Do you remember this?

Do you remember when I posted earlier about this happy couple with a new puppy?








Or perhaps you remember this adorable face?








Ha ha ha............dear, little Mr. Milo has been at it in his "parents" home while they are at work. Seems he found the computer keyboard and destroyed it. He also chewed on his food dish after dumping the food. Splashed in the water dish resulting in water all over their kitchen floor. I would laugh at all of this except I have Mr. Bettis residing here.

My son aka Mr Milo's "parent" purchased a security web cam to monitor Mr. Milo's activities while the "parents" are at work. Now I must ask, why? Why would anyone purchase a web camera for a dog? I mean, really! By the time you view it, the dog has already done the nasty deed.
Although after I think about it, I think I need one. Mr. Bettis chewed another cable company owned remote and required his owner aka the DH to purchase yet another remote. (I actually did chuckle on that one, for once it wasn't my stuff). I came home the other day from a visit to my daughter's home and found my KnitPicks needle case missing a corner. Yes, the entire corner was g-o-n-e. And who did it? Yep! Mr. Bettis! So I may be borrowing my son's web cam after all.


This is what dogs are supposed to do instead of destroying their owners "stuff."

Little Miss Gypsy Jo.







P.S. I guess you're wondering why I didn't post a pic of Mr. Bettis. I refuse to post a picture of a dog who has taken to destroying my stuff on a daily basis. His notoriety will not be enhanced with pictures for all to see...........at least for the moment.

Party & Bettis Trouble......AGAIN!

HAPPY 16 th BIRTHDAY!

We celebrated the knitting DD's birthday with the annual family birthday picnic. It rained but that didn't damper the fun that we always have at the picnics.

It was hot just like it was 16 years ago when she was born. Or perhaps I thought it was hot because I had a tendency to pack 50 pounds of baby fat on my somewhat smallish frame every time I was "with child."

She made her own cake as she always has which has been part of the birthday fun for my kids. This year she chose to bake an Oreo cheesecake. It was rich but very good.


This is her knitting FO. She made an afghan from my stash to take on her band functions. It gets very cold up here at football games, parades etc. So she'll keep warm in this one.

I wonder if I can borrow it? After all she did make it from my stash.






Mr. Bettis has been at it again. Seems he likes electronic devices. I recently came home after running an errand to find the tv remote in the hallway completely destroyed. I called Vet girl to see if it hurt a large dog to swallow batteries. (I couldn't find them at first) She said we would have to wait it out. I will spare details.

I then called the cable company for the procedure on dog chewed cable company owned remotes. I explained that my DH's 8 month old, 100 lb puppy ate it! He seemed to get quite a chuckle out of it. He then told me I had to drive to the cable office to pick up another one. At the tune of $9.00 or 1 skein of Noro yarn.

So the DH got in the hot car to drive 10 miles to buy another remote. The cable office staff got quite a kick out of the chewed remote and offered to throw it away for me. Not-on-your-life. I want it for evidence to the non-believers. We spend our days readying up items that seem to find their way into Mister Bettis' very large mouth.

Notice: he doesn't seem to be growing into those paws. They just seem to get bigger!

UPDATE: I saved this post as a draft due to electric storm outages. Mister Bettis chewed the second remote. More on that after the storm.

Kauni yarn

I've had several requests on where to buy the Kauni Yarn. Go to this website http://www.astridsdutchobsessions.com

The shipping is expensive but if you can find a knitting friend who wants yarn from there, the shipping can be split. Otherwise a knitter just swallows the shipping and calculates it in the yarn. The yarn itself is inexpensive.

Hope this helps everyone. Have fun shopping and knitting!

NEW ADDITION TO FAMILY!

Intoducing Milo, the newest addition to the family. No, not my family thank goodness but the son's family. My son and DIL came yesterday with their new arrival.

He is adorable and cute and he's not mine! They are very excited. I opted to not tell them of the "problems" that will arise from this cute and adorable puppy. They have already been to a pet store and bought him just about everything he does and does not need.

Keep in mind this is the couple who has a home in the city that they are renovating. We call it the "Money Pit." There are a lot of things in the "money pit" for Milo to investigate and initiate i.e. hardwood floors, wallpaper, wooden chairs, oak staircase.........well you get the picture. And none of it is mine! I'm doing a little dance here.

They called this morning to report his first night in his new home. He slept through the night and wanted to go outside first thing in the morning. So far they think he is the most adorable puppy in the world. There's a reason why puppies and kittens are cute and adorable so when they get into trouble, they get out of it by looking cute and adorable.


Milo and his new parents.



Bettis thought Milo was the best thing that has arrived in this house for a visit. Milo and Bettis had way too much fun while he was here. Milo is coming up next weekend for another visit and I'll keep you posted.




P.S. The cats on the other hand, were glad to see Milo go home. They have been doing a little kitty jig since he left. Now if they could only get Bettis to disappear.

Yarn, Sweat and Fear

Fear: When one winds yarn to be worked opposite as the pattern suggests and begins to sweat (see note above) that the yarn will end up matching instead of contrasting as the pattern notes.

My Kauni sweater in progress. I'm liking this knitting as I absolutely love color and a lot of it. Now the 15 yr old DD wants to knit one so I have pre-ordered more Kauni yarn. I failed to read the pattern more than once and did 3/4 inch more ribbing than necessary. But I wasn't about to frog that. There's too much work in it and I rather like it.


Okay, I signed up. I am in the mystery shawl #3. I like the pattern. I did decide on beads, believe me they are in there. I didn't use any of the suggested yarn colors but dug in my stash.


I found this cone aging nicely in the stash and decided on it. This is an alpaca lace weight that I purchased last year at Stitches East. Maybe I'll get it knitted before I attend Stitches this year. Anyone want to wager on that? ha



p.s. Fear is also when one finds the DH's huge 7 1/2 month old, 95 pound puppy (aka Bettis) lurking over one's fine knitting with a slobbering mouth.

Oh Happy Day!

June 23, 2007: This is a happy day.

This is the guy I married 23 yrs ago today. He's a great guy. Let me count the ways: He never says a word on the amount of yarn and fiber I have amassed over the years. He takes me to yarn, fabric and fiber shops anytime I want. He looks at packages that are delivered weekly and just shakes his head. He overlooks the massive amounts of UFOs in the living room and just chuckles everytime I clean and I think I have hidden them from view. He appreciates anything that I make him. And I have made him a few vests, socks and gloves over the years. (he even overlooked the complaining I did when I made him a vest out of fingering yarn. He is a rather large size so there were a LOT of stitches on that vest).

I, on the other hand have overlooked with a raised eyebrow the gifts of brooms, swiffer sweepers, dust pans, blenders etc that he graciously gave to me as gifts for anniversarys and birthdays. Today we're going to dinner for the first time in 23 yrs and to do a little shopping. Can I help it that shopping may include a yarn shop? Happy Anniversary, ice man! Why has it taken us 23 yrs to go to dinner on our anniversary? When we were married I already had two adorable sons. So a dinner out was at the local pizza parlor with the boys. On our second anniversary our DD was born so today is her birthday and she turned the big 21!

Big Trouble in Knitting Land!

Big Trouble in Knitting land! A mass of yarn. Wound around the coffee table, into the kitchen and around all four kitchen chairs. Not a straight shot but woven between them. Amazing enough there was not an animal in sight. mmmm......who did this?

It wasn't Miss Phoebe! She was happily napping in the bathroom ceramic sink. Seems she was hot and decided to cool off for a bit. With all that fur, I would too. I believe I know who the yarn thief is.......

AH HA! There he is. In all his 89 pound glory. Mister Bettis! At 8 months he has taken to destroying my stuff. This is the guy who caused havoc with my yarn! He is in BIG TROUBLE! His owner, aka the DH, tried unsuccessfully to put the blame on poor Miss Phoebe whose main goal in life right now is to stay cool. She certainly has no intention on exerting too much energy only to suffer in the heat. Yep! It's Mister, who did the damage..........again.

Knitting WIPS

Okay I haven't posted in quite a while. I have been starting more projects. The youngest DD claimed this yarn, so I'm making a scarf for her. I like how it is striping.








This is the cashmerino and it feels so soft. I think I'm one of the last knitters to knit a pair of jaywalkers. I like the pattern. Easy for my wandering mind to remember. Oh, and it has been started on my new Lantern Moon sox sticks. I like 'em.








Next on the needles is the Knit Picks peasant sock pattern. Nice pattern. I chose a skein of denim blue merino and a skein of random handpainted merino yarn that I did a while ago. This pattern is fun.










Of course what is a sock knitter without a new sock project bag? I knit this one from two skeins of my dk weight yarn. It is the trapeze and eggstravaganza colorways mixed. I had fun with this and it hangs from my wrist while I knit. My SIL wants this bag for her knitting so I just might knit another one. It was knitted in a day, my kind of project.

p.s. Remind me of the first paragraph in November when I'm frantically wondering how in the world I'll get those kids' projects knitted in time for Christmas.

Mother's Day a little late

Hope every mom out there had a wonderful Happy Mother's Day. I know I did. My eldest son and DIL sent me the beautiful bouquet. The beauty of it was my son actually thought of it and sent it on his own without the DIL prompting him. My second son in line called me and actually had a lengthy conversation with me. (not something he is known for) My eldest DD and her fiance gave me the tulips below and a mug. The youngest DD made a card for me with pics of her and me from her babyhood to present. She also announced she would wait on me "hand and foot" for the day.

p.s. on this note: the youngest DD announced that mother's day was exhausting for kids! LOL

sheep!

Little Gypsy Jo

This is one tired puppy. Her given name is Gypsy Jo and yes, she is one spoiled puppy. She is not supposed to be on the bed but this is where I found her after an afternoon of play with Bettis. That dog would wear anyone out! Gypsy is a Yorkshire Terrier/Maltese mix. She weighs in at 8 lbs and is 1 yr old. I just couldn't resist the camera shot.

Bettis on the other hand now weighs in at 74 lbs and is only 5 months old. I'd take a picture but he won't sit still long enough to snap the camera. That dog!

My KTE Pal

A BIG yarn hug is sent to my KTE Pal, Rachael from Australia. I received this package of goodies yesterday and I love all of it. How did you know, Rachael, that I lost my cable needle a week ago?

The yarn is beautiful and the purple skein is cashmere/merino. The needles will replace those that dear Bettis chewed. I always need scissors and the candy treats are yummy.

I am enjoying the patterns and the "bits and bobs" from down under. I plan to spend my day winding the yarn and casting on. Thank you so much Rachael, I love it all.

Finished! Can You Believe it?

Drum Roll Please.............I finally finished a few projects. Can you believe it? I can't. But here they are to make their debut.

STR socks from the first kit shipment. (It was shipped in Feb.) April's kit ships next week.

The Forest Canopy Shawl from a skein
of my hand dyed yarn.

The SwallowTail Shawl from my stash yarn.

I read the Yarn Harlot's new book and I have concluded I am definitely a Process Knitter. I finish a UFO and I really don't feel a deep satisfaction. As a matter of fact when finished, I actually feel a "let-down." I wonder why? But I really don't have time to analyze that, I must cast on for more projects.........

All creatures big and small....

Okay. Does this house look like Noah's Ark?

I was in the shower yesterday morning and the phone rang. Now I must ask, why does one ponder on jumping out of the shower to answer the phone? On the 4th ring I jumped out of the shower, the bath mat slipped, I caught myself by the towel hanger (which I found the DH hung and did not hit studs in the wall), I slipped again and grabbed a towel (a rather smallish towel, mind you) and ran to the phone. I got it just in time. I couldn't see the caller ID because my glasses were in the living room. I'm as blind as a bat without my "other set of eyes."
The phone caller was my neighbor informing me a black bear was in my back yard. I ran to the window to take a peak. Sure enough there he was. He has passed through here several times before. The neighbor asked if my dogs were barking. I said, heavens NO, they're asleep. What good are these dogs anyway?

I watched the bear go past the side of the house and I went to the living room and got my glasses. Keep in mind, I am still wrapped in a towel that is smaller than I am. The neighbor suggested I open my front door to take a look at the bear. Oh, I don't think I need to look at the bear. I wouldn't want to flash the passers by.

I could see the headlines now: Woman. Mother of 4 and wife of 1. Knitter of all trades. Arrested for indecent exposure for alleged sighting of black bear!

The media would have a field day with that.

I dressed warned the DD of the bear. Our kids are trained for this "threat". Black Bears are more frightened of people than we are of them. She knows not to run but to make a LOT of noise. I watched her at the door with my knitting needles (yes, my metal knitting needles) and a stainless steel pan in the event I should have to make a lot of noise on her behalf.

We didn't see him again. He is scouting for a wife I'm sure. After all, it is spring! Even if our weather indicates otherwise.

The Furry Rabbit

Okay I'll explain the subject. The rabbit passed on to bunny land. NO, NOT THAT RABBIT!

We were the proud owners of a pedigree rabbit. Or should I say our DD was a proud owner of a pedigree rabbit named Feffer.

She was kept in the laundry/furnace area through the winter so the poor little thing didn't freeze to death in the cold. Wild rabbits hibernate in winter around here. Anyway I went downstairs yesterday to tend to the laundry. The DH was cleaning out the furnace storage area. Feffer would jump every time someone entered. I entered. No jump. I thought well, she's sleeping. I noticed the water bottle was full. So I thought maybe, just maybe this time someone else had watered the rabbit besides me. What was I thinking? Why is it we get pets and I am the only one who tends to them? I continued with the laundry and I noticed Feffer still wasn't moving. I tapped on the cage. No movement. I tapped again. Still no movement. I yelled for the DH.
I said, I think Feffer has passed on to "bunny land". He tapped the cage. I told him, I already tapped on the cage. He tapped again. What? he didn't believe me? He checked her and said yes she has passed on.
Okay.
He then says, Do you want to keep her so the DD can view her?
WHAT?
Do you want the DD to view the body? (he is serious about this)
NO! I do NOT want you to keep the body for a viewing. For crying out loud, while we cared for this animal, it's a rabbit!
Gimme a break here.

I did tell him, do not tell her as she had dance recital pictures and I wasn't paying for pictures with red eyes. He managed to hold his tongue.

Many knitting moons ago we had angoras that you brushed and combed and plucked and fed and watered at the tune of $300.00 +over the course of 5 yrs all for a zip loc bag of fur to spin. I could've bought angora in nice little balls already spun for that price and I wouldn't have had to tend to the rabbits.

On another note I started another shawl. I am so addicted to these things. I now have 4 shawls on the move. I am looking for shawl yarn at the sheep & wool show in 3 weeks. I visited the nice sister on Friday and we went to a little yarn shop that is owned by an Amish lady. She had a cone of yarn from the UK that was the softest wool and it was 2000 yds for $12.00. I ran to the the counter with that stuff. I love it. So I have cast on.

Pics will be posted later........of the shawl........not the rabbit!

Shawl I knit?

A local customer purchased my hand dyed yarn and made these beautiful shoulder shawls. She graciously shared these pictures. She made each shawl from one skein of my hand dyed fingering yarn. I believe she has done a beautiful job. Thanks Mary! This shawl was made with the merino fingering yarn, 380 yds on a size US 10 1/2 needle. It is the Lacy Winged Shawl pattern from the March 28, Knitter's 2007 calendar. It has a beautiful curve at the top and lays smoothly on the shoulders. This pattern is easy enough for the beginner shawl knitter.

This shawl is made from the "poor knitter's cashmere" fingering 380 yds Rose Garden colorway. It is the SwallowTail Shawl from Interweave Knitter's Magazine Fall 2006. She chose to do the main pattern design and eliminate the border. I thought this turned out beautiful.

This shawl is knitted from "poor knitter's cashmere" 380 yds on a size US 9 needle Extravaganza colorway. This shawl is based on the standard dishcloth pattern beginning at the point and increasing every row until desired length/width. She then added a very simple lace border.

Thank you so much, Mary for making these beautiful knitted garments and sharing the photos with me.

Knitter's Treat Exchange

I just discovered a knitter's treat exchange. I found it on jan-lee's blog and I skipped right over the blog to check it out. I signed up, it sounds like fun. Thanks Jan!

So to my exchange pal here is the questionaire:

Knitters Treat Exchange Questionnaire
1. What's your favourite type of yarn? Soft sock yarn

2. What's your least favourite type of yarn?mmm...don't know, maybe a squeaky acrylic?

3. What's the first thing you do when you visit a new yarn shop? ooohhh aaahhhhh Then I touch and smell the yarn

4. What other crafts do you do / would like to do? Scrapbook and design teddy bears

5. What magazines do you currently subscribe to? Interweave Knits and Country Woman

6. Put this type of magazine in order of preference:Knitting / Crochet / Other Craft / Food / Home /Garden / Fashion / Celebrity Gossip

7. What items do you like to knit? Socks, lace shawls, sweaters, gloves, mittens etc....... Maybe a house sweater?

8. Are you allergic to anything? Spring! Pollen.

9. What do you like to* smell of? Honeysuckle, Lilac

10. What's your favourite way to relax? With a cup of coffee and my knitting, that's all I need.

11. You're stood in front of a Victorian style sweetshop, an Italian cafe, an old fashioned bakery and a dainty tea room. Where do you go first? The old fashioned bakery

12. What do you come out with? A sweet muffin and some warm homemade bread

13. Where do you go next? The Victorian sweetshop and hopefully come out with a very sweet cake

14. Any other words of wisdom for your pal? Pink is my favorite color, yellow is second, then green.......oh it doesn't matter, I like every color!

I hope this helps my pal. I am looking forward to this exchange. Have fun!

Kangaroo Yarn Court!

A suspect has been indicted and is now in Kangaroo Yarn Court. I AM THE JUDGE! I have done my detective work and I do believe forensic evidence has implicated the suspect as a yarn criminal.

On March 22, 2007 @ approximately 10:30 am, I entered the living/yarn room to find a large 4 legged yellow and black suspect on MY couch with something furry in his mouth. At first I yelled. Not sure why I yelled as the suspect has selective hearing, much like his owner aka DH. He continued with his antics. I ran to him to pull him off the couch. A feat that continues every day all day long. All of a sudden he dropped the furry thing. I went ballistic(as the DD's say). It was my mohair shawl in progress on my coveted Knitpicks needles!The entire neighborhood heard my shrieks. He wagged his tail and ran outside to PLAY! This suspect was totally oblivious to his criminal actions.

I sat down on the couch and stared at the mass of mohair and the needle. The WIP fell away from the luscious skein of mohair. He had chewed the yarn in half from the skein and the shawl. The circular cable was also chewed in half. I gained composure and slowly got up from the couch. I apprehended the suspect and dragged him back inside. Not an easy task. I took a picture of the suspect. It took a while to get the mug shot as he does not stay in one place. I bagged the evidence and marked them: Exhibit A and Exhibit B.

The criminal report reads:

Suspect: Bettis Alias: The Bus
Age: 4 months
Species: Dog, a VERY large dog
Weight: 54 lbs (and gaining 4-5 pounds a week)
Foot size: HUGE and growing
The above suspect has been charged with the following charges:

1. Getting on furniture; a repeat offense
2. Snatching the caretaker's (aka the knitter) knitting project
3. Shredding a mohair lace shawl that has taken the caretaker (aka knitter) much time to knit
4. Chewing caretaker's (aka knitter's) coveted needles in half
5. Slobbering on caretaker's project (this slobber is directly linked to the suspect)
6. Running from the caretaker while in pursuit

Exhibit A and B along with the report were presented at the dinner table that evening to the owner of the suspect. To which he replied: That dog! The owner tried to defend his client with feeble defense i.e."he's just a puppy, he didn't mean to do it" etc.

I, the judge, did not believe this feeble defense and imposed the following sentence.
The Owner must purchase another needle for the caretaker (aka me) and another skein of yarn (cashmere would not be out of the question). Yes I know the remaining yarn is fine to use but I think punishment is necessary for this suspect and the owner. Otherwise, the owner will neglect to reprimand the suspect and the caretaker (aka knitter) will continue to lose WIP to his slobber, chewing and disobedience.
Not sure this sentence will work as the owner has the same selective hearing problem as the suspect. Time, yarn and needles will tell on this one.

ps The cats are planning their own "Cat Court Hearing" on the suspect. The hearing is postponed until further notice.

Ecstatic.....for a day!

We took the dogs to the "clip and snip" appointment. The vet called on Thursday to confirm the appointment. He told me to be there at 7 am. The oldest DD and I had them there at 6:30 am. (We didn't want to be late........LOL)I felt like I was dropping off 3 toddlers at a day care. center. I was ecstatic! Not that I don't love pets but you have no idea what I go through on a given day with these three. They are 2 yrs, 1 yr and 3 1/2 months. They are a handful. Well, Bettis is NOT a handful, that's for sure he's more like a body full.

Once again Bettis had to be carried/dragged in the vet office.
First the vet tech wanted to weigh him in and she tried to walk him with a leash. He was having none of that. She pulled. She tugged. She pushed. Nothing doing. Bettis, like his namesake, was not to be moved. She finally picked him up and half carried, half dragged him to the scales. She mumbled something about each of his feet weighing 10 lbs each. Bettis weighed 42 lbs 2 weeks ago. He weighed in at 48 1/2 lbs at the ripe ole age of 3 1/2 months?! What was my DH thinking when he got this dog? I'm guessing he wasn't!
Fast Forward: I had a wonderfully peaceful day. I got my hair done, I knitted, I cleaned. All in all the day was wonderful until.......we had to pick them up.
Now, my mind thinks when one has surgery one is tired and hurting. Obviously that is reserved for "people patients" or smart dogs. We left at 6 pm to get the "patients". Gypsy and Molly were looking pretty sad and lethargic. Bettis? He was wagging his tail, slobbering all over us and JUMPING! He's not supposed to JUMP! What was this dog thinking? Oh that's right, his owner is the DH and as I mentioned above, HE wasn't thinking.

The vet told me, he was jumping an hour after surgery and they had to give him a mild sedative (which obviously wore off by the time we arrived). He warned us to be certain to keep them quiet for 10 days. Is this vet for real? Does he really know dogs?Did he operate on Bettis or was it an impostor who operated on him? Did he not just say he had to sedate him after surgery to keep him quiet? Gimmee' a break!

Once again Bettis had to be carried/dragged from the vet hospital. He came in the door and started to......play! This dog just had major surgery and he's playing, jumping and running? The other two just looked at him like he was nuts. He IS !

They go back in 10 days for a post surgery checkup. I would suggest the owner of Bettis teach him to walk on the leash. At the rate he is gaining weight my DD and I will no longer be able to carry/drag him to the vet office.

p.s. I find it convenient that the DH works during vet office hours. p.p.s The knitted dog house is at a stand still until I know the true size of Bettis.

Snow, Socks, Shawls & Sanity

Okay, another snowstorm hit on Tuesday. Gracing us with 9 inches of fresh, white fluff. The weather guy missed this one. They called for 1-3 inches. The DD was off school, the DH couldn't travel to work as the roads were unpassable and the oldest DD was off work. The DD's danced with joy and the DH reported every 1/2 hour the measured snow amount (as if I cared). He was in and out all day, like his dog. Not that I'm comparing my DH to his dog but keep in mind the DH has large feet and his dog has large paws. They tracked in snow all day long. I, on the other hand, announced I was knitting for the day. Translation? DO. NOT. BOTHER. ME. Unfortunately I failed to translate this to "these people". Snow meant that Bettis (who now weighs in at 42 lbs at the ripe ole age of 14 weeks!) raced, ripped and rolled in the snow by the hour. The youngest DD went out to sled ride. Translation? WET clothing! Translation for all of this? I get to clean!

Mind you, I should be grateful for these 2 children. After all, I have 2 children who live 2 hours away and they are "too busy" to be bothered ! Of course I have been told, "well, if I lived in CA you wouldn't see me." "Yeah well, I have a news flash for you, YOU. DON'T. LIVE IN CA!" What is it with grown children? They have the "busiest lives". Busy is a curious word, isn't it?

I am knitting on a Swallowtail shawl from Fall 2006 issue of Interweave Knits. I am enjoying this one. I enjoy making lace patterns. I think I've found my niche:lace and fair isle. I took this pic on the porch step during the storm.
Socks: I have started more socks and now I must finish a pair in order to have free needles to start more. I am beginning to think I am a process knitter. Meaning, I like to knit. Not necessarily to finish a project but enjoy the process of knitting. Does it matter if I finish? Nope. I love to touch fiber, I love color, I love knitting. Particularly socks. I intend to enjoy life in spite of my children albeit knitting, bird watching etc.

ps They have yet to figure this out. Some day the "lightbulb" just might flicker..........LOL

Yarn and "The Bus"

As I mentioned in an earlier post, the DH brought home Bettis aka The Bus. I took (or should I say, pushed, pulled and carried) him to the vet office for his check up and scheduled "clip and snip" as we call it. I attempted this feat with "The Bus", the yorktese and the lhasa apsa. Mind you, the DH was at work. They all checked out fine. The Yorktese is 1 yr old and weighs in at 8 lbs. The Lhasa is 2 yrs old and weighs in at 14 lbs. The Bus is 13 weeks old and weighs in at 38 1/2 lbs.! Try carrying that into a vet's office.

The vet (happily, I might add) informed me, "the Bus" has "a lot of growing to do. He has a wonderful disposition and will tip the scales when full grown at 125-150 lbs." He also informed me, that we should take him for a walk on the leash NOW so we won't be a passenger on the end of the leash when he is full grown.

I immediately called the DH to inform him of "his son's dr visit". He laughed and said, "That's my boy". Now, I must inform all of you, I AM the one you has house trained. I AM the one who feeds. I AM the one who rescues "stolen" stuff from his mouth and paws. (VERY LARGE paws I might add) I AM the one who wipes up the floor endlessly from snowy, muddy paws. (Again VERY LARGE WET paws) And the DH has the nerve to say, that's MY boy??!!

I like the dog, don't get me wrong. But when I went to the living room one morning I noticed a strand of yarn on the couch. Now that in and of itself is nothing new however the yarn was coming out of the side of the couch between the cushions. Anyone who knows me, knows that I would have yarn laying AROUND or ON the cushion not coming from the side. Upon investigation I found a wound ball of my yarn, 4 dpns and the cuff of an UF sock buried deep in the side of the couch. The yarn was chewed in half between the cuff and the yarn. The dpns were OFF the cuff. One DPN was bent in the shape of the letter L. These were (in the past tense) my favorite needles. I packaged it up in a ziplock bag and labeled it "Exhibit A" for the day. By the way, "The Bus" is not supposed to be on the furniture.

Yarn seems to be a fetish of "the Bus". This is a problem that he and I battle daily. All the while the DH says, That's my boy!

PS Have I mentioned I am constructing (er, knitting) a VERY LARGE dog house for "The Bus" and his owner (aka DH)?

I Love Lucy Socks

It's cold and snowing outside and I just finished one sock. School is cancelled and the DD and the DH are home for the day. I have announced that I plan to knit for the day. The sock yarn is STR Lucy colorway and I love 'em. "Self" wants them. They're MINE!





The 15 yr old DD "invented" this purse pattern all by herself. She wanted me to post this so you could see it for yourself. The top band has elastic and she made a fabric liner for the inside. She now has several projects on the needles. (takes after her mother....haha)
I'm off to knit where I can stay warm inside and watch the snowflakes fall.

Did I Really Need This?

The DH is in trouble. He is in BIG trouble!

He has been asking for another Labrador Retriever. I have said NO! countless times. His boss has 2 AKC Labs that gave birth to 9 puppies on Thanksgiving Day 2006. He offered the DH one at Christmas at a reduced price. I said NO! On January 27, 2007, he GAVE the DH one of the pups. I still said NO! but it didn't matter. He came home with the puppy like a little boy would come dragging home a stray.

This pup is 9 weeks old and weighs in at 25 1/2 pounds! His paws are HUGE! We're not talking puppy here, we're talking this is a horse!(by the way, we own one of those creatures too, but that's another story.) This puppy seems to have a shoe fetish. MY shoes, mind you. He chews paper. Any paper. Whatever he finds he chews. Knitting patterns, books, bills, whatever. He also has an aversion to yarn! NOT. A. GOOD. TRAIT. I have compiled a list of everything he does wrong on a daily basis. It is posted for the DH everyday. I am sending this list to his boss so he can read it as well.

His name? Bettis aka THE BUS! (after the Pittsburgh Steeler's football player) Very fitting! He runs through here like a bus.

He drinks water by the gallon and he eats like a horse. There is one plus and I do consider this to be a HUGE plus. He is already house trained! We have had a few Labs and I must say they are the easiest dogs to house train. So he does have that going for him. YARN? Now, that remains a problem.

P.S. The cats are NOT happy with him either!

Yarn Diet Confession

Alright I must confess..........I am off the yarn diet.
Here's why:
1. I have many internet knitting friends who heard I was on this yarn diet. They bombarded me with yarn sale emails. (in spite of this unorthodox behavior I will still consider them to be very dear friends)

2. My non-knitting daughter found the most beautiful fair isle sweater pattern and asked me to knit one for her. Fair isle is my absolute favorite to knit. (anytime a child asks for a hand-knitted item it is a miracle in and of itself.) And if this item is something the knitter postively loves to knit requires said knitter to grab the needles, the yarn and knit this item for the non-knitting child

3. I went to my stash room (yes it is an entire room of stacked containers, bags and boxes) to look for the yarn. I. DON'T. HAVE. ANY. YARN! Now I know what you're thinking, how can that be? Let me re-phrase: I don't have any fingering weight yarn in the colors that she wants.

4. My friend (and she knows who she is) and I were "helping" each other on this yarn diet. But she succumbed first to the temptation and then gave me the "okay".

5. Buying yarn is better than eating chocolate (unless one eats M&M's for each complete knitted row and the project gauges at 7 rows to an inch then one is entitled to M&M's or any other chocolate for that matter)

Today I clicked and ordered the Palette yarn in the requested colors from KnitPicks. I will patiently wait for the package to arrive so I can start this beautiful sweater. (a winter coat and scarf should keep me warm while I "hang around" outside at the mailbox everyday)

P.S. I hereby promise to not let this sweater become another UFO!

SYA sock yarn addiction...HELP!

I am trying to refrain from buying sock yarn. I have surfed the net and I can almost feel the yarn running through my fingers like liquid gold. I looked on BMF's sock that rock and lo and behold they're having quite a problem with their bank. Seems they don't believe there could be that many knitters signing up for their STR Club. Gimmee' a break, executives! We knitters are a force to be reckoned with.
However, I will take the inconvenience of placing an order by phone as an omen for me that I cannot succumb to the sock yarn addiction that I suffer. I will get through this..........for now. But just how long can this last? I am crumbling over here.............................HELP!!!!!!!!!!

I Boldly Stand to yarn temptation

Okay.........you know who you are........those people out there who tempt me with yarn. Beautiful yarn, drop dead gorgeous yarn, vivid colored yarn, soft yarn, sock yarn (my biggest downfall) and good yarn at a good price ...........you know I can't resist good yarn at a good price. But I must!

I WILL resist internet sales. I WILL resist any emails concerning yarn and if one friend offers a trip to a LYS, I WILL decline (unless of course it would hurt the friend's feelings then I have no choice than to go).

I WILL use my stash for my projects and empty containers (You know? the ones my DH counted that I reported on a former post)

I boldly stand before you with needles in hand and totes of UFOs ready for a yarn war. I WILL NOT SUCCUMB to yarn temptation! I WILL DEFEAT THIS! The chant must begin...I will not buy yarn, I will not buy yarn...........

P.S. I will follow all of the above rules just as soon as I check my mail to see if a certain friend (and she knows who I'm talkin' about) has sent me another yarn sale.
P.S.S. The credit card is hidden.........(in my pocket)

Shawls, socks and bears...oh my!

These are WIP. A shawl that I put aside for myself. Gifts for Christmas took precedence over my shawl. I plan to have it knitted by the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival in May.

Socks for ..you guessed it! ME of course. I bought this yarn the same time I purchased the above shawl yarn at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival 2006. I'm feeling a little guilty about not having this yarn knitted already. Not sure why..as I have a LOT of yarn from previous Maryland festivals that is aging nicely. Like a fine wine, yarn ages well. (Unless of course stupid moths get into it).

Last but not least a tiny little teddy bear. I don't normally crochet but these little creatures are just too cute. Besides, they are very tolerant of my knitting, they don't sass back and they are grateful for handknitted garments. This little bear is patiently waiting to be finished. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Footnote: There are MANY more WIP but I thought I would only show a few. I'd be blogging all night if I showed all of them and I need to knit instead.......

KSTC=Knit Stash Control

I have a serious problem over here. KSTC meaning Knit Stash Control. The DH decided to count my stash containers in my separate off-limits room. HOW DARE HE! I must confess that he is unaware of closet stash, underbed stash and space bags.

Do I go to his area and count his nail stash? Each and every nail? Do I count his power tools and hand tools? Even though he owns several saw, hammers and screwdrivers? The answer? NO I DO NOT! But he decided that he HAD to do this. Okay. So he came up with a figure that was a bit daunting. Does it matter? NOPE! But I took a second look and humbly bowed my head (to myself) and decided I must knit from the stash. So I am off to knit afghans, sweaters, accessories and many many socks. I will be proud when I have knit all this. (Forget the fact that I will be years knitting this stuff.) I can only hope that I have the right color, the right weight, the right yardage for all of my knitting.

I have not purchased any yarn for 11 days. I deserve a pat on the back (or maybe a skein of yarn?) I am heading out of town today to see the DD that just moved out on her own. (Her room became another hidden stash area but the DH doesn't know that)I must admit that I printed a coupon for AC Moore and I plan to visit a LYS in that area (but only to look at patterns). I will be good, I will be good, I will be good...........

I'll let you know what I saw at these stores.

P.S. The DH is still alive after having the audacity to check out my stash room. He swore he would die in there from so much yarn. NO! But count my yarn containers again and well............never mind.

Pattern obsession!

I was looking for a pattern that I know is lying around here. It's a pattern that I purchased ions ago at Stitches in Valley Forge. It's a knitting pattern of wee little dolls. The lady that designed it has since gone out of business. So here's the story. I made a few of these little darlings. They are tedious yet darling and very rewarding. I decided to make another one for next year. To back track a bit, let's just say that I have an organizational "problem". I do NOT think like most people but I am organized, disorganized. I need to mention that several of my family members are "those" organized people. Namely the DH and the youngest DD. They spend many hours trying to make me organized. (doesn't work but if they want to spend the time, so be it) Anyway a few months ago the DH and the DD decided in their own right to organize my knitting pattern leaflets and books. Quite a daunting task, but again, if they want to spend the time, so be it.
Last eve I decided to look for the little booklet. I promptly went to the notebook marked (in very nice handwriting by the DD) doll and bear patterns. I picked it up, feeling rather smug, and looked thru. No booklet. I chose another notebook marked misc, No booklet. I picked up yet another notebook (marked socks, didn't matter, I was getting just a little panicked) NO booklet. At this point, I am starting to hyperventilate. I calm down and begin to look thru all of the notebooks ( all 11 of them)No booklet. I glance at the 4 bookshelves of knitting books and shudder. But I begin to pull each of them down and look thru the books. NO booklet. I sigh. I go to the "knitting corner" better known as the knitting nest and begin to go thru the notebooks and books that are stashed within reach, NO booklet. Ok, now I am in need of a paper bag to help with the breathing. The DH who is making hard tack candy for the holidays asks a stupid question about the temperature of the candy. Who Cares? I have a crisis here!! The DD enters the scene and wants to know the problem. I tell her and she decides to help. We went back thru all of the books. NO booklet. I went downstairs to the yarn room. NO booklet. (that room is getting a good cleaning as soon as the holidays are over, it's a mess). 3 hours were spent on this endeavor. NO booklet. I was getting a wee bit cranky. I did (perhaps hastily), accuse those family members who have tried to organize me. After all I knew where to look if I had put it away, looking through the sock pattern notebook should be self explanatory. At midnite I finally went to bed and dreamed visions of the little knitted dolls. I dreamed of knitting an entire basket of the little dolls to hang on next year's tree. I awoke at 5 am and the little things were still dancing in my head. I went back thru all the books again. (Ok now you understand the title of this blog). NO booklet. I can see this booklet, 3 pictures are on the front and they are so cute. 20 some pages of instructions. I can see it!
I get online and I search. I found the woman's name and typed it in the white pages to find her. (yeah , I know, one might say that is borderline with stalking,but you just don't understand the NEED for this booklet). 10 minutes searching and I found her name and phone number. I decided to call her but thought 6:00 am was probably not a good time (some people sleep). I waited until 8 am. I think I woke her up however she was very polite. I explained my crisis and she offered to send me a copy of her pattern. Oh my gosh, I was so excited. I have the yarn dug out of the yarn stash, the needles are ready, now I will wait for the booklet.
I can only imagine 50 little knitted dolls sitting atop the branches of the Christmas tree.

p.s. 50? you say? I'll keep you posted on the progress.

YEAH!

Okay, I know you all have been wondering where I've been. Let's just say: splashing in color.
A lot has happened since I last wrote. The bathroom is finished!!! YEAH! Hail to the bathroom finishers (aka sons) Finally and not a moment too soon.
The "son" showed up to finish it. I was so pleased and complimented him on the beautiful granite counter and ceramic sink. ( I refrained from making a comment like: "well a bucket with a hose connected would've sufficed at this point)

Now the Christmas season is upon us and like many other knitters I am beyond frantic. There are gifts that are finished. YEAH! And there are gifts that didn't make the finish line. BOO! But December 25, 2007 is just around the corner and I am already making my resolution for the New Year. (Nevermind that it is the same resolution I made last year). I do intend to follow through this next year. (For all of you out there who doubt me, tsk tsk tsk)
I must get back to the cookie baking. I am going to knit on something for next year later this eve. KNIT ON!

Vintage Bag

Lights! Camera! ACTION! aarrgghh

I am so gonna........never mind....I won't go there.

B-DAY!

Okay, It's the "turn another year older day". I'm not about to reveal my age but if this is a hint: My kids have called and made sure I KNOW how old I am. Smart-alec kids!
I have recieved nice phone calls (besides the kids). My best friend, my grandmother, my parents......they've all been very nice.
Just how does one celebrate this? Well let's see, Di called and we "hashed" the DH's and kids who are inconsiderate slobs (and that's putting it mildly). While I was on the phone I managed to clean the "yarn room". I do not need to buy anymore yarn for a decade.......ok.......maybe not a decade. How about an evening? I just bought yarn from SpinCityYarns. Cheap yarn and oh so pretty. I bought the brown mohair look cos I'm knitting bears. Bears you say? Yep bears! You know why? Cos they are cute, loveable and they don't talk back!(Unlike kids and husbands)They also don't make messes. I should be knitting gifts but I've decided that I'm entitled to knit what I want right now........especially today!


P.S. Most of my yarn is turning another year older too.......................

Son! Friday the 13th

Remember in the earlier post Like Father Like Son? The DIL called and is so disgusted because it seems she and her husband (aka my son) were having a "heated discussion" over renovating this home! Imagine that! I tried not to laugh. I gave them 6 months before this started.............LOL it's only been 3 weeks! She said "at this rate we will be years". I gently reminded her that I have been waiting 5 months for my bathroom and it still isn't finished. As the story goes my DIL has been tearing down old wallpaper, cleaning, packing, moving and holding down a full time nursing job while her husband (aka my son, and I use that terminology loosely) has been working, "talking to construction people", running to lumberyards (just like his father) and doing a whole lot of nuttin'. YEP! Welcome to the real world of happy home ownership and marriage! My DIL has decided she might open up her own construction company just as soon as she figures out all the tools and what they do. ( I gave her some pointers after all that's what I've done all these years.)

On a lighter note her husband (aka my son) has a birthday today. I usually call each child at the time they were born. But I decided to call this one at 6:13 am the precise time I had the very first labor contraction. I informed him (after I sang Happy Birthday) that I was calling at the time I had my first pain, one of many that he has managed to impose on my life since his birth. He laughed! Believe me there's a reason why there's 6 yrs between he and his brother................. I have put the "mother's curse"on him: I hope he has not one child but a set of twins "just like him". mmmm........do you think that's why they've decided not to have children for awhile?:)

CRASH! I'm cryin' here

Okay, if it isn't enough I had to run to the big city to stupid dr appointments for the last two days I got on the computer last nite and the dumb thing CRASHED! I have a beautiful black screen with lovely white writing at the bottom telling me Win-something or other is something something repair....press f8 to try to repair. I did. NOTHING! So now I must not only share the bathroom sink with the daughters , now I must share their computer. Let me tell ya, if you thought sharing a bathroom with them was bad, sharing the computer is WORSE! They hang over my shoulder asking, are you done yet? how much longer will you be? my friends are on MSN waiting.........ok...........what's wrong with the phone? When I was a teen, we used a contraption that was installed in the wall and when you dialed (not meaning to date my age but it was a rotary dial) you actually heard and talked with another human voice. We had a shared line and could talk with several people at once. Not necessarily good as we had an older (older being she just had to be 50 or so..........come to think of it, that's not old) nosey neighbor who listened to our phone calls. Now these kids text message whether it's thru the cell phone or computer. This sharing computer thing is NOT good! We checked into another windows system and it's going to cost as much as a new computer. Where is recycling in all this?
Anyway this morning as we're getting ready for another 2 hour drive to the dr's office I picked up the phone to make a phone call. NO SERVICE! Our tv, internet and phone are all 1 service. For some unknown reason the phone won't work on a crashed computer. GREAT! I'm cryin' over here.....................

Ch-ch-ch-changin'

Okay, as you've noticed I've changed the format of the blog......again. Seems the links dropped to the bottom a few posts back. I tried everything (within my computer skills) to fix it. Nothing worked. So I decided. What the heck? Why not? Lo and behold.........it worked! The links returned where they belong and I am a happy blogger. Not quite as happy as I would be with perhaps a lovely skein of cashmere or a skein of buffalo gold but nonetheless I'm happy. Well I'm off to do the knitting, the wonderful world of knitting. (sung to the tune of "we're off to see the wizard" u know the Wizard of Oz)

Bathroom Update!

Okay, it's been one week since the last post. The oldest DS who installed the toilet and shower (minus the shower door) was here and gone like a tornado last week. The vanity counter has not arrived as yet. Seems as though the youngest DS who is making the granite counter top lost the sink template so the brother who was here left with the sink. We're a bit concerned we may never see this sink again. It was like watching a loved one leave never to return (not the son.....THE SINK!) The window that I mentioned with no trim?I was told no curtain until the trim is mounted. Well the females in this house are tired of flashing the neighborhood as we get showers etc. So I have improvised, not the most attractive but it works (matches the duct tape "temporary" shower curtain). I have purchased a blind and as soon as the DH leaves the house, I'm putting it up! Like I said, I could be waiting for years for the trim. No curtains/blind? NOT Happenin'!

Like father, like son........ 4 is the magic number

Okay, I'm not here to talk about knitting today. My sons are adults (at least according to the US laws they are considered adults at this age). They came to us 4 months ago and offered to renovate our main bathroom (you know? the one for guests?) They gave this little song and dance about how we gave up so much for them and they wanted to give something back. Oh and it would be finished in 4 weeks! Sounds good. Right? Wrong!


It's been 4 months and the remaining family of 4 (the 2 DD's, 1 DH and ME) who still live here has been sharing one very small bathroom that is off the master bedroom (aka MY bathroom!) And if you've never shared a tiny bathroom with 2 DD's, take it from me........... DON'T DO IT!

We haven't seen the DS's in 4 weeks but they finally arrived this weekend to install the toilet. Good thing 'cos last weekend I accidently walked in on the 20 yr old DD's BF! Talk about embarrassing!

Well as you can see, I have a nice vanity, NO sink! But I have a vanity. The second oldest son is making a granite counter top for the sink. He has been 8 (divisible by 4) weeks on this. Mind you, he does this for a living and supposedly he is very good but don't take my word, I'm only mom and I've been waiting awhile.

The shower door is still in the box however the shower is finally up and flowing. Then the DH (in his infinite wisdom) decided to put up an old shower rod and (now, ahhhem, please take notice) a piece of plastic for a shower curtain! We call this "jerry-rigging".

Mind you, this could be the shower door for quite a while as he is known to procastinate finishing a project. If you notice in the vanity pic above there is no baseboard on the beautiful stone floor. Take it from me, it could be years before that is finished too. There is a small window above the toilet and I suggested a curtain rod only to be told the trim and windowsill need to be added. Surprise, surprise, surprise! mmmmm.......the Mason Dixon Knitting book has a nice knitted curtain. I'm thinking I have plenty of time to order the yarn and knit it if I have to wait on him to finish this window trim! I have found that if I mention selling the house he hops right on these projects and finishes them . I just might have to put that VERY BIG FOR SALE sign in front of the house and I may get this bathroom finished (I won't hold my breath) before the Thanksgiving holidays when I will be preparing dinner for 22 people!


p.s. The eldest son and his new wife just purchased a home. It needs major renovation and the wife (and I do love this girl) anounced today that my son (aka her husband) will not procrastinate on the renovations to be done at their new home. They went to dinner and discussed this in advance. They are also NOT going to argue about renovation, they are going to work together. This is going to strenthen their marriage by working as a team!!!!!!!! HA! I just smiled....... Did I mention they've only been married a year? I won't tell her she might stand a chance getting this done in 4 years if she's lucky............I'll keep you posted on this one.........

Like father like son...................

A bag's anatomy

Okay, I have been battling a cold (caught from the kids). I think I'm winning the battle! We went for our weekly run to Wally-World (I needed tissues) and then we stopped at Big Lots. Lo and behold they had yarn for $1.00 a skein. Of course could I pass it up? Heck no. So I came home with Bernat yarn. I am not a yarn snob, I can't afford to be one. Anything that can be knitted is knitted on my needles i.e. angora, wool, acrylic, jute, fabric from bulky to lace weight etc. It just doesn't matter to me 'cos I LOVE KNITTING! Last evening I sat on the couch with a nice cup of lemon tea and my tissues and whipped up the red bag while watching Grey's Anatomy. I'm making these for Christmas gifts. I'm still debating on the handles. Any suggestions? By the way who thinks Meredith is going to go back with Derek?

Mitten in Pink

I have neglected my blog recently so I'm going to update. Christmas is how far away? . I decided to knit a pair of mittens out of it for a Christmas gift. (Can't say whose gift in case she reads this) It has a bit of silk in it and was a dream to spin and even nicer to knit. I don't profess to be a professional spinner, I'm just a knitter who occasionally enjoys going through the whole process of making one's own yarn. So here it is The Mitten in Pink! I know there's only one, the other one is on the needles.

The Needle NEED!

Oh my gosh! A knitter always has the need for new needles. (Say that 10 times and I bet I've created a new tongue twister)
Well I ordered the new Knit pick dpns and then I felt the need for the needles set. So one day (while the DH was away) I ordered them. Then I waited and I waited. Seems they had the needles back ordered. So I waited some more. Lo and behold they arrrived. I was beginning to believe the mail lady was knitting with them. So I spent an entire evening admiring and organizing my new needle set.
Now I have to keep the 15 year old from taking them. She knits and designs her own knitting like nobody's business. I wish I had access to all the wonderful yarn and needles like she does when I was a knitting teen. I had plastic needles and department store yarn. But I knitted anyway. So I guess where there's a will, there's a way.

P.S. Stay tuned for the order that is due to arrive anytime.

Knitter's Un-Invention

I take my knitting everywhere with me particularly in the car. I usually take socks in progress because it is so portable. Invariably I lose needles in the car as I am taking my project from it's bag. Imagine a woman screaming I LOST IT! The DH mumbles, "Yeah I know you lost it". I don't thing he is referring to my needle. I think he is referring to my mind. Good thing he mumbles. Anyway this recently happened on a busy interstate of which I forced him to pull over while I frantically looked for the needle so I could knit. (I also drop needles in a restaurant while I am retrieving the knitting from my purse, talking and drinking my coffee). I and my knitting friends have a solution and it only cost 23 cents!

Go to a lumberyard (the husband will be thrilled that you actually
want to shop at a lumber yard and not a yarn shop).
You will need: One foot of 1/2" vinyl tubing found in the plumbing dept on a roll
(you need a clerk to cut it for you)
Scissors and socks in progress.
Cut a piece of tubing 5 1/2" long. Cut a slit down the center of the 5 1/2" piece.
Open the cut tubing and slide your dpn project thru the slit.



VIOLA! A needle holder! It took minutes to complete and it only cost 23 cents! You can make them in various sizes because the tubing comes in many sizes. Costs vary. The DH pointed out that if the tube gets stretched and no longer grips just roll tightly and it is back in shape. Smart thinking DH!

23 cents.........Wonderful
No more screaming in the car causing DH to panic............Marvelous
No more lost needles....................PRICELESS!

Sock Monkey Knits

Ok I'm going to think about signing up for this thing. The thing is Sock Wars. In case no one out there has heard of this endeavor click on this site
http://yarn-monkey.blogspot.com/2006/07/are-you-ready-for-sock-wars-2006.html and check it out. I just might have to bite the knitting needles and go for it. Thanks Catherine and Laura. In the meantime as you can see by the pic, my sock monkey is knitting away on my sock while I am canning salsa. He does nice work, don't ya think?

The Debut!

I went to the mailbox when I saw the mailman
arrive. I nonchalantly walked to the mailbox humming a nonsense tune, staring at the sky acting as thought I had not seen him pull up to our mailbox. I discreetly watched as he put letters into the mailbox. No package. (sigh) Er....wait........why did he stop after the last mailbox? Could it be? Yes-s-s-s! He opened the trunk of his car (in rural America the mailman delivers from his own vehicle) and there it was! The most beautiful brown box ever. I tried to reach for it without shaking too much but I'm afraid my excitement was obvious. I grabbed the box and all but ran to the house for fear another knitter was lurking in the woods knowing I was expecting this package. I grabbed a knife to tear at the box (forget scissors, I didn't have time to look for them) and ...oh my gosh.......there it was, in all it's glory: The Sock Wizard and my DPNs. I dashed to the computer and made the 15 yr old install that baby asap. The wizard was installed in less than 5 minutes and the pattern printed ready for use. I took my yarn and those brand new DPNs from KnitPicks and I started my first ever toe-up socks. I've made at least 50 pr cuff down and I have half that many started somewhere around here but I've never made toe-up. You're the first to see them. Viola! The Debut!

Help! More yarn!

Okay, I have been so-o-o-o good for a WHOLE month and not bought any yarn. But tonite I had a relapse and just ordered from Knit-Picks. I've been wanting the Sock Wizard program. My friend, Catherine, from Ireland sent me the Simply Knitting Mag from the UK and I must say it is a great magazine. Savannah, the youngest DD, fell in love with one of the scarf patterns. Of course I didn't have the right colors in the right weight (sigh) I had no choice! I had to order the yarn for it! After all it is a Christmas gift. Here's the thing, I am saving the DH money. After all, the yarn I purchase is for gifts and useful things. (well maybe it's not all useful, like the felted bowl I HAD to make). Problem.........I have to get to the mailbox before the DH gets there when this order arrives. But the mail lady honks that stupid horn everytime she has a package. And she went to school with him, way back when. mmm.......any suggestions on sneaking the package in here when it comes? I need help on this one.

Who done it?

Ok ...... One of my DPNs has been successfully chewed in half by a beast in the house. A criminal beast. Cos a knitter knows if needles are chewed on by slobbering beasts it is definitely a crime! I have examined the evidence and have come to the conclusion that only one criminal fits the crime, that would be our 4 month old husky mix, Destiney. How fitting is that name? I know it wouldn't have been the 6 month old Yorktese cos she is just too cute and besides she was napping on my lap in the computer room when the crime occurred. This set of needles was only 5 days old and now I must find another set. Do you know how difficult it is to find 5" dpns in a size 1 1/2? I found this set at a lys, Victoria's House of Needleart. I'll have to call her and get another set. Hope she has them.

OOH LA LA socks

Remember the sock yarn from my Dye-O-Rama pal? Well.....here are the finished socks! The pattern is from the Sensational Socks book. I don't care for a pattern on the instep so I did plain ole knit on the foot part. I LOVE these! They remind me of a Mexican hat dance! ooh la la.