Grounded!

It's been a rough week. So what is a disabled knitter to do when she finds a beautiful pattern on ravelry and the yarn is downstairs in the stash room?
Answer: Find a way to get down there to get what I obviously needed.
Hubby was on the computer in the living room totally oblivious and the youngest daughter was at work. Those two are like prison guards, trust me, so if they're busy I'm F-R-E-E!

Charlie and Chuckie crutch and I went for a nonchalant stroll down the hall and quietly opened the basement door. Took me a moment to figure out how I was going to get down there but my little mind quickly had a solution, sit and scoot on the steps. Woo-Hoo! I had a plan.

I made it to the stash room, grabbing an empty yarn tote I quickly filled it. Suddenly I heard the youngest daughter upstairs talking. WHAT? She wasn't to be home for another hour!
I hobbled over to the stairs in a bit of a panic. Seriously? Why was I in a panic? I'm an adult and can do what I want. hrmph!

Now here's where I didn't think my plan through from beginning to end. How do I get up the stairs? If I exit the back door and come into the kitchen I'm doomed. The family will know I've been downstairs. I hung the bag of yarn on Charlie (or was it Chuckie?) and leaned on the two of them to climb the 14 steps. Took a bit of maneuvering but we made it to the top. Just as I opened the door who was standing there?
The college daughter. Hands on her hips and asking the inevitable question, "just what do you think you're doing? Da-a-ad? Mom was downstairs."
Tattletale!


So I'm grounded. I think there's been a bit of a role reversal around here and that will be corrected immediately :).
At least I have the yarn I wanted, various colors of wool to knit this scarf. I'm making great progress but you should see my knitting corner in the living room.
In the meantime, I'm content with this project....well...at least for awhile ;).




Tonite I'm indulging in a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream. Mint chocolate chip and just plain ole chocolate chip ice cream are my favorite flavors.
What's your favorite ice cream flavor?

It's a Knitting Jungle

I've wanted an excuse to make this adorable little elephant for quite some time. The pattern is easy and the result is too cute for words. I used two balls of Peaches and Creme yarn in the color Fiesta.
Meet Miss Ellie. She's ready for some hugs and kisses.








This is the Lacy Baktus. Quite the rage in blogland and Ravelry. Normally I choose the pattern then the yarn but this time the yarn chose the pattern.

I spun this from a small amount of roving that was purchased at the MD Sheep & Wool Festival a year or so ago. It's been sitting very prettily in a basket begging to be knit.

I called it Winter Birds because it reminds me of the birds hiding out in the trees during the winter storm.

I can't rave enough about this pattern. Love, love love it from start to finish.
Looks like everyone is getting a Baktus for next Christmas :).

Belated Christmas Post

I've been a bad blogger and failed to put pictures of the tree and a few gifts the elves finally finished. LOL Here I thought those darn elves were on strike.
I made a pair of socks for my MIL. Red Heart Heart & Sole.
I like people with small feet:)













I saw a hat similar to this one on Ravelry and I thought it was perfect for the college freshman DD. It was! It is! She loved it.
One skein of Noro Silk Garden. I started this from the top down so I had more control of the height of the hat.

This is a cowl made from my handspun merino/silk blend. Buttons are the most difficult thing to find around here. I managed to settle for the these from our very tiny Joann Fabric store.

Two hats for two very sweet little girls. I hope they like them.

Our Christmas Tree this year. It is bright. It is VERY bright. It's a large tree with 3300 lights. We're enjoying it as much as possible. We will be putting away the decorations very soon.

Hope everyone had a nice Christmas.

Scrubbin' Bubbles & other stuff

Finished stuff. I hand spun the variegated yarn in this cowl. The brown is Lamb's Pride wool from the stash room. It was supposed to be a scarf but I was bored with it. So a cowl, it is. The stick is just a bamboo stick that I had lying around. I need to make a really nice stick closure.
I wore this last weekend and had quite a few compliments.









Another pic without yours truly and her neck in the way.

















This yarn of Paintbox by Classic Elite has been stashed for quite awhile. Since I'm de-stashing these frugal days I finally found a use for this lonely skein.
A hat pattern that I found on a knitting site.
This is quick and easy and only took an afternoon to knit. I used up all but 2 yards of the 109 yard skein.
The daughter who was the intended recipient loves it. She wasn't available for the picture when I finished it so I put it on and snapped the pic.
I don't like to have my picture taken so I cut off as many parts of self as I can.



This is also from the stash room and it will grow up to be something special for the daughter. These are the chosen colors of wool.
Notice the balls of yarn. Long B.efore B.all W.inder 4 yrs ago. What does that tell you about the stash?
You know what they say about a fine wine aging? Well, I hold that same line for yarn.......LOL









The scrubbies are multiplying. I just found they are the best when it comes to scrubbing the tub and shower walls. Loving this scrubby.
Chan and I made a deal to spend 15 minutes - 1/2 hour de-cluttering in the house. So far, so good. Of course it's only been 2 days since that commitment.

P.S. Make note to self. It is not wise to close oneself in the shower with a bottle of bathroom cleaner and a scrubby.
I'm still hacking up a lung from that process. That'll teach me to clean! LOL

Catch-Up News

I am playing catch-up news today. Dad has improved and is coming home. Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. It is appreciated more than you know.
Now on to knitting...........I finally finished this scarf. This was perfect knitting for the hospital visits. I posted it in a knitting site and was shocked that I had started this last January. I'm not sure if it's good or bad to see a project laying in wait that long. But it's finally finished and I love it.


My youngest DD knitted this afghan for me from stash yarn. It is thick and warm and I am absolutely in love with this blanket. She used 3-4 different strands per color on a size 17 needle. It is done in two panels and then sewn together. She has a great color sense and I am amazed at her talent at the young age of 17.





Just to note I did finish the eldest son's hat in the Nick of time for Christmas. He loved it.
I couldn't get a patch shipped in time so I purchased a piece of sports fleece from the local fabric store. Carefully cutting one of the emblems I then handsewed it onto the front. It fit perfectly and I hear he wants to wear it constantly. Go ahead and wear it son, I'll make you another one.



I need a baby gift and these fit the bill. They were made in an afternoon. This pattern is easy and adorable. I used stash yarn from son's hat and I love how they turned out.

OOPS! Dealing with all the New Year's hospital trips I forgot someone's birthday. Little Gypsy turned 3 yrs old on January 2, 2009. She joined our family at 10 weeks weighing in at 3 pounds. She was a tiny dog and adorable.

We made up for missing her birthday with a treat of

scrambled egg (she loves scrambled eggs) and a gingerbread treat from Sissy.

She was very uncooperative with birthday pictures. Mr. Bettis and Molly shared with the eggs and gingerbread treats. They had a nice quiet party:).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GYPSY!

Yarn Take-Over

We have a computer room and there really is a computer in here somewhere. Yarn has taken over this room. It is in baskets. It's on shelves. It's in the closet and there are several skeins sitting in front of the monitor. I have no idea how this started or why. I have a large yarn stash room downstairs. But here it is and it's taking over. I surrounded myself with bags of WIP and containers of yarn to sort through.
I found this scarf from last year. I only need to knit a few more rows and it's finished. Why did I put it away unfinished? I'm beginning to think I have A.D.D.

Next I found these socks. Okay, I admit to having quite a few pairs of socks in progress. I don't finish them, I just buy more knitpicks needle sets. Seems logical to me.

Now to find the pattern and finish them.








I have a sock blanket on the go. Then I found Catherine's sock yarn blanket on Ravelry (darn that ravelry) with black between each square. I was in love with it. So.......yes you know where I'm going with this......I started another blanket. Mind you, I had to send the husband downstairs to the yarn stash room for black fingering weight yarn. Try explaining that to someone who has no idea the difference between fingering and worsted with the exception of price. Like Jessica's DH, he just doesn't get the $20 for a skein of sock yarn. He likes the socks, though.
I found this cake of handspun yarn. I have no idea how many years ago I spun this but here it is in all it's glory. I also don't know how much yardage is on there but I'll find a use for it.









This was found rolling on the floor just in time for Mr. Bettis to investigate. I snatched it. I guess it looked like a ball and a fun time for him. Uh? No! And I don't want dog slobber on the yarn.

I haven't been downstairs to the yarn stash room yet and I hear the yarn calling me (in it's sweet yarnie voice)........"knitter........ohhhhh.....knit-t-t-e-r.........you need to start something new......" I have no choice but to give in to "the voice." It's haunting:)
I am going to send the "loyal subjects" downstairs to get yarn. They said they are taking their cell phones so they can call when they can't find something. I actually believe they are taking them because they are afraid of getting lost in an avalanche of yarn.......hee-hee

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Do you see this "jerry-rigged" fence? Mr. Bettis slammed his 140 lb body against the fence and busted the bottom of it. Little Miss Gypsy who weighs in at 8 lbs, wiggled through the hole in the bottom of the fence and got out to inspect the neighborhood. In the meantime Mr. Bettis was worrying himself to death trying to find a way out for himself. There was no way that 140 lb oaf was going to get through the hole he busted for Gypsy.
I informed Mr. Bettis' owner (aka one hand husband)of the damage his dog has done now and this is how he fixed it. I was told it would be fixed properly in the spring. Hello? Spring is around the corner, buddy! We'll see how long it takes him to fix this fence.
This is what the two culprits were doing inside the house after their activity. Sleeping on the "dog forbidden bed" aka MY bed!
I took advantage of this situation even though they are breaking the rules. I tiptoed to the computer and visited www.theloopyewe.com





I consoled myself by falling in the Loopy Ewe Hole and purchased Dream in Color Lipstick Lava. I joined the TLE KAL on Ravelry and I'm making Mr. Greenjeans for self.
TLE Hole has a cushion landing so feel free to jump in.:)






My calori......what? I finished it! My Calorimetry. I love it. Considering I look absolutely ridiculous in a hat, this is perfect for me. Keeps my ears warm.








A BFL worsted scarf for me. All mine. I dyed this in the Elves n Gnomes colorway. The pattern is the One Row Scarf by the famous Ms. Yarn Harlot. I like this pattern because I zone out and knit. I don't have to think and occasionally after dealing with Mr. Bettis, I need to zone out. :)







I know it has been awhile since I have posted. I have been a busy knitter.

A Knitter's Gift!

Ravelry knitters are the greatest. Bloggers are wonderful. Look what arrived today!
A red and white Loopy Ewe sock bag and a beautiful skein of yarn. When this arrived I thought it was sent to the wrong person. I am on a yarn diet until Ed returns to work. So I knew I had not ordered anything. I opened it to look for an invoice. No invoice. I opened the bag and there was a note from the Loopy Elves saying "This is from Sara." I took a deep breath and carefully peeled back the tissue paper and there was a beautiful cashmere/merino blend of yarn in my favorite colors. Pink and yellow. I was smitten. I held back the tears and shrieked with joy. I have wound the skein and I am starting a pair of socks. (imagine that) The red and white bag is perfect to tote (no pun intended) to the DD's school functions. School colors are red and white. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Sara, for the gift.

I handed the "one armed husband" a puzzle. He needs something to do at this point in recovery. He can prop the "hand" and work on this. Unfortunately it only took him a few hours to work this puzzle. He is very good at putting them together. Since this one was only 950 pieces and it took him a total of 2 1/2 hours to work it, I have found a 1500 piece puzzle. That should keep him out of my hair for awhile.
I find it interesting that he is growling over the dogs aka Mr. Bettis wanting in, out, in, out, in........welcome to my world, buddy!


I started the "my so called scarf". I'm liking this pattern. It is out of the Manos del Uruaguay worsted hand dyed yarn. It is a dense pattern and it will keep me warm if I ever get it finished.







These are "Self's Froggin' Gloves." Out of Frog Tree Alpaca sportweight and the pattern is from Interweave's Handy Book Of Patterns. I love that book. Size 3 needles. They are soft and warm. Self will need them next week. I'd better get moving on these.


P.S. Remember the resolution that I would get 2008's Christmas gifts finished early? "Self" became demanding and I am already behind schedule on the gifts. But Self must keep sanity while "man/toddler sitting."

Knit 'n Time

I finally got some knittin' time. This is the "new" scarf for the Piccolo Pirate's flute teacher.
After all the scarf knitting woes posted below, Woo-Hoo! It's finished. I'm not that fond of knitting scarves, I get bored easily. But I must say, they work up quickly and they are pretty when finished. I made this one yesterday afternoon.
The Piccolo Pirate would've made this herself except she has a lot of homework. So she's excused..........this time.

I started these on Saturday evening. I finished them last evening. Quick, pretty and warm. They are made from Worsted Slub from

Yarn Treehouse. I liked working with this yarn, it was soft. These mitts go to the dog groomer aka Vet Girl's co-worker.

My kids have a knack of coming to me one month before Christmas to see if I have any "nice, homemade gifts lying around" for them to give to people they know will appreciate them. Yeah right, like I have a box full of beautiful handmade knitted items set aside just for them. But, I'm a mom, so I try to "whip" up nice gifts for them. I must admit, I like the wonderful comments that come back, isn't that why we knit in the first place?
Next year, my BFF and I will be posting pics of all the beautiful items the gift containers that we have knitted all year.

p.s. Mark the above statement on a calendar and remind me of this next year when I'm in another knitting gift panic.

Christmas Gift Knitting Woes

It all started with this scarf. I decided to knit a scarf for the Piccolo Pirate's flute teacher. I purchased the yarn out of town. Listening to the DH who told me one skein would be enough, I purchased one lonely skein. (apparently the "yarn logic" side of my brain was on vacation).This scarf is not near long enough and I am about of yarn. Unfortunately it would cost $35.00 to put "liquid gold" in the car to get to the shop to purchase another $5.99 skein to finish the scarf. Not counting the 1 1/2 hour drive to the shop.


Trying to find yarn in my stash, I found this unfinished scarf. So I thought, okay, I can finish this for the flute teacher. Wrong!
It is knitted with my yarn, Trapeze and Storm Cloud. The grey skein is attached but the colored yarn is no where to be seen. So after going through 10 of the 25 containers of yarn stash and me grumbling to the DH that this was all his fault for talking me out of the second skein of yarn for the above scarf, I cannot finish this scarf.
This does wrap around the neck enough to put a nice stick pin through it and make a neck wrap. But not for the flute teacher, she is young and would want a nice long scarf. So I'll put this on hold. (not good for me to do this as it will probably become another UFO....again).


Going through UFO knit bags (and there are quite a few of them, stashed behind the couch, hidden in closets, drawers etc) I found these unfinished socks. Now I know why they're unfinished. I started these awhile back with my yarn, Trapeze and Storm Cloud (do you see where I'm going with this?). I put the socks aside and picked them up at a later date to finish the second sock. When I put the two together to size them up, something was very wrong.
I designed my own pattern but failed to follow it. One of those things where I think I'm smarter than my own notes. I made the right sock with the MC Trapeze in the foot. I made the left sock alternating the MC and the CC every two rows in the foot. I am out of the Trapeze yarn. AH-HA! So that's where the Trapeze yarn went to finish the Trapeze scarf. I'm in trouble up here. These were a gift.

Lessons learned:
1. Never, ever, ever listen to the DH when it comes to buying the extra skein of yarn. He does not knit and knows nothing about it. He is only out to eliminate my stash.

2. Never, ever go off on a whim and cut the yarn from a project to start another project with the yarn. If I should decide to do this again I must frog the original project or finish it.

3. Never think I'm smarter than my own notes. Always read the pattern. Although I admit, I have mis-laid the pattern somewhere.......okay, I need to find my book of notes........... now where could that be?

p.s.The likely-hood of me learning from these lessons is probably pretty slim with the exception of lesson #1.

Small Town Life

Okay, I am a bit late with this update. But Happy Belated Halloween anyway.
Living in a small town has its' perks. One can go trick or treating no matter what the age. Everyone knows everyone and the local fire department actually brings out their trucks and monitors the road so kids and parents can cross safely. There is a small parade with the local fire truck and ambulance. The trick or treaters (big and small) walk behind. It is a big deal.
That said, my 16 yr old daughter and her friends can trick or treat safely and have fun. She met up with some of her friends and had a lot of fun.
My husband trailed behind them. Seems that because he grew up here and everyone knows him, he gets candy too. He tuckered out on a few of the hills and left them on their own for the last half hour (there's a lot of hills around here, remember we live in appalachia).

Tradition with our trick or treaters is to spread the loot and divide up the candy. Trading off peanut butter cups for chocolate bars etc. When they were little, this particular exercise resulted in a few arguments resulting in parents (us) interceding and confiscating candy. And no, that was not so we had candy to ourselves...........ha..........although I must admit after tucking the little trick or treaters in bed we did indulge in the treat bags. We did have one trick or treater (namely the youngest son) who would make a list of his treats and he would tally them everyday. Did he not trust his loving and devoted parents?

In my personal opinion the perks of a small town out rank the big city life and I love it.



P.S. The chemistry teacher loved the MOLE scarf and confided that it was the best project. The chemistry teacher knits.

Happy MOLE Day! Scarf

Here it is, the MOLE scarf.
My 16 yr old knitting, mathmetician, chemist DD knitted this for MOLE Day. Her Chemistry teacher challenged the students to create a MOLE project. This is what we came up with. An illusion knitted MOLE 6.02 x 10 to the twenty third power scarf. She insisted it be knitted in mole brown colors.

The 23 power numbers were a bit of a challenge but it will do. I am anxious to hear what the Chem teacher has to say about this project. I think she will appreciate the project.



Kinda fascinating don't ya think?









I am knitting an illusion knitted scarf for her with her school band logo. It is slow going but I plan to have it finished by Nov. 3rd. Along with the pirate socks. The Homecoming theme this year is Pirates of the Carribean. I'll be posting pics of the locker decor etc on the weekend of Nov third.
In the meantime Have a Happy Mole Day!