Mad Dog Knits

Yes Dianna I did knit on my trip

2009-07-21T14:52:00.000-07:00

Well I took a vacation....yes me....I actually went somewhere. If you know me you know that is a VERY rare thing. I like my home and I LIKE to be there....but we had a chance to attend the Kiwanis International Convention http://www.kiwanis.org/ in Nashville, TN. I flew back there on a Wed, convention ran until Sat night. On Sunday we began the drive back home (to the west coast - hublet had driven out). We stopped to see old friends and relatives on the way back. Took the week to get home, during the drive I finished the socks (toe-up, two at a time on one needle) on the road at the New Mexico/Arizona border

the heels - they fit well

and driving just south of Flagstaff, AZ.

If and when I post again....I'll show ya some pics from the actual trip......don't hold your breath though

Magic Loop style Knitting

2009-06-23T14:52:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures I took a while back showing the magic loop style of sock knitting.

Starting a row

Row in process

as you are knitting you will be working on the two needle tips and the cord from the needle will be on both sides of your hands with the row you are working on to the front of the needles and the other part of the row will be resting on the cord to the back of where you are working.

Knitting the row

row completed

row finished

and this whole thing probably doesn't make any sense....but I try.

Two at a Time Toe-up Socks

2009-06-22T15:46:00.000-07:00

Well I enjoyed the Knitpick yarn I used for the "Naive" Socks so much that I started another pair. This time I am following written instructions for knitting two at a time but I picked the pattern out of a generic stich book.
Toe of Sock 1

Heel Turn

and just to show you that I am really knitting them two at a time

Finished some Socks

2009-06-10T15:47:00.001-07:00

Well I have been working on a pair of socks and they are actually finished. The yarn is Knitpic Jester color Multi - a bit too wild for my tastes. They did work out PERFECTLY for my friend Nanc - she likes wild stuff and the socks actually even fit her.

Fun pattern and a variety of cables to keep it interesting. Pattern is Naive Socks by SillyJane http://spillyjane.blogspot.com

Now I am designing a pair of toe-up socks (knitting them two-at-a-time) with a self-striping yarn. I found an interesting but fairly simple pattern in one of my pattern books and I adjusted it to fit the stitch count. I am just starting the pattern (pattern only on the instep side at this time).

I actually ordered yarn over the internet

2009-04-08T15:50:00.000-07:00

Yeah I know this is no big deal to most people....but I have tried VERY hard to stay away from internet ordering. I also try to have my yarn useage derived from recycling old sweaters (tis the overly strong thrifty gene I have). I have been lured, tempted and I succumbed - KnitPicks has a sock yarn collection with colors I could not resist

So now I have them in my hot little hands - two skeins of each....bahhhhhhh

now I must add that the Jester Multi has A LOT OF YELLOW-GREEN that I did not expect....not sure if I like it. We shall see if and when I get it knit up.

Walking the 3-Day 60 Miles again - will you help???

2009-04-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

hmmm seems that I should be able to make this a widget that stays on the side under my profile....but I don't know HOW

And just to Shock Myself - another post!

2009-04-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

Twice in one month!!! and I should be amazed to see twice in one year! So maybe I should show off more knitting completed projects.

Soooooo here is a pair of socks that I made (and PLEASE ignore my pasty white legs). These were made for my Misery-Knits swap partner FBG, sent to England and I hope she is enjoying them.
detail of the pattern - MonkeySocks knit toe up.

Well I am sure no-one ever looks at this Blog

2009-04-02T10:26:00.000-07:00

Well I am sure no-one ever looks at this Blog - in fact it is probably pretty obvious that even I don't ever look here. So I was thinking of just deleting the entire thing. I took a quick stroll thru what I had posted, and found that it is a great record of past swaps.....so I will keep the blog for a bit longer.

Now the question is?????? will I ever post to it?????hmmmm. and does anyone really belive that I knit? Hmmm maybe a picture or two of some completed projects might be helpful

This is my completed GoddessKnits Mystery Shawl(finished Oct 2008). Knit from recycled cashmere yarn (from a mens vest).
and a bit of the detail. I really enjoyed this KAL!!

and WOWI can't belive it has been well over a year since I last posted...bad Maddog!

LONG OVERDUE THANK YOU

2007-10-15T15:09:00.000-07:00

Knitty Secret Pal Swap 9 has been over for quite a while now and I am just now getting around to posting pictures of what I received. Bad Me

My Secret Pal is PixieRiot http://pixieriot.net/ She is cool, in fact I think she is one of the cool kids [you know the kind I never quite was ----and that is NOT meant as a jab at Pixie---I'm just abit envious]. At any rate she dyes yarns and creates what she calls Yarn Oddities, what I call beautiful work!!!!

The above picture is my second gift - the first one was a subscription to Interweave Knitting [something I have wanted for quite a while]. She sent me some funky socks -- I LOVE funky socks!!!!, some roving she dyed -- check out this colorway. [I'm really going to have to get with the spinning; I do have a wonderful drop spindle that I got from knittingKitty]; some chocolate, which of course is LONG gone; some wonderful hand lotion that makes my hands soooooo nice and soft and it is unscented -- a BIG plus to me.

Then she sent me my third package. WOW, I mean WOW Check out the colors in the yarns she sent! and see that fabric patterned thing in the background [yes I know it is hard to see - I am a BAD photographer] - that my friends is a sock project bag she had made just for ME.

You see [or you can't quite see but trust me it is real] the fabric is old cookbooks and the like. I am a collector of OLD Cookbooks!! And she sent dpn and stitch markers and oh my.

So MANY MANY THANKS TO MS PIXIE RIOT!!!!!

BlogStalker 2 - and I am cheating

2007-09-27T13:58:00.000-07:00

O.K. Blog Stalker has been going on for awhile and I am going back and changing the post date [cause I'm evil like that]. But I figure I might as well look like I am participating.

Week 2 - Purse Guts.
I must admit I have a pretty boring purse.

your very basic black purse that I bought secondhand [I don't even remember where]. In this purse [and all purses that I have ever had] everything has it's place and THAT IS WHERE IT BELONGS!!! [naw I'm not anal or anything] So here it is. Main pocket - wallet, hairbrush, palmpilot, lipstick [althought I don't know why as I do NOT wear lipstick], dental picks, carmex lipbalm, neighbor/friends keys and MOST importantly my Swiss Army Knife - it goes everywhere with me!

And this is the front pocket - checkbook, pens, business card holder, thumbdrive [better know as NerdStick], chewing gum, mints and more lipbalm

then there is the misc stuff in the little side pockets; glasses case, cellphone handsfree kit, office keys, car & house keys.

See I told you, a very boring purse!!!

So....should I join the BlogStalking???

2007-09-21T16:20:00.000-07:00

Knittyboard, which I belong to and regularly read [too much at work], is having another round of blogStalking. I have read a couple of the entries and I'm thinking this might be the PUSH I need to post more often.

Well the first assignment is WHO AM I????

Like everyone else has noted - that is quite a question.

Who am I? I often say that I could take many different sections of my life describe them and one would be convinced that I was referring to completely different people!!! So here is a brief decade by decade synopsis

Kid to teenager: - skinny, knobbly kneed, buckteeth, straight blah colored hair 2nd daughter [of 6 kids]. Shy and not many friends. I grew up in a small town [you know the one where everyone knows everyone - well at least the School Principal knew all us kids - couldn't get away with anything]. Thing is with this small town was that it was also a major Navy town....so...any friends I did make would move away every 2 years or so.

Ah my twenties: well that was the free love 60's [actually the early 70's - cause most of that stuff really happened in the 70's]. Left home, moved a lot - California to Oregon and back again [twice]. Hung out with hippies, worked at a food co-op [actually I was the Produce Buyer], had my own pottery studio, walked or biked everywhere, when through vegetarian phases. Finally got evicted from my home [with long gone worthless bf] and spent about a year living in a camper on the streets.

Thirties: Went to college, got my degree. Ran two interior design business with my [now] husband. Life was good, we actually had money to spend, treat our friends and take vacations. Only problem was is that the pressures of living in a big city were starting to mount up. We dealt with bums at our business and bums around where we lived [I know there are people that are truly down and out....but when you live in a big city with fine weather---well mostly they are BUMS]

Forties: Gave up the interior design business [in fact my husband retired]. Bought a home in a rural neighborhood. Left the city behind [my nerves were about shot]. I continued working - now doing administrative work. We now have dogs and cats and fresh clean air to breath. I walk about 3 miles 3-4 times a week and don't have to get on a paved road or deal with other people.

I often say that I can't stand people....but really I like people one on one - but a crowd and I go nuts [or go hide somewhere].

Mystery Stole 3 - finished

2007-08-21T16:40:00.000-07:00

Well here is my version of the Mystery Stole. I love it, and I loved every part of knitting it. The mystery, following other knitters progress, learning new processes, challenging myself with a complex lace pattern and mostly sticking to it and finishing!!!

I had a chance to wear it at the CAL_NEV_HA Kiwanis Conventions this past week even. I felt so elegant!

I love Secret Pal Exchanges on Knittyboard

2007-06-07T13:20:00.000-07:00

Yeah I'm in for another round SP9 - so here are my answers to the SP questions [probably more boring info than anyone wants]

Knittyboard user name : MaddogKnitting
The Knitty Gritty:
All about you:
1. Do you have skillz? (beginner/adv. beginner/intermediate, etc): intermediate
2. How long have you been knitting?: 2.5 years [not counting waaaayyyyy back in High School, when we used needles made out of stones and yarn from mastodons]
3. What are your favorite fiber colors?: purples, burgandy, dark blues, dark greens - muted tones
4. Are there any fiber colors that make you want to hurl? If so which?: not hurl but I can’t wear yellow or yellow tones
5. Other than bran, what are your favorite fibers?: kind of new at fibers - would love to try more animal fibers like alpaca....and ahhh I keep hearing about silk, sounds sooooooo exotic. I guess since I live in So. Cal I can’t really use heavy wools, I have been using cotton lately, but it sure isn’t very forgiving to knit with.
6. We all know you love your stash children equally but, what is your favorite yarn to knit with and why? : light weight wool/lama blends [nothing too fuzzy though] cause they feel so nice while knitting them up.
7. Do you prefer stripes, solids, heathered, or some other kind of color combo (or lack thereof) that I didn’t think of?: solids and heathered. Not too fond of self striping [seems kind of contrived]
8. Other than fiber glass, do you have any unwelcome fibers (stuff you just don't need more of or like?): like most everyone else I probably have enough acrylic yarn....although I do like Carrons Simply Soft yarns
9a. What is your Dream Yarn, the yarn you would marry if only the government would approve of your love?: I’m still pretty much a exotic yarn virgin.....haven’t dated enough to discuss marriage to anyone [um er any yarn]
9b. Is there a yarn that you loathe and despise so much that the very earth may open up and swallow the place where it’s produced? If so by all means, warn us! : naw
10. Novelty yarns: super cool or blight on the earth? How about the stuff made with them?: not to keen on novelty yarns...seems like too much bother. I’m not into fru-fru stuff
11. Do you prefer straight or circular needles (are there any sizes you really need)? How about DPNs?: Circular needles [I could use some in longer cord lengths] I do have the Boyd needle set and most sizes of straight needles. I also enjoy using DPN’s but I don’t have very many sets [I have a set with 00, 0, 1's] and can alway use more. Lately I have been using circular needles for magic loop, really enjoying that but I don’t have many circular needs with longer cords [ie. 29" or longer]
12. Bamboo, aluminum, nickel-plated, plastic, or birch? Have you perhaps found some new needle material to covet?: Most of my needles are either aluminum or plastic [casin], I prefer the plastic for DPN’s. I hear the birch or bamboo needles are wonderful and I would LOVE to try bamboo or birch
13a. Do you spin and/or crochet?: I know how to crochet, but I haven’t done it in years. I did receive the most wonderful spindle and beautiful roving from my last sp. I have been practicing....but I need MUCH more practice. I have been told that one of my neighbors is planning to give me ½ the fleece from his lama when he sheers it .... guess I will have to learn how to deal with that, cause I sure ain’t going to turn down free fiber. Also, I keep threatening to get a wheel; well someday
13b. If you crochet, do actually enjoy it or is it a means to an end (like for finishing)?: pretty much a means to an end.
13c. If you spin do you use a wheel or spindle?: just learning the spindle and no wheel YET - see answer 13a
14. What is the next thing you want to learn (techniques etc)?: knitting backwards and improve on my lace skills, toe-up socks and turning a heel
15a. What item(s) do you knit the most?: sweaters, hats, felted items
15b. Anything you’ll never knit again?: naw
16. What are your favorite items to knit?: something new and different. I am more into techniques and new stitch patterns
17. What are you knitting right now?: shidar hat from knitty- love the pattern and the work up of the cables
18. Any projects you haven’t gotten to yet? Stop laughing, regain composure, we’ll wait. Okay seriously, what are you dying to knit that you haven’t gotten to yet?: oh about 1000000+ patterns I keep downloading from the internet and filing away....like the sweater pattern I just printed out today
Wants and Nots:
19a. Do you have any food, fiber, smoke, pet allergies your SP should be aware of?: allergy to citrus [yah it sucks...I can’t eat oranges or drink lemonade] also VERY sensitive to perfumes [just say NO] and basicly anti-smoking
19b. Do you smoke, have pets, or process peanuts where you store your yarn? If so, please declare them here: We have two dogs and two cats. However, if that is a problem for my downstream I can alway keep whatever I am sending at my office where there are no pets.
20. Do you have an Amazon.com or knitpicks.com wishlist you'd like to share with your SP (please add URL if applicable)?: no, I’m not that organized
21. Anything you’ve been longing for or would really love to get (knitting or not)?: Fiber to continue learning spinning. Oh well a wheel would be nice...but I dream. Books on spinning
22. What about stuff you don't need at all?: can’t think of anything
23. What about knitting accessories?: stitch markers, cable needles, knitting needle holder
24. Do you have hobbies other than knitting (tv, sports, collectibles, favorite things)?: I collect OLD Cookbooks [pre-1960's] & vintage green-handled kitchen ware.
25. Carpe bibliotheca! Uh, any books you would like (knitting or not)?: Knitting books - most any but more along the vintage pattern type [not into "hip" stuff]. I am more into techniques so I really enjoy stitch pattern books. - I did check out the Nicky Epiesten (sp) pattern books Kintting on the Edge and Over the Edge that series- loved them
26. Any magazines you would like (knitting or not)?: Would love some issues of IK and I have never seen Rowan but I hear it is beautiful oh and stuff from other countries [but I only understand english so they would have to be in english]
27. For those of you who live outside the US, is there anything you'd like that you can't get your hands on? n/a
28. In the event your SP lives outside the US, is there a particular yarn ,etc. you can't find in the US?: don’t know of any - suprise me
These Are a Few of My Favorite Things:
29. Who/What is your favorite...
a. Chocolate: DARK Chocolate
b. Muppet: Grover
c. Cartoon Character: Yogi-Bear’s buddy Boo-Boo
d. Flower: Calla Lily
e. Ice Cream flavor: mint chocolate chip [I know old stand-by]
f. Fragrance: NONE
g. Shoes to wear: hiking boots
h. Type of garden: random wildflowers with a few rose bushes thrown in
i. Animal: I love my dogs & cats
j. Beverage: coffee [well also a good stout dark beer...but I am low-carb so I’m not suppose to drink beer - too many carbs]
k. Author: Anne McCaffrey
l. Musician: Janis Joplin
m. Holiday: I don’t really like Holidays - except that getting off work part
n. Time of Day: early Morning
o. Bath or Shower: Shower
p. Country: Mexico
q. Number: 13
r. Card game: not a card game, but I love dominos - especially a game called Mexican Train
s. Candy: don’t like candy all that much - maybe IceCubes [a solid chocolate candy]
Getting to know you, getting to know ALL about you:
30 What is the most exciting this that happened to you this month, year?: nothing exciting - G*d I lead a boring life [but I like it that way]
a. How did you learn to knit?: Learn as a teenager [probably in Home-Ec class], didn’t knit for maybe 30 years took it up again about 2.5 years ago - mostly re-learned using the internet
30b. What made you into a Knitter?
Well everyone else in my community [it seemes] was into crocheting and I always have to be different .... so I re-learned knitting
31 If you were candy would you be sweet, sour, or cinnamon?: cinnamon
32. If you were a fruit which would you be?: If I could I would be an Orange
33. Are you a Java Junkie? How about a Tea-totaler?: Java all the way
34. Your birthday, in case it falls during the swap and your SP wants to send you a card: 9/13 Yea haw and Happy Birthday to me this time
35. How do you feel about holidays? Will you be celebrating any during the SP round?: not fond of holidays except all that getting time off part. I will be celebrating July 4th, & Labor day - oh and of course my birth day
36. How do you really feel about socks?: They are kind of boring to knit, love to wear them, love funky ones - but I am thinking of trying them again now that I am a better knitter
37. What is your shoe size? More specifically, if your SP were to make you some socks, what is your ankle circumference and foot length?: Shoe size US 8.5 Wide, ankle circumference 9.5"; foot length left foot 9.25", right foot 8.5" — [yeah, yeah yeah I’m weird different size feet oh and I am right handed so "science" says that should be the larger size....but it ain’t]
38. What kind of music (and/or which artists) do you listen to when you are happy?: Country - preferably old-time country
39. Rate yourself on a girly/fruh fruh factor from 1 - 10: 4
40. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?: Husband & I, two lab [mutt] dogs, two cats
41. How frequently would you like to hear from your SP, and what kind of contact would you prefer?: Two or three times a month would be o.k., more if it worked on their schedule [just so I know they are still alive] . E-mail or snail mail either is fine.

Way overdue THANK YOU to my Knitty SP8

2007-04-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

Yarnnut - she's my very own special pal from the knittyhead coffeeshop....and it is her job to spoil me. Dang she is doing a GREAT job. Look what was in my second package.

---
Yup that is 2 skeins of Zepher laceweight [I have already cast on for a lace shawl -- put on hold for a bit, cause right now I need mindless knitting -- but I hope to get back to it this weekend] And see that white bear. It is just the cutest tape measure and she didn't even know that I am t.bear in a former life [nickname from college days - and that t didn't stand for teddy either]. Very nice stitch markers, which I used right away on the cast-on shawl. Now I just need the RIGHT home for the "Knitting is Knotty" bumper sticker.

So once more Yarnnut -THANKS. you are the bestest

Yarn Picnic at the Homestead

2007-04-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

Tis "Flash your Stash" time and I realize that I actually have a small stash. I thought, since it was such a beautiful day, that nice outdoor shots would be best. In addition to my knitting I have my antique tractors. What better place to show off the yarn than on my favorite Cub Tractor. -------
-------- and a few close ups ------
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Hope you enjoyed my little day at the homestead

edited to add - No yarn was harmed during the picnic. I have well behaved tractors

My first yarn - from a drop spindle

2007-03-30T16:28:00.000-07:00

My first drop spindle yarn
From my wonderful Secret Pal 8 Yarnnut I received a VERY nice drop spindle and some white roving to learn on [see previous post]. Well it has taken me a while, but I did finish the yarn spining and even plyed it - here it is still on the spindle and a little bit closer""

Since it is not very even I just knit it up in a swatch. It was very nice to knit, soft soft yarn.

I sure had fun working on it, and hope to get brave enough soon to spin the hand dyed roving Yarnnut sent me.

SP8 Yippeee

2007-02-13T10:25:00.000-08:00

Look what I got [I actually received this last week, but due to my hectic schedule this is the first opportunity I have had to blog it]

Check out the cool stuff from Yarnnut [my Knitty SP8 special pal]. A beautiful drop spindle, notebook to record my spinning experiences, a wonderfully delicious chocolate bar, really cool erasers that look like little chocolates and....... roving. Roving for me to learn how to use the beautiful spindle [I am a complete novice on spinning.

Notice the blue/purple roving YES, gorgeous isn't it....she dyed it just for me. I am going to do my learning/practice with the white. I sure want to know, at least a little, what I am doing before I try my special roving.

I played a bit with the white the night I received this. Obviously I need a LOT of practice. I am also going to look to see if there are any classes I can take. I think this maybe something that can't really be learned just from reading and the Internet. I will play more [that is if I EVER get a free moment]. I can't wait to get comfortable with the spindle, cause I really want to spin up my special roving. I just know it will be the most beautiful yarn.

YARNNUT you are the bestest!!!!!!!

Well it is about TIME

2007-02-06T15:55:00.000-08:00

Months, I mean months have passed since I last blogged anything. My most common used excuse....I want to put pictures with whatever I am going to post ...and I haven't taken the pictures or I don't have them accessable on this computer. Pretty lame excuse huh.

Well I do have one picture that I really like. Believe it or not we actually had quite a freeze here in So. Ca. Over the New Year's holiday we took a quick drive thru the mountains and I got this shot. Ice crystals on a simple roadside weed. Cool huh. Well we were sure impressed. The light was just right as we drove, sun shining on everything making it look like a crazed elf had covered the mountain in glitter and tinsel. I never really understood tinsel on christmas trees [loved the look, but didn't see where the idea came from], now I do. It was absolutely beautiful, we took more pictures...but you know...I don't have them on this computer.

I swear I'm going to get my picture taking done and uploaded [I really need to do it cause I want to show you what I got from my SP8 Yarnnut!!!!]

Meet our Wild Cats

2006-09-28T11:49:00.000-07:00

Stripes

O.K. this picture has been hanging up here unexplained for months now, I suppose at least something should be said [I am editing this now at the end of Jan 2007].

Stripes is one of two remaining feral cats we have from a loooonnng line of cats. 12 years ago when we move out here to the country we got 4 kittens [unrelated to each other]. Since then we have had their descendants but each litter has gotten more and more aloof. Stripes and his [sister?] Fuzzy are the last. We live at the base of a mountain and kitties are born on the mountain. We usually don't even know about them until they are long past opening their eyes....and believe me they are LONG past putting up with any human.

I have been able [on very rare occasions] to pet Stripes, but I don't believe Fuzzy has ever been touched by human hands. They do come down to eat of course and I am sure they help with the rodent control. They appear healthy - quite wild but healthy. I do care for my wild cats and wish them the longest life.

O.K. I took one of those "What are you?" tests

2006-09-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

I'm a Mercedes SLK!

You appreciate the finer things in life. You have a split personality - wild or conservative, depending on your mood. Wherever you go, you like to travel first class. Luxury, style, and fun - who could ask for more?

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Not sure if this really fits me....but it is a cool looking car yes. I would expect my answeres to come up with something more like a VW.

Well they are probably correct on the split personality part, I always claim that I could write my autobio several times and you wouldn't know it was the same person. The bio would all depend on what years of my life I selected.

Lucy's first outdoor outing

2006-09-19T15:57:00.000-07:00

Meet Lucy - our newest kitty. She is about the tinyest kitten, sometimes we wonder if she will ever get any bigger [actually we have had her about 3 wks and she is finally starting to put some size on]. She finally got to go outside, we have an area that is dog free so I didn't have to worry about her hiding somewhere I wouldn't be able to reach her. She had quite a time and got to meet our other two [feral] cats. As soon as I have time and blogger cooperates I'll post more pictures....I have lots of cool pictures of all my kittys [Rocky, Lucy and our two feral cats - Stripes and Fuzzy].

Rocky kept a good eye on her, in fact he was pretty protective of her around Stripes. I think she is saying to Stripes "My you're a BIG cat!"

Rocky came over to reasure her and let Stripes know not to mess with the little one. I could almost hear the conversation.

I also got lucky and managed to get a couple of good pictures of Stripes and Fuzzy [for Fuzzy this is VERY rare since she has never allowed anyone to even touch her]. Unfortunately blogger is not uploading the pictures. Try again tomorrow

Why I LOVE the Company I work for

2006-09-13T15:41:00.000-07:00

Look what they [actually I know it was Pat that put this together, THANKS Pat] gave me for my birthday!!!!!
One Skein Tote Bag [which I have been enjoying - great to quickly stash project and take anywhere];Yarn; pattern booklet; stitch markers; needle caps; a whole packet of neccesary notions; BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS; cake [oh yeah that's gone!] and sparkling cider.

Dang I think I'll stay around this place. Actually I love my job and the people I work with. It is a small family run company [8 employees] and we are all treated with respect; ya' just couldn't ask for more. I get to set my own schedule and I am left to do my work as I know how. I am the Office Administrator so all the paperwork goes thru me [contracts, billing, payroll etc]. I have my busy times and my down times but the variety keeps it fun. My boss trusts me enough to let me handle my responsibility [I have worked for companies that micromanage their employees...can't. stand. it.!] Besides all that they gave me such cool birthday gifts!!!

More WONDERFUL Gifts from my SP7

2006-09-08T15:55:00.000-07:00

Lucky, lucky me!! Look at the pretties I got from my Secret Pal....who I now know is Tocspaw from the Knitty Coffeshop. No she didn't send me the kitty..believe it or not that is Rocky. You remember Rocky, he is the little kitty we got back in May. Well he is growing up to be quite a healthy boy. He enjoyed the gifts also and wanted to sniff up the yarn.

She sent me this cool looking knit kit that makes a felted Iris;

a set of beautiful stitch markers [did you make these??? Tocspaw???] and and and look at this fantastic yarn [it is an almost perfect match to the yarn I used on my Sunrise Circle jacket].

All I can say is THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

Kiwanis Convention Time

2006-08-22T15:54:00.000-07:00

Not much knitting time lately [I did finally finish an IK sweater-have to take photo] cause there have been a lot of things going on with Kiwanis. Both my husband and I are quite active in Kiwanis [what is Kiwanis you ask...let's see if I can post a link Kiwanis International ...seems to work]. At any rate this past weekend was the Ca-Nev-Ha [that's California-Nevada-Hawaii District of Kiwanis clubs] held it's annual convention. This year it was in San Diego, close enough for us to attend. This is the first time I have been able to attend the full-on convention. I love meeting other Kiwanians, hearing their ideas, the ways and things their clubs do to "Serve the Children of the World". There is so much need, but I also know that there are so many ways to help - both big and small ideas. Many of the San Diego clubs support Children's Hospital, clubs up in the Sacramento area actually have a house where parents and family can stay when a child is sick in the hospital up there. More groups are trying to make a better life for the thousands of orphans in Romania, and the list goes on and on [makes me so happy to be part of such an important organization].
We attended seminars, socialized and generally had a great time.

It was also the time to elect the person to lead our district for the year 2007-2008 [2006-2007 was already elected]. This person is called the Governor. This year for the first time [I think] there were 3 persons running for the office. Usually who ever is going to be the Governor is basically pre-selected by the established leaders, not this year! This year a man from our own Division [Division 31] also ran. Oscar Knight - he was an incredible driving force to help re-build Crest & Harbison Canyon after the devastation from the Cedar Fires of 2003 . The established guard thought he had no chance to win, but they did not count on the rank and file and our ability to SEE the true leadership that Oscar will bring ...as you can probably guess I am a HUGE supporter of Oscar Knight. It was nerve racking as the election went on and they had to have two voting sessions to receive a majority vote but OSCAR KNIGHT did win and he will lead Ca-Nev-Ha in 2007-2008.

This may be a boring post to many, but I do encourage you to look at what you can do for your community...and maybe even consider joining a Kiwanis club in your neighborhood.

I'm Bored ---- or the teenager's lament

2006-08-11T16:30:00.000-07:00

No I'm not bored [don't I wish I had time to be bored] but

Yep, we have a teenage grandson visiting with us [one is still here] and yesterday I heard it....yep I knew it would be coming...that teenage lament "I'm Bored". I will grant you that where we live it is quiet, rural and there is basically nothing to do. But I had to laugh cause I know even if we were in the middle of all the hustle & bustle of a big city it was only a matter of time before I heard "I'm Bored". I resisted my usual response which is "What I wouldn't do to be bored; you really ought to enjoy it while you get the chance". I know now that myself and every other adult I know would love the luxury of being bored..of having NOTHING to do. Ahh just sit back for a minute and dream upon the thought of nothing to do...I mean NOTHING, not that little nagging voice that says you need to..clean something, file something, work on something..you know whatever, just imagine NOTHING. For me, at least, that little voice never shuts down. I digress..back to the bored grandson

I am trying to remember it is his vacation and we have tried to give him things to do and even a few people his age to met. But inside myself I have to chuckle cause I knew it was just a matter of time before I heard the old "I'm Bored". Ah well it is just about the weekend..so we shall see what we get up to in the next couple of days.

Gifties from my Secret Pal!!!!

2006-08-09T16:24:00.000-07:00

Wow look at all this COOL stuff I received from my Secret Pal. What/who is a Secret Pal? you ask [jealous aren't you]....I belong to "Knitty Coffeeshop" which is about the neatest bunch of folks on-line..anyway periodically they have what are "Secret Pal Swaps" and this time I got to play. So these are the gifts sent to ME by my secret pal. Now I don't know who she is but I think she lives in Arizona

There is a little notebook with a band to keep it closed which will go right into my sock knitting bag [love the band for closure, cause I am always wrinkling up note pages otherwise]; some wonderful Burt Bees Lip Gloss which has already found it's way into my purse and onto my lips mmmmmm; some gumdrop pops bound for the local Bible School kids [yeah let's get them hopped up on sugar; a pencil case with more zippers than I have ever seen - will be great for holding little notions; then also the coolest pattern book "Last Minute Gifts" - I've already mentally picked out several patterns that just need to be knitted.

AND..AND..AND can you say PURPLE..yummy, yummy purple yarn
Gonn'a have to think on what is just the right pattern for this loveliness. Gee I might have to just look at it and pet it for awhile. My mind loves to knit up several possible finished projects [so much quicker than actually knitting them]. Ah but this yarn deserves the right pattern!

SO THANK YOU TO MY SPECIAL PAL [cause I know you check my pathetic blog from time to time] and I still have NO CLUE as to who you are. I am terrible at figuring out coded names; I never can figure out what someone has on their car licenceplate -- so if your name is anything like that [and I think it must be] I will remain clueless. Anyone out there that can interpret Doaner82to7 ??????

How much food can one Teenager EAT!!!

2006-08-07T15:58:00.000-07:00

Oh. My. God. I was warned, I thought I was prepared, I thought it wouldn't be too bad....but oh my, oh my.

O.K. what is my problem...well we have not one but TWO teenage grandsons visiting us right now [one for 4-5 days and one for about 3 weeks]. We picked them up on Thursday and since then have spent over $200 on groceries [mind you my husband & I probably only spend about $250-300 per month for ourselves] and I have to go shopping again tonight. To top it off they eat an entirely different diet than we do, so we are having to buying stuff that isn't in the pantry. We are low-carb eaters but I don't think that is good for growing teenagers, especially ones that could eat me out of house and home. Bad for the budget, bad for the diet [cause I fix dinner and we end up all eating together] but GOOD FOR BONDING WITH THE BOYS. I guess I need to remind myself that this is the most important part - GETTING TO SPEND TIME WITH THEM. In a while they will be gone [visit over] and then they will be grown-up and off on their own. This little shock time will be over and I am sure I will look back and laugh at myself.....but Oh.My.God can they EAT

p.s. I still need to take pictures of them [cousins that don't see each other except every few years] so I can post them. Try to get pictures tonight. [after I get home from the grocery store!]

Before & After

2006-08-04T15:47:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in an earlier post that we had been doing alot of work on the house. Well my husband sent me these two pictures.

Before

After

The painting continues and we have since changed the trim from the dark brown to a very light yellow. But the biggest change is covering up the front of the mobile home...and we did such a good job that several of our friends have come over, notice that we have changed something but can't figure out what it is. This addition of the wall is something we have wanted to do for a LONG TIME.

[Wow ... two post in one day---my gosh what is wrong with me?????]

Ummmmm Where did JULY go???

2006-08-04T15:03:00.000-07:00

O.K. I lost a month. Where did July go?? No really I mean it where did it go? I can't believe I lost a whole month. I did go on vacation but that was only one week. Oh I suppose you want pictures from the vacation alright I'll upload some pictures [if blogger will let me] .

These are from Crater Lake, Oregon. Isn't the water beautiful.

This is my husband posing as a tourist and this is me.

We drove from San Diego to Vancouver Wa, took a week off and had a great time taking the back roads and stopping at out of the way little towns. We are always playing the "could we live here game" so we enjoy crusing off the beaten path.

Purpose of the Vacation was to attend the Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Assoc. National Meeting in Ridgefield Wa [just north of Vancouver]. Had a great time there, saw lots of different antique engines and tractor, saw lots of people we only see at these events and in general had a great time. I have more pictures on my other camera, I will try to get them uploaded at another time [camera is not with me]. I guess if you know me, you know there is no reason to hold your breath on me posting something again in the near future.

Really I have plenty to say, just never enough time to say it....yeah what ever. Well I don't want to use all my stuff up in this post. So bye till next time [when ever that might be]

View from my New front porch

2006-06-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

We have spent the last few months building a wonderful front porch [actually my hublet did the building, I earned the money]. We still need to add railings, although I am really enjoying it without the rails. So are our dogs .... Buddy here is surveying the domain.

I was trying to get the overall view [mountains way in the background] but it was just too sunny. Yes those are old tractors you see under the oaks, just another one of our hobbies.

Next on our never-ending list of projects is to landscape this front. We want to make a walk/path way up from the drive to the front door and possible even plant some roses. We do need to be aware of water usage as we are on a well and in So. Ca....not known for excess water. Oh yeah and we can't ever forget it is SummerTime now and the temp has been know to get to 110-115f. This means we gota be sure the watering system is set up before we buy the plants. Oh and also we need to be sure we don't melt when we are trying to do this said planting.....hum....looks like we ought to wait till the fall. But I want flowers and roses now sulks off into corner.

Helloooooo......anyone belive I am still here

2006-06-05T16:35:00.000-07:00

Bad blogger doesn't even begin to excuse me. I have big plans when I start my day [the only time I can internet is at the office --- dial-up a home and real slow]. I should be able to take time during my breaks and lunch but time always seem to get away from me.

We did finally name the kitty -- Meet Rocky

When we first brought him home we were VERY careful with him around our two BIG dogs [we call them two stupid dogs....cause they are, but we love them]. We watched them and made sure they played nice with Rocky. He has no fear!!! Anyway it has been several weeks now and they dogs are quite use to him, in fact they find him quite the pest. We will catch them growling under their breath at Rocky. It is quite funny seeing such a little bitty kitty ruling our two stupid dogs.
Meet Buddy [the blonde lab] & Bentley [the Black Lab]. They are wanting to play with Rocky, but I made them sit for their picture.

Lately Rocky has been exploring the great outdoors and meeting our two feral cats. They like to call him over to play, it is quite fun to watch. I am sure he will rule them also before long.

Well once again I have run out of time.....so until next time [when ever that might be]...

Been a bad blogger

2006-05-18T16:05:00.000-07:00

Well for anyone who reads my pathetic blog...sorry. I still haven't gotten use to making entries in this. I guess I figure my life is pretty boring. I have been on overload mode the last few weeks. I haven't even knit anything since I finished the Sunrise Jacket [and of course it is too hot around here to wear it]. I did pick-up some sock yarn the other weekend and some size 00 needles. Tried to cast on and knit....but we have a new kitten....and he thought the knitting and needles were just irresistible.

Yes we have a new kitty, no name yet. We are waiting for him to tell us what his name should be. I did get a few pictures of him the other night and I will try to upload them next chance I get [don't hold your breath]. Right now he is an indoor kitten cause we are trying to adapt him to our two big [horses] of dogs. They have a tendency to chase cats, however kitty will not run. In fact he walks up to them and bats them on the nose. They are SO puzzled by this, I really need to get a video of it.

Once again it is time for me to run off, HAIRCUT day. Can't miss that or be late. See ya

Finished Sunrise Circle Jacket

2006-05-04T14:54:00.000-07:00

It's DONE; and I'm loving it!!!

Very nice fit, I love the length that my worked out to...it is a bit longer than the pattern shows but for me that works out great [I prefer my stuff long or else I am always pulling things down, I hate an exposed back]

I ended up using buttons instead of toggles. I received several sets of WONDERFUL vintage buttons from my bestest friend Nancy. She found them at a yard sale. One of the set was 4 [perfect #] wooden button in the shape of leaves. As my jacket color is Deep Forest they are PERFECT!!

Finally SUNSHINE

2006-05-01T16:05:00.000-07:00

What a lovely weekend. It was SUNNY & warm. I am really a So. Cal girl [born & raised] and we have had a very gloomy winter. Late rains [which we desperately needed so I shouldn't complain]and cloudy almost everyday for the entire beginning of this year. Ah but this weekend it was beautiful!!!!!

I don't have anything on the needles right now so I didn't get any knitting done, I just kind of sat around and enjoyed the SUN. I guess I didn't realize how much the weather was affecting me. Now I have lived in Oregon [for about 2 years] and I loved it. I guess the difference is that I expected clouds and rain when I lived there.

I have finished up my Sunrise Circle Jacket with buttons and all, however I need to move one of the buttons. It is too far in and makes the jacket front not lie down flat. The problem is that it is warm weather now [80 degrees this wonderful sunny weekend past] and I just can't seem to pick-up my wool jacket and do the simple task of moving a button. Guess I ought to get on with it. I really would like to post my picture showing the completed jacket. I could then post it here and on the Sunrise Circle KAL.

Probably won't get a chance in the next few nights, meetings tonight and tomorrow night....maybe Wed. I think I will set myself a goal to FINISH it Wed., I really would like to begin a new project. Don't know what yet, have to look thru my patterns, I am thinking of recycling an old sweater and knitting another hat to be felted [now that I know how to knit on circulars without it ending up all left leaning]

Sunrise Circle Jacket - knit, hemmed and seamed

2006-04-20T15:21:00.000-07:00

DONE...now for the buttons

Another Sunrise finished EXCEPT the buttons. I have buttons picked out and enough yarn left over for the loops [probably just barely] all I need is TIME.

I love the way the jacket turned out. I used Peruvian Collection Sierra Aran, row gauge was a bit off [24 rows instead of 28]and it made a lighter jacket. That will probably be just fine as I am in So. Cal. and it never really gets cold. Turns out that there is enough body to hold the curve shape.

I do have one problem....the sleeves are about 2" too long. I am reviewing my options, I'm thinking about if it is possible to un-knit from the cast-on edge up to the correct length. Maybe, but I have further complicated matters by doing a beautiful job on knitting the hem in. Anyone have any good suggestions?????

No pictures yet, got to get the buttons on - then it is modeling time.

Got all the parts!

2006-04-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

Knitting went well on the Las Vegas trip. I got all the parts finished by Tues night and all the hems finished on Thurs I didn't feel ready to block it [I am still intimidated by blocking]. I let it go until Sunday afternoon...then figured gahh just do it you probably can't mess it up too much So there they are.

Drying on the spare bed, cause that is the only place large enough in our house. Good thing we don't have any company expected.
The knitted up objects look a little see thru so I am hoping that they have enough body to hold the shape well. Hopefully they will be dry in a day or two then it will be time to seam and see.

p.s. I finished with about 5 feet of yarn left....that's cutting it a little close

Good News on the Yarn Front

2006-04-06T16:11:00.000-07:00

Good News!!!!! I was going thru my carry-along knit bag the other night [getting my sissors out] and LO & BEHOLD another skein of yarn. Whoppee...you know I had been really stressing out on the possibility that I might run out of yarn before completing my sweater. I had visions of having to order one more skein [and paying the shipping cost for just one...I guess it could have been a good excuse to make a bigger order] and hope that they still had the right dye lot. Ahh, I don't need to do that now.

Both fronts are completed [still resisting the hemming part] and I have started on the back. We are driving to Las Vegas tomorrow [5 1/2 hrs more or less] and I hope to make some serious progress!

Why is my life sooooooo busy?

2006-04-04T10:49:00.000-07:00

What is my problem? I look at my schedule and there "ain't" no free time!!! Every weekend has something planned and most week nights I have some sort of meeting. Oh yeah, I work full time and have about an hour commute each way. WHY do I let myself get in these spots????

We [hublet & I] moved to a rural community about 12 years ago. We thought that it would lead to a quiet calm life.......WRONG. I seem to have a habit of volunteering for every need that comes along. I'm on our Volunteer Fire Fighter's Board [Treasurer]; Immediate Past President of the local Kiwanis and just chaired a pancake breakfast this past weekend; Board Member of "Branch 22" of the Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Assoc.; recently ending term as Planning Board Member; will be working the 3-Day/60 Mile Breast Cancer Walk for the 4th year in a row. Gee there must be something else I NEED to do? God I'm crazy!!!

Hublet and I have been saying [he is as bad as me only he is retired] for the last year or so that we NEED to cut back. It's not happening. We just can't seem to say NO.... you know needs in the community, needs in our neighborhood, needs in our different clubs.....no one else steps up.....it needs to be done.......arrrgh!

So what is my problem? There just isn't enough time to KNIT. It's not fair.....whine, whine, whine, cry cry. Do you feel sorry for me...sniff sniff. O.K. maybe. not. You probably will just tell me IT IS MY OWN D*MN FAULT. Yeah right.

On the good front I did make more progress on my Sunrise Circle Jacket, I am almost done with the right front. I am getting real nervous however cause I am down to less than 3 skeins of yarn and I still have to knit up the back...o.k. the back is just the back, no sleeve parts etc - so I am praying that I will have enough yarn. I should finish the front tonight and cast on for the back. We are planning a road trip to Las Vegas [Friend's daughter's wedding] this weekend so I should have plenty of knitting time.... now I just hope I have plenty of yarn. I'll update you when I know. Good News or bad???

A bit of progress

2006-03-27T16:49:00.000-08:00

This weekend had bit and times for knitting.....not near enough for me....but o.h. well. I did make some good progress on SCJ, I finished the left front [have not sewn/knitted the hem]. I am about 6" up on the right sleeve, it is going much quicker than the left side did. Guess it is because I already know the steps. Have to be careful that I don't feel so confident and get careless.

We did take time this weekend for a major project. We have about 2.5 acres fenced [out of 5] and we like to allow our two [stupid] dogs to run loose on the property. They like to get out of the yard [dummies], anyway we have used a radio controled containment fence on them for the last few years. Evidently about 2 weeks ago a rabbit chewed thru the wire [probably several rabbits in several places]. We searched and searched for the break, no luck finding it. Break in wire = no containment fence = dog must be on runs when we are not right there to supervise them. Finally we got new wire [gave up looking for break] and this weekend I re-strung the wire. Sound not too difficult...yeah well we ran short of clips to attach the wire [we put it at the top of the fence this time so we can see a break if it happens] so I keep having to crouch down to remove the clips from the old wire [on the ground]. Can you say TIGHT leg muscles. Ah but the good news is the wire is WORKING [well that probably isn't good news to the dogs].

Tonight is free and open..so maybe I can knit, knit, knit. I am getting pretty excited to see real progress.

Not much knitting time

2006-03-16T16:29:00.000-08:00

Well last night I thought I might be able to make good progress on the sleeve; but it was not to be. Hublet has been working on a deck railing project [one he will get paid for] for the last week and half. He is down to installing the upright rails and needed to cut 140 rails to size. Could I help? you know carry the wood back in forth?, stack the rails as they are cut? count the cuts make sure we are making enough? I am more than happy to help [but grumble, grumble, grumble....I won't get anywhere on the sleeve...you know at least back to where I ripped]; we got the boards cut -- took us until 9pm and burrrrr was it getting cold; down to freezing. Yes I know for most of the world that is no big deal ..... but we live in Southern California for a reason.....we are big babies! [and proud of it].

Nothing planned on the schedule this evening ..... so I am looking forward to making some serious progress. In my previous venture [before frogging] I had gotten to the point in the pattern where the increases for the curve in the sweater begin. That part looks like so much fun, watching the pattern come to life. I just realized that maybe you lucky readers have no idea what sweater I am talking about.

Here is the pattern as shown in Interweave
[free pattern for download]. I am part of a group
of knitters all working [or completed] on this sweater.
I am really enjoying this aspect of knitting because
everyone has had such nice insights to share as they
knit along.

Here we go a frogging

2006-03-16T16:05:00.000-08:00

Well I did it. It. Was. Hard. I ripped out the 109 rows that I already knitted [with those twisted stitches], wound the yarn up loosely, took a deep breath [yeah I had an Irish Coffee also]. This picture is how far I had gotten before ripping.

Then I began AGAIN. Acutally this time my knitted hem came out beautiful.....so I guess all this "practice" is going to serve me well. I was able to knit about 40 rows last night and EVERY THING IS NICE AND STRAIGHT -- HOORAY FOR ME.

I took this picture of my previous knitting, not sure how well you will be able to see the difference in twisted and not twisted. You are looking at the needle edge of my knitting. Last 1 1/2" of knitting is not-twisted all the rest is twisted. The twisted stitches have much more texture.

1 Step forward 3 steps back

2006-03-14T16:05:00.000-08:00

O.K. my yarn for the Sunrise Circle Jacket came in last week. IT IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! The color is so rich looking, dark green with little specks of red -- looks just like a forest. I guess that is why the color name is Deep Forest Green.

As per the recommendation from other knitters working on the pattern I started the pattern on the left sleeve as it knits up into the front as one piece. I have also been reading up on turned and knitted hems [using crochet cast-on]. I decided to try this method.....o.k. I had to knit the beginning and hem 4 times before it worked out but I love the look. It is so finished and I do a horrid job of hemming or seaming. At any rate I spent a VERY rainy [and snow...yeah snow in Southern California] weekend and got to the point of beginning the front panel. 107 rows - 17 1/2" of knitting -- pretty good huh.

You know there is a story to this don't you? Well yesterday while scanning the knitty coffeeshop I came across a posting from ENTRELAC with the most excellent pictures of twisted vs non-twisted stitches. I went home looked real hard at my sleeve and how I was knitting. Following ENTRELAC guidance I knit the next several rows. Guess what they are not twisted...Unfortunately the other 107 rows are! I have taken a DEEEEEEEEP breath and tonight I guess I rip it all out. Well at least I should be able to do the hem turn with out any problems.

I took pictures of the sleeve todate and tried to show the difference in the stitches. I will try to get them posted soon.

FINALLY!!! I selected my yarn

2006-03-03T16:12:00.000-08:00

Gosh I signed up for the Sunrise Circle Jacket kal when it first started...what two weeks ago and I just now FINALLY decided what yarn to use. The color [Deep Forest] looked wonderful on the screen, hope it is as luscious in person . I ordered it from Elan.com so it is coming from Canada but it is only suppose to take 2-3 days.

This is the first time I have ordered ANYTHING over the Internet. I am such a computer virgin....my husband on the other hand orders stuff 2-3 times a week. Guess it doesn't make him nervous.

Anyway I am anxious to receive it, this will be a big project for me and my first sweater using something other than acrylic [not only am I timid I'm also fiscally conservative....again the opposite from the hublet.....must be like they say opposites attract].

Now although I have knitted 3 sweater, 2 pairs of socks [yeah I finished my sideline olympics socks] and numerous scarf I am bad bad bad. Why you ask? Cause I have never swatched before I begin a project. I'm going to make myself do it on this project. It looks like gage and sizing could be a critical factor ... ya think so . Anyway I need to commit myself to swatching on future projects and not be soooooo lazy; or is it too anxious to start.

This weekend, while I am impatiently waiting for my yarn, I will continue to practice a twisted cable stitch. Got confussed on the first repeat but I think the second one is coming out correctly. I really LOVE learning new stitches and patterns. A question was asked on KnittyCoffeshop last week as to whether one was a process or a progress knitter. Guess I have to conclude I am MUCH more of a process knitter [but I have to finish what I start!!!]

Time to go home YEA YEA YEA the Weekend is here and we have an uncommitted weekend [that happens like once in a blue moon] YEA YEA YEA

Sideline Knitting Olympics....& I didn't finish

2006-02-27T16:03:00.000-08:00

Well the Olympics are over and so are the Knitting Olympics. I was too late in signing up for the KO so I have been just participation on the sideline. Opps even from the sideline I did not finish; my life got too hectic [or really just stayed as hectic as it always is...I've got to continue to try to relax more]. I had two weekends during the KO's that should have been plenty of time to knit the pair of socks I choose [using size 3 needles - the smallest I have ever tried]. First weekend my Husband & I were scheduled to work at the Indio Date Festival [we are part of the Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Assocation]. I thought this would be a perfect time for me to get some knitting done -- WRONG. Between keeping the engines running, talking with fairgoers and dealing with the cold and wind I think I frogged more than I knit. I kept having to put my knitting down in mid-row / rib and then forget where I was when I finally would get to pick it back up. By Monday I decided I was doing more damage than progress.

Fortunatly during the week I was able to make good progress and got down to the heel flap on the second sock. This past weekend we were at an auto swap meet Fri, Sat and Sun [morning] but again just not good for knitting -- too many interuptions. I got the heel flap finished [32 short rows in 2 days....that is SLOW for me]. Got home mid-day on Sunday and was able to fly on the knitting almost finished down to the toe decrease. BUT the Olympics are over and I didn't finish so I can't even give myself a Sideline Olympics medal.....I will finish the socks and I will remember that my true reward will be a wonderful pair of hand knit socks.

Maybe I can post some pictures

2006-02-21T16:25:00.000-08:00

Blogging is VERY new to me and I am soooooooo confused. I keep trying stuff only to lose it before it gets posted. But try try I must, and I must remind myself that I am not stupid [just maybe dense sometimes]. Anyway I want to try to post some pictures of what I have been knitting.

I am knitting a pair of socks along with the Knitting Olympics [I'm just a sideline participant as I did not sign up in time] One sock is done; a bit big in the foot area so I may frog it back; and the second one is half way down the cuff. Oh, one lesson learned .... I was careful to make sure I started both socks at the same color on the stripping repeat; however what I DID NOT note was the direction of the repeat......so although the stripes line up from sock to sock...the color change is backwards on the second sock. Other than that I am enjoying knitting these up [my second pair of socks]

I also have been enjoying felting. Have done a couple of projects one of which is this hat being modeled by my dog Buddy. I also made this hat in a wonderful red for my niece for Christmas, haven't seen her wear it but I hope she enjoys it. [I don't think Buddy was much enjoying his hat wearing time, he kept shaking it off].

I just joined the Sunrise Sweater KAL, hope to select and purchase my yarn soon. Have to finish the socks first. I am one of those people that has to finish one project before I can start another. Maybe after I have been knitting for a few years I might be able to over come this obsession.

2006-02-17T15:31:00.000-08:00

Me after completed the Mt. Whitney hike in one day..... 22 miles round trip....6,000 ft elevation gain and 21.25 hr hiking which I did back in 2002. This was QUITE the challenge. This led to me accepting the 3Day/60Mile Breast Cancer challenge....and an attempt to more or less stay in shape. I still try to walk at least 15-20 miles each week.

Nothing to do with Knitting, but I thought I would share a bit about myself. I will try for more knitty type stuff in the future. Right now I am trying to get off for a three day weekend .... wahoooooo

Brilliant first post .... yeah right

2006-02-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

O.K. I have been threatening to try the "blogity blog blog" stuff. So in trying to respond to the Sunrise Circle Jacket KAL I seem to have created a blog for myself. Where do I go from here? Yeah I know that is a rhetorical question....but I wasn't quite ready to start this blog stuff.

I suppose, since this is my first entry, I should introduce myself. HI, I'm Mad Dog Knitting and I knit....gee wasn't that brilliant. So far I have knit 3 sweaters [one of which I will probably frog and re-knit], 1 baby junper, 1 pair of socks working on a second pair, 2 hats [felted], a felted bag and several scarfs. I love trying new techniques.
In addition to knitting I also walk as in the 3-Day / 60 Mile Breast Cancer Walk and have done so for the past 3 years. Actually this year I will participate by being a member of the "All Volunteer Crew" in which I expect that I will work way harder than the 60 mile walking [and believe me walking 60 miles ain't no small feet]. O.K. other interest of mine: I belong to Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association - better know as EDGE&TA. I have two tractors of my own, both Farmall Cubs - 1948 & 1949 which I often drive in parades. My husband [yeah I have a husband] has several tractors of his own as well as more engines than I wish to count [ignorance is bliss - hope he feels this way about the yarn stash I hope to aquire]. I am also very active in my small rural community - a member of our local Kiwanis [Imediate Past President] and Board Member of our Volunteer Fire Department.

Well I don't want to reveil everything in my first post....I won't have anything else to tell you if I do.