No, I didn't Fall Off The Face of the Earth

I know you are wondering what happened...it has been 10 days since I've even posted. Well, I have been knitting. I finished my Tilted Duster and am seaming it right now. I decided the pattern wasn't right for my seaming techniques - the pattern has you sew the sleeve in the armhole and then seam the sleeve. I've decided to do the seam first then sew it in the armhole. The other way seems to be a recipe for disaster.

As for my Annikki, I'm done with the knitting, now blocking, seaming and then the collar. A huge undertaking - almost daunting. Fortunately, I don't need it until September and I'm in my Scarlett O'Hara mode of tomorrow is another day.

My Wisp is trucking along - it comes to the beach with me and is nearing the end. It really is lovely.

What's next? I'm swatching for Twisted V Pullover from Simple Style. My friend Kimberly is off the the Crochet Guild Association show in Buffalo - I'm envious she gets to immerse herself in nothing but crochet and knitting for a few days. I'm also going to miss her at Stitch & Bitch and on the beach. She's been creating projects fast and furiously for the show - she is a talented designer and I wish her the best for next week.

Okay, enough prattle. I promise pictures soon...Tilted Duster will be modeled in the heat of summer without buttons as I will wait to hit my button store at home.

Actual Knitting Content

Just wanted to show you that I really have been knitting. I'm very much enjoying the construction of the Tilted Duster...it's just taking me a long time to finish the body.

I've put the sleeves in place so you can see how it is going to look. All I have to do is finish the bottom and then sew in sleeves and make the collar. Shouldn't take too much longer.

I've stalled on my Annikki as the button bands are endless. However, they are great for mindless knitting while the kids play in tennis tournaments.
















I'm home for another day and then back to the beach. I'm missing my summer S&B group tonight and I'm bumming. My DH and #1 Son are at a Yankees game so Miss America and I are going to watch chick flicks and I'll knit some more.

Isn't this too cute???

I came home the other day to a package on the front porch...it was from my knitting sister. In it was this cute little knitting creature. She got it in a skateboard shop of all places and once she saw it she thought of me.

The little tag says "Purl will make sure you never drop a stitch"...she has very pointy needles. I briefly thought of putting her on my keychain but those sharp points scared me off. I think I'll attach her to my scissors so I can find them more easily in my knitting bag.

I'm still working on the Titled Duster - I'll take pictures tomorrow or the next day. Tonight is our Stitch & Bitch - I'm not hosting but my neighbor across the street is. Easy to get to!

Two Milestones

Last night we had our Stitch and Bitch. We hit a milestone moment with 10 people attending...that was our largest group yet. We had mostly needlepointers with only Kimberly, Peggy and myself knitting or crocheting.

Of course I forgot to get the camera out until the bitter end so I caught Kimberly and Peggy before they left. Kimberly cast on a crochet wrap she's making for her mom...it is going to be lovely. I've decided I need to learn to crochet as she had 6 inches done in the time it too me to do 2 inches on my sleeves of my Tilted Duster.

Peggy is working on her jacket and had to do her first fold over hem. Two days ago she learned a provisional cast-on. She's really expanding her knowledge with this sweater.
















We of course had some refreshments and adult beverages...the cool addition to the food was Kimberly brought some Friendship bread AND she brought 4 bags of the starter. I took one as I think Miss America will have fun with it. Not that my hips need Friendship bread.

Our dog Missy has to be right there in on the knitting action. She loves Stitch and Bitch nights as she gets to greet everyone at the door, find out who is a dog lover and curl up at their feet.

Oh, my other milestone - I knit at the beach yesterday. I was glad there was a good breeze as the wool would have been too hot otherwise. But I got quite a bit done and really was glad to add that ability to my repertoire!

I blew it

I had the camera out and I completely forgot to take pictures at S&B on Wednesday night. I was so angry after everyone left. So, I'll paint a picture for you instead.

It was a small group which was great as we had a new member join us - Heather. She came in with the biggest bag of projects I've ever seen. The bag was bigger than an LL Bean Bag and it was a cool fun fabric - in it were lots of little projects. Heather decided to work on a pillow she's making with a little chicken on it. She also showed me a lovely sweater for her daughter with flowers all over it. I mentioned she's into intarsia and she said that is what she started knitting not knowing any better as a beginner - talk about going for the harder stuff first!

Nancy, a regular, was there with her needlepoint belt which she was working on last year. She had a clip-on reading light which she clipped onto her vest and that helped her work - even with 100 watt bulbs everywhere you can't have enough light for those tiny stitches. Nancy also knits and decided she's going to get a knitting project going for our S&B.

Deb arrived and pulled out her trusty crewelwork pillow which she's been working on for 2 years. We joke that last year when she pulled it out I said "you're still working on that???"

Peggy arrived late with a box of wool to be wound. She's going to make a Knit Picks pattern for a car coat. So while we employed a child to wind wool (good job for a child), she looked at books and patterns and decided that some capelets would make good gifts for her college age girls and their cousins.

Sandy arrived very late due to work and just needed a glass of wine.

We're having it again on Monday and I'll do my best to get some pictures.

Tonight, Tonight

We start our summer Stitch 'n Bitch, tonight!

I can't wait! This group of women started getting together regularly during July and August two years ago. Our number is growing but with schedules being crazy it never gets to be too large a crowd.

I'm hosting the group tonight - I have put 100 watt bulbs in the old lamps around the house and will have a good video for the kids to watch while the ladies sit, catch up, and stitch away.

I started my Tilted Duster and am enjoying the construction of the pattern. The front panels are slanted when assembed. Size 10 needles make the work fast.

I'm hoping to show S&B pictures tomorrow and pictures of my knitting too.