knittinggenes.blogspot.com

My sister Michelle, the veterinarian living in Minnesota, said she'd had enough of winter.   So she headed to Hawaii.   Then she shared her pictures, because I asked.  Doesn't that ocean look great?  Lake Michigan is covered in ice and ice blocks.  We have beautiful beaches in Chicago, believe it or not.  No sharks, no coral, no salt in the water. Lake Michigan isn't' swim friendly without a wet suit until August /September.   However, you can walk the beaches and listen to the waves during May, June, and July too.  We love to kayak during those months.  I work about a block from the shoreline.  I make it a point to go to the beach and just look from time to time.  Have you seen the Beach Bag Pattern by Debbie Bliss ? You can find it on Ravelry.  Cause its never to early to start planning for the beach!

I think working out is a Bear….. I don't look forward to it.  I love when it is over.  I usually go on our elliptical machine with my headphones on, and push through.   For all the time I sit knitting I have to do some workouts to balance my day.  I rarely workout they days I go to work.  I should though… Here are some of my workout songs: Please suggest others! *Queen Bicycle Race *Queen Fat Bottomed Girls *Call Me Maybe *Lumineers: Ho Hey *F.U.N. Some Nights *Rhianna Mr. DJ *Lady Gaga Applause *Neon Trees: Everybody Talks *Talking Heads: Burning Down the House

I , almost always, have to wind the yarn into a ball before I begin to knit. I've been tangled to many times..   I like one start and one finish.  I don't like those inside pulls..one little bit.  DO YOU?   I am usually very happy with a coke.  Sometimes, I want a change. Do you have a favorite Mocktail to share? Do you like a fleece scarf.  I have to admit,  although I'm a knitter, there is nothing softer than a fleece scarf. For shame.  Do you forgive me? 

I'm about ready for Spring.  I always have weather issues in March.  It can snow all of December, January and February but by March, the snowy weather stinks.  We aren't quite at baseball, and we are about crock potted out.  I'm knitting in pretty pretty colors because the world outside my window is nearly black and white.  The once white snow is nearly black with dirt and car exhaust.  I love all you bloggers who show us your earlier Spring. I am excited for your gardens and your  world awakening 6 weeks before mine.  It gives me hope…. I'm still knitting hats because when the wind blows off  Lake Michigan spring can be very very chilly here.  I'm knitting with an acrylic that feels like lotion is in it.  It is so soft.  It is Eurobaby's Maypole oh I can't wait for May. 

  The Bride wore purple to her shower on Sunday. This is Erin and her Fiancé Clint.  Must mention I took this awesome picture of them….just saying.  If you take enough pictures you will get a winner… Franklin Habit taught me that at his class.  I've been attracted to Purple yarns lately.  More to come on  that… Below is the baby poncho yarn.   I"m also attracted to Girl Scout cookies, but  I have to skip for now.   Some of you are too young to recall the song about the Purple People Eater…. "I said Mr Purple People Eater, what's your line? He said eating purple people, and it sure is fine But that's not the reason that I came to land I wanna get a job in a rock 'n roll band" [2] [3] [4] Are you seeing a certain color lately???

This is the poncho I'm working on. Super simple, super cute.   Super color from this cyclamen in our kitchen.  I am amazed by Meredith this morning. She is adopting a special needs boy. Have you read her post?  She left todays first comment with her correct blog address… Head over and bring a tissue along… That 's one very lucky boy!! I went to bed thinking about them, with a full heart.  

I am showing off my nephew Dashielle today. Gorgeous Gordon Setter boy in Minnesota.  Don't you agree?    Below is an unnecessary thank you from Wandering Cat Studios for buying yarn to help pay vet bills.  Look at those sweet stitch markers.   Thanks so much.    Yesterday was frogging day for me.  Both knits were victims of not enough yarn syndrome.  The gold almost socks will be a hat.  (someday) The speckled while fingerless was a case of running out as well. I don't know what it will morph into one day.  If I leave a knit sit for too long, I usually end up ripping it out.  Good pal Linda who works in the OR at spay neuter with me made a fantastic pair of Fiddle head mittens.   Alas, my image was too dark and I can't show you hers, but here is the link to the pattern.   http://www.shawland.ca/fiddlehead-mittens-2/ Good bye Soshi Olympics.  It's been very fun to knit to you.  I did finish two hats during the games.  H

  The simplest of knit ups is a new dishcloth.  I was between projects and needed quick satisfaction. It was high time for a new one in my kitchen.  Our sidewalks were glazed in ice this morning. I shouted,  TWIZZLE to Fireman as we headed to the truck.  He did  not comply…. My little Cub Antennae topper promises Baseball will return.  I often spot my little Honda Rhonda by the Cub topper.  Do you have a way to recognize your wheels from afar?  Finally this Friday,  I'll be sad to see the Olympics end.  Silly me, I thought we had another week to go.  They certainly helped pass the time during the harshest of weeks here in Chicago.  My favorite event was border cross, followed by  pairs ice dancing… how about you?

  Double knitting creates a reversible double thick layer of knitting. Wise teacher Karen taught herself double knitting and is making this  adorable heart cowl.  I was kind of, #sort of, #not really, getting it when I watched her yesterday.   She says its easier than fair isle… so let's add that to my list of techniques I want to learn.  I can fair isle, so I bet I can double knit.   I also like double stuff oreos , and double mint gum, so I'm pretty confident.  This is the second time I've shown you my cabled hat. There are 3 cables placed around the hat.  The top has a few stripes of the light blue alternating with the Cadet blue.   It is clearly going to fit a Little boy just perfectly. Going once going twice….gone.  (to the present pile) Are you doubling up on anything today?

  Last summer at the Chicago Botanic Gardens I took this picture.  Spring will come( someday)….right?   I won't knit this, ever, but it is fun to dream. (no Day) This the the Nuit Blanche Stole, designed by V. Avery  and published in SOCK YARN STUDIO by Sulcoski.  The steely blue yarn color is my all-time favorite color.  (think Crayola Cadet Blue)   To-day:  My hat is drying.  Notice the same Cadet blue color in the hat?  More pictures tomorrow.  Thanks to all for your fish recommendations. Katherine, I will try your technique of marinating in Salad dressing - Our cod was very good last night.   Finally some fish success.  Did I tell you Alyssa won the Anniversary  Valentine neck/shoulder warmer? It is on its way to her now.  There will be more contests and surprises on this 10th year of knit blogging. 

There will be no further snow images for a bit.  (did i hear your collective sigh of relief?) :) I do find it pretty, but I need some color.  Fireman brought flowers home last week.  I am really cheap and almost never buy them. What a great treat to have them up high in the kitchen where the cats can't reach them but I can enjoy them.   Credit to Redfly creations for The Amazing Amish Cinnamon Bread Alternative.  Every bit as good as promised.   I think Cinnamon is my favorite spice.  I love ginger too but nothing beats cinnamon for me.  Sneak peek at my cabled sock yarn hat.  I'm bored, ready to finish.  Finally friends, Can you help me with fish? I'm trying to like it more.  Fireman loves Salmon and it is too strong for me.  He stir fried shrimp the other night and my first bite was fishy…so that was it for me.  He bought Cod and we will bake it one night soon.  Cod is bland and I like it.  Grouper is my favorite fish to eat, but

* Without question: knitting knitting knitting  *the small portable room heater  *Olympic coverage *Neutragena Oil Free Moisturizing Lotion (no greasy feel) *my double point needles….all of them I prefer them to all other kinds *Greek yogurt… *knitted headbands *Rotisserie chicken at the grocery store *Pretzel bagels  *Fleece vests  and *Self striping yarns

  I knew the Knitpicks' yarn wasn't meant to be my shawl.  Sometimes you can tell as you knit it up…. It wants to be hats..  See?  This is a gift newborn hat.    Pie put up with my Valentine collar - Olympic hockey this morning…..CRAZY I just knew it

  Roses are red Violets are blue I see hearts everywhere Do You?   Roses are red  violets are blue I love the Fireman He loves me too Roses are red  Violets are blue I'm reading a fluff book Do you read them too?     Roses are red Violets are blue I'm knitting a baby hat for the NICU   Roses are red violets are blue follow the graph and your heart knits will come true. Roses are red Violets are blue I love Ina's cooking and Jeffrey does too.  Roses are red  Violets are blue Allison won my contest someday you might too

Little Pie broke a nail. It was sticking out and she wasn't letting us near it.  Off to the vet we went.  Anesthetic drops are wonderful.   She had to wear this bandage last night. Cat's are brilliant.  She left it alone.  I LOVE dogs but a dog would have chewed that thing off in no time without a collar.  I could hear her thinking, "Ouch, let's not touch that paw. I'll sit quietly while they take pity on me."    There is a standing inside joke in our family;  "Sometimes you get a present you didn't know you wanted."   I didn't know I'd love a swift.  Oh swift I love you. I've gone to bed the last two nights thinking I will frog the shawl I'm knitting.  These fun colors will be a bit wild on me….unless I wear it on the beach….with a white shirt… What do you think? Finally we watched THE CRASH REEL last night before Olympic coverage started. It is a powerful movie about Kevin Pierce and the Trau

Fireman laughed as I finished my headband last night.  Wearing a mask alleviated all my symptoms of stuffy nose and fibers in my nose... as I knit.   So glad I reworked this yarn into a useable head band.  Simply: Cast on 23 stitches on size 7 needles. Work 5knit 2 pearl ribbing for 8 inches.  You are trying to make it tight so the yarn will give in time and continue to have a snug fit.  Bind off, sew seam..enjoy.   Sometimes you do what you gotta do to to finish the knit plan.  It is Abe Lincoln's birthday and my Irish Grandfather's too.  John P. McCormack, County Mayo Ireland.  He had no enemies everyone always said.   I remember two things about him only.  I was very small when he passed away. If we skinned our knees, he'd say in his brogue: It'll be gone by the time yer married and  he'd sit me on his lap, draw a line down his chest with his finger and tell me half of him was the devil and half of him was a

Fireman fixed our broken camera.  The good camera .  The one that fell into the lake a week after we bought it.  Years ago.   I hope to bring you much better images this year. I'm thrilled!  I can't seem to break the clearance camera…isn't that always the way. ???? I will continue to bring my 50 dollar clearance camera on outings where I usually knock it around and drop it a few times.  I cast on anew yesterday, again. I now have 5 projects to choose from.  *The static loving headband (whose fibers race up my nose and cause nasal stuffiness)  *The never ending garter Vest (which requires biggy yarn and biggy needles. I have to rest my arm after a bit of knitting this one.) *The Knit picks shawl in bright colors (I'm just bored now after a skein of knitting and needed to cast on again anew)  *The leftover sock cowl  (Im not that interested in the finish)  and  * A new blue hat.   The blue hat yarn i

  Help I cannot knit this headband for a few days. The air is certainly electric here in the land of dry air and scarce indoor humidity. I bought this luscious bleached out aqua yarn at a show a few years back and frogged my original thing this weekend.  When I knit with this soft wonderful yarn it's fibers sneak up my nose and my eyelashes.  I think I need to wear a mask and goggles like a snowboarder when I pick it up again to finish.  It will make an awesome headband. This is Cindy.  SHe was the official *Kisser* at the Valentine shelter party yesterday.  She gave kisses and raffle tickets out.  She's a quiet little girl and we all stood in line at the kissing booth.  If Purebreds are your thing, Westminster starts tonight.  Olympic watching is at a peak here at our house.  I'll be trying to watch both events and knit. 

  I frogged this Noro cowl start.  I had nearly finished it when I decided against the cowl.  It is no fault of the color way because I love  all the colors (and the way they play so nicely together.) Now I am using the Noro in the garter vest that will take me months to finish.  I just thought I'd show you the pre frogged almost cowl ...     Fireman's ax is hung in our family room now.  Just in case we need to bust out someday.  Seriously, I keep the scanner on anyhow and I just heard of a structure fire in Northbrook.  This is brutal weather for firefighters… I'm praying for them all. Lordy, I just looked up the address and its right near 3 Bags Full.  Be safe ladies…!!