CHRISTMAS MEMORIES FOR A COLD JANUARY

This is my usually mild mannered 12 year old Kringle aka Kringlie Joe, who is
clearly not amused with being volunteered to participate in the Christmas dress-up whims of moi! Not feeling the love here, Kringle!

If you could read my mind, luv.....what a tail these thoughts would tell...meow-hisss!

So, I've been looking through the yarn room lately and revisiting the yarnlings, both old and new friends. Several came to me as cheery gifts of the season....

Lovely, LOVELY yarn from Nan, one of the 3 Knitting Amigas! This is Artyarn merino. Destined to be the neck cozy, pattern held in the knitting vault of all great patterns for several years.

Rediscovered this little beauty perched on my yarn closet shelf, waiting so patiently....

It's cold and wintery today, and I miss the sunlight of warmer months. By February I will be in my annual winter slump and knitting this birthday 2006 yarn from Nan will be the perfect pick me up! Ironstone "Sun", so aptly named!

Not the yarn version of "The Trouble With Tribbles", for all you closeted Trekkies

Note gold yarn on left, gifted from Jeanie, (the other Amiga) and light teal and burgundy opposite right, from Nan. Ever since I happened upon www.yarnstorm.blogs.com and gazed upon her fabulous knitted pillows, I've been driven to collect 100% angora to incorporate into the diamond pillow from Debbie Bliss Home. Yarnstorm is my Guru of color. I bow to you. Go see to be inspired!

A cup of Christmas cheer!

Lacey, @ www.randomstitches-lacey.blogspot.com

sent this beauty for the December Winter Wonderland Exchange. My love affair with the ballband continues. Fabulous job, Lacey!

Small knitting projects to chase away the winter blahs!

Maggie, my 2005 Ample Knitter's Secret Pal sent me these goodies! What unexpected joy! Thanks, Mags! he pattern looks like it will be fun to knit!

Death by cheesecake? What a way to go!

Next to knitting Ballbands, eating cheesecake is another favorite pastime!

Jeanie put down her addi's long enough to bake me this sinfully delicious Christmas cheese cake, which is now laying lovingly on my hips! Recipe to follow, I'm hoping!

I GOT TAGGED!

So, here I was just casually scanning my most recent blog posting and I discovered that I am under obligation, having been "tagged" by Julie @ http://www.juliesknittingknews.wordpress.com to list 6 weird things about myself.

ONLY 6?
hehehehehe......

And then I must tag 6 unsuspecting bloggers in the knitting world.....And list the rules... and notify these folks on their blog that they've been tagged...
All of this has lead me to a have a case of Knitting Interruptus, but because I want to do my duty as a loyal knitting blogger, here goes:

SIX WEIRD THINGS ABOUT THE KNITORIOUS MRS. B:

1. I love to mix cold applesauce in with hot macaroni and cheese.

2. The pinkies on both of my hands have always been a tad crooked at the proximal joints. Don't know if this has any genetic significance.

3. I have a 2 specific, somewhat large coffee mugs that I must drink my daily morning coffee in, despite having a cupboard shelf filled with many nice mugs. They are nothing more than chipped cheapo cups that I purchased for two bucks each in 1999 from Lanco when I was on a camping trip. They are the only ones I will use in the morning, and somehow, without a word exchanged between us, my husband respects this unwritten Law Of The Universe. These cups exert a powerful force over me!
Yet, at 4pm each day I have a cup of tea, and I grab whatever mug my hand hits. Go figure...

4. Must make my bed everyday before I get into it at bedtime. Absolutely cannot go to sleep in an unmade bed, ever. It just feels wrong.

5. I like Tom Wait's version of "Downtown Train" better than Rod Stewart, so I guess that's a little weird. I have 2 of his CD's too. He's a weird one.

6. My favorite comfort food snack is to toast 2 slices of white bread, slather them with Helman's mayo, slice 2 gherkin pickles and stick them between the bread. I invented this sandwich when I was 12 years old.

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the 6 weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog.



O.K. I will .........I AM TAGGING:

Lisa @ www.knittybittymama.blogspot.com
Lacey @ www.randomstitches-lacey.blogspot.com
Jenn @ www.purse-ho.com
Splindarella @ www.splindarella05.blogspot.com
Carole @ www.craftycarole.blogspot.com
Paula@ www.phknit.blogspot.com

(I apologize if I included anyone who had been tagged previously, but I tried to scan everyone's blog for prior tagging.)

It took some time to come up with my list of six to tag.

Note to Jeanie, Nan, Maggie, Patty, Lee Anne, and Donna:

GET A BLOG ALREADY, YOU GUYS!

I scavengered my Groups and KALs for knitters to tag and hours have now past me by as I revisited these favorite points of knitting interest. I have various degrees of involvement with:

ample-knitters
Babysweaters
CrayonBoxJacket
Knitted_Kitty_Dishcloths
KnittersBlogs
KnittingKnonsenseNews
knitwits_heaven
laceknitters
MarilynsKnittingHeavenOnEarth
MonthlyDishcloths
Winter Wonderland Swap
Mason Dixon KAL
One Skein Knit-Along (& Crochet too)
Knitted Babes
Mason Dixon SwapCloth
www.knitu.com

No wonder I don't have enough time to knit!
So, now I will proceed to each blog and notify each lucky taggee! Let the fun begin!
Happy Knitting All!

HAPPY NEW YEAR KNITTING!

Hope your holidays were happy and healthy, but if they were
anything like mine they were also hectic and full of "shoulds" as in "I should be: baking, cleaning, shopping, wrapping, mailing, visiting, driving, making, knitting....

Yes, I'm sure you get the picture.
Well, now that they are all over, we can all offer up a collective sigh of relief, and get back to doing the things we love best (knitting) for those we love the best! I am happy to report that I have completed the back of the husband's sweater and am making progress on the left front panel. Pictures to follow at a later date. I am also knitting 10 inch squares for baby blanket using baby themed dishcloth patterns from the Monthly Dishcloth Yahoo Group. Completely mindless joy! Just what I need as a take along project for those sweater breaks. Using my favorite Bernat Cottontots in colors.

I am woefully behind in posting the photos of the beautiful things I received from some very talented knitters through the Exchanges I participated in this past year.

Enid, my secret Monthly Dishcloth exchange pal, knit this lovely cloth for me in the fall. Very pretty stitch pattern, and I think you can locate on it
www.smariek.blogspot.com, a terrific blog featuring several very lovely free patterns. Another great site for free dishcloth patterns is www.knittingpatterncentral.com. The pattttern index lists many catagories of free patterns so go see!
Both Enid and S. Marie are very talented ladies!

Yes, I am still captivated by the Mason-Dixon knitting book and continue to knit Ballbands, baby kimonos, and this cute, easy, and quick baby bib. The urge to knit from this book continues to be intense. It's like the Manchurian Candidate of knitting books! I check in once a week on Ann and Kay at www.masondixonknitting.com

I had been jilted by my original One Skein Secret Pal several months ago, and I had communicated my bitter feelings to the Exchange Moderator. Since there were several others in the same boat, she established an Angel Program for us orphans! I wrote a pattern for fingerless mittens for my pal Marilynn, who lives in Canada, where there is actually cold weather( another 50 degree day in Pa. today!) and posted it earlier today.
It was fun being her Angel!

My Angel, Chrissie, lives in Singapore, and she sent me this:

• The yarn is fingering weight mohair and I love the color! It beckons to be knit into lacey leaves, I think. Note the cute stitch markers displayed on the knitted pouch she included. I am obsessed with stitch markers and am planning to run some ribbon through the pouch to turn it into a little tool carry all for my knitting bag.
• And the gal is still thinking of me because she posted today that she is sending me a skein of seductive fiber content left over from her gift sweater knitting.

WHAT A SWEETHEART!

Anyway, more photos to be posted once I conquer the chaos of after Christmas clutter in my home.

A FREE PATTERN TO WARM YOUR HANDS!

One Skein Fingerless Mitts Especially For Marilynn
by The Knitorious Mrs. B.

One skein Plymouth Alpaca Boucle (65 yds)
Size 10 1/2 straight needles = 2 1/2 st./inch
One pair size 10 1/2 DP needles

C/o 21 stitches and knit one row.
Row 2 and all others: knit in garter stitch for 36 rows (18 garter ridges) OR 8 inches long to go around your hand.
B/o, leaving 18 inches yarn tail.

Fold in half so garter ridges run vertical (length approximately 6 -7 inches)
Sew vertical side seams together from bottom 3 inches, leave a 1 1/2 inch opening, and continue sewing the remainder of seam to the top of mitt.
You may adjust thumb opening length for comfort!

At bottom ( wrist) of mitt along the seam line, attach yarn and with DP needles, pick up 19 stitches ( in space between garter stitch ridges) Mark beginning of round.
Round 1: *Knit I, Knit f&b* repeat from * ending round with
a Knit 1. There are 28 stitches now on needle.
Round 2 & 3: Knit 2, Purl 2 ribbing.

OOPS! Now I am getting afraid of being short of yarn for the second mitt so it's time to finish this!

B/o in rib pattern and weave in all yarn tails.

Repeat pattern for second mitt, try on and admire!


I chose to pick up and knit a little 2:2 cuff line along the bottom to lengthen it and to give it a stay on fit. You may do as you please with it as it can be trimmed with whatever tidbits of yarn and embellishments as you might have! My objective to knit with one skein was met!

IT'S FREE FROM ME SO ENJOY IT! .

MONTHLY DISHCLOTH EXHANGE OBJECTIVE COMPLETED!

Kringle seems to have a particular fondless for this cloth. Unfortunately, it was destined to travel to my exhange pal, Sue!

SAY GOODBYE!

Time to let go, Kringle!

Should I send this photo to STUFF ON MY CAT?

BETTER GET BUSY!!!

Husband's sweater in the bag. Back portion is done. Need to cast on for the fronts-sleeves-bands. Most likely this will become the March birthday gift!

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!

Sometimes friends provide that little bit of inspiration needed to motivate me to post!

And sometimes those friends need to be, (AHEM!) immortalized.



For your Halloween viewing pleasure, please allow me to present, my dear friend, Pinky!

Well, I'm thinking that the scarf is handknit, but I'm certain the socks are not.

BAD, PINKY, BAD, BAD GIRL!
PINKY MUST LEARN TO KNIT OR PERISH!

In my opinion, the skirt could be knit with Art Yarn Regal Silk, color #115, pink and look quite lovely.

As for a head piece alternative, please note that I have been vowing to knit the following for several years and my son is terrified that I will someday wear this in public to humiliate him!



I think this a "must have" for those days when you need a little something extra to perk up your professional image!


Thanks to both www.Knitty.com and "Cashew" for keeping the smiles coming!

Girl, you are just too camp!

MEMORIES OF KNITTING DAYS GONE BY....

This was an attempt to knit a feather and fan baby blanket last year with DK weight yarn, no pattern and in the heat of summer! I got this far, off the needles it came, and a photo op before it's demise. It turned into a simple pinwheel blanket instead. Knitting is soooo forgiving!

I received many kind and supportive responses to the moaning and groaning featured on my previous blog-SO MUCH SO that I went and purchased more yarn for more projects!

Seriously, once the Yarn Room is finished I will be donating a very large portion of my yarn acquisition to my church Knitting Ministry because it will be put to good use there!

I'm happy to report that my family room has room for my family again!

Found a lovely new yarn shop called Knitwitz and So Much More in Hellertown, Pa. owned and operated by a lovely lady named Donna.

AND IT'S OPENED ON MONDAYS!!!!!!!!!

She's got a great assortment of yarns, all very current, with great colorways, from Berocco, Brown Sheep, and Peaches and Cream, to name just a few. Very shopper-friendly atmoshere. This shop is a real find! I'm a-going back!

THREE MORE WEEKS UNTIL STITCHES!

Knitting A Purposeful Life.....

The summer has been officially over for a few weeks now, and I am caught up in the mad frenzy of cleaning, organizing, disgarding, and knitting, but not necessarily in that order.

I am in the process of moving my immense, yet glorious, yarn stash out of the t.v. room and basement into an upstairs small, spare bedroom. Problems lay with the issues of "immense' verses "small". There is minimal closet and dresser space. I am contemplating various storage options. I must make this work somehow.

The motivation for this massive undertaking was the observation that my family room was beginning to resemble:

1. My local yarn store.
2. A crowded and messy workshop.

I was feeling claustrophobic.....

This has caused me to reflect on my knitting life, and reach a conclusion:

THE FIRST STEP IS ADMITTING YOU HAVE A PROBLEM!

In an effort to prevent an inevitable family intervention, I decided the time had come to take measures to contain, manage and resolve this little problem of mine. Let's relocate the stash!

It has turned into one major project!

Taking yarn inventory has forced me to face the fact that I have accumulated over the course of 8 years colossal amounts of yarn!!!

I've gotten re-acquainted with little fiberfriends I hadn't seen in years and had long forgotten about. "Hello Koigu"! "How ya doin', Noro"? "What's up, Bartlets?"

Yarn purchased with specific projects in mind, waiting patiently for years for that magic moment to occur when it is whisked away on golden needles to be created into beautiful gifts for my loved ones! There are many, many of these groups with the stash.

Others bought as single, precious, lonely oddballs, perfectly suited as a hat or combined with other orphans to form some small item for an emergency baby gift..

Yarn that was "On Sale', discontinued, or designated for charity knitting projects.

Yarns purchased in abundance for the latest KAL.
Can we say "ballband dishcloth?" The Lily people should feature my picture on their Sugar and Cream cotton labels.

Let's not even get into the novelty scarf knitting craze that isn't winding down as far as I can see, despite the indrustry trend reports!

I think you get the picture.

What the heck was I thinking?

Is this yet another example of gross consumerism? Or, perhaps the signs of serious mental illness? Am I a hoarder, in need of the false sense of security that having yarn somehow provides? A serious collector of fiber? A woman with an obsession? A Material Girl?

I could photograph Le Stash, but I am too ashamed to have an official record of my vice.

I cannot fathom the $ amount I've invested in my craft. Nor do I want to.

Catholic Guilt leads me to question how the money spent on yarn could have served a more practical purpose. I wanted only to bring happiness to others.

SIGH!

One last thought about my yarn issues.

Stitches East is one month away.

And, yes, I am going.

Be afraid. Be very afraid....

CARE FOR SOME SUGAR AND CREAM WITH YOUR COFFEE?

I still am hooked on the ballband dish cloth pattern as you can see from my latest additional to our family's waaaarshcloth collection. And yes-we do us our waaaaarshcloths. They are working cloths in our house, you betcha! I've got more stockpiled.

"Why"?, you ask?

Because I signed up for the Mason-Dixon Waaarshcloth Exchange, that's why!!!

Must get my cloth in the mail tomorrow for my new knitting pal, Jen, over at Purse Ho.

Ya just gotta love somebody named Purse Ho!

Hi Jen!

^ ^

[=*.*=]

I, myself, am known to be a Yarn Ho, and there are many of us, I am told!

Finishing up some bibs and a baby sweater, plus need to knit several more baby things as got 4 baby showers before February! And, I've got Christmas knitting for family and friends to boot! More on that at a later date.

The ladies at church and I each knitted six 6 inch squares which I sewed together as a baby blanket. We raffled our community blanket to raise money for ProLife. Great job, ladies! My humble squares are the lavender ones. I have fun with our Knitting Ministry on Tuesday nights. Working on a log cabin blankie now. Want to knit hats for the shelter with the odd balls of LionBrand homespun donated to our group.

Do you ever feel as if you never get anything accomplished?

Sometimes I think I am doing lots of knitting and have very little to show for all that time and energy spent. But, when I look at my photos I am reminded that I actually do have a body of finished handknits, many knit as gifts, and some made just for me!

Here are a few examples:

This was the famous sockie book marker project of 2005 for my Mother-in-law's gift giving needs. They were knit with all kinds of different scraps of yarn I had hoarded. I loved knitting them, but 10 pairs-WHOA! Yes, I really must love my M-I-L!

I think it's out of my system now, so don't ask!

This is the delightful Turtleneck shrug pattern by Teva Durham from Scarf Style. Must rework the neck as it is a scosh too snug across the collar bones for my comfort. I knit this with Aplaca Grande, on sizes 10's to 11's, having adjusted pattern for gauge issues. Switching to larger needles along the sleeve made it taper nicely along the arm. Unfortunately, I in no way resemble the lovely model in the book when I slip this on. But, SO WHAT! My knitting makes me beautiful!!!! HaHa!

I love my Poncho! Is this the front?
Or is this? I wear it either way, depending on my many moods.

I've been thing about adding a little roll or funnel neck....

OPINIONS WELCOME! PLEASE COMMENT ON THIS!

AAAAH! My corkscrew scarf. You haven't lived until you've bound off 1600 stitches!!!!


This the lovely Betty Blue wearing my Tiara and Matrix collar in a Sandstone colorway. Very easy and quick. Clipped with a pin over coat collar or turtleneck. Nice alternative to a long scarf. I collect heads. Just bought one yesterday at local shop. It has reddish brown hair and brown eyes, just like me. Will knit her a hat soon, I think.


I figured this out on my own sometime around Valentines day this year. Sugar and Cream cotton has a warm spot in my heart!

Hey, I got my LionBrand cataloque in the mail yesterday and it was loaded with great patterns. Their own, and by two old Bags, Fiber trends, to name a few. Patterns were knit with various LB yarns, and looked quite nice for the price! I'm getting knitting ideas for my stash!

Meanwhile, my husband's Christmas sweater grows slowly up the back.

Since camo is big this year again for the kids, and since I have a good supply of Bernat Camoflauge yarn stock piled, I'm thinking about a quick project like house socks or a knitted tie for my son, as well as the traditional G.I. wardrobe for his Joes, to put in his stocking again this year.

I haven't forgotten my knitting buds! I'm just not saying nothin'.

My lips are Kitchnered!

ONE HOUR PHOTO THIS WAS NOT!!!!

Finally...able to post photos. Thanks Gil and Splindarella for the encouragement. Patience is a virtue! Knitting makes it all better!

This is a corner in my yard which serves as the setting for The Patriotic Dishcloth.

The beloved French Market Bag, free pattern at knitty.com

It really is very sturdy and holds lots of stuff. Took it to The Knit and Crochet Show, and it held all my purchases nicely!

Goodies from the lovely Louise, all the way from Bath, U.K. My One Skein Pal is the best! Just look at those colors in that yarn!

Showing off the pedicure and the sandle sock. In my humble opinion, it was the perfect marriage between OPI and Trekking sock yarn!

Taking time for nourishment and knitting at the Knit and Crochet Show in July. New friends Marlene and Carolyn on the ends, with Jeanie, my knitting mentor, in the middle.

Where I sit to knit this summer. Ballband dishcloth and the Magic Pot Holder Loop Rug on the needles. Patterns found in Mason-Dixon Knitting book.
The Summer of the Dishcloth. Knitted, photographed, and given away already. New ones on needles. Ballband knitting mania!

And what are YOU knitting?

Happy summer knitting!

For some reason ther appears to be a glitch on my blog which prevents me from posting any photos of current knitting. Been like this all week. SHEEEEEESH!
ANYONE READING ME, WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE COMMENT!

This is a shame, as I am so happy with the way my French market bag from Knitty.com turned out! I used Kraemer yarns Mauch Chuncky in eggplant and carrotcake colors. Knitted waaaaaaay big and felted really well after 2 cycles. I think one would have sufficed!

Have been doing many ball band dishcloths from Mason-Dixon book, and also completed several baby bibs, as well. Now knitting Petal bib from One Skein. Them babies keep a-comin! Another I know of in December due!I'm still knitting baby kimonos for my church knitting group. Would like to try my hand at a scrappy Log Cabin Blanket to donate in the fall.

Hopefully I'll be able to post my photos of these Kal FOs on the Masondixon.com and OneSkein.com sites.

I'm happy to report that I am making progress with knitting My Husband's Sweater-yes-that is the official name! It's only taken 5 years to age the wool and commit to a stitch pattern!
I finally settled on an Imitation Fisherman's Rib pattern:

Row 1, *Knit 3, P1, * rep
Row 2 *Knit 2, P1, Knit 1, * rep

Simple 1:1 rib for the bottom 2 inch band, and 8 inches of pattern knitted so far. Very pleased with the appearance and the wool I purchased from Webs. Alpaca/merino blend. Can feel some lanolin still. Planning to construct with drop shoulders and a collar. A Christmas present.

Found a cute Harry Potter Sweater pattern on the Wist site, so forgettabout knitting the scarf for my 12 year old son. He's at the sweater age, I think. Have enough of the encore yarn in the colors, I hope! October birthday gift..... well maybe.
BTW-Wist has pages of mostly free pattern photos with the links. What a find!


Going to Stitches East in Baltimore-must send money for bus trip and lodgings to Frogatha at Stitchykindathing. Going on a Friday overnight!

Can't forget to mention that Bev, my One Skein Pal, celebrated 50 years on July 22nd! Here's to another 50!

Many thanks, again, to Louise, the secret pal who sends to me. I did so much want to post the photo of the goodies she sent. The yarn is gorgeous! I made two terrific new knitting friends from the U.K.!

Also forgot to mention the fun I had at the Knit and Crochet Show at Valley Forge Convention Center in July. Have photo of Jeanie, and another two new knitting friends Marlene( through Jean) and Carolyn from the U.K.!
You ladies are lovely!

EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY.....

In this case knitting past, present and future!

KNITTING PRESENT.......

I started knitting this wrap several days BEFORE EASTER!! Yep- and it's about 18 inches long now......only46 more inches to go!

I'm working with Crystal Palace Kid Merino in 3 different pastel colors and Fizz Stardust in a beige gold yellow.

KNITTING FUTURE.....

This is the BUCKET O' SUGAR AND CREAM STASH I've lovingly collected over the past two years. Many colors to choose from and the collection keeps growing!!! Mason-Dixon Knitting is inspiring me to focus on knitting with what I have....we'll see if I can stick to the plan! And the plan is to make a heap of waaarshcloths and baby kimonos from M-D and also those cute little cupcakes from One Skein Knitting.

Check out the sites. I've posted my FO photos! There's so much creativity on display that i just love going back weekly and seeing what everyones been contributing!

KNITTING PAST....

These are MY Babes inspired by that fabulous Knitted Babes book. They were knit from my stash and newly purchased supplies. now I have enough fat quarters and felt to outfit an army of Babes!The plan was to donate them to my son's school for their chinese auction. He won them back for me..how sweet. Well, they're going to this year's church Christmas bazaar. Hopefully, the boomerang effect is thwarted this time! They were fun to knit, and I am having a hard time letting go!They are named Sally, Callie, and Ally. You do understand why they must go, don't you? When ya start naming them, there's a problem!!!!

Love my 2 U.K Pals from the One Skein Secret Pal Exchange! Looking foward to the August unveiling of who we all are...but it's sad too because it will end and it will be time to move along...sniff!

Would love to know what everyone thinks of the KALs for Mason-Dixon and One Skein. Drop me a comment and tell what you are knitting from the books!