I finally got to cast on DH's socks today. I'm using the discontinued Kroy in Heather. It's such a pretty color. Looks burgundy from a distance and then when you get close, it has all color fibers - yellow, pink, blue, green, brown and I'm sure more that I can't remember off the top of my head. I'm doing this one pretty much on my own. I'm using an 8 stitch to the inch gauge and a 2x2 ribbing down to the heel and then keeping it in pattern across the top of the foot. Nothing fancy, but just what he wanted. Only got about an inch done this afternoon. Had so much to do today. I look forward to when it's nice and cold out and all there is to do is knit in the evenings :-)

I'm dying to get my hands on my needles again, but it seems that life is demanding my attention these last few days. We finally got to pick up our van after being at the dealership garage for a mere 10 days. It's been hard getting along with no vehicle. I so wanted to take a trip to the LYS to pick up some badly needed needles and a few other goodies, but it's been a bit difficult without a vehicle. Ah well.

I did make it to the library tonight and got some more knitting books out. I went especially for the Twisted Sisters book - but even though it was listed as being available, it wasn't on the shelf. I got a nice stack out anyhow, so I can't complain.

Then off to walmart to get some acrylic for DS's sweater. He picked out a camouflage green variegated (hey - I'm only the knitter!!). He's hoping there's enough left for socks. I've never made acrylic socks before - so I don't know if they will be comfortable or of a desirable quality.

DD picked an purple/blue/pink varigated for her new sweater - and she also wants matching socks. Looks like I'll be doing a bunch of sweater and sock sets. :-)

I finished the second sock for DS at 1:30 this morning. I wanted to get it done and off the needles before DH arrives home from Austin today. I'll be taking a couple of days off from knitting to get caught up on things around here. Think I'd rather be knitting tho!

Rain today... And thunder... And chilly out. Ah yes - autumn is here. This year I hate to see summer leave. DS asked me today why I haven't closed the windows yet. I smiled and said "If I close the windows, it means that fall is really here, and I don't want it here yet." Ever get one of those "yep, she's lost it" looks? That's what he gave me. LOL

I received a package from theknitter.com today. The yarn that I ordered for DS's socks came. He wanted Regia variegated 5168 made into socks for him for Christmas. Can you imagine a 12yo with socks on his Christmas wish list?!!!

I needed some quick gratification so I tried the Butterfly Bag someone posted to the Knitlist. I used Red Heart in Starbrights. DD loves the color and now she has a purse to match the hat I made her last year.



I like the concept of this purse, but would rather do it on circular needles. I hate sewing seams. I did like the gauge on it, though - it was a good tight one, but I didn't care for how the flap turned out. It rolls up when not hooked. It needs some sort of non-rolling border on it. I also did a crochet chain for the hook and I crocheted the handle instead of the knitted one that was given in the directions. I've made some notes on what I want to do for the next one, so when I need a little more instant gratification, I'm going to do my own version.

I finished the back of DD's sweater and am now starting the front. I like the rolled edging - looks so cute on her. Thing I like about this pattern is that it's not just a rolled edging, but has some ribbing after it to pull it in a bit.


The Homespun makes such a soft sweater and now DS is hinting for a sweater - "but one that's not itchy". He found some acrylic yarn at Walmart that he loved and I want to start the Weekend Sweater from Schoolhouse Press so I might just get that yarn he likes for it. It's a variegated though, so I'm not so sure how it will look. He loves colorful socks, but I don't know about a sweater in it. Variegated always remind me of the 70's look, and it would be a shame to ruin the Weekend Sweater with that.

Nothing good to report today. I took some time this morning and undid some of the body of DS's sock. I didn't find it easy to rip the pattern out for some reason, so I "unknittied" it instead. Then I just needed to put it aside.

Tonight I did work on the sock and made it to a few rows on the foot. I'm still not thrilled with the way my short rows are coming out with the YO's. They seem to make too large of a hole for my taste. I guess I just will have to keep looking for a better method (at least for me) of shortrowing heels than what was given on this pattern.

I placed an order from the Frugal Knitting Haus on Thursday. I found 2 books I wanted to add to my knitting library and they were on clearance, so I HAD to order them. Well, today they arrived - and I'm stunned to say the least!!!

Oh? Did you say you wanted to know what I got? I'm sorry, I hate to keep you in such suspense, but I had to tell you how quickly they came :-) Anyhow, on to the contents of the package...

Alice Starmore's Fishermen's Sweaters and Debbie Bliss's Family Knits Both of which I am very pleased with. I've found quite a few sweaters I want to make. Both were excellent purchases (especially when I got them at a discount!)

I've been trying to decide what to give DH for Christmas. He's a tough one to make anything for, as he's not a sweater kind of guy, and I'm not sure how he's going to like the socks, so I really can't depend on that. I was paging through Schoolhouse Press's catalog, and found the perfect gift! It's a kit for a Swedish Dubbelmössa I have never worked much with color change, except intarsia, so the all over pattern and carrying the threads across the back interested me. I've been wanting to try a Fair Isle sweater for quite a long time, but have been quite skiddish on trying the technique on such a large project. This hat fit the bill for me. I'll be trying a few new things with this - it's a double cap - knit in the round and tucked into itself, plus I've never used Shetland wool. This will be a real treat for me and something that DH will be able to use.



I really like ordering from Schoolhouse Press. I get so much help and those ladies make it a joy to order from. They are so nice, and are very helpful. I ordered the cap, some Unspun Icelandic Wool to try, and a subscription to Wool Gathering I'm looking forward to getting this package and starting.

I started DD's sweater last night. She loved the Hooded Sweater I did for her a couple of years ago, so I decided to make another one for her for Christmas. I'm using pink Homespun for the body and ribbing, and a varigated pink/purple/white for the sleeves, hood and front pocket. I'm not sure if I want to put a pocket on it yet or not.

With no kids here, I had a nice long night of knitting and between last night and today, I got about 18" done so far. The back's almost completed already!

The 5HBS is finished and I'm very pleased with the results. It fit DD's dolly quite nicely, however, the next one I'll shorten the sleeves a bit.

So much for canning any tomatoes today. Isabel took a tole on our area, and we lost electricity for most of the day, so I spent a nice quiet day knitting, reading, and catching up on things I really wanted to get done, but have put off for one reason or another.

The 5HBS is coming along nicely. I like the improved instructions that the group did. Here's a pic of it with one sleeve done and half of the other:



The last sweater I did, I cut and attatched the yarn at each sleeve and then at the beginning for the body. This time, I've worked the sleeve and instead of cutting the yarn, I took crochet hook and slip stitched the sleeve seam to the underarm, then took the loop, placed it on my needle with the back sts, and k2tog for the first stitch on the sweater back. This eliminated me cutting and attatching, and eliminating the loop that I had left from slip stitching the arm seam. Also, instead of putting all the stitches on holders, I kept all of them on my needle except for the first front section. When it came time to do the sleeve, I used a third needle for the first sleeve, but when I did the second sleeve, I just kept all the rest of the stitches on the same needle and am working the sleeve that way (as you can see in the picture). I figured I'd be less apt to drop a stitch while transferring the stitches from the holder to the needle.

The kids are supposed to go to a demolition derby tomorrow and then stay over night with my brother, so I should have a nice long night of uninterrupted knitting. I'm looking so forward to hours of watching bad reruns and making those needles fly!

I finished the Flying Geese Dishcloth this morning. I really love the pattern and the color says fall. Now I'm going to have to do one for myself!



I didn't touch the 5HBS today. One sleeve is supposed to be finished today, and then the other tomorrow. I might be able to get both done tomorrow, but I've got a half bushel of tomatoes to can, so they will be consuming most of my time, if we still have power. The weather report is calling for high winds and power outages caused by Hurricane Isabel. We'll see how accurate the weather man is.

I did cast on my son's other sock, so I decided to work on that a little tonight. He saw me casting it on and shouted "HURRAY! It's about time, Mom!!" Don't think he wants it badly, do you? He's amazing to me. He absolutely treasures the socks I make for him. He wears them to bed, and that's it. He says he doesn't want to wear them out, so that's why he only wears them to bed. He has a specific place he puts them, and really takes care of them. My daughter - she's another story. She can't usually find matching socks. They're all over the place.

When I started making socks, DH said he would never wear a pair of uncomfortable, itchy, handmade socks. He had no interest in me making any for him. So, I made DS and DD socks, and now am on the last of DS's socks, so I thought I'd look for another pattern he'd like. DH grumbles that I never made him any yet, and now wants some. He said he didn't think that they would be comfortable, but after hearing both kids, he wants some. LOL! I've got an order for a single color sock with ribbing all the way down to the ankle, and then to take it over the top of the foot to the toe, so that he can have a sock that stays tight and doesn't sag. Hmmmm - not only is he demanding, but now a sock designer as well :-)

The 5HBS knit-along isn't demanding much - so far about 10 rows a day. I'm enjoying it and soon, I'll have another sweater done.

I'm working on an interesting pattern for a dishcloth exchange I'm in. The theme is autumn, so I went looking for a leaf or some other fall type theme for a cloth, but I really didn't find anything I liked. Then I found the Flying Geese Dishcloth at the Dishcloth Boutique. I'm knitting it in a pumpkin orange color, and am amazed at the texture and pattern that is popping out. I'm a texture person, and am always amazed at how the patterns develop with just a little twist of needle and thread.

It's HERE!!! Actually I should say THEY are here!! YIPEE!!! I got a nice shipment of patterns from Schoolhouse Press today. Think it's been the longest wait of my life waiting to get my little hands on them OOOOOHHHHH!!! I've discovered EZ recently, and her "unventings" intrigue me. The Weekend Sweater is lovely and I absolutely love the seamless concept. Can't wait to start it. I'm going to do an acrylic one for DS - just because I have the yarn in stash. Then, when I finish that one, I'm going to DH's in wool, hopefully for Christmas. He does a lot of work outdoors, so it will be a nice addition to his wardrobe.

I bought quite a few patterns (mostly Spin-offs), Knitter's Almanac, and the Wool Gathering that had the Weekend Sweater in it. I've been having such a great time reading them all. It's like sitting down and chatting with good friends, and I really love that. Especially since there are no knitters that I know of around here. I suggest teaching others, but they prefer to stick with crochet. It amazes me how much people won't try new things - me, well - what's life without new things?!

We've been trying to buy a farmette for the last few years, and finally, one that has the acreage we want and a reasonable price to boot has come on the market. It's exactly what we want, saved and waited all this time for. Sadly, we have to pass it up. We have pristine credit and have been pre-approved for above the amount of the farm, BUT, the lenders will only appraise the house and 5 acres, and most won't even lend to us if it's more than 5 acres - because it's considered a farm. So, we are required to get a farm loan. OK - no biggie, until one tries to get a dang farm loan. They want you to have farmed for a few years and show a profit over the time you farmed. I grew up farming, but that's not good enough - DH is a city boy, and even though he will continue to work at his current job, and bring a steady income in, they refuse to give us the loan. This is the same state that complains that all the farmers are leaving, and selling out and subdividing those beautiful farms. HELLO? Am I the only missing this? Ah well - welcome to the lovely state of PA - where more and more laws are being imposed until we all stop being able to think for ourselves.

One of the Elizabeth Zimmermann groups I belong to has started a 5 Hour Baby Sweater knit along today, so I casted on and followed along. The pattern is a bit different than the one I did - it's been corrected and revised so I can't wait to see the changes. They only post 10 rows a day, making the sweater very manageable with other projects. I've decided to try baby sport with size 7 needles for a smaller version. I'm hoping it will fit my 10yo's doll baby. She's been begging for new clothes for her, but I can't find anything online for a 14" baby type doll. It amazed me, as I swear every little girl has one or had one of these dolls sometime in her childhood. I've been considering preemie patterns as well. Sadly, there's never a gauge or size to get an idea about how big the finished item will be. I am looking forward to learning EZ's EPS so I can start doing my own and not depending on other patterns.

The Reunion went nicely. We all had a great time, making me wonder why we don't all get together more. My uncle said he liked his scarf, but I really considered not giving it to him.



I made the scarf using Red Heart a while ago, and then last night, when I had to put the fringe on, I couldn't believe how undesirable it felt to my fingers. I know I've been working with wool and the novelty yarns, and maybe it's because they are so soft - or maybe the RH just is awful. I can't become a fiber snob now, can I? I better not - as I'll never be able to afford it, and with all that acrylic in my stash, DH would KILL me.


I finished the first of the Crossing Into Spring socks this morning before we left. I love it and can't wait to cast on the next, but not tonight. The bed is whispering my name.

I started a narrow scarf for my daughter out of the Patons Cha Cha in "Vegas" today. I'm using size 11 needles and the scarf is taking an interesting look.




I didn't get much time to work on it, as everyone was home today, so I took the day to work on my knitting bookmarks I posted at myHQ.com.

Now I need to get to work and put the fringe on my Uncle's scarf. Nothing like putting it off until the last moment!

I've gotten past the YO's and SSP's on the heel, but still am not happy with the appearance. Maybe I'm being too much of a perfectionist. I'm up to the decrease for the toes and should be finishing this first sock off soon.

I debated whether or not to post today - as my knitting seems so trite next to what others have suffered on this anniversary of 911. All those who have suffered and died are in my thoughts and prayers...

Today was an exciting mail day for me. I received my autographed copy of Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Without Tears. What a treasure that is! I couldn't believe that I found one from an online used bookstore and at a great price to boot!!!

I started and finished an interesting but disappointing project today. I picked up a free leaflet for a One Ball Triangle Scarf when I purchased some Lion Brand Fun Fur. I should have known that I would have needed more - years of knitting should have told me that, and I suppose it did in the back of my head. The scarf came out nicely, but too small for an adult. With no gauge, I don't know if I was knitting to tightly or what the problem is. My 10yo loves it though, so all that work didn't go to waste. Next time, I'll listen to that little voice.



On the needles: A sock made with Opal. The pattern I'm using Crossing Into Spring, was from the SOTM club that PT Yarn used to have. There are a couple of typos on the pattern that stumped me for a bit, then the issue of the short row heel. YO's and SSP's aren't my friends at this point. I'm getting holes from them. Hopefully practice will make perfect.

Nothing was touched today, but had a Stash Enhancement trip instead. I needed to get some Lion Brand Homespun to go with some that I had in my stash. My daughter wants another Hooded Knit Sweater. I had pink in my stash, but not quite enough, so we went and found another color that would go with the pink for the sleeves, and front pocket, and possibly the hood. I made this sweater for her for Christmas '01 and she's worn it a lot since. It has washed up nicely, and is now about ready to retire, as she has just plain grown out of it.

I also bought a ball of Lion Brand Fun Fur in "Peacock" and a ball of Patons Cha Cha in "Vegas" to try. The Fun Fur had a free leaflet with purchase so I'll be knitting that up, and I thought I'd try a plain garter stitch scarf on large needles with the Cha Cha.

I also got a cone and a few balls of Sugar N Cream for dishcloths for Christmas presents. Seems like almost everyone loves getting dishcloths.

My daughter has a 14" baby doll "that needs a hat" or so she says. The doll has a 12 1/2" head - so I decided to do a hat with a K2P2 ribbing in the mystery pinkish/orange yarn and then St st for the rest of the hat in white. I did a little shaping at the top before ending, and instead of a pompom, I crocheted a chain of 15, sl st in the beginning chain, *ch 15, sl st in the beginning ch* until I had a loopy type of pompom - turned out quite cute.

Today's my Uncle's birthday, but I won't be giving him the scarf until this weekend. Keeping my fingers crossed, as I have such a hard time trying to find a good gift for him.

I found Melissa's Little Cabin Knit Dishcloth while searching for a cloth to do for an exchange. I knitted it up tonight, and was very pleased with how well the cabin shows up. I've never done a dishcloth like this one before, and I'll have to try the other ones on Melissa's page.

My neighbor had a baby girl, so I went in search for a nice quick baby sweater and hat for her daughter. I decided on the 5 Hour Baby Sweater at Wool Works and made it in a medium purple acrylic. Since the sweater had a lot of St st on it, I thought a nice addition would be the Newborn Adjustable Hat by Frugal Knitting Haus. I didn't like how the hat "folded" when it was lace, so I laced through like the directions said, then tied it, and turned it over and tied it with a bow on the other side - making the laces pull the folds in and giving it a more rounded look at the top.

I couldn't find much for a hat and scarf for Barbie, so I made my own version in crochet. Nothing exciting, but will they will work.

While going through some old pattern books, I found Doll's Travel Coat in the McCall's Knitting for Beginners Book 3. It's made in from knitting worsted, so I wasn't sure how I'd like it. It's OK - a bit bulky IMHO, but will certainly fit over Barbie's other clothes to keep her warm. The color I chose was a big garish - a pink/orange but my daughter loves bright colors.

Someone posted a Knit Dishcloth Dress to one of the lists I'm on, so being a different type of dishcloth, I had to try it. I used a peach color Lily Brand Sugar & Cream, and only used a partial ball. These are cute and would make a great gift for a bridal shower. My 10yo grabbed it just as I finished it up to use right away. Maybe this adorable cloth will work for getting them done faster!!!

Barbie has to have something to keep her shoulders warm now, so I made her Judy A. Bolduc's crocheted Fashion Doll Shrug in the wee hours this morning using Baby Lollipop in Rosewater.

The tube dress pattern was begging to be knit again. This time I did it in Red Heart Varigated (unknown color name) and used the K1P1 ribbing for the top, and midriff on size 3 dpns. I finished off with the K1P1 hem on size 5 dpns. My 10yo is going to love these - they're easy on/off and fit nicely. Last year I did one that absolutely refuses to stay up now. Poor Barbie needed a dress that she could hold up :-)