Katrina

I finished the top I was making with her and just for the record, I didn't cheat on her at all. I may have lusted after Noro but there was no actual cheating. I think that I should be awarded a medal or something. The temptation was definately there.




Details:

I didn't actually make gauge. I was a half a stitch more than I needed when I swatched but that didn't seem to matter, for she is still a tad bit tight. Ray thinks it looks fine. I'm concerned about the curling at the bottom. OH she likes to curl. Did I mention that? I couldn't even block the curling out. I made the size that I would normally make to fit me (Large) but it was a bit too small for my personal comfort. I may make this top again but a bit bigger.

The fabric is thick and lovely and oh so warm next to the skin. I'm glad that I got the amount that I did. I'm thinking that I could use a v-neck t-shirt out of it as well. However this will have to wait as Noro is calling.

Pot of Gold

Today I went to Chelsea Michigan to the Spinners Fest. There was a ton of roving and would make any spinner salivate. I saw some ladies from Thursday Knit Night and they were trying to talk me into spinning. I have to admit, I almost went for it and then remembered the size of my home and we absolutly DO NOT have room for a wheel plus the roving stash I would eventually accumulate. I did find some yarn, some buttons and a book.

Now I know that I'm spending a lot of time with Katrina. And I'm almost done with her, and I know that there is more Katrina that does in fact deserve my attention. But there has been alot of talk about miters lately and I'm not really all that interrested in making a bunch of squares.

Then the stash was calling. "Libby, Libby remember me? The Noro at the bottom of the big crate in closet? I'm perfect for that project you have in mind" Well I came a runnin' and swatched and sure enough I agree with it. The Noro is gonna be EZ's Adult Suprise Jacket. Now I know I don't have enough for the jacket but then another yarn came a callin' and I said that it was OK for it to play along as well!

TGIF

Its over. Its finally over. I keep telling myself that. The week that is. I really didn't think that it would never end and next week is worse. Honestly, but more about that later.

Around July at my daughters 18 month well baby visit the doctor was concerned about her not talking. Sure she talks but not as advanced as other kids her age. I think that she says about 10 words and those are hard to distinguish. Sure I know what she is saying cuz I'm the mom and all but others? Well that is gonna take some getting used to.

The Dr. said that there wasnt anything that we could do about it at that time and to come back in 3 months. We did and he said to go to the Ear Nose and Throat Dr. He ran some tests, said she has "diminished hearing" and recommended for Karolyn to have tubes because of the number of ear infections during the summer. Apparently the winter is worse. Is that even possible? The surgery is scheduled for this Thursday. I'm scared to death.

We also saw the Speach Pathologist. She agreed that K has diminished hearing and said that she is about 3-5 months behind other kids her age. I told her about the upcoming surgery and she thinks that while Karolyn can in fact hear, to her it sounds like her head is under water. I just want her to talk. I keep thinking "Please talk, Please talk, Please talk"

Dinner is always tough cuz she is a picky eater. On the menu tonight was chicken and cooked carrots. She fed the dog all of her carrots and then ate the chicken.

Then she said "Nana" She was asking for a banana, I gave it to her and thanked God.

Wednesday was homework night. We colored and put the stuff she did at day care on the frig! Thursday was Purple Day at day care. We wore puple.

Next Wednesday I have to talk my way out of jury duty so I can take Karolyn for her surgery on Thursday and then we can recover on Friday.


So tonight I'm having a drink!

Morgantown, WV

Morgantown is gorgeous. It is a quaint little college town, home of the West Virginia University. Everything is on a hill. If you have to go anywhere there is a hill involved! It reminds me of my college town of Moscow, Idaho, home of the University of Idaho. It too is situated on the top of a hill. I think that the University developer said.... "Joe? Where is the tallest hill/mountain in the state?" "Why Bill, I think that is located in Moscow." "Then that is where the University is gonna be located!" Oddly enough about 10 miles across the border into Washington state is the Washington State University which is as you guessed it, on a hill.

Now Labor Day weekend in Morgantown is fun. There was a big game going on between the WVU vs. Marshall. From what I understand, Marshall is a lesser University and not even in the same league as WVU. Well Marshall really really wanted to play the University so they got the governor to mandate it and now its called the "Friends of Coal" Bowl. It was on ESPN and everything! Jonathan and Andrew were able to get scalped tickes for about $65 a piece. Ray, me, Cathy and their aunt and uncle stayed at the house and heard all of the commotion going on at the stadium (down some hill and up another). Everyone had a great time! While the guys were at the game getting drunk, we were at home getting drunk on some local wine.

This stuff is simply great! We were feasting on the "Niagra" wine. I have an incredible sweet tooth and I'm not a fan of dry wine however this stuff was not dry and just sweet enough. Cathy, Ray's sister, and I enjoyed a bottle with some of Aunt Darron's bread pudding with some wine sauce. It was soooooo good I thought that I died and went to heaven!

Knitting Reviews

On the 7 hour drive to Morgantown I was reading my new book. I have to say that I'm not all that crazy about it. Sure its chatty and has some funny moments but for the most part, I could live without it. I know I know, I'm gonna go to hell for saying that but its the truth. I think that the majority of the projects in the book are not by the authors and the one blanket that I did like which was pictured, did not include a pattern. To their credit, they did tell you where to go and get the pattern, but still. I'm wanting instant gratification here and it just wasn't there for me.

Dear Ann and Kay,

Please refrain from giving us a picture without the pattern, that is just plain cruel and mean and could be considered cruel and unusual punishment. I think that there should be a law against that sort of behavior. I'm tempted to get the governor of West Virginia on that cuz he has more time on his hands now that he got the game between the WVU and Marshall all sorted out.

Thanks
Libby


Questions Answered

Sandra asked if the knit picks needle cord was long enough. I have to say that I believe that it is. I was knitting with them on the drive to WV and had no problem with the needles being short. I was using the 24" cord with the US6 and US7 needle and had no problem at all.

Happy Labor Day!

This weekend is one that I'm looking forward to. We have been invited to go to Morgantown, West Virginia to spend the weekend with DH's aunt and uncle. His sister will be coming in from Florida and his cousin will be home as well. Tonight I have been packing and doing laundry like a mad woman!

Karolyn's packed? Check

Extra pack of diapers? Check

Snacks for the road? Check Check

Toys to keep a toddler occupied for a 7 hour car ride? Check Check

Knitting project all packed and ready? Check Check Check....On second thought I'd better get some sock yarn in there as well.

We got new tires on the car today and Ray changed the oil and checked the fluids yesterday. The car is ready to go! Did I ever tell you about our car? Its like the Energizer Bunny in that it has over 220K miles on it and its still going. Furthermore, we are taking it on a 6-7 hour car drive from Detroit, Michigan to Morgantown, West Virginia this weekend. In addition to that, we are going to drive it from Detroit to Atlanta over Christmas. My husband is a master mechanic and is able to fix anything that goes wrong or even thinks about going wrong on the car. Last week he had to replace the starter and now it works like a charm!

Knitting Reviews

I told you that Ray got me the Knit Picks needles for my birthday but they were still in the mail. Well they came. HOLY GOD IN HEAVEN are these needles to die for! The points are just sharp as ever. The metal finish is smooth as silk and the join. Lets talk about the join. Seamless.... I'm telling you, you will not even know that its there. I swear to God and everything that is good and holy. The cords are slim and flexible. It comes all packeged up in a wonderful case which includes a 6 ring binder and plastic inserts for expanding and adding extra goodies. The binder zips closed so you have a less chance of loosing stuff. The designers really hit the mark on this one. They did a fantastic job. Now I want the knitting travel bags they just came out with! Maybe for Christmas.

Happy Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday! I had a great day. My husband made me a cake, my daughter refused to eat dinner and my brother and sister both called me!

Now lets talk about this here cake. My DH MADE the cake. He went to JoAnn's, bought the checkerboard cake pans, got the mix and on Sunday he made it. It is 3 layers high and put frosting in the middle of it! He then got the special frosting tips to make the pretty lettering and then the pretty ribbon on the side and along the edge of this cake. I'm feeling pretty special right about now.

And he didn't stop there. He ordered me the new knit pick needles AND the Mason-Dixon knitting book! It didn't come in the mail yet but I'm getting excited about it.

All in all, it was a wonderful day!

Day at the Zoo

This weekend we went to the Detroit Zoo. I was looking forward to going all week long. I would get to spend quality time with my baby and husband that didn't involve me cleaning up the house at the same time. Quality time is hard to come by around here. What with work and work and ... did I mention work? Well needless to say I was really excited. I was really hoping that Karolyn would be as well. Not so much. Not so much at all. In fact she cried the entire time. The second we got in the door, when we were eating lunch, seeing ALL of the animals... all six and a half hours of zoo time. I really don't think she shut up until we left the place. Yep, we were THOSE parents. I have to say that I was really glad that we finally stepped foot in the house cuz then the incessant crying stopped! Peace and Quiet. I love that sound! Silence.

Now I know that this is a knitting blog and I have not really been talking about much knitting lately. I have a good reason for that. I have been working on a couple of projects that I can't talk about. Well ONE project that I'm sworn to absolute secrecy to and the other is for a contest. Both projects are now complete and I'm starting another project. I know, I'm cheating on the FI but I'm working with Katrina here. The stuff is soft as a babies butt and wonderful to knit up as well. I'm actually making the pattern that comes with it. I didn't make the swatch match perfectly. I'm off a stitch. Now I do understand that this is in fact a very big deal, but I'm not to worried as this pattern has a negative ease. So the way I see it, its just not gonna be as tight fitting on me and that is OK as far as I'm concerned. I'm also adding a couple of inches in the length as well. So far that is the only changes I'm making. I'm about half way done with the back. I'm hoping to be done soon.

Baby Bumkins

Lately I have been sewing baby things. Diapers to be exact. Cloth diapers are known to be better for the butt. Sodium polyacrylate is added as an absorbant to the diaper. This chemical has the ability to absorb more than its molecular weight. Basically that means that this is some really absorbant stuff. So when you put in a little bit of the chemical (it comes in little bead form) and you add water to it, you will get a gel. This wonderful little absorbant ball has also been known to cause TSS or toxic shock syndrom. Not something that I want my baby to get.

There is also the environmental factor as well. Think about it. Babies use on average 5-10 diapers/day. Multiply that by 365 days per year, times the number of kids wearing diapers and that is a crazy amount of diapers that end up in our landfills each year.

Furthermore, do you have any idea how much diapers cost? A crazy ton of money, and that is for the store brand stuff...I'm not talkin' Pampers over here. This crazy ton of money is taking a toll on the yarn money! So I'm coming up with a solution to the problem. I'm sewing diapers.

Not just any diaper mind you. These are not the gross leaky diapers that your momma used on you that you had to have the plastic pants for and got poked with the pin each and every godforsaken time she put it on you. These are state of the art, 21st century diapers!

Thanks to microfiber, that will wick the moisture away from the little bottom, and laminated fabric that will replace the plastic pants. And lets not forget wonderful velcro! Put it all together you get the 21st century diaper.

I have been using them on the weekends as the daycare will not allow them there. (Too much work.) They are just great! They don't leak and are really easy to launder. Hot and Hot all the way. The microfiber dries fast as well and there is no problem with shrinkage.

Next is the baby wipes and the bibs.

Supporting "Double D"

Today was the 3-Day Breast Cancer walk here in Michigan. Walkers raise money and then walk 20 miles a day for 3 days. 60 miles total! It was incredibly emotional just as a sideline supporter. We saw people of all shapes and sizes. Little people, skinny people, tall people, old and young people all walking. Some were in wheelchair's and some had braces on their legs. But through it all, they were walking. What an inspiration!

My friend Kristina from work and her friend were walking in the event. Michelle, her daughter, and I dicided to go and support her. Her team name was "Double D." Naturally for the boob reference but more importantly, they both knew someone whose name began with D that was affected by breast cancer.


As I got to the cheering site, we saw this.



These are the people helping the walkers cross the street safely!


Here are more walkers as we anxiously await "Double D."


Here is Michelle and Taylor holding the signs we made. I went around the labs and offices and got as many signatures as I could for the poster.


Then we finally see them. The "Double D"!!!


Kristina, me, Taylor, and Michelle.


As Kristina and her friend were walking off to complete the rest of the 20 miles for the day, she told us that the van was the relief van to pick up walkers that couldn't walk anymore that day. Notice all the bras! I just had to capture the moment!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

This is what I was sooooo incredibly giddy about a couple of posts ago. Which was almost 3 weeks ago. I saw that and about had a heart attack. How neglectful of me. Not telling you how I'm doing and all. Well being the geniouses that you are, you should be able to figure out that I'm crazy busy, what with being a full time mom, wife, personal accountant, CEO of the household, maid (I prefer cleaning technician), chef, personal nurse, and I work full time as well. I even make myself tired. OH YEA, and I'm a published designer!

That picure is my design. Thats right I designed it! You can find it here . Its knit in Devon, a new yarn by Elann and let me tell you its absolutely wonderful. I got a little white box full of it the other day. This stuff is incredibly soft and wonderful. I'm gonna make a shrug. I think that it will be warm enough and still stylish by the time that I'm done with it. Keeping those fingers crossed of course.

Fair Isle Update

Can you believe it? I'm thinking that looks like at least 10 inches! I didnt measure it as I'm thinking I would get depressed knowing that I'm not as far along as I want to be. I need at least 24 inches in length and I might go to 26 inches. Which means that I still have a lot of knitting to get done. I am determined to get this out of the basket and to the recepient soon. (At least by Christmas time)

I'm a Genious

I always knew I was a genious and here is the proof. Clearly I don't possess "logical knowledge" or is that known as "Common Sence"? Well whatever the case I dont really think that it matters much.

Your Logical Intelligence is Below Average Your Verbal Intelligence is Above Average Your Mathematical Intelligence is Above Average Your General Knowledge is Above Average

A Quick and Dirty IQ Test

Take the quiz, its fun and easy and I would do better if I researched all the answers and used a calculator!

Family Fun

Last Sunday was my cousins' son's Baptism. Afterwards we all congregated at her house for family gathering and fun. This family gathering was extra special as the majority of these people are from Iowa. About a 10 hour drive from Michigan. The kids are kids of cousins. My grandma was there, Karolyn's Great-grandma!


Karolyn desperately wanted to be in the midst of all the fun.



Finally, she got the ball.


All tuckered out, she is showing us the proper use of the football.

About knitterly things. I have to say that there is nothing noteworthy to mention. OK I'll admit it right here and now. I haven't knitted a damn thing. Not a simple sock or a hat or even a stitch for that matter.

Maybe tomorrow or Friday, I'll tell you what is extremely exciting in my life. OF COURSE I'm gonna make you wait so stop asking! Just come back later and you will not be surprised unless you are Bets or Benne or anyone from Elann. Basically cuz they informed ME of the good news! LOL

See ya then!

Baby Jesus

I arrived at the cafe Thursday night and in walks this vibrant lady. Penny, a knit night regular, sees her come in and called her over to our table.

Penny was at a local vegetable market during the day and saw the most wonderful sweater and just KNEW it was hand made. She followed the lady all throughout the market and then finally asked her about the item attracting her attention. Right there in the middle of the isle, these two women became fast friends and were actually asked to leave the store because they were talking too long! Penny tells this lady with the wonderful sweater about knit night.

"Mary, welcome!" exclaims Penny as she starts to rattle off names. Mary sat next to me and I'm very glad she did as that lady sure does know how to spin a great yarn. We were in stitches that entire night and I have to admit, we didn't get much knitting accomplished.

Mary was from Malta and immigrated to the United States with her father when she about 20. She met Tony and they wed. For their honeymoon, they decided to spend about 3 weeks in Malta and then go to Spain to visit an Uncle before heading back to the United States.

Mary wanted just one thing to remember her trip and when she found a statue of Baby Jesus she decided that "this was it." She and Tony carefully packaged the Infant in some tissue paper and placed Him in a shoe box in order to survive the long travels.

In Spain, Mary's uncle gave her some pickled pigs feet wrapped in a cloth. She said that Tony had "no idea what pickled pigs feet were and wanted to know what you do with them."

"well you eat them of course" she explained.

"oh, ok"

Faced with the dilemma of getting the delicacy back home, she took the Baby Jesus out of his shoe box, wrapped Him in the dirty laundry and put the pickled pigs feet into the shoe box. Tony, of course, was none the wiser.

At Customs in New York, they were living in New York at the time, the officer asked if they had anything to delcare. Mary tried to tell him about the pickled pigs feet while Tony tried to "shush" her.

"Well I was a bit mad at him for shushing me. I don't like that. Shush Shush. How would he like it if I shushed him?"

The officer seeing this, asked them to open their luggage. The shoe box grabbed his attention.

"what's in the box?"

"Its... the...." Mary tries to explain.

"Shush"

"But Tony..."

"Shush. Its Baby Jesus Officer."

The officer asked them to open the box. As Tony opened the box he was mortified to find the pickled pigs feet. Clearly confused, he looked to Mary who explained everything.

The officer told them that he had seen it all but this put the icing on the cake!

Mary had us in stitches that night and there were times we were crying from laughing so hard.

Today I found out that Mary had passed away. Last November she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Rest in peace Mary, I will always remember your great stories.

Knit Night

Thursday is knit night. It has been knit night for over a year and everyone that knows me, knows to not plan anything on Thursday nights cuz I'm busy. Sacred female bonding going on. With that said, yesterday's knit night was special. DH and Karolyn came over for a bit so everyone could meet my baby!

They have been hearing about her for quite some time now and Kristine wanted to see pictures. Well I decided I could do better. I'm so glad they came. After they met everone, I took Karolyn and DH to the library and Karolyn loved it. All she said the entire time was "bu" "bu" "bu." This is Karolyn talk for book. The child was in heaven. Can you tell she loves her bed time story?

Knitting News

I made significant progress on the FI. A good 6 rounds! I'll give you a pic later.

Now for the alpaca. What a dream to knit with. Here I am knitting along and my hands are actually getting softer! I couln't figure it out until I remembered that this stuff is not processed at all. I do not know if alpaca contains natural oils but it would not suprise me if it did. I felt like I was knitting with lotion.

As far as decision making is concerned. I decided on a stole. I'm using the pattern on the book cover of Barbara Walker's 4th Treasury of Knitted Patterns.

Getting Sidetracked

When I was in Idaho this May, I visited an Alpaca farm which just happened to sell yarn. How can you NOT sell yarn when you own an alpaca farm? That would just be sinful...Luckily for me they did indeed sell their yarn. OHMYGOD what a scrumptious luxury! This stuff is just sooooo incredibly soft that I could just roll around in it forever. I keep rubbing it all over my face and neck just to bathe in the softness of virgin alpaca. What a great treat this is. Well this little luxury has been eating a hole in my stash...just quietly waiting for me to say..."OK its your turn to be knitted into something lovely" Well it has been talking to me very directly lately and I'm under the impression that it is starting to feel left out. I certainly don't understand this as there are yarns in the stash that have been there MUCH longer than this lovely alpaca has...Now I understand that this is a high quality yarn but to be fair to everyone else it should wait its turn right? Well I just can't stand it anymore. I must knit up this stuff.


I only have 3 skeins of this color. The yardage was not listed on the band however the weight was. I figure that I have enough for a shawl or a stole.

This leads me to my next dilema:

1) I can either knit something that someone else has already designed and published and worked out the kinks of. OR

2)I can design my own.

I'm gonna go for #2. Mostly cuz I'm up for a challenge and I want something that no one else has. EVER. And because I'm crazy. Did I mention that I'm crazy?

Well I'll be off to consult with Barbara and I'll be telling you how this starts to take shape. If you have any suggestions I'm all ears.


I'm still trudging along on the Fair Isle (FI). I'm working on the main body now and there is something like 300+ sts per round. 300 That is an awful lot of sts. I think that I clocked about 15 minutes per round so the knitting is slow on this but I'm determined to finish it sometime soon. Needless to say I'm getting sidetracked.

The Philosophers Way

Fair Isle knitting is indeed a daunting task. Normally it is done while knitting in the round. For many it involves stranding the yarn behind your canvas while you are knitting the one color. Then switching the yarns to the next color. If you are among the many that are totally in love with self-inflicted pain (or don't actually know a better way) then you would probably be stranding it. I'm not among this group. Yes my dear friends I'm telling you that there is a better way. A much easier way. The Philosophers Way.


The philosophers way may seem daunting at first but believe me it is a technique well worth learning. It involves knitting with BOTH hands simultaneously. So if you are an English knitter, then you will need to learn Continental and vice versa. The beauty of this is that there is really no need to worry about the tension at which you are stranding it. The reason being is that you are weaving the yarns together on the back of your fabric while you knit. And once you become proficient with the technique, its really quite fast.

I have made one sweater this way and am working on the next. This is a pic of the sleeve. Currently I have both sleeves finished and I'm working on the body.

Team Grant

Have you ever seen a truly awful movie? A movie so incredibly awful that there are no words awful enough to describe it? This is how I feel about "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou." My dear husband, on the other hand, loves this movie. It's got diving, fish hunting/killing, pirates, red hats...What's not to love? Did I mention the red hats?

He has a dream of us diving together as "Team Grant." The red hats are going to be our signature garment. With this said, he wants me to knit the red hats. So for Christmas last year I presented him with the first installment of "Team Grant." Yesterday I finished the second installment.