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2014 Knitting Review

Socks: 27 pairs Sweaters : 4 Boot Cuffs: 2 pair Stuffed Toy: 1 Hats: 6   Premi hats: 4 Baby Sweaters: 2 Scarves: 2 (Mitered Square Sock Blanket: 160 squares for 2014, total 346 Grand Total of knit Items for 2014: 46 plus 160 squares Favorite Item:   Favorite photo prop for knitted item:     Craziest thing knit this year: Favorite hand dyed item:    As the saying goes: Knitting is like sex: If I love you it's free, if not you can't pay me enough!"

Last of 2014 hats and socks

Hoping to keep Sarah's noggin' warm this cold North Dakota winter. Pattern: Rolled Brim Cap by Sue W. Yarn: I Love This Yarn, Soft Secret Colorway: Peacock, Light Denim Needle Size: US Size 7 & 8 Pattern: Vanilla Fish Lips Kiss Heel by Sox Therapist Yarn: Colorway: Needle Size: US Size 1

Denali's first Christmas

When we put the Christmas tree up, I told everyone we were not going to battle little Miss Denali Jane over the tree. Each time she tipped it over, I wanted whoever was there to document it with a photo and then put it back in an upright position. I envisioned a wonderful blog post, from beautiful tree to a Charlie Brown tree with ornaments strewn all over the floor. Well, the joke's on me!

Christmas 2014

Tossing aside tradition The Chick drove down on the 16th of December and the three of us were off to North Dakota for Christmas.  We were happy to see our grandkiddos and they happily made some delicious Christmas cookies. Our little Charlotte Ivy has grown into a beautiful kitty who has the good sense to stop and smell the roses!   We were able to attend Sadie Lou Who's Christmas concert. (a sad photo taken on my iphone The Tiger had been saying he was getting a computer for Christmas from Santa since Thanksgiving.  A little elf had told me a computer was not in the Tiger's future. So early one morning a few days before going to see Santa I asked him about the wish list he'd made for his visit to Santa. I was prepared to burst The Tiger's bubble and figured it was better six days before Christmas than on Christmas morning. A shocked look appeared on his face and The Tiger quickly told me the elves in the workshop where busy making computers at that v

Knitting EMERGENCY!

Like any dedicated knitter I was careful to pack plenty of yarn for our time in North Dakota. In truth, most knitters pack more than enough.  we don't ever, ever want to be without a project. Disaster struck on Friday I was sitting next to the Christmas tree happily knitting on a sock when the unexpected happened - I broke my Size 1 Addie circular needle. The wire just broke off an the end of the metal needle! I quickly went into solution mode. "Where," I asked frantically, "Can I find knitting needles?" Remember I'm in Jamestown, North Dakota, and the answer to this question is: NO WHERE!!! In desperation I went to Walmart but I knew in my heart that I wasn't going to find anything but a stiff, plasticy, Boyce size 8 needles. So what to do for the next three days until we went to the thriving metropolis of Fargo? Crochet a baby blanket! It's not done and I think I'll just keep it in the car should another emergency arise.

Fast and easy yoga socks for Christmas!

Each year the adults in our family draw names for gift giving but no matter who's name I draw I like to do a little knitting for everyone. Socks have been the go to gift lately.... The California Dreamin’ Gurl has a very specific order for her Christmas Socks: 1)Yoga Socks 2)Black 3)Tight I’m not fond of knitting black yarn but decided with no toes or heels I could put up with a little bit of knitting in the black. Even knitting only in daylight these were a very fast knit.To achieve the third request I found this pattern and knit these socks in a twisted cable. I think I'll use this little twist in many other toed socks. Pattern: Women's Yoga Socks by Rebecca Bathje Yarn: Cascade Sock Yarn Colorway: Black Needle Size: US Size 1 ...but the California Dreamin' Gurl was also the family member name I drew and so when she sent me her list of possible gifts and I saw DRYER BALLS I was delighted!! I got on YouTube, found a tutorial, and was quickly I was makin

Finishing a last minute Christmas Gift

This year has been the year to knit socks. I've enjoyed every sock knit. Being able to put the project in my purse and take it anywhere has been the best. I feel like I can be adventurous in colors and patterns knowing the recipients will still wear the finished product - after all, they only have to slip on a pair of boots if they really find them offensive! I've always tried to have my Christmas presents bought, or completed by Thanksgiving so imagine my surprise when I went to wrap the NorDak family gifts and realized that I didn't have the Big Boy's socks completed! Quickly I got the THREE skeins of sock yarn, picked out a favorite pattern, and began knitting! Pattern: Vanilla Latte Socks by Virginia Rose-Jeanes Yarn: Patons North America Kroy Socks FX Colorway: Cadet Colours Needle Size: US 2.5 All wrapped and ready for Christmas!

Christmas socks for Gabriel

I happily knit a pair of socks for one of my biggest sock fans! Pattern: Pin Striped Socks by Julia Gabriel              Fish Lip Kiss Heel Yarn: Patons North America Kroy Socks Ragg Shades Colorway: Brown Striped Ragg Amount: 2 skeins Needle Size:  US 1 needles

Ditching the family

Thanksgiving and the Griz/Bobcat annual game happen about the same time each year.  The NorDak Family came the weekend before Thanksgiving, and we were at the football game when they walked into the house, The Tiger declared they had been "ditched"! I hope he felt we made up for it before they left today! It was a busy week. The family met our kitty Denali for the first time and fell in love. It took several days for her to come around. She travels with us and was visiting her "kitty cousin" while we were at the game. She helped with her first Christmas tree... But once we got home Denali went into hiding for a day and a half under the covers of our bed - evidently on overload after a trip, the kitty cousin, and four new bodies at the house! Then all of a sudden she came out and jumped into the mix!  Later in the evening the tables turned and kitty cousin came through the door to visit Denali in her world! We played our favorite game, Ticket To Ride!, and

Griz/Bobcat Game 2014

Every year we look forward to the big rivalry game between the Griz and Bobcat teams. Each team switches hosting the game, this year it was at Washington Grizzly Stadium. It is always scheduled as the last game regular of the season and so we can expect cold weather, this year was no different. Rain was predicted at kickoff turning to snow before game's end.  We arrived prepared: The people in our section, the infamous N-Zone, have gotten to know each other over the years. We worry about missing fellow fans that usually sit around us (new babies or surgeries perhaps??) and are often asked about our latest trip up from Billings. This week as we settled into the stands for pre-game chatter, one of our oldest Griz buddies handed Hubby a piece of paper with his phone number and said he'd heard the passes were going to get hammered with snow, possibly closing by the game's end. He added that all the motels in the area were full so if we wanted to stay the night at his house

Hats are going to my head!

While visiting the California Dreamin' Family, Chloe-A-Little-Bit asked me for a new hat and glove set. I sat down and knit several hats this weekend - never quite finding the perfect pattern but loving the knit anyway! Enjoy the hat fashion show..... Pattern: Izmir Hat by Shana Schasteen Yarn: Patons North America Kroy Socks Stripes Colorway: 243455 Sweet Stripes Amount: 1 Skein Needle Size:US Size 6  Pattern: Hat No. 5 by Kara McKinley Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted Solids & Heathers Colorway: Ecru Amount: Less than 1 skein Needle Size: US 8 Pattern: E-ola (Reversible Hat) by Muriela Yarn: Cascade Yarns Pacific Colorway: French Blue Amount: Less than one skien Needle Size: US Size 7 ( calls for a size 8) Pattern: Women's Peaked Hat by Patons Yarn: Cascade Yarn Pacific Colorway: Navy Amount: Less than one skein Needle Size: Crochet Hook J (two sizes larger than called for)

Styling tunic for my leggings

I love one piece sweaters and this is just a little different from the usual. I enjoyed knitting this sweater after so many pairs of socks. There were a few changes from the printed pattern, I knit the yoke longer, didn't decrease before the waist and increased two extra times from the waist to the hips. The tunic was knit much longer than the suggested length in the pattern.  To quote a blogger, "If you are over 18 and you don’t live in the Playboy Mansion, you must wear your leggings with a top or tee that's long enough to cover your hoo-ha and your booty. No exceptions, ladies." For this sweater I used an unusual choice of yarn. I didn't want it to be to warm, and knowing I would be wearing something under this short sleeve sweater I used an 60% acrylic/40% wool yarn. After wearing the sweater to work I'm happy with the choice but the sweater did receive a couple of snags throughout the day. It's not easy to take a selfie in this house!

Poor Kitty

No kittens for Denali and she's feeling poorly!  We've noticed when the girl is stressed out or a little "under the weather" she likes to be wrapped under a blanket. She spent three hours on my lap feeling pitiful.

A quick trip to California

Friday, instead of Trick or Treating I hopped on my broom and flew down to California for a visit with the California Dreamin' Family! It was so much fun to see the family and catch up on what has been keeping them busy. First, we just had to go see Bake Sale Betty . She was busy behind the scenes at the bakery but Gabriel managed squeeze in a quick fan photo for me... The pirate has been busy creating a board game based on Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (a current favorite novel series of his). We played several rounds critiquing his game and I was proud how he carefully listened to the advice and went back to the drawing board to improve his creation. By the time I left the game was ready to be ordered online. We woke early Sunday morning and went to the Flea market. I found dickered on a piano stool. I had thought it was for the NorDak family but quickly realized the California Dreamin' Family loved it and so left it for them to enjoy. We then hopped into

A real prize for a Christmas Gift

Last year I was winning drawing after drawing at ravelry. An item I won was a skein of Madelinetosh tosh merino DK in Winter Wheat on the Traveling Sock Knitter podcast. I've heard about Mad Tosh yarns but had never knit on any.  It was a delightful knit and I think the finished project is beautiful! Pattern: Bertie by Kate Blackburn Yarn: Madelinetosh tosh merino DK Colorway: Winter Wheat Needles: US Size 6

A great Minestrone Soup

I found this soup recipe on another blog. It's delicious and I'm afraid I'll lose it if I don't post it. Give it a try, and thanks Patty! Patty’s Minestrone Soup 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, diced 1 rib of celery, chopped 2 large carrots, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 lb. hamburger 1/2 cup red wine 1 cup chicken broth 1 –  64 oz. can V-8 Juice 2 – 15 oz. cans stewed tomatoes 1/4 cup catsup (optional) 3/4 cup pasta of choice (small is best) 1-1/2 cups green beans, chopped into bite-size pieces 1 bay leaf 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1 cup chopped cabbage 1 small zucchini, quartered and sliced 1 cup chopped spinach 1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed salt and pepper to taste 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil In a large sauce pan or dutch oven heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add onion, celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Stirring often, cook until vegetables are soft

Crazy Zauberball Socks!

I finished another pair of socks and I'm very grateful that my brothers don't seem to mind my crazy socks at all! In fact, they claim to love them. I have bought the Schoppel-Wolle Crazy Zauberball several times and the yarn looks so fun in the ball but then I'm a little scared as I knit the pair of socks because there is never a repeat in colors, they just seem to flow from one tone to another. If you're a free spirit they are lovely! Pattern: Vanilla Socks with Fish Lips Kiss Heels Yarn: Schoppel-Wolle Crazy Zauberball Colorway: Schokolandenseite 2092 US Needle Size: One

Griz football

Denali, our little kitty, continues to travel with us. When we go to Griz games she hops in the car and happily arrives at the Chick's house to raise a little heck with Abby. Interestingly, the trip home is a little testy. I think she's just on overload after a weekend of fun and games with her kitty cousin!

Sock knitting continues...

I've been such a lazy blogger lately. Knitting but not posting! Three pairs of socks have been knit and are ready to put into the gift basket! Pair #1 Pattern Name: Simple Skyp Socks with a Fish Lips Kiss Heel Yarn: Patons North American Kroy Socks 4 Ply Colorway: Winter Eclipse Amount: 3 skeins Needle Size: US Size 1 Pair #2 Pattern Name: Socks for Euni with a  Fish Lips Kiss Heel Yarn: Rowen Sock - Wool and cashmere Colorway: Denim Amount: 1 skein Needle Size: US Size1 Pair #3 Pattern Name: Pin Striped Socks with a Fish Lips Kiss Heel Yarn: Patons North American Kroy Socks Stripe Colorway: Sweet Stripes Amount: 2 skeins Needle Size: US Size 1

Knitting for a preemie

About a month ago a friend had a preemie granddaughter born. I've never knit preemie hats before, I wasn't sure if babies in our local hospital were allowed to used them, but when this little 2 pound 3 ounce darling was born I quickly knit up three little hats. I thought that even if the hats weren't used they would be great to look at years from now surely with the comment "You were so little that these hats were to big!" I started the first hat with a published pattern but thought that they would be to big and so went down to a size 1US needle and sock yarn instead of a 5 needle and sport weight yarn. As you can see, the hat is still a bit big but happily it is being grown into!  Hat for a Two Pound Preemie Cast on 80  stitches Knit 25 rounds in ribbing Knit 25 rounds in stockinette Decrease evenly around every other row until 8 stitches remain. Run yarn through the 8 stitches and sew shut. One hat has a ribbed brim, one a rolled brim, another h