2003-10-14 - 3:23 p.m.

Sorry, folks, my knitting journal is going MIA while I move into my new house. I hope to be back up in December -- I'll resubscribe to the rings at that time.

Happy knitting!

2003-09-27 - 7:48 p.m.

Well, today was the fund raiser for Georgia and it was a huge success! Lots of people showed up, there were TONS of silent auction items, I spent 3-1/2 non-stop doing face painting (I wanted a break, but there was always a line of kids and how could I tell them to come back?)

I don't know what the grand total is yet, but I'll post it once I find out!

Lots of fun, but I'm exhausted...

2003-09-21 - 12:19 p.m.

I just made a decision and wanted to announce it!

I have been working on several "have-to" knitting projects. Like Christmas presents, charity donations, etc. Things I feel like I "have" to do. Doesn't mean I haven't enjoyed them, but I have another project I've been wanting to do and I've been putting it off saying "I'll do that after I do this and this and, oh yeah, that, and..."

Well, I just decided I'm going to do it! I am going to finish my sister's socks that she asked me to make for Christmas (she even bought the yarn!), but the Christmas stockings I planned to make everyone? They're get them next year. The little washclothes and soap covers I planned to give co-workers? They may or may not get them this year. (They're quick and easy projects which my project isn't, so I may make some for an instant gratification break).

And what IS my project? I'm not going to tell you yet...wait until I have something to show, then I'll tell!

2003-09-18 - 9:28 p.m.

I finished my purse made with that beautiful hand-dyed Brown Sheep. The picture doesn't quite do the color justice -- it's absolutely stunning! What looks like black in the picture is actually a deep blue.

I just made up this pattern, knitting a rectangle for the bottom, then picking up stitches and knitting in the round up the sides. I made an i-cord for the strap and felted it. I cut holes to run the strap through and voila! Easy!

2003-09-17 - 9:54 a.m.

I finished the Violets by the River shawl! Here's a picture...

I kinda messed up on the "bees" because I misread the directions, so even after blocking, I went back and kinda "fixed" it... I think it looks good enough, even if it's not as good as if I had done it right -- grandma will be thrilled even if it looked like a 2nd grader made it! Being my first completed lace project (other than the little bookmark), I'm happy...

Edited to add: Some people have asked where I found the pattern. It's at Blackberry Ridge. You can get the kit in silk or wool or just buy the pattern.

Also, it's been suggested that I didn't make a mistake, I just adapted the pattern! I like that!

One more thing, if you plan to make this, realize it it a rather small shawl. It lays on the shoulders instead of wrapping around the shoulders. There are instructions for making it larger included in the pattern.

2003-09-13 - 7:20 p.m.

Ok, I decided there's no way I can afford a sweater out of this yarn, so purse it is!

I went back to the shop today (it's called Yarn 2 Ewe) and spent the afternoon knitting. I had to bribe myself by making myself get the laundry and some other chores done before allowing myself to go to the shop!

I'm almost done with the "River" part of the "Violets by the River" shawl. I'm happy, because it was a rather boring section...

I bought yarn to make Christmas stockings for my family. I'm anxious to start working on some other things, but want to get Christmas presents done so I don't panic in a couple of months!

Well, keeping this entry short because I have lots to do tonight!

Happy Knitting!

2003-09-08 - 5:07 p.m.

A new yarn shop opened in town and I'm so excited! I got a flyer in the mail and they were having a grand opening sale, so I decided to go. Once I was there, I found out that the owner was a knitting buddy of mine! I didn't even know she was opening a shop!

It's very nice, with a good variety of yarns and materials, but the best part is that there's a nice "living room" area with comfy chairs where we can hang out and knit! I spent the whole weekend...

I also bought some beautiful Brown Sheep hand dyed wool (not cheap). I bought enough to make a purse, because it was so beautiful I had to have it! But as I'm making the purse, I'm thinking that I have to have a sweater... so I'm debating whether to make the purse, or frog it to use on a sweater... the other part of me knows I really can't afford enough for a sweater right now... decisions, decisions!

2003-09-02 - 10:04 a.m.

I figured it was time to start a new page, it was getting pretty long. Just click on "Older" to go back to past posts.

Received my first copy of Twists & Turns, a newsletter for people who love cables by Janet Szabo (http://www.bigskyknitting.com/). I've only done cables on the little catnip mice, but thought they were fun and I want to learn them better, so I subscribed to the newsletter.

Well, there's a beautiful bag in this issue (Summer 2003) and I immediately went to my stash to start it. Yes, I know I have two pairs of socks and a shawl on the needles right now, but I just have to do this bag!

There was a minor error in the written instructions and I not only caught it, but I knew how to correct it! Go me! I emailed Janet and she agreed with the corrections, so check her errata page if you ever try this pattern.

It's pretty slow going. Cables are pretty slow for me right now, but I'm hoping they'll get easier with practice. I'm finding I can do about two rows and then I have to move on to something else. It's going to look great, but takes a lot of concentration for a newbie like me.

The Violets by the River shawl is making progress. I left my camera at work or I would take some pictures to show. I will get some soon because I know pictures liven up a blog! Anyway, I've finished the "Violets" part and am now working on the "River" part.

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