FO Friday - 1/11/2025

 Y’all! I finished something in the new year!

The pattern is called Travel Hat by Robin Devine. I used Cascade 220 Superwash Aran in the Army Green color way. My knitting mojo has been pretty nonexistent, which is why I chose to make something little. Instant gratification can be a good jumpstarter.

Once again, I’m trying to play with yarn in my stash. I’m not promising a total cold sheep year, but I’d really like to knit with yarn I already have. 

I’ve already started another project. It’s another hat. I hope you’ll see it soon.

MK out.

Book Chat -2/25/2022

Let’s dive right in: 

The President is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton 

Someone is planning a major cyberattack on the US and the President has to work behind the scenes to try to figure out how to stop it. There’s also a leak coming from a very high level of the government. This attack would cripple the water and power supplies, transportation and communication systems, all manner of financial institutions, the internet, and any device that connects to it. It would plunge the US into The Dark Ages. Sadly, Russia poses a similar threat to the US and other countries.  I was entertained and a little freaked out by the book.

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

Benny and Byron’s mother has died. The estranged siblings are left with a black cake to eat “when the time is right” and a video message their mother left to share many things she didn’t have time to before she died. It was good.

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

Lillian’s friend Madison, whom she hasn’t seen since Lillian had to leave their boarding school suddenly, calls her with the promise of a job offer. Lillian learns that the job is to care for Madison’s stepchildren. Since they tend to spontaneously combust, Lillian must keep them safe and out of the public eye while their father is being vetted for a high ranking government position. I liked it.

MK out. 

Book Chat - 11/11/2021

 I present the latest suggestions:

Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney 

To say that this book is about a college student who has an affair with a married man would be reductive, but that’s a good description on first glance. There’s much more to the story, and while it took a minute to get used to the writing style, I ended up really liking the book.

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

Two brothers in search of a fresh start, plus two fugitives with their own agendas, set off on a cross-country escapade. The story is very character driven, and the characters are superbly written. Loved it!

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

This book is another story that tells about the WPA’s  program of packhorse libraries during the depression. It was very good.

MK out.

Sump'm Sump'm Saturday - 5/26/2018

In continuing my tradition of making only thoughtful purchases of yarn this year, I bought yarn for the fifth month in a row.

Sorry, not sorry.

MK out.

I Went, I Saw, I Bought

As I mentioned yesterday, my LYS had a Ravelry Carnival last night complete with food and sales...

I did go with the intention of looking for some yarn for a secret project I have in the works.  It is still in the planning stages, and you won't be seeing it until it is all finished. I found the perfect yarn for the project and bought all they had (nine skeins), and I got if for thirty percent off.  Score!



That purchase earned me a $25.00 off coupon in their loyalty program.  I thought, "Great!" and put it in my purse and continued knitting and visiting with people.  Then, I was reminded that I had to use it in thirty days...and things were on sale tonight...

I thought for a long time.

I looked at their selection of Madelinetosh yarns.  It was pretty picked over by that point, as it was flying off the shelves during this little party.  I was sitting right near it; so, I was watching the proceedings up to this point.  I settled on a skein of Tosh Sock in Betty Drapers Blue.  I don't know if I have any blue socks, or I could always make a shawl...



A friend just found out that she is having a baby at the end of November.  I have yarn in my stash to make something for the baby, but I also wanted to make something for baby number one who will be two in December.  I looked at my Ravelry stash on my phone and couldn't come up with enough yarn in one color to make something for Big Sister. 



I got the sock yarn and three skeins of the pink baby yarn for $2.23 after my coupon - they were discounted per the sale price too.

So, while I broke my Cold Sheep before my planned date - (because I couldn't wait for nine more days, apparently) - it could have been worse my friends...it could have been worse...

I stayed up pretty late last night knitting after I got home from the party.  I think I may be finished with both the sweater and the socks by late tonight, but I know the seaming and end weaving won't be done; so, y'all probably won't get to see them tomorrow.

Sorry.

MK out.

WIP Wednesday - 3/23/2011

Since I write about my knitting weekly, I feel added pressure to knit and to be able to show progress.  I am sabotaging myself because I have a few things going at once. Even if I do knit on something reasonably consistently - and I also give attention to some or all of the other things going - progress is not so obvious.

Case in point, the March 2011 socks:



I like the pattern okay, but the slipping stitches across every other row slows me down too.  It is making a nice, dense fabric.



I am at the armholes on the baby sweater:



At least it is made in one piece; so, I have fronts and back up to that point simultaneously.

Cold Sheeping is still going well.  I have not bought one ball of yarn since November 1.  That's over four months!  When I look at projects I want to make online, or in the yarn shop - or I see a yarn I'd like to try...it can be a little hard.  Usually, I go upstairs to where my yarn stash lives and look through it a little, and I'm fine.

The DFW Fiber Fest is coming in three weeks...I have already planned to purchase yarn there.  How could I not?  Madelinetosh, The Woolie Ewe, Brooks Farm Yarns, The Knitting Fairy, Fiber Lady...just to name a few....will all be there.  There will be yarn fumes to take in and yarn to pet.  C.a.n.n.o.t.w.a.i.t.  I think my strategy will be to allow myself a certain dollar amount and have things in mind that I really want.  We shall see.

Anyone out there planning on coming to DFW Fiber Fest?  What other fiber festival will you be attending in the next few weeks or months?

MK out.

 

WIP Wednesday - 1/12/2011

I have not bought any yarn since October 15, 2010.  That's three months, People!!!  I just thought I'd share.  My Cold Sheep Year is going strong still...

I have, however, been knitting.  There are four projects in the rotation currently.

First, the little pumpkin hat...I knitted a little on it this past week:

Second, the Surprise Bag...It doesn't look too different from last week, but I did start the I-cord handle at the theater the other day while I was watching Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader:



Third, the Mermaid Socks are coming right along...I worked alot on this project this past week, and I will work on it again tonight:



Finally, I pulled one of the problem children out of time out and knitted some on it yesterday...the Lacy Summer Top (aIthough it is not summer these days)...I will work on it again tonight too:




Lots of knitting going on.  Hopefully, some finishing will be happening soon.

MK out.

FO Friday - 1/7/2011

I really have been knitting more since Wednesday's post.  In fact, I am knitting as fast as I can - when I am not at work or participating in other types of life's obligations.

Right now, I have only three projects going.  Did I forget to mention the little hat and booties project I started the other night?  I looked at my Ravelry Stash page and saw the orange Berroco Comfort DK sitting up there in the first position and thought - Hey!  I should make a pumpkin type hat or something for the baby gift box.  Well, it may have to be my spin on a pumpkin hat, as I don't think I have a good green to go with the orange....It is Cold Sheep Year around here; so, I'm not going to go out and buy a whole ball of yarn just for the top of the hat.  I'll think of something.

All this talk just to say, I don't have any new finished projects to share, but here's one that I finished in July.  I made it as a wedding present for a good friend of mine:

I found the pattern online...It's a free Crystal Palace Yarns pattern.  I used a worsted weight yarn doubled and size 15US needles.  I like the monochromatic textured look.





Speaking of the Cold Sheep Year...I am having a lot of fun looking through the stash boxes and coming up with projects I want to make.  I've had a particular project in mind for most of the yarn I've purchased throughout the last ten years.  (Can you believe that prior to that, I had no yarn hanging around my house...except for the ancient UFO that I've had for about twenty years?  I don't want to talk about that right now.)  I've changed my mind about a few of those proposed projects, several times since I've bought most of that yarn.  

There's some yarn I've bought with no particular project in mind...It was a "good deal."  Those good deals sure have a way of coming back and biting you in the butt. 

Then there's the sock yarn...It can turn into...well, socks - but the actual patterns I will use are still a mystery.  Some sock yarn may turn into a shawl or two.  I don't know....I kind of like the mystery.

MK out.

WIP Wednesday - 1/5/2011

I didn't really knit more than a couple of rows a day this past week.  I have two projects going.

First, I am still working on the Surprise Bag that will be felted:

Secondly, I started the Mermaid Socks.  I am making them two-at-a-time - they are a bit slow going.  I really like using this yarn.  It's really squishy and the colors are happy.  I like the pattern.  I feel like I have a smile on my face the whole time I am knitting, but maybe I am just smiling on the inside. 








I am still very excited about my Cold Sheep Year.  I have some really neat yarn, some super needles and I enjoy knitting.  It's a win-win for the Merry Karma!  For you needle hos out there, Signature is expanding the size range a bit for their circular needles.  I.am.thrilled.  When they make the sock needle size circulars...I will be really happy.

MK out.

Happy New Year 2011!!!

I am not one for resolutions anymore, because over the years, I noticed that they were always the same.  I like challenges better.  2009 was the Year of Decrapification.  Right before the holidays, I hired a professional organizer, and most of the decrapifying was accomplished before the end of the year.  2010 was the Year of Redecoration.  Right before the holidays, I had the painters come in and they've done the first floor.  (Are we seeing a pattern here?)

I picked an easier challenge for 2011 - The Year of the Cold Sheep.  For the muggles out there, it means that I will not buy yarn this year EXCEPT I have allowed myself to make a thoughtful purchase or two at DFW Fiber Fest in April and at Sock Summit in July.  But that's it. I will shop from stash only.  I have plenty of yarn to make all kinds of things.  I can be perfectly happy for a long time, and I am starting today...Well, actually, I started November 1, just to get myself in the groove. 

I deleted all the tempting e-mails from the local yarn shops advertising their year end sales.  I didn't go to any...and remember, the last two years, I worked at one of them?  It was hard, I tell you.

So, today, I will list my problem projects (remember that post a few weeks ago?) and start tackling them one at a time, but not before I start my first project of the year...a pair of socks in my self-imposed sock club.  For January, I am going to make Lucy Neatby's Mermaid socks.  I've made them before, but this time, I will use Lucy Neatby's Cats Pajamas yarn in the Mermaid colorway. 

Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year!

MK out.