BOO!

Happy Halloween! The jack-o-lanterns are lit, the costumes laid out and padded for warmth, the trick-or-treat bags ready to go! We'll hit the streets tonight in the annual candy beg-a-thon. The only time of year we Americans let our kids not only take, but beg candy from strangers. Huzzah . . . what fun! We have, in our midst, Wonder Woman, Army Guy and Jango Fett. Hubby will go as Big Foot - no costume needed. (smirk)

As promised: SOCKS "Nod-to-Neuro" Specs: Yarn: Painted Skeins "Welcome Autumn"
Needles: US 2 - magic loop
Pattern: Sleepwalker
I found the pattern at Coldwater Collaborative in Excelsior, MN. The pattern is very easy to follow - K2 tog, ssk, and yo - that's the extent of it. It makes a pretty sock. I will use this pattern again and I think it would look great with a solid or semi-solid.

Again, thanks for all your kind words regarding Ruby. We really miss her and I really appreciate all your comments.

UGH

I'm back. That whole dog thing really did a number on me. I'm exhausted and sad, but it really helps to have friends and family around. All of your comments were really touching and appreciated. It's just a dog, right? . . . sigh

I'll be back Wednesday with my finished socks and some new stash. Until then, here is a silly book quiz that is kind of fun to try. Marit had this on her page.

1. Hardcover or paperback, and why?

Harcover if it’s a library book (so I don’t ruin it) and paperback if I buy it (it’s cheap).

2. If I were to own a book shop, I would call it...

“Fall In” - from that quote - Books Fall Open, You Fall In - It would be in an old house with a whole floor dedicated to children’s lit and children’s book clubs. It would also have a yummy coffee bar downstairs with a stage for poetry readings and short plays written by patrons.

3. My favorite quote from a book (mention the title)

"A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men." - Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

“The mother stands behind the child, and lets him move forward on his shaky, bandy legs, and he knows that there is a mass of love behind and above him - so attentive to him that even when he falls, he is safe. In fact - when he falls, he is loved the more.” Nuala O’Faolain - My Dream of You

4. The author (alive or deceased) I would love to have lunch with would be...

J.K. Rowling and John Steinbeck. Wouldn't Elizabeth Zimmermann be a hoot!

5. If I was going to a deserted island and could only bring one book, except for the SAS survival guide, it would be…

The Dangerous Book for Boys. My guilty conscious just told me that I was supposed to say the Bible, but my first choice has things like, how to make your own fishing net etc.

6. I would love someone to invent a bookish gadget that…

would automatically write down and store good quotes and/or ideas into my computer.

7. The smell of an old book reminds me of... the library

8. If I could be the lead character in a book (mention the title), it would be

Charlie “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” or Ginny Weasley AFTER Chamber of Secrets -But I'm sure if I thought about this some more, I'd come up with a few more.

9. The most overestimated book of all times is….

Chicken Soup for the Soul

10. I hate it when a book…

Describes men by height, hair, eyes and type of nose then goes on to describe women by leg type, body type (curvey), the way she walks, flips her hair, neck length, lip type, etc. YUCK and GRRRRRRR

Ruby 1996 - 2007

We said goodbye to our dear old girl. We will miss her very much.

Welcome Autumn

Are you sick of my fall pictures yet? Well, I won't be flaunting our Northwood feathers come November - when the words gray and dull describe the landscape palette. This time of year is really a swan-song for the hardwoods.

I'm knitting up some socks with my new, yummy yarn, "Welcome Autumn" - Painted Skeins. The socks are called Nod-to-Neuro because her socks inspire me. But I could also call them Sugar Maples because they perfectly match the trees surrounding our house. The pattern is Sleepwalker by Monica Nappe.I've abandoned my other projects to finish these socks - that's how much I love the yarn/color. If I ever get my hands on some Yarntini, I'll be happy to do a comparison - as the Painted Skeins seems easier to come by . . . for now.Picot edge inspired by Neuroknitter.

My Name is Rani and I'm a Yarnoholic

I have a problem. A serious yarn problem. Yes - go ahead and laugh you "non-knitters". But it's true. It's starting to affect my family and friends. A few days ago, my hubby kindly and gently showed me the credit card bill with various charges to places like Wool Girl and Knit Wits. And he went on to suggest that I take a hiatus from purchasing any more yarn.

"Sure!" I responded, a little too cheerfully, "No problem." (internal shudder) "No problem at all." (nervous giggle)

But oh my goodness, I thought - Yarntini is coming! My next sock of the month isn't for another month! My Christmas Sock kit won't come until December! I felt myself getting desperate. I had to figure something out.

And the yarn goddess smiled down on me. That credit card purchase . . . well, one of them anyway, came in the mail today - just in time to prevent a woolly nervous breakdown:Gorgeous, marvelous, roll-around-in-it sock yarn!
My purchase from WoolGirl - phew - just in time - the perfect Fall yarn.

A packet of Soak to wash out those nifty knits.

Chocolate for my 'other problem'

The yarn is by Painted Skeins. And it's perfectly lovely. Sigh. All is well.

The Wow and and the Bow Wow

I was starting to think that I had enough stitchery projects on my plate when, lo and behold, the Holiday Vogue Knitting magazine arrived in my mailbox. Some of the projects were . . . how can I say this politely. . . bizarre.Not sure what that is, but I do know that if I spent $$ and hours on this thing, I would want it to NOT look like a big mistake. This might look good on Bjork, maybe? Again, I'm just not quite sure I know what that is.

There were some gems in the magazine. For example, I gasped when I saw this:
I must have this. And since I probably won't be able to recruit someone to make it for me, I Might attempt to knit this myself. It's a big commitment for a girl who has never made anything bigger than a (no seam) baby sweater. My goal is to wear this NEXT winter. I even like the color they chose. Isn't it gorgeous!?

Autumn

I wish I could really capture how bright the sugar maples are glowing right now. Those of you who live here know what I mean. Wow.This is one of the views from my computer.

Spent some time at the Arboretum. Belle did a lot of running and imagining - she was Pocahontas. I managed to find a bench along the way.Where were the boys?
Here they are:

I have three projects going now, which means that progress on all will be slow.

#1: A pair of socksSpecs:
Pattern: Child's First Sock from Nancy Bush's Vintage Socks
Yarn: Sweet Wool from the Sweet Sheep in Vampire
Needles: US size 2 (2.5 mm)

#2: Another EZ February Sweater in organic cotton - pale pink for a friends 'new arrival'Specs:
Elizabeth Zimmerman's February Baby Sweater from her Knitters Almanac
Yarn: Organic Cotton (bought at Knit Wits)
Needles: US size 5
Should fit a 6-12 month.

#3: A basic wool "Watch Hat".
Specs: Galway worsted weight wool
Needles: US size 6
K2, P2
CO 100 (should fit a man's head or size large)

A silly story:

While standing in line for lunch, I noticed a strange scarf on the man in front of us. Upon further inspection . . . well, take a look for yourself:Yup. It's a sock! We laughed like little school girls (mom and I) and fussed and giggled over whether or not we should tell him. Mom, bless her heart, recovered herself and promptly and courteously removed the stray sock and informed the owner and his wife. The wife was pleased to have finally found the sock she had been missing since last spring, and the husband was recollecting his morning at a grandchild's soccer game in which nobody said anything. Good job mom! A model of maturity (I'm still giggling!)

As per your request:

Someone has asked for information on this: The pattern for these little dudes is from Simply Knitting - Christmas Gifts Extra. I mailed away to Europe, I think. It took a couple of weeks for the pattern to arrive.

Falling

Yes. I will talk about knitting today. But first, I spent almost 2 hours trying to find this damn song. I heard it in Florida last week on the radio. It was the first time I'd heard it since I was 8 years old and it immediately brought me back to our huge station wagon with faux wood paneling and my mom singing this as she drove. CLICK HERE for (hopefully) a trip down memory lane!

I finished my "Waterfall" socks. Fast, fun knit and the socks are incredibly warm.Specs:
Pattern: "Waterfall" by Miss Babs (Babs Ausherman)
(available at Wool Girl)

Yarn: Miss Babs Yummy 100% Superwash Sport Weight - 3 ply - 255 yards/4 oz.
Colorway: "Waterfall"

Special Notes: This pattern and yarn were the first shipment of the Wool Girl sock club. Click here to see all the yummies that came in the package.

Needles: Size US 3 (I used magic loop)

Next: I cast on with my Sweet Socks yarn "Vampire".Pattern: Child's First Sock in Shell Pattern (this is actually an adult size)
By: Nancy Bush "Knitting Vintage Socks"I think they'd make great wrist warmers! I may have to try to make something like this for Christmas gifts. We'll see. Also, I was inspired to make these socks by this blog.

I'm Back

After tempting the Sun Cancer Gods for four days, I am back! Relaxation, sand, good friends, a teeny bit of wine (achem) and yes . . . even some knitting. I'll post my progress pictures on Monday.