Knitting with Mom

Among all of our activities, Mom and I managed to squeeze in some knitting time too!  Mom really starting knitting last May when I was home for a visit. (Handknit socks can be great motivation for making new knitters)  She quickly completed her first pair and is on her second now.  Yes, her first knitted project was socks (now you know where I get it from!)  She came to me with her heel flap all done, but needed help turning the heel....actually she just needed me to speak the directions instead of trying to read the pattern.  Knitting abbreviations are brutal until you break the code!  

We got her past the heel turn in no time and she reported that in the airport going home she completed all her gusset decreases!!! (way to go Mom!)  She is doing a plain vanilla sock using Knitpicks Essential in Ash on US 2 DPNs.

She also made bootees! (buttons still need to be sewn on, but that is it)  Aren't they cute!  They will be a good project for her to make as gifts.  (Mine need one more strap and sewing up)  Here is the link for the pattern!  It was a good project to learn how to make increases and bind off!

A delightful visit!

Yesterday, with tears in my eyes, I put Mom on a plane back to Kansas, but my heart was full of wonderful new memories!  We shopped, knitted, watched a movie, visited with friends, ate out, got our eyebrows waxed, painted toe nails, made creme brulee, and did I mention we shopped! :)  We tried to go to a nearby plantation, but it was closed due to damage from Gustav, so instead we took in an antique store.  It was a super time that ended too quickly!  I miss you Mom!

Mom's birthday is in October, so I got to give her gifts to her early and in person!!  She graciously modeled them!

Mom's swallowtail (see details here...it's a swallowtail in Knit Picks Gloss Lace, color Sterling)  

Lace Merino Socks (details here)

Tomorrow I show you what we were knitting and then on Wednesday I will finish the ML tutorial!

It's almost 4!

Yep!  Mom's plane arrives at 4 today and the day has crept by!  Thanks yesterday to Marti for finding me the perfect dishcloth here!!!!!  Really go look!!!  It is too cute.  (did you guess it was a giraffe!!!)

In light of Marti finding me the perfect pattern, I have given her my award (a pattern from Rachel's) that I won on Aunt Kathy's blog!

Last night at knit night I got to where I'm ready to turn the heel on my sock (yeah!!!)  So except part 2 of the ML tutorial this week!

Now the socks for my SIL will be using this yarn:

Using this pattern (I took the pic from the pattern....I hope that is okay)  

I think it is perfect.  It has enough going on in the pattern that I won't be bored and are more like a plain vanilla sock which is what my SIL wants!  I'll show you the progress as I make some!

Why must posts have titles?

In some ways I'm not sure what to blog about today, in others it seems like there is plenty to say.  My current projects are coming along (but I hate to bore you with pics that look so similar to the last)  

1. The clapotis has 9 dropped rows and I'm still enjoying working on it.  I love the instant gratification when I get to drop the next row.  That little land marks trick my brain! 
2. I started over my plain knit sock (I think I told you...right after I started it I took it to knit night and messed it up....some of us can't do ribbing at knit night)  I have several inches done and it is ready to go tonight.  I so want to get to the heal for I can finish the ML tutorial.
   
3. October to do:  Finish (1) and (2) and make progress on the socks for my SIL.  I will tell you about those tomorrow!
4. I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself.  My mom comes tomorrow!!!!!  I've been fortunate that every year I've been in Louisiana she has been able to come for my fall break (even this year when technically fall break is cancelled due to Gustav....I won't be doing much work and we will have fun)  It has been a special time each year for just Mom and me to hang out!!! and in some ways carry on a family tradition.  I have a twin brother (did you all know that?) and each year he and my dad would go on a pheasant hunting trip.  While they were gone, Mom and I would have a shopping weekend.  Full of fun, shopping, and Olive Garden.  (Now sometimes we had to take care of my younger brother too, but it was always a time when Mom and I got to hang out more than normal)  So now the tradition has morphed into Fall Break and I can't wait! :)
5. I won a contest over at Aunt Kathy's yesterday!  What a treat!  I get to pick one dishcloth pattern here.  Can you help me pick a pattern?  (there are no giraffes so I don't know what to do)
6. Let's talk about spinning!  So even though the wheel and I had issues last week, I think it is just a matter of practice and I'm looking for a nice used wheel.  We'll see what I find....and I know I need to be patient to find the deal I want.  Friday I bought some lovely fiber from Uniquely Yours! (she was having an awesome sale which I heard on her blog)  Unfortunately the pics don't do the fiber justice.  I was so pleased to open my package yesterday and see fiber prettier than what I had picked out!

Blue Jean Baby--4.1 oz Merino

Chocolate & Berries--3.4oz merino and silk (with and without flash...both pics are a little off it is much more vibrant in real life)

I guess that was plenty for a post!  Happy crafting!

How could I have forgotten?

So yesterday when I was giving the "I love your blog" award I knew I was missing someone.  I knew I had thought of 4, but for the life of me I could remember.  I'm so sorry Jennifer!!  I love your blog too!

Jennifer from Learning to be Thankful always makes me smile and lifts me up.  She knits gorgeous things, is always thinking of others, cooks yummy food, and reminds me of Kansas.  Somehow it feels like we are old friends!  You should definitely check out her fun blog!  (Sorry Jennifer that this is a day late!)

Humbled

When I started this blog (after passing my general exam--a huge oral exam and major milestone towards a phd--I was given a week off) I never imagined that so many people would read my ramblings.  I am humbled that you all come to see what I work on each week and offer such encouragement.  I have made so many wonderful new friends, been inspired, encouraged, and challenged by my blogland friends.  And then Stacy from A Rosy Outlook awards me this: 

Stacy's blog is such a happy place.  She takes such joy in everyday things and graciously shares with her readers.  Last week she had me wishing I could come over and share a piece of her apple cake and of course knit together.

Now in true blogland fashion....I award the "I Love Your Blog Award" to:

Aunt Kathy from Aunt Kathy's Place.  She is an amazing woman who clearly loves the Lord and her family.  She generously offers contests all the time and is such an encouragement as she is determined to make big changes her life!

Bea at Baa Baa Blacksheep.  Her knitting is so gorgeous and the colors she used inspire me to go buy more yarn :)  She is so giving (remember my office pillow) and makes me smile every time I go visit her corner of the world.

Lynda from Knit Together.  I'm not sure where to begin.  She is a talented knitter, devoted to her family, encouraging and fun!  She make me want to pack up and go on road trips with my DH and make sure I slow down and enjoy the day!

Okay....that should keep you busy.  This weekend I'll be working on my clapotis, knit night socks (because I want to finish the ML tutorial), and cleaning house.  (my mom is coming to visit next week :) so the house needs some attention!)  Enjoy your weekend!

Making Progress

Yep, that is right there are now 5 dropped rows in my growing Clapotis. Right now I'm loving this knit. The yarn is lovely and so fun to watch the colors combine (it is really hard to get a photo that is true to color. I guess I need to take it outside sometime) At this point, very little thought is involved, which is what I need at the moment. Plus I can't wait to wear it. Everyday I put it up against my current out fit and think...it will go with this too!

Thanks for all your encouragement about the wheel. Right now I know I would be having the same issues regardless of the wheel. You must move your foot constantly and forget about it....haha...easier said than done. Now when I just move my foot I'm good, but when I have to think about my hands/the yarn Yikes! The foot forgets to keep moving. I think it is training the muscles to do what they should that needs to happen so I can focus on the yarn. Now the great wheel operates on a different principle....no foot action involved and much more like the spindle. Now I just need to keep practicing!

Have a super day! I'll be making pictures illustrating my math work!