Let it SNOW!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Hand knits in front of Poinsettia Tree
(Echaness & Irish Moss)

Let it Snow!

The weather outside is frightful!
(We've been stuck at home for a week! Wooly is going stir crazy. I'm happily knitting in my pajamas. All festivities have been cancelled.)

But the Fair Isle (Ransom) is so delightful!

(...*fake snore*... must sleep! Santa's coming!...)

Since we've no place to go... Let it snow, let is snow, let it snow!

(Go Brother GO... whoo hoo!!)

Our trip to the 'Zoo'

This was after we got our picture taken (before the snow) in front of the Poinsettia Tree.

Wooly & the Lion traded hats...

Wooly really wanted to bring home the Cheetah...
He thought the Hyena - bottom right - was cool too...
(But, can you image the chaos with Kamati & Smoothie?!)

This guy realllly wanted to come home with me!
(I didn't check the price, the Lion was $500, so why ruin the joy?!)


We didn't see any Gemsbok/Oryx (Kamati), so he is truly unique.



Hope you experience as much joy as Mr K in the snow... this holiday season!

We'll have a great time in 2009!
Got your list (Queue) ready?!

Where'd you get that sweater?

Here's Wooly in his new coat. I called him 'Paddington Bear' and he didn't know what I meant.

He went to the jewelry store dressed like this and the sales lady said, "Wow! Nice sweater!" He said, "You like this sweater?" she said, "Yes! Where'd you get it from?" He said, "My WIFE made me this sweater!!" she said, "*gasp* Your wife made it?" He said, "Yes, she made me 8 sweater!" Then he let her pet his cables.

He comes home and says, "I've got a great story! It'll make your day!"
It SURE did! Nice to know there are people out there that appreciate hand knits. It would have been even better if it included something shiny from the jewelry store! ;)

Leo's Sweater

This is Wooly's hero Leo Rowsome.
He played Irish Pipes (best ever) and passed away in 1970.
In 1979 Wooly went to Ireland and met his widow Helena and had tea with her. She liked Wooly and let him play Leo's pipes! What an honor! Leo hand made his pipes.

Good 'ole Wooly... I guess having the 'gift of the gab' and more balls than brains can lead to rewards.

Wooly loves Leo's sweater and wanted me to make him one. I told him I wanted 'full participation' from him, so go find the pattern for that cable and I'll make him one.

I mentioned it in Ravelry and our new friend Michael thought it looked like the sweater Martin Storey designed and sent me a photo.

Sure looks close! No?! I showed it to Wooly and was all ready to make him one with 5 cables across. He thought about it... and decided he has enough sweaters.

BOOooooo! Well if he changes his mind, I know where to get it! So, I guess it's 'all about me' for a while!

Ransom

"Smoothie! Stop fooling around! SCAT!!"

"..but... but... it's warm here!"

Here's the pretty rib I promised. I'm telling you, Fair Isle is addictive! You start knitting around... get in your rhythm... oohhh change color! and before you know it... you've got a pretty rib!

See Smoothie's label says, 'Smoothie' ... I don't make these things up!

First snow=December 14.

I made it to work on Monday. It was 12*F in the morning. My gloved fingers were hurting, so I was glad the bus showed up, after waiting 30 minutes. (damn public transportation! since we're trying to keep this happy, I'll stop talking now... )

Kamati & Smoothie want you to sing along, to the tune of Winter Wonderland...

Kamati: " In the morning we will build a SNOWMAN! "

Smoothie: " And pretend that he's a circus CLOWN! "

Kamati: " We'll have lots of fun with MR SNOWMAN! "

Smoothie: " Until KAMATI DECIDES TO KNOCK HIM DOWN! "

Kamati: "Wha..?! THAT does it! MOMmm!

Smoothie: "HAHaa! HEEEeee!! I made a funny! heeheehee!"

All-rightie-then!

I'm off to try and get Kamati to stop pouting.

Hope all's well in your world!

Stop and admire the hand knits! :)

What's Going On?!

Smoothie: "Kamati, what's going on? Why are Dad's sweater here?"
Kamati : "Cuz Mom's going to take photos of them."
Smoothie: "Why?"
Kamati : "Cuz Mom got herself in Ravelry."
Smoothie: "Why?"
Kamati: "Cuz she 'gave in.'"
Smoothie: "Why?"
Kamati: "She's been asking herself that!"

Yeah, Ravelry... it's a love/hate relationship. I love looking at how projects look different depending on what yarn/color is used (especially with lace shawls!) But I feel like my head is going to explode because there are soooo many projects that I want to knit now! Endless! And I spend waaay too much time looking around, and I get lost, but found that if you 'heart' a project, you can go back & look at it again instead of wasting more time trying to remember where you saw it & all the details!

Are you lost?!

Take a look at who dropped by the other day!

Any idea what kind of bird this is? It's about 12" from head to tail. We've never seen one like this before. He hung around for about 10 minutes and we haven't seen him since.

We think he's a predator that was on his way to California, but stopped here, since it's still warm here (50* at time of sighting). **We think it's a Sharp-Shinned Hawk - thanks Christina!**

Christmas Knitting

Triinu Scarfs - Knitted Lace of Estonia - Nancy Bush

Knit Pick's Alpaca Cloud lace weight - Stream

Zeyphr lace weight -wool & silk - Deep purple

Colourmart - cashmere & cotton 2/33 - Cyclamen

Addis Lace Needle - US4 or 3.5mm

For Christmas gifts

Yep, those are nupps!

Blocking Shot.

I enjoy making nupps. I also like the double stranded bind off and how the edges appear loopy because you bring the yarn in front and slip the first stitch as to purl on every row.

I want to knit the Queen Silvia, Maikell, and Madli's Shawl someday. And the Peacock Tail & Leaf Scarf. All from that book. Like I said, "endless!"

More Confusion

So, what's next? No, not more lace! I'm going to do Fair Isle! After all, winter is sweater making time. Okay, I'm making a vest (instead of a sweater)... or two!

Ransom & Windsor Waistcoat

Merry Christmas to ME!

Here's where it gets confusing. Anne (She Ewe Knits) mailed this yarn kit from Ontario Canada on December 1st. It arrived yesterday! Only 9 days?! What's going on?!

Our post delivery lady is our next door neighbor. I said, "A package?! For me?! From where?? CANADA??!! No Way!!!!" She says Canada Post has gotten lots better. It has for me!

It's so easy for me to order from Anne. I just say, "I want yarn packs for Ransom & Windsor Waistcoat - size small,... Yes, Lorraine sent me the patterns,... Yes, same mailing address,... Yes, Wooly's paying! heh!,... Say 'hi' to Daisy & Caelee!,... What?! It's snowing?! Be careful driving in the snow... wait, you're use to that, never mind!" :)

Oh! I discovered the joy of Etsy shopping! No one told me I would have to open an account! Slippery Slope! Just like Ravelry! I'm loving it!

Okay, I've got to step AWAY from the computer now. Maybe next time I'll have a pretty vest rib to show you... especially if I step AWAY from the computer! ;)

Happy Knitting!

Autumn in NY

Can you see me? Like my boots?
Like the shawl better?!

Autumn in New York - Badcat Design
Noro Silk Garden Sock - S245
6/0 Crystal AB glass beads
Turbo Addis Lace Needles - US5 or 3.75mm
58" x 27"

BadCat doesn't recommend beading Noro, but you know me, just had to do it! It was a pain in my headache and I wouldn't do it again. I like the multi-colors & shine of the silk & beads & the weight of the shawl. It's very cozy and I will be keeping it for myself. Thanks Badcat! :)


Happy Thanksgiving!

In Mr K's world, there's the usual silliness...

"Pumpkin pie?! NOooooo!"

"Gobble gobble..." Turkey imitation

That would be a rice scooper for his beak...
and yes, we spared his pumpkin.
You should have seen him storm off with his pumpkin! heehee!


Sitcom continues...


Here's a story, since I haven't shared any lately.

I was sitting in my chair knitting, minding my own business, when I smelt something and walked into the kitchen to find the stove's back burner red hot. I turned it off, marched down the stairs, opened the door and gave Wooly 'the look.'

He immediately shuts downs his bagpipes and says, "What?! What's wrong?" I say, "You trying to burn the house down again?!"

We march up the stairs while he mutters about how he was burning the grease off the burner.

We get to the stove and I say, "I turned it off for you, but you can see how hot it was..." He says, "Well, I moved everything around it away..." and does his 'gift of the gab routine.'

I smack him on his head.

Wooly says, "What. I couldda had a V8?!"

I start laughing and say, "No, you cannot multi-task! If you turn on the burner, you have to stay in the kitchen until you turn it off! You're lucky I was home to smell it!"

Wooly says, "Well, it happened before, it happened today, and will happen again!!"

(Isn't that just the last thing you want to hear?!)


The next day, I say, "Hey Wooly..."

He's marching up the stairs and says, "What? WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT???!!!!!"

I ask, "What are you yelling at me for?"

Wooly, "Because you're gonna yell at me again!!"

I ask, "Did you do something that deserves being yelled at?"

Wooly, "No, but you yelled at me yesterday...(turns his back to me, does his winey voice and continues gabbing)

When there's finally a pause I ask, "You want some cheese with that wine??!!"

Wooly: (no comment-rare silence)

Me: "Did you get it?"

Wooly: "smurk, heehee! Gawd! Where do you get these things??!!"

HAHAH!
Okay, I never yelled at him.

Oh! and I got myself into Ravelry as Miyamojo. I guess I've got to get a Flicker account to download photos??! Why? Why can't I just download from my computer like Blogger? I don't want another account... no, I don't want any cheese! ;)

Have a great week! I started my Christmas knitting and will share next time. I'm off to do the Thanksgiving feast! :)

Blue Fleet Heat

Say it with me...

FULMAR! :D

Gotta love that saddle sleeve!

How about all those cables?!

Okay, never mind that serious face. I really do love it!

Fulmar - Alice Starmore - Aran Knitting
Scottish Fleet - 5ply gansey - Navy
2.75mm + 3mm needles

This is the ultimate Aran Gansey (IMHO).
Wooly can't keep his paws off it and wants one too. I keep telling him it's a 'female' sweater! Okay, yes, men can wear it too! SSHhhh! I don't want to make another! It almost killed my hands! ;)


Autumn in New York

I was ready for some color and decided to knit along with BadCat again.

"OOoohh! Shiny!" Smoothie
"This is so my color. It's for me, right?" Kamati

I'm using Noro Silk Garden Sock in the same colorway as BadCat. You know how there's no two exact same skeins of Noro... mine looks totally different from hers, plus I'm following the beaded charts, since I miss knitting with beads. This yarn is testing my 'control' tendencies, because it's morphing from cobweb to chunky. I cut out a section because I knew there was no way I could hook a bead where I needed to. It's suppose to be fingering weight! Whatever!! :b


My Two Favorite Boys

"All you need is pajamas!" Mr K
"All I need is Alhambra!" me
"I need a strong drink!" Wooly

I love is photo! It sums up the evening. We took Dad out for his birthday. All I'm going to say is that things didn't go smoothly, it wasn't easy, and Brother & I both lost sleep over it. The only one who had a great time was Mr K, who was well behaved and lots of fun, like usual. Like my scarf?!



Superman

Hope, not fear

For the record:

Two years ago, when the presidential candidates were emerging, we were with Wooly's family and the question was posed, "Who's going to be the next president?" Everyone had their opinion. I said, "Barack Obama..." and was poo-pooed and shunned.

Neener neener assholes! ;)

His family is very political and news junkies. Ciss (Wooly's niece) and I sit in the back and knit and make bets on how long it's going to take for 'such&such' subject to emerge. Yes, we're the peanut gallery! :D

I do enjoy being with Wooly's family more than my own, but I've been known to be the black sheep (on both sides!)

Mr K calls sheep, 'bahh!' I told him it's very important to know what a sheep is... not to mention wool, yarn, knitting... :)

I like being a black sheep. Baahh... Wooly is a black sheep too. Baahh... Good thing we found each other!

Hope... it's a good thing! :)

Nice Pumpkins!

Mr K went to the Pumpkin Patch...

"I like big pumpkins and I cannot lie,

you other brothers can't deny..."

*

After he got done choosing his pumpkin, he decided to be Superman!

"Look out! Here I come to save the world!"

When the weight of the world has got you down...

"Put on your pajamas, and grab your balls!"

*

Or better yet, put on your favorite scarf!

"Scat Smoothie, your in my shot!"

"No, YOU'RE in MY shot!"

*

Alhambra - Ann Hanson

Whisper Merino laceweight-Flamingo

US 4 needles

12"x 57"

*

Mr K is trying to find out what's wrong with the Wii board.

"Why. What?! I see you! Blasted dust bunnies! Come out NOW!"

*

I told Wooly if his dust bunnies got any bigger, he would have to give them names! He immediately did a bunny roundup.

*

I sent Mr K a card (black cat) and stickers for Halloween.

"Oh! Nice! I'm putting it on my shirt!"

*

My Mom called me and asked if I sent him a card... yep... was it a cat... yep!

Mr K was pointing at it and saying, "cat, cat, cat, meeeooowww!"

Then they went on their walk and saw a real cat... he meowed at it. Mom was happy it didn't follow them home, since SIL doesn't like pets. (gasp!)

Did you send stickers too... yep... were they cute monsters... yep!

She said she saw them stuck on their floor!

*

LOL! hooray! :)
*

As Mr K would say, "all you need is pajamas and balls!"

*

I would insert 'yarn' before 'balls'! :)

*

Happy Halloween! Hope you're knitting!

Watch out for the bunnies! :)

Nine Cats

So, when was the last time you saw a short hair, all white cat...?
Was he waving at you?
Like Maneki Neko, the Beckoning Cat?

Holding a coin to attract money

Holding a Daruma to make wishes come true (success)

How about a Happy Home?

The story my family told about Maneki Neko isn't the traditional one.

We were told that the Samurai were between Masters and riding by, when they spotted a white cat in front of the temple . The leader said, "Hey! Look at that clever cat waving at us! Let's stop and meet the owner of that clever cat." As it turned out, it was the temple's cat, so the monks and villagers fed all the Samurai and made them feel welcome. They decided they were going to spend the night in the temple. That night, the roaming Bandits showed up to rob the temple and village, but to their surprise, the Samurai were staying there and 'saved' the day! Hooray! Thanks Maneki Neko!!

So, it's all about the value of animals and how they reflect their owners, making people feel welcome, and justice (rewarding good behavior!)

My Brother called and said they got a 'good look.' They've got another boy on the way! Mr K is gonna have a little brother to boss around. Oh joy! He's thinking of calling him Wyatt... because it rhymes with Quiet! That cracks me up! :D

I made a baby quilt for him...

Mom (Grandma) picked up these Maneki Neko batiks when she was in Hawaii a long time ago. She thought they would make a cute quilt for her grandchild. Little did I know, that I was going to make it! My Brother & SIL are very simplistic, so I made a simple quilt.

Notice the black one in the middle.

The black ones ward away evil spirits, so kisses to all my black cat friends!

Meanwhile, I think Mr K is in denial. Grandma is teaching him his numbers now...

Nine Roosters

Kamati: "Smoothie, you need to go to Grandma's and learn to count..."

Smoothie: "Bunnies don't count... they MULTIPLY!!!"

Kamati: "That does it! I'm outta here!"

Smoothie: "Wait! Come back Kamati! I made a funny! heehee!"

Yes, Mr. K got a quilt too... His has batik pandas. SIL is half Chinese. Brother took this photo for me, since I couldn't remember what I did for Mr K's quilt.

He was upset when Dad said it was time to put away the quilt. He was having fun lining up his balls in the squares. For crying out loud... let the kid play with his quilt!

I haven't seen any all white short haired cats in real life. I'm sure they're out there somewhere... maybe at the temple! ;)

Kisses to all the cats out there! Attract something good for your owners! :)

My Pink Sweater

Surprisingly satisfying...

Enjoy. This is as feminine as I get!

Geno by Marie Wallin

Rowan 43

Rowan 4 ply soft (merino) in #395 (fairy)

2.75 + 3mm needles

The whole time I was making this, Wooly kept asking if I was making it for a child. Okay, so I don't wear fitted shirts or pink... tomboy that I am. He asked if I knew what kind of buttons I needed. I said, "yes, half inch, flat, round, little bit pearly..." He says, "Oh, you mean Mother of Toilet Seat? (pearl)" LOL! It's never a dull moment living with him! :)

I wore my pink sweater to work on Monday... My co-workers immediately say, "Oh! Nice pink sweater Michele!" (Remember, I don't wear pink.) I say, "Thanks! I made it!" Their responses ranged from disbelief to, 'of course you did.' Then they asked what the name was for that color pink. I said, "Fairy." They bust out laughing and call me a Fairy Princess. Heh. Okay, so my nickname at work is 'Princess' because they think Wooly spoils me. In reality, he's just well trained. ;) Seriously! I was getting a complex about it and called my Brother, who confirmed I'm NOT a princess... farthest from it... they don't know you at all! Whew! So now I play it up with them and say, "Do I need to put on my tiara?!" when I don't get my way. I have one... and I DO put it on... :)

Speaking of Princess...

SHhhhhh!
I'm being very quiet about this because there are extremely fabulous knitters out there making this and I'm NOT one of them. Many start... few finish... I want to finish... don't hold your breath!

The edging

I'm following Laritza, who came up with a plan to make 72 edge points and pick up 12 stitches per point and one in the middle to get 865 stitches. You know what they say about knowing who to follow... I'm in good hands! I got the break pattern done (holes on top) and am ready to start Chart 1... but I need to psych myself up for that. I'm using Gossamer Merino one of the recommended yarns from Heirloom Knitting. This is one of those 'Before I die..' projects. It took me almost a year to get the edging done! Yikes! ;)

It's Fall... you know what that means...

Last harvest of beans.

Grandma said they picked all the beans. She showed Mr K how to pull out the bean plants since they were 'done' for the year. Mr K had so much fun, he wanted to pull ALL the plants out! He's an 'All or Nothing' kind of guy. :)

School time.

Grandma says he knows all his letters. He's teaching her now. He's a genius in our eyes. ;)

Hey! GrandmaGrandmaGrandma... SWING!

Look at our little pitcher... perfect fastball form with that right foot forward. Grandma DID hit the ball. I told my Brother this photo is priceless, because I'm pretty sure Grandpa was watching a baseball game on the tv. My Brother is pretty thrilled with his new bottom of the line SLR camera.

Hope all is well in your world... Happy Knitting!

Mom's White Sweater

When I first saw Geno in Rowan 43, I thought it looked like an updated version of the sweater my mom use to wear. Mom doesn't remember having a white sweater...

A month or so later, she called me and said I need to see this photo... boy, did we get old!

See! She's wearing THE WHITE SWEATER! She still doesn't remember it. She remembers that she made that muu muu for me... yeah, I wasn't afraid of color when I was young! :) She said she was going to send this out as our Christmas photo back then. I think it's funny that she has her hair pulled back... I do that now! When I showed Wooly, he didn't know it was us... he says he never knew my mom was so gorgeous... even with her eyes closed.

So, after seeing the photo, I had to make the sweater...

Kamati! Mom's losing it! You have to help get this off me! I can't hear anything! Hurry!!!

I'm using Rowan 4ply soft (merino) #395 (fairy) that I got at Marie's sale (Main Street Yarn.) The original is made from 4ply cotton. I don't like knitting with cotton. Wooly thought the left front was a sleeve because the sides were curling in. Making the back, sure was boring... I caught myself snoozing... that never happens when I knit lace!

Giftie!

I got my second place gift from Bad Cat! I love Lacey Lamb and the color is actually a gray blue with a tinge of purple. Very pretty... I've never seen this color. I'm pretty sure she made that peachy bag... She has directions on how to make it on her blog. She's very crafty. Thanks again Bad Cat!

In Mr K's World...

NO POOL??!! Say that to my face Dad! Go ahead... make my day! I don't care if that's a NEW camera! Pool pool pool!!
Wasting water?! NOT! I'm filling my pool! Why don't you go stand over there!
C'mon! I got the pool filled! You don't need no stinkin swimmies! C'mon! Time's a wasting!

Yep! Mr K is all go go go, all the time! Summer is almost over and he's making the most of every minute. I wish I had that kind of energy! ;)

Fall starts next week... Happy knitting! :)