knittinggenes.blogspot.com

The workend afforded next to no knitting.  So I have nothing new in knit land to show you.  It was an awesome weekend nonetheless, because Zach arrived oh so safely in Mexico to study abroad.  I realize I continue to catastrophize despite my best efforts not to do so.  Why WOULDN"T he arrive safely? People travel all over the world every day.  Planes are not a new invention.  Yet,  I could tell I was breathing differently once we got our first communication from him.    Onto real challenges: I have colored rainbow jello to create today.  We planned a FAMILY bar b que 2 months ago with sisters, nieces, nephews and their little ones.  It took us awhile to find a date we could all celebrate together.  That day is tomorrow.  Little did we know, our own adult children would not be able to attend!  Life' s funny that way.... You are all way out ahead of me with Olympic watching and knitting.  Now that the worke...

 I have started the Multnomah shawl using some Koigu Al left to me.  This is a new knit for me and I love the pattern simplicity at this point.   I was able to knit a bit at Ravinia last night while James Taylor sang to us.  It was an intimate little group of thousands, all enjoying the night as cooler air finally moved in. This Statue is not new to me, at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, but Zach used his new camera there. I learned, news to me, that if you wish to attract a moose ....you pour a bucket of water over the side of your canoe to mimic the sound of a male urinating ...... my friend Sharon was delighted that a moose came to their lake house beach last week.  Very cool viewing.  I have never seen one in person in the Northwoods. I learned how to make amazing Potato chip Sour Cream Onion dip without a package this week. and lastly, I learned that my vocal chords are inflamed.  I went to the ENT for my ongoing snoring issues and he loo...

Next up: Big socks...... Multnomah shawl Frogging the Mirror Mirror Vest from over a year ago Olympics 2012  !!!! Zach studies in Mexico James Taylor at Ravinia tonight what's next for you??

 A huge Begonia at the Botanic garden in my favorite shade of orange...... proof that the weeds must be pulled by hand, the old fashioned way!  No automated, cyberassisted weed machine..... just the human hands.  Like knitting!!! Are your human hands in shape today?  I gave myself a manicure...so mine are  looking fine.....

 My son got a new camera yesterday and within minutes we were off to the Chicago Botanic Gardens to have fun.  Is it cheating because you really cannot take a bad picture in the backdrop or forefront of all those beautiful plants?  Maybe it isn't cheating, but rather putting yourself in a position to succeed.  Which leads me to the knitting picture.  This is a woody YO times 3 or Yarn over times three.   Even nature knows how to knit..... Just a few moments ago, I was in a position to succeed with this hawk image, because I almost always have my camera along with me.  This handsome raptor was at the driving range ..... I put myself in a position to succeed with most of my knitting, by not getting too far out from my narrow comfort zone.  It keeps me successful enough to stay excited about my WIP whatever that may be.   Today I'm working on a new pair of socks well within my comfort range... I'm all about the comfort zone on my ...

This stocking cap  turned out to be a better fit for a toddler.  I think it will make a lovely baby gift nonetheless.  Just think if the baby has a big head , it will fit it sooner.  I think a bit big is better than a bit too small to wear.   I enjoyed using up the leftover yarns and the whimsy of the whole thing.   Tonight I hope to cast on for my 6th pair of socks in 2012.   I bought into KnitPicks clearance sale last week.   I am counting down to the Olympics, are you? I'm sleepy after the workend.   So that's it for tonight.   I'm hoping we get some storms with a decent rainfall.  There's a chance....

 My friend Kathy C. made 50 hats for Haiti.  Look at them all!  I only made one for Haiti.  Kathy realized after a bit that she could crochet them much faster than knit them.  They are all cotton and all ready to send a warm and caring message to families a world away.  There is good in this world.  The simple act of creating something for someone else to wear is pretty profound in this day of anonymity, I think.  If you have never knitted for charity.....well you simply must try it. The feeling is wonderful .....and that's from the giving end! Here is beautiful Hero, or Tank as we often  call him.  Formerly known as Helo, Al's half Siamese boy. Tank comes alive at night.  He plays with Beatles a bit now. He is a shy boy .  He is talkative!  I think he's beautiful.  Wait till I show you his aqua eyes...they are stunning.  But he's too shy for close ups yet. Happy Workend or Weekend to you

Al wasted no time in Virginia finding her local Yarn Shop.  While we are not sisters, we are mother daughter knitters, I have to love name of the shop.  Al bought a pattern book and some yarn.   I wanted to beat her to it and leave a gift certificate at the shop for when she arrived, but I wasn't sure which store in her area was the one she was going to visit.   She took some images for me for the blog, and I love the fair isle on this sweater.   While Al, Fireman and Zach are poor comment-ors, they do support the blog as lurkers and images like these.   Thanks Al. Fireman will watch the Tour de France finish, the British Open coverage and Cubs baseball from now until Sunday.  I don't mind.  The news is so horrible that I don't need to watch TV at all.   If it is on I an I find the sports backround noise enjoyable.   How about  you?

Jessie from CAKESPY highlighted Hungarian desserts on her post today.  I want that cake.  The other night my friend Joany brought a Indiana Sweet Cream Pie to our gathering.  (This was the gathering in which we all tried to share the a/c air stream while knitting.  We were very good about sharing ....) Anyhow, Joany's pie was delicious.  I usually like the crust more than the pie, the frosting more than the cake, and the hot fudge more than the ice cream....(how about you?) I am working on the Stocking cap every day.  Last night I found my knitters headlamp and was able to knit on the porch without disturbing Fireman's baseball game watching.  He doesn't like the porch lights on at night.   Then I had to put my knitting down, because we finally  got storms.   I had to watch the storm's magnificence and drink it all in.   We needed that rain.  (What makes you put your knitting down?) There are two movies I want to see: ...

 This was my attempt at the SEAFOAM scarf.  I discovered, that I can knit the pattern, but also found I didn't like knitting the pattern.  It didnt do this glorious prize yarn justice.  Still searching for justice for that yarn from Emily at Yarn Miracle.   Perhaps Fair Isle is in my nature and lace just is not... Here are my Chocolate Joe Pye Weed plants .  We have 7 of them now and everyone loves their darkly shaded leaves.  They are supposed to be native to our area. They are supposed to attract butterflies to their flowers.  I've never seen a butterfly go near them.    Nature is funny that way. I will not show you a picture of the skunk that waddled through my yard at dusk the other night.  This is going to sound crazy, but things here often do now don't they?  It was a beautiful creature. Nature is funny that way, eh?  It sauntered through the yarn near the bushes and disappeared under my giant hosta.   ...

I'm hosting a little porch party tonight; but I don't think we will actually be on the porch.  It is way too hot.  Nonetheless we will be together, huddled around the A/C, very possibly pushing one another out of the stream of cold air ...... I've started another baby stocking cap.  I'm using Al's leftovers from a few years ago.  How nice that yarn keeps well. What if it didn't?  What if we had to freeze it or something??  I'm just finding random fair isle rows and adding them as I go. I cast on 116 stitches for this hat because the yarn is more delicate than worsted.  I ribbed for a couple of inches this time so I can roll up the brim.  (Extra warm for tiny ears) Then I knitted for an equal amount in stockinette before I began decreasing as follows: Knit 11 Knit 2 together. Now Im knitting straight a bit before the next decrease. I think Im finished with fair Isle because you won't see it well as the hat tapers down. I've been trying so...

Started my second 2 Kath's baby stocking cap  Another day in the 90s  The bedroom a/c is set at 66 degrees Kept vegetarian for 5 of 7 days last week Bought 2 skeins of  Knitpicks Chroma Worsted Lake Michigan Water Temp: 78 degrees this morning  Countless: Prayers for Katherine and Grace 

In my Kitchen: My little mermaid in Virginia Beach is as happy as a clam.  Fireman brought me a mermaid from the Boardwalk.   All your good wishes came true!

Both of these shots were taken from the former garbage dump site in our town.  Out of the garbage a golf course high on a hill was created.  You can see the city from the driving range, and you can see the Techny Towers (a religious Seminary) too.  Whenever I am up there, I feel peaceful. Also resurrected......my, our, computer.  Again, big thanks to Katherine for posting images earlier in the week.  While I love your suggestions one and all,  and I'd love to find an adult sippy cup, there will be no beverages near my work station anymore.  Lessons, that's plural, learned. Three times now I've resurrected the QuoV. yarn from Emily's giveaway.  It has yet to find its permanent shape.  I successfully cast on for two garments and didn't like either.  While I was happy that I could, indeed, knit the sea foam scarf pattern, it didn't' do the yarn justice.  I frogged after two repeats of the pattern.  Earlier on the beach ...

finished Well, this is Pair number 5 for 2012. I am falling a tad short of one pair a month pace, but not too far off. Tthis was lornas laces sale yarn in mixed berries. I can have my toes done in style this winter. fireman had me at the driving range by 0900 and the beach all afternoon. I had to thank him. I had fun at the range, he let me nap and then Lake Michigan was perfect today. kids were having such fun in the sand and water. I saw more families kissing their little ones today than ever......being a T the beach makes parenting fun. we used to go all the time when my kids were young. Sorry for the lousy text and grammar today. Working from another source is tedious. the computer may be salvageable! heres hoping And here are some other hopes -hoping for storms to water our dry gardens soon -hoping the store bought quiche is good microwaved for dinner -hoping the shawl pattern I cast on today is a keeper..... -hoping puddly and babka get adopted out...

Big thanks to Katherine who jumped through hoops to post this image for me.I am calling the hat pattern THE TWO KATHs hat. I made the little baby stocking cap out of leftover Madeline tosh on size 8s. I cast on 52 stitches Ribbed a bit, about an inch Then knit stockinette the for a few inches Then I stirred in some fair isle in navy Knit stockinette a bit more Knit some navy stockinette then Finished with all the baby blue Except I kept enough for the tassel, I began the decreases just before I ran out of the main baby blue color I knit 7 then knit 2 together around Then I knit stockinette for a short inch Did the same exact decrease again, knit 7 then k2together Then knit stockinet the for a short inch Did the same decrease again When I had about 12 stitches left I pulled the end through Attatched a tassel and called it finished Let me know if you care to knit one up for a little one!

Well, I have done it again. Spilled on the computer I cannot post an image today..... i may be able to later with Help from zach. Ouch this hurts. Why must I enjoy a beverage as I work on my computer??? from now on......gum only. Staycation ended. it was good to see my buddies at work. Al is safely in the commonwealth. The Tour is underway......Lance I am so disappointed I knit a darling baby stocking cap last week SOMeday I'll show it to you. I am near the finish of my pedi socks from now on ...gum only. I am taking suggestions....is there a coffee gum?

Yesterday, this amazing WINGSPAN shawl arrived as a gift from Kim who reads this blog. It came on a perfect day.  It felt like a huge hug in the mail.  Kim I cannot thank you enough. I am still overwhelmed and overjoyed.  HANDEYECRAFTS is Kim's blog. We've been following each other for a few years.  Aren't the colors great? AL arrived safely!  To all of you who've given me so much support, I'm so grateful.  The knit gene goes along with a syndrome you know: THE NPE syndrome  (nicest people ever syndrome) We come in all shapes and sizes and colors and the like.   For some the syndrome starts at a young age, for others it starts late. It is characterized by the need to knit, knit for others, knit with others, knit at all times of the day and night.  We are a lucky group.  NPE just seems to be infective.   Just being around a knitter can activate the gene in others.... It is kind of like a magic power..... and it makes life ...

Karen's insisting on giving me the Summer Flies shawl. Its blocked and its awesome.  I feel so lucky.  I will always think of us sitting on her deck this summer while she worked on it.  Her deck is nestled among pine trees and lush bushes.  It reminds us both of the Northwoods.  It is her haven, like my screened porch is mine.   We don't sit for long, but we touch base there....and it is good for both of us. It is too soon for me to post about my little grown up girl taking off for V.B. Today.  We did good.  No hysterical crying.  Just smiles and tears that couldn't be withheld.   I have to stop it right now or I'll dissolve in a puddle.... May I just say that all your thoughts and prayers have sustained me. I feel peaceful about not being in CHARGE at all.   My Higher Power has a plan and that's good by me.   I will call good things to our family as we move about a bit...and May I just say, that it is awesome to have a j...

There were many a fair lady in our parade crowd yesterday.   Despite the dangerous heat, our citizens turned out en masse to watch the town parade.   Fireman and I lasted 22 full minutes at the event before we ducked back into the air conditioning at home.   Today's forecast, like yours I'm sure, is for the heat to continue.   It is a great time to knit socks...... so light, so pretty, so portable. I thought it was a great time to knit Evergreen's Storm Cloud Shawlette.  I even got through the first 23 rows, but decided it wasn't for me.    I have a few baby things to knit up.  I just may cast on a hat or two today.   Baby hats...so light, so pretty, so portable. Ten things I loved about yesterday, the Fourth of July: Pomegranate Daquiris Charred hot dogs Both my kids home Fireman and I both off for the Holiday! Fireworks and that incredible Full Moon at the same time Great supportive comments on yesterday's serious post ...

 Happy Independence Day!  Hope you celebrate in some little way today.  I haven't seen enough of this incredible country in my lifetime.  Have you?  I do think I liven the greatest place in the world.  Everyone who leaves here tells me so.   One of the TO DOs on my personal bucket list is to see the National Parks in this country.  This year: Yosemite and Sequoia National.   Despite the heat and dry weather there are Fireworks displays all around us tonight.  I hope people don't pass out in the parade at noon.  Fireman and I ended up at out local pool again last night and it was heavenly.   A 4year old child drowned at that very pool a few weeks ago. Very tragic, needless to say.  I feel sorry for each of the young lifeguards at the pool.  Of course I feel for the family.  I wanted to hug all the guards last night and reassure them.  Having been in the business of trying to save lives for 30 years now,...

 The Cardi Shrug is Finished.  It is blocking now.  I loved this knit up.  Thanks to Meredith for the inspiration.   Next time, and there will be a next time soon: *I will knit all the rows from the underarms down.  This will allow me to avoid purling, and it will change up the look a bit.  It should keep the edges from rolling too.  It is a little small for me, so I will adjust the back stitch count and sleeve count.  Karen, I know you are lurking, so you can help me adjust the cardi to my body if you want to be a doll! The Bakery that made Al's cake had these flip flops cakes for sale as well.  They almost work but, in the spirit of Best In Show, I think they have made two left feet.... Others of you have prompted my reflection as we are halfway through this year.   *I've fallen short on some  of my non- knitting goals for the year: Rode my bike for about a week until the weather got oppressive. Haven't lost an...

I'm closing in on the Cardi Shrug finish.  I'm ready to be done.  The yarn knit up beautifully, the pattern was very easy and I'll knit another. However, my arm is hurting a bit , so it is time to go back to sock knitting.   Sock knitting never ever hurts my hands or arms.   So a concentrated finish for today is the plan.  The weekend included a swim in our neighbors pool (delightful) dinner out with both adult children for the last time in a long while if all plans go as scheduled (delicious ) laundry overload (icky) great sleeping at normal hours (heavenly) slowly introducing Helo to the other cats (uneventful!) unexpected neighbor visits (spontaneous) and  gardening (peaceful). In a word, how was your weekend?

Staycation is getting out of hand.  I think it is July.  I'm pretty sure it is Sunday.   I could get used to this.   I'd better not. . This was last night's sunset.  It is a pretty image, but it really doesn't reflect what the sky looked like to my eye. I have work to do if I want to capture sunsets with my Fuji camera.  Im' not sure what setting I should have used.   Tips anyone? This was Al's Banana Cake with Cream Cheesse frosting.  Her friends at work threw her a going away party Friday.  I donated the cake.   Do you know the Jimmy Buffet song, Knee Deep ?  He sings, "Its a Sweet Sweet Life, Living By the Salty Sea."  I wish her a sweet sweet time in Virginia by the Salty Sea.   I'm in the mood to work with hand paint color ways again.   I'd love to finish my Cardi Shrug today and move on.  Ive decided I really don't like purling.  I'm in that hate to purl camp.  I love knitting. T...