A tale of two sweaters

This is the sweater that I knit for my son for Christmas. It fits and he loves it... in fact, he's hardly taken it off since he unwrapped it Christmas morning. I used Dream in Color Classy in the November Muse colorway, yarn held doubled. I have knit this sweater before...

I knit this one late in 2006 for my boy. This one is Patons Shetland Chunky that my son picked out himself. He wore the heck out of this one and it has outlasted his growth spurts... it's still in excellent condition, just sadly too small.

In hindsight, I should have used the same yarn the second time around and saved a boatload of money not to mention stress. The Dream in Color knit up beautifully. It was a treat to work up and created such a lovely, squooshy fabric. All was well until it hit the washer. I washed it on the handwash cycle in my washing machine. I peeked on it several times during the washing process and was a bit alarmed by what I found... large clumps of fluffy wool coming out of the sweater. Still though, I pressed on and the sweater seemed to be faring well... I figured it was just part of the first wash process.

Then I put it in the dryer -- again on the delicate cycle. It took forever to dry up but it sprung back in to shape fairly well. What I wasn't expecting was how the sweater would come out dull in color and covered in pills. Overall the sweater had a halo but not a good one -- definitely the look of an old, worn out sweater. Not what I was going for!

For the sweater knit with Patons, I had washed and dried it with the rest of our laundry -- no special treatment -- dozens of times. It was constantly in rotation due to how often my son had worn it. The sweater knit with Patons even after years of machine washing looks far better than the sweater knit with Dream in Color after one washing.

Be careful with Dream in Color when you're truly making a machine washable garment. For a child, without question the garment needs to at least be able to be washed on the delicate cycle. Take the 'superwash' with a grain of salt. I've seen it hand wash and block out beautifully and that's how it should be treated in my opinion.

Stick to wool/acrylic blends for kids knits in particular. I think that the blends that are in our craft stores and LYSs are far underrated and have gotten a bad rap. Don't swear them off too quick. You'll find a wide array of attractive colors, soft fibers (even if they are acrylic) and you'll save a boatload of money especially when compared to Dream in Color Classy's steep $18 a hank price tag.

The good news is that after hand washing, depilling and overall general fuddling with, the Dream in Color sweater did regain some of its integrity and is at least presentable now. My son loved the sweater and it'll keep him cozy and warm for some time to come -- or at least until the next growth spurt.


added later: I did what to say that I've knit a couple of sweaters for my boys using Mission Falls 1824 wool and they wash up beautifully and are so, so soft. Not all superwash wools are created equal!

A tale of two sweaters

This is the sweater that I knit for my son for Christmas. It fits and he loves it... in fact, he's hardly taken it off since he unwrapped it Christmas morning. I used Dream in Color Classy in the November Muse colorway, yarn held doubled. I have knit this sweater before...

I knit this one late in 2006 for my boy. This one is Patons Shetland Chunky that my son picked out himself. He wore the heck out of this one and it has outlasted his growth spurts... it's still in excellent condition, just sadly too small.

In hindsight, I should have used the same yarn the second time around and saved a boatload of money not to mention stress. The Dream in Color knit up beautifully. It was a treat to work up and created such a lovely, squooshy fabric. All was well until it hit the washer. I washed it on the handwash cycle in my washing machine. I peeked on it several times during the washing process and was a bit alarmed by what I found... large clumps of fluffy wool coming out of the sweater. Still though, I pressed on and the sweater seemed to be faring well... I figured it was just part of the first wash process.

Then I put it in the dryer -- again on the delicate cycle. It took forever to dry up but it sprung back in to shape fairly well. What I wasn't expecting was how the sweater would come out dull in color and covered in pills. Overall the sweater had a halo but not a good one -- definitely the look of an old, worn out sweater. Not what I was going for!

For the sweater knit with Patons, I had washed and dried it with the rest of our laundry -- no special treatment -- dozens of times. It was constantly in rotation due to how often my son had worn it. The sweater knit with Patons even after years of machine washing looks far better than the sweater knit with Dream in Color after one washing.

Be careful with Dream in Color when you're truly making a machine washable garment. For a child, without question the garment needs to at least be able to be washed on the delicate cycle. Take the 'superwash' with a grain of salt. I've seen it hand wash and block out beautifully and that's how it should be treated in my opinion.

Stick to wool/acrylic blends for kids knits in particular. I think that the blends that are in our craft stores and LYSs are far underrated and have gotten a bad rap. Don't swear them off too quick. You'll find a wide array of attractive colors, soft fibers (even if they are acrylic) and you'll save a boatload of money especially when compared to Dream in Color Classy's steep $18 a hank price tag.

The good news is that after hand washing, depilling and overall general fuddling with, the Dream in Color sweater did regain some of its integrity and is at least presentable now. My son loved the sweater and it'll keep him cozy and warm for some time to come -- or at least until the next growth spurt.


added later: I did what to say that I've knit a couple of sweaters for my boys using Mission Falls 1824 wool and they wash up beautifully and are so, so soft. Not all superwash wools are created equal!

Merry Day After!

The best present this year was the train table that my husband and older son made for the wee one. My son has accumulated lots of the wooden train tracks and various Thomas and Brio trains and accessories over the years. Well he came up with the idea to give them to his little brother for Christmas. Then my husband took it up a few notches and decided he'd build a train table.

So, two days before Christmas he comes home with a sheet of mdf and went to town. In a matter of hours he had constructed a table. Over the course of the next two days before Christmas, he and my older son worked on all of the details... they sanded, primed, painted. Then they added a full landscape on the tabletop, designed a track, added accessories, then transferred it all to the table top and glued it all down.

Until now, the babe has played with the train tables at Barnes & Noble and the Science Center, but never had experienced them at home. We've been keeping our own train collection in hiding in anticipation of giving it to him eventually. He did have one Thomas train engine which he's pretty much played with constantly since he got it a few months ago so we knew that he was going to love this.

Needless to say, the babe was a bit overwhelmed on Christmas morning when he discovered the train table. I was definitely a little weepy because my guys put so much work and TLC in to this gift for the babe. It's definitely a present we'll never forget... the whole process is what I'll never forget.

Merry Day After!

The best present this year was the train table that my husband and older son made for the wee one. My son has accumulated lots of the wooden train tracks and various Thomas and Brio trains and accessories over the years. Well he came up with the idea to give them to his little brother for Christmas. Then my husband took it up a few notches and decided he'd build a train table.

So, two days before Christmas he comes home with a sheet of mdf and went to town. In a matter of hours he had constructed a table. Over the course of the next two days before Christmas, he and my older son worked on all of the details... they sanded, primed, painted. Then they added a full landscape on the tabletop, designed a track, added accessories, then transferred it all to the table top and glued it all down.

Until now, the babe has played with the train tables at Barnes & Noble and the Science Center, but never had experienced them at home. We've been keeping our own train collection in hiding in anticipation of giving it to him eventually. He did have one Thomas train engine which he's pretty much played with constantly since he got it a few months ago so we knew that he was going to love this.

Needless to say, the babe was a bit overwhelmed on Christmas morning when he discovered the train table. I was definitely a little weepy because my guys put so much work and TLC in to this gift for the babe. It's definitely a present we'll never forget... the whole process is what I'll never forget.

2008 in Review

Yes, yes, I know... Christmas isn't even here yet but I'm already gearing up for the end of 2008 and the new year. I love the promise of the new year. I love the chance to look back and reflect on the past year and all that has happened. What a year! It's been quite the year for my own family, but for all of us... it's just been such an eventful year. Just wow.

2008 in Review

Yes, yes, I know... Christmas isn't even here yet but I'm already gearing up for the end of 2008 and the new year. I love the promise of the new year. I love the chance to look back and reflect on the past year and all that has happened. What a year! It's been quite the year for my own family, but for all of us... it's just been such an eventful year. Just wow.

The Mom Song

AMEN!

The Mom Song

AMEN!

For the love of Wheel of Fortune

What is educational television in our household? Wheel of Fortune! Both of my boys love this show. It's the one show that's on that my 21 month old will actually sit with me for the duration. It's a nightly tradition. Dinner is done, we've just finished bathtime, then we sit down and watch Wheel of Fortune before bed. He's so funny! He sits on my lap and yells out letters at the screen. He has no idea what he's saying yet, but someday he's going to figure it out. I think it's hilarious to hear my baby boy yelling letters at the TV! My oldest son did this, too. I guess it's a family tradition!

For the love of Wheel of Fortune

What is educational television in our household? Wheel of Fortune! Both of my boys love this show. It's the one show that's on that my 21 month old will actually sit with me for the duration. It's a nightly tradition. Dinner is done, we've just finished bathtime, then we sit down and watch Wheel of Fortune before bed. He's so funny! He sits on my lap and yells out letters at the screen. He has no idea what he's saying yet, but someday he's going to figure it out. I think it's hilarious to hear my baby boy yelling letters at the TV! My oldest son did this, too. I guess it's a family tradition!

Warm Fuzzies

Today we had to go out of town pretty early. This meant that we needed to swing by the coffee shop for a shot of caffiene before we hit the highway. When I got to the window the clerk informed me that the car in front of us had paid for our order. In turn, I paid for the car behind me. The clerk let me know that I was the 32nd car in line to do so. I love that. It definitely kicked my day off with a smile and a warm fuzzy feeling which I really needed. 

On another note, I was just surfing Ravelry ... browsing the projects of my friends in particular. I have many many fellow knitters in my friends group on Ravelry. Of course, everyone I know and knit with in real life, then another layer of bloggers that I sort of know but only from online, and yet another layer of knitters I don't know at all ... you know how it goes... you're surfing projects of a particular pattern and come upon one stunning version. You click. You admire the knitters work. You click their name and get to take a treasured peek at their other wonders. You fall in love. You add them as a friend. Capeesh. I have accumulated many many contacts in this fashion. 

One Raveler in particular always has projects that stand out to me and I thought I'd share her with you. Her Ravelry name is LynneM. She just has a certain flair about her that I find to be so stylish. Her knitting, by the way, is also fabulous. She has knit numerous garments that are not only something to clothe you, cover you, keep you warm (the extent to my level of garment knitting)... but they're stylish, the fit is spot-on, they're subtle but full of detail. Love. She doesn't have a million projects listed, but the ones she does have I do admire. Tonight I stumbled upon one of her latest projects: mustaavillaa's Garter Ruffle Shawl. LynneM's story behind this knit is wonderful. It gave me the same warm-fuzzy feeling that I had this morning in line at the coffee shop. I think you should go read it. 

*I hope she doesn't mind that I linked to her here. Again, she's someone I don't know at all. 

Warm Fuzzies

Today we had to go out of town pretty early. This meant that we needed to swing by the coffee shop for a shot of caffiene before we hit the highway. When I got to the window the clerk informed me that the car in front of us had paid for our order. In turn, I paid for the car behind me. The clerk let me know that I was the 32nd car in line to do so. I love that. It definitely kicked my day off with a smile and a warm fuzzy feeling which I really needed. 

On another note, I was just surfing Ravelry ... browsing the projects of my friends in particular. I have many many fellow knitters in my friends group on Ravelry. Of course, everyone I know and knit with in real life, then another layer of bloggers that I sort of know but only from online, and yet another layer of knitters I don't know at all ... you know how it goes... you're surfing projects of a particular pattern and come upon one stunning version. You click. You admire the knitters work. You click their name and get to take a treasured peek at their other wonders. You fall in love. You add them as a friend. Capeesh. I have accumulated many many contacts in this fashion. 

One Raveler in particular always has projects that stand out to me and I thought I'd share her with you. Her Ravelry name is LynneM. She just has a certain flair about her that I find to be so stylish. Her knitting, by the way, is also fabulous. She has knit numerous garments that are not only something to clothe you, cover you, keep you warm (the extent to my level of garment knitting)... but they're stylish, the fit is spot-on, they're subtle but full of detail. Love. She doesn't have a million projects listed, but the ones she does have I do admire. Tonight I stumbled upon one of her latest projects: mustaavillaa's Garter Ruffle Shawl. LynneM's story behind this knit is wonderful. It gave me the same warm-fuzzy feeling that I had this morning in line at the coffee shop. I think you should go read it. 

*I hope she doesn't mind that I linked to her here. Again, she's someone I don't know at all. 

Ahh... breaktime

Today I'm taking a bonafide break... I'm sitting here on the couch eating a lunch of cheese and crackers, tomato soup and a clementine. I have my knitting closeby and I'm watching my guilty pleasure... The Hills episodes on MTV.com. I'm so hooked on this teenage drama. Haha! Does anyone else share this passion? 

We're thinking about canceling our sattelite service. We love the DVR but between the internet and Netflix, I think we could easily get rid of it and not notice very much. It's a thought...

I made beef stew this morning and it's simmering away in the crockpot. I have a loaf of 'take and bake' multi-grain bread that is so yummy. What beats a cup of beef stew and crusty bread on a frigid night? Not much. Comfort food for my guys... it's their favorite. 

The other day my husband had an exam for his life insurance policy... it was scheduled at 8 AM. The gal doing the exam showed up at 7:27! I was pretty annoyed. I let her in and let her know that I thought it was unprofessional that she was so early. She was pretty taken aback. But c'mon! I mean, it's one thing to be early to a 10 o'clock appointment, but first thing in the morning? I was still in my jammies, my kids were still half asleep. Heck, so was my husband. 

We have several inches of snow on the ground. We are expecting more snow tomorrow night and apparently there's quite the storm brewing for next week. I wonder if it'll be white like this until March like last year? It was a tough, long winter for all of us last year. I'm trying to shift my thinking and embrace winter and it's hard. I feel like I'm at loose ends without puttering around in my gardens, walking through the grass barefoot, drinking coffee at sunrise on the patio out back, drinking white wine on the porch out front at sunset, bbqing, homegrown tomatoes. I'm wistfully missing summer already. 

But what is there to love about winter. let's see... how about the show that the squirrels put on in our crabapple tree out back. It's always entertaining. The fresh blankets of snow that sparkle in the sunlight and the moonlight. The crisp cool air. The thrill of sledding ... this one I've already appreciated numerous times. I'm addicted to sledding. I think i'd love to ski. The reason to knit and wear handknit woolly goodies. The beautiful silvery moon, stars and planets in the sky. The wind that whips through the trees that clatter their branches and sound completely different than when they're swaying with leaves. The holidays. The new year. The promise of spring. The white puffy clouds. 

.... I've got to keep reminding myself of all of these things. Last year I didn't get outside during the winter months much at all. My baby boy was very baby last year and immobile. I spent my time indoors looking out and it was wearing. Now I'm lucky that he LOVES the snow and is fully willing to tromp around in it at least once a day. It's easier to deal with the cold and snow when we can at least get out in it and reconnect with the outdoors. That's the key. We're just not meant to be shut in for several months. Plus, even in the cold, the sunshine is still warm on my cheeks. 

OK, i'm off to knit and nosh and watch The Hills some more... I can't stand that Spencer! Blargh!

pardon me...

Ahh... breaktime

Today I'm taking a bonafide break... I'm sitting here on the couch eating a lunch of cheese and crackers, tomato soup and a clementine. I have my knitting closeby and I'm watching my guilty pleasure... The Hills episodes on MTV.com. I'm so hooked on this teenage drama. Haha! Does anyone else share this passion? 

We're thinking about canceling our sattelite service. We love the DVR but between the internet and Netflix, I think we could easily get rid of it and not notice very much. It's a thought...

I made beef stew this morning and it's simmering away in the crockpot. I have a loaf of 'take and bake' multi-grain bread that is so yummy. What beats a cup of beef stew and crusty bread on a frigid night? Not much. Comfort food for my guys... it's their favorite. 

The other day my husband had an exam for his life insurance policy... it was scheduled at 8 AM. The gal doing the exam showed up at 7:27! I was pretty annoyed. I let her in and let her know that I thought it was unprofessional that she was so early. She was pretty taken aback. But c'mon! I mean, it's one thing to be early to a 10 o'clock appointment, but first thing in the morning? I was still in my jammies, my kids were still half asleep. Heck, so was my husband. 

We have several inches of snow on the ground. We are expecting more snow tomorrow night and apparently there's quite the storm brewing for next week. I wonder if it'll be white like this until March like last year? It was a tough, long winter for all of us last year. I'm trying to shift my thinking and embrace winter and it's hard. I feel like I'm at loose ends without puttering around in my gardens, walking through the grass barefoot, drinking coffee at sunrise on the patio out back, drinking white wine on the porch out front at sunset, bbqing, homegrown tomatoes. I'm wistfully missing summer already. 

But what is there to love about winter. let's see... how about the show that the squirrels put on in our crabapple tree out back. It's always entertaining. The fresh blankets of snow that sparkle in the sunlight and the moonlight. The crisp cool air. The thrill of sledding ... this one I've already appreciated numerous times. I'm addicted to sledding. I think i'd love to ski. The reason to knit and wear handknit woolly goodies. The beautiful silvery moon, stars and planets in the sky. The wind that whips through the trees that clatter their branches and sound completely different than when they're swaying with leaves. The holidays. The new year. The promise of spring. The white puffy clouds. 

.... I've got to keep reminding myself of all of these things. Last year I didn't get outside during the winter months much at all. My baby boy was very baby last year and immobile. I spent my time indoors looking out and it was wearing. Now I'm lucky that he LOVES the snow and is fully willing to tromp around in it at least once a day. It's easier to deal with the cold and snow when we can at least get out in it and reconnect with the outdoors. That's the key. We're just not meant to be shut in for several months. Plus, even in the cold, the sunshine is still warm on my cheeks. 

OK, i'm off to knit and nosh and watch The Hills some more... I can't stand that Spencer! Blargh!

pardon me...

Wintry Wonderland

It snowed here in the Des Moines metro this weekend. It started midday Saturday and didn't let up until last night. It frosted all traces of Autumn and all of the sudden winter is upon us. The babe was amazed by the snow. He stood at the window in his PJs all morning gesturing and chattering on and on about it.

After a trek around town to find snowboots and snow pants for the boys, we headed out in to the snow to check it out. We went sledding, built mini snowmen, made snow angels. Such fun! I hope the novelty of winter doesn't wear off too early this year... maybe winter is a season we can enjoy after all.

With the snow and the passing of Thanksgiving, Christmas seems to be everywhere. Almost every house on our street is decked out with lights, blow up Christmas displays, the whole shebang. Some of my neighbors have had their trees up since Halloween! Christmastime seems to be here extra-early this year. I'm not sure why.

Normally I'd have our entire house decked out by now but I'm putting it off this year and my guys don't seem to mind -- heck, sometimes I wonder if they'd notice if I didn't put up a tree at all. I just want to put it off this year so we can truly enjoy it when it actually IS Christmas. Usually by then I'm overwhelmed and worn out by all things Christmas. That's not what it is all about.

What am I knitting? Let's see... a sweater for my oldest son, and a beret for myself. I'm really enjoying the beret because I'm using sock yarn for it. What a great way to use beautiful handpainted yarns without knitting yet another pair of socks. Best part? No second sock syndrome.

Anyway, I'm off. Have a good Monday and a great December. Slow down and don't get caught up in all of the commercialism. Cherish friends and family... and your knitting.

Wintry Wonderland

It snowed here in the Des Moines metro this weekend. It started midday Saturday and didn't let up until last night. It frosted all traces of Autumn and all of the sudden winter is upon us. The babe was amazed by the snow. He stood at the window in his PJs all morning gesturing and chattering on and on about it.

After a trek around town to find snowboots and snow pants for the boys, we headed out in to the snow to check it out. We went sledding, built mini snowmen, made snow angels. Such fun! I hope the novelty of winter doesn't wear off too early this year... maybe winter is a season we can enjoy after all.

With the snow and the passing of Thanksgiving, Christmas seems to be everywhere. Almost every house on our street is decked out with lights, blow up Christmas displays, the whole shebang. Some of my neighbors have had their trees up since Halloween! Christmastime seems to be here extra-early this year. I'm not sure why.

Normally I'd have our entire house decked out by now but I'm putting it off this year and my guys don't seem to mind -- heck, sometimes I wonder if they'd notice if I didn't put up a tree at all. I just want to put it off this year so we can truly enjoy it when it actually IS Christmas. Usually by then I'm overwhelmed and worn out by all things Christmas. That's not what it is all about.

What am I knitting? Let's see... a sweater for my oldest son, and a beret for myself. I'm really enjoying the beret because I'm using sock yarn for it. What a great way to use beautiful handpainted yarns without knitting yet another pair of socks. Best part? No second sock syndrome.

Anyway, I'm off. Have a good Monday and a great December. Slow down and don't get caught up in all of the commercialism. Cherish friends and family... and your knitting.

Chazzie is my little brother...

We had a whirlwind Thanksgiving get-outta-town trip to my parents house three hours northeast of here. We hadn't been up to see them in months... I was missing them pretty fiercely. I craved my Dad's phenomenal grilled turkey, and my Mom's mashed taters and pecan pie. Comfort food... but elevated because it was prepared by my parents. It was great to see them. Also great to see my baby brother Chaz who is not so baby any more... he's 16 now and a junior in high school. He also towers over his big sister. He's a star soccer player, a bass singer in the school choir, the lead in the school play, the pizza jockey at Joe's, he's The Dude. So cool. Joe cool. He's always reminded me of Linus from Charlie Brown. Just a little mussed, but so wise and sweet and kind. He even toted around a baby blue blankey until ahem... not that long ago really. I keep meaning to make him a grownup blankey... a more suitable dusty blue squooshy soft afghan seems to be in order, don't you think? Yes, if it isn't obvious, I adore my baby brother Chaz. It's just the two of us... yes... 14 years apart. Our relationship is one of a kind. I can't wait until he's a grown-up and he has a family of his own. I'll be one doting Auntie, that's for sure. 

Chazzie is my little brother...

We had a whirlwind Thanksgiving get-outta-town trip to my parents house three hours northeast of here. We hadn't been up to see them in months... I was missing them pretty fiercely. I craved my Dad's phenomenal grilled turkey, and my Mom's mashed taters and pecan pie. Comfort food... but elevated because it was prepared by my parents. It was great to see them. Also great to see my baby brother Chaz who is not so baby any more... he's 16 now and a junior in high school. He also towers over his big sister. He's a star soccer player, a bass singer in the school choir, the lead in the school play, the pizza jockey at Joe's, he's The Dude. So cool. Joe cool. He's always reminded me of Linus from Charlie Brown. Just a little mussed, but so wise and sweet and kind. He even toted around a baby blue blankey until ahem... not that long ago really. I keep meaning to make him a grownup blankey... a more suitable dusty blue squooshy soft afghan seems to be in order, don't you think? Yes, if it isn't obvious, I adore my baby brother Chaz. It's just the two of us... yes... 14 years apart. Our relationship is one of a kind. I can't wait until he's a grown-up and he has a family of his own. I'll be one doting Auntie, that's for sure.

mittens galore

I have a great admiration and appreciation for knitted mittens. I always have grand plans to knit mittens like crazy but don't seem to ever get around to it. I will one of these days. In the mean time, I'll keep admiring other handknit beauties. Right now on the Ravelry 'People' page, there is a grouping of knitters who have the most favorited handknit mittens... all I can say is WOW! Check out these beauties! I know you'll be as impressed and in awe as I am. Kind of makes me want to go cast on a mitt right now.

mittens galore

I have a great admiration and appreciation for knitted mittens. I always have grand plans to knit mittens like crazy but don't seem to ever get around to it. I will one of these days. In the mean time, I'll keep admiring other handknit beauties. Right now on the Ravelry 'People' page, there is a grouping of knitters who have the most favorited handknit mittens... all I can say is WOW! Check out these beauties! I know you'll be as impressed and in awe as I am. Kind of makes me want to go cast on a mitt right now.

what to post... what to post...

I didn't mean to go silent on my blog last week. I'm just having a hard time focusing on things to blog about. Fun things to blog about. Not stressful things to blog about which is how I've felt this past week (well... many many weeks actually). It's all sort of coming to a head now and hopefully will all get in line real darn quick here.

Basically my husband is going to be changing careers... going from being self-employed for the last year renovating/flipping/renting houses to going back to work. Not a place he wants to go. I hate to bring it up, but it's 100% driven by the economy woes and how no banks are lending any money to anyone. We have three houses we're trying to rent or sell and that's stressing me out, too. So basically we have houses to sell but no buyers... and no money to buy houses with. Makes it hard to keep this going, don't you think?

We've really enjoyed having my husband working for himself for the last year. He's rejoined the human race and not slaved away making millions for someone else like he did for the last decade. It's not a fun place to be for any of us. It's hard to transition back to that. But I guess the good news is that my husband has several very promising job leads that we hope will come to light this week. All of them will be a major change for our family though so that's hard to swallow.

Not knowing what is going to happen in the near future leaves me with lots of nervous energy and tension. It makes it hard to focus on anything for any period of time.

I did finish my husband's Cobblestone sweater and it turned out perfectly. I also finished a pair of socks for him. Now I'm working on a sweater for my oldest son for Christmas.

Other than knitting, yesterday I had a blast playing outside. It was in the 50s and it was beautiful. No wind, bright sunshine. I soaked up as much as I could. I raked our entire back yard again (nervous energy to burn), and took my boys to the park. It felt great to get outside and run around after quite a cold week we had last week. The temps are supposed to go back down today but the sunshine is still here and that makes me happy. I'm going to make an effort to bundle up and get out as much as I can because it's so good for the soul and the mood of this Mama!

So, in the mean time I'll be here pacing, fretting, twiddling my thumbs while I wait and see what is in store for this family next. It's all an adventure. We're up for just about anything... it's the waiting that eats away at me. I'm keeping positive thoughts though. It's all good. Have a good one, my friends.

what to post... what to post...

I didn't mean to go silent on my blog last week. I'm just having a hard time focusing on things to blog about. Fun things to blog about. Not stressful things to blog about which is how I've felt this past week (well... many many weeks actually). It's all sort of coming to a head now and hopefully will all get in line real darn quick here.

Basically my husband is going to be changing careers... going from being self-employed for the last year renovating/flipping/renting houses to going back to work. Not a place he wants to go. I hate to bring it up, but it's 100% driven by the economy woes and how no banks are lending any money to anyone. We have three houses we're trying to rent or sell and that's stressing me out, too. So basically we have houses to sell but no buyers... and no money to buy houses with. Makes it hard to keep this going, don't you think?

We've really enjoyed having my husband working for himself for the last year. He's rejoined the human race and not slaved away making millions for someone else like he did for the last decade. It's not a fun place to be for any of us. It's hard to transition back to that. But I guess the good news is that my husband has several very promising job leads that we hope will come to light this week. All of them will be a major change for our family though so that's hard to swallow.

Not knowing what is going to happen in the near future leaves me with lots of nervous energy and tension. It makes it hard to focus on anything for any period of time.

I did finish my husband's Cobblestone sweater and it turned out perfectly. I also finished a pair of socks for him. Now I'm working on a sweater for my oldest son for Christmas.

Other than knitting, yesterday I had a blast playing outside. It was in the 50s and it was beautiful. No wind, bright sunshine. I soaked up as much as I could. I raked our entire back yard again (nervous energy to burn), and took my boys to the park. It felt great to get outside and run around after quite a cold week we had last week. The temps are supposed to go back down today but the sunshine is still here and that makes me happy. I'm going to make an effort to bundle up and get out as much as I can because it's so good for the soul and the mood of this Mama!

So, in the mean time I'll be here pacing, fretting, twiddling my thumbs while I wait and see what is in store for this family next. It's all an adventure. We're up for just about anything... it's the waiting that eats away at me. I'm keeping positive thoughts though. It's all good. Have a good one, my friends.

STR Mediumweight

This week, I'd like to tell you about another favorite sock yarn of mine: Socks that Rock, meidumweight from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. This is probably the sock yarn I've bought and used the most of since it first became available nationally. This yarn base is pure squooshy scrumptious quality.

STR Mediumweight is 100% superwash merino wool and tightly spun. It retains incredible softness and warmth wash after wash. They are the socks I reach for first... my warmest, softest socks.

The mediumweight is quite a bit heavier than fingering weight sock yarn. I knit it up anywhere from size 2-4 needles with 3 being the most common... and I usually knit fingering weight on size US 0-1. The yardage is fantastic for this yarn for the price especially when compared to other heavier weight sock yarns. You get 380 yds. for $22.50. That's a lot of sock for your buck if you ask me.

Socks that Rock comes in the large variety of colorways. I love them all, however, I tend to lean more towards the watercolor and shaded solids. The multi-colored yarns are beautiful, and I warn you they are irresistable in the hank but I always have a hard time getting the yarn to behave and not pool its colors as I knit it up.

With all the choices on the market for sock yarn, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Mediumweight stands out among the crowd. I've never found another yarn similar to it. It's pure quality and definitely special yarn. I highly recommend it, if you haven't tried it already.

STR Mediumweight

This week, I'd like to tell you about another favorite sock yarn of mine: Socks that Rock, meidumweight from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. This is probably the sock yarn I've bought and used the most of since it first became available nationally. This yarn base is pure squooshy scrumptious quality.

STR Mediumweight is 100% superwash merino wool and tightly spun. It retains incredible softness and warmth wash after wash. They are the socks I reach for first... my warmest, softest socks.

The mediumweight is quite a bit heavier than fingering weight sock yarn. I knit it up anywhere from size 2-4 needles with 3 being the most common... and I usually knit fingering weight on size US 0-1. The yardage is fantastic for this yarn for the price especially when compared to other heavier weight sock yarns. You get 380 yds. for $22.50. That's a lot of sock for your buck if you ask me.

Socks that Rock comes in the large variety of colorways. I love them all, however, I tend to lean more towards the watercolor and shaded solids. The multi-colored yarns are beautiful, and I warn you they are irresistable in the hank but I always have a hard time getting the yarn to behave and not pool its colors as I knit it up.

With all the choices on the market for sock yarn, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Mediumweight stands out among the crowd. I've never found another yarn similar to it. It's pure quality and definitely special yarn. I highly recommend it, if you haven't tried it already.

A toast to Knit Night.

Thursday night finally arrives ... it's been a long, full week. Like so many others, we're feeling the pressure in our own circumstances. That's life. But this week it's been compounding and I really needed Thursday knit night with my friends.

I leave about 20 minutes before our set time. It's the height of evening chaos in my house. Dinnertime is usually still in progress, bathtime, homework, it's all happening. It's strange each week to just walk out of that scene on Thursday nights.

I grab my knitting, coat, keys, a couple bucks for a soda. Kiss my boys goodbye and shut the door behind me. Leaving the warmth and energy and attitudes for Daddy to deal with for one night. I get in my rockin' minivan and crank up my music. Pull out and glide down the street. Last night it was raining and I was struck by how sparkly and pretty the street lights, car lights looked in the rain. Blurry. Number 10 on Coldplay's latest CD was playing and I started to get a lump in my throat.

Sitting at the stoplight waiting to turn left felt like it took 10 minutes. I had such a rush of emotion. Blurry car lights in the shiny black rain. Memories of our family vacation to New England flash. The pressure of this week comes crushing down and in a split moment I CRY. I smile. I laugh. It all comes flooding out just as Number 10 on the CD mounts. I turn left finally and cruise down Hickman. The tempo picks up and before I hit the next stoplight I'm done crying. I'm thinking forward to my friends at the cafe. How I dearly need to see them. How I do every week and have for four years. I need them. It's not just about the knitting. It's about our sisterhood. It's about our knitting family.

I pull in to the parking spot at the grocery store. I park in the back of the lot... farthest from the door. Get out, put my hood up to protect myself from the rain. Make sure my knitting bag is closed tight so my wooly wonders don't get wet. I'm struck by how warm it feels out despite the cold rain. A quick walk in to the store and I have a bounce in my step in anticipation of seeing the familiar faces of my knitting friends.

There they are. Ahh. I settle in and settle down. All is right in the universe again. Small talk. Smiles. Laughter. Stories. Woes. Wonderment. New patterns. New Yarns. New projects. New friends. Old friends. Dear friends. I love this. I love them. I love it. I hope you all know how important you are to me. I hope you all know what a special thing we have. Thanks for that. :)

A toast to Knit Night.

Thursday night finally arrives ... it's been a long, full week. Like so many others, we're feeling the pressure in our own circumstances. That's life. But this week it's been compounding and I really needed Thursday knit night with my friends.

I leave about 20 minutes before our set time. It's the height of evening chaos in my house. Dinnertime is usually still in progress, bathtime, homework, it's all happening. It's strange each week to just walk out of that scene on Thursday nights.

I grab my knitting, coat, keys, a couple bucks for a soda. Kiss my boys goodbye and shut the door behind me. Leaving the warmth and energy and attitudes for Daddy to deal with for one night. I get in my rockin' minivan and crank up my music. Pull out and glide down the street. Last night it was raining and I was struck by how sparkly and pretty the street lights, car lights looked in the rain. Blurry. Number 10 on Coldplay's latest CD was playing and I started to get a lump in my throat.

Sitting at the stoplight waiting to turn left felt like it took 10 minutes. I had such a rush of emotion. Blurry car lights in the shiny black rain. Memories of our family vacation to New England flash. The pressure of this week comes crushing down and in a split moment I CRY. I smile. I laugh. It all comes flooding out just as Number 10 on the CD mounts. I turn left finally and cruise down Hickman. The tempo picks up and before I hit the next stoplight I'm done crying. I'm thinking forward to my friends at the cafe. How I dearly need to see them. How I do every week and have for four years. I need them. It's not just about the knitting. It's about our sisterhood. It's about our knitting family.

I pull in to the parking spot at the grocery store. I park in the back of the lot... farthest from the door. Get out, put my hood up to protect myself from the rain. Make sure my knitting bag is closed tight so my wooly wonders don't get wet. I'm struck by how warm it feels out despite the cold rain. A quick walk in to the store and I have a bounce in my step in anticipation of seeing the familiar faces of my knitting friends.

There they are. Ahh. I settle in and settle down. All is right in the universe again. Small talk. Smiles. Laughter. Stories. Woes. Wonderment. New patterns. New Yarns. New projects. New friends. Old friends. Dear friends. I love this. I love them. I love it. I hope you all know how important you are to me. I hope you all know what a special thing we have. Thanks for that. :)

Twist Collective, Winter 2008

Oh, my friends. You have to go check out the new issue of Twist Collective. There are many, many stunning patterns. While sitting here, I'm knitting on a garter stitch lengthwise scarf for charity... perfect knitting for reading articles. I just read Taking Good Care by Margaret Klein Wilson and loved it. I know you will, too. I have to admit, I've never gotten knitting magazines for the articles. I'm all about pattern pron. Hah.

Anyway, I LOVE LOVE LOVE almost all of the patterns... no ... all of the patterns in this issue. The one I'll probably knit is called Vaila which is a textured pullover that is so.beautiful. I have some Dream in Color classy in November Muse (browns) in my stash which I'll probably use. This will wait until everything else is off my needles, though. We're on lockdown here, folks. I also love Norah Gaughan's cabled cardi... even the color. This one might go on the queue list. A few other faves: Ysolda's cabled cardi... such feminine shaping! The Harika socks, they look like fun! The entrelac beret looks like the perfect 'something different' project. The cable panel on Sylvi is STUNNING. I might buy this pattern down the road just for the panel. I do have to admit that I don't like where it is placed on the cardi... what a shame to have all that detail hidden underneath a hood!? I might use it on an afghan ... someday. The post war mittens are also very cute.

I also love Stormsvale, Rebecca, the Ariosa cowl ... gosh! I could go on! Twist Collective is a 'free' online publication full of beautiful lavish photos, articles, and columns. You can browse the patterns and purchase them individually. I think this is brilliant. The benefit is that designers get proper credit for their work and they make money from each sale by folks purchasing the patterns individually.

I was not aware that designers of knitware were paid so little when selling their designs to larger publications like Interweave Knits. Just a couple hundred dollars for something that could take off like wildfire just doesn't seem right... as knitters we can identify with how long the planning process takes to knit a sweater, let alone write out an original design. I have a lot more respect for designers after reading various articles and listening to a few podcasts on the subject. It's something I took for granted before. In fact, the first issue of Twist, for me, was just eye candy. I took it at face value and the creators didn't shove in our face why their way was better. They don't need to do that. It's all the other twitter around blogland that has brought it to light. Now I look at this second issue of Twist a little differently. Now I care.

Twist Collective, Winter 2008

Oh, my friends. You have to go check out the new issue of Twist Collective. There are many, many stunning patterns. While sitting here, I'm knitting on a garter stitch lengthwise scarf for charity... perfect knitting for reading articles. I just read Taking Good Care by Margaret Klein Wilson and loved it. I know you will, too. I have to admit, I've never gotten knitting magazines for the articles. I'm all about pattern pron. Hah.

Anyway, I LOVE LOVE LOVE almost all of the patterns... no ... all of the patterns in this issue. The one I'll probably knit is called Vaila which is a textured pullover that is so.beautiful. I have some Dream in Color classy in November Muse (browns) in my stash which I'll probably use. This will wait until everything else is off my needles, though. We're on lockdown here, folks. I also love Norah Gaughan's cabled cardi... even the color. This one might go on the queue list. A few other faves: Ysolda's cabled cardi... such feminine shaping! The Harika socks, they look like fun! The entrelac beret looks like the perfect 'something different' project. The cable panel on Sylvi is STUNNING. I might buy this pattern down the road just for the panel. I do have to admit that I don't like where it is placed on the cardi... what a shame to have all that detail hidden underneath a hood!? I might use it on an afghan ... someday. The post war mittens are also very cute.

I also love Stormsvale, Rebecca, the Ariosa cowl ... gosh! I could go on! Twist Collective is a 'free' online publication full of beautiful lavish photos, articles, and columns. You can browse the patterns and purchase them individually. I think this is brilliant. The benefit is that designers get proper credit for their work and they make money from each sale by folks purchasing the patterns individually.

I was not aware that designers of knitware were paid so little when selling their designs to larger publications like Interweave Knits. Just a couple hundred dollars for something that could take off like wildfire just doesn't seem right... as knitters we can identify with how long the planning process takes to knit a sweater, let alone write out an original design. I have a lot more respect for designers after reading various articles and listening to a few podcasts on the subject. It's something I took for granted before. In fact, the first issue of Twist, for me, was just eye candy. I took it at face value and the creators didn't shove in our face why their way was better. They don't need to do that. It's all the other twitter around blogland that has brought it to light. Now I look at this second issue of Twist a little differently. Now I care.

knitting sickness

I think there is such a thing... knitting sickness. My mind is overtaken with all things knitting related. I obsess about patterns, yarns, my projects, my stash, books, blogs, yadda yadda. I get so caught up with it that I don't realize how it's affecting other areas of my life. For example... I used to have other hobbies! Shock! I used to read books and not just listen to audio books so I could accomodate my knitting. I used to scrapbook. I used to do other crafty things. I even have a sewing machine that is a year old that I've never used. It's another hobby that would require teaching myself a whole new set of skills. It just takes too much time from knitting.

Whoa man. This isn't good. Is it? Most of the time it seems like a healthy obsession. I am knitting for my family. I knit for charity. I knit things for myself that make me happy. Those are all good things and I don't deny it. But I miss reading. I miss scrapbooking. I miss other outlets of my life. I go through this every few months. I put away everything related to knitting for a short while. It seems that in order not to get crazed about my knitting I have to banish it from my life.

What I need to find is some middle ground.

I need to get disciplined.

I need to not set such crazy deadlines on myself to get something finished.

I need a change of pace. I need to dig the rest of my life out from under all of this yarn.

I'm only half kidding.

When I taught myself how to knit, I was embracing the idea of learning something new. Taking the time to learn new things, read instructions, broaden my crafty horizons. All that seems to be squelched. It feels easier to stick with what I know. Something I'm already good at.

Time seems so limited as it is. Two kids. Husband. Life. There isn't much time left for hobbies. So I stick with what I know so I can actually see progress. Spreading myself between numerous hobbies seems like having too many projects on the needles and never seeing much progress.

Do you ever feel like this? Maybe you have it all figured out. I don't know. Am I the only one?

knitting sickness

I think there is such a thing... knitting sickness. My mind is overtaken with all things knitting related. I obsess about patterns, yarns, my projects, my stash, books, blogs, yadda yadda. I get so caught up with it that I don't realize how it's affecting other areas of my life. For example... I used to have other hobbies! Shock! I used to read books and not just listen to audio books so I could accomodate my knitting. I used to scrapbook. I used to do other crafty things. I even have a sewing machine that is a year old that I've never used. It's another hobby that would require teaching myself a whole new set of skills. It just takes too much time from knitting.

Whoa man. This isn't good. Is it? Most of the time it seems like a healthy obsession. I am knitting for my family. I knit for charity. I knit things for myself that make me happy. Those are all good things and I don't deny it. But I miss reading. I miss scrapbooking. I miss other outlets of my life. I go through this every few months. I put away everything related to knitting for a short while. It seems that in order not to get crazed about my knitting I have to banish it from my life.

What I need to find is some middle ground.

I need to get disciplined.

I need to not set such crazy deadlines on myself to get something finished.

I need a change of pace. I need to dig the rest of my life out from under all of this yarn.

I'm only half kidding.

When I taught myself how to knit, I was embracing the idea of learning something new. Taking the time to learn new things, read instructions, broaden my crafty horizons. All that seems to be squelched. It feels easier to stick with what I know. Something I'm already good at.

Time seems so limited as it is. Two kids. Husband. Life. There isn't much time left for hobbies. So I stick with what I know so I can actually see progress. Spreading myself between numerous hobbies seems like having too many projects on the needles and never seeing much progress.

Do you ever feel like this? Maybe you have it all figured out. I don't know. Am I the only one?

a couple links

WEBS has a new web site design and it looks great! nice job!

My favorite LYS is Purl Diva in Brunswick, Maine... yea, not exactly local but still my favorite. I read the store blog daily and today there was a link to an article about Twist Collective which I found to be interesting and enlightening. Twist Collective has beautiful patterns for sale for their fall 2008 issue. I personally want to knit Wisteria. The winter 2008 issue should be live this week, according to the article.

a couple links

WEBS has a new web site design and it looks great! nice job!

My favorite LYS is Purl Diva in Brunswick, Maine... yea, not exactly local but still my favorite. I read the store blog daily and today there was a link to an article about Twist Collective which I found to be interesting and enlightening. Twist Collective has beautiful patterns for sale for their fall 2008 issue. I personally want to knit Wisteria. The winter 2008 issue should be live this week, according to the article.

NoMoNaKniSweMoBloPoMoHoHoHo

Secretly, I've been participating in NaBloPoMo this month. I signed up and everything. I wasn't going to mention it here until the end of the month so then I could say SEE! LOOK WHAT I DID! But alas, I already broke the rules -- I missed posting to the blog both days this weekend. Blargh! I didn't plan on it, it just happened. I wanted to do this but really, what's the big deal? Oh well! So there you have it, folks -- I'm a NaBloPoMo dropout!

I also am not going to be freaking out over finishing a sweater this month for NaKniSweMo. I have way too many projects on the needles and am starting to get those crazy Christmas present projects in my mind that I'm actually considering -- afghans, sweaters, socks... oh my! hahaha -- yea! right!

So there you have it. I'm a slacker. You can call me that if you want. I won't cry.

NoMoNaKniSweMoBloPoMoHoHoHo

Secretly, I've been participating in NaBloPoMo this month. I signed up and everything. I wasn't going to mention it here until the end of the month so then I could say SEE! LOOK WHAT I DID! But alas, I already broke the rules -- I missed posting to the blog both days this weekend. Blargh! I didn't plan on it, it just happened. I wanted to do this but really, what's the big deal? Oh well! So there you have it, folks -- I'm a NaBloPoMo dropout!

I also am not going to be freaking out over finishing a sweater this month for NaKniSweMo. I have way too many projects on the needles and am starting to get those crazy Christmas present projects in my mind that I'm actually considering -- afghans, sweaters, socks... oh my! hahaha -- yea! right!

So there you have it. I'm a slacker. You can call me that if you want. I won't cry.

Creatively Dyed luxury sock

Tonight I thought I'd start a new sort of regular post on my blog. Each week I'm going to tell you about one of my tried and true, favorite knitting related things ... a good yarn, a certain book, pattern designer, whatever strikes my fancy. Tonight I thought I'd lead off with one of my favorite sock yarns... what else??

I've bought a lot of sock yarn over the years. I've knit up a lot of sock yarn. I tend to be a little more careful when making my selections nowadays. My not-so-strict rules are:

... something I haven't tried yet and I think might be different than all the rest.
...if it is a yarn I've bought before, I have to have used it up and loved it.
...souvenir yarn bought from a LYS where I'm traveling, and hopefully a product from that state.

Creatively Dyed luxury sock (80% Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon) is now one of my favorite sock yarns. I knit up these socks to the left (rav link) last June in the Hot Salsa colorway. I loved how the yarn didn't pool but had brilliant color variations. The base yarn is special and different because it has a smidge of cashmere in it. This is the first time I've knit socks with cashmere. I was skeptical that just 10% cashmere would make this yarn feel that different.. but it certainly does. These socks are softer than my other socks but so far have held up beautifully. I machine wash these with the rest of the family laundry (on cold) and lay flat to dry. I used the Monkey sock pattern on size US1/2.25mm needles.

So if you've 'tried it all' when it comes to sock yarn and are looking for something different, try Creatively Dyed luxury sock. You'll love it.

Creatively Dyed luxury sock

Tonight I thought I'd start a new sort of regular post on my blog. Each week I'm going to tell you about one of my tried and true, favorite knitting related things ... a good yarn, a certain book, pattern designer, whatever strikes my fancy. Tonight I thought I'd lead off with one of my favorite sock yarns... what else??

I've bought a lot of sock yarn over the years. I've knit up a lot of sock yarn. I tend to be a little more careful when making my selections nowadays. My not-so-strict rules are:

... something I haven't tried yet and I think might be different than all the rest.
...if it is a yarn I've bought before, I have to have used it up and loved it.
...souvenir yarn bought from a LYS where I'm traveling, and hopefully a product from that state.

Creatively Dyed luxury sock (80% Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon) is now one of my favorite sock yarns. I knit up these socks to the left (rav link) last June in the Hot Salsa colorway. I loved how the yarn didn't pool but had brilliant color variations. The base yarn is special and different because it has a smidge of cashmere in it. This is the first time I've knit socks with cashmere. I was skeptical that just 10% cashmere would make this yarn feel that different.. but it certainly does. These socks are softer than my other socks but so far have held up beautifully. I machine wash these with the rest of the family laundry (on cold) and lay flat to dry. I used the Monkey sock pattern on size US1/2.25mm needles.

So if you've 'tried it all' when it comes to sock yarn and are looking for something different, try Creatively Dyed luxury sock. You'll love it.

yes, this really is just a post about the weather.

The only thing that has been consistent about our weather in the last few days is that it has sucked for the most part. I will acknowledge that before all this wonky weather we were spoiled with beautiful Indian summer conditions.

But now, mother nature keeps changing things up on us... sun, rain, sun, hail, sun, wind, cold, rain, thunder, severe storm, sun, rain, and soon we're expecting to see the snow flurries roll in. I have to admit it's kind of exciting in an odd way. The dramatic sky with white puffy snowclouds and dark gray storms off in the distance make a great backdrop for the last few fall leaves on the trees.

Weather is in the forefront of the minds of Iowans pretty much all the time. I can't imagine living in a climate where things stayed the same all the time. Like when we were in Hawaii... it never changed. Of course, it was always great so that was a bonus but it got to be kind of boring. The local TV weatherman didn't get much action on the newscast. What a difference from here where our weather folks lead off the news pretty often.

yes, this really is just a post about the weather.

The only thing that has been consistent about our weather in the last few days is that it has sucked for the most part. I will acknowledge that before all this wonky weather we were spoiled with beautiful Indian summer conditions.

But now, mother nature keeps changing things up on us... sun, rain, sun, hail, sun, wind, cold, rain, thunder, severe storm, sun, rain, and soon we're expecting to see the snow flurries roll in. I have to admit it's kind of exciting in an odd way. The dramatic sky with white puffy snowclouds and dark gray storms off in the distance make a great backdrop for the last few fall leaves on the trees.

Weather is in the forefront of the minds of Iowans pretty much all the time. I can't imagine living in a climate where things stayed the same all the time. Like when we were in Hawaii... it never changed. Of course, it was always great so that was a bonus but it got to be kind of boring. The local TV weatherman didn't get much action on the newscast. What a difference from here where our weather folks lead off the news pretty often.

Creamy Dreamy

I seem to be drawn to creamy white knits lately. This is a color that I've never really given much thought. In a world of beautiful yarns hand-dyed every shade of the rainbow, creamy vanilla yarn is what stands out the most to me.

The few times that I have worked with undyed yarn have been a real treat. Like I've said before, undyed yarn feels softer and squooshier to me... and it is... because it's less processed. I guess that goes hand in hand with the whole organic yarn trend but that's not what I'm getting at. I just love the look of aran sweaters and intricate socks in creamy dreamy vanilla yarns.

I did end up snagging a creamy skein of natural Malabrigo Sock at TLE last night. Marshmalabrigo...mmmmmmmmmm.

Yes Yes Yes!

Last night was exhilarating! Watching the election results come in went a lot faster than I thought it would... geez... especially when compared to the last two Presidential elections.

It was amazing to watch history play out on TV. The emotional release I felt when Barack Obama was announced the winner caught me off guard. It was a release of pent up frustration and a new, overwhelming sense of hope that rushed over me like a comforting warmth. I cried and cried. Historical! Emotional! Electric!

My friend Lynda wrote a blog post yesterday that I took to heart. She said it so well... you should go read her words. I'm going to hold on to this feeling and be there for my family, my friends, my brothers and sisters, my neighbors, my community. It's just one of the many messages that have resonated with me during Barack Obama's campaign. He has already touched my life in many ways just with his words. I can't wait to see what he does for our country during his time as president.

I AM my brother's keeper, I AM my sister's keeper. YES WE CAN!

Creamy Dreamy

I seem to be drawn to creamy white knits lately. This is a color that I've never really given much thought. In a world of beautiful yarns hand-dyed every shade of the rainbow, creamy vanilla yarn is what stands out the most to me.

The few times that I have worked with undyed yarn have been a real treat. Like I've said before, undyed yarn feels softer and squooshier to me... and it is... because it's less processed. I guess that goes hand in hand with the whole organic yarn trend but that's not what I'm getting at. I just love the look of aran sweaters and intricate socks in creamy dreamy vanilla yarns.

I did end up snagging a creamy skein of natural Malabrigo Sock at TLE last night. Marshmalabrigo...mmmmmmmmmm.

Yes Yes Yes!

Last night was exhilarating! Watching the election results come in went a lot faster than I thought it would... geez... especially when compared to the last two Presidential elections.

It was amazing to watch history play out on TV. The emotional release I felt when Barack Obama was announced the winner caught me off guard. It was a release of pent up frustration and a new, overwhelming sense of hope that rushed over me like a comforting warmth. I cried and cried. Historical! Emotional! Electric!

My friend Lynda wrote a blog post yesterday that I took to heart. She said it so well... you should go read her words. I'm going to hold on to this feeling and be there for my family, my friends, my brothers and sisters, my neighbors, my community. It's just one of the many messages that have resonated with me during Barack Obama's campaign. He has already touched my life in many ways just with his words. I can't wait to see what he does for our country during his time as president.

I AM my brother's keeper, I AM my sister's keeper. YES WE CAN!

VOTE

VOTE vote vote vote VOTE vote vote vote VOTE vote vote vote VOTE

Today feels a bit like Independence Day, doesn't it? Very red white and blue, very patriotic. It feels great to be a part of this big great country. It feels great to be a part of the process. It's one of the millions of reasons I'm proud to be American.

So go VOTE, folks!

VOTE

VOTE vote vote vote VOTE vote vote vote VOTE vote vote vote VOTE

Today feels a bit like Independence Day, doesn't it? Very red white and blue, very patriotic. It feels great to be a part of this big great country. It feels great to be a part of the process. It's one of the millions of reasons I'm proud to be American.

So go VOTE, folks!

Indian Summer

It's 74 degrees outside. The sun is shining. The breeze is causing a blizzard of golden leaves. It's a magical kind of day. The extended forecast is predicting flurries for later this week. Crazy and typical weather for this time of year. But for today I have my windows open and I'm enjoying the sound of the squirrels playing in the leaves and the breeze blowing my wind chimes. So nice.

The babe is down for a nap and is not yet asleep... he's talking to the walls and playing. This is great because it usually buys me a few more minutes before he actually goes to sleep. Nice! I'm going through photos to upload to work on our annual scrapbook. I'm also contemplating some custom calendars and some holiday cards. Snapfish has such fun photo projects.

So tomorrow is the big day! The day we go to vote. I'm excited and eager. I'm also hoping that the lines aren't too long... I'll probably go after the school and work day has begun in hopes that I'll make it through faster since I'll have the babe in tow. Vote Vote Vote Vote!

Yesterday we spent the entire day outside. We divided a whole bunch of our perennials and also planted 100 tulip and daffodill bulbs along with some allium and some speical lily bulbs that my husband dug up at another property. I'm excited to see all of these bulbs come up in the spring. It should be quite the show!

Last night I made chicken, twiced baked potatoes and broccoli for dinner. It was definitely another failed chicken attempt as of late. I am not preparing it any differently. I prep it and clean it good. But it just tastes horrid! Has anyone else had this problem? I was so furious after spending time and money on making yet another failed chicken dinner that I've sworn it off for a good long while to come. It just tasted off... it just wasn't good.

I'm off to knit for a while. I know I have two sweaters to knit but I'm trying to get another pair of socks on the needles. Now I'm thinking feather and fan with my tess' designer red sock yarn.

Indian Summer

It's 74 degrees outside. The sun is shining. The breeze is causing a blizzard of golden leaves. It's a magical kind of day. The extended forecast is predicting flurries for later this week. Crazy and typical weather for this time of year. But for today I have my windows open and I'm enjoying the sound of the squirrels playing in the leaves and the breeze blowing my wind chimes. So nice.

The babe is down for a nap and is not yet asleep... he's talking to the walls and playing. This is great because it usually buys me a few more minutes before he actually goes to sleep. Nice! I'm going through photos to upload to work on our annual scrapbook. I'm also contemplating some custom calendars and some holiday cards. Snapfish has such fun photo projects.

So tomorrow is the big day! The day we go to vote. I'm excited and eager. I'm also hoping that the lines aren't too long... I'll probably go after the school and work day has begun in hopes that I'll make it through faster since I'll have the babe in tow. Vote Vote Vote Vote!

Yesterday we spent the entire day outside. We divided a whole bunch of our perennials and also planted 100 tulip and daffodill bulbs along with some allium and some speical lily bulbs that my husband dug up at another property. I'm excited to see all of these bulbs come up in the spring. It should be quite the show!

Last night I made chicken, twiced baked potatoes and broccoli for dinner. It was definitely another failed chicken attempt as of late. I am not preparing it any differently. I prep it and clean it good. But it just tastes horrid! Has anyone else had this problem? I was so furious after spending time and money on making yet another failed chicken dinner that I've sworn it off for a good long while to come. It just tasted off... it just wasn't good.

I'm off to knit for a while. I know I have two sweaters to knit but I'm trying to get another pair of socks on the needles. Now I'm thinking feather and fan with my tess' designer red sock yarn.

malabrigo sock

Did you see that Webs has Malabrigo Sock available for pre-order? Also, The Loopy Ewe will be stocking it on their web site next week. So are you going to order some? I thought I'd freak and order some but then last week I went through my stash... holy cow I have a lot of sock yarn. Do I need the next latest and greatest? Nah. But if I did order some... I think I'd order the natural color. I bet it's so soft and squooshy. It always seems to me that undyed yarn is extra soft, too. I'd probably knit the Chalet socks or maybe New England socks both from Nancy Bush.

Tonight I'm playing with Tess' Designer Yarns 'supersocks and baby' in a beautiful variegated red from my stash... I'm thinking about casting on for the New England socks using that. I also want to cast on another pair of Broadripples using some of the Sophie's Toes yarn I stashed a while back. Ahh... sockalicious.

malabrigo sock

Did you see that Webs has Malabrigo Sock available for pre-order? Also, The Loopy Ewe will be stocking it on their web site next week. So are you going to order some? I thought I'd freak and order some but then last week I went through my stash... holy cow I have a lot of sock yarn. Do I need the next latest and greatest? Nah. But if I did order some... I think I'd order the natural color. I bet it's so soft and squooshy. It always seems to me that undyed yarn is extra soft, too. I'd probably knit the Chalet socks or maybe New England socks both from Nancy Bush.

Tonight I'm playing with Tess' Designer Yarns 'supersocks and baby' in a beautiful variegated red from my stash... I'm thinking about casting on for the New England socks using that. I also want to cast on another pair of Broadripples using some of the Sophie's Toes yarn I stashed a while back. Ahh... sockalicious.

Sweatervember

If last month was Socktober, I hearby declare this to be Sweatervember. It's actually NaKniSweMo, but I'm not necessarily knitting a marathon sweater but just appreciating the handknit sweater this month... while knitting a couple sweaters. I have two on the needles right now.

1. Cobblestone - a pullover for my husband. The body is done and I just cast on for the first sleeve. This sweater is mostly stockinette stitch done in the round and is quite a simple knit.

2. Staghorn - a pullover for me. The pattern is from the book A Fine Fleece by Lisa Lloyd. I love love love it. It's basically two heavily cabled panels and then sleeves with saddle shoulders. I've never knit a sweater with this construction and am quite excited about it.

Per the pattern, the center panel is actually XOXO cables. I changed it to just be more staghorn cables ... smaller versions of the larger outer cables. Not much to modify, the cables just stay the same on every repeat making it easy to remember. I love the braids that run from the ribbing all the way up the front. I also love the double moss stitch for extra coziness. The saddle shoulders have the larger staghorn cable running all the way up to the neckline. I love how fluid and graceful this is. It's somewhat of a boxy pattern, but I think this detail makes it tailored enough to make it elegant.

I'm using Berocco Ultra Alpaca in the 'marsh mix' colorway... mostly green, with flecks of blue, purple, and gold in the fuzz. I thought this sweater would knit up bulkier than it is but it's really not as thick as I thought it would be and the alpaca gives it a nice drape and ultra softness.

In the photo, the back is about halfway done. I have a long way to go. For Sweatervember I want to get most, if not all of this sweater completed. As well as my husband's Cobblestone pullover. Then I want to make some sweaters for my boys. I'm thinking another Vestee for the babe this time with long sleeves and probably in a green color. His was so cute and he needs a larger version. Big brother wants another cabled pullover in brown. So both of them are getting sequals of favorite sweaters.

Sweatervember

If last month was Socktober, I hearby declare this to be Sweatervember. It's actually NaKniSweMo, but I'm not necessarily knitting a marathon sweater but just appreciating the handknit sweater this month... while knitting a couple sweaters. I have two on the needles right now.

1. Cobblestone - a pullover for my husband. The body is done and I just cast on for the first sleeve. This sweater is mostly stockinette stitch done in the round and is quite a simple knit.

2. Staghorn - a pullover for me. The pattern is from the book A Fine Fleece by Lisa Lloyd. I love love love it. It's basically two heavily cabled panels and then sleeves with saddle shoulders. I've never knit a sweater with this construction and am quite excited about it.

Per the pattern, the center panel is actually XOXO cables. I changed it to just be more staghorn cables ... smaller versions of the larger outer cables. Not much to modify, the cables just stay the same on every repeat making it easy to remember. I love the braids that run from the ribbing all the way up the front. I also love the double moss stitch for extra coziness. The saddle shoulders have the larger staghorn cable running all the way up to the neckline. I love how fluid and graceful this is. It's somewhat of a boxy pattern, but I think this detail makes it tailored enough to make it elegant.

I'm using Berocco Ultra Alpaca in the 'marsh mix' colorway... mostly green, with flecks of blue, purple, and gold in the fuzz. I thought this sweater would knit up bulkier than it is but it's really not as thick as I thought it would be and the alpaca gives it a nice drape and ultra softness.

In the photo, the back is about halfway done. I have a long way to go. For Sweatervember I want to get most, if not all of this sweater completed. As well as my husband's Cobblestone pullover. Then I want to make some sweaters for my boys. I'm thinking another Vestee for the babe this time with long sleeves and probably in a green color. His was so cute and he needs a larger version. Big brother wants another cabled pullover in brown. So both of them are getting sequals of favorite sweaters.

Clear the Crap!

We moved in to our house almost three years ago. That's the longest I've ever lived anywhere in my adult life. I'm not really used to settling down, I moved around a lot as a kid as well. I constantly feel the need to comb real estate listings and I don't really know why other than it's only logical that we move again, right? Wrong! We're HOME here. If we do move again, it's going to be back to the east coast and that's a ways off.

We closed on our house three years ago on my husband's 30th birthday. It has been a dream come true for us. I always wanted to own a home and this one really exceeded my expectations when we bought it. When we moved in, we didn't even have enough furniture for half of the house. My friends all chuckled and told me to just wait and see and we'll be amazed how fast we fill it up. Boy were they right.

After living here a while and settling down somewhat, I've noticed that I don't look around as often as I should. I'm not as on top of things as I probably should be. Stuff gets stashed. Stash gets stuffed. Now it seems like everything is just looking a little tired and we're suddenly bursting at the seams with STUFF everywhere.

It makes me feel a bit panicky to have every nook and cranny full of things. I don't know why. I want to look around and see clean, freshness, life, and NOT CLUTTER. We've accumulated so much that it is definitely time to do an overhaul. I sort of feel like packing up and moving out, just so we can move in again and everything can have its place once again. YEA... I'm not that crazy.

I am going to severely pack up a good portion of our stuff and get it the hell out of here though. I'm going to donate like crazy and just get RID of stuff. I also feel like we've acquired furniture, knick knacks and lamps and things that we really don't even love. Shouldn't we be surrounded by things we love? That's why I find smaller spaces much more manageable. Less room for things, so fill it with value and things you love... right? I need to take this approach with my own house. Maybe I'll even list some stuff on Craigslist.

YES. I'm excited. I'll set November 1 as day 1. I'm also totally getting the guys in on this project to help me clear out the crap. They equally have helped fill this house up. It'll be our little project for November before St. Nick pukes Christmas crap all over our house... that's another project all together!

Clear the Crap!

We moved in to our house almost three years ago. That's the longest I've ever lived anywhere in my adult life. I'm not really used to settling down, I moved around a lot as a kid as well. I constantly feel the need to comb real estate listings and I don't really know why other than it's only logical that we move again, right? Wrong! We're HOME here. If we do move again, it's going to be back to the east coast and that's a ways off.

We closed on our house three years ago on my husband's 30th birthday. It has been a dream come true for us. I always wanted to own a home and this one really exceeded my expectations when we bought it. When we moved in, we didn't even have enough furniture for half of the house. My friends all chuckled and told me to just wait and see and we'll be amazed how fast we fill it up. Boy were they right.

After living here a while and settling down somewhat, I've noticed that I don't look around as often as I should. I'm not as on top of things as I probably should be. Stuff gets stashed. Stash gets stuffed. Now it seems like everything is just looking a little tired and we're suddenly bursting at the seams with STUFF everywhere.

It makes me feel a bit panicky to have every nook and cranny full of things. I don't know why. I want to look around and see clean, freshness, life, and NOT CLUTTER. We've accumulated so much that it is definitely time to do an overhaul. I sort of feel like packing up and moving out, just so we can move in again and everything can have its place once again. YEA... I'm not that crazy.

I am going to severely pack up a good portion of our stuff and get it the hell out of here though. I'm going to donate like crazy and just get RID of stuff. I also feel like we've acquired furniture, knick knacks and lamps and things that we really don't even love. Shouldn't we be surrounded by things we love? That's why I find smaller spaces much more manageable. Less room for things, so fill it with value and things you love... right? I need to take this approach with my own house. Maybe I'll even list some stuff on Craigslist.

YES. I'm excited. I'll set November 1 as day 1. I'm also totally getting the guys in on this project to help me clear out the crap. They equally have helped fill this house up. It'll be our little project for November before St. Nick pukes Christmas crap all over our house... that's another project all together!

my wednesday morning

A couple of my favorite bloggers have done this 'day in the life' photo project and I thought I'd participate. But I quickly had ten photos before nine o'clock this morning so I thought I'd just share my morning. Plus I have the time right now so what you see is what you get.

So my alarm goes off at 6:25. During the warmer months, I typically get up before the alarm. I absolutely love walking around my garden at the crack of dawn with a hot cup of coffee and cold dew on my feet. Love. Now though? My husband hits snooze a few times for me and snuggles up to me... doesn't exactly get me motivated to get out of bed. Shortly before 7 I roll out of bed and make it to the shower.

Since I'm getting up later, I don't have any time to myself in the mornings which I really don't like. I need my coffee before dealing with anything or anyone... and that hasn't been the case lately so I've been all screwed up.

Anyway...

First thing I do when I come downstairs is get the coffee going. Then I open the curtains. I about jumped out of my own skin this morning when I found this scarecrow peering in to the window when I opened the curtain. AHH! Who's the wiseguy? Oh... wait... that would be ME. I put him there yesterday to spook my guys. Didn't spook them... but it got me good. Hah!

Lets back up a minute. Before I came down today I already had my oldest son nebulizing. He's suffering from a bad case of allergy induced asthma. No other symptoms of sickness, just a horrible horrible cough that is so hard to control. I didn't have the heart to send him to school today. How can he deal with classmates and school work while coughing uncontrollably?? Even with close contact with our awesome pediatrician, we haven't really found a good solution for his asthma. Fortunately the episodes are fewer and farther between these days, so that is the silver lining. After his neb, he came down all shaky and needed to eat something... peanut butter sandwich and some juice. Now he's curled up on the couch playing his DS and watching TV.

Hubby ran out the door pretty early today. He's off to meet the electrician at one of our properties. Normally, we all sit down and eat breakfast together so today was all messed up from the get-go.

That left me and the little man for a breakfast date. We had oatmeal with cinnamon, raisins, cranberries and walnuts. Yum Yum. I usually make eggs for the family every morning, but I am so sick of eggs that I was happy to have oatmeal this morning and so was Little Man...

While enjoying breakfast, I kid you not, the laundry chute exploded. It has a magnetic closure and when it's two-stories full, gravity prevails and spills laundry all over the floor. Subtle, eh?

Two stories of laundry is usually about three loads... and I do laundry every other day. HOW do we make so much laundry? Oh waiiiitt.... did you notice that the babe wasn't wearing a bib? When will momma learn?

After finishing breakfast, I started a load of laundry and started a grocery list. Laundry and trips to the store seem to go hand in hand. I also contemplated what to make for dinner...

I've had these squash and sweet potatoes for a couple weeks now and want to use them up. I heard a great recipe for butternut squash ravioli on the Splendid Table podcast that uses them both. I'm thinking about making a big batch and freezing a bunch but I don't know how they'll hold up. Still though, I don't have the pasta sheets that I need (and I'm not making my own) so this is out for dinner tonight. I decided on enchiladas because I have everything on hand.

After this, it was time to clean the babe up... thoroughly plastered with oatmeal. Wardrobe change numero uno. Seriously, I need to get some of those old school wearable coverall bibs.

Checked on big boy who is staying calm and in control on the couch so I do not disturb. It's time to get some work done...

I set the babe up with some light reading and the latest sesame street to watch while I grab another cuppa and set up at the dining room table to work.

Today I have my weekly web design gig to do for my parents newspaper, I need to peruse newest real estate listings and do some business related correspondence. Fun stuff, folks. Well... and blogging of course, important stuff. My eye keeps wandering to my knitting and I contemplate working on my current projects:

Special Olympics charity scarf, baptism blanket for my church, cobblestone pullover for my hubby and oh... oh my new love affair... the Staghorn pullover by Lisa Lloyd. love love.

But now I have to get down to business and get my work done on the computer so I can play with my boy before lunchtime. It's supposed to warm up a bit today so we'll probably head outside. I need to pull out all of the annuals that were killed off in the hard freeze the other night and just do general cleanup. I should also bring in the pumpkins so they're warm enough to carve tonight. Beggar's night is tomorrow night here. I have no idea why it isn't on Friday night and I'm annoyed beceause tomorrow night is the night I knit with my friends. How DARE it conflict with knitting?! Har Har Har.

So there ya have it... a couple hours of my day. I'm off to switch the laundry...