More ice...

...is coming

Since I last blogged:

I finished a felted bag 

I finished a piece of needlepoint 

I haven't decide if I'll frame it or how I'll have it finished.

I started two pairs of socks, a cowl, and a headband. 

We've had more cold weather followed by warm and again cold. The last time with terrible ice. And since it looked deceivingly wet (not icy), I went out and slipped and fell. Luckily nothing was broken just a sprain of my left wrist. It sure puts a crimp in my knitting time! So no knitting has been done for 6 days!! and none expected to be done for a while.  :( 

Now to the weather.  We are expecting freezing rain late this afternoon into the evening.  It's looking like I won't be going out tomorrow, lol.
The good news is it will start warming up and be in the 60s by Sunday.

WIP Wednesday

Surprise!! I have not been lollygagging around the pool.  I have not been sleeping the past two weeks of silence.  Nope.  I've been busy. 
Busy with grandkids, busy with work, teaching, and yes, busy knitting and stitching (with a little reading thrown in)

Update on the Seed Stitch Baby Cardigan

Update on Needlebook

and yes, an update on the Santa Club "S"

I'll try to be a little better about blogging but I am finding there are less hours in a day to get everything done.
When did that time change occur?!!

WIP Wednesday

First up...progress on the seed stitch baby sweater

I have started on the left front.   (and yes, that is a bread tie re-purposed as a yarn bobbin holding the yarn tail)  I should be an expert seed stitch knitter by the time I am finished, lol.

A new project... no it is not a bikini... it is a head band

 

It is the Hera Headband designed by Sarah-Hope Parmeter from the Sock Yarn One Skein Wonders book.

I am using US4/3.5m and elsebeth lavold Silky Wool in a beautiful purple color (I know, my camera and lighting makes the yarn look blue).  There are FIVE charts to this headband.  I have completed Chart A.  It's not difficult, just has lots of twisty stitches.

And this week I started a new needlepoint project

It is the "S" in Santa.  A Raymond Crawford design.  Once a month we'll get a letter to spell out SANTA.  I hope I can keep up, lol.  So far I have the window pane done.

So what are you working on this week?

Busy as a bee

Already?!

March?!!  What happened to January and February?

It has been a busy two months.


I have been busy working, visiting with the grandkids, knitting, baking, doing needlepoint, and reading.

To catch you up...

I finished these Beaded Lacey Cuffs February 23rd.  They are as cute as I remember.

Mikado Knit Lace Cuff with Beads design by Cathy Campbell
Yarn: Katia Acuario (90% viscose, 10% plyamide), Green
Beads: Mill Hill size 6 color 16037 (80 beads)


Knitted madly trying to finish the Putting Holes in Happiness socks for the FGF (Fingerless Glove Fanatics) Sock Group on Ravelry.  I had January and February to finish them.  January I worked on the Blathnat socks and socks for a designer (finishing those socks the middle of February).  I thought, 'yes!' I can do this... finish these purple socks in two weeks.     HA!

As you can see, I didn't make it.  Instead I started and finished a fingerless mitt for the lys.  Then I had to start a pair for myself.

The one for the shop was done using Online Linie 33 Cosmo (70% merino, 5% cashmere, 25% polymide) in purple on US2/2.75m dpns.

For mine I'm using Online Linie 33 Cosmo in blue on US2/2.75m dpns.

The pattern is from Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders.

"Woven" Fingerless Gloves by Laura Hein Eckel.

The yarn is a dream to work with and gives great stitch definition.

 It may surprise you that I found a few minutes to work on my needlepoint.

My goal this year is to stitch a few Christmas ornaments.

So I'm starting with Santa.

 He may not look like much so far, but wait... he is a cute ornament.  (and I already have the next 6 ornaments picked out!!!!)

I've also been playing baking my own hamburger rolls and loaves of bread.

I don't have pictures of the hamburger rolls.  They were yummy!  I do need to practice on the shape though.
This loaf is a honey wheat and I think it baked a bit too long.  darn! I'll just have to make it again, lol.

To catch up on what I've been reading, check out my list of books here.

And now it is time for a cup of tea.   Won't you join me?

Another pair of socks!

Ta da!!!

I finished the YOSS July and Solid Sock July socks.  But sadly not by the end of July.  But! they fit perfect and I love them (even though they are white).

And in case you're wondering what my initial bag looks like with the needlepoint attached....

... I love it!!!  (and yes, I do have the next needlepoint project ready to start)

All in a day's work

Most of day was spent on needlepoint.  And after several times of frogging the white around the initial (it took a while to be satisfied with what stitch looked the best and then how to fit it in there so my "gotta look even and the same" was happy)

And once again Mr. Gnome was more than happy to help with the photo shoot.

(you could pretend he was helping to hammer in the tacks, lol)

All I have left to work are the two bottom, brown corners.  Then it will be mounted onto a brown canvas bag and viola! I'll have a new knitting bag!

WIP Wednesday

And this week's winners are...

...the YOSS Jun Monkey sock.  One down, one to go. (hey! at least I started the mate, lol)

 The initial bag needlepoint piece...

...loving it!  I didn't care for the white I picked out to use around my initial.  I'll have to look for something else.  I'd like to work a brick stitch (vertical) around my initial.  It is addicting to work on this little piece.

I have totally ignored my shawl and Advent Calendar scarf for the week.  But...

...you know I couldn't resist starting the YOSS Jul sock...

          Pattern: Catherine by Kate Blackburn (scroll down the page until you reach Catherine)

          Yarn: Knit Picks Bare

          Needles: Hiya Hiya 9" circular, US 1/2.25mm

I am loving this pattern!  and since I'm working the socks in white, it will count for the Solid Socks July Socks.  sweet!!

(you do know I'm not done with casting on for July socks, don't ya?!  The Fingerless Glove Fanatics (FGF) Sock group on Ravelry is having a purple kal and a designer kal.  I can do the designer socks in purple and meet the requirements for both groups!  double sweet!!!   BUT, I will restrain myself and not cast on for these until next week... probably...maybe...)

(The Sock Knitter's Anonymous (SKA) group is knitting a mystery sock this month.  I am finding it very hard not to cast on for it too.)

WIP Wednesday

Why my YOSS June 

 is not finished...

 and a close up

(they are addicting!)  I do have my YOSS JUL sock yarn wound.  And surprise!! it will also count towards July's Solid Sock Group sock too.  sweet!

Sock update

A quick update on the YOSS Monkey Socks

 I'm at the gusset decreases and the foot, yea!! and I still have one week to finish the mate, lol.

Here is a peek at my next needlepoint project...

so many projects... so little time

WIP Wednesday

Yes, you got it....  another sock...   mate

an update on the nametag....

and

a finished pair!!

WIP Wednesday

I had hoped to have these socks finished by today but... not

I am close to the toe so hopefully I'll have it done by the weekend and have another sock mate on the needles to show you next week.

I join the Embroidery Guild (EGA) and have to make a nametag. I had one I made for the Needlepoint Guild (currently not a member) but I Can't Find It!!!

So I am playing around with some ideas for a new one.

WIP Wednesday

A few things I've been working on this week...

Advent Calendar Scarf

finished Day 3 and spacer... started day 4

Laura Nelkin Mystery kal

clue 3 started... still have 12 more repeats of clue 3

And something completely different

a needlepoint piece... Terracotta Celtic Knot