Gone Batty.

Our trip to Ohio almost wasn't.

Wednesday my stepfather was rushed to the hospital. It was touch and go for a little while there, but he's stable and actually home now. Although he refused some tests he should have done and refused the surgery that he had little chance of surviving.

My Mom insisted we not change our plans, so we went on to Ohio. I knit a little, read a little, but mostly I worried. (I was not a whole lot of fun to be around either.) I have a few knitting pictures to share, but they'll have to wait until tomorrow.

Jess did want to model her Bat costume.

sweet mary janes

The stitch n bitch tonight was a whole lot of fun. Not only was Kristen there, but Jen was accompanied by her "cute boy", Nat. I took pictures, but they turned out nicht so gut. My camera does not like Barnes and Noble. Bad lighting.


Now, the long-awaited finshed PAIR of Sweet Mary Jane slippers. The color in this picture is not very accurate. Please overlook the fresh sock lines on my ankles.

(I have tons of orphan slippers and socks around here that I'm trying very hard to make mates for. I cannot show them all because I do not want the intended receivers to see them yet.)
This picture is more accurate colorwise.


Tomorrow I spend my day doing laundry, packing, and running all last minute errands. Thursday morning we leave for Ohio, and we plan to return on Sunday. So, anyone who decides to order a copy of the slipper pattern please keep this in mind. I will send the pattern as soon as I return. Thanks.

Insert clever post title here.

Disaster was averted yesterday, when the "bat wing" fabric I had bought for Jess' costume and had ransacked the house looking for, was found. All I have left to do is sew the snaps one both the wings and bodysuit so all I have to do is snap the wings on. I should be able to finish before we leave Thursday morning. We are heading to my in-laws, like we do every year for Nate's birthday. This year, Nate turns thirty, and he's a bit bummed. His parents although, have done a great deal for his spirits. They told him a couple weeks ago to pick out a laptop, so he's looking forward to having a new toy to play with.

This means I must bring lots of knitting along, not only will I become chopped liver in Jessie's eyes once we hit the threshold of GramE's house, but I will be largely ignored by Nate as he plays with his new toy. Actually, I like the sound of this. That means I can find a quiet little corner and settle in with my books and my knitting. Hopefully, this will give me a leg up on my Christmas list.

Kristen is in town from California so our little Stitch n Bitch group is meeting tonight in her honor. I'm hoping I remember my camera, and I can then delight you all with some pictures.

On the knitting front, I have finished the smoke ring, but no pictures until I sew up the edging and block it. I'm having some trouble with the mittens. I have decided that fingerless gloves would be more practical, but I want them to be two color, and sort of vintage-looking. I have not yet found anything I like.

change in plans

Well, The lace tablecloth I have on the needles, is officially stalled. It's about twenty eight inches in diameter, (unblocked) and I just can't even look it it right now. So, it's to be set aside. In place of the tablecloth, my MIL will be getting these:

A beaded smoke ring and mittens. They aren't a perfect match, but close enough.

The smoke ring is Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer's pattern, with doubled laceweight. (Alpaca of course, because I have a little alpaca problem.) The mittens, well I don't really have a plan yet, except that they are to be two color and made of Koigu. I'm thinking of a vintage look. Which means I'll be cruising google images later for inspiration.

My stepmother recently retired, and asked if she could take Jessie for a few hours on Fridays. This woman and I have had a sketchy past at best. But really, the way I look at it, what happened happened, and nothing said or done now will change it. I'm actually very pleased that she is wanting to spend time with Jess, and I hope it continues. This also gives me a bit of extra time on Fridays.
Originall, I had planned to head up to Sit n Knit in New Buffalo once in a while, but lately I've been having little knit get togethers with some friends and giving some knitting instruction. It's always fun to hand someone a pair of needles and some wool and watch them learn.

You might be a redneck if...

I went to my Stitch n bitch meeting last night, and look what Jen gave me!

It's a thank you for the thank you I gave her. It's very sweet. (though very uneccessary) Thank you, Jen.

Now, I have fielded some questions regarding this, so I figured I might as well just blog it. You see, I have some very "interesting" relations. (I can just hear it now, "Really, Erin? No, not you.") I'm not complaining, this leads to some very wonderful, although sometimes scarring, family anecdotes. I thought I might share one with you today.

You see I have a possum pouch.

My Uncle Earl made it for me from a roadkill possum, (No lie, the man has skills. Scary skills, but skills none the less.)and gave it to me WHEN I WAS SIX.

Imagine, on your trip to Missouri, you pay a visit to your uncle, who's working a look that can only be described as "Grizzly Addams", you wade through the nine dogs on the porch to the front door, and are affectionately greeted, and handed a package.

What could it be? Your excited little hands tear through the newspaper and you uncover this:


The original rope strap has gone missing.


What can you do, but thank Uncle Earl, who is really rather proud of this creation, and be the only girl on the block with a one-of-a-kind possum purse.

I still have it, (obviously) I can't bring myself to be rid of it. Actually, it's come in handy for more than a few Halloween costumes. So now you all know that strangeness, and craftiness appear to be genetic.

eh

Thanks for all the positive comments and emails about my pattern. It brightened my day.

I had been a little bummed. You see, we just got word that they are changing hubby's insurance beginning next year. The change is going to be costly, and I now feel like a real idiot for postponing my surgery until after the New Year. Ah well, what can you do.

I have a few more project photos to show you. First off, my latest "Sweet Mary Janes". I used Lamb's Pride and wool scraps for the edging and straps. Their mates have not been "strapped" yet, so I left them out of the photo. I need to dive into my button box and see what I can come up with. If I can't find anything there, I just might make some more shrinky dink buttons.

Two of the three felted hats promised to my cousin's little girls. I have one more to make in hot pink. The hat pattern is my own, made from some Naturespun Sport,but the roses are from Two old Bags, wooly embellishments.

Some wristwarmers from the Last Minute Gifts book. I used some 1824 wool I got on sale a while back.


Some socks for me. Toe-up, random stripes, from some Koigu leftovers. I plan to knit them until I run out of scraps, then the cuff and heel(afterthought heel) will be made out of an untouched koigu skein.

We are planning on having a little get-together this weekend with my side of the family to celebrate Nate's birthday a bit early. We usually wait until after his birthday (the 28th) since we always visit his folks for the weekend closest to his birthday.

This means I have less time to be totally clueless as to what to get him. Before anyone suggests something handknit, let it be known that he'll be getting handknit for Christmas (hopefully) and if not, our anniversary (January) so I'd rather go the store-bought route this time. Any ideas??

UPDATED

Word from my sockapaltwo-za recipient. Go check it out at Ewe Devil

Bah dada dah!

The lovely and talented Jen has put together a nice little pdf for my Mary Jane Slipper Pattern, and I'm very pleased to inform you all that it is ready. (See sidebar.) Thanks, Jen.

I hope to post pictures of the ones I just made up, as soon as I find buttons for the straps.

shawls n stuff

Now, do y'all remember when I goofed and tried to make a shetland triangle from Wrapstyle, with some alpaca laceweight, instead of the called for fingerling weight. I ended up with a very tiny shawl, But Jess loves it and has decided it's going to be her winter scarf.

Then I made one out of some sportweight alpaca. Misti alpaca from Sit n Knit



I also mentioned casting on a pair of retro ribs. Knitpicks essential sock yarn in Ash. I keep going back and forth as to who will recieve these.



Then there's my Dad's Raglan I have been working on. Wool-ease in "wood". It looks like a lot of work, unless you know that my Dad is not a big man. He's about 5'9" and has recently been upset beause he has to buy some jeans in size 31.



And then the EvelynAClark Knitalong has decided on the October project. I'm thinking of using some oasis soysilk.

scarves-a-plenty

Let's start things off with the Ravenclaw scarf.

Knitpicks wool of the Andes in winter night and maple syrup. Total cost:about 17 bucks. Number of trapped bar stripes: 9

Moving on to the scarves I intend to send to a trunk show Seattle.

1824 wool, baby ull and target fuzzy yarn. One by one rib, with fibonacci stripes.(ends still need to be woven in)


Knitpicks dye your own sock wool, koolaid dyed with orange fuzzy Target yarn. one by one rib.


alpaca lace weight and silky wool, felted scarf. knit sideways in garter.


I leave you with my two mary jane slippers, in progress. (Hold tight, the pattern is on the way. If you are intersted, I think I'll be charging 5 bucks for the pattern. If you're intersted, Email me at: pinkerbell44 AT yahoo DOT ie)

More pictures tomorrow.

meme distraction.

Sorry, no promised pictures today. I was asked to give a knitting lesson this afternoon, so i did that instead of the planned photo shoot. I will get them up by Monday or sooner.

I hope you all have a great weekend, and I leave you with the meme Jen requested.

Google your name with the word, "needs" and post the top ten results.

Erin needs...

10. An experienced, two-parent, adoptive family. (Like I don't have enough issues with my own.)

9. To decide if she should try to work things out with her very hothusband. (Uh, duh...HOT HUSBAND.)

8. To understand that people don't like to see a pretty white girl withrap talent. (Good to know. Guess I'll shelve that fledling rap career of mine.)

7. What most white girls crave. (Uh...moving on.)

6. to touch on something critical.

5. Her rest. (Amen to that.)

4. Nurturing too. (Aww, really, I'm fine.)

3. Our matter of fact acknowledgement that her beloved is dying. (Ok, maybe not so fine...really my beloved is in perfect health.)

2. To Be Naked. (Uh, you REALLY don't want that.)

and the number one result:

1. To wear shirts. (I knew you'd reconsider number two.)


Any body who would like to do the meme, consider yourself tagged, and let us know in the comment so we can read you results.

critter

Hangin' with the bunny, enjoying the 72 degree weather, the sunshine, and the last daisy of the year.


Pattern: last minute gifts
Yarn: Misti alpaca sportweight, doubled
needle: size 6 dpns

He took me a couple of evenings to finish him, mostly because I don't seem to have muchof an attention span anymore. I need to work on my embroidery skills.

More pictures tomorrow.

something to tide you over.

I am blocking some finished objects for a photo shoot. So hang tight. I've been knitting like mad to get through some Christmas gifts.

In the mean time,

Jess' Mittens
gifted koigu (I am so going to have to go get more of this colorway.)
size three needles and my Handy book of patterns. (Thank you, Ann Budd)

Can I have a "do-over"?

What a weekend. First off, I took the time to charge up the camera and then I LEFT IT HERE. (Bad blogger.) We arrived in Gibson County on Friday afternoon. The house had been a clubMed for mold and mildew in the past month. This was partly expected and we had taken cleaning supplies with us to clean the place up and try to nip some of this in the bud. This weekend was a learning experience.

For example, if any of you were planning on killing me by way of a severe sinusitis this would be the way to do it. Full out congestion, sneezing, coughing, fever. Good times. Saturday, we sent Jess off with her Grame, and Nate and I set off the clean the couple of rooms we were staying in. By the end, Nate had to finish cleaning, while I laid in the front yard and prayed for sweet death while "blowing" through a box of kleenex.

Once cleaned and aired out, I managed well enough inside, although I was still quite feverish. At some point, dove under a pile of blankets we had brought along and slept a good three-plus hours. I re-emerged feeling better and not wanting to die so much, so I worked on my PoA Ravenclaw scarf. I have about ten more rows before I call it done and it gets a photo shoot. That was really the extent of the trip, or at least all that I was able to participate in.

good news

Yesterday, I had a conference with one of Jess' teachers. Good news, that actually Nate and I had begun to notice this year. See, Jess has been picking up more and more visually. Last spring, we realized that Jess was able to see far more than we could have ever thought.
This year in school they are working with her and focusing more on her utilizing the vision she has, and have decided to suspend her braille work, since she has been showing such a marked improvement with her vision. Now this may not sound like a such a big deal, but if they are able to rely on large print, magnified images, etc. it will make "mainstreaming" Jess SO much easier.

Anyway, that was my good news yesterday. I tell you, that little girl amazes me. when they diagnosed her ONH, they told us she'd see shadows at best. Boy, were they wrong.

I hoping to have a few finished objects to show soon. The problem is I have about a dozen WIP and I don't seem to be getting anywhere. I don't seem to have much of an attention span lately.

Well, I'm off to run a few errands and pack for our trip. I have a Stitch N Bitch meeting tonight, but I won't be able to make it, I think. We'll see what I can get done today.

By the way, stop over at Harlot's. You'll get to see me model a roaming sock in all my dorky glory.

Happy Blogiver--ah screw it.

Yesterday Jess crawled up into my lap and asked if I would make her a pair of mittens. Honestly, it's been 85 degrees here all week. I'm not sure where this is coming from, but of course I was delighted. I told her to go pick out some yarn out of the box. The "not marked for a Christmas gift" box. That's the box that makes me just a little dizzy when I realize how much stuff is still in it.

She dove into the box and pulled out the Koigu that Lynne sent me. (Note to self. Self, keep label. This stuff is very pretty.)
I think they are coming along nicely.

Well, being on top of things as I am, I let my blogiversary come and go without aknowledgement. It was last Friday, if anyone is curious.

This week I have just been desperately trying to get caught up. This weekend we are leaving for Gibson County again, so I'm trying to decide what projects to take. (Oh and clothes, yeah I'll need those.) I need to take some "for Christmas" projects but I have to be careful not to take anything I could possibly work on in front of the intended recipient.

Note to self

SELF:

When deciding on a shawl project, do not opt for a laceweight yarn, when the pattern clearly calls for fingerling (How the hell did I miss that?) and expect the same results.

Also, Boys=PU. I did not make it to Chicago on Saturday and had to cancel my plans with Jen last minute. (Sorry, Jen.) But, karma being what it is, the boy in question was called into work, so it all works out.

Third, when driving out to South Bend to attend a signing you'll be blogging about, PLEASE remember to charge the camera. That is all.

Sunday was a family affair. Nate, Jess, and I piled into the car to drive an hour to South Bend. (We also lost an hour, coming from a central time zone origin to an eastern time zone destination.) We got there way early, (I was unaware the toll road had bumped the speed limit to 70mph. When did this happen?) So we had breakfast, and then wandered around until 10am. No one was there. So we went to the Chocalte Cafe and hung out for a bit. Nate was just about to suggest we call it a day at 10:30 and head home, when Kim, Jack, and Stephanie pulled into a parking spot in front of us.

The South Bend Sit n Knit is a very cute shop. Jess and Nate found comfortable seats on the couch. I accosted Stephanie and got close and personal with the sahwl she was wearing. Then some spinners showed up, and I was having to deal with some SERIOUS wheel-envy. I think it's safe to say a good time was had by all.

I am a bit rueful though. Kim and Jack were having a drawing for one lucky person to go out to dinner with the Harlot. Did I enter? No. Did I want to? Yes.

THe one picture I took before the camera ran out of juice.




Carma, Stephanie asked where you were. I explained your car troubles. I did pick up a book for you, and I will send it out tomorrow when I locate the rest of the stuff I have to send to you.

The Harlot signed some books, read "Sock for Sinead" and then did an informal Q&A session. At that point we had to go. Jess, who had to this point been an extremely well-behaved little girl was starting to get antsy, and cranky.