A new day, a new home..

Hello friends,

After much to do and an angry email to Google, I have a new blog address and this one will be inactive as of this evening.

I think you all will be happier with the new site, I know I am!! Here I am:

www.needletoneedle.wordpress.com

I just did my first post and I will be tweaking along the way. As always, I welcome your comments.

Happy Knitting,
Michele

Dear Google.....

I use to really like you. But now you have messed with my life and that is not cool. All the problems I have been having accessing my blog were Google problems. Google is connected to my email and that connects to my blog...I just see problems. So, I will be leaving this site soon. I will give you all the info as soon as I have it. I promise things with me much, much better. Knitting updates: Citron is in need of another skein....! I will get that tomorrow. Color Affection should be cast on tonight, since I am out of yarn....booo! Sock still on the needles. Seriously distracted.... Happy Knitting!

Been busy.....

I have been very busy in a different fibery way. I have been exploring the world of hand dyeing your own yarn. It has interested me for awhile and some of my fiber friends were kind to donate some naked yarn for me to play with.

And play with it I did. The first one I dyed the entire skein with different food color gels that I use when I make my Christmas cookies. It came out pretty neat. The second skein I broke up to 3 skeins and dyed them in Cool Aid...this too was fun.

Hubby and I were talking and if I wanted to take this to the next level....Acid Dyes....I needed to get alternate supplies. I love my All Clad pans, but putting acid dye into them was not how I wanted to see them used. So off to the flea market we went with my list of needs. Some we got, some we didn't. Before we left, I had the forethought to soak a skein so it would be ready when I got home.

I grabbed my lobster pot and went to work on some beautiful naked yarn. I used the stove top method with the acid dye and I am in LOVE. The color is gorgeous and this method is my favorite.

The next step is hand painting the yarn. I can hardly wait. This will be a during the week event when I have the house to myself.

The laptop is working, but Google is a hot ass mess. They are chaning their format for the blogs and it is making everything a pain. I have a ton of pictures, but if I ask my hubbymone more computer related question, I think he might loose his mind. Poor guy has been working on it for days....

So, that's what I have been busy doing.

Happy Knitting!!

Frustrating Friday.....

Frustrated, you bet. The laptop came back last night. I didn't get to check it out until this morning. Still can't get to my blog from the piece of shit the computer is now becoming. Called hubby and said, still sucks. He got the hint that I was way less than happy. I went around taking pictures of all the things I wanted to show you and nope, nothing. I need to get off this topic before I hurt someone. One a lighter and happier note, my small shawls group is doing the Color Affection shawl on Ravelry and we had lots of fun on Wednesday night putting colors together and enabling others to make this beautiful shawl. Blogger must be messing with it's format, because now everything is different and I can't get a link to work. They want feedback, I am just the woman to do it. I really dislike it when my technical world goes wonky on me. Citron is almoste done...yeah, I've been saying that for days. I've been spending quite a bit of time on the Internet doing research on some new topics that have me quite smitten and somewhat distracted. A future post for sure. I'm off to do something. Maybe a little cleaning, knitting, winding. I did clean the 1/2 bath and the kitchen sink, so I think that does it for the cleaning portion of my day. :-} Happy knitting~

Wip Wednesday....

Still no laptop...there are just no words. Except the ones I screamed at my husband last night.

Citron is almost done. It's really cute, I wish you could see it!!!

I am iching to work on the newest shawl, Color Affection, on Ravelry. I have my colors, I am ready to rock and roll, but I have to finish the Citron first. I am really doing well at the faithful knitting......except I started a sock....ROFL....I haven't knit on it much. :-/

The next few day are littered with doctor appointments and work, busy, busy.

Maybe if you all pray for pictures, they might appear.

Happy Knitting!!!

Hermitville....

I made a conscious effort to get out of the house early today. It was worth it. I saw friends at the shop that I haven't been able to spend time with due to the month of illness, which is what I am calling February!! When you are home for so long, hermitville kind of sets in....this is not so good.

I am almost done with the Citron shawlette and I already have the yarn for my next project, Color Affection. I will be using Madeline Tosh Light in 3 different colors. I am very excited about this next shawl....really, aren't I always!!!

I thought the laptop was fixed...but it's not. I took it out of hubby's hands and am going to be driving it to Best Buy where the Geek Squad can mess with it.

I have a shawl to finish and a short row toe of a sock to complete, so off I go.

Happy knitting!!!

Back and baking.....

This is the confirmation blog, I am much better and I am baking! I can't tell you how yummy sugar, eggs and butter taste....so GOOD!!! Thought is would be nice for the family and my knitting group to have some baked goods this evening.

It is an absolutely beautiful day here. I have the radio on loud, the windows open, cookies in the oven, and I am straighting up as I dance throughout the house. :-)

I will have to tell you that I licked the bowl to my mixer like my life depended on it and enjoyed every single minute of it. It's 12:40 pm and I am still in my jammies...!!!!

I should go and pretend to be an adult, but a good tune just came on, so I'm off to dance. Poor dog is confused.

Happy Knitting!!! :-)

How do I know???

I woke this morning with an unfamiliar feeling, I was hungry. I hadn't experienced this feeling in over a month, yes, a month. My coffee tasted better, breakfast was better and lunch was even better. This is the woman who has been living on Goldfish crackers, tea with honey and Diet Coke...yep, those are the food groups and pretty much in that order.

So, I did have some enthusiasm when making dinner tonight. I needed some comfort food and Shepards Pie fit the bill. I knew for sure that I was feeling better when I started to eat the mashed potatoes right out of the pan and my eyes were closed....so damn good.

I ran upstairs and immediately grabbed a pair of pants that I could not zip up anymore and although they are snug, the zipper didn't argue with me. It was a grand feeling!! I think I will exercise and keep the scale tipping in the right direction.

I made my color and yarn choices for my new shawl. I so thought this would be the time for the Wollmeise, but alas, it is time for Madeline Tosh Light in 3 striking colors. I had two skeins and I emailed Madeline Tosh this morning asking them what they thought would be a really good contrast color for what I had. They emailed me back within an hour and I was one happy knitter. I was able to procure the color needed and it should be on the needles by the weekend.

I yelled at my hubby for a good half hour and my PC should be fixed soon. I really want you to see the colors and my latest shawl Citron.

Happy knitting!!!

Happy Monday.....

Yes, it's happy, I think I might be turning the corner to better health! February was not kind to me in the least.

My latest shawl is a happy little thing. The yarn is wonderful, Ella Rae Lace Merino in Pumpkin. It's going to look fantastic with white Capri pants and a cute top. It really is the perfect accessory.

The laptop is still experiencing technical difficulties, so no pictures.

My next shawl will be a bit larger and different. Stay tuned, I am playing with colors.

Happy Knitting!!!

Blah......

All this illness has left me rather blah. Understandable, I suppose, but blah, nonetheless.

The Citron shawl is goig well. I love, love, love the color!!

The socks I have been knitting for a friend were not making me happy. I brought them with me to work last night and yep, they are HUGE and I was knitting them on a 2. I hit my stash and came up with a fingering yarn and I will start over tonight. Bugger!!!

Our laptop is still ill which has me totally pissed off.

This iPad is fine for some stuff, but not all stuff. Glad I didn't pay for it.

Have a great weekend and as always, happy knitting!

Citron....

Well, it's work in progress Wednesday. There isn't much getting done at the moment. I am still wrestling with being vertical for long periods of time. I pray that I am on the mend.

I am going to be knitting Citron, a sweet shawl from Knitty and can be found on Ravelry.

I did manage to start dinner preparations before I go and have a little lie down.

I am going of have to figure out how to get pictures onto the iPad because I have given up on my husband fixing the laptop.

I had a Wollemise drive by and it just somehow landed in my lap. Some pink and grey are headed my way. I thought a reward for surviving the germ infestation was in order. If hubby complains, it could have been worse, it could have been jewelry!

Happy Knitting!

Tuesday.......

Wow, Tuesday already! Time sure does fly when one is still ill and spends most of the time vertical. I so want to say I'm on the mend, but honestly, at the moment, optimism isn't holding much weight for me.

I did rally and go to work on Sunday and wore my new shawl. I love it so much!!! Still no laptop, so no pictures. Here is the link to my project page on Ravelry so you can take a peek.
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/malightbown

I am still working on some socks. I have another shawl and yarn all ready to rock and roll. I went completely out of my comfort zone and am doing it in a summery color. The pattern is called Citron and it can be found on Ravelry.

Happy Knitting!

Somewhat vertical...

Greetings from a somewhat vertical position. I did manage to crawl out of bed and take a shower...this was progress.

At this momemt my husband is in the dog house. He was a the ER last week and he had bronchitis and decided he didn't need to take the medication that the doctor ordered for him....I mean really, then why go to the flipping ER. So I am pissed about that. Now he thinks he has pneumonia and frankly, I asked if his life insurance was paid up, because I thought I just might choke the life out of him.

Last night he told me he thought he was sicker. I was thankful that I owned no firearms. He also asked if I needed anything, I gave him 4 items to get, he came back with 3....I mean really.

Today I sent him out for Tylenol, he forgot to get it. I am no longer speaking to him and have moved into the guest bedroom for fear that I might actually hurt him.

I am sure that all of this is too much information, but if I didn't vent, lives would be forever changed. And the thought of solitary confinement sounds great right now, I suspect they don't let you take your stash and knitting needles with you.

I hope to be up and knitting again real soon.

Happy Knitting!

Done.....

It is done!!!!! I finished the bind off this morning. It is beautiful. I didn't feel up to blocking it, due to the black plague that seems to be attached to me.

Hubby did something to the laptop and now I can't get on my blog from there, which means no pictures...big bummer.

Health wise, I am down and out again and just called into work sick! Yep, that sick. Basically, I just flipping give up!

I will work on my friends socks for now.

Happy Knitting!!

Almost done....

Update..... 4:17 pm
One more row and then the bind off....then the pictures. Have regained my composure and am knitting calmly.

More later...

Vibrating........

Quick update...I am done with the increases in the pleat and have a whopping 721 stitches to bind off. I have 3 more rows to do and I am sitting here vibrating in complete anticipation of wearing this.

I refuse to shower or get dressed until I am ready to bind off.

Got to get back to these REALLY LONG ROWS!!!!!!

More later......

So close.....

The shawl that I am currently working on is awesome. The body is complete and I have begun the pleats. This has been one of the most enjoyable shawls thus far. I was tempted to take a picture today, but I got sidelined by the sore throat that will just not go away. Another trip to the MD and I have a stronger antibiotic and something to numb my throat...oh joy! I will not be detoured from finishing this shawl this week.

My small shawls group wants to do another lace shawl, so as soon as I bind off this beauty, I will be casting on for Holden. Frankly, I could live in textured shawls for a while longer, but it's hard to work on two shawls at once...confusion sets in and you could really mess up.

I did get my Sweet Georgia Sock Yarn of the month on Saturday...I will take a picture of that beauty. It is 50% merino and 50% silk and it will be a shawl for sure.

I realized the other day, that I have made 5 lace shawls and I only have ONE! One is a shop sample, one was a gift for mom, one was a gift for a friend, one is mine and now this one, and it's all mine!! I think younall will want to hit the LOVE button when you see it.

The laptop is having some sort of fit, so pictures are not possible at the moment.

Happy Valentine's Day and happy knitting!!!

WIP Wednesday......

It is a rather dreary day here today and my son was off of school, so we had lots to do away from the house. It was my first day out really since this plague hit. I noticed on the drive home that my eyes did indeed want to close. I got some coffee into me as soon as we got in the door.

I am completely smitten with my new shawl. It is quite lovely in its simple details and beautiful yarn.

I have completed 8 repeats of the body and have 3 to go. I am looking at a total of 11 repeats and then the knitting of the pleats will commence. By the time I bind off this shawl, there will be 721 stitches...!

Tonight is knitting night at the shop, but I am taking a pass due to the plague and I do have to work tomorrow night.

I can't seem to find the camera, but the shawl looks the same only bigger! :)

Happy Knitting!

On the mend....

Well, I seem to be on the mend. That might be a generous statement, but I think I am definitely on the upswing. My voice is still husky and sexy sounding and now hubby sounds the same way!

I was able to fix the boo boo on my shawl and have actually been knitting a bit last night and today. It totally helps that when I look down my face doesn't feel like it's going to explode...yeah! So happy with the small things.

Tomorrow is WIP Wednesday and I put a sticky note to remind me....LOL! Look for an updated picture of my projects.

Happy Knitting!

Rewind back to Friday.....

On Friday I headed off to Virginia with friends to the Crazy for Ewe 2012 knitting retreat. I had had a rather rough go of it earlier in the week with sore throat and such, but on Friday, I thought I had turned the corner. I thought wrong, very, very, wrong!

We arrived at the hotel and we hung out and then we went to dinner at a lovely Bistro. There were lots of laughs and wonderful food and good times were had. The next morning was when the corner turned in the wrong direction for me. My stomach had been feeling ugly all though the night and then I woke to the worst sinus pain I have felt in sometime. I tried really hard to put on the "happy" face, but nobody was fooled. I looked as awful as I felt. After a couple of hours, back to bed I went. Being sick in a hotel has its perks. No dogs to walk, no kids bothering you and the best things was my girlfriends!! Men will leave you to die...how do I know this...out of sight, out of mind. Girlfriends on the other hand, will take really good care of you. They will get you more blankets, make you some tea, and bring you nourishment, all with a smile and love. I owe my girlfriends everything for taking such wonderful care of me.

I did manage some really sick knitting and screwed things up accordingly.

I thought that I would have some wonderful pictures of the weekend to share, but I don't.

I am off to bed.

Happy Knitting!

Despite it all, I had a wonderful weekend with my girlfriends.

WIP Thursday...

Here's the picture of the shawl in progress...

Not the best picture, but you get the drift. You can make out a tad of the detail.

Hubby if off getting me the antibiotic I begged my MD for and I need to start thinking about our knitting retreat, since I leave tomorrow at 11:30 am....eeeekkkk!

Happy Knitting!!

Home sick means....

Watching mind numbing daytime television. Knitting in bed...this is fun. Channel surfing until your fingers are numb and apparently ordering exercise DVD's via QVC because I am not in my right mind and think that when I am in my right mind, this exercise looks like something I would TOTALLY DO! That remains to be seen.

More later when I finally get out of bed for some sort of nourishment.

Limping along....

Bed has become such a happy place for me of late. I decided to give in and stop fighting it. I am sick and that is a fact. Another fact is that I am leaving Friday for a knitting retreat and I must feel better.

I am knitting in bed. Since I am only taking Advil, I thought it was safe to knit. So far, so good. Fresca is sound asleep next to me loving the bed!

My shawl is coming out really nice. I do see what other people have mention about the cast on edge and subsequent increases being tight, but I think it will relax after a bath and blocking. The color is beautiful and the texture, just right.

I must say that the weather has been unseasonably warm. Today's temperature was a balmy 72...so odd for February.

I will take a picture of the shawl tomorrow for your viewing pleasure and when I am vertical!

Happy Knitting!!!

Nothing new....

Well, whatever has a hold on my throat, is practically choking me and I could do without the fever. Here's to hoping for a better tomorrow.

I did, however, manage to get the puppy to the Vet for another visit, this one cost a whole lot less than the "emergency one" and we walked away with an antibiotic. I took Bryce with me to basically hold me up and for his second pair of hands and in case I couldn't drive home. He may be small, but he is mighty.  :-)

I decided that I wouldn't do any sick knitting this time. Good choice! It was  beautiful day here with temps in the 60's and I couldn't get warm. Tomorrow promises to be just as lovely, I hope I feel better.

Happy Knitting!

Oh nuts.....

My house has been a vacuum for all germs this season and this week is no exception. Bryce has what seems like a permanent cold and I woke up with a fever and sore throat. Now, I am not the type to really complain because last year we were pretty much "germ free", but I have a knitting retreat at the end of the week and I want to be feeling good, I'd settle for good. Fortunately, I do have a doctor's appointment already scheduled for Wednesday, so if this turn into something ugly, there will be meds.

I did a little knitting today on a shawl, but with no lace, so I figured I was safe and couldn't mess it up and so far, so good. I am loving the pattern. I didn't use my Wollmeise because I wanted to knit this on the retreat and I figured I should knit something on "shop" yarn, so I am using Saki Prisim in Garnet. I will do it again in my Wollmeise.

Here is the beginning...

Here is the finished hat that has to be mailed.

Right now, I am counting down to when I can go to bed!

Slightly off kilter.....

You know that feeling you get when you anticipate a new project, giggly and warm all over, and then you over think it and suddenly, nothing feels right. I almost talked myself out of using my Wollmeise, almost. For the entire day, our Internet connection wasn't working, so I couldn't get on Ravelry and that's when and why things got a little screwy and self doubt raised it's ugly head.

Fortunately, after a great dinner out, I came home to find that our connection was back and I went rushing to the computer and got right onto Ravelry to check out some facts. I am okay!!! I am still using the Wollmeise....purple I think...almost wound it today....but I didn't. Tomorrow might be the winding day.

The hat is finished and my brother in law is going to get a great surprise. I started another during the "no Internet" phase of my day to wave off the waves of nausea I was feeling about the other project.

Tomorrow I am spending most of my day with some friends and I will learn how to weave. Once I am comfortable, I will weave myself a scarf with the gorgeous cashmere Kyle bought me for Christmas.

I am off to work on a sock for a bit....

Happy Knitting!

Missed WIP Wednesday...

Wednesday's WIP will take place on Thursday since yesterday got sucked into medical appointment and school meeting vortex.

I have narrowed my yarn color choices down to two...these....

I love them both. I took a good look at the pattern and I think I am going to swatch before I wind one of these beauties.

The hat is almost done, see...

Rather handsome isn't it. I think I will make another but in a more feminine color combination.

The sock is coming along, I can't take a picture of it because it's for someone who reads the blog!!

I have small shawls group tonight.

I think I need to close my eyes for a few, it was quite a busy morning.

Happy Knitting!

Wollmeise Worthy??

I found a pattern that I think might be worthy of my Wollmeise. It is called And So Are You by Rose Beck and I am just loving it. Here is what I have to choose from...

But I think I have it narrowed down to these....

Oh la la! One is blue, one is purple and one is aqua. Please vote for your favorite color.

I did cast on a sock today and boy did it feel good. There's just something about socks that make me happy!

Stay tuned for Work In Progress Wednesdays!!

Happy Knitting!!

Finished Objects....

It was a rather gloomy weekend here in MD and Saturday ended up being my most favorite of days, pajama day!! We just hung out and watched some movies and relaxed.

I did get to finish this cute Eternity Scarf called Cocoon Me by Rose Beck and it is a really cute knit.

The pattern makes these cute little cocoons. It was a fun knit.

Here is a hat for my brother-in-law because I think he is yarn worthy and he asked.  :-)

This is going to be a crazy pair of socks for a wonderful and crazy special person!!

Happy Knitting!



Yarn....

So, I was thinking, how do you like your yarn? Because lately, I have really been observing what people knit with and what they like. There are animal fibers, like lamb's wool, merino, cashmere and mohair to name a few. Vegetable fibers like cotton, Linen, and hemp and Man-Made fibers such a rayon and nylon. Personally, I am all about the animals and a little about the veggies!!!

How about what class of yarn do yo like to knit with??  Yarn is divided into classes, fingering-weight, sport-weight, Double Knitting (DK), worsted. bulky, and extra bulky. My personal preferences are fingering, sport, DK and worsted. Working with these classes of yarn make me happy and my needles sing.

I would love to hear what you all love to knit with!

I has some fun on Sunday using a drop spindle and some roving and making yarn. I am not even going to tell you that what I was making was good, but it was quite a bit of fun and I could see myself getting a pretty drop spindle and a bit of roving at the Wool Festival. In fact, I am starting my wish list for just this occasion. I know that it is early to even be thinking about the festival, but I did a lot of research last year before I went and it saved me from a total mental breakdown. There is just SO MUCH TO SEE, that if you don't know what you are looking for or at things can get a bit hairy. So if you are going to any woolly festival, take the time to review your wish list and then plan a strategy. I had a blast last year and I am planning way ahead for this year!

Happy Knitting!!

Damn....

Forgot my diet and bought yarn....

Crazy Day Yesterday .....

The craziness really started late last night. Bryce wasn't feeling well at bedtime and that continued throughout the night. Surface to say, I didn't get much sleep. That's ok, I have done this many times before, comes with the "mommy" territory.

For good measure let's add in a emergency trip to the Vet for Fresca. Some x-rays, and IV fluids and some other things I know you do not want to know, she was better and we were poorer. Poor thing is sound asleep next to me.

I was calling home on my way home from work and there was no answer. I come home to find a note, we, my husband and son, have gone to the Urgent Care. Diagnosis, ear infection. My family seems to be falling apart at the seams.

All of this went on while I was at work for 4.5 hours.

So far so good on my yarn diet. I did however find myself cruising some websites and had to slap myself back to reality. Reality is Maryland Sheep and Wool is a mere 5 months away and I will be loyal to my yarn diet until then.

But look at what my friend Angie gave me....Heather Prime Alpaca.....so yummy!!!!!

Yarn Diet....Stash Knitting....

I have decided that I have plenty of yarn...plenty. Several sweater quantities of yarn, and so much sock yarn that I could knit socks and shawls for the rest of 2012, so I have put myself on a yarn diet until May, when the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival takes place and then all bets are off.

This will give me time to knit some of what I have and enjoy it. Because really, how much do we really need. Sheep are still producing their beautiful fleece and the yarn isn't going anywhere. So, I will be knitting from my stash and enjoying what I have.

So, my future knitting will include a sweater I have been drooling over for about a year. A new pair of socks, a scarf and many shawls.

I have decided what to do with my decadent 1 ply cashmere, I am going to weave a scarf. I see a new skill developing. I also want to learn to spin, because that looks like a ton of fun too! My husband is just shaking his head, I am not sure why, neither involve him. I think he's just jealous because I am always doing something and his hobbies are all outdoor related.

This is the cashmere. Isn't is beautiful!

I am off to knit for a bit!

Happy Knitting!

Yarn, Swift and Ball Winder....

I had the yarn, but now I also have the swift, ball winder and a scale and I haven't even had a chance to play with all my new knitting toys yet. I thought that today might be that day, but it wasn't.  I had errands and PT and then I threw in a manicure just because I felt like it. Then before you know it, it's time to meet the bus and take Bryce to Karate and then home and then dinner and homework and now this.....peace and quiet and NO time to play with the fiber and gadgets.

My toes are cold, so you know what that means...SOCKS!! I will be doing the Two At A Time method so we have an immediate match. I will have to survey my stash for a suitable yarn, there is plenty to chose from. Could this be the time for the Wollmeise?? It just might be. I will have to sleep on that idea.

I am working tomorrow and Thursday from 10-9, both days. I love being there, but by the time I get home, I am practically numb from fiber overload. So the next two days are a knitting wash unless we are slow. We shall see.

Happy Knitting!

Animals.....

Happy Monday!

On my way home from the grocery store, I pass quite a few Amish farms, and I can't help but notice how sad their animals look. I am just a big softy when it comes to animals and when I see sad, abused and underfed animals, well, it just totally gets my ass out. The animals work hard for these people and I really think they see them ONLY as laborers in their life. I actually pulled over today because a big beautiful Clydesdale was standing there, just standing there with the most sad look in his eyes. There was no swishing of the tail, nothing. One was even on it's side on the ground. I tried to get it to come over to see me for some lovings, but he just wouldn't move. I must be honest, I really wanted to open the gates and set them all free...the horses, the cows, everything. The rational side, yes, I have one, said, there really isn't anything you can do about this. I just felt so bad for the animals....

My mother enjoyed telling my son about all the stray animals I brought home in my younger years and how my brother brought home every injured bird he could find. She also shared how I said I had won a kitten at my softball game...yes, I lied, but it was so darn cute! Thanks mom, I am sure that will come back to bite me with my son!

I have had a bit of startitis myself. I thought about casting on for a sweater and some socks, but I am really trying to stay on task and finish another "due date" item...it's close to done. It's an eternity scarf and the pattern is darling.

My camera seems to be taking pretty crappy pictures at the moment. I am sure that my son has messed with it somehow and I am sure that I do not know how to fix it. It is, however, sucessful knitting...YEAH!

Happy Knitting!

Half done.....

Seems everything around here is half done. The Christmas tree is half put away, the laundry is half done and apparently, half put away. I have a beautiful sweater made of Baby Llama thar is so close to done it's ridiculous. I only have to fix my decreases on both sleeves and sew them on and pick up some stitches for the collar. Out of sight really does mean out of mind...

I also cleaned out several, yes, several of my knitting bags and found MANY WIP's I had forgotten about. Some no longer give me a thrill and some make me want to make the other sock so I have a pair. I will have to ponder the ultimate fate of some of these projects.

I have been reading The Yarn Harlot's blog posts from previous years and I must add a new skill to my 2012 Knitting To Do List and it is Double Knitting. Why would I want to learn that you ask, is because you can knit two socks at the same time and one is inside the other. I mean really, how cool is that?? I love knitting socks!!! They are better than anything you could ever buy.

I am itching to use some of my Christmas gifts...the swift and ball winder. So many patterns, so little time. Ravelry is a huge distraction that I really need to control better.

I am off to knit a bit....Happy Knitting!!

I'm back and I have pictures....

The pictures as promised...

The book that makes me sweat, giggle, and sweat some more...

The cubby that my hubby bought me for Christmas, that he THINKS will hold ALL MY YARN.....LOL!!!

The beautiful skein of cashmere that also makes me sweat and giggle!

In the mail are a circular set of Signature needles, size 4....you know I am a sucker for happy mail!!

On the needles at the moment is a really cute Eternity Cowl by Rose Beck called Cocoon Me. This is a really neat pattern and can be worked three, yes you heard me right, three ways. First as a Cowl, second as the Eternity Cowl and third a Shawl...run to Ravelry and get this great pattern. I am actually knitting it in a worsted weight yarn, Santa Red, and I love it. Of course, I tried knitting this while sick which was a mistake. The third time around is usually the charm for me...LOL!

My mom is still here and all is well. We had a little retail therapy this morning and she will come with me tomorrow night to my Small Shawls group at the shop.

Kyle and I are going on a dinner date this evening since we have a sitter, we are taking full advantage of this rarity. I know where we are going, what to eat, what to eat!

Happy Knitting!!

Happy New Year!!!!!!

The years are going by faster and faster it seems and yet, I haven't aged a bit....LOL! This past year has brought many wonderful people and experiences into my life. I am beyond grateful!

I put together a short list of things I would love to experience this year.

1. Learn to read charts.

2. Stranded knitting.

3. A cabled sweater.

4. Paying attention to the direction!

Yes, short and sweet, is my knitting list. My personal list is a tad more complicated and longer.

My mom is in town and she hates it when I am attached to the electronics, so the blog postings may be brief and slightly irregular.

Hang in there, I will be back in full force soon!

The knitting I did while away, again, was sick knitting and well, you know how that always ends up....!

Just keep knitting.....