The Yoga Mat

Even though it seems like everyone has already 'done' yoga, I haven't. It has been a goal and honestly, some research was completed, but with the surgery looming, it was easy to plan for it after recovery.

The time is finally here and beginning a yoga class presented an opportunity to knit a yoga mat bag! I know there are patterns somewhere in my books, but time is of the essence - the class starts next Monday (11/6). So...it is a felted yoga mat bag for me. There is a TON of Manos just hanging around here plus enough scraps from a prior project to add accent.

If the picture looks familiar, you've probably seen it in "Last Minute Knitted Gifts". It was designed by Joelle Hoverson and is available on Knitting Pattern Central. This pattern does have yardage corrections - check for a review of the book and corrections for the patterns.

Calculations tell me that the felting needs to occur late Thursday or early Friday to provide optimal drying time before class Monday night. I've changed the colors somewhat and am just beginning the section that is orange in the photo (work from the top down). I should be knitting!

No more applesauce!

There was much activity this week, but I don't feel very accomplished!

On the medical front, my Orthodontist was thrilled with the healing progress from surgery. I left his office on Monday thrilled at the possibility of getting the wiring and plate removed from my upper jaw. I promptly called the surgeon (who looks nothing like Dr. McDreamy but is very good and accomplished in his own right) and found out that they would remove everything on Thursday - which they did. My stomach sometimes fails me by getting queasy and- yes, I've passed out...hyperventilated...you name it, when some of these procedures are being done. It went fine...until he began to detail the 'near miss' in the operating room. I will spare you the details, but there was a lot of blood and my body would not respond to limit it. Needless to say, I am still kickin'. I did not see bright lights or talk with any of my passed loved ones. The accident was 3 years ago and I probably have 2 more years left before I can properly eat. I am living proof that you should not only wear your helmet, but a mouth guard too.

So...where was I? The Surgeon did his thing, the Ortho did his thing and I can talk, drink, breathe, and eat now. Just in time for the weekend and I have a list of food that I need to eat - 5 weeks on 'applesauce consistency' has left me feeling hungry.



Needlepoint, you ask? Mitzi and I took the long awaited Stars class at Homestead NeedleArts. I thought the class began at 8A and we were there to pick our places...it really began at 10A. Fiber Guru rolled in around 9 and let us in early, but it was really nice to sit and have coffee at Starbucks. The time I spend with Mitzi makes me appreciate her more - she is a great friend to have. It doesn't appear that I made much progress - if you see holes, it still needs stitched - At this rate it should be finished sometime in 2010. There was plenty of healthy discussion on a wide variety of issues - my favorite is the possibility of developing a doggie door that interacts with the dog collar in a 'garage door opener' way. As the dog (with appropriate collar) nears his doggie door, a sensor would automatically open the door and - voila! I'm thinking this could be great fun for my dog who may be smart enough to figure out the connection and wander by back and forth opening and closing the door just to irritate me with the sound. We also have the other dog who would be scared by the random act and run to the furthest corner of the yard - with 2 ft of snow or pouring down rain - where I would have to break down and get one of the kids to go out and retrieve him. There is always the possibility that they would conspire and fit a random skunk with the device, sending him into our humble abode -- all while they sit back and 'laugh'.

With all of this, I don't know where I found time to knit (yeah, right!) but I did-always do.

Ketchup pieces are all finished and need to be blocked then sewn. Two pair of fingerless gloves are complete - only one this week, though. You get to see a pic of ONE pair because Bugg already ran off with the other. I also spent a lot of time with my stash planning possibilities.

My next project needs to be for Christmas, but I just can't 'feel' it yet. With work beckoning me to return, I realize the need to get moving and start deciding.

Squares for Grandma Purl (Gma Purl)

It was important to me to get my squares knit up not only because my new friend, Kristy, asked, but because it is for something important. Wow, I can help someone by tapping my passion for knitting from way up North in Michigan? I'm in!

I just quickly pinned the blocks out and still need to get them blocked and they are due to Kristy by 11/10. That will get finished this weekend.




The plan is to pop them into the mail net Tuesday. There will be a little something extra for you, Kristy, so look for this package.

There is still time for you to knit a square for the afghan - check out Grandmother Purl for the details.

On the weather front, I wanted to share these photos from our weather a week ago - The people from Michigan have always told us if we didn't like the weather here, stick around for 5 minutes - it is true!

10/12/06 7:00A
10/12/06 7:40A
10/12/06 9:50A

Arrival of the Scarf and Revealed Identity

My scarf is incredible! There was a package waiting for me on my doorstep yesterday - and I had mixed feelings. Excitement to find out the true identity of my pal and finally see my scarf, but with a tinge of disappointment that the scarf exchange would be over.

Ok, my excitement won out and I opened the box (quickly).

Quick side note: ANYTIME ANYTHING has the word 'Fragile' on it, our entire family pronounces it FRA-GEE-LEE. You know, from The Christmas Story? Receipt of the infamous Leg-lamp?



Kristy!!! (Go visit Kristy at her blog)


Thank you so incredibly much - first for being a wonderful friend and also for all of the goodies. My scarf is incredible - The yarn: Misti Alpaca Pima Cotton Silk is heavenly soft around my neck (yes, I've tried it on) and the Cables in Relief pattern you chose are perfect for the yarn. The colors? PERFECT!


Kristy also sent special music chosen just for me (note the yarn-ball insert), a wonderful box of goodies - lotion, cable needle, stitch markers, post-its, point protectors, and tape measure - but that wasn't all...a bottle of local wine - Merlot? my favorite! Kristy had been thoughtful enough to know that my scarf would enjoy a glass to help it adjust to it's new home! BTW, my new CD is playing now.



Many thanks to Kristy who has been so much more than just my scarf knitter - I look forward to joining you in your afghan project - grandmotherpurl.blogspot.com in case anyone else **HURRY - squares need to be received by 11/10/06!! **is interested. Also, to joining you in blogland when you are ready to knit your first pair of socks.

My favorite scarf will be put to use right away - in SNOWED last week - brrrrrrr.

Ok, one last pic because it better shows Kristy's fine craftsmanship - keep in mind that I am less than a month out of jaw surgery - I'm still wired and swollen - truly, I am smiling on the inside!
Click HERE for picture - Note to self: Peruse the reasons why Blogger will not ever upload the LAST picture you want posted -damn it, foiled again!

Knitting on the needles and yarn in the closet

Christmas gift knitting time is here. Truth be told, I feel a bit behind but thinking through it logically things are probably on schedule.

The Littlest Princess has 2 sweaters in the FO pile and the yarn came for the sweater planned for Big Brother. The back is complete and this is the front pocket. The yarn turned out better than imagined - The color is Firecracker Heather (Wool of the Andes - Knit Picks) but I think 'ketchup'. The pattern is a hoodie from The Purl Stitch which reminds me - those patterns are written very, very well. Great for a beginner or for a relaxing brain-free knit.

Branching Out in Debbie Bliss Pure Silk was finally blocked and came out very nice. The cast on/off edges were loose because I wanted to try blocking that asymmetrical end out straight and it came out perfect. My battery died and pictures will be posted of that next week.

***Fiber Guru, this is especially for you***
My Schaeffer Yarn - Marjaana (yes, this is the correct spelling - not the one I said before wink wink) came today and pictures were taken before the battery died -- get ready, here it comes

I ordered Mary Breckinridge and am completely thrilled with the colors - they are so me!

3 skeins at a fraction of the cost you spent (sorry, couldn't help it)!
***End special note***

The Anne was also on sale and 2 skeins came to live at my house. A shawl or something was in the planning when it was ordered, but I've forgotten and will have to re-think my thinking. This is the link to the color ordered, but as always, it is much nicer 'in person'.


This was my first order from Little Knits and I was utmostly pleased to not only find a handwritten note from Rebecca, but to receive free upgraded shipping - I will definitely take my business back to Little Knits.
- Me happy customer!



The weather has been blah for the past 2 days - instead of subjecting you to more complaints, I thought to post a picture that represents where we truly are in the season and insulate us from the cold winter winds-a-blowing outside - thank goodness the snow melted (mostly).

Thoughts on Gap's Skinny Black Pant

The Skinny Black Pant?

Can it be a good idea? Maybe, but definitely not for people who have passed the age of 12 or weight of 82 lbs.

I LOVE Audrey and think that Gap has made the effort, but really, how many people will be squeezing into these little babies who shouldn't - subjecting the rest of us to having to explain to our impressionable, maybe chubby, daughters the reason they CANNOT wear those pants?

Hey, Gap - how about some pants for the rest of us? Pants that make a sagging butt look firm and aging thighs look 6" round? I'd buy bunches of those in a minute!

Here is a link to the whole commercial which I love to watch over and over again - The Skinny Black Pant

And a link to a knock-off which is sideways, but funny in it's own right

Completed Black Bunny Hop-a-long

If you haven't knit with yarn from Black Bunny, you don't know what you're missing!

I fell in love with this color - Cornucopia - as soon as it was posted on the Etsy site. The color was much more incredible once it arrived.

The pattern is from Stahl Socka Cotton No. 26 - pattern 24.

After knitting the first sock I decided to begin the second at a different point in the colorway resulting in my pair of Perfectly Unmatched socks.

The photo at the upper-right shows the true richness of the color.

Now....off to decided on my next project - I have some incredible lace weight yarn in the color Copper Beach and only need to decide what to make of it.