Pictures... At least some of them...

Well, My dear Mom has complied and sent me some pictures of knitted things -

First is her "Sheep Tote" - basically the pattern calls for you to needlefelt a "sheep" on the side - thus the name - it is simply a nice square tote - which for some reason my dear Mom continues to call a purse. This "purse" is big enough to store 4 purses... Doesn't make sense to me - but, if she likes calling it a purse - it's hers - so be it.

It's made holding 2 strands together of Lamb's Pride (Wool/Mohair - thus the "fuzzy" look) one is a "swirly" (I think they call it varigated - but I like calling it swirly) and the other is a solid blue. It's cute, I have one, they are so so so so functional - this is the "bigger" version of the one I did for Paige back in October.


The next is another pencil vase like I knit for Bree's Teachers - but, I made this one to teach Mom how to felt. I like the colors - I have enough yarn left over to make one for me - which I just might - once I finish all these silly things I have on needles as we speak (way too many for my usual way of conducting knitting business). It's made with 2 strands of Galway - one multi color and one solid. It's from the Plymouth Felted Vase pattern - just made a scoish shorter so pencils don't disappear (that happens enough in my house at least without losing them in a holder).


Then while in TN at Christmas, I taught Mom to make the vase and here's her rendition - it is also in a Galway pink mulit color and one strand of a solid. I don't think she's felted it enough (can see stitches as well as it's HUGE compared to the Turqouise one) - But, it's cute! I like the colors in this one as well. In her vase, is also a flower she knit and felted from a kit she purchased when she was here in April - cute isn't it?

Speaking of on the needles... I made a vase like the above for Peggy's as a shop sample and am making a "jewelry box" one -also a Plymouth Pattern, but have to get more yarn - Am making it out of Malabrigo worsted (yum - still I think my all time favorite multi use - good for anything yarn). So, have to finish that.

I finished my felted clogs last night - have to felt them, THEN, I'll take pics of my "happy feet". I am alos 57 rows of stockinette on size 1 needles away from finishing Bree's KNEE socks - someone please - anyone - remind me NEVER EVER to make KNEE socks again - they take more than a LIFETIME. I also have figured out what I'm going to do (or in this case REDO) on my Brother's Alpaca Hunting socks - so, when I'm finished with the never-ending knee socks - then I'll turn my efforts to those.

I'm also working on an American Girl Doll Bathrobe, and I'm using the most disgusting to use yarn (I'm not a yarn snob, but this stuff is just gawd awful to work with - and yes, it is CHEAP yarn) - But, I couldn't find anything suitable and Bree liked it -Why did I even dream up the idea of letting her pick??? I'm not sure. I keep finding excuses to finish "other" things instead of just biting the bullet and knocking this out - afterall, the back is done, one front is done, and I'm on the 2nd front panel and that leaves the sleeves and collar - How difficult could it be to just "git er done"??? Afterall, it's just for an 18" doll - not like a human - ummm.. apparently VERY difficult. I was even trying to bribe my Wednesday night knitting group to each do a few rows on it and pass it around so that it gets done.. No one has taken me up on that offer - if that gives ANY indication as to how yucky this yarn is!

Well, speaking of which - I see Bree's never ending knee socks giving me the evil eye saying "knit me, knit me" (said in my best - which isn't very good) - Ron White "pick me" puppy voice...

So, I think I will listen to that voice - since it will save me from the gawd awful robe yarn....

Deja' Vu? Another FO Sheep Tote...

During the same outing to Sheep's Clothing, Miss Sarah had convinced me to purchase some yarn that was being discontinued by the manufacturer (what a shame, it is awesome stuff)

Well, the color is the most perfect, exact, favorite of my friend, Paige - so, I just had to purchase it not having a CLUE what I was going to do make with it for her - so.. it sat (we went to Sheep's Clothing I think back in May?)

After completing my Sheep Tote and seeing how cool it is and knowing how Miss Paige chides me about my organizational obsession (even though she says she's impressed with it), I thought how perfect for her to have something to always remind her of my organizational mindset.. (ha, ha)

So, off to work I went and made up this for her, of course I had to add some "bling" to it with the button covering the snap closure - which I think will inspire her to whip out her "Bedazzler" and do her thing with it!



And here's a closeup of the "bling" button/closure.. Plus this picture greatly shows the vibrant orange/red/yellow color of the yarn -



The yarn is from Queensland Collection, called "Big Wave" and is a thick and thin 90%Wool, 10% Cashmere and is wonderful to work with and felt with - I am saddened they are/have discontinued it...

Finished Object (FO) Purple/Red Sheep Tote

As promised, I do have a few finished objects...

My first "real" project (supervised by Miss Kate) was the "Fabulous Felted Tote" by Fiber Trends - and though I love it - it is so DEEP - so, when Miss Kate made herself a Fiber Trends Sheep Tote - I started "jonesing" as it was rectangular and short and had pockets for organization (and you all know how organization is one of my most coveted words).

So, during our outing to Indiana to Sheep's Clothing, I purchased the pattern and yarn (Cascade Quatro in the Red Stripe and Cascade 220 in a purple) and finally made up my very own.

I SO wanted to make it like Miss Kate's (I LOVE the Malabrigo Chunky varigated she used) but, since every LYS I've been to does NOT carry it - and I take this PERSONALLY, I had to substitute. Just for the record - I like mine (although it is quite plain) but still LOVE Miss Kate's.

So, I've been toying with perhaps doing a needle felted "something" on it - but, nothing has hit my fancy as of yet - Maybe I should send it down to my "bedazzler" queen friend, Paige, for some bling?

Anyway, here is a picture - I followed the pattern as is - and used 2 strands of the Cascade yarns mentioned above.

The Baaa, Baaaa Tote (the sheep tote)

I had always admired from afar Kate' Sheep Tote... (ok not so far - as I was always bugging her about it). So, when we went to Sheep's Clothing in Indiana, I purchased the Fiber Trends Pattern and 2 colors of Cascade yarn - to knit together - I was actually trying to replicate the Malabrigo Chunky that Kate used that NO ONE (gripe, rant, etc..) seems to be carrying or have in stock these days - did I mention how that REALLY ticks me off????

So, I tried my darndest to get close to the colors - (don't think they are but that's the way knitting life is)

Well, it's all knit up - 2 side pockets and 1 large pockets and I'm looking at the picture AFTER I've knit the pockets and SEWN them on and I'm thinking that these darn pockets are WAY TOO tall compared to the picture

Now, since Paige calls me the "Spreadsheet" Queen, and Sarah giggles all the time about my nifty-difty knitting keep track of every row notebook, I am CERTAIN I have followed the directions to the tee.. Even recounted to be sure..

This has been completed (save the handle - as I haven't decided if I'm going to do a knit, wood, or curtain tie back type handle, yet) for about 2 weeks (at least)- but I have NOT felted it as I can't decide whether or not I should RIP OUT the damn pockets and frog back about 10 or such rows to make them look a bit more like the picture on the pattern. I keep walking by it, wondering - so I'll put it out to all of you - should I let it fly and felt it as is? Or rip it back and make it look like the pattern photo???? You be the deciding factor!

Here are the pictures:







And the pattern picture:


So, far I've used 3 Skeins each of Cascade Quatro and 220, size 11 needles and total cost around $45.00

I have OVERCOME..

The sweet smell of victory is wafting in the air in the house.. It is the wonderful aroma of a FINISHED Jaywalker sock...

Yes, Dr Kate was correct - obsessive or compulsive - you choose has driven me to finish this wild beast that has been knocking at my door for weeks now..

But, alas, victory is ALL mine.. I will take pictures and I'm going to savor this moment and celebrate - too bad I don't have champagne - otherwise I'd be breaking it out!

The 2nd sock should follow here shortly -

I have also completed the knitting of my Sheep Tote, the pockets are sewn and all that is left is felting!

Cruising Along...

Welp, I have finished Bill's socks save the "Afterthought" heel and hopefully, Miss Sarah will be back in time to show me how to do that on Sunday! Yay! When that's done I'll post pictures..

So, in the meantime, I've moved on to the Sheep Tote (doing with 2 strands of Cascade Quatro and a Cascade 220) - and the pattern calls for 24" circs - well, unless you're doing it in a fingering weight it is tighter than I can even knit (and all will agree I knit TIGHT) - so, yesterday went to Peggy's in Plainfield and picked me up a 32" and all is well and I have the bottom finished and 10 rows out of 64 of the sides! It's an "easy" knit too which is nice!

I also while at Peggy's picked up my Addi's in size 1 to switch the Jaywalkers too - so, when I have a "quiet" moment, I will be doing that - I just don't know in my little pea of a brain WHY these Jaywalkers are causing me so much trouble - EVERYONE says how they are so easy to knit - well, not for me... I don't know why.. But, they are certainly on my "look cute, but HATE to knit" list!

But, I WILL (battle of the wills) get them DONE, DONE, DONE!

Then I will start the Koigu ones and a secret project for a good friend... She'll love it I'm sure - It's not horse related, but, it will be SO ugly it'll be pretty - I think based on that statement she'll know WHOM I'm speaking of...

We haven't been out to spoil the horses this week, just trying to get organized and situated and the holiday in the middle of the week really has us "thrown out of whack". I'm filling Bree's little pool up right now so it can warm up some before she jumps in - but, heck she doesn't care whatsoever - that kid can handle cold like a bathtub full of ice - brrrrr - it's supposed to be 90 here today so it might actually feel good....

And, tomorrow, I'm transporting probably 6 2lb baby pot bellied pigs from Springfield up to my house (meeting my friend Paige in Springfield who's picking them up from the breeder) and a bunch of horsey people up this way will be here tomorrow night to pick them up - This should be absolutely HYSTERICAL - considering the yuppy scumville neighbors I have - they'll hear those babies SQUEAL and think Oh geez, what have the rednecks next door brought home now? Sadly, they'll probably be here less than 4 hours.. It'd be fun to mess with their minds for the weekend.. hehehehe

Here's the one that I think Paige is getting.. Isn't he ADORABLE?

She's looking for "bad-ass" names for the little guy - and right now is liking Hercules - anyone else have ideas - you can post comment here or on her blog http://www.strawnequine.blogspot.com/