Knitting

What Did I Tell You?

January 10, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

LOST THEN FOUND

Yep, that’s right. After making a special trip to Yarn Mart (a real sacrifice, ha), the lost needle magically reappeared ON THE TABLE BESIDE MY CHAIR. No, it wasn’t there the whole time. My housekeeper obviously found it and knowing how crazed I can get when something is misplaced or lost, made sure it was right in the open, where I could see it. Before you get excited about me having a housekeeper, let me clarify. Mr. Iknead and I decided a few years ago that we’d earned a little housework help, I have a friend who loves to clean and loves even more the little bit of mad money she gets for doing it. I’m telling you, it’s a match made in heaven. She comes in every other week and like magic, stuff is put away, floors are shiny, bathrooms clean and the dust bunnies are staved off for another couple of weeks. Totally spoiled and I plan on staying that way. Anyway, here is a picture of the prodigal needle.

I am the size six and I’m back!

TOP OF MY LIST

It’s rainy, windy and cold again today, I’m going to sit myself down after the one errand I have to run and read, listen and knit, read, listen and knit to my little heart’s content. Sounds like a great day to me!

“Where shall I begin, please, your Majesty?” he asked. “Begin at the beginning,” the King said, gravely, “and go on till you come to the end: then stop.” Lewis Carroll

Knitting

Slow Day

January 8, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

WHAT’S UP

Nothing, absolutely nothing. Sitting here, waiting for the electricians to arrive to finish work so I decided to use the time constructively, blogging. Today is Old People Day at the grocery store, so at some point I’m going for groceries when I can get the Old Person Discount. Jeez, that’s something I never thought I’d say. I guess I thought that when I reached a certain age (never determined), time would stop and I’d be that never determined age forever. However, it hasn’t stopped and I haven’t stopped either, 55 years old at last check. Young at heart, that would be me.

ON THE NEEDLES

I started a new project yesterday, from a book I received as a gift last year, which I’d misplaced a couple of months ago. The book is Boutique Knits 20+ Must-Have Accessories. I started the Sideways Grande Hat, using yarn that I repurposed from an infinity scarf which was much, much too long and heavy. I think it’s Cascade 220 but I’m not sure. I just love the mauvey, heathery color and its softness.

It’s a little more on the pink side in real life.

THE GRANDS

Annabelle aka Babysis is set to be baptized next Sunday, 01/13/13 and I’m planning to stay an extra couple of days. Looking forward to giving Bigmommy a hand for a while. Babysis isn’t a great sleeper, so she and Bigdaddy aren’t getting as much sleep as they would like. Poor Babysis being compared to the Papoose, who slept through the night at six weeks and is still a great sleeper. Babysis is only three months old, so I expect that here pretty soon she’ll start sleeping longer and longer through the night and everyone’s attitude will get better. At least she’s not colicky!

The reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy. Sam Levenson (1911-1980)

Knitting

All is Calm/WIP Wednesday 12/26/12

December 26, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

WHAT’S HAPPENING

A day out from Christmas and like I said before, it was the best Christmas ever. We had the three grands, along with mommies and daddies yesterday and I couldn’t have wished for a better, happier, busier and all around more perfect day. More on the grands later, Mr. Iknead was chief paparazzi so he’ll have to get the pics loaded onto the computer so I, in turn, can get them to Flickr and then share.

OUTSIDE

Did I mention that we had a real, live, only once in 80 years according to the weatherdude white Christmas? Just in case I didn’t, it began raining, which in turn changed to freezing rain, then sleet and then finally, snow, starting about 2 p.m. yesterday. I’m not a great estimator of stuff but I’m pretty sure we have at least 6-8 inches on the ground. Thank you God that we didn’t lose power like so many others did. I think Mr. Iknead and I ran ten miles back and forth, looking out various windows, just to watch the snow fall. Because the snow came in on the heels of an ice storm, I’m sure the streets are very slick, with a sheet of ice under the snow. Grateful to have a warm house, with lights, hot water and heat; if we really want to feel like we’re roughing it, we build a big fire in the fireplace and take turns rearranging the logs and stuff to get maximum heat. Used to be a country chick, I guess now I’m more of a city chick. Still build a mean fire though. It must be like riding a bicycle, you never forget how. Here’s a few pics from yesterday and this morning.

Backyard last night

Front yard this morning

ON THE NEEDLES

OMG, I’ve been so distracted by the snow that I nearly forgot about WIP Wednesday. A new pair of socks is in progress, Zigzag Lace from Vogue Knitting Ultimate Sock Book. Many moons ago I took a photo of the yarn I’m using, it’s called River Rock and I must be living right because here’s a pic –

Denali from Pagewood Farm

Merino Superwash/ Nylon

80/20

Zigzag Lace

Love WIP Wednesdays? Hop over to Tami Amis blog and check them out.

Stay tuned, more to follow.

With self-discipline, most anything is possible. Theodore Roosevelt

Knitting

WIP Wednesday 10/03/12

October 3, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

ON THE NEEDLES

Pretty Maids shawl, from Knitty Deep Fall 2010, done in Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk Paint, 85% Merino Superwash Wool/15% Mulberry Silk, color number 9801, which I call Bonfire because everything should have a name.

A HAPPY

When I visited my mother this morning, she knew me and told me she loved me. This can make the worst day one of the best. I miss the mom I had before dementia, but am coming to love the person she is now.

It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after a committee of sleep has worked on it. John Steinbeck

Knitting

WIP Wednesday, 09/05/12

September 5, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

THE GRANDS

The Papoose and fam got back from the beach Sunday, where they had a nearly front row seat to hurricane Isaac. Luckily, he took a more westward course and they only had one day of rain and wind. Glad to have them back in their nest, now awaiting the new baby on September 26. Can’t wait, we don’t know the gender, Bigmama and Bigdaddy prefer to find out the old fashioned way, at birth. I admit, though, while I really don’t have a preference, I do have a baby boy outfit stashed in my closet, just in case. : ) Here’s Bigmama gestating away –

ON THE NEEDLES

It’s WIP Wednesday and here’s the beginning of the Bauble shawl I’ve been going on about, with only one false start. Oh gosh, hope I didn’t jinx it. It’s going to be lovely, I can tell already.

The yarn (if I hadn’t already mentioned it) is Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk Paint, 85% Merino Superwash Wool and 15% Mulberry Silk, color number 9801. Since it has only a number, not a color name, I think I’ll call it Bonfire. That’s what the colors make me think of. I think everything should have an actual name and Bonfire fits.

BY THE BOOK

My treadmill book is The Last Romanov by Dora LevyMossanen, which is awesome even if you’re not obsessed with the whole Romanov/is Anastasia still alive mystery. This book grabbed me and pulled me into it, to the point that I’m actually walking longer than usual, just because I have to know what happens next. Love it.

IN THE OVEN

Last weekend we had a couple of days of cooler (relatively speaking) weather and so I satisfied my need to bake with a carrot cake for Mr. Iknead, which technically was an anniversary gift since last Friday, 09/01/12, marked our 33rd wedding anniversary. Long time and we still like each other. A funny about the cake – now, Mr. Iknead doesn’t have a real discerning palate when it comes to certain things; so, I’m grating carrots, mixing and sifting for the cake and he says to me, “Could you put the good kind of cream cheese icing on it, you know, the kind that comes in a can?” Cracked me up. We call that keepin’ it real.

To be positive: To be mistaken at the top of one’s voice. Ambrose Bierce

Knitting

A Brisket, A Tasket

August 21, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

NEW FOR ME

At last week’s grocery store outing, on a whim I decided to try out a precooked smoked brisket, one of those that just has to be heated, and I’m here to tell you, it. was. awesome. Yeah, this is definitely on the Coleman Kitchen Hit Parade. I’ve been making sandwiches for work all week and it’s so good! I wish I’d tried it sooner, and it doesn’t get much easier than this.

THE GRANDS

The fam descended upon Stuttgart on Saturday and the Papoose was so proud to show off her new big girl bed and her newfound (sometimes) potty skills. I especially like that she can inspect her toes and potty at the same time. A born multitasker just like her bebe.

More toe action.

Babydiva has just discovered her feet and toes.

ON THE NEEDLES

I’m still plugging along on the Crazy Monkeys, with one sock complete and about 1/3 of the way finished on its mate. I caved and went to my lys and splurged on some new yarn, enough for my newest, soon to be started project, Bauble, a First Fall Surprise from Knitty. Two skeins gray and totally out of character for me, two skeins of an orangy, makes you think of Thanksgiving, brown and gold mix. Now, I don’t like orange, I don’t wear orange, I look like I have jaundice when I wear orange, but all the same, it called to me and I marched up to the counter with two skeins of it, deciding to think out of the box a little when it comes to color. I’ll get pictures tonight.

Here are the photos I promised –

Told you it was orange

Colorways and dye lots are posted on Flickr in my notebook.

The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking. John Kenneth Galbraith

BY THE BOOK

Still slogging through Steve Jobs, finishing it come hell or high water. It’s been a very long listen, I think I’m just ready for something new. Before I started the Jobs book, I reread King’s Dark Tower series and like always, I’m mesmerized by the story. Maybe I’m just having a problem switching from fiction to nonfiction.

Knitting

WIP Wednesday 08/08/12

August 8, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

ON THE NEEDLES

So here’s my newborn project, a toe up s0ck. I haven’t decided on an actual pattern yet. That’s one of the the things I love about toe ups, they can be started and worked on for a while before a decision has to be made about the pattern. The yarn is another out of my stash, Knit One Crochet Too, Ty-Dy Socks, 80% superwash wool, 20% nylon, color #1518. The color didn’t photograph well, in real life it’s greens and beiges.

TOO CUTE

I haven’t posted a picture of Josiepug in a while, here are a couple.

Josie helping Daddy stretch before his walk

Lotsa Wrinkles

BY THE BOOK

I finished The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold today. It was …… interesting. I think this is one that I’m going to have to reread to really appreciate. I’m still working through The Romanovs, my treadmill book. I have to say I got a little bored with the first bit, lots and lots of scientific stuff, explaining DNA, who said what to whom and why. I’m a little more than halfway through and it has gotten more interesting.

GOINGS ON AT WORK

Mr. Iknead and I finally set a date for my official retirement, 12/21/12 and I gave notice at work. It feels unreal still, but every time I start really thinking about it, I get so excited I have a difficult time settling back down to work. I thought the time would probably drag since I have so much anticipation but the last few weeks have really flown by. We’ve been as busy as ever at work, making the days pass pretty easily.

If you enjoy living, it is not difficult to keep the sense of wonder. Ray Bradbury

Knitting

Guilty as Charged

August 6, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

RECENT OBSESSIONS

I’m coming clean – I’ve been way wwwaaayyy too involved with the Olympics, to the point of letting a few things slide, always thinking “as soon as the next commercial, I’m getting started on ________________.” One of the things that I’ve gotten behind on is this blog. So, I’ve admitted that I have a problem and that’s the first step to fixing something, right?

ON THE NEEDLES

I finished that 9 to 5 socks last week without a clear cut next up in the queue project and was doing that thing that I do when I’m at loose ends (is this a pun?) and just don’t know what to pick up next – the rummaging around in my stash, lots of heavy sighs and picking up years abandoned WIPs and tossing them aside, spending more time that I should cruising Ravelry looking at patterns and making promises to yarn and old projects that I have no intention of keeping. That being said, I found some really nice yarn in my stash and found a random shawlette pattern, got it going and thanks to my Olympic obsession, started the bind off last night.

Summer Flies

Holly and Ella Knits

Jo Sharp Alpaca Silk Georgette Briar

When I manage to get this project (along with Wingspan) blocked, I’ll make sure to get some close ups, Summer Flies has the sweetest picot bindoff ever.

THE GRANDS

No new pics of the Papoose, Bigmommy is too busy gestating and staying out of the over the top summer heat and Bigdaddy way busy with his new congregation, I think. Here’s one of Babydiva that is so sweet! Look how she has her head propped up on her little hand!!! OMG, can’t stand it!

IN THE OVEN

Nothing, nyet, nada. Too hot. I miss baking, might have to cave, turn the AC down to polar bear and fire up the stove, summer heat be damned!

He who hurries cannot walk with dignity. Chinese proverb

Knitting

WIP Wednesday 07/25/12

July 25, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

ON THE NEEDLES

The second 9 to 5 sock looks like this:

It could be finished by the end of this week. Maybe. If I don’t get seduced by some new and therefore more exciting yarn or pattern. Or both.

Measure twice, cut once. Craftsman’s aphorism

Knitting

Hot Hot Hot

June 30, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

AT THE MOMENT

Need I say more? It’s not as hot as yesterday according to iPhone weather, but let’s get real, shall we, anytime you get over 100 degrees, the actual temperature is irrelevant. iPhone says 104. Whatever. All I know is that I’m not getting out again today, even though I’ve spent most of the afternoon working on my grocery list. I just can’t brave the asphalt parking lot this afternoon. Most of the afternoon has been taken up by alternately knitting and surfing Pinterest.

BY THE BOOK

As usual, I have several books I’m trying to read, two audiobooks, two Nook books and two paper books. They run the gamut, a couple of novels, a memoir and a book of essays on knitting. I do this at buffets too, a case of my eyes being bigger than my stomach. I’m particularly in love with Inconceivable, by Carolyn Savage, the memoir. A synopsis can be found in all the usual places (I apologize for not knowing how to put in a link, that’s on my list to learn this weekend). I started out with it being my “on the treadmill” book but very quickly decided that it’s my “read every free moment” book. It’s a definite repeater.

ON THE NEEDLES

I’ve started the seventh of eight triangles on Wingspan, I’m anxious to get it finished. It’s supposed to take only one skein, I hope that’s right, since I only bought one skein when I decided to knit it. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just finish up with a different yarn and call it a “design feature”. I’ve done it before. ; )

JOSIE THE PUG

I love this picture, with her sweet face. She brings much joy!

Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I may not remember. Involve me and I’ll understand. Native American proverb

Knitting

Now What?

June 19, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

UPDATE

I got my haircut on Friday morning and since Babymama was feeling under the weather, I told her I’d go and help her out any way I could. I think she mostly wanted me there so she could limit her contact with Babydiva, hoping that she wouldn’t catch whatever her mom had. Between the salon and their house, I got rearended by some guy driving a Dodge Ram van. I’m OK, not hurt as far as I can tell, just really aggravated because it was hot, we were standing in the middle of a really busy street and it took the cops 40 minutes to arrive and do the paperwork. Fortunately, I held my temper in both hands, reminding myself over and over to just communicate at a minimum, exchange insurance info, making sure everyone was OK for the moment. My car’s back bumper is probably going to have to be replaced, it’s plastic so it doesn’t take much of a hit to mess it up. Things to be thankful for: I was not hurt, my car is driveable and I have insurance.

ON THE NEEDLES

Here is the promised picture of the Nine to Five socks. I think they’re going like gangbusters. What do you think about them?

Here’s a picture of the yarn for Wingspan. It’s already been started and I’m planning to show off what I have on WIP Wednesday. Here is a sneak peek at the yarn.It’s Araucania Huasco, Code Color 7. I thinks it’s going to knit up really well. The French Market bag is complete and I started the felting process yesterday. I’ll have some before and after pics for all to enjoy.

THE GRANDS

Going in for the kiss.

Experience is not what happens to you, it is what you do with what happens to you. Aldous Huxley

Knitting

February 21, 2012 mud&stringLeave a comment

It’s Tuesday morning and I’m just coming down from my busy bee-ness over the weekend. I got a lot of things accomplished and have maybe an unhealthy fixation on crossing things off my to-do list, but it works for me.

I finished Mr. Iknead’s socks, he loves them and I love that he loves them.

Along with the abovementioned socks, dear S-I-L, Clefton, had requested a tea cozy a few weeks ago. Being raised pretty much in the U.K., he likes his tea and this is what I came up with –

If it looks familiar, it’s because I used my leftover sock yarn from Mr. Iknead’s socks and liked the farrow rib so much, I used it again. So, at the risk of repeating myself (which my dear children tell me I’m doing more and more often), I used Patons Kroy Sock Yarn, in Cadet Colors. Turned out well, don’t you think?

Baked three loaves of bread and tried my hand at Salted Caramel Brownies, a nifty little sweet that seems to be the flavor of the day right now. I made them Saturday afternoon and they’re already history. The thing about that is that it’s only Mr. Iknead and me at home now, and that’s a short time for two people and a pan of brownies. Self control? Not so much.

Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours. Swedish proverb