Noolie Knits

WIP Wednesday on Thursday

It's my crazy busy time at work and will remain that way for a couple more months.  Add to that the fact that I'm also very busy in my non-work life - knit night, spinning night, watching Clover on days Samm works (after I get home until Jay gets home from work), or just plain playing with Clover.  This makes it really difficult to blog regularly.  I've decided not to stress too much about it and stop apologizing for it,  but I would really like to get in at least one fiber related post a week. 

This week's post was meant to be a WIP Wednesday post, but I didn't finish it in time (see above) so you're getting it today. Just pretend for a moment that it's Wednesday as I show you my current WIP's. (The ones I'm actively working on anyway; like most of you, there are plenty more that have been stashed away to take a timeout and which may or may not be ressurected at some future date). 

SPINNNIG:
 

Sereknity "Beach Glass" 4 ounces of lucious Alpaca/Merino/Silk  

I'm loving the way this is spinning up.  I split the fiber only once lengthwise to get nice long color repeats.  I intend to navajo ply in order to keep the beautiful colors intact.  The singles should be finished tonight at Chicks with Wheels. 

KNITTING:

  This is the completed back of my Cabled Yoke Pullover.   

Since taking this picture, I've completed the front up to the point where I need to begin the patterning.  It's now on hold until I finish this next item:

 

   Spring Savasana Socks (Ravelry link) by Gina House  

This is Gina's newest sock pattern (the one she gifted me last week).  While doing a partial stash organization on Sunday, I rediscovered this yarn that Patti gifted to me quite some time ago.  It is Dream in Color Classy and it is perfect for this pattern.  It's very soft and squishy and feels wonderful on my foot.  The pattern is great; it's very easy to remember the 4 row pattern repeat and it's quick.  I started this first sock Sunday afternoon and finished it on Monday!  I've started and completed the ribbing on the second sock and plan to finish that by the weekend. 

CROCHETING: 

Warning - Very Bright Photo Ahead - Use Caution when Viewing!

I haven't shown you any progress on my Crocus Wrap for a while and since it was a beautiful sunny afternoon after work yesterday, I decided to snap a picture on the deck.  Immediately after taking the picture below, my camera battery died.  Had it not died, I would have attempted to get a better photo for you.  

Crocus Wrap
My handspun Louet Northern Lights yarn in the Burning Bush colorway (which is much pretty than the picture would lead you to believe; check it out here.)

I'm enjoying crocheting this wrap;  I don't need it until mid-September so I'm just taking my time and working on it when the mood strikes.  It doesn't look so hot unblocked, but when I stretch it out to get a preview of how it might look when finished, I'm very happy.  Now I just need to lose enough weight to fit into the dress I want to wear with it!
(I should be able to do it - I've lost 11 1/2 pounds since mid-February;  just have to keep my motivation up to lose another 10.)

Friday with Clover - The Big Girl Edition

Look who's a big girl now.

Clover got her first "big girl bed" a couple weeks ago.  She got right in it and went right to sleep.  It took her a while to start sleeping through the night in it, but she's getting pretty good at it now.

This is what her Mommy and Daddy found in the morning after her first full night in the bed:

Yes, she's sound asleep in that position.
Silly girl!

I Love Surprises

 Well, maybe not all surprises.

I don't much care for the surprises the kitties sometimes leave for me; and I really don't like it when I step on those surpises - Ewwww. 

I do love the kind of surprise that was waiting for me on my porch when I got home at lunch today.  It was a completely unexpected package from the wonderful Gina.

Once I saw the box, I couldn't get it in the house fast enough.  Forget about eating; I wanted to see what was in the box. 

Would you like to see?

  It wasn't all for me; there were goodies for Clover and Samm in the box as well as goodies for me.

For Clover: 

A cute My Little Pony with hairbrush and a gift wrapped in some really pretty pink fabric.

Check out what was wrapped in that fabric:

Isn't this the cutest little doll ever?  Gina made it herself.  I love it and so does Clover!

 

For Samm:

Beads, Lip Smackers, Swarovski crystals, and (you'll want to click on this picture to see the detail on these) adorable little birdie bobbie pins!  Too cute!  Gina, how did you know Samm goes through chapstick like crazy?  She called to tell me she is wearing the birdies in her hair right now! She loves it all.  

 

and For Me, Me, Me:

Her beautiful new sock pattern!  I'm so glad that I just finished the "year-long" socks; I plan to cast on for these in the next day or two!  You can bet these will not be on the needles for a year!
 

As if that wasn't enough, she also sent me some merino/silk that she dyed in the happiest of colors!

The color is greener than the picture shows and it just makes me smile when I look at it.  It's going to be such a joy to spin this!    

Does Gina know how to put together a package or what?  Thanks so much, Gina!

Holy Cow...

Has it really been nearly a month since I've posted anything even remotely fiber related?  How does that happen?  It's not like I haven't been doing anything; I have even managed a few FO's in that time (very small FO's, but FO's nonetheless).

Would you like to see proof?

Of course you would.

FO #1 - Luke's Square

Italian Square
from the book Encyclopedia of Crochet by Donna Kooler 
Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK yarn
Size I hook (if I remember correctly).

 

FO #2 Spinning Bags

 
Pattern: Felted Spinning Wheel Bags (Ravelry Link) by Shannon Geddes
Yarn:  Lamb's Pride Worsted;  Color:  Cranberry Swirl
Needles:  Size 11
Here is mine in use.

I made these for the three of us in my spinning group who have Ladybug wheels.  This bag is the perfect size for all the little things you like to have nearby when spinning; I have my orifice hook, oil bottle, small pair of scissors, wpi tool, and spinner's guide in mine. 


FO #3  Sherry's Hat

 
Pattern: Foaming Waves Chemo Cap (Ravelry Link)  by Maureen Keenan
Yarn: Tilli Tomas Pure and Simple 100% silk;  Color: Dusty Rose
Needles: Size 5

I knit this hat for a woman who I used to go to church with and who my sister has worked with for years.  She is undergoing chemo for breast cancer.  I knit all kinds of good thoughts into that hat for her and I'm guessing she could use some of your good thoughts as well.

FO #4  Sockotta Socks

Pattern: Top-down, Stockinette stitch, afterthough heel
Yarn: Plymouth Sockotta Sock Yarn; Color #6674
Needles: Size 2 dpn's  

These socks flew off the needles (NOT);  they only took 11 1/2 months to complete!!! 

I have two projects currently on the needles (technically, one on the needles and one on the hook), and I've completed a spinning project and begun another.  I'll save those for another post though.

Have a great day!

Friday with Clover

Another dancing video; this one from Easter:

That was just the beginning of a very nice Easter with Clover. 

She had a visit from the Easter Bunny and wasn't the least bit afraid; she even gave kisses.

She hunted for Easter Eggs (and flung them into the basket; thank goodness they were hard boiled!).

There were bubbles...

and coloring...   and a trip to the playground.

I know this will come as a big surprise, but I have about a gazillion pictures of the day.  If you'd like to see them click here.

 

I'll leave you with just one more; this is one of my favorites:

Have a great day!

Friday with Clover (and Bronson)

"Hey Bronson, what are you doing?"...Clover

"I'm cooking lunch."...Bronson


"Aww, I love a man who cooks!"...Clover   How's that, Marianne?

Ten on Tuesday

10 Least Liked Foods  

1.    Lima Beans - It's a texture thing
2.    Beets
3.    Creamed corn - I think this is a visual thing since I like corn but not when it looks like someone has already eaten it. 
4.    Sushi 
5.    Black Licorice -  YUCK!
6.    Cilantro - Tastes like soap to me.  I once mistook this for flat leaf parsley and made spaghetti sauce with it.  I kept thinking I must not have rinsed out the pot well enough because it tasted like soap.  Then I noticed the tag on the leftover "parsley".  Needless to say, that pot of sauce was thrown out!
7.    Soy milk - I've really tried to like this because I know it's good for me; just can't do it.
8.    Sardines - I have to admit that I've never actually tried sardines; I just know I hate them by the nasty smell!
9.    Liver - Another texture thing.
10.  Raw Clams (or oysters) - Again with the texture - this one is just plain disgusting!

 

This was a very difficult list for me since I really do enjoy my food! 

 

What foods don't you like?

Friday with Clover (and Phoebe)

This one's for you, MissaLouise.

Clover loves Phoebe

 

  Happy Friday!

Only in Maine

Apparently, there's someone who isn't very happy with Code Enforcement in town.   I know, I know; the fact that the Code Enforcement Officers wouldn't be the most popular people in town is surprising!

These were found around town yesterday (April Fool's Day)...
  ...and the story made the evening news!  (be sure to click the video on the right side of the linked page)   Where but in Maine?  

WTF Wednesday

This picture was e-mailed to me and I just had to share it with all of you.