Emptyknitster

Socks: 10 pairs Mittens: 1 pair Fingerless Gloves: 13 pairs Sweaters: 16 Shawls and Shawlettes:8 Scarfs: 3 Hats:7 Baby Blankets: 2 Misc: 3 Neck warmer: 1      Grand total of knit in 2011:  64 items Favorite knitted item: The Pirate's  pirate sweater II, because he loves it so! "Looks the same." "Smells like Grandma." "What's better than having a pirate sweater? Having two!" Favorite photo of a knitted item: Because it was such a totally dorky thing to do! Hawaii 2011 Craziest thing knit this year:  No need to explain! Craziest remark about my knitting: When asked what her parents are like the California Dreamin' gal says: "Well my dad kills rattlesnakes with a bow and arrow and my mom knits sweaters for her ipod!" Favorite handspun item: Because they were my first attempt at spinning. Monkey mitts and Miss Sadie's scarfette

I love this time of year for many reasons... Christmas with the family, Staying at home - nesting, Crisp, cold weather under a big blue sky, Great meals, Reading good books. Being able to knit whatever I desire. I rummage through Ravelry like I did the Sears and Roebuck Christmas Catalog as a kid. It provides hours of entertainment.... "Maybe I'll knit this." "No, I want to knit this next." "This would be just perfect!" Then it's off to the stash bin to see just what I can plunder! The projects that I do after Christmas usually are small and quick. And this year is no exception. I've been looking at Jared Flood's Turn a Square Hat for sometime and now just seemed like the right moment to knit it up. The striped yarn is a little bright but what I had in the stash. The hats were fast to knit up, took very little yarn and will be warm for the recipients! Pattern: Turn A Square Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers, Patons Wool Classi...

First to check in with their new sweaters: Chloe A Little Bit The Pirate Grandma gets the second set accounted for: Sadie Lou The Tiger And the last two are looking good!

The NorDak Family are on the road home. It's been a fun holiday, here's a quick snapshot of the happenings: (I'm just beginning to get used to my new camera!) Frosting Christmas cookies for Santa. Sadie with Aunt Kate. Sadie Lou and Isaac wrote a book about their Dad. Grandpa and The Tiger Sadie Lou Showing off their new sweaters. Winding down with Mom. We're ready to go but there's not much snow! Watching a movie with Bluie (II or III, I'm not sure). Nikko honors The Tiger! Grandpa gives advice to the newbies!

I think this may be my last multnomah - I’m running out of people to gift. The daughters are just not buying into these! I love them BUT I’ll once again go out on a limb and say shawls and shawlettes are fashionable in the knitting world but not so much in the real world! Pattern: Multnomah Yarn: Bits and Pieces of leftover sock yarn (75% wool, 25% nylon) and Red Heart Heart and Sole Colorway: Ivory and various Needle size: US size 5

My girls grew up with a great tradition that has been passed on to their kids.  The kiddos are allowed to open one package each Christmas Eve, It is picked out by their mother, and the package always contains... a new pair of jammies.  The kids never seem to catch on!

Last week as we traveled to the California Dreamin' Family I worked on two knitted projects: Pattern: Hitchhiker Yarn: Knit that Puppy, hand dyed yarn  Colorway: Grays and Purples Amount: 490 yards Needle size: US size 4 Yarn: Twisted Sisters, hand dyed petite voodoo Colorway: Amount: Less than 3 skeins, about 500 yards Needle size: US size 4 This was a fun pattern, and an unusual scarf resulted!

We had a great time in San Francisco last weekend! When Chloe had ballet practice, I had a little one on one with the Pirate. Then when the Pirate and his Grandpa went to the aircraft carrier, I had time with Chloe! Priceless! Chloe did a great job at The Nutcracker. I love that ballet and it was made extra special to have Chloe perform...   On the way to the Raider game... Another Wonderful Holiday Memory...

We've been married 40 years today! Don't know what I'd do without you!

Today is my Mom's birthday.  She was a great mom and others saw what a great gal she was, too. Mom was often the recipient of heartfelt gifts both large and small. One of her most memorable birthday gifts came from a complete stranger. In Montana your driver's license expires on your birthday. It's supposed to be a silent reminder. This particular year Mom's license was up for renewal and being a good citizen, down to the office she went. The gal behind the counter was surprised to see her on her birthday and asked what she wanted for her big day. Without missing a beat Mom replied, "To be five years younger!" They both laughed and agreed how nice that would be. Several weeks later when the new drivers license arrived in the mail, Mom opened the envelope and was delighted to see she had received a late birthday gift, the gal behind the counter had given Mom her wish - she was indeed five years younger! Mom never changed her birth date to the correct ...

The workshop was busy this weekend, Mrs. Claus started and completed a pair of fingerless mitts. Pattern: Mendocino Heel Stitch Fingerless Gloves Yarn: Jojoland Tonic Colorway: Rose Needle Size: US 5 and US 7 She finished another Multnomah. Pattern:Multnomah Yarn: Red Heart &Sole, 2 skeins, tag ends of sock yarn - 75% wool, 25% nylon Colorway: Ivory and various bright colors Needle Sze: US 5 Mrs. Claus completed a pair of socks that have been the bane of her waking hours for the last month, Pattern: A off road sock lesson from Lala, Judy's magic cast on, The KnitGirllls after thought heel , Cat Bordhi's reinforcement of the heel, and Jeny's Surprisingly stretchy bind off! Yarn: Malabrigo Sock Yarn Colorway: arboi Needle Size: US 1 I did some off road knitting, starting with Judy’s Magic Cast On with 10 total stitches and increasing every other row to a total of 84 stitches. The top of the sock has the pattern of: Row 1:k3, p3 Row 2: K1, sl1, k1...

Over Thanksgiving, Sadie Lou Who wanted a spinning demonstration and I was happy to oblige. I spun two ounces beautifully and was rather proud. After the family left I thought I'd spin the other two ounces and promptly realized I'd lost my mojo, for five evenings I left the wheel frustrated. Monday night I gave it another try and was pleased with the results! The yarn is now spun, plied, whacked and wound. Encroaching Forest Hand Dyed Falkland 4 ounces From Fiber Fancy I'm going to try to find a solid yarn at the yarn shop today to knit my handspun into this shawlette.

Just a bit of advice, label the photos you have! In the box from my aunt there were several photos of young girls, taken in Bruning Nebraska. This is where my Grandmother grew up. Her father, Jurden Duis owned and ran a store in Bruning over 100 years ago.   I believe they are several of the Duis sisters. Tetje(Katie) Duis Middendorf, Altje(Ollie) Duis, Emma Duis, Margaretha (Maggie, Margaret) Duis Murphy, Maria Helena Duis Wilhelms, there were other sisters who died at an early age: Christina (9 years old when she died), Ida (16 years old when she died), Linda (11 years old when she died). Unfortunately I have no idea who is who! I would appreciate any help! I believe these are photos of my Grandmother, Margaret Duis Murphy: (I was told that this is a photo of Margaret and now have an original.) This is how I remember my Grandmother: She grew up speaking German but refused to speak the language around us. My mom encourage her to teach us but she refuse t...