WIP Weds: Woot, I’m Free!

Happy dance!

Finally finished making stuff for others!

How did the Craft Fair go?

Now I can work on WIP’s without guilt! To celebrate

We had a delightful gathering at Roses Bistro and flowers. I met a few new knitaholics, some old friends,

and started a new project  Chemo Hat for a Friend

I am designing this as I go.

and continued to work on Chemo Do-Rag (AKA Scarf)

Thought this head scarf in cotton might be a different look for my friend shazam972 during her chemo.

and finished one of my Piles of Smiles socks, one down one to go

Books: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Ok, I can’t tell you much about this book. DH came home from the Bookstore gave me this book, then disappeared and was seen reading it. We went to the local box store and he came home with the next 3 books; City of Ashes, City of Glass and City of Fallen Angels. I am looking forward to reading this if DS doesn’t snag it next. I shouldn’t complain as I have 5 or 6 books on the go already :0)

Well that’s all for now :0)

Current WIP List (14)

1. Chemo Hat for a Friend
2. Chemo Do-Rag (AKA Scarf) 
3. Mile a minute afghan 1st crochet project 25% done 
4. Piles of Smiles socks a new pattern I am working on 50% Carry along Kal forum
5. Camellia shawlette -  5%
6. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
7. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
8. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
9. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
10. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
11. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
12. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
13. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
14. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 66

+ 77 Squares & Hexes

WIPS 2013 = 12 + 2 = 14

Used of 37 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 = 54

Books 2013 = 18

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

FO Friday: And this was supposed to be a quiet week!

DH’s Birthday, Maplefest (annual local event), Chapters book browsing, seeing Iron Man 3 (which was awesome!) watching Leafs tear your heart out, Craft group, lunch with the girls, Knittin club and Physio followed by lunch out with MiL (who has completely recovered, yay)  and through all this I am beavering away on my Dawn till Dusk Lace shawl, this has indeed been a humdinger of a week…

I’m in the middle of a pile of projects, embarrassed to say nothing done this week. Well started weeding the garden, we dug out 2 dead bushes and filled the planters with fresh soil… and making plans for the big event for my DS (more to come on this next month).

I adopted a couple of new books this week :0)

The Knitting Stitch Bible by Maria Parry-Jones

you can never have too many stitch dictionaries!

and Take-Along Knitting

Found on ravelry: Damask by Kitman Figueroa I liked this so much I bought the pattern one day I will knit it.

I have been enjoying reading other people’s blogs, I’m going to start linking to some you might enjoy too :0)

Blog visiting:  Peacefully knitting with Tina

Inspiration to add to my large collection of what happened next in the Austen novels.

What am I reading? Mr Darcy’s Diary by Maya Slater

Picked it up as a discard from the local library. Very entertaining so far.

Another useful tutorial:

Toe-up socks 2 at a time by Tii Casa (part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

This weeks musical interlude:

The Last Saskatchewan Pirate by the Arrogant Worms another great Canadian band! :0)

Current WIP List (15)

1. Mile a minute afghan 1st crochet project 20% done 
2. Sassy Summer Satchel  MayKal 
3. Piles of Smiles socks a new pattern I am working on 30%
4. Sssydney and friends two more to do
5. From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf 45% Done
6. Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift (due May 25) 5%
7. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
8. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
9. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
10. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
11. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
12. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
13. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
14. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
15. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 36

WIPS 2013 = 15

Used of 37 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 = 34

Books 2013 = 15 + 1 = 16

Thanks again for visiting,

cya next week :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: Adding a few to the list…

After last weeks craziness, I am hoping for a more restful week… The weather here in Ontario is lovely, and sunny. Good for sitting outside with a cuppa and knitting, while listening to Bach!

Need to move the fire pit and bring down the coffee table. and my netbook works out here too!

The Boyz put up the awning and gardening season is about to begin :0)

From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf  deadline is coming fast!

The dark pink makers are the half way point, all down hill from there :0)

Must be done by May 25th.

Mile a Minute Blanket This has been a delightful experiment!

Coming along nicely! I have another stripe ready to attach.

 Sassy Summer Satchel  MayKal 

The ball on the lower right has much more of the centre green than appears in this picture.

Piles of Smiles socks  a new pattern I am working on

Really makes plain old stripes dance!

Found on ravelry: OctoCrush Hat by Ellen Taylor. Nice summer sun hat

I have been enjoying reading other people’s blogs, I’m going to start linking to some you might enjoy too :0)

Blog visiting: Of Yarny Notions: Tales of a Nerdy knitter

Another useful tutorial: A Sock Surgeon’s Afterthought Heel Technique I frequently use this technique, or knit in a waste yarn so there are no ends to darn in!

This weeks musical interlude: The Best of Bach (this is a whole album)

And last but not least what am I reading?

The Golden Thread: A Readers Journey Through the Great Books            by Bruce Meyer

A wonderful overview of the seminal works of Western literature and why we still read them. I’ve read this several times and still find new insights. Just finished the Bible and am working on Homer’s Odyssey.

Highly recommend this to literature lovers.

Current WIP List (15)

1. Mile a minute afghan 1st crochet project 20% done  
2. Sassy Summer Satchel  MayKal
3. Piles of Smiles socks  a new pattern I am working on
4. Sssydney and friends two more to do
5. From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf 45% Done
6. Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift (due May 25) 5%
7. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
8. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
9. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
10. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
11. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
12. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
13. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
14. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
15. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 36

WIPS 2013 = 13 + 2 = 15

Used of 37 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 = 34

Books 2013 = 14 + 1 = 15

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: It’s a secret, more clues part 3!

Yup, the Yarn Challenge continues and I am making progress!

Another Hint! Can you guess yet? Clue 3,

Clue 3

Clue 1, Clue 2, The readers that guess right win a prize!

Not a Poncho, little bag, or a tea cosy, keep guessing…

Woot! we have a winner!

Yes this is a bunny! Right this is the leg. Karen at http://nothingbutknit2.wordpress.com/ wins!

Sea of Dreams Blanket

This little blanket is for a silent auction fundraiser in June.

Love the way this is working up, thanks for the inspiration mrsmommy a friend and a really talented knitter!

Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift

My cousin is getting married in July, so lots of time to make this.

Lovely yarn!

Rereading:  Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart

A fanastical Quest, ala Princess Bride, set in ancient china. I read this many years ago. My son just finished it, so I thought I would read it again…Delightful! 

Position is everything!

Jack ran out of naughtiness and fell asleep

Current WIP List (13)

1. Soper Creek Yarn Challenge
2. Sea of Dreams Blanket
3. Dripping with Lace-Your First Knitted Lace Shawl -A wedding gift
4. Top Down Swing Pullover – One sleeve done
5. My Spring Socks – My design
6. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
7. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
8. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost
9. Kelp Forest Shawlette - very close to done
10. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry
11. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest
12. Cozy Winter Shawl
13. Pine Forest Baby Blanket

FO’s 2013 = 22

WIPS 2013 = 11 + 2 = 13

Used of purchased patterns from Rav = 35 – 7 = 28

Stash Used 2013 = 19

Books 2013 = 9 + 1 = 10

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

FO Friday: It’s a Secret, part 2

Yup, the Yarn Challenge continues and I am making progress!

Another Hint! Can you guess yet?

2 clues so far

The readers that get it right win a prize!

Book of the week:

“Love in the time of Cholera” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Beautifully written story, winner of a Nobel Prize.

Current WIP List (11)

1. Soper Creek Yarn Challenge
2. Top Down Swing Pullover – One sleeve done
3. My Spring Socks – My design
4. Beryl Blanket – Long term project (2 hexs for Cast on Mania)
5. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project (2 Box for Cast on Mania)
6. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost
7. Kelp Forest Shawlette - very close to done
8. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry
9. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest
10. Cozy Winter Shawl
11. Pine Forest Baby Blanket

FO’s 2013 = 22

WIPS 2013 = 11

Used of purchased patterns from Rav = 35 – 7 = 28

Stash Used 2013 = 19

Books 2013 = 9 + 1 = 10

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Weds.

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: Cast on mania week 2!

I have been beavering away on wk1 and finished everything to date.

Week 2 of Cast on Mania begins!

(here’s the to do list for the month)

2/7/13 A Box of Boxes Blanket My stashbusting design!

Box #14

 2/8/13 Beryl Blanket by Juliet Bernard

56 hexes

 2/9/13 Toddler Tootsies #1My stashbusting design, I have to knit 6 pair for charity.

Weighed the last set, divided the leftover yarn in 2.

2/10/13 Toddler Tootsies #2My stashbusting design, I have to knit 6 pair for charity.

Part 2

2/11/13 Knitted Short Row Heart - For my DH for Valentines :0)

 2/12/13 Footies For my Kal group

2/13/13 Footies For my Kal group

And I finished the 2nd sleeve of my Top Down Swing Pullover

My Sweetheart gave me the pattern and yarn for this sweater at Christmas 2012.

Book of the week: English Fairytales by Joseph Jacobs (ebook)

Written in 1890, really enjoying this, interesting, amusing, short stories.

Current WIP List (13)

1. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 
2. Toddler Tootsies #4 My stashbusting design
3. Knitted Short Row Heart - For my DH for Valentines :0)
4. Footies For my Kal group
5. My Spring Socks – My design
6. Beryl Blanket – Long term project (1 hex for Cast on Mania)
7. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project (1 Box for Cast on Mania)
8. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost
9. Kelp Forest Shawlette - very close to done
10. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry
11. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest
12. Cozy Winter Shawl 
13. Pine Forest Baby Blanket

FO’s 2013 = 10

WIPS 2013 = 11 + 2 = 13

Used of purchased patterns from Rav = 34 – 7 = 27

Stash Used 2013 = 6

Books 2013 = 8 + 1 = 9

Sorry to say I will be very late posting on Friday as I have an out of town funeral to attend. My Aunt died yesterday morning, she will be greatly missed.

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: The Celebration Continues!

The festivities continue! My 2nd Blogaversary was yesterday, 

Last Friday’s gift was Toddler Tootsies pdf  so today I have a 2nd present for you :0)

Micah’s Blanky

Great gift for a Baby Shower, or child’s birthday. At 24”x36” it is the perfect size for a crib, stroller, or a car seat.This comfy little blanket is knit from the bottom-up with Garter stitch borders and a flat edge stitch detail. Knit in worsted, so works up quickly. The lace design is worked over 4 rows with only 2 lace rows to remember.

Micah’s Blankie

So on to my Works in Progress, it is Wednesday after all!

DH has been bugging for a new hat since DS pinched his. Truth is they both need a new one! Well I had been thinking about doing The Modjeska Hat that  texaspurlgurl gifted me last month. So here we go!

I modified the pattern by making a facing rather than ribbed edge. Living in Canada, my fella prefers a double thickness over his ears.

I continue to work on what I have now dubbed my Christmas sweater!

Moved to box as it is getting too large for my bag, and my furry children were getting too interested in it.

It may not be done till next Christmas ;0)

I have been Spring cleaning or fresh starting would be more accurate.

In shuffling through my Ravelry pgs.

I realized I have purchased 34 patterns and have only made 6!

New List! I love lists they make me feel so organized!

Current WIP List (9)

1. Modjeska Hat
2. Top Down Swing Pullover
3. Beryl Blanket – Long term project
4. Easy Peazy Shawl - almost done
5. Kelp Forest Shawlette - very close to done
6. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry
7. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest
8. Cozy Winter Shawl 
9. Pine Forest Baby Blanket

Audiobook I am reading while knitting:

Walden by Henry David Thoreau Read by Gord Mackenzie. I read this years ago, and found in it a call to simplification of life.

Book this week: The Warden by Anthony Trollope (Ebook)

I am so fond of The Barchester Chronicles Series I bought the Complete works of Anthony Trollope for my Kobo (only $2.88) There are books in this collection that are no longer in print, plus other writings and biography! This book is a particular favourite. The main character is such a nice little man and you really feel for him all the way through. Delightful, a classic worth reading!

Music offering: ”Great Big Sea” was such a success last week here is

Old Brown’s Daughter beautiful  acapella.

FO’s 2013 = 5

WIPS 2013 = 9

Used of purchased patterns from Rav = 34 – 6 = 28

Stash Used 2013 = 2

Books 2013 = 8

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: Top and Toes

Hello all! <wave>

Guess what I’ve been up to! It has been so warm around here, all the snow has melted off the front lawn. So much for living in the Great White North. I’ve decided to Spring clean in January…

I was looking at my Ravelry Queue and was shocked that it had 647 projects in it, so with a little trimming here and there I am down to just the essential 562 :0)

And Knitting!

Pure and Simple Top Down Swing Pullover by Diane Soucy

Working on the left sleeve, still to finish body and right sleeve.

Toddler Tootsies (my design)

Toddler Socks for my 2yr blog anniversary, gift pattern coming up :0)

Did you see this on Ravelry:   This week Modjeska Hat by Tracey Grzegorczyk  this pattern was on my queue wish list. texaspurlgurl generously gifted it to me last month. She noticed my Scrap Jar on Ravelry Radar and sent me this treat.  Hope to make it for DH soon.

Book of the week: Mr Darcy takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll

I have read this many times, a great continuation of “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen. This is the first of 2 books about Darcy and Elizabeth. I like how Linda Berdoll, depicted their evolving marrried relationship. I enjoyed this book so much, I purchased it for my new Ereader. Well worth it as I reread favourite books every few years. This is one of a few dozen, especially after reading “Pride and Prejudice”. (read recently)

Audiobook of the week: Persuasion by Jane Austen

Music Link: Fields of Gold Sung by Sting

FO’s 2013 =  3

WIPS 2013 = 9 + 1 = 10

Stash Used 2013 =  1

Books 2013 = 4 + 3 = 7

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

FO Friday: A really useful thing!

Good Morning all!

Hey, 25,000 views! whoohoo!

I’ve had visitors from all over, from Australia to the Ukraine and even a visitor from Cyprus! The list of followers is growing too. Thanks for your support and validation! I will endeavour to inprove improve both my spelling and my content. My Blogs anniversary is coming up on January 22, watch for a treat!

Meanwhile I continue to stashbust the little balls of leftover sock yarn in my stash tin!

I made 3 of these Yarn Ball Cosies. I tried the plastic mash ones, these are so much better!

Yarn Ball Cosy

I like to pull my yarn from the centre of the ball, needless to say this becomes a mess when the centre finally collapses. The Large one takes about 14gms, Small one about 12gms of fingering or sock yarn. I made mine 4″ long. The red one is a small ball the others are the large size.

Can you tell I really like these handy little cosies?

Did you see this on Ravelry: I am going to start linking things I see on Rav that appeal to me and that you might have missed. This week A Better Bucket by Amy Swenson. Tina at Soper Creek yarns made this. It was so much nicer than the picture!

Book of the week: The Complete World of Jane Austen by Lauren Nixon

DH gifted this to me at Christmas. What an interesting little book, full of details, and snipets on Austens live and times, pictures of places that informed her work. The tidbits on fashion, her family and overviews of her works though brief, were interesting.

I would recommend it if you are a Regency fan and particularly of Jane Austen

Music Link: Watkins Ale – Music of the English Renaissance

FO’s 2013 = 0 + 3 = 3

WIPS 2013 = 9

Stash Used 2013 = 0 + 1 = 1

Books 2013 = 3 + 1 = 4

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: Good news and treats!

Good morning all!

First of all, I am delighted to report that the St.George’s Craft Sale was a great success. We made more that ever before. We are well on our way to a wheelchair ramp for the church hall. Our small group is very pleased, and we are already thinking of having another in the New Year. :0)

Things are improving on the cold front. I was very disappointed that I could not attend the Craft Sale. I am recovering slowly, but bugs seem to like to hang around and tire me out. My fellas are both better, and taking great care of me and Willow and Jack have been snoozing with me.

Meanwhile I continue on my WIP’s

Ruffle Scarf #6

Not much progress here

Picot-edge Baby Blanket

This is working up very nicely!

The Hobbit: Bombur’s Travelling Socks

Special features: Toe-up, spiral toe, with after thought spiral heel. Chart and video references provided. The sock for non-sock knitters!

In honour of the release of the Hobbit, here is a new pattern free to my Blog readers. It will be going on Ravelry sale on the 14th. 

Merry Christmas enjoy!

Ravelry page

This weeks Book: Cold Days by Jim Butcher

#14 in the Dresden File Series

Was a really good read! Like usual from the frying pan into the fire. Harry has to save everyone, he has only 24hrs to do it, and only his magic and his brains.

FO’s 2012 =  76

Patterns from my own Library = 6

WIP’s 2012 = 2 + 1 = 3

Stash used 2012 = 84

Beryl Blanket Hexes = 48

Books =  42 + 1 = 43

Thanks again for visiting,

cya on Friday.

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

For links to my blogwalk come join me in the blogpond :0)