Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Sweater Woes

knitting and other odd thoughtsOh woe is me, the sweater will be undone. I finished the knitting on the bulky sweater Sunday and sewed the seams last night. Then I washed it. The stitches all stretched and the seams are full of holes (not the sewing part, but the knitted part stretched out next to the sewn part). Before washing the sleeves were only 2 inches too long, now they are at least 6 inches too long. The cotton content of the yarn came out in globs. I’m thinking it will make a good shawl as it is quite soft and warm. And I so wanted a comfy sweater to wear with my jeans that was really casual. So does this mean that I can count this as a finished object from my WIP list??? And no, I will not post a picture of it.

In other news: I did all of my Christmas shopping Saturday for DH. I spent too much, but all of the things on his list were costly. But if he filled my list, he probably spent as much. As part of my day, I stopped by Simpatico and sat and knitted for about 2 hours. I also bought some Noro to give felting one more try. If this fails, I will list myself as a non-felter. After I left there, I stopped briefly at the Knitting Nook. After many more stops, I got home at about 10:00 pm. I was worn out. Sunday we put up the Christmas tree. It looks like it will be a challenge keeping the cat out of it. Before I had even finished putting things on it, he was trying to chew on the tinsel. I scooted him away from it several times, then just put him in another room for a while.

The temp in Decatur was 23 degrees Monday morning. Thankfully the water did not freeze. I think we will need to start running the heat lamp in the well head at night. I do not want a repeat of last year’s trials. I also think I will have to make yet another doggie sweater for Sterling as the one from the Wool-Ease is stretching out way too much. It is a good thing they are easy and quick to make.

2 Timothy 1:12 Because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

Friday, December 02, 2005

Sterling


Cutie Pie Sterling



Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Tinking Frog

Tinking Frog

All day long, I knitted away,
Making good progress, I must say
Then one row I decided to count
Then counted again, my dread did mount
I tried to tink, but was still one shy
I thought for a while, I was going to cry
I looked back some rows, still did not see
Where that gone stitch was supposed to be
So out came the needle, my eyes were agog
As I went to visit that blasted old frog

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

FO Pictures

Greetings. As promised, here are the pictures of my finished stuff. The bag has been felted. I plan to run it thru one more time, once I figure out how to attach the handles better.






The next two pictures are the scarf/stole thingy I was working on last week. I gave it to our pastor’s wife.









Then you see my stylin Sterling.









I frogged the shell lace bookmark and started one that was much easier to understand what it was wanting me to do. The shell lace one will come later, but right now I do not have the desire to figure it out.

Thursday, November 17, 2005

WIP Update

Good afternoon. The scarf/stole thingy is finished. Even the fringe is done. I plan to start a dog sweater in the round for Sterling. Hopefully I can cast on for it tonight. If I do not work on that, I will probably work on the raglan sleeve chunky sweater that I am almost finished with. I want to wear it this weekend, so I need to get with the program. That puts me back at only 10 WIP.

WIP: Fuzzy mindless scarf – very boring, hard to make myself work on.
Sweater from bulky yarn – halfway thru the yoke
Lace table cloth – may frog and start again with better yarn.
Socks – finished
Purse for felting – finished
Wool shawl – it is now cool enough to drag this bulky thing out and work on it.
Baby blanket (has been WIP for 5+ years)
Baby sweater (only needs seaming and buttons)
Striped sweater – do not like the way it is coming out.
Double knitting experiment – do not know where the chart is.
Scarf/stole thingy – finished
Shell lace bookmark – just started.
As of Nov 17, 2005

It is 56 degrees here today, was 35 this morning. At least today, there is hardly any wind. That makes it better.

It looks like Thanksgiving will be just DH and myself. We just bought a big screen TV (52” screen) so watching football will probably be the order of the day. I will figure out the menu this weekend when I go to the store.

Psalm 34:1-8 I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are discouraged take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears. For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear him, and he rescues them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

today

HowdyHowdy. I finally have a minute to type a line or two. Work and life have gotten in the way of knitting today. Over the weekend, Chevy (our Maine Coon mix cat that weighs 16 lbs) starting acting strange and going potty in odd places. We knew that he had a problem before with this stuff, so I got the rare joy of taking him to the vet today. He will be fine, but has a UTI. Too many $$$ later, he is fixed up and may have to be on a special diet forever. I am very thankful that he is going to be fine. My counterpart is not here today, so that meant the team lead had to answer calls while I took Chevy to the vet. Ah well, it is good for him to have to do that once in a while, helps him know what we really do.

I think I have 10 projects OTN and one in the midst of felting (it is not coming out the way I thought it would) that I should finish as much as I can sometime this week (if I ever can quit having to wash things from Chevy’s problem). My UFO list is as short as it has been since I got back into this a couple of years ago.

Proverbs 16:3 - Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Quick Note

knitting and other odd thoughtsJust a quick note. I have been knitting away on the bag to be felted. I only have a few rounds left on it before I can cast off. Since I am going to the Denton knit nite tonight, I will not be able to try felting till at least tomorrow. I will definitely take pictures of the before and after of this. I bought another skein of yarn for the scarf thing and will try to get it back on the needles today. I finally decided to do the shell lace bookmark, but want to finish the bag before I begin.

Isaiah 60: 11 Your gates will stay open around the clock to receive the wealth of many lands.

Monday, October 31, 2005

it was a good weekend

knitting and other odd thoughts

Good morning. I actually had knitting time this weekend. As there had been an equipment problem in DH’s section on Friday, he had to come to work Saturday evening to try and get caught up. Somehow, I still do not know how, he talked me into coming with him. So for 4.5 hours, I sat with him as he printed things, chatted and knitted. I was able to get the 4th piece done on the bulky sweater (from Knitting magazine) and the raglan yoke started. If I get some good knitting time at home, I should finish it this week.

Zechariah 4:7 “What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of 'God bless it! God bless it!’”

Friday, October 28, 2005

What Jesus did.

When I read this segment this morning, I knew I wanted to share it with you. Thank you Jesus for doing all of this for us.

Isaiah 53:1-12 - Who has believed our message? To whom will the Lord reveal his saving power? My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected--a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins--that he was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave. But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners.

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Only 10 WIP!!

Good morning. Now that the contest entry is done, (go to http://lonestarstateknitters.homestead.com/DesignContest.html to vote), I am not sure what to knit on. Speaking of WIP list, with the frogging session I had a while back and the FOs, it is now down to 10!!! I think at the highest earlier this year it was at 19. I want to start my poncho – worked from the top down, cable down the front, wool-ease thick and quick. I am making the needles for the neckline as I could not find size 11 or 13 DPN. DH has been a real help with this. They are ready for the finish coatings. If I finish my sock, then I can start the poncho with a clear conscience. And then there is that new lace bookmark (would be a good Christmas present) and it goes on from there. Sounds like the WIP list may be growing again if I let it. I started the decreases for the toe on my sock. I should finish it today, providing I get the chance to work on it. When that gets done, it will mean that my only portable project is the mindless fuzzy scarf.

It is cold here. At work, I have arrived to frost on the ground both yesterday and today. I have not noticed it at home yet.

Sterling has gained a new nick name this week – Hairy Houdini. He has found at least 2 ways to get out of the yard and it only takes him about 1 minute to flee. At least there is 10 acres before he gets to someone else’s yard. Looks like we will be having a fence fixing session this week.

Isaiah 50:7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be dismayed. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will triumph.

Thursday, October 20, 2005

finished stuff with pictures




I have the pictures of the SIL shawl. It is just a simple triangle shawl. Of course Sterling had to get his nose in the picture. Speaking of Sterling. I have attached a picture of him in his coat. He had been out in the snow for a while when this was taken. I think I need to make him one that covers his legs since he gets so much stuff on them. And yes, this picture was taken in Texas. The final picture is the purse I made from landscapes yarn, you know the stuff they say will felt but does not.














Isaiah 46:3-4 I created you and have cared for you since before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime--until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Finished!!!

knitting and other odd thoughts

The SIL shawl is finished. The pictures are in the camera and I should have them to show tomorrow (I took them last night but forgot to download them to the pc).

Isaiah 40:4-5 - Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth;The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Friday, October 14, 2005

Friday!!

Good Friday to you all. I am on row 107 of the SIL shawl. That means only 5 more increase rows, 8 border rows and the fringe. I foresee a finished object in my near future. I need to work on Edgar - It is my portable project, so I can work on it when I am about. The shawl has to be worked on at home only now as it is so bulky now.

Do any of you tat? Do you needle tat or shuttle tat? Is there much difference in the finished product of the two? Ever since I inherited my great aunts tatting shuttle (at least I think it was hers) I have wanted to learn to tat. I think she is my inspiration for wanting to learn lace, since she did some wonderful knitted and crocheted as well as tatted lace. I know that if she had been around when I was ready to learn to knit, I would have turned out a much better knitter and would have been knitting lace a long time ago.

I may be getting a new watch this weekend. My watch has been loosing time on a regular basis. The battery was replaced a few weeks ago and that did not seem to help.

Isaiah 40: 28 - 31 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Progress

Howdy. I managed to do 5 rows on the SIL shawl yesterday. The rows keep getting longer since it is a triangle shawl. Should be able to finish in a few more sessions. I have to work on it at home now as it has gotten too large to be comfortably portable. I also did a few rounds on my sock yesterday. My goal is to finish 2 projects before I start another one. But in order to do that, people (like http://tiajudy.com/seashell.htm - a shell lace bookmark) will have to stop sending me links to things that are so cute that I start thinking about what I want to make them out of. How do you think it would look in a nice bright green?? Or would black or hot pink be better?? My WIP list is now at 13, and I want it to be back to the single digits, so I cannot start one more thing till I finish something. Can you tell I am trying to convince myself???

I guess I need to go and knit…

Till later.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

WIP



I have joined a group to encourage me to finish the WIP I have started.

Ups and Downs

What a weekend. I actually had time to knit Friday night, and am on row 94 of 125 of my SIL shawl. Saturday we worked on our rental house. Boy was I sore by evening. Sunday was church. On our way to the home group Sunday night, we had not even gone past 3 houses and we noticed that the car was wobbling and sounded horrid. We had another flat tire! By the time we got back under the carport, it was off of the rim. The front tire on the same side is still leaking air, so we switched cars and went on to group. DH had to go another direction Monday and could not take care of the tires. I was able to go to work as a friend loaned us a vehicle for the day. So we had to make another trip to get tires fixed, which made last night quite hectic. Both of the tires on the driver’s side had nails in them, but are now fixed. It was really nice to get my car back this morning. No knitting yesterday.

I did get a chance to go to the book store and gaze at magazines. They had a new one (I think the name was Get Creative) that was really neat. It would really be a good one if someone was trying to learn the basics of knitting. It is an all around craft magazine, and this issue was focusing on knitting. If I read the info right, it is a fairly new mag.

I am making myself some size 11 and 13 DPN, but have not had a chance to work on them at all. I had hoped to do that over the weekend, but did not get that far. I may try to work on them tonight if it looks like DH wants to get more sleep.

The best way to go past the basics is to find a pattern and just do what it says. That is how I did my first sock. That is how I did my first sweater. You can do it!!

Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.

Friday, September 30, 2005

TGIF!!

Good morning, TGIF!!! I frogged my Edgar variation yesterday. I need to modify the design a little and then do it with a different yarn. To console myself, I cast on for a skinny version of Edgar (from Knitty). I did work some on my sock yesterday, should not take too long to finish (if I actually keep working on it). I think the cooler weather is inspiring me to knit. I also frogged the puffy shawl I started last week. It just did not work. I also worked 2 rows on my double knitting experiment last night (man I was busy) and want to get it finished. I am using the double handed technique on that, so maybe I need to try Fair Isle.

This morning, I was glad that my DH works here as it looks like my tire is going flat again. I advised him of it, so he will look at it before he goes home.

We tried to do some work in the garage over the weekend, but it was just too hot. It was 100 degrees Sunday. We did not get any rain, only a few clouds on Saturday. I was really hoping for at least a small rain shower as everything out there is so dry. We had to water the back yard Saturday to try to close up some of the cracks as Sterling got his foot caught in a crack, and whimpered as it looked like he may have scraped a toenail on the sides of the crack. He is fine now. The cracks are about 1” to 1.5” wide and in places as much as 1’ to 1.5’ deep. Sterling only has feet about 1 inch wide. Sunshine’s feet are a little wider, so she seems to do ok. We got quite a bit of wind Wednesday night, but no rain at all. Not even one drop. It did cool down to the 60’s.

I did not get much knitting done this past weekend. I read a book instead. I read “Eight Cousins” by Louisa Alcott. I think I have read parts of it before, but this was the first time to go all the way thru like this. I was a good read. They even talked about knitting in there, and a boy learning to knit too.

Isaiah 28:23-29 Listen to me; listen as I plead! Does a farmer always plow and never sow? Is he forever cultivating the soil and never planting it? Does he not finally plant his seeds for dill, cumin, wheat, barley, and spelt, each in its own section of his land? The farmer knows just what to do, for God has given him understanding. He doesn't thresh all his crops the same way. A heavy sledge is never used on dill; rather, it is beaten with a light stick. A threshing wheel is never rolled on cumin; instead, it is beaten softly with a flail. Bread grain is easily crushed, so he doesn't keep on pounding it. He threshes it under the wheels of a cart, but he doesn't pulverize it. The Lord Almighty is a wonderful teacher, and He gives the farmer great wisdom.

Monday, September 26, 2005

One Million

I have a question, take your time to answer. If someone were to give you one million dollars, what would you do with it? I know what I would do with mine.

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Wednesday (9/14), after work, I went to look at a cat to see if we wanted to adopt it. When I got there, I noticed that my rear tire was a little low and needed some air before I went home. I liked the cat, so got her loaded up to take home. By that time my tire was completely flat. The gentleman I was getting the cat from put the do-nut spare tire on for me. I was 40 miles away from home and did not want to try to go home with the mini tire, so headed to Wal-Mart to get the tire fixed. They informed me that their patches were to big to fix something that close to the edge of the tire, we can sell you a new tire, and by the way, your donut is flat. I leave and finally find a place to get the donut aired up and head to sears (where we got the tires, they fix for free) thru town as I did not dare go on the interstate with a donut that had already gone flat once. I get to sears, their regular tire guy has already left, but they state they can fix it. So at 7:30, it is done and I head home (over 50 miles away from home now). Remember I still have a cat in the car. I get out on the interstate, and the car starts bouncing and shaking and I think that the tire has gone flat again. The tire looks fine. It is too late to go back to sears, so I press on home. I had to run between 50 and 55 miles per hour all the way there. I got home at about 8:30. I called in and told them I would not be at work Thursday as my car was acting stupid. So yesterday, we went to the sears in Denton and had them re-fix the tire. Found that the first one had not rebalanced the tire after fixing the flat. Car is fixed!!

The cat is a beautiful silver Persian, 2 years old and only about 8 pounds. She seems like a really nice cat, which is why I took her home. She saw the dogs and the other cat and went directly under the bed, totally terrified. When I got home yesterday, I put the dogs outside and pulled her out. She shook for at least 30 minutes before she calmed down enough to even sit in my lap. If Chevy came near, she hissed and spat at him, but remained calm. So I let her down. She went right back to the bed and under it. She would not eat until I put some wet food under the bed with her, and then not much. I tried again to get her out from under the bed, and got scratched and bit quite well. So, Friday she went to work with me to go back to the previous owner. She needs to go to someone without any other pets as she was totally terrified at our house. I was afraid to keep her over the weekend, since she was not eating or using the litter box, and I do not want her to get sick.

I did get a lot of knitting in this weekend, working on my test piece to make sure of my pattern for a contest entry. I started the entry and should go thru it fairly quickly. I also cast on for a new project. I finally got my knit n style this weekend, and loved the puffy shawl. So I raided my stash and am making it from black wool ease with a strand of eyelash yarn held with it on the small needle garter sections. I can tell if I want to do much with this, I need to splurge and get me a decent size 17 circular. The one I have has black points and I could not see the yarn, so I had to switch back to my straights (which are too long to be comfortable sitting in my recliner).

Most of the cat scratches are starting to heal up. I found out Monday that the cat went to the guys mother-in-law, who also happens to work here. It appears to be a better match for the cat.

I finished off one of the baby sweaters (all I had to do was the seams and edging) and it is on its way to the baby it was designated for (she is about 6 months already). I have done the entire heel flap and all of the heel-turn on the sock I am working on. I will be glad to have it finished. I am not addicted to socks. I did receive a very wonderful gift Tuesday night. One of the ladies at church has been knitting and crocheting for many years, but now mainly crochets. She had sets of DPN by Susan Bates, very vintage (prices stamped on the case of 50 cents), very nice, that she was no longer using. She gave them all to me. Most of them are in their little zippered carrying case. I really like them. Now I should be inspired to do things with them. I may try a sock with them instead of the wooden ones.

In other news. The skunk has still not been caught, but the dogs have not been near it lately. They smell much better, but I can still sometimes catch a whiff of it on them. The skunk is mainly active early in the morning, when DH is not there, so depending on the weather; he may try again this weekend to find it. Until then, the dogs do not get to go outside until it is daylight.

Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

The bookmark is finished

Good morning. The dogs started to get restless at about 5:00 this morning, so I should have known something was up. I finally let them out at 6:00 and had no more than got back in the bed when I smelled it – the skunk was back. It smelled like it was just passing thru so I did not think anything about it. When I went to let the dogs in, I made sure to smell them before letting them in. They did not smell like skunk, but they sure did smell. I actually had to wipe Sunshine’s face before allowing her in the house to eat. I should have fed them outside, because now the kitchen where their bowls are reeks. I do not know what they got into, but it smells like a cross between garlic and sewage. DH has been informed that it needs to be dealt with, cause if I tried, I would have had to take the day off. Anyone for a skunk hunt???

The Denton knitting meeting is at Barnes and Noble at Triangle Mall from 7:00 til…??? After this morning, I definitely need some knitting time.

I guess I have a really bad case of WIPitis. I have 12 of them. I just went and updated my list (created July 20), I have finished several things, but only 2 from the original list.

The bookmark is finished. I even blocked and starched it!!!

In my over 30 years of knitting, there have been many times I have put down the needles. This is sometimes for a few days but has also been for a few years. I always knew it was there if I wanted to do it, but never felt compelled to do so. I do admit, it is kinda hard to figure out where in the pattern you are on something you started 10 years ago, but it can always be frogged. My latest knitting "slump" ended about 2 years ago. I type and use a mouse a lot for my job, and my wrists had started to hurt on a regular basis. I began to pray about this situation and since I refuse to even consider dealing with carpal tunnel, I knew I had to do something. I picked up one of my UFOs and by the time I finished it, my wrists had stopped hurting. I realized that knitting has a totally different repetitive motion, one that counteracts the repetitive motion of typing or mousing. So now, I try to knit on a regular basis, using several different size needles. Knitting is supposed to be fun and relaxing. If it is not, put it away and do something else.


Psalm 34:1-8 I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him

Friday, September 09, 2005

Today and Tomorrow

I finished the center part of the bookmark yesterday and did the first pattern rep on one of the ends. I should finish it today. I want to be able to take it with me to show off tomorrow at the knit out. I will be knitting on the black garter shawl for my SIL while I am there. If I actually get knitting done, instead of talking, I should be close to done with it tomorrow. I should have plenty of knitting time this weekend as my DH has decided to take a class all weekend so he can become a marksmanship instructor.

I brushed all three pets last night. There was a lot of hair flying around from that. It almost makes me want to take up spinning so I could make yarn out of it.

I do not like to do the s1 k1 psso so I generally substitute a SSK for it. This decrease leans the same way and I find it easier and less confusing. Now if I could only do that for the double decreases.

Proverbs 27:1 - Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
Matthew 6:34 - Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Luke 12:28 - If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

I DID IT!!!

I did it! I tackled the messy room this weekend. The yarn is all sorted and the bins labeled. I even frogged a couple of things so my WIP now stands at 12 (I think, not counting the 2 crochet projects). My DH just shook his head as the yarn was strewn all over the hallway and told me I was insane when I stated that I needed to go yarn shopping. LOL! I filled up all of the bins I bought and could have used more for a better fit.

I think I will work on the felted bag this week; I am almost thru the bottom and ready to start the sides.

Phil 1:6 - Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Friday, September 02, 2005

Today

Topic

Good morning. I am on about row 50 of the SIL shawl. I did not work on the bookmark yesterday at all. We plan on working on the house this weekend and I hope that I will be able to start the sorting of the yarn this weekend. Who knows what the WIP list will look like then! I was reading on Knitters Review and found this topic about If I could have only 10 knitting books/videos http://knittersreview.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=41767
The list was so good; I copied it for future reference.

Prov 16:3 - Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

spammers

knitting and other odd thoughts: philisophizing

If you do not have a valid comment, please refrain from commenting at all.

philisophizing

think about it

Where has the year gone? Tomorrow is September. It seems like the year just began. September means fall and cooler weather and pretty leaves. Will one day make a difference? Will we wake up and find a pretty red leaf floating down? The year is growing old as it slides down to its waning days. Has it been good? Has it been bad? I think that depends on who you talk to. If you ask the new parent with the beautiful healthy newborn, they say it has been a good year. If you ask the residents of New Orleans, they would probably say it has been bad.

September comes in the morning.
The year has fled without warning.
What kind of year have you had?
Did you find good or did you find bad?

pictures

Here are the pictures from the previous post. They are my finished sock






and that sock on my foot.






















The other picture is of preemie hat #4.














Isaiah 2:22Stop putting your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. How can they be of help to anyone?
Psalm 42:11 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
I started the enormous chore of sorting the sewing room last weekend with sorting my needles from the other stuff. I am not sure where to start with the yarn and other projects. I may have to clog the hall then reload the room. That may need to wait till this weekend. One of my goals is to be able to get my sewing machine back into the room and actually be able to use it there. It is currently on the kitchen table.

Don’t anyone faint! But I finished projects! Pictures are below. I finished my very first sock. It fits more like a slipper and that is fine with me. It was made on size 3 with Moda-Dea sassy stripes yarn in the color called swish. The true test will be if I actually make the other sock to go with it. The other was the fourth preemie hat. The hat is actually a really nice royal purple.

I started the bookmark again. It took me three times casting on to get to where I could actually knit on it. I only worked on it about an hour and am halfway thru the doily center part. Maybe I can finish it today. Who knows, that may give me a case of the good type of finish-itis.

It does not look like I will be able to get to the knit-out in Austin. DH kinda put the squash on that (although he would drive that far for a football game, he thinks it is too far to drive for a day of knitting). So, the DFW area one is the one I will be participating in. I am already thinking ahead to see what project I want to take with me to knit on.

My kitty loves to get into my husbands closet. If we do not see him around, that is the first place we check. Last night, we got home at about 11:00 and did not see him. I looked in the closet, and there he was. He had been in there about 6 hours. Boy was he ready for the litterbox and some food. DH is not crazy about cats (he tolerates them for my sake) so I think it is Chevy’s way to even the score by choosing his closet to hide in and his recliner to sleep on.

I finished the wool hat, for Afghans for Afghans, and since I was sure it was going to felt wonderfully, I did a small cell phone pocket out of the wool Friday night. It did not felt at all! In fact it softened to the place that if I had not done the burn test on the yarn, I would not think it was wool at all.

I tried to start the 3 hour wrap (http://www.woolgathered.com/3hourhug.htm) Saturday , but frogged it. I used Lion’s wool ease thick and quick, but it did not look right at all with a fun fur yarn. I think I will do the T&Q in some sort of a poncho (need to look thru the mags to find pattern). I think I will use the fur yarn with some sort of worsted weight on big needles for the hug (the fur will make it snuggly and using the worsted will make it wearable other than in the middle of winter). Today I am starting the shawl for my sister in law. It is just a simple garter stitch shawl in Red Heart Grande yarn. Very quick to do.

I found a pattern on www.chicknits.com for the hat I was trying to make for my dad. I will have to buy it in order to download it, so I will have to do that from home. She called it a bucket hat. I may look for a free pattern before I buy it though.

My questions for you as a consumer are:
1) Do you purchase a single pattern from a yarn shop if you see it and like it?..How often?
I do not remember having bought a pattern single. Not saying I would not, just that I have not. This may be due to my closest LYS being over an hour away.
2) Do you pass these buy in favor of a book that contains more patterns?
Yes, I prefer books. I am more of an impulse knitter, so books actually give me more inspiration than looking thru single patterns. I get most of my books either at half-price books or thru crafters choice book club.
3) What would you reasonably pay for a single pattern?
How much I would pay for a pattern depends on the quality and how much use I would get out of it.
4) Do you prefer to get free patterns on the internet and don't look at patterns to purchase a pattern at all? Rarely? Or will you purchase it if it screams, "MAKE ME!"
I love the free patterns, but many of them seem to be take offs of something else that I did not want to knit. I always check them first. I also look thru my magazines before looking for an additional pattern that would require a purchase.

Having said all of this, I definitely think that designers should be adequately paid for their work and that the price asked (first or second hand) should reflect the quality, difficulty, and experience of the designer. My “designing” of the hat pattern was a real eye opener as to the work that goes into even something as simple as a hat.

Monday, August 22, 2005

Good morning. I never made it to the knitting this weekend. Saturday, we goofed around the house then went to some friends’ house, grilled some dinner and goofed around in their new pool. Sunday, after church, I took a nap then went to Wal-mart and bought plastic drawers to sort my yarn. I cannot walk thru the “sewing” room for all of the yarn in there and since I want to start on Christmas presents soon, I need to see what is there.

My favorite books from my childhood were the Happy Hollister’s or the Triplets. I also enjoyed reading biographies (The Story of …….) also known as the signature series books. I collect children’s books. I just finished re-reading “Little Women” and started the next book in that series “Little Men”. I plan to read the entire set, in order. I had forgotten how interesting they were.

I finished the petal hat. The picture is below. I did this in the round and it looks like a preemie to newborn size of hat. Size 4 needles all the way in DK weight yarn. I think I have time to make one more wool hat before I need to send them off. I think I am going to try a size between the two I have already made. Once I finish the hats, I need to get started on Christmas presents. I have a shawl for my SIL to make plus what ever for the others. There is no use in planning the projects till I get some sorting done in the craft/sewing room.

I finally cast on for the third wool hat. The yarn I am using is unlabeled, but the lot from ebay that I bought it in stated all was 100% wool. It does not feel like any of the other wool yarn I have used. I did the “burn test” and it is indeed wool.

2 Tim 1:12 - For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Complete

I know, it is quite the shock, but yes, I did complete something. The first picture is the preemie hats. The one is not blue, but a beautiful shade of purple with white stripes.











Next up is the wool hat I have been working on, by itself and with the other hat to show the difference in size.













Then there is the double knitting I started.












Do I have to consider it a WIP since it is just an experiment??

Friday, August 12, 2005

knitting and crocheting

knitting and crocheting

Good morning. Thankfully the blister is on the ring finger of my right hand, so it did not interfere with my knitting (I use the first or middle finger for tension). I have about 2 inches done on the wool hat. I am making a smaller version of the ribbed hat. We will have to see how it comes out. I plan to do the petal hat in the round. I learned to crochet before I learned to knit. I still crochet on occasion; in fact am faster at crocheting than I am at knitting. I even have one crochet WIP (that should not surprise any of you!) which is a bath mat made from rug yarn.

Psalm 103:22 - Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everywhere in his kingdom. As for me--I, too, will praise the LORD.

Thursday, August 11, 2005

not too busy

thoughts

Good afternoon. Today is finally not too busy. We have had system problems this week, so it has been very busy here. Last night, we worked on the rental house as there is someone who may be interested in looking at it. I did yard work and wore a blister on my finger. DH worked on the AC unit, found that it needs to be serviced. That was supposed to have been done before the sale was complete. Grrrrr. Hopefully our A/C guy can get to it pretty soon. At least it is making anyone live in a hot place. I guess that will mean putting off the painting for a little while longer since we have to spend the money on A/C. The summer heat has taken its toll on the landscaping over there. All in good time it will get better.

I went to the Denton knitters meeting Tuesday night. I really enjoyed myself and want to keep going. While I was there, I bought the INKnitters magazine. They have one shawl in there that is really nice looking. I have been reading thru the instructions and am not sure I understand them. They also have a lacy scarf in there that looks like it would be really nice to make.

I put the preemie hat on the DP as it was a little too small for the circ ( I was constantly adjusting the stitches) and started another child’s hat on the circ. I hope to get it done quickly as I want to be able to send it to the Afghans for Afghans hat project. I think I will keep a preemie hat on the needles so I will always have a mindless project to work on. I enjoy the double knitting, but I can only do a couple of rows at a time as my left hand is not used to the two handed knitting. I will try to remember to take a picture of it for all of you. I plan to start the petal hat as soon as I get one of these hats I am making now off of the needle.

Psalm 103:1-5 Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Quick Note

thoughts

Quick note. I have had a very busy day. I still plan to go to the Denton knit thing at Barnes and Noble. I figure it is the only way I will have any knitting time today. I tried to work on my double knitting last night, but the color changes are really bugging me. So till tomorrow..

Psalm 147:11 - The Lord's delight is in those who honor him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Monday, August 08, 2005

It was a good weekend

thoughts

Good morning. I actually had time to knit this weekend. I did 4 rows on my lace tablecloth. I did not have my good cable needed at home, so I had to use a dp for that. I wanted to do more, but the dp was too awkward. It is in my purse to be taken home today. I have no idea why it was here at work. Once I had to put that away, I worked on the bulky sweater and got the third piece up to the armholes. One more piece on that and I can do the shoulder sections. I watched Knitty Gritty (http://www.diynet.com/diy/shows_dkng/0,2044,DIY_18180,00.html) on Saturday and was fascinated by the double knitting. So yesterday, I charted a simple heart and found some contrasting yarn and started. I have done about 10 rows and it seems to be going fairly well. I have almost mastered the two handed knitting style and seem to be changing colors almost ok. I did notice some loose parts at the color change. It is definitely not for beginners or the faint of heart. It looks like it would be a good technique to use to make potholders since things come out so thick.

I think I spent the rest of the weekend sleeping!! We did not even leave the property on Saturday we were both so tired from going to convention. All in all, it was a very good weekend.

Our last night at convention was Friday. Kenneth spoke and tied together the things we had heard during the week. I have not heard a report from Saturday, but I am sure it was great.

Deut 6:4-5 - Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Matt 22: 36-40 - Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Friday, August 05, 2005

Staff Day

thoughts

I knitted about an inch on preemie hat #3 yesterday. My body is tired from all of the sitting and walking this week. I think I will sleep a lot tomorrow morning.

We have not smelled the skunk too much the past couple of days, so hopefully that means it has moved on.

Convention is almost over. Yesterday was staff day and was a blessing. The thing that I remember most from yesterday was the admonition to not quit. Remember that Joseph, while he was sitting in the prison in Egypt, did not know he was getting ready to be brought out and made the second most powerful person in all of Egypt. He did not know this even 15 minutes before it happened. So if we give up, we may be quitting just a few minutes before everything changes for the better.

Jesse talked about the difference between materialism and manifestation. Manifestation acknowledges God as the source, where materialism gains by the misfortunes of others.

Creflo talked more about true prosperity and how we should have the attitude toward God of “I love you, therefore I am willing to obey your word and not my will”.

Last night Jerry talked about the hand of God. It references either his power expressed in judgment or expressed in blessing. True prosperity includes when the evil one has restored what has been stolen from us.
Colossians 1:9-12 - So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light.

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Happy are the People whose God is the Lord

convention thoughts

I finished the second of the preemie/newborn hats for the charity crafting week. It was so small I had to work it on dpn. The only ones I could find in my collection in that size that I liked were 10 inches long. It really looked silly having such long needles for such a small project. I have started the third hat, but am trying to do it on the small circ.
Convention is going great, Creflo spoke last night on the 8 steps to prosperity. Tonight is Jesse. It should be wonderful as well.
Psalm 144:12-15 - May our sons flourish in their youth like well-nurtured plants. May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace! May our farms be filled with crops of every kind! May the flocks in our fields multiply by the thousands, even tens of thousands, and may our oxen be loaded down with produce! May there be no breached walls, no forced exile, no cries of distress in our squares!
Yes, happy are those who have it like this! Happy indeed are those whose God is the Lord!

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

prosperous thoughts

prosperous thoughts

Last night, we discovered we have a problem with POLECAT!!! Yuck! I got home at about 11:00 and saw a figure with a flashlight and a shotgun roaming around the front of the house. When I got out of the car, I smelled it quite strongly. The smell of it woke me up this morning too. I hope the dogs can stay clear of the thing. I would hate to make them spend the night in the garage.

Let’s see, what else…..oh knitting, what this post is supposed to be about. All I have to report is a few rows on preemie hat #2.

Convention is going great. We are studying true prosperity. It is truly stirring up my memory of things I have heard. My desire is to grow in the Word this week.

True prosperity: “The God given ability to use His supernatural power to meet any need in life overwhelmingly” -- Kenneth Copeland.

John 10:10 a few different ways.
- I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
- I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
- I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

Monday, August 01, 2005

Convention Time!!

Convention Time

I did get a little knitting time this weekend. I finished my first newborn/preemie hat for the charity craft week and started on the second. I am using a very simple pattern from the lion brand site and Plymouth Dreambaby yarn left over from one the hats for my dad. The yarn is very, very soft and looks like it will go a long way on these tiny hats.

Convention is here! I hope to go every night and will be there all day on Thursday. Check it out at http://bvovtv.org/ch2.php or http://www.kcm.org and click on watch. I will write more about this thru the week.

Jeremiah 33:10-11 Yet in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted, inhabited by neither men nor animals, there will be heard once more the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord, saying, "Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; His love endures forever." For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,' says the Lord.

Friday, July 29, 2005

TGIF

knitting and other odd thoughts

As I sit here bored as can be
I check my email hoping to see
Some amusing note from someone afar.
I wonder where all the chatters are

Then I decide to write a note of my own
I know my poetry will make you all groan
So here we go off on a spree
Aren’t you glad that laughing is free?

Knit one purl too, round and round on the sock
I try to keep my eyes off the clock
The eyelids grow heavy and start to close
My head is drooping till my desk meets my nose

Oh my oh me as the day lingers on
I shuffle my feet and stifle a yawn
Soon the time will come and I’ll be on my way
Home for the weekend, thank God it’s FRIDAY!!!

Psalm 139
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Thursday, July 28, 2005

pitiful poetry

knitting and other odd thoughts

I look at all my projects currently in progress
And the progression of the progress seems to regress
So to my pondering pitiful poetry I do digress
To find the perpetual priority to redress
The things that possibly I can address
So to prompt the progression of my progress

Ribbit

knitting and other odd thoughts

Good morning. The bookmark has been frogged. I finished all of the rounds, crocheted off for the loops, got all the way to where it was supposed to be finished and had 6 stitches left. I fumed and counted and fumed some more. Looked at it, contemplated it, then went to bed. This morning, I decided to work it out mathematically as I was SURE the PATTERN was wrong…could NOT be me…but then it came out mathematically correct. Then it dawned on me……”-Chain 7, slip stitch into next 3 stitches- ten times” said the pattern….and I had not done the slip stitch at the end of the tenth time. I thought about tinking, but with all of those bunches of stitches, I knew it would never look right if I even ever got it back on the needles (it took 30 minutes to tink and redo 10 stitches when I had dropped a stitch very early in the crochet off round). So to the frog pond it went. It is now rolled back up awaiting another try.

Psa 138:8 You will do everything You have promised; Lord, Your love is eternal. Complete the work that You have begun.

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Lace Bookmark

knitting and other odd thoughts

Good morning. I started that lace bookmark yesterday and have done 8 rounds. It is fairly easy. It is the first time I have worked on anything with size 0 needles. I should be done with the rounds today if I get some good knitting time.

Last night there was a knitting meet up in Denton I would have loved to go to, but did not get the email till this morning about it.

Psa 135:1 -3: Praise the Lord! Praise His name, you servants of the Lord, who stand in the Lord's house, in the Temple of our God. Praise the Lord, because He is good; sing praises to His name, because He is kind.

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

It was a good weekend.

knitting and other odd thoughts

Good morning. My Saturday was filled with cleaning up our house. We had allowed some things to stack up. My craft room now has another stack of mostly knitting magazines that I need to sort thru and put somewhere. That room is at saturation point, so before I can put anything more in there, I have to organize it. Sounds like a good winter evening project.

Sunday, we had planned to have a nice quiet afternoon at home with a leisurely grilled dinner. However, at church, we met a family from Cyprus (not the one in California, but near Greece). They are full time pastors there and were here on vacation. They will not be able to stay long enough for convention this year since they are going to be ministering at a family camp in Poland. We spent some time with them and went to lunch with them. It was close to 4:00 when we got home. We really enjoyed the lunch since both of us have been to other countries and it was interesting to see what God was doing in another country. It always amazes me to hear about the revivals that are going on in other countries. We hope to one day be able to travel to other places and see it in person.

Monday I frogged the new hat I had started, it was coming out too stiff. I was using 2 strands of yarn to make it thicker, but the one strand (I think it is Lambs Pride) was causing it to be stiff. I plan to start it again with some different yarn. I tried to start the bookmark, only to discover that the needles I had with me that day were too big for the yarn I want to use. So not much in the way of knitting to report.

I am actually going thru a reading phase. The interesting thing is I seem to be re-reading all of the old favorites from my favorite author, Grace Livingston Hill. My DH is amazed that I can re-read these books, some many times. They are fascinating since they are set in the first half of the 1900’s and the truths they portray do not go out of date. It is kinda hard to knit and read at the same time.

Last night I received my Creative Knitting magazine (http://www.creativeknittingmagazine.com/index.php) in the mail. There are a lot of really neat projects in there. I need to go thru it again with an eye on the stash. Then I need to finish a few things first and then treat myself to a new project.

Enough for now.

Monday, July 25, 2005

questioning

knitting and other odd thoughts

has anyone even visited this blog??

Friday, July 22, 2005

Today's knitting news

Good morning all. I have set aside my sock for the time being, since the bamboo needles are getting “sloppy” and somewhat blunt on the end. I am going to try to use some fine grit sandpaper on them to see if that helps. I am only a couple of rows from being ready to decrease for the toes. In my knitting bag for today, I have yarn for 2 more hats and to make that doily book mark (http://www.artfulstitches.ca/bookmarks/spiralbookmark.html). I will probably opt for the bookmark. “August 1-7th is a special week set aside where crafters all over the world choose their favorite charity and they focus their efforts to making things that week for this charity. It's simple and fun and will help so many people in need! This is a 'charity crafting week' that was created by Bev's Country Cottage and it is not an Official Worldwide Celebration or anything, wouldn't that be nice?! :-) It's just a week where all crafters can work on helping others. Please let your crafting groups, online crafting groups and so forth know about this, and let's spread the good word!” The charity knitting week is also our convention week so I will not know till the week gets here if I am going to be really busy or really bored. Since I like to knit hats, I definitely want to participate, but it may not be on the exact days designated.

Thursday, July 21, 2005

knitting and other odd thoughts

knitting and other odd thoughts

We had our health screening today. Even though I could stand to loose a few pounds (about 40) over all things were good. My cholesterol dropped 31 points since 3 years ago and my glucose had dropped 10. I think it is a good start and I hope to make more progress before the screening is done next year.

Finished Object



Good morning. I finally took pictures of the hat I made. Chevy-cat had to get into it, so I finally gave in and took a picture of him with it. The hat is ribbed, starting with a k2p2 rib and tapering to a k2p1 rib. It should stretch to fit a kid of any size. The second picture shows the spiral top. It is made with lambs pride bulky on size 5 needles.

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Another thing about me, I enjoy writing poetry. You will probably see some of it here.

In the beginning....

Hi! Welcome to my blog. I finally did it. I have created a blog. Most of the stuff here will be about knitting since that is my current main interest. So, here is the list of what I am working on.

WIP: Fuzzy mindless scarf
Sweater from bulky yarn
Lace table cloth
Fabric purse
Sock
Purse for felting
Wool shawl
Sweater (too big)
My dad’s boonie hat (top needs frogging)
Baby blanket (has been WIP for 5+ years)
Baby sweater (only needs seaming and buttons)
Baby cardigan (only needs seaming and border)
Striped sweater
Small purse (just needs felted)
Need to start soon: SIL shawl (I have the yarn and pattern, could whip up in a week)
My fancy shawl (need to wind the yarn into balls)
Something for DH

Recently finished: 1 hat, letter T (small coaster made from cotton ease)

As of July 20, 2005