Archive for the ‘Knitting’ Category

Trip to Dover

June 27, 2008

We were late getting to the doctor this morning.  We left at a good time, but there was road scraping going on.  It was down to one lane and even stopped at a couple places.  Why they would do this in the middle of summer is beyond me.  It’s a beach route.  Most locals know to get there running around done on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, maybe Monday and Friday.  You take your life in your hands on the weekends.

I took the x-rays I had done last week and the ones from six months ago.  The doctor said, “You’d be surprised at the number of people who don’t think of that.”  It seemed perfectly logical to me to take both sets.  He appreciated having both to compare.  Everything is as it should be and he wants to see me every two years with x-rays.

Next, we headed over to Joann’s and Viking.  I got to see the new Diamond.  It is really something!  But, I know that I would never use those big hoops.  I did like the couching kizmo and the designs for it.  That I might buy, but not right now.  I did buy a package of the new colored bobbins since I use 4 or 5 different threads.  Joann’s had Keepsake Calico and Patriotic fabric on sale.  I needed white on white, but this is what I bought.  Even the white on white has stars on it.  There are a few places where I can send quilts for disabled veterans. fabric

Even though it was 90 degrees today, I put on my new socks with my favorite sandals.socks

They are Done!

June 26, 2008

The socks are finished and I have completed an inch on the next pair.  Tomorrow, I go to the doctor.  We’ll see how much I get done then.  I also get my machine back.  It had a nice trip to Ohio and is feeling wonderful.  I bought it two new presents.  If it gets as hot as the weather guy says, I’ll have some time to play with it.  Right now, it’s too nice to be in.

socksock

Almost

June 25, 2008

I so wanted to finish my other sock today.  I knit until I couldn’t see.  The sun went down and about 8:30, I gave up and went inside.  Yes.  I could have knit inside.  I could have turned on my Ott, sat in my favorite chair, turned on the TV and finished that sock.  But I didn’t.   This is where I knit big things that I can’t easily carry.  So I did the dishes, then worked on my big sweater.  I got about two rows done which equates to about one and a half hours.  If I don’t make myself do this, I would never make those nice warm sweatrs that I enjoy wearing when it gets cold.  I would probably have a million pairs of gloves, hats, scarves and socks, but only a thousand mittens.gus

My deck buddiesmaude.  I tried to get Gus to smile, but he wouldn’t do it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Don’t Nap

June 21, 2008

I’ve tried, but it just doesn’t happen.  I put my head on the pillow during the day and I stare at the ceiling.  There are times when I have napped.  Last year, after surgery, I could nap, but I couldn’t sleep for more than two hours at a time anyway.  Once in a while, when I am absolutely, completely bored, my head will nod.  That hasn’t happened since I retired.  I would have liked to nap today.  Even after three big cups of coffee,  I still felt like a zombie.  socks

It was a nice day, so I took my knitting and sat out on the deck.  The neighbors weren’t overly interesting, but the wife was sitting in one spot weeding for about two hours.  I kept thinking she was dead.  She only moved once every five minutes.  I kept wanting to call 911, but her husband was walking around the yard flinging mulch so I figured it was just some bizarre ritual. They have no idea how good they have been for my sock knitting. 

The sweater is coming along.stars sweater  And that’s all I am going to say about that.

See this tree?  And see the bat house on it?  (You might have to double click on it.)  See how high it is from the ground?bat house tree  Last night, Maude decided it was a good place to sit. I didn’t have my camera at the time so this is all you get.  If it wasn’t for her orange and white hind leg, we never would have known she was there.  After a good while, she backed down most of the way before jumping.  I don’t know about her, but I lost one of my lives last night.

maude

 

 

 

Stitches, Ducks, Quilt

June 20, 2008

I am still trying to decide on Stitches.  I have read through every class description that looks the least bit interesting and I have narrowed it down to five.  I want to actually LEARN something if I am going to spend the money.  Some teachers do the same thing year after year.  There are others that I would like to go to, but the class description sounds so uninspiring.  I saw a class on Saturday and Sunday that I’m sure I’ll like, but I also want one on Thursday or Friday so i can go to Werner’s for lunch.  Hey!  I have my priorities!  They’re not open on weekends.baby ducks

These three have been hanging around for the last couple of days.  They are fun to watch.  I only see them when the tide is low.  I want to get a picture of them splashing in the water, but I haven’t had any success yet.  The creek doesn’t look like much when the tide is low, but that’s when all the creatures come out.

victory quilts

 

 

 

I got the book and now I have the fabric so I guess I’ll have to make one.

 

Hi

June 18, 2008

I got nothing.

A Little Storm Blew Through

June 17, 2008

elvisIt has really cooled down.  The air conditioning is off and the windows are open.  I love it.  It will make for good sleeping tonight.  Maude and Zip were not happy about the rain, but they eventually got to go back out.  Elvis went to bed.  It’s too cold for him.  We had taken this storm window out to fix it and Elvis decided it was a good place to nap.  At first, I thought his tail was stuck.  He is really getting strange in his old age.

I got in about two hours of knitting on my socks this afternoon.  I was watching my neighbor make a fool of himself.  He was hauling buckets of water down his driveway to water some  plants and a tree he planted.  This was the second time he has done this since he planted them six weeks ago.  We all have bets on how long the poor things are going to last.  We decided that he doesn’t know that you can actually screw hoses together.  He has an irrigation system, but it needs repair.  Wouldn’t you have the repair work done before spending a lot of money on flowers, plants, bushes and trees?  What do I know?  At least it made for good entertainment while knitting.  Speaking of knitting, my sweater is slowly moving along.  It takes me one and a half hours to knit two rows.  Now that there is nothing good watchable on television, this sweater is going to take a long time to finish.  Zippo

I was checking my stats today.  I have had over 500 hits on my entrelac hat pattern and an average of 11 people a day reading this crap.  How cool is that?  Thanks guys!  Even if you don’t comment.

The sun came out right after the storm, but I didn’t see a rainbow.  Neither did Zip.

 

Closing the Toe

June 14, 2008

toeOK.  So it’s not the best title, but it says it all.  I have been using this closure for about forty years with no problems, not even with a overzealous child.  It’s so simple and it lays flat.  It doesn’t bother tender toes and there are no lumps.

Leave a long end like you do for the dreaded Kitchener stitch.  Your stitches are on two needles ready to be sewn together.  Go to the opposite side from the length of yarn.  Take a third needle or a fine crochet hook.  Pick up a loop from the front needle and a loop from the back needle.  Take the first loop over the second and off the hook or needle. Alternating from front loop to back loop, continue to pick up and loop over until there is one stitch left.  With a blunt needle, thread the length of yarn and take it through that last stitch.  Push the needle through to the inside.  I usually weave the end back and forth across the seam just to be anal.  Enjoy your sock.sock

Does this sock look really long to you?  I’m only a size 7.  Maybe it’s due to the fact that it is so skinny.  The sock is very stretchy and feels great on my foot. 

Not Much

June 13, 2008

I still haven’t taken the time to read all my favorite blogs.  I’m terrible.  It’s too nice out.  And I am so awake today.  Yesterday, I had three cups of coffee and I was still a zombie.  I needed to go to the supermarket, but I decided on the local vegetable stand first.  I got peas, tomatoes, little red potatoes, strawberries and something else.  I forgot.  They had some nice looking daylillies.  Doug has had a cold and is still feeling pooky, so I’ll wait until he is feeling better before I buy.  I could plant them myself, but he would gripe at me the whole time.  It’s kind of his thing.  There was nothing exciting at the supermarket.  I crashed around four o’clock so I finished my sock.  It said to finish the toe with Kitchener stitch which I never could master.  Maybe being left-handed has something to do with it.  I don’t know and I really don’t care.  Years ago, I figured out another finish that is very tidy and looks good. new baby

We have a new baby.  I was surprised to see this.  And, it’s their only one.  They have been around every day this week.  big babies

 

 

 

 

 

All the other babies are almost as big as their parents.  Some are even getting their tail feathers.  

Back to Normal

June 12, 2008

wavy sockIt’s just about 80 degrees with 55% humidity.  The air conditioner is off and the windows are open.  It’s June again.  I should have gone to the supermarket, but I didn’t. 

 I sat out back and worked on my socks.  I’m ready to decrease for my big toes.  Maybe tomorrow I’ll have a picture of a completed sock.   I kept forgetting where I was on this sock.  It doesn’t look very wavy to me.  I thought of taking it apart a few times, but I didn’t.  I kept hoping it would look better.  maybe I’ll make the other sock differently.  What do I like about it?  It feels wonderful–bot in the knitting and in the wearing.  The fit is right, too.  I could make little X’s and O’s.  I’d probably forget where I was there, too.  But, what the hey.chesire cat

Look at what my daughter gave me!  She found it on eBay.  She said one of her customers was wearing one just like it.  She got it at the resort so Jenn searched and found it on eBay.  It makes feel good when things like this happen.

Did I mention that I also sew hats?