WIPs and other Stuff

Here we are celebrating our birthday (both the same day, same year) at Killington. Took it easy and only skied one day, but had a good time. Who ever thought we'd still be skiing at 59! I love being in VT - I find peace there.

This past week brought the passing of a good friend and father figure - Roger. Friend - neighbor - dad and grandfather - an all around good guy. His passing leaves a huge empty spot in our lives. Be in peace with those who have gone before you, Rog.

Baby boy car seat throw - modular - on the blocking table! Bernat Softee chunky yarn in color Circus. I love the way the varigated yarn flows when done in this modular throw. ( Update 3/08 - This blanket was made for our new grandchild CH)

Update on J's sweater. Putting it together today, then need to add the hood. Miss J has requested a zipper rather than buttons - her wish is my command (happily)!

OTN is an EZ Rib Warmer. I'm attempting to understand "Pithy" directions on my first EZ project. Yarn being used is Caron One Pound "Pure Fisherman". I don't know if they still make this color - I dug VERY deep into my stash for it.

Also OTN is the EZ Baby surprise jacket. I'm using Plymouth Encore Colorspun for this project. I always try to use machine wash/dry yarns for baby items - quite honestly most mom's don't have the time to hand wash anything! I've only just started and will need lots of help with this one.



Completed this Crochet Pot Scrubber yesterday just for fun. It's made out of nylon and it will be interesting to see if it actually works!

Also completed and being blocked is my version of the 2008 St. Baldrick's hat made from Karabella yarn. I'm thinking of putting some 'curls' on the top. (Didn't figure out how to flip the photo yet - sorry it's sideways!)

On the sewing front, I've gotten a new dressmaking model. My Double Deluxe arrived this past week and I'm thrilled. I've had models before, but never one which was my size, which made them more of a 'coat rack' rather than a dressmaking asset. I've twisted the dials to my size ( no photo here - no one needs to see that size), gave Trudy a fancy hat and I'm ready to sew. First on the list are a few summer tees. Also thinking of a few summer dresses - when the weather is hot, they're so much more comfortable than shorts and tees. Then the almost impossible - pants that fit the way I want them to! If I EVER get that pattern perfect, I will have attained nirvana.

Until next time, knit (and sew) on! Deb

Can it be 2008??

Can it be 2008 already? I can't imagine where the year has gone - it seems as though it was only yesterday we were worrying over the less than major computer problems of Y2K!!

As you can see, I've been busy craftwise. Most of these items have already been given as gifts, so I'm able to finally show the photos. I'm still trying to figure out how to publish a vertical photo, so unfortunately until I do, we'll have to look at several with a 'head tilt'.

This basket lining (no I didn't make the basket) and bunting are for Brian and Jenny's, Baby K, expected in March. The little green sweater and yellow booties are also for Baby K.

The yellow booties are Debbie Bliss' Moss stitch slipper, made in a baby yarn left in Mom Ks stash when she passed in 2004.

The little green sweater is made of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece - I just love the feel of this yarn!




These two items were for BD - he loves the fabric books and I was so happy to be able to find a new one. I don't like the new "premade" packaged ones currently being sold, so finding a new book pattern is like the gold at the end of the rainbow!

Isn't the sock monkey cute?? I recently found the pattern and socks at the Vermont Country Store after we'd been to VT for a meeting. I remember the sock monkeys my mom made and thought this would be a cute gift for BD. We also added a book about sock monkeys, so he could identify one with the other.

This is a multidirectional blanket (pattern from Iris Schreier's multidirectional Yahoo group) recently made - you can see it's still on the table being blocked. After seeing the high prices of blocking needles, I decided to be creative. There had to be an alternative - so off to Michael's I went - to the floral department. These are floral wires - I think about 15-20 came in a package for $1.99 and they seem to work just fine. Why, oh why didn't we save the old wooden curtain blocker's my grandmother had? I can still see my grandmother and mother stretching the ninon curtains into shape!! Ah, another lifetime ago.

My version of a popular scarf being touted this winter. These three were Christmas gifts, the red for my daughter, dark blue for my daughter in law and the denim for my nephew's girlfriend. They were such fun to make - all in Plymouth Baby Alpaca - and sooo soft!

Now who are the pink booties for? Really, they were on the needles and needed the last 4 rows completed for about 2 years. Instead of losing the pattern, taking them off the needles (which I NEEDED for another project) and putting them in the UFO basket, it was just easier to finish them.

My brother's hobby is woodworking and he made me two intarsia cat wall figures - the woods are so lovely and the finish is beyond belief. Now what can I make for the guy who has everything? The HAT - with my own version of intarsia! The paw print on the front is very appropriate as my brother volunteers at Bide A Wee in Westhampton - he takes the senior dogs out for walks and runs. Being longer around the ears and neck the HAT will keep him warmer - the winds out in Westhampton can get very intense. (Could this be why my two resident cats are from Bide A Wee?)

I made this cute little basket for my sister in law. We visited she and my brother on Christmas Day and I wanted to take a little something special for her.

My knitting plans for the new year include finishing my Sample Stitch Kimono, finishing Josie's sweater (just need to make the hood and then stitch it together), finishing Ben's colors blanket, work on an EZ Rib warmer and try to understand her technique.

May 2008 bring you good health and happiness and lots of yarn! D

Knit till I drop!

Here it is - my version of the new scarf touted to be the best thing since sliced bread. In all honesty, it's warm and practical. Rather than having reams of lengthy scarf hanging over one's shoulder this scarf takes care of the important part - the neck!
I've made it out of Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande - SOOOO soft! Notice the buttons - made a trip to NYC for button shopping and lunch w hubby. Have several scarfs in the works - planning to make them the gift of the holiday season.


Crazy mixed up bed socks were completed for someone special - someone w cold feet. These are a plain tube sock - ribbed for 5 inches and then stockinette for 5 inches, before starting to decrease. The yarn was worsted weight - leftovers from some previous projects, but perfect for that special guy with definite ideas on color.

In design is an intarsia puppy paw print in gray on a blue winter hat. More about the recipient after the holidays - again a gift which I hope to keep a surprise.

JE's purple sweater is progressing nicely. Working on two fronts at the same time - up to the decrease point. Will then work the two sleeves at once to avoid "second sock (sleeve) syndrome".

Also making good progress on BDs blanket - this month's cable is a bit thought provoking for ONE row only. The rest is easy knitting, but make a mistake on that row necessitates the dreaded FROG.

If you think all I do is knit, the answer is NO - I occasionally leave the house to buy yarn!

TTFN, Deb

Where Does the Time Go?

Can't believe that it's almost Halloween! What have I been doing with my days? Since September, we've been to Vermont (for a meeting) and Baltimore (for 2 days of knitting classes and 3 days of great food). Chris has been back to Baltimore for a genealogy meet and I took a bus ride to Rhinebeck, NY for the Sheep and Wool Festival. Heard that the Maryland S&W is MUCH better (and larger) - wonder if I'm brave enough to try that next spring?!?

Coming along well on BD's 'colors' blanket - strip one is finished and I've started on strip two. Liking the pattern designs - from Liesure Arts Sampler Afghans #932 using Patons Canadiana.



JEs sweater (Sirdar Snuggly 3936) in purple with a hood. This is a new technique for me - a mock smocking pattern.



It's coming along great and the color is SOOO JE! Working with chunky yarn makes the stitches stand out (also shows any errors so accuracy is important) and it is going so quickly. I should have the back finished this weekend!

Ok, so I've been working on items for BD and JE, but what about JC? The boy of many hats - Do I make a hat or some crazy kind of scarf? Does he even wear a scarf? In the planning stage, but need a consult with his Mom.

And here we have a photo of our last adventure! Sayville NY, Chris' first BBQ judging event! Yes, Chris is a certified Kansas City BBQ Judge - and the perfect weather was only enhanced by the opportunity to try food cooked by teams of BBQ specialists!

Judging is quite a science - it's more tasting and reviewing than eating en mass. These people are very serious. If you ate everything you were served, you wouldn't be able to get off the chair at the end of the day. Suffice to say, leftovers can be taken home and are VERY welcome.

Jeff, if you're out there, you missed a great time. We'll sign you up for the next judging!

Can this be Alice in Wonderland?? Yes, it's JE in disguise - costume I made for Halloween. I believe this costume came into being as JE liked the shoes! Amelda in the working!!

Count Dracula (aka JC) is primed to hoot and spook with his great cape and vest- in this photo he was awaiting his "fangs" but trying on the outfit to show how it fits!

The parties have begun and the grandchildren are treating and tricking - quite a difference from on our street where we MAY have one or two visitors on the 31st!

This year BD will be the well loved "elephant" - Great costume - keeps the babies warm and a favorite of Mom's until the children are big enough to decide what they want to be.

Next year we'll have 4 trick or treater Grandchildren! Jenny and Brian are expecting in March - right in 'birthday ally". Wonder what the costumes for next year will be?? I know we'll need at least one more knitted Pumpkin Hat!

Other projects in the works are convertible mittens (the first knitted item I'm making for Chris); A sewed fleece vest for me (project we're making in the machine sewing class I teach at Northport Adult Ed). Also finished handmaking a few items which will be revealed toward the end of the year as they are Christmas gifts for family members.

'Till next time. D

So Many Plans, So Little Time

Do I finish it or not? This sweater is for me - well it was supposed to be finished for summer 2007. I just love the colors, and yarn texture but became sidetracked. I refuse to let it become a UFO (unfinished object) hanging around in a knitting bag stuffed in a closet. Even if I don't wear it until next year I'm going to spend the next knitting hours finishing it!! The technique was very interesting - multidirectional - always working with live stitches which means there's NO sewing together! Love the patterns by this designer - Jill Vosburg (JustOneMoreRow.com).



August strip for the SSK (Sample Stitch Kimono). Yes, I am behind, but have finally figured out the pattern to my satisfaction. It wasn't difficult, but summer brought on a brain drain and the words and hand motions didn't coordinate. Working feverishly - the September pattern has already arrived and I'm anxious to be back on track. The SSK is a year long knit-along where you get one pattern per month and the completed project is a jacket. If you want to see the finished jacket, check out http://www.knitability.com/




And here we are with BD's blanket in progress- I'm just loving the colors and patterns. Using Patons Canadiana a worsted weight acrylic (wearable and washable) yarn great for children. I'd made this blanket twice before and was tired of the same stitch patterns, so I've switched the patterns to blocks from Leisure Arts#932 - 60 Easy Knit Pattern Stitches to create Sampler Afghans. Enjoying the new designs and always anxious to complete a few more rows.






JC's "color" blanket on the left, JE's is on the right.

Thinking about Sirdar Pattern 8465 as an in-between jacket for me. Do I dare start it now or will it become a fall pattern which I finish next summer?? I think it would look great in Wendy X-Treme - the color is a purple ,blue ,pink ,green and teal twist which I've had for quite some time. If I use this yarn to "destash" do I get to buy more yarn?

All this computer time will not get the WIPs completed so, bye for now and NEEDLES DO YOUR STUFF!

Here are the photos!

Well, I've managed to download the photos of the completed shrug and the August strip for the kimono knitalong. Thought they both came out quite nice.

We had a bit of a problem with our female kitty Gremlin last night. As I was trying to work on the blog, she nicely sat in the solarium and CHOMPED on one of my Christmas Cactus plants! After frantically checking the 'poisonous plants for cats' website, she was shooed out of the room and the plants were rescued. I've finally gotten them not to DIE and she chooses to CHOMP! I spent the afternoon hanging the pots from hooks hopefully higher than she can jump. Wonder what tonight will bring with this minx!!


Enjoy the photos!

Can it be September?

Can't believe it's September! The weather this weekend was perfect - a hint of cool things to come. We celebrated the weekend with bbq's - Jeff and Connie visited on Sunday and we visited Carolyn and Steve on Monday. Enjoyed seeing our sibs and spending the time with them. Guess I'd better call to have the pool closed before the leaves start to fall.

Knit wise I've made some big strides. Completed the July strip for the SSK (Sample Stitch Kimono) - OK I'm late and should have finished the August also but.. Anyway, I also finished a shrug from a class I took at my LYS. It came out so cute - I'm going to try to download a photo to this post so wish me luck.

This coming weekend is a bday gathering for our youngest grandson BD. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Trying to keep up with technology - Chris gave me a Samsung I-Poddy type thing so I've been busy downloading some knitting podcasts I found on line. Now if only I could figure out how to pick up messages from my cell phone!

Enjoy the beautiful weather and good health to all. Deb