Noolie Knits

A Picture Post

Another picture of Clover and Samm. Samm thought I deliberately cut out her tattoo in the last post so I thought I'd show it to you today.   
 

I finished a pair of socks...

Yarn: Marks & Kattens Clown
Pattern: Stockinette Stitch, top down socks on 60 stitches. Eye of Partridge heel.

 

...and started another:

Yarn: TOFUtsies     Pattern: Rainbow Ripple  

 

Over the past week, I've received more goodies from some very good friends - I'm so spoiled (and I love it)!

 

From the wonderful Dana and Dianne - a souvenier from the festival they work so hard to put together, The Sedalia Spring Fiber Festival: 

A Nana Sadie Rose bag!
With crazy black cats on the outside and pawprints inside (along with many pockets for needles and things) - Perfect!

I'm saving my pennies so that I can buy my own souvenier next year.
2010 Sedalia or Bust!  Right Marianne?

More birthday goodies from Patti and Roger:

Goes perfectly with the rest of the birthday gifties they bestowed upon me.

 

Wait, I'm not done yet.  Even more birthday goodies arrived in the mail on Friday. This package came from the sweet, sweet Gina.

Chalice Cable Handwarmers pattern by Alison Green Will,
the yarn to knit the handwarmers - Rowan Felted Tweed,
and some scrumptious Jojoland Cashmere laceweight yarn!
Don't you love the wrapping paper? And that card is too cute! (click here to see it larger so you can read it)

Thank you all so much - you're all too good to me!

I received one more goodie package in the mail on Saturday - this one wasn't a gift; it was my May Spunky Club fiber:

"Pansy" 4 ounces of Romney
Gorgeous isn't it?  

Clover thinks so!

I have just a couple more photos to share with you before I end for today:

 

This is how hubby spent yesterday morning.
You KNOW that made me happy!!!

A Moment of Silence Please...

...as we mourn the passing of another swimming pool season.

 

I always feel sad at the end of Summer.  I LOVE Summer weather; I think I'm living in the wrong part of the country. 

Maybe that's the reason for the funk I've been in this past week.  I can't seem to get out of my own way and I've barely accomplished anything since finishing the sweater last weekend.  I went to Chicks with Sticks on Tuesday and while the company was wonderful (as always), I just couldn't get into the knitting.  I know, I know; it shocked me too.  I brought some baby socks I was working on; I wasn't happy with the foot and planned to rework it.  That lasted all of about 10 minutes before I was bored with it.  I got out the sweater I had started ages ago for Clover using some of Gina's hand-dyed yarn, but I couldn't get into that either.  I actually ended up leaving a little bit early; that is absolutely unheard of!

I did mange to finish one sock on Wednesday morning, but didn't knit a stitch  Wednesday night and went to bed at 8:15!  Geeze Louise, what's wrong with me?  Oh, here's the sock:  

Last night I did stay up to do some spinning.  First, I finally finished plying the spindle spun singles that I did using the fiber that was left over after spinning and knitting this hat.  It kind of resembles a pile of worms:

Okay, so maybe it's a bit more colorful than a pile of worms.  There's just about 50 yards here.  Is that enough for some itty bitty mittens; you know, the little baby things that have no thumbs?

Once I got the worms soaking in the sink, I went upstairs and got Alice out for a little quality time together.  I think it was just what I needed.  I watched some mindless T.V. and spun for hours.  I finished the BFL I was working on and decided to go ahead and ply it last night too.  I finished around 11:30.  First thing this morning (after making coffee) I wrapped the yarn onto my new niddy noddy.  It's really kind of purty, don't you think?

and a close up: I soaked it, and hung it to dry.  I can't wait to see how it looks dry.  I'm pretty happy with this even though it is not the most evenly spun yarn around.  There's about 284 yards there and I'm guessing it's about worsted weight.  I'll check the wpi after it's dry.  I have a lot to learn still, but damn, I'm loving the spinning!

I think I'll finish the other baby sock tonight.  After that, I need to decide if I want to continue with the other little sweater or start something new.  I'm thinking I'll probably start something new :-)

Have a great weekend everyone!

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Too Lazy to Think of a Clever Title

Tuesday already?  I know I say this all the time, but really folks, where the F**k does the time go?  And if so much time has passed, why don't I have more to show for it? 

I did have a nice weekend; spent Saturday saying goodbye to summer.  It was in the 90's here and it was a weekend; I had to spend it in the pool!  Really, what choice did I have?  I even stayed in there after I was ready to get out because I knew it was my last day of pool floating for the year and I was determined to get in every minute I could.  I'm really glad I did too, because the weather took a turn on Sunday and Fall is definitely here.  As soon as it stops raining, I have to go pull the plug on the pool.  That always makes me sad :-(

After getting out of the pool, I brought Alice downstairs and started what I had planned to be just a bit of spinning.  Ha!  Who did I think I was fooling?  Apparently, spinning is as addictive as knitting; who knew?  I ended up spinning for several hours, stopping only long enough to grab something to eat.  Pictures when I finish; I've spun about 3 of the 4 oz. I have of  this fiber.

I finished Clover's first sweater this weekend.  Can you guys handle another picture of Tina?  I hope so, because she's doing the modeling.

I'm very happy with how this came out, and Samm's happy with it too (she even said Tina doesn't look quite so freaky with a hood on).

Pattern:  Knitting Pure and Simple Baby Tunic
Yarn:  Plymouth Jelli Beenz., color 6201
Needles:  Addi's 6 & 8 circular; and dpn same sizes

I made a little, teensy, tiny baby sock out of some of the left over yarn.  I'll show you a picture when I make the second one.  Hopefully, it's not so small that it won't fit.

That's all I've got for you for now.  Chicks with Sticks tonight - YAY!

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CLICK TO HELP: Goal - $1,500Raised - $55518 DAYS TO GO
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Where has the week gone?

Can it really be Thursday already?  The last several days have just flown by!  I've meant to post; really, I have, but there just aren't enough hours in the day.  I'm also incredibly behind on my blog reading and e-mails.  I thought that with two weeks off work I'd be able to keep up with things.  Wrong! 

So, what have I been doing with all my free time?  Well, the weather has been absolutely perfect for several days now so I'm sure you can all guess where I've spent a good amount of my time.  Yep, the pool.  It's been great, very relaxing.  I've spent a couple of hours each afternoon just floating and reading a very good book.

I've also completed some projects and started some new ones.

I crocheted a couple of granny squares for Colleen; she's putting blankets together for her local children's hospital.

I started a new sweater for Clover on Tuesday; I was just feeling a very strong need to make her a sweater NOW.  So while at Chicks with Sticks, I picked up some yarn in a really pretty mint green color with flecks of pink to make the Baby Kimono from Mason Dixon Knitting.  I took a picture of my progress so far, but it is a really crappy picture so I don't think I'll post it here.  This is such a quick knit, I should be able to show you the finished picture real soon (unless I've just jinxed myself by saying that!) 

Speaking of Chicks with Sticks, Mel and The Sheep were unable to attend and both were really missed :-(    We did have a special, first time visitor this week, though.  Mel's partner, David, joined us; it was great to finally meet him and hopefully he'll join us again.

Yesterday, I finally finished the test knit I've been working on; it's currently drying on the blocking board.  It'll be a couple of weeks before I can show you pictures, but believe me when I say, it'll be worth the wait.  I am very happy with this FO.

This one's for you Patti; also finished yesterday:

School Socks

(this is a strange picture; guess I won't stand the socks up to take pictures again)

Yarn:  Soctoberfest by Scout
Needles:  Crystal Palace size 1 1/2 dpn
Pattern:  Plain ole stockinette on 64 stitches

These are my August socks for SAM4; finished just in time.  The first sock only took 2 days of classroom knitting to complete; the second sock took almost a month!

 

That brings us to today.  I got a new hairdo this morning (no pictures until after the cold sore from hell is gone).  Spent a couple of hours in the pool this afternoon and then spent some time with Alice on the deck.  After my lesson with Cheryl and Manise on Saturday, I put Alice away until the test knit was complete.  Now that I've finished that, I can spend some time getting to know her better.  I sat on the deck spinning for about 1 1/2 hours; I must have looked pretty funny sitting there in my bathing suit spinning away.  Good thing I have a nice private back yard.  Here's what I accomplished:

(Apparently, I'm a lousy photographer; the colors are actually more purple than this photo shows.)
The fiber is some BFL I got from Amy in a "Learn to Spin" spindle kit that I bought back in the fall.  This is about one ounce; there's a total of 4 to spin.  I think I'm doing pretty well, although there are some overspun and underspun bits.  I think I'm getting the hang of it though. 

That brings us up to date; I'm hoping to spend some time tomorrow and over the weekend catching up on some blog reading and e-mails.   

I'll try to be better about posting, too.  No promises though :-)

Saturday Sky

One minute I was floating around in the pool, reading my book and enjoying the hot sun.  The next minute, I was racing to get out of the pool as the clouds and thunder were moving quickly overhead.

Right now I am sitting inside watching the thunder and lightening storm outside the window.  I keep jumping at every roar of thunder or bolt of lightening, but I sit here in my wet bathing suit hoping it'll pass by quickly.  I just know that once I change, the sun will come back out. 

In knitting news, Ella's sweater is finished except for the seaming.  There are only 2 seams, but I think I'll wait and bring it to the gym tomorrow morning and do it there.  I want to work on the SKB tonight; I'd like to finish it before it's too cold to wear it.

I'll be away at school next week; I'm leaving shortly after work tomorrow.  Not sure how much internet access I'll have.  I'm hoping there'll be connections in the rooms, but I'm not counting on it.  I'm hoping I'll have at least some limited access and if I do, I'll be in touch. 

Have a great week, everyone :)

ETA:  The thunder and lightening has stopped, the rain is almost gone and the National Weather Service has just now issued a "Severe Thunderstorm Warning" for our area.  Sheesh!

Weekend Recap

I'm posting my Saturday Sky picture late again this week.  Saturday's weather was pretty nasty and you could barely see the sky, so I took a drive around town to find a picture that would be a bit more interesting than just a grey blob. 

As you can see, Saturday was no day for the pool, but that was okay because I had other plans anyway.

I met up with my sister and some of her friends from work at Wild Willy's for lunch and then we headed up to The Ogunquit Playhouse to see Menopause The Musical.  I had already seen the show with hubby in Boston a couple of years ago, but it's the kind of show you could see over and over again.  If you haven't seen it and get the opportunity, you really should.  It's hysterical (and pretty accurate too)!

Sunday's weather was much better!  It cooperated with my plans of floating around in the newly set up pool.  I worked at the gym in the morning; came home at noon, had some lunch, then spent a couple of hours napping on my float in the pool.  It felt so good to just float around with the warmth of the sun on me. The nice weather didn't last,of course; it's cloudy today.  But that's okay, I have to spend the day at work anyway.

I did do a little knitting and a little spinning over the weekend, but I have no pictures for you. So, I'll just distract you with a silly kitty picutre.

 

Ruby with Jay. I don't know what's up with Ruby's legs; she's just strange!

Have a great day!

Randomness again

I received an e-mail at work from hubby this afternoon that read "Water is going in the pool starting now."  WooHoo!!!!  Unfortunately, I don't think it's going to be much of a pool kind of weekend.  Maybe I can squeeze in a little time on the floating lounge chair on Sunday afternoon if the temps reach the higher end of what's being predicted.  Keep your fingers crossed for me; you know how much I love my pool and the sun!

Check this out:
I'm winning the battle! I know it doesn't really look like much, but I really am getting more comfortable with the spindle spinning and am actually starting to produce something that resembles yarn. It's getting a little more consistent, too; no more huge chunky sections followed by lace weight. It's starting to look more like a heavy worsted weight. This is a real accomplishment for me. Thanks for the "park and draft" tip, Amy; it's making all the difference. I'll keep working on this a bit each most nights and before long, I may even spin some useable yarn.

My crochet bag is coming right along. I have about 2/3rds of the body done and then it's on to the straps. I toyed with different ideas for the center section to give it some texture, finally deciding on a section of half double crochets and bobbles. I think it works; what do you think?


I packaged up the Dulaan knits and sent them on their way yesterday.
Thought I'd take a little break from the charity knitting once that was in the mail but remembered that I am teaching a sock class tonight. I need a sock that's at the start of the heel flap so I can demonstrate how to do the heel. You tell me; what's quicker than a little Magic 28 to accomplish that? Here's the cuff of sock #1 of pair #4 ready to to start the heel.

For this pair, I'm using some leftover yarn from a sweater I made last year. I love the subtle changes in color and the yarn is very soft. I decided to shake things up a bit and knit a ribbed cuff. I get too bored doing plain ole rib, so I did a 3 row repeat of K2, P2 for 2 rows, then knit a row. I know there's a name for the pattern, but don't ask me what it is.

I don't even want to think about how many WIP's this makes; seems I've been starting an awful lot of projects lately and have precious few FO's to show for it. Oh well, such is the life of a knitting addict :-)