YEAH, Baby!

My sockapaltwo-za socks arrived yesterday! They came with some wondeful smelling hula honey oil. Thanks Anita! (For the full story on these socks, go check her out.)

I also had lunch with Jill, Katie, and the little ones yesterday. Holding such sweet little babies makes me want to try for another...almost.

As far as my Shetland triangle shawl, I have decided to stick with the number of pattern repeats recommended. I totally forgot about the magic of blocking, and how it is going to change the dimensions of this shawl. Although, I seem to be using a lot less yarn than what is called for. This has me mildly concerned. But I am partway through the edging.

recovering

I was hoping to show you a finished Shetland Triangle shawl, from the WRapstyle book, but I have not been well. It seems delirium-inducing fevers and laceknitting do not mix. Huh. I'm adding a couple more repeats than the pattern calls for, and as it is now, I'm about 75% through it. I love this color. In some lights it looks gray, in others almost lavendar. Very soft alpaca. I love it.

Has anyone else worked the canteen bag from the latest IK? Do the numbers not jive for you too, or am I on my own on this one? I'm about to throw the pattern aside and wing the rest. we'll see what becomes of it.

As it looks now, Carma will not be making it out this weekend to meet up for the Harlot book tour stop at Arcadia. I'm hoping to recoop enough to make it myself. I plan to Meet Jen in Chicago, and make it to a couple yarn shops, if she's still up for it.

announcement

Erin cannot post today. With the help of her newly acquired Wrapstyle book, she has become entangled in some alpaca laceweight, and is not expectsed to emerge until she wrestles that laceweight into a shawl. Thanks for your patience.

disaster averted.

This morning we (and by we, I mean the whole neighborhood) were rudely awakened at 6:45am by a car alarm somewhere in the neighborhood. By 10am I was heading out my front door with baseball bat in hand, determined to find this offending car and shut it up for good. Luckily, I stumbled over a package on my stoop.


Yarn Harlot saves the day...And my would-be legal fees.
By the way the alarm is still going off, but I don't care so much.
Oh, and the canteen bag in it's neglected state.

Hey, Carma and Cari, let me know the plans for this weekend so we can coordinate with Jen.

Confession.

I have a dirty little secret. I have an unhealthy obsession with this man.(I'd link to his site, but I don't care much for it.)

Harland Williams. I have watched A LOT of bad movies just because he was in them. He cracks me up, I know, but I cannot help it. The latest being Superstar, but really, who am I kidding? I love that movie.

Ok, I feel better now that I have that off my chest. Although it may now be a little akward to make eye contact, it will pass.

Another dirty little secret...I've been crocheting on the sly. No not just the cats. I cannot show you what yet, but I am actually crocheting from a pattern, and I think I get it now.

Does this mean I'll be setting my needles aside? Heck no. I've just had a run of startitis and I cannot seem to finish anything. So, when I look at the pile of wips, it becomes a little overwhelming. I'm trying to pick one and finish it off. Right now it's the canteen bag. I'm curious on how it will turn out.


I have been waiting to hear from the recipient of my sockpal socks, to hear if she's got them/if she likes them, etc. It's beginning to drive me batty.

Speaking of winged creatures, my SIL shared a very funny story about walking in on her pair of lovebird, ...well.. "in the throws of passion," and Ms. Lovebird laid her first egg yesterday. So, I guess I'll be buying Jessie a birdcage soon.

crochet kitty carnage

It's alive!

This one's going to my sister-in-law for her birthday. Here's where I need your help. He/She/It needs a name, any suggestions?

I have received feedback on my Mary Jane slipper pattern. the pattern has been turned over to Jen, who has offered to photograph the finished product and convert the whole thing into a nice little .pdf. I will let you all know when it will be available. I'm so excited, because I have gotten very good feedback, and they are a nice knit gift that uses up odd balls of yarn.

In other knitting news, the only progress I have to show is my PoA ravenclaw scarf.

I am also working on the canteen bag from the latest IK, but right now I am in the process of connecting the front and the back with the side gusset and it just looks all shades of wonky.

Chain of Love

Ok, I meant to post yesterday, but the day just seemed to get away from me. First, let me post some knitting content.

My Scarf Me scarf, she is done.
Pinecone scarf from IK winter 2004
I used Colinette Tagliatelli in the fire colorway.

Now onto Farm Aid.

First off, we had lawn seats, which means that this was our view of the stage.

No matter, we still had a blast. We sat with some of our friend, Andy and the group hwe came with. If you are wondering why we are squinting in most if not all of the pictures, it's because the sun was just to the left of the stage. Man did we get sunburnt.


A picture of me working on a sock during the Supersuckers, because they super did.

We met up with Nate's Uncle Q., and hung out with him for a while. He's been to every Farm Aid, and he's a blast to hang out with.

The highlights for me were:
Buddy Guy (with John Mayer)
Arlo Guthrie (He sang Alice's restaurant, and I think Carma and I were the only two in our section of lawn who knew the words.)
Los Lonely Boys (Willie came out and played with them.)
Widespread Panic was good.
Dave Matthews was pretty good.
Sen. Barach Obama (He introduced Wilco. I was unimpressed by Wilco.)
John Mellencamp rocked. (We formed what was dubbed as the "Chain of Love" during Pink Houses. It started with just our group and our blanket neighbors, swaying with our arms over our neighbors' shoulders. It ended with easily 50 folk.)
Last but DEFINITELY not least Willie Nelson, and his sons ended the night.

Farm Aid kicked off at one pm and ended some time after midnight. It was darn near three am by the time we got back. I'm looking forward to next year.

A horse of a different Color.

Carma and the New Boy made it in safe and sound yesterday. We all decided to go out to dinner.
NOTE TO SELF:
Self, NEVER attempt a night out in Chesterton during the biggest weekend of the year for this little bo-dunk town.

Oz Fest. Now if you are wondering why in the hell Chesterton, Indiana would have a festival dedicated to anything and everything Wizard of Oz....well, you'd be asking a damn fine question.

See the reason would be that Chesterton houses a gift shop/museum called the Yellow Brick Road, owned by a Chestertonian who organized the first event twenty years ago, and it's been going strong ever since. (If you are interested there is a documentary called Emerald Immersion.

You can always tell a native Chestertonian, because the mere mention of the Wizard of Oz makes them cringe.

The only highlights are the muchkin sightings.




One of the lollipop kids.
The coroner (You know, he was the guy who proclaims the Wicked Witch of the East dead.) was there as well. He was a special guest of honor and had his own car in the parade, but all you could see was his big purple hat and a hand waving. Poor planning on someone's part.

There has always been a rumor buzzing as to why the munchkins were banned from staying in the Indian Oak Inn. Jen has given me a confirmation that the rumors are true, so let me share. (If you already haven't read about this in the comments) They were banned for leading a horse into the indoor pool. They are a fun bunch.

This year, like every year since we've had Jess, we headed up for the parade. Carma, Cory (aka the New Boy), Jen, Nat, Zander, Jess and I caravaned in to town and then walked up to Broadway to find an optimal view.

Then we went for ice cream.and all went our seperate ways.

Monday: Carma and I hope to share our Farmaid experience.

Yet another false start on my part.

Remember the scarf me progress from last post? Gone. I had about six inches done only to realize, I like the pattern, I like the yarn, but not together.

Moving on. The pinecone scarf from IK winter '04.

I'm still not quite ready for house guests. But I'm hoping the half a pot of coffee I've consumed this morning gives me the kick in the butt I need.

I'm still in search of the new Harlot book. I know I should just order it, but I want it now. I'm VERY excited to hear she is coming to Chicago October 1st. Not terribly excited that it's at Arcadia Knitting but hey, it's not bad.

Knit Exchanges and the New Boy

I am going to send my sock pal package out today. Once she receives it I will link to her. I really hope she likes it.

I started my scarf me scarf I deicided on the short row scarf that was in the last Magknits. This tagliatelli yarn is a real pain to photograph.

Well, with all the excitement about house, I forgot to mention the news for this week. Carma's coming out for a visit this weekend. Also, she is bringing the New Boy. Now, I have to practice my best "What-are-your-intentions-with-my-friend" speech. (Also known as the "I may look weak and petite, but if you hurt her; I hurt you" speech)

But, not only is Carma coming up and I'm meeting the New Boy. She and I are going to Farm Aid on Sunday. I know, I know I have to sit down and catch my breath. Oh wait--no! I have to clean!

P.S. Now if only I could find the new Harlot book...

the interior

Ok, shall we head inside?

Some of our pictures did not turn out so well, so I'm not sure how to go about this. So, I'll walk you through from the front of the house and insert pictures where I can.
Keep in mind though, the place is a bit cluttered.

The front room of the house is the parlor. Here is a picture looking towards the front lawn.

Directly opposite is the fireplace. If one were to enter the room to the left, you would enter a room that I would consider the den, but what has previously been a bedroom.

To the left is the dining room which has a lovely view from the bay windows, a built in china hutch, and the door to the upstairs. Upstairs consists of two adjoining bedrooms, a bathroom, and two attic storage rooms. To continue through the dining room, one enters the kitchen.

There is a hall to the left which leads to a bathroom and a side porch. On the right, a door which leads to an enclosed porch., and access to the back of the house.
Straight ahead is the pantry. If one were to continue through the pantry or through the other door on the sideporch. It leads to the part of the house that has been closed up for over three decades.

This part includes two storage rooms, a hall two or three closets, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. But they have been neglected.

It'll be a lot of work, but so worth it.

In knitting news,I have gotten my Scarf Me partner info, and I think I'll decide today what to make her. I have the yarn chosen. It's Coliette tagliatelli in fire. I just need to decide what kind of scarf to make.

Here Kitty, kitty, kitty....

...Meet Morange*. (Hey, if that's what Jess wants to call him, I'm not going to argue.)He's actually kitty number two. The first one is now a quadruple amuptee as I have left his appendiges in Gibson County.

*If you are wondering, it rhymes with orange.

Man, it was hot this weekend. Too hot to handle wool.(Especially with no AC. since 90% of my WIPs right now are wool or mohair, it's been maddening. Unfortunately I have very little weekend progress to show. Although, I do owe you all some long overdue knitting pictures. (I apologize for the night pictures.)


The lace tablecloth progress. I really should have taken this with, but I was going to be in the presence of the recipient, and I was afraid it'd get really dirty. I should have pictured it with something for scale, but I could not get it spead out enough, but as it is right now, it would cover my endtable.

For quite some time now, I have wanted a Harry Potter PoA scarf, but I could never find the right colors. (Ravenclaw, book colors) The brown was just never right. Then Knitpicks saved the day.

I have a wool-ease sweater, a mohair perfect pie" shawl, Jill's homespun poncho, (The lace edging was a bad idea, I have instead decided on a simple garter stitch edging. I had wanted to get it to the new mom, but it's not like she'd be wearing it yet anyway.) and purple booties for baby Jordan. I would have pictures, but the pictures just weren't coming out right.

We had a very nice, but abbreviated trip. Saturday, we drove what might possibly be Nate's new commute. It's a bit longer than would be ideal, but manageable, and we collected some basic information.

Now, to bring you all up to speed. Nate's Aunt Ida has, up until recently lived in the "Homestead"

The house and property goes back at least four generations in Nate's family. Anyway, Ida is 92, and recently decided to move into an assisted living facility. Which means the house is now empty and she has been asked if we would like it.

It's a beautiful house and property, but it needs A LOT of work. (half of the house has been shut up and not used for over 30 years now. It's in the process of being appraised,so I have no idea yet what we'll need to spend to get it, and we plan to have an inspector out to make sure house is structurally sound. But if all goes well, It looks like we'll be moving in the Spring. Would like to see it?


First a look at my neighbors. You actually cannot see the house from the road. Only the church and cemetary that adjoin the property. (The one room schoolhouse, on the left is actually part of Ida's property. The school house sits opposite the end of the driveway, to give you a sort of reference to where the house is.)

And this rowdy bunch.

A shot of the front of the house from the road that it shares with the church,and the side of the house, from the drive. Yes, it needs to be washed down and repainted. Sorry but out of about 8 pictures, this is the best one.





Tomorrow I'm hoping the have some time to show you the inside.

fickleness

Ok, I have a crochet project I'm just about ready to throw aside every one of my WIP's aside to make. That's right a CROCHET project. It'll be worth the pain I will be experiencing in my right forearm. Unfortunately, I have no good picture to show, but I do have a link, to someone who does. Here.

Meanwhile, while I am rifling through my stash, hoping to find a yarn that hasn't been earmaked for another project, I'm trying like mad to finish the poncho I am making for new mother, Jill. I want to have it done to give to her before we leave for the weekend. All I really have to do is put some sort of lace edging on it, so I'll be pulling out Nancy Epstien's book here shortly. Then pictures. (I know I have been promising pictures for some time now. If only I could find my friggin' charger. You haven't seen it have you?)

Then it's off to pack and pick out appropriate trip projects to take with me this weekend. We'll be heading south to check out what very well might be our new home and to research some job opportunities, and various other moving tidbits. (Don't panic yet. Nothing's been decided on.)

Meme

AHHH!! We've been tagged by the Stalker.



Here are the rules for the meme:

1. Go into your archive.
2. Find your 23rd post (or closest to).
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions.
5. Tag five people to do the same.


My 23rd post, 5th sentence reads:

Fruit flies set up residence while your gone and have a four day orgy.


Now that sounds like good times, eh?


Ok, so I am tagging........Jen, Lynne, Erin, Wendy, and (Carma, help out here...I need one more.)

baby boom

Due to the rash of new babies, the high percentage of "preggers" in my life, and the fact that spam killed my free pattern page, I would like to post the baby bonnet pattern here.






gauge

5 sts = 1 inch

Materials

#6 straight or cirular needles
any dk/sportweight yarn that yields gauge. I used frog tree prima cotton(pink) and Jo Sharp soho summer (red). 1 skein
3/8 inch grossgrain ribbon (Approx 2 yards I think)
stitch markers
yarn needle



Lace edging is from Nicky Epstein's book, "Knitting on the Edge" Fishtail stitch.

SK2P-Slip two stitches as if to purl at the same time. K1, pass slipped stitches over.

Lace and eyelet border

CO 63 sts.
Row 1- (rs) k2tog, yo, *k3, SK2P, k3, yo, k1, yo* Repeat * to end, k2tog
Row 2 & 4- (ws) purl
Row 3- k2, *yo, k2, SK2P, k1, yo, k1, yo, SK2P, yo* Repeat * to end, k1
Row 5- k2tog, yo, *k1,yo,k1,SK2P, k1, yo, k1, yo, SK2P, yo* Repeat * to end, k1.
Rows 6,7,&8- Purl
Row 9- k1, *yo, k2tog* repeat * to end.
Rows 10 &11- knit

Body of Bonnet

Work four rows of Stst

Row 16- K22, ssk, Place marker(pm), k15, pm, k2tog, k22
Row 17 & all odd rows- purl
Row 18- knit
Row 20- k21, ssk, slip marker (sm), k15, sm, k2tog, k21
Row 22- k20, ssk, sm, k15, sm, k2tog, k20
Row 24- k19, ssk, sm, k15, sm, k2tog, k19
Row 26- k18, ssk, sm, k15, sm, k2tog, k18
Row 28- k17, ssk, sm, k15, sm, k2tog, k17

Turning the back of the Bonnet
(remove markers when convenient)

*Slip 1, p13, p2tog, turn
Slip 1, k13, ssk, turn*

Repeat *until only 15 sts remain. BO

Pick up __ (I'm so sorry I cannot remember what this number is.. I will be making another bonnet soon and will fill this number in.)stitches around the bottom of bonnet from one side of eyelet border to the other end.
purl one row
next row- k1, *yo, k2tog* repeat * to end
Knit two rows
BO

Block bonnet. When bonnet if dry, cut ribbon into two equal pieces. thread one through the bottom eyelets and the other through the eyelet border on the lace edging. adjust to fit.

Borrowed time

Hey, folks. Sorry to disappear like that. I'm having some computer troubles, so I am on borrowed computer time, on a computer that is not my own, and It's kinda freaking me out.(No pictures, sorry. I forgot my usb cord.) Hopefully my computer probelems clear up soon.

So, let's see... Oh an update. My step father was allowed to come home on Saturday(finally) Which meant we were all running around like crazy trying to make sure his accomidations were in order, etc. and I spent the rest fo the day in bed with a killer headache. I missed Austins pop warner game, and I totally forgot to call Carma as originally intended. (sorry, sweets)

Sunday we had the big family cookout, and it was a lot of fun, but tiring as it was an entire day event.

Monday was spent at my brother's house. He and Nate put up a fence while my sister-in-law and I (to borrow a phrase from Jen) did some kid/dog-wrangling.

THat has been the excitement for the past week or so. (I know, I know, I'm such a wild woman.)

In knitting news, I have the lace tablecloth on the needles still.. I have finished one of my military socks, started another pair of socks, my ravenclaw PoA scarf , a sweater for my Dad for Christmas, and a poncho for the soon-to-be new mother, Jill. Again, sorry for the lack of photos.

Well, I'm off to catch up on a week's worth of blogs/emails/egroups.