Thankful!

Sometimes the Lord just stops me and reminds me of how much I have to be thankful for!  That happened recently when DH read this.  A Kansas City food critic died of an AVM.  I am so thankful that God's grace protected me and my AVM was removed.  May we all take time this season to be thankful....for so many things....for life....for a Savior....for His grace!

In awe!

Thanks to a dear friend, I've been enjoying the amazing wisdom of Elizabeth Zimmerman.  I find myself enthralled and watching these DVD's over and over again just wanting to get every little piece of advice.  She is amazing and makes me want to learn to knit continental style....who would have though?  So now I want to cast on for one of her EPS sweaters.  Totally based off percentages and no pattern really needed....just amazing!

While watching, I've been working on these:

They are the Anniversary socks from Favorite Socks! (be sure to check the errata if you make them though)  I'm enjoying the nice details of these socks and loving the little cable without a cable needle!

Here is the plain back of the socks!  I'm using undyed Louet Gems yarn.  I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Happy 20th!

I can't help but think of DH on the 20th of December!  We went on our first date 11 years ago! (in recent years we think it might have been the 19th due to a saved movie stub, but we've celebrated on the 20th for so long....)  It has been a joy getting to know and love my dear husband!  I never would have thought that night, that my coworker at the library would be my husband.  God is so good to me!

The last required Christmas knitting is done!  (actually done before Chicago, but....)

These are modified Broad Street Mittens from knitty.  I left off the mitten cover and added a few stitches to make it a little larger!  I used Knit Picks Essential in Cocoa.  While I'm not sure I would make these again....they were fiddly....I'm happy with the end result!

Speaking of Christmas....one of the ladies at knit night made these for all of us!

So very sweet and unexpected! and so needed....my stitch marker collection definitely needs enhancing!    Here are a few more Chicago pics for good measure!  Now Ashley cleverly noticed that there are no pics of LYS in Chicago....sadly I didn't make it to any....I know, I know.....we had every intention of going to one Tuesday night....directions were written out.....doable from the train.....hadn't counted on 5 inches of snow......so we stayed in.....I have plenty of stash....I know....how pathetic!

Catching up

It feels so good to be home!!!  Yesterday was busy with laundry, reimbursement forms, authorization forms for the next trip, church budget and finance meeting, and enjoying time with the cat!  She missed us and has since been very clingy and sweet!

Chicago:

Math: was very productive!  It was awesome to see my advisor again and we got to talk quite a bit.  I spent a lot of time talking with another grad student and while I've haven't proven anything else yet, I have new insights and a deeper understanding of my problem!  I figure that is enough details for you all, but if you want more I can talk about this stuff forever :)

Knitting:  I realized it would have to be super simple.....so a plain sock was perfect!  This is using Austermann Step (has aloe in it)  the yarn is quite nice.  Nothing like cold Chicago to remind me that I need to knit more socks for myself!  I've also realized I can knit plain socks with fun yarn....solid yarn....not so much.  It was a good realization!

Sightseeing: So we ate lots of good pizza including a place where the St Valentine's Day Massacre happened!  Yum!  We made use of the great public transportation, so Sunday we went shopping down the Magnificent Mile....WOW!!!...it was so festive and amazing!  I wasn't feeling the best this day, so I don't remember exactly what all these buildings are so you will just have to enjoy the pics without the details! (DH probably knows, but he is off working)

This one I couldn't resist!  One of my favorite coffees....if only I had left room in my bag for souvenirs....why was I so practical?  It was fun window shopping though and smelling the coffee fumes!

There is no doubt we got in the Christmas spirit....the cold, the snow, the lights, but now we are back to air conditioning...and excited to be going to Kansas to spend Christmas in the cold!

Sneaux Pictures!

We got 3 inches of snow!  It has been 20 years since they have gotten that much and close to 10 years since there was any snow here!

Mike the tiger!

Sledding on the Indian Mounds

Snowman in from on Christmas tree (everyone made a snow man today...I've never seen so many before)

It was a productive day:

• Finals given DONE!
• Finals graded DONE!
• Grades finished DONE!
• Last minute projects for assistantship duties DONE!
• Stockings delivered DONE! She was happy!
• Bags packed for Chicago.....all that is left....we leave tomorrow!  Should be fun! (it is school related, but we hope to enjoy the city too!)

Snow!

It is snowing!  in Baton Rouge!  it is sticking too!  They are saying 1-2 inches.  Many schools are closed, but it is finals week so I doubt the university will.  I love snow!  it feels like Christmas!  I'll try to get a pic to post later!

Finished!

Boy does it feel good to be finished with this project (and in plenty of time)  Last night I hid the last thread and did a light blocking (which helped tremendously) and called it done!

I made Sherie's (from a pattern) another unknown to me knitter made Drew's.  Sorry for the poor lighting in the pics!  I think in person the colors are closer too.  

Maybe tonight I will finish my fingerless gloves...then I would feel really good.  Okay off to study...thankfully no finals to take....just giving and grading...and working on research :)

A present for Lindy!

Last week I'm mentioned that Lindy was feeling lonely and neglected.  Thursday night I got to go to a knit/spin in at a new shop in town:  Knitting Asylum!  I had decided before I went that I could get a little fiber!

I got 3oz of lovely merino!  The color was just perfect!  So Friday night I got to relax with Lindy (and stayed up way too late spinning....I just had to finish and see what it looked like plied!)

A 2-ply yarn....3oz merino...260 yards....pure fun!

Stocking update:  All knitting AND weaving in of ends----done!  I need to block it and seam the back!  Woohoo!

Today:  I have a spinning date...bound to be fun!

Relief!

Thank you all for your prayers and kind comments about my presentation!  It went well....maybe a little shorter than I wanted, but I was pleased, very nervous, and happy it is now done! (Except for the recap with the advisor and figuring out the answers to the questions asked that I didn't know)  There is still plenty to do this semester, but nothing nearly as stressful!

On the knitting front:

I'm making good progress on the stocking!  I had to rip back 4 inches this weekend because I didn't like my color-work.  I was carrying a lot of the colors behind the work and it was puckering and didn't look as good as the stocking I'm trying to match.  So now I'm not carrying and happy with how it looks!  The only bad part of the stocking (and the part I didn't anticipate) is the back:

So many ends to weave in....I spent 2 hours at knit night weaving in ends (it looked even worse then) and while I made progress, I still have a long way to go!  Maybe just maybe I can finish this weekend?  We will see.

On the shopping front:

I did mention DH and I went shopping on black Friday right?  While most men aren't good shoppers DH is!  (not always, but when he is in the mood to shop it is fun!)  We were working on shopping the sales for clothing needs for both of us and working on Christmas shopping for the family.  While he was checking out....I wandered over to the purses and admired this:

How could I not love it?  I've been eyeing them for awhile, after all it is a giraffe print :) but never really thought I would get one.  I don't spend that much on myself let alone a purse.  Well DH decided, right then and there, that I should have it.  No talking him out of it!  I mentioned the cost, he mentioned we would be doing our part to help the economy, what can I say, there was no use arguing with him.  (I reminded him Lindy was my Christmas and he said he knew that, but which one did I want, we could afford it)  We did get a deal though, I insisted that we check another store who carried said purses and they were having a deal where is you traded in a used purse you got so much off your new purse.  Well of course I was using a favorite purse that day, so we went and bought a cheap knock-off giraffe purse and gave them that in exchange for the discount!  (All donated purses were going to charity)  I love my new purse and hope whoever gets the donated one likes hers too!

I'm so glad to be back to blogging again! I've really missed it!

Quick Update

Hi all!  Just wanted to update you that I am well!  Had a super Thanksgiving....got to spend lots of time with DH!  What a treat!  I have a big presentation at school tomorrow so blogging has been on the back burner right now....so towards the end of the week you should expect a real post!  Lindy is lonely...no spinning over thanksgiving....knitting, shopping, DH time, no complaints!  Things will settle down soon and blogging will return to normal....I promise!

Making progress

My commissioned work is coming along nicely!   The yarn used previously is discontinued and the choices available in sport weight in the needed colors were very limited.  I'm hoping to get approval for the colors this week.

So far so good and it is going quickly!  You knit the leg flat and then do the foot on dpn!  It is nice that it doesn't get repetitive...always something new!

Show and Tell

Remember this roving that I bought a few months back?

Lindy had fun this weekend making this:

Here are the singles before plying.  I had never spun color before.  It was fascinating watching the colors blend and wondering what it would look like in the end.

Here is the skein....4 oz....100% Merino...444yds...prebath!

And some close ups!

Yum!

I've been meaning to show you...

...so last week (yes last week) at knit night look what I got: 

My very own ravelry button to display my "name" at knit night.  It really helps because we all go by different names on ravelry....okay if you're a knitter and not on ravelry go sign up today...it is awesome....www.ravelry.com!  Also a Bob pin!  Too cute! These were gifts from a very generous lady at knit night who also gave me a ride home so DH didn't have to come back out to get me!  Knitters are good folk!

The baby bootees found there new home!

Mom...you and I are the only ones who think they look weird by the mismatchness!  Oh well, they are off to their new home where I was reassured that no one would mind that they don't match.  (note to self: don't use self striping yarn on bootees unless you can get them to match)

So this week I'm cheating...I scheduling posts so that I can post more....I have plenty to say....the work week is getting busy....so hopefully this works!

Moving Day

Yesterday turned into moving day.....moving offices that is.  Now I'm comfortable moved in with a more normal office mate and hopeful the office will be less stressful and drama filled.

In knitting news...I've started some fingerless gloves bases on the knitty pattern Broad Street Mittens.  Some modifications will definitely occur...no mitten flap and no closed thumb but that should be an easy mod.  I started this weekend and was in serious denial.  I kept thinking they were too small but kept knitting.  Finally I stopped and faced facts!

They were a little snug on me and the recipient (who isn't here to try them on) has bigger hands than I do.  So I've added stitches (hopefully not too many...although I'm a little worried about that) and am progressing!

Now that the ribbing is done they should move a little faster!

I'm an addict!

As promised....here is what Lindy and I've been up to!  Here are the bobbins full of singles!

They kept multiplying....6 in all (maybe I need more bobbins...who would have thought!)

Then I plied them!  Here is some of the yarn wrapped on the niddy noddy (this pics is for those who don't know what a niddy noddy is...I was right with you a few months ago...but they are handy little things)

and a close up!

So the 6 bobbins turned into 6 skeins of yummy yarn!

This is in the prewashed state.  Now the yarn is drying all over my apartment :)

a close up!  It is 70% Shetland, 30% Mohair...710 yds.....14.7 ounces of yarn!  I think it turned out fairly uniform too!

This is my favorite pic with Lindy in the background.   (shhhh...this yarn is a Christmas present for a dear friend....shhhhh don't tell)

FO Friday!

Dear blog friends....I feel I owe you an explanation for my quietness this week.  School/work got a little overwhelming this week so something had to suffer....so the blog was quiet. I think things are better now!   I so enjoy blogging and sharing what I'm working on with you all...you encourage me, inspire me, and welcome me to your world with such open arms.  But I also chose not to feel guilty if the blogging doesn't happen....so without further ado let me tell you about what I've been working on!

Old Shale Lace Triangle Shawl is done!!!

Needles: US 8

Yarn: 4 oz of handspun done on my spindle! about 350yds...color: Cocoa

Mods:  I didn't end on the row they told me to, but it worked out just fine.

Made for:  Mamie (DH's grandma)

The ladies at knit night think I give too much of my knitting away, but I think that is half the fun.  Thinking about someone I don't see very often and making them something special so they can think about me in the year ahead.  Oh well, I'll do what I want!

Close up of the lace!

Back view!

Lindy and I are still doing well and we've been busy, look to see what we've been doing on Monday!  Enjoy the weekend, I know I will!

Introducing...

.....so I didn't go with any of the names I was thinking of....or any of the suggestions given....although I appreciate them all.....after some bonding time.....it is clear.....she is a 

LINDY!

Meaning: sweet or pretty!

Let me be the first to admit that I'm completely, hopelessly addicted to spinning!  It is so true!! Here are my first two skeins from Lindy!  

5 oz and about 400 yards!  (It looks a lot better than what I was able to do on my spindle!)

This is some of the fiber sent with the wheel that I just grabbed the first night to get going.  I'll have to look again to see what is all in it!  I plied it Sunday and gave it a bath.  Today it was finally dry!

So last night I spun this bobbins full of singles....I told you I'm addicted!  I was surprised that I'm getting faster....this took under 2 hours!

Don't worry, there is so knitting going on too!  My Old Shale Shawl is almost done, but showing unblocked lace is so uninspiring, so you'll have to wait!

Am I boring you?

Since I don't really want to bore you with pics of last nights spinning....well I can't resist!

The unnamed wheel and I are getting along brilliantly!  Okay enough about that....last week I agreed to my first commissioned knitting project!

I'm going to make a stocking like these.  A lady on campus sent out an email looking for a knitter.  Her mother made these stockings all the time (often as baby gifts) and had made them for the whole family too.  Her mother has now passed and she it not a knitter.  With the addition of a new daughter in law another stocking is needed!  I'm trying to match the discontinued yarn Patons Look at Me baby sport weight yarn.  Any suggestions?  I'm going shopping this weekend to see what I can find!  Have a super weekend!

Introducing...

....well I don't really know yet! (It is a Lendrum DT Complete for those of you who are curious) Right now there are two contenders for a name (you are welcome to add more)

1. Beatrix meaning bringer of joy.  I like this one and could even go with Trixi for short!
2. Bessie (DH's choice...as in old Bessie)  I looked into the meaning and this name means "consecrated to God" or "my God is abundance"  I like that too and in one sense if DH is going to call her that anyway...
3. other suggestions? or opinions?

Now before you go giving DH a hard time realize he was the one who rearranged his schedule to be home to receive her from Fedex!

****please excuse the massive amount of pictures to follow...I'm just super excited!****

another angle-I was able to put her together by myself without any trouble (I did watch a how-to video online Tuesday night in preparation)

All the extra goodies...fast flier, plying head, diz(?), niddy noddy!  

More bobbins and a lazy kate (a real one not made out of a shoe box!)

a bag lady bag!  Very durable with lots of padding...you can even where it like a backpack!  Not sure how many places I will be taking my wheel, but it does fold down quite easily!

Look at the pretty print on the inside....and what is inside?

Tons and tons of fiber!!! Wow! how unexpected!  I heard it was coming with some fiber, but this is pounds and pounds of fiber (where will I put it all?....back in the bag for now....can't let DH think it will take up too much space!)

I quickly pulled out some fiber (couldn't even tell you what, except it was nice) and began spinning.  After a little practice I got to going pretty well!

I'm definitely glad I got the doubt treadle (2 feet instead of 1) I find it much easier to get a rhythm going!

My spinning teacher/enabler N had shown me a trick she had learned when I spun at her house a few weeks back.  To put a piece of velcro on your wheel to hold your yarn when you stop.  I promptly added velcro to mine last night (after I realized what a pain it is without the velcro)  So I guess that makes it mine!