Good Monday

Good Monday
Good Monday to yall. We were supposed to put rocks around the bottom of our fence this weekend (to keep dog in) but it did not happen. The wind was howling at about 30+ mph and the temp was in the mid 30’s, so we decided it could wait. We may be able to get to the worst edge tonight. This morning, I ended up leaving them securely in the house as earlier I heard them at the fence barking and went out to find 3 100+ pound dogs on the other side of the fence. I shooed them away and picked up Sterling as he was being quite aggravating to them and we all went back inside. I live 10 acres in the boonies. We have many stray and allowed to run loose big dogs in the area as well as coyotes that get pretty close. I have 2 dogs: Sunshine – a 30 pound terrier mix who is perfectly content to stay in her yard and Sterling – a 17 pound Yorkie-Poo who has the nickname of hairy Houdini as he wants to be out and about all of the time.
Knitting content: I talked with my dad Friday night (he is enjoying his socks) and he was wondering who taught me to knit. I tried to learn on my own thru a book when I was about 9 or 10, could not quite figure it out. I had an aunt that tried to teach me about a year later, did not take. When I was about 13 or so, another aunt was successful in getting me to become a knitter. I also had some instruction in a home ec class in high school. I have knitted off and on ever since then, only picking it up enough to remember my skills until 3 years ago. I picked it up as a guard against boredom (I answer technical service calls and when there are no calls I need something to occupy my time) and as therapy to keep my fingers limber for typing.

Psalm 45:1-2 My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever.
Happy Valentines Day

my av

WIP Update

WIP Update: "WIP:

Fuzzy mindless scarf – very boring, hard to make myself work on.
Sweater from bulky yarn – in the process of becoming a shawl.
Lace table cloth – may frog and start again with better yarn.
Wool shawl – a few rows farther that the last time I reported.
Baby blanket – finished.
Baby sweater – finished.
Striped sweater – do not like the way it is coming out.
Double knitting experiment – frogged.
Shell lace bookmark – frogged
Felted hot pad/oven mitt set. – Mitt waiting to be felted, one hot pad needing one more crochet around, one not started.
CHAP – halfway thru one pattern repeat, may get frogged.
As of Jan 30, 2006

I've been quiet

Quiet Howdy. I know I have been kinda quiet, but I have tried to keep up with the reading. I seem to have no real direction with my knitting right now as it seems that whatever I try to do makes my thumb hurt. I have not picked up the CHAP for a while and will probably frog it. The felted potholder I was working on at the Denton knit nite and did the crochet around is still at the same stage as the crocheting hurt worse than the knitting did (and it needs another round of crochet to be finished). I started a new easy self fringing shawl on Friday, made from the bulky yarn that was supposed to be for a sweater. I am using size 17 needles and that seems to be ok for now. So that will probably be the project I work on till it gets finished or I decide to try to work on another project.

We have been working on the house to get it ready for a super bowl party for a group from our church. So far we have put up new mini blinds in the kitchen eating area (finally got rid of the yucky green ones!!!!) and cornice board (I think that’s what it is called) that I plan to cover with fabric. I also finally hung the curtains I have had for my kitchen for a year. I think I will be rethinking this since these curtains do not seem to be what I really want and that I cannot find them any more to get more pieces. We also cleaned the carpet in 2 of the rooms (they do not look any better, but they do smell nice).

The rain this weekend was really nice. There a few of the smaller cracks that have started to swell shut, but the bigger ones still look really bad. Sterling has found a way to get thru the skirting by the back door and under the trailer and out the front, so they have not had the benefit of using the doggie door till we can get new skirting that he cannot push down. They have the barn to hide in from the rain. So last night, he dug around one the gates and got out again. When I came to work this morning, he was safely ensconced in the laundry room, by himself. When will he learn!!

Till later.

WIP Story

knitting and other odd thoughts Yesterday was a red letter day as far as knitting. At lunch time, I unexpectedly had to take the afternoon off. So after getting home, I sat and knitted all of the afternoon. And I have 3 FO to report. I had been crocheting a cat bed out of the yarn that was supposed to be hats, but stretched and fuzzed something awful when I washed it - I finished that. I have a baby sweater that has been a WIP for over 20 years; I finished the actual knitting about 2 years ago, but had never put it together. I put it together yesterday. I also have a baby blanket that I started about 15 years ago that I finished up yesterday. I even did a few rows on my bulky wool shawl that I have been working on for at least 2 years. All non frustrating stuff that can be done quietly and without much active thought.

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.

Sterling

Cutie Pie Sterling



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

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!’”

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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.

WIP

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