One off the needles, Two on the needles, One more starting on the needles

Well, my EZ Tomtem is finished. I hope it fits my godson and I need to put a zipper in it (or maybe just leave it as it is). I love the color combination and I put in 3 stripes as he's the 3rd child. So, that's one off the needles.


On the needles now are my Braided Pullover which is coming along and the never-ending Starsky Jr which I'm halfway through the sleeves. I've been saving it for "mindless" knitting for my son's flag football games.

I had a yearning to have one more "mindless" project so I pulled out the skein of Blue Sky Alpacas Silk from the frogged Feminine Mitts and cast on for Blush. So that's the one more going on the needles.

No school today so perhaps I'll get some good knitting in.

Rainy Day Knitting

It's pouring here today and I haven't been able to knit as much as I like - I substitute teach and I worked this whole week so no spare time knitting. Today I only had an afternoon job so after getting the darlings off to school and starting laundry, I curled up on the sofa with my EZ Tomtem and plugged last night's ER into the VCR (no TiVo here). Then I watched Lipstick Jungle on the computer (forgot to tape it). I got most of the second sleeve done and now I'm out of yarn. I forgot how much garter stitch EATS up yarn!

So, tomorrow I'm off to the LYS and back on track. Gives me a chance to work on my braided pullover tonight. Happy Weekend everyone!

One To Buy Not Just Borrow

On my previous blog, I often wrote about my local library and the wonderful books that it acquires when I ask for them. Well, I asked and the library purchased Custom Knits.

After one glance through, I thought "I have to own this book". After reading Wendy Bernard's witty style, I thought "I must own this book". Then I turned to the back section with great advice on adapting and designing patterns and I thought "next paycheck I am buying this book".

Simply put...it is WONDERFUL! Great patterns, great advice, great photography, great suggestions for personalizing patterns to your taste. I can't wait to make (all Ravelry Links) Ingenue, Slinky Ribs (with long sleeves) and Essential Tank...that's just the top of the list...there's even more in the book I find inspiring.

Have You Seen This Zine?

I was reading Yarn Market News the other day...I usually do folding down pages with articles on websites and then check them out on the computer. Thats when I stumbled on this wonderful zine: Twist Collective. All I can say is Wow! What great photography, what lovely patterns, what talent!
I could happily make several items from their collection. I got to get cracking on what I have on my needles right now so I can start something new.

Dreams

Do you ever dream about your knitting? I mean while asleep having a full blown dream about something you are currently working on.

Last night I had a long, vivid dream about my EZ Tomten Jacket that I'm working on. I just started the hood and I was dreaming about how I'm going to finish this and how do I do an I-cord edge around the edge. Of course I was working on it just before going to bed but then again I've worked on knitting before bedtime and not had such involved knitting dreams.

I kind of equate this dreaming of knitting to when I was studying French in college I would dream in French...I'm dreaming in the language of knitting. I was once told that if I dreamed in a language that I was fluent or totally immersed in it - guess I'm fluent/totally immersed in knitting!?!

This is my first Elizabeth Zimmermann project ever. I love the way she writes her patterns and how by changing things around you are stretching your knowledge and understanding of pattern creation. This is for my godson Nicholas. I put in 3 stripes as he is the 3rd child. He also is 1/4 Swedish so a Tomten Jacket is perfect for him. I think I'll make the sleeves red.

I wasn't happy with my Callie Cardigan picture and today I'm wearing it for real - it is cool here and it is the perfect light sweater. So here it is with jeans - I never blocked it and probably should have as the bottom edge isn't really laying flat. I'll wear it today then give it a bath and block it.

New Knitting Magazine

Whenever I'm in Borders I check out the knitting magazines and the knitting books. After a quick thumb-through, I came home with this new one - Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine - which is put out by Vogue Knitting.

A few patterns called to me...this cutaway sweater isn't anything new however I liked how they used a pin to hold it together.

Look at the detail in this jacket - stunning! Wonder if it makes your butt look bigger than it is???


Something to think about for next spring?

I don't know about you but I always have more projects in mind than I can begin to accomplish.

On the knitting front:
I'm almost done with the body of the EZ Tomten. Have to run to the LYS on Tuesday and get more yarn.
I've cast on the Braided Pullover and am still working on the 4 1/4 inches of ribbing - Yikes!
The Starsky Jr is moving along - almost done with the right front then onto the sleeves. #1 son is playing flag football so it gives me a chance to knit while watching - not as long as a baseball game but good enough.

My Space

Now I have my own space on the blogging world, I figured I'd show you my space in my knitting world. Actually, this is our guest room...prior to that it was a nursery hence the yellow and white striped wallpaper with a cow jumped over the moon border just out of frame...it's hopefully being repainted soon.

But I digress...sorry! Whenever I'm starting a new project I sit in this rocking chair which came from my grandparents attic (lovingly reupholstered about 12 years ago) and I do my test swatch, read the pattern through and through and cast on. I get through a few rows and then am on my way. It is peaceful here and out of the traffic of the rest of the house.










Check out the little side table...my great grandfather made it and I cherish having this piece of family history.

I usually keep the papers and info on the bed and refer back to it - notice the reading glasses??? I have them all over the house!


Here's a start on the Braided Pullover...got gauge right away so I cast on and I'm on my way!

My dream though is a room totally devoted to knitting and sewing. Major Knitter has an amazing knitting nook which I envy (check out her 12/07/07 entry for some good pics). One day...probably not until the darlings are in college!

So do you have your own special creating space???

Welcome to my new blog!

After blogging for a few years with my sister on our joint blog, Show Me The Knitting, I've decided to launch my own blog. The original blog was meant for the two of us to communicate and share our knitting. Unfortunately, my sister isn't knitting lately and therefore isn't blogging.

So, I'm starting fresh! I don't know about you but more often than not I'm heard saying to my family "Just One More Row, Please!?" or "After this row I'll be right with you". I'll be sharing my knitting and my adventures in knitting as usual.

Welcome to "Just One More Row, Please!?!"