Pal O Mine

After joining in on the Yarn Focus Challenge of 2007, I also joined in on my first Secret Swap Pal. This list suggested by Rebekah, is to make life easier for you Pal. And Rebekah, this hat is on its way to you-made with Patons Carmen and Bernat Boa held together, you will not believe how soft this is.

Drink not included.

Christy Bear didn't want to take it off. She bit me. Bad bear.


1. What type of yarn do you knit with most often? It varies-worsted cotton and cotton blends-wool blends.

2. Is there any type of yarn that you would love to try but haven't yet, such as bamboo, banana fiber (seriously they make it - although I've yet to see it in person). Yes! Linen

3. In your opinion what is a luxury yarn? Qiviut, but for all practicality, alpaca and linen are quite nice.

4. Is there any type of yarn or fiber content you dislike or would prefer not to receive? Not really

5. What type of garments do you most often knit? Hats, but only because they're going to those who need them. I plan to make tank tops and cardis this year-socks too.

6. What types of knitting books do you enjoy? Many-EZ, Barbara Walker, Mason-Dixon Knitting-books with lots of techniques and projects.

7. What is a color you like but rarely or never buy yourself? Browns and pinks.

8. If you were pregnant and had to name your baby a fiber, what would her/his name be? Baby Ull :) But really, the babe would be nameless cause momma would have had a heart attack upon getting such news.

9. Do you spin? No and only because I don't have that kind of time on my hands.

10. What is one fiber you've never spun? All of them.

11. If someone in your family or a best friend had to describe you in one word, what would it be? Complicated. Thanks honey.

12. Please tell us one odd thing about you. I don't like to leave the house much. I do though. Working full time and having 2 kids will force that.

13. What was your favorite cartoon when you were little. Tom and Jerry.

14. Do you have animals? If so, please name them and tell us a little about them.
Yes. Dolly the wonder dog and Linus the little old man cat. Both very sweet and loving family members.

15. And last but not least, if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Oregon. We're very exotic people and we do have a plan.

I haven't fallen off the face of the planet, but frankly, I wish I had. Not now, but for the last two weeks I did. Nothing a Valium factory and tequila manufacturer couldn't handle. I really don't drink or do drugs, but this would have been a good time for it if I did.

The small hat factory continues to churn out hats for Kate and will be nearing its finish soon. A month goes by pretty quick these days, so here's a few.







I'll just take one group photo right before they're to ship to Kate in a couple of weeks. And for my January UFO Resurrection, I am deleting this:


Fingerless mitt started in Dec 06, in which I made a poor yarn substitution. The pattern was good, the yarn was good, just not together. My bad.

For February, I will pick up the Mary Poppins Scarf I started last year.

I'm surprised I don't have many UFOs. After the scarf is the Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl and a Ribbon Tank. So there.




Next post, another list is born. Robin, I'll always play when you tag! Check this girl out only if you want some serious inspiration!

All Hats All The Time

Before the hats, I was tagged by Kim to post 6 weird things about me. Hee hee, 6.

THE RULES: Each player starts with the 6 weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog. Since many have done this already, if you wish to bear it all, consider yourself tagged! And if you do this, please leave me a comment so I can see how weird you are!

1. I have an unhealthy attachment to stuffed animals. Really, they're like pets to me. I also like real animals more than human ones most of the time.

2. Brian happily pointed out that when I use a lighter, I blow it out after I light something. So sue me, I have a fire thing.

3. Brian also happily pointed out I have a peculiar way of bowling. I'm left handed by thought process and eat, write and perform other main functions that way. I can only use my right hand for knitting, crocheting, using a scissor or calculators and phone keying. I also bowl right handed, so he notes when I "take off" for the throw, I have a little "hop". Whatever gets the strike baby.

4. I can sense when there is a spider in the room. I get a creepy skin crawly feeling and no matter where it is, I look right at it. Then I scream.

5. My learning process is such that if you teach me something relatively simple, I may ask again about it, however, if learning something complex, it clicks and I can run with it and even expand on it if possible. Logic and common sense are my friends. So is silliness.

6. I'm going through THE change. If that's not weird, nothing is. I still feel twenty-something most of the time. I refuse to grow up-no fun.

The hat knitting has begun again, this time for Kate. The yarn has been caked...my fiber map of immediate knitting plans if you will...

I don't know what that red thing is, probably a strand of Fun Fur trapped in the camera.

I call the red & white one Cat in the Hat meets the Grinch.

I realized this little hat was not meant to be for a big kid, so this one goes to my knitting group for our local children's hospital. Hard to tell how much yarn is in a furry ball.

The garden set was given to me by Rosemarie, the best next door neighbor anyone could ask for. She visited family in MA, and brought it back! We do lots of planting things together and she's an avid crocheter. Like I said, can not ask for better!

Now for something that struck me as funny. If you remember, Ann traveled to London and experienced the horror of having a personal belonging taken from her at the airport.

One night while planning for a project, I noticed this: Click on the pic for a closeup and look at the bottom.

I think not. Ann will tell you, they're not ALLOWED to travel the world. At least not by plane.

Now for yarnography. I bought yarn with Christmas money before Dec 31, and it's sock yarn. This in no way violates the rules for either of the Knit From Stash promises I made.

I love Tarzhay! It's hand dyed by Scout, and I told her many times, I loved this color since I first laid eyes on it. I even have the perfect pattern for it too. I don't think anyone will for forget The Blue Moon Incident of 2007. Once again the power of bloggers rocked some worlds and now they are back to business as unusual.

And just because...

Not stuffed

Coming next ...hats.

Wedding Bell Blues and Hot Flashes

And believe me, I've had them both. I've been thinking of changing lately, but not THAT much. I really wanted to change my blog but more on that later.
There were engagements going on over the holidays in my bloggerhood, so if you're one who likes to congratulate excited people, here's a couple of nice places to do it. Lark and Nora. Congratulations girls! I'm so happy for you both!

Speaking of weddings, I had one myself about 257 years ago. After a conversation I had yesterday with Robin, I promised I would put up some photos of my wedding gown. Why dig into the archives of the homestead to arrange and photograph something that's 21 years old? Because I made it. Robin's been crossing over to the OTHER fiber thing called sewing. I'm nervous she'll start blogging about sewing and I for one would miss her knitting. If she sews like she knits, she'll never again have to shop for her clothes and that's something I can dream about doing. I only made this gown because 1)I was young 2)We were broke 3)I was delusional - I cried and swore and saved money for a REAL gown the whole time I worked on it. Some of the lace chose to turn that old yellow color and some stayed white, but remember Robin, the dress is a legal adult in all 50 states, it can do what it wants to.

When I took these out of the box, there was some rice in there too. Mmm vintage food. I seldom sew other than gift bags or curtains and repairs. As long as the finished item is a square, I may be able to handle it.

On to yarn bought in a last minute frenzy purchased with Christmas money before I agreed to this,and this.

From Webs, I found these for a steal! That's Knit One Crochet Too
Angora Soft. It feels like cotton, but it's a 45/40/15 Nylon/Viscose/Angora blend, perfect for this climate. Also perfect is the Debbie Bliss Cathay I scored from these ladies.

They destashed and will donate the proceeds to Knitters Without Borders. They have the kind of stash I only dream of.

Speaking of stash, the are chemo caps to be knit for Kate. Please check her story out if you feel so inclined. There are children involved here! That's the only reason I'd admit to having this in the house.

Yes I have Fun Fur. No Muppets were harmed in the procurement of this either. It was intended for house sock cuffs and bag trims that never happened. But read Kates blog and you may be able to imagine your Fun Fur through the eyes of a child.

And for Norma, hoos having a helluva grammer contest, really, she is!

But really, Norma, as promised, my humble pair to be shipped on Monday.

The scarf on the right is already in your gallery. You can always accuse me of using poor grammar, but never of cheating. Will there be a RS08? If so, you can count me in.

I'm off to find a grocery stocking enough ice to fill the bathtub.