Knotty AND Nice

Well, I have been working the past couple of days on a celtic knot hat for Baby Brother's birthday. I love cables. Seriously, I love them. It is like doing puzzles. Especially these celtic cables. For those of you who like cables - you should try this pattern. It is well written and easy to follow.


It is not easy to do - I have done some tinking and some frogging - this is not a "quick" project. But I love the process and the end result. Hopefully BB will like it. If not, Punk Boy is in love with it so it will have a home.

I'd really like to try this pattern. Someday!!!!!!

Posted by Whit at 09:21   | (pre-trackback) 1  

It's in the BAG

So, I've been waiting for AGES for this pattern to show up. It is from the Creative Knitting magazing - which I will NOT be subscribing to. I ordered my free copy to get this pattern. Everything else in the mag is not my thing. Seriously.

I like the plaid of this bag - and I sort of like the handle (which is done in the round on dpn's) and the look. What I don't like is that is seamed together after it is felted. I don't mind the bottom seam so much, but there is a side seam (not pictured, of course) and I think that would be icky (technical term)... I know that to do the intarsia necessary for the plaid, I will have to seam - but it seems to me that I should seam before felting.

I think if I do this bag, it will be a very different pattern by the time I finish with it. I do find it interesting that they used the blanket stitch like I did on my Booga Bag (Mom's Bag).

Posted by Whit at 12:03   | (pre-trackback) 0  

A Felting We Will Go..

Okay, that title was specifically designed to give Tammy something NEW to have cruising through her head... (maniachal laughter here)

I decided to be kind and post a picture of the felted purse. So here it is:

Okay, seriously - I think that's sort of funny. You CAN see the purse. It's that piece of purple in the bottom right corner of the washer. Looks like more than a tablespoon of soap, doesn't it? Not so... Anyhow, the purse is now blocking and drying quite nicely. I will show you a picture when it is dry.

Now... go away and stop bothering me.

LATER ------

Okay, here it is for real.

I really love the way this yarn felts. With the pattern it is shorter than it would have been otherwise, but I love the retro purse look that it has. In "real" life it is MUCH cooler than the picture. I took about 30 pictures of it, trying to capture it looking like it does in person - but I had to give up. And, I can't stop petting it. I know it's not an animal, but you can really tell it's animal hair, because it cries out to be touched. At least you don't have to feed it.

Also, I always thought I liked the bags better fuzzy - but I don't. I will probably shave all of them from now on. I love the look of the shaved bag. I am going to add a snap closure and then it will be all finished and ready to ship off to cousin Cori.

I am going to make myself a bag soon. I just really need one for myself. I made this with Mauch Chunky yarn and I don't recommend ever doing needlework with it - or making a sweater with it. It's FAB for felted bags, though.

I am down to two things left on my September list and I'm just not sure they're going to happen since September ends Friday. Oh well. Something to do in October, I suppose.

Posted by Whit at 10:15   | (pre-trackback) 9  

Moving right along...

Can't think of those words together without thinking of the Muppets for some reason.



Realized I never showed my "complete" hat for J1 ... Here it is on his head. Much better size. If any of you want the pattern just let me know. It's crocheted all in sc and is quite easy. Ahh, candy for breakfast - you can tell I'm not this child's mother.

Also, here is the bag with the pattern going halfway around. If I can get the rest finished today it will be felted tonight!!! Hoorah!!! Duplicate stitch is simple, but I'm still wishing I'd done it intarsia back and forth and then seamed it - my advice to anyone who wants to pattern a bag.

Posted by Whit at 10:12   | (pre-trackback) 4  

Felting, 1, 2, 3,

Well, Cori's bag is almost ready for the washer. I really like these colors together. I just have to graft the two sides of the handle(s) together and add some design work to the blue section. I have adapted a design and will be adding it in "duplicate stitch" ... Wish me luck!!

Posted by Whit at 09:55   | (pre-trackback) 1  

Ahhh, angora!

Well, Canadian Sister has purchased her first three beautiful angora rabbits. She will begin harvesting fiber in a few short weeks. I can't wait to try my hand at spinning!! Also, KNITTING the beautiful, soft angora!

I am currently working on Cori's bag. I am using the beautiful purple, blue & green Mauch Chunky yarn and the "Sophie Bag" pattern. Watch for progress pics.

Posted by Whit at 16:08   | (pre-trackback) 3  

What Would You Do??

"What if you were walking through a park and you saw a couple get into a heated argument? The man didn't hit the woman, but seemed to be on the edge of physical violence and pushed her.

Or, imagine if you were in your neighborhood convenience store, and you saw a brazen shoplifter at work. The shop owner's not a friend, but she's always been friendly to you."

I watched a special on TV last night (Primetime) where they had actors create the first scenario and an actual shop owner help with the second. I was shocked at how few people did anything. More than twice as many women stopped as men in the abusive situation (5 out of 92 men and 14 out of 100 women) and only two people (both women) told the shop owner about the shoplifting the whole day that they had that experiment going.

My questions are, why are women more inclined to help? What would you do? Have you ever had an experience like this?

Posted by Whit at 08:11   | (pre-trackback) 5  

1985

Well, I feel sort of bad that I didn't go to my TWENTY year class reunion this summer. Maybe I'll be there for the twenty-five or something.

I enjoyed HS - I was definitely in it more for the social aspects and I enjoyed everything I was involved with: drama, school newspaper, some weird singing/dancing group, student government, mock trial (my group in the photo - I'm the one in the red blazer), model legislature, band (flute), etc. I have always been a participator!

In 1985 the first British mobile phone call was made, we got "new coke," Gorbachev became the de facto leader of the Soviet Union, the Iditarod was won for the first time by a woman, TWA flight 847 was hijacked, Coke Classic was (re?)released (two months after "new coke"), Live Aid was performed, the first Calvin & Hobbes comic was printed, Gorbachev & Reagan met for the first time, Orson Welles, Yul Brenner and Rock Hudson died, Keira Knightley was born, the cost of a first class stamp went up to .22 cents, Amadeus won the Oscar, Out of Africa was released - which would win the Oscar the following year AND the price of gas was under $1.25/gallon!!!

Here is a list of the top 50 songs from the year I graduated. Wow. I really loved to dance to most of these songs. What were you doing in 1985?

Love/d - REO Speedwagon
Hate/d - Duran Duran (or, as I called them, the whiner boys)

1. Careless Whisper, Wham!
2. Like A Virgin, Madonna
3. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Wham!
4. I Want To Know What Love Is, Foreigner
5. I Feel For You, Chaka Khan
6. Out Of Touch, Daryl Hall and John Oates
7. Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Tears For Fears
8. Money For Nothing, Dire Straits
9. Crazy For You, Madonna
10. Take On Me, A-Ha
11. Everytime You Go Away, Paul Young
12. Easy Lover, Phil Collins and Philip Bailey
13. Can't Fight This Feeling, REO Speedwagon
14. We Built This City, Starship
15. The Power Of Love, Huey Lewis and The News
16. Don't You (Forget About Me), Simple Minds
17. Cherish, Kool and The Gang
18. St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion), John Parr
19. The Heat Is On, Glenn Frey
20. We Are The World, U.S.A. For Africa
21. Shout, Tears For Fears
22. Part-Time Lover, Stevie Wonder
23. Saving All My Love For You, Whitney Houston
24. Heaven, Bryan Adams
25. Everything She Wants, Wham!
26. Cool It Now, New Edition
27. Miami Vice Theme, Jan Hammer
28. Lover Boy, Billy Ocean
29. Lover Girl, Teena Marie
30. You Belong To The City, Glenn Frey
31. Oh Sheila, Ready For The World
32. Rhythm Of The Night, Debarge
33. One More Night, Phil Collins
34. Sea Of Love, Honeydrippers
35. A View To A Kill, Duran Duran
36. The Wild Boys, Duran Duran
37. You're The Inspiration, Chicago
38. Neutron Dance, Pointer Sisters
39. We Belong, Pat Benatar
40. Nightshift, Commodores
41. Things Can Only Get Better, Howard Jones
42. All I Need, Jack Wagner
43. Freeway Of Love, Aretha Franklin
44. Never Surrender, Corey Hart
45. Sussudio, Phil Collins
46. Strut, Sheena Easton
47. You Give Good Love, Whitney Houston
48. The Search Is Over, Survivor
49. Missing You, Diana Ross
50. Separate Lives, Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin

Posted by Whit at 09:36   | (pre-trackback) 7  

Giant Pink Bunny?!

Well, when Sharon posted this story, I was quite shocked at the things that can become tourist attractions. And then I saw this.....


Here is the whole story if you want to read about it. Yes, it is a giant knit rabbit. Here is an english translation of an italian site that gives more information (although the translation is difficult to read)... It is filled with straw and they will leave it there for twenty years. You can, apparently, be entertained watching the cows eat it and so forth. Very, very strange.

Posted by Whit at 15:17   | (pre-trackback) 4  

Happy Birthday

Well, today is Bubba's birthday. He is 39 and so that is a little weird I think - his last year in his thirties. In honor of this day I am reposting this link which will show you a cute birthday picture of him and tell you a little bit about why I love him.

Mostly, he is my best friend. I can show him my loving face or my grouchy face and he seems to take it all in and love me just the same. He never complains when I've spent far too much time on "projects" and far too little time on things that need doing. He works hard every day so that I can choose what I do with my days. He is companionable (which could sound boring - but is very NOT.... especially after seventeen years) and loving and very romantic. He says he loves me more - but he is the one who is so lovable and that's why I KNOW that I love him more. He makes it easy.

Okay - enough mushy stuff. Here is my latest square. I am SO ready to knit something!!! I will be doing bears and then on to Cori's bag - HOORAY!!!!

I thought of my Mom when doing this irish rose square. It would make a nice pillow, I think. Once again - it really is square. Square is hard to photograph. I TRY... oh well.

Posted by Whit at 08:37   | (pre-trackback) 2  

Hip to be Square

My weekend in a nutshell (which may just be where it belongs):

Joined an AIAY (afghan in a year) group in my Yahoo Crochet Group - somebody got sick and they needed a fill-in. I already received a square (not supposed to get mine until January). Very nice!

I made one of the two that I need to get out by the end of the month (the August girl didn't get hers).... Bug chose the pattern. I like it. Bubba LOVES it. The picture, of course, doesn't do it justice. It really is SQUARE and the colors are very bold.

Finished Ashlee's poncho - no pic because it looks exactly like neighbor girl's except bigger (and red fur instead of purple).

Had a huge church activity Saturday with lots of girls between 8 and 11. Great fun and exhausting. I did a slide show (power point) of all the girls to show at lunch.

Went to a FABULOUS new movie, Just Like Heaven. I would feel really bad about going to see that instead of the one Bubba wanted to see (Transporter 2) except that the one we saw was go good!! Two thumbs up and all that! Okay, I do feel pretty bad - cause this was a date to celebrate Bubba's birthday (tomorrow)....... I plan to take him to his movie to make up for it. Ohhh, the guilt!!!

Sister2 showed up with her ADORABLE boys Friday. She came to my Corkscrew scarf class at Michaels and then we played games with Brother and Bug (Password & Apples to Apples). It was great!! "O" loves the black corkscrew scarf!!


Was so tired yesterday that I went to church and then came home and crashed. I listened to one of my Audible books I got this month - Bartimeus Trilogy, book 2 and crocheted. Wonderful!

Posted by Whit at 07:47   | (pre-trackback) 5  

A million and one...

Well, I have a million things to post about because I'm going a million directions. First, isn't this a beautiful picture?! My sil sent it to me. It was taken by where they live (in Alberta, Canada). I've actually never seen the northern lights. Sad, isn't it?

Yesterday I started stockpiling again. I am a bulk cooker and it's time to get cooking again. I bought (and I really wish my camera batteries weren't dead so I could SHOW you) 50 pounds of flour, 25 pounds of sugar, 80 pounds of calrose rice (japanese sticky rice), two cases of tomato sauce, a case of pasta sauce, a case of evaporative milk and a case of Ramen noodles (Bug's). I still need to buy more sugar and flour - but I had filled two carts (had to buy regular groceries as well) and I was DONE (not a shopper by nature). I can't wait to get cooking! Hopefully I will have time soon.

Today I have parent teacher conferences at Bug's school. Punk Boy's were earlier this week. We didn't attend his because we didn't need to (he's not actually failing anything yet!!). We don't need to for Bug either, but she really wants to go (this represents a glaring difference between my two children)...

I've been feeling bad because I actually post real names of people rather than cute nicknames and I guess I'm not supposed to put real names on my blog. So, hereafter Katie will be Bug (because that's what I've always called her anyhow) and Rob will be Punk Boy (because that's what he is) and John will be Bubba (because that's what I call him - it comes from husband shortened to hubby which went to hubba bubba which I shortened to just bubba). Now I will feel more like a true blogger.

I'm going to stop now because I actually need to get busy. I have a power point presentation to finish today, parent teacher conferences to attend, a class at Michaels (my Corkscrew Scarf - which you can see an incarnation of now at LionBrand's site), hogs to slop... Oh, you get the point!

Posted by Whit at 08:25   | (pre-trackback) 3  

Ponchos, hats & more yarn!

Well, I've been meaning to post a pic of Cori's yarn for ages. Here it is - I love these colors together. I can't wait to get to this bag. I would felt every project if I had my way. It is the blue, green & purple!! Beautiful together.

The two hats are still in their "octopus" stage (thanks for the term, Josh!) and are Jayden's and Josh's. The other yarn is from Michaels. It is Moda-Dea Cache in the color "smartie" (which I love!)... I am going to try a felting test on it. It is 75% wool and we'll see. I hope it felts so I can teach a felting class in November!!! It is actually quite pretty.



This is a picture of my new friend, Colleen, making a "coming home poncho" (Martha Stewart) in class this morning. I love that she is combining a feathery yarn, the homespun yarn and a ribbon yarn - and she's doing it in black!! She is a brave soul. I had no idea when I chose this particular poncho pattern that there would be such a production about the pattern on TV - I guess I am a trendy soul! Click here to see Martha in hers - "coming home" from prison (yes, that's where the name of the poncho comes from). Click here if you want to see the picture of my adorable daughter in the one I made for her! Click here if you want to see everybody and their dog (I mean that literally) in them!

Posted by Whit at 13:44   | (pre-trackback) 5  

I love hats!

Here is the pattern I came up with while doing the pumpkins last week. I think it looks adorable on babysitting child #1 - I'm planning to add another inch or so to really keep those ears warm and cover the forehead a little more.

I am going to try to get the poncho done tomorrow and then I'll be to the bears on my list! Hooray!! I may get to Cori's purse by next week. Can't wait.

Today is babysitting day and I have friends coming for lunch - I'm making homemade mac and cheese to please the adults as well as the children. mmmmmm good.

Posted by Whit at 09:24   | (pre-trackback) 7  

A Change in Season

Well, it's that time of year when, even though the weatherman is predicting warmer weather by the weekend, the season has changed.

You can tell because there's something in the air. Rain? Well, yes - but it's deeper than that. It's a bite that wasn't there last week. It's making potato soup and hot chocolate. It's knitting & crocheting with wool because it warms the fingers. And best of all - it's WINTER CLOTHES. I love winter clothes.

Did you ever do that "color me beautiful" season typing? What season are you? I am a winter. Black & white are my mainstays. If brown and off-white are yours, then you are "warm" and not "cool"... well, you know how it works. Do you purchase most of your clothes during a particular season? Does that season match your color season?

Posted by Whit at 09:28   | (pre-trackback) 8  

God Bless America

I, for one, will not forget September 11, 2001...

I don't really want to talk about it, because it still makes me cry. Here are some pictures I took last year at ground zero... the fire station is right next to the site. And, after all, a picture's worth, well... you know.

Posted by Whit at 08:33   | (pre-trackback) 4  

Meet Bruno

Well, my first "painted lady" is complete. She was really fun. Just a $3 styrofoam head from Sallys and some craft paints.

Today she is sporting a pumpkin hat - an adaptation of the "Strawberry Fruit Cap" pattern.

The picture is not clear enough to make out my Fair Isle knitting on the top for the stem - I even did it with my left hand in "continental" and my right hand in "english"... worked great. Now on to Intarsia!!!

Posted by Whit at 09:10   | (pre-trackback) 6  

Vonage

Well, we received our router from Vonage. I am very excited because for $10 less than we were paying for our regular phone service (with NO long distance included) we are getting ALL of the services offered through our old phone company PLUS FREE LONG DISTANCE ANYWHERE IN THE US AND CANADA. Okay, that is simply amazing!!!

If you already have cable modem or other high speed internet that is not through your phone company - you should definitely switch. They are even forwarding our phone number so we don't have to change #s.

I know I sound like a commercial - but seriously, this is very cool. Sign up today for free long distance. Now, if you don't have cable modem because of expense - but you DO spend a lot on long distance, this is still a good deal because instead of paying for long distance you could pay for high speed internet and get both!!!! Okay, I'll stop with the enthusiasm now. (however, if you want to sign up let me know and if you sign up through me you can get an extra month free - the first month is always free - k, really done now)........

Posted by Whit at 11:05   | (pre-trackback) 5  

School Pictures

For the past eleven years I have tortured my children each and every picture day by making them wear sweaters. They have been extremely good sports about this, but never more than this year.

This year Katie not only has to wear a sweater - but, school pictures fell TODAY instead of the usual October date and even though we live in Northern Utah... it's still not all that chilly. Not only that, but her mother (that would be me) MADE the sweater and it's ... well, okay it's 100% wool.

However, I lucked out and she LOVES the sweater. So much, in fact, that she has insisted on wearing it all day at school. She did take a t-shirt in case she's dead by noon.

Posted by Whit at 08:44   | (pre-trackback) 11  

What's Growing at Your Place?

Well, today I had babysitting boys. They are a BLAST. A handful, but fun.

We played outside and noticed the pretty mini roses that I planted a couple of months ago. The fact that they are blooming is astounding, considering I have a brown thumb.

Inside, I was crocheting a pumpkin - I'm better with indoor plants... crocheted AND real. The picture doesn't do this pumpkin justice. It really is cute. I will be making more. It should make for a fun October class.

Posted by Whit at 17:39   | (pre-trackback) 13  

Voice of Exhaustion

So, it's Labor Day - Happy Labor Day! Yes, a holiday created by labor unions to celebrate "the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country."

Well, my opinions of labor unions are best left undiscussed on this board as I have vowed to stay away from politics here in any form. I will note that my father has a gunshot wound in his leg that has a little something to do with unions, which may have influenced my feelings on the subject at a tender age. And, for some reason, when I think of unions, I also think of Animal Farm. I guess I've probably already said too much - that's never happened before to me (hahahah). Please don't fight with me. I love you no matter what your opinions are, I promise.

Worker boy (aka dh) is in the kitchen laboring over breakfast. He is making some Jimmy Dean sausage (boy was he happy to find that in the freezer this morning, Mom), eggs and biscuits. Even though it is a day to rest from his labor, he will also shortly be going to work to get some data out for a client in London. I told him I would happily make the jump across the pond if he needed it hand delivered. No such luck. It made me start thinking of our trip last year with Mom & Dad (the picture today is one I took of them at the BEAUTIFUL Loch Lomand) and got me thinking that I need to hurry and make some money so that I can go back to Scotland.

The sweater will be finished today.

I am exhausted - I was up until after one and then up again early. So, anything I say may be coming from the depths of exhaustion.

Here are the words to a John McCutcheon song that I really wanted him to sing at the Storytelling Festival (which he did NOT because I only wrote my request on a dollar bill instead of a $20 - which may say something deeper about his true beliefs than any of his songs)... Even though I disagree with many of his politics, this song goes along with the spirit of today's holiday (and, it's a personal favorite):

DOING MY JOB
(Written after Cal Ripken's record-breaking stretch of 2,131 consecutive games on September 6, 1995.)

It was one for the ages
You just had to see
So we sat on the couch
My two kids and I
And we watched on TV

It was in the fifth inning
The game it had to be stopped
The whole ballpark went nuts
When the number was dropped

My kids they clapped and they hollered
Me, I choked up with tears
Thinking back on the grace
He brought to that place
For over thirteen years

And as he stood in the spotlight
He looked so awkward and shy
When they asked to say a few words on that day
This was his reply

CHORUS:
I'm only doing my job
Like folks everywhere
Where I come from
It's just how things are done
Doing my share

I did not love every part
Still I don't think it odd
Give your best
And to hell with the rest
Doin' my job

She gets up every morning
Gets the kids out the door
Then it's carpool and shop
Vacuum and mop
Until they're back home at four

Then it's supper and homework
Until they're all tucked away
It's a kiss and goodnight
And you turn out the light
For the four thousandth day

Chorus

We deliver the mail
We grow all the crops
We teach in the schools, we put out the fires
And we clerk in the shops

We enter the data
We build the bridges and roads
We show up every day
We work for our pay
We carry the loads

Chorus

So, have a great Labor Day everyone! I'm gonna get back to "doin' my job" now. :O)

Posted by Whit at 09:21   | (pre-trackback) 6  

Projects....

Well, I know you are all sick of looking at my sweater. I am ready for grafting, so everybody cross your fingers for me.

Had a great couple of days being spoiled by my Mom. She came and stayed and cooked and did dishes and filled my car up with gold, I mean gas.

I have TONS to do today - so just a sec to put my Sep knit/crochet goals (in order):

1. October projects for class
2. Poncho for Ashlee
3. Hats for Jayden & Joshua
4. Bears for Samuel & Owen
5. Felted bag for Corina
6. Poncho for Savannah
7. Purse for Amelia
8. Start "We Wash You a Merry Christmas" cloths

The picture today is an amazing felted bag pattern in the newest issue of Interweave Knits. It's the "weekend getaway satchel" and it's like a Mary Poppins bag or something. I WANT IT FOR ME!!!! Guess I'd better get moving, since my knit/crochet goals are not the highest goals on my list at the moment!!!

Posted by Whit at 10:13   | (pre-trackback) 23  

Seeing Green

Well, are you sick of green blogs yet? Amazingly, I am not sick of this yarn. I must really like it - because usually I HATE the yarn by the time I finish a big project. The bottom of the sweater is on the left, the top is on the right. After 5-6 more inches I'll be grafting them together - cross your fingers for me.

I got quite a bit done last night while watching "So You Think You Can Dance" - my new favorite reality show. :O)

Right now I have two separate sections and two stitch holders on the top half. I have been doing a lace pattern, incrementing and doing back and forth knitting on two sections on one circ needle. This pattern is the most complicated I've ever done - and I just found out that I need it complete by next Thursday (Wed night would be better)...

I feel like the engine that could - "I think I can, I think I can..." What's the children's book that has most influenced you as an adult?

Posted by Whit at 08:46   | (pre-trackback) 11