Big Boys, Big Noise

Mr K, my favorite big boy, is practicing his management skills...

"Gramps, when you get done, my Playskool car needs waxing...

Easy now..., wax on... wax off...

You missed a spot..."

Pacific NW Scottish Highland Games

We went to Enumclaw, WA to see my other favorite boys...
Simon Fraser University Pipe Band.
Look! They're wearing black socks!

It was exciting when they marched in! A bunch of pipers rushed inside the blue lines to listen and get a good look. I was disappointed, because here I had sat behind the blue line all day, and was aced out of a perfect spot! I turned to complain to Wooly and he was gone... he rushed in when he realized what was happening. :( Then I realized my card for my camera was full, so this is the only photo I got. Very disappointing! And what happened to their blue socks?!


More Big Noise

We also celebrated Mom's 70th birthday!

She was surprised that I had 'occasion appropriate' wrapping paper and was carefully opening it because she wanted to save it to use on my birthday gift. When she finally got it open, the screaming began...

"Oh! WOW! (screaming sounds)"

Wooly said, "Sounds like she likes it!"

Then she asked how to wear it. I put it on her head and said, "Like this!"

"You have a doily on your back!"

She started laughing so hard she was crying! I think she looks like those Russian Nesting dolls that she collects. Then I wanted to take a photo and she said, "Wait! wait! I have to look somewhat serious!... Okay, hurry! I have to pee!"

I put Lyra on the table so she could see the pattern and told her that fancy people put it on their round table with a vase of flowers... She said, "Fancy people?! (giggle) Wait! I have a round table! (starts jumping) I can't wait for my friends to see it...! They all want to be your friend because I told them you knit for your friends...!" I told her NOT to promise them anything!

Wooly played his bagpipes for her. We all had fun.

In Knitting News...

Unst has a border!

I had just finished and gave it a quick look and thought I had knit it on the wrong side! Wooly was waiting in the car, so I ran out to join him so we could get groceries. Wooly asked what was wrong and I told him. He was horrified too! I bought a piece of carrot cake, just in case I needed to console myself. When we got home, I looked again, WHEW! False alarm!

Now, I need to knit it again for the second border... right side up! ;)

Summer Sampler Stole

Patterns 7 Blackberry Bramble (bottom)

Pattern 8 - Surf Side (middle)

Pattern 9 - Fritillaria (top)

Only 3 patterns to go + edging!

I have a feeling I'll be doing edging for Unst at the same time.

Can you believe August starts this Friday?

We're not travelling this summer because someone bought bagpipes instead (ahem!)

Wooly asked if I was disappointed and I told him that when you think about it, we've never been as social or busy as we have been this summer... and we haven't had as much fun either! So, I'm really enjoying being at home and hanging out with our friends.

Hope you're having fun too! Happy Knitting! Enjoy every day!

Bagpiper & Lyra Maiden

Bagpiper

Here's Wooly playing on the 4th of July at our friend's house... He's playing his full silver set of bagpipes that his friend made him. The silver has the Celtic Knot design and my friends said I need to get that tattooed around my arm so we'll be connected... No thanks! :)

Here's Wooly playing in our backyard...
This is his bagpipe from Ontario. More tradition style with Nickel and Imitation Ivory. These are the ones Jack has. (Anne & Brigitte - I did tell him we should just go pick them up... he said 'absolutely NOT!' I guess that means 'no.' :) )

We had Brian & Maki over on Sunday. Brian mentioned that he was Scottish. I asked if he has a kilt. He does! In his family's tartan! Maki said it was blue & blue. (She's Japanese, her English is getting better. heehee!) Wooly asked if he liked bagpipes. Brian said, "Love them! Don't you play?!" So, Wooly did a concert. Maki has never heard bagpipes before... she was saying, "wow!" while he was tuning inside. Brian said, "Wow! That's some good shitt!"

It's pretty exciting because Wooly is getting better. I do love hearing him play. Maybe he will start competing again!


Lyra Maiden

Hey! I finished Lyra!

Blob on kitchen floor

Center Leaves

Flower

Best full photo I could get

Lyra by Herbert Niebling (round version)

Lane Borgosesia Cashwool - Extra fine merino - #63

Various needles - 2.5mm + 3mm + crochet hook

50"x50" blocked at widest points

Made for Mom's Birthday

Wooly: "What is it?"

Me: "A huge doily."

Wooly: "Doily? Do you wear it slung over yourself?"

Me: "You can... or you can put it on a table..."

Wooly: "Table? Where it will get dirty and food all over it? No! It's too nice for that!"

Me: "That's only at our house. Fancy people put it on the table then put a vase of flowers on top."

Wooly: "Fancy people??" LOL!

My Mom has a round table... I would consider her a fancy person... She will scream and jump up and down and love it.

The only words of wisdom I have is that you need to throw everything you know about reading charts out the window and trust the directions. "Blank squares have no significance" I almost didn't get past the 5th row because I was knitting the blank squares and running out of stitches! (Laritza - I just couldn't bother you with that!)

Now that I'm done, I'm feeling lost, but Summer Sampler & Unst are waving at me, so it's not like I don't have anything to do. Eventually, I'm going to make one for myself... to go over the non existing round end table... in my non existing fancy house! :) Maybe I'll make a square one too! Yep! I really love this pattern.

C'mon people! Reprint more patterns please!

What is a Lyra? It looks like a protea to me...

Hope you have a great week! Enjoy every day! :)

Rap Tap Ratchet

"The Seattle Mariners called... they need this wheelbarrow fixed for the game tonight...
Here's a 12mm ratchet, get busy, time's a wasting!"

Mr K wearing Mariner's baseball shirt

"Let's see, it looks like if I just tighten it up here, we should be good to go..."

Hard at work, notice his tummy!

"Okay Dad! All done! Back to my music!"

Rap tap tap... faster, faster, louder!

"Uncle Wooly says that I need to practice my drumming because he needs me to play while he plays his bagpipes...

Mom has been sick (morning sickness)... maybe if I play louder, she'll get out of bed!"

Meanwhile, in my world...

We went to friend's house for the 4th and Wooly brought his bagpipes. He played outside on their deck and we all cheered him on. We created a monster! Now he's playing outside at our house! Haven't hear any complaints from the neighbors... yet.

He got his new set of bagpipes from Ontario and is in heaven. I guess we'll just stay at home and listen to him play since he spent our vacation money on it!!

At least I have fun knitting projects to work on while he's making noise...

Here's Summer Sampler Stole...

Patterns 5 & 6

The bottom pattern is called The Grand Spider and the upper one is called Summer Wheat. We're half way done, since there are 12 patterns total, plus an edging.

Here's Lyra...

I'm on row 120 of 180 and have started the flower (left hand side). These row are getting long! I keep looking at the calendar, Mom's birthday is less than 2 weeks away. I think I'll just focus on Lyra so I'll have it done by her birthday.

Hope you're all enjoying summer! Got vacation plans?

If you needs some 'music' to go along with the sunshine, we'll send Wooly and Mr K right over!

Happy Knitting! :)

Purple Turbo

Summer has arrived.
I was waiting for a warm day to block this purple Magic Carpet Ride.

Mom, it's too hot for a scarf!

Magic Carpet Ride by Susan Pandorf

Woolen Rabbit Whisper Merino lace yarn - Arabian Nights

Foxden beads - 8-0013F

12" x 60"

More Purple

My Japanese Iris' are blooming! What a show stopper! The first year I had 3 blooms, last year I had 7, this year I counted 16 buds!

I say this every year, "Perfect shade of purple!" I just wish they lasted longer. I got these from my Mom, who got them from a friend. Mine are really happy here, so I think they should just give me all of theirs! hee hee.. ;)

We went to Fred Meyer's (store) yesterday and I saw this Lavender & White Stripey Japanese Iris just sitting there waiting for me. I searched the whole garden section to see if anyone else wanted to come home with me, but there was just this one.

I emailed my Mom this photo and she couldn't believe I got it at Fred's. She hasn't seen one like this either.

In Knitting News...

Lyra - I'm through row 72 of 180. As you can see, we've got some leaves now. Still fun. I'm anxious to see how big or small the final project will be. I'm thinking of giving this to Mom for her birthday, which is towards the end of July.

Unst v.3 - I've got 6 of 10 repeats done and it's still not on the floor! I'm getting sick of this pattern... but I've only knitted it 23 times...

Alhambra - I've only done one more repeat while waiting for Wooly's brother to arrive. I didn't want to be in the middle of a long row. So, I've got 11 of 17 repeats done, but just going to use all the yarn. It's not a challenge for me, so pretty boring, but will make a good gift, or maybe I'll just keep it for myself.

Summer Sampler Stole - We're through the 5th pattern of 12. It's called The Grand Spider and we got to make 7 into 7 - Estonian lace - love it! I'll show patterns 5 & 6 next week.

Fulmar - No progress. I've got the front & back done. I want to finish it before Mr K's 2nd birthday in December. I think it would look nice over a kilt... but I don't have a kilt.

In Mr K's world...

Wanna ride? Beep beep! Vroom!

Check out his green shoelaces! He's 1.5 years now. I can't believe he's walking.

Guess who's pregnant??!!

Wooly's glad... that it's not his...

No, it's not Jack's! Who said that??!! Yes, I think he's cute... yes, I want his blue socks...!

Wait. What were we talking about? Stop distracting me! LOL! :D

Mr K is gonna be a big brother! 2/17/2009 is the due date! They can't believe it either! My Mom got teary. My Brother called me at work, and I had to do my happy dance very quietly. I have to make a baby quilt and a sweater to wear... or I can just wear Autumn Oregon. Maybe I'll be done with Unst... that would be nice.

So, Mr K is going to have someone to push around... in the car. ;) He will no longer be the center of the universe. I really like having a brother. SIL is an 'only' and she wishes she had a sibling. I'm so happy I have something to look forward to!

Happy Canada Day to my Canadian friends...

Happy Independence Day to my American friends...

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

Summertime

I love Summertime. I love sunshine. I relax when I'm warm. I also knit like there's no tomorrow...

Summer Sampler Stole

We're now through pattern #4 on BadCat's Summer Sampler Stole. There are 12 patterns in all and an edging. I'm using Cashwool and 2.5mm addis lace needles.

Pattern #3 + #4

Unst v.3

I got 2 more repeats done for a total of 4 out of 10. I'm using 2/36 cashmere/silk from ColourMart and 2.5mm Knit Pick Needles. Still loving it and no, it's not on the floor! ;)

Green Mean Vacuum Machine Proof

Lyra

I even started Lyra! I'm using Cashwool from my stash because it's cheap and not sticky. I had a hell of a time starting with the double point needles! Too many points and small hands. I kept telling myself, "This is why you don't do socks!... Oh!... Ugh!... Start over!" I restarted a gazillion times and finally was okay with it.

40 rows of 180

It's an addicting fun knit. I see why people love making these. Every odd numbered row is different. I'm going to make another one out of (yet to be determined) 'special' yarn after I get through this one. I'm using Knit Pick Harmony 2.5mm needles.

Wait. All my Summer Projects are with 2.5mm needles??!!! :D

What's blooming at my house?

My peonies! I love my peonies. I'm so glad it hasn't rained and wiped them out. They're so pretty... and pink!

I'm celebrating this year because this white one finally produced a bloom after many years of waiting. The label said it was red, but I'm happy with white.

Every year Wooly asked if he could pull it out since it was flowerless. I kept saying, "Um... NO!" Sure enough, this year, ONE perfect flower!

Last Monday 6/23 marked one year of blogging for me! It's sure been fun sharing successes and disappointments. I'm convinced that's why that one white peony finally bloomed for me! :)

We all have lots of fabulous projects yet to make... I, for one, can't wait!

Have a great week! Knit on! :)

Big Trouble

Big Thanks

I want to start by thanking Laritza for offering to hold my hand with Lyra. That was very generous of you and quite a nice surprise! I feel more confident now that I have a 'lifeline'.

Bright spot in my day

I found out about Lyra being reprinted by Lacis on her blog. I'm looking around for the 'perfect' yarn, but hope to start soon. :D

Big Trouble!

Now the bad news. Are you sitting down? Okay, here's the story...

Wooly called me at work last Thursday and says, "something terrible has happened..." I take a deep breath and say, "okay, tell me..." He says, "I was vacuuming and your project (cobweb Unst) got eaten by the vacuum cleaner... I'm so sorry!" I say, "Are you kidding me?" He says, "You know how careful I am around your projects... it's so light that it got sucked in the vacuum ... and with lightning speed... I reached down to turn it off,... but I couldn't find the switch..." I say, "Anything else? What's it look like?" He says, "It's got a giant hole... and it broke your needles..." I start laughing hysterically. He says, "Why are you laughing? What's so funny??! I'm sorry! Are you okay???!!! Anything you want! I'm buying!" I realize I'm at work and don't want the peanut gallery to get in my business, so I put my forehead on the edge of my desk and try to laugh softly. I say, "I'm so cursed... I swear God doesn't want me to have anything Heirloom..." He says, "What are you talking about? You're not cursed...!" Still laughing I say, "Have you read my blog? Remember the tickle attack and how I was worried about loosing a stitch and breaking my needles with my death grip? HAHA!... I just wrote that yesterday! HAHAH..." He gets off the phone to read my blog.

I tell my friend Tracy during break. She knows all about the first Unst where I used lace weight instead of cobweb and ran out of yarn. I tell her I started again with cobweb and about the tickle attack and what just happened. She gets the most horrified look on her face and I start laughing again. She says, "What's for dinner? I think he need to take you out! Doesn't steak, baked potato, salad and wine sound good?" I'm too nice and say, "Nah, that's okay..." She says, "Honey, you need lessons in 'milking it'!! Listen to me! You need lots of needles and expensive yarn! and a tote to put your projects in... you know what I mean by tote?" I'm still laughing and say, "Nah,.. Oh, okay needles.. totes are ugly... Man, my stomach hurts..." She hands me a Kudos bar. I start laughing again because I'm thinking of serving it to Wooly for dinner. :)

So, after we have leftovers for dinner, I bring myself to actually looking at the blob. Reality bites! I hold up the swatch and say, "... see how pretty it would have been? Oh! Ugh! I can't believe this!" Wooly, (who has the gift of the gab and doesn't know when to stop talking) says, "Oh, you've only been working on that for what, 3 days..?" Okay, I finally got angry (clap your hands) and say, "Wooly, I started this before you went to Canada for the parade! So, it's been like a month! and I had 7 of 10 repeats done and only 3 to go!..." He says, "Well, it would have been worse if it was Fulmar that got eaten..." I say, "What?! How can you compare and give more value to Fulmar??" I know the answer, it's because he's an Aran sweater lover. He jumps up and points to the computer and says, "Go order your needle! Order two! Hurry!.."

Kamati's tail, since this is the end of Unst v.2

Down, but not out...

So, I sulked and didn't knit Thursday or Friday nights. I moped around and thought about whether or not I really wanted to try again. I realized that the cobweb was hard for me to work with and white wasn't a fun color to stare at for hours. I looked at Lorri's Shetland Stole - which is similar to Unst - and realized I still wanted one of my own, damn it! So, okay, let's take advantage of this opportunity to get it 'right.'

I found a cone of 3/36 cashmere and silk, which is a little thicker than cobweb. Similar to Lacey Lamb, but has the shine of silk and light blue - which I love in my stash. I have 2 cones (6000 yds) so I won't run out. :) It's between cobweb and lace weight.

I swatched with 2.5mm needles and really loved the resulting fabric. I was worried that I couldn't get the oil out of the yarn. (I used Dawn dish washing liquid)

Forsaking all others, I've been knitting on it like I'm possessed and have 2 repeats done. (I'm not going to maintain this pace.) I love everything about it and am not leaving it on the floor... ever!

Big Appetite

Mr K (nephew) at Todai (all-you-can-eat.)

Me Happy! Yum Yum!

Looks like his second plate! He has Wooly's big appetite! Hey, Mr K, you gonna eat that strawberry?

Protect your projects! Here's hoping the 3rd time's a charm! :)

Bonkers

Things in my world have been bonkers lately.
Despite that, I've managed to knit a little bit.

Progress Report

Here's Smoothie with Alhambra. I've got 10 of 17 repeats done, but I'm just going to keep going until the yarn is gone. I like the way it looks unblocked and love the color. Here's Kamati with Unst v.2. I've got 6 of 10 repeats done. I didn't stretch it out because it's cobweb... and I swear I'm cursed when it comes to anything Heirloom.
Recently, Wooly decided it was time for a tickle attack, while I was minding my own business knitting Unst with cobweb and wooden 2.5mm needles. I'm terribly ticklish and yelled out, "IF I DROP A STITCH YOU'LL BE IN BIG TROUBLE!" Kamati and Smoothie were scared and saying, "Dad! Look out! The wrath of Mom!" Thankfully I managed not to drop any stitches or break the needles with my death grip. Meanwhile, Wooly was giggling and mimicking me, "big trouble! big trouble!" He has no idea how close he was to losing something.

Something New

I started the Summer Sampler Stole that Bad Cat designed. She's putting out a different pattern every week and it's a mystery because she hasn't shown the finished stole. It's a nice break from cobweb and something I look forward to.

We only have 2 patterns, so you can catch up. I like that you don't need to be part of a group or sign up and that we're learning something all summer. I'm using Cashwool. Thanks Bad Cat!

Scottish Highland Games

We went to the games in Ferndale, WA (15 miles south of the Canadian border) last weekend. The best quote I heard all day came from a kid... "They let everyone come? Even Americans?!" I laughed and told Wooly who was disgusted. You know how most Americans don't appreciate bagpiping like in Canada and the UK.

Simon Fraser University from BC was there. Remember these guys? and how I like their blue socks? They had vests on this year because it was gray and cold. Best we'll hear without going to Scotland. (That white stuff is cottonwood seeds, not snow.) See the guy looking forward in the front row... that's Jack... World Class Piper who's won multiple gold medals (starting at 22 years old) and Wooly's friend.

I got to meet him... here's the story. :)

Wooly walks over to Jack and they start talking. I stay where I am, and look around at everything. Then I hear Jack say, "Who's that?" I look over and he's pointing at me with a big grin on his face. Wooly motions me over and says, "That's The Wife! Come over here and meet Jack... best piper in the world..." I didn't know I had a title. ;) So I walk over and shake his hand, smile and tell him it's nice to meet him, blah blah. Jack says, "WOW! Your hand is warm!" and he reaches up and holds my hand with both hands. Wooly says, "Really, that's weird. Usually both her hands and feet are freezing." Jack says, "Well, she's got a fire burning in her!" I say, "Just for you Jack!" He continues grinning and holding my hand and turns to Wooly and says, "You know what the worst thing about being 50 is? (he turns back and looks me dead in the eyes and says) I'm sleeping with a 50 year old." I'm speechless. Can't even make myself look small because he's holding my hand with both hands. Wooly does his flip back Pez head laugh and says, "You're sleeping with at 50 year old? HA HA! I'm not!" Okay, so he's talking about his wife. Breathe. Jack turns back to me and says, "I know! How young are you?" still holding my hand. I'm not telling, so I say, "I'm not 50!" and start grinning back. Wooly finally tells him and Jack says, "Oh lucky you!" still holding my hand! Then Jack asks Wooly if everything is still working... physically. Wooly points at me and says, "Ask The Wife..." I'm dying and not answering that question, so I look away... like I didn't even hear them. So now they're both laughing and he's still holding my hand. Jack asks how long we've known each other. I look him dead in the eyes with a pitiful 'save me' look on my face and say, "Forever..." It was pretty funny because Jack actually felt sorry for me... I could see it in his eyes.

Afterwards, Wooly says, "Whatever you do now, DON'T wash that hand!" We laugh and I tell him that when Jack was talking about sleeping with a 50 year old, I wanted to ask him if he was sleeping alone and needed help with that. Wooly busted out laughing and said Jack would have liked that. Wooly says Jack is still the same guy he was when they were in their teens. But I think Wooly brings out the bad in everyone.

So, when the band marched out, Wooly nudges me and says, "Hey! Check out Jack's pipes! Those look just like the ones my teacher played." While they were playing he nudges me again and says, "See how Jack is slightly bouncing? He's really loving it. I've got to ask him about his pipes."

Bonkers

Monday after work I came home and was thrilled that my Lyra pattern had arrived from Lacis.

Lyra was selling on ebay for over $100 and Lacis republished it and is selling it for $7. I never thought I would ever get my hands on the pattern.

Wooly says to me, "Are you happy now? Okay, sit here. I want to tell you something." I'm thinking this can't be good. He tells me that he emailed Jack and found out that his pipes are replicas of his teacher's original set and that there are only 2 sets in North America and Jack has one of them. The other set is in Ontario... guess who owns them now???!! Can you guess? Wooly bought them! OMG! I didn't ask how much they were. He already bought 4 sets of cowboy boots and a new motorcycle helmet within the last few weeks... now bagpipes?! How many sets of pipes do you need?

What's wrong with me? I get a thrill over a $7 pattern. Wooly needs to spend thousands to get that same thrill. So, I'm kind of disgusted, but letting it go.

I was looking at Lyra and to be honest... I'm kind of intimidated... I don't know if I'll ever really make it.

I need someone to hold my hand... besides Jack! :)