knittinggenes.blogspot.com

  Tip: If you want to cycle on flat land, we have lots of it here in the Midwest.   I prefer flat lands.  I loved Nebraska.   Tip: Put your buns on the crockpot to warm them up before you take out the italian beef, or sloppy joes.   Tip: All yarn must now be hidden. Even the yarn on the highest bookshelf. Tip: Alpaca makes great fingerless but don't go looking for even stitch definition.  Tip to self: Use two strands for hats. Fireman had a question at the Yarn Barn during the Fair. Why 595 yards not 600 in a skein?  I dunno.  I guess the alpaca don't do math.  Do you know why?   

  I had to show you a bun. Isn't this angora bunny darling? The woman at the Festival let us pet them. They are truly beyond soft.  Someday, I'll raise a few. I'll go from Crazy Cat lady to Crazy Cat and Bunny lady.. (Please notice I am not asking Fireman if we can raise Alpaca's in our new life. )  Someday, I'll spin. I saw many pretty wooden light drop spindles at the fair.  Then I asked people to show me how to spin. I'm not ready.  I cannot say exactly why , but the demo brought me visions of dropping the whole spindle and tangling yarn.  I'm the woman who loves Tupperware and has wine glasses in plastic.     I spent the better part of last evening trying to pick up a garter stitch that I dropped. I came close.  Twice.  It almost looked right. Someday I'll be able to fix garter without ripping back.  I took out my books, I looked it up on youTube. I did not succeed.  Does it count that I came cl...

  Fireman indulged me and we went to the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival.   Retired work pal, Anne and her husband Ed, met us there. A border collie owned them once, named Alfie.  His memory is revered in their family.   This man knits at the Trial every year.  He knows a lot about the whole deal. They had an announcer this year which made it even more fascinating.    You have to believe me, that watching the dogs herd the sheep in competition at their Crook and Whistle Trial is as exciting as buying yarn in the barns.  So many of you blog pals are animal lovers too... I think You'd enjoy it! Unbeknownst to one another, Anne and I bought the same yarn to bring home.  I kept touching the yarns and the ones that made me sigh were all Huacaya Alpaca skeins.  So that's what we both bought. I have to go pet it now. Carry on. That'll do

My pals Karen and Meg are knitting Madrigal by Susan Dingle. They are having a knit along.   Aren't they amazing? I don't know, honestly which knit I like better. They both made wise color choices. ********* Nancy's Take and Replace Swap box arrived. I found some lovely yarns and patterns.  I  picked a cotton yarn in colorful tones for a few bright dishcloths. I also picked a big skein of blue wool that will felt beautifully. A set of clear blue needles could not be turned down either.  9/11 brought me back to knitting.  I could not sleep or settle after the attacks on our Country.  My neighbor Abby suggested I knit and keep the yarn at my bedside.  She's a wise one.  As always, we remember and we pray for those who suffered so that day.      

  I have to say this Stephen West pattern is speaking to me. (Pattern is LOST AND FOUND)  It was discussed last night at my LYS teacher/student night.  I love the look.  DO you?   My friend Linda is taking the class for these darling animals. I want her to knit me a cat.  Just. Like. This. one. This big beauty of a bag is on sale for just 88 dollars.  I love it, but it is a bit Mary Poppins and I won't pay that for sure.  Seen any new patterns you love lately? 

* There is a new Chewy.com post about their canned grain free offering that my cats like: Catswell Nutrisca.  See below if you are interested.  It is paws up here.  *My baby blanket is a sea of yellows, golds and blues.  I won't finish this week, but I enjoy when I pull it out and knit a few  rows.  It is all leftover sock yarns so it is a no cost kind of knit up. *I really scored on this Schaeffer yarn at my LYS.  3 skeins at 4 dollars a skein.  It knits like a dream.  My shawl is going to be all 3 of these skeins knit, like Vixen, (thanks Leslie!) into one large shawl.  I love a good score at the yarn sale! *I'm trying Amazon Prime.  Free for 30 days. It is so addicting to order something and have free shipping and quick arrival.  My first order was not a good experience. The used item arrived broken instead of in VERY GOOD shape as advertised. I sent it back.  I had to pay the return ship....

  This month we were offered Catswell Nutrisca Gran Free cat food from Chewy.com. We do not get "paid" per se, but we get the item to review without cost to us.  Fezzik and Pie immediately wanted to lap this food up. It has a gravy with slivered chunks of meat 'type' of consistency. Not stew and not soup.  After a few days of offering this food, they seemed to be just as happy when I opened the can, but they lap up the gravy more than eat the food.  That's ok.  It is hot here and they need the hydration. They do eat some of the food slivers but they dont eat the bigger chunks.  Here is Mr. Fezzik with a full tummy.  Thanks CHEWY.com. Their products arrive quickly and in great shape.