ON THE NEEDLES
OK, I’m admitting it…. I’m not in love with the Grace socks, not at all. You can see them here. Should I cut my losses and frog or grit my teeth and finish because they’re so far along (heel finished on first sock). WWYD?
Know what? Never mind. I’m frogging and starting Kew from Knitty, just because I love that pattern and have always wanted to knit it.
I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. Thomas Alva Edison
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SOCKS ON THE NEEDLES
Knitting continues on the current socks in progress. Amazing how much can be accomplished when you have new yarn that you love and a bad case of startitis and have resolved to finish at least one pair before starting anything new.
I got the Grace gusset and heel turn accomplished last night, wasn’t happy with it because the pattern called for the wrap and turn technique and try as I might, I just don’t like the look of a wrap and turn, frogged the heel and redid it using my favorite SSK/P2tog technique. Much, much better.
Grace in progress
I also finished the first of the Catnip Socks and cast on the second. I apologize for the cluttered background, too lazy to go somewhere less busy to snap a quick pic.
First Catnip
More info on Grace and Catnip here.
OVERSHARE?
I now have happy feet!! Made it to the salon for a pedi and though not completely rehabbed, my feet are definitely on the road to recovery! I’ll spare you the picture.
If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants. Sir Isaac Newton
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SPOILERALERTSPOILERALERTSPOILERALERT
I got my Phat Fiber Sampler box a few days ago and look what was in it!
Luscious Yarn Samples
and some sweet stitch markers, a cool snake button and a Tardis keychain!
Nice, right?
BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!
My new Yarnbox subscription arrived yesterday containing not one, but TWO hanks of this equally luscious yarn!
Yes, as a matter of fact, yarn DOES make me happy! The colorway is called Anodized and I’m having a difficult time keeping the startitis monkeys off my back. I’m trying to hold out at least until I finish one of the two pairs of socks that are currently on the needles. At the moment, it could go either way.
Two lovely packages in two days – it doesn’t get much better than that in my world. Except for this…….
GRANDS
I love how my three grandgirls are BFFs, even at their young ages. Someday I’m going to be janie on the spot and video the happiness and hugs when they greet each other, whether it’s been an hour or a week since they’ve been together.
2/3 of the Iknead grands
the remaining 1/3
Seriously, could the Sprout be any cuter???
Clearly, the Iknead clan is triple blessed with these three, which will become four this summer. Babymama and Babydaddy plan a gender reveal for my birthday next week, I’ll keep you posted.
FEET
Mine are really, really ugly and I need a pedicure STAT. Except that I’ve let them go this winter and am embarrassed for the pedicure people to even see them. A monthly (at least) pedi makes all the difference in the world and I know they probably see worse feet than mine, but I envision them sounding the alarm and running for the hills when they see my car pull up in the parking lot. I don’t know though, my embarrassment makes me a really good tipper, maybe they’re running toward the door instead. Ya think?
Never mistake motion for action. Ernest Hemingway
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ON THE NEEDLES
A couple of socks, as usual. I didn’t notice that I was using Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock for both, it must be love!
Grace, from Knitty, Winter 2011
LLSS Flame
Wendy Johnson’s Catnip Socks
LLSS Wonderstone
WELL WHADDAYANO!
Remember when I mentioned Phat Fiber and their sample box sale that I was going to try to get, along with most of the other fiber fiends on the planet, having come up short the last time I tried? I blogged it here. They open the sale twice on sale day – at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and are usually sold out within (no kidding) a couple of minutes. I struck out at the 10 a.m. sale, but scored at the one at 5 p.m. I was so surprised when the site sent me to paypal after I scored a box, it took me a minute to realize what had happened. Now, I’m anxiously awaiting the mailman/Fedex/UPS person to see what’s in this wondrous box. Check back for updates!
BOAT
This is the Iknead kitty, *Boat. She is ancient as far as cats go, 19 to 20 years old, as close as we can figure. She been a family member since 1995 and was about a year old when she joined us. She’s arthritic, with high blood pressure and an enlarged heart but keeps on keeping on. Anyway, I noticed her sleeping in one of her preferred spots yesterday and was struck by the sun shining pink through her ear. She was beautiful.
*As a kitten, she was found living on a friend’s boat which was in drydock and covered for the winter. She started out as Boat Cat, which was quickly shortened to Boat. We get a lot of funny looks when we tell people her name.
Hooking up this week with Tami and KCCO.
Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses. Confucius
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OFF THE NEEDLES
Moves were busted and socks completed:
No Pattern, Mystery Yarn Socks
HEY BARBIE
I went to put on my current favorite sweater, a Christmas present from Mr. Iknead, yesterday, only to find that it apparently was put in the dryer and dried to within an inch of its life, turning it from a perfectly fitting, softness to die for, beautiful sweater, into a still beautiful, still soft sweater that only Barbie can wear. I remember washing it on my washer’s handwash setting, along with some other handknits that I try to baby as much as possible, then taking all of them out and air drying on a rack, just like always. I must have missed this sweater when taking things from the washer, causing it to be rewashed with the next (not handwash cycle) load and then put into the dryer and dried and dried and dried. I feel like crying every time I think about it. I know it’s just a sweater, but it was mine and was a million times more special because it came from Mr. Iknead. And, yes, I do get emotionally attached to clothing.
IT’S LIKE A MIRACLE
I did a lot of work in my yarn room this weekend and it paid off in spades. It all began with an old entertainment center that we were planning to donate; suddenly, it wasn’t an entertainment center anymore – it was a Yarn Storage Cabinet. Of course, as a rule, any change made in a room kicks off another change, which precipitates another and then another and so on. So, my yarn/fleece/spin/knit/craft room went from a room totally disorganized, messy and just not that enjoyable to be in to this: a place that’s warm and pretty, a place that feels like a hug –
Wish I’d thought of this sooner, but I intend to enjoy the changes to their fullest. Mr. Iknead was just happy that we had to lift and move the cabinet only about 20 feet, instead of 200. It weighs a ton!!
All things change; nothing perishes. Ovid
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OFF THE NEEDLES
Nothing, despite a serious case of startitis and my resolve to not start anything new until I get at least one of my current WIPs off the needles.
ON THE NEEDLES
First sleeve of Mariella Cardi
Best Friend Scarf using a ball of Jojoland Melody I found in one of my stash dives.
The second sock of a pair for me; the yarn is a mystery, the pattern is in my head.
I need to bust a move on at least one of these projects, I have a pattern and yarn that is calling me like a sideshow barker, “Hurry, hurry, hurry! Step right this way! Get ready for the most fabulous project of your life! Hurry, hurry, hurry!
QUESTION
Should I (diplomatically) point out typos in a friend’s otherwise beautiful website? They’re nothing serious, nothing that couldn’t be fixed with a simple proofread; wouldn’t you want something that represents you to be perfect? Should I mention it or should I MYOB? What would you do?
TUESDAY WITH THE GRANDS
The Sprout and the Slide
Babydiva Daredevil
A thing well said will be wit in all languages
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ON THE NEEDLES
A couple of things:
The first sleeve on the Quince & Co. Mariella Cardi –
and
some random sock, done in some stash mystery yarn (maybe Seasilk???). I started this one toe up because I haven’t decided whether to do a real pattern or just a nice, comfy, go-to kind of sock. As you can see, the jury is still out….
OUT OF THE OVEN
Yesterday, while sort of browsing through some older posts, it dawned on me that I haven’t posted any baking projects lately. I sort of think I need to do that every once in a while, I mean, the blog is called iknead2knit and all. So, with that in mind, I grabbed the camera and snapped a few pics of yesterdays project – homemade granola.
The base recipe is one I got from my pottery instructor (thanks, Jean, the Pottery Queen), with 1 egg white, 1/2 cup agave nectar instead of sugar, 1/4 cup olive oil, a pinch of sea salt and 3 cups old fashioned oatmeal. I tweak it with stuff we like (and what’s in the pantry), cinnamon, raisins, almond slivers, unsweetened coconut and sometimes pumpkin seeds or shelled pistachios. I bake it at 300 degrees, stirring every ten minutes or so until it’s brown and dry. Then, it’s hard to keep from munching on it every time I pass it in the kitchen. Putting a little bit in vanilla yogurt is my favorite, with just enough crunch and sweet/salty to satisfy. Yum!
BY THE BOOK
I’m starting The Book Thief this afternoon. I can’t wait!! Pretty much cleared my calendar for it. I hope it lives up to its rep.
Linking with Tami, Ginny and Frontier Dreams today, as always, inspiration central!
Winners make a habit of manufacturing their own positive expectations in advance of the event. Brian Tracy
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WHEW!
Our (usual) cray cray Christmas has come and gone and from the pics, we were all very very good the past year. What was the best part? The Iknead/Coleman/Vaughan family had not one, but two Christmases, The Iknead/Vaughans in the morning and the Iknead/Coleman/Vaughans in the evening.
We went to the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service:
Where I learned that hearing a precious three year old grand singing “Oh Come Let Us Adore Him” will move me to tears, then and now; reminding me of the joy of the real gifts of Christmas, past, present and future. (Excuse me, I need a tissue).
Bigdaddy, as always, set a beautiful table for us Christmas morning:
Again, the food was delish and the company, delightful!
We had a visit from Santa:
and were able to squeeze in a Christmas snuggle or two:
Babydaddy was gracious enough to play Santa for Round 2:
I finally can post a Christmas knitting FO:
Babydaddy’s Handknit Socks
Santa made another stop at Babydiva’s house:
and found that Babydiva had also been very good!
What’s the over the top, greatest thing ever, long time coming and more than well deserved gift for all of the family this Christmas season? Are you sitting down?
(Cue the fanfare)
Mr. Iknead is retired as of December 19, 2013! Retired as in the ceremonial turning off of the alarm clock, sitting around, reading the newspaper and drinking coffee in the morning and what shall I do today retired.
Congratulations, sweetie! You’ve more than earned it! I can’t wait to get started on this new life chapter with you!
More to follow………
When the solution is simple, God is answering. Albert Einstein
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NOT OBSESSED, JUST REALLY, REALLY FOCUSED
As so often happens with me, I got a really good idea along with my coffee and newspaper this morning and as usual, I had to pull out all my other crafting stuff and sort through everything to find what I was obsessed with focused on right then. The stamp I use to identify my pottery projects bit the dust last week and my big idea was to change from an initial stamp (my initials, bc) to a honeybee mark. So, back to the idea, I found some Sculpey clay, found a honeybee charm in the craft stash and pressed it in. Then, I remembered I had some honeybee earrings, so I got one of those and did the same thing. The next step is deciding which one to use. I’m sort of leaning toward the charm, I don’t want a cutesy bee, more like a zoological print look. Which do you prefer?
Just realized there is no contest. The bigger one is better on all counts. And they say size doesn’t matter :p. Here is a better detailed photo:
Upside down. Oops.
ON THE NEEDLES
Tina Martinez’s Fascine Socks, using Fiesta Baby Boom yarn in Sweet Pea. My only regret is that I didn’t by more of this yarn when I had a chance. I’m not running short or anything like that, I just love it.
A little detail
BY THE BOOK
Driftless, by David Rhodes
Linking today with Tami, Frontier Dreams Keep Calm and Craft On and Ginny’s Knit A Long.
Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination circles the world. Albert Einstein
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ON THE NEEDLES
Quince&Co Scapula Scarf done in Lark, colorway Bird’s Egg
Tina Martinez’s Fascine Socks, done in Fiesta Baby Boom, colorway Sweet Pea, started last night
Last, Jennifer L. Jones’ Easy Leaves Scarf, in black mystery yarn from stash
You have to use your imagination on this one!
Iknead fam, don’t get your hopes up – I’m doing these for ME! You don’t really think I’d post any Christmas knitting, now, do you??
BY THE BOOK
I just finished this book and loved it! I never wanted it to end!
Linking with Tami, Frontier Dreams KCCO and Ginny’s Yarn A Long.
I have done my plowing: I have sown my seed. Again I have time to sit and read my books. T’ao Chien
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JITTERS? AT MY AGE?
The first day of my new pottery class is tomorrow. My Monday schedule is turning upside down -class starts at 12:30 and runs to 3:30 instead of 9 to 12. I have to keep reminding myself of the time change. This semester it’s Introduction to Throwing and Independent Study. I’m very excited but why do I feel like is the first day in junior high? For the last two semesters, my classmates and I have been a group of five, comfortable and acquainted now, asking about kids, colleges and vacations. We have a history. Who will I talk to? Who will I sit with? Nice to know that some things never change. I guess.
ON THE NEEDLES
As for the continuing saga of the Blue Day Socks, I’m happy I frogged them and restarted with a different yarn. It’s going much more smoothly and I’m so much happier with the result. See?
THE GRANDS
A week from tomorrow, our babiest of grandbabies, the Sprout, will turn one. She’s number three in the line up and Mr. Iknead and I should probably be getting a handle on this grandparent thing, but you know what? It never gets old, never gets routine and her firsts are exactly that for us, firsts. She made her debut in this post. Time doesn’t fly anymore – it’s jet propelled, rocket boosted and don’t blink, you’ll miss it. She’s very enthusiastic and I can’t wait to see her with a cake ALL her own!
You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; in just the same way, you learn to love by loving. Anatole France
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I’m again hooking up with Tami’s FO Friday blog and Frontier Dreams KCCO.
FACT FACING
If you’ve been sort of keeping up with my sock project the last week or so, you’ll know I started a pair of Blue Day socks last week, knowing full well that I didn’t have enough yarn to complete them. Even with my little feet, I just couldn’t shake that feeling that I was going to come up short. No problem, I can always get more yarn. Wrong, wrong, wrong. I started these using Fiesta Yarns Baby Boom, in the color Sweet Pea. Yeah, I saw that I’d paid a LOT for this one skein, especially when you’re talking just one sock of a pair, but still, sacrifices can be made. The ONLY skein I found after hours of internet searching was $47.00!!! As much as this Sweet Pea stuff floats my boat, $47.00 for a sock??? Not even in loonyhoot’s world can that be justified. So, I gritted my teeth and completely frogged Blue Day and plan to use – thanks to better judgement and a deeper stash dive – some great sock yarn I remember buying on Etsy. I even remember the color name – Civil Disobedience and, I have a lot of it. Plenty for Blue Day and maybe then some. No decision on different sock pattern, but it’ll happen.
OFF THE NEEDLES
I finished the Diagnonal Lace Cowl from Classic Elite Yarns, just in time for today’s post. It took just under one ball of Mini Mochi, color number 113 (no name, just number). I probably could have squeezed a few more rounds in, but being paranoid because of the abovementioned sock thing, I decided to give myself a little wiggle room. My fingernails thanked me.
I think its official name is Lacy Rib Cowl.
HEAD SPINS
Here’s what I learned today spinning: cotton spins up differently than wool. Duh. It felt completely different, it took a different “hand” I suppose you’d call it and seemed to be a little more nubby; that could have been, really, that I’m a newbie spinner and nothing I’ve spun up yet is what you’d call smooth. It’s getting better, but smooth? Nope. Luckily, the person I bought my wheel from threw in a couple of bags of raw fiber – one of wool and one of cotton, giving me a lot of chances to practice and try out different things. I’ve spun my way though them both, glad that she was generous enough to include them. I see a serious roving/fleece stash building – especially after the festival in Greenwood in October.
Spun cotton
Spinning wheel Violet and I are becoming better acquainted all the time, I’m learning her quirks and she, mine.
IN THE OVEN
It’s a few degrees cooler this morning and I’m revved up and ready to do some baking, hopefully Cinnamon and Sugar Pull Apart Bread and/or Snickerdoodle Bread. Unhappily, I can’t seem to be able to buy cinnamon chips here in LR. I found a package once, at the Stuttgart Wal-Mart. I suppose I could order a couple of packs online and the recipe I have includes a recipe for the chips, but I think the store bought ones are better (for once).
MAMA
She continues her decline with her dementia. I miss her and would love to occasionally be met with a smile and an I’m happy to see you instead of the now normal vacant stare. I do know that this is the disease and all that, but a little bit of responsiveness can keep me going for quite a while. There are some days I terribly dread visiting and I wonder how long – for her and for me. What do I pray for??
Sorry for the Debbie Downer….
For success, attitude is equally as important as ability. Harry F. Banks
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A little about knitting and a lot about nothing...
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