Thursday, September 24, 2009

Hooooboy! And. Where the hell is my camera?

I found a box in while I was doing my Flylady decluttering and looking for my camera. Take a look at this:

I didn't find my camera but my snazzy Mac has a nice little built-in camera that worked just fine. In this box are a bunch of ALMOST finished knitted items. Why haven't I finished them? A.D.D? Perhaps. Laziness? Maybe a slight case of OCD?

Well, whatever the reason, I may as well finish them. So here they are in all of their UFO glory (that's UnFinished Objects to you non-knitting nerds)!
First up:
Rivendell Sock by Janel Laidman using dkKnits technicolor dream toes in "Molly Ringwald"
One cuff done.


2. One almost-finished Baby Mitts and Socks (LVS 5-22/23) by Rauma Designs
Sister is having a baby, so this is probably moving up to the top of the queue.


#3 - Socks for my dad that were supposed to be a Christmas present in '08.
Garter Rib by Charlene Schurch using Dream in Color Smooshy in "Midnight Derby"


#4 Socks for my hubby - Fall hunting socks of my own plain pattern. Some thick sock yarn, some big needles.


#5 These make me feel the most guilty of all because they are for my best friend who has since moved to Texas and probably will never need wool socks ever again. sniff.
"Little Pumpkins" Socks by Sabine Ruppert using ShibuiKnits Sock in ... orange.


#6 Classic mittens using Claudia Handpainted worsted in Freesia - for both my nieces birthdays this weekend.


#7. Child's First Sock in Shell Pattern by Nancy Bush using Sweet Sheep Sweet Socks in "Vampire".


SO how will I treat myself if I finish these projects? I set aside this lovely gem of a yarn to be used with my new pattern.
Yarn: Radiant Twist in "Positively Pink"
Pattern: Winnie by the fabulously talented IrishgirlieKnits (on sale until the end of Sept!!!)

P.S. please don't remind me of the two sweaters I have going which I determined to be finished by Oct. 15. Let's just agree to not talk about that right now.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Autumn Mitts


It's 80 degrees out right now, which is why my daughter is sporting a swimsuit with those mittens.

Pattern: Classic Mittens (FREE - very easy pattern, adaptable to all sizes)
Yarn: Socks that Rock - Heavyweight
Needles: US 5
CO: 40 - there is room to grow.

I know it seems sort of redundant to say this, but Socks that Rock heavyweight seriously rocks. After knitting these mits, it has become my favorite yarn!!!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Make love, not war . . . unless you're wearing football helmets.



I've never really been a football fan. So I was taken back when my kid said he wanted to play. Strange things happen to mothers when their young get out on the battlefield. We wage our own internal battles from the sidelines.

Well, folks, despite my bloggy absence, I am still here and I am still knitting. Here's the proof:
my unblocked, weirdly pink Central Park Hoodie, minus the hoodie.
(did she lay that thing on the sidewalk? - yes, I did)

And then, because we can't just red eat meat, I also added my basic greens:
Good old wool socks for Mr. Darling and his Autumn-Outdoor-Extravaganzas.

Followed by a good side of fruits:


Vintage Mittens in an unidentified Socks-That-Rock (STR) colorway.

b14-27 Jacket by DROPS design
Koigu and Unique Sheep yarns

And this little ditty for my sister's baby which will be here in a month, unless she 'goes' early. I started this in blue and green but we found out it's a GIRL, so I opted for something a little less blue and a little less traditional. The purple will stay throughout the sweater, but the contrasting color will slowly move into cooler colors. It will either turn out to be a masterpiece or a piece of god-awful crap. We shall see. We shall see.

That pink CPH WILL be finished by Oct. 15, which is the deadline for this KAL.

ANSWERS TO SOME QUESTIONS:
YES!!! I know where Chaska is - I'm a neighbor!

Fried green tomatoes are fabulous and easy. Slice your tomatoes into 1/2 inch slices. Dredge in flour (with salt and pepper to taste) and fry them up in a 1/4-1/2 inch of oil. (Some people dip them in an egg wash, too - I skip that step)

Guinifer: I brought the zipper and the sweater to Coldwater in Excelsior and they have a finisher that put the zipper in. It was about $30. (It was worth it - it would have stayed in my UFO cupboard for years...)

Friday, September 4, 2009

Quick Post

Hey friends,

A friend and I write for a retailer (I write a book blog and she writes a food blog) - and we are teaming up to tackle Julia Child. I am hosting a "My Life In France" by Julia Child book club and FoodieMama is taking Julia's recipes and making them 'weeknight friendly'. Her recipes are fantastic and we'd love your feedback - even if you don't read the book.

Her first recipe is Coq Au Vin (don't panic - it's chicken). She has taken Child's recipe and made it mommy friendly (ie. do we really have a bottle of Cognac lying around?) Please check it out!


Enjoy!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

The Minnesota State Fair.

We went.

We ate.

We conquered.

...until today. uuuuhhhhhhnnnggghhhh. I'm not feeling so well. And to overwhelm myself with my stupidity, I ate a pound of fried green tomatoes and washed them down with a Diet Cherry Coke. I feel so yucky.


++++++++


Finished SocksStats:
Needles: US 3
Yarn: All Things Heather Handpainted Superwash Merino, colorway "Bucky"
Pattern: plain old socks - no pattern

Also, I finally finished this sweater by hiring someone to sew the zipper into it. It looks fantastic - fits perfectly and is my absolutely favorite thing I've knit so far.

Stats:
"Vidiot Sweater"
Pattern: Supersize Me by The Yarn Girls
Yarn: Berroco Peruvia, colorway "Sea Turtle - 7125"
Needles: US 7


PS. Come and join us for March Sweater Madness in Autumn. It will begin on September 15 and end on October 15. It's a great excuse to get your sweater knitting mojo into gear for this autumn.