Back to creativity

The idea of knitting lace shawls appeals to me. I can become fanatically passionate when something creative sits on my mind for awhile. I have books, needles, and have amassed many skeins of yarn ideal for knitting lacy shawls.

There is the Tilly Garden Shawl that I have nearly complete. My first stab at knitting a lace border on - it is going well, but has been pushed aside. Chris asked for a sample for her shows and that has been finished and delivered. It was a joy to make and I am sorry not to have taken a photo of it before hesitantly handing it over to her last weekend.

It is not surprising to me that I picked up the yarn, pattern, AND needles for this Feather and Fan shawl while visiting Charleston, SC last month. It was destiny and the stitches were cast-on before we returned to our villa that evening. I've continued to work on it since returning home. I am content to finish a few rows and peruse the wonderful memories we created on such a fantastic adventure.

O~Wool

A LYS had stocked O~Wool Balance. It is 50% organic merino and 50% organic cotton. The colors were fabulous and I decided on the Lutea Lace pattern in the 2007 Summer Interweave Knits. The yarn is dreamy and blocked beautifully. The pattern has some issues and will no doubt have errata published, but if you are comfortable with your knitting, you will be able to figure out where they went wrong. I used size 7 needles and less than 4 skeins of yarn.

My needlepoint has gone by the wayside. After visiting Theresa last week, I decided to shock her and get to work on my bargello pillow. I finished all of the boring stitches and only have the varying, exciting ones left. At this rate I will have my first finished needlepoint project finished by July 4th - I don't count the eyeglass kit I made for my mom a few years back.

All in all, the decrease in work has much improved my spirits and allowed me to return to my creativity. I'm hauling butt to finish one more work in progress because Chris asked for another sample...and it is a pattern I have long wanted to knit!

Acck! I've been tagged

Kristy tagged me and I'm ok with that. Just remember - these are Random facts, not interesting facts, knitting facts, or top-secret facts.

Each person who is tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

Here we go:

1. I have more yarn in my stash than a handful of retail yarn shops that I have visited. I'm not proud or ashamed of this fact, but realize that it does give me lots of options.

2. I have a tatoo. I got it to celebrate my 30th birthday and it is about the size of a nickel and unseen by most. People who know me would be very surprised by this, me thinks.

3. My dream career growing up was to be a Veterinarian. I have a passion for all animals. We have 2 dogs, 2 cats, 1 hamster, and 1 canary (that sings).

4. One pet peeve is to 'love and keep animals, but do not EVER smell them'

5. I have never smoked or tried to

6. I have tried quilting, crochet, scrapbooking, sewing, card making, rug hooking, needlepoint, weaving, cross stitch, basketweaving, and knitting. The ONLY things I totally enjoyed were weaving (I bought a loom) and knitting (my passion, see fact #1).

7. I collect teapots

I am tagging the following people because I read their blogs and would like to know more about them:

1. Tomme
2. Corinne
3. Chris
4. Anne
5. Soyezforte
6. Wanda
7. Dame Wendy

Knitting as fast as I can

It's hard to hold knitting needles and a beer glass at the same time. If you are accustomed to seeing photos of my yarn, the newest cast-on item, or a finished object - I guarantee you will be disappointed in this post. Just to clarify, I have new yarn and cast-on objects, but I have not been taking photos of them.

Hubs and I snuck off for a little R & R- without the kids! At 17yrs and 14yrs, we have never left and went on vacation without them unless they were visiting with their biological father, which was not often. We celebrated our monumental birthdays this year - me, 40; him, 50 - by waifing our way through our favorite part of the South.

After nearly missing our flight, we landed in Savannah, GA to pick-up our rental and we were STARVING!!! No time to be fussy so we drove to the historical area and landed at the Moon River Brewing Company. Fortunately, their food was as good as their beer! We were able to visit with friends from my previous workplace and went on a carriage tour through the squares in Savannah.

Our next stop led us to the Isle of Palms, SC for 3 days. It is very near Charleston and we spent most of our time roaming the streets and eating at fabulous restaurants. Neither of us had been to Charleston before and it is one of my favorite places that we've ever visited. The weather was in the mid-80's every day and the flowers were everywhere!

We enjoyed our trip to Magnolia Plantation and spent a lot of time going through the gardens.

During our travels through Charleston, I happened across one of the most fabulous yarn stores I've ever seen - Knit. If you are a knitter and in the area, you MUST visit this store. It alone made me want to relocate! My Hubs had promised to be patient and not rush me. He held to his word and sat patiently in the seating area - with another not-so-patient-husband -and read the paper. I'm telling you, this store was designed with husbands in mind.

Mid-week we packed our sandals and headed to Hilton Head Island, SC - our regular stomping ground. We usually visit SC during the steamy months of July and August. I enjoy the humidity of the summer, but the weather in April was a real treat, too. We walked on the beach a lot and ate at our favorite places. By the second day, we were looking through the local papers for jobs (like always).

By the end of the week, it was time to head back to Savannah for an EXTREMELY early flight home. Our last night in Savannah was much like our first day there. We found The Sixpence Pub!!! We bellied up to the bar for a refreshment, or two...or three...(we were walking, not driving). It was dinner time and the food was delicious! On the way back to our hotel, we ran into Capt'n Morgan and I took his photo!

I'm pretty sure it was him - see the resemblance?

I hated to come home, but there were no viable job leads and a work conversion was in the works. We jumped on our plane and headed back north to Michigan : (

Yarn and knitting? I took loads of yarn and bought a load more at Knit in Charleston. I did knit a little, finished nothing. I'm pretty sure that there will be numerous finished items flying through my blog pages in the upcoming days.

A lacey tank, birthday surprise, and my mother-in-law

My late mother-in-law could grow African violets like there was no tomorrow. I was blessed with a green thumb, but those blessings failed me where these fickle flowers were concerned. Shortly after my mother-in-law passed away, we moved to Michigan. While shopping for the new house necessities, I passed the plant department and was drawn toward a tiny African violet plant. I immediately picked it up, added it to the cart, and took it home with me. It was named 'Maxine' after my husband's mother. For three years, Maxine thrived and honored me with blooms aplenty until the day came when she needed to be moved to a bigger pot. Six months passed and I continued to care for Maxine, but she didn't bloom. Recently, I spied sprouts and have been patiently waiting to share her blooming beauty. I feel like I've been blessed with a visit from a long - missed friend!

Bugg's tea rose tank is finished. She won't stay still long enough for a photo, so here is a shot of it by itself -- It is adapted from the Tea Rose Halter in Interweave Knits Summer 2007. It knit up quickly single-stranded on size 11 and 13 needles. I used Blue Sky Alpaca cotton. Bugg really likes this tank and she is pretty picky! Better pictures coming soon.

How much more loved could I feel? My dad went shopping for my birthday present...no joke - my dad found The Craft of Cable Stitch Knitting by Barbara Walker! What more could a knittin' girl want? My dad is the best and he supports my obsession even if he doesn't understand it - I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!

The Easter Bunny Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Happy Easter!



I love Easter - it signifies upcoming delights. The singing birds, blooming flowers, and budding trees. Plus, it means my birthday is soon to arrive! All of those things (except the impending birthday) have been postponed by old Mr. Winter. It has been snowing for DAYS...true, it does not accumulate, but it is still snowing. Cold creeps through my bones and a tub of hot water is the only thing to whisk it away.

My knitting has slowed somewhat, but there are a few new things to share. The multi-directional scarf is finally finished and will be blocked soon. I borrowed Corinne's theory and cast on 40 stitches. I used 2 balls of Rowan Tapestry and had maybe 12" left over - perfect

A finished baby hat snuck off the needles and to the expectant Grandmother before having it's picture taken (darn).

I grabbed some Blue Sky Alpaca Cotton, cast on, and started a Tea Rose Tank for Bugg. The pattern is from Interweave Summer 2007.

She spied a model in a not-so-LYS and fell in love. I am single stranding the Cotton (pattern calls for 4 strands of something and how manageable is THAT!). Bugg's version will also be a tank instead of the halter. Again, due to someone else's imagination-not my own. Have you spied the Tilli Thomas Disco Lights? I walked away with this little purchase as well -

Hopping back to the Tea Rose photo - If you look really hard, you can see my stitch marker. I was so surprised and absolutely elated to receive a gift from my warm-weather friend, Kristy. She showered me with Lisa Souza yarn that I have been longing to try, gorgeous stitch markers made by her own talented self, and the adorable candle holders in the 'opening photo' above.

Up next: The Fiber Event to visit Chris' Briar Rose booth. Stop by our KAL and check out some of the fiber I will be after!

Grins and giggles

Yes, I finally ironed a white shirt and took my vest to work with me. The colors are very nice together - 2 different colors of Briar Rose Earth Song worked well together.

One last picture of me with my braces...after 3 L O N G years, they come off on Monday!

Chris will begin her summer tour soon - be sure to check her schedule for an opportunity to appreciate her work in person. I am working on a plan to get to one of the shows myself. She has ruined me for all other fiber and I can't get enough!

My shawl was bound off and the edging is coming along nicely. Honestly, this is my first knit on lace edging for a shawl and I did not feel much like doing math to figure out how to get around the corners. The first corner has been accomplished and will block out nicely. I made notes so the other corners should be fine. For projects in the future I will probably take the time to figure it all out beforehand if only to relieve the stress around wondering.


Bugg's camera has been spending more time with me than with her. A new camera has been on my list for quite awhile, but there is always one feature or another that seems to be missing. When downloading my photos, I found this last shot of her and her Pop. The picture makes me smile whenever I see it and it needs to be shared.

We have wacky senses of humor and the grins are welcomed daily - the things the kids come up with are priceless!

When friends knit you socks

What does it take for someone to knit something for you?

This picture was taken from my favorite knitting spot on our couch. I'd been feeling under the weather and was feeling extremely pitiful for myself when I looked up and realized that I must be very lucky. My friend, Mitzi, knit me these socks that I call 'good-n-plenty'. I loved those socks from the moment she cast-on...and they ended up being for me!

I'm going out on a limb here, but I can only remember two people ever knitting something for me - Kristy, my ISE3 knit pal, knit me an incredible scarf - and Mitzi knit me these socks.

Knowing how much effort and time go into handcrafting such wonderful gifts make them even more precious to receive.

So, there I was, with my feet up, in front of a fire, candles lit, happy thoughts, knitting in my hands, and a smile on my face to think of how lucky I am to have a friend who cares enough to knit something just for me!

Finished Legend sweater

I struggled to finish the sleeves...the front and back progressed quickly, but knitting both sleeves at the same time has positive points and negative. The negative being that it seems to take so dang long to finish and see results. Not to worry, I am SO pleased with this sweater and it is one of my most favorites!

After beginning to knit this with Legend, I worried that I may not have enough and ordered another batch...I've joked that I have enough of this yarn to make an entire wardrobe. So, I've started my shawl which was my original intention for this yarn.

Everyone was out of the house this morning, but I was able to take a few shots with the camera on timer.

My first Socks That Rock shipment came last week. The colorway is Monsoon and has greys, greens, and browns -VERY nice!

Negligence on my part posting the FABULOUS socks that Mitzi made me for Christmas! This is a teaser because the photos were taken on Bugg's camera and I haven't downloaded the files yet...a little something to look forward to for my next post!

Multidirectional scarf

This yarn hasn't been in stash long. A few months ago, Corinne knocked my socks off with a posting of her version on her blog. I've been reading her blog for a few months now and love the way she chooses to use color.

As luck would have it, I have the EXACT same yarn and colorway she used which is fabulous. I wanted to experiment first with this Rowan Tapestry that seems to be a colorway that my mom will absolutely love - shade 171 which they call Rainbow.

This will be a FO before I know it!

Earth Song Lace Vest

This pattern came from Louisa Harding's Modern Classics. I love this book because the patterns are timeless and are arranged by yarn weight. I adapted the neckline and length a bit because I plan to wear it over a crisp, white shirt (if I ever get one ironed...the dry cleaner never gets the collar right!) Anyway, once I iron the shirt - I will, I promise - and get someone to snap the photo, I will post the picture.

Thank goodness I finished something!

For my next amazing feat, I will be finishing the sleeves to my 'v' neck sweater knit out of Briar Rose Legend...remember? (I know, it looks blurry)

I've also procured some of Chris' fabulous Grace. Once again, she amazes me! 60% superwash, merino, 30% bamboo, 10% nylon. I have the perfect shawl pattern chosen.

Birthdays

I've been pondering - How is it that I became old enough for my baby to turn 14 years old? The time truly does fly...

As luck would have it, we were in Chicago last weekend. It was a much needed break and the weather cooperated wonderfully. We did the art, we went to the ice rink, shopped, but mostly ate. I love the anonymity that the city brings and always feel right at home.

Yes, I found a yarn store...or two. Strangely enough, I didn't really want any yarn. All of the handpainted was measured against Chris' Briar Rose and just didn't cut it for me. I did find those buttons for the Making Tracks Cardigan and will post a photo soon. They are sewn on, but I am protesting my camera. Bugg was gifted with a new camera for Christmas and it has spoiled me. There is definitely a trip to Circuit City coming up in my near future!

It was sad to have to come home, and reluctantly, we schlepped back into the small town groove.

My other baby is having a birthday in a few weeks. Bugg will be 17! My goodness, I have been blessed!

Stopped dead in making my tracks (cardigan, that is)

Remember my Making Tracks Cardigan? Well, it is almost finished.

The only thing missing are the buttons. I know what size, I know they should be hand made out of cherry wood. I have not been able to find buttons that fit the bill.

So, the photos get posted because I need to know something is being finished. I will continue on my hunt for the buttons.

A trip to Chicago is in our near future and maybe I will try to find Corinne's LYS...I always need new yarn

The same old thing

I've fallen and I can't get up! I shared my strategy for getting my 'knitting fix' when I don't have adequate time to knit. I am discouraged to think that this may be developing into a vicious cycle.

There was an added bonus to an offsite meeting this week - a not-so LYS had received the long awaited shipment from Blue Moon Fibers. Do I really need sock yarn? Do I really want more STR knowing full well that my club shipment will arrive within weeks? Apparently so, because this came home with me!

Now, in all fairness, I must disclose that there was a day last week that I had a meeting flop in the morning and had a big lag until my next meeting in late afternoon. I could have worked, but headed home and worked on my Briar Rose KAL sweater all day. I ordered The Devil Wears Prada and just knit row after row...a few more days like that and my life balance may return. I have both the front and back of my sweater blocked and have cast on both sleeves to knit at the same time. I made the cuff ribbing a bit wider than that on the waist and that made me wonder if there is some 'rule' that says your ribbing should always match...being too lazy to rip out the last 5 rows to test the view, I forge into the actual sleeve knitting.

Having moved to the sleeves got me thinking ...

What would I knit next with Briar Rose? (ok, this is going to be a re-occurring theme) I had been thinking about that Earth Song and easily have enough to make a surprise for me. So, Earth Song it is! The pattern is chosen and I am itching to swatch, but...I am disciplined and will complete the sleeves for my Legend 'V' neck first.

Notice, discipline does not extend itself to rolling the next yarn in line into skeins!

I also have a finished object and just need to find the 'right' buttons. I know that I want handmade cherry buttons and just need to go on a hunt for them. Photos will post as soon as this is accomplished.

When non-knitters embrace our passion...

A belated Christmas present arrived today to remind me how much my Hubs aka BDCH loves me.

My husband doesn't 'get' why I have a passion for knitting - yarn, patterns, blogging, KAL, but he 'gets' me and knows how integral a part of my life knitting is. He ordered these customized labels to be attached to the things that fly off my needles - right, wrong, ugly (yes, a few), or beautiful - I now have my own labels to stake claim that I've created.

He always pretends to listen as I rave about the blog, a new participant for the Briar Rose KAL, the newest shipment of yarn that arrived on our doorstep, or just my occasional out-of-the-blue comment of "you know, I LOVE yarn." He smiles, nods, remarks that he does know I LOVE yarn, then goes back to reading the financial news in the paper.

Of course I've completed some knitting - posted on the KAL blog here.

UFO finished?

I would love to dazzle you with my finishing ability, but this post is really about what happened to cause this sweater to be a UFO. Generally, I am good about finishing things, but I do have a few UFOs tucked under cushions.

A blog from a couple of weeks ago mentioned that I had finished something - this Mozart Cardigan from Knit One Crochet Too. The Paintbox yarn sucked me in the day I saw it at a LYS. The cardigan pattern was there, it was different, I ignored the 'no ruffle (especially around the waist) rule' and brought it all home.

Memory serves that it knit up very quickly and I enjoyed the process of the bobbles and the ruffles. When it came to putting the sleeves in, I bombed! There were two or three sincere attempts, many measurements, and the whole thing went into a bag and literally sat where I could trip over it for almost a full year. A few weeks ago I pulled it out and took out the sleeve bind-off and re-measured...decided to bind off again VERY loosely and go for it one last time - Voila!

This cardigan reinforced the fact that I mostly knit for process. I don't always choose the practical or functional and sometimes get sucked in by the challenge of a stitch pattern or richness of the color the yarn is dyed. I am good with knowing this and accept it whole heartedly. However, I have decided that this year I will make conscience decisions to knit with SOME functionality in mind (thus the change in my pattern for the Briar Rose KAL).

The Mozart Cardigan will suffice and I will wear it, but it will never be my favorite sweater. Thanks to my Hubs who took many photos for this sweater post. I could never have loved any of the photos no matter how good they turned out because of the subject matter.

Note to self: Regardless of the size of the ruffle and the placement, it will always make your butt look bigger!

What's a girl to do?

My name is Kim and I am a knitter!

I've had one of those weeks we all dread. It consisted of too much work and not enough knit. I've brought it on myself - let me share how...

My partner in crime and I have been preparing for a very important off-site for work. We scrunched in the prep it usually takes 30+ days into less than a week and I am physically exhausted. My knitting has paid the price! During introductions we were supposed to say what we do for fun and I said.........work! Seriously, work IS fun for me and I do it for the fun, but I found myself thinking of knitting as it became the person next to me's turn to talk about what they do for fun.

Truthfully, there are a few other things that I could have listed - watching NBA basketball (I am loyal to the Pacers, but miss Reggie Miller incredibly - so does the team!), watching movies, spending time with my kids ranks extremely high, and there is my PASSION - knitting. I can watch a movie or a game on TV and knit, I can watch my kids play whatever the sport of the moment is and knit, sometimes I can even play cards with the kids and knit...this is how I know it is my passion.

I know work IS fun because I didn't work for awhile before/after we moved here and I've been off since during some medical recoveries and I MISS work. So, I told the truth, but not all of the truth and I felt guilty for not being honest to share it all. So, what's a girl to do?

I found TWO yarn shops very near the conference center after we wrapped for the day and did what any sensible knitter does when they don't have time to knit - I bought more yarn!

4 skeins of Interlacements Tiny Toes, 2 skeins of Rowan Tapestry, 1 skein of Mountain Colors Mountain Goat...Oh, and most importantly, my 2nd skein of Briar Rose Fibers Legend came in this week.

Now that I've aired my dirty little secret, I realize that I have a long weekend. I will work a little, but I shall knit a lot!

By the way, the offsite - it was a wild success which goes to prove once again - Knitters Rule!
----signed, The Queen

I braved the snowy tundra

I am a big, huge wimp! I admit it, I don't like the snow. Ok, it was pretty today, but give me warm weather!

Truth be told, I went outside because I knew that Kristy would so appreciate a few photos of the snow and I wanted to send a little cheer her way - I'm thinking of you.

Since I ventured outside, I also took the beginning of my Briar Rose KAL project - see...


My goodness, this is the softest yarn and the colors are incredible, more so now that it is wound. I began by designing a sweater with cables but quickly deduced that they over powered the beauty of the yarn and opted for a fitted 'v' neck pullover. I know I will wear it all of the time - it is destined to be my favorite sweater!

Blogger has been a butt-head today and I hope they are getting their stuff together. Haven't we endured enough headache already?

My Scarf Pal

I can almost see the heads shaking back and forth as they think to themselves that they thought the scarf exchange was over. I was lucky to make a wonderful new friend who knit a beautiful scarf for me. In an attempt to return the favor, I made a scarf for Kristy. Some teasing was in order which resulted in my sending her the above photo of her scarf - hee hee.

The post office was closed yesterday, but an e-mail just showed up that confirms that Kristy has finally received her scarf. Which means I can post this REAL photo!!! The pattern was knit by Dave for his ISE3 scarf pal and I loved the pattern and ordered it from The Knitspot. When I decided the time had come to return Kristy's scarf favor, there were two balls of Rowan Felted Tweed that had called my name for no reason and had been just sitting on a shelf - they were perfect!

I've been wanting to post a picture of something finished - other than a Christmas present - finally!

For our next feat: Kristy and I are participating in the Briar Rose Fibers KAL. I found out what fiber she ordered today (I will not spoil the surprise) and I am knitting in Legend. I must make myself sit long enough to devise a pattern for this fabulous yarn. I'm thinking 'sweater' and haven't found a pattern that I love enough to share with my yarn...I'm to the point that I feel I must write one myself.

What a perfect ending to a less than perfect day!