And the winners are…….

Lilmommacass from As the Needle Turns wins the yarn swift.

Liz419, won the Shawl Pin

Lynn from Inside the mind of a Squirrel won the Nostepinne!

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions – I’m having a lot of fun looking at each and every one of them – I think I might just add a page with all the suggestions to the blog.

Stay tuned……I’m hoping to cast on for that new knit over Christmas vacation…..fingers crossed that I can make up my mind!!!

You still have time to send your suggestions to me and enter the Contest to win one of these Great Prizes!!!!!!!

We’ll be picking winners tomorrow night…….so what are you waiting for?????????

Lot’s to do – Christmas shopping, Christmas knitting, Christmas Decorating, Christmas Cleaning.  Or should the Christmas Cleaning go first?  Or First and Last – there always seems to be so much cleaning to do – what is up with that?  I get a full 12 days off for Christmas and I couldn’t be happier about it – it’s going to be nice to hunker down with the family and just relax!  We have a very quiet Christmas with just the four of us and it really is so nice.  We have plenty of party/visiting going on up to the holiday and after, so spending that time with just us is really special.  Oldest is having a Birthday next week – he’ll be 22!!!  And we don’t get to see him – finals and applications for graduate school mean he is really wishing his days were more like 48 hours instead of 24.  We will celebrate when he gets home from school and he’ll get to hopefully relax for his month off.

I’m almost done with knitting Christmas gift number one, and Christmas gift number two is ready to go.  So….I better go – have a good day and check back for the Winners!

First…..It’s a Marshmallow World…..That is six inches of what was supposed to be 1 to 3 inches of snow that fell yesterday!  I love snow! For Now!  But it was so pretty last night – it was the kind of snow that stuck to all the trees and perfect for snowballs.

Busy, busy weekend – shopping, knitting group, youngest DS joined the Fire Dept (I’m conflicted about this but so proud of him) Christmas Party, Migraine, Shop Update and a Contest to announce

Knitting Group was great – so nice to sit and chat/knit with friends.  The Party was great until the Migraine hit, but then again, I had so much fun before, I can’t complain.  Well, I can.  But I’m not going to.  Woke up feeling good enough to work on some of these….

Had some photo glitches this morning, but they are finally all photographed and listed in the SHOP just in time for the Holidays.  I’ll be updating more frequently this week with quite a few more.  If you’re looking for a special gift or just don’t see a color combination you want, just shout out and I’ll be happy to whip it up for ya!

On the knitting front, I ripped out Honeycomb and started a new project (to make up for the rippage and to get a quick project done so I don’t feel like a knitting failure, boo hoo)  I just couldn’t get into the stitch pattern on honeycomb even though I love the finished vests so much – I just wanted to poke an eye out and that’s just no good.  So I cast on for a quick knit….

Thermis, using some Cascade 220 I had in the stash.  I’m loving this knit and it’s going pretty fast.  I had planned to gift it, but just found out the giftee is allergic to WOOL.  Sigh.  I could keep it in mind for another giftee, or, horrors, keep it myself.  I have one other gift knit planned and really don’t doubt I’ll be able to get it done.  For now.

Now for that contest…..

When DH went away in November, he was sweet enough to get some yarn for me….

This is some Gorgeous Laceweight yarn from Catoctin Creek Farm, Romney Wool and Cashmere.  I have about 350 yards in that, there skein.  Here’s where the contest comes in…..leave me a comment between now and next Sunday with your pattern suggestion – I’d really like to make something in the Shawlette or Cowl Catagory, but any suggestion is welcome.  Annnnndddd – if you post a link to my contest on your blog, tell me that in your comment and you’ll get entered twice!

There will be three winners  – a Grand Prize of one of my DH’s Compact Portable Swifts…....

Second Prize will be one of my Shawl Pins.…..(the pin will be your choice of color combo, this is just an example)

and third prize will be a Hand Turned Nostepinne made by DH…..

Whew!  I’m really excited to see your suggestions, so Ready, Set, Go!!!!

and because I hope we get more snow this week…….

The Holiday shopping.  It has begun.  I probably should start earlier, but I’ll be dipped if I’m going to rush the season anymore than it already is.  I feel good starting around Thanksgiving.  And I’m ok with that.

I actually managed to pick up my gift for our knitting group grab bag…..

Nope, you’re not gonna see it – that would be cheating.  But whilst I was at the yarn shop, I picked up some of this yarn for a scarf/shawl I had seen not too long ago – and kicked myself for not getting the yarn AND the pattern when I saw it then…

Four Skeins of Jojoland Melody to make a Swirl Scarf – and of course, I had to come home and order the pattern from another store because, as per usual with this yarn shop, they were out.  I don’t think I ever encountered a yarn shop always being out of something I was looking for, as I have at this one.  It’s a beautiful shop, but it seems to be a constant theme and I’m not quite sure I can attribute it to it being a popular pattern 0r needles or yarn – it does irk me a bit, but it is a beautiful shop.

I also have a little holiday knitting planned and picked up two skeins to accomplish that…

I can’t say for who, or what it’s going to be, but the yarn is Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.  I love that yarn and it’s going to be nice working with it again.

We’re coming to the close of a four day holiday weekend, and I plan on doing a little bit of relaxing today – we’ve run our errands, did a little christmas shopping, a little wash, and after I get the house sorted back, I’m going to hunker down, even though its a nice sunny day, and just chillax.  Or maybe make some pins.  Or maybe go outside and take the dog for a walk.  Or maybe take some pictures….or or or.

I think she’s angling for a walk…..

First, let me just say thank you for all your kind comments/advice on my last post.  Amazingly there is resolution, understanding  and suddenly, the beginnings of a friendship.  I really am in awe of the courage and grace I’ve seen firsthand this past week.

Yesterday was a great day for meeting friends and knitting…..

Multnomah, Dream in Color Smooshy in Good luck Jade.  I spent most of knitting group working on this – I think it’s pretty much going to be a gift and I’m just at the point where you start the feather and fan part.  I’m enjoying the soothing repetition of the garter – it was just enough before going blindingly numb from it.

I couldn’t have been too blind or numb, because last night I finally cast on for Bridgewater….

The yarn arrived on Friday and it’s just gorgeous – four skeins of Classic Elite Silky Alpaca Lace in Misty Meadow – I just love this color.  So. Much.

It’s a gorgeous green that really is beautiful.  I needed something mindless because we were watching the Star Trek movie after dinner last night and I just can’t follow a pattern when there is such a good movie on.

I’ve been busy, cutting, forming, hammering, polishing and soon to be beading these…..

The copper pins are in the polisher right now.  I’ll have plenty to keep my busy for the time being.  Gotta get some new stock in the shop for the Holidays!  I even cleaned up the work area a bit, just so I could have a better “flow”….

Seventy-two pin pieces were made there this weekend.  I’m not even counting the stitch marker assembly that went on before this.  It’s good to have a burst of energy and get so much done….but I really should have been cleaning and foodshopping for the upcoming holiday and house guests.  Next week is going to be busy, to say the least.  I might need a vacation after the vacation!

Bailee isn’t too bother by that….Work, Schmerk!  Have a Great Week!

A photo of my long finished “Rhinebeck Wrap”….This has been finished since before Rhinebeck, but I had yet to photograph it.  The pattern is The Anthropologie Inspired Wrap by Mary Richmond and I used Cascade 220.   It’s a great pattern, fast and flawless.  I omitted the buttons, purely from laziness and I’m ok with that.   I get a ton of compliments, bribes and threats to steal this from me when I wear it to work – which makes me think I might want to make a back up just in case.  It really is such a great knit to wear and Mary did a great job writing the pattern.

The cooler weather that we’re mostly getting – and I say mostly because today it’s supposed to reach 65 degrees – weird weather for November in Northwest New Jersey – has really got me itching to cast on project after project.  Or it could be that I just ripped out almost an entire Aleita Shell, and subconsciouly feel the need to make up for such a thing by casting on as many projects as it takes to forget the ripping of it.  It was a definite learning experience.  I learned, at last, that Linen type yarns and I are not a good match.  It does not flatter my muffin tops at ALL.  Not nearly as forgiving as good ole wool.  After trying it on, I think it was best for both of us to just call it a day.  Of course, I still want a knit vest and after doing a looky loo around, settled on this

Ribbing.  Not much of a vest.  I know.  But it’s the beginnings of the Honeycomb Vest, using Silky Wool.  I really love knitting with this yarn – and Friday was a short day at work, so what else could I do after spending thursday night ripping out a knit, but drive down to A Yarn For All Seasons - she has such a lovely shop.  I did call ahead to make sure she was open and had a good selection of Silky Wool.   And I wasn’t disappointed.   I managed to get this color, talked myself out of buying it in red too (I’m still wondering if I made the right decision on that), found buttons for my Redhook and also found a copy of Evelyn Clarks Knitting Lace Triangles book.   I wish that shop was busier – it’s sad to see a shop that nice, so empty without classes going on, or knitters hanging out knitting.

Friday morning, I pulled my favorite brown socks out of the drawer and noticed I blew out another darn heel!  And it’s not a little hole.  It’s a huge, gaping chasm that is just, well HUGE.  I rarely don’t have socks on the needles so I set about to cast on for a basic pair of socks….

I browsed around for a simple pattern, just couldn’t settle on anything so I just started fiddling with different width ribs and voila – the Replacement Socks are in progress.  This Jawoll Silk comes with a small spool of reinforcement thread which I’m going to give a try – It can’t hurt, can it?

Because apparently, I’m totally getting sucked into starting everything at once, I have plans for casting on another sweater type vest and Bridgewater’s yarn should be in the mail on the way to me.  And I’ve decided to make a few quick hats for some gifts this year – with particular peoples heads in mind, but unpostable.

Lastly, just a little holler out to anyone who can help me out with a conflict.  Did you ever had a bad experience with a person, so bad in fact, that it almost left you with a nervous condition, and whenever you see or hear mention of the person (and their apparent good fortunes, accolades, accomplishments etc.) you struggle with the feelings of “if only everyone knew what I knew about them, blah blah blah”???  I feel terrible every time this happens – and I’m sad that I know a certain facet of this person that a few know, but much more don’t – and don’t get me wrong – I don’t want anyone else to know that bad side.  But I struggle with the feelings of dislike, so strong that it takes me a few minutes to remember that what comes around goes around, etc.  Or even more, that everyone has bad moments, and maybe I was the unwitting recipient of one of Their bad moments and they’re really not that bad…..?  But what I’d really like is to just LET IT GO….how do you do that?  I’m usually pretty good at moving on, live and let live, getting on with it,  suck it up cupcake, but this one…..just sticks with me.  Anyone have one of those do hickey devices like in Men in Black?  Anyone?

I seldom use simple titles in my blog posts.  But this post deserves to stand on it’s own.

Redhook is finished.

And I very rarely post photos of myself, but in this case, I’ll suck it up.  Well…..I tried to suck it in as far as I could….

I can’t say enough good things about this pattern.  It’s from the booklet Made in Brooklyn by jared flood, who in my opinion has got to be one of the most clever and talented pattern writers I’ve ever come across.  I was impressed with him when I made Cobblestone for Bob, but this, this design is just flawless.   I wanted to use a heavier yarn then what pattern calls for, so after I swatched, I ended up following the pattern for the size medium and it fits me perfectly.  I used some Berroco Ultra Alpaca that had been in my stash for awhile – I had originally cast on for another project a while ago, and really didn’t like the fabric the yarn was making.  This has got such a nice drape to it, it’s so soft and even though it’s a bit hairy, it’s really quite comfortable to wear.  I know I’m going to get a lot of use out of this sweater, especially around the house and at work – I think it’s perfect that the sleeves are little caps – so many times I need a sweater, but the bulk of the sleeves on my bulk is just, well, Bulky and a lot of the times too warm.  I can see myself making more of this type of sweater – as a matter of fact, I’ll be casting on for Rosamund’s Cardigan as soon as I’m done with this post!    This pattern went pretty fast for me -  another benefit to not having to knit big ole sleeves – I started this October 11 and Finished it today, November 1st  – it’s only had a light steam blocking, which seemed to be just right for this. I’m not totally loving the buttons, but that’s easily remedied when I find some that really call to me.

It feels good to get such a nice project finished and ready to wear!  I was able to get a lot of knitting time in this week and over the weekend – Halloween was pretty  quiet for us – I went to a girls night party Friday night, and yesterday was just a nice day spent at home – a little sad that we didn’t have trick or treaters, but we never had too many and all the neighborhood children are pretty big now so even the few we used to get are probably off doing more interesting things on their Halloween nights.  It really not much fun hiking up a mountain and trudging up and down people’s long driveways for candy!  I really can’t believe it’s November already…..and now it seems like the Holidays are right around the corner.  I get a little verclemped just thinking about it!

And we survived the weather.

The weather was much worse here in New Jersey then it was in Rhinebeck – when we left home, there was snow on the ground and it was still coming down.  Nothing stuck, but still….we were very nervous that our arrival up in NY was going to be way worse.  It really wasn’t.  It was rainy when we got there, but we set up and didn’t get too wet.  It was cold, but we had a nifty little heater that we used to take the chill out of the air before we went to sleep and when we got up and we were snug.  Friday’s weather was really nice – partly cloudy but lots of sun did break through.  On Saturday, the wind was a little whippy, but we made our way through the festival without a drop falling on our heads and I think that was a nice little bonus.  I was not looking forward to trudging around in the wet and the cold and the wind.  I was surprised that there defintely seemed to be less vendors this year – there were quite a few boths curtained off that were empty and the upper floor of one of the barn buildings was only half occupied.  Bob and I had a nice time, and I came home with a few things – no large quantities of yarn that I planned on – I just couldn’t find what I had in mind for a few sweaters and that’s not a big deal – I can always get yarn here for future sweater projects.  I even managed a few skeins of STR, which I never wait on line for, and this year wasn’t any different.  I walked in later in the morning, picked out a few skeins and paid.  The lines earlier were close to mind boggling – and I am not a line person.    All in all, the weather was not nearly as bad as forecasted and really held out for us.  We even managed to get the camper shut up before the first rain drops fell this morning – the weather was really on our side.

I didn’t go to any meetups with other fiber folk – this weekend was a get away for Bob and I – Rhinebeck always falls around our Wedding Anniversary and this year is a biggie – we’ll be married 25 years this Tuesday!  It’s hard to believe that 25 years have gone by so fast.  It’s been 25 amazing years, and I can only hope the next 25 will be as Wonderful!  We had such a great time this weekend – a true tribute to how we get along in our day to day lives, and that the man I married would stand on line and risk his life by uttering the words “RedHeart is way cheaper at Walmart” is a true testament of the sacrafices he’s willing to make for me!  Not every woman can say the man she loves wakes her up by yelling – “You better Hurry up or ALL the worsted weight will be GONE”.   And he managed to crack everyone up around us while we were waiting in line by saying “They were all wrong – it’s actually very cold in Hell!”

I did manage to get another project finished before we left….I loved this project so much, I bought more Cashmere at Rhinebeck to make another.  This was a great pattern and I can see many Pretty Things being knit around here.   I also managed to finish the Anthropolgie wrap and was able to wear it my first day back to work after the flu….it’s a great, fast little wrap and I can definitely see knitting it again.  I think I would make it a bit wider next time,  just for a little more coverage on my back.  I still haven’t gotten a decent photo of it, though.  This weather really doesn’t make for the nice picture taking light.

Time to snuggle up with some knitting and enjoy the rest of the weekend – it’s really blustery and blowing around outside and I’m glad it held off till we got back home!  Have a great week and I’ll post the Rhinebeck haul next time!

What happens when you are home sick for 3 days and counting? Well, you get to lie about a lot, you get to watch a lot of tv, you get to nap quite a bit, strangely – people avoid you like the plague and you might just get a little bit of knitting finished up to occupy your time.

Finished Yoga socks…just in time for me to miss my next two yoga classes.  This weekend because I don’t want to spread my germs around and next weekend was a planned miss for Rhinebeck.  Sigh.  Well, they’re done and didn’t really take much time after all – when you fuss around and avoid stuff, I guess that’s when the time suck adds up.  These really should have been a quicker knit then they turned out to be and they’re very comfy.

I was also able to finish the Anthropologie Inspired Wrap – it’s in the final blocking stages of drying right now.  It doesn’t have buttons yet but once I’m out and about in the real world next week, I’ll pick some up and should be able to pack this with me for next weekend.  I also started another wrap – the Every Way Wrap, which just looks like a bit of ribbing right now because I was distracted by this……

Pretty Thing by the Yarn Harlot.  And it really is a pretty thing – and a delight to knit – it looks so intricate and delicate but the pattern so far is just wonderful to follow and really not complicated at all.  I’m about to start row 25 and I just cast on for this late last night – so it really goes quickly and I’m guessing I’ll be able to pack this along for next weekend, too.  I’m also guessing I’m going to knit more than one of these – it really is that enjoyable.

So….I’m down with what is most likely a mild case of H1N1….which is not surprising because it is going around, around here.  Can I tell you what I find surprising?  Why people insist on sending their children or themselves to work or school when they’re sick.  I’ve had a lot of time on my hands the past few days and I can’t tell you the amount of references I’ve seen to “fever police” or “fever cops” – I can only guess they’re referring to school nurses, which I have the highest respect and admiration for.  Let me tell you something – I used to be a SAHM, and I always kept my kids home until they were FEVER FREE WITHOUT MEDICATION for 24 HOURS.  There is a very good reason why that policy is in effect in a lot of schools and employers – and it’s to protect YOU and YOUR FAMILY.  I pisses me off beyond reason when I see parents mouthing off about being put out by having to keep their kids home another day just to make sure they’re well enough.  Let me thank you now, personally because I can say without a doubt that it’s because of people like YOU, that I’m home sick now.  It’s because of people like YOU, that disregard everyone else because you have an appointment that you think you can’t cancel, a get-together with your friends, a hair cut, or lets face it – you just can’t take one more day home with your sick kids.  How ever will you occupy them for another day?????  Listen, no one ever died of boredom, but people have died of this.  Thank YOU so very much, because not only have I been sick, but my immune compromised husband has had it and I’m just waiting for my other family members – who don’t have a choice in WHERE THEY LIVE, to come down with it.  I’ve isolated my self from my own family and have cancelled birthday celebrations with my friend, going to a Giants game and yoga class – because I’ll be damned if I’m going to be so irresponsible as to knowingly go out in public with what I have.   So the next time you think about whining because you have to stay home sick or keep your kids home another day to make sure they’re well?  By all means, you can reference back to this post as a reminder why. If you can’t have a lick of common sense in your head, than at least follow the policies that your schools and employers put out,  and stop sending sick kids in to school who will undoubtedly be sent home when their tylenol wears off, or sitting in your cubicle, coughing your germs through your entire office.  One more thing – don’t write me a comment and tell me that you sent your kid to school after they had a fever the night before and everything was fine – I don’t want to hear it – virus shed for a certain amount of time (hence the fever free WITHOUT medication rule) even after your initial symptoms.  This particular flu sheds for at least 24 hours before symptoms and 5 to 7 days after symptoms show.  That’s a long time to expose other people.  Stay home and keep your kids home if you’re sick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (no whining about having to take days off from work – been there, done that and you won’t find any sympathy from me about that – you signed up for EVERYTHING when you had kids – the good, the bad, the sick)

Soap Box Out.

I need another lie down.

Out with the Old……or I should say, Out with the project it turns out I don’t have enough yarn for after all.  Nantucket Red has hit the RIP basket – I was almost done with the back and digging into the 4th out of 8 balls of yarn.  Can you see the problem?  My gauge was fine.  That 8th ball was actually my SPARE – bought back when I wasn’t sure how many balls I was actually going to need.  I still had two fronts and two sleeves to go with those not even 4 full balls.  I don’t know what went wrong and I was coming up to the shoulder part of the pattern which I think had errors that weren’t posted yet, so sadly, it is ripped.  I’ll have to think of another pattern for the 8 balls of this Classic Silk and/or figure out how much yarn I’ll actually need to make that sweater…someday.  I’m a little fustrated that it didn’t work out as I was really looking forward to adding that sweater to my fall wardrobe this year.

The ripping of Nantucket actually left me with one project on the needles………well, that’s not entirely true.  I had forgotten I but the Alieta Shell in hibernation, so out it came and I started working on that……until…..

I was distracted.  That is going to be a Lacy Yoga bag – I love the yarn, Sublime Yarns Organic Cotton DK.  Jeanne asked me to come along to check out a yoga studio nearby and we’re starting yoga classes this morning!  I can’t wait.  I’ve been feeling like crap on toast and trying to get rest and I think yoga will be such a great stress reliever/restorative.  Thanks Jeanne!  I’ve also been working on a pair of yoga socks – which aren’t going to be ready for today, but hey – we’ve got 8 weeks of classes ahead of us and I’m sure they’ll be done in time to wear them at least once!

And once the bag and sock are out of the way….there is still Nefertiti to be picked up and worked on.   I’m getting the itch to make a sweater though……the weather is cooler, the leaves are changing, Rhinebeck is coming up……..