Bye-Bye November...

Wow. What a month. And it's status report time:
1. Nope. Did not finish Catharina Faroese-Style Shawl for the Lacevember KAL. I did make progress and I'm glad I participated in the KAL, if only for that reason. No prizes, but that's cool - the real prize is getting further along on this very belated gift. She is going to be lovely.
2. Yup. Finished the Norovember Booga Bag. Well, the knitting is complete. I haven't felted yet. And I got the entire I-cord handle knitted at the Craft Show last weekend! I guess that's what I'll have to reserve craft shows for...knitting stuff that makes me crazy because it's so boring and hard on the hands. I don't have to worry - I can't knit long, my customers keep me busy! But I do get it done. So I think I can say I completed THAT KAL.
3. FiberFlix? Well...I did manage to watch one of the "friendship movies" - I saw Fried Green Tomatoes (for about the millionth time - it's one of my favorites). What did I knit on in honor of that? The Catharina Shawl for my "best sister pal" Big Sis.

I've got a couple of Christmas gifts in the works (and others planned) that I can't photo right now. So I'll have to see if I can catch The Meezer unawares...hmmm...

Mommie says it's going to get cold tonight, but that's okay, I have her and my tearstrip to keep me warm... The Meezer

Not to mention an incredibly thick fur coat! LOLOL!
(((hugs)))

T-Day Weekend & Why I'm Glad It's Over!

Turkey Day was a lovely family-filled day at a restaurant, but I told you all that. Friday was a laughter-filled drive to Northern Virginia - my Big Sis and I had a blast! We stopped at G Street Fabrics and bought a bundle of fabrics at 25% off!

Then...
 
Saturday and Sunday were spent in the confines of this 10x10 foot space...many new friends and customers entered my life those two days...it's was fun, but completely exhausting, as shows always are.
  
So when it was almost over (on Saturday night), Big Sis dropped me at Knit Happens in Old Town Alexandria, where I picked up...Debbie Bliss' new book Donegal Tweed. I'm a tweed nut. And I just love Inishowen...the lace scarf in Aran weight. There are a couple of sweaters in here, too, but as I've never knit a sweater, don't hold your breath!

And then...because I loved the color...a single skein of Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Violet.

Nope. I don't know what it's going to be. It'll tell me. Eventually.

This was my reward for pushing myself to do three shows in a month.

Oh. And then...Big Sis and I went to La Madelaine's. My favorite French cafeteria.
Heaven.On.Earth.

Holiday Meme

Melanie has had some fun meme's lately, so I stole this one from her...I do celebrate Christmas, along with a few other holidays at this time of year, so I thought I'd share. I'm back from my show, which was fun, and back to the grind of finishing up my audit. I had time to rush thru this one....enjoy! Feel free to copy if you'd like...

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Well, either. Around here, it can be warm at Christmas, so cold Egg Nog is wonderful!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Santa may leave unwrapped, everyone else must use tape and pretty ribbons...
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White - ONLY white.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Not in the past, but perhaps soon?
5. When do you put up your decorations? Usually Thanksgiving weekend, but I just might not do them this year!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? turkey with all the trimmings
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? The day I learned about practical jokes - I was given a bag of (already worn) nylon stockings from my sister and sis-in-law. I almost cried, I was so confused and a bit hurt. But then came a box with a craft kit to make a felt and embroidered stuffed toy dachsund. The stockings were to be (washed) cut up and used as stuffing...NOW I love giving piece-meal presents that lead up to something, but that one was a real learning experience. I moved into the realm of adult gift-giving with that one. I look back fondly on it.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't actually remember. Odd.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? When I was a child, but not now.
10. What kind of decorations are on your Christmas Tree? gold, silver, crystal, white lights, vintage
11. Snow! Love it or Dread? I LOVE SNOW!
12. Can you ice skate? I prefer not to break anything - no.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My first bicycle. It was RED. I wanted it so bad...and it had training wheels! My favorite as an adult has always been any family item handed down...
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? FAMILY & FRIENDS
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? MACAROONS!
16 What is your favorite holiday tradition? The box of chocolate covered cherries my uncle always brought to Xmas. "Santa" gave them to us. After my uncle died, the tradition continued with no one ever really knowing who "Santa" was from one year to the next. Now "Santa" is me. I miss my uncle - he was such a cool guy...
17. What tops your tree? A white and ivory (velvet, brocade, & fake fur) woodland Victorian Santa, trimmed in gold braid and holding a staff with a gold star atop it. In his pack are foil-wrapped packages and small berries and greenery.
18. What is your favourite holiday book? The Night Before Christmas
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Merry Christmas Darling by Karen Carpenter. It has always made me think of MFMPPF. Always.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yummy? If they're the chocolate mint ones, YUMMY! Otherwise, I'll pass...

Mad Rush...Out of Time...

Thanksgiving Day was busy and lovely with family and food. No one cooked, we went OUT this year, and wow, how nice it was not to slave in a hot kitchen! I'm much less tired than usual, even tho' there's no leftovers, but since I won't be home, that's a good thing!

But sewing also took place in the mad dash to finish up before leaving for the show this weekend. I wanted to have a couple of new Oressa dpn cases to offer...so I came up with these:
This is a crisp navy and white combination of dots and ticking stripes (btw...if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a blue and white fan!).
And a second really fun and retro 60's cat print I'm calling Mod Cats. I love the bright greens, pinks, blues and yellows in this one.

But The Meezer? Well...I'm not too sure she approves...

(snif...snif) hmmm...Mommie, this smells interesting

but not so interesting that I'm willing to stand still for the lights to flash in my eyes

All I know is, there wasn't any turkey to be had this year. And I LOVE turkey. The Blonde Bombshell

Happy Turkey Day

Family is here and there...so I'll extend to them as well as you, a very HAPPY Thanksgiving. If you're not into turkey on the day the point is gratitude anyway, so whatever is gracing your table, know that I'm grateful for your readership, for your friendship across the miles!

I'll mention that the Noro Booga Bag is knitted, not felted, and the 6 feet of I-Cord is on the agenda for mindless knitting at the craft show this weekend.

And below, the latest creation that will be available there, for Blue & White China lovers everywhere, the Teacups Mera:

Do have a very safe and wonderful holiday! I'll see you next week...
(((hugs)))

Lace! A Sock! A Lace Sock!!

 
I do knit! I promise...I even knit what I love - lace and socks - together! This is the "memorial" sock I started sometime ago to honor my late aunt's love of Vermont and her sock knitting (tho' I'm now told she didn't love to knit socks - perhaps her memory was faulty, or perhaps she told me what she thought I wanted to hear? Either way, I love knitting this sock and remembering our conversations as I do!).
 
The Cherry Tree Hill Green Mountain Madness Feather and Fan Sock #1 is complete. Now it's going to be awhile till I finish sock #2 because of everything else going on, but I wanted you to see I am knitting, even if it's only a row here and there! And I'm working on both the Lacevember and the Norovember projects, too. The Booga Bag is almost ready to be cast off, and then I'll have the I-cord to do. The Catharina shawl is only a couple of rows closer to completion, but still with all I've been doing (a craft show, my audit, Thanksgiving, and another craft show this weekend...returning next week to finish up the audit...) well - maybe you can understand why knitting isn't at the top of the list right now...?

A Meme

Gee...thanks, Chris...
I'm tagged.
So here you go:
MEME
You.
Can.
Only.
Type.
One.
Word.

No.
Explanations.

1. Yourself: Romantic
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend (spouse): Engineer
3. Your hair: long
4. Your mother: deceased
5. Your Father: deceased
6. Your Favorite Item: yarn
7. Your dream last night: audit
8. Your Favorite drink: Merlot
9. Your Dream Car: Jag
10. The room you are in: office
11. Your Ex: jacka--
12. Your fear: poverty
13. What you want to be in 10 years? married
14. Who you hung out with last night? Meezer
15. What You're Not: Trendy
16. Muffins: carrot
17. One of Your Wish List Items: Zephyr
18. Time: flies
19. The Last Thing You Did: audit
20. What You Are Wearing: jeans
21. Your Favorite Weather: snow
22. Your Favorite Book: YarnHarlot
23. The Last Thing You Ate: cheesestick
24. Your Life: chaotic
25. Your Mood: complacent
26. Your best friend: Barb
27. What are you thinking about right now? audit
28. Your car: Forester
29. What are you doing at the moment? audit
30. Your summer: summer??
31. Your relationship status: SO
32. What is on your TV? weather
33. What is the weather like? cloudy
34. When is the last time you laughed? minutes
35. Who do you tag? ANYONE!!!

If This is Saturday...What Time is it in Blogland? Rant Forthcoming...

No. I didn't intend that to make much sense. I'm absolutely exhausted from another craft show weekend - Friday night and Saturday. (Tis the Holiday Season, dontcha know?) While we had a decent weekend, it surely did not look like it was going to be last night, which caused for an even more stressful Saturday.

And I have a pet peeve I'm going to rant about right now, okay? Just click on by if you don't want to hear it! Come back in a couple of days and maybe you'll find my more normal knitting content and a kitty shot or two...

now...

WHAT on earth does the word "CRAFT" mean to you?

Does it mean, something an individual spends time creating with their minds and hands and raw materials? Is it something stitched, knit, carved, painted, even cooked for heavens' sake, but all carefully created with attention to detail by an individual who takes pride in the workmanship?

This IS a knitting blog, and I think probably I know that most of you reading will say "Why YES!" and then move along to add to my brief descriptions here.

Apparently, more and more and more, "CRAFT" does not mean this in the "CRAFT SHOW" arena.

Do you know what it apparently means now?

Any ticky-tacky thing made in another country with machines and almost-slave labor, knock-offs of designer originals for a fraction of the price, and makeup, jewelry and other home-show products that are created in a factory. OH...and especially the licensed items for the "home team" whatever one that may be.

Please don't get me wrong. I do believe in The American Way, I believe in capitalism, I think everyone should have the opportunity to make a living however they can in this day and age.

But don't call it a craft show if you're going to allow dollar store merchandisers in.

Craft is artisanship.

End of Rant...you may return to your regular knitting schedule!

And come see me at the Lee District ReCenter Juried Craft Show in Franconia, VA next weekend (Saturday and Sunday!).

I'm expecting an entirely different scenario there, from what I'm hearing. And it's also my last show before the holidays! Whew!
(((hugs)))

Knitting Varia & Thank You!

Ok. Just FYI. I've gotten a lot of good comments on the scarf below - sooo...I'm frogging. Rippit, rippit...I'll give you a photo of size 13s and this yarn as soon as I have enough rows to see if I'll like it! Thanks for everyone's input - I do believe you all are right!

Just also wanted to mention that yesterday evening, after sewing all day, I picked up my Lacevember project (Big Sis's Catharina shawl) and knit to the point where I have only 36 more rows of pattern to go. Of course, THEN there's the edging. But still - I've made progress. And what was I watching while I did this? Fried Green Tomatoes which is one of three movies from the FiberFlix list for November! I say I don't multi-task, but when it comes to KALs, I'm pretty good at it!

Knitting Content!

I wanted to show you the Knitpicks WOTA Bulky (Cape Cod colorway) in process. This is Wendy's Mistake Rib Scarf. I'm knitting it on size 10s (all of my 10.5s are in process!) but the yarn band says 10-11, so, it's a little bit more snug than I'd like, but will do. Obviously this will benefit from blocking when I'm finished. My stitches are usually a bit more uniform than this! lolol! But I like the spongy-ness of the yarn and the rib. I think it'll make a nice gift scarf. And depending on how it blocks out, I may make the next one a bit wider, to make a more "manly" scarf. This (unblocked) is 4 inches wide...

Whatcha think? Should I frog and add more width?

Knitpicks! Whee!

{Drool.} Mail Call! My Knitpicks Christmas order arrived...I had some other things here that are gifts so they can't be shown, but i wanted you to see a skein of each colorway of the new WOTA Bulky Handdye in Cape Cod and Fly Fishing (yup, Xmas knitting for the guys), and my Shadow in Vinyard for Hidcote Garden Shawl - THAT is scheduled for January knitting, after all the gifts are finally done. And I also picked up my favorite size in KP's dpns. I'll let you know what I think - I AM a dedicated bamboo needle knitter, but wanted to try these myself. And yes, that's MDK (finally!). I'm usually about last to the party...I did check the book out of the library and then decided I really had to have my own copy of it (after I renewed it once, which is my own true test of a book's importance to me!).

Colors? How true are they? I think they're pretty true to the CATALOG on these 3 colorways of yarns. The WOTA bulky is cool. I think the guys will like their scarves (no, not making one for MFMPPF, as he doesn't care for scarves...and only has the one I made him 20 years ago...and still wears it when he's shoveling snow and it's REALLY cold! Ummm...yes, it's acrylic *blush* but in my defense, it was all I knew to knit with then...).

The Vinyard is a luscious grape. But you know, compared to my monitor's rendition of the color at Knitpicks.com, the real thing is closer to mulberry than the blue-purple on the screen! All monitors are different, I know. Looking at my monitor and the yarn in my hands, I think my photo is pretty darn close to actual. There's a bit of reflection from the flash, but not much...

Now the second my hands touched the softness of it, and my eyes took in the beautifully saturated shadings I thought - "drop everything else, I gotta knit this!" Well, I'm more controlled than that, and I know I have other commitments first....lolol. The texture of the yarn is very similar to the undyed KP's laceweight that I'm using for Catharina, and I'm so enjoying that shawl (and of course, I'm using KP's Gossamer (SweetPea) for Diamond Fantasy Shawl, too). Startitis is a common problem in Knitnana's household!

But it's gonna be one gorgeous shawl!

Knitter's Coffee Swap Questions

Coming right off the Knitter's Tea Swap 2 (which was delightful!) now I'm looking forward to this swap...I'm a new coffee nut...(tho' I've been drinking coffee since my teens)
QUESTIONS
1. Whole bean or ground? Ground (alas no special equipment with which to grind my own!) And just a little 2 cup drip Mr. Coffee (okay, it says 4 cups, but it's 2 mugs (at best!). It's just me, so
2. Fully-loaded or decaf? either
3. Regular or flavored? I prefer Hazelnut.
4. How do you drink your coffee? Hot. Iced. On the run in the car...at my desk (work or home)...
5. Favorite coffee ever? Starbucks, tho' we have a couple of local houses that are also good (Daily Grind, Java the Hut).
6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? I drink Maxwell House French Roast daily...but that's not what I mean when I say I'm a "new" coffee drinker...I love special coffees and am becoming a junkie at the Starbucks window...
7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? dark chocolate - I especially like almond biscotti with a dark chocolate glaze, plain dark chocolate with nuts biscotti (like B&N's), dark chocolate raspberry (in candy bar form!)
8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? Summer is Iced Mocha Latte with hazlenut and soy...winter is the same...just not iced! I use Equal or Sweet & Low in my regular morning brew...oh and sometimes I mix it up completely for a White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks!
9. What treats do you enjoy with your coffee? see above...chocolate...chocolate...but once in awhile (for a special treat) a cheese danish (only if I've been very very good in the diet and exercise category for awhile! lolol!
10. Yarn/fiber you love? merino sock and laceweight yarns...Noro, Roxanne's yarns, CTH, Trekking XXL, Claudia's, Koigu...Knitpicks, too!
11. Yarn/fiber you hate? I only use Caron Simply Soft in baby colors for baby blankets - otherwise, I prefer to stay away from acrylic as it hurts my hands.
12. What's on your needles? Noro Booga Bag, Knitpicks undyed laceweight merino Catharina shawl, Cherry Tree Hill Feather & Fan Socks, Knitpicks Gossamer Diamond Fantasy Shawl, Peace Fleece hats...
13. Favorite colors? Most anything - purple, fushia, emerald, turquoise, black, brown/pink combos, brown & earthtoned green combos, chocolate, denim, lavender, ivory - but I don't care much for yellow or orange...
14. Allergies? cigarette smoke. A huge no-no in my book!
15. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest?
I have a pampered Siamese cat and love anything (especially notecards & magnets) with Siamese on them.

Mid-Week Update

Norovember Big Kureyon Booga Bag...well, I'm knitting. And knitting. And Knitting.
I've got 40 rows and I'm feeling like it'll never end...

And she sometimes takes a minute to play with me, too

And then, Lacevember and my Catharina Shawl...well. Yes. I.AM.Making.Progress...Geesh.
2 rows here - 4 there
(last night during election returns and two of my favorite CBS shows).
Must mean something that I can now watch TV and knit lace?
At least, THIS lace...



It's really pretty boring around here. Either she knits or she sews. I discovered The Bombshell's nest tonight and have made it mine for the duration.
The Meezer

Lacevember

What fun....hadn't thought we'd do these things, and not sure I always understand what folks are asking, but hope my answers either elucidate or entertain as appropriate!
(((hugs)))

The knitting questions, or the usual suspects

How long have you been knitting? Since my teens
How did you learn to knit? Mom taught me
Favorite thing about knitting? lace
How long have you been knitting lace? 17 months
Favorite thing about knitting lace. Watching the pattern emerge

The yarn questions, or flash your stash

Favorite lace yarn? Merino – so far
variegated or solids for shawls? both
Favorite lace color? Blues, purples, pinks (can’t choose just one)

Technique, or show us your skillz

Circs or straights? circs
Favorite lace knitting trick? Trick? Or self defense? Lifelines.
Lifelines? If so with what? YES! Smaller yarn usually.
Fancy blocking wires, or just sewing pins stuck in your carpet?
Pins in the dressmaker’s cutting board on the bed


Pattern, or can you follow directions

shawls or lacey items? Shawls, mostly, some socks and scarves
triangle, rectangle, or circular shawls? Triangular
Charts or printed instructions? both
Favorite lace you've knit? Highland Triangle Shawl
Favorite lace you want to knit? A tie between Hidcote
and Wing o' The Moth

Just Fun, yup that's right, just for fun

Favorite jelly belly flavor? Licorice
Tell me everything you know about Eric the Red.....
Viking with blazing red hair
Coke, classic or with lime? Classic
Holiday carols, sing along, or wish they would be banned from all public airwaves? Sing along (but NOT for 6 weeks, please?)
What is the definition of irony? that knitting takes patience
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop?
Who licks?
Why is my cat always puking in front of my son's bedroom door?
No son, but the puking cat has long hair!
What is your superhero power? Able to work 3 jobs without losing my mind?
If the laundry is 9 foot by 11 foot (just dreaming, that's a big laundry room), and the walls are 8 feet tall, and you are going to tile the entire room in tiles that are 3 inches by 5 inches, what color should those tiles be? Jadite green
What's for dinner tonight? Vegetarian spaghetti
What is clogging my children's bathtub drain? What children? She’s grown up!
(whew!!)

Yahoo Email?

I'm having a dickens of a time the past two weeks getting personal email on Yahoo. Anyone else? People are trying (so I hear) but nothing is coming to me...except:

My blogger comments are coming through, as are the various group emails. So if you have tried to email me at siameezercatATyahooDOTcom and you haven't heard from me, I promise I'm not ignoring you, nor am I angry at anyone (okay, except Yahoo!). Please try this, okay? If you need to reach me and I don't reply in a reasonable time, email again but this time go to my website and click on the "contact me" link on the lefthand menu on the first page? That will come to me directly.

And please accept my apologies?
(((hugs)))

Serendipity?

The beginning of the Booga Bag: 2 skeins of the Noro Big Kureyon in color #1 and Lamb's Pride Bulky in Aubergine and here are the results!

That's 20 rows beyond the rectangular bottom there. I ran the Lamb's Pride up about 6 rows before changing over to the Noro. I hadn't thought the colors would be so close a match, but they are, and I've fallen in love with this yarn...(oh, yes, the Noro, too!)

Most Used Knits & Norovember

 
Chris wanted to see the handknit items we use the most, so here's my photo. The black and white is a 6 year old ribbed scarf I knit right after my heart attack. It was so boring (and at that time I didn't allow myself multiple projects which affected my interest in the project!) it took two years to complete (yes, it's Lion Wool-Ease). The navy is my very first Lace Triangle shawl (yup, Wool-Ease again - but that time I learned my lesson), and under it the light blue is the Highland Triangle Shawl. The two shawls I wear alternately almost every day at work during A/C season! Then on the right is my first pair of socks, knit this year. They were knit to pattern size 8. I'm a size 6. Since I'd never made socks, I didn't mess with the pattern! These I wear every night to bed, till my toes become warm and I take them off during the night in my sleep. Next to the socks is a dishcloth - it's a new one, but representative of the many I use in my housekeeping. And finally on the left are my Voodoo mitts from Knitty.com. They were my first dpn project and are done in an wool/acrylic blend, too (Plymouth Encore DK). Interesting that the items I use most are all washable (the exception is HTS, which is Jo Sharp DK Silkroad Tweed).

Oh...I started the Booga Bag in Lambs Pride Bulky and Noro Big Kureyon tonight. I'm participating in Norovember (see the button on the sidebar for a link), too!
(((hugs)))