I'm still alive and knitting.

There are two new finished projects since the last post. One I was out of my mind when I agreed to knit...TWENTY THREE Bluebirds for the end of school. In the long run they were loved by my son's 3rd grade class. There are even requests for more which as of right now I will not be making.

Dear to my heart is a completed feather and fan shawl. It's knit with the yarn from my frogged sweater. The shawl was finished just after Mother's Day. Soon there will be pictures of the shawl. For now enjoy these wonderful Bluebirds.



Everything was knit according to the pattern. The only changes were I used fabric paint for the eyes and some left over orange yarn for the beaks.

Baby Cable Rib Socks

This pattern was simple and looks nice. Next time I'll add more stitches to the foot so the cables are closer together. The pattern came from Sensational Knitted Socks. Instead of knitting the sock cuff down I knitted it toe up and used a short row heel. The yarn is Knit Picks Essentials on size 1 needles. DPNS for the foot and 2 circulars for the heels and cuffs. For some reason I like doing the heels on 2 circulars. Usually, I switch back to DPNs for the cuff but, this time I just kept them on the circulars.

It's nice to finish a pair of socks. Besides the Easter Eggs and these socks there hasn't been any finished projects this year. My sweater is going to be frogged. It ended up too big and the fair isle was knit too tight. It wasn't a good idea to knit it while DH was in Germany this past January.

This winter has been a struggle. My head has been stuffed up since Christmas between colds, sinus infections and ear infections I haven't had much energy to do much. I don't remember a winter I've felt so lousy.

Little Eggs Big Smiles

Little did I know how much these little eggs would make big smiles on the faces at my son's school. Last weekend, this pattern was posted on a knitting group. To my amazement my 3rd grader fell in love with the idea of Mom knitting 21 eggs for his class. So, off to the store to pick up some Sugar N Cream yarn in his choice colors. It took me all week to knit them. He stuffed them and brought them into school today. So many comments were made regarding the eggs. Several wanted to know how they were made. The knitters wanted the pattern and a few non-knitters want to learn how to knit. Overall, the kids thought they were great. Lots of smiles all around.

Yarn: Sugar N Cream
Needles: 4 DPNs size 6
Pattern modifications: Increases 2nd stitch and decreases 2nd to last stitch on all 3 needles.

Warm ears....

My husband has been complaining about cold ears. The hat I knitted him last year ended up in the dryer and shrunk. He has a fleece hat from a few years ago but, it never covered his ears. With the cold and snow we've had lately I just had to knit him a hat. The joke has been I'm knitting him a hat so he can leave me for a week. Work is sending him to Berlin Germany in January. He's happy with his hat it's the same yarn I used to knit his basket weave scarf last year. For his hat he decided he wanted a simple knit 2 purl 2 hat. His ears should be warm here and in Berlin.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!!!!!

Sewing machine challenged!

Yes, I'm sewing machine challenged. When I was in elementary school all the way through college I used an old Singer sewing machine. It was my great aunt's sewing machine and she was a seamstress. It was a heavy black sewing machine with ton's of attachments. The thing weighed a ton. Not sure where it is now but, I do miss it. My sewing machine is about 14 years old and it and I never got along. It challenges me every time I use it. Anyway, after our battle this is the outcome.
A Christmas Gift for Mom/Nana.

My MIL is a huge baseball fan so the kids thought these would be great for Grandma. I'm sure there will be a discussion between her and the kids that not all are about baseball.


My father has been commenting that I haven't knitted him anything. So, he'll be getting these dish cloths. He'd really like an afghan...maybe in 2008.

All of these were knitted with Sugar N Cream yarn. The pot holders were from a pattern at MagKnits The only change I made was using Insul-Bright for the batting.

My FIL asked for knitted mittens last year...a year later. Dh was nice enough to model them for me. The yarn is superwash wool.

Yummy!

These mittens and hat were made for my 3 year old niece for Christmas. I'm hoping they keep her nice and toasty this winter. There's a request to add a cord to hold the mittens together in her jacket...not sure how long or if it should be crocheted chain or an i-cord...any recommendations? There's a request also to make her a scarf. I have plenty of yarn but, we'll see how much time is left between now and Christmas. It may have to wait until after Christmas. There are adult hats and mittens to be made and hopefully finished before Christmas.



Yarn: Webs Valley Yarns Superwash Grape and Bright Pink

Hat Pattern: Cupcake Hat

Mittens: Snowflake Mittens Knit with both Grape and Bright Pink w/o the snowflake.

The mittens were knit with both Grape and Bright Pink. The cuff is 3" long to help keep them under her sleeve.

My 14 year old niece took the other hat which was just knitted. It was a cable hat knitted with Lions Wool. The hat was going to go to the soup kitchen but, my niece fell in love with it. Just a few weeks ago she insisted she'd never wear a hat. She was too "HOT" for a hat. Little did she realize that she'd love a hat and look good wearing it. She received her afghan today and loved it, (pictures in November 1st posting). She loves the Grape and Bright Pink. She kept saying it's sooooooo soft. She loves the heart pattern of the afghan. She's thrilled her little sister will have a hat and mittens to match her afghan. She'll have a battle keeping her little sister away from her afghan. No afghan in the near future for my 3 year old niece. She received an afghan last Christmas that was crocheted with hearts with a dusty pink yarn.

My mother visited today and showed me she was wearing her Two-Toed Sock from the August 2nd post. These socks were originally going to be a Christmas gift. However, my grandmother past away a couple weeks after they were finished and it was a nice way to brighten her spirits. She's enjoying the socks and hoping for more socks in the future.

Heads of all sizes

This hat and the hat below were knit with Moda Dea Washable Wool. It is 100% Merino Wool Superwash. The pattern for this hat is k1p1 on size 7 circular & dpns. The hat below was knit with the same needles just k2p2 for the ribbing then, knit.

What a tinny hat. It will be good for a premie. It was knit with Caron. I will never use this yarn again. It's 100% acrylic and made my hands and wrists ache with every stitch. The hat below was made with the same yarn. I knit the larger hat first and only had a small amount of yarn left over for this premie hat. Both hats were knit with size 7 circular & dpns.
These hats and the two from last week will be dropped off tomorrow to Knitting for Angels for the Nashua Soup Kitchen Holiday Baskets. The premie hat will to be available for a hospital or other location if not needed at the soup kitchen.

Already November...

Where has the year gone? Turning the calendar to November this morning was a reality slap that the holidays are around the corner. It doesn't look like there will be too many knitted projects for the holidays this year....we'll see maybe a few small projects.

It felt good last week to finish a few projects. I finished my niece's afghan. It's version number 2. The original version with 13 balls of yarn is still in the bin near the couch....frog pond or lapgan for MIL...who knows. MIL loves the pattern and colors...do I really want to knit another row of hearts? Time will tell.
The yarn used for this project was Webs Valley Yarns Superwash. The colors are Grape and Bight Pink. It's knit on size 8 circulars and pieced together. The outside boarder is single crochet. The afghan design is one of my own with the help of the heart pattern from Pieni neuleblogi - ohjeita/patterns.
I love these socks. Over the past year or two I have added red into my wardrobe. For years I wouldn't purchase red for myself...why? These socks were knit with Lana Grossa Weilenweit Fantasy color way Farbe 4790 Partie 14262. They are 80% Virgin Wool and 20% Polyamid. They were knit toe up using size 1 dpns sometimes and one spent a lot of time on 2 circulars. I find it easier to knit socks with 2 circulars while co-piloting....less needles to drop and stitches drop less. The heel is a short row heel from CT&H no wrapped stitches.
Two hats have been knitted for the Nashua Soup Kitchen per the request of Knitting for Angels. These are quick and easy hats. Both hats are made in the round with size 7 circular and dpns. Patons Classic Wool Col 77011 lot 163166.
The second hat has a pointer top while on the gallon size water bottle but, not when on my head. They are made with a simple knit and purl with decreases. The second hat has a rolled edge which I'm not sure if I like. There is currently another hat on needles knitted with Caron yarn. When it's done I'll post pictures. I'm hoping to knit 4 to 6 hats for the Nashua Soup Kitchen before starting any knitting for family.

Afterthought....

These socks were simple enough to knit at my oldest son's trombone lessons or my little guy's baseball practices and games. It was the first time knitting the afterthought heel. I like the idea of the afterthought heel and it wasn't difficult. My kitchner stitch is getting better and taking less time to finish. These socks will be for my mother for Christmas unless I reconsider and give them to her early.
Pattern: Two-Toed Sock (W125)
Yarn: Cascade Fixation
Needles: Size 3 dpns
Started: July 7, 2007
Finished: July 31, 2007

Has it been about 6 weeks already!

Yarn: Regia Silk Color 0187 6890
Pattern: Sensational Knitted Socks Four-Stitch Ribbing Pattern
Needles: KnitPicks DPNs size 1 (3 needles)
Cuff Up/Down: Cuff Down

It doesn't feel like these socks were started that long ago. The time has flown by. My little guy played baseball this past spring which took up most of our week nights and weekends. I found myself cheering more than knitting. He was thrilled when his coach suggested for him to tryout for tournament baseball. He's been on cloud nine since he found out he made the tournament team. They have their first game next week and will play until the end of July.

In the past I have avoided carring the cuff pattern to the foot of the sock. In my mind the sock would feel uncomfortable with the pattern rubbing between my foot and my sneaker. I'm hoping that the socks feel just as good in my sneakers as on my feet. It's just too warm here right now to wear socks and sneakers for long periods of time.


The only change I made to the pattern was using the slip stitch to tighten the sock around my foot. One of the socks is about 1/4 inch shorter than the other. I ran out of yarn and couldn't knit the last few decreases.

Overall, I'm happy with these socks. I keep telling myself my next pair will be toe up because I do favor toe up socks. The kitchener stitch was a lot easier for these socks than DH's black socks. However, we'll see what happens when I start making my next pair...toe up/cuff down...time will tell.

Gentlemans Socks are FINALLY DONE!!!

DH's Gentleman Socks are completed except for weaving in the ends. These socks were a challenge for my eyes. Knitting black socks at night wasn't easy. Dh's socks were knit with DPNs. It's the first pair of socks I've knitted only with DPNs or even cuff down. I can't say they worked up faster. The first sock did seem to go pretty quick but, the second sock took FOREVER. It could be that the second sock had to be ripped out a couple of times. Yesterday when I finished them, I couldn't wait for DH to come home and try the socks on. Little did I realize that I knitted the foot of the second sock 2 or 3 inches longer than it should have been. With much disappointment I frogged back and redid the toe. I'm happy they are done but, disapointed in my Kitchner Stitch. There are plenty of mistakes in both socks but, hey that's what happens when they are hand knitted mostly at night...I can accept my mistakes.

Today, I did a few rows of the Lovely Hearts Afghan and started another pair of socks. The new socks are for me on DPNs cuff down...I need to master the Kitchner Stitch. The pattern will be very simple with a K2P2 cuff. Right now, I need a mindless project and these socks will be perfect.

Random meme
I've been tagged by Jennifer!

(I have to post this first:)
Here's how to play...
1. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged write a blog post about their own 8 random things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog you need to tag 8 people and post their names.


1. The only chocolate I enjoy is Hot Fudge. Besides hot fudge I could careless if I ever had chocolate again.

2. I enjoy peace and quiet.

3. TV puts me to sleep. I can never sit down and watch TV without falling asleep. I have to do something while watching TV to prevent me from falling asleep.

4. When I clean the house I blast the stereo.

5. About five years ago I lost 30 pounds by joining Weight Watchers. I'm proud to say I've kept it off and lost an additional 5 pounds.

6. In the 80's my family camped year round in a 32' trailer. We went from Maine, (near the Canada border), down to Florida, (Disney), in one summer.

7. I love my husband dearly but, wouldn't date him in Jr. High or High School :).

8. My favorite recipe is Garlic Herb Crusted Roast Beef.

Garlic-herb Crusted Roast Beef
By Associated Press Modified by Patrice

1 boneless beef round rump roast or beef bottom round roast (3 to 4 pounds)
Salt and Pepper

For The Rub:
2 teaspoons garlic-pepper seasoning
2 teaspoons dried basil leaves, crushed
2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon dried parsley leaves, crushed

Heat oven to 500 degrees you will cook the roast for 10 minutes at this temp.

Combine rub ingredients in small bowl; press evenly onto all surfaces of beef roast. Place roast on rack in shallow roasting pan. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is centered in thickest part of beef, not resting in fat. Do not add water or cover. Roast at 500 degrees for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes reduce temperature to 325 degrees. Roast for 1 ½ to 2 hours for medium-rare doneness.

Remove roast when meat thermometer registers 135 degrees, for medium-rare. Transfer roast to carving board: tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 10 degrees to reach 145 degrees for medium-rare.) Carve roast into thin slices; season with salt and pepper, as desired.

NOTE: If you prefer your meat to be cooked more than medium-rare cook longer. 140 is medium and 160 degrees is well done. Remember the temperature increases about 10 degrees while it rests.


Now I am supposed to tag. After looking at the blogs I check every so often it looks like Melissa you're the only one not tagged yet....TAG!!!!

It's been a LONG TIME!!!!

I know it's been a REALLY LONG TIME since I posted. There has been some knitting over the past few months but, no finished projects. Between working and the kids activities there hasn't been much time to knit. Today, I did knit several inches on DH's socks while DS#1 was having his teeth cleaned. It felt good to sit and knit even if it was dark outside due to the thunderstorms.

DH's socks are almost done. One sock is completely finished and the other sock has about 4 inches left in the foot. The kitchener stitch on the first sock wasn't mastered. Hopefully, it will be easier the second time around. My sweater hasn't been touched in months. I keep telling myself that I have to finish it by the fall so I can wear it. If it needs to be frogged for the sleeves (which I think are too wide), I'll have to get my rear in gear soon. There is a new project which was started in March. It's an afghan for my niece. Below is a picture from April.



Since this picture was taken four rows of hearts have been knitted. My wonderful DS#1 made me the yarn caddy for the yarn out of KNEX. The caddy has been revised to a third of it's original size and two rows.

Off to knit and drink my tea. If the forecast for the rest of the week and this weekend is correct I'll have time to sit back and knit Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There's always a brighter side to dreary days.

It's been awhile!

There has been a lot going on since my last post in January. It was my time to return to the workforce part-time. Which means less time for me and a little more money in the family budget. It has been a learning curve for everyone in the family. Some of the chores around the house have not been done on a daily basis. It was cute to hear my little guy ask me why I need to pay bills when he'd like to talk about Pokemon or how come his pants that he wore two days ago are not washed. My oldest is reacting differently. He tries to help out more with chores...when he's in the mood or looking for something. He also, has been pushing our buttons and acting like he doesn't care about school. Hopefully, it's a phase and we'll live through it.


On the knitting front there has been some progress. Last month, I knitted mittens with Reynolds Andean Alpaca Regal. The thumbs are a little tight where they join the mittens. I'll have to leave more stitches for the thumb on the next pair.

This bag was felted using Patons wool. It's big enough to hold the items that were in my purse but, not big enough to hold a project.

This sweater is in limbo right now. Some time soon there will be time set aside to join the sleeves to the sweater, calculate the yoke and the repeats. Right now, there just isn't enough time in the day.


I'm hoping these sleeves are not really baggy. They look a lot wider compaired to the sleeves on my other sweaters. I'm hoping when the sweater is put together and finished the sleeves are not as wide as they look. Worst case...I reknit the yoke and sleeves over the summer or next fall.

These Regia Tweed socks are for DH. The pattern is Gentleman Socks by Kristi. Sock number one has about 6+ inches left of the foot. Sock number two right now has about 5" done of the cuff. The picture was taken over the weekend. It's interesting using the DPNs for socks. All the other socks I've knitted have been done using CT&H method using two circular needles toe up. The DPNs seem to work up faster but, I'm not sure if I like finishing the sock at the toe. When the cuff was done it was a let down because the cuff of all my other socks was the finish line.

3.2 miles

The van went into the shop today for an inspection sticker, oil change, and brakes. Boy are those breaks costly. I dropped off the van and walked home. Several hours later I picked it up. The walk home was the worst of the two walks. It was 19 degrees out.

1st Finished Project of the New Year!

Yarn: Schoeller Esslinger Fortissia Cotton Colori 75% Cotton 25% Nylon

Needles: 2 Addi size 1 circulars from toe up to 1/4" of cuff
4 Knit Picks size 1 DPNs for cuff and size 2 DPNs for cast off

Pattern: Crazy Toes and Heels
Fan toe & short-row-up stockinette stitch heel
Knit 2 Purl 2 cuff




Last night I finished the cuff on my Fortissima Cotton Socks while DH watched the New England Patriots. The only thing left for me to do today was cast off and tie in the loose ends. There were a few lessons learned on this pair of socks. Watching my son play basketball and knitting socks don't equal progress. Last week during my son's game I was knitting happily away on the cuffs of my socks. Sure, I thought I was doing great...wrong. Both socks front and back ended up on one circular instead of the fronts on one circular and the backs on the other circular. Plus, some how I managed to tangle and knot both balls of yarn. The socks got tossed back in the bag to be fixed at a later time. A day or two later I decided they were going to DPN's. I never knitted socks with DPNs. One of the balls was so knotted that I left it alone for several hours and finally sat down for an hour to fix the mess. The DPN's seem to work up faster than the 2 circulars. However, every so often I end up with a yarn over here or there that needs to be knitted together with the next stitch. With the 2 circulars I was use to the cuffs always being the same length. Measuring the cuffs every so often on the DPN's kept them close in size.

My next pair of socks will be for DH and I'm tossing around the idea of making them cuff down on DPN's. I've never done this method. If I find it's faster than ciruclar needles I'll make his socks with DPNs. He wears a size 11 1/2 wide shoe and his socks take me 2-3 weeks longer to make than mine. If I can make them quicker he'll get more socks.

Walked 2 miles

My feet made it on the treadmill for 2 miles of walking. I have to get moving...the turtle below is moving at a snails pace.

Heels!!!

Both heels are completed on my Fortissima Cotton Socks. It won't be long before the cuffs are done and these wonderful socks are on my feet. They may even be done by the end of the weekend. There hasn't been much progress on the Collegiate Pullover. Right now there is about 7 inches of ribbing and stockinette. Another 6 or 7 inches and it will be time for the sleeves.

Today, I walked 2 miles on the treadmill. It was a long 2 miles. Yesterday, mother nature decided to give us ice. My driveway was very icy and my feet went out from under me. It was a hard fall. I'm okay but, my body is sore.

Ice Ice Go Away!

Ice Ice Go Away Don't Come Back Another Day! This winter hasn't really felt like winter in New England. Up until now, we really had a mild winter and broke some records with the temps reaching into the 60's and some places even made 70 degrees. Now it's payback time. New England was hit with rain, freezing rain, ice, sleet and snow. Here in southern New Hampshire we got the freezing rain and ice. I'd rather the cold, snow and sleet. Please Mother Nature no more freezing rain and ice. This is a picture of the street around the corner from my house. That's only one little tree being held up by the lines. There are more trees, limbs and lines down around the area and throughout New England.

Five Miles!!!!

It was a great 5 miles. Ran 3.31 miles and walked the rest. The body could have ran longer but, it dosn't need any injuries. Lowered the speed, increased the minutes and walked while talking with the kids. Before I knew it there was 5 miles on the display.

Relaxing Day!

Today was a nice relaxing day. This morning I walked 3.32 miles on the treadmill. DH and DS#1 made pancakes and bacon for breakfast....yummmy. In the afternoon I met up with the local SnB group. It was nice seeing the group again...we took a break due to the holidays. See you next week ladies.