Long Weekend

Major Cuteness looks better doing it but this is how I'm feeling right now. It seems like it's been the longest weekend ever. I'm knitting my fingers off trying to get my baby things ready. The baby shower is next Saturday but I'm more concerned with her going into labor early and not having the baby's knitting done. I got a few more cloths done and I'm probably 2/3 of the way done with her blanket. It's not so bad really....I just hate feeling rushed. I really wanted to have a teddy bear done for her too but I don't know if that's going to happen. I guess if I give her that later it won't be so big a deal since the baby won't be ready to play with him for a while.

I don't have to frog the Icelandic Shawl...thank goodness! I haven't had a chance to do any knitting on it though with the baby deadline. You're all going to be shocked though when I get it done...cuz I will!

Short post since I'm so tired and I'm heading off to bed. Hugs!!

I'm Back With My Little Friend.

Well since blogging was forbidden yesterday...I had to shut up and sit on my hands. It was surprisingly hard to NOT blog. Whew...glad that's over! Here's lilduckie's little brother done and ready for birthday gifting. His name is "Spike". Froggie suggested the hair and I thought it was a cute idea....turns out that it is kinda cute. It also makes him a one-of-a-kind duckie. For him I used a piece of yarn on his bow...didn't think ribbon was quite appropriate for a little boy.

Skaterboy helped me out with my leap day photo that I posted on my photo blog and was going to use here too but...refer to the No Blog rule. It took a lot of tries to get this one right and I know he had to be tired when we finally got it but he's a trooper and it was worth the effort.

I've been planning on using tomorrow to catch up on my Icelandic Shawl since I used the wrong gray...DUH. Now, I am seriously considering frogging the whole thing and starting over from scratch. I'm hoping someone will slap me to my senses and stop me from doing this. lol
There's a lot of talk about the pattern lining up right and to be honest...I don't know if mine is lined up or not or even how to know for sure. I've never done anything of this size before or one so complicated.

For now, it's back to the baby cloths. My cousin is on bed rest and I gotta hurry!

Teddy Beat The Socks Off My Needles....

As of this post, I still don't have that second sock finished. Not to worry, I have done a little knitting on it though...it will not fall victim to SSS. Ms Thang has decided that a Teddy was a bit more urgent than that second sock. (She's still wearing the first one to bed...lol) Today, I knitted my fingers off to get this little fella ready...he's waiting on one more ear and he's all done.

The color is nowhere near true in the photo but it's late and the lighting really stinks right now. He's/She's a very pretty pale mauve color knitted with more of the wonderful yarn that Shirls sent me from South Africa. It's called Lollipop yarn but there's no color listed on the label. It's 100 % acrylic...yeah, acrylic......and I love this stuff! It's so soft and it's an absolute pleasure to knit. I used some scrap Sugar & Cream in Black for the face. I think I need to invest in something a little lighter for faces if this toy knitting continues. The cotton looks a little bulky to me.

Oh yeah, almost forgot...he's/she's going to need a little scarf or a ribbon around that little neck. I'll have to get that figured out too. I like the way a little scarf looks on the teddies...maybe that will be okay with Ms Thang. I'll be sure to ask first.

*Got half of the body done for the next duckie....March will be here soon so I need to get busy. Froggie's little one is having that birthday whether I finish or not and I want to be finished. He's gonna love it!

Okay, gotta get some rows done on my Icelandic Shawl tonight because Friday will be here even sooner than March. lol Then there's the sock.....can I borrow some knitting hands? Somebody? Anybody? Hellooooooooooo? :P

In Progress....

The weather has been pretty nice today....sunny and 60 degrees F. I'm beginning to look forward to Spring though. The kids and I are already making plans to go camping. We haven't been in quite a while and we really miss it.

Ms Thang slept in that sock last night...it was so funny. I didn't even realize she still had it on until she got up this morning to get ready for school. Monday is her birthday so she brought home a present from her interpreter. That woman is the best! She got her a big Dry Erase Board with 2 boxes of markers and an eraser. Ms Thang loves to draw and has been playing with it since she got home. We're going to hang it up in her room.

Lilduckie wanted to show you a couple of things we've been working on. This is part of a Spa Set we're putting in the Christmas gifts box. The square one is face cloth and the other one is a headband. The face cloth is actually a modified mug rug.....I thought my recipients would have more use for a face cloth than the mug rug so I just added a few more stitches and went with it.
The pattern is one of Sue's at Harvest Moon . She has the nicest designs...something for everyone.

This is the progress to date on the Icelandic Shawl. So far, I'm doing great keeping up with the KAL. I'm a few rows ahead at this point and I'm going to try my best to stay on track with everyone. Ahead is great but as long as I'm on schedule...I'm happy.

Okay, gotta get that second sock OTN and start on lilduckie's sibling...birthday gift for Froggie's little one.

Hugs!

1 FO...1 UFO

I had forgotten about posting a photo of my last dishcloth I knitted. It's the Be My Dishcloth from Kristen Patay. I love her designs...they're so pretty. It's a free pattern...if you want it just click the cloth name and it'll take you right there. I did mine in Hot Pink Sugar & Cream.

This is a little close-up peek at the baby blanket I am knitting. I love the color but dang knitting with this yarn. :( It should be a quick knit though....using size 15 needles and I'm already almost through one skein already.

I have a camera case that I've finished knitting and it's waiting to be fulled. If it turns out good...I'll post photos when I'm done. If not, well......let's all just forget I ever mentioned it. :P

Gotta go get my needles out and sort my yarn for the Icelandic Shawl KAL. I need to get my colors organized and start casting on. The KAL started today and I have a feeling it's going to take a while to get it started....provisional cast on.

Icelandic Shawl Kit

Today I remembered to take a photo of my kit for the Icelandic Shawl . This was my first order with Sarah's Yarns and I am really pleased with them. The service is great and the shipping was so fast. I'm really looking forward to this KAL. I am planning on keeping this shawl for myself but you know how my plans go...someone always ends up taking whatever I knit.

I had made the wrapper cloth for my mail carrier and it was well received. She left a very nice "Thank You" card with the mail saying she didn't want to use it and mess it up. Then, yesterday, when she dropped off my books...she told me she loved it and asked if I sold them. I told her I would be happy to make her some more. This began an "argument" about whether or not she would be paying for them. I tried to explain to her that I have a ridiculous stash of cotton yarn that needs to be knitted up. Anyway, we agreed to argue about that more when I get her some cloths finished. lol I was happy just to know that someone appreciated and enjoyed a cloth that I made.

I am making progress on the Isabeau Purse...not as much as I would like...but progress still. I am already thinking once I get one finished and understand the construction of the whole thing...I want to make some in a bigger size. They are so cute. Shelly made a couple for her daughters and they turned out great. She made a longer strap so they can carry them as a shoulder bag rather than the small, short handle purse. I may try that as well...the small handles just aren't as convenient for me.

Hope you're all staying warm and dry...so many storms all over. If anyone is getting too much snow, feel free to send us some. We never get any here.

*to my SA friends....Liefde en drukkies.*

I've Got Mail!

I love my mail lady...not just because she brought me these book today...but it sure didn't hurt her at all. I think I'm developing as bad an addiction to knitting books as my addiction to yarn. These three arrived today and so far, my favorite of the three is the 101 Designer one-skein Wonders. My Christmas gift knitting is going to shift gears because of this book. There are so many patterns in this book that I have to try. This is not one of those books you want soooo bad and then you get it and there's little to nothing inside that you would actually want to knit. This one is full of great stuff! And...one skein....how great is that?! For now, I am again ignoring that sock knitting urge...I just don't have the patience for it right now. The Interweave Knits book is very nice...quite a few in there I would like to try too.

I got my yarn kit from Sarah's Yarns for the Icelandic Shawl. I am so very glad to see that it isn't that tiny lace weight yarn. I'm really looking forward to that KAL which starts in February. If anyone wants to join us, we'd love to have you. It's a great group. If you'd like, I could even send you an invite. Just leave me a comment with your email address and it will be on it's way.
Why didn't I think to take a photo of my kit? DUH! Maybe I can get that up later for you.

Oh, almost forgot....my awesome brother-in-law (Hey, Barry!) and Major Cuteness (my nephew, Killian) got me a little after Christmas present. I had heard lots of talk about this but haven't seen them anywhere. They did a little shopping in Greenville and found me the Knitting Pattern A Day Calendar. There are so many cute patterns in this thing. I need more hours! All this knitting requires time....can we do something please!? Yeah, I forgot to take a picture of that one too. :P

Okay, enough babbling for one day...gotta get back to that purse. It's just hard to stay focused with all these awesome patterns laying around.

ILOVEKANDCALONGS Update

I wanted to pass along some information for anyone who was a member of the SASE group which has been deleted without any warning whatsoever. There was a KAL planned (The Icelandic Shawl) and kits ordered and then the group just mysteriously disappeared so...our wonderful Cat has re-opened the ILOVEKANDCALONGS group for anyone who wants to re-join. This group was closed when SASE supposedly resumed out of respect for the owner. We are back up and running with the Icelandic KAL scheduled for January and a beautiful scarf KAL that starts Friday (tomorrow). Please feel free to join us...Cat has tried very hard to send invites to anyone who was a member before and to other SASE members as well. If you didn't receive an invite, please don't think that you were forgotten or ignored. All the information in the SASE went POOF along with the group itself. We do want you to join and hope you come with us. If you were not a member of either group, that's okay, too. Come on over and join in, we'd love to have you there. The more, the merrier!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ILoveKandCAlongs/

Mystery Shawl Update

Time for an update on my Mystery Shawl. I just finished the rows for Week 6 and this is how it looks. I absolutely love this shawl. I think it will actually be more of a wrap than a shawl but I'm no expert on this. This is my first one after all. I love these colors and the yarn. (Sonata by Elann) I think it's going to have a beautiful drape once it's finished. I'm thinking this is going to be one my favorite knits so far. If only I had known the feather and fan was this easy.

This is a close-up of the stitches. It also shows the colors pretty well. I love the earth tones and this yarn is becoming a favorite as well. I'm considering ordering some more in a different color combo to make another one. I could have one for every day of the week. :)

Several New Arrivals Today

The first new arrival of the day...my yarn order from Knitpicks. Finally. I absolutely love this yarn. I have only ordered from them twice. This order and my Knitpicks Options needles. The products are (so far) great but the shipping time takes forever compared to others. I've ordered quite a few things from Elann.com and they are super fast. I guess they just got me spoiled. I would definitely order again from Knitpicks if the price is right. I got this order at an awesome price and even though I had to wait a while to get it, it was so worth it. The one in front is Memories 100% merino wool in Smores. The brown is actually not a solid color...very pretty...up close you can see the other shades. It's Shadow 100% merino woolin Redwood Forest. The blue is Gossamer 100% merino wool in Blue Jeans. And lastly, the pink varigated is Gossmaer 100% merino wool in Sunrise. I now have enough to make three shawls and the Smores is for making the Calorimetry from Knitty.com.

I would like to introduce you all to the other two new arrivals of the day. A cute little yellow kitty named Tiger and his brother Jet. We actually went with the intention of getting only one. My youngest daughter has wanted a yellow "tiger" kitty for so long. She is a die hard Clemson fan. When my friend told me her boss had one, we jumped at the chance to get him. They are actually hard to come by around here. Anyway, we went to pick him up this afternoon and my youngest son and I both fell in love with this little black and white fella. He was so cute and so sweet. He has white whiskers on his face and pretty blue eyes. We just couldn't leave him. After all, Tiger might get lonesome all by himself.

I couldn't resist sharing this one. He's just too cute! Go Tiger, Go Tiger!

Back From The Frog Pond

Well I am back from the frog pond finally. I had intended to use the original acrylic yarn that I started out with but...we don't play well together. lol I couldn't wait to see how the Sonata yarn was going to look knitted up so I started over with it instead. I love earthy colors and greens are one of my favorites. I think this yarn is so pretty. I wish I was closer to being finished. The first photo is my progress after week two of the SASE group shawl KAL.

This next photo is just a closer look at the design and the colors. I can't believe how easy the feather and fan pattern has turned out to be. It looks so much harder than it really is. I almost didn't even try this KAL but I figured "what could it hurt to try". I have learned so much from all the groups I have joined this year. My only regret is that I didn't join a long time ago.

This is my lovely summer scarf KAL from the same group. This is my progress after Day 3. No matter how I take the picture, I can never get the color true. This is a little darker than the actual yarn. This is the Sinfonia yarn...very nice. Only drawback with the Sinfonia is that it seems to want to split. But it's worth the trouble. It looks so nice once it's knitted.

And I haven't totally given up on the acrylic shawl. I don't like to be beaten. And the colors are pretty. So I'll keep you updated on that one. For now, I'm still (not so patiently) waiting on my Knitpicks Options to get here. :( I am so eager to see if all the hype is true. And I just ordered some more wonderful soap from Kandie (JustforKhix). She has some new ones that I can't wait to get my hands on.

June Scarf KAL

This is the first day of my scarf KAL with the Shawls & Scarves Etc (SASE) group. I had originally intended to use a thicker yarn...something more suitable for cold weather. It was posted as a summer scarf but you can use the yarn of your choice with the appropriate needle size. After receiving the first days post, I remembered this yarn I got from my friend (HEY FROGGIE!) and thought to myself..."This would be perfect!" I put the thicker yarn away and cast on. This is Sinfonia in Lila. It's a little darker in the photo than it is in reality.

This is a no so good close up of the rows I've completed. You get the general idea I hope. It is so pretty. This is one of those scarves I would have ooohed and aaahed over and kept on browsing. My first thought would have been that it was just too complicated for my poor frazzled brain. I'm getting more comfortable with lace but it still makes me somewhat nervous. I have to say, I managed to do this much with absolutely NO FROGGING! YAY ME! So far (oh I hope I'm not jinxing myself here) this is a pretty easy pattern. I love doing KALs but I hate waiting for the next rows....I get sooo impatient when the pattern is one I can follow easily. And I have someone in mind to give this to but I need it done soon!

I think I'm going to head over to Knitting Pattern Central and look for some scarf patterns. The ones I passed over thinking I couldn't do it. I got lots of stash and a massive urge to keep knitting. Gotta stay busy til the next scarf rows come out. Tomorrow I get more rows for my feather and fan shawl....can't wait. I decided to wait before casting on with the new yarn. Oh, almost forgot, gotta go frog the shawl and re-do on bigger needles. I have to find the right size to get that drape going. Ok, so much for idle hands....lol

My Elann Order....YAY!!!

Look what came in the mail today! My yarn order from Elann.com. This is Sonata...a 100% mercerized cotton. The color is Vineyard. I have ordered from them several times and I'm always pleased with my order. And they ship so fast! If you haven't checked them out, I highly recommend you give them a look. They have many different yarns and the the prices are great! Sometimes it's hard to choose which one. I'm going to use this to do another mystery shawl. There has been discussion in the group about needle size. My first one is on size 5 needles but after reading the posts, I'm thinking of changing to a larger size needle. This is to give the shawl more drape. There isn't much to frog at this point so I figure this is the best time to it. Don't want to wait til I get too far into the pattern before I change my mind. I don't mind frogging early in a project. Now if my Knitpicks Options would come...I would really be a happy camper!

Mystery Shawl

This is my first shawl. I think it is the Feather & Fan but I'm not sure since I have never knitted a shawl before. It's a KAL with the group Shawls & Scarves, Etc. (SASE). I am working towards making the Pacific Waves Shawl. As soon as I saw the photo of the Pacific Waves...I knew I had to make it. It's absolutely beautiful. I started this shawl with an acrylic yarn (Baby Bee, Sweet Delight in teddybear ombre). This is the mystery shawl so I didn't know if I would like it and didn't want to invest too much in yarn until I found out. I have some Sonata Print from Elann on the way and will get another one OTN as soon as it gets here. I hope. I don't care much for the acrylic as it tends to curl but I really like the colors of this yarn. This photo doesn't do it justice.



This is an up-close look at the waves and a better idea of the true color of this yarn. The edges really don't seem to be curling as bad as I had anticipated. I'm hoping it turns out well since I have someone in mind to give it to for Christmas.

I'm also working on a couple of new dishcloth designs for my sale site. I feel like I've neglected it a little lately. Just too many projects going on at once. I have one almost knitted and ready to photograph and post. Then one more charted and written out to knit up after this one is done. These two are completely different from any of the other designs I have so far. I hope you will like them.

I'm still here!

In case anyone was wondering...I am still alive. Been so busy with my scarf KAL (had two going at once) and finishing little gifts for teachers that I can't seem to find enough time for everything. The first photo is my Seaman's Scarf from the KAL. It was done in the group SASE-Shawls & Scarves Etc. I have only done boring scarves in the past. The easy, garter stitch kind. This one was an easy one for new lace knitters and there were two options as to how to do it. Either all zig-zag lace or the ribbing in the middle. I know wish I had done one of each. I wasn't too sure about the ribbing together with the lace but it turned out great. I love it!

I made one little mistake in the first one so I carefully positioned that out the camera view..lol. This one was done with Red Heart Soft Baby in Laddie Print. I have never liked acrylic yarn but this yarn is really soft...not like the acrylic I learned to knit with.






The next scarf was done with Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Blue Heather. I just happened to run across it at my local Hancock Fabrics and bought a couple of skiens. I thought this would be a good thing to try it out on. I love the first scarf but I'm thinking I like this one better. I think I could wear it with more than the varigated one.

I'm so looking forward to the next scarf KAL. And I am going to attempt to knit the Pacific Waves Shawl in June. That one is really stressing me out. I don't know if I am really up to it but it's so beautiful and I have the yarn so I think I will give it a try. If it doesn't work out, there's always the frog pond. lol