Coming along nicely

One sleeve done and the next one is well on its way- I am happy with the color variation- I didn't want the sleeves to match up- I am eclectic like that. I ran into a problem on the first sleeve when it came to shaping it at the top. The pattern didn't tell me to switch from knitting in the round to back and forth and I got really confused- I got help at the Poppy Along from a friendly fellow knitter. Once she confirmed for me that back and forth was correct I got right on it and got it done. I have whipped the other sleeve out and hope to finish it this evening. I just ordered the yarn for the rest of the sweater and can't wait to finish it even though I know I won't be wearing it until next Fall/Winter.
I have some ideas of "little" things to keep me busy in the meantime and will post about that next time- never a dull moment in my world of knitting- love it! C'ya - Jules

Looky what I can do?

Sometimes, don't you just love it when you even impress yourself? This is the start of the first sleeve on my first sweater- ever! I am so excited I even knitted on it all night in my sleep. I couldn't shut down my brain from thinking about it. I have worked on it the last 2 night's and couldn't wait to post about it. It is glorious- I don't mean to sound conceited, but , it is coming out better than I could have imagined. Just to refresh your memory I wrote about this in a few post's ago. It is Poppy from the fab book Yarnplay by Lisa Shobhana Mason, page 99. It is also on the front cover of the book done in red's. I am doing mine in blue's- Noro # 247 for the top and I have not yet picked out what will become the bottom panel. There are sooo many color variation's in this yarn that I have a multitude of choices but will probably stick with the blue's.
The bottom panel and the sleeve edge are to be done in the same yarn but I was anxious to get going on it and decided to just use some Paton's Classic Wool that I had left from my knitting bag project and get started on it.
I also came up with this groovy idea after I weaved in my ends and it was difficult to tell where my starting point was- so I used a safety pin to put my row counter on and that way I can tell where my starting point is and I don't have to continually have my row counter bulking up my needles. I thought it was pretty clever.
I'll keep ya posted on my progress. C'ya

It's in the bag-

I was able to finish my knitting bag yesterday and I think it turned out fabulous! It was fun to knit and I loved the finish work. The original pattern called for stockinette stitch but I did it in seed stitch instead- I like it better because it gave it great texture and interest. Also, the original pattern had you using straight bamboo handles and I opted for the round ones due to the fact that it was the only kind I could find. I was unsure how to attach them until I looked in my good ole' Stitch N'Bitch book and there is a similar bag featured there that indicated to just simply sew them on with the same yarn used in the project- so that is what I did and it was fast and easy. Before attaching the handles I fully lined it so when I place my needles in there they won't poke through. I have lots of fabric but to make the job that much easier I
just used an older pillow case I had laying around and it worked perfect. I just cut it in half , ironed a 1/4 inch seam and sewed it in. I just love it and it will be nice to tote my knitting around in. Gotta go - cause I got my Noro and that sweater is just calling my name. C'ya!

By the way - check out my new blog at

http://layzdayzrover.blogspot.com

We had a great time~Knitting took center stage~

It was a fun trip (see next post) - the highlight for me was starting a new project and what was waiting for me when we got home (more about that later). We did some sight seeing in Evansville, Indiana and found this
As you can see it's the Public Library and it was spectacular. The architecture inside and out was breathtaking.
And then we went here...
'Cause what is a mini vacation without a little knitting? It is an adorable little shop with the kindest shopkeeper.
I had to start a new project so I picked up some supplies-I have been wanting to make an all natural knitting bag to carry my supplies in. I am using Paton's Classic Wool in Natural Mix and Paton's Soy Wool Stripes in Natural Earth. Both are extremely soft and luscious. Since the pattern I am using calls for a bulky yarn I decided to use 3 strands held together instead , 2 of the Classic Wool and 1 of the Soy wool. It is the making of a nice bulky fabric. I am using the pattern in Reader's Digests "Knitting in No Time". There are some wonderful patterns in this book and I intend to get my own copy as this one is from the library.


I am using the pattern from page 128 but am putting my own twist on it and doing it in seed stitch rather than the stockinette stitch it calls for. I am also going to make it a little larger but am using size 17 needles instead of the size 19 it calls for. I am happy with it so far and will try to finish it by the end of the weekend, lining and all.

C' ya!

Gone Seein' The Blue's

The Blue Man Group is the reason for a couple of days off and a nice relaxing trip to Evansville, Indiana for me and my hubby. Our kid's got Dan tickets to see The Blue Man Group for Christmas so we took full advantage of the time. Dan really digs the Blue Men and I gotta say after seeing the concert I am starting to get it. Now I am not going to proclaim to be a die hard fan by any means, but they can be entertaining for a little while. They are definitely different and the music is enjoyable. No , maybe I would need to see them about 10 more times to really GET IT. It was a nice experience and the guy who opened for them is Mike Relm and here is a little snippet of what we saw- I will let you form your own opinion-

Let me Introduce....

THE laziest cat in the world! This is Kenyon. We rescued him from a shelter just a little over 3 years ago. He was born at the shelter and had spent his first 5 months there in a cage with his brother's. When he came home with us he was terrified at the prospect of having so much room to roam. We already had another cat and her name is Melissa...
Yup , the girl has attitude! This look says it all. She is an elderly old woman now but she has been like this her entire life. We got her when she was a few weeks old from a friend's Mom who had a litter born on her property. We lived in Maryland at the time which makes Melissa about 12 or 13- we disagree about what year it was so we speculate. She is definitely not a lap cat except to my son Justin who in Melissa's eyes can do no wrong. She absolutely adores him and he is her person. Needless to say she wanted NOTHING to do with Kenyon when we brought him home and we felt Kenyon needed some companionship so we went back to the shelter and came home with...
Rocky (The Rockster). If a cat could be a rock star Rocky would be one. He is one cool cat. He and Kenyon hit if off and they are the best of buddies. Rock was a teeny , tiny baby when we brought him home and him and Ken would romp and roll all over the floor. We found ourselves turning off the tv just to watch them play. That was a couple of years ago and occasionally they will still get into a little romp but Kenyon has let himself go and hardly ever gets up except to eat and chase yarn .Rocky spends his days looking out the window hoping to spot a bird or bug to watch when he's not asleep on the bed. He's a nutty boy when the yarn comes out and occasionally gives chase with Melissa. I guess you would call us "cat people".Who couldn't just love em?

I'm Bookin'

I went stark ravin' mad yesterday! I had so many books on hold at the library that they had to keep them on a special shelf behind the counter instead of the usual hold shelf. And if that was not enough I picked up 3 more books in the new section. What were they about? Knitting , of course. All of them.

I tried to knit socks the other night- it was a disaster. I couldn't figure out where to start once I got the stitches cast on to the needles. Luckily, along with the multitude of books I have there is a video of someone (can't remember who) demonstrating how to make basic socks. Maybe that is where I can start- I will find the video and watch it and that will enlighten me as to where to go from there. I am overwhelmed , but it is a good kind of overwhelming. This will be a fun weekend for sure.

I finally found a 40" circular so I can continue on my shawl/shawls from the "Greetings from Knit Cafe" book. I have one in pink and then I started this one to fill in gaps until my new yarn arrives. I am loving how this one is coming along. The yarn is really nice to work with as it is my "no name" yarn from a seller on ebay. It is handspun and the colors are really earthy and it is super soft. I decided to just do the width of the stripes randomly so I don't have to count rows and I think it will add to the rustic feel of it. It looks a little mottled there on the second row from the bottom but that is just a glitch in the camera angle. This baby is perfect- I wanted the stitches to be really even and no dropsies. I ripped about 20 rows towards the beginning and re-knit them because I saw a stitch that wasn't quite perfect for me. I am usually not that anal about such things but it really stood out and I knew it would bug me later so I said to heck with it and just did it over. I know, I know it looks more like a sweater than a shawl but I really like it and once I get the fringe going on it will look like a big warm, cozy sweater shawl that you can wrap up in on a cold night and look at the stars. I want to get knittin' on it right now so...Cya!

It's A Woman Child - Yeah!

I think these pictures just about sum it up except to say that we are some very happy Grandparents that are ecstatic for Joey, Crystal and Riley. We can't wait to meet and welcome into our family this precious girl!

It's A Boy ! It's A Girl!

These are the words that are ringing in my ears today in gentle anticipation. My oldest son Joey and his wife Crystal will be announcing at dinner tonight what the sex is of their second child -our second Grandchild -that will be here in July. I have no preference whether it's a Grandaughter or Grandson - a couple of people have mentioned to me that "oh you must be wishing for a little Grandaughter" but that is really not the case . My only hope is to savor and cherish every moment of this experience regardless of the gender.
It seems like only moments ago that I got the call from my son saying "Mom. it's a boy" when they found out from the ultrasound that Riley was indeed a boy- their first. Tears well up in my eyes just thinking about that moment- as they did then AND I was driving at the time. It was such a surreal moment hearing my first born tell me he was going to be a Father of a Son. Words cannot express how sweet it felt and over 2 years later when I hear his voice in my memory of that call I still get giddy with joy and my heart feels like it is overwhelmed with love. I was so happy for him , them , all of us that would be a part of this brand new life.
They took Riley to the appointment with them this morning and since it was my day to watch him as soon as they arrived I knelt down and asked , "well did they say boy or girl? " Riley simply replied in his little 2 year old voice "yes". I have prodded him all day for some inkling or a mere spark in his eyes as I say to him " did they say brother OR sister" but I am getting nothing , no sign whatsoever. I guess I am destined to wait it out. I am sure at the moment they tell us I am going to get that feeling once again and how precious that moment will be.

Smitten with Knittin'

I love Sunday's. It snowed all day yesterday and was one of the kind of days that I look forward to but are all too few and far between. It was warm and cozy in the house and there were huge flakes falling from the sky. The only thing missing was a crackling fire in the fireplace but lo and behold a few weeks ago we ran out of wood to burn. First time in 10 years of living in this house did we run out and sure enough the week after we had a nice blizzard and was snowed in for 3 days- bummer - but we survived and will really stock up next fall.

I decided against the armwarmer's as mentioned in the previous post and decided to start another shawl from "Greetings from knit cafe" By Susan Mischer and Victoria Pearson. I had started this shawl awhile back and while


it is a really fun and mindless knit I strayed away from so as to not get bored with it and went on to other things. I have went back to it but am in a dilemna as it has grown too long for my 29" circulars. I am in desperate need of at least a 47" circular to carry on with it. So what to do?? I need to search some internet sites and find one-

I cannot have idle hands so I started another one ( I am waiting on my Noro to get here for the sweaterwith anxious anticipation).

Since it is done in stockinette stitch it is so roly poly and this is the best shot I could get of it while holding it down with one hand and snapping the pic with the other. It is on size 5 needles and is slow going but it is a nice relaxed knit to watch tv with- gawd, I wish I had season's 4,5 and 6 of The Soprano's. Ok , I regressed there for a moment. Anyhoo - it is with my "no name" ebay yarn which is soft and extremely different from anything I have ever knit with before (other than my cute MP3 cozy) . Updates on that project later...

I have managed to find and purchase a copy of Sensational Knitted Socks.
I will soon be knitting my way into sock oblivion I am sure- this is all so new and fun and exciting I want to try EVERYTHING now! I just have to learn to pace myself and take it slowly so I don't lose focus. I am going to go now and do a little chanting before I sit down to knit awhile. G'day!!!! C ya! Hmmmmmm!

A knitting kind of day in the neighborhood

It is rainy , cold and not fit for man nor beast outside today here in Indy. The temps are up (40's) which is lucky for us 'else we would have lots of snow. You have to excuse me I spent the entire day yesterday with my desperately cute and precious 2 year old Grandson Riley and am still talking baby talk. Ohhhh ok, my arm has been twisted into posting a pic or two of the darling angel......

He is absolutely adorable and awwwww I just noticed he had a wittle drop of milk on his wittle chin. Quite the ham in front of the camera- he says "cheese 'booger" ! He has a new little brother or sister "baking in the oven" that will have alot to live up to -but -I am sure he/she will be just as sweet as this one here. It is hard to stop cooing and making over him but down to more serious , but fun, business - Knitting.

I have finished my scarf that matches the Calorimetry previously mentioned- it turned out well and I plan to wear it alot.

Not much to say about it except that I used Paton's Classic Wool in Rosewood and size 8 needles. 2x2 ribbing - fun, bored with it now and am ready to move on to much bigger and more complicated projects-

Oh , and I have successfully completed a suitable MP3 cozy that is both cute and functional.

It was a fast and easy little knit using garter and stockinette stitches with my "no name" yarn purchased on ebay.
I got several wonderful books at the library one of which I am especially fond of called "Yarnplay" By Lisa Shobhana Mason. It is filled with mind blowing , gorgeous projects and I got more excited with every turn of the page. I ordered the Noro yarn it requires to make the sweater featured on the front cover. Gawd, I am totally obsessed ! It is such a healthy addiction I can't feel guilty about it no matter hard I try.

I saw this knitting store listed on another blog and just want to shout out to the world how excited I am about it. Bein' a newbie to this world of knitting and blogging maybe everyone has already heard of it , but just in case it is called Little Knits and the prices are spectacularly reasonable. I HAD to have some of their stuff-

I have to go do some brainstorming now as to what will occupy me until that yarn arrives for the sweater.Mmmmmm~ the Austin armwarmer's on page 53 of Lisa's book look absolutely groovy -gotta have em' yep!

C- ya!