Saturday, November 24, 2007

My Season and Thanks



There was a lovely frost on the ground this morning. It just looked so pretty in the early morning sunlight that I had to try and capture it.

Fall is my favorite season because in my opinion, it has all the bestest things. The leaves change and look so pretty on the trees and then they fall and they crunch so nicely under my feet. It is just cold enough for the air to have that delightful cold smell, but not so cold that I can't stand outside and enjoy it. I can begin to snuggle up in long sleeves, sweaters, and blankets, and as a professional snuggler that makes me very happy. Cider, wine, and mulling spices can be brought together in wonderful harmony. On Halloween you can watch all the kids have a blast dressing up and going door to door pillaging for candy. And then as the last big holiday of the fall season, you get together and have dinner with friends and family.

Some things I'm thankful for:
Family, friends, a nice place to live, my boyfriend, my kitties who forever love me, financial aid that allows me to go to school, finally having a career to work towards that I'll enjoy, knitting, yarn, and many many more things. I'm one lucky girl.

Look at that... I actually did a blogstalking assignment!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Finally Done!



Pattern: Mom's Sophisticated Scarf from Stitch N' Bitch Nation
Yarn: Brown Sheep Nature Spun Worsted Weight
Color: Nordic Blue
Amount used: unsure. It was either about 2.5 skiens, or 1.5 skeins
Needles: Susan Bates us 7

Modifications: I reduced the number of stitches and added extra rows of seed stitch. I started this over a year ago when I was still a super newbie. I remember being pretty proud of myself for being able to correctly reduce the number of stitches all on my own. I'm pretty amused at myself now.

I love wearing this scarf. It is soft, it drapes beautifully and I can wear it with any jacket I own. It is a great basic scarf.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Look Mom, I'm a violin!

Am I allowed in this thing?


I fill up this bed just fine! No funny instrument shape required.


zzZZZZzzzzz

Monday, November 12, 2007

Finished Mom's Socks!



Pattern: Garter Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Multi, 2 skeins. Argyle colorway
Needles: Clover size 1
Gauge: 10 stitches per an inch
Mom's foot size: 8 inch diameter, 9.5 inches long.

I knit the socks exactly to size and mom really likes them. My foot is the same width as hers and I find the socks to be a bit loose. I think I would prefer some negative ease in my socks.

I love the garter rib stitch pattern. It is easy and it looks nice. It also makes decreasing for the gusset easy. I set it up so I decreased on rib rows, and knit straight across on plain knit rows. It saved me from having to stop and inspect the stitches to see if I decreased the previous round or not.

Thursday, November 08, 2007

New Jersey Trip

This past weekend I went and visited my parents in Jersey City. My mom will happily tell you that they live in a closet with a view, and she loves it. Life in the suburbs of KY just didn't work for her.



The first day was the longest day. Mom and I went over to New York to explore a little and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. I had fun walking across the bridge. It was nice to get out and stretch my legs after being on a plane all morning.



We also took the dogs to the dog park. I attempted to get a picture of them, but they wouldn't sit still. Silly puppies.



Mom and Dad have been trying to find an acceptable dog walker with not much luck. The big one is scared of everyone new. She didn't like dog walker number 1 at all. She likes #2, but is too scared to allow #2 to walk her.



I learned that cabbage is the new "in thing" in landscaping. My mom swears its not new, and she swears that Louisville use to do it to, but I don't believe her. Regardless of if she is right.

Mom and I also explored Hoboken some. Our explorations included Patricia's Yarns. Mom picked out yarn to make a scarf for herself, and yarn for me to make her more socks. Unlike her attempt at socks early this year, her scarf is going extremly well. It is a much better project for someone who hasn't knitted in 20 years.



The scarf is made out of sheep shop yarn. I can't remember the color way right now, but it is really pretty. When last I heard she is now about two thirds of the way done.

The sock yarn is a self patterning yarn from Austermann Step, so it isn't really all that pretty look at in a ball.