Debstmomy's Knitting

2007-06-29T19:51:00.000-07:00

I will post more knitting soon. I swear! It is just so hard to find time to knit & blog with a new baby. Abby is growing so much!!! I need to post some pics of her wearing the knits I have finished. Currently I am working on a Dorothy Bag for my midwife. I want to knit more picky pants/capris for her. I was able to pick up some sweet Malabrigo in Everett WA, in bright pink & green. So Cute! I also want to make her a dress & a sweater for next winter. Spam me some patterns friends!

2007-06-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

Not much knitting going on when you have a newborn. Not much blogging either, only reading. Thought I would update with something, so here are pictures we took 5/26/07 of our new family. Enjoy.

2007-04-27T17:58:00.001-07:00

Baby Abby

2007-04-21T19:30:00.000-07:00

She is HERE!!! Breathing & alive!

2007-04-14T10:36:00.000-07:00

Just a little announcement (to the few that do still read!), I am having my baby in 6 days! Holy Moly! Diapers are washed, soaker's are lanolized, clothes are washing as I type. Wish us luck! Keep finger crossed that we bring home a live breathing baby this time!!! So remember us on Friday 4/20 (no time yet!). Send many positive vibes for a wonderful birth & joyful beginning.
& because I love pictures, here is a belly painting & some of a soaker I made.
(Paul if you are reading I used 2 of your skeins to make soaker's for my baby! Pictures to be posted later!)

ETA: Here is the wonderful yarn I received from Paul from the dye-o-rama swap last year. They both knitted up into a beautiful color way. I was going to donate the one on the left, but it is SO beautiful I kept if for myself!!!!! I could not part with it! Thanks Paul so much!!! I will think of you every time I put them on my baby.& if I have a girl, I will use the last skein to make another one!

2007-03-12T11:07:00.000-07:00

How about some knitting talk??? It has been awhile. I did finally start knitting for the baby that is due in 49 DAYS!!

I made the yellow outfit first. It is LTK picky pants, LTK Mocs (that I am not going to felt), and a hat that I made up along the way. I have never made a baby hat before, I hope it works. I have a t-shirt that I am either going to embroider or paint on to bring this baby home in. The turquoise soaker is Warm Heart Woollies soaker, which is the pattern I used for Alexa's soaker. Both these things are made of Morehouse Moreno which is just ok. The mint green is LTK Picky Shorts in medium, and the booties again are LTK mocs, not felted. These are made of Malabrigo which is DIVINE!!! (Anyone know of a good internet source?? I no longer go to my LYS since the scolded my friend for breastfeeding there.)

Lastly is again, LTK Picky shorts in yarn I dyed last week. I think it turned out GREAT! It looks like a watermelon or cherry color. I used Kool-Aid to dye with, Fruit Punch with Cherry. Only thing is this Vermont yarn is pretty scratchy. I am hoping once I wash with mild detergent & lanolin it will will soften up. Any other ideas on softening up this yarn???

Lastly my Grandma turned 89 years old last friday. Here she is with my kids. I want to be so young & healthy when I am 89!!!!!!!!

2007-02-27T16:59:00.000-08:00

Did y'all know that you can make homemade microwave popcorn???? I had no idea!!! So cool, so cheap, so YUMMY!!!
1/4 cup popcorn
1 tsp oil
1 tsp salt
1 brown lunch bag
2 staples

Put popcorn, oil & salt into bag. Shake. Staple shut. Cook on high for 3-5 mins (until popping slows down) Open & enjoy! Add butter & other seasonings if that floats your boat!
Wow, had no idea!!!! I have not purchased Micro popcorn in years....stuff in those bags will kill you, full of hydrogenated oils & trans fats up the ying yang! (yes this big girl avoids those evils!!!) So when I make pop corn I had to drag out the pot & cook it over the stove. No more! & clean up is the best....throw it in the trash. Woot Woot!!!!

2007-02-04T12:41:00.000-08:00

Not much knitting news, other than making a few wooly pants for some babies that have come into my life. Not sure when I will start knitting for my new baby.....I am just to nervous for that. Maybe when I hit 30 weeks (which is only 2.5 weeks away, oey vey!!!). You can sort of see baby bump in the above photo that was taken around New Years. I will post a knitting pic soon.

2007-01-06T09:48:00.000-08:00

My SIL had a baby boy this week. He has spent some (unecessary) time in the NICU. Here is pic I like.

2007-01-02T12:14:00.000-08:00

I have read a few blogs where bloggers are posting a pic a day in 2007. I am gonna try. Here is today's pic.
This is east Citrus Ave, looking onto Crafton Hills. One of the few classic, old time streets left in Redlands CA.

2006-12-31T22:09:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!!! Wow I have not blogged in awhile. December was a good month for us. I did get quite a bit of yarn work done. A scarf, a purse, a good sale at my LYS. The holidays were nice for my family. Tonight is quiet. I did get new camera for Christmas & I christened it today. Check out my beautiful family. Happy New Year to my internet friends. May 2007 be the best ever for us all.

12/31/06

2006-11-29T09:48:00.000-08:00

Wow, I just looked at my blog & it has been awhile since I have posted. I have made a couple things, so I will start off with some pics. Who doesn't love blog pics???

On the left is a "fertility" scarf for a MOA mama who is trying so damn hard, it is not fair. (It was my first crochet project in years!!) The right is LTK Oh'alls for a MOA mama due any day. I plan to get them in the mail today. I detest the post office but I will get there soon.

We are busy fishes here in the Salmon house. I had another pg scare last week so Turkey Day was cancelled so the kids trekked to Santa Maria with Grandma to spend it up there. I must say the time with just my husband was grand. I know when we have an empty nest it will be great, as we enjoy each others company so much. Tomorrow is our 15 year anniversay, and what a ride it has been. But the best ever & I am so grateful for all we have.

Keep positive vibes coming for the new Salmon growing inside me. I need them & draw support from them. I am now on week 16 for the 2nd time, as each US has shown me a week behind. I saw the peri (the special pregnancy doc) last week, and all looks good. Yeah!

What shall I craft next??? Felted Tea Cozy for Mom, or Scarf for sister?

2006-11-11T09:01:00.000-08:00

I started a baby gift for a dear MOA mama. She is due in 3 weeks so I hope to finish it this weekend & get it mailed to her. I am making LTK Oh'alls in red & white for the holidays. I will post a pic when I get it finished. Until then you can look @ the other thing I am busy creating.

2006-11-08T16:13:00.000-08:00

YEAH! The Dems have won!!!!!

2006-11-07T10:58:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder to

GO VOTE!!!!!

Your freedom depends on it!!!!!

2006-10-24T11:18:00.000-07:00

I have been knitting quite a bit, now that I am on a modified bed rest. (Had a very scary pregnancy incident this last weekend, but baby is alive! Got to see the bean on US, moving & wiggling! Keep prayers coming!)
So knitting, I have been busy knitting birthday presents for my friends. They are the fiber trend felted mocs. So the question is, do I felt before I give? Or give with felting instructions? Or invite myself over to their homes for lunch & felt in their presence? What would you do???????

2006-10-16T08:41:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to ME!
Happy Birthday to ME!
Happy Birthday Dear, ME!!!
Happy Birthday to ME!

Wow, 37. How can it be? Overall, my life is good. I like the wisdom I gain each year, hate the gray hair (but a good hairdresser can fix it!) For my birthday wish is that I get to see this baby growing inside me grow up & live a wonderful life.

2006-10-15T11:59:00.000-07:00

Hello All!!! I am still trekking away. I am 11 weeks pregnant & doing ok. I fight the fear, but I think that will be with me until I am holding a live breathing baby! My son is doing much MUCH better. He is back in school & playing sports again. I am also knitting again, which I think is keeping me sane. I went to the yarn deli (website should be up soon!) two times this past week to sit, knit & be. It was so nice. I only have one pic of what I worked on, The McPurlBigBottom. This is a cool, easy purse from the crochet dude. Here it is:

I am just about finished the the modified dorothy & I started another pair of socks. (Still tring to find the sock love!) I am using the yarn from dye-o-rama from my blog bud, Paul & when I get a few more inches done, I shall post a pic.

Lastly, Crazy Aunt Purl posted a Four Things About me thingy, so I thought I would do it. Join in if you feel the four things love!!!!

Four Jobs I have had:
Customer Service Rep for a major utility
Doula
Receptionist
Wife & Mother

Four Movies I can watch over & over
I am pretty boring when it comes to movies.
Pretty Woman
Harry Potter movies
Hell, I don't know...what ever is on I guess.

Four Places I have lived.
Boring again, only in CA
Lancaster, CA
Redlands, CA
Yucaipa CA
Duarte CA

Four TV shows I watch
Hard to pick only 4, TIVO is my new BF! LOL!
CSI the original!
Entourage, Big Love, Weeds & Dexter are my favorite "cable" Series
The View
Survivor, Amazing Race are my reality shows!

Four places I have been on Vacation
New England
Mexico
Canada
Yosemite

Four of my favorite dishes

Mexican food, just about all of it!
Soup if the weather is right.
I love a good steak!
Mexican!!! I crave it during pregnancy, hence I could go for a good taco!

Four websites I visit daily
MOA & MDC
Yahoo.com
Google.com
Pink is the new blog

Four places I rather be right now
I would like to be here @ home with my baby Alexa in my arms.
On a wonderful vacation with my husband enjoying each others company.
At Disneyland with my kids....all 3 of them, sigh..I miss my baby so much.
With my sister, sitting in her kitchen drinking coffee.

Four bloggers I am tagging!
All of you silly!!! That means you!!!

2006-10-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a big load of crazy going on here in this house! My son has been sick. Really sick. When this all started, I had visions of him being in the ped unit @ the hospital. So far that has not happened, thank goodness.

It started with an innocent boil that festered on it's own after a shower. Then it grew to 2 , to 3, to 5 boils! NOT GOOD! Hell, I am in micro right now & I know about bad bugs! So we take him to urgent care on 9/27. They culture one of them, give him a rx for Bactrim & an off school order with no end date (that should have been my clue!). We bring him back 2 days later, still highly infectous...no results on the culture yet. Ok, only 2 days..I can be patient. Two more days pass & we bring him back. Still no damn culture results, it is now 10/2. He lances his last 2 boils & cultures those. Keep up the bactrim, still no school until he is down oozing. That brings us to yesterday, 10/4. I take him to his primary doc, as I called to see if culture results are in. Nothing again! But he gets a clean bill of health & he can go back to school the next day (today). I am so glad, temporarily.
We get home from our afternoon out, he played with his friends & I had lunch with girlfreinds, and he crashes in my bed to take a nap. Hmm, that is unusual, but I am tired so I do not think of it. My friend & I notice a rash on his neck but chalk it up to his exzema being way out of control. (We had to suspend the exzema meds while fighting the staph).

Well Austin wakes up 2.5 hours later & is burning up with a 102.9 fever. Then this hideous rash appears all over his upper torso & on his thighs. What the hell! Wasn't he just in the doc's office & just fine??? Well I am worried. Really worried. What if this staph infection is now systemic??? We decided to take him to the ER, not urgent care because that damn lab keeps screwing up! So off to the ER we go & thank goodness it is pretty empty. They get him right in. His fever is down a bit, due to the advil I gave him. He looks awful. He is red as a beet & his rash as grown & he feels awful. He moaned the whole way there. He said he felt like he was going to die....my poor baby. They take blood & urine cultures & they are negative. They think either it is a reaction to the Bactrim or viral. We get home just before midnight.

I called my doc this morning. He thinks it is a reaction too. I was sceptical since he has been on this for 9 days now, but he states you can react up to a week after a medicine. He says to forgo the last 2 doses of Bactrim & watch his fever this weekend. The cultures taken 10/2 are in & there was just scant growth so he feels he has had enough to kill the staph. His immune system has just been through the ringer. My son looks horrible. His cheeks look like he has been slapped, with a rash everywhere eles. Oh, I did ask about how this would effect the new gestating baby, they said it shouldn't. That made me feel better too. I just want my son better. My kids are not sickly. They see the doc once a year for physicals only. This is draining.

2006-10-04T17:11:00.000-07:00

This is so me!

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times...

You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings

Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you

What Season Are You?

It got me right!

2006-09-29T11:56:00.000-07:00

I am a bad, not bad ass, but a bad knitter bloger. I have not started anything new is such a long time. I think I need to. Thing is, I am a one project at a time knitter. It drives me nuts to have more then one thing going at a time. Like, it is so not fair to work on one project while the other is just sitting waiting in the bag. It's feeling will get hurt, yk? CRAZY!!!
So I am still working on my daughters dorothy, but it is almost done. Pics will follow. What should I consider starting on next? Part of me wants to make something for this baby. BUT then that freaks me out!!!! Superstition comes back to haunt me! Perhaps if I make it to halloween, then I will pull out yarn needles for the baby? Again, I am CRAZY!
I have a shitty cold. Do you think knitting can help that? Maybe I could make a nose cozy!!! LOL!

2006-09-26T22:10:00.000-07:00

I have not really been knitting much due to school. I do carry around a WIP, but it only gets a few rows each day. The WIP is a modified dorothy for my daughter. I did sign up to knit some squares for Crazy Aunt Purl's Grandma. I am actually looking foward to using my knitter's reference book to come up with something original. However, it will have to wait until my exam is over next monday.

2006-09-18T09:28:00.000-07:00

Well I blew that exam. Oh well, what can ya do? I will do better on Exam 2. Chemistry & I do not like each other & there is no chemistry on the next exam!
One test I did pass was this one.

It has two lines, like || with a package coming the first week of May 07. We just pray it is alive & breathing this time.

2006-09-10T10:08:00.000-07:00

My daughters first game of the season. Lake Elsinore 0 Yucaipa 6 Woo Hoo!!!

2006-09-02T17:43:00.000-07:00

No knitting talk today. I have a HUGE microbiology exam next week. I will not bore you with procaryotic cells, flagella, or endospores today. But if you know what POAS, DPO, BD, AF, BFN, BFP, TTC mean, let me know. I may have a pic for you to look at. I am so damn confused, & it is not microbiology. Well sort of, but not pathogenic microbiology, like streptococci, and stapholobacillus can be. And watch out for Entamoeba Histolytica, its cyst will not get your but the trphozoites will!!!!

2006-08-28T09:53:00.000-07:00

Someone kindly let me know that my settings were restricted. I have lifted those...comment away!!!!!!

2006-08-27T13:21:00.000-07:00

Finished Dorothy

2006-08-25T10:51:00.000-07:00

Well the Dorothy is just about done. It is blockinng & drying as I type. I hope it gets dry fast, I have it in the sun, so I can use it today!!!!

I am not sure what to put on the needles next. I have 2 more dorothy's planned. But I was thinking something small. I have a friend I am doulaing for & she is due really soon. Perhaps some felted baby booties?? I was also thinking of making a sleeve type thing for my cast iron pans. Something to slide onto the handles. Anyone ever make something like that?

Dorothy pics:

2006-08-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

83 degrees....NICE!

2006-08-12T10:10:00.000-07:00

I am still working on the dorothy enterlac bag, but I am running out of yarn. So it may be bit until I finish it. I think I may start on a stripy booga for myself. I think could crank that out in a day or so. hmm???
Knitting will probably slow down for a bit, as I start Microbiology on monday. I am excited & nervous. Excited because I love micro & the professor raises Alpacas. I was not a knitter when I took intro to micro back in 04, so perhaps, I can get some natural alpaca??? Nervous because I will have to share Alexa's story once more. It does not get eaiser, but what can you do??? Just keep swimming!
Notice the new ring I joined. I joined saturday sky.

I have been enjoying the pictures from around the country & decided to join. Look for a pic later today, of a Yucaipa Saturday Sky!
For now, enjoy this new updated pic of the Dorothy Enterlac!

2006-08-04T14:35:00.000-07:00

This has abosultly nothing to do with knitting, but I am so excited!!! After a year off due to intense grief (& those will intense grief will agree, you have NO BRAIN!) I went back to school this summer. My grade was just posted:

Grade Course Title Start Dt End Date

Summer 2006 A SOC-130 Marrg,Famly&Intimt Relatnshps 06/12/06 08/03/06

Copied & posted from my transcript. I am so excited. I got an A! I got an A!! I still can do this. I am happy.

2006-07-24T21:33:00.000-07:00

Hello All!!! Sorry I have not update in a long time, but I have been super busy. Between working at The Birth Center, and summer school & house sitting for my girlfriend, blogging has gone by the way side.
However, I have been knitting. I knit an awesome Limeade purse for my friend. Of course I forgot to take a picture, but I hear I need to reattach the button, so when I do, I will shoot!
I have started working on my own Dorothy Bag. I really love this pattern. It took a little bit of brain power (just a little)to figure it out. I started it at my friends house so we had two brains to work it. The first pic is the bottom, the second is the side.

I have decided I am not a sock knitter. I keep trying & trying, and I am trying to get the appeal. I just do not get it. I have 6 skeins of sock yarn, I want to like making socks, but it just is not happening. I like big knitting. Big needles big yarn, makes for some fast knitting. But I will keep trying & I will take any advice.

Lastly, I will show the fruit of my husbands work. The garden at the home of my friend that we are house sitting for is flourishing (despite the damn rabbits! Rabbit stew anyone???) They come home on friday. We have really enjoyed staying at their home. I must remember to take a picture of the sunset before we leave.

2006-06-26T08:57:00.000-07:00

Well I got a new iMac...so I am now going to try to upload pics from dyeorama (which I think i over??).Ocean & Fruitloops What do you think????

2006-06-14T13:05:00.000-07:00

Two things have happened since I was absent. (Did y'all notice I was absent? Probably not.) Anyway....
Thing #1 - MY COMPUTER CRASHED! Not one second after my last post, POOF gone! Sinara! Adios! Gone. Blank. Nothing. Frozen in time. WTF happened??? I have no f'ing idea. Just gone. (We are buying a Mac...any and all comments appreciated on Macs.) And it was the hardest damn week of my life. Cause it coincided when....
Thing #2 happened. I have made it one year. It was one year ago, on June 10th that I said hello & goodbye to my dear baby Alexa. Can you believe it has been one year???? I can not. In retrospect, it has gone by fast. When going through it....it was the longest, hardest year of my life. One that I NEVER want to repeat. One I will always remember. My dear daugher Alexa has taught me so much. I THANK GOODNESS for the internets. If it wasn't for all the blogging, all the wonderful friends I have made, I am not sure I would have survived. I have survived.
I am still knitting. Next entry will be about knitting. I am crazy purse making.

2006-05-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

Well I have tried THREE times to update this blog with photos & my DAMN computer is not working with me. We are so in need of a new one....you would think with all the technology they would last forever!! NOPE! Oh well, until we get a new one, or this one starts to behave, or I figure out another way to load them here this blog will be picture less for awhile.
Imagine yarn colored like fruit loops and another the deep colors of the ocean. LOL!

2006-05-26T10:13:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the no posts (as if anyone really reads this!) but I have been pretty busy. I started a new job at our local Birth Center. I love it. Surprise! Yes it is hard to hear birthing sounds, see baby bellies & listen to babies cry, gurgle, nurse, BUT I like it. I am surviving & moving through. So that is why I have been absent.

HUGS OUT TO PAUL!!!! My dye o rama buddy!!!!! He is one amazing dude!!!! I came home from a really long day at work yesterday and found a box on the porch. My husband goes, NO MORE YARN, very exasperated. (He has no love of yarn, he just does not get it) I tell him I SWEAR I have not bought more yarn from the internets (just the LYS.....shhhhh do not tell!) But then written in nice bold sharpie writing (nice penmenship Paul! very nice...the catholic nun would be very proud!), it says it is from Dye-O-Rama PAUL! Woo hoo!!! But the package is huge! Ok, I thought this was a one skein thing. But not from my guy Paul, he sent me THREE! Three beautiful beings of yarn. They are gorgeous. I can not wait to get my fingers wrapped up in it! But yes, it gets better. "No way" you say, WAY!!!! He sent me (now sit down) DARK CHOCOLATE!!! Not some piddly pieces, but DARK Chocolate covered pretzels & expresso beans. CAN A GIRL FEEL LOVE FROM THE INTERNETS, oh yes she can! But it gets even better, he sent Chester presents too!!! Yep the darn beagle gets love too!!!! Some gourmet doggie treats for Chester (who is much better.) So, Paul you out did yourself. Your package gave me warm hugs & smiles & a tear or two. Your letter was so nice. My daughter read it & wants you to teach her band at school! Thank you so much.

2006-05-13T17:46:00.000-07:00

I dyed some yarn yesterday. I like the way it turned out. I ordered a ball winder from my LYS, so I will wind it before it goes out. Knitty Ref, if you are reading....I just missed you at designer hand knits!! Perhaps another time. I LOVE that store...the owner is so nice. I will probably trek out there often!
Ok Pic time: Preparing to dye

Dyed hands! Getting Ready to cook! Setting the dye!

Hanging to dry..

Will show wound in about a week.

2006-05-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Well I guess the knitting funk is over, as I have been knitting alot. So much my wrist hurts! I will give the wrist a break & do some dying this weekend instead. For now,I will just post a bunch of pics.

The Knit Picks order I was waiting for.
This part is actually mine!
Branching out on some cheap yarn to practice with.

Branching out on Suri Merino. Very nice & soft.
A scarf out of decadance from the Knit Picks order.

2006-05-09T09:03:00.000-07:00

As y'all know, I am doing dyeorama.
And if you do not know, you are living under a rock...or just looking @ pictures on the blog & not reading!
Anyway, we have been asked to do the following Q & A. Here ya go!

Specific to this swap:

Your favorite colors?
I love many colors. I guess I like girly colors, pink purple, turquoise. But I also like dark colors as well, emerald, cranberry, navy.

Preferred yarn weight (Fingering, Sport, DK, maybe even Worsted)?
I work mosly in Worsted. I am just learning about socks.

Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn?
Depends on the project. Scarfs & Hats: solid, Childrens stuff: multicolored.

If your buddy is able to do so, would you like a variegated, self-striping, or self-patterning yarn?
I want my buddy to have fun & be creative. I will like anything he/she sends me!
Would you be interested in a wool blend sock yarn (nylon, tencel, silk, acrylic, alpaca, etc.)?
Sure....why not...but doesn't have to be.

Imagine the perfect colorway. What would you name it?
I am not creative that way, so I will list what I have seen. Sangria, which are bold rich colors. Ocean mist, light blues & pinks. Cotton Candy, Bright pink, light pink & white...

What was the biggest appeal to you for joining this dye-along?
I love dying yarn. I wanted to learn more.

General yarn/fiber questions: None.

Have you dyed yarn/fiber before?
Yes, a few times. I am still learning.

If so, what’s your favorite dye and method?
I have used Kool Aid & Wiltons. I am thinking of branching out into "professional" dyes.
Do you spin?
No....but did try in in 1988!!! In New England...it was so cool for this Southern California Gal.

Have you knit socks before?
I have knitted one pair....still on needles & I am gonna frog it. It sucked...I need to find a better pattern. Have a reccomendation???

Do you use sock yarn for just socks or in other patterns too?
Have not, but probably would...Like some mittens or something like that.

What are some of your favorite yarns?
I love wool..& other animal fibers. I like Noro, Misti Alpaka...but Knit Picks is more my budget.

What yarn do you totally covet?
Ummm..not sure.

Favorite patterns?
None LIke I said, I need a good sock pattern.

Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object?
Not sure.

Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)?
I like bamboo needles. Usually Clover, but I have Latern Moon too. & one addi turbos.

If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be? Wool...Kewl & Warm...all @ the same time.

Nothing to do with knitting/yarn/fiber in any way but seemed kinda fun:
?????

Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack? Chocolate...dark.

What’s your favorite animal? None

Do you have pets? What are their Species/names/ages?
One dog. Chester, the wonder beagle. He is 7.

If you were a color what color would you be? Pink I guess.

Describe your favorite shirt (yours or someone else’s) One that fits well.

What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature?
My dd, Alexa who passed away almost 1 year ago. She has taught me alot, even though I only knew her for 42 weeks.

Tell me the best quote you’ve ever heard or read.
I have 2. I used to control my destiny, now I realize I am not in control.
Remember the Past. Plan for the Future. But LIVE for Today.

Do you have a wishlist?
I do not have any knitting books, which is really sad. I just keep checking them out from the library.

Anything else you’d like to share:
I am so excited to do this. I am just waiting for my knit picks order to come!!!!!!!!!!

2006-05-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

I have found another bag I want to make! Have any of you seen this??? I I went to a new LYS about 40 mins away, and they will be offering a class to make this bag! I just love it! I can not wait. Oh & this LYS, ROCKS! She gave us free patterns & they do TONS of felting!!! On May 13, is their anniversary sale & needless to say I will be there. It is in Riverside, called Designer Hand Knits and the owner is nice & helpful & not at all stuffy. Oh I am so excited!!

Another bag I want to make is is an Entrelac Bag. So I am patiently awaiting for the Black Sheep Bag pattern to be released. This is the sneak peak given. I believe it used Noro Kureyon, so there is no changing yarn & no ends to weave! My kind of knittng! And it is felted....Woo Hoo!

Still, impatinetly waiting for my knit picks order to come in. Grrrrrr.

2006-05-03T13:06:00.000-07:00

The knitting funk is still here. I am not so patiently waiting for the mail guy to bring me my NORO, and my Knit Picks orders. I was going through my yarn tote & found 1 ball of Plymouth Yarn, Suri Merino. I would love to put it on the sticks, but I have no idea what to make with 1 ball. Any ideas out there?? It is white, & I want to dye it, but until I know what I am making...I can not dye it. Help!!!!

ETA: I found a pattern. I am gonna make a Lace Scarf. When it is done, I may consider dying it. We shall see.

2006-04-28T15:42:00.000-07:00

I have been in a knitting funk.I made 2 soakers for the conference & that is all. I did make my Mom a purse for her b-day & I finally felted it today. I do not know what else to do. Perhaps I should just ramble through the stash & see what moves me.
However, I am excited, I did place a pretty large order with knitpicks today. It was not all mine, but fun none the less. I can not wait until it all comes. Sad thing about buying yarn over the internet, is you do not get to have the touchy feely satisfaction. It has to wait.
I have been reading @ dyeorama about other knitters that have stuggled with the Wiltons dye being blotchy or just not setting right. I think, I only had that happen once, & sadly it was stuff I dyed for a friend. That sucked. Anyway, I will post pics of what I have dyed for reference. Get ready for pics!

Ok it is kind of splotchy, I guess I never noticed. These were pants made for my niece. I guess I should post those too, as they knitted up really nice.

Ok another skien

All yarn used was Patons Merio Wool in Natural.
Ok so now I need to decide, use Wiltons, Kool Aid or buy commercial dyes.....decisions decisions decisions.

2006-04-22T13:56:00.000-07:00

I have been working on getting ring buttons added to my blog. I think it worked.....I am so html challenged. It looks like outerspace language to me. Thanks to vegan knitting for the tutorial. I really appreciate it.

I have also joined I am pretty excited. I need to order my undyed natural yarn next week. I will use
Knit Picks If you have a better source, let me know.

Lastly, I will update on Chester. Boy was he a sick doggie. I thought we might lose him. He is doing much better. However I do think he was misdiagnosed & I will take him back to our regular vet next week.

2006-04-20T19:17:00.000-07:00

No knitting talk today. My dog is sick, and I am stressed!!!! So please think good thoughts for the dog. His name is Chester & we adopted him 7 years ago from a beagle rescue ( www.beagleandbuddies.com ) Here is a picture of the hound.

2006-04-11T13:26:00.000-07:00

Still knitting, which is a good thing. I made a quilt square for a little girl going through Chemo. Amber made one too. Check out. http://twowoodensticks.blogspot.com/ if you would like to help. I would like to put a button on my blog, but I have no idea how to do that. If you do & are kind enough tutor me, let me know.
I made Amber a cell phone cover from "Stitch n' Bitch" book. Very cool! I used 4 colors instead of 3, & I like it. Acutally I made two of them, as the first one was way to long. Then I tried to felt the 2nd one & the black yarn (which I dyed) bleed onto the other colors. I sent that one to my sister!
I am also currently working on the knitting soakers to sell at the conference in May. Here is a link www.lalecheleaguescnv.org If you know any breastfeeding Mom's they are welcome. So are nurses, dietians & the like. I spent many hours there in the past & worked like a dickens last year to get many vendors there. This year, I am bailing out. It is too hard to be around Mom & babies now, so I am taking a break. Sigh...will it ever get easier??

2006-04-01T09:43:00.000-08:00

I guess I will start with the bad new. I got fired from the LYS I was working at. The owner said it was because her manager will need more time off, & she needs to hire a knitter that can teach advance classes to replace her. What that has to do with letting me go, I have no idea. Seems to me she is creating a bigger hole. The real reason I think she let me go, because she hires a new employee(me) & 2 weeks later said employee(me) has a horrible back ache & calls in sick. A week later, said employee(me) suffers a misscarriage (back ache was beginning of m/c) & had to take a month off. She will never admit it, but I wish they would have told me, I would have kept the booties I knitted & gave them as a gift. Oh well. Fuck them.

Betterh knitting news, I made a wool soaker for a friend. I used the punk knitters pattern, link: http://community.livejournal.com/punk_knitters/110889.html It is a very VERY easy pattern, and from what I hear, it works really well. I used a double stranded 2 ply worsted wool, handpained. The ribbing & cuff is some Pattons Merino I had lying around. I checked the owners website & she does not mind if you make them to sell, so I am going to do that. I have another in the works now. Here are a few pics:

First is before the cuffs are added

I taught myself DPN's. I had been fearing them...no longer....it was not hard.

Finished soaker!!!
Lastly, I made some stitch markers for a friend. I think they turned out cute!

2006-03-28T14:37:00.000-08:00

I finished the Fiber Trend boots. They turned out alright....not sure abou them. Here are before & after. feltingshots.

Now I am going to knit a soaker for a friend. Here is the yarn I am using.

2006-03-21T20:17:00.000-08:00

Another blogger I have "met" recieved a craft magazine from the 70's. Well, lo & behold, I recieved one as well, from my Grandma.

The patterns are pretty dated & do not really suit me. But there is one. This long cabled coat. The pattern calls for toothpicks for your cable needle. Creative! Not sure I would make it, as it takes ALOT of yarn. But wouldn't it look yummy in some Noro? Perhaps some day!

2006-03-19T10:23:00.000-08:00

I am working on the Fiber trends booties. They are pretty easy thus far. I am using cascade 220 in lilac/purple for the m/c, the contrast is a hand painted yarn. They look really nice together. My only concern is the wieghts of the yarn. Both are worsten weight, but the cascade is thicker, considerably. We shall see as they felt...I hope it works out. Pictures to follow!!!
I need to finish a pair of socks I started too. I do not think I like socks...or perhaps it is just this pattern. I will not give up, I will not give up!!! Anyone have a reccomendation for an "easy" sock pattern????? Again pictures to follow.

2006-03-13T22:47:00.000-08:00

Well I finally picked up the needles again. I have not knitted since my back started to hurt, which was end of feburary. Ironicly that is when the baby died, when I had a dream of a m/c & then I awoke to a back ache. Anyway, I started to knit an amulet bag out of noro, to bury this baby in. I will bury it with Alexa's lemon tree .It is just about done, since it is so small & then I will start on some felted slippers for a shop model. I took the yarn from the store last monday & I have not started them yet. I guess it would be good to go back to work with them finished. They are here .

2006-03-11T11:19:00.000-08:00

I am no longer making that bag. It was going to be a "diaper bag", but since there is no longer a baby, I no longer need the bag. Thanks anyway.
Not sure when I will pick up the needles again. Perhaps soon, I have a Shop Model I need to make. We shall see.

2006-01-30T21:17:00.000-08:00

I want to make a HUGE GIANT stripey felted bag! I need yarn to do this project. I am asking for all my knitting friends for help. If you have some spare yarn, you know those end of projects, have no idea of what to do with spare balls of wool, could ya pass them onto to me??? I will take any color. Only thing is I need 100% wool that is worsted or bulky weight for this project. This way all of you can be a part of my big huge bag!! I will even put in a tag stating it was donated yarn!!!
So if you can help me, let me know & I will send you my snail mail address! Thanks in advance!!!

2006-01-20T08:52:00.000-08:00

Here is an "Action" shot of the first wooly pants in action!

2006-01-18T21:31:00.000-08:00

It has been absolutly gorgeous outside & what have I been doing? Sitting inside knitting. That is probably crazy to anyone living outside of So CA. My PNW friends are going onto day jagillion & something of rain. The easterners have been freezing. We Southern Californiains have been suffering with clear skies & mid 70 temps.
Ok enough weather. Yes, I have been inside knitting. Lots! I am building up my nest for a real winter! Just kidding. There is a new LYS & they need an instructor. So, yours truly has been kitting her ass off (well, it is probably growing due to lack of physical activity) to get some samples to take on friday. I still have to finish the Loopy Drop Stitch scarf (Thanks Aunt Purl, if you are checking me out!). I will post that finished product later.

Here is a ribbed hat I made myself. Loopy Scarf

Ok here are the LTK Felted Mocs, not yet felted

Rolled Brim Hat for Austin (Thanks Aunt Purl!)

Wooly Pants made for a niece. I just finished them last week.

And the last two modified sophie bags I made!

And lastly, here is the Booga Bag, felted

2006-01-04T13:42:00.000-08:00

It has been about 49 days since I updated my knitting blog. You would think I would have a closet full of kewl knitted goods. Well I have a few. Here we go! These are Holly's pants. I need a pic of her in them, as they are really cute if I say so myself! They are from the merino yard I dyed myself.

Next is a booga bag, made from Noro Kueryeon 153. I still have to felt it.

Here's an amazing beaning I made for my sister. I learned to knit in small circumference using the magic loop method in WA. This yarn is di.ve from Italy made from wool & microfiber. It is amazingly yummy & feels like butter in your fingers. I found new love! I went back & got more before I left WA to make me something special!

And lastly is a scarf I made for my brother in law. Here he proudly models it for me, showing his Huskie pride.

Not pictured is a few hand bags I have made for people. You would think I would remember to take pictures of everything but I forget. Happy Knitting!

2005-11-15T19:55:00.000-08:00

I have been having fun!!!! FUN I SAY!!! I love wool. It is so yummy! Sheep do not have to die for me to have this obession. I dyed some wool yesterday & I must say it turned out awesome!! I love it. Perhaps I will start dying it & selling it. It is something to think about. I need yarn $$. I am freely taking donations. LOL! Ok here is the yarn I am raving about. Hanging to dry, & then wound into a ball.

2005-10-31T21:19:00.000-08:00

Can I just say it????? I LOVE KNITTING!!! So Much!! I need to show off my stash!!!

Here are the LTK O'Alls. I made them for my cousin due in Jan. Too Cute, if I say so myself!

And here is my sisters Felted Double Sophie!!! Before & After

2005-10-03T18:19:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a while as there is not much new. I am again working on a double sophie for my sister in
University of Washington colors. GO DAWGS! That is almost done.
Oh & I SCORED on some yarn. Well, my Mom scored & bought it for me. She got me 15 skiens of 100% wool at a yard sale for $27.00!!!! Plus 3 skeins of yucky polyester, not sure what to do with that! Maybe make toys for her animals out of it! So now I have yarn to make oodles of felted mocasins & more sophies for Christmas gifts! Woo Hoo!

2005-09-09T16:35:00.000-07:00

Well haven't been knitting to much lately. Just working on some Xmas gifts. I finished my double sophie & thought I should post pictures. So there it is. In all its glory. Actually, I love it. It is big & huge. Only downfall is the cascade220 pils. ALOT. I am getting fuzzies all over the place. Wish I had known that before. Oh well, Knit - Felt & Learn.

2005-09-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

What kind of knitter am I?

You are interchangeable.Fun, free, and into everything, you've got every eventuality covered and every opportunity just has to be taken. Every fiber is wonderful, and every day is a new beginning. You are good at so many things, it's amazing, but you can easily lose your place and forget to show up. They have row counters for people like you!

What kind of knitter are you??? http://quizilla.com/users/larissmix/quizzes/What%20kind%20of%20knitting%20needles%20are%20you%3F/

2005-08-30T22:31:00.000-07:00

What kind of knitter am I?

You appear to be a Knitting Apprentice. You've got the basics down pat and you might just be falling in love with this hobby. Big needles, funky yarns and simple shapes are the name of the game, but it doesn't mean you don't experiment a bit, here and there. As an apprentice, you probably fall back on other people to get you through those rough spots, and if you don't know anyone who knits, you probably have a few books or online sources to tap.

Check it out: http://http://quizilla.com/users/sdamot/quizzes/What%20Kind%20of%20Knitter%20Are%20You?/

Let me know how ya do?????

2005-08-30T21:54:00.000-07:00

What is on the needles you ask?? Sophie Bags of course. I just love them. They are too cute & just right for a beginner. The fun part is the felting! I have 2 to felt at this point. I will post pictures later.
I really REALLY want to make this: http://http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTwomb.html but the darn Double Pointed Needles (DPN) are just not working out for me. I try & try & get so frustrated, I just pull it all out!! I need to find someone IRL to help me.
After I finish 2 more sophies, 1 regular, 1 double, I think I am going to move onto the booga bag! I can not wait. I promised to finish the sophies before I order the noro!!! I swear! (fingers crossed!)

2005-08-24T21:36:00.000-07:00

After meeting my friend for lunch today (Yummy Thai food. Note to self: Get there before the lunch buffet closes!), we trek to the LYS. Neither of us have had good luck there. Generally stuffy old rich ladies are in there, but today we finally got some acknowledgement. (I think it was my friends cute baby girl that did it!) Anyway, I found some awesome wool in beautiful colorways, but I was strong. I did not buy. Hubbie should be very proud! Anyway, I was showing them the bag I am currently working on & they notice my stitch markers. They are pretty impressed. Hmmmmm, so my friend pipes up, do you offer consignment here? The lady in charge of the yarn said what would I want for them, wholesale. I have no idea!!! A buck a piece, I don't know. They are not hard nor expensive to make. She said figure it out, so that I would make $$ off them & let her know. WOW! Ok where are those reciepts from that craft store???? I also inquired about perhaps a little part time job. They ask if I knit, well duh you see my work. I confess I am a beginner (as if they could not tell) but told them I am eagerly learning. They said to keep inquiring. Who knows! That would be cool, a few hours in a LYS a few days a week. I will not get my hopes up, as anyone knows me, this year has been very shitty & nothing has worked out, but hell, it would be cool.

2005-08-23T19:33:00.000-07:00

I am as giddy as any girl can be! Why? Because a small little package came in the mail today. Two more hanks of wool! I am so happy! I can now work on finishing a bag I started on my trip to WA. I ran out of yarn when I doubled the pattern, which was carefully explained to me later by my friend, that is really quadurpuling the pattern. So I had ran out, but ordered more on friday & it came today! Woo Hoo!!! Now I can work on finishing my bag. Here is my bag & my yarn!

Also here is a picture of sophie I just finished, but have yet to felt. (I know the picture is dark, but you get the idea.)Ok time to stop writing & get to knitting!

2005-08-22T21:58:00.001-07:00

So I made my first soaker. & It is gorgeous. I go on to make 2 more while pregnant with my daughter Alexa. The sad thing is, my daughter Alexa Rose was stillborn on June 10, 2005. She did wear her soaker once, and she continues to wear it in her eternal cradle, under a beautiful pink & white, cotton knit & silk dress. The bodice was the knit & the dress was silk. While I did not make this beautiful dress, it was perfect when we found it considering, I learned to knit specifically for her. She is also wearing knitted baby booties in her eternal cradle to match the dress.
Alexa in her only soaker:

As part of my grief healing, I have continued to knit. I finished a larger soaker, after Alexa died & passed it onto a friend. Now I am making purses. I love it!! I am still working in wool. I just love this fiber. I even dyed some to make that 2nd soaker for Alexa. (pictures below) Now I have this amazing yarn habit that is breaking my bank. I need to sell off some scrapbooking stuff to support this new habit. I am so excited. So this blog is born!!!

My next two soakers. The second one was dyed with kool aid. It took me four hours to untangle & then roll into a ball.
Here is the first purse I made: Before & After Felting

2005-08-22T21:48:00.000-07:00

Knitting. It has been around for a really really long time. I have no idea how long. Probably centuries. For me, it is new. I started knitting in April 05. My Aunt was visiting & I was pregnant. I was planning to cloth diaper for that baby & thought if she could teach me to knit, I could make some really cool wool soakers. (Note: DO NOT learn to knit by making wool soakers. Start with a scarf!) The first problem I had is what kind of yarn should I use. Well they are called Wool Soakers, so I think wool. I go to Micheals & look for wool. No such luck. I was smart enough to know I needed 100% wool, & they did not have any!! I go to my LYS (local yarn store, see I am learning!) & find some 100% wool. Holy Heck, there is all kinds of wool! Bulky, worsted, sportwash. What do I need???? I have no idea, niether does my Aunt, she makes blankets. So I go home, empty handed as I have no idea what to buy. I call my friend D. (She makes soakers & such for profit!! Amazing!) She gave me more info than I can actually process. Cascade 220 sticks out & I remember the store had Cascade. I go back. 1 hank of 100% wool,Twelve dollars; 1 set of addi turbo circulars :sixteen dollars; 1 package of cheesy stitch markers three dollars: My first wool soaker, priceless...
Needless to say, my Aunt did alot of the work on that soaker. She did most of the crotch & I did the body & most of the waist band. It was the most beautiful soaker. Here is the picture of it: