I have one more update - Kris from Kris Crafts came to the SnB at the Naked Sheep on Wednesday.  She is so nice.  Her husband Brad had to sit with us as the coffee shop closed at 7pm, and he had no where else to go. Poor poor man.  He had to sit there and listen to us. Oh well. He read about guitars, so that kept him busy.

Kris is so nice. This is the first time I've met another knitting blogger, and it was pretty cool. Next time I am in San Diego, I will knit with her. Thanks for dropping by to sit and knit with us Kris.

Christmas is over....Thankfully, well okay, I like Christmas, but it is nice to have it over and go back to somewhat of a normal routine. I don't stress out over the holidays, as our family dinners are usually 12 people, and at Christmas, my sister in law and her husband go to his family, and four more come here - so a total of 14 people for turkey dinner. We loose two and gain four. But since my mom and I bought a 28 pound turkey, there was plenty to go around.

I'm sure alot of us got knitting related items as I did, so I will share mine with you:

1. A yarn winder from my mom - which I used for 2 weeks prior to the 25th. I did feel guilty using it, but not enough to let it sit with my mom until Xmas morning. But now, I can use it guilt free.

2. A dry waller's ruler from Chris. the ruler is about 5' long, and the numbers are nice and big on it. I was using his carpenter's ruler, which was too short and rusty, so I got a nice new one.

3. The Stitch n' Bitch Nation book. There really isn't too much in there that I would make other than the arm warmers (which I have bought the yarn for) and the Newsboy hat. Other than that, the patterns are okay. It is worth getting though, for the little tips written throughout the book. Some of them are handy.

4. My niece asked me to teach her how to knit. So I grabbed some needles, yarn and a how-to book and taught her. She got the knit and purl stitch right away! She is a quick study, that is for sure. And it turns out that her mom, my sister knows how to knit. I could not believe it. Here is a picture of Marci knitting her first little square:

How great is that? I think I showed her how to cross stitch years ago, and she does that, as well as rug hooking. A girl after my own heart. I can not believe I used to carry her on my chest in one of those baby things. Wow! Look at her now. My other neice, her sister, isn't into the crafty stuff, but asked me to make her a pink and black kitty kat hat I made for my daughter. Apparently, knitted items are the rage with the teenagers now, so they have hit pay dirt with me. And I'm sure, if they really tried, they might be able to pester my sister into making something for them.

Well, that's it for now. Hoping to posting more now that the holidays are over, I'm sure most people couldn't post as much, due to all the festivities going on in their lives.

Happy New Year everyone.

Have a good one folks.

Since the last post - 4 days ago, I have decided the back of the Ribby Cardi is going to the pond. It is okay, I feel good about it. This cardi is a closer fitting than most, and I want it a bit roomier, so I will make the larger size. No biggie.  I've also finished the first sleeve of Lara, and almost at the part to split the front and back. yeah.  That seems to zip by as well.

But Lara will be put on hold, because I've decided to make a Christmas gift for a family member, and two chenille wash clothes from Weekend Knitting book for my girls.  Why? Well, Lorena at the Naked Sheep innocently showed me the Crystal Palace yarns, and I instantly feel in love. I bought the dark pink and lime green. Plus some white eyelash yarn to team up with some pink/white ribbon yarn I already have.  I love going to this store, I really do. If you are ever in Toronto, drop by anyday but Monday (they are closed) and you will not be disappointed.

I know Kris is coming on December 29th to the Wednesday night SnB. Yeah.  I am so looking forward to it.  I hope all the ladies will be coming as well.

Well, that's it, nothing big to report. Have a good one.

I keep saying it, but man, work really gets in the way - big time.  I've been knitting, on the train home from work, after my kids go to sleep and in the morning before work. So, that part is okay, but the time I spend blog surfing is limited, and when I surf, I dont have time to leave comments on my fav blogs. Sorry ladies, I'm reading you, just not leaving my comments.

I've finished the back of the Ribby Cardi, but I think I want it a bit bigger, so it may go to the pond. I've not decided, but since the yarn came for Lara, she is on the needles now, and everything else will just have to wait.

I hope you all have time for knitting and surfing - me, hopefully soon.  Have a good one.

Elann.com

I never thought I would enjoy receiving yarn in the mail so much, but I do. I've read about it and wondered, and now, I no longer need to.  The first package was nice, but this week I have received three! Sounds like alot, but I really don't care.  The first one is the ball winder my wonderful mom got me for Christmas. The second and third is yarn for the Sitcom Chic and Lara from the Debbie Bliss Apalca Silk book. 

The Arizon Clay is beautiful. It is darker than I thought, and I am so please with it. The Candy Red is a bit too red for me, and it is for the Sitcom Chic, but I'm going to give it a whirl and see. 

As for knitting news - I started the Ribby Cardi even though everyone suggested to start Lara first. At the time, I didn't have anything on the needles and the yarn for the Ribby Cardi was staring at me, so I had to start it.  But then my Lara yarn came and I started her too.  My rule is one project at a time, but I couldn't help it. I won't start the Sitcom Chic until these puppies are done, but well, you never know.

I'm off now, busy day today..And the most exciting thing about today - we are getting a king size bed.  Have a good one folks.

Notice the time I'm Posting - 7am.....AAHHH

Brenda and Jenn - I'm with ya - I hate it, but I guess I will have to work for a living, well, for now.   I will still get to read you guys, but in the morning.  Kris - I will ask Lorena if she is open.  Please confirm the date, as I believe it is Wednesday December 29th.  Let me know.

I forgot to mention - I finished the multi directional scarf for my younger daughter - and she loves it.  As well, I finished the neck warmer thingie from Amy Singer's KnitWit using Inca Gold's Alpaca in a dark lilac colour.  One day there will be pictures, but they are small projects...So, when I find the time, I will post them for all to see.

SnB was not as successful last night in terms of knitting - I didn't get much done. But I did get a lesson on hand spinning from this wonderful Lady Noelle (sp?). This is her second time coming, and I hope she keeps coming back.  She brings her big bag of fleece, a couple of hand spindles, and just spins and talks about how to do it. Of course, after this lesson, I go home, pull mine out and start to spin, and well, let's just say - I'm not a happy girl with my technique.  Next week Noelle says she will be there, so I'll bring my one spindle and little bit of roving. 

If I keep saying "I think I can", I'm sure I will succeed.

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

have a good one folks.

Man - work really gets in the way of everything. What the hell is up with that? Between Christmas, working full time, kids and whatever else pops up on my plate, I've not had much time for knitting. And on top of everything else going on right now in my life, my hands are killing me like they have never hurt before. It is driving me nuts. And since I am complaining, my two yarn orders from elann.com have not arrived. Oh well....Even though the advise from you guys was to start Lara, I didn't because, well, the yarn isn't here. So the Ribby Cardi's back is about 2" done. Big deal I know, but no time and hands on fire pretty much stop any real knitting progress.

And - here's another complaint - no time to read the blogs. I used to do this first thing in the morning, but I've moved to another building at work and everyone in my new group can see my screen - so now I need to find another time to surf your blogs. I guess getting up earlier is the way to go and surf.

I am going to the Naked Sheep tonight for the weekly SnB. I love those ladies. What a great bunch. But I've got to run.

I;m taking a page from Sandra's book...

I need an intervention!  I've just ordered 10 balls of this, again in Candy Red to make this.  What the hell is wrong with me? I have no idea. Actually I do, and this here are my justifications for purchasing more yarn:

1. Cheap, cheap, cheap stuff

2. Beautiful to knit with and looks beautiful.  Brenda at the SnB was knitting with it - and oh man, it is beautiful.

3. I don't own that many sweaters

4. I love this sweater

5. I don't have a red sweater

6. I love Bonne Marie's patterns (I have the chickami, bucket hat and ribby cardi. I want to make 3x1 Chic with the left over yarn from Banff)

7. Really - do I need one reason? No - but I've given you 6.

As for the Lara vs. Ribby Cardi debate, looks like Lara is the winner. It is too bad because I have not received her yarn yet.  I will need to work on other little things until it comes in. Or maybe I will take a break as my hands and wrists are killing me. 

I think they hurt as I was knitting with the snowflake yarn for my daughter's scarf.  This stuff is horrible to knit with. Granted the multi directional scarf looks fabulous in this yarn, hides the garter stitch (which I don't like the look of garter) and it was for my daughter, but now that it is done, I need to let it go. It was a pain, but she loves it.  And I have the yarn out of my closet - every little bit of it went into that scarf, so I no longer need to see it and wonder what the hell I should make out of it.

So as Sandra says - there is the 411. Have a good one folks.

Elann - My Friend

I've ordered 11 more balls of this in the Arizona Clay colour. I guess it is a rusty pink, I hope. I want to make Lara from this book. I never thought I would make it, but it is a fantatic sweater for work, going to the movies, whatever. 

Now I have a dilemma- which sweater to start first? Lara or Ribby Cardi? Can you help me? Leave your choice in the comment section.

Looking forward to hearing what you think.