Green Team is Flying: From Colleen Off to Jennifer NOW

Grace sent the box to BEth. then Beth sent the box to COlleen: Colleen took that gorgeous little gnome that, if you follow Grace's blog, she creates in a twinkling you' d hear on a roof! Get ready MajorKnitter Jennifer, Colleen has already mailed the box to you for our TAKES and REPLACES.

We are expecting a big snow storm. I am done working this week. Did my time, got off this morning at 0700. Can you say HUNKER DOWN AND KNIT?


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Beth's picks form the Green Team.... on to Colleen

Beth enjoyed the TAKES! and the box is on its way to Colleen.
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Tying up Loose blog ends

These are a sampling of the pretty baby blankets that Adrianne's daughter (of Three Bags Full Knitting Studio in Northbrook)
knit this summer for the NICU. Molly you did a great job. They are the perfect size and perfect washable yarn choices. OOPS > PLEASE SEE MY COMMENT BELOW.....CHANGES IN POLICY PREVAIL. But Molly they won't go to waste...





These are Kim's picks from the Red Team swap box. I love the carved wooden crochet hook! I am always amazed at the cute stationery out there for knitters. Sarah get ready for the box to get to you next and soon.






Lastly this is how things are around my house lately. Rosalyn and Radar know how to enjoy a warm radiator!
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More things I love

*Another fabulous Fadeeva: Momma cat and kittens. How does she do this?

*my new owl stitch markers from Allison at Perknitious.blogspot.com

*my still new i-pod. I don't have to watch TV that Fireman wants to watch, I just plug in my i-pod and knit away

*a dusting of new snow....we are lucky to be getting this kind of every other day or so snow in Chicago this year

*square needles....so easy on the hands.

*Opi new no chip manicures.... yup they didnt chip for nearly two weeks. Love it!

*not being afraid to fly anymore! Spring break here I come...let's make it two years in a row.

*honesty from knit friends. So important , even if it disappoints from time to time.

*Patterns that mean no color pooling! ( My current Seaman's scarf in a fake cable pattern fits this bill. )

*Somewhere Over the Rainbow sung by the late Eva Cassidy

*Mr. Cardinal brought Mrs to the feeder today for the first time since we put it up a week ago

*Black capped chickadees in my neighborhood in abundance again. (West nile tore their numbers down a few years ago)

*and lastly, for now, bringing my lavendar heated neck pillow to my cold bed at night........ahhhh zzzzzzz

*PS KIM got the Red Team Box and played along. Sarah get ready she is sending it on its way to you now!
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A few of my new favorite things......

These adorable stitch markers are for sale at Three Bags Full, I hear!





My dear friend Jennifer gave me four bejeweled votive holders. I think they are the cat's meow. Fireman thinks they are gawdy. What do you think?








I simply adore Natasha Fadeeva's handmade stuffed animals. I would invite these mice in from the cold, but my feline friends would frighten them in short order......







some other of my favorite things:
Jack LaLane......what a great man who thought and acted so positive

the ads for Crumbs cupcakes. They are new to Chicago. Have you had them? Are they moist???

Another new candle give to me by a friend, that makes a crackling noise when lit. Have you ever?

and finally
my new mattress..........I have had 5 sleeps on it, and I am in love. A Beautyrest....


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Oh Thank GOD FOR LYNN

REMEMBER IRISHEYES LYNN??? SHE SAVED THE BLOG TODAY. I ACCIDENTALLY DELETED THE BLOG FROM BLOGGER THIS MORNING.

I WAS SHOWING OFF TO KAREN ABOUT HOW EASY IT IS TO START A BLOG. IN THE MIDDLE OF HELPING HER CREATE HER BLOG (MORE ON KAREN'S BLOG KNITTRAP.BLOGSPOT.COM) I DELETED MY BELOVED BLOG.

SOMEWHERE IN THE RECESSES OF MY MEDICATED BRAIN, I REMEMBERED THAT LYNN AND AL CAN POST ON IRISHEYES TOO. I CALLED LYNN WHO IS DOING REAL WORK AT HER REAL JOB. LATER SHE INVITED ME TO BLOG ON IRISHEYES AGAIN

OH THANK GOD IT WORKED. PERHAPS EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE SOMEONE WHO CAN POST TO THEIR BLOG IN THE EVENT THEY PULL A STUNT LIKE MINE THIS MORNING AND CANT RECOVER THEIR BLOG

I HAVE TO GO LAY DOWN NOW...

Late to the Party, but I'll share

I'm usually late to the party and last to know, but if anyone out there hasn't baked cookies on a silicone sheet, do give it a try!
Al's boyfriend Pete suggested I try it and it made a world of difference is my cookies. Baked them all even and purdy!

The lovely Carol is kntiting the PURL BEE's WHit's Knits Mobius cowl. Isn't her yarn gorgeous.? The pattern calls for Alchemy's Kozmos in silk, mohair, wool and cotton blend. Not sure if Carol is using Alchemy but I love her yarn and colors. The pattern is free and looks clear cut and easy to read! I think I must put this on my list of things to knit up this year!

CORRECTION: CAROL IS USING RITTRATO and making her cowl from a Cat Bordi pattern.

Lastly, Rosalyn wished to be prominent in the FO sock picture! I had some serious second sock syndrome with this pair but prevailed last night. My first pair of alpaca sox. Can't wait to wear them all this cold day. I finally like the way colors pooled ina knit up. I am not a fan of pooling, but didnt these come out kind of good?

Are you late to a party???
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Grace's Green Team Grabs!

Grace's TAKES are pictured here. Darn I would have chosen that Cowl book! I cannot tell you how fun it is for me to see
the contents of the boxes change as they move along. I have to admit when I made the Green team box, I put in a few tea
themed things knowing Grace was on that team! Thus ensuring Someone would be happy !

Beth get ready! Grace already sent the box on to you today!
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RED TEAM TAKES AND REPLACES

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The RED TEAM ACTION: CC (Lorelie) chose the pictured yarns and goodies. Kim in GA get ready she is sending the box out to you tomorrow! Way to go red team. I have the prize chosen for the winner of the raffle that I will hold once the first team to get the box back to me, finishes. Should I tell you what it is?

Karen's TAKES from the Green Team

Karen chose the Helen Keller yarn I put in the original box, and the cards, and stitch holder. It is very fun to see the items I put in the box being chosen. OH and she took the teapot buttons I put in. ON TO GRACE! I know you are ready dear Grace!

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Jennipurr's TAKES from the Swap

Jennipurr chose the pink laceweight and the Regia sock yarn. I am so pleased with the quality of the yarns you are all replacing when you take. I knew I could trust this group to wow each other. :)

I promise to post Green Team Karen's takes as soon as she sends me her image.

Happy Friday to those of you whose work week ends today! Mine begins tomorrow!
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The latest TAKES from Red Team

I have to do this in two installments. Sorry! The Red team is chugging right along. These are Cathy with a C's TAKES from the game. Arent' those blues gorgeous? She just realized it was laceweight. I'm hoping she can still use the yarn. It is so lovely. I do not knit lace so I cannot even begin to suggest a pattern for her. Would any of you like to suggest a scarf lace pattern that is not too mind bending????

Next post: Jennipurr's TAKES.

Don't worry Green Team. Karen got the box in WA yesterday and is sending me an image of her TAKES today.

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I'm not afraid to....

Great news. Alyssa, Karen safely got the Take and Replace box. Grace get ready!!! You are next in line on your team!!!
Cathy B got her box today and has already sent it to CC in Texas! GO TEAMS GO. I"ll post Cathy's picks later today or tomorrow!


I'm not afraid to get out the crochet hook you know! When I finished the Wool N the Woods hat today, it was way small. I had some yarn left, so I made a picot edge and then crocheted around it a few times. Voila. I have a cute little hat to match my Keyhole scarf. When someone is around here who can take an image of it on my actual head, I'll have that done for you.

I started with 90 stitches in the Camouflage Hat fashion, sort of. I did a 4 by 1 rib around for a couple of inches. Then I knit
stockinette in the round until I feared I would run out of yarn. Then I did the Camo decreases. Then I realized said hat was too
small, short that is. Then I grabbed a crochet hook and did the picot edge followed by two rows of single crochet . Well I should say I did 3 chains, hooked into an existing edge stitch, 3 more chains, all the way around. Then I did two rows of single crochet with a chain in the appropriate space. Does anyone get this? Does anyone really want to? I think I just wrote my first poorly written pattern!

So I am not afraid to take out a crochet hook.
or cut my own bangs.

What are you not afraid of?

Swap update and Lynne's Keyhole Scarf

Lynne wanted me to test knit one of her new patterns. Lynne of I Was Knit Together in My Mother's Womb blog that is.
I chose the Keyhole scarf pattern. It was a breeze to knit. Lynne designed it to have a pocket for the scarf to slip through. Can you
see it in the image? I used Wool in the Woods Uptown. Dark colors with a sparkle in them. I am working on a hat with the leftover yarn to match.

The Red Team is slightly ahead of the Green team! Jennipur mailed the swap box out to Cathy B yesterday.

You know so many of those of us who are in the swap have blogs that are wonderful. Unfortunately most of them barely get visited I've noticed. If you go to the January 6th post where we all signed up, you can click on each other's names and go to some really awesome knit blogs. We all love a comment. It is my hope that the swap will help us find each other's blogs as well. C'mon ........leave someone a comment. Go ahead, Make their day!




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I have to play Carole's : Your favorite childhood game

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I'll miss Meg's knitting

Meg has worked at the Store that is closing near my home. It seemed whenever I went there Meg was wearing something incredible that she knit herself. Just look at her entrelac sweater. I will miss seeing her wonderful knits. I know Karen and I will get together and I'll get to see all of Karen's masterpieces in knitting in the future. I'll miss seeing Meg, however, but I wish her only the best in her retirement travels!

Is there someone who you see IN REAL TIME that inspires you to knit? or knit better?

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THERE IS ONLY one thing I really LOVE about the Chicago Bears

Seems like such a gentle gentleman. A rarity in the sports world! I wish they had a jersey with LOVIE on it,
Go Bears
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Alyssa's picks from Take and Replace Green Team

Alyssa chose the sock yarn and the wrist wrap. I love that sock yarn, and figured it would go fast!!! Karen, get ready to receive the box soon!

If you noticed, I decided to zigzag the places in the USA that the boxes were going. There were too many east coast knitters to make it fair in terms of the little race involved to get the boxes back to me! Both teams have a shot at coming in first. Yes there will be some little prize for the first place team. It will be a raffle among you for a yarn prize. Just an added incentive to get the box to the next knitter who is eagerly waiting to play.

Knit LIfe around here these days involves a scarf I am knitting in Wool In the Woods dark colorway. Lynne of I Was Knit Together in My Mother's Womb blog, asked me to test knit. ME! Your very very average knitter. Flattery will get you everywhere! It is a fun and easy pattern so far.

I am also still working on the alpaca sox. I finished the first sock last night and cast on the second. I have to say I really enjoyed knitting up the Bicycle Hat this week on big honkin needles with fat yarn! I think the variety was good for my hands and wrists.

I am so happy my knitting and blogging mojo is back in full swing. A few other things I am happy about:

*the Swap is working out great!
*I have started to feed the birds again, and love seeing them come to the feeder
*juncos are back. I think there should be a yarn colorway called Junco
*snow, I just love it this time of year.
*Sweetheart hearts are out again. Such a lowfat treat.

Have a Happy Saturday!



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Let the Games Begin!

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The Red Team got the box and is already moving it along to knitter number two Jennifer in California.

Katherine of The Comfort Zone sent me this image of what she took from the box. I was in love with the piggy buttons and that gorgeous yarn. Jennifer, please let me know when you get the box and send an image of what you enjoyed taking out!

Green Team, I know we'll be hearing from Alyssa soon! OH and here is an update! Alyssa got the Green team box today! Get ready Karen of WA, she's sending it on tomorrow to you! I will post her takes tomorrow on this blog.

I am tickled about this game!!!

My "Bicycle Wheels" Hat from Sew Knit Me

It knit up so quick. So quick that if the snowboarder in my family, wants it, or one like it in darker colors, all he has to do is leave a comment. Because as I like to say to family : A comment wouldnt' kill ya !!!


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Bumblebina's Headband from Karen and Leslie

Look at my Christmas gift from Karen and Leslie!!! Karen knit the headband, Les the flower. I love this !!!!!!! Karen says the headband is a breezy quick knit. Thanks Karen and Les. You made me so happy today.

Here are some other things that are making me happy today:

*A cardinal was the first to my new birdfeeder today. (Marguerite you inspired me)
*I'm listening to ASHOKAN Farewell on the ipod. Love that song
*Fireman taught me how to do a figure eight knot to secure my hat pull throughs.
*A gift of Bath and Body's Wallflower room freshener in Pumpkin
*I got my old camera up and running again!

What's making you happy today?
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Magic Snow Felting

Yarn: Nashua Wooly Stripes
Pattern: A Feza pattern
Platino Textured Felted Mitt Pattern
by Kt. Zaldassaro

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Subtle cat message.......

Apparently I've been on the computer a bit too much for Radar's liking! I think I have completed all the prep work for our Take and Replace swap. I think I emailed everyone this weekend with their information for the swap. If I goofed, and you didn't get an email from me stating what number and team you are on, and who you send the box on to, please leave me a comment and I'll take action.

The two boxes got mailed out today. Hooray! So we will see how long they take to get back to me. Anyone want to guess how long it will take? Guess a date that the boxes will wind up back in my hands???

The teams and the order of the swap are listed below. You may want to contact the person you are mailing the box to before hand, to be sure I got their address correct. I sure hope I didnt twist any numbers around! Also if you could be sure your return
address is really easy to read, that may help if for some reason the box can't be delivered to a team member. Ugh-oh I am starting to obsess about this.........breathe breathe it will all go well!

There are two teams each with their own box. Boxes are not identical but very similar. I think there are 10 items in each box.

Green Team: leaves Glenview 1/10/11

1. Alyssa in Rochester, NY
2. Karen in Sea Tac WA
3.Grace in Lake Hiawatha NJ
4.Beth in Bothell WA
5.Colleen in Glen Mills, PA
6.Jennifer in Westport, CT
7.Nancy in Riverton , WY
8.Karen in Salem, NY
9.Dorothy in Medford, MA
10.Ann in Fox River Grove
11. Kathy b in Glenview

Red Team: Leaves Glenview 1/10/11

1.Katherine in Benbrook, TX
2.Jennifer in Sacremento, Ca
3.Cathy in Hamilton, VA
4. C.C. (Lorelai) in Houston, TX
5.Kim in Athens, GA
6.Sara in Phoenix, AZ
7.Emily in Bay Minette, AL
8.Lesley in Birmingham, AL
9.Cheryl in Waldorf, Maryland
10.Marguerite in Paw Paw, Michigan
11.Kathy b in Glenview

phew!
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How to save 10.95

THE SWAP IS NOW CLOSED AS OF Jan 9/2011.

I am very excited to begin the swap. Here are some details I've decided upon. If you need to drop from the swap, please please let me know now. I understand if you committed and now it seems too much. First of all,
*
We will use a flat rate box that will cost you 10.95 to mail to your next person. This may be too much for some, and I understand. Send me a private email : Harpnut@gmail.com and I will quietly remove you from the list.

*We have such a good group that I am splitting it into two boxes. It would take too long to mail through 20 or so people. I think we may lose interest along the way. So I'll divide us into two groups: Fireman says those North of I-80 and those south of I-80.

*Please take what you want and replace with something equivalent. THis is not a dump swap, hahaha. It is meant to thrill the
next knitter!

*I have not included anything I have knitted in the start boxes. I have to say I choose a scarf that someone knitted in a
similar swap last year and loved it. That said, If you wish to replace a skein of yarn with a knitted item that works!

* If it is killiing you to send a light box, go ahead, mail some rocks.....hahahaha.

All that being said, as soon as I have 3 more addresses the swap will begin.

If you are undecided here are some ways to save up the 10.95......

1)Skip the latte twice
2)Make your family a mac and cheese dinner...homemade.
I've always subscribed to the IF MAMA AINT HAPPY AINT NOBODY HAPPY saying
3)Get your next knitting magazine from the library
4)Turn down the heat for a day or so.....unsuspectingly of course.... just
encourage the family to put on their handknits!
5)Tell the checker at the grocery that you don't want one item you put on the belt
I used to do this routinely. There is always something I really don't need.
6)Delve into those couch cushions and coat pockets for change...
7)Wear your clothes twice before you wash them this week!
8)Stay in and knit, you'd be amazed at what you save by not leaving the house at all
9)Buy some Christmas paper on sale for next year.......
and 10) Buy one less box of Girl Scout cookies this year. 11 boxes is almost as good as 12!
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I need your addresses and emails.

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I need Jen of Montana's email and snail mail address, Ann of Barrington Illinois email and snail mail and Cheryl the same for you.

Please email me at Harpnut@gmail.com

We are close to getting the box out if you can get back to me soon!!! Thanks!

A really fun Swap. C'mon and sign up!

AS OF January 9th, 2011 THIS SWAP IS CLOSED. THE RESPONSE WAS WONDERFUL. IF YOU MISSED OUT THIS TIME.....hang on until the next or check for other swaps of this sort on Ravelry!

Here is the second Pair of felted booties from Warm Woolies Pattern . They are for my one year old great neice. I cast on 32 stitches to make them big enough. Felting fun fun fun


Okay here is the swap deal. It is a Take and Replace Swap . I start to box with about a dozen items in it. It goes to the next
swapper, who can take any of it as long as she replaces one item for another. If the item is yarn, you don't have to replace it with
yarn but it would be nice if the majority of the items are knit related. You can send a picture of what you took out! but you cannot tell what you put in. I' d like 10 0r so takers. Emily of Yarn Miracle is in! Are you???????


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Radar hogs the kitty cabin

As predicted Radar is in the kitty cabin the most. While this may seem unfair, it actually helps Fiona and Rosalyn because he isn't harassing them. Fiona would never get inside the cabin and have herself be cornered. Rosalyn has gone into the cabin, but just out of curiosity. Rosalyn always prefers a lap! There are 3 holes at the back of the cabin which cause endless fun when I dangle yarn in front of the openings and the paws come out swinging. Please go to Simonscat.com and view the film THE BOX.......

On the knitting front, I have felted another pair of booties, and I think they will fit our one year old Grand neice for her one year birthday. I think I may try my first mittens and felt them with a knitty pattern that is free on line. Have you felted mittens? Are they tricky?


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Alpaca Sock and my favorite Socks book

This post is kind of dedicated to Grace of LovinComfort blog fame. Grace is an incredible lace knitter and she is just now delving into the world of knitting socks. I can only imagine she'll be onto lace sock patterns before we know it and wow-ing us as always.

Here are some of my suggestions for Grace. Please add yours in the comments!!!

Oh, these are SOX in an alpaca blend. The colors are pooling in a way I usually only hope for. This is the first time
I have loved pooling in anything I've knit up! The close up of the pooling isn't really true to color. I used the saturation
feature on iphoto so you could see it better. The colors are very true in the image with the SOCKS book under the knit.

okay here goes:

*My favorite sock book is a little pamphlet by M. Joan Davis of Northport Maine.
M. Joan goes through the generic sock pattern in two sizes and two tension gauges. Her notes are highlighted in bold.
She offers four heel flap instructions: Dutch, French, Shaped Common and Half Handkerchief
She offers four toe instructions: Flat, Round, Shortened Flat and Wide toe
Grace these Hungarian fat little D width feed love a round toe knit up.
M. Joan also incliudes a few sock patterns for adventure: A baby argyle, Aran Socks, and a Fair Isle sock
This book is all you'll need to more than get started on SOCKS

*I love self patterning fake fair isle yarns for socks. There out there in abundance and a bargain I think.

*I have to say my Knitpicks sock yarns felted, although they were so called machine wash......

*I prefer little wooden size ones and threes in needles
for most of my socks.

*I prefer solid or semisolids for socks with lace patterns. I feel the socks loose their pattern in a busy colorway
and you may as well not go through the trouble of lace if no one can see it and appreciate it.

*It is really a good idea to buy clogs and show off your socks when you are a sock knitter.

*My 4 year old neice once begged me for a pair of hand knit socks. I spent good energy and money on
Lorna's laces purple and pinks. THey knit up beautifully. When I gave them to her, she looked at them briefly , tossed
them aside and coudln't recall asking for them. I love her. It was the last pair I knit for a child!

*Some yarns I love for socks: Lorna's Laces, Socks that Rock, Mountain colors, Sox, Cherry Tree Hill.

*Prepare to fall head over heels (pun intended) with sock knitting Grace.

*I have never mastered socks on circulars, no do I care to. I admire those who do.

*The world of Emily's Wee Tiny Sock Swap will open up to you once you knit socks Grace!

*I almost always knit short socks. Anklets if you will. I have too large calves to bother using
all that yarn to cover them up under blue jeans.

*All socks look good with blue jeans!

*I wash all of my handknits socks together. I put them in the washing machine. I dry them on our
radiators. If you don't have radiators I am sorry. Get rid of that nasty forced air, and put in radiators.

*Turning a heel is no big deal. IT just feels like magic.......

Help me out here pretend friends, add your tips for Grace please!


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Angela's Thick and Quick Hat

Angela is a young nursing student at my internist's office. She is full of life and energy and is going to make a fantastic nurse. When Zach and I went for a two for one, appointment for our matching cold syptoms, Angela saw me knitting. She showed me her really cute hat on the needles. I told her to send me the FO image and I'd post it on the blog.

This Pattern is from Lion Brand's library, Angela says. It is Pattern L0410AD . Yarn is Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick. I touched it....soft like buttah......

Keep knitting Angela. You are a natural. The world needs more smart nurses like you! Finish school strong, we are waiting for you!

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New Years Day Warm Woolies felted

Warm Woolies Booties Pattern
Easy peasy
Nashua Woolie Stripes Yarn

Happy 2011 Knitting
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