KNITTINFUN

The upside of all this mothy business

2012-02-17T10:29:00.000-06:00

There is a good side to all this moth business!

I have found yarn I forgot I had.

Great wools and silks that had been hibernating in the bottom of that foot locker, some of it for almost a decade.

I have rewound over ten lace weight balls already, checking for breaks and chews and eggs and moth sign.

These moths must have been in there a long time ago, besides the five I have had to chunk, everything else, so far, has been ok.

Granted, I am not even a third of a third through pulling out bags of yarn to be rewound but I am feeling better about it. I assumed almost everything would end up getting chunked (literally) but things are starting to look up.

I am not sure if I am going to freeze the yarn or not. I haven't seen any eggs at all except in the balls that I already threw away. Maybe as I get closer to the bottom, the crime scene will get worse.

For right now, believe it or not, I am having a good time checking out all these "new again" yarns I have.

Of course my first instinct was to start shopping around to replace my lost yarn. But the more I think about it, the more I realize that is a dumb ass idea! I have plenty, and tho losing any of it sucks REALLY BAD, there is no reason to start 'filling the holes' so to speak. ;0)

MOTHS!! A warning

2012-02-16T09:35:00.002-06:00

At my house, I have a foot locker. A big foot locker. It's about 3 feet long and 2 foot high.
It is filled with some of the most beautiful yarn I have ever been lucky enough to run through my fingers. Lace weight shetland wool, 100% wool hanks, wool blends, silk and wool blends.
Filled from floor to top.
As I posted yesterday, I had decided to rip out the Birds Nest Smoke Ring and re-knit it with a finer yarn.
I was super excited as I got home from work and decided it was time to dig through the foot locker and find some nice soft, light and airy fingering wool. I went straight to the bottom. It's kinda of like going to the back of the closet to dig out stuff you haven't worn in forever. All the good and forgotten stuff was on the bottom.
I found a white postal shipping bag with the yarn and pattern for the Flirty Ruffles Shawl. You remember that one don't you? A beautiful lacey creation loaded with ruffles around the bottom. The yarn was soft and would make the perfect cowl.
But wait.....my ball of yarn looks like a porcupine! Ends sticking straight up all over the ball. WTH!
I started unraveling and pulled out strand after strand of chewed up yarn!! OH SHIT!
I started pulling out bag after bag of yarn, beautiful, soft, lace weight wool yarn. Do you know how many yards are in a ball of lace wght. wool??? A frikkin LOT!
As I sat in the floor in my closet looking at all my wasted yarn, I almost (almost) cried. I cussed,I threw things around, I ripped bags open and created one hell of a tangled up mess with the loose hanks that were sitting on top.
MOTHS!!
No live moths, no eggs, but the destruction of moths past was evident in my yarn locker. I am sure when I finally reach the bottom of the locker I will find little dead moth bodies littering the floor. GOOD! Bastards, I hope they choked on all that wool.
So, once I finished with my little hissy fit, it was time to get down to business. I called PB and asked him to stop by Wally World and get me some cedar balls and some of those huge ziploc bags.(better late than never)
Everything would have to be taken out, looked over and rewound to check for holes, eggs and anything else those little bastards may have left behind.
As of last night I have had to throw out five hanks of lace weight wool that came with patterns for shawls. I have rewound 2 hanks of lace weight (which BTW takes for ever! Lots of yardage in lace weight.)into balls and placed them in a big ziploc. Since I rarely ever use my yarn for what it was bought for, there is no problem throwing a bunch of different yarns in one bag without the patterns.
Ultimately all of this means, no knitting for the next two weeks as I get everything out and rewound and stored back up.NO KNITTING! Now I really have it out for those mothy bastards. I was on a roll, my fourth project of the year and it is only Feb. Ugghhhh!
I don't know how much more I have lost, I will let you know the grand total when I figure it out.
Heed my warning peeps...........................................
A $3 box of cedar balls from Wally World can save you a lot of time and money later.
Buy them, use them, place them like garland around your front door and all your windows, wear it around your neck.........
Oh, wait, sorry, ....
Don't be like me, I thought my yarn was safe, in a locked foot locker in the back of my closet.
I don't know if there were eggs in something when it was shipped to me or if one got in the house,past the four rooms and closed closet door, under the lid of the metal footlocker to get to dinner!
Trust me, spend the $3, it's worth it.

Bird's Nest Smoke Ring: Project No. 4 of 2012

2012-02-15T11:52:00.001-06:00

Bird's Nest Smoke Ring

I went stash diving again yesterday. What floated to the top?? Well that's a good question.

I remember I bought this yarn to do some kind of candle flame sweater, and it is the yarn that was actually called for in the pattern. It is some kind of cotton silk blend and closer to a ww than a dk.

The pattern calls for a fingering yarn, and I don't think this yarn is going to get it. It looks great in the pattern, well what I have gotten so far. But I want my cowl to be more drapey. So....

For the like, ten hundredth time, this yarn will become part of the frog pile.

Poor yarn, one day a pattern will call your name.

Stash diving again!! Woohoo!!

BTW, for those who were all upset about my post yesterday, you will be happy to know, I purchased a pattern today. Had to have it!

The Sorceress By Natalia Kolasa

When you go look at it, you will understand why I bought it. I think it is going to be well worth the $5 I spent. Just hope I can pull if off like she does.

Top Down Encore Jacket for Triniti is finsihed

2012-02-14T10:11:00.001-06:00

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I have noticed a growing trend in patterns recently on Ravelry, and anywhere else you can order patterns. They are getting waaayyy to expensive. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem buying a pattern. The one above is a purchased pattern. But it was also a respectable price.

What I have noticed is that the same pattern for, say a pair of socks, three years ago would have cost you anywhere from $2.50 to $3.00 depending on the designer and the detail, that pattern now is going to run you about $7.00 or heaven forbid, I've seen some for $10.

I understand that designers need to make a profit, but really, has the price of creating a pdf file went up so much that it costs more to create a downloadable pattern?

This Top Down Encore jacket above, $3.99. Now to me that is worth it. It has multiple sizes, and had I seen it a year ago, this one pattern would have lasted me through four stages of grandkidom.

To me it would have been worth it at $5. But $10? No, I would have hunted around the internet until I found a free pattern that looks just like it. Knitters are a crafty bunch, someone, somewhere can look at your pattern and figure out how you did it, then post a free pattern for everyone to share.

And OMG don't tell me I can't sell something from a pattern I bought from you! That drives me nuts! It's my pattern once I buy it, mine to use, work with and do with MY finished product what I want!

Don't freak out, I don't sell my knitting, then it would just be work.

But come on, there are way to many free patterns on the internet to tell me what I can and can't do with my own knitting.

You sold me the pattern, not the yarn, the time to knit it and the finished project.

How would we all be if yarn designers said, you can knit with my new colorway but you can not sell anything knit with my colorway! Really!

IMHO- Life Like baby dolls

2012-02-13T10:01:00.000-06:00

I know that my opinion basically only counts to me. And trust me, sometimes even I think my opinion is an idiot and needs to shut up.

BUT....I can not be the only one who thinks that these life like baby dolls are just frikkin' creepy.
Babies look like little wrinkled up old men and yes even the girl babies, for at least a few weeks. Why would you want one of those, frozen for all time.

You see them all over Ravelry, yes I know most people think they are adorable and sweet. But not me.
I think they are down right creepy and the more I see them, the creepier they get.
Babies are bustling little balls of impulses and spaz attacks. These are just lifeless little garden gnome looking things.

It's getting really hard to tell the real babies on Ravelry. So, if you do use a real baby shot, you might want your kid to be doing something, anything. Because, no matter how cute, if your baby is curled up in a little naked ball, I'm assuming it's one of those creepy babies. You really can't tell the difference, that's how life like those creepy things are. And now I assume every baby I see asleep is one of those things.
Sorry peeps, IMHO, those things are just downright creepy!

Almost there....

2012-02-10T11:03:00.000-06:00

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Triniti promptly declared the first of the two sweaters as hers.

This picture was taken Saturday. Since then I have finished with the collar and last night, gotten down to about two inches of the first sleeve. I hope to have it done for her by the next time they come to stay with me.

I have to get to Wally World and see what kind of interesting and fun button I can find for her.

Isn't that the most beautiful smile ever! Yeup, she looks just like me!

Happy Blogaversary

2012-02-07T19:25:00.001-06:00

I didn't even realize until Tina commented on my last post,
TODAY IS MY BLOGAVERSARY! Happy Blogaversary to me, Happy Blogaversary to me, Happy Blogaversary dear BLOG, Happy Blogaversary to me!
Wow!

2012-02-03T09:36:00.000-06:00

Isn't this like the coolest picture ever. I know she isn't knitting, but look at her, I bet she does knit when she isn't playing with dragons.

When I first saw this I thought it was a picture of the girl from Game of Thrones. She looks a lot like her.

On the knitting front, once again, well actually twice since I last posted, I had to frog Bella's sweater. The first time I messed up my raglan increases because I was watching a horror movie and I got so into it that the needles started doing their own thing. Which normally would be ok, except this time, I guess they were scared too, because we came out with something that wasn't anywhere close to increases as much as random stitching. Then, once again it had to be ripped out because I was talking with one of the girls and lost track of my rows and increased too many times. Normally I would just frog back the rows and then pick up all the sts with my needle. But yesterday that just seemed like too much of a hassle, so once again, I ripped the whole thing out and started over. I think I have it this time though. I am all the way passed the division for the sleeves and working on the side increases.

The only reason it has not bothered me to do all this frogging is because this really is a quick knit. With Red Heart yarn and size 8 needles, it doesn't take any time at all to get back to where I was originally.

I am going to try it on Bella Boop when she gets home today just to make sure I got it right before I complete the body. I will get some action shots then.

Undone again!

2012-02-01T14:08:00.001-06:00

The sweater for the girls was going along great! I was almost finished with the body of the sweater and it just didn't seem right. My gauge was spot on, the numbers were all correct, but dang if this thing didn't look like it could swallow my girls.
I retrieved one of Trin's jackets from the dresser and I learned something. Another wrinkle in the brain.
Kids size five at Wally World is a lot smaller than a size five hand knit sweater.Soooo......
Once again to the frog pond, (where I am apparently going to have to rent a chair)
I am going to re-cast for a size smaller, which BTW is the perfect size for Bella and Trin.
So fair warning ladies and gents, no matter what size your child wears and what size you think you should knit, pull out a favorite sweater or shirt and check the measurements. Better safe than swimming in the pond with the frogs. But Hey! if you do show up, tell 'em Leah sent you, they know me well1

Project #3 for 2012: Encore Jacket

2012-01-30T11:27:00.001-06:00

Top Down Encore Jacket

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Solids

Needles: size 8 circs

You will think you are seeing double on this one, both of my grand daughters will be getting one of these. So technically projects 3 and 4

This is a paid pattern on Ravelry

So far I think this pattern is very well written and very easy to follow. It's so easy that Saturday after I got the Falana Five settled in their pjs watching t.v. I started with some yarn I found in my stash. I knit all the way to the division for the sleeves before I went to bed. I woke up yesterday and decided I didn't like how the fabric was coming out with the yarn I was using. Ripped it out and got started the second time with a different yarn, last night around 6pm.

So as you can see this going to be a pretty quick knit.

I think the girls will like them when they are finished.

Superior Cowl is FINI!

2012-01-28T12:26:00.003-06:00

Superior Cowl

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This was, even after all my complaining, a fast and fun knit. I didn't realize until after I posted in Ravelry that it had only taken me three day. That's with work, kids, basketball games, Avon and meals cooked and kitchen cleaned. So all in all, not too bad. Guess it just seemed longer because it was just round and round of knit knit knit. All in all this is a good pattern for a basic cowl that looks absolutely adorable on Bella Boop, even though it is mine, it looks dang cute on her.

The yarn was Yarns from Italy. She has an Esty shop and she runs some really good sales. This is the superwash sock yarn. It is a little stiff feeling while you're knitting with it, but I think after the first wash it is going to bloom into a wonderfully soft yarn.

I changed the CO to 130 sts so I would have a loser more flowing fabric. It came out great I think!

21" should not be this long: Superior Cowl

2012-01-27T10:22:00.000-06:00

The Superior Cowl

This has been one looooonggg and drawn out twenty one inches. I was knitting my little fingers off last night watching t.v. Two hours of knitting got me 3", I still have 5" to go! I am excited to see this pattern finished and around my neck. (I am sure PB is too, though it may not be as tight as he wants it).

This is a great beginner pattern for making a cowl. And all the pictures of others projects look great.

Besides the first 6 rows of garter st. in the round, it is endless, mindless, knitting, around and around.

Be prepared, 21" on size 4 needles and sock yarn takes for frikkin' EVER!

This is sooooo gonna be worth it when it's done!

REVIEW: Kindle Fire-Pros, or why I like my Deedah Fire

2012-01-26T12:52:00.002-06:00

I was going to take some pics but I decided you can find pics all over the web. Which also leads to my first Pro-

No camera: while some may see this as a con, I don't.
I have a $350 Canon that I used almost daily with the five grandbrats. Then, I got a smart phone, now that same camera is collecting dust in the corner of my room, only to be brought out for special pictures, or, worse, when the phone died, probably from all those damn pictures I take. I don't normally have my tablet in my hand, for those goofy, hurry or your going to miss it shots, or right next to me for those, MiMi look what I can do shots.But my good old trusty smart phone, always with me. Well except when it's on that damn charger!

I bought my Fire for one main reason, to hold my pdf knitting patterns so every time I want to knit something I don't have to print it out, or worse, try and find the previous print out. (yeah I generally give up after 30 seconds and just print it out again) Thereby saving myself ink and paper. (This is the argument I gave PB, and he seemed to think it was a sound investment!)
I am after all, first and foremost, a knitter. We must keep our priorities straight! :0)

I like the fact that it doesn't have all the buttons all around the thing on the outside.
And for those whining because the speaker volume button isn't on the outside of the unit, REALLY! Is that all you have to bitch about. I categorize those people right beside what ever idiot will take a beloved cartoon movie and watch it frame by frikkin' frame to see if they can spot the devil lurking in the background trying to hypnotize their 3 year old into stealing all their money and making off in the family car.

Amazon has loads and loads of apps for the kindle, and!, you get one free paid app a day. From what I hear it's not all those dumb ass apps that you wouldn't get even if they were free, but real honest to goodness, worth every penny apps. I like free ;0)
If Amazon doesn't have what you want, there are butt loads of websites where you can download other apps to your Kindle, one of which is GetJar.com They are frikkin loaded with apps. Check it out, just make sure the fish are fed and the cat is in and the dog is out before you visit their website, you are going to be there a while.

I have already purchased a knitting magazine subscription. It would be awesome if Interweave let you do this because it is DA' BOMB! The formatting is good, the pictures are great, and, yes here we go again, I don't have to print out the pattern, just turn on my Fire!

DD#1 set up her netflix account on my Fire so I can watch it anytime, anywhere. Hmm... wonder if they have the first episodes of Dexter? I think I missed something about the brother.... but anyway. The graphics are great on video. I am not going to lie, it's a little bit sticky when you first start the movie, has something to do with buffering, or bumping and grinding or something like that. It straightens out fairly quickly, and lets face it, who the hell likes to watch the beginning credits anyway. Unless your name is up there, then it would just be you and your Mom.

I love the fact that it fits in my one little bitty hand. I don't have to hold it like a lunch tray. Which goes along with the earlier EPIPHANY from yesterday's post.

You can pretty much see the screen anyway you look at it without too much of a problem. Now granted I haven't tried direct sunlight. I don't plan on being in any direct sunlight, do you know how frikkin' hot it gets here? Your tablet would immediately become a pile of sweating electronics that could fry the guts, which makes the direct sunlight a moot point doesn't it.

There is not mic on this thing, but the way I see it, without the camera, what the hell you need a mic for anyway. The speakers are pretty good tho, but better on headphones, which is great when you don't want anyone to hear you listening to Dane Cook videos.

There is no 3G, but WIFI is the way to go, it's a whole hell of a lot cheaper and you can just about snatch any signal out of the air and ride it. I keep my 3g on my phone turned on, because I have a top of the line 4G smart phone that should pick up 3G effortlessly, ummm... sorry Ma'am, that everywhere but where you live!. So what good is it if, even tho they advertise 3G everywhere, it's not. I did accidentally pick it up once when we were in Ga. but as soon as I went, WOW it was gone. Kinda like a one night stand without all the fun.

All in all, so far, I like it for what I bought it for. I didn't want an Ipad, I thought I did, until I saw the side by side pics of the two. It looks like a lunch tray when you hold it, or you have to put it in your lap, on the table, on something. I can use my Kindle Fire on a crowded bus in standing room only! So there!
All the griping and complaining are from those who have, or wanted an Ipad. Once again.... come on do I really need to say it again?

REVIEW: Kindle Fire:The Cons

2012-01-25T12:06:00.003-06:00

Let me start off by saying, I am not 'tech' savvy, I don't know the difference between a GUI and ROM, though I do know what a BM is and why you need one everyday. ;0) I do, however, know what plain Jane, regular untechy people like me like, and we like Fire.
And in the interest of full disclosure, I have never laid my eyes or hands on an Ipad before. But I do know how much one will cost you and the basic gist of what they will do. I had an Iphone for a couple of years so I pretty much "grok" the Ipad.

I received my Kindle Fire, or as I like to call it, my Deedah Fire, in the mail yesterday.
I read all the reviews around the net, mainly because I was excited and bored waiting for it to come in.
What I gathered from all that reading is this, IPad users HATE the Fire.
Now you can not tell by the review you are reading that this person has ever even seen an Ipad before, but as I read, and read, and read, I began to see a pattern.

For example: One guy was complaining that the 'swipe' bar was in the middle of the screen, which made it very uncomfortable for him to swipe and unlock his Fire. REALLY!! I have teeny tiny hands and it's not a problem, or wait, here's a better idea, while you are holding it in your left hand, swipe with your right finger! WOW! An epiphany! I mean come on!

Then another complaint: Unless you have very small fingers, the Fire's keyboard will be too hard for you to navigate. REALLY!! My BFF has big hands, not HUGE man hands, but bigger hands than mine, and if she can use the keypad on a blackberry without any problems, I don't think anyone would have a problem with the keyboard on the Fire, not even in portrait mode. Are you lazy or just whiny?

Then there are the ten million complaints about the storage on the Fire! OK first of all, was this a surprise to you when you purchased your Fire? Did they hide the box behind curtain number two and tell you you couldn't have it until you paid for it? I went to the Amazon sight, guess what? The specs are right there for everyone, including I am sure this guy. So basically what he is saying that, even though he is a techy guru of some sort, he never read a review, or hey, here's a thought, checked out the specs on the Amazon website. It was all one big "OH SHIT!" shock to him when his Fire was left on his doorstep?! The Fire does have less storage than an Ipad, but the Fire gives you Amazon to back you up. You have the cloud to hold all your crap, most Ipad users probably use the Cloud anyway don't they. 'Cause lets face it, Ipad or Fire or Laptop or desktop, you never have enough room for all your crap.

My absolute favorite, The guy who has his Ipad sitting beside his Fire, going at them both at the same time. (which I think is illegal in some states)
Ok so I am supposed to believe that you, who already have an Ipad, bought the Fire because you're a tech hoarder. No! I'm not that damn dumb! You bought the damn thing to do a comparison to a product that you already had, used and liked. Let's face it dude, in the back of your mind, you were a little bit afraid weren't you? Afraid that you just spent $699 on something that my little $199 tablet could do. Don't worry idiot, THIS IS NOT THE IPAD! If you want an Ipad, don't buy the Fire!! It's a simple as that.

Now, on to what I, as a normal everyday untechy user, think about the Fire

My Corona,without the lime

2012-01-23T17:40:00.002-06:00

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The finished sweater. This was an easy knit. If you want to make something easy and fast,I highly recommend this pattern. The yarn is Cotton Ease by Lion Brand. And even though its cotton, I couldn't wear it too long in our 70 degree weather.

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Rippit,Rippit!

2012-01-14T13:18:00.001-06:00

So,since I had to rip back past the cable panel,and I found some really good ideas on Ravelry, I ended up undoing the whole thing and starting over. I'm glad I did,now that I have my brain wrapped around it better,it is looking much better, I changed to twisted rib for the bottom ribbing, and am already back up to the waist decreases. It looks much better now.

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GBP2011/12

2012-01-13T10:46:00.000-06:00

Ok so you noticed the new name of the GBP2011? Yeah, well at least it isn't frogged! Just overlapping in years. LOL
I have been knitting, knitting my little fingers off actually.
I got on the cotton kick, hand towels, facecloths, dishcloths, OOOooo the dishcloths.
I ended up with about four matching towel and cloth sets, all but one given as a Christmas gift, then there were the six cloths for my MIL and the five cloths for each of my girls, plus the cloths I made to replace the worn out ones I had in my bathroom. I don't know what got into me, just started playing with the variegated cotton and it was on, COLOR PLAY.
I finally got most of that out of my system and found this CORONA on Ravelry.
Now we all know how Ravelry is, you find something you like, and then you look at all the projects being done, read all the notes from other people, look at all the different yarns used, then you CO.
That's exactly what I did.
I have been posting my progress at the Knittinfun Facebook Page
It is a really good pattern, and besides my one brain fart screw up, it has been going really well. I am knitting mine in Lion Brand Cotton Ease, for three reasons.
1. I am not buying any yarn for right now. My stash is overwhelming and something needs to be done about it. So, I went stash diving and that's what floated to the top!
2. I have a bad habit of falling in love with a pattern, buying yarn just for that pattern and then either starting something else before my yarn arrives which puts it on hold, or worse, not starting the new project at all after I have already spent the money on it.
3. It is way to hot where I live most of the time, wool is not a good idea, unless you only want to be able to wear your new sweater for about a month out of twelve. Not enough use after I have put all the time into making something. Especially if I like it.
You can hop over to the FB page and check out the progress and see the pics there. ;0)

How cute is this sweater!

2011-10-12T12:32:00.000-05:00

Someone posted this on FB today and I had to share it! This little sweater is adorable, and looks like it wouldn't be that hard to make.
Little Baby Sweater
Now my girls have finally stopped "blessing" me with Grandbrats so we don't have any new babies coming. But I am sure I can find someone who would need this little cutie.
I have always enjoyed this website. The pic tutorials are a huge help.

2011-10-03T15:59:00.001-05:00

Here is a shot as we just keep repeating those last twelve rows until we get the blanket almost the size we want it.
When you are about sick of knitting this thing and you want to pull your hair out and swear you will never knit another blanket, repeat rows 1-6 and then bind off.
And no, if u just started this blanket,you aren't there yet. ;0)

2011-09-30T10:51:00.001-05:00

We are moving right along now. Your first ten rows are finished and it is looking good!
Here is a picture of the next six rows added on. And the pattern:

R11: K6 *P7: K3 to last 6 sts, K6
R12: Knit across
Repeat these two rows 2 times more.

Now it's starting to take shape.

2011-09-29T11:03:00.001-05:00

The first ten rows are on.
I always get antzy when I pit on the first row. Especially when I have this many sts. It's always great when you get there and realize you don't have to frog.
So,here we go off at a snails pace!

R1: K3, P3, K7, P3, to last 3 sts, K3
R2: And all even numbered rows,K
Repeat R's 1&2 4 times more.

Any easy way to keep up with your rows is when you have finished all ten rows you will have 5 ridges in your K7 sections,on your right side row.
If anyone is knitting along,post a pic of your progress.

2011-09-28T16:27:00.001-05:00

The yarn is bought for Ma'Leah's blanket. I chose this yarn for a couple or reasons.
One, it is machine washable. Mothers nowadays don't have the time to have to hand wash anything. And as often as babies things need washing,well,this was the most sensible solution.
Second,this was the prettiest and softest yarn Wally World had that I liked.
Now it's time to CO.
With my size 8 needles,I will he casting on 179 sts.

More knitting on the list

2011-09-28T11:10:00.000-05:00

If you have followed me at all, you know little Ma'Leah (from the post below↓) was named after me and her great Grandmother, Mama Grace. No her name is not Ma'Leah Mama Grace, but your close. Ma'Leah Grace was actually two weeks old yesterday!
Of course I HAVE to knit her a blanket!
So here comes another knitting project, no, this is not helping me with the timing issue of the GBP2011, but it is only a minor side step.
I am headed to Wally World (Uggghhhh) after work to pick her up some yarn, which, BTW, when I brought this up to PB last night, won me the normal "yarnaholic" comments.
"There is no way you had time to look through all that stash to make sure you didn't have any to use"
"Did you check in the shed?"
"It doesn't matter, you're going to buy it anyway!"
God I love that man! He's nothing if not predictable!
Anyway, I digress.
I have a pattern that I use all of the time for wash cloths and dish towels, I think I may have even converted it into a rug pattern at one time. This, as far as I know, will be it's first official debut as a baby blanket.
It's a great pattern and super easy to up size and downsize to fit your needs.
It can be found here: Mock Woven Tea Towel This is the absolute best, easy, tv watching pattern out there IMHO besides the Grandmothers Dishcloth of which there are many, many links to patterns out there on the internet! Thank you Al Gore!
I will post pics of the yarn when I get home, and write out the pattern for you. It's going to be a long pattern as I will be posting it here row by row as I knit. If you want, grab some needles,some yarn and knit along with me. It's going to be super easy, and by the third or fourth post, you will have it down pat.

2011-09-22T18:14:00.001-05:00

Great day with Rita! Lunch and some good chat time. And as I have been saying all along....Ma'Leah looks just like me.....see. she is such a sweet girl.

2011-09-20T19:30:00.001-05:00

Is this not the firearm set of coffee mugs!,

2011-09-18T10:57:00.001-05:00

From MiMi and pawpaw think she'll figure out what it is?

2011-09-15T18:41:00.001-05:00

I am so rockin' this new necklace! Isn't it awesome!

2011-09-15T11:37:00.001-05:00

Testing ping

Wow...kinda dusty in here....

2011-09-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

I know it has been quite a while since I have posted, I can see all the dust laying around...I apologize, and because I know you have missed me soooo much, I also have a new pattern to share with you. I just have to finish the cloth and get a picture. Just a real simple, easy peasy, quick knit up to keep your hands busy while you are waiting at all those football and cheerleading practices. That's where I came up with the pattern, football practice.
You know sometimes you just get tired of knitting, even your tried and true patterns. You need something else but your brain doesn't want to come up with all that hard stuff you have crammed back there in file twelve, it's that kind of pattern, but it makes the most wicked cute cloth! I will finish it today and get it posted up by this weekend.

Support our Troops and never forget...

2011-05-27T08:58:00.001-05:00

Mississippi Honor Flight

2011-05-26T10:22:00.001-05:00

If you have been reading this blog very long you know that I work for a local television station here in Pascagoula Ms. WKFK TV7

Monday we are airing a show Honor Flight

We were given the privlege of going on the last Honor Flight to Washington DC, it was a great trip, and Memorial Day, Monday 5/30 we will air a show about the trip, at 12p and 7pm.

There are interviews and commentary from some of our Veterans from the "Greatest Generation".

It's going to be an awesome and inspiring show!

I know alot of you don't live anywhere near here, but you can still watch on our website.

WKFK TV7 will be airing live on our website.

It is going to be great! And with all these fancy new cell phones, you don't even have to be home to watch it.

Don't miss it!! I think you will really enjoy it!

2011-04-13T09:29:00.001-05:00

Testing

Blatant product promotions.....

2011-04-07T14:44:00.001-05:00

For months, brat number one drove me crazy about buying this new sweeper.
She had bought one and absolutely loved it! But I am old fashioned, a broom and a dust pan (preferably a straw broom, if you could find them anymore) was the way to go. You could get up in those corners, swirl all that dust around! It's great!
After months, and months of nagging from my 26 year old daughter, (yeah, the same one who would sit in a room full of books and toys and clothes flung around everywhere, yeah, that one) I finally broke down and bought this
Swiffer Sweeper
Ok, don't ever, ever tell Brat #1 this, BUT, that is the best thing since inside plumbing! It gets up the dog hair, the cat hair, the cat food, cat litter, (yes the cat is way messier than the dog!) everything, with very little effort. I can't say enough about how good this little gadget is. I love the fact that it has a vacuum on it too. It gets in the corners like a pro, plus, it sucks all the dust off of the baseboards without all that scrubbing with a toothbrush that that crazy lady does.
You gotta get one!

Second item, it you have one of these ↑ little monsters, another great, awesome, why didn't they think about this sooner product...Indoor Cat Food! That may even be better than the sweeper, it's a debate I am having with myself!
We had our house built in 2005 the year of Katrina, we moved in in Feb.
I love cats, have had them all my life, but I just never wanted one in the new house, even now you can walk in my front door and still smell the new, (like a new car, the new house smell) We never smoked in our house and the thought of a little box made me cringe! About five months ago, I started thinking I would like to have a cat again. Don't know why, I guess it was just time.
BFF had two little kittens, brother and sister, that she couldn't keep anymore, and lord knows how over crowded the shelters already are, so when she talked to Brat #1 about taking them until she could find them a good home, I decided it was time.
Jule was a tiny little thing when I first got her, but even then, her evil smell was always circling! Her gaseous state had me just about in tears.
One day I was talking to a lady at wally world who told me to put her on the kitten formula for a few months and that should help straighten her little tummy out. So I did, and it worked to an extent. Now you could only "smell" her when she used the little box, just as horrible!
I scooped the little box out, sometimes, four times a day. It was driving me crazy.
Last week I decided to go ahead and try the indoor formula, even tho she was supposed to be on the kitten formula for a year. Piiishaaa!! It has made a HUGE difference! I can actually use my bathroom without scooping the litter box out first.
Who would have thought that a cat food could make such a difference! You gotta try it!!
Ok, blatant product promotions over.........resume your regular............

This weeks patterns

2011-03-06T10:18:00.000-06:00

Well, one day we are wearing shorts and it's so hot I didn't even want to think about summer time. Then, there are days like today, three grandbrats, 45 degree weather and a Mardi Gras parade to go to! WTH!
But we are all troopers, we will pack 'em all up and go catch us some beads and bears and colds! LOL!
I have been knitting, just not on the GBP2011. I spent a whole day cleaning up tangled yarn, Jule's playground behind the couch, and one of those tangled up messed just happened to be the ball that was connected to my blanket.
No big deal, just broke it off and untangled it and re-attached it, just took me half a day!
Started another cool project to wear under an unbuttoned, button up, shirt.
It's a cute little spaghetti strap tank, that for the life of me, I can't figure out where the pattern came from.
Between that and the Twilight series books, I have been keeping pretty busy, that and the crazy woman who keeps showing up at my house to do all the spring cleaning, she wears me out, just gets in a mood and all the nooks and crannies have to be cleaned.Crazy woman!
This weeks patterns
Knitting: Pomatomus Fingerless Gloves
Socks:Magic Mirror
Crochet: Bookbag Backpack
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
God bless

This weeks patterns

2011-02-27T14:50:00.000-06:00

It's finally getting warmer, the green is coming back, and the pollen is filling the air again! Yeah spring is here!
This weeks patterns made me think of garden parties, cool evening picnics and clothes hanging on the line.
Knitting: Heart Party Shrug
Socks: Donyale
Crochet: Clothespin sack
Have a great week everyone!
God Bless

Wow....waaayyy to looonggg..

2011-02-15T10:31:00.000-06:00

I didn't realize how long it has been since I posted on the blog!
You can blame Facebook for that. Been chatting and posting away over at the Knittinfun facebook page.
The GBP2011 has finally gotten too big to be portable, 40 rows blue, 20 rows brown, now back on the next 40 blue, all this on 400 sts! You do the math, that's a lot of knitting! It is going to be an awesome blanket! I will get some progress pics posted later today.
PB and I went to the hunting camp this weekend and WOW! for me, it was a great weekend, no cooking, no cleaning, just knitting, and watching my first Knitting and Crochet show. My cable company doesn't carry it, so I have never seen it before. I really enjoyed it!
I made a hand towel, a house warming gift for a friend, and half a pair of ankle socks for myself, made from the Alabama Crimson Tide yarn BFF picked up for me on our first visit to our LYS.
I was so excited to finally have a yarn store so close by that I could afford, and guess what?!?! Yup! They are closing their storefront!!
BFF and I have seriously thought about getting a SBL and buying it ourselves. I just don't see how we could accomplish it with no back ground in running a business. But it would be sooo awesome.
It was a great little store, friendly people and great prices! It's a shame to see them close, I loved being able to actually see the yarn, touch it, rub it against my cheek, before I bought it. Something you can not do when you're ordering online.
I am going to try my best to get pics of all this for you today.
I also want to show you how I 'jazzed up' the new journals. Very crafty if I do say so myself!
It has been awesome having my BFF finally get back into knitting. Until her, I think I was the only knitter in south Mobile County. Where I live, crochet is the thing to do. And I can do it, been doing it since I was like 10 years old, but I like knitting much, much better. Now I use my crochet talents for borders and embellishments only. And until BFF jumped on the band wagon, all my knitting coversations were online. It's so nice to have a face in front of me that doesn't think I am speaking a foreign language when I say LYS or p3, k4.
We've had a few knit days together and I have just really enjoying spending time with her and knitting.
Pics coming up.......

This weeks patterns

2011-01-15T16:06:00.000-06:00

Ok, so it's COLD outside, everywhere, all the time, even down here where our winter lasts a total of three months, and even then we only drop below freezing about five times a year. Damn global warming!
This weeks patterns are all about keeping warm, from your neck to your knees.
Knit: Quick and Easy Caps and Herringbone Hat
Sockpattern: Abyss Leg-warmers
Crochet: Baby, it's Cowled Outside
Stay warm everybody!

GBP2011 More yarn and some knitting journals

2011-01-15T13:12:00.001-06:00

Got more yarn in, I think this will be enough to keep me occupied for a little while, the sad thing is, this will only get me a little less than half way there. But it's going to be AWESOME when it's finished!

Picked up some more journals too, on Ebay. I love the Moleskine journals, picked up a few for me and the 'new' knitter, my BFF.
If you would like some of your own, the website is Moleskine once you get one and use it, you GET it!

The small blanket is finished!!

2011-01-15T12:49:00.001-06:00

It didn't take near as long to finish this as I thought it would, I think it came out really cute.
160 sts on size 7 needles with KnitPicks Swish, WW yarn. I really like how it turned out. I was going to crochet a border around it, but then decided I like how it looks without it. I wove in the ends two nights ago, but haven't cut them off yet, it still needs to be washed. But otherwise, she is done!!

Knitting.... a Partiotic Duty!

2011-01-07T09:18:00.000-06:00

Had to share this with you....
98 year old woman knits for the troops
Knitting, a Patriotic Duty

The Great Blanket Project of 2011: Yarn has finally arrived!

2011-01-04T15:21:00.002-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I had written that the yarn I ordered came in and I was starting a blanket. That was this. I got the idea from this pattern: Easy Baby Blanket


It is an awesome easy pattern that makes a great blanket. I love garter stitch, on top of being the easiest thing in the world to knit while watching t.v., the color changes are smooth and neat, and easy peasy to do!

From all of this was born the idea for The Great Blanket Project of 2011.
I want a nice warm, comfy, nice looking, easy, wool blanket for my bed. This pattern fits the bill perfectly.
Then an idea gave way to a project, that blossomed into an order at KnitPicks and my BFF beating me to the cast on!
We are chatting away about it on facebook at: Knittinfun. Come check it out, let me know if you would like to join the Knittinfun group on facebook, since that is where all the chatting is going on and I will add you.
I think it's going to be loads of fun, especially since this is the Bff's first big project. We already have plans to get together for "knit" days.
I am hopefully going to get my 300 stitches cast on this evening or tomorrow after work.
We are not going to try and finish this project as soon as possible, therefore, the name, I am just hoping to have mine done before the last day of this year and I will be happy.
I am not going to lie and say this will be my only project until it is finished, OMG, that would drive me insane and I would throw it in a corner and never finish it. There will be many projects in and amongst this one.

The yarn is ordered.....The Great Blanket Project of 2011

2010-12-28T12:59:00.000-06:00

I have decided that is high time I knit something for me, soft, squishy, warm and cuddley.
Since I am getting rid of the queen sized bed and going up to a king, this is going to be one BIG project.
I ordered my yarn from KnitPicks Swish WW
When the yarn arrives, I will let you all in on the plan. It's going to be awesome!!

This weeks patterns

2010-12-18T08:09:00.000-06:00

Not much knitting time left! I have five more hats to make, and in very bad knitty form, I ordered the wool yarn I wanted to make myself a garter stitch blanket, and, unfortunately, it came in the mail yesterday. Soooo, as my mind kept telling me "YOU HAVE FIVE MORE HATS TO MAKE!!!" my hands were happily knitting away on my new blanket, while I watched the Wizard of Oz. I think a garter stitch blanket is more "Oz" knitting than a stinking ole hat anyway ;0)
Back to the patterns for this week.
Knitting: Legwarmers
Crochet: Lanyard
Socks: Fancy
Have a great weekend everyone! And stay warm!
God Bless

This weeks patterns

2010-11-28T08:12:00.000-06:00

The Holidays are coming.... the holidays are coming. Bring out your craftiness!!! the holidays are coming.
Great gifts and cute decorations are in store....
Knitting: Scrooge/Kratchit Nightcap
Crochet: Christmas Tree Skirt
Socks: Cable and Seed Socks
Have a great week everyone!! I have to get all those hats done!!
God Bless

Please vote to help our soldiers call home this holiday season

2010-11-24T09:40:00.001-06:00

Vote for Free Phone Calls

for US deployed soldiers!

With the Pespi Refresh Project
Hurry! Voting ends 11/30/2010

This weeks patterns

2010-11-21T09:39:00.000-06:00

I have finally finished the scarf, and, no camera! DD had to take my camera yesterday when Isaac went to the 100th anniversary celebration of the Boy Scouts. When I get the thing back from her, I will take pictures and post the pattern. In a way it worked out well this way, I have now turned it into two different patterns for you to make. I hope to have it posted by week's end.
On to the patterns for this week:
Knit: Ash
Crochet: Easy Peasy Circle Shrug
Socks: Bamboo Waves Socks
Have a great week everyone!

Another Knitter at Mobile Renaissance Fair

2010-11-19T11:35:00.001-06:00

Last weeknd was the Renaissance Fair in Mobile. The grandbrats love to go and see all the knights and ladies, but OMG the belly dancers! As soon as we get there, and right before we leave, gotta go see the belly dancers.
We had a great time walking around and dreaming of all the stuff I would love to buy, Hand made jewelry, hand crafted swords, I was literally in crafty heaven. Then I met a lady who had scarves and shawls hanging all around her tent.
Well, you know you have to stop and touch and feel, and examine patterns. She had long skinny fuzzy scarves, beautiful warm fluffy scarves, shawls made with bulky, soft yarn, and some made with fur yarn that was almost too soft for me to touch. She was an interesting lady to talk to and I am really glad I got to meet her.
Of course dragging the rest of the family behind me, we really didn't have time to chat, for some reason they don't see it the same way. They were ready to move on. Though they do benifit well from my own craftiness!

How to wear a scarf

2010-11-18T11:35:00.001-06:00

I am no good at wearing a scarf, I wrap it around my neck till I feel like I am suffocating or, I let it just hang there. This sight Crochet Me shows a few good ways to wrap yourself looking good and showing off. I, for one needed this.

New scarf pattern...soon

2010-11-18T09:59:00.000-06:00

I know, me, the hater of the scarf knitting, have come up with a cute, basic, simple, no cable needle, cabled scarf. The test knit is almost finished. Then I will get the pics and post the pattern.
Now don't go getting too excited, it's very basic, nothing all twisty,curvey, gorgeous, just an easy cable pattern that anyone can do.
Will be posting soon. Keep your eyes peeled!

This weeks patterns

2010-11-13T11:19:00.000-06:00

This has been a long and harried week and I am sooo glad it is almost over.
The boy totaled his truck and Thank God! walked away, him and the other guy. When I saw the truck, I cried, I don't know how in the world neither one of them got hurt. From there it has just been one thing after another going wrong. I won't bore you with the details, your head might pop off like mine was ready to yesterday!
Needless to say, I am glad the weekend is finally here, and the patterns.
Knitting: Lexi
Crochet: Plarn Soap Dish
Sockpatterns: Family of Slippers

This weeks patterns

2010-11-06T08:14:00.000-05:00

It is getting to be that time of year again, cooking, baking, visiting friends, bringing food and gifts. I am glad we finally have some cooler weather, tho in about a month I will be ready for summer again.
This has gotten me in the mood for some gift knitting though. This weeks patterns are all gifting.
Knitting: Apron
Crochet: Loaf Pan Tote
Socks: Knee High Socks
So we can bake, carry our goodies to friends and family, and keep our toes and legs warm doing it. Yep, it's time for the Holiday Season!

How wicked COOL is this

2010-10-24T09:21:00.000-05:00

I saw this posted on one of the lists I am on, this is AWESOME! A knitted skeleton! Wicked cool, you gotta go check it out! The detail in this is great. I imagine it took a while to complete it. When you get time, you gotta go see all the pics!
Knitted Skeleton

This weeks patterns

2010-10-23T08:02:00.000-05:00

This week is all about warm, warm hands, warm feet and beating that nasty old draft that always seems to find the back of your neck.
Knitting Pattern: Wintergreen Gloves
Crochet Pattern: Ribbed Neck/Face Warmer
Socks: Glass Slipper Socks

I am almost finished with PB's hunting socks. I can't believe how long it has taken me to get one lousy pair of socks done. I guess throwing an extra sock at the end of a skein didn't help me get done any faster. But, alas I am almost to the toe decreases on the second sock.
I will post pictures of the 4 socks I have when I am done!

The Long Awaited Scarf Pattern

2010-10-18T19:50:00.000-05:00

I know I promised like a month ago, but, dang if it doesn't get harder everyday to get those kids over here.
The oldest finally came and modeled for me. I finished writing it up and WALA! here you have it.
Side To Side Self Fringing Scarf
I thought it needed a nice long name since it took me so long to get it to you.
I hope you enjoy it. I would love to see pics if anyone knits it up!
God Bless

download now

This weeks patterns

2010-10-02T11:50:00.000-05:00

I have been knitting away, finally the dry spell is over. I knit 'the scarf' which, when I get one of those tall daughters of mine over here to model it for me, I will get some pics and post the pattern here. And then started on some more of the No Show socks, winter is coming, and I need lots and lots of wool socks.
In between all of that, I have posted this weeks patterns:

Knitting: Angel Wine Bottle Cover
Crochet: Felted Door Knob Organizer
Socks: Diamond Lace Socks
I hope everyone is having a great weekend. It is beautiful here on the Gulf Coast. And it's BAYFEST in Mobile! We went last night and will be headed back again today, but don't you worry, we will be back home and in front of the t.v. in plenty of time to watch the Alabama/Florida game. Been waiting all week for this one!
God Bless everyone.

No Show Sock Pattern

2010-09-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

This is more of a set of instructions than a full out pattern.
I really am starting to like the no show socks the kids are wearing today, but I have got to have my wool socks in the winter time, so WALA! I made one, out of my favorite sock yarn Regia Clown.
The instructions are very simple
Size 3 needles
Leftover sock yarn. I can get a regular sock out of one ball of yarn, and two of these out of the leftovers.
CO: 56 sts (or however many you normally CO for you size. A note, because the cuff is no very big, I would go down a st or two to make it a bit tighter around the ankle.
Join to knit in the round
K1,P1 for 4 rounds
Begin heel on 28 sts and your favorite heel pattern.
I used the slip one knit one for 21/4", on my heel, but I am thinking of trying a different kind of heel for the next pair.
When heel is turned and finished, pick up 14 sts each side for gusset.
Dec one row, Knit one row until 28 sts remain on the needles for the bottom of the foot.
Knit around until within one inch of desired length for foot.
I always do my toe decreases one inch from end and decrease every row, instead of the usual dec one row, knit one row. I think it makes a rounder toe.
Kitchner last 8 sts
Weave in ends
And there you have it. A great little sock!
I am going to try and do some for the younger Grandbrats, I guess I will have to tweek the pattern a bit.
I will get back to you on that.

This weeks patterns

2010-09-18T21:32:00.000-05:00

I know everyone thought I dropped off the face of the earth, but SURPRISE! Here I am again. I had a great summer vacation from.... well everything crafty, the blog, my lists, knitting, crochet, everything! Me and PB spent a month, off and on, in Panama City. I have got an awesome t-shirt collection going on. The Friday before the 4th of July, we decided to make an eastbound trip, we made it to Pensacola by way of Gulf Shores, and decided to spend the night there, got up the next morning and drove the scenic route on over to Panama City. Every where we stopped I bought a t-shirt. We stopped at every beach along the way. Pensacola, Destin, Ft. Walton Beach, then on to P.C. It was great fun and I took a whole lot of pictures, I will post some soon.
We lucked out and got a condo right beside Pineapple Willy's and spent two days and nights having a blast. We rented scooters and went to St. Andrews and met Andy the squirrel and got some more awesome pictures of the beach.
All in all it was a great time, because we got to go back the next week for PB's job, so another weekend in P.C.
It was a great summer, but I am getting itchy for some real knitting.
I have three patterns I am going to post here over the next week.
Some hot pads, which are great stash busters. And a cloth, which has been the only knitting I have done to date.
I will be posting all of those soon. So keep an eye out.

Ok, summer vacation is over from the internet

2010-09-16T12:27:00.001-05:00

Ok, I have been playing around on the internet, but no crafting, at all, until a week ago. I was sitting out on the back deck and decided to pick up the needles and the next thing I knew, I looked down and I had whipped out a new cloth pattern. I am still in kid, family, house, garden, soccer, cheerleader, mode, but I will get a picture and post it ASAP! I promise! The lists will be kicking back into gear this weekend also, so keep an eye out for that.
Sorry I was gone so long, BUT, I'M BACK!

This weeks patterns

2010-02-28T08:21:00.002-06:00

The new pattern is almost ready for posting, until then, let me give you some ideas to work with.
Knitting: Flapper Girls Twist Hat
Crochet: Armchair Pocket
Socks: Artichoke Socks

Our New Addition to the family, and New Pattern coming

2010-02-25T15:08:00.003-06:00

First let's start with the new pattern, I have been whipping out these place mats for about a month now. I decided to go looking around the net and realized, there are not nearly enough patterns for place mats out there. Knit with 100% cotton, these things are great! I will be posting the pattern soon. So keep a look out!

Now let me introduce you to Pearl Girl! My best friend gave her to me last week. She is the sweetest dog and she knows how to play Shilo to get what she wants from him. He was not too sure about her when she first came here, but she is such a sweetie, even grumpy old Shilo had to like her.
She is a 15 month old German Shepherd, my new baby.

Now Shilo will be four years old on March 27th and she is only 15 months, I think she is going to end up being bigger than he is, and he is a good sized dog.
These are my babies, he's such a handsome dog, and she is just as pretty.

This weeks patterns

2010-01-24T11:06:00.003-06:00

Christmas is over, hopefully you are settling down for some non stressed crafting.
This weeks patterns are easy, fun, and would make great gifts for those babies that will be coming soon.
Knitting: Come Sail Away Blanket
Socks: Quickie Sneakers
Crochet: Hi-Five Towel
I hope everyone is having a great week
God Bless

This weeks patterns

2010-01-17T11:51:00.002-06:00

This week I fished out some great patterns for being stuck inside, OMG, all the knitting time, what is a woman to do?!
Knitting: The Q Scarf (the post just below)
Crochet: April Scarf
Socks: Pebble Stitch Fixation Socks
Have a great week everyone!

New Pattern: Q

2010-01-16T10:25:00.005-06:00

This is a great pattern for showing off your team spirit! Knit with your favorite colors and in three different sizes, this promises to be a hit with everyone.
download now
A friend of mine at work asked me to knit him a hat and scarf. As you know, I hate to knit scarves! But for him, I broke down and came up with a pattern in the colors he wanted, and it came out so well I thought I would share it with you.
I hope you like it.

This weeks patterns

2009-11-08T08:36:00.003-06:00

The patterns for this week lean, very hard, toward 'warmth'. Hats and Socks to help chase that cold wind away from the skin.
Knitting: Spiral Kiddie Cap
Socks: Gumball Footies
Crochet: 3-Way Cap

Have a great week everyone!
God Bless

More Pics from the Great Outdoors

2009-11-02T18:17:00.004-06:00

For my BFF because everytime I see the moon I think of her.
Yeah, you know who you are.

The Hibiscus is blooming it's a** off for some unknown reason. It doesn't bloom this good in the dead of summer.

Out My Back door

2009-11-02T18:04:00.005-06:00

We had an emergency trip to Callahan Fl this weekend. During the trip I took some awesome pictures, I thought I would share with you.
Yes I get very bored when riding for 7 hours.
These are all from the car on the ride back home after the funeral.
I think they came out great. What do you think?

Awards from the fair

2009-10-26T13:00:00.003-05:00

When I went to the fair on Friday, Bella Boop's dress had won a blue ribbon! Then when I went to pick up my items today, there was another ribbon. Special Award!

My hand towel won 3rd. It was the only knitted item in the category.

And Bella Boop's shrug won 3rd also.

It was a great fair this year.

This weeks patterns

2009-10-25T06:51:00.003-05:00

It has been fair week here on the Gulf Coast and there are fairs going on all around us. We have been three times and had a blast every time. I did enter some hand knit items in the fair. I won first place for Bella's Dress and third for her shrug.
I also entered a hand towel which won third, so I am happy.
Well down to business:
Knitting: Amelia's Options Baby Hat
Crochet: Autumn Leaves Mittens
Sockpattern: Meandering Circular Ziggies
Have a great weekend!

This weeks patterns

2009-10-18T10:23:00.003-05:00

My mind is moving closer and closer to cold weather knitting as the weather seems to want to get straight to winter this year and skip fall all together.
This week's patterns are geared more toward the chilling of the air.
Knitting: Torbay
Crochet: Autumn Spice
Socks: Alaria Socks
Have a great weekend everyone, and by all means...stay warm!

f. pea: free pattern friday::bumpy jacket & hat

2009-10-13T06:57:00.002-05:00

You have probably already seen this cute little sweater and hat. To me it is new, and OMG it is adorable! I am going to make this for Trin for Christmas. Not to sure about the hat, Trin has allot of hair, I don't think her and hats are going to get along. But the sweater is a definite!

f. pea: free pattern friday::bumpy jacket & hat

This weeks patterns

2009-10-11T09:15:00.004-05:00

Yes it's time for the gift giving, crafter craze to begin.
In the interest of helping out, the patterns this week are great for gift giving.

Golden Compass Hat

Flower Tote

Socks, Circa 2008

I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far.
God Bless

Fingerless Gloves @ stephsdesigns

2009-10-07T13:00:00.004-05:00

Ok, I have finally found it! The gift I will be making for my co-workers this year, girls and guys, this is perfect, everyone needs a pair. And who doesn't have all those single skeins of sock yarn laying around?
Fingerless Gloves

Pictures of FO

2009-10-04T14:03:00.003-05:00

We didn't get all fancied up, it's too close to nap time to make her do too much. But here is Bella modeling her new dress and shrug. She likes the dress, but she has never, and will never like jackets or sweaters, so it was all I had to get her to get a good picture wearing the shrug.

These two patterns were both very easy to follow and execute, if you need a quick gift for a special girl, you should try these.

Violet Dress Finished!

2009-10-02T14:20:00.004-05:00

I don't have a picture of her wearing yet, I have to convince her to put it on sometime this weekend.
This was the easiest knit, if you need to make something for a special little girl, you can complete this one in just two or three days, and how cute!
Once again the pattern can be found here:
Violet Dress

Pics of Bella's Violet Dress and other knitting

2009-09-28T13:57:00.004-05:00

First off, believe it or not, I am STILL on a cotton thing. I HAD to knit something with cotton. So here it is, the Mock Woven Tea Cloth in Knit Picks CotLin on size 5 needles. Whew........ I feel better now and can go on to finishing Bella's dress.

This is the WIP. It is almost finished, and had I not been sooo into Dexter last night, it would be blocking today. It is a very easy knit, but I have waited so long for the new season, I didn't knit through it, I didn't want to miss a thing.
Yeah, it was worth it.
4 more inches to go and I can start the shrug.

My first new project in a while

2009-09-27T11:48:00.004-05:00

I finally have gotten in the mood to knit again. Go figure, I had all the time in the world for the last three and a half weeks and didn't knit a thing. I would get up at 5:30 be to work by 8, leave work at 12, get Chas and I something to eat for lunch and be to the hospital by 1. I would try and be there to let Chas have a break. That long at the hospital can wear you down quick.
I would be at the hospital most nights until well after 8. See what I mean, loads of knitting time, but did I knit, NO, not one little stick or string did I bring with me. I just couldn't get in the mood, I think too much when I knit, the stress with the thinking, I do believe, would have fried my brain, and poor Trae didn't need his MiMi in the hospital with him.
But I have finally gotten in the mood again, and just in time for Christmas gift knitting time.
I chose to start with the bigger projects first.
Bella Boop is getting the Violet Dress from Shelby Knits.
This is the cutest dress, and I love the ease of the pattern. I am knitting it in Bernat Satin in a pale green colorway and so far it looks great.
I think it will go great with a little white top, This Shrug, a pair of white tights and black shoes.
It will be too cute on her.
The dress is about 75% finished. The shrug will have to wait until I can find some more of the same yarn. I guess I will just have to check out the Bernat website and see if I can get it there. That is the only bad thing about buying bargain yarn on Ebay, you either have to make projects with just the yarn you have, or hunt down the yarn if you need more.
But that's ok. It is coming out wicked cute and I can't wait to show you all the pictures!

Traedon is finally home again!

2009-09-26T08:53:00.002-05:00

It was the roughest four weeks of my life, when we found out Trae had a brain tumor.
To date that is the worst news I have ever received in my life, but we had great doctors and he was at one of the best children's hospital in the country and today he is home again.
His little head is shaved in some spots, and the skull has not grown back yet, but he is smiling all of the time, he laughs at everything and is starting to pick some of his milestones back up. The long term looks really good for him.
And look how fat he has gotten! All the steroids after the surgery, and laying in the bed for three weeks sure did plump him up!
Now he is home with his Mom and brother and sister and he is doing really really well.
Thank you everyone for the prayers for Trae and our family, the were a comfort to all of us, and look... it worked!

Cool kids� capris - free knitting pattern - Pickles

2009-07-08T07:56:00.000-05:00

Cool kids� capris - free knitting pattern - Pickles
These are wicked cute! I was surfing around the web, and getting ready for work..... yes Virginia, I can multitask.
I am thinking that the Grandbrats need these when they get out of the pool. They are always shivering. These are next on the list for them!

Finally.... A new camera

2009-07-03T13:49:00.005-05:00

We finally got a new camera the other day. I am still not sure what happened with the Kodak, other than the fact it was a Kodak, I will never have another thing "Kodak" in this house, I have lost a thousand pics and now 400 dollars on Kodak! I think I have learned my lesson now.
Anyway, I digress, the new camera takes great pics.
Plus... the bestest part... it's takes awesome underwater pictures!

Issac, PawPaw and Bella Boop, under water~

Bella is just starting to put her head underwater without being thrown in.

Isaac would live underwater if he could.

Remember when I told you about the ghost in the house?
Well, here she(?) is laying in the pool.
I don't know if you can see her, but when we first got the camera, Kendall was playing with it and went underwater to get a shot of me outside the pool. Can you see her under me? Laying on her side? Wicked cool huh?!

The camera and the salt water make Kendall's eyes look awesome underwater.

Here I am watching Kendall play with the new camera.

Me and Kendall or as I like to say, "Me and Leah"

PB

Just messing around with the new camera! It does take good pics, I haven't played with all the settings yet, but I am getting there.

Shiloh

We have loads of fun with the camera since it is shock proof, water proof and freeze proof, I can take it places I used to be too scared to take my other camera! This is gonna be fun!

Congressman Gene Taylor came to the station....

2009-07-02T14:44:00.004-05:00

We were very excited at the station yesterday, Gene Taylor came in to do our show "Spotlight On Jackson County".
I have always liked Gene Taylor, he is a down to earth, for the people, kinda guy.
Politics and I don't get along, I think there is a rift in this country between the people and our government, one that I don't think can be fixed, until you meet someone like Gene Taylor, he makes me believe that our government might still be savable.
Plus! He has got to be the most handsome man in Washington!

Yeah, you know I got a pic!

I think I invaded some personal space to get this pic.

Josh setting up the camera

Doug Mansfield, the host of Spotlight On Jackson County

This weeks patterns

2009-06-27T16:34:00.004-05:00

The patterns sent to the list this week are some really cuties
There is the:
New Cloth Pattern: I have never seen this design before, I hope you like it as much as I do.

Tic Tac Toes : The coolest pair of ankle socks

Cotton Bib : Now that "wedding" season is over, it's time to get ready for all those babies that are sure to follow.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far.

This weeks patterns

2009-06-20T09:21:00.004-05:00

The patterns sent to my lists this week are really cute, when you get time, check them out.
It's all about the heat baby!
The perfect summer knitting project: Maidenhair Socks
The perfect summer evening sweater: Ellie
Adorable swim suit: Ripple 2 piece swimsuit

I hope you enjoy! And stay cool~

TREASURES ONCE LOST - The Mississippi Squirrel Revival.flv

2009-06-17T21:10:00.000-05:00

Home Sweet Home
TREASURES ONCE LOST - The Mississippi Squirrel Revival.flv

Trying to quit smoking

2009-05-21T20:28:00.002-05:00

After 32 years I am ready.......... I think I am ready........OMG what if I am not ready!? Oh well, doesn't matter, it's time, my ciggs are up to 46 dollars a carton, I just can't do that anymore, we smoke three cartons a week, if you add it up........... let's don't add it up, take my word for it, it's a HUGE amount.
Kendall and I, both went and got our prescriptions for the Chantix, he started his Monday, Me, Tuesday. So official quit date is 5/26/09 for me.
The Chantix is working, I can feel a difference, I don't get hardly any enjoyment from a ciggerrette now. I am ready..........., I think .........
Keep your fingers crossed, and pray, hard for me.
Knitting will be a huge help for me to keep my hands busy, then I have my super bouncy ball to keep me occupied when I am not knitting. You are going to start seeing a lot of knitting content, I have a feeling there is going to be a huge pile of knitted items going out of this house for a while.

KrisKnits...: Mother's Day Cloth...

2009-05-09T20:06:00.002-05:00

If you knit fast you might can get one of these done before the morning. This beautiful cloth would be a cherished gift for Mom!

KrisKnits...: Mother's Day Cloth...

KnitBrit � Blog Archive � Cozy Chemo Hat

2009-05-09T19:28:00.002-05:00

This is the cutest hat! You should go have a look
KnitBrit � Blog Archive � Cozy Chemo Hat

frogiez place...: Cancer Ribbon Bag

2009-05-04T16:05:00.000-05:00

frogiez place...: Cancer Ribbon Bag
Check out this cute bag and make a statement!

Towels for Chas......making cloths into towels

2009-05-04T15:26:00.008-05:00

Chas is settling into her new apartment. You know I had to make her something and she loves these towels, so she got two more, and one matching cloth.
The red is P&C on size seven needles. the Mock Woven Tea Cloth
This is one of my favorite patterns especially for striped yarn.
The orange is P&C in Shrimp CO 55
K5 P5 across
P5 K5 across
Repeat 4 more times for 6 total rows
K across
Repeat these seven rows for 14 times and BO
The cloth was a cast on of 35 with 7 repeats

I wanted to make my Mom something for Mother's Day. We don't exchange gifts or anything for her birthday, May 15th, or Mother's Day. She told me a long time ago that she has collected everything that there is to collect so she is happy with us taking her out to eat wherever she wants for her birthday and Mother's Day. Last year it was Sushi and the Japanese Imperial Steakhouse. This year crab legs at the Casino. But I wanted her to have something. Out of the three girls she has, I am the only one that she will see, so I made her this towel.
It is this cloth: Thank You Rose made into a towel. You can't see it very well, but after it is finished blocking, I will try and get pictures outside and maybe then it will show up better.

You can turn any cloth you like into a towel.
You simply find the pattern you want to use, knit it according to the directions, until you get to the top border, omitting that, you either knit a few inches of stst and then repeat the pattern from the last row back up to the first (for a double hanging towel) like the Frog Towel I made for Desire', or knit in stst for a total of anywhere from 19 to 20" then finish with your border.
I usually only make towels out of patterns that call for 43 or more ststs and I like mine to be at least 21" long.
Give it a shot, it's really fun.

Beth Nixon Blogging: Girl's Knit Tank Top Pattern

2009-05-03T09:50:00.002-05:00

Another cutie you have got to see, boy are my grand babies going to styling this summer.

Beth Nixon Blogging: Girl's Knit Tank Top Pattern

Knitting Momma: Girly-girl skirty soaker

2009-05-03T09:30:00.002-05:00

I was surfing around the internet and had to show you this.
OMG! This is so cute, I think that Bella and Trin both need one of these! There is only one size written, but the author give plenty of detail on how to change it up.
Be looking for pics of this soon. I love it!

Knitting Momma: Girly-girl skirty soaker

Time to update: The knitting

2009-05-02T13:29:00.005-05:00

Here are some pics of the first cloth I made for Chas. It is the Basket Rib Hand Towel Pattern
One of my favorite patterns for dish towels, easy as pie to follow and it works with any color of yarn. Even the variegated yarns that are so hard to find patterns for.
For this one I cast on 58 sts on size 7's with P&C yarn.
Chas love it!

Unfortunately I have had so little time to get online that I don't have pictures to show you of the three little burp cloths and preemie hats that I made for Desire's friend Tina, but you will have to take my word for it, they were wicked cute! The hit of the shower!
I used the three diamond cloth pattern and elongated it to turn it into a cute little burp cloth, one green, one yellow, and one blue. They came out really cute.
For the hats I used this pattern: Tiny Preemie Hat
It is an easy pattern, and as a general rule, I always have left over yarn enough to whip one or two, or in this case, three, of these out.

Time to update: The Boy!

2009-05-02T08:50:00.005-05:00

The boy is 17 now! Isn't he handsome!
Did Mom cry.............oh hell yeah! The boy went to Prom, stag, and had a great time, and actually made it back in one piece. Prom is a very scary time for a Mom, drinking, hanging with the buds, it all can lead to some big time trouble, but the boy made it there and back home in one piece, even tho, he was probably the only one who had to call their Mom when they got there. ;0)

I can't believe in one more year the boy will be off to college!
Ok, I admit it, he's the baby, once he's done, I am done. It's a scary thing. I have had kids with me since I was 18 years old. Tho the daughter is proof that they never really go away, it's still a scary thing for a Mom.

There are pictures, pattern ideas and lots of info bouncing around in this head of mine, and so through out the day I will be updating the blog. If I did it all at one time, it would take you two days to catch up. Yes, Virginia, it's been that long since I have updated.

Another Grandbaby Weekend

2009-03-24T16:52:00.006-05:00

We had the Grandbabies this last weekend and once again, I think they have grown like weeds during the two weeks since the last time they were here.
I know Trin looks a mess, but even dirty she is wicked cute!

My man Isaac

Bella Boop, her and Trin are the two messy kids of the bunch

My Handsome Man Tristan! He will be 3 years old
in just a few days!

They got a new swing set for Christmas, the only problem is....
Who's pushing?

Even with Tristan's dirty little face this is the best picture!
This one will be on the mantle next week.

Trae is just growing and talking, he loves telling MiMi stories

All the kids love Trae, they steal all his sugars

Isaac is on a The Cubs Baseball Team
Yes MiMi and PawPaw had to get the shirts

Trae is just a happy baby, he smiles all the time

My favorite scarf

2009-03-01T19:13:00.005-06:00

One day as I was wandering around Wally World, I found this yarn on sale, 75 cents a skein, I grabbed up four of them and through them in the stash when I got home.
That was three years ago. I remember because I was at the Wally World buying stuff for Triniti's baby shower.
One day at the beginning of the year I was reorganizing the stash, found it and made this.

This is my favortie scarf! I just took some size 10 1/2 needles and started knitting and kept on until I ran out of yarn. I had just finished two cabled scarves for some friends, and, before you ask, no I didn't get pics before I gave them away. I was so excited to gift them that I forgot ;0)
But I like my scarf better, it is soft, fluffy and oooo so warm,
This was just some fluff yarn I found at the bargain bin at Walmart.

Mr. Greenjeans interrupted...

2009-02-16T13:52:00.002-06:00

I really haven't had much time for knitting on Mr. Greenjeans. My MIL called when they found out her sister had uterine cancer, she wanted me to make some hats for when she starts chemo.
Up on the soap box here .............
DO NOT WAIT to see your "doctor", yes the one we all hate to go to, no matter how nice they are.
I think my MIL said this is stage 4 cancer, had her sister not waited 28 years to see the doctor, it might have been caught sooner.
Off the soap box.
There is nothing to be done now but pray that the hysterectomy and the chemo help.
I went hunting the net and found this pattern: Floppy Brim Hat. I like the feminine look of this hat so I have made 2 so far. One white, one blue, both with cotton.
The blue is made with Cotton Ease by LionBrand and the white is cotton tots.
It gets entirely too hot down here on the Gulf Coast to wear a hat made of anything else.
I intend to make her a prayer shawl also to wrap herself with a hug when she needs one.
Then we just pray, allot, that she will pull through this o.k.

Avon Update: Free Shipping and Mr. Green Jeans

2009-02-11T13:36:00.006-06:00

It is really something trying to get everyone to look at the camera, and not be goofy, when you have this many.

They are the bestest ever! And quite a handful!

The knitting is coming along slowly on the sweater. It is the easiest pattern to follow I just haven't sat down in a week.
I am trying to get the Avon business up and running and last weekend we had all the babies.
They are all getting so big, it's amazing to me how much they change everytime we see them.

You can use the code on this card to get free shipping on any $10 order.
Click on the card and it will take you directly to my site.
Thank you for your interest.

Trying to pay the bills

2009-02-07T15:30:00.004-06:00

Click on the picture above to see what's on sale.
I have been trying to find a way to supplement my income and help out around here. This, I think is going to be the way to do it.
So when you have a minute click on the picture and have a look around, if you have any questions don't hesitate to email me.

The knitting is going, I bought some Vanna yarn at Wally World and in the one week I have had it, it has become three different sweaters. I finally found the perfect pattern, and it was a no brainer
Mr. Greenjeans from Knitty.
I am totally enjoying this pattern. It is perfect for this yarn, and when I finally get around to getting a picture of the WIP you well see why.
I think I am going to end up with two or three of these.
I saw someone on Ravelry lengthened the bottom and I really like it. Mine is going to be like that.
If your on Ravelry, go check it out, it is really cool looking.

Life........

2009-02-01T11:37:00.006-06:00

On December 3rd 2008 this little guy brightened our lives.
Traedon is grandbaby number 5 and he is Tristan and Trin's baby brother. He is a sweetheart and smiling big for MiMi already!

Tristan's first look at his new baby brother.

This picture is kinda blurry, but I love it!
Tristan Trin and Trae

Then I decided it is time to turn my living room from this......

To this....

All this was before Chrtismas holiday,and I don't think we have slowed down much since,
I have been knitting, I have given away 3 scarves and a pair of socks since the New Year started.
Yes, me, knitting scarves..........but that's for another post.

ROLL TIDE ROLL!

2008-11-30T09:45:00.001-06:00

Kendall and I are HUGE Alabama fans.
I never really liked football until I started watching Alabama when I met Kendall. Over the years I have learned to LOVE Alabama football, and over the years, they have struggled with new coaches and bad football, but we hung in there and this year they have reminded everyone why we LOVE Alabama football.
Kendall and I got tickets to the Ms. State game in Tuscaloosa, and off we went.
We stayed at the hunting camp in Mississippi, and Saturday made the two hour drive to Bryant Denny Stadium.
But I had no hat, and the weather man was predicting 35 by the end of the game! Thank you to Kim on Shirley's Knitting Knook list who asked, "Leah, aren't you a knitter?" Well DUH!
So the three hour ride to the camp and two hours the morning of the game, I worked on this hat. I jut happened to find some crimson sock yarn I had made something out of years ago, in the bottom of that big ole foot locker. And this was the end result.

Here we are, almost ready for the game. I had my game face on....

And so did Kendalll ;0)........

The drive down was nice, we were all excited and as soon as we got to Tuscaloosa, look what we saw, a beautiful rainbow, which I took as a very good sign for this game.

Then, there it was, my first ever glimpse of Bryan-Denny Stadium!
We were finally there!

We had to walk a little ways from where we parked, and I was totally in hog heaven with all the Crimson Tide fans and stuff along the way.

Then, we made it, the front door to the University of Alabama, I took this picture for Cole who will be applying at the University next year.

We finally made it to our seats, and as you can see, they were pretty good seats, I like to sit where I can see everything, just like watching it on t.v. From here we didn't miss a thing!

The score board befor the game.

The team warming up, my first glimpse of the team!

Then there was that awesome Million Dollar Band...

..as you can see, they take up the WHOLE field....

The crowd was rocking the stadium by now

ROTC, this picture is for the boy too, he says he will be doing this by his second year there.. I hope so, a good reason to go to the game, to see my boy ;0)

The team is finally on the field!

We were snuggled up and ready to watch the game. It was a great game and even though I was freeeeezzzzing, it was great fun, I think we will be doing more games next year.

I am going to be on TV............

2008-11-14T08:47:00.000-06:00

Most everyone knows I work at a TV station, well one of the ladies that tapes a show here saw the ribbons I had won at the fair and asked me to bring in some of the items I had knitted and talk about knitting on her show.
At first it was supposed to be just half the show, 13 minutes, but then her first interview got cancelled, so she asked me to do the whole 26 minutes.
At first I couldn't see how we could get that much time out of stuff I had knitted, but we did, and she wants me to bring some more for another show later on, after the first of the year.
The show is more about all the items I have knitted and about hobbies, not about the technical aspects of knitting.
You can see the show today November 14th at 4:30 central time at WKFK TV you must have IE to see the live stream. There is a link on the home page.
If you do go see it, remember, the camera adds 10 lbs.