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The Happiest Day of My Life

April 19, 2013

A friend of mine was married last winter. She said it was the happiest day of her life. I could tell that she honestly meant it. I was very happy for her. It got me thinking. What was my happiest day? What has made me genuinely happy in my life?

The day I graduated from high school? I was really happy that day. I hated school, all twelve years of it! I couldn’t understand why so many of them were crying.

The day I left home? I was happy and scared at the same time.

The day I got married? The first time I was too young and too stupid. The second time? Hardly. I had known Sweetums for ten years! It was more like, “IT’S ABOUT TIME!”

The birth of my children? Well. Yeah. They are definitely high on the list. But, my daughter came so fast, I never had time to think about it. My son took longer, four hours, but I was twenty years older this time. I think maybe this was Sweetums’ happiest day, even though he was a wreck. There were so many doctors and nurses coming in ad out that it was almost comical. I truly believe that if someone said to Sweetums, “You can go home and hide under the bed now”, he would have. Somehow, he managed to stick it out to the end. He only turned green twice. That’s my Sweetums. You gotta love him.

The day my son received his college diploma? I was really happy. I quite honestly never believed it would happen. But, he did it. And I am so very proud of him!

Still not there yet. But, you know. You’re going to have to wait. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe not. I need to make carnitas, and , well, I really have to pee. Love you.

Tags:happiest day of my life
Posted in Family and Friends, Knitting | 1 Comment »

So, I Was Sitting on the Toilet Drinking some Coffee…………..

April 14, 2013

And Sweetums says to me, “What are you doing sitting on the toilet drinking coffee?”
My answer, “Yes.”
Sometimes I wonder about him.
OK. I’m going back outside. It’s so nice out there.

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Can’t Blog Now!

April 10, 2013

It’s too beautiful outside!

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Roselein Hat in Sock Yarn Studio

March 10, 2013

I’ve been wanting to make an earflap hat for my morning walks. I came upon this pattern about the same time that my sock club came in the mail. I figured it was meant to be. I have plenty of other sock yarns with which I can knit those socks. As a matter of fact, I promised my daughter a pair so there you go.

Here is the first completed ear flap. I should have read the instructions more closely. The I-cord was made separately and I prefer to have as little sewing and as few pieces as possible. On the second earflap, I started with the I-cord. I also made it with three stitches rather than two and it is several inches long in order to tie under my chin. When the cord was long enough, I cast on additional stitches and worked the earflap. Also, I left it on a needle rather than bind off. I knitted it directly onto the cap. Two less stitches to weave in.

The cap is eight stitches wider to accommodate my big head. I also like the way the colors patterned on the ear flaps and cap.

Even with the additional stitches, it was easy to decrease and still have this pretty pattern on the top. It’s a shame that it isn’t shown in the book . Chart C is incorrect. The first and last stitch on rows four and five should be deleted. On the Stitch Key, the left cross is backwards, or is it the other way around. This is the only pattern I’ve used so far in this book. I hope that it is not an indication of the way the rest of the book has been written. An editor that knits would have found these.

Tags:earflap hat, Roselein hat, Sock Yarn Studio
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Back to the Soup

March 8, 2013

I got a nice ham hock at the market last week, so naturally, I wanted to make soup. I bought a bag of soup beans and sort of followed the instructions on the back. I added more onion and garlic and tomatoes than called for, and added about a cup of baby carrots sliced lengthwise. I cooked it until the meat fell off the bone. I removed the bones and as much fat as possible and shredded the larger pieces of ham. It turned out great.

I hadn’t made any socks lately, so I made these. Purple and brown isn’t something that I would normally choose, but the little flacks of many colors were very intriguing. I can’t find the label. It probably fell behind the rolling carts in my long closet. The cats like to rummage around in there and I had the yarn sitting out. I know the yarn company, I’ve made socks with their yarn before. It consists of four letters that I can never remember, but easily recognise. The yarn is quite sturdy, but still comfortable on my feet. I really like the way they look on my feet. The pattern is Mona from ‘knit. sock. love’ by Cookie A. I used the eye of partridge on the heel and made a rounded toe. I love the yarn. I love the pattern. I’m happy.

Tags:baby carrots sliced lengthwise, bag of soup beans, Cookie A, eye of partridge, ham hock, knit. sock. love., Mona, purple and brown yarn
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Snow? What Snow?

March 3, 2013

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Sachet Bag?

February 10, 2013

A little kit for a sachet bag came with one of my club kits. I looked at it. I said, “That’s nice.” And tossed it into my knitting stand. I really had no use for it. I’m not a sachet bag kind of person. Since I go through about fifteen panties a week, I couldn’t come up with a reason to make it. Then Sweetums bought a case of Snapple in plastic bottles, and I thought, “New water bottles!” I only had a few left from the case of green tea. I just keep refilling them.

There was just one problem. My old bottle holder was too small.

I got the directions for the bag and measured my bottle. I didn’t have to change anything. Well. Not exactly. When it was long enough, I purled one row, then started decreasing. When I was down to three stitches and the bottom was mostly flat, I cut the yarn with a ten inch tail. I thread it through the three stitches, tightened it and wove in the ends. The kit came with a little satin ribbon. I tossed that in with the wrapping supplies. I got some leftover sock yarn and made a twisted cord instead. Many years ago, I realized twisted cord was much better than ribbon for knitted items.

Now. Is this too cute? Or what.

Tags:leftover sock yarn, sachet bag, Snapple in plastic bottles, twisted cord
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Christmas Yarn

February 9, 2013

Normally, the thought of getting yarn for Christmas from a non-knitter is downright scary, but my daughter asked what I wanted. Many years ago I bought an ounce of qiviuk yarn at a fair. I made a close-fitting wimple to wear on cold winter days. I could not believe how warm and soft on my skin it was. It helped me make it through many cold windy days while waiting for the bus or train. I do not miss those days. So I showed her the website and different options that would make me happy. She cringed a little. We don’t go crazy with Christmas presents, but we do try to get something special and are not ashamed to ask for suggestions. I told her to get her brother to go in with her. He’s usually clueless as to what to get anyway. I think I saw her breathe easier. Needless to say, on Christmas morning, I was a happy camper.

I made this beautiful shawl with three ounces of Qiviuk and Mulberry Silk from Windy Valley Muskox. The pattern is called Bigfoot Shawl from Wrapped In Comfort, Knitted Lace Shawls. The main pattern is only a four row repeat and was quick to knit on a size eight circular needle. I bound off on a wrong side row and had about one yard left.

Tags:Bigfoot Shawl, Christmas, daughter, Knitted Lace Shawls, Qiviuk and Mulberry Silk, Windy Valley Muskox, Wrapped In Comfort
Posted in Family and Friends, Knitting | 5 Comments »

Cascade Casablanca Cowl

January 27, 2013

I’ve been wanting to get some more of this yarn ever since I got a sample a couple months ago. The wool/silk/mohair blend feels lovely on my neck. I’m not much of a cowl person, but sometimes I need just a little something on my neck. Usually, I have about ten feet of scarf wrapped around it. This pattern does not have a wrong side and it’s just long enough to look good under your coat. I’m also thinking about making a hat.

One skein Cascade Casablanca, 220 yds, 100 g, color 8. Size 8 needles. Waste yarn.

Provisionally cast on 36 stitches.

Knit 36.
Knit1, purl 34, knit1.
K1, {K 2 tog 3x, (yo, K1) 5x, yo, ssk 3x}repeat, k 1.
K1, p34, k1.
K1, p34, k1.
Knit.
K1, p34, k1.
Knit.

Repeat these eight rows until you have about a yard left. Purists will want to end with row 8. Kitchener stitch first row to last row. Weave in the ends.

Enjoy.

I realize that these are not the best instructions, but I wanted to get them down before I forgot. I know I’ll be making it again.

Tags:Cascade Casablanca, cowl
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My Tree is Happy Right Where It Is!

January 11, 2013

It makes me feel good. I don’t like Winter. It’s cold and dreary outside. In here, its bright and cheerful. Every morning, I get up and plug it in. It helps me make it through the day, especially when aches and pains are really getting me down. Sometimes, Olive tries to help by removing an ornament or two. She likes to sit on the little table and look at the lights. She also climbs in and pretends that she is a decoration. How could I take it down when she enjoys it so much?

I made these for a friend of mine. She’s a mail carrier and wears an old pair that she cut the fingertips off. I just couldn’t stand it anymore so I made her these. I love to make gloves. They don’t take long and every time I finish a finger, I feel as though I’ve accomplished something.

Tags:Christmas tree, gloves, mail carrier, Olive
Posted in Family and Friends, Knitting, my pets | 1 Comment »

Up a Creek in Lower Slower Delaware