"Nice Knits"!

Open Sesame

Well, it doesn't look like Kim Hargreaves's new site will be opening up today. Darn it! I swear I have checked every day this month.

I bought a couple of Rowan magazines just because designs of hers caught my eye. Like this and this. Ahhh...if I could only get my pre-baby belly back. I mean, I want it to just magically appear. Who has time to knit AND do sit-ups! Priorities, priorities...

Home Again, Home Again

It is always SO nice to get home after being away. No other bed is ever as good as your very own...you know what I mean? We had a great trip up North, and I really wished we could have stayed longer. Amid the unpacking, grocery shopping, and laundry yesterday, I didn't have time to take pictures of the knitting progress.

If you are ever in the Upstate NY area, you must stop by the Strong Museum. It is considered the world's largest and most historically significant collection of toys and dolls. I remember going there when I was young and walking around in awe at the Barbie collection they had on display. I never knew anyone could have that many Barbies! This time when I went with my daughter, it was a totally different place. They have one whole floor with interactive activities for kids based on the Sesame Street and Arthur characters. They even have a pretend grocery store! My daughter had a hard time understanding that the store was pretend and that we couldn't take the stuff home we "bought." I will have to agree with her that it looked pretty real to me too! It was a lot for a 2yr old to handle in one day, so I never did get to see the toy/doll collection housed on the second floor. Oh well, I'm sure the Barbies will be there the next time we go.

We also picked up some Bully Hill wine on our visit. There are a ton of vineyards in NY, and this one has a very interesting story behind it.

Knitting content tomorrow!

Brrrr!

Yikes it is cold here in Upstate New York! We are here visiting my family, and it actually snowed yesterday. Ever sit in a hot tub while it is snowing? Very fun, just be sure to wear a hat! (I am sure I was QUITE a vision in my bathing suit and hat!) In honor of seeing my first snow this winter, here is a  site where you can make your own snowflakes (I love the note on the first page about reporting offensive snowflakes).

I'll post pictures from our trip when I get home on Saturday. Lots of knitting accomplished!

Things to Be Thankful For

I'm thankful that...

my husband isn't "normal" and that he actually does things around the house without being asked and participates 100% in raising our daughter.

my daughter tells me everyday when I get home from work "Mommy, I missed you so much today".

I have a large loving, caring family who are always willing to help in anyway they can.

I have friends where no matter how long it has been since we last saw each other, we can catch up in a matter of minutes.

I have a stable job where I work with people I can laugh with.

when I wake up each morning, I can get out of bed, smell the coffee brewing,  and know that I am luck to be here for another day.

I hope that you too have lots of things to be thankful for. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Manly Update

FINALLY!

Yes my friends, the back of the Manly Sweater is finally finished. It really isn't that difficult of a knit, it is just hard to find time to work on it. I don't think I did the decreases along the neck correctly. I did them along the edge and I think I should have done them a few stitches in from the edge. Plus, I got a little confused with having to do decreases on the knit and the pearl side. I used ktbl and ptbl so I would have left-handed decreases on the knit side. But, I have to pick up and knit along that edge anyway, so maybe it won't matter.

Shows the next edge and the bind-off for the shoulder

Progress on the front: little bitty Manly stitches

I have a good 12 hrs of car knitting coming up this week, so hopefully the next time you see the front there will be a whole lot more of these little buggers.

Singing Along

I started the Opera Scarf for my sister last Wednesday. Well, I tried to start it on Wednesday, but I really didn't get moving until Thursday. I tried casting on while I was at Knit Happens for "late night", but after ripping out four times, I gave up. I had a hard time concentrating while talking and listening to everyone else. Plus, when I made a mistake, I couldn't figure out how to fix it. I think the combo of yarnovers and k2tog made it hard for me to figure out how to unknit and go back once I found a screw-up. I decided this will be a Metro project. I never talk to anyone on Metro, so it seemed like a good fit. This patten is SO easy, but like I said, you have to pay attention. I probably have about 10 inches done so far.

Closeup of the stitches:

The Alpaca & Silk is very soft, but it sheds a little. I think I would make this scarf again with different yarn in a brighter color. I thought this Plymouth Baby Alpaca Brush may work without the shedding. Here is a review about it at Knitter's Review. I didn't swatch first, and started right out on the size 8's the pattern called for. I finally decided to go up to a size 10 (Daisy plastic) needle. Seems to be working well although the stitches are a little sticky. I probably need to knit a little looser.

I am depending on the fact that blocking should be able to work wonders with this scarf! All in all, I like the way it is turning out. Hopefully my sister will like it too.

What Am I?

I have seen this quiz on a few sites and thought I would give it a try. Kind of funny in that the character looks like me but with longer hair. I would hardly consider myself a "guru". I thought for sure it would come up and say "give it up and try another hobby." Ha!

Take the quiz to see what kind of knitter you are.

   

You appear to be a Knitting Guru. You love knitting and do it all the time. While finishing a piece is the plan, you still love the process, and can't imagine a day going by without giving some time to your yarn. Packing for vacation involves leaving ample space for the stash and supplies. It can be hard to tell where the yarn ends and you begin.

Help for an Aunt-to-be

My sister just found out that she is expecting a boy...due to be here next March (or is it April?). Since I didn't yet know how to knit when her other two boys were born, or even when my daughter was baby-size, I am excited to do something for this little guy. I want to do a sweater similar to what Alison did this past summer. I haven't been able to find the pattern book she used (Phildar Tricotez Calin #2). I am pretty sure it is from 2002, so I am probably out of luck. I would really like to try intarsia and an animal intarsia at that. Does anyone have any suggestions? This would be my first intarsia project, so no zoos or arks!

Blog Snob?

It is truly amazing to me how many blogs exist out there in cyberspace. I guess it is because I work in the design field, but I am real particular when it comes to adding new blogs to the list I visit every day. One look at a new blog and I am either in or out. You certainly do not have to be a designer to have a great blog, but I swear I don't know what people are thinking sometimes when it comes to their blog design. You can't even READ some of them without squinting an inch from the screen or printing it out because there is too much going on for one little screen to handle. I mean shouldn't readability be something everyone should be striving for? You don't have to be a Web wizard anymore to put together a blog. God knows if I can do it anyone can! I feel sorry for the ones where you can tell someone put a lot of time and effort into it, but you seriously just can't read it. I guess it wouldn't be polite to leave a comment saying "I would love to come back and visit, but can you please get rid of the black type on the dark purple background."

What makes you put a blog on your favorites? What makes you NOT want to visit again?

(and please tell me if mine is causing anyone headaches and eye strain)

Strike A Pose

Look out Madonna!

I couldn't resist posting this picture of my daughter from last Sunday. She insisted on sleeping in this outfit. Now if I could only get her to wear her undies on the INSIDE of her pants!

(Please ignore the lovely fish cover on the couch. Our dog likes to make himself comfortable when no one is looking and sitting on dog hair gets downright itchy after a while.)