Three Good Reasons to Love Life

This is how I spent my day. Sitting beside these three kitties, knitting.  (Notice my wonderful total tote in the background!!!)

I've been wanting to take a look back at 2007, and honestly - it wasn't my best year. I noticed looking back at blog posts, I was sick A LOT. I think some of this was because it was my first year of nursing, and my immune system was overloaded...  Also, among being sick, I had a job for the 1st 6 months that I hated!

So, I will look forward to 2008...  and let's start with some knitting goals.

1.  Double knitting.

2.  Socks on Two Circs.

3.  Magic Loop Knitting.

4.  Finish my Tangled Yoke!

5.  Buy more yarn.  (No, I'm not kidding!)

What are your knitting goals for the next year?

A Good Christmas

I hope everyone had a good Christmas!

Mine was filled with knitty goodness. I received a Total Tote, which I'd been wanting! In chocolate. I added seriously to my knitting book library, with Mosaic Knitting by Barbara Walker, Favorite Socks, and Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles by Cat Bordhi.

I also got a pink I-pod, which my husband says classifies as knitty goodness because of all the podcasts I listen to!

This is the end of my first year of knitting, and knitting has been very good to me.  I can't imagine not knitting - what did I do before all this?  I am looking forward to year #2 of my knitting, and looking forward to seeing what others create in 2008.  The people I've met in my one year of knitting have been amazing, fun, and a blessing to meet.

Warmer house, warmer hearts?

We got a new side door!! Our back staircase was always FREEZING because the door that was up let in all the winter air. It showed an inch of daylight or more at the bottom, and as we found out when we took it down - it was hollow! We got a new door, and wow... does it make a difference. It made the staircase much warmer. It will be painted in the spring, but until then, I'll just enjoy keeping the cold air out.

(Yes, our side stairwell is painted a lime green. There is no point of me fixing it until electricians come....)

One of Molly's eyes always looks super-dilated and dark. Here is a picture... can anyone tell me if it's just the way her eye looks or if it's a problem? She seems to see just fine.

My husband has asked me to knit him a pair of socks. Any suggestions for patterns? I told him they would have to wait until spring because I have too many things on my needles, but I would make him some.

I keep jumping from subject to subject - I know.  My brain has been working that way all week.  I have been doing a lot of planning and plotting for projects (house and knitting) , but not really a lot of DOING.

If I don't blog before then, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Some sock progress

Well, getting my attention off Tangled Yoke was a good thing. I've worked on my Pomatomus sock, and I feel like I am close to returning my attention to my last sleeve for the cardi.

I taught a knitting class!! I taught a little about short-rows, and my knitting group (those who wanted to) printed out the Short Row hat pattern and brought it with them. We started that, and I went around and sort of helped out those who needed it. I think provisional cast-on was new to many of them, and that was fun to teach. Next month, they are supposed to bring back their finished hats to show off, or bring their hat for help if needed. I hope to take some pictures and post them!

A bit more of a sad note.. I have found out my friend has Lymphoma. I am wondering what I could make her - and I am considering the Hemlock Ring Blanket that could be used sort of as a security blanket when she is feeling her worst. I am just worried I won't be able to make that quickly..... Does anyone have suggestions of other patterns I might use?

December has never been a good month to me. It was a year ago this month that my baby, Amos, passed on. It hurts even now. Also, last year, I lost my cousin on Christmas Eve to a massive heart attack. I had opened her present and was calling  to thank her as she was being rushed to an ER.

I wasn't planning to end this blog post on such a depressing note.  I just have trouble being happy in December.  I thought that might change this year, but it hasn't...

Oh, wait, maybe I can end with a good note.  My beautiful cousin will be induced on Dec. 26th if baby doesn't come before then!  We can't wait to welcome baby girl in the world!

The Knitscene Preview!

I love Knitscene.  It's my second favorite knitting mag (first being Interweave Knits).  Have you seen the preview for Winter/Spring?  (Or am I late to the party?!)  Anyway.... I love the Norah Gaughan bag.  And if she doesn't quit designing bags, I'll never finishing knitting them all.  She never comes up with a design that I don't love.  Also, I love the Four Corners Headbands - cute!   I am also in love with the Apothecary Raglan and Pebble Hoodie.

What a great knitting world we live in - we definitely are not desperate for beautiful and genius patterns!

A little Tangled Yoke Frustration

To be quite honest, I'm tired of it.  I finished a sleeve, or so I thought, but realized it's too short.  I need to add about an inch.  Which isn't a big problem, but I just can't bring myself to pick it up and do it!  If I could just finish the darn sleeves already, I could move on to the yoke, and the cable, and the challenge.  I've found that I'm the type of knitter who just doesn't like it if there isn't some little challenge involved.

Maybe I can pick my socks back up for a day or two, and then I can face Tangled Yoke again.

I also bought yarn for some Endpaper Mitts for myself, and maybe I'll start those.  A very pretty red and black yarn.

Also - a little announcement to my Blogger friends - I am still reading your blogs.  I just can't figure out how to leave you a message now so that you know it's me -- Blogger changed the way you leave comments?  Does anyone know?

The Almost Moon

I haven't been knitting.  I started reading "The Almost Moon" by Alice Sebold.  It was slightly morbid, in a fascinating kind of way.  Once I got started, I couldn't quit.  She also wrote The Lovely Bones, which is excellent - and I highly recommend.

I don't think everyone would like The Almost Moon.  I think you need a bit of a dark side.  It is a dark, haunting glimpse into mental illness (and pure madness, I think).  It begins with "When all is said and done, killing my mother came easily", and that is how you are introduced to Helen, our main character.  I enjoyed the way Helen loves her mother so deeply and hates her so passionately at the same time.

Other than reading, not much has been happening.  I passed my Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).

Oh, and in case I don't get around to blogging tomorrow....  Friday is my friend Beth's birthday.  Happy birthday!  Beth is also a nurse, a wonderful friend, and a shoulder I can always turn to.  She understands my craziness, and embraces it.  May we live long long lives of friendship and joy.

Happy December

I haven't got much of anything to post as far as knitting goes. I've been sick this week. (I felt too bad to knit or to watch Pushing Daisies if that tells you anything.)

So, some cute kitty pictures. Molly always looks grumpy - here she looks at least slightly intrigued. That's the most emotion I've seen from her in a while! The second kitty is Loverbunny. It's a miracle to get his picture. He is scared of his own shadow. I wanted to take pictures of Sam too, but he thought otherwise.



And, last but not least... my new shower pictures. It was freaking expensive, but at least I have a shower. However, I have to buy a new riser because the person installing it didn't measure correctly and cut a riser too short. Due to it's instability until the new riser comes, I can't even use it. (Yes, this caused me to almost lose my head yesterday. I was very upset.) Ignore the dirtiness look from around the new faucet - it's from the old faucet and it scrubs out. I just need to buy a toothbrush to get in the little nooks around it. I bought this conversion kit for the claw foot tub from Clawfoot Supply. They are very fast with shipping, and while expensive, you get what you pay for -- it's good quality. (And please ignore the ugly wallpaper. I haven't redone that bathroom for good reason! There isn't any electricity that goes to it, and it just recently got in working order. It used to flood the floor below it, but it doesn't anymore!! And for light, I use a battery powered light.)

FO: Brea Bag

You can't believe it's finished?! Me either!

It's a delightful pattern. And quick (if you finish things..). I had this done a long time ago, but kept dragging my feet on getting a handle, then lining it. It is my first lined bag. I cut out three pieces of fabric: the front, back, and gusset. I sewed those together, then turned the bag inside out and pinned it in. Then, I whip stitched it in.

I used Berroco Ultra Alpaca (2 skeins), and I love love this yarn. It's soft and beautiful. The pattern is the Brea Bag, a free pattern from Berroco. I got my handle from Webs. My lining was bought from a local quilting store.

Also, my blogging and emailing are slow this week because my laptop died. (I think {hope} it is just the battery/power cord.) So, I finally set up my desktop downstairs, but it's very cold down here!

Some works in progress

Ok, I've finally got some pictures of stuff in progress. Nothing that fantastic, but proof I've been knitting (at least some!).

The beginnings of a Pomatomus sock. This was after I ripped out three different patterns on vacations after I knit practically each sock. My husband was really rolling his eyes about that.

 

A tangled yoke body. I've started on the first sleeve now.

I am off now to order a shower-tub attachment thing.   It attaches to the old claw-foot tubs so you can shower.  It's expensive, but I'm tired of not having one.   Hopefully, I'll have pretty pictures of that in a few weeks!!

In the knitting dumps

I am in the knitting dumps.  I took socks with me on vacation.  I had half a sock knitted in the Drunken Bees pattern by domesticat, and ripped it out because it didn't suit the yarn. (Beautiful pattern, though, but needs a solid colorway.)  Then, I knitted different patterns with my yarn with several false starts.  Finally, I settled on Pomatomus.  I am not even halfway down the leg.  My husband just kept trying to figure out why I kept ripping out these socks - and honestly I don't know why either.  None of them suited me.  I could have had a pair of socks knitted by this time if I would quit frogging what I started.

I am also in the knitting dumps because I'm so tired this week - all I do is sleep when I get home.  I also need to pass a certification in Advanced Pediatric Life Support on November 27th, so I'll be studying, studying, studying from now til then, which cuts into my knitting.

No time or energy for knitting - just puts me in the knitting dumps.

On another note, my cats have been driving me nuts since we got home.  Sam, the one we bottle-fed and is now 6 years old, is our huge baby, and he now stands beside me and cries until I hold him.  I think I traumatized him by leaving so long - even though we had two people coming to the house to check on them twice a day!!

I will be getting some vacation pictures up on Flickr soon hopefully.  And I promise some kitty and knitting pictures soon because I know a pictureless blog is a boring blog!

I'm back...

and here is some eye candy while I rest up.  I promise more pictures later!  This is the view from right outside our villa.

This blog is on vacation...

I will be gone for the next 7-8 days.  I will be soaking up some much needed sunshine down in the British Virgin Islands.

When I come back, I hope to have lots of pretty things to show you!

With the cold, comes the lazy...

My whole house has been sleeping the weekend away. Here's a picture of Molly asleep with her tongue hanging out.

I have no new knitting to show. I have been knitting only a few rows of straight stockinette a night.... I am already daydreaming of other knitting projects to start. I also started to piece together my Brea bag because the handle came in, but that ended up thrown back into the knitting bag with a few select naughty words. I hate finishing.

Well, back to lazy land.

Look! Yarn cakes!

Somebody got their ball winder and swift in the mail today!!!

And in case you are curious - this is Lorna's Laces - Grays Corner. It was the beautiful yarn my secret pal sent me.

My toilet works!

I have two working toilets. The plumber came yesterday! Still no shower, as we need to order it special. I have been cleaning this upstairs bathroom today and my hands are dry and icky. Lots of bleach. (I hate the idea of germs.)  So, I can actually flush our toilet upstairs without showering the butler's pantry downstairs.

Today is my 6th wedding anniversary. We went to Louisville yesterday to the Speed Art Museum and attended a forum on The Kentucky Sugar Chest. After that, we went to Ramsi's Cafe on the World for lunch. Then to a knitting shop where I bought some double pointed needles for my Tangled Yoke sleeves. Then, on to the bookstore and some ice cream. It was a nice day.

Well, I'll get back to cleaning the bathroom now. It's going to take several scrubbing attempts.

Shopping Sin

I committed a shopping sin. I bought stuff at Walmart. I usually don't shop there - I have some political and moral issues with Walmart. (I don't hold it against people for shopping there, I just choose not to.) However, my husband insisted we go there last night to pick up a certain brand of cat food for Max. At first, I was going to sit in the car, but I decided to try my luck and go in to see if they had the Interweave Knits Holiday issue.

Sure enough - they did!! So, I bought that, and then I also bought Crazy Aunt Purl's new book! I also bought Nacho Libre because it was on sale for $3.98, and well I couldn't pass that up - I thought it was hilarious.

Also, my ball winder and swift are in route to my house. I can't wait. I have a feeling I'll be yarn winding crazy.

Sorry I am picture-less lately. I haven't had much to show - I'm slowly working on the Tangled Yoke and in the stockinette stretch.

And one last word on the house front - the plumber is coming on Saturday so that my upstairs bathroom will be in working order with brand new pipes and a working toilet!

I want my head back.

I've had a headache for 6 days now. It's been just enough for me to know my head hurts and to feel down, except Friday. I woke up with it as a full blown migraine. You know, fetal position kind. So, I took my prescription medicine and it started to kick in, so I went to work. The headlights of other cars made me sick sick sick. I did make it to work, and after a nice cry and curling up in a recovery room where no one could see me with the lights off for about 15 minutes, I was able to get up and do some work. Since I can team up with people in pre-op to get people ready, I had assistance and didn't have to completely rely on my own thinking ability. Finally, the headache went away, and I was all happy thinking my prescription meds did the trick. And they did, but it came back last night, and it's still there as a fuzzy irritating headache. If it becomes a full blown migraine again, I'm screwed cause I have no meds left. I want my head back!

I have had migraines since I was 5 years old. I've had so many MRIs and CTs, I probably glow in the dark. A few years ago, they started becoming so bad that my face goes numb and sometimes I look like I've had a stroke. My face droops. No one can tell me why - nothing shows up on the scans. I tried Topamax, but it makes my arms go numb up to my shoulders. I was on Inderal LA for a long time, and it seemed to help, but I went off it because I can't be on it if I decide to get pregnant so I wanted to see if I could control my migraines myself. I do know one of my biggest triggers: second-hand smoke. So, restaurants becoming smoke free recently has been a huge blessing to me, and no one in my family smokes. Now, if I could figure out the other triggers.....

The last time I had one of the biggie migraines that make my face droop, I went to my new dr (mine moved to Texas) to get some more meds and he kind of freaked. My smile was all droopy, even though my migraine was gone, and he wanted to do another MRI. I refused it - no need to do another one.... they are always fine. And this isn't something new.

Enough about the gloom and doom of migraines...

I went to the knitting group I was invited to on Thursday night. And yes, I was the youngest person in this group by far. But, I had a blast! These women are amazing. One lady there was crocheting things with this thread that was thinner than my dental floss - little pumpkins and poinsettias. She was just making up the patterns as she went along. Unbelievable! They were gorgeous! I think she is making the poinsettias into a pin and the pumpkins into earrings. There was a lady there who spins and dyes her own yarn. There were several ladies making some very beautiful felted bags. A woman knitting this most beautiful alpaca poncho/shrug kind of thing for her daughter. The talent of these women..... They made me feel so good, too, because they oohed and aahed over my stuff - and want me to teach a class at one of their meetings on short rows. I could not believe these talented women were asking ME to teach them anything! I definitely will be going back.

Well, I'm on call this weekend, so I think I'll go knit while I sit by the phone.  I ordered a ball winder and swift this morning, so I'll daydream about that!

My Secret Knitty Pal

I got my final package today from my Knitty SP9, who turned out to be maddogknitting!

The pink folder in the back contains the coolest idea - a knitting journal that she started with my Short Row hat! It's divided into different sections - current projects, in the queue, a place for sketches, a place for yarns.

I also got some green tea that comes in a cool tin. Some olive oil bar soap, which smells delicious. A red point protector. Rosemary from her garden (this woman can seriously garden, she sent me a cd with some garden pics on it and they are beautiful). And some wash for delicates and woolens. A sheep tape measure (love it!). A sweet guardian angel to hang in my car. And yarny goodness - Lorna's Laces in the most beautiful colorway!

This was my first secret pal exchange, and it was so much fun. I had the *best* pal!

Guess what I got?!

I received my copy of Itty-Bitty Nursery today!!!!

I love love love the mice mobile, the cupcake tea set, the cupcake hat, the elephant pacifier clip.... I just want to knit, knit, knit from this.

I think I am going to make our friend's daughter the cupcake tea set.  She's 3, and this will be perfect for her.

Getting better....

This is how my wrist looks every single night. I mentioned my wrist was hurting, and that I could possibly be getting carpal tunnel. I was told to keep a brace on my wrist at night, and to rest my wrist as much as possible. Well, resting my wrist is hard (and I cheat and knit anyway) - but the brace is really helping. It feels much better - no more middle of the night throbbing and tingling.

I've been moving right along with my Tangled Yoke cardigan. (The picture is kind of bright from the flash- that yarn isn't supposed to look shiny..)

Tangled Yoke - The Beginning

Well, here's my Tangled Yoke beginnings. I've decided to lengthen it by adding an extra two rows before every decrease in the garter ridge. I am keeping track of it so I can adjust the button band for my extra length.... I'm hoping that it works out.

I do love this knit.

Just Amused With Life

Ever had a day that is just so odd, but amusing? That's how my whole day was. People were talking to me that usually don't talk to me at work, and were saying some of the funniest stuff to me. And I did pre-admission phone calls all day, and the last call I made was to a man who somehow knew my grandfather who lives 3 hours away!! Yeah, they've traded cows or something - it was so odd.

But - here was my highlight. I came home and husband told me I had a message on the phone that I just had to listen to. It's a lady saying "I hope you are the young lady I saw in Shakertown back in the spring. I was the one knitting the bags. Anyway, if you are that young lady, I'd love to have you over to our knitting group as my guest."

So, I remember her! She knitted the most fabulous bags. I called her back. She told me that she had NO IDEA my name, but she was describing me and my house (we had talked about my house restoration when I met her) to some ladies from the Christian Church. One of the ladies realized who I was, and told her my name and my husband's name. It ends up this lady was a best friend to my husband's mom when she was alive. So, she called me up and hoped I'd join her at the knitting group.

So, next Thursday I am going to a knitting group with her. Isn't that just such a strange chance of meeting? Wonderful, but strange!

OH - and have you seen the new Holiday Gifts preview from Interweave?  Looks fantastic!

Tangled Yoke Cardigan - Planning

I -LOVE- the Tangled Yoke Cardigan. I think it's beautiful. I've been daydreaming about it... and now I have the yarn. I got the Rowan Felted Tweed in 'Herb'.

I swatched... and I am only getting 22 stitches to 4 inches with size 4 needles - it's supposed to be 24 stitches to 4 inches with size 5....

Now, I am debating between 38 and 42 inch sizing.... I am between those sizes. I don't want negative ease, but I don't want it to be too large either... I measure myself at 39 inches. So, I am thinking if I do the 42 inch with the gauge I'm getting now, it might work out? Anyone have any thoughts on this?

I also have a super long torso - I figured this out this weekend when my finished (yes, I finished it) Wicked was too short.  Way too short - so it'll get ripped back out.  BUT, when measuring my torso again and comparing to finished measurements of the TY cardi... I think I need to add 2-3 inches to the torso....

*sigh*

I have poison ivy for the second time this summer.  My husband managed to get it and bring it on into the house.  I even took a round a prednisone and it did nothing for it.  I still itch.

Also, I hurt my arm.  I asked one of the docs today at work about it, and he said I really needed to REST it.  I am a knitter - I can't rest my arm!  Plus, I'm mid-room of stripped wallpaper!!!  So, yes, I'm supposed to be RESTING my hand.  ugh.

I haven't felt too great this week.  I'm going to go watch The Office knitty-less... how sad.

Wallpaper Stripping

I haven't been blogging because I was on call all last weekend, worked overtime during the week, and then my mom came up this weekend. I've been busy.....

This afternoon I was stripping wallpaper and found written on the plaster...... this! JD Bryant, December, Feb 1906. This was in an upstairs bedroom. I had to take a photo and share it. I keep wondering who this man was, what was he doing, working on the house? And why did he feel the need to name and date the plaster? Did he do the plaster work? So very interesting.

Oh, and one knitting note... I bought Mason-Dixon knitting this weekend, and it's such a blast. It's so hilarious, and I love it!

FO: Short-Row Hat

I finished the short-row hat last night. It was a nice quick knit. Lots of fun to see how it turned out, with such unique construction.

Yarn: Karaoke Yarn by Southwest Trading Company (50% Soy Silk, 50% wool) just slightly over 1 skein... from my secret pal! :)
Needles: Addi Circs #7 (I even use circs when I knit flat)
Pattern: Short-Row Hat by Veronik Avery
Things Learned: Three Needle Bind Off

I should also give you all an update on Max: He had those stitches taken out, and went back outside. He's a lot happier now that he's back outside. I hate to put him out, but he has been out for 10 years and prefers it, plus he is still incontinent. We are giving him pills twice a day to hopefully stimulate the bladder.

Slow Progress

I am still working on the Short Row hat.  It's actually a quick knit, but I didn't knit on it all week.  It's fairly simple, too,  but if you lose your place....  be prepared to be confused.

I was so tired this week when I got home from work.  I did finish my book "The Tall Pine Polka" by Lorna Landvik.  It's a weird book, and I didn't like it at first, but I grew to like the characters.

Oh, and all you knitting gurus... what's a cable "flare"?

We interrupt this knitting blog....

... for a little rant.

Please support your local libraries.  Taxes to build these libraries, enhance, and add to these libraries are good.  Sure, no one likes to dish out extra money, but everyone in this world has a right to education.  I am blessed, as I can go to the local bookstore or log on to Amazon and buy any book I want.  Not everyone can.

Growing up, we were poor, barely making ends meet.  The books I read all came from the bookmobile.  We could not afford books, or even to drive to the library every time we wanted a book because we lived 30 minutes away from the nearest one.  But, the bookmobile came to my house once a week.  I'd give her my list of things I wanted to read, and she'd try her best to get me those books.  I'd check out 10 books at a time from the bookmobile!  I credit that bookmobile for most of my childhood education.

So before you complain about taxes supporting the local library.  Just remember, that little drop in the bucket is going to go towards educating the youth that will be building the world around you when you are growing older.  That library is enhancing the knowledge of your whole community.  It's giving everyone equal opportunity to learn.

Doesn't that sound lovely?  A world where everyone has access to knowledge and inspiration.... access to something as wonderful as a book.

New header and a short row hat sneak peek.

I've changed my header to a picture of lazy Molly.  This picture always makes me laugh because she looks so bored.  I don't know if it'll be my permanent header, but I was tired of the default picture.

A little short-row hat sneak peek

 

I Love Lazy Holiday Weekends!!

This is my first official holiday off.  When I worked the floor (and night shift), I worked pretty much every holiday.  So, I'm really soaking this weekend in.

I'm still on a Ditty Bop high.  Been singing and dancing all weekend.

I am still working on my Wicked sweater.  It's just miles and miles of stockinette from here, so I'm not really motivated.  I needed something more inspiring....  Started a sock, and did the cuff, and was also uninspired.  So, I started the Short-Row hat by Veronik Avery.  It's amazing.  It's this cute hat knit FLAT.. constructed into diamond patterns with short row shaping.   I am doing mine with the beautiful Karaoke yarn my SP sent me.

We also now have firm dates for our trip to Fort Recovery in Tortola, BVI.  I am so excited....  and our flight is like 10 hours including layovers... so lots of knitting time.  Come on, November.

The Ditty Bops!!!!

My husband and I drove up to northern KY last night to see the Ditty Bops on their farm tour!!! It was the best show, and everyone there had such a good time. They are going to local farms while on tour, helping raise money and awareness. They have an Earthbox with them in their van, which is growing some pretty good looking (legal) herbs. At each show, they raffle off an Earthbox with the proceeds going to The Growing Connection.

If you don't know who the Ditty Bops are..... they have a video blog:

http://thedittybopsvideos.blogspot.com/ 

Max

Here's a picture of Max in his collar.  See, he's even embarrassed by it.....

 

 

Max update, Secret Pal goodies, and Monkey Business over!

Max came home today. Earlier in the week, we thought we were facing euthanasia as his blood work was all bad. After being on IV antibiotics though, the values went back to normal!! His tail was amputated. After the amputation, he got back rectal tone. The vet seems to think the dead weight of the tail was causing the problem (not allowing the sphincter to shut properly). He isn't having diarrhea over everything now, and can control his bowel movements. Still some trouble with urination, but we can express the bladder once daily and he can live fine like that. I'll try and post a picture of Max soon with his little collar on so he can't rip out the stitches.

I got a package from my Secret Pal today!!! It was sooooo nice! And just topped the week off perfectly! She sent me More Sensational Knitted Socks!!! I had been wanting this, and I was soo happy! I can't wait to make some socks from that ... with my new sock yarn. Trekking that is PINK PINK PINK!! I loooove it. Pinks, purples, and blues. It's beautiful and squishy, and I'm casting on tonight! Burt's Bees lip gloss, which is yummy raspberry! A chocolate bar not seen that is in the refrigerator firming up... (but I already had a bite, and it's delicious... it has ROSEMARY in it. Rosemary is my favorite herb, and I could eat it on anything... but it's really delicious in chocolate!!!) A cat toy, which Loverbunny is actually playing with right now! They love it - addicted to the nip! And some tea that is the most interesting stuff ever - and yes, I already tasted it! It's an organic tea with cocoa in it! Yes, chocolate. Pixie Mate is the brand, and I never heard of it before. It's like tea, but you get a very subtle aftertaste of cocoa. I had it over some ice, and it was very refreshing!

Oh, and see that rose picture? That's from her garden. I am so jealous. I would love to grow a garden like that!! Maybe she can give me tips one day?? She sent me a picture of a flower in the last package, and I'm assuming it's from her garden too. It takes talent to grow flowers like that!

I also finished my Monkey socks, and I am driving up to see my mom tomorrow, so I'll give them to her then!

Max

Max is the cat we inherited when we bought our house.  About 10 years old, a rough looking outdoor brown tabby cat.  Skinny, with a permanently snarled lip and deformed right ear.  He looked very scary, but turned out to be a very loving cat.  We jokingly call him Pirate Max because despite his rugged looks, he also meows like he is saying "ARGH!"

We went out on Saturday, and he was limping and incontinent, dragging his tail behind him.  We took him to a local vet who said he had a fractured pelvis and nerve damage.  He wanted us to keep him indoors for 2 weeks in a room where he could not jump or run so he could heal.

Today, we walked into the basement to diarrhea everywhere... and we decided to take him to a more specialized small animal vet an hour away. He is now in the kitty hospital.  His tail is to be amputated tomorrow, after much thought.  His tail is completely severed and will never regain feeling or function.   His liver and kidney function tests weren't great, but we are going to try to save him anyway.  His bowels are now spastic and he can't feel bowel movements, but there is a chance that nerve innervation can come back?  His bladder was so full, it was causing the sphincter to involuntarily open to relieve the pressure... so he manually emptied the bladder, which I can do at home....  once a day.  He is on IV antibiotics right now...  Hopefully, the fracture can heal over time with rest.

I will know more tomorrow after the surgery.  I told my husband if he gets his bowel control back, we are making him an indoor kitty, whether Max agrees or not.  If he cannot get bowel control back, but can heal, he can go on living outside where he has lived for 10 years perfectly content...

Anyway, I've been very sad over the Pirate named Max.

FO: Reversible Stripes and Dots Hat

Finally finished!  I do love this little hat, but I don't think I'd make it again.  The dots took FOREVER (at least for me!).  However, I do think it'd look cute in a pink version.  Really cute....  My favorite detail is the little single crochet trim holding it together!

Pattern:  Reversible Stripes and Dots Hat from Itty-Bitty Hats by Susan B. Anderson

Yarn:  Rowan Denim, (Ecru, Tennessee, and Memphis colors)

i...am....so....tired....

too tired to knit.

I worked my last nights this weekend, then started my day shift job today.  So, I'm super tired.  But, happily so.

But, I do have my reversible dots hat drying separately now.  Maybe it'll get finished this weekend!

It's August!

And it's very hot. And sticky.

I've been putting off blogging because I have absolutely nothing to say that feels important.

I've been reading. I read The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood. I listened to her speak at the Bluegrass Festival of Books and she was so lovely and captivating. Her book is, as well. I think I cried from page 1 to the end.
I also have been reading Knitting in the Old Way: Designs and Techniques from Ethnic Sweaters by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts. It's very interesting to see the progression of the sweater over time.

My husband doesn't wear sweaters. But, he saw the preview of Interweave Knits (well, more like I forced him to look at it!), and he said that if I knitted the Cobblestone Pullover by Jared Flood, he'd wear it!! He specified that he wants it in a darker color though. A navy or a chocolate brown... For myself, I love that Tilted Duster by Norah Gaughan. I think I'd go for a chocolate brown, also. The only thing I worry about is that it would be a lot of knitting, and I seem like I have attention deficits when it comes to large knitting. Oh, well, nothing like a challenge?

As for my knitting projects currently - I'm on Monkey #2, almost at the heel flap. I finished up the knitting part of the Reversible itty bitty hat... but I just need to wash it now, embroider the dots, and sew them together. I am also thinking about picking up my Wicked and finishing her once and for all. She's been haunting me.

 

nataliedee.com

Knitting Rambles

I am dreaming about knitting.

Maybe that's a sign of going crazy?

Also, my mom came to visit. I had one Monkey done. I had originally thought they would be for her until I saw how the yarn striped up. I didn't think it was her style. Apparently, I was wrong. She grabbed the sock up, tried it on, and exclaimed how cute it was. And the monkey flap wasn't too big on her. It fit her just right! I think I definitely have weird ankles now! I said, "Mom, where in the world would you wear those?" "To work!" she said. So, I guess she'll get them after all.

Happiness Comes In Baby Knits

As soon as I finished up my baby sweater, I cast on for the Reversible Stripes and Dots hat from itty bitty hats. It seems I can not get enough baby knitting in. Of course, it seems like everyone I know is pregnant, so I have the perfect excuses! The picture doesn't show much progress... but I finished the blue part of the hat, and I am now on the off-white with dots part. The Rowan Denim is really saturated with color, and I love it, but it turned my bamboo circs into a pale blue...

Good news on the work front. I will be going to a day shift position, in the recovery services area. I am very excited. Next week is my last week of nights. Maybe I will not sleep and work my entire life away now.

Been watching a bit of tennis today. I used to play. As a teenager, I even took private tennis lessons. I am making myself a promise that I will find myself on the court again sometime soon. It's a nice outlet, and I need the exercise. I always felt at home on the tennis court, and maybe I can find that home comforting again.

I leave you with this creepy picture of Sam.... I think my husband took it.

"Give me all your food, and nobody gets hurt."

FO: Pea Pod Baby Sweater

I finally finished the Pea Pod Baby Sweater. It's my first completed sweater, even though it is baby sized. Here you see pins in it - I gave it a wash before I plan to send it, and I just lightly stuck some pins in it while it dried... I am sending it to my husband's cousin.

Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, Knit Picks Size 5 Circular Needles (I knit flat with circs...) Took just barely 3 skeins.

It is not perfect, and I had a lot to learn in this - I had never seamed anything together before. I am pretty happy with the outcome, though. It's very cute, and I would knit this again.  I enjoyed the lace panel, and I think it makes the sweater just perfect.

My Knitty Secret Pal!!

I got a package from my Knitty SP today!!! I got a Vogue Knitting magazine, which already has many projects on my "to do" list. Wonderful tea and chocolate. mmmmm! Two skeins of Karaoke yarn from Southwest Trading Co, which I am so totally excited to try! I have already been on Ravelry, searching for pattern ideas. Row counters (I only had one, and was so desperate for more!!), scissors, pins, and measuring tapes, some bags to hold my skeins (this is great for fair isle work - that's how I keep it from tangling), a book called the "Homeowners Headache Solver" (did I need that or what?!).....all in such a cute cute strawberry bag. I can tell my SP did some snooping and stalking on me! My SP is wonderful!!!! :)

Feeling so Far Removed from Myself

I haven't done any actual artwork for a year at least. I have thought about picking up my pastels again. I only worked in pastels for about a year, then nursing took over my life. I don't regret nursing, but I do regret that it limits the time I have to do anything else.

This is the first pastel I ever did.

 

This is my favorite that I did.... it's my cat Loverbunny, and it makes me chuckle every time I view it. I wanted it to be a light hearted and whimsical painting.

Actually, this picture isn't of the finished product, but it's all I have. I had not done touch ups or added whiskers yet.

 

 

I've been thinking about getting back into the pastels, but I have no idea when I'd find time. I can't find time to knit, when am I going to add in pastels?

 

This weekend was a musical treat... I saw Nickel Creek with Glen Phillips.

 

Knitting updates: To the toes on a Monkey, and I took a deep breath and ripped out the Pea Pod Baby Collar.

 

My Monkey Flap Seems Too Big.

I am now on the foot of a Monkey sock, and I put it on, and my heel flap seems too large. It's not so large I can't wear it, but it's definitely not as snug as I like. Anyone else who knitted Monkeys have this trouble? I'm trying to decide if I have unusually weird ankles or something.

I still haven't ripped the collar out of the Peapod Baby sweater. Partly because when I'm working, I don't have time to knit. I barely have enough sleeping time. But, part of it is just the dread of trying to fix it.

I'm also having trouble sticking to one project. I have 4 different things that I'm working on.. or need finishing. I just can't focus. My new thing I am daydreaming about is a tank. I have been thinking about several different knitted tanks... I can't let myself start another project - or the others may never get finished!!

Oh, and the Brea bag isn't even sewn together yet, but I'm already fantasizing about Damask.. a new bag from Berroco.

I Have *$(*ing Poison Ivy

So, this weekend I had this small spot on my arm that looked bad, but it's drying up.  Now, it's everywhere!!  My back, my leg, my hip.... I asked one of the docs I like before I left this morning what it was....  Poison Ivy.

I don't know how I got it, but it really itches. :(

And I had one of the top 3 worst nights at work last night.  :(

I wish I were Buffy.

Bad Yarn Store Experience

In the nearby town, there are 3 different yarn stores. I like(d) them all, and visit them all. They all carry different items, so there is room for all three. I went there on Saturday, and I went to two leaving all smiles.

However, the last one on my trip was much different. I have visited there before, and they have never been overly nice to me, but never mean either. It is called the Stitch Niche. Now, I hate talking age groups in knitting, but the other two yarn stores do seem for a younger crowd, while the Stitch Niche seems to only have older women working and shopping there. Of course, it doesn't phase me as I've made friends with all ages through knitting. I guess I always thought the ladies at the Stitch Niche didn't seem overly nice because I am so young. Hell, I look 13. I always gave them the benefit of the doubt, and thought perhaps they didn't know how to make conversation with me. At the other shops, we talk about blogs, internet patterns, but when I've mentioned that to these ladies they look at me as if I have a third head.

My experience Saturday:

I am browsing through the store, my purchase yarn in hand, and a lady was getting assistance from one of the employees. She wanted something different than what the employee kept handing her. When she did find a yarn the lady liked, they only had 6 balls of it. She finally, very politely asked if there was any other yarn stores in town. The employee then proceeded to speak to this lady in a tone I've never heard - like a queen talking down to a peasant. She literally stuck her nose in the air and said "We are the ONLY yarn store in town, unless you plan on going to Michaels, which would be a very disappointing visit!" When she hit the word "only", her voice actually went up an octave. She walks off, and I approached the lady and quietly said, "Actually, there are 2 other yarn stores." Another customer joined in, "Yes, and very nice ones!" and the other customer begins to give her directions.

It really enraged me at first, but then I thought... I should give the employee the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she doesn't realize there are two other yarn stores. I'm not sure how she wouldn't know that, but maybe she doesn't.  (I've actually heard one of the other stores, mention her store to customers before.)

So, I have my purchases, and I make my way to the counter. The two workers are chatting with apparent regulars, who are also older (as in over 60). I don't mind, I can enjoy the eye candy of yarn around the counter. Finally, one says "Maam give me your stuff". I hand it to her, smiling, but I don't get a smile back. She starts to add up my purchase, and I say "Could you wind those for me too?" (At this store, it costs 50 cents a skein to be wound, where as at other stores it is free, but I know this and I'm ok with paying a fee for the winding.) She looks at me with a harsh glare and says "Well, it will be a few minutes!!!" I say "That's ok, then, nevermind." She then starts ranting about how she could do it, but it takes a while for her to wind it so I would be held up. I kind of startled, and said "Oh, I thought you meant I was in line behind other customers, but I know how long it takes to wind a ball of yarn, I'm ok waiting."

So, she has me swipe my credit card. Then, after my card is swiped, she turns to the other store employee, with my balls of yarn in her hand. She says "I am SO tired of winding YARN for people all day!" She then went to her ball winder and ignored me while chatting with the ladies at the counter.

It made me so angry. When I was telling my mom this story, she said "Why didn't you tell her to just keep the yarn?" and I squeaked "Because I already swiped my credit card!"

The more I thought about the way they acted through my whole shopping experience, the angrier I got. They had put a cast of anger and unhappiness over my day out, especially since they were my last stop. So, I am officially boycotting "The Stitch Niche". I can go to the other shops, and get treated like I'm a friend, and if the other shops don't have what I need, I can get it from an online store that is great like The Loopy Ewe.

I had a pea pod disaster.

I picked up the stitches for the collar.  I managed to pucker it in the back.  A lot.  I am going to rip out the collar, it has to be done.  But I couldn't handle doing it last night, so I took a deep breath and set it aside.  I will probably rip out the collar tonight.

We are going shopping today and out to have some fun, and I am so looking forward to it.  My husband cracks me up because he said "I guess we have to stop at every yarn shop in town too?" but I think he secretly likes my knitting.  When I told him I couldn't get a good picture of my Monkey sock yesterday, he took great pains to get one for me.  Then, he started browsing my favorites on Ravelry.  He seemed to really like this Clapotis.

"I mock you with my monkey pants!"

Eye Candy-less Friday

I have no pictures to share.  I tried to take some, and it was a shameful attempt.  And, I find that I am very boring lately with not much to take pictures of.

Knitting progress:  I am currently attempting to pick up stitches on the Pea Pod Baby sweater collar.  Started working on a Monkey sock, and have been extremely disappointed.  My mother wants socks - "with brown yarn that has lighter flecks in it".  So, under some delusional shopping moment, I picked up Lorna's Laces Safari colorway with the illusion that she would like it.  Ha!  No way she would like it.  It is a very dark brown with some light brown in it, but it stripes up like a tiger.  I don't mind the yarn, but I think it hides the beauty of the Monkey pattern.  I am going to finish them and keep them for myself, and consider it a good practice of the Monkey pattern (which I love, love, love)....  because I plan on making Monkey with my new Socks that Rock yarn.  I have never bought Socks that Rock before, so I am excited to see how it knits up.  I bought the "Pink Granite" colorway!

Shaved Kitties

So, Molly and Loverbunny were outside cats until we moved. We live on a main road, so it was too dangerous to keep them outside. When moved in, however, they still had the outdoor mentality of "must eat food before someone else does". So, they have no idea of when to quit eating. In the last few months, they have gotten a little chunky. I noticed they also weren't cleaning themselves as well as they should be, and so.... they are now on a diet, and they got their hair shaved. They aren't too happy about their diet, but I do think they like being shaved... Molly especially. She has been prancing around and showing off since....

 

 

I know she doesn't look happy in the picture, but she always looks grumpy... really, she is acting very cute with her new look.

Still working slowly on the pea pod baby sweater. I'm on the sleeves. I've been working the last three nights, so that has really slowed me down on it. Maybe I'll make progress this weekend! I also haven't forgotten my Brea bag, but I'm having trouble ordering a handle... I also plan on finishing up the sewing on my little Crafty Alien raccoon this weekend.

I also finally got an invite to Ravelry. It is well worth it's wait!!!!!!! You can find me here.

Well, I'm off to go scrape a little wallpaper in the library. We've had in four electricians, two heating and air people, a plaster person (what title do they have?), a plumber, and a roofer. So, once we choose who we want to hire, and get the finances straight, we'll be ready to work.

If you have nothing nice to say....

I've been feeling down lately, so I haven't blogged anything.  You know, the whole if you have nothing nice to say, don't say it at all kind of thing.

Still working on my pea pod sweater.  I'm close to finishing the body, and will be starting on the sleeves soon.  I'm thinking about the socks I am going to make my mom... thinking maybe the  monkey socks would be good with the safari Lorna's Laces I got.

One of my friends was in from California last night, and we went out to dinner, then she came over.  The first thing she said was that she couldn't wait to see Amos.  It was sad... I had to tell her he passed away in December.  He was such a good kitty, everyone liked him.

Maybe next time I blog, I'll have something more exciting to say.

pea pod baby sweater

 

The pea pod baby sweater in progress. That big brown string is a make-shift stitch marker.
Speaking of stitch markers, a girl in my town makes jewelry, and I am going to hire her to make me some cute stitch markers. I hope she doesn't care that I am getting ready to promote her etsy shop... but she is very talented. She has some cute earrings up right now! E.T.B. Accessories.
We went to Louisville, and I went to a LYS there called the Knit Nook. It was such a cute shop, friendly staff, and I highly recommend checking it out if you are ever in Louisville!

Quick Edit to add the link to the Pea Pod Baby Sweater pattern and picture!  It's a free pattern from Interweave Knits.

Pea Pod Baby Sweater and a Silent Paint Remover

Well, I have cast on (and already frogged) the Pea Pod Baby Sweater. I am now on the 1st repeat of the Leaf Lace Panel for the sweater, and I'm just not sure how it's going to look. I haven't done any lace except for a sock, and I question how good I am doing. I am using my Knit Picks Options #5 (I knit flat stuff even on circulars.) and Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.

Right now, I am currently sitting here waiting for a delivery. Our Silent Paint Remover. It requires a signature upon delivery, and well, our doorbell isn't very good. If I go upstairs or to the back bedroom, I won't be able to hear it.

Well, after I got over my sickness, I went on a yarn store spree. I went to all three yarn stores within an hour of my house, and I bought something from each and every one of them. At Magpie Yarns, I bought the newest Interweave Knits magazine. Then, at ReBelle, she was getting in a shipment of Crafty Alien kits, and I just had to buy a kitten and the raccoon. (In fact, I bought them before she could get them on the shelf.) My raccoon is ready to be sewn together soon:

To end up my yarn store spree, I went to the Stitch Niche and got my Debbie Bliss yarn for this baby sweater.

One other very cool thing that happened..... I got an email from Guido of the podcast, It's a Purl, Man telling me I won from a contest he was having! He had a survey about his podcast a while back and by answering the survey, you were entered in the drawing. I won the book Hollywood Knits, and I can't wait to get it. Check out his podcast if you haven't heard about it yet!

Tomorrow, I am going to go with my husband to Louisville. He has a work conference, and I'm tagging along. While he does his conference thing in the day, I am going to shop and find some knitting stores.

Sick knitting

I missed some work this weekend.  I've had a stomach virus.  This is what I've done:

Bats and the 7 Things Meme

Well, I have no knitting updates, and really nothing too exciting to say, but I don't want my blog to sit unattended for days.  I work this weekend, so I thought I'd add a post now.

First of all... how do you get rid of bats?  I *thought* we had bats in our attic because the last two times I was up there, I thought I heard one.  Everyone, including my husband, tried to appease me.  It was mice, birds, my imagination....  Even one of my patients, who knew my family, assured me that it was probably just squirrels.

But, last night, we took some friends up there, and a bat nose dived at us.   I took off running with the female friend right behind me.  The guys tried to act macho and stay up there, but I could tell they were shaken up a little.

Now, on to the 7 things meme.   No one tagged me, but I'm doing it anyway.

1.  I have two degrees, BA in Art and my BSN (nursing).  I also finished up all Pre-Pharmacy courses.

2.  My family jokingly calls me the cat whisperer.  Give me enough time, and I can make friends with any cat.  Also, it seems cats randomly find me.  I've saved several cats in the last few years.  The latest was Poe, who now lives with a friend's daughter, who I found bleeding from the mouth and nose in the middle of a road.  (She is a happy, healthy kitty now.)

3.  I grew up in Eastern KY.   My family didn't have city water until I was almost a teenager.  When I was a baby, it snowed in our house.   I have pictures.  I didn't realize we would have been considered poor until I was an adult.

4.  I have been to China.  I can speak a little Mandarin, but not well.

5.  I have a thyroid disorder, hypothyroidism.  It makes me unusually tired at times.

6.  We bought our home to restore in November of 2006.  It's our dream home.

7.  My dad has 11 brothers and sisters.  I have 22 living cousins from that side.

Planning future projects

I finally had time to knit a little today. I am working away on the Brea gusset still. Will order my handle and button today, too. By the time it gets here, I should be ready to sew it all together.

I've been daydreaming about future projects. I really shouldn't be because I have too many unfinished ones....

After the plumbing is fixed, we will be redoing the upstairs bathroom. There is this wooden window shutter that has four open panels. Right now, some really nasty stained fabric is in the openings, but I am thinking of knitting some lace panels to replace them with. You can see it in the photo below.... any ideas of what pattern I could use? Or what yarn? I am going to put some new white bead board up, wallpaper, tear that stuff out from around the tub, and put up a Victorian tub shower attachment.



Also, I am still trying to figure out what to do with the yarn I bought at Shakertown. It actually makes me nuts to have stuff in my stash that doesn't have a purpose..... an assigned "to do". I have 630 yards of 100% wool Red Clover... here is a picture... any ideas?


Back to work tonight.

Oh, and someone emailed me asking why I didn't blog about nursing anymore. Well, I started out blogging about nursing school, but that's over. I don't like to mention even vague references about anything or anyone because of the privacy laws. You just never know. I also do so much nursing these days, I don't like thinking too much about it at home. I practically live at the hospital it seems, so I enjoy the other parts of my life while at home. Hope that explains it.

Sealed door open!!

I have absolutely no knitting to show you. I haven't done any knitting all weekend. Not even the hint of stockinette stitch. We have been tearing this house down.... the ceiling of the butler's pantry got torn out so they can fix the upstairs bathroom plumbing.

The best thing this weekend, though.... we got a sealed door open. A pocket door at that. It sealed the soon to be library shut from the foyer. Whoever owned this house sealed it shut by locking it, then caulking around it on both sides. The door is off it's track right now, so it doesn't open or close smoothly... but that will get fixed whenever we can find someone who understands the mechanics of pocket doors.

Maybe now that we've accomplished some things around the house, I can rest and knit some tonight.

Short update.

Brea is downstairs blocking! Every time I look at this bag, I get excited.

I cast on again for the Marshmallow Bonnet. I am using a different yarn, and this time I will be more cautious on the mattress stitch. I have a plain sock cast on as well.

As for our house, we tore down the wood paneling in the library. I'll get some pictures maybe this weekend. It looks bigger now. They glued it straight down to layers of wallpaper, but actually that is better than gluing it to the plaster. We took two large truckloads of trash to the recycle place today.

We also are getting estimates on fixing the upstairs bathroom plumbing today, and estimates on rewiring the whole house on Thursday.

Sorry, no pictures today. I feel like I just got off my four days of work, and I'm already going back tonight!

FO: Inca Snowflake Hat

Mine doesn't have snowflakes, but it's finished!! Thought I'd post now because I work the next four days and I won't have time for much else.

 

 

Pattern: Inca Snowflake Hat from itty-bitty hats by Susan B. Anderson

Yarn: Noro Kureyon #95, and I honestly can't remember what the white yarn is. If I find my ball band, I'll update.

Needles: US #7 16 inch circular A Japanese Bamboo circ needle that I have no idea the name of.

This was such a fun knit!

More on Brea Bag

Shannon from the podcast, SSK, asked me what yarn I was using on my Brea bag. I am using the yarn required, the Berroco Ultra Alpaca, but in another color. I *think* am using the Camel Hair, but I can't find my tag.. I think I threw it away. This yarn is sooo nice. I love it, and it knits up beautifully. Here are some pictures of the front and back, pre-blocking. Right now, I am working on the gusset.

 

I am really loving this bag.

Now, I mentioned a podcast earlier. SSK, is a podcast by Shannon and Stephanie. They are hilarious, give good information, and make you feel like you are listening to your best friends chatting it up. I definitely recommend you download it and give it a listen! They also love paranormal stuff, and that makes me love them even more!

Other podcasts that I would recommend are: Cast On (Brenda is the queen of podcasts. So professional!), Lime & Violet (oh so funny too!), Sticks & String (really excellent info), and this podcast, Unwound, is no longer, but I recommend listening to what episodes are there. I will really miss the Unwound podcast.

I admit it. I am a podcast junkie. I listen to other podcasts, too, but those are all the ones I subscribe to! If you want to recommend a podcast to me, I'd love to hear it.

Also, there is a contest on Skeins Her Way where you post your summer goals. I found out about it through Musings of a (mostly) self-taught knitter. If you go enter the contest, please let her know that I sent you!

My summer goals include:

• make a lace shawl or stole


• finish Wicked (the longest project ever. I don't mean to ignore her, but it's hot.)


• socks!


• do a better job when it comes to finishing objects


• make another Brea bag for my friend Beth

Also, I was asked why I switched from Blogger to Wordpress. I think Wordpress has more to offer. I think it's more user friendly. It has easy access to your blog stats - how many people came, what links they clicked, where they came from.... I am sure that Blogger could probably do all the same things, but it seems Wordpress is just easier. Also, Blogger has lost a few of my posts in the middle of my writing them.

If you have any suggestions on things to make my blog more interesting, let me know! Also, I am trying to come up with a customized header idea, so I'd love to hear those as well.

My new blog home.

I switched over!! As time goes on, I hope to customize the site a little more. Wordpress seems to have a lot more to offer.

I guess I'll start off by updating on my knitting progress.

I currently have on my needles:

Brea, a free pattern from Berroco. I think this pattern is genius. It's simple enough to do anywhere, but complex enough to keep your attention.

Better Than Booties, a free Interweave Knits pattern. However, I have to admit this is giving me fits. Not the pattern, but me. Size zero needles are hard for me, obviously. It may not get a match.. I hate to say it.



I got my package from Jimmy Beans Wool the other day, and they have great customer service.  Very quick delivery.

Well, I'm off to a good start, I guess.