The shrug for my daughter is almost done-the Nashua from the Yarn Garden is knitting up beautiful. I like it so much I may make Mel(daughter-in-law) one also,even though I have her shooping done.I also need to make a beaded purse for my neice Rachel but am waiting on a #3 12" circular needle to arrive.
Check out Erin Jerick's blog for cute Christmas gift ideas(the card with the tree,decorated with stitch markers is a great idea for your knitting friends)and Sarah Peasley's blog has some great ideas too. I have some of Susie's sock yarn and it is beautiful stuff-her colorways are to die for and you get a free beaded stitch marker with each skein--great gifts if you can bear to part with them. Also check out the picture of Kristi picking up the knitted gifts. She will be overwhelmed with the generosity of the knitting community!! Great job knitters!!!!

2006-11-27T10:53:00.000-08:00

Hello knitters,
Hope all had a great Thanksgiving Weekend!! I had the family home (except for the South Carolina branch) and we ate turkey and pie with all the trimmings. So much for my 19 lb weight loss!!
On Saturday, I took the Dragon Shawl workshop by Sharon Winesauer at Rae's Yarn Boutique. Wow--it is quite a lace project and I heard that there is even a blog devoted to knitting the shawl which extends to many foreign countries. I need to work my practice graphs a few more times before I feel confident enough to even begin to try it. For those of you who haven't seen the picture go to Raesyarnboutique.com for a look see.
I have really enjoyed the Guild Meetings. November's was a chance for anyone with a business to set up a table and sell to the group. Nancy from Woven Arts was there and I purchased a skein (a very tiny skein) of Quivek. That is yarn spun from Musk Ox. Since Musk Oxen love the frigid weather(they like 40 below) it is very warm!!!!!!! It is also very expensive---shh, $60.00!! I have enough (215 yards or so) to make small handwarmers of a short lacy scarf.
I also got a few more cards from Erin-thanks to her home workshop I now have enough Christmas cards for the season. She also had a cute Christmas card with stitch markers as the decorations on a tree. Great idea for a present so I ordered two.
Lynn had handdyed yarn and handdyed socks, Rae had cute tiny wood sock blocker kits that make a darling keychain-also a great gift idea and others had yarn, roving and ideas so it was a great evening.
I finished the "tempting" sweater for my Granddaughter in purple DB Cashmireno Aran from the Yarn Garden and now am whipping up a ruffled shrug for my daughter from a Phonex Bess pattern. She has very trendy, young looking patterns. She has a website(phoenixbess.com) or see her patterns on Dreamweaversyarn.com.
I also have one necklace (tilletomas beaded yarn) done and one started which I have MagKnit clasps for and even have some of my shopping done. I expect the "real life" problems to surface anyday now with a resounding crash-throwing me into chaos since things have been going so smoothly.

2006-11-11T09:57:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been awhile!! You see, in my world it is bow hunting season which means my son-in-law from S.C. , my oldest son and my 1st husband are all spreading testosterone around my usually clean and uncluttered(by manly things) home. I am grumpy!! I am sick of leaves, dirt, dishes, testosterone,farting,not being able to get to my washer and dryer(hunting clothes fill it with Scent sheild soap and dryer sheets that smell (literally) like dirt. I need to see some women!! I need to vent!
My hormones(if I have any left) are dreaming of an apartment of my own-no men allowed!!
Schools were closed yesterday, but I went in to answer phones. I finished a beaded yarn necklace(tille tomas) and one bootie for the Dutchicans. I had 2 phone calls in 6 hours and then the Superintendant called to say "shut her down and go home"-I did!!
I got a tille tomas drawstring purse in the mail and want to start it right away. It is for a neice for Xmas--but it is so cool.... It is from Cynthia's Fine Yarns and Gifts-check her website or call her-231-436-5882(cynthiasyarn.com)
I have to say the T.T. beaded yarn is somewhat challenging to knit with at first and why is it that all beads go to the back side??????
I joined the Socks that Rock sock club-go to their website and register-you get a new STR sock yarn like every month and it is a color that is not available for sale to the general public. Their yarn is so great-Rae carries it if you want to see some of the colorways and she has a huge order coming sometime(STR are very vague on delivery dates).
I have even started my shopping-Grandchildren almost done and they are the most important!! My Granddaughter wants a sewing machine!! I am so happy. She likes to kint too---My daugher not so much-it must skip a generation because my Mom hates to sew, knit etc. but my Grandmother was a Goddess of all things creative.

2006-10-29T09:59:00.000-08:00

Hello knitters,
Kriti's new the other day was so shocking and sad. I literally cried at my computer. I can't imagine the horror of losing a child like that and having to carry it to term --I am praying that the other boys are growing stronger each day and she continues to keep them inutero til at least the delivery date. I have to think that God knew what she was doing when she took Eli - maybe a defect that would cause more pain than hope. My sister-in-law went through this but their son lived for 10 weeks after birth and it was very difficult for everyone.
I have started my Christmas knitting. A necklace with a Mag clasp and tilli thomas beaded yarn, a sweater for my Granddaughter and I have several other projects in mind. This is crazy as I swore last December I would never knit presents again!!! But hope springs eternal so again I am getting myself in deep. Someone stop me!!
If you want to see the tilli thomas yarns and some kits go to Dreamweaversyarn.com. Great Site. I hope my 1st husband is getting me the kit for the tilli tomas cabled sweater. It is costly but really spectacular and their new sweater-a tunic- is beautiful too.
I will be at Rae's Thursday late afternoon and night so stop in and buy some yarn from me-I want to look good!!

2006-10-22T15:13:00.000-07:00

Well, the weekend started out with me in a small snit. Many of my knitting friends headed up the Grand Hotel at Macinaw Island and I couldn't go because I had Pippen tickets with non knitter friends and felt I had to do the right thing and not take the better offer. Being a grown up can really suck.
Pippen was good-not one of my all time favorites but not my least either and the company was good and I did have a great time but the thoughts of yarn shops I was missing still danced in my head. Is it "grown up " to wish that the knitters found nothing to buy???
But today was fun. I went to Erin Jerick's house and made several cute cards and items from Stampin'up. She has more of these workshops coming up and if you would like info e-mail her at erinjerick@hotmail.com or it may be ejerick@hotmail.com.
I also found some things I can't live without in her catalog and ordered 1/10th of them!!! She lives outside of Charlotte.
I also have my Christmas present from my first (and only so far) husband picked out from the TilliThomas site- a really beautiful cable sweater kit that includes a yarn with beads embedded it for the cables. It is very expensive(although one of her other beaded yarns is 120.00 a skein if you can believe it) so it will have to be a Christmas present. I ordered a purse kit(grommet purse) which also has beaded yarn-it may be a present for someone or I may love it too much to give away. Selfish I know-but we can't be grown up all the time!!!!!!!!!

2006-10-18T10:23:00.000-07:00

Hi fellow kniters,
A friend and I went to the Lansing Knitters Guild last night for the 1st time. Seems to be a good group, so we joined! Ran into Erin Jerick,a knitter and Scrapin Up dealer, there. One of those 6th degree of separation things! Hi Erin! I could really embarass her by saying that I've known her since before she was born as her mother and I have been friends for well over 30 years!
I am busy finishing up my moebieus cashmere cowl with the cashmere from Fleece Artist. The cast on is one of those " how did I grow 12 thumbs" kind of thing but the knitting is fast and easy. The pattern is free on Cat Bordhei's website but you need one of her books to do the cast on-it resembles a provisional cast on.
I also ordered from DreamWeavers.com(God, someone stop me) some Tilli Tomas beaded yarn to make a magKnit necklace as a Christmas gift. I really wanted the silk with the Swarovski crystals but it was $120.00 a skein so I passed and bought the Rockstar silk with beads at $38.00 a skein. I am sure I can get several out of a skein. When Erin,0r someone with patience, teaches me to post pictures, I will.
My lace scarf for Sharon's class at Rae's is coming along beautifully(knock on wood), and it seems to be easier as I get the hang of the patterns.
Now, back to knitting and chili making.

2006-10-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

Hello,
It is a cold Monday gray morning in Michigan. Knitting is progressing slowly. I spent my knitting weekend time working on my "Jane" sweater-a really neat pattern -it is knit in one piece and the fronts fold up across to make a cross over front.
The yarn is from Fleece Artist(Handmaiden) and handdyed.
I wanted to start a mobieus cowl in cashmere but didn't have a needle long enough and The Yarn Garden didn't have a 40-47" so finally on Sunday I found one at Rae's Yarn Boutique. Didn't get a chance to start the cast on (which I haven't done before) because the hunters were hungry so I whipped up some Lasagna.
I also got fascinated watch "The Knitting Glossary" and then Desperate Housewives so I needed TV knitting.
This afternoon is my first kids class for the fall. I teach simple knitting to a group of kids at Washington School in Charlotte. It's fun to see them catch on to the cast on and knitting stitches.

2006-10-11T16:27:00.000-07:00

Wow, I have been scoring some great hand dyed sock yarns from sites I have visited off other knitting blogs! My poor checkbook has taken quite a hit but I love everything I have bought. Some from www.colorsong.com.,some from Scoutsswag.com.,some from Loop(cashmere) and 2 beautiful skeins from Rae at Rae's Yarn Boutique or her site Extravayarnza. Got a BlueMoon sock book from her too so I am ready if the snow hits tomorrow. In fact, I am looking forward to it-maybe a set of booties for the Dutchicans will emerge too-I need three as tripets are coming.

2006-10-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

Made it home today from South Carolina with no hitches in the travel agenda. And when I got home found a package of cashmere from Handmaiden yarns waiting for me to knit it into the cowl moebuis from Cat B. Also had 159 e-mails!! Most for enlarging body parts I do not want to enlarge. Miss my Granddaughter already.
Thanks to those of you who have taken the time to read my blog. I will try to be more interesting in the future.

2006-10-02T21:50:00.000-07:00

Hello,
I have been in South Carolina all week,visiting my daughter and her family. There are NO Yarn shops here and if it was not for the wonderful internet I would be in yarn withdrawal!! But I managed to score some really cool hand dyed sock yarn from several sources thanks to Rae's blog(extravayarnza) and several other blogs I read daily!! I did get some knitting done-working on a Jane sweater with hand dyed Handmaiden Yarn. I would post a picture but I so do not know how to do that yet...but you can go to www.colorsongyarn.com to see the picture.
Home tomorrow if the weather co-operates(storms here tonight) and on Tuesday to my lace knitting class with Sharon Winsauer at Rae's Yarn Boutique. My Homework is done!!