Courthousestep-Blanket - Stick a fork in me I'm done!

I had to wait for some sunshine to take pictures. I can't quite believe it myself, but the blanket is done (since yesterday)! Done! Done! Done! I was close to doing away with myself and I've promised myself that I would not start another blanket this year! Cross my fingers and hope to die! This was my third blanket this year. I've finished this Log Cabin and the Curve of Pursuit as well. What else can I say? Let the pictures speak for themselves and just for the curious among you all, here are some specs:

weight: 1773 g

pattern: inspired by the Mason Dixon Book

yarn: Webs- Valley Yarns, Longmeadow, 60% cotton 40% microfiber, about 35 50g balls (6 balls red for the border and about 5 balls for each color, the lightest colors a little less)

needles: 4mm

finished size: 64" x 70"

start: June 2006

finish: November 20th

Charity knitting!

I was late picking up yesterday's mail. I found a package with this yarn in it. No, I didn't order yarn. It's from Connie of Pick Up Sticks. She donated some yarn to people who agreed to knit something for the Women's Shelter Yellow Brick House in Aurora. Well I'm one of those people. I'll be making some hats. Don't know which pattern yet.

Before I start on the hats though, I'll finish my Log Cabin blanket, yeah yeah, you've heard it before. But what you don't know is, that I'm already on the second log of the border. In a couple of days I'll be done!!! ;o)

I took this picture last night. Sam is sooooooo bored. He's playing with a bone.

Right now he's resting because we just returned from our first walk down the road. He was not happy when I turned around, but he has to take it slow. He's doing great.

I ask you: Where do you keep your WIP's?

This is actually my only work in progress right now. And I'm very proud of it! It's hard to resist the urge to cast on. I will not, however, until this blanket is done! So, right now I'm only lugging this basket around, wherever I go. Can you see that it is getting pretty empty? Only two more logs and the border to go! Yeah!
I have several cotton bags with exactly the right size for WIP's. This is just one of them.
Sam is obviously not a friend of my flashing camera. He's also not so sure about the lion and the lamb.
I love this basket. It was a gift basket, filled with all sorts of eclectic goodies. You can fold the handle, very practical.
One of my first attempt in felting. We all have to start somewhere, right, and learn from our mistakes.
These buckets are so cute (and the blue and the green one don't have those white streaks, it's just on the picture). You can not only keep your WIP's in them, but they are great for yarn stash storage as well.
And this is my handy sock knitting bag. I love it. It tangles ever so lightly from my wrist, whenever I'm on the move. It's good for exactly the materials for one pair of socks.

So, where do you keep your WIP's? Don't tell me you keep them in plain old stinking shopping bags?!

So, what's going on ?

Well, this is what keeps me from casting on several other things. The Courthouse Step Blanket, started in June is now nearing the end. I don't hate it, really, but right now, I would rather look at something else, say this nice yarn.
This came in the mail today. Another B-day gift from my daughter. Don't you just love it, when your birthday's celebrated with gifts over the course of a month? This is Mountain Color Bearfoot (that's what it says on the label) color "moose creek". It's supposed to be a sock yarn, but I'll probably use it to make a scarf. It's got 350 yds of superwash wool/mohair/nylon. It's soft and I can stand it on my skin. God only knows when I will get to it though! I have a nice pattern in mind already! ;o)

My dad sent me a punch of sock blockers for my B-day as well. He was in kind of a hurry, so I have to finish them off myself. Very professional, I went to the Home Hardware store and let myself be helped. The guy wanted to know what's it for? Sock blockers of course. Blank look. Anyway, I hope we'll see some sun soon. I don't like working with wood with all the moist in the air.

So, last but not least, this guy thinks he's got "carte blanche" since he's an invalid right now. Wouldn't you know it, one, two , three and up he went on the sofa. Now, I find it hilarious when he sits there, but we never officially discussed him being up there like THAT! He didn't feel quite comfortable though. As soon as he heard David coming, he was on the floor again. Me laughing doesn't help at all! ;o)

He's recovering much better than expected. I'm so happy!

Celtic Waves Scarf finished!

This scarf would have deserved a sunny day for picture taking, but there's no sun at all. It's like Narnia here!

I'm in LOVE with this yarn. It's Sea Silk by Hand Maiden. Wonderful! It's got fantastic drape and it's cool to the touch. It's shiny (oooh, shiny) and smelly, I don't care about the smell. The Lady at the yarn store told me the tale, that this yarn has vitamins in it and if you wear it around your throat (or anywhere next to your skin) it will be absorbed. She said, this is actually yarn which is good for your health! ;o)

Well, I would have bought it anyway and this story scared me a bit. What about the dyes in the yarn. Will they be absorbed into the skin as well? Nevertheless, it's so beautiful and should I really tell you? - I've got more of it! Different colors too!

yarn: Hand Maiden Sea Silk 70% silk 30% sea cell, 100g = 400 meters

needle: 3.5mm; I've only used 80g of the yarn.

pattern: stitch pattern from the book "200 ripple stitch patterns" by Jan Eaton

size: 7 1/2" X 64 " after blocking (I hate blocking)

Pansy socks!

yarn: Knit Picks Sock garden, colorway "Pansy", 100% merino wool

needles: 2.25mm foot, 2.5mm leg

Pattern: toe-up, jojo heel, chevron pattern on top of the foot and in front of the leg, the back of the leg is done in K2 P2 ribbing.

At first the yarn behaved quite nicely, but after the short row heel it went crazy. At first I was mad (I've ripped it back once already because the foot turned out too short) and I didn't want to rip and knit it a third time, so I just went with it. Now, that I see them in the pictures, I like them. Doesn't matter anyway, because they are not for myself, but a surprise for somebody else.

I know, that's a lot of posting for one day. But I'll be drowning in a sea of garter stitch during the next few days (hopefully) or even weeks. I'm quite determined to get the Log Cabin Blanket done, once and for all. David's getting a new bed and he's looking forward to both, the bed and the blanket. Well, there's nothing left to say, I guess. Can't hide any longer, I think I see the blanky lurking in the hallway, waiting .... ;o) - (nothing else on the needles right now - unbelievable!)

Oh, and Sam did use his leg this evening, very cautiously, but it's a good sign. He's miffed that he's confined to the living room, but poor Biko has to stay with him for company. Last night he showed us, that he's the boss of us. After we all went to bed (around midnight) he started to howl and whine, quite embarrassing really. I'm sure the neighbors could hear him too. David and I had to get him and help him up the stairs, where he then proceeded into his doggie bed and started snoring in no time. ;o)

Bye for now!

Sam Update!

Lovely, colorful birthday flowers from DH!

The first thing Sam did, when he came home today was drink a bowl of water, the second thing was to have a sit on the sofa and watch the world go by. He had a little shave, did you notice? ;o)

He was such a good boy at the vets. No howling or whining. He did take his meds like a gentleman. They think it's because he's used to it all. But I say, he's well raised.

In the evening he had a little fever, I think, because his head was warm and his nose was dry and warm too. He's moved into the living room, with a special place reserved for him. He likes it. Dinner was devoured in an blink of the eye. So his appetite is good.

Can you tell that I'm happy?

Too bad that the weather turned nasty tonight. It's raining ice pellets right now. It's hard enough with good conditions to get him outside for a pee, but now, holy cow, getting up and down the stairs is a debacle.

11-11-2006 was my birthday!

.... 42 and boo hoo, I had my crisis when I turned 30 and may have one again when I'll turn 50, who knows? :o)

I'd like to thank everyone for their well wishes for Sam and for myself. This year my birthday brought me great joy, because I could pick up Sam from the vet. He's doing fine. It will be a lengthy recovery, but we did it so many times already, I'm hoping it will go well this time too. It was his 6th surgery in the 4 years he's been with us. Sam's a trooper and so full of live and he just wants to enjoy every day.

I'm also greatful for the many wishes and presents I've received. Just to let you share some of my bounty, at least in pictures:

click on pic to see the sparkly beauty of this yarn

This is Cherry Tree Hill Super Glitz in the colors "Fall Foliage" and "African Grey". I'm not sure yet what to make with it, but I'll be having it on my desk just to feast my eyes. What a beautiful yarn!

Then there's at the bottom of the stash Seacoast Handpainted Yarn color"Ashes and Roses", 100% superwash merino wool. Next is Sweetgeorgia yarn " English Bay", Supersock yarn, "Black Orchid" handpainted sock and "Honey Fig" speed demon sock, all 100% merino wool. What beautiful colors! I love sweetgeorgia's yarns.

" Victorian Lace Today" by Jane Sowerby, wow, what a wonderful book. It reminds me a little bit of "A Gathering of Lace", but I think it has more projects in it and the most gorgeous countryside pictures. This is like a coffee table book, which I'm sure, not only knitters will enjoy looking at. On page 150, there's even a rectangular shawl in there, which uses the same (?) similar stitch pattern as my bedbugs scarf, but with a beautiful knitted on border. I haven't even had the time to really enjoy this book, too much exciting things at one time. But winter is long and there will be lots of time for me to browse.

By the way, did you all notice that 2007 will be the year of "Lace"? There will be several books with lace projects released throughout the year. Lace seems to be very popular right now.

David gave me "Mosaic Knitting". This is something I wanted to try for a long time now. I hope I'll get to it soon. There are so many patterns in it, it's hard to choose from, still I was hoping to find a heart pattern as well, but no luck. I love heart patterns. Maybe I'll make on of my own. My fingers are itching to start something new, but I'll try to have some will power. I have only a pair of socks and the Log Cabin on the needles right now and I'd like to finish both before I'll start something. Will power? What's that?

There was also Interweave Knits Winter 2006 in the mail, with many gorgeous projects. I especially like Norah Goghan's "Nantucket Jacket" or "Rambling Rose Cardigan" by Laura Zukaite, which is very unusual. There's also the "Arctic Diamonds Stole" by Donna Druchunas, which I like. I've got her book "Arctic Lace: Knitting Projects and Stories Inspiered by Alaska's Native Knitters", a very interesting book to read. Oh, and of course Eunny Jang's "Venezia Pullover", we saw bits and pieces of this beauty on her blog. Even though I might not make any of these pieces, because you know, I'm not into knitting garments, but I wish I were, when I see these beauties, this issue is great.

"A Step Above" are done!

Here you go. I'm as happy as a kid in a candy store!
They are not exactly alike, the first one was the guinea - pig and the second one went faster. I did the heel last with the second sock. Boy, picking up the heel stitches is annoying as hell. Not my favorite thing to do. The heel knits up nicely though. I did improve my grafting skills.
The fit is great. Very warm, soft and comfortable.

click on picture for a closer look

And here is the first of my new pair of socks. I've knit the toe of the second one also, because it's easier to overcome the second sock syndrome. It's another chevron pattern. More about that, when the socks are done. The colorway is lovely, it's KnitPicks Sock Garden - Pansy.

And here is Sam, longingly looking out the window, because Biko and David just left for a walk. He's very comfy sitting on the Sofa. ;o) Tomorrow is his big day. Surgery!

A Step Above!

This sock is called "A Step Above" and it really is. After first reading about it on Bogie's blog, I was a little apprehensive to start it at all. She was ready to burn it, after she was done. Which would have been a shame, I love the color she chose. You can read all about it in her Friday, September 22, 2oo6 entry. After reading all her tips and modifications, I thought, I would never be able to make this interesting sock. But, as you can see, the first one is done. It takes a lot longer to make these socks, than the usual socks I've made so far. The leg is long too, just a couple of inches beneath my knee.

I found another pair on Debi's blog. It's the Friday, October 06, 2006 entry. She's started another pair as well.

On the left you can see the fully finished first sock of the pair. You are making an afterthought heel (a first for me). This method is very fiddly and takes some patience. The toe part is made the same way. I had to graft two times with one sock. Heaven help me. I've got to practice grafting a bit more. It's not perfect, but it will do.

The entrelac itself is easy to knit, which surprised me. I've only done Dave's "garterlac" dishcloth which is not quite the same, since this entrelac is ribbed. All the other entrelac tries I had to rip out again until I lost interest.

Here's the heel. Can you see a difference in the colors? This pattern needs more yarn. I knew that, so I had to order a third skein, which, after several month, was not the same dye lot. No surprise. I've used it on the heel and the toe, so there's some symmetry there. Can't do anything else about it.

For the cuff, leg and heel I've used 2.25mm needles and after the first round of rectangles after the heel, I switched to 2mm needles for the foot. As it turns out, a wise choice, because the sock fits perfectly.

I'm really happy with the outcome. I was almost afraid to tackle it. I had yarn and pattern sitting on my desk for a while now. I did a false start and waited a little longer. And all that for nothing. It was easy, but time consuming. The only thing what bothers me is, that now I have to make a second one. I've started it already. Even David thought the color and pattern are interesting. One more thing. Normally you'll knit the heel after you are done, but I had to see if the sock fit at all, so I did it as seen above.

Now, for you who would like to know more, here's the information:

yarn: sweetgeorgia yarns, superwash sock, 100% Superwash Merino Wool, fingering weight, handpainted, colorway "Angel"

needles: 2.25mm and 2.00mm (steel and bamboo)

pattern: (now we are talking): Knitter's Magazine, Summer 2004 K75, " A Step Above" by Kathleen Power Johnson

By the way, Sam is going to have surgery on Thursday, October 09th, 10 AM.

My third WIP!

Well, I couldn't just have two WIP's in the works. Here's a glimpse of my third WIP. I've been wanting to knit entrelac socks for quite some time now. This is the cuff of the first sock. This is the easy part. It'll get interesting around the heel again. The color is "Angel" by sweetgeorgia. Oh, I almost forgot, this is my second try, because the first time the sock turned out too big. That's exactley the length I had, before I ripped it all out again.


Sam, this morning, drugged with pain killers. The hind leg you can see, is the one where he had knee surgery in March. The recovery was long, but he had a good summer/fall until now. For some reason he likes to lie on his bad leg. The pain killers make him sedate, which is good, since he shouldn't be moving anyway. He still got his appetite though! ;o)

Sam - update!

Thanks everyone for wishing Sam well. Last night he was hopping around on three legs, pulling in his hind leg. Today we saw the vet and now we know, that Sam will have surgery sometime next week. I'm waiting for the vet to call with the exact date. For now Sam is on pain killers and he's only allowed to go outside to do his business. He behaved very well at the vet's, they love him there, he's a sweetheart.

Celtic Waves Scarf

I really tried, but I couldn't stand Berroco's Ultra Alpaca around my throat, too scratchy (it's fine on my hands and the head). So, there will not be a matching scarf for my hat and mittens.

After all this knitting with wool, I was in the mood for some lace knitting again. I've got this wonderful Sea Silk (Hand Maiden) and am working on this celtic waves scarf (one skein). Although they are not "my" colors, I like it very much. It's very silky and drapey, but it smells funny (fishy?), not enough to bother me though.

My yarn stash is like a little yarn store. Whenever the fancy strikes and the mood dictates, I go and rustle through my bags and boxes and "shop" at LYS Monika. That's actually nice. I've calmed down now and don't have the urge to buy yarn so desperately anymore. Maybe it's the time of year too. Everything settles down and gets comfortable inside. Everything slows down, at least that's how it is with me.

I've also decided to read more. I used to read 3-5 books a week, but that was, when I didn't knit or do any other crafts. I love reading and I'd like to do more of it again.
I've already been to the library today to get a few books of the bestseller list. Reading is a lot cheaper than knitting, by the way! ;o) (unless you have to buy each and every book, but why would you?).

Today we made our yearly trip to "Brandt", a store where you can buy European products, which you can't get easily around here. It's a one hour drive there and we got stuck in morning rush hour, but we were not in a hurry. We usually buy Gingerbread cookies this time of year and lots more goodies we love. I've also got my beloved "Backerbsen", this is something you put in your clear soup, it's round and crispy (at first) but gets really soggy fast, but I just love it. I don't want to go there before Christmas again, so we stocked up on all the things we like.

There's still some gardening to do, I'm soooo tired of it. That's the con of having a house and garden. I'm also tired because I have to walk Sam now a lot more often, because his last leg which did not have surgery yet is acting up and he can't/shouldn't run around in the backyard. So we walk around the neighborhood, which is fine with him, but I've still got Biko to walk too. Anyway, we've got an appointment at the vet's for their yearly checkup next Monday. We'll see what's up with Sam, the poor guy! He's only 4 years old and full of energy and can't use it because of his gimpy legs. So, I'm going to go and stuff some more leaves in paper bags, what fun!