Craft Bonanza

Double feature movie day for me so I brought some knitting along. During the showing of the Hulk I knit some more on a stretch sock. It's for me. Yes finally a pair for me. I got 6 inches of cuff knit and an working on the heel. I'm slipping the stitches on the purl side for a slightly different look. I have to think hard on each row because my fingers want to do the opposite of what I want them to do. Knitting memory for socks is built into them. Love the color and feel.

My son got me a set of knitpicks cable needles and I used them to finish the top of this bag. It really needs a good blocking and will have to have a lining, I'm thinking with built in pockets. During the morning movie I worked on the knitted i-cord for the handle. It's going to need a reinforcement inside. This is sari yarn which is thick and thin and a little flimsy for construction projects. It's going to get done though soon.

During the last two days while I've been off it's been stitching time/dvd time. This is going to be a table covering (about 22 inches square when complete) with fall leaves on it. It has a nun stitch border with fringe. I'm about half way through stitching all of the leaves. I love the Caron watercolor threads that just keep changing colors for each leaf. This was a kit that I purchased at celebrationofnw.com from www.dutchtreat.com. It was very reasonably priced and included everything so you could start stitching right away. She had lots of great designs but this was one of her best sellers and I can see why.

Lots of projects to do and I can't wait to get started or finish them.

Holiday aftermath

What a great holiday it was this year. The socks were well received as was the carmel corn and beer. The cookie trees were eaten as was the coffee bread and assorted cookie platters. Two days of treats and visiting and a years worth of crafting is out the door and on it's way to new homes.

Tonite, after laundry and cat feeding it's a movie and craft fest for me. My son got me the set of knitting needles I had coveted from 'Knitpicks". It's the adjustable, cable, harmony set with tips from size 4 -11. This morning I pulled out a project from the closet and set it along with the new needles by the comfy chair.

The little gang of cats are happy that the house is going back to a state of normalcy for them too. They love visitors but want the guest bedroom bed to be theirs not the guests. They helped me strip the sheets and have enjoyed hiding in the covers and under the folds of the blankets draped across the chair. There has been a lot of kitty snuggles the last few days but they all know that it's time to get their nails trimmed and coats brushed for the new year.

It's been a great year for crafters everywhere and I'm wishing for another years of crafts in 09.

Branching out

Sackboy got eyes late Sunday nite and he's extremely happy climbing into his limited edition collectors box. I had a lot of fun knitting him and he's going to have a lot of fun over the holidays.

Here is the culmination of my Sunday baking. Yes I finally made another cookie tree. I managed inbetween the shoveling. For gifting purposes it then got a covering of fancy clear cellophane, a bow and and then put into it's special carrying case. I'm sure it made it to it's new home to be devoured.

The house is clean, floors washed, counters cleared, presents wrapped (almost) and cookies baked. I'm ready for a holiday.

Carmel Corn Day

Today was caramel corn day here at Pam's magical workshop. I had my helper Magpie, close at hand ready to assist with any baking emergency. She waited patiently each time I would go outside to shovel, or stir the pan. She's been following me around and just sitting next to me where ever I am, crafting, cooking, reading and sleeping. Such a great help.

I made five batches of carmel corn. It's a favorite of the family but couldn't get done without my favorite pan. This belonged to my grandmother and it the best candy pan around. I tried to think how long I've been making the corn and I think it's about 15 - 20 years. I know the kids were little when it began. I've got the recipe down to a science and it always get's done on a day about a week prior to christmas. Yummy, fresh and bagged up it's a great present. (recipe comes from the back of the karo syrup bottle but mine has no peanuts)

I had to just knit something fun this week and for a 'me' knitting project picked a 'barbar' the elephant from a Jean Greenhowe book. He is just adobrable and six inches tall he's a perfect playmate for a little child (or big kid) Jean's patterns are easy to follow and all I did in adaptations was to put a chenille stem in his trunk so he can be posed.

Sackboy, the newest Alan Dart creation is going to become a playmate for my son and his girlfriend. The pattern arrived on Tuesday, yarn was selected and the parts knitted and on the way home from work on Thursday I got some more brown chenille for his armiture. Last nite in between shoveling his little fingers got 'bones and he is almost finished. Sackboy needs some eyes and a mouth and perhaps a little decorative stitching. This is a very anticipated addition to the knitted universe. His zipper does open but beware as he might lose his stuffing.

These is a tiny project just 2 inches wide. Can you guess what it is? No, it's an emery holder. You sharpen your needles in it and can also store a needle under the decorative cover. Fun to stitch, it's a present for my mom.

Mom likes to have fancy needlework tools to use and show at her meetings. I just love making stuff. It's a good matchup.

Here is the backside of the promised gingerbread hand toy and fingerpuppet. One puts his/her fingers down the back of the big guys legs and he just walks all around the table. The fingerpuppet is good for tiny fingers or a pencil.

Their fronts feature friendly embroidery that looks like real raisins and frosting. I can't wait to read ' the gingerbread boy' with a real boy to play with at the same time.

What's next in the magical workshop. Another storm is brewing and I have some items to wrap. The cards got written but await a trip to the post office. I decided to create a gingerbread cookie tree so that's on the baking list for tomorrow. My daughter is looking forward to helping me decorate it when she comes to stay. I've learned to my peril that when you make these cookie trees you should really let them dry and cool for a day prior to assembly. They can droop otherwise and you get a leaning tower of cookie.

Magical workshop

The last two days have been a funfilled baking extravaganza here in my magical holiday workshop. Yesterday I managed to make seven types of dough and bake six kinds of holiday cookies. In between batches of cookies a little gingerbread boy and gingerbread fingerpuppet were assembled. The gingerbread boy is so cute.

Today it was swedish coffee bread baking day. While the dough mixes and rises it gives you 20-25 minute periods of time to get everything else done. That meant wrapping presents, laundry and other household chores. Tonite after all the bread was done and cooling it was time to work on the cat quilt. I trimmed the edges even, cut the binding and attached it. I even did fancy mitered corners. Now it's pinned around the edges and it ready for the final hand stitching.

So what is left for the holidays, a lot. Holiday cards, a quilt, mermaid something, present for a niece, wrapping and mailing a box, and the important caramel corn day. I'm even hopeful that an afternoon movie could be fitted in. We'll see about that, probably a dvd and handsewing will take it's place.

Holiday countdown

I've been remis about blogging all the time but I've been concentrating on just finishing up the crafting. This week I really pressed on with the quilt for my son and last nite at 11 pm it came totally off the quilt frame. Yeah!! Tonite the quilt frame got put away and out came the vacumn cleaner. After the cleaning then the table for trimming and prepping for the binding. This is a big project but is one of pure love. Sometime between everything I had time to stitch this adorable shopping penquin. She's going strong with all of her packages. The sock needles are at rest but others are working on an Alan Dart gingerbread finger puppet. It's crunch time for crafters but between it all comes down to a gift from the hands and heart. Craft on.

Pair # 18

I'm almost at the end of my sock teather and I'm glad it's getting nearer the end of the year. What was I thinking at the beginning when I thought a pair of socks for every one in the family. Well this is pair number 18 and it's for a gentleman. I've not assigned socks to actual recipients yet but that's coming. I think the socks need to get together for a group photo shoot. Right now they are all together and it looks like a lot to me.

The Paton's stretch yarn was a new yarn for me and knit up nicely and is stretchy so I'm hopeful that means a good fit. It's a fine yarn so it didn't knit up fast but it hold the stitch definition well so you could do more patterning with it. It was available at a local craft store at a reasonable price. One ball made one sock with a tad bit left over. Good value for the yarn.

My house is decorated, the lights are on outside, bills paid and another pair of socks done. Now it's back to the quilt and oh yes the holiday cards need to be taken care of. But Yeah!! another pair bites the dust.

Quilting the nite away

Last nite I quilted one entire border of the cat quilt but had to put down my needle for the evening. I'm realizing that I can't just keep quilting for hours anymore. My hands get a little tired and achy so instead I switched chairs and picked up my knitting needles and worked on my stretchy light brown sock. With the thin yarn I didn't get as much done but then with a cat watching my every move and keeping track of the moving, wiggling yarn I think I did well. Tonite after work and again tomorrow I'll get quilting and finish another side. Every day a countdown to a deadline.

Sock # ?

A great crafting weekend ended with another pair of socks knitted and a new skein of stretch yarn already on the needles. I enjoyed knitting this twisted rib sock pattern. It looks complated but is really quite easy. The new pair is back to a basic k2p2 rib but the yarn is stretchy so I'll see how this new type yarn works before working it in to fancier patterns. My son gave these his craft seal of approval.

I set aside a lot of time for quilting too and finished up the center of the quilt. I took it off the long frame and put it on the q-snap frame so I could get the borders done. I had to think about how the quilt would get finished and by just quilting it the vision of it in it's final glory appeared to me. My gang of cats are quite interested in the whole quilt thing and really want to jump on it but they are being good. Just wait until I have to go to work tomorrow and the they have the entire day to themselves.

Turkey day craft aftermath

It was a great turkey day and I even got to do some knitting at the end. I made pumpkin cheeseballs for the appetizers and they were a big hit. Next year I'll make them a tad bit smaller so they fit on a cracker and you don't get cheese overload.

check out the bettycrocker website (http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/recipe.aspx?recipeID=37889&Source=SearchResultPage&terms=cheese%20pumpkins) and you can see a picture.

We checked out all of my mom's new knitting magazines, commented on good and bad knitting, got some good guidance on what others needs are for the future and generally had a great time just visiting. After a wonderful dinner it was on to checking out the upstairs craft supply and my sister and I both went home with some fabric and other projects that will get finished by us and then given back completed to mom.

After a stress free car ride home (lighter traffic than expected), everything go put away and then I could sit back and relax with the little gang. A dvd and a bag of knitting along with a bowl of the Rose Clan Indian Pudding made for nice end to the holiday. I thought seriously about going to the stores at 5 am the next day for those door buster sales but the extra hours in bed won out as did a snuggly Magpie keeping me warm.

I brought my knitting to work and did some at lunch so tonite it's a quilt session with some more dvds and cats. Another sublime nite of crafting.

Craft companions

The quilt has recovered from it's batting surgery and is now fully back on the frame. I found the quilting thread, the 12 sharps that I love to quilt with (short and sharp), my thread holder to wear around my neck, favorite thimble, box of finger cots (little thin rubber covers for your finger that grips the needle, sharp scissors and masking tape. All the tools to get the job done, along with the tv remote control. I tuned up my thread and got right back into quilting. There is a lot to do but an hour or two every nite will get me done. I'm extremely hopeful at the moment but it's still November.

My craft companions were extremely perplexed at the rearranging of furniture and favorite perching spots (my lap and back of chair). Magpie kept coming and looking at the quilt frame, trying to peek over it and putting her paws up to see if there is a space for her. She's not quite ready to settle into a spot as yet. I cover it up when I'm not using it and also tilt the top up so that it doesn't encourage napping during the day time.

The first twisted rib sock is completed and the second cast on. I still need a carry along project for work so socks it is. My local yarn shop had the missing yarn I was needing and I'll have just a Little bit left over at the end of the pair. They are quite the pattern and I'll ask my son to do a test fit for me just to make sure they'll be a good wearing sock. The foot is done totally in stocking stitch instead of my usual ribbed top.

The Indian pudding is in the fridge ready for dessert tomorrow. I couldn't resist and had a little tasting bowl tonite, hot from the oven. Yummy. The Rose clan's recipe holds up to the ages. I think I just need a little bit bigger dish to bake it in or else next time use two dishes. Happy Turkey day tomorrow to one and all.

Holiday crafting season

It's now officially the start of the holiday crafting season. I realize that I have been crafting all year long but that's just me (or a small minority of addicted crafters). Since I'm getting down to the wire on my socks for everyone project I cast on another men's sock. It's a twisted rib pattern found in the book "knitting (man)ual" and featured in the knitpicks new catalog. I really like the way the sock looked in the knitpicks catalog and went to my library and checked out the book. The sock in the book was poorly photographed and styled and I could see why I just went right by it. The catalog was clear and showed how nice the ribbing would look. It's an easy 9 stitch pattern repeat so the number of stitches around had to be adjusted a little.

This sock does have a problem though. I'm running out of yarn to finish the foot. A visit to the local yarn store is in the works to see if they have more of this. What's worse is I don't remember when or where I bought it. I think it was in the fall but I'm only guessing. If all else fails at the store I'll search on like and get the sock done by the holidays. I do have more backup yarn to knit with.

Another in the extremly limited series of stitched holiday cards. This one is very different for me and comes with a printed card to put over the stitching. Very nice.

A more modern interpretation of the holiday season. This one is a favorite, loved the modern vibe from the wondering reindeer.

Now a problem that has got to be fixed. This is a quilt on the frame that I started quilting over a year ago. I put it aside, wrapped in a sheet and forgot about it. The gang of cats got to it, pulled down the sheet and attacked the batting showing on the underside and made a big hole in it. It's only batting but before I can get back to the quilting the batting has to have some surgery. Luckily here is enough extra on the end so I'm hoping for the best. I'm going to to do a clean cut across above and below the damaged areas and then rejoin the two sections with whip stitching. The quilt top will get rebasted on the frame and then the quilting can begin. This time I'll make sure it's wrapped up securely each time I walk away from it. The gang of cats think that a quilt frame with quilt is the 'most excellent' place for a nap. I do love them and they are great craft companions. Now on to surgery and yeah, where is all the quilting thread and needles.

Crafting for the holidays

This doesn't look like much but there is still some stitching to do before it assembles into a pincushion, needlebook and scissor fob. It already has a matching case to slip into. Not sure who will get it but I want it finished and done. I'm liking getting to the assembly and finalizing.

Yesterday and today I had meetings to attend and used the time wisely by working on my second opal sock. It's done. Yeah!! Another guy sock pair finished. I didn't even waste any time but put another skein of brown regia yarn in the knitting bag, ready for the needles.

Snow cat 6

The snow cats are all finished being stitched. They got a press but their reward was to get carefully put away in a storage bag for finishing later. No rest for the weary crafter.

Snow Cats

I finished up two more snow cats this weekend, taking a break from knitting. These are working up really quickly. I found my wooden thread/scissor/needle holder and it's keeping me going on this project. I'm halfway finished with the final cat. They might get set aside as I need fabric to assemble them.

For a crafting break I went to see the new James Bond movie 'quantum of solace'. In prep for the movie I read the original story that bears the same name. It deals with men, revenge over the long haul so after the movie I think they picked a good name. Of course there aren't many Ian Fleming titles left to choose from. Chitty chitty bang bang could be a good shoot-um one but all viewers would think of it Dick Van Dyke singing 'toot-sweet'. It was a good addition to the James Bond lineup. Vintage echoes of Bond abound with visits to Haiti, loads of chase scenes, great villians, loads of killing but revenge in the end. If you've read Fleming you know that they just lift the titles and tack them on to the movie but in the end this one you could sense old Bond. Go, watch and just let the chases, girls and villians fall where they may.

Penguins and socks

Here is the 'quilt show' sock yarn and it's first finished sock of the 'mens pair' that I have been working on this week. Casting on wednesday and then done on saturday is pretty good timewise for a sock now. I loved this opal yarn. The color is nice, subtle and looks great and it's going to be nice and warm since it's a little thicker than most yarns I've been knitting with. Now to cast on for the second one.

In my quest to send out christmas cards I've added another in my extremely limited series. I like these singing penquins. What is it about penquins that make you laugh. They do need a good wash and press before they're mounted and ready for mailing. I'm enjoying the break from knitting. So many projects calling my hands to work on them.

Holiday for crafting

A holiday designated for crafting would be a wonderful invention. I know there is a month dedicated to sewing but just a day for everyone to craft would be nice. Since it was veterans day and I'm a veteran I decided to make it a nice day dedicated to doing what I like to do. That is crafting, watching movies and relaxing. I did a lot of that and even baked a batch of yummy bread to munch on.

The first project was the Marilyn Monroe cross stitch that I had stitched a month or two back. I had got the frame but had put it aside to do other stuff. She came out really nice and I love the super special frame that I got for her (on sale of course). She's going into work tomorrow and I'm thinking of giving her away in a raffle. I know she'll go to a good home.

Next up was the third member of the 'dino gang'. It's a yellow brontosaurus that I finished last nite. I had help getting his legs knitted and assembled by my black cat 'magpie'. She lay in my lap keeping me warm and toasty and encouraging me to just keep on crafting and not move my lap at all. I love when she lays in my lap because she gets really relaxed and stretches out and looks very angelic for a black cat. She is a craft enabler.

Here is the finished stocking of the redwork snowman. This worked up quickly even with the iffy finishing instructions. I omitted the thin batting for the stocking as it would have made it a little too bulky in my opinion. It's fully lined in matching cream and has a red back. You don't even have to put anything in it and it looks good. Quite large it could hold something special.

At the end of the day when my bread was rising I got out my snow cats and did some more embroidery. Here is snow cat 2.

And here is snow cat 3. Only three more cats to stitch up. Tomorrow it's back to the workaday world but there is a meeting so I'll bring my sock kit and cast on for another pair of men's. So at the end of veterans/craft holiday I think I accomplished my mission. Good crafting karma, yummy smells throughout the house from the bread, the yard almost totally cleared of leaves and some more projects moved to the 'it's done' pile. Happy crafting

Dino and friends

This snow guy is another piece of redwork that I finished over the weekend. He's going to be transformed after a lot of assembly into a folk style christmas stocking. I realize that I don't need a christmas stocking but I think he'll look great hanging from a mantle somewhere. I like his bird theme. He's quite large and will look impressive.

Now for my favorite new additions to the knitting family of toys in our house. Here are the t-rex and teradactyl, posing in the back yard for their glamour shot. They are reenacting a fight scene from one of the many godzilla flicks we like to watch. They are so cute and are soon to be joined by a new friend, a yellow brontosaurus. His body is done but only has two of four legs knitted. These are quite the adorable knitted treasures all from the 'jean greenhowe' collection.

Quilt show and cats

Yesterday my sister and I went to 'a quilters gathering' and had a great time. You do the quilts first, admiring all the work that went into each, the colors, composition, quilting and just that it's done. Not all were great but some were spectacular. I love fabric and crafting and admire all those who can do great quilting. Then it was on to the 'gift shop' or all of the venders areas. We decided to do a circuit and then go back and decide what to get. It was crowded but every one was in good spirits, included the bus loads of quilting ladies from all over. A wonder lunch break off site got us fueled up for more and it was back to the venders to make our purchases. We even discovered one room we had missed. Another walk around the show and we called it a day. Whew.

The 'snow cat' is from a pattern I got in that almost missed room. I do love redwork or in this case 'bluework'. It's easy and fun but comes out so nice. You need to trace the pattern on to your fabric in order to embroider it. I didn't have a big light box so I improvised. I sometimes use a storm window over two chairs with a light on the floor under neath. Last nite though, all the storms were in place and it was cold so I looked around for another substitute. I found it in the shape of a semi-clear plastic drawer. The side was large than the paper, smooth and perfect for putting on my ironing board with the light inside. My black cat Magpie wanted to sit inside the box while I worked but the light got in her way. She had to settle for the entire box on the floor once I traced my patterns. Finding a hoop and my scissors and I was off on a new project. I really have to stop starting new ones and finish all of the others.

My little dinosaur got sewn together last nite too but he's waiting for a trip to the backyard once it dries out so he can look fierce in the grass. Happy crafting to all.

Prayer Shawl

Three days go by and I finished knitting a small triangular prayer shawl. I used a lacy border but the thin yarn was a little problematic. I blocked it today and it's drying now, getting ready to go out to be given away on friday after a blessing.

Since the prayer shawl was finished I cast on and started knitting a green t-rex. A Jean Greenhowe pattern. (www.jeangreenhowe.com) is a first for me. It's coming out great and watching the Lucy Neatby dvd helped in making my 'mattress stitch' look almost invisible. Pictures to follow at a later date.

What is art?

I read this article about an art installation in a modern art museum this weekend and it got me thinking about art and what qualifies as 'art'. For this artist (and others I have read about)he sends out instructions, a diagram of what the art should be. Then others recreate the art from the instructions. The museum pays for these directions and has to hire people, not the artist, get supplies and make the art. It's like paint or sculpt by the numbers. Lots of museums could buy the same instructions and each have a 'kit' made piece of art to display.

As I'm knitting along on my sock quest it makes me wonder about all of the people who have designed patterns for knitting and all the other crafts I love. They send me a design I've paid for, I then get the supplies and recreate the design in yarn, fabric or stitching. Some I display just like art, on my mantle or wall. Others I give away for the recipient to enjoy. In the case of my multitude of socks when do they become 'art'. I've followed the same pattern, done it in many different fibers and colors, put them all in their jars to look like something they are not (decorative but functional) and lined them all up on the shelf to admire until the holidays when they will be given away. When I look at them all jarred up they look like a piece of art. If I put them on multi-tiered shelves they'd look even better. Unless you opened them up you wouldn't know what was in them, or what was their function. They just look good and interesting. Is it art, folk-art, handicrafts or just knitting?

I'm not sure. I love to go the art museums and admire the painting and sculpture knowing that I haven't the talent to produce a great painting or sculpture in oil or marble. But the modern art, or sculpture by number, I know I could do. It would be like building a model airplane or knitting a sweater. But the question remains is what I do art. When do the crafts and skills of my hands become 'art', art that is valued by others? I don't think any of us 'regular' crafters will know. Perhaps it is the taking of risks or just the designing from within, creating from scratch.

In the end it's just good to think about why we value some art more than others.

So read the article and think about your last visit to a museum, look around your house at your own art, and look at the things you make and create. I'm really sure the 'paint by number' kind of art, recreated by others is good but keep in mind it's a copy, not by the original artist just like my multitude of socks, made by me from a pattern designed by another. Makes you think.

Mass MoCA fills a 3-story building with a tribute to Sol LeWitt - The Boston Globe

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Another month, another pair

It's November and I finished another pair of socks last nite. These are for a man and might be a little wild in color but they feel really soft and will fit well. I'll ask my son to to a quick test fit just to be sure. Not one to rest on my laurels or even rest I went to the attic and looked at my yarn stash with a man in mind. I came up with another multicolored blend and a green/blue mix. My son thought they could both work as guy yarn but wanted to see a little bit knit before he would commit totally. I agreed, put it down (step away from the yarn) and decided to give myself a project break from the sock extravaganza which my knitting has become. My daughter had given me some yarn from her stash on the last visit so I pulled out a cone (loads of yardage) of thin, natural wool and cast on for a triangle shawl that will go to the prayer shawl ministry.

Almost a toe

Another day, another meeting, a little lunch break and a wait in the dentist office and this guy's sock is almost done. And I mean almost done. I'm halfway thru the toe decreases and on to kitchnering. Guys socks have only a few more stitches around but more in length so they take a little longer to get done. I'm liking the stipey yarn though as it's easy to gauge the inches you knit.

Yet another sock

I picked up the sock I had cast on last friday and got knitting on it again while watching a knitting dvd. As you can see I got the heel turned and an on to the toe but I was fascinated by the Lucy Neatby Knitting Essentials dvd. It had lots of stuff that I already knew, but she led you through everything, with great visuals that you understood more of how knitting works and why. I learned a lot and am now halfway through #2. I'm going to get her book from the library and really look at it again. There's always more techniques that can be learned and enjoyed.

A little finishing

It's that time of year already, yes time for finishing up stuff. These are the Alan Dart advent ornaments that I was knitting on two weeks ago. They came out very cute and are very tiny. The Santa is only 4 inches tall. Lot's of fun though and they'll look great where ever they end up. It was my day off today so I decided that they needed to get done. I'm now ready for the first seven days to christmas, but I think I might not get the others done before the holiday as well as everything else I need to craft. My socks are on target but I'm looking to all of my other stuff to do.

I'm prepping the needle point ornaments to get finished also. Their edges are glued and dried and are ready for the next step. Back to the workroom again.

Lot's of meeting knitting

Yesterday as thought I had another meeting to attend so I brought along the 'alpaca' sock. I kept at it an by the afternoon I was kitchnering up the toe. Not one to let my needles rest (and I was still in yet another meeting) I cast on a new skein of multicolored 'regia' type yarn. At the end I had about 3 inches of the cuff done.

I'm working on another 'team shirt' ornament this time with the name of the park on the back of the shirt. I was having trouble deciding which number or player to imortalize so the park they play in it is. I'm doing this one all in plain basketweave to see the end results. My son told me he really liked the fancier stitches that give it more dimension. We'll see the finished product and then go ahead with others. I'm liking these small needlepoint projects. No magnifying eye's to wear. It's like coloring with yarn for grownups and you can be as plain or fancy with stitches and threads as you like. They are easy to transport and to do a few stitches. I also needed to have a little rest from knitting. But I've knit 3 pairs of socks in October, and there are a few days left in the month.

Ornamentals

Here is what is done on the next 'team' ornament that I'm working on. It's been washed, blocked and dried and now needs some glue to stabalize the edges prior to sewing on lining fabric, assembly and trimming. I'm eyeing my bead stash for wire in order to craft a tiny custom hanger to display the little shirt. After finishing the stitching on this one I thought, oh, should I have picked a number or name for the back? Lets see how this one turns out and the next one could be customized or even designed for another 'team' even a different 'sport'.

On the knitting front I cast on an am up to the heel on the second 'alpaca' sock. I'll wrap this one up by the weekend. I looked at my sock stash and realized I need to concentrate the next few pairs on the men's catagory. I've heard that they are greatly appreciated so I don't want the guys to get shorted because I like a smaller (read less total stitches) women's size to knit. On to the needles.

Little knitting

Today I got to work a little bit of knitting done while the workers put in my new furnace and hot water heater. I'm almost done with the toe on the first alpaca sock. It's so soft and will be wonderful on a foot. It's not a stretchy yarn but I did a ribbing pattern so it will stay on the foot. I did some needlepoint on a tiny shirt ornament but it's getting ready to be blocked and stretched prior to assembly so no photo yet.

My favorite knitting designer, Alan Dart, has a website that you can order some of his patterns from. www.alandart.co.uk Of course I had to get the christmas mice set because you can never have enough knitted mice. I'm looking forward to a day next week that I can just sit and sew and not worry about the house. It's warm and snuggly now, thanks to that wonderful furnace, so I can sit upstairs in my craft room comfortably to get stuff done. Lately I've been wondering how people lived in the cold and got so much done. I know they dressed warmly but with no heat my hands were cold and I was all wrapped up in a blanket. It did restrict my crafting dexterity. Did they just get used to it or am I spoiled by central heating? I'm just thankful that I don't have to raise sheep in the backyard in order to keep knittting.

Turkey Day

I had been working a little bit on this Mill Hill bead pin kit for my mom. It went so fast and tonite it got done. It needs a backing, trimming and a pin back and it will be done. Mom's coming on Monday so that will get done this weekend.
A meeting this morning lead to me bringing my 'sock bag' with me and that was a great decision. I cast on at the start of the meeting and at the end I had the leg done and was working on the heel flap. During the break all of the other knitters came up to 'fondle' the alpaca yarn and tell me of their projects. They really liked my finger puppet needle holders and vowed to go to their respective childrens departments in a hunt for 'leftover puppets' to convert. A little tv watching tonite and the heel was turned and I'm on to the foot. The yarn is extremely soft and I'm enjoying just a K2P2 rib. I had tried other patterns with this yarn but they didn't show up so the usual it is. Work tomorrow then some more ornament or sock knitting tomorrow.

New project

I started last nite working on a new project from my simply knitting magazine. It's an advent tree with ornaments. I've decided to just knit the ornaments and not the tree. For one thing I'm not really fond of flocked or white trees and I have a number of small artifical trees in my holiday collection that would nice decorated. They could also be given away but I'll have to think about that. Right now I've got another bag started full of little knitted parts. They are really small so they are knitting up fast. I'm not retiring my sock bag just yet. That is at the ready for any meeting I'm attending this week.

My new roof arrived today and looks great. In preparation I de-decorated the house so there are piles of picture frames on the furniture. I'm waiting to change to the holiday decor until after the new furnace is installed next week. I'm imagining the dust from the duct work coming loose. I peeked in the open attic space above the garage and I'll be sweeping and vacumming up all of dust that came loose today. They warned me and I draped plastic over everything, but the floor and plastic coverings is covered in old dust from the roof. The good thing is that the roof wasn't damaged at all, the new roof will last 25-30 years and it looks really nice. Good craftsmanship.

Let it snow

I started this last nite and finished him up tonite. He is one of my extremely limited edition cross-stitched holiday cards. I've got one finished totally, and three just stitched so four of the family will get one. They are fun and easy to do and a break from all the knitting and cleaning.

Another pair completed

After a productive holiday, cleaning out the attic room, making more trash and even putting some of my collected tins into the recycling bin, I got down to doing some knitting. Here is the finished result. Another pair of socks. I've got a jar in the craft store room just waiting for them. I'm resting my sock pattern for just a little while and doing some other projects and even more cleaning and organizing. The more I sort, toss and put away finds me finding more to sort, toss and put away. The plus side is that it is totally clear around the water heater so when they come to replace it the workmen won't have any trouble. I still have to get tarps to cover all the stuff in the attic and get them in place. Lots to do and even my son got into the act today cleaning out and rearranging his room. It still need work but again the more you do the more you find to do.

I got the word that the flannel quilt that go finished while on vacation was given to it's intended recipent a little earlier than christmas. The word got back that it was a great hit and and show stopper. I'm so glad, it was fun to sew and we all knew it would be loved in it's new home.

On to a little more organinzing, cleaning and putting stuff away before the night is over. One more day off tomorrow, but I've got loads to do. Never enough hours in the day.

2nd Sock

After a hectic, incredibly busy but in the end productive week at work I finally got to take a day off. Did that mean a day of rest, well kind of. I'm going to get a new roof put on the house so tarps have to be laid over all of the stuff in the attic. I'm also going to get a new furnace and a new water heater, so the room where the water heater is has to get cleaned out so the workers can get in it. So today I was washing dishes, cleaning the upstairs room and putting things away in preparation for the repairs. Did I get it all done? No way! But I did manage to make two large bags of trash and get a little more organized. Some how I also made a turkey dinner, brownies and crescent rolls. Did I also mention that I got some knitting in too. It's my second 'fortisimma' sock and it's had it's heel turned. Tomorrow the gusset will get decreased and then on to the foot. Some fun new dvd's from the library make the crafting so much fun.

Back to the needles

I finally got to get back to my knitting tonite after two days of not touching them but I still carried them with me no matter where I went. I had grand plans of a break, but I used the time instead to do the dishes, laundry, sweep the floors and brush a cat. I even got to meet the cutest new puppy from across the street. But back to the crafting. I am only 1/4" away from doing the decreases on my 'fortisimma' sock #1. It felt so good to get the needles back in my hands, relax and watch a crazy tv show. A holiday is coming up so that means I'll get to sit at my desk and do some finishing of other projects or even just get a little bit organized in another area of the house. I have to get out the fall decorations and get the house ready for halloween! I just know it's going to be a great day off.

As the heel turns

Last nite I realized I had kept on knitting and the heel on the first 'fortisima' sock was done. I like the striping and the yarn will wear wonderfully. Today was another story. I haven't even touched my knitting and I won't get a chance to work on it until tomorrow. Luckily there is a 'prayer shawl' meeting so I'll have to get some knitting done. So much to work on and not enough time to do it all. I'm looking forward to the holiday weekend just to snuggle with my gang of cats and get some crafting done.

On to the next sock

I finished up the second 'stretch sock' last nite and cast on another one right away. Luckily I had brought my knitting when I was out visiting. We talked quilting, needlework, beading and knitting so no minded me working away. It's fun to go an talk with other fellow crafters where every one knows what you're talking about and you can explain a new technique or comment on theirs. A supportive, nurturing environment. One that makes you want to craft some more.

So here is the new sock. It's 'fortisima' yarn in extremly multicolored stripe pattern. I decided a k2p2 rib would be soft and form fitting so it will be another comfy, useable, wearable sock for the holiday jar fest. I've done my pair for October (stretchy pair) so I need to get ahead of the game in order to be on target for December. I'm enjoying myself so others will too.

Second Sock

I finished the first 'regia stretch' sock and am halfway done with the second. I love this yarn, it knits up well and fit so nicely when I did a trial fit. I know I'm going to get a few more balls of of this from 'webs'. They don't have many color choices but at under $5 a ball that's less than $10 for a fitted pair of socks. It's much easy to knit with then 'cascade fixation' which I had trouble doing ribbing with. The regia could be knitted with lots of stitch patterns because it will hold the stitch definition. Onward to the heel.

Back to the needles.

New sock yarn that I started today is going along great. It's 'regia stretch' and I can't wait to see the final fit on the foot of the sock. I'm being daring (for me) and doing a plain, yes plain sock. The yarn has built in stretchy fibers but feels like regular sock yarn. I bought this sight unseen and unfondled off the web from 'webs' . I realize that I like to fondle my yarn and fabric first prior to purchase but i trusted 'regia'.

Am also finishing reading the new book 'knit so fine' and loving all the reasons to knit with fine yarn. My favorite so far, you get more knitting enjoyment for the money because you have to knit more stitches than a bulky weight yarn.