Spot O' Tea anyone?

Well, here it is, my felted tea cup and saucer. I guess it's more of a tea mug. I like it and it was easy to knit up. Next time, I think I just need to adjust my decreases to make the lip of the cup wider and the more narrow at the bottom. I can't wait to give it to my KTS2 pal. I think I'll fill it with some candy.



Well I've got nothing on the needles now (except my shrug), so I'm off to do some Charity Knitting. The KH forum has a thread on Caps to the Capital. They started off a knit along, so Im going to join that. I've got so much baby yarn in my stash and I've been so obsessed with socks lately, I haven't done anything else. So, off to have some lunch, and then an afternoon of knitting baby hats!

No socks on the sticks

Finally finished up these socks last night. Yea, glad to be done with them. I won't be working with this yarn again!

Right now I'm trying to finish up my purse for Tara. I can happily report that I am finished finally! There is just one adjustment that I need to make on the closure part. I just don't like the way it looks, but it just needs some minor adjustments. I'm doing to show it off, but will have to wait until she receives it sometime next week. Gives me more time to fill it up with goodies too!

I've also been in the process of gathering goodies for my KTS2 pal. I had sent her a list of questions that she answered, so now I know my plan of attack and just need to finish up shopping for that and get that in mail. It would be great to get both packages in the mail on Saturday.

Recently I saw in someone's blog some felted pottery they had done. so I experimented last night with that. I had bought some Patons SWS in pretty pinks (which my KTS2 pal likes) and I gave a whirl at making a teacup. Well, here it is before felting. I'm felting it as I blog. If I'm successful, I'll make the saucer to go along with it tonight.

Before felting......







This week I've been watching episodes of Knitty Gritty on t.v. I know, it's been on forever, but we don't get DIY, but this week our satellite providers have free DIY until October 7, so I've been taping them all! When I was watching one episode my DH looked up from his laptop and said "knitting on t.v. too????" Oh well. I was watching an episode on a felted bag and the lady used something called Swiss Darning or duplicate stitch. Now, till now I've stayed away from intarsia, but this looked pretty simple , and kinda fun. Just wondering if anybody has ever used these techniques and which they prefer?? Anyone??

Well I received my Sockret partner yesterday and I'm still waiting for her to post her questionnaires on her blog. I hope she does soon, because I have a ton of ideas spinning in my head and can't wait to get that first package together! (Like I don't already have enough packages going on now!).

For my Sock-ret Pal!

Sock-ret Pal Questionnaire

The basics:
How long have you been knitting?
About a year and a half.

Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep?
Well, I've made less than a dozen pair, but I wouldn't consider myself a beginner. Its obviously one of my favorites things to knit.

The measurements:
While your pal may ask for some additional info to ensure a great fit, please provide your shoe size, or any other fitting related info you think is pertinent.
Size 9

(fiber related) Favorites:
What colors do you love?
Pinks, purples, tan, dark blue.

Do you prefer solids or variegated?
I would have to say variegated.

What fibers do you most love to knit with?
As far as socks goes, anything soft and stretchy. Otherwise, I like to felt, so I would say a chunky wool for that. I really like anything that feels soft in my hands. Again, I'm fairly new, so I haven't had the chance to see everything out there yet either.

Who do you consider your favorite yarn vendors?
Well I use Knitpicks alot for the service and because they are great when your on a budget!
I also have ordered from Knitting Zone and the Yard Exchange, LTD and have had good results. Again, Im still new.

What projects (other than socks, of course*S*) do you most enjoy knitting?
Love to felt! Also love dishcloths because they knit up so fast! I think that's what I'm all about. I like fast results. I started a shrug early this summer for my daughter for Christmas that I'm only about 60% done with. Im not big into piecing things together. Thats why I love to knit socks. I love the fact that I seen this yarn become a sock right before my eyes.

(fiber related) Dislikes:
What fibers can you not stand to knit with? To wear?
Acrylics, novelty yarns.
What colors would you never wear?
bright oranges, neons.

The Tools:
Plastic or Metal? Bamboo or wood?
Bamboo

Circs or Straights?
Both

DPNs or Magic Loop?
DPNs (although I am determined to learn magic loop!)

Are there any knitting accessories you don't have in your collection but would like?
row counters, more bamboo DPNs and straights, knitting bags, hmm. Im stuck, but I will add as I think of anything.

The Extras:
Do you have a wish list? If so, please share the link!
No but hope to have one soon.

Do you like sweet, sour or salty? (or all of the above? *S*)
Sweet, salty

Do you have any allergies your pal should know about? (Certain foods, smoke, pet hair, etc)
Dont like cigarette smoke.

Favorite scents? Scents you can't stand?
Love Cinnamon, sweet, spicy. Don't care for flowery scents.

Do you collect anything (other than yarn and knitting toys of course)?
Snowmen.

When is your birthday? (month and day is fine!)
May 12.

Do you spin? Dye your own yarn?
No....not yet!!

Your favorite author/band/vacation spot, anything you think will help your pal know you better...
Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts, Kathy Reich, Luanne Rice. (Authors).
Okay, I admit it, love the 80s. Also, James Blunt, John Mayer, Gwen Stefani. (Bands)
Loved my honeymoon down to the bahamas. Also Disney, Boston, New York to see the METS!

Socks anyone??

Well, I did it, I finished my Sock of Doom and will be going out in the mail today. The pattern is one I will use again, nice and stretchy!! Easy peasy to do. Started Friday night, finished Sunday night. But I have a suspicion I will be dead before they ever reach their destination. I am sending these to the Netherlands, yikes, who knows when they will get there. My assassin has already let me know she has a package for me, and I'm pretty sure she lives in the US. Oh well, I did enjoy knitting these sock, even under duress, and I will be getting a handmade pair of socks in return. I may not win the war, but the alternative is okay with me too.


This is my mid-September KAL with Monthly Dishcloths. I really enjoyed this and it was fairly easy.

I really love doing these KALs, I love knitting dishclothes and I can work on this while working on other things, because there are only a few lines to knit up each day.




Unfortunately, my socks were the only knitting I did this weekend, but I was able to get the rest of the materials I needed for Tara's bag, so now I can devote my time to that and get it finished up this week. I think it's going to look awesome!!

I also was able to get some shopping done for my KTS2 pal. I'm just waiting to hear back from her on a couple of things, and I will get that finished up by this weekend and get it mailed off to her. I have to admit, I bought some new tea for myself too!! I saw an awesome felted tea cup and saucer on someone's blog this weekend, and I'm thinking about trying it out and sending it out with my package. If I don't get to that, I plan on knitting up a dishcloth to send along.

This week I also hope to finish off the socks I had been working on. Yipee, I will have two more socks for SAM2!! I'm on a roll! And I just got some Cascade fixation and Regia sock yarn in the mail last week. I just joined another sock group, and they are starting a new KAL, so I'm all set!!

So here's what I've been doing

One shameless little plug....

LETS GO METS!!

Well, it happened finally...my youngest daughter Missy asked me to teach her to knit!! There she is plugging at it. She's my tomboy, so I was kinda surprised, but she picked it right up!! This weekend I taught her to do the long tail cast on and the knit stitch. She's an amazingly fast learner, and she's excited about it. But it did come with a price. In exchange, she is teaching me how to win at Mario Kart. She's a good teacher too!

Okay, so now my dog. She's not an outdoor to say the least. She would much rather be inside snuggled on a pillow. And she doesn't like rain. If there is even a sign of rain, she won't go outside, and when there's a storm, she hides in the basement. But for some reason, Saturday morning she decided to go exploring when I let her out. I didn't really notice anything until I sat down with my coffee to knit and watch HGTV, and whoa, that smell!!!

And this is what followed......

Putting it mildly, she wasn't happy!!

And finally, this sock really kicked my butt this weekend!! I wanted to get a pair of socks finished this week before I start Sock Wars. So I took this pattern and got started. Well, Im not sure whether it was the yarn or the intricate pattern or the size 1 needles, but it really got the best of me. Im sure my carpal tunnel didn't help much either. The yarn kept splitting on my and my hands were so cramped. So I decided it was either frog it or modify the pattern. So I went with shortening the cuff, and instead of continuing the pattern down the foot, I decided to just do the pattern around the ankle, and stockinette the rest of the sock. Then while Im knitting the foot, I realize that I'm coming dangerously close to the end of my yarn. DARN!! Now more decisions to make. First, I looked to see if I could buy another skein. This was Knit Picks Parade. DARN AGAIN. They have no more in this color. So now, Ive no choice but to frog and make smaller socks. Fortunately, my mom has small feet. Okay, so now these are a Christmas present for mom. Let me tell you, I end up with approximately 16 inches of yarn.

Not bad, not exactly what I had in mind, but my tinking ended up working.

Here's a close up of the pattern.

And there's my week so far!!

Teasers and teeth!

I've been busy this week and making progress with my purse for the exchange. Unfortunately I can only post these teaser photos until Tara actually receives it. Hmmm.... wonder what that could possibly be!!! Last night I finished the knitting, now I need to put it all together, which will be more time consuming than the knitting, but I'm excited about the way it is coming out. The colors are perfect and I think it will look even better than the photo in the pattern! I may just have to make another one after this one is finished. I think my daughter would really like this one too. And I know she loves the colors that I've used in this one.

Since yesterday I have been suffering the wrath of a teeth cleaning. I have been going to the same dentist and hygienist for the past almost ten years. Unfortunately, my hygienist had an emergency and would not be able to see me for my scheduled cleaning. If I hadn't had a tooth that was bothering me, I would have just taken her next available appointment which would have been weeks away, but I really wanted to find out what was going on with my tooth. Therefore, I took another hygienist for my cleaning. My girls both have their teeth cleaned by this particular one, so I wasn't contemplating any problems. Well, let me tell you....she ripped my gums to shreds!!! I have never been in so much pain from a teeth cleaning. She got in there with those picks and really dug!! My mouth was full of blood, her gloves were covered in blood. My eyes were tearing up from the pain. I don't know what I got myself into. My kids like her, which is something since neither one particularly likes to go to the dentist. I've never heard them complain. Now, my regular hygienist talks the entire time she is cleaning my teeth and we take frequent breaks to chat, but I just don't remember it ever hurting or even bleeding like that!! Wow is all I can say. I will never take my hygienist for granted again. And I may even start flossing on a regular basis just for her!! My hubby was so sweet though. He is in charge of dinner on Thursday nights when I work, so he made me some tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich for dinner since my mouth was so sore!

Lots and lots of knitting!

First of all, I promised a teaser photo of the purse I am knitting my swap partner for the knitted purse swap, so here it is!! Guess it's not much help, is it!!!????

I received my yarn yesterday and immediately cast on. Wonderful yarn to work with. This should knit up fast. So far I'm liking the way its turning out. Stay tuned for more details on this!!


I managed to work on quite a few projects this weekend. My DH and I went to see the NY Mets Saturday. We left early Saturday morning because we were expecting lots of traffic with the construction of the new stadium, plus the US Open was being held that same weekend. So, I decided to bring along some knitting. Unfortunately, I never picked up my needles once. There is just too much going on at a baseball game. And by the way, Mets won against the LA Dodgers, 3-2. GO METS!!

Well, Sunday morning I finished up these socks. Originally they were meant for a Christmas present, but my oldest daughter saw them and wanted them immediately. So now they are hers. These are Broadripple socks from Knitty by Rob Matyska. Love, love, love this pattern. So easy to understand!! The only thing I wasn't thrilled about was the sock cuff. I don't like to purl so getting through these rounds were tough!! I used Knitpicks Dancing on these and I think it worked out well.










This is my lovely daughter showing off her new socks.

I was also able to knit up an apple dishcloth and start on another called "Swish with a Twist". I'll be happy when this one is finished. Mine is not looking like the picture on the pattern.

Fall colors and an oak leaf

Here's my Monthly Dishcloths August KAL all finished off. I NEED A NEW CAMERA!! Anyway, this is a leaf done up in SnC wine. I'm thinking about looks for some other fall colors and knitting up a couple more to give as a gift. I'll have to look at Michaels or AC Moore this weekend. But I need to get all unfinished projects finished up so I can be ready for SOCK WARS and the Sock-ret Pal swap starting soon.

Back to School

Today the girls finally went back to school! It's been a very long summer! Amanda is my oldest and will be a junior this year. Missy is in 8th grade this year. Needless to say, neither were really excited about going back to school (so they say), but my oldest was up a 4:30 this morning and bouncing off the walls, and my youngest had to model her first day of school outfit for me last night. So no matter what they say, I think they are ready to get back and into a routine again. And so am I!! They were thrilled about posing for these pictures for me so early in the morning, but I can't break tradition now, I always have to get that first day shot!




In my knitting world, I signed up for two more swaps yesterday. One is the Knitter's tea swap. Should be fun, I 'm mostly a coffee drinker, but I love to try new teas, and usually have a cup before going to bed. I also signed up for Sock Wars. I was a little hesitant when I first read the rules, only because I still consider myself a novice when it comes to making socks, but what the heck, I may be the first to die, but it will still be a lot of fun!! Of course, I haven't told hubby about these yet!!

I am finally making some progress with the purse for my knitted purse swap partner, Tara. I found a pattern that I'm pretty confident that she will like, but was really stressing out with the colors, didn't know which way to go with it, but I've got the colors finally figured out, just hoping to order the yarn today so that I can get it started. I'm excited to see how it turns out, and I have a couple little surprises up my sleeve also! That's all I can say!

What do a lizard and a sock have in common?

As soon as I finished up my last pair of socks, I got these Broadripple socks from Knitty cast on. What an easy pattern...and so pretty!! The yarn is Knitpicks Dancing. I love the way these are knitting up, almost like a rippling pool. (I also have to admit, reminded me of the weather maps showing the hurricaines lately!). Anyway, I was outside feeding the bunnies, and noticed that the mosaic tile lizard I bought earlier this summer and who makes his home on my rock in the back yard, has the same coloring as my socks, so I couldn't resist taking a picture.

Well, I should have this first sock finished up tonight, so hopefully I can have the second one done by the end of the week! Yee haw, my first sock of the month for the SAM2, and another Christmas present finished!!