Thursday, November 30, 2006

Making Progress!

This is my latest finished project. A simple scarf. The yarns used here are Trends Baroque (light blue/blue) and Yarn Bee's Topkapi (navy). I ran the Baroque and Topkapi together then dropped the Baroque for several rows then picked it back up. I did it mainly to stretch out the Baroque. The scarf is a tad short for wrapping but can be crossed.

I am now working to finish a purse and felt it by this weekend. Then I can begin a few other projects and hopefully have those finished in time to give as Christmas gifts. Santa has so much to do! And yes, I worked on this during Grey's Anatomy instead of knitting!

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Different Kind of Turkey

Our family typically celebrates thanksgiving in a traditional manner. Go to mom and dad's (or grandparents) house, (usually less than a 20 minute trip from home) take a dish, visit with family. Most of the women are gathered in the kitchen putting in their helping hand with the men watching a ballgame or the parade on the television and snacking (on food and beverages).

This year we did the same only in a different place. I have a sister who lives in St. Petersburg, Florida and my dad called me early in the week of Thanksgiving to ask if we'd like to make a surprise visit to her house for turkey day. It would be a major road trip (16 hour trip) for just a two day visit. Spontaneous fun staring me in the face, I was up for it. We decided to keep it a secret because my sister had invited my aunt and uncle (my dad's sister) from South Carolina for Thanksgiving. My sister had plans to cook for them. We wanted to surprise them all. We packed the car on Wednesday morning and left Kentucky around 3 a.m.

The trip down wasn't toooooo bad. We kept conversing back and forth about whether to call my sister to let her know we are coming or keeping it as a surprise......as we grew closer to the destination, my mom and I were beginning to get a little apprehensive about possibly intruding on the visitors that were invited to be there. We also reminisced about how one year we had made a trip to my aunt's house in South Carolina and surprised her.

As we approached my sister's house, probably about 5 miles from it, we get a cell call from her husband telling us that my aunt and uncle had arrived and they had finished dinner and were preparing to make pies for the upcoming T-day meal. It was probably around 8:30 or 9:00 p.m. Conversation was carried on while we were sitting outside their home in our car. We still had cell phone to ear when we knocked at the door. My two teenage girls were at the door first, for confusion and surprise. My uncle had passed his phone to my sister to answer the door. His disbelief at seeing the two girls was apparent when he blurted, "What the heck is going on?" As we all began trickling into the house the faces were so surprised! It was unbelievable that they really had no idea we were coming.....the cat had not been let out of the bag! It was great! It was an awesome surprise to all. The surprise alone was worth the trip.


We helped finish making the pies and assured my sister we would have enough food because we did bring some things in preparation. The next morning, we began our task of preparing the grand meal. The weather was awesome! (Thanksgiving Day in Kentucky is usually unpredictable. We may have a flurry or two or we may have 75 degree weather). The day had been extremelysunny, 60-75 degree weather....we sat on my sister's porch by the pool most of the day snacking and resting in between preparing dishes. After the meal, we decided to take a trek on the beach to make room for some pie! We had been snacking and eating all day it seemed. So, all the girls piled into the car and drove down to the beach to catch the sunset. I couldn't help thinking as we watched the sunset and felt the slightly cool breeze on our faces as to what a different kind of Thanksgiving Day it was, but how it was really kind of the same being with family. It was an overwhelming feeling to know that no matter where or how you celebrate it, that family makes it all so familiar.


A different kind of turkey!
(Pictures taken at St. Petersburg Beach, Florida
Thanksgiving - November 2006)


Thursday, November 09, 2006

Gauge the Grey

This is one of my WIP. It's a sweater. I haven't figured out how to knit by gauge so I already know it's not going to fit me. I just don't get it. I guess I could frog it and use a bigger needle. Maybe that would help. I had the desire to knit my first garment. So far this has been really easy to knit and I really like the pattern. But it is not going to fit. I even followed the bigger size knowing it wouldn't from the start. Oh well, I am using Paton's Simply Soft yarn, it was on sale .99 a skein. Can't beat that! I've got to learn to gauge.

Monday, November 06, 2006

Knit Mitt Kit Swap

I have entered my first swap and the following questions have been provided to help the swap partner. I have answered them in hopes that my partner will find out needed information.

What are your favorite colors? Blue, Aqua, bluegreen, browns, oranges, fall like colors.

Are you a new mitt knitter?
How long have you been knitting mittens? I have never knit mittens or gloves yet. I've been knitting for about a year.

Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn? Mostly solid, some multicolored

What fibers do you prefer in mitten yarn?
Soft and warm.

Where do you usually knit mittens?
Probably at home or a ballgame.

How do you usually carry/store small projects?
I have a bag that I knitted and felted that I carry my projects in.

What are your favorite mitten patterns?
Easy

What are your favorite mitten knitting techniques? Easy

What new techniques would you like to try? Cable technique

What are your favorite needles for knitting mittens?
I like to knit in the round.

What are some of your favorite yarns? Gallway, Noro, Wool of the Andes

What yarn do you totally covet? Cashmere

Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object?
hmmmm probably some kind of sweater. (I have yet to master guage!)

Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)?
Circulars (I just got a set of Knit Picks Options) Bamboo is nice too.

If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be?
Too hard to decide.

Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack? Anything! :)

What’s your favorite animal? Cat (But I am allergic!)

Would you prefer super warm mittens or something more like fingerless mitts? Super warm, but the other would be interesting.

If you were a color what color would you be?
Aqua

What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature?
Poppies, Cosmos, hydrangeas

Do you have a wishlist?
Not yet, I just like everything! Plus there is so much to choose from, very overwhelming!