GrannyMary Knits

2011-01-22T19:44:00.000-08:00

Did you ever have one of those days where everything is going well? You get up, you do a little work, have some Kona coffee, take a shower, knit a bit on some super secret birthday knitting, your dil drops by for a chat? Then, the mail comes. And, you get a weirdly shaped letter that says something something government on it. So you open it right? And then you see this.....

Hey Mary, you are going to die! What's up with that?

Here's the thing, if you try to trick me by lying on the outside envelop, there is a zero percent chance that I will ever do business with you. So, yep, I am going to die, but you will not get my body.

Being a cheerful sort of person, didn't let that deter my whole day. I finished writing some test questions for work, which by-the-way is harder than you may think. And, I completed part one of the super secret birthday knitting.

Now, if my mail carrier brought these guys, that I would like. Uh huh, yup. Saw them in Toronto.

2011-01-21T18:05:00.000-08:00

Howdy all!
It's been a year since my last post. opps.

I was recently reading the Yarnharlot's book, "What I Learned from Knitting." She writes that she does not know anyone who has died from knitting. I beg to disagree.

Lookie here, impalement!

Oh no, he's fine! whew! That is my grandson working on a scarf for his dad. He decided that it needed initials, so he sat down and made a graph and proceeded to knit them in. He is a brave knitter and I love him.

Wearing while knitting, why not?

Rose did something 4 years ago. You can see it here. Well, she did it again this week. She is a great kid.

Lovely

Scary

Isn't she fab? Very hip. That's Jill on the left. She is the best hairdresser ever!

Grandson isn't the only one knitting. I made these lovely sweaters for my youngest grandgirls. This is the Rambling Rows pattern. It is a fast, fun knit.

2010-01-20T02:50:00.000-08:00

Knitter B came home from the hospital last night. She is safe and sound with friends who will give her the medical care she still needs.

If you want my opinion of Riverside Methodist Hospital, and their staff, ask me at knitting.

Everything seems better when I am looking at knitting. So, here is knitter B wearing a Pi R Squared shawl that I knit for her. I used Lorna's Laces. I wasn't sure there was enough wool remaining for a big edging, so it has a delicate lace edge from the Peddler Shawl pattern.

2009-08-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

Why I Love Cheeseburger in Paradise

R, B and I sometimes go to Cheeseburger in Paradise before hitting the Von Maur shoe room. B and I are not able to eat gluten and so we have few chances to eat at a restaurant. CIP has the most lovely gluten-free fries I have ever eaten. They are even better than the ones I make myself.

So, a few weeks ago we stop in to have some fries before we set out for the grueling task of shoe shopping. We place our order for three plates of gluten-free fries and then the terrible thing happens.... some guy comes over and sits at the next table. He says, "hey, how is it going?" I'm thinking - uh oh. So apparently a new cook has sullied the frying area for the gluten-free fries by cooking wheat covered pickles in our beloved stain-free oil.

The manager, Derac, is really great. He offers us other safe foods, but alas, we had a hankering for fries. So, he offered to give us free orders when we return. What a nice and thoughtful fellow. He did make good on his promise a couple of weeks later. yummy

Now, I think most people who are not familiar with allergies and other food related problems just do not understand how serious it can be for people to ingest certain foods. I have had several people offer that if I just eat a little I will be ok. Not true. If I eat a little gluten, it takes weeks for my gut to sort itself out. And, oh-by-the-way, those are not fun weeks.

Anyway -- WE LOVE CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE (and especially Derac) for understanding and being respectful of our needs.

2008-09-11T13:23:00.000-07:00

Summer quarter is over and I am so happy to have five more classes under my belt. Now I have to try not to eat all my nails while I wait for grades to be posted. Some of my Tech Comm classes have a very subjective grading curve so I really have no idea what I earned.

What class did I like best? So glad you asked. I loved, loved, being the project manager for a class that involved rewriting an entire website for a non-profit - right here in Columbus. That was a lot of work, but also a sense of pride in knowing we took something barely usable and made it easy to navigate and also pretty to look at. When they upload it to the web I'll post the url.

Despite all that I have been knitting. I'm fixing some sleeves in my favorite sweater and making some more socks. It is a bit chilly in the mornings and you know what that means -- yup socks are in my future.

I love my youngest. She just told me that she is 80% from a class change in her video game. Now, don't you think most people would be thinking they were only 20% of the way to the change? Yea, me too. So now you know, Miss Rose is an upbeat peach, inside and out.

hmmmm let me go over and see if I have any interesting pictures to show you today...

The middle school and high school classes painted this last spring. They each painted a square and then put them together. I think it is brilliant.

Have an amazing day!

2008-07-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

I finished spinning any plying this lovely wool on Sunday. So I completed my 4 ounce Tour de Fleece in record time. I am amazed that the Yarn Harlot managed to spin 1500g. Only slightly more than my stellar 4 ounces.

These beauties I finished a couple of weeks ago. They are Romney wool in natural sheep shades. yum

2008-07-26T05:20:00.000-07:00

I am feeling confident. The color is pretty cool and I can imaging it will be even better after I ply it.

Planning to finish the spinning by this evening so the bobbins can rest until tomorrow. I prefer to spin about 3/4 of a bobbin and then wind that yarn into a center pull ball for plying. I have only made s-ply yarn so far.

I am nearly finished with three sweaters. Yes, THREE! I am so ready for autumn. Completed pictures soon.

Got to get ready to walk over to the farmers market. Yum.

2008-07-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

I am joining the Tour de Fleece spinning competition. It does not bother me a bit that there are only a few days remaining. I tried to upload the cute image, but blogger claims it is corrupt. humph!

I will spin this -

4 oz of Cider Moon Superwash Merino. Colorway: electromagentic.
Cider Moon has now crashed and is reemerging as two separate companies. That can only be good for the rest of us.

2008-06-05T10:31:00.000-07:00

Why HP sucks - or a Thursday rant

OK so, I install a new operating system in my computer and need to reload the printer drivers. Well, the drivers do not install properly so I call HP support only to be informed that my printer is three months out of warranty and I am asked if I want to purchase a year of tech support for 65.00. "No thank you what is option 2?" Well, I could buy 2 weeks of tech support for 34.00. If I understand this correctly my choices are to buy support for nearly the cost of the printer, or to buy two weeks for half the cost of the printer. I may nave been born on a Wednesday, but it wasn't yesterday. My new printer will not be HP.

Why am I so miffed about this? I have a big project due tomorrow and it needs to be printed in color. I'm grumpy

But, this picture makes me feel better. My new granddog, Mia. Isn't she cute?

I am also knitting, catch you after finals

2008-05-21T05:38:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time.

I'm still in school. That's my excuse and it is a good one.

I have been knitting though.

Made some wrist warmers with Lorna's sock yarn

Got a new granddaughter. She is looking lovely in her Opal sock yarn sweater and her blankie knit from Ecowool. It is a yummy cozy blanket.

This hat is so cute. It is a Fiber Trends pattern and it hugs around the ears. I've made three so far.

I started the Schoolhouse Press Norwegian Mitten KAL. What do you think?

Yeaaaa me too

This is swimming deep in frog pond. I did notice that it seemed a bit big but thought some magic fairy would come along while I was sleeping and shrink it. Since I don't feel like knitting them on 00 or 000's I have decided not to make them at all.

2007-10-24T05:27:00.000-07:00

My Sock Collection

I am on a quest to wear only hand knit socks. I have worn out two pairs, and have given several pairs away, so these are the ones left in my drawer.

Read like a book:
Wool-in-the-woods, ditto, Cherry Tree Hill, Wendy Guernsey, Opal, Lorna's, Lorna's sport,Socketta, Jalwool, Lorna's, and the nearly finished pair are knit with Claudia in the 'eat your veggies,' color way. The fuzzy 'beards,' are where I needle felted roving over the thin spots. I heard Cat Bordhi talking about that last summer at Knitters Connection. I think it will work just fine.

I am working on a couple of sweaters, then I plan to knit socks for the rest of the winter. I need some boot socks. um, Maybe some mittens too.

2007-10-01T06:11:00.000-07:00

Hey! Remember me? I thought not.

It has been a busy summer. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

We've moved to new and fabulous digs. Rose and I are loving our new, more urban, location. It is nice to be so much closer to all the things we do.

School is back in session and Rose is not the only one attending. Yup, I'm back in school too, studying tech writing. Fun and exhausting. My brain is so dusty I had to get out the shop vac.

O.K. O.K., on to knitting. Over the summer I made three pair of socks a small scarf from Strickwear and did a bit of finishing some stuff that has been on needles for a while. I finished two baby sweaters, and TA DA the Obi. Isn't in sweet? The Obi is from Simply Knit. As usual, I did not follow directions because I have that reputation to uphold. I changed the colors and knit it all in one piece. If I had it to do over again, (over my dead body) I would knit it in the round and steek where the front rib panels are. This is a big wide sweater that is kimono-like. It hangs long at the sides and closes with a shawl pin. Gorgeous.

2007-04-14T15:32:00.000-07:00

I finished the Knit Ruana from Oat Couture.

This was simple to knit but looks elegant. I used Twisted Sisters Jazz and Lust held together. Jazz is fine merino and Lust is a silk mohair blend. The color doesn't show up well on this rainy day, but it is a gorgeous shade of turquoise. mmmmmm I will look fantastic in it. You know, as soon as it drys.

Starting on some Mason Dixon felted boxes. They are too cute.

Does the worrying ever stop? My youngest is going to a concert tonight in a neighboring town. So what, you say? WITH A BOY and IN THE POURING DOWN SLIPPERY RAIN! Do you need more explaining?

2007-04-06T19:36:00.000-07:00

Lookie what I found this morning. How sad is it that my Daffodil is laying flat out on the ground? I swear last night I heard it scream, "I give up," then a small thud.

Here is the reason...... note the temp today.

It has been snowing off and on for the last couple of days. I do love the snow, but not so fond of it coming after a 78 degree teaser. I'm almost sorry that I so hastily peeled the flannel sheets off the bed. Do I reflannel or just suffer for a few days?

2007-03-11T19:24:00.000-07:00

Shamless Granny picture. What more is there to say?

You can see how happy James and Lilly are to be out in the sun. I was supposed to see them in person this weekend, but had a few last minute engagements. I'm pouty about that. Perhaps next week. sigh
I don't have any knitting pics. I did finish a pair of socks and one lacy sock for a class I am teaching, but forgot to photograph the lace one before it went to be on display at the Merc- Knittermercantile.com. I am working like mad on the Never Wimpy Wimple.
I am in a reading slump. That means I am re-reading some cozy mysteries, but need a big fat page turner.

2007-02-23T15:50:00.000-08:00

If you are squeemish, avert your eyes.

Ah, so you are tough, huh? How much does it stink to start counting to split for the heel flap and not have enough stitches?
About as much as finding the runaway near the beginning. I thought about catching it and sewing it down but didn't think I would find that very satisfying. So I spent 30 minutes doing this...

Much better

2007-02-16T04:44:00.000-08:00

Nice huh? I actually made something a teenager will love and wear. This top is in Online magazine Summer 2005. I forget what yarn I used, but it is 100% cotton. I gave away the belly bands to someone for an art project.

This past summer Beth Brown-Reinsel was in Columbus and I took her mitten workshop. It just seemed like a good idea to finish them up for this freezing cold weather. These are practice mittens, and so are knit at a large gauge. I used Harrisville Highland. Yum! I am still bummed that I had to work the day she taught twined socks. If you get the chance to take a class from Beth DO IT! Yes, that is an order. She is lovely, patient and funny.

What's Mary knitting now? On the left is a Ruana from Oat Couture made in Twisted Sisters mohair and merino held together. It is amazingly soft. On the right is a shop sample knit in Fino alpaca. It is the Wimple from the new Lace Style book. See the two point repeats? Yea, they each take me about 40 minutes. There are 24. It's a good thing the yarn is so yummy.

Stay warm.

2007-02-07T05:42:00.000-08:00

This was worth the wait. Making this dress was fun and challenging with lot of first time techniques for me. Isn't that baby so cute you want to nibble her toes? yes she is!

Today is our third day of no school. Ahhhhh........ I love snow. Love it! I had to chuckle on Monday when reading Stephanie's (yarnharlot.ca) blog about bundling up her kids to send them off to school. She was complaining about the temp being -30. Obviously we in Ohio are big babies because we close school for temps just below the zero mark. Also, no school today because the white death is 4 inches deep. Big big babies here, but that's ok, I like our weather.

It was recently my birthday and I had three parties. Who knew that turning 51 was such a big deal? guess what I got?...... go ahead, I'll wait.........

Yes, you are so right. I got a Bunn. Do ya know what a Bunn is? It is a beautiful coffee maker. It makes coffee fast. So fast that I still whip around in the kitchen when I hear it because I think I have left out the filter or the coffee. But, no, it is just making coffee at the speed of light. I think the Gilmore Girls are the only people who love coffee more than I do.

I have been using the time off to finish up some projects. Stay tuned - and stay warm.

2007-01-31T05:39:00.000-08:00

Presenting, Miss Lilly in her knitted finery. The hat is Elizabeth Zimmermann's Heart Hat from "Knitting Workshop." The leggings are also EZ from "Opinionated Knitter." The booties are from "50 Baby Booties." I used the star pattern for size, but embroidered a flower on them. Btw, Lilly and James' eyes are even more blue than they appear.

I am on a finishing roll. I tend to start a lot of projects, work on them bit by bit and then in a big flurry, finish several things at once.

Speaking of starting projects- I am knitting a couple of shop samples (Knittersmercantile.com) from the new "Lace Style" book. It's a pretty nice book. There are several projects I would make and a few icky ones as usual. Those are the breaks when buying books over individual patterns.

This week I am making a hat and clogs for Rose and finishing the baby dress. I know I have been saying that for a while now, but the lace arrived and I am off the Lilly's sweatshop later today. It is a dress worth the wait.

2007-01-22T17:09:00.000-08:00

Here are the mittens that match Mark's hat.

I knit them last winter and added the skull with duplicate stitch. They are made with cascade 220. Do you see that the skulls are not the same size? Shhhh..........

I highly recommend the Jan/Feb Piecework mag. It is a knitting special issue. I ordered the yarn from wooleywest.com to make the twined mittens in the magazine. And I got enough to make Beth Brown-Reinsel's twined socks (knittingtraditions.com). The Mora yarn is Z-plied. Which means it is spun opposite of the way most yarn is, and that helps it not twist up too much while doing twined knitting. When I called Wooley West to order Nancy answered the phone. Yep, Nancy Bush! She was very nice, I was a blithering, slobbering idiot. She talked like she was just some regular person and not the fabulous designer that she is. --awe--

So, Walbert superstore opened near me Friday and there was a shooting in the parking lot Sunday which resulted in the tragic death of two people. ??? And I was just worried about the extra traffic. Silly me. Who wants to help me move this summer? Who has a truck? Matty?

2007-01-15T17:22:00.000-08:00

QUILT ALERT

Here are the quilts I made for the youngest two grands. Can you tell they had too much Christmas?
I used cotton sock monkey fabric with Minkee (tm) for the backing. Minkee is like velour, only much softer. It's a great fabric. The quilts are called, monkeys on Minkee. Yea, I'm original like that.

2007-01-15T05:37:00.000-08:00

Are pictures more important than links? Let me know and I'll publish the results.

Alas, my problem (one of my problems) is that I can post pictures from Safari and links from AOL but sometimes when I make a link my whole post gets sucked into cybersphere and I get frustrated. Since I have a short attention span, I then just close up shop and go do something else.

So unless I get the word that you want no pictures and one link, yep I can only make one link per post, I will post pictures and typed site addresses.

Below is what came in the mail recently. I love Ann and Kay (Masondixonknitting.com). They are complete hoots. They wrote one of my favorite knitting books. The youngest child and I are planning a move this summer and are already thinking of new decorating ideas. Mason Dixon Knitting has some great home projects. The coned yarn will be held together and knit into a bathroom rug. The small skeins are for discloths. It is not easy to find this cotton yarn. I bought it at Elmore-pisgah.com. ( no, I have no idea how to pronounce that name) They have tons of colors. Now, cotton is not my favorite fiber to knit with, but it is perfect for a rug or some discloths.

I have today off and plan to knit and sew. And to recover from a late night of playing cards. I promise not to pout too much that we are having inches and inches of rain instead of my beloved snow. (sob)

2007-01-05T19:20:00.000-08:00

Here is some of the Christmas knitting.

Markie's hat-

Jeffie's hat-
oh wait, not a hat. Some felted clogs. You know, the Fiber Trend ones.

Christmas was fun, but exhausting as usual. I was sewing until noon on Christmas day. We had to leave at 12:30. I work well under pressure. That's the standard saying for when I really just run out of time.

I got something cool in the mail today. Pictures tomorrow in the daylight. I'd say sunlight, but who would I be kidding? Welcome to Ohio - The gloomy state.

2006-12-21T15:15:00.000-08:00

I have just taken out my 2007 calendar and written CHRISTMAS SHOP in pink magic marker over the first week of November. Also, I have used teal magic marker to write CHRISTMAS KNITTING BEGINS NOW! over the first week of June.

Meet ya back here on this date in 2007 to let you know how that worked out.

Have I mentioned that I have the bottoms of the felted clogs to knit and attach, a hat with fair isle, and a smocked dress to finish by Sunday--- ahhhhh, and three quilts that need the hand part of the binding sewn down?

Have I mentioned that I haven't cooked, or shopped for the food for the cooking, and, I have several more gifts to buy- And, all of the wrapping to do?

Have I mentioned that I must do all these tasks with a gimpy leg? I may have torn the, I'm not sure- the something- in my knee and it hurts like a bugger when I stand too long or? It feels like mt tectonic plates are out of whack and clacking together. Back later for spell check. Driving a kid to the Ballet now. Which sucks 45 minutes out of my time schedule. She just said, "shouldn't we be leaving"? yes we should.

It's a good thing I'm a cheerful sort of thing. Just sayin

2006-12-19T09:28:00.000-08:00

Is it just me?

Someone clue me in to the whole idea of, "if you pay me money, I'll let you buy my stuff." Please, I need help with this. A Costco opened here and they are charging 50 big ones a year for the privilege of shopping in their fine store. I was so excited when I heard they were coming. My online book buds are always talking about the great book selection. Sounds fun, huh? I won't be going there.
It's sort of like the sale one of my LYS's recently had. I guess it was a sale. Is it a sale if I have to buy something in order to get a coupon to get a discount on a second item? Oh yea, And only if I come on two separate days. Uh, I did not attend either day, and may never go there again. You can ignore the last bit, I am somewhat too young to burn bridges. Especially if those bridges lead to wool.

No Pictures this time. I am throat deep in Christmas projects and they are a secret. shhhhhh

Back to the workshop.

2006-11-15T10:15:00.000-08:00

This was shared in a book group that I belong to. It really speaks to the power of positive thinking and never giving up. Perhaps he should have said his brain rebooted. Some days, I wish I could reboot mine.

2006-11-05T19:34:00.000-08:00

Quilt Alert

This is the quilt I made for my brother and sister-in-law. It's a monster- 113" bt 116" - all needle-turn applique with a small amount of machine piecing. I worked on it for about 18 months, but was also learning to knit and smock then so I didn't give it my full attention. The central part is a pattern, but I changed the border design to fit more with the style of the quilt. The original border was sort of southwest looking. Blechy! It was quilted on a long arm machine, not by me.

2006-10-10T16:45:00.000-07:00

This was a great day.

Some nasty business concluded exactly as I wanted, my virus is better, (finally) and I engaged in some retail therapy. See the pretty pretty sock yarn, because a beautiful day needs some pretty pretty sock yarn. It also needs back issues of Spin-Off and some new needles.

Yes, I have already cast on and begun but don't get your hopes up that I will finish soon as I am knee-deep in gift knitting. Birthdays and Christmas are right around the corner my friends.

2006-10-03T10:44:00.000-07:00

Who else thinks Harlot is knocked up?

2006-10-02T17:40:00.000-07:00

What I did on my summer vacation: Part the Third

I fell woefully short of my goal to finish six pair of socks.

2006-09-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

How about some knitting pictures, this is a knit blog after all.

Lily is wearing The Pinwheel Sweater for Children from Elann.com. It is knit with their Peruvian Highland Wool. It was fun to make. James still fits into the sweater I knit last Christmas. It is V-neck Cardi with contrast ribs from Debbie Bliss Baby Knits for Beginners. You can see that I decided not to make contrast ribs. I used Mission Falls 1824 Wool. It's a nice wool for babies. His fitting into last years sweater does not mean that I am not in the middle of a new sweater for him, cuz I am.

Here is the back view. Lily says, "Hey, knock it off."

And the lovely Amanda wearing her Manos poncho. Manos makes me go mmmmm...... It is 2 by 2 rib knit in a long rectangle with one end swooped up and attached. Magical

We went up to Bowling Green last weekend to celebrate the two elder son's birthdays. Nick wants to keep his neck warm while he is stalking Bambi, so I pulled out "Knitting Around," Elizabeth Zimmermann, and quickly turned out the Corrugated Dickey in Lorna's laces Sheppard Sport Camo colorway.

Jeff (on the right) recently turned 21. You are seeing some kind of knuckle high-five in relation to a chat about buying beer.

So, while we were partying (eating chili and cake) this tow truck pulls up and parks in front of a tow away sign. I thought it was funny, but I suppose it's one of those things that is only funny if you actually see it. Your call.

2006-09-19T21:01:00.000-07:00

Matt (ruiningmyfun.blogspot.com) reminded me this evening what a slacker I am for not playing book tag. So, here goes-

1. One Book that changed my life: How to Talk so Kids will Listen and Listen so Kids will Talk, Faber & Mazlish. Reading this book helped me be a better parent.

2. Read more than once: Ex Libris, Anne Fadiman. A lovely book of essays about Anne's growing up in a literary family.

3. One book I'd take on a desert Island: The Complete Works of Shakespeare. Ugh you say? Ha, I say. It's a two for one. After reading it I'd act it out. That would kill some time.

4. One Book that Made me laugh. Hot Six, Janet Evanovich. I've read all the Plum novels and found 6 to be the funniest. I love Bob the dog. So many people have chosen David Sedaris and I wanted to also, but will tell my Sedaris story instead. Ok, so my online book group pick Me Talk Pretty one Day. I'd never heard of the author and when I saw the book thought the cover art stunk. Yup, I did. Cover art matters. So, I get the audio from the library as I am afraid to make a monetary commitment to this, and then I proceed to pop in the first tape and listen. hmmm I wonder what kind of low budget audio this is that they couldn't afford a reader without a lisp. Yea, I'm a dork like that.

5. One Book that made me cry: Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. The chapter about her knitting one bootie did me in.

6. One Book I wish had been written: How to make a fortune reading knitting blogs.

7. One Book I wish had never been written: Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend, Robert James Waller. Or anything he has written, really. How can a best selling book have a chapter that begins- One year later-? Really, I'm not kidding. That was the last page of his I will ever read. Do bestsellers have to be written at a 3rd grade reading level?

8. One Book I am currently reading: Plum Wine, Angela Davis-Gardner. Beautiful so far

9. One Book I've been meaning to read: Black Lamb and Grey Falcon, Rebecca West. I want to read it, but it's so big I keep putting it off.

10. Tag 6 people: no. The only bloggers I know have already been tagged.

2006-09-09T20:35:00.000-07:00

LOCKS OF LOVE

Trying again after some encouragement from Jerry and Kay. You guys know I have a low tolerance for techie mishaps.

Rose did a brave thing by cutting enough of her hair to have a donation for Locks of Love. Locksoflove.org is an organization of wonderful people who make wigs for children with cancer. Here are the before and afters. Rose is still pretty cute, heh? Lily wanted to try on the ponies. The Donald says, "You're fired."

Lastly, since it was hair day, Amanda also decided to go for a big change. Yea to Jill, Amanda's sister-in-law for all the hair-do fun. It was a great day.

2006-09-09T03:58:00.000-07:00

This is probably the shortest lived blog in history. I have put pictures here two times and every time I try and edit to add the link for Locks of Love the pictures disappear. I'm done.

2006-08-28T22:03:00.000-07:00

What I did on my summer vacation: Part the second.

Helped this little girl come into our world. She is taking a cat nap while her mom converts sheet music from piano to guitar.

I love being a labor coach. There is nothing so exciting as being present at the birth of a new little person. It is quite an honor and blessing. Lily is the youngest of my grands and she is pretty darn cute.

Lilly and big brother James enjoy playing the piano with Auntie Rose. Well, Lilly was not to happy to be sitting down, but if she could play standing up, all would be well with the world.

We took a small outing to the Merc (knittersmercantile.com) so I could show them off and also to have Lily try on this Dale of Norway sweater so we could measure for size. I will be making her Fanasaeter from the book "Baby knits from Dale of Norway." (www.dale.no)

We had a great weekend, but boy, memory being a funny thing I had forgotten how tiring it is to take care of a busy 2 yo and a somewhat difficult baby. I needed a whole day to relax.

I will replace those laborious addresses as soon as someone (Matt) offers up the promised help. cough cough

2006-08-24T03:01:00.000-07:00

What I did on my summer vacation: Part the first.

I learned to do this-

and it resulted in this-

Yes, I have been drawn to the dark side. I resisted spinning for quite some time because I didn't want to take away from my knitting time and because I didn't want to have to stash more stash. So, here I am spinning and wondering where I am going to put all the roving. Spinning is soothing, rhythmic and fun. I am learning a lot about fiber and how it behaves. My love of knitting Icelandic wool has easily transferred to a love for spinning it. It glides though my fingers like butta.

My youngest grandbabies are coming in for the weekend. Pictures forthcoming.

2006-08-21T18:09:00.000-07:00

Quilt alert.

Who Knew? I was able to load this from AOL's browser, from which I couldn't even type the other day. Weirdness.

I designed and made this quilt a couple of years ago. It was shown in the NQA (National Quilt Association) Show but didn't win anything. Ah well, It hangs in my bedroom and I love to look at it. The colors make me smile.

2006-08-21T16:22:00.000-07:00

I've tried to post a picture for the last few days. Every time, I viciously get dumped off of Safari. You can probably guess my frustration level because who wants to read a pictureless blog? Nobody, that's who. I guess I need to check into a different browser, although you can see that I have gotten pictures to stick here before. Grrr....

I did change the settings so that people who don't have a blogger account can still add their posts. Thank you Matt, for telling me about that. If I knew how to do it, you could be clicking on a link to Matt's blog. As it is, you can relax a bit and wait for me to learn how to do that. Hey, I changed the settings and I think that one new thing at a time is just my speed.

For your picture teaser I bought some Lorna's laces Shepard Sock in the CAMO colorway. It's camo cool. Now, which kid is worthy of the hand knit socks?

Crossing my fingers and hoping this loads.... x x x

2006-08-15T18:10:00.000-07:00

Hold your breath, I'm going to try and put a picture here. This jacket is the Best Friend from Sally Melville's "The Knitting Experience, Book One". I suppose I should make a link, but ah well, one new thing at a time.
The model has a cute face huh? That face says, "It's hot and I don't want to wear this old lady thing so hurry up, and no I'm not going to smile."

The wool is unspun Icelandic from Schoolhousepress.com. It is lovely stuff, so warm and light as a feather. It comes wound into these darling wheels. Knitting should be fun, yes?

I'm expecting to retrieve my camera Friday. After that I will be posting some pictures of what I did on my summer vacation. Can you stand the suspense?

2006-08-13T21:19:00.000-07:00

Day one as a blogger. It feels kind of weird and scary but since I have to edit this, I suppose there is comfort in knowing that one person will be reading it.

My life as a knitter began only four years ago. I have always loved fiber arts, but since childhood felt that knitting was too hard for me. My aunts tried to teach me during my visits with them, but would then be a whole state away when I made a mistake and gave up. I do lament all that lost time I could have been spending with wool, but am marching forward with needles held high.

I am mostly self taught but advanced quickly with the help of some fabulous and patient friends who have answered my questions with smiles and kindness. To them (they know who they are), I am very grateful.

Ok, so our camera was left behind last week, and I am photo-free until Saturday. I will post some pictures of my current works and possibly of my baby granddaughter wearing something fabulous. At least I have a few days to decide what to show you, as I suffer from cast-on-itis so it would be embarrassing to show everything now on needles. I have been considering trying to get cast-on-itis listed as a real and ongoing medical problem. Perhaps with some reduction in deductible to allow for a bit of stash enhancement. Why not?

I will be interrupting the knit-chat at regular intervals to show other works of fibery goodness. You may avert your eyes at will.

Warmly,
Mary