Emptyknitster

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...

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

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...

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

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!

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

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...