tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53946856458248315182024-03-20T06:15:25.403-04:00Zen ... Cats ... YarnMusings on yarn and knitting, with a baby and kitties added for good measure...Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-6299499822123465762008-05-04T21:09:00.004-04:002008-05-04T21:37:30.315-04:00From Canada, with loveLast week proved to be one filled with all sorts of goodness coming from north of the border. On Friday, a dreary, rainy day here in Indiana, I received my Spring Swap box from <a href="http://arcticknitting.blogspot.com/">Meg</a>. Before I get into the box, let me note that she had already sent along a dozen balls of Angora Soft - enough for a sweater (part of the theme of the swap was to encourage some spring cleaning of items that were nice, but didn't necessarily need to stay nice in your home - isn't Meg generous??).<br /><br />The box had this lovely, happy sketch on the outside:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2466394392/" title="DSC00286 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2154/2466394392_50f6851238_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="DSC00286" /></a><br /><br />Open it up to find this:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2465569189/" title="DSC00287 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/2465569189_87bafc54e3.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSC00287" /></a><br /><br /><em>(Nope, she didn't send Sunny to me - Sunny just comes running at the faintest scent/sound of tissue paper)</em><br /><br /><br />Here's layer one of generosity:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2466394812/" title="DSC00288 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2362/2466394812_90172ffa4b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00288" /></a><br /><br />And layer two:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2466395176/" title="DSC00290 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2083/2466395176_3b78e2297e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00290" /></a><br /><br />All told, Meg sent along four(!) skeins of yarn she dyed herself. She has a fabulous eye for color - everything is very happy and spring-y, and it brought a smile to my face. She also included a ladybug tape measure, a water bottle with a Northwest Territories logo (yep, my package came a long way!), some little monkey key tags, a plush/velour flower, a lovely bookmark, a set of chibi darning needles, and two adorable pots to start some flowers.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2466395052/" title="DSC00289 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2114/2466395052_fd9272e85c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00289" /></a><br /><br />Here's the yarn (and yes, I've already asked her to please open an etsy shop):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2466395914/" title="DSC00294 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2466395914_477dfa7343.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00294" /></a><br /><br />And some closeups:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2465569929/" title="DSC00292 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2282/2465569929_ffb4c144c8_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="DSC00292" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2465570731/" title="DSC00297 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/2465570731_8d29269821_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="DSC00297" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2465570381/" title="DSC00295 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/2465570381_bf520c38cd_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="DSC00295" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2466395388/" title="DSC00291 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2420/2466395388_5a37999efb_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="DSC00291" /></a><br /><br />The other Canadian to spread sunshine in Indy last week was the Harlot. I don't think I can add anything that hasn't already been blogged. She was charming and funny and great. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2466394306/" title="DSC00276 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2064/2466394306_fe635715a6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00276" /></a><br /><br />ZEN was supposed to attend, and represent the Indiana babies, but she threw up, in the car, on her way to the bookstore. ZEN's lovely father was bringing her to me at the store and had to turn around and clean her up and put her to bed - and miss his baseball practice. To put that in perspective, baseball is to him as knitting is to me. Except he can't do it year-round, so it was wonderful of him to miss practice for this!<br /><br />And finally, a few FOs, just to show that I do occassionally finish something I start:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2465570923/" title="DSC00301 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/2465570923_a146222dc4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00301" /></a><br /><em>This is the blanket for my friend Gina's son-to-be. She is doing a knights and dragons theme in his room. I am going to hire out the finishing (putting a flannel backing on it to keep his little fingers from getting entangled in the intarsia mess. I am not good at intarsia. I do not like intarsia. I will continue to do intarsia only when I need to make a gift for a baby, toddler or child.</em><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2446796455/" title="DSC00264 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2145/2446796455_0ae957cccd.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSC00264" /></a><br /><em>Ah, this is what I am calling my Oh Crap!-otis. I was working from a 759-yard hank of yarn. If you know the Clapotis pattern, you know that Kate Gilbert initially made it with 3 skeins of Lion & Lamb. Lion and Lamb has 205 yards per skein. The pattern was later modified to call for 4 skeins, but most people didn't use much of the fourth. Math is not my forte, but one would think 759 yards would suffice. Uh, no. Not so much. I did only 12 straight rows, rather than 13, and I still ran out of yarn, so this is a rare 5-sided Clapotis. But, it's not that noticeable if I wrap it around my neck, so I suppose it's OK. And I did love the <a href="http://www.makaluyarns.com/Makalu.aspx?Content=ViewCategory&CategoryDBID=146">Makalu Lambgora</a> yarn.</em><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2428086538/" title="DSC00184 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/2428086538_25d34e0283.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00184" /></a><br /><em>I knit these mitts with some handspun <a href="http://zencatsyarn.blogspot.com/2008/04/tales-from-fiber-event.html">I got at the Fiber Event</a>. The pattern is from Tangle, and is called <a href="http://store.tangleonline.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_90&products_id=620">Nancy K</a>. I really enjoyed these - a quick knit, and I like the button detail. I will knit them again, but I will probably use an even yarn, and I would not do the picot bind-off with the bulkier yarn.</em>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-27505647211609834472008-04-28T11:05:00.003-04:002008-04-28T11:45:03.856-04:00Wow!Does the kindness and generosity of others just catch you by surprise sometimes? Awhile back, I participated in the Not So Secret Scarf Swap. The basic premise was that you sent a skein (or two) of yarn from your stash to your upstream, and they knit a scarf for you from your stash. <a href="http://zencatsyarn.blogspot.com/2007/11/happy-birthday-to-me.html">I knit a scarf for Bev</a>, using Paton's SWS, a nice bulky yarn - it knit up quickly (and nicely) into My So Called Scarf. Well, my upstream was <a href="http://www.remarkablecow.com">Mel</a>. When we received our upstreams, I emailed her to ask if she'd mind using a DK weight yarn - I told her she could hold it doubled (and let her know it was cashmere, so that's always a benefit). She was excited about the yarn, and even said I could send along two colors. So yes, in exchange for knitting up a bulky yarn, I had someone knit me a DK fair isle scarf. The time and kindness she poured into this is overwhelming, and I can't thank her enough.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2447620572/" title="DSC00262 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2399/2447620572_cd0ca6b01c.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSC00262" /></a><br /><br />My poor photography skills do not do this scarf justice. It is really just so lovely, and it is a design of Mel's own making - she is a talented one! Here's a closer view of the snowflake motif.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2446795985/" title="DSC00261 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2292/2446795985_72919f7a5d.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSC00261" /></a><br /><br />Mel, you've outdone yourself. If you are interested in keeping up with Mel's designs, check out her new website, <a href="http://scknits.com/index.htm">Stick Chick Knits</a>. She's still working to get her patterns all up, but you can get a feel for her work by looking at her free patterns.<br /><br />In addition to the scarf, Mel also sent a skein of lovely yarn. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2447620318/" title="DSC00258 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2086/2447620318_076b11786b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSC00258" /></a><br /><br />It's Hazel Knits sock yarn, in a gorgeous blue. It is a soy merino blend, and it is just beautiful. It will knit up nicely into <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/violeta">Violeta</a>. Sorry for the Ravelry link, if you can't get there, just know that Violeta is a pattern for fingerless mitts, designed by Mel. Very pretty!<br /><br />Mel also sent along some really pretty stitchmarkers, which I neglected to photograph. They are just lovely, though, and she made them herself using some stunning stones!<br /><br />Thanks, Mel, for a wonderful swap.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-49419781234113202052008-04-19T09:54:00.003-04:002008-04-19T10:37:40.786-04:00Book meme and one other, tooThis comes from <a href="http://www.remarkablecow.com">Mel</a> and I am, of course, late. <br /><br />Here are the rules:<br />1) Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.<br />2) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.<br />3) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.<br />4) Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.<br /><br />So, 7 random facts:<br /><br />1) I am a really crappy singer/musician of any sort (so bad, in fact, that the high school band director told me to just "pretend play" my clarinet during a concert. I told him I would do so, but then proceeded to intentionally squeak throughout the concert. He couldn't blame me, right, I wasn't even supposed to be playing) I quit band by the time I was a sophomore. It really was the best choice for all involved.<br />2) I have been very down lately - down on my job, down on myself. I am trying to work through it and find some positive in what really is a decent life. <br />3) I love to try to garden. I really stink at it, but it's fun trying. The hope that spring brings is so irresistible. By the end of the summer, all that's usually alive are tomatoes (love those hardy guys). <br />4) I used to live in South Carolina, and I am missing it more and more. <br />5) Nobody in my family, except my husband knows about my blog. I just like it that way.<br />6) I am currently working my way through the entire running of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series. I'm in season three now. It came on at a time when I really just didn't watch much TV, and ran throughout law school, when I <em>really</em> didn't watch much TV. It's a great show, and I'm happy I'm discovering it, even if I am 10 years behind. <br />7) I really need a pedicure<br /><br />Now the hard part, time to tag folks, so here goes:<br />1) <a href="http://www.twopalms.blogspot.com">Eryn</a><br />2) <a href="http://www.knittywhipped.blogspot.com">Weezalana</a><br />3) <a href="http://www.thingssoolikes.blogspot.com">Soo</a><br />4) <a href="http://www.starstruckcatdesigns.com">Jill</a> (in case you ever blog again!)<br />5) <a href="http://www.oldsweetsong.blogspot.com">Georgiann</a><br />6) <a href="http://wildpeculiarjoy.blogspot.com/">Jo</a><br />7) <a href="http://www.knittibell.blogspot.com">Annie</a><br /><br />Have fun!<br /><br /><br />And,<br /><br /><a href="http://www.twopalms.blogspot.com">Eryn</a> blogged this awhile back, and I liked it, so I thought I would offer my perspective. <br /><br />1. What book are you currently reading?<br /><br />The Secret Servant, Daniel Silva - Silva is one of my favorite authors. He writes spy novels about protagonist Gabriel Allon, who is an art restorer/spy and assassin for the Israeli Secret Service. This book was published in 2007, so I am a little behind. He has a new one coming out this year.<br /><br />Twelve Bags Full, Leonie Swann - this is a sheep detective story that Nat found and got for me for Christmas. I am just getting started, but it's pretty cute - a flock of sheep work together to discover who is responsible for the death of their shepherd. <br /><br />2. When you think of a good story, what are the first 3 books that come to mind?<br /><br />A Widow for One Year, John Irving - I am a big fan of Irving. I find this story particularly compelling. It is a tale of severe family dysfunction, written with the usual dark-comic flair that Irving does so well. <br /><br />The Black Echo, Michael Connelly – I love Connelly's series about Detective Harry Bosch. I chose The Black Echo because it is the first in the series - I don't know if it was the best, but they're all pretty good. Bosch is a Vietnam Vet (a "tunnel rat") and an LAPD cop or detective (depends on where you pick up the series). He has a rebellious spirit, but a thirst for truth and justice. <br /><br />Emma, Jane Austen - I have been listening to this from librivox.org. Of course, my ipod died last week, so I haven't gotten too far. Listening is a reminder of the wonderful story-telling ability of Austen. It also is interesting to know how relevant the themes continue to be. But, I'm not going to pretend that I have anything to say about Jane Austen that is new. <br /><br /><br />3. Which 3 books would you recommend for summer 2008 beach reading?<br /><br /><br />Good In Bed, Jennifer Weiner – this book goes off the rails a bit toward the end, but it's a fine escapist romp.<br /><br />Knit One, Kill Two, Maggie Sefton – no reason not to combine beach reading and knitting, right? <br /><br />Any of Carl Hiaasen's goofy stories.<br /><br />4. Any knitting books you would care to share?<br /><br />Knitting in Plain English, Maggie Righetti - a wonderfully straightforward reference book. <br /><br />5. What is next on your reading list? <br /><br />I ordered the Harlot's new book since her trip to Indianapolis is coming up. I have been watching Bones on Fox, so I am reading the original series by Kathy Reichs. I just finished Deja Dead, and while it was a little disappointing, I do think I'll pick up the next book in the series. <br /><br /><br />6. Tag three other knitters for this meme:<br /><br />If you got tagged above, and haven't already done this, consider yourself tagged!<br /><br /><br />I know I promised finished object photos, and I actually took them. However, I am not in the mood to mess around with uploading photos to flickr right now. I will have another update before next week. <br /><br />I will, however, leave you with this (ZEN's trip to the <a href="http://www.raggedyann-museum.org/">Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum</a>):<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5UGaugqKrjnYch5KglCMM7cFmBFEfMXKvPtWHya-SMPl34srgHHHOwI3mIaDaVZHSA7SvQi9-2b-ZIE3ZdM-BVMrThhgMCqVb-RdU23o-eAjWblpl0BttRFUXJ2rI0-9kuV5eDfhB8eq/s1600-h/DSC00010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5UGaugqKrjnYch5KglCMM7cFmBFEfMXKvPtWHya-SMPl34srgHHHOwI3mIaDaVZHSA7SvQi9-2b-ZIE3ZdM-BVMrThhgMCqVb-RdU23o-eAjWblpl0BttRFUXJ2rI0-9kuV5eDfhB8eq/s320/DSC00010.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190965456659483778" /></a><br /><br /><br />Have a wonderful weekend!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-10510904770866460622008-04-13T19:50:00.004-04:002008-04-14T09:24:34.414-04:00Tales from the Fiber EventI had the pleasure of attending <a href="http://www.thefiberevent.com">The Fiber Event </a>in Greencastle, Indiana, yesterady. ZEN and Nat came along, which made it even more fun. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzrRXlvKLYQk2DDp-OwGmGQl7o_2dBYrDuI2achR746MDA3QgQcueGrX3EKiLk4dcABh0bRZKU2bohZDXlUoAWoKqVAjKMxoy1nv2o70UTWvoYF3TAPtyGz9uSB7Ih1_mDbH3Vtqm9yoU/s1600-h/IMG_2637.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzrRXlvKLYQk2DDp-OwGmGQl7o_2dBYrDuI2achR746MDA3QgQcueGrX3EKiLk4dcABh0bRZKU2bohZDXlUoAWoKqVAjKMxoy1nv2o70UTWvoYF3TAPtyGz9uSB7Ih1_mDbH3Vtqm9yoU/s200/IMG_2637.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188883010327902210" /></a>I started the day helping to attend to the booth for the Northside Knitting Guild. We were selling felted bags, with the proceeds going to <a href="http://www.prevailinc.com/">Prevail of Noblesville</a>. Prevail supports the victims of violence and abuse. It's a wonderful program. The final numbers weren't in when I left, but it looked like we were well on our way to raising a pretty good sum for Prevail. Incidentally, the bag I made sold first. I was worried it wouldn't sell at all. I made the Carie Lynn Bag from <a href="http://www.sheknitsforknitters.com">She Knits </a>(pictured, in a not-great photo, at left). There were a lot of really gorgeous bags, though, so I just got lucky! Thanks to Sharon for allowing me to sell the bag made from her pattern!<br /><br />After I was done at the booth, I had the chance to look around and shop. Here's the loot!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2411200773/" title="DSC00169 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2376/2411200773_67ac8c2484.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00169" /></a><br />Handspun, from an unknown vendor. Yes, I am kicking myself because I either didn't pick up, or lost their card. I went back to the vendor map, and I couldn't figure out who it was. It's a lovely camel, merino blend. It was so soft that I had to use it immediately, so it became a pair of fingerless mitts. I had 111 yards, and I was worried I would run out. I only used a little more than half, though. I don't think I have enough left for a hat, so any ideas for leftover handspun is much appreciated. I love this stuff, and will try to find this vendor again next year.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2412026244/" title="DSC00166 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2255/2412026244_bb4e4e87e7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00166" /></a><br />More handspun! This is a blend with some angora in it, I believe. The vendor was Little Acres (in Michigan, near Mackinaw Bridge). I don't think she has a website. She also had an adorable angora rabbit in her booth. He was quite friendly.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2412026080/" title="DSC00162 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2073/2412026080_08197622a1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00162" /></a><br />And check out these guys! They were right across from the Guild's booth, so I got to keep an eye on them while I was working. They were so cute, and quite friendly. ZEN seemed to think they were pretty neat, but I didn't manage to get any pictures of her with them.<br /><br />OK, back to yarn...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2412026936/" title="DSC00171 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2416/2412026936_eeb6a73f4b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00171" /></a><br />This is a lovely wool/bamboo/nylon blend. I love the color and the sheen, and I think it will make lovely socks. I picked this up at the <a href="http://www.maplecreekyarn.com/">Maple Creek Farm </a>booth. Their booth also was right by the guild booth, so I was forced to eye the lovely yarn for a couple hours before I could go pet it. As we were getting ready to leave, we decided to check our tickets to see if we'd won doorprizes (my first thought was, why bother - I never win!). I won! And of all things, I won the prize donated by the lovely Maple Creek Farm folks. They had a lovely skein of their superwash merino as a doorprize. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2412026786/" title="DSC00170 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2222/2412026786_8f11678f74.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00170" /></a><br />How cool to not only win, but to win from a vendor you had stalked for a large part of the day!<br /><br />There were so many other wonderful booths. I think I did a pretty good job controlling myself, though. It was hard! Going to an event like this also really inspires my desire to spin. I caught the Knitty Gritty drop spindle episode on my TiVo, so I can use that to learn with the awesome drop spindle Eryn sent me. I need to go visit my friend who spins, because I know she'll be a great teacher - it's just hard to find the time. <br /><br />Jo asked about the colorway on the red socks - it's called Dragon Dance - Socks That Rock lightweight.<br /><br />See you all next time...<br /><br /><em>Coming up next on ZenCatsYarn: Holly reviews her trip to the SPAM Museum, and shows off a few FOs. Stay tuned!</em>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-82504240131246185222008-03-31T15:09:00.002-04:002008-03-31T15:22:12.126-04:00One F.O.I had the pleasure of test knitting for Huan-Hua, a designer who lives south of me here in Indiana. She put the word out on Ravelry that she needed some test knitters for a baby sweater. Who am I to resist yet another sweater for ZEN? The pattern is just adorable. It's not yet available for sale, but Huan-Hua is orata on Ravelry, and you should be able to get the pattern that way soon. You can also check her <a href="http://featherandfan.wordpress.com/">blog</a> for details, I expect. <br /><br />Here are pictures of the sweater.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2374774912/" title="IMG_2827 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2296/2374774912_ec357922eb.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2827" /></a><br /><br />And a closeup of the leaf-edge button band detail:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2374770004/" title="IMG_2795 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2040/2374770004_8efecbfc39_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_2795" /></a><br /><br />I used <a href="http://www.merlinthecat.etsy.com">Merlin the Cat</a> superwash sock yarn. It comes in a very generous 560 yard hank. I used about 410 yards, I believe. It was a fun knit, and many thanks to Huan-Hua for giving me the chance to test knit. I found the test knitting experience to be mostly enjoyable, but it did involve a deadline. I don't play well with deadlines, so that stressed me out some. I did finish on time, though, so all was well.<br /><br />In other crafting news (and since it's on this blog, it's a month old!), I learned some crochet. My first project was a hat for ZEN.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2302103047/" title="IMG_2778 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2300/2302103047_5c3b93e3cf.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2778" /></a><br /><br />I want to crochet her a dress, but I think I need to work on a few more starter projects so I can get my tension down. I am using the Candy Babies book by Candie Jensen - there are many fun patterns in there.<br /><br /><br />I also finished the January Rockin' Sock Club socks.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2305830660/" title="IMG_2784 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2075/2305830660_3eb619f7ee.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2784" /></a><br /><br />They ended up being a little roomy for me, but I've washed and (gasp!) dried them to fit my foot. I am knitting the medium size for March's shipment, but those are looking large, too. That seems to be a common issue with the March socks, though. I am not going to rip back. I will just use them as comfy house or sleeping socks if they're too loose.<br /><br />And finally I leave you with one last ZEN photo, because everyone needs to see how the pretty baby really looks when she wakes up in the morning:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2374769622/" title="IMG_2793 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2374769622_3b715e3fd8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2793" /></a><br /><br />Ah! The horror!<br /><br />I'll check back in soon. Sooner than a month, at least. We are heading out on a trip to see my parents, so there should be much knitting time available. Hopefully I'll be able to make progress on Tomato, the March RSC socks, a stuffed rabbit for Zoey, and Mystic Lights shawl. We'll see though.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-72541984126337226002008-02-20T10:41:00.002-05:002008-02-20T11:03:52.306-05:00Lucky girl!I have been terribly remiss in not posting all the goodies that have been arriving at my door, thanks to some lovely knitty swaps/secret pals!<br /><br />Let's start with SP10. I received my February package February 9. I have an AWESOME secret pal. Here is a picture of the luscious Malabrigo laceweight she sent...<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2269176198/" title="IMG_2705 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2383/2269176198_e0bcc50c4c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2705" /></a><br /><br />I will post again later with a picture of everything. For some reason the one I took didn't download to flickr. Even though you can't see it just yet, I want to tell you about the happiness in my package....<br /><br />1. The malabrigo laceweight - isn't it pretty? I'm not sure how I'm going to use it - I want to find a pattern that will really favor the variegation - any thoughts? I have 880 yards total. I have a mohair that is similarly painted. I'm considering holding it doubled with the malabrigo, and making a garter stitch wrap on 13s or 15s, but I'm also really tempted to use it for a traditional lace pattern.<br /><br />2. Harmony DPNs!!!!! Harmony DPNs!!!! They are soooo pretty! Size 0, so I think I'm going to use them to cast on for some Tofutsies socks - maybe use the Monkey pattern. Can't wait to try these needles.<br /><br />3. Stitch markers that she made herself - how cool and thoughtful is that?!<br /><br />4. Chocolotes - Reese Whipped and Smarties. <br /><br />5. Treats for the kitties (and my obnoxious cats ripped the package open before I could open it for them - they loved them!)<br /><br />6. A gorgeous card - it's so neat I really can't describe it. I will post a picture of it, too, once I get those to upload to flickr.<br /><br />Thanks so much, secret pal! You've been amazing. It's driving me a little nuts trying to figure you out who you are, but I have a few guesses.... I can't wait for the reveal!<br /><br />I also received a special Valentine's pacakge from the lovely Eryn! Again, I was overwhelmed by the bounty!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2268019298/" title="IMG_2709 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2231/2268019298_5d42f1772f.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2709" /></a><br /><br />Eryn hand-dyed two skeins of wool in a bulky weight in lovely pink, raspberry and light purples. She also sent more yarn! One skein of Lush and one skein of Miracle - both by Classic Elite and so yummy! I think one will become Fetching, but I'm not certain just yet. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2267231957/" title="IMG_2710 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2069/2267231957_9fc8116732_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_2710" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I was further spoiled by Eryn, with a gorgeous drop spindle with ZEN carved into it, and a stunning batt. Now I'm trying to find a good website or book or blog to help me learn to use a drop spindle. Or, I suppose I can wait for Knitty Gritty to rerun that episode, too. I'm excited to give it a shot! The box was bursting with more goodies, too - chocolates (some that are local to Florida - chocolate covered coconut - yum! - and some tasty Dove hearts, and my faves - Reeses PB hearts). I also got some gorgeous glass bead stitch markers from Merlin The Cat yarns (on etsy), and a nice lavendar sachet from loop (on etsy). <br /><br />Finally, Eryn very sweetly knit me some Fuzzy Feet in a happy valentine's red. She felted them a bit, but left them large enough for me to felt to my size - how thoughtful!<br /><br />Thank you, both, for your extreme showings of kindness and generosity. I'm not worthy! <br /><br />I hope everyone eles is getting good spoiling! Have a great day, and I'm really going to try to check back in this weekend.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-48963377773662603972008-02-09T10:50:00.001-05:002008-02-09T11:33:53.421-05:00Weekly updateAfter grousing about not updating enough because of Ravelry, I've decided to aim for a weekly update, at least. It is cmoforting to know that I am not the only one struggling with the blog/Ravelry balance (and wouldn't it be nice if all of our dilemmas were this satisfying?)<br /><br />Wicked was off the needles as of Tuesday. I don't have any good pictures because my husband is not a cooperative fella. However, I'm not thrilled with it. It's a little roomy, so right now it's in the dryer after a soak in the sink. I'm hoping it will shrink just enough... fingers crossed. If it improves/cooperates, I'll have a more reliable adult (or heck, even ZEN, take some pictures).<br /><br />Having finished Wicked, I encountered an intense reluctance to work on another project. No, I was itching to start something new. Trying to be disciplined, I simply didn't knit on Wednesday night. But the call was too strong on Thursday. I was thinking of knitting a Baby Surprise Jacket, but instead I made a bulky jumper for ZEN. It was a good choice, because it knit up in one evening! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2252892886/" title="IMG_2690 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2216/2252892886_eaf7f061b4.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2690" /></a><br /><br />This is the <a href="http://www.blueskyalpacas.com/pattern_detail.php?patterns_ID=106">Baby Jumper</a> from Blue Sky Alpacas, knit in Size 2. In the spirit of stash busting, I knit it from some Naturwolle that I had on hand. I ended up holding it tripled, and used about 4 skeins. Here are a couple of pictures of ZEN modeling. She sends her apologies, because she's not feeling that well and has been too tired to smile properly as of late (and yes, you are absolutely right to chastise the mean mom for putting her in this, anyway!).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2252095277/" title="IMG_2691 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2142/2252095277_ecfeeac896_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_2691" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2252095369/" title="IMG_2692 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2392/2252095369_696cea9d6e_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_2692" /></a><br /><br />It should fit her a little better next winter!<br /><br />On another note, it seems that so many knitting blogs enable with shoutouts to great etsy stores, where you can oogle yarn, stitchmarkers, cool patterns, and other notions. I'm not going to pretend to have my fingers on the pulse of that - I just enjoy following the links other people provide. However, I do have some etsy faves that sell items that aren't yarn/knitting related, and I thought I'd share those with you, in case anyone is hunting for fun stuff.<br /><br />Let's start with some stunning handcrafted jewelry, made by Linda at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=54750">Trillium</a>. Her work is stunning. It feels solid, even the delicate pieces. Her customer service is excellent. I have had a couple occasions to ask for something not listed, and she accommodated so quickly (even one order the week before Christmas shipped in time for Christmas!). I've not met her in person, but she just strikes me as someone who I would really like. Check out her store if you're in the market for some jewelry. Her prices are beyond fair and the packaging is really lovely, too. <br /><br />My dear friend Jill pours candles for <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5042420">Starstruck Cat Design</a>. In all fairness, I do know Jill in real life, but I wouldn't mention her here if I didn't adore her product. Her candles are made with soy wax, rather than parrafin. It's a healthier burning candle. If you want more information, check out her <a href="http://www.starstruckcatdesign.com/soywax.htm">website</a>. Oh, and her packaging is really adorable, too. My favorite scent is the White Tea and Ginger, but I purchased a Gardenia candle for a swap partner recently, and that was heavenly, too. If you have a scent you'd like, but don't see it on there, ask Jill, she will do her best to accommodate. Her prices are very reasonable, too. <br /><br />Last, but certainly not least, Eryn is making soaps at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5440827">Turtle Cove Soaps</a>. I have used the almond biscotti kitchen soap, and it does exactly as it says - it cuts right through some of the tough kitchen scents (no more onion-scented hands!). I also have used the Oceanus Salt Scrub. It's really nice. I haven't tried her other soaps - yet - but I would fully expect them to be just as lovely as the ones I've purchased. I gifted some of her soaps for Christmas, and the feedback on those has been very positive, too. Each soap or pair of soaps is individually paper wrapped and tied. <br /><br />You might know Eryn from Ravelry or knittyboard. And you can find Jill on Ravelry, too. So they both have the knitting creds! Support your fellow knitters!<br />Go buy some soap or candles so Jill and Eryn can buy some yarn, OK? But don't forget Trillium!<br /><br />Have a great week, everyone!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-4061081828546317112008-02-03T13:39:00.000-05:002008-02-03T13:51:12.662-05:00Bloggin' BluesDid Ravelry kill the blogging star? Maybe that's a bit extreme, but I think I can blame Ravelry for my loss of blogging mojo. I am spending my time at the computer there, checking out yarns and patterns, participating in the forums. It's strange, though, because I miss blogging, and I miss checking in with other people's blogs! I really need to recommit to my blog, and to keeping up with the blogs that I so enjoy. <br /><br />In that spirit, here's what's happening in my knitting world. Wicked is coming along nicely.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2239018991/" title="IMG_2668 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2010/2239018991_c47cf81e85.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2668" /></a><br /><br />I hope to finish it today during the Super Bowl. I will then shift focus to my husband's sweater, because I still have a crackpot dream that I'll finish it in time for Valentine's Day. In all honesty, I'll be happy if the front and back are done by then, but we'll see.<br /><br />I'm also knitting on the first sock from teh 2008 Rockin' Sock Club - I've never been a member, so I'm super excited. The yarn is gorgeous, and I'm also enjoying the pattern. It is slow going for me, Ms. Slow Knitter, though, so I am just going to hope to finish in time for March's installment.<br /><br />I have another sock coming along nicely - It's the corded rib from Sensational Knitted Socks. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2239806346/" title="IMG_2644 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2346/2239806346_8c71614b96.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2644" /></a><br /><br />I'm using Cider Moon's Glacier, in the June Carter colorway. Love!<br /><br /><br />And finally, I'm trying to stay true to my New Year's Knitting Resolutions. In that spirit, I gathered a lot of my UFOs for assessment as to what to rip. This doesn't include the four or five projects I'm faithfully knitting on.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2239016227/" title="IMG_2646 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2206/2239016227_463e3346d0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2646" /></a><br /><br />This tub includes at least the following:<br /><br />Two pairs of socks<br />One felted bag<br />One sweater<br />One poncho (that's definitely getting the rip)<br />One baby hat (will be made into a hat for alex)<br />Two lace shawls<br />One baby dress<br />One other crazy poncho wrap thing (if you're a big fan of Maggi Jackson/maggiknits, let me know - I'll pack this up and sent it off to you).<br />One dog sweater<br />One worsted weight sock<br />one bolero<br />one camisole<br /><br />There's onther stuff that I'm forgetting, I think. I didn't do a thorough job of cataloging it, but it was nice to get most of this together. It helps me to take an assessment and address the situation.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-40491753897598653802008-01-20T14:08:00.000-05:002008-01-20T14:25:09.525-05:00Distractions...The mailman came up the drive yesterday, carrying a package for me! It was lunchtime, and being the good mom that I am, I fed ZEN before I ripped it open. However, I didn't manage to take pictures of the beautiful packaging before I tore in... Check this out! All courtesy of the kindest secret swap partner ever! All I know about her is that she lives in Canada, and she's awesome!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2206257383/" title="IMG_2642 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2068/2206257383_72110dc15c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2642" /></a><br /><br />What we have here is a hysterical greeting card; some foot soakin' happiness; a new Kacha-Kacha counter (my lovely pal took pity on the fact that ZEN and her father colluded to turn my other one into a toy!); some GORGEOUS Sea Wool, which is calling to me; Ghiradelli AND Reese's chocolates (am I total dork for getting a kick out of the Canadian packaging, which includes French?); a super soft and pretty hand-knit washcloth tied together with a pretty ribbon and some facial soap; and a couple samples of Soak, which I adore. The items came lovingly packaged in the pretty tissue that's in the background. Thanks, pal, you really outdid yourself!<br /><br />I am knitting along on Wicked. It's a fun knit, and I'm fairly pleased with how mine looks (despite the fact that I messed up on the neck ribbing - it seems to be purely aesthetic, though, and I have no interest in ripping back!)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2207046990/" title="IMG_2636 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2302/2207046990_32dc2101db.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2636" /></a><br /><br />However, I find myself wanting to cast on something new! This wouldn't be an issue if Wicked were the only thing on my needles. I am toying with the idea of casting on for Mr. Greenjeans (using Dream in Color Classy yarn), or a sweater for ZEN, out of <a href="http://www.shibuiknits.com/Yarn/Colorways.php?Yarn=9">Shibui yarn</a>. I know I should finish on what I have on my needles. Why does casting on hold such an appeal?<br /><br />Maybe I deserve a reward, though? After all, I finished my <a href="http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/2007/08/hemlock-ring-blanket.html">Hemlock Ring Blanket</a>. Here it is, blocking.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2207046190/" title="IMG_2630 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2173/2207046190_5a27bdc05b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2630" /></a><br /><br />Daisy gave me a look like "Are you seriously going to block that thing right in line of the best sunbeam in the house?" She wasn't terribly pleased with the idea, but she got over it. Here's a slightly better picture, sans sunshine.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zencatsyarn/2206256707/" title="IMG_2634 by newellhc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2206256707_7923d99e2b_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_2634" /></a><br /><br />I really enjoyed this knit. If you're wanting to do one, I highly encourage it - quick, easy, fun and a great stash-burner. I am considering another one, perhaps using some Noro from my stash. There is a yahoo group devoted to the HRB, and Webs podcast is hosting a KAL, which I believe started this week. Lots of excitement around the HRB. That Jared is brilliant, don't you think?Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-23546385646731270342008-01-12T08:56:00.000-05:002008-01-12T09:37:40.443-05:00Goodbye, Sweet Jo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcMO3unajv6HpgOCE_FLgoBcjAzORZ4xWLNVuf8AxcT4Z3XjM4vM7sjEGRwRbNFcHkyb3DLPTlpQElBz62ON3vv4g7EKaabHC6cBaP9MJxpopW9VbBYYrcaz78zbPk7yyg2zw09KVSjKe/s1600-h/100-0016_IMG.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcMO3unajv6HpgOCE_FLgoBcjAzORZ4xWLNVuf8AxcT4Z3XjM4vM7sjEGRwRbNFcHkyb3DLPTlpQElBz62ON3vv4g7EKaabHC6cBaP9MJxpopW9VbBYYrcaz78zbPk7yyg2zw09KVSjKe/s400/100-0016_IMG.JPG" border="20" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154590187089687506" /></a><br />The title of this blog is Zen Cats Yarn. Zen, for my daughters initials and all other implications, and yarn because I love knitting. For the most part, I focus on those two things. However, I put cats in the title for a reason, and today I wanted to devote the blog to that portion. In particular, to say goodbye to Josephine, our sweet manx kitty who we fondly referred to as Jo the Tailless Wonder.<br /><br />We didn't pick Jo; she found us. It was late summer/early fall of 1999. Nat and I had gotten married in June. We were looking for homes to buy. We already had three kitties, Sunny, Daisy, and the now sadly gone Tito Blue. We were living in an apartment on True Street in Columbia, South Carolina. We were up on the third floor, and the apartments had non-enclosed hallways. For some reason this little tailless kitty decided that the third floor was a good place to search for food. She was quite the charmer, and apparently was being fed by at least two of the four third floor tenants. If you know anything about Columbia, you know it doesn't get very cold. However, with winter coming, I was concerned about this kitty, and I wanted her to have a home. I began calling the kitty Tailless Joe. Nat is a big baseball guy, so I was playing on Shoeless Joe Jackson. <em>I later found out that Nat is none too fond of Shoeless Joe, so the name did little to endear Joe to Nat.</em> I found someone at The State (the newspaper in Columbia where both Nat and I worked) who agreed to take Joe. I told them I would take care of all of her shots, and get Joe an exam. Our vet saw Joe, and the receptionist first let me know that he was a she, and thus Joe became Josephine, or just Jo. With her regular exam, the vet tested for FIV (a feline immunodeficiency disease, frequently compared to HIV, but not really the same). The people who had agreed to take her didn't want her after they found out she was sick. So, with some coaxing, I talked Nat into letting her stay with us. It was really four against one, because Sunny, Daisy and Tito also thought this was a very bad idea. Needless to say, though, I won, and Jo came to live with us the week of Thanksgiving 1999, and I've always considered that her birthday. Initially, Jo was sort of an aggressor, even backing Daisy (an alpha cat if I've ever seen one) into the corner. That lasted about a week. By the time we moved into a house on Lancaster Street, Daisy had reasserted herself completely. So much so that Jo was afraid to use the litter, and just terrified of Daisy. We sought intervention, and we can vouch for the University of Georgia veterinarian department, where we referred to for some kitty psychiatry. A lot of work went into it, but eventually all that was needed was for Daisy to wear a bell so that Jo would know when she was coming and be able to relax a little bit. She remained skittish, but she was very loving once she knew she could trust someone. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHATUpHNODW1B4hyIKQK5AejFkdQFwN2LV0ZlBXxyl_Yp8USGZZTgnTpk55A8T9bzf1Sruk-VfFuOs_X57nboQ7OVQ9wt_ZgAiTPcLbzgcFZGVVA7UTBMPJNdHK2PSPKyMsEx3BNM56kde/s1600-h/IMG_2615.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHATUpHNODW1B4hyIKQK5AejFkdQFwN2LV0ZlBXxyl_Yp8USGZZTgnTpk55A8T9bzf1Sruk-VfFuOs_X57nboQ7OVQ9wt_ZgAiTPcLbzgcFZGVVA7UTBMPJNdHK2PSPKyMsEx3BNM56kde/s400/IMG_2615.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154597707577422818" /></a> <em>This is Jo in her final day; she perked up a little when Nat put the cats video "The Birds" on the TV. She got to watch a bit with her friend, Sunny, before she became too tired for even that.</em><br /><br />Jo moved with us to Fishers, Indiana, and that's still where we lived when her kidneys began to fail. She had seen the vet the day after Thanksgiving 2007. All seemed well. We noticed she seemed lethargic and had lost interest in eating. We took her to the vet on Wednesday to find that she'd lost 1.5 pounds. That's more than 10 percent of her bodyweight in less than two months. The doctor drew blood, and the results showed serious renal failure. The doctor said there were things we could try (IVs, etc.), but given her FIV status, it would be putting off the inevitable, and probably would not be the most humane choice. We decided to let her go on Thursday morning. It was so hard. She was a really great cat, just as sweet as could be. She was a part of our family, and we miss her more than words can ever say. It is our hope that she is in a happier, more comfortable place now, playing with out dearly departed, and dearly loved, pets. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3YdF9X9MYuemEu_gW68A0Ffsz9ECYpi9EiEbaNDxof0EWLUM_DLWJ1VGRDSz_webiT5WMkqSVMUzGxH2mlvACjAs1Ou4Q9m-l_MgcTMutwTDuWpLKPw73eh6N27LmShE_BuHFxtoAH1l/s1600-h/IMG_2618.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3YdF9X9MYuemEu_gW68A0Ffsz9ECYpi9EiEbaNDxof0EWLUM_DLWJ1VGRDSz_webiT5WMkqSVMUzGxH2mlvACjAs1Ou4Q9m-l_MgcTMutwTDuWpLKPw73eh6N27LmShE_BuHFxtoAH1l/s400/IMG_2618.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154598154254021618" /></a><br />Oh, and when we had ZEN, many people told us that the cats wouldn't mean as much, that the family dynamic wouldn't change. I don't think that's true. We love our cats just as much today as we did one, two and three years ago. ZEN loved Jo (see her shirt in the picture?), and we think that Jo might have even liked her. She was quite patient with her, even as we were trying to teach her "be gentle with the kitties". Oh, and you know how Nat was initially reluctant to add another kitty to our crew? Well, Jo charmed him completely, and he is just as devastated as I am to lose her.<br /><br />Rest in Peace, Jo, may you have happy days ahead.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-46712247969244532008-01-05T16:02:00.000-05:002008-01-05T16:33:27.985-05:00It's a new year!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTU-F4t36hJH1t4tdzLn0lV1IrCk4FPDw4TshJw3dvF3Wz5KSz9L2VmjSl6ILwxLBqvVjCNV_rl65mBtV1iVNvuMeNL5xLW8c-8R5gaxwuNbv8tpaCAZkUnp4x1ONPllGWLX1-HJ7Cnfj/s1600-h/IMG_2603.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTU-F4t36hJH1t4tdzLn0lV1IrCk4FPDw4TshJw3dvF3Wz5KSz9L2VmjSl6ILwxLBqvVjCNV_rl65mBtV1iVNvuMeNL5xLW8c-8R5gaxwuNbv8tpaCAZkUnp4x1ONPllGWLX1-HJ7Cnfj/s320/IMG_2603.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152103340895761266" /></a>January is apparently the month of selfish knitting in my world. I suppose it's the Christmas hangover continuing, but I've been casting on for all sorts of goodies - and just about everything is for me! I don't usually knit for myself, but that's about to change. <br /><br />However, let's start with a finished project that is not for me, OK? Here's <a href="http://knitty.com/issuefall05/PATTbubby.html">Bubby</a> from Knitty. Isn't he sweet? I used a size 6 needle and Andean Treasure. I don't know if I'll add eyes or not. He's currently in ZEN's crib, where she seems to enjoy throwing him around. This was a fun, fairly fast knit. I started on him on December 23, and finished him earlier this week. He could have been done in a day or two, but I decided to finish my mother's sweater instead. I keep writing him. I guess it's a boy. Any ideas for names? <br /><br />I also tried to finish <a href="http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com/2007/04/page-18-elefante.html">Elefante</a>. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuYPeZDJUuHVb0YpgP2a5QsuH6v7L_Kt4avXxUZm14zkYPg2qKz79qWGchvrN6CHsBzwoJXif_A79scsrGqJw-ZzPFYFt_saxsUNuJm3BR7JmVO1nW07jlkT81C3IOJiaTrDnZZdb-2ls/s1600-h/IMG_2607.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuYPeZDJUuHVb0YpgP2a5QsuH6v7L_Kt4avXxUZm14zkYPg2qKz79qWGchvrN6CHsBzwoJXif_A79scsrGqJw-ZzPFYFt_saxsUNuJm3BR7JmVO1nW07jlkT81C3IOJiaTrDnZZdb-2ls/s320/IMG_2607.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152103864881771394" /></a><br />"But Holly, that doesn't look like an elephant," you're probably thinking (which is a much kinder response than my husband's, who upon seeing what I'd created laughed so hysterically he nearly cried). Apparently there's this thing about patterns - you should follow them! Who knew?? I actually did pay a good bit of attention, but I think I put him down right at the point where you were supposed to be knitting for the trunk. So instead of a trunk and a head, I just got a giant funny-looking head. Instead of finishing, or ripping, though, I'm going to let the cats play with the stuffed balls. This is an adorable pattern, and I'll probably try it again. I don't think I'll stripe him (I found that to be a huge pain), so I'll either try to use self-striping yarn, perhaps Noro (thanks, SheKnits listeners, for that idea), or I'll just do solid colors, but make the head, body and legs different colors. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCGXIHq7cyNy81TKdF_VR5nYeOH-awLYRVZ5acfIdKRbubEBz5pUjYsV0HtWPjM5ykyjgiV7XXNsP3iac_8hhyphenhyphenU49nP2x2PZPDj7-88zdpVZ5rIxqGUqiOS0ctRvkLpTv_mIfFG_rH0wb/s1600-h/IMG_2610.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCGXIHq7cyNy81TKdF_VR5nYeOH-awLYRVZ5acfIdKRbubEBz5pUjYsV0HtWPjM5ykyjgiV7XXNsP3iac_8hhyphenhyphenU49nP2x2PZPDj7-88zdpVZ5rIxqGUqiOS0ctRvkLpTv_mIfFG_rH0wb/s320/IMG_2610.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152104672335623058" /></a><br />In another bit of unselfish knitting, I finished the first fingerless glove requested by my husband. These were knit from Sandi Wiseheart's <a href="http://www.interweaveknits.com/freepatterns/pdf/fingerless_gloves.pdf">pattern</a>, which she created for her husband. The pattern is quick and easy. I used KnitPicks Andean Silk and a size 6 needle. However, in looking at them, don't they seem a bit feminine? My husband is a big goofy 6'4, 240 pound guy, so he will wear them and not care what anyone thinks, but I think they're a little girly. It's possible Nat won't like them, and if that's the case, I'll keep them for me, anyway. I did have some problems with the gloves, between the fingers. I had holes in two places. I just darned them up, but I'm not sure what I did wrong. We'll have to see if I have a similar problem with the mate. These will be done by Thursday, which is Nat's birthday (Happy Birthday, Nat, even though you're not reading this!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi863Ijtf01pii0ghZhcxQP06RYnLfNuexrLlBPzmMBm5wXCcRrFA9J1BnPyqi1Zhwf1EUluO88oDBRdHFECFb2JRrgyKtCH9QZ-fFyF53DI5T1WhaGgsV1IGxvXOgJ5e3VnXsooorg8bOY/s1600-h/IMG_2614.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi863Ijtf01pii0ghZhcxQP06RYnLfNuexrLlBPzmMBm5wXCcRrFA9J1BnPyqi1Zhwf1EUluO88oDBRdHFECFb2JRrgyKtCH9QZ-fFyF53DI5T1WhaGgsV1IGxvXOgJ5e3VnXsooorg8bOY/s320/IMG_2614.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152106854179009442" /></a>Now to me, me, me knitting! I have started Wicked, using Karabella Aurora 8 in a Royal Purple color. It's coming along quite well. There is an official KAL starting on Ravelry on January 15, so I probably will try not to do too much with it until then, but it's hard to put it down. It's a lot of fun to knit! And the best part is that I scored the yarn on clearance at a New Year's Day sale!<br /><br />Also on the needles is Sunrise Circle, and that's going just fine. I haven't gotten to any of the fun darts or shaping yet, though, so we'll see. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17qqGpF9AzD5k-fdTK8OTWRvfpkxcSCPNtXB2JeQNvJOfuQ4bmr6aNts5Hdlc5s0clodkhgEy3TjFUFspCd3M4_o-S429aBfwwuZsQfLUURaL0Yp-XxrMEyHexBfnnX9DvL8fe9d462n3/s1600-h/IMG_2608.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17qqGpF9AzD5k-fdTK8OTWRvfpkxcSCPNtXB2JeQNvJOfuQ4bmr6aNts5Hdlc5s0clodkhgEy3TjFUFspCd3M4_o-S429aBfwwuZsQfLUURaL0Yp-XxrMEyHexBfnnX9DvL8fe9d462n3/s320/IMG_2608.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152107734647305138" /></a>Finally, I started another felted bag last night. This is the latest from SheKnits - it's called Carrie Lynn's bag. You can find the pattern <a href="http://www.sheknitsforknitters.com/store/productview.asp?prodID=35">here</a>. It's a fun, quick knit. And I'm burning through my Lamb's Pride stash - yeah for stash busting!!!<br /><br />New Year's Knitting Thoughts (I've never kept a resolution, I must admit, so I won't call these by the R word)<br />I've joined a Ravelry Group, Resolutions for 2008, and this is pulled from there. Again, though, they're not actually resolutions, OK? <br /><br />1. Finish at least 5 WIPs.<em> Hmmm.... This is not going so well. I guess I haev finished one WIP, the Bubby Bear; but in the meantime, I've cast on for a bunch more - doesn't that defeat the purpose?</em><br />2. Rip out anything and everything that I will not finish. <em>I'm taking this one for a spin tonight, I believe. That sound of ripping coming from central Indiana? That will lead you to my house - feel free to stop by and help!</em><br />3. Reduce my stash by 20% (this is a very arbitrary figure...I might revisit it!) <em>I think I'm actually doing well on this one. I've started several projects from stash yarn, including Bubby (KnitPicks Andean Treasure), Nat's fingerless gloves (KnitPicks Andean Silk), Elefante (KnitPicks Wool of the Andes), Carie Lynn bag (Lamb's Pride Bulky - 7 skeins!!!), Sunrise Circle sweater (Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed). Don't have a clue about the 20% part, but I think this is good progress!</em><br />4. Knit at least one pattern from each book I own (this will not be accomplished in 2008, but I want to commit to doing this going forward in my knitting years). <br /><em>I'm getting no where fast on this one. </em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzockVXetJY6abVDbwqO8RDBFoxSilayPSBQcDyzUpWbdP32Hy_unYEmJiRNIuZvKtcjZN5kuVtIwoNcjAwtEzeEVkhyLA6AyyMi0f7CBgUKckGkowITfnH6P_Mx9aduZ7IfYfvJ-6xMB/s1600-h/IMG_2554.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzockVXetJY6abVDbwqO8RDBFoxSilayPSBQcDyzUpWbdP32Hy_unYEmJiRNIuZvKtcjZN5kuVtIwoNcjAwtEzeEVkhyLA6AyyMi0f7CBgUKckGkowITfnH6P_Mx9aduZ7IfYfvJ-6xMB/s320/IMG_2554.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152108400367236034" /></a><br />And last, but by no means least, ZEN turned 1 on December 28. We didn't have too big<br /> of an affair, but my parents were in town, and the child opened presents for what seemed like days. And, unlike her mother, she wasn't a huge fan of the cake. I suppose I should be happy - maybe she won't be a sugar addict like me! Even though she's 1, she still has no teeth!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-16217731737764549462007-12-31T10:44:00.000-05:002007-12-31T11:03:48.846-05:00Christmas is over!I love Christmas. Really, I do. But I am kind of happy it's over this year, from a knitting perspective. I just took on too much, and it became less fun. However, I am pleased with the outcome of most of my knitting. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguToDDvdsho1BQOj5lKyQZSJP4n01uQdPiy2tKjKlOZ8JqSSha-Sd7W80_Y7Cdj2jEOjkUdb3MiKRAxiYavRuvZa_09obNb6wSMpT0HSasCWs00njErqWsRhbSw98hCG4e_HwP9Kg_M_ZO/s1600-h/IMG_2443.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguToDDvdsho1BQOj5lKyQZSJP4n01uQdPiy2tKjKlOZ8JqSSha-Sd7W80_Y7Cdj2jEOjkUdb3MiKRAxiYavRuvZa_09obNb6wSMpT0HSasCWs00njErqWsRhbSw98hCG4e_HwP9Kg_M_ZO/s320/IMG_2443.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150164390794883890" /></a><br />My mother's sweater was knit from a Classic Elite pattern booklet. It's ribbed at the bottoms and then goes into cables on the chest. It was pretty fun, but I had hoped to hire out the finishing. However, the woman who does that in this area was out of town, and I couldn't get in touch before she was booked for the holidays. As it was, I procrastinated, so this was sewn together on Christmas day, and was still wet from its final bath when my mom arrived! The yarn was Classic Elite Skye Tweed. It's an awful yarn. I am thrilled they've discontinued it. I've had generally good luck with Classic Elite yarns, so this was a disappointment. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JnPOz4KaPIEqc0y3KQ_XkP9UKIyRkFDh990VJRkpdXPZSaYffr5h46uCwm_9HIJFJZydqWPSSXM18EXkBS4waoaI19GHRQd3DGo0g2xAIuwChjudJmkHWwCAxtNwu2bqDQsoMbrGPWon/s1600-h/IMG_2397.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JnPOz4KaPIEqc0y3KQ_XkP9UKIyRkFDh990VJRkpdXPZSaYffr5h46uCwm_9HIJFJZydqWPSSXM18EXkBS4waoaI19GHRQd3DGo0g2xAIuwChjudJmkHWwCAxtNwu2bqDQsoMbrGPWon/s320/IMG_2397.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150165077989651266" /></a><br />I also finished some toys for my cats. Here they are before they were stuffed with catnip and sewn up. The cats seem to like them OK. <br /><br />The other items I knit for Christmas: Fiber Trends clogs, a <a href="http://www.sheknitsforknitters.com/store/productview.asp?prodID=24">felted wristlet</a>, two pairs of socks, one scarf, one hat, a <a href="http://knitty.com/issuefall05/PATTbubby.html">teddy bear</a>, and an <a href="http://www.knitterella.com/SusanBAnderson/ElefantePattern.pdf">elephant</a>. The last two are unfinished. My husband's sweater also sits unfinished. But he has a January 10 birthday, and there's always Valentine's Day, right? <br /><br />Now that the Christmas crunch is over, I am itching to cast on for something new. I need to finish the elephant and the bear for Zoey, but those will likely be done in the next couple days. I am definitely going to participate in one mystery lace KAL, but I am not sure which one - Secret of the Stole ii, Spring Shawl Surprice, or Secret of Bad Nauheim. I think I'm leaning toward SSS, because it involves knitting lace on both sides of the stole (is that lace knitting or knitted lace??), and I've never done that. <br /><br />Additionally, I am going to cast on for Wicked and one other sweater (both for me!). What shall it be - <a href="http://www.knittingdaily.com/freepatterns/tops/Tomato_Free_Sweater_Pattern128-1.html">Tomato</a>, <a href="http://www.knittingdaily.com/posts/cardigans_jackets/299-1.html">Central Park Hoodie</a>, <a href="http://www.girlfromauntie.com/patterns/shop/rogue/detail.php">Rogue Hoodie</a>, <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTdahlia.html">Dahlia</a>, <a href="http://www.interweaveknits.com/freepatterns/pdf/Sunrise_Circle_Jacket.pdf">Sunrise Circle</a> or <a href="http://www.anniemodesitt.com/patterns/">Twisted Float</a>?<br /><br />Any thoughts from anyone whose made these? <br /><br />Happy New Year to everyone. I'm hoping for a better 2008. So is ZEN.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosULe66lX3c1rRZn04nxTpqG9N82oGKVwil-ZsiJqevxVCOfSj1lEjdXJfHrgODWtBuHDVWok0N4n5fZus4Oy4RwHD9i2dV-pkoQRJv-59bMcEm6aQmwK6BMywt_0tLMiczZZZnhkZYcS/s1600-h/IMG_2499.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosULe66lX3c1rRZn04nxTpqG9N82oGKVwil-ZsiJqevxVCOfSj1lEjdXJfHrgODWtBuHDVWok0N4n5fZus4Oy4RwHD9i2dV-pkoQRJv-59bMcEm6aQmwK6BMywt_0tLMiczZZZnhkZYcS/s320/IMG_2499.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150167947027805010" /></a>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-90100127846163593422007-12-18T20:08:00.000-05:002007-12-18T20:21:23.911-05:00Goodies!I received a wonderful winter treat in the mail today. Christy (christinajrn on knitty) sent me a great Snow Flake package. The box was bursting with treasures! She sent a lovely skein Highlander yarn, made by Alpaca With a Twist. I love their yarns, and I've never had the chance to play with Highlander, so that's exciting! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDhWAWkqJnFuc5d6ZlU7m7r0uTLL2WtgD5Cg4VIzE7iNkap9xtLJBeNhbbkeu59rO876cCDJGlZCWGK3HLPWzt7nuXIHbhGTf2VwuYS7vfI2vGLSl74JKnZUXR7Adg1QZRRH7NTItjNID/s1600-h/IMG_2373.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDhWAWkqJnFuc5d6ZlU7m7r0uTLL2WtgD5Cg4VIzE7iNkap9xtLJBeNhbbkeu59rO876cCDJGlZCWGK3HLPWzt7nuXIHbhGTf2VwuYS7vfI2vGLSl74JKnZUXR7Adg1QZRRH7NTItjNID/s320/IMG_2373.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145485758365299394" /></a>She also sent some yummy peppermint bark, which I'm going to try to keep from eating immediately. There are some gorgeous hand-crafted stitchmarkers and an adorable tin to keep everything organized. And finally, and oh so sweetly, Christy sent along a pair of stripey socks that she knit for her daughter. Her daughter has outgrown them, so now they'll be ZEN's to wear in a couple years! And the little characters are wind-up Christmas figurines. I think I'll try to get them to chase my kitties!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0w8_Yv-UfmliVYOXHA6LxruZp4ynLPQe6z6Yyxgbf_OftwhVTs_pIeY8BiqWBn1bnJEgwQMfNTNMnY9exiAGe3csHaeFovMhIh9qTdI6TVHECKTKwNKebYVTcnf5UXBvkktGjj_S5YO1/s1600-h/IMG_2378.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0w8_Yv-UfmliVYOXHA6LxruZp4ynLPQe6z6Yyxgbf_OftwhVTs_pIeY8BiqWBn1bnJEgwQMfNTNMnY9exiAGe3csHaeFovMhIh9qTdI6TVHECKTKwNKebYVTcnf5UXBvkktGjj_S5YO1/s320/IMG_2378.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145487411927708370" /></a><br />I think I mentioned the Fiber Trends felted clogs, right? Well, here they are, in all of their obnoxious, brightly colored glory! I bought some puffy paint at Hobby Lobby last night, and I'm going to use that to paint non-skid surface to the sole. I'm holding off, though, because I think I might have to felt them once more for my mom. I'm going to wait until she gets here though, and we'll let her foot be the judge.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-12994271458150971472007-12-16T20:51:00.000-05:002007-12-16T21:09:26.104-05:00Where have I been?I've been knitting! Actually, I've been knitting and helping my friend in her yarn store, and knitting, and trying to work, etc., etc. December is so busy! I have some proof that I have been knitting. A couple of holiday FOs...<br /><br />Here is <a href="http://www.girlfromauntie.com/patterns/clothing/">shedir</a>, knit for my friend who is battling breast cancer, again. I did not use Calmer, but now I wish I would have. Instead I used JaggerSpun Zephyr DK (the yarn is yummy, but I messed with gauge and ended up with a too-big hat - I'm trying to shrink it down, but not having a ton of success). Anyway, regardless of the hat, my thoughts and prayers are with my friend and her family at this tough time.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_T-HXsgrt3ge84Bt8si99Nc-yP5oP8Ko8p3fTnsW8M-tFwN9DdxA9UG5wE6J-GR2pMYlEVgJmt3Aj1NTMb-ADG_Z3KOSHMtl511aTJoMCQvaOLQWIjiEurtCqTcO840AW2hhp5xEi2Ld/s1600-h/IMG_2366.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_T-HXsgrt3ge84Bt8si99Nc-yP5oP8Ko8p3fTnsW8M-tFwN9DdxA9UG5wE6J-GR2pMYlEVgJmt3Aj1NTMb-ADG_Z3KOSHMtl511aTJoMCQvaOLQWIjiEurtCqTcO840AW2hhp5xEi2Ld/s320/IMG_2366.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144754338319692434" /></a><br /><br />I also finished a wristlet for my sister. This is "<a href="http://www.sheknitsforknitters.com/store/productview.asp?prodID=24">Toothpick Optional"</a>. Isn't it adorable? I didn't really do the pattern justice, but I'll definitely knit this again. My photography stinks, but there are shades of pink in there you can't see that well. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7BB7mc30oPoVoKm6ldR7_lSKLSL0tJxIbaN14JtmsgQA2fdu5GLL5QA7ncRndXeiJtAAEKOB3M4KNECydUiCbJMiqu_3KPCnUjxCq8YjwJ-OYXDsB1LrG2tOOMxuu4dW3AXpaWXecPy4/s1600-h/IMG_2372.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7BB7mc30oPoVoKm6ldR7_lSKLSL0tJxIbaN14JtmsgQA2fdu5GLL5QA7ncRndXeiJtAAEKOB3M4KNECydUiCbJMiqu_3KPCnUjxCq8YjwJ-OYXDsB1LrG2tOOMxuu4dW3AXpaWXecPy4/s320/IMG_2372.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144755424946418338" /></a><br /><br />In other holiday knitting news, I decided to throw in the towel on my husband's sweater. He has a January 10 birthday, and Valentine's day is coming, too, so he'll get it for one of those. I will finish my mother's sweater. I had planned to hire out the finishing, but I'm not sure if the woman who does the finishing is available. If she's not, I imagine I'll be sewing it up on December 25, because I won't see my mom until December 26. <br /><br />I also am working on a little <a href="http://www.knitterella.com/SusanBAnderson/ElefantePattern.pdf">elephant</a> for ZEN. Pretty cute, and a good way to use up some yarn. <br /><br />I finished a pair of Fiber Trends felted clogs, but they're still felting. Those are for my mom, too. <br /><br />Speaking of my mom, I have a sinking feeling that she won't wear the sweater I am knitting for her. Given that, I'm not sure why I'm busting my butt to finish it. She kind of rolls her eyes at my knitting (although she does love felted slippers, so I know the clogs will be a hit). I'm sure that there's some deep psychological reasoning that would require delving into our moderately tortured relationship, but maybe I'd rather not know? I'll be disappointed if she doesn't like the sweater - it's taken a lot of time and work. We'll just have to see - maybe she'll surprise me. <br /><br />Oh, and did I mention here that ZEN got honoroable mention for the knitty calendar? I'm pretty sure everyone who entered did, but if you want to check out ZEN and the others, go <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amyknitty/2035467325/in/set-72157603197170972/">here</a>. There are some really great photos in the <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/knitty/3992060">calendar</a>. I suppose some of them are even better than a goofy, orange-nosed baby in a pool full of blue yarn! We might try again next year. There are some ideas brewing.<br /><br />And I'll leave you with a picture of ZEN with Santa. She's not a huge fan just yet. Nat thinks that maybe she was suspicious of him because of his skinny legs. We'll have to see if he forgives her and brings her anything this year.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rTMmjGb5HEt9zgz16WG4r6wdl5RyAoHgUS2J8D8pVvw3L6RtZuT8ehzUgMlNZw0iTwcy1oLI1idw5-n1zN798SN9mQ3r1bwTd41wVZXEI-32SuGaCMaYFphIeWiM_Gblxyf57OJK6j8U/s1600-h/IMG_2313.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rTMmjGb5HEt9zgz16WG4r6wdl5RyAoHgUS2J8D8pVvw3L6RtZuT8ehzUgMlNZw0iTwcy1oLI1idw5-n1zN798SN9mQ3r1bwTd41wVZXEI-32SuGaCMaYFphIeWiM_Gblxyf57OJK6j8U/s320/IMG_2313.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144757971862024882" /></a>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-18852284309718585352007-12-01T12:58:00.000-05:002007-12-01T13:29:54.245-05:00Moment of Ritual HumiliationYou know how Brenda Dayne has her moments of ritual humiliation on her podcast? Well, I had my very own earlier this week. I am copying a series of emails from earlier this week, removing names to protect the innocent. To help you understand the situation, know that I have a dear female friend who we'll call Chris Jones. Now start at the bottom of the email chain and read to the top... And then feel free to laugh at/with me. <br /><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />From: Christopher Jones [mailto:chris.jones@xxxxxxx] <br />Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 11:34 AM<br />To: Holly<br />Subject: Re: address<br /><br /><br />That is hilarious :-) And this female Chris lives/works in the DC area? You should forward my pictures to her so she can see what she would look like if she was Chris Hines the male (A big American Indian) hahahaha. And don't worry, I have only been getting email from you since the beginning of April, and Zoey is a cute baby so it is all good :-) <br /><br />It is always best to have a kind response, we share this tiny little planet. So I try to be kind to all, as often as I can. Imagine that I was a bouncer for a long time :-) Although I was described as "the nicest bouncer ever". I will have to call the bouncers in Detroit and make sure you behaved yourself :-) <br /><br />If you allow me to return the favor, I would like a X-mas card. <br /><br />Chris<br />__________________________________________________<br /><br />On Nov 27, 2007 11:20 AM, Holly wrote:<br /><br />Hi Chris. Thank you for your kind response (and for not completely beating me down for being an idiot). I'm looking for my friend, who is jones.chris@xxxxxxx. I apparently got a little full of myself thinking that I had her email memorized!<br /><br /><br />And I checked the photo just to be sure, and I can confirm I do not know you. Although you do seem quite pleasant. There are a few bouncers who might know me, but they're all in Iowa City or Detroit.<br /><br />Thanks again for being so nice to me. If you want, I can send you a Christmas card anyway!<br /><br /><br /><br />Holly<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />From: Christophen Jones [mailto:chris.jones@xxxxxxx] <br />Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 11:03 AM<br /><br /><br />To: Holly<br />Subject: Re: address<br /><br /><br /><br />Holly,<br /><br />Now, I was wondering if there was some confusion.... but since the 60's were rough on my memories (and I wasn't even born then) I assumed that I knew you in some way, or thru a mutual friend. However the statement " I can't keep up with you, girl!" kinda proves that to be a misconception. I am a 34 year old man, and I haven't worked for the Government since 2000 (Census Bureau). I will attach a picture of me, if you know me, please tell me where from :-) I was a bouncer in DC for 6 years so you can imagine a few people know me that i don't quite remember (damn Jim Beam). If not you will probably delete me and I will miss the legal humor... I am an IT Tech and we have different humor :-) <br /><br />Have a nice day...<br /><br />Chris(topher)<br /><br />The first photo is recent and the second was taken 3 years ago. Know me?<br /><br />___________________________________________<br />On Nov 27, 2007 10:28 AM, Holly wrote: <br /><br />Are you still with the fed. Govt? I can't keep up with you, girl!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />From: Christopher Jones [mailto: chris.jones@xxxxxx] <br />Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:16 AM<br />To: Holly<br />Subject: Re: address<br /><br /><br />Actually, I don't work in DC any more (well i am interviewing to go back) I live in Martinsburg, WV and work in Chambersburg PA.<br /><br />Home address is:<br /><br />XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX<br />Unit XX<br />Martinsburg, WV 25401<br /><br />_____________________________________________________<br />On Nov 27, 2007 10:03 AM, Newell, Holly wrote: <br /><br />Hey Chris:<br /><br />What's your mailing address in D.C.?<br /><br /><br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br /><br /><br />Holly<br /><br />___________________________________________________________-<br /><br /><br /><br />My friends, the real "Chris Jones" included, have enjoyed laughing at my error. I'm just happy that I was emailing some kind soul. And heck, he said Zoey was cute, so that makes him a friend, as far as I'm concerned. But still, to think that this poor guy was copied on dozens of emails sent with pictures of Zoey and other emails in which several of us girls were complaining about the legal profession... <br /><br />That's all for now. I'll leave you with a sweet Christmas picture:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEwEe8fYUO4IU5xLCnNHVJjNJgQ0kHyK-pMXUNV12kVa3bm20IwODcGDmW3TI55URkbA_0uxA_ca7bhp2pf6Y_MEeaiVgQJhF8BoX00Aq0co-orIpsYLFVU40Rli5QbTrU6PlRGTBVaNH/s1600-r/IMG_2293.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE99pG7FQYI5_5e1tGETu30HfTKDPvpt9-UifXEA19wisIjsueATW1TZN4WGx4kTVUZ-mKjxaXc5C-A_KmbV-LlpF3xS90iXfVsfH71H5RE-niMFP9DpVqQ0oOc4yxDYW86kq_M20kDKMG/s320/IMG_2293.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139072712071302466" /></a>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-6860217414904817912007-11-17T16:44:00.000-05:002007-11-17T17:07:35.598-05:00Happy Birthday to Me!Today is my birthday. I am 33. Birthdays don't mean so much at this age. I'm too old to get excited, but too young to be too freaked out about getting older. Just another day, more or less, but a good one. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMc7-ketUVkWJEDHwgzFzICFAHRf_mj6ZdbgVU7ascwvwYxX9ABGuoBkV1r-RkryiedDwbsgeklJ5fW-T3id6ZODgMVdZd4ETFr2WlCU90dHpjVIcwowrKvf1ghWeLxx6GsL__9gxNBM1/s1600-h/IMG_2213.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMc7-ketUVkWJEDHwgzFzICFAHRf_mj6ZdbgVU7ascwvwYxX9ABGuoBkV1r-RkryiedDwbsgeklJ5fW-T3id6ZODgMVdZd4ETFr2WlCU90dHpjVIcwowrKvf1ghWeLxx6GsL__9gxNBM1/s320/IMG_2213.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133929884395566434" /></a>I spent the morning with ZEN, and then I went to Borders and to my knitting group. My knitting group is fairly new, but it's been a pleasure to knit with these women every time I've gotten the chance. It's a great group, and everyone brings an interesting project or two for us to enjoy. Jana brought her KnitPicks Harmony needles this time, and being able to fondle them made me want some even more! While I was at Borders I picked up a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scarf-Style-Innovative-Traditional-Inspirational/dp/B000SNUO7I/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195336306&sr=1-1">Scarf Style</a> so that I can consider trying a Lady Eleanor for myself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6BWPwNX76gUKmEcRsR3vf6fzTdxn3kcJjW2OTJas3IDP0LJLsYc_9wQUpAnqYy3uI1xq3HjvrRwMKmKCLM_6HPLu3KR9xSIazwMhK8pwpqzt226Jlau7ijZGFiAf-LWrGI2-t72AqPg0/s1600-h/IMG_2231.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6BWPwNX76gUKmEcRsR3vf6fzTdxn3kcJjW2OTJas3IDP0LJLsYc_9wQUpAnqYy3uI1xq3HjvrRwMKmKCLM_6HPLu3KR9xSIazwMhK8pwpqzt226Jlau7ijZGFiAf-LWrGI2-t72AqPg0/s320/IMG_2231.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133931202950526322" /></a>After I finished with my group, I stopped by the LYS, and I picked up Cat Bordhi's latest book, <a href="http://catbordhi.com/NP1.html">New Pathways for Sock Knitters</a>. I finished the Coriolis socks she demonstrated on Knitty Gritty, so I am excited to try her other new techniques, too. These socks for <a href="http://drivebythinking.typepad.com/sockin_it_to_maggie/">Sockin' It To Maggie</a>. I don't think I did a great job on them, but I am happy they are done, and I hope they will be comfy and cozy for Maggie, even if they're not so gorgeous. <br /><br />I also finished My So Called Scarf for my scarf swap partner, Bev. Here's a glimpse: <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIgcON897d9Vh6jRMBeWb-uhdlfOM9kreby5oEe-ng2xEJ_kn70HD9xO3A6At4fCSQtT6tgQCg82Vj8uqHLL_67HlTZTYgJwj9hg1ytLBxC7vTUcd9Cdu8nP_3QoINWpO_E6pRC8KgOWf/s1600-h/IMG_2243.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIgcON897d9Vh6jRMBeWb-uhdlfOM9kreby5oEe-ng2xEJ_kn70HD9xO3A6At4fCSQtT6tgQCg82Vj8uqHLL_67HlTZTYgJwj9hg1ytLBxC7vTUcd9Cdu8nP_3QoINWpO_E6pRC8KgOWf/s320/IMG_2243.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133931718346601858" /></a><br />I'm not going to show the entire thing because I want Bev to be at least a tiny bit surprised, even though I used yarn she used, and she knows which pattern I knit. I am pleased with how it came out, and I will put in one final rave about Patons SWS. It's good stuff! Bev, if you're reading, there will be another surprise heading your way, but it will be coming after your first mailing, and probably after Christmas. <br /><br />My wonderful friends at work got me a <a href="http://www.yarngiftbouquets.com/">yarn bouquet</a> for my birthday! The yarn is a SeaCell blend, and it's in a gorgeous Midnight colorway. I also had some Hiya Hiya bamboo DPNs in the bouquet. It was so generous, and I cannot wait to cast on with the yarn and needles. Christmas projects first, though!<br /><br />And speaking of that, I'm in much higher Christmas knitting spirits now that I've finished the scarf and socks I mentioned earlier. That leaves two sweaters (both of which are underway), one pair of socks (and I'm about 4 inches from getting to the toe of the second one!), and the other scarf, for which I'm waiting on yarn. At this rate ZEN may get some knitted Christmas gifts, which would be so fun!<br /><br />On a final note, ZEN's picture didn't make it into the Knitty 2008 Calendar, but we did make <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amyknitty/2035467325/in/set-72157603197170972/">honorable mention</a>. I am so jealous of these knitters who knit gorgeous items, and then are able to take breathtaking pictures! It's amazing. The Knitty 2008 calendar is available for purchse <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/knitty.185916772">here</a>. Maybe Nat will read this and get me one for Christmas?? One can only hope!<br /><br />I'm off to enjoy my birthday evening with my daughter. I hope you all have a great weekend, too!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-32297195129257968212007-11-11T19:51:00.000-05:002007-11-11T20:07:11.665-05:00The holiday crunchI read somewhere that there are only 44 knitting days left until Christmas, which has me a little bit on edge... I have six projects I need to finish for the holidays.<br /><br />1. Husband sweater - it's about 25 percent done. It's times like these that you reconsider having married a 6'5" 225 pound man. It takes a lot of yarn to cover that frame in a sweater! Luckily he has a January 10 birthday, so I can always put it off a bit, if need be.<br />2. Mom's sweater - 40 percent done. The back is done and I'm about half the way through one sleeve. Mom is coming to town on or around the 28th of December to celebrate ZEN's first birthday, so I might just decide that I don't want to ship it anyway, and buy myself an extra week or so. <br />3. Husband socks - One done, one half done. These will get finished, if I can motivate myself to keep looking at brown yarn in stockinette stitch for a bit longer. <br />4. <a href="http://drivebythinking.typepad.com/sockin_it_to_maggie/what-is-this-all-about-an.html">Socks for Maggie</a> - I have one and a half done here, too. And my goal is to finish them before Thanksgiving and send them on their way. The sock drive ends November 30, so I really want to beat that date handily.<br />5. Scarf for my super-cool scarf swap partner. The lovely Bev has entrusted me with some yummy SWS to make a scarf for her. It's coming along just fine. I have about four feet done, and it will end up being about 5 1/2 or 6 feet long. I'm using the <a href="http://www.sheepinthecity.prettyposies.com/archives/000079.html">My So Called Scarf </a>pattern. This should be done early this week.<br />6. Scarf for my sister - this will happen if the yarn I've ordered arrives before December. If it doesn't, she'll get it for her March birthday. Not quite as appropriate as for Christmas, but she can deal.<br />7. If the yarn for her scarf doesn't arrive, I will make a scarf for my friend/coworker, Jenni. I have yarn in mind for her, but I'm waiting until early December to know whether I can budget the time.<br /><br />If all of this gets done (Ha!), I might have time to knit a few toys for ZEN, and also for my cats and my sister's cat. And if not, there's always next year, right?<br /><br />Given that today was Sunday, you'd think it would be a good chance to catch up on some of this knitting, right? Well, actually, no. I did spend 3 hours this morning engaging in knitting pursuits, but they were wholly unrelated to the above tasks. Lily Chin was in town, teaching a workshop at <a href="http://stitchesnscones.com/">Stitches N Scones</a>. The workshop was about reversibile cables. Both of the Christmas sweaters I'm making involve cables, so it was appropriate, I suppose. It was a pretty good class and a mostly positive experience. I think I would have preferred to take the workshops she offered yesterday - one was on finishing techniques/edgings, and it sounded just wonderful. Hwoever, I'm just happy to have had the chance to attend today. It's not always easy to get away for a chunk of time when you have a 10-month-old!<br /><br />Maybe I'll try to get my act together and take a few pictures to brighten up this blog. For now, though, good night and have a great week!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-47550626221962757182007-11-05T18:25:00.000-05:002007-11-05T18:42:17.621-05:00It's the most important meal of the day!I've heard that you're supposed to eat like a king for breakfast, a prince for lunch, and a pauper for dinner if you're watching your weight. I am watching my weight - watching it mostly go up, unfortunately! My breakfast most days is <a href="http://www.quakeroatmeal.com/qo_ourProducts/instantQuakerOatmeal/weightControl/product.cfm?productid=29">Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal</a> (with 7 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber to boot). <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCG08QpZknoa5ttLW0O9ynsHopsRiVasq-46FhP3X1D1LEcQwAtboeyojdwqO_db_FWjIfAiM_56yWg2qiCPUfrNrTbqzCCBBzSddfGyN3OiHmVZLFuC7xGNemygGiyeSkTZI4-NfYr8oP/s1600-h/weightControlCinnamon.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCG08QpZknoa5ttLW0O9ynsHopsRiVasq-46FhP3X1D1LEcQwAtboeyojdwqO_db_FWjIfAiM_56yWg2qiCPUfrNrTbqzCCBBzSddfGyN3OiHmVZLFuC7xGNemygGiyeSkTZI4-NfYr8oP/s320/weightControlCinnamon.jpg" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129503984008897970" /></a>At 160 calories and 3 grams of fat, it definitely fits into a healthy-eating profile. <em>I sound like <a href="http://www.nbc.com/The_Biggest_Loser/about/bob.shtml">Bob</a> from The Biggest Loser (do any of you watch that show? Holy product placements Batman!). </em> I love me some Bob, though!<br /><br />I don't think the oatmeal alone fits into the king-prince-pauper formula. And here's my question for any of you who have had this - does one packet really satisfy you all morning? I find that it's tasty and satisfying, but that I'm hungry within an hour or two. Really, that's not a problem because I can grab an apple or a banana. And I suppose I probably should be having something in addition to the oatmeal first thing, anyway. I'm just happy to have anything at all. I don't eat until after I've arrived at work; I'm lucky to have a job where eating a cup of oatmeal at my desk isn't a problem. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lxXyRiOhqcH8U2Q47-BUON2bTquFwXXTCaI84dsicrcdFBPjDz5-yCrd9Z1_WzQRSn52Z1_ZyzKrUSNV6P0zfi6NuK6VpNfDl3q-xDJ6LWrvQW1i9zYcAzEJE1L3tqNO9AOdTApMMSZf/s1600-h/double%2520chocolate.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lxXyRiOhqcH8U2Q47-BUON2bTquFwXXTCaI84dsicrcdFBPjDz5-yCrd9Z1_WzQRSn52Z1_ZyzKrUSNV6P0zfi6NuK6VpNfDl3q-xDJ6LWrvQW1i9zYcAzEJE1L3tqNO9AOdTApMMSZf/s320/double%2520chocolate.jpg" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129505328333661634" /></a>If my weight weren't on the rise, and it were convenient, I would happily eat a Dunkin Donuts <a href="https://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/nutrition/Product.aspx?Category=Donuts&id=DD-524">double chocolate donut</a> every morning, though. Yum! But don't click if you're at all in denial about how bad donuts are for us. Bummer, huh?<br /><br />Now how many knitting blogs manage to mention The Biggest Loser and Dunkin' Donuts in the same post? I don't know - maybe a ton of them. I'm proud, nonetheless! We'll be back to our regularly scheduled knitting program soon.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-57114406325513876552007-10-31T15:25:00.000-04:002007-10-31T15:42:06.133-04:00Old pictures, new picturesThe webring assignment this week is to dig out the oldest picture of yourself. I really don't have any old pictures of myself. The problem is two-fold - first, most of the pictures of me in my younger years are still at my mom's house, hundreds of miles away. Second, I don't have a scanner, so I couldn't get them online, anyway. But, perhaps I can get creative and come up with a solution to this problem... I'll think on it a bit. I've missed two blogstalking assignments already, so I need to figure something out!<br /><br />Out with the old, and in with the new... a new picture of ZEN. Hot off the presses, just hours old...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZC11eNM6iw5GN178rgmnUnYYwySV1YhTpSm2Xc-towjy1uB_aHbdqe-RhHHIFS2eZBTrwPETe6nFkRYzksBoJCQAFcyypL-QF7x4hVcQDn-UtBI6e0PxxKSi9n-76j0j9C_bObp5oCpyG/s1600-h/IMG_2118.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZC11eNM6iw5GN178rgmnUnYYwySV1YhTpSm2Xc-towjy1uB_aHbdqe-RhHHIFS2eZBTrwPETe6nFkRYzksBoJCQAFcyypL-QF7x4hVcQDn-UtBI6e0PxxKSi9n-76j0j9C_bObp5oCpyG/s320/IMG_2118.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127585319038559602" /></a><br />Quite timely, since today is Halloween and all. It's her first Halloween, and she's had a good day so far. She got to trick or treat at my office, her dad's office, her godmother's office, and the LYS. She was such a good baby, not at all fussy about being stuffed into a puffy duckling outfit. That's my girl! It's pretty mild here today, so I'm going to have her sit on the porch with me, all dressed up in her duckling outfit, and pass out candy.<br />Trick or Treat goes from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., though, so she probably won't make it past the first hour or so.<br /><br />As promised, here's a picture of her modeling her pumpkin hat, which turned out a bit small, because her mother CANNOT COUNT OR MEASURE. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdDqWr9AGUbg9Gqs10XD4JiqxTdwcNfjxcsj6IYIk97Fck7KzwOiJKxlijRdQIH1iTBxBXTRDpsnXhu47k1afhhNsvXc0KlkEhCiiMiBrM_AOqVFda5OykMWWgjlRq0iJXOuIHtfUkIxz/s1600-h/IMG_2107.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdDqWr9AGUbg9Gqs10XD4JiqxTdwcNfjxcsj6IYIk97Fck7KzwOiJKxlijRdQIH1iTBxBXTRDpsnXhu47k1afhhNsvXc0KlkEhCiiMiBrM_AOqVFda5OykMWWgjlRq0iJXOuIHtfUkIxz/s320/IMG_2107.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127586409960252818" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJp_Yy4N0ZuZr0rJS-LaG_dT1xh4X0mk2lf54KLcnDRstSwFIhr3_bHnVB46PDEkfTTRGyquLs1GGx2v9Q5gNQS54wBpl9q6HlaD69ybv8bXYMOjzpcTZhxFuuLPF3qqVa8fEJPGeRjANe/s1600-h/IMG_2113.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJp_Yy4N0ZuZr0rJS-LaG_dT1xh4X0mk2lf54KLcnDRstSwFIhr3_bHnVB46PDEkfTTRGyquLs1GGx2v9Q5gNQS54wBpl9q6HlaD69ybv8bXYMOjzpcTZhxFuuLPF3qqVa8fEJPGeRjANe/s320/IMG_2113.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127587393507763618" /></a>And finally, a heartfelt thanks to Lauren, who spoiled me this Halloween with a package filled with great treats! ZEN carried the felt pumpkin around for her trick or treat (despite the fact that she's too little for candy, chocolate found its way inside). And I'm so excited to try my hand at dyeing with the KnitPicks Bare laceweight. I'm going to be a wuss and start with just a basic black, but after the <a href="http://zencatsyarn.blogspot.com/2007/09/yarn-soup.html">yarn soup</a> debacle of earlier this year, I think it's best to start basic. <br /><br />Happy Halloween, everyone!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-67451436119719775402007-10-28T09:11:00.000-04:002007-10-28T09:31:38.458-04:00Where does the time go?It has been two weeks since my last blog entry. Bad blogger! Things have been crazy at work and home. I think everything should quiet down this week, though. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjWnofy9ufIFpaUY84qG0TwOoiSx5Wedy1Js4jRzwGzeqcN-dQ2780p9NJM20VcYT1qjX44ldkzNk09WTlOaI17CLMTcpUDsuNjpOmTqMUc6kUs4MsVy1kbBaMElisMTfsFSqtFcpHCxR/s1600-h/IMG_2099.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjWnofy9ufIFpaUY84qG0TwOoiSx5Wedy1Js4jRzwGzeqcN-dQ2780p9NJM20VcYT1qjX44ldkzNk09WTlOaI17CLMTcpUDsuNjpOmTqMUc6kUs4MsVy1kbBaMElisMTfsFSqtFcpHCxR/s320/IMG_2099.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126376079586305330" /></a><br /><br />I finished the back of my mom's Christmas sweater. Sunny was apparently excited about this, and the rest of my knitting. She insisted on being in most of my pictures. There are a couple of mistakes in the cabling. Can you see them? I'm not ripping back on it, though. I'm using Classic Elite Skye Tweed, and I'm not that impressed with the yarn. I really hope it softens up when I block the sweater.<br /><br />I made some progress on Nat's sweater, too, but nothing worth showing. Mostly, I got distracted by the weekly pattern in the Stitch'N'Bitch desk calendar. It seemed extremely important that I make this for ZEN! It was great to use up some stash yarn, and she'll need it this week. I am thinking of adding an i-cord so that I can tie it around her chin - she likes to pull hats off. Sorry there are no pictures of ZEN modeling it. She's a little cranky just now, and not up for a photo shoot.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeW2SKhVhOgpb6GmcYpmwdoG9gbyj2QRzpQOAzVzanWhMUAsxt2wEthfPukGx4eD6tj3qxtNzDhAtRKz9NhxHraMVdZr3Mgec7OG4ziM1osJJTxVhVcxZ-KIrlUvZm0faKXnySEcJEPZsh/s1600-h/IMG_2105.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeW2SKhVhOgpb6GmcYpmwdoG9gbyj2QRzpQOAzVzanWhMUAsxt2wEthfPukGx4eD6tj3qxtNzDhAtRKz9NhxHraMVdZr3Mgec7OG4ziM1osJJTxVhVcxZ-KIrlUvZm0faKXnySEcJEPZsh/s320/IMG_2105.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126376715241465154" /></a><br /><br />In the world of lace knitting, I cast on for the Mystic Waters mystery shawl. The first clue posted on Wednesday, and I'm not even one-fourth of the way through it. I am already in love with this design, though. I'm adding some beads, but you can't see them that well here. I decided to put down Secret of the Stole. It really just isn't speaking to me. I will watch everyone else's progress, though, before I go so far as to rip it out. I think there's just too much stockinette in it for my tastes. I'm still curious to know about the theme, though!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcsj1oeQuTHFI5XDmT3wJc2p8ZQbQTISjmNbeBrpXW4Hsr8HgNhg53tT-uQPM5OVAWKKLAlkEU5pGrIY6ivBfupdetKe0OGQTz0NNF3P9ZMx8yeab6DWD9IAZPsNV8j6prxerwmXgg1Lv/s1600-h/IMG_2103.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcsj1oeQuTHFI5XDmT3wJc2p8ZQbQTISjmNbeBrpXW4Hsr8HgNhg53tT-uQPM5OVAWKKLAlkEU5pGrIY6ivBfupdetKe0OGQTz0NNF3P9ZMx8yeab6DWD9IAZPsNV8j6prxerwmXgg1Lv/s320/IMG_2103.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126377325126821202" /></a><br /><br />I think Sunny approves!<br /><br />And finally, I have a picture of the small bit of progress I've made on <a href="http://www.sheepinthecity.prettyposies.com/archives/000079.html">My So Called </a>Scarf.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVdb2SLOCp9T52NckVE3bhJvgcd0Yx6M1BhqavqO3do3IlTjUj2rOdU9yeXHmhM54Ss8JMhuXVmVe6wNEariKLD_iiEY_H7TrKo8KzxamgbS7XaONzlz6uoosFO3fijw7740s_CJ1-50J/s1600-h/IMG_2104.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVdb2SLOCp9T52NckVE3bhJvgcd0Yx6M1BhqavqO3do3IlTjUj2rOdU9yeXHmhM54Ss8JMhuXVmVe6wNEariKLD_iiEY_H7TrKo8KzxamgbS7XaONzlz6uoosFO3fijw7740s_CJ1-50J/s320/IMG_2104.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126378227069953378" /></a><br /><br />I'm sorry the picture isn't great. Maybe I needed Sunny's help on this one, too? Anyway, I'm loving the pattern, and I love the yarn (Patons SWS). I hope that my swap partner loves it as much as I do! I should be able to work on it a good bit this week, and hopefully finish it by mid-November. I think I might have some yarn left over. If it were you, would you want me to send the extra back to you, or if there's enough, make a second scarf (different pattern)? <br /><br />I'm also aware that I am a very bad blogstalker. Two weeks missed! I will try to get caught up and back in the swing soon.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-77177518989502513902007-10-14T20:16:00.000-04:002007-10-14T20:32:15.957-04:00Much better now...thanksI realize now that blogging while under the weather is not a terribly inspired idea. Sorry for that last depressing outing. I am doing much better (flu has passed, ear infection is dissipating; and Zen and her dad are fine, too). Thank you so much for the kind comments, despite my negative post. Have you ever noticed that few men handle being ill very well? All three of us were sick, but my lovely husband was convinced that he was worse off than me, and I can't quite wrap my mind around this - I had the flu and an ear infection and he had just the flu. I won't go into details, but suffice it to say that our flu symptoms were identical, yet somehow he was in worse shape than me (I know this because he told me). Nat's a terrific guy; I adore him and think he is a wonderful, perfect dad to ZEN, and a terrific husband to me. But the guy does not handle illness well. This must be the reason that only women can be pregnant. <br /><br />Really, enough of the sickness now! Onto more exciting things, like milestones and yarn fun.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5NVdGpDRRIpKrah21isjF5JSrIQSxWAc14SO78AXQZ1Ux1Y-UAGWtw1Zx7dlTgahwASj9AKg8NiinO93OtS4wYVw4ei0Ssc1FAgifJp0Q02RMEq7yM5bEwWV7LtTZ4Zb29SQ6doYu-NJ/s1600-h/IMG_2049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5NVdGpDRRIpKrah21isjF5JSrIQSxWAc14SO78AXQZ1Ux1Y-UAGWtw1Zx7dlTgahwASj9AKg8NiinO93OtS4wYVw4ei0Ssc1FAgifJp0Q02RMEq7yM5bEwWV7LtTZ4Zb29SQ6doYu-NJ/s320/IMG_2049.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121352265283574514" /></a><br /><br />Our little girl is teaching herself to stand up! I am a typical, cliche mom who would prefer that she not stand, because that means she'll be walking, and there are so many troubles she'll find at that point! I know that's ridiculous, though, so I'm just trying to be excited about her milestone. And besides, when she can walk, I won't have to hold her in the yarn store - more hands available for yarn fondling fun!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEB3pfc2Kudqc_6psHjAWVRq6s0dDzpPN9kb-mMHl8ZFXscMYGrrfLHX3nATG_kdcjAM7xsV04JNyAu5wYs2rsWrMGzj_PHmDi9VHRbWGO3iz6HrNWi19XNmPuJ-Ln9Llbcua4l-M8CaQ/s1600-h/IMG_2082.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEB3pfc2Kudqc_6psHjAWVRq6s0dDzpPN9kb-mMHl8ZFXscMYGrrfLHX3nATG_kdcjAM7xsV04JNyAu5wYs2rsWrMGzj_PHmDi9VHRbWGO3iz6HrNWi19XNmPuJ-Ln9Llbcua4l-M8CaQ/s320/IMG_2082.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121353077032393474" /></a>In knitting news, I was on target to start Clue 2 of <strong>Secret of the Stole </strong>when I got sick, but this is Clue 1 done. I didn't block it at all, obviously. I am still a little unsure about the pattern. Clue 2 looked promising though. The double points don't bother me, but it seemed like a lot of stockinette stitch for a lace project. It appears to be opening up with Clue 2, so it will be worth moving forward with for now, at least. <br /><br />In other fun news, I received yarn from my swap partner - I'm going to knit her a scarf out of yarn she sent. It's Paton's SWS (soy wool stripes). It's a single ply, and I think it will self stripe. It's really soft, so I'm excited to work with it. She very kindly offered some suggestions of scarf patterns she likes. I had planned to play with it this weekend, but the illness derailed that, so I hope to get to it this week. I sent some yarn to my swap partner to knit me a scarf, too. She's received it and said she's already started to lovingly pet it! I sent two colors, just in case she wanted options, and she said she's thinking either cables or fair isle! Holy cow - I got lucky with her, don't you think?<br /><br />Finally, to get everyone in the Halloween spirit, here's ZEN, all oranged up and no place to go!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhi0yt4nDQjAaaILadoZH1XALzeHbKb8EDBLuW_p7r9Sy3TQvsEm6IkVQEmcWgFd49R4F37lPjd_7DApAsNMMt9EKaMCjPgwepTXpaXK8B2Cn6rUlv1Pkphtd7Vz8BVeWNGot-_tmH-Du/s1600-h/IMG_2097.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhi0yt4nDQjAaaILadoZH1XALzeHbKb8EDBLuW_p7r9Sy3TQvsEm6IkVQEmcWgFd49R4F37lPjd_7DApAsNMMt9EKaMCjPgwepTXpaXK8B2Cn6rUlv1Pkphtd7Vz8BVeWNGot-_tmH-Du/s320/IMG_2097.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121354541616241426" /></a>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-74761642059300317722007-10-12T19:38:00.001-04:002007-10-12T19:40:27.037-04:00A quick list...Three things I hate...<br />1. Having a sick kid.<br />2. Being sick myself.<br />3. People who are mean to animals<br /><br />Three things I love...<br />1. My family<br />2. My yarn<br />3. Trashy TV a la the CW (America's Next Top Model, Gossip Girl... good stuff!)<br /><br />I am sick, with a sick kid and sick husband today, so that's all I've got.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-86973793758463721962007-10-07T21:55:00.000-04:002007-10-07T22:54:41.192-04:00Breaking promises, and finishing stuff...I am really struggling with the promise to myself that I would focus on the following until Christmas (or until all are done in time for Christmas):<br /><br />1. Mom's sweater (I'm about 1/3 done with the back, which leaves the front and both sleeves, and the turtleneck);<br />2. Husband sweater (I'm about 1/2 done with the back, which leaves the front and both sleeves); <br />3. Secret of the Stole (just kicked off on Friday - progress pix below - but I'm through row 53); <br />4. Husband Socks (one done; one about 3 inches until I reach toe shaping, but I'm seriously stalled out on it);<br />5. <a href="http://hatsforalex.blogspot.com/">Hats for Alex</a> (done and sent off last week - yeah!). I forgot to take a picture, but it was a little yellow hat, that I hope will warm a needy baby well. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zJBI44K9yojdPgWfdowsXiS5PFKO2lNis3WaYfSm0xVNvgK7Dx8sZHWX3frs33pfFXy_p2mqyt91j7_nErVdGBC67gRckqNLlBb0x7KgF19AfBQMuu35DPMP2RXcGeUYAQoNgoP5FIMo/s1600-h/IMG_2016.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zJBI44K9yojdPgWfdowsXiS5PFKO2lNis3WaYfSm0xVNvgK7Dx8sZHWX3frs33pfFXy_p2mqyt91j7_nErVdGBC67gRckqNLlBb0x7KgF19AfBQMuu35DPMP2RXcGeUYAQoNgoP5FIMo/s200/IMG_2016.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118790802622814898" /></a><br />So, in the spirit of breaking promises to myself, I decided to contribute to <a href="http://drivebythinking.typepad.com/sockin_it_to_maggie/">Sockin' It To Maggie</a>. Now, I don't think it should count against me, since it's for a good cause. And the mission resulted in my casting on the Coriolis sock from Cat Bordhi's new <a href="http://www.catbordhi.com/NP1.html">book</a>. I don't have the book, yet, so I used the pattern from her <a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_knitting/article/0,2025,DIY_14141_5482820,00.html">Knitty Gritty appearance</a>. I have to have this book now! I loved making this sock, despite making many mistakes. I think they were mostly well-hidden, though, so I feel comfortable giving the sock to Maggie. This was a two-day sock, something of a feat for my slow hands! The yarn is held doubled (ahhh...cozy socks - hope Maggie likes them toasty!), and they were knit on U.S. 6 needles!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZa552wkf6k3CXJoN1NmzCzdTtisg1C6t9pl6l93JN2nkhEHk2yj_2607t_IpjmPTlbrOeP6WXwyWgah94UiuXDYrUCVIghPXW_29DJGfDHSE_cskHQ0_UKZ-luvo5N_Ug5dGx4Nu95dM/s1600-h/IMG_2030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZa552wkf6k3CXJoN1NmzCzdTtisg1C6t9pl6l93JN2nkhEHk2yj_2607t_IpjmPTlbrOeP6WXwyWgah94UiuXDYrUCVIghPXW_29DJGfDHSE_cskHQ0_UKZ-luvo5N_Ug5dGx4Nu95dM/s320/IMG_2030.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118787310814403218" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.islandzephyr.com/blogs/nauticalknitter/2007/08/23/secret-of-the-stole/">Secret of the Stole</a> kicked off last week. It's an interesting design so far, with two points at the beginning of the stole. I am through row 53. I think there are 83 rows in the first clue. I am pleased with my pace; I should finish Clue 1 by the time Clue 2 publishes on Friday. At that point, I will probably fall behind, as I did with Mystery Stole 3! <br /><br />Speaking of secret stoles, I saw some progress pictures from Secret of Chrysopolis. I signed up for this one, but had shied away from it because it's authored in German. However, because it is so freakin' <a href="http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2611014970099737777jqxlhN">gorgeous</a>, and because it is charted (yeah, universal language of knitters), and because there seem to be plenty of English speakers working on it, I am going to cast on... eventually. It will be a wonderful use of my ebony Sea Silk. Before I cast on for that, though, I think I might cast on for the <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mysticwatersKAL/">Mystic Waters</a> stole. I haven't decided on a yarn, yet. First clue posts October 24, so I have time. <br /><br />Lace knitting is really addictive. The lace yarn is so gorgeous, and the patterns are stunning! I love the secret KAL's because it's so nice to get the pattern piecemeal - I feel like I can keep up. My friend Laura mentioned this the other night when we got together to knit, and I realized that she had summed it up perfectly. Hopefully this new addiction won't keep me from knitting from <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/Victorian+Lace+Today_BD30826.html">Victorian Lace Today</a>, though!<br /><br />I have pictures of the oh-so-cute finished Tulip sweater, finally! As tempting as it was, this ridiculous 90-degree-weather-in-October prevented me from stuffing ZEN in it for a photo shoot. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLGk_T67YnwFtQxdtoZnHBy_BnWUGuKNdXz2uL3-LzagI-zBxzry-JiB3B4OlGWhHxc8hSmtCFeENei5g2CzajWuPQouZontgXBKCC6QmkxwU78a_O9PGrUsAeiklCWgph3-sZg1P8RxX/s1600-h/IMG_2021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLGk_T67YnwFtQxdtoZnHBy_BnWUGuKNdXz2uL3-LzagI-zBxzry-JiB3B4OlGWhHxc8hSmtCFeENei5g2CzajWuPQouZontgXBKCC6QmkxwU78a_O9PGrUsAeiklCWgph3-sZg1P8RxX/s320/IMG_2021.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118790072478374562" /></a><br /><br />I made the matching hat from a design I found on Mistress Stash Enhancer's <a href="http://amandacathleen.wordpress.com/free-patterns/a-colorful-hat-for-baby-an-un-pattern/#comments">blog</a>. I love that name, and the pattern was great, too, so she definitely has the Zen...Cats...Yarn approval. <br /><br />And as this blog post comes to an end, we should all note that I blogged without a single ZEN picture! Perhaps I'm becoming a slightly less obnoxious mom? Or maybe I just don't have any good pictures because she's under the weather? I suspect that mentioning her at all means that I'm still an all-out obnoxious mom. I'll work on that, I swear. I would be remiss to end this without some gratuitous cute picture, so we'll leave it up to Sunny, who tonight rediscovered her cat bed (sadly, she also discovered the Tulips sweater, and decided it was a perfect cat bed, too - no pix of that, though). <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcjpb6Xcr0xF0vt4ROcIeTtsMBvJ2-UnyZM9a32wrOfKpf0-HlAgnfXpzDTSLKauMpAHaPJOzuzTe8RFlWGcll_vsug8xle8khVdij9ZuJ604VFXCXzbQzMMFCbaXFvKe9aXf-aKCh6hQ/s1600-h/IMG_2024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcjpb6Xcr0xF0vt4ROcIeTtsMBvJ2-UnyZM9a32wrOfKpf0-HlAgnfXpzDTSLKauMpAHaPJOzuzTe8RFlWGcll_vsug8xle8khVdij9ZuJ604VFXCXzbQzMMFCbaXFvKe9aXf-aKCh6hQ/s320/IMG_2024.JPG" border="10" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118793714610641618" /></a>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-55037913179321303592007-10-03T18:13:00.000-04:002007-10-03T18:29:00.186-04:00Yarn love and getting from here to there...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdK8t1NICL-QzPTYtDupi2Rm3mSXdoH84VT1Ha07dhSRDs_cQwK0W4HfJrxQtwxS3v629Dct9aNy4RQVytMrbZXMHBcin085u8UVBByVyW5KVpe-4ntqAP0MFOyibcHMDUCrDfYjPuE3G/s1600-h/IMG_2011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdK8t1NICL-QzPTYtDupi2Rm3mSXdoH84VT1Ha07dhSRDs_cQwK0W4HfJrxQtwxS3v629Dct9aNy4RQVytMrbZXMHBcin085u8UVBByVyW5KVpe-4ntqAP0MFOyibcHMDUCrDfYjPuE3G/s320/IMG_2011.JPG" border="5" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117238025916422722" /></a><br />ZEN is learning, at a young age, to embrace and love yarn. Perhaps this is her way of asking me to knit her a pair of socks? <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7ofmwj-F7cJR3UErd4NYncpOoTxcC3VM7hlLuenbodueBbXP_bqZx0B5IOMoFr1ursNLKdK1eP3Zxxp7dSw9mHkHx74ObKvQZs_Mwv89EiSAzl0lYVWNH-_h-5xik2ypyDPoWO7zxj7S/s1600-h/IMG_1999.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7ofmwj-F7cJR3UErd4NYncpOoTxcC3VM7hlLuenbodueBbXP_bqZx0B5IOMoFr1ursNLKdK1eP3Zxxp7dSw9mHkHx74ObKvQZs_Mwv89EiSAzl0lYVWNH-_h-5xik2ypyDPoWO7zxj7S/s200/IMG_1999.JPG" border="5" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117238717406157394" /></a>In other knitting news... I cast on the cover sweater from Lace Style. I am using T3 Weavers Alpaca, and I am enjoying the pattern (simple feather and fan) so far. I think it will knit up quick, but I have to shift focus to my Christmas knitting, so it won't be done as quickly as I might like. Here's my swatch and progress.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYSB3ieqg5DZtfpUSh-7XEUXqDFQOY-uVahaklOFU_-o-_Fqs1dVlxpgUJnF_KwqxjsV8Ht_F3L-A1H1LmCq9KfL0bPqUAv9x0R7rqiiLKrib69DjkM1xiGG4uVmbZxdADFtaRfSXbOA5/s1600-h/IMG_2001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYSB3ieqg5DZtfpUSh-7XEUXqDFQOY-uVahaklOFU_-o-_Fqs1dVlxpgUJnF_KwqxjsV8Ht_F3L-A1H1LmCq9KfL0bPqUAv9x0R7rqiiLKrib69DjkM1xiGG4uVmbZxdADFtaRfSXbOA5/s320/IMG_2001.JPG" border="5" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117239164082756194" /></a><br /><br />This week's blog stalking assignment was to show how we get from here to there. I don't have any pictures of my cars, but I drive either a Blue Honda Accord or a Black VW Passat Wagon. If I'm lucky, I get to drive the Passat, which means there's a good chance I have company. That always makes for a better ride!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL083TwjKE1fuwWSbMJdUrV-M5tlWY6y3gTma9FMarPIG4og1nIKMHrc1dknsIfNn6H4OxLl6e-4Lk-78OTt25FvJswFlXp639SiyqC6bKu5B2qf27fyGAD-faSVnwJEpv4mydzFMyoc8k/s1600-h/IMG_1802.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL083TwjKE1fuwWSbMJdUrV-M5tlWY6y3gTma9FMarPIG4og1nIKMHrc1dknsIfNn6H4OxLl6e-4Lk-78OTt25FvJswFlXp639SiyqC6bKu5B2qf27fyGAD-faSVnwJEpv4mydzFMyoc8k/s320/IMG_1802.JPG" border="5" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117240203464841842" /></a><br /><br />On a final note, Nat read my last blog entry. He has zero faith that I will finish his sweater. Such doubt, and it's only October!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394685645824831518.post-90163193386519647652007-09-28T19:38:00.001-04:002007-09-28T19:56:57.121-04:00To Nat, with loveI showed my husband my progress on Tulip today. It looks like this now:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCZst1O9faWx3ManPA7nL3lN3Adx7CZVmUGVOk4wkGoCLpRg4bOOmRWoPu7H5QjnfuJ3iIhg-DE4XhpYvixHtvl1cblYYtV4xca11sIlFyiDBTOgMoWnnjcQpvIZmMXFSNW5U-kl_R_Xu/s1600-h/IMG_2000.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCZst1O9faWx3ManPA7nL3lN3Adx7CZVmUGVOk4wkGoCLpRg4bOOmRWoPu7H5QjnfuJ3iIhg-DE4XhpYvixHtvl1cblYYtV4xca11sIlFyiDBTOgMoWnnjcQpvIZmMXFSNW5U-kl_R_Xu/s320/IMG_2000.JPG" border="1" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115403954621946354" /></a> <br />Upon review of the sweater, he said: "It would look better if you'd done those color changes right." I said: "You read my blog?!" This is a momentarialy exciting revelation, until he responds: "No. I don't read it that often - you don't mention me enough." I told him that was because I didn't want to put him out there for public consumption against his wishes. After all, there is a decent chance that three or four people might read my blog, and of those maybe one would know Nat and of those, none would care (ZEN can't read yet, so we're not counting her). He reminded me that he's already in the public domain to a certain extent. He's a journalist who covers high school sports for our newspaper, and his <a href="http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007709280591">stories </a>are published online. In an effort to get him to quit whining, this blog entry is dedicated to him. <br /><br />Here is the start of his Christmas sweater: <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgap_CTPSVftjeFtmAP9aGt73spqL14LzVxQ9mgOqBkktBPihslhdLQJmMhiL0L4Xa4sAg__l4s_WIUhQdxiz0ZRPJLTQUBnURrn2sokeOyJJrTGiU0HH54DoH7c7uC-3WRzkmPFwojPL-G/s1600-h/IMG_1961.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgap_CTPSVftjeFtmAP9aGt73spqL14LzVxQ9mgOqBkktBPihslhdLQJmMhiL0L4Xa4sAg__l4s_WIUhQdxiz0ZRPJLTQUBnURrn2sokeOyJJrTGiU0HH54DoH7c7uC-3WRzkmPFwojPL-G/s320/IMG_1961.JPG" border="1" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115405724148472322" /></a><br /><br />It doesn't look like much, I know. But by December 25, it will be a cabled sweater for him to hopefully enjoy. I really hope to finish it by Christmas, because I don't want to hear him complaining about how I never finish his knitted gifts on time. I have already finished 1 1/2 of his Christmas socks, which I will gag him with if he chooses to whine. <br /><br />Here's a picture of him and ZEN:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4yvOA4uJy-aILlHVZa5XVDNZ60kXX9Iqz6s2WMjFk0yNsNWot_LRnL-5cpObpMlutuKSKyQgP71_bN1mZsbmyY24bTeHpOY2GCqcpDrKNkte6ZLJhNkWuYGjIXoKBbQPIm-D75UYCx6t/s1600-h/IMG_1919.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4yvOA4uJy-aILlHVZa5XVDNZ60kXX9Iqz6s2WMjFk0yNsNWot_LRnL-5cpObpMlutuKSKyQgP71_bN1mZsbmyY24bTeHpOY2GCqcpDrKNkte6ZLJhNkWuYGjIXoKBbQPIm-D75UYCx6t/s320/IMG_1919.JPG" border="1" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115406664746310162" /></a><br /><br />Aren't they cute? <br /><br />OK, enough of him. Back to the fun yarn stuff. Look what came in the mail today!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpiW4-qDyIjuJa4e4y1HjYNgemyOzxYGNIhX0SmEncbevP9H1IweKZJNU2l5O1dKVVI6D_ih5MvxelWH1nNYA-0f4ydp2u4svquBRKzwLpU75mXgdH8r9ooUwc4XIm8wC8MEJlwbXMUvS/s1600-h/IMG_2005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpiW4-qDyIjuJa4e4y1HjYNgemyOzxYGNIhX0SmEncbevP9H1IweKZJNU2l5O1dKVVI6D_ih5MvxelWH1nNYA-0f4ydp2u4svquBRKzwLpU75mXgdH8r9ooUwc4XIm8wC8MEJlwbXMUvS/s320/IMG_2005.JPG" border="1" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115407227387025954" /></a><br />Yarn from <a href="http://www.artsygal.net">artsygal</a>. Yummy, don't you think? Especially in the colorway "strawberry milkshake". 100% Superwash Merino Sock yarn. Sorry the picture stinks.<br /><br />I'm off to try to crank out at least one <a href="http://hatsforalex.blogspot.com/">Hat for Alex</a> tonight. Because it's Friday night, and baby, that's how I roll.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889527146211783864noreply@blogger.com5