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.....