Happy New Year

Happy New Year. I got some of those knitting needles that light up for Christmas. Thanks Mom. Now when we're driving in the dark, I knit while my husband drives. I will be able to make alot of dishcloths in 2007.

Thank you, Secret Pal

Thank you, Secret Pal, for the lovely card from Estonia (& geography lesson!) and the knitting book. I'm sure it is a book I will own forever and use often as a reference.

Hey, any good spellers out there? I just heard of an adult spelling bee in the Exton area that will be held this spring. I'd like to go see it, but it would be alot more fun if I knew a participant.

I Hear Something

At breakfast this morning:
T. - "I hear something"
Me - "What do you hear?"
T. - "Something on the roof, maybe it is Santa"

Oh, the joyous sounds of Christmas!

The Wallaby Is Off The Needles

Here is The Wonderful Wallaby in all its glory. I can't think of one thing I'd change about it. I adore the way it turned out. T wore it hot off the needles on 12/8.

You know what is really great? There are already grape jelly stains on it! If I had a better camera, you'd see them. Hint, Santa.

Pattern: Cottage Creations, The Wonderful Wallaby, Size 4

Yarn: Rowan, All Seasons Cotton - Ravish #199

Needles : US 5 and US 7

Mods: Seed stitch instead of ribbing at cuffs, bottom edge, pouch and hood

Start Date: 10/13/06

Finish Date: 12/8/06

Daily Post

Did you post every day in November? If so, congratulations!

Hard Pretzels And Whole Milk

One of my favorite snacks is hard pretzels with whole milk.

Shown in photo are Martin's Pretzels, a very good pretzel indeed.

Yarn Purchases

Today I went to a local yarn shop to buy some sock yarn for my SP9 and I found this for myself. Soon it will be a hat for T.











Artyarns - Supermerio
100% Superwash Merino Wool
color #114 - burgundy, gold, brown and magenta

Wallaby Progress

Here's the Wallaby, almost finished and on T. Doesn't she look great in it? I'm psyched.

I only have to knit the hood, weave in the ends and graft a couple seams to complete it.

I remember one of the things I like so much about this pattern - there's hardly any seaming to do. Once you're done knitting, the sweater is intact, the only seams to finish are at the underarms and hood.

Knitting and Coffee

I enjoyed knitting at the coffee shop again this evening with a friend. These outings are becoming more frequent and I like it. Can I go so far as to say these outings are essential to my life? My friendships beome closer. I have the opprotunity to engage in adult conversation. My knitting improves.

So, the next time I say, "No, I can't go" or I do not pick up the phone because I think everyone else in the world is busier than me. I am going to come back and read this post.

Sweater On The Run!

Just after finishing the crocheted edge and before cutting the yarn, I tried this sweater on my little one. In the photo with the ball attached, she's probably wondering, "Why is this ball of yarn following me around?" Later in the day we were out and about in the sweater (completed) and she got many compliments.

Pattern: Minnow Knits - Sweetie Pie
Yarn: Manos Cotton Stria - melon #205
Needles: US 5
Button: Zecca - 1 1/2" black & white swirl
Adds: Single crocheted egde around the neckline and bottom edges to give more shape.
Start date: 5/11/ 2005
Finish date: 11/25/2006

Humble Stitches

My grandmother has been in poor health lately. She is 94 years old. Today during a visit with her I was reminded of what Gram always called "humble stitches". Years ago my mother told me that Gram always referred to those little mistakes in her sewing or quilting as "humble stitches". Next time before I rip out my rows, I will think of Gram.

Gram is not able to follow much of a conversation these days. But today, she did smile and answer "yes" when my oldest daughter asked "Do you like to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse"?

Happy Thanksgiving

I am thankful for my daughters and my husband.

This year my pecan pie turned out beautiful. Not only did it look good, but it tasted great and none of the filling leaked through the bottom crust. I baked it at 365 degrees for 20 minutes uncovered, then I put foil around the edges and baked for another 20 minutes.

The Day Before Thanksgiving

Obeservation: On the day before Thanksgiving, people are not out buying children's shoes they are buying groceries.

A Thanksgiving Feast To Remember

Today I attended my daughters preschool for a Thanksgiving Feast. I did not realize there'd be a stage program too - her first performance! She was dressed in a fringed vest and feathered headband as "Princess Hopping Bunny". Her class sang several songs. The most memorable was to the tune of the I'm A Little Teapot.

I'm a little Indian on the go,
Here is my arrow.
Here is my bow.
When I go a'huntin, hear me shout,
Bears and Buffalo, you better watch out!

Teaching Atrocity

Recently, I heard about these lessons being taught by the language arts teacher at an area middle school.

Lesson 1:
Direct and Indirect Objects
1. She wrote on the blackboard - "Lable the DO and IO.
The fish was swimming to the land."

Lesson 2:
Vocabulary word "vitality"
Sample sentence - The turkey was so full of vitality we weren't sure that he was dead when we ate him.

Now what do you think of that?

Dishcloth Complete In 2 Days!

Honestly, complete in two days - that's a record for me.

Pattern: From my Mom years ago - will add details later

Yarn: Sugar and Cream - 100% Cotton - beige

Needles: US 10 Straight Aluminum

Cast On - 11/15/06

Cast Off - 11/17/06

Moebius Scarf Lesson

It was a dark, windy night. All day heavy rains poured and as night approached, there was a tornado warning threatening our area. We ventured out to our thursday night knitting group. Hey, it was the night to learn the Moebius Scarf. I wasn't going to miss that. It was wonderful to learn that cast-on. After several stitches were cast-on, I fell into the rhythmic movements. I am hooked - this will not be my last moebius scarf.

Not everyone there shared my experience. One woman flung her needles down in frustration over the Moebius cast-on. The needles slid across the table towards me and just missed my jugular vein.

Thank you P & E for a great Moebius lesson.

Dishcloth

I started a dishcloth for my sister today. Small and simple. However, I do have a deadline. I want to give it to her as a birthday present.

November Calendar Photos

I'm in just under the Nov 15 deadline to enter Chappy's Contest. I do not think that any of the photos from my 2006 calendars will be chosen as winners, but I want to post them anyway. Happy belated birthday, Chappy's Mom. Maybe next year I will make my own photo calendar and be sure to have a bright, sunny photo in November for you and all my loved ones who celebrate November birthdays.

This photo is from the calendar in our kitchen:


This photo is from the calendar in our office:


Now I realize how much I dislike both these photos. I'm replacing both of them in the morning!

Blocking Ann's Scarf

This weekend I tried to block my Ann's Scarf. It just isn't going well. It keeps curling on the edges - curling alot.

Look at it - it is curly, curly, curly.

Hopefully I can get some help from knitting group Thursday night.