Here we go again...

Year two has just started for Buttercup. We're at the end of week one and she's already asking, "When do I get to the hard stuff?" The joys of teaching the precocious. I think after a few bumps the weeks should go smoothly. Already I've decided to alter the schedule -- the benefit of homeschooling, of course, is that one can change the schedule as necessary. Week one ended with a scrapbooking day. We've decided to do one page for each state as we cover them in geography. We're starting with New England and Maine is our first. Buttercup's excited to be scrapbooking (not Mom's favorite hobby -- "but, where's the yarn?"). Today's result was worth the effort. I think she's absorbing the state information and having fun in the process.

Where have all the socks gone?

Well, I've finished the Diamond Patch socks, knit up the Sixth Sense Socks for the Six_Sox_Knitalong (which, I understand, is closed to new membership!), and started a pair of socks on circs. In the meantime I'm working on a baby blanket, getting ready for a garage sale, and waiting for a visit from Mom (here we come, yarn shops!). One of these days I'll post pics. I also took a break to read Perfect Madness: Mothering in the Age of Anxiety. What did I learn? Mostly, it's not relevent. These women are not me, their mothers are not my mother. We really don't have much in common as far as mothering goes. *sigh* Maybe I should write my own book; but who would buy it?

Adventure of a new pair of glasses....

Not two weeks old, the new glasses went carefully into the lovely eyeglass case. Rebecca put on her sunglasses and placed the case (with the new glasses) on the car; "...there, now when we leave, I'll grab them and I won't have to wander through the garden center wondering what the lovely flowers really look like." Two tantrums (kids) and one discussion (husband) later, Rebecca gets into the car and the family heads to the garden center. At the first garden center Rebecca gets out of the car without looking for the new glasses because, "I just want to get in, get what we need, and get out." An hour later the family returns home and Rebecca gathers her things from the car. Except the new glasses. "Hmmm, didn't I put my glasses in here? Well, maybe they're in the house..." (Husband gets glazed look -- wifey did something again) "Well, no -- they aren't in the house." (Husband gets in the car and retraces route to garden centers and back) On the way home Husband recalls hearing a sound, "like we drove over plastic." Husband (gulp) rings neighbors' doorbell to ask if they've found any glasses lying about. Neighbor asks wife -- who found a pair of glasses in the road and set them aside. Neighbor and husband form bond looking for "new" glasses. Glasses found (see picture -- that's exactly how they were found -- the arm on the left side of the pic was stuck in the bent case -- Mark used the pliers to unbend the case and free the glasses!). Wow -- not a scratch on the glasses!!!! Wifey is saved from husband's wrath; husband can go on with the day's work. Wifey gets on with the gardening... Oh, and that little sticker in the lower right corner of the case? "Made in China."

This one was fun

Your Linguistic Profile:

65% General American English

20% Yankee

15% Dixie

0% Midwestern

0% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Too accurate...

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have low extroversion. You are quiet and reserved in most social situations. A low key, laid back lifestyle is important to you. You tend to bond slowly, over time, with one or two people. Conscientiousness: You have medium conscientiousness. You're generally good at balancing work and play. When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done. But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it. Agreeableness: You have medium agreeableness. You're generally a friendly and trusting person. But you also have a healthy dose of cynicism. You get along well with others, as long as they play fair. Neuroticism: You have low neuroticism. You are very emotionally stable and mentally together. Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly. Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is medium. You are generally broad minded when it come to new things. But if something crosses a moral line, there's no way you'll approve of it. You are suspicious of anything too wacky, though you do still consider creativity a virtue.

The Five Factor Personality Test

You Are My Sunshine....

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

OTN (On the Needles)

I received this pattern as a Christmas gift from Mark and I've been waiting for the right time to start knitting. I decided to start the pattern now -- the yarn is a lovely spring colorway and I haven't anything else to work on as I'm waiting for yarn to arrive for the next sock for the Six_Sox_Knitalong. This is the Diamond Patch Socks pattern from Heartland Knits. I'm using Koigu KPPPM P314L. I love the colorway, but I'm thinking already of picking something else for another pair of socks. I think something with greater contrast would show off the diamonds nicely. These socks will be a bit thick (the diamonds have ridges of stockinette/garter stitches), and slightly loose -- just about right for my sandals on a cool day. :) The pattern is easy to remember and the placement of the diamonds isn't too difficult. Can't wait to finish the first one!
I just realized, after posting this, that I put the sock on upside down! Well, I suppose the finished pic will be right side up. ;-)

Pah

To be fair to the children, I thought I should have a pic of Pah posted, as well as Buttercup. So, here he is. :)

Opal Follies

Here's an Opal sock I attempted to design by myself. I was going for the embossed leaf pattern because of the fall colors in the Opal skein (I adapted a pattern from Beautiful Knitting Patterns by Gisela Klopper). I did a two-color rib at the top (the solid is an Opal Uni). The sock, however, is way to small for me. I think it's even too small for Buttercup... So here's the pic, and now I can rip it out, rethink, and head back to the "drawing board."

Surprise! Beautiful Lake Ontario

These socks have been on the needles for over a year. I can't believe I finally finished them! I wouldn't say they were especially difficult; but they do require concentration and my mind is usually on everything else! The pattern is from the Day Trips collection by Needle Beetle. Check out the pic of the toes. Left toe: knit before class with Lucy Neatby (Knitter's Day Out, Camp Hill, PA, 2005). Right toe: knit after learning the error of my ways. :) Always keep the same yarn in the same hand! Thank you Lucy Neatby! Anyway, I'm glad these are finally off my needles and on my feet!

In the meantime...

I knit up a bunch of socks for a friend. These are Regia 4-ply Tweed. I love the yarn -- why haven't I ordered any for me???

What kind of weather would you like today?

This morning I snuggled into the warm covers and listened to the rain falling softly outside my window. Eventually I got my day going and somewhere half-way through the laundry I realized the sun had come out. Checking the thermometer I did a double-take; 70 degrees before lunch in early April. Okay, open the house -- "Kids! Let's go out!" The kids had fun making portraits in the driveway for about an hour -- then the wind turned cold and we're back to the grey, rainy, and cold day we started with. Gotta love the weather. :) (Pah on the left, Buttercup on the right, and that white one above Pah's head is me)

Brownies Visit the Beautiful Drive

While I was in the rec room watching the news and talking on the phone, two mysterious brownies by the name of Buttercup and Pah decided to work some magic in the kitchen. These are pictures of the kitchen as it looked when I walked in. What you can't see, unfortunately, is the before -- the dishwasher was full of clean dishes, the counters were full of dirty dishes, the table was covered with "stuff." And now? The kitchen smells of orange cleaner, the clean dishes are in the cupboards, the dirty in the dishwasher. And Mama? Mama's so tickled she had to post it on the blog -- I've always dreamed of having brownies visit! (Yes, the kids know that -- what wonderful children, to make their Mama's dreams come true!) I have two reallio, trulio special children!

Bulky V Neck Pullover

This is the Bulky V Neck Pullover from Knitting Pure & Simple. I used Naturwolle from Austermann, color 03. I loved the method -- top down, all on circs. This is the sweater I completed three times. The first try looked like a maternity sweater (and if there was any hope of that I may have left it that way). So I ripped it out, added darts for shaping, and decided against the side slits. The final product doesn't look much like the pic on the pattern, but it fits nicely. I especially like the neck edge and raglan shaping. This was the first time I did the math on a sweater to fit it to me and I'm happy with the time and effort... A wonderful learning experience and a nice sweater, to boot.

Doubleknitski Number Two

Mark's Doubleknitski in Elann's Highland Wool (blue) and Paton's Classic Merino (grey). Love this pattern and I think he's going to love the warmth. I was worried that Spring would arrive before I could finish the hat. Have no fear; Spring is here -- but warm air is not. Mark should have a few chances yet to wear the hat this season....

Glad Ragg Socks

Here's the completed Glad Ragg sock. I haven't worn these, yet -- I've just been admiring them on the foot. :) This pair was for the Six_Sox_Knitalong Group. My first for the group, and the pattern Mom and I chose for our annual knitalong. Beading was a bother at first, but fun in the end. Don't know that I'd go for another beaded sock, but I can foresee other beaded projects in the future...

We're back!

We're back from our annual spring break trip to lovely Fairfield Township, PA. And I do mean lovely! We enjoyed blue skies, March winds, and spring-like temps for the whole ten days -- only to return to upstate NY and winter! I was happy to see our crocus coming up, only to find them covered in snow the first morning we were home!

I acquired a new skill on break -- knitting with beads. Mom and I chose for our annual mother/daughter knit along the Gladd Ragg socks from the six_sox_knitalong (check out Yahoo groups if you're interested!). I'll post picks later! I had fun, anyway. ;-) Ya' maybe don't want to ask Mom about it -- but her socks are beautiful! I also completed a neck-down raglan pullover for me... Three times. You know you've advanced as a knitter when you bind off, try it on, rip out, reknit, bind off, try it on, rip out, reknit... And my last project while in PA was the Doubleknitski for Mark. I just finished that one this morning -- he'll need it 'cause it's only 26 outside and it's not that warm inside!

And now we're back to school (Nine weeks left in the school year, and then we'll have a bit of a break and on to year 2. Where does the time go???), laundry, cleaning... Mark was an absolute sweetheart and cleaned house while I was gone AND baked cookies for us, so my load is light this week! Life is good!

Lavenderberry Doubleknitski

Buttercup models her new hat. This is the second hat I knit for Buttercup (the first was a colorwork hat I attempted before I had any clue about how to do colorwork). She picked the colors, I picked the pattern. This was the real double knit pattern I was looking for. Google Doubleknitski and you'll find the pattern and lots of warm caps. :)

Pah's Harlequin Hat

Harlequin \Har"le*quin\, n. i. To play the droll; to make sport by playing ludicrous tricks.

Need I say more?

The hat is from a free pattern at Elann.com. The yarn is Elann's Sock It to Me Collection; Harlequin in Blue Jeans and Blue Stonewash. I was looking for a double-knit hat pattern and found this. Pah found it at the same time and decided he needed a hat like that. The hat's not really double knit. You use a provisional cast-on and knit the "first" hat with one skein. Then pick up the live stitches and knit the "second" hat with the second skein. When all is said and done you fold one inside the other and off you go, out into the snow. A warm, reversible hat -- really very simple to make. I'm not impressed with the Sock It to Me yarns and I'm envisioning this hat done in Opal -- one of the patterning yarns and a complimentary solid. Hhmmm, I may have to go shopping...

You appear to be a Knitting Purist.
You are an accomplished knitter producing beautiful

pieces with a classic feel. You sometimes

lament losing half of your local yarn shop to

garish novelty yarns. Perhaps you consider

fun fur scarves the bane of knitting society

and prefer to steer new knitters towards the

wool and cotton blends. Some might call you a

bit of an elitist but you know that you've

been doing this craft long enough to respect

the history behind it and honor it with

beautiful piece that can last a lifetime.
http://marniemaclean.com


What Kind of Knitter Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Opalympics Medal Ceremony

Buttercup has been watching the O. with me and also watching me knit. She loves the Opal colors and is more excited than I about each new skein. When I told her I was on my last Opalympic sock she mysteriously disappeared. Later that evening when I presented the final, finished sock -- Buttercup presented me with my very own medal! Aren't kids the best? :D

Opalympics Event #3: Rodeo 1150

Whew, I made it! I completed the Rodeo 1150 yesterday just before dinner. I decided (after six pounds of yarn arrived in the mail) that this is the final event in the Opalympics. I have a couple of sweaters to start and four hats to knit (since winter has finally arrived in upstate NY, it's time to get some hats on the kids!). I think I'll save the kids' Opal for next winter. Their feet grow too quickly!

Speaking of the Olympics -- did anyone else tire of the commercials? Maybe we're one of a few who only have rabbit ears (okay, glorified rabbit ears -- but we still get just the major networks and PBS). Maybe the coverage was better on the premium channels. Maybe there are too many commercials everywhere. Whatever the case -- I'm ready to turn off the tv and return it to the closet!

An afternoon with Pah

Pah:
(In his manliest 4-year-old voice) "I will fight you!"
(quiet narrator's voice) "and the sword went on and on through the darkness, into the dragon..."
(dying dragon's voice) "AAAAAGGGGHHHHHHhhhhhh......."

Remember when you could completely escape into make-believe fun? Now I've got to have peace, an iPod, and a good book... Unless I lean back, close my eyes, and listen to my favorite 4-year-old narrating his adventures; that is, if I don't mind action stories with sound effects. ;-)

Opalympics Event #2: Rodeo 1153

Blast those self-patterning yarns! Who -- tell me who! -- decided to tie the end of a green patterning yarn with a solid salmon yarn -- running in the opposite direction????? Don't these people understand there's a person trying to knit a sock at the end of this process??? Take a look at the pic. The socks are great -- a premature start on the second sock, pictured on the left here (but I tried to make them the same!). Then, almost to the bottom of the second sock -- what's that? Did I suddenly turn and knit back up the yarn? No -- a blasted knot and a tie in that didn't tie in at all. Now, I may have the patience to pull out a yarn until I get to the right place in the color pattern, but I'm not about to unwind and rewind the rest of the skein so the colors will run the same way. Arrggghhh.... Do I really want to go on to Rodeo 1150???

Opalympics Event #1: Handpainted

Thanks, Mom, for the Opal Handpainted for Christmas. Color 22 has lovely shades of blue mixed with grey. As I was knitting I was thinking they look a bit like camo socks. Maybe I should have knit them for Pah (DS, 4, with huge feet!). These are for me, anyway, and I love the fit. Simple stockinette so I can watch the games and occupy the hands. :) The details: Plymouth bamboo DPN's size 0, 64 sts.

Opalympic warm-up

These are DH's Valentine's socks; lovely brown Opal and an adapted pattern from Beautiful Knitting Patterns. Thank you, DH, for taking time away from your latest project (which, I might add, is why I'm in my robe this morning, um, afternoon, blogging -- I want my tub back!) to model the Opalympics warm-up. These were a warm-up because I actually started knitting before the Olympics and finished just after the Olympics began. Oh, and just above is DH trying to leave for work one morning...

Opalympics

I love the idea of the knitting Olympics. I debated... Do I have time? Can I commit to challenging myself and tossing aside all else for 17 days? I decided I had other responsibilities. Homeschool really should come first. Although Buttercup (7yo DD) is knitting -- I just thought that asking a young girl of seven to join me in the knitting Olympics was a bit much to ask (not to mention hard to explain to the powers that be... "well, we took some time off so Mama could knit like a maniac.") So anyway. :) I decided to have my own Olympic knitting -- one has to do more than just sit and watch. I picked up the yarn Mom gave me for Christmas -- Opal Handpaint. Hmmm.... I have more Opal waiting in the stash... Let the games begin -- the Opalympics! So, I'm knitting my Opal and I'll post as I progress. My only goal -- to knit some nice socks for ME! And maybe a pair or two for the kids. Happy Knitting!!!

five days and counting

I have one sock finished for DH's birthday. The second sock is started and I'll be marathon knitting while teaching the kids and shoveling snow! I finished a seaman scarf last night. I have to weave in the ends and if DH will model, I'll post a pic by next week. Maybe he'll even model the socks. Assuming I finish them. :)

Hoover-"ish" Baby Blanket

Thanks to Knitty.com for the pattern from Mrs. Hoover. I chose Encore Colorspun for this blanket for the washability. New moms need easy care blankets, right? I decided on the lovely blue/green variegated with a white border (we're all thinking this kid's a boy... I have yellow and orange Encore if we're wrong). For some reason I had this "brilliant" idea of knitting the body of the blanket in the Colorspun and adding the white, three-inch border after. Fast forward to the end of the third skein of Colorspun. I call Mom. "How do I add the knit border and do the corners so they'll be flat?" We're stumped. I assume if I mark the corners, increase twice at each corner, the miters will work out just fine... or good enough, anyway. Forget counting stitches, gauge, and all other math related stuff -- I throw caution to the wind and start picking up stitches. Coming back around to the beginning I realize (duh) that if I join this and knit in the round ("why not, Mom? Won't that be easier?") I'll be knitting with a big ole sack hanging off the needles. Well I've knit with greater inconveniences. And besides, it was a convenient place to stash the yarn so as not to tempt the cat. I have yet to weave in the ends, but the baby is not expected until July, so I have a bit of time, yet.

First steps and more

A new day, a new blog. Seems eons ago I was a newbie on the 'net and posting on P*'s bulletin board looking for friends. Nine years and a husband later, I'm a newbie again. So anyway... On the needles: socks, of course. A lovely brown Opal for DH whose birthday is rapidly approaching. Also, scarf for said DH. A design fuddle. I'll be taking it off the needles and rethinking. Just off the needles: a baby blanket after the fashion of First Lady Hoover (pattern from Knitty.com). Admittedly, I messed this one up -- but it may be all right in the end. More on that, and a pic, later. I hope. :) And words -- well, I'm as far as the introduction of Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts. Not that I didn't want to read more, but these people I live with demand to be fed. Also started Too Loud a Solitude by Bohumil Hrabal. This was a find at the local library sale (thanks, Dad -- you'll get it as soon as I'm done). Interesting reading, but I've got to be awake for this one. And last, but not least, the kids and I are reading Five Children and It by E. Nesbit. What a delight! None of us can get enough. :)