Pics of Projects and weekend update

OK, so I am going to do a picture diary of my shawl and my dishcloth. I was able to do the first 10 rows of my shawl. The pic doesn't look like 10 rows but that is b/c the yarn is so fine. I was worried about that, but I like it so far so here's hoping. Later today I am going to the library to print out my chart for the shawl so I can keep better track of where I am. The people in my "Mystery" group were so helpful in getting my to understand the chart. I'm still nervous but frogging is the worst that can happen b/c I'm pretty sure the world won't blow up if I mess it up.

In other news, we went to my Uncle Mike's house last night. He gave us a washing machine which is awesome! Len also spent the evening hooking up my grandparents TV so they can have Tivo again. They are very happy. My grandma promised my husband some of her famous coffee cake in return for his service. (He is so lucky b/c the coffee cake is AMAZING!!!!!--I'll take pics of it when we go have some b/c the crumb part is so thick and yummy and I want to share with you LOL.) Also, I showed my grandma my lace yarn and she said you're going to make something with that? How is that possible it is so thin? I said I know but we're just going to have to wait and see.

Also, my Mother-in-law Linda (whom I also refer to as 'Mom') wanted me to clarify a statement I was told she made. She didn't say that my knitting was a phase. She just told my husband that I would have less time to be obsessed once I started my new job. (I know I said I got the job but I then had to submit to a medical review and am waiting for the results-not worried though, just anxious to get started.) She told me that even though knitting is labeled a "craft or hobby" she feels that it is an art. She and my father-in-law Tony (who tells people at his job that I knit which is awesome b/c it means he talks about me at work which is more than I can say about my own dad but that is for another post....) feel that I am very talented and that my knitting pieces are "works of art". She wanted to be very clear that I understood that. They are so supportive and they appreciate the time it take for me to produce the items I make. I think it is awesome that they are so encouraging. It really makes me feel good about myself.

Well that is enough babble for now (look Andrea 2 new posts in less than 24 hrs!!!). Look at my pics and have a great day!!!!

Here is the right side. As you can see it is a 2 color project with yarn carrying up the side. Can I just say that I love Knitty Gritty b/c I just saw an episode on how to do yarn carry.

Here is the wrong side. (I'm guessing on which side is which but feel pretty confidant that I am right)
Like the map drawn on the table we rescued for going to the dump?


Here is the shawl. Does it look like 10 rows to you?

Eileen

Sending out an SOS......In over my head

OK, so this is the first day of my new projects and I am already in trouble. I've never done a lace pattern chart before and I feel very intimidated. I don't understand the instructions and sent so many questions to the pattern writer that I feel I will be kicked out of the group due to utter ignorance. Also, I am starting a new dishcloth KAL today once the pattern gets posted. I am off my rocker with these projects. In good news I have finished the main part of the blanket I made for Len's brother. However, I have to make stars and they are not coming out very well. I don't know how to fix that so I guess it's back to the drawing board.


I am in knitting distress Mayday.....mayday......yarn overboard!

What kind of yarn are you?

What kind of yarn are you?

You are Merino Wool.You are very easygoing and sweet. People like to keep you close because you are so softhearted. You love to be comfortable and warm from your head to your toes.
Take this quiz!

I think this is about right. Especially the I love to be warm part. Take the quiz yourself and let me know the results!!!!

Dinner with Allysia

Well, last night I went to my friend Allysia's house for dinner. It was the two of us, my husband Len, her husband William, and her mother Judy. We had a good time. Allysia made pork loin with Port-Fig sauce, roasted fennel w/ Parmesan cheese, and scalloped potatoes. Her mom made a chocolate cake for dessert (really for Williams b-day, but we ate it for dessert). We had a good time. We played Wii, talked about knitting (I talked they listened and pretended they knew what I was talking about LOL), and got caught up on our family's gossip.

My arm is very sore today form all the Wii playing. It was a whole lot of fun and makes me want one even more than before. I know I'd play that thing all the time and then maybe Len would stop saying that all I do is knit and talk to people on-line about knitting.

That reminds me, I feel very isolated and foreign to the people around me. No one that I see or talk to on a regular basis (except Jessie) knits. So none of them understand my fascination or as they call it obsession. There was a funny post on Claudia's blog (see blog list) about Super wash sheep and everyone who I talk to about it looks like I have 3 heads or something. Also when I talked about the Yarn Harlot "sock incident" and said that it was all over the place William said "I didn't hear it on Headline News today." HAHAHA They think they are so funny. They didn't understand when I explained it was on a lot of the blogs I read and talked about non-stop on Ravelry. That is why I blog here and chat on Ravelry. Y'all (or at least most of you) get it. (Hi Mom (yes you Linda)- thank you for reading this even though you think this is just a phase that will pass. I appreciate your support even though you don't understand.)

Well, I bought more yarn today just some Sugar 'N Cream that was on sale for my dishcloth KAL and I ordered some size 5 circular needles that are supposed to be good for lace, they should be here soon. I got them on E-bay for $4.50 w/ free shipping. You can't beat that with a stick (unless the needles are super cheap and break or something) I did some research and they are supposed to be good but you never know.

Well, I guess thats all I have for now. Hope everone is having a great weekend. I have to go check on my roast in the crock-pot. I'll let you know tomorrow how it turns out.

Eileen

Finished Kal

OK so here is my finished February Dishcloth. For those who can't see it it is a Valentine candy box. I took a pic of both sides. I couldn't decide which one was better. Let me know your thoughts. PS. I am adding a bonus shot I took this morning in the shade on the side of my house next to my truck. I didn't realize that even with the truck behind me and no flash it would reflect on the white cloth but I guess I was wrong LOL!

My kitties are so cute

Lately it has been so cold here in Tucson. It snowed here the other night. Not by my house but out by where my husband works there was 8 -10 inches. Crazy. Well, my cats have been super cold so they have been bundling themselves in my knitting blankets (both in progress and finished).
Here is Corky. He is almost 5 years old, weighs 22 lbs. and he is 4 &1/2 ft. tall on his hind legs. He is so muscular that I swear he works out.

This is my baby girl Emma. She is from the same litter as Corky, yet she weighs just under 8 lbs. She is my cuddle buddy. I usually find her on my lap right when I am ready to start knitting. She helps me make sure I have good yarn tension.

This is Max. Granted he is not on one of my projects in this pic but I think he is super cute in it so I wanted to share it.

Eileen

KAL's, KAL's Everywhere

Greetings from Knit-a-long land. I have signed up to do a Mystery Shawl KAL which starts Feb 16th. I have ordered the yarn (which is very yummy and is my first experience w/ yarn porn!)and will pick up the needles this weekend. Also, I joined a Dishcloth KAL. We do 2 clothes a month. 1 is a theme one and 1 is a decorative pattern. I am 4 days into a 7 day pattern for my Feb. cloth. The pics follow. This --> : - P <--is for Jessie. (That is me sticking my tongue out) She was telling my the benefits of taking pics of your knitting in natural light verses inside w/ a flash. I thought she was full of it. But no as usual she was right I was wrong. (See the captions under the pics for the rest of the explanation) This is on the side of the house on a concrete block walk-way. I didn't think the pattern would be very visible since I knit it in white and I couldn't see the screen on my digital camera while I took this photo b/c the sun was behind me reflecting off the camera. I was wrong.

This is a close-up. I'm pretty good at taking pics blind right?

This is facing the sun on the hood of my truck. Still not too bad.
This is the photo in my house on my "photo taking" chair w/ a flash. I suck Jess was right. I should always listen to everything she says. Maybe that is why she had me play Lemmings at her house all the time. She was training me!!!!

Eileen