FO Monday!

We had a new arrival in the family (Matt's cousin's new little boy, Ethan Ryan) late Friday night/early Saturday morning, which prompted a quick weekend knit... the Umbilical Cord Hat from Stitch 'n Bitch. I had Rowan's All Season Cotton in hand - in both pink and blue, waiting on the official call ... and blue it was!

A very quick knit... I cast on Saturday before heading off to an arena football game and finished it at Matt's racing yesterday.... off it went in today's mail with the cutest little doggy (are you surprised?) outfit!

I even got to use my newest project bag from GypsyKnits. Kathy's bags are the best small/medium project bags around - complete with wrist strap and metal carabiner clip (take note of the dog bone one on this bag!), perfect for knitting on the go. When she inquired about some of my stitch markers, we set up a trade and then she showed me this new doggy fabric she got in... how cute is this??

Now, since I still have a skein of Rowan in pink, I'm going to whip up another umbilical cord hat for a friend who's expecting a baby girl this fall...

Enjoy the rest of your Monday... I'll leave you with a few recent wildlife shots.

Chucky (or maybe its Woody?) hanging out in the storage room...

A pretty butterfly...

Some of the 101 duckies who came to see if we had any bread in our pockets visit us while we were walking around Essex...

Clap Off!

I finally got Clappy off the needles last week, after treating her like the red headed step child neglecting her for a few weeks to work on projects for the Granite State Knit In, but alas... she is finished, even if a bit late for the Fashionably Late in 08 KAL (does that make me extra fashionable???)...

I used a bit over 6 skeins of SWTC Amerah (100% silk) in the colorway Vineyard and opted to go with not blocking (I like the crinkled look). Amerah was quite nice on the hands, but my major complaint was the ridiculous amount of knots I ran in to (some skeins had 3 or 4!!!). So not cool... especially for a "luxury" yarn. I tried to hide them in as best I could and while not completely pleased, I'm ok with them for now... we'll see how they act up when I start wearing it.

Here's my failed attempt at a self portrait (well, half ain't bad... right?).....

And the customary 4 legged helper shot...

With Clappy finished, I still have 101 projects on the needles I've been working on my Trekking to Charlotte socks...

And I just cast on a Market Bag for a friend's upcoming birthday (and bought yarn to make one for myself as well)...

Dog Days of Summer

We are just coming off of one miserable, icky, sticky, nasty heat wave here... dog days of summer would be an understatement for the past 4 days, especially since I've been out working in it. Instead of beeing cooped up in my nice air conditioned office, I've been on site working on a new condo model... moving stuff from one building to another, shopping, putting it all together and well, sweating up a stinky storm... ugh.

I'm also still playing catch up with everything... here is another FO, which I actually completed a couple weeks ago for donation at the Granite State Knit In... the teddy bear sweater!

Since it is Dogs on Thursday, I wanted to share this weird little story (with a happy ending!) that I got in my email box this week.... Dog Survives Toto Impression During Tornado! Chase is one lucky - and quite handsome - doggy!

I also wanted to share with everyone that my little girl Sophie is in the spotlight over at the Planet Dog blog! Check her out here! Planet Dog has an awesome Kiss Me I'm Adopted program where anyone who's adopted a cat or dog can get a great little kit!

I'll leave you with some quick pictures of the kids ...

Sophie watching out the window... {click names for more pics}

Teutul joined in (please ignore the "artwork" created on the window sill by our children and the section of wall that Daddy still needs to patch thanks to the couch that used to sit there.... )

Then Lola... you see, the window "box seat" is a prime spot in our house.. we have 4 very nosey watch dogs children....

Since we hadn't yet put away luggage from vacation, there wasn't much room for Zeus to cram in to. Besides, he'd much rather spend his time watching things from outside anyway... or maybe hanging out with Mommy?

Enjoy the rest of your day and remember.. it is almost Friday!!!!!!!

The End...

FO Monday

While I'd much rather be enjoying one of those other FO Mondays (esp since today is my 13 year "anniversary"), I actually have a couple of finished objects to share! I finished both last week.

First up, my second pair of Magic Slippers. This time I used bulky yarn (Moda Dea Tweedle Dea from the goody bag at last year's Knit & Crochet show) and size 6 needles to produce a much larger size. They were donated at Saturday's Granite State Knit In. I heart this quick, easy, fun pattern and will surely make more!

My other finished object was the Camera Sock for my new toy. I wanted to get this done before the Knit In so as not to get any scratches on it. I used leftover Sereknity sock yarn and followed the pattern as written, however I started decreases 1/2" from the length I wanted (as called for) and it ended up being about 1/2" too short... so I will be casting on for another (longer) camera sock soon... but this one certainly works.

Yesterday I finally got Clappy off the needles, after I neglected her for at least the past 3 or 4 weeks. It was too late for a photo shoot last night, but I hope to get it photoed tonight so long as I can bear to put it on in this disgusting heat wave we are having (I so love fall weather...).

Since I don't have Clappy photos, I'll share a couple of my recent acquisitions with you...

My Frogged & Ripped pint set and Bob lapel pin arrived from Ravelry...

And this gorgeous, yummy yarn from Zona Blue Design, which I got in trade for a set of dolphin stitch markers...

Isn't it beautious?!?!? It is merino wool/nylon sock yarn in the colorway Sweetheart. Click on over to her etsy shop (linked above) and scoop up some of your own!

Stayed tuned for more vacation pics, a recap of the Granite State Knit In and pictures of the finally finished Clappy! In the meantime, try to stay cool.......

Packing & Procrastinating

Yes, I should be packing... but once again, I'm procrastinating. But hey, I'm more than half way finished, so a girl can waste more time tool around Ravelry looking for a cute little cell phone cozy pattern, right? After all, I need something to protect my new toy...

We have an awesome Kodak Easy Share 10x zoom camera that Matt got... and it takes awesome shots at the race track (hence the 10x zoom!), but since I've dropped it in a cooler once already and its a little bulky with the zoom lense, I got to thinking about picking up a tiny little camera. Something that I could easily slip in to my purse, knitting bag or even my pocket... something to sneak in to concerts always have on hand for quick shots and to be able to take on all my fiber ventures without fear of dropping it (in a cooler or otherwise). So... thanks to the IRS stimulus checks (no, I did not blow mine on yarn!), I am now the proud owner of a cute little Kodak M863... in pink! Its tiny and cute, plus it goes along with the rest of our Easy Share components. I think after I get back from vacation, she will get one of these, unless anyone has a better suggestion?

Besides my fun new toy, I also have another FO! I went searching for baby/toddler slipper patterns for donations at The Granite State Knit-In next month (because, after all, I'm a procrastinator and there's no way I'll get adult sizes finished in time), as slippers are the contest and donation item this year. Behold... the Magic Slippers!

Aren't they just the cutest things ever? Now I know what I'm doing with my leftover sock yarn... and for all new babies! I'm planning to get a few more pairs made for the knit in... they whip up pretty fast and no seaming! I'm going to try heavier yarn and bigger needles in hopes of producing toddler sizes (these are truly infant size as is)...

I hope everyone has a safe & happy Memorial Day... I'm off to Charlotte!!!!

FO Friday!

Its been a long time since I've had a FO Friday! I finished up my ISE6 pal's scarf last night and sent it North this morning with some extra treats.

Pattern: Cross Stich Scarf from 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders

Yarn: Patons SWS, Natural Earth Colorway, 2 skeins

Needles: Size 10 1/2, Clover bamboo

Details: I heart this pattern & scarf! It is a quick knit, although as most of you know, I'm the queen of multi-tasking so instead of taking me just a few nights, it took a few weeks because I kept setting it aside for other things. I will make more of these for gifts (family & friends, that's your cue to put in your birthday & holiday requests... its so much easier when I know what you want). I adore the way the SWS knit up and used 2 full skeins, which resulted in a scarf just over 75" long (unstretched!)... making for a great wrapping/stylish scarf! I sure hope my ISE pal likes it half as much as I do!

Enjoy the rest of your TGIF! With the weekend (and hopefully some extra time) upon us, why don't you hop on over and check out Vickie Howell's CRL2 podcast... well, actually you're going to have to wait until Thursday, May 22 for the launch, but you can bookmark it now!

The Secret is Out!

The new Knitty is up... Other than new patterns to drool over, just what exactly does that mean do you ask? Well, it means that I can now show you the secret FO I mentioned last week!!

It's Sophie's leash cozy! (side note: Sophie is the first dog we've purchased a retractable leash for... the others all have more rugged, standard leashes) The super unique and useful Paw Cozy pattern is by the creative Michelle and not only can I say "I knew her before she was famous..." but I also got to test knit the pattern! So... if you have a retractable leash and live anyplace where it gets a tad chilly, this pattern is for you! (now, having a dog would be a given... because why the heck else would you have a retractable leash now??!!)

Sophie and Lola gave it the sniff test...



Zeus did the sniff test too, then the perfect model poses...



Hop on over and check out the pattern... give Michelle her much deserved props woofs ... and get knitting so you too can have a warm hand (and no dropped leash!) the next time you take Fido out!

Rain, Knitting & Deer Sightings...

Happy hump Knitting Wednesday! Yes, knitting guild night is finally here. I missed it last week due to being sick, so I'm extra itchy to get there. Matt's band is back to practicing on Wednesday nights too, which makes going straight from work to AKG even easier... life is good! Well, except that its been raining since yesterday afternoon. This is what it looked like outside before I left for work this morning...

At least its not snow, right?!?! Teutul insisted on going outside for the uptenth time in the rain, then looked all pathetic waiting for Mommy to let him back in...

Lola is our fishy dog... I swear that on most rainy days, she'd just sit outside if we let her. Instead of just doing her business and coming right back in this morning, she had to go investigate the side of the house...

I think she's on a constant hunt for deer after she spotted 2 in the backyard on Saturday. We were wondering why she was all still and gawking towards the back... then realized these guys were visiting and happily munching away on tree limbs (excuse the not-so-great photos taken with the super zoom as to try not to disturb them)...

So, after feeling like a mac truck smashed in to the side of my head being sick, I finally got some knitting done over the weekend. I worked another 12 round increase repeat on my Clapotis. I've still yet to drop a stitch, but have it with me as my project to work on tonight....

Cast on another pair of socks using the basic Peace Fleece sock pattern from Knitting For Peace and super soft Jaeger Roma...

Finished a coffee cup cozy to match my Fetching mitts...

I also finished knitting a secret test knit item, which I will finally be able to show you after the new Knitty comes out! A dear friend will have her pattern published in the Spring issue and I am having a conniption fit a bit of difficulty restraining myself from showing you the pictures... but I digress and tap my fingers on my desk wait for Knitty to get the damn Spring issue up!

Another secret to share... don't tell Zeus, but I'm planning to stop at Woof it Down tonight to pick up his birthday cake for Friday. He was too busy munching on a bone last night to pay attention when I said the C-A-K-E word...

He didn't even notice that Princess Sophie got all snuggled up in his blankie either...

I am wearing the lovely wrap Chan made for me today (Joanne made me promise to bring it tonight), but due to the rain, I still have no photos to show... sorry! I'm also wearing the awesome dog shawl pin that Jeanne sent me in my Knit 1, Tea 2 swap package. So with that, please paint a picture in your mind and enjoy the rest of your hump day!

Clap On.... Fetch Off!

FO ALERT!!! I finally got my Fetching mitts off the needles yesterday! For those of you non-Ravlers, I used 1 strand each of Zitron Ecco & Heirloom Alpaca held together, which made for a very dense, soft fabric that I'm sure is going to be quite warm! Some pics... first a couple from the second mitt in progress during my snow/ice day last week...


Coffee, Rachael Ray and knitting... what could be better? Now for the finished product...

With Fetching off the needles, I cast on my Clapotis for the Fashionably Late in '08 KAL (have you signed up yet???). Nothing really much to see here just yet, but its a start. You can see the yarn (SWTC Amerah in Vineyard colorway) I chose and my new Peace Fleece needles (I needed some new size 8's and I just love these needles... what better excuse?).

Of course, I didn't need to cast on yet another wip, as I still have plenty, but since I did sign up for the KAL. Speaking of wip's, I picked up my Cabin Fever tank a couple weeks ago for some Wednesday night knitting. I'm still in the never ending ribbing from hell section... not too exciting.

Then there's the Loopy Ewe Celebratory Socks...

There's plenty more of UFO's stashed all around my living room, but that's it for photographic evidence today (I've had a slight case of startitis again). Instead, I'll share with you another FO, just of a different crafty variety. I took a beading class at A Knitter's Garden on Saturday and made this gorgeous set...

You like? I'm wearing it today... Not only was it a fun class, it was a great Saturday afternoon spent with wonderful ladies, yummy food, good coffee and beading! Of course I couldn't hit AKG in a shopping mood without picking up a few new things (including those Peace Fleece needles above)... Wanna see something yummy??!! When Joanne had her girls shorn last year, she got their fleece spun into some fantastic yarn that she is now sharing!

On the left is the 80/20 mix of Josie (jacob sheep) and Bonnie & Gracie (angora bunnies) ... and on the right is 100% Harriet (shetland sheep). Aren't her girls gorgeous? She has a limited supply available at the shop and is planning to have more spun later this spring after their next shearing. I already have a fun project in mind for my yarn, but will keep it to myself until I get started... hee hee!

Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday... and thank you to everyone who has voted for the dogs in the Spay Day photo contest! Please keep the votes coming (you can vote using as many different email addresses as you have/know)! I just downloaded a bunch of new photos of them, but will share later... in the meantime, Charlie is Home!!! I've been following Operation Bring Charlie Home for some time now and could not be happier for Charlie and Sgt Watson - please read the article (the first link)!

Knitting Along...

Yes, that's what I've been doing... just knitting along. My finished object from last week is the Kerchief Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I used about 1 1/2 skeins of Sugar 'n Cream twists...

I finished one of my Fetching mitts. I'm using Heirloom Alpaca and Zitron Ecco, held together, and hence had to go down to a size 4 needle. I love the way these yarns are knitting up and the 2 strands together create a much more substantial mitt (if you are in need, A Knitter's Garden carries both yarns). One down, one to go!

My Booga bag is nearing completion. I'm using Noro 178. This is just about 2 skeins knit for the bag, then I will make the icord handles before continuing on with the bag (I didn't bother counting rows, just knitting until there's no yarn left)...

I've also been knitting away on my Potpourri Shawl, which was purchased in kit form from Knit Witts about a year ago...

I have some more WIP's going as well, but nothing photo worthy (or that hasn't been hibernating for months). I cast on my first Pay It Forward item last night while wathcing The Biggest Loser and will work some more rows on it at my hair appointment tonight.

In other news.... are you ready for some football????

Lola, Sophie and Teutul are...

Go Pats!!! Push for Perfection........

Superbowl bound...

... and smelling pretty good too! Have you seen Tom lately?

Its a bonus that its not Gisele in the ad with him!

I actually have a finished object for FO Friday, but sadly no pictures yet. I finished the Kerchief Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. An easy knit... I used Sugar 'n Cream twists (about 1 1/2 skeins). I haven't decided if it'll go in to the future gift box or what just yet, but will photo it soon.

I've been busy working away on several WIP's as well, including my Fetching mitts and Booga bag. I've been knitting away on a secret project that I guess could best be described as "test knitting" for a friend, although she's already submitted the awesome pattern to Knitty. I really hope they except it - its truly unique and useful! I picked up the Addis that I needed at Joanne's on Wednesday night so I can finally start my Adventure Bag. I'm making the Large Long Weekend size, so I'm quite sure this will be a WIP for awhile! In fact, Teutul laughs at the thought that Mommy might actually have it finished in time for her trip to Charlotte in May....

We'll see! In the meantime, TGIF!

Giant Baby Breeze

The "Giant Baby Breeze" hat ended up being a great fit for Nathaniel! Isn't he just a handsome little model?

Its so great to see your knitting work look so great in use... and even more special when the parents love it so much they beg you to recreate it in a larger version! I had fun adjusting the original pattern, sized for a baby, to fit growing Nathaniel. This was the original hat I made for him in the fall of 2006 and as you can see, he was already rocking his natural modeling skills back then too!

Are my shades too big?

Happy FO Friday! Yes, yes... I have finished objects!!! I actually finished them last weekend, however since I've been slow with downloading photos, I'm just getting around to posting them now.

First up, the extra large version of the Heirloom Baby Breeze hat I made for Jenn's adorable Nathaniel. I made this baby hat for him last year and he's of course, since out grown it... but Jenn loved it so much she asked if I could fudge the pattern for a larger version... so, I give you the giant baby breeze!

I'm anxiously awaiting some new modeling shots from Jenn and will share when they come.

I also finished my very own Amanda hat over the weekend and love it! I'm not typically a winter hat person, but this hat is just soooooooo soft and comfy and so far, has not given me that awful staticky, flat, winter hat head that everyone dreads. I even finished in time to go outside and photo it during our last snow storm (we got another foot of white stuff)...

A model, I am not, but I also took a stab at showing off my very overly priced chic designer shades that I bought last summer (bonus points if you can guess who) ... only to never actually have worn them because.. 1) I thought they were way too big for my face and 2) they were expensive and I tend to not use that expensive stuff so much (I know, my bad... if you buy it, use it, right?). So tell me what you think... honest opinions of the uber pricey shades on little 'ole me?

And, since you're being honest with me (you are, right?), how do those big shades above compare to what I normally wear, which are much smaller (although these were still somewhat pricey... see, I normally get the $5 shades since I tend to toss them here, there and everywhere, but the ones below were my first "splurge" - they're by Columbia brand and were $80 at my eye doctor's office - non prescription)...

So I'm waiting... do I look like a total dork face or what??? Do tell!

Back to the knitting... yes, there was more of that done this week! I made progress on my One Row scarf over the weekend... this is a bit more than 1 skein of the Wisdom Sonnet (wool/silk blend) down...

I have a funny dog story to end your week. Some of you may know about the Evil Banana Incident... the day Zeus stood crying loudly at his bowl of food, looking so pathetic ... the day I learned he did not like bananas anymore (mind you he'd eaten them for a good couple years prior!). Well, we still give them to Lola & Teutul who love them and so when they got some this past week, we gave Sophie some too (as Zeus stood guard to make sure none of that evil mush ended up in his bowl). Did she like them like most dogs? Um, not so much. No, she didn't cry at them, she just gave me a funny look as if to say "how dare you," then proceeded to spit banana pieces out... everywhere. She normally eats in her crate, but I brought the dish out to the floor to avoid having mushed banana in there (as always, please ignore the dog hair... you already know that I could vacuum during every waking moment and still not be able to keep up) and this is what happened...

Notice how she carefully spits the pieces out and scoops up all the kibble around them? She's very resourceful...

She had a ring of bananas around her when she finished (which were quickly scarfed down by trash collectors, Tut & Lola)...

Oh the weather outside is...

frightful 52 degrees??!! On January 9th! Welcome to New England, where if you don't like the weather, just wait 15 minutes. We've also gone from nice bright sunshine to hurricane rain & winds (today's phrase of the day at work ~ We're not in Kansas anymore...) and back today... again, just wait 15 minutes. Apparently we're supposed to stay with unseasonably mild temps thru the weekend (high 40's)... nice! Although I think we need it to be a bit cooler to kill off all these germs and sickies. I'm still sniffly & congested, with an added sore throat at night, which I'm chalking up to a lovely side effect from all the congestion and allergy stuff I take all day. I did just discover those ugly football player nose bandaids lovely little strips for your nose though. Now, I didn't buy the Breath Right brand, instead I went with cheap generic and I have to say, after my first use last night... wonderful! I truly had doubts that these things actually worked, but I'm a believer now!!! Oh and yes, I got the clear ones. They still make you look like a total dork though... I considered wearing one to work today, but thought better of it.

I finally got time to download some photos from the camera and guess what? I have knitting content!!! I spent my sicky weekend knitting away at a hat, figuring that just maybe if I listened to my Mom and wore one that I might not get sick again. I just think hats make me look like a dork... almost as much as the nose strips... and I can't stand frizzy hat head. I keep trying to convince myself that its just because I don't have the right hat, so I cast on for the Amanda hat (while reminding myself that I really should finish my Amanda Headband before spring... for those of you on Ravelry, you'll see it hibernating in my projects). I had to decide which color of yummy Malabrigo to use and decided on Pagoda....

I am absolutely thrilled with how this hat is coming out! Its a very sweet looking pattern, yet still sophisticated, and I absolute love how the colorway is working up, not to mention how soft the Malabrigo is! If I weren't zoning out from all the cold meds, I would've finished it already, but I do have a tiny bit more to go. Gina is actually having a "Do The Amanda" KAL this month, so if I've inspired you to cast on your own Amanda, make sure you hop over and tell her I sent you and get in on the contest!

I also worked a few more rows on my Kerchief Scarf from the Last Minute Knitted Gifts book. I actually cast this on last month with good intentions thoughts of it becoming a Christmas gift, however other gift knitting took priority and this one got tucked aside. Its a very easy knit... if anything, mindless repetition.

I'm using Sugar 'n Cream twists and am thinking its going to take about 1 1/2 skeins, but I'll let you know for sure once its complete. I can definitely see myself knitting more of these in the future - definitely a great, quick gift!

As for finished objects, here are the Fetching mitts I did for my oldest niece Michele for Christmas. I used a navy Debbie Bliss merino aran yarn, which knit up to a tighter gauge than the pattern calls for, however since Michele is quite petite, it was actually perfect. She wasn't home when we delivered Christmas gifts, but has said in email that she likes them and they fit good. Now, I'd love it if she surprised her Aunty with a photo of herself wearing them, but she is an 18 old socialite with quite a busy life you know... maybe my Mom is reading and she can hunt down her Granddaughter for the photo...

Now for the usual reminder to self ... please remember to start Christmas knitting much, much, much earlier this year.......

As for that State of NH and the crazies who invaded us this week... they've moved on now, but only after calling us another 100 times yesterday! At least a few left messages this time, however when you're calling to remind us that it is Primary day, I just want to smack you. You think I didn't remember it was voting day? What, all your volunteers freakishly standing on the sides of the highway waving at passing cars didn't remind me? Your 100,000,001 signs plastered all over? Oh and wait, your faces all over the friggin tv? Gee, thanks for reminding me... I just might have forgotten all about it! duh Not only did we get the reminder calls, but a couple of youngins from the Hilary camp actulaly came to our door to ask if we voted yet!!! Now you're pushing the psycho line. Go away!!!! Ugh. So anyway, yes, I did vote and it was my first time ever bothering to vote in primaries. I had truly thought about checking off one of those names I never heard of before... just to see if the tv counts would accurately show that Joe-Schmo got one vote... but I didn't. I was a good little voter. And no, the person I voted for did not win. And no, I am not happy that they kept cutting in to prime time tv with the results as they were counted (ohmyfreakinggod, 11% of the votes are in... hold the presses! oh now wait, 14% are in...)... and then the friggin speeches. Ugh you idiots made me miss a whole hour of The Biggest Loser last night... jerks.

As mentioned, I finally got around to downloading weeks worth of photos off the camera and even though its 52 degrees out today, I'll leave you these some snow photos (click on their names for some more new photos) ... and maybe we'll catch up with doggy Christmas photos tomorrow for DOT!

Super Lola!

Sleuthy Zeus!

Defiant Teutul!

Curious Sophie!

Yappy Thursday!

Happy Doggy Thursday! I found this image awhile back and had it saved for "future use." I guess today is as good as any... so in honor of DOT and the chaos of the season...

Now for some more proof that sometimes, she even knits... and sometimes even - gasp! - ends up with a finished object or two! Here's the mitts for blogless friend Kathy... made with some beautiful Classic Worsted Tapestry from Universal Yarns (you can get some at A Knitter's Garden!). The shades of blues and greys are gorgeous in person (much better than these photos) and the yarn was wonderful to work with. She actually text me on Christmas day to tell me that I forgot the fingers! lol