SIGNING UP FOR RAVELRY

So, I signed up for Ravelry...I had to! Have you seen the really awesome (dated word, I know) patterns and knitterly stuff on that site!??!! OMG, it's Knitter Heaven is what it is. I'm on the waiting list of course...about 12000 people ahead of me, but it's like the epitome of Knitting Sites to belong to...it's like getting your Master Knitter Pin in websites/chatrooms/pattern source.It's Knitting Nirvana.
I think it might even (once I am allowed in and given the HI SIGN)give me the impetus to branch out into other colors of yarn in the spectrum besides blue...although blue will always be my fav, it just is...but I am thinking along the lines of greens and oranges and yellows and purples (I did make a nice purple jacket for Pat though...remember?) I could even play with designing and with the additon of my sweet little Elizabeth wheel, making some unique yarns, dyeing my own, etc. There is no limit to what I might do...it's scary that I am so obsessed.

And, speaking of my dear Elizabeth Wheel...I heard from her previous owner and she got the check and the wheel is on the way. I am all shivery and can't wait until she gets here. I've orderd Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning...it's a safety purchase just in case I can't find anyone to teach me how to spin. I'm having a hard time finding anyone close by. Weird, I know...in a town this size you'd think....!!!!???? Now, I'm not going to buy any wool until I get her but I am soooooooooo tempted to get several pounds of this and that and just go wild. Well, why not...I mean, I'll use it no matter what, but I have to exercise a little restraint I think. Christmas is a'comin and there are gifties to get. Wool is on my wish list...hint, hint (family, that's for you!!!)

On Sock Yarn, AKG and Lily Chen

Tonight was the monthly meeting of the AKG-which is always eventful and nice to go to...a whole passle of knitting folk and of course the LYS's with goodies to buy.
I bought some lovely Silk and Silver...the black colour...from kraemer. It's just ever so nice and will make a very handsome lace evening shawl. I also bought the greatest looking sock yarn by Shi Bui in crayon colors-of which I will make a wee little jacket and will use my Smiley Faced Flower Buttons upon...it will be cuter than cute! I should have bought more, but the program was beginning and I was anticipating a wonderful program led by none other than Lily Chen-of knitting design fame. Well, maybe it was me, but....YAWN!!!!! She was showing crochet work, not knitting and I am just not a fan of crochet-other than to embellish a piece of knitting. So glad I didn't get into her workshop now...I know it's awful to say that but I really thought it would be a more interesting program. Hmmmmmm-well, just goes to show you.
I'll post pics of the new yarns I got...not tonight because it's late and I am tired though.
Hope to get my lovely little wheel soon-then I will be buying wool roving and silk hankies and all manner of other fibery goodness to touch and look at and dream up ways to use.

More Pics of Purse

Here is another view...just need to sew the bottom seam and she's ready for a party!

HOT HOLIDAY HANDBAG-Using up the stash

Here is a really quick pattern I made up for a holiday handbag. You can use any yarn you like, but I chose these three and wound them together to make bulky weight yarn:
Purse will be assembled vertically and the purl side will be the right side.
1 skein Fun Fur
1 skein varigated worsted weight
1 skein boucle
size 15 knitting needles
size H crochet hook
tapestry needle
lining fabric-optional

With three strands held together, cast on 15 stitches Knit in stockinette stitch for 20 inches. Fold in half. With tapestry needle sew side and bottom seams with Kitchner stitch.
Crochet a chain of 25-30 inches long. Attach to purse at sides.
You can line the purse with fabric...but I haven't found my fabric yet. Will show more pics when I have finished.

Blue Socks For Shannen

Here is the blue sock I finished for Shannen...the mate is just now getting cast on...a pair later on this weekend.

On Being Nana

I go to pick up Shannen, my 3 year old granddaughter, for the weekend...in just about an hour. She is the sweetest little one, but ever, ever so headstrong and willful!!! She will be here until tomorrow evening so it will be two days of playing and naptime and lots of No's but lots of love too. I'm making her a pair of blue wool socks...one done, the other to cast on during naptime today I think. She should have new socks by tomorrow AM. I love knitting for her though...she's quite the little fashion plate but very tall for her age so I have to be careful what I knit so she doesn't dress older than she is...needs to stay a little girl as long as she is a little girl!! Will post pics of the socks once they are done. I've found some yarn in my stash to make more socks for her too...some nice soft blends that should make cute lacey socks for her.I love being her Nana.

Yeah, post every day, uhhh huhhhh

The pic is of a very lovely Shetland Shawl that I have started(WORKING ON ROW 9 OF BORDER NUMBER ONE) in some beautiful Olive Green kettle dyed handspun lace weight yarn. It was to be a Christmas present, but proves to be a bit ambitious for that short a deadline I think...Meanwhile, THE BLOG...So, I am lax, so I don't post every day. I mean to but you know, time just gets away. And speaking of time...where has it gone. You know, it's almost Holiday time and what have I accomplished toward getting the knitted gifties done for all the people I need to gift this year? Weeeeeeeeeeelllllllllllllllllllll? Uh, I have made the list, checked it twice too! Yea me! Here are my plans-ambitious I know, but if I start now, I should be able to get it all done by 12:00 PM December 24....(2008???)
An even Baker's Dozen of co-worker gifts...this year, cute little felted pocket books-to hold tissues, a couple of bucks, notepad or the like. Quick knitting they should be as they are done in garter stitch and knitted rectangle about 12 inches long after felting. I have tons of wool yarn so not having to go buy any materials for those. Then, there is family who expects some nice knitterly things from me. Lace scarves for sisters and Mom...OK that'll take a few weeks I'll admit. Socks for the guys...I can knit a pair a weekend...let's see, that should be a pair every weekend for the the next month and a half. I have the neices gifts already done...whew! Granddaughter is getting an adorable Ladybug hat, socks and jacket I(good Nana that I am) have already started and my globetrotting son who is now in Colombia will be getting a very toasty pullover that is only minus the sleeves until it is finished. The only thing I foresee getting in my way with this 24/7 schedule would be the arrival of Elizabeth, my new Spinning Wheel...wink wink