thistle and vogue

well, made some progress on thistle this week. I finished the body of it, sewed it up and whacked the center out with my sharp scizzors. It always scares me to cut my knitting, ya know......
Now I just have to finish the ends and sew them down.

This weekend, I'll be off to vogue knitting live. I got my shopping wristband on friday, so I'm ready to go......they'll be a full report next week.

That's all the knitting news for now, and really, no pics. Too much gardening happening here while the weather is good.

I know.....

I was kinda MIA last week. It was just to rainy and depressing, and nothing really got done.
I was still missing the yarn for thistle, and I was just working on this little double knit scarf....

I like the colors, and I think I'm getting the whole double knit thing pretty well......

By the end of the week, the yarn for thistle arrived.....Just in time for a total DOWNPOUR of rain, like, 2 inches in one day. Good day to knit. I've only got about 3 more rows on the edge and then it's on to steeking.

 

I'll probably wait until it rains again to finish this. Most of my time now is taken up with gardening when the weater permits.

 

We did take time yesterday to go get our new tables from Bassett. Love the tables, not sure how we lived without them.....

 

As you can see, the knitting fits right in.

 

Coming up..... April 6th (or thereabouts), I'll be headed off for a bit of shopping at vogue knitting live in seattle, with some enabling company, of course.....you KNOW who you are!

I'm looking forward to what will be a well deserved break from moving dirt.

 

I HATE spring ahead

I think I've said this before, but it bears repeating. I HATE, HATE, HATE spring ahead. I feel like I've been hit by a truck. I always spend the first week or two wandering around like a zombie wondering if it's time for lunch! WHY can't we just leave well enough alone?????
Arizona does it, and they manage just fine, thankyouverymuch!

OK, rant over.......
This week I did make some progress on the thistle stole. (rain again), however, I am now dead in the water with it, having run out of yarn 10 rows from the end. ARGH!! The fine folks that originally made the kit were wonderful, though, and offered to send me enough to finish at no charge. I'll definitely be supporting dicentra designs again. Now I just have to wait for it to get here.

Since I'm feeling a colorwork mood coming on, I think I'll probably start on the queen bee sweater. I have all the yarn and the pattern, it just depends if it needs the same needles that are currently sticking out of the thistle project.......

If that doesn't work out, I'll just go play with glass. It's supposed to rain like a monsoon all week, so no playing outside in the dirt (mud), as much as I want to. We'll have to find inside projects......

The doggies have celebrated spring ahead by going back to bed. Maybe I'll join them.....

pent up spring fever

This week, I made some serious progress on the thistle stole. This is what happens when you have spring fever SO bad you can't sit still, and you're waiting for the dirt guy to finish and the rain to stop.
I'm more than 1/2 way there......

Can't say I did any hexipuffs this week, most of the work was on the thistle and the computer, shopping for plants!

My plan for next week is to continue with thistle, maybe make some puffs, and probably buy more plants. (you can never have too many plants - kinda like yarn)

I've decided that since I'm on a colorwork binge, the next project will be the queen bee sweater. I already have all the yarn and the pattern, just need to get it out. One thing at a time.......

thistle stole

well, actually, thistle table runner........
Last week, this followed me home from madrona. Of course, I had to cast on right away and get going.
I love stranded colorwork, the way it flows off the needles and the pattern emerges. This one is no exception. I've finished the border, thanks to a rainy week, and I'm working on the first set of leaves.

 

I didn't do the knitted in border, those never seem to work for me. I'll sew it down later.

There will probably be some quality time this week to add to this. It's supposed to rain AGAIN.

 

In other news, this week, we went to the seattle flower show. It was pretty amazing and more than a few things followed me home. Cool things.....Now all I need is a yard to plant them in.

 

Yogi says "look at me!! I have a new red bone. I LOVES my red bone!"

 

 

 

(sister likes them too, she's just not as enthusiastic)

madrona!!

This week,.there was that little event, madrona. No classes for me this year, nothing really caught my eye. I did bring this home, though...

Nearly two pounds of squishy yarny goodness and beautiful colorwork to boot! I probably will never wear it, it's intended to be a table runner. It's all ready to go. I just have to dig out the appropriate needles and cast on the required 416 stitches, that's all......

Since I knew I'd be picking up this lovely at madrona, I really didn't start anything new this week. Worked on the hexipuffs a bit, sewed together my bugga sweater (it just needs buttons now), and started on the swirl scarf.....I'm trying to figure out how anyone knits this without blocking each swirl. This is going to be a long project. Knit a swirl, steam block it, knit the next one.....oh well...

Next week, I'll be starting on thistle, sewing on my buttons, and going to the FLOWER SHOW!!!

Love the flower show even more than madrona, and with an acre of mud to plant......well, you get the picture.

I forgot what I was going to say now......

Honestly, blogger has been SO bad. It keeps telling me that the admin has to let me in.  I AM the admin. I end up changing my password pretty much every week, because it's the only way I can get in.
I'd change the host, but I don't want to lose all of my blogging history.
ARGGH

Anyhow......this week, it rained a bit, so some good knitting progress was made on the bugga sweater.
The sleeves are done, and one side of the button band. I somehow managed to totally mess up the other side, so I have to rip it and start again. I was worried that it wouldn't fit, and it will be a bit snug, but I think it'll be OK. These pics don't do the gorgeous teal green any justice. I love the color here.

 

I also have 130 hexis done...they make a prettty colorful assortment, don't you think?

 

Up this week.......MADRONA!!!!! One of my favorite knitting things to do. I'll be picking up my thistle stole kit (2lbs of yarny goodness), and hopefully a couple of knitpicks needles to replace the ones that had some doggie accidents. (I can hardly wait for those end tables to come in). Maybe I'll find something else that catches my eye as well. Who knows? Most of my spare change is being reserved for the flower show right now, so it will have to be pretty flashy.....

Pics next week.

 

happy valentine's day

A bit early, I know, but yogi couldn't resist the scarf.

(after all, he tore it apart about 5 times while I was making it.)

It's all done now, with the exception of a couple of ends to weave in. I think I've finally got the hang of double knitting....maybe. I'm definitely up for attempting a bit more difficult project, just not right now.

This week, I'll be back to finishing the bugga sweater. I only have 2 sleeves to finish, some blocking to do and then the sewing together and button bands. It's supposed to rain, hard, all week, so there's some good knitting time in there somewhere.

I'm getting pretty excited for madrona. Gotta pick up my thistle stole. (yogi definitely won't be getting ahold of THAT one). Who knows what else will catch my fancy, although I have PLENTY of projects.

The following week is the big seattle flower show. I save and dream about this one all year. This year, we have an acre of dirt to plant, so I'll be looking for some special treats. I try to focus on things that are special or rare, and that you generally can't get anywhere else. I have a special soft spot for peonies and tree peonies, and also black plants. The peonies are expensive, but long lived and easy to grow.

I'll be sure to show the spoils from both when the time comes.

better late than never

bad blogger!!!!
bad, bad blogger!!!
it wouldn't let me in until I changed my password at least twice. ARGH!!

Alrighty..... this week was pretty productive knitting-wise.
I finished this scarf

and these socks

ande worked on the bugga sweater and this scarf....loving the double knitting class, by the way.

 

this scarf keeps having "accidents" . The doggie has stolen it a couple of times and unrolled the yarn, taken out the stitches, and finally, today, broke both of the knitpicks needles that were in it.

BAD DOG!!!

it's hard to be mad too long at this face, though......

 

this week, it's supposed to rain like crazy. Good knitting weather.  There'll be some more hexis, some more bugga sweater, and I hope to finish this scarf, which, by the way, is way too thick to be a scarf. I'm thinking table runner.

 

 

finishing ufo's

This week was pretty productive knitting-wise. It was too cold to go outside and paint or garden, so I focused on finishing up a few things that have been taking up space in the UFO pile.

First up, the watermelon socks. There's just something about a watermelon sock that makes me happy.

I also finished a wrestling match of a hooded scarf that's been hanging around forever. It was about 10 rows short of this endless slip stitch pattern that was made only more boring by having to wrestle the yarn and needles into submission. It's done now, no pics yet......

AND I picked up the bridge of roses socks that I started about a year ago. I had one sock done and gave up because it's a bit of a fiddly pattern. The second sock doesn't seem that bad, though, and I'm already past the heel.

Next up on the UFO adjenda, the beaded belles socks I started a LOOONNNGGGG time ago. Then I'll go back to the pile and see what else I can finish. I think that's about it, though, with the exception of a tank top that needs some top ribbing.

I'm trying to wrap up most of the misc. unfinished projects before madrona and the flower show distract me.

In my theme of 2013 being the year of double knitting, I also signed up for the craftsy double knitting class. (it was on sale, ya know). I've taken some double knitting classes before at my LYS, and never quite gotten it. That makes me even more determined. So far, I'm loving the class. You can watch it as many times as you like, and replay the important parts over. I finished the sample starter piece in the first lesson, and I think I'll work on the wrist warmers in the second one. This is working for me.

So, this week, maybe another class lesson, some more hexis (I have about 90 now), finish bridge of roses socks, and dig out the beaded belles.

WAHOO!!

still a bit obsessed

Things are finally settling down and settling in, and it's WAY too cold and wet to go outside just yet. (although I did get a bit of painting done). I have to admit, I'm still a bit obsessed with the hexipuffs......I've set a goal for somewhere about 10 per week. Last count was around 65 (and growing).

I had to step back from them a bit. There ARE other things to work on, you know.
Here's the other watermelon sock, well on it's way......

I'm trying to force myself to finish some of those UFO's, or ditch them, whichever would be better, so, I'll fish around and find another half finished project for my next trick......stay tuned.

I think I'll leave you with a little flower eye candy. This really IS as large as it looks and beautiful. It's also sending up a second stem, so it'll be around for a while.....

happy new year

I know, a rare, non weekend post, but I couldn't pass up the chance to say happy new year!!!!

2012 was pretty eventful in a lot of ways. This time last year, we were anxiously waiting for financing and planning for the house build. What a difference a year makes!!

I've never much been one for "resolutions", but I do have some goals for 2013......
I want it to be the year of living lighter. After having to move all that "stuff", most of it by myself in a million little trips over the course of a month or so, I think we need to get rid of more of it. We're already planning a shop clearing and yard sale for the spring. We'll see if the man will let go of anything. He tends to be one of those folks who insist it'll be good for something, I'll so something with it, I have a plan. (NOT!!).

So, it'll be lightening the load, knitting from the stash (with a few exceptions, of course), and working on what we already have. Like, selling our old house and our acre of mud around the new one.

It's also going to be the year of landscaping. We still have to finish the city's soil amendment plan before we can do anything, but, once that's done, I'm calling the landscapers. If we can build a house in a year, we can  build the bones of a garden in a year.......stay tuned...........

So, back to the things I love. Gardening, knitting, feeding the hummingbirds...and maybe some new loves, who knows!

What a difference a year makes!!

happy christmas to ME!

My DH gave me a little knitpicks christmas. At the top is the double knit snowflake scarf kit, to the right a cool colorwork sock kit and at the bottom, some sock yarn for him. I've decided that 2013 will be the year of double knitting. I'm finally going to tackle this technique and wrestle it to the ground. We'll see how THAT goes.........

I don't really have any knitting to show, although I've been working on it. This year will also be the year of reducing the stash. (after having to move it all). I've been bitten by the hexipuff bug, and spent the last week or so gathering up all my sock yarn leftovers (a lot), and working on the little beggars. It really IS as addicitve as they say, and nothing else has gotten done. Eventually, I'll get tired of doing nothing but puffs, and finish up some UFO's that are hanging around. I've made about 20 so far, and hardly made a dent in my leftover stash. It takes about 384 to make a blankie,  so I have a long way to go!

when the going gets tough...

the tough knit watermelon socks!!

These are from a KAL that I never did this summer. (oops), but I'm a sucker for watermelon socks. They're just fun, so I decided to pull out an easy knit and go for it. This is #1 and it's almost done already.......

I'm really trying to finish up some ufo's and "potential" projects and work through the stash...
Next up, I think I'll make some cabled pillows for the couch.

I'm excited for madrona and the vogue knitting live that's coming in april, even more excited for the flower show in feb.

Imagine, having a full acre of blank canvas to garden on  in which you can do ANYTHING you want. You know where I'll be when the weather gets better!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

finally, some time

where we're not getting ready to move, moving, or cleaning up from moving.
Sure, there's still some work to be done. The hot tub movers will be here wed, the plumber and electrician some time this week to clean up some stuff on the old house before it goes on the market this coming thursday.

I've put my down time to good use by finishing up some christmas present socks. (that was some POWER knitting, I tell ya),  and working on this sweater that's been hanging around forever. It needed to have the button bands fixed, they were too big. Now it pretty much just needs some bias tape to stabilize the steeks. (I can sew now!!! I've found my machine), and some buttons, and it's off to my sister. It just doesn't fit me right in the shoulders. Fits her fine though.

I'm getting excited for madrona, even if it is to just shop a bit. I have a thistle shawl on hold to pickup there. (can you say "colorwork"?)

I was also pretty interested to hear that vogue knitting live is coming to this neck of the woods in april. I might even be inspired to take a class there. Sounds like they have some different, advanced things that might be interesting.

So, back to a somewhat "regular" schedule/life, at least until the weater gets good enough to start on the landscaping.........

In the meantime, I'll be hanging out here........

taking a break from house stuff

a short one, though, and then it's back to work. The house is almost done, and we've gotten permission to start moving. It WOULD be nice to have plumbing fixtures, though, so, we'll have to wait to actually live there. There has been some knitting. I finished the gloves for my sister. No pic, she snagged them and ran off before I could get one. Don't think she's taken them off yet. And a stealth sock for a christmas present has been making progress. No pic of that either, it IS a present, you know. Yesterday, I was brave enough to go out for some shopping. I must have picked all the boring places, because it wasn't really too different than a normal weekend day shopping. I had to have a bit of a splurge for me, the latest issue of IK. Just when I stopped subscribing, it gets good. Check out these cute little glass sheepies. I saw them in the Pier One ad and HAD to have them.....aren't they cute?

I have to be honest, things may be a bit bloggy spotty for a while. We've been spending our whole day with new house stuff, coming back, having dinner and falling into bed. Good thing the new house is only in our back yard. I'll try to do better, really.......

house obsessed

just checking in to say, well, nothing. The gloves are coming along, starting the fingers, but the pattern is screwed up and the directions are wrong. Didn't figure that one out for a while..... Thinking about doing some holiday knitting, and wondering if it's just too late. Can you say "gift card?" The whole house thing has turned into an excercise in frustration, with contrators who don't show, and bad weather. We're thinking now that there WON'T be a turkey day move, just not enough time for all they have to do and the speed they seem to be doing it at. ARGH!! You'd think I'd take my frustration out on knitting, but it's all packed up. We were supposed to move nearly a moth ago, and this state of half-packed is driving me crazy. We're READY to go!

I'm still here

I know, I know, I've been horribly bad in neglecting my poor blog. (and my knitting) Over the summer, SO many things were going on, including the building of our new house. The house is still not finished, although we can ALMOST see the finish line now. We're hoping for a pre turkey day move in. That might include having the family all grab a chair and a corner of the table and taking it over there so we can have dinner. It's both a blessing and a curse that we're only moving about 100 yards away. Easy to move stuff, and also easy to KEEP stuff. I HAVE been knitting a bit. Mostly on a pair of gloves for my sister. They're almost impossible to take a pic of though, since they're a dark navy blue wollemeise with cables. They just don't show up. The 9 month rainy season has started here now, so I promise, they'll be a bunch more knitting. (as soon as I can find my yarn from the move) In the mean time, you'll just have to settle for yogi. He's very happy 'cause he got a clean bill of health from the vet (who also said she thought he's pretty). The world just looks better upside down and with your belly in the air. We should all try this!

some new goodies

Last week was a tough one. I woke up on monday with my back in a spasm and managed to stiff arm my way through the week by doing nothing. Not even knitting. I blame it all on the stress of the house not making progress, the water being out for the weekend, and various other factors that have left me kinda lost. Thanks to my friend and massage person j. I was feeling a bit better after tuesday, but now it's back with a vengance. (shouldn't have dug up those peonies yesterday) That whole standing up straight thing is highly overrated. Still have to teach pilates, and bodypump, do housework and all that other fun stuff. It's the REST of the day that goes away in a handbasket. I've got NO knitting to show for it, but I did get some new goodies! Dream in color smooshy with cashmere from the loopy ewe camp. It was the prize for finishing all 3 projects. IK knitted gifts and a new book, cast on, bind off. This week, no promise of knitting. The house is FINALLY getting worked on, and the water line is fixed (and paid for). We just have to put the deck back together and figure out what we're going to do with the potential mud pit in the front yard. Good times!

don't even TALK to me!!!!!

Today, this is the view out the front window.

We could have probably BOUGHT that bobcat for the price of what we've paid so far to hook up to the sewer. Had to be done to sell this house, but what a cluster.... of mess. Seems that if you don't find the water line where you think it is, then it must not be there at all, right? WRONG!!!!!!! Everything was cruising along fine until someone ASSUMED, (y'all know what they say about that), and they hit the water line with the backhoe. That started a house of cards mess, water leak, crud in the pipes, no pressure, more water leak, more gunk in the pipes....... right now we have NO water and a bunch of stress, oh, and the leak is still there SOMEWHERE. Never mind that the front yard is, well, this......what's that about curb appeal? but wait, this is supposed to be a knitting blog. No knitting, sorry. I was back to work with pilates clients and the outside work pretty much came to a halt, as well as anything creative that might of happened. Stay tuned, will there BE a trip to oregon flock and fiber next week? Depends how the water thing goes.