Knittin' and Lovin' It

Crazy Weather

The 10-12 inches of snow we had the other day is just about gone and the weather has warmed up. Of course with that warm weather we've been having high winds but at least it's not freezing right now. The constant up and down of the temps/weather is killing my joints. Any time there is a major fluctuation in the weather my joints start hurting and it takes several days to start feeling normal again. I think the cold is suppose to be back toward the end of this week. 

Silly me, I looked up the weather for Boise, ID and wished I was there instead. Our cold and snow are coming back while they're stay it bit warmer. I'm so ready to go home it's not even funny. I do find it odd at times that this So. Cal girl (born and raised) now calls Idaho home. I have the chorus from the Beach Boys song Sloop John B stuck in my head....let me go home, Let me go home, I wanna go home, let me go home, why don't you let me go home. Anyone who has every gazed upon my iPod will say without a doubt that I have a very eclectic taste in music. My iPod is a very crazy mix of music that includes music from the Beach Boys, Kenny Chesney, Creedance Clearwater Revival, The Temptations, Patsy Cline, Metallica, George Jones, Lenny Kravitz, Alannis Morissette  and on and on and on. Although Rascal Flatts and Kenny Chesney have the biggest play time on my iPod and country is the largest selection of music on there. Kenny Chesney's No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem is my happy song. There's just something about that song that makes me smile every time.

I'm working like crazy on Shawn's sweater. 

It now has both sleeves.....woot! I'm working on the hood right now although it's on hold for the next few days while I finish up a test knit. I'm so close I can almost taste it, which is a silly thing to say since it's a wool sweater and wouldn't taste good at all. I swear on all that is holy Shawn will wear this damn thing even if he has to lose 50 pounds to do it. Actually the only thing I'm worried about is the sleeves. I think I'm going to have to rip back about half the sleeve and work less increases because the sleeves seem a bit skinny. I've already cut out at least 8 decreases but I think the sleeves are still going to be snug. I know it's going to block out a little bit wider after it's washed if the measurements are correct from my gauge swatches. This sweater has taken me almost 2 years to finish. It's mostly because it's nothing but cables so it's a labor intensive pattern, very well written but very labor intensive. I kept throwing it to the side for more desirable projects that don't require as much concentration. Not to self when knitting sweaters for Shawn, pick something with less cables. Lots of cables for kids sweaters, good....lots of cables for dude that needs a 50" chest size sweater, bad!

I recieved my TLE swap package.

It was full of yummy goodies (the girls and I killed the homemade peanut butter cookies in nothing flat), a lovely neckwarmer (l love neckwarmers/cowls), and Dream in Color Smooshy. I have an obsession with DIC Smooshy, well actually I love their worsted weight too. I think the only other two yarn brands I might have more of are Zen Yarn Garden and Miss Babs.

I ordered a few things from Knit Picks. 

The books were on sale so I went ahead and picked them up. To round out the order I picked up a skein of Chroma sock yarn to try, a smaller niddy noddy, and some extension connectors to make longer cables....I probably won't use them often but it'll be nice to have them on hand when I need them instead of waiting for them to get here in the mail. I went ahead and paid for the extra shipping. It was a slurge since I normally go for the snails pace shipping. It's the last time I'll do that. I forgot how absolutely stupid my Fedex delivery guy is. I normally don't deal with him because he only handles the express mail package and most stuff I buy goes FedEx ground. They lady who delivers the ground packages is awesome. The idiot delivered the package to my neighbor across the street whos house number looks nothing like mine. We thought the package was stolen off our door step (something that has never happened to us since we've been here) and we were afraid that the new water delivery guy might have been the one to do it. Thankfully my neighbor came home a few hours later and brought the package to us. The quicker shipping was sooooo not worth the extra headache.

I also got my TLE order in the other day. 

I had like $55 in store credits which if I spent it all it would be close to free shipping so I decided to throw in enough stuff to make sure I got free shipping. The roving is Perchance to Spin Polworth wool (haven't tried that one yet), a skein of bright Trekking XXL (you know how I love me some self striping), the newly dyed Loopy Legends in the MomSue's Yellowstone Sunset (Lorna's Laces is now dying the Loopy Legends colorways), and a skein of Bugga in the Miss Spider colorway.

Here's a shot of the old Loopy Legends next to the new one (new one is on top and old below it).  

They're both lovely but I think I like the skein died by Lorna's Laces. Sue has been a good friend of mine for a few years now and I hope that this summer I will be able to visit with her. Shawn and I are planning on a weekend trip to Yellowstone with the girls this summer. Lets hope that the military doesn't screw it up with another stupid inspection.....I have a feeling that they will though. I couldn't resist getting the new skein of her colorway. It's so gorgeous. I've seen sunsets here similar to the ones she sees in Wyoming and they're so beautiful you can't help but stop to look at the sky. They're so full of pinks, purples and yellows. Montana's not called Big Sky Country for nothing. The wide open sky make for some very gorgeous sunsets and on a clear day the blue goes on for miles and miles. 

I can finally post a picture of the socks I knit for my swap pal. 

The pattern is WonderWings (Ravelry) and the yarn is Fiber Optic Foot Notes sock yarn in the Smoky Teal Batik colorway. She loved her socks and the whole package I put together for her. I was so happy to hear that the package was an absolute sucess.

I'll leave you with a shot of Penny crashed on the couch. 

I'ts so hard being a puppy. I can't believe how big she's getting. She's 4 months old and weighing in close to 30 lbs. 

 

Happy Crafting!

A Little Pre-Holiday Post

First off, before I start my post:

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all my blog friends. May you have a wonderful New Year. This will most likely be the last post of 2010 for me. I might try to do a recap of the year on New Years Eve but I make no promises. 

It's thawing outside....woohoo! The temps are a warmer and the snow is melting. It looks like we'll still have snow on the ground for Christmas so technically it'll be a white Christmas but no new snow is expected. I can't say that I'm disappointed. Ice jams made a mess of a portion of road here in town that is down near the river. The water overflowed onto the road and froze. It feels weird to say that we are under a flood warning and flash flood watch in the middle of winter.

I've actually been doing a little knitting since my last post. Well the post before the last post since my last one was a distraction with puppy cuteness post. 

I finished Bree's Christmas socks. 

These are the Lacy Rib Socks (ravelry)(non Ravelry). The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd sock, colorway Iris Garden. It's an easy pattern, perfect for tv knitting but is a bit more interesting then plain stockinette socks. I may make a pair for myself in the future.

A doll blanket (ravelry)(non ravelry) for Kaity's American Girl doll.

Kaity has one of the daybed doll beds from Target  and it only comes with the blanket for the bed and nothing for the trundle bed. I used some sugar and cream cotton yarn from my stash. It used less then 200 yards. Yes I know I could have just made my own pattern up but that would have require a bit more effort then I wanted to put into it at the moment. I'm planning on browsing my stitch pattern books and make something a little lacy with some Dream in Color Classy. I have a full skein of purple leftover from Bree's sweater. One can never have to many blankets for your doll bed.

Scrunchable Scarf (ravelry)(non ravelry).

I really love this scarf pattern. It's so simple you don't need a pattern. This is one of the scarves I'm making for the 2011 Special Olympics. The drop off for Montana is here in Great Falls so I can take them in instead of having to mail them this year. The yarn is Red Heart Super Saver color numbers 886 and 512. If you're interested here's the website with all the info. I know some of the states have already hit their deadlines but you can knit for any state.

I've also started a new pair of "on the go" socks for myself.

These always take a little longer since I normally only work on them when I'm not at home. The yarn is Opal Rainforest, Flamingo colorway. I'm using my basic toe up pattern with a short row heel. I haven't decided if I'll do a ribbed cuff or a picot edge.

I'll be soon be starting my knitting project for my TLE swap partner. I really need to finish the last test knit I'm working on. I'm about halfway through so it won't be long. I'm not sure if she reads my blog (have a good number of subscribers but a lot of people don't comment) but I have it linked to my Ravelry account so she can easily visit so I won't post anything to give it away. I can say that I'm pretty sure I've found yarn and a pattern to knit that I think she will love.

Now on to some puppy pictures. I know there are a few of you out there that want some new pictures of Penelope. 

I snapped this one the other day.

Zeus crawled into Penelope's crate and fell asleep. Penelope decided she was tired too and crawled in to take a nap with him. He woke up when she crawled in, gave to low, short growls then laid his head down and went back to sleep.

This one was taken a couple of days ago.

Bree decided to crawl into Penelope's crate and play with her. They stayed in there for a good 20 minutes. Penelope actually likes her crate and will crawl in there to sleep when I'm not sitting somewhere where she can lay across my feet.

I'll leave you with this video of Zeus and Penelope playing with one of the stuffed toys.

 

It warms my heart to see those to finally playing together. Not to say Zeus doesn't still growl at Penelope because she's being a pain in the butt. In the background you'll probably hear a bunch of girly screams. Shawn kept scaring the girls and at one point Bree ran into the room where I was at. 

Bestest Swap Pal Evah!

I have the best swap pal ever! Look at what Janice (Jarlady on Rav) sent me.

The yummiest scarf made out of Wollmeise 80/20 Twin, Pfefferminz Prinz which is a color I've been drooling over for awhile now. She also sent me Jelly Bellys (yum, I'm fighting Kaity over these), my favoritest Dove chocolate (no meltage at all), a Knit Picks 32" 2.5mm circ (my most favorite type and size of needle), the cutest felted bowl (it's holding my most used knitterly goodies), a TLE water bottle (already being used), a Starbucks coffee mug (love me some Starbucks), a skein of Sugar n' Cream Stripes (can never have enough dishcloth cotton!), pattern tamers (these were at the top of my "Want" list), CookieA's Mona sock pattern which was like the only CookieA pattern that wasn't in my Rav queue. How did I manage that one? It's in there now!

Here's a shot of Kaity helping me out by modeling the scarf.

Shawn wasn't around to take the picture plus I have to tell you something but you have to promise to keep it a secret (I was still in my PJs). Shush, don't tell anyone!

Here's a shot of the little bowl holding my goodies.

It's the perfect size to hold my knitting gadgets that are too small to fit in my big coffee mug that I use to hold my pens, crochet hooks, stitch holders, etc. I hate keeping these items in the drawer because I use them all the time.

Thanks Janice for being the bestest swap pal ever. I loved everything.

On a side note I got all excited because Shawn told me that he heard there was a Starbucks that opened up here on base. My excitement was shot down when Shawn called to tell me that it was an unmanned stand that serves brewed Starbucks brand coffee. It's the most piteful thing I've ever seen. Why even bother! If I wanted Starbucks brewed coffee I'd make it in my own darn coffee pot at home. I can buy the beans at the commissary. Sheesh! I don't go to Starbucks for a plain coffee I go for the yummy, carmel flavored, loads of sugar and whip cream type caffinated beverages!!! I save brewed coffee for my coffee pot here at the house. And here I thought I was going to have a Starbucks within walking distance. Oh well, at least the one down the road has a drive through.

Some Progress

There has been a lot of knitting going on it's just most of it is stuff I can't show you yet.

First up is the progress on Kaity's skirtsicle (Rav)(non Rav).

Isn't it amazing how much the pattern changed when I increase the stitch. Less the 50 stitches increased and it went into this cool spiral pattern. The upper half probably won't be seen much unless Kaity tucks in her shirt....which she never does. I have about 5-6 inches left to knit before it's finished. This time I remembered to turn the skirt around so that it's right side up for the picture. I also tucked in the waist band though I haven't sewn it down yet. I'll do that after I bind off.

Cute toddler distraction.

I need to throw in something to distract you all from noticing I haven't a lot of knitting progress to report. Hopefully it worked.

I can finally show you the socks I knit for my TLE swap pal Kristen aka Woolology on Ravelry.

Thankfully the socks fit her feet wonderfully and she loved them. It was so much fun spoiling her. The pattern is Tangled Faeries (Rav)(non Rav). I loved knitting this pattern so much that I'll be making a pair in the near future for myself. I did modify the pattern a tad. I used my own favorite short row heel and toe and I knit them both at the same time. The yarn used was ShibuiKnits sock (Rav)(non Rav), color Sky. The color is off in the picture. It's much more blue. The Loopy Ewe photo is much more accurate. I really liked knitting with this yarn. I have one skein left that will probably become socks for one of the girls. I bought a third skein to be safe. You never know when something can go horribly wrong.

I have made decent progress on the soap sack.

This goes with my sheep washcloth and is using the yarn (pima petite from The Unique Sheep) and pattern that came with my 7 Deadly S(p)ins club shipment. Woolgirl is going to be carrying this yarn in her shop soon and I can't wait. Its so soft and perfect for making spa gifts with.

Oh look cute puppy. Ok, ok shaggy puppy. He's going to the groomers soon!

I need to throw in a distraction every now and then.

I picked up some cotton yarn the other day at Michaels.

The Sugar N' Cream was on sale for $1 each but it had been picked through and there were only a few skeins left. Most of them were white and off white. So the three in the photo was all I got but I picked up a couple skeins of cottontots for Bree's facecloths. If anyone has unloved leftover cottontots that they don't want/need let me know. I'm more then happy to give it a new home and turn it into washcloths for my messy toddler.

Finally, this is my new favorite knitting gadget.

I bought a row counter from Muddy Paws Knit Knacks. It was really hard to pick just one since there are so many gorgeous counters to pick from. This has got to be the best row counter I've bought. It stays on your knitting so you don't have to worry about losing it and you don't have to worry about it fitting your wrist like the bracelets. Plus Darcie (the shop owner) is really great to deal with.....very nice! To top it all off Darcie sends the row counter in a little cloth pouch so you have a place to store your counter when not in use. I see a few more of these in my future. Plus I think they'd make great gifts for swap pals, knitterly friends, etc.

Well that's it for now. In a few days I'll be posting about some of the samples I knit awhile back and show you a teaser pic of what I'm working on right now.

Yippy Skippy WooHoo!

I received my Monkey Sock Swap box today.....Squeeeeee!  I loved everything.  If you all want to see what I got in my loverly box head over to my post on the Swap Blog.  I'm too darn lazy to post all of the pictures again.  I now have 3 pairs of hand knit socks.  If I get my butt to knitting I can get that other sock finished for myself and I'll have 4 pair.  :~)

This will probably be my last swap till after I move.  It's a bummer since getting boxes in the mail is fun but I really need to concentrate on getting my house cleaned out and ready for the move.  I don't want to get stuck doing it all at the last minute.  It's fun to get goodies in the mail and it's really nice to get something that's been handmade by someone else.....to be on the receiving end of all the gift giving is so nice.  I'll just have to settle for boxes of goodies that I've purchased for myself.  :~)

On another note, I paid for my Loopy Ewe sock club.....Double Squeeee!  I can't wait till that comes in too.  :~)

Well I'm off to enjoy quite knitting time since Bree is down for a nap. 

Windy Wednesday

Oh boy, today the wind has been ripping through here so bad the windows have been rattling and the rain sounds like little BB's hitting when it smacks the windows.  It's still blowing really bad and it looks like there is no end in site.
I mailed off my Monkey Sock Swap Pals box so hopefully she will get it by Sat.  Priority Mail normally moves pretty quick.  I also found out that my box is in the mail to me....Goody goody.  I can't wait for it to come in.  :~)  I love goodie boxes.  Rebecca is taking sign ups for round two of the Monkey Sock Swap if anyone is interested you can go out to the site to find out more info.
Last night I put a few rows on another swatch for the Walker Treasury Project and put a few more rounds on my CTH plain jane socks.
This morning I managed to get the cuff finished on Kaity's second stripe sock and this afternoon I knit, then frogged, then knit, then frogged, then knit and finally frogged on my mom's b-day gift.  I finally gave up till later tonight when I have more peace and quiet.  I'm going to concentrate on turning this one into an FO and getting the second sock finished for my sis.  Shawn has to kick butt on homework tonight so things will be quiet here in the house.  :~)
My sis called to let me know that she got the Raspberry Monkey sock I sent her in the mail and that it's a little snug going on but it feels great on her foot so I'm just going to make the other one for her.  The twisted rib cuff is what's snug when she puts it on but the rest is great.  I like the twisted rib but the 2x2 rib is stretcher.  I may try knitting the twisted rib on needles one size bigger and then swap back to the normal needle size with sock number two.
I missed Sheri's sneak up of sock yarn today.  Well I didn't miss it but I also couldn't buy any so that's kinda like missing it.  She had some Chewy Spaghetti and Yarn Love that I would have liked plus I can alway go for more Apple Laine.  I could have so easily bought like $70 worth of sock yarn, but I didn't.  :~)  Maybe next time.  There's always a next time.  Plus I have my first installment of the Loopy Ewe sock club that will be going out here in the next few weeks.  Goodie Goodie!
Well I'm off to go get the kiddos in bed, find a snack, and see if I can keep my sanity and not frog the darn gift knit for a fourth time today. 

I'm Monkey Free!

I finished up the Monkey socks. 

All they need is a bath and blocking and I can send out the box Wednesday.  WooHoo!  I'm back to bouncing between knitting projects.  Now I need to decide what project I'm going to pick back up.  Probably my moms b-day gift.  I'm such a bad daughter.....her b-day was almost a month ago.  Actually I was kicking butt on it but then I ran out of yarn....stupid pattern errors *sigh*.  So I was held up for like a week waiting for the yarn to get here.  Then it was attack of the Monkey socks.  I know I know, there go the excuses again.  :~)  I'll get it finished so my Mama can have her present and you all can see what I knitted for her.  :~)
Well I'm off to set my coffee pot and catch some sleep.  Tomorrow is an early morning.  Kaity has to be at the dentist by 9:20 am so I need to get up earlier then normal. 

Monkey Socks

Yippy, sock number two has a heel and gusset.  It's all down hill from here.  A few more inches to go on the foot and it will be the start of the toe.  I'm looking forward to getting my swap pals box in the mail.  I think she's really going to like these socks. 
Today is laundry day...fun, fun!  So this afternoon I'll be working on laundry and knitting on my Monkey socks.
Still no word on assignment orders yet.  Shawn's been checking the system at least 2-3 times a day.  A little obsessive but we want to know where we're going so we can start doing a little more planning.  Plus after 8 years on this base we are both a little anxious to go somewhere else.  We are really hoping for Montana.  One of our friends said he's been to Malmstrom AFB and it's beautiful up there.  To think I might see green and trees one of these days instead of dust and tumbleweeds.   :~)

Monkey Update

I managed to get a good amount of knitting done on the Monkey socks.  I need to put one more repeat of the 11 rounds of the pattern....11 rounds till the heel flap.  Hopefully....**Knock on Wood**.....I'll have the socks finished before the end of the weekend.  :~)  Oh that would be so nice.  I want the box out to my pal and I want to get back to my other projects.  My poor mama hasn't gotten her b-day present yet so I need to get that finished for her.  The sooner I get done with the socks the sooner I can get back to knitting her present.  :~)
I'll probably post progress pics some time tomorrow night.  I'm to lazy to do it tonight.
Well I'm off to bed to go snag my 6 or so hours of sleep.  :~)

My Vesper Sock Yarn

Talk about having a good day.  My Vesper sock yarn from Knitterly Things came in today.  I'm lovin' it.  Very pretty colors.  The first one (pink, green and white) is Astro and the second (several colors of pink and black) is Strange Little Mama.

Well I'm off to go watch Flicka, gotta love Tim McGraw.....gorgeous! I'll be knitting on my Monkey socks.  :~)