The Richest Man in Town

Every Christmas Season one of the Networks plays the movie "Its a Wonderful Life". I love this movie. My brother Michael and I would recite the lines together while watching it every time it was on TV. My mom to this day can't watch this movie without hearing our voices in the background. So when a parcel (my friend Kate who is from England gets parcels from her Nana and I love the sound of getting a parcel. Its soooo much more fun sounding than getting a package) arrived on my doorstep with a wonderful blanket inside, I felt like the "richest man in town".

A bunch of great women and friends over at the chat site got together when they found out I was pregnant and knitted me this.


Each person knitted up a square in a cuddly soft, machine washable cotton. Then they all sent their squares to Betsy in Texas, who then sent them all to Bri in Florida. Bri sewed each and every one of those squares together. And if that wasn't enough of an undertaking in and of itself, the girl THEN knitted up a seed stitch border and sewed that in place. Did I mention that she is a full time student working on her PhD AND she teaches? AMAZING!


This blanket is truly an international project as some people are from Canada, USA, and I think one was in Germany at the time. She has since moved back to the United States and its great to have her home!

I have no idea who did what square but a huge THANK YOU goes out to:

Theresa: Who has 2 rambunctious boys, and teaches full time, found time to knit a square.

Benne: aka, the Duck Whisperer, who has had a trying year, found time to knit a square.


Grace: Who is dealing with and conquering major health issues found time to knit 2 squares.

Betsy: Who runs and operates a famous coffee shop located in East Cupcake Texas, found time to collect all the squares and knit one as well.

Bri: who is going to school full time as a PhD student AND teaches found time to knit a square, knit up the border, AND sew it all together.


Daryl: Who not only is a mom to 2 great ballerinas and accomplished knitters, she is also a baby doctor for the state of Pennsylvania, found time to knit a square.

Jean: Who was in Germany at the time, managed to find time to knit a square even though she has 2 rambunctious boys and was in the middle of moving back to the US.

Les (who also did 2 squares): Who is a travelling health professional and who's husband is a postmaster, found time to knit a square.


Jayne: Of the very famous "See Jayne Knit" hand dyed yarns found on her Etsy shop, found time to knit a square.

Trish: Who recently started working and is the mom of 2 great boys that are constantly keeping her busy, found time to knit a square.

Barbara: Who is knitting up all kinds of scarves, hats and sweaters AND doing an inventory of her stash for Ravelry (yep she got in) found time to knit a square.

Sandra: Who is busy with 2 teenage boys found time to knit a square.


Donna: Who manages her family's famous pizza place and has a ballerina of her own, found time to knit a square.

Shui Kuen: Yep the famous SK who is stirring the knitting community with her fabulous shawls found time to knit a square.

Thank you everyone for making me the Richest Man in Town!

Thanks

First off thanks for letting me bitch yesterday. I really needed it.

Item the first: ordered more needles. I got more US7s and the Harmony set. Of course I'll share pics so stop asking already!

Item the second: Still up a half a pound. So I'm committing to driking all my water today and then some... PLUS treadmilling.

Item the third: Contacted Ebay and Paypal. Tomorrow I'm gonna call the police where the scamer lives.

Sure does feel good to take action.

How good? Well I started another project.


Its a boob in case you are wondering. Yep you read that correctly, I'm knitting a boob. Friends don't let friends go boobless. Of course I'm not all that crazy about how this pattern is written so I made a few adjustments. I'll post the pattern in the side bar as soon as I'm done.

Gettin' Screwed

It all started yesterday afternoon when I couldn't find my knitting needle. You know, my #7 Options needle? The one that DH got me for my birthday last year? The one that I need to do the FI portion of my moms sweater (which is looking good btw). Yep that's the one..... gone. Poof.

Not in the 3 KIP bags or the knitting basket or the other knitting basket or the knitting bag. Believe me, I checked and re-checked while holding a screaming kid. I COULD break down and use my Addi #7 but that would be drastic. Lets not bring drama into this OK?

This morning I stepped on the scale. Up 1/2 a pound. Figures. I should mention that I'm doing WW again. I mean, really doing it, counting points and everything. Drinking water. Eating ALL my fruits and veggies. Even got on the treadmill yesterday.

So when I went to check my email, after I stepped on the scale, it should have come as no surprise that the laptop I thought was a legit auction turns out to be a scam. I contacted Ebay as well as Paypal. Tomorrow I'm contacting the police dept from where the scamers live.

Now I can usually handle things like this. I can handle a lost needle. It happens and they eventually turn up. And I can handle a half a pound. Obviously. And I can handle getting scammed out of $700. OK EVENTUALLY I can. But handle all 3 AT THE SAME TIME?!?!?!?!

Tomorrow had better be good that's all I gotta say and thanks for letting me vent.

Michigan Wine!

For the weekend, Ray and I decided that it was time we had ourselves a little outing. So off to the Michigan Wineries we went!

The first stop of the day was at Cherry Creek Winery. We had never heard of them before and decided to give them a try.


There was a bit of something for everyone.





We picked up a couple of bottles here and then headed off to the next place.



There was some great wines here! Free taste testing here as well! Can you even stand it? I had no idea that they gave out the wine here at these places. If I had known this sooner, we would have been here a long time ago! I did have to feel sorry for the people there because we were THOSE parents again. Sydney decided to cry the entire time while Karolyn wanted to run around the store. So the girls and I went outside, ran around, saw the grapes.



Can you guess what it is? I'll give you a hint. Christmas is just around the corner!

The Big Yellow Bus

Tuesday was the first day of pre-preschool.


We got all dressed, put on her backpack (please notice the home made Elmo sticker on the back). OK I'll tell you the story. Teacher said that we needed a backpack and being out of the loop on the back to school shopping, we didn't get one back in June like everyone else that is in the loop.


This being the case, we missed out on the Elmo backpacks. In fact, there really wasn't much of a selection by the time we went backpack shopping. Now would be a good time to mention the fact that I promised to produce an Elmo backpack. This is the last time that I promise something before I know if I can deliver.


All hell broke loose of course and I sent DH to the store to no avail. He had a great idea of making our own Elmo backpack. He looked up an Elmo picture, printed it out on sticker paper, cut it to size and stuck it on the backpack!



Teacher told me it took them 45 minutes to get the backpack off of her. She had a great day and loves going to school!

Operating Manuals

Guess what fits again!!!



Do you see the zipper on these babies?!?! Have any idea how long its been since I have had to operate one of these? Someone get me a manual, I've completely forgotten how to operate this kind of machinery.

Knitting Daily

Have y'all been reading Knitting Daily? Why not? Honestly I'm really enjoying it. Currently they are doing a series on how to properly measure yourself. What an eye opener this has been. It explains where to place the tape measure and why you are measuring that body part and what all the fuss is about in the first place. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only person on the planet that has been doing it wrong all these years.

Come to think of it, why would I know how to properly take a measurement. I've certainly not had any formal training on this topic of conversation. Its not like anyone said "Yo genius, measure your chest size without any clothes on" Or "idiot, when they say chest size, they are referring to the fullest part of your chest, not your bra size." I can easily see where the confusion comes from. And to be completely honest with you, I'm actually scared to take the tape measure around the fullest part of my ass. I mean, what if it doesn't fit all the way around? Then I have to admit to things that I'm really not quite ready to admit to just yet. Things like "I really should have not had that candy bar even though my sanity required it" or "Belly? what belly? that isn't mentioned in polite conversation" (I keep forgetting that we don't have polite conversation in my house)

I guess that all of these measurements are very important when trying to get a great fitting garment. Especially when that great fitting garment is custom knitted just for me. Now I just have to get the courage to start taking measurements. Its like stepping on the scale, I need to ease myself into it. Luckily I know some of these figures already, so the shock will not be so great!

Small Miracles

My Dearest Sydney,

Time sure does fly when you are having fun! An entire month of fun is what I'm refering to. Specifically, changing diapers, midnight around the clock feedings, burping...you get the picture. To remedy the situation, I am introducing you to some baby cereal. You seem to like it as you managed to sleep for an entire 6 hours straight last night! (Thank you God for small miracles)

Your lovely sister has taken to the phrase "Sydney go away" when you get too much of mommy's attention....I wouldn't worry too much about her just yet, you have the cute baby thing going for you. That and the dog seems to like you at the moment. Just don't touch her princess butterfly wings or the princess necklace and all will be well.

I love you baby,
Love,

Mommy

"Oh Bother"

Its raining,
Its pouring,
The old man is snoring,



He bumped his head,
And he went to bed,
And he didn't get up 'til the mornin'.

Rockin' Girls Club

I've been nominated!!! Twice actually. Thanks Marie and Bets! You girls rock, but you already know that.

Now for the people that I get to nominate.... ***drum roll please****

Jenny: Jenny is a full time mommy and knitter extraordinaire who is currently living in Germany. She is also an avid supporter of our troops and still finds time to teach others how to knit! You rock Jenny!

Grace: Grace gets my nomination for overcoming TONS of obstacles being tossed every which way at her this year. I'm glad that you are staying afloat! You rock Gracie!!!

SK: Shui Kuen Kozinski, fondly known as "SK", at the Elann.com chat site is the designer of some fabulous shawls and stoles. From what I understand, she has quite a following (Grace is starting a Ravelry group for her! How exciting is that!!!). Seriously people, the lady can knit circles around the competition!!! Now we just need to convince her to get a blog....You rock SK!!!

The Lily Pad

It had occurred to me today that for a knitting blog there sure hasn't been much knitting going on. Well I decided to let you all in on what I have been working on. The Lily Pad.

The Lily Pad, as I have now named it, started life as a gift from the Duck Whisperer. It sat marinating in the stash for me to think of something special, really special, for it to become. Well I came up with a little idea. The idea grew. I bought more yarn to fulfill the idea. And now I'm not so sure.

Have you ever done that? Second guessed yourself? I don't do it often but when I do, Lord have mercy. The idea is a simple one. A top down raglan done in the flickering flames lace pattern. I decided to keep the edging simple with a folded over border. I'm picturing it worn over a white spaghetti strap tank top with a pair of jeans. Even I can't screw this up right? UUUUMMMMMM... don't hold your breath.

I sketched and swatched (please notice K's input, I'm gonna make a knitter out of her yet!) and washed and blocked the swatch. Did you read that? I BLOCKED THE SWATCH! I have never blocked the swatch before. Come to think of it, that may be one of my problems but lets not go there. Of course I only blocked the swatch because its a lace pattern and we all know that lace is much different than plain knitting.

OK you all don't need to point out that this really isn't the Flickering Flames pattern found in Barbara's First Treasury, but it sure is close. Instead of having 2 paired decreases, we have 1 double decrease. And instead of 10 rows, we have 8. OK I made a mistake. Again, we aren't going to mention it.

Then I measured the swatch. I even got out the calipers! I really really wanted this to be good. After all this is a great yarn from a great knitter and wonderful friend. I compensated for the screw up in the swatch pattern and came up with a number. I applied that number to the dimensions that I wanted and started knitting. Well now I have this.
And I'm starting to second guess myself. Is it going to be too big? Is it going to be too small? Are the sleeves going to fit? Did I give enough room for the length of the underarm? Is the front going to look OK with the V-neck? Am I going to have enough yarn? Do I need to make the sleeves short because I'm cutting it close on the yarn? Is it going to be too big? I swear I measured it twice and casted on once, then counted and re-counted the stitches. Please tell me I'm not the only knitter that does this.

Last night at "Knit Night" Toni assured me that it looks like it is going to turn out just fine. I'm gonna trust her instinct and keep on knitting!

The Baby Sitter

Eunny's Issue

I got my IWK issue this week. You all know the one. Eunny's highly anticipated issue. Of course I immediately started flipping through the pages looking at the pretty pictures and all of the adverts. Slowly taking in which articles I might want to read and seeing if the knitting industry will give us any hints as to which direction they are taking us in the way of the new release yarns.

As a whole I'm not a big fan of the patterns in the magazines. Sure there is usually one or two items that I would consider knitting up and then actual wear. Because lets face it folks some of the things in these magazines (not just IK but knitting magazines as a whole) fall under the category of "just because you can knit does not mean that this was ever meant to be created let alone worn."

I enjoy the magazines for the articles and the tutorials. I always manage to learn something. A new way to cast on, how to fix mistakes without frogging the last 5 rows, understanding lace, cabling, the importance of swatching. Its limitless really, the amount of knowledge of in the tiny article.

When I got to flipping through Eunny's magazine again, I started to pay closer attention to the patterns. I found several I would consider knitting and Eunny's cardi? Well I just about cast that on the second I saw it. Then I started to read the construction of these garments and be still my beating heart. STEEKS!!!!! Can you even stand it? A magazine has a pattern that incorporates steeks!! I can hardly contain myself so I read on. I found patterns that also included knitting 'round and 'round in circles so there are no seams! There are also flat knitting garments for those not interested in steeks and seamless knitting.

I found the issue to be challenging and it got my creative juices flowing. Furthermore it got me to think about a better way to construct a wearable garment. I'm so glad that there is a magazine out there that is being written for a knitter that is a little bit more advanced and not afraid to publish seamless knitting patterns!

Bravo Eunny for a fantastic magazine!

Stupefy!

Everyone is forever talking about the importance of breastfeeding. The media, doctors, nurses, family members. Everyone has their own "way" on how to do it and what is the "correct" way. Even people that don't have kids have been telling me how to do it! Regardless it was something that I really wanted to pursue for Sydney. (I was unable to nurse Karolyn because my milk never really came in.) To put it mildly, my milk supply is in.

Now that Sydney and I are comfortable with each other and have figured out how this is all supposed to work, I'm discovering that there are downsides to breastfeeding. Things go on that people forget to mention. Things like ... well we really don't need to get into the specific details of the operation but its not pretty. One thing that I can mention is that this process is incredibly boring.


Things to occupy my time:

1) Finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows.
I really enjoyed this book!

2) Read to Karolyn.

3) Play Sudoku.

4) Play Mah Jong.

5) Knit!
You should have known that I would figure this out eventually!

Knitting into the Mystery

I want to thank everyone for their warm wishes and congratulations on the new baby. It means alot to me. Thank You!

Like lots of people, I'm always up for a good mystery. It goes without saying that there are a great many mystery authors but mystery knitters? Well I must say that Melanie is knitting herself into this position. She is the author of the Mystery Knitting series. Currently we are on Mystery Stole 3!

I got suckered in by the intrigue and suspense of the whole thing during Mystery Shawl 1 and 2, so when I heard about Mystery Stole 3 I signed up right away. And it was a good thing that I did because I just about missed the cutoff date.

Not wanting to go and get more yarn, I decided to raid the stash. I found some Elann.com Super Kydd. Its a lace weight mohair and nylon blend. I have never knit with such a fine yarn before so this is a challenge. Luckily I have my Knit Picks Option needles (I'm using US4) and the pointy tips are coming in quite handy. I got some glass size 6 seed beads at JoAnn's in a milky blue color.

We are in week 4 of the clues and I'm still plugging away at clue 1. I am almost done with chart 2 of clue one but its still clue 1. I was hoping to catch up this weekend. I got sidetracked with birthing babies and nursing and making sure the 2 yr old feels important.

I've decided to not post pictures of my stole progress because I want to preserve the integrity of the mystery. Ok lets just face it, its one more picture I have to take and I'm the lazy sort! So you will see a picture when its all said and done.

More Sydney

Sydney Marie

Sydney Marie Grant
8 pounds 11 ounces
Entered the world on July 17, 2007

Welcome home baby girl! You gave mommy quite a scare at the hospital, getting a fever and all. I have a feeling that this is just first of many scares throughout your life. Just try to keep the scares to about one a year and I'll be OK with that.



Let me introduce you to your family. You have a great big sister, Karolyn, who I'm quite certain will be able to show you the ropes like how to avoid eating and chase the dog around. She is also really good at having to go potty when mommy does. Her other interests are finger painting and helping mommy.


Your daddy loves to dive in the Great Lakes and fix his cars and build things. Try not to touch his tools and all will be well.

Your mommy loves to knit. I would greatly appreciate it if you were able to stay out of the stash and the needles. Your big sister is not able to understand this as she seems to think that all of the yarn is hers. Mommy is able to share the yarn but lets just wait until you and your sister are able to do the knit stitch. I'm told that kids are perfectly capable of doing this when they are about 5, so until then please refrain from the stash. Other than that, you can get into what ever you want to. If you could pass that on to your big sister mommy would greatly appreciate it.

I love you baby girl.

Mommy

Parrot Bay

I finished my Parrot Bay socks from the Lorna's Laces yarn I got at City Knits!



I just love the results! These little numbers are going to the hospital with me on Friday!

Michigan the Great!

Michigan is a wonderful place to live. Its full of so many things that one wonders why we would ever want to leave the state at all. We are home to the Motor City and Cereal City. We are known for our blueberries and cherries. Holland Michigan has beautiful tulips. Unfortunately we can't claim the Simpsons, VT beat us out of that one. D'OH! But we do have Bigfoot!

According to today's Detroit News article, Michigan is home to Bigfoot. He has been spotted in the Michigan's Upper Peninsula over quite some time now and is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, a California group running the search, will be more than happy to have you along with them for a mere $300. Its a small price to pay for a chance at spotting, or at least hearing, a legend.

Crocheted Steeks

I have been doing steeks by using my sewing machine for awhile now. Its very simple and easy. Fast and convenient. However its also very messy. The results are just not as professional as I would have liked the finished product to be.
One day while reading the Zimmermaniacs blog someone posted about their crocheted steeks. Shortly thereafter Jared did the same thing. I was sold.

Both people said that Eunny had an excellent tutorial on how to perform the technique and they couldn't have been more correct!

I found a crochet hook a size smaller than my needle as suggested and started putting in my single crochets in the exact spot that I wanted to cut my cardigan.



I crocheted down the one side and then up the other. This was quite time consuming but I was assured that this is a much cleaner and neater method than the sewing machine. Besides I already started so I might as well finish it and see how it turns out.

Now its time for the cutting. Due to the fact that I can't have an adult beverage, ice cream was involved. Alot of ice cream. Breyers to be exact. One must have a steady hand and be on a sugar high for this surgical operation about to take place.



Holy God it worked!!! I couldn't believe my eyes. Perfect little stitches that had been stitched together and then cut and are not going anywhere!



Everything is clean and neat and the blue crocheted steeks blend in with the rest of the sweater.

The only thing left to do is to hand sew in the sleeves, time consuming but the results are worth it, add the neck and button bands, and tack down the insides where the sweater was steeked.

Best Laid Plans

Cate the next 2 posts are for you! I'm gonna tell you how I did my steeks for the Fair Isle.

Before one can actually take scissors to a knitted sweater that is 2 years in the making, one must plan for the event.

My sweater cardigan needs to be planned out. I have 300 stitches in the round which means that there are 150 sts for the front and 150 sts for the back. Out of these 150 stitches I need to figure out how many I'm going to use for the shoulders and for the neck hole.

Being a fan of Mrs. Zimmerman, I decided to employ the percentage system and adjusted it to suit my needs. I also have to remember that this cardigan is meant to have the shoulders drop onto the arm so I'm going to need extra shoulder stitches for that.

150 stitches = 100%

Shoulders
40% x 150 sts = 60 sts
2 shoulders x 60 = 120 sts

Neck
Remaining 20% x 150 sts = 30 sts

Now that the calculations have been made, I took some left over cotton yarn and blocked off the stitches.



All of the separate sections of stitches are on individual waste yarn holders. For example, the 60 shoulder stitches for the front are on a separate waste yarn than the back shoulder stitches.




Next, I decided on where I wanted to cut open the front as well where to place the sleeves. I then ran waste yarn down these areas so I knew where to place the steeks.

After all the stitches are on the waste yarns and I know where I'm going to place the steeks, I turned the sweater inside out and did a 3-needle bind off on the sleeve area.

This was enough work for one day. Tomorrow, steeks!

City Knits

When searching for the perfect button, knitters know that JoAnn's or Michael's will just not do the trick. These big box stores are fantastic for a great many things but not for the perfect button which is to be placed on a Fair Isle sweater that has been worked on for the past 2 years. Try explaining this to DH.

Me: Honey? Can you take me to City Knits so I can get some buttons?

DH: Can't you drive?

Me: I can't fit behind the wheel.

DH: Where is City Knits?

Me: Downtown Detroit in the Fisher Building.

DH: Can't you just go to JoAnn's?

This is the point in the conversation that we all just take a very very deep breath and remember that this is the man that you love and adore.

Me: Are you kidding me? You want me to go to JoAnn's for some buttons that were made in a third world country that everyone else on the planet has to put on Maxine's sweater that I have been working on for 2 whole years?

DH:

Me: Never mind, I'll take myself.

DH: No you're not! Its dangerous in Detroit and I don't want you down there by yourself in your condition. Get in the car.

So off to City Knits we go!

City Knits is located in the Fisher Building, which has been recently refurbished. I'd be willing to be it was the cat's meow back in her day. Brass door pulls, marble floors, high painted ceilings, the works. Spared no expense. I'm so glad that she is being restored to her respectible self.

The shop itself is wonderful! Full of great yarny selection and buttons from local artists as well as from artists around the world. The book selection puts other LYS book selections to shame. Not only do they have the trendy books but they also have the stitch dictionaries and the OLD how to books. This totally impressed me!

Of course I couldn't just get the buttons I originally came for. I found the Lorna's Laces sock yarn.



I've never used such wonderful sock yarn before so I thought I would splurge a little. And then they wound it for me as well!!! That was great cuz it meant no sitting on the floor with the skein on my feet, trying to reach past the over extended belly that can't possibly stretch more than it already has, and ball it up.

I'm going to call the resulting socks "Parrot Bay" as they remind me of the vibrant colors of Parrots and I could really go for a drink right about now!



I also got a book!



Where is the picture of the buttons you ask? I forgot to take them. I'm sorry and I'll do better next time!

Little White Boxes

I love little white boxes. Especially if the little white box was left by the post man on my front porch with a postmark from Washington State. My little white box always contains goodies and other treasures any knitter would love to have.

Here is what my little white box contained today!



20 hanks of Berroco Softwist! I have absolutely no idea what the luscious blend of wool and rayon wants to be when it grows up but I'm sure it will let me know. A spring time top? Or maybe a fall 3/4 sleeve pullover? Only time will tell.

In addition to the yarn, I received some books.



I have been wanting these books on lace for quite some time now and I'm glad that they just happened to make it in my inbox during check out time. Both are loaded with inspiration and some great lessons on how to knit and properly block lace.

These goodies as well as the rest of the stash will need to keep me satiated until the next little white box makes its appearance!

Results Revealed

Several months ago the question of stashing came up at the chat site. It was started because one of the chatters saw a survey somewhere and we had all agreed that it was very unrealistic. I think that the greatest number of accumulated stash was the ridiculously small amount of 20 balls. This is a sweaters worth people! So this discussion led me to start an informal survey of my own.

First off, I want to thank the 59 people that took the time to take the survey! Of these knitting gurus, no one can quite open up a store. Granted I have no idea who voted and who didn't so I am left with my imagination and I can imagine quite a bit. When I met Bri while I was in Florida, she admitted to having seen stashes larger than some local yarn stores. Of course they were pretty small yarn stores, possibly closet sized, so it probably didn't take much to fill it up. However her DH Charles did comment on this. Now I'm thinking if a guy is gonna take the time to mention that someones stash has more in it than a yarn store, then I'm guessing that it is a pretty small store.

2 people have just started knitting so they don't have a stash. I want to welcome you guys to the wonderful world of knitting and stashing!

The majority of the voters said that they have several 20 gallon tub full (38 people, I was one of them). This does not surprise me. Its quite easy to fill up a a 20 gallon tub especially with all the great yarn sales out there. And every knitter knows that you have to get the quantity right up front because its not going to last forever. In fact when its gone, its gone and thats the end of it.

12 people said they have 1 20 gallon tub full. My theory on this is that that they actually have more than the 1 tub but its in boxes and not in a tub so it doesn't count. OR its sock yarn, which everyone knows by now doesn't count. Of course they could just have the one tub and I'm reading too much into the situation.

The remaining 5 people have a box full. I attribute this to them being new knitters who have recently found the great savings to be had on the internet. I'm quite certain that they will have a sizable yarn stash before too long!

Once again I want to thank everyone for participating in the survey it was great fun! If you have an idea for another survey let me know.

Mission Accomplished!

Miss Maxine in her brand spankin' new wool sweater! (I think she likes it!)