knittinggenes.blogspot.com

Lynette at 3 Bags Full found just the right thing to inspire me. I am going to make this pretty drapey wrap. I can't knit another thing with 1s or 3s or I think I'll loose it. The pattern is LOLA from the Book Knitovation. It is really really difficult. That is why it is made up of a few rectangles....Seriously I can knit this. I already had the Great Ad. yarn in my stash. Was it the knit find or the new jeans that actually fit me or the 79 degree sunny day here in Chicago that has me happy today? I've been meaning to bring this up. What is it with dry cupcakes and cakes lately? I paid 75 cents for a darling cupcake at a chic little Chicago bakery. I took it home and saved it for after dinner. I couldn't wait to enjoy it. It was so dry and I was so disappointed. The last few tries at bakery cupcakes have been so disappointing. Do you buy a cake that is moist and wonderful? Where do you buy it from? Or do I, gasp, have to make it myself..... I talk more i...

(Flower shot from Neighbors yard....Zach aren't you proud of me? ) I am finishing the match to the fingerless that was pinching pockets. Tonight. That will make 4 fingerless gifts for Christmas so far. I am also working on a baby blanket but I am running into possible issues. I am sensing that nagging wrist pain when I make the blanket. Geez, I may be knitting with sock yarn the rest of my life! I am making little strips to knit together for the blanket. I'm knitting with ACRYLIC b/c I know that babies burp and when they do it is messy. Which brings me to a bias of mine. I don't knit soakers. Why on earth would I knit something that those loose little stools will leak out on? Even the best rubber pants won't stop it. I don't consider myself an expert in many things, but baby poop and burps are my area of expertise. Any questions?

Has this blog ever given you the impression that I am capable of learning complex knit things? About the most complex this knitter gets is fair isle. Right now, life has other complexities for me! So my knitting will remain in my comfort zone.....(or zzzzzzzz for some of you!) I am casting on for a new project tonight. It is very straighforward, and I am making a prototype. The last time I did this, I knit a sweater in "cheap" yarn and it is the thing people love the most when I wear it. (Top down raglan cardi) Hoping I'm two for two. We have had a couple of training breakthroughs with Mr. Cricket this week. Our very smart trainer (because it is so very much me who needs the training!) solved a mouthy problem in a word "Listerine" I now rinse my hands in Listerine when he gets mouthy. He only needed one taste to keep his sweet little mouth closed. I also wipe it on the leash so the tug games have ended. So here in Listerineland Cricket is fulfilling...

Fingerless with after dinner decaf. Cast on 32 stitches on size 7 needles. Knit around and around and put a 8 stitch buttonhole where you wish the thumb to be able to come out. When they are long enough bind off. I've been trying to think of the name of the yarn for the last 1/2 hour. I knit a baby sweater in this same yarn once. It isn't rhapsody or symphony...........no, I can't find the tag or the receipt. The minute I remember I'll post it in the comments. Wait wait it is JASPER! I realize the name is NOTHING like what I was driving at a few sentences ago. I think I love this pair. Sturdy and short and sweet and simple. Tomorrow night. Dog class number 2........ but no pressure.... I talk more in the comments!

I walked into the yarn shop hoping to find friends Karen and Les and there they were. Karen and Les get me. The know my colors, they know what my knit mind likes and I come away certain. Certain I want to hit the needles and knit. Confident. A few mintues of catch up, the kind you can do with people who really get you, and they had my next fingerless project ready. As Les said, "It's a 3 stitch project, 3 stitches and you are done!" Not really, but suffice to say I knit a whole fingerless last night. And I love it. You'll see it Monday or so when I come back to life after the weekend shifts. Do you have a 3 stitch project that is fast, lovely and gives you near instant gratification? Happy Weekend I talk more in the comments!

These images were taken on my friend Lisa's farm. I'm going to make some fingerless next in this Cascade 220. Unsure if I'll add more colors to this Feed Corn yellow. (see how I tied the silo in) I have to say the feeling of being on Lisa's farm was magic. A short drive from the congestion and you are out in the big skies. Their plans are big and their hearts are too. The whole package needs some lovin and then it will be more than liveable. They have a huge stable. When Lisa pushed open the sliding door, and we stepped in, the light ignited every insect inside. It was dusty and dreamy. Then a horsefly flew into my shirt and bit me on the chest. Those very fresh flies. As if they said, hey Mrs. Suburbs if you can't handle a few good bites, you can't enjoy the beauty. Lisa is going to rescue some dogs to live on their dream. She says I can train them. I can hold classes in the field or the barn. She lets me have a little dream inside her dream. ...

oh and the not jeopardy answers are: for 100: who is katherine of the Comfort Zone for 200: Who is Kathy B. (the hungarian has paprika in her eyes....) for 300: Who is Major Knitter Jennifer Jackson. (my favorite brownies, so thick and gooshy) for 400: Who are the McDonald's drive through staff (to name one) for 500: Who is Fireman for 600: Who are Helo and Mindy for 700: Who is Grace from Lovin Comfort Knits for 800: Who is Donna Boucher from Quiet Life for 900: What is lace or what is reverse shaping for 1000: What is a prayer/lap shawl. Thanks for playing along! I talk more in the comments!

Zach texted me (is texted a word) that Jeopardy had an entire category with the subject :Knitting. Boy after his mom's heart! So since I don't have the fingerless finished yet, do you want to play this is NOT Jeopardy? Please answer in the form of a question.... Irisheyes for 100- A fellow blogger and knitter who lives and dies with the Cubs. Irisheyes for 200- Whose Irish eyes have a twinge of Paprika in them? Irisheyes for 300- Famous for her Buttermilk Brownie recipe, this knitblogger pulls rank. Irisheyes for 400- Name one of the many guest bloggers who graced the screen of the blog Irisheyes for 500- This meme was unintentionally begun by Kathy B, when she asked him to answer a few questions one morning Irisheyes for 600- Name one of the two pets that belong to Lynn and Al Irisheyes for 700- Her ravelry name is Needles54, what is her real name? Irisheyes for 800- THE DAILY DOUBLE!!!!! This blogger entertains readers with her TALKIE BLOG posts Irisheyes for 900 Name som...

I feel like that long dark hole of winter is really over. Their beauty is brief; one good windstorm of spring, will tear those petals away. Al and I always look for the bushes and trees to leaf. Leafless breezes are just not the same as a good wave of wind through the leaves. Okay that is sight and sound, now for smell. I love the smell of my neighbors sour mulch, but then I love the smell of skunk too. This begs the question: What is the taste of spring? (knitting topics resume on the next post) Enjoy your weekend, and always let your conscience be your guide! I talk more in the comments!

I read on Donna B's QUIET LIFE blog today, that I should be shooting dozens more pictures a day to get some good ones. That's the ticket! Here's Cricket with a few paws off the ground....and before we get to knitting, I'll give you the obedience class update. I can say for certain that there is no golden retriever in Cricket. Oh we have work to do. :) Now to knitting. I found a little pair of booties that I will try. The last time I tried some little booties, they came out just okay. I found Sockpixies baby slippers the other day. They look so simple. I'm not even thinking that I can make them for all the babies on the way at work, but I can make a pair. Have you made them? For tonight I'll stick with theTye dye yarn knitting. Since I have already ripped it out twice, I can say that it reknits very well. I haven't lost any yardage. Time to get knitting instead of blogging! I talk more in the comments!

I love this colorway! Minerals in Tye Dye or vice versa. Did I tell you I was equally happy with the customer service from Yarnmarket? I did phone orders with both Yarnmarket and SimplySocks and the service was quick and accurate. I may sneak in an emergency dog leash knit this week. I need a leash like I used to have when Huck learned to heel. I'm thinking felted I-cord. What is stronger than felted wool???? (puppy teeth of course) I have some wool tucked away........ The leash is sort of a loop instead of a typical longer leash. Cricket and I are going to a training class tonight.... My goal: Not to get into perfection. Not to use any harsh methods. No choke collars, no leash pops. I need the structure of a class to get motivated. My old trainer is wonderful, but her classes are weekends and that is when I work. Just giving it a try. Huck was always the STAR of the class. There was a sign in a store today that read: well behaved dogs are welcome... Cricket s...

The first thing: Crazyknittinglady.wordpress.com has an interesting explanation of changing guage with the same number of stitches by changing needle sizes. Have you knit anything this way? Second thing: I'm glad I dont post the blogs I read, because it seems many knit blogs have been unraveled...... Have you been reading anyone new lately? I'd love to try find some! ( I wont mention the Cubs embarassment yesterday,) ( I won't tell you that I accidentally clocked a man on my first try with a chuck it at the dog Park) (I wont tell you about how Cricket doesn't understand that he can poop in his new fenced yard....suffice to say I'm having a party when he finally does) And (I won't tell you how I knit an entire sock and ripped it all out during the toe finish last Saturday!) I talk more in the comments!

Wishing you chocolate bunnies, Cadbury eggs, a bit of ham and peace this weekend! I chose this cute knitted outfit for today's post. The issue I have with this is it looks like a machine knit it. The pattern is available so I know it was handknit. I like a handknit to look a bit, well not store like. Don't worry my knitting will never look store like, with all the little mistakes I make! Read some good tips on pilling on one of the daily emails I get from the knit companies. Did you read it? Well, they say that blends don't pill as much as 100 percents. I never knew it. Do you find that to be true? Some good sock knitting getting done this week. Here's my problem. I think I post more of my problems with knitting than solutions! I tend to overpick up stitches after the heel is turned. They said to pick up 14 stitches, I think, but I knit a heel that seemed to knit at least 20 pickups to look like it fit. Hence, the gusset gets pretty long into the foot of...