Conversations with Myself

Wow, last time I blogged was September, I really should blog, it’s been a long time. What can I blog about? Well there’s… no, wait that’s a little personal to put public. OH, I made a… but that’s a Christmas present and so-and-so actually looks at my blog. Oh, I did … well that’s a little embarrassing… Oh I knit a… crap another Christmas present.

That conversation has been going around and around my head for awhile and yet I feel like I have nothing to share... So what does that leave?

1. I’m working on some Christmas presents and you’ll see them after the holidays.
2. Things at the new condo are still really good, I think this is one of the best decisions I’ve made
3. We’re happy, healthy and of sound mind. (well as much as we ever are)
4. I’m going to try to get healthier so I’ve joined WW just recently. Normally I hide this but maybe doing it “publicly” will be good incentive.
5. Now that AJ’s a bit older, he’s spending more time with his friends which means I get some more time to see mine which is making a happier me.
6. Work is still going really well, I had a good review recently and I’m still loving this job. (another one of the best decisions I’ve ever made)

So, not to leave it totally empty, here’s a picture of some afghan squares. They are approximately 12” squares. (putting them next to each other, I see that one of them may have to be redone) I need 12 of them to make a lap sized blanket for my grandmother to use while she watches TV. (she’s a very tiny woman, so 3x4 will be plenty)





I will post again soon as I have some test knit socks to share with you. Until then, happy crafting!

-DFly

My Day in Pictures

New artwork for the living room found at HomeGoods for a reasonable price.


While there, son found this and said that I had to bring it home.


Built this with son in the afternoon



He did this too and I just found it funny...

LYS Hunting...

Ok, not really hunting, I knew where they were...

I took today off for no reason except that I can and wanted a brain break. Decided that since my son was in school all day, I'd do something for me. I went to Google Maps and typed in "yarn shops, wisconsin" and then picked a path and went to four shops that I've never been too.

First, The Shaggy Sheep in Manitowoc. Here I had the best luck to be there when the UPS man came with a single box, a box that contained the new Cat Bordhi sock knitting book, Personal Footprints. The woman behind the counter was wonderful. Even though I was never there before, she grabbed a chair and asked me to sit and chat. I wish I had her name.

Next I went to Magpie's Cottage in Sheboygan Falls. Here I met Kim who gave me a full tour of the cottage and told me about all the different yarns they carry. It's a very cute little store that also has fabrics and beads. Kim was definitely all about having people pet the yarn!

Grafton Yarn Store was next. I've heard good things of this one but it's a bit out of my way so I've never been. I wish I was closer because the women here were helpful to each other and chatty and it's big, open and beautiful. It's location is very pretty too.

The Knitting Knook was the last of the day and was by far the busiest of the lot. It used to be French Knots II but I never visited before today. The women here were friendly and laughing about how little actual knitting they were getting done but you could tell they were having fun.

Here's the picture of the loot of the day!

Circular Shawl

There has been so much going on (and most of it not what I want to blog about) that I haven't had time to post and lately not as much time to knit either. But I did want to post an update on the circular shawl. This picture is the completion of charts A-D, it will look better when it's blocked, but it's pretty and coming along. I'm actually one repeat into chart E (out of 8) but I don't have that pictured yet. Now that the rounds are over 500 stitches, it takes longer to make significant progress so I just knit a bit whenever I've got a bit of time and try not to think about it too much.

I finished a scarf already!

I now understand why my mom comments that crochet is faster than knitting. I took the crochet 101 class on Thursday, started this scarf Friday and finished it Saturday. Seriously!


Today I updated my drawer pulls. Not the most exciting thing in the world but those ancient ones have been bugging me for years, I just never did anything about it.

Old pulls with funky corn motif

New pulls simple lines


Also, in case anyone was wondering, here is where the dragonfly ended up.

New Dragonfly...

Mom found this guy on her windshield of all places. Son got it off and sort of as a joke, they framed it as a housewarming present. But it's a nice job with a glass shadowbox, signed and dated on the back. I put the quarter so you can see the size!



Kitty favorite spots...

So What Am I Working On?

Even with moving, I have been working on some things...

This is a star-ball for kids. It's supposed to be a surprise for someone at work that just recently had a baby girl. I've been ignoring it lately as I have a bit of startitis since I moved to the new place. New places need new knitting apparently.


This guy will eventually be a monkey. It's part of a kid's "learn to knit" kit and when I wanted something sort of quick after long days, it was a good choice. Eventually he'll even get arms...


Today I went to a beginning crochet class at Loop Yarn Shop. The part in the image below the hook is what I did in class (single, double, triple and half-double). Above the hook is where I used the book to figure out how to increase in each stitch and then do a shell stitch.


Last but definitely not least is my first circular shawl (this will meet 2009 Yarnie Resolution #5!). I'm a bit further along than this but I didn't take a new picture because it needs to be stretched out to see it properly. The pattern is Exonumist's Circular Shawl by Wendy Johnson and can be purchased off her website or in Ravelry. (You should follow links just to see the pretty pictures).


There's also a pair of cuff-down socks, but again they are a secret for now. But I'm done with one and almost done with the leg of the second.

Happy Knitting (and Crocheting)! - Dfly