Philosopher's Wool and Lucy Bag

Today was my day to knit! Since I already I had 2 days off my work was pretty well done. Well, almost all. I haven't gone grocery shopping but then no one likes to do that! I don't have to work until Sunday. Believe me, it is so nice to have 2 extra days and not have to go anywhere. I did all my household chores and just sat and knitted while trying to learn the Philosopher's Wool fairisle technique. I got the video tape and book for Hanukkah and finally had some quiet time to watching it. The tape was well worth the money. However, I sure do wish it were on DVD. I hope I don't wear it out as I go back and forth to learn the stitches and take notes on finishing techniques. Now all I have to do is finish the book and make a sweater. I can't wait to see them at Threadbear . I hope to buy yarn and needles so I can make a sweater.

After my knitting lesson we watched "Anger Management" DVD. It was good but nothing to write home about. I knitted on my Lucy Bag during most of it. It's seed stitch and I was really pleased that I didn't mess up. It's made out a luscious salmon Crystal Palace Deco ribbon on US #9 circulars. I've never done the seed stitch before. I can't say I enjoy the actually knitting of it, but I sure do like the look. When I finish knitting the bag, I'll have to find out how to sew a lining to it.

Tomorrow will be a nice quiet day and evening. As per our usual Christmas day dinner will be Chinese. DH even said something about going to the movies. Sounds like a plan to me. Hmm, I wonder which chick flick I can con him into go to this time ;-)

No knitting tonight

I can't believe how little knitting I've been doing. I seem to be building my arm muscles carrying my knitting bag around and yet haven't taken my stitching out of the bag. My big excuse is that my boss gave me a big project to do and I keep having that on my mind. The truth is that I'm just too darn tired and cold... yes it is freezing here in Michigan. Yesterday it was 6 F and the wind chill was -11. Today it was a little better and when I got out of work at 11 p.m. it was 21 in my car. I look like a little Eskimo in all my bundles of clothing. Tomorrow morning before work I am going to devote 1 hour to knitting. Never know I might even finish that 2nd sock.

Bead Size Conversions

The December pattern for the Six Sox KAL has beading. One of the members posted this web site to help figure out beading size based on the size of the bead. Just scroll part way down the page for a good explanation of the sizing. Farther down is the conversion chart for the x/0 size.

She said they are about the right size to work with fingering weight sock yarn and saw that they would work with a small crochet hook. The beads were size 6/0.

Gotta love that Man

As I mentioned before I've been working on this darn blog for ages already. I was having trouble with the way it looked. Well, my lovely John took one look at it and said, "I bet that link is too long." I was stubborn and mad. Here I had been looking for ages and couldn't figure it out... and he took one glance and may have the answer. I wasn't going to try it... no way!

Well, folks, I have learned a lesson. Give it a shot! I had to swallow my pride and move the link and Voila! Everything is fixed!

John I love you! You were right on target. And now I can go back to what is import -- knitting.

Goodies in my sock bag:

Materials

• 1 skein Opal yarn (or 2 skeins Lorna's Lace)
• size 0 DPN for when have to rip back (can use contrasting thread)
• size 1 (12") Addi for the sock
• size 1 (16") for doing heel or toe
• size 2 (12") Addi for the ribbing

Plus

• my foot measurement created from the cardboard back of an 8x11 notepad. Shows total foot length, beginning of toe (ball of foot) & toe length
• stitch marker to mark beginning of round
• 2 stitch markers to mark beginning and end of instep
• row markers to help in counting rows
• Size D or C for picking up stitches
• Turbo Needlegauge Skacel Collection to measure Addi needles
• post it notes for notes
• pen to write with
• scissors
• tapestry needle
• measuring tape
• metal gauge measure
• Nancy Knit Knacks cards (all of them on a ring)

Laminated Cheat Sheets:

• Kitchener stitch
• Heel Turn
• Eye of Partridge heel stitch
• Toe stitch
• Afterheel directions

Making Hankies

Merie came over for an afternoon of knitting and chatting all afternoon. I finished the 1 sock of "Merie's plain sock" pattern. I have the ribbing and some of the cuff done on the mate. I'll be so excited when I've got these done because it'll be the first time to have a pair that fit!! I love knitting socks on one circular. By the time the afternoon is over, I feel like I can do just about anything. Thank you Merie!

We talked about knitting and socks and how to make hankies.

How to make hankies:

• white fabric (100% cotton or 100% linen)
• cut to 11 inch square
• can use the thread pull technique to square up the fabric or can use a quilter's square.
• fold over and press 1/4" on all sides (now it is 10 1/2" square)
• now fold it over and press 1/4" on all sides again (now it is 10" square)
• Machine sew close to inside fold or use a blind hem stitch.

If going to add tatted or crocheted edging then --
Use a large empty sewing needle on your machine to run a row of holes close to the edge.

Also you can look online for ways to use your serger or embroidery machine to make some exquisite hankies. Take a look at just what I found on Google.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&q=making+hankies

Back on Track after visit from OZ

What a wonderful 10 days. We had a great time with the whole family here. Our son Jim (he prefers James but after all he is still MY little boy) and his wife Angela were here with her parents. They are all such lovely folks. We had a great time. I know if we lived closer that we would get along famously. But then Australia is an awful ways away from from Michigan. We hope to go there in 2006 G-d willing. But alas, no knitting time. We walked all over showing them the city and even having an adventure going into Windsor, Ontario.

I will miss them terribly, but I need a vacation from the past 10 days. And I think a little knitting is just what I need to help.