pick a pocket

I haven't knit many garments with pockets. (Some a pretty long time ago, well before the old blog.) Thinking that the last sweater I made with pockets was the Farmers Market Cardi, but that had a completely different way of making those pockets. There are the patch pockets, pockets with flaps, side-seam pockets, pouch pockets, cut-in pockets and inset pockets. (I may be missing a one or two.)
Inset pockets happen to be my favorite and the method of choice written in the pattern for my new project.
You make the lining before, then after you bind off the front piece, you pick up and knit across the lining stitches. Thus, creating a layer of pieces. Hence, your pocket!
I'm pretty crazy about that wickerwork stitch pattern. A pattern, coupled with a bit of stockinette... perfect! Also loving another project on big needles -size 11.
Off to find something to prepare for dinner. I'm already bored with my cooking choices.
Have a great one.

slow it down

It rolled around again... today. Funny how it came so quickly.
One in the big high school. (9th grade -ouch.)
One in the middle school. (7th grade -ouch.)
And one in his last year in the elementary school. (5th grade -ouch.) (Happy to take his place in the back of the bus.)
For some reason I didn't blare my music as in years past. And I couldn't seem to remember what it was I was wanting to do all summer long that I couldn't do. Funny how that happens.
I did manage to bake some brownies. And sneak in a few rows.
That seemed to make it all better.

the winner

I wish I could choose every single number to win the collection of books. But since I can't the random number generator chose one and it is #95, Amy J. Amy, please send me an e-mail (address in side bar) and I will make sure it gets to you!
Our last weekend of summer vacation. Can't believe it.
Make it great.

bring on fall

To all my new knitting friends that haven't tried cables. I promise they are not hard. If you can knit and purl then you can put stitches on a cable needle and move them to the front and back of your knitting. Swear!
I can only say really wonderful things about this project.
-The yarn was a dream to work with. One of the softest, ever.
-The cables kept it totally interesting. Most of my projects lately have been all knit in stockinette. So this was a welcome change. I like to make charts and cross things off. This fit the bill.
-On size 10.5 needles it was quick.
-Plymouth patterns: What can I say. Love them. You can buy one pattern. The pattern is so well written. Very easy to follow. Every bit of information (abbreviations, etc.) is written right in the pattern. So you never have to use another reference to look something up.
-I love it.
Pattern: Plymouth Yarn Co. #1791 (Patterns are available at local yarn shops that carry plymouth yarn. Check here.)
Yarn: Baby Alpaca Grande Tweed, 9 balls, #1208
Needles: US 8 & US 10.5
Size: 36 3/4
Modifications: None.

I'll be back tomorrow.
Happy Thursday!

a little collection

Have you seen this book? Or "encyclopedia of books" I should say?
The Stitch Collection by Debbie O'Neill is the perfect collection consisting of five mini books. Each book is small enough (and light enough!) to be carried around in your knitting bag.
I love how it is packaged and laid out, in an organized easy to find manor. It is a set of five mini books of the stitches themselves, designed to help you choose the best stitch pattern for a particular project. Each individual stitch pattern (225 total) is ranked according to its level of difficulty and amount of drape. It basically consolidates a bunch of valuable information into a simple little book. I love that!
I have one to give away. Leave a comment between now and Thursday the 19th at 12 p.m. EST and I will draw a name.

Make it a great one.

make them

Well, that week pretty much flew by. I seriously don't know what happened to our summer. I do know driving has been my number one activity.
Ice cream with any cookie is good. Chocolate chip, Chocolate, Sugar all sound good but I always wanted to try to make one like the ones in the store.
The recipe calls for margarine and mentions that margarine makes for a chewy, soft cookie. I never buy margarine and only ever bake with butter. I think the butter worked fine.
This was sort of fun. You know, like crafting in the kitchen. Sort of like using your rotary cutter and cutting fabric. With a bonus that you can eat all the extra trimming.
Have the kids poke holes in the top with a fork. Or a pin if you are really in the sewing mood.
Make sure you leave a sweet note so they won't eat a top. Or a bottom. Cause you know, a topless ice cream sandwich just wouldn't be cool.
Now this was a challenge. Finding the half gallon. You know, the rectangular one. My store had one brand and 3 flavors. Funny how I didn't notice that no one really makes it like that anymore until I actually went looking for one.
{c l a - charlie libby andrew, just in case you were wondering}
Assembly was fun. More scraps... this time ice cream, as you sort of have to trim the side so the ice cream fits in nicely. I then wrapped each one in parchment paper. And stuck them back into the freezer.
They were pretty big... so I cut them in half. (Meanie. Of course, they wanted more.)
Found some really great wooden buttons for my sweater. Plan on sewing those on this weekend and casting on for this.
All right... have a fabulous weekend!

randomness

I sat outside yesterday (in the heat, drinking hot coffee, alpaca in my hands) working on the second sleeve, watching an intense game of frisbee. Don't know why I didn't buy them that white plastic disc earlier in the summer. Who knew it would be such a time filling hit. Anyhow, about this sweater, I started it on July 19th. (Do you do that? Write down your start date? I have been doing that for years. Always love to see how long a sweater takes.) It was started while my slouchy was blocking, before photos were taken. On size 10.5 needles this thing is practically knitting itself. I plan on finishing it this weekend. Hoping to find three fantastic buttons for the finishing touch.
Oh! We made ice cream sandwiches that took us all week. Only because we made the dough and could never quite find a couple of hours to finish them off. I'll be sure to show you soon.
Hope your weekend is filled with a little or a lot of the things you love. I think I'll make more pesto.

hello august

I love August and its lazy days.
(These would be cute to try to make.)
No rushing.
Nowhere we have to be. (Except school on the 25th. Shhhh.)
The abundance of color.
Plum being a favorite.
Story telling. Of places and the people that live there.

Happy August!

slouchy cardigan

This is the one knit that I feel would be a great first sweater for someone. Very little rib. (One row, I did two.) A few simple decreases. Stockinette. And voila. You have yourself a sweater that can be worn over and over. Over jeans. Over a dress. Over slacks. Over a skirt. And most importantly, over your jammies.
I'm as happy with this one as I am with my first one. I made one change. The pattern says that the hood is optional. Good. I opted out. I decided I was pretty much ready to be finished with it, and would love to have some extra charmed to make a pair of toast mitts.
Pattern: Slouchy Cardigan, Greetings from Knit Cafe (I see it is currently out of stock at Amazon. Hurry, call your library!)
Yarn: Classic Elite Charmed (Discontinued. Sorry.)
Size: small/med
Needles: US 8
Mods: No hood. Two rows of rib.
***Remember to check out the pattern corrections if you have a copy of the original hardcover book. Also, the sleeve cap is too short. I have not seen any corrections written anywhere for this, so, I'll let you know what I did:
Shape Cap: (RS) BO 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows, 2 sts at beginning of next 4 rows, then at each side decrease 1 st every other RIGHT SIDE row. (so, every 4th row) 10 times. 21(28) sts remain. Bind of remaining stitches.
This is hands down my favorite sweater, EVER. Wear, wear, wear, I tell you. I honestly do not own another hand knit that has gotten more wear than my first one. I have no doubt this will be the same.

Have a beautiful weekend!

there's always a positive

Me: A fork? Really?
Andrew: Sure, why not? At least I didn't grab a knife.
Me: True. So very true.

Again, I wish everyone could get a book. Especially with so many babies coming into this world! (Congratulations to all those expecting... or relatives expecting... or friends... SO great!)
However, the random generator can only choose one number and it picked #215, Robin. Congrats, Robin. Please e-mail me (address over there in my side bar) your address and I will make sure it ends up in your hands.

Okay... this is one of the weirdest things that has ever happened to me. I had to look up the definition of runcible, (okay.. shhhh, I know... don't tell anyone), the name of Robin's blog is Runcible Farm. def. run ci ble spoon n. a fork curved like a spoon! Do you see my photo... how weird is THAT! Honestly. Weird. I guess it was meant to be.

easy peachy, i mean peasy.

Okay. This may be something a bunch of you already know, however, it is something I just learned that makes life a little easier, so I thought I would share with you. Especially considering when I told jeeves about this (aka, mom) it was new to her. Shocking!
I read about it over on smitten kitchen. The perfect way to peel that fuzzy fur off a peach. Score an "x" on the bottom of the peach with a sharp paring knife. Slowly lower peach into a pot of boiling water. I had five peaches. I lowered each one in and by the time I got to my fifth peach, I then removed the first one I placed in. So, I think that I probably left each one in the water for about five seconds. Then, using the same paring knife, starting at the bottom where you scored it, peel the skin off. It was a dream. A dream, I tell you!
Having this in the morning:
And this in the evening:
Is just peachy.
Actually, having either of those at any time of day is the peachiest!
(I think I am a little giddy this morning. Having only one child in the house for the week can do that to a mom.)

I'll be back tomorrow with the name of a winner.
Have a great one!

it's a good one

I honestly can not say enough great things about this book. I think it spent an entire week on my nightstand as I read it and enjoyed the photos before bed. Debbie Bliss could not have done a better job.
Not only are the patterns some of the cutest little knits I have ever seen, but the useful information in this book is beyond fantastic.
Filled with eighteen patterns including garments and accessories for babies and toddlers. (I would have SO been all over those top two sweaters for my Libby and the bottom two for my boys!)
She gives you the pattern and the knowledge and information on how to make it your own. You can sketch out your own design and implement it into the patterns provided. Or not. It is completely up to you. (Of course it is!)
And you guessed it. Tara over at SoHo publishing is offering this book to one of my readers. Leave me a comment between now and Monday the 26th at 12 pm EST and I will draw a name.

Happy Friday! Happy Weekend!

reminders

Make today special. Tomorrow, too.
(Napping when you are tired sounds like a pretty good plan, also.)

two at a time

It's usually not my thing. Knitting both sleeves at the same time.
But, my mother does it and she has repeatedly mentioned how great it is. They are always exactly the same, and there is something so rewarding about when you are finished, you are completely finished. Okay then, I'll give it a try, again. So, away I knit. Bound both off. Wow, that does feel great. Then, I held one up to my arm.... about 10 inches too long. I kid you not. Both sleeves are about 10 inches too long. (Distractions galore around here.) Now, that is a reason to NOT knit both sleeves at the same time.
My yarn arrived for this sweater. Oh, how lovely. I am resisting the urge to cast on until I finish my slouchy cardigan. Cause just like the sleeves, I am good with just one at a time.
Have a wonderful weekend.

flower treats

Call me crazy. But, I just couldn't help myself.
We were out of dog treats. Charlie searched for a recipe.
And found Snickerpoodles, perfect for his love of snickerdoodles.
I did overcook them. Thankfully, Trouble doesn't mind a bit.

finding answers

Googling is pretty awesome.
My recent google searches:
*pickled beets, *golf courses conneaut lake, *volant pa, *making a stitch in a purl stitch, *plymouth baby alpaca grande tweed, *twinkle pattern corrections, *how to make buttermilk, *vanilla cake recipe, *nectar of the gods leave in conditioner
I did make pickled beets, my Dad's favorite. I ordered some new (delicious) yarn and this pattern. I learned that I can make buttermilk if needed. I bagged baking the cake and bought one instead.
Have a wonderful weekend!

your header

How it usually goes:
I get an email or a text from my sister, Shelly.
Shelly: time to change your header. Me: ideas? Shelly: paw prints (troubles), sprinkles, daisies. Me: sprinkles, as in rain? Shelly: sprinkles, as in ice cream! Me: k, :), xoxox
A few of my past headers:








It's usually something I don't think about. So, the reminder from my sister is always welcomed. I owe some people an email on how to make a header. And I do have a couple of friends with new blogs that may need some help. (Hi, Jennie. Time to dust off yours, Amy.) I usually crop my picture on my computer. And then I head on over to picnik where I add the text. (You can crop and do everything over in picnik, though.) Molly had some great info on how to make headers, too. In fact, she helped me remove my boarder that was around the header.
Hey, happy July!

the process



It's so great. Watching flowers come to life. Honestly, these beauties make me so happy. And to be able to enjoy these flowers from now until September. So good.
I would love to be able to enjoy the process of making my second slouchy cardigan. However, while making my second anything, it's all about the end result. The slouchy pattern is available from the Greetings from Knit Cafe book. That pattern (along with many others in the book) has a bunch of corrections. I have them written in my book because of the first time I made that sweater. So, if you are getting ready to cast on for a slouchy cardigan, make sure you check out the corrections.
I would also love for everyone to win a book. Unfortunately I only get to have the random number generator choose one. #210, Kim from Love is all you knit. Please e-mail me and I will make sure you get the book.