Thrumming along....

Here is a picture of my Thrummed Mitten progress. This is a youth's size. They are a lot of fun to knit. I need to try to get my thrums more uniform. I am using the pattern from Fox, Geese and Fences by Robin Hansen. I think I may try a different pattern for the next pair. I am not crazy about my thumb decreases. These have been a good practice pair. It is late so I am signing off for now. Work comes bright and early in the morning.

Thrummed mitten  

Mittens and the Elegant Ewe

Just posted a picture of the 2 pairs of mittens to match the girl's ponchos. I used up all the leftover scrap yarn. Isn't that always a good feeling? Also, the other picture is my thrummed mittens project. I have succumbed to the mitten obsession that is going on all around the blog world. I actually have had this Robin Hansen book for about 10 or 12 years. No....I have never made one of the mittens. But, Lo and behold there is a thrummed mitten pattern in there. Also, photos showing how to knit in the fleece. Stephanie and Crystal are hosting a "Thrum along", which starts on Monday. I think it will be a lot of fun.
yesterday I decided to try to find the "Elegant Ewe" in Concord. I had heard that it was a great shop. Concord is about an hour away from me. So, I popped up MapQuest and printed off directions. With a devil may care attitude, I headed off to Concord. I did not care that it was a Friday and 2:30 in the afternoon when I was leaving. I got there at 3:30. When I walked into the store I thought I had found Heaven. I have never seen SO much yarn, patterns gadgets...... I walked around and drooled till five minutes before 5:00. Of course they close at 5:00. I think I showed great restraint in my purchases. My main reason for the trip was to pick up some roving for the mittens. I got a huge ball of roving, enough for several pairs of mittens. Also, 2 skeins of Frogtree Alpaca in a lovely pink shade, a little holder for sewing needles and a new shawl pattern. I had the Meadowflower shawl pattern in my hand....In all my excitement I must have put it down, because I came home without it.Oh well, I guess I will have to make a trip back to get that some day (Very Big Grin). The frogtree alpaca will make a great Flower Basket Shawl. It is fingering weight , so I think I can use it single stranded. When I left Concord the traffic was terrible. It took me two hours in bumper to bumper traffic. But, the trip was well worth it. All for now folks!!! Have a great weekend everyone.

Thrummed Mittens 

Mittens 

Slippers and Dolls and other ramblings...

Just took a picture of Bruce's "Fuzzy Feet". Here is a link to the pattern here. I think this is the ten pair of these slippers I have made. They are so warm and toasty in the winter. The nights have been getting chilly here in New Hampshire. Bruce can hardly wait for these to dry. After I felt the slippers, I have the person put them on for a few hours. That way they mold perfectly to their feet. Have any of you seen the "Best Friends Dolls"? I was reading Lisa's blog the other day. She is making these adorable little dolls.If you scroll down her blog a bit you will see them. She said the pattern is in the Interweave Knits Summer 2002 issue. If anyone has one of these issue they would like to sell, please let me know. I am just enthralled by these little ladies. My niece Lacey would just love them.
I had to go over a customers house yesterday and help her with a computer problem. I forgot she had a little cocker spaniel named Sally. When I opened the door....This little dog came running to greet me. My eyes immediately filled up. She looked just like my beloved Brandy. He was a male, so she was much smaller. But, she resembled him so much. It took me about ten minutes to compose myself again. I lost Brandy a year and a half ago....But, it is just like yesterday. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him. I am sure many of you can sympathize.Pets become such a part of our lives and everyday routines.
In fiber news... I am finishing up my second pair of mittens to match my niece's ponchos. I am using all the scraps that are left over. Mitten are fun to make. I have been enjoying reading about Yarn Harlot's mitten obsession. She is working on an incredible pair right now. Check them out. She might inspire me to drag out my old copy of Robin Hansen's book, FOX & GEESE & FENCES. I bet I have had that book for ten years now. Well now, I really am rambling. I think I will go finish my mittens now. Hmmmmmmmmmmm...What to cast on next?

Fuzzy Feet 

Chemo Caps for Gilda'a Club

I just posted a picture below of the Chemo Caps forCheryl's project. I need to get them off in the mail tomorrow. It was a simple crochet pattern I used. What a great way to use up all my scraps of Lion Brand "Homespun". I am in the middle of felting a pair of "Fuzzy Feet" for my husband. He wore a hole through the pair I made him last fall. His feet are always chilly , it must be that southern blood of his...LOL. I also am finishing up a pair of mittens. I will have them finished this evening. Gotta run and check my felting progress.

Chemo caps 

Socks and hats and other ramblings

Just posted a picture of the completed "Leaf Lace Socks. The picture does not do them justice. The pattern is so pretty. I went to the Post Office and sent out a bunch of RAOK"S, including the socks. I am having fun with this. I enjoy reading the blogs and then thinking who might enjoy what? I have also crocheted four hats for Cheryl's Gilda Club. I will take a picture tomorrow of those. I cast on a pair of mittens to match the girl's ponchos last night. I am making them on two circulars, the same as I make my socks. This is an experiment, so I will let you know how I make out. I think I am in the mood for a few simple projects. So, as well as the mittens.....A few dishclothes are in order. I have been making them for the last 5 or 6 months. I have a total of 13 right now. They are all tucked away as Christmas presents for my sister, step daughters and Mother in law. I helped my sister move all day, so I am rather tired tonight. I think I will put up my feet and do some mindless knitting. Ohhhhhhhh.....And "SURVIVOR" starts tonight. Woohooo!!!!! It is my other addiction other than the "West Wing". Happy Knitting friends.

Leaf Lace Completed 

Poncho information

Someone left a couple of comments on my blog about the children's poncho. I would love to help you with the pattern and sizing. You forgot to leave your email address. I have no way of getting your email if it is a Anonymous comment. Drop me an email and I would love to help you.

Trip to the LYS...

I made a trip to Spinning Yarns in Dover today. I had forbidden myself to buy anything for me. I was on a mission to buy a few thing for some RAOK gifts. I won't list what I bought. I want it to be a surprise in case some RAOKer is reading this. It is so much fun to be in this ring. I have been trying to get through the list of 100 blogs. People are making wonderful projects. There is so much creativity out there. I did purchase $5.00 worth of blocking pins. I hope to block the Flower Basket Shawl next week. I was drooling over the "Anne" yarn from the Schaefer company. Have you seen the pattern for the "Pooling Scarf" in the Fall Interweave Knits? I think I would like to make that for myself this winter. But, "Anne" will be there another day..... In knitting news, I just have to "kitchener" the toes on my Leaf Lace socks. I also have one and a half hats made for Cheryl's "Gilda Club Project". I am waiting on some company to arrive from PA. They are staying till Tuesday. It will be good to spend the weekend with good friends.

A worth cause and other ramblings...

I was reading Cheryl's blog today. She has been making some chemo hats for a hat corner at Gilda's club. Since it is a new project she made a batch to donate. If you read today's post she is asking for some help. She is not going to donate her hats till the end of September. If anyone has the time to make a hat or two it will be much appreciated. I have some left over Homespun in my stash and a few other things that will make some nice hats. After reading Sandy's blog today , I decided I too need a simple project right now. I think the hats are just the thing. I was all ready to pick out an intricate shawl of some sort to cast on. I think that can wait for now. I was very frustrated last night... I have a couple of inches to go on my Leaf Lace socks. I tried them on my chunky feet and decided my ankle are to thick for the socks. The beautiful pattern is all bunched up. I really don't want to frog these socks. So.....I was thinking this morning of finishing them for someone else. Why waste all the work I have put into them. No one in my family will wear them as they like thin socks. I emailed a friend to see if she might like them. Off to work on my hat.

Surprises and Peaches....

I received the most wonderful surprise from the lovely Jennifer .The most beautiful Koigu , some bunny stickers and a little sheep story. The Koigu is gorgeous.Thank you so much Jennifer! I have never used this yarn before. But, I have been admiring it from afar. Jennifer had some beautiful pictures of her "kitties" on her blog today. It inspired me to take a picture of Peaches Marie(scroll down). We got her from the shelter about two years ago. I still had my beloved Brandy (cocker spaniel) then. I knew he was not going to be with us too much longer. She was four or so when we brought her home. She came with the name "Peaches"..I felt she needed a middle name, hence the Marie. She is the love of our life and a very spoiled girl. She is a whopping 15 pounds. I monitor her food closely. But, late at night I can hear her Daddy giving her a bit more food in her bowl. She has him wrapped around her paws. In knitting news...I have not had a chance to knit in three days. I am having withdrawal. I am working on the Leaf Lace socks still. I want to finish them before I cast anything else on.

Gift from Jennifer 

Peaches Marie 

I have been "RAOKed"

I have not been feeling that great for the last few days. I had forgot a few doses of my blood pressure medicine. It has also been pretty stressful at work too. Anyway....I am sure it is just my blood pressure. My husband came home from work last night with a package from the mail. He always picks up the mail at the end of the road, before work. I received my first RAOK (random act of kindness) from Nanette. It is a Fiber trend pattern called Charlotte's Easy Lace Shawl. It is beautiful...She also included a rectangular version. I think I am more interested in trying the rectangular version. Being plus size I have a hard time getting a "good" fit on triangular shawls. Thank you SO much Nanette, it definitely made my day. In knitting news. I am finishing the gussets on my Leaf Lace Socks. I need to get to the LYS to buy blocking pins for the Flower Basket Shawl. I won't be able to get over there till late next week. I am excited to block the shawl and watch it bloom.

Yarn Harlot

I just popped in on Yarn Harlot's blog. You have to read her entry from August 31st. I was drooling after reading and seeing her pictures of her trip to "Baadeck Yarns". I have never heard of this place before. The pictures of the Fleece Artist are just incredible. I have a skein of Fleece Artist that Cheryl sent me. It is just beautiful....So beautiful I hate to use it. I keep taking it out of my stash and holding it. It is destined to become a shawl. Just need to find the right pattern. I will have to post a picture of it, for you all to see. Anyway...You will all get a kick out of reading her entry. Just had to share it with everyone.