A word of thanks...

Writing my thoughts in this blog has turned into a very pleasant surprise. Thank you all for your kind words about the tribute to my Grandmother. I find such a sense of community here with you all, and that gives me a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction, especially on the weeks when my boys are with their father. In the words of my 13 year old, "You RULE!"

On the blog front, after a very lengthy absence, Kerstin the Wonder Muffin has finally returned. Break out the wool and the ribbon yarn! Bring out the hot tea and Mint Milano cookies! Let's have us a 'welcome home' party! You were greatly missed, you crazy woman. Your vacation pictures are wonderful, and your family is lovely! Now tell us what we've been dying to know...how long were you home until you picked up a knitting project? Hmmmm? Be honest now!

In addition to working the Araucania socks I picked up some aluminum DPNs the other night at one of those massive chain craft store and cast on for this bulky sock pattern while watching Joey's soccer game. Ugh. Give me a little mom & pop place to shop anytime. And maybe I'm a knitting tool snob, but I really do prefer my bamboo DPNs to the aluminum. I kept dropping stitches and the work slides around way too much on the aluminum for me to handle. But...I didn't have any needles with me, and I needed a quick knit fix. Any port in a storm, you know.

My grandmother left me a beautiful legacy. The love of handiwork. I have several quilts that she made, one which is a "postage stamp" quilt with neat, tiny stitches sewn around each small piece of fabric. How did she do this? When did she find the time? She was an identical twin, and helped raise her other 8 brothers and sisters. She married young, worked hard, and loved her two boys Frankie and Sonny with a fierceness and pride I've rarely witnessed in anyone else. She was so happy when I gave birth to boys also, and when they were toddlers she would play tag with them around my lawn on summer days, laughing like a young girl. My kids thought it was great that an "old lady" would play with them. I believe that through my sons Grandma was able, momentarily, to relive those wonderful days of raising her own beloved boys.

The picture at left is Grandma Wilson's high school graduation photo. What a beauty! Behind that shy smile and stylish hairdo was such integrity and character--the strongest woman I've ever known. She taught me to knit when I was young, and together we made enough potholders and dishcloths to carpet the house several times over. My childish fingers made mistake after mistake, but she was patient in her coaching, and eventually I got the hang of it. I called her the other night, to tell her about my sock knitting exploits. She no longer knows who I am, but was very polite in telling me that it was wonderful that I enjoy knitting, and that I should have a good evening...good-bye! How I miss her.

If you're still reading this, thank you for putting up with my sentimental ramblings. My father gave me this picture last night, and I felt it was important to pay homage to the woman who has given me a tremendous gift. Someday I hope to pass it along to my own granddaughter. Until then, thank you, Grandma Wilson. You've given me more than you could ever imagine.

I've become obsessed with socks. While surfing yesterday I found a Magical Mystery Sock Tour. These folks have taken sock patterns they've found on the web that don't have a picture, worked the pattern, and provided a picture of the finished product. Great idea! Whenever I come across a pattern that doesn't include a picture, I'm not interested. I can't read a pattern & visualize the outcome. I learn the same way--you've got to draw me a picture of a concept, otherwise I struggle.

These Thurm Socks are sure cute, although I've no idea what wool roving is, and have never heard of the thrum stitch. Sounds like an opportunity for growth, doesn't it?

Tami over at bluerose has created the most beautiful silver and agate bracelet. I have problems wrapping wire around loops cleanly, and Tami does a great job of it.

I'm working on the second Araucania sock, and wishing it would hurry up & finish, because I want to make a big, bulky pair. I'm thinking of gray socks with a red toe & heel. That color combo reminds me of the heavy-duty socks my Dad wore with his steel-toed work boots.

The sun is out today, and the sky is the most amazing blue. Have a great Sunday, everyone.

In order to support my growing yarn addiction, I make and sell simple silver wire & bead jewelry. It used to just be a fun sideline, but now I'm trying to crank out the inventory so that I can buy more yarn. Is it really cheaper than therapy?? Not much anymore!

It's a gray, drizzly day. I love this kind of weather. The lilacs are in full bloom, and their scent wafts in through the open kitchen window. I've started dinner in the crock pot--chicken & noodles. By afternoon it will smell warm and delicious (hopefully!!). Dang, I need me a wealthy sugar daddy so that I can stay home & do this all the time. Maybe someday Sandy will tire of Steek. Hmmm. maybe not!

My 13 year old son has been taken over by an alien being. A smelly, hairy, moody, tuba-playing skateboarding Martian Dude. One minute this alien is happy and funny, and the next he's flying off the handle about being out of deodorant. (I told the alien that he was welcome to visit my son's body, but he's GOT to use good hygiene.) This extra-terrestrial has even changed my son's face, morphing it into a more man-like mix of testosterone and freckles, and it's language is sprinkled heavily with "Dude"'s and "Dog"'s. When I tried to tell him a joke, he rolled his eyes and made a grunting noise of disapproval. ET has no sense of humor, apparently. I know my son is still in there--those deep blue eyes of his still twinkle, and once in awhile I see that smile that makes my heart melt.

I was born at the wrong time. In a world obsessed with youth and wealth, I find that knitting provides a welcome link to old world tradition. There is great satisfaction that comes from working with your hands, and the sense of community found with other knitters can fill a void in a life that is too often hectic and isolated. I would love to knit with the women in this picture, learning from them the craft that was passed on to them from their ancestors.

Last night I found this Fair Isle link on the Shetland Museum's site. This knitting technique fascinates me, and this article describes the history of Fair Isle.

On the project list...to begin learning Fair Isle. Happy Friday all. I'm going to call my Grandmother and tell her I love her, and thank her for teaching me to knit.

First sock completed! Right after weaving in the ends I cast on for the mate. Otherwise, I know I wouldn't finish the pair--that delicious pink ribbon yarn keeps whispering to me. This sock was made using Terri Lee Royea's sock pattern, and Araucania Nature Wool yarn. I used #3 US double points. Working the turned heel and the gusset was interesting. I just followed the pattern, having no clue how these stitches were supposed to look. It seemed to work out okay!

The picture of the whole sock is pretty dark, but hopefully you can catch the shades in the yarn. It looks almost varigated. Coooooool stuff! I made some pretty obvious errors (purling where I should knit, etc), but all in all I think it was a success. Now on to number two. I'd like to make some bulky socks too--to wear more as house slippers or with galoshes. Anyone know of a good bulky sock pattern that a newbie can follow?

:: one down...one to go ::

Finished up the first sock during my lunch hour today. It looks pretty good--I'll take pictures of it when I get home after Joey's soccer game & Michael's band concert. I feel guilty, just wanting to go home, relax & knit.

:: feeling rather hedonistic ::

Chair massages were offered at work today. For only $10 you could have your shoulders, neck, hands arms rubbed for 15 minutes by a tall handsome man with strong hands, great legs and a deep, soft voice. I spent $20. Life is good.

:: sweet mystery of sock at last I've found you ::

This Araucania sock is working up real nicely. It's fascinating to me how the heel and gusset take shape. I've always wondered why people knit socks--but now I know. It's really fun and satisfying. I showed it to my 10 year old Joey, who replied, "Dude--it's a sock". Hey! It's recognizable! That's all I ask.

A big "hip hip hooray" to Sandy for her persistence in working the heel of her Ocean sock. A lesser woman would have given it up for naught, but not Sandy! Way to go, woman!

Wonder Muffin is on vacation, but I'll be sending psychic messages to her...."I need to knit.....must have yarn....". Wonder how long she can hold out?

Leigh over at Wool Flowers has be working on the most beautiful knit tapestry...Widdicombe Fair. It's gorgeous. Hmmm. Something else to put on my "must learn" list....

Darn, it's time to get ready for work. Pioneer Woman generously gave me the week off, but her edict has been cruelly overruled by my boss. Arrgh! Happy Tuesday, all.

::: proof of the pudding :::

If I could take the day off work today to finish up this sock, I would. Working the heel and gusset has been a challenge that I've really enjoyed. It fascinates me how a combination of slips and stitches wind up creating a well-shaped heel. This has been a really satisfying project. The Araucania Nature Wool has a lovely variation of hues that create a rich, textured look. Fun, fun stuff!!!

Thanks to Sandy for her cheering me on while I was hemming & hahing over picking up stitches & working the gusset. It took me awhile, but I finally got the hang of it. Oh...I have to do the second sock, don't I? I'd better not sound too confident yet!

::: fiber addiction :::
Friday afternoon I bought some gorgeous Berroco Zen pink ribbon yarn. This picture really doesn't do it justice, as it's got this lustre and shine that is sooooo seductive. As soon as I saw it I had to touch it. Click on the picture for a larger view. I'm not sure what I'm going to use it for yet...maybe a nice summer tank. Whatever I make will need to be on some bamboo needles, because it feels pretty slippery to work with.

Another purchase was some wonderful Araucana Nature Wool hand dyed from Chile. Again, the picture doesn't do it justice. You can click on it to see a larger view. It's gorgeous, full of color variations. I bought two hanks in very masculine colors that I'll use to make socks for the boys. Yes, Kerstin...socks! Can you believe it? Sandy and Pioneer Dear have been pretty inspirational with their sockwork, and there was the coolest pair on display at the LYS, so I figured what the heck. I'm about 80% done with the leg of one sock, using Terri Lee Royea's sock pattern.


::: browsings :::
Beautiful duck picture at the Ugly Green Chair. She has such an eye for beauty.

Knitting Park has instructions for dying yarn with kool-aid. What great colors--I'm going to have to try this!

Terri Lee Royea's sock pattern and tutorial make sock knitting look pretty do-able.

::: other favorite things :::
Joey's laugh
Coupeville, Washington
Origins A Perfect World White Tea Skin Guardian
Elderly couples holding hands
Enya's "Orinoco Flow"'
The smell of hot coffee brewing in the morning.
New York style Cheesecake. Plain, as I'm trying to cut down on calories :)

::Ms. Gibson, tear down this wall!::
Yesterday afternoon a knitting wall of mine came tumbling down. I bought some sock yarn. To knit socks, even. Holy cow, I can hardly believe it. I went into the LYS to look at some fun pink ribbon yarn I've been obsessing about for weeks now, and I saw the coolest socks hanging from a shelf stocked full of intarsia and fair isle sock yarn. I was a goner. One look at the hanks of gold and red, and I felt lightheaded. I had to have it. The book "Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles" by Cat Bordi has been on my shelf gathering dust for years, and I forgot about it completely when I bought a set of #3 (US) bamboo double points. The gingko doesn't seem to be working....

::Auction Envy::
There are very few things I put on the same level of satisfaction as knitting, and going to an auction is one of them. Lucky Pioneer Woman is going to one today to replace that poor old tired stove. Oh, the things you can find at an auction! Most of my home furnishings and linens have come from farm auctions throughout the valley. It's such a joy to find lovely vintage tablecloths and dishtowels that have been carefully embroidered by patient hands. Competing for these treasures means I usually pay more than I probably should for them, but it's so much fun!! PW, I hope you come home with the stove of your dreams! Happy Birthday to Manly, too. :)

::Exotic Yarn Wishes and BMW dreams::
When I was in high school I had the coolest car. A 1973 Opel Manta. It topped out at about 45 miles an hour, and the 8-track tape deck took up all the floor space between the driver and passenger seats. I could fit 3 tapes in the glove box--Areosmith's "Toys in the Attic", Rolling Stones "Some Girls" and War--can't remember the name of the album, but it had the song "Low Rider" on it--great tune! I truly bonded with this car--it was a deep maroon color, and after I accidentally hit a fence & tore off the right front fender my father replaced the crumpled fender with a bright orange dent-free one. While he was at it he did some body work on a few of the rough spots on the rest of the car, and finished them up with gray primer. And there it was. No, we didn't paint it. There wasn't the money at the time, and after a boyfriend of mine nicknamed the car "Spot", it's fate was sealed. Spot it would remain. I drove that car everywhere, and my parents loved it because it was a tough car to hide! I want to feel that way about my car again. It's tough to do with a '99 Taurus, reliable though that car has been. After years of searching I think I've found my automotive soulmate---a 1980 BMW 320i. Ooohh when I look at it my pulse quickens and I feel a sense of awe come over me. I'm working hard to get my car paid off, then will save up the cash it will take to make one of these babies my own. If I keep going to the LYS and splurging on yarn and needles it's not going to be easy!

A little bird told me that Pioneer Woman will be celebrating a birthday next week! On the same day as Queen Elizabeth the II, even. Tis only fitting that the Queen of Canada shares her date of birth with such royalty! Happy Birthday, dear Pioneer Woman.

On the Gibson homefront---I awoke this morning & came downstairs to do some laundry, only to find last night's load of darks contained a tissue. GREAT. It's a Lots o'Lint Friday, folks. Hope yours goes well! I intend to get started on yet another hat, this time for the Bro.

Kerstin, may I have my malted shake in chocolate pleeeeease? You're a peach!

I've finally finished the Fiber Trends hat. This pattern works up so quickly on size 11 (US) needles and double strands of Lamb's Pride wool/mohair blend.

This is the second hat I've made from this pattern. On the first I used a single strand of Lamb's Pride chunky, and I liked the felting result better than using a double strand of worsted. The brim was worked in garter stitch, and you can still see the stitches, as opposed to it looking all like one piece of felted fabric. Hmmm. It's still pretty cute, though. It'll look great on Sharon when she goes to Bar Harbor this fall! My brother liked the first hat so well he asked that I make him one. His will be made from Lamb's Pride chunky in a light grey.

Now I don't know what to start next. I'm down to one project--the Prepschool tie. I've been reading several knitting blogs, and it seems folks are working on socks, cabled sweaters, things called 'steeks', etc. Yikes! Maybe I'll try a fun felted tote bag or something with some of that funky eyelash yarn. Maybe I'll just knit me up a man. Yeah, baby--I like it! Anyone else have some good ideas?

Thanks to New Wave Pioneer Melissa & Kerstin the Wonder Muffin, this post is being brought to you via w.bloggar. It's awesome!! Thanks, gals--you've done me a great favor! First round of drinks is on me!

Another thanks to KtWM (see above) for the guest link on her site. I love the daisy button!

I'm working on the Prepschool tie pattern from Knitty, and so far it's working up pretty nice, using JAWOLL Color Superwash from Lang & Co. My first Italian yarn ***swoooon***. I'm feeling very continental, thank you. The bamboo size 2(US) double points are a pleasure to work with. It was tough getting started, but after working a few rounds it's now going like a breeze. Yes, I know I've discussed this WIP before, but I'm not looking to win any literary prizes here, nor do I expect to revolutionize the craft...I'm just excited about the project, and if this excitement is contagious, more the better.

Is anyone else having trouble editing items in Blogger? Whenever I try to edit I wind up losing the "post" and "post & publish" buttons. Looks like the are way off to the right somewhere, away from the range of the display & mouse.

A trip to the doctor's office tonight gave me time to work on Michael's tie. At the same time that the doctor told me that Michael has strep throat I realized that I had dropped a stitch several rows down. Arrrrrgh. Size 2 (US) needles. No way I'm wanting to rip out several rows & try to thread them all back onto those little kabob sticks! Hopefully a perscription of Amoxicillin and a small crochet hook will solve both problems. Onward & upward!

Note to the very clever Pioneer Melissa....thanks, you crazy woman... the following tune has been in my head all day long!!

crack that whip
give the past the slip
step on a crack
break your momma's back
when a problem comes along
you must whip it
before the cream sits out too long
you must whip it
when something's going wrong
you must whip it

now whip it
into shape
shape it up
get straight
go forward
move ahead
try to detect it
it's not too late
to whip it--
whip it good!

While the kids were outside playing in the rain I stayed inside and blocked the cardie. Can't wait for the buttons to arrive!

One thing I love so much about knitting
is the freedom it allows you. You can do anything you like with your creation---any color or texture.
There are so many choices. I had a blast last night picking out buttons for my first cardigan. This is the one
I came up with, a 1" black carved wooden square. In working the right band I messed up on the placement of
the buttonholes, so I'm in for some ripping & redoing. Six months ago I would have been sick about it, but this
cardigan has done wonders for my knitting confidence. And com'on...they're just buttonholes, for crying out loud. Put away the Maalox, roll
up the sleeves, rip that sucker out & redo it!

A sure sign of Spring
Today is rainy and cool--a perfect day to make a pot of corn chowder,
read to Joey and work on Michael's tie.
These are the days where dreaming gets done instead of laundry.

browsing... Cute shawl pins at White Lies Designs.

Great Easter idea...Megan at not martha shows how to make tiny pinatas. Sounds like a project Joey & I are going to have to try!

Oh yeah, that's me, alright...From the quiz: Catarina was Henry's first wife and was probably the only one of his six wives to truly love him. He tired of her, and she spent the last decade of her life in lonely exile. Yet when she was dying, alone and unloved, she wrote: "Lastly, I make this vow, that mine eyes desire thee above all things. Farewell."
Which of Henry VIII's wives are you? This quiz was made by the groovtastic ghouls at Spookbot

Okay, I may have pressed a few flowers in my day. But Henry would have been out on his can were I his wife.

Disillusioned Miss Fit

Oh, it was so exciting. The entire sweater was constructed, minus the buttonhole band. I had to try it on. Maybe it's the way the sleeves are constructed, I don't know....but man....there's a lot of bulk in the arm/shoulders area, and it makes me look quite a bit like a football player. Not that there's anything wrong with football players....it's just not the look I was hoping for. Here's a picture of it (click to see an enlarged version). See how the sleeves meet the sweater front in a squared off fashion? That's the construction according to the pattern. Maybe it'll be better after I block it again. Does anyone have any ideas/tips/words of comfort?

Finally! I'm a Sweater Girl!

I'm sewing up the seams of my very first cardigan! Yessiree, after having this project only half finished for months now, I've finally braved the unknown...the knitting of the neck and button bands. They turned out to be so much easier than I had expected (a big thanks to Deb of the BTKG).

I used the pattern "My First Cardigan" from the 2002 issue of Knit It! magazine. It worked up pretty quickly using both #10 1/2 and #9 needles. I used the yarn called for in the pattern, Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky, and I chose Nantucket 178. The color is much more heathery than it appears in the picture. (Heathery--that's a word, isn't it? If it isn't...it should be...).

This pattern was great for a first sweater project, as it contains a lot of detailed instructions, as well as pictures of the layout prior to picking up stitches and knitting the neck & button bands.

soccer overload

It must've been all that standing in the wind for 5 hours Saturday at my son's games. Every portion of my body aches today--including my eyelashes. I worked a few rows of the cranberry hat, but just don't have the energy for it. Happy Monday, all...I'm going back to bed.

Hat issues, new pages, and letting go

Good news---9 rows done after tearing out the hat, and not a twist in sight. Maybe there's hope yet. Picture at left---news at 11.

Also published a few new pages to the blog site today---an About, Links & Contact page. A Gallery page is still in the works.

My sons played in three soccer games today--Nick had one, and Michael's team had two. The weather was overcast and brisk, with one serious wind howling around the field. Both boys play goalie for their team, and Nick got pounded pretty good. It was tough to watch. After the game he looked pretty pale--it was obvious he was still hurting. I tried to get him to come to my house & lie down...have some soup, and go get checked out if he was still in pain. Being 16, and living with his dad full-time, he shook his head and said he'd be okay. When the boys were babies, I honestly thought this parenting thing would get easier as they get older. It doesn't.

Who comes up with these things?? I saw this link on POISE this morning...CafePress offers this "Crafters are NOT Terrorists" t-shirt by Sublime Stitching. Pretty clever! Suzi..this is right up your alley! Ha!

Amanda the Dishcloth Queen has the greatest link on her site...authentic World War II knitting patterns provided by the American Red Cross Museum.

It's just a hat, it's just a hat, it's just a hat... Okay, so I am on a quest to do this hat in the correct circular fashion. I'm cruising along, moving my marker & working a garter stitch....and I get to row 10. The damned thing is twisted. Yes, it took me to #@$! row 10 to figure that out. If it weren't for the fact that one of my New Year's resolutions was to clean up my language, I'd be cussing up a blue streak here. Oh, what the hell. !@#!$%!!!!

Okay....time to rip out & start over. I DARE the damned thing to twist on me again!

Jessica Lynch - wow..what a soldier. We are honored to have young people such as Pfc. Lynch serving our country!

Working on another felted hat from Fiber Trends.This will be like the last one (in Joey's picture)---a garter stitch flat brim. (It's the blue hat with the dark blue band in the pattern picture.) I'm using a double strand of Lamb's Pride worsted by Brown Sheep in Cranberry. This hat will go to a friend of mine who is retiring this fall. To celebrate her retirement, she is going on a trip to Bar Harbor, Maine. This hat will be a perfect companion for her!

What IS it with dogs and toilets? Gag!

Forced birthday party last night--which was appreciated, but made for a hectic evening, since we didn't get home from soccer games until 7:30. This left me no time to work on any of my knitting projects. Maybe during the lunch hour today....

Martha makes a clever doorstop.

Tonight I bought and hung a picture light over my Modigliani print. It looks great! Russ brought me a bottle of Mexican Gin from his trip to the Baha Penninsula. Smoooooooth. Brandi gave me some very cool Burt's Bees cosmetics and skin care goodies. I feel a spa day coming on.

April Fool's Day. Also my birthday. I'm trying to come up with some deep, personal reflection, but all I can muster this morning is fixing cereal for the boys and making sure they have clean socks. That kind of sums it up. :) However, I did get a really cool card. Thanks, Sharyn!