tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60173921613741036222024-02-06T20:24:34.410-06:00All Things Great and CraftyMy adventures in all things craftyBarb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-50930252585778625092017-01-25T15:01:00.002-06:002017-01-25T15:01:54.841-06:00Goodwill Haul!!I was shopping at Goodwill yesterday for basket for the schools silent auction in April. I make a point to swing trough the craft section as long as I'm there. Yesterday, I scored!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EpoMbL9FF-cI7HgF3vYDBs9h2zQ_X8dRZkQ1Lhy0N7rffITWERAjjtIUvfsEB0wTJBeNxgY3NdvWZitROzLsklSX1nJFMDjHyzkK8UrpVz_shE_XHZ4HvOCIqB94w0-gzfta8jxBN34/s1600/IMG_0313_LI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EpoMbL9FF-cI7HgF3vYDBs9h2zQ_X8dRZkQ1Lhy0N7rffITWERAjjtIUvfsEB0wTJBeNxgY3NdvWZitROzLsklSX1nJFMDjHyzkK8UrpVz_shE_XHZ4HvOCIqB94w0-gzfta8jxBN34/s400/IMG_0313_LI.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
The yarn with a label is Noro Silk Garden sock, Approx $20 a ball.<br />
<br />
Ball #1 (rewound by me) seems to be a tight twist fingering weight. Very similar to Cascade Heritage Paint<br />
<br />
Ball #2 (rewound by me) seems to be a halo-ey fingering weight. So it likely contains some mohair or alpaca. (Mohair is common in sock yarn as it lends strength and pill resistance.) Very similar to Mountain Colors Bearfoot.<br />
<br />
Ball #3 (rewound by me) seems to be a DK weight hand dyed. It appears to be 100% wool based on a burn test.<br />
<br />
So no matter how I slice it - it was a huge score for the $6 I paid for it!!<br />
<br />
Knit on!Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-24742052519819162662017-01-24T09:16:00.001-06:002017-01-24T09:16:45.173-06:00A bit dusty...Yeah - blogging took a back seat for awhile there. Not sure if I'll be posting much, but I have had the urge the last few years, I just never acted on it.<br />
<br />
So yesterday, in a fit of cleanliness, I cleaned up my crafting room. It wasn't completely spur of the moment. I needed a birthday card in December and realized I had pretty much completely used my stash of cards - or at least my stash of cards that I liked. Which made me decide it was time to rededicate myself to having a stash of birthday/sympathy/blank cards lying around for use when needed.<br />
<br />
And here are some of the results:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRk43EYUfd_LAy2JYHxU2XEUCwFin0hA9ihfFw52OcxC6Dhz1vJ76vGXMQLuxnusZ-ioE5e4z6cnvOP3s7Bh8nFAFtCUoRyQXdOZrhVkLqsmhYjRut-V0CG1K43V43dEMSo9pKnfX11pU/s1600/IMG_0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRk43EYUfd_LAy2JYHxU2XEUCwFin0hA9ihfFw52OcxC6Dhz1vJ76vGXMQLuxnusZ-ioE5e4z6cnvOP3s7Bh8nFAFtCUoRyQXdOZrhVkLqsmhYjRut-V0CG1K43V43dEMSo9pKnfX11pU/s320/IMG_0307.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabczTFR9IuB4_n8-qGtKBp5G8jQtQ5VXBbRJnWgPPHXsZexYG4QoOyCJdKWW6-Ba1-a7vUcGc7WNouEA_ScvBBYs9OoSXlB0XBih4AgwLnESJuExZzl2m40OVWTuK0HmGMR6boAw2_yg/s1600/IMG_0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabczTFR9IuB4_n8-qGtKBp5G8jQtQ5VXBbRJnWgPPHXsZexYG4QoOyCJdKWW6-Ba1-a7vUcGc7WNouEA_ScvBBYs9OoSXlB0XBih4AgwLnESJuExZzl2m40OVWTuK0HmGMR6boAw2_yg/s320/IMG_0308.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPEiLTf4XjFK8gO8c3B5jj0_JH4Fo1W9agV4UUOgsdwbCLtjEm1t_s7xaT5uNkqK0dkRYRG8YSqIJKm5j_eL2kMgpqnwhisRAYKq-BDsxXAB-HtkS1oIfWkVe2rw94lvi0JfHqRaopMY/s1600/IMG_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPEiLTf4XjFK8gO8c3B5jj0_JH4Fo1W9agV4UUOgsdwbCLtjEm1t_s7xaT5uNkqK0dkRYRG8YSqIJKm5j_eL2kMgpqnwhisRAYKq-BDsxXAB-HtkS1oIfWkVe2rw94lvi0JfHqRaopMY/s320/IMG_0309.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I'm using mostly old supplies - and it feels good to use some of those up!!<br />
<br />
And this last one makes me particularly happy. Since I haven't stamped in awhile, I thought that using a sketch would be a great place to start. So here is my version of <a href="http://casethissketch.blogspot.com/2017/01/case-this-sketch-205.html" target="_blank">CAS(e) This Sketch #205</a>:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpVIQevlDTIm_vYD53j52OR19uys3sVsCUCpvFFPzVVw-FBeyWunsaguXxlHuPMhAU_VNe-b7Kv5PyTMRh0VdXIz9i8gcYddQ1oeKHYqK3T7fPD9N2LXiv7p7gsdUnxvRTHAgbu8Lx8I/s1600/IMG_0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpVIQevlDTIm_vYD53j52OR19uys3sVsCUCpvFFPzVVw-FBeyWunsaguXxlHuPMhAU_VNe-b7Kv5PyTMRh0VdXIz9i8gcYddQ1oeKHYqK3T7fPD9N2LXiv7p7gsdUnxvRTHAgbu8Lx8I/s320/IMG_0306.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
And sorry for the generally crappy lighting/angles. It's early and a very grey morning. I'll try better next time!<br />
<br />
And as for knitting - there has been a TON! In 2016, I set a general goal to knit at least 12 pairs of socks - or one per month. Well, I crushed that. I finished my 20th pair on Dec. 30th! And I'm off to a rocking start for 2017. I'm not sure if I want to voice it, but I would love to knit 24 pairs this year - or 2 per month. Possible, maybe? And as proof, here is pair #2 for the year, knit for a workout buddy who loves funky socks:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQk9DRDjA47I-bJAwu2R5U3fmUvZw_jTboovnVk6ReWRBwq0neP9XR_6-5mw36jFCB-aubuHhCI58QpGe9sPiavu3opUDXCLh-tHObQl5s6BtvkIC-faBIIc6nXaZuF3onnkBrviJoqa4/s1600/IMG_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQk9DRDjA47I-bJAwu2R5U3fmUvZw_jTboovnVk6ReWRBwq0neP9XR_6-5mw36jFCB-aubuHhCI58QpGe9sPiavu3opUDXCLh-tHObQl5s6BtvkIC-faBIIc6nXaZuF3onnkBrviJoqa4/s320/IMG_0305.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Basic 60 stitch sock, knit with <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Hawthorne_Fingering_Multi_Yarn__D5420251.html" target="_blank">Knitpicks Hawthorne</a> (in the colorway Goose Hollow) on US 1.5 (2.5mm) needles. I added a 6 stitch cable to make them a little more interesting to knit. This is my new go-to pattern I guess, because my 3rd pair like this is on the needles (and it's only Jan 24th!!)<br />
<br />
Let's see if blogging sticks...<br />
<br />
Knit on!<br />
<br />
<br />Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-65002286684810493602014-01-04T09:53:00.002-06:002014-01-04T09:53:58.371-06:00NOT making resolutionsI rarely make a New Years Resolution. I have made a list of goals for the year in the past, and I liked that. So I'm going to try something similar this year, but with a twist. My goal was to come up with 52 "mini" goals/tasks and tackle one each week, but I was only able to come up with 47 :( I plan on printing this list, cutting each one out and placing them in a jar. I will draw one goal/task to complete for the week. There are a few things on this list that will be slightly dependent on weather/timing, so if those are drawn and can not be accomplished, I will redraw for that week.<br />
<br />
Without any further ado, here is my list:<br />
1. Walk the dogs each day for the week.<br />
2. No soda for a week.<br />
3. Take the kids to a new museum (one we have not been to before.)<br />
4. Clean out the junk drawer.<br />
5. Hand wash all of my hand-knit sweaters.<br />
6. Drink 8 glasses of water each day for a week.<br />
7. Bake something with the kids (they choose the recipe.)<br />
8. Try a new recipe for diner.<br />
9. Make an OB appointment (yuck - I'm dreading this one.)<br />
10. Read (or at least start) a book on my list at the library.<br />
11. No TV for a week. (This will be hard - just none for me, the rest of the family can watch.)<br />
12. Smile at everyone for a week. (Or just smile more!)<br />
13. No swearing for a week.<br />
14. Clean the base boards.<br />
15. Play board game with the kids every day for a week.<br />
16. Bake something "from scratch."<br />
17. Donate blood (or at least make the appointment.)<br />
18. Give the dogs a bath.<br />
19. Back up my computer files.<br />
20. Clean out the fridge.<br />
21. Defrost the downstairs chest freezer. (This would be best done in the winter.)<br />
22. Go through shoes and trash/donate the ones I don't/can't wear.<br />
23. Sort through my yarn stash and make sure Ravelry stash is accurate.<br />
24. Give my hair a deep conditioning treatment.<br />
25. Make 10 kids birthday cards.<br />
26. Make 10 thank you cards.<br />
27. Go through bookshelves (upstairs and living room); dust and donate.<br />
28. Clean out my closet.<br />
29. Work on only one knitting project (should be a WIP) for a week.<br />
30. Print out all pictures from 2012 - present.<br />
31. Scrap 5 layouts!<br />32. Clean laundry room.<br />
33. Try one new veggie side dish.<br />
34. Sort through boxes in the basement.<br />
35. Make hot breakfast every day for a week.<br />
36. Trim the trees!<br />
37. Clean craft area - get rid of unused supplies.<br />
38. Make a new cookie recipe.<br />
39. Learn a new word each day for a week. (And try to use it at least one per day!)<br />
40. No nail biting for a week! Use clear nail polish!! <br />
41. Do a fancy manicure/pedicure. (This assumes my nails are not completely ragged. If so - just a pedicure.)<br />42. Do a full foot soak and scrub 3 times in one week.<br />
43. Write a letter - by hand.<br />
44. Read an auto-biography. (May take more than a week.)<br />
45. Read a biography. (May take more than a week.)<br />
46. Read a parenting book. (This will be done in Feb in conjunction with the PTO book read.)<br />
47. Update all framed photos around the house. Some baby ones can stay :)<br />
<br />
Now, the real test will be to see if I can stick to this for 47 weeks! (But since I only have 47, if we go on vacation, I will be allowed to take that week off.)<br />
<br />Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-67603455906506957722013-09-28T13:37:00.000-05:002013-09-28T13:37:03.814-05:00If your knitting gets you down...make a baby sweater!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5NveM9c4UVPunlbcIQDdZLDC3MHjv0-MxhS4pDv3m13xJ0B4NfzXs6oxkNurfeSHqa3Fx2YBsAX-VQLxoqoGYngc-1WV3toTEy_KG3WKe3ckhl7rviqRRW8FgaSb5jQVVCGylmmw1rg/s1600/CoffeeBean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5NveM9c4UVPunlbcIQDdZLDC3MHjv0-MxhS4pDv3m13xJ0B4NfzXs6oxkNurfeSHqa3Fx2YBsAX-VQLxoqoGYngc-1WV3toTEy_KG3WKe3ckhl7rviqRRW8FgaSb5jQVVCGylmmw1rg/s320/CoffeeBean.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Honestly - they are so darn cute! And a super quick knit. This is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-coffee-bean-cardigan" target="_blank">Little Coffee Bean </a>(rav pattern link) knit with Berroco Vintage DK. The pattern calls for a worsted weight yarn, but I found this DK on sale and I know I like working with it. So I knit the largest size with smaller needles (Us 6 and 4) and ended up with something in the 3-6 month size range. <br />
<br />
This cardigan is off to live with hubby's cousin and her new baby. <br />
<br />Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-67985178236638533822013-08-17T09:16:00.000-05:002013-08-17T09:16:24.919-05:00My Sock DrawerSo I knit. A lot. <br />
<br />
One thing I always have on the needle is a pair of socks. I thought I would be knitting a lot of socks this summer but it turns out I was wrong. I finished just one pair so far. I have another oon the needles, but it still needs 5-6 hours to finish.<br />
<br />
Here is a peek at my sock drawer. This is 31 pair of hand-knit socks. I can't wait for fall and sock wearing weather!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiUJy1FTjkWldHpNOjZexmheKUXpAb1aoc6OHLMSr7UnZc1idwN4vcnyYgaYv8PcE-59RK-elWUZOfKstHilNVd6vDzQPu6tDL7NhvSEbTk3IB2f-MILQ-WxMTUlwUs6Jz5EIxUARO_Q/s1600/Sock+Drawer+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiUJy1FTjkWldHpNOjZexmheKUXpAb1aoc6OHLMSr7UnZc1idwN4vcnyYgaYv8PcE-59RK-elWUZOfKstHilNVd6vDzQPu6tDL7NhvSEbTk3IB2f-MILQ-WxMTUlwUs6Jz5EIxUARO_Q/s400/Sock+Drawer+002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-64543650448545975972013-08-08T09:39:00.000-05:002013-08-08T09:39:00.166-05:00Winding up summerIt pains me to admit that summer is nearing completion. I only have one more week off before I go back to work! The kiddos have 3 weeks and they are determined to make the most of them.<br />
<br />
This weekend we are heading to the cabin with some friends. The kids have been looking forward to this all summer. Since the dads have to work on Friday, the moms take the kids on Friday morning and the dads join us very late on Friday night. This works out very nicely because the kids love to stop at all the crazy touristy places. The dads bring the dogs with them, so the moms and kids can stop as often as we like...and we do.<br />
<br />
Some of our favorites:<br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://greatlakescandy.com/">Great Lakes Candy</a> - This is such a wonderful little store - candy of all kinds. They make most (if not all?) of their chocolate items. I've been given a little tour of the back room and they have the massive copper kettles for making caramel. So delicious.<br />
<br />
2. <a href="http://beaverbayagateshop.com/">Beaver Bay Agate Shop</a> - Our kids just love this place. They have lots of kitschy little carved stone animals and necklaces in the $3-$5 range. Very kids friendly - and they have a nice little museum too, with a large collection of beautiful <a href="http://beaverbayagateshop.com/Thomsonite%20Main%20Page.html">Thomsonite</a> stones.<br />
<br />
3. <a href="http://www.recreationparks.net/MN/st-louis/kitchi-gammi-park-duluth">Kitchi Gammi Park</a> - This is a great park just north of Duluth. We love to pack a picnic lunch and eat it on the shore of Lake Superior. The kids could spend hours here jumping on the rocks and poking at stuff in tide pools. Note to self - someone WILL get wet, bring towels.<br />
<br />
After the cabin trip, Gregory has a few procedures scheduled. Nothing requiring a hospital stay thankfully. He's having an oral surgery/orthodontic procedure done. (Extractions of baby teeth and bonding of 2 permanent teeth.) The second one is a plastic surgery procedure. The doctor has been wanting to do this for a few years (like 4!) but we were waiting for Gregory to want it too. He is having some scar tissue on his lip removed, the tip of his nose raised to improve his airway in one nostril, and a fatty lump removed from the back of his head. (Not cleft related, but it's been growing in size the past year or so so it's time for it to go.)<br />
<br />
And I've been knitting up a storm! I'm trying to knit Christmas presents for all of my wonderful co-workers in the main school office. Since I just do not have much knitting time once school starts, I figured I better get as much of this done before school starts as I can. Of the 5 gifts I need, I have 2.5 done! <br />
<br />
And here is one I made for me. A fun little project to use up as much left-over sock yarn as possible. It did not use nearly as much yarn as I was hoping. I think I could make about 5 more of these and still have yarn left over! (It's about 5.5" wide and 70" long without the fringe.) <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mini-mania-scarf">Pattern Link</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4K-NA0lwmy6VQK4QwuizMCSZVRFdgaam56qZ9w9TD0ArCgvq3F8pcoq7L99zU2pzxRF9jr6kCyPYybjMuiHGsOAeozVSUULeQa_H-6cFNvvJCgIHyJvNJ9jkdoQ6eXpcwRA2oi6QveKU/s1600/MiniMania+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4K-NA0lwmy6VQK4QwuizMCSZVRFdgaam56qZ9w9TD0ArCgvq3F8pcoq7L99zU2pzxRF9jr6kCyPYybjMuiHGsOAeozVSUULeQa_H-6cFNvvJCgIHyJvNJ9jkdoQ6eXpcwRA2oi6QveKU/s320/MiniMania+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
That's all for now - and I seem to be doing a tiny bit better updating this blog - go me!Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-818283402409243892013-07-28T11:34:00.000-05:002013-07-28T11:34:18.313-05:00On being forgetful...Sunday is grocery shopping day for me. I make a meal plan for the week, create a grocery list based off that, check for coupons and off I go.<br />
<br />
Today, it went according to plan until I got to Target. It was then that I discovered that I had forgotten my grocery list at home. Poop. I hastily jotted down what I could remember, hoping I wasn't going to have to make another trip to the grocery store. <br />
<br />
I did pretty well because when I got home and checked my original list, I only forgot 1 thing. Go me!!Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-22882410959497829422013-07-24T09:44:00.000-05:002013-07-24T09:44:39.578-05:00So....it's been awhile...Yeah - I guess I'm not the best blogger. Surprise, surprise. <br />
<br />
A friend and his family were just in town (Hi Joe and Trina!), and he mentioned that I stopped updating my blog. That got me to thinking. Maybe it's time to re-start the whole blogging thing. So here I am, trying to get it going again.<br />
<br />
As for now, I'm not sure what direction I'll be going with my blog. Since I started working (27 hours per week, school year only) I don't have as much crafting time - except in the summer. That may mean my blog will be more general family/crafting/school stuff. I'm not really sure.<br />
<br />
To start things off - here's a picture of the family taken at a wedding at the end of May. It's rare to get a photo of all of us together, and even rarer to have us all dressed up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIoab9Ix7ss73UOvoHH3cOuqfd0nk6u1wKxm67L32cjGPTHSTGyT0sGxsik-QuTtfBMTzHb9YjgMGe4s45FXCEXreKYXs4A2IT8l3cc7iCtWfwekjP_E-6vg8eMbiqTG4IJB9wvhG9II/s1600/FamilyCropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIoab9Ix7ss73UOvoHH3cOuqfd0nk6u1wKxm67L32cjGPTHSTGyT0sGxsik-QuTtfBMTzHb9YjgMGe4s45FXCEXreKYXs4A2IT8l3cc7iCtWfwekjP_E-6vg8eMbiqTG4IJB9wvhG9II/s400/FamilyCropped.jpg" width="263" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's not much of a post, but it's a start. Let's see where I go from here.... </div>
<br />Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-54108130232832261242011-07-21T16:31:00.004-05:002011-07-21T16:38:04.475-05:00Summertime funIt's been a busy summer here at Casa De Nelson, with still more to come. For now, we have completed our rounds of swimming lessons, took a riving trip to Yellowstone, and done plenty of cooking out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUyLwGGjEq2PuCylgW0LiLxSMUV5SqiRp9h89xaGqVTmWE3jyPAX1kbGPAZYc2DzE3rEcf4m3OBALUhXa4o9zmwKedyTh9XPO7QZ46kCaAYUrp-Z4wEXIhf5wmMiEVdjS-Q8sgUCmYOI/s1600/PTDC0210.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUyLwGGjEq2PuCylgW0LiLxSMUV5SqiRp9h89xaGqVTmWE3jyPAX1kbGPAZYc2DzE3rEcf4m3OBALUhXa4o9zmwKedyTh9XPO7QZ46kCaAYUrp-Z4wEXIhf5wmMiEVdjS-Q8sgUCmYOI/s400/PTDC0210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631922505082844594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gxWHQ-BKgoJFFT76UNSKumqlQpk4nr_oW6NkLC5x8td-bD0cTD1Gbhepyd9p8-B648jzc2kD4plyoGBEcfOmbgUxZ7ZGIiukwKo5beEsoob-51I2BK73cGV6_4IGCaV8RRhxZidKaOg/s1600/PTDC0189.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gxWHQ-BKgoJFFT76UNSKumqlQpk4nr_oW6NkLC5x8td-bD0cTD1Gbhepyd9p8-B648jzc2kD4plyoGBEcfOmbgUxZ7ZGIiukwKo5beEsoob-51I2BK73cGV6_4IGCaV8RRhxZidKaOg/s400/PTDC0189.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631922782227785346" border="0" /></a><br />Up next - Greggo's palate/aveolar ridge surgery and recovery, then the state fair. Then it will be time for school to start again. Whew!Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-3334277806875029092011-03-23T12:04:00.003-05:002011-03-23T12:06:29.820-05:00Sick of WinterI know that I live in a cold, wintery part of the world, but I am SICK of snow. The first snow fall of the year was Nov 13 (day of my son's birthday party....grrrrr......) and it stuck. And now today - when much of the snow cover had melted, we got another 6 inches. Blech. It makes for good knitting weather, but I'd give that all up for a few warm sunny days!Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-476448144908513062011-01-27T11:02:00.004-06:002011-01-27T11:14:31.150-06:00It's been awhileI've been knitting like mad, just haven't posted anything. I'll throw a few pictures here now just so you know I'm still here!<br /><br />I might be crazy, but I'm knitting an afghan for my parents for their 50th wedding anniversary this summer. I chose the pattern and bought the yarn last fall, but didn't start knitting until after the holidays. It's the <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/60704AD.html?noImages=0&r=1">Lovers Knot</a> pattern from Lion Brand. I'm making it an extra repeat wide so it will be a bit bigger when finished. It's a an acrylic yarn because it MUST be easy care for my parents and their dogs!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8Na6cuywzZPdB4VVkQ1vK7YOOWdkPE4DJoEIh5qg1aHgucuPXSoRXTjKfkJRaTPxXVK7zaocBH7qM1zYbtmx6fu7-k7cX-ds5iIVWFo6HGrMbpfVT-NY5-OFjtaA7BXZHR1qyW95a-s/s1600/Misc+Jan11+002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8Na6cuywzZPdB4VVkQ1vK7YOOWdkPE4DJoEIh5qg1aHgucuPXSoRXTjKfkJRaTPxXVK7zaocBH7qM1zYbtmx6fu7-k7cX-ds5iIVWFo6HGrMbpfVT-NY5-OFjtaA7BXZHR1qyW95a-s/s400/Misc+Jan11+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566912570751395858" border="0" /></a><br />Next photo is the first thing I knit for myself after Christmas knitting was finished (which, by the way, didn't happen until about 10:00 pm Christmas Eve.) It's a beautiful <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEss10/PATTannis.php">shawl </a>made with Kraemer silk and sterling. Yes -that means there is actual silver bits in the yarn. It's so sparkly and pretty - I love it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiZRDDa1FwBfHyDcluLnawzDnDdNwvsfoO-VZr8FGNntNGvwRR-plqf27_khIsWpcpw9D0r9tezUmlGa8TNr5Bo5CFDdCtaBWEyEabVrZNNnBCcwEWGRONWnaCY1y-IWp_rKcMu-nMSA/s1600/Misc+Jan11+004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiZRDDa1FwBfHyDcluLnawzDnDdNwvsfoO-VZr8FGNntNGvwRR-plqf27_khIsWpcpw9D0r9tezUmlGa8TNr5Bo5CFDdCtaBWEyEabVrZNNnBCcwEWGRONWnaCY1y-IWp_rKcMu-nMSA/s400/Misc+Jan11+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566912585709437186" border="0" /></a>I also finally finished the Patons Must Have cardigan! I made it using <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/City_Tweed_HW_Yarn__D5420183.html">Knit Picks City Tweed HW</a>. While, I love, love, love the yarn - the sweater is really heavy and it stretching out of shape like mad. I'm not sure if there is a solution, but if anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Sorry - no finished photo.....I've been wearing it too much.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8OiMlc7vqs1Z23KCIMqk403DZNmYWztG_3S3YXImf7lPg4XaOtxztWKconv8hInkOfqkdELJQlYEN16RBiAfCKutizcZ1Tr00TpRqDMbcnsArlNx7Zjn42LiUeYrAoqc6QglBy_Xd18/s1600/Must+Have+002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8OiMlc7vqs1Z23KCIMqk403DZNmYWztG_3S3YXImf7lPg4XaOtxztWKconv8hInkOfqkdELJQlYEN16RBiAfCKutizcZ1Tr00TpRqDMbcnsArlNx7Zjn42LiUeYrAoqc6QglBy_Xd18/s400/Must+Have+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566914561489150354" border="0" /></a><br />I've got a test knit on the needles right now. It's using a fingering weight yarn on size 6 needles. It's looking nice, but all the stockinette is getting boring! I'm almost up to the armholes, so I must be at least 1/2 done, right? No photos of this one yet......stay tuned!<br /><br />Knit on!Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-17864657143165138052010-07-30T06:59:00.004-05:002010-07-30T07:15:36.616-05:00It's done!Sometime I start a project and think that it might never get finished. This was one of those projects. I thought it was just too ambitious for me. (Usually I just end up stopping a project at some point, frogging what's knit and re-using the yarn for something else.)<br /><br />But here it is, my magnum opus of knitting:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7agDRG0wicfO_j5MCORRZPj56ZzJg9VQ3NHKMNytEuPztmB-NqnDAhRFZ5tLQfN36TrVPr1KAbx0ClFCvaabmCG1xKT6WrG1twYFxUKJpM9Q2icLg376I7I-HcDBnCtDyZLalUlOnv8/s1600/Updates+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7agDRG0wicfO_j5MCORRZPj56ZzJg9VQ3NHKMNytEuPztmB-NqnDAhRFZ5tLQfN36TrVPr1KAbx0ClFCvaabmCG1xKT6WrG1twYFxUKJpM9Q2icLg376I7I-HcDBnCtDyZLalUlOnv8/s400/Updates+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499668356764843362" border="0" /></a>The photos a bit washed out, black does that to me. I'm hoping to get a photo of me wearing it, but that will have to wait.<br /><br />It was a challenging knit, but I'm very pleased with the end result. It fits me very well and there are no <span style="font-weight: bold;">glaring</span> errors. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of errors, you just have to know where to look for them.<br /><br />I purchased a pattern for this, something I rarely do, but I really liked it. Had I known that the pattern was a bit "dicey", I probably wouldn't have, but live and learn I guess. The sleeve shaping was more of a "hint of a pattern" instead of actual directions, so you really had to be willing to let things be wrong/off in the lace pattern.<br /><br />Pattern: Myrtle<br />Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll sock<br />Needles: Knit Picks options in 4's and 5's. (I learned after knitting the bottom hem and the sleeve hems that my gauge in garter is looser than in stockinette. To make the neckband and button bands look better, I used size 4's for them.)<br /><br />Whew - it's done and I love it!Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-44697644018196772882010-07-23T09:59:00.003-05:002010-07-23T10:24:53.906-05:00Summer knitting.......is supposed to be for me! However, this summer I have found myself knitting lots of projects for my family. Not that I mind, but I have grand plans of all the fabulous new sweaters I will be wearing this fall and no time to knit them!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Recently Finished:</span><br /><a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATTfuzzyfeet.html">Fuzzy Feet</a> for Kirk - I've made him several pairs of these, but they do wear out. Thankfully they are a fairly quick knit.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2h7KesPoJo8jOaL9f9J4mAHqiUjXnqSqnTYQhvqO29_BGm3ntsuDrftKLuXsYpiFRcPt3hHN1I3QOr4LhbgUBGoeh2O3_IfTsbhwkPaBZC9cZ31d1t9oGJvrvIF2f7DFO9ZwX5Rlm-s/s1600/Knitting+006.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2h7KesPoJo8jOaL9f9J4mAHqiUjXnqSqnTYQhvqO29_BGm3ntsuDrftKLuXsYpiFRcPt3hHN1I3QOr4LhbgUBGoeh2O3_IfTsbhwkPaBZC9cZ31d1t9oGJvrvIF2f7DFO9ZwX5Rlm-s/s400/Knitting+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497118488965835618" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/haruni">Haruni </a>for me. I've knit three of these. Yes, I said three. I found a pattern I liked well enough to knit it three times! (One was for my mom, one for my MIL, and the latest one was for me.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleCaT004rIhfLYnFSjVoLhdPSg7l5hkA47OXgogiJjoXVF3aZJ50E9xWxGMseRLdldrTDzVKgLnp4RTEIem7-SKL3_REJeQDZWYgrDcDcUH163QaRj4Ahh16Qt9bbk4XZMwf6Q9dsD_Q/s1600/Knitting+007.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleCaT004rIhfLYnFSjVoLhdPSg7l5hkA47OXgogiJjoXVF3aZJ50E9xWxGMseRLdldrTDzVKgLnp4RTEIem7-SKL3_REJeQDZWYgrDcDcUH163QaRj4Ahh16Qt9bbk4XZMwf6Q9dsD_Q/s400/Knitting+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497118504582129186" border="0" /></a>And a close up. (And dang - is red ever hard to photograph. It's really a nice deep red, not the crayon color that it looks like!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSERk9k7fKXy_EKOi-vzqsflKIEu7Ufp6yyCpHYSX3ACN0Qp8XXjBirhZhiWqionEDs-SobjD5j0YjGrP2rHPGOytiPIcJpX3qcuNtCFIbMkcW5B2j93DprbwvWIkvcOH-uQKe5hJRFI/s1600/Knitting+009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSERk9k7fKXy_EKOi-vzqsflKIEu7Ufp6yyCpHYSX3ACN0Qp8XXjBirhZhiWqionEDs-SobjD5j0YjGrP2rHPGOytiPIcJpX3qcuNtCFIbMkcW5B2j93DprbwvWIkvcOH-uQKe5hJRFI/s400/Knitting+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497118513291120354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">On the Needles:</span><br /><a href="http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/WebLetter/50/Issue50.php">Cardigan set</a> for Miss C. My daughter has entered the world of American Girl dolls (so help me God!) I picked up some Sport weight wool for very cheap, so I have embarked on matching cardigans for C and her doll in a lovely heathered pink. EEK!<br /><br />My <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/myrtle-cardigan">black lacy cardigan</a>. I set this down for over a month because I was worried about the sleeves. I've made a few modifications and am now back on track. Sleeve #2 should be done today. I'm making pretty good headway on this one now.<br /><br />And a <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring08/PATTfrootloop.html">pair of socks</a>. I use this as my travel project. It's always nice to have a pair of socks on the needles! I've modified the pattern to be only the "loop" portion. I just didn't like the way the twisted stitch section looked.<br /><br />And VERY neglected <a href="http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts/knitting/knit_a_plus_size_bohus_style_cardigan.php">Bohus Sweater</a>. This has been on the needles since February. It's a bottom up and the nearly 14 inches of plain stockinette is almost done. This got put down mostly because it's too hot to have a large wool sweater on my lap. (My sweater is gray for the main color and either white or purple and black for the contrasting colors.)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And all the things I still want to knit:</span><br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/february-fitted-pullover">Fitted February Lady Sweater</a> (in a lovely red)<br /><a href="http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/avocet/avocet_b.html">Avocet</a> (in a plum heather)<br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/helleborus-yoke">Helleborus Yoke Sweater</a> (in the yarn Mom and Dad got me in Ireland)<br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/must-have-cardigan">Must Have Cardigan</a> (in some City Tweed from Knit Picks)<br /><br />So there you have a snapshot of my knitting, and summer is fading fast. I'd better get moving.Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-35707539577943412632010-07-07T14:41:00.003-05:002010-07-07T17:44:52.098-05:00Dead Fish HatMy son rarely requests knit items. So when he does, I'm happy to oblige. I present the Dead Fish Hat:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBDxAi00eX7opntUBUY2CHfz4qgzQ1p-pbvgn1zWWEnb9LlNU8-Ta3ssTk0dfxNEsYelfRCcwGF5TloqQoD6iL5vJIkXIIqCucV67Iw0UMo2qewaKMOrpBCVCo9X9CPVQixHOdoSwksg/s1600/Knitting+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBDxAi00eX7opntUBUY2CHfz4qgzQ1p-pbvgn1zWWEnb9LlNU8-Ta3ssTk0dfxNEsYelfRCcwGF5TloqQoD6iL5vJIkXIIqCucV67Iw0UMo2qewaKMOrpBCVCo9X9CPVQixHOdoSwksg/s400/Knitting+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491252172645910098" border="0" /></a>He's not home this afternoon, so I'll add another picture of him wearing it later.<br /><br />Pattern: <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter08/PATTfishy.php">Fish Hat</a> from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Knitty</span><br />Yarn: Only Stretch from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Schachenmayr</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">nomotta</span>. This yarn has a built in stretch. I've never knit with yarn like this before. It took a little getting used to, but the finished product doesn't seem to be effected. (The stripes are misc worsted yarn from my stash.)<br /><br />ETA: Picture of Gregory with hat!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlNnxf1rCHkyXoilK3wrVE4h1DpLg4zJf_y6ABO7Qsg8JlyEE1TQA7mAF4mNR7OhEk4cqapBS0RNVkFIIfXaoi7rbxdfmLCcz2ObN34FtmDpgfxczl2H1CRuSTFxGznsqF-N1YtbbXUQ/s1600/Fish+Hat+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlNnxf1rCHkyXoilK3wrVE4h1DpLg4zJf_y6ABO7Qsg8JlyEE1TQA7mAF4mNR7OhEk4cqapBS0RNVkFIIfXaoi7rbxdfmLCcz2ObN34FtmDpgfxczl2H1CRuSTFxGznsqF-N1YtbbXUQ/s400/Fish+Hat+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491298876372137314" border="0" /></a>Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-45698847551251222592010-06-24T08:51:00.004-05:002010-06-24T09:00:41.460-05:00A quick diversionI've been knitting too many socks I think. I went through a major sock burnout last fall and I don' want that to happen again. So I knit a quick shrug for my daughter. Turned out very cute I think!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqbV7DIc29zl1S5Imz3Be1h1ozcm_OVc1b_u-eGoFaw6YVyrr6p6UZ8nv37iPoXQJUXjfs5b6cus8khZmIlqlkl-xQrv26n2Jka-ledOwgXDU4i6IBVaX5n5L2tdy9HbRA5PeneGp5UI/s1600/Charlottes+Hearts2+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqbV7DIc29zl1S5Imz3Be1h1ozcm_OVc1b_u-eGoFaw6YVyrr6p6UZ8nv37iPoXQJUXjfs5b6cus8khZmIlqlkl-xQrv26n2Jka-ledOwgXDU4i6IBVaX5n5L2tdy9HbRA5PeneGp5UI/s400/Charlottes+Hearts2+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486338022555222962" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcy6CAuCDfSNQlWs1jyJ1HjBHyrSPkFi-XSFIdHAd67QdDCEa-LmKNnEJX-ZEYj3XK36wWqOtvZ-7suAoUP1zP3IXUE0ORQBfHx-E1NeBC1Z5SCafz4ex7j0ptMsmLlB-0aJ77QkPLHXo/s1600/Charlottes+Hearts2+002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcy6CAuCDfSNQlWs1jyJ1HjBHyrSPkFi-XSFIdHAd67QdDCEa-LmKNnEJX-ZEYj3XK36wWqOtvZ-7suAoUP1zP3IXUE0ORQBfHx-E1NeBC1Z5SCafz4ex7j0ptMsmLlB-0aJ77QkPLHXo/s400/Charlottes+Hearts2+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486338031117260674" border="0" /></a>I used some yarn I had left over from a baby blanket I knit. (I still need to take a few pictures....will blog about it soon.)<br /><br />Pattern: <a href="http://www.petitepurls.com/Summer10/summer2010_p_heartparty.html">Heart Party Shrug</a> from Petite Purls (a great source for kid knits)<br />Yarn: <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Swish_DK_Yarn__D5420168.html">Swish DK</a> from Knit Picks, color Petal<br />Needles: Size US4 and US6<br /><br />I made quite a few mods because I didn't have quite enough yarn, but I don't think it affects the overall design. And since I used a different yarn type (wool vs. bamboo) I think my sizing is a bit different. I love how it came out and Charlotte loves it! (And that's all that really matters in the long run.)Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-78809844007090834122010-06-16T14:15:00.002-05:002010-06-16T14:23:03.071-05:00Rainbow SwirlI bought some of this rainbow striped yarn on a bit of a whim. (You know, they were almost out of it and I didn't want to miss the boat so to speak.) I decided to make a pretty plain sock to show off the fabulous stripes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vK8ri9VBCNy4XMnA9frMTOYwpsX15gWBvc1UPZ0kWQ2pDFQSUFPYpzQl2mBxH3P-uHbnHQvydoqhcrz699Y_-Y7tXzSZL4ZRISNKv208dZ9XLcr4JKLWEjNxJfzs_f9lcLjcT6uwsMM/s1600/Rainbow+Swirl2+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vK8ri9VBCNy4XMnA9frMTOYwpsX15gWBvc1UPZ0kWQ2pDFQSUFPYpzQl2mBxH3P-uHbnHQvydoqhcrz699Y_-Y7tXzSZL4ZRISNKv208dZ9XLcr4JKLWEjNxJfzs_f9lcLjcT6uwsMM/s400/Rainbow+Swirl2+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483452712048174322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Yarn </span>- Knit Picks <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/cfyarns/yarn_display.cfm?ID=5420165">Felici</a> in Rainbow (and yes it's all gone, but there are lots of other lovely colors.)<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pattern</span> - My own (but I'd change a few things if I were to make this again.)<br /><br />I actually used my 9" Hiya Hiya circular needles for this one. I don't usually like them, but if I'm not knitting a pattern, they work OK. And they are FAST! I made this sock in about 1 1/2 days.<br /><br />I'm still plugging away on the lace cardigan. The requires concentration (i.e.; no kids around) and I don't have much quiet time to knit right now. So I do a few rows when I can. I'm to the yoke for the body and about 1/2 done with the first sleeve.Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-48344200573497990162010-06-02T11:11:00.003-05:002010-06-02T11:17:37.643-05:00What's up with shawls?I'm not much of a shawl wearer, but they seem to be the new "in" thing in the knitting world. So like a lemming, I've been knitting shawls! So far I've stuck to smaller shawls that I wear like a scarf - and I've ALWAYS been a scarf person. So maybe it isn't such a stretch!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6jXwbPY-Yzd-egpfa9KGo5c218CT_0RHakxUPpl7p88chXOc6wFW5933wXm1IhTjAPvNGBLCN04p6cak6jenlSX2NrFVH92JMcY0iHTP4SYLmZ_pAYaFMXedPFAaO9WZ0_50TFVTMyE/s1600/TravelingWoman+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6jXwbPY-Yzd-egpfa9KGo5c218CT_0RHakxUPpl7p88chXOc6wFW5933wXm1IhTjAPvNGBLCN04p6cak6jenlSX2NrFVH92JMcY0iHTP4SYLmZ_pAYaFMXedPFAaO9WZ0_50TFVTMyE/s400/TravelingWoman+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478210233571827762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Yarn</span> - Inca Sportlace 100% wool - 376 yds. (I got it on clearance at Tuesday Morning.) It started it's life as a mustard yellow color. That's not the best color for me, so I over dyed it in a greenish-blueish color.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pattern</span> - <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/traveling-woman">Traveling Woman </a>(Rav link)<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Mods</span> - None (I was afraid I would run out of yarn, but I had about 30 yards left over.)Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-44606566862110882322010-05-12T10:45:00.003-05:002010-05-12T10:55:20.803-05:00Been a long time......sorry about that. I've been knitting, just not blogging. So here goes:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIUzmhTzWKXW8dPfYT3jf2AE_O1Yb5iVO6xF-jNBGSb0thGvhuBYphVc_nOArY6AAy9zzINgbQLP_voW1vnOf2xKXg8Eb9lCsZ0pQ-ptgAgVPvFMtRD9egospK50CoA8is_YhB2-TSmo/s1600/Myrtle+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 484px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIUzmhTzWKXW8dPfYT3jf2AE_O1Yb5iVO6xF-jNBGSb0thGvhuBYphVc_nOArY6AAy9zzINgbQLP_voW1vnOf2xKXg8Eb9lCsZ0pQ-ptgAgVPvFMtRD9egospK50CoA8is_YhB2-TSmo/s400/Myrtle+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470410821605094674" border="0" /></a>Holy Hannah, I'm knitting an entire lacey cardigan in black using sock yarn. I must be NUTS!! I love how it's looking however.<br /><br />And a close-up.....it will look much better after it's blocked. This may take forever to finish, but I think I'm really going to love it when it's done.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-BRNnHduqyE1F-KQmr-02MmyQBicVlBo-e-HApxxFGfSy6IsKK5AmzBaAwNp1lvl8B2hSSmxprhZFZUkK7fy9Fbcjq-hjX2yBSuegbBlsw7LETJr31jAzCyzkCvK69R6fukzSCf34Us/s1600/Myrtle+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-BRNnHduqyE1F-KQmr-02MmyQBicVlBo-e-HApxxFGfSy6IsKK5AmzBaAwNp1lvl8B2hSSmxprhZFZUkK7fy9Fbcjq-hjX2yBSuegbBlsw7LETJr31jAzCyzkCvK69R6fukzSCf34Us/s400/Myrtle+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470410830622347538" border="0" /></a><br />Details: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/myrtle-cardigan">Myrtle Cardigan</a> (Rav link.....but I think anyone can access it now - yippee!)<br />Yarn: <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Stroll_Sock_Yarn__D5420133.html">Knit Picks Stroll</a> in black<br />Needles: Size 5 (3.75mm)<br /><br />I've also made lots of socks, scarves, sweaters, etc. Maybe I'll blog them, but probably not.<br /><br />Knit on!Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-83016612823397284062009-09-13T07:52:00.002-05:002009-09-13T07:58:24.138-05:00Bucket ListI copied this from some one else's blog and thought it might be fun.<br /><br />(x) Donated Blood<br />(x) Skipped school<br />( ) Watched someone die<br />( ) Watched a baby being born.<br />(x) Been to Canada<br />(x) Been to Mexico<br />(x) Been to Florida<br />( ) Been to Hawaii<br />( ) Been to Africa<br />( ) Been to Russia<br />(x) Been on a plane<br />(x) Been on a helicopter<br />( ) Been on a Glider Plane<br />(x) Been lost<br />(x) Gone to Washington, DC<br />( ) Hugged a homeless person<br />(x) Swam in the ocean<br />(x) Seen a Glacier<br />( ) Swam with Stingrays<br />( ) Been sailing in the ocean<br />(x) Cried yourself to sleep<br />(x) Played cops and robbers<br />(x) Recently colored with crayons<br />( ) Ran a marathon<br />( ) Sang Karaoke<br />( ) Volunteered at a soup kitchen<br />(x) Paid for a meal with coins only<br />( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch<br />( ) Seen the Northern Lights<br />( ) Been Para-sailing<br />(x) Been on TV<br />(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't<br />( ) Been Streaking<br />(x) Made prank phone calls<br />( ) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans<br />(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose<br />( ) Fed an elephant<br />(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue<br />( ) Fired a gun<br />(x) Danced in the rain<br />(x) Been to the Opera<br />(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus<br />( ) Serenaded someone<br />( ) Seen a U.S.President in person<br />( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe<br />(x) Watched the sunrise with someone<br />( ) Driven a race car<br />(x) Been to a National Museum<br />( ) Been to a Wax Museum<br />( ) Eaten caviar<br />(x) Blown bubbles<br />(x) Gone ice-skating<br />(x) Gone to the movies<br />(x) Been deep sea fishing<br />(x) Driven across the United States<br />( ) Been sky diving<br />( ) Gone snowmobiling<br />( ) Have seen the "Green Flash" at sunset<br />(x) Lived in more than one country<br />(x) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets<br />(x) Seen a falling star and made a wish<br />(x) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser<br />( ) Seen the Grand Canyon<br />( ) Seen the Statue of Liberty<br />( ) Been to Times Square<br />(x) Been to Las Vegas<br />( ) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle<br />( ) Been on a cruise<br />( ) Traveled by train<br />( ) Traveled by motorcycle<br />(x) Been horse back riding<br />(x) Ridden on a San Francisco cable car<br />(x) Been to Disneyland OR Disney World (How about Euro Disney?)<br />(x) Been in a rain forest<br />( ) Seen whales in the ocean<br />( ) Been to Niagara Falls<br />( ) Ridden on an Elephant<br />( ) Ridden on a Camel<br />(x) Swam with dolphins<br />( ) Been to the Olympics<br />( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China<br />( ) Seen the Pyramids in Egypt<br />(x) Been snow-skiing<br />( ) Been to Westminster Abbey<br />( ) Been to the Louvre<br />( ) Swam in the Mediterranean<br />(x) Been to a Major League Baseball game<br />(x) Been to a National Football League game<br />( ) Swam with sharks<br />( ) Been White Water Rafting<br />( ) Written a book or screen play<br />(x) Kissed a total stranger<br />( ) Been to Europe<br /><br />Kinda fun......but I'm not sure if all of these are really on my "Bucket List," but a few are!<br /><br />I've got more to blog about, but I'm being lazy.....and still working on the whole job thing and that's really been zapping my energy. That and the new foster dog.......grrrrr...... NOTE TO SELF: Never foster puppies!!Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-75706303443174917752009-08-27T09:09:00.003-05:002009-08-27T09:30:55.021-05:00In a much better placeI had another job interview yesterday. It went very well, but I'm not sure I want the job. It would be a great job, it's just that it's part-time. It would allow me to get my children on and off the bus in the mornings and afternoons, and still allow for time to volunteer in each of their schools. So the positives are pretty darn positive! But, I really need to make some money - and part time pays, well, part time.<br /><br />And last week, hubby and I came up with a PLAN. And if this job doesn't work out, I'm a perfectly content to go back to the PLAN. So I'm in a much better place this week - mentally at least :)<br /><br />And I'm still on my rather selfish knitting streak. I started a <a href="http://www.shapingdesign.com/Portals/0/involving/shalom_cardigan.pdf">Shalom</a> cardigan with some modifications. I had some black <a href="http://www.patonsyarns.com/product.php?LGC=classicwool">Patons Classic Wool</a> that I planned to use to make the Must Have Cardigan, but black and cables just didn't work for me. So this black yarn has decided to become a Shalom. (Minus the 2+ balls that were used for other things.)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScND4fb_4R7IXHdsZ7xQ3hdynhxB0pdgwb05_Z2XJ1rIDWcFETDb-Wxa3Ve99kJXqYRz49XPkvFmK2WRg__hjEqrHj3s6b8f6vHaQw2FoUOuZpB0vAHZrG_xbJpBkRbnhQ_iJNfr2ipM/s1600-h/100_0397.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScND4fb_4R7IXHdsZ7xQ3hdynhxB0pdgwb05_Z2XJ1rIDWcFETDb-Wxa3Ve99kJXqYRz49XPkvFmK2WRg__hjEqrHj3s6b8f6vHaQw2FoUOuZpB0vAHZrG_xbJpBkRbnhQ_iJNfr2ipM/s400/100_0397.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374649959291733938" border="0" /></a><br />This is a super quick knit. I started on Monday and I'm over 1/2 done! Since I might not have enough yarn, I decided to go ahead and knit the sleeves before I finish the body. That way I'll know exactly how much yarn I'll have for the body. If all else fails, I can always go and buy another ball at Michaels or Joanns.<br /><br />As for my other projects, my Monkey socks are coming along. I finished the first (second) sock and frogged the original first sock knit in the Sunday Swing pattern. The second sock has been cast on, but I've only done a few rows of ribbing.<br /><br />I've also got a new sock that I need to start soon. I'm test knitting a beautiful pattern for a designer on Ravelry. I'm not sure if I can share pictures, but since I haven't started it yet it's really not an issue. (I'll be sure to ask though, I can't wait to share!)<br /><br />Knit on!Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-47866792744812796212009-08-18T16:31:00.003-05:002009-08-18T16:43:57.158-05:00Misc life crud.....I'm having a crappy week. I found out that I didn't get a job I interviewed for. I'm pretty bummed. It wasn't even a very good job - but I'm getting pretty desperate in the job department right about now and I would take anything offered. I'm trying to remain positive, but this whole job search has me completed depressed. (I'm not a crier as a general rule, but lately I start to bawl when someone looks at me sideways. The stress is getting pretty darn bad.)<br /><br />On a lighter note, we got a new foster dog! Meet Rosie. She came to us named Baby, but I just could <span style="font-weight: bold;">NOT</span> call a dog Baby. Kirk and Charlotte came up with Rosie and I liked it. It's what we are using for now. (If you are interested in adopting Rosie or any dog, please visit the <a href="http://www.midwestanimalrescue.org/">MARS</a> site.)<br /><br />This dog defies all description.....she's cute, incredibly playful and as sweet as can be. As for her breed - your guess is as good as mine. She's got a very long body, very stocky front quarters, and a triangular head. And she only weight about 30 lbs. Feel free to leave any breed suggestions! Kirk and the kids wanted to adopt her into our family, but she was too much $$.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdz2be3pKD3MYdxbJEJRK8P9t3npfDdH4NsofqswaSozipDkDb-M3pXc_55e9TjZgGbr13fDmK5D0i-zJfvehu7RiP39sZY__GxlmwaBbzOPw-NxNGvLFH5pJjxn1RTeyY3F1E32fokc/s1600-h/Little+Bit+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdz2be3pKD3MYdxbJEJRK8P9t3npfDdH4NsofqswaSozipDkDb-M3pXc_55e9TjZgGbr13fDmK5D0i-zJfvehu7RiP39sZY__GxlmwaBbzOPw-NxNGvLFH5pJjxn1RTeyY3F1E32fokc/s400/Little+Bit+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371421008721761026" border="0" /></a>I've been knitting up a storm trying to beat the stress. But I think it's starting to back fire. I'm so stressed I don't even want to knit right now. Yikes. The Sunday Swing socks in my last post have decided to become a pair of <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTmonkey.html">Monkey sock</a>s. As I was going through all of my socks last week I noticed my red monkey socks had worn through on the heel. Time for a new pair!<br /><br />Knit on.Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-53728197857449751002009-08-16T16:31:00.004-05:002009-08-16T16:46:28.975-05:00Lots o'SocksI've been a rather selfish knitter lately. I can't seem to stop casting on new socks! (I did finish the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/paraphernalia">Paraphernalia</a> socks, but I don't have a picture.) Here are my current socks in progress:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LROIn3s0YuCiulva4G3uz-hAvJXU5aVuEH3v12UOmofGlpZnhfYdtirLmPZqx2WjoMwfzjbnrJbBURfCnD0QCQL_H6SyaLI713nEm1SMyxIirpym3IcaOT1NcDERLCHM0VdfsWG8-bs/s1600-h/100_0340.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LROIn3s0YuCiulva4G3uz-hAvJXU5aVuEH3v12UOmofGlpZnhfYdtirLmPZqx2WjoMwfzjbnrJbBURfCnD0QCQL_H6SyaLI713nEm1SMyxIirpym3IcaOT1NcDERLCHM0VdfsWG8-bs/s400/100_0340.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370678039222021730" border="0" /></a><br />On the right is a pair of <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer09/PATTsunday.php">Sunday Swings</a> in <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Stroll_Hand_Painted_Sock_Yarn__D5420193.html">Knit Picks hand painted Stroll</a> - colorway Playhouse. I like the yarn, but I don't really like how the colors stacked up on the leg portion. I'm not concerned enough to rip it out though - so I started the second sock at a different part of the color repeat - maybe that will help.<br /><br />In the middle is my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/montgolfiere">Montgolfiere</a>. The first one is done, but I learned that I simply cannot knit this pattern and chat. KNitting with my pal Michelle yesterday, I did three rounds of color instead of two. No one will notice but me, so I'll forge ahead. So instead of continuing, I cast on the other Sunday Swing sock.<br /><br />And on the left are a pair I cast on last night during family movie night. (We watched Ice Age in case anyone is wondering.) People frequently ask me how long it takes to knit a pair of socks and I usually say I don't know. So last night I decided I should keep track. The first sock took me about 9.5 hours. It was knit on size 1's and I usually use 1.5's, so it might have taken a bit longer than necessary. But it's a plain stockinette sock - no pattern what so ever. So now I can tell people it takes between 18-20 hours for a pair of socks! (Hey Michelle - thanks for the yarn, it's fabulous!)<br /><br />Next time I blog - I'm really hoping that I'll be able to say that I've finished all these socks and only have one pair on the needles. Yeah, right.<br /><br />Knit on!Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-2912722017616171582009-08-06T10:09:00.004-05:002009-08-06T10:26:42.174-05:00A few Finished Objects (and even more WIPs)It seems that the more things I finish, the more I cast on. I finished the <a href="http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/badia/badia.html">Badia</a> tank - LOVE IT!! It came out fabulously. I made a few minor mods and the fit is perfect.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEq27zhTKsUAdoAcpHQTiDmgjLybPPwnNTx2R9NHcnNC5dbOnNEkGjpkC89TPmFphyKA9Qy2JuX5n0Y0HqFcJKuBl-CEDzaBX8j3LPNfu-fb70JZcFKi4IHGsp0B2Pr6uprWXgV3EDeZ8/s1600-h/100_0315.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEq27zhTKsUAdoAcpHQTiDmgjLybPPwnNTx2R9NHcnNC5dbOnNEkGjpkC89TPmFphyKA9Qy2JuX5n0Y0HqFcJKuBl-CEDzaBX8j3LPNfu-fb70JZcFKi4IHGsp0B2Pr6uprWXgV3EDeZ8/s400/100_0315.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366869225350591394" border="0" /></a><br />I also cast on a sock - <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/paraphernalia">Paraphernalia</a> (Rav link) using some <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Stroll_Kettle_Dyed_Sock_Yarn_100_grams__D5420188.html">Knit Picks Essential Kettle dyed yarn</a>. I just love this yarn and the sock is beautiful! (I actually completed one whole sock, but cast on a different sock when it was done. This is a WIP pic, but you get the idea.) I'm in love with this kettle dyed. I got it when KP had it on sale - they have changed it from 50 grams balls to 100 gram balls because they were getting complaints about dye lots not matching. I gotta tell ya - I don't care - it is beautiful and so soft and squishy to work with - LOVE it!! (And KP is chaning the name from Essentail to Stroll - same yarn just with a new name.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8-fFGZrCVozHmQTBgGoUgqpAhrIjRGxyYorVNarJC-_CgiRIl6uPi4WNs_WyBmd5DxIQOLCr-bK5x4UNgfAK8KZkxQFkjyxWZI3pxFoLtjHkrD7JzSZFAL5N8PbxixeWWYbFWYLxo6A/s1600-h/100_0314.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8-fFGZrCVozHmQTBgGoUgqpAhrIjRGxyYorVNarJC-_CgiRIl6uPi4WNs_WyBmd5DxIQOLCr-bK5x4UNgfAK8KZkxQFkjyxWZI3pxFoLtjHkrD7JzSZFAL5N8PbxixeWWYbFWYLxo6A/s400/100_0314.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366869250795247378" border="0" /></a>It's hard to see the cable, I'll try to get a better picture when I finish the second sock.<br /><br />And last, but not least, I finally cast on for the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/montgolfiere">Montgolfiere</a> (another Rav link). I'm using some TyDy sock yarn and Knit Picks Essential Black. The pattern says that it only uses 50 grams of each yarn, but it seems to be using a lot of black. I'm not sure if I can finish these with only one ball. Not to worry - I've got about 4 more balls in my stash! I love, love, love how this one is looking. But a word to the wise, the pattern is a bit vague in places, so you have to trust yourself. I made a few mods to the heel section to make it easier for me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1M_-NlGHXueJtmXgItu-PR_KbC5SXSd8n74cyjVIRGUx1frF4TzybOet0oI9ks1IKm9dPE3ksW_2QDAMWK-IyRnAwdTH95qrt6ZtXBmZOEe2VLAr3i1SIhfrinBAronsgCOHCGLSvAq4/s1600-h/100_0317.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1M_-NlGHXueJtmXgItu-PR_KbC5SXSd8n74cyjVIRGUx1frF4TzybOet0oI9ks1IKm9dPE3ksW_2QDAMWK-IyRnAwdTH95qrt6ZtXBmZOEe2VLAr3i1SIhfrinBAronsgCOHCGLSvAq4/s400/100_0317.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366869235440801058" border="0" /></a>This was the first time I attempted a short-row heel. All I can say is that I need more practise! Thank goodness the heel is in black - no one will notice. And one more picture becsue this sock looks much better on:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-cOp41pdjfXXKtUF1JM14Ng-ns5piW4sfp0B84YpPkPmZndFizSfbTZA96d4oqFX3uO2XuOgelDhb_EsmRAGGOFRwmCeBtCRImLPjLZpXxyZT0A66rH0NLpYQg6_8XWv8Zifg8i85uk/s1600-h/100_0319.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-cOp41pdjfXXKtUF1JM14Ng-ns5piW4sfp0B84YpPkPmZndFizSfbTZA96d4oqFX3uO2XuOgelDhb_EsmRAGGOFRwmCeBtCRImLPjLZpXxyZT0A66rH0NLpYQg6_8XWv8Zifg8i85uk/s400/100_0319.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366869244133700946" border="0" /></a><br />(Is this not the coolest pattern?? I'm busy planning other combinations in my head!)<br /><br />Tonight is knit night - I can't wait! I was only able to stop by for a bit last time around because the kiddos had soccer. But this time I'll be one of the first ones there and one of the last to leave!<br /><br />Knit on!Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-14355306628135380262009-07-30T10:40:00.002-05:002009-07-30T10:52:15.075-05:00Easy, Peasy, Lemon SqueezySome of you may know that I "teach" a craft class at a local Independent Living/Assisted Living apartment complex. Every month I need to come up with a project/projects that are pretty, functional and SUPER EASY! Here is what we are making for August:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghb9MlTHqfGeD9_AJGqR5-futQEXSOK3ncPdqyqm3j_AaPOuwYlQaCMyrwdyIKpTXVInlKzcn9O_pvn7Q0_OCTz5UmWsFQOZs1_3D9jxOsTUZ4pt91l_ui-R1Mwww5AsgTh7fa1l2ZMW0/s1600-h/100_0312.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghb9MlTHqfGeD9_AJGqR5-futQEXSOK3ncPdqyqm3j_AaPOuwYlQaCMyrwdyIKpTXVInlKzcn9O_pvn7Q0_OCTz5UmWsFQOZs1_3D9jxOsTUZ4pt91l_ui-R1Mwww5AsgTh7fa1l2ZMW0/s400/100_0312.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364279018486167970" border="0" /></a>The post-it/picture thingie is a refrigerator magnet. I cut some strips of paper and added some of my beloved Martha Stewart butterfly punches. If you don't own one of these - you should. It's the best $7 I ever spent. I got mine at Michaels, but I think WalMart has them too. I plan on having some flowers and misc stickers for people to use to decorate theirs if they don't want to use butterflies.<br /><br />The card - while incredibly easy - is adorable. (If I do say so myself!) I pre-punched a ton of butterflies (out of cardstock left over from last months project) so all my "students" need to do is pick the colors they like and glue them on. I usually stamp the sentiment - it just works better that way.<br /><br />I planned on doing something like this for this months project, but I didn't realize that I only had 9 magnets......DOH!! I put in a quick "HELP" cry to my good friend Kimberly, who supplied me with the first batch. Thankfully she had more that she was willing to donate to the cause. Thanks Kimberly!! (And now that I have a supply of them, I plan on making a calendar project for my Nov or Dec class.)<br /><br />Enjoy!Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017392161374103622.post-59034032961766942912009-07-28T14:41:00.004-05:002009-07-28T14:52:54.919-05:00Not Meant To Be....I love the <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer08/PATTheyteach.html">Hey Teach</a> pattern. I have some worsted (I think??) weight recycled blue cotton that would look fabulous in this pattern. I have tried to knit this several times now. After swatching (multiple times) and starting (multiple times), I have decided that this yarn and pattern are not meant to be together. It makes me sad. I will knit something with this blue yarn, and I will knit the Hey Teach - someday.<br /><br />The blue yarn has already started on it's journey to being a <a href="http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/badia/badia.html">Badia tank</a>. This pattern is also written for a worsted weight yarn, but this patterns gauge fits my knitting much better. I think it will be quite lovely when all is said and done.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwL4cwhpwIA-w-iYnfUMBSpmKP7HtiSkptKsw0bp_Nh5oxUznRceZBhiWOuLxIPmgOchi1SYqHYV2z9BVI3P_qgWjE562s0kaU2zJuRe0rC9z5IFV_BzeBt7o8_yi3GUQly82SDTsiqzQ/s1600-h/Badia+WIP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwL4cwhpwIA-w-iYnfUMBSpmKP7HtiSkptKsw0bp_Nh5oxUznRceZBhiWOuLxIPmgOchi1SYqHYV2z9BVI3P_qgWjE562s0kaU2zJuRe0rC9z5IFV_BzeBt7o8_yi3GUQly82SDTsiqzQ/s400/Badia+WIP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363599655588199970" border="0" /></a>Mods thus far:<br /><ul><li>I'm knitting this in the round. I will have to split at the arm holes and work back and forth, but this eliminated most of the seaming - and I *hate* seaming.</li><li>I only knit 3.25 inches of the 2 x 2 rib at the bottom.....I just was not going to make another 1.25 inches. I don't think this design element will be noticed :)</li><li>I'm only knitting the lace /cable pattern on the front. I don't see the need for a pattern on the back since I will never see it. Yep - I'm selfish that way.</li></ul>I was a bit surprised that the lace/cable section was not charted, so I charted it myself. There once was a time when I would refuse to knit a pattern if it had a chart, and now I'm irritated when they don't have one. It was simple enough to do so I may find myself doing it more often. Go figure!<br /><br />Knit on!Barb Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978771872784999324noreply@blogger.com1