Hold On

Wooly's Birthday was last Friday 1/30.

Still full of hot air!

He wants everyone to know that he's NOT happy about being another year older & fighting it all the way.

In Knitting News

I'm working on Windsor Waistcoat. I'm at the point where you cast on steeks for the armholes.

Yes, I left off the bottom chart to make it shorter. I love the colors.

I'm still not sure it's my color, but keeping an open mind.

I'm also working on Selbu Modern, thanks to my friend Monika (Halfmaennchen) who made hers in Jamieson's Light Blue (cloud) & Black. I love hers, but don't want to copy.

Kamati is modeling it in Kauni EL (navy) & EG (pinkish purple). I'm not loving it. I ripped it out.

I'm going to use Jamieson's Navy & Spice. Left overs from my Ransom vest. You can see it on the Ransom inspired Capillifolium hat. Funny how different the colors look from the vest. Something about spacing or putting the colors in different orders.

I don't think I could ever design fair isle. Too many color options & it always looks different knitted up.


Meanwhile in Mr K's world...

"Hold on Elmo! We're going to turn!"

"Okay Mr K! I'm holding on! lalaladeedahhhdah"

"OH NOooo!"

My Brother sent me these photos.

I told him I sure hope Mr K's brother gets to sit in front.

He said he's not sure he wants his son riding with Mr K, unless he learns how to corner.

Wait. Aren't they BOTH your sons?! LOL!

Yes, they're both his.

He got a 'hybrid car with sliding doors' last week.

Wooly said, "What? You mean a Minivan?!! Michele! Did you hear that?! He got a Minivan!" as he did his Pez flip back head laugh.

Me, "What?! Brother! YOU got a Minivan?! HAH!"

Brother, "Yes... Minivan... I want a Sportscar!"

Wooly, "Well son, you're gonna have to wait a long time before you get a sportscar... Michele, lets go buy your Mustang now... c'mon!" ;)

Poor Brother, he's a real family man now. Lots of responsibility. His self image is going to change whether he wants it to or not. :)

The little one is due this Friday 2/6! A week after Wooly! I've got my camera ready!

Hopefully, next week I'll have baby photos. I've got to get one with him wearing the hat!

Until then, Happy Knitting :)

Baby Bonnet Bonkers

So, you know my nephew Mr K is going to be a big brother in 3 weeks...

And you know how I can get obsessive about things...

Along comes Anne & Harry Bear with Capillifolium...

The rest is bonkers!

Pre-blocking. Modeling by Kamati & Smoothie

"It's Baby Bonnet! NOT Bunny Bonnet! MOM!"
"I fail to see the humor. I like my horns!"

Blocking shot. I used 15" violet pots

"YAY! Now it won't fit us anymore!"

Whoops! Now there's three. Funny how that happens.

Capillifolium Baby Bonnet - Alice Starmore

Piecework Magazine - Jan/Feb 2009

Jamieson's Spindrift from stash

3.25 dpns

For Mr K's brother & newborns yet to arrive

Top for Mr K's brother - Royal, Clyde, Pacific, Fjord, Madder, Crimson, Mustard, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Umber (Anne's - with subs since I have limited stash)

Bottom Left, in case it's a girl - Navy, Atlantic, Clyde, Sunglow, Coral, Spice
(Ransom left overs, minus Jade)

Bottom Right, more serious - Pine, Admiral, Poppy, Madder, Purple Heather
(Rosarie colors)



It's NOT me!

We went to my parent's house for dinner. Brother & Mr K were there.
I immediately see Paddington Bear & show Wooly who says, "Yes, he's wearing a Duffle Coat..." Not very impressed. Mr K & I start playing... he's a boy... he starts running around the house giggling.

Mom yells out, "Michele! Don't get him all worked up now!"
Me, "I'm not!"

Mr K continues running, like any normal 2 year old would.

Mom, "Michele!"

Me, "What? IT's NOT ME!"

I lie on the floor & play dead. Mr K runs by & looks at me while still giggling. Reaallly not my fault! Though, Mom always said it was a good thing I don't show up while she's baby sitting... it would be madness! I don't know what she's talking about! ;)


I asked Mr K, "Who's going to be in the photo with us?"
He brings the dog & Paddington.

Brother says, "Okay! For the BLOG!" and starts snapping photos.

Lilliputs Unite!

My favorite photo ever! :)

BTW - Mr K turned two in December. He's now a whopping 21 pounds.
So, how much does your cat weigh? If your cat were a little boy... he would be the same size as Mr K! :D

Wooly just asked me if I'm making another bonnet...

NO! But I want to!

Sigh, I'm off to get a life!
Happy Knitting!

Ransom

My first ever v-neck vest

Ransom by Lorraine Condotta

Jamieson's Spindrift kit - She Ewe Knits

3mm & 3.25mm needles

I left off the last repeat on the shoulders to make it shorter, since I'm short & don't like deep v's.

I'm very happy with this vest & love everything about it. I consider it the standard from which all others will be judged. Are you scared? Me too! :D Great job Lorraine!

I'm moving in!

So, we got together to celebrate Christmas & Merry's (Wooly's mom) birthday - same day! Wasn't her mom clever?!

While we were eating, Poohla (Wooly's sister) hold us this sweater and says, "Hey! Check it out! Grandma Marie made this in the 1940's! Can you believe it? Doesn't it look modern?!"

Snotty (Wooly's brother) says, "It looks like something from the '60's"

Me "Boy was she ahead of her time! I love it! I wish I had made it. I want it!"

Ciss (Snotty's daughter) "I'll fight you for it!!!"

Don't you hate it when your niece has good taste? I could feel my hackles & claws coming up!

Check out those buttons on the sleeve! I asked Ciss what she had on under her sweatshirt... and she gave me a , 'boy is THAT inappropriate' look... I continued with, "Do you have a camisole on? I want to take a photo of you wearing it." She didn't & neither did I, so on the floor!

Poohla showed us her very organized craft room. She kept saying, "I've got so much CRAP!" to which Ciss & I, in unison would reply, "We LOVE crap!" I swear it's like a little craft store with all the neatest stuff. I announced, "I'm moving in!" Ciss said, "Me too! We'll just sleep right here!"

Follow your Feelings

I had the feeling that I needed to go to Village Yarn & Tea, since I hadn't been there in months.

Look what just arrived! Evilla yarn from Estonia! 100% wool in fingering weight with long color changes like Kauni, but cheaper! Approximately 800yds per skein. What am I making? Not sure, but I have Poetry in Stitches & have been wanting to make something from that book.

Meanwhile, in Mr K's world...

"...ready?..."

"... YAHHHH!!!!!...."

Someone got big boy pajamas & a crazy frog puppet for Christmas!

Isn't it nice when the little things make you happy... like Ransom, Marie's sweater & Evilla yarn & your silly nephew Mr K...

Happy New Year! Stay healthy & warm!

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! :)